The crowd is alive with energy inside of the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California. The camera scans around the capacity crowd, cheering and waving while holding up signs for their favorites.
A spotlight begins to shine and the crowd cheers as ring announcer Justin Decent steps out onto the stage. The handsome exhibitionist jogs out to the ring, slapping hands to the fans who reach out to him.
He is handed the microphone by Jason Adams as he runs up the ring steps and climbs inside of the six-sided SCW ring and walks around, pumping his fist in the air to the tune of the crowd's chants;
Crowd: SCW! SCW! SCW!
Justin then hops up onto the corner turnbuckle and smiles, looking out around the building at all of the fans filling the arena and the rows of seats around the ring itself. He drops back down and takes his place in the center of the ring and brings the microphone up to his lips.
Justin: Hello everyone and welcome to the Galen Center right here in Los Angeles, California for Sin City Wrestling Climax Control!
The crowd cheers!
Justin: Now please help me welcome to the stage ... our Hostess With the Mostess ... Miss Amanda Hugginkiss!
The crowd cheers and applauds as a spotlight shines down onto the stage, where stands Amanda herself in a white, sequined gown with long sleeves and a shimmering crown on her head. The music pulsates through the sound system and the opening performance begins.
Amanda: I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies' eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead, long live the king"
One minute, I held the key
Next, the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone, there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
And revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string (Mmm, mmm)
Aw, who would ever wanna be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Roman cavalry choirs are singin'
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
My missionaries in a foreign field
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
For some reason I can't explain
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
Mmm, mmm
The opening performance is brought to a close and Amanda holds onto her crown as she curtsies like royalty as the spotlight slowly fades.
The camera then switches up toward the broadcasters table where sits Belinda Simone and Jason Adams.
Simone: Hello everyone and WELCOME back to the Galen Center in Los Angeles for SCW! On behalf of my colleague Jason Adams...
Jason leans into the camera with a goofy 'watermelon smile' and waves.
Simone: We are here tonight for the King For A day edition of Climax Control!
Adams: King Cross! It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
Simone: If you say so, Jason! But I'm not certain the men and women who he booked this evening will agree to that opinion. Particularly former World Heavyweight Champion Mac Bane who competes against Agostino Romano in the very unique and wrestling's first-ever Mini MX Mayhem Match!
Adams: Kayla Richards... wait... she's still under contract? ANY-way! She makes her return to Climax Control here in LA and she takes on Ariana Angelos!
Simone: Max Burke still places blame on "Bulldog" Bill Barnhart for not only inserting himself into the championship match at Into the Void XI just two weeks ago, but also for costing him the chance to walk out of Athens as the new champion! Tonight we have a Supercard rematch as these two alpha males look to settle things between them once and for all!
Adams: It's another King For A Day match, courtesy of King Cross! And one of these fellas must have gotten on the King's bad side somehow because he has Alexander raven facing Goth in a Buried Alive match!
Simone: If you think THAT'S bad, "King" Mark Cross has also gotten the twisted and sadistic idea to team together Amber Ryan and Masque! Their originally scheduled opponents Diamond Steele balked as soon as she heard of this match...
Adams: Smart!
Simone: And Mercedes Vargas dropped out right after rather than be left hanging! So what is a King to do? He actually got hold of two women who are crazy enough NOT to be intimidated by Masque or Amber - Twisted Sister and Iron Maiden! These two teams battle it out in a Barbed Wire Baseball Bat match!
Adams: Ooo! *coughs* I mean, Seleana Zdunich impressed the bosses with her victory over the amazon Tempest in Athens that they just HAD to reward her with a chance to dethrone the brand NEW Roulette Champion - Kat Jones!
Simone: Then in the Main Event, the finale for King For A Day! The King himself, Mark Cross, steps inside of the ring and together he has paired himself with highly touted rookie Levana Cade! Their opposition? None other than the new World Heavyweight Champion Matthew "the Raven" Knox and Jessie Salco! All this and more on SCW Climax Control!
"Blood" rings out over the speakers, announcing the arrival of the King for the Day. Long flowing purple cape, white fur trim, and an elaborate crown placed on top of his head, Mark "The Dragon" Cross appears at the top of the ramp to floods of cheers and applause.
The Dragon: Good evening, loyal subjects. Thank you for your attendance here tonight at the Galen Center, home of the University of South California. As your one true king...for the day...I would like to take the opportunity to formally welcome you to this little show I have helped put together for you this evening. Now while I've laid no titles on the line...no show of mine would be short of a firework or two...so introducing first, the MINI MX MAYHEM MATCH...AGOSTINO ROMANO vs MAC BANE on our newly built pit-bike track in the parking lot, which yours truly will demonstrate shortly.
The Dragon: Second of all...one for the bottom line, as your King is a profit conscious one, as well as entertainer. GOTH vs ALEXANDER RAVEN. We're gonna shovel that excess dirt in here and see which of these guys can bury the other alive in it! You know what, if we're lucky, we might be able to dig them out before they suffocate! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
The Dragon: Number three...the scariest couple of females in the whole company MASQUE and AMBER RYAN get to hit oppo taco bombs with the only schmucks dumb enough to volunteer. Let's just hope they're sadistic enough to make it interesting. LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE METAL MANIACS EVERYBODY!
The Dragon: And lastly...the Main Event...and as tempting as it was to make it all about yours truly, I'm just going to be a bystander in this one...because I know what the fans really want. Who wants to see Jessie Salco go through a table?
A big cheer from the crowd.
The Dragon: Who wants to see Jessie Salco go through a FLAMING table?
An even bigger cheer from the crowd.
The Dragon: Who wants to see Jessie Salco go through a flaming table while she's ALREADY ON FIRE!?
The biggest cheer in Sin City Wrestling crowd history. Maybe.
The Dragon: Alright! Lets...fucking...GOOOOOOO!
The Dragon: Ladders and gentlefish...toys and germs...I give to you...the inaugural Sin City Wrestling Mini MX Mayhem match! The winner of this contest will be the first man to complete three complete laps of the circuit. It'll be coming up anytime soon, but first...let me show you how it's done!!
Adams: Aaaaaaaand he's off, let's see if Cross lives up to his 'just send it' attitude.
Simone: I don't know much about Mark's motorcycle experience but he looks very composed coming out of that first turn.
Adams: Leg extended, getting right on the power approaching the first jump...
Simone: Carrying a lot of speed into it too, this is risky!
Adams: Is he...supposed to be letting go of the bike?
The Dragon: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh fuuuuuuuuuuuuuc-
*SMASHHHHH*
Adams: What happened? What did he hit?
Simone: We're waiting for the cameras to catch up...Is that-
Adams: Crystal Hilton's-
Simone: Yup- With a big Mark Cross shaped dent right in the back of it.
Adams: And that rear windshield...you're not gonna glue that back together...
The Dragon: I'm okay! Everybody I'm okay! Ohhhhh she's gonna be pissed...Quick, everyone get outta here! Pretend it never happened! Gogogogo!
Justin: The following match is scheduled for one fa... No..
Justin grabs his sheet of notes and starts to read..
Justin: The following match Is decided by the first wrestler that completes three laps on the track... Introducing first...
Fragments Of Insanity by Necrodeath plays over the sounds system as Agostino Romano comes out with James Brown from the curtain, wearing green and yellow wrestling trousers with green and yellow elbow pads and green and yellow boots, having his fists in the air with James Brown following behind him.
Justin: From Milan, Italy, he is Agostino Romano!
Agostino does high fives to the crowd before seeing a kid in the front row which he pulls funny faces at along with giving them a hat from his Global Bike Championship days. He then goes inside of the ring and waves at the fans with the crowd cheering for him while James claps from outside of the ring before Agostino waits for his opponent to come out to the ring with James standing at ringside.
Justin: And his opponent...
The opening guitar riffs of "The Enemy" by Godsmack plays as the big man makes his way out. The crowd is on them from the first sounds. The booing is almost thunderous. He laughs as he makes his way towards the ramp.
They only get louder as Mac makes his way towards the ring, he walks slowly, jawing with the occasional fan who's decided he's a tough guy. Mac simply laughs and continues down towards the ring.
Justin: From Port Arthur, Texas - MAC BANE!
Finally he reaches the ring steps and makes their way into the ring.
Mac approaches the center of the ring and raises both arms into the air. Then extending the middle fingers on both hands he laughs as the boos reaches a crescendo.
DING DING DING!
Mac and Agostino lock up in the middle of the ring at first. Mac pushes him towards the ropes and flings Agostino across the ring and on the rebound knocks him to the ground with a clothesline and Agostino lands with a thud but quickly rolls out of the ring and starts to make his way up the ramp.
Simone: Smart move by Agostino to get to the motocross track quickly!
Adams: The big man is following him quickly though but Agostino is not fast enough still a bit groggy from being knocked down.
Mac manages to catch up to Agostino at the top of the ramp and grabs a hold of him and sends him crashing into the entrance area. Mac leaves the area and makes his way through the arena trying to find the right parking lot area where the motocross has been set up. Just as he was walking passed the catering area Agostino comes running up behind him and chop blocks Mac at the knee and quickly gets to his feet and takes the lead in the race to the track.
Simone: Agostino is in the lead again to get to the track and he got Mac good with that chop block!
Adams: Run Agostino!!!! Mac just got to his feet and the look on his face spells out murder!
Mac had been showing his changed training in his matches lately and the fitness level and speed had increased for the much bigger man and they are now in a full on sprint out of the building and as they round the corner Mac shoves Agostino into the wall and sprints out of the building heading for the outside and they are in the wrong parking lot. There is no motocross track. Mac is looking around and sees more crew walking towards the left and heads that way and the faster Agostino was catching up to him as they sprint around the building trying to find the track.
