PWS: Apex Presents DISHONORED RESULTS!!!

[Laura Phoenix - HBIC]

PWS:APEX PRESENTS - DISHONORED
Tuesday, October 5th, 2021
Chicago, IL - United Center

(We open to see the thrones of Mack McKane and Mattie Cormier on the back of the modified tanker as it’s roaring to life...as the screen pans back we see the entire highway completely covered with rickshaw, makeshift vehicles packed FULL of maniacs.)

Mattie Cormier: Nervous, mi amour?

Mack McKane: Good nerves. Feels a bit weird.

Mattie Cormier: How so?

Mack McKane: ...no one’s seen or heard from Everett since the last War...this one’s happening at the arena...with innocent bystanders. That sick sonuvabitch will take hostages if he has to. The faster I gut him...the faster we finally cut this albatross from around our necks!

(We see a few vehicles CLEARLY undermatched suddenly weasel their way in as they’re promptly driven forcefully off the road by Mack’s “Freekz”. The collection of misfits, mishaps, and misshapes that believe in his message of “Just fookin’ be nice, innit?”. Who have seen him fight so diligently from the bottom all the way to the PWS World Heavyweight Championship.)

Mattie Cormier: What was that?

Mack McKane: Never you mind, my dear...just gnats swarming around the face of giants. Are you prepared, my love?

(Mattie reaches into her clutch and whips out her BEAUTIFULLY custom butterfly knife Mack had made for her as she twirls it like a pro.)

Mattie Cormier: I don’t rock the Damsel In Distress look.

Mack McKane: That’s my girl!

(They roar on down the road towards the arena until they pull into the parking lot. Mack stands holding his hand up as the engines revving to life stops suddenly. Mack gives the sign to kill the engines. He jumps down and helps Mattie down as he takes her hand and he whistles, twirling his finger in a circle once as swarms of his beloved Freekz swarm off of their machines and tear off wreaking havoc down the entire hallway as Mack and Mattie walk hand in hand amongst the broken and the chaos.)

Mack McKane: We are no longer the victims...it’s our turn.

(They follow their path of destruction to the locker room.)

---

(Scene switches to a packed United Center as the fans cheer loudly.)

JR Freeman: WE ARE IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND WELCOME TO DISHONORED!

Alfonso Banks: All the titles are on the line tonight and as you can already tell, we are in for one wild night.

JR Freeman: Let’s not waste ANY TIME, let's get straight to it!!!!

---

Collateral Damage Title Match
Barbed Wire Death Match
Jonathan Sanders ( c ) vs. Mike Hawk

(The Superman theme starts from the beginning, as Meg Reynolds announces the next match.)

Meg Reynolds: The following contest is a barbed wire death match, and it is for the Collateral Damage championship!

(Mike Hawk walks out onto the stage, Casey Casem in one hand, and puts his hands on his hips, smirking as he looks around at the crowd, then raises his arms as pyro explodes behind him in a long string, going from one side of the stage to the other.)

Meg Reynolds: Introducing first, from Victoria, British Columbia, weighing in at 245 pounds, he is the self-proclaimed “President of Pro Wrestling”, Mike Hawk!

(He flips off the audience, giving Casey to an official as he uses the turnbuckle to get into the ring, since the ropes are barbed wire.)

JR Freeman: Well, Jonathan Sanders has been wanting to get his hands on Hawk for over a month now!

Alfonso Banks: Well, I don’t know if he’s gonna be able to, Hawk is a clever opponent!

JR Freeman: Hawk isn’t a “clever” anything!

Alfonso Banks: He’s the best president we’ve got!

(‘Blood Pigs’ starts up, and after a few moments Sanders comes running out, steel chair in hand.)

Meg Reynolds: And his opponent, from-

(Sanders slides into the ring, with no fanfare, and immediately starts attacking Hawk. The bell rings and the match begins!)

Alfonso Banks: Wow! This has started quickly!

JR Freeman: No kidding!

(Sanders delivers chair shot after vicious chair shot to the now-downed Hawk, picking him up and trying to throw him into the ropes, but Hawk stops himself, elbowing Sanders in the head several times. He grabs him by the head and drives his knee into it.)

Mike Hawk: Yeah, how do you like THAT, Sadnuts!?

(Sanders takes the opportunity of Hawk gloating to jump up and hit a dropkick into the chair.)

Mike Hawk: Ow, my face!

(He uses the turnbuckle to stand, but Sanders runs at him and hits a running double knee strike, then continues his assault by simply stomping repeatedly on Hawk. He walks over to grab his belt, and walks back over, by which point Hawk hits him in the balls, standing up again as Sanders falls to the ground. Hawk pants and picks him up, hitting a piledriver, and then while he’s down Hawk grabs Sanders’ leg and locks in an ankle lock!)

JR Freeman: Smart strategy here from Mike Hawk! He wants to wear down Sanders’ legs as much as possible so he can’t deliver his finishing moves!

Alfonso Banks: Go get ‘im, Mr. President!

JR Freeman: Not so fast, Alf, remember Sanders is nothing if not diverse!

Alfonso Banks: Doesn’t matter, if he can’t do the Total Eclipse then Hawk is gold!

JR Freeman: I’m not even sure he’s copper.

(Hawk wrenches on the hold, Sanders cackling as he does. He ends up breaking out of it, kicking Hawk backwards, making Mike stumble and fall into the barbed wire!)

Mike Hawk: Fuck!

(He writhes a bit, falling forwards onto the mat as both men are down.)

Alfonso Banks: That barbed wire’s no joke!

JR Freeman: Well, both of these guys are tough!

Alfonso Banks: No kidding, it’s gonna take a lot to bring either of them down!

(Hawk is the first of the two to stand, and he picks Sanders up to follow him, then whips him into the barbed wire ropes. Sanders takes the opportunity, using the rope to springboard off and hit a crossbody. He lands on Hawk, making it a pin.)

1!

(No, a kickout! Sanders grabs Hawk and hits his head against the mat a few times, before picking up the title belt again, now successfully smacking Hawk in the head with it. He pops out of the ring under the bottom rope, looking under the ring and finding an entire wheel of barbed wire. He smirks and pulls on it, pulling some out as he wraps it around his arms, sliding back in with the rest of it, by which point Hawk has stood up and is waiting with a clothesline to the smaller man! He slides out of the ring now, looking under and finding a table. He goes to another side of the ring, setting up the table and sliding back into the ring.)

JR Freeman: What’s he thinking here?

Alfonso Banks: Something brilliant!

(Hawk picks up Sanders again, setting him up for a powerbomb, which he hits, sending The Horseman of Plague through the table!)

(He follows him to the outside, picking him up to set up his finisher, the F-Bomb, but Sanders elbows him in the temple until he puts him down.)

Alfonso Banks: Aw, man, Hawk trying to drop the F-Bomb, but he couldn’t quite get it.

(Sanders grabs Hawk, locking in The Great Depression! With the extra barbed wire, it’s much more painful, but Hawk perseveres, managing to grab the apron and prop himself up on it, which gives him the leverage he needs to pry Sanders off of him. John grimaces and goes back under the ring, grabbing a baseball bat. As soon as he gets over to Hawk, however, Hawk hits a Russian leg sweep and it hits him directly in his own face! Hawk stops to point and laugh at him, before prying the bat from his hands, smacking him over the back with it a few times before throwing the bat away. He grabs Sanders, lifting him onto the turnbuckle before ascending it himself, looking for a CTEmergency, but Sanders smacks him with his barbed wire-coated arm and Hawk falls.)

JR Freeman: Wow, neither man will give the other a break!

Alfonso Banks: I’m sure Sanders wants to break several things, though. Whether it be Hawk’s bones or his own, he doesn’t care!

(He jumps, hitting a double stomp to the now-bleeding Hawk’s midsection, before walking over and hitting multiple stiff elbow shots to Hawk’s head. Hawk fights back from a kneeling position, though, and delivers several punches of his own. The crowd starts chanting “Nosferatu” at Sanders, who turns to them and glares, giving Hawk the opportunity to lift him and hit a German Suplex!)

(Hawk gets out of the ring, spotting his briefcase, getting an idea.)

Mike Hawk: I’m so sorry about this, friend…

(He wraps the case in barbed wire, sliding back into the ring.)

Mike Hawk: GET ‘IM, CASEY!

(He smacks Sanders with the briefcase, going for a pinfall!)

1!

(No, Sanders kicks out at 1.5! He trips Hawk, grabbing the briefcase and throwing it aside, before he gets out of the ring himself, checking underneath and grabbing a kendo stick, wrapping it in more barbed wire as he heads back into the ring. He runs up to Hawk, smacking him with it, then bringing him to the mat, close to the ropes. He laughs sadistically, putting Hawk’s arms on the barbed wire bottom rope and using the wire-wrapped kendo stick to wrench on his jaw, making Hawk cry out in pain.)

Alfonso Banks: Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang.

JR Freeman: Um… indeed, what an impressive maneuver!

(The match continues with Hawk refusing to tap out. Sanders wrenches on the hold, sort of a modified camel clutch, except with 200% more barbed wire, but Hawk will not tap. Sanders breaks the hold and smacks him with the kendo stick instead, breaking it. He slips out under the bottom rope again, cutting up the shirt he’s wearing, as he checks under the ring again, pulling out not 1, not 3, but 2 tables. He sets them up, one on top of the other, and wraps them both in barbed wire.)

JR Freeman: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Sanders is a madman!

Alfonso Banks: You’re goddamn right he is!

(Sanders gets another chair, wrapping barbed wire around it and heading to the top turnbuckle, where he jumps off towards Hawk, coming down with it.)

Mike Hawk: KRAV-MAGA!

(Hawk gets a leg up, delivering a big boot from the ground, kicking the barbed-wire-wrapped chair directly into John’s face.)

JR Freeman: Okay, I know THAT’S not Krav-Maga!

Alfonso Banks: Oh yeah? How much Krav-Maga do YOU know?

JR Freeman: That shouldn’t…

Alfonso Banks: Well?

JR Freeman: Well, none, but…

Alfonso Banks: See? Y’see? Our president knows what he’s talking about!

(After both men have gotten up, Sanders has been busted open.)

Mike Hawk: Ha-ha, I made you bleed!

Jonathan Sanders: You’re bleeding too!

(Mike feels his own head, seeing the blood on his fingers.)

Mike Hawk: ...That’s irrelevant!

(Sanders runs at Hawk, going for the Shot of Serotonin, but Hawk dodges and he hits the referee, who falls out of the ring. While Sanders is looking out at what he did, Hawk lifts him and hits the F-Bomb!)

Alfonso Banks: YES! YESSS! Hawk drops the F-Bomb!

JR Freeman: My god, he just dropped the Collateral Damage champion directly onto his head!

(Hawk goes for the pin, the audience chanting along for a 1-2-3, but the referee, being knocked out, can’t count it. Hawk stops, then pins Sanders again. The audience counts another 1-2-3. Then another after Hawk pins him a third time. Frustrated, Hawk slides out of the ring to go and wake the referee.)

Mike Hawk: HEY! HEY, WAKE UP! I’M ABOUT TO WIN, WAKE THE FUCK UP.

(He even slaps the ref a few times, but alas, more violence does not solve this violence-based problem. He calls out to the back.)

Mike Hawk: Can we get another ref out here!?

(Hawk slides back into the ring as another referee makes his way down the apron, but once he goes to pin Sanders again, John grabs him and headbutts him, then rolls out of the ring. Hawk clutches his bleeding head, looking for a way to go through the ropes that won’t completely ruin him. He decides on the turnbuckle and makes his way out of the ring. He picks up Sander, ready to give him a right beating, but Sanders is still somehow able to fight back, delivering some stiff uppercuts to Hawk before loading him onto the tables.)

JR Freeman: Oh, here we go!

Alfonso Banks: Sanders clearly cheated, Hawk already won this thing 3 times over!

(Sanders gets on the top rope, a little unsteady, but jumps off, sending himself and Hawk through the 2 barbed-wire-wrapped tables, cutting both men up pretty badly. He sluggishly, weakly goes for the cover…)

1!

2!

…

…

3!

Alfonso Banks: No! No, dammit!

JR Freeman: Sanders retains!

Alfonso Banks: Hawk was the REAL winner of that match! He pinned him for a 3 count, who cares if the ref was down!?

JR Freeman: Well, that’s up to management to decide!

