Voltage

(EAW intro plays.)

(A recap is shown for Bloodsport, Voltage’s first marquee event of the season. With the Championship matches, high stakes and personal bouts and unique stipulations all put on display, the recap highlights the winners to come out of Bloodsport before fading out. Following this, the camera opens to the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, where tonight Voltage will take place. Pyro shoots from the stage as the opening music plays, and the fans in attendance are shown cheering as the camera pans around the crowd, before finally transitioning over towards the commentary table.)

Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome BACK to Sunday Night Voltage! I am Rich Russillo, joined by Thadd Blazevich and Persephone Tsitsipas, back after a thrilling Bloodsport to open up Voltage’s Season 20!

Thadd Blazevich: We’re on the road to Territorial Invasion now bros, and I’m beyond excited for this time of the year! I think this is gonna be awesome, just like tonight’s show will be, complete with a Championship being defended in our main event match!

Persephone: Good. I’m glad Kai wasn’t given a break after losing half his pinky. The last thing I need after Bloodsport is for this entire show to be filled with “real” wrestling.

(The camera fades towards the stage as the crowd remains loud for the beginning of tonight’s show. After a few moments, “Life is Short, O Brave Girl” by Hanabie begins to play throughout the arena, immediately drawing a loud chorus of boos.)

(Miku Sakai steps through the curtain with a microphone already in her hand, looking significantly happier than someone who was thrown into a vat of broken glass not long ago has any right to be. Miku stops at the top of the ramp and looks around with a smug grin before turning toward the curtain.)

(Kiko Sakai walks out beside her.)

(The reaction grows louder at the sight of Kiko, whose return at Bloodsport changed the outcome of Miku’s Taipei Deathmatch against Bronson Daniels. Kiko does not carry herself the way the EAW audience may remember. The naturally reserved demeanor remains, but there is no nervousness behind it. She walks beside her sister calmly, looking straight toward the ring as Miku begins leading the way down the ramp.)

Rich Russillo: At Bloodsport, Miku Sakai earned the Ultimate Opportunity after surviving an absolutely horrific Taipei Deathmatch against Bronson Daniels, but we all know there is more to that story. Bronson seemingly had Miku beaten before Kiko Sakai suddenly returned and struck Bronson in the back of the head with a tire iron!

Persephone: Personally, I think this is beautiful. Some sisters reconnect over dinner. Some go shopping. These two apparently reconnect by committing aggravated assault.

Thadd Blazevich: Whatever anyone thinks of how that match ended, dude, the result stands. Miku won, she has a championship match waiting for her at Territorial Invasion, and Kiko is the reason that opportunity belongs to her sister.

(Miku and Kiko reach ringside. Miku climbs onto the apron and enters through the ropes before immediately turning back and impatiently motioning for Kiko to hurry up. Kiko follows her inside as their entrance music begins to fade.)

(Miku looks toward Kiko.)

Miku Sakai: Look at this.

(Miku gestures toward her sister like she is displaying a newly purchased appliance.)

Miku Sakai: She’s here. She’s standing upright. She isn’t staring at the floor.

(Miku leans slightly closer to Kiko.)

Miku Sakai: And unless I’m hallucinating from all the fucking blood loss at Bloodsport, you actually did something useful.

(The crowd boos as Miku laughs.)

Miku Sakai: For years, I have been surrounded by people who have this really irritating habit of disappearing when I could actually fucking use them.

Miku Sakai: Friends disappear. Partners disappear. People swear they’re going to have your back, and then the second everything becomes difficult, suddenly they’re discovering themselves in fucking Peru or whatever.

(Miku points at Kiko.)

Miku Sakai: And then there was my sister. You didn’t disappear.

Kiko Sakai: No.

Miku Sakai: Somehow that was worse.

(Kiko raises an eyebrow.)

Miku Sakai: You were THERE.

Miku Sakai: Just standing around being all quiet and nervous and—

(Miku imitates Kiko in an exaggeratedly timid voice.)

Miku Sakai: “Miku, are you sure that’s a good idea?”

(Miku drops the impression.)

Miku Sakai: YES! It’s always a good idea!

Kiko Sakai: That isn’t true.

Miku Sakai: Shut up. I’m being sincere.

Kiko Sakai: You’re doing a very good job.

(Miku pauses and looks at her.)

Miku Sakai: Was that sarcasm?

(Kiko allows herself the faintest smile.)

Kiko Sakai: Maybe.

(Miku slowly smiles back.)

Miku Sakai: Holy shit. She really has changed.

(The crowd reacts as Miku paces away from her sister.)

Miku Sakai: Because that’s the point. Bloodsport happens, I’m busy getting fucking murdered by Bronson Daniels, I’ve got glue in places glue should never fucking be, I’ve got glass shoved between my ribs, the cunt is fighting with his last breath—

Miku Sakai: And then I wake up.

(Miku pauses.)

Miku Sakai: My music is playing. The referee is telling me I won. Bronson is on the floor wondering which one of the three people standing over him is the real doctor.

(Miku points toward Kiko.)

Miku Sakai: And there she is. My sister. Finally done being fucking useless.

(The crowd boos, but Kiko does not react negatively. She simply looks toward Miku.)

Kiko Sakai: If that’s what you want to call it.

Miku Sakai: That’s exactly what I’m calling it.

(Kiko nods.)

Kiko Sakai: Fine.

(Miku gestures toward Kiko’s microphone.)

Miku Sakai: Go ahead. Explain yourself.

(Miku steps back, and Kiko looks around the arena before raising her microphone. Her voice is noticeably calmer than Miku’s, but there is a firmness behind it that was rarely present in the past.)

Kiko Sakai: Miku and I talked after Bloodsport. Not because everything between us suddenly became perfect.

(Miku mouths “obviously.”)

Kiko Sakai: It isn’t. But she was right about something.

(Kiko looks toward her sister.)

Kiko Sakai: There have been times when you needed me and I didn’t know how to help you. Sometimes I was afraid that getting involved would only make things worse. Sometimes I convinced myself that being there was enough, even when I wasn’t actually doing anything for you.

(Kiko pauses.)

Kiko Sakai: And sometimes I simply wasn’t brave enough to make the decision that I should have made.

(Miku listens without interrupting for once.)

Kiko Sakai: I can’t change any of that. I can change what happens from here.

(The crowd reacts as Kiko continues.)

Kiko Sakai: I’m not here because I suddenly decided I want everyone looking at me. I’m not interested in coming back and proving how tough I am. I’m a manager, that’s all. I don’t need people talking about me. I don’t need anyone to think I’ve become someone important.

(Kiko turns toward Miku.)

Kiko Sakai: I’m here for my sister.

(Miku’s expression becomes more satisfied.)

Kiko Sakai: That’s it. Miku has spent enough time trying to get back to where she wants to be. If there’s something I can do to help her get there, I’m going to do it. If that means standing beside her, I’ll stand beside her. If it means helping her prepare for somebody, I’ll help her.

(Kiko’s tone does not change.)

Kiko Sakai: And if it means doing what I did to Bronson Daniels at Bloodsport, then I’ll do that too.

(The crowd boos loudly.)

Rich Russillo: Listen to how matter-of-factly Kiko says that. There is no celebration in it. She has simply decided that whatever line exists between Miku and what she wants, Kiko is willing to cross it.

Thadd Blazevich: That’s the biggest difference, bro. Kiko always had that hesitation before. Now she sounds like she’s already accepted what she’s willing to do. Not really sure how I feel about that.

Miku Sakai: That’s what I’ve been fucking telling people!

(Miku steps back toward Kiko.)

Miku Sakai: I don’t need somebody standing beside me asking whether we’re going too far. Too far is bullshit people say when they’re losing.

Persephone: Inspirational.

Kiko Sakai: You don’t need me to agree with everything you do.

(Miku looks offended.)

Miku Sakai: Excuse me?

Kiko Sakai: You don’t. You just need me to be there when it matters.

(Miku considers this.)

Kiko Sakai: And I will be.

(Kiko looks directly at her sister.)

Kiko Sakai: I couldn’t give you that before. I can now.

(Kiko lowers the microphone slightly.)

Miku Sakai: You know what?

(Miku nods.)

Miku Sakai: I’ll take it.

(Miku pats Kiko on the shoulder.)

Miku Sakai: Look at us. Healthy family communication. Fucking disgusting.

(Kiko shakes her head as Miku turns toward the hard camera.)

Miku Sakai: But enough of that emotional shit because I have something much more important to talk about.

(Miku’s smile grows.)

Miku Sakai: Me.

Persephone: There she is.

Miku Sakai: At Bloodsport, Eden Sinclair came out and told Bronson and me that whoever won that match would get a championship match at Territorial Invasion.

Miku Sakai: She didn’t tell us WHICH championship.

(Miku shrugs.)

Miku Sakai: Fine.

Miku Sakai: Mystery.

Miku Sakai: Suspense.

Miku Sakai: Whatever stupid little corporate word everybody wants to use for “we haven’t fucking told Miku yet.”

(Miku begins pacing.)

Miku Sakai: What I DO know is that I won. So somewhere in this company there is a champion who is eventually supposed to stand across the ring from me.

Miku Sakai: That’s nice. Really. There’s just one little problem.
(Miku stops.)

Miku Sakai: Territorial Invasion isn’t tonight.

(The crowd reacts.)

Miku Sakai: Why?

(Miku looks around as though genuinely expecting an answer.)

Miku Sakai: Why the fuck am I waiting? Did the championship need time to prepare emotionally? Eden told me I earned a title match. I earned it. Past tense. Finished. Done.

(Miku points emphatically at the canvas.)

Miku Sakai: I’m here. Kiko is here. There are champions somewhere backstage. Seems like a pretty fucking easy equation to solve!

Miku Sakai: I spent YEARS waiting to become champion again. Years hearing “maybe next time.” Years watching other people get their moment while everybody kept wondering what the fuck happened to Miku Sakai.

Miku Sakai: So no. I don’t feel like being patient anymore.

(Miku storms toward the ropes.)

Miku Sakai: I DON’T WANT TO WAIT FOR TERRITORIAL INVASION! I WANT MY TITLE SHOT NOW!!

(The crowd erupts as Miku leans over the top rope.)

Miku Sakai: I don’t even care which one it is! Send somebody out! Hardcore Champion! World Champion! Fuck it, dig the PURE Championship out of storage and give it to somebody for thirty seconds!

(Miku throws her arms out.)

Miku Sakai: I EARNED A TITLE MATCH! GIVE ME A FUCKING TITLE MATCH!

(Kiko stands behind her, entirely composed as Miku continues shouting toward the entrance.)

???: Let’s all calm down…

(After a few moments, Eden Sinclair walks through the curtain with a microphone in her hand. Miku immediately points toward her.)

Miku Sakai: There you fucking are!

Eden Sinclair: Miku—

Miku Sakai: Yes?

Eden Sinclair: No.

(Miku freezes.)

Miku Sakai: …No?

Eden Sinclair: You are not receiving your championship match tonight.

(Miku stares at Eden for a moment.)

Miku Sakai: Do you people practice saying things that piss me off?

Eden Sinclair: Your match was always scheduled for Territorial Invasion.

Miku Sakai: I KNOW THAT!

(Miku gestures wildly.)

Miku Sakai: That’s why I’m out here demanding you CHANGE IT!

Eden Sinclair: And I’m telling you that’s not happening.

Miku Sakai: Why!?

(Kiko gently places a hand against Miku’s upper arm before she can start pacing again.)

Miku Sakai: I AM FUCKING CALM!

(Kiko looks at her.)

Miku Sakai: I’m fucking calm.

Kiko Sakai: (Off-mic) I didn’t say anything.

Miku Sakai: Your face did.

(Eden waits.)

Eden Sinclair: Are you finished?

Miku Sakai: No, but continue telling me how big of a cuntfuck you are, Sinclair.

(Eden rolls her eyes.)

Eden Sinclair: You can’t have your championship match tonight because the championship you’re challenging for is being defended tonight.

(Miku’s expression changes.)

Eden Sinclair: Your opportunity… is for the Hardcore Championship.

(The crowd erupts.)

Rich Russillo: THERE IT IS! We finally know which championship Miku Sakai will be competing for!

(Miku looks toward Kiko, then back toward Eden.)

Miku Sakai: Hardcore?

(A smile slowly spreads across Miku’s face.)

Miku Sakai: Okay. That’s actually pretty fucking appropriate.

Eden Sinclair: Later tonight, the Hardcore Championship will be defended as Kai Rebeaux takes on Carmen Sanchez and Cynthia Valice in a triple threat. Whoever leaves that match as champion will know exactly what their next defense is.

(Eden points toward Miku.)

Eden Sinclair: At Territorial Invasion, they defend the Hardcore Championship against you.

(The crowd reacts loudly.)

(Miku leans against the ropes, visibly working through her annoyance.)

Miku Sakai: So I still have to wait.

Eden Sinclair: Yes.

Miku Sakai: Fuck.

(Kiko leans toward Miku and speaks.)

Kiko Sakai: Now you at least know what you’re waiting for.

(Miku looks at her.)

Miku Sakai: Don’t start sounding like Eden.

Kiko Sakai: I’m not. I’m saying whoever wins tonight becomes the person standing between you and the championship.

(Kiko’s eyes shift toward the stage.)

Kiko Sakai: And now we know who to focus on.

(Miku’s irritation begins turning into a grin.)

Miku Sakai: See?

(Miku points toward Kiko.)

Miku Sakai: Useful.

(Kiko sighs. Miku turns toward Eden.)

Miku Sakai: I still think making me wait is bullshit.

Eden Sinclair: You’ve made that clear.

Miku Sakai: Good. But if the Hardcore Championship is being defended tonight, I’ll be watching.

(Miku smiles.)

Miku Sakai: Very closely. Whoever wins can have their little moment. Hold the belt up. Cry. Point at it while saying “This is for you, Mommy!” Post forty-seven pictures with some stupid caption about how nobody believed in them. I don’t care.

(Miku turns toward the hard camera.)

Miku Sakai: Because the second that match ends, I’m going to know exactly whose life I have to make fucking miserable at Territorial Invasion.

(Kiko steps beside her.)

Kiko Sakai: And I’ll be there.

(Miku glances toward her sister.)

Kiko Sakai: I meant what I said. This isn’t about me. Whoever becomes Hardcore Champion tonight is Miku’s problem. Which makes them my problem too.

Miku Sakai: God, that sounds so much better when you say it all calm and creepy like that.

(Kiko looks at her.)

Miku Sakai: Keep doing that.

(Kiko shakes her head as Miku turns back toward Eden.)

Miku Sakai: Fine. Territorial Invasion. Hardcore Championship. I’ll fucking wait.

(Miku raises one finger.)

Miku Sakai: But I never promised to be quiet.

(Miku grins before dropping her microphone.)

(“Life is Short, O Brave Girl” by Hanabie begins to play.)

Rich Russillo: The picture is finally clear! Later tonight the Hardcore Championship will be defended, and whoever leaves Voltage with that title will defend against Miku Sakai at Territorial Invasion!

Thadd Blazevich: And Miku isn’t walking toward that opportunity alone anymore, dude. Kiko has made it clear that helping her sister succeed is the only reason she came back.

Persephone: Wonderful. The champion gets Miku, Miku gets Kiko, and I get to watch all of this become somebody else’s medical emergency.

(Miku motions around her waist before turning toward Kiko. She says something off-mic that causes Kiko to shake her head, and Miku laughs before the sisters step through the ropes together.)

(Kiko follows beside Miku as they make their way up the ramp, still noticeably calmer than her sister.)

Rich Russillo: Miku wanted her championship opportunity immediately, but now she knows exactly what awaits her. Tonight, she finds out who the Hardcore Champion will be. At Territorial Invasion, she finally gets the title match she earned at Bloodsport.

(The camera remains focused on Miku and Kiko as they head toward the back before Voltage fades elsewhere.)

(Sunday Night Voltage returns as the camera focuses on the backstage area of the Toyota Center. There, Sofia Clarke is seen standing by in a designated interview area, microphone in hand and a smile on her face. The Backstage Correspondent takes a moment, allowing the crowd inside the arena to calm down, before she begins to speak.)

Sofia Clarke: Welcome back to Sunday Night Voltage, and what an electric opener to kick off the show! We are hot off the heels of Bloodsport heading full speed ahead to Territorial Invasion, and there are plenty of Elitists on the roster who are looking to get themselves involved in the festivities… including my guest tonight! Please welcome at this time, Avril Williams!

(The crowd inside of the arena cheers loudly as the camera goes over, revealing Avril Williams as she makes her way into the scene. She has her ring gear on, preparing for her match coming up next against Reylin Aloali’i, a big smile on her face as she greets Sofia with a nod of the head.)

Sofia Clarke: Thank you for joining us, Avril. And you seem to be in good spirits!

Avril Williams: Hard not to be! We’re back on the road, and we’re heading straight to Territorial Invasion! There’s a lot to look forward to in terms of that.

Sofia Clarke: Well, that much I can agree on. But if you don’t mind, I would like to ask you about what happened at Bloodsport last week. You lost your Marquee Event debut to Igon Mordren; is it wrong to guess that has affected you in some way?

(Avril thinks for a moment, as she rubs the back of her neck.)

Avril Williams: I mean… depending on how you look at it. Despite what he did to me and despite what a major buzzkill he was to start the season, Igon gave me a fight. It was a real tough challenge, and he ended up being a serious threat. It sucks that I wasn’t able to beat him and make him eat his words, but am I pressed about it? No, not really. Shit happens, and the only thing that you can do is get up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. Every dog has their day, and maybe I’m just waiting for mine.

Sofia Clarke: That’s a great mentality to have. :wow:

Avril Williams: Thank you. I’m not really in the business of making demands or being pushy about anything; I just got here, and I’m just getting started. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned, this is a whole other world compared to the one that I was in before EAW, and even though at first I thought it would be a smooth transition, it’s clear that I still have a few kinks to iron out before I can truly say that I’ve gotten there. So with that in mind, I don’t think a setback or two is going to stop me. I think that’s just a part of the game; guess I’m playing it.

Sofia Clarke: Tonight you have a chance to get back on track as you face Reylin Aloali’i, someone who you got acquainted with after your Bloodsport match when he attacked Igon and laid him out. Do you have any thoughts on that?

Avril Williams: I don’t think I have any problems with Reylin, truth be told. I think there was an expectancy that I would take what he did personally, but his problems are with the big guy, not me. Right now, I’m just itching to have a great match, and Reylin just so happens to be the one standing across the ring from me this week. I know he thinks that he can do whatever he wants around here and make demands, but he’s certainly not going to do that at my expense. I’m not going to allow him to step over me like he wants to do. I’m going to get my win, and I’m going to make sure to show everyone that there’s only one way to go and it’s up. There’s a whole lot I want to do on this brand, and I’m really looking forward to what’s next.

Sofia Clarke: Well, we wish you good luck. Thank you for your time, Avril!

Avril Williams: The pleasure is all mine, madam.

(Avril does a curtsy bow with a smile as she turns around and makes her way out of the scene. But before she can get very far… her eyes lock onto two people who were watching from a distance.)

Cynthia Valice: Hey there! 👋😁

(The crowd once again cheers as Cynthia Valice and Carmen Sánchez are seen approaching. Avril is pleasantly surprised, waving back at Cynthia.)

Avril Williams: Oh, hey! Didn’t expect to see you two! Wassup?

Carmen Sánchez: We just wanted to tell you what an amazing job you did at Bloodsport. Plus, I never got to properly thank you for the help in my match against Igon a couple of weeks back. Takes a lot of cajones to do what you did, especially against a man like that.

Avril Williams: Of course! It was the right thing to do. I never want anyone to feel like they can get pushed around and bullied like Igon tries to do to people. You gotta take a stand for yourself. Even though I didn’t win, at least I can hold my head high that I walked into this with zero fears and walked out of it with zero regrets. Do you guys ever feel that way?

Cynthia Valice: Of course! I think I can safely say we all have encountered that at one point or another. That’s why we gotta stick together. It’s hard to find some good-hearted people anymore, and while that sucks, it motivates me to go out there and kick some more ass with my best pal, Carmen. I’m still on a high off of Bloodsport!

Carmen Sánchez: And we’re only just getting started, amiga. But I’m excited to see what you do after this, Avril. Even though you didn’t win last week, standing up to putos like Igon and not letting him do whatever he wants is something that I’ll support any day.

Avril Williams: D’aw, thank you guys. You sure know how to make a girl feel welcome. Igon is *definitely* someone I would describe as being a no-good bully, and I never planned for a second to let people like that get to me, especially not when I’m still new to EAW. The reality is that there are so many people exactly like him roaming out there, waiting for the right opportunity to sink their claws into “unknowing victims” like us. But we can’t let them get that satisfaction; we all know they don’t deserve that.

(Carmen and Cynthia both nod their heads in agreement, as Avril spreads her arms out.)

Avril Williams: But hey, why yap about me? Let’s talk about you guys! You got no reason to be Debbie Downers after beating Cosmo and Diamond. I swear, the number of people who solely exist to bring down people’s days is unbelievable, and if you ask me… those two were way over their heads in the first place. You showed them who the better team was, and it wasn’t the one who talked the most, but the ones who had the most heart.

Cynthia Valice: Thank you! That means a lot coming from you. We really did show them, and I think things are really looking up for Carmen and me on Voltage to start the season; that’s something that I’m really happy about. But hey, it’s not over just yet, because one of us has the chance to become the new Hardcore Champion tonight.

Carmen Sánchez: Without exaggeration, anyone on the roster would be better than that pendejo Kai Rabeaux as Champion.

Avril Williams: :mjlol: You can say that again. I wish you guys both luck tonight; I just know that you’re going to kill it.

(Avril beams as she turns around, looking at a nearby television screen to see her match graphic flash across the screen.)

Avril Williams: Oop! Look at the time!

(Avril smiles as she gestures toward Gorilla Position.)

Avril Williams: I got a match comin’ up! Gotta blast! 😉

Cynthia Valice: Well, good luck to you too! I think you’re a really cool person, Avril, and I hope you get something to sink your teeth into going forward.

Avril Williams: You guys are amazing! You… just keep killing it. Alright, now I REALLY gotta go!

(Avril smiles as she turns around and runs to Gorilla Position. Cynthia and Carmen wave back with a reciprocating smile before they glance at one another.)

Carmen Sánchez: Not too bad.

Cynthia Valice: I’d totally take that over someone trying to kill us any day.

(Carmen chuckles as she turns around and walks the opposite way, Cynthia following behind her, with that being the very last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage begins to fade to elsewhere.)

(Commercial for the new DC series ‘LANTERNS’ with Damien Kutcher, who explains why a Wonder Woman series is needed instead.)

(The camera returns to ringside. Once there, a shot is shown of the commentary table, as next to it Igon Mordren is seen seated nearby. He has a smug look on his face, watching as Bella Braxton begins to speak.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following Singles Match is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!

(‘The Best Damn Thing’ by Avril Lavigne plays throughout the arena as the crowd cheers very loudly especially at the sight of Avril Williams making her way onto the stage itself. She gives a smile towards the crowd, choosing not to let her loss at Bloodsport get to her too much ahead of her next match.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first… From Seattle, Washington… Weighing in at 139 lbs… She is… “OFF THE WALL”… AVRILLLLLLLL WILLIAAAAAAAAAAAAMS!!!

Thadd Blazevich: Now, I am a big fan of this fairly new talent here in EAW, and her performance against the man who clearly wanted a front row seat for this match, Igon Mordren, was very impressive especially with a bro like that who can dismantle any opponent by sheer force! Avril’s got the juice though and tonight she has a tall task with her opponent!

(As Avril Williams makes her way inside the ring while she looks at Igon Mordren, her theme song slowly fades out, and ‘SAME SH!T’ by Isaiah Rashad replaces it with the crowd being a mix of cheers and boos at the sight of Reylin Aloali’i, still processing everything that happened at Bloodsport. Reylin looks focused, and he doesn’t even bother himself with Igon, instead just walking down the ramp as he maintains his confidence ahead of his match.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing her opponent… From Adaleide, Australia… Weighing in at 250 lbs… He is… “TOP GUN”… REYLIIIIIIIIIIIIIN ALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALI’I!!!!!!

Persephone: We saw this match make his debut after the match between Avril and Igon and ya’ know what? I hope he’s as good as he was at Bloodsport and we can see a quick match here tonight especially with the size difference between these two!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Rich Russillo: That’s the sound of the bell as the match is on the way and this is a very interesting match to say the least, especially if we take account of our guest who has the best seat in the arena. Igon Mordren of course is here at ringside watching this match for what we assume to be very obvious reasons.

Persephone: He’s here because he’s salty about getting humbled by the new flavor of the month elitist?

Thadd Blazevich: Listen bros… Tonight is about Reylin Aloali’i making his in ring debut after an impressive first time appearance in EAW at Bloodsport when he attacked our guest at ringside, Igon Mordren. On the opposite side of the ring, the fan favorite elitist and Reylin’s opponent here tonight, Avril Williams, who was Igon’s opponent at Bloodsport! I’m telling you bros the drama is heating up here on Voltage, but when has the drama ever cooled down on this brand, right?

Rich Russillo: When you’re right, you’re right Thadd, but right now inside the ring it looks like both our competitors are observing each other before they both reach the middle of the ring, and it looks like they’re attempting a grapple off here… Reylin however, showcasing his strength off the rip being able to push Avril back, sending her down to the mat as she looks up at him!

Persephone: Wow the size advantage is definitely going to make this a quick match between these two I hope!

Thadd Blazevich: Never underestimate a bro or broette, bros… That’s the best way to get humbled real quick in this biz as Avril gets back up as Reylin attempts to once again drop her to the mat with a running clothesline, but she’s using her speed advantage to duck underneath that big arm of Reylin! Avril taking advantage of her speed and momentum, bouncing off the ropes, and connecting with a beautiful dropkick on the Top Gun, Reylin Aloali’i!

Rich Russillo: She gets it all, but Reylin is only left stunned afterwards not being able to be put down on the mat! Going for another dropkick onto Reylin, but he stays simply dazed for a moment while still standing! Looks like Avril is going to try and find a more unique offense to try and bring down a man of Reylin’s size as she starts climbing to the top turnbuckle. She makes it to the top rope as the fans are looking intensely cheering her on while Avril Williams takes a dive looking to connect with a Diving Meteora!

Persephone: HAHAHA! What a stupid decision from Avril and what a bunch of stupid fans expecting that to take down Reylin! He was able to use her own move against her to drop her spine first with an impromptu Powerbomb right down to the ring mat! Hopefully the match is over now…

Thadd Blazevich: Nah broette, it looks like the match is still continuing on as Reylin looks outside eyeing at Igon! Bro does NAWT look impressed one bit at all with what he just saw, but Reylin clearly doesn’t care one bit as he gets back to manhandling poor Avril here tonight! He looks at his downed victim before he starts running towards the ropes and hits a gnarly Senton onto Avril and trust me bros you don’t want to feel the weight of a big Samoan falling on your abdomen especially after you took a plethora of brutal Powerbombs a few days ago!

Rich Russillo: By the same man watching both these competitors fight against one another in this match mind you, but it seems Reylin is just trying to put down Avril to show why he belongs at the top while people like Igon and Avril better get out of his way before they get humbled! Reylin begins to drag Avril Williams now close to the left turnbuckle as he sits her up while leaning her on the bottom turnbuckle area looking to perhaps continue this onslaught on a fan favorite here on Sunday Night Voltage.

Persephone: To think this match could’ve been already over if Reylin took the chance to just go for the cover but if he can continue to show this level of violence… I suppose I can handle a few more moves as he starts to take a few steps back hopefully to do something that cracks Avril’s stupid skull open.

Thadd Blazevich: Oh, I already know what the Samoan General is looking for here, locking in, starting to take speed, and connects with that beautiful Running Hip Atta- NO WAY BROS! Avril was able to slide under the ropes at the last second as Reylin backs his full hip into nothing but turnbuckle while Avril climbs back up to the top rope and uses the heights to connect with a beautiful Tornado DDT that finally plants Reylin down on the mat in the meantime! WOW! That was impressive wasn’t it bros?!?

Rich Russillo: Very impressive indeed but Avril is going to need more offense in order to be able to get a win here tonight as she starts to get up as she checks on her knee, quickly making sure she can go for whatever she’s looking to do near the ropes as she heads out onto the apron… She gets up on the ropes and quickly lands a beautiful Springboard Swanton Bomb onto the downed Reylin making sure to keep the pressure applied so that the Australian native doesn’t gain the advantage once again! Avril needs to find some way to keep the man down, as she starts working on the head a bit putting Reylin in a headlock!

