Post by Aloysius Marcus Vance IV on Jul 20, 2022 16:23:19 GMT -6
Episode #1: Grasp Your Destiny
Live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
Wednesday, July 20th, 2022 at 7pm
Gates open at 6pm
PRE-RECORDED SEGMENT: DUKE ANDREWS
On Notice
The camera focuses on the back parking lot to the State Farm Arena. The fenced in lot was privacy enough from the people trying to get a quick autograph. The image in focus was a black Rolls Royce Phantom. The reflection from the paint shines under the sun as the camera quickly pans back.
“It was somethin ‘bout that Rollie when it first touched my wrist/Had me feelin like that dope boy when he first touched that brick.”
The drivers side door opened. An older man quickly hopped to the rear of the car and opened the trunk. Retrieving a couple of bags as he wheeled the one to the rear door before opening the back door.
It didn’t take long for the large figure to step from the back of the car. Dressed in a pair of light grey dress pants, a simple short sleeved dress shirt, light purple in color with the top few buttons exposed. The sunlight reflecting off the black Rolex Daytona on the left wrist of Duke Andrews.
He held his right hand out, the driver unzipping a small brown leather bag and sliding out the old HYBRID championship belt. The gold; still polished.
“They gon’ remember me, remember me, I say remember me/So much money have your friends turn into your enemies/And when there’s beef, I turn my enemies into memories.”
The music stopped as Duke tossed the title over his shoulder. The Tom Ford sunglasses hid the immediate stares before he began walking towards the building. The driver of his car follows suit as he strides quickly to get in ahead of The Top Heel.
Duke Andrews: It’s been about a month since I put pen to paper with this new iteration. When Vance and Mitchell first even touched on the subject of bringing me in. It wasn’t a matter of when, it was a matter of dollars. It wasn’t a matter of when, it was a matter of why. And that’s something that no one on this roster even can wrap their head around.
Duke had been speaking as he walked into the building. Removing his sunglasses as he came to a stop. Looking down the hallway of the building towards the locker room before snapping his head back towards the camera.
Duke Andrews: I was asked about why I didn’t make this big splash last week. Why? Why would I? What would I get out of wasting this moment on a warm up match of that caliber? I left the Caribbean to come in and step in the ring with some broad that couldn’t lace my boots. And I guess that irritates her other half.
A simple shrug. He cocked his head to look at the title that hung over his shoulder.
Duke Andrews: I was the face of this company for three years. I turned heads every time I stepped onto that stage. I made people want to spend their money to sit in the seats just to have a chance of feeling perfection in their presence. I fought the lizard and put him out of his misery before he crawled under the rock he should have stayed in. I forced the terminator to run and hide in whatever cellar she came from. Every other person on that roster? The rockstar turned shitty promoter? The gutless jukebox hero? Gone. Because they didn’t belong in the same business as me. I ran my best friend into the end of his career in this company because he was useless to me. And what has happened since then?
A long inhale and exhale from Duke. His eyes glued onto the camera.
Duke Andrews: And now I’m back. I simplified it for the dipshits that sit behind their keyboards. Daddy’s back. And that’s where we are now. It doesn’t matter who thinks I’ve stepped on their toes. If it’s Burger King or Morrow. This right here…
He slaps the gold plate on the center of the championship.
Duke Andrews: This is what it was about. This…this is the past…
With a simple toss, the title leaves his shoulder and crashes into a trash can off to the side.
Duke Andrews: Every single sack of shit that is in this tournament, from the Burger King to Tolson and everyone in between. You need to understand what this means. You need to take notice of my words. What you saw last time, that was the warm up. This, tonight, Aiden Morrow, is the first frame. This tournament isn’t for the weak. I’ll rip every single person that stands across from me to shreds. Aiden, like I told whatsherface las time, this isn’t personal, me ripping your heart out of your chest, it’s business. I’m back to take my spot at the top of this promotion.
Fade.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: AIDEN MORROW
Ready for Anything
We cut backstage to Aiden Morrow, who’s walking down the halls toward gorilla as his match is the opener. He’s in his ring gear and looks pumped and ready for his big match. He stopped and looked at the camera.
Aiden Morrow: I guess I should say a few things, huh? You know, I like that my first opponent is Duke Andrews. There’s quite a few top people in this giant Global Heavyweight Tournament and Duke is one of them. If I can’t get past him? Then it wouldn't matter if I fought somebody else. I’d rather have the chance to take down one of the best in this thing.
Aiden nodded.
Aiden Morrow: Duke has had quite the career and it wasn’t too far off that he was the MWE World Heavyweight Champion. He has the accolades, the experience and the size. Plus, he’s a mean son of a bitch.
Aiden let out a laugh before he continued.
Aiden Morrow: And I love all of that. You see, I want the best of the best. I want to be challenged. I don’t want an easy pass in this thing. The eventual Global Heavyweight Champion should go through hell to get to the top. You gotta build character to get there. You gotta prove that you can take on whatever battle, even if it’s an uphill one. Which is what I do best.
He pointed at the camera.
Aiden Morrow: So bring everything that you’ve got, Duke, just know that I’m ready for you. Every dirty little trick in your book? I got it scouted. I know how you roll, I know that you do whatever it takes to get ahead but it’s not going to get you anywhere against me except for a first round loss. See you out there.
And with that, Aiden headed off toward the gorilla position to head out for his match. Cameras cut to the ring a few seconds later, the first match of the night moments from getting underway!
Spirit Montego: Our first match tonight on Vanguard is set for one fall and is a first-round match in the Global Heavyweight Tournament! Introducing first…
“Can’t Be Touched” by Roy Jones, Jr. starts up and the fans seem as if they cannot wait to heap boos on Duke Andrews! The Epitome of Perfection strides to the top of the ramp and it’s as if he never left: the fury he elicits to go along with the power and arrogance he exudes is all still there in spades. He starts down the ramp, staring hard at the mostly-empty ring ahead of him, though a smirk does break out at the fan reaction.
Spirit Montego: ...from Grand Rapids, Michigan and weighing in at 275 pounds, he is the Epitome of Perfection… DUKE ANDREWS!
Rolling in under the bottom rope, he strides right up to the ropes and throws his fists in the air, further getting under the skin of the fans. He does it at every side of the ring until the arena is fairly shaking with boos. But Duke loves it, soaking it up before moving to a neutral corner, awaiting his opponent.
Bernadette Olson: Duke made a statement last week, one that might come back to bite him. And he’s not facing a green rookie this time around, either.
Jacob Frankel: Something tells me Duke isn’t sparing a moment’s thought for Eddy Todd. That’s just the kind of guy he strikes me as.
Bernadette Olson: You aren’t wrong. For better or worse, there IS an issue. And the Beggar King won’t let it slide. Duke’s focus should be on his opponent, though.
Spirit Montego: And introducing his opponent…
"Bury A Lie" by Rain City Drive blares over the PA system and Aiden Morrow walks out to the top of the entrance way and the fans begin to cheer. He smiles and holds his arms up out in the air horizontally while soaking in the crowd. He then walks down the ramp before sliding into the ring. Aiden then jumps up onto the turnbuckle and raises his hands in the air before hopping down and waiting in the corner for the match to begin.
Spirit Montego: ...from Santa Monica, California and weighing in at 200 pounds, he is the Aerialist of Tomorrow… AIDEN MORROW!
Jacob Frankel: Morrow’s making his HYBRID debut tonight, and they’ve definitely tossed him in the deep end!
Bernadette Olson: It was luck of the draw as to who would face who in the tournament, but don’t sell Aiden short. The young man has been around and has his share of championships.
Jacob Frankel: That he has. Duke better not expect an easy night, eh?
Bernadette Olson: You really don’t know him very well, do you?
MATCH ONE
Global Heavyweight Tournament: First Round Match
Aiden Morrow vs. Duke Andrews
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
There’s no lock-up… Duke just strides forward and shoves Aiden backwards. Aiden rebounds off the ropes and shoves Duke right back, leading to a battle of fists and knife-edge chops between the two which only ends when Aiden ducks a haymaker and starts throwing kicks to the legs of the larger Andrews. Another shove from Duke again sends Aiden into the ropes, except this time he returns with a dropkick to the right leg, dropping Duke to a knee! A second dropkick sends Andrews to the mat and Aiden makes a pin attempt, but is thrown off hard at one! Duke is back up and catches the charging Aiden around the throat, though the chokeslam is escaped as Aiden lands behind Duke and attempts a backcracker only for Andrews to grab the ropes, causing Aiden to land hard on his back and shoulders. Duke turns and puts the boots to him, keeping up the melee until the count of four, only to blow off referee Zach Young and start it up again. The official is not wont to get directly involved but Aiden saves himself by rolling out of the ring during another admonishment. Duke turns to literally tell the striped shirt to fuck off, leading to Aiden taking the moment to springboard off the top and drive another dropkick into the head of Duke, taking him down for another pinfall, this time for a longer one-count!
Aiden stays on the larger man, landing some kicks to the ribs and clubbing shots to the back, but Duke rises up despite it. Aiden ducks a clothesline and goes back to attacking the right leg, only for Duke to fake a back elbow, then level Aiden with a lariat! Shaking out the leg, Duke again puts the boots to Morrow, putting the sole of his left boot on the man’s forehead and twisting viciously, leaving Morrow writhing on the mat! Grabbing him around the throat with both hands, Duke ignores the admonitions of the referee and hurls Morrow into the corner, charging at him after. Aiden barely slips out of the way, ending up on the apron and trying a swinging kick, but Duke blocks this and bounces his head off the buckles before clotheslining the hell out of him, sending Aiden for a loop before he lands hard on the floor, barely missing clocking himself on the steps on the way down! Stepping through the ropes and dropping to the floor despite Young’s warnings, Duke drags Aiden up and shoves him into the barricade… only for Aiden to leap to the top and fly backwards with an elbow! Duke catches the high-flier, though, putting a stop to that idea! Morrow, however, grabs the ropes and extricates himself from Duke’s grip, nailing a hard running kick that seems to land either at the chest or chin! Either way, Andrews is reeling, and a blockbuster off the apron further puts Duke in danger! Aiden feeds off the crowd’s excitement, backing off for a running start that he uses to hit a shotgun dropkick, sending Duke into the steps! Aiden quickly rolls back in the ring, the count having reached six, but Duke is in by eight, seething!
Staying on the move, Aiden avoids some hard shots from Duke, and barely escapes a powerslam before hitting a tornado DDT for a near-fall! Only now is Duke seeming to wear down a bit and Aiden keeps the pressure on, delivering a snap DDT for another near-fall. Duke gets up and Aiden measures him, leaping to the second rope, then the top, before coming off with yet another huge dropkick! Duke staggers backwards into the ropes and Morrow goes high again only to be speared down viciously by the Epitome of Perfection! Both men are down with Zach Young making a ten-count, Duke rising around five while Aiden needs until seven! Having taken the air out of his opponent, Duke has a moment to catch his own, yanking Morrow up by the hair and smashing him with a headbutt to the back of the head, following it up with a reverse suplex for his own near-fall! Aiden still has fight in him, attempting another tornado DDT, but he’s thrown off! Landing on his feet, he drops Duke to a knee with shots to the leg, then attempts a step-up shining wizard only for Andrews to duck! A German suplex is attempted by Andrews, trying to dump Aiden over the top, but Morrow is able to grab the ropes and land on the apron! A forearm to the back of the head stuns Duke, but the springboard seated senton instead becomes a harsh powerbomb, leaving Aiden arched up on the mat, courtesy of Andrews! From there, the Andrews Effect (One Winged Angel) follows and the three-count ends things!
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Spirit Montego: And the winner of the match, moving on to the quarterfinals of the tournament… DUKE ANDREWS!
Bernadette Olson: Size, power and stamina works out in Duke’s favor tonight. But much like Mikaela two weeks ago, Aiden gave Andrews all he could handle.
Jacob Frankel: A mean streak doesn’t hurt, either, but you’re right on the money, Bernadette! I thought Aiden might have him a few times there!
Bernadette Olson: Bottom line: Duke advances in the tournament. At Vanguard #2, he’ll be facing the winner of our next match this evening.
Jacob Frankel: And that match is coming up REAL soon, so don’t go anywhere!
Winner: Duke Andrews
Result: Pinfall at 10:11 (Andrews Effect)
PRE-RECORDED SEGMENT: JESSIE ROBINSON
Looking Ahead
We open to much earlier in the day to an empty arena. The ring is set up, the staging all ready to go for tonight, but sitting in the front row of the arena is Jessie Robinson. They’re dressed up, wearing a black dress and their rainbow hair is messy, but a purposeful mess. They look around at everything and just admire it all and smile.
