Post by Admin on Jul 24, 2022 1:22:00 GMT -5
LIVE FROM THE HYPERX ARENA at the historic LUXOR CASINO in LAS VEGAS, NV JULY 23, 2022 |
INT. THE LUXOR - BACKSTAGE
The sight of a cane twirling in hand is seen before the camera pulls back to see it belongs to the debuting Kevin Mears. He’s got on a silk open shirt and purple sunglasses as he stands next to Natalie Owens.
NATALIE OWENS
I’m here with the debuting Kevin Mears, who will be facing Casey Caesar in a little bit. Kevin, you’ve had some pretty harsh comments about Casey for someone who has never even met the guy before.
KEVIN MEARS
Yeah, you know why that is, Nattles? Because I don’t associate with backyard wrestling trash. Do you know how much time and money was spent to train me to become the athlete I am today? And to have make my debut against a guy who learned his craft from bouncing around trampoline villages and getting slammed onto fucking Legos? Yeah, that’s an insult.
NATALIE OWENS
But Kevin, Casey won a match by submission two weeks ago against Valerie Gonzalez. Don’t you think––?
KEVIN MEARS
They don’t pay you to think, sweetheart. So what? He won with a cloverleaf, Nattles. If Valerie doesn’t know how to get out of one of those, she can be in the same category as him with me. If he puts it on me, I’ll show him to escape it, how’s that? The only competent wrestler in his life is girlfriend, so for his sake, I hope talent is sexually transmitted. Otherwise, he’s gonna get shown up while I show out.
NATALIE OWENS
If you say so. Oh, weren’t you supposed to have a valet tonight for your debut?
KEVIN MEARS
I had to cancel that after I got a look at some of the land whales who were sending me pictures and offering to come to the Luxor for tonight’s show. One woman sent me a picture telling me she lost 20 pounds, and I told her to look behind her and she’d find it. The fact is I am the show. I will be the singular male attraction this company needs. Like I always say, I am the only ace in a deck full of jokers…and being here tonight proves that even more than I realized.
NATALIE OWENS
There’s no reason to be rude to people, Kevin.
As Natalie makes that quip, the sharp sound of metal studded stilettos click-clacks into the scene. The camera pulls back to reveal that TOXIC Trixie is now standing directly across from Kevin Mears with one hand perched atop her hip while sporting eccentric, sparkling bedazzled Dior frames.
⟡⟡⟣ 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗫𝗜𝗘 ✧ 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘫𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘭 ⟢⟡⟡
No, Natasha—
NATALIE OWENS
It’s NAT—
⟡⟡⟣ 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗫𝗜𝗘 ✧ 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘫𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘭 ⟢⟡⟡
Natasha, Kevin’s not being rude. He’s being honest. And trust me… I know honesty when I see it. And Kevin…
Trixie pulls her perfectly hot pink manicured nails up to her face to dramatically lower her Dior glasses and present a better full body picture of the man across from her.
⟡⟡⟣ 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗫𝗜𝗘 ✧ 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘫𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘭 ⟢⟡⟡
… he’s no fake.. Kevin did not have a valet tonight for his debut because there wasn’t a soul that could match his immaculate energy… Until now.
Trixie pivots on her heel to face the camera directly.
⟡⟡⟣ 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗫𝗜𝗘 ✧ 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘫𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘭 ⟢⟡⟡
You bottom-of-the-barrel girls were far too unaware, unattractive, and way in over your heads. I wouldn’t be shocked if one of you is a trainer of Casey Caesar’s that will be watching tonight’s match from the nosebleeds. You just don’t have… it.
You never did, and you never will. Those are the facts.
KEVIN MEARS
And Natasha, there’s no reason for being shaped like a fire hydrant either. Tonight, the backyard buttmonkey gets sent home, outclassed. As for me, I always do everything I want to do. I’m Kevin Mears, what’s your excuse?
He gives the cane a twirl and slides an ace card into the top of Natalie’s dress before disappearing off camera with Trixie in tow and we smash cut into the revamped Revolution opening video package!
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
OPEN CHALLENGE TO CHAMPIONS ADVANTAGE STUDENTS
ROSS HANSON vs JASMINE RIZZO
Jasmine Rizzo waits in the ring, with two notable people at ringside with her: her trainers at Champions Advantage, Rob Budai and Larry Gowan. On his way to the ring, a visibly angry Ross Hanson marches down the aisle while pouring what looks to be airplane liquor bottles onto himself. He splashes some under his chin as if it were cologne, looking right over at Rob and Larry when he does it. The camera catches Rob’s eyebrow raise as he smirks, shaking his head. Once Ross rolls into the ring, he motions at Jasmine to come and take a whiff. Rob barks an order over to Jasmine.
ROB BUDAI
Stiff the ever-living fuck out of this drunk slob!
As 'Smoko' dies down, the match is just seconds from being underway. As the bell rings, Jasmine is unsure about how to approach her opponent, who is now drinking the few airplane bottles he hadn't poured onto himself. Ross throws them aside, reminding her of her trainer's instructions. Larry’s eyes and face clearly follow the trajectory of the bottles, at this point causing him to also shake his head, clearly disappointed. Both Jasmine and Ross remain in their corners, with a bit of awkward tension in the air. After a moment, Jasmine decides to strike first, charging in full-speed with a front dropkick to Ross' face! Ross eats the dropkick, being knocked back a half-step into the corner, where Jasmine leaps up high with a hurricanrana out of the corner - but Ross reverses this into a falling powerbomb!
Ross has a bloody lip from the dropkick, but it's safe to say the falling powerbomb was the receipt! Ross hangs on, picking Jasmine right back up off the mat after getting to his knees and then his feet. He flips her off his shoulders with ease, forcing her to back-flip away so she can land on her feet. Rather than strike her, Ross stands there and screams out in internal anguish.
ROSS HANSON
HIT ME, GOD DAMN IT!
Jasmine slightly cringes at the screaming, but with her trainers at ringside she knows she can't get thrown off her game. She throws a stiff slap into Ross's already bleeding mouth, but he barely flinches. A second strike in the form of a kick to the stomach gets a little more of a step back, but Ross still does not falter. Ross smirks, daring her to try again. Jasmine decides to try running to the ropes and springing back. Ross swings his arm out wide, but Jazzy does a baseball slide underneath his legs to get behind him! Ross turns around…Jasmine Rizzo rolls him up into an inside cradle!
ONE!
Ross powers out of the cradle, turning it around quickly into a hammer lock. He lays down flat on Jasmine, driving her body into the canvas while wrenching the arm up high. Jasmine is no quitter, but Ross is trying his best. Ross lays the arm down flat, then leaps high into the air to drop a senton onto it - and misses!
With the crowd in Reno fully behind Jasmine, she sees an opportunity to capitalize. Ross shakes off the impact and pops back up to his feet, where he sees Jasmine atop the turnbuckle! Moonsault! But Ross catches her on his shoulder!
Slowly turning around inside the ring, Ross points directly at Rob with his right hand while holding Jasmine over his shoulder with the left. He keeps his finger pointed at Rob right up until the moment he drops to his knees, rotating it into a thumbs down just before planting Jazzy Rizzo with the Scoopstone in the middle of the ring! He holds both hands down onto the chest for the cover, as Rob tries his best to hide his concern for his student…
ONE!
TWO!
At 2.99, Ross breaks the cover to a chorus of boos.
ROSS HANSON
OH YEAH? FUCK YOU ALL TOO!
Ross yanks Jazzy off the mat by her hair, not even caring if she's on her feet yet before slapping on the Grovit! Jasmine's feet never got planted onto the canvas fully! There is no denying that this one is over by submission! She gave up, Ross! Let go!
WINNER (VIA SUBMISSION): ROSS HANSON
Ross doesn’t appear as if he’s going to relent, with the official scolding him to release the hold!
ROB BUDAI
IT’S OVER, ROSS! LET HER GO BEFORE I ENTERTAIN YOUR SECOND ROUND!
Rob’s eyes fill with anger as he begins to grab the bottom rope as the bell rings continually, with the referee trying to rip Ross's arms apart. While laughing frantically, Ross lets go just as Rob's knee hits the ring apron, stepping back as Jasmine crumples to her knees. Larry points at Ross from ringside.
LARRY GOWAN
That was uncalled for!
Rob, still knee on the apron, points towards Ross and nearly spits at the end of his sentence - the man is incensed!
ROB BUDAI
You’re lucky I don’t have Marge on me, you son of a bitch! I sure as hell don’t fight fair!
Ross laughs in a mocking tone as loud as he possibly can, staring Rob down while stomping towards the ring announcer, demanding for the microphone. Jasmine rolls out of the ring to where Larry is standing, prompting Rob to step down from the apron and towards his student as the crowd rains boos down onto Ross - now with microphone.
ROSS HANSON
That was it? That's the best that you could do? Guess you didn't bother working on how to get out of that Grovit, and now look - it's done gone and went U.Y.A! Just like I said it would!
Not waiting for anyone to finish booing him, Ross now directs his vitriol at Jasmine's trainers who are assisting her to the back.
ROSS HANSON
You know something? It isn’t your fault. You just got some bad advice! I thought you were some kind of former world champ, Uncle Larry! You couldn't teach this poor girl anything about how to not get killed when wrestling someone better than them? And Rob, the multi-time tag champ! You should definitely know a thing or two about being in a compromising position by multiple people! Aren’t your roles a little reversed, both professionally and romantically?
At this point, people are booing Ross Hanson like he just made them watch a porno starring their grandparents. Rob, finding this to be low-ball, rolls his eyes before flipping Ross off. Having reached the top of the aisle, just at the foot of the entrance and big screen, Larry tells Jasmine to ignore Ross and keep going to the back.
ROSS HANSON
AND IF YOU THOUGHT YOU DIDN'T WANT TO SEE ME WIN TONIGHT, RENO? YOU JUST WAIT UNTIL SOLSTICE! SOLSTICE IS WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT FOR GRAHAM CLAU-
In a sense of irony so thick you need a pickaxe to break it, the lights in the building indeed do cut down to a very darkened dim, the main source of illumination now coming from the video playing on the screen. It appears to be of Ross Hanson at the food court of a mall, flirting with the cashier, with a voiceover being presented by whoever was filming it.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
Hi, Ross… It’s that guy that you can’t shut up about. I wasn’t lying when I said I caught you and your new piece of tail that's gonna dump your ass in about five minutes after she sees this. I can’t say that it’s an upgrade, but you surely have a type… I wasn’t lying, either, when I mentioned I had a front-row seat to things when I was sending off that Twitter barrage. And, just like I said…
Ross looks at his phone, looks around, appears to say something to Adriene and walks away to the restroom. Fast-forward effect, time reflects much later…like, an hour later. During this period of fast forwarding, we see Graham has gone over to the Sbarro and ordered a drink from Adriene. However, the primary audio for the video playing is muted during the fast forward - the only audio is the bass within Graham’s voice speaking as the playback returns to normal speed and audio after focusing back on the Men’s Restroom entrance for some time.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
…all you had to do was freeball it over to Macy’s and buy yourself a new pair of drawers. You say you want to fight me! But instead, you hid in the bathroom…maybe because what you needed to do was find a way to get a bit of your ‘juicebox’ without being seen drinking in public? Or is it that you’re really just another punk bitch who ain’t about that life? You did break into your momma’s apartment and ran those squatters off, but remember that you couldn’t have done that without me. You could have gotten a job at multiple other promotions, but you had to ask me to help you get them because you didn’t want to lift the finger yourself. You always talked a big game about beating the shit out of anyone, but you always end up heeling like the bitch you really are.
The scene now switches, with only a brief flicker of static and white noise as a transition, to Ross exiting a bar with an intoxicated stagger while waving his phone around in his hand, muttering at it.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
Or are you actually the long-lost Bing Bong Triplet, especially since you can’t even drive yourself anywhere. I’m surprised any Lyft driver in C-Bus is willing to deal with you. This is just one incident of this embarrassment of a man-child…
Another car, another drunk Ross. This repeats four more times, the final time with Ross, being seen due to the dome light in the car being turned on, reaching around from the backseat to choke the driver. The driver, who bears a minimal resemblance to Graham if any, surprisingly is easily able to push Ross’s arm away, but is then motioned to exit the vehicle. The voiceover continues as Ross slowly slides out of the vehicle, flopping onto the grassy patch between the sidewalk and roadway.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
What are you, the Bearded Strangler? If you think this is an episode of Family Guy, think again… When you watch this, I want you to trust me, Ross, when I say that it doesn’t matter where you are in this city; these streets of Columbus that you supposedly call your ‘home’. I can easily find out exactly where you are, whatever time of day, and whatever you are doing. Your misplaced rage towards me is only turning you into a TMZ headline!
A Domino's delivery boy walks up to the front door of a single story home in a type of neighborhood you see only on VICE documentaries about poverty, gun violence or Liberia. His beard also bears a slight resemblance to Graham Clauson's beard, although he wears a hat. As soon as the front door opens and the pizza is taken, Ross brings it into his house. When he returns to hand him a few dollars for a cash tip, he glances back up at the driver and then snaps on him. Ross throws a half-destroyed lawn chair in his face, stomping him twice and then stuffing the tip money into the driver's pocket.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
You’re not even safe in the four walls you pay to keep custody of your own flesh and blood, because I’m there too. I mean, look at this! Poor dude, just trying to bring you two food and you now start showing that you’re nothing but a low-life by trying to assault him! Why? Because you think everyone tall and slightly lanky with a beard is me? But yet you couldn’t bring yourself to do it when you could’ve easily found me in that food court watching your every move - I was hiding in plain sight!
Graham can’t help but laugh for a moment, sighing slightly after before continuing.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
This is undeniable proof of how much space I’m kicking my feet up in that head of yours, rent-free, just like you lived rent free in a second house that I built for you on my damn property with the single condition that you at least make even the slightest effort to clean up your birdcage. You couldn’t even do that…
Ross exits a liquor store, quietly singing the first lines of "Squad Goals" by Prof. He even opens the bottle of whiskey and takes a drink while standing in the parking lot.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
And still so damn trashy! Even after I basically treated you and your son like you were my own son and grandson and kept you both sheltered and fed; you always returned to the bottle to escape the realization you could have been right here beside me had you gotten your shit together. And since I made you bear the consequences of you brown actions, I now know that I’m always there in your head. So, I’m making sure you know that I’m everywhere you are. I have the ability to turn your life into a home invasion just at the snap of my fingers…
Ross is seen bringing another girl home, but the camera only captures her general figure and any discernible features as she enters through the front door. Ross glances behind him, almost in paranoia, before he closes and locks it - with two locks.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
…but I’m not going to pull your romantic life into this like that. That was Adriene, right? Guess she dyed her hair and grew three inches taller. But, it’s not like you had a death wish and dragged my husband into this.
Video wall goes black, but Graham still speaks.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
Oh wait… You did, and I just did too. Are you regretting your poor choices yet, Ross? Maybe you’d be able to keep a girl if you kept it in your pants instead of fucking every corner-walker you find. Just maybe, you’d not be speeding towards your own funeral if you kept that ballet gimmick and teaming with your Auntie instead of actually being the Kentucky Tarzan gimmick in your real life? What did your dad and I always say, "Fuck it, they know it's fake"? Well, someone forgot to tell you that when they broke you into the business. So at Solstice I'm going to break you out of it. You know, Guile’s Theme, ‘go home and be a family man’?
Video wall returns to footage. Ross, laughing hysterically, jumps onto the AC unit outside of a modest suburban home while holding a foam container of fiery red hot chicken wings. While eating two at a time, he pulls down his pants enough to expose his ass to the intake fan, and lets out a fart lasting about the length of the Windows 95 startup sound. Before entering the metal, it sounded like pouring oatmeal down an oil funnel. After going into the AC unit, it amplifies to the screams of Mother Brain when Samus uses glitches to spam the rainbow hyper beam.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
Well, at least Lil’ Man will get a nice Life Insurance payout after Solstice. Nasty fucker… That would ruin a Cialis. Ken also thinks you need to see a doctor, he seems to still have his bloodhound sense when it comes to someone having something wrong with their ass even after you concussed him in a bad way… And if you think I was being unreasonable before…
The video now cuts to the backstage area for Revolution, with the beginning of 'Smoko' playing through the PA. Ross Hanson stands with his back turned to the camera, unaware it could follow him to the ring if it wanted to. Indeed, as Ross goes through the curtain to meet Jasmine in the ring for the match we just witnessed, the camera stays behind with nobody aware it was even there.
GRAHAM CLAUSON
…then you better keep your head on a swivel. I could be anywhere in the world. I could even be here, watching your every move. Right…now...
The lights come back up, leaving Ross rattled in the center of the ring. The crowd is also confused, but happy to see Ross on his heels. He looks out at Rob and Larry, where also Jasmine is now on one knee by them while they help her to a standing base. Rob, seeing Ross look at him, shrugs with his free arm and stares him straight in the eyes as the camera picks up the words he speaks.
ROB BUDAI
Don’t look at me, kid. You pick your fate, you pay the price.
The crowd roars into cheers at this. Ross frantically paces around the four corners of the ring, looking around the crowd. Finally, way in the back row, stands Graham Clauson himself! With the crowd behind (and all around) him, Graham silently dares Ross to meet him by raising his arm and pointing down at himself with one finger - slowly and repeatedly as if he’s parodying Blake Shelton! Graham’s eyes clearly reflect a trance of sorts, almost as if his only focus is his anger towards Ross! Ross flies through the ropes and goes right for him, almost cannonballing over the railing onto fans! Ross has to shove a couple of fans out of his way, but he finally makes it to where Graham was standing…only to find he is no longer there!
However, Graham has left two things for Ross to find. One is the remains of a shattered GoPro, hanging by a torn head strap. The other is a child's drawing taped to the wall, appearing to suggest a match-up poster for Solstice - “Last Man Standing: Uncle Asshole vs. Just Another Drunk”. However, there is a note in the dead space at the top of the picture.
EVEN YOUR OWN SON HATES YOU… YOU’RE PATHETIC.
AT SOLSTICE - YOU LEAVE WITH A TOE TAG, CUNDIFF!
The word “Cundiff” is underlined with two underlines.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
EXT. LUXOR PARKING LOT
A white limo pulls up to the arena with a vanity plate that reads 1PRCNT. At the sight of it, the crowd back in the arena starts to boo. The moment it stops, the driver steps out and walks to the back. He opens and Chris Mosh steps out by himself in an all-black three-piece suit. He hears his phone go off. Glancing down at the screen, he declines the call and continues inside. The moment he steps through the door, he's stopped by the manager of the One Precent herself, who looks stressed.
MARISOL VILARO
What's going on, Mosh? Seriously, everyone's been trying to contact you; I have been trying to contact you all day!
He doesn't answer, starting to move past her but she lays a hand on his arm. He turns and stares her down. The Fitness Queen is dressed to the nines in a black sequin v-neck gown, black Jimmy Choo high heel pumps, and a black Chanel handbag. She's clearly ready for tonight's celebration of her most impressive client, a fact that doesn't seem lost on Mosh for a second. Even her bodyguard Vega is in a suit that looks like it cost more than most of the roster's monthly wages.
MARISOL VILARO
Where's your head at? What have you been doing?
MOSH
I could ask you the same, but the last thing I want to hear is news from the party planning committee—
She cuts him off with a sour look.
MARISOL VILARO
We were worried about you. But then, you don’t answer your calls, texts, emails – whatever. You missed our training sessions. What is the matter?
Marisol sounds genuinely upset but Mosh brushes her off.
MOSH
I’m doing my job; I have been on a losing streak and I have been training. I have been doing things left and right where you have been too busy with Ricky, Summer and former loser Grayson. I’m in the game but while I have been doing this thing on my own, now I have to fight Molly for you and Summer. Don’t get me wrong. I love you two and I'm… happy for Summer but Molly is not my problem.
MARISOL VILARO
I know she's—
MOSH
The real VIP will get it done. Don't worry. I will get rid of her for you, same as I did with Reno.
Marisol nods her head, however, she has her hands on her hips in a slightly annoyed fashion.
MARISOL VILARO
Again, that losing streak is going to snap tonight, I am sure of it, but you need to keep communication open. You’re still my client. I still care about your success and as far as business with Ricky, and Summer? I am just doing my job, the job I do for you when you let me! I am not the one who barged into Larry's office and had him pick such an asinine set of stipulations. Molly is a problem for us all. You saw what she said on Twitter. She wants her title shot and you think she will stop at Summer? That troll will try with all of us. Next, she'll be sucking up to Larry, begging for him to stack the deck in her favor. We have to be ready. That's why I need you to be on your A-game, Mosh, now more than ever.
Chris with his sly smirk, nods his head.
MOSH
You’re so right, this losing streak does end tonight and I’m always on my A-game. See I love how I’m the one who lost to Reno but I’m still here. I hurt him so bad that he had to take time off and Molly is going to see that same thing. And this time? You will actually be at ringside, instead of me paying off that low-life baseball player that didn’t do his job. Our deal is off, you loser.
Marisol nods her head, as she says:
MARISOL VILARO
Trust me I am a major upgrade to that moron but never completely cut loose an asset, Mosh. You know this. But yes, things will be as they should be. No more Reno. Thank God, this place is already so much better. But tonight is about suring up our plan. We have the Uprising World title, but why stop there? Why not continue to take what we want?
MOSH
We don’t need to stop, the reason for this group was to hold all the gold and if I have to go back and get my Silver State Championship back, I will. If I then need to get the Unity gold, I'll do it. So, Mari, let's go and get ready. Tonight, I’m ready to put on a wrestling clinic.
Marisol nods her head in agreement, as she spots the camera and motions that she and Mosh leave. They make sure the camera doesn't follow, letting them hear nothing of what they were talking about now, as the scene fades back to ringside for the next match.
MARISOL VILARO
What's going on, Mosh? Seriously, everyone's been trying to contact you; I have been trying to contact you all day!
He doesn't answer, starting to move past her but she lays a hand on his arm. He turns and stares her down. The Fitness Queen is dressed to the nines in a black sequin v-neck gown, black Jimmy Choo high heel pumps, and a black Chanel handbag. She's clearly ready for tonight's celebration of her most impressive client, a fact that doesn't seem lost on Mosh for a second. Even her bodyguard Vega is in a suit that looks like it cost more than most of the roster's monthly wages.
MARISOL VILARO
Where's your head at? What have you been doing?
MOSH
I could ask you the same, but the last thing I want to hear is news from the party planning committee—
She cuts him off with a sour look.
MARISOL VILARO
We were worried about you. But then, you don’t answer your calls, texts, emails – whatever. You missed our training sessions. What is the matter?
Marisol sounds genuinely upset but Mosh brushes her off.
MOSH
I’m doing my job; I have been on a losing streak and I have been training. I have been doing things left and right where you have been too busy with Ricky, Summer and former loser Grayson. I’m in the game but while I have been doing this thing on my own, now I have to fight Molly for you and Summer. Don’t get me wrong. I love you two and I'm… happy for Summer but Molly is not my problem.
MARISOL VILARO
I know she's—
MOSH
The real VIP will get it done. Don't worry. I will get rid of her for you, same as I did with Reno.
Marisol nods her head, however, she has her hands on her hips in a slightly annoyed fashion.
MARISOL VILARO
Again, that losing streak is going to snap tonight, I am sure of it, but you need to keep communication open. You’re still my client. I still care about your success and as far as business with Ricky, and Summer? I am just doing my job, the job I do for you when you let me! I am not the one who barged into Larry's office and had him pick such an asinine set of stipulations. Molly is a problem for us all. You saw what she said on Twitter. She wants her title shot and you think she will stop at Summer? That troll will try with all of us. Next, she'll be sucking up to Larry, begging for him to stack the deck in her favor. We have to be ready. That's why I need you to be on your A-game, Mosh, now more than ever.
