XXVII: “STEEL CITY.”
Live from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Thursday 16th March, 2023.
We open up in a wide shot of the PPG Paints Arena, the camera scanning across the sea of humanity assembled there before settling on the stage. An array of bright pink rockets are set off, the audience pumped and ready for the action to begin as the show's opening theme continues to play. We cut to shots of fans in the crowd as they hold up witty signs or chant the company's initials, the commentators meanwhile welcoming us to the show.
Rod Sterling: "Welcome, one and all, to the twenty seventh edition of FWA: Meltdown. We're coming to you live from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the most entertaining X0 minutes in professor wrestling!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And tonight is Nephew-night here in the FWA…"
Rod Sterling: "Every night seems to be 'Nephew-night' as of late, Anzu."
We settle on the commentator's booth as the duo continue setting the scene for the evening.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Well, perhaps you'll finally see some of that comeuppance that you've so frequently and fervently hoped for, Rod, because five of Cthulhu's finest will step into the ring here in Pittsburgh. In our main event, Michelle von Horrowitz will take on Shawn Summers just three and a half weeks before she challenges for the FWA World Championship at the Grand March."
Rod Sterling: "Could be a huge stumbling block for Michelle as she looks to build momentum, especially if the other Nephews involved tonight are taken out of commission. That will be the aim of Cyrus Truth, Tommy Bedlam, and the Buddy System when they take on Uncle J.J. JAY!, Quiet, Harry the Sane Wizard, and Thomas West in our eight-person opener."
Anzu Kurosawa: "And between those two matches, tonight's other contest will see a new FWA debut, as Trevor Walker prepares to take on company veteran Jackson Fenix. Any relation to Death?”
Rod Sterling: “Why don’t you ask him?”
Anzu Kurosawa: “No time! Show’s starting!”
There is a very loud cheer from the Pittsburgh crowd as one of the most iconic and popular members of the FWA roster is the first one out of the curtain for the opening match of the night. Cyrus Truth keeps his eyes narrowed and focused on the ring as he marches down the aisle towards it, cracking his knuckles as he gets closer to it. Whilst potentially appreciative of the very warm response from the crowd, there is not any sign of this from ‘The Exile’.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “The following contest is an Eight Person Tag Team Match and it is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from the Long and Winding Road, he is ‘The Exile’... CYRUUSSSSSSSSSSSS TRRUUUUUTTHHHHHHHHH!!!”
Rod Sterling: “This is the final stop on Cyrus Truth’s long and winding road back to becoming the FWA World Champion once again, because after this match, he will be able to fully focus on the main event of The Grand March on Sunday, April 9th. He, alongside Michelle von Horrowitz, will challenge Chris Peacock for the FWA World Championship in a Three Way Dance.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Whilst he has that to look forward to, he should not do so at the expense of keeping his focus fully on this upcoming match, Rod. Cyrus Truth knows what these Nephews are capable of, just about as good as anyone, and it isn’t in Cyrus’s mould to be trusting of his partners, either.”
Rod Sterling: “Most definitely. I cannot see Cyrus being particularly thrilled about being in a match like this when he will just want to get his hands on MvH and Peacock; especially after the latter sought him out on Fallout and Peacock and Truth ended up fighting in front of the Washington Monument!”
Cyrus climbs up the steps briskly and then enters the ring, where he sets to do some more stretches ahead of the match as he awaits the entrances of both his partners and his opponents…
Anzu Kurosawa: “This… isn’t… expected.”
Despite it not being expected by anyone else, the crowd are very loud in their surprise to see the FWA World Champion, Chris Peacock. Not dressed to compete tonight, wearing a purple suit with the FWA World Championship around his waist, Peacock settles on the stage where he holds a microphone loosely in one hand. He throws out a couple of dance moves whilst his music still plays to the entertainment of the crowd.
Rod Sterling: “Chris Peacock is not scheduled to be competing tonight; he has a match with Reagan Cole on Fallout this Saturday. But he will definitely have a vested interest in this match as well as tonight’s main event between Michelle von Horrowitz and Shawn Summers; what has the champ got to say to Cyrus Truth?”
Peacock allows his music to fade out and he becomes more serious as his attention shifts to the man in the ring. Cyrus Truth looks over to the champion with an unflinching and unimpressed gaze.
Chris Peacock: “Pittsburgh, pardon the intrusion… I know you’re all looking forward to getting into the action tonight but I do hope you’ll allow the ol’ champeen to come out here and say a little somethin’-somethin’. That groovy with you guys?”
Peacock grins as the crowd responds in a positive manner with some cheers, so he turns his attention back to Cyrus Truth, who is lightly pacing in the ring.
Chris Peacock: “Cyrus, I know what you’re thinking. I probably had some sort of ulterior motive for going to Jon Russnow and asking to get you added into the match at The Grand March, right? Well, this might come as a surprise to you, but I didn’t.
I wanted you in that match because it was the right thing to do. Michelle and the Nephews screwed you over at Back in Town, and if there’s anyone who knows how that feels, it is me, Cyrus. Now, I’m not saying that we need to become best friends or anything like that, but would it have killed you to, you know… show a little damn gratitude?”
That suggestion is met with clear derision from Cyrus Truth in the ring.
Chris Peacock: “We’re in this together, after all. Shit, I don’t even think that we need to team up at The Grand March - we’re both more than capable of holding our own, but a little bit of solidarity in the lead up would have been pretty helpful to both of us, right?
Because, I’ll take any excuse to beat up a Nephew and well, them going after you, that was good enough for me. We could have gone tit for tat and had each other’s backs. I would have been there with the tat, another tat, tat, tat, tat, tat, tat, tat… leaving just the tit… which now I understand is you, Cyrus.”
Despite Chris Peacock and some of the fans being very impressed with that comment, Cyrus Truth clearly does not feel that way.
Chris Peacock: “Well, I was clearly wrong, because you don’t see it that way, do you, Cyrus? You’d rather go it alone and well, if you get your ass kicked so badly you can’t even make it to The Grand March, you’re fine with that, aren’t you, Cyrus?
So, I’m going to do you another favour, Cyrus. I’ll give you exactly what you want. You want to be left to do all of this on your own? Fine. You’ve got it, bud. When the Nephews start pulling their bullshit in your match coming up, don’t expect any help from me. You’re welcome for Fallout 026, by the way. I’ll see you at The Grand March, friend.”
The two men stare each other down for a moment and then Peacock slowly turns to leave, a serious expression on his face. As the champion walks towards the back, Cyrus hurries and snatches the microphone from the ring announcer in the ring.
Cyrus Truth: “I see you haven’t learned a damn thing from beating Devin Golden.”
That gets Peacock to stop halfway up the ramp. The champion turns back to face Cyrus, but keeps his distance as he seems somewhat annoyed, and somewhat interested in what The Exile has to say.
Cyrus Truth: “You want me to…what, exactly? Fall down on my knees, kiss your ass, and say ‘Thank you so much, Chris! Oh, whatever would I have done without you gracing me with a title match!’ You want gratitude, champ? Gratitude for what, exactly?
“You know…on the surface, I suppose I should be grateful that at least someone in this company gave enough of a shit about me to try and make things right after Back in Town. But then again, you said it yourself, didn’t you? ‘It was the right thing to do.’ And if you’ll recall, I didn’t ask or beg for anything from you or from management. I expected recompense because anything less than that would’ve proven how morally bankrupt this federation is. Michelle von Horrowitz is the F1 Climaxxx winner…by a fucking technicality. So am I not to expect that someone should try and step up to correct it? Wouldn’t you?”
Cyrus cracks his neck as he starts to pace in the ring. Not frenetically, but with a sense of purpose. There are few in FWA that can match the passion of The Exile when he gets riled up, and it seems that’s exactly what’s happening here and now.
Chris, meanwhile, is watching this with a muddled expression. It’s hard to tell if he’s angry at Cyrus’s belligerence, dismissive of his point of view, or enthralled by The Exile finally sparing two words for him.
Cyrus Truth: “You know, in spite of everything else, I do commend you for finally breaking through and winning the belt. Hell, I’ll even give you props for doing it like a man instead of how nearly everybody else would’ve done it. Face to face, eye-to-eye, not like some kind of thief in the night. Nobody would’ve faulted you for doing it that way, but instead you chose to stand up and fight your demons head on.
“Tell me, though…has it worn off yet? That euphoria, that high of finally, after working so hard, holding that World Championship and knowing that it’s yours?”
Chris beams and preens like his namesake…however, that smirk is quickly wiped away as Cyrus glowers at him.
Cyrus Truth: “I haven’t been World Champion for years now, and it’s been even longer since I first became a World Champion. But it’s not been so long since I’ve forgotten that feeling. It’s GLORIOUS, isn’t it? But it’s a distraction as much as it is intoxicating. It’s the reason why so many recent champions have been less than successful with defending the belt. And you can stand there and tell me that the ‘boon’ you gave me was out of a sense of setting things right, but that’s the thing…you’re the World Champion. That’s what’s EXPECTED of you. And let’s be honest with one another, Chris. You can say that it was your only reason for letting me into the match at the Grand March, but a part of you at least did it because you wanted to crow, boast, and get that big pop from your hometown crowd. You could’ve just as easily went up to Russnow after Back in Town and made this happen without the fancy fanfare, couldn’t you?
“But sure. If it will get you to shut up about this? Thank you, Chris. Thank you for doing the absolute bare minimum in correcting something that should’ve been corrected. I hope it was worth the end of your championship reign before it even began.”
Chris Peacock: “Now, hold on a sec, Truth! You might have forgotten this, but I was the one who beat YOU in the Climaxxx. You seriously have the balls to…”
Cyrus Truth: “I’m not talking about me, you twit.”
That takes Chris Peacock by surprise. Cyrus, for his part, sighs as if he’s having to explain something to a toddler as he continues.
Cyrus Truth: “You’ve made the match at the Grand March a Triple Threat match between you, me, and Michelle, right? And I’m sure you’re aware of the RULES of a Triple Threat, aren’t you? Specifically, the fact that FWA has a standing missive to try and always have a result to their matches, even if by disqualification. But that's trickier in a Triple Threat, so disqualifications get thrown out the window. Under most circumstances, this is not so big of a problem. But for you and me? You think for one second that Michelle won’t throw every single bottom-feeding Nephew at either of us to claim yet another World Title? And in a Triple Threat, she can do that without any of the pretences or chicanery, and there’s not a damn thing you and I can do about it.
“So by all means, continue to hound me about what you think I owe you. It’s your title that’s on the line, so if you think you can afford to waste time seeking my gratitude, go ahead. As for me? I’m going to spend what little time I have left between now and The Grand March eviscerating every single last Nephew I can get my hands on. Not just ‘beat them up,’ but absolutely destroy them so that they can’t interfere. I’m going to crucify Michelle’s little posse and maybe…JUST maybe make it so that you and I don’t have to wade through a sea of stupidity to ensure that Dreamer can’t steal from you and me like she did at the Climaxxx.
“But unlike you, Chris? I don’t need thanks. Because it’s my soul and my desire on the line as well. Now, if you’ll excuse me…I have Nephews that need to meet their Elder God the hard way.”
It’s unclear if Peacock intends to follow up, but that option is quickly taken away from him as the next theme music hits…
The tunes of Bon Jovi bring the crowd back to their feet as Tommy Bedlam trots out from the back, waving his cowboy hat in his hands to pump up the fans and looks excited to be accompanied by the lovely Randi, who walks out, waving to the crowd just behind him. Tommy walks past the ramp and past Peacock, who offers him a cursory nod as he walks back towards the curtain.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "At his partner, being accompanied to the ring by Randi Francis... from Sweetwater, Texas... TTTTTOOOOMMMMMMMMMMYYY BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEDLAM!"
Rod Sterling: "Well, some tense words on display there from Cyrus Truth and Chris Peacock, but I guess it’s time we got down to business with our opening contest. We've seen Tommy joined at ringside by Rocco in the past but this is the first we've seen this lovey young lady by his side."
Anzu Kurosawa: "She has picked quite the match to start being at ringside for... because we know how many extracurricular activities can go on during a Nephews match."
Rod Sterling: "You don't have to tell Tommy Bedlam that, as he experienced it not only in the F1 Climaxxx against Michelle von Horrowitz, but on the last episode of Fallout when Bedlam was taking on his partner tonight, Cyrus Truth. The Nephews made their presence felt in that one too."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Both these guys have plenty of reasons of wanting to get their hands on the Nephews... I'm just not sure how they're going to feel about their other two partners..."
Tommy climbs the apron, and ever the southern gentleman, he holds the middle ropes open for Randi to step into the ring. Tommy then climbs the turnbuckles and once again waves his cowboy hat to the fans while Randi poses on the ring ropes, much to the delight of the crowd.
The mood in the arena changes as the cheers quickly fade and it's loud boos for the Buddy System duo walking out from the back. Jeremy Best trots out first, waving to the crowd that don't greet him with a similar warmth. Bryan Baxter walks out next alongside Bill Scorpane, stopping on stage to open up his red Buddy System Letterman style jacket to display the FWA North American Championship.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And their partners, being accompanied to the ring by Mr. Bill Scorpane... the FWA North American Champion, Big Bryan Baxter and "Your New Best Friend" Jeremy Best... THE BUDDY SYSTEM!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I'm surprised to see Mr. Scorpane this week, wasn't he supposedly guarding Krash or something."
Rod Sterling: "It's hard to really know what's going on with any of these guys. We were fooled for over a year into thinking Jeremy Best really was such a nice guy, but in reality his obsessive tendencies are borderline psychopathic. As evident by how oblivious he is to the reaction from these fans here in Pittsburgh!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I'm not sure who the fans are going to be against more in this match - The Nephews or the Buddy System."
Rod Sterling: "Well, with their win last week in the Tag Team Scramble, the fans are going to have to make that choice again next month at Carnal Contendership when the Buddy System challenge for The Connection's Tag Team Titles."
Anzu Kurosawa: "At least they'll have Gerald to cheer for in that one!"
Jeremy and Bryan climb into the ring, joining their partners, who both seem uneasy about their arrival. Baxter in particular shares a tense look with Cyrus Truth, the two immediately starting to bicker back and forth.
The arena dims to near darkness as pink lights begin to strobe around the arena. The camera pans through the audience, to find Uncle leading the way out from the back via the audience with Quiet by his side and Harry the Sane Wizard following close behind. Thomas West brings up the rear at a slower pace due to him working the crowd and stopping for some photos.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And their opponents, Harry the Sane Wizard... Thomas West... Quiet... and "Cosmic Horror" Uncle J. J. JAY!... CTHULU'S NEPHEWS!"
Rod Sterling: "This group has been a thorn in the side of many within FWA for a while now, but really seems to have amplified in recent months with both MvH's run in the F1 and The Connection's tag title run..."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Yeah, basically any time Michelle is in that ring - these four... plus many others it seems... are always around and you can gaurantee they're going to get involved in the match to try and help Michelle get the win."
Rod Sterling: "And as you said Anzu, these aren't the only four Nephews. There's some more that are quite conspicuous by their absense here... something tells me these aren't the only Nephews we will be seeing tonight, or during this match."
Uncle, Quiet, and Harry climb over the railing. J.J. JAY! removes his Chtulhu-style mask as Thomas West finally joins them at ringside. They stare down the four in the ring before beginning to climb in themselves to get the match underway.
Things immediately get chaotic as Cyrus Truth pushes his way past Bryan Baxter as the Nephews are entering the ring, having no interest in continued arguments over who was going to do what in the match… Trust just wants to get his hands on some Nephews! Truth goes right after Uncle, and when Quiet jumps in to help out, Tommy Bedlam is there looking for his own retribution against the group that cost him during the F1 against MvH. And not to be outdone, Bryan Baxter and Jeremy Best decide to join in and it’s a full on pier-six brawl to kick things off.
Rod Sterling: “What a way to start this match! FWA Official Matthew Dean is going to have his hands full trying to restore order here in the opening moments.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Or, just let them fight! That’s what the people want. That’s what they want… let’s go!”
And referee Dean does in fact let the brawl continue, as Bedlam sends himself and Quiet over the top rope with a big running lariat while Truth takes Uncle down with a double leg takedown, raining down some forearms to Uncle before Uncle is able to counter and roll on top of Truth… but back and forth they went until they also spilled out of the ring!
While that foursome brawled side by side outside the ring - back inside the ring, it was a pair of mismatches as Bryan Baxter pummeled Harry the Sane Wizard in the corner and Thomas West have quickly overpowered Jeremy Best until both West and Baxter had lifted their respective smaller opponent up into a pair of dueling Military Presses! West and Baxter stared each other down before they, almost in sync with one another, tossed their opponent over the top rope! Jeremy Best taking out Truth and Bedlam at ringside while Harry landed on Quiet and Uncle!
This left us with a showdown in the middle of the ring as Bryan Baxter and Thomas West slowly approached one another, the crowd on their feet anticipating the first ever showdown between two of FWA’s beefiest competitors. West was all smiles as he approached Baxter, and he could be heard shouting out to BBB, “bring it on big boy!” garnering a grimace from Baxter before the North American champion took a swing at West with a big right hand! West fires back with a right hand of his own and back and forth these two went exchanging blows.
Rod Sterling: “Everyone knows Thomas West loves a good fist fight and lesser men wouldn’t dare get into one with West… but not many men in FWA match up with West pound for pound as Big Bryan Baxter!”
Things had settled down at ringside as the remaining competitors had finally made their way to their respective corner while West and Baxter duked it out in the ring. West eventually gets the upperhand, using a knee left to Baxter’s massive midsection and then whips BBB into the corner. West charges in with a big running splash, sandwiching Baxter before attempting to Irish Whip him into the opposite corner, but Baxter reversed it and sent West into the corner instead before it was Baxter coming in with a running corner splash of his own to West!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Couple of big meaty corner sandwiches right there!”
Baxter continues to work over West with a series of shoulder thrusts to the midsection before walking over to the adjacent corner and rather forcefully tagging in Cyrus Truth. A brief staredown between the two ends peacefully with Baxter exiting the ring and Truth making his way to the corner with a series big knife edge chops before hitting a step up enziguri to the cornered West, sending West down to the mat. Truth walks back in and unleashes the First Five Steps as the crowd counts along with each of the five consecutive foot stomps to West’s head!
Truth continued in control until attempting to lock West’s arms for a Dragon Suplex, but the oiled up arms of West allowed him to slip free! This gives West the advantage of surprise as West is able to lift up Truth and drop him to the mat with a Samoan Drop and opens the door for West to make the tag to Quiet.
Quiet looks to take advantage of the situation, stomping on Truth’s back as he is trying to pull himself up to his feet, sending Truth back down to the mat before Quiet mounts over top of him and unloads a series of hard closed fists right to Truth’s forehead. Eventually the referee steps in, threatening Quiet due to his use of those closed fists, but he goes right back on the attack, pulling Truth’s forehead up to his mouth, biting at the Exile’s flesh!
Rod Sterling: ”Ugh, Quiet’s offense is often not for the faint of heart as he may have just tore a chunk of skin off of Cyrus Truth!”
Once again, Quiet gets admonished by referee Dean, but he just gives a glare towards the official before going back on the attack once again. He sends Truth into the ropes where Tommy Bedlam grabs the blind tag, slapping Truth on the back. Truth goes on to duck a lariat attempt from Quiet, and then spins back around with a Discus Punch to Quiet as Bedlam enters the ring and scores with a Discus Lariat of his own to take Quiet down! Bedlam makes the first pinning attempt of the match.
One! Two! Kickout by Quiet!
At ringside, Randi gives some supportive applause to her man as he works over Quiet in the ring. After taking Quiet back down to the mat with a swinging neckbreaker, Bedlam locks in a Boston Crab to Quiet. Referee Matthew Dean is there to check in on Quiet, who shakes his head, not giving up… but the move would be broken up by Thomas West charging back in and shoulder tacking Bedlam from behind! A frustrated Cyrus Truth re-entered the ring, but is cut off by Truth while West and now Harry put the boots to Bedlam on the mat while Quiet gets back to his feet.
Rod Sterling: “The Nephews will take advantage of every opening they can get, especially any time the referee’s back is turned!”
The referee gets Truth out of the ring as West and Harry also return to their corner, Quiet makes the tag to Uncle before pulling Bedlam up and holding him in a full nelson, allowing Uncle to score a free kick to Bedlam’s exposed midsection. Quiet and Uncle then pair up to take Bedlam down with a Double DDT! Uncle made the cover on Tommy while Quiet left the ring.
One! Two! Kickout!
Wiping himself off as he gets to his feet, Uncle paces over Bedlam, scoring some stomps to Tommy’s arms and legs as Randi looks on with concern. As J.J. JAY slows things own, methodically attacking Tommy, he locks eyes with Cyrus Truth, who appears very eager on the apron, daring Uncle to let him in the ring with him. Uncle smiles as he grabs Bedlam by the hair and drags him towards the corner. It appears as though Uncle is openly welcoming another showdown with the Exile!
But as he gets Tommy to the corner, Jeremy reaches in and slaps Tommy on the shoulder to tag himself in instead! The crowd booes as Jeremy steps into the ring, all smiles while Truth fumes on the apron. Uncle turns to Cyrus and gives a smirk and a shrug to the Exile.
