The cameras come back from commercial right to stageside where Val Casias, Lincoln Phelps and Greyson Marks are seated. Greyson leans on the table, looking over at Val, who is tilting her head as she looks at the next couple of notes ahead. Lincoln coughs, and then looks at Greyson, a grin on his face.
LINCOLN PHELPS: The next match on the card is going to be h-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s. When Aaron Asphyxia booked this, did she just do it for the comedy factor? Or because she was just trying to get back at her ex-husband?
VAL CASIAS: Hm?
GREYSON MARKS: I’m surprised she retained all of the special guests coming up here. I mean, they do kind of float around everywhere, it shouldn’t be surprising…but this is definitely going to be chaotic.
LINCOLN PHELPS: I wonder what the household looks like…
VAL CASIAS: What are you guys talking about? I see a note that this is going to be some kind of like…family feud? Like the trivia show?
Greyson looks at Val, and so does Lincoln. Both smirk slightly, despite Lincoln’s obvious attraction to her (like every other female in the company).
GREYSON MARKS: Oh. Oh this is going to be wonderful. She’s going to eat her alive.
VAL CASIAS: Who?
♫ I DON’T WANT TO KNOW ALL YOUR SECRETS ‘CAUSE I’LL TELL ♫
It doesn’t take but two seconds for “
Like A Villain” by Bad Omens to hit the speakers with an
instant loud chorus of boos. From underneath the purple lights that darken the stage walks a Season One veteran of Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE, the Sin City Wrestling Women’s Internet Championship draped across her shoulder as she steps into the limelight. Kayla Richards, despite being dressed in a rhinestone studded top that
accentuates every bit of her upper torso, shows off her tattooed stomach and otherwise decked out in leather, wears an ugly expression of disdain for the Denver crowd as she smirks at all of them. A shirt bearing the likeness of Finn Whelan hangs out the itty-bitty front pocket of her pants.
NINA LAWRENCE: Please welcome to the announcer’s table…she is the current Sin City Wrestling Women’s Internet Champion, KAYLAAA RICHARDDDDDSSS!!!!!
Kayla crosses the stage then with a middle finger raised to the booing crowd, before she takes a seat on the opposite side of Val. Lincoln leans over to see her as she puts her headset on and looks particularly smug, laying her championship on the table in front of her.
LINCOLN PHELPS: Welcome back to PWE, Kayla! It’s really nice to see you succeeding lately…and congratulations on your two time title win with the Internet Championship at Sin City. Kiera-whateverthefuck didn’t stand a chance against you.
He beams at her.
But Kayla does what Kayla has always done best.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: I would say thanks…but do I know you?
Crestfallen, Lincoln leans back and crosses his arms, instantly pouting while Greyson guffaws loudly. Val just looks at everyone bemused and confused.
♫ HYPA HYPA, YOU’RE PRETTY AND I LIKE YA ♫
The lights flash to a very fluorescent neon pink as they strobe on the stage. The crowd changes to a pop for the currently hiatused wrestler who has wrestled in various promotions that we won’t name here. Regularly seen with her partner in crime, she appears alone as she steps out on the stage, wearing her husband’s t-shirt proudly over her six month pregnant belly, a wide smile on her face as she waves to the crowd. Kallie Reznik pauses, putting her hands behind her back as she grins at the camera.
NINA LAWRENCE: Please also welcome to the announcer’s table…she is The Wolfcub of Wolfslair, and the Baby Aussie Mama–
Kallie’s face screws up as she looks a little confused.
NINA LAWRENCE: Kaaaaaaaaalllllliiiieeee Reznikski-Reynolds!!!!
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Oh Jesus…
Kallie shrugs and grins, waving again before she, too, walks over to the commentary table. She waves at Grayson, high-fives Lincoln, and then pauses entirely as she looks at Kayla, who’s nose has scrunched so high upwards that it’s unknown she’ll ever be able to unwrinkle it.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Hiya Wallaby.
Kallie rolls her eyes, and then sits on the opposite side of Val, putting on her headset.
GRAYSON MARKS: Welcome to PWE Kallie! I know we saw you a few months ago with Aiden when you celebrated that win with him. How are you liking the promotion?
KALLIE REZNIK: It’s great! It’s been a while, of course, since I could actually get in the ring, but I definitely missed hearing from all the fans.
GRAYSON MARKS: How many months until we might see you again in the ring?
KALLIE REZNIK: Oh, I don’t know. I’m due in like three months–
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Oh, you’re pregnant?!
Kallie pauses and looks over at Kayla with narrowed eyes.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: I honestly just thought you were letting yourself go after being treated so badly at that one godforsaken place you used to wrestle. I mean, I would too if I got myself blacklisted from
there.
Kallie drags her tongue across the top of her teeth as she looks at her, swallowing slightly and frowning as well.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: What are you having again?
KALLIE REZNIK: A bo–
KAYLA RICHARDS:: An echidna?
KALLIE REZNIK: No a-
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Boomerang?
KALLIE REZNIK: Kayla–
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Oh, you’re not having a me. It has Aiden’s genetics, you’re absolutely fucked.
♫ IF I COULD FIND THE WORDS
IF I COULD SHAKE THE WORLD
IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME
WOULD YOU STILL BE THERE? ♫
As if on cue, Of Mice and Men’s "Would You Still Be There" hits as Aiden Reynolds pops out from the back in his wrestling gear and a Brisbane Broncos Rugby League jersey. The crowd pops for the Australian national as he immediately runs to one side, pointing to the fans, before running to the other to hype them up.
NINA LAWRENCE: Introducing first…weighing in at two hundred and thirty pounds due to stress eating at Maccas, he is the Wombat of Wollongong, the Wallaby of Waggawagga, The Kangaroo of Caloundra, The Kookaburra of King’s Beach, The Australian Wolf—
VAL CASIAS: Wouldn’t that be a dingo?
NINA LAWRENCE: – AIDEN REYNOOOOLLLLDDDSSS!!!!
He pops on the balls of his feet before sliding down to one knee and rubbing his hand on the entranceway before popping to his feet and making his way down to the ring. He runs and slides under the bottom rope and gets to his feet before going to the ropes and balancing himself on the middle rope with his arms out to the side.
KALLIE REZNIK: He is just so CUUUUUUTE!
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Careful, wouldn’t want to break water just yet.
Lincoln chokes on his whiskey, and Greyson shakes his head. Aiden drops to his feet, before turning to look at the entrance way. He swallows slightly – he remembers how this came out five years ago when he first faced his opponent. But things had changed. Hell, they were on the same playing level at one point!