Jessie Robinson: Two weeks ago, I made my big debut here in HYBRID. All the work that I put in at Uncle Andy’s school was finally going to pay off when I stepped into this ring and finally got to compete. I was nervous, excited, full of adrenaline, and ready to go. I had everyone who had been by my side from the start of this journey sitting right here, cheering me on. Heck, I’m pretty sure I made fans out of some of the people who didn’t know me too. I came out here, ready to team with one of my idols in Super Tiger and Bianca Davis. I’m not going to call her a queen because I don’t believe in monarchy.
Jessie continues to sit there, just smiling as they continue to look around at the arena a little bit.
Jessie Robinson: I thought we had the match won, Super Tiger was all set to win for our team, but then something happened…Bianca Davis, I’m not mad at you, not at all. I actually kinda wanna hug you because I know you’re insecure and jealous that people actually like freaks like me and Super Tiger, that people actually respect us and chant our names. I know, I was jealous too when I was in high school, seeing all the pretty girls, wearing their skirts and makeup, looking all pretty, wishing I was like them. I understand where jealousy comes from. It took me a while to admit it, and I’m sure you will too one day, but it’s okay to embrace who you really are.
That’s ultimately why I’m here, why I wanted to be a pro wrestler. I wanted to show people who are just like me, finding themselves, who they truly are supposed to be, that it’s okay and there are people who will support you and that you can do anything you put your mind to. I was that person just a couple of years ago, unsure of who I truly was, what I was meant to be. I get called freak, abomination, fag, and so much more. I hear it all the time, but now, I refuse to let those people take the joy out of my life. I’m proud of who I am. I’m proud to be where I am in life and I’m proud of everyone who has ever been pushed down and refuses to stay down.
Soon, I’ll be fighting for my very first championship. I’ll be fighting for the Iron Heart Championship and well, that title sounds like it would be perfect for me. I have a ton of heart and my resolve is as tough as iron. I won’t back down, I won’t be pushed around, and I’m finally ready to conquer the world one step at a time and I’ll do it with all of my buddies supporting me and cheering for me along the way.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: STEPHANIE KENYON
Control is Key
The camera opens outside on a woman in a red and black leather biker jacket wearing a matching hat and rock star sunglasses. She grins almost like a little kid at the sight of the camera being ready to go.
Stephanie Kenyon: Y’all ready to jump on this pig and kick it til it squeals and starts runnin’ like its life depends on it?
She nods, clearly and visibly excited for tonight’s action.
Stephanie Kenyon: This is gonna be my first match ever and I can’t wait to show y’all I can ride with the best of them. I've spent the last few years ridin’ dirt bikes to the edge and I’m tellin’ y’all, I’m gonna be doin’ the same damn thing here.
Her head cocks slightly to the right.
Stephanie Kenyon: Me and Luke Marshall both come from sports outside this one. Luke was a rugby player, which automatically means he’s a tough old bastard. You don’t play that sport, you survive it like a mosh pit at a Slayer show! Playing that on a pro level is basically gettin’ paid to do the Toxic Waltz in a prison riot twenty four times in a six month period! You come out of that anywhere close to one piece and you shown at the very least that you got a set of balls on you and you probably got a screw loose for enjoyin’ it!
She shrugs, looking like she might just start laughing hysterically now.
Stephanie Kenyon: Course, me callin’ anyone any permutation of crazy is a little rich, I admit. They started callin’ me Wildcat because of the way I rode in races and I will fully admit, impulse control…
Pusing, she raises a finger to slow herself down in acknowledgement.
Stephanie Kenyon: Ok, control in general…
Stephanie shakes her head, almost laughing again.
Stephanie Kenyon: Not exactly my forte.
Stephaie nods knowingly.
Stephanie Kenyon: Now having said that, my sport wasn’t exactly for the faint of heart either! You get on that bike and you get roarin’ on that track or you look at the jumps on a supercross course and you know ain’t everybody who tries this I comin’ back in one piece either. So you gotta decide, you gonna play it safe or you gonna risk ridin’ the lightnin’ to try and get to the top!
She pauses, nodding and pointing to herself.
Stephanie Kenyon: Well, I ain’t played safe before, why start now? I’m a Kenyon and that name made this place before. I’m also a part of the Kingdom, which did pretty well here last time too. I’m ready to add my name to that list! I’m ready to come in here and show y’all what a real wild ride looks like and I’m ready to show that I ain’t just some nobody who thought this looked like fun! I am “The Wildcat” Stephanie Kenyon and I’m here to stay!
Stephanie’s message leads right into the next match, Spirit Montego standing by in the ring as the bell tolls!
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Spirit Montego: Our next match is set for one fall and is a first-round match in the Global Heavyweight Tournament! Introducing first, from the Castle and weighing in at 150 pounds… the Wildcat… STEPHANIE KENYON!
“Predator” by Primal Fear hits and Stephanie “Wildcat” Kenyon comes marching through the curtain. She throws up the metal horns and then marches to the ring, ready to go and enjoying every second of it.
Bernadette Olson: A talented young lady, both as a dirt bike rider and as a wrestler. It’s in her blood.
Jacob Frankel: Some of her kin have had great success here in HYBRID, and no doubt Stephanie is looking to match or surpass them!
Bernadette Olson: A tall task no matter who you’re talking about, but after seeing them in action personally I can say with absolute certainty that you should never underestimate a Kenyon.
Spirit Montego: And introducing her opponent…
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor hits the speakers and Luke Marshall makes his first appearance at the top of the stage. The fans react well to the young man, who starts down the ramp, slapping a few hands as he makes his way to, then enters, the ring. Already prepared for action, Luke stays in motion, warming up as the music fades.
Spirit Montego: ...from Balmain, New South Wales, Australia and weighing in at 214 pounds… this… is LUKE MARSHALL!
Jacob Frankel: I notice she left out that nickname people have hung on him, did Spirit.
Bernadette Olson: By personal request. Luke hates that nickname.
Jacob Frankel: I mean, being called super IS pretty cool, but the other part…
Bernadette Olson: Leave it be, kid. Let’s watch these youngsters put on a show.
MATCH TWO
Global Heavyweight Tournament: First Round Match
Stephanie Kenyon vs. Luke Marshall
The two young stars tap knuckles before locking up, with Stephanie surprising Luke a bit with the power of her broad frame. She pushes back well against Marshall, actually backing him into the ropes but breaking clean when prompted. Luke nods, impressed, and the two lock-up again. This time, though, he waistlocks her to the mat and clamps on a chinlock, attempting to turn it into a crossface. Stephanie twists out before the fingers are locked, though, and kips up to her feet! A buzzsaw kick is narrowly avoided by Luke, who brings Stephanie over with his arm in a schoolgirl roll-up! Her shoulder is up at one and she takes his legs from under him, getting in a lateral press that ends before the referee can count! Kara Tarantino can’t even leave the canvas as Luke and Stephanie trade pin attempts before the former catches Stephanie charging in and delivers a snap powerslam, managing to keep Kenyon down for a count of two with the leg hooked… though the hand has barely touched the mat before Stephanie kicks out with authority!
Kenyon kips up to her feet and hits the ropes, ducking under a Marshall clothesline and returning with a big shoulderblock that staggers the so-called Super Rookie! He’s more surprised than hurt… more so, though, when the second one knocks him to the mat! Kenyon hits the ropes again, leaping over Luke, then ducking under his leapfrog! He turns to take her over with a hiptoss, but Stephanie ducks and goes for one of her own! Luke blocks that attempt but Stephanie ducks another clothesline, trying to bring the big man up and over with a German suplex! Luke breaks her grip, though, and snapmares her to the mat before hitting a rolling neck snap for a quick two-count! A chinlock again follows as Luke tries to keep Stephanie grounded, but she doesn’t make it easy for him. Elbowing her way out as she gets to her feet, Stephanie’s Irish whip is reversed and she’s back body-dropped to the mat hard. Luke backs into the corner, setting up his Freight Train (Spear) taking Kenyon down hard! A near-fall follows but Stephanie defiantly keeps herself in the fight! The spear rocked her, though, and she takes a hard German from Luke, followed by a second. The third she manages to turn into a pinning predicament, coming up to her feet and nailing that buzzsaw kick that missed before! Luke hits the mat hard and Kenyon pins, hooking the far leg… but only gets two-and-a-half!
Keeping a hold of Luke’s head, Stephanie brings him to his feet and snares him tight, looking for The Dreaming (implant DDT) but she takes a moment too long and Luke is able to grab hold of her and deliver a Northern Lights suplex! Stephanie breaks out of the pin at one, delivering a hard knee to the midsection and a kick to the side of the head! With Luke on a knee, Kenyon DDTs him to the mat and gets yet another near-fall! Backing off a few steps, Kenyon measures Luke, perhaps looking to finish things, but Luke backs off before she can move in, forcing her to approach. Shoved into the buckles, Luke is lit up by chops before a charge is evaded, leaving Stephanie to run chest-first into the padded buckles! A belly-to-back suplex is escaped and Stephanie attempts another German suplex, only for Luke to flip back and land on his feet, blasting Stephanie with an enzuigiri to the side of the head, catching her flush on the ear! The impact stuns Kenyon a little and a running clothesline to the back of the neck, smashing her into the buckles, opens her up for Marshall Law (Michinoku Driver), leading to a three-count and a win for the Super Rookie!
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Spirit Montego: And the winner of the match, moving on to the quarterfinals of the tournament… LUKE MARSHALL!
Stephanie accepts a hand up after the hard-fought match, again tapping knuckles with Luke before leaving the ring and giving the winner his moment.
Bernadette Olson: Yet another hard-fought battle. That’s what HYBRID is all about.
Jacob Frankel: Stephanie really is a Kenyon! I’ll bet even with a loss tonight Ashley and Bethany are on their feet cheering!
Bernadette Olson: Absolutely. And now it looks like we know that Luke Marshall will be facing Duke Andrews in the semifinals in two weeks.
Jacob Frankel: And on that same night, Noah Ortega will take on Ilda Matsuda! But we have two more matches tonight which will decide how the B Block pans out, so stay tuned!
Winner: Luke Marshall
Result: Pinfall at 12:29 (Marshall Law)
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: SAMANTHA TOLSON
Made for This
Samantha Tolson sits in her locker room on a simple bench, dressed for her upcoming match in a pair of black boots and knee pads, along with her red, black, and gold PLMM singlet. Her hair is back in a ponytail as she looks at the camera.
Samantha Tolson: Miss Diaz. I wish I could say it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, but alas, on this particular eve, that's something I cannot say in all good conscience.
You see, you stand between me and the Global Heavyweight Championship. You are firmly ensconced between a championship I want, and myself, who wants very badly to win this tournament and be the first person in this Revolution to hold it.
Any other night, Miss Diaz, we could have a friendly yet spirited competition. That is not, however, tonight. Tonight, as it stands, I'm out to prove a point.
Samantha pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing.
Samantha Tolson: Too many take me lightly, Miss Diaz. Too many people toss about accusations and fling mud in my direction, more concerned with pictures I post on social media than the fact I'm one of the best in the world at being a professional wrestler.
Make no mistake, wrestling comes first. Wrestling is what has paved the way for me to act, to dance, and be a very part-time model. None of that is possible without wrestling, not a single bit of it. I've held a litany of championships, yet all some choose to see is based on a posted picture.
Their idiocy is, for this night, a problem for you. For tonight, I remind the world that I am, indeed, the Pretty Little Murder Machine, the Hardcore Queen of Suplex Nation. That puts you in a tough spot, Miss Diaz.
A very tough spot, certainly.
But I'm not going to be apologetic for it. I'm not going to look back at this night and feel remorse. I'm going to do what I do best.
What I was born to do. What I was trained to do. And what I work for each and every day.
The path to the Global Heavyweight Championship Championship begins with you, but it isn't going to end here.
I'll see you out there, Miss Diaz. I hope and pray you've prepared for this.
Samantha stands and walks out of the camera's view, a door closing softly out of view as well.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: HONEY RYDEL
Positive Reinforcement
Backstage, Summer is in the midst of laying out Honey's competitive outfit as the blond steps out from the shower thankfully dressed in a tank top and shorts drying off her hair. She lets out a small sigh as she drops the towel down on the bench next to her outfit.
Honey: This isn't the same dressing room as last week.
Summer: Apologies, Miss. Honey, I wasn't certain if you wanted me handling such things or not. In fact, I'm not certain why you want me backstage assisting you in preparations either.