Persephone: BORING! Who starts off hot running around just for a headlock?!?

Thadd Blazevich: Nah, nah, nah you spoke too soon broette as Avril is quickly throwing some nasty potatoes right to the head of Reylin Aloali’i… They only seem to be energizing the dude though as he starts to try and power through the headlock! He gets to his knees, and he’s not going down just yet! Reylin kneels as Avril is trying to put him back down on the ring mat as she— WOAH! BRO! Reylin just burst out of Avril’s grasp, before landing A NASTY HEADBUTT THAT NEARLY CAUSED AVRIL TO LOSE HER FOOTING! Reylin is outta that headlock!

Rich Russillo: With that opening in mind, Reylin goes for a european uppercut that causes Aveil to fall back into the ropes! Avril rebounds off of them, AND REYLIN LANDS THE POP-UP KNEE STRIKE! Avril falls forward, but Reylin catches her, keeping her up as Igon still seems unimpressed by what he’s seen so far! Reylin just Irish-Whips her across the ring before sending her up in the air and looking to connect with the Pop-Up Powerbomb he refers to as “God’s Will”…

Thadd Blazevich: NOT SO FAST AS AVRIL TURNS THAT FALL FROM THE SKIES INTO A HURRICANRANA OUT OF NOWHERE THAT CATCHES REYLIN BY SURPRISE! IGON LOOKS DISGUSTED BY THE FLASHY SEQUENCE WE JUST SAW, BUT THAT WAS ONE HELL OF A COUNTER BY AVRIL! The fans are erupting into cheers after Avril Williams was finally able to get on the offensive once again! Looking around as the fans cheer, Avril points to the turnbuckle looking to keep the pressure applied from the skies as she goes towards the turnbuckle! Reylin is able to roll out the ring to escape any possibility of more aerial maneuvers but Avril still goes up and everything that goes up…

Rich Russillo: MUST COME DOWN AS AVRIL CONNECTS WITH A MAGNIFICENT TRIANGLE MOONSAULT ONTO REYLIN WHO WAS STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING AS SHE LANDS CLOSE TOWARDS IGON, WHO JUST LOOKS IN DISAPPOINTMENT!

Persephone: Igon Mordren almost cried when he saw the current state of professional wrestling and so did I. I don’t know what I’ll do if we don’t get at least some blood showing on either of these two EXPEDITIOUSLY! Looks like Avril is taking a few seconds to extend the match some more, looking over towards Igon who I’m sure she still has some beef with after last week.

Avril Williams: (Off-Mic) Hope you’re enjoying the show, big guy, I know these fans are!

Thadd Blazevich: Just focusing on the match, Igon gives no reaction, and sometimes it’s best to just sit back and observe. Not everything needs a reaction as Avril slides back into the ring seeing Reylin getting back up on his feet as she’s looking to end things as soon as possible with a step up onto Reylin looking for her signature— NO WAY BROETTE, AS THE TOP GUN USES HER MOMENTUM ONCE AGAIN TO CONNECT WITH A POP-UP KNEE STRIKE THAT PUTS HER BACK FIRST ON THE MAT! Sheesh, I hope she doesn’t need to fix her nose after that gnarly move, because it looked devastating bros… Looks like Reylin is going for the cover after that surprise caught Avril just as Reylin wanted it to. The referee slides into position and starts the count!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee: THR-

Persephone: Why is this match still going!!! Why did Avril Williams have to kick out?!?

Rich Russillo: A kick out at the two count as this match continues on while Reylin Aloali’i doesn’t seem bothered by this kick as he slowly starts to pick himself up while Avril Williams is looking right at the ceiling before slowly checking on her nose a bit making sure it is still fully in tact… Seems everything is in order as she tries to pick herself up by crawling towards the ropes in an attempt to use them as support while getting back up on her feet.

Thadd Blazevich: Not so fast as Reylin was preying on Avril as she was picking herself back up! He uses the ropes to assist him with a strong Irish-Whip across the ring as Avril runs back towards Reylin, who picks her up AND SCOOPS HER ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! It looks like Reylin may be planning to go for a Samoan Driver right now!

Persephone: This may hopefully be the end of the match as it looks like the move will conne-

Rich Russillo: DON’T SPEAK TOO SOON! AVRIL ONCE AGAIN PROVING HOW CRAFTY SHE CAN BE TURNING THAT SAMOAN DRIVER INTO A CRUCIFIX PIN OUT OF NOWHERE AS THE REFEREE SLIDES INTO POSITION! CAN AVRIL GET THE WIN HERE TONIGHT WITH THIS BALANCE SHIFTING MOVE THAT PUTS THIS MATCH IN HER FAVOR?!?

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee; THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Thadd Blazevich: WHAT. A. KICK. OUT. BROS! Avril almost had the win right there catching Reylin by surprise, but the big man still has the strength and energy to keep going even if he got caught “lackin’” as the kids say! Igon on the other hand is left unimpressed with what he’s seen so far while Avril stands up. The crowd cheers her on as she slowly picks up Reylin, but Reylin throwing a punch right to her gut that causes her to wince in pain and step a few steps back….

Persephone: Oh come on, why are these two even fighting at this point!? Who cares about Igon, and we can’t even get some blood going?!? Just finish her already Reylin and stop wasting my time!

Rich Russillo: You’re doing a real disservice to this great match we’ve been having between these two fairly new elitists to EAW showing the world what they bring to the table! Regardless, it seems that punch to the gut was what Reylin needed as he gets up shaking off the pain a bit and pressing Avril closer to the turnbuckle where he picks her up and slams her onto the turnbuckle with a Uranage that sits her down on the turnbuckle! I think Reylin is going to look to pull off the move he couldn’t earlier in this match as he takes a few steps back!

Thadd Blazevich: Avril Williams is able to once again slide under the r- NOT THIS TIME IT SEEMS BROS! Reylin is able to pull Avril back inside already figuring out one of her tricks and slams the back of her head onto the turnbuckle pad leaving her in the same spot as before! Reylin starts to take a few steps back, before running towards Avril connecting with the Running Hip Attack! OUCH! That’s definitely going to rattle the brain a bit as it leaves poor Avril stunned on the floor it seems…

Persephone: I hope they check up on her, they see signs of CTE. A hip attack like that on someone half his size had to have done something to Avril, and personally I’d be glad if it did.

Rich Russillo: Regardless of that little rant… It looks like Reylin Aloali’i is more than ready to call this match his as he starts to motion and yells at Avril Williams to pick herself back up! Avril Williams clearly still suffering from the Hip Attack right to the head, slowly picks herself up, shaking her head, and just trying to figure out her surroundings. Reylin, clearly not having the patience, picks her up from behind, throws her across the ring with an Irish-Whip, and lifts her up once again!

Thadd Blazevich: THE POP-UP POWERBOMB CONNECTS AS REYLIN’S SIGNATURE “GOD’S WILL” PLANTS AVRIL WILLIAMS SPINE FIRST!!! REYLIN GOING FOR THE COVER HERE BROS AS THE REFEREE SLIDES INTO POSITION AND STARTS THE COUNT UP!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee; THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Rich Russillo: A KICKOUT BEFORE THE THREE COUNT AS AVRIL WILLIAMS SHOWS HOW RESILIENT SHE TRULY CAN BE INSIDE THAT RING! Igon shaking his head on the outside after seeing Reylin fail to put Avril away, and I have to imagine he’s paying extra close attention to how Reylin performs. Reylin slowly gets back up, and Avril Williams is just staring at the ceiling while her eyes open and close as she attempts to get back some energy to continue fighting on in this match. Reylin is trying to end things for good now as he lifts his arm, closes his fingers into a fist besides his thumb, and starts to use his other hand to motion for Avril to get herself back up!

Persephone: Thank GAWD this match is about to be over with as Avril is crawling her way to the ropes, Reylin slowly creeps from behind, she’s picking herself up, and turns around to be met with Reylin’s free hand as he grabs her by her throat and lifts her up…

Thadd Blazevich: Avril goes up, Reylin’s thumb goes up, and HE GOES FOR “SWITCH BLADE” LOOKING TO CONNECT WITH THE SAMOAN SPIKE BROS— BUT AVRIL’S ABLE TO KICK HERSELF OUT OF REYLIN’S GRASP AS SHE ROLLS OUT OF THE RING, AWAY FROM DANGER, AND NEAR IGON WHO JUST STARES AT WHAT HE JUST SAW IN DISGUST!

Rich Russillo: Reylin is not too happy about this match going longer than he wants it to go especially after Avril was able to escape from his finishing maneuver. Avril is still on the outside as she tries to get on the ring apron, Reylin trying to put her down runs towards her and attempts to connect with a clothesline, but Avril able to backflip to safety down from the apron onto the floor with Igon shaking his head in disapproval, but Reylin slides out of the ring after his clothesline failed and throws a right hook towards Avril’s direction—

Persephone: HAHAHAHA, AVRIL MOVES OUT OF THE WAY, AND SHE SHOVES REYLIN RIGHT INTO IGON, KNOCKING HIM OFF THE CHAIR!! I don’t think Reylin cares that much about Igon getting knocked over, but Igon is gonna be pissed! Avril quickly grabs Reylin while he’s finding his way back up, and she sends him back into the ring before following behind! Oh… This is just TOO good!

Thadd Blazevich: This doesn’t look too good for Reylin if I am being honest with you bros… Regardless, Avril has the advantage here now thanks to that “surprise” on the outside, but Reylin is back up while Avril is inside the ring and attempts to run towards him… Seems she flew too close to the sun! Reylin scoops her up once again to the air and— WOAH!!! “1,2 STEP” CONNECTS AS AVRIL WILLIAMS SUCCESSFULLY PULLS OFF THE STEP-UP SLINGSHOT KICK FROM WHAT SEEMED TO BE A SET UP FROM REYLIN TO CONNECT WITH ANOTHER POP-UP VARIANT MOVE! ENOUGH ABOUT THAT AS AVRIL GOES FOR THE COVER AND THE REFEREE STARTS THE COUNT!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Persephone: UGHHHHH. The match continues on as Reylin is able to kick out as we are still stuck watching this match! Didn’t Reylin just get here!? I thought he was gonna be weak, but he’s actually giving Avril a hard time.

Thadd Blazevich: I for one am not complaining one bit as this match has been great. Both Avril and Reylin have given it their all here tonight, but I can sense that maybe Avril Williams is able to get the victory here tonight against the big man as she’s looking at Reylin who’s getting up slowly, looking at the corner, and Avril starts to run towards it looking for something real gnarly here bros…

Rich Russillo: “MIDAIR THIEF” AS THE ROPE ASSISTED CUTTER LOOKS TO CONN— NO!! REYLIN ABLE TO KEEP HIS VERTICAL BASE, GRABBING ONTO AVRIL AS HE LIFTS HER ON HIS SHOULDER AND TURNS HER AROUND FOR A SAMOAN DRIVER— BUT WAIT…

Thadd Blazevich: REYLIN ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED THE REFEREE OUT TRYING TO REPOSITION AVRIL FOR THAT SAMOAN DRIVER THAT SUCCESSFULLY CONNECTS!!! The referee is down, Reylin is trying to pick up the referee, and Avril Williams is trying her best to stay alive after the continued pressure from all of Reylin’s moves here tonight!

Persephone: Maybe next time don’t be so close to the referee, but it seems with the down referee, things are about to get more interesting!

Thadd Blazevich: Reylin is annoyed seeing that things turned out like this, and he turns away from the ref—

Rich Russillo: RIGHT INTO A KNIFE EDGE CHOP FROM IGON MORDREN!!

Thadd Blazevich: IGON JUST LANDED A NASTY CHOP THAT CAUGHT REYLIN OFF GUARD, AND NOW IGON LANDS A SECOND ONE!! A THIRD!! IGON WITH KNIFE EDGE CHOP AFTER KNIFE EDGE CHOP AS HE BACKS REYLIN INTO THE CORNER, JUST USING THE CHANCE TO LAY IN EVEN MORE CHOPS! DUDE, THAT KNIFE EDGE CHOP IS ONE OF IGON’S MOST DANGEROUS MOVES, AND HE’S JUST SPAMMING ‘EM ON REYLIN!!

Rich Russillo: REYLIN STARTS TO STUMBLE OUT OF THE CORNER HOLDING HIS CHEST, AND IGON JUST EXITS THE RING AS HE SEES THE REFEREE STARTING TO STIR!!

Thadd Blazevich: Reylin is still holding his chest— UNTIL AVRIL WILLIAMS PULLS HIM DOWN WITH A ROLL UP, NOT EVEN REALIZING JUST WHAT WENT DOWN BETWEEN IGON AND REYLIN!!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner…. AAAAAAVVVRRIILLLL WWIIIILLLIIIIAAAMMSSSS!!!

(Avril Williams immediately rolls out of the ring as the crowd explodes with cheers. She drops to a knee, holding onto the apron as she doesn’t even realize what distracted Reylin. She turns however, noticing Igon Mordren standing at ringside rather than sitting like before.)

Rich Russillo: WOW! Avril steals it, but I don’t even think she knows what led to that! She pulled off the win, but it was after the brutal interference of the same man that defeated her at Bloodsport!

Thadd Blazevich: I think this just goes to show two things. Reylin is a serious threat, and bro has pissed off another one in Igon Mordren.

(Reylin has returned to his feet as Avril slowly backpedals up the ramp, and while initially his frustration was directed towards Avril, it doesn’t take long for him to turn his attention towards Igon Mordren, who remains at ringside.)

Persephone: Well, I can’t say I’m too surprised. It was only a matter until something like this happened after what Reylin pulled last week.

(The camera focuses back on Reylin, who seems very frustrated with how this match turned out, all thanks to Igon Mordren getting himself involved in it. Igon doesn’t seem to be done, though, as he grabs hold of a microphone with a serious expression on his face, making his way from the timekeeper’s area to the entrance ramp area, tapping on the microphone a couple of times to get everyone’s attention before saying to Reylin…)

Igon Mordren: Look at you! Are you mad tonight wasn’t your big night of grandiose victory? Let me tell you something, Reylin… You should have thought twice before you decided to choose, out of all people, to attack at Bloodsport. I mean, look at the amount of trash that was on display on that show that you could have targeted. So much filth and disgrace to this beautiful sport that you could have gotten yourself involved and made things more interesting, and instead you placed your target on the Warden himself. Avril Williams was dishing out nonsense after nonsense, and even after she got some disgraceful weapons from this low-intelligent crowd…

(The crowd booed Igon for that comment as he ignores the noise and continues speaking…)

Igon Mordren: Even after all that, I beat the snot out of her; I brutalized and victimized her in the middle of the ring so much… that the referee had to ring the bell and stop the match. That’s how powerful I was on that night, and any other person would have respected the message that I was getting across. This business relies on barbaric strategies when all you need is that mat, and that mat is sacred to me. So the fact that you attacked me after the message I wanted to deliver shows not only your foolishness in what you did, but your ignorance of continuing to endorse the utter filth this business wants to promote. I did not come to the company to be made into a mockery… I am the greatest wrestler alive, and I don’t need some moron to tell me otherwise. I don’t need anyone else’s opinions to justify the truth. You made a critical error attacking me at Bloodsport, and what just happened will serve as a reminder of what happens when you mess with the wrong individual. The safest thing you can do now is use this as a lesson, remember the mistake you made on your first night, move forward, and stay the hell out of my path of dominance.

(Reylin still looks mad and frustrated as he listens to Igon on the outside of the ring, and he wasn’t going to stand for it. He rolls out of the ring to grab a microphone as he goes back in and responds to him, clearly still pissed off over what transpired moments ago.)

Reylin Aloali’l: Man… you really are one annoying motherfucker.

(Igon was just about to leave until he heard Reylin speak; he turned around, not looking all too happy about what he said as the crowd agreed with Reylin, resounding into cheers. Then, he continued to speak.)

Reylin Aloali’l: Giving me a warning? Telling me that I should take this as a lesson for attacking you, saying what I did was just a mistake? I think we’re too late for admitting mistakes now, Igon, because the truth is what you see as a mistake, I see as an opportunity to make an impact, and considering you wanted to get yourself involved in my match just now… I’d say you got the message loud and clear from me. I walked into Bloodsport with the very intention of coming out of it as the biggest and baddest on the fucking block, and I did just that. I destroyed your broken body and whether you want to admit it or not… you were made into a mockery that night, and since you want to still be the biggest bitch on this roster… maybe I need to slam your ass right on this canvas again to make sure you learn your lesson…

(Igon listens intently as Reylin doesn’t seem to be done with what he has to say to the Warden. After a couple of moments of collecting his thoughts, Reylin continues to speak.)

Reylin Aloali’l: If you wanted me out of your way, you shouldn’t have gotten yourself involved, because now I’m going to finish what I started at Bloodsport. Fuck getting out of your way; I’m running directly towards you full speed. So how about this… next week we settle it out in this ring, one-on-one. I had no problem taking care of you at Bloodsport and making a statement, and I have no problem doing it again next week. You claim to be the greatest wrestler alive, so put your money where your mouth is and face me next week.

Rich Russillo: WOAH! Reylin just challenged Igon Mordren to a match here on Voltage next week!! He wants a piece of the Warden for what he did tonight, and I don’t blame him one bit! The crowd here seems to be in agreement as they want to see this match take place!

Thadd Blazevich: For sure, Rich! Look at Igon bro’s face!! He doesn’t seem that amused by the challenge Reylin just gave him right now.

Persephone: This pussy better accept it, or else all of this is just a big fucking waste of time.

(Igon hears the challenge from Reylin and answers back by saying…)

Igon Mordren: Are you really serious about this? Do you genuinely want to get in the ring with me next week? You are making one foolish decision to step in the same vicinity as me in the squared circle, because the fact remains you had to attack someone who had just gone through a match. Whatever statement you made, I’m sure makes up for it, but when there’s no barbaric actions being taken, when there’s no statement to be made… I will mop the floor with you inside that ring. You get to face the best wrestler this company has to offer… I don’t think you’re really serious about it-

(Immediately, Reylin interrupts Igon, not liking the way he’s questioning the validity of the challenge that was being brought forward.)

Reylin Aloali’l: Just shut up already! I am serious about this challenge… You and me… one-on-one in this ring next week. It’s either that or I get my hands on you without a bell to stop me. So what do you want? Do you want to face someone who is going to snatch your chain in the middle of this ring, or do you want me to snatch it without anyone stopping me?

(Igon hears this from Reylin, thinking on it for a couple of moments before answering and saying…)

Igon Mordren: Alright, I accept your challenge.

(The crowd is hyped up as the match is now officially confirmed for next week; however, Igon isn’t done there as he continues to speak.)

Igon Mordren: You worthless sheep, be quiet now because I’m not done talking. Like I told you, Reylin… I’m going to mop the floor with you when that bell rings; you are going to be in a world of trouble when facing the Warden, and that lesson will be taught in real time. I mopped the floor with Avril Williams and her disgusting tactics of what she considered “pro wrestling,” and I will do the same to you and your ambitions to get everything that I want.

Reylin Aloali’l: You ain’t going to mop any floor, Igon; the only thing you’ll get is the same beatdown I delivered to you at Bloodsport, only this time I’m going to have my arm raised in victory while you continue to be a sorry ass little bitch. I’m taking my seat at the top.

Igon Morden: There’s no spot up there, Reylin; you’re only to be living with regret and misery for messing with Warden, and by the time our match is officially over, when the final bell is rung… you’re going to wish you hadn’t made that challenge, as you lie down and hear the sounds of complete and utter defeat.

(Igon drops his microphone and begins to leave as his music begins to play up. Reylin drops his microphone as well, continuing to stare down Igon, who makes his way towards the stage.)

Rich Russillo: WOW! It looks like Igon has accepted this match against Reylin, and it could be an explosive match next week, seeing these two monsters going right at it. You knew the moment when Reylin made his debut here in Elite Answers Wrestling, along with the way that he did it, was going to lead to this encounter between himself and Igon.

Thadd Blazevich: Of course, bro! We’re going to see if it gets made official by Voltage management, but I do not doubt that this is going to be a match people are amped for, and so am I! It’s going to be wicked, dude.

Persephone: Shut up, you moron.

(Sunday Night Voltage fades out as we continue elsewhere.)

(Voltage continues as we cut to the office of Captain Charisma, where we see both him and Eden Sinclair talking in front of his desk. The Voltage Commissioner is wearing a dapper suit for the evening whilst Eden Sinclair is rocking a dark red dress, as they look to be in the middle of a conversation.)

Captain Charisma: All things considered, I’d say Bloodsport was a massive success! Some amazing, violent matches took place last week, and the fans in Puerto Rico got exactly what they paid for. In my honest opinion, a great start to the season, and I know you probably feel the same.

Eden Sinclair: I couldn’t agree more, actually! Bloodsport generated a ton of buzz and was a well-touted show everywhere online. However, we have our eyes on Territorial Invasion now, the one time of year where all three brands go into war with one another. We already have our Captain for the War Games team decided since Damon Lazarus won his match at Bloodsport, but now we have to handle another problem… Who’s going to captain the Brand Warfare team?

Captain Charisma: Ah, yes… an age-old question. I don’t consider myself a competitive person, :mjgrin: but if there was any time for it… Territorial Invasion is certainly one of those marquee events, and while we do have our War Games Captain set… you are right in saying that we need to fill the void of who’s going to be the Captain for Brand Warfare this year. While we did manage to win War Games last year, Voltage wasn’t able to win in Brand Warfare, so we need to weigh our options of who is going to be Captain very carefully. I’d suggest maybe we go with someone like Bronson Daniels to be the Captain for Brand Warfare.

Eden Sinclair: That is a good suggestion; Bronson certainly has the experience. Another name I was thinking of was Jay Jerry Johnson, considering he was a part of the team last year… he has experience fighting for us in this match and could step up for us big time.

Captain Charisma: Jay would be a good choice too; could maybe ask Drake Armstrong since he won War Games with his team last year?

Eden Sinclair: I highly doubt that; we both saw how that favor had turned out for him last season, so I don’t think he’s inclined to be Captain for a team here on Voltage again. We can continue to weigh our options, but… I do have one more name in mind that I think can be the key to our success in Brand Warfare…

(This brainstorming of potential names of who can captain the team comes to a sudden halt when both Eden and Captain Charisma hear a knock on the door. Eden smirks as Captain Charisma looks a little confused.)

Eden Sinclair: Speaking of… I think they’re here right now.

(Eden shouts towards whoever knocked at the door.)

Eden Sinclair: The door is open; you can come in!

(The individual walks into the office as the camera pans over to reveal it’s none other than Raven Roberts. She’s in her ring gear as she has a match with Eris Morti later tonight, looking befuddled as she says to both Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair…)

Raven Roberts: So… Do any of you want to tell me why I was called in?

(Eden is the one who speaks up as she responds to Raven by saying…)

Eden Sinclair: Well, Raven… after the performance you gave at Bloodsport, inside that Cage of Death with Hans Grayson… I personally was amazed by the grit and the fight you brought to the main event. You almost came out of that match as the new EAW World Champion, and you certainly brought everything to the table against a solidified champion. While it didn’t pan out exactly as you envisioned, it impressed me enough that I have something lined up for you… But that depends on whether you’re up for it or not.

(Raven hears what Eden had to say, as she responds back.)

Raven Roberts: Well… I’m not exactly thrilled over what happened at Bloodsport. I hate that I lost; specifically, I hate that I lost to Hans Grayson… there’s no prettier way of me saying that, and I don’t know if an offer of some kind is going to help me here when all I wanted was that EAW World Championship and that’s it. It didn’t matter how I did it… I was dead set on getting that done… but I guess I can listen to what you have lined up for me.

(Eden smiles as she responds by saying…)

Eden Sinclair: Trust me, Raven… it will be intriguing to you at the very least because… I’d like for you to be our Captain for Team Voltage in Brand Warfare!

(This catches Raven off guard as she didn’t expect that to be the reason she got called in whatsoever. Eden continues as she says to her…)

Eden Sinclair: By now… you should know winning tends to grant you a favor. Something that can be of use for you if need be, and the opportunity to captain Voltage’s Brand Warfare team at Territorial Invasion could be a tremendous venture for you, Raven. As I said… I was impressed with the performance you gave at Bloodsport, giving everything you had to take away the World Championship from Hans Grayson. Seeing as you co-captained Dynasty’s team last year alongside Rex McAllister for a victory, I think being the captain here and leading Voltage to a win can get you back on track.

(Raven hears what Eden is saying to her as she responds back by saying…)

Raven Roberts: You do make a great point… Rex and I did lead our team into winning Brand Warfare last year. It would make sense why you would approach me for this… and you said winning tends to grant me a favor of some kind that can get me right back on track here on Voltage?

Eden Sinclair: That is absolutely correct, Raven!

(Raven thinks about it some more as she speaks and answers Eden’s request…)

Raven Roberts: Alright, I’m in. I’ll lead my team to victory in Brand Warfare because, like I said… I hate how Bloodsport went, I hate the fact that I lost… It was infuriating that was the result after every limitation was lifted off me for that match against Hans. I don’t want to let that match be where things end for me this season; if being the captain for Brand Warfare is my ticket to climbing back up, then I’ll do just that. I’ll get my hands on a singles title again; I will achieve what I was looking for because I can assure you both… that myself and the rest of the team whoever is alongside me will walk away from this match as the victors and lead Voltage to victory. No matter what team Dynasty and Showdown are going to have up their sleeves… it ain’t going to compare to us; I can tell you that much.

(Captain Charisma seems pretty glad about Raven accepting the role of being captain for Brand Warfare. He has a smirk on his face as he replies to Raven by saying…)

Captain Charisma: I’m glad to hear it… Well, I guess we found our Captain then! Eden already mentioned that not only have you competed in this match, but you were co-captains for Dynasty’s team last season. You already have the experience of leading a team to victory, and hopefully you can do it again with what Voltage has to offer. As for who will be on your team… we’re going to give you full control of who you want with you in battle, who you feel will be the best to bring Voltage victory this year in Brand Warfare. I have full trust in you to bring a win back home for Voltage with the team that you’re going to assemble.

Eden Sinclair: I also have trust in you, Raven… we’re counting on you for a massive win for us at Territorial Invasion.

(Raven hears the trust that is being placed upon her by Eden and Captain Charisma as she responds back by saying…)

Raven Roberts: As long as it gets me back to where I want to be this season… then that’s exactly what I’ll do at Territorial Invasion.

(Raven proceeds to leave the office as she looks to get ready for her match with Eris later on the show. The camera still shows both Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair as they continue the conversation.)

Captain Charisma: Glad we got that sorted! We got our Captains for both War Games and Brand Warfare set… I’m hoping for a total sweep this year!

Eden Sinclair: With who we got leading us… I’ve got confidence.

(The scene continues for another couple of moments before eventually fading off as we transition elsewhere in the arena here on Voltage.)

(Commercial for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in theaters now.)

(The scene fades into the backstage area, where inside the locker room, ARIA, Candice Blair, and Ashlynn Quinn are seen talking to each other and discussing with themselves the events that happened at Bloodsport. All three women are dressed beautifully, as Candice Blair is wearing a black top with matching black pants and heels, and ARIA is seen with a blue top, black skirt, and black boots. In contrast, Ashlynn Quinn is seen wearing a matching pink top and skirt with some gorgeous pink heels as their conversation starts to get picked up.)

Ashlynn Quinn: OMG… Last week did NAWT go the way we wanted, and I won’t lie to you girlies? I am totes disappointed and NAWT in the greatest mood. I can’t believe ToXXXin was able to get the win over us at Bloodsport!

Candice Blair: You know, before, I wouldn’t ever think I would ever agree with anything you had to say ever, Ashlynn… Yet, ever since you’ve changed for the better and are making amends the best you can, I am starting to agree more and more with you. What happened at Bloodsport was just not the way any of us envisioned it going at all.

Ashlynn Quinn: Right?!? I mean the worst part about all this is the fact that I was the one that cost us the win at Bloodsport when Minny got the winning pinfall over me, which allowed ToXXXin to walk away with a win they totes should have never gotten! Again babes… I am absolutely sorry about what happened at Bloodsport, and I know that we all wanted to humble those uggos a bit and even win the EAW Women’s Universal Championship, and I let it slip away from our hands.

Candice Blair: I get where you’re coming from, Ashlynn. I mean that loss isn’t entirely your fault, but I know that we three can at least agree that none of us wanted to see those three women win at our expense at all. Not after what they’ve done to me, all three of them, especially Minerva *and* that good-for-nothing Selina Reyes. You’re not alone in this battle; we all lost, and we let ToXXXin slip away from us; that’s something that we wear on *our* shoulders.