Rod Sterling: “The fans really wanted to see that showdown between Truth and Uncle, but Jeremy once again robs the fans of what they want!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Well, how about this showdown instead? Jeremy Best has somehow been able to have Uncle’s number so far in his time in FWA. Will lightning strike four times now?”
Uncle backs up as Jeremy enters the ring. Jeremy joins Uncle in the center of the ring… and extends his hand to Uncle! Uncle looks at Jeremy's hand and then gives a warm smile back at Jeremy. Jeremy’s face seems to light up as Uncle starts to go for the handshake, but instead uses his other hand to backhand slap Jeremy!
Best stumbles to the side as Uncle uses his fingers to rake the back of Best before lifting him up for a back suplex… but Jeremy flips over and lands on his feet. SCHOOL BOY BY JEREMY!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
NO! Uncle kicks out!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Oh wow, I thought that was it! It looked like another Jeremy Best pinfall over Uncle! But this time, Uncle escapes!”
And escape he does, immediately going from the pinning combination to his corner and tagging back in Thomas West! West steps back into the ring, walking towards Jeremy with a big grin on his face. Jeremy gives a friendly wave to West, who returns the friendly wave back to Jeremy! Jeremy extends his hand out for a handshake to West this time. Thomas smiles as he takes Jeremy by the hand… AND PULLS HIM IN FOR FINISHER #3! But Jeremy ducks! West spins back around and his met with a combo of stiff kicks from Best to his midsection, but West absorbs the blows and on the third kick, he catches Jeremy’s leg and lifts pulls him in for a half and half suplex!
Jeremy finds himself in a world of trouble against his larger opponent, West having his way with Best and soon lays him out with not one, not two, but three German Suplexes! Though the confident West doesn’t bridge for the pin, instead he lets Jeremy go and seemingly continues to toy with him in the ring.
Rod Sterling: “Thomas West needs to be careful here! He thinks he has Jeremy where he wants him but you should never trust Jeremy Best!”
Instead, West takes Jeremy to the corner, setting him up on the top turnbuckle and hits a big Hurricanrana to Best in an amazing display of athleticism from the big man! Thomas West poses for the crowd after the move before heading over and making a nonchalant lateral press down on Jeremy.
One! Two! Thre - Kickout!
With Jeremy down, West makes his way back to the corner and tags in Harry before lifting Harry up himself into a Military Press and tossing the Sane Wizard down on top of Jeremy with a splash! Harry hooks the leg!
One! Two! Kickout!
Taking advantage of West’s handiwork, Harry is able to keep the upperhand on Jeremy, dropping a pair of headbutts down onto Best before he heads up to the top turnbuckle. Diving Crossbody from Harry is COUNTERED with a dropkick to the incoming Wizard from Jeremy! The desperation move leaves both men down, but it is Jeremy getting the tag to Tommy Bedlam first!
Tommy charges into the ring and cuts of Harry’s attempt to make the tag to his corner, clobbering the wizard from behind and then striking Uncle, West, and Quiet on the apron with a series of forearms! The crowd is fired up for Bedlam as he measures up a recovering Harry for a big running SPEAR!
Bedlam pops right back up as Randi cheers him on… Harry struggles up to his feet and is caught with THE ROUGH RIDE from Bedlam!
Rod Sterling: “This could be it! Bedlam can score the win here!”
And he makes the pin!
ONE! TWO! THRE - NO! It’s broken up by Thomas West! West drives an axe handle smash down onto Bedlam as he tries to pull himself up, but in comes Cyrus Truth to Bedlam’s aid! West sees Truth coming and tries to cut off the Exile with a lariat, but Truth counters with an armdrag takedown! He looks to roll back to his feet but its the WANDERER’S WRATH from Truth to take West down to the mat!
During this exchange, Harry manages to crawl to the corner and make the tag to Quiet! Quiet and Truth go toe to toe, but its a spinning backfist from Quiet that takes Truth down and sends him rolling out of the ring before Quiet turns his attention back to Bedlam…
BUCKSHOT SUPERKICK from out of nowhere takes Quiet down to the mat! Bedlam makes the cover once again!
ONE! TWO! THRE - NO! It’s broken up once again as Uncle stomps on the back of Tommy’s head to break it up.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Tommy has had this match won a couple times but wherever you turn, there’s another Nephew to make the save!”
Uncle grabs Tommy, pulling him up to his feet before looking for a Double Underhook DDT, but Tommy counters it with a Northern Lights Suplex! Bedlam then rolls to his corner and reaches up for a tag that is answered by Bryan Baxter!
Uncle rolls out of the ring, leaving Quiet alone in the ring with Baxter, who measures the masked man up as he begins to pull himself up… he moves in, positioning Quiet into a pumphandle and then dropping him into a sitout facebuster! Baxter hooks the legs!
ONE! TWO! NO! Harry the Sane Wizard with the save!
Bryan gets right back up to his feet, and now turns to face Harry who quickly seems to regret his decision. He tries to get away, but Baxter grabs him by the hair to stop him! Kick to the midsecton from Baxter and then its a TURNBUCKLE POWERBOMB to Harry!
Bryan Baxter grabs Quiet by the mask to pull himself up to his feet and begins to set him up for the Baxter Driver, locking his face in a front face lock and lifting his other arm over his neck… but before he can lift Quiet up into the air, he spots Mr. Scorpane at ringside chatting with Uncle.
Anzu Kurosawa: “It looks like Bryan Baxter has Quiet dead to rights here, but he’s not pulling the trigger!”
Rod Sterling: “He sees what’s going on at ringside… and what that is, I’m not sure but for some reason Uncle J.J. JAY! and Mr. Scorpane are having some sort of discussion at ringside!”
Baxter makes the ill-advised decision of dropping Quiet back down to the mat as he steps out onto the apron, questioning Scorpane about his interaction with Uncle. Scorpane steps away from Uncle, holding his arms in innocence, ”just talkin’ some business, my boy! Don’t take your eye off the ball!”
But it was too late, because Quiet was back up and attacked Baxter on the apron from behind! The sneak attack gives him the brief advantage as he impressively LIFTS BAXTER UP onto his shoulders for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER onto the apron! Scorpane shakes his head in disappointment as Quiet pushes the big man back through the ring ropes and makes the cover!
ONE! TWO! THR - now it’s Jeremy Best making the save!
Quiet sits back up to his knees after the broken pinfall attempt, and Best begins to unload the Friendly Fire to his chest before Jeremy lifts Quiet up onto his shoulders, going for the BFF…
But Thomas West sprints back into the ring and takes Jeremy out with a running big boot! Jeremy and Quiet both crash down to the mat as West pulls Jeremy up onto his own shoulders now, looking for Finisher #2!
But it’s broken up by Tommy Bedlam as he hits the BUCKSHOT to West! West stumbles backwards into the waiting arms of Cyrus Truth who lifts West up into an Argentine Rack into the EXILE’S EDGE!
Referee Matthew Dean tries to restore some order, cutting off Truth as he gets back to his feet… allowing Uncle to climb into the ring and he scores a LOW BLOW to Bedlam followed by a Double Underhook DDT to lay the cowboy out! Seeing this, Truth pushes his way past Dean and hittings running dropkick to Uncle, sending Uncle back out of the ring!
Rod Sterling: “Chaos has erupted once again in this match, much like it started… but the ring now clears once again and it’s our two legal men still in the ring now… Byran Baxter and Quiet!”
Both Baxter and Quiet are slowly starting to stir, pulling themselves up but it's Quiet up first and he locks in the Bulldog Choke to Baxter! But Baxter is able to fight his way back up to his feet using his power, and breaks it up with a back suplex that once again leaves both men down! As both begin to once again start to get to their feet, Mr. Scorpane looks to take action at ringside to help his client. Scorpane makes his way over to the time keeper’s table and tries to grab the North American title.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Look out, we’ve seen this story many times in the last couple of months.”
Rod Sterling: “It’s been the assistance of Mr. Scorpane at ringside that has lead to many of Baxter’s wins during the F1, and by the looks of things, he’s about to give another helping hand…”
But as Scorpane is grabbing the title, he is suddenly ambushed as Maid of Death, the Avatar, and NOE-I have come out of the crowd! And they have a big burlap sack that they have tossed over Scorpane! Scorpane tries to fight against his restraints, but the three overwhelm him and literally lift him up and are scurrying off with the agent!
Rod Sterling: “More Nephews!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “And they’re… KIDNAPPING Mr. Scorpane?”
Rod Sterling: “Taste of their own medicine, perhaps?”
As the Nephews have Scorpane and are disappearing back the way they came, through the crowd - the recovering Bryan Baxter and Jeremy Best both take notice.
Jeremy Best: ”Hey! They can’t do that!”
Jeremy hops off the apron and runs to the guard rail, hopping over and giving chase to the Nephews! Bryan Baxter starts to leave as well, but is stopped by Cyrus, confronting Bryan about his intentions. Baxter glares at Cyrus and proceeds to slap Cyrus across the chest, effectively tagging the Exile in before Baxter steps out of the ring, hops down to the ground. He climbs over the railing and jogs after Jeremy.
Rod Sterling: “I can’t believe what we’re witnessing here! The Buddy System have effectively abandoned their partners!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Mr. Scorpane being taken by the Nephews is bad news for the Buddy System, but now it’s even worse news for Cyrus Truth and Tommy Bedlam because they’re facing a 4-on-2 disadvantage now.”
Truth finds himself in the ring by himself standing across from both Quiet and Thomas West, who had just been tagged in to become the legal man. Truth tilted his neck side to side, as if warming up for battle, and prepared to take on both Nephews… when Harry once again attempts a sneak attack from behind! Harry leaps up onto Truth’s back with a sleeper hold, but Truth instead snap mares him to the mat in front of Quiet and West!
Quiet and West charge in towards Truth, but Truth ducks a double clothesline attempt while at the same time striking Harry with the Wander’s Wrath! Meanwhile, Tommy Bedlam has climbed to the top turnbuckle as Quiet and West once again attempt a double team on Truth, Truth ducks the attack again and Bedlam comes down with a DOUBLE FLYING CLOTHESLINE to take both West and Quiet down!
Rod Sterling: “Against the odds, Cyrus Truth and Tommy Bedlam are holding their own here against four Nephews!”
Uncle now sneaks into the ring, looking to take advantage of the situation as Truth has his back to him, but before he could strike, Truth turns around and catches Uncle in the act! Truth hits a knee to Uncle, sending J.J. JAY down to a knee, Truth stalking in…
PINK MIST FROM UNCLE!
But Truth ducks to dodge it… but unfortunately it does hit Tommy right in the face!
Truth pops back up and grabs Uncle, lifting him up into a Fireman’s Carry… JOURNEY’S END TO UNCLE!
Meanwhile, the blinded Tommy stumbles his way around the ring as Quiet moves in… Randi shouts out to Tommy, ”Watch out!” - giving Tommy the heads up and he manages to score the BUCKSHOT to Quiet!
Tommy then staggers backwards as Truth is getting up from hitting Uncle with his finisher, and the two bump each other back to back. Startled, the blinded Bedlam grabs Truth and accidentally hits his own partner with THE ROUGH RIDE!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Oh no! Tommy inadvertently just took out Truth thanks to that pink mist from Uncle!”
Bedlam doesn’t get the chance to realize the error of his ways as Thomas West grabs him by the hair and tosses him through the ropes to ringside! West proudly makes his way over and makes the cover on Truth!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
NO!
Cyrus got his shoulder up at the last possible second!
Rod Sterling: “Unbelievable! This one isn’t over yet folks! The amount of fight in the Exile is remarkable!”
Thomas West’s jaw had dropped after the kickout, but he pulls Truth back up to his feet once again. West lifts Truth up onto his shoulder’s in a Fireman’s carry… but Truth begins to battle back with some elbows to West’s head! Truth slides down his back, locking in a Dragon Sleeper to West! Referee Matthew Dean quickly gets into position, crouching down to check on West…
But it put him out of position to see Harry the Sane Wizard sneaking up behind Truth and hitting him with a LOW BLOW! Truth releases West and doubles over as Harry grabs him by the head and hits the Sliced Bread to the Exile! Truth’s own momentum from the move rolls him back up to his feet, staggering… right into the arms of West who lifts him up…
Finisher #2!
West pops back up to his feet, extending his arms to gloat while Truth rolls onto his stomach… still fighting… still trying to get back to his feet…
Lifting himself up onto his arms… lifting his head up…
PUNT FROM QUIET!
Truth drops back to the mat as Quiet shoves West and points to Truth, wanting him to make the cover. West relents and drops down for the pin, a big smile on his face as he does so..
ONE! TWO! THREE!
Thomas West sits up, still grinning from ear to ear, as he is quickly joined by the recovered Uncle as well as Quiet and Harry - the foursome looking down at the fallen Cyrus Truth, admiring their handiwork. Meanwhile, Randi tends to Tommy at ringside, wiping the pink mist out of his face with a handkerchief.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "The winners of the match… The Nephews!”
Rod Sterling: “It was 4-on-2 thanks to the Buddy System abandoning the match, but it still took everything The Nephews could throw at Cyrus Truth to keep him down.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “This is definitely not the way Cyrus would want to be heading into the Grand March, and Michelle von Horrowitz will certainly be happy to see the handiwork of the Nephews here tonight. We’ll see later on if she can continue the winning ways for the Nephews.”
Rod Sterling: “That is still to come and maybe we can get some answers as to this apparent abduction of Mr. Scorpane as well..”
Uncle and the Nephews continue to celebrate their victory in the ring, to the disdain of the crowd, as we cut to the commentary booth. Rod Sterling shakes his head, clearly indignant at the scenes he just saw unfold. Anzu does her best to hold things together.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Well, moving on with the show… we were supposed to now cut to a pre-recorded interview with ‘the Prodigy’ Mike Parr with regards to his plans for the Grand March weekend. Rumour has it that Parr has been offered a place in the King of the Deathmatch tournament, as well as a one-on-one match for Chicago’s event…”
Rod Sterling: “But, it seems, we’re not going to get that information here tonight in Pittsburgh. Due to what I’m being told is a scheduling conflict, Mike Parr will instead grace us with his presence on Saturday night in Detroit, where we may pick up some answers regarding his immediate future here in the FWA.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “We may not be able to bring you Mike Parr, but we can bring you this… Jim…”
In a backstage area, a door is shown with a golden nameplate reading ‘JON RUSSNOW’ on it and then a couple of voices are heard from the other side of the door, before it swings open. Both Ratin Mikichin and Steve the Techno Vampire emerge from the door, both looking disappointed.
Steve the Techno Vampire: “Vhere is he? He’s not in there.”
Ratin Mikichin: “He’s avoiding Ratin and Steve. He knows we would not be happy about being left off the cards this week. This is after the disrespect they showed us on Fallout.”
Steve the Techno Vampire: “How dare they cut avay from us like that… Ve vere putting on a clinic!”
Ratin seems to be in agreement with his nemesis and even finds himself showing some compassion towards Steve with a comforting hand on the shoulder, but the two of them then hear a cough from behind them. They turn around to face a person currently standing out of frame.
???: “Are you two tired of getting disrespected around here?”
Both Ratin and Steve nod and take a step closer to the man who had just addressed them.
???: “I think I can help the two of you with that.”
From off-screen a hand extends a business card which Ratin reaches out and grabs before examining it and allowing Steve to have a look as well. The man then walks forward and smiles at both of them and he puts a hand on each of their shoulders.
Greg: “Hi, I’m Greg.”
Greg smiles at Ratin and Steve, who both look at each other and nod with smirks forming, and then to Greg, who ushers them away…
Lizzie Rose wakes up from a dazed state. She feels like she has been sleeping for ages. Sitting up, she looks around. Darkness is around her apart from a lone spotlight. Rubbing her eyes, Lizzie is confused. Looking at her clothes, she is already in her wrestling gear, as if she is ready for a match. Getting up, she looks around frantically.
Lizzie Rose: “What the-? Why is everything so dark?”
She looks around, but nothing is visible. Then-
???: “Ladies and gentlemen…”
A loud booming voice appears on the P.A system. It startles Lizzie as she falls down to the ground. She looks under her feet to see… a light blue wrestling canvas.
???: “IT IS TIME FOR YOUR FYOG WRESTLING MAIN EVENT!!!"
Old school wrestling music blares into the speakers as the lights turn on and we see a wrestling arena straight out of the 80’s. It is full of bright colours with an old school wrestling ring with the iconic red, white, and blue ropes. The barricade is covered with blue banners with “FYOG” in gold font. There is audible crowd noise, but the audience is full of masked figures in a mix of blank and crow masks. Lizzie Rose is in shock. Commentators are at ringside and…
It is Princess Nova and Keres. Princess Nova has her normal tiara on with a big and fluffy dress while Keres has her normal school-like look, except, on her head is a large top-hat. It is a sparkly yellow with a sunflower. She’s fitting in as she does her best announcer’s voice, although it is still monotonous.
Keres: “We have ourselves an amazing main event tonight. Shame one of the participants seems clueless.”
Princess Nova: “Maybe she just woke up on the wrong side of the bed? I surely believe in her!”
Keres: “Then your trust must be in the wrong place.”
Their dynamic is already established as a commentary duo. Keres plays the more villainous announcer, while Princess Nova is trying to support the matches’ “hero.” In the ring, Lizzie takes a microphone from someone at ringside and speaks.
Lizzie Rose: “Excuse me? Keres? Nova? -Where am I, what are you doing here? I have all the questions right now.”
Keres: “This is FYOG Wrestling. You did sign up for it, did you not?”
Keres’s microphone on her headset is hooked up to the loud speakers and Lizzie is confused. She turns to see them at ringside on commentary. She is at a loss for words. What is going on?
Keres: “Confused, dear? Sister, mind explaining.”
Princess Nova obliges, nodding her head.
Princess Nova: “We are the commissioners to FYOG. You signed up for it, remember?”
Lizzie Rose: “An e-fed…?”
Giggling, Princess Nova has a wide grin.
Princess Nova: “Kind of. Consider it OUR TORN e-fed, dear. We will book you in matches as we see fit when we feel like it. We want to see what you got. But, we want to give you something to fight for.”
Keres continues on.
Keres: “You win, we grant you your release so to speak. It will be a shame to see you go, but we trust that, with whatever matches you have, it will be the MOST worthwhile experience you have had in any promotion. But, it will not be that easy. You also need some more… pressure. With each loss… You lose something. Do you agree-?”
Lizzie is about to answer, but Keres interrupts.
Keres: “It’s rhetorical. You don’t have a choice in this matter.”
Their announcer goes on the microphone and does introductions.
Announcer: “Introducing the participants first, from Brooklyn, New York, Elizabeth Rose!”
Lizzie blinks.
Lizzie Rose: “T-That’s not my name. Only my mom can call me Elizabeth and get away with it!”
Announcer: “And her opponent…”
The “fans” give a roaring cheer as the music of Lizzie Rose’s opponent plays. There is a build as the fans turn their attention to the curtains which have an entranceway shaped like an old jukebox with neon colours. The music builds for about 20 seconds until we see a VERY muscular man, like we’re talking peak 80’s roid and coke filled body. He has luscious long blonde hair and a pair of yellow long tights and white boots. He has a neon blue tank top with rips in them from his HUGE muscles. His shirt reads “MAXIMUS!!!”
Announcer: "From Hollywood, California, at 6 foot 7, weighing in at 285 pounds, the “Main Event,” The GOLDEN BOY, HE IS THE EMBODIMENT OF AMERICA! THIS IS MUSCLE MAXIMUS!!!"
Keres: “Here he is, the ideal depiction of wrestling in the eyes of many fans who pine for the past, where men were men and the world felt more like a cartoon. Muscles Maximus. Look over the ability to put on a hold. Breaking the heart of young ladies rather than showing one.”
Princess Nova: “Oh my, if my heart didn’t belong to another I would be swooning over him right now! Caught in his charm and charisma.”
Muscles Maximus flexes with his hulking frame causing his shirt to rip. He waves to his adoring fans as Lizzie Rose, as you’d expect, looks rather intimidated by this embodiment of 80’s wrestling pop-culture. Maximus continues to pose on his way to the ring, with a female member of the audience “swooning” over him.
Keres: “Sister, I have to ask, was THIS acceptable in the 80’s?”
Princess Nova: “It was acceptable at the time. No technique, no moves, not even talent. Just looks. And muscles.”
Stepping into the ring, Muscles Maximus flexes and poses to the fans before he is handed a microphone as his over the top 80’s-riffic theme. He shouts with only the energy possible with the drugs of the 1980’s.
Muscles Maximus: “WELL LISTEN HERE MY MUSCLE-HEADS, BECAUSE MUSCLES MAXIMUS IS READY TO BRING THE DESTRUCTION!”
The fans cheer wildly as Muscles Maximus spits as he talks. Lizzie Rose just… goes into a ball in the corner. What has she gotten herself into?
