Post by Admin on Aug 18, 2022 22:01:47 GMT -5
LIVE from the CRYPTO.COM ARENA in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AUGUST 20, 2022 |
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA -- BACKSTAGE
The sight of a twirling red cane is the first thing the camera notices before it pulls back and we see it in the hands of Kevin Mears. The fans in the arena don’t give him a warm reception, but he still looks to be in a good mood regardless as he rolls hush and looks over at Natalie Owens.
KEVIN MEARS
I know you like looking at me, but now is a good time to start asking whatever questions you have in mind. Get to it, will you?
NATALIE OWENS
I’m here with Kevin Mears, who later tonight, will be facing the debuting Alexis Lemon. I noticed you and she had gotten into a little bit of a verbal altercation on Twitter recently.
KEVIN MEARS
Yeah, if you call that an altercation. To me, it was like watching someone punch themselves in the face over and over again. I’m surprised she ever gets mic time, since she puts her foot in her mouth every few words. But yeah sure… ‘altercation’ is what it was.
NATALIE OWENS
Why do you have so much animosity for her?
That makes him chuckle.
KEVIN MEARS
Animosity? I have no animosity for her. I’m amused by her, there’s that. But not in a good way. You have to understand, Nattles, that when I spend time with a woman, we both usually enjoy it. And while I enjoy making her look dumb…well she does that on her own, to be fair…. Only one of us gets any enjoyment out of that. This is a woman who in one breath talks about needing one win and in the next says she’s won all these matches. Honestly she sounds schizophrenic. But that’s alright by me. I only have to deal with her for about 3 minutes tonight, and she can keep her winless career streak going.
NATALIE OWENS
You realize a win here could boost you towards getting a shot at the Silver State title, right?
KEVIN MEARS
Yeah, I’m aware of that. The higher ups can go ahead and pen my name down for the shot whenever they want. It’ll be nice to be in the ring with someone who is going to possibly give me a challenge. Let’s face it, the dumpster dive I faced in my debut didn’t do it. I’m positive the ironing board I’m facing tonight won’t do it.
NATALIE OWENS
Ironing board?
KEVIN MEARS
Yeah, she’s got the body of an ironing board and the personality to match. The good news for her is this won’t be a promo battle, because that’s like bringing chopsticks to a gunfight. I’ll put her on her back, and prove one more time why I’m the only ace in a deck full of jokers.
He gives the cane another twirl before the scene cuts away, heading into the main stage where FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is launching into their new track WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS off the album AFTERLIFE which was just released on Thursday!
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA — THE RING.
AFFILIATE SHOWCASE MATCH: 5BW
VERONICA RACHELLE vs TORI COLBERT
It is time for the final installment of the Veronica Rachelle vs. Tori Colbert series with both tied one at piece. Veronica got a win back in Athens last year as Tori tied it up back in June. Who will be taking it all home? The first one out of the back is Tori Colbert as the fans are cheering for her as she is coming to the ring. The next one out of the back is Veronica Rachelle as she is coming out with her Festivus World Championship that she won back in June. The fans are cheering as she gets into the ring and raises the championship up in the air. This is not for the championship to make things clear. The match starts with Tori getting into the face of Veronica and says that she is going to take this all and then comes after the championship and HITS her in the face. Veronica holds her mouth, smirks, and comes after her as the fans are cheering for this. The both are trading lefts and rights, but Tori throws her into the ropes with Veronica taking her down in the ring with a spear.
The champion gets back up and waits for Tori to get back to her feet. She does and goes for a swinging neck breaker, but Tori gets out of it and goes for a DDT of her own as the fans are cheering for this. She pins her in the ring with the referee counting this, but Veronica kicks out of it. VR gets back to her feet and goes to the ropes and hangs on, but Tori sees this, runs towards her. Veronica scouts this and FLIPS Tori right over the rope as the fans are in shock with this. Tori is down on the ground as the fans are wondering if she is OK. Veronica goes up top of the ropes and looks at Tori, who is getting up. She dives off with a crossbody, but somehow, Tori moves out of the way and causes Veronica to crash hard. Tori backs into the steel steps, gets on them and waits for Veronica to get back up. She does with Tori jumping off the steps with a diving hurricanrana. The fans are cheering as she wants to prove herself that she is championship worthy and wants to head to 5BW vs. The World, representing New Jersey, with momentum.
Tori picks her up and tosses her back into the ring and goes up to the top rope. Veronica is getting back to her feet with Tori coming off with a missile drop kick! The fans are cheering as she says that she is going to end this match in the ring, but the champion SLAPS Tori right in the face, grabs her and goes for a DDT of her own. Veronica mouths off that she is going to take this home as she grabs Tori, bends her back and goes for a reverse twist of fate on Tori. She drops for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
Tori kicks out of it.
Veronica holds her head and gets back to her feet, but Tori, who happens to be on the ground, pushes her into the turnbuckle. Veronica comes up and in one shot -- BAM!! Tori has hit Veronica right in the face with Ring the Alarm. Tori gets on top of her and pins her in the middle of the ring with the fans leaning in for this.
ONE!
TWO!
THR-VR kicks out of it!
Tori holds her head and cannot believe that she kicked out of something like this. Tori goes to the corner and waits for Veronica to get back to her feet. The fans are cheering with Veronica getting up. Tori comes running, causing Veronica to SPEAR her down on the ground. Veronica rolls her over in the ring.
ONE!
TWO!
Kick out by Tori!
What does Veronica have to do to make sure that Tori stays down? Veronica gets back to her feet and starts yelling at her in French.
VERONICA RACHELLE
TORI, RESTEZ EN BAS!
Tori is getting back to her feet because she will not stay down. Veronica comes running towards her but Tori catches her with the codebreaker and reverts into the armbar to complete Code Tori! The fans are cheering as Tori has this submission hold on! Veronica is screaming out in pain, but she uses her foot to break the hold. Tori stands back up and looks at Veronica. She does not know what to do next. Tori goes back to VR, but she stands back up and kicks her RIGHT in the face with a spinning heel kick! Veronica goes for the From Paris with Love as the fans are cheering! This could be it as she pins her in the ring.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): VERONICA RACHELLE
Veronica Rachelle has won the series and the capacity crowd is here for it! What a great way to kick off an amazing show! Veronica stands up, gets her championship belt, and raises it in the air. Tori looks disappointed, but positive for the win and the match. She gets to her feet and extends the hand to Veronica and shakes it as the fans pop for the show of sportsmanship.
CUT TO:
EXT. SOMEWHERE TROPICAL
The scene opens on a bright and beautiful beach. The wind is blowing through the trees and carries grains of sand through the air. The camera pans across the beach until a figure comes into the shot. Standing in the shade of a palm tree is Alexis Lemon, dressed all in black including sunglasses. She looks off into the ocean, watching as the waves splash against the beach sand.
ALEXIS LEMON
I bet you’re wondering where we are and why we’re here. Or maybe not, I’m not in your head. The answer to both is pretty simple. The island we’re currently on, I actually own it. Or, more accurately, I co-own it with a friend named…
To stay true to the man she’s talking about, she screams this next part.
ALEXIS LEMON
JAHJAH!
She flashes a smirk before returning to her neutral expression.
ALEXIS LEMON
See, JAH and I won this island in an event called Suplex Island, where a few wrestlers in the Absolute Power Wrestling Organization roster were dropped here and had to fight for points. The winner would earn a world title match. JAH and I were the finalists, but the company closed down before a winner could be determined. So as a consolation, we each received the deed to half of the island. I’m sure it's a shock to people who don’t know anything about me besides my recent history…
She turns her head to the camera and lowers her glasses to wink into the camera.
ALEXIS LEMON
But I actually have won matches. Quite a few in fact.
Lemon’s lips curl into a small frown as she says the next part.
ALEXIS LEMON
But on the flipside, this is also the sight of my last real notable win. I’ve only started my career eight months ago but that point feels like the absolute high. Here I am, a finalist in an innovative tournament, on the cusp of receiving a world championship match… and it all falls away.
A loud sigh escapes the teen.
ALEXIS LEMON
They say the pride comes before the fall, but what everyone forgets to mention is that the fall hurts so fucking much worse when you’re mere inches from what you’re reaching for.
Alex turns to face the camera, taking a few steps to be closer to it.
ALEXIS LEMON
That’s why I’m here in Uprising. I’m going to stop the constant skid I’ve been on for three horrible months. Whether that be in the singles ranks, starting tonight, or in the tag scene with my partner Jade. I’m determined to turn things around or die trying.
The young wrestler removes her sunglasses and glares into the camera.
ALEXIS LEMON
So this is to everyone of Uprising. The roster, the higher ups, and the fans. My name is Alexis Lemon. Laugh at me for whatever reason if you want. But I’m about to show everyone why I belong in this company. Actually, no, why I belong in this business. This island is amazing, but it’s nowhere near enough for me. I want more, I need more. And I’m going to take whatever I can. Will it be the Silver State championship? I don’t know, but Cthulu knows I’m going to do my damndest to try…
A small smile returns to her face.
ALEXIS LEMON
See you all out there…
_____________________________________________
ALEXIS LEMON
I bet you’re wondering where we are and why we’re here. Or maybe not, I’m not in your head. The answer to both is pretty simple. The island we’re currently on, I actually own it. Or, more accurately, I co-own it with a friend named…
To stay true to the man she’s talking about, she screams this next part.
ALEXIS LEMON
JAHJAH!
She flashes a smirk before returning to her neutral expression.
ALEXIS LEMON
See, JAH and I won this island in an event called Suplex Island, where a few wrestlers in the Absolute Power Wrestling Organization roster were dropped here and had to fight for points. The winner would earn a world title match. JAH and I were the finalists, but the company closed down before a winner could be determined. So as a consolation, we each received the deed to half of the island. I’m sure it's a shock to people who don’t know anything about me besides my recent history…
She turns her head to the camera and lowers her glasses to wink into the camera.
ALEXIS LEMON
But I actually have won matches. Quite a few in fact.
Lemon’s lips curl into a small frown as she says the next part.
ALEXIS LEMON
But on the flipside, this is also the sight of my last real notable win. I’ve only started my career eight months ago but that point feels like the absolute high. Here I am, a finalist in an innovative tournament, on the cusp of receiving a world championship match… and it all falls away.
A loud sigh escapes the teen.
ALEXIS LEMON
They say the pride comes before the fall, but what everyone forgets to mention is that the fall hurts so fucking much worse when you’re mere inches from what you’re reaching for.
Alex turns to face the camera, taking a few steps to be closer to it.
ALEXIS LEMON
That’s why I’m here in Uprising. I’m going to stop the constant skid I’ve been on for three horrible months. Whether that be in the singles ranks, starting tonight, or in the tag scene with my partner Jade. I’m determined to turn things around or die trying.
The young wrestler removes her sunglasses and glares into the camera.
ALEXIS LEMON
So this is to everyone of Uprising. The roster, the higher ups, and the fans. My name is Alexis Lemon. Laugh at me for whatever reason if you want. But I’m about to show everyone why I belong in this company. Actually, no, why I belong in this business. This island is amazing, but it’s nowhere near enough for me. I want more, I need more. And I’m going to take whatever I can. Will it be the Silver State championship? I don’t know, but Cthulu knows I’m going to do my damndest to try…
A small smile returns to her face.