(ARIA approaches both women from behind as she puts both her arms on both their shoulders as she is seen slightly smiling a bit before speaking up.)

ARIA: I don’t care what happened; I refuse to allow ToXXXin nor Bloodsport’s events to get to us. You both were formidable comrades, and sure, things didn’t go the way that we hoped they would go, but we proved to them that we were capable of putting everything to the side to achieve our goals. And our goals in that instance happened to be defeating ToXXXin, which we fought our hearts out to achieve. We didn’t have our day last week, but we still have time to show everyone that there is still hope that good can prevail on this brand.

(Candice nods.)

Candice Blair: You’re right about that because I, for one, am not done just yet. Candice Blair has no intention of slowing down one bit, especially with the fact that the rest of the season is still ahead for us to bounce back and not find ourselves back in this position again by the end of Season 20 as a whole.

ARIA: Exactly! We can’t stand here, talk about the past we can’t change, and continue to feel bad for ourselves when Territorial Invasion is just around the corner for all three of us to prove that we are more than capable of being at the top regardless of past results.

(Candice nods in agreement, and after a moment, Ashlynn does as well, seemingly having taken in the words of ARIA and Candice as she speaks.)

Ashlynn Quinn: Ya’ know something, babe? Once upon a time, this level of optimism from you, Ari, and even you, Candy would be extremely nauseating… Nowadays though, I can’t seem to find any reason to disagree with the sentiment you’ve both brought up because we can stay feeling bad for what happened at Bloodsport, but what’s the point in that?!?

ARIA: Absolutely, the loss to ToXXXin was unfortunate, but we are better than letting that stick to us for longer than it should. We have to move forward one way or another, and the best way to move forward and elevate our careers is by working our way towards more opportunities and making sure when we get those opportunities? We strike at the right time and make all our hard work pay off not just for us but all of the fans cheering us on as well.

(Candice Blair and Ashlynn Quinn are once again seen nodding along to ARIA’s words as they fully comprehend and understand that there is always more to look into the future instead of letting mistakes from the past haunt them. Candice Blair puts her arm around Ashlynn Quinn before she speaks up again.)

Candice Blair: ARIA makes a great point, Ash. We just have to keep pushing forward until we get another opportunity from our hard work and earning said opportunity, so when we have the opportunity to strike once again? We make sure they strike lands successfully, and we show everyone that the three of us have what it takes to thrive off not just the pressure but are able to make our failures into successes because we are just that good.

Ashlynn Quinn: You two can be VERY motivating, which is so weird, especially when finally talking to you, Candy, person to person, instead of rival to rival, and I appreciate what you’ve put yourself through to not just help myself but Ari and the whole Sunday Night Voltage roster as a whole! Same feeling goes towards you too, Ari, because what we were able to accomplish wasn’t just a solo effort but the combined effort that took us as far as it did, but even if one chapter has closed for us… That doesn’t mean Ashlynn Quinn is done just yet!

(ARIA lets out a smile, before she begins to speak once more.)

ARIA: I am glad you’ve been able to learn from the past, Ashlynn. I understand there were times where you were hardly who you are today, but at Bloodsport I saw a true fighter, and as long as this is the Ashlynn we continue to see, I have no doubt in my mind you will find your way forward. All three of us are after the same goal, and one loss doesn’t have to prevent us from reaching it.

Candice Blair: I’ll admit, I was hesitant to trust you at first Ashlynn, and I’m sure you understand why. I already know what it’s like to be betrayed and I know better now than to accept the hand of just anybody, but you’ve done a good job of proving yourself and we really did work well together at Bloodsport, it just wasn’t enough. Still, I can see you’ve come a long way, and all that’s left is to make that mean something, the same way I plan to. I want to become a Champion and I’m not the only one. ARIA wants to hold gold again, and you want the chance to elevate your career too, don’t you?

ARIA: Then I believe we’ve found common ground.

Ashlynn Quinn: Eggsactly! EX-FRIGGIN-SACTLY!!! I don’t just want people to see that I was just EAW New Breed Championship with no other accolades in my resume besides Miss Voltage, which I hold with absolute bride F.Y.I, but regardless, my EAW New Breed Championship reign was just the beginning of me being a champion and I will do whatever it takes to be champion once again especially before season twenty ends because I know that I am more capable but I also cannot let the people who believe in my redemption down time and time again! I need to be champion to show the baddies and fans that everything the uggos say about the People’s Princess? It is ABSOLUTELY wrong and biased, full of hatred against yours truly for totes no reason at all!

(Candice gives a light laugh as she begins to speak.)

Candice Blair: Well, I think after everything that happened with Bloodsport it is best we make sure none of us have to keep dealing with these threats outnumbered. We will have your back against any “terrorism” that happens around this brand, especially if it tries to undermine what we’ve been trying to do around here.

ARIA: You already know I have nothing but respect for you, Ashlynn. Candice and I have been doing this for a while already, and to be honest it is nice to have someone fighting alongside us rather than against us. We won’t allow one slight mistake to push us back on the overall goal. The only thing we want is the best for this brand, and I trust that we’re going to do whatever it takes to not only accomplish that but also become champions here as well. Look, I have your back, and you have mine, we cover each other and we make sure what happened at Bloodsport never happens again. As long as we have each other, we can do anything.

(Ashlynn Quinn hugs both women before she speaks up again.)

Ashlynn Quinn: Thank you! Thank you, both of you, for everything you’ve done, not just for this motivating conversation, but also for all the help you offered me when facing off against ToXXXin! I will NEVER forget this generosity you both showed through all of this fighting effort against them.

ARIA: It’s nothing, Ashlynn; we saw someone being outnumbered, and we had to do something to even out the odds, especially when that someone was clearly trying to change for the better.

Candice Blair: You really have helped us out. ToXXXin concussed me with their attack and you fought for me, so I won’t forget that either. Listen, with Territorial Invasion around the corner, I know that just like us, you’re going to try and find a way to get another opportunity under your name, and we respect that. Just know, you’ll always have our support as long as we have yours while keeping on this new path you’re on, okay?

Ashlynn Quinn: I completely understand, and you’re right. Territorial Invasion is another chance to get an opportunity; we all three need to get locked in for that, but I see where you come from with that last bit you said, and I couldn’t agree more! Don’t worry, Ari and Candy, you’ll have Ashlynn Quinn helping if the occasion comes along, and I will always support you two, especially after what we went through at Bloodsport. Now, if you don’t mind, I have other things to get to, and I don’t want to be late for them, but it was fun catching up with you baddies! Till we see each other next time, good luck on whatever is next for you two, and I will be cheering you both on backstage, period!

(All three women hug and Ashlynn gives the two side cheek kisses before she heads out. Both ARIA and Candice Blair look at each other before looking at Ashlynn Quinn, walking off-screen while the scene slowly fades elsewhere.)

(The camera fades to another area backstage. In the hallways of the Toyota Center, Eris Morti is seen moments before her scheduled match against Raven Roberts. It’s only been a week since her match against Caroline in “The Box”. That match turned out to be a lot more than Eris could’ve expected, but she didn’t have time to process what occurred inside that structure, as she quickly had to shift her focus towards tonight’s match. She seems to be ready for it, putting on her gloves as she prepares to head out, having already begun walking. However, the look on Morti’s face is different. While she had never been one to let her true feelings be very well known, her face looked notably empty, with an almost catatonic look in her eyes as her fixed stare was followed by her movements reaching a complete halt.)

(She grabs onto the wall, leaning on it without realizing, as if she needs to just to remain on her feet. Her breathing starts to get heavier. Behind her lack of expression there was confusion, as she didn’t feel any fatigue, and she had already had the week to recover from Bloodsport. She didn’t get that her issue was not a physical one, but-)

Sofia Clarke: Eris, do you have a moment?

Eris Morti: …

(Eris turned, seeing Sofia Clarke standing nearby. She had actually been around for some time now, trying to get Eris’ attention in hopes to speak with her. Thanks to her own problems, she hadn’t even noticed.)

Sofia Clarke: Sorry, I was hoping to get a word with you following your match against Caroline at Bloodsport. It was quite the match and many were wondering about some of the things that went down… But, I understand if this isn’t the best time.

(Eris stares at Sofia for a moment. Whatever had come over her was lost thanks to Sofia finally getting her attention. She takes a second to look around, realizing the spot she is in, and this just brings a brief moment of laughter. Eris pushes herself off of the wall, before walking over to Sofia and taking the microphone.)

Eris Morti: No, no… Don’t go anywhere. This is a great time. In fact… I *do* have something I’d like to say.

(Eris puts her arm on Sofia’s shoulder, turning towards the camera that was brought for the interview as she begins to speak, with her attention clearly far from the interview Sofia was hoping to have. Immediately, the realization hits Sofia that Eris has no intentions of actually answering her questions, and that she instead had her own plans.)

Eris Morti: *Caroline*… Hahah, you don’t actually think we’re done yet, do you?

(Another laugh escapes Eris, the one weaker than before. However, this time a grin does form on her face, one that remains as she continues.)

Eris Morti: I feel no regrets, Caroline. I feel no shame for targeting you. Eye for an eye has been our lives since Pain for Pride, hasn’t it? You hit me, I hit you harder. This was only ever going to end with blood, and there is no end to the amount of blood I am willing to take from you. You claimed my actions to be a mistake. That there were better options on the table for me than being “destroyed” by you, but last week? That was perfect. This is why I’m here, so if this is what it looks like getting the worst of you, I am glad to have gone down this route. I take pride in getting on your bad side… But I am not finished yet. You did not destroy me. I am still here, and does it look like I am having second thoughts?

Eris Morti: If I see something that entices me I’m going to go after it, so you should be proud Caroline, because right now that’s you. You’ve made me curious, more than I have been in a very long time. I suppose there is something you and I have in common, and it is the fact that we both have felt that there is something missing. I can recognize your struggle. I can understand that the Caroline that has existed for the past year was more of a “subdued” version of the monster that exists inside of you, and for a long time I felt the same way. Not because of a lack of opportunity, or because I’ve faced some of the truly ridiculous nonsense that you have, but because of circumstance. Because I had yet to take part in the kind of match that’d be enough to make my entire career as a professional wrestler worth it. I haven’t found *the one* yet.

Eris Morti: Caroline, I know you have your own business with Jake Smith, but just know… We are not finished.

(Saying this, the grin on Morti completely drops, revealing a cold, almost irritated look on her face.)

Eris Morti: I understand. You wish to make strides. You wish to assert yourself, to show the world how threatening you really are… Well, I believe you and I can help each other, and we *will* help each other, because I am *not* satisfied.

Eris Morti: You’ve felt dull, haven’t you? Uninspired. Like you’ve just been… Trapped. Just as we were inside of that box. That is why you stabbed Jake in the back, isn’t it? For freedom? To take your career back? I know it. You and I have both been missing things we can only find inside of the ring. I am missing excitement- and you, a sense of urgency. The feeling that you’re truly fighting for your life. We had that, didn’t we? We truly did test each other, even in the confines of the box. You truly did a number on me Caroline, but I will get more out of you. It does not matter when. It does not matter where. Just know that you’ll be mine once more, and I… I look forward to the day we meet again.

(After saying these words, Eris just shoves the microphone back into Sofia Clarke’s hands, leaving Sofia a bit startled, but also confused about what just went down. Eris Morti begins to walk away, finally truly ready to focus on her match.)

(However, she doesn’t get to go far.)

Eris Morti: You have somewhere to be, don’t you?

(In front of Eris Morti is Raven Roberts, EAW Hall of Famer, Voltage’s Brand Warfare team Captain, and Morti’s opponent tonight. Raven stares at Eris with a calm look on her face, but doesn’t appear too receptive to her comment.)

Raven Roberts: I believe the same could be said for you, but I thought I’d use the opportunity to speak to you while I had the chance.

Eris Morti: I told you everything I needed to. We have nothing more to discuss.

(Eris goes to leave, but Raven immediately steps in her way.)

Raven Roberts: We do, because I’m sure by now you’ve already heard that I am the Captain of Voltage’s Brand Warfare team.

(Eris doesn’t respond to this, and this alone is enough to let Raven know that she has Eris’ curiosity piqued.)

Raven Roberts: I don’t exactly plan to cozy up with an opponent, especially not one with a mentality like yours, but when I was offered this spot by Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair I made one thing clear, and it was that I was aiming for victory above all else. No matter what I have to do, no matter what it costs, I am going to leave Territorial Invasion with my hand raised. I came close at Bloodsport, but I’ve been there enough times now to know that settling for “close” may as well be the same as celebrating defeat. I am done costing myself opportunities, so if I’m to win a match like Brand Warfare, a match I already understand very well, I’m going to build a team I know will be able to last to the end. That’s why I’d like you to know, I want you to be on the team.

(Eris stares at Raven for a moment, before slowly an almost dismissive smirk creeps up.)

Eris Morti: What could possibly have you thinking you could trust me as a member of your team?

Raven Roberts: It isn’t *you*, it’s the desire you have to be challenged. I don’t think you’d pass up the opportunity to potentially face ten different people, and despite all your antics, I already told you how I felt during the week. I know that you’re tough, you don’t go down easily, and when given the chance, there are just about no limitations when it comes to you and your capacity for violence. I like that about you, even if everything else leaves much to be desired. My thoughts on you as an opponent haven’t changed, but Brand Warfare won’t be filled with too many people who think the way that I do, and I think a stage like that can cater your “needs” while giving me a teammate I can actually expect to be a threat. What was it you just said to Caroline? “You and I can help each other”?

(This response causes the look on Eris’ face to change. She remains silent for a moment, actually considering Raven’s offer. Raven remains patient, choosing to wait until…)

Eris Morti: I suppose you’re right. Perhaps, we can help each other.

(Raven’s eyebrow raises as she looks at Eris.)

Eris Morti: I will join your team.

(Raven appears satisfied with this response, nodding her head as a smirk briefly appears on her face.)

Raven Roberts: Good. I’m glad to have that settled, but you should know this changes nothing for our match. I plan to run right through you just like I did in the first place, but it wouldn’t hurt you to provide a challenge in the process. The last thing I need is to learn that I made a mistake letting you on my team.

(This response amuses Eris, who quickly responds.)

Eris Morti: Fear not, Bird. You’ll see everything you need to in the ring. I hope it isn’t too much to ask to be granted the same privilege.

(Raven doesn’t immediately respond to this, leading to a brief staredown between the two, who are both opponents and Brand Warfare teammates. However, after some time, the Brand Warfare breaks the tension with just a few words.)

Raven Roberts: I told you. I’m coming for victory, no matter what it takes.

(Raven begins to walk away after these words, having seemingly said everything she needed to. Eris watches as Raven leaves, and she seems interested by this response. Eris takes a moment, still not fully capable of shaking off what has been bothering her, but interested enough for a smirk to return to her face. With this, Voltage fades from the area.)

(Commercial for GTA VI with Jon Kelton.)

(We have returned from commercial break and we see Bella Braxton in the ring ready to begin the introductions for the next match.)

Bella Braxton: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(‘Ghost Myself’ by DIAMANTE starts to play as Raven Roberts enters the arena. Raven appears focused after everything that happened at Bloodsport, and also keeping in mind everything that occurred prior to the match. She ignores the reception from the crowd, which is still slightly mixed following her actions towards Hans Grayson. She is ready for action as she heads to the ring.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Now residing in Atlanta, Georgia! Weighing in at 122 pounds! Here is “THE BIRD OF PREY” RAVEN ROBERTS!

Rich Russillo: Here comes Raven and she isn’t in the best of moods after losing at Bloodsport, but she has another chance to get things working in her favor as she is the Captain of the Voltage Brand Warfare team.

Persephone: We are so lucky.

Thadd Blazevich: Raven is a very experienced competitor who could start getting momentum back with a victory tonight, bro. But her opponent is tough.

(Raven enters the ring and takes a corner as ‘Burn Victim’ by Methwitch starts playing as Eris Morti enters the arena. Eris disregards the slight twitch of her eye and the thoughts that have plagued her since Bloodsport, staring at Raven Roberts with an intrigued look before beginning to make her way down the ramp, showing excitement ahead of this match.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing her opponent! From Parts Unknown! Weighing 130 pounds. Here is “THE CURSE” ERIS MORTI!!

Persephone: So… About what that whole thing was earlier. That was weird right, even for her? She clearly has something going on, yet she wants to face Caroline again? She is NUTS!

Thadd Blazevich: Bro, she went through a very weird match in The Box. None of us know how she feels after what she went through. But she is here fighting, and after what happened backstage, I think she’s even more eager to.

Rich Russillo: She got an interesting proposition from Raven about joining the Brand Warfare team, which she agreed to. This match could serve as a nice test. For both of them.

(Eris enters the ring as her music fades out. The referee looks to both competitors before calling for the bell.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Thadd Blazevich: Here we go, Bro. This match is underway and I think this is going to be a hell of a fight between these two. Both ladies go for a lock up in the center of the ring–

Rich Russillo: BOTH WOMEN TRY TO PULL THE OTHER IN AND THEY JUST MEET IN THE MIDDLE AND SMASH FACES! THAT LOOKED UNPLEASANT!

Thadd Blazevich: Damn, bro. That was a gnarly headbutt to start this off, but they both make sure their noses aren’t broken and they now go for the lockup and we have a stalemate in the middle of the ring.

Persephone: Neither one is willing to move which equates with my level of excitement but now they start to move.

Thadd Blazevich: Both women end up moving over and going right to the ropes as the referee asks for a clean break and we shockingly get one.

Rich Russillo: Both women go right back to the center of the right just looking at each other. No emotion coming from either one.

Persephone: If they can end this staring contest, we can get back to the match and they lock up again. Such intensity.

Rich Russillo: They once again are in a stalemate and this time both women are crouching a little to get a deeper lock and take control of the match early. This is a true test of strength right now as they’re both pretty much jockeying for control, even starting to stumble!

Persephone: And here they go, backing themselves towards the ropes–

Thadd Blazevich: AND RAVEN RUSHES IN, POWERING ERIS INTO THE ROPES AS FAST AS SHE CAN WHILE ERIS LEANS BACK– AND LOOK! BOTH WOMEN TUMBLE THROUGH THE ROPES AS THEY CRASH ONTO THE FLOOR BELOW!

Rich Russillo: They both were close to landing on their heads out there! Both women push themselves back to their knees, and they don’t even take their eyes off each other despite how much that landing had to hurt. There is a slight smirk on Eris’ face after that, while Raven refuses to lose her focus. The two now get back to their feet and roll back into the ring as the referee has started a count.

Thadd Blazevich: The count quickly stops as both ladies are back in the ring AND ERIS WITH AN ELBOW SMASH TO THE BACK OF RAVEN’S NECK! Now Eris has taken advantage of the situation and is taking it to Raven.

Persephone: Raven is looking hilarious trying to fight back but she is getting demolished by Eris and you won’t hear me complain about that.

Thadd Blazevich: Eris grabs Raven and whips her to the ropes. Raven with the rebound AND ERIS GOES FOR A BACK BODY DROP–

Rich Russillo: BUT SHE LANDS ON HER FEET AS ERIS QUICKLY TURNS AROUND AND CHOPS RAVEN RIGHT IN THE CHEST BEFORE FIRING OFF ONE MORE!

Persephone: Hmmm… So many jokes but Raven is a joke overall. Those do look like they hurt though.

Rich Russillo: Persephone, are you showing empathy to Raven?

Persephone: Shut up.

Thadd Blazevich: Eris keeps those chops up and gets Raven back into the corner as the referee tells her to back up, but she climbs onto the second rope.

Rich Russillo: She has her fist ready AND HERE COME THE INFAMOUS TEN PUNCHES! LISTEN TO THE CROWD!

Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVE—

Thadd Blazevich: WAIT! RAVEN HAS ERIS BY THE LEGS AND WALKS OUT OF THE CORNER BEFORE FALLING BACK—

Persephone: Bitch goes face first into the top turnbuckle. That’s exactly what they get.

Thadd Blazevich: Eris’ face is now resting on the middle turnbuckle AND HERE COMES RAVEN!

Rich Russillo: RAVEN WITH A KNEE TO THE BACK OF ERIS’ HEAD! WHAT A SHOT!

Persephone: It is what it is.

Rich Russillo: Eris could be concussed right there as Raven pulls her out of the corner and goes for the cover!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEE!

TWWWWWW—

Persephone: She kicked out.

Thadd Blazevich: Raven barely got a one count there as she tries to apply a kneebar–

Rich Russillo: Eris is able to roll through and kick Raven off and send her towards the ropes. Raven comes back AS ERIS DOES A KIP UP OUT OF NOWHERE AND CLOBBERS RAVEN WITH A DISCUS LARIAT!

Thadd Blazevich: No prisoners being taken in this match, Bro. Raven is on her knees trying to get back to her feet AS ERIS TRIES FOR A BUZZSAW KICK!

Persephone: Which was about a mile off the target. Go figure.

Thadd Blazevich: Raven ducked the kick AND TRIES FOR A SCHOOLBOY ROLL UP TO STEAL THE MATCH HERE–

Rich Russillo: ERIS KEEPS HER BALANCE AND TURNS AROUND AND JUST SITS RIGHT ON TOP OF RAVEN AND HOOKS THE LEGS FOR A ROLLUP COVER OF HER OWN!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHH–

Persephone: SHE REVERSES! Of course she does and now she takes her down with a sunset flip. Will it finally end this match?

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHH–

Rich Russillo: ERIS KICKS OUT AT TWO! TWO CLOSE NEAR FALLS IN A SPAN OF ABOUT TEN SECONDS!

Persephone: Now they are getting back to their feet to excite us even more as Eris goes for another lariat–

Thadd Blazevich: RAVEN IS NOW UNLOADING ON ERIS WITH THOSE MUAY THAI KICKS AND STRIKES! ERIS IS TRYING TO BLOCK AS MANY AS SHE CAN BUT PLENTY OF THEM ARE FINDING THEIR MARK AND CERTAINLY CAUSING SOME DAMAGE–

Rich Russillo: RAVEN MISSES A KICK AS ERIS GETS OUT OF THE WAY! Eris now has hold of Raven and lifts her up AND DROPS HER WITH A SAITO SUPLEX! ALMOST RIGHT ON HER HEAD!

Thadd Blazevich: Not a pretty landing for Raven as Eris hits the ropes and comes back WITH AN ELBOW DROP ACROSS THE CHEST! Raven holds her chest in pain, and bro, this has been a bit of a back and forth match so far!

Persephone: Yet not interesting at all. Now Eris has hold of the leg and is going to try something boring.

Thadd Blazevich: It looks like Eris is going to try for an STF, BUT RAVEN KICKS HER RIGHT IN THE MOUTH! That forces Eris to let go as she backs into the corner!

Rich Russillo: Raven is back up and SHE GOES RIGHT FOR THE CORNER–

Persephone: And eats a faceful of turnbuckle. Way to go stupid.

Rich Russillo: These women are really showing out in this match in order to try and get back to their winning ways after Bloodsport.

Thadd Blazevich: Raven turns around AS ERIS COMES IN FOR A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT, BUT RAVEN GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND NOW ERIS GOES BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!

Rich Russillo: Raven once again tries for a run into the corner AND ERIS CATCHES HER WITH A BOOT RIGHT IN THE FACE! That could have loosened a few of her teeth with how much force the boot hit.

Thadd Blazevich: Now Eris grabs Raven as she is now sitting on the top turnbuckle. She puts Raven in a necklock and moves over off the turnbuckle AND FALLS BACK!

Persephone: SHE IS CHOKING RAVEN OUT! FIGURE FOUR NECKLOCK! THERE WE GO!!

Thadd Blazevich: Impressive move, bro. Unfortunately for Eris, that is an illegal move and the referee is forcing Eris to release the choke.

Rich Russillo: BUT ERIS IS NOT LETTING IT GO AND THE REFEREE IS ADMONISHING ERIS!

Referee: (off-mic) Come on, Eris! Let the move go. LET IT GO NOW! ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIV–

Persephone: Here comes the referee doing that stupid counting stuff. Goody.

Rich Russillo: Eris does let go of the choke in time. She uses the referee’s entire count while getting dangerously close to getting disqualified.

Persephone: What’s your point?

Thadd Blazevich: It doesn’t matter right now, bro, but Eris was able to land on the apron after she flipped back off the necklock as Raven falls to the mat.

Rich Russillo: Eris is in control of the match right now. Raven is slowly stumbling to her feet, BUT ERIS IS ABLE TO GRAB HER FROM BEHIND, GOING FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX–

Thadd Blazevich: RAVEN WITH A BACK ELBOW CATCHING ERIS IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, BUT SHE SOMEHOW HAS HOLD OF RAVEN–

Rich Russillo: SO RAVEN HITS HER WITH A BACK ELBOW FROM THE OTHER SIDE! THAT HAS TO HAVE HER EARS RINGING RIGHT NOW!

Thadd Blazevich: That second elbow forces Eris to let go of Raven and staggers around a bit while Raven quickly turns around–

Persephone: AND SHE JUST KICKED ERIS RIGHT IN THE FACE! HA!

Thadd Blazevich: RAVEN WITH THE “FACELIFT” AND SHE GOT ALL OF THAT SPINNING HEEL KICK! THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A KNOCKOUT BLOW AS RAVEN FALLS INTO THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!

Rich Russillo: ERIS GETS THE SHOULDER UP! THAT WAS A VERY CLOSE NEAR FALL BY RAVEN AND IT ALMOST GOT HER THE WIN THERE!

Persephone: Key word is almost. Eris is holding her jaw like it could be broken. I hope so.

Rich Russillo: Raven is looking to put away Eris here and now as she crouches in the corner as she watches Eris trying to get back to her feet. This could spell big trouble if Eris doesn’t watch out.

Persephone: I think she would have better chances of winning if she bored everyone.

Thadd Blazevich: Eris is getting back to her feet and she is certainly feeling it AS RAVEN COMES RUNNING FULL SPEED! “TALON” ON THE WAY–

Rich Russillo: SPEAR! ERIS GOT THE SPEAR ON RAVEN AND MIGHT HAVE JUST CUT HER HALF RIGHT THERE!

Thadd Blazevich: Raven is not moving on the mat as Eris rolls Raven over and hooks the leg for the cover!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!

Rich Russillo: OH THE NEAR FALL! RAVEN GOT THAT SHOULDER UP AS THE REFEREE WAS COMING DOWN FOR THE THIRD COUNT! ERIS ABOUT PICKED UP A VERY HUGE VICTORY OVER A FORMER WORLD CHAMPION!

Thadd Blazevich: I think there’s more at stake than that, though! Eris is getting back to her feet as she pulls Raven back up to her feet, AND JUST SLAPS HER ACROSS THE FACE!

Persephone: If it keeps the match going, keep slapping the hell out of each other.

Thadd Blazevich: Well we heard the back and forth between these two, bro. Raven is just in this for the win, but I don’t think that’s gonna stop Eris from wanting to rile her up if she can!

Rich Russillo: Whatever the case, I don’t think Raven took any offense to that, BUT RAVEN COMES BACK WITH A RIGHT HAND TO ERIS’ FACE SENDING HER A FEW STEPS BACK!

Persephone: And now Eris decides to keep the fun going and hit Raven with an elbow smash that nearly drops her! GO FOR THE THROAT!

Rich Russillo: Raven comes back with another right hand and Eris comes back with a right hand as well and the shots repeat and repeat and get faster AND THESE TWO ARE JUST UNLOADING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING RIGHT NOW! YOU CAN ALREADY SEE THE BRUISES PRESENT WITH ALL THE BOMBS THESE TWO HAVE HIT EACH OTHER WITH, GIVING EVERYTHING THEY HAVE AS THEY JUST TEAR EACH OTHER APART!

Persephone: Perfect. I say let them beat the hell out of each other and tell the referee to let them fight to the death.

Thadd Blazevich: These two are just slugging it out and while these two aren’t the most popular on the roster, the fans are really getting into this match. Not a surprise, as they’re legit just going crazy with all this back and forth!

Rich Russillo: These two keep going back and forth until they slowly start to slow down– AND THEY MAKE UP FOR THIS BY GRABBING EACH OTHER, BEFORE THEY START CLOBBERING EACH OTHER WITH FOREARMS TO THE HEAD!

Thadd Blazevich: WHAT A FIGHT GOING ON BETWEEN TWO VERY TALENTED COMPETITORS– AND ERIS SNUCK IN A JUDO THROW AND TAKES RAVEN DOWN!

Rich Russillo: That’s one way to get the upper hand on Raven and that’s by catching her completely off guard with a move like that. Raven is back to her feet–

Thadd Blazevich: ERIS WITH A KICK TO THE GUT TO DOUBLE RAVEN OVER! Eris pulls Raven in with the gutwrench AND LIFTS HER UP IN THE AIR FOR A POWERBOMB!