Meg Reynolds: Here is your winner, and still Collateral Damage Champion, Jonathan Sanders!

Alfonso Banks: Hey, is it Jonathan or Johnathan?

JR Freeman: What’s the difference?

Alfonso Banks: One has an extra H in it.

JR Freeman: Who would spell it with an extra H?

Alfonso Banks: Apparently a lot of people. Like, more than I expected. But that doesn’t matter, the point is, Sanders should not have won that! Our president has been cheated, he has been wronged, and I’m going to send a very strongly-worded letter to North Dakota!

JR Freeman: Why North Dakota?

Alfonso Banks: Well I can’t send it to SOUTH Dakota, can I!?

JR Freeman: ...I ever tell you you’re a weird guy, Alf?

Alfonso Banks: Several times a day, yes.

WINNER AND STILL COLLATERAL DAMAGE CHAMPION - JONATHAN SANDERS

---

(We cut to the back where Jasmine and Ella are standing beside their bodyguard Carter King. Jasmine doesn't seem to be happy and Ella has a scowl on her face.)

Ella Singleton: This utter fucking bullshit that we have to sit back here while those Commonwealth fucktards something that we've been wanting since we arrived. How long before those dweebs tuck their tails between their legs and run for the hills.

(Jasmine shakes her head as her eyes narrow.)

Jasmine: This upcoming Riot, we are requesting a match against any scrub tag team you can through at us. You want to see our passion for this business. You can witness our passion up close and personal.

Ella Singleton: We didn't come to Apex just to sit on the fucking sidelines. We came to steal the fucking show. That's what we plan to do.

Jasmine: We don't care if you give us The Dream Team, Skip & Mud or a combination of other scrubs. Just know what we do to them will pail in comparison to what we do to others.

(Ella nods her head as she and Jasmine walk away as the cameras show someone had been put through a table.)

---

Singles Match
Bella Madison vs. Richard Rider

Meg Reynolds: The following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first… from Hollywood, Florida… RICHARD RIDER!

( “I’m Sexy And I Know It” by LMFAO echoes through the arena. Richard Rider appears slowly from the back as 3 people swarm around him taking pictures with small disposable cameras. He poses at the top of the ramp as his hair blows in the wind by a nearby wind machine. He makes his way past them and into the ring where they continue to take pictures until their cameras are full and they head backstage.)

Alfonso Banks: Not this guy again…

JR Freeman: Oh come on, you LOVE Dick Rider.

Alfonso Banks: Not. Funny.

Meg Reynolds: And his opponent, from New York, NY… BELLA MADISON!!!

(Arena goes dark as the ominous tones of New Years Day’s “Shut up” begins to blare.)

“Twisted and dirty
Think that you know me
That you control me
Have it figured it out
Boy I'm not breaking
Better get praying
You need the saving
To keep you devout”

(The entrance lights up as does the video screen that shows climbing up a set of stairs we see with each step taken with a different footwear. Saddle shoes followed by heels followed by Chuck Taylors followed by a pair of wrestling shoes with kickpads.)

“I told you once
I told you twice
I can't be tricked
Can't be hypnotized
You tell me I'm pretty when
I'm sitting here in silence”

(The roar comes over the sound system as we see Bella standing on top of the entrance. She stands wearing her wrestling gear along with an updated version of her mom’s old ring jacket with the hood up and starts making her way to the ring.)

“Don't try and tell me what a girl wants
Shut up and give it to me
You got the picture painted all wrong
No, I won't be your masterpiece
Don't feed me lies
I'll chew them up and spit em out
Don't try and tell me what a girl wants
Shut up and give it to me”

(Towards the end of the chorus she hops up on the ring side and climbs to the second rope, drops the hood of the jacket with a smirk and a wink as the song fades out.)

Alfonso Banks: Bella looks a bit more serious than normal.,

JR Freeman: She for sure looks like she doesn’t have much patience for Rider tonight.

Alfonso Banks: But she hasn’t wrestled in PWS since Demon’s Run back in February… gotta take that into account out there.

JR Freeman: On a normal basis, yes. But she hasn’t been absent from the ring in general… just OUR ring.

(Rider and Bella meet in the middle of the ring, Rider gives Bella a smug smirk and reaches out for a handshake. She shakes her head towards him and mouths “i’m not stupid”, refusing the handshake. The referee checks them both for weapons before calling for the bell.)

DING DING DING

(Bella bends her knees a bit and kind of signals for Rider to come at her. Rider laughs and shakes his head. She glares at him a bit before sucker punching him right in the nose! He falls to the mat, holding his face.)

Alfonso Banks: BAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAA

JR Freeman: Bella isn’t pulling any punches… no pun intended.

(Bella smirks a little as she takes a few steps towards him and grabs him by the hair, pulling him back up to his feet. As soon as he is back to his feet, they lock up. He tries to overpower her, but after failing to do so in a few seconds, releases and takes a step back. He looks at her confused, and smirks towards him a little, and motions for him to try again.)

Alfonso Banks: Bella is stronger than Rider thought she would be. Look at the confusion on his face!

JR Freeman: And the smirk on hers. I think Rider is about to die

Alfonso Banks: I think you are right

(He cracks his neck and tries again with the lock up. This time, he is a bit more aggressive. He gets her to take a step backwards while locked up before she fights back, causing him to lose the ground he had just gained on her. He breaks the lock up again and takes a few steps back, where he tries to show off his muscles with a flex. Bella scoffs and laughs at him, which makes him mad. He charges at her but she sidesteps and he goes straight into the corner turnbuckle! Shoulder first!)

Alfonso Banks: That’s what arrogance will get ya!

JR Freeman: I heard his shoulder smack the bar… that’s gonna hurt in the morning…

(Bella wastes no time rolling him up for a pin!)

1...2...3? NO! Kickout at 2!

(Bella shakes her head and gets to her feet, where she proceeds to stomp on Rider's head a little bit, keeping him on the mat. She pulls him towards the middle of the ring and turns him over. She straddles his stomach and starts delivering punches to his face, which is doing his best to block while screaming “NOT THE FACE! THAT'S THE MONEY MAKER!”. He manages to get free from her and both get back to their feet, exchanging punches as they get to their feet. Once standing, Rider grabs her head and puts her in a headlock, squeezing as much as he can. She struggles for a second before grabbing his leg and lifting him up in the air, bringing him down right on her knee! He lets out a high pitched screech as he drops to the mat.)

Alfonso Banks: OUCH!

JR Freeman: He is taking for granted that Bella is a 2nd generation superstar and was trained how to counter things like that…

Alfonso Banks: But still… ouch.

(Bella crouches a little with a grin on her face as she waits for Rider to stand back up. As soon as he does, she clobbers him with a rough clothesline, and another, and another! He gets back to his feet and charges at her, but she uses his own momentum against him, catching him, and slamming his back on the mat! She pins!)

1...2… KICKOUT!

(Rider kicks out at 2. Bella shakes her head as she gets to her feet and stalks Rider. Once he is up, she goes right for his knee and a short trip Hurricanrana, driving his head into the mat!)

JR Freeman: Thats the Bella Aube!

Alfonso Banks: YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!!!

(Bella grins as she flips her hair out of her face. She grabs Rider and puts him into the PTO)

Alfonso Banks: THE BELLA NOTTE!!! IT'S DONE!!! RIDER IS DEAD!!!

(Rider screams out but after about 3 seconds he begins to tap out.)

*DING DING DING*

Meg Reynolds: And your winner via submission… BELLA MADISON!!!

(She drops Rider to the mat, who rolls to the outside in pain. The referee holds her hand in the air as her music hits and the fans cheer.)

Alfonso Banks: Well, Nick ought to be proud. He wanted her to have a fun match and I think she enjoyed that a little too much.

JR Freeman: Bella was impressive out there.

Alfonso Banks: That she was.

WINNER - Bella Madison

---

(A video pops up onto the giant screen as Violet Amelia Holt is standing in a dimly lit room with her hands wrapped in sports tape.)

Violet Amelia Holt: Miss fucking Puppies! A couple weeks ago you tried to injure me and you failed. There's a rumor flying around that we will be headlining the next Riot. I don't usually listen to rumors but if they are true.

(Violet lifts her head just a bit so her steely blue eyes are seen on camera.)

Violet Amelia Holt: If the rumors are true then you bet your ass that I will be looking for retribution. If you wanted a fight then all you had to do was ask.

(Violet lets out a laugh while turning her smile into a snarl.)

Violet Amelia Holt: After the hell I've bee through, I don't think you want any of this coming at you. If you are dead set on ending your career then I will make your wish come true. See you on Tuesday.

(The video cuts out as Violet walks out of the shot.)

---

Tag Team Title Match
Triple Threat Match
Dan and Audrey Russow ( c ) vs. Commonwealth vs. Antithesis (Tyson Sykes and Alexander Lyons)

Meg Reynolds: Ladies and gentlemen, the following is a Triple-Threat Tag Team match scheduled for ONE FALL, and it is for the PWS: Apex WORLD TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS!

♫ GOD SAVE THE QUEEN ♫

(A record scratch cuts through Motorhead’s cover of the Sex Pistols’s “God Save the Queen”, which is honestly a better version of the song. It stops playing just as quickly as it started. It’s almost as if they accidentally played it, as nothing else happens. No light changes on the stage, no shutting down of the arena lights. Nothing.)

♫ I COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER ♫

(Again, the same scenario. Another record scratch cuts off the dulcet tones of Men At Work’s famous Australian song from the 80’s, “Down Under”. Except it’s not fully cut off. The track continues, like a record skip, as the lights in the arena finally darken to black. Red and blue lights glow upwards through the thin metal bars of the stage, as well as around the stage, mimicking the scratching sound until the growling guitar of GHØSTKID’s “START A FIGHT” echoes across the sound system.)

♫ I WANNA KILL SOMETHING
WANNA DESTROY SOMETHING
I WANNA, I WANNA
I WANNA START A FIGHT ♫

Meg Reynolds: Introducing first, at a combined weight of 403 lbs., they are the team of Aiden Reynold and Dickie Watson, THE COMMONWEALTH!

(From under the curtain, Aiden Reynolds is the first to dart out from underneath the curtain, stopping at stage left with a trademark cocky smirk. He’s followed closely by Dickie Watson as he copies Aiden on the other side of the stage. The two of them look out amongst the crowd, smirks across their faces as Dickie and Aiden lift their arms upwards at their waist. Aiden raises his arm up in a fist, and Dickie crouches down then, resting his elbows on his knees.)

♫ YOU ARE THE PROVING GROUND
AND I’M THE DYNAMITE
ABOUT TO BLOW IT UP
I WANNA START A FIGHT ♫

(Aiden starts to head down the ramp with a smirk on his face, followed by Dickie. Both jaw around with the fans, Dickie high-fiving a couple as he always does while Aiden cockily points at them, and then at himself, shaking his head. They both grasp the bottom rope on the ring and use it as leverage, leaping upwards. Aiden moves through the second rope while Dickie flings himself over the top rope, landing in the ring at the same time as Aiden rises. They criss-cross, heading to opposite turnbuckles.)

♫ YOU KNOW I’M TROUBLE, MOTHERFUCKER
AND YOU KNOW I’M ‘BOUT TO BLOW IT UP
I WANNA START A FIGHT
I WANNA START A FIGHT
FUCK YOUR CREDIBILITY
THIS SHIT IS PURE INSANITY
I WANNA START A FIGHT
I WANNA START A FIGHT ♫

(Dickie raises his hand in the air while Aiden places a foot on the top rope. Dickie drops back down to his feet and then looks over to the opposite side of the ring with a smile, handing his belt to the referee. Aiden hops down as well, jumping back, and then heads to their designated side of the ring. As their music fades out, the two of them lean back into their corner, watching their opponents enter with an amused expression.)

(As the Commonwealth waits patiently in the ring, the lights slowly dim until they’ve shut off completely, plunging the arena into total blackness as the slow opening notes of Devildriver’s “Sail” cover begin to play over the speakers. The crowd begins to boo as fog begins to billow out and cover the stage, then as the guitars kick in the lights strobe in time with them. For the final three guitar strums the words “CONQUER. AND. DESTROY.” flash across the screen in sequence, then the emergency lights come on, giving everything a reddish tinge to it as Tyson Sykes and Alexander Lyons make their way out onto the stage, with Dionysus close behind them.)

