Post by Admin on May 24, 2021 18:29:20 GMT -5
LIVE FROM THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM at the historic ELDORADO CASINO in RENO, NV MAY 29, 2021 |
DARKNESS
UNKNOWN
(rough whisper)
And blood will flow...
Those words permeate the darkness, echoing ominous before the video feed bleeds in from darkness to full Technicolor to reveal the backstage area. "THE ONE MAN WRECKING CREW" MAC BANE is stopped in his tracks, mid-stride, as though the camera has caught him in the middle of some pressing business. He cocks his head to the side looking into the camera.
MAC BANE
I'm a man who does what he says and says what he means. I stood toe to toe with Supreme Machine and did what I said I would do. That was the teaser trailer of what I can do when provoked.
He continues to walk now, heading towards the locker room that he shares with his wife before stopping at the door. When he speaks again, there's a thread of steel running through his words.
MAC BANE
I've been provoked and now you get this guy in a mode that this company has yet to see. It will be expensive, you should probably let Jax know ahead of time. He might want to up those insurance premiums.
He looks back over his shoulder and his face is a cross of grim determination and fury.
MAC BANE
Luther really should have kept his little brother on a shorter leash... freedom of speech does not mean freedom of consequences.
He looks back at the door for a moment.
MAC BANE
Church of the Seventh Circle......
He hangs his head as the sledgehammer slides from the sleeve of his jacket and the metal clashing against concrete echoes down the hall.
MAC BANE
You're done before you ever even get the chance to get started.
He pushes the locker room door open without looking back, swinging the sledgehammer up to rest on his shoulder. He disappears from view as the door closes.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
GRETA'S DEBUT!
GRETA NYX vs TYSON DEUCE
Newcomer Nyx starts off with a series of forearm strikes, forcing Deuce onto the defensive. She goes for a whip off the ropes and is reversed, ducking under a clothesline on the rebound. Reverse roundhouse and Deuce is staggered in the corner – BLOOD MOON (running high knee) IN THE CORNER AND DEUCE CRUMBLES RIGHT INTO A SOCCER KICK! Nyx pulls him back from the corner and Deuce shoves her off, staggering back up. He's determined to prove he's the new gatekeeper of the company as he fires in a series of body shots – REVERSAL INTO A SPINNING BACKFIST! BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE KNEE AND NYX TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A SCHOOLGIRL!
ONE!
TWO!
TH—NO!
Deuce kicks out and rolls back to his feet clutching his jaw and immediately gets Irish whipped into the corner. Greta goes for a Yakuza kick, which he avoids. Grabbing her planted leg from behind, he pulls it out sending her crashing face-first to the mat. Colbie's cheering him on at ringside but before he can capitalize with that telegraphed elbow drop, Nyx rolls aside. Deuce crashes and burns and then she's caught him in the middle of the ring – TWILIGHT ZONE (omoplata crossface) AND DEUCE REFUSES TO TAP! The more she sinks in the hold, the more he tries to break out and Colbie is screaming at ringside, pleading with him to just give up. He doesn't and when his shoulder pops it's a sickening sight. Deuce slumps down, his arm bending backwards, and Nyx immediately breaks the hold.
WINNER (VIA SUBMISSION): GRETA NYX
CUT TO:
INT. ELDORADO CASINO -- BACKSTAGE
We are backstage at the famous Eldorado Casino in Reno, Nevada (no shit, right?) and the fans in attendance give a pop as the screen shows MEGHAN AND TAMIKA STRADER. Meghan is looking dazzling in a red dress and her bright red lipstick and Tamika isn’t as dressed up as the elder sister but still looks stunning in her hip hugging blue wranglers, white CFH t-shirt and her obnoxiously large sun glasses. The women are chatting between themselves as CARA STRADER AND MAD MAX walk into the room carrying a package from UPS.
CARA STRADER
Hey mamabear, there was a package left at the front desk for you. Apparently I look like you but I am a little offended cause I’m not-
MEGHAN STRADER
Carebear, just give me the package please. You didn’t open it?
CARA STRADER
Never! That’s a federal offense! I never do anything illegal.
Tamika, Max and Meghan all just look at Cara as she looks around and shrugs.
CARA STRADER
What? I don’t!
Cara reaches into her bra and pulls out a joint and the cherry ember comes to life as the women laugh at her. Cara looks around and offers Max a hit. Meghan takes the package to the desk in the middle of the room they have set up for the COWGIRL PROTECTION PROGRAM and her smile turns to that infamous family sneer. She has been acutely aware of the camera in the room, and with her right index finger she motions it to come forward.
MEGHAN STRADER
Some of the other Trios teams here in UPRISING think they are going to be the first Trio Champions in the newly minted titles history but I hate to break it to you, that just isn’t the case.
Meghan’s sneer is accompanied by a champion's body language as she stands tall, not looking down at whatever is in the box, but to us, the viewer.
MEGHAN STRADER
Now this business… it’s full of confidence and arrogance. Some earned, most mislead, and it drives me crazy when I see the Summer Pages and Big Sams of the world think they can bottle the aroma of their body odor and sell it like Belle Delphine sold her bath water on social media. None of the teams, outside of us, have what it takes to be INAUGURAL champions. Us Strader women? We come from team wrestling. Our Uncles were legendary, our father with WHOEVER he teamed with were legendary, Tamika and I are legendary. Tamika, do you know how I know we are legendary and will in fact be named the Trios Champions?
TAMIKA STRADER
Our PWA Hall of Fame status?
MEGHAN STRADER
Well, that’s a good reason but no. Try again.
TAMIKA STRADER
Our 287 days as PWA Tag Team Champions in our very first reign?
MEGHAN STRADER
Another good reason, but no.
Tamika snaps her fingers with a awe shucks face as Meghan continues.
MEGHAN STRADER
We are so goddamned legendary and good at what we do, we don’t even need to wrestle a match to be named Tag Team Champions.
Meghan reaches into the box and pulls out the REVOLUTION1 WRESTLING TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP belts, placing one over her shoulder as she turns to Tamika and hands her the other strap. The fans pop for the affiliate company. Cara's blissfully hauling away on her spliff and Mad Max stand on opposite sides of the OG Cowgirls as Tamika can’t keep her eyes off the gorgeous championship belt.
MEGHAN STRADER
That’s right. We are so fucking good Revolution1 called me last week and said you are still one half of their tag team champions. They told me since I left, after Beauty and the Beast split up, these titles have sat vacant and they couldn’t wait to put the belts back around my, and now my sister’s, waist. We were split up in a Lethal Lottery Tag Tournament, but Tamika has always been my true partner. This business? It’s a family thing for us. We live it. We breathe it. We are this business.
TAMIKA STRADER
While we have a respect for the teams we face, that respect doesn’t take away from the fact that 9 out of 10 times we are coming up on the winning side.
Cara smiles widely listening to her mother and aunt, Max doesn’t show any emotion, the French Killing Machine never betraying her true feelings. Meghan pats the title's face and gives a laugh.
MEGHAN STRADER
So many of you little flies think you have what it takes to be the "in" or "it" team. Well, when a large promotion hands you their tag team titles you can come sit at our table, but until then?
TAMIKA STRADER
Until then it is best you all listen very closely… we are the Cowgirls From Hell…
COWGIRLS FROM HELL
(in unison)
And we are taking over this town!
Meghan walks forward, pushing the camera person out of the room and closes the door, leaving us with a view of the newly minted CFH plaque on the door.
Parked in the backstage parking lot is a revamped camper bus, that has the Heroes for Hire logo stamped on the side of it. The door opens and getting out of the bus is manager and wrestling agent, Gregory Murphy, who has a grin stretched across his face as he descends to the ground. He clasps his hands together.
MURPHY
You may know me as a renowned best selling author, or as an acclaimed agent who has managed some of the best wrestler in the world. Uprising Wrestling has just added the hottest team in all of professional wrestling at this current moment. We're not just talking about a team that has been banded together on wishful thinking, we're talking about a dynasty that will transcend throughout the wrestling scene as a whole. This is just the beginning of the movement, and ladies and gentlemen, the Heroes for Hire are now available and at your service.
Stepping out of the bus afterwards are the current PWF National Tag Team Champions, Strike 2 Kill members; Liam Richardson and Miles Watson. They have their championship belts draped on their shoulders as they stand alongside Gregory Murphy, who shakes his head accordingly.
MURPHY
Strike 2 Kill, an up and coming tag team that have already made a names for themselves elsewhere. Liam Richardson, the man who hails from London, England, a submission specialist in his own right who joins the Heroes for Hire as a man on a mission. Miles Watson, the Technical Gift from Plymouth, Michigan - one of the most sought after competitors in this business who aligned himself with Richardson a few years ago to form their formidable team. They haven't looked back since then and now we're here, in UPRISING.
After finishing his sentence, a final man steps out of the bus and it's Takashi Shinobu. He takes off his shades as he walks towards the other men, nodding his head as he stands between Richardson and Murphy.
MURPHY
Takashi Shinobu, the Star Studded Superstar from Japan, a young man who has been in this game for a number of years and has gone toe to toe with some of the best in the business. This right here, is a team that is hungry and ready to stamp their mark in this promotion. And tonight, an opportunity comes our way. The Uprising Trio's Championship, they're in our sights and after we're done with the Gem Stones - we're ready for whoever they throw at us next.
Murphy smiles sadistically, as the scene gradually fades to black before dropping back to ringside.
We are backstage at the famous Eldorado Casino in Reno, Nevada (no shit, right?) and the fans in attendance give a pop as the screen shows MEGHAN AND TAMIKA STRADER. Meghan is looking dazzling in a red dress and her bright red lipstick and Tamika isn’t as dressed up as the elder sister but still looks stunning in her hip hugging blue wranglers, white CFH t-shirt and her obnoxiously large sun glasses. The women are chatting between themselves as CARA STRADER AND MAD MAX walk into the room carrying a package from UPS.
CARA STRADER
Hey mamabear, there was a package left at the front desk for you. Apparently I look like you but I am a little offended cause I’m not-
MEGHAN STRADER
Carebear, just give me the package please. You didn’t open it?
CARA STRADER
Never! That’s a federal offense! I never do anything illegal.
Tamika, Max and Meghan all just look at Cara as she looks around and shrugs.
CARA STRADER
What? I don’t!
Cara reaches into her bra and pulls out a joint and the cherry ember comes to life as the women laugh at her. Cara looks around and offers Max a hit. Meghan takes the package to the desk in the middle of the room they have set up for the COWGIRL PROTECTION PROGRAM and her smile turns to that infamous family sneer. She has been acutely aware of the camera in the room, and with her right index finger she motions it to come forward.
MEGHAN STRADER
Some of the other Trios teams here in UPRISING think they are going to be the first Trio Champions in the newly minted titles history but I hate to break it to you, that just isn’t the case.
Meghan’s sneer is accompanied by a champion's body language as she stands tall, not looking down at whatever is in the box, but to us, the viewer.
MEGHAN STRADER
Now this business… it’s full of confidence and arrogance. Some earned, most mislead, and it drives me crazy when I see the Summer Pages and Big Sams of the world think they can bottle the aroma of their body odor and sell it like Belle Delphine sold her bath water on social media. None of the teams, outside of us, have what it takes to be INAUGURAL champions. Us Strader women? We come from team wrestling. Our Uncles were legendary, our father with WHOEVER he teamed with were legendary, Tamika and I are legendary. Tamika, do you know how I know we are legendary and will in fact be named the Trios Champions?
TAMIKA STRADER
Our PWA Hall of Fame status?
MEGHAN STRADER
Well, that’s a good reason but no. Try again.
TAMIKA STRADER
Our 287 days as PWA Tag Team Champions in our very first reign?
MEGHAN STRADER
Another good reason, but no.
Tamika snaps her fingers with a awe shucks face as Meghan continues.
MEGHAN STRADER
We are so goddamned legendary and good at what we do, we don’t even need to wrestle a match to be named Tag Team Champions.
Meghan reaches into the box and pulls out the REVOLUTION1 WRESTLING TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP belts, placing one over her shoulder as she turns to Tamika and hands her the other strap. The fans pop for the affiliate company. Cara's blissfully hauling away on her spliff and Mad Max stand on opposite sides of the OG Cowgirls as Tamika can’t keep her eyes off the gorgeous championship belt.
MEGHAN STRADER
That’s right. We are so fucking good Revolution1 called me last week and said you are still one half of their tag team champions. They told me since I left, after Beauty and the Beast split up, these titles have sat vacant and they couldn’t wait to put the belts back around my, and now my sister’s, waist. We were split up in a Lethal Lottery Tag Tournament, but Tamika has always been my true partner. This business? It’s a family thing for us. We live it. We breathe it. We are this business.
TAMIKA STRADER
While we have a respect for the teams we face, that respect doesn’t take away from the fact that 9 out of 10 times we are coming up on the winning side.
Cara smiles widely listening to her mother and aunt, Max doesn’t show any emotion, the French Killing Machine never betraying her true feelings. Meghan pats the title's face and gives a laugh.
MEGHAN STRADER
So many of you little flies think you have what it takes to be the "in" or "it" team. Well, when a large promotion hands you their tag team titles you can come sit at our table, but until then?
TAMIKA STRADER
Until then it is best you all listen very closely… we are the Cowgirls From Hell…
COWGIRLS FROM HELL
(in unison)
And we are taking over this town!
Meghan walks forward, pushing the camera person out of the room and closes the door, leaving us with a view of the newly minted CFH plaque on the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT -- CONTINUOUS
Parked in the backstage parking lot is a revamped camper bus, that has the Heroes for Hire logo stamped on the side of it. The door opens and getting out of the bus is manager and wrestling agent, Gregory Murphy, who has a grin stretched across his face as he descends to the ground. He clasps his hands together.
MURPHY
You may know me as a renowned best selling author, or as an acclaimed agent who has managed some of the best wrestler in the world. Uprising Wrestling has just added the hottest team in all of professional wrestling at this current moment. We're not just talking about a team that has been banded together on wishful thinking, we're talking about a dynasty that will transcend throughout the wrestling scene as a whole. This is just the beginning of the movement, and ladies and gentlemen, the Heroes for Hire are now available and at your service.
Stepping out of the bus afterwards are the current PWF National Tag Team Champions, Strike 2 Kill members; Liam Richardson and Miles Watson. They have their championship belts draped on their shoulders as they stand alongside Gregory Murphy, who shakes his head accordingly.
MURPHY
Strike 2 Kill, an up and coming tag team that have already made a names for themselves elsewhere. Liam Richardson, the man who hails from London, England, a submission specialist in his own right who joins the Heroes for Hire as a man on a mission. Miles Watson, the Technical Gift from Plymouth, Michigan - one of the most sought after competitors in this business who aligned himself with Richardson a few years ago to form their formidable team. They haven't looked back since then and now we're here, in UPRISING.
After finishing his sentence, a final man steps out of the bus and it's Takashi Shinobu. He takes off his shades as he walks towards the other men, nodding his head as he stands between Richardson and Murphy.
MURPHY
Takashi Shinobu, the Star Studded Superstar from Japan, a young man who has been in this game for a number of years and has gone toe to toe with some of the best in the business. This right here, is a team that is hungry and ready to stamp their mark in this promotion. And tonight, an opportunity comes our way. The Uprising Trio's Championship, they're in our sights and after we're done with the Gem Stones - we're ready for whoever they throw at us next.
Murphy smiles sadistically, as the scene gradually fades to black before dropping back to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
THE GEM STONES vs HEROES FOR HIRE!
Miles Watson springs into action, going for a fast clothesline but Ruby ducks and follows up with a back elbow – OUCH! Watson staggers back from the impact and Ruby paints him across the face with a few open-handed slaps – BIG MISTAKE. He grabs her arm and pulls her in, slapping hands with Richardson as he puts her into a backbreaker position! HOLY SHIT! RICHARDSON LAUNCHES WITH A DIVING KNEE DROP AND RUBY IS IN A WORLD OF HURT! Richardson reaches down to grab Steele and eats an eye rake for his troubles! Ruby staggers up and attempts to send Liam Richardson packing to the ropes with an Irish whip, but Liam resists, pulling Steele off balance and right into a bear hug? Ruby fights to break free, more surprised than overwhelmed before she's flipping backwards with a snap suplex! The crowd pops, loving the high energy of the newest trios team. Ruby dives at the corner, missing Diamond's outstretched hand by inches as Richardson pulls her back and right into a reverse STO. Just when it looks like she might tap out, Sapphire comes crashing down on top of them.
Ref Stef regains order, forcing Sapphire back to the apron as Ruby Steele is still down, looking like she's favoring her knee – holy shit! Liam Richardson is airborne, launching off the ropes with a shooting star senton splash. He nails it, but catches Ruby's knee to the midsection in the process. Ruby is up in an instant, trying to make it to her corner for a tag to Diamond who is still leaning as far as she can into the ring, shouting encouragement. Richardson crashes into Ruby's back and spins her around, taking her down again with a spinning neckbreaker. Richardson hauls Ruby Steele up by the hair and strolls over to the Heroes corner, making the tag to Takashi Shinobu – STEREO BICYCLE KICKS! RUBY STEELE IS DOWN AND LIAM RICHARDSON TURNS AROUND TO SPEAR DIAMOND OFF HER FEET AS SHE CHARGES IN. MILES WATSON HAS SAPPHIRE OUT ON THE FLOOR AS SHINOBU TAKES RUBY DOWN WITH A SPINNING TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER! SHOGUN SPECIAL AND HE HOOKS THE LEG!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): HEROES FOR HIRE!
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
The GENERAL MANAGER is shown from behind, talking to someone who's out of the camera's frame – it looks like footage taken from the backstage surveillance cameras, grainy but he's still unmistakable with that whiter patch of hair on the back of his head and that barcode tattooed on the back of his neck.
JACKSON
Matthews bailing on us left me in a bit of a bind. Planned for an even ten pods on the damned thing and it was already halfway built. You know how pissy architects get…
Whoever he's talking to snickers at the mention of that particular profession before the boss continues.
JACKSON
Can't run a match like that with nine people. That's not a good number. Has to be even, especially if we're doing it out there in the Mojave. So, I appreciate you coming in clutch for me, kiddo. More than you know.
The sound of a throat clearing behind him has The Dark Horse whipping his head around and he spots the camera and chief medical officer ASH DEVEREAUX at the same time. Whoever he was talking to takes that moment to slip off into the shadows, knowing that this intrusion is bound to get ugly.
ASH DEVEREAUX
Tyson Deuce is on his way to the hospital – I've ordered an MRI. Pretty sure we're looking at a serious rupture or a torn rotator cuff.
JACKSON
Great. That's fucking great. I had plans for that kid, too.
ASH DEVEREAUX
I'll let you know what they find. Best case scenario, he might be back by August or Septem—
JACKSON
Fuck it. Give the kid his release if he wants it.
He shoves past Devereaux, clearly annoyed and distracted as he storms off down the hall, muttering to himself.
JACKSON
…gotta change the goddamned SOLSTICE card again. No big deal. Fucking hell.
_____________________________________________
JACKSON
Matthews bailing on us left me in a bit of a bind. Planned for an even ten pods on the damned thing and it was already halfway built. You know how pissy architects get…
Whoever he's talking to snickers at the mention of that particular profession before the boss continues.
JACKSON
Can't run a match like that with nine people. That's not a good number. Has to be even, especially if we're doing it out there in the Mojave. So, I appreciate you coming in clutch for me, kiddo. More than you know.
The sound of a throat clearing behind him has The Dark Horse whipping his head around and he spots the camera and chief medical officer ASH DEVEREAUX at the same time. Whoever he was talking to takes that moment to slip off into the shadows, knowing that this intrusion is bound to get ugly.
ASH DEVEREAUX
Tyson Deuce is on his way to the hospital – I've ordered an MRI. Pretty sure we're looking at a serious rupture or a torn rotator cuff.
JACKSON
Great. That's fucking great. I had plans for that kid, too.
ASH DEVEREAUX
I'll let you know what they find. Best case scenario, he might be back by August or Septem—
JACKSON
Fuck it. Give the kid his release if he wants it.
He shoves past Devereaux, clearly annoyed and distracted as he storms off down the hall, muttering to himself.
JACKSON
…gotta change the goddamned SOLSTICE card again. No big deal. Fucking hell.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. ELDORADO CASINO -- POKER TABLES
Returning from another SplatTV ad break, we find the three members of TRINACRIA, NICO PAZZINI, RICKY RHODES and VINCENZO RIINA in the middle of what looks to be a private game of cards. There's a pretty big pile of bills on the table and Nico’s the first to spot the camera.
NICO PAZZINI
Don’t be looking at my cards, man! This is some big stakes here!
Rhodes, glances at his cards casually before responding.
RICKY RHODES
Not as big as the ones against the Socialites tonight, though. Raising..
He tosses in another bill. Nico grumbles while the big man between the two stays silent, eyes hidden behind those ever-present black sunglasses.
NICO PAZZINI
Call. Vinnie, you in?
Without a word, Vincenzo throws in a bill.
NICO PAZZINI
Them honeys got some big mouths on them for sure. I bet I could find some better use for them than yappin’ on about how ugly we supposedly are. I mean don’t these women know who we are...calling us Wannabe Sopranos. I mean first of all, we aren’t American! We are Sicilianos!
RICKY RHODES
(interjecting smoothly)
I’m not.
Pazzini doesn’t seem to notice, growing more heated.
NICO PAZZINI
Wannabe Sopranos. Don’t they know who the fuck we are?! My family is the single most--
RICKY RHODES
(interrupting)
...single most legendary wrestling family out of Sicily. Yes the Pazzinis. Both Camilla and Isabella, your aunts are known and respected globally in this business and the Socialites WISH they could even carry their bags. I know precisely what you mean, Nicolo.
We can see Nico’s eyes bulge out as he starts to pant.
NICO PAZZINI
You know full well that’s not what I mean, Rick. I mean calling us Wannabe Sopranos...when we are SICILIAN is an INSULT!! That’s like calling their roots fake, fugazes, man!
Vincenzo discards a few cards in silence while Ricky, working as the dealer, hands him some back.
RICKY RHODES
Sopranos was critically acclaimed. They called it best TV show of all time; that is pretty high praise. Personally, I don’t mind it one bit. Thought it was actually a good watch and--
Pazzini growls and slams his fist down on the table.
NICO PAZZINI
AND FAKE! BUNCH OF SCRIPTED FAKE NONSENSE ABOUT A LOW RANKING, BOTTOM OF THE RUNG NEW JERSEY CRIME FAMILY WHO ARE COMPLETE JOKES COMPARED TO THE OG’S LIKE MY FAMILY ARE--
Again Rhodes cuts him off.
RICKY RHODES
Well known philanthropists and charity donators in Palermo, I know. Such a charitable family. Great in and out of the ring. How many wrestling legends can say that? I bet you are proud of them--
NICO PAZZINI
Damn right I am proud of my family and my heritage. Sicilianos but comparing us to some New Jersey scum..is like comparing royals to fuckin’ farmers. I mean if we gotta be compared to the Ameriganos why not one of the big five, why not even New York?!
Ricky tosses in a few cards and reaches to pick new ones.
RICKY RHODES
So if they thought we were from New York, that would make it okay then? New Jersey isn’t THAT far from it geographically--
NICO PAZZINI
NO ,RICK! IT WOULD NOT BE OKAY. WE ARE NOT AMERICAN, WE ARE SICILIAN ROYALTY NOT SOME SHIT KICKING FARMHAND FROM NEW JERSEY OR AMERIGANOS WHO GET THEIR TOMATO SAUCE OUT OF A CAN!
Rhodes arches a brow.
RICKY RHODES
(coolly)
I'm an American... from California.
NICO PAZZINI
THIS IS AN INSULT OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, COMPARING US TO A BUNCH OF FARMERS!
Rhodes shrugs and raises the bet again.
RICKY RHODES
Vincenzo’s from Corleone though. Aren’t they big on farming there? You saying he’s no good, Nick?
Nicolo Ludovico Pazzini puts his cards down and glares across the table.
NICO PAZZINI
Why you gotta be that way, man? Trying to architect building a damn rift amongst your own people ahead of this big match we got tonight?
RICKY RHODES
I’m not.
NICO PAZZINI
Madonna Mia, Ricky! It’s enough that I have to put up with these honeys with their root growth showing their highlights fading calling me ugly and not a real man when I could charm, romance and dance the panties off all three of them. I mean they talk down to me, when their idea of a man is rubbing all over Mosh for fucks sake, forgetabout it, man! They don’t know fuck about real men..