Persephone: Of course she counters. Big surprise.

Thadd Blazevich: Raven is throwing more right hands into Eris’ skull to the point where Raven is able to flip backwards and get back on her feet–

Rich Russillo: RAVEN HOOKS ERIS’ WRISTS AND LIFTS HER UP AND BRINGS HER UP AND OVER WITH A MODIFIED NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! RAVEN IS ABLE TO BRIDGE UP AND GO FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!

Persephone: She kicked out. Big surprise.

Rich Russillo: ERIS GETS THE SHOULDER UP! This has been an amazing match so far and it looks like we are still at a stalemate.

Persephone: Looks can be deceiving.

Thadd Blazevich: Both women are down on the mat trying to catch their breath. The referee is right there to see if there is a need to start an official count. Bro, not only has the match been amazing, it has been hard hitting.

Rich Russillo: These two are throwing everything they have at each other as Raven pulls Eris back to her feet and starts to lift her up FOR A T-BONE SUPLEX–

Thadd Blazevich: ERIS WITH AN ELBOW TO THE EAR! OUCH! Eris is back on her feet as she lifts Raven up and hooks her arm around Raven’s neck–

Rich Russillo: ERIS DROPS RAVEN WITH THE AIR RAID CRASH! GOOD GAWD! RAVEN LANDED ALMOST RIGHT ON HER NECK WITH THAT!

Thadd Blazevich: But that is not all. Eris is going for it all as she pulls Raven back to her knees.

Persephone: She grabs Raven by the waist and lifts her into a gutwrench.

Thadd Blazevich: AND THE GUTWRENCH LIFT TURNS INTO “THE COBALT BOMB”! SOME PEOPLE HAVE CALLED THAT POWERBOMB THE DANGEROUS QUEEN BOMB! WHAT A MOVE!

Rich Russillo: RAVEN WAS PLANTED RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD AND ERIS QUICKLY STACKS RAVEN UP FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!

Persephone: OH COME ON!

Rich Russillo: RAVEN KICKS OUT AT TWO! OHHH THAT WAS VERY CLOSE! ERIS FALLS BACK ON THE MAT OUT OF EXHAUSTION, AND IF THIS ISN’T THE KIND OF FIGHT SHE LIKES I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS, BECAUSE THIS IS EXACTLY WHY RAVEN ROBERTS IS A HALL OF FAMER!

Persephone: It’s annoying how much Eris seems to like these matches getting drawn out, but it’s way more annoying that Raven kicked out and this isn’t over.

Thadd Blazevich: We might be at the point in the matchup where fatigue is starting to creep into both of their minds. Neither one has been able to put away the other at this point in the match, bro.

Rich Russillo: Raven is still down off the powerbomb and Eris is back on her feet as her eyes are laser focused on Raven and finishing her off here and now.

Thadd Blazevich: Eris does a throat slitting motion and get herself into position to finish off Raven, AS SHE LAUNCHES HER FOREARM DOWN FOR “THE METEOR” TO THE FACE–-

Rich Russillo: RAVEN ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND AND ERIS’ METEOR FINDS NOTHING BUT THE CANVAS! THAT IMPACT HAD TO HURT, AS ERIS’ FOREARM WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE MAT!

Thadd Blazevich: Not a good impact as Raven rolls herself to the corner and now she decides to climb up to the top rope as Eris recovers.

Persephone: I guess she is going to go for broke and she might end up bankrupt. What a good sight to see.

Thadd Blazevich: Eris has finally made it back to her feet as she goes towards the corner AND RAVEN JUMPS OFF THE TOP ROPE–

Rich Russillo: SHE GOT IT! RAVEN HITS THE “AERIAL ACE”! DIRECT HIT WITH THE SHOOTING STAR METEORA AND IT BRINGS ERIS DOWN TO THE MAT!

Persephone: I hope this means the match ends as the legs are hooked. Come on Ref!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!

Rich Russillo: DID SHE GET IT? YES… WAIT NO! THE REFEREE IS CALLING IT A TWO COUNT! OH BOY THAT WAS SO CLOSE!

Persephone: Now it’s time to see Bird Brain rage. She couldn’t win there.

Thadd Blazevich: Raven looks at the referee and holds up three fingers checking to see if that was really only a two count, but the referee’s near fall is staying firm, bro.

Rich Russillo: Wow. What a match this has been. These two have been beating the hell out of each other. You have to wonder how impressed Raven is with Eris in this match considering what we saw before the match, while also focusing on how she can put her down herself.

Thadd Blazevich: Can you imagine if Eris can pull through what she went through at Bloodsport and pull off the victory against Raven tonight?

Rich Russillo: It could be a reality as Raven pulls Eris back to her feet and whips her to the ropes AND ERIS HAS ENOUGH ENERGY TO REVERSE THE WHIP!

Thadd Blazevich: Raven is the one who takes the ride and she hits the ropes. Raven with the rebound AND RAVEN WITH THE LOU THESZ PRESS AND SHE IS FIRING PUNCHES RIGHT INTO ERIS’ SKULL!

Persephone: Well it was about time that this got nastier! Eris was still reeling from the meteora and is having a bit of trouble covering herself from the punches– BUT ERIS LANDS A SOLID PUNCH OF HER OWN RIGHT TO THE JAW!

Thadd Blazevich: That one caught Raven good, but she stays on top of Eris and she’s looking to make a move! She grabs Eris by the hair and pulls her in!

Rich Russillo: GUILLOTINE CHOKE! RAVEN HAS THE GUILLOTINE CHOKE APPLIED AND SHE IS WORKING TO APPLY THE BODYSCISSOR TO FURTHER LOCK THE MOVE IN–

Persephone: But Eris is of course fighting it off so we can prolong this match.

Rich Russillo: Eris is able to put her strength to use as she turns around and starts pushing herself to a knee! Raven holds that guillotine in, MAINTAINING IT EVEN AS ERIS PUSHES HERSELF TO HER FEET! THAT MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD MOVE THOUGH!

Thadd Blazevich: ERIS DROPS DOWN, SLAMMING RAVEN ONTO THE MAT JUST BEFORE RAVEN COULD RELEASE THE HOLD! Eris rolls off of Raven, and Raven holds her back as dude, both Elitists gotta be worse for wear at this point!

Rich Russillo: Both women are getting back to their feet, and some distance has been made between them! Raven looks to make use of this, AS SHE TRIES FOR THE CODEBREAKER—

Thadd Blazevich: ERIS IS SOMEHOW ABLE TO BLOCK IT AND SENDS RAVEN CRASHING INTO THE MAT STOMACH FIRST! Now Raven is starting to get back to her feet–

Rich Russillo: Raven tries for a kick AND ERIS DUCKS IT AND TRIES TO LOCK IN THE “ASPHYXIA”! ERIS IS TRYING TO LOCK IN THE SUBMISSION HERE!

Thadd Blazevich: IF ERIS BRINGS RAVEN DOWN, THIS MATCH IS OVER, BUT RAVEN IS FIGHTING IT! BUT HER ENERGY IS STARTING TO RUN OUT–

Persephone: She gets free. How in the world did she manage to pull that off?

Thadd Blazevich: Raven is able to counter by snapmaring Eris to get free of the choke as Eris is able to land on her feet. Eris then hits the ropes to build up momentum for another Spear to Raven–

Rich Russillo: “TALON”! THAT CAME OUT OF ALMOST NOWHERE AND IT CAUGHT ERIS RIGHT ON THE JAW! RIGHT ON THE MONEY AS ERIS IS TURNED INSIDE OUT. NOW RAVEN DRAGS HERSELF OVER AND FALLS ONTO ERIS TO HOOK THE LEG FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEE!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(‘Ghost Myself’ starts playing again as Raven takes a moment, needing it to recover a bit before she rolls off of Eris. She is on the mat trying to catch her breath as Bella announces the final decision of the match.)

Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… RAVEN ROBERTS!

Rich Russillo: What a hard hitting match between these two ladies. Both went through a lot in the past few weeks and brought it to the max but it was the experience of Raven that gave her the victory.

Persephone: Yeah yeah. Heartwarming. Good for her I guess.

(Raven is back on her feet as the referee raises her arm in victory before checking on Eris.)

Thadd Blazevich: Bro, Eris had an amazing performance in this match and she had the match on numerous occasions but it wasn’t meant to be.

Persephone: We can cry for her later. Let’s just move this along.

(Eris gets to a knee, and Raven watches for a moment before she helps Eris back to her feet. Eris is breathing heavily as she looks at the victor of tonight’s match, and the ladies stare each other down before Raven offers a handshake. Eris looks at her and the offer for a moment, before she reciprocates the handshake.)

Thadd Blazevich: Well, it looks like neither of ‘em are regretting their choice! We have ourselves a team, or at least the first two members of it as Raven and Eris are both repping Voltage in Brand Warfare!

Rich Russillo: This is going to be a very hard hitting team to say the least with Raven and Eris as the start. Regardless, we have to congratulate Raven once again on the victory here tonight on Voltage.

(The final shot shows Raven and Eris still shaking hands as the camera shot fades elsewhere.)

[ SCREENBAR — EARLIER TODAY ]

(The scene opens up outside of a cafe in Houston, Texas. Jake Smith and Buford Brunt are seen walking down the sidewalk. Jake is pensive with a dissatisfied look on his face, and Buford is trying his best to counsel his longtime client.)

Buford Brunt: I doubt she shows her face.

Jake Smith: She’s already shown her face. The bitch is haunting my dreams.

Buford Brunt: So you take her out.

(Jake stopped and looked at Buford.)

Jake Smith: You know it’s not that simple.

Buford Brunt: I just don’t buy this nonsense about a bond that can’t be broken. It doesn’t make sense. You indulged Caroline far too much when it came to her being a ‘demon’ and I refuse to believe that nonsense.

Jake Smith: I understand the skepticism but there’s truth to what she preaches and I…

(Jake rakes his hand down his face, unsure of how to even say this next part.)

Jake Smith: I feel her absence.

Buford Brunt: When a long-term relationship reaches its end, you are going to feel like something is missing. That’s just life.

Jake Smith: That’s not what I mean. There’s a void. Shit, I can’t explain it, but there’s a piece of me missing right now and it doesn’t feel right.

(Buford just shakes his head. He starts walking, refusing to allow the conversation to take a supernatural turn.)

Buford Brunt: Putting everything else aside, you have a problem that needs to be dealt with. Caroline showed her true colors at Bloodsport and she put her hands on you. She forgot her place and she needs to pay the price for that.

(Jake clenched his jaw as he fell into step beside Buford. He didn’t want to admit it, but the tension between himself and Caroline had been brewing for awhile. It was his fault, as she so enjoyed reminding him, but Jake wasn’t ready to accept that just yet. The shock of Caroline actually taking the first step towards breaking them apart had him far more angry than it should.)

Buford Brunt: The thing is… are you in the right state of mind to make sure that happens?

Jake Smith: …

(There’s a hint of uncertainty in the air, something that Jake himself had never felt before, because if there was one thing that couldn’t be denied about him, he was *always* certain about his decisions.)

Jake Smith: If it needs to be done… it needs to be done. I can’t allow this to affect my career, not any further than it already has. But…

(There’s a pause, as Buford looked to Jake, raising a perplexed eyebrow.)

Buford Brunt: What?

Jake Smith: There’s no telling what’s next, especially when it comes to *her.*

Buford Brunt: We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. It doesn’t do well for your psyche to throw around hypotheticals of something that might not even happen…

(Jake briefly thought to himself, before ultimately nodding his head in agreement. As the two of them continued their walk, Jake made quick glances around… as if he felt the two of them were not alone.)

(As if there were eyes watching them at every turn.)

???: Excuse me?

(Buford and Jake are momentarily stopped by a tourist who is seen standing in their way. He’s staring at a map of Houston, as if he can’t understand it.)

Tourist: Do you know where… “Sam Houston Park” is?

(Jake glared at Buford, knowing that he could not give a fuck right now given the current situation. Buford gave a begrudged sigh as he pointed to the map.)

Buford Brunt: A couple blocks down to the left.

Tourist: Thank you…

(Jake shook his head as he walked past, Buford quickly scurrying behind him to catch up.)

Tourist: … Jake.

(Jake froze, almost startled.)

Buford Brunt: Uhhhh…

Tourist: I’d think about what you’d say next very carefully.

Jake Smith: What the fuck did you say to me?

(Jake turned back around as he approached the tourist, but as he did… the tourist looked petrified.)

Tourist: I-I said… Thank you for the instructions.

(The tourist rushed away, not expecting to get harassed. Jake was stuck in place, trying to process what just happened. As he did, a civilian is seen passing by next to him, purposely shifting to get closer to his ear.)

Civilian: Hearing things?

(Jake quickly turned his head to see the civilian give a small grin, before getting startled back to normal. Buford quickly rushed back up to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.)

Buford Brunt: Maybe we need to go-

Jake Smith: NO!

(Jake shouted at Buford in the middle of a crowded street, which naturally got some weird looks from innocent passerbys.)

Jake Smith: Wherever you are… we need to talk.

???: Why?

(Jake turned to see a woman with her poodle walking by.)

Civilian: Why should we talk? When has talking ever done us any good?

Jake Smith: This is not the way to end things, you know it…

???: Then what is?

(A teenager with a pair of headphones passes, turning toward Jake.)

Civilian: I told you I would do *anything* to break this bond, there had to be a way.

Jake Smith: This is *ridiculous.*

Civilian: As ridiculous as everything you’ve done to me?

(The teenager scoffs before getting snapped out of the trance, stumbling away.)

Buford Brunt: Jake… I mean it. We gotta go…

(Jake placed his head in his hands and took a breath. When he looked up, he cast his eyes down the street. A flash of blonde hair caught his eyes and he took off, leaving Buford in his dust.)

Buford Brunt: Dammit! JAKE!

(Buford hurried after Jake, sweating profusely in the devastating Texas heat. Passerbys quickly scattered as Jake hurried after whom he assumed to be Caroline. He rounded a corner and came to a stop, as there she stood.)

Jake Smith: Let’s talk.

(Except it wasn’t her.)

(A petite blonde woman, wearing black jean shorts, combat boots, and a ripped tee-shirt looked up at Jake, clearly startled.)

Civilian: W-who are you?

(Suddenly, there was a tap on Jake’s shoulder and he whirled around, fists clenched. The blonde took off running as behind Jake stood a middle-aged man wearing thick, wire-framed glasses.)

Civilian: You know where to find me. I have but a date with Him in order to shatter our destiny.

(Jake pinched the bridge of his nose.)

Jake Smith: You said yourself it can’t be done.

Civilian: Pardon??

(The man stumbled back, gave Jake an odd look, and hurried away. It was then that Buford, huffing and puffing, finally caught up to his client.)

Buford Brunt: I-I…

(Buford leaned over and started to wheeze, desperate to catch his breath.)

Buford Brunt: I called for the driver. We’re going straight to the airport and getting the hell out of here.

(Suddenly Buford’s eyes went wide and his whole body convulsed.)

Buford Brunt: He told me He wants to see you.

Jake Smith: Caroline…

(Darkness fell like a veil, cloaking Jake and a shaking Buford.)

(And for a moment, the sound begins to turn into an echo. It’s pitch black and dead silent for a moment other than the sound of voices ringing in the far distance.)

(After an agonizing moment, everything seems to come back to them.)

Buford Brunt: What happened??? Am I dead??? Is this how it feels to be dead???

(Buford has his eyes shut as he’s down on his knees. As he opens them back up, he pats himself down, breathing a sigh of relief that he’s still in his own body. As he looks up… he sees that Jake Smith hasn’t moved an inch, in fact, he’s looking around, which prompts Buford to look around.)

(They’re in a large cathedral, everything is tinted a dark red as if they’re somewhere far away from where they once were. This immediately petrifies Buford, but Jake continues to move his eyes around, as if he’s looking for something… someone.)

(Suddenly, a large wooden door begins to open, which immediately catches their attention. A shadow encapsulates their figure as it enters.)

Jake Smith: …

(As Jake turns… he sees a small, goblin-like figure. He has a scroll in his hand, unwinding it as he reads.)

Goblin: 𓉔𓅂𓃭𓃭𓅱𓄼 𓇋 𓉔𓄿𓆯𓅂 𓄿𓂋𓂋𓇋𓆯𓅂𓂧 𓇋𓈖 𓏏𓉔𓅂 𓈖𓄿𓅓𓅂 𓅱𓆑 𓅱𓅲𓂋 𓎼𓃭𓅱𓂋𓇋𓅱𓅲𓋴 𓅱𓆯𓅂𓂋𓃭𓅱𓂋𓂧 𓏏𓅱 𓂧𓇋𓋴𓎢𓅲𓋴𓋴 𓄿 𓅓𓄿𓏏𓏏𓅂𓂋 𓏏𓉔𓄿𓏏 𓅓𓅱𓋴𓏏 𓊪𓅂𓂋𓏏𓇋𓈖𓅂𓈖𓏏𓃭𓇌 𓂋𓅂𓃭𓄿𓏏𓅂𓋴 𓏏𓅱 𓇌𓅱𓅲.

Buford Brunt: ???

Jake Smith: Where is she?

Goblin: 𓅃𓉔𓄿𓏏 𓃭𓄿𓈖𓎼𓅲𓄿𓎼𓅂 𓇋𓋴 𓏏𓉔𓇋𓋴 𓏏𓉔𓄿𓏏 𓇌𓅱𓅲 𓄿𓂋𓅂 𓋴𓊪𓅂𓄿𓈎𓇋𓈖𓎼𓃇

Jake Smith: I *know* you understand me.

(The goblin clears his throat.)

Goblin: My name is Wilford. The woman that you wish for is not here.

Jake Smith: Then why the hell are we here…

(Jake begins to approach, Buford quickly rushing toward him, trying not to get him to touch the weird goblin thing.)

Wilford: Rather, she does not wish to see you. I have come to deliver a message on behalf of not just herself but the overlord himself.

Jake Smith: This is all one big joke-

Wilford: The bond that you have subjugated amongst yourselves cannot be broken without a price. A price that *you* must pay.

(Jake glares, almost as if he’s hiding his instability at the moment with a “calm” composure.)

Jake Smith: What if I don’t want to pay it?

Wilford: The woman says you simply do not have a choice in the matter.

Jake Smith: Where the fuck is she?

Buford Brunt: J-Jake…

(Jake lunges for Wilford, but it slips away… into the shadows.)

Wilford: (from a distance) You will see her when she wishes to be seen, but not before. You must take a trip, and she quotes the rather trivial Lewis Carroll ‘down the rabbit hole’.

(That struck Jake…)

(A flashback.)

(Darkness fell across the room as the last visages of sun slipped beneath the clouds. Caroline poked her messy head out from under the blanket, relaxed all of a sudden. Jake glanced across at her and rolled his eyes; his little creature of the night.)

Jake Smith: For you.

(He tossed a package upon the bed and Caroline narrowed her eyes.)

Caroline: A trick?

Jake Smith: A treat.

(Caroline wasted little time ripping it open and pulling out what was inside. A surprised noise escaped her lips and her eyes danced as she looked up at Jake.)

Caroline: How did you get your hands on such a thing?

(The arrogance dripped from Jake.)

Jake Smith: I have my ways.

(For once, Caroline could not bring herself to question him. Sat in her hands was an extremely rare, very valuable first edition of Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. The majority of first editions had been destroyed upon the illustrator of the novel, John Tenniel, complaining of the print quality.)

(Jake caught himself smiling as Caroline hugged the book to her chest. She rarely spoke of her prior life, but often quoted the book from memory.)

…

Wilfort: Perhaps that rings true to your ears, Jake Smith. This situation you find yourself in is very real. ‘The Queen of Shadows’ sits at the Lord’s feet as we speak, pleading for a way to undo the spell she herself cast upon you. I do not pretend to know what price He will ask for, but she has already said she IS willing to pay.

(It was almost as if Jake was staring into the abyss. If he had a heart, whatever was left of it at least, it would be tugging in one direction, the one that he was almost terrified to confront.)

Buford Brunt: Jake… C’mon. I *really* don’t want to die down here. I always took myself to be a guy who was going to heaven…

Jake Smith: You tell her this…

(Jake looks around, almost as if he’s trying to find the location where the ugly goblin’s voice is coming from.)

Jake Smith: I am not doing ANYTHING until I am able to look her in the face and talk to her. Until she EXPLAINS to me why ANY OF THIS is necessary. Then, and only then, I will be open to discussion. But not with you, not with anyone else, but with *her.* Do I make myself clear?

(There is a moment of silence that echoes through the cathedral.)

Wilfort: Very well then. Your message will be received. It is not up to me whether or not your request is granted.

Jake Smith: If I don’t speak with her, then this is worth *nothing* to me.

Wilfort: Again, it is not my choice.

Jake Smith: …

Buford Brunt: It is not his choice.

(Jake whirled around at the sound of Caroline’s voice. Buford looked stricken to have been invaded once again and used to deliver a message.)

Buford Brunt: It is no longer your choice, either. You took us down this road, Jake, and now? We both will pay. The price is blood, be it yours or mine. There is but no other way for me to undo what I asked Him to do in the first place.

Jake Smith: And I meant what I said, dammit.

Wilfort: … the price to pay is a soul.

(Wilfort stepped from the shadows and there was a very grave look on its face.)

Wilfort: To break the unbroken, one of you must spend the rest of eternity serving.

Jake Smith: No. Absolutely fucking not.

(Buford gasped and fell to his knees. He looked at Jake with straight fear in his eyes.)

Buford Brunt: S-she… I… the throne… Belial. I saw it. Them. S-she forced me to see Him through her e-eyes.

(A clay tablet and stylus appears in Wilfort’s hand, replacing the scroll he had been reading from. He turned it for Jake’s eyes to see and the Hall of Famer went rigid.)

Wilfort: For she has already signed…

(A drop of blood sat beside Caroline’s name, and Jake knew. He knew that she had sold her soul in order to get away from him…)

Jake Smith: …

(Jake stared at it for a long, painful moment before turning around briskly and beginning to walk away.)

Jake Smith: We’re leaving.

Buford Brunt: Wait-

Jake Smith: I said we’re LEAVING.

Wilfort: How are you going to do that?

(Jake paused as he turned back.)

Jake Smith: You’re gonna let me out.

Wilfort: I…

Jake Smith: I SAID YOU’RE GONNA LET ME OUT.

(Jake’s voice rang through the air, as silence followed. Sweat began to bead from him due to the immense heat in the room, as he ran his hands through his hair, not only visibly frustrated… but also distraught.)

(He couldn’t bear to do it.)

(But he knew that he had to face the reality of his sins.)

Wilfort: I… can’t let you.

(Wilfort gestures toward the tablet.)

Wilfort: Not after she has already signed. He will not let you…

Jake Smith: …

(Buford stretched out, trying to calm him down, but he knew that there was no way that he could do that at this point, and even if he could, how would you be able to handle a situation like that in the first place?)

(Jake finally turned around, approaching the goblin again.)

Wilfort: At your request.

(Jake stared down, his eyes completely fixated on the drop of blood that Caroline left, the *only* remnant of her that he had been able to see this entire time. A painful reminder; perhaps it was him finally coming to the realization of everything that he had done.)

(He said nothing, merely raising his hand and allowing the goblin to prick his right index finger.)

(The blood dripped down… right next to his name.)

Wilfort: Then it is done.

Jake Smith: Wait-

Wilfort: Your time is up.

(Just as it was when they entered, they were surrounded by a veil of darkness.)

(As they came back, Buford was down on his knees in the middle of the street, banging his head against the concrete.)

Buford Brunt: Please let it be over… please let it be over…

(As he looked up, he realized they were back in Houston.)

Buford Brunt: Oh.

(Buford glanced over at Jake, who was frozen, despondent after what had happened, still holding his hand up as it dripped with blood.)

Buford Brunt: J- Jake…?

(Jake said nothing; he merely continued walking, briskly looking to get as far away from here as he possibly could.)

Buford Brunt: Wait… Wait up…

(Buford stumbled back up as he rushed to catch up with him, marking the end of what was, no doubt, a unique conversation. The camera then completely faded out.)

(Promotional ad for Territorial Invasion, where the Brand Warfare match will take place with Raven Roberts as Voltage team Captain.)

(The camera returns to ringside, as ‘Duel’ by JINJER begins to play. This brings about loud boos from the fans in attendance, and while the camera pans towards the stage, the trio of ToXXXin begins walking out. Selina Reyes and Daniella Atlas stand on each side of the Universal Women’s Champion, Minerva, who carries her Championship on her shoulder. The three hold microphones in their hands, as together they begin making their way down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… Please welcome Selina Reyes, Daniella Atlas and the Universal Women’s Champion Minerva… TOXXXIN!!!

Rich Russillo: ToXXXin is on their way to the ring after a successful Bloodsport, where Minerva was able to retain the Universal Women’s Championship despite a stipulation that was very inviting of chaos!

Thadd Blazevich: That was a very wild match bro, but in the end these three got the last laugh. Things are looking pretty good for ‘em heading towards Territorial Invasion.

Persephone: I know, it’s the worst. The more they win, the more I have to see them come out here and run their mouths.

(The three members of ToXXXin walk up the steel steps, and each member begins to enter the ring one by one. Once the three are all in the center of the ring, ‘Duel’ begins to fade out, allowing the Universal Women’s Champion to begin speaking.)

Minerva: I’m certain this was to be expected. It was quite the stipulation, opening the door for whoever scored the winning fall to hold this Championship. However, it was promised from the very beginning that ToXXXin would end Bloodsport with the Universal Women’s Championship and a trio such as ARIA, Candice Blair and Ashlynn Quinn was never going to ruin that. The greatest threat to my Championship reign was only ever going to be my own allies and the circumstances that befell us, but here I stand with this Championship still firmly on my shoulder. I warned you that this would not change anytime soon, and now that reality is unfolding before your very eyes.

(Minerva’s words are met with boos, but she smirks. She stops for a moment, but the members of ToXXXin aren’t concerned with the fan’s reception towards them. Instead, Daniella Atlas begins to speak.)

Daniella Atlas: I did not lie with my words ahead of Bloodsport. I did desire the Universal Women’s Championship. I always have, but I was never going to jeopardize ToXXXin’s success, nor was I going to allow the Black Rose’s reign as Champion to come to an end at the hands of our opponents. The sight in front of you is exactly what we fought for and now it’s here… but now, I suppose we’ve been brought to a question of our future. Minerva holds the Universal Women’s Championship as she should, but what lies ahead for ToXXXin’s future?

(Daniella stops for a moment, and thinks before she continues.)

Daniella Atlas: Season 20 is meant to be the continuation of what the three of us had already started last season. I am not yet certain just what Territorial Invasion will hold, but I can guarantee that our mentality towards this has not changed.

Selina Reyes: Since our formation ToXXXin has stood at the top of this brand. Nobody has been able to stand in our way for long, and we don’t intend for that to change. Bloodsport was another night of our dominance, but we are not finished just yet. The next event in our path is Territorial Invasion, and while we are not yet certain what lies ahead of us, we know exactly what result we are planning for. Daniella and I have had a long road since becoming members of ToXXXin, one that at one point led to us becoming the Unified Tag Team Champions. That road is not yet over, and no matter what’s next, we will come out of it with our hands raised.

(Minerva nods, and the Champion begins to speak once more.)

Minerva: I no longer see reason to warn those in the back of what’s to come. For long enough now the three of us have been able to walk out here, tell you what fate has in store and return to this ring weeks later to tell you that we achieved exactly what we promised. By now anyone that sets their sights on us very clearly has a death wish, and if you really want to put yourselves in harm’s way, be my guest. Someone out there has already volunteered themselves for that spot, haven’t they?

(Minerva smirks, as the fans know exactly who she is referring to.)

Minerva: I may have been busy with Bloodsport at the time, but I heard what you said on Showdown last week, Veena. You want to challenge for the Universal Women’s Championship? I’m sure you kept a close eye on Bloodsport, so-

(Before Minerva could even finish speaking, ‘7 Rings’ by Ariana Grande begins to play, interrupting the Champion as the crowd explodes with cheers.)

Rich Russillo: And look who it is! Not even giving Minerva the chance to finish her thought, Veena Adams is here on Voltage!

(Veena Adams begins to walk out, and she has a microphone in her hand as the members of ToXXXin stare from the ring. Veena has a confident smirk on her face as the cheers continue, and she begins to walk down the ramp, not showing any intimidation at the sight of the trio as she instead looks to join them in the ring.)