Muscles Maximus: “I FEEEEEEL YOUR ENERGY TONIGHT PULSATING THROUGH MY PERFORMANCE ENHANCED VEINS! THE ROCKET IS READY TO LIFT OFF AS I AM FUELED WITH ANY SUBSTANCE I CAN GET MY HANDS ON! GET READY FOR THE TRUE POWER OF THE MUSCLE! FEEL MY BOA CONSTRICTORS FOR ARMS! MY PULSATING CHEST! I’M YOUR HERO! I AM THE TRUE EMBODIMENT OF WREST-, OR SHOULD I SAY, SPORTS ENTERTAINMENTS ROOTS!!!”
The “Golden Boy” turns to Lizzie.
Muscles Maximus: “THIS LITTLE GIRL HERE DOES NOT REPRESENT WHAT WRESTLING IS, DUDES AND DUDETTES! WRESTLING IS NOT A PLACE FOR CRYBABY TWIGS! IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! THE FAME! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…”
Shouting with all his might, he shouts…
Muscles Maximus: “THE BEAUTIFUL MUSCLES!!! AHAHAHAHA!”
He flexes for his adoring fans.
Muscles Maximus: “THAT’S WHAT ALL MY MUSCLE-HEADS WANT! THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HEART OR SOUL, OR A SOB STORY, DUDES! IT IS ALL ABOUT THE POWER! THE LAND OF THE GIANTS AND I BODY PRESS GIANTS! I DROP THEM DOWN LIKE TOWERS! I CAN PULL THE ROOTS OF AN OAK TREE FROM THE GROUND AND FEED ITS MAPLE SYRUP TO ALL MY MUSCLE-HEADS! I SPLIT THE RED SEA WITH JUST A DROP THE LEG! I AM ALL POWERFUL!!!”
Keres: “Is this not making sense to you either, sister?”
Princess Nova: “No. I am SO thankful we have moved past this…”
Muscles Maximus: “THIS IS WHERE THE BIG BOYS PLAAAAAY! SEE? I CAN USE ADJECTIVES AND VERBS! IT DOESN’T MATTER THAT MY HEART WILL BEAT ITS FINAL BEAT WHEN I AM 50 FROM ALL THE DRUGS I INJECT INTO MY RIGHTEOUS VEINS BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT, DUDES! FEELING THE MUSSSCCUUUULES!”
Moving around the ring like the energizer bunny, Muscles Maximus shakes the ropes madly before turning to his opponent. Going up to Lizzie Rose, he gets right into her face.
Muscles Maximus: “HOW MUCH LONGER LITTLE GIRL WILL IT BE BEFORE YOU ARE FORGOTTEN BY THE ROAD, ONLY BEING A FOOTNOTE IN THE HISTORY OF SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT!? HOW MUCH LONGER UNTIL YOU ARE IN WHEELCHAIR AFTER BEING PUT DOWN BY A REAL SUPERSTAR LIKE ME!? THIS WORLD ISN’T MADE FOR YOOOOUUU!”
Lizzie Rose is pushed into the corner and Muscles Maximus puts his hand on her shoulder.
Muscles Maximus: “YOU CAN DO ANYTHING, REMEMBER?! THIS IS THE 80’S! YOU ARE ONLY MEANT TO BE A PRIZE WE MEN FIGHT FOR! YOUR PROPERTY IN WRESTLING, DUDE!”
Keres: “For the record, we at Eternal respect women’s rights and these go against our core values.”
Princess Nova: “And do not support the use of performance enhancing drugs or other illegal narcotics.”
Muscles Maximus: “GET READY TO MEET YOUR END AS I TAKE YOU..”
Turning to the hard camera, he shouts his catchphrase.
Muscles Maximus: “TO THE MAAAAAAX!!!”
An official with a crow’s mask and wearing the classic bow-tie and shirt combo for old school referees gets between them and the bell rings, signaling for the “match” to begin.
FYOG Wrestling MATCH - 1/-
Lizzie Elizabeth Rose vs. Muscles Maximus
Lizzie Rose is confused, but, TORN Universe or not, this is just a regular match, right? So, she starts by trying to go in hot. She charges with a forearm on Muscles Maximus-
And it just bounces off the chest of the meathead. He laughs and shouts.
Muscles Maximus: “TINY GIRL! YOU CAN’T TOUCH THE MUSCLE!”
Lizzie Rose tries for the boots as she leaps in the air for a dropkick, but the big beefy man doesn’t even budge as her kick just stents her back. Keres and Princess Nova sit at a near-by table and the Eternal sisters do commentary.
Keres: “And this match is underway with Elizabeth Rose in fear of her more powerful, stronger competition. She will soon come to the realization that no matter what happens, she will be chewed up by the sharks of professional wrestling.”
Princess Nova: “I firmly believe there is something special in Elizabeth. She might surprise us tonight.”
Keres: “Perhaps she needs to break for it to come out?”
Princess Nova: “Then there is one man who can do it in the ring now.”
Grabbing Lizzie Rose by the collar, Muscles Maximus lifts her up onto his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. The former North American Champion squirms, but the grip of the embodiment of 80’s wrestling is too strong. He spins and spins her around in an airplane spin before dropping her to the mat. Going old school, he drops an elbow to her chest before posing to a massive ovation.
Keres: “Poor Elizabeth, always the underdog, never the favorite. I’m sure if this keeps up, many will leave her soon.”
Princess Nova: “Out of all of Elizabeth’s strengths, literal strength is not one of them.”
Lizzie Rose coughs as she gets back to her feet, wobbling on her feet after being spun like mad from the airplane spin. Her powerhouse opponent winds up with an old school punch and it lands right on the chin! She bounces off the ropes and is scooped up for the most classic wrestling move of all: A BODY SLAM! Dust flies as Lizzie’s frame lands on the canvas and she winces from the impact. An old school ring canvas, hard as a rock. Rolling to her stomach she is breathing heavily already. He’s huge, but how is she beaten up this fast?
The “Golden Boy” pulls her off the mat and keeps her in place. He runs off one of the ropes and hits the big boot! Another classic! Lizzie Rose doesn’t drop to the mat, but she spins around as if she was in a cartoon. Maximus runs off the ropes again and practically takes her head off with a clothesline! Lizzie Rose spins inside out and lands on the mat as Muscles Maximus heads to the top turnbuckle to pose some more!
Keres: “This match will be over soon, a truly pitiful performance from Elizabeth Rose.”
Princess Nova: “I feel bad for her. I was in her position many times before. It takes unlocking something special to bring yourself out of it.”
Seated on the canvas, Lizzie Rose’s lights are on, but nobody is home. She is in a daze. “What’s going on?” she thinks to herself. After taking some time to hot dog and grandstand to the crowd, Muscles Maximum goes behind Lizzie Rose. Pulling her up off her feet, he locks in a sleeper hold! Lizzie’s feet hang from the air as the muscleman has the submission in!
Princess Nova: “Oh, dear Elizabeth, she’s on the ropes. She might be put to sleep.”
Keres: “Actually, I think we can make this a bit more… i̦͆̽̽͟ń͓̪̰̼̳͖͍t͊҉̰̫e͉̤̰͉̲ͯ͋̇̐r̞̻͑́̇e̴̼͇͈͍ͣ̐̌̾̓̄̚s͌̽͟t̢̜͇̟̖̱̬ͩ͌į̩͎̅̉ͫ̍̾n͓̗̺ͨg̸͙̭̭̳͚ͪͯ͊̂̿.”
Princess Nova: “Oooh! I’m excited. You ALWAYS have great ideas, sister. What is it?”
Keres: “This-”
Raising her fingers, Keres.
Snaps.
Lizzie blinks and suddenly feels a RUSH of 80’s energy pulsing through her veins. She shakes her body and gets back on the ground. She elbows her giant opponent with great force in the ribs to break the hold! Muscles Maximus throws several punches at Lizzie Rose and she doesn’t feel a thing. She blocks one and throws a punch back and points at Muscles Maximus who cowers in fear!
Princess Nova: “The power of the 1980’s is going through her veins!”
Keres: “We will see what happens. Observe, sister.”
Throwing an old school punch, Lizzie Rose knocks Muscles Maximus down to the ground. He gets up only to be met with the same result! Lizzie Rose may actually do it! She whips Muscles off the far ropes and hits a dropkick which sends him to the mat! Lizzie gets up and shakes the ropes wildly with a look of bewilderment on her face.
Lizzie Rose: “W-WHAT’S GOING ON HERE!?”
Muscles Maximus is now the one confused and in a fog as he gets back up. The small and tiny Lizzie Rose… scoops up Muscles Maximus and carries him on her shoulder in a body slam position. She is in shock of her sudden strength and doesn’t even slam him down yet. Lizzie’s just surprised as she carries him around the ring.
Keres: “On second thought, this is boring…”
Princess Nova: “You're right, it doesn’t hold up to the standards of today. Hehe”
Snap.
The legs of Lizzie Rose shake as she collapses with Muscles Maximus falling on top of her. The big muscular man gets off the mat and goes for an old school ending. Putting Lizzie’s head between his thighs, he holds her upside down in the air and sits down, piledriver! Rose bounces head first off the mat and she is easily covered. The official counts a pin.
One… Two… Three!
Ding Ding Ding!
Keres: “Oh, poor Elizabeth. Guess she isn’t strong enough.”
Keres has a cold laugh as she and Princess Nova get up from the commentary table. Muscles Maximus is too busy posing to the fans to notice Eternal enter the ring. The two of them walk over to Lizzie Rose and kneel over her. Princess Nova, more caring of the two, runs her hand across Lizzie’s face who just looks up at the lights, crushed by the hulking frame which fell on her.
Princess Nova: “Aww. There there. You’ll find the recipe to success eventually. But I knew this would be too much for you, but that’s okay...”
Lizzie can’t even speak right now. She just looks up in a daze.
Princess Nova: “It will just come with time. I should know! I was in your position long ago. You’ll be thankful for us in the end.”
Nova’s smile is warm. Contrasting the near torture she was just put through in this match. Keres, on the other hand, steps her foot on her chest.
Keres: “Now, I believe we had an agreement. We will take our payment in a moment. But we are far from over. Next time, we will test you further and further. Either you will rise from it, or be brought to nothing. Until then, goodbye, Elizabeth.”
Snap.
Lizzie Rose sits up on her hotel bed and bolts up-right, the dying notes of a scream waking her up as she blinks around rapidly as reality slowly sets back into her vision. "No Limit" by 2 Unlimited is playing but she doesn't notice the music. She takes a beat to calm herself down, her heart pounding in her chest, she rubs a knuckle in her eyes, rubbing the sleep out of it, frowning trying to focus on the dying embers of a dream that was fading fast...while at the same time trying to figure out, where the hell she was...did she book this hotel? She supposed she must have...she just couldn't-"
Her phone goes to answer and she hears a familiar voice. Joe Burr.
Joe Burr: "Lizzie... pick up your phone!"
Finally noticing the phone from the voice mail, Lizzie picks it up from her nightstand and answers.
Lizzie Rose: "H-Hello?"
Joe Burr: "Lizzie, where the hell have you been?! I've been calling you like a stalker!"
Confused Lizzie checked her phone, seven missed calls in the last hour. She sheepishly answers.
Lizzie Rose: "Sorry, I guess I didn't hear it..."
Which was super weird, Lizzie never put her phone on silent. She just didn't hear it. She quickly checks her volume, max volume. Sitting there in silence, Lizzie is astonished she didn't hear her phone playing one of her favourite songs. Breaking the silence, Joe Burr asks her a question.
Joe Burr: "I've barely seen you all week, where the hell have you been?"
Lizzie Rose: "I joined an e-fed..."
Even as she said this Lizzie frowned, like she knew that sounded odd, and even to her she couldn't fully rationalize it...but it was the right answer. If someone asked her to elaborate she'd honestly struggle. She couldn't go further with that answer. It was just the truth, like saying water was wet, she had joined an E-fed. Simple as that, though, her mind can't recall what REALLY happened. But in her mind, it is an e-fed.
Joe Burr: "What's an E-fed?"
Lizzie Rose: "It's like this weird online kind of thing. Where people pretend to be wrestlers..."
Joe Burr: "That sounds super dorky. Who would do it?"
Lizzie Rose: "It's fun though..."
Joe Burr: "But you ARE A WRESTLER! A REAL ONE!"
Joe Burr shouts on the other end of the phone, astonished.
Joe Burr: "Have you been doing that all night?!"
Lizzie Rose: "No, I just woke up...had a nightmare..."
Joe Burr: "'bout what?"
Lizzie Rose: "I have no clue."
Again. What happened to her, in her own mind, didn't seem real. 80's wrestling, a muscle toned meathead, Eternal, none of it was real.
Joe Burr: "Liz, I'm worried about you, I don't like these Eternal chicks and how they're getting in your head."
Lizzie shakes her head.
Lizzie Rose: "I've dealt with bigger bullies than them before. I'll get to them."
Joe Burr: "No, seriously. They're not bullies, they're psychopaths. They seem FAR from normal. Something is crazy about them and you DON'T want them to take an interest in you. I think I need to-"
Lizzie interrupts her friend. She's taking a firm and prideful stance.
Lizzie Rose: "Joe. Don't! It's fine. I got it covered. Don't worry about it."
Joe Burr: "But I-"
Lizzie didn't bother listening to anything else as she uncharacteristically hung up, as she straightened herself up and pushed a few buttons on her phone and clicked on the now familiar FYOG home page, taking a strange comfort in it... Its changes already making their way into her subconscious.
This thing was addictive but she didn't know why. And yet, something is off about her and she knows it. But, she is choosing to ignore it. She is going to stand in ignorant bliss as she risks-
Going deeper.
Into Eternal's game for her.
The cameras cut to backstage as Bryan Baxter and Jeremy Best converge in a corridor, each coming from the opposite direction.
Bryan Baxter: “Any luck?”
Jeremy Best: “No, I’ve searched every hallway and room around here… it’s like they’ve just completely disappeared with him?”
Bryan Baxter: “Goddammit! I can’t believe this has happened. Fuckin’ Nephews…”
Jeremy Best: “Yeah! What kinda people just sit there and take someone against their will?”
Bryan Baxter: “I’ll tell you who, Jeremy. Terrible people. But we’ll get him back, don’t you worry. We got Krash back, we’ll get Mr. Scorpane too.”
Jeremy Best: “I just hope they don’t hurt him.”
Bryan Baxter: “Heh, you know Bill… if anyone can talk their way out of this situation, it’s him.”
Jeremy and Bryan are interrupted as a young man in a mostly brown, UPS-esque attire comes into the shot, holding a package.
Delivery Boy: “Excuse me, Bryan Baxter?’
Bryan Baxter: “What’s it to ya?”
Delivery Boy: “I have a package here for ya.”
The delivery boy hands Baxter the gift, and opens up his hand, extending it out to Bryan, seemingly expecting a tip. Bryan glares at him and then just high fives the hand.
Bryan Baxter: “Sweet, a package.”
Bryan started to rip into the packing tape.
Jeremy Best: “Wait!”
Jeremy extended his arm, grabbing Bryan by the hand to stop him.
Jeremy Best: “What if it’s some kinda trick from the Nephews?”
Bryan Baxter: “Look Jeremy, you’re not the only one who can have secret admirers and people sending you random ass gifts. Looks like I finally have a stalker of my own.”
Bryan rips through the packaging and looks into the box finding it empty except for a small white envelope. Bryan shrugs his shoulders.
Bryan Baxter: “You know, nice things can come in an envelope. Money. Gift cards. Keys to a brand new Corvette.”
Bryan rips open the envelope only to find a small card inside it. The camera pans over and zooms in on the words.
I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN.
SEE YOU AT GRAND MARCH.
Bryan’s face looks as though he’s seen a ghost.
Jeremy Best: “Well? What is it? Oh it must be something real good if you’re speechless.”
Jeremy leans over and reads it as well.
Jeremy Best: “Oh dear… that sounds awfully ominous.”
Bryan Baxter: “It’s a fucking joke! That’s what it is! C’mon, let’s find Bill.”
Bryan rips up the card and tosses it on the ground before he and Jeremy walk off, continuing their search… while the camera pans down and zooms in on the ripped up card, the words “SEE YOU AT GRAND MARCH” still legible.
Rod Sterling: “In what has already been an eventful evening thus far, the action will continue with our next contest. Newcomer to FWA but not to the wrestling industry, Trevor Walker, will take on one half of The Undisputed Alliance’s Jackson Fenix.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Fenix is coming off yet another loss where he and Nate Savage were unsuccessful in their attempt to dethrone The Connection in a Washington Street Fight that took place at Fallout.”
Rod Sterling: “You can thank The Nephews again for helping The Connection there, but in any case, Fenix will represent his team tonight in singles action. For those of you keeping track at home, Fenix was successful in his last singles outing, even though technically it was a triple threat and not a singles match but regardless, Fenix will look to play spoiler for the debuting Trevor Walker tonight.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Walker has wrestled all over the world several years, spanning more than a few decades. Despite that, he’s never been able to reach his full potential. Tonight is Walker’s shot to truly make a name for himself, and rise to newfound prominence.”
The crowd begin to boo as Trevor Walker makes his way out on stage to zero fanfare and no music to accompany him to the ring. Walker sneers at the reaction from the fans and he walks down to the ring. On his way down to the ring, Walker threatens to backhand some rather handsy fans that got a little too close for his comfort.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The next contest is set for one fall with a twenty-minute-time-limit! Introducing first, from Parts Unknown and weighing in at 250 lb…Trevor Walker!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It is rather unusual to hear no music to accompany someone to the ring, but Trevor Walker apparently isn’t a fan of music from what I’ve heard.”
Rod Sterling: “Walker is as old school as it gets, Anzu. He is no nonsense and all business. Yeah, it is a bit odd that there is no music, but Walker isn’t here to appease anyone's needs.”
Walker enters the ring and he continues to tell the fans what he thinks of them with some crude gestures aimed at them.
The familiar theme plays and the crowd is now on their feet and some even cheer as Jackson Fenix walks out on stage with Nate Savage following behind him. Fenix looks a bit surprised by some of the positive reaction and does a taunt for the fans that fire them up a little and elicit more cheers. Savage shoots a look of bewilderment at Jackson but Fenix seems to be loving it as he makes his way down to the ring.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “His opponent…being accompanied by Nasty Nate Savage…currently residing in Los Angeles, CA…weighing in at 210 lb…he is The Best Around…Jackson Fenix!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “As odd as it was to hear no music, it is even more odd to hear some cheers for Jackson Fenix. I guess compared to his opponent he is the lesser of two evils, but also Fenix has been trying to change his ways and trying to be a good guy.”
Rod Sterling: “There’s still some jeers out there, Anzu, so not everyone is buying this nice guy act from Fenix.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It’ll take some time I think for everyone to come around, but I also think it’s commendable of Fenix to try out this change.”
Rod Sterling: “I don’t know, Anzu. Fenix and Savage have done some rotten things in their time here. For all we know this could all just be an act, I mean, we saw what happened with Jeremy Best. He wasn’t who he said was. I don’t know, I guess I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Fenix is still posturing for the crowd after getting in the ring and referee Grace-Lynn Guerrero checks both men before calling for the bell…
Rod Sterling: “What a way to start this match! FWA Official Matthew Dean is going to have his hands full trying to restore order here in the opening moments.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Or, just let them fight! That’s what the people want. That’s what they want… let’s go!”
And referee Dean does in fact let the brawl continue, as Bedlam sends himself and Quiet over the top rope with a big running lariat while Truth takes Uncle down with a double leg takedown, raining down some forearms to Uncle before Uncle is able to counter and roll on top of Truth… but back and forth they went until they also spilled out of the ring!
While that foursome brawled side by side outside the ring - back inside the ring, it was a pair of mismatches as Bryan Baxter pummeled Harry the Sane Wizard in the corner and Thomas West have quickly overpowered Jeremy Best until both West and Baxter had lifted their respective smaller opponent up into a pair of dueling Military Presses! West and Baxter stared each other down before they, almost in sync with one another, tossed their opponent over the top rope! Jeremy Best taking out Truth and Bedlam at ringside while Harry landed on Quiet and Uncle!
This left us with a showdown in the middle of the ring as Bryan Baxter and Thomas West slowly approached one another, the crowd on their feet anticipating the first ever showdown between two of FWA’s beefiest competitors. West was all smiles as he approached Baxter, and he could be heard shouting out to BBB, “bring it on big boy!” garnering a grimace from Baxter before the North American champion took a swing at West with a big right hand! West fires back with a right hand of his own and back and forth these two went exchanging blows.
Rod Sterling: “Everyone knows Thomas West loves a good fist fight and lesser men wouldn’t dare get into one with West… but not many men in FWA match up with West pound for pound as Big Bryan Baxter!”
Things had settled down at ringside as the remaining competitors had finally made their way to their respective corner while West and Baxter duked it out in the ring. West eventually gets the upperhand, using a knee left to Baxter’s massive midsection and then whips BBB into the corner. West charges in with a big running splash, sandwiching Baxter before attempting to Irish Whip him into the opposite corner, but Baxter reversed it and sent West into the corner instead before it was Baxter coming in with a running corner splash of his own to West!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Couple of big meaty corner sandwiches right there!”