Meg Reynolds: And their opponents; at a combined weight of 460 lbs.; accompanied by “The Mad God”, Dionysus; the team of “The Ripper” Tyson Sykes and “The Exiled Prince” Alexander Lyons; representing ANTITHESIS, they are: CONQUER AND DESTROOOOOOOOOY!

(The pair smirk at each other before making their way towards the ring, Sykes shadow-boxing all the way down while Lyons trash-talks with fans and threatens to smack signs out of people’s hands. Dionysus, meanwhile, simply grins a lunatic grin, his eyes wide and staring at the two men already in the ring. He tilts his head from side to side as the trio make their way to the ring, Sykes leaping up onto the apron as Lyons climbs the steps. Dionysus remains on the outside, slowly circling the ring as the pair then climb through the middle rope, with Lyons exploding to the centre of the ring with a primal battle cry, throwing his hands out to the sides as Sykes jumps up to the middle rope, raising his middle fingers to the sky as he roars in excitement/fury as well. He then jumps down and the two return to their corners as the Russows make their entrance.)

(“My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark” by Fall Out Boy starts to play over the sound system, as the lights come back up, slowly bleeding into a purple tint. Audrey Russow makes her way out onto the stage, as pyro goes off with the hits of the beat. Audrey then steps to the side as her music fades and “Centuries” starts up in its place, heralding the arrival of her husband, Daniel Russow. As he steps out he takes his wife’s hand, and they both raise their arms to a shower of golden pyro and a MASSIVE pop, lifting the tag belts high as the song cuts out and changes once more into “Immortals’ by Fall Out Boy.)

Meg Reynolds: And their opponents; at a combined weight of 416 lbs.; they are the reigning, DEFENDING, PWS: Apex WOOOORLD TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONS, Daniel and Audrey...THEEEEEEEEE RUUUUUUSSSOOOOOWS!

(Dan and Audrey keep their hands clasped as they make their way down to the ring, letting go to run over and tag some hands as the crowd continues to cheer for them. The champs then make it to the ring as Dionysus steps forward to stare them down. Dan gets right in the giant’s face, daring him to take a shot, but the Mad God ultimately steps aside and just sneers at the couple as they make their way up the steps. Dan holds the ropes open for Audrey and she wipes her feet before stepping through, immediately getting in the face of both the Commonwealth AND ANTITHESIS, jaw-jacking with the groups as she holds her belt aloft. Dan joins his wife as their music slowly fades and the three teams continue their face-off as the music fades.)

JR Freeman: Alf, the crowd is positively ELECTRIC for the start of this one! The Russows have been tag champs since they took the belts from the Vixxens of Pain at Destiny and haven’t had many credible challengers in that time, but that all changed with our recent #1 Contenders’ tournament.

Alfonso Banks: Absolutely, JR. I think BOTH of these teams have MORE than earned their spot in this match tonight, and the Russows are gonna have to fight like hell to hold onto those belts.

JR Freeman: Fortunately, fighting like hell is something every Russow is intimately familiar with.

(As the six competitors square up (triangle up?) in the middle of the ring, eventually the referee is able to separate them and get one representative designated from each team. Sykes starts out for ANTITHESIS, with Aiden representing the Commonwealth and Dan stepping in on behalf of the Russows. As soon as the bell rings the three EXPLODE into a flurry of blows, trading punches back and forth and back and forth until Sykes, with his size advantage and the sheer unmatched ferocity of his striking, manages to take the upper hand, doubling the other two over with stiff shots to the gut before grabbing them each by the neck and managing a SICK Double Vertical Suplex! Even those who aren’t fans of Sykes have to applaud the athleticism, and the man sports a wicked grin as he gets back up and grabs one leg from each of his competitors, pulling them close enough together to straddle their backs and locking in two simultaneous single-leg Boston Crabs on both enemies at once! Sykes wrenches hard on the holds, but his opponents are still both fairly fresh and they struggle violently, managing to fight their way out as they shake off the effects of the Double Suplex. Aiden fires elbows backwards into Sykes’ head, then as Tyson turns his attention in that direction, Dan Russow rotates in the hold and follows them up with a stiff knee, sending Tyson reeling and breaking the hold. The pair then make their way back to their feet and nod at each other, forming a temporary alliance as Aiden Reynolds lifts Sykes for a Scoop Slam onto Dan’s outstretched knee, resulting in a BRUTAL backbreaker!)

JR Freeman: Wow, what a back-and-forth! The intensity in this ring is unmatched, this may be the tensest grudge match on our card so far!

Alfonso Banks: After what we’ve already seen tonight, especially in that Collateral Damage Title match, that’s a bold claim, JR, but I can’t say I disagree with it. ANTITHESIS and the Commonwealth, especially, have been at each other’s THROATS these past weeks, and something WILL give tonight, one way or another.

(As the announcers continue their analysis, in the ring the alliance between Aiden Reynolds and Daniel Russow has broken down, with the two now locked up and trading blows in the centre of the ring while Sykes recovers. Aiden eventually takes the upper hand, targeting the knees of Russow with stiff kicks and following up with a Short-Arm Clothesline that sends him to the mat. He goes for a quick cover, but Alexander Lyons breaks it up before the referee can even slap the mat once. Aiden gets up and gets in Lyons’ face, the latter trash-talking with a sneer on his face as he backs towards his corner. Reynolds continues to advance on him, but suddenly gets blindsided by a surprise Ripper Lariat from Sykes!)

Alfonso Banks: Oh, nice move by Sykes! Very clever thinking on the part of ANTITHESIS here, using the distraction to their own advantage.

JR Freeman: Clever? It’s despicable, Alf! Absolutely despicable!

Alfonso Banks: Maybe from your perspective, JR, but you know they say “all’s fair in love and war”, and I DON’T think these competitors love each other. Well, maybe the Russows. MAYBE.

JR Freeman: ...No comment.

(Back in the ring, Sykes laughs derisively at Conquer & Destroy’s deception, but as he turns to follow up on the move he himself gets floored by a surprise Dropkick from Dickie Watson, which sends Sykes forward INTO Alexander Lyons! Dickie grins as he kips up, taking a second to pose in the centre of the mat as the fans shower him with applause, but the moment is short-lived before he gets grabbed by the tights and hurled out of the ring by a recovered Daniel Russow. Dan then follows up by pulling Sykes out of his corner to the middle of the ring and then tagging in Audrey. She heads up top immediately and leaps off the top with a Leg Drop as her husband holds Sykes down by the legs. Dan and Audrey fist-bump as Daniel leaves the ring, stomping on Sykes a few more times for good measure. Audrey looks ready to follow up, but she’s instantly intercepted by the recovered Aiden Reynolds, who launches into her with rights and lefts. Audrey fires back, of course, and is able to get the upper hand as the pair lock up, dropping Reynolds with a DDT ON TOP OF the fallen Tyson Sykes! Audrey then gets up and flexes for the crowd, shouting “LET’S GOOOO!” before she makes her way to the corner, taunting and stamping on the mat, getting the crowd hyped up while waiting for one of her opponents to start standing so she can hit The Fall Out.)

JR Freeman: Ooh, Audrey’s getting ready for SOMETHING here. I think we’ve seen this before…

Alfonso Banks: It looks like we may NOT see it THIS TIME, JR! She doesn’t have a lot of time to stand around waiting in a frenetic match like this!

(Sure enough, as Alf predicted, Audrey finds her ankles caught from under her and she gets pulled out of the ring by Alexander Lyons. Audrey immediately starts fighting back, but Lyons is able to duck her blows and send her reeling with a Discus Back Elbow. He follows it up by lifting Audrey for a Stalling Suplex, but as he holds her vertically he spots Daniel Russow running the length of the apron.)

Daniel Russow: Keep your goddamn hands off my wife!

(Dan leaps up to the top rope and then off again as Lyons drops Audrey, with Dionysus stepping in front of him as a human shield, causing Daniel to floor all three of them with a Fall From Grace to the outside!)

JR Freeman: Fall From Grace! Fall From Grace! Daniel Russow just laid out Alexander Lyons on the outside!

Alfonso Banks: Looks like he laid out himself and his WIFE, too, JR. That impulsive asshole may have just cost himself those titles!

JR Freeman: Well if it’s “impulsive” to want to protect your wife’s honour from dangerous scoundrels like Alexander Lyons and ANTITHESIS, Alf, then I proudly count myself among that number.

Alfonso Banks: And THAT is why you’re still a virgin, JR.

JR Freeman: I...what?

(With the Russows, Dionysus and Lyons laid out on the outside, that leaves Tyson Sykes alone in the ring with Aiden Reynolds. The referee checks on Dan, Audrey and Alexander before returning his attention to the ring, forgoing a ten-count in this case because the competitors in the ring are both standing and it’s apparently more important to ensure the rules of the ring are enforced. It seems like this was the right call, as the Commonwealth are immediately on the double-team offensive. Aiden locks up with Sykes and whips him into the corner, where he’s able to tag in Dickie and then the pair hit the Poetry in Motion on the Ripper, sending him to the mat! Dickie leaps up to the top rope and they follow it up with a Tandem Leg Drop to Tyson’s neck and back, with Dickie coming from the top and Aiden hitting the move from a standing position. He then grins and strikes a quick pose on one knee in the middle of the ring to a massive pop from the crowd, blowing a kiss towards the hard cam and winking before he gets back up to continue the match.)

Alfonso Banks: Oh, look at this disgusting showboating from Dickie Watson here! WE GET IT, YOU’RE CUTE! You don’t have to keep rubbing it in our damn faces all the time.

JR Freeman: You sound like you’re jealous, Alf. Are you jealous of Dickie’s physique?

Alfonso Banks: NO! ...Shut up! No!

JR Freeman: Riiiight, SURE you’re not.

(While the commentators bicker like the old married couple we all secretly ship them as, Dickie Watson has dragged the prone Tyson Sykes to the centre of the ring. He and Aiden both lift the Ripper back to his feet before Dickie drops to the mat and raises both knees, while Aiden hoists Sykes up and slams him down with a Uranage ONTO said knees. Sykes hits the mat again, writing in pain and Dickie then moves to lock in a Guillotine Choke as Aiden returns to their corner. The referee drops to the mat and starts asking Tyson if he’d like to tap out, but he gets an EMPHATIC no from the ANTITHESIS mainstay. He struggles to move towards the ropes as Dickie keeps the hold locked in, with Aiden clapping his hands and stamping on the mat to egg his partner on. The crowd picks up on this and starts chanting for Dickie as well, seeming to only fuel the fire as he wrenches tighter on the neck of Tyson Sykes. Sykes begins fading, his arm falling limp once...the referee lifts it, and it falls a second time...but on the third, Sykes is able to hold his arm up, and his fist clenches as he begins to punch at Dickie Watson’s arm and shoulder, swinging wildly. The blows themselves don’t seem to do much, but it distracts Dicke enough that Sykes is able to use his weight advantage to roll over, grabbing the ropes and using them - even while the referee counts the rope break - to stand up. Dickie relinquishes the hold but Sykes catches him as he tries to roll off, and hoists him up into Crucifix Powerbomb position.)

JR Freeman: Oh, I don’t like this! We’ve seen this from Sykes before…

Alfonso Banks: Hahahahaha, YES! Kill him, Tyson! Fold that pretty little English boy in half like a fucking envelope! DO IIIIIIIIIIT!

JR Freeman: ...Alf, you seriously need help. PLEASE talk to somebody, I’m genuinely worried about you.

(Sykes grins wildly as he moves towards the ropes, preparing to toss Dickie over them with the Syko Bomb, but Dickie’s wild thrashing eventually allows him to break free and slip out of the move. Sykes whips around to confront him as Dickie ducks underneath his blow and hits the ropes at full tilt, but by this point the group on the outside has mostly recovered and Daniel Russow pulls down the top rope just as Dickie makes contact, sending him spilling to the outside. Dan then slides into the ring himself and squares off against Tyson Sykes, daring him to “Pick on somebody your own damn size!”. Tyson just grins, shrugs and mouths “Okay” before LAYING into Daniel Russow’s chest with a VICIOUS knife-edge chop! Russow reels back, but then grins himself and laughs a little bit, firing back with a chop of his own. Sykes tenses his muscles, balls and unballs his fists while he grimaces in pain, then fires back with an even HARDER chop, that sends Dan reeling back against the ropes. Not to be outdone, however, Russow comes back by USING that momentum in his favour to come back with a stiff Running Lariat that doesn’t send Tyson to the mat, but DOES drop him down to one knee. Russow follows it up with a headbutt, which Tyson ALSO answers with one of his own, bringing Russow to his knees as well. The two then begin a similar exchange on their knees, trading headbutts back and forth, each successively stronger than the last, until they’ve both been rattled so badly by themselves and each other that they need a moment to recover, grasping their heads and staggering around the ring, each man trying to get back to his feet but struggling to keep his balance. Once equilibrium has been regained, they both return to a standing position and begin to slug it out again - using fists instead of heads this time - but by now, Dickie Watson has recovered, and he interposes himself between the pair.)