Simone: Mac is faster than I thought he would be.. He might win this!
Adams: Yeah.. I did not expect that from him... Less of an advantage than the King thought Agostino would have..
It was a near neck on neck sprint by now to try and find that track and they push and shove each other out of the way as they reach the outskirts of the track now they just need to make their way across to where the bikes are parked with a crew standing by. Agostino crosses the track really fast but Mac is right behind him and they soon reach the bikes and quite literally hop on the bikes. Mac was the first to start the bike not wasting time with a helmet and Agostino tosses his aside and quickly starts his bike and follows after Mac.
Simone: Helmets were supplied for safety people but no the big man is too good for a helmet.
Adams: Did anyone actually check if that helmet would have fit him ?
Agostino is racing after Mac and quickly catching up to the big man who is more capable on his bike than most have expected. Mac cuts the corners tight and is keeping Agostino behind him there and as Agostino pulls up beside him Mac kicks at the bike and hits the handlebar sending Agostino crashing into the dirt. He tumbles off his bike and is quick to get to his feet again.
Simone: Dirty move but legal in this match and with that Mac has completed the first round around this track!
Adams: Agostino is back in the saddle already and quickly following Mac but the big man has a head start now.
Mac was already well into his second lap around the track before Agostino was getting closer to him again and he was looking for him to defend his position. Mac is showing that he is clearly as competitive on a bike as he is in the ring and as Agostino is reaching for the breaks on Mac's bike when he catches up to him Mac swings out and knocks Agostino off his bike and takes off again.
Simone: Agostino would have won this if he could have gotten on the track first. But the big man is not letting him pass him by any means possible.
Adams: Yeah but he is tenacious and already has gotten up and back on the bike but I am not sure he has enough time to catch up as Mac has started his third lap.
Agostino's crew and the fans that gathered outside are cheering for him to get back into it. Mac was speeding around the track but the more bike savvy Agostino was gaining on him again but it was too late before he could get next to Mac the third lap around the track was over and Mac crossed the finish first. Inside the arena..
DING DING DING!
Heard inside and outside..
Justin: The winner of this match... Mac Bane!!!
Cut to the outside of the venue where we find Max Burke, and Ben Jordan grabbing their bags from the trunk of their rental car.
Max: Brother, thanks for coming.
Ben: You know I'm your wingman. I got your back.
Max locks up, and they make their way towards the backstage entrance.
Max: I am so looking forward to punching Bill in the mouth. If all goes well he'll have his mouth wired shut after tonight for a few weeks at least.
Ben: That would be a brilliant outcome.
Max: The twisted truth about what happened that's spewing from their mouths this week has been laughable.
Ben: It's complete bollocks, but that's nothing new really.
Max pauses for a moment, and focuses on the camera as he responds.
Max: Nope, it's not. "Bulldog" Bill Barnhart we're getting very close now. You, and your little outfit crossed a line at Into The Void 11. The fact that you 3 have the audacity to try and spin the narrative, and play the victims is disgusting. When you sprayed that shit in Fenris' eyes you knew exactly what you were doing. Now, what you failed to realize is you pissed him off. You have no clue what you just unleashed. When he is cleared, and I mean it when I say when not if he is cleared, what happens to "Bulldog" Bill Barnhart tonight will not even register on the spectrum of what Fenris is going to do when he gets back. Tonight is just the beginning. Tonight is just a taste. The cage match at Into The Void is going to feel like a damn pillow fight in comparison to what you're in for tonight. I'm going to take great pleasure in whippin' your ass for Fenris as Bea watches on. Speaking of Bea... if you or Vinnie think of trying any of your bullshit, I've got my backup in the form of my best bud Ben standing by. See you out there Bill.
Security holds the door for Max and Ben as they head inside.
The scene opens backstage at Climax Control where we see "The Greek Angel" Ariana Angelos getting ready for an interview with Pussy Willow.
Pussy: Ari, coming up next you are facing Kayla Richards in her second ever SCW match, before we talk about her though, are you going to be speaking in Greek in this interview?
Ari shakes her head.
Ariana: I was only doing that for the benefit of my countrymen during the Greece Lightning Tour, since we're back stateside I won't have to bother.
Pussy: Fair, now Kayla has quite the reputation in the wrestling business mostly thanks to her work in the Pro Wrestling Excellence promotion, what are your thoughts on that?
Ariana: I did look up her matches in PWE and I watched her debut match against Bea Barnhart again in preparation for this match, she's an impressive athlete for sure but I feel that I'm more than up for the challenge.
Pussy: Speaking of Bea, she and her husband made some controversial claims about your fellow Go Gym Graduate Fenris during Bill's promo this week, what are your thoughts on that?
Ariana: My thoughts?!
Ari demands as her mood turns sour.
Ariana: Those idiots clearly weren't watching Fenris's match against Senor Vinnie because if they had, they'd know that there was no way Fenris was faking his blindness! If Carter had joined me in jumping to SCW during the Greece Lightning Tour I'd jump at the chance to challenge them to a mixed tag match against Team Go butt that'll have to wait until after Supernova, instead I'll take on Bea anytime, anyplace! And Kayla? You are coming into our match with confidence to spare but once you bear witness to the grace of the Angel's Descent, that confidence will be long gone!
Ari walks off as the scene fades.
Justin: This match is scheduled for one fall... introducing first...hailing from Norwich, England... Kyla Richards...
"I will kill your dreams."
The voice of Kayla Richards gives way to the opening guitar riff of Bad Omens "Like a Villian" The lights flash from being on and bright to dark and switching between a dark purple and red. Kayla Richards steps out onto the stage in her gear, a black leather jacket over it, her long hair flowing down as she makes her way to the ring, she runs and slides up and across the apron on one knee before getting into the ring and putting both her hands in the air, one crossed over the other to make a "K" with her fingers before they turn into a double bird and move down to a fingergun pose pointed at the crowd.
Justin: and her opponent...
The opening guitar riff to "In the Middle of the Night" by Within Temptation hits the speakers and the crowd comes unglued as Ariana emerges from the back wearing a long cloak with her initials on the back and with her back to the crowd.
Justin: Introducing first, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, "The Greek Goddess" Ariana Angelos!
Ariana spins around right as the song kicks into high gear with the opening lyrics, she poses for the crowd as she makes her way down to the ring before rolling into the ring and removing her cloak ready for her match.
The ref moves in and checks both for weapons before indicating for the bell to be rung...
DING DING DING!
Richards and Angelos circle the ring quickly before moving in and locking up, but Angelos quickly breaks and grabs Richards into a headlock, Angelos cranks on Richards head a couple of times as Richards looks to find a way out of the move and she drives Angelos backwards towards the ropes, where she looks to push Angelos away, but Angelos keep the headlock in place and drops to a single knee and Richards has no choice to drop to her knees.
Simone: Angelos gets on top of the match right away as she locks Richards into a headlock.
Adams: I wonder if Kayla will have a little bit of ring rust as we haven't seen her months.
Simone: Well we will find out.
Richards quickly battles to her feet and once again she pushes Angelos backwards into the ropes and Angelos tries to keep the headlock in place, but Richards breaks the headlock and pushes Angelos forwards before dragging her back and locks in a headlock of her own to Angelos before quickly adjusting to get a better grip before taking her down to the mat.
Adams: Richards fights back and she grabs Angelos and locks her into a headlock of her own before taking her down to the mat.
Angelos kicks her legs at first as she takes a moment before pushing an arm into Richards' face as she looks to get free, but Richards shakes it off but Angelos grabs Richards and tries for a surprise roll up...
ONE!
Kickout!
Richards kicks out before sitting up and she quickly climbs to her feet at the same dragging Angelos up and keeps the headlock in place, as Angelos tries to break her grip with a forearm in Richards' face before moving to grabbing her with one arm, but Richards grabs that arm and proceeds lock in a wrist lock, where she tweaks on it a couple of times, which forces Angelos down to a knee, but she rises back up and throws herself forward into a roll to loosen Richards hold before looking for an arm drag but Richards blocks it and holds onto Angelos' forearm before locking in an arm bar. But the arm bar is only brief as Angelos pushes herself off the mat, but Richards keeps a hold of her arm before twisting it into another wrist lock.
Simone: Angelos tries to catch Richards off guard with a surprise roll up, but Richards is aware and kicks out at one.
Adams: Richards keeps the headlock in place and climbs to her feet, dragging Angelos with her. Angelos tries to fight back but Richards quickly halts to that idea, and she locks in a wrist lock and twists Angelos' wrist and sends Angelos down to her knees. Angelos quickly looks for a way out but Richards blocks it.
Bending Angelos' wrist, Angelos grimaces in pain as she rushes towards the ropes, but Richards stops her and drags her back as she tries again, but again Richards blocks any attempt to get to the ropes and Angelos keeps trying but Richards keep hold of her and she merely spins around the ring until Richards puts a stop to it and drags Angelos down to the mat, which Angelos thumps the mat in frustration as Richards locks in another arm bar.
Adams: What on earth!
Simone: Can't fault Angelos for trying as she is almost takes off.
Angelos shakes her head as Richards climbs to her feet and drags Angelos up as well, as she adjusts the arm bar into a wrist lock and gives her wrist a little tweak, but Angelos turns and grabs Richards' hand and breaks her grip before countering into a wrist lock of her own and twists the wrist a little, but Richards is quick to counter and breaks Angelos' grip before taking her down to the mat.
Simone: Richards with another arm bar, but Angelos quickly tries to counter but Richard doesn't allow it and sends Angelos back down to the mat.
