Post by Laura Phoenix - HBIC on Aug 26, 2021 0:52:41 GMT -5
PWS: APEX RIOT
Tuesday, August 24th, 2021
Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(We open to the pre-recorded shot of a car pulling up. It’s a ‘67 black Chevy Impala just like the Winchester brothers from Supernatural drive. We see the driver’s side car open and a boot step out as Jack Russow slides out of the driver’s seat and Mack McKane slides out of the passenger seat. We’re at the newly but, and begrudgingly to Jack the newly christened Russow Manor...Jr.)
Jack Russow: No, God, Mack it’s not LIKE that! Not at all!
Mack McKane: What I know...is you an’ me are supposed to be bruvs, yeah?
Jack Russow: And we are...okay but you know damn well the game’s changed now.
Mack McKane: Yeah…
(Mack reaches into the trunk and pulls out a giant box of diapers.)
Mack McKane: I got the bloody concept.
(As they grab the contents of the trunk Jack stops Mack.)
Jack Russow: You remember that movie we took you to see? The Avengers: Endgame?
Mack Russow: Right. Fell asleep. But right.
Jack Russow: It’s just like Tony Stark.
Mack McKane: ...Ant-Man-
Jack Russow: ...Iron-Man.
Mack McKane: Right...whassapoint?
Jack Russow: You’re bringing the war back to that maniac...okay we danced on the Devil’s doorstep and we got out alive. BARELY. But ALIVE. And now he’s come back and you can’t HELP yourself Mack, you can’t HELP but just….ATTACK. Well I CAN’T, Mack! I have a WIFE. I have KIDS. YOUR niece and nephew!
Mack McKane: Shhhh.
Jack Russow: ...DON’T FUCKIN” SHUSH M-
Mack McKane: SHUT THE BLOODY HELL UP! Something’s off…
(Mack sets his box down gently and produces Cutrina as Jack grabs a towel remembering a bit of self defense if necessary. Mack creeps upon the front door to find it creak open already. Mack flutters through every room as Jack quietly side steps with him with a box still in his hands. They rush to the top of the stairs to the nursery where they find the door dripping red. Jack walks to the desk in his library and opens the drawer pulling his .44 Magnum out and checking that it’s loaded as he clicks it shut and Mack shushes him as Jack obviously leads the rest of the way upstairs. He lets out a primal scream and kicks the door open to find the nursery hacked and slashed, broken and torn...red dripping everywhere...just like when he took Bella...just like when he took Ashley...what had he taken this time?)
Mack McKane: Well kid…
(Mack walks up to him as he looks to the wall the babies cradles are by and in smeared red.)
“ALL WORK
NO PLAY
MAKES JACKIE
A DULL BOY”
Mack McKane: ...how you feelin’ ‘bout it now?
Jack Russow: ...they just threatened...my children…yeah...I’d say I feel different now...
(Jack uncocks the gun but tucks it into his pants.)
Jack Russow: Thanks for the help…
Mack McKane: Right? Fuckin’ Hell…
(We hear sirens in the distance as the police come...Jack tosses Mack the keys to the Impala so he can get the Hell out of there since he’s had enough problems with the cops lately. As we cut back to the arena.)
JR Freeman: JESU CRISTO!!! That sick bastard Syn has gone too far threatening BABIES this time!!!
Alfonso Banks: Well now hold on we don’t KNOW it was Sy-
JR Freeman: I WILL POP YOU IN THE ADAM’S APPLE!!! THESE PERSONA NON GRATA MONSTERS NEED TO LEARN...BABIES ARE OFF...LIMITS!!!
Alfonso Banks: ...Jesu Cristo...Persona Non Grata...JR are you...are you in the mafia?
(With that...JR sloooowly turns his head and stares at Alf until he’s uncomfortable before snapping his head back to position.)
JR Freeman: What a way to kick off the show, MY blood pressure’s already peaked! This is Alfonso Banks and I’m JR Freeman! WELCOME...TO PWS: APEX RIOT!!!
Singles Match
Alexander Lyons vs. The Squid-Man
(This one goes...about as well as you’d expect for our poor, hapless cephalopod, despite a great showing in the early moments. The Squid-Man manages to keep his distance from Lyons in the beginning, using his small size and manoeuvrability to his advantage, but it doesn’t and CAN’T last long as an effective strategy against the sheer ferocity of the Exiled Prince. Lyons takes the advantage almost as soon as he gets his hands on his eight-legged enemy, reversing an attempted Flying Crossbody into a Back Body Drop and immediately going on the offensive. Lyons keeps the pressure on, using a combination of stiff strikes and some submission work on the ground, focusing mostly on the Squid-Man’s neck and back, to wear down his aquatic adversary. This all builds beautifully to Lyons locking in the Gordian Knot, and Squid-Man passes out in the hold before he’s able to tap. Poor guy.)
Winner - Alexander Lyons
(Following the match, Lyons is joined in the ring by his ANTITHESIS stable-mates. Sykes and Dionysus immediately begin laying into the prone Squid-Man with kicks and stomps while Jonathan Sanders takes hold of a microphone.)
Jonathan Sanders: Allow this to serve as forewarning to all who would seek to stand in opposition of ANTITHESIS: we are not inclined to mercy.
(Dionysus has now begun to hoist the Squid-Man up, preparing to plant him with the Loaded Pistol just as he did with Shawn Young. Sanders holds up one finger to the Mad God, however, and he doesn’t follow through right away.)