Dickie Watson: Boys, boys, please...you’re BOTH fuckin’ meatheads!

(Dickie grins and ducks under the strikes of both Russow and Tyson Sykes, grabbing them each around the chest/shoulders and flipping backwards for a DOUBLE SPANISH FLY!)

JR Freeman: OH DIOS MIO! What an amazing feat of strength from Dickie Watson, laying out BOTH of his opponents in one move!

Alfonso Banks: No! Dammit! It’s not supposed to end like this, somebody DO something!

JR Freeman: Don’t worry, Alf, it seems like Dickie isn’t done…

(Sure enough, Dickie climbs to the top rope then, motioning to the crowd to get them on their feet, hyping them up for Adrenaline, but just as Dickie gets balanced we see Alexander Lyons drop down from his corner and sprint to the other side of the ring. Aiden Reynolds follows in hot pursuit, but before he can stop it Lyons has jumped up onto the apron and shoved Dickie sideways off the top rope, sending him crashing to the floor below! Aiden Reynolds then growls and pulls Lyons back down, the two beginning to trade blows on the outside as Dickie recovers. Aiden gets the upper hand of this exchange and sends Lyons crashing into the audience barricade with a German Suplex, leaving him sprawled out on the thin ringside mats, but he turns around directly into Dionysus, who floors AIDEN with a brutal Chokeslam directly onto the apron. Meanwhile in the ring, Daniel Russow and Tyson Sykes have begun to recover, and the two resume their slugfest as they try to stand back up, each man shaky on his feet but neither letting it stop him. Audrey reaches out for Dan, shouting for him to tag her in, but as he turns around to face her Sykes is able to catch him from behind and lift him into the Death Valley Driver into the turnbuckle in the opposite corner! Sykes then grins and gets directly in Audrey’s face, trash-talking to her, but the Russow matriarch just grins right back and smacks him across the face. Tyson smirks to himself as he checks his lip for blood, then sends Audrey off the apron with the Black Mass! He makes his way back to the fallen Daniel Russow and goes for the cover…)

1!

2!

THR-NO! Russow JUST gets a shoulder up!

JR Freeman: My god, what despicable antics from Tyson Sykes! There was absolutely no reason to attack Audrey Russow like that, she’s not even legal in this match!

Alfonso Banks: Hey, that was SELF-DEFENSE, JR. As I recall, she slapped him first!

JR Freeman: Really? So if your wife slapped me in the face, and I kicked her in the side of the head and knocked her out cold, you’d say I was in the right?

Alfonso Banks: Honestly, JR, I’d pay a thousand dollars just to see you try to lift your LEG that high.

JR Freeman: ...God, I hate you.

(Sykes slaps the mat in frustration at the failed cover attempt, lifting Daniel Russow to his feet and firing a few stiff kicks to his midsection before he lifts him for ANOTHER Death Valley Driver, but Russow is able to slip out of this one and roll out of the ring to recuperate. Tyson growls and watches his quarry leave, noticing Dickie Watson and Aiden Reynolds are ALSO now on the outside. As the group begins to stand up, Sykes tells Dionysus to stand down as he ascends the nearest corner, another wicked smirk on his face, then turns around and nails the whole group with a Moonsault to the outside!)

JR Freeman: DIOS MIO! What a Moonsault from Tyson Sykes! We don’t often see the big man go to the top rope, but when he does he certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Alfonso Banks: Not exactly the smartest move, though, is it? If he gets counted out, the Russows keep their titles.

JR Freeman: Well, Alf, if YOU would like to go tell Tyson Sykes that you think he’s stupid, PLEASE be my guest. I’d love to be a fly on the wall for THAT interaction.

Alfonso Banks: Well, now, hold on, I don’t think I said SYKES was stupid, just...y’know what? Never mind. Forget I said anything.

JR Freeman: Yeah, that’s what I thought.

(As the group lays prone on the outside, the referee finally begins to count, since all three legal competitors are now laid out.)

ONE...


TWO...


THREE...

(The group begins to stir, but nobody is standing yet.)

FOUR...


FIVE…

(Daniel Russow has one arm up on the apron, but can’t seem to get the rest of his body to move.)

SIX…


SEVEN…

(Dionysus physically picks up Tyson Sykes and slides him back into the ring before helping Lyons back to his feet. The Exiled Prince climbs the ring steps back up into their corner, reaching out and shouting to the Ripper for the tag. Daniel Russow has ALSO managed to roll himself back in, though he still isn’t standing yet.)

EIGHT…


NINE…

(At literally the LAST possible second, Dickie Watson finds a burst of energy and sprints back into the ring, sliding under the bottom rope just in time to stop the count. All the legal competitors are still lying on the mat, however their partners have each found their way back to their corners, and are reaching into the ring desperate to make the tags. The crowd begins a warring chant of “LET’S GO RUS-SOWS! *clap clap clapclapclap*” and “COM-MON-WEALTH!”, but that gives way to a surprisingly sizable contingent of “CON-QUER AND DES-TROY!” to the rhythm of the Terminator theme song, effectively splitting the audience three ways on their favourites in this match. The corner partners - Reynolds, Audrey and Lyons - encourage the chants and hype up their partners as they slowly but surely come to their senses. Daniel Russow is awake and aware first, it seems, followed by Tyson Sykes and finally Dickie Watson, but since they each come to within seconds of one another it’s almost simultaneous when each one makes a mad leap for their friendly corner, managing to score a TRIPLE HOT TAG! The fresher competitors explode into the ring, immediately beginning a three-way slugfest in the centre of the mat, but it soon evolves into each one playing to their strengths, with Aiden Reynolds and Alexander Lyons locking up while Audrey hits the ropes, taking them both down with a Springboard Crossbody. The crowd gives a mixed pop for that as Audrey lets out a primal scream, returning to her corner to tag in Daniel, who by now has (mostly) recovered from his earlier ordeal. The couple look at each other, then at their opponents, nodding at lifting Alexander Lyons for a Double Vertical Suplex. As Aiden Reynolds begins to get up as well, Audrey hits him with a Dropkick that sends him reeling backwards into a German Suplex from Daniel. The Russows then head to opposite corners - their own friendly one and the unoccupied one, for obvious reasons) and head up to the middle rope, hyping up the crowd and waiting for their opponents to get back up.)

JR Freeman: Oh, could it be?! Are we about to see what I THINK we’re about to see?!

Alfonso Banks: We’d better goddamn NOT be, or those damned Russows might end up stealing the tag title belts AGAIN!

JR Freeman: ...Aren’t the Russows technically your bosses? Y’know, because of Levi?

Alfonso Banks: Who?

JR Freeman: Levi Russow. Founded the company, one of the main shareholders, shows up to get high with us and insult the wrestlers every year on April 20th? You know, THE Levi Russow?

Alfonso Banks: I have no idea who you’re talking about.

JR Freeman: *Sigh* Why do I even bother, at this point?

(Dickie Watson and Tyson Sykes, having recovered their wherewithal, now rush to the corners to try to stop the tandem Canadian Destroyers from coming to pass, but Dan and Audrey are able to fight them off and send them falling off the apron, with Sykes careening into Dionysus, who had also been trying to interfere. Lyons and Reynolds now return to their feet, and the Russows leap off...YES! TANDEM CANADIAN DESTROYERS!)

JR Freeman: I’m saying this a lot tonight, but OH DIOS MIO! This one has GOT to be over now!

Alfonso Banks: NO! NO! God dammit all to hell, not the goddamn Russows, LITERALLY ANYONE but them!

JR Freeman: ...So you’re rooting for the Commonwealth now, Alf?

Alfonso Banks: I...you...shut up, that’s not...ooooooh!

JR Freeman: As eloquently phrased as ever.

(The Russows high-five and hug each other after that amazing display of tandem offense, then Daniel goes for the pinfall on Lyons as Audrey kicks Aiden Reynolds out of the ring…)

1!

2!

THR-NO! IT’S DIONYSUS!

(The Mad God literally just DEADLIFTS Russow off of Alexander Lyons, but the referee won’t allow anything more than that, immediately getting in the big man’s face and demanding he leaves the ring. The giant simply smirks and leans over the much smaller official, cracking his knuckles with a wild, psychotic smirk.)

Dionysus: Or WHAT?

(The referee backs slowly away from the Mad God as Dionysus advances on him, as Daniel Russow lifts Alexander Lyons to his feet again...but the Exiled Prince uses this distraction to fire an uppercut directly into Russow’s testicles, doubling him over in pain. Dionysus smirks and steps past the referee and leaves the ring, nodding at Lyons as he goes. The crowd peppers the ANTITHESIS members with boos for their actions - save that smallish contingent earlier who seem to be fans of their messaging - but Alexander Lyons simply grins, basking in the jeers as if they were the deepest adulation. He then kicks Daniel Russow in the head and grins as he lifts him up, whipping him into the ANTITHESIS corner and tagging Sykes back in again. Sykes begins laying into Russow with kicks while he's in the corner, a la Bryan Danielson, as Lyons and Dionysus roll Aiden Reynolds back into the ring and Lyons whips him into the unoccupied corner. Dickie tries to interfere with what he knows is coming next, but Dionysus pulls him off the apron long enough for both men to flip their opponents upside down and hang them in the Tree of Woe.)

JR Freeman: Ohhh no, I don't like this. We've seen this move before…

Alfonso Banks: Yes! Here it comes! Hahahahaha, I'm so happy! KILL THE FUCK OUT OF 'EM, BOYS!

JR Freeman: ...There is truly something deeply, deeply wrong with you.

(Having set up both their opponents in the Tree of Woe, Sykes and Lyons retreat to the middle of the ring and then take off running, Lyons landing a vicious Dropkick to Reynolds while Sykes connects with a Running Senton to Dan Russow, completing the tandem move they call Conquest and Destruction!)

Alfonso Banks: CONQUEST AND DESTRUCTION! CONQUEST AND DESTRUCTION! THIS HAS GOT TO BE IT!

JR Freeman: I hate to agree, Alf, but this move DID spell the beginning of the end for Cleo Phillips and Shawn Young as well.

(It seems it is INDEED only the beginning, as Sykes and Lyons look to one another, nodding grimly. Sykes grabs Aiden Reynolds and lifts him onto his shoulders, with Lyons climbing to the top rope, clearly looking for their version of the Final Judgment. The fans are on their feet, more out of fury and anxiety than excitement for this outcome, but as Lyons gets himself centred on the top rope, Dickie manages to slip away from Dionysus and leaps up onto the apron, pulling the rope down and causing Lyons to fall and sack himself on the turnbuckle rod! Dickie then shoves Lyons back into the ring as Aiden comes to and begins punching Sykes in the head to escape his hold, then drops off his back and whirls around to pull him up into the Gory Special! He wrenches on the hold even as Sykes struggles, then Dickie leaps onto the top rope and springboards off to hit a flying modification of the DRIVE! BY! DROPBEAR!)

JR Freeman: DRIVE-BY DROPBEAR! DRIVE-BY DROPBEAR! THE COMMONWEALTH HAVE TURNED IT AROUND!

Alfonso Banks: I-it’s not over yet! A-A-ANTITHESIS could still win this thing!

JR Freeman: You keep dreamin’, Alf. You just keep on dreamin’.

(Dream as Alf might, things DO seem dire for ANTITHESIS now, as Lyons rolls out of the ring to recover. Dionysus jumps up on the apron to try to exact some revenge, but Aiden picks up Dickie and hurls him into the giant’s midsection for a Spear through the ropes, completing the Molotov Shaker! Aiden then makes his way over to the grounded Daniel Russow, who is only now shaking off the Conquest and Destruction and starting to get up. Aiden sets his sights on the now-kneeling Rabid Deviant, and he takes off running...nailing the DOWN UNDA! He goes for the cover as Audrey Russow rushes the ring to break it up, but Dickie Watson slides into the ring from the other side to intercept her with CALAMITY INSURANCE! Aiden covers as the other two roll out of the ring, and…)

1!