ALEXIS LEMON
See you all out there…
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE -- CONTINUOUS
Andrea Hernandez is standing backstage and she’s definitely feeling determined. She knows that Solstice is the season finale and she’s definitely got a fire in her eyes that is indicating that she really wants to make a positive impact on this particular evening. But, at the same time, she knows that she has to come through. Even then, she doesn’t seem like there is any pressure on her at all as she begins to express her thoughts.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
I wasn’t expecting to be wrestling on this show tonight considering I’m one of the newer wrestlers on this roster and all. But, here I am and just because I was a late season addition doesn’t mean that I will take this for granted. This IS a big stage and I know that I can be and have been a big stage wrestler. I’ll definitely be that again even though I am facing Kasey Vex. You’ve had one match here and yeah, you won. You weren’t so bad. But Jessica Anderson though? Last I heard, she’s not someone that many wrestlers are afraid of. At least my debut was against someone that could’ve realistically been better than me and yet, I wouldn’t have been so ashamed of that but you wouldn’t be able to say the same thing. You beat someone that you should’ve beaten. You think that impresses me?
It doesn’t.
And personally? If it were me, I’d be PISSED if that was my debut opponent because I would’ve known that I deserved so much better than that. Granted, I’m generally pissed off as is. I’ve always been someone that has wrestled with a chip on her shoulder because from day one that I’ve been in this business, people have always tried to take advantage of me. People are always so quick to dismiss me and act like I am not going to be anyone. It’s happened basically everywhere I’ve been, even that last place that I wrestled for which… I’m not talking about that. But I’ll tell you this much, Kasey Vex. I’m no Crystal Hilton. I’ve got passion for what I do, just like you do… but the biggest difference between you and me is that I have EVOLVED past the point of doing this just because it’s a passion and a dream of mine…
Andrea pauses, as she thinks about the general attitude and the personality of her opponent and she’s definitely not impressed. She even looks a bit disgusted before she continues.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
…you on the other hand… you haven’t…
And as a result? You remind me of the blind, stupid naive person that I used to be when I first broke into the business and was asking to be taken advantage of. I was more like you when I first broke in. “I LOVE WRESTLING!” “THIS IS MY DREAM” blah blah blah all of that annoying DIsney branded crap. You’re easily happy over a win against Jessica Anderson while I’m beating Lara Bratton in MY debut and STILL realizing that there’s a hell of a long way to go. I didn’t come here to Uprising to take a back seat to anyone else. I sure as hell didn’t come here to watch wrestlers that I know in my heart I am better than taking MY spotlight from me! You are not going to be one of those wrestlers, Kasey.
You’re not taking my shine away from me. You’re not taking my passion from me. I’ve been through way too much bullshit, more than you can even realize, to get to where I am today and only when I got away from the happy-go-lucky PASSION attitude that you’re flaunting all over the place did I finally start getting anywhere in this business. You may think that having a big heart might get you ahead, but here’s a secret. That big heart is an anchor that is going to hold you back and bitch, the bigger your heart is, the easier it is to shatter it and that’s precisely what I am going to do tonight. So, take your cutesy little Disney bullshit and get the fuck out of my way, alright? Because I AM sending a message to this roster for next season: They SHOULD be talking about me and they WILL be talking about me…
So enjoy just BEING HERE and absorbing the spotlight of this event… because ultimately? You’re going to prove that the spotlight is JUST too big for you…
Andrea scoffs as she heads out of the scene, clearly disapproving of the type of person Kasey Vex is. She’s feeling great about her odds tonight as the scene cuts out, heading back down to ringside for the match.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ vs KASEY VEX
Kasey Vex comes in like a house on fire, very dominant in the opening moments which earns her some enthusiastic pops from the LA crowd. Andrea's on the backfoot but not for long. She comes back swinging, fired up with some hard chops that the crowd's happy to count out. Vex goes for a tiger feint kick but Andrea has that scouted and she dodges and nails a forearm smash and then a back elbow that gives her the opening to slip behind. She goes for an abdominal stretch but Kasey Vex rolls through for a break! Kasey pops back up, goes for a speedy dropkick to the knee but misses as Hernandez catches her foot – NICE REVERSAL INTO A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP! As Vex goes down, Hernandez lands atop her with an elbow drop.
The momentum shifts half a dozen times before the closing moments where Vex comes off the ropes, expertly moving into a modified drop toehold, and takes Hernandez down with ease, managing to lock in the Wicked Little Machine (sharpshooter w/reverse facelock). Hernandez shows off her stamina and reverses the hold, wrapping Vex up in a scissored armbar – rope break reset! Vex sends Andrea into the corner, looking for a coast-to-coast dropkick but she connects with the ring post instead as Andrea dodges and nails a backfist to the head. Kasey Vex is down and Andrea is on the top rope in an instant! Rise of the Phoenix (Phoenix Splash from top rope)!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): ANDREA HERNANDEZ
The twirling cane of Kevin Mears comes into view as the camera catches up with him walking through a hallway with his cell phone to his ear. He’s dressed to compete already since his match is coming up in a bit.
KEVIN MEARS
Yeah. Yeah, that works for me. No no, she’s not that bright. I bet when she goes to the beach, she could go topless and no one would know it’s a girl. I think she works the day shift at Hot Topic.
As he walks, he happens to notice another member of the Uprising roster, that being Jacki O’Lantern.
KEVIN MEARS
I’m heading in your direction, be there shortly. Later.
He ends the call and stuffs the phone into his silk shirt, still twirling the cane in his hand as he seems to size Jacki up and introduce himself.
KEVIN MEARS
It must be great always being ready for Halloween, I bet. Hi, I’m Kevin.
She's kneeling down on the ground feeding her cat when she hears an unfamiliar voice. She gets up and turns to see who it is, finding herself face to face with Kevin Mears. While she witnessed some of his matches, the two have never spoken, much less been in the same setting until now. She has on a skull-print dress, leggings and combat boots. She smiles upon staring at him, hoping to introduce herself to him and get to know each other better.
JACKI O'LANTERN
Hello there, bud. I am Jacki and I know who you are. You are Kevin Mears. What brings you here?
KEVIN MEARS
Uhh, I have a match tonight. That’s why I’m here in the arena.
JACKI O'LANTERN
I meant what brought you, my way. Did you notice my cat? Kitty McPaws is a hit with some of the other roster members.
The cat meows as if he understands her, then circles around Kevin's legs and purrs. He lifts his cane out of the cat’s way and over his shoulder.
KEVIN MEARS
Well I don’t see a lot of cats getting brought to wrestling shows, so yeah…it stands out a little bit.
She chuckles and looks at him, surprised to hear that.
JACKI O'LANTERN
I wonder why that is. Sometimes having an animal by yourself can really be beneficial, especially with this kind of environment we're in. I suffered a loss to Samantha Tolson on the last show I was involved in and I felt like I let people down with that. My cat helped me to feel better about it and take the loss as a learning lesson.
KEVIN MEARS
Losing doesn’t let anyone down. You’re the one in the ring, everyone else is just watching because they don’t have the courage to do what we do. Don’t worry about what a bunch of mouth-breathers think. Focus on what you want, lose the pressure. Worrying about letting people down don’t feed this cat, what you do does. Focus on you.
JACKI O'LANTERN
You don't understand, bud; I love my fans and I want to ensure I perform my absolute best for them. We got this special connection. My Lantern Army is strong and united, but anywho, you got a big match tonight against Alexis Lemon. I can imagine you must be excited for it.
KEVIN MEARS
Not really. When I get a Silver State title match, then I’ll be up for that. Till then, you can see how I deal with people like Alexis in just a bit. Think about what I said, it might change your fortunes.
He looks back down to the cat before stepping over it so as not to touch it.
KEVIN MEARS
I’ll see you both around.
He heads off camera, twirling the cane in his hand.
_____________________________________________
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
I wasn’t expecting to be wrestling on this show tonight considering I’m one of the newer wrestlers on this roster and all. But, here I am and just because I was a late season addition doesn’t mean that I will take this for granted. This IS a big stage and I know that I can be and have been a big stage wrestler. I’ll definitely be that again even though I am facing Kasey Vex. You’ve had one match here and yeah, you won. You weren’t so bad. But Jessica Anderson though? Last I heard, she’s not someone that many wrestlers are afraid of. At least my debut was against someone that could’ve realistically been better than me and yet, I wouldn’t have been so ashamed of that but you wouldn’t be able to say the same thing. You beat someone that you should’ve beaten. You think that impresses me?
It doesn’t.
And personally? If it were me, I’d be PISSED if that was my debut opponent because I would’ve known that I deserved so much better than that. Granted, I’m generally pissed off as is. I’ve always been someone that has wrestled with a chip on her shoulder because from day one that I’ve been in this business, people have always tried to take advantage of me. People are always so quick to dismiss me and act like I am not going to be anyone. It’s happened basically everywhere I’ve been, even that last place that I wrestled for which… I’m not talking about that. But I’ll tell you this much, Kasey Vex. I’m no Crystal Hilton. I’ve got passion for what I do, just like you do… but the biggest difference between you and me is that I have EVOLVED past the point of doing this just because it’s a passion and a dream of mine…
Andrea pauses, as she thinks about the general attitude and the personality of her opponent and she’s definitely not impressed. She even looks a bit disgusted before she continues.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ
…you on the other hand… you haven’t…
And as a result? You remind me of the blind, stupid naive person that I used to be when I first broke into the business and was asking to be taken advantage of. I was more like you when I first broke in. “I LOVE WRESTLING!” “THIS IS MY DREAM” blah blah blah all of that annoying DIsney branded crap. You’re easily happy over a win against Jessica Anderson while I’m beating Lara Bratton in MY debut and STILL realizing that there’s a hell of a long way to go. I didn’t come here to Uprising to take a back seat to anyone else. I sure as hell didn’t come here to watch wrestlers that I know in my heart I am better than taking MY spotlight from me! You are not going to be one of those wrestlers, Kasey.
You’re not taking my shine away from me. You’re not taking my passion from me. I’ve been through way too much bullshit, more than you can even realize, to get to where I am today and only when I got away from the happy-go-lucky PASSION attitude that you’re flaunting all over the place did I finally start getting anywhere in this business. You may think that having a big heart might get you ahead, but here’s a secret. That big heart is an anchor that is going to hold you back and bitch, the bigger your heart is, the easier it is to shatter it and that’s precisely what I am going to do tonight. So, take your cutesy little Disney bullshit and get the fuck out of my way, alright? Because I AM sending a message to this roster for next season: They SHOULD be talking about me and they WILL be talking about me…
So enjoy just BEING HERE and absorbing the spotlight of this event… because ultimately? You’re going to prove that the spotlight is JUST too big for you…
Andrea scoffs as she heads out of the scene, clearly disapproving of the type of person Kasey Vex is. She’s feeling great about her odds tonight as the scene cuts out, heading back down to ringside for the match.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA — THE RING.
ANDREA HERNANDEZ vs KASEY VEX
Kasey Vex comes in like a house on fire, very dominant in the opening moments which earns her some enthusiastic pops from the LA crowd. Andrea's on the backfoot but not for long. She comes back swinging, fired up with some hard chops that the crowd's happy to count out. Vex goes for a tiger feint kick but Andrea has that scouted and she dodges and nails a forearm smash and then a back elbow that gives her the opening to slip behind. She goes for an abdominal stretch but Kasey Vex rolls through for a break! Kasey pops back up, goes for a speedy dropkick to the knee but misses as Hernandez catches her foot – NICE REVERSAL INTO A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP! As Vex goes down, Hernandez lands atop her with an elbow drop.