Chris with his sly smirk, nods his head.
MOSH
You’re so right, this losing streak does end tonight and I’m always on my A-game. See I love how I’m the one who lost to Reno but I’m still here. I hurt him so bad that he had to take time off and Molly is going to see that same thing. And this time? You will actually be at ringside, instead of me paying off that low-life baseball player that didn’t do his job. Our deal is off, you loser.
Marisol nods her head, as she says:
MARISOL VILARO
Trust me I am a major upgrade to that moron but never completely cut loose an asset, Mosh. You know this. But yes, things will be as they should be. No more Reno. Thank God, this place is already so much better. But tonight is about suring up our plan. We have the Uprising World title, but why stop there? Why not continue to take what we want?
MOSH
We don’t need to stop, the reason for this group was to hold all the gold and if I have to go back and get my Silver State Championship back, I will. If I then need to get the Unity gold, I'll do it. So, Mari, let's go and get ready. Tonight, I’m ready to put on a wrestling clinic.
Marisol nods her head in agreement, as she spots the camera and motions that she and Mosh leave. They make sure the camera doesn't follow, letting them hear nothing of what they were talking about now, as the scene fades back to ringside for the next match.
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
STEVE BOOKED THIS ONE, OBVIOUSLY
REGAN VOORHEES vs BLACKSTAR
Regan Voorhees, the Duchess of Pork, stands in the ring as the final seconds of the Sleigh Bells 'Leader of the Pack' plays before quickly fading out. All eyes quickly move to the stage, as the opening riff to 'Danger Zone' by Kenny Loggins blasts over the speakers. After a beat, Blackstar emerges from the tunnel dressed like Tom Cruise from Top Gun. Behind him, his trusted apprentice, Gravus Thet, marches out in his mechanical suit.
A cut back to the ring sees Regan, dead-faced and staring coldly as her opponent dances his way down the ring to the music. Back at the ramp, Blackstar descends to ringside and turns, continuing to dance around the squared circle until he reaches the first set of steel stairs. Quickly he ascends before strutting down the ring apron. Gravus takes his place outside the ring as Blackstar turns to face the booing crowd.
Regan rushes forward and dropkicks him in the back through the ropes. Blackstar flies off the apron and collides with the barricade, much to the delight of the fans. The Supreme Leader of the Church of Scientology spins around while holding his back. He glares at Regan before ripping off the bomber jacket and sliding head first into the ropes.
The referee signals the bell. Regan is on him immediately with kicks. Blackstar rolls away to the ropes, forcing the official to interrupt Regan’s attacks. Blackstar climbs to his feet by the ropes.
BLACKSTAR
HOW DARE YOU!
He rushes forward and goes for the #DISCONNECTION (Bicycle Kick)!!! Regan ducks under and moves behind him! She locks him around the waist. She tries to hoist him backwards but he kicks and shifts his weight forward. The moment his feet hit the mat he breaks her hold and twists around behind her, pulling her left arm up her back with a hammer lock.
Regan looks for an escape but instead throws her head backwards right into his face! Blackstar stumbles backwards into the ropes while holding his nose. The crowd erupts with cheers. Regan looks around at the sea of people. Blackstar, meanwhile, drops his hand to reveal lines of blood running out of his nostrils. He looks at the blood on his fingers and his eyes widen.
BLACKSTAR
YOU have drawn BLOOD from my MORTAL VESSEL! Now I will END YOU!
He touches his right temple while extending out his left hand. He appears to be channeling some sort of cosmic energy to inflict a dark energy attack upon the Duchess of Pork! Regan, however, does not look amused.
After several odd seconds, Blackstar drops his arms in a huff and shrugs his shoulders, as if he expected her to explode in ribbons of blood and gore. Instead he charges forward, right at Regan, who responds by spitting red mist in his face! Blackstar spins around and stumbles, trying to wipe the liquid from his ocular field.
The referee immediately steps in and begins arguing with Regan, even threatening to disqualify her. She holds her hands up and tries to defend herself. Meanwhile Blackstar has fumbled around half blind trying to find his opponent. He cups his ear to search out her voice as she goes back and forth with the referee. Believing he has her in his path, he runs forward! Regan sees him coming from a mile away. She grabs the referee by the shoulders and spins him around. Blackstar grabs the referee by mistake and flips backward! REALITY ADJUSTMENT (Solo Spanish Fly)!!!!
Blackstar covers the referee, still unaware that it’s not his opponent. Gravus Thet climbs onto the apron and tries to warn his master, but the mechanical whir of his voice is not able to cut through the roaring crowd. Regan ditches the ring and walks with purpose to the time keeper’s table where her croquet mallet sits. She picks it up before hurrying back to the ring and slides in under the bottom rope before popping to her feet.
Gravus Thet climbs through the ropes and gets between her and his master. He reaches to his belt for what appears to be a knock-off lightsaber hilt. He holds it up and moves his thumb over the switch, but before a laser blade can shoot up from the hilt, Regan smashes him in the helmet with the mallet!
Thet hits the mat and rolls out of the ring to the floor. Blackstar meanwhile has realized his mistake and is standing in a corner. Regan turns to him. He waves his hands no. The crowd cheers louder every step the Duchess takes in his direction.
She takes two quick steps and swings. He jumps out of the way! The mallet hits the turnbuckle and bounces up into the air. Blackstar moves behind her and swings her around before kicking her in the stomach. She doubles over! He’s going for the THETA BOMB!
NO! Before he can lock in the standing headscissors, she brings that mallet up between his legs, driving the handle into his groin! Blackstar’s knees buckle inward. She then stands, swings the mallet overhead, before driving it down into his forehead like she’s doing one of those tests of strength you see at carnivals. He stiffens like a board before teetering backward and flopping onto his back.
She then steps over and places one foot on his chest while holding the mallet over her shoulder. The referee stands. He’s a little confused and has a look of surprise when he sees Regan holding that mallet. He however decides to ignore it, and instead drops down for the count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!!
TWO!
THREE!!!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): REGAN VOORHEES
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE — LOCKER ROOM
There she is, slipping freckled toes into her wrestling boots and quickly lacing them up, getting ready for her match with Christopher Phillip D. Mosh, the Ginger Ninja Molly Hatchet! She hears the click of the locker room door and rises to her feet as Larry Gowan enters the scene!
MOLLY HATCHET
Aye! Mr. Gowan, good to see ye up and walkin’ about, unafraid! That’s a good spine on display! Who’s yer friend?
Rob Budai hovers in the doorway, looking almost menacingly at Molly for a moment, as though taking her measure. After exchanging a glance with Gowan, he steps out into the hallway but keeps the door ajar. The GM sighs, shaking his head before turning his attention back to Molly.
LARRY GOWAN
My shadow. Wherever I go from now on, he’ll be there. Which I suppose is a good thing, considering.
Molly nods her head in understanding, even giving a small thumbs up to the bodyguard in the hallway before he completely disappears.
MOLLY HATCHET
I’m so sorry I wasn’t there…. Twas not right what happened to ye’ sir. I’d have tried ta’ stop it if I was there.
LG walks over and takes a seat on the bench in front of the lockers. She naturally settles down beside him, hands resting in her lap clasped.
LARRY GOWAN
I didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you, Miss Hatchet. Spent most of the last few weeks offline – concussion protocols.
MOLLY HATCHET
Aye, know all about those. I still say dumb stuff on the internet when concussed anyways… got nothin’ better to do.
She chuckles a bit.
LARRY GOWAN
Ah, well. I’m too old for all that bickering. Either way, I wasn’t oblivious to your desires. I’ve been doing my best here to accommodate everyone, despite my growing dislike for social media. I know I've been derelict in my duties, but I hope something can still be salvaged. Clearly been doing an abysmal job of it, given how far the opinion’s dropped… but either way, I wanted to speak to you directly before things were set in motion that couldn’t be undone. I know how much you want to hold a championship. Wasn’t so long ago that I was chasing glory myself, after all.
The Ginger Ninja gives a little nod of her head to Larry.
MOLLY HATCHET
Tis true, there’s been frustration brewing. I’ve not held a title in a long time because I’ve shunted other opportunities aside. Some poke fun at me for wanting to shoot higher than what I’ve already shot for in the past. I’ve been Hardcore, I’ve been Television, European, Intercontinental, Anarchy in other places, Classic, Tag upon Tag upon Tag and so on and so forth… I’ve been everythin’ in this world but a World Champion. I want it more than anythin’ else and Griffin Hawkins was the ideal person fer me ta face fer it. Not ‘cause I think I can take him, quite the opposite actually.
She shoots a little smile Larry’s way.
MOLLY HATCHET
When I was startin’ out, he was already one of the best wrestlers in tha’ world, killin’ it on tha biggest stages and it’s always been a goal of mine since takin’ up tha mantle of professional wrestler, ta face him. I saw an opportunity when I won that title contract and I was just lookin’ fer tha perfect moment then… well...
Molly sighs softly, looking away as she rubs the braced knee under her wrestling pants.
MOLLY HATCHET
…I blew me knee out. It wasn’t too bad but I wasn’t allowed ta wrestle fer a little bit. Not too long, but just long enough that Summer swooped in and stole me moment out from under me. Bloody pissed me off it did, sir. What no one knows, at least until now was, I bawled my fuckin’ eyes out I did that night when she won. I couldn’t stand it. Her insults and shite and I made a move. Was it a typical move by me? Fuck no. I like ta look ‘em in tha eyes when I slap ‘em stupid, but I just… saw nothin’ but red.
The Ginger Ninja looks back to Larry.
LARRY GOWAN
I understand completely. She made a good case for the opportunity, given her recent successes. You have to also consider that she was part of a trio that also won the championships, with Summer doing most of the heavy lifting there – not that I’m making excuses. I’m just explaining my position here and why she was given the shot in your absence.
MOLLY HATCHET
Ne’er said she couldnae work, Mr. Gowan sir. I always said she had ability, but she just pisses me off with her ways. I donnae get why anyone has ta be so bloody disrespectful. Tis why I act tha way I do towards her. If she wasn’t always insultin’ people all tha time and treatin’ ‘em like garbage, we’d have no real issues. I’d see a fellow competitor, not a fuckin’ Barbie bitch who needs her head slapped off, yeah? I wouldnae be willin’ ta say fuck all this and throw it all on tha line just ta knock said head off. I’m really tryin’ ta keep me temper in check but bloody hell does her and her ilk make it really damned hard!
There’s a light little nervous chuckle at that, she rubs the back of her neck with a sigh.
MOLLY HATCHET
I’m no overlookin’ Chris Mosh tonight or anythin’ like that, but I cannae’ help but just want ta’ paint brush her a few hun’red times in a span of thirty seconds.
LARRY GOWAN
Not here to critique your ways. I just wanted to ask if you truly want to cash in your opportunity. Griffin has already asked for a rematch against Summer, which you know. His championship in California Grapplers will be on the line as well. He’s lobbied for a ladder match; as far as I know, that’s a foregone conclusion at this point. What I want to know is if you actually want to forfeit your ticket on a three way, or if this was just the dander getting up until cooler heads prevail down the road.
Molly crosses her legs and leans her back against the locker, looking up for a moment, fingers laced together.
MOLLY HATCHET
I want ta kick Summer’s arse, no doubt. I honestly would rather do it without tha belt on tha line and just shut her tha hell up, yeah? Part of me is eager ta take what I can get, but another part of me would rather have tha honor and privilege of facing Hawkins fer tha belt because to me, he’s a legend ya see. That man literally has done it all, no takin’ that away and even if I lost ta him in tha pursuit of gold and glory, that’d be enough just ta say I faced him.
She looks back at Larry with a bit of a bitter smirk.
MOLLY HATCHET
If I took them on in a three-way and somehow it ended with Page winnin’ tha belt, then all three of us are fucked and then what? Wasted opportunity. I’ve ne’er had this kinda luxury before. Usually it’s always been take it or leave it now. I just know that while it’d be grand to rip that fuckin’ belt off her waist and leave her bleedin’ at me feet, I can get tha same satisfaction shovin’ me foot so far up her arse without tha belt on tha line that she tastes my insoles on tha back of her tonsils and be just as satisfied. It’d be different with Griffin. Tha’ stuff of legends, yeah? So ta make tha long story short… too fuckin’ late… yeah maybe option B, sir.
He nods, moving stiffly to his feet.
LARRY GOWAN
Then we’ll revisit this in Season 3.
Molly nods and rises, offering her hand for a shake. LG takes it firmly in both of his, giving her a firm and friendly shake.
MOLLY HATCHET
Thank ye’ fer talkin’ with me, Mr. Gowan. Means alot, yeah?
_____________________________________________
MOLLY HATCHET
Aye! Mr. Gowan, good to see ye up and walkin’ about, unafraid! That’s a good spine on display! Who’s yer friend?
Rob Budai hovers in the doorway, looking almost menacingly at Molly for a moment, as though taking her measure. After exchanging a glance with Gowan, he steps out into the hallway but keeps the door ajar. The GM sighs, shaking his head before turning his attention back to Molly.
LARRY GOWAN
My shadow. Wherever I go from now on, he’ll be there. Which I suppose is a good thing, considering.
Molly nods her head in understanding, even giving a small thumbs up to the bodyguard in the hallway before he completely disappears.
MOLLY HATCHET
I’m so sorry I wasn’t there…. Twas not right what happened to ye’ sir. I’d have tried ta’ stop it if I was there.
LG walks over and takes a seat on the bench in front of the lockers. She naturally settles down beside him, hands resting in her lap clasped.
LARRY GOWAN
I didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you, Miss Hatchet. Spent most of the last few weeks offline – concussion protocols.
MOLLY HATCHET
Aye, know all about those. I still say dumb stuff on the internet when concussed anyways… got nothin’ better to do.
She chuckles a bit.
LARRY GOWAN
Ah, well. I’m too old for all that bickering. Either way, I wasn’t oblivious to your desires. I’ve been doing my best here to accommodate everyone, despite my growing dislike for social media. I know I've been derelict in my duties, but I hope something can still be salvaged. Clearly been doing an abysmal job of it, given how far the opinion’s dropped… but either way, I wanted to speak to you directly before things were set in motion that couldn’t be undone. I know how much you want to hold a championship. Wasn’t so long ago that I was chasing glory myself, after all.
The Ginger Ninja gives a little nod of her head to Larry.
MOLLY HATCHET
Tis true, there’s been frustration brewing. I’ve not held a title in a long time because I’ve shunted other opportunities aside. Some poke fun at me for wanting to shoot higher than what I’ve already shot for in the past. I’ve been Hardcore, I’ve been Television, European, Intercontinental, Anarchy in other places, Classic, Tag upon Tag upon Tag and so on and so forth… I’ve been everythin’ in this world but a World Champion. I want it more than anythin’ else and Griffin Hawkins was the ideal person fer me ta face fer it. Not ‘cause I think I can take him, quite the opposite actually.
She shoots a little smile Larry’s way.
MOLLY HATCHET
When I was startin’ out, he was already one of the best wrestlers in tha’ world, killin’ it on tha biggest stages and it’s always been a goal of mine since takin’ up tha mantle of professional wrestler, ta face him. I saw an opportunity when I won that title contract and I was just lookin’ fer tha perfect moment then… well...
Molly sighs softly, looking away as she rubs the braced knee under her wrestling pants.
MOLLY HATCHET
…I blew me knee out. It wasn’t too bad but I wasn’t allowed ta wrestle fer a little bit. Not too long, but just long enough that Summer swooped in and stole me moment out from under me. Bloody pissed me off it did, sir. What no one knows, at least until now was, I bawled my fuckin’ eyes out I did that night when she won. I couldn’t stand it. Her insults and shite and I made a move. Was it a typical move by me? Fuck no. I like ta look ‘em in tha eyes when I slap ‘em stupid, but I just… saw nothin’ but red.
The Ginger Ninja looks back to Larry.
LARRY GOWAN
I understand completely. She made a good case for the opportunity, given her recent successes. You have to also consider that she was part of a trio that also won the championships, with Summer doing most of the heavy lifting there – not that I’m making excuses. I’m just explaining my position here and why she was given the shot in your absence.
MOLLY HATCHET
Ne’er said she couldnae work, Mr. Gowan sir. I always said she had ability, but she just pisses me off with her ways. I donnae get why anyone has ta be so bloody disrespectful. Tis why I act tha way I do towards her. If she wasn’t always insultin’ people all tha time and treatin’ ‘em like garbage, we’d have no real issues. I’d see a fellow competitor, not a fuckin’ Barbie bitch who needs her head slapped off, yeah? I wouldnae be willin’ ta say fuck all this and throw it all on tha line just ta knock said head off. I’m really tryin’ ta keep me temper in check but bloody hell does her and her ilk make it really damned hard!
There’s a light little nervous chuckle at that, she rubs the back of her neck with a sigh.
MOLLY HATCHET
I’m no overlookin’ Chris Mosh tonight or anythin’ like that, but I cannae’ help but just want ta’ paint brush her a few hun’red times in a span of thirty seconds.
LARRY GOWAN
Not here to critique your ways. I just wanted to ask if you truly want to cash in your opportunity. Griffin has already asked for a rematch against Summer, which you know. His championship in California Grapplers will be on the line as well. He’s lobbied for a ladder match; as far as I know, that’s a foregone conclusion at this point. What I want to know is if you actually want to forfeit your ticket on a three way, or if this was just the dander getting up until cooler heads prevail down the road.
Molly crosses her legs and leans her back against the locker, looking up for a moment, fingers laced together.
MOLLY HATCHET
I want ta kick Summer’s arse, no doubt. I honestly would rather do it without tha belt on tha line and just shut her tha hell up, yeah? Part of me is eager ta take what I can get, but another part of me would rather have tha honor and privilege of facing Hawkins fer tha belt because to me, he’s a legend ya see. That man literally has done it all, no takin’ that away and even if I lost ta him in tha pursuit of gold and glory, that’d be enough just ta say I faced him.
She looks back at Larry with a bit of a bitter smirk.
MOLLY HATCHET
If I took them on in a three-way and somehow it ended with Page winnin’ tha belt, then all three of us are fucked and then what? Wasted opportunity. I’ve ne’er had this kinda luxury before. Usually it’s always been take it or leave it now. I just know that while it’d be grand to rip that fuckin’ belt off her waist and leave her bleedin’ at me feet, I can get tha same satisfaction shovin’ me foot so far up her arse without tha belt on tha line that she tastes my insoles on tha back of her tonsils and be just as satisfied. It’d be different with Griffin. Tha’ stuff of legends, yeah? So ta make tha long story short… too fuckin’ late… yeah maybe option B, sir.
He nods, moving stiffly to his feet.
LARRY GOWAN
Then we’ll revisit this in Season 3.
Molly nods and rises, offering her hand for a shake. LG takes it firmly in both of his, giving her a firm and friendly shake.
MOLLY HATCHET
Thank ye’ fer talkin’ with me, Mr. Gowan. Means alot, yeah?
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
EXT. LUXOR PARKING LOT
The scene opens in the backstage parking area where a camper van is parked with a banner on the side of it saying "HEROES FOR HIRE". Suddenly the door opens and stepping out of the van initially is the manager/agent of the group, Gregory Murphy, who has a slimy grin on his face as he clasps his hands together and looks at the camera.
GREGORY MURPHY
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Heroes for Hire - are at your service!
Following him are Heroes for Hire members; LIAM RICHARDSON, MILES WATSON, and TAKASHI SHINOBU - all wearing their respective championship belts from various promotions. They're draped out to the nines, and lurking behind them is the newest addition to the UPRISING roster and leader of the Heroes for Hire group, Your Hero and Mine, the legendary MARK STORM.
GREGORY MURPHY
This right here, is the definition of Unity. The Heroes for Hire are complete and now we're ready to compete on all fronts. We've been on a ruthless excursion for the past few months. Going from promotion to promotion, scoping out the environments - tussling with some of the best in the biz, and whilst doing so we've garnered a reputation for ourselves, by being true to our word and setting out to do everything we say we're going to do - and so far we've been living up to the bill.
He pauses for a crowd pop, almost like he expected it.
GREGORY MURPHY
Zion Wrestling, New Frontier, SKYFIRE, J-ROK in Japan, you name it - we'll be there, wrecking it up and capturing every single damn title we damn want. Why? Because we can. And we'll continue to do it now on a greater scale, with the introduction of Your Hero and Mine - Mark Storm, to UPRISING Wrestling! We've just taken it up a notch but bringing a star over to strengthen the playing field's, anything is possible...
Richardson steps into the frame, nodding his head in agreement.
LIAM RICHARDSON
We've been saying it for weeks now, we're after those Unity Championships and now, we have an opportunity to cement a shot at said championships, but first, we have to address the debuting team of The Horsewomen... I've got to hand it to them girls, they're very impressive. They've been about since 2017 and have forged their own path, ticked off a few accomplishments and have now found their way to UPRISING.
It's not going to be an easy task but this group right here, we've been working for this shot since we signed the dotted line here all those months back. To have that opportunity taken by a group of debutants, that shit can't run- as talented as they are, we're not gonna let that happen. We've been working too hard for too long to let that shit happen. We've been making statements, everywhere we've damned been - we've got the titles to prove it. The current Zion Wrestling Trio's Champions, - us...
Richardson shuffles the championship belt up his shoulder, a smile etching onto his face as he looks down and the belt around his waist, his SKYFIRE World Tag Team belt.
LIAM RICHARDSON
The current SKYFIRE Wrestling World Tag Team Champions, - Strike 2 Kill, Watson and I - we've been making statements, ticking off the bucket lists and accomplishing our goals in the process. We already captured gold in one of this company's newest affiliates. Another goal of ours, the UPRISING Unity Championship, and we'll doing everything in our power to get them!
As Richardson lingers into the background, Mark Storm steps in the forefront of the frame.
MARK STORM
Heroes... we're redefining the term, fuck whatever you think we are because you're definitely wrong. I'm not interested in being the guy that everybody wants to win, I'm not interested in the fans loving me or hating me - to be honest with you, I've become indifferent. Overtime, I've grown this pent-up frustration and it's been weighing on me for the last few months, for the last few years because I know I haven't been on the level, I've needed to be. I know how good I am, and I know that when I'm at my best - I'm one of the best damned wrestlers on the planet and that's what I'm here to prove, here in UPRISING.
Storm pauses, allowing a smirk to overtake his face.
MARK STORM
To show the world that I am, STILL, the best in the world and to do that, I'm going to have to run through all of your favorites, every single one of them - I don't give a damn, I'll do it because I have to - I'll do it because I want to. It's nothing personal, but this profession, it'll chew you up and spit you out if you let it. It's a dog-eat-dog world and everybody's trying to eat... we're getting ourselves a full fucking buffet on the table, because everybody wants to eat here in the Heroes for Hire, we all wanna feast! We wanna taste that sweet sweet, victory and not only just that, we wanna add title, after title - accolade, after accolade - we're starving out here! We want them all and we'll get it. Hope The Beautification Movement is watching. Tonight's just a prelude of what's gonna happen come SOLSTICE.
CASEY CAESAR vs KEVIN MEARS
Casey Caesar charges forward as the bell rings, colliding with Mears with a high crossbody block – he clearly wants to send a message after all the back-and-forth sniping on social media. Kevin Mears stumbles back and Caesar grabs him by the neck only to end up choking on a throat thrust he never saw coming. Mears explodes, rushing the backyard brawler and pounding him back into the corner with some stiff shots. Caesar fights back and locks his arms around Kevin – sloppy German suplex but it at least creates some space. In the front row, the redheaded SWP, Caesar's girlfriend is clapping and shouting encouragement. The cheerleading is a momentary distraction that brings a smile to Caesar's face and when he turns around for a stomp, Mears blasts him with a palm strike to the face. Casey Caesar stumbles back and Mears follows him into the corner, nailing him with a shoulder block! See My Knee (single knee facebreaker) and Casey's down for the first pinfall attempt of the match!