♫ DO YOU CROSS YOUR HEART WHEN YOU HOPE TO DIE? ♫
The lights dim down and cast the arena in a red glow, and for a moment -- only a moment -- the crowd quiets down just a smidge. The drum riff opening that carries into an aggressive rhythm of guitar chords breaks out as "Black Lungs" by Architects blares out over the P.A. System. This brings the crowd to their feet -- both in a positive and negative reaction, completely mixed.
The spotlight doesn't fall upon the stage, instead flowing across the crowd as the lyrics describe more than just a time in the world. Finn Whelan appears not from the curtain, but from one of the visitor entrances with a semi-cocky swagger written into his denim jeans. He stops at the top of the steps for a moment, a slight smirk on his face as he glances down at the people around him, blockaded off by the typical burly security guards. The crowd is not booing, but they're not exactly cheering either. He sets his eyes upon the ring below, and then makes his way down slowly, ignoring the people around him though a few of them clap him on the shoulders as he descends.
NINA LAWRENCE: His opponent, weighing in at two hundred and four pounds…he is The Virulent Strain, The Seattle Saint, and the Killer of Killarney and the OWNER OF THE HOUSE FOR WAYWARD WRESTLERS…FINN WHEEEEEEELAAAAAANNNN!!!!!
At the barrier, he slings himself over and slides immediately underneath the bottom rope and leaps to his feet in the center of the ring. He pauses, looking at Aiden with a smirk on his face as Aiden adjusts his wrist tape. He heads directly for the ropes in front of him, and hops up onto the bottom one, bouncing slightly as he looks back at the crowd, choosing a few choice words to share with them. Then he drops down from it, and pulls off his vest as he heads to his place against the turnbuckle, leaning into it and looking upwards at the stage past his brow as his music fades out.
The two men stare at one another from opposite corners. It’s not clear how they got to this point. However, it is clear that Finn is
clearly annoyed with the other one. Aiden grabs hold of the ropes, pulling at them to make sure they're taut, though he keeps an eye trained on the other man.
♫ WHOA-OH-OH-OH. ♫
The aggressive guitar riff opening of “FØØL” by GHØSTKID blares across the arena’s speaker system. Without hesitation, and not wanting to keep the match from starting, the special guest referee for the match appears out from underneath the curtains with an extremely ripped up refereeing polo shirt that also doesn’t have sleeves(?). Dickie Watson waves to the fans as he pauses for just a moment, relishing in the fact that he’s standing once more in front of fans. Just for one night.
NINA LAWRENCE: And last, the special guest referee for this bout…he is one half of The Commonwealth with his AussieBro, the Sibling of the Saint, the Couch Crusader, the former Molotov and Waiting for the Next Calamity to hit and getting absolutely KNACKERED sitting on his ass at home…DICKIE WATSON!
GREYSON MARKS: You know he was itching to do something. Ever since FIGHT closed, he’s been struggling to make ends meet.
LINCOLN PHELPS: I don’t think he has to worry about that personally. I hear he sold off his former sister’s stock in shitty goth accessories and extremely sugary cupcakes when she called and said she was making cookies for the billionth time and not actually doing shit.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Making cookies or giving her cookies to any guy who gave her fucking attention?
KALLIE REZNIK: Ewwwwwwwuh…Dickie has made his way to the ring and is high fiving his partner in crime. For a second, the two joke around, before he walks over to Finn and pats him on the shoulder. Finn, however, doesn’t look amused, and raises his hand, shoving Dickie’s hand back at him. Dickie frowns, and then stands in the center of the two, pointing at both of them to stand in the corners until the bell rings. However, before that happens, Nina steps forward once more.
NINA LAWRENCE: The following contest is a Family Feud
STREET FIGHT. The audience has been polled tonight for what …unique… weapons will be available to both competitors starting with number four. Every five minutes, a new weapon will be entered into play. The competitors will note that they are restricted to only performing within the primary arena area – backstage is strictly off limits for tonight’s bout. Competitors will also note that for safety reasons, the commentary table may not be used as a weapon tonight.
Aiden breathes a huge sigh of relief. He looks up at the table and smiles at his preggo wifey. Kayla can be heard audibly rolling her eyes.
Dickie waits until Nina has left the ring, and then he looks at Finn, looks at Aiden, and raises his hand to signal for the bell.
DING DING DING.
Before anything can happen whatsoever, Aiden puts up a hand, holding up a finger at Finn, telling him to hold on. The camera zooms in closer so the audience at home can hear him better.
AIDEN REYNOLDS [UNAIDED]: …I know, mate. Really sorry about that, but you know how it is. Wombats don’t know the power of their own jaws and teeth. They just
really like to go at whatever is closest and the whatsitdoodle around the door was just really tasty, aye.
Finn just stares at him. The Australian shrugs his shoulders a second later and then starts nodding.
AIDEN REYNOLDS [UNAIDED]: …and I suppose I should keep me gaming hours to four to eleven, but me mates back in Australia, eh, they aren’t able to get on until four, five in the morning. I guess I should really consider getting some new fri–
He’s cut off as Finn charges forward and rams his knee into Aiden’s gut, forcing the Australian Wolf over his leg and also forcing all the air out of his body. Finn stands up tall, holding onto the back of Aiden’s head with one hand while the other grabs instantly for his wrestling tights. He snaps him backwards for a suplex, and Aiden lands with a loud thud, rolling upwards and holding his back slightly.
Finn goes on the offensive again, sliding to his stomach quickly and looping his arms around Aiden’s neck in a sleeper hold. His fingers lock around his jaw and Aiden’s neck is torqued backwards as Finn turns his hand and pulls across his eyes. Dickie drops to his stomach too and leans in, watching his pal suffer at the hands of his brother.
KALLIE REZNIK: Oh no, ohno, ohnononononono.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Does he really lack that much stamina that you’re afraid he’s going to tap, Wallaby?
GREYSON MARKS: I don’t think that was appropriate for television…
LINCOLN PHELPS: Finn really going in with that sleeper hold.
VAL CASIAS: Oh…oh look, Aiden’s got his finger’s under Finn’s grip!
Surely, Aiden does indeed have his fingers under Finn’s grip. He pries them backwards, pushing them away from his face, and he’s able to get himself out from under his hold. He scrambles to his feet and immediately stomps onto one foot and rams his size eleven boot right into Finn’s face.
CROWD: OH!
KAYLA RICHARDS:: HEY.
KALLIE REZNIK: BREAK HIS NOSE, AIDEN!
Aiden swings his leg back further, swiftly kicking him again and again, but this time, not in the face but the gut. Finn doubles over, trying to protect his stomach from the barrage of kicks. Aiden runs backwards, bounces off the ropes, and then baseball slides / dropkicks both boots into Finn’s face once more.
All of a sudden, the
Family Feud logo appears with the game bars – except that it’s not because it would cost money to commander the board – onto the screen. Five options are selected, though they’re not visible. A countdown begins.