Baxter continues to work over West with a series of shoulder thrusts to the midsection before walking over to the adjacent corner and rather forcefully tagging in Cyrus Truth. A brief staredown between the two ends peacefully with Baxter exiting the ring and Truth making his way to the corner with a series big knife edge chops before hitting a step up enziguri to the cornered West, sending West down to the mat. Truth walks back in and unleashes the First Five Steps as the crowd counts along with each of the five consecutive foot stomps to West’s head!
Truth continued in control until attempting to lock West’s arms for a Dragon Suplex, but the oiled up arms of West allowed him to slip free! This gives West the advantage of surprise as West is able to lift up Truth and drop him to the mat with a Samoan Drop and opens the door for West to make the tag to Quiet.
Quiet looks to take advantage of the situation, stomping on Truth’s back as he is trying to pull himself up to his feet, sending Truth back down to the mat before Quiet mounts over top of him and unloads a series of hard closed fists right to Truth’s forehead. Eventually the referee steps in, threatening Quiet due to his use of those closed fists, but he goes right back on the attack, pulling Truth’s forehead up to his mouth, biting at the Exile’s flesh!
Rod Sterling: ”Ugh, Quiet’s offense is often not for the faint of heart as he may have just tore a chunk of skin off of Cyrus Truth!”
Once again, Quiet gets admonished by referee Dean, but he just gives a glare towards the official before going back on the attack once again. He sends Truth into the ropes where Tommy Bedlam grabs the blind tag, slapping Truth on the back. Truth goes on to duck a lariat attempt from Quiet, and then spins back around with a Discus Punch to Quiet as Bedlam enters the ring and scores with a Discus Lariat of his own to take Quiet down! Bedlam makes the first pinning attempt of the match.
One! Two! Kickout by Quiet!
At ringside, Randi gives some supportive applause to her man as he works over Quiet in the ring. After taking Quiet back down to the mat with a swinging neckbreaker, Bedlam locks in a Boston Crab to Quiet. Referee Matthew Dean is there to check in on Quiet, who shakes his head, not giving up… but the move would be broken up by Thomas West charging back in and shoulder tacking Bedlam from behind! A frustrated Cyrus Truth re-entered the ring, but is cut off by Truth while West and now Harry put the boots to Bedlam on the mat while Quiet gets back to his feet.
Rod Sterling: “The Nephews will take advantage of every opening they can get, especially any time the referee’s back is turned!”
The referee gets Truth out of the ring as West and Harry also return to their corner, Quiet makes the tag to Uncle before pulling Bedlam up and holding him in a full nelson, allowing Uncle to score a free kick to Bedlam’s exposed midsection. Quiet and Uncle then pair up to take Bedlam down with a Double DDT! Uncle made the cover on Tommy while Quiet left the ring.
One! Two! Kickout!
Wiping himself off as he gets to his feet, Uncle paces over Bedlam, scoring some stomps to Tommy’s arms and legs as Randi looks on with concern. As J.J. JAY slows things own, methodically attacking Tommy, he locks eyes with Cyrus Truth, who appears very eager on the apron, daring Uncle to let him in the ring with him. Uncle smiles as he grabs Bedlam by the hair and drags him towards the corner. It appears as though Uncle is openly welcoming another showdown with the Exile!
But as he gets Tommy to the corner, Jeremy reaches in and slaps Tommy on the shoulder to tag himself in instead! The crowd booes as Jeremy steps into the ring, all smiles while Truth fumes on the apron. Uncle turns to Cyrus and gives a smirk and a shrug to the Exile.
Rod Sterling: “The fans really wanted to see that showdown between Truth and Uncle, but Jeremy once again robs the fans of what they want!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Well, how about this showdown instead? Jeremy Best has somehow been able to have Uncle’s number so far in his time in FWA. Will lightning strike four times now?”
Uncle backs up as Jeremy enters the ring. Jeremy joins Uncle in the center of the ring… and extends his hand to Uncle! Uncle looks at Jeremy's hand and then gives a warm smile back at Jeremy. Jeremy’s face seems to light up as Uncle starts to go for the handshake, but instead uses his other hand to backhand slap Jeremy!
Best stumbles to the side as Uncle uses his fingers to rake the back of Best before lifting him up for a back suplex… but Jeremy flips over and lands on his feet. SCHOOL BOY BY JEREMY!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
NO! Uncle kicks out!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Oh wow, I thought that was it! It looked like another Jeremy Best pinfall over Uncle! But this time, Uncle escapes!”
And escape he does, immediately going from the pinning combination to his corner and tagging back in Thomas West! West steps back into the ring, walking towards Jeremy with a big grin on his face. Jeremy gives a friendly wave to West, who returns the friendly wave back to Jeremy! Jeremy extends his hand out for a handshake to West this time. Thomas smiles as he takes Jeremy by the hand… AND PULLS HIM IN FOR FINISHER #3! But Jeremy ducks! West spins back around and his met with a combo of stiff kicks from Best to his midsection, but West absorbs the blows and on the third kick, he catches Jeremy’s leg and lifts pulls him in for a half and half suplex!
Jeremy finds himself in a world of trouble against his larger opponent, West having his way with Best and soon lays him out with not one, not two, but three German Suplexes! Though the confident West doesn’t bridge for the pin, instead he lets Jeremy go and seemingly continues to toy with him in the ring.
Rod Sterling: “Thomas West needs to be careful here! He thinks he has Jeremy where he wants him but you should never trust Jeremy Best!”
Instead, West takes Jeremy to the corner, setting him up on the top turnbuckle and hits a big Hurricanrana to Best in an amazing display of athleticism from the big man! Thomas West poses for the crowd after the move before heading over and making a nonchalant lateral press down on Jeremy.
One! Two! Thre - Kickout!
With Jeremy down, West makes his way back to the corner and tags in Harry before lifting Harry up himself into a Military Press and tossing the Sane Wizard down on top of Jeremy with a splash! Harry hooks the leg!
One! Two! Kickout!
Taking advantage of West’s handiwork, Harry is able to keep the upperhand on Jeremy, dropping a pair of headbutts down onto Best before he heads up to the top turnbuckle. Diving Crossbody from Harry is COUNTERED with a dropkick to the incoming Wizard from Jeremy! The desperation move leaves both men down, but it is Jeremy getting the tag to Tommy Bedlam first!
Tommy charges into the ring and cuts of Harry’s attempt to make the tag to his corner, clobbering the wizard from behind and then striking Uncle, West, and Quiet on the apron with a series of forearms! The crowd is fired up for Bedlam as he measures up a recovering Harry for a big running SPEAR!
Bedlam pops right back up as Randi cheers him on… Harry struggles up to his feet and is caught with THE ROUGH RIDE from Bedlam!
Rod Sterling: “This could be it! Bedlam can score the win here!”
And he makes the pin!
ONE! TWO! THRE - NO! It’s broken up by Thomas West! West drives an axe handle smash down onto Bedlam as he tries to pull himself up, but in comes Cyrus Truth to Bedlam’s aid! West sees Truth coming and tries to cut off the Exile with a lariat, but Truth counters with an armdrag takedown! He looks to roll back to his feet but its the WANDERER’S WRATH from Truth to take West down to the mat!
During this exchange, Harry manages to crawl to the corner and make the tag to Quiet! Quiet and Truth go toe to toe, but its a spinning backfist from Quiet that takes Truth down and sends him rolling out of the ring before Quiet turns his attention back to Bedlam…
BUCKSHOT SUPERKICK from out of nowhere takes Quiet down to the mat! Bedlam makes the cover once again!
ONE! TWO! THRE - NO! It’s broken up once again as Uncle stomps on the back of Tommy’s head to break it up.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Tommy has had this match won a couple times but wherever you turn, there’s another Nephew to make the save!”
Uncle grabs Tommy, pulling him up to his feet before looking for a Double Underhook DDT, but Tommy counters it with a Northern Lights Suplex! Bedlam then rolls to his corner and reaches up for a tag that is answered by Bryan Baxter!
Uncle rolls out of the ring, leaving Quiet alone in the ring with Baxter, who measures the masked man up as he begins to pull himself up… he moves in, positioning Quiet into a pumphandle and then dropping him into a sitout facebuster! Baxter hooks the legs!
ONE! TWO! NO! Harry the Sane Wizard with the save!
Bryan gets right back up to his feet, and now turns to face Harry who quickly seems to regret his decision. He tries to get away, but Baxter grabs him by the hair to stop him! Kick to the midsecton from Baxter and then its a TURNBUCKLE POWERBOMB to Harry!
Bryan Baxter grabs Quiet by the mask to pull himself up to his feet and begins to set him up for the Baxter Driver, locking his face in a front face lock and lifting his other arm over his neck… but before he can lift Quiet up into the air, he spots Mr. Scorpane at ringside chatting with Uncle.
Anzu Kurosawa: “It looks like Bryan Baxter has Quiet dead to rights here, but he’s not pulling the trigger!”
Rod Sterling: “He sees what’s going on at ringside… and what that is, I’m not sure but for some reason Uncle J.J. JAY! and Mr. Scorpane are having some sort of discussion at ringside!”
Baxter makes the ill-advised decision of dropping Quiet back down to the mat as he steps out onto the apron, questioning Scorpane about his interaction with Uncle. Scorpane steps away from Uncle, holding his arms in innocence, ”just talkin’ some business, my boy! Don’t take your eye off the ball!”
But it was too late, because Quiet was back up and attacked Baxter on the apron from behind! The sneak attack gives him the brief advantage as he impressively LIFTS BAXTER UP onto his shoulders for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER onto the apron! Scorpane shakes his head in disappointment as Quiet pushes the big man back through the ring ropes and makes the cover!
ONE! TWO! THR - now it’s Jeremy Best making the save!
Quiet sits back up to his knees after the broken pinfall attempt, and Best begins to unload the Friendly Fire to his chest before Jeremy lifts Quiet up onto his shoulders, going for the BFF…
But Thomas West sprints back into the ring and takes Jeremy out with a running big boot! Jeremy and Quiet both crash down to the mat as West pulls Jeremy up onto his own shoulders now, looking for Finisher #2!
But it’s broken up by Tommy Bedlam as he hits the BUCKSHOT to West! West stumbles backwards into the waiting arms of Cyrus Truth who lifts West up into an Argentine Rack into the EXILE’S EDGE!
Referee Matthew Dean tries to restore some order, cutting off Truth as he gets back to his feet… allowing Uncle to climb into the ring and he scores a LOW BLOW to Bedlam followed by a Double Underhook DDT to lay the cowboy out! Seeing this, Truth pushes his way past Dean and hittings running dropkick to Uncle, sending Uncle back out of the ring!
Rod Sterling: “Chaos has erupted once again in this match, much like it started… but the ring now clears once again and it’s our two legal men still in the ring now… Byran Baxter and Quiet!”
Both Baxter and Quiet are slowly starting to stir, pulling themselves up but it's Quiet up first and he locks in the Bulldog Choke to Baxter! But Baxter is able to fight his way back up to his feet using his power, and breaks it up with a back suplex that once again leaves both men down! As both begin to once again start to get to their feet, Mr. Scorpane looks to take action at ringside to help his client. Scorpane makes his way over to the time keeper’s table and tries to grab the North American title.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Look out, we’ve seen this story many times in the last couple of months.”
Rod Sterling: “It’s been the assistance of Mr. Scorpane at ringside that has lead to many of Baxter’s wins during the F1, and by the looks of things, he’s about to give another helping hand…”
But as Scorpane is grabbing the title, he is suddenly ambushed as Maid of Death, the Avatar, and NOE-I have come out of the crowd! And they have a big burlap sack that they have tossed over Scorpane! Scorpane tries to fight against his restraints, but the three overwhelm him and literally lift him up and are scurrying off with the agent!
Rod Sterling: “More Nephews!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “And they’re… KIDNAPPING Mr. Scorpane?”
Rod Sterling: “Taste of their own medicine, perhaps?”
As the Nephews have Scorpane and are disappearing back the way they came, through the crowd - the recovering Bryan Baxter and Jeremy Best both take notice.
Jeremy Best: ”Hey! They can’t do that!”
Jeremy hops off the apron and runs to the guard rail, hopping over and giving chase to the Nephews! Bryan Baxter starts to leave as well, but is stopped by Cyrus, confronting Bryan about his intentions. Baxter glares at Cyrus and proceeds to slap Cyrus across the chest, effectively tagging the Exile in before Baxter steps out of the ring, hops down to the ground. He climbs over the railing and jogs after Jeremy.
Rod Sterling: “I can’t believe what we’re witnessing here! The Buddy System have effectively abandoned their partners!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Mr. Scorpane being taken by the Nephews is bad news for the Buddy System, but now it’s even worse news for Cyrus Truth and Tommy Bedlam because they’re facing a 4-on-2 disadvantage now.”
Truth finds himself in the ring by himself standing across from both Quiet and Thomas West, who had just been tagged in to become the legal man. Truth tilted his neck side to side, as if warming up for battle, and prepared to take on both Nephews… when Harry once again attempts a sneak attack from behind! Harry leaps up onto Truth’s back with a sleeper hold, but Truth instead snap mares him to the mat in front of Quiet and West!
Quiet and West charge in towards Truth, but Truth ducks a double clothesline attempt while at the same time striking Harry with the Wander’s Wrath! Meanwhile, Tommy Bedlam has climbed to the top turnbuckle as Quiet and West once again attempt a double team on Truth, Truth ducks the attack again and Bedlam comes down with a DOUBLE FLYING CLOTHESLINE to take both West and Quiet down!
Rod Sterling: “Against the odds, Cyrus Truth and Tommy Bedlam are holding their own here against four Nephews!”
Uncle now sneaks into the ring, looking to take advantage of the situation as Truth has his back to him, but before he could strike, Truth turns around and catches Uncle in the act! Truth hits a knee to Uncle, sending J.J. JAY down to a knee, Truth stalking in…
PINK MIST FROM UNCLE!
But Truth ducks to dodge it… but unfortunately it does hit Tommy right in the face!
Truth pops back up and grabs Uncle, lifting him up into a Fireman’s Carry… JOURNEY’S END TO UNCLE!
Meanwhile, the blinded Tommy stumbles his way around the ring as Quiet moves in… Randi shouts out to Tommy, ”Watch out!” - giving Tommy the heads up and he manages to score the BUCKSHOT to Quiet!
Tommy then staggers backwards as Truth is getting up from hitting Uncle with his finisher, and the two bump each other back to back. Startled, the blinded Bedlam grabs Truth and accidentally hits his own partner with THE ROUGH RIDE!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Oh no! Tommy inadvertently just took out Truth thanks to that pink mist from Uncle!”
Bedlam doesn’t get the chance to realize the error of his ways as Thomas West grabs him by the hair and tosses him through the ropes to ringside! West proudly makes his way over and makes the cover on Truth!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
NO!
Cyrus got his shoulder up at the last possible second!
Rod Sterling: “Unbelievable! This one isn’t over yet folks! The amount of fight in the Exile is remarkable!”
Thomas West’s jaw had dropped after the kickout, but he pulls Truth back up to his feet once again. West lifts Truth up onto his shoulder’s in a Fireman’s carry… but Truth begins to battle back with some elbows to West’s head! Truth slides down his back, locking in a Dragon Sleeper to West! Referee Matthew Dean quickly gets into position, crouching down to check on West…
But it put him out of position to see Harry the Sane Wizard sneaking up behind Truth and hitting him with a LOW BLOW! Truth releases West and doubles over as Harry grabs him by the head and hits the Sliced Bread to the Exile! Truth’s own momentum from the move rolls him back up to his feet, staggering… right into the arms of West who lifts him up…
Finisher #2!
West pops back up to his feet, extending his arms to gloat while Truth rolls onto his stomach… still fighting… still trying to get back to his feet…
Lifting himself up onto his arms… lifting his head up…
PUNT FROM QUIET!
Truth drops back to the mat as Quiet shoves West and points to Truth, wanting him to make the cover. West relents and drops down for the pin, a big smile on his face as he does so..
ONE! TWO! THREE!
WInner: The Nephews by pinfall at 18:53.
Thomas West sits up, still grinning from ear to ear, as he is quickly joined by the recovered Uncle as well as Quiet and Harry - the foursome looking down at the fallen Cyrus Truth, admiring their handiwork. Meanwhile, Randi tends to Tommy at ringside, wiping the pink mist out of his face with a handkerchief.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "The winners of the match… The Nephews!”
Rod Sterling: “It was 4-on-2 thanks to the Buddy System abandoning the match, but it still took everything The Nephews could throw at Cyrus Truth to keep him down.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “This is definitely not the way Cyrus would want to be heading into the Grand March, and Michelle von Horrowitz will certainly be happy to see the handiwork of the Nephews here tonight. We’ll see later on if she can continue the winning ways for the Nephews.”
Rod Sterling: “That is still to come and maybe we can get some answers as to this apparent abduction of Mr. Scorpane as well..”
Uncle and the Nephews continue to celebrate their victory in the ring, to the disdain of the crowd, as we cut to the commentary booth. Rod Sterling shakes his head, clearly indignant at the scenes he just saw unfold. Anzu does her best to hold things together.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Well, moving on with the show… we were supposed to now cut to a pre-recorded interview with ‘the Prodigy’ Mike Parr with regards to his plans for the Grand March weekend. Rumour has it that Parr has been offered a place in the King of the Deathmatch tournament, as well as a one-on-one match for Chicago’s event…”
Rod Sterling: “But, it seems, we’re not going to get that information here tonight in Pittsburgh. Due to what I’m being told is a scheduling conflict, Mike Parr will instead grace us with his presence on Saturday night in Detroit, where we may pick up some answers regarding his immediate future here in the FWA.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “We may not be able to bring you Mike Parr, but we can bring you this… Jim…”
In a backstage area, a door is shown with a golden nameplate reading ‘JON RUSSNOW’ on it and then a couple of voices are heard from the other side of the door, before it swings open. Both Ratin Mikichin and Steve the Techno Vampire emerge from the door, both looking disappointed.
Steve the Techno Vampire: “Vhere is he? He’s not in there.”
Ratin Mikichin: “He’s avoiding Ratin and Steve. He knows we would not be happy about being left off the cards this week. This is after the disrespect they showed us on Fallout.”
Steve the Techno Vampire: “How dare they cut avay from us like that… Ve vere putting on a clinic!”
Ratin seems to be in agreement with his nemesis and even finds himself showing some compassion towards Steve with a comforting hand on the shoulder, but the two of them then hear a cough from behind them. They turn around to face a person currently standing out of frame.
???: “Are you two tired of getting disrespected around here?”
Both Ratin and Steve nod and take a step closer to the man who had just addressed them.
???: “I think I can help the two of you with that.”
From off-screen a hand extends a business card which Ratin reaches out and grabs before examining it and allowing Steve to have a look as well. The man then walks forward and smiles at both of them and he puts a hand on each of their shoulders.
Greg: “Hi, I’m Greg.”
Greg smiles at Ratin and Steve, who both look at each other and nod with smirks forming, and then to Greg, who ushers them away…
Lizzie Rose wakes up from a dazed state. She feels like she has been sleeping for ages. Sitting up, she looks around. Darkness is around her apart from a lone spotlight. Rubbing her eyes, Lizzie is confused. Looking at her clothes, she is already in her wrestling gear, as if she is ready for a match. Getting up, she looks around frantically.
Lizzie Rose: “What the-? Why is everything so dark?”
She looks around, but nothing is visible. Then-
???: “Ladies and gentlemen…”
A loud booming voice appears on the P.A system. It startles Lizzie as she falls down to the ground. She looks under her feet to see… a light blue wrestling canvas.
???: “IT IS TIME FOR YOUR FYOG WRESTLING MAIN EVENT!!!"
Old school wrestling music blares into the speakers as the lights turn on and we see a wrestling arena straight out of the 80’s. It is full of bright colours with an old school wrestling ring with the iconic red, white, and blue ropes. The barricade is covered with blue banners with “FYOG” in gold font. There is audible crowd noise, but the audience is full of masked figures in a mix of blank and crow masks. Lizzie Rose is in shock. Commentators are at ringside and…
It is Princess Nova and Keres. Princess Nova has her normal tiara on with a big and fluffy dress while Keres has her normal school-like look, except, on her head is a large top-hat. It is a sparkly yellow with a sunflower. She’s fitting in as she does her best announcer’s voice, although it is still monotonous.
Keres: “We have ourselves an amazing main event tonight. Shame one of the participants seems clueless.”
Princess Nova: “Maybe she just woke up on the wrong side of the bed? I surely believe in her!”
Keres: “Then your trust must be in the wrong place.”
Their dynamic is already established as a commentary duo. Keres plays the more villainous announcer, while Princess Nova is trying to support the matches’ “hero.” In the ring, Lizzie takes a microphone from someone at ringside and speaks.
Lizzie Rose: “Excuse me? Keres? Nova? -Where am I, what are you doing here? I have all the questions right now.”
Keres: “This is FYOG Wrestling. You did sign up for it, did you not?”
Keres’s microphone on her headset is hooked up to the loud speakers and Lizzie is confused. She turns to see them at ringside on commentary. She is at a loss for words. What is going on?