He looks at the camera and smirks.
NICO PAZZINI
But tonight, we’ll show you a good time, I mean, when you get in that ring with me, you’ll forget all about Christopher Mosh...and Vinnie here, the big man...he’s big enough for all three of you, sweep you off of your collective feet and Rick here..
He looks at Ricky.
NICO PAZZINI
Well he’s off the market, but me and Vinnie can take on all three of you and show you just what a REAL MAN is like... while Chris Mosh seems like the type who’d get a kick out of something like that too. Only kick he’ll get from me and Vin will be to the damn head, make Tolson’s match that much easier oh and hey Sammy...if you ever feel like, changing teams?
He does the gesture of a phone with his fingers and mouths out, "call me".
Rhodes clears his throat loudly.
RICKY RHODES
You go, Nicky..
NICO PAZZINI
Oh shit, I call..Vin-man?
Without a word Vincenzo throws in a roll of bills.
RICKY RHODES
You gotta be bluffing…
NICO PAZZINI
MADONNA! HOW MUCH IS THAT?! Rick, you are good with numbers, add it up.
Rhodes undoes the bills and starts to count as Nico goes on.
NICO PAZZINI
So tonight, Socialites. You honeys are in for a rude awakening. When the three of you waltz into this joint thinking of us as some kinda mooks you can just walk on over, we’ll deal with you the old country way and if you wanna talk to about Sopranos, my family the way we do things, we’d leave all of you in such a mess that it would be all over the ring--
RICKY RHODES
Like your auntie Isabella’s pasta sauce, which she makes with the secret family recipe passed on by generations. Though, to be honest, I don’t know what’s so bad about getting tomato sauce out of a can when it all tastes like ketchup--
NICO PAZZINI
Don’t you diss my auntie Izzy’s cooking, you palate-less Amerigano! You've got no taste--
RICKY RHODES
...wanna try telling that to your Aunt Camilla? Want me to call her right now? Or just wave. She's bound to be watching. Go on, say hi and tell her how bad my taste is, Nicky.
NICO PAZZINI
(muttering)
No sense of honour at all.
He empties his pockets to the table, pushing them to the pot.
NICO PAZZINI
All in.
RiCKY RHODES
It was a grand by the way.
NICO PAZZINI
What was?!
RICKY RHODES
Vincenzo’s raise...a grand. One thousand dollars.
Rhodes is counting Nico’s added funds, shaking his head.
RICKY RHODES
This isn’t enough, Nicky.
NICO PAZZINI
FUCK YOU, IT ISN’T!
RICKY RHODES
It isn’t. Got anything else?
Pazzini’s eyes dart around he lowers his voice.
NICO PAZZINI
Spot me a couple of bills..will ya?
RICKY RHODES
No.
NICO PAZZINI
COME ON, WE ARE PRATICALLY FAMILY!
RICKY RHODES
(chuckling)
We might just be but my money is...well... MY money.
NICO PAZZINI
Vin? Help me out?
Vincenzo Riina sits there silent, emotionless.
NICO PAZZINI
..fucking no loyalty in this crew. FINE.
He pulls a massive thick gold chain from around his neck and slams it to the table.
NICO PAZZINI
That’ll do. Rick, you in?
With a simple nod Ricky pushes in a pair of crisp bills and Nico lays his cards out.
NICO PAZZINI
Three kings, kinda like us. I’ll be having my money no--
Rhodes puts up a gloved hand.
RICKY RHODES
Hold it.
Laying out his cards, he smirks.
RICKY RHODES
Three aces, looks like that’s MY money no--
He goes for the money when Vincenzo’s meaty palm lands on top of his gloved hand. The big man lays down a Royal Flush. Both Nico and Ricky stare at the big man, their mouths wide open, eyes ready to pop out of their sockets.
RICKY RHODES
….every goddamn time?
NICO PAZZINI
This fucking guy!
Without as much as a word Vincenzo sweeps the pot off the table, not even flinching as Nico jumps up so fast his chair falls over.
NICO PAZZINI
THIS SHIT AIN’T OVER! SOMEBODY GONNA PAY FOR THIS TONIGHT! TRINACRIA IS NOT DONE!
Rhodes barks at the camera slapping his gloved hand over the lens and his muffled voice is the last thing heard before the view cuts back to ringside.
RICKY RHODES
Get that camera out of here, now!
GRUDGE MATCH
G.O.D. vs RENO NEVADA
As soon as the bell rings, Reno leaps forth with a sudden and thunderous superman punch that finds its mark right between the eyes of G.O.D! He's sent stumbling into the ropes as Reno squares his shoulders and stays on the bigger opponent, peppering his torso with a rapid firing of jabs and uppercuts! G.O.D leans through the ropes practically yelping for help as the referee backs an irate looking Reno off of him. As soon as G.O.D comes off the ropes however Reno is back on him, driving him into a corner with more body shots! Reno straightens up his posture though and begins laying loud, thunderous, clapping chops across G.O.D’s chest! The audience lets out a "WOOOOO!" with each one, as is in their NATURE. Reno goes to whip G.O.D out of the corner but he reverses and sends Reno crashing to the other ring post! GOD charges in, nailing a clothesline that almost decleats Reno!
Devione backs up to the other ring post and charges in, nailing a corner splash! He backs up once more and goes to run in for another attack but THE OL RIGHT THERE FRED! RENO CONNECTS WITH A SOLID RIGHT HAND AND G.O.D IS DOWN AND LOOKING DAZED! Before Rana can call it, Reno drags Devione up and nails him with "WELCOME TO RENO, MOTHERFUCKER!". Devione is down and Reno heads over to the corner where he left that stolen Stetson, settling it on his head before he goes for the pin. He drops a knee into the face of G.O.D for good measure before lazily floating over to hook the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): RENO NEVADA
Backstage, a well-muscled and quite handsome man in a black shirt with SECURITY emblazoned upon the back is seen standing in the hallway, leaning against the wall outside the medical offices. He sighs, rolling his eyes as he glances back into the room where ASH DEVEREAUX is seen, tending to a battered and bruised GIOVANNI ODYSSEUS DEVIONE. The man is none other than the newly-appointed head of security, none other than the General Manager's son-in-law, DEVON RIVERA. He catches sight of a man down the hall who looks out of place and pushes off from the wall, his voice booming as he shouts.
DEVON RIVERA
Hey! This is a restricted area. Nobody outside of UPRISING personnel should be down here.
The guy in question pulls out a tape measure, humming to himself as he measures the doorway of the room that's marked as the ATLAS CHAMBER. Rivera stands there for a moment, watching the dude as he measures the doorframe and then loudly clears his throat.
DEVON RIVERA
Yo, chief. You deaf or just ignoring me? I said you can't be down here without proper credentials. You hear-
Devon's hand closes over the man's shoulder and the trespasser turns, the earbuds visible in his ears. He yanks the cord free, not really paying attention to the security guard.
UNKNOWN MAN
I've got a pass, kid. Relax. Jax hired me to-
DEVON RIVERA
…Dad?
The man blinks, actually looking at the younger guy in the security shirt for the first time.
UNKNOWN MAN
…Devon?
BOTH
(in unison)
What the hell are you doing here?!
As the two men stare at each other in confusion, the view returns to ringside.
TAG TEAM MATCH
BLACK CRUSADE WORLDWIDE vs THE HIVE
Starting off the match, Pyrebird wastes no time as she dashes forward, grabbing a handful of Kassandra's hair and dragging her down and right into a knee – THAT HAS TO HURT! Kassandra shakes it off and gets back up, dodging another speedy strike flurry before she nails a buzzsaw kick of her own, forcing Pyrebird to back off! Kass takes that opportunity to dive into her corner, making the hot tag to Danae who's more than happy to collide with the redheaded Amazon. The two trade strikes, the power of Pyrebird matching the ferocity of Danae's until they've both got red hands and chests from all the strikes. Danae comes in with a telegraphed superman punch and Pyrebird ducks under and scoops her up – HOLY SHIT! PHOENIX DOWN (uproot back drop driver) AND DANAE CRASHES INTO THE ROPES. She goes down hard, clutching at her neck and Pyrebird drops a leg across her neck before floating over for a Thesz press only to get a warning from Neil Rana for the severity of her closed-fist strikes. She breaks off and lets Danae up – HUGE MISTAKE! A telegraphed strike and Danae's caught her out in the middle of the ring, taking her over with a saito suplex with a hooked leg!
ONE!
TW—NO!
Pyrebird kicks out and lurches to her feet, diving into the corner to make the hot tag. She turns around just as Danae's rising and spears her right off her feet, hoisting her for a powerbomb – JURITSU'S UP TOP AND NAILS THE TEXTBOOK BLOCKBUSTER! BRASS RING AND THE LEG'S HOOKED! PYREBIRD CUTS OFF KASSANDRA'S ATTEMPT TO BREAK UP THE PINFALL!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): BLACK CRUSADE WORLDWIDE
NICO PAZZINI
Don’t be looking at my cards, man! This is some big stakes here!
Rhodes, glances at his cards casually before responding.
RICKY RHODES
Not as big as the ones against the Socialites tonight, though. Raising..
He tosses in another bill. Nico grumbles while the big man between the two stays silent, eyes hidden behind those ever-present black sunglasses.
NICO PAZZINI
Call. Vinnie, you in?
Without a word, Vincenzo throws in a bill.
NICO PAZZINI
Them honeys got some big mouths on them for sure. I bet I could find some better use for them than yappin’ on about how ugly we supposedly are. I mean don’t these women know who we are...calling us Wannabe Sopranos. I mean first of all, we aren’t American! We are Sicilianos!
RICKY RHODES
(interjecting smoothly)
I’m not.
Pazzini doesn’t seem to notice, growing more heated.
NICO PAZZINI
Wannabe Sopranos. Don’t they know who the fuck we are?! My family is the single most--
RICKY RHODES
(interrupting)
...single most legendary wrestling family out of Sicily. Yes the Pazzinis. Both Camilla and Isabella, your aunts are known and respected globally in this business and the Socialites WISH they could even carry their bags. I know precisely what you mean, Nicolo.
We can see Nico’s eyes bulge out as he starts to pant.
NICO PAZZINI
You know full well that’s not what I mean, Rick. I mean calling us Wannabe Sopranos...when we are SICILIAN is an INSULT!! That’s like calling their roots fake, fugazes, man!
Vincenzo discards a few cards in silence while Ricky, working as the dealer, hands him some back.
RICKY RHODES
Sopranos was critically acclaimed. They called it best TV show of all time; that is pretty high praise. Personally, I don’t mind it one bit. Thought it was actually a good watch and--
Pazzini growls and slams his fist down on the table.
NICO PAZZINI
AND FAKE! BUNCH OF SCRIPTED FAKE NONSENSE ABOUT A LOW RANKING, BOTTOM OF THE RUNG NEW JERSEY CRIME FAMILY WHO ARE COMPLETE JOKES COMPARED TO THE OG’S LIKE MY FAMILY ARE--
Again Rhodes cuts him off.
RICKY RHODES
Well known philanthropists and charity donators in Palermo, I know. Such a charitable family. Great in and out of the ring. How many wrestling legends can say that? I bet you are proud of them--
NICO PAZZINI
Damn right I am proud of my family and my heritage. Sicilianos but comparing us to some New Jersey scum..is like comparing royals to fuckin’ farmers. I mean if we gotta be compared to the Ameriganos why not one of the big five, why not even New York?!
Ricky tosses in a few cards and reaches to pick new ones.
RICKY RHODES
So if they thought we were from New York, that would make it okay then? New Jersey isn’t THAT far from it geographically--
NICO PAZZINI
NO ,RICK! IT WOULD NOT BE OKAY. WE ARE NOT AMERICAN, WE ARE SICILIAN ROYALTY NOT SOME SHIT KICKING FARMHAND FROM NEW JERSEY OR AMERIGANOS WHO GET THEIR TOMATO SAUCE OUT OF A CAN!
Rhodes arches a brow.
RICKY RHODES
(coolly)
I'm an American... from California.
NICO PAZZINI
THIS IS AN INSULT OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, COMPARING US TO A BUNCH OF FARMERS!
Rhodes shrugs and raises the bet again.
RICKY RHODES
Vincenzo’s from Corleone though. Aren’t they big on farming there? You saying he’s no good, Nick?
Nicolo Ludovico Pazzini puts his cards down and glares across the table.
NICO PAZZINI
Why you gotta be that way, man? Trying to architect building a damn rift amongst your own people ahead of this big match we got tonight?
RICKY RHODES
I’m not.
NICO PAZZINI
Madonna Mia, Ricky! It’s enough that I have to put up with these honeys with their root growth showing their highlights fading calling me ugly and not a real man when I could charm, romance and dance the panties off all three of them. I mean they talk down to me, when their idea of a man is rubbing all over Mosh for fucks sake, forgetabout it, man! They don’t know fuck about real men..
He looks at the camera and smirks.
NICO PAZZINI
But tonight, we’ll show you a good time, I mean, when you get in that ring with me, you’ll forget all about Christopher Mosh...and Vinnie here, the big man...he’s big enough for all three of you, sweep you off of your collective feet and Rick here..
He looks at Ricky.
NICO PAZZINI
Well he’s off the market, but me and Vinnie can take on all three of you and show you just what a REAL MAN is like... while Chris Mosh seems like the type who’d get a kick out of something like that too. Only kick he’ll get from me and Vin will be to the damn head, make Tolson’s match that much easier oh and hey Sammy...if you ever feel like, changing teams?
He does the gesture of a phone with his fingers and mouths out, "call me".
Rhodes clears his throat loudly.
RICKY RHODES
You go, Nicky..
NICO PAZZINI
Oh shit, I call..Vin-man?
Without a word Vincenzo throws in a roll of bills.
RICKY RHODES
You gotta be bluffing…
NICO PAZZINI
MADONNA! HOW MUCH IS THAT?! Rick, you are good with numbers, add it up.
Rhodes undoes the bills and starts to count as Nico goes on.
NICO PAZZINI
So tonight, Socialites. You honeys are in for a rude awakening. When the three of you waltz into this joint thinking of us as some kinda mooks you can just walk on over, we’ll deal with you the old country way and if you wanna talk to about Sopranos, my family the way we do things, we’d leave all of you in such a mess that it would be all over the ring--
RICKY RHODES
Like your auntie Isabella’s pasta sauce, which she makes with the secret family recipe passed on by generations. Though, to be honest, I don’t know what’s so bad about getting tomato sauce out of a can when it all tastes like ketchup--
NICO PAZZINI
Don’t you diss my auntie Izzy’s cooking, you palate-less Amerigano! You've got no taste--
RICKY RHODES
...wanna try telling that to your Aunt Camilla? Want me to call her right now? Or just wave. She's bound to be watching. Go on, say hi and tell her how bad my taste is, Nicky.
NICO PAZZINI
(muttering)
No sense of honour at all.
He empties his pockets to the table, pushing them to the pot.
NICO PAZZINI
All in.
RiCKY RHODES
It was a grand by the way.
NICO PAZZINI
What was?!
RICKY RHODES
Vincenzo’s raise...a grand. One thousand dollars.
Rhodes is counting Nico’s added funds, shaking his head.
RICKY RHODES
This isn’t enough, Nicky.
NICO PAZZINI
FUCK YOU, IT ISN’T!
RICKY RHODES
It isn’t. Got anything else?
Pazzini’s eyes dart around he lowers his voice.
NICO PAZZINI
Spot me a couple of bills..will ya?
RICKY RHODES
No.
NICO PAZZINI
COME ON, WE ARE PRATICALLY FAMILY!
RICKY RHODES
(chuckling)
We might just be but my money is...well... MY money.
NICO PAZZINI
Vin? Help me out?
Vincenzo Riina sits there silent, emotionless.
NICO PAZZINI
..fucking no loyalty in this crew. FINE.
He pulls a massive thick gold chain from around his neck and slams it to the table.
NICO PAZZINI
That’ll do. Rick, you in?
With a simple nod Ricky pushes in a pair of crisp bills and Nico lays his cards out.
NICO PAZZINI
Three kings, kinda like us. I’ll be having my money no--
Rhodes puts up a gloved hand.
RICKY RHODES
Hold it.
Laying out his cards, he smirks.
RICKY RHODES
Three aces, looks like that’s MY money no--
He goes for the money when Vincenzo’s meaty palm lands on top of his gloved hand. The big man lays down a Royal Flush. Both Nico and Ricky stare at the big man, their mouths wide open, eyes ready to pop out of their sockets.
RICKY RHODES
….every goddamn time?
NICO PAZZINI
This fucking guy!
Without as much as a word Vincenzo sweeps the pot off the table, not even flinching as Nico jumps up so fast his chair falls over.
NICO PAZZINI
THIS SHIT AIN’T OVER! SOMEBODY GONNA PAY FOR THIS TONIGHT! TRINACRIA IS NOT DONE!
Rhodes barks at the camera slapping his gloved hand over the lens and his muffled voice is the last thing heard before the view cuts back to ringside.
RICKY RHODES
Get that camera out of here, now!
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
GRUDGE MATCH
G.O.D. vs RENO NEVADA
As soon as the bell rings, Reno leaps forth with a sudden and thunderous superman punch that finds its mark right between the eyes of G.O.D! He's sent stumbling into the ropes as Reno squares his shoulders and stays on the bigger opponent, peppering his torso with a rapid firing of jabs and uppercuts! G.O.D leans through the ropes practically yelping for help as the referee backs an irate looking Reno off of him. As soon as G.O.D comes off the ropes however Reno is back on him, driving him into a corner with more body shots! Reno straightens up his posture though and begins laying loud, thunderous, clapping chops across G.O.D’s chest! The audience lets out a "WOOOOO!" with each one, as is in their NATURE. Reno goes to whip G.O.D out of the corner but he reverses and sends Reno crashing to the other ring post! GOD charges in, nailing a clothesline that almost decleats Reno!
Devione backs up to the other ring post and charges in, nailing a corner splash! He backs up once more and goes to run in for another attack but THE OL RIGHT THERE FRED! RENO CONNECTS WITH A SOLID RIGHT HAND AND G.O.D IS DOWN AND LOOKING DAZED! Before Rana can call it, Reno drags Devione up and nails him with "WELCOME TO RENO, MOTHERFUCKER!". Devione is down and Reno heads over to the corner where he left that stolen Stetson, settling it on his head before he goes for the pin. He drops a knee into the face of G.O.D for good measure before lazily floating over to hook the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): RENO NEVADA
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
Backstage, a well-muscled and quite handsome man in a black shirt with SECURITY emblazoned upon the back is seen standing in the hallway, leaning against the wall outside the medical offices. He sighs, rolling his eyes as he glances back into the room where ASH DEVEREAUX is seen, tending to a battered and bruised GIOVANNI ODYSSEUS DEVIONE. The man is none other than the newly-appointed head of security, none other than the General Manager's son-in-law, DEVON RIVERA. He catches sight of a man down the hall who looks out of place and pushes off from the wall, his voice booming as he shouts.
DEVON RIVERA
Hey! This is a restricted area. Nobody outside of UPRISING personnel should be down here.
The guy in question pulls out a tape measure, humming to himself as he measures the doorway of the room that's marked as the ATLAS CHAMBER. Rivera stands there for a moment, watching the dude as he measures the doorframe and then loudly clears his throat.
DEVON RIVERA
Yo, chief. You deaf or just ignoring me? I said you can't be down here without proper credentials. You hear-
Devon's hand closes over the man's shoulder and the trespasser turns, the earbuds visible in his ears. He yanks the cord free, not really paying attention to the security guard.
UNKNOWN MAN
I've got a pass, kid. Relax. Jax hired me to-
DEVON RIVERA
…Dad?
The man blinks, actually looking at the younger guy in the security shirt for the first time.
UNKNOWN MAN
…Devon?
BOTH
(in unison)
What the hell are you doing here?!
As the two men stare at each other in confusion, the view returns to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
TAG TEAM MATCH
BLACK CRUSADE WORLDWIDE vs THE HIVE
Starting off the match, Pyrebird wastes no time as she dashes forward, grabbing a handful of Kassandra's hair and dragging her down and right into a knee – THAT HAS TO HURT! Kassandra shakes it off and gets back up, dodging another speedy strike flurry before she nails a buzzsaw kick of her own, forcing Pyrebird to back off! Kass takes that opportunity to dive into her corner, making the hot tag to Danae who's more than happy to collide with the redheaded Amazon. The two trade strikes, the power of Pyrebird matching the ferocity of Danae's until they've both got red hands and chests from all the strikes. Danae comes in with a telegraphed superman punch and Pyrebird ducks under and scoops her up – HOLY SHIT! PHOENIX DOWN (uproot back drop driver) AND DANAE CRASHES INTO THE ROPES. She goes down hard, clutching at her neck and Pyrebird drops a leg across her neck before floating over for a Thesz press only to get a warning from Neil Rana for the severity of her closed-fist strikes. She breaks off and lets Danae up – HUGE MISTAKE! A telegraphed strike and Danae's caught her out in the middle of the ring, taking her over with a saito suplex with a hooked leg!
ONE!
TW—NO!
Pyrebird kicks out and lurches to her feet, diving into the corner to make the hot tag. She turns around just as Danae's rising and spears her right off her feet, hoisting her for a powerbomb – JURITSU'S UP TOP AND NAILS THE TEXTBOOK BLOCKBUSTER! BRASS RING AND THE LEG'S HOOKED! PYREBIRD CUTS OFF KASSANDRA'S ATTEMPT TO BREAK UP THE PINFALL!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): BLACK CRUSADE WORLDWIDE
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. RINGSIDE -- CONTINUOUS
The crowd rises to their feet and explodes as 'No Good Bastards' by Tom Macdonald hits the sound system hard. With each hit of the bass, they get louder before MAC BANE steps out onto the stage. Dressed in blue jeans, black wife beater and black boots, he holds his half of the tag team titles high in the air. Then he brings the title back down and rests it on his shoulder. He rubs his taped fists back and forth, loosening his wrists. No smile tonight as he approaches the ring. He pauses only to ascend the ring steps, then respectfully he wipes his boots off on the apron before entering the ring. He looks at the tables propped up in the corner with the just-released TOTAL ANARCHY logo on them and smirks. While he’s getting a microphone from the ring attendant, the music continues to play, nearly drowned out by the enthusiastic crowd. He leans back against the ring ropes, raising the microphone up.
MAC BANE
Cut my damn music!
He shouts into the microphone. The music cuts off immediately and the crowd falls eerily silent as he steps forward to the center of the ring.
MAC BANE
Here in a little while, Amber and I will defend these titles.
He says, adjusting the tag team title belt on his shoulder. A murmur runs through the crowd.
MAC BANE
Before I get to that though, there’s something going on around here that pisses me off.
The crowd pops for the angry Texan. It does not, however, provoke a smile from the big man.
MAC BANE
When you walked into the building tonight, you were expecting to see some guy that they call "The Outlaw" or "The Cowboy".
The crowd pops again and again with no facial expression change.
MAC BANE
Sorry to disappoint but that’s not who you will see in this ring tonight.
The crowd murmurs again, obviously confused.
MAC BANE
When I first entered this business, the first company I ever worked for, I earned my moniker. I did that by destroying the little groups of individuals who thought they were better than everyone else.
The crowd pops with laughter and excitement.
MAC BANE
That is where "The One Man Wrecking Crew" was born!
The crowd roars with approval as Bane begins pacing the ring.
MAC BANE
And that’s who you’ll see tonight! More important than that is why.
He finally stops pacing. The intensity and anger on his face is obvious.
MAC BANE
Legion and your Church….goes up in flames tonight.
As if on queue, the muscle-bound Enigma appears on the stage, glaring at Bane. A chorus of boos rains down on the big man, even though there are some of the faceless devils out there in the crowd. He charges the ring, sliding under the bottom rope. Mac drops the microphone and the title belt, moving to meet him and stomping him down as he enters the ring. Enigma quickly gets to his feet through the flurry of blows from Bane. The two big men are throwing wild right hands as the crowd goes insane! Mac gains the advantage and rocks Enigma. He shoots the big man to the ropes, Enigma rebounds off the far side and runs into Mac’s spinning high impact spine buster he calls 'The Standard'! The crowd erupts again as Mac quickly gets back to his feet and he tosses Enigma through the ropes to the outside!
