Post by Admin on May 10, 2021 1:06:05 GMT -5
LIVE FROM THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM at the historic ELDORADO CASINO in RENO, NV MAY 15, 2021 |
INT. BACKSTAGE — CONTINUOUS
A familiar face appears on-screen; well, pretty much the whole screen as SUPLEX STEVE is nearly frenching his cellphone camera.
SUPLEX STEVE
This is Suplex Steve, coming to you live— backstage, with his freshly printed - OFFICIAL - backstage credentials.
Suplex Steve, who is very excited, holds up his backstage media pass for the viewers to see.
SUPLEX STEVE
From the Eldorado Casino here in Reno, Nevada. Where local wrestling promotion Uprising is well underway with its eleventh installment of Revolution.
Suplex Steve turns his cellphone away from his face revealing he is indeed backstage once again.
SUPLEX STEVE
Bringing you episode number thirty-five of the broken nose podcast. Where—
Right now, in the distance, JACK OWYNS and his manager ODDBALL are spotted entering into the backstage area. The camera becomes very shaky, and you can hear heavy breathing as Suplex Steve chases after Jack Owyns.
SUPLEX STEVE
Jack!
The camera stables out, giving you a nice look at the back of Jack's head. Jack looks back over his shoulder. Instantly you could tell Jack isn't thrilled, giving off that 'holy fuck' vibe.
JACK OWYNS
(Mumbling)
Not this fuckin' clown again.
SUPLEX STEVE
Care to give some insight to the broken nose podcast about what all went down on the last episode of Revolution?
JACK OWYNS
No.
SUPLEX STEVE
What about tonight? Tonight you face Zena Wright in a grudge match; any thoughts about that?
JACK OWYNS
No.
Suplex Steve stops, and Jack just carries on, walking farther and farther away. The camera turns to the sweaty face of Suplex Steve.
SUPLEX STEVE
Well, there you have it; the man of very few words—
Just over Suplex Steve's shoulder, the face of Oddball appears. Serious looking. Angry looking.
ODDBALL
You want a few words about tonight's grudge match against Zena Wright? Jack will paint that canvas red with her blood, muahahahaha.
Oddball smiles. Kiss Suplex Steve again on the cheek, and then from over the shoulder of Suplex Steve, you can see Oddball skip off towards the direction Jack Owyns headed.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
TAG TEAM MATCH
LAST OF THE VALKYRIES vs BLOOD DIAMONDS
Isaiah Jackson and "Firestarter" Christina Olson start off the match with the powerhouse Jackson immediately going for a telegraphed clothesline – OLSON DUCKS UNDER AND FLATTENS HIM WITH A SPEEDY DDT! He's back up and crunched into the corner thanks to a running splash. Christina drops a knee to his face and then backs off – HUGE MISTAKE AS JACKSON LASHES OUT WITH A KICK TO THE KNEE THAT SENDS HER STAGGERING BACK AND HE FLATTENS HER WITH A FOOTBALL TACKLE! Smirking, Jackson backs off to his corner and makes the quick tag out to Amadeus Coleman III! Olson's back up and she comes in with a springboard forearm as Coleman steps through the ropes – oh shit! He catches her and pulls her in close, pretending like he's gonna give her a kiss before nailing her with a headbutt and plastering her to the canvas with a fallaway slam! He drops down to continue the assault, but she rolls aside and dives at her corner for a hot tag to Lilith Meadows – stereo suplex and Wrestling's Greatest Commodity is down! Lilith grins and drops down, catching Amadeus in a rollup!
ONE!
TW—NO!
Lilith makes the hot tag back to Christina before Amadeus can get back up. Olson smirks, showboating to the crowd as Amadeus scrambles to his feet and comes charging at Olson, slamming into her with a shoulder block from behind – she crashes into the rope and Coleman chokes her against it, breaking off the moment Rana reaches 4. Looking to maintain his advantage, Coleman grabs Olson around the waist – elbow to the face and then Christina's diving for the corner! DENIED! COLEMAN CATCHES HER AND PULLS HER BACK – DDC AND SHE'S DOWN! He immediately slaps her into the Cole Clutch (muta lock) but Lilith dives in to break that up. She's forced out of the ring by Rana and immediately hauled off the apron by Isaiah Jackson and slammed to the floor! Olson's clearly feeling the impact, trying to clear away the cobwebs and get back into the fight but when she looks up, her opponent's nowhere to be found – LEG DROP OFF THE TOP ROPE JUST AS SHE STARTS TO SIT UP AND OH MY GOD! IT'S THE FAMOUSER! HE'S NAILED THE BULLDOG AND SHE'S OUT OF IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! LILITH IS STILL STRUGGLING ON THE FLOOR THANKS TO THE MUGGING FROM ISAIAH JACKSON AND THE BLOOD DIAMONDS HAVE JUST STOLEN A HUGE UPSET OF A WIN!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA SUBMISSION): BLOOD DIAMONDS
CUT TO:
INT. ELDORADO CASINO -- BACKSTAGE
For probably the first time tonight, MATT KNOX has stepped out of his locker room and is seen walking the halls of the Silver State Ballroom, likely toward catering. He’s applied his face paint as the moment of truth draws nearer, ever near. He idly checks his wrist tape as he goes along, rounding a corner he nearly bumps into someone, so in the zone. He reaches a hand out to steady the person he nearly bowled over, muttering out.
MATT KNOX
My bad. Shoulda checked the corner.
??
It’s alright dude, that happens to the best of--
Then the person seems to realize just who they are talking to. Standing there is a slender, wiry-built man whose gravelly voice is about as unstable as his appearance with the ripped jeans, dirty boots and a leather vest covering up a promotional UPRISING shirt. He flashes a wicked smirk, starting to cackle out a laugh.
NATHAN THUNDER
Holy shit, I know you! You're that guy...The Raven, Matt Stone, right?
Knox quirks an eyebrow but lets out a soft chuckle that he has to develop from a scoff at first, before clearing his throat and shaking his head.
MATT KNOX
Knox. But you got the other ¾ of it right so hey, I’ll give it a passing grade. You new here? Lookin' for Jax? He’s usually brooding in his office…
Knox turns halfway away from the odd-looking stranger who, with that disposition and attitude, has to be some kind of talent looking for a gig. Or so his detective skills tell him. He idly points down a hallway after some consideration.
MATT KNOX
That way, pretty sure.
Without even glancing at the pointed direction, the stranger lands a hand on Knox’s shoulder, not bothered by the slightest of invading someone’s personal space.
NATHAN THUNDER
Hold up just a minute there, Mr. Knox, was it? I’m sorry about mixing you up I mean there’s enough of Matt’s in this business I bet I could throw a bottle at a crowd and it would smash in someone called Matt’s face. Easy to make the confusion. No offense intended, I mean I suppose I could say it comes with the profession, enough knocks in the head, Knocks...kinda like your name. Get it?
He watches The Raven being very much not amused by his joke so the smile droops just a hint.
NATHAN THUNDER
You gotta understand I’m a bit taken back, I’ve never talked to a real life dead man before. Well soon-to-be, anyway.
He shrugs as if it's just a matter of fact without anything else.
NATHAN THUNDER
I mean you are the poor bastard who gets to fight Supreme Machine, that’s some bad juju right there with the greasy mop of hair, B.O. that would make anyone’s eyes even in the back row water when he shows up..and those aren’t even mentioning his face. Trust me, there’s a reason he wears that mask. He’s an ugly son of a bitch and at least twice as mean as he is ugly.
At this, Matthew lets out another chuckle. Lower, more dangerous. He lifts a hand and brushes Nathan’s off of his shoulder.
MATT KNOX
He’s just a man. Another fighter. Large, ugly, angry. But his mystique? That aura of dominance and...being unkillable? That’s just there to scare and fool the simple-minded away from the scarred-up, scared little mongrel inside.
A smile, and a 'soft' jab in the stranger’s shoulder, enough to send him back a half step.
MATT KNOX
Gotta admit, it’s working on his target audience at least. Now, why don’t you head to catering. Or wherever the hell you were going, that was away from me.
His new acquaintance’s face cracks to a wide smile and that same hand that just got brushed off plants firmly back on Knox’s shoulder. His voice now almost a hoarse whisper.
NATHAN THUNDER
You really don’t get it do you? I’d kill to have a match with that freak but people have called me all sorts of things...the c-word. I’d like to think that my life could have gone different maybe I’d work the ring different, but being a "garbage wrestler" a "hardcore wrestler"...
His inflection puts air-quotes on both terms.
NATHAN THUNDER
Call it what you want, but there is no better rush than fighting for your very life with everything you can use as a weapon and to think that someone like you gets to fight SuMa and you don’t even know how much fun it will be, I’d suggest fight it like it was your last match, because let’s face it, bud. It may very well be.
Nathan brings his face close to Knox’s ear and his voice is almost like a sing song now.
NATHAN THUNDER
SuMa’s gonna kill you, SuMa’s gonna kill you, SuMa’s gonna..
??
Nate! Are you getting in trouble again?
A blonde in her early thirties manages to reach the two men, looking at Knox apologetically.
TARA THUNDER
Sorry about him, my brother just REALLY likes his wrestling and sometimes he just has no kind of self-preservation to speak of. I’m Tara by the way...Tara Thunder and this one? Well, he’s Nathan. Nate, are you bothering this nice man?
She pushes her brother off Knox with surprising ease but Nathan bounces back like a damn jack in a box come to life.
NATHAN THUNDER
Yeah, gotta be nice, gotta behave. Wouldn’t want to upset a dead man would, I? I’d hate to hurt the walking corpse’s fucking feelings.
He starts to bounce up and down hollering at Knox
NATHAN THUNDER
DEAD MAN! DEAD MAN! DEAD MAN! DE~
*SLAP*
The Raven smacks him right across the face, stopping the bouncing. Nathan wobbles on his feet back and forth, holding his cheek.
NATHAN THUNDER
You are gonna need to hit harder than that if you think you have a chance. dead man!
And that was the line. Knox snatches Nathan by the scruff of his shirt, and slams him into the wall before turning him around, snatching a handful of the mop on his head with his other hand and smashing his face into it once, pressing his forearm into the back of the man’s neck. He leans in now, speaking loud enough for Nathan, his sister, and the gawking staff to hear.
MATT KNOX
A Thunder, eh? Guess that explains it. Luther has his act, guess the rest of you do too, eh? But let me educate you, kid.
He yanks his head back, before smacking it into the wall once more and replacing his forearm.
MATT KNOX
Supreme Machine? He’s going to be taken from SOLSTICE in an ambulance if he’s lucky, but I'm going to have a hearse on standby. Far as tonight? The only dead man in this building is the one you and your lovely, POLITE sister should be preparing a wake for.
Knox yanks Nathan away from the wall and shoves him away as hard as he can, turning his gaze to Tara and motioning toward Nathan.
MATT KNOX
Get him out of here, before I cripple him.
Tara seems surprisingly calm considering she had just seen Knox assault her brother.
TARA THUNDER
...sir, you've got it wrong. We were invited by Brad Jackson; he got us tickets and all to check out the show. We even flew in our father so it’s kinda like his birthday. He’s the inspiration for my...well all of our in-ring careers and if you think we are here as part of some ploy or play...you have got it wrong. I swear, he just has this tendency to find trouble and when he finds some, he usually doesn’t want to let go of it. Apologize to the nice man, Nate?
She glares at her brother who stands there, feeling up his face, letting the blood drip down before he starts to laugh.
NATHAN THUNDER
Oh, I’m sorry sir, real sorry about your goddamn luck! You don’t get what you are getting into, not tonight with Luther and sure as shit not with SuMa come SOLSTICE, you are a dead man--
TARA THUNDER
NATHANIEL!
Nathan drops his voice down to damn near a whisper again.
NATHAN THUNDER
...and I envy you for that shit.
He cackles out a chuckle as Tara pushes him towards the catering and turns to look at Knox
TARA THUNDER
Good luck out there. Tonight...and beyond. I have a feeling someone like you could use some in your life. Apologies again for my brother. He should have known better; don’t take it personally.
MATT KNOX
I never do. Enjoy the show, sorry I can’t root for the result I’m sure you’re all rooting for.
Knox looks like he wants to say more, but instead simply straightens out his hoodie, pays the pair a final nod and resumes his wandering of the arena, trying to once again lose himself in the moment, and the one still to come.
_____________________________________________
MATT KNOX
My bad. Shoulda checked the corner.
??
It’s alright dude, that happens to the best of--
Then the person seems to realize just who they are talking to. Standing there is a slender, wiry-built man whose gravelly voice is about as unstable as his appearance with the ripped jeans, dirty boots and a leather vest covering up a promotional UPRISING shirt. He flashes a wicked smirk, starting to cackle out a laugh.
NATHAN THUNDER
Holy shit, I know you! You're that guy...The Raven, Matt Stone, right?
Knox quirks an eyebrow but lets out a soft chuckle that he has to develop from a scoff at first, before clearing his throat and shaking his head.
MATT KNOX
Knox. But you got the other ¾ of it right so hey, I’ll give it a passing grade. You new here? Lookin' for Jax? He’s usually brooding in his office…
Knox turns halfway away from the odd-looking stranger who, with that disposition and attitude, has to be some kind of talent looking for a gig. Or so his detective skills tell him. He idly points down a hallway after some consideration.
MATT KNOX
That way, pretty sure.
Without even glancing at the pointed direction, the stranger lands a hand on Knox’s shoulder, not bothered by the slightest of invading someone’s personal space.
NATHAN THUNDER
Hold up just a minute there, Mr. Knox, was it? I’m sorry about mixing you up I mean there’s enough of Matt’s in this business I bet I could throw a bottle at a crowd and it would smash in someone called Matt’s face. Easy to make the confusion. No offense intended, I mean I suppose I could say it comes with the profession, enough knocks in the head, Knocks...kinda like your name. Get it?
He watches The Raven being very much not amused by his joke so the smile droops just a hint.
NATHAN THUNDER
You gotta understand I’m a bit taken back, I’ve never talked to a real life dead man before. Well soon-to-be, anyway.
He shrugs as if it's just a matter of fact without anything else.
NATHAN THUNDER
I mean you are the poor bastard who gets to fight Supreme Machine, that’s some bad juju right there with the greasy mop of hair, B.O. that would make anyone’s eyes even in the back row water when he shows up..and those aren’t even mentioning his face. Trust me, there’s a reason he wears that mask. He’s an ugly son of a bitch and at least twice as mean as he is ugly.
At this, Matthew lets out another chuckle. Lower, more dangerous. He lifts a hand and brushes Nathan’s off of his shoulder.
MATT KNOX
He’s just a man. Another fighter. Large, ugly, angry. But his mystique? That aura of dominance and...being unkillable? That’s just there to scare and fool the simple-minded away from the scarred-up, scared little mongrel inside.
A smile, and a 'soft' jab in the stranger’s shoulder, enough to send him back a half step.
MATT KNOX
Gotta admit, it’s working on his target audience at least. Now, why don’t you head to catering. Or wherever the hell you were going, that was away from me.
His new acquaintance’s face cracks to a wide smile and that same hand that just got brushed off plants firmly back on Knox’s shoulder. His voice now almost a hoarse whisper.
NATHAN THUNDER
You really don’t get it do you? I’d kill to have a match with that freak but people have called me all sorts of things...the c-word. I’d like to think that my life could have gone different maybe I’d work the ring different, but being a "garbage wrestler" a "hardcore wrestler"...
His inflection puts air-quotes on both terms.
NATHAN THUNDER
Call it what you want, but there is no better rush than fighting for your very life with everything you can use as a weapon and to think that someone like you gets to fight SuMa and you don’t even know how much fun it will be, I’d suggest fight it like it was your last match, because let’s face it, bud. It may very well be.
Nathan brings his face close to Knox’s ear and his voice is almost like a sing song now.
NATHAN THUNDER
SuMa’s gonna kill you, SuMa’s gonna kill you, SuMa’s gonna..
??