Keres: “Confused, dear? Sister, mind explaining.”
Princess Nova obliges, nodding her head.
Princess Nova: “We are the commissioners to FYOG. You signed up for it, remember?”
Lizzie Rose: “An e-fed…?”
Giggling, Princess Nova has a wide grin.
Princess Nova: “Kind of. Consider it OUR TORN e-fed, dear. We will book you in matches as we see fit when we feel like it. We want to see what you got. But, we want to give you something to fight for.”
Keres continues on.
Keres: “You win, we grant you your release so to speak. It will be a shame to see you go, but we trust that, with whatever matches you have, it will be the MOST worthwhile experience you have had in any promotion. But, it will not be that easy. You also need some more… pressure. With each loss… You lose something. Do you agree-?”
Lizzie is about to answer, but Keres interrupts.
Keres: “It’s rhetorical. You don’t have a choice in this matter.”
Their announcer goes on the microphone and does introductions.
Announcer: “Introducing the participants first, from Brooklyn, New York, Elizabeth Rose!”
Lizzie blinks.
Lizzie Rose: “T-That’s not my name. Only my mom can call me Elizabeth and get away with it!”
Announcer: “And her opponent…”
The “fans” give a roaring cheer as the music of Lizzie Rose’s opponent plays. There is a build as the fans turn their attention to the curtains which have an entranceway shaped like an old jukebox with neon colours. The music builds for about 20 seconds until we see a VERY muscular man, like we’re talking peak 80’s roid and coke filled body. He has luscious long blonde hair and a pair of yellow long tights and white boots. He has a neon blue tank top with rips in them from his HUGE muscles. His shirt reads “MAXIMUS!!!”
Announcer: "From Hollywood, California, at 6 foot 7, weighing in at 285 pounds, the “Main Event,” The GOLDEN BOY, HE IS THE EMBODIMENT OF AMERICA! THIS IS MUSCLE MAXIMUS!!!"
Keres: “Here he is, the ideal depiction of wrestling in the eyes of many fans who pine for the past, where men were men and the world felt more like a cartoon. Muscles Maximus. Look over the ability to put on a hold. Breaking the heart of young ladies rather than showing one.”
Princess Nova: “Oh my, if my heart didn’t belong to another I would be swooning over him right now! Caught in his charm and charisma.”
Muscles Maximus flexes with his hulking frame causing his shirt to rip. He waves to his adoring fans as Lizzie Rose, as you’d expect, looks rather intimidated by this embodiment of 80’s wrestling pop-culture. Maximus continues to pose on his way to the ring, with a female member of the audience “swooning” over him.
Keres: “Sister, I have to ask, was THIS acceptable in the 80’s?”
Princess Nova: “It was acceptable at the time. No technique, no moves, not even talent. Just looks. And muscles.”
Stepping into the ring, Muscles Maximus flexes and poses to the fans before he is handed a microphone as his over the top 80’s-riffic theme. He shouts with only the energy possible with the drugs of the 1980’s.
Muscles Maximus: “WELL LISTEN HERE MY MUSCLE-HEADS, BECAUSE MUSCLES MAXIMUS IS READY TO BRING THE DESTRUCTION!”
The fans cheer wildly as Muscles Maximus spits as he talks. Lizzie Rose just… goes into a ball in the corner. What has she gotten herself into?
Muscles Maximus: “I FEEEEEEL YOUR ENERGY TONIGHT PULSATING THROUGH MY PERFORMANCE ENHANCED VEINS! THE ROCKET IS READY TO LIFT OFF AS I AM FUELED WITH ANY SUBSTANCE I CAN GET MY HANDS ON! GET READY FOR THE TRUE POWER OF THE MUSCLE! FEEL MY BOA CONSTRICTORS FOR ARMS! MY PULSATING CHEST! I’M YOUR HERO! I AM THE TRUE EMBODIMENT OF WREST-, OR SHOULD I SAY, SPORTS ENTERTAINMENTS ROOTS!!!”
The “Golden Boy” turns to Lizzie.
Muscles Maximus: “THIS LITTLE GIRL HERE DOES NOT REPRESENT WHAT WRESTLING IS, DUDES AND DUDETTES! WRESTLING IS NOT A PLACE FOR CRYBABY TWIGS! IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! THE FAME! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…”
Shouting with all his might, he shouts…
Muscles Maximus: “THE BEAUTIFUL MUSCLES!!! AHAHAHAHA!”
He flexes for his adoring fans.
Muscles Maximus: “THAT’S WHAT ALL MY MUSCLE-HEADS WANT! THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HEART OR SOUL, OR A SOB STORY, DUDES! IT IS ALL ABOUT THE POWER! THE LAND OF THE GIANTS AND I BODY PRESS GIANTS! I DROP THEM DOWN LIKE TOWERS! I CAN PULL THE ROOTS OF AN OAK TREE FROM THE GROUND AND FEED ITS MAPLE SYRUP TO ALL MY MUSCLE-HEADS! I SPLIT THE RED SEA WITH JUST A DROP THE LEG! I AM ALL POWERFUL!!!”
Keres: “Is this not making sense to you either, sister?”
Princess Nova: “No. I am SO thankful we have moved past this…”
Muscles Maximus: “THIS IS WHERE THE BIG BOYS PLAAAAAY! SEE? I CAN USE ADJECTIVES AND VERBS! IT DOESN’T MATTER THAT MY HEART WILL BEAT ITS FINAL BEAT WHEN I AM 50 FROM ALL THE DRUGS I INJECT INTO MY RIGHTEOUS VEINS BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT, DUDES! FEELING THE MUSSSCCUUUULES!”
Moving around the ring like the energizer bunny, Muscles Maximus shakes the ropes madly before turning to his opponent. Going up to Lizzie Rose, he gets right into her face.
Muscles Maximus: “HOW MUCH LONGER LITTLE GIRL WILL IT BE BEFORE YOU ARE FORGOTTEN BY THE ROAD, ONLY BEING A FOOTNOTE IN THE HISTORY OF SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT!? HOW MUCH LONGER UNTIL YOU ARE IN WHEELCHAIR AFTER BEING PUT DOWN BY A REAL SUPERSTAR LIKE ME!? THIS WORLD ISN’T MADE FOR YOOOOUUU!”
Lizzie Rose is pushed into the corner and Muscles Maximus puts his hand on her shoulder.
Muscles Maximus: “YOU CAN DO ANYTHING, REMEMBER?! THIS IS THE 80’S! YOU ARE ONLY MEANT TO BE A PRIZE WE MEN FIGHT FOR! YOUR PROPERTY IN WRESTLING, DUDE!”
Keres: “For the record, we at Eternal respect women’s rights and these go against our core values.”
Princess Nova: “And do not support the use of performance enhancing drugs or other illegal narcotics.”
Muscles Maximus: “GET READY TO MEET YOUR END AS I TAKE YOU..”
Turning to the hard camera, he shouts his catchphrase.
Muscles Maximus: “TO THE MAAAAAAX!!!”
An official with a crow’s mask and wearing the classic bow-tie and shirt combo for old school referees gets between them and the bell rings, signaling for the “match” to begin.
FYOG Wrestling MATCH - 1/-
Lizzie Rose is confused, but, TORN Universe or not, this is just a regular match, right? So, she starts by trying to go in hot. She charges with a forearm on Muscles Maximus-
And it just bounces off the chest of the meathead. He laughs and shouts.
Muscles Maximus: “TINY GIRL! YOU CAN’T TOUCH THE MUSCLE!”
Lizzie Rose tries for the boots as she leaps in the air for a dropkick, but the big beefy man doesn’t even budge as her kick just stents her back. Keres and Princess Nova sit at a near-by table and the Eternal sisters do commentary.
Keres: “And this match is underway with Elizabeth Rose in fear of her more powerful, stronger competition. She will soon come to the realization that no matter what happens, she will be chewed up by the sharks of professional wrestling.”
Princess Nova: “I firmly believe there is something special in Elizabeth. She might surprise us tonight.”
Keres: “Perhaps she needs to break for it to come out?”
Princess Nova: “Then there is one man who can do it in the ring now.”
Grabbing Lizzie Rose by the collar, Muscles Maximus lifts her up onto his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. The former North American Champion squirms, but the grip of the embodiment of 80’s wrestling is too strong. He spins and spins her around in an airplane spin before dropping her to the mat. Going old school, he drops an elbow to her chest before posing to a massive ovation.
Keres: “Poor Elizabeth, always the underdog, never the favorite. I’m sure if this keeps up, many will leave her soon.”
Princess Nova: “Out of all of Elizabeth’s strengths, literal strength is not one of them.”
Lizzie Rose coughs as she gets back to her feet, wobbling on her feet after being spun like mad from the airplane spin. Her powerhouse opponent winds up with an old school punch and it lands right on the chin! She bounces off the ropes and is scooped up for the most classic wrestling move of all: A BODY SLAM! Dust flies as Lizzie’s frame lands on the canvas and she winces from the impact. An old school ring canvas, hard as a rock. Rolling to her stomach she is breathing heavily already. He’s huge, but how is she beaten up this fast?
The “Golden Boy” pulls her off the mat and keeps her in place. He runs off one of the ropes and hits the big boot! Another classic! Lizzie Rose doesn’t drop to the mat, but she spins around as if she was in a cartoon. Maximus runs off the ropes again and practically takes her head off with a clothesline! Lizzie Rose spins inside out and lands on the mat as Muscles Maximus heads to the top turnbuckle to pose some more!
Keres: “This match will be over soon, a truly pitiful performance from Elizabeth Rose.”
Princess Nova: “I feel bad for her. I was in her position many times before. It takes unlocking something special to bring yourself out of it.”
Seated on the canvas, Lizzie Rose’s lights are on, but nobody is home. She is in a daze. “What’s going on?” she thinks to herself. After taking some time to hot dog and grandstand to the crowd, Muscles Maximum goes behind Lizzie Rose. Pulling her up off her feet, he locks in a sleeper hold! Lizzie’s feet hang from the air as the muscleman has the submission in!
Princess Nova: “Oh, dear Elizabeth, she’s on the ropes. She might be put to sleep.”
Keres: “Actually, I think we can make this a bit more… i̦͆̽̽͟ń͓̪̰̼̳͖͍t͊҉̰̫e͉̤̰͉̲ͯ͋̇̐r̞̻͑́̇e̴̼͇͈͍ͣ̐̌̾̓̄̚s͌̽͟t̢̜͇̟̖̱̬ͩ͌į̩͎̅̉ͫ̍̾n͓̗̺ͨg̸͙̭̭̳͚ͪͯ͊̂̿.”
Princess Nova: “Oooh! I’m excited. You ALWAYS have great ideas, sister. What is it?”
Keres: “This-”
Raising her fingers, Keres.
Snaps.
Lizzie blinks and suddenly feels a RUSH of 80’s energy pulsing through her veins. She shakes her body and gets back on the ground. She elbows her giant opponent with great force in the ribs to break the hold! Muscles Maximus throws several punches at Lizzie Rose and she doesn’t feel a thing. She blocks one and throws a punch back and points at Muscles Maximus who cowers in fear!
Princess Nova: “The power of the 1980’s is going through her veins!”
Keres: “We will see what happens. Observe, sister.”
Throwing an old school punch, Lizzie Rose knocks Muscles Maximus down to the ground. He gets up only to be met with the same result! Lizzie Rose may actually do it! She whips Muscles off the far ropes and hits a dropkick which sends him to the mat! Lizzie gets up and shakes the ropes wildly with a look of bewilderment on her face.
Lizzie Rose: “W-WHAT’S GOING ON HERE!?”
Muscles Maximus is now the one confused and in a fog as he gets back up. The small and tiny Lizzie Rose… scoops up Muscles Maximus and carries him on her shoulder in a body slam position. She is in shock of her sudden strength and doesn’t even slam him down yet. Lizzie’s just surprised as she carries him around the ring.
Keres: “On second thought, this is boring…”
Princess Nova: “You're right, it doesn’t hold up to the standards of today. Hehe”
Snap.
The legs of Lizzie Rose shake as she collapses with Muscles Maximus falling on top of her. The big muscular man gets off the mat and goes for an old school ending. Putting Lizzie’s head between his thighs, he holds her upside down in the air and sits down, piledriver! Rose bounces head first off the mat and she is easily covered. The official counts a pin.
One… Two… Three!
Ding Ding Ding!
Winner: Muscles Maximus via Pinfall at ??:??
Keres: “Oh, poor Elizabeth. Guess she isn’t strong enough.”
Keres has a cold laugh as she and Princess Nova get up from the commentary table. Muscles Maximus is too busy posing to the fans to notice Eternal enter the ring. The two of them walk over to Lizzie Rose and kneel over her. Princess Nova, more caring of the two, runs her hand across Lizzie’s face who just looks up at the lights, crushed by the hulking frame which fell on her.
Princess Nova: “Aww. There there. You’ll find the recipe to success eventually. But I knew this would be too much for you, but that’s okay...”
Lizzie can’t even speak right now. She just looks up in a daze.
Princess Nova: “It will just come with time. I should know! I was in your position long ago. You’ll be thankful for us in the end.”
Nova’s smile is warm. Contrasting the near torture she was just put through in this match. Keres, on the other hand, steps her foot on her chest.
Keres: “Now, I believe we had an agreement. We will take our payment in a moment. But we are far from over. Next time, we will test you further and further. Either you will rise from it, or be brought to nothing. Until then, goodbye, Elizabeth.”
Snap.
Lizzie Rose sits up on her hotel bed and bolts up-right, the dying notes of a scream waking her up as she blinks around rapidly as reality slowly sets back into her vision. "No Limit" by 2 Unlimited is playing but she doesn't notice the music. She takes a beat to calm herself down, her heart pounding in her chest, she rubs a knuckle in her eyes, rubbing the sleep out of it, frowning trying to focus on the dying embers of a dream that was fading fast...while at the same time trying to figure out, where the hell she was...did she book this hotel? She supposed she must have...she just couldn't-"
Her phone goes to answer and she hears a familiar voice. Joe Burr.
Joe Burr: "Lizzie... pick up your phone!"
Finally noticing the phone from the voice mail, Lizzie picks it up from her nightstand and answers.
Lizzie Rose: "H-Hello?"
Joe Burr: "Lizzie, where the hell have you been?! I've been calling you like a stalker!"
Confused Lizzie checked her phone, seven missed calls in the last hour. She sheepishly answers.
Lizzie Rose: "Sorry, I guess I didn't hear it..."
Which was super weird, Lizzie never put her phone on silent. She just didn't hear it. She quickly checks her volume, max volume. Sitting there in silence, Lizzie is astonished she didn't hear her phone playing one of her favourite songs. Breaking the silence, Joe Burr asks her a question.
Joe Burr: "I've barely seen you all week, where the hell have you been?"
Lizzie Rose: "I joined an e-fed..."
Even as she said this Lizzie frowned, like she knew that sounded odd, and even to her she couldn't fully rationalize it...but it was the right answer. If someone asked her to elaborate she'd honestly struggle. She couldn't go further with that answer. It was just the truth, like saying water was wet, she had joined an E-fed. Simple as that, though, her mind can't recall what REALLY happened. But in her mind, it is an e-fed.
Joe Burr: "What's an E-fed?"
Lizzie Rose: "It's like this weird online kind of thing. Where people pretend to be wrestlers..."
Joe Burr: "That sounds super dorky. Who would do it?"
Lizzie Rose: "It's fun though..."
Joe Burr: "But you ARE A WRESTLER! A REAL ONE!"
Joe Burr shouts on the other end of the phone, astonished.
Joe Burr: "Have you been doing that all night?!"
Lizzie Rose: "No, I just woke up...had a nightmare..."
Joe Burr: "'bout what?"
Lizzie Rose: "I have no clue."
Again. What happened to her, in her own mind, didn't seem real. 80's wrestling, a muscle toned meathead, Eternal, none of it was real.
Joe Burr: "Liz, I'm worried about you, I don't like these Eternal chicks and how they're getting in your head."
Lizzie shakes her head.
Lizzie Rose: "I've dealt with bigger bullies than them before. I'll get to them."
Joe Burr: "No, seriously. They're not bullies, they're psychopaths. They seem FAR from normal. Something is crazy about them and you DON'T want them to take an interest in you. I think I need to-"
Lizzie interrupts her friend. She's taking a firm and prideful stance.
Lizzie Rose: "Joe. Don't! It's fine. I got it covered. Don't worry about it."
Joe Burr: "But I-"
Lizzie didn't bother listening to anything else as she uncharacteristically hung up, as she straightened herself up and pushed a few buttons on her phone and clicked on the now familiar FYOG home page, taking a strange comfort in it... Its changes already making their way into her subconscious.
This thing was addictive but she didn't know why. And yet, something is off about her and she knows it. But, she is choosing to ignore it. She is going to stand in ignorant bliss as she risks-
Going deeper.
Into Eternal's game for her.
The cameras cut to backstage as Bryan Baxter and Jeremy Best converge in a corridor, each coming from the opposite direction.
Bryan Baxter: “Any luck?”
Jeremy Best: “No, I’ve searched every hallway and room around here… it’s like they’ve just completely disappeared with him?”
Bryan Baxter: “Goddammit! I can’t believe this has happened. Fuckin’ Nephews…”
Jeremy Best: “Yeah! What kinda people just sit there and take someone against their will?”
Bryan Baxter: “I’ll tell you who, Jeremy. Terrible people. But we’ll get him back, don’t you worry. We got Krash back, we’ll get Mr. Scorpane too.”
Jeremy Best: “I just hope they don’t hurt him.”
Bryan Baxter: “Heh, you know Bill… if anyone can talk their way out of this situation, it’s him.”
Jeremy and Bryan are interrupted as a young man in a mostly brown, UPS-esque attire comes into the shot, holding a package.
Delivery Boy: “Excuse me, Bryan Baxter?’
Bryan Baxter: “What’s it to ya?”
Delivery Boy: “I have a package here for ya.”
The delivery boy hands Baxter the gift, and opens up his hand, extending it out to Bryan, seemingly expecting a tip. Bryan glares at him and then just high fives the hand.
Bryan Baxter: “Sweet, a package.”
Bryan started to rip into the packing tape.
Jeremy Best: “Wait!”
Jeremy extended his arm, grabbing Bryan by the hand to stop him.
Jeremy Best: “What if it’s some kinda trick from the Nephews?”
Bryan Baxter: “Look Jeremy, you’re not the only one who can have secret admirers and people sending you random ass gifts. Looks like I finally have a stalker of my own.”
Bryan rips through the packaging and looks into the box finding it empty except for a small white envelope. Bryan shrugs his shoulders.
Bryan Baxter: “You know, nice things can come in an envelope. Money. Gift cards. Keys to a brand new Corvette.”
Bryan rips open the envelope only to find a small card inside it. The camera pans over and zooms in on the words.
I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN.
SEE YOU AT GRAND MARCH.
Bryan’s face looks as though he’s seen a ghost.
Jeremy Best: “Well? What is it? Oh it must be something real good if you’re speechless.”
Jeremy leans over and reads it as well.
Jeremy Best: “Oh dear… that sounds awfully ominous.”
Bryan Baxter: “It’s a fucking joke! That’s what it is! C’mon, let’s find Bill.”
Bryan rips up the card and tosses it on the ground before he and Jeremy walk off, continuing their search… while the camera pans down and zooms in on the ripped up card, the words “SEE YOU AT GRAND MARCH” still legible.
Rod Sterling: “In what has already been an eventful evening thus far, the action will continue with our next contest. Newcomer to FWA but not to the wrestling industry, Trevor Walker, will take on one half of The Undisputed Alliance’s Jackson Fenix.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Fenix is coming off yet another loss where he and Nate Savage were unsuccessful in their attempt to dethrone The Connection in a Washington Street Fight that took place at Fallout.”
Rod Sterling: “You can thank The Nephews again for helping The Connection there, but in any case, Fenix will represent his team tonight in singles action. For those of you keeping track at home, Fenix was successful in his last singles outing, even though technically it was a triple threat and not a singles match but regardless, Fenix will look to play spoiler for the debuting Trevor Walker tonight.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Walker has wrestled all over the world several years, spanning more than a few decades. Despite that, he’s never been able to reach his full potential. Tonight is Walker’s shot to truly make a name for himself, and rise to newfound prominence.”
The crowd begin to boo as Trevor Walker makes his way out on stage to zero fanfare and no music to accompany him to the ring. Walker sneers at the reaction from the fans and he walks down to the ring. On his way down to the ring, Walker threatens to backhand some rather handsy fans that got a little too close for his comfort.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The next contest is set for one fall with a twenty-minute-time-limit! Introducing first, from Parts Unknown and weighing in at 250 lb…Trevor Walker!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It is rather unusual to hear no music to accompany someone to the ring, but Trevor Walker apparently isn’t a fan of music from what I’ve heard.”
Rod Sterling: “Walker is as old school as it gets, Anzu. He is no nonsense and all business. Yeah, it is a bit odd that there is no music, but Walker isn’t here to appease anyone's needs.”
Walker enters the ring and he continues to tell the fans what he thinks of them with some crude gestures aimed at them.