Mac again eyeballs the tables stacked against the corner of the stage and for the first time since he arrived tonight a smile blooms on his face. Enigma slowly regains his footing and leans up against one of those tables. He turns just as Bane connects with a spear that folds the big man in half! The table just seems to disintegrate from the impact as they fly right through it. Mac is back on his feet within seconds and he starts back towards the ring, picking up the microphone that he dropped. He looks down at his handiwork and smiles.
MAC BANE
Any questions?
He drops the microphone and exits the ring, leaving Enigma at ringside in a pile of wreckage. He heads up the ramp, turning to look on as Jack Owyns hops over the barrier, not bothering to wait for his music to start his match. He grabs the dazed Enigma and slings him at the ring, rolling him inside as the bell rings to start off the match.
JACK OWYNS vs ENIGMA
Owyns circles and sizes up Enigma before the two go to lock up with Enigma easily gaining the strength advantage, driving Owyns to the ropes then whipping him off of them. Owyns ducks a clothesline and hites the brakes, instantly nailing Enigma with a swinging neckbreaker! But the big man is up as quick as Owyns and sends him crashing with a shoulder tackle! Enigma pulls Owyns to his feet, and goes to nail a vertical suplex but Owyns manages to get free, nailing a chop block that brings the Enigma down to one knee! Owyns spikes his head with a DDT, before rolling him over and going for the pin!
ONE!
Enigma THROWS OWYNS OFF OF HIM WITH AUTHORITY! The two rush to their feet to square off when suddenly 'Hell Broke Luce' by Tom Waits blasts through the ballroom's sound system, causing the crowd to come unglued! The action in the ring stops as MATT KNOX emerges from the back to fulfill the promise he made on Twitter! The two men in the ring shout at Knox who makes his way toward it patiently, without a care in the world. His gaze is less relaxed, more dangerous as it drifts between the two. He steps up on the apron, then into the ring...AND OWYNS SHOVES ENIGMA FORWARD! Enigma and Knox begin to brawl and Ref Stef calls for the bell, waving off the bout.
WINNER: NO CONTEST
Enigma SHOVES Knox back, taking control with his strength advantage as Owyns stalks around outside the ring! Knox ducks a punch and Enigma turns around into a roundhouse kick! He’s rocked and Knox drives another kick into his left knee, dropping Enigma down to one knee before stepping back and driving his boot into Enigma’s face with a pump kick! Jack Ownys is in now! He goes for the VILLAINOUS KNEE but Knox dodges it deftly! He goes for a running big boot but Owyns evades, the two resolve to begin trading shin kicks, each trying to chop the other down before Knox feints low and goes high, nailing Owyns hard in the side of the head! Enough to turn him around and..THE MERCY..BUT ENGIMA BREAKS IT UP! OWYNS BAILS AND JUMPS THE GUARD RAIL!
Knox manages to loose himself free from Enigma’s grip and nails a thunderous superkick that sends the Church's muscle reeling...it's at this time that HAYDEN TRIGGS and SIOBHAN MCLEOD rush the ring! Knox thinks better of it, and hops out, making a hasty escape over the guardrail and grinning back to the group in the ring as Jack Owyns watches from a spot in the crowd opposite, sneering.
The crowd rises to their feet and explodes as 'No Good Bastards' by Tom Macdonald hits the sound system hard. With each hit of the bass, they get louder before MAC BANE steps out onto the stage. Dressed in blue jeans, black wife beater and black boots, he holds his half of the tag team titles high in the air. Then he brings the title back down and rests it on his shoulder. He rubs his taped fists back and forth, loosening his wrists. No smile tonight as he approaches the ring. He pauses only to ascend the ring steps, then respectfully he wipes his boots off on the apron before entering the ring. He looks at the tables propped up in the corner with the just-released TOTAL ANARCHY logo on them and smirks. While he’s getting a microphone from the ring attendant, the music continues to play, nearly drowned out by the enthusiastic crowd. He leans back against the ring ropes, raising the microphone up.
MAC BANE
Cut my damn music!
He shouts into the microphone. The music cuts off immediately and the crowd falls eerily silent as he steps forward to the center of the ring.
MAC BANE
Here in a little while, Amber and I will defend these titles.
He says, adjusting the tag team title belt on his shoulder. A murmur runs through the crowd.
MAC BANE
Before I get to that though, there’s something going on around here that pisses me off.
The crowd pops for the angry Texan. It does not, however, provoke a smile from the big man.
MAC BANE
When you walked into the building tonight, you were expecting to see some guy that they call "The Outlaw" or "The Cowboy".
The crowd pops again and again with no facial expression change.
MAC BANE
Sorry to disappoint but that’s not who you will see in this ring tonight.
The crowd murmurs again, obviously confused.
MAC BANE
When I first entered this business, the first company I ever worked for, I earned my moniker. I did that by destroying the little groups of individuals who thought they were better than everyone else.
The crowd pops with laughter and excitement.
MAC BANE
That is where "The One Man Wrecking Crew" was born!
The crowd roars with approval as Bane begins pacing the ring.
MAC BANE
And that’s who you’ll see tonight! More important than that is why.
He finally stops pacing. The intensity and anger on his face is obvious.
MAC BANE
Legion and your Church….goes up in flames tonight.
As if on queue, the muscle-bound Enigma appears on the stage, glaring at Bane. A chorus of boos rains down on the big man, even though there are some of the faceless devils out there in the crowd. He charges the ring, sliding under the bottom rope. Mac drops the microphone and the title belt, moving to meet him and stomping him down as he enters the ring. Enigma quickly gets to his feet through the flurry of blows from Bane. The two big men are throwing wild right hands as the crowd goes insane! Mac gains the advantage and rocks Enigma. He shoots the big man to the ropes, Enigma rebounds off the far side and runs into Mac’s spinning high impact spine buster he calls 'The Standard'! The crowd erupts again as Mac quickly gets back to his feet and he tosses Enigma through the ropes to the outside!
Mac again eyeballs the tables stacked against the corner of the stage and for the first time since he arrived tonight a smile blooms on his face. Enigma slowly regains his footing and leans up against one of those tables. He turns just as Bane connects with a spear that folds the big man in half! The table just seems to disintegrate from the impact as they fly right through it. Mac is back on his feet within seconds and he starts back towards the ring, picking up the microphone that he dropped. He looks down at his handiwork and smiles.
MAC BANE
Any questions?
He drops the microphone and exits the ring, leaving Enigma at ringside in a pile of wreckage. He heads up the ramp, turning to look on as Jack Owyns hops over the barrier, not bothering to wait for his music to start his match. He grabs the dazed Enigma and slings him at the ring, rolling him inside as the bell rings to start off the match.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
JACK OWYNS vs ENIGMA
Owyns circles and sizes up Enigma before the two go to lock up with Enigma easily gaining the strength advantage, driving Owyns to the ropes then whipping him off of them. Owyns ducks a clothesline and hites the brakes, instantly nailing Enigma with a swinging neckbreaker! But the big man is up as quick as Owyns and sends him crashing with a shoulder tackle! Enigma pulls Owyns to his feet, and goes to nail a vertical suplex but Owyns manages to get free, nailing a chop block that brings the Enigma down to one knee! Owyns spikes his head with a DDT, before rolling him over and going for the pin!
ONE!
Enigma THROWS OWYNS OFF OF HIM WITH AUTHORITY! The two rush to their feet to square off when suddenly 'Hell Broke Luce' by Tom Waits blasts through the ballroom's sound system, causing the crowd to come unglued! The action in the ring stops as MATT KNOX emerges from the back to fulfill the promise he made on Twitter! The two men in the ring shout at Knox who makes his way toward it patiently, without a care in the world. His gaze is less relaxed, more dangerous as it drifts between the two. He steps up on the apron, then into the ring...AND OWYNS SHOVES ENIGMA FORWARD! Enigma and Knox begin to brawl and Ref Stef calls for the bell, waving off the bout.
WINNER: NO CONTEST
Enigma SHOVES Knox back, taking control with his strength advantage as Owyns stalks around outside the ring! Knox ducks a punch and Enigma turns around into a roundhouse kick! He’s rocked and Knox drives another kick into his left knee, dropping Enigma down to one knee before stepping back and driving his boot into Enigma’s face with a pump kick! Jack Ownys is in now! He goes for the VILLAINOUS KNEE but Knox dodges it deftly! He goes for a running big boot but Owyns evades, the two resolve to begin trading shin kicks, each trying to chop the other down before Knox feints low and goes high, nailing Owyns hard in the side of the head! Enough to turn him around and..THE MERCY..BUT ENGIMA BREAKS IT UP! OWYNS BAILS AND JUMPS THE GUARD RAIL!
Knox manages to loose himself free from Enigma’s grip and nails a thunderous superkick that sends the Church's muscle reeling...it's at this time that HAYDEN TRIGGS and SIOBHAN MCLEOD rush the ring! Knox thinks better of it, and hops out, making a hasty escape over the guardrail and grinning back to the group in the ring as Jack Owyns watches from a spot in the crowd opposite, sneering.
CUT TO:
EXT. ELDORADO CASINO -- PARKING LOT
The words EARLIER TODAY flash across the screen as a 2021 black Mercedes Maybach GLS SUV with tinted windows pulls into a parking spot. Moments later a 2022 silver Porsche 911 GT3 pulls up next to them with a license plate that says "VIP" on it. The driver's side door to the Porsche opens up and CHRIS MOSH steps out wearing a white suit with a silver tie and handkerchief. Chris reaches into the car and takes out the Silver State Championship. Chris looks over at the Mercedes, settling a pair of mirrored Versace shades over his eyes just as both front doors on the SUV open up, followed by the back door on the passenger side. Out steps "SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE from the driver’s seat. VANESSA PAGE steps out of the front passenger seat, and the "DIAMOND PRINCESS" DANIELLE PAGE gets out from the back.
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Looking good, ladies.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Thank you, Chris. You are looking dapper, as always.
Summer and Chris hug as Summer’s sisters walk over to join them.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Chris, these are two of my older sisters. Danielle and Vanessa. Danielle...Vanessa, this is Chris.
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Lovely to meet both of you ladies.
Chris shakes the hands of both Danielle and Vanessa, smirking.
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Welcome aboard, ladies. I am glad we have more friends around, what with all the vultures around here. Have you seen how pathetic this is? Samantha Tolson posts a bunch of bikini shots and the whole roster's tripping over themselves to pledge allegiance. It's pathetic.
VANESSA PAGE
We're glad to be here, Chris. Not only to team up with Summer but to teach the common street trash of UPRISING a lesson in humility.
"DIAMOND PRINCESS" DANIELLE PAGE
We have seen how they have attacked you on Twitter when all you're trying to do is bring a little class and dignity to this sad little company.
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Thank you!!! How is that so hard to understand?
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
I mean.... you have seen the roster, right?
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Ugh, don’t remind me. But now that I am the Silver State Champion going into and leaving REVOLUTION tonight along with the three of you well on your way to becoming the inaugural Trios Champions, we will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with.
VANESSA PAGE
We may have just met but I already like you.
Chris smiles as Danielle is looking around towards the employee entrance off in the distance.
"DIAMOND PRINCESS" DANIELLE PAGE
So, like when is the bellboy supposed to come around and get our bags for us? I thought this was a full-service resort?
AZURINE VEBBINS vs IGNIS
It's a technical spectacle to start off when the LUCHADORK collides with DA ADORKABLE ANGEL and the crowd is here for it, cheering each high-impact strike. The tide seems to turn in Azzy's favor as she nails a standing dropkick and Ignis crumbles into the ropes. Azurine powers her up and they grapple, both heading up to the second rope – NO WAY! SECOND ROPE DDT AND AZURINE IS DOWN BUT ONLY FOR A SECOND! Back up, they trade forearms before Ignis chains wristlocks and takes control again. Azurine counters with a lariat and drives a springboard knee into the guts of the Luchadork – PEARLY GATEKEEPER! NO! THE DRAGON SUPLEX CONNECTS BUT IGNIS COUNTERS THE JAWBREAKER RIGHT INTO BURNING EMBERS! AZURINE VEBBINS IS TRAPPED AND SHE TAPS OUT! Ignis immediately breaks the hold and helps Azurine to her feet, giving the redhead an enthusiastic hug as the crowd erupts in cheers!
WINNER (VIA SUBMISSION): IGNIS
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Looking good, ladies.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Thank you, Chris. You are looking dapper, as always.
Summer and Chris hug as Summer’s sisters walk over to join them.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Chris, these are two of my older sisters. Danielle and Vanessa. Danielle...Vanessa, this is Chris.
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Lovely to meet both of you ladies.
Chris shakes the hands of both Danielle and Vanessa, smirking.
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Welcome aboard, ladies. I am glad we have more friends around, what with all the vultures around here. Have you seen how pathetic this is? Samantha Tolson posts a bunch of bikini shots and the whole roster's tripping over themselves to pledge allegiance. It's pathetic.
VANESSA PAGE
We're glad to be here, Chris. Not only to team up with Summer but to teach the common street trash of UPRISING a lesson in humility.
"DIAMOND PRINCESS" DANIELLE PAGE
We have seen how they have attacked you on Twitter when all you're trying to do is bring a little class and dignity to this sad little company.
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Thank you!!! How is that so hard to understand?
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
I mean.... you have seen the roster, right?
"VIP" CHRIS MOSH
Ugh, don’t remind me. But now that I am the Silver State Champion going into and leaving REVOLUTION tonight along with the three of you well on your way to becoming the inaugural Trios Champions, we will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with.
VANESSA PAGE
We may have just met but I already like you.
Chris smiles as Danielle is looking around towards the employee entrance off in the distance.
"DIAMOND PRINCESS" DANIELLE PAGE
So, like when is the bellboy supposed to come around and get our bags for us? I thought this was a full-service resort?
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
AZURINE VEBBINS vs IGNIS
It's a technical spectacle to start off when the LUCHADORK collides with DA ADORKABLE ANGEL and the crowd is here for it, cheering each high-impact strike. The tide seems to turn in Azzy's favor as she nails a standing dropkick and Ignis crumbles into the ropes. Azurine powers her up and they grapple, both heading up to the second rope – NO WAY! SECOND ROPE DDT AND AZURINE IS DOWN BUT ONLY FOR A SECOND! Back up, they trade forearms before Ignis chains wristlocks and takes control again. Azurine counters with a lariat and drives a springboard knee into the guts of the Luchadork – PEARLY GATEKEEPER! NO! THE DRAGON SUPLEX CONNECTS BUT IGNIS COUNTERS THE JAWBREAKER RIGHT INTO BURNING EMBERS! AZURINE VEBBINS IS TRAPPED AND SHE TAPS OUT! Ignis immediately breaks the hold and helps Azurine to her feet, giving the redhead an enthusiastic hug as the crowd erupts in cheers!
WINNER (VIA SUBMISSION): IGNIS
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
A hulking figure limps down the hall and as the camera catches up to him, it reveals "THE MONSTER MACHINE" ENIGMA, looking a little worse for wear from his assault by Mac Bane and then the subsequent match with Jack Owyns. He's heading towards the locker rooms when he sees NICO PAZZINI leaning up against a wall.
NICO PAZZINI
Hey, Mook, you feel like talking big to me now?
The big man glares at the smaller male, unimpressed with the smirk on the Sicilian's face.
ENIGMA
I... have nothing to say to you.
Pazinni kicks off from the wall and walks up to Enigma
NICO PAZZINI
You had plenty to say before the last show. What’s the matter, big man?! You one of those keyboard warriors who needs social media to feel big?
ENIGMA
(almost snarling)
Now, is not the time. Move.
NICO PAZZINI
Or what? What you gonna do, huh?!
He shoves Enigma, who barely moves.
ENIGMA
Do not do that.
NICO PAZZINI
Do what? THIS?!
He shoves Enigma in the chest again and this time the big man snarls at him.
ENIGMA
I do not have time to mess with you. I am not in the mood so get out of the way before you regret it.
NICO PAZZINI
Make me, stronzo!
He slaps Enigma across the face and the brute snaps, grabbing Nico by the throat. He hoists him up high when he gets jumped from behind! VINCENZO RIINA comes from behind and wraps Nico’s thick gold chain around Enigma’s throat, cutting off his oxygen. Nico’s feet are kicking in the air as he’s trying to get back to the floor. RICKY RHODES runs in and starts kicking Enigma to the back of the knees, dropping the big man down. The moment Enigma’s grip loosens, Nico starts pummeling at his broad chest, mixing those up with some shots to the face. Vincenzo’s grip is tightening up as Ricky goes for a arm, only to get pushed back at as Enigma fights him off. Rhodes steps up with the crane stance and kicks the held down behemoth to the side of the head. With that Enigma slumps down, unconscious and Riina drops him on the floor like a sack of trash. The big man lands with a thud; Rhodes and Pazzini start kicking him in the ribs, stomping the defenseless man while Vincenzo watches on guard.
Out of breath, admiring their handiwork (or in this case footiework) the two men smile like a pair of sharks.
RICKY RHODES
Enigma...solved! One down. Two more to go.
He starts walking off and Vincenzo walks over to the motionless Enigma. Pazzini spots this and gestures at the unconscious monster.
NICO PAZZINI
Leave the mook; take the chain.
He walks off and the last thing we see is Vincenzo Riina, picking up Nico’s gold chain and following up with his associates as the show heads into another advertising break.
_____________________________________________
NICO PAZZINI
Hey, Mook, you feel like talking big to me now?
The big man glares at the smaller male, unimpressed with the smirk on the Sicilian's face.
ENIGMA
I... have nothing to say to you.
Pazinni kicks off from the wall and walks up to Enigma
NICO PAZZINI
You had plenty to say before the last show. What’s the matter, big man?! You one of those keyboard warriors who needs social media to feel big?
ENIGMA
(almost snarling)
Now, is not the time. Move.
NICO PAZZINI
Or what? What you gonna do, huh?!
He shoves Enigma, who barely moves.
ENIGMA
Do not do that.
NICO PAZZINI
Do what? THIS?!
He shoves Enigma in the chest again and this time the big man snarls at him.
ENIGMA
I do not have time to mess with you. I am not in the mood so get out of the way before you regret it.
NICO PAZZINI
Make me, stronzo!
He slaps Enigma across the face and the brute snaps, grabbing Nico by the throat. He hoists him up high when he gets jumped from behind! VINCENZO RIINA comes from behind and wraps Nico’s thick gold chain around Enigma’s throat, cutting off his oxygen. Nico’s feet are kicking in the air as he’s trying to get back to the floor. RICKY RHODES runs in and starts kicking Enigma to the back of the knees, dropping the big man down. The moment Enigma’s grip loosens, Nico starts pummeling at his broad chest, mixing those up with some shots to the face. Vincenzo’s grip is tightening up as Ricky goes for a arm, only to get pushed back at as Enigma fights him off. Rhodes steps up with the crane stance and kicks the held down behemoth to the side of the head. With that Enigma slumps down, unconscious and Riina drops him on the floor like a sack of trash. The big man lands with a thud; Rhodes and Pazzini start kicking him in the ribs, stomping the defenseless man while Vincenzo watches on guard.
Out of breath, admiring their handiwork (or in this case footiework) the two men smile like a pair of sharks.
RICKY RHODES
Enigma...solved! One down. Two more to go.
He starts walking off and Vincenzo walks over to the motionless Enigma. Pazzini spots this and gestures at the unconscious monster.
NICO PAZZINI
Leave the mook; take the chain.
He walks off and the last thing we see is Vincenzo Riina, picking up Nico’s gold chain and following up with his associates as the show heads into another advertising break.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
We return from another ad break to find ourselves backstage at the world-renown Silver State Ballroom with none other than the UPRISING Champion LUTHER THUNDER. The champion is dressed to impress, perfectly groomed from head to toe (as a champion should be). Our cameras catch him in the midst of meeting some fans. Luther helps some kids hold up the championship, grabs a couple of them for a hug and some of the braver fans for a hold until he notices the camera.
LUTHER THUNDER
Good evening, fans of UPRISING! Thank you for inviting us to your homes again and you know what that means. You have once again managed to find the best that there is when it comes to wrestling around the beautiful city of Reno, Nevada. A dozen episodes of Revolution, we’ve had people come and go but there are those of us who have stayed around since day one and boy howdy do we have a treat cooking for you folks at SOLSTICE.
He smiles a broad smile, those pearly white teeth flashing to the camera as the big man in a suit catches a quick pose with an eager fan holding the championship, before going on.
LUTHER THUNDER
We have so many great challengers coming for the biggest prize in UPRISING at SOLSTICE and earlier on my close personal friend Bradley Jackson hinted towards a very valid competitor to replace a very capable and decorated champion elsewhere. Now just anyone can’t replace a star of that level, but we do trust our esteemed General Manager and his judgement on signing the best and the finest the world has to offer. Who knows, maybe it's someone we've already met?
He signs for some autographs and poses for pictures before going on.
LUTHER THUNDER
You have all been with us for a ride that will never be forgotten, twelve episodes of greatness offered to the best wrestling fans in the whole wide world and none of you can say you have not been entertained. I thank you, we all thank you but don’t go anywhere because if you thought what we did so far was great, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
He flashes another grin, digging deeper into his shill.
LUTHER THUNDER
A dozen bi-weekly shows and two Supershows in the books and we're just getting started. If you truly want to know what is going on, who’s at the top of this industry and what is the best thing going today, look no further. It's no mystery why new talent keeps turning up here in Reno. You can't keep the good word from spreading and the best wrestling in the fine state of Nevada is right here in UPRISING. Stay tuned, folks. We just keep getting better. And remember... say it with me, gang?
The camera turns to show the crowd of fans flocking to the champion.
UPRISING FANS
THE REVOLUTION IS BEING TELEVISED!
With that the view cuts back to ringside.
TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
TRINACRIA vs SOCIALITES
Summer and Nico kick off the match while Danielle and Vanessa cheer her on from ringside. Vincenzo is on the floor, pacing while Ricky Rhodes leans on the turnbuckle in the corner, tag rope in hand like a good boy. Summer feints a strike and Nico sees it coming a mile off, catching her with a cheap eye rake and a Russian legsweep for her troubles. He pounces on her, driving the back of her head into the mat but she gets a knee up between his legs. Nico stumbles back and Summer goes for a crisscross but lands into a quick dropkick. Shaking it off, Summer comes back with a head of steam and gets taken over with a backdrop – TRINACRIA IS FIRMLY IN CHARGE OF THE MATCH. Enraged, Danielle springs over the ropes onto Nico's back, pounding away at him before Neil Rana intervenes with a warning. Summer steamrolls Nico with springboard lariat, almost taking his head off. Popping back up to her feet, Summer knocks Ricky Rhodes off the apron, getting huge heat from the crowd in the process. Before she can turn back to assaulting Nico, Vincenzo pulls Summer to the floor for a little payback. Vanessa cuts off the whip into the apron and Nico bails out to help as well before they all regroup back in their respective corners. Pazzini makes the hot tag to Vincenzo as the crowd seems torn on who they should be cheering (and/or booing) for.
Backing off, Summer moves back into her corner, forcing Riina to follow her. She makes a hot tag to Danielle and then drops down, hitting Vincenzo with a chopblock to the knee. Summer takes her sister's hand and holds it up as though she's the hero of the match – OH SHIT, IT WAS A FAKEOUT! Vanessa springboards over the ropes, tagging Danielle's shoulder and catching the big man's head for a DDT that knocks his sunglasses from his face. They go flying and Vanessa Page rolls aside and kips back to her feet, beckoning for Vincenzo to make the first move. He's happy to oblige with a shoulderblock – VANESSA AVOIDS WITH A LEAPFROG BUT VINCENZO CATCHES HER BY THE HAIR AND WHIPS HER INTO THE CANVAS BEFORE STEPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF HER BACK! Vanessa screams in agony as Vincenzo stoops to retrieve his fallen shades, putting them back on before leisurely dropping a fist into the back of her head. He goes for a knee drop on Vanessa but misses as she rolls aside at the last possible second. Vincenzo doesn't even look, turning and catching her as he rises – SPRINGBOARD BODYBLOCK FAIL AND VINCENZO BENDS HER OVER HIS KNEE IN A BOW AND ARROW, LEADING TO MORE SCREAMING AND OH SWEET JESUS! RICKY RHODES LAUNCHES HIMSELF OFF BRET'S ROPE WITH A SICKENING CURB STOMB BEFORE RANA FORCES HIM OUT OF THE RING! Vincenzo Riina makes the cover as Nico Pazzini yanks Summer off the apron, screaming in her face about how much he loathes THE SOPRANOS. Vanessa is out of it, not moving and Danielle seems reluctant to intervene when Rhodes is standing there, ready to unleash that crane kick.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): TRINACRIA
LUTHER THUNDER
Good evening, fans of UPRISING! Thank you for inviting us to your homes again and you know what that means. You have once again managed to find the best that there is when it comes to wrestling around the beautiful city of Reno, Nevada. A dozen episodes of Revolution, we’ve had people come and go but there are those of us who have stayed around since day one and boy howdy do we have a treat cooking for you folks at SOLSTICE.