ONE!
TWO!
TH—NO!
Casey Caesar kicks up with authority and the crowd roars its approval, drowning out the outrage of TOXIC Trixie. Doggedly, he staggers up, wipes blood off his lips and squares up with Kevin Mears again. Kevin lashes out with a penalty kick – Caesar manages to avoid but it was a feint and Mears hooks his arm, slamming a knee into his guts to make him crumble. He waits until Caesar tries to get back up and knees him in the back of the head before trapping him in the Call Your Chiropractor (Stump Puller). Caesar's howling in pain but he waves off Neil Rana when asked if he wants to submit. In desperation, he rolls backward and to the side, almost dislocating his own groin before he catches the bottom rope for a break! They're back on their feet a few seconds later and Mears quickly nails a devastating Michinoku Driver! He hooks a leg but Casey bucks him off and nails a diving headbutt! Machine gun elbows have Mears tenderized and Caesar latches on, looking for his cloverleaf – BOOT TO THE FACE~! Mears pulls him up and hoists him on his shoulders. Caesar drills him in the back of the head, forcing Mears to drop him back down. Caesar turns around, right into a pele kick that sends him staggering back – oh no! Mears catches him with Head Games (Running Front Flip DDT)! Casey Caesar is turned inside out!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): KEVIN MEARS
GREGORY MURPHY
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Heroes for Hire - are at your service!
Following him are Heroes for Hire members; LIAM RICHARDSON, MILES WATSON, and TAKASHI SHINOBU - all wearing their respective championship belts from various promotions. They're draped out to the nines, and lurking behind them is the newest addition to the UPRISING roster and leader of the Heroes for Hire group, Your Hero and Mine, the legendary MARK STORM.
GREGORY MURPHY
This right here, is the definition of Unity. The Heroes for Hire are complete and now we're ready to compete on all fronts. We've been on a ruthless excursion for the past few months. Going from promotion to promotion, scoping out the environments - tussling with some of the best in the biz, and whilst doing so we've garnered a reputation for ourselves, by being true to our word and setting out to do everything we say we're going to do - and so far we've been living up to the bill.
He pauses for a crowd pop, almost like he expected it.
GREGORY MURPHY
Zion Wrestling, New Frontier, SKYFIRE, J-ROK in Japan, you name it - we'll be there, wrecking it up and capturing every single damn title we damn want. Why? Because we can. And we'll continue to do it now on a greater scale, with the introduction of Your Hero and Mine - Mark Storm, to UPRISING Wrestling! We've just taken it up a notch but bringing a star over to strengthen the playing field's, anything is possible...
Richardson steps into the frame, nodding his head in agreement.
LIAM RICHARDSON
We've been saying it for weeks now, we're after those Unity Championships and now, we have an opportunity to cement a shot at said championships, but first, we have to address the debuting team of The Horsewomen... I've got to hand it to them girls, they're very impressive. They've been about since 2017 and have forged their own path, ticked off a few accomplishments and have now found their way to UPRISING.
It's not going to be an easy task but this group right here, we've been working for this shot since we signed the dotted line here all those months back. To have that opportunity taken by a group of debutants, that shit can't run- as talented as they are, we're not gonna let that happen. We've been working too hard for too long to let that shit happen. We've been making statements, everywhere we've damned been - we've got the titles to prove it. The current Zion Wrestling Trio's Champions, - us...
Richardson shuffles the championship belt up his shoulder, a smile etching onto his face as he looks down and the belt around his waist, his SKYFIRE World Tag Team belt.
LIAM RICHARDSON
The current SKYFIRE Wrestling World Tag Team Champions, - Strike 2 Kill, Watson and I - we've been making statements, ticking off the bucket lists and accomplishing our goals in the process. We already captured gold in one of this company's newest affiliates. Another goal of ours, the UPRISING Unity Championship, and we'll doing everything in our power to get them!
As Richardson lingers into the background, Mark Storm steps in the forefront of the frame.
MARK STORM
Heroes... we're redefining the term, fuck whatever you think we are because you're definitely wrong. I'm not interested in being the guy that everybody wants to win, I'm not interested in the fans loving me or hating me - to be honest with you, I've become indifferent. Overtime, I've grown this pent-up frustration and it's been weighing on me for the last few months, for the last few years because I know I haven't been on the level, I've needed to be. I know how good I am, and I know that when I'm at my best - I'm one of the best damned wrestlers on the planet and that's what I'm here to prove, here in UPRISING.
Storm pauses, allowing a smirk to overtake his face.
MARK STORM
To show the world that I am, STILL, the best in the world and to do that, I'm going to have to run through all of your favorites, every single one of them - I don't give a damn, I'll do it because I have to - I'll do it because I want to. It's nothing personal, but this profession, it'll chew you up and spit you out if you let it. It's a dog-eat-dog world and everybody's trying to eat... we're getting ourselves a full fucking buffet on the table, because everybody wants to eat here in the Heroes for Hire, we all wanna feast! We wanna taste that sweet sweet, victory and not only just that, we wanna add title, after title - accolade, after accolade - we're starving out here! We want them all and we'll get it. Hope The Beautification Movement is watching. Tonight's just a prelude of what's gonna happen come SOLSTICE.
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
CASEY CAESAR vs KEVIN MEARS
Casey Caesar charges forward as the bell rings, colliding with Mears with a high crossbody block – he clearly wants to send a message after all the back-and-forth sniping on social media. Kevin Mears stumbles back and Caesar grabs him by the neck only to end up choking on a throat thrust he never saw coming. Mears explodes, rushing the backyard brawler and pounding him back into the corner with some stiff shots. Caesar fights back and locks his arms around Kevin – sloppy German suplex but it at least creates some space. In the front row, the redheaded SWP, Caesar's girlfriend is clapping and shouting encouragement. The cheerleading is a momentary distraction that brings a smile to Caesar's face and when he turns around for a stomp, Mears blasts him with a palm strike to the face. Casey Caesar stumbles back and Mears follows him into the corner, nailing him with a shoulder block! See My Knee (single knee facebreaker) and Casey's down for the first pinfall attempt of the match!
ONE!
TWO!
TH—NO!
Casey Caesar kicks up with authority and the crowd roars its approval, drowning out the outrage of TOXIC Trixie. Doggedly, he staggers up, wipes blood off his lips and squares up with Kevin Mears again. Kevin lashes out with a penalty kick – Caesar manages to avoid but it was a feint and Mears hooks his arm, slamming a knee into his guts to make him crumble. He waits until Caesar tries to get back up and knees him in the back of the head before trapping him in the Call Your Chiropractor (Stump Puller). Caesar's howling in pain but he waves off Neil Rana when asked if he wants to submit. In desperation, he rolls backward and to the side, almost dislocating his own groin before he catches the bottom rope for a break! They're back on their feet a few seconds later and Mears quickly nails a devastating Michinoku Driver! He hooks a leg but Casey bucks him off and nails a diving headbutt! Machine gun elbows have Mears tenderized and Caesar latches on, looking for his cloverleaf – BOOT TO THE FACE~! Mears pulls him up and hoists him on his shoulders. Caesar drills him in the back of the head, forcing Mears to drop him back down. Caesar turns around, right into a pele kick that sends him staggering back – oh no! Mears catches him with Head Games (Running Front Flip DDT)! Casey Caesar is turned inside out!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): KEVIN MEARS
Kevin Mears doesn't wait for his hand to be raised. Instead, he rolls out of the ring and approaches the barrier where SWP stands, looking disappointed. He winks and nods at her, pointing his cane at her before making his way back up the ramp, joined by Trixie.
The view cuts away to an advertisement for this week's sponsor. CHAMPIONS ADVANTAGE PERFORMANCE CENTER, who just started their Summer 2022 class, featuring our own GM Larry Gowan as one of the trainers!
_____________________________________________
The view cuts away to an advertisement for this week's sponsor. CHAMPIONS ADVANTAGE PERFORMANCE CENTER, who just started their Summer 2022 class, featuring our own GM Larry Gowan as one of the trainers!
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
STATIC
We return from an ad break and cut to an amused Andrea Hernandez in the locker room. She’s watching the events of what had happened with her original opponent in Caim and her sense of amusement definitely continues while she watches the beating that takes place. She rolls her eyes in a playful mood as she turns off the television and begins to focus on the task at hand a little more.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
Aw… what a shame. I was supposed to face Caim tonight and then… well… tough shit.
Andrea shrugs, showing how little she cares about her well being.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
But see, nobody CARES about what happened to Caim because there was something else that had happened that should’ve made MAJOR headlines and of COURSE I am talking about the debut of YOURS TRULY! I faced “UMF” Lara Bratton and I gave her even MORE reasons to drink even though she didn’t necessarily NEED any if you get what I am saying. Don’t get me wrong, it felt great to be in an Uprising ring for the first time and it’s an even better feeling to start a new journey… even though Crystal fucking Hilton is on this roster too…
Andrea lets out an annoyed sigh, obviously hoping she would leave that part of her Sin City Wrestling past well… in the past…
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
Look, if this is the part where you were expecting me to bash Sin City Wrestling and explain why I left then I’m sorry to disappoint you. That’s just not going to happen. It’s as simple as spreading my wings and wanting to test myself against new competition just like it was when I first signed there in the first place. I mean, really? What the hell else did I have to accomplish there considering that I went 16 months undefeated, including ALL of their annual cycle in 2020-21 and ALL of 2021 itself? I mean COME ON! But hey, that’s in the past and I’m here and contrary to what some people want to say, I’m no flash in the pan. And that’s what leads me to my opponent who has been going off at the mouth on Twitter acting like the most basic of bitches. I mean “flash in the pan”.
Really?
I’m not even ANNOYED by that, more like BORED…
Andrea delivers a mock yawn in response to such nonsense.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
I get that Kerberos is newer to the business and all of that, but for someone who wants to talk about someone else being uninspired according to my interpretation of the basic bitch nonsense he was spewing, I didn’t bother responding to the shit he said on Twitter because… well… not only is it WAY off base and absolutely WRONG… HELLO… my 16 month undefeated streak wasn’t even LONG ago at all… but it’s mundane, it’s BORING, and it’s basically what you would expect out of someone who failed Promo 101 class. I mean, SERIOUSLY! Flash in the pans don’t win world titles, nor do they win 19 matches in a row, nor do they go an entire calendar year undefeated. I’m a well traveled veteran, that I won’t deny. BUT, everywhere I have been throughout my career that has truly mattered in the grand scheme of things, I’ve ALWAYS been successful. Of course, you can chalk things up to rookie ignorance, but you know what? Whatever. That’s the type of shit I allow to roll off of my back at this point. I’m not that weakling from four years ago that would take everything personally once upon a time. So yeah, if you thought me beating Lara was impressive, then you have NOT seen anything yet. That was just the damn beginning and it’s going to continue tonight. I don’t care that I had a change in opponent. Shit happens. It’s not like Caim would’ve won against me to begin with. As for you, Kerberos? Yeah, keep up that boring basic bitch shit. At least you’re a far more natural sleep aid than Ambien and Nyquil Nighttime Sleep Aid, I’ll give you that. Hey, maybe you can be their new spokesperson or something. I mean, that would make sense considering I look at someone like you and I see a walking stereotype of the same old shit we’ve seen in wrestling for years, if not decades.
She shakes her head in disgust.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
But me? Nope. Everywhere I go, I change the game. I make people take notice. I buck the status quo. The two companies I was in prior to here? That’s exactly what I did. I made the other women in my last company HATE ME because I did things DIFFERENT than the way they do it. I made the men in the company before last HATE ME because I kept bucking their good ol’ sexist bastards club as I turned away “Hall of Famer” after “Hall of Famer” that wouldn’t last outside of Key West, Florida if you know what I mean.
She scoffs.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
You? You’d fit in real well with those idiots… I mean, you’re no different than those pieces of garbage.
You’re going to try and win, and you’re going to give me your best… and I have no doubt that you might have something in you to succeed… but ultimately, what you’re going to do is fail… so those moronic, empty words on Twitter? I’m not even going to shove them down your throat. They’re beyond worthless. But what I AM going to do is use you as my personal message bitch to let this company know that I’m NOT fucking around. Let's see if I can make it 2-for-2 in getting rid of the trash around here…
Andrea lets out an arrogant scoff as she heads out of the scene and we head back to ringside.
MOLLY HATCHET vs CHRIS MOSH
The match kicks off with Molly and Mosh squaring off, her beckoning him forth to do a lock up. The 6’ 3” man looks like a towering beast next to her and just looks at her incredulously. The Ginger Ninja beckons him on, shouting, “COME ON LAD! LET’S GO!” He shrugs and moves in only to suddenly back off and wave her off with a laugh. The man gives a flex of his arms and just shakes his head, saying, “No way!” He turns around to face her and is rocked to the side with a hard slap followed by a spinning backfist that sends him stumbling to the side.
"COME OOOOONNN!!!" Molly shouts.
Mosh angrily rushes forward, reaching for Molly, who ducks and rolls between his spread legs. He reaches for her and she grabs his hands and yanks them right between his own legs. Mosh is frozen in pain, essentially having low-blowed himself. A dropkick to his rear sends him stumbling forward. Mosh stomps his feet angrily and turns towards Molly who just shoots him a wicked grin and motions him on. Mosh shakes it off and comes at her offering for a grapple. Nodding she starts to reach for that hand only for Mosh to snake the hand and catch her with an eye poke. Molly snarls in pain, staggering back.
Mosh moves in, easily hoisting her up in the air and sending her flying through the air release German Suplex. Molly lands outside the the ring with a sharp cry that is cut short on impact with the floor! Mosh waits to see if she gets up and as she starts to rise, he gets a running star, dropping and sliding out of the ring with a chop block that catches her right in the face! Molly is rocked off her feet.
Mosh hops to his feet with a grin, grabbing her leg and hitting a Foot DDT on the floor! Molly thrashes, grabbing at her knee in pain. Mosh sees the target and starts stomping that knee over and over viciously, targeting the lingering effects of what Summer Page had done prior. Mosh then gathers her up in a front facelock, hoists her up to put her feet on the apron and then dropping to the floor with THE HANGING DDT!
Mosh slides into the ring and back out to reset the referee count. He gathers Molly by her hair, talking all sorts of smack before hurling her head first into the ring steps with a loud *BOOM* on impact. She crumples, dazed and disoriented. Mosh then picks Molly up and hurls her back into the ring. Wrestling’s alleged “one and only VIP” trades barbs with a few fans talking smack at ringside. He snatches a drink from one and splashes it right in the fans face, laughing. He then turns and slides back into the ring, finding Molly Hatchet on her hands and knees, fighting back up. He promptly kicks her in the rear, shoving her face first to the mat. He then gathers her up and lifts her up on his back upside down, arms hooked. Suddenly, Molly manages to flip off of his back, landing on her feet behind him. He spins around and SPIRAL DROPKICK sends him staggering back, followed by THE HATCHET BOMB driving him to one knee! Molly then slips her arms around his waist and straining with all the power she can muster, back bridges with a GINGER SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX!! He hits the canvas flat upper back first with a growl!
Molly promptly gets to her feet, hits the ropes and hits a springboard MOLLY BOMBER but MOSH ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! Molly crashes on the mat and Chris, not wasting a moment, moves to the nearest turnpost and leaps up to vault off immediately with THE 450 SPLASH, hooking Molly’s leg on impact!!!
ONE!!!! TWO!!!! TTTTHHHRRRE-KICKOUT!!!
Molly barely manages to roll her shoulder and break the pin! Mosh peppers her with a wicked right hand, then rises while pulling her to a stand. SUPERKICK-NO!!! Molly side steps and hits THE GLASGOW KISS! Mosh, already off balance, hits the canvas in a heap! He tries to fight back to his feet, clutching at his forehead. The end result is himself spectacularly sliding about the ring, getting up a few times only to fall right back down multiple times. Molly moves in behind him to takes his arms and roll him into THE HURT LOCKER OMOPLATA!!! He cries out in great pain as Molly’s expertise in the move has him locked up tight, but his superior size allows him to roll into the ropes, forcing the referee to break up the hold!
Marisol Vilaro rushes down to ringside, immediately complaining to the referee. Molly joins the ref, cussing Marisol out. Chris pulls out a set of brass knucks from his trunks he pulls Molly back, who swings around with a reared back fist, but he’s a little quicker, cracking her square in the cheek with the brass! She falls like a tree. He tosses the knucks aside and falls on top of Molly. There is a bit of a delay as the referee stops Marisol from dropping off the apron quickly, admonishing her with a warning before turning back to the action. Seeing Molly pinned, he immediately drops to make the count!!!
ONE!!!! TTTWWWOOO!!! TTTTHHHRRRE-KICKOUT!!!
Immediately Mosh roars in disbelief at the referee, holding up three fingers and then slapping his hands together 1-2-3! The two argue only for Molly to come to life with a roll up pin on Mosh! The two end up closer to the ropes…
ONE!!! TWO!!!! THRRRRE-PULLED INTO THE ROPES!!!
Marisol pulls Mosh into the ropes, forcing the pinfall break and Molly immediately slides out of the ring, going after Marisol who runs as fast as she can! The inventor of the Vilaro system dives under the ropes and Molly goes right after her, grabbing her foot and pulling. So focused was she, that Molly failed to notice Chris Mosh reaching through the ropes and grabbing two handfuls of Molly’s hair and yanking her up screaming into the apron! He lifts her by her hair and hurls her back into the ring, sending the ginger sliding across the canvas. Molly gets to her feet, SUPERKICK-NO COUNTERED BY SPIRAL DROPKICK TO THE CHEST!!! Mosh flails back, rolling to a kneel and clutching at his chest. Molly rushes in with a Shining Wizard, but Mosh catches her and tosses her several feet across the ring! Molly lands with a tuck and roll, skidding on one knee and getting right to her feet. Mosh charges and Molly leaps up, catching him by surprise with THE GINGER NINJA DEATHDROP!!! Molly pops up on impact with a wild cry only to walk right into MARISOL VILARO WITH A STEEL CHAIR!!! Molly’s rocked off her feet with a wicked chair blow to the head, ending the match!!!
WINNER (VIA DISQUALIFICATION): MOLLY HATCHET
Marisol then promptly pulls Chris Mosh out of the ring, helping him to the back while the fans boo in serious uproar. In the ring, however, Molly Hatchet rises, quivering with rage head to toe and yet on her blood-streaked face is a dangerous, frightening smile. She points at Marisol and Mosh and draws a thumb across her freckled throat.
We cut away to another ad for the VELVET RABBIT NYC, featuring ads for all their Cannabis Cup-inspired food and drink before ending with a teaser ad for Monday's Buck and Doe lineup.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
Aw… what a shame. I was supposed to face Caim tonight and then… well… tough shit.
Andrea shrugs, showing how little she cares about her well being.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
But see, nobody CARES about what happened to Caim because there was something else that had happened that should’ve made MAJOR headlines and of COURSE I am talking about the debut of YOURS TRULY! I faced “UMF” Lara Bratton and I gave her even MORE reasons to drink even though she didn’t necessarily NEED any if you get what I am saying. Don’t get me wrong, it felt great to be in an Uprising ring for the first time and it’s an even better feeling to start a new journey… even though Crystal fucking Hilton is on this roster too…
Andrea lets out an annoyed sigh, obviously hoping she would leave that part of her Sin City Wrestling past well… in the past…
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
Look, if this is the part where you were expecting me to bash Sin City Wrestling and explain why I left then I’m sorry to disappoint you. That’s just not going to happen. It’s as simple as spreading my wings and wanting to test myself against new competition just like it was when I first signed there in the first place. I mean, really? What the hell else did I have to accomplish there considering that I went 16 months undefeated, including ALL of their annual cycle in 2020-21 and ALL of 2021 itself? I mean COME ON! But hey, that’s in the past and I’m here and contrary to what some people want to say, I’m no flash in the pan. And that’s what leads me to my opponent who has been going off at the mouth on Twitter acting like the most basic of bitches. I mean “flash in the pan”.
Really?
I’m not even ANNOYED by that, more like BORED…
Andrea delivers a mock yawn in response to such nonsense.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
I get that Kerberos is newer to the business and all of that, but for someone who wants to talk about someone else being uninspired according to my interpretation of the basic bitch nonsense he was spewing, I didn’t bother responding to the shit he said on Twitter because… well… not only is it WAY off base and absolutely WRONG… HELLO… my 16 month undefeated streak wasn’t even LONG ago at all… but it’s mundane, it’s BORING, and it’s basically what you would expect out of someone who failed Promo 101 class. I mean, SERIOUSLY! Flash in the pans don’t win world titles, nor do they win 19 matches in a row, nor do they go an entire calendar year undefeated. I’m a well traveled veteran, that I won’t deny. BUT, everywhere I have been throughout my career that has truly mattered in the grand scheme of things, I’ve ALWAYS been successful. Of course, you can chalk things up to rookie ignorance, but you know what? Whatever. That’s the type of shit I allow to roll off of my back at this point. I’m not that weakling from four years ago that would take everything personally once upon a time. So yeah, if you thought me beating Lara was impressive, then you have NOT seen anything yet. That was just the damn beginning and it’s going to continue tonight. I don’t care that I had a change in opponent. Shit happens. It’s not like Caim would’ve won against me to begin with. As for you, Kerberos? Yeah, keep up that boring basic bitch shit. At least you’re a far more natural sleep aid than Ambien and Nyquil Nighttime Sleep Aid, I’ll give you that. Hey, maybe you can be their new spokesperson or something. I mean, that would make sense considering I look at someone like you and I see a walking stereotype of the same old shit we’ve seen in wrestling for years, if not decades.
She shakes her head in disgust.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
But me? Nope. Everywhere I go, I change the game. I make people take notice. I buck the status quo. The two companies I was in prior to here? That’s exactly what I did. I made the other women in my last company HATE ME because I did things DIFFERENT than the way they do it. I made the men in the company before last HATE ME because I kept bucking their good ol’ sexist bastards club as I turned away “Hall of Famer” after “Hall of Famer” that wouldn’t last outside of Key West, Florida if you know what I mean.
She scoffs.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
You? You’d fit in real well with those idiots… I mean, you’re no different than those pieces of garbage.
You’re going to try and win, and you’re going to give me your best… and I have no doubt that you might have something in you to succeed… but ultimately, what you’re going to do is fail… so those moronic, empty words on Twitter? I’m not even going to shove them down your throat. They’re beyond worthless. But what I AM going to do is use you as my personal message bitch to let this company know that I’m NOT fucking around. Let's see if I can make it 2-for-2 in getting rid of the trash around here…
Andrea lets out an arrogant scoff as she heads out of the scene and we head back to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
MOLLY HATCHET vs CHRIS MOSH
The match kicks off with Molly and Mosh squaring off, her beckoning him forth to do a lock up. The 6’ 3” man looks like a towering beast next to her and just looks at her incredulously. The Ginger Ninja beckons him on, shouting, “COME ON LAD! LET’S GO!” He shrugs and moves in only to suddenly back off and wave her off with a laugh. The man gives a flex of his arms and just shakes his head, saying, “No way!” He turns around to face her and is rocked to the side with a hard slap followed by a spinning backfist that sends him stumbling to the side.
"COME OOOOONNN!!!" Molly shouts.
