Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2024 0:47:51 GMT -5
LIVE FROM THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM at the historic ELDORADO CASINO in RENO, NV JANUARY 24, 2023 |
EXT. SILVER STATE BALLROOM — LOADING DOCK
The camera moves quickly through a door and out into the concrete service bay attached to the rear of the arena. When the frame steadies the lens focuses on the back of a Uhaul truck. Its bumper is backed up to the dock.
YELENA GORGO, in a designer purple leather jacket, black leggings and boots, is unlocking the rear door. The metal clangs and clatters as it zips up and rolls backward against the ceiling.
GORGO
Mind the gap.
Outside direct light, it’s hard to see what lurks beyond the first few feet of the cabin, until something begins to stir in the murky darkness. An outline of a person sitting in it, takes shape. Then we see:
A bulbous silhouette fills the seat, dressed in a fur-lined cap, red and white, with a pom-pom dangling off the end, and a matching coat and pants. Why yes, It’s Santa Claus! Though not of flesh and blood, but rather foam, plastic and fabric. This Santa looks like he was made by the same company that crafts college football mascots.
He was attached to the chair by straps over his black boots, around his wrists, and across his chest. He wasn’t speaking. In fact there might not even be someone inside of it.
Behind the wheelchair was a young woman, completely unknown to the UPRISING audience. Thin and tall, like a model, with short blonde hair, she’s dressed like Zooey Deschanel in Elf. She pushes the wheelchair to the end of the cabin and then, with a shove, over the small gap between it and the dock.
From off screen right, Mark Bishop and Perry Rowler rush into shot. The camera operator trucks backward until all four (plus Santa) are in frame. Mark stands in front of the wheelchair, stopping it from rolling it any further. Perry looks at Gorgo, then the other woman and says with very animated hands:
PERRY
Who the hell are you and what the hell is this?
The woman stares at him deadpan.
UNKNOWN WOMAN
I’m an elf and this is Santa Claus, silly.
Before the loudmouth Chief Brand Officer can retort, Gorgo moves between Perry and the elf. She glances over at Mark first before her eyes tick back.
GORGO
What’s a matter, Rowler?
Something amiss?
You seem stressed out.
She covers her mouth and says to Mark:
GORGO
Is there something wrong with the show?
PERRY
(quickly)
No. Why would you even ask that? Everything is fine.
MARK
We’re just wondering what this is. That’s all.
GORGO
She already told you. This is Santa Claus, and we’re here to do the Santa work. Now if you’ll excuse us.
PERRY
Who’s in the costume?
GORGO
A costume?
(confused)
What costume?
The men give each other a look.
GORGO
Listen, fellas. I know it’s a little passé to do an Xmas bit in January, but here’s the rub. I had one wish for Christmas: to face Kalinda for the UPRISING World Championship tonight in Reno, Nevada!
Cheap pop.
GORGO
And this tub of lard assured me that even though I’ve been a very bad girl this year, I was going to get my wish. And yet, here we are. Sam Tolson is getting her fiftieth title match while Mari and I are stuck facing Sporty Spice and Baby Spice because someone saw us argue on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and thought it would make for good television.
She looks back and forth between the two.
GORGO
I wonder which one of you idiots made that call.
MARK
(nervously)
We don’t book matches…
GORGO
Sure you don’t. Now move. We have things to do.
Mark and Perry hesitate.
GORGO
Or I can shove you in the truck and break the lock.
Mark moves out of the way. The elf pushes Santa past him and out of camera. Gorgo strolls after them with a very Gorgo-like smile, belting out a song.
GORGO
♫ You better not shout.
You better not cry.
You better watch out.
I’m telling you why…
SAAAANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN!
SAAAAANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN!
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING…TOOO TOWN! ♫
CUT TO:
INT. ELDORADO CASINO -- BACKSTAGE
We cut backstage where we see Zelda Fischer and Marisol Vilaro making their way down the hall. The moment they appear on screen, the crowd starts booing but neither woman seems to care. They don't make it very far before they're stopped by Gretchen, looking for a pre-match word.