Once more Richards locks in an arm bar, as the ref asks Angelos if she wants to submit but she gives a resounding no. Angelos takes a few moments to think about her next option and she rolls herself onto her knees before moving to her feet, which Richards struggles to keep a hold of Angelos' arm, as Angelos grabs Richards around the neck and shoulders and drops down and uses her head against the side of Richards head.
Adams: Richards is taking her time and keeping Angelos grounded. But Angelos is fighting back making sure Richards hasn't have all her way.
Angelos keeps a hold of Richards arm and locks in another wrist lock, but Richards quickly counters as she twists before dropping down and arching backwards before twisting and then rolls forward to break the hold but as she rises to her feet, Angelos grabs a handful of hair and throws Richards backwards and down to the mat. Angelos drops down and goes for a cover...
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout!
Simone: Angelos slams Richards to the mat but only gets a two count for it.
Angelos climbs to her feet, as Richards gets to her hands and knees, but Angelos quickly leaps up and hits a legdrop across the neck of Richards neck and shoulder. Angelos quickly gets back to her feet and hits a standing moonsault and goes for another cover....
ONE!
TWO!
Kickout!
Adams: Beautiful legdrop from Angelos as she tries for another cover and again only gets a two count.
Angelos shakes her head, as she rolls Richards onto her front and grabs a leg, where she sets up and locks in a single leg Boston crab and she cranks back as squats lower, as Richards grimaces in pain as she reaches out towards the ropes but can't get to them. Richards pushes herself up and drags herself to the ropes, but Angelos pulls her back a little, but Richards again pushes herself up and drags herself to the ropes and she manages to grab them. The ref moves in and forces Angelos to releases which she does.
Simone: Angelos locks in a single leg Boston crab and she squats down to make things more painful. Richards makes two attempts at getting free as she fails the first time round but is successful the second time round and she grabs the ropes and forces Angelos to release.
Angelos backs away as Richards pulls herself closer to the ropes and holds her back. Angelos moves back in, but Richards demands Angelos to stay back, and she reluctantly backs away. Richards climbs to a knee before making her way to feet as she stretch and twists before stepping forward and Angelos rushes forward but Richards dodges and using Angelos' momentum, she sends her over the ropes, but she lands on the outside apron. Richards turns and goes hit a forearm shot to Angelos, but Angelos blocks it and hits one of her own. Richards stumbles back and Angelos leaps onto the ropes as she looks for a springboard type move but as she jumps off Richards catches Angelos with a European uppercut.
Adams: Richards is back to her feet, where she has a little stretch before having to quickly react as Angelos rushes towards Richards but sends her over the ropes. Richards goes to swing at Angelos, but Angelos blocks it and catches Richard with a forearm. She then looks to go high risk and as she leaps off, Richards hits a European uppercut that rocks Angelos.
Angelos stumbles backwards and up against the ropes, Richards approaches and grabs Angelos' hand and whips her across the ring into a corner. Richards goes to follow up with a splash, but Angelos blocks it with her feet and Richards stumbles back as Angelos moves forward with a standing dropkick.
Simone: For a moment Angelos gets back into this match as she hits an incoming Richards with a dropkick.
Richards rolls away before quickly getting to her feet, as Angelos rushes forward as she and Richards suddenly begins to brawl as they trade shots back and forth, until Richards blinks first and drives a knee into Angelos' stomach before hitting a sitout jawbreaker. Angelos drops to the mat, as Richards bends down and grabs Angelos by the hair and drags her up to her feet, where she hits a running bulldog.
Adams: But it isn't enough and they briefly brawl until Richard stops it and drives a knee into Angelos' stomach before hitting a jawbreaker but she isn't finish and hits a running bulldog.
Climbing back to her feet, she grabs Angelos once more and whips her into the ropes as she comes back Richards hits the Dreamkiller -- V-Trigger. Angelos drops down to the mat and Richards goes for a pin...
Simone: Dreamkiller... Angelos is done.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Adams: Richards picks up a big win.
DING DING DING!
Justin: Winner of this match via pinfall... Kayla Richards!
Richards music hits over the p.a, as she climbs to her feet, as the ref raises her arm in victory.
The Los Angeles crowd at the Galen Center is going absolutely nuts as they await in anticipation for something to happen. As they are cheering it is at that moment that we can hear the loud sound of "Theatre" by Icon For Hire blasting across of the speakers. The crowd goes completely nuts as Crystal Zdunich emerges from the backstage area. She is wearing a blue skirt and blue top that shows off plenty of mid drift. She walks in her heels towards the ring, slapping the hands of some of the fans along the way.
Simone: Listen to this Los Angeles crowd!
Adams: It is apparent that we are definitely in Crystal country.
Crystal calls for a microphone. She is about to speak but the crowd roars with excitement as they chant her name over and over again. She takes it all in nodding her head as she begins to speak.
Crystal: Damn... It feels good to be home. Yall know I represent the 313. That is where I was born right in Michigan but I spent most of my adult life right here in Los Angeles and I am so thankful for your wonderful applause.
The crowd cheers louder than before. She cracks a wicked grin nodding her head as she speaks some more.
Crystal: Now two weeks ago in Athens I entered the ring with one purpose and one only. I was going to do everything in my power to showcase that I was worthy of being a champion. I will give credit where credit is due. Masque is tough competition. She got the better of me but I showed heart. I showed determination and I definitely showed fhat I am wrestling's final girl. She didn't shove her hand down my throat like she thought was going to do. She hit me in my throat and took advantage. So props on that but the story of Crystal Zdunich isn't over yet.
Crystal shakes her head as she begins to speak some more.
Crystal: I know it sounds like a broken record that I just WASN't GOOD ENOUGH but things will get better. I will figure out a way and I will be able to pick things up. Summer
treme ten is right around the corner and right now my schedule is pretty much empty. So I figure we rectify that. So with Cruise right around the corner I am looking for a fight. I am looking to show that I still have it. So whoever wants to feel the flames of the BURNING ROSE come to this ring right now!Simone: I believe that is an open challenge.
Adams: But who is going to answer this challenge?!
Simone: Let's just hope it isn't Jessie Salco.
The crowd waits with bated breath to see what, if anything, will happen. Suddenly, the arena fades to black. The crowd explodes at the possibilities this presents. The screen lights up and we are treated to an old school movie countdown image all over again.
5
4
3
Suddenly the countdown is stopped by claws slashing through the image and a cat's roar sounds through the arena. The crowd erupts again as Janet Jackson's "Black Cat" blasts through the speakers and Seleana Zdunich walks through the entranceway. Sge marches with purpose to the ring and steps inside the ring, microphone in hand.
Seleana: Sluta göra höns av fjädrar! Du får dig själv att ta vatten över huvudet! Den brinnande rosen...
Seleana shakes her head.
Seleana: För fan i helvete!
Looking her wife in the eyes, Seleana's fiery gaze practically encompasses her entire visage.
Seleana: I do not know why you refuse to listen. Maybe you are just not keen to hear. Maybe you already know and it is not real until Alex or I say it as well.
Crystal: Know what is real exactly?! Babe I love you. TE Amo mi corazon! However as much as you might be my heart and despite me loving you more than life itself. I came out here looking for my next fight to prove myself and I don't really have time to cater to you my love. So please step aside so I can see who wants to fight Crystal Z!
Simone: Crystal isn't happy that Seleana interrupted her
Adams: But for what reason is she out here exactly?!
Seleana's head droops.
Seleana: I am not asking you to... cater... to me. I am asking you to listen.
She pauses and then points at her wife.
Seleana: Why do you question who you are, Chickie? Everyone knows who you are and we have been telling you that you ARE good enough! You have always been good enough, you just refuse to see it for...
She shrugs in frustrated confusion.
Seleana: Reasons?!?
Crystal begins to get upset as she swears in spanish.
Crystal: ¡¿Estás bromeando ahora mismo?! You want to know WHY it's never enough?! It's because no matter what I do everybody ALWAYS has something to say. I have to have this mentality where I have to win! I have to win titles! I have to get accolades and if I don't get them people won't respect me. I have the most world title reigns out of anybody in this entire company and not one person respects that. It is always the same old, same old. I have felt down in the dumps since I lost to Roxi and Amber in that triple threat match. Roxi is the one who got pinned but yet she is also the one who gets the rematch for the world title. I work hard to get an Internet Championship match and even that wasn't enough!
Crystal continues to be frustrated as she looks at Seleana.
Crystal: Hell I couldn't even be a wife right. Obviously I had to walk away from our family for three months to make stuff right and I still feel like a failure. I am not good enough in marriage, not good enough in the ring. So what else can I do besides constantly apologize to everybody! This is WHO I AM IN! On top of that you should feel embarrassed because all people seem to think is you walk in my shadow, and that's not even anything to brag about.
Seleana: I walk next to you. There is no shadow.
Crystal: You say that but that still doesn't stop people from always saying it about you...
Crystal shakes her head before she turns her attention to Seleana.
Crystal: Anyway you still haven't explained why you are out here right now!
Seleana: I have, but you still do not listen. Do I have to be the one to accept the challenge for that to happen, ja?
Crystal is taken back as she looks at her wife
Crystal: You really want to challenge me?! I still don't know what you want me to say. I am listening I am right here and I am hear you. I just don't know what you are trying to say!
Seleana: You lay out challenge. You know I do not like to fight but If this is only way for you to listen and to see, then so be it.
The crowd starts roaring with excitement as Crystal looks around.
Simone: Seleana just accepted Crystal's challenge.
Adams: But what does Crystal think?!