Honey: It's just easier, alright?
Honey lets out another troubled sigh as she sits down making a little line of Honey connections running from Summer, to her outfit, the towel she had just been using, and finally Honey herself.
Honey: First match back and despite my efforts no one's come up to me telling me I did a good job holding my own.
Summer: I did. Though was it truly important to hear such things from others?
Honey: You'd think someone would say something. It wasn't just that. It wound up being wasted effort and the fact that I couldn't even last to double digits timewise...
Honey kicks her foot out in anger and it may have looked more impactful had she actually kicked something. Unfortunately, there's nothing close for her to come in contact with so she just brings her foot back in and falls silent.
Summer: You're an undiscovered gem, Miss. Honey.
Honey: Don't start saying things like that.
Summer: You are. No one appreciates you now but they'll be kicking themselves for not jumping on your bandwagon sooner. Then, on the day it all starts happening, you can start telling them off.
Honey looks over to see Summer smiling. Not an evil grin but moreso to show her efforts are there to comfort. It works as Honey finds herself smiling a little herself and leans back a little.
Honey: I guess you're right.
Summer: It can even start next week.
Honey: What do you mean?
Summer: I may have overstepped my bounds as your valet but...I may have gotten you in on an interview.
Honey: Interview?
Summer: Mmhm. It's called Hikaru's Heaven and you'll be able to sell yourself on there.
Honey: Hikaru?
Summer: I'll admit, I only talked with one of her associates but they assured me you could have your time. I didn't want to discuss it with Miss. Hikaru herself because, again, I didn't know how far you would allow me to go.
Honey: This is...a good distance I think. Um, thank you.
Summer: You're very welcome, Miss. Honey. Now, you should prep yourself for this match of yours.
Honey: Will you be okay coming out? There's going to be a lot of running around and ladders everywhere.
Summer: I'll be mindful, Miss. Honey. It's nice to know you're taking an interest in my well being, however.
Summer smiles brilliantly as Honey...not so much. Her reasons are a little different than that after all. It may have something to do with her life having been threatened a few days ago. After a commercial break, Vanguard is back and Spirit Montego is in the ring, ready to announce the participants for the next match.
Bernadette Olson: Going to be seeing several matches like these, Jacob, with a freshly-minted professional wrestler taking on a storied veteran.
Jacob Frankel: There’s no better way to learn in my book. I’m just waiting to see one of these up-and-comers shock the world!
Spirit Montego: The following is a first-round match in the Global Heavyweight Tournament, set for one fall! Introducing first…
The opening of "Words as Weapons" by Seether begins playing over the sound system, with a loud crack. The woman comes out from the back, as she runs to the one side of the ramp, doing a bit of a shimmy, then stopping for a moment in the middle lifting her hands above her head. Her guardian follows behind her, out of behind after she does her move. Red pyro goes off and then she puts her hands down.
”Keep me locked up in your broken mind
I keep searchin, never been able to find a
Light behind your dead eyes
Not anything at all
You keep living in your own lie, ever deceitful and ever unfaithful
Keep me guessin, keep me terrified
Take everything from my world”
Alessa starts walking down the ramp, dancing a bit as she does, then waves it off. She looks at the fans waving them off, they boo her. She then looks into the ring, watching her guardian blocking the fans from touching her. She then goes around the corner touching the steps, signing a cross then climbs up onto the ramp. She stops turning, looking at the fans.
”Keep me dumb, keep me paralyzed
why try swimming? I'm drowning in fables
You're not that saint that you externalize
You're not anything at all
It's oh-so playful when you demonize
To spit out the hateful, you're willing and able
Words are weapons I'd be terrified
You're nothing in my world”
Alessa slides into the ring, then gets down on her knees as her guard steps behind her. She smiles then shimmies once more, she stands up, moving back into the corner while he moves to her corner the ring announcer looks at her, as they make their announcement.
Spirit Montego: ...from Cordoba, Spain and weighing in at 126 pounds… the Spanish Firecracker… ALESSANDRA DIAZ!
She bows then waits for her opponent.
Bernadette Olson: Tough looking young lady here. She’ll need all that toughness and more, though.
Jacob Frankel: She certainly isn’t lacking in confidence. That’s a head start on a win.
Spirit Montego: And introducing her opponent!
“Let the Sparks Fly” by Thousand Foot Krutch starts up and the crowd erupts for the appearance of the Pretty Little Murder Machine, Samantha Tolson! She already has her game face on as she makes her way down the ramp, slapping a few hands before rolling into the ring and heading to the corner, again raising a reaction from the HYBRID Nation before dropping down and facing her opponent.
Spirit Montego: Hailing from Jefferson City, Missouri and weighing in at 160 pounds… the Hardcore Queen of Suplex Nation… SAMANTHA TOLSON!
Bernadette Olson: One of the most polarizing stars in the wrestling business today in Sam Toslon, Jacob.
Jacob Frankel: You might love her, you might hate her… but you’ll never forget her!
MATCH THREE
Global Heavyweight Tournament: First Round Match
Alessandra Diaz vs. Samantha Tolson
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Alessandra locks up immediately with the powerful Samantha and even backs her into the ropes before Samantha reverses things and backs Diaz into the turnbuckles. Kara Tarantino counts to three and Tolson lets go, taking a few steps back. Alessandra doesn’t like this and steps forward, getting into Tolson’s face. The two lock up again, this time exchanging positions of advantage against the ropes before, once again, Tolson backs her into the buckles. Diaz comes out with a shove but Tolson drops her with a right hand in response! The referee steps in but Tolson is already stepping back, blowing the proverbial dust off her fist. Alessandra is back on her feet in a hurry, charging Tolson and booting her in the midsection before delivering a knee to the same area. She whips Samantha into the ropes and goes for a shoulderblock only to be stymied by the stronger Samantha, who responds with a few hard chops, followed by a clothesline and a quick pin attempt for one.
To her credit, Alessandra kips right back up and ducks another clothesline from Tolson, hitting the ropes and delivering a flying forearm to stagger the veteran. A leaping forearm furthers her goal, and a running uppercut knocks Tolson through the ropes, though she catches herself on the apron. Alessandra comes at her opponent again but takes a shoulder to the midsection from Tolson, who re-enters the ring. Alessandra goes high-risk with a diving crossbody, only for Tolson to roll through and come up with Diaz in her arms, shaking her head with a smirk. Diaz is swung around for a sideslam but escapes the maneuver, leaping to the ropes before coming back with a headscissors takedown, finally bringing Tolson to the mat, though the resultant pin attempt only earns a one-count. Alessandra looks to keep Samantha on the mat with a headlock, but Tolson invariably powers her way to a vertical base, elbowing her way out of Alessandra’s grip. A hair-grab lets Diaz yank her back down to the mat, though, and put the boots to Samantha into the bargain! The fans are all over Diaz for this but she pays them no mind, pulling Tolson back up and shoving her into the corner, charging in with a shoulder to the midsection. A vertical suplex is attempted but the Pretty Little Murder Machine blocks it and counters with a suplex of her own, sending Diaz hard into the buckles!
Landing on her shoulders and head, Diaz is out of sorts by the time Tolson recovers. She’s still able to get off her float-over DDT for a near-fall, but Tolson keeps coming back. A hard whip into the far corner gets Alessandra taken off her feet when Samantha rebounds out and ducks a clothesline, getting behind Alessandra and dumping her hard with a release German! Alessandra is up fast, but walks right into a big belly-to-belly suplex, then a half-nelson suplex, with Samantha doing everything in her power to keep dropping Diaz on her head. Alessandra keeps fighting back, though, countering out of a belly-to-back suplex and hitting a backcracker that gives her the advantage again. A hair-pull mat slam with the legs hooked post-landing gives her a near-fall, and that closeness frustrates her. She tries again with a roll-up, a backslide and a cradle to put Samantha away, but comes up short each time. Tolson rolls through another pin attempt, getting to her feet and outright blasting Diaz with a kick to the face. Seizing the moment, Tolson delivers the Victory Drop Alph (Trapper Keeper Bomb) and gets the one-two-three!
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Spirit Montego: And the winner of the match, moving on to the quarterfinals of the tournament… SAMANTHA TOLSON!
Bernadette Olson: Diaz held her own well here, but if you give Tolson an inch she’ll make you regret it.
Jacob Frankel: The frustration is what did it in my opinion. Alessandra is very good, but she needs to keep her cool. Better luck next time.
Winner: Samantha Tolson
Result: Pinfall at 8:15 (Victory Drop Alpha)
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: BIANCA DAVIS
Not a Request
The scene opens up backstage, where we see Queen Bianca Davis standing backstage with Simple Simon holding a microphone for her. The fans boo loudly, not wanting to see the woman who betrayed the Team of Jesse Robinson and Super Tiger by hitting the latter in the back with her scepter. The queen is dressed as opulent as ever in her wrestling gear black crown and matching scepter. The Malibu native looks disgusted at the fan's reaction looking down her nose at everything around her and judging it as the Queen begins to speak in her fake British accented tone, look at Simon who looks nervous.
Queen Bianca Davis: Are you not going to introduce me?
Simon begins to stammer as he says reading off a card, likely written by Bianca herself.
Simple Simon: Here he… here he…welcome my… my…
Queen Bianca reacts rudely, cutting off the stammering man playing the part of the interviewer.
Queen Bianca Davis: Simon, what was that? Do it right! Seriously, I am the Queen of HYBRID and deserve better. Now try again with feeling!
Simon seems scared at the reaction of the Queen, as he begins to speak, reading off the card making sure to maintain composure.
Simple Simon: Please welcome my guest at this time: she is the Queen of HYBRID and the woman who will become the brand new HYBRID Global Heavyweight Champion by winning this tournament. A woman that should have been treated with much more respect by her teammates two weeks ago than she was please welcome her highness the first of her name Queen Bianca Davis.
Queen Bianca smirks proudly as she begins to speak.
Queen Bianca Davis: Was that so hard? That was a proper introduction for someone as regal as myself.
The fans of course greet the introduction, and her remarks with loud boos upset at her still for her actions last show. As the diabolical Queen rolls her eyes in disgust at the reaction she then gives Simon a glare tapping her foot impatiently as he gets another card, and begins to speak.
Simple Simon: Well last week you did amazing trying to lead Jesse Robinson and Super Tiger against the team of Samantha Tolson, Katie Anderson and Cass Baumer. Despite your amazing efforts, those women wouldn’t listen to you and wound up dropping the ball. What was your takeaway from that?
Bianca smiled at the obviously prepared question as she spoke smugly.
Queen Bianca Davis: Well despite my best efforts at leading the team those two couldn’t follow simple directions? Both were busy trying to do their own thing not working as a team, and completely screwed up I mean I just couldn’t deal with it anymore. My benevolence only goes so far, I only have so much patience. That is what happened but tonight is not about that, tonight is not about having to deal with the likes of Cass who goes around trying to stooge off of those like Tolson, or Tolson who is quick to go on about the victory over my team like its some statement against me when I didn’t even take the pinfall or Anderson who is from this dump of a city.
Simple Simon: No, not at all your majesty but speaking of tonight you wrestle in the match you were initially scheduled to in the tournament against Mikaela Callaway. What are your thoughts on this and how do you feel about this tournament?
Queen Bianca Davis: This tournament is my chance to win my first World Championship. I have won many titles all over the world. I know a lot of people judge or try not to take me seriously but that is a big mistake the last time I heard from Mikeliah she wasn’t that mistake what a smart girl, but that only gets you so far. See I will do whatever it takes to bring that title and make it the crown jewel of my empire I know so tonight I am going to make it one step closer to my goal.
Simon nods agreeing with his boss as he says.
Simple Simon: What about the fact she is a second-generation talent, and has been around the business for most of her life?
Queen Bianca Davis: Yes, she has a father who did this, but I have proven throughout my career that being the first of my name doesn’t mean I am lesser than them. In fact, I have proven myself against many of the wrestling families. If Mikaela Callaway thinks for one second that her name will carry her to any sort of victory then she is mistaken. In fact…
Bianca is suddenly cut off by a loud cheer from the audience as Super Tiger steps into frame. Because the Diminutive Dynamo isn't booked tonight, she's dressed in a black pair of jogging pants, with a matching jacket. Her name is emblazoned on the front in sparkly silver. On the back of the jacket, in neon colors, is an outline depiction of her eponymous mask.
Super Tiger: Hey there Bianca! Sorry. Am I interrupting something?
Simon stammers, but Queen Bianca raises a hand to silence him. He backs away as Risa takes the microphone from him.