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
CROWD: NUMBER FOUR.
The fourth most commonly suggested weapon appears a second later, and Aiden looks up at the screen.
LINCOLN PHELPS: A,,,board game?
GRAYSON MARKS: Is that…is that even considered a weapon?
A black box is slipped into the ring by Nina, which is then checked by Dickie. He raises the weapon into the air, to reveal THE BIGGER, BLACKER BOX OF CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY.
LINCOLN PHELPS: HAHAHAHAHAHA! IT’S A DICK INNUENDO. HAHA.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Oh
GOD I hate that game…
KALLIE REZNIK: You hate
people.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: …you are not wrong. But also, fuck you.
Aiden snatches the box and rips the cellophane packaging as Finn slowly climbs to his feet. He opens the box, grabs a handful of the cards, and just as Finn is starting to loom towards him, he tosses a handful at the Irish-American wrestler.
They blink at each other for a moment, cards floating in the air like confetti.
AIDEN REYNOLDS [UNAIDED]: …they were supposed to explode…
FINN WHELAN [UNAIDED]: THE FUCK YOU THINK YOU ARE, GAMBIT?!
AIDEN REYNOLDS [UNAIDED]: ….
As the last card hits the floor, Aiden
throws the entire box at Finn, which hits him in the chest, and then he raises his leg upwards with a super kick right to Finn’s jawline. The Seattle Saint leans backwards and slams onto his back one more time.
But he’s right back to his feet again, looking around as Aiden has climbed to the turnbuckle and is now perched upwards on it. He shakes his head, and climbs up to the first rope, then second rope, fighting with Aiden using closed fists as they battle for dominance on the ropes. Dickie shouts at them, telling them to get out of the corner, and Finn turns around, shoving a middle finger into Dickie’s face. Dickie yells at him in Russian, and whatever it was, it wasn’t friendly because Finn drops down to the mat and gets into Dickie’s face, screaming at
him in Gaelic.
Aiden shakes off the punches and then looks on, his eyes going from one to the other. He shrugs his shoulders and climbs back up to the turnbuckle, leaping off the top rope and grabbing Finn’s head in a bulldog, slamming it to the mat one more time. He then looks at Dickie, and yells at
him in Australian.
AIDEN REYNOLDS [UNAIDED]: Stop helpin’ me you cunt!
KAYLA RICHARDS:: BIASED MATCH. DICKIE SHOULD THROW IN THE TOWEL.
KALLIE REZNIK: NUH-UH.
GREYSON MARKS: Dickie steps back and Aiden steps forward with him…and now they’re yelling at each other. Nothing says hetero lifemates like arguments in the middle of the ring.
LINCOLN PHELPS: Nah, I’ve seen them working as as a tag team. Aiden isn’t liking the authority that Dickie has. Probably comes from all the comments that Aiden is just his sidekick and can’t seem to stand on his own.
VAL CASIAS: Wasn’t he the Wrestleverse Champion? Like the top one? I know he had some titles back in Japan, as well as several tag ones. Aiden Reynolds is a good competitor, and I think he shouldn’t be underestimated.
LINCOLN PHELPS: Listen to that crowd.
The crowd is heard cheering for Aiden, singing the standard footballer theme of
Ole, OleOleOle, following up with some very Steve Irwin-sounding
OI OI OI! Finn is on his feet behind Aiden at this point, and Dickie takes a step back, letting Aiden turn around and run face to face with the fuming Irishman.
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
CROWD: NUMBER THREE!
The graphic on the screen pulls up the fourth most polled option. Finn’s face turns into a semi-sadistic grin. Aiden’s goes particularly pale.
Light tubes.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Right up Finn’s alley.
A box of the light tubes is slid into the ring by Nina, and Aiden and Finn both stare at it, and then each other, before Finn leaps for the package first. Aiden grabs him by the shoulder, pulls him by the arm and then whips him across the ring. At the same time, he bounces himself back against the opposite ropes, and looks like he’s about to go for a clothesline maneuver, but Finn is faster and smarter. He slams his feet into the mat to stop himself and then catches Aiden with a kitchen sink, running the man in the chest once more and making him flip onto his back. As Aiden scrambles on the ground, rolling over onto his stomach and trying to climb to his feet quicker, Finn has made it to the box of light tubes and pulls one out. He turns, swings it in his hand like a baseball bat, and without a second thought, crashes the first tube against Aiden’s back.
The glass shatters everywhere and Aiden shouts in pain. At the commentary table, Kallie covers her eyes with closed fists. She probably would have pulled up her legs but her belly refused to let her.
LINCOLN PHELPS: We watched you last year with that match at Slaughterhouse. Did you have a sudden change of–
VAL CASIAS: Oh, she can handle it herself, she’s just worried about her husband. Men whine about these things.
LINCOLN PHELPS: …a little sexist there.
Finn grins as the air is littered with glass, mercury and metal. He reaches for a second tube, and raises that one high over his head, and straight into the same spot on Aiden’s back. A red welt, complete with red little blood spatters, rises up on Aiden’s back.
KALLIE REZNIK: Aiden!
KAYLA RICHARDS:: He just makes my day when he does this…
KALLIE REZNIK: ….you’re such a sociopath.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: …what’s your point?
The third time's the charm. Finn grabs the light tube once more, raises it up high, and crashes against Aiden’s back for the third time. Aiden lays out, not even struggling to get up this time. Finn lets the remnants of the tube fall from his hand as Dickie lays down on the ground, avoiding glass as he does so, and checks in on Aiden. At this point and time, Finn walks around Aiden and Dickie, leaning into the turnbuckle, crouching down as he watches. The crowd, this time, is
not behind The Seattle Saint, as he seems to have damaged their favorite Australian. Boos and worried shouts are heard.
And then Aiden gets a hand into the ground. A second hand. Both knees. He rises to his feet to a tumult of cheers and excitement.
And then…
GREYSON MARKS: FENIAN RISING!
Finn leaps upward and slams Aiden back into the mat with his slingblade maneuver, kneeling on the ground with a smile on his face as Aiden is laid out on the ground. He rises to his feet, and rolls Aiden over onto his back, pressing a boot onto his shoulders. Dickie pounds out the count.
1!
2!
3–
LINCOLN PHELPS:;THE WOMBAT OF WOLLONGONG GETS HIS SHOULDER UP!
Finn can’t believe it. His nose turns upward in disdain and he reaches down for Aiden, not bothering to let him up. He pulls him upwards, but Aiden isn’t ready to be put away just yet. He headbutt’s Finn in the chin, and then snaps him back with a short arm clothesline, stumbling forward as Finn lands on the ground once more. He fumbles towards the ropes, and then leans on them, exhaling at the burst of energy that took.
