Post by "The Peoples GOAT" James Raven on Feb 13, 2023 20:54:49 GMT -5
Monday Night Brawl takes the air live from the CCPE Arena at The Velvet Rabbit Las Vegas to a sold-out crowd of 15,000 strong hanging from the rafters as we fade to ringside where Centurion and Tyler Cage are eager to call tonight’s action.
CENTURION: Welcome to another episode of WGWF’s Monday Night Brawl from CCPE Arena in the heart of Sin City, Las Vegas, Nevada! I am Centurion being joined by my broadcast partner the incomparable Tyler Cage, and Tyler the Road to WrestleWars is starting to heat up!
TYLER CAGE: Centurion you called it! The baddies are hanging from the rafters, we are on the road to WrestleWars, and tonight we’ve got an incredible lineup that’s being headlined by Peter Vaughn who defends the WGWF World Heavyweight Championship against Ace Sky!
CENTURION: Two weeks ago Peter Vaughn was taking some notes while scouting his opposition for WrestleWars, but tonight that same opposition is going to be joining us at ringside! Mark “The Dragon” Cross will be on hand for tonight’s Main Event!
TYLER CAGE: If you ask me any match with TWO Baddies is enough to headline and tonight that’s exactly what we’re going to have with Atara Raven taking on Zara Ivory taking on Bam Miller in Triple Threat action.
CENTURION: Atara and Zara tried to lift the tag titles from the Show Stealerz but tonight they’re looking across the ring from each other with the ever unpredictable Bam Miller rounding out the fray. Also tonight we’ve got 6-Person Tag Team Action with Samuel Chatman teaming with Addison Andrews and the debuting John Blade to battle with Damage, Mike Angelo, and Vittore Costa!
TYLER CAGE: The issues with Damage and Chatman continue to heat up following our last episode of Brawl when Damage left Chatman lying. Tonight they’re in the same ring at the same time with a badass Baddie joining in on the action. Also on deck tonight is a fight that’s been brewing since our relaunch as Fred Debonair finally meets John Cable one on one!
CENTURION: We are going to hear from Lexi Gold, we’re going to hear from Goth, we’re going to see THE Tristan Slater and Mark Flynn finally go face to face, and we’re also going to see Buster Gloves and Mike Mason mix up on the microphone ahead of their Brawl Main Event in two short weeks… but before anything else….
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When the scene shifts back to the ring, the crowd is in a commotion. The ring mat has been covered with a red velvet material that stretches all the way up the ramp. The ring ropes and their associated buckles have been painted gold. In the middle of the ring stands a large object shrouded under a silk blanket.
Then…
“Bodies” by Drowning Pool hits the air and the crowd goes bonkers with nuclear heat.
THE BIG TICKET: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the WGWF 3% co-owner and Television Champion…… THE PUNISHER!
A cacophony of fireworks goes off like it’s the Super Bowl. Confetti rains from the rafters. The sound of a mighty motorcycle engine roars. The Punisher is soon visible riding his Harley down the ramp. He drives it around the ring one handed cool-guy style while flipping fans off with his free hand. He even slaps a few who try lurching over the barricade to get at him.
CENTURION: Here he comes everyone. The new Television Champion who quite dominantly defeated Sonya Benson last Brawl.
TYLER CAGE: He demolished her, Cent. He mauled her so badly she took to Twitter and announced she can’t even compete until the 27th of February Brawl, in which she will invoke her rematch clause. That in and of itself is worthy of celebration. No Sonya tonight!
Big Pun finally brings it to a stop, gets off, showcases the TV title around his waist, then enters the ring to yet another salvo of triumphant fireworks, some even bursting from the tops of the ring posts.
Finally…
Mercifully…
The celebration is over and Big Pun grabs the mic.
THE PUNISHER: SURPRISE MOTHERFUCKERS! You shitbags out here booing me like this after I liberated your sorry fucking asses from that bitch Sonya Benson! Well fuck you too then! Apparently some of you women even got triggered because I violated Sonya with my, ahem, haha, “personalized” style of pinfall. I guess since she’s a woman some of yall felt sympathy. What the fuck is wrong with you dumbasses? It’s Sonya! Well me being the guy that I am, let’s just see that one more time to really piss these women off.
The World’s Greatest Tron sparks to life showing the disgusting vulgar way Punisher pinned Sonya in their match.
The crowd is livid.
THE PUNISHER: Now let’s see that in slow motion, because fuck you that’s why.
The tron does as requested, and even adds sound effects of a woman moaning. This really gets the crowd upset at him.
THE PUNISHER: It sounds like Sonya enjoyed it a little bit doesn’t it. I knew that bitch was one of those “lawful on the streets but a freak in the sheets” types. Alright, enough of the recap. We all know how I mauled that bitch and manhandled the fuck out of her. Let’s move right along to a more important thing. As you see here, there’s an object hidden beneath this cloth, and there’s a lot of decorations I've put in here. It’s pretty simple really. I, co-owner of WGWF, destroyer of Sonya, your television champion, dismantleer of Buster Gloves, and demolisher of the MilkMan on Dark have obviously secured my spot into the WGWF HALL OF FAME!
He rips the cloth off, revealing a gigantic GLORIOUS golden bust of himself.
TYLER CAGE: Oh this is reaching. He’s got balls though. To humiliate Sonya with a type of pinfall like that, then follow it up with a Hall of Fame induction is just insane.
CENTURION: He’s completely out of control with his shared stock of WGWF. The man is GOAT’ing himself. If I was Raven I’d be offended.
The fans are now ravenous with hate for the man.
THE PUNISHER: No introduction into the Hall of Fame would be complete without a video package commemorating my badassery, so let’s see it.
For two minutes the world is subjected to a highlight reel of all his badass moments in every match he’s had.
THE PUNISHER: Now for the closing ceremony. Big Ticket, do your fucking job, boy.
Rolling his eyes, the Big Ticket stands up.
THE BIG TICKET: Everyone, it is now time for the official donning of the jacket! Please pay your respects to the first inductee into the 2023 WGWF Hall of Fame… THE PUNISHER!
Big Pun retrieves the legendary golden jacket that is awarded to all HOF’ers regardless of sport, and then he slides it on and poses.
THE PUNISHER: Finally I get some respect around here. It’s about damn time. You finally realize I’m GOD tier. I’m the Messiah of Macabre. I’m a god in this ring, and you people better keep putting respect on my name.
In mid pose, three hooded figures barge into the ring, having emerged from the first few rows. All at once they barrel into Punisher from behind, chopping him down with dual tackles to the back of his legs while the third, a man of familiar gargantuan build, clobbers him in the back of the noggin with a fist reinforced by a loaded coal miner’s glove.
The smallest of the trio sheds their hood, revealing the inherently bratty face of Sonya Benson. The fans uncork a GIGANTIC pop, but then immediately realize their folly and unleash nuclear heat on the reviled woman.
CENTURION: THAT’S SONYA! What the hell? I thought she was laid up in a wheelchair for the next few weeks!
TYLER CAGE: She’s got her entourage with her too! They’re operating in full force.
Norris and Smith peel back their hoods too and the trifecta go batshit crazy on Punisher, stomping a mudhole in him and walking him dry. To Pun’s credit, he tries getting up, attempts to fight back, but unlike last time Sonya is more prepared. She whips out a taser. Not a rinky-dink one either; this one’s police style. The Rich Bitch fires it into his flesh and keeps the trigger pressed down as Big Pun spasms on the mat.
And she keeps it that way until the device no longer holds a charge. The damage has been done. Big Pun’s body is inert, too drained to mount a resistance. He is conscious but can’t do jack-shit as Smith mounts him and pummels him with a volley of coal miner gloved fists. Smith keeps the barrage going until Sonya calls him off and Norris retrieves the TV Title off him. She has secured a mic.
SONYA BENSON: SURPRISE MOTHER-HUMPER! You thought I was laid up in a wheelchair still? Good. That’s what I wanted you to think, because look at you now, and look at me. Like I said on Twitter - Monday Night Brawl, February 27th, right here in this ring I’m summoning my championship rematch clause. Cokehead Corpse Page already green lit it. You HUMILIATED me. You VIOLATED me you sick bastard! So here’s a little preview of what happens when you scorn a woman, Mr. messiah. Mr. god Tier. Mr. Hall of Famer.
The Aristocrat barks orders at Smith and Norris who quickly rummage the underbelly of the ring and retrieve the ring crew's toolbox. Smith comes away with the object she desires and they reconvene around the fallen champion.
The crowd gasps as her crew pins Big Pun flat on the mat and extends his arms out. Sonya handles the nail-gun dainty, limp wristing it with some hesitance. She moves in and places the end against his open palm.
SONYA BENSON: You claim you’re on the Big Man Upstair’s level? Well, let’s put that to the test. I’m about to shoot these nails through your hands and feet, and pin you to the wood like the Romans did you know who. Let’s see if you are risen and healed in two weeks time for our title rematch.
Big Pun’s eyes enlarge at the sadistic prospect. She can’t be serious! Looking away, the Rich Bitch hesitates again, but with a reassuring nod to herself she presses the gun hard into his palm and…
*TWAACK!*
SONYA BENSON: … Just kidding.