Jonathan Sanders: And consider THIS an example of what will become of our opponents in the Number-One Contenders’ tournament in the coming weeks. Come Dishonored, we sha-
(Suddenly, the lights cut out, plunging the arena into darkness.)
JR Freeman: What the hell?
Alfonso Banks: I don’t think ANTITHESIS is used to being on the receiving end of moments like this.
(Suddenly the titantron flickers to life, at first just static interspersed with intermittent images of dark, dilapidated ruins, shadows on walls, and a lion roaring. The image then changes to one of lightning striking a darkened hillside, the static having been eliminated entirely.
(A familiar voice starts speaking, the voice of Mike Hawk, doing a voice that’s imitating Sanders’.)
Mike Hawk: There once was a rapping tomato…
(Sanders looks at the titantron, a look of annoyance and displeasure on his face. The titantron then takes up the whole screen, cutting to a video of an old abandoned cage at a dock.)
Mike Hawk: That’s right… I said rapping tomato.
(The person filming silently falls into the water, before the camera cuts again to waves crashing powerfully on a beach of black sand.)
Mike Hawk: He rapped all day…
(Cut again, this time to a wilting flower, sped up so it wilts as Mike speaks.)
Mike Hawk: From April to May…
(The camera then cuts to a dimly-lit room, with Hawk in shadow.)
Mike Hawk: And also, guess what?
(He reaches up, pulling a cord to turn on a single lightbulb above him.)
Mike Hawk: It was me.
(Hawk is dressed in all black, with a spiked collar, an over-exaggerated pitch black fringe, and face paint that’s so white that it could be easily passed off as clown make-up, with black eyeliner and lipstick applied in excess. He’s wearing a shirt that says “I’M SAD” on it, with a frowny face beneath. His wrists each have a single large band-aid on them. He holds over one shoulder a piece of cardboard with “Destruction of Public Property Championship” written on it in blue marker.)
Mike Hawk: For those of you who don’t know me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Edwin Mo. But my friends call me… E.
(“E. Mo” takes a moment to, very exaggeratedly, blow the hair out of his face, before continuing to speak.)
Mike Hawk: In the history of the human race… through billions upon billions of years of evolution that eventually led to us… there’s not a single person who exists, or has ever existed, that is less sad than the opposite of me.
(Hawk looks back up at the camera, still keeping his over-exaggerated sad demeanor.)
Mike Hawk: That’s kind of my whole deal. I’m sad. ...And angry. And crazy. And… a cult leader? A… virus? ...A vampire? ...I don’t really understand what this gimmick is supposed to be.
(Hawk, who had broken character for that moment, suddenly remembers he’s supposed to be el sad boi and scowls to get himself back into it. The camera cuts briefly back to ANTITHESIS, where Sykes is shaking his head, pointing at the titantron and mouthing threats to the “President of Pro Wrestling”. The camera cuts back to him halfway through talking.)
Mike Hawk: One thing I can tell you for sure is… I am your president… of depression. And when me and my three friends… well, not friends, friends would make me happy. And I’m not happy. I’m sad.
(He pauses.)
Mike Hawk: But when me and my three colleagues, Tricycle Sicycle, Diabetes, and A Tiger, run roughshod over this roster, you won’t know what hit you. But it’ll be us. We will have hit you. Or should I say… The individuals who wouldst proclaim malfeasance on thine visage shalt be we.
(He points at himself at the word ‘we’, and slowly lowers his arms.)
Mike Hawk: Just ask my Aunty Thesis.
(An old woman walks in-frame, smiling nicely at the camera.)
Aunty Thesis: Well, hello dearie, I…
(Hawk pushes her off-screen wontonly, causing her to scream.)
Mike Hawk: But remember, Aunty Thesis is nothing without me! Aunty Thesis can’t survive without my constant help! And if I weren’t champion, Aunty Thesis wouldn’t even be on the map!
Aunty Thesis: I am in tremendous pain.
Mike Hawk: We all are. Life is pain. Existence is suffering. Nothing will ever be harder than everything. If we try to do anything in this life, we can’t. Don’t try. Even meaninglessness is meaningless, which means everything has meaning. And that meaning is sadness. Except in Japanese, where it means toast.
(Hawk pauses once again, adjusting his “belt” and once again blowing the hair from his face.)
Mike Hawk: And as we all know… Icarus flew too close to the sun, and his wings melted. He fell to Earth and shattered his pelvis. He got on his knees and shrieked to the heavens, “Fuck! My pelvis!” and because of the state health care was in at the time, he died in the operating room.
(Another brief pause, as Hawk holds on once again to the cardboard title he made.)
Mike Hawk: That has nothing to do with anything I’ve said so far, but I felt like if I didn’t include some sort of reference to Greek mythology I would explode. It’s a neurological condition I have. But rest assured, Michael “Largest Penis in the World” Hawk… We’re coming. And we’re coming for you.
(Soon the camera cuts to static again, coming back in on him in the same spot, except closer to the camera.)
Mike Hawk: The pool is open.
(He runs up to the camera, grabbing it, and doing an exaggerated scowl into it.)
Mike Hawk: SWIM!
(He throws the camera down violently and the feed cuts out. We hear only the audio.)
Mike Hawk: Oh, fuck!
(The camera cuts to static, and soon the titantron shuts off again, leaving ANTITHESIS standing in the ring, Sanders with his trademark scowl on his face, Sykes vaguely threatening Hawk, Lyons looking angrily towards the titantron, and Dionysus disturbingly calm.)
JR Freeman: Well, um… strong words there from our Destination NEXT winner.