Crystal: You know I don't why you came out here. Everybody seems to think something is off with me. Andrea in Greece told me I couldn't beat Masque because something was missing. Now you are out here trying to tell me that I am not listening.
Crystal gets in her wife's face.
Crystal: What do you want from me?! We never fought one on one. That last time we were against one another I betrayed you just like Judas did Jesus. Instead of a kiss and thirty pieces of silver. I beat you up and sold my soul to Christian Underwood just to get a World title match. I didn't care that you hit him with a right hand. The only thing on my mind was getting what I wanted.
Crystal shakes her head backing away.
Crystal: And I don't ever want to go back to that place. So tell me what is your goal in accepting this challenge?!
Seleana: I want you to stop questioning yourself. Stop looking for something that is not lost! Stop trying to put on a new face when the one you have is already perfect! Just be you, Estrellita. Stop trying to be someone else!
Crystal looks into her wife's eyes.
Crystal: So is that what it is you want?! Just like Andrea you really want Crystal Hilton don't you?! I put that woman away. I became a better wife for you. I really don't want to bring a piece of me up that will only hurt you. We remember what I did those years ago. I refuse to go there. I just won't!
The Los Angeles crowd gets behind Crystal but the Afro Mexican just shakes her head as she walks away
Simone: Did Crystal just back away from a challenge?!
Adams: During her entire time in SCW I can't remember her ever walking away from an accepted challenge especially in front of her hometown crowd.
Simone: She's not in the right mind set.
Seleana just watches as Crystal storms to the back.
Narrator: I assure you I've seen Bill Barnhart upset at opponents before but this time, with Max Burke falsely blaming him for not winning the Roulette Championship at Into The Void XI, has made Bill so upset he has total destruction on his mind in his upcoming match against Max Burke.
The scene shifts to the home of Bill and Bea and Iris the Bulldog in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The three are sitting in their living room and when the camera person informs them they are live broadcasting they launch into their comments for Climax Control 331.
Bea: Everyone knows that in addition to being an active wrestler in Sin City Wrestling I also serve as the Manager for Bill Barnhart and Senor Vinnie. Before Bill launched into his comments for his match against Max Burke at Climax Control 331 I wish to address the lies being told about me. Specifically I'm going to talk about the non-incident and character defamation perpetrated against me at Into The Void XI. I'll relate to you what they claim happened and then I'll tell you what really happened. What they claim happened is that I took out my small plastic spray bottle of perfume and handed it to Senor Vinnie during the match. Then they say Vinnie grabbed the spray bottle and sprayed Fenris in the eyes temporarily blinding him allowing Vinnie to get the win over Fenris in the match. They further claim that the spray bottle was filled with Tequila Sunrise which caused temporary blindness to Fenris. That's the bullshit version of what people claim happened and now I'll tell you what really happened.
Bill: Get ready for the truth.
Bea: What I do when I put perfume in my spray bottle is to put just a little bit of perfume then dilute it with water. I do that because most perfumes are disgustingly smelly and I don't want to spray myself with undiluted perfume and end up smelling like a cheap whore like most of the Bombshell wrestlers in Sin City Wrestling do. So usually put about one-third perfume and two-thirds water. That's what was in the perfume bottle everyone is talking about from Into the Void XI. Now let me answer the question on how my spray bottle of perfume ended up on the ring apron. I was walking around in Vinnie's corner observing the match when I heard disgusting and insulting comments coming from the direction where Jason Adams and Belinda Simone give commentary on matches. I heard insulting comments about me so when I strutted toward their table I placed the spray bottle on the ring apron outside of the ropes so it wasn't inside the ring. No sooner did I arrive at the announcing table to go off on Belinda and Jason I hear a commotion in the ring and I see Fenris floundering and Vinnie getting the win with a pinfall. I glared at Belinda and Jason then went back to Vinnie's corner at ringside. Next thing I hear is that someone is accusing me of having placed Tequila Sunrise in the spray bottle. If anyone wants the forensic test results I had done after Into The Void XI, that proves there was nothing in the spray bottle from a small amount of perfume and water, contact me and I'll have you talk with the Lab Tech who did the examination.
Bill: I know how you feel Bea. I'm always accused of doing something I never did. I'll talk about false accusations when I get into my comments about Max Burke when you're done with your comments on the incident from Into The Void XI.
Bea: So here's the deal. I'll be in Bill's corner for his match against Max Burke at Climax Control 321. As always I'll do my professional job as Bill's Manager and as always I don't get involved in his, or Vinnie's, matches. If anyone tries to lay more false accusations against me then will be harshly dealt with. That's it Bill. The camera is yours.
Bill: Speaking of false accusations let me jump into what Max Burke said which led to our match at Climax Control 331. Since everyone has this mental attitude that they feel they must bash me, falsely accuse me, and threaten me, claiming that I said something, or did something, that I never said and never did, instead of me giving my own comments concerning what Max Burke said I have a copy of the official Climax Control 331 Card and I'm going to read from it the information provided by Management concerning the match. That way if anyone has a comment on what was said they can talk to the correct people instead of accusing me of saying something that wasn't said.
Bill holds up the official Climax Control 331 card and he begins reading the match information and description for his match with Max Burke.
Bill: Here ya go! Deal with the following which is the official information provided for my match with Max Burke at Climax Control 331. . .Max Burke still bears a grudge against the veteran "Bulldog" Bill Barnhart for not only getting himself involved in the one-on-one Roulette title shot that he had earned, but now for taking the loss in the actual championship event in Athens! Max believes that the title would have been his had the match remained a singles match as intended, and now he has demanded a singles match - but this time against none other than "Bulldog" Bill Barnhart himself! This match will surely be a 5 star classic battle between two ring veterans, and whichever emerges victorious, will surely be back on track towards that prestigious Roulette title currently held by Finn Whelan! But Max also has his eyes set on a certain someone else for blinding his close friend Fenris at Into the Void XI! Can Burke focus on the task at hand or will vengeance for a friend cloud his better judgment?
After reading the official information from the Climax Control 331 card for his match against Max Burke we see Bill lay the paper down next to him and then he looks into the camera.
Bill: There ya go people! Max Burke, who failed to perform well in our Triple Threat match at Into The Void XI, is claiming that it is my fault that he wasn't able to compete well and win the Roulette Championship. Max claims that I got myself involved in that match. What? My match with Finn Whelan was declared a DRAW by the Referee when you cannot have a DRAW in a Roulette match. Christian Underwood got upset at the Referee and declared that both Finn and Bill go to Into The Void XI and the match then became a Triple Threat. Just as Bea explained how she was falsely accused of stuff at Into The Void XI so you now see that Max Burke, who cannot accept that he couldn't compete well enough to win the Roulette Championship so he blames me for his incompetence. Nice try Max. I hate being falsely accused of stuff. You stepped over the line and when I defeat you at Climax Control 331 I'll make sure to step over you when the Referee raises my hand in victory. Falsely accuse me huh? There will be no false win by me in our match. I will soundly defeat you!
Bea: Bill are you ready for your performance?
Bill: Yes I am. I'll step out to the other room for a few minutes and then return to give you a performance.
Bill excuses himself to go into the other room to change his clothing. When he returns in front of the camera. We see Bill is dressed in what would be classified as Rapper attire consisting of gold chains around his neck, many fancy rings on his fingers, a medium size clock hanging around his neck like Flava Flav used to do, and he faces the camera and comments.
Bill: Yo! I be Bill DA BULLDOG Barnhart. I'm gonna rap some lyrics for ya. My song is titled IT'S A MESSED UP, SCREWED UP, F****D UP WORLD. Enjoy.
Bill's Rap music hits and the beat shakes the speakers and Bill is moving around holding a mic up to his mouth. We listen intently to his lyrics.
Bill: Lady Gaga is a guy. . .Justin Bieber is a girl. . .it's a messed up, screwed up, f****d up world.Pete the Cactus is a hunk. . .he's more studly than we thunk...it's a messed up, screwed up, f****d up world.
Iris twerks like Miley. . .then she grins like a smiley. . .it's a messed up, screwed up, f****d up world.
Most opponents think they're pearl. . .but what they do is make me hurl. . . it's a messed up, screwed up, f****d up world.
Max Burke lied about me. . .So I'll beat him down 'till he pee. . . it's a messed up, screwed up, f****d up world.
Max you were warned. . .now you gonna be scorned. . .it's a messed up, screwed up, f****d up world.
Bill's Rap music ends and he takes a bow then he removes his Rapper attire and returns to the Bill Barnhart we know and love.
Bea: Well done Bill. I have to let the viewers know I had no idea Bill was gonna do a rap for you.
Bill: I'm full of surprises Bea. Max you are one pathetic piece of shit. You are a lying sack of shit. Your performance in the wrestling ring is pathetic and you proved that to the world at Into The Void XI. You can try to blame me for your loss but that's not gonna work on ninety percent of the viewers. Only the the percent of the viewers who are more mentally deficient than you are will believe your lies. Max when the Roulette Championship match and Into the Void XI was announced you were at a disadvantage against me. When the Climax Control 331 card was announced I again have the huge advantage over you. When you decided to spew forth accusations that I forced myself into our match at Into The Void XI you crossed the line from being at a disadvantage to being downright disgustingly pathetic and stupid. I could go on and on and on giving adjectives to describe you to everyone. You will feel somewhat safe when we are both inside the ring but once you hear the bell from the Timekeeper your breathing will turn to gasps, your knees will buckle, and you'll drop to your knees and beg for mercy from me. Sorry, Max, you get no mercy from me. . .only pain and suffering. And this time don't try blaming me again for our upcoming match because your whining and complaining and accusing has got you into this match but I'll beat you down so hard that you'll be carried out of the ring to the backstage area.