KALLIE REZNIK: I…I…I need to help–
KAYLA RICHARDS:: You’re gonna sit your ass right here, Prego. It isn’t a good idea to be down there. Dumbass will be fine.
GREYSON MARKS: You seem to be against Aiden pretty heavily here.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: You would be too if he infringed upon
your home that you
just got comfortable in with his wombats and his pregnant girlfriends and his ridiculously loud television habits. Finn and I were
just fine in
our–KALLIE REZNIK: His.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: –home with
our–
KALLIE REZNIK: His.
KAYLA RICHARDS:: –pets and happiness. You know, getting together
our–
KALLIE REZNIK: His.
KAYLA RICHARDS::
WOULD YOU FUCKING KNOCK IT OFF.Aiden’s breather seems to be helping him. He sits upwards and then exhales, narrowing his eyes and looking up at the screen as it shows the Family Feud numbers and the crowd counts down.
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
CROWD: NUMBER TWO!
Another favorite of Finn’s, even though he’s the one on the ground.
Thumbtacks.
A bag of thumbtacks is tossed in the ring near Aiden’s feet, and the Australian Wolf looks at them with tiredness written all over him. He reaches down, holding his back as he does so, and opens the bag, dumping them out on the ground across the ring. He turns and looks at The Virulence, exhaling as Finn is struggling to get up to his feet, Aiden walks forward and reaches down for Finn’s head, pulling him up into a fireman’s carry. He pauses a second, and positions himself above where Finn his the lighttubes into him and…
KAYLA RICHARDS:: EXCUSE ME.
GREYSON MARKS: OH! GOLD COAST CUTTER!
Aiden’s version of the TKO slams Finn’s
face right into the remnants of the tubes and the thumbtacks. The crowd cringes as multiple thumbtacks get wedged in both of the men’s bodies. Finn screams out in pain and Aiden joins him. Dickie cringes visibly and audibly. The camera gets a close up of Finn’s who has tacks sticking in the surface area of his face. The camera goes between him and Aiden, who has them littering his light tube opened back. For certain, the mat is going to need to be replaced after this match.
KALLIE REZNIK: Oh I can’t watch!
GREYSON MARKS: That’s the problem with thumbtacks. They’re remarkably effective, but they often damage
both competitors. Aiden may have been wanting to hit maximum damage but also damaged himself as well.
LINCOLN PHELPS: Recoil, mate. Recoil.
VAL CASIAS: You get that word off of Pokemon Scarlet, out now at all major retailers?
LINCOLN PHELPS: …no…
shutup…
GREYSON MARKS: Segue into our advertisement…this Pay Per View is sponsored by GameStop and all incorporated GameINC stores, including EB Games in Australia where you can apparently buy a PlayStation 5 because they’re just sitting in the stockroom waiting to be sold! Not all locations have them, but you might get lucky.
VAL CASIAS: Where did you get that information?
GREYSON MARKS: I don’t know, someone sent in the details, I just read them.
LINCOLN PHELPS: …think I could put one on layaway?
GREYSON MARKS: Lay
by, and sure, you could even put a deposit down since you spend so much money on alcohol.
KAYLA RICHARDS: …HOW ABOUT THE MATCH YOU ALL?
Finn Whelan is down. Aiden Reynolds is down. Dickie is now counting five, raising both hands upwards as he does so. Aiden is the first person who is up to his feet, but just barely at the nine count. He reaches for the ropes, leaning on them for support, and waits until Finn is on his feet again. The meet each other in the center of the ring. Finn takes the first shot, slamming a blow across Aiden’s chest that’s heard across the arena.
Aiden returns.
Finn smacks back.
Aiden hits harder.
The two men go back and forth, creating red welts across the open parts of their chests. Aiden stumbles back one, but doesn’t let himself go down, instead using all his momentum to use his head once more and ram it into Finn’s skull. Finn stumbles backwards, into the ropes, and back into Aiden’s dizzied steps. Regardless, he’s able to hip toss Finn.
He does it again.
And again.
The momentum builds, until Finn gets up one more time, and Aiden flips him backwards in a german suplex. He bridges and holds. Dickie drops down for the count…
1!
2!
Finn is able to break it. He rolls out of it, reaching for Aiden’s arm and applying a Kimura Lock. Aiden’s painful shout is heard just as loudly as the slaps across the chest.
GREYSON MARKS: Finn applying that arm lock in with a nasty vengeance. And look! His boots are digging into Aiden’s open back!
KALLIE REZNIK: Ohnononononono!
Aiden struggles for movement, looking for any way in order to break the hold. He’s too far from the ropes, he’s on his back and unable to fix his stance. He shouts as Finn applies more pressure.
LINCOLN PHELPS: I think this may be it…
KAYLA RICHARDS:: Fuckin’
good.
GREYSON MARKS: Wait…wait is he?
Aiden has hold of one of the bigger shards of glass. He opens his own hand while doing so, but he clutches it, gritting his teeth as he drags the shard across the top of Finn’s hands. Finn instantly lets go, rolling off to the side. Aiden’s pale, obviously not used to such tactics, and he’s starting to lose blood. Street fights and deathmatches have never been his kind, but he knows his abilities. He knows he can do this. He looks up at the screen once more.
5…
4…
3…
2…
1!
CROWD: NUMBER ONE!
The crowd is stunned as they see the weapon option that lights up on the screen as the number one pick. Kallie squeals. Kayla groans. And for Aiden, it’s like he’s seen the world open up in front of his very eyes. He looks down at Nina, who tosses in the triangular weapon. Finn’s nursing his hand, and he turns to look at Aiden as Aiden dashes as quickly as he can for the wooden, authentically aboriginal-design carved aerodynamic device.
Oh yes, friends.
It’s a
boomerang.
FINN WHELAN [UNAIDED]: The fuck are you gonna do with that, eh?
Crikey me up, mate?
Aiden’s movements are fluid. He excelled at frisbee golf the previous weekend with his sister, Dickie and Kallie. This was no different. He could rival the Crocodile Hunter in grandiose weapon tactics. He throws the boomerang with grace. Skill. Amazing luck actually. He expects it to fly somewhere and not actually do shit, but in reality, it hits Finn’s smack dab in the center of his forehead.
CLUNK!And Goliath is toppled.
Finn falls backwards. And he doesn’t get up.
Dickie runs over, and he looks at Finn, checking him for
life. He raises his hand, and it falls back down limply.
Dickie calls it.
WINNER: AIDEN REYNOLDS VIA KNOCK OUT
KAYLA RICHARDS:: OH MY FUCKING GOD I’M DONE.