Nate! Are you getting in trouble again?
A blonde in her early thirties manages to reach the two men, looking at Knox apologetically.
TARA THUNDER
Sorry about him, my brother just REALLY likes his wrestling and sometimes he just has no kind of self-preservation to speak of. I’m Tara by the way...Tara Thunder and this one? Well, he’s Nathan. Nate, are you bothering this nice man?
She pushes her brother off Knox with surprising ease but Nathan bounces back like a damn jack in a box come to life.
NATHAN THUNDER
Yeah, gotta be nice, gotta behave. Wouldn’t want to upset a dead man would, I? I’d hate to hurt the walking corpse’s fucking feelings.
He starts to bounce up and down hollering at Knox
NATHAN THUNDER
DEAD MAN! DEAD MAN! DEAD MAN! DE~
*SLAP*
The Raven smacks him right across the face, stopping the bouncing. Nathan wobbles on his feet back and forth, holding his cheek.
NATHAN THUNDER
You are gonna need to hit harder than that if you think you have a chance. dead man!
And that was the line. Knox snatches Nathan by the scruff of his shirt, and slams him into the wall before turning him around, snatching a handful of the mop on his head with his other hand and smashing his face into it once, pressing his forearm into the back of the man’s neck. He leans in now, speaking loud enough for Nathan, his sister, and the gawking staff to hear.
MATT KNOX
A Thunder, eh? Guess that explains it. Luther has his act, guess the rest of you do too, eh? But let me educate you, kid.
He yanks his head back, before smacking it into the wall once more and replacing his forearm.
MATT KNOX
Supreme Machine? He’s going to be taken from SOLSTICE in an ambulance if he’s lucky, but I'm going to have a hearse on standby. Far as tonight? The only dead man in this building is the one you and your lovely, POLITE sister should be preparing a wake for.
Knox yanks Nathan away from the wall and shoves him away as hard as he can, turning his gaze to Tara and motioning toward Nathan.
MATT KNOX
Get him out of here, before I cripple him.
Tara seems surprisingly calm considering she had just seen Knox assault her brother.
TARA THUNDER
...sir, you've got it wrong. We were invited by Brad Jackson; he got us tickets and all to check out the show. We even flew in our father so it’s kinda like his birthday. He’s the inspiration for my...well all of our in-ring careers and if you think we are here as part of some ploy or play...you have got it wrong. I swear, he just has this tendency to find trouble and when he finds some, he usually doesn’t want to let go of it. Apologize to the nice man, Nate?
She glares at her brother who stands there, feeling up his face, letting the blood drip down before he starts to laugh.
NATHAN THUNDER
Oh, I’m sorry sir, real sorry about your goddamn luck! You don’t get what you are getting into, not tonight with Luther and sure as shit not with SuMa come SOLSTICE, you are a dead man--
TARA THUNDER
NATHANIEL!
Nathan drops his voice down to damn near a whisper again.
NATHAN THUNDER
...and I envy you for that shit.
He cackles out a chuckle as Tara pushes him towards the catering and turns to look at Knox
TARA THUNDER
Good luck out there. Tonight...and beyond. I have a feeling someone like you could use some in your life. Apologies again for my brother. He should have known better; don’t take it personally.
MATT KNOX
I never do. Enjoy the show, sorry I can’t root for the result I’m sure you’re all rooting for.
Knox looks like he wants to say more, but instead simply straightens out his hoodie, pays the pair a final nod and resumes his wandering of the arena, trying to once again lose himself in the moment, and the one still to come.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. ELDORADO CASINO -- BACKSTAGE
INT. ELDORADO CASINO -- BACKSTAGE
We are inside the famous Eldorado Casino and Hotel in Reno, NV, and the fans cheer as they see UPRISING's newest resident stoner, CARA STRADER, strutting her stuff backstage in her ring gear: leather boots, pants, and a vintage-style white CFH shirt she has cropped up and tied to the side. Her toasty red eyes finally come across what she has been searching for, which is the video production booth. She seems a bit confused at the sight of it, almost as if she's expecting that same generic mobile truck that every company has had taken hostage at one point. This isn’t one of those times. Cara taps on the door politely and then peeks around the corner before entering the room.
CARA STRADER
Ladies and gents! So so sooooo sorry to bother you all, but I have this little guy- - -
Cara reaches into the side of her waistband and hands one of the techs a tiny memory stick.
CARA STRADER
If you could go ahead and just plug that in before the Cowgirls match tonight, I would be forever grateful. Oh, and Manny, if you see Bert, tell him mama got the good stuff.
Cara turns and leaves as the crew turns around to face the man she was talking to and he puts up his hands, shaking his head.
UPRISING TECH
I keep telling her my name is Geoff.
LIL JUICY vs G.O.D.
G.O.D comes right out of the gates, bullying the smaller Juicy into a corner and peppering him with hard right hands that have the drip god covering up! G.O.D swats his guard away and shoves his boot into Juicy’s throat, choking him while using the ropes for leverage! Ref Stef gets in his face and begins her count, getting to 4 before G.O.D breaks the hold...ONLY TO REAPPLY IT FOR ANOTHER FOUR COUNT! As he exhausts it, he finally backs off and Juicy drops to a knee, clutching his throat and gasping for air.
G.O.D proceeds to put the boots to Juicy, stomping him over and over in the middle of the ring until he steps up and stands on the small of his back, posing for the audience as Juicy cries out from the weight on his spine!! He steps off and goes to lift Juicy up – oh hell no! Juicy is fighting back, throwing hands into G.O.D’s abs and backing him into the ropes! Juicy whips G.O.D into the ropes and bounces off, going to hit a sloppy lariat! G.O.D looks insulted as he turns around and nails Juicy with a discus lariat!! He goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
TH--Juicy kicks out!!
Devione stands and admonishes Ref Stef, who shoves him back out of her face, and shoves a finger in his! He holds his hands up in mocking defeat, chuckling as he turns and suddenly Juicy is up! He hits a Death Valley Driver!!! Kind of!! He looks into the camera, shrugging “Iuonno” before leaping on G.O.D for the pin but G.O.D powers out before Ref Stef even drops down! Juicy gets up, pulling G.O.D with him..BUT G.O.D BREAKS AWAY! HE KICKS JUICY IN THE GUTS AND..POWERBOMB!
G.O.D backs off, stalking Juicy and waiting for him to get up. The second he does, Devione charges in for the HAND OF GOD...BUT NO! THE DRIP GOD DUCKS IT! DEVIONE TURNS AROUND AND….ESKEETIT! THE SNAP DDT! HE GOES UP TOP, LOOKING FOR THE SPLASH LIKE PIPPEN – OH NO! G.O.D. rolls out of the way and staggers up just as Juicy launches! Juicy lands, proud that he doesn't crash and burn and then he's flattened by a Clothesline From Hell! G.O.D. doesn't even bother with a pin, just rests his boot on Juicy's body and waits for the referee to count it out.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): G.O.D.
CARA STRADER
Ladies and gents! So so sooooo sorry to bother you all, but I have this little guy- - -
Cara reaches into the side of her waistband and hands one of the techs a tiny memory stick.
CARA STRADER
If you could go ahead and just plug that in before the Cowgirls match tonight, I would be forever grateful. Oh, and Manny, if you see Bert, tell him mama got the good stuff.
Cara turns and leaves as the crew turns around to face the man she was talking to and he puts up his hands, shaking his head.
UPRISING TECH
I keep telling her my name is Geoff.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
LIL JUICY vs G.O.D.
G.O.D comes right out of the gates, bullying the smaller Juicy into a corner and peppering him with hard right hands that have the drip god covering up! G.O.D swats his guard away and shoves his boot into Juicy’s throat, choking him while using the ropes for leverage! Ref Stef gets in his face and begins her count, getting to 4 before G.O.D breaks the hold...ONLY TO REAPPLY IT FOR ANOTHER FOUR COUNT! As he exhausts it, he finally backs off and Juicy drops to a knee, clutching his throat and gasping for air.
G.O.D proceeds to put the boots to Juicy, stomping him over and over in the middle of the ring until he steps up and stands on the small of his back, posing for the audience as Juicy cries out from the weight on his spine!! He steps off and goes to lift Juicy up – oh hell no! Juicy is fighting back, throwing hands into G.O.D’s abs and backing him into the ropes! Juicy whips G.O.D into the ropes and bounces off, going to hit a sloppy lariat! G.O.D looks insulted as he turns around and nails Juicy with a discus lariat!! He goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
TH--Juicy kicks out!!
Devione stands and admonishes Ref Stef, who shoves him back out of her face, and shoves a finger in his! He holds his hands up in mocking defeat, chuckling as he turns and suddenly Juicy is up! He hits a Death Valley Driver!!! Kind of!! He looks into the camera, shrugging “Iuonno” before leaping on G.O.D for the pin but G.O.D powers out before Ref Stef even drops down! Juicy gets up, pulling G.O.D with him..BUT G.O.D BREAKS AWAY! HE KICKS JUICY IN THE GUTS AND..POWERBOMB!
G.O.D backs off, stalking Juicy and waiting for him to get up. The second he does, Devione charges in for the HAND OF GOD...BUT NO! THE DRIP GOD DUCKS IT! DEVIONE TURNS AROUND AND….ESKEETIT! THE SNAP DDT! HE GOES UP TOP, LOOKING FOR THE SPLASH LIKE PIPPEN – OH NO! G.O.D. rolls out of the way and staggers up just as Juicy launches! Juicy lands, proud that he doesn't crash and burn and then he's flattened by a Clothesline From Hell! G.O.D. doesn't even bother with a pin, just rests his boot on Juicy's body and waits for the referee to count it out.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): G.O.D.
"Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked" blasts its chorus as G.O.D. stands above Lil Juicy. The big man soaks in the boos from the crowd as he walks around the ring with his arms raised. While the referee checks on Lil Juicy, Devione heads to the corner and yells for a microphone from the producer at ringside. His music fades out as he strolls back to the middle of the squared circle and lifts the mic to his mouth. However, before he can speak—
MOTÖRHEAD’S BORN TO RAISE HELL shreds across the Silver State Ballroom, pounding the arena down to the concrete with a heavy kick drum and Lemmy’s trademark distorted bass. G.O.D. watches the entrance with a scowl on his face as a lone figure emerges from the back. He’s tall, a little scrawny, with tattoos showing from the sleeves and neck of his t-shirt which reads RENO, NEVADA over some dice, playing cards and poker chips. Below it ELDORADO CASINO RESORT is printed in smaller letters, revealing it to have been purchased straight from the gift shop.
The man, aptly named Reno Nevada, strolls down the aisle, slapping outstretched hands along the way but never taking his eyes off the man still standing in the ring. He’s talking to Devione but it’s hard to hear what he’s saying over the music and energized crowd, but clearly at one point he mouths the words:
RENO NEVADA
You done fucked up now!
Reno takes the last few steps to the ring before darting under the bottom rope. In a flash he jumps to his feet with his fists raised like an old timey boxer just as Devione threatens to charge him. “The Mogul” holds up, clearly confused (rightfully so) as to why this asshole is standing in the ring. He jaws as Reno for a few seconds until the music fades out. “The Outlaw” extends his hand and asks for the mic. G.O.D. scoffs at him but, after thinking about it, tosses the microphone to the other man then holds out his arms, waiting to hear the reason for this intrusion.
With the music gone, a small but passionate RENO! chant is moving around the ballroom.
RENO NEVADA
(Boston accent)
First of all, I wanna congratulate you on your win against Juicy Juice over there.
Reno thumbs his hand to Lil Juicy, who has crawled his way into one of the corners. He’s seated, with his back on the bottom turnbuckle and arms hooked over the ropes as he tries to recover from that hellacious clothesline.
RENO NEVADA
Clearly you’re such a great and amazing wrestler and I probably can’t hold your shoelaces or tie them or wash your towels or fold your jockstrap or whatever other demeaning task a great rasstler such as yourself would force some green bastard to do in order to humiliate them. Amiright?
Devione nods with a smile stretched over his sweat-covered face.
RENO NEVADA
Maybe all that’s true. I’ve not been rasstlin very long. Maybe I am just some noob who has no bid’ness walkin' in this ring and mouthin' off to you, but there’s two problems with that. Numero uno: I don’t give a rat’s ass what you think and B: I’ll knock that dumb fucking look off your face in a heartbeat.
As the crowd Ohhhh’s Devione’s face hardens into an angry glare. His fists are balling up at his sides and he looks about ready to jump on Reno and beat him half to death.
RENO NEVADA
Now, hol’ up, biggin. Before I whoop your ass all over this ring, I feel it’s important to tell you exactly why you’re gonna feel like you got run over by a truck tomorrow mornin'. See, you committed the biggest sin you ever could have. You. Ignored. My. TWEETS.
The microphone hits the canvas as the two men charge. They’re trading big, heavy fists back and forth, each one smacking the other upside the head. At first the exchange is split down the middle but soon it appears Devione is getting the advantage over Reno, surprising given Nevada’s roots as a boxer. Reno takes a few more hits before looking dazed. The crowd is on their feet as Devione grabs one of the other man’s arms and whips him across the ring while charging to the opposite side.
As Reno bounces off the ropes, for the briefest moment anyone with a keen eye or hitting pause with the remote can see a massive shit-eating grin all over his face. The two men barrel at one another at full steam. Devione lifts his arm, ready to deliver a second Hand of God in one night but RENO DUCKS! Devione stumbles past then turns confused, just in time to see Reno holding up two middle fingers!
Kick to the gut!
Reno grabs the man’s head, yanks him in, and drops down, delivering a PERFECT DDT! Devione’s head smashes into the canvas and he bounces off before flopping back down on his stomach.
Reno sits up with a satisfied look as the fans in attendance fill the ballroom with roaring cheers. After soaking it in for a few, he stands to his feet just as Lil Juicy is getting to his. Your Mom’s Favorite Wrestler is holding his collarbone with pain all over his face, but he manages to stumble over to Reno to offer his thanks, extending his other hand out for a shake.
Reno smiles, nods and then takes the hand in his with a firm grip. After a single shake Juicy tries to break the embrace but he can’t. He looks up at Reno and the look on his face tells the whole story. He also ignored Reno on Twitter.
Reno kicks Juicy in the stomach and yanks him in by his arm. Head clinch. Smooth motion. Juicy’s head smacks the mat and he goes limp, knocked out cold. Reno jumps to his feet above both men and yells:
RENO NEVADA
WELCOME TO RENO, MOTHA FUCKAS!
As the crowd erupts Reno rolls out of the ring to Born to Raise Hell. He strolls around the corner to the timekeeper’s desk to find Devione’s cowboy hat sitting there. He grabs it by the brim and places it on his head as he does the billion dollar strut around the squared circle.
MOTÖRHEAD’S BORN TO RAISE HELL shreds across the Silver State Ballroom, pounding the arena down to the concrete with a heavy kick drum and Lemmy’s trademark distorted bass. G.O.D. watches the entrance with a scowl on his face as a lone figure emerges from the back. He’s tall, a little scrawny, with tattoos showing from the sleeves and neck of his t-shirt which reads RENO, NEVADA over some dice, playing cards and poker chips. Below it ELDORADO CASINO RESORT is printed in smaller letters, revealing it to have been purchased straight from the gift shop.
The man, aptly named Reno Nevada, strolls down the aisle, slapping outstretched hands along the way but never taking his eyes off the man still standing in the ring. He’s talking to Devione but it’s hard to hear what he’s saying over the music and energized crowd, but clearly at one point he mouths the words:
RENO NEVADA
You done fucked up now!
Reno takes the last few steps to the ring before darting under the bottom rope. In a flash he jumps to his feet with his fists raised like an old timey boxer just as Devione threatens to charge him. “The Mogul” holds up, clearly confused (rightfully so) as to why this asshole is standing in the ring. He jaws as Reno for a few seconds until the music fades out. “The Outlaw” extends his hand and asks for the mic. G.O.D. scoffs at him but, after thinking about it, tosses the microphone to the other man then holds out his arms, waiting to hear the reason for this intrusion.