2!

3! IT’S OVER!

JR Freeman: DOWN UNDA! CALAMITY INSURANCE! Wait for it...AND THIS ONE IS OVER! The Commonwealth have managed to overcome the odds tonight!

Alfonso Banks: No! NO! Sykes! Lyons! DIONYSUS! Get up, you lazy fucks! Put a stop to this right now!

JR Freeman: Sorry, Alf, but it looks like that ‘pretty English boy’ and his striking Aussie cohort are walking away as PWS: Apex Tag Team Champions tonight, and I’ll be damned if they didn’t earn it.

(Dickie rolls back into the ring as Aiden gets up to his knees in celebration, still clutching his neck and feeling some after-effects from ANTITHESIS’ assault, but he raises both arms in victory and lets his partner help him back to his feet. The pair gladly accept the tag belts from the referee and raise them high as each one climbs one of the nearest turnbuckles to play to the crowd, who are showering the ring in cheers as “I Wanna Start a Fight” begins to blare over the speakers again.)

Meg Reynolds: Here are your winners AND NEEEEEEEEEW PWS: Apex WORLD TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONS, Aiden Reynolds and Dickie Watson, THEEEEEEEEE COMMONWEALTH!

(Dickie and Aiden celebrate, as ANTITHESIS broods on the outside, still nursing their wounds and huddling around Dionysus, glaring daggers through the new champions. Audrey Russow is tending to Dan, who’s definitely worse off than she is, though both are still standing under their own power. Dan looks disappointed as he holds an ice pack to the back of his neck, but he glances up at the Commonwealth on the turnbuckles and gives a subtle nod as Aiden points to him, also nodding in appreciation of a good fight.)

JR Freeman: Damn, by the looks on the faces of ANTITHESIS tonight, I daresay this war may not quite be over just yet.

Alfonso Banks: Oh, you think so, JR? When have those men EVER wasted an opportunity for revenge?

JR Freeman: Well, they fought valiantly tonight, as did the Russows, but at the end of the day, The sheer determination of Aiden Reynolds and Dickie Watson to win back the titles they saw as rightfully theirs was just too much to overcome. These two did wonders for the PWS Tag division back in the day, so I can’t wait to see how things go now that they’re back on top again.

(We hold on a shot of The Commonwealth celebrating, their arms raised in the centre of the ring and the tag belts hoisted high in their other hands, slowly fading from there to the next segment.)

WINNERS - The Commonwealth

---

Trick of Riot
October 19th, 2021
Sandusky, OH
Cedar Point

---

Singles Match
Nick Madison vs. Malachi

JR Freeman: Up next...this one has the potential to steal the show, in my honest opinion.

Alfonso Banks: I can’t argue with you there. These two men are going to look to tear each other apart...in the nicest way possible...if that’s even a thing.

JR Freeman: They both have the upmost respect for each other, being father and son-in-law. But, this match I think has big implications for the future. Nick has announced that he’ll be having his final match at Crusade, so you know he’d like to have some momentum going into that match.

Alfonso Banks: Yeah, but for Malachi, this is a chance to even the score against the old man. The last time they faced off, it didn’t go the way for him, so this is his chance to right that wrong, in his mind.

JR Freeman: Either way, it’s sure to be one hell of a match.

(The quiet beginning of “Blood//Water” begins playing through the speakers as Malachi enters the arena to a mixed reaction, but mostly cheers.)

Meg Reynolds: Introducing first, Waterford, Ireland, Malachi!

JR Freeman: It’s really something to think of all that Mal has went through this past year and a half or so. He went from World Champ, to being away for a bit, came back, and just...hasn’t really seemed to capture the magic he once had. A win tonight would go a long way to bringing him back to that.

Alfonso Banks: Agreed, but a loss would do who knows what to his ego.

(Mal simply stares around at the crowd before he walks down the ramp towards the ring, climbing the steps and entering through the ropes. He climbs the turnbuckle and throws his arms to the side while staring out at the crowd again as his music fades away.)

Meg Reynolds: And introducing his opponent…

(Smoke shoots from the stage, as “Critical Acclaim” by Avenged Sevenfold begins to blare over the sound system, as the loud scream of M. Shadows echoes throughout the arena. Bright lights shine from the stage, before they turn back to the stage, where Nick Madison comes out from behind the curtain, as the fans cheer.)

Meg Reynolds: From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PWS Hall of Famer, Nick Madison!

(Madison makes his way down the ramp and slides into the ring. He gets to his feet and walks over to the corner and climbs the turnbuckle, looking out into the crowd, before he hops down. Reynolds leaves the ring, as the ref checks with both competitors before calling for the bell to sound to start the match.)

*DING DING*

JR Freeman: And here we go!

(The two circle around the ring for a moment, sizing each other up, before locking up in a collar and elbow tie-up. In a sudden flurry of movement, Mal manages to get Nick up on his shoulders, and gets him into position, before nailing him with the Pure Malice from outta nowhere!)

JR Freeman: WHAT!? PURE MALICE!?

Alfonso Banks: ALREADY!?

(Mal hooks the inside leg, as the referee slides into position, as the stunned crowd counts along.)

1…

2…

3!?!? NO!!!!

(Nick kicks out at literally the last second. As you can almost feel a sigh of relief from the crowd, not wanting this match to be over so quickly.)

JR Freeman: My God that was close. Nick better watch it, or this one could be over very quickly.

Alfonso Banks: Yeah, Mal certainly came ready for this match.

(Mal smirks, as he gets back to his feet. Nick gets back to his feet, as Mal motions his fingers as to say “I was THIS close.” The two lock up again, and this time Nick takes Mal down with a headlock takedown, as he wrenches on the pressure. Mal uses his flexibility and delivers some knees to force Nick to break his grip. The two get back to their feet, and Nick backs Mal into the corner. The ref tells him to back away, and he obliges, as Mal goes for a big boot out of the corner, but Nick sidesteps it, and comes behind Mal, grabbing him and delivering a belly to back suplex into the turnbuckle, as the back of Mal’s neck hits the second turnbuckle.)

JR Freeman: DAMN! That had to hurt.

Alfonso Banks: It sure didn’t feel good I’m sure.

(Nick gets to his feet, as Mal holds the back of his neck, using the ropes with the other hand to get back to his feet. Nick grabs Mal and delivers a belly to belly suplex, and rolls into a pin attempt.)

1…

2…

Kick Out!

JR Freeman: Well, now it seems to be Madison with the momentum.

Alfonso Banks: Mal is gonna have to be careful here that he doesn’t let this one get out of control.

(Nick sits up after the two count, holding his fingers together as to signify he was “this close” to Mal, as the two get back to their feet. They start trading right hand shots. Mal sends Nick to the ropes with an Irish whip, and Nick rebounds to duck under Mal’s clothesline attempt. Mal turns, and after Nick rebounds off the ropes again, he comes back and nails Mal with a vicious spear!)

1…

2…

Kick Out!

JR Freeman: WOW! I thought it was over there!

Alfonso Banks: It usually is the beginning of the end when Madison hits the spear. Let’s see how Mal responds here.

(Nick chuckles to himself, as he pulls Mal up off the mat. The two struggle for a moment, as Mal tries to fight away from Nick, and he finally manages to, and with one swift motion, he steps back, and strikes with a superkick that damn near takes Nick’s head off. Mal falls into the cover.)

1…

2…

Kick Out!

JR Freeman: Jesus! Another near fall!

Alfonso Banks: How many more are we going to have before this one’s over?

(The two get back to their feet, as Mal rubs the back of his neck, still feeling the effects of the suplex into the turnbuckle. They lock up again, and Nick spins behind Mal, going for another belly to back suplex, but Mal does a standing switch, and spins behind Nick. Nick manages to break Mal’s grip from around his waist, as he turns around and the two lock up again. Nick goes to get Mal in position for a vertical suplex, but Mal blocks with his leg, and then goes for one of his own, but this time Nick blocks with his leg. Nick ducks down and goes to deliver a back body drop to Mal, but Mal lands on his feet, and Nick turns around to just barely miss a roundhouse kick from Mal. Nick grabs him, and goes for a release getman suplex, but again, Mal lands on his feet, and goes to deliver an elbow drop on Nick, but Nick rolls out of the way. Nick quickly gets to his feet, and the two pause for a second and have a stare-off, as the fans cheer in approval.)

JR Freeman: The fans showing their appreciation for both of these men’s efforts here tonight.

Alfonso Banks: It has been a really good match so far.

(After a moment, it’s almost as if both men have the same idea, as they both go to rebound off the ropes, and come back, both connecting with a clothesline, as both men fall to the mat. The ref starts counting, as both men are down.)

1…

2…

3…

4…

5…

(Suddenly, both men do a kip up, as they both chuckle at each other, and the fans cheer once more in appreciation. They smirk at each other, before locking up again. Madison manages to get an arm wrench on Mal, twisting the arm, but Mal manages to reverse the wrench, and wrenches Nick’s arm in return. Mal goes to send Nick to the ropes with an Irish whip, but Nick reverses, and whips Mal ito the ropes. Mal rebounds off the ropes, as Nick goes for a back body drop, but Mal rolls over him and lands on his feet. Nick turns around, and Mal goes for a roundhouse kick, but Nick ducks under it, and catches him and delivers a german suplex, bridging for the pin.)

1…

2…

Kick Out!

JR Freeman: Dang! Another har landing on the head/neck area for Mal.

Alfonso Banks: Definitely seems like Nick walked in here with a gameplan. Sooner or later, Mal won’t be able to make the kickout.

(Both men take a little longer to get to their feet, showing the signs of exhaustion from the match. Both men get back to their feet, and as if suddenly getting a second wind, Mal pops up and kicks Nick in the gut, pulls him close, and hits him with the Hair Trigger Piledriver! He hooks the leg and goes for the pin.)

1…

2…

3!?!? NO!!! SHOULDER UP!

JR Freeman: Hot DAMN I thought he had it there!

Alfonso Banks: So did I! So did Mal! What is it gonna take? Both these men have taken their opponent’s best shots.

(Mal and Nick both lie there for a few moments after the near fall. Both men are absolutely spent, as they both struggle to get to their feet, using the ropes to help themselves up. They meet back in the center of the ring, trading right hand shots, before locking up once more in a collar and elbow tie-up. Nick manages to get a big lariat into the turnbuckle, dazing Mal for a moment, which is enough time for Nick to lift him up to the sit atop the turnbuckle.)

JR Freeman: Uh...what’s Madison got planned here?

Alfonso Banks: I’m not sure, but I don’t think it’s going to end well for Malachi.

(Nick uses the ropes and steps up to the second rope, balancing himself as he wraps his arm around Mal’s neck. All the fans are on their feet, in anticipation of whatever is about to happen, as Nick stands Mal up on the second turnbuckle, and then in a moment that seems to last forever, both men come crashing from the second rope, as Nick hits a DEVASTATING super Neuro-Mutilation!)

JR Freeman: OH MY GOD!

Alfonso Banks: MURDER! MURRRRRDERRRR!

(The fans go absolutely crazy, as “Holy Shit” chants break out throughout the arena. After what seems like an eternity with neither man moving, Nick manages to drape an arm over Mal’s shoulders. The ref slides into position.)

1…

2…

3!!!

Meg Reynolds: Here is your winner, Nick Madison!

JR Freeman: We need help down here, stat! Both these guys need to be checked. My GOD that was a war! Congrats to Nick Madison, the victor, but he went through HELL tonight.

Alfonso Banks: Malachi has absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. That was one hell of a match! He took Madison to the limits and then some!

(Medics rush the ring to check on both men, as Mal still hasn’t moved since the ending of the match. After a few moments, they manage to have Nick rolled to the ring apron, as two medics help him slide down to his feet. He’s on weak legs, as he struggles to even walk, so each of the medics put an arm of his around them, as they start to help him to the back. Mal is left in the ring, as he’s starting to come to, as Nick is helped to the back.)

WINNER - Nick Madison

---

JR Freeman: We just witnessed one hell of a match between these two, there is nothing to be ashamed of here tonight.

Alfonso Banks: They left it in the ring tonight. I gotta give props to that match.

(An evil little giggle fills the air over the sound system.)

JR Freeman: What the hell was that?