GRETCHEN DEVEREAUX
Excuse me, ladies? I was hoping I could get a quick word about Zelda’s match tonight against Leo Lions?
Marisol opens her mouth to say something but Zelda steps in.
ZELDA FISCHER
A word? I’ll give you a word Gretchen: schadenfreude. Do you know what that word means?
Before Gretchen can answer, Zelda just carries on.
ZELDA FISCHER
I’ll tell you what it means, it means finding enjoyment in the misfortune of others and that’s what I’m set to do in about five minutes. Little Leo Lions wants to win a title this year and become a real boy or whatever it is children wish upon a star for, but that’s not going to happen. Not at my expense! Marisol has been teaching me things for months to give me the advantage over little boys like Leo the Lion and what’s he got going for him? He saw a dolphin once, isn’t that cool?
Once again, Gretchen can’t get a word in edgewise as Zelda continues.
ZELDA FISCHER
Of course it’s not! While he's been working on his winter tan I’ve been working on making a name for myself and I’ll be damned if someone is going to come off the streets named after a wild cat and get in my way. Are you familiar with the story of the Fisher King, Gretchen?
This time Gretchen gets a no out of her lips before Zelda stream rolls right over her.
ZELDA FISCHER
The Fisher King guards the Holy Grail, Gretchen, and while I’m not a king in the literal sense, I’m guarding the brass ring from that little twerp and it’s going to take more than courage from a wizard to allow that lion to make it in my Emerald City. Am I clear?
GRETCHEN DEVEREAUX
Uhh…not really…
Zelda just throws her hands up in frustration, walking off leaving Marisol to comfort the confused columnist.
MARISOL VILARO
Leo Lions isn’t going to be ready for what’s in store for him, brought to you by the hottest name in Fitness... Vilaro Fit! Zelda is going to get again another victory, and going forward I suggest you make an appointment. Now if you excuse me, I have a client to get back to. Toodles.
Marisol gives a sarcastic wave, as she saunters forward with her eyes on the prize. Gretchen simply shakes her head as the scene fades back to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. SILVER STATE BALLROOM — THE RING.
OPENING CONTEST
ZELDA FISCHER vs LEO LIONS
Leo Lions stands near the middle of the ring with a vocal crowd at his back. Zelda, leaning against the ropes, brushes her shoulder before darting forward. They lockup and begin shoving back and forth. Zelda turns it into a side headlock and grins at the disapproving crowd as she torques her arms. Leo doesn’t overreact. He picks his moment, then shoves her forward.
Zelda runs into the ropes. On the return, Leo drops flat. She leaps over, hits the other side, then fires right back. Leo leap frogs her. Zelda puts the break on, turns, and dropkicks him in the back.
Leo goes flying at the ropes and then through, getting dumped out onto the floor. Zelda darts to the apron, slides out, and runs to deliver a hard kick to Leo before he can get to his feet.
She mocks the front row Leo fans with an ugly BOO face before grabbing him by the hair and leading him to the ring. She slams his face onto the apron then shoves him under the bottom rope.
She climbs up the corner post, one rung at a time, before getting to the top and standing up. Leo has pushed himself up by the knuckles and is looking around to find her. Zelda jumps, flips, and delivers the ALEKHINE’S GUN (Molly-Go-Round)!!!
NO! Leo rolls under toward the corner as she rotates around and lands HARD on her backside! She howls in pain while holding her tailbone. Leo is on his feet and runs to flip over her, grabbing her head in a lock and nailing a vicious Neck Snap.
Zelda flops onto her back. Leo rolls up a leg.
ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!
Leo does rest. He moves to grab both of her legs and rolls her over onto her stomach. With her legs bent under his arms, he pushes his knee into her back to sink in the LION TAMER!
Zelda’s face lights up with pain as the referee checks on her. She shakes her head and then, realizing he didn’t drag her away from the ropes, she begins clawing on the mat, dragging herself close enough so her outstretched fingers can curl around the bottom rope.