With the music gone, a small but passionate RENO! chant is moving around the ballroom.
RENO NEVADA
(Boston accent)
First of all, I wanna congratulate you on your win against Juicy Juice over there.
Reno thumbs his hand to Lil Juicy, who has crawled his way into one of the corners. He’s seated, with his back on the bottom turnbuckle and arms hooked over the ropes as he tries to recover from that hellacious clothesline.
RENO NEVADA
Clearly you’re such a great and amazing wrestler and I probably can’t hold your shoelaces or tie them or wash your towels or fold your jockstrap or whatever other demeaning task a great rasstler such as yourself would force some green bastard to do in order to humiliate them. Amiright?
Devione nods with a smile stretched over his sweat-covered face.
RENO NEVADA
Maybe all that’s true. I’ve not been rasstlin very long. Maybe I am just some noob who has no bid’ness walkin' in this ring and mouthin' off to you, but there’s two problems with that. Numero uno: I don’t give a rat’s ass what you think and B: I’ll knock that dumb fucking look off your face in a heartbeat.
As the crowd Ohhhh’s Devione’s face hardens into an angry glare. His fists are balling up at his sides and he looks about ready to jump on Reno and beat him half to death.
RENO NEVADA
Now, hol’ up, biggin. Before I whoop your ass all over this ring, I feel it’s important to tell you exactly why you’re gonna feel like you got run over by a truck tomorrow mornin'. See, you committed the biggest sin you ever could have. You. Ignored. My. TWEETS.
The microphone hits the canvas as the two men charge. They’re trading big, heavy fists back and forth, each one smacking the other upside the head. At first the exchange is split down the middle but soon it appears Devione is getting the advantage over Reno, surprising given Nevada’s roots as a boxer. Reno takes a few more hits before looking dazed. The crowd is on their feet as Devione grabs one of the other man’s arms and whips him across the ring while charging to the opposite side.
As Reno bounces off the ropes, for the briefest moment anyone with a keen eye or hitting pause with the remote can see a massive shit-eating grin all over his face. The two men barrel at one another at full steam. Devione lifts his arm, ready to deliver a second Hand of God in one night but RENO DUCKS! Devione stumbles past then turns confused, just in time to see Reno holding up two middle fingers!
Kick to the gut!
Reno grabs the man’s head, yanks him in, and drops down, delivering a PERFECT DDT! Devione’s head smashes into the canvas and he bounces off before flopping back down on his stomach.
Reno sits up with a satisfied look as the fans in attendance fill the ballroom with roaring cheers. After soaking it in for a few, he stands to his feet just as Lil Juicy is getting to his. Your Mom’s Favorite Wrestler is holding his collarbone with pain all over his face, but he manages to stumble over to Reno to offer his thanks, extending his other hand out for a shake.
Reno smiles, nods and then takes the hand in his with a firm grip. After a single shake Juicy tries to break the embrace but he can’t. He looks up at Reno and the look on his face tells the whole story. He also ignored Reno on Twitter.
Reno kicks Juicy in the stomach and yanks him in by his arm. Head clinch. Smooth motion. Juicy’s head smacks the mat and he goes limp, knocked out cold. Reno jumps to his feet above both men and yells:
RENO NEVADA
WELCOME TO RENO, MOTHA FUCKAS!
As the crowd erupts Reno rolls out of the ring to Born to Raise Hell. He strolls around the corner to the timekeeper’s desk to find Devione’s cowboy hat sitting there. He grabs it by the brim and places it on his head as he does the billion dollar strut around the squared circle.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
THE GEM STONES vs CHURCH OF THE 7TH CIRCLE
It's an all-out brawl to start as The 7th Circle rush across the ring and attack The Gem Stones before they can decide who's starting the match. Enigma dumps Ruby Steele over the ropes to the floor and follows her out, leaving Sapphire and Emerald behind. Siobahn McLeod dives at Emerald, tackling her to the canvas and dragging her out of the ring by the hair, leaving Sapphire no choice but to start off the match against The Premonition. Sapphire connects with a springboard knee to the midsection that drives Triggs down to his knees. She backpedals and launches off the ropes, looking for a headscissors but Triggs dives and spears her right off her feet – HOLY SHIT! PAIN AND SUFFERING AND SHE'S TAKING A HELL OF A BEATING RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE. Back up, it's a series of reversals before Triggs comes out on top with another armdrag before making the hot tag to Enigma who steps over the top rope and charges into the Gem Stones corner, elbowing Steele in the face and knocking her off the apron. Turning around, he catches Sapphire just as Hayden Triggs sends her packing into the corner, nearly taking her head off with a shoulder block. Sapphire goes down hard as Enigma stomps a mudhole in her, the masked Church members in the crowd cheering for the carnage. Finally, she rolls aside and back to her feet, sending him packing to the ropes. When he comes back, she goes for a suplex but she can't get him off the ground – VERTICAL LIFT INTO A GORILLA PRESS SLAM AND SAPPHIRE IS DOWN AGAIN! Enigma applies a leg grapevine but Sapphire escapes and dives into her corner, making the hot tag to Ruby Steele.
Enigma starts to work over Steele, firing in a few knees to the gut before Steele comes back with a bulldog. Sending Enigma into the corner, she starts chopping away at him as the crowd enthusiastically counts out each strike. Enigma finally escapes with a cheap eye rake that he follows up with a shoulder breaker. Springing off the second ropes, he drops a knee against the same shoulder before locking poor Ruby into a rear abdominal stretch with a chinlock. Steele grabs the rope, forcing a break after referee Ref Stef gives Enigma a warning – of course he rides it out to the last second and then knees Rubs in the back of the head and then the guts, making her turtle up before turning and making the hot tag to Siobahn McLeod. The second-generation superstar springs over the ropes and crashes down on Ruby's back with a leg drop before floating over to secure a crossface hold. Ruby strains for the ropes and the moment her fingers close over it, McLeod realizes her mistake. She rolls to her feet and they trade chops. Ruby charges into the corner for a telegraphed shoulderblock but misses and eats the post, shoulder-first. Hayden Triggs starts to climb through the ropes, distracting Ref Stef as Siobahn exposes the top turnbuckle, ramming Steele's shoulder into the exposed bolt a few times. She tries to follow up with an armbar but Steele arm drags out and makes a quick tag to Emerald. Siobahn grabs Sapphire and takes her over with a snap suplex – SICK KNEE DROP AND SHE'S GOING FOR THE FINISH! CHERRY BOMB!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): CHURCH OF THE 7TH CIRCLE
CUT TO:
INT. ELDORADO CASINO -- CATERING
Backstage we find none other than The Avenger in catering, fuelling his heroic metabolism. He has a choice of the finest foods UPRISING's budget has to offer, evil necromancer provided cookies, and a bunch of really gross aspics somebody's great aunt insists on sending. One of which appears to have escaped and is being corralled into some Tupperware by a horde of skeletal rodents armored with silverware before it can reach the water supply and doom us all.
With the task apparently well in hand, Avenger shrugs, loads up his plate, and then turns to find seating, only to suddenly find himself face to face with a towering double doorway made out of bones.
Avenger takes a long pull from his coffee cup, which doesn’t have coffee in it, because caffeine is a drug. But nobody needs to know that.
AVENGER
Okay, who put me in the bone universe while I was sleeping? I specifically said no multiverse pranks, guys!
The door creaks open ominously and Avenger finds himself face to face with a plush possum. There's an annoyed grunt of frustration, shortly followed by the sound of somebody dragging a chair over, and suddenly Avenger finds himself face to face with Kalinda Kriegsdottir, wearing her usual possum hat.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
So, Avenger, you dare to enter my domain? To risk your very soul by storming my otherworldly palace of terrors? To pit your might against the power of a fully armed and operational battle st--
Avenger holds up a finger.
AVENGER
I came here for food.
The Necromancer Queen of All Monsters visibly deflates.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
So you're not here to have a world-shattering pre-match throw down before our inaugural clash between two titans?
AVENGER
Nope. Just getting lunch. Or is it breakfast? Time is so weird after you travel through it.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Phooey.
Kalinda stomps her foot.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Have you at least come to stop my evil and dastardly plan?
AVENGER
Maybe? What is it?
Kalinda grins most sinisterly, manifesting her sharpest and most unsettling mouth of teeth, which makes Avenger grimace a bit.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I am going to venture to Universe #42 in order to pilfer a collection of cheap racecars found in the children's meals provided by a wretched alien clown that are themed after a robot boxing movie belonging to a sentient piece of metal!
There's a pause as Avenger processes all of that.
AVENGER
You're going to steal Steel Trent Steel's Real Steel Feel Meal Hot Wheels?
With the task apparently well in hand, Avenger shrugs, loads up his plate, and then turns to find seating, only to suddenly find himself face to face with a towering double doorway made out of bones.
Avenger takes a long pull from his coffee cup, which doesn’t have coffee in it, because caffeine is a drug. But nobody needs to know that.
AVENGER
Okay, who put me in the bone universe while I was sleeping? I specifically said no multiverse pranks, guys!
The door creaks open ominously and Avenger finds himself face to face with a plush possum. There's an annoyed grunt of frustration, shortly followed by the sound of somebody dragging a chair over, and suddenly Avenger finds himself face to face with Kalinda Kriegsdottir, wearing her usual possum hat.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
So, Avenger, you dare to enter my domain? To risk your very soul by storming my otherworldly palace of terrors? To pit your might against the power of a fully armed and operational battle st--
Avenger holds up a finger.
AVENGER
I came here for food.
The Necromancer Queen of All Monsters visibly deflates.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
So you're not here to have a world-shattering pre-match throw down before our inaugural clash between two titans?
AVENGER
Nope. Just getting lunch. Or is it breakfast? Time is so weird after you travel through it.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Phooey.
Kalinda stomps her foot.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Have you at least come to stop my evil and dastardly plan?
AVENGER
Maybe? What is it?
Kalinda grins most sinisterly, manifesting her sharpest and most unsettling mouth of teeth, which makes Avenger grimace a bit.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I am going to venture to Universe #42 in order to pilfer a collection of cheap racecars found in the children's meals provided by a wretched alien clown that are themed after a robot boxing movie belonging to a sentient piece of metal!
There's a pause as Avenger processes all of that.
AVENGER
You're going to steal Steel Trent Steel's Real Steel Feel Meal Hot Wheels?
Kalinda throws her head back and laughs sinisterly as thunder booms and lightning flashes.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
That's right! How do you ever plan to stop me, hero?!
AVENGER
Steel Trent told me never to steal a glance at his businesses again, or he’d test my metal. He said mettle, but it’s funnier the way I said it. Anyway, I don’t go there. He’d use swears at me.
Kalinda grin falls off of her face and shatters on the floor, proverbially.
AVENGER
Besides, the "feel" part isn’t actually in the name. I threw it in as a test. So at best you'd be stealing Steel Trent Steel's Real Steel Happy Meal Hot Wheels.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
That doesn't have the same ring to it at all! Drat you, Avenger! And drat dimensions where the Commonwealth of Hunger didn't invade the Earth and make children unable to feel emotions before puberty without chemical assistance!
Kalinda shakes her fist, hops down from the chair, stomps off and slams the door behind her, leaving Avenger standing there looking somewhat bewildered.
AVENGER
What an odd place for exposition. Oh well, day is saved. Time to grab some food and...
The door opens, Kalinda comes back out and hops up on the chair again.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
You uh… wouldn't happen to know any worlds with both a suitable named piece of animate metal that WERE invaded by the Commonwealth of Hunger, do you?
AVENGER
I barely even understand what you just said! I did pass a place on the way over here where there were clones of...hang on, I wrote it down.
He reaches into a pocket on his cape, yes, the cape has pockets, and pulls out a slip of paper.
AVENGER
"A romance writer whose works include themes of rich families confronting dark tidings." Whatever that means.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
So I would have to steal Real Danielle Steel's Real Steel Feel Meal Hot Wheels?
AVENGER
Yes. There is a problem, though.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Oh?
Avenger frowns, trying to read the notes his smarter friend made for him. He also was amazed that the notes actually came in handy, even though he said they wouldn’t.
AVENGER
Yeah, umm…. "all three are classed as ‘urban fantasy’ worlds with the predominant supernatural species being vampires that glitter".
Kalinda makes a very disgusted face and sticks her tongue out.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Vampires aren't vampires unless they have at least two traits of a proper Dracula and a lineage that traces back to certain regions in ancient Europe! If you don't have those, like Twipires do, they're just sparkling undead!
Kalinda raises a fist and shakes it.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
You may have thwarted me this time, Avenger, but mark my words, tonight I will have the last laugh!
Kalinda throws back her head and cackles maniacally once again accompanied by thunder and lightning.
She hops down from the chair, puts it back at the table, and walks through the doorway into her lair. In the background a stack of skeletal mice hop down from where they were playing with the light switch, two full-sized humanoid skeletons with bendy sheets of metal, and an army of assorted cutlery-armed rodents carrying a Tupperware container full of angry tuna cream aspic follow behind her.
AVENGER
Where did the thunder and lightning come from? Oh well. Looks like I saved...
A gauntleted hand reaches up, takes a cookie off of Avenger's plate, and Kalinda makes eye contact with Avenger as she takes a bite out of it as she makes the whole "I'm watching you" hand gesture.
Avenger turns around in a circle, looks up, looks down, and then shrugs.
AVENGER
This place is weird.
He picks up a cookie and takes a bite.
AVENGER
Cookies are good, though. Hope they don’t give me the bubonic plague again. I don’t have time to get the ointment.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
GRUDGE MATCH
ZENA WRIGHT vs JACK OWYNS
As soon as the bell rings, Zena Wright is on Owyns swinging for all she is worth! Owyns manages to cover up for the most part but Zena scoops his legs and shoves forward, sending both of them tumbling out of the ring! Owyns knocks his head hard on the cement, and Zena rolls off him but leaps back on top of him, bashing the back of Owyns head with closed fists. At first he doesn’t seem cognitive enough to cover up, but suddenly he gets to his hands and knees. Wright locks in a chokehold but it’s no use! Owyns gets to his feet and falls back, driving all the air out of her! He rolls onto his stomach, grasping the back of his head and kicking through the pain. He pulls himself up as Zena has begin getting to her feet and charges in with a hard punt to the side of her head! He lifts her up before slamming her back onto the floor with a big scoop slam!! Owyns breaks the count up, before standing up on the apron. He flips Zena the bird before leaping off and nailing a big elbow drop to the outside!
Owyns gets up to the ire of the fans, and pays them a sneer. He reaches over the barrier, snatching a sign from a younger fan in attendance. He motions the camera over to it, holding the sign up. The sign reads "JC IS THE ANSWER! WHO'S THE QUESTION?" Mocking the fan, Owyns tears the sign in half and throws the pieces in their face, the ringside microphone picking up his voice.
JACK OWYNS
No one gives a shit about that cripp-
Whatever he's planning to say to tear down JC is lost in a spray of spit as Zena Wright's boot catches him right in the face! SUPERKICK OUT OF NOWHERE AND HE CRUMBLES INTO THE BARRIER. Zena grabs him by the back of the head and drags him up to his feet and throws him back into the ring, going for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Owyns kicks out! Zena gets up, frustrated but she stalks Owyns and as soon as he gets to his feet, she bounces off the ropes and leaps in the air...BLUE PRINT! SHE LEVELS HIM WITH THE LEAPING KNEE! SHE LEAPS UPON OWYNS FOR THE PIN!
ONE!
TWO!
