Post by pwsstaff on Nov 30, 2022 0:10:00 GMT -5
PWS: APEX RIOT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2022
STADIO OLIMPICO - ROME, ITALY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2022
STADIO OLIMPICO - ROME, ITALY
(Cameras open up to a random spot in the back where Dylan Howell was standing behind a table. In front of him, on the table,was a top hat sitting upside down so the opening was up. The Collateral Damage title was hanging off his neck as he grinned.)
Dylan Howell: You all know that I was given the privilege of selecting my challenger for Crusade. And I've thought about it but I just can't make a decision. So I'm going to let someone else decide. Every possible contender's name is in this hat. Let's see who I get.
(He reaches in and pulls out a folded up piece of paper. He unfolds it, reads the name, and smirks)
Dylan Howell: Oh, this is fun. Very fun indeed.
(He nodded as he walked off, leaving the hat sitting on the table)
(The show properly starts with a fireworks display, as the announcers JR Freeman and Alfonso Banks are shown. Both men greet the audience.)
JR Freeman: Welcome to another action-packed episode of PWS: Apex Riot! I’m JR Freeman here accompanied by Alfonso Banks, and we’ve got a great show lined up for you today!
Alfonso Banks: That we do, JR! Things are heating up for the Armageddon 5-on-5 match at Crusade! Tonight we’ve got a match that will give one of the teams an advantage, as Jonathan Sanders takes on Gracie Lopez in our main event!
JR Freeman: That’s right, Alf, and before that, we have some singles action from one of our former champions as Alexis Makarios faces off against Aaliyah Landerson! Plus, we get to see Jesse Russow in action!
Alfonso Banks: That’s right, JR, but first, we have Carmen Rodriguez vs. Violet Amelia Holt!
Singles Match
Carmen Rodriguez vs. Violet Amelia Holt
(The match starts with Carmen in control, hitting some really good technical moves, to the cheers of the crowd, but things take a turn as Violet hits a Crazy Shot out of nowhere! She goes for the pin…)
1!
(No, a quick kickout! The excitement continues as Violet gets Carmen into a corner, hitting her again and again as the crowd boos with each subsequent one. Carmen’s able to make a comeback, however, as Violet poses for the crowd and Carmen rolls her up!)
1!
2!
…
(No, a kickout at 2.5!)
JR Freeman: What an impressive roll-up from Carmen!
Alfonso Banks: What do you mean “impressive”? It didn’t work!
JR Freeman: Still, you’ve gotta give her credit, she is taking a beating!
(Carmen’s in control for a bit again, but that doesn’t last long as Violet hits a sneaky kick to her opponent’s knee, making Carmen collapse. Violet takes this time to “accidentally” knock down the referee by pushing Carmen into him, and doesn’t squander the opportunity, using her chance to rake the eyes and get out of the ring, grabbing a steel chair! She slides in and tries to hit Carmen with it, but Carmen dodges out of the way and soon the referee has been replaced.)
(Just then, Dylan Howell wanders in amongst the fans, carrying a huge bag of popcorn in one hand and a large lemon-lime icee in the other. His Collateral Damage title is over one shoulder, and at one point he offers it popcorn. Carmen notices him in the crowd and Violet takes the opportunity to hit her from behind, beating her down and Howell casually gets closer to the ring.)
JR Freeman: What the hell is Dylan Howell doing out here!?
Alfonso Banks: Drinking an icee, by the looks of things!
JR Freeman: I meant why is he out here for this match specifically!?
Alfonso Banks: If you want to try giving a mental analysis of Dylan Howell, JR, you be my guest, but I’m a saner man than that.
JR Freeman: No you’re not.
Alfonso Banks: No, I’m not.
(Violet keeps attacking Carmen, even almost locking in Nerdvana, before Carmen grabs the ropes. Carmen ends up on top again, going to the top rope but hitting Violet’s outstretched leg as she comes down. The offense stops being so evenly-matched, however, once Dylan Howell hops the barricade and comes down to the ring. He hops onto the apron when Carmen gets up and yells “BOO!”, making Carmen look at him, confused. This gives Violet time to grab Carmen and hit her with Fifty Shades of Velvet, pinning her to the mat!)
1!
2!
3!
(The bell rings and Carmen is stunned! Violet slides out of the ring and Dylan looks at Carmen, grinning like the madman he is as she stares back at him, confused and annoyed at his actions.)
WINNER= VIOLET AMELIA HOLT
(After the match, Howell and Carmen stare each other down. The crowd erupts into cheers for the Collateral Damage champion, as he has the belt draped over his shoulder. He picks it up and gives it a great big kiss on the main plate before asking for a, quote, “Fucking microphone, please”.)
JR Freeman: I still don’t quite know what Dylan Howell’s doing out here!
Alfonso Banks: He was doing the random draw thing earlier, right?
JR Freeman: True enough, maybe one of the competitors here has been drawn!
Alfonso Banks: Maybe indeed, JR. Maybe.
(Dylan looks at Carmen, a smile on his face. He pauses for a second, before looking her dead in the eyes.)
Dylan Howell: Carmen! Haha… guess what!? It was you!
(The crowd cheers, knowing what he means. Carmen looks on, a little confused.)
Dylan Howell: You were picked! Chosen at random, to be my opponent for Crusade!
JR Freeman: Oh my god!
Alfonso Banks: What!?
Dylan Howell: I’ll see you there, Carmie!
(With this, Dylan waves to her with one hand while raising the belt with the other. The crowd cheers him on as he walks back down the ramp, all without breaking eye contact with Carmen.)
JR Freeman: Well, you heard it here first, folks! Carmen Rodriguez vs. Dylan Howell is now confirmed for PWS: Apex Crusade on December 20th!
Alfonso Banks: I don’t know about you, JR, but I’m looking forward to seeing those 2 smack the piss out of each other!
JR Freeman: I’d personally phrase it a little more eloquently, but I completely agree!
Dont miss a moment as Chris Page sits down with different wrestlers to pick their brains!
(The cameras cut to the back, specifically in Star's office. She was behind her desk looking through papers before looking up at Alexis Makarios who was standing in front of her.)
Star Stormz: I get how important this is to you, and I'm not trying to downplay that. But I have bigger things to worry about other than making sure your match has a specific referee.