He smiles a broad smile, those pearly white teeth flashing to the camera as the big man in a suit catches a quick pose with an eager fan holding the championship, before going on.
LUTHER THUNDER
We have so many great challengers coming for the biggest prize in UPRISING at SOLSTICE and earlier on my close personal friend Bradley Jackson hinted towards a very valid competitor to replace a very capable and decorated champion elsewhere. Now just anyone can’t replace a star of that level, but we do trust our esteemed General Manager and his judgement on signing the best and the finest the world has to offer. Who knows, maybe it's someone we've already met?
He signs for some autographs and poses for pictures before going on.
LUTHER THUNDER
You have all been with us for a ride that will never be forgotten, twelve episodes of greatness offered to the best wrestling fans in the whole wide world and none of you can say you have not been entertained. I thank you, we all thank you but don’t go anywhere because if you thought what we did so far was great, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
He flashes another grin, digging deeper into his shill.
LUTHER THUNDER
A dozen bi-weekly shows and two Supershows in the books and we're just getting started. If you truly want to know what is going on, who’s at the top of this industry and what is the best thing going today, look no further. It's no mystery why new talent keeps turning up here in Reno. You can't keep the good word from spreading and the best wrestling in the fine state of Nevada is right here in UPRISING. Stay tuned, folks. We just keep getting better. And remember... say it with me, gang?
The camera turns to show the crowd of fans flocking to the champion.
UPRISING FANS
THE REVOLUTION IS BEING TELEVISED!
With that the view cuts back to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
TRINACRIA vs SOCIALITES
Summer and Nico kick off the match while Danielle and Vanessa cheer her on from ringside. Vincenzo is on the floor, pacing while Ricky Rhodes leans on the turnbuckle in the corner, tag rope in hand like a good boy. Summer feints a strike and Nico sees it coming a mile off, catching her with a cheap eye rake and a Russian legsweep for her troubles. He pounces on her, driving the back of her head into the mat but she gets a knee up between his legs. Nico stumbles back and Summer goes for a crisscross but lands into a quick dropkick. Shaking it off, Summer comes back with a head of steam and gets taken over with a backdrop – TRINACRIA IS FIRMLY IN CHARGE OF THE MATCH. Enraged, Danielle springs over the ropes onto Nico's back, pounding away at him before Neil Rana intervenes with a warning. Summer steamrolls Nico with springboard lariat, almost taking his head off. Popping back up to her feet, Summer knocks Ricky Rhodes off the apron, getting huge heat from the crowd in the process. Before she can turn back to assaulting Nico, Vincenzo pulls Summer to the floor for a little payback. Vanessa cuts off the whip into the apron and Nico bails out to help as well before they all regroup back in their respective corners. Pazzini makes the hot tag to Vincenzo as the crowd seems torn on who they should be cheering (and/or booing) for.
Backing off, Summer moves back into her corner, forcing Riina to follow her. She makes a hot tag to Danielle and then drops down, hitting Vincenzo with a chopblock to the knee. Summer takes her sister's hand and holds it up as though she's the hero of the match – OH SHIT, IT WAS A FAKEOUT! Vanessa springboards over the ropes, tagging Danielle's shoulder and catching the big man's head for a DDT that knocks his sunglasses from his face. They go flying and Vanessa Page rolls aside and kips back to her feet, beckoning for Vincenzo to make the first move. He's happy to oblige with a shoulderblock – VANESSA AVOIDS WITH A LEAPFROG BUT VINCENZO CATCHES HER BY THE HAIR AND WHIPS HER INTO THE CANVAS BEFORE STEPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF HER BACK! Vanessa screams in agony as Vincenzo stoops to retrieve his fallen shades, putting them back on before leisurely dropping a fist into the back of her head. He goes for a knee drop on Vanessa but misses as she rolls aside at the last possible second. Vincenzo doesn't even look, turning and catching her as he rises – SPRINGBOARD BODYBLOCK FAIL AND VINCENZO BENDS HER OVER HIS KNEE IN A BOW AND ARROW, LEADING TO MORE SCREAMING AND OH SWEET JESUS! RICKY RHODES LAUNCHES HIMSELF OFF BRET'S ROPE WITH A SICKENING CURB STOMB BEFORE RANA FORCES HIM OUT OF THE RING! Vincenzo Riina makes the cover as Nico Pazzini yanks Summer off the apron, screaming in her face about how much he loathes THE SOPRANOS. Vanessa is out of it, not moving and Danielle seems reluctant to intervene when Rhodes is standing there, ready to unleash that crane kick.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): TRINACRIA
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOMS -- CONTINUOUS
The camera cuts back, once again, to the dimly lit locker room of Matt Knox. He has his head bowed, hood pulled over it as he seems to be miles away from Reno and possibly miles out of the stratosphere. His phone sits beside him on the bench, playing 'The Chain' by Fleetwood Mac at a lower volume. The smell of sandalwood fills the room as well, with incense lit in one corner. He lets out a long exhale, before pulling the hood back, looking up to greet the form entering his domain as if he expected her. Maybe he did.
By now, he ought to.
MATT KNOX
This a friendly one or do I need to fight you tonight, too?
With a raised eyebrow and a half smile, one half of the defending tag team Champions 'Oblivion', Amber Ryan gives Knox a knowing stare. One he's been on the end of more than most but one still almost indecipherable with its everchanging meaning.
AMBER RYAN
Heh, only if you want to. Otherwise I've got plenty of other business to deal with. Besides, self-reflection is an interesting look on you, I will say.
He lets out a brief chuckle, and allows a half smile of his own before leaning back in the seat while simultaneously sliding down it.
MATT KNOX
Figured after last week, and what lies ahead I could do with centering myself. Rise above the temper for once.
He lets his eyes rest upon the tag gold and lifts a hand to brush his chin, smudging a bit of face paint as he does.
MATT KNOX
It’s amazing to me, not so long ago the both of us were angry, and overlooked. Now here you sit with a tag championship here in Reno, another big shiny belt not far from here...and little old me, knowing how close I came to dethroning the man on top... guess this makes us vindicated and angry now, eh?
Another chuckle, he averts his glasz eyes past her and to the doorway, maybe even past it.
MATT KNOX
Apologies. Kind of floating through tonight..
Amber shrugs, letting it all kind of glance off her armour.
AMBER RYAN
Vindicated and angry. I feel that… We'll see, I suppose. The titles put targets on our back and keep giving us a reason to be pissed off, even if it's of our own making. Wouldn't know what to do with myself if I wasn't a miserable bitch all the time...
MATT KNOX
Oh, don’t sell it short, Amber..much as we’d like to say otherwise, that….boost? With being called "champion"...it’s better than any cocktail.
AMBER RYAN
… then you haven't been making the right cocktails.
He scoffs, then deftly steers the conversation away from himself.
MATT KNOX
What about you? Confident in a victory tonight? I mean, you should be since Regan no longer has her original partner.
Amber shrugs with a smirk, leaning in the doorway.
AMBER RYAN
Confident isn't a word I'd use. Way I see it, this whole thing tonight plays into my wheelhouse. It's my kind of desperation. Mac and I are the type to keep swinging for the fences despite there being safety in a single hit… we either win or we don't. If we do, it's business as usual and if we don't… well, there's something bigger to chase in just a couple weeks' time...
She pauses, running her fingers through her hair.
AMBER RYAN
Besides, we aren't the type to settle. We aren't the ones just happy to be here- there's always another step to take and I'm always gonna want something I don't have. Tag title. World title. High expectations and all that.
Absent-mindedly, she scratches her forearm whilst tearing away eye contact.
AMBER RYAN
… and I always have been, and will be the one willing to sacrifice everything for that next step.
Her smile softens, albeit still maintaining her venomous edge.
AMBER RYAN
I just hope you'll understand when I come for the gold, any gold... that our friendship… it comes a very distant second.
Matthew smiles, lifting his face and his gaze up to her once more.
MATT KNOX
I wouldn’t want it any other way, Red. And thanks for the vote of confidence...if you or JC can’t get it done on Luther, in that Terrifying Terrible Terrordome? I’m coming back into the fray...and It’ll take more than the lights going out to stop me.
A small chuckle, as he stands up and slings an arm over Amber’s shoulders, his tone taking on a bit of levity.
MATT KNOX
And if even then, we still can’t beat one another...then Tag Team Uprising World Champions sounds neat, don’t it? You hold the plates, I’ll carry the leather.
Uncomfortable with the relative closeness, Amber cringes openly.
AMBER RYAN
I'll think about it, right before I knock your lights out.
With a venomous wink, Amber slips out silently from beneath Knox's arm and disappears out the door. Knox chuckles to himself, before returning to his previous seat.
MATT KNOX
Gotta remember that for next time.
_____________________________________________
The camera cuts back, once again, to the dimly lit locker room of Matt Knox. He has his head bowed, hood pulled over it as he seems to be miles away from Reno and possibly miles out of the stratosphere. His phone sits beside him on the bench, playing 'The Chain' by Fleetwood Mac at a lower volume. The smell of sandalwood fills the room as well, with incense lit in one corner. He lets out a long exhale, before pulling the hood back, looking up to greet the form entering his domain as if he expected her. Maybe he did.
By now, he ought to.
MATT KNOX
This a friendly one or do I need to fight you tonight, too?
With a raised eyebrow and a half smile, one half of the defending tag team Champions 'Oblivion', Amber Ryan gives Knox a knowing stare. One he's been on the end of more than most but one still almost indecipherable with its everchanging meaning.
AMBER RYAN
Heh, only if you want to. Otherwise I've got plenty of other business to deal with. Besides, self-reflection is an interesting look on you, I will say.
He lets out a brief chuckle, and allows a half smile of his own before leaning back in the seat while simultaneously sliding down it.
MATT KNOX
Figured after last week, and what lies ahead I could do with centering myself. Rise above the temper for once.
He lets his eyes rest upon the tag gold and lifts a hand to brush his chin, smudging a bit of face paint as he does.
MATT KNOX
It’s amazing to me, not so long ago the both of us were angry, and overlooked. Now here you sit with a tag championship here in Reno, another big shiny belt not far from here...and little old me, knowing how close I came to dethroning the man on top... guess this makes us vindicated and angry now, eh?
Another chuckle, he averts his glasz eyes past her and to the doorway, maybe even past it.
MATT KNOX
Apologies. Kind of floating through tonight..
Amber shrugs, letting it all kind of glance off her armour.
AMBER RYAN
Vindicated and angry. I feel that… We'll see, I suppose. The titles put targets on our back and keep giving us a reason to be pissed off, even if it's of our own making. Wouldn't know what to do with myself if I wasn't a miserable bitch all the time...
MATT KNOX
Oh, don’t sell it short, Amber..much as we’d like to say otherwise, that….boost? With being called "champion"...it’s better than any cocktail.
AMBER RYAN
… then you haven't been making the right cocktails.
He scoffs, then deftly steers the conversation away from himself.
MATT KNOX
What about you? Confident in a victory tonight? I mean, you should be since Regan no longer has her original partner.
Amber shrugs with a smirk, leaning in the doorway.
AMBER RYAN
Confident isn't a word I'd use. Way I see it, this whole thing tonight plays into my wheelhouse. It's my kind of desperation. Mac and I are the type to keep swinging for the fences despite there being safety in a single hit… we either win or we don't. If we do, it's business as usual and if we don't… well, there's something bigger to chase in just a couple weeks' time...
She pauses, running her fingers through her hair.
AMBER RYAN
Besides, we aren't the type to settle. We aren't the ones just happy to be here- there's always another step to take and I'm always gonna want something I don't have. Tag title. World title. High expectations and all that.
Absent-mindedly, she scratches her forearm whilst tearing away eye contact.
AMBER RYAN
… and I always have been, and will be the one willing to sacrifice everything for that next step.
Her smile softens, albeit still maintaining her venomous edge.
AMBER RYAN
I just hope you'll understand when I come for the gold, any gold... that our friendship… it comes a very distant second.
Matthew smiles, lifting his face and his gaze up to her once more.
MATT KNOX
I wouldn’t want it any other way, Red. And thanks for the vote of confidence...if you or JC can’t get it done on Luther, in that Terrifying Terrible Terrordome? I’m coming back into the fray...and It’ll take more than the lights going out to stop me.
A small chuckle, as he stands up and slings an arm over Amber’s shoulders, his tone taking on a bit of levity.
MATT KNOX
And if even then, we still can’t beat one another...then Tag Team Uprising World Champions sounds neat, don’t it? You hold the plates, I’ll carry the leather.
Uncomfortable with the relative closeness, Amber cringes openly.
AMBER RYAN
I'll think about it, right before I knock your lights out.
With a venomous wink, Amber slips out silently from beneath Knox's arm and disappears out the door. Knox chuckles to himself, before returning to his previous seat.
MATT KNOX
Gotta remember that for next time.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
The video footage cuts backstage to JC, who hasn’t spoken to UPRISING audiences in a long time. He’s not far from the ring, in gorilla position, where he has been watching tonight’s show. The producers of the broadcast ignore him as he paces back and forth, as if this is a common sight with JC. He paces. Like a caged animal waiting to be unleashed. Waiting to sink his teeth into fresh meat.
Tonight that fresh meat is Hayden Triggs.
JC notices the camera and glares at it with a side glance.
JC
What, you want some words? Some big speech before I go to that ring? Here’s a few: Hayden Triggs has fallen asleep at the wheel. HIs head has been hollowed out like in Get Out and Legion has shoved a little bit of himself inside. Congrats Hayden, you’re in the sunken place. You get to watch while the puppet master Legion pilots your body.
He spits on the ground, then scoffs.
JC
And anyone else, they might offer to cut the strings and help you. But that’s not me, Hayden. Oh no. That’s not me by a long shot. I never was a fan of puppet shows. In fact, I remember my dad bringing home this marionette from an antique store when I was a kid. Scared the bejesus out of my little brother. It was just a symbol of something malevolent even though it could never actually hurt him. Just like you. You’re a symbol of Legion, you’re a puppet of Legion. But Legion couldn’t hurt me and neither will you.
JC now turns around and faces the camera completely, his nostrils flaring as he can feel a wave of intense emotion hitting him again. His skin feels electric and the only way to calm it down is to kick someone in the head.
JC
Do you know what I did with that marionette? I stuffed it in the trash can outside and burned it to ashes.
He smiles and shakes his head.
JC
My dad was so mad, too. That thing was pricey. But I did what I had to do in order to be rid of it. And now it’s your turn, Hayden. I’m going to set you on fire and throw you away. No more toy for Legion to play with.
His smile fades and he looks through to the puppet master, whom he knows is listening.
JC
And then...the Terrordome. Well, there is no one more terrifying than a man with nothing to lose and everything to gain. And this match is full of people who know that I can beat them. Legion can’t beat me. He tried and failed. So did Amber Ryan, last time we fought. I beat Ignis to get into this match. I’m not entirely sure how Crystal Zdunich got a spot in this match, but I guess somebody needs to be eliminated first. I fought her twice elsewhere last year and won both times, back-to-back. Gaston Gillet I beat up on my first night in UPRISING.
He stops a moment to take a breath, as there’s just so many names in the match. Or maybe he’s having trouble remembering them all. Or maybe he just wants you to think that. You can never tell with him.
JC
There’s also Don Tirri, a guy who makes my boot look bad, but I’ll make it look good when I kick his head off. Jack Owyns tried to get himself over by putting my name in his mouth, but when I knock his teeth out, he’ll regret it. And more to be added later, but I’ll worry about that when the time comes. Of course, there’s also the ‘champion’, in that he technically has a belt but the last time he fought me, he got himself disqualified because he knew I had his number. Congratulations, Luther, you got me again and there’s no escape. It doesn't matter who else fills that empty spot. The outcome will be the same.
Someone from the production desk comes up to him and whispers in his ear that his match is next. He nods and looks back at the camera.
JC
But that’s in two weeks. For now, it’s time to find out what happens when a puppet gets thrown into a woodchipper. Wake up, Hayden. Time to die.
He walks toward the curtain, heading to the ring as the view cuts back to ringside.
JC vs HAYDEN TRIGGS
'The Premonition' holds his ground on one side of the ring as 'The Answer" removes his t-shirt and throws it out to the crowd. He takes a position across from Triggs as the bell rings. He goes to step forward, but Triggs holds up a hand to stop him, then another hand he snaps his fingers and THE LIGHTS GO OUT! An audience member screams and when the lights shoot back on, it’s suddenly a lumberjack match as faceless devils surround the ring! JC stands his ground, but rotates his head and takes the sight in. He focuses on one particularly tall devil, and sneers before turning back to Triggs and waving him in.
Triggs charges in and begins laying forearms and chops into JC’s face and chest. JC...STANDS TALL AND EATS THEM! He piefaces Triggs and shoves him across the ring! He waves him back in, yelling at him to try harder this time in a mocking tone! Hayden does run in and catches JC in the jaw with a leaping knee strike that rocks him back into the ropes! Triggs charges in to capitalize but JC turns him inside out with a big clothesline. He walks away from Triggs a moment, checking his jaw and glaring at the younger fighter. JC goes to pick Triggs up but Triggs fires a stiff shot to his throat before dropping JC with a jaw breaker! Triggs pops up and snatches JC by one of his long braids, dragging him up he drags him to the ropes, and clotheslines him to the outside before turning and beginning to admonish Rana for not penalizing supposed rough treatment by JC. This distracts a confused NeIl as a pair of the Faceless Devils begin to kick JC while he’s down! Suddenly the taller one strides over, lifting JC by an arm and rolling him back into the ring. Just as Triggs clears up the confusion with Rana, he runs to the ropes and leaps off, nailing a picture perfect springboard moonsault! He hooks the legs!
ONE!
TWO!
JC kicks out! Triggs stays on him, instantly snatching on a rear naked choke as the Answer struggles to one knee. Triggs rises with him, wrenching on the surgically repaired neck. Jack suddenly bolts up and heaves Triggs roughly away from himself, heading for the ropes and favoring the back of his neck. Undeterred, Triggs charges in and leaps in the air, nailing JC with a shotgun dropkick to the back of the head that sends him over the top ropes...but JC hangs on! Two devils approach but he swings his legs, nailing each one in the face! With a show of upper body strength, JC pulls himself back up and flips into the ring, He turns to see Hayden Triggs charge at him, and ducks the clothesline. JC bolts to the opposite ropes as Hayden Triggs leaps upon his own, he comes off looking for a springboard forearm but turns right into a charging JC and THE BIG BOOT OF DEATH!!! Triggs drops like a fly out of the air, and JC goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): JC
As soon as the bell rings, the masked devils slide into the ring! They form a circle around JC who has gotten to his feet and has his dukes raised. Two of the devils get Triggs to his feet, wobbly as they are. He favors his face, then signals the devils who immediately lunge forth! JC takes the first few out but the numbers game wins out eventually. The biggest of the masked devils hangs back, before parting the red sea and snatching JC in a full nelson! He drags him to where Triggs stands.
Triggs instructs the big guy to hold JC in place and charges the ropes, charging back in and going for a spear...BUT THE MASKED DEVIL SHOVES JC AWAY AND NAILS TRIGGS WITH A HARD SUPERKICK!! JC gets to one knee as the rest of the devils seemed stunned! The big one reaches up and removes his mask...HOLY SHIT! IT'S MATT KNOX!! The Devils instantly charge the two but Knox and JC manage to carve a path through them, leaping to the outside just as Enigma comes charging down the ramp, still pissed from Knox’s earlier shenanigans!
On the other side of the guardrail, JC and Knox back up, still shouting insults to the Church of the 7th Circle members as security storms the ring, headed up by DEVON RIVERA who's looking mighty pissed off that he arrived a bit too late to stop the brawling.
Tonight that fresh meat is Hayden Triggs.
JC notices the camera and glares at it with a side glance.
JC
What, you want some words? Some big speech before I go to that ring? Here’s a few: Hayden Triggs has fallen asleep at the wheel. HIs head has been hollowed out like in Get Out and Legion has shoved a little bit of himself inside. Congrats Hayden, you’re in the sunken place. You get to watch while the puppet master Legion pilots your body.
He spits on the ground, then scoffs.
JC
And anyone else, they might offer to cut the strings and help you. But that’s not me, Hayden. Oh no. That’s not me by a long shot. I never was a fan of puppet shows. In fact, I remember my dad bringing home this marionette from an antique store when I was a kid. Scared the bejesus out of my little brother. It was just a symbol of something malevolent even though it could never actually hurt him. Just like you. You’re a symbol of Legion, you’re a puppet of Legion. But Legion couldn’t hurt me and neither will you.
JC now turns around and faces the camera completely, his nostrils flaring as he can feel a wave of intense emotion hitting him again. His skin feels electric and the only way to calm it down is to kick someone in the head.
JC
Do you know what I did with that marionette? I stuffed it in the trash can outside and burned it to ashes.
He smiles and shakes his head.
JC
My dad was so mad, too. That thing was pricey. But I did what I had to do in order to be rid of it. And now it’s your turn, Hayden. I’m going to set you on fire and throw you away. No more toy for Legion to play with.
His smile fades and he looks through to the puppet master, whom he knows is listening.
JC
And then...the Terrordome. Well, there is no one more terrifying than a man with nothing to lose and everything to gain. And this match is full of people who know that I can beat them. Legion can’t beat me. He tried and failed. So did Amber Ryan, last time we fought. I beat Ignis to get into this match. I’m not entirely sure how Crystal Zdunich got a spot in this match, but I guess somebody needs to be eliminated first. I fought her twice elsewhere last year and won both times, back-to-back. Gaston Gillet I beat up on my first night in UPRISING.
He stops a moment to take a breath, as there’s just so many names in the match. Or maybe he’s having trouble remembering them all. Or maybe he just wants you to think that. You can never tell with him.
JC
There’s also Don Tirri, a guy who makes my boot look bad, but I’ll make it look good when I kick his head off. Jack Owyns tried to get himself over by putting my name in his mouth, but when I knock his teeth out, he’ll regret it. And more to be added later, but I’ll worry about that when the time comes. Of course, there’s also the ‘champion’, in that he technically has a belt but the last time he fought me, he got himself disqualified because he knew I had his number. Congratulations, Luther, you got me again and there’s no escape. It doesn't matter who else fills that empty spot. The outcome will be the same.
Someone from the production desk comes up to him and whispers in his ear that his match is next. He nods and looks back at the camera.
JC
But that’s in two weeks. For now, it’s time to find out what happens when a puppet gets thrown into a woodchipper. Wake up, Hayden. Time to die.
He walks toward the curtain, heading to the ring as the view cuts back to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
JC vs HAYDEN TRIGGS
'The Premonition' holds his ground on one side of the ring as 'The Answer" removes his t-shirt and throws it out to the crowd. He takes a position across from Triggs as the bell rings. He goes to step forward, but Triggs holds up a hand to stop him, then another hand he snaps his fingers and THE LIGHTS GO OUT! An audience member screams and when the lights shoot back on, it’s suddenly a lumberjack match as faceless devils surround the ring! JC stands his ground, but rotates his head and takes the sight in. He focuses on one particularly tall devil, and sneers before turning back to Triggs and waving him in.
Triggs charges in and begins laying forearms and chops into JC’s face and chest. JC...STANDS TALL AND EATS THEM! He piefaces Triggs and shoves him across the ring! He waves him back in, yelling at him to try harder this time in a mocking tone! Hayden does run in and catches JC in the jaw with a leaping knee strike that rocks him back into the ropes! Triggs charges in to capitalize but JC turns him inside out with a big clothesline. He walks away from Triggs a moment, checking his jaw and glaring at the younger fighter. JC goes to pick Triggs up but Triggs fires a stiff shot to his throat before dropping JC with a jaw breaker! Triggs pops up and snatches JC by one of his long braids, dragging him up he drags him to the ropes, and clotheslines him to the outside before turning and beginning to admonish Rana for not penalizing supposed rough treatment by JC. This distracts a confused NeIl as a pair of the Faceless Devils begin to kick JC while he’s down! Suddenly the taller one strides over, lifting JC by an arm and rolling him back into the ring. Just as Triggs clears up the confusion with Rana, he runs to the ropes and leaps off, nailing a picture perfect springboard moonsault! He hooks the legs!