OWYNS GETS HIS FOOT ON THE ROPE AND RANA CATCHES IT OUT OF THE CORNER OF HIS EYE! HE STOPS COUNTING AND JACK OWYNS RAKES THE EYES OF ZENA WRIGHT BEFORE SHOVING HER OFF! HE POPS UP TO HIS FEET – HOLY SHIT! MISCHIEF-MAKER AND ZENA WRIGHT IS OUT OF IT! SHE MIGHT BE PERMANENTLY INJURED FROM THE IMPACT!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): JACK OWYNS
He's won the match but Owyns isn't done, laying the boots to Zena Wright's immobile form as Neil Rana tries to intervene, only to be grabbed by The Villain! The fans pop as JC (who likely saw the sign stunt) charges out, followed by medical staff. Owyns drops Rana as he turns to see JC and leaps from the ring, hopping the guardrail to get the hell out of dodge. JC gets to the ring, leaping onto the ropes and leaning out to shout obscenities to the fleeing Villain as the feed cuts elsewhere!!
CUT TO:
INT. RINGSIDE -- CONTINUOUS
INT. RINGSIDE -- CONTINUOUS
The Crush is in the ring awaiting their opponents when the lights in the Casino ballroom dim and the video wall flickers to life. The fans see what appears to be a rough edit movie cut with the changing numbers in the corner of the screens and the black bars on the top and the bottom. In the centre of that, it shows an old Texas highway, and a stereotypical tumbleweed blows across the road. A familiar voice comes over the sound system, the video still just the windy, lonely road. In their ringside seats, The Busch Brothers shake their collective heads, muttering amongst themselves.
MEGHAN STRADER
Fourteen years ago, I had a vision.
The fans are abuzz with anticipation as they recognize the CFH leader's voice.
MEGHAN STRADER
The old guard dominated the business. Our uncles and father were at the twilight of their careers, as were so many others. I knew it was time for a change, to showcase it wasn't just a handful of women that could make a name for themselves… It could be any woman.
A faint sound of hoofbeats can be heard as something appears in the distance on the road in the video.
MEGHAN STRADER
There was only one other woman at that time that could make history with me, and that was and still is my baby sister, Tamika Strader.
The fans give their cheers for the formerly youngest Cowgirl. On the screen appears MEGHAN and TAMIKA, riding their motorcycles. The camera has panned around behind the women, and we follow the girls, the Harley Davidson motorcycles kicking dirt and rocks off the road into the camera.
TAMIKA STRADER
Teamed with my big sister, nothing was impossible. Multi-time Tag Team Champions among a few companies, even set the record for 287 days straight as PWA Tag Team Champions, over a dozen defenses, and joined the Hall of Fame.
On the screen, a third motorcycle joins, creating a pack; on that one sits MAD MAX, with CARA STRADER riding bitch.
CARA STRADER
But this isn’t 2007 anymore, and it’s 2021. Almost anyone of importance from the Cowgirls' past is no longer relevant, but when we look towards the future... the future is way beyond two.
The camera pans back around to show all of them with Meghan in the centre, Tamika to her right, and Max with Cara to the left.
MEGHAN STRADER
2021 is the Year of the Cowgirls, and trust me when I say this: we are taking over this town.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
COWGIRLS FROM HELL vs THE CRUSH
The video cuts away as 'Resist and Disorder' hits, and The Crush stands middle of the ring awaiting the Cowgirls, but they are ambushed from behind by Max, Tamika and Cara. The referee eventually gets control and forces the teams into their corners. The Cowgirls are keeping an eye on the Busch Brothers all the while. The veteran and interim leader start for the trio team of CFH as Heidi Austin starts for the Crush.Tamika and Heidi go for an old-school test of strength, but Heidi quickly kicks Tamika in her stomach to topple her over and plant a HUGE ASS double arm DDT! The fans are mixed in their reaction as both teams are currently liked. The Busch Brothers are quietly sitting and watching. Tamika comes back from being thrown into the ropes and dropkicks Heidi. Tamika is fired up. She picks up Heidi, throws her into the ropes and then she returns. She is greeted with a Lou Thez Press, with the veteran Cowgirl pounding away with left and right fists to the face. The cowgirl tags in the rookie, Cara.
Before Cara can get to the battered Heidi, she has hot-tagged Lollipop in who comes running like a comet at the young Strader, taking her out with a massive spear. Lollipop takes it to the rookie taking her to school with a series of suplexes, and takes control of the match. Lollipop tags in Caramel Cane. She goes to faceplant Cara with a bulldog, but Cara slips out of the way, landing a reverse DDT and jumps across the ring to tag in the Thunderdome Hoe, Mad Max.
FANS
Let's-go-Crush! C-F-H! Let's-go-Crush! C-F-H! Let's-go-Crush! C-F-H! Let's-go-Crush! C-F-H!
Max goes straight onto the offensive, striking with lefts and rights until she has Carrie in the corner. She lifts her up to the top rope and lays her out with a top rope suplex. Max makes the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
NO, HEIDI MAKES THE SAVE! Somehow Carrie gets to her corner, tagging in Heidi, who just saved the day. Although it’s all for naught, as Tamika and Max are able to lay her out with a back-to-back Splashes in the corner, they call THE BATTERING RAM. Tamika hooks the leg as Max and Cara stop Caramel and Lollipop from breaking up the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): COWGIRLS FROM HELL
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
We open up to a familiar view of the corner inhabited by "OLD SCHOOL COOL" DON TIRRI who's accompanied, as usual, by his son DONALD MASON. What is different from the usual fare is that instead of the camera catching him in his usual pre-match routine of taping his wrists and knees, Tirri is dressed in his street clothes, a pair of black cargo pants, a black leather jacket and a T-shirt showcasing his latest merch-design. The camera focuses on him, waiting for him to speak, but instead he just stares at the camera, fishes a stick of gum from his pocket and starts to chew on it intensely. A good 30 seconds pass as Tirri just stares and chews, until Donny pipes up.
DONNY
Pops, the camera is rolling in case you didn’t notice.
Tirri doesn’t even seem to acknowledge the kids words, merely keeps staring at the camera and chews away. The camera turns to Donny, who gets in a shrug before Tirri leans over and yanks it back to focus on him, the cameraman letting out a small yelp of surprise at the yank.
DONNY
C’mon, Pops, you gotten senile or something? This is where you talk to the camera and tell everyone what’s going on in that noggin of yours.
Donny walks over to Tirri, tapping him on the shoulder, but the medium-sized mang doesn’t flinch. He just stares and chews. Donny then walks around to stand between Tirri and the camera. A second passes and suddenly Tirri reaches over and pulls the kid aside with a surprise yank of his arm. Donny loses his balance and stumbles aside, a flash of anger in his eyes, that fades when Tirri lifts one finger up in the universal "wait for it" gesture. Donny sighs and leans against the wall, crossing his arms.
DONNY
We’ll be here a while, I guess…
A minute passes. Then another as Tirri just stares and chews. Finally he stands up, spits the gum at the cameraman and speaks up with a booming voice.
DON TIRRI
I'M HERE TO KICK ASS AND CHEW BUBBLEGUM... AND I'M ALL OUT OF ASS.
With that he turns and walks out of the locker room, leaving Donny looking after him with an expression that combines confusion, irritation and amusement before the bigger man follows in his father's footsteps, throwing an apologetic look with a shrug to the camera. Just before the view cuts back to ringside, we hear a deep sigh from behind the lens.
GRUDGE MATCH
DIAMOND CALDWELL vs SUMMER PAGE
Diamond begins the match by barreling Summer into the ropes. She begins laying into her with forearm shivers as Ref Stef comes over and begins her five count after trying to get Diamond off verbally. She gets to four before Diamond whips Summer to the ropes across from her, and leaps up nailing Summer in the face with a big standing dropkick! Diamond isn’t done though as she leaps upon Summer and begins raining down rights and lefts to her face as Summer does her best to cover up. Once again Ref Stef has to intervene. When Diamond won’t respond to a count of five, she gets Diamond in a waist lock and actually pulls her off! Ref Stef shoves a finger in Diamond Caldwell’s face, admonishing her when suddenly Summer Page pushes her aside and charges in with her own flurry of offense! She is nailing the larger women in the knee with some stiff kicks! As Caldwell tries to retreat, Page snatches her by the ponytail and yanks her down in a backbreaker over her knee! She lets Caldwell fall and stands up, turning around and nailing a picture perfect standing moonsault! She goes for a pin but Diamond kicks out before Ref Stef even drops down! Undeterred, Caldwell snatches a handful of hair and begins raining punches down on her opponent as Ref Stef begins a count for the hundredth time this bout!
Summer breaks off her attack, standing and pantomiming to the crowd, mocking its jeers. She pulls Caldwell up and nails her with the "Total Knockout" Superkick but she isn’t done! She drags Caldwell to the corner and climbs the ropes...TOP ROPE KNEE DROP!! She goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
NO! Caldwell kicks out with authority and instantly sits up. Summer Page gets up, dragging Caldwell with her but Caldwell fights out of it! She nails a big uppercut that sends Summer reeling. She snatches her and nails a snap vertical suplex! Caldwell pops her hips, standing and lifting Summer for another one...BUT SUMMER ROLLS HER UP AND GRABS THE TIGHTS BEFORE REF STEF NOTICES!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): SUMMER PAGE
DONNY
Pops, the camera is rolling in case you didn’t notice.
Tirri doesn’t even seem to acknowledge the kids words, merely keeps staring at the camera and chews away. The camera turns to Donny, who gets in a shrug before Tirri leans over and yanks it back to focus on him, the cameraman letting out a small yelp of surprise at the yank.
DONNY
C’mon, Pops, you gotten senile or something? This is where you talk to the camera and tell everyone what’s going on in that noggin of yours.
Donny walks over to Tirri, tapping him on the shoulder, but the medium-sized mang doesn’t flinch. He just stares and chews. Donny then walks around to stand between Tirri and the camera. A second passes and suddenly Tirri reaches over and pulls the kid aside with a surprise yank of his arm. Donny loses his balance and stumbles aside, a flash of anger in his eyes, that fades when Tirri lifts one finger up in the universal "wait for it" gesture. Donny sighs and leans against the wall, crossing his arms.
DONNY
We’ll be here a while, I guess…
A minute passes. Then another as Tirri just stares and chews. Finally he stands up, spits the gum at the cameraman and speaks up with a booming voice.
DON TIRRI
I'M HERE TO KICK ASS AND CHEW BUBBLEGUM... AND I'M ALL OUT OF ASS.
With that he turns and walks out of the locker room, leaving Donny looking after him with an expression that combines confusion, irritation and amusement before the bigger man follows in his father's footsteps, throwing an apologetic look with a shrug to the camera. Just before the view cuts back to ringside, we hear a deep sigh from behind the lens.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
GRUDGE MATCH
DIAMOND CALDWELL vs SUMMER PAGE
Diamond begins the match by barreling Summer into the ropes. She begins laying into her with forearm shivers as Ref Stef comes over and begins her five count after trying to get Diamond off verbally. She gets to four before Diamond whips Summer to the ropes across from her, and leaps up nailing Summer in the face with a big standing dropkick! Diamond isn’t done though as she leaps upon Summer and begins raining down rights and lefts to her face as Summer does her best to cover up. Once again Ref Stef has to intervene. When Diamond won’t respond to a count of five, she gets Diamond in a waist lock and actually pulls her off! Ref Stef shoves a finger in Diamond Caldwell’s face, admonishing her when suddenly Summer Page pushes her aside and charges in with her own flurry of offense! She is nailing the larger women in the knee with some stiff kicks! As Caldwell tries to retreat, Page snatches her by the ponytail and yanks her down in a backbreaker over her knee! She lets Caldwell fall and stands up, turning around and nailing a picture perfect standing moonsault! She goes for a pin but Diamond kicks out before Ref Stef even drops down! Undeterred, Caldwell snatches a handful of hair and begins raining punches down on her opponent as Ref Stef begins a count for the hundredth time this bout!
Summer breaks off her attack, standing and pantomiming to the crowd, mocking its jeers. She pulls Caldwell up and nails her with the "Total Knockout" Superkick but she isn’t done! She drags Caldwell to the corner and climbs the ropes...TOP ROPE KNEE DROP!! She goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
NO! Caldwell kicks out with authority and instantly sits up. Summer Page gets up, dragging Caldwell with her but Caldwell fights out of it! She nails a big uppercut that sends Summer reeling. She snatches her and nails a snap vertical suplex! Caldwell pops her hips, standing and lifting Summer for another one...BUT SUMMER ROLLS HER UP AND GRABS THE TIGHTS BEFORE REF STEF NOTICES!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): SUMMER PAGE
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTIUNOUS
We go to the back where we find GRIFFIN HAWKINS pacing back and forth. The camera man is focused on him as he stops in front of him.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste. UPRISING is a place where I come to once again make my mark on the industry. Those who do know me know what to expect. They know that they are in for a head-banging....slamming jamming good time! Those who don't know me...well....you're in for a show.
He continues pacing, pumped for the match at hand.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
On my first official match, Mac Bane. This is a man who is a world traveled athlete...one of the baddest men to come out of Texas. If there's anything that's bigger than Texas, it's his temper and his tendency to go out there and fight. I couldn't have asked for a better opponent. Mac...I respect you, man. You know how to go out there and get the job done. You've been in many battles and have walked away the winner. But I gotta do what I have to and go out on my debut and see to it that I walk out of the ring with my hand raised. In victory.
He runs a hand through his long hair before continuing on.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Now on paper...it seems you and me are different. On the surface it looks like we are worlds apart. While that may be true...we do got a lot in common. Like you, I fight for my family. I fight each and every day for them because they support me and want me to succeed. You and me are in this to be the best...that's what makes this match interesting. We respect one another and we both don't pull punches in that ring. I'm expecting you to come at me full throttle, wouldn't want it any other way.
He looks straight at the camera.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Bane...I really got no beef with you, but I'm a businessman, and business...is business. I gotta do what I have to do and leave you laying. Now I know it's not gonna be an easy thing to pull off...you'll come at me with your nostrils flared, swinging your fists...hell I'm probably gonna feel this match for a few weeks because of how intense it will be. But if I come out with my hand raised, it will all be worth It. My journey starts with you, Bane....you're gonna get rocked.
He walks off as we go back to ringside.
We go to the back where we find GRIFFIN HAWKINS pacing back and forth. The camera man is focused on him as he stops in front of him.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste. UPRISING is a place where I come to once again make my mark on the industry. Those who do know me know what to expect. They know that they are in for a head-banging....slamming jamming good time! Those who don't know me...well....you're in for a show.
He continues pacing, pumped for the match at hand.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
On my first official match, Mac Bane. This is a man who is a world traveled athlete...one of the baddest men to come out of Texas. If there's anything that's bigger than Texas, it's his temper and his tendency to go out there and fight. I couldn't have asked for a better opponent. Mac...I respect you, man. You know how to go out there and get the job done. You've been in many battles and have walked away the winner. But I gotta do what I have to and go out on my debut and see to it that I walk out of the ring with my hand raised. In victory.
He runs a hand through his long hair before continuing on.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Now on paper...it seems you and me are different. On the surface it looks like we are worlds apart. While that may be true...we do got a lot in common. Like you, I fight for my family. I fight each and every day for them because they support me and want me to succeed. You and me are in this to be the best...that's what makes this match interesting. We respect one another and we both don't pull punches in that ring. I'm expecting you to come at me full throttle, wouldn't want it any other way.
He looks straight at the camera.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Bane...I really got no beef with you, but I'm a businessman, and business...is business. I gotta do what I have to do and leave you laying. Now I know it's not gonna be an easy thing to pull off...you'll come at me with your nostrils flared, swinging your fists...hell I'm probably gonna feel this match for a few weeks because of how intense it will be. But if I come out with my hand raised, it will all be worth It. My journey starts with you, Bane....you're gonna get rocked.
He walks off as we go back to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
GRIFFIN HAWKINS vs MAC BANE
As soon as the bell rings, Mac Bane and Griffin Hawkins meet in the middle of the ring for a fist bump and a nod of mutual respect. The fans pop for the decidedly peaceful display, a great change of pace for the show! The two lock up and despite a valiant effort Mac Bane backs Griffin Hawkins pretty easily into the ropes, before whipping him across to the others, bounding for the ropes to the side and charging back in with a tackle that sends Griffin flying nearly out of the ring! Bane allows Griffin to get up, flexing slightly for the fans and camera before the pair circle each other in the middle of the ring, teasing a lock-up. However, Griffin slips behind Mac, locking in a waistlock and running him into the ropes, looking for a roll up but Mac hangs on! Griffin rolls away and pops back up with a big dropkick to the Cowboy!! Mac is sent reeling to the ropes and Griffin snatching him, whipping him off of them and leaping up on the rebound, looking for a big hurricanrana and he nails it!!