Alfonso Banks: ...What in the everloving fuck did we just watch?
JR Freeman: Trust me, Alf, if I knew I’d tell you!
(The camera focuses on ANTITHESIS, who don’t say another word, instead just turning to each other, silently plotting, and the camera fades to black.)
(The cameras cut to the back in the office of a member of management. Inside stand Laura Phoenix, Josiah Cena, and Ambika Renton. Standing across from them is Alexis Makarios with a serious look on her face.)
Alexis Makarios: Look, all I’m saying is that last week was… well let’s not discuss last week. I know I haven’t exactly been reliable lately, but I’m working on that. I just need you guys to believe in me and give me a chance. Give me something to work for, something to look forward to and strive for. I’m not asking for a title match directly… Though I did notice that you don’t have a World Title contender picked out yet… I’m begging you… give me SOMETHING...
Laura Phoenix: You have got to be kidding me.
Alexis Makarios: Actually… I’m not. I just want a shot at a contendership. That’s all I’m asking.
Ambika Renton: So you just expect us to throw you in the title picture when you haven’t done anything to earn it?
Alexis Makarios: See… I didn't really want to have to go this route. I was hoping that you guys would see that I need this. Or that you would at least think "hey, they lost their tag belts in a very unfair way… Heather got a World Title shot and Alexis didn't get anything, not even a rematch". I REALLY didn't wanna go this route… but… you guys kiiiiiiiinda owe me.
Laura Phoenix: Actually if you want to go THAT route, Heather’s shot was earned way before you two formed your dastardly duo. You have managed to piss off just about everyone around here without giving one tiny care because of your ego. I don’t see one good damn reason to actually listen to this...drivel? Is that the right word?
(Alexis lets out a sigh and shakes her head softly)
Alexis Makarios: I really didn't want to be "that guy" and go this route but… you see… the last year and a half you guys stood by and let everything happen. You saw my mental health slip. You saw me go downhill. Watched from the sidelines as I got worse and worse and what did you do? You guys stood aside and did nothing. You all allowed everyone to antagonize me, and push me to the edge and over… and not once did you step in. You just shrugged it off as "Lexi being Lexi again" and went on with your merry little way. Instead of worrying about the health and well-being of a member of your roster… you allowed things to get SO BAD that the co owners had to step in and handle things. Not once did any of you bother with me. Regardless of your feelings towards me, you, as my bosses, have a responsibility to take action in a situation that is dangerous or hazardous to the health of someone under your employ. Now had it been ANYONE else,, you guys would have stepped in and done something.. you would have taken notice and shown concern. But because it was me, you didn't give a rat's ass and allowed it to go on, shrugging it off as me just being a bitch. So… yes… you OWE me.
(She crosses her arms and looks around the room.)
Josiah Cena: Now, hold on. Now, as much as I hate to say it...and trust me, I do….she does have somewhat of a point. If this were Jack, or Bella, or Callie, or hell, even Mal or Nick we were talking about, we would have stepped in. We did pretty much just stand by and let things play out the way they did, instead of stepping in when we should have. Now, I’m not going to put you in the world title picture, but what I CAN do, is make your match against Miles a number one contender’s match for the United Championship, and the winner will face Cleo at Dishonored.
(Josiah turns to Ambika and Laura.)
Josiah Cena: Sadly, I think we do owe her that. So I would appreciate it if you withheld your objections.
(He turns back to Alexis.)
Josiah Cena: And you get this one. Only one. And there will be no more of this you coming in here demanding stuff of us like this or trying to blackmail us or anything. Do I make myself clear?
(She smirks a little bit and nods in agreement)
Alexis Makarios: Not the outcome I had in mind… but I'll take it. I promise you, you won't regret this. And yeah, I get the whole "one time use" thing. Sorry it had to come to that… now, if you'll Excuse me, I have a main event contenders match to prepare for.
(She turns on her heels and exits the room. The camera focuses back on the trio standing there. Ambika and Laura look at Josiah with a “what the hell” expression on their faces.)
Josiah Cena: Hey! It got her to shut up, didn’t it? Besides, maybe it’ll motivate Miles too.
Tag Team Match
The Society vs. Skip & MUD
(The match begins with Ella and Mud in the ring. Ella drops Mud to the mat immediately with a single leg dropkick. She gets back up, pulling him up too, and drops him with a front flip enzuigiri. She plays to the crowd a bit before tagging in Jasmine, both of them going to Mud and delivering a double suplex. Ella gets out of the ring, going to the other side and pulls Skip off the apron, nailing him with a double-leg takedown.)
JR Freeman: Well, this match looks decidedly won!
Alfonso Banks: Well, it’s not over yet! You can’t call it until the final bell!
(Jasmine goes up to Mud, who rolls her up, though not even getting a 1 count. She laughs as she grabs him, standing, and hits him with an atomic drop, followed by a leaping forearm! She then waits for him in the corner. Once he gets up, she hits him with a spear! Mud’s on the mat and Jasmine pins him.)
1!
2!
(No, she intentionally breaks up the pinfall. She picks up Mud and calls Ella into the ring. She slides in, Skip now fully knocked out, and they hit Money Talks! Jasmine goes for the cover!)
1!
2!
3!
(The bell rings as The Society is announced as the winners.)
Alfonso Banks: Well that was… predictable.
JR Freeman: We’ve seen The Society be pretty dominant over the last little while, and that’s only exemplified by their decisive victory tonight!