Mosh angrily rushes forward, reaching for Molly, who ducks and rolls between his spread legs. He reaches for her and she grabs his hands and yanks them right between his own legs. Mosh is frozen in pain, essentially having low-blowed himself. A dropkick to his rear sends him stumbling forward. Mosh stomps his feet angrily and turns towards Molly who just shoots him a wicked grin and motions him on. Mosh shakes it off and comes at her offering for a grapple. Nodding she starts to reach for that hand only for Mosh to snake the hand and catch her with an eye poke. Molly snarls in pain, staggering back.
Mosh moves in, easily hoisting her up in the air and sending her flying through the air release German Suplex. Molly lands outside the the ring with a sharp cry that is cut short on impact with the floor! Mosh waits to see if she gets up and as she starts to rise, he gets a running star, dropping and sliding out of the ring with a chop block that catches her right in the face! Molly is rocked off her feet.
Mosh hops to his feet with a grin, grabbing her leg and hitting a Foot DDT on the floor! Molly thrashes, grabbing at her knee in pain. Mosh sees the target and starts stomping that knee over and over viciously, targeting the lingering effects of what Summer Page had done prior. Mosh then gathers her up in a front facelock, hoists her up to put her feet on the apron and then dropping to the floor with THE HANGING DDT!
Mosh slides into the ring and back out to reset the referee count. He gathers Molly by her hair, talking all sorts of smack before hurling her head first into the ring steps with a loud *BOOM* on impact. She crumples, dazed and disoriented. Mosh then picks Molly up and hurls her back into the ring. Wrestling’s alleged “one and only VIP” trades barbs with a few fans talking smack at ringside. He snatches a drink from one and splashes it right in the fans face, laughing. He then turns and slides back into the ring, finding Molly Hatchet on her hands and knees, fighting back up. He promptly kicks her in the rear, shoving her face first to the mat. He then gathers her up and lifts her up on his back upside down, arms hooked. Suddenly, Molly manages to flip off of his back, landing on her feet behind him. He spins around and SPIRAL DROPKICK sends him staggering back, followed by THE HATCHET BOMB driving him to one knee! Molly then slips her arms around his waist and straining with all the power she can muster, back bridges with a GINGER SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX!! He hits the canvas flat upper back first with a growl!
Molly promptly gets to her feet, hits the ropes and hits a springboard MOLLY BOMBER but MOSH ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! Molly crashes on the mat and Chris, not wasting a moment, moves to the nearest turnpost and leaps up to vault off immediately with THE 450 SPLASH, hooking Molly’s leg on impact!!!
ONE!!!! TWO!!!! TTTTHHHRRRE-KICKOUT!!!
Molly barely manages to roll her shoulder and break the pin! Mosh peppers her with a wicked right hand, then rises while pulling her to a stand. SUPERKICK-NO!!! Molly side steps and hits THE GLASGOW KISS! Mosh, already off balance, hits the canvas in a heap! He tries to fight back to his feet, clutching at his forehead. The end result is himself spectacularly sliding about the ring, getting up a few times only to fall right back down multiple times. Molly moves in behind him to takes his arms and roll him into THE HURT LOCKER OMOPLATA!!! He cries out in great pain as Molly’s expertise in the move has him locked up tight, but his superior size allows him to roll into the ropes, forcing the referee to break up the hold!
Marisol Vilaro rushes down to ringside, immediately complaining to the referee. Molly joins the ref, cussing Marisol out. Chris pulls out a set of brass knucks from his trunks he pulls Molly back, who swings around with a reared back fist, but he’s a little quicker, cracking her square in the cheek with the brass! She falls like a tree. He tosses the knucks aside and falls on top of Molly. There is a bit of a delay as the referee stops Marisol from dropping off the apron quickly, admonishing her with a warning before turning back to the action. Seeing Molly pinned, he immediately drops to make the count!!!
ONE!!!! TTTWWWOOO!!! TTTTHHHRRRE-KICKOUT!!!
Immediately Mosh roars in disbelief at the referee, holding up three fingers and then slapping his hands together 1-2-3! The two argue only for Molly to come to life with a roll up pin on Mosh! The two end up closer to the ropes…
ONE!!! TWO!!!! THRRRRE-PULLED INTO THE ROPES!!!
Marisol pulls Mosh into the ropes, forcing the pinfall break and Molly immediately slides out of the ring, going after Marisol who runs as fast as she can! The inventor of the Vilaro system dives under the ropes and Molly goes right after her, grabbing her foot and pulling. So focused was she, that Molly failed to notice Chris Mosh reaching through the ropes and grabbing two handfuls of Molly’s hair and yanking her up screaming into the apron! He lifts her by her hair and hurls her back into the ring, sending the ginger sliding across the canvas. Molly gets to her feet, SUPERKICK-NO COUNTERED BY SPIRAL DROPKICK TO THE CHEST!!! Mosh flails back, rolling to a kneel and clutching at his chest. Molly rushes in with a Shining Wizard, but Mosh catches her and tosses her several feet across the ring! Molly lands with a tuck and roll, skidding on one knee and getting right to her feet. Mosh charges and Molly leaps up, catching him by surprise with THE GINGER NINJA DEATHDROP!!! Molly pops up on impact with a wild cry only to walk right into MARISOL VILARO WITH A STEEL CHAIR!!! Molly’s rocked off her feet with a wicked chair blow to the head, ending the match!!!
WINNER (VIA DISQUALIFICATION): MOLLY HATCHET
Marisol then promptly pulls Chris Mosh out of the ring, helping him to the back while the fans boo in serious uproar. In the ring, however, Molly Hatchet rises, quivering with rage head to toe and yet on her blood-streaked face is a dangerous, frightening smile. She points at Marisol and Mosh and draws a thumb across her freckled throat.
We cut away to another ad for the VELVET RABBIT NYC, featuring ads for all their Cannabis Cup-inspired food and drink before ending with a teaser ad for Monday's Buck and Doe lineup.
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — RINGSIDE
'Synthetic Sympathy' by Trash Boat has taken over the surrounding systems of the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada. Serenity Holmes has walked out from the backstage area to the support of the local audience but she doesn’t hesitate on her march down the passageway to the ring. Her demeanor is very aggressive, especially with those eyes that are hardwired to kill anything in her sight.
She immediately climbs the steel steps and then moves through the ropes with a mission on her mind, the audience still cheering for her even though she hasn’t interacted with them from the get-go. Serenity receives a microphone and her music has faded away from the cue as she stands in the center of the ring allowing the audience to chant her name. Of course, she’s wearing her usual grunge attire of baggy army pants, black converses, a black tank top, and a snapback to match the teenage look.
Once the audience has died down, she raises the microphone to speak.
SERENITY HOLMES
A couple weeks ago on Bad Moon Rising, I was looking to earn my third victory after defeating Chris Mosh and proving why UPRISING has signed me to their promotion in the first place.
A small positive reaction to her statement. Serenity continues.
SERENITY HOLMES
But apparently, the One Percent Club doesn’t like it when you beat them at their own game. With gratitude to Reno for evening the numbers, I brought Chris Mosh to his absolute best and beat the man in the ring: one, two, three!
Serenity walked around the ring nodding her head and confidently holding the bragging rights over the former Silver State Champion until returning to face the audience.
SERENITY HOLMES
But maybe I was a little naïve to think that Marisol Vilaro would have let it go. I thought she would be the woman she claims to be and understand that sometimes you have to take a loss and move on. Clearly, I was wrong and at Bad Moon Rising, she decided to play an advertisement tailored to disrespecting me and my last name which cost me the match against Melody Slayton.
She lets the microphone down and curls her lips. The audience boos at the mention of last Revolution’s events during her match and she shake her head.
SERENITY HOLMES
Marisol. I know you’re watching this segment. You have a lot of people from UPRISING wanting to beat the crap out of you and I’m happy to be their representative in doing so. Do you want to make this personal? Do you want my attention? You got it!
Serenity walks closer to the ropes facing the entrance.
SERENITY HOLMES
So why don’t you march yourself back out here? I’m not waiting for this anymore. Come out here and fight so I can turn your little fitness program into healthcare after I put you into the ICU!
??
WHAT A LOAD OF NONSENSE!
The fans boo loudly knowing the sound of the voice of the Fitness Queen Marisol Vilaro, as 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift plays over the public address system. She comes out from the back, her Jimmy Choo pumps loud against the ramp. On her head is her headset microphone as she makes her way down to the ring she motions for her music to be cut as the fan's boos overtake the arena.
MARISOL VILARO
This is touching. You thought for one second I was going to let that tainted bullshit go, that I was going to let Reno decide anything? You’re about as smart as these Las Vegas sweat hogs if you thought that. MY VOICE IS LOUDER THAN ALL OF YOURS SO SHUT THE HELL UP AND LISTEN!
The boos only get louder, as Marisol looks on angrily however, she calms herself down before speaking in the same obnoxious loud tone, over the fan's negative reaction.
MARISOL VILARO
Listen my time is valuable I celebrate to get ready for tonight a chance to celebrate the real Queen of Uprising, the Franchise of this very company, and our leading lady I am talking about Summer Page, our Uprising World Champion!
The boos get louder at the mention of the champion's name, which causes Marisol to smile with pride.
MARISOL VILARO
SHUT UP AND SHOW SOME DAMN RESPECT WHEN I SPEAK HER NAME! Rude people in this dump. So you want me one on one you sure about that? I have never been pinned in an Uprising ring ever! I have beaten a former Uprising Champion in the center of the ring in Ignis, and I have beaten Coda as well. Well if you want it, you’re on….
SERENITY HOLMES
You’re on!
The audience of Las Vegas, especially fans at ringside, support Serenity’s answer which is done with haste. She smiles confidently and looks toward Vilaro who chuckles after being interrupted.
MARISOL VILARO
Oh, you never let me finish is that how you do things here in the United States just blindly agreeing to everything? Let me explain this: yes I will accept but only on one condition. Well, if you want me in the ring, then you have to complete what I call the Vilaro Challenge which is a series of tasks you must complete and complete successfully to get me one-on-one. If you fail just one task, you’re done. No match. Plain and simple! What do you have to say about that?
Serenity looks around at the audience chanting “YES” before pacing around the ring to get a clear view of Las Vegas. She immediately stands before the ropes and holds the microphone to her lips.
SERENITY HOLMES
To face you, I would have to complete several challenges and if I fail then it would be all for nothing. A normal person in this case would say the odds are truly against me and I would be a fool to say yes.
She rolls her eyes but smirks.
SERENITY HOLMES
But the one thing about us proud Americans is that we love it when the odds are against us!
The interior of the Luxor explodes in patriotic cheer.
SERENITY HOLMES
So without further ado, I ACCEPT!!!
Marisol nods her head before speaking again with a smirk on her face.
MARISOL VILARO
Okay, I wish you the best, I do. After all, this is the only path to becoming a #BetterYou. Though, too bad you won’t get to see it. See you around, Serenity!
Marisol blows a kiss toward Serenity, as she turns on her heel. 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift plays over the public address system. The camera pans and we see an evil smirk on the face of the Fitness Queen as she heads off to the back.
_____________________________________________
She immediately climbs the steel steps and then moves through the ropes with a mission on her mind, the audience still cheering for her even though she hasn’t interacted with them from the get-go. Serenity receives a microphone and her music has faded away from the cue as she stands in the center of the ring allowing the audience to chant her name. Of course, she’s wearing her usual grunge attire of baggy army pants, black converses, a black tank top, and a snapback to match the teenage look.
Once the audience has died down, she raises the microphone to speak.
SERENITY HOLMES
A couple weeks ago on Bad Moon Rising, I was looking to earn my third victory after defeating Chris Mosh and proving why UPRISING has signed me to their promotion in the first place.
A small positive reaction to her statement. Serenity continues.
SERENITY HOLMES
But apparently, the One Percent Club doesn’t like it when you beat them at their own game. With gratitude to Reno for evening the numbers, I brought Chris Mosh to his absolute best and beat the man in the ring: one, two, three!
Serenity walked around the ring nodding her head and confidently holding the bragging rights over the former Silver State Champion until returning to face the audience.
SERENITY HOLMES
But maybe I was a little naïve to think that Marisol Vilaro would have let it go. I thought she would be the woman she claims to be and understand that sometimes you have to take a loss and move on. Clearly, I was wrong and at Bad Moon Rising, she decided to play an advertisement tailored to disrespecting me and my last name which cost me the match against Melody Slayton.
She lets the microphone down and curls her lips. The audience boos at the mention of last Revolution’s events during her match and she shake her head.
SERENITY HOLMES
Marisol. I know you’re watching this segment. You have a lot of people from UPRISING wanting to beat the crap out of you and I’m happy to be their representative in doing so. Do you want to make this personal? Do you want my attention? You got it!
Serenity walks closer to the ropes facing the entrance.
SERENITY HOLMES
So why don’t you march yourself back out here? I’m not waiting for this anymore. Come out here and fight so I can turn your little fitness program into healthcare after I put you into the ICU!
??
WHAT A LOAD OF NONSENSE!
The fans boo loudly knowing the sound of the voice of the Fitness Queen Marisol Vilaro, as 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift plays over the public address system. She comes out from the back, her Jimmy Choo pumps loud against the ramp. On her head is her headset microphone as she makes her way down to the ring she motions for her music to be cut as the fan's boos overtake the arena.
MARISOL VILARO
This is touching. You thought for one second I was going to let that tainted bullshit go, that I was going to let Reno decide anything? You’re about as smart as these Las Vegas sweat hogs if you thought that. MY VOICE IS LOUDER THAN ALL OF YOURS SO SHUT THE HELL UP AND LISTEN!
The boos only get louder, as Marisol looks on angrily however, she calms herself down before speaking in the same obnoxious loud tone, over the fan's negative reaction.
MARISOL VILARO
Listen my time is valuable I celebrate to get ready for tonight a chance to celebrate the real Queen of Uprising, the Franchise of this very company, and our leading lady I am talking about Summer Page, our Uprising World Champion!
The boos get louder at the mention of the champion's name, which causes Marisol to smile with pride.
MARISOL VILARO
SHUT UP AND SHOW SOME DAMN RESPECT WHEN I SPEAK HER NAME! Rude people in this dump. So you want me one on one you sure about that? I have never been pinned in an Uprising ring ever! I have beaten a former Uprising Champion in the center of the ring in Ignis, and I have beaten Coda as well. Well if you want it, you’re on….
SERENITY HOLMES
You’re on!
The audience of Las Vegas, especially fans at ringside, support Serenity’s answer which is done with haste. She smiles confidently and looks toward Vilaro who chuckles after being interrupted.
MARISOL VILARO
Oh, you never let me finish is that how you do things here in the United States just blindly agreeing to everything? Let me explain this: yes I will accept but only on one condition. Well, if you want me in the ring, then you have to complete what I call the Vilaro Challenge which is a series of tasks you must complete and complete successfully to get me one-on-one. If you fail just one task, you’re done. No match. Plain and simple! What do you have to say about that?
Serenity looks around at the audience chanting “YES” before pacing around the ring to get a clear view of Las Vegas. She immediately stands before the ropes and holds the microphone to her lips.
SERENITY HOLMES
To face you, I would have to complete several challenges and if I fail then it would be all for nothing. A normal person in this case would say the odds are truly against me and I would be a fool to say yes.
She rolls her eyes but smirks.
SERENITY HOLMES
But the one thing about us proud Americans is that we love it when the odds are against us!
The interior of the Luxor explodes in patriotic cheer.
SERENITY HOLMES
So without further ado, I ACCEPT!!!
Marisol nods her head before speaking again with a smirk on her face.
MARISOL VILARO
Okay, I wish you the best, I do. After all, this is the only path to becoming a #BetterYou. Though, too bad you won’t get to see it. See you around, Serenity!
Marisol blows a kiss toward Serenity, as she turns on her heel. 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift plays over the public address system. The camera pans and we see an evil smirk on the face of the Fitness Queen as she heads off to the back.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
PROMO — PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
? ? ?
Most people salivate at the chance to open their fingers and hype themselves on the internet about how they have the best grapples, the best skills, the best rack, the best insert bullshit here. Sometimes, others decide that they would rather sit quietly on the internet and promote themselves via a show opportunity because maybe, just maybe, they think their time is better spent being a bitch on camera and that people will care more.
It’s the typical nondescript, black brick wall. One from PROMO CLASS 101 that people usually erroneously refer to lack of candor, lack of foundation, lack of a need to succeed. Or does it represent new beginnings? A place to start, a place to grow from, a need for it to matter less about where he is, but more of his words? His hair is pulled up into a tight bun at the back of his undercut, and he wears a sneer on his expression. He is only visible from the chest upwards, but it’s clear that he’s prepared for his match tonight – the fur of his collar was visible over his singlet.
? ? ?
I would hazard a guess that a lot of people would throw Twitter into the dredges of the ocean if they could because they cannot seem to keep up with the back and forths – or perhaps, it is simply because they cannot control the narrative. A distinct, clawing need to make sure that you hardly come out looking like a peon because it is easier to figure out what you want to say, rehearse it, build it up in a specific manner, and then no one can refute it. No one can tell you that you are utterly and completely wrong.
He leans forward, a smirk rising to his lips as he does so.
? ? ?
I think that is what has happened here. And what continues to happen every time that Andrea Hernandez jumps in and out of companies. You see, as you saw earlier, Andrea had some cute little choice words for me that she has probably sat on since I tweeted at her…oh…the fifteenth? It’s now nine days later – apt – and she has no ability to recognize who she is facing except for hyping themselves on a show. I have done this, I have done that, my ass is perfect, I have a nineteen month win, rah rah rah.
He pauses, rolling his eyes.
? ? ?
Ignoring, for the moment, what she has to say, I want to present to you the Andrea Hernandez I recognize. The woman who claims to want to be so far away from Sin City Wrestling, but always brings it up. The woman who walked from a company she was a champion of because she, what, did not get enough attention? She got elevated in Sin City Underground on her way out, congratulations, but it was clear that she was done the second that most people stopped giving a shit about her. The reign she so gloriously touts at the top of the division? Two months. Sixty days, maximum. Your nineteen win streak with the Internet Championship…you know, the lowest title in the Bombshells Division, was annihilated by a woman who went on to completely annihilate everyone else, and you were mad at that – I would not try to deny it. Last appearance besides SCU? A win off the herpes-infested Bea Barnhart – not so spectacular when everyone does it, is it? But what was it that got you out of everything? A shoulder injury? You know, one that usually takes six to seven months to heal, but all of a sudden you appear at Evolution Wrestling. You appear at Elite Wrestling Corporation. And now, you are at UPRISING…methinks the shoulder injury was staged, just to put out there.
A smile crosses his face again and he tilts his head to the side – unlike others, he takes this seriously.
? ? ?
It is easy to capitulate grandeur to who you are. It is another to actually live it, and to make others see it for what it is. Oh, I do not doubt that you did well – the accolades are there to prove it. But it is hardly the accolades that make the person it is their behavior as they move forward. The fact that Andrea decided to be all over Twitter for her match against Lara Bratton, but not me, is telling. It tells me that she either thinks that, because I have an extremely loose relationship with the gym that brought me up, she thinks that I am of the same caliber of people that she does not like. Or, she truly is actually afraid of me, and knows I would absolutely devastate her when it comes to interactions. Or, she knows that my rookie ass would be the catalyst to her downfall.
He pauses. Shrugs. Continues. He holds up a hand.
? ? ?
Your behavior as you moved forward from Sin City, Andrea, is telling. You were placed in a match in EVOLUTION Wrestling, filled with some of the greatest names across this industry. You faced Lisa Seldon. You lost to Lisa Seldon. You were never seen there again. You went to EWC – GAMBIT held a show, you won, and then you fucked off to Neverland. You cannot seem to gain the same traction, and I suspect that after I defeat you tonight, you will fuck off to Peter Pan Land where you will never grow up, never grow more mature, never be anything but the same callous piece of shit that you have been for the last three years at SCW to the point where no-one wanted to work with you. But UPRISING, where you can talk shit and not have to involve yourself if you do not want to…oh, ma’am, it is easy. This is what I am talking about when I state that you are a bonafide flash in the pan. You have one victory here in UPRISING and you are treating that as the greatest thing since sliced bread. You know, like every tried and done cocky piece of shit in this industry has done over and over and over again. It shows that you do not want to put in the effort when you refuse to hype. And it shows that you are a fucking flash in the pan.
He smiles again.
? ? ?
So no, Andrea, I will not change my statements. I will not adjust what I have to say. Your track record outside of SCW shows me exactly who you are, and game changing bullshit aside, you are the same as every single dumb fucking broad this side of the industry. Go home. Reinvent yourself. But step away from the I am a legend in this business bullshit that you are trying to state because outside of that one company? No one gives a fuck who you are, least of all me. You are just the same bottomfeeder that everyone new in a company is, and it shows in the relevance that you have been given here. See you out there, Flashie.
He turns to walk off, but pauses, holds up a finger, and then smiles maliciously.
? ? ?
The name is KERBEROS. The Son of Snakes. The Silencer. The Hound. Learn it. Because it is not going away anytime soon.
With a sneer and a scoff, he reaches forward and pushes the camera away from him before the scene moves back to ringside and a very hyped crowd.
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ vs KERBEROS
After the heated words earlier in the broadcast, the ring of the bell halts the silent staring contest between them as KERBEROS explodes into action, charging directly at Andrea Hernandez. KERBEROS with a left. Make it two – he paintbrushes her face and shoves her into the corner, driving a shoulder into her sternum but Andrea fights back, nailing a stunning sucker punch before following up with some wild forearm strikes. She creates a little space and pays for it when he lights her up with some STIFF knife-edged chops! Andrea rolls out of the ring but he dives over the ropes and DDTs her on the floor! Grabbing a handful of her hair, KERBEROS sneers and rolls her back into the ring – clearly he's looking to make her choke on her earlier words. He's got her by the head and he hauls her up, looking for The Trojan Horse (Pumphandle lift into a Death Valley Driver) but Andrea breaks free, slithers down his back and takes him over nicely with a side suplex. Hernandez is quick to her feet; firing back with more punches before slinging KERBEROS into the ropes. She follows him in and nails that deadly Busaiku Knee, leaving him staggered. Destiny Drop (float-over DDT) and she hooks the leg for our first pinfall!
ONE!
TWO!
KERBEROS KICKS OUT!
Hernandez scoops up The Hound, only to level him again with a Phoenix Backbreaker (tilt-o-whirl backbreaker)! She scoops him up, trying to send him at the ropes but he resists with a back elbow and slams her down with a brutal discus forearm! KA-POW! He hauls Andrea back up but she won't stay in his grip. She breaks out and starts flinging strikes, trying to keep him at bay as best she can. The last thing she needs is to get grabbed again. She drives The Hound back against the ropes with alternating kicks and chops before he steps through and nails her in the face with a headbutt. He catches the next thrown strike, bending her fingers back before twisting her arm behind her back and shoving her hard into the corner. He drives a few hard knees into her body before taking her over with a pumphandle gutbuster! Andrea is in a world of hurt but she's doing her best to fight back, much to the approval of the crowd. KERBEROS whips Hernandez to the ropes and follows with a high leg lariat, sending both of them tumbling down over the top rope and onto the floor below. The crowd begins to roar as they both pop up and start brawling on the outside! Hernandez gets the upper hand as she backs KERBEROS up to the guardrail with a series of right hands. She goes for a big crossbody but he catches her – THE KATACLUSMOS (QUACKENDRIVER III) ON THE FLOOR! ANDREA HERNANDEZ IS OUT OF IT!
KERBEROS drags her back up and into a headlock, hauling her towards the ring. He shoves her under the ropes and follows her in, looking to lay a stomping on her for good measure – HOLY SHIT! SHE CATCHES HIS FOOT AND WRENCHES HIM OFF BALANCE! Hernandez nails a huge haymaker and then catches him a reverse cradle!
ONE!
TWO!
THR—NO!