The nail pierces the canvas next to his hand.
SONYA BENSON: If I recreated that scene from the good book it’d put you on par with the Big Guy, and judging by the frightened expression on your face just now, I’d say you’re not on his level, not even close. What I will do is shut you up for the next two weeks though.
With help from her entourage, who pull and maneuver Pun’s lips to full elasticity, Sonya fires two nails through them, forcing them to stick together with utmost pain. Sonya looks sickly for a moment, like she’s gonna hurl, but she shakes herself out of it. The Punisher writhes hectically, his weakened body almost coming unjarred from the grips of Norris and Smith. His eyes are bulged, full of unfathomable pain and fury.
Tyler and Centurion, for once, are quiet. The crowd isn’t, however, and despite their loathing of both Sonya and Punisher, they simply cannot fend off the urge to yell the time honored chant.
“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”
With the nail-gun still in hand, she secures the mic with the other and tauntingly places it against Pun’s shutted lips.
SONYA BENSON: Come on, stud. Talk that talk. Spit all that tough talk. Tell us all that yackity-yack.
Obviously he can’t. All that ushers from his nailed kissers are grunts and growls and squeals.
SONYA BENSON: Yeah. Thought so. Now you just stay right there you sorry son of a bitch!
She places the sole of her shoe on his face disrespectfully.
SONYA BENSON: Under my shoe, right where you belong, as I now ensure you never again mock your ravaging of my womanhood, you depraved piece of shit!
She bends down and places the nail gun against his groin, pressing it as hard as she can against his pants. Without hesitation this time, she squeezes the trigger, sending the roundrive projectile rocketing through the fabric and into his reproductive organ. Big Pun goes into what looks like a seizure though likely isn’t. It’s just the pain. A pain no man should ever feel. A pain so crippling and profound that vomit seeps through his nailed shut lips and splats on the mat. Apparently the producers in the back or James Raven himself has seen enough. The mic is cut. The scene goes blank to commercial.
We fade to the ring where “THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX is standing in the ring with a microphone in hand.
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: Ladies and Gentlemen the following contest is a SEMI-FINAL match in the WGWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT!
CCPE ARENA EXPLODES!
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: Introducing first, about to make his way to the ring hailing from EL PASO, TEXAS, he is “CHOLO” GIOVANNI SANTANA!
The intro to "Mi Gente", the Re-Mix by Jay Balvin featuring Beyoncé and Willy William begins to play getting the crowd to jump to their feet. Once the beat drops, out steps "Cholo" Giovanni Santana looking as good as ever and flashing that million-dollar smile. He holds his usual mezcal cocktail on his hand as he soaks it all in, feeling the love from the fans, and after a few seconds he makes his way to the ring. He walks up the steps, walks on the apron and after wiping his boots, respecting the ring, he gets inside. He walks towards the middle nodding his head to the beat of the catchy song, making his afro wave back and forth. Some of the fans get into it, especially the ladies and Cholo points and winks to some. He goes to chill in one corner, and when the ref comes over to check him, instead he hands him his drink and asks for another. The ref shakes his head not amused and he hands the drink to an official on the outside and then checks Cholo while he, and some of the fans nearby share a laugh.
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: And his opponent…
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: About to make his way to the ring from the HILLS OF HOLLYWOOD, he is “THE DOPEST DUDE IN THE ROOM”, he is PAUL MONTUORI!
Darkness.
So you know..
A lot of people tryna be like me..
But you know..
You just can’t be like me..
Outrageous amounts of fireworks go off as well as an enormous amount of smoke fills the room. Various annoying lasers of many neon colors shootout in some weird ass pattern that only makes sense to one person.
A spotlight appears on the entranceway as Paul Montuori appears with Michelle Riggs at his side. He stands for a moment, soaking up the adulation of his Kingdom. Strutting his way down to the ring, he’s careful not to let any of the peasants in the crowd lay their filthy paws on him or his Queen.
Reaching the ring, Paul lifts Michelle up onto the apron. He hops up, joining her. Ever the gentleman, he opens the ropes for her to get in, before climbing up onto the second rope and once again soaking in the adulation of his Kingdom. He hops over the top rope and lands in the ring. He makes his way over to Michelle, grabbing her and laying a huge smooch on her.
CENTURION: Here we go! The winner moves on and the loser goes home in the WGWF Intercontinental Championship Tournament!
The crowd is solidly behind Cholo as they chant his name following the opening bell. Cholo and P Mont come out from their corners knowing that the stakes are high as they circle each other and look for the lock up only to have Paul kick Cholo in the midsection doubling him over. P Mont lands several clubbing blows across the back of Cholo before driving him back into the ropes. P Mont shoots Cholo across the ring, Cholo bounces off the ropes ducking under a reverse elbow attempt, Cholo puts on the breaks and when P Mont spins around he walks into a scoop slam by Cholo to a pop from the crowd! P Mont pops back up off the mat and is met with a standing vertical dropkick sending P Mont back into the ropes, Cholo is back up and charges towards Paul who sends Cholo sailing over the top rope and out to the floor!
TYLER CAGE: Come on Cholo! You can’t let the baddies see you like this!
P Mont drops down to the mat and rolls out to the floor where he starts stomping away at Cholo before picking him up and driving him face-first off the announcers table not once but twice before he takes Cholo and looks to whip him into the security railings, Cholo reverses and it’s P Mont that crashes into the barrier! We get a screen split into thirds with Buster Gloves watching on from his locker room on the right side, Mike Mason watching on from his locker room on the left side while the action continues in the center.
CENTURION: Both Mason and Gloves have a vested interest in how this is going to work out because next week they’re meeting to determine who will meet P Mont or Cholo.
Cholo laces P Mont across the chest with a stiff knife-edge chop before bringing him off the barrier and looks for another scoop slam but this time P Mont slips down the back of Cholo while shoving him forward and face-first off the ring post! P Mont follows up by quickly rolling Cholo in the ring and climbing up on the apron where he lands a Slingshot Leg Drop across the throat of Cholo! P Mont makes the cover.
1!!
2!!
THR..
Shoulder up from Cholo! The crowd continues to rally behind Cholo as P Mont works his way back to his feet and starts stomping down on Cholo while going back to a full screeen on the action. Cholo is picked up off the mat and P Mont locks in a front face lock. P Mont looks for the vertical suplex but it’s Cholo who flips over P Mont on the pickup attempt landing on his feet behind him and transitioning seamlessly into Back Stabber!
Cholo executes the cover.
1!!
2!!
THR…
P Mont escapes with a kickout. Michelle Riggs pounds the apron from outside the ring, urging Paul back up to his feet and into action.
TYLER CAGE: Its all on the line for both P Mont and Cholo. You have to think that neither man can afford to make a mist… Ohhh look at the tata’s on that Baddie in the front row, OMG!
CENTURION: Get your head in the ballgame! This is all about the IC Title, not the baddies.
TYLER CAGE: Speak for yourself.
Cholo is the first to his feet where he picks P Mont up before taking him back into the ropes and shooting him across the ring, P Mont bounces off the farside where Cholo looks for a Tilt-A-Whirl Back Breaker that’s countered into a Arm Drag takeover by P Mont! Mont is back up followed by Cholo who is met with a Japanse Armdrag! Mont is back to his feet followed by Cholo who charges into a drop toe hold across the bottom ropes!
P Mont sntaches Cholo up by the hair and turns it into a ripcode knee strike dropping Cholo like a ton of bricks! Mont quickly drops down into the cover hooking he near leg.
1!!
2!!
THRE…
The crowd erupts as Cholo escapes with a kickout!
CENTURION: P Mont with the near fall as he is coming closer and closer to stamping his ticket to Wrestle Wars and a shot at the Intercontinental Championship.
TYLER CAGE: Michelle looks PISSED that Cholo was able to stay alive there.
The crowd boos intently as P Mont starts choking Cholo with both hands across the throat, Michelle patrolling outside the ring with a smirk. The referee lays the count to him and it’s Mont breaking the hold at the four count before stepping up to his feet. Mont is admonished by the referee as he reaches down snatching Cholo up by the hair. Mont lands a stiff open-handed chop across the pecs of Cholo echoing throughout CCPE Arena but the crowd roars as Cholo comes right back with a double open-handed chop that drops Mont where he stands as it echoes louder throughout the arena. Mont starts to stir as he gets himself back up to a vertical base only to be met by Cholo driving him back into the ropes and shooting him across the ring, P Mont bounces off the nearside and into a Spinning Spinbuster Slam from Santana! The crowd roars as Cholo floats over into the cover.
1!!
2!!
THRE…
P Mont escapes with a kick out to a gasp from the crowd.
TYLER CAGE: Another kick out from P Mont. Both of these kats are battle tested and crave victory.
Cholo gets to one knee before stepping up to a vertical base. Cholo calls for the Full Nelson garnering another rockstar-like response from the crowd. He starts sizing up P Mont who rolls over to his chest and begins pushing himself up off the mat and to his feet. Cholo comes up from behind looking to lock in the Full Nelson only for Mont to do a standing side switch and counter with a Skull Crushing Finale style of a Front Russian Leg Sweep.