The thud of Kayla’s microphone hitting the table and the resulting squeal of happiness as Kallie’s too comes off is heard as the two of them head for ringside. Dickie is raising Aiden’s hand in the air, but he still appears entirely too pale to be excited. Kallie climbs the steps as Kayla slides into the ring and checks on Finn, who is groggily looking at the lights above his head while the crowd cheers for the Australian. Kallie clings to Aiden, who yells OW!, so she readjusts and just holds onto his arm.
While everyone cheers and celebrates, Aiden seems to be thinking of the worst case scenario. While he may have won the war in the ring, he could be certain that he would
not be living the war of life at the house when they all made it home.
But that was for another time.
The camera goes straight to commercial.
The scene opens in nothing but complete darkness. Out at the ring, the lights go out on the entire audience as well as they watch the tron, leaving everyone looking around at each other in pitch black darkness. Nobody seems to know what’s going on.
Suddenly, you can hear breathing. Deep breathing, in fact. At first it seems like the breathing is coming from near you in the audience, the crowd looks around to see if their neighbors are out of breath but it doesn’t look like it. Next, we can hear a small pitter patter of someone running on cement. First it’s far away, and over a couple seconds it gets louder, and the breathing gets heavier and heavier.
More than that, it sounds frantic. Like someone is running for their life in the dark, trying to escape the night but can’t seem to get away. The running and the breathing continue to get louder and louder until a SCREAM scares the living shit out of anyone watching this segment.
The lights flicker on the tron as none other than the Architect of Ultraviolence is standing amongst the darkness. He's decked out in nothing but black clothing, and a bandana around his face that he pulls down before he speaks.
ARCHER: Professional Wrestling Excellence...we meet again!
He squats, becoming more level with the camera in front of him.
ARCHER: We've been on this bump road, and much to my liking it's only going to get more rocky from here on out. That's mainly due to the predicament that we find ourselves in now. Magnificence II is upon us, and...
He takes a long whiff in, tilting his head back for dramatics, before returning his gaze back to the lens in front of him.
ARCHER: ...it smells like pain and suffering is on the agenda. Some might say that this Five-Way Iron Man match doesn't pose any benefit for me. Winning this match, doesn't give me anything to look forward to. There's no title on the line, no contendership. You'd be right, there's nothing that anyone normal would get from winning this match. But I'm not a normal guy, you know. There's never been anything normal about me.
The Architect of Ultraviolence lets out a hearty chuckle.
ARCHER: So for me, I'm going to get everything I ever wanted out of this match. I've got four other competitors that I get to rip limb from limb, multiple times. Multiple times to pin people to the mat for the three count, multiple times to make them tap out. If you're not going to get pleasure from the pain and suffering that will go on here tonight, then you don't belong in this match.
He pauses, shaking his head from side to side.
ARCHER: Cassie Wolfe, Grayson Osiris Deville, Ultra Kyoto, and Malachi. Some I know better than others, and all I would guess don't know me. That's alright, you don't need to know me. All you need to know is that I will be your demise tonight. What's more, is that I'm here to watch Emma become Elevation Champion. Emma finds herself in a different sort of multi-person match, but I have no doubts that she'll enjoy hers just as much as I will mine. You see, Emma did always like shiny things. What Emma wants, Emma gets. My interests look a little more...red, than golden. If you catch my drift.
A snicker, before his expression goes completely blank. He pulls up his bandana over his face again as static begins to engulf the camera view. It engulfs the entire thing, Archer disappearing from view, before a complete blackout.
The scene opens up backstage in a hallway that seems to be away from the general hustle and bustle of a pay-per-view show. Only a few production crates can be seen as the camera travels down the hall, before coming to stop on a man beloved the world over, “The Irish Scrapper” Lachlan Kane. Dressed in his signature black leather jacket with blue trunks and matching kickpads, he’s doing some warm up stretches and shaking out his limbs. While there’s a hard glint of determination shining in his blue eyes as he stares ahead, there’s also a slight downturn in his lips that could be interpreted as a touch of anxiety concerning his match later that night.[/color]
But before his mind can start going down dark paths, he is approached by two figures, and he lifts his head to smile at them as the camera swings around to show Bella Madison and Malachi, both also dressed to compete. Lachlan lifts one eyebrow as he stares at his younger brother, more specifically to the top of his head where his hair has been pulled back into a small bun.LACHLAN KANE: Uh, what’s with the new ‘do?Malachi’s eyes roll in annoyance as Bella giggles slightly behind her hand.MALACHI: Don’t even ask. Let’s just say the Unholy Trinity more than lives up to their name.He gives a pointed glare towards Bella, who simply gives him the most innocent look she can muster, batting her eyelashes while Lachlan chuckles.LACHLAN KANE: You two ready for your matches tonight? BELLA MADISON: You know it. I’m ready to go out there and end the year with some gold in my hands.MALACHI: Just call me Tony Stark, cause I’m gonna outlast every one of those dopes tonight.He gives an uncharacteristically concerned look to his older brother.MALACHI: The real question is, are you ready? This match with Angel…you’ve never done anything like this before.Lachlan’s eyes slowly close as he lets out a long breath, resting his hands on his hips. LACHLAN KANE: If I’m being completely honest, the nerves are sky-high. And not the normal pre-match nerves this time. His eyes snap open, and they’re fierce with determination as he flattens his mouth into a straight line.LACHLAN KANE: But I’ve fought too long and too hard to back down now. Not when everything I’ve been chasing is right in my grasp tonight. I’m going out there and I’m getting back my championship, and putting that she-demon under my boot and in the rearview once and for all.Both Bella and Malachi give him encouraging smiles and nods before a stagehand approaches the trio and lets Mal know that his match is coming up. He nods as the stagehand walks away, turning back to his wife and brother.MALACHI: Well, time to make some magic in the ring. Don’t worry, I won’t make it too hard to follow me.He winks as Bella now rolls her eyes and Lachlan laughs again. The two brothers share a fistbump and Bella kisses Mal on the cheek as he saunters off down the hallway towards the entrance area. BELLA MADISON: Just as cocky as the first day I met him.LACHLAN KANE: And look at you both now, all these years later. Married and ready to take on the pro wrestling world together.Bella smiles a little bashfully at her brother-in-law, lightly punching his shoulder.LACHLAN KANE: I mean that. I really think 2023 is going to be the year our family breaks out in a big way. And it all starts tonight.BELLA MADISON: Well, we better make sure that we’re ring ready then.They share a fist bump as well and begin to do some stretches together as the scene fades out.
NINA LAWRENCE: The following match is a five way IRONMAN MATCH and it is a Conquest showcase.
"There is a different darkness, Deep Down Inside My Soul."