The crowd goes nuts as Hernandez knees KERBEROS in the gut and tosses him at the ropes again. Hernandez goes for a dropkick to the knee but misses. Instead KERBEROS takes her down with a vicious punch to the face. He drops his shin across the back of Hernandez's neck. He has the arm locked up, and pulls back for a cruel version of an armbar before hoisting her up! A second KATACLUSMOS in the middle of the ring and Andrea looks like she's been knocked out!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): KERBEROS
A hell of a match for both newcomers, making it clear that these two are going to be ones to watch in Season 3. Andrea sits up slowly, cradling the back of her head as KERBEROS says something that's lost in the booing crowd before rolling out of the ring, leaving Andrea looking more pissed off than defeated.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
STATIC
During the break, it was announced that at UNLEASHED 3, newly signed Emmalee will be facing fellow newcomer Gorgo. A camera sweeps the anxious crowd still reeling in the aftermath of the previous match. From the loudspeakers arranged around the rafters of the ballroom, a gentle harp arpeggio serenades the audience. The video screen lights up with a single name in white block letters against a black background.
G O R G O
Renée Fleming’s angelic voice begins to sing Schubert’s Ave Maria "Ellens Gesang III", D. 839 as a serious woman with a serious look emerges from the tunnel. She marches down the ramp with little sign of emotion, dressed in a compression shirt and pants. At ringside, she climbs onto the apron then enters through the ropes. She stops briefly to look out stone-faced at the crowd before walking over to retrieve a microphone from an official on the floor. The music fades out as she takes her position in the middle of the ring. Though she hails from Moldova and isn’t a native English speaker, she speaks clearly with only a subtle accent.
GORGO
Intuition: the rushing feeling of burning alive from the inside out. The brooding charge that electrifies the bad luck wind as it blows up your back. It’s a feeling, and a reaction. At times it is borderline clairvoyance. From the young to the old, the white to the black to the brown, the rich to the poor, it doesn’t discriminate. But some of us listen better than others.
The crowd is quiet, listening to every word of this newcomer to the sport of professional wrestling, though many have since learned of her experience as a gold medalist and an MMA fighter.
GORGO
Emmalee.
The crowd reacts at the mention of the Rainmaker’s name with cheers.
GORGO
I wonder if you will listen when that gnawing voice chews at the back of your brain, whispering tell-tale warnings, delivering foreboding visuals in your sleep. I wonder if in that purpose-crowning moment you will understand how pathetically inevitable it all is.
Because I’m coming for you.
The crowd starts to turn on the woman on the microphone as she stares out at them with her patented murder face. After several seconds, she lifts the microphone back to her lips.
GORGO
Emmalee, you see because I have not carved out your eyes. You taste because I have not ripped out your tongue. You feel because I have not broken your neck and hear because your screams have not yet deafened your ears.
Time is running short for you. With each tick of the second hand, so closer to UNLEASHED we come. I would tell you I’m sorry for what I am going to do. I would offer my sympathy. I might even warn you, tell you that I can’t stop myself, uge you to get away, far away from me. Run and never look back. But you have sown the wind and now you shall reap the whirlwind of my wrath.
Thousands of voices merge in unison into a howling roar of boos. She looks around briefly, and, for a moment, cracks a jigsaw smile before turning back to the camera.
GORGO
Use these two weeks well. Spend time with your loved ones. Take plenty of photos to keep your onlyfans account active for as long as it will take for you to recover those pretty looks because I will make you hurt. I will make you bleed. I will punch you until your skin turns black, until your teeth jut out from your fat, busted lips. I will bend you until you break and make you cry for it to be over. I will take your potential, throw it on the ground and step on it.
This is my world. MY WORLD. It is my birthright to break this industry down and make it into something monstrous. There will be challengers. There will be those who will try and stop me, but it won’t be you, Emmalee, because you’ll be in the hospital, hooked to machines and eating only soft foods.
Behind her, fans are seen on their feet and screaming at her back. The crowd noise is almost too loud for her voice to break through the microphone. She looks around the ballroom, again with a smile slowly cutting across her face, until she snaps back to the camera.
GORGO
All good things must come to an end and everything is going to change.
She drops the microphone and her music hits. She walks to the ropes, kicks through and drops down to the floor. The cameraman follows her up the ramp, to the stage and to the tunnel until we:
MORGAN SIMMONS
For those of you who know me, an introduction isn’t needed. But since Las Vegas has imbeciles and uncultured swine, my name is Morgan Simmons and I am the legal counsel of my fellow Horsewomen.
The fans boo.
MORGAN SIMMONS
The Horsewomen have dominated professional wrestling in the past. We’ve put Hatchets into the ground and all of us have won gold everywhere we have gone. But this company… it’s different and a brand new start for us.
Morgan says with a smirk.
MORGAN SIMMONS
In just a few minutes, you idiots get the privilege of seeing the best Trio in the business wreak havoc all over this ring. They are going to give you, the people in the back and management who is paying us a lot of money, a preview of what is to come.
Morgan passes the mic off to Reyna.
REYNA CARTER
Las Vegas. The city with the slogan what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
There’s cheering among the locals and Rey rolls her eyes.
REYNA CARTER
I don’t know how the hell Kelly lives here. This place is nothing more than a glorified vacation spot loaded with prostitutes, druggies, meth heads and various other freakizoids roaming the streets. It’s a shithole you people go to on vacation and blow your life savings gambling for a higher spot but you people fail and go to the bottom of the barrel.
The fans are now booing.
REYNA CARTER
And failure will be associated with the rest of the Unity division now that the Horsewomen are reunited and here to win championships. It doesn’t matter whether it's the Unity division, World Championship, Total Anarchy Championship, any and all championships are on our minds.
Talia holds her hand out and Reyna makes a grand gesture of handing the mic to her. If the crowd could yell the equivalent of an eyeroll they would.
TALIA SKYE
Las Vegas.... you all know about odds. Long shots. That's what the Heroes For Hire are here. They're the long shots. The jackpot that ... almost never happens. Sure, they've wracked up some trinkets other, lesser places but we're the odds-on favourites here in Nevada. We represent the house. And as you know, the house always wins.
The crowd disagrees with Talia and makes their displeasure known.
TALIA SKYE
The Horsewomen came to Vegas to make our own luck. We came to rig the game in our favour. We are the insurmountable odds that no lucky dice roll can ever overcome. So do yourselves a favour. If you bet on this match tonight, put money on the Horsewomen. We guarantee that for the first time in your lives, you won't be losers.
The view cuts back to ringside, the crowd hot for the next match.
UNITY CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER
HEROES FOR HIRE vs THE HORSEWOMEN
Talia and Reyna confer on the ring apron before Talia steps into the ring, facing Liam Richardson to kick off the match. Talia extends her hand with a winning smile on her lips – Richardson takes one look at that fake-ass smile and shakes his head, refusing the gesture. Shrugging, Talia Skye glances back at her partners and then smiles wider, still extending the hand. Yet again, Richardson refuses and slaps it away only for Talia to nail in with a foot stomp on his instep. He staggers back and she sends him down with a dropkick to the knee and a knee to the face – dizzying combo that has Liam on the canvas before the crowd can even register what's happening. Talia pounds Richardson with a stiff elbow drop. She sets Richardson up for another, but he rolls out of the way, coming quickly to his feet. He whips Talia into the ropes and dives at the corner, making a hot tag to Mark Storm – the crowd pops for Your Hero And Mine to enter the fray but Talia manages to screw up his plans by lunging towards the Horsewomen corner for a quick tag to Reyna. The crowd erupts in cheers as Carter hits the ring. Mark Storm hits Reyna with a surprising double underhook suplex. Reyna rolls quickly to her feet, right into London's Calling! (a combination of strikes followed by an enziguri) from Richardson before he exits the ring. Mark Storm picks up the assault on her, driving Reyna back into the corner. He nails a hard shoulder block but she gets an eye rake in, forcing him back. Blinded for the moment, Storm doesn't see the Glam Kick or the Disaster Happens (springboard roundhouse kick) that follows, the latter sending him crumbling to the canvas. The Final Wish (Bridging arm triangle choke) but Watson crashes down on top of them, not even giving Big J time to check for the submission.
They reset but Storm grabs Reyna, levelling her with a swinging neckbreaker! He drags her back up, sending into the corner where she gets speared into the ring post! Mark Storm goes for a Yakuza kick but Reyna drops down and punches him right in the family jewels! When Storm merely sways and doesn’t fall, Reyna smashes his face off the turnbuckle repeatedly. As he finally sags, Reyna hauls Storm upright by the hair and propels him towards Talia, who, in an extremely cheap move, rakes his eyes, viciously. Talia doesn’t have a chance to make the tag however, as Richardson grabs her leg and drags her from the ring apron. Reyna shouts at the interference, outraged, and then turns back to Mark Storm, walking right into a lariat out of nowhere that turns her almost inside out! She crashes down and he's all over her, locking in the KSK (double wristlock followed by multiple stomps to the chest, face, and head). Reyna's dazed but when Mark Storm tries to go for the cover, he gets pulled off and flung across the ring by Terra!
Outside on the floor, Richardson scoops up Talia and plasters her with a stalling suplex. Groaning, Reyna tries to crawl towards Terra as she steps back through the ropes but Mark Storm catches her ankle. There's a bit of a tug of war before she's roughly pulled back, right into a kneelock submission! Heroes have the numbers game on lock as Takashi cuts Terra off, stopping her from interfering. Storm transitions to a side leg lock, showing off his technical expertise as Reyna strains to get hold of the bottom rope.
The crowd begins to chant: "Reyna! Reyna! Reyna!" as Carter struggles to break free of the hold, despite the pain. She strains towards the rope, dragging Storm with her. At the last second, he realizes his mistake, and tries to pull Reyna back, but it’s too late. Her hand closes over the rope and Mark Storm is forced to break the hold. In a last ditch burst of strength, Reyna lunges towards the corner, tagging out to Terra! She charges in, taking him down with a football tackle before straddling Mark Storm, laying a severe bruising on him with a Thesz press. Mark Storm bucks her off, but not before the damage is done. They're both up but Terra is fresher and she immediately charges at Storm – OH NO! HE CATCHES HER WITH A CORKSCREW ROUNDHOUSE KICK RIGHT IN THE FACE! TERRA DROPS TO HER KNEES, WOOZY. Shoot to Kill (bicycle knee)! She teeters but doesn't fall. Storm nails another. And another until Terra goes down hard. Storm dives in and hooks both legs, using all his mass to keep the dazed Terra's shoulders on the canvas.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): HEROES FOR HIRE
Terra twitches her shoulders up, more a spasm of reflex than intentional but it's a split second too late. Talia breaks away from Watson and Richardson on the floor, sliding into the ring just as Big J pops up, holding up the three fingers and reaching for Mark Storm's hand The Heroes For Hire will get the chance to challenge #TBMCali at SOLSTICE!
G O R G O
Renée Fleming’s angelic voice begins to sing Schubert’s Ave Maria "Ellens Gesang III", D. 839 as a serious woman with a serious look emerges from the tunnel. She marches down the ramp with little sign of emotion, dressed in a compression shirt and pants. At ringside, she climbs onto the apron then enters through the ropes. She stops briefly to look out stone-faced at the crowd before walking over to retrieve a microphone from an official on the floor. The music fades out as she takes her position in the middle of the ring. Though she hails from Moldova and isn’t a native English speaker, she speaks clearly with only a subtle accent.
GORGO
Intuition: the rushing feeling of burning alive from the inside out. The brooding charge that electrifies the bad luck wind as it blows up your back. It’s a feeling, and a reaction. At times it is borderline clairvoyance. From the young to the old, the white to the black to the brown, the rich to the poor, it doesn’t discriminate. But some of us listen better than others.
The crowd is quiet, listening to every word of this newcomer to the sport of professional wrestling, though many have since learned of her experience as a gold medalist and an MMA fighter.
GORGO
Emmalee.
The crowd reacts at the mention of the Rainmaker’s name with cheers.
GORGO
I wonder if you will listen when that gnawing voice chews at the back of your brain, whispering tell-tale warnings, delivering foreboding visuals in your sleep. I wonder if in that purpose-crowning moment you will understand how pathetically inevitable it all is.
Because I’m coming for you.
The crowd starts to turn on the woman on the microphone as she stares out at them with her patented murder face. After several seconds, she lifts the microphone back to her lips.
GORGO
Emmalee, you see because I have not carved out your eyes. You taste because I have not ripped out your tongue. You feel because I have not broken your neck and hear because your screams have not yet deafened your ears.
Time is running short for you. With each tick of the second hand, so closer to UNLEASHED we come. I would tell you I’m sorry for what I am going to do. I would offer my sympathy. I might even warn you, tell you that I can’t stop myself, uge you to get away, far away from me. Run and never look back. But you have sown the wind and now you shall reap the whirlwind of my wrath.
Thousands of voices merge in unison into a howling roar of boos. She looks around briefly, and, for a moment, cracks a jigsaw smile before turning back to the camera.
GORGO
Use these two weeks well. Spend time with your loved ones. Take plenty of photos to keep your onlyfans account active for as long as it will take for you to recover those pretty looks because I will make you hurt. I will make you bleed. I will punch you until your skin turns black, until your teeth jut out from your fat, busted lips. I will bend you until you break and make you cry for it to be over. I will take your potential, throw it on the ground and step on it.
This is my world. MY WORLD. It is my birthright to break this industry down and make it into something monstrous. There will be challengers. There will be those who will try and stop me, but it won’t be you, Emmalee, because you’ll be in the hospital, hooked to machines and eating only soft foods.
Behind her, fans are seen on their feet and screaming at her back. The crowd noise is almost too loud for her voice to break through the microphone. She looks around the ballroom, again with a smile slowly cutting across her face, until she snaps back to the camera.
GORGO
All good things must come to an end and everything is going to change.
She drops the microphone and her music hits. She walks to the ropes, kicks through and drops down to the floor. The cameraman follows her up the ramp, to the stage and to the tunnel until we:
FADE TO BLACK.
CUT TO:
PROMO — PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
MORGAN SIMMONS
For those of you who know me, an introduction isn’t needed. But since Las Vegas has imbeciles and uncultured swine, my name is Morgan Simmons and I am the legal counsel of my fellow Horsewomen.
The fans boo.
MORGAN SIMMONS
The Horsewomen have dominated professional wrestling in the past. We’ve put Hatchets into the ground and all of us have won gold everywhere we have gone. But this company… it’s different and a brand new start for us.
Morgan says with a smirk.
MORGAN SIMMONS
In just a few minutes, you idiots get the privilege of seeing the best Trio in the business wreak havoc all over this ring. They are going to give you, the people in the back and management who is paying us a lot of money, a preview of what is to come.
Morgan passes the mic off to Reyna.
REYNA CARTER
Las Vegas. The city with the slogan what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
There’s cheering among the locals and Rey rolls her eyes.
REYNA CARTER
I don’t know how the hell Kelly lives here. This place is nothing more than a glorified vacation spot loaded with prostitutes, druggies, meth heads and various other freakizoids roaming the streets. It’s a shithole you people go to on vacation and blow your life savings gambling for a higher spot but you people fail and go to the bottom of the barrel.
The fans are now booing.
REYNA CARTER
And failure will be associated with the rest of the Unity division now that the Horsewomen are reunited and here to win championships. It doesn’t matter whether it's the Unity division, World Championship, Total Anarchy Championship, any and all championships are on our minds.
Talia holds her hand out and Reyna makes a grand gesture of handing the mic to her. If the crowd could yell the equivalent of an eyeroll they would.
TALIA SKYE
Las Vegas.... you all know about odds. Long shots. That's what the Heroes For Hire are here. They're the long shots. The jackpot that ... almost never happens. Sure, they've wracked up some trinkets other, lesser places but we're the odds-on favourites here in Nevada. We represent the house. And as you know, the house always wins.
The crowd disagrees with Talia and makes their displeasure known.
TALIA SKYE
The Horsewomen came to Vegas to make our own luck. We came to rig the game in our favour. We are the insurmountable odds that no lucky dice roll can ever overcome. So do yourselves a favour. If you bet on this match tonight, put money on the Horsewomen. We guarantee that for the first time in your lives, you won't be losers.
The view cuts back to ringside, the crowd hot for the next match.
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
UNITY CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER
HEROES FOR HIRE vs THE HORSEWOMEN
Talia and Reyna confer on the ring apron before Talia steps into the ring, facing Liam Richardson to kick off the match. Talia extends her hand with a winning smile on her lips – Richardson takes one look at that fake-ass smile and shakes his head, refusing the gesture. Shrugging, Talia Skye glances back at her partners and then smiles wider, still extending the hand. Yet again, Richardson refuses and slaps it away only for Talia to nail in with a foot stomp on his instep. He staggers back and she sends him down with a dropkick to the knee and a knee to the face – dizzying combo that has Liam on the canvas before the crowd can even register what's happening. Talia pounds Richardson with a stiff elbow drop. She sets Richardson up for another, but he rolls out of the way, coming quickly to his feet. He whips Talia into the ropes and dives at the corner, making a hot tag to Mark Storm – the crowd pops for Your Hero And Mine to enter the fray but Talia manages to screw up his plans by lunging towards the Horsewomen corner for a quick tag to Reyna. The crowd erupts in cheers as Carter hits the ring. Mark Storm hits Reyna with a surprising double underhook suplex. Reyna rolls quickly to her feet, right into London's Calling! (a combination of strikes followed by an enziguri) from Richardson before he exits the ring. Mark Storm picks up the assault on her, driving Reyna back into the corner. He nails a hard shoulder block but she gets an eye rake in, forcing him back. Blinded for the moment, Storm doesn't see the Glam Kick or the Disaster Happens (springboard roundhouse kick) that follows, the latter sending him crumbling to the canvas. The Final Wish (Bridging arm triangle choke) but Watson crashes down on top of them, not even giving Big J time to check for the submission.
They reset but Storm grabs Reyna, levelling her with a swinging neckbreaker! He drags her back up, sending into the corner where she gets speared into the ring post! Mark Storm goes for a Yakuza kick but Reyna drops down and punches him right in the family jewels! When Storm merely sways and doesn’t fall, Reyna smashes his face off the turnbuckle repeatedly. As he finally sags, Reyna hauls Storm upright by the hair and propels him towards Talia, who, in an extremely cheap move, rakes his eyes, viciously. Talia doesn’t have a chance to make the tag however, as Richardson grabs her leg and drags her from the ring apron. Reyna shouts at the interference, outraged, and then turns back to Mark Storm, walking right into a lariat out of nowhere that turns her almost inside out! She crashes down and he's all over her, locking in the KSK (double wristlock followed by multiple stomps to the chest, face, and head). Reyna's dazed but when Mark Storm tries to go for the cover, he gets pulled off and flung across the ring by Terra!
Outside on the floor, Richardson scoops up Talia and plasters her with a stalling suplex. Groaning, Reyna tries to crawl towards Terra as she steps back through the ropes but Mark Storm catches her ankle. There's a bit of a tug of war before she's roughly pulled back, right into a kneelock submission! Heroes have the numbers game on lock as Takashi cuts Terra off, stopping her from interfering. Storm transitions to a side leg lock, showing off his technical expertise as Reyna strains to get hold of the bottom rope.
The crowd begins to chant: "Reyna! Reyna! Reyna!" as Carter struggles to break free of the hold, despite the pain. She strains towards the rope, dragging Storm with her. At the last second, he realizes his mistake, and tries to pull Reyna back, but it’s too late. Her hand closes over the rope and Mark Storm is forced to break the hold. In a last ditch burst of strength, Reyna lunges towards the corner, tagging out to Terra! She charges in, taking him down with a football tackle before straddling Mark Storm, laying a severe bruising on him with a Thesz press. Mark Storm bucks her off, but not before the damage is done. They're both up but Terra is fresher and she immediately charges at Storm – OH NO! HE CATCHES HER WITH A CORKSCREW ROUNDHOUSE KICK RIGHT IN THE FACE! TERRA DROPS TO HER KNEES, WOOZY. Shoot to Kill (bicycle knee)! She teeters but doesn't fall. Storm nails another. And another until Terra goes down hard. Storm dives in and hooks both legs, using all his mass to keep the dazed Terra's shoulders on the canvas.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): HEROES FOR HIRE
Terra twitches her shoulders up, more a spasm of reflex than intentional but it's a split second too late. Talia breaks away from Watson and Richardson on the floor, sliding into the ring just as Big J pops up, holding up the three fingers and reaching for Mark Storm's hand The Heroes For Hire will get the chance to challenge #TBMCali at SOLSTICE!
CUT TO:
INT. LUXOR — BACKSTAGE
Back at catering we see KENDRICK KROSS with a smile on his face. He has a bottle of water in his hand as he is looking over the options.
KENDRICK KROSS
Tonight, is a big night and not just because I'm back in action in an UPRISING ring. Jackson's gonna be thanking me when tonight's buy rates are through the roof – we're giving this away for free?
He shakes his head with a smirk on his lips.
KENDRICK KROSS
Despite what Vilaro and The 1% want to ram down your throat, nobody cares about Summer Page's 'ascension to the throne'. I'm willing to bet that nobody watches that after my match ends. See, tonight is epic because I finally get to get back in the ring with Griffin. Tonight, I'm going to actually get my revenge.
Kendrick clears his throat as he takes a drink of his water and begins walking down the hallway.
KENDRICK KROSS
Griffin you and I have been in the ring together and have had a heated back and forth. And I'm not going to lie, you have the upper hand on me. I haven't been able to perform my best against you. I'm not going to lie about that. Tonight, it really needs to change though. We're both coming off losses but I need this W to advance my career here. I haven't reached my goal at all and I've disappointed myself. Made myself not look the best but at this point none of that matters. Tonight is the night I get on track against you. You are a former World Champion here in UPRISING. What better way for me to get back on track than a win against you? I might even make a run at the World Championship, Griff. To hell with Molly Hatchet and anyone else who has a golden ticket stashed away somewhere. A win over you and I might just skip the line. How would you feel about that?
Kendrick smirks a bit as he takes a breath.
KENDRICK KROSS
I know I've had my eyes set on the Silver State but World Champion Kendrick Kross does have a good ring to it. It all starts with you, Griffin. And tonight, I not only get my revenge but I start my path to becoming a champion.
With that Kendrick takes a final drink of his water and passes by the camera.
_____________________________________________
KENDRICK KROSS
Tonight, is a big night and not just because I'm back in action in an UPRISING ring. Jackson's gonna be thanking me when tonight's buy rates are through the roof – we're giving this away for free?
He shakes his head with a smirk on his lips.
KENDRICK KROSS
Despite what Vilaro and The 1% want to ram down your throat, nobody cares about Summer Page's 'ascension to the throne'. I'm willing to bet that nobody watches that after my match ends. See, tonight is epic because I finally get to get back in the ring with Griffin. Tonight, I'm going to actually get my revenge.
Kendrick clears his throat as he takes a drink of his water and begins walking down the hallway.
KENDRICK KROSS
Griffin you and I have been in the ring together and have had a heated back and forth. And I'm not going to lie, you have the upper hand on me. I haven't been able to perform my best against you. I'm not going to lie about that. Tonight, it really needs to change though. We're both coming off losses but I need this W to advance my career here. I haven't reached my goal at all and I've disappointed myself. Made myself not look the best but at this point none of that matters. Tonight is the night I get on track against you. You are a former World Champion here in UPRISING. What better way for me to get back on track than a win against you? I might even make a run at the World Championship, Griff. To hell with Molly Hatchet and anyone else who has a golden ticket stashed away somewhere. A win over you and I might just skip the line. How would you feel about that?
Kendrick smirks a bit as he takes a breath.