Alexis Makarios: Doesn't have to be SPECIFIC. Just… female.
Star Stormz: Alexis…
Alexis Makarios: I never ask for ANYTHING. I do what's asked of me. I do the interviews, the photo shoots, the meet and greets. I don't complain when I get thrown scraps like the idiot Landerson girl, and I don't come in here demanding title shots or anything like that. All I'm saying is that with what has gone on lately… I can't trust a male referee. I am not comfortable with a male ref. This isn't an unreasonable request.
(Star lets out a slightly defeated sigh, looking at Alexis.)
Star Stormz: I will see what I can do. I can't promise anything but I'll see if I can't swap things around.
Alexis Makarios: All I can say is, and I hate that I have to go to this point, if you can't make this small request happen… the match won't happen. I'm not gonna put myself in an uncomfortable situation like that.
(Star went to speak but it was too late, as Alexis had already turned and started walking away. Star shook her head a bit as the door to her office closed. The cameras cut to outside the door with Alexis. She stops and looks down the halls both ways, skittish, before taking a few steps. She stops when she thinks she hears something)
Alexis Makarios: Show yourself, you cowardly son of aa BITCH!
(She hears something coming from the left. She turns and all she can see is a tall, looming shadow)
Alexis Makarios: God damnit, Bull… stop this stupid fucking bullshit and the games and face me like a MAN!
(She heard a low, menacing chuckle coming from the other direction. The lights flickered quickly and before she knew what was going on, she was tackled into the wall by Ace Static! Her head smacked the wall as he stood over her slumped body)
Ace Static: Looks like the firecracker fizzled out…
(As he reached down for her, he is tackled straight into Star's door by Audrey Russow! The crowd pops as Star scrambles to open the door, hearing the noise.)
Star Stormz: What the hell???
(Ace gets to his feet, glares at the three women, before taking off around the corner. Audrey helps Alexis to her feet.)
Alexis Makarios: I'm sick and tired of this looking over my shoulders bullshit!
Audrey Russow: Alexis… do you wanna get payback on these assholes?
Alexis Makarios: I will snap that fuckers neck next time I see him…
(Audrey looks to Star)
Audrey Russow: Next week… I beg of you… let us at 'em.
Star Stormz: Are you suggesting a tag match? You two against Ace and Corey?
Audrey Russow: Exactly. Enough is enough!
(Star thinks for a second then nods)
Star Stormz: Ya know what? I like that. Next week the main event will be Audrey Russow and Alexis Makarios against Ace Static and Corey Bull.
Audrey Russow: Thank you… come on Lexi. I'm gonna go with you to get ready for your match and watch your back.
(Alexis snarled a little bit.)
Alexis Makarios: I'm gonna kill that mouthy little girl… and pretend it's Bull the entire time…
(Alexis and Audrey walk off as Star takes a deep breath)
Singles Match
Alexis Makarios vs. Aaliyah Landerson
(The match starts with Alexis being overly aggressive from the start. She starts off tackling Aaliyah to the mat and is just pummeling her with lefts and rights until the referee pulls her off. She turns around and takes a deep breath, trying to calm down. Aaliyah uses this to her advantage and jumps on Alexis's back putting her in a headlock. Alexis starts to weaken a bit before she lets out a primal scream, grabs Aaliyah. And flips her over her head to the mat. She goes for a pin.)
1… kickout!
(Aaliyah kicked out quickly. The match continues for a few minutes, mostly Alexis in control. Aaliyah takes everything Alexus throws at her, kicking out repeatedly. This angers Alexis who is able to connect with and lock in the Aussie Lock. Aaliyah, with no other option, is forced to tap out.)
WINNER= ALEXIS MAKARIOS
(Alexis is in the middle of the ring, hand held up by the referee. The ref slides out of the ring as she stays, soaking up the cheers of the fans. Suddenly, the lights go out.)
Alfonso Banks: Uh oh…
JR Freeman: This isn't good…
(There was suddenly a loud SPLOOSH sound, like that of liquid falling. The lights come back on to show Alexis still standing in the middle of the ring covered in a thick red blood like substance.)
Alfonso Banks: OH MY GOD IS THAT???
JR Freeman: BLOOD??? it sure looks like it!
(Alexis uses her hands to wipe it off her face, as it is overtaken by a look of disgust when she sees what it is. She and the ring were covered. She lets out a LOUD scream, so loud the cameras pick up exactly what she was saying)
Alexis Makarios: BULL!!!!!!!
(She takes a step to get a mic. But slips in this blood substance which only makes her yell again. She slides out of the ring and grabs a mic.)
Alexis Makarios: COREY… FUCKING… BULL! YOU GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE AND LOOK ME IN THE EYES WHILE I SAY THIS! NOW!!!
(Almost as if on cue, Corey Bull saunters out onto the ramp with a smirk on his face. Bull smiles, not unpleasant but also quite predatory. His voice is even keeled and deep, dark and foreboding, elegant and sensual. It is what it needs to be to those that listen.)
Bull: Look at you Alexis…look at how you are. You have never been more beautiful. This is your natural state…fired up and covered in blood. This is what you are denying yourself at the most basic of levels.
(Bull stops and looks at Alexis as she continues to shout and point at Bull. His eyes take on a different quality…something primal and homicidal.)
Alexis Makarios: I'VE HAD ENOUGH! I KNOW I GOT YOU TWO IN A TAG MATCH NEXT WEEK BUT I WANT YOU IN A ONE ON ONE MATCH AT CRUSADE! AND NOT JUST ANY MATCH… I WANT TO MAKE YOU BLEED! WHICH IS WHY I AM CHALLENGING YOU TO A FIRST BLOOD MATCH!
(The look on her face said it all. Bull didn't break eye contact as he spoke)
Corey Bull: We accept your match. It is time that the lessons got real. You will soon be ready to stand at our side. We will have you begging us Alexis…you won’t be forced. You are going to want this. And when that happens…when we unlock the potential that you hide…no one will be safe from us. See you soon our red haired vita repetit.
(Bull turns and walks to the back. The cameras focus on Alexis who was demanding towels from ring crew)
JR Freeman: That was disturbing…
Alfonso Banks: And if I know anything about Corey Bull… he won't stop at anything till he gets what he wants. Which appears to be Alexis at his side.