P Mont rolls over Cholo making the cover with a hook of the inside leg.
1!!
2!!
THRE..
The fans pop huge for the kick out from Cholo! P Mont doesn’t let it phase him as he starts getting back to his feet and stomping away at the head and upper body of Cholo garnering boos from the crowd. P Mont turns his attention toward the masses and gives them a piece of his mind which only gets more heat before he turns around and makes his way over to Cholo where P Mont reaches down to pick him up only to have Cholo counter with an Inside Cradle!
1!!
2!!
THRE…
MICHELLE: GET THE FUCK UP, PAUL!
P Mont kicks out and beats Cholo to his feet where he plants a boot to the midsection that doubles Cholo over and takes a front face lock and looks to plant Cholo with a DDT! Cholo explodes forward driving P Mont back into a neutral corner with a shoulder block breaking free of the front face lock and managing to counter with another massive double-handed open-hand Chop across the chest of P Mont that sounds like a shotgun going off throughout the arena!
CENTURION: Neither man is giving up an inch!
TYLER CAGE: You can’t expect them to either when so much is on the line.
Another triple screen is shown with Mike and Buster looking on from separate monitors scouting out both Cholo and P Mont. Cholo brings P Mont out from the corner and takes him up into a Military Press! The crowd pops for Cholo but roars as he transitions into a Michinoku driver! Cholo quickly transitions into another cover.
1!!
2!!
THRE…
P Mont escapes once again with a kick out to a massive gasp from the crowd as Cholo gets to his knee’s holding out three fingers only to be shown two by the official. Cholo steps back up to his feet where he reaches down to pick up P Mont, Cholo then takes P Mont in a Torture Rack! P Mont counters into a Tornado DDT spiking Cholo head-first into the mat! P Mont covers Cholo!
1!!
2!!
THRE…
A huge ovation from the soldout crowd with another kick out!
Montouri rolls away from Cholo, crawling to the corner and looking through the ropes at Michelle. She fires him up with a few sharp words, then points over his shoulder to warn him of an incoming Giovanni Santana! Cholo tries to fire a hard kick at the downed Montouri, but Paul rolls out of the way and back to his feet! Cholo turns to face him, but Michelle reaches underneath the bottom rope and grabs his foot to trip him up!
Cholo spins around pointing down at Michelle.
The distraction allows Paul Montuori to come up from behind delivering a Side Walk Slam! P Mont is back up sizing up Cholo for a Curb Stomp. Cholo rolls over to his stomach and starts pushing himself up off the mat to all fours. P Mont rushes forward looking to hit the Curb Stomp, Cholo thows his head out of the way and P Mont stomps down into the mat!
Cholo counters with a quick School Boy!
1!!
2!!
3!!
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WINNER VIA PINFALL: “CHOLO” GIOVANNI SANTANA
Match time- 14:21
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CENTURION: Cholo advances!
The crowd roars as Cholo rolls out to the floor as a visible dejected P Mont can’t believe it. The referee slides out to the floor where he raises the hand of Cholo.
TYLER CAGE: This victory means Cholo has stamped his ticket to WrestleWars to challenge for the Intercontinental Championship.
CENTURION: The only piece of the equation missing is if it’s going to be Buster Gloves or…
MIKE MASON comes rushing down the ramp where he slips behind Cholo locking in his Full Nelson! Mason cranks on the hold several times before spinning it around and driving Cholo down to the floor with the SKY HIGH.
TYLER CAGE: SIMPLY MARVELOUS!
The crowd roars with boos as Mason gets back to his feet. The referee admonishes Mason who turns and taunts the crowd as he admires his handiwork.
CENTURION: The game of oneupsmanship continues.
We are in the arena are preparing themselves for the next scheduled match when suddenly the Titan Tron changes from the WGWF Monday Night Brawl logo to the January 15th Rundown interview that Denise Essex did with Goth.
DENISE ESSEX:“A pleasure to have you here today Goth. The world is clamoring to get to know the newest addition of the WGWF, and you sure made yourself important here on your first night! But, with the West Coast Rumble behind us now, and looking into the future of the Gothic Era of the WGWF, with the long tenure that you have, and the history in the industry, what brought you to the WGWF? And, further, as a former Fed-Head yourself, what do you look for in a company to go work in as a wrestler?”
Denise leads into the interview curious of his intentions and what drew him here of all places.
Goth stares at Denise, rubs his hand across his walking cane that he takes with him everywhere when not wrestling and grins.
GOTH:”What brought me to this company?? The desire to compete against some of the very best that the wrestling industry has to offer Denise, even though the wrestlers these days can perform some of the greatest moves that excites the crowd… I am positive that I can bring something to the dance that none of these young guns has ever seen before…. And that will give me the edge.”
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The shot fades as soon as we hear “Unsainted” from Slipknot hits the sound system as the man the people know as Goth walks out to the arena. He is dressed in his patented black Armani suit while holding on to his custom made cane in his left hand. He slowly walks towards the ring as he walks up the steps and slowly steps between the ropes before asking for a microphone. He remains silent for a few moments as he acknowledges the boos and the cheers from the crowd as most of them are WGWF fans, while there are others that are clearly Goth fans that admire the man’s career so far.
GOTH:”A few weeks ago I made my Brawl debut, where I have faced the number one contender for the world title. “
Goth remains silent as he lets the words sink in, allowing a majority of the fans to start and do a “Dragon” chant throughout the arena who he acknowledges.
GOTH:”Indeed, Mark “The Dragon” Cross, a man that I have faced before in Sin City Wrestling and beat. This time the man had come out and brought the very best that he had to offer, clearly something that I did anticipate from him. Clearly the man had listened to the words that I had spoken on The Rundown a few weeks prior, where I had put him and the rest of the roster on notice. So did I lose??? Or did I actually win??”
CENTURION:”Well according to the record books it would have stated that he had lost.”
The words causes Goth to turn his attention towards Centurion and smirks
GOTH:”Thank you for pointing out the obvious Centurion, can I urge you to open your mouth when I ask you a direct question next time???”
This causes a large part of the audience to boo the sudden remark that Goth had made towards the legendary wrestler that is one half of the announce team on Brawl and a very loved name in the wrestling industry.
GOTH:”Nothing?? Good, it’s quite simple. I managed to get Mark Cross out of his comfort zone, I made him do something that he has never done before… that’s beating ME. And I know that it is very difficult for moronic individuals like yourselves to phantom a mere thought, the thought that someone that is on the losing end was victorious in the end. And that’s because I see things in the bigger picture!! Because I may have wined and dined with kings and queens, I have made fools out of you all as I already performed a masterpiece underneath your stinking noses and none of you even noticed it!!!”
Goth smirks at the boos are rapidly growing louder for the veteran wrestler.
GOTH:”So to answer the one million dollar question that is been burning on everyone’s minds, did the loss to Mark Cross affect me in any shape or form?”
Goth stares into the camera as his sadistic smile slowly fades away and leaves behind a cold and calculated stare instead.
GOTH:”I guess you just have to wait and see my little sheep, because your significant lack in YOUR very own sheepherder has troubled me. And therefore you do not deserve my answer, but who knows… maybe in two weeks???”
With that Goth drops the microphone as he slowly steps through the ropes and heads to the back as this leaves the crowd wonder what his words truly meant.
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: Ladies and Gentlemen the following contest is scheduled for one fall…
Las Vegas explodes upon “Trenches” by Pop Evil hits the speakers.
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: Introducing first, about to make his way to the ring… JONATHON “THE BEAST” CABLE!
The crowd roars louder as John emerges to the top of the ramp, his right knee still in a brace.
CENTURION: Here we go! This is one I’ve been waiting for because it’s finally going to be one on one between Cable and Debonair.
TYLER CAGE: It looks like’s your son is crumbling in his old age, he takes after you.
CENTURION: What?!? That makes no sense!
TYLER CAGE: Of course it does! I couldn’t call him Father Time because well, you’re sitting beside me and The Son of Father Time just doesn’t have the punch calling him your kid. Jesus, dude.
John soaks in the ovation from the crowd and as he starts to make his way toward the ring the ovation pivots into massive boos because FRED DEBONAIR emerges out from the curtain waffling Cable with a chair shot into the back that sends the Beast staggering forward down the ramp! The entrance music immediately cuts as Fred comes forward with a second chair shot across the spine of Cable knocking him down to ringside!
CENTURION: FRED DEBONAIR HAS JUMPED JOHN CABLE WITH A CHAIR!
The boos are unreal as Fred waits for John to turn around and as he does he swings for the skull but it is Cable that ducks down and elevates Fred up and over with a back body drop on the floor! The crowd is on fire as The Beast picks Fred up by the air and drives him head first into the ring steps, not once, not twice, but three times! Fred bounces face-first off the steps and staggers around them with Cable in pursuit!
TYLER CAGE: There is so much animosity and ill will between these two dating back to the relaunch of the company. Fred defeated Cable to call his rumble spot, Cable eliminated Fred at the Rumble only to have Fred play a role from the outside in Cable’s elimination at the hands of P Mont, and here we are!