KENDRICK KROSS
I know I've had my eyes set on the Silver State but World Champion Kendrick Kross does have a good ring to it. It all starts with you, Griffin. And tonight, I not only get my revenge but I start my path to becoming a champion.
With that Kendrick takes a final drink of his water and passes by the camera.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
PROMO — PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
We see Hayley Fien back home in New York. She is sitting at a table with an iPad in front of her. She doesn’t even bother with it and looks right into the camera.
HAYLEY FIEN
As they say, when business calls, it calls. I told Uprising that I had a lot of things going on and thankfully, they understood it, but I cannot ignore the fact about a lot of things I’ve been seeing here, especially the incident that happened a couple of weeks ago where Marisol Vilaro decided to stick her nose in MY BUSINESS against her man. You know what, fuck it. I am about to get brutally harsh here.
Hayley grabs a pen and flips it in mid air.
HAYLEY FIEN
The fight that happened with us two was justifiable. After everything you represent from lying and cheating, it all catches up. You whine and complain that you started from the bottom to get to the top when someone spits the cold hard truth at you.
Her eyes roll.
HAYLEY FIEN
You don’t know ANYTHING about working hard to get to the top. I come from a background where I had hardworking parents until my father was diagnosed with a violent form of cancer that took him away from me. My mother became a single mother right after and worked her ass off to provide for my siblings until my brother passed away RIGHT AFTER I was signed with the Eagles Organization. But you don’t see me complaining about this where I had to work hard to get where I am right now, do you?
She keeps a serious look.
HAYLEY FIEN
So, what do you do? You grab a bunch of simps, schmucks, idiots and fools to do your work for you and you call it "successful". Sure, you may have a World Champion in Summer Page – WHO I DEFEATED by the way – but how long will it before someone STABS you in the back to go forward? It already happened once and it will probably happen again. That's what happens when you surround yourself with trash. I find it really telling that Cliff Morgan seems to have vanished off the face of the earth. Did you kick him to the curb for being a disappointment while you were chasing the approval of Grayson over in Zion? Yeah. How'd that work out for you?
She shakes her head, clearly disgusted.
HAYLEY FIEN
I know, I am rambling on and everything, but here is where I am going to draw the line. At the final show of Season Three, there WILL be a fight between us. No Vilario System. No friends. Just you and I fighting and seeing who REALLY wants to be the best here. I have the goal of being World Champion before the end of the year. I need to get through the biggest stone and that stone happens to be you…..
Hayley takes a sip of water before speaking again.
HAYLEY FIEN
And when I am DONE, I am coming after the World Champion. Whether it’s Griffin or Summer after August 20th, I am coming to get what I want!
Hayley stands up, but before she goes….
HAYLEY FIEN
Oh, and before you think about me not being there for this celebration, mark my words……I WILL be in Las Vegas this Saturday.
Hayley walks away as the cameras fade out.
HAYLEY FIEN
As they say, when business calls, it calls. I told Uprising that I had a lot of things going on and thankfully, they understood it, but I cannot ignore the fact about a lot of things I’ve been seeing here, especially the incident that happened a couple of weeks ago where Marisol Vilaro decided to stick her nose in MY BUSINESS against her man. You know what, fuck it. I am about to get brutally harsh here.
Hayley grabs a pen and flips it in mid air.
HAYLEY FIEN
The fight that happened with us two was justifiable. After everything you represent from lying and cheating, it all catches up. You whine and complain that you started from the bottom to get to the top when someone spits the cold hard truth at you.
Her eyes roll.
HAYLEY FIEN
You don’t know ANYTHING about working hard to get to the top. I come from a background where I had hardworking parents until my father was diagnosed with a violent form of cancer that took him away from me. My mother became a single mother right after and worked her ass off to provide for my siblings until my brother passed away RIGHT AFTER I was signed with the Eagles Organization. But you don’t see me complaining about this where I had to work hard to get where I am right now, do you?
She keeps a serious look.
HAYLEY FIEN
So, what do you do? You grab a bunch of simps, schmucks, idiots and fools to do your work for you and you call it "successful". Sure, you may have a World Champion in Summer Page – WHO I DEFEATED by the way – but how long will it before someone STABS you in the back to go forward? It already happened once and it will probably happen again. That's what happens when you surround yourself with trash. I find it really telling that Cliff Morgan seems to have vanished off the face of the earth. Did you kick him to the curb for being a disappointment while you were chasing the approval of Grayson over in Zion? Yeah. How'd that work out for you?
She shakes her head, clearly disgusted.
HAYLEY FIEN
I know, I am rambling on and everything, but here is where I am going to draw the line. At the final show of Season Three, there WILL be a fight between us. No Vilario System. No friends. Just you and I fighting and seeing who REALLY wants to be the best here. I have the goal of being World Champion before the end of the year. I need to get through the biggest stone and that stone happens to be you…..
Hayley takes a sip of water before speaking again.
HAYLEY FIEN
And when I am DONE, I am coming after the World Champion. Whether it’s Griffin or Summer after August 20th, I am coming to get what I want!
Hayley stands up, but before she goes….
HAYLEY FIEN
Oh, and before you think about me not being there for this celebration, mark my words……I WILL be in Las Vegas this Saturday.
Hayley walks away as the cameras fade out.
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
The lights dim, strobes pulsing along the ramp. Bruce Dickenson's voice rings out over the eerie silence, screaming.
FEAR OF THE DARK!
The live version of the iconic Iron Maiden song blasts over the speakers, drawing a huge pop from the crowd – it's been almost a decade since Jackson used this music but it's instantly recognizable. The CEO himself steps out at the top of the ramp dressed in street clothes – black tee, black Wrangler jeans and an old pair of combat boots. He stands there a moment, arms spread in a crucifix pose as though he wants to embrace the crowd before he begins striding towards the ring. The reaction is mixed, some die-hard Larry Gowan fans still pissed off about the attack a few weeks ago. He's followed by MATTHEW KNOX and JACK MOREAU, carrying their Total Anarchy and Silver State Championships.
Once they reach the ring, Jackson climbs the steps, wipes his feet and steps between the ropes. Immediately, the music cuts out and the restless crowd settles a little, clearly eager to hear what's about to be said.
JACKSON
The marks, pundits and critics have spent weeks poring over our actions at Bad Moon Rising, looking for some decoder ring clue. I’ve spent the last few weeks muting idiots who keep tagging me in their bullshit on social media, clamoring for an explanation.
The disdain drips from his voice as he looks out over that sea of faces.
JACKSON
Poor, innocent Larry Gowan. Never did anything to earn such a terrible fate. That darling soul would never hurt a flea, let alone attack someone in cold blood – did you ever stop to think that might be precisely why we did it? For the better part of the last year, I’ve sat at home, recovering, watching as that glad-handing little shit took something I created, something that was unique and innovative and watered it down into PG dogshit.
The fans of course are doing their best to engulf Jackson’s voice echoing over the public address system. He obviously doesn’t give a shit after a career made on being one of the most hated men to ever step foot in the ring.
JACKSON
Effective immediately, the era of participation trophies is over. While I can’t simply take back control of the booking and boot Mr. Brightside from office… thanks to the bullshit contract that Larry had drawn up and I was stupid enough to sign without reading. What we can do is take back this company one match at a time. I stand here right now with two of the best I’ve ever met, two men I’ve watched evolve into the most fearsome fighters to ever set foot in the ring.
He flashes a smirk.
JACKSON
At least since I hung up my boots.
On cue, the crowd boos furiously and Jackson waits them out, rolling his eyes.
JACKSON
We’re here tonight to make a declaration. These two are my handpicked soldiers, ready to help me return this company to its roots.
Finally, Jack steps forward and takes the microphone from the Dark Horse. His hand drops to his side for a moment, letting the audience build up their disgust in another wave of curses and jeers. With a half smile, he lifts the foam-topped mic to his lips.
JACK
I get it, I get it. You’re all just a little upset over the actions of my comrades a month back. You’re also not happy with me because I keep stomping people’s heads in. Listen, you fucking hypocrites. I heard you start to cheer for that raging bitch Marisol Vilaro when I was about to put my size 12 through her pretty fucking faces, so fuck you and fuck your opinions. Look at this.
He raises the Silver State title up for the hard camera. The usual polished face plate of the beautifully designed belt is tarnished and mottled with flecks and smears of blood, the white leather stained brownish in places.
JACK
THIS. BELT. IS. HUNGRY.
A hate-filled roar rattles the ballroom to the foundation.
JACK
I have made this belt what it is. I have made this company what this is. You know those worthless magazines that had to escape to the internet to survive their dwindling subscription numbers? The dirt sheets you assholes love to read so much? Go look at their Top 100 lists. Look at the names I drove out of this company because they saw the devil in this ring and they didn’t want none. You are looking at three generations of wrestlers. We were them bastards, are them bastards, and WILL ALWAYS BE THEM BASTARDS. Uncle Larry can walk around all fucking night with his little “IMA GM” badge and pretend like he runs this show but I am done watching him destroy this company that I fucking put on the map. I did it in the Terrordome. I did it again when I paid from my pocket to have the UPRISING belt defended in Greece. Now look what we have as our champion. He’s turned this entire company into Keeping Up with the Kardashians. How much fucking air time is devoted to the One Percent? Literally 75% of the show is just one or more of those assholes sitting in front of a camera, pretending one ounce of the shit they’re shovelling is worth the hundreds of dollars Vilaro charges to weasel fat people out of their disability checks.
He turns to face the stage.
JACK
I am done playing nice and there are no more rules to follow. All you worthless fucks back there better recognize what you see because we will not stop until we’ve carved this gnarled wooden company into a spear. We are the apex predators of this jungle and all of you are just the prey.
He turns, hands the microphone over to Knox then walks around the ropes with his belt on his shoulder, jawing at fans in the front row who are getting a little courageous from their safe spaces. Matthew weighs the microphone, staring out at the audience. A bit of nostalgic positivity leaks through the roaring disdain as he stares out over them. He lifts the mic finally, letting it catch the tail end of a chuckle.
MATT KNOX
I saved you, once. When you begged to be saved. When Supreme Machine was terrorizing Reno? I put him down. When Scott Dunn was making the company smell like Axe body spray? I put him down. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Starting to feel like I'm stepping on ol' Janitor Vaughn's toes…
He pauses, finding the hard camera to pay it a wink before turning and lifting a hand, extending a finger to point at Jack.
MATT KNOX
When he killed all the other heroes, and took the title to hell with him? I risked it all because I gave a shit about this place. About you people….and I lost. And I had to leave…and now, here you are. Fickle. Because I helped spike some old codependent has-been’s head into the mat. Because you decided that this monster? This terrible, life-draining parasite? You liked him. He was cute. Your flamboyant uncle that will keep all your secrets..
A pause as he finds the camera, face still deadpan outside of a small smirk.
MATT KNOX
Even if he can’t book to save his life….and even though everyone who said they’d avenge him haven’t stepped up, showing how much he really matters…but if any of you do? If any of you think you can do a damn thing that better people who have run away from this fight couldn’t?
Matthew turns to the back, squaring his shoulders, before allowing the smirk to broaden.
MATT KNOX
I’ll have the keeper of that gate waiting for you…now, Jackson…O captain, our captain….Take us home, before you two start looking like monsters again.
Flashing a shark-like grin, Jackson takes the microphone back and lifts it to his lips, his voice cutting through the noise of the restless rabble.
JACKSON
We’re not here for a little game of grab-ass with the dead weight on the roster. The UPRISING you knew, the festering cesspool of treacle that Larry Gowan created has come to an end. It’s our time now. Time for the violence. Time for the envelope to be pushed to its limit. Time for the DEAD RECKONING.
‘Fear of the Dark’ erupts over the speakers as Jackson drops the microphone, the squeal of feedback lost in the relentlessly booing crowd before the view cuts away to another ad break.
_____________________________________________
FEAR OF THE DARK!
The live version of the iconic Iron Maiden song blasts over the speakers, drawing a huge pop from the crowd – it's been almost a decade since Jackson used this music but it's instantly recognizable. The CEO himself steps out at the top of the ramp dressed in street clothes – black tee, black Wrangler jeans and an old pair of combat boots. He stands there a moment, arms spread in a crucifix pose as though he wants to embrace the crowd before he begins striding towards the ring. The reaction is mixed, some die-hard Larry Gowan fans still pissed off about the attack a few weeks ago. He's followed by MATTHEW KNOX and JACK MOREAU, carrying their Total Anarchy and Silver State Championships.
Once they reach the ring, Jackson climbs the steps, wipes his feet and steps between the ropes. Immediately, the music cuts out and the restless crowd settles a little, clearly eager to hear what's about to be said.
JACKSON
The marks, pundits and critics have spent weeks poring over our actions at Bad Moon Rising, looking for some decoder ring clue. I’ve spent the last few weeks muting idiots who keep tagging me in their bullshit on social media, clamoring for an explanation.
The disdain drips from his voice as he looks out over that sea of faces.
JACKSON
Poor, innocent Larry Gowan. Never did anything to earn such a terrible fate. That darling soul would never hurt a flea, let alone attack someone in cold blood – did you ever stop to think that might be precisely why we did it? For the better part of the last year, I’ve sat at home, recovering, watching as that glad-handing little shit took something I created, something that was unique and innovative and watered it down into PG dogshit.
The fans of course are doing their best to engulf Jackson’s voice echoing over the public address system. He obviously doesn’t give a shit after a career made on being one of the most hated men to ever step foot in the ring.
JACKSON
Effective immediately, the era of participation trophies is over. While I can’t simply take back control of the booking and boot Mr. Brightside from office… thanks to the bullshit contract that Larry had drawn up and I was stupid enough to sign without reading. What we can do is take back this company one match at a time. I stand here right now with two of the best I’ve ever met, two men I’ve watched evolve into the most fearsome fighters to ever set foot in the ring.
He flashes a smirk.
JACKSON
At least since I hung up my boots.
On cue, the crowd boos furiously and Jackson waits them out, rolling his eyes.
JACKSON
We’re here tonight to make a declaration. These two are my handpicked soldiers, ready to help me return this company to its roots.
Finally, Jack steps forward and takes the microphone from the Dark Horse. His hand drops to his side for a moment, letting the audience build up their disgust in another wave of curses and jeers. With a half smile, he lifts the foam-topped mic to his lips.
JACK
I get it, I get it. You’re all just a little upset over the actions of my comrades a month back. You’re also not happy with me because I keep stomping people’s heads in. Listen, you fucking hypocrites. I heard you start to cheer for that raging bitch Marisol Vilaro when I was about to put my size 12 through her pretty fucking faces, so fuck you and fuck your opinions. Look at this.
He raises the Silver State title up for the hard camera. The usual polished face plate of the beautifully designed belt is tarnished and mottled with flecks and smears of blood, the white leather stained brownish in places.
JACK
THIS. BELT. IS. HUNGRY.
A hate-filled roar rattles the ballroom to the foundation.
JACK
I have made this belt what it is. I have made this company what this is. You know those worthless magazines that had to escape to the internet to survive their dwindling subscription numbers? The dirt sheets you assholes love to read so much? Go look at their Top 100 lists. Look at the names I drove out of this company because they saw the devil in this ring and they didn’t want none. You are looking at three generations of wrestlers. We were them bastards, are them bastards, and WILL ALWAYS BE THEM BASTARDS. Uncle Larry can walk around all fucking night with his little “IMA GM” badge and pretend like he runs this show but I am done watching him destroy this company that I fucking put on the map. I did it in the Terrordome. I did it again when I paid from my pocket to have the UPRISING belt defended in Greece. Now look what we have as our champion. He’s turned this entire company into Keeping Up with the Kardashians. How much fucking air time is devoted to the One Percent? Literally 75% of the show is just one or more of those assholes sitting in front of a camera, pretending one ounce of the shit they’re shovelling is worth the hundreds of dollars Vilaro charges to weasel fat people out of their disability checks.
He turns to face the stage.
JACK
I am done playing nice and there are no more rules to follow. All you worthless fucks back there better recognize what you see because we will not stop until we’ve carved this gnarled wooden company into a spear. We are the apex predators of this jungle and all of you are just the prey.
He turns, hands the microphone over to Knox then walks around the ropes with his belt on his shoulder, jawing at fans in the front row who are getting a little courageous from their safe spaces. Matthew weighs the microphone, staring out at the audience. A bit of nostalgic positivity leaks through the roaring disdain as he stares out over them. He lifts the mic finally, letting it catch the tail end of a chuckle.
MATT KNOX
I saved you, once. When you begged to be saved. When Supreme Machine was terrorizing Reno? I put him down. When Scott Dunn was making the company smell like Axe body spray? I put him down. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Starting to feel like I'm stepping on ol' Janitor Vaughn's toes…
He pauses, finding the hard camera to pay it a wink before turning and lifting a hand, extending a finger to point at Jack.
MATT KNOX
When he killed all the other heroes, and took the title to hell with him? I risked it all because I gave a shit about this place. About you people….and I lost. And I had to leave…and now, here you are. Fickle. Because I helped spike some old codependent has-been’s head into the mat. Because you decided that this monster? This terrible, life-draining parasite? You liked him. He was cute. Your flamboyant uncle that will keep all your secrets..
A pause as he finds the camera, face still deadpan outside of a small smirk.
MATT KNOX
Even if he can’t book to save his life….and even though everyone who said they’d avenge him haven’t stepped up, showing how much he really matters…but if any of you do? If any of you think you can do a damn thing that better people who have run away from this fight couldn’t?
Matthew turns to the back, squaring his shoulders, before allowing the smirk to broaden.
MATT KNOX
I’ll have the keeper of that gate waiting for you…now, Jackson…O captain, our captain….Take us home, before you two start looking like monsters again.
Flashing a shark-like grin, Jackson takes the microphone back and lifts it to his lips, his voice cutting through the noise of the restless rabble.
JACKSON
We’re not here for a little game of grab-ass with the dead weight on the roster. The UPRISING you knew, the festering cesspool of treacle that Larry Gowan created has come to an end. It’s our time now. Time for the violence. Time for the envelope to be pushed to its limit. Time for the DEAD RECKONING.
‘Fear of the Dark’ erupts over the speakers as Jackson drops the microphone, the squeal of feedback lost in the relentlessly booing crowd before the view cuts away to another ad break.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
EXT. SOMEWHERE IN SIN CITY
Samantha Tolson sits in a secluded corner of one of her favorite eateries in Las Vegas. She's dressed in a plain black t-shirt, denim shorts, and has a pair of black Reebok cross-trainers on her feet. Her eyes scan the restaurant as if she awaits someone.
Jacki O'Lantern suddenly walks into the restaurant. She looks around until she spots Samantha Tolson. She smiles and heads in that direction. For today's look, The Queen of Trickery is decked out in all black, leather dress, tattered tights, combat boots, and her trademark face paint. Once she reaches the table Samantha was seated at, Jacki decides to take a seat across from her, and smiles at her new friend.
JACKI O'LANTERN
Hey, thanks for agreeing to meet me here, bud. This seems like a nice place to have a great meal at. Do you come here often, or is this your first time?
Samantha smiles back, the sort of soft yet warm smile one might give to someone that they'll soon face in the ring.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Far from my first time, dear. One of my favorite eateries here in Las Vegas, actually, despite the look of the place. The best things, many times, come from the places you'd least expect them from.
JACKI O'LANTERN
Had I known that, I would have invited my cats along, but then again, they probably would have eaten everything in sight. That is why I try to avoid catering when they are around.
The two share a laugh before the waitress walks over, and takes their drink over. Once she walks away, Jacki looks at Sam, curious to get in her head and find out her views regarding their match. Without beating around the bush, she simply brings it up.
JACKI O'LANTERN
You know our match is coming up. I don't know about you, but I am stoked. I may not be as recognized in this business as you, or have that longevity, but I am working on it, and I'm glad you and I get to compete for the first time.
Samantha grins a bit, more a half-smirk than a real grin, before taking a drink from the glass of water that had been delivered by the waitress.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
I know, it's coming up fast actually. Should be a good match. It'll be nice, actually, to finally face someone in Uprising without an agenda that includes taking my head off.
JACKI O'LANTERN
Dare I ask who is trying to take your head off and why? I don't see the reasoning for that unless they are downright evil. Those kinds of people I can't vibe with, but you on the other hand I can.
Samantha couldn't help but smirk as the waitress returns for their orders.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
I'll have the shrimp taco trio. Like usual, please.
Samantha looks at Jacki, waiting for her to place her order. Jacki looks at the waitress and smiles, getting a little spooked by it, but she did her best to not run off scared and instead took her order, then turned her attention back to Samantha, noticing how she didn't answer her question.
JACKI O'LANTERN
I am curious, that's all. I was going to say that although we're fighting, I got your back should they try to hurt you. I may kill people with kindness, but one thing I can't stand is bullying of my friends.
Samantha pauses, searching Jacki's eyes as she measures her words carefully.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
While I appreciate that, of course, I have to be honest with you. I'm on a mission to get back to an Uprising World Championship match, so even with your unique look, I won't see you in the ring. All I'll see is an opponent, one I have to defeat to get back where I need to be. As such, there will be no quarter given, nor requested.
Jacki nods her head, understanding Samantha's goal in mind. Now that she's thought about it, she wouldn't mind making that a goal of her own.
JACKI O'LANTERN
I totally get what you mean. As much as I respect you, I too wouldn't mind having some gold around my waist, even if it means going through you and others to earn my way there. Good luck out there, Samantha. May the best woman win.
Jacki slowly reaches her hand out and attempts for a handshake. Samantha looks directly in Jacki's eyes as she shakes her hand.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Well…now that that's settled, what say we enjoy our meal without a discussion of work?
JACKI O'LANTERN
Sounds like a good deal to me.
Jacki looks up as the waitress returns with their food then the two continue on with their conversation as the scene fades.
JACKI O'LANTERN vs SAMANTHA TOLSON
Absolutely deafening pop for the return of Samantha Tolson and her opponent does the Wayne's World "We're not worthy" bow to her before the bell rings. Huge show of respect and it's clear this is going to a nice, clean match – almost refreshing after some of the other things that have happened here in Vegas tonight. They dive into the tie up straight from the bell, pushing back and forth until Samantha pulls Jacki down into a side headlock, quickly turning that into a side vertical suplex! Jacki pops back up immediately and they collide again before Jacki pushes Tolson off into the ropes and looking for a clothesline as Samantha rebounds back, but she ducks underneath, hits the ropes again and finds herself flattened with an arm drag – speedy pace keeps the crowd engaged and enthusiastic. Samantha scrambles up, sidesteps an attempted dropkick from Jacki before dropping an elbow on her downed opponent. Jacki tries to get up but Samantha takes her by the wrist and throws her into the ropes, hitting her with an elbow on her return. Samantha pulls her up again and hits her with a hard uppercut before throwing her into the corner, mpoving into a little Nihon e no ōdo (Ode to Japan) action until Neil Rana’s count reaches four and we have a clean and respectful break. Samantha hits her with a short-armed lariat before pulling her out of the corner and throwing her into the ropes, catching her on her return with a kick to the gut followed by Mind Your Head (Running V-Trigger Knee Strike)! Samantha rolls her over.
ONE!
TW—NO! SHOULDER UP!
Jacki rolls over and hooks Tolson, trapping her in a bow & arrow stretch, getting a huge pop for the old school move! They're close enough to the ropes, though, that Sam starts straining for the bottom rope even while Rana's checking to see if she submits. Jacki's got the ring presence to see that near-escape and she pulls back – too late. Samantha manages to grab the bottom rope, forcing the break and another reset. Jacki pulls herself up on the ropes while Samantha charges in, slipping past a telegraphed strike to grab her for a belly to back suplex – elbow to the head and Jacki breaks out, turning around to nail Tolson with a Sugar Rush (buzz kick)! Tolson crumbles and Jacki dives on her, hooking the leg.