He rolls off of Mac and flips him over, immediately going for an arm bar but Mac manages to rip his arm free. Griffin quickly beats Mac to his feet and nails him with another dropkick that sends Mac halfway back to the floor. Griffin runs off the ropes, going for another dropkick but Mac explodes forth with a clothesline that turns the Jukebox Hero inside out!! Mac gets to his feet, pulling Griffin up with him. He slings an arm over his shoulder, and lifts him up in a stalling vertical suplex. Mac lowers one arm in a show of strength before falling back, crashing Griffin to the mat! He goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
Griffin Hawkins kicks out! Mac nods to the ref after conferring, he stands up and goes to pull Griffin with him..BUT THE FELLOW VET PULLS MAC BANE DOWN WITH A SMALL PACKAGE OUT OF NOWHERE!!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Mac Bane kicks out a second too late! Griffin Hawkins rolls to the ropes, sitting up. Mac looks at the ref in confusion, then to Griffin. He curses to himself, but holds up his hands and nods as he gets to his feet, offering a hand to Griffin and pulling him to his feet. Mac raises his hand and points to him as the fans cheer loudly.
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): GRIFFIN HAWKINS
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
The cameras spot a trio with VIP backstage passes around their necks on lanyards. The man in the middle is clearly older than the man and woman flanking him by his sides. He seems amazed.
DDT
Good GAWD, look at this place! They hold shows in here? Things sure have changed...
The man is none other than DAMIEN DALLAS THUNDER, the patriarch of the infamous Thunder Family. By his side are TARA THUNDER, his youngest and third one of the Thunder siblings, and NATHAN, who is the middle child right after Luther. Of course, the whole family is here thanks to a gracious invitation from The Dark Horse Brad Jackson himself, a fact that Matt Knox had the displeasure of learning earlier in the evening.
TARA THUNDER
Now dad, remember what we agreed. I am here to make sure no trouble happens, so I want you to promise me, that you are not going to gamble tonight, alright?
DDT
Kiddo, I’ve been playing slots since before you were born; I got a guaranteed system, trust me. You’ll be thanking me when I bring you a cool 20% of the winnings.
NATHAN THUNDER
20% really?!
TARA THUNDER
I'm not taking a cut of anything! Promise me, Dad. I don’t want you to fly back home broke because your system fails and get a earful from Mom for letting you gamble..
She glares at Nathan
TARA THUNDER
And another earful from Luther for letting you enable him, Nate. You've already been up to no good tonight...so just stop it. Both of you!
NATHAN THUNDER
Oh, now I’m bankrolling too?! What the hell kind of shit is this!?
His father flashes a wily smirk
DDT
Gotta spend money to make money, kiddo. I’ll cut you a good deal: 10% of the profit
NATHAN THUNDER
10?! She gets 20 and you are gonna gamble with MY MONEY?!
DDT
Fine 15% but only because you are like a son to me and I like you.
NATHAN THUNDER
I AM your son, and fuck you dad! I can’t believe you would try to cheat me out of my money and then give her more than I would even get...what she ever do to earn that kind of moolah?
His sister flicks her hair and smirks.
TARA THUNDER
I am a Thunder, after all..
Then fun and games are cut short as she frowns at her father.
TARA THUNDER
No gambling, we are here to see Luther’s match and enjoy the show. So no trouble and no bullshit and maybe--
DDT
Fine.
He cuts her off, staring over her shoulder.
DDT
...but ONLY if I get some LUCHADORK merchandise!
TARA THUNDER
LUCHAWHAT?!
NATHAN THUNDER
If you expect me to pay for THIS too I am dropping both of you right here and right now!
Tara brushes him off and turns to her father.
TARA THUNDER
Dad, what the hell is this Lucha-whatever business you’re talking about?
DDT
Oh it’s the hottest new thing taking the wrestling world and especially Reno by storm. If you don’t have it you will be a sorry ass mark and a monkey without a banana!
TARA THUNDER
Sounds kinda bad, why would you say that?
NATHAN THUNDER
He didn’t it says so right there on that sign.
TARA THUNDER
What sign?!
Nathan points at a nearby merchandise table with the aforementioned sign on it.
NATHAN THUNDER
That sign.
TARA THUNDER
Dad, I can’t believe you of all people are getting suckered in by some carnie-esque ploy to rid the fans of their money. You, of all people, should know better than to give your money to..
She looks up at the merch table and gasps.
TARA THUNDER
Ignis..!?! IGNIS LEAVENWORTH?! HOW THE HELL ARE YA!?
Tara rushes at the table to grab her old friend in a tight hug as DDT nudges Nathan.
DDT
Now who’s being worked?
Sure enough Ignis (for it is she) is working her own merch table.
IGNIS
TARA! I heard you guys were invited in! Hey Nate, how’s the duck? You guys all in on the biggest merchandiscal craze going in all of sports?
TARA THUNDER
Merchandiscal? Is that a word?
IGNIS
Who cares! It’s SO great to see you guys again! How long has it been, six years since we were all together? Just for you guys, I got you a Thunder-exclusive 25% discount!
Tara checks the prices
TARA THUNDER
..still seems some pretty steep prices for a shirt there Igs.
IGNIS
You know, inflation, global economy blah blah blah..
DDT
SCREW THAT SHIT, 25% off that's pure profit right there kiddo!
TARA THUNDER
For you maybe...I am the one paying for it.
DDT
Good gawd, do you kids ever listen?! What do I always tell youse two?
NATHAN & TARA
'You gotta spend money to make money, kiddo'...
DDT
That’s right! High-Five!
They slap some hands and DDT steps up to the table.
DDT
Hi, I’d like one of those Luchadork shirts, one of the foam hands that says #1 Luchadork and that "the dork behind me can’t see" hat, please.
IGNIS
With or without drink holders and straws, my good man?
DDT
Oh with, of course!
The two siblings watch as Ignis is making a killing in sales, Nathan nudges at his sister with genuine concern.
NATHAN THUNDER
I think the cocktail waitresses would have been cheaper.
TARA THUNDER
Shut up, it’s his birthday, we’ll call it a gift. Besides you and Luther will pay half of this anyway.
Nathan seems less than pleased
NATHAN THUNDER
Fuckin’ really, Tara?! You working me too?! My own kid sister, how could you?!
She smirks back.
TARA THUNDER
I am a Thunder after all.
We see DDT all decked out in his gear, looking like a freakin’ mark.
IGNIS
AWESOME! You look great! Hey, I gotta go get ready for my eliminator match, but you guys wanna hang out after the show? We can go play slots or something, get a few drinks!
TARA THUNDER
We're kinda on a timetable and--
DDT
We’d love that! Have a good one out there champ! Viva La Vera Dorka!
Ignis stops and taps her chin.
IGNIS
Kinda like the sound of that, actually. See you all in an hour! Or a bit longer, depends how much I've gotta work 'em.
She manages to leave as Steve the Intern starts packing up the rest of the merch back into boxes.
DDT
I got a feeling that kid’s gonna win the top title one day.
(wistfully)
...wonder what that’s like?
NATHAN THUNDER
Yeah, don’t ask me.
TARA THUNDER
...ditto, I wouldn’t know.
DDT
Turn that frown upside down, kiddos, because I got a feeling this is gonna be a great night because you know what? THE REVOLUTION IS BEING TELEVISED, GOOD GOD I FEEL LIKE I*M REBORN...AGAIN!
With that we see the trio head their merry way, one of them a little more happier than the other two.
_____________________________________________
DDT
Good GAWD, look at this place! They hold shows in here? Things sure have changed...
The man is none other than DAMIEN DALLAS THUNDER, the patriarch of the infamous Thunder Family. By his side are TARA THUNDER, his youngest and third one of the Thunder siblings, and NATHAN, who is the middle child right after Luther. Of course, the whole family is here thanks to a gracious invitation from The Dark Horse Brad Jackson himself, a fact that Matt Knox had the displeasure of learning earlier in the evening.
TARA THUNDER
Now dad, remember what we agreed. I am here to make sure no trouble happens, so I want you to promise me, that you are not going to gamble tonight, alright?
DDT
Kiddo, I’ve been playing slots since before you were born; I got a guaranteed system, trust me. You’ll be thanking me when I bring you a cool 20% of the winnings.
NATHAN THUNDER
20% really?!
TARA THUNDER
I'm not taking a cut of anything! Promise me, Dad. I don’t want you to fly back home broke because your system fails and get a earful from Mom for letting you gamble..
She glares at Nathan
TARA THUNDER
And another earful from Luther for letting you enable him, Nate. You've already been up to no good tonight...so just stop it. Both of you!
NATHAN THUNDER
Oh, now I’m bankrolling too?! What the hell kind of shit is this!?
His father flashes a wily smirk
DDT
Gotta spend money to make money, kiddo. I’ll cut you a good deal: 10% of the profit
NATHAN THUNDER
10?! She gets 20 and you are gonna gamble with MY MONEY?!
DDT
Fine 15% but only because you are like a son to me and I like you.
NATHAN THUNDER
I AM your son, and fuck you dad! I can’t believe you would try to cheat me out of my money and then give her more than I would even get...what she ever do to earn that kind of moolah?
His sister flicks her hair and smirks.
TARA THUNDER
I am a Thunder, after all..
Then fun and games are cut short as she frowns at her father.
TARA THUNDER
No gambling, we are here to see Luther’s match and enjoy the show. So no trouble and no bullshit and maybe--
DDT
Fine.
He cuts her off, staring over her shoulder.
DDT
...but ONLY if I get some LUCHADORK merchandise!
TARA THUNDER
LUCHAWHAT?!
NATHAN THUNDER
If you expect me to pay for THIS too I am dropping both of you right here and right now!
Tara brushes him off and turns to her father.
TARA THUNDER
Dad, what the hell is this Lucha-whatever business you’re talking about?
DDT
Oh it’s the hottest new thing taking the wrestling world and especially Reno by storm. If you don’t have it you will be a sorry ass mark and a monkey without a banana!
TARA THUNDER
Sounds kinda bad, why would you say that?
NATHAN THUNDER
He didn’t it says so right there on that sign.
TARA THUNDER
What sign?!
Nathan points at a nearby merchandise table with the aforementioned sign on it.
NATHAN THUNDER
That sign.
TARA THUNDER
Dad, I can’t believe you of all people are getting suckered in by some carnie-esque ploy to rid the fans of their money. You, of all people, should know better than to give your money to..
She looks up at the merch table and gasps.
TARA THUNDER
Ignis..!?! IGNIS LEAVENWORTH?! HOW THE HELL ARE YA!?
Tara rushes at the table to grab her old friend in a tight hug as DDT nudges Nathan.
DDT
Now who’s being worked?
Sure enough Ignis (for it is she) is working her own merch table.
IGNIS
TARA! I heard you guys were invited in! Hey Nate, how’s the duck? You guys all in on the biggest merchandiscal craze going in all of sports?
TARA THUNDER
Merchandiscal? Is that a word?
IGNIS
Who cares! It’s SO great to see you guys again! How long has it been, six years since we were all together? Just for you guys, I got you a Thunder-exclusive 25% discount!
Tara checks the prices
TARA THUNDER
..still seems some pretty steep prices for a shirt there Igs.
IGNIS
You know, inflation, global economy blah blah blah..
DDT
SCREW THAT SHIT, 25% off that's pure profit right there kiddo!
TARA THUNDER
For you maybe...I am the one paying for it.
DDT
Good gawd, do you kids ever listen?! What do I always tell youse two?
NATHAN & TARA
'You gotta spend money to make money, kiddo'...
DDT
That’s right! High-Five!
They slap some hands and DDT steps up to the table.
DDT
Hi, I’d like one of those Luchadork shirts, one of the foam hands that says #1 Luchadork and that "the dork behind me can’t see" hat, please.
IGNIS
With or without drink holders and straws, my good man?
DDT
Oh with, of course!
The two siblings watch as Ignis is making a killing in sales, Nathan nudges at his sister with genuine concern.
NATHAN THUNDER
I think the cocktail waitresses would have been cheaper.
TARA THUNDER
Shut up, it’s his birthday, we’ll call it a gift. Besides you and Luther will pay half of this anyway.
Nathan seems less than pleased
NATHAN THUNDER
Fuckin’ really, Tara?! You working me too?! My own kid sister, how could you?!
She smirks back.
TARA THUNDER
I am a Thunder after all.
We see DDT all decked out in his gear, looking like a freakin’ mark.
IGNIS
AWESOME! You look great! Hey, I gotta go get ready for my eliminator match, but you guys wanna hang out after the show? We can go play slots or something, get a few drinks!
TARA THUNDER
We're kinda on a timetable and--
DDT
We’d love that! Have a good one out there champ! Viva La Vera Dorka!
Ignis stops and taps her chin.
IGNIS
Kinda like the sound of that, actually. See you all in an hour! Or a bit longer, depends how much I've gotta work 'em.
She manages to leave as Steve the Intern starts packing up the rest of the merch back into boxes.
DDT
I got a feeling that kid’s gonna win the top title one day.
(wistfully)
...wonder what that’s like?
NATHAN THUNDER
Yeah, don’t ask me.
TARA THUNDER
...ditto, I wouldn’t know.
DDT
Turn that frown upside down, kiddos, because I got a feeling this is gonna be a great night because you know what? THE REVOLUTION IS BEING TELEVISED, GOOD GOD I FEEL LIKE I*M REBORN...AGAIN!
With that we see the trio head their merry way, one of them a little more happier than the other two.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
STATIC
A date flashes across the screen, followed by a location.
JULY 9, 2006
THE ALAMODOME: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
The view shows a massive, towering structure of barbed wire and steel, with a championship belt hanging 25 feet above it. Three men are locked inside. Three men who are trying to kill each other and take home the ultimate prize. Two men hammer away at each other, dripping blood and sweat, each standing at the top of a ladder while another slowly wraps barbed wire around his arms. One of the men on the ladders is recognizable as none other than the General Manager JACKSON, thanks to that stylized sun tattoo on his back bracketed by the words SEARCH & DESTROY. The other is his oldest nemesis SPIRAL, one of the most dangerous wrestlers to ever grace a ring. The man with the barbed wire has a flask now and he's dousing himself in liquid while Jackson and Spiral are brawling, elbowing, and hammering away at each other relentlessly with increased speed as the fans grow louder and louder. TIMOTHY HASS takes out a match and lights his barbed wire-covered arms on fire. The audience’s volume reaches a deafening level. Jackson and Spiral both reach up and grab hold of the title, raking and punching at each other with their other hands. Hass lets loose a kamikaze roar and RUNS UP HIS LADDER, CLOTHESLINING BOTH JACKSON AND SPIRAL OFF THEIR LADDERS! The ladders tip backwards and all three men crash through the two tables on the outside of the ring.
JACKSON
I don't remember most of this match, despite the fact that it's one of the most memorable of my career.
A slow-motion replay airs; we see Jackson and Spiral both have their hands on the title as they fly through the air. A split second before they hit the tables, Hass' flaming hand reaches out for the title as well. Then they crash out of sight. Security breaks into the Terrordome, spraying a fire extinguisher over the rubble. Hass staggers a few feet away most of his body slightly burned, then collapses out of view again, his hands empty.
JACKSON
Tim Hass never wrestled another match again. None of us were ever the same after that night. It changes you. Being locked inside, having to fight the environment, racing against the elements… against gravity… against your own fears to reach up and rip that glory that's hanging just out of reach.
Out of a pile of table rubble emerges JACKSON with the PCW Heavyweight Championship clutched to his chest! He's bleeding, his chest blackened with soot and dried blood. The cheers rock the building to its very foundations, the voice of the announcer ringing out over the old footage!