The familiar theme plays and the crowd is now on their feet and some even cheer as Jackson Fenix walks out on stage with Nate Savage following behind him. Fenix looks a bit surprised by some of the positive reaction and does a taunt for the fans that fire them up a little and elicit more cheers. Savage shoots a look of bewilderment at Jackson but Fenix seems to be loving it as he makes his way down to the ring.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “His opponent…being accompanied by Nasty Nate Savage…currently residing in Los Angeles, CA…weighing in at 210 lb…he is The Best Around…Jackson Fenix!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “As odd as it was to hear no music, it is even more odd to hear some cheers for Jackson Fenix. I guess compared to his opponent he is the lesser of two evils, but also Fenix has been trying to change his ways and trying to be a good guy.”
Rod Sterling: “There’s still some jeers out there, Anzu, so not everyone is buying this nice guy act from Fenix.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It’ll take some time I think for everyone to come around, but I also think it’s commendable of Fenix to try out this change.”
Rod Sterling: “I don’t know, Anzu. Fenix and Savage have done some rotten things in their time here. For all we know this could all just be an act, I mean, we saw what happened with Jeremy Best. He wasn’t who he said was. I don’t know, I guess I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Fenix is still posturing for the crowd after getting in the ring and referee Grace-Lynn Guerrero checks both men before calling for the bell…
DING! DING! DING!
The bell has sounded but Fenix is still showboating for the crowd. Fenix seems to be reveling in the semi-positive response he’s receiving. On the outside of the ring, Nate Savage is urging Jackson to focus and stop fooling around, and Jackson can’t hear and turns his back to Walker to ask Nate what had said but Walker clubs him from behind! Walker pummels Fenix down and then he drags Fenix away from the ropes. Walker opens up on Fenix with a pair Walker Stomps, with each stomp hitting their target with preciseness. Walker takes Fenix up in a front facelock and he drills Fenix with an uppercut, and that uppercut knocks Fenix backward into the ropes and Walker takes him down with an arm drag before transitioning into an arm bar!
Rod Sterling: “Walker locks in that arm bar with precision! He claims to have the best arm in the game today, according to my research anyway.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It’s a nice looking arm bar, but I don’t know if I would label it as the best.”
Rod Sterling: “It’s one of the best looking arm bars I’ve ever seen!”
Walker keeps the hold locked in tight and he wrenches back a little for extra added pressure. Fenix is trying to reach out for the ropes while wincing in pain, but Walker doesn’t relent. Savage watches on with concern and he looks out at the crowd as some of them try to rally Fenix back in this fight, and Savage looks dumbfounded by this. Sure enough, Fenix starts to muster up some strength and he starts to rise up before he flips Walker over with his own arm drag! Savage looks surprised that the support of the crowd worked, and Fenix seems even more surprised by it. Walker is immediately back to his feet however, but Fenix catches him with another arm drag and then a hip toss that sends Walker back first to the mat! Walker winces and clutches at his lower back and he rises up, but he eats a spinning heel kick from Fenix that knocks him back! Fenix struggles at first to lift Walker up off his feet, but he has him and he hits Walker with a running suplex! Fenix is feeling it now and as Walker is rising up to one knee…Fenix strikes with SHINING WIZARD! Fenix drops down into a lateral press and hooks the far leg…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Rod Sterling: “Fenix nearly pulled it off there but Walker stays alive for a bit longer!”
Fenix brings Walker up but Walker counters with a jaw breaker! Fenix stumbles backward and has his back turned toward Walker and Walker drops him with an American Leg Sweep! This time Walker makes the cover…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Walker drags Fenix up by the hair and he quickly applies a chin lock on Fenix! Walker wrenches back on the hold…
Rod Sterling: “Walker is slowing the pace down with a chin lock he’s dubbed, Fort Knox. He’s expertly working that hold and in doing so he’s keeping Fenix in check.”
Fenix is trying to reach out for the ropes but Walker does not allow that to happen. Nate Savage climbs up on the apron to gain the referee’s attention, and Grace-Lynn walks over to Savage but Walker breaks the hold and runs at Nate, who quickly hops off the apron and he feigns innocence.
”Fuck off, fat boy!”
Walker has some choice words for Savage that are picked up by the camera and Nate isn’t backing down, but just then Walker is caught from behind by Fenix with a school-boy roll-up!
One…two…THREE-NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Fenix almost stole the victory right out from under Walker!”
Rod Sterling: “Yeah, no thanks to the outside interference by Nate Savage! The referee needs to do something about him!”
Walker rolls through after he kicks out and he rises up and charges toward Fenix, but Fenix stops him with a standing dropkick! Walker stumbles back and Fenix hits him with a snap suplex! Fenix takes Walker up once more and this time he drops him with a falcon arrow into a pin!
One…two…THREE-NO!
Fenix is sizing him up and he goes for a superkick, but Walker side steps him and catches him with a chop block! Walker then takes Fenix up and hits an atomic drop on Fenix before transitioning into an abdominal stretch! Walker holds onto the ropes for leverage and to keep Fenix from breaking out of it. The referee begins to count and before she hits a five count, Walker releases the rope, but then immediately grabs it again. After another five count, Walker pounds away at Fenix’s chest and then goes to grab the rope again, but Fenix musters up enough strength and he flips Walker over with a hip toss! Fenix takes a quick breather before hitting the ropes and ducks underneath Walker and hits a slingblade! Fenix climbs to the second rope and does a crotch chop at Walker before he leaps off…SMD! Second rope diving meteora and Fenix keeps hold for the pin…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Fenix was so close to victory there he could taste it!”
Fenix has Walker in position for the Double Shot, but Walker spins out of it and he’s behind Fenix and he shoves Fenix sternum first into the turnbuckle! Fenix stumbles back out of right into the waiting hands of Walker…The Big Wheel! Walker with the twisting scoop slam!
Rod Sterling: “Now Walker is closing in on victory after hitting The Big Wheel! He has Fenix where he wants him as he sets him up for a pile driver…”
Walker goes to lift Fenix up but Fenix blocks it. Walker tries again but this time Fenix counters with a back body drop as he flips Walker behind him! Savage is hitting the mat and trying his best to rally Fenix, along with the crowd, much to Nate’s chagrin. Fenix turns around and he sizes up Walker…SUPERKICK ME BABY ONE MORE TIME!
Anzu Kurosawa: “There it is! That should be it but Walker is still standing somehow!”
Walker doesn’t go down though and he slowly falls into the ropes. Fenix drags him off the ropes and he hoists him up…SIN CITY HANGOVER! Fenix into the pin with the small package driver!
One…two…THREE!
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “The winner of the match, Jackson Fenix!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I can’t believe we’re in a world where I’m actually happy that Jackson Fenix has won, but here we are! It’s certainly a step in the right direction after suffering back-to-back losses before this week!”
Rod Sterling: “I thought Walker had this in the bag several times, but he was unable to capitalize unfortunately. I’m still not on board with this nice guy act, but well done to Fenix.”
Fenix celebrates with Nate Savage on the outside and some of the fans as well, much to Nate’s confusion. Meanwhile, Trevor Walker looks upset after suffering a loss in his debut match and he hits the mat in frustration as the attention shifts to the commentary table where both Rod and Anzu are sitting looking into the camera.
Rod Sterling: “Well, as Jackson Fenix has cause for celebration, someone who we suspect may not be as elated at present is the X Champion, Alyster Black.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “This is of course despite him homing in on that record-breaking reign with the X Championship; he is just less than two weeks away from eclipsing Saint Sulley’s historic reign with that title and will walk into the King of the Deathmatch tournament as the longest reigning X Champion in history. What happened on Fallout 026, though, I don’t think anyone saw it coming, Rod.”
As the commentators speak, replays of what happened on Fallout 026 are shown, with the X Champion Alyster Black being assaulted by a seeming imposter version of himself.
Rod Sterling: “We have no idea who is under the mask of this fake Alyster Black, but they clearly have some sort of history and problem with the X Champion. Why else would someone go to such lengths to perform such a personal attack on him? Well, Anzu, you may be able to get some answers from the man himself which may shed some light on who it is that has targeted him so personally.”
With the Undisputed Alliance and Trevor Walker now out of the scene, Anzu Kurosawa rises from her seat at the commentary table to a good cheer from the crowd. She retrieves a microphone and then enters the ring. She waits for a moment before clearing her throat.
Anzu Kurosawa: “As we are all aware, the FWA X Championship will be on the line at the King of the Deathmatch double-header event, with the winner of the second annual King of Deathmatch tournament walking away with the championship currently held by Alyster Black and the coveted King of Deathmatch Crown of Thorns.
This Saturday on Fallout, we’re going to see two King of the Deathmatch tournament preview matches featuring confirmed participants in the tournament but for now, I am going to speak with the first person who was named as part of the field… he is the FWA X Champion, Alyster Black!”
The crowd cheers loudly upon that introduction, but there is some disapproval from them when ‘Black Jesus’ appears on the large screen in the arena as opposed to in person in the arena. Alyster Black is in front of the camera in a plain room with painted white walls and he sits on a steel chair in front of the camera with the X Championship resting on his lap. The body language being displayed by the champion shows that he is cutting a frustrated figure.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Alyster Black, thank you for joining me. For those unaware, you are currently being kept in a secure location within the arena for your own protection, after you were viciously assaulted on Fallout-”
Alyster Black: “‘My own protection’? No, let’s be clear… they didn’t put me here for my protection, it is for the safety of whoever the fuck thought they’d be cute and attack me while wearing one of my masks.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “That could be accurate, Alyster. As for who it was that attacked you, do you have any idea of who it could have been? With the King of Deathmatch tournament coming up and a very large field… someone could be wanting to soften you up ahead of it?”
Alyster Black: “Nah, this is something more than that. If they wanted to just hurt me physically they wouldn’t have felt the need to hide. Whoever this is, this is personal to them… and now it is personal to me.
So, I’m here tonight, forced into hiding, but I am not going to be this Saturday on Fallout. Whoever you are, maybe you’ll grow a set and meet me face to face in the ring-”
Alyster trails off and then looks away from the camera, immediately leaping to his feet.. AS A FIGURE JUMPS OVER THE CAMERA ONTO THE X CHAMPION! IT IS THE FAKE ALYSTER BLACK! The two masked men scuffle on the floor and then get up to their feet separately. They trade hands but the fake Alyster has the upper hand, hitting a low blow and then taking Alyster down with the ONE SHOT KILL!
Alyster hits the floor hard as his assailant picks up the steel chair and folds it closed. He waits for Alyster to stir and brains him with a chair shot right to the face.
With Alyster Black down on the floor, holding his forehead, the individual dressed as him reaches down onto the floor and slowly picks up the X Championship. The masked person seems to chuckle for a moment, and then he drops the belt down onto Alyster.
The masked assailant slowly backs away and then out of the room before some commotion is heard from behind the camera.
???: “HEY! GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!”
After a few seconds after the shouting, Chris Peacock enters the room and immediately goes down to Alyster’s side and helps him to sit up.
Chris Peacock: “You good?”
Alyster nods his head slowly and then slams his fist against the wall behind him, infuriated.
Alyster Black: “I’m not taking this shit lying down anymore.”
The X Champion accepts his tag partner’s hand and allows himself to be pulled up from the ground with his title in his other hand. The scene fades away with FTN walking out of the room together.
After that vicious assault, we head elsewhere backstage to an interview set where Katie Baxter stands in front of the Meltdown logo.
Katie Baxter: "Ladies and gentleman, theys, and thems, you've seen the viral conversation going around the FWA Universe centered around the upcoming debut of weaselperson where they'll be facing "The Reaper" Logan Darwin on Fallout 27. Not since Cyrus Truth, could one say there has been as much excitement over an incoming talent as this one. I have the pleasure of being here backstage with the weasel themselves - oh god!"
Only getting a proper look at weaselperson for the first time as they step in to the picture, Katie Baxter is visibly disgusted by the bug-eyed hairy anthropomorphic weasel. weaselperson's eyes lock on Katie who gags but quickly remembers her professionalism and gathers her composure.
Katie Baxter: "My apologies-"
weaselperson: "Bark."
weaselperson's eyes remain on Baxter, not really acknowledging the camera, which does disturb Katie a bit as her eyes swing back and forth between camera and weaselperson.
Katie Baxter: "It's quite interesting to see the fever pitch anticipation that's been built around your arrival. Are you at all nervous about living up to that enthusiasm?"
weaselperson: "...Bark."
Katie Baxter: "Oh... kay. You have a tough challenge set out for yourself against Logan Darwin, a veteran of the sport who will be determined to build some momentum ahead of the King of the Deathmatch. How are you preparing for that match-up?"
weaselperson: "Bark. Bark... Bark."
Katie sighs.
Katie Baxter: "Do we have an interpreter around? Can we get an interpreter? No?"
Katie isn't totally deterred by this. She's a professional. Been at it for years. She can conduct an interview with a piece of paper given the challenge.
Katie Baxter: "Okay. Hmm. Bark if you're going to be the greatest professional wrestler of all time and the fastest grand slam winner in FWA history."
weaselperson: "Bark."
Katie Baxter: "You heard it here first. No hesitation on that. weaselperson making plain their intentions to take over the FWA in record-breaking fashion, and the first person on that journey is Logan Darwin. Any final words weaselperson, I bet you have at least one final word."
weaselperson: "...Bark."
Katie Baxter: "There you have it! I know you'd all love to hear more from weaselperson, but I understand that some of our crew have caught up with one of our... two?... kidnappings here in the FWA, we'll send it over to them."
We cut to an area of the back… no, not an area of the back. There are too many interfaces, too many control panels, too many buttons and levers and dials. The complexity of the room is more reminiscent of a spaceship than the backstage area of a wrestling show… and that is because we are indeed in the bridge of a spaceship, as indicated by the large number of Nephews scurrying around it.
Gerald Grayson: "I think you should give him some space.”
Maid of Death: "He doesn't need space, Gerald. He's tied up.”
Gerald Grayson: "Well if you aren't going to untie him, I think you should at least give him some space.”
Maid of Death: "And what would he do with all this space? He's tied up, Gerald. He can't move.”
Gerald Grayson: "He might be able to breathe a bit better. Although I guess the gag isn't particularly helpful in that regard.”
Kha'rina: "Next you'll be suggesting we ungag him.”
Quiet: "… …… ..!”
Marcus McClain: "After what happened last time!”
Gerald Grayson: "What happened last time? I only got here after the kidnapping, remember?”
Maid of Death: "He bit Harry's finger. And kidnapping is such a vulgar term, GiGi.”
Gerald Grayson: "Which finger?”
NOE-I: "Index finger.”
Maid of Death: "Real hand.”
Marcus McClain: "Good job he didn't try it on the animatronic one, really. Could've broken his teeth.”
Harry the Sane Wizard: "And what use is a hostage with no teeth?”
Thomas West: "He's not a hostage! And this isn't a kidnapping!”
There's a sudden silence in the bridge for Thomas’ declarations. All eyes turn to him, the Nephews forming a horse shoe around the podcast host and (albeit involuntarily) the prisoner - revealed now as the bodies clear to be, obviously, Bill Scorpane - is given a little room to breathe. Thomas, after a deep and controlled breath, turns to face Bill.
Thomas West: "He is our most honoured guest, and we are meant to look after him until Uncle and Dreamer join us and we decide what to do with him. And, unless he'd like to spend some time in the basement cells along with the T'Lok insurgents and Bahruzhi POWs, he will allow me to take this gag off him without screaming… without shouting… and certainly without biting… isn’t that right, Mr. Scorpane?”
Bill looks around at the faces of his captors, and at the surrounding setting of their spaceship, and reluctantly nods his head. What other choice does he have? Thomas removes the gag, and Scorpane stares at him with narrowed eyes.
Thomas West: "Now, SS_10000, can we get our guest a whiskey and a cigar? Nephews, untie him so he can drink and smoke them.”
Equally as reluctant as Scorpane was to promise to behave, Quiet and the Maid untie Bill from the chair that he is sitting on. A dumbwaiter in the bridge buzzes and then opens, the Avatar removing a Jameson’s and a Cuban and taking them to the captive. He holds the Cuban up to inspect it, and then places the end of it between his lips when Quiet offers him a light.
Thomas West: "Excuse the brand. Dreamer insists, I’m afraid. I hope you’ll also forgive us from our excitement. My friends need to remember that tonight has been a good night! No need for undue panic. In fact, SS_10000, more of those cigars! And vapes for the pure-lunged! I’m in the mood for celebrating!”
Harry the Sane Wizard: "Getting a little ahead of yourself, Thomas? There’s still one more match to go…”
Thomas West: "SS_10000, project Michelle’s match on the front window, please.”
Footage from inside the PPG Paints Arena is suddenly shown on the ship’s huge window, with all of the Nephews immediately beginning to watch sideways on, for some reason.
Thomas West: "It’s time… for the main event!”
A boo emanates in the PPG Arena as Michelle von Horrowitz appears on stage, the COSMIC HORROR at her side. She has her FWA World Tag Team Championship on her shoulder and bathes in the derision for a moment before beginning down the ramp towards the ring.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following is your Meltdown XXVII main event, and is a singles contest scheduled for one-fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Uncle J.J. JAY! and representing Cthulhu’s Nephews... from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, she weighs in at fifty four kilograms… she is one half of the FWA World Tag Team Champions… ‘Dreamer’... Michelle… von… HORROWITZ!!"
Rod Sterling: "Here comes one of the two number one contenders for the FWA World Championship, who - alongside Cyrus Truth - will challenge Chris Peacock in the main event of the Grand March. And, of course, it’s fair to say that she’s had a decent amount of help to get her to that point… once more we see Uncle J.J. JAY! at Dreamer’s side as she prepares to do battle in this champion versus champion match-up."
Anzu Kurosawa: "A decent amount of help is right, Rod, but that doesn’t really change the fact that she’s here in this position now, and it’s a position she’s been in before. Both MvH and Cyrus Truth have held the world championship multiple times, and both seem desperate to hold it again. Chris Peacock is in deep trouble at the Grand March."
MvH and Uncle climb into the ring, with Dreamer taking her trademark seated position in the corner, her head against the second turnbuckle. Her music fades out and is replaced by…
The booing continues as another champion walks out onto the stage. Shawn Summers also has his title belt upon his person, tied around his waist, and surveys the arena with disdain before striding down the ramp.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And her opponent… from Laguna Beach, California and weighing in at two hundred and twenty five pounds… he is the current FWA Television Champion… ‘Der Basterd’... SHAWN… SUMMERS!!"
Rod Sterling: "The current FWA Television Champion in his second reign, after he dethroned Vampyra to return himself to the top of that division. ‘Der Basterd’ is set to defend the title for the first time of this reign against Tommy Bedlam at the Grand March, but tonight he has his work cut out for him in the form Michelle von Horrowitz."
Anzu Kurosawa: "It’s difficult to believe that this is a first time meeting outside of the 2021 Carnal Contendership, Rod. Both have been part of the FWA for several years now, and have historic associations with the CWA, too. But we’re about to see them face off in one-on-one competition for the first time, right here in Pittsburgh! Oh what a night!"
Rod Sterling: "If only the audience shared your excitement, Anzu. It’s difficult to work out which of these two they despise more…"
Summers climbs into the ring as JAY! climbs out of it, with Dreamer pulling herself up onto her feet. The two share a stand-off from opposite sides of the ring as the official makes his final checks and then calls for the bell…
The bell has sounded but Fenix is still showboating for the crowd. Fenix seems to be reveling in the semi-positive response he’s receiving. On the outside of the ring, Nate Savage is urging Jackson to focus and stop fooling around, and Jackson can’t hear and turns his back to Walker to ask Nate what had said but Walker clubs him from behind! Walker pummels Fenix down and then he drags Fenix away from the ropes. Walker opens up on Fenix with a pair Walker Stomps, with each stomp hitting their target with preciseness. Walker takes Fenix up in a front facelock and he drills Fenix with an uppercut, and that uppercut knocks Fenix backward into the ropes and Walker takes him down with an arm drag before transitioning into an arm bar!
Rod Sterling: “Walker locks in that arm bar with precision! He claims to have the best arm in the game today, according to my research anyway.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It’s a nice looking arm bar, but I don’t know if I would label it as the best.”
Rod Sterling: “It’s one of the best looking arm bars I’ve ever seen!”
Walker keeps the hold locked in tight and he wrenches back a little for extra added pressure. Fenix is trying to reach out for the ropes while wincing in pain, but Walker doesn’t relent. Savage watches on with concern and he looks out at the crowd as some of them try to rally Fenix back in this fight, and Savage looks dumbfounded by this. Sure enough, Fenix starts to muster up some strength and he starts to rise up before he flips Walker over with his own arm drag! Savage looks surprised that the support of the crowd worked, and Fenix seems even more surprised by it. Walker is immediately back to his feet however, but Fenix catches him with another arm drag and then a hip toss that sends Walker back first to the mat! Walker winces and clutches at his lower back and he rises up, but he eats a spinning heel kick from Fenix that knocks him back! Fenix struggles at first to lift Walker up off his feet, but he has him and he hits Walker with a running suplex! Fenix is feeling it now and as Walker is rising up to one knee…Fenix strikes with SHINING WIZARD! Fenix drops down into a lateral press and hooks the far leg…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Rod Sterling: “Fenix nearly pulled it off there but Walker stays alive for a bit longer!”