ONE!
TWO!
JC kicks out! Triggs stays on him, instantly snatching on a rear naked choke as the Answer struggles to one knee. Triggs rises with him, wrenching on the surgically repaired neck. Jack suddenly bolts up and heaves Triggs roughly away from himself, heading for the ropes and favoring the back of his neck. Undeterred, Triggs charges in and leaps in the air, nailing JC with a shotgun dropkick to the back of the head that sends him over the top ropes...but JC hangs on! Two devils approach but he swings his legs, nailing each one in the face! With a show of upper body strength, JC pulls himself back up and flips into the ring, He turns to see Hayden Triggs charge at him, and ducks the clothesline. JC bolts to the opposite ropes as Hayden Triggs leaps upon his own, he comes off looking for a springboard forearm but turns right into a charging JC and THE BIG BOOT OF DEATH!!! Triggs drops like a fly out of the air, and JC goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): JC
As soon as the bell rings, the masked devils slide into the ring! They form a circle around JC who has gotten to his feet and has his dukes raised. Two of the devils get Triggs to his feet, wobbly as they are. He favors his face, then signals the devils who immediately lunge forth! JC takes the first few out but the numbers game wins out eventually. The biggest of the masked devils hangs back, before parting the red sea and snatching JC in a full nelson! He drags him to where Triggs stands.
Triggs instructs the big guy to hold JC in place and charges the ropes, charging back in and going for a spear...BUT THE MASKED DEVIL SHOVES JC AWAY AND NAILS TRIGGS WITH A HARD SUPERKICK!! JC gets to one knee as the rest of the devils seemed stunned! The big one reaches up and removes his mask...HOLY SHIT! IT'S MATT KNOX!! The Devils instantly charge the two but Knox and JC manage to carve a path through them, leaping to the outside just as Enigma comes charging down the ramp, still pissed from Knox’s earlier shenanigans!
On the other side of the guardrail, JC and Knox back up, still shouting insults to the Church of the 7th Circle members as security storms the ring, headed up by DEVON RIVERA who's looking mighty pissed off that he arrived a bit too late to stop the brawling.
CUT TO:
EXT. MOJAVE DESERT
O.S. 'THE BEAST IN ME' BY JOHNNY CASH PLAYS.
A sunbaked prairie. Heat shimmer rises from the ground, distorting the never-ending stretch of desert in the background. Flurries of dust and sand swirl around the barren land. The only sound is the quiet moan of a rising wind which dances with the blooming tumbleweeds.
We hear the sound of footsteps crunching on the hard, dry soil, each one louder than the previous, until finally a pair of diamondback rattlesnake boots step into the frame. Silver caps cover the toe of each with a matching chain strapped under their heels. Above, black denim is cut tight to a pair of legs which disappear out of the shot just below the knee.
The boots turn to face forward and the legs bend, causing the denim to softly groan as it stretches around the movement of bone and muscle. Gravel grinds under the shifting weight. The camera DOLLIES BACK SLOWLY just as a hand reaches down to the ground and scoops up a bit of loose sand and dirt into its palm.
More of the man is pulled into the frame. A black satin dress shirt. A white tab stretching across the buttoned collar. A black linen jacket, tailored. Then, above the neckline, the man is revealed to be LEGION. No face paint. His hair is styled with pomade. His face is freshly shaved.
THE MUSIC DUCKS UNDER THE MONOLOGUE.
LEGION
Blood, sand and steel.
He looks at the bit of dirt and small rocks in his hand before tossing them back to the ground. Then, after brushing his hands together to get rid of the remaining grit, he stands. The camera rises with him until a crystal blue sky stretches forever behind him.
LEGION
That’s what you’ll find in two weeks when this new version of The Terrordome is erected in his forsaken place. It’s funny how Brad Jackson thinks he can just repurpose my father’s legacy for his little promotion in Reno without any input from myself, Spiral’s only begotten son. Of course, had I wanted to, a quick call to my lawyer would have ended this little experiment like that.
He snaps his fingers.
LEGION
But then I thought about it and I looked back through the history of the Terrordome. Despite being the creator of the most sadistic match ever conceived in professional wrestling history, my father only won once. Isn’t that funny? A machine of his own creation and he was 1-3, of which two he lost to Jackson. So, maybe ol’ Dark Horse has earned the right to make this match.
He turns to look out over the expanse. His eyes squint slightly at the blazing sun on the horizon which covers his face in a warm, orange light.
LEGION
Now, maybe Luther, JC, Ignis, and all the others who will be in that cage with me will see that as some kind of omen that it’s just not in the cards for me to win.
He looks forward again.
LEGION
Maybe there’s a curse on this whole damn match. The first Terrordome saw Sean O’Brien beat Spiral. Sean’s a meth addict with a record in Los Angeles. In the second Terrordome, the only time Spiral came out the victor, he faced a man named Rockwell. Bodybuilder turned wrestler. After the Terrordome at Wrestle War I he disappeared before resurfacing a year later at a convention. Riddled with cancer from the decades of steroid abuse, he was barely a hundred twenty pounds. A month later he was dead. Then there was Timothy Hass, who went against Spiral and Jackson at Wrestle War II, footage of which you saw on Revolution 11. Like the boss man said, no one ever heard from him again. And of course we all know how my father’s own death came suddenly after being diagnosed with glioblastoma late last year.
He rubs his chin lightly in thought before holding up his index finger.
LEGION
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Jackson won the last two Terrordomes and he’s not cursed, right? He’s still alive and kicking. Owner of a successful wrestling promotion. Sure, he’s had a failed marriage or two, but who hasn’t? Well, far be it from me to expose all the skeletons lingering in Brad’s very large closet, but you ask him. Ask him just how well life’s gone for him over the last fifteen or so years. Ask him what it cost him to fight my father in that hellish cage. See if he tells you it was worth it.
He looks down for a moment and lets out a brief chuckle. Then, slowly, he raises his chin, until his eyes stare into the camera from under his brow.
LEGION
Here I will stand against nine others. One will win—me. But all of us will leave changed, never the same again. It will be the beginning of the end for all of us, one way or another. The question is, will it be worth it for you, Ignis? What about you, Luther? And JC? Or the rest of you lot who had the poor luck to be drawn into this hell. I can give you my answer right now. No price is too much, no cost too high, to stand surrounded by blood, sand and steel and be proclaimed your champion. And when that moment comes and all my foes are laid about my feet, I will simply look into the nearest camera and say—
FOCUS ON: Legion’s eyes, cold and blue, then we MOVE DOWNWARD to center on his mouth which is bent into an unnatural grin.
LEGION
Told ya so.
CUT TO: BLACK.
_____________________________________________
O.S. 'THE BEAST IN ME' BY JOHNNY CASH PLAYS.
A sunbaked prairie. Heat shimmer rises from the ground, distorting the never-ending stretch of desert in the background. Flurries of dust and sand swirl around the barren land. The only sound is the quiet moan of a rising wind which dances with the blooming tumbleweeds.
We hear the sound of footsteps crunching on the hard, dry soil, each one louder than the previous, until finally a pair of diamondback rattlesnake boots step into the frame. Silver caps cover the toe of each with a matching chain strapped under their heels. Above, black denim is cut tight to a pair of legs which disappear out of the shot just below the knee.
The boots turn to face forward and the legs bend, causing the denim to softly groan as it stretches around the movement of bone and muscle. Gravel grinds under the shifting weight. The camera DOLLIES BACK SLOWLY just as a hand reaches down to the ground and scoops up a bit of loose sand and dirt into its palm.
More of the man is pulled into the frame. A black satin dress shirt. A white tab stretching across the buttoned collar. A black linen jacket, tailored. Then, above the neckline, the man is revealed to be LEGION. No face paint. His hair is styled with pomade. His face is freshly shaved.
THE MUSIC DUCKS UNDER THE MONOLOGUE.
LEGION
Blood, sand and steel.
He looks at the bit of dirt and small rocks in his hand before tossing them back to the ground. Then, after brushing his hands together to get rid of the remaining grit, he stands. The camera rises with him until a crystal blue sky stretches forever behind him.
LEGION
That’s what you’ll find in two weeks when this new version of The Terrordome is erected in his forsaken place. It’s funny how Brad Jackson thinks he can just repurpose my father’s legacy for his little promotion in Reno without any input from myself, Spiral’s only begotten son. Of course, had I wanted to, a quick call to my lawyer would have ended this little experiment like that.
He snaps his fingers.
LEGION
But then I thought about it and I looked back through the history of the Terrordome. Despite being the creator of the most sadistic match ever conceived in professional wrestling history, my father only won once. Isn’t that funny? A machine of his own creation and he was 1-3, of which two he lost to Jackson. So, maybe ol’ Dark Horse has earned the right to make this match.
He turns to look out over the expanse. His eyes squint slightly at the blazing sun on the horizon which covers his face in a warm, orange light.
LEGION
Now, maybe Luther, JC, Ignis, and all the others who will be in that cage with me will see that as some kind of omen that it’s just not in the cards for me to win.
He looks forward again.
LEGION
Maybe there’s a curse on this whole damn match. The first Terrordome saw Sean O’Brien beat Spiral. Sean’s a meth addict with a record in Los Angeles. In the second Terrordome, the only time Spiral came out the victor, he faced a man named Rockwell. Bodybuilder turned wrestler. After the Terrordome at Wrestle War I he disappeared before resurfacing a year later at a convention. Riddled with cancer from the decades of steroid abuse, he was barely a hundred twenty pounds. A month later he was dead. Then there was Timothy Hass, who went against Spiral and Jackson at Wrestle War II, footage of which you saw on Revolution 11. Like the boss man said, no one ever heard from him again. And of course we all know how my father’s own death came suddenly after being diagnosed with glioblastoma late last year.
He rubs his chin lightly in thought before holding up his index finger.
LEGION
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Jackson won the last two Terrordomes and he’s not cursed, right? He’s still alive and kicking. Owner of a successful wrestling promotion. Sure, he’s had a failed marriage or two, but who hasn’t? Well, far be it from me to expose all the skeletons lingering in Brad’s very large closet, but you ask him. Ask him just how well life’s gone for him over the last fifteen or so years. Ask him what it cost him to fight my father in that hellish cage. See if he tells you it was worth it.
He looks down for a moment and lets out a brief chuckle. Then, slowly, he raises his chin, until his eyes stare into the camera from under his brow.
LEGION
Here I will stand against nine others. One will win—me. But all of us will leave changed, never the same again. It will be the beginning of the end for all of us, one way or another. The question is, will it be worth it for you, Ignis? What about you, Luther? And JC? Or the rest of you lot who had the poor luck to be drawn into this hell. I can give you my answer right now. No price is too much, no cost too high, to stand surrounded by blood, sand and steel and be proclaimed your champion. And when that moment comes and all my foes are laid about my feet, I will simply look into the nearest camera and say—
FOCUS ON: Legion’s eyes, cold and blue, then we MOVE DOWNWARD to center on his mouth which is bent into an unnatural grin.
LEGION
Told ya so.
CUT TO: BLACK.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CATERING
We open up to a view of the catering area at the backstage of the Eldorado Casino. Several UPRISING talents and staff members can be seen mingling around the tables, but the camera quickly focuses on the trio of the Busch Brothers seated in a corner table. LOVERBOY is as usual chatting up the attendants, TINY TIM is scarfing down hotdogs at an alarming rate and BIG SAM looks to be one wrong word or move away from starting a fight with someone. Anyone.
BIG SAM
Goddammit guys, why’re we sitting here wastin' time when we oughta be out there watching and learnin' about our possible opponents for the Trios title.
Sam looks at Loverboy, who isn’t even listening to him as he is working his smooth charm on a particularly stacked woman in a staff uniform. Sam lets out a frustrated sigh and learns over to tug Loverboy by the beard, and not particularly gently either.
BIG SAM
OI, STOP BEING A CREEP AND FUCKING LISTEN TO ME.
Loverboy yelps and faces Sam, looking almost pissed off, a facial expression rarely seen on the laid-back brothers face.
LOVERBOY
OWWWWW, that hurts, man! Not cool, NOT COOL.
BIG SAM
Well, would you fucking pay attention then? You got a match tonight, for crying out loud!
LOVERBOY
Maaaan, and what a lovely match it is… that Strader-chick is a mighty fine specimen of the fairer sex ain’t she? Just perfect for Loverboy to get his groove on!
The look on Sam’s face would make a lesser man flinch in fear, but Loverboy seems completely oblivious to it, staring into the distance with a dreamy smile on his face.
TINY TIM
Socksworth says you should just let Tommy be. And I agree. When he gets like that there is no snapping him out of it. Just have a hotdog, Sammy; you’re not you when you’re hungry.
Tiny gives Sam a cheesy thumbs-up and a ticker with a Snickers-ad quickly flashes on the bottom of the screen. Sam blinks twice, probably trying to figure out whether Tiny, the naïve and childish little brother just sassed him or not. Ultimately Sam just decides to rest his face on his hand and sighs again.
BIG SAM
You two… if we weren’t brothers… Goddammit, I guess I gotta do all the work around here if you two plan on being… well, you. And don’t get me wrong, I love you guys just the way you are but goddamit you can be frustrating at times!
Loverboy is still on a world of his own while Tiny has raised the hand that has Socksworth on it and turned it to face Sam, probably as a sign of literally "talk to the hand cause the face isn’t listening". Not because he's ignoring Sam but because he's busy stuffing down more hotdogs down his gullet. Sam finally shrugs and stands up, motioning at the camera to focus on him.
BIG SAM
I guess I’m doing the talky-bits tonight. So. Trios Championship tournament. Had a few matches 2 weeks ago that we watched and got a few matches tonight that we’ll watch. Sure, we had a little brawl with the Cows Fom Heck, but hey, that was just good fun. But tonight Loverboy is taking on Cara and as you can see, he is very fond of the idea. Too fond, if you ask me, considering he got booted on the family jewels. But I’ve long since stopped questioning Loverboy. He does what he does and I try to do damage control.
Sam shrugs and glances over at Loverboy, who has gone right back to trying to woo the attendant, and has somehow managed to get her number. How is a question Sam doesn’t want to ponder so he just continues.
BIG SAM
But be that as it may, the cows from heck aren’t our only thought. There’s Ricky the rat and his whole pack of rodents, the freakyass cult, the girls of the Crush and the latest addition, Heroes for Hire and the vapid bimbos. So there is a lot to keep an eye for tonight on the road to the title match proper. But tonight it's all about avenging the family jewels of Loverboy. So stay tuned and enjoy the show. Now fuck off and leave us alone.
BIG SAM
Goddammit guys, why’re we sitting here wastin' time when we oughta be out there watching and learnin' about our possible opponents for the Trios title.
Sam looks at Loverboy, who isn’t even listening to him as he is working his smooth charm on a particularly stacked woman in a staff uniform. Sam lets out a frustrated sigh and learns over to tug Loverboy by the beard, and not particularly gently either.
BIG SAM
OI, STOP BEING A CREEP AND FUCKING LISTEN TO ME.
Loverboy yelps and faces Sam, looking almost pissed off, a facial expression rarely seen on the laid-back brothers face.
LOVERBOY
OWWWWW, that hurts, man! Not cool, NOT COOL.
BIG SAM
Well, would you fucking pay attention then? You got a match tonight, for crying out loud!
LOVERBOY
Maaaan, and what a lovely match it is… that Strader-chick is a mighty fine specimen of the fairer sex ain’t she? Just perfect for Loverboy to get his groove on!
The look on Sam’s face would make a lesser man flinch in fear, but Loverboy seems completely oblivious to it, staring into the distance with a dreamy smile on his face.
TINY TIM
Socksworth says you should just let Tommy be. And I agree. When he gets like that there is no snapping him out of it. Just have a hotdog, Sammy; you’re not you when you’re hungry.
Tiny gives Sam a cheesy thumbs-up and a ticker with a Snickers-ad quickly flashes on the bottom of the screen. Sam blinks twice, probably trying to figure out whether Tiny, the naïve and childish little brother just sassed him or not. Ultimately Sam just decides to rest his face on his hand and sighs again.
BIG SAM
You two… if we weren’t brothers… Goddammit, I guess I gotta do all the work around here if you two plan on being… well, you. And don’t get me wrong, I love you guys just the way you are but goddamit you can be frustrating at times!
Loverboy is still on a world of his own while Tiny has raised the hand that has Socksworth on it and turned it to face Sam, probably as a sign of literally "talk to the hand cause the face isn’t listening". Not because he's ignoring Sam but because he's busy stuffing down more hotdogs down his gullet. Sam finally shrugs and stands up, motioning at the camera to focus on him.
BIG SAM
I guess I’m doing the talky-bits tonight. So. Trios Championship tournament. Had a few matches 2 weeks ago that we watched and got a few matches tonight that we’ll watch. Sure, we had a little brawl with the Cows Fom Heck, but hey, that was just good fun. But tonight Loverboy is taking on Cara and as you can see, he is very fond of the idea. Too fond, if you ask me, considering he got booted on the family jewels. But I’ve long since stopped questioning Loverboy. He does what he does and I try to do damage control.
Sam shrugs and glances over at Loverboy, who has gone right back to trying to woo the attendant, and has somehow managed to get her number. How is a question Sam doesn’t want to ponder so he just continues.
BIG SAM
But be that as it may, the cows from heck aren’t our only thought. There’s Ricky the rat and his whole pack of rodents, the freakyass cult, the girls of the Crush and the latest addition, Heroes for Hire and the vapid bimbos. So there is a lot to keep an eye for tonight on the road to the title match proper. But tonight it's all about avenging the family jewels of Loverboy. So stay tuned and enjoy the show. Now fuck off and leave us alone.
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
Griffin pauses, looking like he's weighing his words before he responds.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
The stem of it? I'll tell ya. See, when word got out about me signing here... a lot got excited. Well, all except for Christopher there. It almost sounds like jealousy that I'm getting a buzz from showing up on UPRISING...but to get right down to it? He sees me as a threat. He has dreams of being the greatest Silver State Champion of all time, so desperate to prove himself that he's going around trying to schedule his own unsanctioned defenses against rookies.
LUIS MONTES
The boss wasn't too pleased to hear about that either.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Deep down inside, Chris Mosh is insecure, terrified that someone like me is gonna take his spot...or worse, his title. There's gonna come a time where he and I are gonna stand across from the ring and face each other, whether the belt is on the line or not. Personally...I wouldn't mind punching a hole in that oversized forehead of his. But right now...I got more pressing business to attend to.
He walks off, leaving Montes standing there.
LUIS MONTES
Rumor has it that he won't be waiting too much longer to get a piece of the current Silver State Champion. But you didn't hear that from me.
He winks as the view cuts back to ringside.
GRUDGE MATCH
CARA STRADER vs LOVERBOY BUSCH
As the bell rings, Loverboy Busch removes his sunglasses and makes an "oooooh" face at Cara, eyeing her from head to toe and back to the head again with pit stops a quarter and halfway down. Cara smirks at the display, and sashays up to Loverboy who begins outlining her figure with his hands. As she comes to a stop directly in front of him, she reaches up and intertwines her fingers in his beard...then yanks him into a vicious headbutt! Loverboy’s nose is instantly busted open and bleeding! Cara begins sending stiff kicks into the bigger man’s knee as he tries to get away, still favoring his nose. At ringside in the front row on one side, Big Sam looks disgusted while Tiny Tim hides Socksworth’s eyes from the display! While on the other side, Mad Max and Tamika cheer loudly, between pointing and laughing at the Busch Brothers. In the ring, Cara leaps upon the second rope and springboards off it, taking Loverboy down with a tornado DDT! She scrambles on top of the big man, going for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
Loverboy kicks out! Cara yanks him up by his hair but Loverboy explodes out of her grip and begins bashing her with some stiff right hands! He then scoops the smaller competitor up and slams her down. He shakes, rattles, rolls, and drops an elbow across her chest! He gets up..HE DOES THE MASHED POTATO AND LEAPS UP FOR A BIG LEG DROP! Cara convulses slightly as he pushes all the air out of her lungs! Loverboy gets up and begins to strut around the ring, playing to the crowd to the annoyance of Big Sam who yells at him to get his head back in the game!
Loverboy turns and goes back to lift Cara...but she rolls him up!
ONE!
TWO!
Cara snatches the tights!!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): CARA STRADER
Big Sam and Tiny Tim hop the guard rail with Tiny Tim going to check on his brother and Sam getting in Rana’s face! Mad Max and Tamika are applauding on the outside when suddenly Ricky Rhodes and Nico Pazzini arrive! They begin beating the hell out of the two members of CFH! Cara runs out to assist but she’s leveled out of nowhere!! It's Vincenzo Rina!! Trinacria are beating down the Cowgirls from Hell! It's a mugging...wait..Tiny Tim runs in to assist Cara! He shoves Sockworth in Vincenzo’s mouth! That ain't spaghetti!!
Big Sam looks annoyed but after a moment him and Loverboy hop the guard rail and beat Nico and Ricky back, sending them running...THEN THEY DROP MAD MAX AND TAMIKA WITH A DOUBLE DDT!! Tiny Tim looks shocked as he shoves Vincenzo away, who promptly tries to spit the foul taste from his mouth, turning around into a superkick by Cara! Security and the refs swarm to break it up as we cut to a commercial for Madison Tower! Featuring MATT KNOX, AMBER RYAN, and CHRIS MOSH…no, really!
____________________________________________
We go to the back where LUIS MONTES is present with a microphone in hand.
LUIS MONTES
On the heels of a successful debut at the last episode of Revolution, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest... you all know him and love him... Griffin Hawkins!
GRIFFIN HAWKINS steps into the shot as the crowd loses it in the arena. He grins as he looks over at Luis.
LUIS MONTES
Griffin, you definitely turned some heads when you managed to defeat Mac Bane, one half of the reigning and defending tag team champions in your official UPRISING debut. Can we expect a similar result for this week?
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
I could...but that's gonna be hard. Don Tirri, hell of an athlete and a guy I respect. Some years ago, when I was a teenager, I saw him wrestle in person in Toronto Canada...if you told me then that decades later I'd be standing across the ring from him in a one on one match, I'd ask if you've been drinking. Yet...here we are. Last Revolution was a hell of a mountain to climb...this week seems like an even bigger one. But I am hopeful that I'll continue my momentum.
LUIS MONTES
Recently you have had a run in with Chris Mosh...it started when he crashed your interview segment with my colleague Gretchen... and it seems since then that he's been targeting you on social media. What do you think the stem of this is?
LUIS MONTES
On the heels of a successful debut at the last episode of Revolution, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest... you all know him and love him... Griffin Hawkins!
GRIFFIN HAWKINS steps into the shot as the crowd loses it in the arena. He grins as he looks over at Luis.
LUIS MONTES
Griffin, you definitely turned some heads when you managed to defeat Mac Bane, one half of the reigning and defending tag team champions in your official UPRISING debut. Can we expect a similar result for this week?
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
I could...but that's gonna be hard. Don Tirri, hell of an athlete and a guy I respect. Some years ago, when I was a teenager, I saw him wrestle in person in Toronto Canada...if you told me then that decades later I'd be standing across the ring from him in a one on one match, I'd ask if you've been drinking. Yet...here we are. Last Revolution was a hell of a mountain to climb...this week seems like an even bigger one. But I am hopeful that I'll continue my momentum.
LUIS MONTES
Recently you have had a run in with Chris Mosh...it started when he crashed your interview segment with my colleague Gretchen... and it seems since then that he's been targeting you on social media. What do you think the stem of this is?
Griffin pauses, looking like he's weighing his words before he responds.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
The stem of it? I'll tell ya. See, when word got out about me signing here... a lot got excited. Well, all except for Christopher there. It almost sounds like jealousy that I'm getting a buzz from showing up on UPRISING...but to get right down to it? He sees me as a threat. He has dreams of being the greatest Silver State Champion of all time, so desperate to prove himself that he's going around trying to schedule his own unsanctioned defenses against rookies.
LUIS MONTES
The boss wasn't too pleased to hear about that either.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Deep down inside, Chris Mosh is insecure, terrified that someone like me is gonna take his spot...or worse, his title. There's gonna come a time where he and I are gonna stand across from the ring and face each other, whether the belt is on the line or not. Personally...I wouldn't mind punching a hole in that oversized forehead of his. But right now...I got more pressing business to attend to.
He walks off, leaving Montes standing there.
LUIS MONTES
Rumor has it that he won't be waiting too much longer to get a piece of the current Silver State Champion. But you didn't hear that from me.