The momentum shifts half a dozen times before the closing moments where Vex comes off the ropes, expertly moving into a modified drop toehold, and takes Hernandez down with ease, managing to lock in the Wicked Little Machine (sharpshooter w/reverse facelock). Hernandez shows off her stamina and reverses the hold, wrapping Vex up in a scissored armbar – rope break reset! Vex sends Andrea into the corner, looking for a coast-to-coast dropkick but she connects with the ring post instead as Andrea dodges and nails a backfist to the head. Kasey Vex is down and Andrea is on the top rope in an instant! Rise of the Phoenix (Phoenix Splash from top rope)!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): ANDREA HERNANDEZ
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA BACKSTAGE
The twirling cane of Kevin Mears comes into view as the camera catches up with him walking through a hallway with his cell phone to his ear. He’s dressed to compete already since his match is coming up in a bit.
KEVIN MEARS
Yeah. Yeah, that works for me. No no, she’s not that bright. I bet when she goes to the beach, she could go topless and no one would know it’s a girl. I think she works the day shift at Hot Topic.
As he walks, he happens to notice another member of the Uprising roster, that being Jacki O’Lantern.
KEVIN MEARS
I’m heading in your direction, be there shortly. Later.
He ends the call and stuffs the phone into his silk shirt, still twirling the cane in his hand as he seems to size Jacki up and introduce himself.
KEVIN MEARS
It must be great always being ready for Halloween, I bet. Hi, I’m Kevin.
She's kneeling down on the ground feeding her cat when she hears an unfamiliar voice. She gets up and turns to see who it is, finding herself face to face with Kevin Mears. While she witnessed some of his matches, the two have never spoken, much less been in the same setting until now. She has on a skull-print dress, leggings and combat boots. She smiles upon staring at him, hoping to introduce herself to him and get to know each other better.
JACKI O'LANTERN
Hello there, bud. I am Jacki and I know who you are. You are Kevin Mears. What brings you here?
KEVIN MEARS
Uhh, I have a match tonight. That’s why I’m here in the arena.
JACKI O'LANTERN
I meant what brought you, my way. Did you notice my cat? Kitty McPaws is a hit with some of the other roster members.
The cat meows as if he understands her, then circles around Kevin's legs and purrs. He lifts his cane out of the cat’s way and over his shoulder.
KEVIN MEARS
Well I don’t see a lot of cats getting brought to wrestling shows, so yeah…it stands out a little bit.
She chuckles and looks at him, surprised to hear that.
JACKI O'LANTERN
I wonder why that is. Sometimes having an animal by yourself can really be beneficial, especially with this kind of environment we're in. I suffered a loss to Samantha Tolson on the last show I was involved in and I felt like I let people down with that. My cat helped me to feel better about it and take the loss as a learning lesson.
KEVIN MEARS
Losing doesn’t let anyone down. You’re the one in the ring, everyone else is just watching because they don’t have the courage to do what we do. Don’t worry about what a bunch of mouth-breathers think. Focus on what you want, lose the pressure. Worrying about letting people down don’t feed this cat, what you do does. Focus on you.
JACKI O'LANTERN
You don't understand, bud; I love my fans and I want to ensure I perform my absolute best for them. We got this special connection. My Lantern Army is strong and united, but anywho, you got a big match tonight against Alexis Lemon. I can imagine you must be excited for it.
KEVIN MEARS
Not really. When I get a Silver State title match, then I’ll be up for that. Till then, you can see how I deal with people like Alexis in just a bit. Think about what I said, it might change your fortunes.
He looks back down to the cat before stepping over it so as not to touch it.
KEVIN MEARS
I’ll see you both around.
He heads off camera, twirling the cane in his hand.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
A steadicam moves quickly around a corner and finds Silver State Champion Jack Moreau in jeans and a leather jacket talking to his new mentor and owner of UPRISING, Brad Jackson. Moreau starts to say something when he catches the camera out of the corner of his eyes.
JACK MOREAU
Really?
(sighs)
Fine.
(looks back to Jax)
All I’m saying is, it was your decision. You picked who would represent this company at the World Series of Wrestling tournament and I don’t understand why you didn’t select me. Knox has too much shit to deal with to accept his invitation. It would have made sense to have at least ONE member of the DeadReckCrew getting to the end.
JAX
I don’t disagree and you were my initial choice, but the more I thought about it, the more I didn’t want to distract you. We have a plan for UPRISING. The last thing I need is for you to be worried about a tournament. This place needs you more than some tourney put together to stoke some egos.
JACK MOREAU
(reluctantly)
Aight, boss. Whatever you—
Something off camera cuts him off. He looks past Jax and then tracks something, or someone, with his eyes. After a beat, the focus of his attention moves into frame.
It’s GORGO.
The cold-hearted woman stops next to Jax. She lets her gear bag drop from her shoulder and down to her side. Her and Moreau stare each other down. Jackson tries to hide his reaction, but that little smile can’t be stopped from spreading across his lips.
JACK MOREAU
Need something?
She lets out a little chuckle, like a parent watching a toddler throw a temper tantrum over spilled juice.
GORGO
Don’t worry yourself, Jack.
She puts a strange emphasis on his name.
GORGO
I’ll handle the tournament, just like I’m going to handle Kerberos tonight. The old man is right. You have your own problems. You don’t need anymore.
JACK MOREAU
(postures up)
Is that right?
She isn’t intimated. Not one bit.
GORGO
Yes. That’s why I said it. Have a nice night, gentlemen. Not all of us can brood around the hallways. Some of us have actual matches.
Jack stares daggers as she exits the scene, leaving the men to their little pow-wow. He continues to glare, but keen viewers will note an interesting look in the Dark Horse’s eye.
JAX
So, anyway.
JACK MOREAU
Fuck it. I’m gonna hit the head. Then I have this Number One contender’s match to shit on. I’ll talk to you later.
JAX
Enjoy.
Jack walks off. The camera waits briefly before turning to follow. He doesn’t seem to notice as he stalks down the hallway with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket. That is until Larry Gowan appears from around the corner flanked by a team of security personnel.
Jack stops in his tracks.
JACK MOREAU
What the fuck is this?
Gowan, still the General Manager of UPRISING and the man responsible for tonight’s event, has a big ol’ shit-eating grin plastered across his face.
LARRY GOWAN
This is me telling you to leave.
JACK MOREAU
Really now.
He looks past the GM to the handful of serious men in black shirts glaring back at him.
JACK MOREAU
You sure you wanna do this?
LARRY GOWAN
Absolutely. You see, Jack, you aren’t booked tonight. You have no reason to be backstage and so far as I’m aware you haven’t purchased a ticket.
Jack laughs as he reaches for his back pocket to remove his wallet. He starts to fish out some bills.
LARRY GOWAN
Oh, I’m sorry. We’re sold out. You must have missed the memo. Funny how we managed that without you being on the card.
Jack snaps his wallet closed and stuffs it away.
JACK MOREAU
You think these assholes can get rid of me? Maybe I should give Knox a holler, see what he thinks.
LARRY GOWAN
Holler at whoever you want but you’ll be doing it from the parking lot.
JACK MOREAU
I don’t think so.
LARRY GOWAN
I do. Now, you can either go willingly and keep your Silver State Championship, or these men will forcibly remove you and tonight’s contendership match will suddenly be a title match.
Jack stews in silence for a few seconds, likely running through all the possible outcomes, before finally relenting.
JACK MOREAU
Fuck you. Enjoy your final night in the big chair. Tomorrow is a new day.
LARRY GOWAN
It always is. For now, the exit is that way.
Jack turns around and starts walking in the direction the GM pointed. The cameraman stays on Larry, capturing the GM in a moment of absolute happiness.
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA — BACKSTAGE
A steadicam moves quickly around a corner and finds Silver State Champion Jack Moreau in jeans and a leather jacket talking to his new mentor and owner of UPRISING, Brad Jackson. Moreau starts to say something when he catches the camera out of the corner of his eyes.
JACK MOREAU
Really?
(sighs)
Fine.
(looks back to Jax)
All I’m saying is, it was your decision. You picked who would represent this company at the World Series of Wrestling tournament and I don’t understand why you didn’t select me. Knox has too much shit to deal with to accept his invitation. It would have made sense to have at least ONE member of the DeadReckCrew getting to the end.
JAX
I don’t disagree and you were my initial choice, but the more I thought about it, the more I didn’t want to distract you. We have a plan for UPRISING. The last thing I need is for you to be worried about a tournament. This place needs you more than some tourney put together to stoke some egos.
JACK MOREAU
(reluctantly)
Aight, boss. Whatever you—
Something off camera cuts him off. He looks past Jax and then tracks something, or someone, with his eyes. After a beat, the focus of his attention moves into frame.
It’s GORGO.
The cold-hearted woman stops next to Jax. She lets her gear bag drop from her shoulder and down to her side. Her and Moreau stare each other down. Jackson tries to hide his reaction, but that little smile can’t be stopped from spreading across his lips.
JACK MOREAU
Need something?
She lets out a little chuckle, like a parent watching a toddler throw a temper tantrum over spilled juice.
GORGO
Don’t worry yourself, Jack.
She puts a strange emphasis on his name.
GORGO
I’ll handle the tournament, just like I’m going to handle Kerberos tonight. The old man is right. You have your own problems. You don’t need anymore.
JACK MOREAU
(postures up)
Is that right?
She isn’t intimated. Not one bit.
GORGO
Yes. That’s why I said it. Have a nice night, gentlemen. Not all of us can brood around the hallways. Some of us have actual matches.
Jack stares daggers as she exits the scene, leaving the men to their little pow-wow. He continues to glare, but keen viewers will note an interesting look in the Dark Horse’s eye.
JAX
So, anyway.
JACK MOREAU
Fuck it. I’m gonna hit the head. Then I have this Number One contender’s match to shit on. I’ll talk to you later.
JAX
Enjoy.
Jack walks off. The camera waits briefly before turning to follow. He doesn’t seem to notice as he stalks down the hallway with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket. That is until Larry Gowan appears from around the corner flanked by a team of security personnel.
Jack stops in his tracks.
JACK MOREAU
What the fuck is this?
Gowan, still the General Manager of UPRISING and the man responsible for tonight’s event, has a big ol’ shit-eating grin plastered across his face.
LARRY GOWAN
This is me telling you to leave.
JACK MOREAU
Really now.
He looks past the GM to the handful of serious men in black shirts glaring back at him.
JACK MOREAU
You sure you wanna do this?
LARRY GOWAN
Absolutely. You see, Jack, you aren’t booked tonight. You have no reason to be backstage and so far as I’m aware you haven’t purchased a ticket.
Jack laughs as he reaches for his back pocket to remove his wallet. He starts to fish out some bills.
LARRY GOWAN
Oh, I’m sorry. We’re sold out. You must have missed the memo. Funny how we managed that without you being on the card.
Jack snaps his wallet closed and stuffs it away.
JACK MOREAU
You think these assholes can get rid of me? Maybe I should give Knox a holler, see what he thinks.
LARRY GOWAN
Holler at whoever you want but you’ll be doing it from the parking lot.
JACK MOREAU
I don’t think so.
LARRY GOWAN
I do. Now, you can either go willingly and keep your Silver State Championship, or these men will forcibly remove you and tonight’s contendership match will suddenly be a title match.
Jack stews in silence for a few seconds, likely running through all the possible outcomes, before finally relenting.
JACK MOREAU
Fuck you. Enjoy your final night in the big chair. Tomorrow is a new day.
LARRY GOWAN
It always is. For now, the exit is that way.
Jack turns around and starts walking in the direction the GM pointed. The cameraman stays on Larry, capturing the GM in a moment of absolute happiness.
CUT TO:
STATIC
A few months after the summer solstice we find the tag team of Connie Craven and Zelda Fischer, the Jumping Blonde Angels, backstage at SOLSTICE II.The two of them have a pretty important match here where they can earn a shot at the newly combined Uprising Unity titles. Needless to say, Connie is pretty excited about it and acting about as you’d expect while Zelda has a more calm demeanor about her.