Cable spins Fred around only to be gouged in the eyes by Debonair! Fred drives Cable face-first off the announcer's desk! It’s Debonair who takes Cable and shoots him toward the security barrier, Cable reverses and sends Fred crashing into the barrier! Cable comes in after Debonair laying in several reverse elbows to the temple before bringing Fred off the barrier by the hair and sets him up in front of the announcer’s table!
CENTURION: Tyler, I think it’s time we step aside.
Centurion and Tyler both drop their headsets and back away from the table where Cable connects with ENIGMA DIVIDE! The crowd pops HUGE as the momentum sends Fred sailing over the announcers desk! John gets back up to his feet where he limps around the announces table and looks to pick up Fred who counters with a low blow! The crowd boos intently as Fred is getting back to his feet where he lands the WAKING NIGHTMARE on Cable on the concrete floor!
The crowd roars with boos as Fred slowly starts pulling himself up off the floor. He picks Cable up and Fred takes advantage and he sends Cable with an Irish Whip toward the ring steps and it’s John’s knee’s driving into the steps sending him forward flipping over them and crashing down to the floor. The fans are all over Debonair as he taunts them while making his way to the steps. Fred separates the top and middle portion of the steps and while Cable is prone on the floor Fred stands over his lower body. Debonair raises up the top portion of the steel steps and drives them down into the right knee of Cable to a shocking gasp from the sold-out crowd!
Seemingly instantly security, EMT’s, and WGWF Trainers flood ringside checking on Cable while separating Debonair.
CENTURION: How much more damage has Fred just done to the right knee of John Cable?!?!
Fred is all smiles as he is forced back up the ramp by at least eight members of security and as they are walking him back up the ramp a Stretcher is being wheeled toward the ring that Fred flips over and sends to the ground garnering more boos from the crowd.
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NO CONTEST
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** Pre-Recorded **
Whispered female voice: “I can't believe they're here together.”
Excited whispering female: “I know, right? Are they actually dating?”
A bright lime colored wall of glass cubes framed in sleek black marble slabs backs the cozy setting within Genting Palace. The vision of Lexi Gold and John Cable conversing over a small white marble table piled with steaming bowls of noodles of all sorts and plates stacked with scallion pancakes across the room is shaky, unsteady, footage from a cell phone as the pair sit their plush green cushioned chairs framed in thin dark wood armrests and legs. They had come to the friendly, world famous classic Chinese establishment within the Velvet Rabbit Las Vegas to enjoy an afternoon brunch, and catch up with each other as it had been a while since they both had found time to be together.
Unawares, the pair of them shared a lovely meal, and great conversation, all the while being filmed by a nearby pair of fans, keen on finding out some juicy nugget or another about a hidden love affair or perhaps a budding relationship between the two as the world had wondered at their status as of late. As time flew, at one point Lexi looked to John across the now empty plates and bowls.
Lexi Gold:“John, can I ask you something?”
John Cable: “Lexi, you can ask me anything. You know that.”
He sets his napkin on the table and shifts to focus his attention fully on her, the tone of the question sending an odd shiver up his spine. The weight of the conversation shifted in that moment, and he could feel it.
Lexi Gold: “You and I have always been honest with each other from the start of our friendship and I do appreciate that, so I have to ask, were you that masked man that I shared a dance with? Be honest with me.”
She sighs under her breath and looks around as she picks at her fingernails nervously.
John Cable: “Lexi, I wasn’t going to mention it… the whole thing is… well… it’s just…”
Cable stumbles on the words as he shifts uncomfortably in the bright green chair. The tension between the two of them grows in the moment, and it seems like John has something on his mind, and might even want to talk about it, but doesn’t know how to broach the subject, his embarrassment and nervousness overtaking him in the moment.
She brushes her blonde hair back and looks at him, showing some concern in her face.
Lexi Gold: “It's just what? Talk to me, John. I feel like I deserve to know. These past few weeks have been difficult to focus when it's been on my mind constantly.”
John looks down at the ground between his feet, clenches his jaw, and then looks up at Lexi with a stern determination etched across his gnarled features.
John Cable: “Lexi… no. It wasn’t me, but I wish it was. I wouldn't have hidden behind a mystery, or made it a private affair. I would have just asked you, and announced it to the whole world… because that’s what you deserve. I was seriously hoping you would ignore that invitation and focus more on the one I sent you for Valentine’s Day… to be completely honest, I’m jealous whoever it is, got to have such a lovely evening with a lovely young lady, and it wasn’t me at your side.”
John scans her features for any tell that might betray her true feelings, anything to give him a glimmer of hope she might even feel the same way about him as he has just admitted to her… but he wasn’t a fool… he knew it was a stretch. He knew how she felt… and he was taking a huge risk with their friendship even admitting how much he had just then. He hoped their friendship was as important as it was to him to her as well, even though he wished there was more to the story.
She gritted her teeth and gazed at the wall in a trance as more thoughts entered her mind.
Lexi Gold: “You shouldn't be jealous, you want to know why? Last time I had someone mysteriously enter my life, it ended up being my ex-boyfriend. He ended up breaking into my house and scaring me. Yeah, I got my revenge when I beat him, but still the memories still haunt me till this day. My issue still is I put my trust in people too easily. I have a good heart. You of all people know this. I do believe you are telling the truth, though. Whoever this masked man is, I will find him and put a stop to this before it gets any worse.”
A look of concern crosses John’s face now, hearing the words she spoke, his longing for more to develop between them all but forgotten in the moment for the worry for her.
John Cable: “what can I do to help?”
Lexi Gold: “I want you to remain by my side no matter what happens. I hope that's not too much to ask for. This may get ugly in a hurry..”
John’s look of concern only grows hearing the tone in her voice and the worry in her words.
John Cable: “Lexi are you in trouble? This sounds serious.”
He grabs her hand in his own, and places the other on top of their hands hovering over the table.
John Cable: “Why don’t you come to Jacksonville with me, and stay there for a while until we can get this figured out and make sure you’re safe? I don’t want anything to happen to you…”
The look on his face, true concern and worry for his friend… someone he cares for deeply… the very thought she might actually be in trouble driving him madder by the moment.
The paparazzi are seen taking their pictures through the window. Lexi notices it and shakes her head, trying her best to ignore and not let it bother her, or let it interfere with what was going on now. She focuses her attention back to John and smiles, thinking about his question very carefully before she responds.
Lexi Gold: “Well it would help to clear my head, plus I could use some time away from the ring and the chaos that comes along with it, so my answer is sure why not. It would be a pleasant trip, I think.”
John, surprised by the response, and a little shocked at himself for being bold enough to offer it in the first place, smiles, happy to have been able to lift the burden from her mind in any way, and looks around at the small crowd beginning to grow around the restaurant’s exterior hallway.
John Cable: “Good. We can get the details figured out and get you settled in for a vacation on the Floridian beaches. For now though, maybe check the bill and head out? I think we may have overstayed our public spectacle meter just a little bit.”
He chuckles to himself a bit as he stand and holds his hand out for Lexi to join him with a wide smile.
John Cable: “Don’t worry about it. You’re going to get to relax for a little while and just enjoy life for a change. I’ll make sure of it.”
Lexi Gold: “Thank you, John. I am really excited. If you don't mind, I'd like to bring the rest of my dolls with me. I just hate leaving them alone. They get cold and scared.”
Quickly, the camera pans over to one of Lexi's dolls that John had gifted her with for Christmas. It had been sitting on the other chair the whole time. Lexi gets up out of her own chair and throws money on the table before she grabs the doll in her clutches and the two walk out of the restaurant and to the outside.
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”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: Ladies and Gentlemen the following 6 Person Tag Team Match is scheduled for one fall…
The scene suddenly cuts backstage where Samuel Chatman and Damage are brawling past their downed teammates! Damage drives a knee across the midsection of Chatman before sending him crashing through the plexiglass of a vending machine!
CENTURION: What the hell is going on around here tonight?!?!
Damage picks up a Aluminum Trash can and measures Chatman who pulls himself out from the vending machine where he is waffled across the head denting the trash can in the process as Chatman drops to one knee.
TYLER CAGE: We’ve got fights all over the building tonight starting with Fred and Cable and now it’s Damage not worrying about getting this six person tag to the ring.
Damage walks off-camera only to return holding a 4 foot steel pipe. Damage runs forward swinging at Chatman who evades and Damage smacks the concrete wall with the pipe! Chatman spins Damage around and starts unloading with a series of right hands to the face and body of Damage! Damage swings at Chatman who ducks and catches Damage with a T-Bone Suplex onto the concrete floor! The crowd roars with approval as we see Chatman getting himself back up to his feet where he picks Damage up and sends him crashing into the side of a production truck!
CENTURION: Is anyone going to stop this?
Chatman disappears around the side of the Production truck where he finds a Ladder! Sam sets the ladder up beside the production truck and starts scaling up it! He reaches the top of the ladder before climbing up on top of the production truck!
TYLER CAGE: What the hell is Chatman doing on top of the production truck?!?!