Thadd Blazevich: Veena said after Midsummer Massacre she wanted the Universal Women’s Championship, but I didn’t expect her to actually be here tonight!

Persephone: Good. I’m glad someone’s finally going to shut Minerva up.

(Veena walks up the steel steps and makes her way into the ring, meeting the members of ToXXXin with a staredown as ‘7 Rings’ begins to fade out. After Veena locks eyes with all three of them, she turns her back and hypes up the crowd.)

Veena Adams: OHMYGAAAAAAAWWWWDDDD! Hi Voltage! Gosh, it’s been like SO long since you got graded with the presence of professional wrestling royalty, but can ya blame a girl for like not wanting to come back to this brand after soooooo many ridiculous things like happened??

(Veena bit down on her full bottom lip and looked a little sheepish. Even though she was a hell of a wrestler now, it wasn’t always like that for her.)

Veena Adams: I was ran off this brand by someone who like doesn’t even go here anymore but you know what? Like everything happens for a reason! I mean, look at your girl now 🥰. I’m the literal greatest thing in EAW today and uhhhh I’m not going to entertain ANYONE…

(She swivels on her Louboutins and eyes each member of ToXXXin before settling her gaze on Minerva.)

Veena Adams: … trying to say anything different!

(Veena twirls a strand of platinum hair around a perfectly manicured finger and smiles sweetly at the Universal Women’s Champion.)

Veena Adams: Look, I don’t want this to break down into some war of words or like become super personal or whatever because we both know there’s plenty of time for that. But the fact of the matter is, I like want to become world champion again and hello! I’m super good at being exactly that. It would be totally easy to go out and win the Answers World Championship for like a second time, especially after how gross Pain for Pride ended up being, but ya know what? I want to go after something different.

(Veena looks at the Universal Women’s Championship that is resting on Minerva’s shoulder and she practically has hearts in her eyes.)

Veena Adams: Ugh isn’t it the most? It’s super pretty and would look beyond ahhhhh-mazing wrapped around my gorgeous waist! ‘Sides, I’ve always been an advocate for the women’s division since so many bitter Betties wanted to like disregard it because apparently a brand centric world championship is better?? So not okay to have that mentality but whatever! I’m not trying to give me or you PTSD when it comes to Empire talk! We have both evolved far beyond the confines of that brand, even though I wasn’t really a wrestler back then, but you like get the point. You may be a total cunt, and not the kewt type, but you’re not stupid. We can both agree that EAW has totally changed for the better and I’m like one of the biggest reasons for that.

(The fans cheer, and Minerva lets out a smirk, nodding after some of the words Veena had to say.)

Minerva: You aren’t wrong to say that this company changed. The EAW of today is far removed from the company I walked into in 2019, but what I fail to understand is what exactly you are hoping to accomplish. You may have been part of pivotal moments of this company’s history just as your own career has grown tremendously, but you are no longer on Showdown, facing those such as Silas World or Jon Kelton. My Hall of Fame career did not become what it is today overnight. This championship is in my hands for the third time in my career, more than anyone else in EAW history, because I am the most dangerous woman EAW has to offer and I worked tirelessly to etch my name into this company’s history. Why do you think ToXXXin exists, Veena?

(Minerva briefly turns towards Selina and Daniella, pointing her hand towards them as she continues.)

Minerva: I look at Selina Reyes and Daniella Atlas and I see two women who are capable of becoming what I have. Together we have already begun to run this brand, and this is still only the beginning. This brand, this division, this company as a whole has my fingerprints on it and that will not change anytime soon, not as long as I am here. I won’t stop you from setting your sights on my championship, but you’d be a fool to think you won’t meet the same fate everyone else has.

Veena Adams: 🙄k. Sure you run Voltage but more people are talking about the lil love triangle Damon, Auburn, and Saori got going on than anything ToXXXin is doing at the moment. Then again, one of your own is totally engrossed in that situation BUT you probably haven’t even noticed that have you, Minerva?

(Veena winks at Daniella, who is not at all happy to be called out, and Veena giggles.)

Veena Adams: As much as you want to think you run the show, I can name like six different things that are way more interesting than whatever ToXXXin has going on and after I take that championship from you at TI… then literally no one is going to be talking about ToXXXin like at all, teehee.

Minerva: Territorial Invasion.

Veena Adams: Yes, girl! Matty muffin and I always have a great working relationship and he was more than happy to go ahead and make the match official the second he found out I was deadass about staking my claim to this title.

(This brought a true grin to Minerva’s face.)

Minerva: Very well. As I said, you’re going to suffer the same fate as everyone else who’s tried to come for ToXXXin. I will say this, though. You will be a challenge, but nothing I won’t be capable of conquering. Ask your ‘bestie’ about me 😉.

(A loud, negative reaction follows these words as the fans boo. Veena doesn’t look amused by Minerva bringing up Milli Banks this way, but the Universal Women’s Champion just begins to walk past Veena, as do Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes. ‘Duel’ begins to play once more as ToXXXin exits the ring, having made their point.)

Rich Russillo: Wow, we have ourselves a HUGE match at Territorial Invasion, but already it seems that things could get pretty nasty between Minerva and Veena Adams.

Thadd Blazevich: That’s to be expected though, right? You have two of the toughest dudettes in the game, and after everything we just heard, I can’t imagine they like each other all too much. This is gonna be a killer match, and honestly I think there’s no telling who’ll walk away with the title.

Rich Russillo: I couldn’t agree more.

(Veena Adams remains in the ring, staring at the ramp as Minerva looks back. She raises her Championship in the air, and there is a staredown between champion and challenger before Minerva finally turns, heading up the ramp alongside Daniella and Selina. With one last shot of Veena who is clearly ready for Territorial Invasion to arrive, Voltage fades out.)

(Commercial for Domino’s.)

(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

(“REVIVER” by MY FIRST STORY hits to a strong positive reaction as Sayuri Himura steps out onto the stage. Sayuri takes a moment to soak in the cheers before setting her sights on the ring and confidently starting down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Residing out of Yokohama, Japan, weighing in at 125 pounds…SHE IS THE YŪREI…SAYURI HIMURA!!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri went through hell at Bloodsport, dude. She lost a brutal fight to Auburn Ware, and then got attacked again afterward. That’s a rough night to come back from.

Rich Russillo: But Sayuri Himura is back on her feet, and tonight is an opportunity to put that loss behind her with a victory over Cosmo Goldworthy.

Thadd Blazevich: And knowing Sayuri, bro, she’s not gonna let one bad night keep her down. She’s here to bounce back.

(‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown hits to a negative reaction as Cosmo Goldworthy steps onto the stage with Diamond Dixon by his side. Cosmo appears far more focused than usual, keeping his eyes locked on the ring as Diamond follows closely behind while he starts down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Hailing from The Golden State, weighing in at 220 pounds, accompanied to the ring by Diamond Dixon…HE IS COSMO “MONEY MO” GOLDWORTHY!!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo didn’t exactly leave Bloodsport on a high note either. He and Diamond Dixon lost that Walk of Death match, and Cosmo was the last one sent into that pit.

Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, dude, but look at him tonight. He’s way more focused than usual, and with Diamond still in his corner, Cosmo’s looking to get back on track himself.

Persephone: So they both lost horribly at Bloodsport. Glad we cleared up why I shouldn’t care who wins this.

(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: The bell has rung, and it’s Sayuri Himura starting things off against Cosmo Goldworthy as the two circle each other to start… but Diamond suddenly hops onto the apron, drawing Himura’s attention over her shoulder! AND THAT’S ALL THE OPENING COSMO NEEDS! HE CHARGES IN WHILE SAYURI’S DISTRACTED!

Thadd Blazevich: SIDESTEPPED! SAYURI GETS OUT OF THE WAY OF WHATEVER COSMO HAD PLANNED, AND HE WINDS UP IN THE CORNER— KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Dude, Sayuri LAID that one in, and Diamond can only wince at ringside!

(Cosmo doubles over slightly in the corner, favoring his chest as Sayuri looks toward a displeased Diamond at ringside. The two briefly exchange words before Sayuri turns her attention back to Cosmo, standing him upright in the corner…)

Rich Russillo: OOH! ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! THAT ONE ECHOED THROUGHOUT THE ARENA!

Thadd Blazevich: That’s the thing about Sayuri, bro, she hits HARD. Those strikes might be the most dangerous part of her game. You’ve gotta watch for that backfist, you’ve gotta watch for that knee, because either one can shut your lights out!

Persephone: Wow, great advice. “Don’t get punched or kneed in the face.” I’m pretty sure that applies to everyone, Thadd. What makes Sayuri so special?

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, I’m saying there’s levels to it, Persephone! Getting cracked by Sayuri is a whole different deal, bro, and Cosmo’s finding that out right now!

Persephone: Getting cracked by Sayuri? Could’ve phrased that one better, Thadd.

Thadd Blazevich: Wha— dude, come on! You know what I meant!

Rich Russillo: Alright, I’m gonna do us all a favor and steer this conversation back to the match before Persephone drags this out any longer.

Persephone: I’m not dragging anything out. He said it, I pointed out how stupid it sounded.

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, ENOUGH! I walked right into that one, alright? Can we move on?!

Persephone: Ugh, fine. It was funny watching you panic, though.

Rich Russillo: Cosmo’s stunned after that last chop from Himura, doubling over slightly before Sayuri grabs him by the back of the head and directs him toward another corner— BOUNCING HIM FACE FIRST OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! Cosmo’s rocked, trying to shake the cobwebs out before Sayuri grabs him again and marches him toward another corner— SLAMMING HIM FACE FIRST OFF THAT TOP TURNBUCKLE AS WELL!

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo slowly turns himself around in the corner, still reeling after getting bounced off those two turnbuckles, and Sayuri winds back— A THIRD KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Dude, these things are sounding like GUNSHOTS!

Rich Russillo: Sayuri pulls Cosmo out of the corner and backs him against the ropes for an Irish whip— BUT COSMO SLIDES OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE, STOPPING HIMSELF FROM REBOUNDING BACK!

(Cosmo doubles over at ringside, taking a moment to catch his breath and gather himself with one hand resting on Diamond Dixon’s shoulder as she keeps her eyes locked on Sayuri inside the ring.)

Persephone: Oh, look at that. Cosmo finally figured out how to stop getting his chest caved in. Just leave the ring. Brilliant strategy.

(Sayuri grows impatient with Cosmo stalling and rolls out of the ring after him! Diamond quickly taps Cosmo on the back to warn him that she’s coming, prompting him to stand upright and start rounding the corner as Sayuri stays hot on his heels!)

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo rolls back into the ring with Sayuri sliding in right behind him! Cosmo runs off the ropes, building momentum for a— OH! SAYURI SENDS COSMO UP AND OVER WITH A BACK BODY DROP! OR AT LEAST SHE TRIED TO, BECAUSE COSMO CATCHES HIMSELF ON THE APRON!

Rich Russillo: SAYURI SPINS AROUND AND WINDS BACK FOR A RIGHT HAND— BUT COSMO BEATS HER TO IT WITH A SHOULDER THRUST THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! Sayuri doubles over as Cosmo drives that shoulder into her gut before SLINGSHOTTING OVER THE TOP ROPE, FLIPPING OVER HER BACK AND LANDING ON HIS FEET! Tremendous athleticism from Cosmo— BUT HE TURNS AROUND INTO A KICK TO THE GUT FROM SAYURI!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri pulls him in for MUKANJYO! SHE’S LOOKING TO END THIS WITH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB— BUT COSMO SLIPS OUT OVER HER SHOULDER!

(Cosmo lands on his feet behind Sayuri before quickly rolling underneath the bottom rope as she spins around to face him. Sayuri stays put in the center of the ring, gesturing for Cosmo to come back inside as he doubles over at ringside, catching his breath after that close call. Diamond comes over to check on him— but the moment she places a hand on his back, Cosmo shoves her away in frustration!)

Rich Russillo: Cosmo lets his frustration get the better of him and shoves Diamond away, but he realizes who it is almost immediately and starts apologizing!

Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, they’re good, dude. Cosmo knows he messed up, Diamond knows it wasn’t intentional, and now she’s talking him through this, trying to get his head back in the match.

Persephone: Are they done conspiring out there yet? Cosmo does know there’s still a match going on, right?

Rich Russillo: If not, he’s about to, because Sayuri Himura once again grows tired of waiting and starts toward the ropes— BEFORE COSMO GRABS HER BY THE ANKLE AND DRAGS SAYURI OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! Cosmo swings with a right hand, but Sayuri blocks it and CATCHES HIM WITH A FOREARM! Goldworthy staggers from the shot before Sayuri rolls him back inside!

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo stirs up to a knee as Sayuri rolls back into the ring, and she stands him up for a RIGHT HAND! Cosmo stumbles back against the ropes before Sayuri closes in— EUROPEAN UPPERCUT TO THE JAW! Cosmo staggers into the nearest corner, and Sayuri stays on him with a JAB! AND ANOTHER!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo’s struggling to shake the cobwebs in that corner before Sayuri drags him out and sends him to the ropes with an Irish whip! Cosmo rebounds back— INTO A BACK BODY DROP! Sayuri quickly drops into the cover!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Rich Russillo: Kickout! Sayuri doesn’t waste any time dwelling on it, staying on the attack as she lifts Cosmo Goldworthy up to a knee! But Cosmo drives her back against the ropes, keeping his shoulder pressed into her abdomen! The referee has no choice but to step in and call for a clean break as Cosmo slowly starts to separate himself from Sayuri.

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri’s got both hands up, and Cosmo sees a golden opportunity to CHEAP SHOT HER WITH A KICK TO THE GUT— BUT SAYURI CATCHES THE BOOT! Cosmo’s stuck hopping on one foot as Sayuri backs him toward the center of the ring, keeping hold of that foot while he starts begging her to put it down!

Rich Russillo: Sayuri eventually does— ONLY TO IMMEDIATELY LIGHT COSMO UP WITH ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Cosmo staggers back before doubling over slightly, favoring his chest as Sayuri grabs hold of him and looks for another Irish whip— BUT COSMO REVERSES IT, SENDING SAYURI TO THE ROPES INSTEAD!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri hooks both arms around the top rope, bringing herself to a stop! Cosmo lunges forward and nearly eats a boot for his troubles— BUT COSMO CATCHES IT!

(Cosmo keeps hold of Sayuri’s boot as she leans against the ropes, looking around with a smug grin and briefly laughing now that the shoe is on the other foot before—)

Rich Russillo: COSMO THROWS THE BOOT DOWN AND SWINGS WILDLY— BUT SAYURI CATCHES HIM! EXPLODER SUPLEX! SAYURI LAUNCHES COSMO UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE, AND HE CLIPS THE APRON LOWER BACK FIRST ON HIS WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AT RINGSIDE!

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo’s writhing in pain on the outside after that nasty landing as Sayuri exits the ring and stays right on him! Himura rolls Cosmo back inside before rolling in after him and making the cover, hooking the leg!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Thadd Blazevich: Kickout at two!

Persephone: Another kickout. Great. How many more times are we planning to do this before somebody actually wins?

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, come on! They’re still going at it! Not every match needs somebody getting launched through an exploding table to keep your attention!

Persephone: I don’t know, that sounds like a pretty reasonable requirement to me.

Rich Russillo: Sayuri drags Cosmo back to his feet, hooking him up for a suplex with her back to the corner, likely looking to use those turnbuckles for some added damage! BUT COSMO HAS ENOUGH WHEREWITHAL TO SHOVE SAYURI OFF AND SEND HER BACK INTO THE CORNER! Cosmo staggers back on wobbly legs after everything he’s taken before charging in— BUT SAYURI GETS THE BOOT UP!

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo staggers back as Sayuri marches toward him, lifting him up for a SUPLEX— BUT COSMO SLIPS OUT THE BACK! Cosmo lands on his feet before stumbling back into the corner! Sayuri spins around and rushes in— BUT COSMO SENDS HER UP AND OVER HIS SHOULDER! SAYURI LANDS ON THE APRON AND CATCHES HERSELF!

Rich Russillo: COSMO SPINS AROUND— AND SAYURI CATCHES HIM WITH A FOREARM!

(Cosmo staggers from the forearm before grabbing hold of the referee’s shirt with one hand, keeping his back turned to Sayuri as he points to his face and pretends something might be wrong.)

Thadd Blazevich: WHOA! DIAMOND DIXON JUST YANKED SAYURI’S LEG OUT FROM UNDER HER! SAYURI GOES FACE FIRST ONTO THE APRON! Himura groggily turns around— AND DIAMOND LEVELS HER WITH A HUGE CLOTHESLINE! SAYURI GOES DOWN, AND THE REFEREE DIDN’T SEE A THING!

(Diamond rounds the corner, creating distance between herself and Sayuri as Cosmo finally drops the act, lightly pushing the referee aside before exiting the ring.)

Rich Russillo: Diamond created the opening, and now Cosmo’s looking to reap the rewards! Goldworthy drags Sayuri back to her feet and RUNS HER STOMACH FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! Sayuri nearly spills over into the crowd before Cosmo pulls her back, rolling Himura inside the ring to continue his onslaught!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri stirs up to a seated position before COSMO BOOTS HER RIGHT BACK DOWN! But Sayuri’s persistent, bro! She tries willing herself back up again— AND COSMO BOOTS HER IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD!

(Cosmo starts trash talking Sayuri as she sits on the canvas, favoring the back of her head. He gives her a disrespectful shove to the side of the head, causing Sayuri to roll over onto a knee…)

Rich Russillo: Cosmo’s playing with his food now, and I’m not sure that’s smart! You don’t want to give someone like Sayuri time to recover— AND THERE’S WHY! SAYURI EXPLODES TO HER FEET WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP AS COSMO TRIES TO LIFT HER UP! BUT GOLDWORTHY IMMEDIATELY SHUTS HER BACK DOWN WITH A KICK TO THE GUT!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri staggers toward the ropes, clutching her midsection before dropping to a knee against the middle rope! COSMO DRILLS HER WITH A BOOT TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Sayuri drops to all fours, and Cosmo starts viciously clubbing across her back before dragging her up— BODY SLAM!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo measures Sayuri as she lies on the mat— STOMP TO THE SIDE OF THE FACE!

(Sayuri sits up slightly, favoring the side of her face before Cosmo forces her back down and kneels beside her, pressing his knee against the side of her face while cockily spreading his arms as the crowd rains down boos!)

Persephone: Yeah, yeah. Are we done showing off yet? Can we get on with it already?

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo finally takes his knee off Sayuri and sits her up for a rear chinlock, looking to wear her down even more! But this crowd is rallying behind Sayuri, and she’s feeding off that energy as she powers back to her feet— COSMO REALIZES HE’S LOSING CONTROL AND BLASTS HER WITH A FOREARM! BUT SAYURI FIRES BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN!

Rich Russillo: FOREARM FROM COSMO! FOREARM FROM SAYURI! COSMO! SAYURI! COSMO! SAYURI! COSMO! SAYURI! COSMO— SWITCHES THINGS UP WITH A KICK TO THE GUT! Himura doubles over, and that’s one way to swing the momentum back in your favor! Cosmo backs Sayuri into the corner before sending her across with an Irish whip!

Thadd Blazevich: WAIT! SAYURI REVERSES IT, SENDING COSMO INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD! Cosmo goes up and over Sayuri, twisting around in mid-air to land on his feet before rolling forward and popping right back up as Himura turns around! Dude, that was QUICK! Cosmo comes charging back in— BUT RUNS STRAIGHT INTO A BACK ELBOW FROM HIMURA!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo is rocked as Himura grabs hold of him— HALF HATCH SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! COSMO GETS DUMPED HIGH ON HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS!

Persephone: Yikes. Sucks to be Cosmo.

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri rises back to her feet in the center of the ring, catching a second wind from these fans as Cosmo slowly drags himself up in the corner! Sayuri closes in— KNIFE EDGE CHOP! FOLLOWED BY A JAB! NOW SHE’S ALTERNATING BETWEEN BOTH! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! Sayuri finally pulls Cosmo out of the corner— ONLY TO TURN AROUND AND SLAM HIM FACE FIRST OFF THAT TOP TURNBUCKLE!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo jolts upright with a glazed look in his eyes before Sayuri knocks him back with a JAB! KNIFE EDGE CHOP! Cosmo staggers back— KICK TO THE GUT! SAYURI LOOKS TO SEND HIM BACK INTO THE CORNER— NO! COSMO TWISTS THE ARM AND SWINGS WILDLY WITH A CLOTHESLINE! BUT SAYURI TRAPS THE ARM— SPIKE DDT! SAYURI SPIKES COSMO INTO THE MAT AND SITS ACROSS HIS CHEST, PULLING UP THE LEG FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHRRRRRRRR—

Thadd Blazevich: COSMO BARELY BEATS THE COUNT, POPPING THAT SHOULDER UP JUST BEFORE THREE!

Rich Russillo: Sayuri rolls onto all fours, perhaps thinking about her next move as Cosmo groggily slides out underneath the bottom rope. Cosmo drops to a knee, leaning against the apron to gather himself— but he doesn’t notice Sayuri rolling out behind him! Himura stands Cosmo back up and spins him around— KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST!

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo gets rolled back inside by Sayuri and rises to all fours before Himura comes up from behind, hooking both arms! Sayuri uses all her strength to slowly drag Cosmo back to his feet— SHE’S LOOKING FOR TSUKUYOMI! THAT SIGNATURE DRAGON SUPLEX!

Persephone: Oh, please let this be the beginning of the end. I’m begging you.

Rich Russillo: OH, AND COSMO! COSMO HAMMERS SAYURI WITH REPEATED BACK ELBOWS TO BREAK HER GRIP! Sayuri doubles over as Cosmo staggers toward the ropes, leaning back against them to catch his breath— BEFORE SAYURI COMES CHARGING IN! BUT COSMO BAITED HER! Goldworthy sidesteps at the last second— REBOUND GERMAN SUPLEX! SAYURI GETS DUMPED HIGH ON HER NECK AND SHOULDERS THIS TIME!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri rolls through to both knees, running on pure instinct as she groggily gets back to her feet! Cosmo comes charging in with a CLOTHES— OH NO! SAYURI SLIPS BEHIND! TSUKUYOMI! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! DUDE, SHE CRUMPLED COSMO LIKE AN ACCORDION!

(Cosmo rolls through to a knee from the dragon suplex before collapsing prone onto the mat, while an exhausted Sayuri lies on her back staring up at the lights, perhaps having spent her last bit of energy on Tsukuyomi. Sayuri eventually rolls onto her belly and reaches out for Cosmo— but Goldworthy wisely rolls away with whatever wherewithal he has left, dragging himself toward the corner and starting to pull himself back up.)

Persephone: Of course he rolled away. Heaven forbid this thing actually ends when I get my hopes up.

Rich Russillo: Sayuri returns to her feet and BARRELS TOWARD COSMO IN THE CORNER— BUT COSMO GETS BOTH FEET UP! Sayuri gets knocked down and rolls away from the corner, remaining sprawled out on the mat as the gears start turning for Cosmo! Diamond Dixon is encouraging him from ringside to head up top, and Goldworthy starts making the climb!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri hasn’t moved a muscle! She’s still down as COSMO GOLDWORTHY FLIES OFF WITH COSMOLOGY! SHOOTING STAR PRESS— BUT SAYURI ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND! Himura pulls herself up in the corner as Cosmo lands on his feet and rolls through to a knee— SAYURI SHOOTS OUT OF THE CORNER WITH SAYONARA!

Rich Russillo: COSMO AVOIDS THE KNEE LIFT AND SLIPS BEHIND SAYURI FOR A REAR WAISTLOCK! Standing switch by Sayuri! Standing switch by Cosmo! ANOTHER BY SAYURI! These two are going back and forth— UNTIL COSMO BREAKS THE PATTERN WITH A BACK ELBOW!

Thadd Blazevich: STIFF BACK ELBOW BREAKS SAYURI’S GRIP! Cosmo takes off toward the ropes— BUT SAYURI DRILLS HIM WITH A RUNNING BACK ELBOW BEFORE HE CAN EVEN REBOUND! Cosmo is stunned against the ropes as Sayuri runs off the opposite side, building momentum— CLOTHESLINE!

Rich Russillo: BUT COSMO TRAPS THE ARM AND SPINS SAYURI AROUND— READY TO DIE! COSMO GOES FOR THE SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE, BUT SAYURI NARROWLY DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Cosmo barely catches himself on his feet and swings wildly with a clothesline— SAYURI DUCKS THAT AS WELL! TSUKUYOMI!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT COSMO BACKFLIPS OUT OF THE DRAGON SUPLEX AND LANDS ON HIS FEET! Sayuri pops back to her feet as Cosmo swings wildly again— BUT SAYURI DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Himura slips behind him for another snap TSUKUYOMI! COSMO GETS DUMPED HIGH ON HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS AGAIN! Dude, Cosmo can barely even push himself up to all fours!

Persephone: Okay, NOW can she finish him? Please?

Rich Russillo: SAYURI LETS OUT A WAR CRY! Himura is FIRED UP as she drags Cosmo Goldworthy back to his feet, looking to put the finishing touches on this— MUKANJYO! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB CONNECTS! SAYURI PLANTS COSMO AND SITS ACROSS HIS CHEST, PULLING THE LEG BACK FOR A DEEP COVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… SAYURI HIMURA!!

(‘REVIVER’ by MY FIRST STORY hits as Sayuri rolls off Cosmo’s chest onto all fours, clenching both fists in happiness after securing the victory! The referee grabs hold of her wrist as Sayuri rises back to both feet, raising her hand in victory as she stands over Cosmo’s body!)

Rich Russillo: What a hard-fought victory for Sayuri Himura! Cosmo Goldworthy threw everything he had at her, Diamond Dixon even got involved along the way, but Sayuri weathered all of it and found a way to put Cosmo down with Mukanjyo!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, that was a fight! Cosmo made her work for every bit of that win, but Sayuri kept coming no matter what got thrown at her, and when she finally got rolling at the end, bro, there was no stopping her!

(Sayuri exits the ring, backpedaling up the ramp with a smile as Cosmo slowly starts to come to, sitting up slightly in the ring. At ringside, Diamond Dixon looks down for a moment with her lips pressed together and hands on her hips, clearly disappointed with the result before making her way up the steps and entering the ring. Diamond pats Cosmo on the shoulder before helping him back to his feet, where he stands with both hands on his waist and his head lowered in disappointment. Diamond keeps a hand on his shoulder, staying eye level with Cosmo as she gives him a brief pep talk.)

Diamond Dixon: (off-mic) C’mon, Mo. Don’t sit here beating yourself up over this shit. You got caught, it happens.

Cosmo Goldworthy: (off-mic) I know, I know. I just should’ve had her, I—

(LOW BLOW!)

Rich Russillo: WHAT THE HELL?! DIAMOND DIXON JUST HIT COSMO GOLDWORTHY WITH A LOW BLOW!

(Cosmo doubles over after the kick to the groin, slowly looking up at Diamond with betrayal written across his face. Diamond simply stares back at him with a cold, ruthless expression, showing absolutely no remorse for what she just did before…)

Thadd Blazevich: FACELIFT! DIAMOND PLANTS COSMO FACE FIRST WITH THAT FACEBUSTER!

Rich Russillo: BUT WHY?! What could possibly have made Diamond do this?! What does she have against Cosmo all of a sudden?!

Persephone: Maybe she finally got sick of him. Can’t say I blame her.

(Diamond rises to a knee as Cosmo groggily rolls onto his back. She grabs the back of his head with one hand and cups his chin with the other, forcefully pulling Cosmo up into a seated position and making sure he can hear every word she has to say.)

Diamond Dixon: (off-mic) I’M DONE LETTING YOU HOLD ME BACK! I’m done carrying your ass, I’m done cleaning up after you, and I’m DAMN sure done letting your failures become mine!

(Diamond throws Cosmo’s head back down to the mat, leaving him clutching at the back of his head in pain before she rises to her feet and simply steps over him. Diamond brushes the bottoms of her boots against the mat, disrespectfully kicking back at Cosmo as if wiping him off her shoes before exiting the ring. “Nice To Meet Yah” by Asian Doll hits as Diamond makes her way up the ramp, jaw jacking with the booing fans along the way before the camera fades elsewhere.)

(Commercial for Saturday Night Showdown.)

(Sunday Night Voltage returns as the camera focuses on the backstage area of the Toyota Center. There, Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes of ToXXXin are seen in the hallway. Daniella is leaning against a wall, while Selina is seated against a nearby production crate, and it’s clear after what happened out there with the group and Minerva’s next challenger, Veena Adams, that things are a little awkward right now.)

(There’s a long silence between the two, as if both of them are trying to compose the words to say to one another. After a moment, Selina finally exhales, looking up at Daniella.)