JR Freeman: And that's just creepy and weird…
Singles Match
Jesse Russow vs. Max Delgado
(The bell sounds after the entrances as Jesse Russow and Max Delgado start out demonstrating their flipping abilities wound down into some beautiful chain wrestling as Max gets a quick roll!)
1!
2!
KICKOUT!
(Jesse pops up and Max looks at him holding his pointer finger and middle finger together like he was THAT close as Jesse gets a crooked smile on his face and he starts to golf clap as we see Max mouth “I got a lot more than that motherf-” but before he can finish…)
“KEEP YOUR HOPES UP HIGH AND YOUR HEAD DOWN LOW!!!
(Jesse turns wildly pacing back and forth looking up at the ramp and it doesn’t take long for a wrapped up Jack Russow comes walking onto the ramp with a baseball bat over his shoulder. Jesse and Jack start mouthing off to each other until Max Delgado jumps on the middle rope right beside Jack and slams him down quick and hard with a school boy pin!
1!
2!
3!
DING DING DING!
(Jesse pops back up looking like someone just robbed him blind as Delgado, breathing a little heavy, still manages to start laughing hysterically at Jesse Russow who sits on his knees looking at his hands. They slide him a microphone.)
Jesse Russow: I don’t need that…I’ve nothing to say.
Jack Russow: Yeah? Then sit there basking in your first loss to a new class rookie, listen close, and pay attention to every word I have to say.
Fans: JACK! JACK! WELCOME BACK! JACK! JACK! WELCOME BACK!
Jack Russow: I wish I could tell you it was gonna be me…but I’m still not clear. Not clear, by the way, because of your punk-ass pissbaby little attack? Did you not think…we were watching? And so now…you get the Crimson Blade for your troubles. I’M just out here to do you a solid. That’s right, out of the goodness of my heart…I’m here to warn my darling Uncle what they’ve built for you. I know…because I helped build it. We made our own little private, what I like to call The Blood Box. So you and Mack will have a whoooole big room to play in…’kay?
Jesse Russow: That…that actually sounds fine, I’m fine with that.
Jack Russow: When you see what it is? Bitch…you WON’T be.
(With that Jack tosses his mic as the fans start a massive JACK! Chant as he goes backstage.)
WINNER= MAX DELGADO
PWS: APEX Presents CRUSADE: ARMAGEDDON
LIVE Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Camp Nou - Barcelona, Spain
PWS: APEX World Championship Match
60 Minute Ironman Match
Cleo Phillips © vs. Mike Hawk
ARMAGEDDON Match
Team Star (Levi Russow, Gracie Lopez, Nick Madison, Laura Phoenix, and
) vs. Team David (Alexander Lyons, Dionysus, Jonathan Sanders, David Shane, and )
PWS: APEX United Championship Match
Ladder Match
Jennifer Makarios-Lopez © vs. Max Delgado
PWS: APEX Pure Championship Match
Pure Rules Match
Devon Ryder © vs. Morgan Baker
PWS: APEX Collateral Damage Championship Match
Dylan Howell © vs. Carmen Rodriguez
One on One Match
Slaps McKill vs. Mack McKane
AND MUCH MORE
LIVE Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Camp Nou - Barcelona, Spain
PWS: APEX World Championship Match
60 Minute Ironman Match
Cleo Phillips © vs. Mike Hawk
ARMAGEDDON Match
Team Star (Levi Russow, Gracie Lopez, Nick Madison, Laura Phoenix, and
) vs. Team David (Alexander Lyons, Dionysus, Jonathan Sanders, David Shane, and )PWS: APEX United Championship Match
Ladder Match
Jennifer Makarios-Lopez © vs. Max Delgado
PWS: APEX Pure Championship Match
Pure Rules Match
Devon Ryder © vs. Morgan Baker
PWS: APEX Collateral Damage Championship Match
Dylan Howell © vs. Carmen Rodriguez
One on One Match
Slaps McKill vs. Mack McKane
AND MUCH MORE
(The cameras pan around the arena as The Superman Theme plays, and the audience explodes into a mixture of cheers and boos for the “President of Pro Wrestling”, Mike Hawk. Hawk, a big smirk on his face, struts down to the ring, as he looks around at all of his adoring fans, and also all of the other people who are there.)
JR Freeman: What’s he doing out here?
Alfonso Banks: Whatever the fuck he wants, JR! This man is our next world champion, he gets that pass!
JR Freeman: What about our CURRENT world champion?
Alfonso Banks: Well she’s not here, is she?
JR Freeman: I suppose not, Alf.
(As Mike slides into the ring, he wastes no time demanding a microphone, as the crowd quiets down. He looks around at the crowd, then starts speaking softly into it.)
Mike Hawk: Now, I’m not out here to talk about my cock. That would be childish. But at least my cock has the balls to stand up and fight. I can respect that.
(He pauses, nodding towards the crowd. He gets a few more boos as some of them realize what he’s doing.)
JR Freeman: Is he… making fun of what Cleo did last show!?
Alfonso Banks: Hopefully!
JR Freeman: What do you mean “hopefully”!?
(The crowd settles down again as Hawk continues his tirade.)
Mike Hawk: But there’s someone else I’d like to address. Someone who has wronged me, personally, as well as every wrestling fan watching, both in the arena and at home, and every person in the back here tonight, by having just the ugliest fucking face. I am of course talking about that no-good, four-eyed, monkey-fucking, dickhead, belligerent, low-down, intrepid, malignant, fucking son of a WHORE, Shane Davidson.
(The crowd laughs, but also some do give legitimate “Oooo”s to play up the bit. Hawk continues.)
Mike Hawk: You want to threaten my run as 3-time little league soccer champion if I don’t order for you at Burger King? HA! Bullshit, Shane. If I stand with Patrick Star, best friend of SpongeBob Squarepants, you’re saying there will be “hell to pay” and that I “can’t do it because he lives underwater and is also fictional”? Well, go fuck yourself, boss man, because as the soon-to-be champion of PWS, I’ll say this loud and proud…
JR Freeman: Oh, here we go…
Alfonso Banks: I can’t believe anybody’s booing this!
(The camera cuts to an unrelated video of Mike eating a ham sandwich.)
Mike Hawk: I STAND WITH PATRICK STAR!