Damage is starting to work his way back up to his feet when about 10-12 black shirted security flood the area trying to pull Damage back. Sam Chatman stands on top of the production truck and gives a shrug before setting sail with a Swonton Bomb off the top of the truck and down on top of Damage and the slew of security taking out everyone in the process!
CENTURION: Everybody is throwing caution to the wind tonight in Las Vegas! We are going to try and regain control of this program, we will be right back.
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NO CONTEST
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We fade back to ringside where “THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX is standing in the center of the ring.
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: It is now time for the face off…
The crowd erupts as “Glorious” hits the speakers and emerging out to the top of the ramp is THE Tristan Slater.
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: About to make his way to the ring, he is THE TRISTAN SLATER!
Tristan starts making the walk toward the ring.
CENTURION: I’m not going to lie but when I saw this face-off scheduled tonight I immediately I am here for it.
THE Tristan Slater tags a few hands on his way to ringside. He reaches the ringside area and climbs up on the ring apron where he looks out across the sold-out CCPE Arena. THE Tristan Slater steps through the ropes and into the ring. THE Tristan Slater reaches the center of the ring where he shakes hands with Harvey before taking the microphone. Tristan helps Harvey out of the ring before he once again takes center stage addressing the camera.
THE TRISTAN SLATER: I didn’t come to Las Vegas to waste a lot of my time or yours.
THE Tristan Slater pivots his attention toward the entrance ramp looking up at the curtain.
THE TRISTAN SLATER: Mark Flynn.
The crowd boos intently at the mere mention of Flynn’s name.
THE TRISTAN SLATER: You’re either coming out here and we’re going to get to the bottom of this, or you’re not. Come on, Mr. Best in the World. Pfft.
CCPE Arena fills with boos as the black curtain parts. Stepping through the curtain, microphone in hand, wearing his trademark bomber jacket, it’s Mark Flynn.
Except across the back, he’s taped over ‘King of the Midcarders’... And in its place, he’s written in big block sharpie letters, ‘MASTER OF REALITY™’.
He spins and sticks his arms out so the live crowd can see. They boo him all the same.
Flynn grins a crooked smile.
”Aw, what’s wrong, Slater? Feeling impatient? Don’t like your time getting wasted? You don’t wanna wait any longer?”
Flynn chuckles.
”See, that’s funny. Because *I*... had to wait TEN FUCKING YEARS FOR MY TIME AT THE TOP OF THE WRESTLING WORLD.”
The crowd rains down boos. Flynn shakes his head, smiling but clearly seething with rage at the idea that Slater’s time has value.
”I had to STEW and FESTER in a BOILING FUCKING RAGE… For TEN YEEEEEEEEEEARS. As I watched goofball idiots get shoved into spots that I deserved from DAY ONE.”
“Raion Kido. Sebastian Duke, Bobby Bourbon… Men who got top title shots despite being LIGHTYEARS beneath me, in terms of talent.”
Flynn points his finger toward the ring.
“And it ALL started with you, Slater. Ten long years ago, in 2012, *I* was undefeated. *I* was the FUCKING MAN. I debuted at the top of the fucking XWF singles division, ripping through the main roster like a goddamned wood chipper.”
“Then, I ran into a brick wall. A fucking BEAST. The 8-0 Tristan Slater.”
“And, I’ll admit it… I came up short.” Flynn pinches his finger and thumb together.
“CLOSE… But no cigar.”
Flynn paces side-to-side at the top of the ramp, working himself up.
“And, if I were any of the seven men you’d beaten before me? If I had an ounce less resolve? Grit? FULL FOCUS? I’d have done like they did. Packed my bags, picked up my check, and headed for an easier fight.”
…
“BUT I.”
“FOUGHT.”
“THROUGH.”
“I put on a Robert Miles mask, built a fucking grass roots movement and got the people to chant my fake-name until I got a 24/7 briefcase… AND I DEFEATED THE UNDEFEATABLE TRISTAN SLATER.”
“For ONE NIGHT, I knocked the fucking golden aura off your Olympian ass.”
…
Flynn snorts.
“And what happened after that, Slater? I couldn’t enjoy it for 24 hours before I started hearing your voice on television…”
“Mark Flynn couldn’t beat me in a fair fight.”
“Mark Flynn is a coward who did things the wrong way.”
”MARK… FLYNN…. CHEEEEEEEEATED.”
…The crowd unleashes a maelstrom of boos… A few ‘Cheater’ chants break out, based off the idea that it might irritate Flynn.
Flynn keeps his focus on Slater.
“And it didn’t matter to anyone… When a month later? I beat your ass FAIR AND SQUARE with the vacant European Title on the line.”
“No briefcase. No Russian Boxer. No disguises. No ambush.”
“Flynn versus the 22-0 Slater. *I* BEAT *YOU*.”
…
“And STILL… All I heard was ‘Mark Flynn cheated’... ‘Mark Flynn broke the rules’...”
…
“So, when 2013 rolled around? When you got fucking POPPED FOR… *enhancing* your performance?”
….Flynn cackles, shaking his head.
“I was FURIOUS. Because the entire time you were TARNISHING MY REPUTATION… YOU, Slater… YOU! Were the CHEAT. I had to wrestle a fucking BLONDE GORILLA ON STEROIDS… and I STILL WON… And you had the fucking AUDACITY TO CALL ME A CHEAT.”
“...And you have the fucking GALL. To say that I *think* I’m sharing groundbreaking news? Like your steroid abuse is a ‘gotcha’. Oh no, Tristan. No, no-no-noooooooo.”
“I’m bringing up your steroid abuse to BEAT A DEAD HORSE. Like you did MONTH-IN and MONTH-OUT FOR MY ENTIRE CAREER. That you TRAINED your CHIMP fans to SCREECH AT ME EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY… For a DECADE.”
As the crowd continues chanting, Flynn starts pointing them out individually.
“THIS IDIOT IN THE FRONT ROW. THIS FUCKING DRUNKEN SOCCER MOM IN THE CENTER! EVERY FUCKING PERSON IN THIS ARENA. SHOULD BE SCREAMING ‘CHEATER’ EVERY TIME YOUR FACE IS IN ON-SCREEN.”
…
“Then, maybe, for a moment, just one moment, you’d know what it was like, to go through what you did to me.”
…Flynn snorts.
“But, I don’t want your apologies, Slater. God knows you’ve accepted your past and that means you’re too FUCKING ZEN to acknowledge what you’ve done.”
“I want ONE CHANCE. In the center of THAT ring. To silence my biggest critic. To SHUT-UP your stupid pretty-boy face. To take your god-damned arm and ssssssssSNAP it in half. So that the world knows ONCE and FOR ALL… That Mark Flynn was ALWAYS BETTER than Tristan Slater…”
THE Tristan Slater yawns as he cups his hand across his mouth, ya know, so as to not be a rude fuck before raising his microphone.
THE TRISTAN SLATER: Are you done? Nobody came out here to listen to some shitty recap of events from a DECADE ago. Yes, Mark Flynn cashed a briefcase in and took a Championship… How long did it take for me to take it back? A week? IT DOESN’T MATTER! IT NEVER DID! You have most the people fooled, but never me. I’ve always seen right through you, I’ve always nailed you to the wall when you didn’t have an advantage, and IF you meet me at WrestleWars Eight you’re going to be served the same goddamn fate.
The sold-out crowd pops for Slater but he’s not finished.
THE TRISTAN SLATER: The time for talking is through, little man. I’ll put a beating on you that some more plastic surgery is going to be needed to hide from the sheer embarrassment that is going to fall upon you because THIS is do-or-die time for Mark Flynn. How about I stomp you on the WGWF’s grandest stage before taking my ass back to that shithole that labels you as a Universal Champion, and takes that strap there too?
Mark looks to cut Tristan off
THE TRISTAN SLATER: Bruh we’re done listening to the ramblings of a jaded middle school student… You have your opportunity to box with the only man on the planet who truly has your number, hell kid, I’m so confident that you can name the match you want to have. I’ll put myself at the disadvantage just so when I beat you, again, it’s going to be on your terms so you can’t make any excuses!
Tristan drops the microphone leaving things to Mark Flynn to respond.
”Oh ho ho…” Flynn shakes his head. ”You’d love that, wouldn’t you, Slater? Give yourself an EXCUSE for losing. Just another JUSTIFICATION for why you’ll lose. First time, it was because of a briefcase. Second time, because it was a ladder match, and I never pinned you. Third time? When I tossed your ass out of the West Coast Rumble? Because you SACRIFICED yourself to save John Cable.”
“Well, NOT THIS FUCKING TIME, SLATER.”
“I’ve taken your reputation. I’ve taken your arm. Now, I’m stripping away the last thing you have over me. Your record without getting pinned by MARK FLYNN in a one-on-one match.”
“No shenanigans. No interference. No fucking chance to run away from the TRUTH, Slater. Because we’re fighting ONE on ONE… IN A STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL CAGE.”
The roof just about pops off the top of CCPE Arena is how amped the people are!
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”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: The following contest is a TRIPLE THREAT MATCH!