Selina Reyes: What was Veena talking about out there?

(Daniella turns her head to Selina, tilting her neck.)

Daniella Atlas: You are going to have to be more specific, ma chère.

Selina Reyes: About you not being able to keep your eyes off of what Damon is doing to Auburn and Saori. Is there something that you’re not telling us?

(Daniella doesn’t respond immediately, exhaling before she responds.)

Daniella Atlas: I… feel inclined to tell you that we all bear our little secrets, Selina. For it is human nature to keep things from each other. But I must remind you that my history with… *Saori*… is extensive. You know that just as well as I do. Regardless of that, though, the situation with Damon and those two women does not sit well with me. I hope that you can understand.

(Selina ponders this for a moment, before nodding her head in agreement.)

Selina Reyes: You don’t need to say anymore, I understand. I don’t agree with it either. We have had our fair share of wrongdoings, but never to the extent that he has done. I will never understand how this brand allows men like that to roam around unchecked. Perhaps, that is something that can be changed in due time.

Daniella Atlas: I would rather not focus on that right now… I would like to focus on what we know is next for us. We have to get our share just as much as Minerva is. ToXXXin taking full control of this brand depends on it.

(Selina looks to respond to it, but before she can do that… someone is seen walking past the camera frame.)

Sayuri Himura: Excuse me. Sorry if I am in the way. 😁

(Sayuri Himura, fresh off of her match against Cosmo Goldworthy, is seen making her way through the hallway just having walked out of Gorilla Position. Both members of ToXXXin glare at her, almost out of disdain. But as they do, Selina specifically eyes her, turning her head back to Daniella with a calmed tone.)

Selina Reyes: If you ask me… I think I found my target.

(Selina stands up, as she quickly follows Sayuri, Daniella raising her hands up with a grin as she stays where she is.)

Selina Reyes: Sayuri.

(Sayuri stops, turning to look at Selina.)

Sayuri Himura: Selina Reyes. What do you want?

Selina Reyes: I would just like to talk to you and understand where you are coming from. See, I can relate a lot to your journey to get here. Personally, I am fighting for my family as well, who moves to the United States when I was a child to open the door for me to get an opportunity as big as competing in EAW. The expectations, the burdens, it can be heavy.

Sayuri Himura: I admire that, Selina Reyes, thank you for telling me this. But I don’t seem to correlate this with why you wish to speak to me.

Selina Reyes: Because I just don’t understand why you are the way that you are…

(There’s a momentary pause, Sayuri raising her eyebrow.)

Sayuri Himura: Are you mocking me?

Selina Reyes: Relax, Sayuri. I am merely stating a fact. You have not been dealt the best hand since arriving here on Voltage, have you ever considered that your values are… misplaced? Something does not seem to be working. I could only imagine that you would like to be as successful as ToXXXin has been since its formation.

Sayuri Himura: I would rather stay true to myself than be whatever you deem to be “right” with your group. I have seen what ToXXXin has done and the heinous acts that they have committed, especially pertaining to your leader. If you even believe for a second that I would want to be like you, then you need to leave.

Selina Reyes: Why wouldn’t you, Sayuri? Are you that self-indulgent that you’re willing to go out on your shield in such a pathetic manner? That is not the courage that you speak of, that is failure, and you and I both know what failure means. Not just to ourselves, but to who we are fighting and representing as well…

(Sayuri glares at Selina, clearly things have turned south quickly. But before she can say anything…)

???: Ladies, if we could just calm down for a moment…

(Before things can *really* get heated, a voice echoes through the hallway. Sayuri peers over the shoulder of Selina to see Eden Sinclair briskly introduce herself into the scene, looking to deescalate the situation that has begun to develop.)

Eden Sinclair: I understand that you’ve got something going on right now, but the two of you being here is actually perfect for the announcement I’m looking to make.

(Sayuri raises an eyebrow, taking a couple of steps away from Selina as she crosses her arms. Selina, on the other hand, shifts her entire body toward Eden.)

Selina Reyes: I’m listening.

Eden Sinclair: The two of you are looking for an opportunity, and I’ve got one that might satisfy you both. At Territorial Invasion there will be a contendership match for the Specialists Championship featuring representatives from all three brands. Next week, it will be Selina Reyes versus Sayuri Himura, with the winner being Voltage’s representative for the match.

(The crowd inside of the arena cheers loudly at this announcement, both Selina and Sayuri being more than pleased by how this panned out.)

Sayuri Himura: Thank you for the opportunity, Eden Sinclair. I will not let you down.

Selina Reyes: Tsk.

(Selina turns, glaring at Sayuri once again.)

Selina Reyes: You will not get in the way of ToXXXin and our domination.

(Sayuri doesn’t respond, merely smirking as she turns around and makes her way out of the scene. As Eden takes her leave as well, the last shot seen is Selina watching from a distance, a glare of disdain in her eyes as Sunday Night Voltage begins to fade to elsewhere.)

(“Run Into Flowers” by M83 hits, bringing Bronson Daniels out onto the stage, though without much of his usual energy. The disappointment from his match at Bloodsport is still written across his face as Bronson takes a moment to stare out at the crowd, soaking in their reaction before slowly turning toward the ramp. He starts making his way down, half-heartedly reaching out to high five a few fans along the way, but his mind clearly seems to be elsewhere.)

Rich Russillo: Bronson Daniels is here tonight, but you can tell Bloodsport is still weighing heavily on him. He had that match won before Kiko Sakai came out of nowhere and ripped that championship opportunity away from him.

Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, dude, that’s gotta sting. Bronson went through absolute hell with Miku, survived all of it, and still walked away with nothing because somebody else decided the finish for him.

Persephone: Boo-hoo. He lost. If he wants sympathy, he can go find a therapist instead of dragging that miserable face out here.

(Bronson makes his way up the steps and onto the apron, taking a deep breath to collect himself before entering the ring. He walks over to the right-hand side and requests a microphone, which a stagehand passes to him through the middle rope. Bronson takes it before slowly returning to the center of the ring as “Run Into Flowers” begins to fade out.)

(Bronson takes a moment as the fans wait to hear what he’ll say, as if he is gathering his thoughts. However, he is only able to let out two words.)

Bronson Daniels: I’m tired.

(The crowd quiets down slightly.)

Bronson Daniels: And I don’t mean physically. I’ve been hurt worse than I am right now, walked out of matches barely able to stand, and still showed up the next week ready to do this all over again. Pain and losing come with this, and I’ve been here long enough to know you can do everything right and still walk away with nothing. What I’m tired of is everything around it, because every time I start figuring out where I’m going, somebody comes along and turns my life upside down because of whatever problem they have with themselves.

(Bronson lowers his gaze for a moment.)

Bronson Daniels: Pain for Pride was supposed to close one of the worst chapters of my life. Jon Kelton was my brother. I trusted him, loved him, went to war beside him, and after everything we went through, he decided his own failures mattered more than any of that. When beating me wasn’t enough, he dragged Natasha into it because he knew there wasn’t anything he could physically do to make me quit, so he threatened someone I love until I had no other choice. That’s how last season ended for me, not because Jon broke me, but because he knew exactly what I cared about and used it against me.

Bronson Daniels: And I came back anyway, because that’s what I do. Bronson Daniels gets knocked down, Bronson Daniels gets back up. Lose the fight, win the war. I’ve spent my whole career believing there’s light at the end of every tunnel, even if I have to crawl through half of it to find that light myself, so I came back to Voltage telling myself this was a new season, a fresh start, and maybe I could finally stop looking behind me long enough to figure out what happiness even looks like anymore.

(Bronson gives a small shake of his head.)

Bronson Daniels: Then Miku Sakai decided whatever was wrong with her life needed to become my problem too. I tried leaving her alone because I understood wanting another chance and wanting to prove the last few years don’t define you. I’ve been there, and there’s probably more about Miku that I can relate to than either of us would ever want to admit, but I wasn’t going to let her take her problems out on me. She cost me a match, I returned the favor, and eventually we ended up at Bloodsport with broken glass around our fists and an opportunity waiting for whoever survived.

Bronson Daniels: Miku fought her ass off, just like I said she would, and she put me through hell. I’m not gonna pretend otherwise just because I don’t like her, but after everything she threw at me, I was still there. I got through it, I had her beaten, and for the first time since Pain for Pride, it felt like I was finally about to take one real step forward.

(Bronson pauses.)

Bronson Daniels: Then Kiko hit me in the back of the head with a tire iron.

(Bronson lets out a short, humorless laugh.)

Bronson Daniels: And there it went.

Bronson Daniels: Another person with another problem that wasn’t mine until somebody made it mine. Jon couldn’t get what he wanted, so he went after someone I cared about. Miku couldn’t deal with where her career was going, so she came after me, and after I finally got through her, her sister decided she needed to finish the job for her. Different people, different reasons, same result, and somehow I’m always standing in the middle of somebody else’s bullshit wondering why I’m the one who has to clean it up.

(Bronson looks out into the crowd.)

Bronson Daniels: Usually, this is where I’d tell you I’ll figure it out, pick myself back up, keep moving, and somehow come out better on the other side, but right now, I don’t have some inspiring answer or a speech about how Bloodsport made me stronger and this is secretly the best thing that could’ve happened to me. Maybe I’ll understand all of this eventually, and I still believe there’s an answer waiting for me somewhere because if I stopped believing that, I don’t know what the hell I’d be doing here anymore.

Bronson Daniels: But today? I wish I could stand out here and talk about my future, but in reality I’m here because I’m not sure what’s next. I’m pissed off, I’m disappointed, I’m numb to shit I probably shouldn’t be numb to, and more than anything, I’m tired of people taking whatever pain they’re carrying, whatever failures they’re ashamed of, whatever problems they created for themselves, and deciding I need to suffer for it too.

(Bronson tightens his grip around the microphone.)

Bronson Daniels: I’ve got enough of my own shit to figure out. I don’t need anybody else adding theirs to the pile.

(Bronson slowly turns his head toward the stage as, shortly after delivering that line, ‘Pride and Arrogance’ by Takeru Kanazaki hits to a loud negative reaction. Drake Armstrong steps onto the stage with a microphone already in hand, ready to speak as his theme begins fading into the background, only for the crowd to drown him out with deafening boos. Drake pauses and looks around, his shiner from Bloodsport on full display as Bronson fully turns toward him in the ring, clearly not blaming the crowd one bit for their reaction. Drake eventually decides to ignore them, starting down the ramp with a slight limp as he begins to speak.)

Drake Armstrong: How fascinating. For once, Daniels, I find myself listening to you without immediately regretting the decision.

(Bronson’s expression immediately tightens as Drake continues down the ramp.)

Drake Armstrong: Buried beneath all that exhaustion was something almost intelligent, because you are tired of circumstances outside your control dictating your career and other people’s incompetence becoming your burden. On that much, surprisingly enough, we have common ground.

(Bronson already looks unconvinced, even lowering his head for a moment purely out of annoyance.)

Drake Armstrong: I, too, have grown tired of the hands being dealt to me. Captain Charisma has spent months permitting chaos to consume this brand, only to discover intervention whenever doing so inconvenienced me, and he began this season attempting to manufacture tension between Kai Rabeaux and myself as though two successful men cannot coexist. Then came the Hardcore Championship fiasco, where incompetent officiating interfered with matters that should have been decided between competitors.

(Drake slowly shakes his head.)

Drake Armstrong: And still, somehow, the greater concern remains Bethany Blue. Her husband, her child, her grief, her wedding ring. Every misfortune surrounding that woman is treated like a tragedy requiring the entire brand to mourn while far more pressing matters are ignored, and it is exhausting watching Voltage operate according to emotion rather than competence.

Bronson Daniels: Nah.

(Drake pauses.)

Bronson Daniels: I’m actually going to stop you right there, because I really don’t need this shit tonight.

(Bronson steps closer to the ropes.)

Bronson Daniels: There is no “common ground” between us, Drake. Don’t hear me talk about being tired and convince yourself that means I’m ready to stand beside you pointing fingers at Captain Charisma, because you and I did not get here the same way.

Drake Armstrong: I never suggested—

Bronson Daniels: You didn’t have to. I know what you’re doing.

(The crowd cheers as Drake’s expression hardens slightly.)

Bronson Daniels: Jon Kelton betrayed me, Miku dragged me into her problems, and Kiko hit me from behind because her sister couldn’t finish the job. Those were things other people chose to do to me, while you spent an entire season manipulating everybody around you because you liked knowing you could. You broke Hans Grayson’s arm, spent months messing with his head, went after Ashlynn Quinn for no good reason, ruined that charity show for Javier, used people when they were useful and threw them away when they weren’t.

Bronson Daniels: Then Hans beat you.

(Bronson looks at Drake like he can’t believe what he’s hearing.)

Bronson Daniels: And now you want to stand there, born into more money and power than most people will ever see, pretending to be oppressed because Captain Charisma doesn’t run Voltage exactly the way Drake Armstrong wants him to?

(Bronson shakes his head.)

Bronson Daniels: Man, get the fuck out of here with that.

(The crowd erupts while Drake stops near ringside, staring coldly into the ring.)

Drake Armstrong: What an extraordinarily primitive interpretation. Predictable, certainly, though no less disappointing. I am not requesting sympathy from you, Bronson, as sympathy is a currency for lesser men. I am explaining that we have both suffered from the same institutional incompetence. You were assaulted by someone who was not even participating in your match, and because Captain Charisma cultivates an environment where disorder is encouraged, your opportunity disappeared with one swing of a tire iron, yet instead of identifying the person responsible for maintaining order, you remain fixated upon the individual pieces moving across the board.

Bronson Daniels: Because Kiko swung the tire iron, Drake.

Drake Armstrong: And who permitted her access?

Bronson Daniels: Oh my God.

(Bronson rubs his forehead, visibly running out of patience.)

Bronson Daniels: This is exactly what I’m talking about. Everything has to become some conspiracy against you because admitting consequences exist means admitting you caused most of your own problems.

Drake Armstrong: Consequences?

Bronson Daniels: Yeah. Consequences.

(Bronson points toward Drake.)

Bronson Daniels: Hans didn’t randomly hate you, Bethany didn’t randomly want you and Kai gone, and TLA didn’t randomly develop an issue with you. You spent months stepping on people because you thought everybody was beneath you, and when they finally stepped back, suddenly it became bad management. You lost the World Championship because Hans beat you, you lost at Bloodsport because TLA and Bethany beat you and Kai, and people hate you because you gave them every reason to. That isn’t persecution. That’s the bill coming due.

(Drake’s jaw tightens.)

Drake Armstrong: And there lies your mistake. You remain attached to individual grievances when the larger structure is plainly visible, because Captain Charisma permits these conflicts to spiral before presenting himself as the benevolent authority whenever intervention becomes convenient. You experienced it yourself, yet refuse to acknowledge it because doing so would require abandoning this tedious simplicity where I must occupy the role of villain in every circumstance.

Bronson Daniels: Drake, you are the villain in most of your circumstances.

(The crowd laughs.)

Bronson Daniels: That’s the part you keep skipping.

(Bronson walks toward the ropes closest to Drake.)

Bronson Daniels: Maybe Captain Charisma makes bad calls sometimes, and maybe there are things about how this brand is run that deserve criticism. Fine. But I’m not taking every cruel, frustrating, fucked-up thing that has ever happened to me and blaming it all on one guy because it makes my worldview easier to sell, and I definitely don’t need you telling me where my anger belongs.

Drake Armstrong: If you were intelligent—

Bronson Daniels: There it is.

(Bronson gives a tired laugh.)

Bronson Daniels: That’s why this was never gonna work. You didn’t come out here because you relate to me, you heard somebody frustrated enough that maybe you thought you could get inside his head, point him wherever benefits you, and walk away feeling like you moved another piece across the board.

(Bronson slowly shakes his head.)

Bronson Daniels: I’m not one of your pieces.

(Drake stares back at him.)

Bronson Daniels: I’m tired, I’m pissed off, and I’m questioning a lot of shit right now, but none of that means I forgot who you are. So get this through your head. I’m not interested in seeing things your way, finding common ground, or playing whatever game you came out here to play.

(Bronson lowers his microphone.)

Bronson Daniels: The sooner you learn that, the better.

(Bronson drops the microphone onto the mat as “Run Into Flowers” by M83 begins playing again. He steps through the ropes and drops to ringside, walking past Drake without giving him another look. Drake slowly turns his head to follow Bronson up the ramp, visibly displeased that the conversation did not unfold the way he intended, though he makes no attempt to stop him as the camera fades elsewhere.)

(Commercial for season 3 of Daredevil: Born Again, releasing 2027.)

(TLA drives onto the stage in his lowrider to a loud pop, with Bethany Blue riding in the passenger seat. Both are dressed in street clothes, TLA sporting a suit while Bethany wears something more casual. The lowrider comes to a stop on the stage as TLA’s music begins to fade, transitioning into “Somebody Get Me A Doctor” by Van Halen and bringing an even louder reaction from the crowd. The pair step out with the Unified Tag Team Championships around their waists, with Bethany rounding the lowrider and removing her title as TLA does the same. The two clink their championships together before draping them over their shoulders and making their way down the ramp, with TLA high-fiving a few fans along the way.)

Rich Russillo: And here come the Unified Tag Team Champions after somehow surviving absolute hell at Bloodsport! Exploding tables, ladders and chairs, Drake Armstrong getting sent crashing through electrical equipment, Bethany having to fight through everything Kai Rabeaux threw at her; these two went through a WAR to keep those championships!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, especially Bethany! Kai spent months making this personal, then walked into Bloodsport wearing her wedding ring like some trophy. Bethany got that ring back, took part of his finger with it, and still climbed that ladder to keep the titles. Bro, that is gnarly.

Persephone: Yeah, and I’m still annoyed she stopped at the finger. After all that buildup, I was expecting her to take the whole hand. At least people were exploding.

(TLA and Bethany enter the ring, where a stagehand passes TLA two microphones through the middle rope. TLA hands one over to Bethany before the two take a moment in the center of the ring, looking around and soaking in the reaction from the fans as Bethany’s theme slowly fades into the background.)

TLA: ORALE! Y’all already know what time it is! La Farmacia Sexual is still open for business, and we still got that oro!

(The crowd cheers as TLA holds his Unified Tag Team Championship in the air.)

TLA: Bloodsport was wild, man. Explosions everywhere, tables getting blown up, ladders getting blown up, people getting electrocuted, shit’s crazy. Had Drake Armstrong getting fried like some expensive rich boy chicken and Bethany out there collecting dedos. But when all dat smoke cleared, look who was still standing with these championships. La Pantera Sexual y La Doctora got dat first defense in the books, and I gotta say, it feels real damn good.

Dr. Bethany Blue: It does, especially because I can finally stand here and talk about these championships without everything else hanging over my head. For months, Kai Rabeaux made everything personal. He took something from me that I can never get back; he helped drive my husband out of this company, and then he stole the wedding ring off my finger because he thought there was still something left he could take from me. At Bloodsport, I got that ring back, and I told Kai that I was going to end this on my terms. I did exactly that, so as far as I am concerned, it is over.

(Bethany briefly looks down at the wedding ring back on her finger.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: I have spent enough time looking backward. I came back to EAW because I still love wrestling and knew that I had more to accomplish, and somehow that return brought me here, standing beside someone I spent most of last season fighting and holding one half of the Unified Tag Team Championships with him. TLA and I had every reason not to work, but we put our differences behind us, became friends, won these championships at Pain for Pride, and now we have our first successful defense together. That means far too much to me to let anything from the past overshadow it.

TLA: Damn right. Cuz for yo boi, this shit different too. TLA been around this game for a long ass time. Won championships, fought in damn near every type of lucha y’all can think of, been at the top, got knocked down and climbed right back up, but somehow after all these years, this right here is my first time holding tag team gold in EAW.

(TLA looks down at the championship on his shoulder.)

TLA: That means something to me. I ain’t taking this shit for granted just because I done held other oro before. Me and Bethany went from trying to beat the shit outta each other to having each other’s backs, and now we out here representing the whole damn tag division together. La Farmacia Sexual got something special going, and we gonna ride this shit for as long as we can.

Dr. Bethany Blue: And when I returned at Grand Rampage, I had no idea it would lead me here. Winning these championships at Pain for Pride was one of the best moments of my career, and Bloodsport proved that it wasn’t simply one great night. When everything became violent and completely out of control, we trusted each other and walked away as champions. Now there is nothing left hanging over us, and we can give this championship reign our complete attention.

TLA: Which means everybody in that tag division better start paying attention too, cuz La Farmacia got all that past shit handled and we looking straight ahead. We ain’t hiding with these titles, so if y’all wanna step up, come get some. These championships supposed to have the best teams in EAW fighting over them, and me and Bethany ready for all of ‘em.

Dr. Bethany Blue: And now, we know who’s next.

(The crowd reacts as Bethany looks directly toward the camera.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: Cataclysm. Ryan Wilson and Vincent Mondrian.

TLA: Them Silas World vatos been making some noise too. Y’all got yourselves a big win at Midsummer Massacre, even if it took Silas getting involved, Ryan pretending his ankle was hurt, and a screwdriver to the cabeza to make it happen. But hey, y’all got the win, and now that win got you a date with La Farmacia Sexual at Territorial Invasion.

Dr. Bethany Blue: Ryan and Vincent wanted our attention, and now they have it. I watched what happened at Midsummer Massacre. I saw Ryan fake an injury so Silas Mason could attack Halsey Neel, and I saw Cataclysm take advantage of it to steal the match. If that is the kind of team we are dealing with, then TLA and I know exactly what to expect.

TLA: Ain’t exactly our first time dealing with some fuckery, doctora.

Dr. Bethany Blue: Not even close.

TLA: Shit, after Bloodsport, y’all gonna have to get real creative if you wanna catch us slipping. Me and Bethany just survived Drake Armstrong and Kai Rabeaux trying to blow our asses up. You think Silas Mason lurking around is gonna have us shook? Silas World been seen that TLA smoke when yo boi was on Showdown. I probably cheated in ways those hombres ain’t even thought of yet.

(Bethany cracks a small smile.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: That isn’t something you should be proud of.

TLA: Pero, you know I ain’t lying.

Dr. Bethany Blue: Unfortunately, I do.

TLA: See? That chemistry right there. That’s why we the champs.

Dr. Bethany Blue: In all seriousness, Cataclysm earned this opportunity, and we aren’t going to underestimate them. Ryan and Vincent are both experienced competitors, and Silas Mason makes them even more dangerous. We know what they’re capable of, but they need to understand what they’re walking into as well. TLA and I didn’t come this far just to let our reign end when we finally have the chance to focus on everything we can make it become.

TLA: Y’all wanted the champions, you got the champions. Ryan, Vincent, bring Silas too if you gotta. La Farmacia Sexual gonna pull up to Territorial Invasion ready to throw down and show everybody why this oro still belongs right here.

(TLA pats the Unified Tag Team Championship on his shoulder.)

TLA: We got that first defense outta the way. Now we looking for number two.

Dr. Bethany Blue: We’ll see you at Territorial Invasion.

(Bethany and TLA lower their microphones as the crowd cheers, both champions facing the hard camera and raising their titles before—)

Rich Russillo: WAIT A SECOND! FROM BEHIND!

(Ryan Wilson slides into the ring and BLINDSIDES TLA WITH A RUNNING FOREARM TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! TLA drops to the mat, and before Bethany can even react, Vincent Mondrian slides in as well— RUNNING FOREARM TO THE SIDE OF BETHANY’S HEAD! Bethany goes down before scooting back into a seated position in the corner, where Vincent immediately GOES TO WORK WITH REPEATED STOMPS!)

Thadd Blazevich: DUDE, IT’S CATACLYSM! RYAN WILSON AND VINCENT MONDRIAN JUST JUMPED THE CHAMPIONS FROM BEHIND!

Persephone: Well, they did say they wanted their attention. Mission accomplished.

(Vincent drops to both knees beside Bethany Blue in the corner, UNLOADING WITH REPEATED RIGHT HANDS as she curls up and tries to protect herself! Vincent continues hammering away until Ryan Wilson finally interjects, pulling an aggressive Vincent off of her!)

Rich Russillo: Vincent Mondrian is absolutely UNLOADING on Bethany Blue, and Ryan pulls him away before directing his attention toward TLA! Cataclysm has both champions down, and they’re making sure neither one gets a chance to recover!

(Vincent drags TLA back to his feet as he stirs up to all fours, still trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head! Vincent then HOISTS TLA UP INTO A BEARHUG POSITION as Ryan Wilson runs off the ropes, building momentum for a…)

Thadd Blazevich: RYAN COMES FLYING IN WITH THE LARIAT! RIDE THE LIGHTNING CONNECTS! CATACLYSM JUST WIPED TLA OUT WITH THE HART ATTACK!

Persephone: That was more like it. TLA rolls out to ringside, and now Bethany’s stuck in there alone with these two.

(Bethany crawls out of the corner, struggling toward the center of the ring before trying to rise to a knee. Ryan looks ready to go after her— but Vincent places a forearm across his chest, stopping him in his tracks and making it clear that BETHANY IS HIS! Vincent then turns toward her and runs off the ropes himself!)

Rich Russillo: MALEVOLENT SHRINE! VINCENT DRIVES BETHANY FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT WITH THAT CURB STOMP!

(Bethany lies sprawled out and prone after that stomp, seemingly unconscious as Ryan rolls her onto her back, mounts her, and UNLOADS WITH REPEATED RIGHT HANDS! Bethany faintly tries to cover up, but Ryan continues hammering away until Vincent interjects and drags him off! Vincent and Ryan stand tall over Bethany Blue, surveying the damage as they look around the arena, while TLA continues writhing in pain at ringside.)

Thadd Blazevich: Man, Cataclysm came out here with one thing in mind, dude. They wanted to send a message to the champions before Territorial Invasion, and they just did exactly that!

(The boos grow even louder as Silas Mason steps onto the stage, clapping and laughing at a job well done, clearly proud of what he sees! Ryan and Vincent turn their heads toward Silas from inside the ring, both grinning at his approval before looking back down at Bethany.)

Silas Mason: (off-mic) Beautiful, boys! Absolutely beautiful!

Rich Russillo: Cataclysm picked their moment and made it count! TLA and Bethany Blue have been left laying, and Silas Mason couldn’t look any prouder of his guys!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Territorial Invasion just got a whole lot more personal. Cataclysm wanted to show the champs what they’re capable of, and message received!

(Silas continues clapping on the stage as Vincent lightly slaps Ryan on the chest, signaling that it’s time to go. The two exit the ring and pass by TLA at ringside before heading up the ramp to join Silas on the stage. Ryan and Vincent stand on either side of him as the crowd continues raining down boos, the smug trio laughing together after the damage they caused before the segment fades elsewhere.)

(Commercial for the series ‘Reacher’ with Delaney Rhodes.)

(Voltage returns to the buzzing strings of “The Leaving Song Pt. II” by AFI, sending the crowd into a frenzy of excitement at the arrival of the one and only EAW World Champion, Hans Grayson. Hans steps out on the stage, bright smile on his face, though carrying a small limp in his step after the Cage of Death battle at Bloodsport, but that doesn’t stop him from embracing the crowd while he makes his way down the ring.)

Bella Braxton: Please welcome at this time, the EAW WORLD CHAMPION, HANSSS GRAYSOOONNN!!!

Thadd Blazevich: The Cage of Death match was possibly the greatest display of resilience I’ve seen, and at the forefront of it was Hans Grayson, fighting valiantly to keep his EAW World Championship reign intact when Raven threw **everything** she had at him!

Persephone: It’s just Raven Roberts. Beating neither her nor her husband matters. If I were Hans, I’d be asking myself why it was even that close to begin with.

Rich Russillo: Without a doubt Hans walked into Bloodsport with a chip on his shoulder, and though his body has visibly gone through it, he’s still standing and that’s a testament to his resilience as the EAW World Champion, so one can only wonder what’s next on the horizon for Hans?

Thadd Blazevich: I don’t think it’ll take long before we have our answer, Richie!

(Hans steps in the ring, readjusting the hold he has over the EAW World Championship, while receiving a microphone from the timekeepers. With the once-broken arm being put through hell at Bloodsport, Hans has to hold both the title and the microphone in one hand, but that doesn’t keep him from speaking his mind. To him, it may as well be a flesh wound when he’s in front of an audience.)

Hans Grayson: Bloodsport sure lived up to its name, didn’t it?

(The crowd cheers while Hans holds onto the “famously” exploited arm, a testament to the war he’d gone through.)