He winks as the view cuts back to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
GRUDGE MATCH
CARA STRADER vs LOVERBOY BUSCH
As the bell rings, Loverboy Busch removes his sunglasses and makes an "oooooh" face at Cara, eyeing her from head to toe and back to the head again with pit stops a quarter and halfway down. Cara smirks at the display, and sashays up to Loverboy who begins outlining her figure with his hands. As she comes to a stop directly in front of him, she reaches up and intertwines her fingers in his beard...then yanks him into a vicious headbutt! Loverboy’s nose is instantly busted open and bleeding! Cara begins sending stiff kicks into the bigger man’s knee as he tries to get away, still favoring his nose. At ringside in the front row on one side, Big Sam looks disgusted while Tiny Tim hides Socksworth’s eyes from the display! While on the other side, Mad Max and Tamika cheer loudly, between pointing and laughing at the Busch Brothers. In the ring, Cara leaps upon the second rope and springboards off it, taking Loverboy down with a tornado DDT! She scrambles on top of the big man, going for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
Loverboy kicks out! Cara yanks him up by his hair but Loverboy explodes out of her grip and begins bashing her with some stiff right hands! He then scoops the smaller competitor up and slams her down. He shakes, rattles, rolls, and drops an elbow across her chest! He gets up..HE DOES THE MASHED POTATO AND LEAPS UP FOR A BIG LEG DROP! Cara convulses slightly as he pushes all the air out of her lungs! Loverboy gets up and begins to strut around the ring, playing to the crowd to the annoyance of Big Sam who yells at him to get his head back in the game!
Loverboy turns and goes back to lift Cara...but she rolls him up!
ONE!
TWO!
Cara snatches the tights!!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): CARA STRADER
Big Sam and Tiny Tim hop the guard rail with Tiny Tim going to check on his brother and Sam getting in Rana’s face! Mad Max and Tamika are applauding on the outside when suddenly Ricky Rhodes and Nico Pazzini arrive! They begin beating the hell out of the two members of CFH! Cara runs out to assist but she’s leveled out of nowhere!! It's Vincenzo Rina!! Trinacria are beating down the Cowgirls from Hell! It's a mugging...wait..Tiny Tim runs in to assist Cara! He shoves Sockworth in Vincenzo’s mouth! That ain't spaghetti!!
Big Sam looks annoyed but after a moment him and Loverboy hop the guard rail and beat Nico and Ricky back, sending them running...THEN THEY DROP MAD MAX AND TAMIKA WITH A DOUBLE DDT!! Tiny Tim looks shocked as he shoves Vincenzo away, who promptly tries to spit the foul taste from his mouth, turning around into a superkick by Cara! Security and the refs swarm to break it up as we cut to a commercial for Madison Tower! Featuring MATT KNOX, AMBER RYAN, and CHRIS MOSH…no, really!
____________________________________________
CUT TO:
BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
We move backstage following the CARA STRADER VS LOVERBOY match, as a frantic BERT MCALROY comes running forward out of breath, looking white as a ghost. Cara tilts her head and takes the joint from his shaking hand and takes a drag. MEGHAN and TAMIKA stand by, REVOLUTION1 WRESTLING TAG STRAPS over their shoulders watching as Cara addresses Bert.
CARA STRADER
What’s wrong, homeslice? You see a ghost or something ?
BERT MCALROY
Oh man, I don’t know how to say this…
CARA STRADER
Sheeeeet bro, you really see a ghost?!
A loud smack is heard and it’s from Tamika’s hand hitting herself in the forehead as Meghan stifles a laugh. She steps forward and places a motherly hand on Bert’s shoulder.
MEGHAN STRADER
Breathe Bert, what’s wrong?
BERT MCALROY
Well, first, I already informed Jackson so don’t panic or some shit but something happened to the big French lady that follows you three around.
Now Tamika steps forward, all of them looking concerned with the exception of Cara as she still thinks he saw a ghost and is puffing away on his joint.
TAMIKA STRADER
What happened to Max, Bert?
Bert snatches the joint back, taking a big haul before putting his hands up with an empathetic shrug.
BERT MCALROY
She wanted a nug, so I went back to Knox’s locker room to my stash and when I get back she was out cold and shit with blood all over your new office where you showed off those sick tag straps.
MEGHAN STRADER
Where is she now, Bert?! Who did it?! Those fucking Busch whackoffs?!
BERT MCALROY
Reno General Hospital and maybe, shit, I don’t know!
Meghan and Tamika high tail it down the hallway in search of BRAD JACKSON for a proper update, leaving Cara to sit down in the hall with Bert. Bert passes the joint back, and Cara looks a little stunned. Er, stoned.
CARA STRADER
Frick man, I hope she’s alright. Max is dope, ya know?
BERT MCALROY
Yeah me too, she’s hot, yo.
CARA STRADER
She likes women.
BERT MCALROY
But wasn’t your grandpa and her going at it?
CARA STRADER
Grandpa had the Force.
Bert nods thinking to himself before coming to his answer to a question he never asked out loud.
BERT MCALROY
Mitochondria is science! So, did ya win?
CARA STRADER
What’s wrong, homeslice? You see a ghost or something ?
BERT MCALROY
Oh man, I don’t know how to say this…
CARA STRADER
Sheeeeet bro, you really see a ghost?!
A loud smack is heard and it’s from Tamika’s hand hitting herself in the forehead as Meghan stifles a laugh. She steps forward and places a motherly hand on Bert’s shoulder.
MEGHAN STRADER
Breathe Bert, what’s wrong?
BERT MCALROY
Well, first, I already informed Jackson so don’t panic or some shit but something happened to the big French lady that follows you three around.
Now Tamika steps forward, all of them looking concerned with the exception of Cara as she still thinks he saw a ghost and is puffing away on his joint.
TAMIKA STRADER
What happened to Max, Bert?
Bert snatches the joint back, taking a big haul before putting his hands up with an empathetic shrug.
BERT MCALROY
She wanted a nug, so I went back to Knox’s locker room to my stash and when I get back she was out cold and shit with blood all over your new office where you showed off those sick tag straps.
MEGHAN STRADER
Where is she now, Bert?! Who did it?! Those fucking Busch whackoffs?!
BERT MCALROY
Reno General Hospital and maybe, shit, I don’t know!
Meghan and Tamika high tail it down the hallway in search of BRAD JACKSON for a proper update, leaving Cara to sit down in the hall with Bert. Bert passes the joint back, and Cara looks a little stunned. Er, stoned.
CARA STRADER
Frick man, I hope she’s alright. Max is dope, ya know?
BERT MCALROY
Yeah me too, she’s hot, yo.
CARA STRADER
She likes women.
BERT MCALROY
But wasn’t your grandpa and her going at it?
CARA STRADER
Grandpa had the Force.
Bert nods thinking to himself before coming to his answer to a question he never asked out loud.
BERT MCALROY
Mitochondria is science! So, did ya win?
CUT TO:
INT. RINGSIDE -- CONTINUOUS
We cut to ringside where a red carpet has been laid out over the mat, as well as a desk has been brought down to the ring with two desk chairs, a pair of fountain pens and a leather binding containing the contracts for the MONSTERS BALL match at SOLSTICE between Supreme Machine and Matt Knox. Standing among the impromptu pop-up office, the very picture of Johnny Cash couture in all black, is none other than the General Manager himself, "THE DARK HORSE" JACKSON. He’s got a microphone in hand and a scowl on his face as he lifts it to his lips.
JACKSON
Thousands of dollars in property damage. Hundreds of angry letters for that crucifixion stunt at Easter. Kidnapping. Bloodshed. The only reason I agreed to let you two have this damned match was to put an end to this nonsense once and for all and the only way I was able to get the fine folks here at the Eldorado to agree to it, was to have the two of you come out and sign off on all this legal bullshit.
He turns that glare to the ramp, looking like the last place he wants to be is in the ring between the two men he’s about to call out.
JACKSON
Knox. SuMa. Get out here. Let’s make this official so we can get on with the rest of the night.
As if on cue, 'Hell Broke Luce' by Tom Waits blasts forth and to a cheering audience, Knox makes his way out. He slides into the ring, regarding Jackson for a moment while also looking like a teenager who just got scolded. He reaches behind his back, snatching a microphone from his back pocket and lifting it to speak plainly.
MATT KNOX
You would have done the same for yours, Jax.
And with that, he chooses the chair facing the entryway and plops down in it, legs dangling over one arm as he stares intently toward the entrance. The lights then go out and the aggressive intro of 'Zetite' by Illnath his the PA system and with a slow, measured stride SUPREME MACHINE, the masked monster of UPRISING walks out and down the ramp. He is alone, not a Queenie in sight which makes part of the crowd sigh and the other disappointed. SuMa steps into the ring over the top rope, stopping in front of Jackson, looking down at the GM and slowly cocking his head from side to side before picking up a microphone, keeping his attention on Jax and completely ignoring Knox
SUPREME MACHINE
Dark Horse… You have taken risks to set this up… Yet we are thankful for you. Had the Raven not been saved before this whole "nonsense" as you call it… would have ended before INFERNO…
SuMa then turns to face Knox, slowly staring at him as he advances towards the table, choosing to remain standing instead of sitting down. Knox pays a knowing smile up to SuMa, fingers drumming on the microphone, the sound echoing annoyingly through the house system.
JACKSON
(sighing loudly)
I appreciate your maturity, boys. Really. Inside that binder, we’ve got a liability waiver. The Eldorado Casino and the Silver State Ballroom are taking no responsibility for this match, or for the 24 hours of lockdown time that will precede it. That’s why you both will be required to find your own place to carry that out -- can’t be on the property here. You’ll check in from your chosen location at the designated time and one of our camera crew will be assigned and on hand to ensure that you’re both playing by the rules. After the time's up, you'll return here for the match.
He looks back and forth between the two 'monsters'.
JACKSON
I know you both want this, but I want you to understand what’s at stake here when--
MATT KNOX
I get it. Fuck him. Save your breath, boss. In fact, let me just get to work on this.
Knox adjusts in the chair, setting the mic down as he snatches the binder and opens it up to the first page. He grabs the fountain pen, staring up at Jackson a moment, retrieving the mic.
MATT KNOX
Pardon the interruption, if you will.
And so he begins to sign with his right hand, microphone held close to his mouth with the left.
MATT KNOX
I’ll sign with all three names here, Jax. Thousand percent effort for this one...You know, name's a funny thing, isn't it? Especially when you learn the meaning of it like...Matthew, gift from god. Aloysius... famous warrior and Knox...round hill. Kind of an anticlimax but you piece them together, and I'm a famous warrior sent from God to conquer the mountaintop.
The crowd actually pops at that declaration but Knox doesn't really react. He flips to the last page, signing in a way that would make Hancock blush.
MATT KNOX
Brings up a lot of philosophical questions if you let it, or if you’re drunk. Like, when our parents chose our name did they on some level know that they were carving out our destiny?
He chuckles, standing from his seat and walking around the table. He offers the contract to SuMa, staring up into the masked face, holding his gaze.
MATT KNOX
Maybe I'm just too hung up on it, still cracked in the head….ah well. Here you go, be sure to sign your name real big…
A pause, and a grin cracks Knox’s face.
MATT KNOX
Tom.
Something flashes in SuMa’s eyes, a phenomenon almost unheard of for the mostly emotionless monster. His knuckles white up as he squeezes his hand into a fist, but a look at Jax causes him to relent for a moment. He picks the binder up and with measured strokes signs with his abbreviation on the dotted line, his eyes never leaving Knox. He picks a microphone up after signing and walks right up to the Raven.
SUPREME MACHINE
We don’t know where you heard that… but that man is dead… has been for a decade… and if you plan on pushing the topic… you will join him in a shallow grave. Do… not… tempt… us…
The last four words are said in a barely audible manner, barely a whisper to Knox’s ears as SuMa leans down to stare him eye to eye. For all the threats the masked monster has levied, this one feels different. Almost… personal. Knox doesn’t flinch, on the contrary a grin, like the one of a man facing down an oncoming train and wanting the impact, crosses his lips as he raises his mic and speaks again.
MATT KNOX
Now Thomas, what would mother think?
That's apparently a step too far. SuMa roars out and grabs Knox by the face, lifting him up in the air and snarling. Spittle flies from his lips and Jackson takes a step back, looking wary.
SUPREME MACHINE
SHE IS DEAD TOO! AND SO WILL BE YOU.
He slams Knox to the mat by the face only to pick him up again, hoisting him on his shoulders in an electric chair. The monster stares at Jax for a moment before walking over to the table, grabbing Knox by the head and drops the Raven through the table with APEX ULTIMA (Electric Chair into Inverted package piledriver). SuMa then stands up, looking at his downed rival, picking up a microphone.
SUPREME MACHNE
SOLSTICE will be your end. You will regret every single thing you have said and done. And after SOLSTICE the Raven will be… NEVERMORE.
Completely disregarding Jackson or anyone else, SuMa rolls out of the ring and starts making his way backstage, the crowd booing their lungs out at him as the feed cuts away to an advertising break for RETURN TO DURANGO, confirmed for the 2022 season on SplatTV.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOMS -- CONTINUOUS
We open up to a now-familiar view of the Silver State Ballroom locker rooms, with "OLD SCHOOL COOL" DON TIRRI once again going through his pre-match routines. And just like has become a common occurrence, we see his son DONALD MASON hanging out in the background. For some reason the kid is in the middle of changing shirts, giving us a glimpse of a torso that is chiseled, to say the least. Donny pulls a shirt over it and sets a beanie on his head as Tirri himself finishes taping up his wrist and speaks up.
DON TIRRI
So. After having a break for a single show, it’s good to be back in action. Last time you saw me I said I was all out of ass to kick, but whaddaya know, I found a way to get myself involved regardless! Esme, darling, no hard feelings, eh? I just held onto a promise I made WAAAAY back in what, December or something? Not like you aren’t used to following up months after the fact, right?
Tirri gives a chuckle and starts taping his left wrist.
DON TIRRI
And Luther, it was fun jaw-jacking with you again. I’ve kinda missed it. Your unshakable belief in your own greatness is a sight to behold. Normally when people are that full of shit it’s an act, but you, my man… you well and truly believe the drivel that comes out of your mouth. That is absolutely astonishing. Shame Knox couldn’t teach you a lesson in humility…
He stops to ponder for a moment before shrugging.
DON TIRRI
Who am I kidding? Knox, I like you. But like I told you before the match, I’m happy that you lost. Just like I was glad Ignis lost. Not because I wish any ill on either of them or any good for Luther but for selfish reasons. See Luther, CORONATION left me with a bone to pick with you. You beat me there. But it was close. Damn close. Book ten matches between us and the wins would go five and five. You and I are a lot more closely matched than you or anyone else wants to admit. That is why I am glad you’ve managed to remain the champion this long. Because at SOLSTICE in the Terrordome, I want to be the one to take the belt and I want to take it from YOU, Luther. Nobody else. Not just for my own sake but to show the kid over there that the old man can still go. Just like tonight when I’m going one on one with Griffin Hawkins. Right, Donny?
The big Finn glances over his shoulder at the kid, who simply nods as a response. Tirri turns back to face the camera and is about to continue until he suddenly gets a "wait a minute…" look on his face and turns back to Donny. He looks at him from top to bottom and when you look closely it is obvious why. The shirt that Donny was in the process of putting on is not one of his father's shirts, but instead one of the new LUCHADORK-line of shirts. Complete with an autographed beanie of the same line. Donny stares back at the older man, mouthing "what?"
DON TIRRI
Donny… why are you wearing those? I thought I told you to wear MY merch when on camera! Honestly, what kind of an advertisement it is if my own kid refuses to wear my stuff? Seriously kid, not cool.
As a response, the kid only shrugs.
DONNY
I like Ignis. She’s cute and funny. And the merch looks cool. Besides, you ASKED her for this beanie, so of course I’m gonna wear it.
Tirri stares at his son in disbelief. Finally Donny relents and lets out a sigh.
DONNY
FIIIINE. I’ll put on your merch. You really need to think about a redesign though. This Luchadork-stuff is just damn adorable.
As Tirri stares at Donny, the kid groans and starts pulling off his shirt, giving us another glance of the chiseled torso before pulling one of the "Old School Cool" shirts from the pile and putting in on, mouthing "Sorry Iggy, I tried" to the camera as he does. Finally, he looks at Tirri.
DONNY
Happy now?
Tirri nods and turns back to the camera, clearing his throat.
DON TIRRI
Sorry about that. Damn kids these days have no respect for their fathers. Anyway, where was I? Oh right, Hawkins. The hair-god. Griff, I like you. I really do. And I’m honestly looking forward to fighting you. Ever since I saw you in OneDub, I’ve wanted to have a go, and I was jumping in joy when I saw you had signed up for UPRISING. Tonight will be a blast for me, Griff, and I hope that regardless of which one of us comes out on top, there won’t be no hard feelings. Let's just go and steal the show. Time to blow the roof off this ballroom, right Griff?
Tirri stands up, throwing a disappointed glance at Donny who rolls his eyes in response. The pair stomp out of the locker room and the view fades back to ringside and the pumped up crowd.
DON TIRRI
So. After having a break for a single show, it’s good to be back in action. Last time you saw me I said I was all out of ass to kick, but whaddaya know, I found a way to get myself involved regardless! Esme, darling, no hard feelings, eh? I just held onto a promise I made WAAAAY back in what, December or something? Not like you aren’t used to following up months after the fact, right?
Tirri gives a chuckle and starts taping his left wrist.
DON TIRRI
And Luther, it was fun jaw-jacking with you again. I’ve kinda missed it. Your unshakable belief in your own greatness is a sight to behold. Normally when people are that full of shit it’s an act, but you, my man… you well and truly believe the drivel that comes out of your mouth. That is absolutely astonishing. Shame Knox couldn’t teach you a lesson in humility…
He stops to ponder for a moment before shrugging.
DON TIRRI
Who am I kidding? Knox, I like you. But like I told you before the match, I’m happy that you lost. Just like I was glad Ignis lost. Not because I wish any ill on either of them or any good for Luther but for selfish reasons. See Luther, CORONATION left me with a bone to pick with you. You beat me there. But it was close. Damn close. Book ten matches between us and the wins would go five and five. You and I are a lot more closely matched than you or anyone else wants to admit. That is why I am glad you’ve managed to remain the champion this long. Because at SOLSTICE in the Terrordome, I want to be the one to take the belt and I want to take it from YOU, Luther. Nobody else. Not just for my own sake but to show the kid over there that the old man can still go. Just like tonight when I’m going one on one with Griffin Hawkins. Right, Donny?
The big Finn glances over his shoulder at the kid, who simply nods as a response. Tirri turns back to face the camera and is about to continue until he suddenly gets a "wait a minute…" look on his face and turns back to Donny. He looks at him from top to bottom and when you look closely it is obvious why. The shirt that Donny was in the process of putting on is not one of his father's shirts, but instead one of the new LUCHADORK-line of shirts. Complete with an autographed beanie of the same line. Donny stares back at the older man, mouthing "what?"
DON TIRRI
Donny… why are you wearing those? I thought I told you to wear MY merch when on camera! Honestly, what kind of an advertisement it is if my own kid refuses to wear my stuff? Seriously kid, not cool.
As a response, the kid only shrugs.
DONNY
I like Ignis. She’s cute and funny. And the merch looks cool. Besides, you ASKED her for this beanie, so of course I’m gonna wear it.
Tirri stares at his son in disbelief. Finally Donny relents and lets out a sigh.
DONNY
FIIIINE. I’ll put on your merch. You really need to think about a redesign though. This Luchadork-stuff is just damn adorable.
As Tirri stares at Donny, the kid groans and starts pulling off his shirt, giving us another glance of the chiseled torso before pulling one of the "Old School Cool" shirts from the pile and putting in on, mouthing "Sorry Iggy, I tried" to the camera as he does. Finally, he looks at Tirri.
DONNY
Happy now?
Tirri nods and turns back to the camera, clearing his throat.
DON TIRRI
Sorry about that. Damn kids these days have no respect for their fathers. Anyway, where was I? Oh right, Hawkins. The hair-god. Griff, I like you. I really do. And I’m honestly looking forward to fighting you. Ever since I saw you in OneDub, I’ve wanted to have a go, and I was jumping in joy when I saw you had signed up for UPRISING. Tonight will be a blast for me, Griff, and I hope that regardless of which one of us comes out on top, there won’t be no hard feelings. Let's just go and steal the show. Time to blow the roof off this ballroom, right Griff?
Tirri stands up, throwing a disappointed glance at Donny who rolls his eyes in response. The pair stomp out of the locker room and the view fades back to ringside and the pumped up crowd.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
DON TIRRI vs GRIFFIN HAWKINS
As the bell rings, Tirri grins and walks to the middle to meet Griffin who returns the grin. The two bump fists and seem to be conversing, the camera picks up that they’re currently complimenting each other’s taste in entrance music. The two bump fists once more, before circling each other and locking up in the center of the ring. Tirri overpowers Griffin pretty easily, driving him into the ropes and whipping him across the ring. He takes Griffin down with a shoulder tackle, and follows it with a big elbow drop and a quick pin.
ONE!
Griffin kicks out and Tirri goes for a chokehold but Griffin slips it easily and snatches Tirri into an arm bar! Tirri grunts in pain and pushes himself up to his feet, hunched over as Griffin wrenches on the arm. He breaks the hold, and begins to bash Tirri in the face with forearm shivers before he snatches the arm again, twisting it and bashing his own elbow into Tirri’s elbow joint before whipping him into the ropes and takes him down with a picture perfect dropkick! Griffin Hawkins raises the horns to the fans and takes a moment to do a hair-i-copter for the crowd!!
But the white meat babyface is soon paid comeuppance for the rookie mistake as Tirri has gotten to his feet and snatches Griffin in a waistlock, nailing him with a big release German suplex! Tirri gets up and charges forth, straight up punting Griffin Hawkins in the face as he sits up. Tirri lifts Griffin up, shoving his head between his legs and lifting him for a powerbomb...but Griffin reverses it into a poisonrana! Griffin reaches back, snatching the legs!
ONE!
TWO!
Don Tirri kicks out! The ref checks on Tirri who is favoring his head as Griffin gets to his feet, creating some distance and catching his breath...SUDDENLY CHRIS MOSH CHARGES DOWN THE RAMP! HE SNATCHES GRIFFIN BY THE ANKLE AND YANKS HIM OUT OF THE RING! GRIFFIN SHOOTS UP, TURNING TO CONFRONT MOSH BUT IS BLASTED BY THE SILVER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BELT RIGHT IN THE FACE! Neil Rana catches it and calls for the bell!
WINNER (VIA DISQUALIFICATION): GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Don Tirri has gotten up and realizes that Chris Mosh has just cost him a win. He snarls and charges out of the ring, chasing Mosh up the ramp as the Silver State Champion heads for higher ground!
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOMS -- CONTINUOUS
The former Silver State Champion SAMANTHA TOLSON paces back and forth in her locker room, already dressed for war in a black singlet with gold trim, matching pads and boots, with one of her lavender 'Bombs Away' shirts on. Back and forth across the camera's view she goes, face twisted in anger.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
I'm gonna absolutely murder you, Mosh. Something I should've done weeks ago. That was an oversight, and it's on me. But in a few moments, I'll fix that.
Samantha stopped and turns directly to the camera, a fire in her eyes.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
But see, I am not going to feel bad when I hurt you, or make you bleed, or when you beg me for the mercy that will not come. Because I warned you. Multiple times. Don't cross me. Don't make the biggest mistake of your life. But not only did you do EXACTLY what you were warned not to do, you fucking doubled, then tripled, and even quadrupled down on your shit. You hit me two shows running with my belt, then you committed larceny last show.
A sick, sinister grin began to creep over Samantha's face.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
See this time, it's no disqualifications. No escape for you, and no help from your bottled blonde bimbo Summer Page. And if she's bringing in her sisters as reinforcements? So be it. Because tonight? I brought along a little insurance policy.
The camera pans slowly to the left where the silhouette of a woman stands in the shadows. A brief, toothy smile shines from the darkness.
UNKNOWN
(gleefully)
You’ve been bad. Very bad. You and your playmate don’t play fair. Nope, nope, nope. But that’s okay. I like to roughhouse.
Samantha grins at the camera, her toothy visage matching the silhouetted woman's.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Meet Trixie Decker. One of the loves of my life and one hell of a backup. See Summer, she has my back. If you so much as step one of your manicured toes out of line…
Trixie steps out of the shadows. A slighter woman, shorter than Sam. Her goth make-up barely hides facial scars from years of hardcore and street matches. She leans towards the camera.