The referee orders Leo to let go. He shakes his head and tries dragging her back to the middle of the ring, but this gives Zelda enough room to get her head tucked into her chest and now she’s scrambling to grab his ankle!
Leo stumbles and nearly falls with his ankle locked up. He kicks himself free but trips, going head first into the ropes. He catches himself and stands to turn. Zelda comes running in with a knee to the gut. He takes two steps away while trying to catch his breath. She grabs his arm, spins him around, and slaps the SHIT out of him with the BACKPFEIFENGESICHT!
He falls to one knee. She comes off the ropes and kicks him in the side of the head, dropping him flat. Here’s the pinfall!
ONE! TWO! THR—NO! KICKOUT!
Barely in time, Leo holds a limp arm in the air. Zelda punches the mat several times before accusing the referee of a slow count. Eventually she grabs Leo by the hair and picks him up. Two forearm shots later, she grabs him in a belly to belly suplex and flips backward.
Leo lands on his feet but is off-balance and ends up in a corner. She jumps up and charges at him. He uses the top turnbuckle as leverage to throw his feet out to crack her in the face!
With the crowd behind him, he jumps through the ropes and quickly scales the corner post, all the way to the top, and then waits for her to stand and face him. He leaps off the top ropes for a crossbody…
ZELDA JUMPS AND GRABS HIS HEAD AS HE FALLS! BLITZKRIEG (RKO)!!!!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): ZELDA FISCHER
CUT TO:
PROMO — RECORDED EARLIER
The scene opens backstage, where we see Amy warming up and preparing for the Anarchy Rules match against Erik Holland. However, this match is more leaning toward the final outcome of the title rematch against Trixie Decker and the Total Anarchy Championship. Momentarily reflecting back to her last match at Revolution against Eli Buchanan, which were under Total Anarchy Rules and she lost and he moved onto facing then-world champion Kevin Mears. Shaking her head and returning back to the here and now, she takes a few breaths as she turns and looks into the camera.
AMY SANTINO
When this match was originally promoted… I lost my shit a little bit, which was perhaps very unprofessional of me but if you look at the situation, I believe it was justified. I am the number one contender and when that mistake was put out there in public, I was angry. It felt like everything I have done in the past couple months had been erased. But it’s all been cleared up and everything is good with booking.
Amy shrugs apologetically before continuing.
AMY SANTINO
Now onto the task at hand. Total Anarchy rules. It’s been a little hit and miss for me. From last show against Eli Buchanan to my not so much of a title defence against Trixie Decker. The thing is, I have battled hard in each and every match. I have bled and I have been singed and put my body on the line for these Total Anarchy matches…and I will be doing it again at your expense, Erik.
Amy brushes some hair from her face.
AMY SANTINO
I did some quick research Erik and found that you have been pretty unlucky in terms of Total Anarchy rules matches and sadly you luck will continue to be poor, as i will be pushing hard to get the win for the build up to my title rematch against Trixie and just like my match against Eli, I won’t be at all intimidated by your size or strength. The bigger they are, the slower they move, and I will be taking advantage of that. I might not use high flying moves much anymore, but I will use my speed, agility and my hard-hitting strikes and of course any weapon that I can find to keep you down.
Amy smirks before continuing again.
AMY SANTINO
I will keep you down and I will pin you. But if you somehow fluke the win against me, then I will rewatch where I went wrong and learn and make sure that I don’t do it again in the future. A win over you is going to prepare me for this rematch at the upcoming Supershow. However, I don’t have time to learn from mistakes, or to let that distract me from getting back into the ring with Trixie soon. So you better be prepared for a huge battle because I will be firing everything at you. And Trixie? You had better be watching. Know that everything I do to Erik tonight, I am going to unleash even harder against you.
Amy finishes up, as she turns and grabs her mask.
AMY SANTINO
Good luck Erik. You are going to need it.
Amy then leaves the area to seek some peace and quiet before her match.
AMY SANTINO
When this match was originally promoted… I lost my shit a little bit, which was perhaps very unprofessional of me but if you look at the situation, I believe it was justified. I am the number one contender and when that mistake was put out there in public, I was angry. It felt like everything I have done in the past couple months had been erased. But it’s all been cleared up and everything is good with booking.