(The lights begin to flicker all throughout the United Center that catches everyone’s attention including Malachi who has begun to stir a bit in the ring, glaring up at the flickering lights before it completely goes black.)

JR Freeman: OH NO!

Alfonso Banks: NO!

(And what feels like a split second later, the lights flash on and face to face with Malachi is none other than ANGEL! Giving her widest Joker like right in his face.)

JR Freeman: OH MY GOD! REVEREND SYN’S LEFT HAND WITCH IS HERE!

Alfonso Banks: WHERE IS HE?!

(Malachi’s eyes get wide for a second and he goes to swipe at her before the lights suddenly go out again and you hear a ton of commotion in the ring.)

JR Freeman: GOD DAMMIT! I can’t see a damn thing!

(Just as he finishes the that last word the lights come back on and two big freaks from Syn’s following is in the ring, holding Malachi by the arms as tight as they possibly can. Despite the hell that he just went through, he’s trying with all his might to get out of the grasp of the freaks as Angel cackles like a damn banshee all around the ring as the fans boo loudly.)

Alfonso Banks: Where the hell is Bella or ANYONE?!?

(Angel calls for the microphone. She saunters over to him and grabs him by his hair, he lets a few curses flow, as she gets uncomfortably close to his face.)

Angel: Well HELLO Maaaaaaaaaaaaaalachi. Have you missed me? I’ve missed all of you, so very much.

Malachi: GET OFF ME!

(Angel weirdly cuddles his head and shushes him even as he tries to pull away but she just grips him tighter almost like a boa constrictor.)

Angel: SHHHHHHH, It’s all ok, love. It will all be over soon enough. I have worked so very hard for it to just be you and I...

(She forces him to look at the screen, he grimaces as she just looks eyes wide as a bunch of lighting boxes are piled upside down and you can hear banging coming from the other side of the door with the boxes shaking from the impact on the other side.)

Angel: You and your family and your BITCH of a wife have got to be reminded who the true power is here. So say hello to your brother for me when you get the chance...and this is REALLY gonna hurt.

(She nods up at the two freaks as they use their power to push Malachi down on his stomach, one freak kneels on his back as the other grabs a chair that was brought in during the struggle. They proceed to wrap his arm up in it as Angel climbs the corner.)

JR Freeman: OH MY GOD! SOMEONE NEEDS TO STOP THIS!

Alfonso Banks: BE MY GUEST!

(On the video screen FINALLY the door gets kicked open just enough that we see Bella crawl through the crack and take off running for the entrance.)

JR Freeman: BELLA IS FREE!!!

Alfonso Banks: SHE BETTER BE THE FREAKING FLASH!

(Angel sees this and taunts Malachi for a moment before the fans pop to see Bella scream through her closest entrance into the arena. Angel waits just as Bella gets a full eye full jumps and lands right on the chair that was wrapped around Malachi’s arm and he immediately screams out in pain. Bella stops in shock for a moment before she charges the ring, just as she slides in the lights go out. When they come in Bella is left with Malachi who is in an intense amount of pain as Angel and the freaks are GONE.)

JR Freeman: She was too late! OH MY GOD!

Alfonso Banks: The damage is done!

(Bella tries to help Mal as the medics hit the ring once again as Mal growls and grunts in very obvious pain.)

JR Freeman: I do believe that this is war.

---

Heading to:
Indianapolis, IN
Nashville, TN
Atlanta, GA

AND COMING IN DECEMBER

---

United Title Match
Singles Match
Ceo Phillips ( c ) vs. Miles Kasey

Meg Reynolds: The following match is scheduled for one fall and is for the United Championship!. Introducing first:

(A loud pyro explosion leads into the beat to "Gangsta's Paradise" echoes throughout the arena, as the lyrics begin Cleo swaggers out onto the stage, she folds her arms and looks around at the crowd from behind her shades.)

#As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life, and realize there's nothin' left
Cause I've been blastin' and laughin' so long
That even my momma thinks that my mind is gone#

(Cleo pounds her chest twice and points around the arena before making her way down the ramp, as the song continues.)

#But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
You better watch how you talkin' and where you walkin'
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk#

(Once at ringside, she jumps on the apron and rolls into the ring, where she postures and poses for the crowd as some more pyros go off.)

#I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc
As they croak, I see myself in the pistol smoke
Fool, I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
On my knees in the night, sayin' prayers in the streetlight#

(Finally, she poses arms crossed on the turnbuckle, as the chorus comes in.)

#Been spendin' most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Been spendin' most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise#

Meg Reynolds: Standing 5’8 and wwighing in at 124 pounds from the Bronx New York, she is the United champion THE BODY SNATCHER CLEO PHILLIPS

(“Throne” by Bring Me The Horizon starts pumping through the speakers as Miles Kasey bops out onto the ramp in rhythm with the beat. He bounces in place twice before bolting towards the ring, sliding under the bottom rope, running into the adjacent ropes and handstand springboarding backwards into a superhero pose as the fans go crazy!)

Meg Reynolds: And her opponent, standing 6’1 and weighing in at 215 pounds...MILES KASEY

*DING DING DING*

Alfonso Banks: Ladies and Gentlemen this should be an incredible match

JR Freeman:.Cleo Phillips is a hard nosed athlete ready to kick your face off

Alfonso Banks: And Miles Kasey is one of the best talents going, can he finally get some gold?

(Miles And Cleo hear the starting bell and step around each other. They measure each other up taking an age to engage before going for a collar and elbow tir up. Miles being the much taller competitor is able to get over the top of Cleo and push her downwards. Cleo tries to drop to one knee and hit a standing switch but Miles is able to use his strength to pull her back up and throw Cleo backwards across the ring. Cleo lands on her back and rolls over her shoulder to her feet before shaking her head and raising a finger in the air moving it back and forth in the no no no motion. Miles simply shakes his head back at her and shrugs.)

Alfonso Banks: A feeling out process here to start us off

JR Freeman:.It’s always a good idea to start off with that, get your bearings, measure your opponent up even if you have faced them before

Alfonso Banks: Miles is stronger, taller and weighs more, he’s also a freak of an athlete but Cleo hits like a truck and is prepared to hurt you...bad

(They move around each other again, they go for another collar and elbow tie up this time Cleo uses her impressive speed advantage to drop down as Miles tries to use his strength, she uses miles strength and momentum against him grabbing his arm and pulling him over in an armed drag. Miles rolls onto his back side and slams his fist on the mat annoyed that Cleo already got one up on him. He turns to get back to his feet and Cleo is bouncing on the balls of hers telling him to come at her again. As Miles steps forward Cleo reaches up grabs a hold of miles by the head and pulls him down in a headlock takedown, Miles wrapped his legs around Cleo‘s head in a rounded head scissors, Cleo rolls over and throws her body up kipping up off the ground to her feet in a great display of athleticism. She spins fast and throws a cake at a now seated Miles who throws his body backwards to avoid it and then kips up himself to get face-to-face with Cleo as the crowd pops)

JR Freeman:.Damn, that was amazing, Miles not to be outdone

Alfonso Banks: But instead of showing off he needs to just try and wrestle..this is a mistake

(They mouth off at each other for a moment with Miles smiling, Cleo then reaches forward and hits a hard forearm strike, Miles eat it and slams one Right back at Cleo, the two start to trade hard shot back and forth before Miles gets the upper hand hitting Cleo over and over again backing her up into the ropes, he whips Cleo across the ring before going for a leapfrog, he lands and turned around before jumping in the air as she comes back off the ropes hitting a leaping leg lariat. Cleo goes down and rolls from the ring to create some separation, Miles pops up to his feet right away hits the ropes and goes for a somersault plancha over the top rope down onto Cleo on the floor)

JR Freeman:.Air Kasey!

Alfonso Banks: He threw all 215 pounds of his body at Cleo

JR Freeman:.And she didn’t see it coming Alfonso

(Miles pulled Cleo to her feet and rolled her into the ring, as she gets up to her feet he grabs the top row and springs up onto the top rope leaping off with a flying cross body. He lands on Cleo's heart and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Cleo kicks out. Miles tries to stay on the attack hitting hard right hands before pulling Cleo up, he pulls Cleo’s arm over his shoulder setting her up before flipping backwards with the standing Spanish fly. As they hit the mat hard he notices she’s in the perfect position for the reverse 450. Miles leaps off and Cleo gets her knees up causing him to crash and burn. He holds his ribs and crawls away)

Alfonso Banks: That could have broken his ribs

JR Freeman:.I hope not, a broken rib is no joke, every breath starts to hurt, every time you move it shoots pain right through your body...

Alfonso Banks: Miles won’t quit though...it isn'tt in his DNA

(Cleo now on the attack hits a low kick to miles thigh and then one to his midsection and then his thigh again and his midsection each one sounding like a hard baseball bat hitting a plank of wood echoing through the arena. She then whips him across the ring and jumps in the air hitting a picture perfect dropkick right to Miles chest. Miles rolls away and tries to create some distance but instead turned right into a Bronx kick from Cleo he goes down

1!

2!

Miles kicks out, Cleo slides away from him and measures him up as she crouches in the corner. As miles starts to get to his feet Cleo takes off running, going for her Milly rock. Miles is able to duck out of the way, he grabs Cleo by the midsection and throws her backwards with a German suplex. Cleo hits the mat hard, Miles uses the moment to get a breath.)

Alfonso Banks: Miles just folded Cleo up there

JR Freeman:.Miles Kasey isn’t known for his suplex’s or traditional wrestling throws

Alfonso Banks: Must be from working at Wolfslair

(Miles gets to his feet obviously in pain. He reaches down grabbing Cleo and pulling her up signalling for the hail to the Queen. He pulls Cleo up and over onto his shoulder, as he grabs hold of her head going to complete the mood Cleo slides down landing behind him, Cleo hits the ropes and then as Miles turns around she leaves up and absolutely levels him with the Milly rock! She pins)

1!

2!

3!

Meg Reynolds: Your winner and Still PWS APEX UNITED CHAMPION CLEO PHILLLIPS

WINNER - Cleo Phillips

---

(Scene switches to the back as we see the door with the “Trainer's Room” title on it and a lot of cursing coming from an Irish voice from the other side. Tayna Reihl stands there with a microphone in hand like she’s waiting for someone.)

Tayna Reihl: Well as you guys can see, I’m outside of our trainer’s room here and inside is Malachi, Bella Madison and a few others and needless to say what we witnessed at the end of the match between Malachi and Nick Madison was nothing short of sickening. I was informed that they are attempting to get Malachi to go to the local hospital here in Chicago to be further evaluated...

(Behind the closed door we hear metal crashing.)

Tayna Reihl: Course you can hear about how well that is going over. I am told that General Manager Laura Phoenix is inside there with them, along with Nick Madison, I was hoping to get a word from her...

(As if on cue, the door opens, we hear Bella trying to calm her husband down, but Laura Phoenix steps out and gives a weak smile as she greets Tayna.)

Tayna Reihl: Laura, I know you got your hands full right now but I was wondering if there was any update on either man after what we just witnessed?

Laura Phoenix: Well, first of all as you can hear, there is a lot going on but Malachi has - reluctantly agreed to go to the hospital to have his arm completely looked at. What I can tell you is that it doesn’t look well at all. As for Nick, well he’s gonna go get checked out as well. The best I can tell you is we will post up the updates as soon as we have them but right now, Malachi will probably be out for a bit.

Tayna Reihl: That is unfortunate.

(Laura glares.)

Laura Phoenix: What’s unfortunate is that I have let this go on for as long as it has.

(She turns and looks dead into the camera.)

Laura Phoenix: I am so sick and God damn tired of it.....and best believe that if we have to go other places to make sure that this bullshit with Reverend Synister ENDS, I will personally make sure that it will. Syn, Angel and whomever else out there that is a part of this attack on my family....I have one word of advice...RUN.

(She nods to Tayna before entering back into the room and slams the door shut.)

Tayna Reihl: Back to you JR and Alf.

---

(From the darkness of what seems like the boiler room we hear the door wrench open and we see the visage of Angel float into the screen as she makes her way to a chair where a haggard man sits breathing heavily looking into the darkness.)

Reverend Synister: Is our...friend...ready?

Angel: Oh yes...he was so easy to coerce!

Reverend Synister: Everyone can be coerced with the right…

(He holds up a blue baby blanket and sniffs it.)

Reverend Synister: Persuasion!