Super Tiger: You go ahead and hit the showers Simon. I'll take it from here. Now.
As Super Tiger looks back to Bianca, the Queen has a look of rage on her face, and her scepter in both hands. She swings for the fences, looking to knock the mask right off Risa's head! The luchadora ducks the attempt, turning as she does, and fires back with a superkick! Bianca evades the attempt, both women staring one another down before the burst forward, only to be interrupted by security! Simon grabs Bianca, muttering something about how Risa is beneath her. Three security guards get the Super Tiger under control, but not before she lifts the microphone back to her mouth.
Super Tiger: Three years I've known you, Bianca. Three miserable, horrible years. You've been a thorn in my side for the entire time!
She huffs as Bianca straightens her hair and ring gear, and Simon adjusts her crown.
Super Tiger: I don't care when it gets booked, but I'm calling you out. Right here. Right now. You and me. One on one. No DQ. Bring your fancy toilet plunger. Bring your stooge. It won't matter. It's high time someone put you in your place, and we're gonna settle this the old fashioned, Japanese way. THE HARDCORE WAY!
The fans erupt hearing the challenge from Tiggy, but, oddly enough, Bianca doesn't seem phased in the least.
Queen Bianca Davis: Again you have known me that long but as Simon told me you are beneath me and I have a Global title tournament match to attend to. This isn’t Japan you want me one on one you will do it on my terms not yours!
The fans boo as Bianca, and Simon stroll past, what would Bianca's terms be? It's clear she wasn’t about giving the fans what they want or Tiger at all. But Tiger looks enraged; she clearly wants the Queen's head on a pike.
ADVERTISEMENT
RETURN TO DURANGO
Spirit Montego stands ready when Vanguard returns.
Spirit Montego: The next match is the final first-round match of the Global Heavyweight Tournament and is set for one fall! Introducing first…
The opening riff to We’re Wolves’ cover of Avenged Sevenfold’s “Unholy Confessions” comes on over the PA as the stage lights dim, replaced with flashing strobes. As the intro builds, the lights go off more frantically until the first verse starts. Right on the opening lyrics, Mikaela Callaway comes bursting through the curtain, giving her fist a single pump through the air as she yells under the booming music.
♫”I’LL TRY”♫
♫She said as she walked away♫
♫“Try not to lose you”♫
♫Two vibrant hearts could change♫
♫Nothing tears the being more than deception, unmasked fear♫
♫"I'll be here waiting tested and secure"♫
Mikaela moves back and forth across the stage, shaking her arms, hands down by her waist, yelling to the crowd to get them fired up. Finally, she turns her attention to the ring with a burning intensity in her eyes and starts her approach.♫Nothing hurts my world,♫
♫Just affects the ones around me♫
♫When sin's deep in my blood,♫
♫You'll be the one to fall♫
As she reaches ringside, she moves around towards the side with the hardcam, grabs the middle rope and pulls herself up into a squat, facing the crowd, arms resting on her knees ad she bobs her head to the music. Her hair shrouds her face like a curtain.
♫"I wish I could be the one,♫
♫The one who won't care at all♫
♫But being the one on the stand,♫
♫I know the way to go, no one's guiding me”♫
As the camera focuses on her from the front, she slowly lifts her head, grinning almost wickedly. Mikaela clenches her tongue between her teeth, continuing to head bob. She stands up on the apron, grabs the top rope and hangs one leg over the middle as she yells to the crowd, “C’MON!” She steps into the ring and rushes across the mat, coming to stand with one foot on the bottom rope, her other leg hooking over the top as she spreads her arms out to the sides with her hands forming horns, still with that grin on her face.
♫“When time soaked with blood turns its back,♫
♫I know it's hard to fall♫
♫Confided in me was your heart♫
♫I know it's hurting you, but it's killing me"♫
She gets down from the ropes and moves to her corner where she pulls her jacket off and hands it off to the ringside attendant. Mikaela squats down in her corner, resting her arms up on the middle ropes, waiting for the match to begin.
Spirit Montego: ...from Virginia Beach, Virginia and weighing in at 125 pounds… MIKAELA CALLAWAY!
Bernadette Olson: This young lady proved her guts last week standing up to Duke Andrews and giving him a fight. This time around, she has to put up with the so-called Queen of HYBRID, Bianca Davis.
Jacob Frankel: Two very different adversaries but very dangerous opponents all the same. I wonder if she’s been training any harder after Vanguard #0?
Bernadette Olson: I’m willing to bet she has… and that Eddy Todd has been overseeing it personally.
Spirit Montego: And her opponent…
The sound of royal trumpets can be heard as the lights dim and turn a violet hue as “Bad Bitch” by Bebe Rexha hits over the public address system. As the fans greet the sound with loud boos, Simple Simon comes out dressed in a nice suit, looking nervous, waving. Out from the back within a few moments is none other than Queen Bianca Davis herself wearing her royal robe, her gear giving off the Evil-Queen-from-Snow-White vibes, and a large blackened crown. She poses smugly with both arms out holding her black and purple scepter. After a few moments, she gives them her royal wave as she saunters down with Simple Simon staying a few feet back, soaking in the negative reaction, looking disgusted at all the disrespectful peasants around her.
Spirit Montego: ...accompanied by Simple Simon, from Malibu, California and weighing in at 125 pounds, she is the self-proclaimed Queen of HYBRID… BIANCA DAVIS!
The Malicious Queen saunters down some more as Simon yells for them to show some respect, and to All Hail the Queen of HYBRID. Simon makes his way up the steel steps followed by the Queen herself, demanding the ref lower the ropes for them, which they do. First Simon enters the ring getting everyone out of the way so the Queen can make her royal entrance. Raising her arms high in the air with her scepter in her right hand as the boos overtake the arena. Placing her arms down she hands Simon her scepter who moves it to the corner, as she then orders her simp to undo her robe for her which he does. The Queen then shows off her body, and attire for all the booing fans as she twirls around a bit before taking the time to do her Royal Wave for them as she makes her way to the corner. Taking off her crown and handing it to Simon, as the Queen taunts the fans a bit, taking a look at her nails before saying something to Simon who takes the time to fan her as she gazes upon her opponent.
Jacob Frankel: She constantly has a look like something smells or that everyone is beneath her.
Bernadette Olson: Or all of the above. She has always been this way. It’s like taxes.
Jacob Frankel: I think some folks find taxes less hassle…
MATCH FOUR
Global Heavyweight Tournament: First Round Match
Mikaela Callaway vs. Bianca Davis
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Mikaela looks to start things off fast, but Bianca leans between the ropes and forces referee Zach Young to head the rookie off, making a dismissive gesture that Simple Simon mimics on the outside. Mikaela fumes a little but backs off, with Davis taking her time getting back in. Mikaele again approaches but Bianca gets between the ropes again, loudly claiming to back the “unwashed peasant” off and that “the queen is not ready!” while Callaway complains to Young about this bullshit. The moment her back turns, Bianca blindsides her with a shot to the head and mounts the fallen Mikaela, throwing closed fists to the back of the head before grabbing her by the hair and rubbing the rookie’s face into the canvas. Simon eggs Bianca on as she rises and bows mockingly to the crowd… failing to see Mikaela rising with murder in her eyes! Simon thankfully warns his boss, but the chase is on, with Callaway chasing Davis around the ring a time or two before the latter slides into the ring! Mikaela slides in after her, just a second too slow, and right into a hard dropkick, followed by the Queen’s Makeover (Sit-Out Facebuster) for a two-count! Bianca glares at the referee after the count doesn’t reach three, going to drag Mikaela up by the hair and shove her into the ropes. Callaway, though, comes back with a forearm shot to the jaw, then a second… then a third! Bianca shrieks bloody murder at this, raking the eyes of Mikaela and booting her dangerously low, delivering a DDT for another two-count!
Shaking it off as she’s pulled up to her feet, Mikaela still finds herself bent over the ropes and blatantly choked by Bianca, who milks the count all the way to four-and-a-half before letting go and arrogantly dismissing the referee from her presence… only to start up the choke again! After a second late break, Zach Young threatens disqualification but even that doesn’t keep Bianca from her evil ways! A pump kick to the jaw, though, will do just fine! Bianca, wide-eyed, is turned around by the shot and Callaway, rubbing her throat, grabs Bianca by her hair, not regarding the referee’s warnings one bit! Yanking Bianca backwards, Mikaela delivers a reverser suplex, dropping Davis on her midsection center-ring! From there, Mikaela delivers a lovely springboard moonsault from the second rope across the back of Davis, then pulls her into a crossface, wrenching hard on the blonde’s head! Simon yells at the official to do something about this while Bianca, to her credit, doesn’t quit. She tries to angle herself toward the ropes but after a few moments, she simply bites the hand of Mikaela, which brings about the desired break! Mikaela delivers a headbutt to the back of Bianca’s head, though, before getting to her feet and wincing at her damaged hand. She goes to draw Davis up but takes a low blow while the referee is out of position, allowing the self-proclaimed Queen to hit Crowned (Implant DDT), and cover Mikaela for a close near-fall!
The near-fall has Bianca seething more and she puts the boots to Mikaela, shrieking at Zach Young when he tries to warn her off, declaring that she is destined to be champion and he should know his place! Dragging Mikaela to the corner, she whips the rookie into the buckles, then gets a running start for her Beautiful Boot (Big Boot), only for Mikaela to roll her up as a counter, getting a two-count! A knee to the head stalls Callway’s comeback and as the referee checks on her, Simon slips Bianca her scepter! The self-proclaimed Queen deftly hides the implement behind her body as Mikaela assures the official that she’s all right, getting to her feet somewhat unsteadily! At this point, Super Tiger comes down to ringside, however, and Bianca, winding up with the scepter, is called out by Tiger! She stops mid-swing, quickly hiding the object much to the surprise and consternation of the official! Simon, too, argues in his boss’s favor but when Bianca sees Tiger there, all bets are off and she goes to swing at the masked woman, who drops down from the apron in a hurry as Bianca hits nothing but air! Callaway picks her spot, and once Simon comes to the apron to take back the scepter, Mikaela nails her Somersault Dropkick, knocking Bianca into Simon, allowing a roll-up for a VERY close two! A thumb to the eye stuns Mikaela and Bianca cradles her with a foot hooked on the rope, only for Tiger to shove it off! Mikaela uses that bit of momentum to reverse the roll-up, getting a three-count on the shocked Davis!
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Spirit Montego: And the winner of the match, moving on to the quarterfinals of the tournament… MIKAELA CALLAWAY!
Bernadette Olson: Well, I can’t say I condone the interference…
Jacob Frankel: Even though it stopped Bianca’s illegal shenanigans!
Bernadette Olson: ...but this is definitely a big win for Mikaela Callaway! Though I don’t think Bianca Davis is going to let this slide without a lot of screaming!
She is indeed furious, with Simon trying to calm her down as Mikaela smartly exits the ring, her arm raised by Zach Young on the outside! Heading up the ramp, Super Tiger applauds the winner while Bianca glares daggers at her, Tiger blowing a mocking kiss to the Queen before heading backstage!
Jacob Frankel: Oh, it definitely isn’t over between those two…
Winner: Mikaela Callaway
Result: Pinfall at 11:12 (Reversed Cradle)
PRE-RECORDED SEGMENT: KATIE ANDERSON
Appreciation
The camera cuts to the outside of the State Farm Area, a sky blue Ford F-150 pulls up to the back of the arena, after a few moments Katie Anderson gets out of the driver side, she goes to the back passenger door and takes out her luggage. She enters the arena,pulling her bag behind her. She nods and smiles politely at some of the backstage staff. As she heads toward the main hallway through which one might arrive at the locker rooms, she comes across the boss himself, Aloysius Marcus Vance IV, and his second-in-command and Chief of Security, Trenton Mitchell. AMV, spotting Katie, grins and spreads his arms wide… not so much in a request for a hug but in a welcoming fashion.
He’s not THAT slimy.
Aloysius Marcus Vance IV: Katie Anderson, as I live and breathe! One of eight superstars taking part in tonight’s main event!
Turning to look up at the massive fellow standing next to him, AMV pauses… perhaps expecting a comment out of the man known to his associates as Forge? But the most the big man has to offer is a single, curt nod to the Beautiful One, his expression stony. AMV shrugs and turns back to Katie.
Aloysius Marcus Vance IV: Don’t mind him! How are you feeling, Miss Anderson?
Katie smiles as she looks at AVM and Trenton.
Katie Anderson: I'm feeling great actually. I expect tonight to be very… shall we say, prosperous for me?