Winner - The Society
(Backstage, we see catering. You know what that means. As we see a few of the PWS Apex Superstars chowing down on Qdoba (this week), at least, the ones not booked. The camera pans to the left where we see Aiden Reynolds, one-half of the new #1 Contenders to the Tag Team Championships, with a plate full of at least six tacos. And he’s making his seventh. Standing next to him is a new blonde to the promotion, Kallie Reznik, who gleefully turns around and literally swipes one of his tacos before cackling and sitting down.
He stares at his plate, and then he stares at her.)
Aiden Reynolds: OI!
(She cackles again and smiles. The bigger, blonde man with a sneer on his face behind her, KERBEROS, rolls his eyes, but keeps his arms crossed. The camera pans off them for a second to the hallway, where Laura Phoenix is walking into the room with the other half of the new contenders, Dickie Watson. The Commonwealth’s British National moves at her speed, his arms crossed as he looks ahead.)
Laura Phoenix: I really want to apologize to you and Aiden about that. I wasn’t aware of the situation and when we called her with the contract, she didn’t say anything about it. She just showed up. I should have known there was an issue when she wasn’t here to begin with.
Dickie Watson: S’all good, Laura. It wouldn’t be the first time that she’s provided false advertisement to get something she wants.
Laura Phoenix: It’s been remedied. She’s no longer an employee of PWS: Apex, and if you want, we can have security mark her as a restricted persons. She won’t be showing up here at all.
Dickie Watson: If you think that will help to keep her out, it’s all good, mate. I just want to never have to see her again, and this’ll help. Thanks.
Laura Phoenix: Of course. Good job, by the way, on attaining those titles. You’ll be up there sooner than we all realize it, right?
Dickie Watson: Haha, yeaaaah.
(She waves at him, walking back the way she came as Dickie heads towards Aiden. He stops when he sees the smorgasbord of delectable food just waiting to be eaten.)
Dickie Watson: Is that...is that extra QUESO?
Aiden Reynolds: Define “extra”.
(Dickie purses his lips a little bit and then nods, before heading for the food himself.)
Dickie Watson: Oh. True.
(The camera focuses in on Aiden Reynolds again, who holds up his six taco plate and gestures to the camera.)
Aiden Reynolds: Ay, welcome back to Earth, friends. I know you were all up there, thinking that there was a chance that we wouldn’ be in this place again, but here the fuck we are.
Dickie Watson: (from the table) Oi, yeah! We took it to The Society again. As expected.
Aiden Reynolds: Did you think there it was gonna be anythin’ else? That would require The Society to actually be a tag team and uh...
Kallie Reznik: But they are.
(Aiden and Dickie look at her, look at each other, and then start laughing hilariously. Almost so hilariously, that Aiden nearly drops his food as he reels backwards. He balances it out and then coughs.)
Dickie Watson: And where are they relegated to, Kallie? Hm? Facing Skip and Mud and screaming woe is me from the tops of their shrill litt’le lungs, eh? What was it they were going to do? Stomp us out or some shit like that?
Aiden Reynolds: Continue to level every single tag team, mate. Get your quotes correct.
Dickie Watson: Ah yeah. That’s right.
(Dickie nods, turning around and grabbing his plate from the table, standing next to Aiden.)
Dickie Watson: But it’s neither here nor there, eh? The fact of the matter is that we, The Commonwealth, have done exactly what we’ve put out there. We’ve gotten the Contendership for the Titles on our end, and now we’ve gotta run through whoever else you guys throw at us. If you guys thought Alexis and Heather were a challenge...you ain’t seen nothin’. You see, Aiden and I...we didn’t come back here just to mess around. To play in a safe space where we fight our friends and family. None of you are family, only a few of you are friends, and we have a goal. A mission, mates. We were the first Tag Team Champions, and we’re going to have them again.
Aiden Reynolds: Those titles have been lost in the wilderness. Just kind of...existin’. The Carpenters weren’t able to take down The Russows, and now we’ve got a chance. Those belts matter, and they don’t right now. Me and Dickie want to make them matter, put them in the main event of shows. We want the best in this company, and in this business to WANT them. And we're going to do it, one match at a time, one challenge at a time.
Dickie Watson: So bring your best. We’re watching, we’re waiting. We know you all want ANTITHESIS versus The Commonwealth. It was gonna happen, but we stepped the fuck out of the hellhole we were in because we discovered that beating our own heads against the stone wall wasn’t getting us anywhere unless you’re willing to placate and say nothing. And that isn’t how we roll.
(Aiden scoffs and shakes his head)
Aiden Reynolds: From day one of this team existin’, we have been the same. We don’t pull punches, we don’t hold back. In or out of the ring. All we have heard from The Society and others is that we walked out, we left the company. Like it’s some sort of crime to expand your horizons. The truth is, PWS Apex is home. And Dickie and I want to make our home the best it can be. An’ to do that….we have to be the champions. So be ready, cause whoever it is in front of us is going to know what it’s like to face the best…
(Dickie nods, just after having stuffed his face full of his beef taco with extra queso.)
Dickie Watson: Yeaf!
(Aiden looks at him, rolls his eyes and shakes his head.)
Aiden Reynolds: Mate...you just ruined it…
(Dickie looks at him, blinks and then shrugs.)
Dickie Watson: Sha-ree.
(The feed cuts out, right into a commercial for Qdoba Mexican Eats, Food for People Who Love Food)
Singles Match
Krash vs. Devon Ryder
(This match was described as a hard-hitting, fast-paced affair, with both guys looking really strong. The early going saw both men trying to jockey for position and trying to get an advantage, with Ryder ending up getting the momentum. He slew together a few offensive moves, before Krash started to mount a comeback. They had some back and forth counters and reversals, much to the pleasure of the live crowd, as they cheered to shos their support.)