(The crowd erupts into laughter at Hawk’s statement.)
Mike Hawk: Patrick has always had my back! When I wanted to start an illegal dog fighting ring underwater, Patrick was there to tell me I was hallucinating! Shane Davidson is nothing more than a fizzle, and your next World Champion isn’t ever going to shut the fuck up about it. I’m going to keep talking about it for days, and weeks, and months, and years, because that’s just who I am as a person. If anyone inconveniences me, even SLIGHTLY, they’ll be hearing about it until 2052! I’ve worked too hard for Shane Davidson to come down to this ring and say something as heinous as… whatever it was he said. The world championship isn’t going to be taken from me by ANYONE. Not by Shane Davidson, not by his evil twin brother Dane Shavidson, not even by that fucking asshole Squidward. I have to take a stand for what’s right, and sit for what’s left, so in case you’re fucking DEAF, Shane, I’ll say it again… I STAND WITH PATRICK…
(Before he can finish his sentence, Cleo Phillips, flanked by Z-Money, runs down to the ring, a look of fury in her eyes. By the time she slides into the ring, fully ready to fight, Hawk has slid out of it, and is hopping over the audience barricade.)
JR Freeman: Cleo finally put a stop to this!
Alfonso Banks: Looks like despite all her posturing, Hawk’s actually starting to get to her!
JR Freeman: Maybe, Alf, but he just insulted something that’s really important to Cleo. You’d be furious too!
Alfonso Banks: Why would I be furious if Mike Hawk insulted something really important to Cleo Phillips? That’s just stupid, JR. You’re stupid.
(Hawk smirks as he sees Cleo’s reaction, giving her a small wave as Z-Money physically holds her back, saying things like “It’s not worth it!” and “Save it for Crusade!”. Hawk blows Cleo a kiss, taking a bow, as the fuming world champion stares him dead in the eyes, a legion of fans surrounding Hawk.)
JR Freeman: Well, it’s clear that this rivalry is heating up like butter on a stove!
Alfonso Banks: A stove that’s turned on, specifically.
JR Freeman: What?
Alfonso Banks: Well you have to be specific, JR. If you put butter on an OFF stove, it won’t heat up very much at all!
JR Freeman: I think people got what I meant.
Alfonso Banks: You’re right, they did! After I told them.
JR Freeman: …Right. Anyhow, now that Alf’s sufficiently killed the mood, I will just say, Hawk’s going to be one hell of a challenge for Cleo Phillips to overcome, and you can see it unfold live at Crusade on December 20th, 2022!
Alfonso Banks: You fucking shill.
Main Event
Singles Match
Winner earns their team advantage in the Armageddon match at Crusade
Jonathan Sanders vs. Gracie Lopez
Meg Reynolds: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL, and it is the MAIN EVENT of the evening!
(The crowd pops wildly, brimming with anticipation as this high-stakes contest is announced.)
Meg Reynolds: The winner of this match will secure ADVANTAGE for their team going into the Armageddon Match at PWS: Apex Crusade on December 20th, meaning their team will be allowed the first additional entrant into the cage!
(This elicits another pop in response, which only grows louder as “Kick” by Def Leppard begins to blare over the speakers. The lights dim as Gracie steps out onto the stage, a single spotlight shining on her, to a chorus of applause. Pyro sprays from the stage and the frame around the Smarkstron, sparks showering the ramp as Gracie strikes a pose.)
Meg Reynolds: Introducing first; from San Diego, California; weighing in tonight at 125 lbs.; she is representing TEAM STAR; GRRRRRRRRRRRAAACIIIIIIIIIIIE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPEEEEEEEZ!
(Gracie then begins to make her way towards the ring, tagging hands along the way. She rolls into the ring and then pops up, leaping up onto the top rope as more pyrotechnics explode and shower the ring while Gracie poses to another chorus of thunderous cheers.)
JR Freeman: Quite the fan reaction for Gracie tonight, Alf! Our fans seem to be champing at the bit for this contest!
Alfonso Banks: Can you BLAME them, JR? This could have HUGE implications for Crusade! The winning team who goes into that match with advantage will be gaining a massive… well… advantage!
JR Freeman: Didn’t think that one all the way through, didja, pal?
Alfonso Banks: Hey, you know what, JR? Shut up.
(As the pair bicker, we cut back to the entrance ramp, where the lights have dimmed again. Fog slowly starts to billow out from behind the curtain. There is a VERY brief pause before the heavy guitars of Otep’s “Blood Pigs” kick in, the lights strobing in time to the music, followed by a scream of “TRAITORS!” heralding the arrival of the company’s resident nihilist, Jonathan Sanders. When the opening scream gives way to the softer opening chorus of “Blood Pigs” repeated, The Lost Cause strides out from behind the curtain with a resentful energy, glowering around at the audience as they pepper him with boos. He takes a moment to roll his wrists - grimacing in pain at the action - then begins to make his way slowly down the ramp, his lips curling into a sadistic and derisive smirk as he does so.)
Meg Reynolds: And her opponent; from the End of Everything; at a weight of 185 lbs.; representing Team David and ANTITHESIS, he is “THE LOST CAUSE”, JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONATHAAAAAAAAAAN SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRS!
JR Freeman: This crowd is NOT shy about letting the Snake of Eden know how they feel about him, Alf!
Alfonso Banks: They absolutely are not! And you know what THAT means, don’t you?
JR Freeman: What’s that?
Alfonso Banks: They’re a damn sight braver than I am!
JR Freeman: I could’ve told you that, Alf.
Alfonso Banks: Hey! …That’s fair.
(He reaches the base of the ramp and takes a look around the crowd once more, this time grinning maliciously, before he rolls into the ring beneath the bottom rope and stands up in one fluid motion, a cruel anticipation written in his eyes. He levels his gaze at Gracie Lopez, his expression not dissimilar to that of a predator eyeing up its meal… then retreats into one corner to sit down, Raven-style, daring her to make the first move.)
JR Freeman: A bold strategy from Sanders here!
Alfonso Banks: BOLD?! More like BRAINDEAD, JR - I mean, he’s practically BEGGING her to dropkick him in the face right now!
JR Freeman: And that would be a bad thing… HOW?
Alfonso Banks: …Oh shit, point taken! GO GET ‘IM, GRACIE! BASH HIS WEIRD VAMPIRE FACE IN! …Hey, are we supposed to be impartial?