(Syn starts cackling like a maniac as he throws the blanket at the seething mass of humanity in the corner that roars to life. We switch to the bedlam and carnage still taking place outside of Mack McKane and Jack Russow’s locker room as the door flies open and Jack comes bouncing out, almost knocking Daniel Clark over.)

Jack Russow: ...no...no no no NO, FUCK, C’MON MAN!!! NOT YOU!!!

Daniel Clark: I’m standing here...in front of the prodigal son...and I feel the fear radiating off of hi-

(Jack jumps forward as Daniel jumps out of his skin! Jack simply takes the microphone from himl)

Jack Russow: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m REAL scared of what Pudge’ems the Clown has to bring to OUR doorstep TONIGHT. Bitch...we’re the CHAMPIONS. We don’t hold our belts anymore but everyone knows when we walk down the street to put some Goddamn respect on our names! And you wanna get in MY face and tell ME that I’M scared!?

(Suddenly a hand is on his shoulder as Jack seethes before handing the microphone to Mack McKane.)

Mack McKane: See he crossed the unforgivable line once more...he brought kids into this. That’s a one way ticket to playing Abraham’s favorite game...burny, burny, cut, cut, innit? See tonight...I finish what I started. Tonight I’m gonna give you a permanent Chelsea Grin...ear…*makes slicing motion with Cutrina across his throat* to ear. Shall we, amigo?

Jack Russow: I can think of no better time...than the present.

(Mack smacks the microphone back into Daniel’s chest as he and Jack follow the path of destruction down the hall. Just as Laura once again steps out from the trainers room and stands right in front of them.)

Laura Phoenix: Hold it right there boys.

Jack Russow: Miss Laura, get out of the way.

Laura Phoenix: Not happening, young man.

Mack McKane: Come again?

(Laura glares at them both.)

Laura Phoenix: I have spoken with Ambika and after what happened to Malachi tonight, before this battle between you guys happen, this arena WILL be emptied out and we have decided to air it strictly on our network. I am not having any more innocent lives put in the path of this fucking war.


Mack McKane: Are you fuckin’ kidding me?

Laura Phoenix: NO! I’M NOT FUCKING KIDDING YOU! My son-in-law is about to go to the hospital, my daughter has been constantly run through the fucking ringer and is now wanting blood after what just happened. I need to get them out and get those people in the crowd out of here. Sorry, but I have no other choice.

(Laura turns and enters back into the room as Jack and Mack look at each other for a moment, turn around and head back in the other direction.)

---

Main Event
World Title Match
Sierra Williams ( c ) vs. Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez

JR Freeman: It’s finally time, folks; the moment you’ve all been waiting for! The Main Event of Dishonored, for the PWS: Apex World Championship, is finally here!

Alfonso Banks: Sierra Williams has been absolutely unstoppable since becoming PWS: Apex World Champion, with an almost totally untarnished record. Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez is really gonna need to step up her game if she wants to go home with the title tonight!

JR Freeman: She is indeed, Alf, but with a name like “Lopez”, and all the pedigree that implies, I think if ANYONE is capable of dethroning Sierra, it’s her.

(We now cut to the ring, where Meg Reynolds is standing by.)

Meg Reynolds: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL and it is your MAIN EVENT of the evening, for the PWS: Apex Woooooorld CHAMPIONSHIP!

(“Outlaws and Outsiders” by Cory Marks starts playing on the PA systems, as Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez makes her way out from the back.)

Meg Reynolds: Introducing first; from Sydney, Australia; weighing in at 115 lbs.; JENNIFER CARPENTER-LOOOOOOOPEZ!

(Jenn stands on the stage for a few seconds with a smile on her face, looking over the crowd. She starts walking down the ramp with confidence, giving high fives to a few fans that are sitting in the front row, as well as some further back who are stretching their arms out to reach her. Once she's reached the end of the ramp, she takes a moment to confidently climb the ring steps, then poses and makes a muscle on the apron as a brief flash of pyro explodes from the ring posts. Jenn then steps through the middle rope and poses in the middle of the mat, the crowd showering her with cheers as she does. She then turns to face the ramp and bounces back and forth from foot to foot as she awaits the champion.)

(As if on cue, "Go to sleep" by Eminem blares out over the PA system as strobe lights hit the entrance ramp in time with the music.)

Meg Reynolds: And her opponent; from Calgary, Alberta Canada; weighing in at 135 lbs.; she is the reigning, defending PWS: Apex WOOOOORLD CHAMPION, SIERRA WIIIIIIIIIILLIAAAAAAAAAAAAMS!

(Sierra steps out with a black bandana over her face and her World Championship belt around her waist. As ever, Sierra unhooks the belt and raises it above her head, holding it high as pyro explodes behind her in time to the beat of the music. She then slings the title over her shoulder and makes her way down to the ring, pulling down her bandana to trash-talk with Jenn and fans along the way, refusing to tag any hands and pausing at the bottom to point out a “Kill, Sierra, Kill” sign in the audience. She then slides in under the bottom rope and stands back up explosively, raising the belt high and pounding her chest with her other hand. She gets nose-to-nose with Jenn and holds up the belt between them, the pair jaw-jacking and trying to psyche each other out as Sierra’s theme subsides and the lights return to normal.)

JR Freeman: There’s murder in the champion’s eyes tonight, Alf, and that does NOT bode well for Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez.

Alfonso Banks: What happened to “if anyone could do it, it’s her”, JR? Losing faith in your Golden Girl?

JR Freeman: I never said that at all, Alf; I still believe Jenn can pull it off tonight, but she’d better be prepared for a hell of a fight, that’s all I’m saying.

Alfonso Banks: I guess time will tell, JR. But Sierra doesn’t go down easily, and this is the woman who put down MACK MCKANE, lest we forget how she got here.

(As the announcers bicker, the referee gets the title away from Sierra and separates the two women, patting them down for weapons and finally calling for the bell. The two competitors start things off slowly, circling each other, each woman firing off a few quick kicks to the legs of their opponent, feeling each other out. They then get closer and lock up in the centre of the ring, which Sierra leverages into a rear Hammerlock. She wrenches on the hold and spins, attempting to pull it into an Armdrag, but Jenn manages to roll through and land back on her feet, jumping up onto the top rope and flipping backwards, taking Sierra to the mat with Springboard Headscissors! Sierra rolls through as well, though, getting right back up and turning to face her challenger again as the audience applauds the display of athleticism they’ve just witnessed.)

JR Freeman: Some excellent back-and-forth chain wrestling on the part of the champion and challenger here, really showcasing the physical prowess of both women.

Alfonso Banks: I think I wouldn’t mind seeing a more ‘hands-on’ demonstration of that prowess sometime, JR.

JR Freeman: That’s disgusting, Alf! Have some respect! These are professional athletes, plying their craft, not eye-candy for you to drool over! Besides, do you have any idea what both Lach AND Sierra would do to you if either of them heard you talking like that?

Alfonso Banks: What? Oh, hahaha, nooo, no, that’s, uh...that’s not what I meant at all! You totally misunderstood me! I just...um...I greatly admire their...wrestling. Skills. Yeah, yeah, that’s all. Admire their wrestling skills!

JR Freeman: Riiiiight. It seems like you get worse and worse with every day that passes, Alf, you know that?

Alfonso Banks: Oh, shut up, it was just a crass joke, alright?! Let’s just leave it all in the past.

(As Alf backpedals [badly], the women in the ring have squared off again, locking up in the centre of the mat once more. This time it’s Jenn who takes the advantage, using that Lopez family technical skill to take Sierra down with a Snapmare, holding on and wrenching on a headlock, aiming to slowly wear the champion down rather than potentially burn herself out with too much high-octane offense all at once. Sierra struggles in the hold, twisting and reaching for the ropes, but when that fails - by way of Jenn grapevining her legs around Sierra’s midsection to keep her held in place - she instead starts firing back elbows toward Jenn’s neck and face, forcing her to break the hold to defend herself. The two women start to return to their feet now, but it’s Jenn who’s up first, halting Sierra’s momentum with a Basement Dropkick that sends her to one knee. She follows this up with a STIFF side-kick to the jaw, sending the Champ to the mat, then nails her across the throat with a standing Elbow Drop, holding onto it for a quick cover.)

1!

TW-NO! SIERRA POWERS OUT!

JR Freeman: Near-fall there for Jenn Carpenter-Lopez; close, but no cigar! The more I see it, the more I am amazed by the absolute TENACITY of Sierra Williams!

Alfonso Banks: Sierra’s NOTHING if not tenacious, JR, and you know as well as I; close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades, and this may be explosive, but it ultimately isn’t either one.

(Explosive is definitely the word, though, as Jenn seems keen to keep up the pressure, but Sierra goes on the offensive immediately, firing rights and lefts into the ex-Lopez’s gut with reckless abandon as Jenn tries to lift her up. This eventually doubles Jenn over and Sierra caps off the combination with a Roaring Forearm, sending the challenger reeling, but she clenches her fists and manages to stay standing upright. Sierra looks both shocked and personally offended by this, so she runs into the ropes and comes back with a RUNNING Forearm, which sends BOTH women sprawling to the mat! Sierra kips up, however, and pounds her chest again before letting out a primal scream to a solidly mixed reaction from the fans. Sierra takes a few steps back, now, watching her opponent and leaning forward, hands on her thighs as she waits for Jenn to start getting up. As soon as she’s managed to use the ropes to get herself up to one knee, Sierra takes off running and jumps up for a Shining Wizard, but Jenn actually has the wherewithal to duck it, catching Sierra around the waist and then bending backwards for a Northern Lights Suplex! She stands back up and grabs Sierra by the arm, dragging her to the middle of the ring and flipping her over onto her chest, locking in the Fujiwara Armbar she learned from Eddie Lopez! Sierra struggles and writhes again, clawing her way desperately towards the ropes, but Jenn releases pressure on the hold just long enough to fire two back elbows into Sierra’s head before locking it in even tighter.)

JR Freeman: Sierra Williams is in a bad way here, on the mat with a submissionist like ANY of the Lopez family is NOT somewhere you want to be!

Alfonso Banks: Maybe not, but Sierra’s no stranger to technical wrestling herself, and I don’t think that’s about to change now.

(Sierra seems to have similar thoughts, continuing to struggle against the hold. The referee drops to her knees and asks if she wants to tap out, but the champion LITERALLY spits directly in the official’s face as a reply. This only seems to harden Sierra Williams’ resolve, as she uses her weight advantage to get her legs underneath her, forcing herself up into a standing position. Jenn refuses to relinquish the armbar even as this is happening, shifting position from a Fujiwara armbar into a more traditional version of the hold, but Sierra throws a few stiff kicks backwards into Jenn’s knees. This drops her back down to a kneeling position and causes the pressure on Sierra’s arm to weaken, which allows the champion to catch her with a hip toss, followed immediately by a Single-Leg Dropkick to the back of the head! Sierra cradles her arm at this point, the pain of the submission hold clearly written on her face as Jenn writhes around on the mat, clutching the back of her head. Sierra then begins climbing to the top rope - an act that’s hindered a bit by her injured right arm. She stumbles once, then growls and grits her teeth, pulling herself up with the other arm until she’s precariously balanced on the top rope, then slowly stands up and looks over her shoulder to judge the distance. She then leaps backwards, flipping in the air to nail the Air Canada Moonsault! It connects perfectly and Sierra fights through the pain, reaching over with the worked arm to hook Jenn’s far leg…)

1!

2!

THR-NO! CARPENTER GETS A SHOULDER UP!

Alfonso Banks: Air Canada! I thought for SURE that was it! Come ON, Sierra, you can do this!

JR Freeman: Technical prowess isn’t the only thing Jennifer Carpenter inherited from the Lopezes, Alf; she’s damned tough, and won’t give up without a fight!

Alfonso Banks: Oh come on, JR! Surely she COULD give up, if she really wanted to! Maybe she oughta CONSIDER it, too, if only to avoid the further wrath of Sierra Williams.

(That doesn’t seem to be likely, as Sierra slaps the mat in frustration and argues with the referee that her count was too slow. Meanwhile, Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez seems to have got her second wind at this point, and she gets back to her feet in a hurry and hits the ropes. As Sierra gets up as well, she whirls around to face her challenger as Jenn comes rebounding off the top rope and floors the champion with a Springboard Crossbody! Sierra manages to roll through the move, however, holding Jenn up in an impressive display of strength, but as she attempts to swing through into a Pendulum Backbreaker, her arm gives way and Jenn is able to roll out of the ring to safety. Sierra growls and curses her arm as she clutches at the elbow, clenching and unclenching her fist repeatedly, trying to power through the pain. She looks outside at Jennifer Carpenter who remains on the outside to recuperate, as the referee begins to count.)