She chuckles softly. AMV grins wide, while Trenton may as well be a statue.
Aloysius Marcus Vance IV: That’s what I like to hear! What are the other seven people in this match anyway but obstacles, right? You’re the Beautiful One!
Was that a scoff from Trenton? He’s staring off in the other direction now so, if that is indeed the case, it probably isn’t at Katie. Katie slightly narrows her eyes at Trenton, then looks at AMV and smiles.
Katie Anderson: Exactly! It's nice to know I'm working for someone who appreciates my talent! I know you're being kind, as you have to be impartial but it's nice to know you're a fan.
Aloysius Marcus Vance IV: I’m a fan, but also a businessman and a motivator. The better you all feel, the better your work will be out there and the more money we make, the more eyes that will be upon us. The motivational efforts are genuine, you had best believe that, but it has multiple uses.
He pauses, then turns to look at Trenton.
Aloysius Marcus Vance IV: Nothing at all to say?
It takes a moment, but Trenton turns his attention to AMV, then to Katie.
Trenton Mitchell: Watch your ass out there, kid.
The big man’s voice is a low rumble, like the growl of a beast or continental shift. That said, he turns on his heel, hands in his pockets, and walks away. AMV looks after him, then back to Katie.
Aloysius Marcus Vance IV: Huh. He must like you.
Katie nods and smiles softly.
Katie Anderson: I think that's the most I've ever heard him say… but it's good advice, I know all seven of my opponents are just as hungry for that title as I am. I'm not expecting it to be easy, but I have a really good feeling about tonight.
Aloysius Marcus Vance IV: Then hang on to that. Anyway… I have to talk to a man about a horse. See you out there.
With a grin, AMV nods, then turns on his heel and heads off down the hallway. Katie continues down the hallway to the locker room, her head just a little bit higher after her conversation with AMV.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: THE LOST
The Sickness of Violence
The scene opens with the Leader of the Lost Generation, Noah Ortega; standing in front of a Vanguard logo'd backdrop, alongside him his followers and stablemates of The Lost - Anton Palmer and Gio Moriello, who are both dressed accordingly for their semi final qualifying match in the Global Tag Team Championship tournament. Ortega on the otherhand is sporting a more casual look, opting to wear black jeans and sneakers and a brown leather coat. He rubs his hand through his goatee, a smile etching onto his face as he looks at the camera. The camera-man turns around, to reveal several masked members, all unknown followers of the lost - all taking a knee as they look up at their leader Ortega, who's smile has already turned into a sickening grin, stretching from one ear to the other.
Noah Ortega: I'm a sick man. I have been for the longest of times now, for as long as I've known.
Ortega pauses, tutting as he begins to pace.
Noah Ortega: They used to tell me that back in school... the other kids, they'd teased me for it, because I was the sort of kid who liked to roll around in the mud and get myself dirty. They thought that I was some sort of idiot because I liked to get into fights. I liked challenging people, because for the most part people didn't wanna fight, they enjoyed the idea of it but when it actually came down to it, they didn't want none of it... but for me, it was a different story. I enjoyed the fights, I revelled in it... so much so that eventually, I'd get myself kicked out of every school I went to, fights after fights, after fights - I was so damn good the damned principals couldn't get anywhere near me... I enjoyed the pain, I took pleasure in it - being in pain and inflicting it on others, so much so that it's brought me here today, doing it in front of the masses - as the leader of the lost generation... it's all come full circle... and tonight, it'll come Full Circle for The Lost.
I was forged by pain, just like my brothers who stand alongside me today, who have been to hell and back to get to where they are today. We've all had to endure, we've all had to suffer because at the end of the tunnel, there's a light - a beacon of hope, that we cling onto, hoping that better day are ahead... and they are, ladies and gentlemen, they are... but first, we're going to have to suffer more, and we're going to have to inflict that suffering onto others... Natural Resources, they don't know the true meaning of suffering, not quite yet. A fortnight ago, they weren't able to get the job done, whilst The Lost, we did on all fronts. And now they expect us to believe that there's going to be a change in their story? That they're going to overcome a team who have already set their mark and put the whole division on notice? I won't deny that you're both very good but at the same time, very good wasn't enough a fortnight ago - and it sure won't be enough against our boys.
Tonight isn't going to be about who's the finest technical wrestler, or any of that nonsense... it's going to be about who is willing to die for it, who's willing to bleed and potentially lose it all in the process... this match, is the Carnival of Chaos Cage Match.
He rubs his hands together in excitement, nodding whilst doing so.
Noah Ortega: A match of our creation... where we know we're comfortable, where we'll thrive and hunt and prey on our opponents. We grasped our destiny a fortnight ago, grasped it with both hands and booked ourselves into this position we're in now, where we're one step away from achieving greatness - one step away from glory at the top of the mountaintop! We said that we were going to turn Hybrid into our hunting grounds and we weren't lying when we said that, you're slowly learning that fact...
It's gonna become a regular occurrence, that anything we say, goes - and with Hybrid needing to establish who are the guys that are going to take this promotion forward - we're already helping them out and putting ourselves up for the task. We wanna become champions, across all of the divisions - it doesn't matter, we will thrive, we will strive, and we will conquer! Anton Palmer... The Mammoth Among Men and Gio Moriello, The Trailblazer - they are the future of this tag team division, a staple for this promotion - and tonight, they are going to prove why the way of The Lost, is the only way.
Ortega smirks arrogantly as Moriello and Palmer pump themselves up in the background, with the scene gradually fading to black.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: NATURAL RESOURCES
Bounce, Bounce!
The camera opens on Rain and GoGo, natural Resources, with the smaller woman all but bouncing off the walls.
GoGo: OOOOOH! Rainie, we get to have a Carnival of Chaos Cage match!!!!!!
Rain smiles.
Rain: Yea we do, Goldi. Us and the Lost go at it inside a steel cage and the winners go on to fight the winner of the other match.
GoGo nods excitedly.
GoGo: It’s a cage! A CAGE!!!!! It’s been so long since I even got to what he word and we now we get to have one!!!!
Laughing, Rain nods her head.
Rain: Yes we do, Goldi, yes we do. The Lost are some really good wrestlers, a really good team and we get to step through those ropes and see how we do inside a cage with them.
GoGo’s eyes go wide.
GoGo: OHHHH! Are they gonna say they’re not locked inside with us, we’re locked inside with them??? It would be so COOL!!!
Rain shrugs.
Rain: I imagine they’ll say something like that. They seem to be the type. And no matter what, after this, we get to watch the Bisque Dolls and 2BC in a razor wire cage!
GoGo starts jumping up and down.
GoGo: And Chi Chi doesn’t like creepies but it’s still gonna be awesome! Those two teams are great and I can’t wait to get to wrestle them too!
Rain nods her agreement.
Rain: It feels good to be home like this, don’t it, Goldi?
GoGo nods happily.
GoGo: It’s too COOOL!!!!
Rain nods to the doorway.
Rain: Come on, Goldi, let’s go.
GoGo nods and follows Rain out the door, the cameras cutting to the announce table right after.
Bernadette Olson: And up next, the semifinal matches for the Global Tag Team Tournament… both of which take place in a cage!
Jacob Frankel: Part of me thinks this is a bit overkill…
Bernadette Olson: Maybe, but the fans are gonna love it. As for me, I’m fine with some old-fashioned ultra-violence.
Jacob Frankel: Somehow, given the stories I’ve heard, I’m not surprised!
Smartly keeping herself near the timekeeper’s table to do the announcements, Spirit Montego brings up the mic…
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
…as the bell rings! It’s time for the announcements!
Spirit Montego: The following match is a Carnival of Chaos Cage Match, and it is a semifinal match in the Global Tag Team Tournament! The only way to win is by pinfall, submission or knockout! Introducing first…
“Finished I Ain’t” by Ghostpoet starts up and The Lost come out onto the stage, followed by their leader, Noah Ortega. The Mammoth Among Men, Anton Palmer, and his partner, the Trailblazer, Gio Moriello, are an imposing tandem who definitely have their game faces on as they approach the ring.
Spirit Montego: Led to the ring by Noah Ortega, from the Way of the Lost and competing at a combined weight of 430 pounds… Anton Palmer and Gio Moriello… THE LOST!
The two men enter the ring, Noah Ortega remaining on the outside. Both ascend the buckles, staring out at the masses before locking on one another and nodding, dropping down and moving to a single corner, bouncing about and facing the stage.
Bernadette Olson: The Lost chose this match, so you have to imagine that they have the advantage…
Jacob Frankel: Especially over a more traditional, technically-sound team like Natural Resources! But there’s a reason that Rain and GoGo are some of the most lauded tag champs from the original HYBRID, so…
Bernadette Olson: They have a legit shot.
Spirit Montego: And introducing their opponents…
The happy keyboard intro of Van Halen’s "Dreams" starts up as the arena is bathed in blue. At the 0:30 mark, the sounds of jets flying overhead starts the song in earnest and Natural Resources, GoGo and Rain, make their way through the entryway all smiles. They greet the fans and then quickly make their way to the ring, making sure to wipe their feet before they enter. They look a bit wary getting into the cage, but maintain their energy and high spirits even as the Lost glower at them from across the metal-bordered ring.
Spirit Montego: ...from Tullahoma, Tennessee and competing at a combined weight of 244 pounds… Rain and GoGo… NATURAL RESOURCES!
Bernadette Olson: Even haters have to love these two sometimes, Jacob, but look at the stares The Lost are giving them: like wolves starting down a rabbit.
Jacob Frankel: Noah Ortega has these two focused on the prize at the end of the line. And if they were to get past GoGo and Rain, there ain’t many folks who would consider them underdogs!
Bernadette Olson: They just can’t get arrogant. Even with this being their match and their rules. I cannot emphasize how easily Natural Resources can turn a match around…
MATCH FIVE
Global Tag Team Tournament: Semifinals - Carnival of Chaos Cage Match
The Lost vs. Natural Resources
When the cage door closes, there’s a faint bit of tension that comes to the visages of GoGo and Rain. With tornado rules in effect, there’s no tagging… and the two young women immediately go after the larger Anton Palmer, trying to chop the big man down to size! Starting at the legs, they lay in hard kicks before Gio makes his way over to try and save his partner, wielding a 2x4 yanked from the side of the cage! GoGo yells out a warning before ducking aside, allowing Rain to evade the swing with Gio coming within a centimeter of nailing his own partner! Anton, being off balance for but a moment, is surprised by GoGo grabbing a trash can and slamming it down over his head like a lopsided metal hood! The towering Rain, actually an inch over Gio, locks up with him and whips him into the buckles, charging in after him with a big-time facewash, rocking the young man! GoGo, meanwhile, has picked up the dropped 2x4 and is playing kick-the-can with Anton in the other corner, whacking him as he tries to get the trash can off himself! He eventually extricates himself from the container and, after swatting the cracked wood out of GoGo’s hand, he goozles her and proceeds to chuck her against the cage! GoGo slumps to the mat, woozy, as Anton turns to assist his partner!
Rain is snatched by the hair as she’s laying in the forearms to Gio, but turns the fight around on Anton, blasting his right leg with more kicks. The big man, however, yanks her into a belly-to-belly suplex that shakes the ring before shaking Gio, telling him to get his head back into the game. Nodding, Gio goes up to the top rope, grabbing a chair and tossing it to the mat, whereupon Anton stands in front of it with Rain on his shoulders! Something diabolical is planned, but as Gio sails off with a blockbuster, GoGo is able to kick the chair out of the way, sparing her partner the rough impact! Gio picks up the chair, stalking GoGo near the ropes, while Anton gets both hands around Rain’s throat, hoisting her up with ease! Rain uses that momentum, though, landing on Anton’s shoulders and going for a hurricanrana… only to eat a wicked powerbomb! GoGo, managing to kick the chair into Gio’s face, kips up to her feet and hits a dropkick to Gio! Then to Anton! She lays in the kicks again, this time alternating between the two, trying to buy Rain time to recover! The Lost’s double clothesline brings GoGo down, though, and Anton motions for Gio to pick her up, the pair seeking Feed Them To The Lost (Pop-Up Powerbomb/450 Splash Combination), only for Rain to pull GoGo down at the last moment!