JR Freeman: That ship has LOOOOOONNNNGGG since sailed, Alf.
Alfonso Banks: Eh, point taken; FUCK HIM UP, LOPEZ!
(It seems Gracie is prepared to do just that, as she comes EXPLODING out of her corner the instant the bell rings, looking for a Running Kneestrike in the corner, but Sanders simply drops prone, rolling out of the way and back up to one knee with a wicked smirk. Gracie crashes and burns, then hits the mat clutching her knee gingerly, as the Lost Cause simply grins, running forward and leaping up to hit her fallen body with a Standing 450 Legdrop! Sanders goes for a VERY early cover…)
ONE!
T-NO!
JR Freeman: Wow, an attempt to put things away EARLY by Jonathan Sanders here! You’ve got to wonder how much of that is a power move, Alf.
Alfonso Banks: Don’t tell me what I have to wonder! I’ll wonder whatever I damn well please!
JR Freeman: It’s… but… I just… I truly cannot even with you sometimes, you know that, Alf?
Alfonso Banks: That just makes you odd, JR. HA! Get it? Odd?
JR Freeman: …
Alfonso Banks: …Get it? Because… because the numbers… they can be even, or… y’know… get it? Odd? Eh?
JR Freeman: *sighs audibly*
(Back in the ring, Sanders grins a wicked grin in response to the kickout, taking hold of Gracie by the hair and lifting her violently back to her feet. He pulls her into a DDT position, then, and makes a run for the ropes, looking for a Tornado DDT… but Gracie is able to get her wits about her just in time and pull out of the hold as Sanders leaps up, throwing herself forward to cause the Snake of Eden to fall crotch-first onto the top rope. He remains there for just a second, clutching himself in pain, until Gracie follows up with a vertical-leap Enzuigiri that sends Sanders tumbling out of the ring to the floor below! The crowd pops appreciatively for this as Gracie Lopez takes a moment to recuperate, raising one arm in acknowledgement of their adulation. The referee begins his count…)
1…
JR Freeman: Oh, what a counter by Gracie Lopez! Jonathan Sanders is NOT in a good position right now!
Alfonso Banks: Maybe not, JR, but neither is Gracie; she’ll have to get him back in the ring if she wants to win this one definitively!
JR Freeman: Team Star would still get advantage even on a count-out victory, Alf, but I see your point. Gracie’s likely looking to make a statement with this win tonight, and nothing short of a pinfall or submission is going to do that.
Alfonso Banks: …Hang on a second, did the two of us just AGREE on something? I… I’m scared, JR.
JR Freeman: It’s terrifying to me too, pal, but I’m REALLY trying not to think about it too much.
2…
(Sanders begins to stir on the outside, now up to one knee but still unable to reach his feet, as Gracie steadies herself and slowly returns to a vertical base.)
3…
(Gracie Lopez takes a long look at Sanders, then glances around at the crowd, before kissing her fingertips and pointing up in the air, a tribute to her late Grandfather, Jorge Lopez, which prompts a response of admiration from the crowd. She then hits the ropes at full-tilt and sprints the length of the ring, leaping through the top and middle rope to NAIL Sanders with a Flying Forearm! Gracie kips up instantly and pounds her chest, letting out a primal yell that nets another explosion of applause from the audience.)
JR Freeman: Dios mio! What a dive by Gracie! She really is pulling out all the stops with this one, and I can’t say I’m surprised!
Alfonso Banks: I mean, you COULD say it, you’d just be a lying piece of shit if you did.
JR Freeman: Exactly, Alf! And I’m not that kind of person; I want our fans to know that they can ALWAYS trust me to report things exactly as I believe them to be, no matter WHAT kind of-
Alfonso Banks: *Exaggerated snoring* …Huh? What? Oh, sorry, I must’ve fallen asleep. I was having the most wonderful dream where you stopped talking.
JR Freeman: …I’m sorry, is my journalistic integrity BORING to you?
Alfonso Banks: NO! No, not at all! It’s just that… okay, fine, yes. Your journalistic integrity is boring the FUCK out of me!
JR Freeman: Well, I suppose there had to be a REASON you liked Mike Hawk so much.
Alfonso Banks: That’s what your WIFE said! ZING! …Hang on…
(Back with the action, as the referee’s count begins again, Gracie Lopez lifts up Sanders and rolls his body into the ring, then goes for an early cover HERSELF…)
ONE!
NO! Sanders gets a shoulder up!
(Gracie just kind of shrugs to the audience, mouthing “Worth a try!” as she moves to lift Sanders up for a Vertical Suplex! She follows this up by locking in an Armbar, but as the Plague of Professional Wrestling simply cackles in the hold, she transitions it into a Crossface. This does not seem to change the Horseman of Plague’s reaction, but his mind games of reveling in every submission hold seem ineffective on Gracie, who tries to block out the laughter and the moans to keep the hold locked in. This is only very briefly effective, however, as a shout from Sanders of “HURT ME MORE, MOMMY!” finally begets a disgusted reaction from the Lopez scion, who breaks the hold and fires a kick into the side of Sanders’ skull.)
JR Freeman: GOD that Sanders is disturbing, Alf. I’m really, GENUINELY upset by the fact that he just said those words in that order.
Alfonso Banks: Great observation, JR! In other breaking news, WATER is WET!
(Back in the ring, Gracie moves to lock Sanders in ANOTHER armbar, shaking off the discomfort from his previous reaction, but this time he manages to roll her up as she gets closer, grabbing a handful of tights…)
ONE!
TWO!
TH-NO! GRACIE POWERS OUT!
JR Freeman: Sanders grabbed the tights! It was almost an upset!
Alfonso Banks: I mean, you KNOW I don’t have any love for Jonathan Sanders, JR, but I have to admit; I admire his willingness to do what needs to be done to win the match. Rules are MADE to be broken, after all!
JR Freeman: They’re… they’re NOT, though! That is ABSOLUTELY not what they’re made for!