Hans Grayson: Despite it all, Raven put up one hell of a fight. Yeah, all respect was thrown out the window, but this is Voltage and I’ve come to expect that from all of my peers, good or bad. Everyone’s desperate, everyone wants your spot, and they’ll try and get it no matter what it takes. Even if that means going low, even if that means reaggravating an injury, that’s the name of the game and I’m not the type to have issues. Even when I’m fighting disadvantages, it matters that I prevail in spite of them, because that’s how I’m going to get even better and keep a tight grasp of the EAW World Championship.

Hans Grayson: You can’t change the order of things, you can’t change how people will act, desperation leads folks to acting out-of-character and that’s the way things are around here. My purpose is to show them that’s not the way to go about it, and to show them that these acts of desperation only lead to defeat against a focused Champion. With the bitter result handed to Raven, there’s a lesson to take and that’s to adapt your mindset and pick up the right methods if you wanna get back to the top. I know things haven’t gone well for her recently, I know she’s been struggling to get back into World Championship contention, but she’s done this song and dance before, she’s proven she has what it takes, so all that it is about is tapping into that form again, and Bloodsport proved that’s possible.

Hans Grayson: I got Raven on one of her best nights, that’s for sure, but she went up against Hans Grayson on his best night, and that’s a losing predicament for just about anybody. Who knows, if Raven was level-headed, maybe things wouldn’t have gone so well for me, but as it stands, Raven showed weakness in her approach, and while it was close, I managed to close the game out, survived the Cage of Death, and I’m still standing as the EAW World Champion, keeping up the good fight and leading by example the way things *could* and **should** be done on this brand that’s plagued by corruption even now!

Hans Grayson: I’m a fighter, I can endure all the pain, I can take Raven going low, it’s not as if I planned to have kids anytime soon, and I can even suffer a shaky arm in day-to-day activities, I’m giving my all to wrestling and that’s why I’m the EAW World Champion today. To fight the best, to bring the best out of people, and to have exhilarating matches that pump me up and keep the audience on their seats. Raven was one hell of a challenger, and I’d love to do it again — except maybe without the low blow part…

Hans Grayson: That said, I wanna keep it going. I’m ready to establish my next challenge. I’m ready to keep fighting, helping this brand usher in a new era of wrestling that comes with honor and not with subterfug—

(“Once then we’ll be free” by Wisp abruptly cuts the EAW World Champion off, and the crowd responds with rightful excitement. Jay Jerry Johnson emerges out onto the stage, a straight-to-business look on his face. Jay was tired, hurt, but determined. The bags under his eyes and the bruises on his body weren’t about to stop him from pushing forward.)

Persephone: 😐

Thadd Blazevich: Master of the mat, Benny of All Bones, things are heating up and I think it’s clear what’s on Jay Jerry Johnson’s mind when interrupting our World Champ!

Rich Russillo: The result of Bloodsport definitely adds more to the frustrations boiling up inside of Jay Jerry Johnson, recent history has taken a toll on him, and I don’t think a loss to a bitter rival such as Damon Lazarus helps him out! Out of sheer curiosity, I asked Jay how he was feeling and what’s next for him. His answer was simple and exciting: “Just wait and see.”

Persephone: Bro thought he’d be keeping us on our heels.

(Having already come out with a microphone, Jay simply allows his theme song to simmer down by circling around the EAW World Champion patiently. It’s slightly awkward for Hans, but he has a gut feeling a cheap shot won’t be coming. Not one this obvious, at least. It’s a mind game, and he won’t play into it.)

(Finally, Jay smirks, entertained it seems. He passes Hans another glance, acknowledging their history and their current dichotomy with the states of their careers, before he raises the microphone.)

Jay Jerry Johnson: Hans… been a while.

Hans Grayson: Yeah, you could say that.

(Hans’ tone was apprehensive. This is clearly not about going down memory lane, no matter what comes next. It may not even be personal, like it once was, at all…)

Jay Jerry Johnson: We have some bitter history, me and you.

Hans Grayson: You could… definitely… say that.

Jay Jerry Johnson: I think it’s time to revisit a very special chapter, Hans.

(Hans smirks confidently.)

Hans Grayson: Bring it on, Jay.

Jay Jerry Johnson: I knew you would oblige. The Woogieman could come out here and you’d still accept as if it was a legendary clash you’d be having to prepare for. I understand what you were getting at. I can see the toll on your body and I can also see the excitement in your eyes after the fight you and Raven had to put up with the EAW World Championship on the line. As soon as you started talking about the same old spiel, throwing out an open challenge for whoever feels ready, I knew I had no more time to waste. I should apologize if you had more to say, but I think everyone knew where it was going regardless.

Jay Jerry Johnson: You see, when people hear the word “opportunity” backstage, they start running like it’s Black Friday… and I wasn’t going to allow that to happen. I had no intentions left of waiting, of allowing somebody else to pass by me, and take on a challenge they’re not worthy of. I’ve been on the outside looking in for long enough, I’ve had to put up with belittlement and obsession, and that aches at you after a while. Jake Smith trying to be the father figure he probably never had, Damon trying to cheat on Saori Aizen with me, it truly does get to a point, Hans, and while I see someone like you, putting Drake Armstrong’s heart on strings with the bargaining power you had over him, when I see everything going right for you, I feel quite the motivation to take that direction myself, and what better way to put an end to narratives, than to win the—

Hans Grayson: Okay, okay. Hold on a second! You think everything had gone right for me? You think I just did with Armstrong whatever I wanted? That was far from the case. Drake may be a soulless, insecure son of a gun but he’s a damn good fighter and strategist which made Pain For Pride the most difficult night of my life. If it wasn’t for my Canadian fans keeping me afloat, who knows how it could’ve gone!? You see, Jay, I’ve had my own share of obstacles. Drake Armstrong kept me in his forced alliance vortex. For crying out loud he broke my arm and I missed more than a month of action! I’ve dealt with young Kai Rabeaux, I’ve had to deal with Cody Maverick feeling insecure himself. It wasn’t easy at all, and if I made it look easy, Jay? Then what can I say, I appreciate the compliment.

Jay Jerry Johnson: Don’t get high off your own supply, Hans. I don’t have many compliments left to spare. Not after these past few months. Not after Bloodsport didn’t go my way, and that obsessed creep got one over me for once. I’d ended last year by asserting myself in the EAW World Championship picture, and I’ve only doubled down on that since. The strife I’ve gone up against, they’re no reason for me to let go of my desire to reach the top of the mountain, and with *you* standing right there, big gold in hand, it shows me that’s more than possible for me.

Hans Grayson: Yeah, you definitely don’t have many compliments left, ‘cause, wow, that was backhanded. I’ll give you credit, Jay, you’re a great competitor, and I know just how you’re feeling at this point in time, don’t get me wrong, but your biggest mistake had always been your desperation, the path that strong emotions lead you on, and look man, you may try to be all indifferent to things, but it’s clear that’s not who you are. You care a lot, you’re real emotive, and you don’t want food taken off your table, I get it—

Jay Jerry Johnson: Props to you, Hans. You “read me like a book”. But I’m not out here just to talk, I’m not here to be analyzed because you wanna play psychiatrist all of a sudden. It doesn’t matter what you think. It doesn’t matter how much resentment you still hold for me over what we’ve been through two years ago. It doesn’t to me. It shouldn’t to you, because all I think about is one thing, and that’s the title *you* happen to hold. I want the EAW World Championship.

Hans Grayson: Fair enough, but you won’t be hearing the end of it from me anytime soon, Jay. You know what you’re getting into when you lay out this challenge, and while we can both share respect over our in-ring abilities, let’s be clear, that amount of respect is only limited. Territorial Invasion’s on the horizon, so you know what, Jay? That sounds like the perfect time and place for this all to go down!

Jay Jerry Johnson: Thank you—

Hans Grayson: Don’t thank me just yet. I actually got a question, Jay… are you sure this is what you want? You fell short against Drake Armstrong, and and that wasn’t long ago… The World Champion may have changed, but have you changed? Do you expect things to be different this time around, Jay?

(Jay’s eyes move off of Hans’ for a good moment, thinking of what his answer is.)

(But he feels no reason not to go keep it precise.)

Jay Jerry Johnson: I do.

(Jay drops the mic down, clearly done talking, his statement being made. Jay locks eyes with Hans, stepping towards his face, and Hans reads the atmosphere without mistake. The Champion nods his head at the fire and confidence, and gets up close and personal, entertaining Jay’s desire, and preparing to shatter it when push comes to shove.)

(There may be mutual respect, but there’s also a inimical energy that cannot be ignored.)

(Hans raises the EAW World Championship in his face, reminding Jay the ball is in his court amidst the rocky staredown, before Voltage fades out.)

(Promotional ad for Territorial Invasion, where Damon Lazarus leads Voltage’s War Games team.)

(The camera returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton can be seen with a microphone in her hand.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a triple threat hardcore match scheduled for ONE FALL!!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Bella Braxton: And it is for the Hardcore Championship!!

(‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’ by Kiss begins to play, bringing about loud cheers from the fans in attendance. The cheers grow louder as Cynthia Valice as she makes her way out to the stage, and she nods her head, pumping herself up for the match ahead. She gives a smile towards the fans, before putting a look of focus on her face as she begins heading down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first!… From Kansas City, Missouri… Weighing in at 134 pounds… CCCYYYYNNTTTHHHIIIAAAA VVVAAAAAAAAAALLLIICCCEEE!!!!

Rich Russillo: We have ourselves a Hardcore Championship match, and we now know the winner will face Miku Sakai at Territorial Invasion! The first out here is Cynthia Valice, a newcomer who has been building confidence as she’s risen up the ranks, and part of the duo that got themselves a good win at Bloodsport!

Thadd Blazevich: Cynthia could get herself a huge win tonight and her first Championship, but she doesn’t have an easy task ahead of her tonight. She gotta deal with a real threat in Kai Rabeaux, and ironically, the woman she just teamed up with last week!

Persephone: Yeah. I don’t really need “Cynthia Valice” or “Carmen Sanchez” on my brand, so here’s to both of them dying. All three if we’re lucky.

(‘Rompe’ by Daddy Yankee follows, as do more cheers as Carmen Sanchez begins to make his way out to the stage. Carmen looks towards Cynthia Valice in the ring, a warm look on her face present before she begins to head down the ramp. Carmen looks confident, but this doesn’t take away from her focus as she knows how big of a match she has ahead of her, and that it could be her chance to become Champion.)

Bella Braxton: On her way to the ring!… From Reno, Nevada… Weighing in at 102 pounds… CAAAAARRRRRRMMMEEENNNNNN SSSSSSSSAAAAAAAANNNNNNCCCCCHHHEEEEEZZZZZZ!!!!!

Rich Russillo: And here comes Cynthia’s new friend, who actually started her EAW career on this very brand. Carmen Sanchez has already proven herself to be an impressive talent, but like Cynthia, she’s ready to take the next step and become Champion. It’s a shame it’ll have to be at each other’s expense.

Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but I think they can handle it. Carmen and Cynthia are some cool dudettes, I’m sure both of ‘em understand that at the end of the day the title comes first. Then again, I wouldn’t be shocked if there is a bit of an “anyone but Kai” mentality, either.

Persephone: What? You mean they wouldn’t be fine with the incredibly obnoxious guy that’s been pissing off the entire roster winning?

(Finally, ‘The Promised Consort’ by Shoi Miyazawa hits. The crowd explodes in boos, showing nothing but hatred for the Hardcore Champion as Kai Rabeaux begins to walk out. Immediately, Kai isn’t amused. His pinky finger is still bandaged following Bloodsport, and he knows about the friendship between his two challengers. Still, he just shakes his head, showing confidence as he begins to walk down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: And the Champion!… From New York City, New York… Weighing in at 230 pounds… HE IS THE EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION, KAAAAAIIIIII RRRAAABBBEEEEAAAUUUUXXXX!!!!!

Rich Russilo: Here comes the Champion, who admittedly, I am surprised is actually competing tonight. It’s not often you see someone get back in the ring after losing a chunk of their finger… It’s also not often you see people lose a chunk of their finger at all.

Thadd Blazevich: Karma hit Kai in the nastiest way, and if that’s not enough bro has a title defense just a week later, AND Miku Sakai waiting for him even IF he can make it out of tonight. It’s looking rough for Kai bros, but we can’t say he doesn’t deserve it.

Persephone: I don’t really care who wins tonight, just as long as it’s painful. Hopefully Kai loses a lot more than half a finger tonight.

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Rich Russillo: AND… Kai Rabeaux rolls out of the ring.

Persephone: Of course he does.

(Kai shakes his head as he stares at Cynthia and Carmen, before beginning to dig under the ring. He takes out a bag of thumbtacks, throwing it into the ring. A large glass pane follows, which is slid into the ring. After this Kai takes out a spiked 2×4, before gesturing for the two women to fight each other.)

Rich Russillo: Looks like Kai is trying to force his opponents to focus on each other, obviously knowing he’d be the target in a match like this… BUT EVEN WITH THAT SPIKED 2X4 IN HIS HANDS, IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE ANY PLANS TO LISTEN!

Thadd Blazevich: BOTH CYNTHIA AND CARMEN ROLL OUT OF THE RING ON OPPOSITE SIDES, SURROUNDING KAI! Kai just shakes his head, knowing he still has a weapon right now! Cynthia begins making her way over, being cautious, but Kai momentarily looks towards Carmen, AND CYNTHIA USES THAT AS HER CHANCE TO ATTACK!

Persephone: CYNTHIA SWUNG AT KAI- BUT KAI DUCKED UNDER IT! Kai was able to avoid the clothesline, AND NOW HE WASTES NO TIME SWINGING THE 2X4 AT HER HEAD!

Rich Russillo: BUT CYNTHIA DUCKS IT!!! CYNTHIA JUST NARROWLY AVOIDED HAVING HER HEAD TAKEN OFF- AND THAT MISS BROUGHT KAI CLOSE ENOUGH FOR CARMEN TO ACT, AS SHE LEAPS OFF THE STEEL STEPS AND TAKES KAI DOWN WITH A THESZ PRESS!! CARMEN BEGINS PUNCHING AWAY AT KAI, AND WE’RE OFF TO ONE HELL OF A HOT START!

Thadd Blazevich: KAI SHOVES CARMEN OFF BEFORE RUSHING TO HER FEET- BUT CYNTHIA IMMEDIATELY USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOVE HIM INTO THE STEEL STEPS, KNOCKING THEM OVER! Kai goes down, and now Carmen and Cynthia both grab him, dragging him back up BEFORE THROWING HIM OVER THE BARRICADE, AND INTO THE CROWD AREA!

Persephone: It’s really annoying seeing everyone all happy and having a good time, but it’ll always be pretty funny seeing Kai get beat up.

(Carmen and Cynthia both have grins on their faces after seeing Kai hit the concrete, and the fans cheer seeing him taken out of the equation, at least for now. However, before too much time can pass.)

Rich Russillo: BUT HOLD ON! CARMEN JUST GRABBED CYNTHIA, TURNING AND SENDING HER FACE FIRST INTO THE RING POST!

(Carmen just gives a shrug, knowing that ultimately, the two are opponents and were going to have to fight each other eventually.)

Thadd Blazevich: Cynthia stumbles to the ground, BUT SHE PICKS UP THAT 2X4 AND SWINGS IT AT CARMEN! Carmen narrowly avoids that, BEFORE RUNNING IN AND DRIVING CYNTHIA BACK FIRST INTO THE APRON! She rips the 2×4 out of her hands, AND SHE IMMEDIATELY GOES FOR THE HEAD SHOT- BUT CYNTHIA GETS OUT OF THE WAY, BEFORE SLAMMING CARMEN’S FACE INTO THE APRON! These two clearly know each other pretty well after all that time working together, bro!

Persephone: Cynthia sends Carmen into the ring, and the 2×4 goes with her. Cynthia takes a deep breath, and she just digs a steel chair out of the ring before sliding into the ring. A bit tame, don’t you think?

Rich Russillo: Well, I don’t think a spiked 2×4 would’ve been her first weapon of choice against her friend. Carmen is finding her way to her feet, AND CYNTHIA LANDS A CHAIR SHOT TO THE MIDSECTION! Carmen doubles over, AND A CHAIR SHOT TO THE BACK FOLLOWS! Carmen yells out in pain, and now Cynthia raises the chair- BEFORE DELIVERING A SHOT TO THE HEAD!

Thadd Blazevich: Cynthia quickly drops the chair, and she drags Carmen back up and into a waistlock! Cynthia is ready to make a move, AS SHE GOES FOR THREE STEPS FORWARD!

Persephone: BUT SHE DOESN’T EVEN GET THE FIRST GERMAN SUPLEX!

Rich Russillo: CARMEN HAD JUST ENOUGH WHEREWITHAL TO BREAK CYNTHIA’S GRIP AND FLIP OUT OF IT! Cynthia gets back up- BUT SHE GETS HIT WITH A STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI! Carmen follows with a drop toe hold, AND THIS TAKES CYNTHIA DOWN ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE! It looks like we’re going for it early! CARMEN RUNS THE ROPES, FOR LIVIN LA VIDA-

Thadd Blazevich: WHAT THE HELL!?!? NO!!

Persephone: KAI RABEAUX IS BACK!

Rich Russillo: KAI PULLED THE MIDDLE ROPE DOWN, CAUSING CARMEN TO FALL OUT OF THE RING! Carmen tumbles to the ringside floor, AND NOW KAI LIFTS CARMEN UP, BEFORE DELIVERING A **HIGH ANGLE POWERBOMB ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!!!**

Thadd Blazevich: CARMEN GOES DOWN, AND NOW KAI SLIDES INTO THE RING BEFORE GRABBING THE SPIKED 2X4- AND HITTING CYNTHIA IN THE STOMACH WITH IT AS SOON AS SHE GETS BACK UP!!

Persephone: Cynthia holds her gut while backpedaling into the corner, AND KAI SWINGS AT THE HEAD, BUT CYNTHIA DUCKS IT-

Rich Russillo: BUT KAI WAS READY AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED, CATCHING CYNTHIA IN THE HEAD THIS TIME AROUND!! Cynthia goes down, and you can see the blood pouring from both wounds Kai just gave her! Kai showing exactly why he’s so dangerous, as he now turns his attention to the bag of thumbtacks he brought in earlier.

Thadd Blazevich: Kai opens the bag and releases the thumbtacks into the middle of the ring, and bro just scoops Cynthia up, BEFORE DELIVERING A SCOOP SLAM ONTO THE THUMBTACKS! Cynthia screams out in pain, and dude, Kai is just torturing her!

Persephone: You call this torture? This is like, basic hardcore stuff! I want more! We haven’t even seen the barbed wire yet!

Rich Russillo: Kai removes the turnbuckle pad before grabbing Cynthia, AND HE JUST THROWS HER FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL! Cynthia falls down onto the mat, and she’s really not in good condition here! Kai is smart. Not only is he an opportunist, but I’d argue he has by far the most messed up mind in this match. Say what you will about him outside of the ring. Inside of the ring, he’s dangerous.

Thadd Blazevich: Kai props the glass pane up into another corner before going back after Cynthia, AND DUDE, I THINK HE MIGHT BE GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER POWERBOMB!

Persephone: BUT LOOK! CARMEN SANCHEZ SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING! She’s moving slow as hell after getting dropped onto the steps though, so Kai notices her and quickly drops Cynthia to strike!

Rich Russillo: CARMEN DUCKS UNDER IT THOUGH, AND SHE RUNS TO THE ROPES BEFORE JUMPING OFF, DELIVERING A SPRINGBOARD ROUNDHOUSE KICK- BUT LOOK!!!

(Kai immediately goes down and clutches the side of his face, before the camera pans to Carmen Sanchez. Her hands are slightly bloody, and around her boot is barbed wire, which were dragged on before she entered the ring. However, that is not all.)

Thadd Blazevich: CARMEN CAME PREPARED, DUDE! That was a barbed wire assisted springboard roundhouse, and look in her hand! Carmen is holding a wrench!

Persephone: Kai stumbles to his feet, AND CARMEN HITS HIM IN THE JAW WITH THE WRENCH!! Kai stumbles and Carmen grabs him, BEFORE STEPPING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE AND DELIVERING A TORNADO DDT ONTO THE THUMBTACKS!!

Rich Russillo: Kai holds his head in pain, and Carmen pushes herself back up, having landed on a few of the thumbtacks herself!

Thadd Blazevich: Carmen steps back as Kai slowly gets to all fours, AND SHE RUNS IN, STEPPING UP FOR TOSTONES!!

Persephone: BUT KAI MOVES HIS HEAD OUT OF THE WAY-

Rich Russillo: AND CYNTHIA LAYS CARMEN OUT WITH THE SHY FLASH!!!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai tries to rush his way back up- BUT CYNTHIA GETS TO HIM FIRST, AND SHE SENDS KAI HEAD FIRST INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!! Kai starts to fall backwards and Cynthia grabs him in a waistlock, AND CYNTHIA STRUGGLES… BUT SHE’S ABLE TO SLOWLY POWER KAI UP AND LAND A GERMAN SUPLEX ONTO THE THUMBTACKS!!

Persephone: Cynthia doesn’t let go of Kai, either! She slowly finds her way to a knee while maintaining the waistlock and she returns to her feet, BEFORE DELIVERING A SECOND GERMAN SUPLEX!

Rich Russillo: Cynthia slowly but surely finds her way up once again!

Thadd Blazevich: AND THERE’S THE THIRD GERMAN SUPLEX, ONCE AGAIN ONTO THE THUMBTACKS!!! CYNTHIA CONNECTS WITH THREE STEPS FORWARD, AND NOW SHE PULLS HERSELF OVER KAI RABEAUX FOR THE COVER, TO BECOME THE HARDCORE CHAMPION!!!

OOOONNNEEE!!!

TTTWWWOOOO!!!

TTTTHHRRREE-

Persephone: BUT KAI IS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!!! IT’S NOT OVER YET, AND THAT’S GREAT BECAUSE I NEED MORE BLOOD!!!

Rich Russillo: Cynthia sighs, and I don’t blame her for being a bit disappointed seeing that kickout, especially since she has all that blood rushing down her head, which she just now went back to grabbing onto. She shakes her head and starts pushing herself up, and it seems she’s going to need to figure out another way to finish this if she wants to win her first Championship!

Thadd Blazevich: She goes towards Carmen who is still reeling from the Shy Flash, AND NOW SHE DRAGS HER UP BEFORE LIFTING HER ONTO HER SHOULDERS! CYNTHIA IS GOING FOR FALLING COURAGE, DUDES!!

Persephone: BUT CARMEN MANAGED TO GRAB THE WRENCH BEFORE SHE WAS PICKED UP, AND NOW SHE HITS CYNTHIA RIGHT IN THE HEAD WITH IT!

Rich Russillo: CYNTHIA IS FORCED TO LET GO OF CARMEN, AND CARMEN RETURNS TO HER FEET BEFORE PULLING CYNTHIA’S LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HER, DROPPING HER FACE FIRST ONTO THE MAT! Cynthia’s face hit the mat hard and she looks dazed as she gets to all fours- BUT THAT MOMENT BOUGHT CARMEN ALL THE TIME SHE NEEDED TO MAKE A MOVE!

Thadd Blazevich: TOSTONES!!! THE STOMP CONNECTS THIS TIME WHILE CARMEN STILL HAS THE BARBED WIRE AROUND HER BOOT, AND BROS, I THINK CYNTHIA VALICE MAY BE OUT!!! CARMEN COLLAPSES, BUT SHE’S ABLE TO TURN CYNTHIA OVER AND GO FOR THE COVER!!! I THINK WE HAVE OURSELVES A NEW HARDCORE CHAMP, DUDES!!!!

OOONNNNEEEE!!!!

TTTTTWWWOOOOOO!!!!

TTTTHHHRREEEEEEEE!!!

Persephone: NO, CYNTHIA VALICE GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!! And look at Carmen. She looks disappointed, but I knew an idiot like her is probably happy because her friend’s putting up a good fight or something. Seriously, I don’t need friendship, I need violence!

Rich Russillo: Well there’s still plenty more of that to come, as this match isn’t over! Kai Rabeaux rolls himself out of the ring and Carmen notices this, so she pushes herself up before running the ropes!

Thadd Blazevich: AND CARMEN IS ABLE TO CATCH KAI WITH A SUICIDE DIVE TORNADO DDT!!!! Bro, that was an awesome move from Carmen! These three have been firing on all cylinders since the match started, and I don’t blame ‘em one bit! That title is on the line, Cynthia and Carmen are looking to continue their momentum, and the last thing Kai wants to do is lose his title right after losing half his pinky last week!

Persephone: Carmen drags Kai up and sends him into the barricade near the timekeeper’s area, and now she run in for a-

Rich Russillo: WOAH!!! KAI RABEAUX WITH A BACK BODY DROP!!! CARMEN WAS JUST SENT OVER THE BARRICADE, AND SHE CRASHES INTO THE PODIUM CONTAINING THE RING BELL, KNOCKING THE PODIUM OVER AS SHE JUST FALLS INTO THE TIMEKEEPER’S AREA! That was a rough landing for Carmen! All the chairs that were propped up just fell on her, and hitting that podium back first had to hurt!

Thadd Blazevich: Carmen tries her best to pull herself up using the barricade as Kai heads over to our table and- Woah, wait a second!! Oh no. Carmen’s in a lot of pain because of her back but she’s able to find her way up-

Persephone: BUT KAI GRABBED A PEN FROM THE TABLE, AND HE STABS IT INTO CARMEN’S FOREHEAD TO KNOCK HER BACK DOWN!

Rich Russillo: And this is why Kai Rabeaux is such a threat. There is truly nothing he won’t do for a victory. Kai walks away from the area before digging under the ring and grabbing a light tube, and he slides back in as he notices Cynthia Valice on her knees, still trying to get up! Unfortunately Cynthia is right where Kai seems to want her, AS HE SWINGS AND SHATTERS THE LIGHT TUBE AGAINST HER HEAD!!

Thadd Blazevich: Cynthia drops to the mat, but Kai doesn’t even let her off with just that! He quickly drags her back to her feet before lifting her up AND DELIVERING A VERTICAL SUPLEX TOSS INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!! Cynthia is getting destroyed right now, AND KAI DOESN’T EVEN SEEM TO BE DONE! He drags Cynthia right back up, and look what he’s doing!

Persephone: SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX, RIGHT INTO THE THUMBTACKS!!! Cynthia is down, and I’m starting to get the idea that Kai is enjoying this.

Rich Russillo: He definitely is, and I can’t say I am surprised, either. We know how Kai can be when things are going his way. Kai doesn’t just want to win from the looks of it. He wants to make a statement with this title defense.

Thadd Blazevich: Kai just shakes his head, and he seems pretty confident that this is the end, dude! He grabs Cynthia by the hair, dragging her up to her knees before backing into the corner! Kai is ready to end this, AS HE RUSHES IN!

Persephone: FOR THE BLADE OF BABYLON!!!

Rich Russillo: NO! IT DOESN’T CONNECT!! CYNTHIA VALICE WAS JUST BARELY ABLE TO DIVE OUT OF THE WAY, SAVING HERSELF FROM THE FINISHING MOVE AS KAI STRIKES NOTHING BUT AIR!!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai doesn’t look thrilled, but bro is still in better condition than Cynthia at the moment! He pushes himself back to his feet and quickly grabs Cynthia-

Persephone: BUT CYNTHIA GRABS THE SPIKED 2X4, AND SHE JUST LANDED A CLEAN SHOT TO THE HEAD OF KAI!!

Rich Russillo: SHE GOT HIM!!! As soon as Kai reached down, Cynthia landed that nasty shot to the head! Kai drops down to all fours after having his head seriously busted open and now Cynthia Valice is pulling herself back to her feet, calling for Kai to get back up!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai is slowly able to do just that, AND OUT OF DESPERATION HE SWINGS AT CYNTHIA- BUT CYNTHIA DUCKS IT BEFORE GOING DOWN, AND SWIPING THE LEG OUT FROM UNDER KAI! “QUIET DESPERATION”!!!!! QUIET DESPERATION IS LOCKED IN ON THE HARDCORE CHAMPION, AND KAI RABEAUX HAS NOWHERE TO GO!! KAI IS STRUGGLING, BRO!!! HE’S TRAPPED IN THE ANKLE LOCK!!

Persephone: And that’s not all! It looks like Cynthia is actually about to do something interesting for once in her career, because she just picked up one of those glass shards!

Rich Russillo: Cynthia still has Kai trapped in the ankle lock, and she looks away and closes her eyes before BEGINNING TO STAB AT THE BACK OF HIS LEG!!! KAI SCREAMS IN PAIN, AND IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME FOR HIM TO CONSIDER TAPPING OUT, I WOULD SAY IT’S RIGHT NOW!! CYNTHIA KEEPS STABBING HIS LEG WITH THE SHARD FROM THE LIGHT TUBE, AND I DON’T THINK KAI IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS!