Grabbing down a pair of kendo sticks, Rain goes ham on Anton and Gio, tossing one to GoGo when she’s back up so the young women can double-team their massive opponents! They send Gio into the cage, but Anton still stalks, blocking their kendo stick shots by catching one under each arm, shaking his head firmly. Hard kicks to the midsection make him relinquish his grip, though, and repeated shots to the legs finally bring him down to a knee! GoGo and Rain nod to one another, then they both grab the head and DDT Anton to the mat! Rain makes the cover but gets HURLED off right after the two-count! That doesn’t stop the pair, though, with Rain pointing out a cookie sheet for GoGo to get! She holds it over the side of Anton’s head and Rain delivers a hellacious curb stomp from the second rope, but even THAT doesn’t keep Anton down longer than two! Gio, seeing his own opening, snatches down a waffle iron of all things and clocks Rain in the midsection with it, doubling her over before striking her across the back! GoGo, looking to save her partner, snatches a teddy bear of all things off the cage… but when she hits Gio with it, he staggers right into the cage, almost as though he were blasted with a rock! And when GoGo shakes the bear in surprise, she finds that there was a brick of all things inside!
Anton, starting to get back up, grabs a weapon himself, finally realizing he needs to take things to another level to deal with these young ladies! The bamboo cutting board causes Rain to cry out in pain when it’s slammed against her back, and GoGo’s reaction is just as pained when he strikes her across the head with it! Rain, going for a pipe wrench, clamps down on Anton’s… um… nether region… and GoGo, woozy, grabs the board and smashes Anton in the face! Gio gets a shot, too, before Anton gets another, dropping the big man to a knee! Rain drops the wrench and GoGo drops the board as the pair back up and hit Rushing Waters (Fall of Man) on Palmer! Rain goes for the pin… but Gio breaks it up at two-and-seven-eights! GoGo leaps on his back, clamping on a sleeper, but Gio slams back-first into the turnbuckles, forcing her to let go! A backpack stunner follows and Rain rushes in with a big boot only for Gio to deliver a spinebuster right onto the cutting board! Anton, still very much feeling the combined attack, is still up on his feet when Gio calls to him. He sends Rain into the ropes as Gio bounds to the top rope, with Feed Them To The Lost connecting this time! Gio makes the cover as Anton keeps GoGo from breaking up the pin, allowing the three-count!
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Spirit Montego: And the winner of the match, moving on to the finals of the tournament… THE LOST!
Bernadette Olson: Whew… I’m surprised no one got busted open in that melee!
Jacob Frankel: Natural Resources really dug deep in that match! They weren’t afraid to get just as physical as The Lost!
Bernadette Olson: It was the size, power and mean streak of The Lost that carried them through, here. No shade on the rest of their game, but Natural Resources are something special. And I think Ortega’s boys learned a little respect for these young ladies.
Jacob Frankel: This can’t be the last time we see these two sides clash! It’d be criminal!
Winner: The Lost
Result: Pinfall at 19:28 (Feed Them To The Lost)
BACKSAGE SEGMENT: 2 BROKE CHICKS
Scary Yokai!
We open up in the parking lot of the arena where we see that familiar tricked out RV parked out there. We see Jane Harper standing outside, arms across her chest as she taps her foot with a very annoyed and impatient look on her face. She waits a few more moments before she loudly bangs on the door.
Jane Harper: Cheech, you gotta come out sometime, we got a match tonight with those Bisque Doll bitches! We’re so close to bein the first Hybrid Tag Champs and I need you!
Chiaki Sanada: NOOOOOOO, YOKAI!!! YOKAI BAD!!!!
The shrill, panicked voice of Jane’s tag partner and girlfriend comes from inside the RV, followed by a long, ramble of Japanese. Any viewers who know the language would do well to cover their children’s ears. Jane sighs as she pulls on the door to the RV, but it doesn’t budge knowing now that Chiaki locked the door shut from the inside.
Jane Harper: Cheech, get your ass out here right now! They’re just two people like us! Sure, they try to use creepy to scare people, but we’re in our element tonight. So come on, Cheech, the fans need ya tonight!
The only response given from inside the RV is more frantic Japanese before it’s soon drowned out by the sound of a motorcycle engine approaching from off camera. A moment later, the engine shuts off, we hear the kickstand flip down and there’s a pause before Yukiko Kusanagi steps into frame to a fairly positive pop from the crowd. The woman, standing in her custom kutte and leather with an “Osaka Devil” skullcap over her silver dyed hair folds her arms and stares at the RV for a moment. She half turns her head towards Jane without really taking her eyes off of the vehicle.
Yukiko Kusanagi: What is matter?
Jane points next to her and then back at the RV, almost overly dramatic and comically as she once again yanks as hard as she can on the door and turns her attention back to Yukiko.
Jane Harper: We’re facin this team called The Bisque Dolls and Cheech here is convinced those girls are Yokai. She locked herself in the RV and we got a match tonight. The girl is driving me wild right now. How the fuck am I supposed to get her to come out?
Yukiko stands unflinchingly as Jane explains in a panic what’s going on. One eyebrow raises about halfway through and she steps up to the door, giving three hard knocks.
Yukiko Kusanagi: OI!!! CHI-CHAN!!!
Yukiko calls out before spouting something in Japanese. Hilariously, the side window to the RV slides open and Chiaki pokes her head out. The blue haired half of 2BC almost seems to forget her fear upon seeing her cousin.
Chiaki Sanada: Yuki-chan!! Irasshaimase!
Chiaki waves as Yukiko steps back from the door to get a better view of her little cousin. She motions with her hand for Chiaki to come out.
Yukiko Kusanagi: Oi. You have match. Come out.
Chiaki Sanada: EEP!!! IE!!!!
Shouting “NO” in Japanese, Chiaki disappears back inside the RV and slams the window shut. Yukiko calmly looks to Jane then back at the RV. As she thinks, she rubs her arm, taps her chin. There’s no word from her as she leans back where she stands and holds out her hands, seeming to size the RV up. After a moment, she pulls out her wallet, fishes out a few Benjamins, folds them and hands the wad off to Jane before disappearing off camera. Jane looks at the wad of bills and just has a general confused look on her face as she looks back towards where Yukiko walked off to.
Jane Harper: Yo, Yuk, what’s the cash for, huh? You know we ain’t actually broke no more, right?
Yukiko Kusanagi: Hai.
She says this in a calm, knowing manner off screen before the camera pans over and we find Yukiko digging through one of her bike’s saddlebags until she pulls out a length of chain. She kneels down and attaches it to her bike before taking the other length and fastens it to the door handle of the RV. On her way back to her bike, Yukiko looks to Jane.
Yukiko Kusanagi: Accountability.
In a hilarious display, Yukiko mounts her bike again and fires up the engine. The side window slides open and Chiaki pokes her head out again.
Chiaki Sanada: OI!!! NANDAYO?! NANISHITERUNO?!
Yukiko guns the throttle on the bike, pulling the chain taught. Her back wheel skids along the concrete, burning rubber, smoking until finally…SNAP!!! The door handle to the RV breaks off and hits the floor. The door’s still closed but it may as well be unlocked. The bike shuts off and Yukiko calmly goes walking up to the RV where she disappears inside. The sound of scuffling is heard before the audience busts out into laughter as the Osaka Devil comes back out with the Roppongi Kitsune kicking and cursing over her shoulder. Yukiko sets her baby cousin down next to Jane with Chiaki stomping and huffing.
Chiaki Sanada: Itoko-chan!! You break door!!!
Yukiko Kusanagi: Hai. Now, you go to ring with Jane-chan and break Bisque Dolls fucking face!
Chiaki looks up at Jane beside her, then back to Yukiko. She looks to Jane. She looks to Yukiko. Jane. Yukiko. Somehow, maybe it’s the production truck, but each snap of her head is accompanied by a cartoonish “whoosh” sound effect.
Chiaki Sanada: Yokai scary!! They sing creepy song!! Take soul!!
Jane Harper: If you don’t, I throw out all the Pocky that’s inside that RV right now, Cheech. And the Red Bull. Understand?
Jane’s tone is that of a mother almost as she looks down at the much smaller Chiaki. She looks back at Yukiko, nodding her head and taking the wad of cash and just stuffing it down her shirt and adjusting herself right there. Chiaki plants her fists on her hips and leans forward, making a face.
Chiaki Sanada: Ne! Joke on you! Chi Chi eat and drink already!
On cue, she pauses as we hear a disturbing grumbling from her stomach. Chiaki makes a face like she’s about to be sick and puts a hand on her tummy. She takes a deep breath, turns her head to the side…and lets out a horrifically loud belch that doesn’t sound like is even possible from someone her size. The wide open space of the indoor parking only makes it worse from the echo. Even Yukiko, normally stoic in her expression, raises both eyebrows and looks damn near shocked. The belch passes and Chiaki relaxes. She smiles up defiantly at Jane. Yukiko rubs the bridge of her nose and holds up a finger to Jane, reaching out then to put an arm over her cousin’s shoulders. This time, as she speaks Japanese, there’s subtitles.
Yukiko Kusanagi: Chi-chan, listen to me. Jane-chan is right. You cannot show fear to your opponents. It’s alright to be nervous. It’s alright to be afraid. But if you let it consume you, that’s when you let it win. Now, if the Dolls defeat you tonight, let it be because they outwrestled you. But even then, the two of you picked this match because it puts you in your own element. So it’s time to knuckle up and show those ghostly twins that they don’t scare you.
Chiaki pulls away from Yukiko and responds in rapid fire Japanese. Again, we get subtitles.
Chiaki Sanada: But they do scare me! They terrify the hell out of me, cousin! I’ve seen them disappear and reappear out of nowhere and they leave creepy relics in lockers and all sorts of bad omens!
In the blink of an eye, Yukiko’s demeanor snaps. She grabs Chiaki by the shirt and vest in one hand and manhandles her, slamming her against the side of the RV. In the same motion, she leans right in her face. Chiaki’s eyes go as wide as saucers.
Yukiko Kusanagi: Listen to me, you little shit! You wanna talk about scary?! You either go out there and you fight like hell, draw blood, kick the shit out of those twins and get one step closer to those Global Tag Team Championships or I’m gonna shove your head so far up your FUCKING ASS, YOU’LL HAVE TO WEAR YOURSELF AS A HAT!!!! I BELIEVE IN YOU!!! JANE-CHAN BELIEVES IN YOU!!!!! YOUR BIKER FRIENDS BELIEVE IN YOU!!!! UNCLE JUBEI BELIEVES IN YOU!!!!! ARE YOU GONNA LET ALL OF US DOWN?!
Chiaki Sanada: NO!!!
Yukiko Kusanagi: ARE YOU?!
Chiaki Sanada: NO!!!!!!
Yukiko Kusanagi: ARE YOU GONNA SHOW A COUPLE OF YOKAI WHAT IT MEANS TO FUCK WITH A KITSUNE?!
Chiaki Sanada: YEAH!!!!!!
Yukiko Kusanagi: I DIDN’T HEAR YOU!!!!!
Chiaki Sanada: YEAH!!!! I AM!!!!!
Yukiko Kusanagi: THAT’S MY GIRL!!! NOW GET MAD!!!!! AAAAAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!
Chiaki Sanada: KYAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!!
Yukiko Kusanagi: GO OUT THERE AND KICK THEIR ASSES!!!!
She lets Chiaki go with a shove. Now, Chiaki’s bouncing on her toes, amped up, pumped up, ready to fight. Matter of fact, she’s so pumped up she SLAPS Yukiko across the face and goes running in the direction of Gorilla position, giving a hearty smack to Jane’s chest on the way by.
Chiaki Sanada: COME, JANE-CHAN!!!! WE BUST TEEFIES!!!!
Jane rubs her chest, mouthing “Ow” as she looks at Yukiko, nodding and smiling with gratitude. She stands there for a moment, silent and the silence breaks.
Stagehand: Ow! What the hell was that thing?!
Jane Harper: Fuck… thanks Yuk, I owe ya one.
Jane turns on her heels and goes into a full sprint down the hall towards where Cheech had taken off towards.
Jane Harper: Get back here you little shit!
Yukiko watches Jane chase off after Chiaki with her calm demeanor returned. However once they’re clearly gone, something dawns on her and she brings her hand up to the red mark on her cheek, making a pained face.
Yukiko Kusanagi: FUCK!!!!!
It looks like the same cage is there when the show returns from the commercial… except that now there’s razor wire all around the top and even woven through the links of the cage in places!
Jacob Frankel: So, just being real? I think I’d rather eat the weapons from the last match than slice myself up on that razor wire!
Bernadette Olson: That’s the deathmatch influence that fuels the 2 Broke Chicks, Jacob. That’s hardly the most wild thing they’ve done, either.
Jacob Frankel: That doesn’t help… I think we might be in the splash zone. And you know as well as I do that the Bisque Dolls are going to use it to THEIR advantage, too!