(In the ring, both competitors scramble to their feet, Sanders grinning malevolently as they do. Gracie gets directly in her opponent’s face, trash-talking and chastising him for cheating, but Sanders simply grins and fires an elbow directly into her face. Gracie inhales sharply, recoiling from the blow, then fires back with an elbow of her own! Sanders grins and rubs his jaw, then hits back again! He doesn’t wait for Gracie to return fire, though, continuing his onslaught of vicious elbow strikes until he doubles Gracie over, then runs for the opposite ropes and comes back with a Spinning Elbow to send her to the mat! Sanders grins and immediately follows it up by locking GRACIE into a submission hold in response, taking hold of her wrist and going for the GREAT DEPRESSION, but Gracie is able to violently flail her way to getting a foot on the ropes! Sanders ignores this and continues to wrench on the hold, as the referee chastises him and begins to count.)
1!
2!
3!
4!
(At the last possible second, and only after DIRECT PHYSICAL INTERVENTION from the referee himself, Sanders relinquishes the hold on Gracie Lopez, grinning his awful grin again as he slowly rises to his feet.)
JR Freeman: Absolutely despicable! This man has no capacity for shame, Alf, he’s truly, irrevocably and PROUDLY a damn monster!
Alfonso Banks: I mean… at least he doesn’t lie about it?
JR Freeman: Really? You’re really gonna hit me with that MAGA line right now?!
Alfonso Banks: HEY! I’ll have you know I voted for BERNIE SANDERS in the last election, thank you very much!
JR Freeman: Because of him-
Alfonso Banks: Because of him legalizing weed, yes.
JR Freeman: Dammit, Alf, is that all you care about?
Alfonso Banks: Well it isn’t… NOT that.
(Sanders wastes no time in capitalizing on this moment, allowing no breathing room for his opponent as he leaps up to the top rope, holding his position for just a moment in a handstand, then launches himself down towards Gracie’s outstretched leg, aiming for a Double Foot Stomp directly onto her knee… but Gracie pulls her leg away at the last moment and Sanders hits the mat! Gracie rolls out of the ring to regain her bearings, taking a moment to recover in the wake of her opponent’s crash and burn. Hereafter, she makes her way back in, looking to follow-up and shift the advantage back in her own favour. Gracie grabs Jonathan Sanders by the shoulders and manages to force his head down, nailing the Outsider with her Blue Thunder Bomb!)
JR Freeman: BLUE THUNDER BOMB! This may be it!
Alfonso Banks: Let's hope so, JR…
(Gracie covers…)
ONE!
TWO!
TH-NO! SANDERS GETS A SHOULDER UP!
JR Freeman: Sanders kicks out! I thought for SURE that was it!
Alfonso Banks: No! Damn it! He really IS a vampire - the fucker just won't die!
(Gracie shakes her head in frustration, but keeps a determined expression as she gets back to her feet. She grabs her opponent by the hair and picks him back up as well, looking to hit the same move again, but this time the Lost Cause fights back with an eye rake, sending Gracie reeling backwards! The referee steps in to chastise Sanders and tend to Gracie, who tries to lash out at the Lost Cause while blinded, rushing forward to force Sanders into the corner. The Messiah of the Damned manages to duck to one side, however, pulling the referee into harm’s way instead, causing Gracie to shove the official against the turnbuckle instead. Sanders then leaps up, absolutely CLOCKING the back of Gracie’s head with a Shot of Serotonin, which causes her head to whip forward into that of the referee, knocking them both loopy and sending them to the mat.)
JR Freeman: SHOT OF SEROTONIN! And - oh no - the referee goes down as well! Sanders kicked Gracie Lopez’s head right into the referee!
Alfonso Banks: But did he do it INTENTIONALLY, JR, or was this what Bob Ross would deem a “happy accident”?
JR Freeman: I think we BOTH know the answer to THAT one, Al-hey, wait, since when do you watch Bob Ross?
Alfonso Banks: Since, like, 1988, I think? I actually used to paint along with his shows way back when! SUUUUUUPER relaxing!
JR Freeman: …Huh. Y’know, partner - and I mean no offense by this - I just never took you for the type.
Alfonso Banks: Oh come on, JR! I may be a DICK, but I’m not TOTALLY heartless; Bob Ross is a national treasure!
JR Freeman: Well, I guess that’s just one more thing we’re in total agreement on, Alf.
Alfonso Banks: Oooh, I think I just got a cold shiver up my spine, I HATE this!
JR Freeman: Y’know, I’m not feeling great about it either, Alf.
(With the referee down, Sanders grins his wicked, chilling grin and glances out into the crowd. What he's searching for is unclear to us, though based on his body language it seems clear that he has found it. He moves to follow-up with Gracie Lopez now, fully BITING HER FOREHEAD for several long seconds before sending her to the mat with a headbutt. The Snake of Eden grins widely, sliding out of the ring and searching underneath the apron, coming back up with a steel chair wrapped in barbed wire! Sanders' steel-grey eyes glint maliciously, smacking the chair on the mat as he waits for Gracie to return to her feet.)
JR Freeman: Oh no, I don't like this…
Alfonso Banks: Ahahahaha, yes! FINALLY! Glorious, glorious violence!
JR Freeman: …Are you ACTUALLY okay, though, Alf?
Alfonso Banks: …Define "okay".
JR Freeman: Like, as in… mentally stable.
Alfonso Banks: Ohhhh… then no, not at all.
(Back in the ring, Sanders swings forward with the steel chair, but Gracie manages to duck and roll out of harm's way, causing the Horseman of Plague to make contact with the ropes and bounce off… directly into ANOTHER Blue Thunder Bomb! Gracie takes a moment to catch her breath as the crowd EXPLODES with thunderous applause, beginning a rising sequence of claps to cheer her on. Gracie begins to pound the mat in time with their clapping, before rising to her feet and running to the ropes, leaping off to hit the Style and Grace… but she gets clocked in the head by a mysterious figure who’s just jumped over the guardrail, wearing the same deer skull mask as the monster in Jonathan Sanders’ music video earlier. The figure NAILS Gracie with the barbed-wire chair from earlier, sending her crashing to the mat to a chorus of boos! The figure then slips into the ring through the top and middle rope, peeling off the mask to reveal their identity as… ALEXANDRA CALAWAY?!)
JR Freeman: WHAT?! What the hell is ALEXANDRA CALAWAY doing out here?!
Alfonso Banks: From the look of that GLEAM in her eyes, JR, I can’t IMAGINE it’s anything good!