TRIXIE DECKER
I’m gonna have to keep someone honest, aren’t I? ‘Cuz it seems like Mush can’t stand a chance with Sam-Cakes without a certain seasonal helper.
Trixie shakes her head, making a tsk-tsk sound.
TRIXIE DECKER
Always preferred Autumn myself.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
More of a spring gal myself, but I like summers too. Just not bitchy blonde ones who stick their nose in my business.
Samantha gives Trixie a small wink, then looks at the camera again.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
But that bitch isn't my focus here. My focus is you, Mosh, and reclaiming the Silver State Championship from the dumpster fire that is your career. To take back what was never yours after you stole it from me two weeks ago. Tonight, Chris Mosh, I make you little more than a footnote. An asterisk. The answer to bad trivia.
She pauses to let that sink in.
TRIXIE DECKER
A little mess someone finally got around to scooping up, putting in a plastic baggie, and tossing into a bin so the yard is finally s--t free?
Samantha smirks, chuckling at Trixie's analogy.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Exactly like that. Because this asshole has screwed me over enough. Tonight I rid UPRISING of the stain of Chris Mosh being a champion.
Samantha's face gets deadly serious for a moment as she continues.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
I hope you hear this, Mosh. I really and truly hope you do. Tonight, out in that ring, there are no rules. Nothing is stopping you from getting a hundred people involved. It won't matter, because I've made plans for that, but there isn't any interference this time. And you think that works to your advantage. But I also know you've been trying to get me flustered and frustrated. Like I said, you big baby, I see your game. When that bell rings, you're going to find out, very harshly, why I am the Pretty Little Murder Machine. The Hardcore Queen of Suplex Nation. The Missouri River Amazon.
There's a grim smile on her face for a moment as she rolls her shoulders, limbering up.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
You won't see wild and crazy out there. No, Mosh...you've put me back in touch with a dangerous, devious and very nasty part of me that only comes out when needed. You've awoken the cold-hearted and calculating bitch inside me, one that is going to pick you apart piece by piece until there's nothing left of you for even the vultures to pick apart. And when I'm done, you will meet with a Beautiful Oblivion Rendezvous, and I will put an end to all this.
Samantha swings and stretches for a second.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Time is not on your side Mosh. So hug that belt real tight, maybe even give it a goodbye kiss. Because soon? It comes back home with me.
_____________________________________________
SAMANTHA TOLSON
I'm gonna absolutely murder you, Mosh. Something I should've done weeks ago. That was an oversight, and it's on me. But in a few moments, I'll fix that.
Samantha stopped and turns directly to the camera, a fire in her eyes.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
But see, I am not going to feel bad when I hurt you, or make you bleed, or when you beg me for the mercy that will not come. Because I warned you. Multiple times. Don't cross me. Don't make the biggest mistake of your life. But not only did you do EXACTLY what you were warned not to do, you fucking doubled, then tripled, and even quadrupled down on your shit. You hit me two shows running with my belt, then you committed larceny last show.
A sick, sinister grin began to creep over Samantha's face.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
See this time, it's no disqualifications. No escape for you, and no help from your bottled blonde bimbo Summer Page. And if she's bringing in her sisters as reinforcements? So be it. Because tonight? I brought along a little insurance policy.
The camera pans slowly to the left where the silhouette of a woman stands in the shadows. A brief, toothy smile shines from the darkness.
UNKNOWN
(gleefully)
You’ve been bad. Very bad. You and your playmate don’t play fair. Nope, nope, nope. But that’s okay. I like to roughhouse.
Samantha grins at the camera, her toothy visage matching the silhouetted woman's.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Meet Trixie Decker. One of the loves of my life and one hell of a backup. See Summer, she has my back. If you so much as step one of your manicured toes out of line…
Trixie steps out of the shadows. A slighter woman, shorter than Sam. Her goth make-up barely hides facial scars from years of hardcore and street matches. She leans towards the camera.
TRIXIE DECKER
I’m gonna have to keep someone honest, aren’t I? ‘Cuz it seems like Mush can’t stand a chance with Sam-Cakes without a certain seasonal helper.
Trixie shakes her head, making a tsk-tsk sound.
TRIXIE DECKER
Always preferred Autumn myself.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
More of a spring gal myself, but I like summers too. Just not bitchy blonde ones who stick their nose in my business.
Samantha gives Trixie a small wink, then looks at the camera again.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
But that bitch isn't my focus here. My focus is you, Mosh, and reclaiming the Silver State Championship from the dumpster fire that is your career. To take back what was never yours after you stole it from me two weeks ago. Tonight, Chris Mosh, I make you little more than a footnote. An asterisk. The answer to bad trivia.
She pauses to let that sink in.
TRIXIE DECKER
A little mess someone finally got around to scooping up, putting in a plastic baggie, and tossing into a bin so the yard is finally s--t free?
Samantha smirks, chuckling at Trixie's analogy.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Exactly like that. Because this asshole has screwed me over enough. Tonight I rid UPRISING of the stain of Chris Mosh being a champion.
Samantha's face gets deadly serious for a moment as she continues.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
I hope you hear this, Mosh. I really and truly hope you do. Tonight, out in that ring, there are no rules. Nothing is stopping you from getting a hundred people involved. It won't matter, because I've made plans for that, but there isn't any interference this time. And you think that works to your advantage. But I also know you've been trying to get me flustered and frustrated. Like I said, you big baby, I see your game. When that bell rings, you're going to find out, very harshly, why I am the Pretty Little Murder Machine. The Hardcore Queen of Suplex Nation. The Missouri River Amazon.
There's a grim smile on her face for a moment as she rolls her shoulders, limbering up.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
You won't see wild and crazy out there. No, Mosh...you've put me back in touch with a dangerous, devious and very nasty part of me that only comes out when needed. You've awoken the cold-hearted and calculating bitch inside me, one that is going to pick you apart piece by piece until there's nothing left of you for even the vultures to pick apart. And when I'm done, you will meet with a Beautiful Oblivion Rendezvous, and I will put an end to all this.
Samantha swings and stretches for a second.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Time is not on your side Mosh. So hug that belt real tight, maybe even give it a goodbye kiss. Because soon? It comes back home with me.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
STATIC
SILVER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: NO DQ REMATCH
CHRIS MOSH (c) vs SAMANTHA TOLSON
Ref Stef stands in the middle of the ring, between Mosh and Tolson. She holds the Silver State Championship up over her head as the audience pops for it. On the outside, Reno Nevada can be seen with Tamika Strader. Strader has a baseball bat in one hand, resting on her shoulder and Reno can be seen chugging a beer with a lucky fan. Ref Stef hands the belt off to the timekeeper, and then calls for the bell! The fans come unglued as Sam Tolson and Chris Mosh meet in the middle of the ring and begin jawing at one another. And in an instant they’re trading blows! It looks like an even match as the two have one hand hooked behind each other’s head with their lefts while bashing one another’s face in with their rights! Mosh catches Tolson in the throat with a punch, then sets to shoving a thumb into her eye!
Tolson manages to bat his arm and the offending appendage away but Mosh snatches her and drops her on her head with a DDT! He rolls out of the ring and heads to the time keeper's table. He snatches the bell and slides back into the ring, stalking Tolson. As she gets to her feet, Mosh swings for the fences but the former champ ducks! Mosh turns around and Tolson nails a dropkick that sends the ring bell back into Mosh’s face! Mosh is split wide open!!
Mosh favors his head, rolling face down and kicking the mat as Tolson exits the ring herself, going to retrieve a chair. She rolls into the ring and doesn’t hesitate, or stalk Mosh! She goes right to work, lifting the chair over her head and bringing down across Mosh’s back! Once! Twice! Three times! Mosh begins to flop around like a fish trying to get away! He manages to sweep Tolson’s leg out from under her, and gets to his feet, backing to a corner. Ref Stef goes to check on Mosh as Tolson gets up, grabbing the chair she charges in and swings for the fences...AND NAILS REF STEF OVER THE HEAD AS MOSH PULLS HER IN FRONT OF THE SHOT! Samantha looks concerned and Mosh capitalizes instantly! He pulls brass knucks from his tights and slips them on, punching Tolson in the gut and doubling her over causing her to drop the chair! Mosh then punts her in the side of the head!
On the outside, Reno sees the ref take the bump and finishes his beer! He begins to unbutton his silk shirt with a dragon printed on it, throwing it off to reveal....A WIFE BEATER! STRIPED LIKE A REF SHIRT! RENO NEVADA HAS TAKEN OVER REFFING FOR THE SILVER STATE TITLE!! RIGHT HERE IN RENO, NEVADA! He rolls into the ring and instantly disarms Mosh, admonishing him and rambling about good, clean fights!
Suddenly, The Socialites charge down! Tamika swings, taking Danielle down with a rib shot with her bat! Vanessa leaps upon her with a Lou Thesz press and now the two of them are rolling around trading right hands like it's a bar fight in Reno on a Saturday night! Summer Page charges the ring, she’s holding a lead pipe! WAIT! SOMEONE JUST SLID OUT FROM UNDER THE RING!! HOLY SHIT! IT'S TRIXIE DECKER AND YANKS SUMMER PAGE RIGHT OFF HER FEET! TALK ABOUT KARMA! TRIXIE DECKER BEGINS PUMMELLING HER FACE WITH RIGHTS AND LEFTS AS THE CROWD GOES WILD!
OUT OF NOWHERE! AS MOSH SHOVES RENO AWAY,' DON TIRRI HAS HIT THE RING FROM THE AUDIENCE! HE ISNT OVER MOSH COSTING HIM A WIN GOING INTO SOLSTICE!! MOSH TURNS TOWARD DON TIRRI ONLY TO RECEIVE THE BOOT RIGHT TO HIS FACE!! Don stares down at Mosh, before spitting on him and exiting the ring. Reno stands stunned, and shrugs before yelling out.
RENO NEVADA
I'LL ALLOW IT!!
In the ring, Samantha Tolson has gotten to her feet! Mosh gets up slowly, but sees Sam has risen as well. He grabs up the chair and swings for the fences but she evades! Mosh turns and gets kicked in the ribs, forcing him to drop the chair! Tolson lifts him in a vertical suplex – NO WAY! MOSH SLIPS OUT THE BACK DOOR, LOOKING FOR A DDT BUT TOLSON REVERSES IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME SHE GETS HIM DOWN WITH A SUPLEX!! Her hips pop and she drags Mosh once more, lifting him and stalling! What a show of strength!!! Tolson lines up with the chair...and DROPS CHRIS MOSH ON HIS HEAD WITH A BRAIN BUSTER! Tolson gets up once more, letting out a war cry as she drags Mosh up with her and nails the BEAUTIFUL OBLIVION RENDEZVOUS!!! SHE GOES FOR THE PIN! RENO DROPS DOWN TO COUNT!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL) AND NEW SILVER STATE CHAMPION: SAMANTHA TOLSON
The scene transitions with a trumpet flourish, and a title card with golden calligraphy fades in.
Meat and Nihilism with Regan
(Best paired with Louis Armstrong’s 'All that Meat and No Potatoes'
and Osocalis Rare Alambic Brandy)
The scene opens on a spotless room, white from the floors, to the walls, to the ceiling. A metal table lies in the center, holding a ballistics dummy bearing an eerie similarity to a certain intern. Regan Voorhees stands over it, a stainless steel tray of instruments at her side. Her blood red nails are still visible through her white rubber gloves, contrasting perfectly with the black apron that she wears over a peach-colored A-line dress. Hair pulled neatly into a bun, a pair of plastic goggles sit on her forehead. She lowers them to cover her eyes, as her fingers prod the dummy for weak spots.
REGAN VOORHEES
We’ve all heard the one about abyss-gazing. It stared back at me and said, “Love your shoes, are they Garavanis?” And I asked, “Why are you changing the subject, you immeasurably bottomless bitch?” Who among us isn’t guilty of a post-pubescent flirt with Nietzsche? It’s too bad we all grow up and convince ourselves that the human race ignoring their reproductive instincts and walking hand-in-hand into extinction is somehow a bad thing. It’s important to never lose your childhood sense of grand possibilities. Dream big, kids.
Regan probes the ribcage, then gives the sternum a quick jab before reaching for the steel tray beside her. She holds up a circular saw, a device of gleaming metal teeth and pastel pink plastic. The saw whirrs to life, and after letting it reach maximum speed over several seconds, the Duchess of Pork buries it in the chest of the dummy. The synthetic rib cage pops open like a baked potato, spraying fake blood and bone fragments in every direction. She sets the saw back on the table and retrieves a glass of brandy.
REGAN VOORHEES
But no matter how much Little Regan had her heart set on ending the human race, Grown-Up Regan came to realize that achieving her goals would mean working within the same disgusting, outmoded system she despised. Change is slow, difficult and oh so tedious. If you have the patience, you can destroy more lives with paperwork than you can with a bomb. Effective, but it lacks the personal touch. None of us would be here if we didn’t enjoy getting our hands dirty.
She drains the brandy, sliding the glass back onto the tray, then digs her hands wrist-deep into the gore before her.
REGAN VOORHEES
Here I am. Oblivion has been negated by my very existence. Thus, my point has been made and my promo is concluded.
Her hands dig through the fake corpse, as she flings artificial lungs, kidneys, and a liver over her shoulder. The bits splatter onto the wall and floor, leaving sickening streaks in their wake. Eventually, Regan’s hands seize the fake heart and pull it free. She studies it.
REGAN VOORHEES
Honestly, I’m the only one here with a smart sense of humor. Amber, Mac, I loathe the idea of being acquaintances-in-law with you due to our mutual connection to Matt Knox. As a courtesy, I extended the slightest bit of civility. But the grace period is over and I will now take your titles. Because I want them and because I find the thought of you two drowning your sorrows in a combination of Hank Williams and Evan Williams to be ever so amusing. A healthy marriage is built on mutual enabling, after all.
Regan gives the fake heart a squeeze, covering her gloved hand in syrupy faux-blood. She drops the heart back into the gaping chest cavity.
REGAN VOORHEES
Consider this the first trial and/or tribulation of your awfully-wedded lives. I live to make something from nothing. If you are the primordial, chaotic abyss, then I am the first breath of the newborn universe. I expand, I consume and I correct. In my wake, everything is left as it should have always been. You, the destroyers; I, the creator.
Regan reaches back to the tray, gripping the rubber handle of a meat tenderizer in rose gold metal. She swings it at the head of the dummy, the spiked hammer cracking through the synthetic skin and fake bone. Stuck in the ruined face, the tenderizer is released by Regan as she interlocks her bloody fingers.
REGAN VOORHEES
I am the cold, inevitable hammer of civilization. Capable of building a house or splitting a skull. I am the order to your chaos. Oblivion only pretends to be nothing. But Oblivion is Amber Ryan and Mac Bane, the Uprising Tag Team Champions. Oblivion isn’t nothing. Not yet.
She takes back the hammer, wrenching it free and giving it a look, before examining the remains of the dummy’s face. A smirk plays on Regan’s lips.
REGAN VOORHEES
But it will be when I’m done.
The scene fades to Atticus the Pig, cosplaying as a princess. The logo pops up.
Brought to you by Voorhees Farms
Meat and Nihilism with Regan
(Best paired with Louis Armstrong’s 'All that Meat and No Potatoes'
and Osocalis Rare Alambic Brandy)
The scene opens on a spotless room, white from the floors, to the walls, to the ceiling. A metal table lies in the center, holding a ballistics dummy bearing an eerie similarity to a certain intern. Regan Voorhees stands over it, a stainless steel tray of instruments at her side. Her blood red nails are still visible through her white rubber gloves, contrasting perfectly with the black apron that she wears over a peach-colored A-line dress. Hair pulled neatly into a bun, a pair of plastic goggles sit on her forehead. She lowers them to cover her eyes, as her fingers prod the dummy for weak spots.
REGAN VOORHEES
We’ve all heard the one about abyss-gazing. It stared back at me and said, “Love your shoes, are they Garavanis?” And I asked, “Why are you changing the subject, you immeasurably bottomless bitch?” Who among us isn’t guilty of a post-pubescent flirt with Nietzsche? It’s too bad we all grow up and convince ourselves that the human race ignoring their reproductive instincts and walking hand-in-hand into extinction is somehow a bad thing. It’s important to never lose your childhood sense of grand possibilities. Dream big, kids.
Regan probes the ribcage, then gives the sternum a quick jab before reaching for the steel tray beside her. She holds up a circular saw, a device of gleaming metal teeth and pastel pink plastic. The saw whirrs to life, and after letting it reach maximum speed over several seconds, the Duchess of Pork buries it in the chest of the dummy. The synthetic rib cage pops open like a baked potato, spraying fake blood and bone fragments in every direction. She sets the saw back on the table and retrieves a glass of brandy.
REGAN VOORHEES
But no matter how much Little Regan had her heart set on ending the human race, Grown-Up Regan came to realize that achieving her goals would mean working within the same disgusting, outmoded system she despised. Change is slow, difficult and oh so tedious. If you have the patience, you can destroy more lives with paperwork than you can with a bomb. Effective, but it lacks the personal touch. None of us would be here if we didn’t enjoy getting our hands dirty.
She drains the brandy, sliding the glass back onto the tray, then digs her hands wrist-deep into the gore before her.
REGAN VOORHEES
Here I am. Oblivion has been negated by my very existence. Thus, my point has been made and my promo is concluded.
Her hands dig through the fake corpse, as she flings artificial lungs, kidneys, and a liver over her shoulder. The bits splatter onto the wall and floor, leaving sickening streaks in their wake. Eventually, Regan’s hands seize the fake heart and pull it free. She studies it.
REGAN VOORHEES
Honestly, I’m the only one here with a smart sense of humor. Amber, Mac, I loathe the idea of being acquaintances-in-law with you due to our mutual connection to Matt Knox. As a courtesy, I extended the slightest bit of civility. But the grace period is over and I will now take your titles. Because I want them and because I find the thought of you two drowning your sorrows in a combination of Hank Williams and Evan Williams to be ever so amusing. A healthy marriage is built on mutual enabling, after all.
Regan gives the fake heart a squeeze, covering her gloved hand in syrupy faux-blood. She drops the heart back into the gaping chest cavity.
REGAN VOORHEES
Consider this the first trial and/or tribulation of your awfully-wedded lives. I live to make something from nothing. If you are the primordial, chaotic abyss, then I am the first breath of the newborn universe. I expand, I consume and I correct. In my wake, everything is left as it should have always been. You, the destroyers; I, the creator.
Regan reaches back to the tray, gripping the rubber handle of a meat tenderizer in rose gold metal. She swings it at the head of the dummy, the spiked hammer cracking through the synthetic skin and fake bone. Stuck in the ruined face, the tenderizer is released by Regan as she interlocks her bloody fingers.
REGAN VOORHEES
I am the cold, inevitable hammer of civilization. Capable of building a house or splitting a skull. I am the order to your chaos. Oblivion only pretends to be nothing. But Oblivion is Amber Ryan and Mac Bane, the Uprising Tag Team Champions. Oblivion isn’t nothing. Not yet.
She takes back the hammer, wrenching it free and giving it a look, before examining the remains of the dummy’s face. A smirk plays on Regan’s lips.
REGAN VOORHEES
But it will be when I’m done.
The scene fades to Atticus the Pig, cosplaying as a princess. The logo pops up.
Brought to you by Voorhees Farms
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
SILVER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: NO DQ REMATCH
CHRIS MOSH (c) vs SAMANTHA TOLSON
Ref Stef stands in the middle of the ring, between Mosh and Tolson. She holds the Silver State Championship up over her head as the audience pops for it. On the outside, Reno Nevada can be seen with Tamika Strader. Strader has a baseball bat in one hand, resting on her shoulder and Reno can be seen chugging a beer with a lucky fan. Ref Stef hands the belt off to the timekeeper, and then calls for the bell! The fans come unglued as Sam Tolson and Chris Mosh meet in the middle of the ring and begin jawing at one another. And in an instant they’re trading blows! It looks like an even match as the two have one hand hooked behind each other’s head with their lefts while bashing one another’s face in with their rights! Mosh catches Tolson in the throat with a punch, then sets to shoving a thumb into her eye!
Tolson manages to bat his arm and the offending appendage away but Mosh snatches her and drops her on her head with a DDT! He rolls out of the ring and heads to the time keeper's table. He snatches the bell and slides back into the ring, stalking Tolson. As she gets to her feet, Mosh swings for the fences but the former champ ducks! Mosh turns around and Tolson nails a dropkick that sends the ring bell back into Mosh’s face! Mosh is split wide open!!
Mosh favors his head, rolling face down and kicking the mat as Tolson exits the ring herself, going to retrieve a chair. She rolls into the ring and doesn’t hesitate, or stalk Mosh! She goes right to work, lifting the chair over her head and bringing down across Mosh’s back! Once! Twice! Three times! Mosh begins to flop around like a fish trying to get away! He manages to sweep Tolson’s leg out from under her, and gets to his feet, backing to a corner. Ref Stef goes to check on Mosh as Tolson gets up, grabbing the chair she charges in and swings for the fences...AND NAILS REF STEF OVER THE HEAD AS MOSH PULLS HER IN FRONT OF THE SHOT! Samantha looks concerned and Mosh capitalizes instantly! He pulls brass knucks from his tights and slips them on, punching Tolson in the gut and doubling her over causing her to drop the chair! Mosh then punts her in the side of the head!
On the outside, Reno sees the ref take the bump and finishes his beer! He begins to unbutton his silk shirt with a dragon printed on it, throwing it off to reveal....A WIFE BEATER! STRIPED LIKE A REF SHIRT! RENO NEVADA HAS TAKEN OVER REFFING FOR THE SILVER STATE TITLE!! RIGHT HERE IN RENO, NEVADA! He rolls into the ring and instantly disarms Mosh, admonishing him and rambling about good, clean fights!
Suddenly, The Socialites charge down! Tamika swings, taking Danielle down with a rib shot with her bat! Vanessa leaps upon her with a Lou Thesz press and now the two of them are rolling around trading right hands like it's a bar fight in Reno on a Saturday night! Summer Page charges the ring, she’s holding a lead pipe! WAIT! SOMEONE JUST SLID OUT FROM UNDER THE RING!! HOLY SHIT! IT'S TRIXIE DECKER AND YANKS SUMMER PAGE RIGHT OFF HER FEET! TALK ABOUT KARMA! TRIXIE DECKER BEGINS PUMMELLING HER FACE WITH RIGHTS AND LEFTS AS THE CROWD GOES WILD!
OUT OF NOWHERE! AS MOSH SHOVES RENO AWAY,' DON TIRRI HAS HIT THE RING FROM THE AUDIENCE! HE ISNT OVER MOSH COSTING HIM A WIN GOING INTO SOLSTICE!! MOSH TURNS TOWARD DON TIRRI ONLY TO RECEIVE THE BOOT RIGHT TO HIS FACE!! Don stares down at Mosh, before spitting on him and exiting the ring. Reno stands stunned, and shrugs before yelling out.
RENO NEVADA
I'LL ALLOW IT!!
In the ring, Samantha Tolson has gotten to her feet! Mosh gets up slowly, but sees Sam has risen as well. He grabs up the chair and swings for the fences but she evades! Mosh turns and gets kicked in the ribs, forcing him to drop the chair! Tolson lifts him in a vertical suplex – NO WAY! MOSH SLIPS OUT THE BACK DOOR, LOOKING FOR A DDT BUT TOLSON REVERSES IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME SHE GETS HIM DOWN WITH A SUPLEX!! Her hips pop and she drags Mosh once more, lifting him and stalling! What a show of strength!!! Tolson lines up with the chair...and DROPS CHRIS MOSH ON HIS HEAD WITH A BRAIN BUSTER! Tolson gets up once more, letting out a war cry as she drags Mosh up with her and nails the BEAUTIFUL OBLIVION RENDEZVOUS!!! SHE GOES FOR THE PIN! RENO DROPS DOWN TO COUNT!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL) AND NEW SILVER STATE CHAMPION: SAMANTHA TOLSON
Samantha Tolson surges to her feet, looking at the chaos around her as The Socialites are still brawling with Trixie Decker and Tamika Strader... and Don Tirri as well and the moment the Page sisters notice the match is over, they start heading towards the ramp. Mosh sits up, dazed but enraged as he sees the Silver State Championship being handed back to Samantha Tolson and he lets out an angry roar, diving at her, only to be cut off by Reno Nevada's knee to the face. The impromptu official shrugs and turns towards the cheering crowd, making an exaggerated "oops" face. Tolson slides out of the ring, surrounded by Don Tirri, Tamika Strader and Trixie Decker, holding the belt close to her chest as the view fades out to another advertising break. The last view before commercial is the look of rage on Chris Mosh's face and then the Page sisters fleeing up the ramp in disgrace rather than be the brunt of that unholy wrath.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. LOCATION UNKNOWN, A DARKENED ROOM
Blackness, and then a subtle red glow. One pair of glowing red irises and then a second matching pair opposite. Four glowing orbs of light appear, circling merrily around the head of Kalinda Kriegsdottir as she's resting her forehead on her gauntleted arm against a mirror.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
You know, I really should have learned my lesson thirty years ago. The lesson that being a hero always ends in pain.