JR Freeman: The fans here in Philly showing their support for the great match we’re seeing here from these two.
Alfonso Banks: They really are lighting it up out here.
JR Freeman: I know it’s early, but could be match of the night.
(The middle of the match saw both guys go for finishing shots, with Krash trying for the Death Rattle but missing, and Ryder going for Strong and Free, but Krash escaping out of it. The fight spilled to the outside, where both men nearly got counted out, but they both managed to slide back into the ring just at the last second, both given out in exhaustion. In the end, it was Krash who was able to capitalize on the opportunity, as he was able to nail the Death Rattle off the top rope for the pin.)
1!
2!
3!
Meg Reynolds: Here is your winner, Krash!
JR Freeman: Wow! What a great match!
Alfonso Banks: Both of these guys should be proud. They both showed out here tonight.
Winner - Krash
PWS: APEX Presents
DISHONORED
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
United Center - Chicago, Illinois
Singles Match
Malachi vs. Miss Puppies
(The referee checks both competitors for weapons before calling for the bell.)
DING DING DING
(They circle each other in the ring before going in in a lock up. Malachi tries to overpower Puppies, but is surprised at how deceptively strong she is.)
Alfonso Banks: Miss Puppies is one strong woman.
JR Freeman: Very true, and it appears to have caught Malachi by surprise.
Alfonso Banks: Before we forget, Malachi became an uncle since our last show. All of us here at PWS:APEX send out congratulations to the new parents, Alanah and Jack.
JR Freeman: The PWS:APEX family has grown by 2. It's always heartwarming when new life makes its way into the world.
Alfonso Banks: Stop being so sappy. We have a match going on here.
(The match goes back and forth were the momentum was swapping every minute or so. A very high paced match was going on, with a few close calls. Malachi grabs Puppies by her head and throws her over the top rope. He goes to the other side of the ring and is ready to run when "Critical Acclaim" by A7X hits the speakers. The referee and Malachi both look to the entrance ramp. While they are distracted, the crowd goes wild with boos as the cameras cut to Miss Puppies, who was under attack by Violet Amelia Holt!)
Alfonso Banks: WHATS GOING ON HERE???
JR Freeman: That was Nick Madison's music… but I don't see Nick. And Miss Puppies is under attack by Violet!
Alfonso Banks: Seems we have lost control here!
(The music cuts and the referee and Malachi turn their attention back. Violet has ducked back through the crowd and the referee saw nothing! The ref sees Puppies on the ground and starts the count out)
1...2...3…
(Puppies stirs a little as malachi keeps a vigilant eye all around him. )
4...5...6…
(Malachi paces the ring a little)
7...8…
(Puppies starts to get to her feet)
9...10!!!
DING DING DING!!!
Meg: And your winner by count out… MALACHI!!!
(The ref raises Malachi's hand, with him looking as trainers check on Puppies, who is bleeding from her mouth)
Winner - Malachi
(The cameras cut backstage, where we see Alexis Makarios walking down the hall. She passes a few crew members, as they turn the other way, trying not to look her in the eyes. After a moment, she passes Daniel and Audrey Russow.)
Daniel Russow: Sup, homewrecker?
(Audrey nudges Dan in the shoulder.)
Audrey Russow: Dan…
Daniel Russow: What?
(As Alexis hears this, she stops and turns around towards them.)
Alexis Makarios: Excuse me?
Daniel Russow: Crazy bin or not, you’re still a homewrecker.
Audrey Russow: (nudging Dan again) I’m going to punch you….
(Alexis looks at them both and looks a little irritated, then just starts laughing loudly. )
Daniel Rusow: Uhh…
Audrey Russow: Alexis?
(Alexis keeps laughing loudly, doubling over in laughter.)
Audrey Russow: Lexi?
(Alexis takes a deep breath and stops laughing.)
Alexis Makarios: Sorry that… I just… Thank you. I needed that more than you know.
(She wipes a stray tear from her cheek, a product of the laughter, as Audrey and Dan look at her extremely confused.)
Daniel Russow: ...What the f-
Audrey Russow: You uh...you sure you’re okay?
Alexis Makarios: I’m… perfect… thank you. You know… a month ago that would have set me off. But, that is the FIRST TIME since I have gotten out of the hospital that someone has treated me like ME… not like some fragile thing that is going to be set off by the slightest thing. I walk around back here and watch people get quiet, avoid me, look away… because they are afraid they will breathe wrong and make me lose my shit. But you… THANK YOU…
(With that, Alexis starts laughing again, as she starts to walk off. Audrey chuckles to herself, and shakes her head.)
Audrey Russow: Hey, good luck in your contender’s match tonight.
(Alexis stops, without looking back at Audrey.)
Alexis Makarios: Thanks…
(Alexis walks off, as Audrey digs into her pocket and pulls out her skull facemask.)
Audrey Russow: Welp, I gotta go for my match. See ya when I get back. Love ya.
(She gives Dan a kiss on the cheek, as she heads off. Dan stands there in utter confusion for a moment, before just blurting out.)
Daniel Russow: TH’ HELL JUST HAPPENED!?
Singles Match
Audrey Russow vs. Richard Rider
(We cut to the ring, where Richard Rider is already in the ring, waiting for the match. The arena is buzzing with excitement, leading to the homecoming of a celebrated hometown hero.)
JR Freeman: This place is rocking, ready for Audrey’s entrance.