(Her eyes do indeed gleam, as she steps over the fallen body of Gracie Lopez with a smirk, approaching the slowly-recovering form of Jonathan Sanders and extending one hand towards him. The Lost Cause grins his familiar evil grin as he takes hold of the proffered hand, letting Ally help him to his feet. The pair remain here, holding hands, for a long moment… before Sanders pulls Calway in for a deep kiss!)
JR Freeman: Excuse me, WHAAAAAAAAAT?!
Alfonso Banks: AAAAAH! AAAAH! NO! NOOOOO! I HATE IT! ABSOLUTELY no more of that, please and thank you!
(As they pull away, the couple wear matching wolfish grins, as Sanders slowly sets his sights on Gracie Lopez. He moves to follow up on his groggy, slowly-recovering opponent, but Alexandra Calaway simply smirks and shakes her head, extending an arm to stop him. Sanders grins at her and motions at the fallen babyface, as the crowd continues to PELT the pair with boos, and Alexandra sidles forward to lift poor Gracie to her feet.)
JR Freeman: Oh, come on! This is absolutely despicable behaviour - why can’t we get another ref out here?!
Alfonso Banks: I’ll give you one GUESS, JR! Here’s a hint: it rhymes with “Bavid Bane”.
JR Freeman: What does legendary Las Vegas stage magician David Blaine have to do with this?!
Alfonso Banks: N-no, I… I meant… a-are you… are you doing a BIT right now?
JR Freeman: Now you finally know what it’s like to sit on MY side of the announce table, Alf.
Alfonso Banks: …You absolute assmongler, well played!
(Gracie tries valiantly to fight back against Calaway, firing a few wild rights and lefts, but the chair has clearly left her too loopy to really mount any kind of successful counterattack. With a chilling, wicked grin - matching that of her apparent lover - Calaway pulls Gracie’s head in between her legs and BLASTS her with the Fallen Angel on top of the chair! As she does this, Sanders climbs to the top rope, then launches himself off to follow up with the TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SOUL! He covers, feet BLATANTLY draped over the middle rope as Calaway revives the referee. The official counts, still incredibly groggy from the hit, his bleary state blinding him to the obvious cheating taking place in front of him…)
ONE!
TWO!
THREE! IT’S OVER!
JR Freeman: NO! No, not like this! Damn it to hell, that goddamn Jonathan Sanders is a SNAKE! An absolute SNAKE!
Alfonso Banks: A Snake… of EDEN?
JR Freeman: How could you JOKE at a time like this, Alf?! We’ve just witnessed a travesty, a total affront to justice!
Alfonso Banks: I know, I know, it’s just… y’know… that’s his nickname, and I just thought… maybe… ah, nevermind, you’re right, it was dumb.
(As the two continue to bicker, literally a SECOND after the referee’s third, weak hand slap connects, Gracie manages to wriggle free and get a shoulder up. It’s too little, too late, however, and Sanders’ grin blossoms again as “Blood Pigs” begins to blare over the speakers, Alexandra Calaway stepping back into the ring to raise the Impossible Question’s hand.)
Meg Reynolds: Here is your winner, “THE LOST CAUSE”, JONATHAN SANDERS!
(Sanders and Calaway both share matching grins as she raises his arm in the centre of the ring, Gracie Lopez looking FURIOUS. She rises to her feet and gets immediately in Sanders’ face, telling him off for his actions. The Lost Cause just sneers at her, but makes no offensive moves as Alexandra Calaway interposes herself between them. It looks like she and Gracie may be about to come to blows, when David Shane’s music hits and the other two members of ANTITHESIS begin to make their way towards the ring, flanked by the man himself. Gracie Lopez glares DAGGERS through Sanders and Calaway as she gets out of the ring, making her way back up the ramp past the others.)
WINNER= JONATHAN SANDERS
(As Gracie makes her way back up the ramp, she takes a moment to lock eyes with David Shane, and the two share some trash talk. It doesn’t become physical, though, as Shane retreats behind the muscle of Dionysus and Alexander Lyons, causing Gracie to decide that discretion is the better part of valour and continue to the back, cursing her opponents out all the while.)
JR Freeman: It seems like Gracie Lopez has some choice words for Team David tonight, Alf - and by the sounds of things, so do these fans!
(As Shane and ANTITHESIS make their way into the ring, the crowd has broken out in a chorus of “FUCK YOU SAD-NUTS!” *Clap clap clapclapclap* and “DA-VID SUCKS! DA-VID SUCKS!”, which merely begets a grin from the former Collateral Damage Champion.)
Alfonso Banks: They do indeed, JR, but I’m not sure ANTITHESIS seems to CARE all that much… And besides, I’m pretty sure President Hawk has called him WAY worse names than that by now!
JR Freeman: PRESIDENT Hawk? REALLY, Alf?
(As the jeering chants continue, Jonathan slips an arm around Alexandra’s waist and pulls her into another deep kiss in the centre of the ring. This is met with a DEAFENING chorus of boos and fans throwing all manner of trash they can find towards the ring, but the group simply sneer and pay their displeasure no heed.)
JR Freeman: This is absolutely despicable! I can’t BELIEVE what we’ve just seen here tonight, Alf! How can they even get away with this?! All members of BOTH Armageddon teams were totally banned from ringside!
Alfonso Banks: A damned clever LOOPHOLE, JR; Alexandra Calaway ISN’T a member of either team! …At least, not YET. Although I think that may be about to change…
(As it happens, David Shane hands Jonathan Sanders a microphone, motioning for the music to cut, which it abruptly does. Sanders waits a long, LONG moment for some of the booing to die down, arm still wrapped firmly around the waist of Alexandra Calaway, and when he finally DOES begin to speak it is with a vile, sardonic edge to his tone.)
Jonathan Sanders: How is a raven… like a writing desk?
(The crowd erupts with even more boos for that line, but Sanders continues unabated.)
Jonathan Sanders: When I promised to be PWS: Apex’s Impossible Question - the single problem that NONE OF YOU can solve - I did not expect that it would be a… POPULAR decision among management.
(A pause, and the Snake of Eden’s lips bloom into an all-too-familiar grin; this time, it is one shared by his stablemates.)
Jonathan Sanders: But nevertheless, it seems that fate CONTINUES to surprise me…
(He casts a sidelong glance over his shoulder towards David Shane, who gives a mocking little bow in response.)