Bernadette Olson: Perhaps we should have asked for ponchos…
Still by the timekeeper’s table, Spirit has her mic at the ready!
Spirit Montego: The following is a Razorwire Cage Match set for one fall, and it is a semifinal match in the Global Tag Team Tournament! Introducing first…
"Ikura ikura ikura ore no kachi wa ikura!
Run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up!
Ikura ikura ikura ore no kachi wa ikura!
Run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up!"
Run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up!
Ikura ikura ikura ore no kachi wa ikura!
Run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up, run it up!"
ANARCHY's "Run It Up" comes on over the PA system as the arena lights dim down, bringing all attention to the lighting on and around the stage. Everyone’s attention is on the entrance curtain when, all of a sudden, an air horn like the one heard from a fire engine BLASTS through the arena. From the side of the stage, a tricked out RV painted white with neon blue accents rolls up. As the opening refrain with Skits Vicious begins, theside door flies open and out comes the 2 Broke Chicks. In name only, of course! There’s some visible laughs of amusement as Jane then turns towards the stage and tries to look serious as she approaches the ramp. On the opposite side of the mood spectrum, Chiaki Sanada gives their ride an adoring pat before scurrying to catch up with her tag team partner.
Spirit Montego: ...from Where The Money’s At, competing at a combined weight of 235 pounds… Chi Chi Sanada and Jane Harper… 2 BROKE CHICKS!
As the two make their way down the ramp, Jane’s attempt to stay serious is all but lost once Chiaki moves in front of her, just goofing off and throwing random signs at the camera in sync with their music. As the chorus plays, Chiaki starts singing along. The strength of the duo finally breaks into laughter at the little one’s antics and the pair continue towards the ring. Once they reach ringside, Jane comes in behind Chiaki and lifts the crazy little Joshi up onto her shoulders. She makes a lap around the ring itself while Chiaki’s waving her arms from side to side over her head, trying to get the fans to join in. They do, for the most part. Chiaki hops off of Jane’s shoulders and onto the apron. She’s back to throwing thuggish little hand signals as Jane climbs onto the apron. Jane climbs into the ring and stands behind Chiaki who is still doing her thing as they both throw up their actual, personal team gesture. Chiaki finally gets into the ring and the two of them move to their corner, removing their entrance gear and getting in a bit of last minute extra stretching as they get ready for their match.
Bernadette Olson: A wilder team I cannot remember having seen. There’s crazy, there’s wacky, and then there’s these two.
Jacob Frankel: It works for ‘em! And the fans totally dig ‘em!
Bernadette Olson: Certainly keeps their opponents guessing. Speaking of opponents…
Spirit Montego: And, introducing their opponents…
The lights go out plunging the arena into Darkness. “Tiptoe Through The Tulips” by Tiny Tim starts to fill the arena.
"Tiptoe through the window
By the window, that is where I'll be
Come tiptoe through the tulips with me
Oh, tiptoe from the garden
By the garden of the willow tree
And tiptoe through the tulips with me"
By the window, that is where I'll be
Come tiptoe through the tulips with me
Oh, tiptoe from the garden
By the garden of the willow tree
And tiptoe through the tulips with me"
Spirit Montego: ...accompanied by Charlie Grace… from Under the Stairs, competing at a combined weight of 230 pounds… Cathryn and Kathryn Sallow… THE BISQUE DOLLS!
The arena lights come back up and the Bisque Dolls are standing in the ring. They both smile creepily, and in unison. Then they move to their corner and prepare for the match.
Bernadette Olson: You have to look past the creepiness with these two and realize that it isn’t a game; they know exactly what they’re doing.
Jacob Frankel: Somehow, that makes it worse for me!
Bernadette Olson: Thing is? They know that. And that makes them do it with more gusto. The Broke Chicks have to get past that tonight if they want to make it to the finals. This may be their match, but as far as the Dolls are concerned, it’s THEIR world.
Jacob Frankel: Foreboding… I feel it!
MATCH SIX
Global Tag Team Tournament: Semifinals - Razorwire Cage Match
The Bisque Dolls vs. 2 Broke Chicks
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
The door is slammed shut after the Dolls have entered. Much like the previous contest, tornado rules are in effect and Jane is already staring down the Sallow sisters while Chi Chi bounds around behind her, making wild sounds and taunting the Dolls. Cathryn and Kathryn exchange grins, then turn and charge the Broke Chicks! The battle is on with Cathryn tangling with Jane while her sister leaps recklessly at Chi Chi! Not unprepared for the assault, the Broke Chicks slug it out with their opponents, immediately getting the fans into the well-fisted melee! Despite the ham-fisted power of Jane and the unpredictability of Chi Chi, Cathryn and Kathryn respectively give as good as they get, with fists getting traded for forearms and even a few hard slaps into the bargain! In fact, Kathryn and Chi Chi get into a mad slapfest that has the crowd pumped like crazy! Both of their faces are heavily reddened but neither slows down until Chi Chi gets in some unanswered shots! Kathryn, blocking a fourth blow, bites down on Chi Chi’s arm, leading to Sanada blasting her with a headbutt before tackling her to the mat! The beating is more from Chi Chi at that point, with Jane trying a charge of Cathryn to put her down, only to eat a Snake Eyes from the Doll before she turns and punts Sanada in the side of the head, saving her sister!
Despite the wicked headshot, Chi Chi isn’t down for long. It takes whipping her into her partner not once, but twice, to stun her enough for the Dolls to have their way… which starts via a Double STO, then a nasty Wishbone! Chi Chi is reeling, and it gets worse when Jane charges in with a double-clothesline, which the Dolls duck simultaneously before delivering a snap belly-to-back on Jane, driving her down into her partner! Kathryn makes a pin attempt, but Sanada kicks out at two! Cathryn is the first to make use of the cage, grabbing Jane by the hair and dragging her forcefully toward the chain links and razor wire! Rather than getting her face raked, Jane grabs the cage, yelling in pain! A bloody fist cracks Cathryn across the jaw and it is instead she who’s tossed into the sharp metal! Her wounds are superficial, and that doesn’t suit Jane! She goes for another running toss at the cage, but Kathryn stops this and joins her sister in hurling Harper into the dangerous barrier! Chi Chi finds herself whipped into her partner as well, exacerbating Harper’s suffering! Chi Chi comes back with a double-dropkick, though, planting one boot to the chest of each Doll, sending them backwards! Jane, wiping the blood from her face, joins her partner in ramming the Dolls’ heads together before hurling them into the cage! Both Sallows shriek as the razor wire cuts into their hands and faces… only made worse by the Broke Chicks cracking open Red Bulls and spraying the wing-granting liquid into their faces! Whipping the Dolls back into the cage again, the Broke Chicks double-clothesline them, sending them back-first into the metal!
The Dolls come back with a fury, though, swinging bloody fists at the Broke Chicks as the match once more degenerates into a brawl! It doesn’t last that long, though, as Chi Chi and Kathryn are at it again, raking one another across the steel while Jane takes it a step further, hoisting Cathryn up for a powerbomb but mashing her back-first into the razor wire a time or two before slamming her to the mat, folding her up for a pin and a near-fall! A lawn dart-like maneuver sends Chi Chi into the metal, leaving her bleeding and laughing on all fours, and Kathryn turns her attention to Jane, who’s still laying into her sister. A leaping knee to Jane’s back almost sends her into the metal, but another does the trick! Kathryn looks to dart her into the cage, too, but Chi Chi makes the save with a spear, knocking Kathryn down with Jane landing atop her awkwardly! Cathryn, having been slipped some bolt cutters by Charlie Grace, actually cuts free some of the razor wire… AND PROCEEDS TO GARROTE CHI CHI WITH IT! Jane, occupied with Cathryn, doesn’t see the infraction and Kathryn snapmares Chi Chi to the mat with the wire… with only Sanada’s now-bloody fingers keeping the wire from going into her neck! Kathryn then tries to make a crown out of the wire, raking Chi Chi’s forehead, before Jane can make the save!
And from there, it is Kathryn feeling the bite of the wire on her neck! Cathryn, bolt cutters held like a bludgeoning object, looks to smash them into the back of Jane, but Chi Chi isn’t having it, knocking her down with a charge and grabbing the cutters from her! With a foot to the throat of Cathryn, she traps the Doll’s pinky finger in the business end of the cutters! Only a desperate Kathryn, hearing her sister call out, is able to stop this by ramming the back of her head into Jane’s face, wrapping the razor wire around her already-bloody arm, and clotheslining Chi Chi at the back of the neck, sending her down! All four women are a crimson mess at this point, slowing from the blood loss. The Dolls try to ramp up the violence with more shots against the cage, but the Broke Chicks turn it around, causing the Dolls to collide before again sending them into the metal! Charlie’s exhortations on the outside have no effect this time as the Broke Chicks deliver Pay Day (Electric Chair Destroyer) to Kathryn, Chi Chi making the pin as Jane keeps Cathryn from breaking things up!
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Spirit Montego: And the winner of the match, moving on to the finals of the tournament… 2 BROKE CHICKS!
Bernadette Olson: Good grief…
Jacob Frankel: I expected bloody violence but… Jesus wept!
Bernadette Olson: Someone get all four of these women to the hospital… like, now! Stitches and all else!
Jacob Frankel: Good thing I donated blood this morning! They might need it!
The cage is raised so trainers and EMTs can see to the four women, Charlie remaining by the side of the Dolls as Connor Mitchell directs traffic, getting all four women on stretchers and leading the group to the back.
Winner: 2 Broke Chicks
Result: Pinfall at 17:36 (Pay Day)
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: DAMIAN SIMMONS
A Mammoth Promise
The scene opens with a tight shot on the face of The Colossus, Damian Simmons. He wears a distant stare with a slight hint of a sneer on the edges of his lips. His eyes are full of fire.
The camera slowly zooms out until most of the giant is in the shot. It’s only then does the much smaller Katie saunter out from behind her massive husband. She wears an amused smile on her face as she takes her place in front of her Juggernaut. Her fiery orange hair only reaching Damian’s chest.
Katie Simmons: Ladies and gentlemen of HYBRID… I’m sure you don’t know us yet but trust me, that’ll change. My name is Katie… And this…
She looks up behind her and reaches up caress her husband’s cheek
Katie Simmons: …is my amazing husband, Damian…
She looks back into the camera, her grin widening.
Katie Simmons: As you can see, he doesn’t talk much. But lucky for all of you, I do! See, I appreciate a job that understands the kind of value they have on their books. And the head honcho took one look at my hubby and saw dollar signs. Put him in the main event for a championship! And just to satisfy their newest star, they gave him seven toys to play with! HYBRID gets a new star, my husband gets to have his brand of fun, and I get to bask in the spotlight that comes with being the wife of a champion! That’s a win for all sides if you ask me…
Her smile falters just a little bit.
Katie Simmons: As for Damian’s opponents… Tyler, Darcie, Katie #2, Honey, Cass, Ingrid and Jabali, they’re not ending up on the winning end of this deal, are they? The way I see it, you can’t make peanut butter without smashing a few nuts. And if the rest of us are to get what we want… well…
Katie motions as if she’s dropping a hammer down before shrugging with a smile. However it’s quickly replaced by a look of concern
Katie Simmons: Oh! But please don’t worry. Damian won’t hurt them too badly… Well most of them.
A loud, short laugh escapes The Siren.
Katie Simmons: I guess what I really want to say is… good luck to the other seven people in this match. Good luck beating the ever-loving shit out of each other. Good luck with pulling your beaten, mangled and destroyed bodies up the rungs of that ladder-
Katie makes a desperate motion as she continues her monologue.
Katie Simmons: -reaching out with all the hope you can muster! Only… to feel the arms of death itself reaching out to decompose your skin… His hand gripping around your throat… Lifting you into the air… and dropping you down to hell.
She giggles mischievously.
Katie Simmons: And finally, when it’s all over! All you will hear is, “AND NEW Vanguard champion… The Colossus… Damian Simmons.”
The camera zooms in on Damian’s face again and this time, he gives the faintest semblance of a smirk. Vanguard returns from its final commercial break, and in the process “Danger Zone” is playing as the participants make their way to the ring one at a time. Several ladders are set up around the perimeter, and two are leaned up against the turnbuckles in the ring itself.
Spirit Montego: The following match is our main event of the evening, and it is an Egregious Eight-Way Ladder Match to decide the first-ever Vanguard Champion!
The fans let out a roar as more participants make their way down. Above the ring, the golden title belt is connected to a hook via a chain and straps, glistening in the arena lights.