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: Introducing first, about to make his way to the ring… BAM MILLER!
Song by Scorpions plays over the speakers and Bam Miller rides out on stage on his Midnight Black Harley Davidson, he reves up the engine and then begins to ride down the ramp and parks at the end. He gets off slowly and jugs a Miller Lite beer and then tosses it into the crowd. He argues with some fans and then walks up the steel steps but before stepping into the ring he reveals his signature weapon The Brick out of his black leather jacket and raise the brick in the air for the people to see, with a smirk replaces it down by the steps and gets inside the ring and runs up to the top turnbuckle as he beats on his chest and uses vulgar language towards the fans. After that he gets down and goes over in his corner and waits for the match to begin.
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: And his opponent…
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: About to make her way to the ring, ZARA IVORY!
"Big Flip" hits the sound system and plays throughout the arena as dark red, silver, and dark purple lights begin flashing throughout. As the lyrics start, Zara comes bounding out from backstage with Marley standing behind her as the fans have a mixed reaction of cheers and jeers at the green-haired women. She takes her replica helmet off, her cousin by her side as the lights followed them along the path down the ramp. As she passes by fans, she can be seen making mocking faces at the adults that jeer at her though chooses a random little kid to give the helmet to. She slid into the ring with ease, jumping to her feet as Marley got in the ring through the ropes.
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: And introducing their opponents…
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: About to make her way to the ring, ATARA RAVEN!!!
The honeyed rasp of Atara's voice blares over the facility's PA in unison with those words appearing on the multitude of screens and displays littering the arena.
HELLO DOVES
The crowd pops and gets to their feet shouting in near total unison a single word.
OPA!
Arena lights start to pulse in time with the music and multiple vertical streams of pyro erupt across the front of stage. Strutting with purpose Atara emerges from the back taking spot centerstage atop the ramp. Posing for the camera, a wink and kiss is given to the viewers at home.
Grunge walking to the ringsteps, she climbs and stops at the top to posture again for her adoring public. Hand on her hip, the Grecian moves to the middle of the apron to blows a final kiss to the camera and enters the ring through the middle rope.
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The trinity stand in their respective corners, eyeing each other as the opening bell sounds. Bam Miller is the first to move as he stomps across the ring towards Zara Ivory and quickly forces her back into the ropes, pushing a forearm into her throat and bending her back over the top rope. He releases her as Atara Raven approaches, wary of catching her shin off the back of his head. He turns to face her and Zara immediately shoves him, toppling him over to a single knee before falling back off the ropes and driving her boot into the skull of Bam Miller. Bam slumps over on the canvas and begins slowly crawling away from Zara as Ivory turns to face Atara.
CENTURION: I was wondering how long it would be before these two came face to face.
TYLER CAGE: Apparently about thirty seconds.
Atara smiles at Zara, beckoning for her one time partner to make a move. Zara lunges forward and is able to tie Atara up, shooting her off the ropes. Atara is able to hook her arms over the top and stop herself on the opposite side of the ring. Zara charges towards her and looks for a clothesline but Atty ducks and back body drops Ivory over the ropes! Zara is able to catch herself and land on the apron instead of falling all the way to the floor, but Atara drills her with a dropkick that sends her toppling to the floor anyways. Raven rolls back to her feet and turns to Bam Miller who’s dragging himself back to his feet. With Zara out of the way, Atty decides to try and capitalize on a still groggy Bam. She moves towards her and kicks him in the thigh, stumbling him before she grabs him by the shoulders and judo trips him to the canvas. She holds onto his wrist and quickly spins herself into position for an armbar, but somehow Miller regains his composure quickly enough to pull his arm free and roll back to his feet before Atara can do any real damage. Atara stands, but is quickly booted in the midsection and doubled over. Bam hooks her head and DDTs her sharply to the canvas, rolling her over and hooking her leg for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout by Atara!
CENTURION: Zara Ivory is back up to her feet, climbing to the apron and then up to the top rope!
TYLER CAGE: Bam sees her and is heading over to meet her!
Zara is perched atop the ringpost when Bam suddenly leaps up to the middle rope and hammers her with a right hand! Ivory tries to push Miller down, but he continues to throw right hands and eventually batters her down until she's seated on the top rope. Without hesitation he grabs her around the waist, and suplexes her off the top rope and to the canvas below!
The ring shakes as Zara lands, but before Bam can make his way over to her Atara rolls on top of Zara as the referee begins to count!
ONE!
TW-
CENTURION: Bam grabs Atara by the foot, dragging her off of Zara and breaking the count!
TYLER CAGE: Atty tried to steal one there! I love it!
Atara pops up to her feet and Bam tries to grab her, but she knees him in the midsection and shoves him back into the ropes. He rebounds back at her and throws up his boot, driving it across Atara’s jaw and dropping her to the mat! He turns to Zara as she rolls up to her feet, but hits a brutal clothesline that turns her inside out and upside down before she falls in a heap as well. Bam stands over Atara and Zara, looking at the two downed women as the crowd watches in anticipation. Ultimately he grabs hold of Zara Ivory and pulls her up to her feet, spiking her to the canvas with the Double Shot!
CENTURION: Zara gets caught with the double arm DDT!
TYLER CAGE: Bam makes the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THR-
Atara is able to crawl over and drop herself on Bam’s back, locking in a crossface and peeling him up and off Zara so that she can inch her shoulder up off the mat before collapsing back down in exhaustion. Bam struggles to free himself, but Atara drags him away from Zara and has him isolated in the middle of the ring! Bam groans and screams, the fans roaring their support for Atty!
CENTURION: Bam’s hand is hovering over the mat!
TYLER CAGE: Atara might get him to tap!
Zara Ivory rolls up to her hands and knees, and Atara sees her. Bam refuses to submit and once more tries to free himself, and she eventually decides to cut bait and drop him back to the mat. She rolls to her feet, sizing Zara Ivory up as she crawls up to her knees and then…
CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-AAAAAAACK!
The sickening crack of bone on bone echoes through the CCPE Arena, Atara driving her knee into the skull of Ivory with The Judgement of Paris.
CENTURION: ZARA IS OUT COLD!
TYLER CAGE: I’d say that team up they had is officially over now!
Zara collapses flat on her back as Atara tries to crawl back over to her and make the cover, but Bam Miller is crawling as well and cuts Atara off. He stands, pulling her to her feet as well and forcing her back against the ropes! He rocks her with a strong elbow, then grabs her legs and tips her backwards out of the ring!
Atara crashes hard on the floor outside!
Bam turns back to the motionless Ivory, quickly diving on top of her and barking for the referee to make the count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
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WINNER VIA PINFALL: BAM MILLER
Match time- 11:06
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CENTURION: Bam picks up the win! Atara tried to steal the cover from him earlier in the match, and he did it to her at the end!
TYLER CAGE: Sneaky sneaky. You gotta respect the hustle.
Bam stands up, pointing at his wrist and demanding that the referee lift it in the air. Atara sits on the floor, staring up at the ring in frustration and knowing she nearly had the victory. She stands up, eyes locked on Bam, and he turns to face her from the ring. Before either of them can do anything more, a figure tears through the curtain and begins sprinting down the ramp towards the ring!
CENTURION: That’s Mac Bane!
TYLER CAGE: Mac Bane is making a beeline towards Bam Miller!
Bam immediately turns away from Atara, raising his fists and preparing himself for impact. Mac slides under the bottom rope and pops to his feet, and Bam is on him in an instant hammering him with powerful straight right hands! Mac covers up, then finds an opening and rocks Bam with a counter left hook! Bam shakes it off, grabbing Mac and firing a shot into his ribs before returning to sending a flurry at Bane’s skull as Mac sends just as many back at Bam as he takes!
CENTURION: The referee tries to get between them and break them up!
TYLER CAGE: Bane and Miller send him flying!
A swarm of auxiliary staff swarm from backstage, pouring down the ramp and into the ring. They pry Mac and Bam away from each other, the two still trying to fire punches at each other as they’re pulled apart.
CENTURION: Mac Bane came out of NOWHERE the second that match was over!
TYLER CAGE: You had to think Bam would know retribution was coming, he seemed ready as soon as he saw Mac coming.
The two men continue to try to free themselves from the mob of security, but are kept at opposite sides of the ring as the camera slowly fades out.
Cut to backstage in the catering area. The room is dimly lit with flickering fluorescent lights, giving everything a yellowish glow. The walls are concrete and painted a dull gray color, with posters of recent CCPE Arena events hanging from the wall. The air is thick with the smell of boiled pasta, grilled chicken and overcooked vegetables, making it clear that this is a feeding ground for wrestlers.
Several wrestlers are in the room, but the camera pans to two specific wrestlers, Marvelous Mike Mason and Buster Gloves. They sit on opposite sides of a folding table covered in paper plates, plastic utensils, and half-empty water bottles.The table is filled with food, including a big bowl of noodles, a tray of chicken, and steamed vegetables.
MIKE MASON: Buster, I've heard that you're a veteran?
BUSTER GLOVES: I served. Iraq. Afghanistan
MIKE MASON: That’s fantastic. The most admirable thing a man can do is serve their country and protect our freedoms.