The opening riff of “Wolf Within” hits the speakers and once the lyrics kick in Cassie Wolfe emerges from the back excited to start the match, with her hands on her leather jacket’s sides the rookie wrestler turns her back to the crowd.
NINA LAWRENCE: Introducing first, from Greenock, South Australia and now residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, “The Rebel Princess” Cassie Wolfe!
When her name is announced Cassie spins around flashing the metal horns sign with her left hand and clapping fans hands with the other, when she reaches the ring Cassie jumps onto the apron before giving her hair a full flip and removing her jacket to give to a stagehand, she then jumps over the top rope and into the ring, rolling to her knees and basking in the moment.
“What They Really Want?” by DMX (clean version) bangs from the loud speaker. Walking out with a ton of swag is Grayson Osiris Deville. He stops momentarily. He walks down to the ring, once he reaches the ring apron, Grayson walks over to the ring steps, enters the ring. Walking to the center, he drops down to his knees, pounds the mat three times. He opens his arms like he is welcoming a higher power. A sign drops down from the ceiling with the initials G.O.D. The G.O.D. sign lets off a pyrotechnic display that’s impressive, the fans welcome his over the top attitude. With the display done, he gets up. He walks over to the corner to relax prior to the match starting.
NINA LAWRENCE: Next, from Manhattan New York……GRAYSON OSIRIS DEVILLE
"I'M GONNA FIGHT 'EM ALL, A SEVEN NATION ARMY COULDN'T HOLD ME BACK"
The beginning drums to "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes echoes through the arena, and the crowd already know who is coming. Before the first lines of lyrics are even said, the crowd is already high in their mixed reaction with mostly boos. The Architect of Ultraviolence, Archer, walks out from behind the black curtain with a trusty razor-wire black bat. He raises it into the air with a sadistic smile, which only receives any cheers from fellow twisted minds. All the same, Archer slowly walks down to the ring, placing the bat on his shoulder the whole way down. He slides under the bottom rope and into the ring, swinging the bat a few more times before turning in to his corner.
NINA LAWRENCE: And now….from Boston Massachusettes….ARCHER!
♫ 無情なセカイが口遊んだ
哀しく無慈悲なモノガタリに
何があっても SO
命は、己は …奪わせない ♫
Fixated on the large screen, there’s only the sight of ULTRA Kyoto laying across a bloodstained throne. As the camera lens zooms out, purple lights flicker as EXIST by RAISE A SUILEN begins with its discordant shamisen strumming. Continuing through the promotional footage is ULTRA’s exploits throughout her career, which ends with her walking towards the camera and punching it out. All the while, she laughs maniacally, which plays over her theme. Right then, the song finds its intensity.
♫ AH…
これが宿命でも 進み続けるだけ
歪な誓いを 今 希望と歌って ♫
ULTRA Kyoto storms out from behind the curtain, thrashing her coat around as she occupies the entrance stage. Frenzied already, the young woman drags her hands down her face, letting out a blood curdling roar as the lights start to rapidly sequence through royal purple, white, and blue, brought on by her. She reaches up and moves her hair from out of her face. The camera chases the act, getting a full sight of her eyes widened with energetic malice. Catching the camera close on her, Kyoto gives the audience at home a picturesque smile before throwing her hand over her face. When it comes down, the smile is gone and there’s only a scowl. She turns her attention back to the ramp.
♫ 生き続けろLIVE, LIVING ON
闇夜に塗れても ココロは穢れず 失わず
何人たりとも邪魔はさせない
唯一の人生を
THERE ARE STILL THINGS FOR US TO DO這いアガれ！
修羅の道へ ♫
Marching down to the ring, Kyoto sneers at the audience. She stops entirely and rushes at one, scaring them back with her furious energy. The act forces security to pry her away as she points and laughs at them before returning to her venture. Bobbing her head side to side, her fervent ways come to a halt as she ascends the stairs, her arms dangling side to side. She slides between the ropes and twirls around, ripping off her entrance coat. She swings it around and hurls it out. The Pretty Reaper doesn’t seem to care that it lands on a poor stagehand. Ascending the turnbuckle, she puts both of her hands underneath her chin, emphasizing her beauty. When she doesn’t get the reaction she deserves, she points at the audience and spews hatred at them. Crawling down the turnbuckle, she simply decides to stretch as her theme dies out.
NINA LAWRENCE: From KYOTO, Japan…..ULTRA KYOTO
The quiet beginning of “Blood//Water” by grandson begins playing through the speakers as Malachi enters the arena to a decidedly mixed reaction, though the boos slightly edge out the cheers. He simply stares around at the crowd with a look of indifference on his face as he walks down the ramp towards the ring, climbing the steps and entering through the ropes. He climbs the turnbuckle and throws his arms to the side while staring out at the crowd again as his music fades away.
NINA LAWRENCE: And finally…from Waterford Ireland….MALACHI
DING DING DING
The bell signals the start of the match, and right away Malachi and Ultra Kytoto turn and go at it, Archer then ducks down and takes Grayson to the mat with hard right hands and Cassie Wolfe, well Cassie just blinks and stares at the carnage around her. Malachi hits a few stiff knife edge chops sending Ultra back toward the corner, he then uncorks another hard few shots before Kyoto grabs Malachi and turns him into the corner hitting a few hard chops of her own. Meanwhile Archer pulls Grayson up and hits a hard forearm taking him back down. Archer then turns his attention to Cassie Wolfe who raises an eyebrow and runs forward, Archer then goes for a clothesline, Cassie ducks and jumps bouncing off the second rope and flipping back on top of Archer with a moonsault press, they land hard and Cassie stays on Archer hooking his legs.
ONE
TWO
THREE!
Cassie can’t believe it as she scores the first pinfall of the match so fast and unexpected. Archer sits up and holds up two fingers pleading his case but it’s too late.
NINA LAWRENCE: Winner of the first fall…Cassie Wolfe!
C.Wolfe: 1
Everyone Else: 0
GRAYSON MARKS: Holy crap what a fast start to all of this, in fact I haven’t even been able to get a word in edgewise to start us off.
LINCOLN PHELPS: Aye mate, tell me about it, it’s great to see Cassie pop right out and shock everyone thought.
GRAYSON MARKS:...THE SILENCE WAS GOLDEN.
LINCOLN PHELPS: Say what?
Cassie smiles and looks around, Archer shakes his head annoyed but before he can get his hands on Cassie ULTRA comes from behind with a chop block to Archers leg as Malachi lays in the corner holding his chest, clearly in pain following Kyoto's attack, G.O.D meanwhile pulls himself up and as Cassie turns around he steps forward and blasts her with a headbut, Cassie goes down and Malachi pulls himself up, G.O.D grabs Malachi and hits a german suplex drilling the irishman into the mat, Kyoto who was done stomping Archer down turns her attention to G.O.D but gets scooped up and slammedf in a snap suplex, G.O.D pops up being the only person left standing and puts a fist in the air, he then dives on Cassie.