SPIN
IT'S JACKSON! HE'S GOT THE TITLE! That's it! It's OVER! What a match! What a contest! What a fight!
Jackson pushes away the EMT's attempting to help him. He hobbles back into the ring, holding the title with both hands and looking at it in awe. His music starts to play over the speakers and confetti explodes down from the rafters.
SPIN
He bought and paid for that title with his body and a part of his soul tonight!
The view changes to show Jackson standing in front of an open doorway. Beyond him is what looks like a giant warehouse space. In the middle of that is a towering structure, two stories of chain link intertwined with barbed wire and steel plates connecting six pods on the lower level and four on the top.
JACKSON
My first experience in the Terrordome was at Wrestle War II. Two years later, Spiral and I had a rematch in HiWF – we almost killed each other all over again. Forty-six stitches and metal screws to rebuild my shattered ankle that first time. Pints of blood donated, scattered all over two arenas.
He sighs, lifting one hand to run his fingers over the old white scar that curves around from below his ear to his Adam's apple.
JACKSON
I can't begin to explain why I feel like I need to bring this back now, why I feel like this is the place it must happen. At SOLSTICE, in the middle of the Mojave desert, without a single fan in attendance, ten of our finest wrestlers will go to war for the right to be the UPRISING Champion. The championship will hang above the second level, thirty feet in the air. The first one to reach up and claim that prize will etch their name into the history books. Will it be Luther Thunder? Will it be LEGION, the progeny of one of the last men to step foot in its predecessor? Will it be one of the four who claim their place tonight?
He turns to look at the structure, at the towering mass of metal and glass.
JACKSON
This is the ultimate test, no simple elimination chamber with a handful of participants. No. This is INSANITY. This is UNFORGIVING. This is UNRELENTING. This is going to redefine the wrestling industry and cement UPRISING as the greatest promotion of all time. This is TERRORDOME 3.0… coming to you live at SOLSTICE on JUNE 12th.
SUPER HERO VS SUPERVILLIAN
THE AVENGER vs KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
The match opens with our heroic and villainous competitors cautiously circling one another before tying up with the classic Greco-Roman Knuckle Lock. Well, attempting it anyway. The diminutive dragoness keeps raising her hand, only to low it again, and after several repetitions breaks into a dance before a slightly confused Avenger. The tentative test of strength is begun and aborted a second time, though this time it gets as far as locking up with one hand before Avenger backs out, pointing out that Kalinda's gauntlet is made out of bone and bones are from dead things and dead things are dirty. Ref Stef rolls her eyes at the two wrestlers who have thus far proved incapable of grappling with one another in a reasonable time frame, and calls for a bottle of hand sanitizer, which is helpfully provided by a tentacle from the darkness.
Thus sanitized, the two finally lock up. And lock up. And lock up. The titanic strength of both hero and villain are equally matched. After a good thirty seconds of not going anywhere, Kalinda hops up, plants both feet into Avenger's chest and flings him over with a monkey flip. She rolls over and gets barely a one count before Avenger bridges up, rolling Kalinda off of him and standing up.
The pair are still locked in the test of strength, but back to back and Avenger takes advantage by using his superior height to pull Kalinda up into position for a neckbreaker. He rolls back for the pin, but Kalinda is already scooting backward. She tenses, using her lower height and center of gravity to put herself in prime position for a northern lights suplex out of the test of strength position, still maintaining the grip. Again, Avenger gets out at barely a one count, rolling his hips to get to his feet and turning the motion into a sort of snap suplex. He repeats the sequence once, twice for a modified Three Amigos, but finds that there's not enough seating at the table, as the attempt at a fourth Amigo is countered by Kalinda managing to wrap her tail around his leg.
Yanking the limb out from under him, Kalinda manages to get Avenger on his back for a pin, taunting gleefully about how she won the test of strength, with Avenger protesting that she cheated. It's barely a two as Avenger kicks out and Kalinda lets go of the test of strength, or tries to. Avenger's got quite the death grip on her gauntleted hand. The two trade kicks to the outer thigh, which are brought to a halt as Kalinda ducks under and behind Avenger, applying a hammerlock. Avenger manages to reach over his shoulder and snag one of Kalinda's horns and uses the turnbuckles to flip himself over out of the hammerlock and into a modified shiranui. Finally the ridiculous test of strength is over as he goes for the pin.
ONE!
TWO!
Oh dammit, Kalinda has Avenger's other hand and has yanked it into an arm bar attempt, but Avenger manages to keep his arm bent, lifting Kalinda up and rushing at the turnbuckle to deliver a powerbomb that dislodges her. The superhero attempts to irish whip the dragoness into the opposing corner, but she stubbornly remains holding on to his hand, turning the attempt into a spinning headscissors that makes the hero circle several times before taking him down to the mat.
The maneuver is quickly pulled into a small package by Avenger, and the two rapidly trade pinfall attempts back and forth several times before both nip up to their feet and resume the damned full version of the test of strength. Avenger finally manages to push Kalinda back, but the dragoness chooses to move backwards rather than bend. She's a speedy thing even in reverse and Avenger finds himself a bit off balance trying to keep up. The supervillain springs up to the middle rope, to the top rope and then comes off with a modified tornado DDT.
She lets go of one hand to hook the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout!
Avenger flings Kalinda off, his fist shaking as he hulks up. The Savior of the Multiverse grabs the Necromancer Queen of All Monsters by the throat, hefting her up for a mighty, ring-shaking chokeslam!
ONE!
…
TWO!
Kickout!
Avenger gets to his feet while Kalinda does that slithering up to vertical with her feet flat on the mat thing that she does, still holding onto Avenger's hand. Superhero kick! She avoids it with a Matrix-esque bridge that ends up with Avenger's arm under his leg. Kalinda grabs Avenger with her other arm, hefting him up with a grunt of effort to deliver an odd-looking powerbomb, but Avenger rolls through and delivers a knee to the supervillain's face.
He grabs her by the throat for a second chokeslam, only to hesitate as Kalinda puckers her lips and makes smooching noises at him. Thoroughly baffled, the moment's hesitation is all Kalinda needs to pull the hand off of her throat and go back to the fucking test of strength yet again, though this time Avenger is cringing away as he bridges backwards away from the strange dragon-woman.
Avoidance and terror of this sort is usually reserved for the slow yet inevitable advance of something like the Von Erich Claw, not an impending smooch. Avenger has gone beyond the usual bridge to the point of having his head tucked back as far as he can, eyes and mouth both clamped closed, and yet the supervillain's slow forward progress is relentless. Just before lips meet, Avenger taps out, the referee pulling Kalinda off of him just at the moment where her lips brush his.
WINNER (VIA SUBMISSION): KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
JULY 9, 2006
THE ALAMODOME: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
The view shows a massive, towering structure of barbed wire and steel, with a championship belt hanging 25 feet above it. Three men are locked inside. Three men who are trying to kill each other and take home the ultimate prize. Two men hammer away at each other, dripping blood and sweat, each standing at the top of a ladder while another slowly wraps barbed wire around his arms. One of the men on the ladders is recognizable as none other than the General Manager JACKSON, thanks to that stylized sun tattoo on his back bracketed by the words SEARCH & DESTROY. The other is his oldest nemesis SPIRAL, one of the most dangerous wrestlers to ever grace a ring. The man with the barbed wire has a flask now and he's dousing himself in liquid while Jackson and Spiral are brawling, elbowing, and hammering away at each other relentlessly with increased speed as the fans grow louder and louder. TIMOTHY HASS takes out a match and lights his barbed wire-covered arms on fire. The audience’s volume reaches a deafening level. Jackson and Spiral both reach up and grab hold of the title, raking and punching at each other with their other hands. Hass lets loose a kamikaze roar and RUNS UP HIS LADDER, CLOTHESLINING BOTH JACKSON AND SPIRAL OFF THEIR LADDERS! The ladders tip backwards and all three men crash through the two tables on the outside of the ring.
JACKSON
I don't remember most of this match, despite the fact that it's one of the most memorable of my career.
A slow-motion replay airs; we see Jackson and Spiral both have their hands on the title as they fly through the air. A split second before they hit the tables, Hass' flaming hand reaches out for the title as well. Then they crash out of sight. Security breaks into the Terrordome, spraying a fire extinguisher over the rubble. Hass staggers a few feet away most of his body slightly burned, then collapses out of view again, his hands empty.
JACKSON
Tim Hass never wrestled another match again. None of us were ever the same after that night. It changes you. Being locked inside, having to fight the environment, racing against the elements… against gravity… against your own fears to reach up and rip that glory that's hanging just out of reach.
Out of a pile of table rubble emerges JACKSON with the PCW Heavyweight Championship clutched to his chest! He's bleeding, his chest blackened with soot and dried blood. The cheers rock the building to its very foundations, the voice of the announcer ringing out over the old footage!
SPIN
IT'S JACKSON! HE'S GOT THE TITLE! That's it! It's OVER! What a match! What a contest! What a fight!
Jackson pushes away the EMT's attempting to help him. He hobbles back into the ring, holding the title with both hands and looking at it in awe. His music starts to play over the speakers and confetti explodes down from the rafters.
SPIN
He bought and paid for that title with his body and a part of his soul tonight!
The view changes to show Jackson standing in front of an open doorway. Beyond him is what looks like a giant warehouse space. In the middle of that is a towering structure, two stories of chain link intertwined with barbed wire and steel plates connecting six pods on the lower level and four on the top.
JACKSON
My first experience in the Terrordome was at Wrestle War II. Two years later, Spiral and I had a rematch in HiWF – we almost killed each other all over again. Forty-six stitches and metal screws to rebuild my shattered ankle that first time. Pints of blood donated, scattered all over two arenas.
He sighs, lifting one hand to run his fingers over the old white scar that curves around from below his ear to his Adam's apple.
JACKSON
I can't begin to explain why I feel like I need to bring this back now, why I feel like this is the place it must happen. At SOLSTICE, in the middle of the Mojave desert, without a single fan in attendance, ten of our finest wrestlers will go to war for the right to be the UPRISING Champion. The championship will hang above the second level, thirty feet in the air. The first one to reach up and claim that prize will etch their name into the history books. Will it be Luther Thunder? Will it be LEGION, the progeny of one of the last men to step foot in its predecessor? Will it be one of the four who claim their place tonight?
He turns to look at the structure, at the towering mass of metal and glass.
JACKSON
This is the ultimate test, no simple elimination chamber with a handful of participants. No. This is INSANITY. This is UNFORGIVING. This is UNRELENTING. This is going to redefine the wrestling industry and cement UPRISING as the greatest promotion of all time. This is TERRORDOME 3.0… coming to you live at SOLSTICE on JUNE 12th.
CUT TO:
INT. INTERDIMENSIONAL VOID -- THE RING
SUPER HERO VS SUPERVILLIAN
THE AVENGER vs KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
The match opens with our heroic and villainous competitors cautiously circling one another before tying up with the classic Greco-Roman Knuckle Lock. Well, attempting it anyway. The diminutive dragoness keeps raising her hand, only to low it again, and after several repetitions breaks into a dance before a slightly confused Avenger. The tentative test of strength is begun and aborted a second time, though this time it gets as far as locking up with one hand before Avenger backs out, pointing out that Kalinda's gauntlet is made out of bone and bones are from dead things and dead things are dirty. Ref Stef rolls her eyes at the two wrestlers who have thus far proved incapable of grappling with one another in a reasonable time frame, and calls for a bottle of hand sanitizer, which is helpfully provided by a tentacle from the darkness.
Thus sanitized, the two finally lock up. And lock up. And lock up. The titanic strength of both hero and villain are equally matched. After a good thirty seconds of not going anywhere, Kalinda hops up, plants both feet into Avenger's chest and flings him over with a monkey flip. She rolls over and gets barely a one count before Avenger bridges up, rolling Kalinda off of him and standing up.
The pair are still locked in the test of strength, but back to back and Avenger takes advantage by using his superior height to pull Kalinda up into position for a neckbreaker. He rolls back for the pin, but Kalinda is already scooting backward. She tenses, using her lower height and center of gravity to put herself in prime position for a northern lights suplex out of the test of strength position, still maintaining the grip. Again, Avenger gets out at barely a one count, rolling his hips to get to his feet and turning the motion into a sort of snap suplex. He repeats the sequence once, twice for a modified Three Amigos, but finds that there's not enough seating at the table, as the attempt at a fourth Amigo is countered by Kalinda managing to wrap her tail around his leg.
Yanking the limb out from under him, Kalinda manages to get Avenger on his back for a pin, taunting gleefully about how she won the test of strength, with Avenger protesting that she cheated. It's barely a two as Avenger kicks out and Kalinda lets go of the test of strength, or tries to. Avenger's got quite the death grip on her gauntleted hand. The two trade kicks to the outer thigh, which are brought to a halt as Kalinda ducks under and behind Avenger, applying a hammerlock. Avenger manages to reach over his shoulder and snag one of Kalinda's horns and uses the turnbuckles to flip himself over out of the hammerlock and into a modified shiranui. Finally the ridiculous test of strength is over as he goes for the pin.
ONE!
TWO!
Oh dammit, Kalinda has Avenger's other hand and has yanked it into an arm bar attempt, but Avenger manages to keep his arm bent, lifting Kalinda up and rushing at the turnbuckle to deliver a powerbomb that dislodges her. The superhero attempts to irish whip the dragoness into the opposing corner, but she stubbornly remains holding on to his hand, turning the attempt into a spinning headscissors that makes the hero circle several times before taking him down to the mat.
The maneuver is quickly pulled into a small package by Avenger, and the two rapidly trade pinfall attempts back and forth several times before both nip up to their feet and resume the damned full version of the test of strength. Avenger finally manages to push Kalinda back, but the dragoness chooses to move backwards rather than bend. She's a speedy thing even in reverse and Avenger finds himself a bit off balance trying to keep up. The supervillain springs up to the middle rope, to the top rope and then comes off with a modified tornado DDT.
She lets go of one hand to hook the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout!
Avenger flings Kalinda off, his fist shaking as he hulks up. The Savior of the Multiverse grabs the Necromancer Queen of All Monsters by the throat, hefting her up for a mighty, ring-shaking chokeslam!
ONE!
…
TWO!
Kickout!
Avenger gets to his feet while Kalinda does that slithering up to vertical with her feet flat on the mat thing that she does, still holding onto Avenger's hand. Superhero kick! She avoids it with a Matrix-esque bridge that ends up with Avenger's arm under his leg. Kalinda grabs Avenger with her other arm, hefting him up with a grunt of effort to deliver an odd-looking powerbomb, but Avenger rolls through and delivers a knee to the supervillain's face.
He grabs her by the throat for a second chokeslam, only to hesitate as Kalinda puckers her lips and makes smooching noises at him. Thoroughly baffled, the moment's hesitation is all Kalinda needs to pull the hand off of her throat and go back to the fucking test of strength yet again, though this time Avenger is cringing away as he bridges backwards away from the strange dragon-woman.
Avoidance and terror of this sort is usually reserved for the slow yet inevitable advance of something like the Von Erich Claw, not an impending smooch. Avenger has gone beyond the usual bridge to the point of having his head tucked back as far as he can, eyes and mouth both clamped closed, and yet the supervillain's slow forward progress is relentless. Just before lips meet, Avenger taps out, the referee pulling Kalinda off of him just at the moment where her lips brush his.
WINNER (VIA SUBMISSION): KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
We cut to the backstage area and it is there where we are able to see CRYSTAL ZDUNICH standing by with a cameraman. She shakes her head in utter disgust as her eyes meet with the camera.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
Long behold Reno... it seems like it is about that time again. Time for yours truly to come down to the ring and to do what she does best! Now I am going to be as blunt as possible. Tonight, I have to team up with two people that I don't want to team with. I have to partner with Azurine who tries to portray herself as some sort of dorky angel or whatever. Personally, I don't give a damn, and of course there's Hayahiko, some Japanese ultraviolent dude that quite personally, I really don't care about. Odds are, he'll be gone in two weeks and completely forgotten in a month.