Amy shrugs apologetically before continuing.
AMY SANTINO
Now onto the task at hand. Total Anarchy rules. It’s been a little hit and miss for me. From last show against Eli Buchanan to my not so much of a title defence against Trixie Decker. The thing is, I have battled hard in each and every match. I have bled and I have been singed and put my body on the line for these Total Anarchy matches…and I will be doing it again at your expense, Erik.
Amy brushes some hair from her face.
AMY SANTINO
I did some quick research Erik and found that you have been pretty unlucky in terms of Total Anarchy rules matches and sadly you luck will continue to be poor, as i will be pushing hard to get the win for the build up to my title rematch against Trixie and just like my match against Eli, I won’t be at all intimidated by your size or strength. The bigger they are, the slower they move, and I will be taking advantage of that. I might not use high flying moves much anymore, but I will use my speed, agility and my hard-hitting strikes and of course any weapon that I can find to keep you down.
Amy smirks before continuing again.
AMY SANTINO
I will keep you down and I will pin you. But if you somehow fluke the win against me, then I will rewatch where I went wrong and learn and make sure that I don’t do it again in the future. A win over you is going to prepare me for this rematch at the upcoming Supershow. However, I don’t have time to learn from mistakes, or to let that distract me from getting back into the ring with Trixie soon. So you better be prepared for a huge battle because I will be firing everything at you. And Trixie? You had better be watching. Know that everything I do to Erik tonight, I am going to unleash even harder against you.
Amy finishes up, as she turns and grabs her mask.
AMY SANTINO
Good luck Erik. You are going to need it.
Amy then leaves the area to seek some peace and quiet before her match.
CUT TO:
INT. SILVER STATE BALLROOM — THE RING.
TOTAL ANARCHY RULES
AMY SANTINO vs ERIK HOLLAND
The bell rings and Erik immediately comes out of his corner and extends a hand to Amy. Amy seems unsure at first, but cautiously accepts and shakes it. Erik gives the woman a large smile and backs away. With that, the two begin circling each other before an eventual lock-up. Erik uses his size to back Amy to the ropes before slamming a chop across her chest. The older fighter shudders in pain, unable to react as Erik follows up with a knee to Amy’s midsection. Amy doubles over as Erik backs up, pulls his leg up, and drops his heel on the back of her head.
Amy drops like a sack of bricks and Erik rolls her onto her back, attempting a pin. The referee doesn’t even finish dropping to the mat before Amy kicks out and shoves Erik off of her.
Amy rolls away and gets to her feet as Erik rushes at her. For his eagerness, Amy rewards him with a superkick to the jaw. Erik stumbles backwards in a daze, but Amy lunges forwards and slams a roundhouse kick into his midsection. Erik doubles over and Amy wraps an arm around his head, pushing herself up in an Asai DDT. As Erik slams to the canvas, Amy rolls him up for a pin.
One…
T--
Erik shoves Amy off of himself before rolling onto his side. Amy gets to her feet and slams a kick between his shoulder blades, followed by a second one into his lower back. Pain throbs from the second impact as barely dormant back injuries of years past threaten to awaken. This is followed by shock waves of anger that wash over Erik.
Amy throws a third kick, but Erik catches her food and gets to his feet. He drives a kick into her thigh that nearly crumples her to the mat, but somehow the punk wrestler managers to stay up on her foot. At this point Erik wrenches the trapped leg, slamming her to the mat. He continues to stomp and kick Amy in the thigh, causing her to claw at the canvas to try to escape – but Erik doesn’t let go. Instead, he hauls his foot back and football punts her square in the mouth before dropping and elbow onto her neck.
Erik pulls Amy to her feet, revealing trickles of red pouring from her busted lips, and slings her into a corner. Amy slams against the turnbuckles, back first, just in time to get a big boot to her face. Erik paintbrushes his boot against her face before pulling her towards him, grabbing and tossing her over in a snap suplex.