ONE!

(Sierra eyes up her challenger, runs the length of the ring to hit the ropes on the opposite end, then runs back in the other direction and dives through to take Jennifer down into the audience barricade with a Suicide Dive!)

JR Freeman: OH DIOS MIO! Sierra is pulling out ALL the stops to keep her title in her own possession tonight!

Alfonso Banks: You say that in every single damn title match, JR. What kind of champion LEAVES THE STOPS IN, I ask you? Seriously, I ask you! Think before you speak next time, for GOD’S sake!

JR Freeman: You know what, Alf? Next time I’ll let YOU call the match all on your own. How’s that sound?

Alfonso Banks: Like Heaven on Earth, JR. Like Heaven. On. Earth.

(JR sighs frustratedly as the two women lie in a heap on the outside of the ring, breathing heavily as the referee’s count begins again.)

ONE…


TWO…


THREE…


FOUR…

(The pair now begin to stir, Sierra getting to her feet first and quickly sliding into the ring to reset the count, then getting immediately back out to take the fight to Jenn Carpenter. She fires a few martial arts kicks into her opponent’s midsection before lifting her to her feet and whipping her violently into the ring steps, which end up detaching from the ringpost from the force. The referee begins to count again as Jenn collapses against the metal.)

ONE…


TWO…


THREE…

(As Jenn Carpenter lies propped up by the ring steps, Sierra goes for the Shining Wizard she missed earlier and connects this time!)

FOUR…


FIVE…

(Sierra lifts Jenn to her feet again, grabbing her by the hair and sliding her back into the ring, resetting the count again as she returns to the outside.)

ONE…

JR Freeman: Sierra’s planning something wicked here…

TWO…

(The champion grabs her challenger by her legs, pulling her crotch-first into the ringpost and then taking hold of her right leg and slamming it directly into the exposed metal. Jennifer cries out in pain as Sierra continues the assault, bending her leg sideways into a kneebar across the ringpost.)

ONE…

JR Freeman: Oh, this is disgusting! The referee ought to disqualify her right now!

TWO...

Alfonso Banks: It’s not illegal, JR, she’s just using the environment to her advantage! You say ‘disgusting’, I say ‘tactical wrestling brilliance’.

THREE…

FOUR…

(Sierra continues to wrench on the ringpost-assisted kneebar even as the referee counts her out and admonishes her for the action, screaming in primal fury again as Jenn struggles valiantly against the hold.)

FIVE…

(Jenn begins kicking wildly with her other leg, connecting a few glancing blows with Sierra’s chest and solar-plexus, but finally drives her foot straight backwards into the already-injured right arm of the champion and forces her to break the hold, reeling backwards in pain.)

SIX…

(Jenn slowly begins to extract herself from the corner, her balance shaky as she makes her way back to her feet, favouring the right leg Sierra had just finished working over quite severely.)

SEVEN…

JR Freeman: Jenn Carpenter better be careful here, if Sierra gets counted out then she’ll still go home with her World Championship!

EIGHT…

(Perhaps sensing her chance at the championship slipping away beneath her fingertips, Jenn Carpenter attempts to run forward towards the ropes, but finds she can’t put enough weight on her right leg to make that strategy viable. Instead, she slides underneath the bottom rope and locks up with Sierra Williams again, shooting a few knees into the champion’s midsection before sliding her opponent and herself back into the ring. The pair lie on the mat for just a moment, catching their breath, before they both return to a vertical base - with Jenn still unsteady on her injured leg - and begin to trade blows once again. Sierra fires a few kicks towards Jenn’s bad leg, and she responds in kind with a kick to Sierra’s arm, then the two run past each other in opposite directions towards the ropes. Jenn seems to be getting more confident on her leg as she rebounds (not springboards, still just running) off the ropes and returns for another Crossbody, but Sierra holds onto the ropes on her end to fake out the challenger and cause her to crash and burn. As Jenn lies on the ground, writhing around, Sierra Williams smirks and struts forward, grabbing hold of her injured leg again and twisting it around as she locks in the Sharpshooter!)

JR Freeman: SHARPSHOOTER! SHARPSHOOTER! THE CHAMPION HAS IT LOCKED IN!

Alfonso Banks: YES, SIERRA! Fold that pretty little Aussie girl in half life a fucking ENVELOPE, bwahahahahahahahaha!

JR Freeman: ...I just don’t even have any idea where to start with you sometimes, Alf. You LEGITIMATELY horrify me.

(As the two continue to bicker, Sierra Williams has the hold wrenched tighter and tighter on Jenn’s legs, with Carpenter-Lopez struggling valiantly against her captor and trying desperately to reach the ring ropes. After several long moments, Jenn is reaching out, her arm shaking as if she’s about to tap out. However, the crowd begins rallying behind the fan-favourite of the Lopez clan with chants of “LET’S GO JE-ENN, LET’S GO!”, which seems to inspire a second wind within the challenger. She cries out in rage and determination, pulling herself forward on her arms and desperately clutching with just her fingertips at the bottom rope, forcing the referee to start to count a break.)

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!

(At the last possible second, Sierra breaks the hold, grinning a vile grin down at the fallen Lopez beneath her. She retreats to one corner now, stamping her feet and taunting Jenn as she slowly recuperates, clearly preparing for the Nova Bomb when she gets up. That’s exactly what Sierra attempts once Jenn has reached a kneeling position, but the challenger uses some of that Lopez cunning to suddenly fall prone to duck the move, causing Sierra to crash and burn in the opposite corner. Jenn then returns to her feet, using the ropes to help her stand and heavily favouring the leg Sierra has been working over, then limps toward the fallen champion and slowly lifts her back to her feet. Jenn tries to put more weight on her injured leg and grimaces, but pushes through the pain long enough to hit a Roundhouse Kick to the side of the head, setting Sierra up for her finishing move. It seems like we may not see it right away, though, as the leg gives way from having all of Jenn’s weight on it and she falls to one knee. The crowd’s reaction intensifies, cheering the challenger on as she’s close enough to victory to TASTE it, and she grits her teeth, pushes through the pain with a shout of primal pain and fury, and stands up long enough to pull Sierra Williams in for the AUSSIE BLACKOUT!)

JR Freeman: AUSSIE BLACKOUT! THIS MAY BE IT!

Alfonso Banks: No, no! GET UP, SIERRA! GET UP!

(The champion doesn’t seem in a position to do that, though, but neither does the challenger, both collapsing to the mat and failing to capitalize on the pinning predicament. Jenn breathes heavily and clutches her leg while Sierra rolls over while cradling her right arm, and the referee begins to count a double down for both competitors.)

ONE...


TWO...


THREE…


FOUR…


FIVE…


SIX…

(Finally, Jenn seems to catch her breath, and she slowly - still favouring her leg and using mostly her arms to move - crawls herself into position to drape her body backwards across Sierra’s, hooking the far leg…)

1!

2!

THRE-NO! SIERRA SOMEHOW GETS A SHOULDER UP!

JR Freeman: Dios mio, I thought for CERTAIN this one was over!

Alfonso Banks: So did I, JR! I didn’t expect EITHER of them to be able to get up after that!

(That still seems to be true, though, with both women lying where they are for another long moment before Sierra begins to SLOWLY return to her feet, followed closely by Jenn. The two women trade blows on their way up, though the punches seem to have lost a lot of their power due to sheer fatigue and the toll of this match so far, and with Jenn’s weak leg it’s easy enough for Sierra to get the upper hand. She rears back and headbutts Jenn viciously in the forehead to avoid straining her arm any further, then pulls her in for the Calgary Cutter. Jenn tries in vain to fight back but Sierra, despite the pain, fires a few stiff elbows into her neck and upper back that cut that effort short, then spits and hits the rolling neckbreaker!)

JR Freeman: CALGARY CUTTER! CALGARY CUTTER! ONCE AGAIN, THIS HAS TO BE IT!

Alfonso Banks: YesyesyesyesYES! COME ON, SIERRA! PUT HER DOWN FOR GOOD!

(The champion does indeed go for a cover, only the shoulders but not hooking the leg…)

1!

2!

THREENO! AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND, JENNIFER KICKS OUT!

JR Freeman: MY GOD! The sheer willpower on display by Jennifer Carpenter-Lopez here is STAGGERING!

Alfonso Banks: Dammit, no! That was CLEARLY a three-count, JR, come on! You can even read it above, Josh wrote in the whole word and everything!

JR Freeman: What?

Alfonso Banks: What?

(Well, that was weird. I hope those two can’t see me. Anyway, Sierra looks stunned - not angry, just truly, unabashedly baffled - at the last-second kickout by Jenn, and has to ask the referee two or three times if that was - well, two or three. Once she’s been satisfied that it isn’t a mistake, the rage sets in again, and she starts to lift the ex-Lopez back to her feet. Jenn seems surprisingly ready for Sierra, though, and tries to fight back, but the champion overpowers her and drags her to the corner. Sierra gets a wicked glint in her eye while she slowly climbs the ropes, occasionally releasing Jenn’s hair to shake out her injured arm again, but once she’s reached the top she pulls Carpenter-Lopez up with her and gets her in position for another, avalanche Calgary Cutter. Before she can get it completed, though, Jenn starts fighting back again, firing desperate rights and lefts into the champ’s midsection, doubling her over and allowing her to capture Sierra’s arms, this time setting up for an avalanche version of her OWN finisher!)

JR Freeman: Oh my god..this may be it! If Jenn can hit the Aussie Blackout from the top…

Alfonso Banks: No, no, don’t let her, Sierra! You still have some fight in you, my ultraviolet princess!

JR Freeman: I’m sorry, WHAT did you just call her?

Alfonso Banks: Honestly, JR? I’m just so fucking tired right now, even I have no idea what I’m saying.

JR Freeman: Fair enough, it’s been a hell of a show so far.

(It has indeed, gentlemen, and it seems this finale will be no different, as the crowd are on their feet as Jenn lifts Sierra for the avalanche Aussie Blackout...but her right leg gives under the weight and she falls to the mat, clutching at her knee in agony. Sierra takes this moment to recover and watches as Jenn scrambles for the ropes to help herself get back vertical...and this proves to be a mistake, as Sierra suddenly runs across the top rope and leaps off, connecting with an amazing FLYING NOVA BOMB! Both women hit the mat and Sierra DRAGS herself over Carpenter-Lopez’ body…)

1!

2!

3! IT’S OVER!

JR Freeman: NOVA BOMB! TOP-ROPE NOVA BOMB FROM SIERRA WILLIAMS! OH DIOS MIO, THIS ONE IS OVER!

Alfonso Banks: HOLY SHIT! Hahaha, that was INCREDIBLY! I knew she could do it, that’s why she’s the best!

JR Freeman: After this performance tonight, Alf, it would be hard to argue against EITHER of these women truly deserving that moniker.

Alfonso Banks: Absolutely true, JR. Credit where it’s due, Jenn fought like a bat out of hell tonight, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough to dethrone the Queen of PWS: Apex.

(The crowd erupts with a mixed reaction, mostly boos, as Eminem’s “Go to Sleep” blares over the speakers again. Still, a few sporadic “KILL, SIERRA, KILL!” chants can be heard in the mix, along with applause from those who are just damned impressed by both women’s endurance. She makes her way to the referee and snatches the belt out of her hands, letting her raise her arm for just a moment before she snatches that away as well and climbs up to the top rope, tapping the faceplate and then pounding her chest again.)

Sierra Williams: THIS is why I’m the best! This is why I RUN this place!

Meg Reynolds: Here is your winner and STILL PWS: Apex WOOOOOORLD CHAMPION, SIERRRRRRRRA WIIIIIIIILLIAAAAAAAAAMS!

(Sierra drops down from the top rope and leaves the ring, belt still held aloft in her good arm as she cradles the other one close to her chest, nodding with satisfaction as she makes her way to the back, still jaw-jacking about how she’s the best in this business, as Lach runs out to celebrate alongside her, the two sharing a kiss as we fade.)

WINNER AND STILL PWS: APEX WORLD CHAMPION - Sierra Williams

(c) PWS: Apex 2021