Crystal scoffs as she shakes her head in disgust and continues to speak.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
It seems to me that these teams are a little unbalanced because I get to step in the ring with some French dude, some Welsh Bitch and of course there's Amber Ryan…
Crystal's eyes light right up as she nods her head and continues to speak some more.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
Ignis, you know I actually have to give you somewhat credit. You come from a pretty strong wrestling family. A trio of sisters who each identify with a damn element as if you were some damn form of an Eveee evolution! That really is cute, and I know you specifically know how to handle your shit. You have always dominated whenever you stepped foot in the ring, and I know tonight might not be different. I haven't really been on the best terms with anybody from your family. Undine never really trusted me when I was married to her best friend and your other sister had some major issues with my former sister-in-law. I guess that leaves you and I do have a problem with you. You are in my way of qualifying for something I want. Something you can't even imagine. Sure, you want this second chance to take away Luther's championship, but why don't you leave the heavy lifting to someone with experience?
Crystal forms the number 2 with her fingers.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
Of course, there's Gaston and as if this nightmare wouldn't end. You have a man who happens to be with my EX-husband's EX… That alone pisses me off. By association he just needs to get his ass kicked and that is what I plan to do. It's more of a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I will rise through the ranks and do everything in my power to get rid of him. To be honest I am taking him very lightly. Not that it's hard, when he hasn't won anything notable in the company yet…
Crystal shakes her head as she sighs.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
Last but not least is the woman I really don't like. Amber Ryan is a woman that I do respect but one that I definitely don't like. She took something from me that I shouldn't have allowed her to take and deeds like that shouldn't go unpunished. It's time to correct what went wrong. It's time to get my pride back and it's time to end Amber once and for all. By the end of the night, I will be the woman left standing and even if I have to do everything by myself. I will find my way into the Elimination Chamber… the Terrordome or whatever it's called now. Now if you would excuse me… I have a match to get ready for.
With that Crystal pie-faces the camera as heads off towards the gorilla position.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
Long behold Reno... it seems like it is about that time again. Time for yours truly to come down to the ring and to do what she does best! Now I am going to be as blunt as possible. Tonight, I have to team up with two people that I don't want to team with. I have to partner with Azurine who tries to portray herself as some sort of dorky angel or whatever. Personally, I don't give a damn, and of course there's Hayahiko, some Japanese ultraviolent dude that quite personally, I really don't care about. Odds are, he'll be gone in two weeks and completely forgotten in a month.
Crystal scoffs as she shakes her head in disgust and continues to speak.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
It seems to me that these teams are a little unbalanced because I get to step in the ring with some French dude, some Welsh Bitch and of course there's Amber Ryan…
Crystal's eyes light right up as she nods her head and continues to speak some more.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
Ignis, you know I actually have to give you somewhat credit. You come from a pretty strong wrestling family. A trio of sisters who each identify with a damn element as if you were some damn form of an Eveee evolution! That really is cute, and I know you specifically know how to handle your shit. You have always dominated whenever you stepped foot in the ring, and I know tonight might not be different. I haven't really been on the best terms with anybody from your family. Undine never really trusted me when I was married to her best friend and your other sister had some major issues with my former sister-in-law. I guess that leaves you and I do have a problem with you. You are in my way of qualifying for something I want. Something you can't even imagine. Sure, you want this second chance to take away Luther's championship, but why don't you leave the heavy lifting to someone with experience?
Crystal forms the number 2 with her fingers.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
Of course, there's Gaston and as if this nightmare wouldn't end. You have a man who happens to be with my EX-husband's EX… That alone pisses me off. By association he just needs to get his ass kicked and that is what I plan to do. It's more of a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I will rise through the ranks and do everything in my power to get rid of him. To be honest I am taking him very lightly. Not that it's hard, when he hasn't won anything notable in the company yet…
Crystal shakes her head as she sighs.
CRYSTAL ZDUNICH
Last but not least is the woman I really don't like. Amber Ryan is a woman that I do respect but one that I definitely don't like. She took something from me that I shouldn't have allowed her to take and deeds like that shouldn't go unpunished. It's time to correct what went wrong. It's time to get my pride back and it's time to end Amber once and for all. By the end of the night, I will be the woman left standing and even if I have to do everything by myself. I will find my way into the Elimination Chamber… the Terrordome or whatever it's called now. Now if you would excuse me… I have a match to get ready for.
With that Crystal pie-faces the camera as heads off towards the gorilla position.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFIER: 6 MAN ELIMINATOR TAG
AMBER RYAN vs IGNIS vs GASTON GILLET vs CRYSTAL ZDUNICH vs AZURINE VEBBINS vs HAYAHIKO
As we cut back to ringside, we find the ring filled with the six participants for the elimination match, each squared off with Ignis, Amber Ryan, and Gaston on one side while Hayahiko, Crystal, and Azurine are lined up opposite of them. In the middle stands none other than Gretchen Devereaux, who's clearly out here to explain the rules.
GRETCHEN DEVEREAUX
The following match is for what we now know will be called the TERRORDOME 3.0 last chance qualifier!! The winners of this match will go to SOLSTICE to fill the last four pods in the most terrifying and insane structure to ever host a wrestling match! Two stories of insanity... and six of our most talented competitors are out here to get that chance to make history.
She gestures to the referees as they both step into the ring.
GRETCHEN DEVEREAUX
Both Ref Stef and Neil Rana will be out here to officiate. The rules are free-for-all instead of a three way tag -- you can thank our General Manager for the last-minute change. As you pin someone, you eliminate them and your spot is secure in the chamber, therefore you will be asked to head to the locker room...now let's ring the bell and continue this path to the hottest night in Reno at SOLSTICE!!
As soon as the match begins, Amber Ryan makes a beeline for Hayahiko and the two best drinkers of the match begin brawling in the center of the ring as Ignis and Crystal soon follow suit as well as Azurine and Gaston. It’s complete pandemonium, no wonder we have an extra ref out here for this! Amber Ryan snatches Hayahiko by the back of his head and tosses him into the corner, charging in only to have him evade and fire a stiff kick into her back!
Hayahiko sends a series of kicks into the small of the Tag Champion’s back before nailing her with a codebreaker!! He gets to his feet and begins stalking her...BUT SUDDENLY HE’S SNATCHED IN A COBRA CLUTCH! WINNING IN AMERICA! GASTON DIVES DOWN FOR THE PIN OUT OF NOWHERE!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
GASTON GILLET HAS SECURED HIS SPOT IN THE CHAMBER! HAYAHIKO IS ELIMINATED!!!
Gaston leaps to his feet, celebrating with his arms raised as he gets out of the ring amid the continuing brawl! Hayahiko rolls out, looking disgusted and disappointed...He charges at Gaston and nails him with a cheap shot from behind! He reaches into the crowd... WAIT A MINUTE?! WHO LEFT A KENDO STICK THERE?! HAYAHIKO LAYS INTO GASTON UNTIL SECURITY RUNS OUT TO RESTRAIN HIM!
Back in the ring, Azurine is the victim of a double team from Crystal and Ignis who whip her into the ropes and take her over with a double flapjack! As soon as they get up however, Crystal turns right on Ignis and nails her with a snap DDT! She begins putting the boots to Ignis when suddenly AZURINE ROLLS HER UP!
ONE!
TWO!
NO!! AMBER RYAN BREAKS THE PIN! SHE GRABS AZURINE AND DRAGS HER UP...ORIGINAL SIN! AZZY’S HEAD ALMOST DENTS THE MAT! AMBER RYAN MAKES AN ANGRY COVER, GLARING INTO THE CAMERA.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
AZURINE VEBBINS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
AMBER RYAN, CRYSTAL ZDUNICH, GASTON GILLET AND IGNIS WILL ADVANCE TO THE TERRORDOME 3.0 AT SOLSTICE!!
WINNERS (VIA ELIMINATION): AMBER RYAN, CRYSTAL ZDUNICH, GASTON GILLET & IGNIS
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
TAMIKA STRADER and MAD MAX seem to be on the search for something or someone. Tamika is still in her ring gear, except Max who has opted for pants over the green trunks she wears. Tamika stops and sniffs the air, nose all scrunched up, and her eyes comically shifty.
TAMIKA STRADER
Holy marijuana, Max! Follow the smell and I bet we find Cara!
MAD MAX
Oui, bien idea!
Tamika and Max continue down the hallway and stop at a door with a name plaque that reads "Matt Knox". The fans give a cheap pop upon seeing his name. Tamika shrugs and knocks but gets no answer.
TAMIKA STRADER
No answer… look, there’s smoke billowing out from underneath the door!
Tamika points down and Max just laughs. Tamika opens the door to see Cara standing on a bench, brewing a chamber full of weed smoke and Bert cheering her on.
BERT MCALROY
Yo girl, you got this! Fill this bitch up! You ready for it?!
Cara just nods and instantly he snaps the chamber off the bong near the bowl and she empties the chamber into her lungs. Tamika and Max just shake their heads. Cara lets out a huge cloud of smoke, half through her nostrils, the other her mouth.
CARA STRADER
Yo, Shortie-B, that was heavy bro. You gotta try this!
TAMIKA STRADER
*cough* Ahem! *cough*
CARA STRADER
Auntie Tee! You want a hit?
TAMIKA STRADER
No, I am good.
Max goes to say she’ll take one but she is startled by the returning Matt Knox. Knox stands with a bottle of water in the doorway, staring in past Mad Max, to Bert and the rest of the crew. He runs a hand through his hair, letting out the kind of dejected sigh akin to a father who isn’t surprised, but still disappointed.
MATT KNOX
I leave for a bottle of water, and you move ---is that a gravity bong? Christ.
He looks down at Mad Max, taking a moment to recognize her.
MATT KNOX
You. My condolences.
MAD MAX
Oui, moi. Merci.
TAMIKA STRADER
Yeah, we all appreciate it. So Matthew, while we are here, have you heard about the CPP?
CARA STRADER
Yo, I told him, Auntie Tee!
Tamika looks back at Cara who is now lighting the bowl for Bert, back to Knox.
TAMIKA STRADER
Did you understand Queen Indica over there?
BERT MCALROY
Hey! It’s a hybrid--
Knox raises an authoritative hand that hushes Bert like he’s back in training, Knox takes the room in once more, before addressing the other adult present.
MATT KNOX
The protection stuff you sold Jackson on? Yeah I heard. Don’t really need bodyguards though, takes the fun out of it.
TAMIKA STRADER
For Legion? Sure, you want all the fun you can get. However, I am speaking for your match with Supreme Machine. You and everyone else with a brain that wasn’t knocked outta place a bit over a month ago knows the Queen, or whatever her name is, won’t keep from making their presence felt.
Knox allows himself a smile, bowing his head and averting his eyes as he processes her words. He raises his face to meet her gaze once more, nodding.
MATT KNOX
So, what? Operation human shield? Your boys make sure only me and SuMa try to kill one another?
TAMIKA STRADER
Precisely. Of course, since my other niece is fond of you, you’ll get a premium discount at 75% off the total cost. You think about it, Matthew. You know how to get ahold of us. Cara, vamonos.
Cara shrugs at Bert and follows her aunt and the French Killing Machine out of Knox’s locker room. Knox stares at Bert, who grins sheepishly
MATT KNOX
Go. Take the bong; hang with them. I need the silence, anyway.
Bert snatches the giant bong and all but scampers after the women as Knox stands bewildered, before killing the lights and shooing the camera out.
TAMIKA STRADER
Holy marijuana, Max! Follow the smell and I bet we find Cara!
MAD MAX
Oui, bien idea!
Tamika and Max continue down the hallway and stop at a door with a name plaque that reads "Matt Knox". The fans give a cheap pop upon seeing his name. Tamika shrugs and knocks but gets no answer.
TAMIKA STRADER
No answer… look, there’s smoke billowing out from underneath the door!
Tamika points down and Max just laughs. Tamika opens the door to see Cara standing on a bench, brewing a chamber full of weed smoke and Bert cheering her on.
BERT MCALROY
Yo girl, you got this! Fill this bitch up! You ready for it?!
Cara just nods and instantly he snaps the chamber off the bong near the bowl and she empties the chamber into her lungs. Tamika and Max just shake their heads. Cara lets out a huge cloud of smoke, half through her nostrils, the other her mouth.
CARA STRADER
Yo, Shortie-B, that was heavy bro. You gotta try this!
TAMIKA STRADER
*cough* Ahem! *cough*
CARA STRADER
Auntie Tee! You want a hit?
TAMIKA STRADER
No, I am good.
Max goes to say she’ll take one but she is startled by the returning Matt Knox. Knox stands with a bottle of water in the doorway, staring in past Mad Max, to Bert and the rest of the crew. He runs a hand through his hair, letting out the kind of dejected sigh akin to a father who isn’t surprised, but still disappointed.
MATT KNOX
I leave for a bottle of water, and you move ---is that a gravity bong? Christ.
He looks down at Mad Max, taking a moment to recognize her.
MATT KNOX
You. My condolences.
MAD MAX
Oui, moi. Merci.
TAMIKA STRADER
Yeah, we all appreciate it. So Matthew, while we are here, have you heard about the CPP?
CARA STRADER
Yo, I told him, Auntie Tee!
Tamika looks back at Cara who is now lighting the bowl for Bert, back to Knox.
TAMIKA STRADER
Did you understand Queen Indica over there?
BERT MCALROY
Hey! It’s a hybrid--
Knox raises an authoritative hand that hushes Bert like he’s back in training, Knox takes the room in once more, before addressing the other adult present.
MATT KNOX
The protection stuff you sold Jackson on? Yeah I heard. Don’t really need bodyguards though, takes the fun out of it.
TAMIKA STRADER
For Legion? Sure, you want all the fun you can get. However, I am speaking for your match with Supreme Machine. You and everyone else with a brain that wasn’t knocked outta place a bit over a month ago knows the Queen, or whatever her name is, won’t keep from making their presence felt.
Knox allows himself a smile, bowing his head and averting his eyes as he processes her words. He raises his face to meet her gaze once more, nodding.
MATT KNOX
So, what? Operation human shield? Your boys make sure only me and SuMa try to kill one another?
TAMIKA STRADER
Precisely. Of course, since my other niece is fond of you, you’ll get a premium discount at 75% off the total cost. You think about it, Matthew. You know how to get ahold of us. Cara, vamonos.
Cara shrugs at Bert and follows her aunt and the French Killing Machine out of Knox’s locker room. Knox stares at Bert, who grins sheepishly
MATT KNOX
Go. Take the bong; hang with them. I need the silence, anyway.
Bert snatches the giant bong and all but scampers after the women as Knox stands bewildered, before killing the lights and shooing the camera out.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
SILVER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
SAMANTHA TOLSON (C) vs CHRIS MOSH
As soon as the bell rings Sam Tolson is upon Mosh with a flurry of strikes and kicks that have him turtling up and retreating to the corner! Neil Rana goes over and admonishes Sam, getting to 4 before she breaks of Mosh. Mosh instantly begins reprimanding Rana for the ‘slow count’..THEN PULLS HIM BETWEEN HIM AND TOLSON WHICH HALTS HER NEXT CHARGE!! Rana has braced for impact and when it doesn’t come, Mosh pushes past him and nails Tolson with a stiff chop to the throat that doubles the champ over! Mosh stays on the attack, lifting Tolson up with a pumphandle slam! He bounces off the ropes and drops an elbow across Tolson’s sternum, before transitioning to a side headlock. Tolson manages to get vertical and slip free though, rising to meet Mosh with a stiff forearm shot and whip him into the ropes. Mosh bounces back, ducking a clothesline by Tolson who runs into a flying crossbody by Chris Mosh! He goes for the pin!
ONE!