Alfonso Banks: To say the people in Philly are excited for Audrey would be a massive understatement…
(The lights go out, as “My Songs Know What you Did in the Dark” begins to play over the sound system. The fans ROAR with cheers, as Audrey Russow walks out onto the stage. She’s wearing her Russow sleeveless vest, but now she’s added the skull facemask that Dan wore at Rise to Glory. She makes her way down to the ring and gets in. She titls her head at Rider, as her music fades, as “Audrey’s gonna kill you” chants echo throughout the arena. She takes off the facemask to reveal a sick twisted smile on her face, before the bell rings to start the match.)
JR Freeman: God help Rider here…
Alfonso Banks: I think he’s going to need more help than that…
(Rider tries to attack Audrey, but she lays him out with a clothesline. She gets him back up to his feet and lays into him with right hand shots, as the fans cheer along with each punch. Rider tries to get some punches in, but to no avail. Audrey backs him into the corner, before she climbs up and rains down with ten more punches as the fans count along. Rider stumbles out of the corner, as Audrey gets him into position, and plants him with the Evil Angel inverted DDT. She gets him back up, and sets him up in the Aurora submission, as Rider has no choice but to tap out, and the bell sounds to end the match, as the fans roar with cheers.)
Meg Reynolds: Here is your winner, via submission, Audrey Russow!
JR Freeman: And just like that, it’s over! Audrey looking really impressive in front of her hometown.
Alfonso Banks: Rider didn’t stand a chance tonight. Russow was ready to kill something.
JR Freeman: I’m sure she’s looking to get all the momentum she can heading into Dishonored, and that huge title defense.
Winner - Audrey Russow
JR Freeman: Well, our United Champion isn’t here tonight folks, but we did receive a video package that she requested be played.
Alfonso Banks: Some champion. She can’t even be bothered to show up?
JR Freeman: Well, I believe she’s doing some PR work for PWS with some of the local youth.
Alfonso Banks: Whatever. Sounds fishy to me.
JR Freeman: Well, let’s check it out now.
The package begins to play on the titantron, we see Cleo proudly holding her championship, and standing beside her is her new hype man Z-Money who is currently DESTROYING a Philly Cheesesteak. Cleo rolls her eyes, as she addresses the cameras.
Cleo Phillips: First things first. I have been notified that my request was answered. So TRUST that I will be at the next Riot, so I can get a closer look at the winner of Alexis Makarios and Miles Kasey. But tonight, I wanted to share with you some of the work I’ve been doing to help our underprivileged youth. I know people like Devon Ryder will try to convince you otherwise, but there’s still a lot of us willing to fight and help make the change. We just have to be willing to address the problems and do our part to help fix it. Somebody like me wasn’t supposed to have the success I’ve gotten, but here I stand as proof that yes, there still is hope for Americas future…
She’d interrupted by the loud smacking of Z-Money still devouring a cheesesteak, like Cookie Monster with some cookies.
Cleo Phillips: You know we’re filming right?
Z-Money shrugs.
Z-Money: Yeah but..this is a real Philly Cheesesteak. You know I’ve never left New York. I’ve been looking forward to this, and I can tell you it delivers.
Cleo Phillips: I know...I finished mine BEFORE we started filming.
Z-Money shrugs, and continues his sandwich, Cleo shakes her head, and looks back to the camera.
Cleo Phillips: While Z finishes his lunch, you homies check this out and TRUST that I’ll come cruisin’ to a city near you.
The video fades away from Cleo and Z-Money, shifting into a music video starting with a shot of the tour bus she received rolling down a highway, as the hip hop sounds of Nas begin to play, changing to shots of Cleo and Z-Money posing with some kids at a local community center.
#I know I can
Be what I wanna be
If I work hard at it
I'll be where I wanna be
I know I can (I know I can)
Be what I wanna be (be what I wanna be)
If I work hard at it (If I work hard it)
I'll be where I wanna be (I'll be where I wanna be)#
Imagery of Cleo standing before the kids talking to them from a stage, telling some of her stories, as some more of the selected audio portions from Nas play.
#Be, b-boys and girls, listen up
You can be anything in the world, in God we trust
An architect, doctor, maybe an actress
But nothing comes easy, it takes much practice
Like, I met a woman who's becoming a star
She was very beautiful, leaving people in awe
Singing songs, Lena Horne, but the younger version
Hung with the wrong person, got her strung on that heroin
Cocaine, sniffing up drugs, all in her nose
Could've died, so young, now looks ugly and old
No fun 'cause when she reaches for hugs, people hold their breath
'Cause she smells of corrosion and death#
We get some more personal shots, showing Cleo doing some one on one with different kids, and some clips of Z-Money playing basketball with them., as more selected audio plays.
#Watch the company you keep and the crowd you bring
'Cause they came to do drugs and you came to sing
So if you gonna be the best, I'ma tell you how
Put your hands in the air, and take the vow#
#I know I can
Be what I wanna be
If I work hard at it
I'll be where I wanna be
I know I can (I know I can)
Be what I wanna be (be what I wanna be)
If I work hard at it (If I work hard it)
I'll be where I wanna be (I'll be where I wanna be)#
The music video continues, showing some clips of Cleo talking with a group of young girls of various ages.
#Be, b-boys and girls, listen again
This is for grown-looking girls who's only 10
The ones who watch videos and do what they see
As cute as can be, up in the club with fake ID
Careful, 'fore you meet a man with HIV
You can host the TV like Oprah Winfrey
Whatever you decide, be careful, some men be
Rapists, so act your age, don't pretend to be
Older than you are, give yourself time to grow
You thinking he can give you wealth, but so#
The video turns, to Z-Money interacting with some of the boys, l;ike Cleo with the girls they are all clearly laughing and having fun.