ONE
TWO
Cassie kicks out.
He rolls off her and dives on Archer.
ONE
TWO…
Archer kicks out.
G.O.D jumps on Malachi
ONE
TWO
Malachi kicks out.
And before he can try the same thing with Kyoto she spins around, getting to her feet and blasting G.O.D with a roundhouse kick to the side of his head, he goes down and she turns before jumping onto the middle rope, as Cassie gets up Kyoto leaps off with a Meteora, crashing down onto the Australian before rolling forward and popping to her feet, however as she goes she runs right into Malachi who kicks her in the stomach and picks her right up for the hair trigger!. He drops Kyoto on the top of her head and makes the cover.
ONE
TWO
THREE!
NINA LAWRENCE: Malachi has scored a point!.
C. Wolfe and Malachi: 1
Everyone else:0
LINCOLN PHELPS: Malachi dropped Kyoto on her head just as she was getting rolling….and to be clear she’s my personal favourite to win this match…shes BRUTAL
GRAYSON MARKS: You cannot ever stay impartial can you?
LINCOLN PHELPS: I call it how I see it…
Malachi laughs and gets to his feet as Kyoto holds her head, Cassie looks out of it and Archer tries pulling himself up, however G.O.D slides behind Malachi and begs him to turn around, as Malachi does he gets blasted with G.O.D’s savate kick! Mal goes down but before G.O.D can gtake advantage Archer comes flying in from behind kicking G.O.D in the back of the head with the Malum in Se! G.O.D goes down in a heap and Archer pins.
ONE
TWO
THREE!
NINA LAWRENCE: Archer has scored a point!
C.Wolfe, Malahi and Archer: 1
Ultra K and G.O.D: 0
GRAYSON MARKS: Archer blindsided G.O.D there, who thought he had a point sealed up.
LINCOLN PHELPS: You have to have eyes in the back of hyour head, cause if not, bad things happen.
Archer turns his attention to Malachi, but as he does Cassie pulls herself up on the apron outside the ring, she then pops up and hits a springboard dropkick to Archer kicking him forward sending him into Malachi and both of them outside to the floor, Cassie then hits the ropes and throws herself over thew top rope onto them both. All three start to get up and G.O.D also sends himself out to the floor with a suicide dive onto the three outside the ring. All four of them now pull themselves up amd Kyoto comes flying over the top rope with a fosbury flop down onto them!. She then pulls Cassie to her feet sliding Cassie in the ring and measuring Cassie up before blasting her with the BLACK FLASH! Cassie goes down and Kyoto hooks her leg.
ONE
TWO
THREE!
NINA LAWRENCE: Ultra Kyoto scores one point!
C.Wolfe, Ultra K, Malachi and Archere: 1
G.O.D: 0
GRAYSON MARKS: Kyoto with the point, your prediction may come true Lincoln
LINCOLN PHELPS: My friend that isn’t a prediction that is a spoiler…
GRAYSON MARKS: That sounded so lame…
Kyoto moves around Cassie and as she notices everyone else still outside the ring and grabs Cassies legs and hooks them into a cloverleaf turning her around into the SOLARCLASM, Cassie screams in pain, Kyoto pulls back harder trying to score two straight falls within seconds of each other, But as she does G.O.D jumps onto the apron and slingshots in burying Kyoto with his Divine DDT!, he hooks Kyotos leg.
ONE
TWOI
THREE!
NINA LAWRENCE: Grayson Osiris Deville has a point!
Everyone: 1
LINCOLN PHELPS: NO!
GRAYSON MARKS: And just like that we are tied up at one a piece for everyone
Cassie holds her back and drags herself forward, suddenly there is a ding of the bell.
NINA LAWRENCE: This is your two minute warning.
The bell dustracts G.OD long enough for Malachi to jump on rhe apron and throw himself into the ring hitting G.O.D with a slingshot cutter! He then spins on his knee pulling him up into the PURE MALICE!, but before he can go to pin G.O.D Archer is now back up and in the ring, he grabs Malachi by the arm and spins him around hitting the Disasterpiece!, Malachi is out of it, but again Archer can’t take control as Kyoto comes flying into the ring with the AEROBLAST!. Archer is stunned Kyoto hits another BLACK FLASH!, Archer crumbles to the mat but Cassie Wolfe is up! And hits a step up shining wizard! Kyoto is down, Wolfe looks around as the fans get behind her, willing the Australian to win, she climbs to the top rope and launches herself off with a Coronation!. But at the last moment Kyoto gets pulled from the ring and Cassie crashes and burns. G.O.D jumps on the apron as Cassie stumbles to her feet and hirs a Divine DDT, he pins!
ONE
TWOI
THREE!
NINA LAWRENCE: Taking a point and the lead…GRAYSON OSIRIS DEVILLE!
LINCOLN PHELPS: TIME IS COUNTING DOWN!
GRAYSON MARKS: OH HELL!
The timer counts down and the ans with it.
FIVE
FOUR
THREE
TWO
ONE!
DING DING DING!
NINA LAWRENCE: Here is your winner with two pinfalls to everyone elses one…GRAYSON OSIRIS DEVILLE!
“What they really want” by DMX hits as G.O.D holds his hand in the air while also holding the back of his neck and wincing in pain.
Backstage, a contemplative Aaron Asphyxia stands chewing on her fingernail as she stands at the security footage table. She tilts her head to the side, watching footage from that night so long ago, trying to see if she can see if there is a change to anything. Anything different. Anything new. The security guard, who probably is tired of doing this at this point, considering he travels with the company, has also probably seen this footage over and over and over again.
AARON ASPHYXIA: Run it again.
The security guard sighs, and turns to look at her. She casts her hazel eyed stare on the man and frowns, narrowing her eyebrows.
AARON ASPHYXIA: I didn’t ask you,
Steve. Run it again.
The security guard’s name actually reads Paul, but that’s besides the point.
”STEVE” THE SECURITY GUARD: There’s nothing there. There’s a blip, then the time skips forward ten seconds, and the championship is gone.
AARON ASPHYXIA: A championship doesn’t just POOF into nowhere. This isn’t fuckin’ Magic the Fuckin’ Gathering, there is no
Vraska la invincible–
We’re going to ignore how Aaron Asphyxia knows anything about Magic the Gathering.
AARON ASPHYXIA: –why is there a fuckin’ blip?
CHARLIE JONES: Because clearly, someone has tampered with the evidence.
The general manager of VICTORY crosses her arms as she looks up at the screen.
CHARLIE JONES: Almost like they wanted this to happen, hm?