Fenix brings Walker up but Walker counters with a jaw breaker! Fenix stumbles backward and has his back turned toward Walker and Walker drops him with an American Leg Sweep! This time Walker makes the cover…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Walker drags Fenix up by the hair and he quickly applies a chin lock on Fenix! Walker wrenches back on the hold…
Rod Sterling: “Walker is slowing the pace down with a chin lock he’s dubbed, Fort Knox. He’s expertly working that hold and in doing so he’s keeping Fenix in check.”
Fenix is trying to reach out for the ropes but Walker does not allow that to happen. Nate Savage climbs up on the apron to gain the referee’s attention, and Grace-Lynn walks over to Savage but Walker breaks the hold and runs at Nate, who quickly hops off the apron and he feigns innocence.
”Fuck off, fat boy!”
Walker has some choice words for Savage that are picked up by the camera and Nate isn’t backing down, but just then Walker is caught from behind by Fenix with a school-boy roll-up!
One…two…THREE-NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Fenix almost stole the victory right out from under Walker!”
Rod Sterling: “Yeah, no thanks to the outside interference by Nate Savage! The referee needs to do something about him!”
Walker rolls through after he kicks out and he rises up and charges toward Fenix, but Fenix stops him with a standing dropkick! Walker stumbles back and Fenix hits him with a snap suplex! Fenix takes Walker up once more and this time he drops him with a falcon arrow into a pin!
One…two…THREE-NO!
Fenix is sizing him up and he goes for a superkick, but Walker side steps him and catches him with a chop block! Walker then takes Fenix up and hits an atomic drop on Fenix before transitioning into an abdominal stretch! Walker holds onto the ropes for leverage and to keep Fenix from breaking out of it. The referee begins to count and before she hits a five count, Walker releases the rope, but then immediately grabs it again. After another five count, Walker pounds away at Fenix’s chest and then goes to grab the rope again, but Fenix musters up enough strength and he flips Walker over with a hip toss! Fenix takes a quick breather before hitting the ropes and ducks underneath Walker and hits a slingblade! Fenix climbs to the second rope and does a crotch chop at Walker before he leaps off…SMD! Second rope diving meteora and Fenix keeps hold for the pin…
One…two…THREE-NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Fenix was so close to victory there he could taste it!”
Fenix has Walker in position for the Double Shot, but Walker spins out of it and he’s behind Fenix and he shoves Fenix sternum first into the turnbuckle! Fenix stumbles back out of right into the waiting hands of Walker…The Big Wheel! Walker with the twisting scoop slam!
Rod Sterling: “Now Walker is closing in on victory after hitting The Big Wheel! He has Fenix where he wants him as he sets him up for a pile driver…”
Walker goes to lift Fenix up but Fenix blocks it. Walker tries again but this time Fenix counters with a back body drop as he flips Walker behind him! Savage is hitting the mat and trying his best to rally Fenix, along with the crowd, much to Nate’s chagrin. Fenix turns around and he sizes up Walker…SUPERKICK ME BABY ONE MORE TIME!
Anzu Kurosawa: “There it is! That should be it but Walker is still standing somehow!”
Walker doesn’t go down though and he slowly falls into the ropes. Fenix drags him off the ropes and he hoists him up…SIN CITY HANGOVER! Fenix into the pin with the small package driver!
One…two…THREE!
Winner: Jackson Fenix by pinfall at 15:38.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “The winner of the match, Jackson Fenix!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I can’t believe we’re in a world where I’m actually happy that Jackson Fenix has won, but here we are! It’s certainly a step in the right direction after suffering back-to-back losses before this week!”
Rod Sterling: “I thought Walker had this in the bag several times, but he was unable to capitalize unfortunately. I’m still not on board with this nice guy act, but well done to Fenix.”
Fenix celebrates with Nate Savage on the outside and some of the fans as well, much to Nate’s confusion. Meanwhile, Trevor Walker looks upset after suffering a loss in his debut match and he hits the mat in frustration as the attention shifts to the commentary table where both Rod and Anzu are sitting looking into the camera.
Rod Sterling: “Well, as Jackson Fenix has cause for celebration, someone who we suspect may not be as elated at present is the X Champion, Alyster Black.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “This is of course despite him homing in on that record-breaking reign with the X Championship; he is just less than two weeks away from eclipsing Saint Sulley’s historic reign with that title and will walk into the King of the Deathmatch tournament as the longest reigning X Champion in history. What happened on Fallout 026, though, I don’t think anyone saw it coming, Rod.”
As the commentators speak, replays of what happened on Fallout 026 are shown, with the X Champion Alyster Black being assaulted by a seeming imposter version of himself.
Rod Sterling: “We have no idea who is under the mask of this fake Alyster Black, but they clearly have some sort of history and problem with the X Champion. Why else would someone go to such lengths to perform such a personal attack on him? Well, Anzu, you may be able to get some answers from the man himself which may shed some light on who it is that has targeted him so personally.”
With the Undisputed Alliance and Trevor Walker now out of the scene, Anzu Kurosawa rises from her seat at the commentary table to a good cheer from the crowd. She retrieves a microphone and then enters the ring. She waits for a moment before clearing her throat.
Anzu Kurosawa: “As we are all aware, the FWA X Championship will be on the line at the King of the Deathmatch double-header event, with the winner of the second annual King of Deathmatch tournament walking away with the championship currently held by Alyster Black and the coveted King of Deathmatch Crown of Thorns.
This Saturday on Fallout, we’re going to see two King of the Deathmatch tournament preview matches featuring confirmed participants in the tournament but for now, I am going to speak with the first person who was named as part of the field… he is the FWA X Champion, Alyster Black!”
The crowd cheers loudly upon that introduction, but there is some disapproval from them when ‘Black Jesus’ appears on the large screen in the arena as opposed to in person in the arena. Alyster Black is in front of the camera in a plain room with painted white walls and he sits on a steel chair in front of the camera with the X Championship resting on his lap. The body language being displayed by the champion shows that he is cutting a frustrated figure.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Alyster Black, thank you for joining me. For those unaware, you are currently being kept in a secure location within the arena for your own protection, after you were viciously assaulted on Fallout-”
Alyster Black: “‘My own protection’? No, let’s be clear… they didn’t put me here for my protection, it is for the safety of whoever the fuck thought they’d be cute and attack me while wearing one of my masks.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “That could be accurate, Alyster. As for who it was that attacked you, do you have any idea of who it could have been? With the King of Deathmatch tournament coming up and a very large field… someone could be wanting to soften you up ahead of it?”
Alyster Black: “Nah, this is something more than that. If they wanted to just hurt me physically they wouldn’t have felt the need to hide. Whoever this is, this is personal to them… and now it is personal to me.
So, I’m here tonight, forced into hiding, but I am not going to be this Saturday on Fallout. Whoever you are, maybe you’ll grow a set and meet me face to face in the ring-”
Alyster trails off and then looks away from the camera, immediately leaping to his feet.. AS A FIGURE JUMPS OVER THE CAMERA ONTO THE X CHAMPION! IT IS THE FAKE ALYSTER BLACK! The two masked men scuffle on the floor and then get up to their feet separately. They trade hands but the fake Alyster has the upper hand, hitting a low blow and then taking Alyster down with the ONE SHOT KILL!
Alyster hits the floor hard as his assailant picks up the steel chair and folds it closed. He waits for Alyster to stir and brains him with a chair shot right to the face.
With Alyster Black down on the floor, holding his forehead, the individual dressed as him reaches down onto the floor and slowly picks up the X Championship. The masked person seems to chuckle for a moment, and then he drops the belt down onto Alyster.
The masked assailant slowly backs away and then out of the room before some commotion is heard from behind the camera.
???: “HEY! GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!”
After a few seconds after the shouting, Chris Peacock enters the room and immediately goes down to Alyster’s side and helps him to sit up.
Chris Peacock: “You good?”
Alyster nods his head slowly and then slams his fist against the wall behind him, infuriated.
Alyster Black: “I’m not taking this shit lying down anymore.”
The X Champion accepts his tag partner’s hand and allows himself to be pulled up from the ground with his title in his other hand. The scene fades away with FTN walking out of the room together.
After that vicious assault, we head elsewhere backstage to an interview set where Katie Baxter stands in front of the Meltdown logo.
Katie Baxter: "Ladies and gentleman, theys, and thems, you've seen the viral conversation going around the FWA Universe centered around the upcoming debut of weaselperson where they'll be facing "The Reaper" Logan Darwin on Fallout 27. Not since Cyrus Truth, could one say there has been as much excitement over an incoming talent as this one. I have the pleasure of being here backstage with the weasel themselves - oh god!"
Only getting a proper look at weaselperson for the first time as they step in to the picture, Katie Baxter is visibly disgusted by the bug-eyed hairy anthropomorphic weasel. weaselperson's eyes lock on Katie who gags but quickly remembers her professionalism and gathers her composure.
Katie Baxter: "My apologies-"
weaselperson: "Bark."
weaselperson's eyes remain on Baxter, not really acknowledging the camera, which does disturb Katie a bit as her eyes swing back and forth between camera and weaselperson.
Katie Baxter: "It's quite interesting to see the fever pitch anticipation that's been built around your arrival. Are you at all nervous about living up to that enthusiasm?"
weaselperson: "...Bark."
Katie Baxter: "Oh... kay. You have a tough challenge set out for yourself against Logan Darwin, a veteran of the sport who will be determined to build some momentum ahead of the King of the Deathmatch. How are you preparing for that match-up?"
weaselperson: "Bark. Bark... Bark."
Katie sighs.
Katie Baxter: "Do we have an interpreter around? Can we get an interpreter? No?"
Katie isn't totally deterred by this. She's a professional. Been at it for years. She can conduct an interview with a piece of paper given the challenge.
Katie Baxter: "Okay. Hmm. Bark if you're going to be the greatest professional wrestler of all time and the fastest grand slam winner in FWA history."
weaselperson: "Bark."
Katie Baxter: "You heard it here first. No hesitation on that. weaselperson making plain their intentions to take over the FWA in record-breaking fashion, and the first person on that journey is Logan Darwin. Any final words weaselperson, I bet you have at least one final word."
weaselperson: "...Bark."
Katie Baxter: "There you have it! I know you'd all love to hear more from weaselperson, but I understand that some of our crew have caught up with one of our... two?... kidnappings here in the FWA, we'll send it over to them."
We cut to an area of the back… no, not an area of the back. There are too many interfaces, too many control panels, too many buttons and levers and dials. The complexity of the room is more reminiscent of a spaceship than the backstage area of a wrestling show… and that is because we are indeed in the bridge of a spaceship, as indicated by the large number of Nephews scurrying around it.
Gerald Grayson: "I think you should give him some space.”
Maid of Death: "He doesn't need space, Gerald. He's tied up.”
Gerald Grayson: "Well if you aren't going to untie him, I think you should at least give him some space.”
Maid of Death: "And what would he do with all this space? He's tied up, Gerald. He can't move.”
Gerald Grayson: "He might be able to breathe a bit better. Although I guess the gag isn't particularly helpful in that regard.”
Kha'rina: "Next you'll be suggesting we ungag him.”
Quiet: "… …… ..!”
Marcus McClain: "After what happened last time!”
Gerald Grayson: "What happened last time? I only got here after the kidnapping, remember?”
Maid of Death: "He bit Harry's finger. And kidnapping is such a vulgar term, GiGi.”
Gerald Grayson: "Which finger?”
NOE-I: "Index finger.”
Maid of Death: "Real hand.”
Marcus McClain: "Good job he didn't try it on the animatronic one, really. Could've broken his teeth.”
Harry the Sane Wizard: "And what use is a hostage with no teeth?”
Thomas West: "He's not a hostage! And this isn't a kidnapping!”
There's a sudden silence in the bridge for Thomas’ declarations. All eyes turn to him, the Nephews forming a horse shoe around the podcast host and (albeit involuntarily) the prisoner - revealed now as the bodies clear to be, obviously, Bill Scorpane - is given a little room to breathe. Thomas, after a deep and controlled breath, turns to face Bill.
Thomas West: "He is our most honoured guest, and we are meant to look after him until Uncle and Dreamer join us and we decide what to do with him. And, unless he'd like to spend some time in the basement cells along with the T'Lok insurgents and Bahruzhi POWs, he will allow me to take this gag off him without screaming… without shouting… and certainly without biting… isn’t that right, Mr. Scorpane?”
Bill looks around at the faces of his captors, and at the surrounding setting of their spaceship, and reluctantly nods his head. What other choice does he have? Thomas removes the gag, and Scorpane stares at him with narrowed eyes.
Thomas West: "Now, SS_10000, can we get our guest a whiskey and a cigar? Nephews, untie him so he can drink and smoke them.”
Equally as reluctant as Scorpane was to promise to behave, Quiet and the Maid untie Bill from the chair that he is sitting on. A dumbwaiter in the bridge buzzes and then opens, the Avatar removing a Jameson’s and a Cuban and taking them to the captive. He holds the Cuban up to inspect it, and then places the end of it between his lips when Quiet offers him a light.
Thomas West: "Excuse the brand. Dreamer insists, I’m afraid. I hope you’ll also forgive us from our excitement. My friends need to remember that tonight has been a good night! No need for undue panic. In fact, SS_10000, more of those cigars! And vapes for the pure-lunged! I’m in the mood for celebrating!”
Harry the Sane Wizard: "Getting a little ahead of yourself, Thomas? There’s still one more match to go…”
Thomas West: "SS_10000, project Michelle’s match on the front window, please.”
Footage from inside the PPG Paints Arena is suddenly shown on the ship’s huge window, with all of the Nephews immediately beginning to watch sideways on, for some reason.
Thomas West: "It’s time… for the main event!”
A boo emanates in the PPG Arena as Michelle von Horrowitz appears on stage, the COSMIC HORROR at her side. She has her FWA World Tag Team Championship on her shoulder and bathes in the derision for a moment before beginning down the ramp towards the ring.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following is your Meltdown XXVII main event, and is a singles contest scheduled for one-fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Uncle J.J. JAY! and representing Cthulhu’s Nephews... from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, she weighs in at fifty four kilograms… she is one half of the FWA World Tag Team Champions… ‘Dreamer’... Michelle… von… HORROWITZ!!"
Rod Sterling: "Here comes one of the two number one contenders for the FWA World Championship, who - alongside Cyrus Truth - will challenge Chris Peacock in the main event of the Grand March. And, of course, it’s fair to say that she’s had a decent amount of help to get her to that point… once more we see Uncle J.J. JAY! at Dreamer’s side as she prepares to do battle in this champion versus champion match-up."
Anzu Kurosawa: "A decent amount of help is right, Rod, but that doesn’t really change the fact that she’s here in this position now, and it’s a position she’s been in before. Both MvH and Cyrus Truth have held the world championship multiple times, and both seem desperate to hold it again. Chris Peacock is in deep trouble at the Grand March."
MvH and Uncle climb into the ring, with Dreamer taking her trademark seated position in the corner, her head against the second turnbuckle. Her music fades out and is replaced by…
The booing continues as another champion walks out onto the stage. Shawn Summers also has his title belt upon his person, tied around his waist, and surveys the arena with disdain before striding down the ramp.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And her opponent… from Laguna Beach, California and weighing in at two hundred and twenty five pounds… he is the current FWA Television Champion… ‘Der Basterd’... SHAWN… SUMMERS!!"
Rod Sterling: "The current FWA Television Champion in his second reign, after he dethroned Vampyra to return himself to the top of that division. ‘Der Basterd’ is set to defend the title for the first time of this reign against Tommy Bedlam at the Grand March, but tonight he has his work cut out for him in the form Michelle von Horrowitz."
Anzu Kurosawa: "It’s difficult to believe that this is a first time meeting outside of the 2021 Carnal Contendership, Rod. Both have been part of the FWA for several years now, and have historic associations with the CWA, too. But we’re about to see them face off in one-on-one competition for the first time, right here in Pittsburgh! Oh what a night!"
Rod Sterling: "If only the audience shared your excitement, Anzu. It’s difficult to work out which of these two they despise more…"
Summers climbs into the ring as JAY! climbs out of it, with Dreamer pulling herself up onto her feet. The two share a stand-off from opposite sides of the ring as the official makes his final checks and then calls for the bell…
The match starts off with Summers sarcastically offering a test of strength, which Michelle takes up before kicking him in the gut to double him over. She follows up with some hard forearm strikes to back him up into the ropes, and then attempts an Irish whip into the opposite set. Der Basterd reverses with one of his own, though, and then takes Dreamer down with a shoulder block. Summers jumps over her and hits the ropes as MvH gets to her feet. She leapfrogs over him and then attempts a standing dropkick, but Shawn has held onto the ropes to check his momentum and Michelle hits the mat! Summers approaches and pulls Michelle’s head into position between his legs, hooking both arms as if he’s about to go for his patented sitout powerbomb, but Michelle drops to a knee to anchor her weight to the ground. Summers batters down on her with clubbing blows and then wrenches her up for a normal powerbomb… but Dreamer rotates through, and rolls him up with a sunset flip…
ONE… TW – NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Kickout from Summers! Lightning fast opening to this match-up, and both are quickly up to their feet…"
Summers sees Michelle coming at him for a discus forearm. He ducks beneath it, hooks her arm, and takes her down with a backslide…
ONE… TW – NO!
Rod Sterling: "Michelle with the kick out this time! Dreamer and Der Basterd matching like-for-like in the opening exchanges!"
Both are to their feet again, with Summers taking Michelle down with a deep armdrag… and then a second… then a hip toss. Dreamer is in a seated position as Der Basterd hits the ropes, attempting to wipe her out with a penalty kick… but Michelle lies down to avoid it and then kips up to her feet. Summers turns around to a mule kick from Dreamer, followed by a knee lift. Der Basterd is staggered, and the thrust kick knocks him back into the corner. Dreamer backs up and charges in with a dropkick… then a second… then a third! Summers is staggered into a seated position, with von Horrowitz taking him by the wrist, as if she’s going to Irish whip him into the opposite corner. She checks her momentum, though, and pulls Der Basterd back towards her… drop toe hold! Into the second turnbuckle! With Summers lying face-down on the turnbuckle, MvH rolls him up with a schoolboy…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Summers kicks out, and Michelle grabs his leg, looking to shift him into position for the stretch muffler. Shawn senses the danger there, though, and drags himself towards the ropes, hooking onto the bottom one. Michelle lays into him with stomps as the official begins a five-count, Summers instead gaining separation by pulling himself out onto the outside of the ring. Uncle is standing nearby, and the two share a few words, Der Basterd seemingly distracted by the appearance of COSMIC HORROR…
Rod Sterling: "I’m not sure Der Basterd wants to divert his attention away from the woman in the ring…"
… and Dreamer hits the opposite ropes inside the ring, looking to take Summers out with a suicide dive… but he catches her!! Summers has Michelle in a bearhug position and backs up towards the barricade, before throwing her into it with a belly-to-belly suplex!! Michelle hits the barricade upside down and then slides down into a heap on the top of her head!!
Rod Sterling: "WIPE OUT! Shawn Summers connects with the overhead release belly-to-belly!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Ugly landing for MvH!"
The crowd gasps at the move, with Summers chuckling to himself as he looks down at the wreckage that is his opponent. He shakes his head as he drags her up by the hair, and then throws her with an Irish whip into the steel steps! Michelle hits the hip first and lands in a heap on the other side of them!
Summers is slow and methodical as he throws Michelle back into the ring. He once more hoists her up to her feet and doubles her over with a boot to the midsection. He drags her head into position, hooks both arms, and then hoists her up for a sitout powerbomb!! Summers remains seated for the cover…
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Michelle kicks out! Summers follows up by slowly grounding Michelle down with stomps and then a lengthy reverse chin lock, Michelle eventually managing to drag herself up to her feet but with Der Basterd applying all of his weight and pressure onto her. She backs Summers up into the ropes and throws him off her, causing separation as he hits the opposite set. Once again, Shawn wraps his arms around the top rope to check his momentum, and this time Dreamer charges at him for a clothesline. Summers ducks it and lifts her up and onto the apron with a back body drop, but when he turns he’s clocked by a forearm strike from MvH! Summers is staggered into the middle of the ring and von Horrowitz tees him up, before springboarding in off the top rope and attempting a cross-body…
… ONLY TO BE WIPED OUT BY A DISCUS ELBOW SMASH!
Rod Sterling: "Unbelievable anti-air from Shawn Summers!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Michelle von Horrowitz might be out cold!!"
Summers neglects going for the cover, instead dragging the supine Michelle to her feet in a rear waistlock and hurling her across the ring with a release German suplex!! Summers is laughing as he slowly saunters across the ring. Michelle is face-down in a heap, and again Shawn wraps his arms around her waist, hoists her back to her feet in a rear waistlock, and then throws her to the other corner with a second release German suplex!! Summers performs a low bow, getting some boos from the audience for his sign of over-confidence, but also eliciting some cheers from the more vocal of the Nephews’ detractors. Then, he slowly saunters across the ring again, perhaps looking to repeat the act for the third time…
… but Michelle is waiting for him, and she collects him up in a small package!