Bill informs the camera person he is done with his comments. The camera person calls into the Network and they ask them to cut their camera feed and when he does our screen goes dark.
Justin brings the microphone to his lips as Dawn Barnes is standing in the ring waiting for the match to start.
Justin:The following match is scheduled for one fall...Introducing first...
Raise Your Glass by Pink hits the speakers and we see Bill Barnhart walk out from the backstage area holding a pink glass chalice in his hand. He is followed by his wife and Manager, Bea Barnhart, who is leading their English Bulldog Iris by a pink leash attached to her pink diamond-studded collar. When the song comes to the lyrics RAISE YOUR GLASS Bill Barnhart raises the chalice into the air. The crowd gives a mixed reaction to Barnhart. The three make their way to the ring where Bill hands the chalice to Bea so she can keep watch on it until the match is over. Bill enters the ring then walks around the ring playing the crowd before settling into a corner.
Justin: Introducing, from Lawrenceville Georgia, "The Bulldog" Bill Barnhart!
Simone: Bill Barnhart is out here with wife Bea for moral support.
Adams: Let's hope that she brings him luck considering who his opponent is. Speaking of...
Justin: And his opponent...
Jared James Nichols opening vocals on "Nails In The Coffin" cuts through the silence, as a fog fills the SCW entrance. A light from below reveals Max Burke..
Justin: On his way to the ring, from Dorchester, New Brunswick Canada, standing at six feet and weighing in at two hundred twenty pounds... Max Burke!!!
As the music intensifies, Burke reaches the edge of the squared circle. He turns on his heel, and makes his way to the ring steps. Once on the ringside apron, Burke glides his finger over the top rope as he walks to the center. He turns, his head bowed. Spotlights hit him from all directions as his music reaches a crescendo. Max lifts his head and poses for the fans.
Adams: Max Burke just walked right by Bill and totally ignored him.
Simone: And from the look on Barnhart's face, he is going to make him pay for that.
Jacob Summers signals for the bell as Max moves to the middle of the ring with a glare at Bill who smirks at the angry man.
Simone: Here we go Jason!
DING DING DING!
Bill moves to the middle of the ring where Max Burke saunters over. Bill doesn't give him any time to react as he takes him out of his boots with a clothesline. Max rolls to the ropes as Bill snarls at him. Max uses the ropes to pull himself to his feet and then steps up to Bill whose snarl turns into a smirk as the pair lock up. Burke manages to leverage the big man backwards into the corner before Dawn Barnes comes in to tell him to break the hold. Max leans back slowly tying Bill's arms up. Pushing against the chest of Barnhart, Burke is able to avoid the grab from Bill and then grabbing his wrist, he twists himself under the arm of Bill before whipping him across the ring with an irish whip. Bill bounces off the turnbuckles in the corner, exploding out with a clothesline that Burke manages to evade as he rushes in and then leaping on the middle turnbuckles, he hits a moonsault on Bill that brings both men to the mat. Max quickly grabs a leg for a pin attempt by Bill presses him off easily. Burke rolls to his feet and charges into a shoulder block from Barnhart that drives the air from his lungs. Burke moves along the ropes gasping for breath as Bill rises and stalks towards him. Grabbing him by the arm, Bill locks in a hammer lock that has Burke up on his tiptoes as he moves to get out of the hold.
Adams: Max Burke is locked into a hammerlock that Bill is known for with very little chance of escape.
Max tries to roll under the hold and manages to reverse the hammerlock on Bill who rolls through and then relocks on the hammerlock. Burke manages to fight his way to the ropes and force a break by putting his leg through the ropes. Bill refuses to release the hold so Dawn Barnes begins a five count that Bill counts with her. Finally at four, Bill releases the hold and then backs away with his hands in the air like he was innocent. Burke shakes his arm trying to get some feeling into it. Bill moves forward only to have Dawn stop him as Max is still in the ropes. Burke pulls himself into the ring as Bill charges towards him. Max drops pulling the top rope down as Barnhart attempts a shoulder block. Barnhart goes flying over the ropes to land on the outside against the barricade. Max pulls himself up then seeing Bill getting slowly to his feet, he charges to the opposite ropes then slides onto the mat to take Bill out once more with a baseball slide. The two men are down on the outside recovering as Dawn moves to the ropes and begins his ten count. At four both men are stirring and as Barnes reaches eight, Bill is staggering to the ring and rolling under the bottom rope to stop the count. Rolling back to the outside, Barnhart picks up Burke and attempts to whip him into the steel steps but Max reverses and Bill is sent over the ringsteps.
Simone: Bill hitting the steel hard. Those ringsteps are not forgiving at all Jason.
Bea sets what looks like a perfume bottle on the ring apron as she rushes to her husband as Max rolls into the ring where Dawn stops the count then moves over to where the Barnharts are standing to start another ten count. Bill is helped to his feet by Bea who helps him onto the apron. Bill rolls into the ring where he is caught by the foot by Burke who rolls him into a half crab and sits back on it. Bill puts his hands on the canvas and pushes himself up to relieve the pressure of the hold as Max leans back into it. Dawn asks Bill if he submits but Barnhart shakes hie head no and grabs at Barnes who backs away warning him not to. Bill drops to the canvas and holds his head before he once more reaches out to the ropes then fights to pull himself close enough to grab them. A last ditch effort sees him clutch the bottom rope as Dawn warns Burke to release the hold. Max shakes his head negatively and arching back even more, he falls off balance which allows Bill to escape the hold by powering out past the pain. Max rolls with the escape and then moves to Barnhart to pull him to his feet and whip him across the ring. Without letting go, Burke instead takes Bill off his feet with a short armed clothesline. Bill hits the mat but rolls close to the ropes to avoid a pin.
Adams: Bill is very aware of his ring position Belinda.
Simone: Yes he is and that is a good thing because it is looking like Max Burke has his number. He needs to do something to turn this around.
Dawn warns Burke off as she checks on Bill who is slowly pulling himself up by the ropes. In frustration, Burke turns his back on Barnhart who takes advantage with a bull dog that drives the face of Max into the canvas. Burke's hands immediately cover his face as he kicks and rolls on the canvas while Bill is rolling to his hands and knees and then turning to see Burke reaching for the rope and pulling himself upward. Grabbing the hand not holding the ropes, Bill attempts to whip Max across the ring but the Canadian holds onto the ropes to prevent it. Bill angrily slams his shoulder into the body of Max which causes him to release the ropes. Bill whips Max across the ring and then doubles him over with a kick to the midsection. Pulling the head of Burke between his knees, Barnhart pulls the body of Max upward then drops him with a piledriver that has Max in a lump on the mat. Rolling over, Bill grabs the limp body of Burke and rolls it over. Grabbing the leg, he makes a pin but Max is able to barely kick out at two. Bill drives his forearm into the cheek of Burke and attempts another pin but Max kicks out at two once more. Frustrated, Bill gets up and pulls Burke to a vertical base then once more whips him off the ropes to catch him with a sleeper hold that has Max fighting to escape.
Simone: It looks like the Sweet Dreams sleeper hold that Bill uses to great advantage Jason. Max needs to get out of it now.
Adams: I have got the feeling that it isn't going to happen Belinda.
Max is windmilling his arms as he fights the effects of the hold. Bill continues to deepen the hold as the windmilling gets slower. Burke slumps to his knees still fighting the hold. Bill leans over more as he has the hold locked in tight. Max is held up by Bill as Dawn checks on him. Raising the hand of Burke, she watches as it flops down. Holding up one finger she motions the count. Barnes again raises the hand of Burke only to have it drop a second time. The motions to the time keeper a two count then once more lifts up the arm of Max. It hovers for a moment before Burke somehow makes a comeback. Bill moves to Dawn complaining that he had the match won as Burke rolls to the ropes where Bea is. She backs away but sees her perfume bottle near the hand of Burke who grabs it and smirks. He is surprised by Bill who stomps on his arm which has Max lose hold on the bottle. Bea quickly grabs it and holds it up but Bill shakes his head at her. Picking up Max, Bill whips him into the ropes but Burke reverses it before catching Bill in a sleeperhold. Bill windmills his arms but Burke has it locked in tight then falls to his back with Bill locked in the sleeper only to grapevine his body. Dawn holds up the arm of Bill which falls. Holding it up again, if falls once more. A third time, Dawn raises the hand which hovers slowly falling to the mat which has her signal for the bell.
DING DING DING!
Justin: The winner of the match, Max Burke!
Max releases the hold as Bill's body reacts to the return of oxygen. Burke gets to his feet and then glares down at Bill with bad intentions. Bea sees this and rushes into the ring to protect her husband.
Adams: Max Burke getting a little payback for his friend Fenris by beating Bill Barnhart here tonight.
Simone: It looked like Bea was going to use the perfume on Burke but Bill warned her not to.
Adams: I wonder if Fenris is watching...uhhh listening.
Burke leaves the ring and heads up the ramp watching as Bea helps Bill to his feet in the ring. He smirks at the couple before disappearing behind the curtain.
The lights suddenly shut off and a pink spotlight hits the stage as Spiritbox's "Circle with me" hits. Alicia Lukas steps out in street clothes and a black leather jacket with sunglasses on. She makes her way down to the ring with a mic in hand before looking around with an arrogant looking smile..
Adams: I have no idea why we're being joined by Alicia Lukas
Simone: I don't think Alicia has ever thought she has needed a reason to come out here....ever
Adams: Point taken, and I suppose she has earned the right to address the crowd when she feels like it.
Alicia moves across the ring and shakes her head as the music dies down..
Alicia Lukas: You know, it's weird how often I'm not actually in a match these days. And I have to admit, into the void was not a good night for me. I was close to doing it, I could feel it, close to becoming a queen for a day for the second time...
Adams: That she was
Alicia takes a deep breath and shrugs
Alicia Lukas: But, I failed and the thing is regardless of if I win or lose, if I am booked or not, if I am healthy and ready to go I will turn up backstage and will be at every show. You might not see me backstage or in this ring but you can be damn sure I'll be there, and if I'm booked...well my gear will be with me and when my music hits I will walk down to this ring and I will be ready....and I expect the same from every single woman in that lockeroom...
Adams: Uh oh...
Simone: I think I know where this is going...
Alicia Lukas: The shows after into the void are really important, see it's where the king and queen get to put their stamp on the show and play with the rest of the people in the back like puppets. However, Diamond Steele and Mercedes Vargas decided they had something better to do. In Mercedes case it was probably elderly stuff and retweeting worthless bullshit from every single New York sports team...
The crowd "ooo's" as Alicia just smiles and shrugs.
Simone: Uh...I....wow
Adams: We might be in trouble with the Florida demo right now...
Alicia Lukas: You know, I'm not surprised by Mercedes...she always marches to the beat of her own drum. But Diamond Steele. You were a champion at Into the void. And whether or not you want to admit it, or if I want to accept it, you were a lockeroom leader, holding the roulette title meant you had a responsibility and it was one you failed. You dropped the ball. You lost to Kat and then when you get handpicked for a king for a day match and you bailed. All your whining about respect and you couldn't even turn up to your job....and the worst part Diamond? It just shows how much of a coward you are. You took one look at that pretentious bitch Masque and Amber and you tucked your tail and ran.... well..Amber might laugh at how much of a yellow bellied coward you are...but I won't...and next week...I want you to walk your ass down to this ring...bring your group of stonewhores or gemsluts....and be ready to pay...
Alicia drops the mic as "circle with me" hits again, she backs her way up the ramp and throws her hands in the air getting the crowd up and ready for the rest of the night from people who actually turned up
Justin: Ladies and gentlemen this match is one of the KING FOR A DAY matches created by the KING FOR A DAY Mark Cross. What Mark Cross came up with for this match between Goth and Alexander Raven is a BURIED ALIVE match which will take place in a graveyard mockup and the only way to win is to bury your opponent in one of the graves. First to make his way to the ring, hailing from New York City, New York, and he stands in at six feet four inches and two hundred thirty-nine pounds, please give a great welcome for GOTH!!!
We hear the Church bells cling before the guitar riff starts playing along with the choir singing. The music builds up to where finally Corey Taylor can be heard. The name GOTH emerges upon the titan tron, after Corey Taylor can be heard screaming the words: "I'm finally holding on to letting go!!" explosions go off on the side of the entrance stage and we see Goth standing in the middle of the stage. Goth stares at the crowd as his fiancé Melissa emerges behind him. Goth lifts his head upwards to the ceiling while extending his arms, a smirk emerges upon his face as he listens to the mixed reactions from the crowd. After a few seconds he walks down the ramp then heads over to the area where the graveyard mockup is located. Goth and Melissa stand next to Referee Drew Patton and they look over the graveyard to get an idea where things are located. Goth and Melissa notice two figures lurking in the graveyard but they assume they are actors hired to portray what you might normally see in a graveyard which appear to be an Undertaker and Mortician.
Justin: Next to make their way to this KING FOR A DAY BURIED ALIVE match, originally from San Antonio, Texas, but now billed from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and he stands in at six feet two inches and two hundred fifteen pounds, please give a great welcome for ALEXANDER RAVEN!!!
The lights dim, blue and red lights flicker at the entrance area, and images of Ravens flying appear on the screen and we hear Alpha & Omega by King 810 play over the speakers. After a short time the music dies down and we hear LADIES AND GENTLEMEN and as these words fill the arena a loud bang of pyros is joined with blinding white lights. These flicker rapidly for a few moments, and we hear BECAUSE THE DEVIL HAS MY THROAT. As these words of the song flow out, Alexander Raven steps out from the backstage area and stops at the top of the landing. He gazes across the crowd, pulling his cloak tightly around his shoulders, his eyes opened wide a slight smile tugging at his lips. The flashing of the lights stops. We hear I AM THE POWERS THAT BE in sync with these lines he throws his hands up, basking in the reaction of the crowd, beginning to slowly walk down the ramp. He then turns and struts to the area where the graveyard is mocked up. When he arrives to the place where Referee Drew Patton along with Goth and Melissa are standing he stands glaring at Goth, with his arms across his chest, and he glares at Goth who ignores him. Both wait for the match to start.
As the camera pans around the graveyard we notice there are several graves dug and they are open to allow someone to get tossed into them. They appear to be standard size graves of approximately three and a half feet wide, eight feet long, and around six feet deep. Near each of the open graves are piles of dirt with shovels around so the wrestler who tosses their opponent into the grave can then dump the dirt on them thereby burying them for the win. We see other items such as two-by-four boards, rakes, wheelbarrow, etc., so they are likely to come into play during this match. We also see two dark figures moving around in the graveyard. One is a man and the other is a woman. We make the assumption the man is probably the Funeral Director and the woman is the Mortician. This is due to the man being dressed in a black business suit and he had a large hat on his head that partially blocks his face and the woman is dressed sort of like Vampira in a long black dress and a veil over her head.
Adams: This is not going to be an easy match for Goth even though he has had his share of Hardcore Rules matches. I doubt there's anything Alexander Raven can do to surprise Goth but I still feel he will get the win..
Simone: I guess you forgot that Alexander Raven also lost a match recently so both are on the same ground of trying to prove themselves worthy of higher ranking matches in the future. Also Goth is way more familiar with this type of match than Alexander Raven is.
Adams: For the benefit of the viewers this is a one of the KING FOR A DAY matches that Mark Cross came up with. It is a Hardcore Rules Buried Alive Graveyard Match and the only way to win is to toss your opponent into a grave and bury them with dirt.
Simone: Easy one for Goth to accomplish.
Referee Drew Patton informs both wrestlers this match is Hardcore Rules and that the only way to win is to toss your opponent into one of the several graves dug and then to bury your opponent with dirt. Both Goth and Alexander acknowledge they understand how the match will work. Drew Patton then motions to the Timekeeper to ring the bell to officially start this match.
DING DING DING!
As soon as the bell rings Alexander Raven takes off toward the nearest grave. Goth is surprised by this action and he stalks after Raven. When Alexander gets to the grave he stands near the grave still facing Goth. When Goth gets close to him Raven motions with his hands to bring it on. Goth quickly charges at Alexander with his head down but Raven manages to duck forward and get under the body of Goth and he flips Goth over his head. Goth drops down on the grave but because it is three and a half feet wide he doesn't fall into the grave he is laying across the top of the grave. Raven runs over and picks up a shovel and he starts whacking Goth in the back with it. We can see the anger rising up in Goth but we're not sure what he can do while in this position. Not able to hit Goth with the rake to get him to fall into the grave we watch as Alexander drop the rake then walk over to where Goth's hands are on the side of the grave. He starts stomping on the hands of Goth but Goth manages to keep switching hands to keep his hold on the ground to prevent him from dropping into the grave. Alexander measures Goth and goes to land another stomp on his hands but Goth reaches out and trips Raven who drops on his back on the ground. Goth then drops down into the grave where he stands up and reaches over the side where he grabs the legs of Alexander and drags him into the grave with him. The two start punching each other until Goth manages to drive Raven to the bottom of the grave. Goth then quickly gets out of the grave and grabs a shovel and he starts shoveling dirt into the grave but he hasn't got enough dirt in the grave yet to be determined the winner by Referee Drew Patton. Bill drives the shovel into the pile of dirt and as he is about to toss that shovel load into the grave he is kicked in the lower back by the man who is the Funeral Director. As Goth turns around the Funeral Director kicks him for a low blow dropping Goth to the dirt while grabbing his crotch. The Funeral Director leans down and comments to Goth YOU SHOULDN'T MESS WITH SOME PEOPLE AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT then the Funeral Director turns and slowly walks away.
Simone: What the hell is going on here? That person acting as the Funeral Director just interfered in the match on behalf of Alexander Raven? The Referee should call a Disqualification!
Adams: I don't think you were listening when the match was announced. This match is a Hardcore Rules Buried Alive Graveyard match. There are no Disqualifications in Hardcore Rules matches.
Simone: Grrr. . .
Melissa is furious and she takes off running toward the grave area to check on Goth but by the time she gets to the grave where Goth is located the Funeral Director has slipped into the darkness and she can no longer see him. While Melissa is kneeling down checking on Goth the woman Mortician walks up. Melissa hears hissing and when she turns around she sees the woman dressed in black and wearing a veil. Melissa orders the Mortician to get away from them and the Mortician comments to her if she wants something done she has to pay the price for it. Melissa stands up but she is quickly dropped to her knees by the Mortician who then orders Melissa to lick her heels. Melissa refuses but the Mortician is threatening enough that Melissa figures she will play the stupid game if that gives Goth time to recover from the low blow. After licking the Mortician's heels for a short time the Mortician informs Melissa she has done her servant portrayal very well and she is free to go and take care of Goth. The Mortician then turns and quickly disappears into the darkness which doesn't allow Melissa to get revenge on her. When Melissa turns around Goth has already recovered and he has picked up a two-by-four board and he is going after Alexander Raven who just climbed out of the grave and is running around the graveyard looking for weapons.
Adams: I'm curious who the Funeral Director is. From his actions it appears he may have issues with Goth either from something in the past or something that happened recently. Hope we end up finding out who it is.
Simone: I feel the same way about the Mortician. I want to know who it is and why she went off on Melissa.
Adams: We may never find out who they are.
Raven runs past a heavy metal rake and he quickly picks it up so he can fend off the attacks from Goth. When Goth gets closer to Alexander the two are in a standoff waiting for the other to make the first move. It is Goth who reacts first by swinging the two-by-four and he swings it at Alexander to inflict damage on him but Raven swings his heavy metal rake and it stops the two-by-four. Goth is frustrated and swings the board again only to be stopped by the board again. Again Goth gets pumped up and he swings the two-by-four as hard as he can but when the two-by-four hits the heavy metal rake this time the board breaks in half. With only half a two-by-four Goth tosses it to the side and takes off into the darkness with Alexander Raven following him with the rake.
Adams: The hunt is on!
Simone: Did someone spike your soda again?
As Goth runs and turns the corner he comes face-to-face with the Mortician. She is holding a taser which she fires and causes Goth to shudder from the shock. However Goth is able to pull the leads out of his skin which prevents the Mortician from inflicting more damage. As Goth slowly gets to his feet he looks up and the Mortician has disappeared into the darkness. He hears Alexander Raven yelling at him as he approaches with the metal rake in his grasp. Goth sees a large headstone to his right at the top of one of the open graves so he ducks behind the headstone. When Alexander runs up to the grave he stops and looks around to see if he can spot movement from Goth. When he turns his attention back in the direction of the headstone Goth dives over the headstone hitting Raven hard in the chest with a head butt. This causes Alexander to stagger and this allows Goth to grab him and lift him over his head in what appears an attempt to toss Raven into the grave. While Goth is attempting the maneuver both are dropped kicked by the Funeral Director and they both fall into the open grave. The Funeral Director starts throwing shovels of dirt into the grave in an obvious attempt to bury both of them. When Referee Drew Patton walks over and orders the Funeral Director to immediately leave the graveyard the Funeral Director refuses to leave. On a threat by the Referee to call Security to haul the Funeral Director out of the graveyard the Funeral Director starts to walk away. However when he walks past the grave where Alexander and Goth are located he stops and looks down on them. Then he pulls out a pink glass Chalice and bellows out RAISE YOUR GLASS to the demise of Goth and Alexander Raven. That deed done the Funeral Director leaves the graveyard disappearing into the darkness.
Adams: What in the world is going on here? First we have the Funeral Director get involved in the match. Then the Mortician gets into an altercation with Melissa. Then both get involved again in the math. But that last defiant act of RAISE YOUR GLASS? Does that mean the Funeral Director and the Mortician are. . .
Simone: Stop right there Jason! You have no evidence to support your claims so please don't cause yourself to be guilty of false accusations.
With the Funeral Director out of the way Goth and Alexander focus on each other without having the possibility of The Funeral Director and Mortician getting involved in the match. The two remain near the grave to maximize the possibility of tossing the other into the grave and tossing enough dirt into the grave for the win. Both are cautious as they circle around the grave to not accidentally fall into the grave and lose the match. The two finally lock up and again struggle to place the other into the grave. Raven is the first to try to topple Goth into the grave but Goth manages to catch his balance and not fall into the grave. Alexander goes after him again this time with a kick to Goth's side which nearly causes Goth to stumble and fall into the grave. Goth again stumbles but doesn't fall into the grave and Raven is showing frustration at not taking Goth out yet.
Adams: Raven needs to keep from getting angry so he can stay focused.
Simone: That's the key in all wrestling matches.
Raven grabs the shovel near him and he attempts to hit Goth with it to drop him into the grave but Goth ducks the blow. With the next swing of the shovel Goth grabs onto the shaft of the shovel and both men struggle. They are moving closer to the grave with Goth's back to the grave and his feet are feeling that he is on the edge of the grave. Goth pressed back and managed to turn the duo around where Alexander has his back to the grave. As the standoff continues we see Goth drop to his knees and land a vicious uppercut to the groin of Raven in a low blow that would take out King Kong. This causes Alexander to stagger and drop the shovel on the ground and then we watch Goth drop down again and this time he head butts Raven in the groin then he tosses Raven into the grave. Being incapacitated from the two vicious low blows Alexander is unable to stand up to try to get out of the grave. Goth grabs the shovel and starts quickly tossing the dirt into the grave. Once all the dirt that was staged at the top of the grave has been tossed into the grave Referee Drew Patton calls for the bell and this match is over.
Simone: Goth won!
Adams: It would appear so but we still have to wait for the official decision.
Referee Patton talks with Justin Decent to give him the official decision on this match. Jason they presents the Referee's call on the match.
Justin: The official decision on this match by Referee Drew Patton is that Goth successfully tossed Alexander Raven into the grave then tossed enough dirt into the grave to have buried him so the winner of this match is GOTH!!!
Referee Patton raises the hand of Goth for the win as Melissa stands next to Goth with a smile on her face. The Referee drops the hand of Goth and we watch him and Melissa walk into the backstage area. Once they are out of sight we see workers help Alexander Raven out of the grave and he slowly walks to the backstage area.
Adams: I wonder if we will find out if the Funeral Director and the Mortician were Bill and Bea Barnhart. I'm sure it was them.
Simone: You always think too much about stuff you shouldn't be thinking about. If it was them, and I doubt that it was, the facts will come out one day.
Slipping between burly stagehands and heavy transit boxes creaking across rutted concrete floors, one of SCW's senior talent relations managers – Cassiopeia Mares – treads a path towards the dressing room area clutching a heavy sports bag. She averts the questioning glances from every person who spots the telltale purple splotches and bruising smeared across her jaw. Head down, eyes forward until she comes to a stop in front of a door marked AMBER RYAN & MASQUE.
Her hand pauses in midair above the handle. Fingers trembling. Squeezing her eyes shut, she pushes down and forces it open.
Across from the doorway, the former Bombshells' World Champion sits with the contents of her own kitbag spread all around her bare feet. Cassie frowns, glancing at her watch. Knowing the redhead's routine as she invariably did, she expected Amber to be well into her match preparation. Instead ...
She sits with an all-too-familiar composite face held in her hands, turning the plastic over and about and studying the leering face looking up.
From beyond and into the bathroom, Masque steps into view. Hints of bare cheek and temple flash through a curtain of platinum blonde. The taller woman stops and looks towards the newcomer.
Masque: Hello Cassieopia.
The blonde flinches, eyes darting back down to the bag in her hands. She has already seen what's underneath that mask, clear and crystal without a curtain of hair to blur the details. Amber turns to face the younger woman, the flickers of a genuine smile at the edge of her lips as her fingers loosen on the composite and it tilts away from the redhead as though sentient enough to consider Cassie's approach also.
Cassieopia: Are you both ... Ready?
Although the question is phrased to open out to the room, Cassie's eyes flit up to the taller woman who stands almost imperiously in the buzzing fluorescent striplight overhead. Only slightly dulled by the tangle of platinum locks overlaid, a pair of bright blue eyes look at her. Through her.
Masque: Are you nervous, Miss Mares?
She takes a step forward and Cassie shrinks back, her hand subconsciously rising up to cup the purple stain of bruising all along her tender jaw. She skirts around the far side of the dressing room until she sits in the corner with Amber between them. Cassie looks pleadingly at the redhead.
Cassieopia: Are you sure?
Amber draws a long breath, sustained for longer than necessary. Locking eyes with the younger woman, the same flickers of a smile blossom into something intended as reassuring – resembling more a predator eyeing a young gazelle.
Amber Ryan: Only if you trust me. I made you a promise Cass... Remember?
And she did remember, or at least a version of that exchange. Some interpretation of a promise that seemed to grow less memorable, increasingly indistinct with every passing week. Cassie tried to think on it, bring the context and the circumstance back into focus but everytime she did the details in the middle became fuzzy. She nodded dumbly instead.
Cassieopia: I trust you ...
From her vantage point nearby, Masque crossed the distance and sat down to Amber's left hand side. Her flesh-and-blood hand reached over, curling around the edge of the mask in the redhead's hand and brushing over her fingers.
Cassie grimaced, searching the former World Champion for any reaction – any drawback. That telltale surge of spite and disdain. She hated physical contact. Hadn't she said that? The blonde was sure. Positive. Almost certain ...
And yet... Nothing. No flinch, no disdain as flesh and bone met almost delicately. Reverently. Amber's fingers came away from the composite with a certain reluctance, yet without escalation which allowed her free hand to come to rest eventually on Cassie's thigh. Amber squeezed gently, another attempt at relating on some kind of meaningful level.
Amber Ryan: That's all I ask. We'll be fine... After all, we don't have a choice.
This didn't feel right. None of this felt right and Cassie could feel it taking the form of bile as it inched up her throat. She squeezed her eyes closed.
Masque: Is this not what you wanted, Cassieopia?
The blonde dared to look, only to find the taller woman on her knees directly in front, mask loosely bound in place over those burning cobalt eyes. She reached out and took a shaking hand in hers, before doing the same with the prosthetic and Amber's.
Masque: We are all together now, united. Ready to see things put back as they should have been. It is time for you to do your part ...
Cassie blanched, swallowing.
Cassieopia: I don't understand–
Masque: It is time to put my Resplendent Hurricane back where she should still be. Three hundred and fifty eight to recoup ... A title match.
Cassieopia: I don't have that kind of authority.
The taller woman squeezed Cassie's hand painfully tight. She gasped.
Masque: Not directly, no. But certainly some influence?