She spins, pivoting to the camera with a manic grin on her face, mouth full of too many too sharp teeth.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Maybe the first time I woke up, unable to recognize myself in the mirror ought to have been a hint that something wasn't working.
The smile vanishes.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Because you'd think that doing somebody a favor, doing something the right way, doing something for altruistic reasons, that that would get you rewarded.
The dragoness sneers.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
But that's not how it worked for me. You perform a task for a princess of faeriekind and she looks down on you for the way you act, for the way you dress. Even when you do something that nobody else could do, that you finally put down the beast that killed countless men, women, and children that she'd sent to put down the horror walking around wearing her own sister's corpse...
Kalinda growls.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
...that the fey won't fuck you up the ass without any lube. Except being sodomized with a red hot cactus would've been better than what I got.
She gestures to herself.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
This was my reward for putting down the necromancer that killed Dahlia Wyrd. I was six feet tall, brilliant blue skin, flaming red hair, dressed in an armored coat, a pair of cheap cargo pants, combat boots, and whatever snug top I had on hand that wouldn't catch fire and would survive a soaking in water.
She tilts her head and makes a disgusted face.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Ol' Rosie didn't think that I was ladylike enough for her tastes, so when I claimed my right as champion to ask the boon of immunity to the flame's kiss, she tacked on a price tag. That in order to be immune to the searing flames that would char my icy flesh that I would need to be exactly what she wanted. Small, cute, demure, pink, blonde, and above all else...
The Necromancer Queen grasps the edges of her skirt, flutters her eyelashes, and does a curtsy.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Ladylike. I get to wake up every morning and look at what she did to me, reliving my torment over and over and over again. My flesh searing, my bones cracking in agony as they were compacted into the size and shape I'd outgrown a decade before.
She closes her eyes and runs her bare hand through her hair, smirking.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I'll never forget the look of absolute horror on her face as I managed to push myself up as my body tore itself apart and knitted itself back together, able to put all my hatred, all my rage, all my pain at her betrayal in one final incendiary blast that I thought would be my final act in the land of the living.
Kalinda shrugs.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Of course the filigree-winged cunt teleported her ass away, but hey, at least I got to burn down her fancy-ass treehouse castle and every fucking thing in it. Including me.
She smiles an exceptionally wide, exceptionally phony grin.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Which is how I found out that the immunity to fire worked! Yay!
Back to her slightly angry face.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Fast forward a few decades to a new world, with a new adventure, a new set of legends to learn, a new set of heroes and villains to study. To learn how the patterns of the stories of this world are woven.
Kalinda turns to the mirror again.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Once more I tried to be the hero. Once more I tried to do everything the right way. Once more I tried to do what I was told, to make people happy. That was all I ever wanted.
She reaches out her gauntleted hand and touches the mirror again.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I did everything right. I'm funny, I'm charismatic, I'm strong, I'm agile, I'm smart, I'm witty, I have a unique look, I do things nobody else can do, I'm muscular, and I USED to be tall. Just tall, muscular, and charismatic ought to have put me right in there as a professional wrestler. At 6'11" I probably had claim to being one of the tallest women in the world not cowering in some little supernatural pocket dimension somewhere.
She shakes her head.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
But no. My very existence seemed to set some people off. How dare this THING attempt to tread the hallowed halls of professional wrestling, filled with prancing fops, bone-nosed Samoans, Ugandan savages from Mississippi, and more evil foreigners than you could shake an American flag at.
The dragoness snorts in disgust.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Y'all would gleefully accept demons, devils, vampires, and sorcerers. You'll joyfully rub elbows with fortune-fakers, serial killers, drug addicts, and date rapists. You'll stand proudly beside illegal steroid users, wife beaters, child support deadbeats, and production models from the latest bimbo factory that don't have the first fucking clue how to wrestle.
The circle of lights is beginning to fade as the inner draconic fire at the back of Kalinda's throat begins to rise.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
You don't care that I studied this industry, that I know more about what's gone on in this business than damned near any one of your assholes that grew up watching professional wrestling on this planet. You only look skin deep, you only see this.
She gestures to her reflection with her bare hand.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
You don't see me. You're too busy seeing how I'm different to see that I'm exactly the same.
Kalinda turns toward the camera once again.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
We all had our hopes, our dreams, and our delusions. We all are pretending to be someone we're not, something we're not, in the hope that we can draw strength from it. That we can grow to be the person we pretend to be when the curtain parts, the music plays, and the pyro goes off.
She shakes her head.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Some of us pretend to be monsters. Some of us pretend to be rich. Some of us pretend that we have hearts of ice and don't care what anybody thinks.
Kalinda smiles sadly.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
And some of us just wanted to be loved. To make people happy.
The dragoness chuckles.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
And that was where I failed. That was where my dream died. To think that in a world that took the better part of two centuries for a black man to claw his way to the top and overcome the deck that was stacked against him to seize a World Championship for the very first time that one very isolated dragoness could ever succeed against all the bile and hate that humanity had to offer.
Kalinda closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Oh, how I wish it could be me that fights tonight, the real me. Not this pale imitation of my true self. Not this fey-cursed shell that I've been trapped in for nearly a year. Everything that I grew to admire about myself stripped away and replaced with the unfamiliar form I'd shunned and cast away decades ago.
Another slow, deep breath.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Gods, I wish I were the old me so badly. That I could fight you at my peak, fight you in a match where I know that I will at least get something resembling a fair deal.
Kalinda opens her eyes.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I am a fighter. I am an adventurer. I am a warrior. I have been fighting for my life since I could walk. Literally. Several days out of the egg and my grandmother put a knife in my hand and shoved me into a pen with three ravenous beasts. And I want what you have.
Kalinda smiles, a real one this time.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I want the gold. I want the respect. I want the awe and fear that people have of you. I tried to earn it, tried to do it the right way. It didn't matter how many tickets I sold, how much merch I moved, how many houses I packed, how many bodies I broke, how many careers I ended, how many lives I shortened.
The mouth-glow is back again as one of the light globes go out.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Carrying a company on my back for two years only to be kicked to the curb after building it up from nothing.
Kalinda turns back to the mirror once again.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
So, no more heroics. You all can't look past this, past what I look like to see what I am. The joke. The freak. The lizard. The dinosaur. Lord of the Rings meets Barney the Dinosaur meets Game of Thrones. The Pokémon. The cartoon character.
Another of the lights winks out.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
There's a reason I use a drawing of myself as my Twitter avatar instead of a photograph. I don't want to be reminded of this, of what I was forced to become against my will. This cursed form thrust upon me by someone who I thought I could trust. I use pieces of fan art to remind myself that at least someone, in some way cares about what I do, and every time I see it that minor token of appreciation, that somebody took time out of their day to draw me keeps me going after everything that two entire worlds have taken away from me.
Kalinda's flame dims for a moment and her crimson eyeglow fades as she smiles, eyes wide and hopeful.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
But try as I might, I cannot earn the love of either world upon which I've stood. So I'll settle for your hatred. To take what I want instead of earning it. Because that's what you've taught me. That's what I need to do to succeed.
One more orb winks out, leaving only a single orb bobbing slowly around Kalinda's head.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
And maybe one day I'll be able to look at myself in the mirror.
The final light begins to flicker and go out, when all of a sudden Kalinda's eyeglow flares to flickering red flames licking up her brows and smoke bellows from her mouth as she swings her bare fist, shattering the mirror and cracking the cinder block wall behind it.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY!
In the red light of Kalinda's blazing eyes, rivulets of black blood can be seen pouring down her hand from the shards of broken glass embedded within it. Odd, as the two prior occasions in her career in which she's bled have required supernatural power to accomplish.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I've had everything taken from me. My world. My flesh. My found family on this stupid ball of a planet. Even the tenuous link I had in my blood to any unknown kin that I may have had back home.
Kalinda begins casually plucking out the slivers of glass embedded in her flesh with her gauntlet's talons.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
This world has taken everything away from me. And now it's time that I take something back.
The hellish glow at the back of her throat builds in intensity.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Run.
Fade to the white of dragonfire flames and back to ringside and the roar of the crowd.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
You know, I really should have learned my lesson thirty years ago. The lesson that being a hero always ends in pain.
She spins, pivoting to the camera with a manic grin on her face, mouth full of too many too sharp teeth.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Maybe the first time I woke up, unable to recognize myself in the mirror ought to have been a hint that something wasn't working.
The smile vanishes.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Because you'd think that doing somebody a favor, doing something the right way, doing something for altruistic reasons, that that would get you rewarded.
The dragoness sneers.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
But that's not how it worked for me. You perform a task for a princess of faeriekind and she looks down on you for the way you act, for the way you dress. Even when you do something that nobody else could do, that you finally put down the beast that killed countless men, women, and children that she'd sent to put down the horror walking around wearing her own sister's corpse...
Kalinda growls.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
...that the fey won't fuck you up the ass without any lube. Except being sodomized with a red hot cactus would've been better than what I got.
She gestures to herself.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
This was my reward for putting down the necromancer that killed Dahlia Wyrd. I was six feet tall, brilliant blue skin, flaming red hair, dressed in an armored coat, a pair of cheap cargo pants, combat boots, and whatever snug top I had on hand that wouldn't catch fire and would survive a soaking in water.
She tilts her head and makes a disgusted face.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Ol' Rosie didn't think that I was ladylike enough for her tastes, so when I claimed my right as champion to ask the boon of immunity to the flame's kiss, she tacked on a price tag. That in order to be immune to the searing flames that would char my icy flesh that I would need to be exactly what she wanted. Small, cute, demure, pink, blonde, and above all else...
The Necromancer Queen grasps the edges of her skirt, flutters her eyelashes, and does a curtsy.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Ladylike. I get to wake up every morning and look at what she did to me, reliving my torment over and over and over again. My flesh searing, my bones cracking in agony as they were compacted into the size and shape I'd outgrown a decade before.
She closes her eyes and runs her bare hand through her hair, smirking.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I'll never forget the look of absolute horror on her face as I managed to push myself up as my body tore itself apart and knitted itself back together, able to put all my hatred, all my rage, all my pain at her betrayal in one final incendiary blast that I thought would be my final act in the land of the living.
Kalinda shrugs.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Of course the filigree-winged cunt teleported her ass away, but hey, at least I got to burn down her fancy-ass treehouse castle and every fucking thing in it. Including me.
She smiles an exceptionally wide, exceptionally phony grin.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Which is how I found out that the immunity to fire worked! Yay!
Back to her slightly angry face.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Fast forward a few decades to a new world, with a new adventure, a new set of legends to learn, a new set of heroes and villains to study. To learn how the patterns of the stories of this world are woven.
Kalinda turns to the mirror again.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Once more I tried to be the hero. Once more I tried to do everything the right way. Once more I tried to do what I was told, to make people happy. That was all I ever wanted.
She reaches out her gauntleted hand and touches the mirror again.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I did everything right. I'm funny, I'm charismatic, I'm strong, I'm agile, I'm smart, I'm witty, I have a unique look, I do things nobody else can do, I'm muscular, and I USED to be tall. Just tall, muscular, and charismatic ought to have put me right in there as a professional wrestler. At 6'11" I probably had claim to being one of the tallest women in the world not cowering in some little supernatural pocket dimension somewhere.
She shakes her head.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
But no. My very existence seemed to set some people off. How dare this THING attempt to tread the hallowed halls of professional wrestling, filled with prancing fops, bone-nosed Samoans, Ugandan savages from Mississippi, and more evil foreigners than you could shake an American flag at.
The dragoness snorts in disgust.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Y'all would gleefully accept demons, devils, vampires, and sorcerers. You'll joyfully rub elbows with fortune-fakers, serial killers, drug addicts, and date rapists. You'll stand proudly beside illegal steroid users, wife beaters, child support deadbeats, and production models from the latest bimbo factory that don't have the first fucking clue how to wrestle.
The circle of lights is beginning to fade as the inner draconic fire at the back of Kalinda's throat begins to rise.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
You don't care that I studied this industry, that I know more about what's gone on in this business than damned near any one of your assholes that grew up watching professional wrestling on this planet. You only look skin deep, you only see this.
She gestures to her reflection with her bare hand.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
You don't see me. You're too busy seeing how I'm different to see that I'm exactly the same.
Kalinda turns toward the camera once again.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
We all had our hopes, our dreams, and our delusions. We all are pretending to be someone we're not, something we're not, in the hope that we can draw strength from it. That we can grow to be the person we pretend to be when the curtain parts, the music plays, and the pyro goes off.
She shakes her head.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Some of us pretend to be monsters. Some of us pretend to be rich. Some of us pretend that we have hearts of ice and don't care what anybody thinks.
Kalinda smiles sadly.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
And some of us just wanted to be loved. To make people happy.
The dragoness chuckles.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
And that was where I failed. That was where my dream died. To think that in a world that took the better part of two centuries for a black man to claw his way to the top and overcome the deck that was stacked against him to seize a World Championship for the very first time that one very isolated dragoness could ever succeed against all the bile and hate that humanity had to offer.
Kalinda closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Oh, how I wish it could be me that fights tonight, the real me. Not this pale imitation of my true self. Not this fey-cursed shell that I've been trapped in for nearly a year. Everything that I grew to admire about myself stripped away and replaced with the unfamiliar form I'd shunned and cast away decades ago.
Another slow, deep breath.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Gods, I wish I were the old me so badly. That I could fight you at my peak, fight you in a match where I know that I will at least get something resembling a fair deal.
Kalinda opens her eyes.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I am a fighter. I am an adventurer. I am a warrior. I have been fighting for my life since I could walk. Literally. Several days out of the egg and my grandmother put a knife in my hand and shoved me into a pen with three ravenous beasts. And I want what you have.
Kalinda smiles, a real one this time.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I want the gold. I want the respect. I want the awe and fear that people have of you. I tried to earn it, tried to do it the right way. It didn't matter how many tickets I sold, how much merch I moved, how many houses I packed, how many bodies I broke, how many careers I ended, how many lives I shortened.
The mouth-glow is back again as one of the light globes go out.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Carrying a company on my back for two years only to be kicked to the curb after building it up from nothing.
Kalinda turns back to the mirror once again.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
So, no more heroics. You all can't look past this, past what I look like to see what I am. The joke. The freak. The lizard. The dinosaur. Lord of the Rings meets Barney the Dinosaur meets Game of Thrones. The Pokémon. The cartoon character.
Another of the lights winks out.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
There's a reason I use a drawing of myself as my Twitter avatar instead of a photograph. I don't want to be reminded of this, of what I was forced to become against my will. This cursed form thrust upon me by someone who I thought I could trust. I use pieces of fan art to remind myself that at least someone, in some way cares about what I do, and every time I see it that minor token of appreciation, that somebody took time out of their day to draw me keeps me going after everything that two entire worlds have taken away from me.
Kalinda's flame dims for a moment and her crimson eyeglow fades as she smiles, eyes wide and hopeful.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
But try as I might, I cannot earn the love of either world upon which I've stood. So I'll settle for your hatred. To take what I want instead of earning it. Because that's what you've taught me. That's what I need to do to succeed.
One more orb winks out, leaving only a single orb bobbing slowly around Kalinda's head.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
And maybe one day I'll be able to look at myself in the mirror.
The final light begins to flicker and go out, when all of a sudden Kalinda's eyeglow flares to flickering red flames licking up her brows and smoke bellows from her mouth as she swings her bare fist, shattering the mirror and cracking the cinder block wall behind it.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY!
In the red light of Kalinda's blazing eyes, rivulets of black blood can be seen pouring down her hand from the shards of broken glass embedded within it. Odd, as the two prior occasions in her career in which she's bled have required supernatural power to accomplish.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
I've had everything taken from me. My world. My flesh. My found family on this stupid ball of a planet. Even the tenuous link I had in my blood to any unknown kin that I may have had back home.
Kalinda begins casually plucking out the slivers of glass embedded in her flesh with her gauntlet's talons.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
This world has taken everything away from me. And now it's time that I take something back.
The hellish glow at the back of her throat builds in intensity.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR
Run.
Fade to the white of dragonfire flames and back to ringside and the roar of the crowd.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SILVER STATE BALLROOM -- THE RING
MAIN EVENT: TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
OBLIVION (c) vs SWINE FLEW
Neil Rana stands in the middle of the ring, between the champions and challenger, holding both tag titles up for both teams and the audience to see. The crowd cheers as Mac and Amber confer with one another before Amber steps out onto the apron. Across the ring, Kalinda, despite looking quite annoyed to have the referee who was previously banned from calling her matches in the ring, agrees to start and Regan waits for a split second as Steve dusts a part of the apron with a silk handkerchief, and sets a red pillow in the freshly cleaned spot that Regan Voorhees promptly steps upon. Mac can't help but stare and sneer at the display before turning his gaze to the Necromancer.
As soon as the bell rings, Kalinda springs forth with a knee and begins driving Mac into a corner with body shots as he tries to clench and cover up. Kalinda brings her tail around to snatch Mac but it proves foolhardy! The Texan snatches the tail and yanks as hard as he can, sending Kalinda Careening. Mac then drops an elbow across Kalinda’s chest, pulling her up immediately and nailing a snap vertical suplex followed by another elbow, and a quick tag out to Amber Ryan. Mac gorilla presses Kalinda as Amber drops to one knee before Mac drops Kalinda from near 7 feet up across the presented knee, causing her to cry out in pain. Mac dutifully steps out onto the apron and Regan can be heard yelling at Steve to motivate Kalinda. Steve can be seen waving a Kalinda Kriegsdottir: Necromancer for Hire T Shirt as a flag and cheering. It does little to stop Amber Ryan from mounting Kalinda and firing hard hitting right hands into her face as she does her best to cover up, uncomfortably on the defensive now!
Suddenly, Kalinda’s tail whips up and wraps around Amber Ryan’s neck! She rips her off as Neil Rana begins to count with all the confidence of a virgin on prom night. However Amber breaks out by snatching the end of the tail and..BITING INTO IT! KALINDA SCREAMS AND RIPS THE APPENDAGE AWAY, INSTANTLY SCRAMBLING TO TAG IN REGAN! Regan steps into the ring as Steve retrieves a first aid kit for Kalinda! Regan charges in, ducking a clothesline by Amber Ryan and flying into Mac Bane with a forearm that knocks him from the apron! She then turns and sidesteps Amber Ryan’s spear attempt, sending Amber ramming into the ring post! Regan yanks her out of the corner and leaps down, attempting to lock in the crossface chickenwing but Amber manages to break out by firing an elbow into Regan’s face! Regan rolls away, hurrying to her feet only to be snatched by Amber Ryan in a plum and have knees driven into her ribs.
Amber transitions to a tiger suplex, and goes to lock in another headlock but Regan slips free and get s to her feet quickly, showing a great tenacity and toughness and with a shrill cry she hauls off and nails Amber in the jaw with a roundhouse kick as she gets to her knee, leveling The Hurricane! Mac Bane slides in out of nowhere and nails Regan with a clothesline, only to turn into Kalinda launching herself across the ring and taking both her and Mac over the top rope with a crossbody!
Amber Ryan and Regan both crawl toward the ropes to pull themselves up, Regan makes it to her apron and snatches her pillow. She turns around, Neil Rana is admonishing Mac and Kalinda!! Amber Ryan spits and charges Regan for a spear. Regan holds the pillow in front of her and eats the spear...THEN ROLLS OVER AMBER RYAN WHO SEEMS TO BE UNCONSCIOUS! STEVE CRIES FOR THE REF'S ATTENTION! NEIL RANA SLIDES IN TO COUNT
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
As soon as the bell rings, Kalinda springs forth with a knee and begins driving Mac into a corner with body shots as he tries to clench and cover up. Kalinda brings her tail around to snatch Mac but it proves foolhardy! The Texan snatches the tail and yanks as hard as he can, sending Kalinda Careening. Mac then drops an elbow across Kalinda’s chest, pulling her up immediately and nailing a snap vertical suplex followed by another elbow, and a quick tag out to Amber Ryan. Mac gorilla presses Kalinda as Amber drops to one knee before Mac drops Kalinda from near 7 feet up across the presented knee, causing her to cry out in pain. Mac dutifully steps out onto the apron and Regan can be heard yelling at Steve to motivate Kalinda. Steve can be seen waving a Kalinda Kriegsdottir: Necromancer for Hire T Shirt as a flag and cheering. It does little to stop Amber Ryan from mounting Kalinda and firing hard hitting right hands into her face as she does her best to cover up, uncomfortably on the defensive now!
Suddenly, Kalinda’s tail whips up and wraps around Amber Ryan’s neck! She rips her off as Neil Rana begins to count with all the confidence of a virgin on prom night. However Amber breaks out by snatching the end of the tail and..BITING INTO IT! KALINDA SCREAMS AND RIPS THE APPENDAGE AWAY, INSTANTLY SCRAMBLING TO TAG IN REGAN! Regan steps into the ring as Steve retrieves a first aid kit for Kalinda! Regan charges in, ducking a clothesline by Amber Ryan and flying into Mac Bane with a forearm that knocks him from the apron! She then turns and sidesteps Amber Ryan’s spear attempt, sending Amber ramming into the ring post! Regan yanks her out of the corner and leaps down, attempting to lock in the crossface chickenwing but Amber manages to break out by firing an elbow into Regan’s face! Regan rolls away, hurrying to her feet only to be snatched by Amber Ryan in a plum and have knees driven into her ribs.
Amber transitions to a tiger suplex, and goes to lock in another headlock but Regan slips free and get s to her feet quickly, showing a great tenacity and toughness and with a shrill cry she hauls off and nails Amber in the jaw with a roundhouse kick as she gets to her knee, leveling The Hurricane! Mac Bane slides in out of nowhere and nails Regan with a clothesline, only to turn into Kalinda launching herself across the ring and taking both her and Mac over the top rope with a crossbody!
Amber Ryan and Regan both crawl toward the ropes to pull themselves up, Regan makes it to her apron and snatches her pillow. She turns around, Neil Rana is admonishing Mac and Kalinda!! Amber Ryan spits and charges Regan for a spear. Regan holds the pillow in front of her and eats the spear...THEN ROLLS OVER AMBER RYAN WHO SEEMS TO BE UNCONSCIOUS! STEVE CRIES FOR THE REF'S ATTENTION! NEIL RANA SLIDES IN TO COUNT
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL) AND NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: SWINE FLEW
MAC BANE BREAKS IT UP A SECOND TOO LATE!!! REGAN SLIDES OUT OF THE RING AS STEVE GOES TO COLLECT THE BELTS AND KALINDA GOES TO REGROUP! MAC BANE CHECKS ON HIS UNMOVING WIFE AS REGAN SMILES FOR THE CAMERA. She and Kalinda collect their belts and Regan unzips a side of the pillow, reaching in and pulling out...THE HEAD OF HER BROKEN CROQUET MALLET! THE PILLOW WAS LOADED! OBLIVION WAS ROBBED AND THE CROWD IS GOING ABSOLUTELY NUTS! WHAT A TRAVESTY!!
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© UPRISING 2021
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QUICKIE RESULTS:
GRETA NYX vs TYSON DEUCE
THE GEM STONES vs HEROES FOR HIRE!
G.O.D. vs RENO NEVADA
BLACK CRUSADE WORLDWIDE vs THE HIVE
JACK OWYNS vs ENIGMA (NO CONTEST)
AZURINE VEBBINS vs IGNIS
TRINACRIA vs SOCIALITES
JC vs HAYDEN TRIGGS
CARA STRADER vs LOVERBOY BUSCH
DON TIRRI vs GRIFFIN HAWKINS
CHRIS MOSH (c) vs SAMANTHA TOLSON
OBLIVION (c) vs SWINE FLEW