#Young boys, you can use a lot of help, you know
You thinking life's all about smoking weed and ice
You don't wanna be my age and can't read and write
Begging different women for a place to sleep at night
Smart boys turn to men and do whatever they wish
If you believe you can achieve, then say it like this#
The video continues playing out, with more imagery of Cleo, Z-Money and the youth just interacting, some of the kids smile at getting to hold the United Championship, some of the kids are seen giggling as they put Z-Money in a headlock.
#I know I can
Be what I wanna be
If I work hard at it
I'll be where I wanna be
I know I can (I know I can)
Be what I wanna be (be what I wanna be)
If I work hard at it (If I work hard it)#
Some shots of the kids outside the tour bus smiling and waving, as Cleo and Z-Money say their goodbyes.
#If the truth is told, the youth can grow
They'll learn to survive until they gain control
Nobody says you have to be gangstas, hoes
Read more, learn more, change the globe.
Ghetto children, do your thing.
Hold your head up, little man, you're a king.
Young Princess when you get your wedding ring.
Your man is saying "She's my Queen"#
We get some final shots of the bus heading down a highway into the horizon as the music plays out.
#I know I can (I know I can)
Be what I wanna be (be what I wanna be)
If I work hard at it (If I work hard it)
I'll be where I wanna be (I'll be where I wanna be)
I know I can (I know I can)
Be what I wanna be (be what I wanna be)
If I work hard at it (If I work hard it)
I'll be where I wanna be (I'll be where I wanna be)#
The video finally fades to black, coming to an end, as a lyric chosen by Cleo appears on screen.
"Read more, learn more, change the globe."
Singles Match
Non-Title
Sierra Williams vs. Chris Blade
(We cut to the ring where “Funky” Chris Blade is already waiting, his hands checking his wrist tape as he stares up at the entrance knowing what is coming for him.)
Alfonso Banks: Part of me thinks this is a great opportunity for Chris Balde...the other part of me though…
JR Freeman: Thinks he’s screwed and pities him?
Alfonso Banks: Exactly…
("Go to sleep" by Eminem blares out as strobe lights hit the entrance in time with the music. Sierra steps out with a black bandana over her face as she throws up her hands and makes her way down to the ring talking trash about her opponent)
JR Freeman: There’s out world champion!
Alfonso Banks: Recently named number 2 on the world champions list by Denzel Porter. Sierra Williams is making waves
JR Freeman: Sierra seems to be in a bad mood….
Alfonso Banks: When is she not?
(The music fades out and Sierra hands the PWS Apex world title to the referee)
DING DING DING!
(And as soon as the bell rings Sierra sprints across the ring and leaps in the air hitting a running single leg dropkick sending Chris right out of the ring, he gets up but Sierra is all over him hitting the ropes and then throwing herself in between the middle and bottom ropes with a heat seeker suiscide dive crashing right into Chris shoving him back against the barricade.)
Alfonso Banks: Good god Sierra has started off hot right now
JR Freeman: I think she’s out to make a statement
(Sierra grabs Chris and runs him back first into the barricade, she pulls him up and turns him around doing it again this time into the apron, Sierra rolls him into the ring and leaps up onto the top rope calling for Chris to get up, as he does Sierra leaps off with a hurricanrana)
JR Freeman: ODE TO MEXICO
Alfonso Banks: Sierra is just having fun at this point…
(Chris gets to one knee, Sierra runs in and hits a shining wizard taking him down. But right away Sierra pulls Chris up into the position for the calgary cutter, she points her fingers in a gun motion to Chris’ head and pulls the trigger before hitting the rolling cutter!. Sierra hooks his leg.)
1!
2!
3!
Alfonso Banks: And it’s mercifully over
JR Freeman: Sierra doing Sierra things…
Winner - Sierra Williams
(Go to sleep hits again but Sierra takes her title belt and then a microphone)
Sierra Williams: Hey..cut it off……
(The crowd boos as Sierra leans back against the top rope)
JR Freeman: Looks like she has a few things on her mind…
Alsonfo Banks: Oh god, I hope they’re ready with the censor in the production truck.
Sierra Williams: As I’m sure so many of you have noticed, I haven’t been in this ring as much as others have, nor have I been turning up to every single RIOT. And, while some of that is on me the truth is everyone in that goddamn locker room is scared to face me. They’re terrified of me. After what I have done to nearly everyone I have been in the ring with I get it. But you all need to understand I love this business and I love getting in this ring.
(Sierra looks to ringside at Alfonso and JR)
Sierra Williams: You two knuckleheads know it, I can tell. And I have said time and time again that I hate, HATE having time off. But what I hate more than time off is having my goddamn time wasted. And this match, against that was a waste of my goddamn time. And all I keep hearing from people is how they deserve this, and they deserve that. I keep seeing comments and hearing that bullshit. So...it’s real simple, I’m here every single RIOT. Whether I’m in this ring, or backstage...I ain’t hard to find...and I sure as hell ain’t scared of defending this title against anyone who has EARNED it…
(Sierra lowers the mike as Go to sleep restarts up. She jumps down from the ring and looks right into the camera mouthing “La mejor del mundo”)
Main Event
United Championship #1 Contender’s Match
Singles Match
Alexis Makarios vs. Miles Kasey
(The cameras cut to ringside, where Meg Reynolds is standing by in the ring.)