ONE!
TWO!
TH—NO!
Rolling off, Jacki waits for Sam her to almost reach her feet then runs at the ropes and almost takes Samantha’s head off with a discus forearm! She goes to underhook her arms, looking for the Bon Voyage (killswitch) but Tolson turns it into a backslide!
ONE!
TW—NO!
Jacki pulls her up, flinging Tolson at the ropes – reversal into a scoop powerslam! Holy shit! Jacki sits up, grabbing her back in agony and she barely has time to scout the oncoming assault as Tolson lights her up with some strikes, leaving her dazed before she hoists her up – OH NO! Victory Drop Alpha (Trapper Keeper Bomb) and Jacki O'Lantern is down!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): SAMANTHA TOLSON
Samantha Tolson rolls to her feet and immediately helps Jacki up, checking to make sure she didn't get injured on that bump. Smiling as the crowd erupts in cheers, Tolson lifts Jacki's hand up, letting her share in the moment of glory. What a great match and an amazing show of sportsmanship that's so rare in the business these days.
Jacki O'Lantern suddenly walks into the restaurant. She looks around until she spots Samantha Tolson. She smiles and heads in that direction. For today's look, The Queen of Trickery is decked out in all black, leather dress, tattered tights, combat boots, and her trademark face paint. Once she reaches the table Samantha was seated at, Jacki decides to take a seat across from her, and smiles at her new friend.
JACKI O'LANTERN
Hey, thanks for agreeing to meet me here, bud. This seems like a nice place to have a great meal at. Do you come here often, or is this your first time?
Samantha smiles back, the sort of soft yet warm smile one might give to someone that they'll soon face in the ring.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Far from my first time, dear. One of my favorite eateries here in Las Vegas, actually, despite the look of the place. The best things, many times, come from the places you'd least expect them from.
JACKI O'LANTERN
Had I known that, I would have invited my cats along, but then again, they probably would have eaten everything in sight. That is why I try to avoid catering when they are around.
The two share a laugh before the waitress walks over, and takes their drink over. Once she walks away, Jacki looks at Sam, curious to get in her head and find out her views regarding their match. Without beating around the bush, she simply brings it up.
JACKI O'LANTERN
You know our match is coming up. I don't know about you, but I am stoked. I may not be as recognized in this business as you, or have that longevity, but I am working on it, and I'm glad you and I get to compete for the first time.
Samantha grins a bit, more a half-smirk than a real grin, before taking a drink from the glass of water that had been delivered by the waitress.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
I know, it's coming up fast actually. Should be a good match. It'll be nice, actually, to finally face someone in Uprising without an agenda that includes taking my head off.
JACKI O'LANTERN
Dare I ask who is trying to take your head off and why? I don't see the reasoning for that unless they are downright evil. Those kinds of people I can't vibe with, but you on the other hand I can.
Samantha couldn't help but smirk as the waitress returns for their orders.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
I'll have the shrimp taco trio. Like usual, please.
Samantha looks at Jacki, waiting for her to place her order. Jacki looks at the waitress and smiles, getting a little spooked by it, but she did her best to not run off scared and instead took her order, then turned her attention back to Samantha, noticing how she didn't answer her question.
JACKI O'LANTERN
I am curious, that's all. I was going to say that although we're fighting, I got your back should they try to hurt you. I may kill people with kindness, but one thing I can't stand is bullying of my friends.
Samantha pauses, searching Jacki's eyes as she measures her words carefully.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
While I appreciate that, of course, I have to be honest with you. I'm on a mission to get back to an Uprising World Championship match, so even with your unique look, I won't see you in the ring. All I'll see is an opponent, one I have to defeat to get back where I need to be. As such, there will be no quarter given, nor requested.
Jacki nods her head, understanding Samantha's goal in mind. Now that she's thought about it, she wouldn't mind making that a goal of her own.
JACKI O'LANTERN
I totally get what you mean. As much as I respect you, I too wouldn't mind having some gold around my waist, even if it means going through you and others to earn my way there. Good luck out there, Samantha. May the best woman win.
Jacki slowly reaches her hand out and attempts for a handshake. Samantha looks directly in Jacki's eyes as she shakes her hand.
SAMANTHA TOLSON
Well…now that that's settled, what say we enjoy our meal without a discussion of work?
JACKI O'LANTERN
Sounds like a good deal to me.
Jacki looks up as the waitress returns with their food then the two continue on with their conversation as the scene fades.
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
JACKI O'LANTERN vs SAMANTHA TOLSON
Absolutely deafening pop for the return of Samantha Tolson and her opponent does the Wayne's World "We're not worthy" bow to her before the bell rings. Huge show of respect and it's clear this is going to a nice, clean match – almost refreshing after some of the other things that have happened here in Vegas tonight. They dive into the tie up straight from the bell, pushing back and forth until Samantha pulls Jacki down into a side headlock, quickly turning that into a side vertical suplex! Jacki pops back up immediately and they collide again before Jacki pushes Tolson off into the ropes and looking for a clothesline as Samantha rebounds back, but she ducks underneath, hits the ropes again and finds herself flattened with an arm drag – speedy pace keeps the crowd engaged and enthusiastic. Samantha scrambles up, sidesteps an attempted dropkick from Jacki before dropping an elbow on her downed opponent. Jacki tries to get up but Samantha takes her by the wrist and throws her into the ropes, hitting her with an elbow on her return. Samantha pulls her up again and hits her with a hard uppercut before throwing her into the corner, mpoving into a little Nihon e no ōdo (Ode to Japan) action until Neil Rana’s count reaches four and we have a clean and respectful break. Samantha hits her with a short-armed lariat before pulling her out of the corner and throwing her into the ropes, catching her on her return with a kick to the gut followed by Mind Your Head (Running V-Trigger Knee Strike)! Samantha rolls her over.
ONE!
TW—NO! SHOULDER UP!
Jacki rolls over and hooks Tolson, trapping her in a bow & arrow stretch, getting a huge pop for the old school move! They're close enough to the ropes, though, that Sam starts straining for the bottom rope even while Rana's checking to see if she submits. Jacki's got the ring presence to see that near-escape and she pulls back – too late. Samantha manages to grab the bottom rope, forcing the break and another reset. Jacki pulls herself up on the ropes while Samantha charges in, slipping past a telegraphed strike to grab her for a belly to back suplex – elbow to the head and Jacki breaks out, turning around to nail Tolson with a Sugar Rush (buzz kick)! Tolson crumbles and Jacki dives on her, hooking the leg.
ONE!
TWO!
TH—NO!
Rolling off, Jacki waits for Sam her to almost reach her feet then runs at the ropes and almost takes Samantha’s head off with a discus forearm! She goes to underhook her arms, looking for the Bon Voyage (killswitch) but Tolson turns it into a backslide!
ONE!
TW—NO!
Jacki pulls her up, flinging Tolson at the ropes – reversal into a scoop powerslam! Holy shit! Jacki sits up, grabbing her back in agony and she barely has time to scout the oncoming assault as Tolson lights her up with some strikes, leaving her dazed before she hoists her up – OH NO! Victory Drop Alpha (Trapper Keeper Bomb) and Jacki O'Lantern is down!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): SAMANTHA TOLSON
Samantha Tolson rolls to her feet and immediately helps Jacki up, checking to make sure she didn't get injured on that bump. Smiling as the crowd erupts in cheers, Tolson lifts Jacki's hand up, letting her share in the moment of glory. What a great match and an amazing show of sportsmanship that's so rare in the business these days.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE — LOCKER ROOMS
We head to the back where the sounds of a guitar shredding can be heard. The camera man follows the sound and goes to the locker room where GRIFFIN HAWKINS is present, dressed in a Hellfire Club t-shirt and black pants. He begins strumming his BC Rich Warlock Guitar. After a while, he looks to the camera.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Death closes all: but something ere the end, some work of noble note may yet be done...not unbecoming men that strove with Gods...Ulysess. This segment is about metal.
With that he plays the riff from 'Ace of Spades' by Motorhead.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Ulysess struck out at unknown territory. Just like I have when I entered UPRISING. When I got to this company I heard the whispers, some wondering if I can live up to the hype. Well, just like the people who crossed the Berling Strait 12,000 years ago...I left my mark. I became the Silver State Champion...and then went on to become the UPRISING World Heavyweight Champion. But I lost it to Summer Page. I make no excuses. I don't blame anyone, I lost plain and simple. So, what do I do from here? It seems the easiest thing to do is to blame everyone around me for my shortcomings and throw Twitter tantrums. That seems to be the popular thing to do these days. But no, I'm not like that. Even the best fall....but what matters is they get back up. I will rise again. Let Summer have her 'Appreciation Night'. Let The 1% revel in their accomplishments. Come August 20th – SOLSTICE – the party's over as I reclaim my gold. But that's almost a month away. Tonight, I rekindle an old rivalry.
He begins to play the 'Master of Puppets' riff for a second before continuing.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Kendrick Kross...my old buddy. It seems no matter which company I go to, we're always going to cross paths. You and me have had many wars...spilled a lot of blood....fought all over the world. It feels like we are destined to do this forever or until one of us can't go anymore. It's been quite a while, hasn't it, Kendrick? Both of our careers have taken diverse paths. I went on to championship glory while you continue to chase your goals to becoming a champion. Recently, you too came up short in your bid to become Silver State Champion. Looks like we're both in the same boat tonight. The two of us need this win if we want to move on. We both need this win over the other if we want to become champion once again...
He begins walking to the side.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
But I think you got things a little bit confused, Kendrick. On social media just a few days ago, you told me that I am not going to use you as a stepping stone. Well...I don't see it that way. I know how good you are in that ring. I've gone to war with you many times in the past, and I can say for sure that you're a tough motherfucker. I don't see you as a stepping stone; I see you as an obstacle. Why? Because I am on the road to reclaiming my World Title from Summer...and I realize that road isn't going to be easy. I'm gonna come up against many roadblocks, many obstacles. You're just the first of many. I'm not overlooking you by any stretch of the imagination, but I am looking to get back on the winning track by beating you in the middle of that ring.
He plays 'At Doom's Gate' on the guitar, headbanging a little.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
I heard what you had to say earlier tonight and I appreciate your honesty, but the one thing that hinders you Kross is your ego. You seem to have this attitude in you that it's a given that you're going to go in, win, and that will be the end of that. As if it's a forgone conclusion that you'll become champion. Well...you've had that attitude for months and months here in UPRISING and what has it gotten you? Nothing. The only thing that holds you back is your ego, believing just because you've been champion in other organizations, that getting another will be just as easy. I can tell you from experience that's never the case. You and me have fought many times before...but for us, the stakes may be even higher this time. Do you really want to overlook me again like you have done many times in the past?
He smiles at the camera, knowing Kross is watching.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Once again, Kendrick...another chapter opens in our rivalry. We meet one on one once again. You may claim to know me well but how well do you know yourself? How can you say you won't make a mistake...when you have made the same mistakes against me over and over and over again? I can't afford to lose this match Kross – neither can you. If you want to prove that you have what it takes to become a champion here in UPRISING, to earn another opportunity at Jack Moreau's championship… or even the World Championship...you have to go through me. But that won't be easy, friend. I'm looking to make a statement that I am down but I am not out. And it all starts with you. Tonight....somebody's gonna get rocked!
With that, he begins to play the riff to 'Raining Blood' by Slayer as the scene goes back to the ring.
HEADLINE MATCH
GRIFFIN HAWKINS vs KENDRICK KROSS
Kross and Hawkins stand across from one another as the crowd is firmly united behind a Let’s Go Griffin! chant for the former UPRISING champion. Referee Stef Delano takes center ring and orders the match to begin before stepping back.
Both men slowly meet in the middle and begin exchanging words. Anyone following these two know there’s a lot of resentment between the two men and it’s clear neither have forgotten.
Kross strikes first with a forearm shot. Hawkins sways but sets and fires back. Kross is pushed back a step. He answers with a looping fist that connects with the former champ’s jaw. The force causes him to twist around and stumble toward the ropes.
Kross sees an opportunity and rushes in. He grabs Hawkins by the hair and drags him to the corner to smash his face into the turnbuckle. Hawkins blocks with a foot on the middle pad! He throws an elbow back that hurts Kross, sending him packing on wobbly legs to the middle of the squared circle.
The former champion leaps up onto the top turnbuckle, turns and jumps without hesitation. He extends his legs like a missile. Kross turns around just in time to eat the STAGE DIVE (Top Rope Dropkick)!!! K2 flies backward and lands hard on his back before cradling his chest and rolling out onto the apron.
Hawkins stands as the fans cheer him on and waits on his opponent’s next move. Kross slowly pulls himself up to his feet, one rope at a time, until he slowly turns to face inside. Hawkins turns and bolts for the opposite ropes then springs back, running full force before leaping forward. SUICIDE SPEAR! Kross rockets backward and crashes onto the ramp! Hawkins pops up on the floor and holds his arms out as the crowd noise swells.
Delano begins the count as Griff finds K2 several feet up the ramp. He picks the other man up by the hair and runs him back down to the ring before turning and whipping him straight into the steel steps. A loud gong sound rings out as Kross sinks to the floor.
Hawkins picks the man back up, turns, and throws him under the ropes and into the ring before quickly climbing up the ropes to the top turnbuckle. Kross lays on his back. Hawkins leaps forward before rotating over at the last second… HOLY DIVER (Swanton Bomb)!!!
NO!!!! K2 sits up at the last second! Hawkins SMASHES into the canvas before sitting forward in agony with a hand covering his back. Kross is reinvigorated! He jumps up and kicks Hawkins SQUARE in the middle of his back, drawing a loud, painful yell from the former champion.
K2 then turns and runs to the ropes, bounces off and runs back to throw a front dropkick at the same exact spot. Hawkins whips forward before slumping over in agony. Kross stands to the displeasure of the building and starts working the other man up and down with stomps and kicks. After several brutal seconds, he grabs ahold of that long hair and yanks Griff to his feet before pulling him into a front face lock.
Kross throws the other man’s arm over his neck, cinches his waistband, then lifts him vertically into the air and drops backward, slamming him into the mat. K2 then pops his hips, rolls them both over and stands them up. He lifts him again, and again slams him downward with a second suplex. Kross shimmies his hips and rolls them over to stand one last time. He lifts Hawkins up and drops backward for the K3 Suplex. Here’s the cover!
ONE! TWO! THR—NO!
Kross stands, pulling Hawkins up with him, then lifts the man up across his shoulders. Kross makes sure to face the hard camera with a sneer before throwing Hawkins' lower half up into the air. The former champion drops straight down into the USHIGOROSHI (Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker)!!! Another cover!
ONE! TWO! THR—NO!!
At the last second, the former champ digs deep down to throw an arm up. Kross sits up and gives the referee a look before grabbing another handful of that beautiful blond hair and pulling Hawkins to his feet.
The former champ struggles to stand on his own, however. He seems dazed and uneasy on his feet. Kross uses the clenched hair to hold Hawkins face in position to eat a knee right in his face. Hawkins immediately drops down on his hands and knees.
Kross turns and hits the ropes. On the return he jumps and aims the bottom of his right boot for the back of Hawkins’ head. TRAMP STAMP (Curb Stomp)!!!
NO! Hawkins drops flat and rolls away, leaving only canvas for K2’s boot to smash. He runs after the former champion, all the way to the ropes, but fails to grab him before he clears the apron and slides out onto the floor.
Kendrick climbs through the ropes and drops down. He pulls Hawkins to his feet, turns, and throws him face first into the ring post. REVERSAL! The former champion stops in his tracks and uses the momentum to turn and fling K2 face first into the steel!
Hawkins drops down to one knee, clearly still dealing with the damage already inflicted on him. Meanwhile, Kendrick is pulling himself up by the ring skirt while crawling his face with his other hand.
Hawkins crawls at first before standing to move around the corner. He slams his arm across the other man’s back, drawing a teeth-clenched yowl from him, before forcing him under the bottom rope and into the ring.
Hawkins slowly, painfully climbs up onto the apron before climbing through the ropes. He then picks K2 up and sinks in a front face lock before dropping straight down for a brutal DDT. K2 goes nearly vertical into the mat before flipping over onto his back, near the center of the ring.
Hawkins stands and staggers to the nearest corner, where he leans against the turnbuckle while gathering his strength. Then, as Griffin lifts his right foot and stomps it back down, the fans rise to their feet and fill the building with applause. The Jukebox Hero is tuning up the band, and K2 has no idea as he starts to push himself up to his feet.
Kross stands on rubbery legs and looks out over the crowd before slowly turning to search for his opponent. Hawkins readies, aims, and fires! He launches forward and delivers the SHOT IN THE DARK (Superkick)!!!
NO! Kross saw it coming! He feints left, grabs the leg, and drops down for the KROSS BAR (Knee Bar)!!! Hawkins hits the mat and his face lights up in pure agony! Kross is yanking hard on the lower half of the leg, really putting a significant amount of pressure on fragile ligaments and tendons that wrap around the knee cap.
Hawkins holds his hand out, ready to tap, but curls his fingers into a fist to stop himself. Delano drops down next to him and asks if he submits. Hawkins shakes his head, whipping sweat-soaked hair through the air. He then begins to crawl forward, dragging Kendrick with him, for the ropes.
K2 is seething as he feels himself dragging across the canvas. He shakes his head and yells at the other man, demanding that he give up, but Hawkins refuses. Bit by bit, inch by inch, he grows closer to the rope break.
Kendrick sees the ropes are less than a foot away now and makes the strategic decision to release the hold and attack before Griff can respond. He kicks his opponent in the leg several times before grabbing the ankle and dragging the man back into the deep water. He then looks to lock the knee bar back in!
Hawkins rolls over onto his back and upkicks Kross in the face, sending him stumbling and holding his jaw. K2 shrugs it off, though, and comes right back, but not before Hawkins rises to one knee and sends his outstretched fingers into his throat. Kendrick coughs and holds his neck, forcing him back several feet which gives Hawkins time to crawl to a corner and stand with the aid of the ropes.
Kenrick runs right at him. Hawkins drops down. K2 runs into him and gets flung over the top rope. Kendrick corrects himself midair and lands safely on the apron. He reaches over and grabs two handfuls of hair. He straights Hawkins but before he can act, the former champion reaches back, wraps his hands around the back of Kendrick’s head, then drops down, bringing him face first into the top rope. The momentum sends K2 flying backward to land hard on the floor.
Hawkins falls to the mat while holding his right knee. Outside the ring, K2 is standing up against the barricade while holding his face. When his hand drops, there’s a thick red line cut across his forehead from the rope. He rushes back to the ring and climbs up onto the apron before kicking through the ropes.
But when he goes to grapple, Hawkins comes up with a rising European uppercut that staggers K2, then kicks him in the gut, doubling him over. Hawkins drops back into the ropes, bounces off, and jumps. FAMEASSER!!!! K2 goes face first into the mat!
Hawkins doesn’t go for the pin. Instead he stands and limps over to the corner. Bit by bit, he ascends the turnbuckles, until he’s at the top. Then he turns to face Kross, who has yet to move. The crowd's holding their breath, a giant mass of expectation. Both men have made a case tonight for championship contention. Hawkins launches himself. HOLY DIVER (Swanton Bomb)!!! He flips over and crashes across Kross’s chest, sits up briefly, then drops back for the pin!
ONE! TWO! THREE!!!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Griffin sits up slowly, clearly feeling that impact and he slowly rolls to his feet. The crowd is going wild as he looks down at K2 before holding out a hand, offering to help him up. Kross ignores it, rolling over instead. He slips out under the bottom rope and starts heading up the ramp, his face still bloody from that earlier crash into the barrier. He might not have come out the winner tonight, but the fans clamoring along the ramp are eager to reach out and congratulate him on a hell of a match. It's only a matter of time before K2 will hold championship gold.
We head out to an ad for the replay of the first two nights of the CANNABIS CUP, the event put on by our good friend CHRONIC CHRIS PAGE. Night 3 coming tomorrow on July 24th!
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Death closes all: but something ere the end, some work of noble note may yet be done...not unbecoming men that strove with Gods...Ulysess. This segment is about metal.
With that he plays the riff from 'Ace of Spades' by Motorhead.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Ulysess struck out at unknown territory. Just like I have when I entered UPRISING. When I got to this company I heard the whispers, some wondering if I can live up to the hype. Well, just like the people who crossed the Berling Strait 12,000 years ago...I left my mark. I became the Silver State Champion...and then went on to become the UPRISING World Heavyweight Champion. But I lost it to Summer Page. I make no excuses. I don't blame anyone, I lost plain and simple. So, what do I do from here? It seems the easiest thing to do is to blame everyone around me for my shortcomings and throw Twitter tantrums. That seems to be the popular thing to do these days. But no, I'm not like that. Even the best fall....but what matters is they get back up. I will rise again. Let Summer have her 'Appreciation Night'. Let The 1% revel in their accomplishments. Come August 20th – SOLSTICE – the party's over as I reclaim my gold. But that's almost a month away. Tonight, I rekindle an old rivalry.
He begins to play the 'Master of Puppets' riff for a second before continuing.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Kendrick Kross...my old buddy. It seems no matter which company I go to, we're always going to cross paths. You and me have had many wars...spilled a lot of blood....fought all over the world. It feels like we are destined to do this forever or until one of us can't go anymore. It's been quite a while, hasn't it, Kendrick? Both of our careers have taken diverse paths. I went on to championship glory while you continue to chase your goals to becoming a champion. Recently, you too came up short in your bid to become Silver State Champion. Looks like we're both in the same boat tonight. The two of us need this win if we want to move on. We both need this win over the other if we want to become champion once again...
He begins walking to the side.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
But I think you got things a little bit confused, Kendrick. On social media just a few days ago, you told me that I am not going to use you as a stepping stone. Well...I don't see it that way. I know how good you are in that ring. I've gone to war with you many times in the past, and I can say for sure that you're a tough motherfucker. I don't see you as a stepping stone; I see you as an obstacle. Why? Because I am on the road to reclaiming my World Title from Summer...and I realize that road isn't going to be easy. I'm gonna come up against many roadblocks, many obstacles. You're just the first of many. I'm not overlooking you by any stretch of the imagination, but I am looking to get back on the winning track by beating you in the middle of that ring.
He plays 'At Doom's Gate' on the guitar, headbanging a little.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
I heard what you had to say earlier tonight and I appreciate your honesty, but the one thing that hinders you Kross is your ego. You seem to have this attitude in you that it's a given that you're going to go in, win, and that will be the end of that. As if it's a forgone conclusion that you'll become champion. Well...you've had that attitude for months and months here in UPRISING and what has it gotten you? Nothing. The only thing that holds you back is your ego, believing just because you've been champion in other organizations, that getting another will be just as easy. I can tell you from experience that's never the case. You and me have fought many times before...but for us, the stakes may be even higher this time. Do you really want to overlook me again like you have done many times in the past?
He smiles at the camera, knowing Kross is watching.
GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Once again, Kendrick...another chapter opens in our rivalry. We meet one on one once again. You may claim to know me well but how well do you know yourself? How can you say you won't make a mistake...when you have made the same mistakes against me over and over and over again? I can't afford to lose this match Kross – neither can you. If you want to prove that you have what it takes to become a champion here in UPRISING, to earn another opportunity at Jack Moreau's championship… or even the World Championship...you have to go through me. But that won't be easy, friend. I'm looking to make a statement that I am down but I am not out. And it all starts with you. Tonight....somebody's gonna get rocked!
With that, he begins to play the riff to 'Raining Blood' by Slayer as the scene goes back to the ring.