BUSTER GLOVES: You served too?
MIKE MASON: No, but I consider myself a true patriot, always fighting for what's right, and trying to make America Marvelous. You know, it is veterans and patriots like yourself that can help me make America Marvelous.
BUSTER GLOVES: Oh, that’s cool. I didn’t realize we had so much in common.
MIKE MASON: I'vs also heard that you're having some problems with the Malvado brothers over in Thunder Pro Wrestling. You know they are related to Cholo?
BUSTER GLOVES: Somebody had mentioned that to me before.
MIKE MASON: That entire family is full of degenerate scumbags. They're so disrespectful to the sport and this country. We should send them further north with the rest of the deplorables in Canada.
BUSTER GLOVES: Is that right?
MIKE MASON: You know, I think it's time for this country to start putting Americans first. Are we even sure Cholo, The Malvados, or even Paco are legal citizens. I bet that liquor bottle Paco hit me with never even went through customs.
BUSTER GLOVES: Yikes. Let me stop you right there, Big Guy. I see where this is going and I think you may have misread the situation. I don’t want any part of that discussion. We aren’t cool like that. This ain’t the place. This ain’t the time.
MIKE MASON: My life is the campaign trail now, which means it is always the proper place and time to discuss such things.
BUSTER GLOVES: I don’t think so, Bro. I don’t like the Malvados and I don’t know Cholo, but they SHOULD be allowed to perform. They’re all clowns, but they ARE entertaining. And they CAN wrestle.
MIKE MASON: Wrestle? My friend this isn't about wrestling, it's about public perception and image. We can't have those Selena STANs associated with the sport we are in, or people will think we are clowns just the same as them.
Buster scoops up his paper plate and carefully scoots his chair back under the table. He slowly walks away, still eating from the plate.
BUSTER GLOVES: I gotta be somewhere. Good luck with the campaign.
Mike gets upset and slams his fist on the table, causing the table to smash and the food to fly everywhere.
MIKE MASON: I can't believe you're not with me on this. I thought you were a patriot, but I guess you were just a desk jockey, and not a true warrior. You were probably one of the weak soyboys needing his stress card in basic training. Ha, you sure got the BASIC part right.
The other people in the room, mostly local talent, all stop eating and look up at Buster for his reaction. He stops right in his tracks, puts his plate down and turns to face Mike Mason. He keeps his composure despite having his service and sacrifice being questioned.
BUSTER GLOVES: You know what?... I didn’t know how I felt about facing you in the Intercontinental Championship tournament, but I do now. You’re welcome for my service, you piece of sh*t. Whatever campaign you’re running for the championship ends on Monday night.
Buster turns his back and walks away, shaking his head in disgust.
The camera pans to Mike, who is covered in his own food, with a long noodle dangling from his nose.
MIKE MASON: (sighs and mumbles to himself) I’m surrounded by simps in this place. Buster has no idea how stupid he looks walking away from this opportunity. I'll show them what it takes to be Marvelous. I’ll show them what a champion of many continents should look like.
The scene ends with Mike moving to a different table and sitting down alone to finish the rest of his meal. As Mike sits down the noodle falls from his nose onto his chicken. Mike flinches.
MIKE MASON: Where did that come from?
The scene fades with a very confused Mike Mason and a thousand-yard stare at his plate.
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”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: “Ladies and Gentlemen the following contest is your MAIN EVENT of the evening and is for the WGWF World Heavyweight Championship!
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: Introducing first, he is your special guest commentator and is the Number One Contender for the WGWF World Title, MARK “THE DRAGON” CROSS!
The crowd explodes upon the arrival of “The Dragon” who emerges at the top of the ramp. The crowd welcomes him with open arms. Cross acknowledges the crowd before he starts to make the walk toward the ring. Mark tags a few hands on his way to the ringside where he makes his way around the ring and to the announcer's table where Centurion and Tyler both stand and shake hands with the Number One Contender. Cross takes a seat next to Centurion and places on a headset with a microphone.
CENTURION: Welcome to the table Mr. Cross!
MARK CROSS: Little do you two suckers know, but i'm auditioning for one of your jobs! No, but seriously…two weeks ago Vaughn was taking notes from a monitor, so I figure what better way to take some notes of my own than being right here at ringside with a birdseye view.
TYLER CAGE: And you didn’t bring a baddie? For shame!
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: Introducing first, he is the challenger, he is ACE SKY!!
During the instrumental intro of his theme a rocket drops from the bottom of the titantron to the stage and there is a countdown voice over from 5 which fans count down to the pod door opens Ace Sky walks out in an aviator jacket and his usual in ring attire, he salutes a peace sign and jogs down the aisle way high-fiving as many fans as possible on both sides then he dashes forward leaps upon the apron and flings himself in with a front flip followed by a series of three front handsprings and a rolling savate kick.
”THE BIG TICKET” HARVEY MARX: Introducing his opponent, being led to the ring by MARK FLYNN, he is the WGWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, PETER VAUGHN!!
The lights in the arena go out, causing the usual hysteria from the crowd. After a few seconds, Peter Vaughn's face appears on the big tron, darkly smirking down at the fans.
"This Time... It's Different."
After Vaughn finishes speaking, he begins to laugh. His laughter carries on as the Tron video overtakes his image, beginning with "This Time It's Different" by Evans Blue. Sparks begin to erupt around the stage, showering nearby fans who feel like they're a little too close to the action. As the fireworks die down, two figures appear through the smoke and haze. Peter Vaughn walks forward first, followed by Mark Flynn stays behind him, smiling at the reaction Vaughn is getting. They stop at the top of the ramp, surveying the hatred from the crowd. From Vaughn's reaction, you'd think they were chanting his name, as he walks down the aisle with a cocky smile, with Flynn right behind him. The two make their way into the ring, heading into a corner to discuss some last-minute strategy. Flynn takes a spot in Vaughn’s corner as Peter climbs up on the apron and steps through the ropes where he removes the World Title from his waist and passes it over to the referee. The referee hoists it high in the air and passes it out to the ring attendant.
The referee is about to call for the bell when…
The crowd pops huge one more time as Flynn immediately starts going irate on the floor in Vaughn’s corner when THE Tristan Slater emerges out to the top of the ramp carrying a black, steel folding chair in his right hand. THE Tristan Slater’s attention isn’t on the ring, it’s on Mark Flynn as he makes his way down the ramp but instead of taking Ace’s corner he opens the chair and places it down on the floor just at the foot of the ramp at a diagonal angle to keep his eyes on the ring but more importantly on Flynn.
CENTURION: It looks like THE Tristan Slater is also joining us not to do some scouting but to keep his eyes on the garden gnome in the corner calling himself Mark Flynn.
The opening bell sounds as the crowd pops huge.
TYLER CAGE: The very first WGWF Title defense is offically underway!
MARK CROSS: Can't help but feel like this is someone feeding Vaughn a cheap Scooby snack, the champ is different gravy to some of Ace's recent challengers…
Ace and Vaughn circle each other around the center of the ring and lock up with Vaughn using his minor weight advantage to drive Sky back into the ropes. The referee is right there to call for the break and shockingly gets a clean break from Vaughn as he backs away from Sky. Ace gathers himself and comes off the ropes where he and Peter circle each other again and lock up only this time Ace drops down and snatches a back waist lock where picking Vaughn up in the air and driving him down into the mat before floating around into a front face lock. The referee slides into position asking Vaughn to surrender, but he refuses.
CENTURION: This is going to be a great matchup for these two; same heights with Vaughn having a minor weight advantage. Mark, how do you think this will play out for either of these two men because you have a date with the winner at WrestleWars?
MARK CROSS: I mean either way…the result is the same. Whoever comes out on top is claiming their spot at the pinnacle, I want to earn that right from whoever sits up there.
TYLER CAGE: I can appreciate that response.
Ace is countered by Vaughn who twists out and transitions into a Japanese Arm Bar but Ace is quick to the ropes with the referee calling for the break. Out on the floor Flynn passes words of encouragement to Vaughn with Tristan looking on from the foot of the ramp. Vaughn is back to his feet followed by Ace. They look to lock up a third time with Vaughn simply thumbing Sky in the eye drawing boos from the crowd. Vaughn takes Ace back into the ropes where he shoots him across the ring with an Irish Whip, Ace bounces off the far side as Vaughn ducks for a sunset flip! Sky counters with a Code Red (Sunset Powerbomb) to a huge pop and has the cover!
1!!
2!!
THRE…
Vaughn kicks out!
TYLER CAGE: The challenger is the first to score the nearfall!
Ace pops back up to his feet where he picks Vaughn up off the mat, he lands a Supernova Slice to another massive ovation as we see Ace immediately roll out to the ring apron and start climbing up to the top rope!
CENTURION: SKY IS LOOKING TO PUT IT AWAY EARY!