Her tone is slightly accusatory, as if blaming Aaron for the title even being taken. As if she had the intelligence to have it taken from her.
AARON ASPHYXIA: Give me a break – I have a little bit more respect and decorum for this sport.
CHARLIE JONES: Decorum…is that what cheating on your husband with a trainee looks like? Certainly was
the floor of how low you can go.
AARON ASPHYXIA: Ugh, sanctimonious Charlie. I would have never pegged you for someone who agrees with Finn.
CHARLIE JONES: I
agree with my teammates. Of which you’re a contractor, so buzz off.
Charlie ignores Aaron as she shoots daggers into the taller woman. She points at the monitor.
CHARLIE JONES: There. Stop the tape, Peter.
”PETER STEVE” THE SECURITY GUARD: It’s Pau–
CHARLIE JONES: Okay – look. There. There’s a glitch in the screen – someone actually did mess with the footage. All we have is that little giggle.
AARON ASPHYXIA: So it’s a woman obvi.
CHARLIE JONES: Obvi. Good job. Keep it up.
Charlie pats the shorter woman on the head and then walks away, to have Aaron scowling at her as the camera goes elsewhere in the venue.
Face scrubbed clean and freshly shaven; the man known as ENIGMA is almost unrecognizable. He sits alone on a bench in the hallway outside the locker rooms, his eyes downcast. They're locked on the plush dog wearing a miniature version of his signature MONSTER MACHINE steampunk squid shirt. He'd holding it gingerly by the arms, staring into those stitched on eyes as though they hold the secrets of the universe.
ENIGMA: I… am at a crossroads. Tonight, there are many things these hands wish to do. Rip. Tear. Maim.
He takes a slow breath, in through his nose and out through his mouth.
ENIGMA: Destruction would be so easy. It is not unwarranted – you wish to run things. You believe you have it all in the pocket, as the saying goes. Friends in high places. You believe you can snap your fingers and the world will fall at your feet. And maybe this is true. This is a fool's errand, this match that I demanded in the heat of the moment, the words borne of frustration. You will have another shot to call at your whim. Earned legitimately, being in the right place at the right time. Winner by forfeit rather than effort. Yes, I envy that, but not for the reasons you think. Had the cards fallen differently…
Breaking off, the big man shakes his head.
ENIGMA: Do you know how it feels to look in the rear-view and see nothing but dust? Do you know how it feels to know that you are slowly becoming less than what you were YEARS ago? Youth squandered. All that wasted time and no one believes me when I say that I am in my prime, despite the progress I have shown. They see those years spent as a detriment, not a blessing of experience. I am a relic. You are the
future.
He scoffs and then looks up sharply, falling silent when he realizes he's not alone. Lex Collins stands there, hands stuffed into the pockets of the threadbare hoodie he's got on over his gear. There's a sheepish smile on his lips as he glances towards the camera and then back at ENIGMA.
LEX COLLINS: Sorry. Didn't realize you were doin' a thing.
ENIGMA: Is fine. I am finished – nothing else to say.
Those tortured eyes looks up from the stuffed animal, locking on those of the man who considers himself the industry's "Outsider". After a moment, he lifts the plush, extending it towards Collins.
ENIGMA: Here. Wanted to give you this. For your youngest.
He accepts the gift, giving the creature a squeeze, as though he's surprised at how soft and light it is.
LEX COLLINS: Y'know, for what it's worth, I wouldn't sweat it. This guy, he's not worth beatin' yourself up over… I mean I get it, man. I do. You wanna go out on a high note. Ring in the new year without any regrets, but when you look at all that's passed in the last 365, you've had a good year. Hell, we both have.
ENIGMA: Here, though? There have been too many—
LEX COLLINS: Big picture, man. You're getting caught up in the trees, tangled in the weeds. You think they'd give you this match with JMont if they thought you were a scrub? Take it from someone who just went toe-to-toe with him and a whole mess of others in that World Series competition. Go out there, kick some ass like I know you can. Give it everything you got in the tank. Nothing to be ashamed of if you go out balls to the wall and fail. You got this, Sev.
ENIGMA: I wish you the same success.
LEX COLLINS: Never won a multi-man rumble yet, let alone one with gold on the line. I pull that off, and it'll be the first. Might be nice to cross that off the bucket list. Maybe this guy'll bring me luck, huh?
ENIGMA: Maybe.
LEX COLLINS: Nice catchin' up with you, big guy. Better go get my stretches in… find that elusive soda machine. Can't go out there without my Pepsi. You know how it goes. Rituals an' all that.
ENIGMA nods, watching as Collins turns and walks away before getting up and disappearing in the opposite direction, leaving the view to cut away elsewhere in the arena.
Vanessa Page is standing next to backstage interviewer, Aleena Sands, right in front of Vanessa’s locker room she shares with Grayson Osiris Deville.
Aleena Sands:I am here with one of Conquest’s newest signees, Vanessa Page. Welcome to PWE, Vanessa.
Vanessa Page:It is a pleasure, Aleena, but it will be a bigger pleasure for all of you when I actually get to step into the ring tonight.
Aleena Sands:Speaking of being in the ring tonight. You are in a big match for the Elevation Championship.
Vanessa Page:What other way is there for me to debut? It is of course in a big time match against five big time opponents.
Aleena Sands:It is definitely a murderer’s row of talent that you have to step into the ring with.
Vanessa Page:People with countless championships and anyone with a clue can’t say anything bad about them. While all five of my opponents might be great but none of them are flawless like I am.
Aleena smiles awkwardly.
Vanessa Page:While my five opponents are also different then I am. They have hit their pinnacle while I on the other hand are still ascending to my peak. Which is why I am the rightful person to be the inaugural Elevation Champion. One might say #Flawless.
Vanessa turns away from Aleena, flicks her hair over her shoulder, and walks away.
INFINITE PRO WRESTLING PRESENTS:
ADRENALINE XIII
LIVE! from Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Scotland.
Sunday, January 15th, 2023.
7:00 P.M. (GMT) — LIVE on BT Sport 1 and FITE Plus.
MAIN EVENT
NATE PIERCE (with CHAOS THEORY) vs JACK HAGGARD (with THE DEAD END EXPRESS)
HEADLINER
PANDORA RIVERS vs RURI KUZUNOHA
UPPER MIDCARD
INFINITE POWER TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT SEMI FINAL ROUND
BRYAN WILLIAMS and OWEN GONZALVES vs TARA FENIX and JENNIE FENIX
LOWER MIDCARD
INFINITE POWER TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT SEMI FINAL ROUND
GENNIFER SWAN and ILLANIA KARN vs LETHE and MR. MOUSE
OPENER
NON-TITLE MATCH
TARAH NOVA vs MYOJIN