Erik mounts Amy and starts pounding at her face. Amy grits her teeth and laces her hands behind his head and yanks him into a face-to-face headbutt. Erik tries to yank away but Amy gives him a rapid series of headbutts, finally repaying what he did to her mouth by busting his nose. She then clubs him on the side of his head, knocking Erik off of her.
Amy gets to her face and stumbles to the ropes, wiping blood from her mouth and looking at her red hands. Catching movement from the corner of her eye, she looks up in time to see Erik rising and bolting towards her. He leaps in a spear, but Amy drops to the mat by doing the splits and Erik soars through the ropes, finally coming down against the barricade.
Amy runs to the corner and scales the ring post, leaping off it and aiming both feet for Erik’s back. But Erik moves out of the way and Amy instead lands with the top of the barricade greeting her in a place she’d much rather it hadn’t. Amy’s eyes bulge in pain as she straddles the top of the barricade, just as Erik runs up and slugs her across the jaw. Grabbing a handful of her tresses, Erik slams Amy backwards and her head conks off the barricade before she rolls to the floor outside the ring.
Erik hauls Amy up and slams her face into the closest ring post. He then drags her to the next ring post and repeats it. He can feel Amy growing limp in his grip as he strides towards the next post but stops at the time keeper’s table. Palming the back of her head, Erik begins driving Amy’s face into the bell over and over. It clangs against her forehead and, when Erik finally pulls Amy back up, blood is dripping from a gash at her hairline. Erik releases her just long enough to haul back and punch her between the eyes.
Amy lands flat on her back and most assume that’s the end. Surely it’s a knock-out. Erik bends over and takes a breath, preparing to drag Amy into the ring for the pin. But then he sees her stirring, rolling onto all fours. He grimaces before walking towards her and yanking her up by the scruff of her neck. Walking Amy towards the steel steps, he pulls her up into a bearhug and prepares to use them for a spinebuster. But as he pulls her up, Amy wraps her arms around Erik’s neck and cynches in a sort of face-to-face sleeperhold. He attempts to dislodge her, but Amy rams her knee into his midsection over and over. Erik slowly lets Amy get back down to her feet and she immediately slips her leg between his and trips him forward, face first, into the metal steps.
Erik’s face has barely collided with the metal before Amy is stomping on the back of his head, grinding her boot into his skull. Erik grunts in pain as the corner of the step cuts into his face. Amy returns to the barricade and climbs atop it, jumping off and landing onto Erik in a swanton bomb. The larger fighter spasms but obviously starts slowing down. To Amy, this is as good a time as any to end this.
She pulls Erik up and slides him into the ring, then grabs the steel steps and heaves them up. Getting onto the ring skirt, she hurls the steps into Erik as he’s standing up. The metal steps collide with him and make him falter as she gets into the ring and approaches.
Erik takes a tired, wild swing at Amy but she ducks his fist, retaliating with an uppercut. Erik stumbles backwards, bumping into the steps. Amy lunges forward and grabs Erik’s ankles, yanking his feet from under him. Erik falls backwards and catches the steel steps’ edge in his lower back. Erik cries out as the impact awakens years of back injuries.
Amy races past him and leaps onto the top rope, jumping backwards and landing feet first in Erik’s midsection. Being driven further into the steps plays more havoc on Erik’s back, who yells out again. Amy reaches down and cups her hands under Erik’s head. Jumping again, she lands with both of her knees in Erik’s face, an improvised variation of her finisher Bad Girl. Her knees slam into Erik’s face, pushing his head to the mat and dragging him off the steel steps. Amy then rips Erik off the steps, letting its sharp edges rake along his back, before going for a pin.
One…
Two…
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): AMY SANTINO
Amy rolls off of Erik, exhausted and bloody. EMTs rush from the back to check on both fighters. Amy pushes herself up as the referee raises her arm as she is announced the winner, then turns her attention to Erik, who is slowly beginning to stir. She offers him her hand and helps him get to his feet. Erik winces as his back spasms in pain, and Amy pulls his arm over her shoulder as she walks him towards the waiting medics so they can both get checked and bandaged.
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