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
HEADLINE MATCH
GRIFFIN HAWKINS vs KENDRICK KROSS
Kross and Hawkins stand across from one another as the crowd is firmly united behind a Let’s Go Griffin! chant for the former UPRISING champion. Referee Stef Delano takes center ring and orders the match to begin before stepping back.
Both men slowly meet in the middle and begin exchanging words. Anyone following these two know there’s a lot of resentment between the two men and it’s clear neither have forgotten.
Kross strikes first with a forearm shot. Hawkins sways but sets and fires back. Kross is pushed back a step. He answers with a looping fist that connects with the former champ’s jaw. The force causes him to twist around and stumble toward the ropes.
Kross sees an opportunity and rushes in. He grabs Hawkins by the hair and drags him to the corner to smash his face into the turnbuckle. Hawkins blocks with a foot on the middle pad! He throws an elbow back that hurts Kross, sending him packing on wobbly legs to the middle of the squared circle.
The former champion leaps up onto the top turnbuckle, turns and jumps without hesitation. He extends his legs like a missile. Kross turns around just in time to eat the STAGE DIVE (Top Rope Dropkick)!!! K2 flies backward and lands hard on his back before cradling his chest and rolling out onto the apron.
Hawkins stands as the fans cheer him on and waits on his opponent’s next move. Kross slowly pulls himself up to his feet, one rope at a time, until he slowly turns to face inside. Hawkins turns and bolts for the opposite ropes then springs back, running full force before leaping forward. SUICIDE SPEAR! Kross rockets backward and crashes onto the ramp! Hawkins pops up on the floor and holds his arms out as the crowd noise swells.
Delano begins the count as Griff finds K2 several feet up the ramp. He picks the other man up by the hair and runs him back down to the ring before turning and whipping him straight into the steel steps. A loud gong sound rings out as Kross sinks to the floor.
Hawkins picks the man back up, turns, and throws him under the ropes and into the ring before quickly climbing up the ropes to the top turnbuckle. Kross lays on his back. Hawkins leaps forward before rotating over at the last second… HOLY DIVER (Swanton Bomb)!!!
NO!!!! K2 sits up at the last second! Hawkins SMASHES into the canvas before sitting forward in agony with a hand covering his back. Kross is reinvigorated! He jumps up and kicks Hawkins SQUARE in the middle of his back, drawing a loud, painful yell from the former champion.
K2 then turns and runs to the ropes, bounces off and runs back to throw a front dropkick at the same exact spot. Hawkins whips forward before slumping over in agony. Kross stands to the displeasure of the building and starts working the other man up and down with stomps and kicks. After several brutal seconds, he grabs ahold of that long hair and yanks Griff to his feet before pulling him into a front face lock.
Kross throws the other man’s arm over his neck, cinches his waistband, then lifts him vertically into the air and drops backward, slamming him into the mat. K2 then pops his hips, rolls them both over and stands them up. He lifts him again, and again slams him downward with a second suplex. Kross shimmies his hips and rolls them over to stand one last time. He lifts Hawkins up and drops backward for the K3 Suplex. Here’s the cover!
ONE! TWO! THR—NO!
Kross stands, pulling Hawkins up with him, then lifts the man up across his shoulders. Kross makes sure to face the hard camera with a sneer before throwing Hawkins' lower half up into the air. The former champion drops straight down into the USHIGOROSHI (Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker)!!! Another cover!
ONE! TWO! THR—NO!!
At the last second, the former champ digs deep down to throw an arm up. Kross sits up and gives the referee a look before grabbing another handful of that beautiful blond hair and pulling Hawkins to his feet.
The former champ struggles to stand on his own, however. He seems dazed and uneasy on his feet. Kross uses the clenched hair to hold Hawkins face in position to eat a knee right in his face. Hawkins immediately drops down on his hands and knees.
Kross turns and hits the ropes. On the return he jumps and aims the bottom of his right boot for the back of Hawkins’ head. TRAMP STAMP (Curb Stomp)!!!
NO! Hawkins drops flat and rolls away, leaving only canvas for K2’s boot to smash. He runs after the former champion, all the way to the ropes, but fails to grab him before he clears the apron and slides out onto the floor.
Kendrick climbs through the ropes and drops down. He pulls Hawkins to his feet, turns, and throws him face first into the ring post. REVERSAL! The former champion stops in his tracks and uses the momentum to turn and fling K2 face first into the steel!
Hawkins drops down to one knee, clearly still dealing with the damage already inflicted on him. Meanwhile, Kendrick is pulling himself up by the ring skirt while crawling his face with his other hand.
Hawkins crawls at first before standing to move around the corner. He slams his arm across the other man’s back, drawing a teeth-clenched yowl from him, before forcing him under the bottom rope and into the ring.
Hawkins slowly, painfully climbs up onto the apron before climbing through the ropes. He then picks K2 up and sinks in a front face lock before dropping straight down for a brutal DDT. K2 goes nearly vertical into the mat before flipping over onto his back, near the center of the ring.
Hawkins stands and staggers to the nearest corner, where he leans against the turnbuckle while gathering his strength. Then, as Griffin lifts his right foot and stomps it back down, the fans rise to their feet and fill the building with applause. The Jukebox Hero is tuning up the band, and K2 has no idea as he starts to push himself up to his feet.
Kross stands on rubbery legs and looks out over the crowd before slowly turning to search for his opponent. Hawkins readies, aims, and fires! He launches forward and delivers the SHOT IN THE DARK (Superkick)!!!
NO! Kross saw it coming! He feints left, grabs the leg, and drops down for the KROSS BAR (Knee Bar)!!! Hawkins hits the mat and his face lights up in pure agony! Kross is yanking hard on the lower half of the leg, really putting a significant amount of pressure on fragile ligaments and tendons that wrap around the knee cap.
Hawkins holds his hand out, ready to tap, but curls his fingers into a fist to stop himself. Delano drops down next to him and asks if he submits. Hawkins shakes his head, whipping sweat-soaked hair through the air. He then begins to crawl forward, dragging Kendrick with him, for the ropes.
K2 is seething as he feels himself dragging across the canvas. He shakes his head and yells at the other man, demanding that he give up, but Hawkins refuses. Bit by bit, inch by inch, he grows closer to the rope break.
Kendrick sees the ropes are less than a foot away now and makes the strategic decision to release the hold and attack before Griff can respond. He kicks his opponent in the leg several times before grabbing the ankle and dragging the man back into the deep water. He then looks to lock the knee bar back in!
Hawkins rolls over onto his back and upkicks Kross in the face, sending him stumbling and holding his jaw. K2 shrugs it off, though, and comes right back, but not before Hawkins rises to one knee and sends his outstretched fingers into his throat. Kendrick coughs and holds his neck, forcing him back several feet which gives Hawkins time to crawl to a corner and stand with the aid of the ropes.
Kenrick runs right at him. Hawkins drops down. K2 runs into him and gets flung over the top rope. Kendrick corrects himself midair and lands safely on the apron. He reaches over and grabs two handfuls of hair. He straights Hawkins but before he can act, the former champion reaches back, wraps his hands around the back of Kendrick’s head, then drops down, bringing him face first into the top rope. The momentum sends K2 flying backward to land hard on the floor.
Hawkins falls to the mat while holding his right knee. Outside the ring, K2 is standing up against the barricade while holding his face. When his hand drops, there’s a thick red line cut across his forehead from the rope. He rushes back to the ring and climbs up onto the apron before kicking through the ropes.
But when he goes to grapple, Hawkins comes up with a rising European uppercut that staggers K2, then kicks him in the gut, doubling him over. Hawkins drops back into the ropes, bounces off, and jumps. FAMEASSER!!!! K2 goes face first into the mat!
Hawkins doesn’t go for the pin. Instead he stands and limps over to the corner. Bit by bit, he ascends the turnbuckles, until he’s at the top. Then he turns to face Kross, who has yet to move. The crowd's holding their breath, a giant mass of expectation. Both men have made a case tonight for championship contention. Hawkins launches himself. HOLY DIVER (Swanton Bomb)!!! He flips over and crashes across Kross’s chest, sits up briefly, then drops back for the pin!
ONE! TWO! THREE!!!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): GRIFFIN HAWKINS
Griffin sits up slowly, clearly feeling that impact and he slowly rolls to his feet. The crowd is going wild as he looks down at K2 before holding out a hand, offering to help him up. Kross ignores it, rolling over instead. He slips out under the bottom rope and starts heading up the ramp, his face still bloody from that earlier crash into the barrier. He might not have come out the winner tonight, but the fans clamoring along the ramp are eager to reach out and congratulate him on a hell of a match. It's only a matter of time before K2 will hold championship gold.
We head out to an ad for the replay of the first two nights of the CANNABIS CUP, the event put on by our good friend CHRONIC CHRIS PAGE. Night 3 coming tomorrow on July 24th!
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. HYPERX ARENA — THE RING.
The cameras return live we are inside the ring ready for the championship celebration of the Spoiled Queen herself Summer Page. The ring is decked out with red carpet, Dom Perignon champagne in ice buckets and even a small orchestral band playing soft classical music. Inside the ring is none other than the manager of champions, and the One Percent, MARISOL VILARO. The fans greet her presence with loud boos. As she stands there with one hand on her hip, obviously annoyed at the reaction, she just rolls her eyes and her professional smile takes over.
This is the moment that everyone has been waiting for, after all. Every seat in the arena is full, most of the fans on their feet and waving signs. The Fitness Queen can’t help but roll her eyes at the reaction she is getting from the Las Vegas crowd. Soon, Marisol takes the opportunity to speak through her headset microphone on her head in a loud and obnoxious tone.
MARISOL VILARO
Thank you. I know how excited all of you are, but I need silence for this moment.
The boos only get louder, even going as far as drowning out the classical band's ambiance. Marisol can barely hide her annoyance now.
MARISOL VILARO
I said silence; I can wait all day here, you know.
Marisol taps her foot impatiently as the boos only come in louder. She finally has enough, shrieking loudly on her microphone.
MARISOL VILARO
I SAID SHUT THE HELL UP YOU RUDE ASS AMERICANS!
The boos really go off now, however, soon Marisol waits for a minute and the fans seem to have gotten the hatred out of their systems as they start to quiet down. Nodding, the brains behind the One Percent speaks again, this time in an overly cheerful and peppy tone.
MARISOL VILARO
Now, the last Revolution was a momentous occasion because FINALLY, the reign of Griffin Hawkins came to an end. Finally, despite Larry’s best efforts to keep us down, the One Percent wouldn’t be denied any longer. Summer Page did what none of you thought possible, even the champion himself. That's right! Summer Page dethroned everybody’s hero, pinning him one, two, and three. No bitches, you can’t say that she had help. She did it all on her own.
The boos overtake the arena as Marisol keeps gloating, proud of what happened last Revolution. She's quite proud that they finally got one over on Hawkins, proud that the One Percent now has everything they ever wanted.
MARISOL VILARO
So now without further adieu, I give to you your Uprising World Champion, your Queen of Uprising, and the Franchise of this company. The face of this company is a woman who is truly fabulous, flawless, and marvelous all at the same damn time. I give you, your Spoiled Queen SUMMMMMERRRRRR PAGEEE!
'S&M' By Rhianna begins to play. A banner of Summer unfurls from the rafters followed by gold and platinum confetti. “Spoiled” Summer Page comes out holding the Uprising World Championship belt over head on a throne that is being carried by four men. Summer is being followed by her bodyguards Enigma and new Uprising signee, Emmalee. The throne gets to the ring and is lowered to the ring apron. Summer stands up as Enigma opens the ropes for her. Summer steps into the ring followed by Enigma and Emmalee. The Champion hands the World Title belt to Enigma and then she gives Marisol a hug. Marisol hands Summer a microphone.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
With the whole entire world doubting me, thinking that this would be an easy title defense for Griffin, here I stand as the brand-new Uprising World Champion.
The crowd boos.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
I hate to be the one to tell all of you that I told you so but…I told you so. Haha! Like I have been saying all along, I am the franchise of Uprising. I carried my sisters to glory, being the first to hold the Trios Championships in Season 1. Now I am sitting on top of the mountain, looking down at all of you fools. Obviously, we all knew that once I became World Champion that target on my back would get even bigger. Which is just fine by me. But tonight, we aren’t worried about all those fools that are clamoring to step into the ring with me. Molly Hatchet, Kendrick Kross… they can all get in line – I'm not worried about either of them. Tonight, we celebrate everything about me. Like I have said that this is now the era of #PurePerfection.
Crowd boos a bit louder and someone throws a beer bottle into the ring. It whizzes by Marisol’s head, foam spattering on her. Marisol goes over to the ring ropes and starts yelling in the direction of where the bottle came from.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Mari, Mari…it’s all good. Take a deep breath. Listen to the orchestra. They're playing that one that's in all the movies.
Marisol takes a deep breath and begins to calm down as the band continues playing a pretty good version of Debussy's 'Claire De Lune'.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Obviously, with me becoming World Champion it is fitting that I bring in some extra security. Which is why I have brought Emmalee here to Uprising. Now I know the moronic simpletons will try to say I am not happy with Enigma which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Summer walks over and stands next to Enigma. She lays her right arm on his left shoulder.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
This is my guy right here. This was a move that was talked about between the two of us before anything was done. So, welcome Emmalee to not only Uprising but my team.
The crowd boos.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
You people really do suck! Whatever! Get on board, morons, or get left behind.
Marisol nods her head as she speaks on her headset microphone.
MARISOL VILARO
I couldn’t have said it better myself! Summer Page is leading a new age of Uprising! See, for far too long you have had those who couldn’t see past the envy in their hearts, those who would attempt to claim some sort of rebellion in their minds, and hearts that this is supposed to—
? ? ?
Did someone say REBELLION?
Marisol stops and turns towards the ramp where Hayley Fien stands with a microphone in hand.
HAYLEY FIEN
That's rich, coming from you, Marisol. You stir up trouble around here like the little instigator you are but the moment anyone tries to call you on it, you backpedal so fast. And you, Summer? You're literally the worst of them, acting like you're the greatest thing ever to grace a wrestling ring.
MARISOL VILARO
What was that I was just saying about people with envy? Here comes Little Miss Green Heart herself, everyone. What's wrong, Hayley? Are you feeling lonely because nobody wants you around since you lost the Silver State Championship? Oh boo hoo. Go cry somewhere else!
Marisol makes a mock crying motion as the fans boo the Fitness Guru.
MARISOL VILARO
This place needs proper order and your Queen's guard here will be the ones to enforce it.
On cue, Enigma and Emmalee leave the ring, heading up the ramp towards Hayley. Rather than engage them, she lifts the microphone to her lips one last time before being ushered backstage.
HAYLEY FIEN
SOLSTICE. August 20th. You and me, Marisol. No entourage. No One Percent assholes. Just you finally getting what's coming to you.
Enigma reaches Fien but doesn't touch her. Hayley turns and leaves on her own while Emmalee and Enigma take up posts at either side of the ramp. The orchestra begins playing again and Marisol heaves a theatrical sigh.
MARISOL VILARO
First Molly, that disgusting little troll, ruins my girl’s moment here for no reason other than petty jealousy… and now we have this sad little loser, the one who's literally taken to stalking me coming out to ruin our celebration. Summer deserves better. WE DESERVE BETTER. After all we have done to make this one of the greatest wrestling companies in the world? Both of these bitter bitches are mad that in just two years Summer has done what they couldn't and became a World Champion, one that will be far better than Griffin Hawkins, the so-called people's champion ever was!
Marisol says with a smug expression on her face as the fans boo loudly.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Since the inception of Uprising the very important people: The One Percent have been ridiculed and tried to be kept down. People like Chris Mosh, Marisol, Cliff, and I stuck it out and dealt with all the bullshit. This belt exemplifies that everything we have been saying is all true. All of these mouth-breathing marks will continue to try to bad mouth us but now this World title being in our camp means we truly have all the power.
Marisol nods her head as she says in a loud proud tone.
MARISOL VILARO
ALL HAIL YOUR QUEEN OF UPRISING SUMMMERRRRRR PAGEEE!
'S&M' by Rhianna plays over the public address system, as the fans boo loudly. Summer Page poses with her Uprising World Championship. Marisol claps for her proudly, as they take the time to pose and taunt the fans some more before the scene fades to black.
This is the moment that everyone has been waiting for, after all. Every seat in the arena is full, most of the fans on their feet and waving signs. The Fitness Queen can’t help but roll her eyes at the reaction she is getting from the Las Vegas crowd. Soon, Marisol takes the opportunity to speak through her headset microphone on her head in a loud and obnoxious tone.
MARISOL VILARO
Thank you. I know how excited all of you are, but I need silence for this moment.
The boos only get louder, even going as far as drowning out the classical band's ambiance. Marisol can barely hide her annoyance now.
MARISOL VILARO
I said silence; I can wait all day here, you know.
Marisol taps her foot impatiently as the boos only come in louder. She finally has enough, shrieking loudly on her microphone.
MARISOL VILARO
I SAID SHUT THE HELL UP YOU RUDE ASS AMERICANS!
The boos really go off now, however, soon Marisol waits for a minute and the fans seem to have gotten the hatred out of their systems as they start to quiet down. Nodding, the brains behind the One Percent speaks again, this time in an overly cheerful and peppy tone.
MARISOL VILARO
Now, the last Revolution was a momentous occasion because FINALLY, the reign of Griffin Hawkins came to an end. Finally, despite Larry’s best efforts to keep us down, the One Percent wouldn’t be denied any longer. Summer Page did what none of you thought possible, even the champion himself. That's right! Summer Page dethroned everybody’s hero, pinning him one, two, and three. No bitches, you can’t say that she had help. She did it all on her own.
The boos overtake the arena as Marisol keeps gloating, proud of what happened last Revolution. She's quite proud that they finally got one over on Hawkins, proud that the One Percent now has everything they ever wanted.
MARISOL VILARO
So now without further adieu, I give to you your Uprising World Champion, your Queen of Uprising, and the Franchise of this company. The face of this company is a woman who is truly fabulous, flawless, and marvelous all at the same damn time. I give you, your Spoiled Queen SUMMMMMERRRRRR PAGEEE!
'S&M' By Rhianna begins to play. A banner of Summer unfurls from the rafters followed by gold and platinum confetti. “Spoiled” Summer Page comes out holding the Uprising World Championship belt over head on a throne that is being carried by four men. Summer is being followed by her bodyguards Enigma and new Uprising signee, Emmalee. The throne gets to the ring and is lowered to the ring apron. Summer stands up as Enigma opens the ropes for her. Summer steps into the ring followed by Enigma and Emmalee. The Champion hands the World Title belt to Enigma and then she gives Marisol a hug. Marisol hands Summer a microphone.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
With the whole entire world doubting me, thinking that this would be an easy title defense for Griffin, here I stand as the brand-new Uprising World Champion.
The crowd boos.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
I hate to be the one to tell all of you that I told you so but…I told you so. Haha! Like I have been saying all along, I am the franchise of Uprising. I carried my sisters to glory, being the first to hold the Trios Championships in Season 1. Now I am sitting on top of the mountain, looking down at all of you fools. Obviously, we all knew that once I became World Champion that target on my back would get even bigger. Which is just fine by me. But tonight, we aren’t worried about all those fools that are clamoring to step into the ring with me. Molly Hatchet, Kendrick Kross… they can all get in line – I'm not worried about either of them. Tonight, we celebrate everything about me. Like I have said that this is now the era of #PurePerfection.
Crowd boos a bit louder and someone throws a beer bottle into the ring. It whizzes by Marisol’s head, foam spattering on her. Marisol goes over to the ring ropes and starts yelling in the direction of where the bottle came from.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Mari, Mari…it’s all good. Take a deep breath. Listen to the orchestra. They're playing that one that's in all the movies.
Marisol takes a deep breath and begins to calm down as the band continues playing a pretty good version of Debussy's 'Claire De Lune'.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Obviously, with me becoming World Champion it is fitting that I bring in some extra security. Which is why I have brought Emmalee here to Uprising. Now I know the moronic simpletons will try to say I am not happy with Enigma which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Summer walks over and stands next to Enigma. She lays her right arm on his left shoulder.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
This is my guy right here. This was a move that was talked about between the two of us before anything was done. So, welcome Emmalee to not only Uprising but my team.
The crowd boos.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
You people really do suck! Whatever! Get on board, morons, or get left behind.
Marisol nods her head as she speaks on her headset microphone.
MARISOL VILARO
I couldn’t have said it better myself! Summer Page is leading a new age of Uprising! See, for far too long you have had those who couldn’t see past the envy in their hearts, those who would attempt to claim some sort of rebellion in their minds, and hearts that this is supposed to—
? ? ?
Did someone say REBELLION?
Marisol stops and turns towards the ramp where Hayley Fien stands with a microphone in hand.
HAYLEY FIEN
That's rich, coming from you, Marisol. You stir up trouble around here like the little instigator you are but the moment anyone tries to call you on it, you backpedal so fast. And you, Summer? You're literally the worst of them, acting like you're the greatest thing ever to grace a wrestling ring.
MARISOL VILARO
What was that I was just saying about people with envy? Here comes Little Miss Green Heart herself, everyone. What's wrong, Hayley? Are you feeling lonely because nobody wants you around since you lost the Silver State Championship? Oh boo hoo. Go cry somewhere else!
Marisol makes a mock crying motion as the fans boo the Fitness Guru.
MARISOL VILARO
This place needs proper order and your Queen's guard here will be the ones to enforce it.
On cue, Enigma and Emmalee leave the ring, heading up the ramp towards Hayley. Rather than engage them, she lifts the microphone to her lips one last time before being ushered backstage.
HAYLEY FIEN
SOLSTICE. August 20th. You and me, Marisol. No entourage. No One Percent assholes. Just you finally getting what's coming to you.
Enigma reaches Fien but doesn't touch her. Hayley turns and leaves on her own while Emmalee and Enigma take up posts at either side of the ramp. The orchestra begins playing again and Marisol heaves a theatrical sigh.
MARISOL VILARO
First Molly, that disgusting little troll, ruins my girl’s moment here for no reason other than petty jealousy… and now we have this sad little loser, the one who's literally taken to stalking me coming out to ruin our celebration. Summer deserves better. WE DESERVE BETTER. After all we have done to make this one of the greatest wrestling companies in the world? Both of these bitter bitches are mad that in just two years Summer has done what they couldn't and became a World Champion, one that will be far better than Griffin Hawkins, the so-called people's champion ever was!
Marisol says with a smug expression on her face as the fans boo loudly.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Since the inception of Uprising the very important people: The One Percent have been ridiculed and tried to be kept down. People like Chris Mosh, Marisol, Cliff, and I stuck it out and dealt with all the bullshit. This belt exemplifies that everything we have been saying is all true. All of these mouth-breathing marks will continue to try to bad mouth us but now this World title being in our camp means we truly have all the power.
Marisol nods her head as she says in a loud proud tone.
MARISOL VILARO
ALL HAIL YOUR QUEEN OF UPRISING SUMMMERRRRRR PAGEEE!
'S&M' by Rhianna plays over the public address system, as the fans boo loudly. Summer Page poses with her Uprising World Championship. Marisol claps for her proudly, as they take the time to pose and taunt the fans some more before the scene fades to black.
_____________________________________________
© UPRISING 2022
____________________________________________
QUICKIE RESULTS:
ROSS HANSON vs JASMINE RIZZO
REGAN VOORHEES vs BLACKSTAR
CASEY CAESAR vs KEVIN MEARS
MOLLY HATCHET vs CHRIS MOSH
ANDREA HERNANDEZ vs KERBEROS
HEROES FOR HIRE vs THE HORSEWOMEN
JACKI O'LANTERN vs SAMANTHA TOLSON
GRIFFIN HAWKINS vs KENDRICK KROSS