Meg Reynolds: The following contest is our main event of the evening, and is a number one contender’s match for the United Championship!
(The fans cheer.)
Meg Reynolds: Introducing the competitors…
(“Mz. Hyde” starts to play over the sound system, and there’s a mixture of cheers and boos, but mostly boos from the crowd, as Alexis Makarios comes strutting out onto the stage. She stops at the top of the ramp, looking out over the crowd.)
Meg Reynolds: Introducing first, from Sydney, Australia, Alexis Makarios!
(Alexis has a smirk on her face as she makes her way down to the ring and slides in.)
JR Freeman: Well, whether you agree with her tactics to get this match or not, here she is with a chance to challenge for the United Championship at Dishonored.
Alfonso Banks: She felt she was wronged for MONTHS, and this is the least management could do for her. She was simply standing up for herself.
JR Freeman: Whatever you say.
(Alexis waits in the ring, as the lights go out. “Throne” by Bring Me the Horizon starts to play over the sound system, as the fans cheer loudly, as Miles Kasey comes out onto the stage to a huge ovation. He poses for the crowd before starting to make his way down the ramp.)
Meg Reynolds: And her opponent, from Manchester, United Kingdom, Miles Kasey!
(The fans cheer, as “MILO” chants break out through the arena. Miles makes his way to the ring and gets in, as he goes face to face with Alexis.)
JR Freeman: This match has a big fight feel to it.
Alfonso Banks: It sure does!
(The match starts with both competitors sizing each other up, looking for an advantage. They lock up in a collar and elbow tie up, and Miles backs Alexis into the corner. The ref orders him to back off, which he does. Alexis comes back out of the corner, and the two lock up again. This time Miles locks in a headlock and gets Alexis down to a knee. Alexis fights out of it though, and shoots Miles off to the ropes, and he comes back to eat a clothesline. Miles gets back up, and delivers a clothesline of his own. The two get back to their feet, and start trading right hand shots. They battle into the corner, before the ref orders them to break it up, which they do.)
JR Freeman: Neither competitor wanting to give an inch here tonight.
Alfonso Banks: Of course not, there’s a lot on the line here!
(The two square up again, and start a series of chain wrestling, full with counters and reversals, really engaging the crowd in the action, as they are cheering along. The chain wrestling ends when Alexis flips out of an attempted German suplex, and delivers a dropkick to the back of Miles’ neck. Miles stumbles to a knee, and Alexis goes for a front flip neckbreaker, but Miles shrugs it off and holds his ground. Miles gets Alexis to her feet, and goes to set her up for the Hail to the Queen, but Alexis desperately fights out of it, and catches Miles with a jumping knee to the jaw, that sends him down to the mat.)
JR Freeman: OUCH! That knee landed flush on the jaw!
Alfonso Banks: That’s gonna hurt in the morning!
(Alexis climbs to the top rope, thinking of the Down Unda Thunda, but she hesitates for a slight moment, and that gives Miles the time he needs to gather his thoughts and roll out of the way at the last second, as Alexis comes crashing down onto the mat. Miles gets to his feet, as Alexis stumbles to her’s. Miles goes to the ropes, leaps up and rebounds off of them, flips through the air, and comes down delivering the Blast from the Past cutter on Alexis! He quickly goes for the pin.)
1!
2!
Kick Out!
JR Freeman: OH! Almost!
Alfonso Banks: That was close!
(Miles can’t believe it, as he shakes his head and regains his composure. He gets Alexis back to her feet, but she rares back and nails him with a vicious Chick Kick! Miles crumbles to the mat, as Alexis makes her way over to the turnbuckle. Alexis climbs up to the top rope, making sure Miles is still lying motionless on the mat, before she rebounds off the top rope, and delivers the Down Unda Thunda, and hits it! She goes for the cover.
1!
2!
3!? NO! KICKOUT!
JR Freeman: HOW!? How did he kick out of that!?
Alfonso Banks: I...I don’t know….
(Alexis can’t believe that Miles kicked out, and her disbelief quickly turns to rage, as she rolls out of the ring, walks over and grabs a chair, before sliding back into the ring.)
JR Freeman: Don’t do it, Alexis. You’ll get disqualified!
(The ref argues with Alexis, as she holds the chair in the air. The ref reaches for the chair, and tries to wrestle it away from Alexis. He manages to break it from her grasp, and as he goes to dispose of it, Miles rolls Alexis up from behind. The ref hurries back into position.)
1!
2!
3!!!
JR Freeman: WHAT!?
Alfonso Banks: Wait, what happened!?
Meg Reynolds: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner, and the number one contender for the United Championship, Miles Kasey!
JR Freeman: WOW!
Alfonso Banks: I don’t get it...she had this match won.
(Miles quickly rolls out of the ring, as the ref gets out next to him and raises his hand in victory. In the ring, Alexis is left sat staring down at the mat. The fans become eerily quiet, not really sure what to make of the site. Alexis rolls out of the ring, with her hands on her hips, visibly frustrated. She slams her hands against the announce table, and lets out a loud scream. She then covers her face with her hands, rubbing them down her face, as she lets out a large sigh and looks extremely disappointed. She shakes her head, as she exits the ringside area. She walks up the ramp, and makes her way backstage. Afterwards, Miles comes back into the ring to celebrate his win. The last shot of the show shows Miles posing for the crowd before the PWS: APEX logo flashes across the screen.)
Winner - Miles Kasey
© PWS: APEX 2021, All Rights Reserved.