Spirit Montego: There are no count-outs and no disqualifications! The winner will be the person who takes down the championship first!
The last two people to enter the match, Jabali Desmond and Damian Simmons, are literal towers of humanity and the other half-dozen participants in the ring, from Ingrid Valencia to Honey Rydel to Darcy Graves and the rest, are already showing concern.
Bernadette Olson: Whew… towers of power, these two. Damian just signed with the company and they put him right into this match from the get.
Jacob Frankel: Mr. Vance knew exactly what he was doing there, Bernadette: he wanted to put a challenge before the other participants. But you could say the same about Jabali Desmond!
Bernadette Olson: Except Jabali is at least on the friendly side. Damian looks ready to pop the heads off these people like dolls.
Jacob Frankel: They wouldn’t make it that easy. Darcy Graves has proven her toughness already and Luke Marshall is definitely nothing to sneeze at. And we’ve already gotten a taste of what both Cass Baumer and Katie Anderson are made of two weeks ago.
Bernadette Olson: Honey Rydel, too. She took Eddy Todd for a hell of a ride in the first round of the Global Heavyweight Tournament. Bottom line is that there’s a lot of talent in that ring and picking a winner would be impossible.
Jacob Frankel: I bet you still got a pick, though!
Bernadette Olson: Yeah… Cass Baumer.
Jacob Frankel: Well, since we’re being straight up, I’m putting my coin on Darcy Graves! But it’s time to get going!
MATCH SEVEN
Egregious Eight-Way Ladder Match for the Vanguard Championship
Luke Marshall vs. Darcy Graves vs. Katie Anderson vs. Honey Rydel vs. Cass Baumer vs. Damian Simmons vs. Ingrid Valencia vs. Jabali Desmond
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Like a swarm of honeybees defending their hive against a giant hornet, the six participants already in the ring, Katie Anderson, Cass Baumer, Darcy Graves, Ingrid Valencia, Honey Rydel and Luke Marshall, immediately charge the big men, Damian Simmons and Jabali Desmond, the moment they step between the ropes! The pounding is on with forearm shots, kicks and fists-a-flyin’, taking both men down to a knee! Katie Simmons is already in a fury, yelling at the people battering her man, though it brings no pause to the onslaught! That doesn’t come until Simmons, letting out a hellacious roar, shoves off Anderson, Graves, Valencia and Rydel, sending them to the canvas and into the ropes with a mighty shove! Marshall and Baumer throw a tandem clothesline that sends Desmond over the top rope, where the African lands on his feet unsteadily, but when they turn around Simmons is there with a double-goozle, choke-slamming the ever-lovin’ out of both participants, leaving himself as the only mammoth standing in the middle of a ring full of shocked opponents!
Simmons grabs one of the ladders from the corner of the ring, but doesn’t get a chance to use it before Graves and Anderson are all up in his business again! A flying axehandle from Graves stuns the big man a little and Anderson goes for the right leg with a chop block before both women are throwing stiff shots at the man’s back and legs, trying to cut him down! Desmond gets back into the ring, running down Marshall with a hard clothesline before finding himself facing off with Rydel and Baumer, who boot him in the midsection and attempt a tandem vertical suplex, only to be suplexed themselves in an impressive show of strength! Keeping her distance at first, Valencia leaps onto the big man’s back, clamping on a sleeper of sorts, though she finds it hard to get a proper grip on Desmond’s neck! He almost swings her off but has to resort to a modified snapmare to bring her down to the mat over his shoulder! Simmons throws a back elbow that catches Darcy in the temple, leaving her reeling as she tumbles through the ropes, while a headbutt and a hair-pull slam leaves Katie writhing! Backing away from the ladder, a bit harried by the constant violence on his person, Simmons backs into Desmond and both men whirl about, facing off!
”HOSS FIGHT! HOSS FIGHT! HOSS FIGHT!”
The fans are all over this explosion waiting to happen and the fellas don’t disappoint! Jabali and Damian start throwing bombs at one another with neither man giving an inch! As the moments and impacts carry on, though, Damian starts getting the better of it, backing Jabali up a bit, but when he whips the big man into the ropes the resultant shoulderblock turns into a stalemate! Jabali points out the ropes again and Damian for a second time smashes into the huge African only to bounce back a second time! Damian flexes and roars in Jabali’s face, but this time the intimidating slab of Dark Continent hits the ropes and goes for a shoulderblock of his own… only for Damian to suddenly deliver a boot to the jaw, bringing him down! Simmons has no time to celebrate, though, for when he turns around, Darcy has a ladder in her hands and she chucks it right at Damian’s head! The big fellow is stunned, but the worst is yet to come as Luke Marshall and Honey Rydel smash into him from either side with ladders of their own, taken from the outside of the ring! Darcy picks up the ladder again and chucks it a second time at Simmons, who catches it… only to take a superkick to the ladder from Ingrid Valencia! More ladder shots to the back from Rydel and Marshall actually drop Simmons to a knee, but it takes Cass Baumer and Katie Anderson, both on the top rope on opposing sides of the ring, both holding ladders, RIDING THOSE LADDERS DOWN ONTO SIMMONS to take the Juggernaut to the mat!
”THAT WAS AWE-SOME! THAT WAS AWE-SOME!”
But without a singular focus for their efforts, chaos breaks out among the remaining participants! Katie and Cass work together for a bit, taking the fight to Darcy while Honey sends Ingrid flying over the top before being taken down by Luke! Darcy lands hard on Ingrid outside the ring and when Luke rushes in to try and take Katie and Cass out, they elevate him over the top rope, causing Darcy and Ingrid to scramble, only barely getting out of the way of Marshall’s rough landing! Honey attacks from behind, lighting Katie up with chops while Cass… breaks away from the fight and grabs one of the ladders, setting it up mid-ring! She starts to climb as Katie drops Honey throat-first on the top rope, briefly taking her out of the equation! Damian is starting to stir as Katie scrambles up the ladder after Cass, the two women starting to slug it out as the Juggernaut realizes what’s amiss a few feet over his head! He grabs the side of the ladder, Anderson and Baumer quickly realizing what’s about to go down: them! Both women leap before the ladder is tipped, landing somewhat safely in different corners of the ring, but Katie gets crushed by a charging Damian and dumped out of the ring! Cass attacks, but Simmons gets her around the throat, choking her hard as Darcy rolls back into the ring, grabbing up a ladder and spearing Simmons in the back with it! The big man turns around, almost completely unfazed, while Cass, woozy, backs up onto the second rope. She signals to Darcy, who swings the ladder like a bat, showing off her own strength, and nailing Simmons on the back of the thighs as Cass comes off the ropes with a front dropkick, Damian falling back to the mat! As she’s rising, Cass is snatched by the hair and brought over with a hard snap suplex right onto the ladder, leaving her arched and suffering as she rolls toward the ropes!
Now it’s Darcy setting up the ladder, but Ingrid Valencia is back in the ring trying to do something about it! She takes a boot to the face from a determined Darcy, who gets close to the top before Jabali Desmond returns, grabbing her by the leg! And if that weren’t bad enough, Damian Simmons gets the OTHER leg! The men exchange glares with one another and for a moment it looks like they’d rather smash one another… before they hit a double leg-trap chokeslam on Graves, driving her hard into the canvas! Damian looks to grab and toss Jabali after this, but the other towering figure fights back, the two slugging it out against the ropes, allowing Luke Marshall to roll in and put one of the discarded ladders to use, smashing both men and sending them over the ropes to the floor! Ingrid, meanwhile, scurries up the ladder behind Luke, looking to make a grab for the gold, only for Luke to climb up with her… AND DELIVER MARSHALL LAW (Michinoku Driver) FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!
”HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”
Valencia rolls out of the ring, only semi-conscious, as Luke makes his climb toward gold and glory! Jabali Desmond, rolling back in, starts to ascend as well, with Luke’s clubbing fists from above not doing much to slow the big man down! Soon they’re face to face, with Desmond literally still a few rungs down from Luke, while Cass, Katie and Honey are in various stages of getting up and back into the mix, Honey bringing in yet another ladder. Luke tries bashing the big man’s head against the top of the ladder and finally dislodges him, but it isn’t enough to make him leave the climbing device! Meanwhile, Honey has set up a ladder and started to climb while Cass stops Katie from climbing up the other side, starting a fracas between two women who were partners only a fortnight ago! Honey attacks from the side, throwing elbows and kicks to the leg, determined to move Luke from her path! However, it seems that something has caught her attention in the crowd… and that momentary lapse lets Luke strike back! Jabali, however, grabs them both by the throat, looking to dump both to the mat! Having little recourse, Luke and Honey leap over the big man, landing on the canvas and bringing the African down with a huge tandem sunset flip bomb! The whole ring shakes and Honey, less worn down than Luke, is able to bring him down with the Blind Sight (Inverted Stomp Facebreaker)!
Meanwhile, Cass Baumer is climbing that ladder, getting with a fingertip of the title before Katie shimmies up the same ladder, slapping Cass’s hand away as the two engage in a high-rent fist fight, the title swaying madly above the ring! Honey, shaking off the melee from before, climbs up again, looking to grab the gold while two of her opponents are occupied… but Darcy Graves is back at it, leaping from the ropes to the ladder, making it four women within centimeters of the Vanguard Championship! The slugout is going in four different directions, with Darcy tangling with Katie while Cass and Honey throw shots back and forth! One particular swing misses and Cass is able to send Honey down to the mat after bouncing her head off the top rung a couple times! Katie, meanwhile, is having a tougher time with Darcy, but delivers a sling blade-like maneuver, driving both her and Graves to the canvas! Left alone up top, Cass is backed down a few rungs but starts climbing again, only to be grabbed by Luke Marshall from below! She drops down rather than taking a harder hit from on high, battling it out with Marshall and managing to send him out to the floor! She’s almost slammed into by Darcy, sent into the ropes by Katie, and barely moves aside before Anderson and Graves tackle themselves right out of the ring! Cass, getting creative, sets up a ladder horizontally, partially outside the ring, and then ascends to the top rope! Katie, out of it for the moment, is trying to get a hold of herself while Darcy and Luke slug it out over control of another ladder! Katie breaks away from the others and Cass leaps off the top, looking to drive Luke and Darcy into the placed ladder, but they move away at the last moment and instead the ladder smacks hard into the side of Katie’s head, dangerously close to her eye!
Bleeding and reeling, Katie rolls into the ring, clearly unsteady as Cass, on the outside, looks seriously concerned about the damage done! She has no time to react, though, as Darcy attacks, leading to a three-way fracas with the two women and Luke! Katie, a mess visually, starts climbing the ladder as if on instinct. Honey, having recovered, starts doing the same… neither woman is aware that Damian is steadily returning to the ring and climbing as well… both ladders at the same time! It isn’t until they’re near the top, Honey arriving first, that they realize the danger! Damian goes for Katie first, with her barely ducking a haymaker right hand that grazes Honey instead! She strikes back almost fruitlessly at Damian, who brushes off her assault until Katie, regaining some of her senses, starts fighting as well! Even the Juggernaut is slowed by the damage already done and, as a result, Honey and Katie are able to slow him! Thanks to an assist, the two women are able to kick over Damian’s ladder, crocheting the big man on the top rope as he falls! From there, Katie grabs Honey by the hair and delivers a headbutt, still having hold of Honey by the ear before dropping a few rungs on her own ladder to really smash the woman’s head against the top! That’s enough to send the already-teetering Rydel down and, even as Darcy and Cass are rolling in to make the save, Katie is able to fight through and grab the title, ending the match!
*DING!* *DING!* *DING!*
Spirit Montego: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner… and the NEW Vanguard Champion… KATIE ANDERSON!
Clutching the belt with bloody hands, Katie lays across the top of the ladder, breathing heavily. A frustrated Darcy shoves a ladder aside outside the ring while a dejected Cass leans back against the ropes, seated on the canvas. The ringside area looks like a train wreck at Home Depot with bodies everywhere!
Bernadette Olson: What a win! And with a wound like that, too!
Jacob Frankel: Frankly, I don’t know how she’s still conscious after a shot like that! Call it instinct or the drive to win, but… get that woman some champagne! And some stitches!
Bernadette Olson: Not necessarily in that order! We have a new Vanguard Champion, ladies and gentlemen! And that’s all the time we have for tonight! We’ll see you in two weeks for Vanguard #2, where we will crown three more champions!
Jacob Frankel: Don’t miss it, y’all!
Winner: Katie Anderson
Result: Grabbed championship at 25:18