Jonathan Sanders: David Shane contacted me with a VERY interesting proposal, in the aftermath of Dishonored; in the wake of what seemed to be a cataclysmic moment for the future of this company, as PWS: Apex began to drag itself out of the ashes of the WILDFIRE that the previous World Champion had left behind, David sensed an avenue for… opportunity.
(Another pause, and the Lost Cause’s gaze hardens.)
Jonathan Sanders: We would use this moment of mortal turmoil - this precarious, volatile situation with Star Stormz and the board - to take a MATCH to the powder keg that has become this company! David KNEW he had a goal - a glorious vision of PWS in ashes, and the brilliant, vital cruelty of APEX rising in its place… but he knew he could not see it through alone. There was too much opposition. Too many Titans blocked his path. So King David… made a deal. An awful, Faustian bargain… with Hell’s darkest, VILEST Devil David looked into the mirror, and he KNEW what must be done to salvage the company he held so beloved. If Levi Russow, Laura Phoenix, Nick Madison and Gracie Lopez would claim to stand for the heart and soul of PWS: Apex… then David Shane would need its polar opposite. In other words… he needed the ANTITHESIS.
(The crowd SHOWERS him in boos for that one.)
JR Freeman: Really? Jesus, the man is like a comic-book SUPERVILLAIN some days!
Alfonso Banks: I don’t know, JR, I don’t think there are a lot of comic-book supervillains who stab people’s faces and set museums on fire… y’know what? I take that back. He’s just the Joker. He’s literally the Joker.
(Sanders waits another beat, his smirk having vanished. He steps closer to the hard cam now, crouching to meet it at eye-level as Alexandra Calaway softly rubs his shoulders, grinning all the while.)
Jonathan Sanders: So David reached into the Looking Glass… and brought himself to me. When he asked if we would be his Red Right Hand - the wicked, stalwart SWORD that he could drive into the black and shriveled HEART of this deeply-wounded company, to cut out the cancerous influence of those so married to the stagnation of the past - we needed NO further convincing. You have all SEEN what we are capable of when the management of this company is actively acting AGAINST us, but with their explicit APPROVAL? With not only the permission, but the BLESSING, of an angel upon high? Our violence could be GLORIOUS. Our poison could metastasize. Our REIGN… could be unstoppable. We could STAMPEDE across this company like the blazing cattle of Hell across the desert sky - we could rain LIGHTNING and FIRE and DEATH from above like VESUVIUS upon this precious, WHIMPERING Pompeii.
(Another pause, and Sanders glares HOLES into the hard-cam. He slowly retreats, standing once more to full height, and his expression blooms into an unhinged, evil grin, his eyes glinting with malefic glee as he continues.)
Jonathan Sanders: But our numbers have been… thinned, of late. Tyson Sykes has taken leave of us, and he will not reply to ANY of his brothers’ calls… so we needed ANOTHER. A Rider of War to complete our daemonic quartet - the final Horseman to bring our Armageddon…
(A beat. He turns his gaze on Alexandra.)
Jonathan Sanders: Or should I say… HorseWOMAN?
(The crowd ERUPTS with boos at this insinuation.)
Alfonso Banks: THERE it is! It only took him FIFTEEN GODDAMN MINUTES to get there, but I KNEW this one was coming!
JR Freeman: I had a horrible sneaking suspicion too, Alf, but-
Alfonso Banks: NO! I called this one, JR! ME! Don’t take this from me, dammit, I hardly ever get one right!
JR Freeman: OKAY, okay; you called it. There. Are you HAPPY now?
Alfonso Banks: Not really, but my therapist says we’re making progress…
(In the ring, the hard-cam cuts to Alexandra Calaway, grinning as well as Jonathan continues. She looks much pleased with herself and the choices she has made.)
Jonathan Sanders: And who better to fulfill that role than a woman I have described as my OWN Dark Reflection. A mirror-image of my cruelty, my savagery, my utter dedication to the Darkness that has made me the THING I am today…
(He pauses again, his grin widening.)
Jonathan Sanders: And so, it is with deep and unbridled PRIDE that I present to you; the FINAL member of Team David; the NEWEST addition to ANTITHESIS… MY Dark Queen, ALEXANDRA CALAWAY!
(Sanders makes a broad, sweeping gesture with his right arm, motioning to Calaway as if “presenting” her unto the world. She takes this moment to revel in the thunderous boos and jeers the audience is throwing at her, spreading her arms wide and giving an exaggerated, theatrical bow. She looks over at Sanders and smirks evilly, before taking a microphone and tilting her head for a moment, before speaking.)
Alexandra Calaway: Oooh, it seems like they aren't happy with this decision. Face it.. this was bound to happen. After all..
(She walked towards Sanders, pulling him in close and looking up at him as she spoke.)
Alexandra Calaway: No one else in this company could complete this team the way that I will. It was inevitable. Don't like it.. deal with it. This.. is the future of PWS: Apex. Like it.. or not.
(With this, Calaway drops the mic and captures Sanders’ lips in another deep, passionate kiss, the pair embracing in the centre of the ring as “Blow” by Eva Under Fire ft. Spencer Charnas begins to blare over the speakers. The rest of Team David/ANTITHESIS pose menacingly alongside them, and we cut back to the announce table one last time before the end.)
JR Freeman: Wow, an INCREDIBLE announcement to close out PWS: Apex Riot tonight, folks! I cannot BELIEVE what we’ve witnessed here tonight! Team David may well be unstoppable with this addition!
Alfonso Banks: Even if they’re NOT, JR, Team Star will have one HELL of a task ahead of them; how could they EVER hope to stand against this kind of alliance? Moreover, just what kind of alliance IS this? And did I leave my burrito in the microwave? God, I hope Hawk didn’t steal it again…
JR Freeman: Riiiight… well, I’m sure there was a good point in there SOMEWHERE, Alf. For now, on behalf of myself, PWS management and my… “quirky” broadcast partner Alfonso Banks, this is JR Freeman wishing you all goodnight, and see you next time!
(We cut back to the ring for one final shot of ANTITHESIS standing together, Sanders and Calaway wrapped tightly in each other’s arms and reveling in the hatred of the audience as Riot fades to black.)