ZELDA FISCHER
So I know this is a pretty big opportunity but don’t you think we’d be better served to strategize than jumping around cheering as you’ve done all week?
Connie shakes her head.
CONNIE CRAVEN
I mean, that is an idea, but I’ve been reading this educatuional book...
Zelda gives her a very skeptical look.
CONNIE CRAVEN
.....Fine, I’ve been reading... Reddit. Anyway, there was this thing about how overpreparation can lead to a lack of spontaneity. Which means you get stuck inside the box. I prefer to be outside the box, so I figure we go out there 95% vibes!
ZELDA FISCHER
How... the HELL is that supposed to work?!
CONNIE CRAVEN
Hey, if we don’t know what we’re doing, how the heck are our opponents supposed to have a clue?
ZELDA FISCHER
Alternative theory, and try to follow this...
Connie gets her serious thinking face on as Zelda continues.
ZELDA FISCHER
If we know what we’re doing, there’s still a chance that they won’t know cause they haven’t prepared as much as we have.
Connie scoffs at this.
CONNIE CRAVEN
I thought you were going to say something wise!
ZELDA FISCHER
That was wise! Straight from German philosophers or something.
CONNIE CRAVEN
What do they know? One of them dudes said God is dead, but Jonah Lomu is clearly alive!
She sighs.
CONNIE CRAVEN
Well... I’m at least smart enough to know that if we are gonna strategize, we probably shouldn’t do it on camera. UNLESS... we make up a fake one to trick our opponents!
ZELDA FISCHER
That would have worked better had you not just said we were going to make a fake one to trick them. Now we have to devise a real one that they’ll think is a fake one and then we can get the jump on them despite our plans being right under their nose!
CONNIE CRAVEN
WOAH, this is some 4D Chess level shenanigans. And even if they figure it out, I can just beat them with vibes anyway!
ZELDA FISCHER
Well you keep feeling those vibes and I’ll keep advancing down the board until I can say 'Queen me'.
CONNIE CRAVEN
Isn’t that Checkers?
ZELDA FISCHER
No…Checkers you get King’d when you get to the other side. In chess you want to get Queen’d.
CONNIE CRAVEN
So Chess is better.
ZELDA FISCHER
I mean…yeah, it is.
CONNIE CRAVEN
Is chess on the Google Play app store?
Zelda shakes her head as we head back to ringside.
SILVER STATE CONTENDER
ALEXIS LEMON vs KEVIN MEARS
As soon as the bell rings, Kevin gets into Alexis’ face and starts running his mouth, telling her he’ll give her the first shot. When he taps his chin, the newcomer headbutts him in the face. That gets the crowd going before she begins throwing hands upside his head. Mears eats the turnbuckle eight times in a row before Alexis puts him down with a side Russian leg sweep. She sits him up against the corner before hitting the far side to come back with her SOURBALL splash before dragging him out to cover him.
ONE!
TW-NO!
After getting him back up again, she unleashes a flurry of kicks to his body before whipping him to the far side. She catches him with a back heel kick on the rebound before using an inverted stomp jawbreaker to put him down on the mat, going for the cover again.
ONE!
TWO-NO!
She hits the ropes again, but Mears rolls out to the floor. She changes course, looking to catch him with a baseball slide. But he pulls the apron out, catching her in it before he unloads with forearms to the side of her head. Mears sits on the apron behind her, and applies a triangle choke as the referee counts them both down. When Big J hits 8, he lets go and breaks the count before getting her back into the ring with him. With Alexis dazed, he lets her get up just enough before he delivers his single knee facebreaker, making a cover.
ONE!!
TWOOO!!
She gets her shoulder up in time, and Kevin props her up against the corner. Three European uppercuts after hitting the far side snap her head back before he connects with a snap suplex. Hearing the fans booing him gets his attention, and he starts antagonizing the Los Angeles crowd. Unfortunately for him, this gives Alexis an opening. She uses it too when he turns back around, and eats a lungblower that he never saw coming. Lemon starts to pull herself together, and hooks his head as he gets up for a tornado DDT. She goes for the cover from there.
ONE
TWO
THR-!!
She pulls him up again. When she tries to follow up with her double underhook DDT, he surprises her with a jawbreaker that stumbles her backwards. He catches her with a roundhouse kick to the jaw that staggers her into the ropes….and then pulls her into his front flip DDT finisher before making the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): KEVIN MEARS
Kevin gets to his feet, and has his hand raised. He reminds the hard camera that he's the "only ace in a deck full of jokers" before he leaves one of his ace cards on the mat by her head. He leaves the ring to a chorus of boos, his date with the Silver State Championship set for Season 3.
CUT TO:
ZELDA FISCHER
So I know this is a pretty big opportunity but don’t you think we’d be better served to strategize than jumping around cheering as you’ve done all week?
Connie shakes her head.
CONNIE CRAVEN
I mean, that is an idea, but I’ve been reading this educatuional book...
Zelda gives her a very skeptical look.
CONNIE CRAVEN
.....Fine, I’ve been reading... Reddit. Anyway, there was this thing about how overpreparation can lead to a lack of spontaneity. Which means you get stuck inside the box. I prefer to be outside the box, so I figure we go out there 95% vibes!
ZELDA FISCHER
How... the HELL is that supposed to work?!
CONNIE CRAVEN
Hey, if we don’t know what we’re doing, how the heck are our opponents supposed to have a clue?
ZELDA FISCHER
Alternative theory, and try to follow this...
Connie gets her serious thinking face on as Zelda continues.
ZELDA FISCHER
If we know what we’re doing, there’s still a chance that they won’t know cause they haven’t prepared as much as we have.
Connie scoffs at this.
CONNIE CRAVEN
I thought you were going to say something wise!
ZELDA FISCHER
That was wise! Straight from German philosophers or something.
CONNIE CRAVEN
What do they know? One of them dudes said God is dead, but Jonah Lomu is clearly alive!
She sighs.
CONNIE CRAVEN
Well... I’m at least smart enough to know that if we are gonna strategize, we probably shouldn’t do it on camera. UNLESS... we make up a fake one to trick our opponents!
ZELDA FISCHER
That would have worked better had you not just said we were going to make a fake one to trick them. Now we have to devise a real one that they’ll think is a fake one and then we can get the jump on them despite our plans being right under their nose!
CONNIE CRAVEN
WOAH, this is some 4D Chess level shenanigans. And even if they figure it out, I can just beat them with vibes anyway!
ZELDA FISCHER
Well you keep feeling those vibes and I’ll keep advancing down the board until I can say 'Queen me'.
CONNIE CRAVEN
Isn’t that Checkers?
ZELDA FISCHER
No…Checkers you get King’d when you get to the other side. In chess you want to get Queen’d.
CONNIE CRAVEN
So Chess is better.
ZELDA FISCHER
I mean…yeah, it is.
CONNIE CRAVEN
Is chess on the Google Play app store?
Zelda shakes her head as we head back to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA — THE RING.
SILVER STATE CONTENDER
ALEXIS LEMON vs KEVIN MEARS
As soon as the bell rings, Kevin gets into Alexis’ face and starts running his mouth, telling her he’ll give her the first shot. When he taps his chin, the newcomer headbutts him in the face. That gets the crowd going before she begins throwing hands upside his head. Mears eats the turnbuckle eight times in a row before Alexis puts him down with a side Russian leg sweep. She sits him up against the corner before hitting the far side to come back with her SOURBALL splash before dragging him out to cover him.
ONE!
TW-NO!
After getting him back up again, she unleashes a flurry of kicks to his body before whipping him to the far side. She catches him with a back heel kick on the rebound before using an inverted stomp jawbreaker to put him down on the mat, going for the cover again.
ONE!
TWO-NO!
She hits the ropes again, but Mears rolls out to the floor. She changes course, looking to catch him with a baseball slide. But he pulls the apron out, catching her in it before he unloads with forearms to the side of her head. Mears sits on the apron behind her, and applies a triangle choke as the referee counts them both down. When Big J hits 8, he lets go and breaks the count before getting her back into the ring with him. With Alexis dazed, he lets her get up just enough before he delivers his single knee facebreaker, making a cover.
ONE!!
TWOOO!!
She gets her shoulder up in time, and Kevin props her up against the corner. Three European uppercuts after hitting the far side snap her head back before he connects with a snap suplex. Hearing the fans booing him gets his attention, and he starts antagonizing the Los Angeles crowd. Unfortunately for him, this gives Alexis an opening. She uses it too when he turns back around, and eats a lungblower that he never saw coming. Lemon starts to pull herself together, and hooks his head as he gets up for a tornado DDT. She goes for the cover from there.
ONE
TWO
THR-!!
She pulls him up again. When she tries to follow up with her double underhook DDT, he surprises her with a jawbreaker that stumbles her backwards. He catches her with a roundhouse kick to the jaw that staggers her into the ropes….and then pulls her into his front flip DDT finisher before making the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): KEVIN MEARS
Kevin gets to his feet, and has his hand raised. He reminds the hard camera that he's the "only ace in a deck full of jokers" before he leaves one of his ace cards on the mat by her head. He leaves the ring to a chorus of boos, his date with the Silver State Championship set for Season 3.
CUT TO:
PROMO -- RECORDED EARLIER
We open up to a locker room where we find “The Final Boss” Talia Skye and “The Glam Bo$$” Reyna Carter seated on red and gold thrones while Terra and Morgan Simmons stand on each side of them. The managerial presence of The Horsewomen wastes very little time in beginning to speak.
MORGAN SIMMONS
Tonight, is the end of the second season for Uprising and The Horsewomen are in prime position to gain a shot at the Unity Titles.
REYNA CARTER
Damn right.
MORGAN SIMMONS
BCCW and the Jumping Blonde Angels are the teams who stand in our way of that goal.
REYNA CARTER
Who in the hell are those two teams?
TALIA SKYE
As far as I can tell? Nobody important.
MORGAN SIMMONS
Talia is right, but that doesn't mean we go full on complacent. Far from it, actually. The winner of our match faces either #TBMCali or Heroes 4 Hire for the belts.
REYNA CARTER
You already know who I am rooting for.
MORGAN SIMMONS
I know, and that loss my girls took in their debut still stings them. It angers them, and unfortunately for the Jumping Blonde Angels and the former Tag Team Champions, the BCWW, that anger is going to be taken out on you. It's nothing personal, not even close; it's just business and that very business calls for The Horsewomen to take what is theirs by any and all means necessary.
REYNA CARTER
I'm still a little miffed about not getting a win on Unleashed but I won't allow that to get in the way of our goals here tonight. Just know that while I know who I want to win the title match, it doesn't really matter because we are coming for the gold. It's only a matter of time until we get what we want. PERIOD!
From there, The Horsewomen depart and we go back to ringside.
MORGAN SIMMONS
Tonight, is the end of the second season for Uprising and The Horsewomen are in prime position to gain a shot at the Unity Titles.
REYNA CARTER
Damn right.
MORGAN SIMMONS
BCCW and the Jumping Blonde Angels are the teams who stand in our way of that goal.
REYNA CARTER
Who in the hell are those two teams?
TALIA SKYE
As far as I can tell? Nobody important.
MORGAN SIMMONS
Talia is right, but that doesn't mean we go full on complacent. Far from it, actually. The winner of our match faces either #TBMCali or Heroes 4 Hire for the belts.
REYNA CARTER
You already know who I am rooting for.
MORGAN SIMMONS
I know, and that loss my girls took in their debut still stings them. It angers them, and unfortunately for the Jumping Blonde Angels and the former Tag Team Champions, the BCWW, that anger is going to be taken out on you. It's nothing personal, not even close; it's just business and that very business calls for The Horsewomen to take what is theirs by any and all means necessary.
REYNA CARTER
I'm still a little miffed about not getting a win on Unleashed but I won't allow that to get in the way of our goals here tonight. Just know that while I know who I want to win the title match, it doesn't really matter because we are coming for the gold. It's only a matter of time until we get what we want. PERIOD!
From there, The Horsewomen depart and we go back to ringside.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA -- RINGSIDE
Climax quickly exits the ring, just as he was about to go for a pin on Talia Skye! He confronts TERRA immediately, the two clashing with back-and-forth forearms! Reyna Carter and Talia Skye stand together in the ring, but Reyna soon joins everybody on the outside as Zelda Fischer charges at her with a spinning heel kick, sending them both over the ropes!
The arena lights dim and the sound of a clockwork device being wound is heard and a spotlight comes on, highlighting Black Crusade: Cult Classic member Señor Hush gently tapping on a xylophone with skull-topped mallets. More spotlights, adding Katsudo and Seiki on tambourines and Officer Oinker of Kalinda's usual backing band on his keytar.
Everybody is wearing different attire then usual, with the Black Crusade members in red, black, and white toy soldier uniforms and Officer Oinker in a classic Big Boss Man "librarian" style getup permanently stained with dried blood. All the musicians are also adorned with backpacks sporting slowly turning keys, making them look like windup toys. Which is appropriate, as the song is Tori Amos' "Happy Workers" from the film Toys.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
Crushing the light that shines so dimly
Another spotlight comes on, revealing the Necromancer Queen, Kalinda Kriegsdottir, sitting on a stool atop the entryway. Once again, like her "Day Three: Pain" entrance from last year's Total Anarchy, she's painted herself fully white. Only this time there have been some additions to her coloration.
She's added black lines over her body, making her look like a ball-jointed doll, as well as having painted her claws gold and having added rosy red spots and blood red lipstick for the china doll aesthetic. The dragoness also has a similar clockwork key backpack, but her key is decorated way more regally, with embossed filigree that's been colored a contrasting silver with the standard brass.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
March to the beat of a black heart within me
Her Imperial Majesty's backpack straps form an X on her chest, where a small, old-timey looking TVcomes on, showing a beating black heart, the shape kind rather than the organ kind, on its staticy, scanline prone screen.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
Hey ho, hey ho, we're off to commit sin
Plot devising, terror rising, joyous in our villany
The other three in-ring members of Black Crusade Worldwide march on stage, wearing toy-ified variants of their outfits from the upcoming Black Crusade Mystic Quest series, though they're in the background and hard to see in the darkness.
PyreBird is the first to step into the spotlight. Her robe and wizard hat have been augmented, with the colors swapped to that of the Sorceress from He-Man in orange, blue, and white. The robe's sleeves have been greatly enlarged to give that winged look and her wizard hat has gained a hood and a sort of quasi-tiara around the brim. She's also missing all of the more bestial bits that were shown in the series title sequence.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
I love my job
She loves her job
Draw the mana
Cast the magic
PyreBird bangs her staff on the ground, triggering the usual alternating flame pyro that occasionally gets used in entrances.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
Call hellfire, smite the hero, burn the pyre, stir the ashes
Call hellfire, smite the hero, burn the pyre, stir the ashes
Don't be like Chris Mosh
PyreBird does some Tim the Enchanter-esque pointing and gestures, setting over individual bits of pyro before a cardboard cutout of Chris Mosh pops up with one of those big red "NO" circles with a line through it over his face. PB responds by gripping her staff with both hands and causing it to spew a small flame, which is unfortunately the largest flame that the fire marshall would allow, defeating the so-called Piss Wizard with proper pyromancy.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
Evil minions
Evil minions
Evil minions
Evil minions
Jiritsu is the next up in their vampire/sentai character outfit. The mantle on their chest and shoulders is shiny plastic rather than the usual sparkly gold lame, and their spandex "armor" has been supplemented with additional plastic bits right out of the Star Wars storm trooper handbook.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
I love my job
They love their job
Build the death ray
Charge the battery
The Spokesperson of the Black Crusade hefts a large, shoulder-mounted cannon covered in ominous glowing lights and numerous blinkenlichten. It too is composed primarily of molded plastic. They fire off a series of Roman candles loaded into the thing as ammo.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
Aim the cannon, pull the trigger, blast the laser, unleash chaos
Aim the cannon, pull the trigger, blast the laser, unleash chaos
Don't behave like Mosh
Another one of those "NO" Mosh cardboard cutouts pops up, this time at the bottom of the entry ramp. Jiritsu turns to the side and gets the pyrotechnic gun into place to launch a firework on a wire into the target, making it fall into pieces as some additional spark emitters trigger on the cutout.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
Evil minions
Evil minions
Evil minions
Evil minions
CLIMAX is up next, and his bard outfit has somehow managed to become even more loud and garish as elements added from Doink the Clown and Super Punch Out's Masked Muscle have been added to what already looks like a muppet puked into Elton John's closet. Also for some reason a Luigi-like mustache has been added to the mask because apparently somebody decided to make ALL the references.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
I love my job
He loves his job
Track the sidekick
Snatch the maiden
CLIMAX puts his hand out just above his mask's mesh-covered eyeholes, looking about for a proper maiden to snatch before apparently settling on Seiki for the role. CLIMAX's teammate promptly throws his tambourine at the masked titan and retreats backstage with the big man in pursuit.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
Tie the damsel, to the train tracks, flourish the cape, twirl the mustache
Tie the damsel, to the train tracks, flourish the cape, twirl the mustache
Don't emulate Mosh
Seiki and Climax return on the other side of the entrance, Seiki using the Unquiet Bride from Kalinda's backing band as a human… er… former human… undead maybe? Let's go with that. Undead shield. Upon her lolling, broken-necked head has been placed a photo mask of Mosh, once again loathingly adorned with a "NO" sign.
Cruelly recreating the tragic event from Regan Voorhees' past, the Unquiet Bride is once again German suplexed, this time onto a conveniently placed set of railroad tracks. A pyro charge detonates at the perfect moment to give the terrible tragedy a feeling of heart-breaking power and impact. CLIMAX rises and flourishes his cape and twirls his mustache in perfect synchronization with the second repetition of the lyrics.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
Evil minions
Evil minions
Evil minions
Evil minions
Kalinda hops down from her stool and begins leading the Black Crusade in a march to the ring, taking a moment to grind the exploded Mosh cut-out's face beneath her foot.
KALINDA KRIEGSDOTTIR:
Conquer wrestling, build devotion, be a tyrant, rule the planet
Conquer wrestling, build devotion, be a tyrant, rule the planet
Ascend as dragon god
The towering CLIMAX lifts the smol derg into the air on "Ascend," and the dragoness finishes off her performance by showering the crowd with streamers and confetti that launch from her backpack, coating an absolutely ridiculous amount of the arena with bits of paper.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA — THE RING.
UNITY CONTENDER TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
BCWW vs THE HORSEWOMEN vs JUMPING BLONDE ANGELS
At ringside, Kalinda and TERRA stand toe-to-toe, both of them staring at each other without moving for a moment… Until Kalinda tries to poke TERRA in the side with her tail. TERRA allows a couple pokes, until she swats it away. Kalinda, not amused, immediately rushes TERRA before the two simply begin to trade strikes with each other repeatedly!
Reyna Carter stands in the center of the ring, watching the nonsense at ringside unfold. A blind tag by one Jumping Bomb Angel to another goes unnoticed. Connie Craven hits a Pele kick to the back of Reyna’s head, sending her stumbling forward into Zelda Fischer and a Northern Lights suplex! She bridges with skill and beauty, but the count is a short one.
ONE!
The referee points out Reyna’s foot hanging outside of the ring, thus breaking up the count. Zelda is met from behind by Pyrebird, who whips her across the ring into the corner. Zelda Flair flips over the ropes, tumbling to the outside. Pyrebird senses an opportunity, rushing over and climbing to the top rope. While TERRA scrambles around on the floor dealing with Kalinda, she leans into the ropes briefly from the outside to knock Pyrebird down crotch-first on the top turnbuckle. The Horsewomen, in perfect synchronization, leap up to the middle rope on either side of her and fling her down with a double arm drag!
On the outside, Kalinda is now riding on TERRA’s back in almost piggyback form, constantly using her tail to poke TERRA in the side! It’s almost as if Kalinda is hoping to annoy the muscle of the Horsewomen into submission! Someone needs to remind Kalinda that she can’t obtain victory for her team doing that outside of the ring.
Pyrebird tags out to Climax, holding her lower back. Meanwhile, Reyna Carter feigns a yawn and tags in Talia, who pats her pocket and says off-mic but still somewhat audibly “I’d take a selfie for Instagram if I had my phone!” While Pyrebird abides by the rules and gets onto the apron, Reyna chooses to stay in the ring. As they point and laugh at Kalinda and TERRA on the outside, Climax grabs them both by the waist from behind! They try to squirm away, facing each other for a moment…before their feet come clean off the ground! They’re in shock, as is the capacity crowd! Climax picks up both Horsewomen and drops them down with a double backdrop suplex!
CROWD
HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
Eventually, TERRA is able to grab Kalinda by the hair and biels her forward onto the mat! Before Kalinda even has a chance to recover, TERRA hooks Kalinda’s arms - and tail - up into a Full Nelson hold! It almost looks like Kalinda is being bent backwards and upwards from her ass as TERRA begins to lift her up, releasing enough to cause Kalinda to spin out and slam flat onto her face out of the Full Nelson hold! That’s one Hell of an Earthbreaker! And if that wasn’t enough, now she pulls Pyrebird off the apron to the outside as well!
Climax quickly exits the ring, just as he was about to go for a pin on Talia Skye! He confronts TERRA immediately, the two clashing with back-and-forth forearms! Reyna Carter and Talia Skye stand together in the ring, but Reyna soon joins everybody on the outside as Zelda Fischer charges at her with a spinning heel kick, sending them both over the ropes!
Talia Skye stands alone in the ring, but she forgot about one more participant in the match - Connie Craven! Talia turns around to see her perched on the top rope, waiting for her to approach the corner! Connie leaps off, looking to land the Kiwi Crusher! She flies through the air - only to receive a Botox Injection in the form of a running bicycle kick! Connie biels over Talia through the air, who only has to turn over and lift one knee just as Connie crashes to the canvas! The crowd here in Los Angeles is not happy as Talia makes the cover with nobody around to break it up!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): THE HORSEWOMEN
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
PROMO -- RECORDED EARLIER
'Face Off' by Tech N9ne kicks in over the cheering fans. Cordelia Clark is nodding in approval of what Brittani Helms just did to Larissa Johnson. This is a HUGE blow as Brittani stands over Larissa Johnson and looks at her to say something.
BRITTANI HELMS
Hey Larissa, tell Candice and Minka that she may need to rethink about the whole "bridesmaid" bullshit. When you get back to the city, let her know that Cordelia and I are coming for you and her sister!
CORDELIA CLARK
Exactly! The message is clear for the both of you! Carter Corporation is not going to have a chance at Royal Crown against us!
Cordelia smirks as she and Brittani do a signature handshake and roll out of the ring. Tyler Truex comes in and checks on Larissa, who is finally coming back up. She looks at him and SHOVES him before walking out of the ring, obviously upset about what happened.
A black limo is arriving at the Crypto.Com Arena. The front passenger side door opens up and Jessica Anderson gets out, immediately rushing around to the rear where she opens the passenger side backseat door, directly in front of the red carpet that's rolled out across the cement. Emmalee exits the limo and she is followed out by "VIP" Chris Mosh, Cliff Morgan, Summer’s bodyguard, Enigma, and Marisol Vilaro. They are all followed out of the limo by the Uprising World Champion, "Spoiled" Summer Page. Summer looks around and takes a deep breath.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Tonight is the night, everybody. What we have been working for since this match has been announced several weeks ago and we are finally here.
MARISOL VILARO
You got this, girl. Tonight will be our night. We will all do our parts and the One Percent will close out this season of UPRISING as the winners we all know we are.
Summer nods at Mari's pep talk and begins to walk into the backstage area, followed in by her entourage.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Jessica!!!
JESSICA ANDERSON
Yes, boss?
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Run ahead and make sure my locker room is up to my standards. There had better be champagne on ice like I asked or that miserable little troll in the front offices will be hearing me.
JESSICA ANDERSON
Of course, boss.
Jessica hurries off.
MARISOL VILARO
Tonight is the night, Summer, that so many things can happen for you and the One Percent. First and foremost is that you get to retain your Uprising World Championship, win the California Grapplers Hollywood Honors Championship, and finally put that washed up nineteen eighties rocker, Griffin, completely behind you.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
The thought of getting another victory would be a great accomplishment. Not that many people can say they beat Griffin once, much less twice.
MARISOL VILARO
Ugh, it still sickens me that you and Griffin have this mutual respect with each other.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
I know, Mari, believe me... I know. Sure we respect each other but we know what our objectives are. We both want the California Grapplers Hollywood Honors championship as well as my Uprising World Championship.
MARISOL VILARO
I can’t wait till you bring more gold to the One Percent and Team Vilaro.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
It is matches like these that are a big reason as to why I got into the business, and the championships that can come along with them. But we all know why I agreed with Griff to keep everyone in the back during our last match. To show the world that the One Percent and Team Vilaro can, in fact, get the job done in the middle of the ring.
MARISOL VILARO
Just like you will tonight.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
(cracking a smile)
Damn right, Mari.
She watches as Marisol grabs the arm of Cliff Morgan, heading off towards their own locker room. A moment passes before she turns back to the camera.
"SPOILED" SUMMER PAGE
Griff, I may not have anything bad to say about you but you and I want the very same thing: to be the very best in this business. While you may have a better looking resume than I do, I have skyrocketed up to this position in just a few short years and I won’t let anybody take this away from me. Not even someone that I actually do respect because my whole entire life I have always gotten what I want, whenever I want it. This match tonight is no different. So tonight when the lights are at its brightest I am for damn sure going to show up and show out as only I can do to solidify myself as the World Champion as well as #PurePerfection.
Summer winks at the camera and walks away.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA — THE RING.
AFFILIATE SHOWCASE MATCH: 5BW
BRITTANI HELMS vs LARISSA JOHNSON
Another 5BW featured match is coming up as we will see Brittani Helms take on Larissa Johnson. The first one out of the back is Larissa Johnson as the fans are booing at her. She is not happy from the actions that happened this week on Festivus regarding her husband and him being let go of the group that she's in. Larissa rolls into the ring, ignoring the still-booing fans as she shouts for Brittani to get out from the back. Brittani comes charging out to a huge pop from the fans who remember well her last appearance in the company, shutting down the Cheneys. Tonight, Brittani has a purpose and that’s knocking out Larissa. She rolls into the ring, only to be blindside attacked by Larissa Johnson! Brittani hits her right back in the face with a STIFF right forearm, knocking her on her ass to a massive ovation!
Brittani stands up and grabs Larissa by the hair, but Larissa comes up and SLAPS her in the face and starts hitting her. She throws her into the ropes with Brittani coming back, taking her down with a Japanese Armdrag. Larissa gets back to her feet as she goes to swing at Brittani and this time it connects. Larissa lets out a scream of frustration and starts kicking her down in the ring. She picks up Brittani and WHIPS her black and blue hair across the ring. The fans are booing as she rolls over Brittani and pins her for the first fall on the night!
ONE!
TWO!
Brittani kicks out! Larissa fires up again, stomping her, but Brittani grabs her, twists her leg, and takes her down as the fans are cheering for this. Brittani has Larissa’s leg locked, but Larissa uses her other leg to kick her. She rolls out of the ring and calls a time out, but Brittani comes out of nowhere with a suicide dive and takes her out! Brittani grabs Larissa and rolls back into the ring. She runs and gets on the turnbuckle and goes for a corkscrew off the top – OH NO! Larissa comes out of nowhere and goes for a spinning heel kick right into the head of Brittani Helms! It's revenge from what happened on Thursday as she gets on top of her and goes for the Maximum, but Brittani gets out of it, kicks her in the gut and goes for the Tornado DDT. The fans are cheering for this, but suddenly, the fans are booing. It’s Tyler Truex that’s coming out of the back and the capacity crowd shows their displeasure. The Carter Corporation strikes again.
Brittani Helms rolls out of the ring with Tyler coming right after her. The booing fans are deafening now as Helms and Truex start fighting one another. He is about to finish her off, but suddenly, Cordelia Clark comes out of the back and takes Tyler out! Brittani and Cordelia BOTH nod as the fans are cheering and ELIMINATE Tyler! Larissa is not happy and yells at Cordelia Clark from the outside.
LARISSA JOHNSON
You are going to pay for your SHIT! I AM NOT HERE FOR THIS!
However, what she doesn't realize is that Brittani is back in the ring and she waits for Larissa to turn around. The fans are cheering wildly as Brittani grabs her and goes for the Savage Way (Package Piledriver) onto Larissa, pinning her in the middle of the ring.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): BRITTANI HELMS
'Face Off' by Tech N9ne kicks in over the cheering fans. Cordelia Clark is nodding in approval of what Brittani Helms just did to Larissa Johnson. This is a HUGE blow as Brittani stands over Larissa Johnson and looks at her to say something.
BRITTANI HELMS
Hey Larissa, tell Candice and Minka that she may need to rethink about the whole "bridesmaid" bullshit. When you get back to the city, let her know that Cordelia and I are coming for you and her sister!
CORDELIA CLARK
Exactly! The message is clear for the both of you! Carter Corporation is not going to have a chance at Royal Crown against us!
Cordelia smirks as she and Brittani do a signature handshake and roll out of the ring. Tyler Truex comes in and checks on Larissa, who is finally coming back up. She looks at him and SHOVES him before walking out of the ring, obviously upset about what happened.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA — THE RING.
GORGO vs KERBEROS
The fans are on their feet as referee Neil Rana signals the start of the bout. Gorgo, fresh off the heels of a strong performance in London for PWValor and her surprise selection to represent UPRISING at the World Series of Wrestling tourney, walks confidently to the middle of the ring.
After a huge win over Adrea Hernandez, Kerberos came into Solstice with momentum, and he doesn’t hesitate to meet her face to face, though for once he finds himself looking up at a woman with a slight height advantage. A staredown stokes the crowd’s attention as the thousands find themselves divided on who to support in the matchup.
‘The Hound’ starts jawing at Gorgo, perhaps in an attempt to get under her skin. She doesn’t respond, but the longer he goes, the more of a smile begins to creep across her face. Finally he puts both his hands into her chest and shoves her backward.
She is forced back two steps but immediately moves forward and jams her hands into his chest, sending him three paces back. He briefly betrays his stone face glare with a glint of surprise at her strength but it doesn’t stop him from coming right back.
He throws a backhand chop across her upper chest that earns the first wince from her but she wastes no time firing back with a stiff forearm. He eats it, but not without being twisted from the impact. He faces her again and spits a little more trash talk at her.
Something he says must have hit a nerve, because she sticks her face out and points at her chin, daring him to sock her in the mouth. He looks left out at the crowd, then right, before turning forward and winding back a haymaker.
He swings. She ducks! The looping right sails over head as she grabs him around the waist and hoists him up onto her shoulder before turning and driving him into the canvas with a hard spinebuster.
The fans react with cheers to the hard slam as she stands over him with her arms outstretched like a cross. Kerberos rolls away holding his back before standing. He rushes her out of frustration. She turns and sends him into the ropes.
He bounces off and ducks under a lariat attempt, stops in his tracks and grabs her from behind in full nelson. DRAGON SUPLEX! Gorgo flips backward and lands hard on her neck. The Hound stands up and mocks her pose, drawing his own cheers from the fans.
Gorgo sits up with a scowl on her face, likely due to the fact she does her own variation of the throw. Slowly she stands and walks straight to him with purpose. He waves her in, until she’s within striking range, then throws a straight kick into her abdomen.
She catches it by the ankle, trips him to the mat, and starts kicking the back of his hamstring. He tries to yank his leg free but she’s locked on it like a hyena gnawing a bone. After several hard kicks she twists that lower leg until he’s forced to roll onto his stomach. She then grabs him around the waist and deadlifts him off the canvas and flips him overhead with a bridging German suplex!
ONE! TWO! THR—KICK OUT!
She turns onto her stomach and pops to her feet. He’s trying to stand himself when she throws a kick into the side of his head. The Hound flattens out on the mat and shields his face from another kick, so she goes for his ribs. He quickly rolls away to the ropes, forcing Rana to get between them. Quick thinking by the rookie.
Gorgo stares out at the thousands in attendance as she stalks around the ring. Kerberos stands on the apron with the aid of the ropes. She marches over and tries to grab him, but he drops down and throws a shoulder into her midsection, causing her to double over. He then uses the top rope to sunset flip over her and yanks her down into a pin.
ONE! TW—KICK OUT!
Both spring to their feet. Kerberos tries to lock her up but she showcases her judo background by tossing him over her hip. He stands again and tries to match her by yanking on her arm and forcing her over… She lands on her feet, turns and sends a back heel kick into his face. He drops to his knees then folds over.
Rana checks on the Hound as Gorgo plays to the crowd, something she’s not really done in her previous UPRISING matches, actively trying to get them on her side with a little showboating. She climbs a corner to the middle rope and stares out at the fans while flexing her front biceps.
Kerberos shoves Rana out of his way, earning a warning, on his way to his feet, then sprints across the ring. He slams his forearm against her back then climbs up behind her. He wraps one arm around her waist and hooks her leg with another, then drops backward, sending her crashing into the mat. Both take damage as the ring rattles under the impact.
Slowly he rolls over and throws an arm across her body.
ONE! TWO! THR—KICK OUT!
Gorgo nearly paid the ultimate price for worrying more about the show than her opponent. The Hound stands and grabs her by the hair, forcing her up with him. He headbutts her temple, causing her knees to wobble, then forces her to bend forward. He links one of her arms through her legs and pumphandles her up across his shoulders before dropping backward. THE TROJAN HORSE (Pumphandle Samoan Drop)!!!
ONE! TWO! THR—KICK OUT!!!
She throws a defiant shoulder up a split second before Rana’s hand hits the mat for a third time. Kerberos sits up on his knees and grabs her by the hair with his left while his right loads up a punch. He slams his knuckles into her forehead repeatedly. The faction of fans behind him count each one to ten. He then throws one more strike, this one an elbow that cuts across her brow.
Boos start to gather out as some in the audience are turning on him. He stands and looks all around the building, looking a little confused by the reaction. He shrugs his shoulders then throws out a middle finger, making sure to flash it to every set of eyes in the building.
Gorgo has found her way over to the ropes and is standing. A steadicam at ringside catches her face. A long gash has opened across her brow, likely from that elbow, and under her right eye a small mouse has puffed up. She touches the cut then looks at the blood on her fingers before licking it and flashing the viewers with a knife-slash grin.
Kerberos returns his attention to his opponent. He creeps up behind her and goes for a waist lock but she spins around and cocks him across the face with a straight right that sends him back on his heels toward the middle of the ring. She crosses the distance in a split second and throws a running pump kick that drives him all the way into the far corner.
She quickly gets in his face and hits a back elbow that rattles him. She then rubs her hand over her face then holds the bloody paw in the air, before bringing down hard on his exposed chest with an open-hand chop. The smack cuts through the cheers and he howls from the pain.
He shoves her back with his shoulder then reverses their positions. He pulls his hand back for a knife-edge chop but she drops down and puts her weight into his abdomen while driving him backward. He puts the breaks on top block the double leg takedown attempt, so she lifts him up on her shoulder. They struggle back and forth as she tries to maneuver him. His weight shifts and his feet find the mat again, now with his back to the turnbuckles.
But she lifts him again, this time in a Northern Lights Suplex! She throws her legs over him, hits her feet, and lifts him up for another Northern Lights! One more time, as they move across the ring, she gets him to his feet and flips him over, this time holding the bridge for the pin!
ONE! TWO! THRE—KICK OUT!
A near fall if ever there was, Kerberos gets a weakened shoulder up at the last possible moment. Rana shoots up with two fingers to reinforce the call as Gorgo expresses her disappointment in his job before returning her attention to the Hound.
With a handful of hair, she stands him up. He breaks her grip and throws a straight right into her liver that seems to stun her. He grabs her left arm and jumps, locking his legs around her waist. THE GATES OF TARTARUS (Hoverboard Lock)!!! The modified body scissored kimura sinks in and the pained look on her bloody face tells the story as he tries to force her to quit!
But Gorgo is no stranger to submission escapes. She punches him three times in the side of his face with her power right then drops down, slamming him into the canvas. Next she pushes her weight forward on the balls of her feet, which forces his left arm over his head, weakening his grip. Finally in one quick motion she pulls, slipping her arm free, and is now in his closed guard.
He hip escapes before she can start dropping bombs. She is on her feet first, and he stands right into a TSURIKOMI-GOSHI that sends him sailing over and crashing into the mat. With wrist-control she drops down and locks an armbar!
The Hound immediately realizes the trouble he’s in and rolls onto his knees and stands before she can get full extension. He grabs his forearm with his other hand and starts to lift her off the mat for a slam. As soon as she’s in the air she releases the scissors and lands on her feet and bends around behind him, twisting his arm into a hammerlock.
He throws an elbow back into her jaw then bends under to reverse position, then shoves her forward before yanking her back into him, with his head now under her left arm and her right leg hooked. He’s going for THE KATACLUSMOS (QUACKENDRIVER III)!!!!
NO! The moment she’s in the air she kicks free her leg and he loses control of her. She ends up across his shoulders in a crucifix position and is now HAMMERING the side of his face with elbows. He stumbles around while trying to stay on his feet but eventually tumbles down and they both land on the mat. She continues to smash him repeatedly, until he looks out of it, then turns, rolling him over her and onto his shoulders.
ONE! TWO! THR—KICK OUT!
She stands in a flash. He rolls onto his stomach and is trying to get up. She pushes the blood out of her eyes with both hands, smearing it into her hair, and then jumps. Her boots land in a double stomp on the center of his back, causing him to yell from pain as his head shoots up into the air. She then climbs over him, pulls his arms up and over her legs as she squats, and wraps her arm around the front of his face. DESUKURATCHI DEATH CLUTCH (Dragon Sleeper)!!!
She wrenches back on his neck and he starts to yell from the pain. Rana steps in and asks if he submits. He shouts “no” several times but his face is turning red and then a dark shade of purple. She briefly reclines forward, allowing her arm to better wrap under his jaw and then pulls back HARD, drawing an audible gasp from many in the crowd. Immediately the blood choke sinks in and Kerberos drifts off into unconsciousness. Rana stands and signals the bell.
As the operatic voice starts to sing Ave Maria over the PA, Gorgo holds the hold for an additional few seconds before Rana finally convinces her to let go. She stands to a surprisingly positive reaction from the crowd, having one the competitive fight decisively.
WINNER (VIA STOPPAGE): GORGO
CUT TO:
EXT. SOMEWHERE IN RENO
We are backstage at the world-reknown former STAPLES CENTER, in Los Angeles California with the former UPRISING CHAMPION Luther Thunder sporting a ripped up SOLSTICE Tank Top and pair of jeans.
LUTHER THUNDER
Last year at SOLSTICE I went into the Terrordome 3.0 as the champion and I left that night without a championship, nor have I held a championship since. To be polite, I’d say things have not gone my way since. However, tonight, I will make a change to that. Myself and Ignis also a fellow former UPRISING Champion have gone back and forth for a best of five series here lately and neither of us made it out of the previous SOLSTICE as winners. Well that is going to change tonight because one of us will win, one of us will move on and no matter which one it is I would like to politely offer Ignis an olive branch of sorts and suggest..
We hear a voice off-camera.
LUCHADORK
A Luchadork beanie for good luck?
Thunder glares at the Leavenworth. For a long moment, the pair of them exchange glances before he slaps away the beanie.
LUTHER THUNDER
You can’t bribe me, Ignis; I told you time and time again our families are close. I tried guiding you towards the right direction but you insist on inciting me like no one else. You of all people chose to turn my own siblings against me for your petty cause.
LUCHADORK
Cause? What cause Luthiepoo? I told them to be proud of themselves, to step out of your shadow and accepting that they are their own human beings and not just extensions of you. If anything, I liberated them and you are slapping my gifts away like..
She looks at the orange beanie on the floor.
LUCHADORK
...like a beanie on the ground.
LUTHER THUNDER
Elton John couldn’t have said it better, but let’s face it Ignis: you are no match for me. Sure we were both champs, yeah we both made it to the UPRISING history books and there will be those who never will but the match we have tonight is something far better. We don’t need titles, we don’t need praises or accolades because it will be the end of BEST OF FIVE SERIES between us and I am so confident that I will win it–
LUCHADORK
How confident?
Thunder throws open his arms, glaring at the Luchadork.
LUTHER THUNDER
Confident enough to say that after I beat you, at SOLSTICE I will accept your challenge of a tag match and as you stated before you won’t be able to choose either one of my siblings. Nathaniel and Tara are off the limits, which is probably forcing your chances of being any of your siblings you got left. Good luck with that since Esme will Samoan Spike the heck out of whoever you choose! #CHOKETHEQUACK
Ignis watches him in amazement.
LUCHADORK
Spoilers?!? Besides How are you supposed to know who I got in mind?! I got a partner, I got a partner you will never even guess, just wait and see, Luthiepoo! There are plenty of folks chomping at the chance to put your ample Amsterdam ass in place. I caught you with the Burning Embers once, I can do it again. Want me to go for the same arm or shall I go for the other one? You don’t seem to realize that as loveable and marketable as I am I am still a LEAVENWORTH Which still means I can heck your poo up if you want!
Thunder arches a brow.
LUTHER THUNDER
WHAT?!
LUCHADORK
Look, to deliver a message one does not have to be rude, do you want the beanie or not?
The two of them look at the beanie, Ignis goes for it before Luther plants his boot on it.
LUTHER THUNDER
You won’t get it, just like you won’t get the win tonight Ignis.
She looks at him and smiles.
LUCHADORK
You say that, but I have something you don't: the fans, here in LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA AND AROUND THE WORLD! Let’s see you try to sneak your way past us all, oh and Luthiepoo?
She's ready to head out but pauses, glaring at Luther over her shoulder.
LUCHADORK
That tag match you talked about? I will hold you to that be it at UPRISING or anywhere else. You got your partner, I got mine and once we meet? You will wish we never did.
She walks off and we see Luther stomping down at the beanie, snarling before he sees the camera.
LUTHER THUNDER
Get out! Don’t you have jobs to do?!
With that the show goes elsewhere.
'Anti Hero' by Dark Ride begins to play over the sound system, the lights begin to strobe through the venue as Amy appears through the curtain, dancing before stopping half way and pushes her hair back to reveal the black leather surgical face mask decorated with a Cheshire Cat Smile and above that Amy Santino is written in red and in Japanese. Amy surveys the sold out crowd for a moment before continuing down the ramp, as slaps the hands of the awaiting fans, she then climbs into the ring, where she moves to the corner and then grabs a mic. She moves to the center of the ring and waits for the fan to quieten before raising the mic to her lips.
AMY SANTINO
This is so nerve-wrecking. Debuts suck because you don’t know what to say other than… hello UPRISING.
Amy shrugs as the fans give a small cheer. She's got a few fans out here but most seem unimpressed so far.
AMY SANTINO
Forgive me. It’s been a while since my last debut and even then, I was under a mask and spoke Japanese. Anyway… I thought I would introduce myself. I am Amy Santino: a multi-time champion and hall of famer. A legend in my own right… and now here in UPRISING to continue to cement my legacy and collect some more gold.
Obviously, I am not in action tonight… but what a show we've had so far! It's absolutely insane and we're not even half way through it yet! Believe me, I have been backstage watching it all unfold. I will be watching all of the action tonight, making mental notes of my future opponents.
She smiles, turning back towards the ramp as though she expects an interruption.
AMY SANTINO
I am making a nice list of who I will be taking gold from in the future. So, this may sound a little corny… but everyone should consider themselves on notice. I am here to win and take gold, simple as that. See you in Season 3.
Amy lowers the mic before chucking it into the corner. Her music hits and she climbs out of the ring, heading back up the ramp. Midway up, she turns and does the belt indicator around her waist before turning and heading backstage.
_____________________________________________
LUTHER THUNDER
Last year at SOLSTICE I went into the Terrordome 3.0 as the champion and I left that night without a championship, nor have I held a championship since. To be polite, I’d say things have not gone my way since. However, tonight, I will make a change to that. Myself and Ignis also a fellow former UPRISING Champion have gone back and forth for a best of five series here lately and neither of us made it out of the previous SOLSTICE as winners. Well that is going to change tonight because one of us will win, one of us will move on and no matter which one it is I would like to politely offer Ignis an olive branch of sorts and suggest..
We hear a voice off-camera.
LUCHADORK
A Luchadork beanie for good luck?
Thunder glares at the Leavenworth. For a long moment, the pair of them exchange glances before he slaps away the beanie.
LUTHER THUNDER
You can’t bribe me, Ignis; I told you time and time again our families are close. I tried guiding you towards the right direction but you insist on inciting me like no one else. You of all people chose to turn my own siblings against me for your petty cause.
LUCHADORK
Cause? What cause Luthiepoo? I told them to be proud of themselves, to step out of your shadow and accepting that they are their own human beings and not just extensions of you. If anything, I liberated them and you are slapping my gifts away like..
She looks at the orange beanie on the floor.
LUCHADORK
...like a beanie on the ground.
LUTHER THUNDER
Elton John couldn’t have said it better, but let’s face it Ignis: you are no match for me. Sure we were both champs, yeah we both made it to the UPRISING history books and there will be those who never will but the match we have tonight is something far better. We don’t need titles, we don’t need praises or accolades because it will be the end of BEST OF FIVE SERIES between us and I am so confident that I will win it–
LUCHADORK
How confident?
Thunder throws open his arms, glaring at the Luchadork.
LUTHER THUNDER
Confident enough to say that after I beat you, at SOLSTICE I will accept your challenge of a tag match and as you stated before you won’t be able to choose either one of my siblings. Nathaniel and Tara are off the limits, which is probably forcing your chances of being any of your siblings you got left. Good luck with that since Esme will Samoan Spike the heck out of whoever you choose! #CHOKETHEQUACK
Ignis watches him in amazement.
LUCHADORK
Spoilers?!? Besides How are you supposed to know who I got in mind?! I got a partner, I got a partner you will never even guess, just wait and see, Luthiepoo! There are plenty of folks chomping at the chance to put your ample Amsterdam ass in place. I caught you with the Burning Embers once, I can do it again. Want me to go for the same arm or shall I go for the other one? You don’t seem to realize that as loveable and marketable as I am I am still a LEAVENWORTH Which still means I can heck your poo up if you want!
Thunder arches a brow.
LUTHER THUNDER
WHAT?!
LUCHADORK
Look, to deliver a message one does not have to be rude, do you want the beanie or not?
The two of them look at the beanie, Ignis goes for it before Luther plants his boot on it.
LUTHER THUNDER
You won’t get it, just like you won’t get the win tonight Ignis.
She looks at him and smiles.
LUCHADORK
You say that, but I have something you don't: the fans, here in LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA AND AROUND THE WORLD! Let’s see you try to sneak your way past us all, oh and Luthiepoo?
She's ready to head out but pauses, glaring at Luther over her shoulder.
LUCHADORK
That tag match you talked about? I will hold you to that be it at UPRISING or anywhere else. You got your partner, I got mine and once we meet? You will wish we never did.
She walks off and we see Luther stomping down at the beanie, snarling before he sees the camera.
LUTHER THUNDER
Get out! Don’t you have jobs to do?!
With that the show goes elsewhere.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA -- RINGSIDE
'Anti Hero' by Dark Ride begins to play over the sound system, the lights begin to strobe through the venue as Amy appears through the curtain, dancing before stopping half way and pushes her hair back to reveal the black leather surgical face mask decorated with a Cheshire Cat Smile and above that Amy Santino is written in red and in Japanese. Amy surveys the sold out crowd for a moment before continuing down the ramp, as slaps the hands of the awaiting fans, she then climbs into the ring, where she moves to the corner and then grabs a mic. She moves to the center of the ring and waits for the fan to quieten before raising the mic to her lips.
AMY SANTINO
This is so nerve-wrecking. Debuts suck because you don’t know what to say other than… hello UPRISING.
Amy shrugs as the fans give a small cheer. She's got a few fans out here but most seem unimpressed so far.
AMY SANTINO
Forgive me. It’s been a while since my last debut and even then, I was under a mask and spoke Japanese. Anyway… I thought I would introduce myself. I am Amy Santino: a multi-time champion and hall of famer. A legend in my own right… and now here in UPRISING to continue to cement my legacy and collect some more gold.
Obviously, I am not in action tonight… but what a show we've had so far! It's absolutely insane and we're not even half way through it yet! Believe me, I have been backstage watching it all unfold. I will be watching all of the action tonight, making mental notes of my future opponents.
She smiles, turning back towards the ramp as though she expects an interruption.
AMY SANTINO
I am making a nice list of who I will be taking gold from in the future. So, this may sound a little corny… but everyone should consider themselves on notice. I am here to win and take gold, simple as that. See you in Season 3.
Amy lowers the mic before chucking it into the corner. Her music hits and she climbs out of the ring, heading back up the ramp. Midway up, she turns and does the belt indicator around her waist before turning and heading backstage.
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA — THE RING.
BEST OF FIVE SERIES: FINAL MATCH
LUTHER THUNDER vs IGNIS
This is it, the final match in the series! Ignis has a slight lead, after the Luchadork won via disqualification at Unleashed 3 and her submission victory a month earlier at Unleashed 2. Meanwhile, Luther won rather decisively at Revolution on June 4th with the Sword Of Damocles. The only outlier in the series thus far is the very first match all the way back on May 14th, when they both brawled to the outside and out of the referee's control. If Ignis beats Luther, she will have a definitive victory in the Best Of Five Series. If Luther wins tonight, the series will end in a deadlocked tie (forcing a sixth match.)
Both competitors have clearly learned a lot from the past few months, but still throw caution to the wind. Luther pops right back up from an arm drag, slapping away a standing dropkick. Ignis pops right back up from the missed dropkick, and rolls forward to escape a standing lariat. Ignis attempts to roll Luther up into a crucifix, but Luther walks out into the center of the ring and drops her with a Samoan drop. Sitting right up, Luther turns around and goes for a hammerlock to keep Ignis on the mat. She doesn’t stay there for very long, and upon standing back up reverses the hammerlock into a wringing wristlock, turning Luther’s arm slowly as the crowd gets behind her slowly. Luther reverses into a wristlock of his own, but Ignis runs up the turnbuckles to flip away, arm dragging Luther across the ring! The crowd cheers a little bit louder now, as Luther powders out to ringside. Esme Omega walks over, checking on Luther as he stands up. The two begin to briefly discuss strategy, looking up just in time to see The Luchadork flying off the top rope with a springboard plancha! No flips, no twists, just a flying body coming their way!
The crowd is definitely on their feet after Luther, Esme and Ignis all hit their backs. Ignis is the first one up, and aims to whip Luther into the ring steps. The whip is reversed, and Ignis hits the steps so hard she flips clean over them! Luther stomps her one or two good times before picking her up to roll her back into the ring, yelling out to the ref and the crowd that is booing him.
LUTHER THUNDER
BAD MOVE, LEAVENWORTH!
Luther walks up the ring steps, stepping into the ring through the ropes. Ignis has shaken most of the cobwebs out following being thrown chest-first into the ring steps, but Luther pulls her straight off her knees into a military press! Visibly upset that his wife was knocked down from Ignis’ dive to the outside (even though Esme looks to be no worse for the wear, already back up and back to her role at ringside) Luther feels that it is time for Ignis to face The Judgement…only instead of turning Ignis to slam her onto her back, he merely drops her down face and stomach-first! Ignis curls up as a reflex, holding her abdomen, but Luther rolls her over and attempts a pinfall…
ONE!
TWO!
TWO!
The Luchadork kicks out! The crowd perks back up! Luther is arguing the count, but gets nowhere. As Ignis tries to climb back to her feet, Luther stands tall over her, setting her up with his head between his knees. He lets Los Angeles know that this is it, then lifts Ignis up into a crucifix powerbomb position. With plenty of ring in front of him, it appears that the Sword Of Damocles is about to once again decade a match in this series in the favor of Luther Thunder.
He goes to drop Ignis down…HURRICANRANA! Ignis reverses! She tries to roll backwards, but Luther hangs on, and stands over her in a powerbomb position…LUTHER DEADLIFTS IGNIS OFF THE MAT! He adjusts to grab her arms, and now Ignis is right back where she was, about to be dropped by the Sword Of Damocles! He stumbles back just a bit, but catches his balance! He’s about to hit the biggest move of this series!
Ignis’ feet are hooked on the top rope! He can’t throw her! Luther turns around, with one hand now on Ignis’ collar, turning her around as well! He locks in a front face lock, and hooks the arm! Ignis is half-standing on the top rope…LUTHER STEPS UP! A SUPERPLEX FROM THE MIDDLE ROPE, NOT THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE! YES, THIS IS HAPPENING!
Luther falls back…
IGNIS FLOATS OVER!
THE CROWD IS ABSOLUTELY WILD!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
The series has ended, with Ignis winning 3-1-1! The bell sounds, and the crowd roars once more!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): IGNIS
_____________________________________________
CUT TO:
INT. CRYPTO.COM ARENA — THE RING.
TOTAL ANARCHY GRUDGE REMATCH
MATTHEW KNOX (c) vs "CHRONIC" CHRIS PAGE
Page steps up to Knox as the bell rings, verbally berating him while the Total Anarchy champion stares blankly down at his rival. Page goes to pieface Knox who, quick as light, snatches the offending wrist and locks in a wristlock, driving Page to one knee before he can react. He then hauls off and slaps Page across the face before shoving him to the mat and going back to simply staring at the now bewildered, but enraged Chris Page. Chris goes to charge in but Knox sidesteps him and shoves him toward the ropes, catching him on the rebound with a deep armdrag and locking in an arm bar.
Knox begins slapping Page with his free hand before shoving him away and inviting him to his feet. Page wastes no time and in a flash, it’s instantly a fistfight in the middle of the ring. Page eventually gets the upper hand with a chop to the throat and plants Knox with a DDT dead center in the middle of the ring. He then rolls out of the ring, shoving a cameraman aside and throwing the apron up. He begins grabbing and throwing various foreign objects into the ring before settling on a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. He slides back into the ring, stalking Knox
CHRIS PAGE
GET UP, YOU BITCH ASS ROOK!
Knox gets to his feet, shaking the cobwebs and turns to eat a homerun shot upside the head. Instantly, his scalp begins to leak blood from the barbed wire. He catches himself on the ropes, only to yell out as Page nails him across the back, opening more wounds. Pages yells more obscenities, before kicking him down to one knee. He measures the shot, grinning sadistically as he hauls back, swings….
AND MATT KNOX CATCHES THE BAT WITH BOTH HANDS!
The barbed wire cuts through the tape on his hands. Page tries like hell to rip it from Knox’s grasp, but he yanks it free from Page and throws it out of the ring. Page swings, Knox deflects and snatches Page into a Muay Thai Plum, sending knees crashing into his ribs and chest while Page throws punches into Knox’ ribs trying to free himself. Knox transition the plum into a double underhook and lifts page, hitting an elevated double underhook DDT. He rolls to his feet, walking to a chain Page had thrown in and wrapping it around his fist but leaving plenty of slack. Without a moment of hesitation, he begins to whip Page across the back with it.
MATT KNOX
On your feet, rookie. Come on don’t quit now!
CRACK!
MATT KNOX
I’m barely getting started. Chrissy, wake up!
CRACK!
MATT KNOX
What are your boys gonna think? What’s the titty bar bitch you swindled into fucking you gonna think?
CRACK!!
Page gets to his feet, swinging once more but Knox sidesteps. He thumbs Page in the eye, and wraps the chain around his neck. The cameras pick up.
MATT KNOX
You know just what this is for…
Knox throws Page over the top rope….then backs up and begins to HANG PAGE WITH THE CHAIN! Ref Stef tries to get Knox to stop but he’s relentless, blood flowing from his wounds but a calm expression beneath the crimson mask. He looks out to the audience, white teeth flashing through the red as he nods….HAYLEY JACOBS HOPS THE GUARD RAIL! SHE GRABS THE BAT AND MAKES HER WAY TO PAGE, OBLIVIOUS TO THE RELENTLESSLY BOOING CROWD.
HAYLEY JACOBS
Fake ass couldn’t finish the job before, now I’m making sure you never can again…bitch.
And with that, she crotches Page with the bat! Security rushes down and the representative of the Matthew Knox spawn collective escapes through the crowd as her dad drops Page, a proud smirk on his face. He steps out onto the apron, hopping down and lifting Page by his hair to roll him into the ring. Page manages to get to his knee, defiantly and hatefully staring up at Knox as he stands over him. Page gives the double bird salute just as Knox nails him with a thunderous roundhouse that topples him.
Knox falls onto Page, spent and hooks both legs
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): MATTHEW KNOX
As the trainers and Big J help Page to the back, Knox stares after him. He takes a cursory glance over the crowd, a small smile on his face as he nods. He sits down in the middle of the ring, setting the Total Anarchy title beside him and brings the audience from full pitch to a hush as he unties his ring boots, sliding out of them and setting them before him. He takes the TA title and sets it against the boots, standing up and bowing once before stepping out of the ring and making his way to the back as the audience applauds him.
He stops at the top of the ramp, taking one last look back and giving a nod before disappearing behind the curtain.
He stops at the top of the ramp, taking one last look back and giving a nod before disappearing behind the curtain.