Thadd Blazevich: I don’t think so either, bro! Kai might be outta options! I think he’s gonna have to tap before some serious damage is done! He was trying to pull himself closer to the ropes, maybe to pull himself out of the ring since this match has no rope breaks, but I don’t think he has it in him in the condition that he’s in! Not when his leg is getting stabbed over and over! KAI IS SCREAMING IN PAIN, HE MIGHT HAVE TO TAP-

Persephone: CEREBRO!!!

Rich Russillo: CARMEN SANCHEZ WAS ABLE TO SLIDE BACK INTO THE RING, AND SHE LANDED THE SPRINGBOARD POISONRANA ON CYNTHIA VALICE!!! CARMEN MAY HAVE JUST PREVENTED THIS MATCH FROM ENDING, AS I’M NOT SO SURE KAI WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE TOO MUCH MORE OF THAT SUBMISSION!

Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but that’s not all we gotta pay attention to! Kai rolled away holding his leg, meanwhile Cynthia landed on her head with that poisonrana, inadvertently causing her to fall backwards and return to her feet!

Persephone: Cynthia Valice is pretty seriously dazed though, meaning she’s pretty much a sitting duck for Carmen!

Rich Russillo: Carmen is quick to push herself back to her feet, AND SHE’S NOT WASTING ANY TIME, GOING FOR THE KILL SHOT!!! CARMEN RUNS INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING, GRABBING ONTO THE TOP ROPE WHILE STEPPING OFF THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE!

Thadd Blazevich: GASOLINA!!

Rich Russillo: CARMEN SANCHEZ WAS ABLE TO CONNECT WITH GASOLINA ON CYNTHIA VALICE!!!! KAI HAD TAKEN CARMEN OUT EARLIER, BUT THAT FACT ALLOWED HER TO CATCH CYNTHIA BY SURPRISE, RIGHT WHEN SHE WAS ON THE VERGE OF POTENTIALLY MAKING THE HARDCORE CHAMPION TAP OUT!!!

Thadd Blazevich: CYNTHIA VALICE IS OUT, AND NOW CARMEN QUICKLY GETS UP-

(*CRASH!*)

Persephone: BEFORE GETTING THROWN HEAD FIRST INTO THE GLASS PANE BY KAI RABEAUX!!!!!

Rich Russillo: OH NO!! Carmen managed to wipe out Cynthia Valice with her biggest move and may have been on the verge of a victory, but JUST before she could do anything about it, Kai grabbed her and sent her into the glass pane that was propped up in the corner ages ago! Carmen had a nasty collision with the glass, and I think the shards cut her head open!

Thadd Blazevich: Carmen falls through the ropes and takes a tumble out to the ringside floor, but dude, that just left Cynthia at Kai’s mercy!

Persephone: Yep, pretty much! Kai just dragged Cynthia to her feet before lifting her up into his arms, AND HE SPINS BEFORE DROPPING HER ONTO THE THUMBTACKS WITH THE KINGSTONE PILEDRIVER!!!!

Rich Russillo: KAI IMMEDIATELY TURNS AND GRABS ONTO HIS LEG AFTER DELIVERING THE MOVE, BUT I THINK IT’S SAFE TO SAY THE DAMAGE IS ALREADY DONE! CARMEN IS ONLY JUST NOW BEGINNING TO STIR, WHILE KAI PULLS HIMSELF OVER CYNTHIA FOR THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!!!

OOONNNNNNEEEEE!!!

TTTTTWWWOOOOOOO!!!!

TTTTHHHRREEEEEEEEE!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner… ANNDDD STIILLLL THE HARDCORE CHAMPION, KAAAAIIIIII RRRAAAAABBEEAAUUUUXXX!!!!!!

(‘The Promised Consort’ begins to play once more as Kai Rabeaux rolls off of Cynthia Valice. He grabs onto his leg, shaking his head. Carmen Sanchez is laid out at ringside, holding her head as blood spills, while Cynthia Valice remains laid out. Kai slowly rolls himself to the ropes, using them to pull himself up as the referee hands him his Hardcore Championship. Kai snatches it, before raising his title in the air as the fans loudly boo.)

Rich Russillo: And there you have it, another title defense in the books for Kai Rabeaux. Say what you will about the man, and trust me he deserves any bit of criticism he’s given, but he’s honestly been racking up a ton of impressive defenses with this reign.

Thadd Blazevich: He has, but man… it’s a shame, ‘cause Carmen and Cynthia were AWESOME tonight! They gave this all they had and didn’t hold back despite their friendship. Near the end all three of ‘em coulda won, but that glass busted Carmen’s head open and at least kept her down enough for Kai to finish off Cynthia.

Persephone: Well, that was the best match of the night on account of it being hardcore. Besides that, I don’t have much to say.

Rich Russillo: Well congratulations to Kai Rabeaux, who we now know will-

(*SMASH!*)

Rich Russillo: OH!!

Thadd Blazevich: AW DUDE, MIKU SAKAI JUST SLID INTO THE RING, HITTING KAI IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH THE 2X4 FROM EARLIER!!!!

Rich Russillo: I WAS JUST ABOUT TO SAY THAT KAI RABEAUX WILL BE DEFENDING THE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST MIKU AT TERRITORIAL INVASION, BUT MIKU DECIDED TO LET THAT MESSAGE BE KNOWN HERSELF!!

Thadd Blazevich: KAI FELL FORWARD INTO THE ROPES, AND MIKU JUST DRAGS HIM UP, RUNNING IN BEFORE SENDING HIM HEAD FIRST INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!!!

Persephone: KAI IS PRETTY MUCH OUT ON HIS FEET!

Rich Russillo: HE STUMBLES OUT OF THE CORNER, BLOOD STILL SPILLING FROM HIS FOREHEAD AFTER THE MATCH HE WAS JUST IN- AND NOW MIKU SAKAI REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES BEFORE DROPPING KAI WITH THE CUCK KILLER!!! THE HARDCORE CHAMPION IS DOWN!!!

Thadd Blazevich: A huge message has just been sent by Miku Sakai, bro! Kai is down, and one thing I think is for sure, and it’s that Miku wants that title!

Persephone: Duh. How long has it been since she’s held a title again?

Rich Russillo: Years, and I think Miku is ready for that to change. Kai Rabeaux had a good title defense tonight, but he’s not out of the woods just yet.

(As Miku Sakai returns to her feet, she looks down at the Hardcore Championship and nods, before stomping on Kai Rabeaux, stepping over him as she exits the ring. With the Champion laid out in the ring and her statement made, Miku begins to head up the ramp, while Voltage fades away from ringside.)

(Promotional ad for Territorial Invasion, where Kai Rabeaux defends the Hardcore Championship against Miku Sakai.)

(Voltage fades backstage.)

Damon Lazarus: …Did great out there. What I’d expect from my ‘champ…

(Damon Lazarus sits on an unfolded chair in the backstage halls, body relaxed, eyes gazing down at his phone with venomous esteem…)

Damon Lazarus: …but there’s always room for *better*.

(Damon grinned. A frustrated breath leaves out of the phone’s speakers, the soft yet menacing female tone being the unmistakable one of his latest lustful interest, Saori Aizen. In front of the camera, she glanced down for a second, not retorting in any shape, though making her frustration perceptible—it became the Damon classic, at this point, to give her a compliment, often even a reward that, in the end, feels backhanded. This was no different, though Damon knew it would set a fire in her perfectionistic mind, therefore, there was not much even someone like Saori could do to argue against it.)

(Saori had visible bruises and stitches on herself. It rubbed her the wrong way after the war she’d gone through the day prior, but short-term frustration doesn’t beat long-term fulfillment—they both know that.)

Saori Aizen: I suppose that can only go for us both, hm…? As much as Bloodsport made me… pleased… 😏 War Games may not come with the same unhappy couple tensions you benefitted from… In the game of war you cannot simply bank on hatred and implosions. We must dictate the battlefield to our will, and become the overwhelming power that will get the job done in the most brutal game of catch there is.

(Damon briefly parts the side of his lips with a slight smirk.)

(There is something he means to question, but he refrains from doing so.)

Damon Lazarus: And how might you go about it, sweetheart?

(Saori smiled, happy not at the appellative, but at the interest in her mind’s ability for creating strategy.)

Saori Aizen: It’s sim—

Damon Lazarus: Aht, aht.

(Damon quickly cuts her off, dabbling more and more in the game of “romantic” annoyance.)

Damon Lazarus: ‘Think it’d be better in person, actually. My mind works best with *understanding* when I have something *dazzling* to keep my eyes upon…

Saori Aizen: Would that not be distrac— ah. I see.

(Though she spoke too early, assessing that logic, it quickly became clear Damon wasn’t so interested in discussing tragedy if it wasn’t for the tone of sensation and occasional moan in her voice.)

(Unfortunately, as much as objectification would irk her, Damon is quite the weak point. Someway, somehow, she is vulnerable to his specific aura of lust. She smiled, temptingly.)

Damon Lazarus: Attagirl. Now, how much longer will you keep me waiting?

(Saori shrugged her shoulders with a flat expression on her face.)

Saori Aizen: Answer remains the same as the last few times you asked. It’s not as if insistence changes anything.

Damon Lazarus: Hmph. You know me, Saori, I’m not the most patient of men.

(A sarcastic, demeaning “I could tell” was itching to leave Saori’s lips, but something kept her. It wasn’t as if she was big on wit and irony, after all.)

Damon Lazarus: How much longer?

Saori Aizen: An hour. Two… Three. Could be the whole night, even.

(Damon’s prominently indifferent demeanor assumes a hint of frustration. Saori’s plane from Jamaica back to Houston had been delayed, so she couldn’t make it in time for Voltage—or Damon. Leaving her stuck, waiting at the airport for hours.)

Damon Lazarus: The hell even happened?

Saori Aizen: Apparently, the plane that was meant to land here had to make an emergency landing in Colombia instead. Someone on board was in need of urgent medical care, and no doctors were on board.

(Saori rolled her eyes.)

Saori Aizen: Why even travel if you carry severe health complications? This is annoying…

(Damon took a moment to process Saori’s lack of sympathy and cruel selfishness.)

Damon Lazarus: Annoying, indeed.

(He then agreed.)

Damon Lazarus: How have you managed to make this spare time pass all alone, then? After all, when we’re bored, we usually…

Saori Aizen: Shopping.

Damon Lazarus: Been shopping, eh? At the airport? You ain’t being a cheapskate for once?

Saori Aizen: You left your debit card in my wallet.

Damon Lazarus: Ah…

(Saori giggled silently, while Damon’s face blanked for a minute, wondering just how much she could’ve spent on overpriced airport stuff.)

(He knew Saori wouldn’t even attempt to be conservative; after all, a simple, partially cotton shirt wouldn’t do the trick like it would for him. She *liked* her damned textures.)

Saori Aizen: You would have known if you had banking on your phone, but you’d prefer to remain old-fashioned and go to ATM’s just to check your balance.

Damon Lazarus: Yeah, well, you don’t call me “daddy” for no reason.

(A faint frown appears on Saori’s face.)

Saori Aizen: I don’t call you that.

(Damon chuckles.)

Damon Lazarus: Must’ve confused you with another.

Saori Aizen: Okay.

(Every conversation she had with Damon seemed like a test of sorts, she could always see it. This was no different. Comments were made to gauge reactions, but Saori would often remain unflinching, both because that is partially her natural state of being, and because her *personal* investment was rather dire.)

(While Damon would be known to react when another man would merely approach her, seeing Saori as his possession, she was far more indifferent. She knew what this bond was about very well, and didn’t wanna delude herself into thinking otherwise.)

Saori Aizen: I won’t be present to be announced as the first pick of your team—so, who else will be joining us?

Damon Lazarus: “Us”…

(Damon smiled sarcastically…)

Damon Lazarus: Who will I choose to do battle alongside *me* in War Games… Hm…

(His choice of words was meticulous and intentional, and Saori could pick up on the clear detail, though she’d still hear him out.)

Damon Lazarus: You’re being awfully presumptuous, Saori… to go as far as to assume you would be my first selection, too?

(His gritty voice carried a slight tone to it, rather unique. Saori’s head tilts, wondering how earnest he is with the rhetorical comment.)

(Though, Damon’s countenance gives away not a single idea.)

Saori Aizen: Okay… If I am “not your first pick”, then who else could you choose…

(Damon simply shrugs.)

Damon Lazarus: I’m not the type to ruin a surprise, Saori. You and the rest of the world alike should soon find out—

Saori Aizen: No— I should know. It’s vital that I do—

Damon Lazarus: Saori. Just take heed.

(But she remains insistent.)

Saori Aizen: You keep me in the dark with *everything*. This I should at least know.

Damon Lazarus: Saori…

Saori Aizen: You are worried about how I am spending my time, aren’t you? Perhaps I can simply use this time I need to spend sitting on an uncomfortable chair to devise a plan for how we’ll address our chemistry and approach to the match—

(Damon rolls his eyes, exhaling loudly.)

Damon Lazarus: Heed, Saori. Heed.

Saori Aizen: But—

(Unfortunately for Saori, Damon receives a tap on the shoulder from production that he’s up next, and the muffled intro to “Until It Sleeps” by Metallica reverberates in the hallway and even through the phone’s speakers.)

Damon Lazarus: Well, it seems I’m out of time to waste.

(Having been shut down, Saori doesn’t even conjure up another word.)

Damon Lazarus: Be a good girl, Saori. Pay great attention. Enjoy my surprise. And don’t catch jet lag. You’ve much to indulge in after you arrive tonight…

(Saori blinks a few times, rapidly, slowly thinking she may perhaps piece together this “mystery” considering Damon’s *interesting* vagueness, seemingly captivated by that mystery even more than Damon’s dirty promise.)

(No goodbyes, Damon hangs up and leaves his final words to settle in her mind, as intended, knowing she can pick up on just about everything. He walks past the production crew, who heard the whole conversation, erotic innuendos and all, and give him a disgusted look veiled by their best attempt at a normal expression when he walks past them.)

(Damon could see through it, he could sense their uncomfortable energy, but he didn’t care to step on insects; it’s behavior he’d gotten more than used to. He simply walked through the curtain, and his music resounded in full bass in his ears.)

(He slowly nodded his head along to the music, as the crowd roared with boos at his arrival, boos which Damon simply smiled at, cockily. He walked down the ramp in a methodical manner, deliberate, focused, and slow knowing he kept many people on their heels… the crowd, the other War Games teams… and Saori. That suspense is exactly what Damon took joy in.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… please welcome this year’s War Games team captain… DAMOOONNN LAZARUUSSS!!!!!

Persephone: Yaaayyyy here is Damon Lazarus…! Woohoo… Always dressed like a construction site worker when he doesn’t let those thighs out.

Thadd Blazevich: Dudeeee Damon’s victory at Bloodsport was—

Rich Russillo: Now wait a minute Thadd, I know you heard that.

Persephone: What are you on about, Rich? You starting to hear voices? You know I cannot be in close proximity to mentally ill people, right…?

Rich Russillo: I mean… you commentate for Voltage. Either way! Bloodsport was an insane event, and one of the highlights walking out of it is Damon Lazarus cementing his spot as the Team Voltage captain in Territorial Invasion’s marquee headline… War Games!

Thadd Blazevich: Damon brutalized Jake Smith and especially Jay Jerry Johnson in a 30-Minute Hardcore Iron Man Match. You’d think Damon wouldn’t go the distance with his style, but when there’s sadism involved and I suppose beating up Jay Jerry Johnson especially, Damon defies all limitations!

Persephone: This will be a mess. We should leak Damon’s scouting report. I bet we’re only gonna be seeing girls no older than 25 as his options.

(Once in the ring, Damon takes a moment on the middle turnbuckle, his gaze analytical on the atmosphere inside the arena. His music slowly fades as the crowd reaction persists, but to Damon the reaction feels like something he dictates with each of his actions, and that control is something he wallows in.)

(Reacting with simply an amused smirk, Damon climbs down from the corner. A microphone is quickly placed into his hands, and thus he takes center stage, leaning on the ropes, speaking his mind.)

Damon Lazarus: Heh…

Damon Lazarus: Bloodsport, quite the night. Action-packed. Despair stricken. Life-altering for most. Just the type of show the audience revels in as if there’s no tomorrow, until the next one comes. Happy to see their little puppets fight to the death while they sit their lowly asses on musty couches, munching on chemicals. I may not be as physically rotten as you people, but I must admit I find common ground with those who revel in such chaos — ‘cause I do too. The outlying difference, however, is the hand I play in enacting that chaos and manifesting it to its fullest extent.

Damon Lazarus: I revel in my art. I am an “artist”, so to speak. Certainly more of an artist than that baby-faced, blonde-haired stooge who talent cannot be forced out of, only desperation. I will love to see him flounder yet again in his pursuit for the EAW World Championship, believing he’d learned something merely ‘cause he stepped in the ring with me. Alas, for Jay Jerry Johnson, I am not the tough-love beacon that’ll propel him to the future he’s not talented enough to attain. I am his goddamned undoing, and I’ll beat that in his empty fuckin’ head over and over ‘till he learns that lesson, ‘cause if it’s one thing these cats all got in common is their sheer stubbornness.

Damon Lazarus: But enough about that rat eroding the mat with his stench. He’s just one small pawn in a big picture that renders him irrelevant. This generation of Voltage… should all revel in the lessons I encourage them to take. Towards the path I open to them. That is not because I am stuck to an ideology that must be selfishly fulfilled. But ‘cause it would serve to their own benefit. I’m sick of patrolling around these hallways and meeting eyes with cowards, the fear in their gaze & lacking refrain, yet talking themselves up like some hot shots behind a camera just ‘cause they got sick of some narratives they caused.

Damon Lazarus: Caroline’s gotten that ounce of encouragement she desperately required, and now I stand happy to see Mr. Greatness eating the shit he served himself. You ain’t getting somebody to believe you embody greatness if you don’t give ‘em a reason to, and as far as I can tell, you can’t work out a coward’s mentality the same way he worked his body during the summer — weights and tans alike. Voltage is spared from an incompetent hothead leading the charge, and a man whose one accolade as a leader had been managing to make his own team beat the crap out of him out of sheer annoyance in the middle of literal war.

Damon Lazarus: I may, more or less, have my hands in all that is of importance on Voltage, and thus, it is only right that I lead the charge for this brand in the War Games structure, both with my necessary insight and my unmatched brand of brutality. The end of Bloodsport came to me with the uttermost certainty long before it happened, ‘cause it was clear who had it in ‘em to LEAD, and who did not. ‘Cause of this, I certainly had my time to think my options through, though, in the end, they were rather obvious.

Damon Lazarus: I arrived onto this brand not to ruin it, but to reshape it into what it’s meant to be. That comes with cleansing all the vermin, and though it’s a long process, I can guarantee this brand is in a much better spot currently than that other blue-colored one that’s spent the last year and a half overrun by a corporate stooge whose only authority power is his toxic connection to the boss lady that refuses to kick him outta there, who’ll accept just about any poor mug off the streets in his little boyband so long as they’re foolish enough to yield to his ideology.

Damon Lazarus: Where I’m looking, I don’t see a lick of order, and that’s the trend on the entirety of the Saturday brand. It’s a shitshow waiting to fall apart ‘till it’s smithereens, and it’ll be my pleasure to inflict the first crack come War Games. My team won’t be full of two imbeciles forced into a position they got no business being in, along with an inconsistent Damien Kutcher playing cheerleader, just happy to be along for the ride as he feels the air of importance for the first time in his sorry career after three years of nothing, ‘cause let’s be clear, calling Damien’s career “mediocre” would be a damn compliment. Got his one moment in the sun, winning his fifth attempt at a Battle Royale after his remaining competition took each other out, and went on to pay the price inside “The Box”. Cute little stip’.

(Damon smirks to himself for a moment, thinking of exactly *who* he’d possibly like to get a date in “The Box” with.)

Damon Lazarus: Maybe you put Damien Kutcher through such a grueling trial, and perhaps he’d walk out of there a changed man, though trauma teaches maturity, not wrestling capability. But that’s too bad, ‘cause this one enemy team just likes to coddle people and tell ‘em all they wanna hear. Get a “homie hug” with Jon Kelton and that stupid silk slacks-wearing moron’s atoned for his sins and worth trusting all of a sudden. Wars ain’t won through cuddling. They ain’t won by being good boys for Pandora Paisley. So those three clowns who change their demeanors around every two months will have a real brutal lesson to learn when it’s too damn late to make up for it. Give ‘em all the talent in the world, and all it takes is the wrong mentality for it to fall apart. So what can I expect out of a team that has neither the talent nor the mentality?

Damon Lazarus: A goddamn mess, that’s what. The team I’m building will be one that falls in line, follows my lead vehemently, and will learn to do whatever it takes to win War Games even if it’s a mentality that’s gotta be beat into ‘em. My mind’s been made up, and I got a real close look at my choices… I can tell everybody right now, there is nobody I *trust* more to obey my very words and teachings than who I have in mind. I know exactly who I am bringing along for the ride, *and I know I will not be refused.*

(Damon smirks, proudly, almost ruthlessly.)

Damon Lazarus: No further ado…

Damon Lazarus: Join me in the ring…

(…)

(…)

(…)

Damon Lazarus: **…Auburn.**

(There is a ripple of shock that reverberates throughout the crowd and ‘Going Under’ starts to blast across the public address system. Damon casually leans back against the corner, arms folded, waiting for his first pick to walk to the ring.)

Rich Russillo: I… I honestly have no idea what to say right now.

Persephone: LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. This old fucking man is literally unhinged. I’m actually shook.

Thadd Blazevich: So is the crowd, but right now, broette Auburn isn’t coming out.

(Damon’s lips twitched, almost like he wanted to smile. The wildly unpredictable Auburn Ware was predictable when it came to him, and Damon had known this wouldn’t go down easily.)

(After a few seconds, her music ceased. Damon chuckled.)

Damon Lazarus: Auburn.

(Again, her music started to play. This time, Damon took a little more interest in the fact she didn’t come out. It was a defiant move on her part, because she knew good and well he didn’t like to repeat himself.)

(Once again, the music stopped, and Damon pushed himself out of the corner. A spark flashed in those cold, cruel eyes and he glared at the stage.)

Damon Lazarus: Stubborn. I think you know better than to have me call for you again.

???: Fine…

(Auburn walked out with a microphone in her hand and a mixed reaction from the crowd. She was staring at Damon and the knuckles on the hand she held the microphone were white. She was clutching onto that microphone for dear life, and before she took another step, she had to compose herself.)

Auburn Ware: You’re fucking sick…

(Damon had no verbal response, but a silent conversation passed between the two of them, ending with Damon crooking his finger and motioning for her to get in the ring. Auburn swallowed hard and walked down the ramp, a mix of sullen energy and anger that he would dare put her in a position like this.)

(Exercising a tremendous amount of patience, Damon stood still as Auburn stomped up the steps and as she grabbed the top rope, she shot him a look that was full of so many unspoken emotions; confusion, lust, sadness, anger, and the one most important to Damon, defiance.)

(His mouth quirked again but it was missed entirely by Auburn who was getting into the ring. She folded her arms across her chest and lifted her chin.)

Auburn Ware: The fact that you would have the audacity to even speak my name out loud at this juncture is seriously fucked… I’ve come to the realization that you are a total asshole, Damon, but this is a new low, even for you. You have no reason to want me on this team and honestly, I don’t really think you do. I think you’re trying to screw with me—but guess what? It’s not going to work… Even if this was a real offer, I wouldn’t join your team… You’ve done nothing but hurt me, humiliate me, and use me…. Fuck you.

(Auburn spoke her words with hurt and vitriol, but the fact her bottom lip quivered ever so slightly was picked up by Damon. He could read her like a book and it was painfully obvious that she did assume he was attempting to humiliate her.)

(It amused him.)

Damon Lazarus: ‘Fuck you’ is an interesting choice of words, considering that’s the one thing you ever wanted to do. Nonetheless, let me make something very clear to you…

(Damon’s eyes seared into Auburn’s and she felt butterflies inside her stomach. She didn’t want to show how much it hurt her to be near him at the moment but she knew that she saw right through her. Damon stepped closer to her and looked down, and this time he did smirk. His hand caught her jaw and he gripped it, knowing she would attempt to pull away.)

Damon Lazarus: There is a reason, for EVERYTHING that I do, and while it would be easy for me to point out that you finally came running when I made it extremely clear, that you had no choice but to get your ass out here—I know there’s a million negative thoughts running through that pretty little head…

Auburn Ware: Y-you don’t know anything about me, Damon, and that’s always been the problem! You just don’t care and I don’t want anything to do with you! You made your fucking choice pretty clear at Pain for Pride, a-and that stupid bitch is the one who should be standing here, not me!

(Auburn shoved Damon back, forcing him to let go of her face. He closed the gap between them again, backing her up against the ropes, and Auburn felt that familiar hum of electricity pass between them. If Damon felt it, he didn’t let on, but he stared at her for a moment… truly looked at her, and then the next words out of his mouth nearly caused her to become unglued.)

Damon Lazarus: I don’t know you…. Hm.

(A laugh.)

Damon Lazarus: Listen here… Princess—don’t bullshit me. I know you better than you know yourself, which is why you are so goddamn frustrating to deal with…

Auburn Ware: Seriously???? Then tell me something about myself! You think you know everything but you just want to jerk people around and turn them into your puppets! You never fucking cared about me… You never gave a damn about anything I said to you… You never tried to learn anything about me… It was always about you, you, YOU!

(Damon laughed again, but it was far from happy.)

Damon Lazarus: War Games is your dream match…

(Damon’s voice was low and it startled Auburn to her very core. She nearly dropped her microphone. Damon gave her a stern and rather disappointed look and Auburn felt her face flame. She had to look away from him because there was far too much tension in the ring at the moment. She felt uncomfortable and moved towards the corner to put some space between the two of them.)

(Damon allowed her the respite.)

(After a moment, Auburn pushed her hair back with a shaking hand and looked up at him. Her next words were no more than a vulnerable whisper, and her eyes showed a hint of fear.)

Auburn Ware: H-how do I know I can trust you to have my back…? How…?

(Damon shrugged, because he wasn’t really interested in furthering the conversation and feeding Auburn’s emotions. It didn’t matter how she felt when it came to him, the only thing that mattered to Damon was whether or not she would do her part.)

Damon Lazarus: Do your part.

(And just like that, the moment was snuffed. Auburn shook her head.)

Auburn Ware: I fucking ha—

(A calloused finger pressed against Auburn’s lips, effectively silencing her. Damon stood in front of her, their bodies touching, and she fought against the urge to press herself against Damon. He brought his face down close to hers, and Auburn sucked in a breath.)

Damon Lazarus: You ‘hate’ me. Sure. Do you remember all those conversations we had? Remember how I told you to figure it out? You begged and pleaded to know what ‘it’ was, but I can see in your eyes you’re finally starting to learn…. So…. Prove yourself.

(Auburn batted his hand away but Damon grabbed her small wrists, securing both of them with one of his hands. Auburn’s microphone fell to the ground with a thud, and out of sheer instinct, she licked her lips, moistening them. Damon watched the gesture, which he knew was purely innocent on her part, but his eyes stayed on her mouth for a beat too long.)

Auburn Ware: I… I don’t have to prove anyth—

Damon Lazarus: You sure fuckin’ do. Prove yourself to me.

(Auburn didn’t reply. Damon’s grip softened and his thumb traced the top of her hand. The look on his face softened.)

Damon Lazarus: Do you understand?

(Auburn paused and lowered her eyes. After a moment, she nodded slightly.)

Damon Lazarus: Yeah, that’s what I thought.

(Auburn closed her eyes and allowed herself to savor the moment. Then…)

(She ripped her hands out of Damon’s grasps and slapped him across the face so hard, his head actually snapped to the side.)

Auburn Ware: I’ll show you what the fuck you missed out on…. Asshole…

(Damon squints his eyes as Auburn shoulder checks him and pushes past him. His hand shoots out, wraps in her hair, and pulls her head back. Auburn lets out a startled sound, her eyes wide.)

Damon Lazarus: Got no doubt.

(Damon taps the microphone against Auburn’s backside, a warning if nothing else, and he releases her. She scurries out of the ring, wanting to get away from him and a smirk breaks out across his face. Damon rubs the side of his face where Auburn’s handprint is showcased in red, and that’s the final image as Voltage comes to an end.)

(EAW logo buzzes.)