Tolson kicks out!! Mosh screams bloody murder at Rana for the slow count! He backs the ref into a corner..TOLSON GOES TO LOCK IN THE KATAHAJIME BUT MOSH SLIPS OUT! Mosh swings a wild haymaker at Tolson who blocks it and catches Mosh in the jaw before snatching his head and yanking him into a bent position…..BIG PILEDRIVER BY THE CHAMP!! Tolson goes for the pin now!
ONE!
TWO!
No! Chris Mosh kicks out! Tolson gets up, and begins signaling for the end when suddenly Summer Page rushes the ring! She hops onto the apron and begins jawing with Neil Rana who misses her throwing something into the ring to Chris Mosh! Tolson charges over, knocking Page off the apron only to turn...INTO MOSH NAILING HER WITH A HARD RIGHT HAND! WAIT A SECOND...ARE THOSE BRASS KNUCKLES?! Mosh throws them out of the ring, Rana none the wiser! Mosh goes for the pin on the downed champion as the crowd erupts in a wall of negativity over the blatant cheating.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL) AND NEW SILVER STATE CHAMPION: CHRIS MOSH
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTIUNOUS
The camera finds LUTHER THUNDER is legitimately storming down the corridor towards the gorilla position, visibly not in a great mood. When he realizes he's being stalked by the crew, he turns and snatches the camera away from the staff, staring deep into the lens.
LUTHER THUNDER
Knox, me and you could have done this thing between us in the way it was supposed to be done. Clean. A nice sporting match between two equals. I know how badly you wanted a chance for this championship.
He turns the camera to show off the UPRISING title over his shoulder.
LUTHER THUNDER
It could have been a fair and honest fight between two great competitors, Knox, but you had to ruin it, going after poor Nathan who is damn near defenseless and not quite right in his mind. While Nathaniel and I have had our differences in the past and we don’t always quite see eye to eye, I am still my brother’s keeper. I want you to understand that. I want you to know that you brought this on yourself, just like all the other things that have befallen you since you came to Reno. All that happens to you tonight... in that ring... rests solely on your shoulders, Knox. That’s on you. I may just be the UPRISING Champion going into this match but I am going to do justice for my brother who couldn’t defend himself.
He pauses to let that sink in, clearing his throat although his voice remains deadly calm.
LUTHER THUNDER
...if you manage to get out of this with the title, they will have to cart it out with you on a stretcher. You see, Knox, while I may be a champion... I was my brother’s keeper first and foremost. I am a Thunder, after all.
He slaps the camera away and it careens to the floor, landing so it's focused up at the champion as he roars.
LUTHER THUNDER
Get that out of here, we got a main event to deliver!
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LUTHER THUNDER
Knox, me and you could have done this thing between us in the way it was supposed to be done. Clean. A nice sporting match between two equals. I know how badly you wanted a chance for this championship.
He turns the camera to show off the UPRISING title over his shoulder.
LUTHER THUNDER
It could have been a fair and honest fight between two great competitors, Knox, but you had to ruin it, going after poor Nathan who is damn near defenseless and not quite right in his mind. While Nathaniel and I have had our differences in the past and we don’t always quite see eye to eye, I am still my brother’s keeper. I want you to understand that. I want you to know that you brought this on yourself, just like all the other things that have befallen you since you came to Reno. All that happens to you tonight... in that ring... rests solely on your shoulders, Knox. That’s on you. I may just be the UPRISING Champion going into this match but I am going to do justice for my brother who couldn’t defend himself.
He pauses to let that sink in, clearing his throat although his voice remains deadly calm.
LUTHER THUNDER
...if you manage to get out of this with the title, they will have to cart it out with you on a stretcher. You see, Knox, while I may be a champion... I was my brother’s keeper first and foremost. I am a Thunder, after all.
He slaps the camera away and it careens to the floor, landing so it's focused up at the champion as he roars.
LUTHER THUNDER
Get that out of here, we got a main event to deliver!
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CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
The camera opens up with a closeup of a title belt. The plate is polished gold, accented by white gold and rubies. PWE proudly displayed at its crown, and on a plate running across the bottom of the embossed gold the words "WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION" are proudly displayed. And in another plate, right above is etched the name of a man fresh from his grave now, when at the time he was so young and impetuous: Matthew Knox.
MATT KNOX
There’s nothing like it, is there, Luther?
The camera slowly zooms out until the rest of the belt fills the shot. Its strap a rich black leather, cracked with age and neglect. The four side plates depict Atlas with the world on his shoulders, and a phoenix rising from the ashes. From the dead.
MATT KNOX
That third slap, your music, your name booming as if God himself has taken the time to acknowledge you. And the validation. The validation and the knowledge that you are IT. You are the BEST. For that moment, no matter what comes next, you are the biggest fucking fish in your ocean.
The camera pans out now, to reveal itself to be in Knox’s locker room. The PWE title sits unceremoniously atop his ancient Adidas gym bag, which rests between his feet. He sits, hunched over and staring into the camera.
MATT KNOX
You had a pretty good assessment of who I am, and how I approach things, Luther. Were you completely correct? I’ll leave that up to you. But allow me to first concede that yes, the position you are in tonight is one you should feel honored to be in. And next, a little clarity. Perhaps some shine off the monument you built to me. 13 years, 1 year since I’ve actively returned to competition. So see, Luther, I’m not a grizzled vet who is finally getting another shot. No.
A smile spreads across the painted face, glasz eyes glimmer a vicious intent under the sickly fluorescent lighting.
MATT KNOX
I’m more akin to a plague. One that comes every decade or so, out of nowhere. With my presence, a whole world is upset and the natural order of things burns to ash that slips between fingers grasping at what was but never will be again. I left this sport a broken man who let the weight of expectation crush him. I died, to revive and return to prove that I am not broken anymore.
Knox stands up, the camera rising with him.
MATT KNOX
13 years, Luther. And it’s all led to tonight. No games. No machinations. No theatrics. Tonight you face the culmination of the journey, the FLIGHT of this Raven. You face the best of me, and the worst of me. And in front of the locker room, the fans, the state, the world, in front of GOD, Luther...I’m telling you. You won’t beat me, tonight.
'Hell Broke Luce' suddenly booms through the hallway outside, a toothy smile cracks through the face paint and a Zen look douses the fire in Knox’s eyes. Still baring that smile, peaceful as a corpse in an open casket, he began to sing in a haunting, smoky monotone.
MATT KNOX
And the blood gave life, to the branches off the tree. And the blood was the price, to set the captive free. And the numbers that came in the fire and the flood? Clung to the tree and were REDEEMED by the blood...Here it comes, Champ.
And with that, Knox shoves past the camera and makes a beeline toward the ring.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
MAIN EVENT: UPRISING CHAMPIONSHIP
LUTHER THUNDER (C) vs MATT KNOX
Neil Rana takes the Uprising Championship from Luther Thunder, dutifully holding it in front of him with both hands. First, he approaches Knox who remains knelt in his corner, presenting the belt at eye level. Knox reaches a tentative hand out, brushing the gold before paying Rana a nod. He pulls himself up as Rana approaches Luther once more with the title outstretched. He then hands it out to the ring announcer, and calls for the bell getting the Uprising Championship match underway!
Knox and Thunder meet in the middle, each experiencing the rarity of facing an opponent at perfect eye level. Thunder is the more physically intimidating of the two with more than a 20 pound weight advantage. He wears a confident smirk and seems to be jawing with Knox who simply maintains eye contact defiantly. The smirk on Luther’s face broadens as suddenly he slaps Knox across the face! Knox takes a couple steps back...then fires off a superkick..THAT LUTHER THUNDER CATCHES! HE THROWS THE LEG DOWN AND NAILS THE STUNNED KNOX WITH A THUNDEROUS CLOTHESLINE!!
Luther postures for the crowd even as it jeers him. Knox sits up looking stunned, but determined. He pushes himself vertical and sets his feet just as Luther turns around. Still smirking. Still confident. Knox nods and the two begin to circle one another once more, this time they go for a traditional lockup and a test of strength! It looks to be a stalemate as neither man seems able to push the other back more than a step before they return the favor. Luther lets out a bellow of effort and shoves Knox as hard as he can! KNOX BREAKS THE HOLD, SENDING LUTHER INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!! Luther smacks the top turnbuckle pad in frustration and turns...RIGHT INTO A RUNNING BIG BOOT FROM MATT KNOX!!
Knox pushes back from the blow that nearly sends Luther over the top rope, resetting his feet he begins firing thunderous kicks into the Champ’s ribs as Luther does his best to clench up! The incensed Matt Knox is having none of it though as he snatches Luther by the back of the head and begins firing forearms into the side of his head, before snatching him in a headlock and taking him down out of the corner and to the mat where he quickly shifts onto Luther’s back..AND GOES FOR THE KATAHAJIME!! NO WAY! LUTHER FIRES AN ELBOW BACK THAT CATCHES KNOX ON THE CHIN! Knox rolls off of Luther and both men are to their feet in a flash.
The fans pop as once again the pair reset by circling each other in the middle of the ring. Suddenly, Luther lunges forth and begins throwing strikes at Knox who does his best and mostly able to parry and counter the blows until he catches Luther with a palm strike to the throat that drops the champion to one knee!! The crowd cheers but Luther, struggling to catch his breath, pulls a fist back and fires it right into the knee that had been worked extensively by Amber Ryan just days ago!! Knox cries out in pain and drops down to one knee as well. Luther snatches Knox by the back of his head then, pulling him into a headbutt!
Knox falls back, one hand hovering toward his knee and one fired up to check if his nose was broken by Luther’s skull. Luther has gotten to his feet and yanks Knox up by his hair, setting his throat over the second rope and driving his knee into the back of his head! Knox struggles, kicking and trying to get loose as Rana reprimands Luther! He begins to count, getting to 4 before Luther backs off, smiling and raising his hands to show he was doing no wrong. Knox remains hung over the rope as Luther has gotten close to Rana, putting an arm around him and shuffling him away from Knox...JUST AS ESME THUNDER CLOCKS HIM WITH THE UPRISING TITLE!! Esme ducks out of sight as now Luther steps away from Rana, going for the pin!!
ONE!
TWO!
NO! Matt Knox kicks out!! Luther looks frustrated but gets up quickly, pulling Knox with him. He lifts Knox up into a torture rack but Knox wriggles free! He goes for THE MERCY, THE MURDER but Luther manages to break free before the hold is locked in! He turns around and fires the THUNDERSTRUCK superkick but Knox feints left, evading and snatching the leg, taking Luther over in a high angled modified dragon whip! Luther is quick to his feet but has to lean on the ropes for support! Seeing an opening, Knox charges in and takes the both of them out of the ring with a clothesline! They both smack into the cement floor!!
Luther manages to power up first. He looks dazed but shakes it quickly as he wipes a hand over his face. He stomps over to Knox who has gotten up on his hands and knees, snatching him by the ankle on his injured leg. He lifts him up and slams the knee back down!! Knox cries out in pain again as the ref admonishes Luther who goes and lifts Knox by the ankle again...BUT IN AN AMAZING DISPLAY, KNOX ROLLS THROUGH AND LAUNCHES LUTHER INTO THE GUARDRAILS FACE FIRST!!
Knox gets to his feet and half hobbles over to Luther, who is leaned up against the guard rail. He hauls back, and lays an open palm strike right into the champ’s chest! The smack resonates through the arena! He hauls back..SMACK! AGAIN! Luther doubles over and tries to get some distance from Knox. Knox takes a moment to reach down, checking his knee he looks up and says a quick prayer, before leaping upon the apron and charging after Luther. Luther turns around as the fans scream, just in time to see Knox leap from the apron with a flying roundhouse kick! The champ is sent over the guardrail!!
He rolls in and breaks up the count. Knox hops onto the apron once more, seeing Luther hanging over the guardrail he leaps and nails a leg drop that takes them both to the concrete once more! Knox is fired up! He lifts Luther to his feet, sliding the champ into the ring! Luther crawls to the ropes as Knox rolls into the ring. He pulls himself up and turns as Knox charges in with another running big boot, but Luther dodges to the side! He nails Knox with a thunderous headbutt that sends him reeling. Angry and determined to retain, Luther snatches Knox and kicks him in the gut! Doubling him over he lifts him up going for the Sword of Damocles..BUT KNOX REVERSES! HE SLIDES DOWN LUTHER'S BACK AND LOCKS IN THE KATAHAJIME! BACKBREAKER! THE MERCY! THE MURDER! THE CHAMP HAS NOWHERE TO GO! ESME IS LOSING HER SHIT AS NEIL RANA CONFERS WITH LUTHER THUNDER WHO IS FLAILING, STRUGGLING TO STAY CONSCIOUS.
SUDDENLY, THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND SOMEONE IN THE CROWD SCREAMS BEFORE THE LIGHTS COME BACK UP TO ILLUMINATE LEGION, ENIGMA, HAYDEN TRIGGS, AND SIOBHAN MCLEOD! THE CHURCH OF THE 7TH CIRCLE ARE IN THE RING! NEIL RANA IS OUT COLD!! Knox has let go of Luther who is still down! He stands up, facing down the stable and trying to catch his breath. With a grin, Legion motions and McLeod, Triggs, and Enigma all charge Knox and begin to mug him! LEGION takes a moment to shove Luther with his foot, before cackling out loud.
WAIT! ITS JC, AMBER RYAN, IGNIS and GASTON GILET! THEY CHARGE THE RING AND BEGIN BRAWLING WITH THE CHURCH! LEGION IS SPURNED INTO THE BATTLE, GOING TO MEET AMBER RYAN HEAD ON! JC NAILS ENIGMA WITH THE BIG BOOT OF DEATH! GASTON AND TRIGGS BRAWL IT OUT! IGNIS AND MCLEOD HAVE SPILLED OUT OF THE RING!! NOW JACK OWYNS SLIDES INTO THE RING! HE BEGINS DOUBLE TEAMING JC WITH ENIGMA! WAIT, THE CHAMP IS BACK IN IT! LUTHER THUNDER NAILS OWYNS WITH THE THUNDERSTRUCK SUPER KICK!!
WINNER: NO CONTEST
Luther rolls out of the ring, grabbing his title and joining his wife as suddenly Don Tirri pops up from the audience, waiting by a guardrail. Luther turns into a thunderous right hand by the man he beat to become the inaugural champion! Esme is incensed, screaming at Tirri as he steps over the rail..AND NAILS HER WITH THE BOOT!! Tirri raises his arms to the cheers as chaos continues to take over! Matt Knox rolls out of the ring, looking to get some distance from the whole brawl, his expression disgusted through the face paint. He fires a superkick into the face of Hayden Triggs as he gets up from being dispatched by Gillet, turning to leave only to collide with a baseball bat. QUEEN MACHINE STANDS OVER KNOX, LAUGHING! KNOX IS DOWN AND LIKELY OUT!
The camera fades as referees, security, and medical staff all charge the ring trying to restore order! This isn’t even the blow off! Can the roster not kill each other before SOLSTICE?! Come back and find out in two weeks, at Revolution 12: THE DIRTY DOZEN.
The camera fades as referees, security, and medical staff all charge the ring trying to restore order! This isn’t even the blow off! Can the roster not kill each other before SOLSTICE?! Come back and find out in two weeks, at Revolution 12: THE DIRTY DOZEN.
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© UPRISING 2021
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QUICKIE RESULTS:
LAST OF THE VALKYRIES vs BLOOD DIAMONDS
LIL JUICY vs G.O.D.
THE GEM STONES vs CHURCH OF THE 7TH CIRCLE
ZENA WRIGHT vs JACK OWYNS
COWGIRLS FROM HELL vs THE CRUSH
DIAMOND CALDWELL vs SUMMER PAGE
GRIFFIN HAWKINS vs MAC BANE
THE AVENGER vs KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
AMBER RYAN vs IGNIS vs GASTON GILLET vs CRYSTAL ZDUNICH vs AZURINE VEBBINS vs HAYAHIKO
SAMANTHA TOLSON (c) vs CHRIS MOSH
LUTHER THUNDER (c) vs MATT KNOX (NO CONTEST)