Squirming, panic rising, Cassie looked down at Amber's entwined hand with its plastic facsimile and then up at the redhead's face. Pleading. Searching. Amber cocked her head slightly, giving the blonde a dutiful, knowing nod of the head that felt as empty as the eyes of a hurricane. Hazy blue-green leading nowhere pleasant.
Amber Ryan: We'll sort it just fine.
Whether Amber believed it or not was irrelevant as the platitude did little to quell the tension. Another softer squeeze on the younger woman's thigh and Amber turned her attention back to Masque; the softer expression contorting into something more familiar. Animalistic just below the surface, barely contained and bursting at the seams.
Amber Ryan: Can't exactly be ignored after tonight.
The taller woman smiled, visible thanks to the cutout which swept free of her chin.
Masque: The time for ignorance is over. Tonight, we will dispense so many truths using a vehicle of choice we are both so intimately familiar with. Suffering.
She looked over towards Cassie, who looked away.
Masque: And after tonight, you will reclaim the heart that was so cruelly leveraged from your shoulder and they will still come for you but this time? This time it will be different ...
Her smile only widened.
Masque: The disrespect, the second-guessing. The compassion ... All irrelevant. What the hole in your chest desires more than anything will be returned to you.
She releases Amber's hand and drags a plastic forefinger down the former World Champion's shoulder.
Masque: Do you miss its weight? I think it misses you.
Amber's gaze follows the finger intently, the saccharine venom dripping almost imperceptibly from her lips.
Amber Ryan: I miss having a pulse more. I can't pretend like I've started to forget what it feels like... That changes though. Mother Nature doesn't stand ignorance or opposition and her wrath... well, it pales in comparison to what's to come. Shall we? I've found my patience to be wearing a little thin...
Standing to her full height, Masque dips her head and extends out her prosthetic – black-painted thorns shining in the sickly-yellow light.
Masque: I thought you would never ask, My Resplendent Hurricane.
Amber quietly takes the extended prosthetic in her own hand – casting a final, less than reassuring, wink to Cassie as the unholy pairing left a sickly, heavy air in their combined wake.
Justin: Ladies and gentlemen! The following contest is the Barbed Wire Baseball Bat match!
The crowd ROARS!
Adams: Have you noticed the sicker, more twisted the match, the louder the fans cheer?
Simone: Noticed? I pre-muted my headset before that introduction!
Pulsing, red lights rolls over the crowd like a rising tide to the opening growing distortion before the opening riffs of 'Cry Sister' by Royal Bliss overtake the arena. Opening vocals kick into gear as the lights seem to pulsate and the tron image tears itself into a rough greyscale triptych with the middle section splattered in red- each one depicts hits and misses alike in heavy slow motion.
Justin: Introducing first! From Atlantic City, New Jersey - AMBER RYAN!!!
As the chorus roars and the triptych bleeds into one real time footage reel legacy of violence stained red and saturated black, the tell tale silhouette appears atop the ramp- cheers splintered with boos as the materialised form tends to draw a mixed reaction between those who judge action and those who understand that theres more than meets the eye. Either way, the Painted Hurricane soaks in the reaction and energy. Then the music slowly subsides...
Justin: And her tag team partner...!
The arena is plunged into darkness. A single spotlight illuminates the entranceway, as the choral refrain asks, "Will the Circle be Unbroken?" Stepping into the brightness, Masque drops to her knees and with a head tipped upwards, stares into the rafters - arms held outwards. After a few seconds she brings her gloved palms together in an apparent moment of prayer.
Justin: She is the Internet Champion! This. Is. MASQUE!!!
Climbing back to her feet, Masque interlocks her fingers and makes her languid way down the ramp alongside Amber when...
Adams: Look OUT!!!
TS comes running up behind the two women and she grabs Amber Ryan and roughly spins her around and...!
Simone: Black Mist! Black Mist right in Amber's eyes!
Amber shrieks in pain, clawing blindly at her face and eyes as she falls back but just as Masque turns to intervene on behalf of her partner, the Iron Maiden stands up from behind the barricade where she was hiding and she whips a thin length of chain around her throat!
DING DING DING!
Twisted Sister shrieks in delight, head bent back as she watches Amber writhe on the floor while the Iron Maiden has Masque bent backwards over the barricade, choking the life out of her with the chain!
Simone: This! THIS is why the Metal Maniacs make for a much more dangerous team for Amber and Masque to face! Their actions can NOT be predicted!
Adams: But they were smart enough to take Amber out of the equation so they could work on Masque together!
Simone: I have a feeling that strategy came from Anthrax and not those two looney tunes!
Twisted Sister tears at Amber, grabbing her by the hair and back of her tights and she dumps the former champion off of the ramp and to the hard floor, catching her tightly between the ramp and the steel! Twisted Sister then lends a helping hand to Iron Maiden and she starts to pummel Masque who is being restrained and choked! Twisted Sister wraps both hands around Masque's throat and gouges at her eyes as both she and Iron Maiden scream out in a symphony of sadistic pleasure as Masque struggles!
Adams: Can't Jasmine DO something!?
Simone: Not in a match like this! It's basically anything goes!
masque finally lashes out with a boot to Twisted Sister's stomach, driving her back several steps and knocking her down to her backside! Masque then grabs from behind at Iron Maiden and heaves her over her shoulder and barricade, throwing her to the arena floor!
Simone: If anyone could get out of that predicament, it would be Masque!
Adams: But the Maniacs did their damage! Even Masque can't fight if she can't breathe!
Masque turns her attention to Iron Maiden on the floor but as she grabs for her, the Iron Maiden grabs her by the hand and sinks her teeth into her hand! Masque attempts to fend her off and force her to let go with rapid fire palm strikes to the side of the head, but just as she manages to pry that nutcase's jaws loose, Twisted Sister pounces and does the same to Masque's left calf! Masque turns to kick her off but Iron Maiden jumps on her back and the combined effort of the two Maniacs topples the immovable object known as Masque and she goes down to the floor where both Maniacs begin to pummel her with lefts and rights!
Simone: Amber Ryan needs help! She needs her eyes cleared if she's going to help Masque!
Adams: The question is, does she WANT to help Masque!?
Iron Maiden again wraps the chain around Masque's neck and she and Twisted Sister drag the masked champion the remainder of the aisle until they reach the ringside area!
Simone: Will you look at THAT!
Referring of course to the number of baseball bats wrapped in barbed wire laying in each corner of the ring!
Adams: I'm trying NOT to!
The two Maniacs then both begin to kick and stomp on the champion! Iron Maiden then grabs Masque by the legs and she whips her around first into the ring steps, Masque's body making a loud CLANG! against the steel! Iron Maiden then keeps her hold on her legs and she then turns and whips her hard against the barricade! The Maniacs then laugh and scream as Iron Maiden picks Masque up under the arms and Twisted Sister grabs her by the legs and they roll her forcibly into the ring! Twisted Sister slithers into the ring, crawling beneath the bottom rope like a snake! Iron Maiden climbs up onto the apron and sits on the top turnbuckle, rocking back and forth when...
Adams: Oh HERE we go!
A recovered Amber Ryan with a steel chair is at ringside! She swings the chair full circle and throws it, aiming right for the skull of Iron Maiden and her aim is true! The chair sails thru the air and strikes Iron Maiden in the side of the head! The Iron Maiden sits there for a moment, then slowly topples over and off of the turnbuckle and tumbles fifteen feet to the floor!
Simone: And now Amber and Masque are back in this one!
Amber then climbs up on the ring apron as Twisted Sister slowly stands up, spotting her coming! Twisted Sister then smiles with black teeth and she runs up and attempts Sister a second dose of the Black Mist...!
Simone: Amber ducks! Twisted Sister missed!
And Amber returns the favor by having grabbed a fan's beer and she spews the mouthful right in the face and eyes of Twisted Sister!
Adams: Amber Ryan is nothing if not innovative!
Twisted Sister staggers back, the beer's alcoholic content doing the same to her eyes that the Black Mist had done to Amber! Twisted Sister turns around and Masque is up and she has one of the barbed wire baseball bats in hand!
Simone: Oh NO!
Adams: Hel-LO Lucille!
And Masque swings the weaponized bat into Twisted Sister's midsection, doubling the Maniac over, then brings the bat crashing down across her exposed back! Twisted Sister is knocked to her hands and knees and Masque throws down the bat and she comes racing off of the ropes and careens right into Twisted Sister with a Shining Wizard strike! The blow's impact sends Twisted Sister toppling over into a tailspin and ultimately onto her back! Amber manages to mount the nearest corner and she jumps off, landing right on Twisted Sister's worked over midsection with a double foot stomp! Amber covers Twisted Sister and hooks the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
But Masque, her own partner, pulls Amber off and breaks up the pin!
Simone: What on earth...!?
Adams: It's too soon! I don't think Masque wants the win yet!
Indeed not as Amber argues with Masque about possibly stealing their win away, but Masque places the bat on Amber's arm and ushers her aside, sending the former World Champion into a fuming state! Masque then delivers a hard kick to TS's stomach, knocking her over onto her stomach. She then sits on the small of TS's back and wraps the baseball bat around her forehead from behind and PULLS back in a sickening Masque-edition of a camel clutch!
Adams: Oh THAT's why!
Simone: That is indeed why Masque is so feared!
The barbed wire does it's job quickly as TS's forehead is sliced open and crimson streaks race down her face in rivets! TS screams wildly and thrashes but masque holds her firmly in place! Jasmine tries asking TS if she submits but she is too busy shrieking to answer, whether in pain or excitement or...!
Adams: I think I'm going to be sick!
Amber then turns around, having sensed something, and Iron Maiden dives right into her with a heavy spear! Just as TS sinks her blood stained teeth into Masque's arm! But this time Masque does NOT so easily let go! