Post by Laura Phoenix - HBIC on Apr 22, 2021 22:39:35 GMT -5
PWS: APEX Presents Riot
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
PWS Arena
New York, NY
(The PWS:Apex logo flashes on the screen as the title video starts to play including “Trials” by Starset until a cigarette burn like an old film strip burns the image from the screen as everything goes black and we hear a record scratch…and then a bong bubble as someone exhales.)
“...AAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!”
(Suddenly a darker song takes over as a green-hued video starts to play highlighting the NEW roster of PWS:Apex as “Daywalker” by Machine Gun Kelly feat. CORPSE blares...as the video ends we see the arena where the fans are chanting along with the chorus…)
Fans: FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
JR Freeman: WELL THAT WAS SOMETHING ELSE! Welcome ladies and gentlemen to another edition of PWS: Apex Riot I’m your tried and true, JR Freeman joined as always by my partner-in-crime, Alfonso Banks. Alf?
Alfonso Banks: ...why do I crave Gatorade? What ever happened to Cary Elwes? What is this? WHAT’S GOING ON!?
JR Freeman: ...Alf?
“WE ARE THE TRUE BELIEVERS!!!!!”
JR Freeman: WHAT THE HELL!!!!
(As the curtain opens...we see a PLUME of smoke billow out from the backstage as Levi Russow comes out onto the stage dressed like the Mad Hatter coughing his head off as “True Believers” by The Bouncing Souls hits the PA..)
JR Freeman: Well...we’d heard rumors.
(As the fans go ape shit for Levi he composes himself...and like a cartoon character, strips off the Mad Hatter costume to reveal just casual clothes underneath except for...THE brightest pair of pink velour track pants you’ve ever seen. The fans laugh as he raises and eyebrow and slowly reaches for the pants…)
JR Freeman: Dear God don’t do this…
(And with one YANK...Levi RIPS away the hot pink velour track pants to REVEAL?...
...a SECOND pair of hot pink velour track pants! Levi swaggers his way with squinty eyes over to the commentary table.)
JR Freeman: Well it looks like the man himself is going to JOIN us tonight! What’s up, champ!?
Levi Russow: JUNIOR FRIEDMAN!
JR Freeman: ...it’s JR Freeman...you know this.
Levi Russow: I’m bussin’ yer balls, Cap’n. YOU READY FOR THE WEIRDEST SHOW YOU’VE EVER FUCKIN’ SEEN!?
JR Freeman: Well for those that don’t know, what’s going on exactly?
Levi Russow: *best Scott Hall voice* WE’RE TAKIN’ OVERRRRR!!
JR Freeman: ...Umm...who’s “we’r-”?
Levi Russow: I’M TAKIN’ OVERRRRRR!!!
JR Freeman: Ahh.
…..FFFFuck.
(The shot opens up backstage and we see Cameron Fernandez with a huge smile on her face ready to tackle her next interview.)
Cameron Fernandez: Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please welcome my guest at this time, “The King of the Indies” Matthew Paul.
(While the crowd goes “mild” as the PWS-Apex faithful really don’t know him all that well yet but the camera pans over to the smirking face of Matthew.)
Cameron Fernandez: Matthew, at our last event you made your PWS-Apex debut, a victory over Chris Blade. H…
(Stepping in right there, Matthew interrupts Cameron, laughing.)
Matthew Paul: There was never any doubt though, now was there?
Cameron Fernandez: Excuse me?
Matthew Paul: You were talking about my debut in PWS-Apex and the fact that I won and what I was explaining to you is that you should not have been surprised by this. I told everyone who was paying attention to me that I was going to decimate Chris Blade because I had done that many times before and that is exactly what I did.
Cameron Fernandez: Well alright, I didn’t mean to offend you Matthew.
Matthew Paul: Oh you didn’t offend me, it takes much more than some words from an interviewer to get me riled up. There was a very important point though that you and everyone else needs to learn and put into practice here in PWS-Apex, as long as I am going to be here now.
Cameron Fernandez: Alright, what is that if I can ask?
(Matthew stares coldly right into Cameron’s eyes.)
Matthew Paul: When “The King of the Indies” Matthew Paul has something to say that is of utmost importance and everyone who can hear me, damn sure had better pay attention.
Cameron Fernandez: Alright, tonight you face Kate Steele-Warren a little later on. What can we expect from that contest?
Matthew Paul: Well, I am just going to assume that Kate will provide a little bit better of an opposition than Chris Blade did, given that quite frankly everyone and probably their grandmother does, but that doesn’t change the fact that tonight what you are going to witness is another Matthew Paul victory. Now Cameron I just need to ask you this one thing, are you paying attention?
Cameron Fernandez: Yes, of course.
Matthew Paul: So what is going to happen when I face Kate Steele-Warren tonight?
Cameron Fernandez: Another Matthew Paul victory?
(Matthew smirks.)
Matthew Paul: Now you are learning.
(Matthew walks away, leaving Cameron to say…)
Cameron Fernandez: Back to you, JR and Alfonso.
Singles Match
Matthew Paul vs. Kate Steele-Warren
JR Freeman: Well I suppose we’ll get underway with our first match as Kate Steele-Warren takes on the impressive newcomer Matthew Paul. I thi-
Levi Russow: *laughing* Wait wait wait wait wait...watch...watch this...this is gonna be fuckin’ GOLD.
(Levi gives the signal and on cue AS Kate Steele-Warren is entering cheerfully she’s suddenly JOLTED in place because BLARING over the PA a voice screams…)
“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING OOOOOOOON!?”
(Kate...looks...HORRIFIED...as instead of her Jem and the Holograms she’s met with “All Alone” by Blind Witness! She sheepishly walks down to the ring looking like a wounded, confused My Little Pony as death metal blares and we see everyone in the crowd headbanging.)
Levi Russow: *hysterical* DID...DID YOU FUCKIN’ SEE HER FACE!!!
Alfonso Banks: ...Mr. Russow. You are awful.
Levi Russow: That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said about me,
JR Freeman: Well...have money, will travel I suppose.
(The camera awkwardly stays on JR for a moment as we hear Levi ripping a bong juuuust to the left of him...but in Levi fashion, he blows the smoke in JR’s face as JR dies coughing Levi leans forward seriously.)
Levi Russow: Now as I see a lot of potential in this new asshole callin’ himself “King of the Indies”...I like that. So I thought of somethin’ a little more fittin’ for the King of...Stroke.
(Suddenly a boom clap drumbeat and clap combo starts as Matthew Paul walks out onto the stage peering a hole through Levi as all of a sudden the song turns into “Stroke Me” by Mickey Avalon. Paul doesn’t even stop walking...the only thing that changed was now he’s raising an eyebrow at Levi as he gets in the ring. Why is he raising an eyebrow at Levi? Well because Levi is now shirtless, climbed up on the security barrier between them and the fans and is grinding in a grandmother’s face. Thank God for plexiglass.)
(The match begins with both opponents squaring each other up, before the veteran takes control with a one-armed DDT. After some impressive offense by the Man in Black, Kate takes the lead by slipping out of a belly-to-back suplex between Paul's legs, and taking him down into a Boston Crab.)
Alfonso Banks: Excellent reversal by Warren!
JR Freeman: Hey, that's my line!
Alfonso Banks: Well, go ahead and say it then!
JR Freeman: Excellent reversal by- the moment's passed, honestly.
(The match continues with some back and forth offense, Kate getting some shots in here and there, but Matthew's experience ends up proving too much for the up-and-comer, as he ends up finishing the match off by locking in No More Words, causing the future Destination NEXT competitor to tap out.)
WINNER - Matthew Paul
JR Freeman: An impressive victory there for Matthew Paul.
Alfonso Banks: That was a big win for the newcomer, getting a win over a Destination NEXT competitor.
JR Freeman: Hold on, I’m getting word we’re sending things to the back,, as we have a situation happening.
Levi Russow: SOMEONE BITE A NIPPLE OFF!!!
(The camera cuts to backstage, where we see Eddie Lopez and Nick Madison brawling in the backstage area. They are trading punches, as Nick lays into Eddie with a vengeance. Eddie is fighting back just as much, as the two make their way past some production tables, with Eddie bouncing Nick’s head off the table. Nick returns the favor. The two continue battling down the hallway, with both getting big right hand shots in.)
JR Freeman: Jesus! Someone needs to get back there and stop this!
Alfonso Banks: YOU wanna get in between those two?
Levi Russow: ...wouldn't be the first time.
(They make it to the exit to the parking lot area, as Nick bounces Eddie’s head off the door, before opening it and Sparta kicking him out, before following him out to the parking area. He continues the assault on Eddie, as Eddie continues to fight back. Nick has a look of pure malice in his eyes, as he slams Eddie’s back into a nearby car. He looks at Eddie, then at the car, and gets him on the hood of the car. Hegets up with Eddie, and gets him into position for Neuro-Mutilation, but security madly rushes on the scene before anything else can happen. They pull both men off the car, and away from each other, as Josiah Cena joins the scene.)
Josiah Cena: Guys! Enough of this! You’re both going to save it for Destiny! No more contact until then. Nick, I know you want to get your hands on him, but you’re gonna have to practice some damn patience.
Eddie Lopez: Punk jumped me! I didn’t do anything!
Josiah Cena: Bullshit, Eddie! You brought that on yourself, but I’m going to save whatever is going to happen for Destiny. Now, Nick, go get ready for your match, Eddie...take the rest of the night off.
Eddie Lopez: Whatever…
(Eddie walks off, as Josiah looks over at Nick, who hasn’t taken his eyes off of Eddie.)
Josiah Cena: Nick….Nick….NICK!
(Nick seemingly breaks out of the tunnel vision he was having.)
Nick Madison: Huh...what?
Josiah Cena: I know, man. But you’re going to have to be patient, and you need to focus on your match with Moondust.
(Nick walks off, as we cut away.)
The final inductee of the PWS Hall of Fame Class of 2021 is Antonio Banks. A beloved superstar from his time in PWSR, where he won multiple championships, and had many big moments, a memorable rivalry with PWS Hall of Famer Trisha Lee Moore (booblock) and many more great moments, which is why we welcome him into the PWS Hall of Fame!
(We open backstage on Claire Anderson holding a microphone. She smiles at the camera before speaking.)
]hr]
Claire Anderson: Later tonight, we’ll be hearing from Collateral Damage champion Johnathan Sanders. Someone I’m sure will be listening close is the former champion Cleo Phillips, who has shown over the past few weeks that she backs down from nobody. I’m outside her locker room now, and hope to get a few words.
(Claire knocks on a door, marked with Cleo's name., after a few moments the door opens, and Cleo appears in camouflage facepaint, wearing camouflage jeans, a “Set It Off” t-shirt, and her trusty bat slung over her shoulder.)
Claire Anderson: Hello Cleo. I hope I’m not interrupting anything. I was hoping you had time for a few questions?
(Cleo smiles, and gives Claire a friendly pat on the shoulder.)
Cleo Phillips: It’s all good. You came just in time. I was just actually about to leave.
Claire Anderson: Oh? Do you have somewhere else to be?
(Cleo smiles, and chuckles to herself.)
Cleo Phillips: More like...I need to find somebody.
Claire Anderson: ...Johnathan Sanders?
Cleo Phillips: And circle gets the square!
Claire Anderson: We’re supposed to hear from him later tonight..
Cleo Phillips: I know. I also know he’s here. I know he won’t come out to the ring, that’s too easy and he’s smarter than that. No, he’ll find the darkest most obscure corner of this arena to deliver his message. Somewhere where he thinks I won’t be able to find him. But wouldn’t you know it? I’m free tonight. Free to scour the halls of this arena, until I find his little hiding place. I’m going to kick in every door I see until I find him. Mark my words Claire, I may not have a match tonight, but there’s still going to be a fight. Now if you’ll excuse me...I have some hunting to do.
Cleo smiles at Claire, before walking off down the halls, dragging the bat on the concrete behind her, while whistling “A hunting we will go’.
Krash vs. Richard Rider
(We cut back to the arena as we see Richard Rider sticking his head through the curtain making eye contact with Levi Russow as he suddenly bursts out of the curtain excitedly to hear his new song...and it’s literally the sound of your old dial-up Internet connection. As EVERYBODY screams in pain in attendance, Levi is jumping up and down on the table.)
Levi Russow: THAT’S CAUSE THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE!!! YOU’RE HUMAN *THIS*!!!!
(Rider covers his ears bolting for the ring sliding under just trying to get it all to stop. It may be the most popular move he’s made his entire career. Thankfully even Levi has enough of it as he calls for it to cut off.)
JR Freeman: WHY!?
Levi Russow: BECAUSE I READ AT A FOURTH GRADE LEVEL, JUNIOR!
Alfonso Banks: His name is JR!
Levi Russow: SHUSH UP, ALFREDO.
(Levi chuckles until he sneers back towards the ramp as he stands up with his arms crossed...he twirls a finger in the sky...and “Bad” by Royale Deluxe hits the PA system as Krash saunters out seemingly apathetic to the shenanigans as he tears his hood off darting towards the ring, sliding under the bottom rope as the bell rings.)
JR Freeman: I’m surprised you took it easy on a kid you give so much crap to for being “emo”.
Levi Russow: ...have you even met me? Cream and bastards rise, Junior. I’m separating the wheat from the chaff! I SEE something in this kid...Hell, if he’s got even a drop of the same blood Mack McKane has…
Alfonso Banks: Oh dear God please don’t give me the image of another McKane.
(As they’re gabbing, Krash has slid all the way through Richard Rider’s charging legs and popped up to hit him with a quick Lost Boy’s Breakdown!)
JR Freeman; LOST BOY’S BREAKDOWN!!! THIS MIGHT ALREADY BE OVE-*starts coughing uncontrollably as a plume of smoke billows in his face.*
(Krash has climbed up the top rope staring out at Russow, flipping him a double bird and keeping them out as he dives backwards hitting the Death Rattle.)
Levi Russow: Coolest name for a move I’ve ever heard, he calls that the Death Rattle! *muttering* punkbitch.
1!
2!
3!
Meg Reynolds: HERE IS YOUR WINNER...KRRRRRRRRASH!!
(Krash pumps his fist as he stands up looking back towards Levi who’s standing again until the lights kick out...and flash back on and suddenly standing in the ring behind Krash is...MACK MCKANE!?!? Russow’s face is bewildered as JR screams….)
JR Freeman: OHHHH MIOOOS DIOOOOOS!!!!
(Krash slowly turns around breathing heavily as Mack is glaring an absolute hole through his half-brother’s soul as Krash starts to laugh and nod his head as he turns his back on Mack and holds his arms out raising his head to the sky closing his eyes in the light as Mack lunges forward grabbing his arm and spinning him around for a Memento Mori but the lights flash before he hits him and when they come back, they’re both gone!)
JR Freeman: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?!?
Levi Russow: Never mind THAT...what the fuck is THAT!?!?
(Levi has pointed to the end of the table where Alfonso Banks has disappeared...and in his chair is beloved 80’s puppet who’s eaten more pussies than The L Word...ALF!)
ALF: WHAT UP, MELMAC!!!
(JR’s eye is twitching and Levi claps excitedly like a little child.)
JR Freeman: ...this is the weirdest night of my life.
ALF: You think THIS is bad? Try living with a dinner you’re not allowed to eat!
Levi Russow: AHAHAHAHAHA BACKSTAGE NOW!!!
ALF: Can anyone get me a TAB?
(After his victory over Kate Steele-Warren, “The King of the Indies” Matthew Paul has just made backstage and to his locker room when he receives a shock just inside the door.)
Matthew Paul: Ginger?
(The woman who agreed to become his less than a week ago, Ginger walks up to Matthew with a sly grin on her face while carrying a bottle of wine in one hand and two glasses in the other.)
Ginger: So this is my first professional wrestling event, but I was watching back here on the monitors and let me just say that I was pretty damned impressed, Matthew. You looked very good out there, at least to my untrained eyes. I was just wondering why you left me in New Orleans, rather than bringing me here with you?
(Still surprised to see her there as he came alone to the arena earlier, Matthew regards Ginger somewhat suspiciously.)
Matthew Paul: Yeah, it was exactly how I planned it, but thanks. I just didn’t think I had given you enough time to be ready. I would like to give you at least a week before I expect you to go with me. So, how did you get here and how were you able to get backstage?
Ginger: I took a flight up from New Orleans, the bill of which will be sent to your apartment.
(Matthew rolls his eyes.)
Matthew Paul: Obviously.
Ginger: I didn’t think that would be an issue. As for finding my way backstage, I just told the security person working backstage that I am your manager and I was running behind tonight. I explained that you were new here, and that is why he hadn’t heard of me before.
Matthew Paul: A fine lie. You really know how to worm your way into an asshole’s heart, don’t you? I am impressed.
(Ginger grins, suddenly looking very proud of herself.)
Ginger: Well, I need to prove to you that you made the right decision when you decided to ask me to come aboard.
Matthew Paul: And you are continuing to do that, no doubt. So, what are we toasting this evening anyway?
Ginger: Another Matthew Paul victory of course, what else?
(This brings a smirk across his face as Matthew laughs.)
Matthew Paul: Yeah easy with the wine there, ok? Not that I don’t like the positive vibes and all, but this is only my second match here. I still have a long way to go toward establishing myself here.
Ginger: Alright then. We can save the wine for another time. How about some dinner? You have already had your match, and if we go out on the town those cameras that you were talking about last week can glimpses of us together, which is exactly what you would want if I am right.
(Nodding with approval, Matthew then confuses Ginger sitting down in a chair in front of the monitor.)
Matthew Paul: You are right, but we are going to stay back here until the end of the event, watch things unfold for the rest of the night watching from a monitor.
(Ginger comes and sits down on Matthew’s lap, causing him to roll his eyes again while she giggles a little.)
Ginger: Perfect. What or who are we watching for?
Matthew Paul: The next event in two weeks is named Destiny. It is the biggest event on the PWS-Apex calendar. I want to watch back here and scout a few different people that could be my opponent at that show, alright.
Ginger: That sounds good to me.
Matthew Paul: If you are nice, we get dinner afterwards.
Ginger: Wonderful.
(We head to commercial, as Matthew and Ginger watch the monitor.)
The Society vs. The Dream Team
(We cut back to the arena as we see The Dream Team start to walk out...one of them is angry, the other is cringing as they stomp towards the announce table to the tune of…”Fuck The Pain Away” by Peaches. As they’re jawing at Levi we see Levi look at JR...then at the camera...and JR rolls his eyes telling the cameraman to stand behind him. As he does we see The Dream Team in first person still bitching...as we hear a lighter...and a puff...and smoke is exhaled in their face. They both stagger around towards the ring coughing their heads off waving their hands around.)
Levi Russow: HAVE FUN AT THE DRUG TEST TOMORROW, BOYS!!!
JR Freeman: MR. RUSSOW!!!
Alf: That was GREAT! Hey what IS that stuff anyway!?
Levi Russow: ...I would show you...mi amigo...but I’m afraid it would catch you on fire...
(“Everybody Talks” by The Neon Trees starts playing as The Society slide their way out shaking their heads in disgust on their way to the ring as we hear another bubbling rip get exhaled.)
JR Freeman: Hey Champ? Why didn’t you change THEIR song?
Levi Russow: Two reasons, Jipper. One...iunno who the fuck they are. But TWO...Hell hath no fury like a bitch with a knife so pick yer fuckin’ battles, innit?
Alf: Hey! We can curse here!?
Levi Russow: YOU SURE CAN, ALF! LET ‘ER RIP!!!
(Alf takes a deep breath and starts trying to rip off the longest line of profanities you’ve ever heard...but each one is censored with a sound of a different cat each time. Alf realizes it and screams out one more cat sound as he pounds the desk.)
Levi Russow: Woahhhh...bummer.
(The match begins with Ella in the ring against Jackson. As the bell rings, Ella takes advantage by going off the ropes with a springboard shoulder tackle. The Society really dominate the majority of the match, at one point Ella tags in Jasmine slowly and deliberately, just to toy with their opponents. After a few more big moves, Jasmine sets up, and hits, the MCC, as Ella hops off the apron to take care of Kai.)
Levi Russow: Hey, Junior, can I ask you something?
JR Freeman: What, Levi?
Levi Russow: Where's Senior?
JR Freeman: Is that really the most important thing you could be asking me right now?
Levi Russow: ...Yes. Its...haunting me.
(The match continues, as Jasmine decides she's not done with her opponent yet, picking him up intentionally at the count of 2. She waits for Ella to get back onto the apron, pinning her opponent a couple more times until then, lifting his shoulder off the mat each time, just to taunt him. When Ella's on the apron, Jasmine tags her in and they both take their opponent down with a Russian Leg Sweep/Running Yakuza Kick combo, finally, mercifully ending the match with a 1-2-3.)
WINNER - The Society
(We cut backstage where we see Laura Phoenix in her office on the phone. Suddenly there's a knock on the door. Glancing over her shoulder and seeing the door open, she sighs and turns her back for a moment.)
Laura Phoenix: Yeah... Hey, I'll call you back in a few.
(She turns around again, unamused, and the camera pans out to see Tyson Sykes standing at her desk.)
Laura Phoenix: Ya know... there's really no point to knocking if you're just going to come in anyways.
SYKES: Semantics. Anyway, we gotta have a chat real quick.
Laura Phoenix: ... Okay.
(Sykes plops down in a chair and throws his feet up on Laura's desk, and with lightning speed she shoves his feet off back to floor and points at him like a mother scolding a child.)
Laura Phoenix: Absolutely not.
(He raises his hands, settling in the chair.)
SYKES: Alright fair fair. Shoot a guy for wanting to be a little comfy while he chats with his favorite boss-
(Laura rolls her eyes and cutting him off, taking a seat across from him behind her desk.)
Laura Phoenix: What do you want Tyson? I got stuff to do. This is the last show before Destiny, so yeah, I'm a little busy.
(Sykes playfully smile fades away, and he adjusts his backwards hat before sitting up and leaving forward.)
SYKES: Fine. You wanna talk shop? We'll talk shop. Did you get me my match for Destiny?
Laura Phoenix: Argh... Tyson, I told you it was a long shot-
SYKES: Hey - Did you get me my match? Did he accept my challenge?
(Laura sits back and just folds her hands on her lap and looks at him.)
Laura Phoenix: He didn't. Look Tyson, I, as much as everyone else, would love to see him back in the ring, but he was just having a little fun with you on Twitter. He's perfectly content being inducted in the Hall of Fame, seeing his friends, and going back to living his life.
(Tyson sighs in frustration.)
SYKES: Son of a -
Laura Phoenix: But... I do have a plan for you for Destiny. As you know, we've been adding people to the Destination Next Ladder match...
(Sykes eyes shift up, his attention peaked.)
Laura Phoenix: Like the way you go about it or not, you've definitely turned some heads in your short time here so far. So we've decided to enter you into the match this year.
(Sykes pauses, then slowly nods his head. With a skid of the chair legs he stands up slowly.)
SYKES: Well. I appreciate the opportunity, and I won't squander it. I've wanted a shot at the top spot since day one... And one thing you all will learn about me is...
If I want something bad enough, I find a way to get it. Tell your friend that during his little induction.
(Sykes scowls before turning to exit. Laura shakes her head, exasperated before picking her phone back up.)
Laura Phoenix: I swear, these kids....
(The cameras catch up to the back where Alexis Makarios and Heather Haze were talking amongst themselves. They were laughing and talking in hushed tones back and forth when they heard a voice coming from offscreen.)
Ambika Renton: Oh, just the ladies I wanted to see.
(They turn around behind them to see the PWS President striding up to them with a smile across her face. The two women seem a little wary at seeing Ambika in such a chipper mood after their actions over the past month or so.)
Alexis Makarios: Come to tell us how great we are doing as the tag champions?
Heather Haze: Or even better...that you have come to your senses and canceled the match?
Alexis Makarios: Cuz, ya know, they don't REALLY deserve a rematch.
Heather Haze: Finally gonna say the words "Ladies, you were right and I'm sorry for putting you through hell"?
(The two smirk a bit, smugly, as they adjust their tag belts on their shoulders. Ambika just shoots a smug grin back towards them, folding her arms across her chest.)
Ambika Renton: It’ll be a cold day in hell before I ever say that. And last I checked, it was still nice and toasty down there. Actually, I wanted to let you know about a little...change to the match.
(Alexis and Heather both grin and look excited for a moment, turning to each other.)
Heather Haze: I TOLD YOU!!! I knew she was a smart woman and would see that we were right!
Alexis Makarios: I guess I owe you $50. I was certain she would side with the Russows and do something dumb like keep the match going, or even keep it in the cage.
Heather Haze: All our petitions, protests, rallies… finally got through to her!
(Ambika waves her hand in front of their faces, bringing their attention back to her.)
Ambika Renton: Um, hi. Still standing here. And no, it didn’t. If anything, it made me think that maybe you two don’t deserve the belts. That you’re not worthy champions, if all you’re going to do is complain about having to defend them...which you are contractually obliged to do, by the way. Even if it’s against someone that you don’t think is worthy. What I was going to say before you two so rudely interrupted that the match will still be contested inside the steel cage, but now the only way to win will be by escape only. And BOTH partners have to escape to secure the win.
(Alexis and Heather look at each other, jaws dropped)
Alexis Makarios: THAT'S NOT FAIR!
Heather Haze: YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
(Ambika smirks.)
Ambika Renton: I believe I just did. See you at Destiny, ladies.
(Without waiting to hear their protests, Ambika walks past them and out of the camera shot. Alexis looks back at Heather, angry)
Alexis Makarios: I KNEW IT! YOU OWE ME $50!
(And with that, the camera cuts back to ringside.)
Nick Madison vs. Moondust
(EVERYBODY IS UNCOMFORTABLE as lights are swirling around and Moondust comes DANCING out onto the stage embracing Levi’s choice OF…”Clowny Clown Clown” by Crispin Glover.)
Levi Russow: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JR Freeman: WHY!? WHY WOULD YOU!?
Levi Russow: WELL I DIDN’T KNOW HE’D BE *OKAY* WITH IT!!!!
Alf: I thought Burning Man was cancelled!?!?
(Moondust gets close as Levi literally grabs JR and uses him as a human shield. JR...who by THIS time...has a MASSIVE contact high, has kicked off a loafer and is swinging it wildly like a Mexican abuela until all of a sudden we hear keys and a car turn over, a muscle engine ROARS to life. We hear someone revving the engine until tires peel out into the slamming upbeat of “Hey Driver” by Lucky Boys Confusion as the infamous Lawn Gator comes roaring out into the arena with Nick Madison standing like Captain Morgan on the back of it with the United title over his shoulder as he jumps off patting the hood as it roars twice and takes off on it’s own again. Nick bounces in place twice to the beat vibing with it. As a thank you, he chases Moondust into the ring and away from Levi.)
Levi Russow: YES! YES MADISON! GO! FIGHT! KILL!!!
(This one starts off as quickly as you’d expect, with the United Champion literally chasing Moondust into the ring as the bell sounds. It doesn’t take long for us to be able to tell what kind of mood the champ is in, either, as he begins immediately stomping on the back of his still-down opponent and forces him into the ropes, where he holds his boot to Moondust’s neck for a count of four, clearly taking out some of his Lopez-based frustrations. The rest of the match goes pretty much the same way, with Moondust getting shut down every time he tries to mount a comeback and Nick Madison using Moony as a punching bag to relieve some of the stress the champion is clearly under. He gets pretty brutal at times, but never quite crosses over into heel territory, and the fans are still definitively and vocally on his side by the end, when he plants Moondust with the Neuro-Mutilation for the three-count and the win.)
WINNER - Nick Madison
(The camera cuts backstage to an interview area. Tayna Reihl is there with Mike Hawk.)
Tayna Reihl: I'm here with new PWS: Apex main eventer Mike Hawk, who, in just a few moments, will be going up against Malachi. Mike, would you like to say a few words?
Mike Hawk: No.
Tayna Reihl: ...That's it? You're just gonna refuse?
Mike Hawk: Well, do you want me to give an interview?
Tayna Reihl: Well, yes...
Mike Hawk: Then I'm not going to.
(He walks off-camera, leaving Tayna confused. She shrugs. )
Tayna Reihl: ...Well, there you have it, folks.
(Scene switches to the other side of the arena as we see Malachi and Bella Madison walking through the hallway and you can tell that they are both on high alert.)
Malachi: Still wish you’d just hang out in your mom’s office.
Bella Madison: After what happened in Vegas? Not a chance.
Malachi: Alright, gorilla it is.
Bella Madison: I just can’t help but shake this feeling I need to be close. I do wish you’d let me down at ringside.
Malachi: We’ve already discussed this....no.
(Bella goes to argue again but stops when she notices Angel leaning against the wall holding an envelope in her hand. Malachi looks around waiting for Bella’s sperm donor father to step out of the shadows but sees nothing.)
Bella Madison: What the hell are you doing here?
Angel: Look, I know after the last week or so, you don’t trust me because of what your father did....
Malachi: To put it mildly. Why did we stop again?
(Bella shrugs)
Bella Madison: General curiosity?
Malachi: About?
Bella Madison: Whether or not I wanna punch her in the face for what she’s done?
(Mal just snorts, holding back his laughter while Angel just stands there in shock.)
Bella Madison: Whatever you’re selling, we’re not interested.
(Bella goes to move and Angel stops her and shoves the envelope forward.)
Bella Madison: What the hell is this?
Angel: It’s from him....
(Bella leans forward and just glares.)
Bella Madison: I. DON’T. WANT. IT!
(Mal takes Bella by the arm and leads her around the other woman. Bella stops for a moment and turns.)
Bella Madison: I know what you are. I know what you’ve done. I don’t buy your innocent “Just trying to protect you” act for a moment. Leave and take your...envelope with ya.
(And with that she whips around, joining up with her husband leaving Angel glaring.)
(As Riot returns from commercial, viewers are greeted with a close-up of the announce desk, where stalwart PWS: Apex commentators JR Freeman and Alfonso Banks are seated, flanked by the stoned manchild Levi Russow, ready to call the action that awaits us. Freeman looks down the lens of the camera and takes a moment to compose himself before he speaks.)
JR Freeman: Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to take you backstage LIVE, where we will hear from the PWS: Apex Collateral Damage champion, Jonathan Sanders! Sanders has rejected all requests for a formal interview, but he has invited one camera operator to an undisclosed section of the arena to broadcast this message to us now.
Alf: What a pretentious, art-house dickhead. I love him!
(On the heels of this entirely professional and warranted comment, the footage cuts backstage, as promised, to a shot of almost pure blackness. We hold on this for one long moment before a “Click!” permeates the silence, and a single lightbulb suspended by a chain from the ceiling is switched on. The incandescent glow casts its amber light downwards from the bulb, as we pan down as well to reveal the form of PWS: Apex Collateral Damage Champion, “The Lost Cause” Jonathan Sanders. The champion sits, slumped, on one single black steel chair; a similar scene to his location in the hype vignettes which ran for his ANTITHESIS partner and resident monster, Dionysus. The hulking frame of the Mad God stands behind Sanders, brooding menacingly in the corner of the room, his barely-audible humming of the sea shanty “Drunken Sailor” soon drowned out as the Snake of Eden finally speaks.)
Jonathan Sanders: They asked me for an interview. I told them ‘no’. I understand what I have become, this...pariah I have made myself. It is a badge I wear with pride. A role that I will gladly play. Yet it is not without its consequences. To parade so foolishly down to the ring and answer some insipid line of questioning about my ‘plans’ for their precious title belt, or my ‘feelings’ around Cleo Phillips...is simply not within my interests. A conqueror rarely makes himself available to those that he has subjugated, and true villains don’t surrender to the so-called ‘heroes’ who seek to do them in.
(Here, Sanders pauses, a derisive smirk flickering across his face as he lifts his head to lock eyes with the camera.)
Jonathan Sanders: I have moved beyond such limiting ideas. I am no slave to the bonds of tradition, and ANTITHESIS has made it very clear that we no longer abide by your arbitrary standards. We do not play the game according to your rules. We have taken pains to demonstrate the inherent weaknesses in your system, and we will continue to exploit those flaws until it crumbles at the seams. This is not a threat, nor is it some empty missive; it is a promise, made on the very soul of professional wrestling and signed with the lifeblood of all who stand against us. We will enlighten them, one after another, through the unforgiving SUFFERING that has made us who we are, until every last one has been-
(The Outsider’s sentence is cut short, here, by the sounds of shouting and combat breaking out from just outside the room. The camera turns so we can see Sanders and the door as the champion stands up, readying his Collateral Damage title belt and beckoning Dionysus to step forward. The pair prepare themselves for battle...as the door EXPLODES off its hinges and Tyson Sykes falls backwards into the room, his face masked with blood.)
Cleo Phillips: FOUND YOU, YOU COWARDLY LITTLE MOTHERFUCKER!
(Practically leaping over the body of the fallen, writhing Sykes, Cleo Phillips jumps Jonathan Sanders and swings at the champion with her New York Yankees baseball bat, connecting with a stiff shot to the gut and doubling him over in pain. She grabs him by his jet-black hair as he bends over, then literally throws the Lost Cause directly into the stomach of the charging Dionysus, causing the pair to fall on top of each other in a heap. Phillips grins and shakes her head, proclaiming “I ain’t done with you yet!”, before driving a few bat shots into the neck and ribcage of the fallen giant while he struggles to disentangle himself from the ANTITHESIS dogpile on the floor.)
Cleo Phillips: And STAY down!
(She then returns her focus to Sanders, lifting the champion by his hair and throwing him outside of the room containing his slowly-recuperating allies. She also picks up the Collateral Damage Championship belt and just stares at it for a second, before a mischievous grin crosses the former champion’s face and she slowly turns her gaze back to the man who took the title from her. Sanders has slowly started to return to his feet, getting back up to a kneeling position, and Phillips runs forward with the belt, letting her bat drop to the floor, and clicks the champion in the face with his own title, getting some measure of payback for his initial assault at Demon’s Run! Sanders hits the floor and Phillips wastes no time following up, climbing on top of him to rain belt shots down onto the gothic champion’s face repeatedly, as Sanders raises his hands to defend himself. As the assault continues, we cut back to the nondescript promo room from earlier, where we see Tyson Sykes has made it back to one knee and is shaking off the ambush. Dionysus is still flat on the ground, but as the camera comes to focus on him the monster sits bolt upright, head turning immediately to lock onto the woman who knocked him to the ground. We then cut back to the action where Sanders has managed to grab hold of the belt and attempts to wrestle it away from Cleo Phillips, but she fully headbutts him to loosen his grip and get it back. Phillips raises the belt above her head again, preparing to bring it down, when she’s tackled by the Mad God who comes screaming down the hallway like an out-of-control locomotive.
Dionysus takes Cleo to the ground, raining down blows as he alternates between sadistic cackling, animalistic growls and pure, primal screaming. The Body Snatcher can’t do much but curl up into a defensive position against the onslaught...when, suddenly, she gets a moment’s rest as Shawn Young leaps in from off-camera! He lands directly on the back of Dionysus, locking the giant in a sleeper hold. The Mad God reels backwards, grabbing at the Young Hit Wonder on his back and throwing him to the floor, but that’s given Cleo Phillips all the time she needs to retrieve her bat, which she immediately swings into the back of the knees of Dionysus! He falls to a kneeling position as the cameras cut briefly back to Jonathan Sanders’ writhing, fallen form. The champion’s face is streaked with blood and his hair is matted to his forehead as he struggles to find his footing, but a newly-reinvigorated Tyson Sykes is soon on the scene, helping Sanders back to his feet. The two brothers-in-arms then rush into the fray between their stablemate, Phillips and Young. Dionysus has managed to grab Cleo Phillips by the throat, tossing her bat away from the scene, but before he can lift her for a chokeslam he’s being harried by Shawn Young, who is laying into the monster with stiff calf and thigh kicks, trying to chop him down to a more manageable level. The two seem to be getting the upper hand, with Young managing to throw Dionysus off-balance with a sudden Spinning Heel Kick, but before they can capitalize they get struck from behind by Jonathan Sanders and Tyson Sykes. Sykes immediately lays out Shawn Young with a vicious Ripper Lariat, and Sanders takes Cleo to the ground with a Downward Spiral. ANTITHESIS immediately begins a counterattack, stomping and kicking Young and Philips while they’re down. The beatdown continues for a while, with Sykes shouting obscenities and Sanders grinning a wild, sadistic grin the whole time, until finally the pair lift Cleo Phillips back to her feet and throw her head-first towards Dionysus. The monster grabs the Body Snatcher by the throat, then looks to Jonathan Sanders, who points to her with his thumb and forefinger in a “gun firing” motion. Dionysus grins and nods, shoving Phillips’ head between his thighs and lifting her for the Crucifix Powerbomb he calls “The Loaded Pistol”, but it seems he’s waited too long as Phillips wriggles out the back of it and immediately sends the big man to his knees with a boot below the belt!
Dionysus drops, clutching his crotch, before Phillips immediately throws herself at Sanders, the two moving further down the hallway as they exchange blows. This leaves Tyson Sykes to focus on Shawn Young, who manages to fight his way back to his feet. The two continue to grapple for a moment before Sykes lifts Young onto his shoulders and runs forward towards a huge concrete pillar, looking for the Death Valley Driver, but Young - like his partner - manages to slip out of the hold to save himself, sending Sykes careening headlong into the pillar. Young then spies a ladder laid against the wall in some kind of maintenance area and grabs hold of it, setting it up and climbing to the top...before nailing Sykes with the Young Hit Press, taking them both out of action! We cut back to Sanders and Cleo now, who have brawled all the way to the concession stand, and are beginning to be swarmed by referees and PWS security officials. The two ignore their reprimands and continue brawling, with Cleo grabbing a steel serving tray and denting it over Jonathan Sanders’ head before slingshotting him head-first through the glass of the pizza warmer! Now Dionysus has recovered and begins lumbering his way towards the pair, but the horde of officials has swelled to dozens now, and even as the monster fights through the crowd he’s dogpiled by even more officers, who manage to restrain the big man long enough to get him handcuffed. They also descend on Sanders and Phillips, who still haven’t given up their back-and-forth, and literally FORCE the two apart from each other, with each one snarling epithets and threats all the while. Sanders manages to break through the crowd and take a few more potshots at Cleo, who does the same in response, but they end up in cuffs as well as the PWS Security team forcibly escorts them both towards the exits from the arena.)
Cleo Phillips: THIS AIN’T OVER! YOU HEAR ME, MOTHERFUCKER?! I’LL KILL YOU! I’LL FUCKIN’ FINISH IT!
(Jonathan Sanders simply smirks and fires back.)
Jonathan Sanders: Don’t threaten me with a good time, Cleopatra! If you want your crown back, come and claim it!
(This verbal exchange continues as the two are led in opposite directions, and we can see medical staff tending to Tyson Sykes and Shawn Young as well, with security standing by in case either of them tries anything else. The chaos has finally begun to calm a bit, with senior PWS staff hitting the scene to make sure all parties leave the premises before we cut back to ringside.)
Main Event
Malachi vs. Mike Hawk
Levi Russow: Lemme axe ya somethin’...what the FUCK kinda “Jumpin’” Jeff Farmer kinda interview is “No. Yep. Nah.”?
JR Freeman: Oh that’s Mike Hawk-
(We hear the most heinous coughing fit suddenly erupt from beside JR...I mean so hard he starts gagging. He is also breathless with laughter.)
Levi Russow: OH CHRIST THAT’LL NEVER GET OLD! Ahh...ohhhh it’s good to laugh...well JR, your cock is about to be pissed off!
(The curtain flies open as on cue “I Found A Way” by Drake Bell starts playing. Mike stops in his track and looks wide eyed at Russow...weirdly. And then he just...slooooowly gives him a thumbs up before snapping back into his stride and stomping to the ring.)
Levi Russow: Aww well that’s a disappointment…
JR Freeman: Can’t win ‘em all, Cham-
Levi Russow: SPEAKING OF DISAPPOINTMENTS!!!
(Suddenly the PA kicks over TO…wait...what!?
…”blood//water” by grandson!?!?
...Malachi comes walking out onto the ramp looking distrusting of Levi as we see another puff of smoke that gets blown in JR’s face.)
Levi Russow: What? What’d I do now?
Alf: I think it’s the song…
JR Freeman: Indeed, you...you gave him his ACTUAL entrance music?
Levi Russow: ...s’that where I heard this song?
JR Freeman: ...sir, are you serious right now?
(Malachi is now standing at the announce table screaming “WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT, RUSSOW!?” as Levi is eyes closed jamming with the song until he hears him yelling at him.)
Levi Russow: WHAT!? You’re a DICK but this song SLAPS!!!
(Malachi suddenly hushes as his eyes squint and he almost can’t tell if he should be offended but...discretion is the better part of valor and he decides to just shrug and take the compliment as he turns and slides into the ring.)
DING!
(Malachi and Mike Hawk saunter to the middle of the ring as Malachi starts jaw jacking with Mike retorting back to him sarcastically and off-beat. This pisses Malachi off to the point he just erupts with a right hand as Mike...holds his cheek and screams “ooooOOOOOOWWWWWWWWUH!!!”
Levi Russow: You ever bite the inside of your cheek while you’re getting punched at the same time?
JR Freeman: I cannot say I have.
Levi Russow: IT’S THE WORST!!! ‘Cause you rebite it like twelve times before it magically disappears!
(Mike finally potatoes Malachi with a response as the flood gates open and both men start trading shots.)
JR Freeman: AND HEEEEERE WEEEEE GOOOOOOO!!!!!!
(Malachi gets the upper hand as he backs Mike into the ropes and goes to shoot him off but Mike holds on, turns around on a dime, and stomps on Mal’s toe. Mal starts jumping up and down screaming about arses and bastards. Mike grabs his arm and shoots him into the ropes and when Mal rebounds, Mike screams “HI-YA!!!” as he tries for a hard shoulder tackle which is evaded by Malachi simply nonchalantly stepping out of the way. The fans start a massive “THAT WAS AWESOME!” chant just being such smart-asses. Everyone’s blitzed. Ballroom Blitz. NFL Blitz. Blitzen the Reindeer. Reindeer Games. What? Malachi is sneering leaning against the top rope looking out at the crowd as Mike celebrates like he hit a home run.)
Levi Russow: Y’know Mike Hawk has always been underestimated but now he’s grown HUGE!
JR Freeman: ...please don’t.
Levi Russow: You hush your mouf when you’re talking to me or I’ll walk over there, walk back over here, and slap you with Mike Hawk!
Alfonso Banks: ARE WE STILL NOT GONNA TALK ABOUT HOW I WAS JUST *GONE*!?
Levi Russow: NOBODY CARES! Fuckin’...Dame Judy Benchwarmer over here…
(Malachi turns around and screams throwing a hard clothesline that Mike barely manages to duck under as Malachi’s momentum carries him forward into the ropes and when he rebounds he’s hit with a MASSIVE Clean Up Aisle On YOUR FACE! Yakuza Kick dropping Mal where he stands. Mike drops on a quick pin!)
1!
2!
...KICKOUT!
(Mike shrieks like a banshee at the referee that it was 3 but when the referee confirms to him it’s only 2...he throws himself on the mat into a good old-fashioned hissy fit as the fans erupt with laughter. Mike drags Malachi up but he’s backhanded in the stomach three times to get him off. As Mike staggers around, he ducks under a corkscrew roundhouse kick!)
JR Freeman: BIG swing and a miss!
Levi Russow: A JOSE CANSECO BAT!?!?
(As Malachi finishes through landing back around it’s just in time for MIke to jump up with a big try!
Alfonso Banks: Here we GO!!!
Levi Russow: FUCK YOU, HE’S AWESOME!!!
(Malachi, to his surprise, catches him in mid air and pops him over hitting him with a quick Pure Malice! Mal falls on the count poorly. He’s hurt enough to the point that the ref counts one but by that point Mal’s body had already slid itself off of Mike’s as both men lie breathing heavily in the ring. Malachi finally crawls his way over when the lights kick out as in the darkness Levi screams…)
Levi Russow: I PAID THE ELECTRIC BILL GODDAMMIT!!!
(Lights begin to flicker through the arena.)
Levi Russow: WOOOO!!! FINALLY! After YEARS of Star saying no, Ambika Renton is LETTIN’ US HAVE A RAVE!!! OONTZ! OONTZ! OONTZ!!!
JR Freeman: This ain’t a joking matter, Champ! Something wicked this way comes!!!
(Suddenly the entire place is shrouded in complete darkness, we hear some rustling around in the ring. Suddenly a female voice rings through.)
“I DON’T THINK SO!”
(Lights pop back on to see the woman now known as Angel in mid swing and Bella Madison on the other end with a death grip keeping her from swinging that chair and hitting Malachi over the head.)
JR Freeman: OH MY GOODNESS, out of the darkness, Bella saving her husband from a fate that just a few weeks ago, brought Lachlan Kane and Miles Kasey to a screeching halt.
Alfonso Banks: Well at least we know who did that now!
(Before he can react, Bella rips the chair out of Angel’s hands and flings it to the outside. The two women stare each other down for a few moments, Angel seething at Bella, with a smirk of her own, begins to approach Bella.)
Angel: You little bi-
POP!
(A stiff right hook pops Angel in the face from Bella, followed up Bella grabbing her by the hair and tossing her to the outside. Bella turns and glares at Hawk for a moment, before turning and looking at Malachi, blowing him a kiss hitting the ropes and diving through them to the outside onto Angel who just barely got to her feet before Bella dives onto her.)
Levi Russow: I TAUGHT HER THAT!
JR Freeman: For weeks...no MONTHS Bella has had someone messing with her and looks like that someone has shown there hand!
(Bella pulls her tormenter up by the roots.)
Bella Madison: You wanted my attention...ya got it!
(She turns and goes to throw Angel into the barricade but Angel reverses quickly and sends Bella into the barricade head and shoulder first.)
JR Freeman: OH NO!
(Malachi watching this whole thing unfold in front of him, tries to get out of the ring but Hawk quickly stops him and rolls him up in the small package...
1...
2...
3!!!
Hawk quickly powders out of the ring. Angel pulls an envelope from her back pocket and drops it on the unconscious Bella before taking off up the ramp before Malachi gets to her, not even worrying about what just happened in the match. Mike is on the other side of the ring with his hand raised and Angel escapes to the back.)
WINNER - Mike Hawk
JR Freeman: Uhhh...so like, now it’s time sports fans. No not Vader time! Not Hammer time! Not Hammer Bros! Ain’t no Mario HERE! We’re gonna do this!
Levi Russow: ...y’alright, Big Dawg?
JR Freeman: ...I...cannot feel my legs.
Levi Russow: WELP! And on that note, MMMMMMY job here is done!
(Russow jumps up as Freeman looks up at him as Levi snaps his fingers and the camera goes back to JR who is rejoined by an extremely freaked out and breathing heavily, disheveled Alfonso Banks who has a look of object fear in his eyes.)
JR Freeman: ...you been here the whole ti-?
Alfonso Banks: AHHH! AHHH!!! AHHHH!!! AHHHHHH!!!
(Alfonso grabs JR by the collar and screams in his face as JR reaches his hand up slowly...and just throws a handful of Tic-Tacs down Banks’ throat making him cough.)
JR Freeman: PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER, MAN!
Alfonso Banks: THAT WAS AWFUL...WH-...WHERE WAS I!?!?!? *WHEN* WAS I!?!?
Levi Russow: MWAH! G’NIGHT EVERYBODY!
JR Freeman: Where are you GOING!?
Levi Russow: I am higher than giraffe pussy, we have catering, and I been fuckin’ with everyone all night...I ain’t touchin’ THIS shit though.
JR Freeman: ...well why NOT!?
Levi Russow: ...Sierra Williams…”concerns” me…
JR Freeman: …’cause she hits really har-?
Levi Russow: Because she hits really hard, yes. Anyway...AAAAADIOS!!!
(As the cameras return to the ring, the sound of “Ice Queen” by Within Temptation begins to play across the speakers, which causes the crowd to start cheering wildly. The volume of their cheers increases as PWS President Ambika Renton takes to the stage, professionally dressed with a leather-bound folder in her hands. She smiles and waves out to the crowd as she descends down the entrance ramp and climbs the steps to the ring. Stepping in between the first and second ropes, she walks to the centre of the ring which had been set up with a red carpet covering the canvas as well as a table with two chairs on each side of it. Three microphones are sitting on the table, and Ambika picks one up as her music fades away and the crowd settles back down.)
Ambika Renton: Well, here we are on the road to Destiny, and it is shaping up to be one hell of a card. We’ve got a tag team escape the cage match, the return of Destination Next, and a street fight for the Collateral Damage title. But most importantly, we will be making history as for the first time in PWS Apex history, Destiny will be headlined by two women.
(The crowd gives off a huge pop at this announcement.)
Ambika Renton: That’s right. In our main event of Destiny, our current World Champion Sierra Williams will defend her title against Gracie Lopez! So, without further adieu, let’s get this contract signing underway.
(She looks up towards the entrance ramp.)
Ambika Renton: First up, we have the challenger, Gracie Lopez!
(“Rotting In Vain” by Korn starts to play, and the crowd boos loudly as Gracie steps through the curtains. She pays no mind to the crowd, but simply makes her way down to the ring and climbs in, walking up to Ambika and shaking her hand before taking a seat in one of the chairs.)
Ambika Renton: And of course, her opponent...the current reigning and defending PWS World Champion...Sierra Williams!
(“Go To Sleep” by Eminem hits the speakers, and Sierra wastes no time arriving on the stage to a loud chorus of cheers. She looks a little stunned at first to be cheered, but she simply adjusts the title on her shoulder as she walks down the entrance ramp with a confident swagger in her step. She climbs the stairs and through the ropes, where she also steps up to Ambika to shake her hand and then takes her seat opposite Gracie at the table, the two women glaring at each other with thinly disguised hatred. Ambika takes the opportunity to flip open the leather folder and sets it down on the table between the two women, taking a pen from her pocket and placing it down in front of Gracie.)
Ambika Renton: Gracie, if you would please sign the contract.
(Gracie glances down at the contract in front of her, giving it a quick once-over before lifting the pen and signing quickly at the bottom. She placed the pen down on top of it before aggressively sliding it across the table to Sierra. But before Sierra had the chance to sign her own name, Gracie had picked up the microphone that had been placed next to her on the table and raised it up.)
Gracie Lopez: Yes, go ahead. Sign it. So that at Destiny, I can finally take my rightful place at the head of this company.
(Sierra cocks an eyebrow and mouths “Oh really?” at her, while Gracie gives her a confident smirk.)
Gracie Lopez: You heard me. The Lopez family is a cornerstone of this company just as much as the Russows or the Madisons. Hell, maybe even more so. But we continually get pushed to the side like we don’t even exist. It’s all “Jack Russow” this and “Bella Madison” that. Hell, even your two little siblings-in-law are being put up on those pedestals, all because they married into the bloodline. So now they think they’re hot shit, and you and your whipped little hubby are trying to ride off their name too, huh?
(Gracie rose up from her chair and planted her free hand on the table, leaning over and getting right in Sierra’s face with a snarl on her face.
Gracie Lopez: Well, that free ride comes to a stop at Destiny. Because I’ll be damned if I let your unworthy ass carry that belt one moment longer.
(Without warning, Gracie hauls off and slaps Sierra across the face, causing a collective gasp to rise up from the crowd. Ambika moved to step forward and reprimand Gracie, but Sierra held up her hand. She smirked as she turned her head back to stare Gracie in the eye, massaging her cheek where it was turning a faint red colour. Without breaking eye contact, Sierra picked up the pen and signed the contract before slowly rising up out of her chair so that the two women were at eye level with each other. And once again, before anyone could react, Sierra reared back and headbutted Gracie square in the middle of her face. As Gracie stumbled back holding a hand to her face, Sierra leaped across the table and took Gracie down to the mat, where the two women started an all-out brawl. Ambika snatched the contract off the table before she signaled to the back for security, and they poured out of the backstage curtain and down the ramp, along with Lachlan Kane and Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez to help break up the fight.)
JR Freeman: Chaos has just erupted in the ring!
Alfonso Banks: Sierra is out of control! Lachlan needs to reign in his woman!
JR Freeman: Did you miss the part where Gracie Lopez slapped the hell out of her?
Alfonso Banks: She should have turned the other cheek! What a disgraceful display from our supposed World champion!
(Lachlan is trying to contain a wildly struggling Sierra, while a security guard has a hold of Gracie while Jennifer is trying to calm her down...or so it seemed. Jennifer shot a look over her shoulder at Sierra, and said something to Gracie that set her off to the point where she broke out of the guard’s grip and rushed across the ring to tackle Sierra to the ground, and the brawl started back up. After a few moments, the fight was broken up again, and security quickly escorted Gracie from the ring and up the entrance ramp, while Sierra stood in the middle of the ring with a murderous expression on her face as she held her title high in the air as she glared at Gracie and the cameras went off the air.)
(c) PWS: Apex 2021
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
PWS Arena
New York, NY
(The PWS:Apex logo flashes on the screen as the title video starts to play including “Trials” by Starset until a cigarette burn like an old film strip burns the image from the screen as everything goes black and we hear a record scratch…and then a bong bubble as someone exhales.)
“...AAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!”
(Suddenly a darker song takes over as a green-hued video starts to play highlighting the NEW roster of PWS:Apex as “Daywalker” by Machine Gun Kelly feat. CORPSE blares...as the video ends we see the arena where the fans are chanting along with the chorus…)
Fans: FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
JR Freeman: WELL THAT WAS SOMETHING ELSE! Welcome ladies and gentlemen to another edition of PWS: Apex Riot I’m your tried and true, JR Freeman joined as always by my partner-in-crime, Alfonso Banks. Alf?
Alfonso Banks: ...why do I crave Gatorade? What ever happened to Cary Elwes? What is this? WHAT’S GOING ON!?
JR Freeman: ...Alf?
“WE ARE THE TRUE BELIEVERS!!!!!”
JR Freeman: WHAT THE HELL!!!!
(As the curtain opens...we see a PLUME of smoke billow out from the backstage as Levi Russow comes out onto the stage dressed like the Mad Hatter coughing his head off as “True Believers” by The Bouncing Souls hits the PA..)
JR Freeman: Well...we’d heard rumors.
(As the fans go ape shit for Levi he composes himself...and like a cartoon character, strips off the Mad Hatter costume to reveal just casual clothes underneath except for...THE brightest pair of pink velour track pants you’ve ever seen. The fans laugh as he raises and eyebrow and slowly reaches for the pants…)
JR Freeman: Dear God don’t do this…
(And with one YANK...Levi RIPS away the hot pink velour track pants to REVEAL?...
...a SECOND pair of hot pink velour track pants! Levi swaggers his way with squinty eyes over to the commentary table.)
JR Freeman: Well it looks like the man himself is going to JOIN us tonight! What’s up, champ!?
Levi Russow: JUNIOR FRIEDMAN!
JR Freeman: ...it’s JR Freeman...you know this.
Levi Russow: I’m bussin’ yer balls, Cap’n. YOU READY FOR THE WEIRDEST SHOW YOU’VE EVER FUCKIN’ SEEN!?
JR Freeman: Well for those that don’t know, what’s going on exactly?
Levi Russow: *best Scott Hall voice* WE’RE TAKIN’ OVERRRRR!!
JR Freeman: ...Umm...who’s “we’r-”?
Levi Russow: I’M TAKIN’ OVERRRRRR!!!
JR Freeman: Ahh.
…..FFFFuck.
(The shot opens up backstage and we see Cameron Fernandez with a huge smile on her face ready to tackle her next interview.)
Cameron Fernandez: Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please welcome my guest at this time, “The King of the Indies” Matthew Paul.
(While the crowd goes “mild” as the PWS-Apex faithful really don’t know him all that well yet but the camera pans over to the smirking face of Matthew.)
Cameron Fernandez: Matthew, at our last event you made your PWS-Apex debut, a victory over Chris Blade. H…
(Stepping in right there, Matthew interrupts Cameron, laughing.)
Matthew Paul: There was never any doubt though, now was there?
Cameron Fernandez: Excuse me?
Matthew Paul: You were talking about my debut in PWS-Apex and the fact that I won and what I was explaining to you is that you should not have been surprised by this. I told everyone who was paying attention to me that I was going to decimate Chris Blade because I had done that many times before and that is exactly what I did.
Cameron Fernandez: Well alright, I didn’t mean to offend you Matthew.
Matthew Paul: Oh you didn’t offend me, it takes much more than some words from an interviewer to get me riled up. There was a very important point though that you and everyone else needs to learn and put into practice here in PWS-Apex, as long as I am going to be here now.
Cameron Fernandez: Alright, what is that if I can ask?
(Matthew stares coldly right into Cameron’s eyes.)
Matthew Paul: When “The King of the Indies” Matthew Paul has something to say that is of utmost importance and everyone who can hear me, damn sure had better pay attention.
Cameron Fernandez: Alright, tonight you face Kate Steele-Warren a little later on. What can we expect from that contest?
Matthew Paul: Well, I am just going to assume that Kate will provide a little bit better of an opposition than Chris Blade did, given that quite frankly everyone and probably their grandmother does, but that doesn’t change the fact that tonight what you are going to witness is another Matthew Paul victory. Now Cameron I just need to ask you this one thing, are you paying attention?
Cameron Fernandez: Yes, of course.
Matthew Paul: So what is going to happen when I face Kate Steele-Warren tonight?
Cameron Fernandez: Another Matthew Paul victory?
(Matthew smirks.)
Matthew Paul: Now you are learning.
(Matthew walks away, leaving Cameron to say…)
Cameron Fernandez: Back to you, JR and Alfonso.
Singles Match
Matthew Paul vs. Kate Steele-Warren
JR Freeman: Well I suppose we’ll get underway with our first match as Kate Steele-Warren takes on the impressive newcomer Matthew Paul. I thi-
Levi Russow: *laughing* Wait wait wait wait wait...watch...watch this...this is gonna be fuckin’ GOLD.
(Levi gives the signal and on cue AS Kate Steele-Warren is entering cheerfully she’s suddenly JOLTED in place because BLARING over the PA a voice screams…)
“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING OOOOOOOON!?”
(Kate...looks...HORRIFIED...as instead of her Jem and the Holograms she’s met with “All Alone” by Blind Witness! She sheepishly walks down to the ring looking like a wounded, confused My Little Pony as death metal blares and we see everyone in the crowd headbanging.)
Levi Russow: *hysterical* DID...DID YOU FUCKIN’ SEE HER FACE!!!
Alfonso Banks: ...Mr. Russow. You are awful.
Levi Russow: That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said about me,
JR Freeman: Well...have money, will travel I suppose.
(The camera awkwardly stays on JR for a moment as we hear Levi ripping a bong juuuust to the left of him...but in Levi fashion, he blows the smoke in JR’s face as JR dies coughing Levi leans forward seriously.)
Levi Russow: Now as I see a lot of potential in this new asshole callin’ himself “King of the Indies”...I like that. So I thought of somethin’ a little more fittin’ for the King of...Stroke.
(Suddenly a boom clap drumbeat and clap combo starts as Matthew Paul walks out onto the stage peering a hole through Levi as all of a sudden the song turns into “Stroke Me” by Mickey Avalon. Paul doesn’t even stop walking...the only thing that changed was now he’s raising an eyebrow at Levi as he gets in the ring. Why is he raising an eyebrow at Levi? Well because Levi is now shirtless, climbed up on the security barrier between them and the fans and is grinding in a grandmother’s face. Thank God for plexiglass.)
(The match begins with both opponents squaring each other up, before the veteran takes control with a one-armed DDT. After some impressive offense by the Man in Black, Kate takes the lead by slipping out of a belly-to-back suplex between Paul's legs, and taking him down into a Boston Crab.)
Alfonso Banks: Excellent reversal by Warren!
JR Freeman: Hey, that's my line!
Alfonso Banks: Well, go ahead and say it then!
JR Freeman: Excellent reversal by- the moment's passed, honestly.
(The match continues with some back and forth offense, Kate getting some shots in here and there, but Matthew's experience ends up proving too much for the up-and-comer, as he ends up finishing the match off by locking in No More Words, causing the future Destination NEXT competitor to tap out.)
WINNER - Matthew Paul
JR Freeman: An impressive victory there for Matthew Paul.
Alfonso Banks: That was a big win for the newcomer, getting a win over a Destination NEXT competitor.
JR Freeman: Hold on, I’m getting word we’re sending things to the back,, as we have a situation happening.
Levi Russow: SOMEONE BITE A NIPPLE OFF!!!
(The camera cuts to backstage, where we see Eddie Lopez and Nick Madison brawling in the backstage area. They are trading punches, as Nick lays into Eddie with a vengeance. Eddie is fighting back just as much, as the two make their way past some production tables, with Eddie bouncing Nick’s head off the table. Nick returns the favor. The two continue battling down the hallway, with both getting big right hand shots in.)
JR Freeman: Jesus! Someone needs to get back there and stop this!
Alfonso Banks: YOU wanna get in between those two?
Levi Russow: ...wouldn't be the first time.
(They make it to the exit to the parking lot area, as Nick bounces Eddie’s head off the door, before opening it and Sparta kicking him out, before following him out to the parking area. He continues the assault on Eddie, as Eddie continues to fight back. Nick has a look of pure malice in his eyes, as he slams Eddie’s back into a nearby car. He looks at Eddie, then at the car, and gets him on the hood of the car. Hegets up with Eddie, and gets him into position for Neuro-Mutilation, but security madly rushes on the scene before anything else can happen. They pull both men off the car, and away from each other, as Josiah Cena joins the scene.)
Josiah Cena: Guys! Enough of this! You’re both going to save it for Destiny! No more contact until then. Nick, I know you want to get your hands on him, but you’re gonna have to practice some damn patience.
Eddie Lopez: Punk jumped me! I didn’t do anything!
Josiah Cena: Bullshit, Eddie! You brought that on yourself, but I’m going to save whatever is going to happen for Destiny. Now, Nick, go get ready for your match, Eddie...take the rest of the night off.
Eddie Lopez: Whatever…
(Eddie walks off, as Josiah looks over at Nick, who hasn’t taken his eyes off of Eddie.)
Josiah Cena: Nick….Nick….NICK!
(Nick seemingly breaks out of the tunnel vision he was having.)
Nick Madison: Huh...what?
Josiah Cena: I know, man. But you’re going to have to be patient, and you need to focus on your match with Moondust.
(Nick walks off, as we cut away.)
The final inductee of the PWS Hall of Fame Class of 2021 is Antonio Banks. A beloved superstar from his time in PWSR, where he won multiple championships, and had many big moments, a memorable rivalry with PWS Hall of Famer Trisha Lee Moore (booblock) and many more great moments, which is why we welcome him into the PWS Hall of Fame!
(We open backstage on Claire Anderson holding a microphone. She smiles at the camera before speaking.)
]hr]
Claire Anderson: Later tonight, we’ll be hearing from Collateral Damage champion Johnathan Sanders. Someone I’m sure will be listening close is the former champion Cleo Phillips, who has shown over the past few weeks that she backs down from nobody. I’m outside her locker room now, and hope to get a few words.
(Claire knocks on a door, marked with Cleo's name., after a few moments the door opens, and Cleo appears in camouflage facepaint, wearing camouflage jeans, a “Set It Off” t-shirt, and her trusty bat slung over her shoulder.)
Claire Anderson: Hello Cleo. I hope I’m not interrupting anything. I was hoping you had time for a few questions?
(Cleo smiles, and gives Claire a friendly pat on the shoulder.)
Cleo Phillips: It’s all good. You came just in time. I was just actually about to leave.
Claire Anderson: Oh? Do you have somewhere else to be?
(Cleo smiles, and chuckles to herself.)
Cleo Phillips: More like...I need to find somebody.
Claire Anderson: ...Johnathan Sanders?
Cleo Phillips: And circle gets the square!
Claire Anderson: We’re supposed to hear from him later tonight..
Cleo Phillips: I know. I also know he’s here. I know he won’t come out to the ring, that’s too easy and he’s smarter than that. No, he’ll find the darkest most obscure corner of this arena to deliver his message. Somewhere where he thinks I won’t be able to find him. But wouldn’t you know it? I’m free tonight. Free to scour the halls of this arena, until I find his little hiding place. I’m going to kick in every door I see until I find him. Mark my words Claire, I may not have a match tonight, but there’s still going to be a fight. Now if you’ll excuse me...I have some hunting to do.
Cleo smiles at Claire, before walking off down the halls, dragging the bat on the concrete behind her, while whistling “A hunting we will go’.
Krash vs. Richard Rider
(We cut back to the arena as we see Richard Rider sticking his head through the curtain making eye contact with Levi Russow as he suddenly bursts out of the curtain excitedly to hear his new song...and it’s literally the sound of your old dial-up Internet connection. As EVERYBODY screams in pain in attendance, Levi is jumping up and down on the table.)
Levi Russow: THAT’S CAUSE THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE!!! YOU’RE HUMAN *THIS*!!!!
(Rider covers his ears bolting for the ring sliding under just trying to get it all to stop. It may be the most popular move he’s made his entire career. Thankfully even Levi has enough of it as he calls for it to cut off.)
JR Freeman: WHY!?
Levi Russow: BECAUSE I READ AT A FOURTH GRADE LEVEL, JUNIOR!
Alfonso Banks: His name is JR!
Levi Russow: SHUSH UP, ALFREDO.
(Levi chuckles until he sneers back towards the ramp as he stands up with his arms crossed...he twirls a finger in the sky...and “Bad” by Royale Deluxe hits the PA system as Krash saunters out seemingly apathetic to the shenanigans as he tears his hood off darting towards the ring, sliding under the bottom rope as the bell rings.)
JR Freeman: I’m surprised you took it easy on a kid you give so much crap to for being “emo”.
Levi Russow: ...have you even met me? Cream and bastards rise, Junior. I’m separating the wheat from the chaff! I SEE something in this kid...Hell, if he’s got even a drop of the same blood Mack McKane has…
Alfonso Banks: Oh dear God please don’t give me the image of another McKane.
(As they’re gabbing, Krash has slid all the way through Richard Rider’s charging legs and popped up to hit him with a quick Lost Boy’s Breakdown!)
JR Freeman; LOST BOY’S BREAKDOWN!!! THIS MIGHT ALREADY BE OVE-*starts coughing uncontrollably as a plume of smoke billows in his face.*
(Krash has climbed up the top rope staring out at Russow, flipping him a double bird and keeping them out as he dives backwards hitting the Death Rattle.)
Levi Russow: Coolest name for a move I’ve ever heard, he calls that the Death Rattle! *muttering* punkbitch.
1!
2!
3!
Meg Reynolds: HERE IS YOUR WINNER...KRRRRRRRRASH!!
(Krash pumps his fist as he stands up looking back towards Levi who’s standing again until the lights kick out...and flash back on and suddenly standing in the ring behind Krash is...MACK MCKANE!?!? Russow’s face is bewildered as JR screams….)
JR Freeman: OHHHH MIOOOS DIOOOOOS!!!!
(Krash slowly turns around breathing heavily as Mack is glaring an absolute hole through his half-brother’s soul as Krash starts to laugh and nod his head as he turns his back on Mack and holds his arms out raising his head to the sky closing his eyes in the light as Mack lunges forward grabbing his arm and spinning him around for a Memento Mori but the lights flash before he hits him and when they come back, they’re both gone!)
JR Freeman: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?!?
Levi Russow: Never mind THAT...what the fuck is THAT!?!?
(Levi has pointed to the end of the table where Alfonso Banks has disappeared...and in his chair is beloved 80’s puppet who’s eaten more pussies than The L Word...ALF!)
ALF: WHAT UP, MELMAC!!!
(JR’s eye is twitching and Levi claps excitedly like a little child.)
JR Freeman: ...this is the weirdest night of my life.
ALF: You think THIS is bad? Try living with a dinner you’re not allowed to eat!
Levi Russow: AHAHAHAHAHA BACKSTAGE NOW!!!
ALF: Can anyone get me a TAB?
(After his victory over Kate Steele-Warren, “The King of the Indies” Matthew Paul has just made backstage and to his locker room when he receives a shock just inside the door.)
Matthew Paul: Ginger?
(The woman who agreed to become his less than a week ago, Ginger walks up to Matthew with a sly grin on her face while carrying a bottle of wine in one hand and two glasses in the other.)
Ginger: So this is my first professional wrestling event, but I was watching back here on the monitors and let me just say that I was pretty damned impressed, Matthew. You looked very good out there, at least to my untrained eyes. I was just wondering why you left me in New Orleans, rather than bringing me here with you?
(Still surprised to see her there as he came alone to the arena earlier, Matthew regards Ginger somewhat suspiciously.)
Matthew Paul: Yeah, it was exactly how I planned it, but thanks. I just didn’t think I had given you enough time to be ready. I would like to give you at least a week before I expect you to go with me. So, how did you get here and how were you able to get backstage?
Ginger: I took a flight up from New Orleans, the bill of which will be sent to your apartment.
(Matthew rolls his eyes.)
Matthew Paul: Obviously.
Ginger: I didn’t think that would be an issue. As for finding my way backstage, I just told the security person working backstage that I am your manager and I was running behind tonight. I explained that you were new here, and that is why he hadn’t heard of me before.
Matthew Paul: A fine lie. You really know how to worm your way into an asshole’s heart, don’t you? I am impressed.
(Ginger grins, suddenly looking very proud of herself.)
Ginger: Well, I need to prove to you that you made the right decision when you decided to ask me to come aboard.
Matthew Paul: And you are continuing to do that, no doubt. So, what are we toasting this evening anyway?
Ginger: Another Matthew Paul victory of course, what else?
(This brings a smirk across his face as Matthew laughs.)
Matthew Paul: Yeah easy with the wine there, ok? Not that I don’t like the positive vibes and all, but this is only my second match here. I still have a long way to go toward establishing myself here.
Ginger: Alright then. We can save the wine for another time. How about some dinner? You have already had your match, and if we go out on the town those cameras that you were talking about last week can glimpses of us together, which is exactly what you would want if I am right.
(Nodding with approval, Matthew then confuses Ginger sitting down in a chair in front of the monitor.)
Matthew Paul: You are right, but we are going to stay back here until the end of the event, watch things unfold for the rest of the night watching from a monitor.
(Ginger comes and sits down on Matthew’s lap, causing him to roll his eyes again while she giggles a little.)
Ginger: Perfect. What or who are we watching for?
Matthew Paul: The next event in two weeks is named Destiny. It is the biggest event on the PWS-Apex calendar. I want to watch back here and scout a few different people that could be my opponent at that show, alright.
Ginger: That sounds good to me.
Matthew Paul: If you are nice, we get dinner afterwards.
Ginger: Wonderful.
(We head to commercial, as Matthew and Ginger watch the monitor.)
The Society vs. The Dream Team
(We cut back to the arena as we see The Dream Team start to walk out...one of them is angry, the other is cringing as they stomp towards the announce table to the tune of…”Fuck The Pain Away” by Peaches. As they’re jawing at Levi we see Levi look at JR...then at the camera...and JR rolls his eyes telling the cameraman to stand behind him. As he does we see The Dream Team in first person still bitching...as we hear a lighter...and a puff...and smoke is exhaled in their face. They both stagger around towards the ring coughing their heads off waving their hands around.)
Levi Russow: HAVE FUN AT THE DRUG TEST TOMORROW, BOYS!!!
JR Freeman: MR. RUSSOW!!!
Alf: That was GREAT! Hey what IS that stuff anyway!?
Levi Russow: ...I would show you...mi amigo...but I’m afraid it would catch you on fire...
(“Everybody Talks” by The Neon Trees starts playing as The Society slide their way out shaking their heads in disgust on their way to the ring as we hear another bubbling rip get exhaled.)
JR Freeman: Hey Champ? Why didn’t you change THEIR song?
Levi Russow: Two reasons, Jipper. One...iunno who the fuck they are. But TWO...Hell hath no fury like a bitch with a knife so pick yer fuckin’ battles, innit?
Alf: Hey! We can curse here!?
Levi Russow: YOU SURE CAN, ALF! LET ‘ER RIP!!!
(Alf takes a deep breath and starts trying to rip off the longest line of profanities you’ve ever heard...but each one is censored with a sound of a different cat each time. Alf realizes it and screams out one more cat sound as he pounds the desk.)
Levi Russow: Woahhhh...bummer.
(The match begins with Ella in the ring against Jackson. As the bell rings, Ella takes advantage by going off the ropes with a springboard shoulder tackle. The Society really dominate the majority of the match, at one point Ella tags in Jasmine slowly and deliberately, just to toy with their opponents. After a few more big moves, Jasmine sets up, and hits, the MCC, as Ella hops off the apron to take care of Kai.)
Levi Russow: Hey, Junior, can I ask you something?
JR Freeman: What, Levi?
Levi Russow: Where's Senior?
JR Freeman: Is that really the most important thing you could be asking me right now?
Levi Russow: ...Yes. Its...haunting me.
(The match continues, as Jasmine decides she's not done with her opponent yet, picking him up intentionally at the count of 2. She waits for Ella to get back onto the apron, pinning her opponent a couple more times until then, lifting his shoulder off the mat each time, just to taunt him. When Ella's on the apron, Jasmine tags her in and they both take their opponent down with a Russian Leg Sweep/Running Yakuza Kick combo, finally, mercifully ending the match with a 1-2-3.)
WINNER - The Society
(We cut backstage where we see Laura Phoenix in her office on the phone. Suddenly there's a knock on the door. Glancing over her shoulder and seeing the door open, she sighs and turns her back for a moment.)
Laura Phoenix: Yeah... Hey, I'll call you back in a few.
(She turns around again, unamused, and the camera pans out to see Tyson Sykes standing at her desk.)
Laura Phoenix: Ya know... there's really no point to knocking if you're just going to come in anyways.
SYKES: Semantics. Anyway, we gotta have a chat real quick.
Laura Phoenix: ... Okay.
(Sykes plops down in a chair and throws his feet up on Laura's desk, and with lightning speed she shoves his feet off back to floor and points at him like a mother scolding a child.)
Laura Phoenix: Absolutely not.
(He raises his hands, settling in the chair.)
SYKES: Alright fair fair. Shoot a guy for wanting to be a little comfy while he chats with his favorite boss-
(Laura rolls her eyes and cutting him off, taking a seat across from him behind her desk.)
Laura Phoenix: What do you want Tyson? I got stuff to do. This is the last show before Destiny, so yeah, I'm a little busy.
(Sykes playfully smile fades away, and he adjusts his backwards hat before sitting up and leaving forward.)
SYKES: Fine. You wanna talk shop? We'll talk shop. Did you get me my match for Destiny?
Laura Phoenix: Argh... Tyson, I told you it was a long shot-
SYKES: Hey - Did you get me my match? Did he accept my challenge?
(Laura sits back and just folds her hands on her lap and looks at him.)
Laura Phoenix: He didn't. Look Tyson, I, as much as everyone else, would love to see him back in the ring, but he was just having a little fun with you on Twitter. He's perfectly content being inducted in the Hall of Fame, seeing his friends, and going back to living his life.
(Tyson sighs in frustration.)
SYKES: Son of a -
Laura Phoenix: But... I do have a plan for you for Destiny. As you know, we've been adding people to the Destination Next Ladder match...
(Sykes eyes shift up, his attention peaked.)
Laura Phoenix: Like the way you go about it or not, you've definitely turned some heads in your short time here so far. So we've decided to enter you into the match this year.
(Sykes pauses, then slowly nods his head. With a skid of the chair legs he stands up slowly.)
SYKES: Well. I appreciate the opportunity, and I won't squander it. I've wanted a shot at the top spot since day one... And one thing you all will learn about me is...
If I want something bad enough, I find a way to get it. Tell your friend that during his little induction.
(Sykes scowls before turning to exit. Laura shakes her head, exasperated before picking her phone back up.)
Laura Phoenix: I swear, these kids....
(The cameras catch up to the back where Alexis Makarios and Heather Haze were talking amongst themselves. They were laughing and talking in hushed tones back and forth when they heard a voice coming from offscreen.)
Ambika Renton: Oh, just the ladies I wanted to see.
(They turn around behind them to see the PWS President striding up to them with a smile across her face. The two women seem a little wary at seeing Ambika in such a chipper mood after their actions over the past month or so.)
Alexis Makarios: Come to tell us how great we are doing as the tag champions?
Heather Haze: Or even better...that you have come to your senses and canceled the match?
Alexis Makarios: Cuz, ya know, they don't REALLY deserve a rematch.
Heather Haze: Finally gonna say the words "Ladies, you were right and I'm sorry for putting you through hell"?
(The two smirk a bit, smugly, as they adjust their tag belts on their shoulders. Ambika just shoots a smug grin back towards them, folding her arms across her chest.)
Ambika Renton: It’ll be a cold day in hell before I ever say that. And last I checked, it was still nice and toasty down there. Actually, I wanted to let you know about a little...change to the match.
(Alexis and Heather both grin and look excited for a moment, turning to each other.)
Heather Haze: I TOLD YOU!!! I knew she was a smart woman and would see that we were right!
Alexis Makarios: I guess I owe you $50. I was certain she would side with the Russows and do something dumb like keep the match going, or even keep it in the cage.
Heather Haze: All our petitions, protests, rallies… finally got through to her!
(Ambika waves her hand in front of their faces, bringing their attention back to her.)
Ambika Renton: Um, hi. Still standing here. And no, it didn’t. If anything, it made me think that maybe you two don’t deserve the belts. That you’re not worthy champions, if all you’re going to do is complain about having to defend them...which you are contractually obliged to do, by the way. Even if it’s against someone that you don’t think is worthy. What I was going to say before you two so rudely interrupted that the match will still be contested inside the steel cage, but now the only way to win will be by escape only. And BOTH partners have to escape to secure the win.
(Alexis and Heather look at each other, jaws dropped)
Alexis Makarios: THAT'S NOT FAIR!
Heather Haze: YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
(Ambika smirks.)
Ambika Renton: I believe I just did. See you at Destiny, ladies.
(Without waiting to hear their protests, Ambika walks past them and out of the camera shot. Alexis looks back at Heather, angry)
Alexis Makarios: I KNEW IT! YOU OWE ME $50!
(And with that, the camera cuts back to ringside.)
Nick Madison vs. Moondust
(EVERYBODY IS UNCOMFORTABLE as lights are swirling around and Moondust comes DANCING out onto the stage embracing Levi’s choice OF…”Clowny Clown Clown” by Crispin Glover.)
Levi Russow: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JR Freeman: WHY!? WHY WOULD YOU!?
Levi Russow: WELL I DIDN’T KNOW HE’D BE *OKAY* WITH IT!!!!
Alf: I thought Burning Man was cancelled!?!?
(Moondust gets close as Levi literally grabs JR and uses him as a human shield. JR...who by THIS time...has a MASSIVE contact high, has kicked off a loafer and is swinging it wildly like a Mexican abuela until all of a sudden we hear keys and a car turn over, a muscle engine ROARS to life. We hear someone revving the engine until tires peel out into the slamming upbeat of “Hey Driver” by Lucky Boys Confusion as the infamous Lawn Gator comes roaring out into the arena with Nick Madison standing like Captain Morgan on the back of it with the United title over his shoulder as he jumps off patting the hood as it roars twice and takes off on it’s own again. Nick bounces in place twice to the beat vibing with it. As a thank you, he chases Moondust into the ring and away from Levi.)
Levi Russow: YES! YES MADISON! GO! FIGHT! KILL!!!
(This one starts off as quickly as you’d expect, with the United Champion literally chasing Moondust into the ring as the bell sounds. It doesn’t take long for us to be able to tell what kind of mood the champ is in, either, as he begins immediately stomping on the back of his still-down opponent and forces him into the ropes, where he holds his boot to Moondust’s neck for a count of four, clearly taking out some of his Lopez-based frustrations. The rest of the match goes pretty much the same way, with Moondust getting shut down every time he tries to mount a comeback and Nick Madison using Moony as a punching bag to relieve some of the stress the champion is clearly under. He gets pretty brutal at times, but never quite crosses over into heel territory, and the fans are still definitively and vocally on his side by the end, when he plants Moondust with the Neuro-Mutilation for the three-count and the win.)
WINNER - Nick Madison
(The camera cuts backstage to an interview area. Tayna Reihl is there with Mike Hawk.)
Tayna Reihl: I'm here with new PWS: Apex main eventer Mike Hawk, who, in just a few moments, will be going up against Malachi. Mike, would you like to say a few words?
Mike Hawk: No.
Tayna Reihl: ...That's it? You're just gonna refuse?
Mike Hawk: Well, do you want me to give an interview?
Tayna Reihl: Well, yes...
Mike Hawk: Then I'm not going to.
(He walks off-camera, leaving Tayna confused. She shrugs. )
Tayna Reihl: ...Well, there you have it, folks.
(Scene switches to the other side of the arena as we see Malachi and Bella Madison walking through the hallway and you can tell that they are both on high alert.)
Malachi: Still wish you’d just hang out in your mom’s office.
Bella Madison: After what happened in Vegas? Not a chance.
Malachi: Alright, gorilla it is.
Bella Madison: I just can’t help but shake this feeling I need to be close. I do wish you’d let me down at ringside.
Malachi: We’ve already discussed this....no.
(Bella goes to argue again but stops when she notices Angel leaning against the wall holding an envelope in her hand. Malachi looks around waiting for Bella’s sperm donor father to step out of the shadows but sees nothing.)
Bella Madison: What the hell are you doing here?
Angel: Look, I know after the last week or so, you don’t trust me because of what your father did....
Malachi: To put it mildly. Why did we stop again?
(Bella shrugs)
Bella Madison: General curiosity?
Malachi: About?
Bella Madison: Whether or not I wanna punch her in the face for what she’s done?
(Mal just snorts, holding back his laughter while Angel just stands there in shock.)
Bella Madison: Whatever you’re selling, we’re not interested.
(Bella goes to move and Angel stops her and shoves the envelope forward.)
Bella Madison: What the hell is this?
Angel: It’s from him....
(Bella leans forward and just glares.)
Bella Madison: I. DON’T. WANT. IT!
(Mal takes Bella by the arm and leads her around the other woman. Bella stops for a moment and turns.)
Bella Madison: I know what you are. I know what you’ve done. I don’t buy your innocent “Just trying to protect you” act for a moment. Leave and take your...envelope with ya.
(And with that she whips around, joining up with her husband leaving Angel glaring.)
(As Riot returns from commercial, viewers are greeted with a close-up of the announce desk, where stalwart PWS: Apex commentators JR Freeman and Alfonso Banks are seated, flanked by the stoned manchild Levi Russow, ready to call the action that awaits us. Freeman looks down the lens of the camera and takes a moment to compose himself before he speaks.)
JR Freeman: Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to take you backstage LIVE, where we will hear from the PWS: Apex Collateral Damage champion, Jonathan Sanders! Sanders has rejected all requests for a formal interview, but he has invited one camera operator to an undisclosed section of the arena to broadcast this message to us now.
Alf: What a pretentious, art-house dickhead. I love him!
(On the heels of this entirely professional and warranted comment, the footage cuts backstage, as promised, to a shot of almost pure blackness. We hold on this for one long moment before a “Click!” permeates the silence, and a single lightbulb suspended by a chain from the ceiling is switched on. The incandescent glow casts its amber light downwards from the bulb, as we pan down as well to reveal the form of PWS: Apex Collateral Damage Champion, “The Lost Cause” Jonathan Sanders. The champion sits, slumped, on one single black steel chair; a similar scene to his location in the hype vignettes which ran for his ANTITHESIS partner and resident monster, Dionysus. The hulking frame of the Mad God stands behind Sanders, brooding menacingly in the corner of the room, his barely-audible humming of the sea shanty “Drunken Sailor” soon drowned out as the Snake of Eden finally speaks.)
Jonathan Sanders: They asked me for an interview. I told them ‘no’. I understand what I have become, this...pariah I have made myself. It is a badge I wear with pride. A role that I will gladly play. Yet it is not without its consequences. To parade so foolishly down to the ring and answer some insipid line of questioning about my ‘plans’ for their precious title belt, or my ‘feelings’ around Cleo Phillips...is simply not within my interests. A conqueror rarely makes himself available to those that he has subjugated, and true villains don’t surrender to the so-called ‘heroes’ who seek to do them in.
(Here, Sanders pauses, a derisive smirk flickering across his face as he lifts his head to lock eyes with the camera.)
Jonathan Sanders: I have moved beyond such limiting ideas. I am no slave to the bonds of tradition, and ANTITHESIS has made it very clear that we no longer abide by your arbitrary standards. We do not play the game according to your rules. We have taken pains to demonstrate the inherent weaknesses in your system, and we will continue to exploit those flaws until it crumbles at the seams. This is not a threat, nor is it some empty missive; it is a promise, made on the very soul of professional wrestling and signed with the lifeblood of all who stand against us. We will enlighten them, one after another, through the unforgiving SUFFERING that has made us who we are, until every last one has been-
(The Outsider’s sentence is cut short, here, by the sounds of shouting and combat breaking out from just outside the room. The camera turns so we can see Sanders and the door as the champion stands up, readying his Collateral Damage title belt and beckoning Dionysus to step forward. The pair prepare themselves for battle...as the door EXPLODES off its hinges and Tyson Sykes falls backwards into the room, his face masked with blood.)
Cleo Phillips: FOUND YOU, YOU COWARDLY LITTLE MOTHERFUCKER!
(Practically leaping over the body of the fallen, writhing Sykes, Cleo Phillips jumps Jonathan Sanders and swings at the champion with her New York Yankees baseball bat, connecting with a stiff shot to the gut and doubling him over in pain. She grabs him by his jet-black hair as he bends over, then literally throws the Lost Cause directly into the stomach of the charging Dionysus, causing the pair to fall on top of each other in a heap. Phillips grins and shakes her head, proclaiming “I ain’t done with you yet!”, before driving a few bat shots into the neck and ribcage of the fallen giant while he struggles to disentangle himself from the ANTITHESIS dogpile on the floor.)
Cleo Phillips: And STAY down!
(She then returns her focus to Sanders, lifting the champion by his hair and throwing him outside of the room containing his slowly-recuperating allies. She also picks up the Collateral Damage Championship belt and just stares at it for a second, before a mischievous grin crosses the former champion’s face and she slowly turns her gaze back to the man who took the title from her. Sanders has slowly started to return to his feet, getting back up to a kneeling position, and Phillips runs forward with the belt, letting her bat drop to the floor, and clicks the champion in the face with his own title, getting some measure of payback for his initial assault at Demon’s Run! Sanders hits the floor and Phillips wastes no time following up, climbing on top of him to rain belt shots down onto the gothic champion’s face repeatedly, as Sanders raises his hands to defend himself. As the assault continues, we cut back to the nondescript promo room from earlier, where we see Tyson Sykes has made it back to one knee and is shaking off the ambush. Dionysus is still flat on the ground, but as the camera comes to focus on him the monster sits bolt upright, head turning immediately to lock onto the woman who knocked him to the ground. We then cut back to the action where Sanders has managed to grab hold of the belt and attempts to wrestle it away from Cleo Phillips, but she fully headbutts him to loosen his grip and get it back. Phillips raises the belt above her head again, preparing to bring it down, when she’s tackled by the Mad God who comes screaming down the hallway like an out-of-control locomotive.
Dionysus takes Cleo to the ground, raining down blows as he alternates between sadistic cackling, animalistic growls and pure, primal screaming. The Body Snatcher can’t do much but curl up into a defensive position against the onslaught...when, suddenly, she gets a moment’s rest as Shawn Young leaps in from off-camera! He lands directly on the back of Dionysus, locking the giant in a sleeper hold. The Mad God reels backwards, grabbing at the Young Hit Wonder on his back and throwing him to the floor, but that’s given Cleo Phillips all the time she needs to retrieve her bat, which she immediately swings into the back of the knees of Dionysus! He falls to a kneeling position as the cameras cut briefly back to Jonathan Sanders’ writhing, fallen form. The champion’s face is streaked with blood and his hair is matted to his forehead as he struggles to find his footing, but a newly-reinvigorated Tyson Sykes is soon on the scene, helping Sanders back to his feet. The two brothers-in-arms then rush into the fray between their stablemate, Phillips and Young. Dionysus has managed to grab Cleo Phillips by the throat, tossing her bat away from the scene, but before he can lift her for a chokeslam he’s being harried by Shawn Young, who is laying into the monster with stiff calf and thigh kicks, trying to chop him down to a more manageable level. The two seem to be getting the upper hand, with Young managing to throw Dionysus off-balance with a sudden Spinning Heel Kick, but before they can capitalize they get struck from behind by Jonathan Sanders and Tyson Sykes. Sykes immediately lays out Shawn Young with a vicious Ripper Lariat, and Sanders takes Cleo to the ground with a Downward Spiral. ANTITHESIS immediately begins a counterattack, stomping and kicking Young and Philips while they’re down. The beatdown continues for a while, with Sykes shouting obscenities and Sanders grinning a wild, sadistic grin the whole time, until finally the pair lift Cleo Phillips back to her feet and throw her head-first towards Dionysus. The monster grabs the Body Snatcher by the throat, then looks to Jonathan Sanders, who points to her with his thumb and forefinger in a “gun firing” motion. Dionysus grins and nods, shoving Phillips’ head between his thighs and lifting her for the Crucifix Powerbomb he calls “The Loaded Pistol”, but it seems he’s waited too long as Phillips wriggles out the back of it and immediately sends the big man to his knees with a boot below the belt!
Dionysus drops, clutching his crotch, before Phillips immediately throws herself at Sanders, the two moving further down the hallway as they exchange blows. This leaves Tyson Sykes to focus on Shawn Young, who manages to fight his way back to his feet. The two continue to grapple for a moment before Sykes lifts Young onto his shoulders and runs forward towards a huge concrete pillar, looking for the Death Valley Driver, but Young - like his partner - manages to slip out of the hold to save himself, sending Sykes careening headlong into the pillar. Young then spies a ladder laid against the wall in some kind of maintenance area and grabs hold of it, setting it up and climbing to the top...before nailing Sykes with the Young Hit Press, taking them both out of action! We cut back to Sanders and Cleo now, who have brawled all the way to the concession stand, and are beginning to be swarmed by referees and PWS security officials. The two ignore their reprimands and continue brawling, with Cleo grabbing a steel serving tray and denting it over Jonathan Sanders’ head before slingshotting him head-first through the glass of the pizza warmer! Now Dionysus has recovered and begins lumbering his way towards the pair, but the horde of officials has swelled to dozens now, and even as the monster fights through the crowd he’s dogpiled by even more officers, who manage to restrain the big man long enough to get him handcuffed. They also descend on Sanders and Phillips, who still haven’t given up their back-and-forth, and literally FORCE the two apart from each other, with each one snarling epithets and threats all the while. Sanders manages to break through the crowd and take a few more potshots at Cleo, who does the same in response, but they end up in cuffs as well as the PWS Security team forcibly escorts them both towards the exits from the arena.)
Cleo Phillips: THIS AIN’T OVER! YOU HEAR ME, MOTHERFUCKER?! I’LL KILL YOU! I’LL FUCKIN’ FINISH IT!
(Jonathan Sanders simply smirks and fires back.)
Jonathan Sanders: Don’t threaten me with a good time, Cleopatra! If you want your crown back, come and claim it!
(This verbal exchange continues as the two are led in opposite directions, and we can see medical staff tending to Tyson Sykes and Shawn Young as well, with security standing by in case either of them tries anything else. The chaos has finally begun to calm a bit, with senior PWS staff hitting the scene to make sure all parties leave the premises before we cut back to ringside.)
Main Event
Malachi vs. Mike Hawk
Levi Russow: Lemme axe ya somethin’...what the FUCK kinda “Jumpin’” Jeff Farmer kinda interview is “No. Yep. Nah.”?
JR Freeman: Oh that’s Mike Hawk-
(We hear the most heinous coughing fit suddenly erupt from beside JR...I mean so hard he starts gagging. He is also breathless with laughter.)
Levi Russow: OH CHRIST THAT’LL NEVER GET OLD! Ahh...ohhhh it’s good to laugh...well JR, your cock is about to be pissed off!
(The curtain flies open as on cue “I Found A Way” by Drake Bell starts playing. Mike stops in his track and looks wide eyed at Russow...weirdly. And then he just...slooooowly gives him a thumbs up before snapping back into his stride and stomping to the ring.)
Levi Russow: Aww well that’s a disappointment…
JR Freeman: Can’t win ‘em all, Cham-
Levi Russow: SPEAKING OF DISAPPOINTMENTS!!!
(Suddenly the PA kicks over TO…wait...what!?
…”blood//water” by grandson!?!?
...Malachi comes walking out onto the ramp looking distrusting of Levi as we see another puff of smoke that gets blown in JR’s face.)
Levi Russow: What? What’d I do now?
Alf: I think it’s the song…
JR Freeman: Indeed, you...you gave him his ACTUAL entrance music?
Levi Russow: ...s’that where I heard this song?
JR Freeman: ...sir, are you serious right now?
(Malachi is now standing at the announce table screaming “WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT, RUSSOW!?” as Levi is eyes closed jamming with the song until he hears him yelling at him.)
Levi Russow: WHAT!? You’re a DICK but this song SLAPS!!!
(Malachi suddenly hushes as his eyes squint and he almost can’t tell if he should be offended but...discretion is the better part of valor and he decides to just shrug and take the compliment as he turns and slides into the ring.)
DING!
(Malachi and Mike Hawk saunter to the middle of the ring as Malachi starts jaw jacking with Mike retorting back to him sarcastically and off-beat. This pisses Malachi off to the point he just erupts with a right hand as Mike...holds his cheek and screams “ooooOOOOOOWWWWWWWWUH!!!”
Levi Russow: You ever bite the inside of your cheek while you’re getting punched at the same time?
JR Freeman: I cannot say I have.
Levi Russow: IT’S THE WORST!!! ‘Cause you rebite it like twelve times before it magically disappears!
(Mike finally potatoes Malachi with a response as the flood gates open and both men start trading shots.)
JR Freeman: AND HEEEEERE WEEEEE GOOOOOOO!!!!!!
(Malachi gets the upper hand as he backs Mike into the ropes and goes to shoot him off but Mike holds on, turns around on a dime, and stomps on Mal’s toe. Mal starts jumping up and down screaming about arses and bastards. Mike grabs his arm and shoots him into the ropes and when Mal rebounds, Mike screams “HI-YA!!!” as he tries for a hard shoulder tackle which is evaded by Malachi simply nonchalantly stepping out of the way. The fans start a massive “THAT WAS AWESOME!” chant just being such smart-asses. Everyone’s blitzed. Ballroom Blitz. NFL Blitz. Blitzen the Reindeer. Reindeer Games. What? Malachi is sneering leaning against the top rope looking out at the crowd as Mike celebrates like he hit a home run.)
Levi Russow: Y’know Mike Hawk has always been underestimated but now he’s grown HUGE!
JR Freeman: ...please don’t.
Levi Russow: You hush your mouf when you’re talking to me or I’ll walk over there, walk back over here, and slap you with Mike Hawk!
Alfonso Banks: ARE WE STILL NOT GONNA TALK ABOUT HOW I WAS JUST *GONE*!?
Levi Russow: NOBODY CARES! Fuckin’...Dame Judy Benchwarmer over here…
(Malachi turns around and screams throwing a hard clothesline that Mike barely manages to duck under as Malachi’s momentum carries him forward into the ropes and when he rebounds he’s hit with a MASSIVE Clean Up Aisle On YOUR FACE! Yakuza Kick dropping Mal where he stands. Mike drops on a quick pin!)
1!
2!
...KICKOUT!
(Mike shrieks like a banshee at the referee that it was 3 but when the referee confirms to him it’s only 2...he throws himself on the mat into a good old-fashioned hissy fit as the fans erupt with laughter. Mike drags Malachi up but he’s backhanded in the stomach three times to get him off. As Mike staggers around, he ducks under a corkscrew roundhouse kick!)
JR Freeman: BIG swing and a miss!
Levi Russow: A JOSE CANSECO BAT!?!?
(As Malachi finishes through landing back around it’s just in time for MIke to jump up with a big try!
Alfonso Banks: Here we GO!!!
Levi Russow: FUCK YOU, HE’S AWESOME!!!
(Malachi, to his surprise, catches him in mid air and pops him over hitting him with a quick Pure Malice! Mal falls on the count poorly. He’s hurt enough to the point that the ref counts one but by that point Mal’s body had already slid itself off of Mike’s as both men lie breathing heavily in the ring. Malachi finally crawls his way over when the lights kick out as in the darkness Levi screams…)
Levi Russow: I PAID THE ELECTRIC BILL GODDAMMIT!!!
(Lights begin to flicker through the arena.)
Levi Russow: WOOOO!!! FINALLY! After YEARS of Star saying no, Ambika Renton is LETTIN’ US HAVE A RAVE!!! OONTZ! OONTZ! OONTZ!!!
JR Freeman: This ain’t a joking matter, Champ! Something wicked this way comes!!!
(Suddenly the entire place is shrouded in complete darkness, we hear some rustling around in the ring. Suddenly a female voice rings through.)
“I DON’T THINK SO!”
(Lights pop back on to see the woman now known as Angel in mid swing and Bella Madison on the other end with a death grip keeping her from swinging that chair and hitting Malachi over the head.)
JR Freeman: OH MY GOODNESS, out of the darkness, Bella saving her husband from a fate that just a few weeks ago, brought Lachlan Kane and Miles Kasey to a screeching halt.
Alfonso Banks: Well at least we know who did that now!
(Before he can react, Bella rips the chair out of Angel’s hands and flings it to the outside. The two women stare each other down for a few moments, Angel seething at Bella, with a smirk of her own, begins to approach Bella.)
Angel: You little bi-
POP!
(A stiff right hook pops Angel in the face from Bella, followed up Bella grabbing her by the hair and tossing her to the outside. Bella turns and glares at Hawk for a moment, before turning and looking at Malachi, blowing him a kiss hitting the ropes and diving through them to the outside onto Angel who just barely got to her feet before Bella dives onto her.)
Levi Russow: I TAUGHT HER THAT!
JR Freeman: For weeks...no MONTHS Bella has had someone messing with her and looks like that someone has shown there hand!
(Bella pulls her tormenter up by the roots.)
Bella Madison: You wanted my attention...ya got it!
(She turns and goes to throw Angel into the barricade but Angel reverses quickly and sends Bella into the barricade head and shoulder first.)
JR Freeman: OH NO!
(Malachi watching this whole thing unfold in front of him, tries to get out of the ring but Hawk quickly stops him and rolls him up in the small package...
1...
2...
3!!!
Hawk quickly powders out of the ring. Angel pulls an envelope from her back pocket and drops it on the unconscious Bella before taking off up the ramp before Malachi gets to her, not even worrying about what just happened in the match. Mike is on the other side of the ring with his hand raised and Angel escapes to the back.)
WINNER - Mike Hawk
JR Freeman: Uhhh...so like, now it’s time sports fans. No not Vader time! Not Hammer time! Not Hammer Bros! Ain’t no Mario HERE! We’re gonna do this!
Levi Russow: ...y’alright, Big Dawg?
JR Freeman: ...I...cannot feel my legs.
Levi Russow: WELP! And on that note, MMMMMMY job here is done!
(Russow jumps up as Freeman looks up at him as Levi snaps his fingers and the camera goes back to JR who is rejoined by an extremely freaked out and breathing heavily, disheveled Alfonso Banks who has a look of object fear in his eyes.)
JR Freeman: ...you been here the whole ti-?
Alfonso Banks: AHHH! AHHH!!! AHHHH!!! AHHHHHH!!!
(Alfonso grabs JR by the collar and screams in his face as JR reaches his hand up slowly...and just throws a handful of Tic-Tacs down Banks’ throat making him cough.)
JR Freeman: PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER, MAN!
Alfonso Banks: THAT WAS AWFUL...WH-...WHERE WAS I!?!?!? *WHEN* WAS I!?!?
Levi Russow: MWAH! G’NIGHT EVERYBODY!
JR Freeman: Where are you GOING!?
Levi Russow: I am higher than giraffe pussy, we have catering, and I been fuckin’ with everyone all night...I ain’t touchin’ THIS shit though.
JR Freeman: ...well why NOT!?
Levi Russow: ...Sierra Williams…”concerns” me…
JR Freeman: …’cause she hits really har-?
Levi Russow: Because she hits really hard, yes. Anyway...AAAAADIOS!!!
(As the cameras return to the ring, the sound of “Ice Queen” by Within Temptation begins to play across the speakers, which causes the crowd to start cheering wildly. The volume of their cheers increases as PWS President Ambika Renton takes to the stage, professionally dressed with a leather-bound folder in her hands. She smiles and waves out to the crowd as she descends down the entrance ramp and climbs the steps to the ring. Stepping in between the first and second ropes, she walks to the centre of the ring which had been set up with a red carpet covering the canvas as well as a table with two chairs on each side of it. Three microphones are sitting on the table, and Ambika picks one up as her music fades away and the crowd settles back down.)
Ambika Renton: Well, here we are on the road to Destiny, and it is shaping up to be one hell of a card. We’ve got a tag team escape the cage match, the return of Destination Next, and a street fight for the Collateral Damage title. But most importantly, we will be making history as for the first time in PWS Apex history, Destiny will be headlined by two women.
(The crowd gives off a huge pop at this announcement.)
Ambika Renton: That’s right. In our main event of Destiny, our current World Champion Sierra Williams will defend her title against Gracie Lopez! So, without further adieu, let’s get this contract signing underway.
(She looks up towards the entrance ramp.)
Ambika Renton: First up, we have the challenger, Gracie Lopez!
(“Rotting In Vain” by Korn starts to play, and the crowd boos loudly as Gracie steps through the curtains. She pays no mind to the crowd, but simply makes her way down to the ring and climbs in, walking up to Ambika and shaking her hand before taking a seat in one of the chairs.)
Ambika Renton: And of course, her opponent...the current reigning and defending PWS World Champion...Sierra Williams!
(“Go To Sleep” by Eminem hits the speakers, and Sierra wastes no time arriving on the stage to a loud chorus of cheers. She looks a little stunned at first to be cheered, but she simply adjusts the title on her shoulder as she walks down the entrance ramp with a confident swagger in her step. She climbs the stairs and through the ropes, where she also steps up to Ambika to shake her hand and then takes her seat opposite Gracie at the table, the two women glaring at each other with thinly disguised hatred. Ambika takes the opportunity to flip open the leather folder and sets it down on the table between the two women, taking a pen from her pocket and placing it down in front of Gracie.)
Ambika Renton: Gracie, if you would please sign the contract.
(Gracie glances down at the contract in front of her, giving it a quick once-over before lifting the pen and signing quickly at the bottom. She placed the pen down on top of it before aggressively sliding it across the table to Sierra. But before Sierra had the chance to sign her own name, Gracie had picked up the microphone that had been placed next to her on the table and raised it up.)
Gracie Lopez: Yes, go ahead. Sign it. So that at Destiny, I can finally take my rightful place at the head of this company.
(Sierra cocks an eyebrow and mouths “Oh really?” at her, while Gracie gives her a confident smirk.)
Gracie Lopez: You heard me. The Lopez family is a cornerstone of this company just as much as the Russows or the Madisons. Hell, maybe even more so. But we continually get pushed to the side like we don’t even exist. It’s all “Jack Russow” this and “Bella Madison” that. Hell, even your two little siblings-in-law are being put up on those pedestals, all because they married into the bloodline. So now they think they’re hot shit, and you and your whipped little hubby are trying to ride off their name too, huh?
(Gracie rose up from her chair and planted her free hand on the table, leaning over and getting right in Sierra’s face with a snarl on her face.
Gracie Lopez: Well, that free ride comes to a stop at Destiny. Because I’ll be damned if I let your unworthy ass carry that belt one moment longer.
(Without warning, Gracie hauls off and slaps Sierra across the face, causing a collective gasp to rise up from the crowd. Ambika moved to step forward and reprimand Gracie, but Sierra held up her hand. She smirked as she turned her head back to stare Gracie in the eye, massaging her cheek where it was turning a faint red colour. Without breaking eye contact, Sierra picked up the pen and signed the contract before slowly rising up out of her chair so that the two women were at eye level with each other. And once again, before anyone could react, Sierra reared back and headbutted Gracie square in the middle of her face. As Gracie stumbled back holding a hand to her face, Sierra leaped across the table and took Gracie down to the mat, where the two women started an all-out brawl. Ambika snatched the contract off the table before she signaled to the back for security, and they poured out of the backstage curtain and down the ramp, along with Lachlan Kane and Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez to help break up the fight.)
JR Freeman: Chaos has just erupted in the ring!
Alfonso Banks: Sierra is out of control! Lachlan needs to reign in his woman!
JR Freeman: Did you miss the part where Gracie Lopez slapped the hell out of her?
Alfonso Banks: She should have turned the other cheek! What a disgraceful display from our supposed World champion!
(Lachlan is trying to contain a wildly struggling Sierra, while a security guard has a hold of Gracie while Jennifer is trying to calm her down...or so it seemed. Jennifer shot a look over her shoulder at Sierra, and said something to Gracie that set her off to the point where she broke out of the guard’s grip and rushed across the ring to tackle Sierra to the ground, and the brawl started back up. After a few moments, the fight was broken up again, and security quickly escorted Gracie from the ring and up the entrance ramp, while Sierra stood in the middle of the ring with a murderous expression on her face as she held her title high in the air as she glared at Gracie and the cameras went off the air.)
(c) PWS: Apex 2021