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Kickout from Shawn!! Summers is up quicker than Dreamer, who doesn’t see him coming at her with the knee strike! He follows up with a headbutt! Then a rolling elbow!! Michelle is staggered, and Summers pulls her in with a front facelock. He hooks both her arms and takes her over with a double-underhook suplex!
Rod Sterling: "We’ve seen this before… Der Basterd isn’t done here! He rolls through, drags Michelle up, and delivers a second double-underhook suplex!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Michelle is in trouble here, Rod. Shawn Summers is settling into a rhythm, and he’s throwing her around the ring like a rag doll… there’s the third double-underhook!"
After completing the trifecta, Summers is into the cover…
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Kickout from Michelle! Summers momentarily glances at the official, admonishing him for a perceived slow count, before again hoisting Michelle up. He hits her with a European uppercut to stagger here, before charging at the ropes, springboarding off the second one, and taking her down with a knee strike!
Rod Sterling: "LIGHTS OUT! Shawn Summers giving us all the hits here tonight!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And he's maybe shaping up for one more! Midsommar, perhaps? Der Basterd might be looking to finish this one off!"
Shawn Summers is stalking Michelle as she gets to her feet, and then he doubles her over with a boot to the midsection. He pulls her head into position between his legs and hooks his arms through hers…
Rod Sterling: "He is going for Midsommar… but Uncle’s up on the apron! I guess it was only a matter of time!!"
The official strides over towards JAY! and admonishes him, telling him to get down, and it causes a distraction for Summers, too. He looks over at COSMIC HORROR and barks a few words at him…
… and Michelle levels him with a low blow!!
Rod Sterling: "Jesus!! The referee’s back is turned for a moment, and Michelle instantly takes the opportunity to go below the belt!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And now she rolls him up with an inside cradle! Summers’ shoulders are down!"
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!!
Rod Sterling: "Summers kicks out!! Somehow!! He should’ve been blacking out and puking after that low blow!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "A lot of people want to punch Shawn Summers in the balls. I guess he wears a cup."
If not quite enough to get the win, the low blow is enough to shift the momentum, with Michelle now taking her turn to stalk Summers from the corner as he rises, much like he did to her only moments before. She charges at him…
Anzu Kurosawa: "BUSAIKU KNEE!!"
Michelle wastes no time, immediately climbing up to the top rope…
Rod Sterling: "Dreamer straightens up atop the turnbuckle… 450 SPLASH!! She lands it!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Picture perfect!! And into the cover…"
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!
Rod Sterling: "SHOULDER UP!! SHOULDER UP!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Shawn Summers is still in it!"
Dreamer seems momentarily incensed, and she rounds on the official, barking at him and backing him up into the ropes. She grabs him by the shirt and rears back, as if ready to hit him with a forearm, the referee flinching… and behind him, JAY! is up on the apron, removing the second turnbuckle cover…
Rod Sterling: "I thought maybe this was a moment of anger from MvH, but perhaps it’s more measured than that… all part of the plan?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "It would seem so! Uncle J.J. JAY! has that second turnbuckle cover off!"
Michelle eventually turns back towards Summers, the official breathing heavily and slightly pale… and Summers wipes her out with a standing dropkick! MvH gets to her feet as quickly as she can, but Summers is behind her, and he throws her back to the mat with a half-and-half suplex!! Dreamer attempts to roll towards the ropes, but Der Basterd grabs a leg and drags her back into the middle of the ring… and applies a Figure 4 Leg Lock!!
Rod Sterling: "CHARLOTTE’S WEB!! Shawn Summers has Charlotte’s Web locked in!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Michelle von Horrowitz is sundered in the middle of the ring!!"
The official is in close, asking Dreamer if she wants to tap, her face contorting into a picture of agony. She raises her hand, her palm parallel to the mat… but refuses to give in… and turns the hold over!! Michelle reverses the pressure!!
Rod Sterling: "The tables have turned!! Now it’s Shawn Summers that looks close to submitting!!"
Indeed, Der Basterd has to show some resilience of his own, and with a huge roar of exertion he turns back over!! Summers is back in the driver’s seat, with MvH writhing in agony! But the constant rolling has brought her a lot closer to the ropes, and she wriggles towards them, digging in her hip… and then grips onto the bottom rope!! The official begins a count, Shawn Summers utilising all of it before finally relinquishing the hold at four.
Dreamer is clutching her knees in pain as she uses the ropes to help herself up to her feet. They appear to be giving her some trouble as Der Basterd comes at her again, and it’s almost a desperation move as she connects with a step-up enziguri! Summers is staggered, but shakes the cobwebs off and comes at her again… but walks into a heatbutt! Followed by a discuss forearm!!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Summers is rocked! Michelle grabs him by the wrist, and has a look back into the corner…"
Rod Sterling: "… at that exposed steel ring, no doubt!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "RING AWARENESS!"
Dreamer drags Summers towards her and hits a drop toe hold, again into the second turnbuckle, but this time onto the exposed ring! The crowd winces as Summers is instantly cut open by the hard metal! Just like earlier in the match, Michelle rolls him up with a schoolboy…
ONE… TWO…
And this time grabs a handful of tights, just for good measure…
… THREE!
As Summers, his face bloodied from the impact with the exposed turnbuckle ring, rolls out of the ring, Michelle offers her hand out to the official and demands that it's lifted.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "The winner of the match… Michelle von Horrowitz!"
As soon as her name is read out, Michelle snatches her hand back from the referee. She moves over the ropes, asking for her championship belt to be handed to her.
Rod Sterling: "Another win for MvH, which moves her to 7-0 for this calendar year, but once again she's comes by it through nefarious means."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Well, yes… but it's against Shawn Summers, Rod! Surely you're not too cut up for Der Basterd?"
Rod Sterling: "Who the opponent is besides the point, Anzu. How many more Meltdowns are going to end with this cheater standing tall in the ring?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Doesn't look like we're done just yet, Rod… Michelle's got a microphone."
Rod Sterling: "... of course she does."
As Roy Orbison fades out, Michelle stands in the middle of the ring with the microphone in her hand. She's still breathing heavily from the match, but the smile on her face suggests that she's rather pleased with herself.
MvH: "What an evening it's been, tulips!"
More boos. A chant of 'FUCK YOU DREAMER!' starts and quickly builds, to the point where it almost drowns the woman in the ring out.
MvH: "Not even a few thousand vulgar and basic trogs, like the few thousand vulgar and basic trogs that surround me now, could dampen my parade. And I always thought Pittsburgh was a dank and deprived hole. Who knew such magic resided here? It might even be my new favourite city here, if it wasn't for all the people. But I guess that is the problem with all of your cities."
Uncle has joined Michelle in the ring and appears to be the only person in the vicinity who is enjoying what is said.
MvH: "A glorious victory for the glorious Nephews in the opening contest, and an expected but still worthwhile triumph for me in the main event. A lovely sort of book-end effect, wouldn't you agree? But, tulips, tonight we also saw Chris Peacock and Cyrus Truth throw away their only chance of victory in The Grand March's main event. You all saw last year's show, I'm sure. Did they have electricity in Pittsburgh last March, Uncle?"
JAY! offers her a shrug and, deciding that it's not important whether they did or they didn't see last year's show, she continues.
MvH: "Gerald and I showed, for the most part, how easy a triple threat can be when two of the competitors are on the same page. This three-way could've easily become a two-way if Truth and Peacock abstained from squabbling and dealt with little old me: the natural antagonist in the situation, and the biggest threat to both of them. A large part of my strategy leading up to the Grand March was to sow discord between them in the hopes that this didn't happen. But, apparently, I didn't have to bother. In less than one night, both Cyrus and Chris threw away their best chance to stop the third glorious reign beginning. And for no reason other than their own pride."
If you've ever wondered what a few thousand people shouting 'FUCK YOU DREAMER!' for several minutes continuously sounded like, now is your chance to find out. The crowd is ferocious and unrelenting, and Dreamer takes a moment to admire their efforts before reaching her climax.
MvH: "I say all of this plainly, safe in the knowledge that Chris Peacock and Cyrus Truth would never let a mutual goal get in the way of their colossal egos. Disco’s Last Warrior and The Exile, two nicknames that imply solitude. The Last Warrior - temporary allegiances with a man far too good for him aside - has out-survived his allies, who have all fallen before him. The Exile chooses to be alone, shunning the meagre kinship on offer to him. But us?”
A sidewards glance at Uncle.
MvH: “We Are Legion, and we aren’t going anywhere. So take my hand, tulips. It’s later than you think.”
ONE… TW – NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Kickout from Summers! Lightning fast opening to this match-up, and both are quickly up to their feet…"
Summers sees Michelle coming at him for a discus forearm. He ducks beneath it, hooks her arm, and takes her down with a backslide…
ONE… TW – NO!
Rod Sterling: "Michelle with the kick out this time! Dreamer and Der Basterd matching like-for-like in the opening exchanges!"
Both are to their feet again, with Summers taking Michelle down with a deep armdrag… and then a second… then a hip toss. Dreamer is in a seated position as Der Basterd hits the ropes, attempting to wipe her out with a penalty kick… but Michelle lies down to avoid it and then kips up to her feet. Summers turns around to a mule kick from Dreamer, followed by a knee lift. Der Basterd is staggered, and the thrust kick knocks him back into the corner. Dreamer backs up and charges in with a dropkick… then a second… then a third! Summers is staggered into a seated position, with von Horrowitz taking him by the wrist, as if she’s going to Irish whip him into the opposite corner. She checks her momentum, though, and pulls Der Basterd back towards her… drop toe hold! Into the second turnbuckle! With Summers lying face-down on the turnbuckle, MvH rolls him up with a schoolboy…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Summers kicks out, and Michelle grabs his leg, looking to shift him into position for the stretch muffler. Shawn senses the danger there, though, and drags himself towards the ropes, hooking onto the bottom one. Michelle lays into him with stomps as the official begins a five-count, Summers instead gaining separation by pulling himself out onto the outside of the ring. Uncle is standing nearby, and the two share a few words, Der Basterd seemingly distracted by the appearance of COSMIC HORROR…
Rod Sterling: "I’m not sure Der Basterd wants to divert his attention away from the woman in the ring…"
… and Dreamer hits the opposite ropes inside the ring, looking to take Summers out with a suicide dive… but he catches her!! Summers has Michelle in a bearhug position and backs up towards the barricade, before throwing her into it with a belly-to-belly suplex!! Michelle hits the barricade upside down and then slides down into a heap on the top of her head!!
Rod Sterling: "WIPE OUT! Shawn Summers connects with the overhead release belly-to-belly!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Ugly landing for MvH!"
The crowd gasps at the move, with Summers chuckling to himself as he looks down at the wreckage that is his opponent. He shakes his head as he drags her up by the hair, and then throws her with an Irish whip into the steel steps! Michelle hits the hip first and lands in a heap on the other side of them!
Summers is slow and methodical as he throws Michelle back into the ring. He once more hoists her up to her feet and doubles her over with a boot to the midsection. He drags her head into position, hooks both arms, and then hoists her up for a sitout powerbomb!! Summers remains seated for the cover…
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Michelle kicks out! Summers follows up by slowly grounding Michelle down with stomps and then a lengthy reverse chin lock, Michelle eventually managing to drag herself up to her feet but with Der Basterd applying all of his weight and pressure onto her. She backs Summers up into the ropes and throws him off her, causing separation as he hits the opposite set. Once again, Shawn wraps his arms around the top rope to check his momentum, and this time Dreamer charges at him for a clothesline. Summers ducks it and lifts her up and onto the apron with a back body drop, but when he turns he’s clocked by a forearm strike from MvH! Summers is staggered into the middle of the ring and von Horrowitz tees him up, before springboarding in off the top rope and attempting a cross-body…
… ONLY TO BE WIPED OUT BY A DISCUS ELBOW SMASH!
Rod Sterling: "Unbelievable anti-air from Shawn Summers!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Michelle von Horrowitz might be out cold!!"
Summers neglects going for the cover, instead dragging the supine Michelle to her feet in a rear waistlock and hurling her across the ring with a release German suplex!! Summers is laughing as he slowly saunters across the ring. Michelle is face-down in a heap, and again Shawn wraps his arms around her waist, hoists her back to her feet in a rear waistlock, and then throws her to the other corner with a second release German suplex!! Summers performs a low bow, getting some boos from the audience for his sign of over-confidence, but also eliciting some cheers from the more vocal of the Nephews’ detractors. Then, he slowly saunters across the ring again, perhaps looking to repeat the act for the third time…
… but Michelle is waiting for him, and she collects him up in a small package!
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Kickout from Shawn!! Summers is up quicker than Dreamer, who doesn’t see him coming at her with the knee strike! He follows up with a headbutt! Then a rolling elbow!! Michelle is staggered, and Summers pulls her in with a front facelock. He hooks both her arms and takes her over with a double-underhook suplex!
Rod Sterling: "We’ve seen this before… Der Basterd isn’t done here! He rolls through, drags Michelle up, and delivers a second double-underhook suplex!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Michelle is in trouble here, Rod. Shawn Summers is settling into a rhythm, and he’s throwing her around the ring like a rag doll… there’s the third double-underhook!"
After completing the trifecta, Summers is into the cover…
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Kickout from Michelle! Summers momentarily glances at the official, admonishing him for a perceived slow count, before again hoisting Michelle up. He hits her with a European uppercut to stagger here, before charging at the ropes, springboarding off the second one, and taking her down with a knee strike!
Rod Sterling: "LIGHTS OUT! Shawn Summers giving us all the hits here tonight!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And he's maybe shaping up for one more! Midsommar, perhaps? Der Basterd might be looking to finish this one off!"
Shawn Summers is stalking Michelle as she gets to her feet, and then he doubles her over with a boot to the midsection. He pulls her head into position between his legs and hooks his arms through hers…
Rod Sterling: "He is going for Midsommar… but Uncle’s up on the apron! I guess it was only a matter of time!!"
The official strides over towards JAY! and admonishes him, telling him to get down, and it causes a distraction for Summers, too. He looks over at COSMIC HORROR and barks a few words at him…
… and Michelle levels him with a low blow!!
Rod Sterling: "Jesus!! The referee’s back is turned for a moment, and Michelle instantly takes the opportunity to go below the belt!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And now she rolls him up with an inside cradle! Summers’ shoulders are down!"
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!!
Rod Sterling: "Summers kicks out!! Somehow!! He should’ve been blacking out and puking after that low blow!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "A lot of people want to punch Shawn Summers in the balls. I guess he wears a cup."
If not quite enough to get the win, the low blow is enough to shift the momentum, with Michelle now taking her turn to stalk Summers from the corner as he rises, much like he did to her only moments before. She charges at him…
Anzu Kurosawa: "BUSAIKU KNEE!!"
Michelle wastes no time, immediately climbing up to the top rope…
Rod Sterling: "Dreamer straightens up atop the turnbuckle… 450 SPLASH!! She lands it!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Picture perfect!! And into the cover…"
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!
Rod Sterling: "SHOULDER UP!! SHOULDER UP!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Shawn Summers is still in it!"
Dreamer seems momentarily incensed, and she rounds on the official, barking at him and backing him up into the ropes. She grabs him by the shirt and rears back, as if ready to hit him with a forearm, the referee flinching… and behind him, JAY! is up on the apron, removing the second turnbuckle cover…
Rod Sterling: "I thought maybe this was a moment of anger from MvH, but perhaps it’s more measured than that… all part of the plan?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "It would seem so! Uncle J.J. JAY! has that second turnbuckle cover off!"
Michelle eventually turns back towards Summers, the official breathing heavily and slightly pale… and Summers wipes her out with a standing dropkick! MvH gets to her feet as quickly as she can, but Summers is behind her, and he throws her back to the mat with a half-and-half suplex!! Dreamer attempts to roll towards the ropes, but Der Basterd grabs a leg and drags her back into the middle of the ring… and applies a Figure 4 Leg Lock!!
Rod Sterling: "CHARLOTTE’S WEB!! Shawn Summers has Charlotte’s Web locked in!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Michelle von Horrowitz is sundered in the middle of the ring!!"
The official is in close, asking Dreamer if she wants to tap, her face contorting into a picture of agony. She raises her hand, her palm parallel to the mat… but refuses to give in… and turns the hold over!! Michelle reverses the pressure!!
Rod Sterling: "The tables have turned!! Now it’s Shawn Summers that looks close to submitting!!"
Indeed, Der Basterd has to show some resilience of his own, and with a huge roar of exertion he turns back over!! Summers is back in the driver’s seat, with MvH writhing in agony! But the constant rolling has brought her a lot closer to the ropes, and she wriggles towards them, digging in her hip… and then grips onto the bottom rope!! The official begins a count, Shawn Summers utilising all of it before finally relinquishing the hold at four.
Dreamer is clutching her knees in pain as she uses the ropes to help herself up to her feet. They appear to be giving her some trouble as Der Basterd comes at her again, and it’s almost a desperation move as she connects with a step-up enziguri! Summers is staggered, but shakes the cobwebs off and comes at her again… but walks into a heatbutt! Followed by a discuss forearm!!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Summers is rocked! Michelle grabs him by the wrist, and has a look back into the corner…"
Rod Sterling: "… at that exposed steel ring, no doubt!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "RING AWARENESS!"
Dreamer drags Summers towards her and hits a drop toe hold, again into the second turnbuckle, but this time onto the exposed ring! The crowd winces as Summers is instantly cut open by the hard metal! Just like earlier in the match, Michelle rolls him up with a schoolboy…
ONE… TWO…
And this time grabs a handful of tights, just for good measure…
… THREE!
WInner: Winner: Michelle von Horrowitz via pinfall at 15:52.
.
.
As Summers, his face bloodied from the impact with the exposed turnbuckle ring, rolls out of the ring, Michelle offers her hand out to the official and demands that it's lifted.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "The winner of the match… Michelle von Horrowitz!"
As soon as her name is read out, Michelle snatches her hand back from the referee. She moves over the ropes, asking for her championship belt to be handed to her.
Rod Sterling: "Another win for MvH, which moves her to 7-0 for this calendar year, but once again she's comes by it through nefarious means."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Well, yes… but it's against Shawn Summers, Rod! Surely you're not too cut up for Der Basterd?"
Rod Sterling: "Who the opponent is besides the point, Anzu. How many more Meltdowns are going to end with this cheater standing tall in the ring?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Doesn't look like we're done just yet, Rod… Michelle's got a microphone."
Rod Sterling: "... of course she does."
As Roy Orbison fades out, Michelle stands in the middle of the ring with the microphone in her hand. She's still breathing heavily from the match, but the smile on her face suggests that she's rather pleased with herself.
MvH: "What an evening it's been, tulips!"
More boos. A chant of 'FUCK YOU DREAMER!' starts and quickly builds, to the point where it almost drowns the woman in the ring out.
MvH: "Not even a few thousand vulgar and basic trogs, like the few thousand vulgar and basic trogs that surround me now, could dampen my parade. And I always thought Pittsburgh was a dank and deprived hole. Who knew such magic resided here? It might even be my new favourite city here, if it wasn't for all the people. But I guess that is the problem with all of your cities."
Uncle has joined Michelle in the ring and appears to be the only person in the vicinity who is enjoying what is said.
MvH: "A glorious victory for the glorious Nephews in the opening contest, and an expected but still worthwhile triumph for me in the main event. A lovely sort of book-end effect, wouldn't you agree? But, tulips, tonight we also saw Chris Peacock and Cyrus Truth throw away their only chance of victory in The Grand March's main event. You all saw last year's show, I'm sure. Did they have electricity in Pittsburgh last March, Uncle?"
JAY! offers her a shrug and, deciding that it's not important whether they did or they didn't see last year's show, she continues.
MvH: "Gerald and I showed, for the most part, how easy a triple threat can be when two of the competitors are on the same page. This three-way could've easily become a two-way if Truth and Peacock abstained from squabbling and dealt with little old me: the natural antagonist in the situation, and the biggest threat to both of them. A large part of my strategy leading up to the Grand March was to sow discord between them in the hopes that this didn't happen. But, apparently, I didn't have to bother. In less than one night, both Cyrus and Chris threw away their best chance to stop the third glorious reign beginning. And for no reason other than their own pride."
If you've ever wondered what a few thousand people shouting 'FUCK YOU DREAMER!' for several minutes continuously sounded like, now is your chance to find out. The crowd is ferocious and unrelenting, and Dreamer takes a moment to admire their efforts before reaching her climax.
MvH: "I say all of this plainly, safe in the knowledge that Chris Peacock and Cyrus Truth would never let a mutual goal get in the way of their colossal egos. Disco’s Last Warrior and The Exile, two nicknames that imply solitude. The Last Warrior - temporary allegiances with a man far too good for him aside - has out-survived his allies, who have all fallen before him. The Exile chooses to be alone, shunning the meagre kinship on offer to him. But us?”
A sidewards glance at Uncle.
MvH: “We Are Legion, and we aren’t going anywhere. So take my hand, tulips. It’s later than you think.”