MARK CROSS: Dammit I left my phone backstage! It'll be top quality TikTok content if Ace wipes out…
Sky scales up to the top turnbuckle that sees Flynn gain his attention with a distraction which gives Peter enough time to get to one knee before lunges into the ropes causing Sky to lose his balance where he crotches himself on the top turnbuckle and falls off the buckles down to the apron where Vaughn follows up with a baseball slide dropkick sending Ace off the apron and crashing down to the floor! Peter distracts the referee that allows Flynn to start stomping away at Sky to massive boos from the crowd that quickly divert into a huge pop as Slater leaves his seat and comes around the ring spinning Flynn around where he takes him down with a double leg takedown before hammering down with a series of right hands!
Slater pops back up to his feet where he snatches Flynn up off the floor and hurls him over the barrier into the crowd!
Slater goes over the barrier after Flynn as they start to brawl through the crowd. Peter doesn’t seem pleased as he rolls out to the floor and he starts picking Ace up it’s Sky who lands a right hand into the midsection but that doesn’t deter Vaughn from picking him up by the hair where he looks to send Sky's face first off the ring post! Sky puts on the breaks and counters as it’s Vaughn who bounces head-first off the ring post! The crowd roars as Ace hurls Vaughn back into the ring. Ace climbs up on the ring apron and starts scaling back up to the top rope! Inside the ring, Peter is getting himself back up to a vertical base where Ace sets sail with a Spinning Heel Kick off the top rope!
Ace makes the cover by hooking the inside leg.
1!!
2!!
THRE…
Vaughn escapes with a kick out!
TYLER CAGE: Another near fall for Ace Sky! This is unbelievable.
MARK CROSS: Ace probably doing enough to take out anyone other than World title calibre opposition here, Vaughn burning through another couple of his dwindling nine lives.
CENTURION: Is it possible he has ten lives?
Ace gets himself back to a vertical base where he picks Vaughn up off the mat and starts rocking him with forearm shots to the jaw before looking for a scoop slam! Vaughn slides down the back of Sky and shoves him forward into the ropes, Sky bounces off the ropes and into a Handstand Headscissors takeover! Peter follows up with a little insult to injury as he starts rubbing Ace’s face across the mat forcing the referee to lay the five count to Vaughn. Peter breaks at the four-count as he gets to his knees and holds up both hands while being admonished by the referee.
Vaughn steps up to his feet where he picks Ace up off the mat rocking him with a stiff European Uppercut that takes Sky back into the ropes. Vaughn charges in looking for a lariat only to have Ace elevate Vaughn over the top rope with a backdrop, Peter lands on his feet on the ring apron. Ace spins around only to have Vaughn hang him up throat first across the top rope as Vaughn drops down to the floor! The backlash sends Ace down to the mat clutching at his throat while Vaughn spins around pointing over at Cross and has some words for him!
MARK CROSS: Don't you just love living rent free in someone's head. Let's all smile and wave at the Champ here boys…
Vaughn turns his attention back to the ring where he climbs up on the apron and makes his way over to a near set of buckles. Vaughn starts climbing up to the top rope where he has his sights set on Sky. Vaughn sets sail with a diving elbow drop that’s right on the money across the sternum of Sky! Peter executes the cover hooking the inside leg.
1!!
2!!
THRE…
The crowd pops for Sky who escapes from the near fall with a kick out, but Vaughn transitions into a rear chin lock. The referee immediately starts asking Ace if he surrenders.
CENTURION: It looks like Vaughn has shifted this around and now has firm control of the challenger.
TYLER CAGE: Ace has been explosive with his offense thus far and might have caught Peter off guard, but the one thing that you can never do is look past the experience Vaughn has over Sky.
MARK CROSS: Ace started this match at a frenetic pace, so tough to sustain, let's see if he can apply Plan B and carve out a foothold back into this.
Ace refuses to give up, and instead he starts working his way back to his feet where he is able to turn into the side headlock and counter with a side suplex to a pop from the crowd. Both men lay on the mat as the referee starts to lay the count to each man. It’s at the four counts that they both start to stir and at the seven-count, both men are back to their feet where Vaughn swings with a running Lariat, Sky ducks, and counters with a School Boy rollup!
1!!
2!!
THRE…
Vaughn escapes with a kick out to a gasp from the crowd as both Champion and Challenger are back up to their feet with Ace blocking Vaughn's right hand and countering with a knife-edge chop echoing throughout CCPE Arena. Vaughn swings with another right hand and it’s blocked again by Ace who boots Vaughn in the midsection before setting him up and delivering the END OF LIFE (Vertabreaker) near a set of turnbuckles!
CENTURION: Holy shit! Ace Sky has Vaughn in trouble!
MARK CROSS: I *almost* wouldn't want to face Ace Sky in this kind of form. Almost.
CCPE Arena is on fire as we see Ace rolling out to the ring apron under the bottom rope. He pulls himself to his feet and starts to climb up to the top turnbuckle! Ace is poised on the top rope as he looks down at Vaughn with the red-hot CCPE Arena solidly behind him. Sky sets sail and looks to deliver his high-angled Shooting Star Press! Peter draws up the knees at the final moment sending Sky driving into them sternum first! The crowd gasps upon impact as Vaugn is able to roll over and start pushing himself up to his feet with Ace not far behind him!
Vaughn explodes out from the corner with a Sling Blade taking Sky down!
Ace rolls over and starts pushing himself up to his feet where Vaughn comes up from behind and nails the REVENGED! Vaughn executes the cover hooking the inside leg.
1!!
2!!
3!!
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WINNER AND STILL WGWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: PETER VAUGHN
Match Time: 13:32
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CENTURION: Vaughn has done it, he’s retained the WGWF Championship in one hell of a contest.
TYLER CAGE: A good showing from Ace but tonight he found out why Vaughn is the hottest attraction in the industry.
MARK CROSS: Excuse me, fellas-
Vaughn is awarded the title and has his arm raised in victory. The sound of a headset fumbling is heard and the crowd roars as Mark Cross is up from the announcer's table and climbs up on the apron on the ring gaining Peter’s attention.
Cross steps into the ring where he goes face-to-face with the smaller Vaughn.
Peter raises up the World Title as the intense staredown between both men takes us off the air….
Or does it?
They say everyone only gets a finite number of heartbeats…
*Tick-Tock*
*Tick-Tock*
*Tick-Tock*
They say time waits for no man…
*Tick-Tock*
*Tick-Tock*
*Tick-Tock*
The image of a wrist appears, sporting a black watch with flashes of gold.
They say you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone…
*Tick-Tock*
*Tick-Tock*
*Tick-Tock*
Contrary to popular belief…I’m not doing this for a laugh…I won’t waste a single second…
As the ticking continues, the image of Mark “The Dragon” Cross appears, seated in front of a blank screen, hunched forward over a chair, his eyes on the camera. The watch from the previous shot is now being moved lightly between his fingers.
What I hold in my hand is a Rolex Daytona Pro Hunter “Safari”...one of only 100 pieces made. Black DLC coating, gold bezel and pushers, matching black face. Now this isn’t a cheap watch…by any standards…but you can easily walk into a store and spend ten times the amount this cost on a watch if you want, and you know what? I’ve done that before. Yeah, it was cool for a while. Yeah, I felt like a million bucks wearing it…but where was the sense of achievement in that?
I had the money, and I wanted it, so I got it. It’s nothing more than scratching an itch.
This…it represents something different.
Now Theo Pryce? He watched my announcement on Dark first-hand. He wanted to gift me this watch, not as a ‘golden handshake’ of sorts, but as a reminder. A reminder of my own mortality, of that ticking time bomb that is my very wrestling career…and honestly? It ruffled my feathers a bit. You know what? It royally pissed me off. I may clown around and all…but my achievements up to this point prove I’m no fucking joke…and it was really hard for me to come to the realisation that maybe…just maybe…he had a point.
I can have all the money in the world and it can buy me happiness…but it can’t always get me everything I want.
Watches like this…one hundred pieces ever made…they don’t hit shelves. They don’t just appear in jewellery stalls where you can walk in and purchase them. They go to high end private collectors, where they sit in locked safes, never seeing the light of day. They go to top grossing dealers, who give first refusal to their top paying customers. They go to winners. They go to influencers. They go to CHAMPIONS.
Mark looks down at the watch, sighing heavily.
My name means something in this business. I have it written into the history books, achieving things so many who come into this sport could only DREAM of. I walk into a building and everyone expects me to walk away with my hand held in victory because that’s what I do. That’s what I’ve always done.
People take my calls.
People move mountains for me.
People let me buy Limited Edition, exclusive watches…like this one…
What about when wrestling was something I used to do? What if the mediocre start to my acting career never moves past mediocre? Will my call still be answered, or am I just another Gotye, somebody that they used to know…because my star power dwindled, burned out?
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock…this time next year I might never lace up a boot again. Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock…I could be nothing more than an ordinary citizen. Just four words in the history books, a once-was…a used-to-be…
I’ve believed the world revolved around me from the moment I was born.
Success in wrestling made that a reality.
I don’t know what my life looks like if I have to go back from that now.
I don’t WANT to know.
Beat Peter Vaughn.
Become the most dominant World Champion in WGWF history.
Ride the wave as long as I can.
I’m not ready for time to catch up with me just yet.
The scene fades to black.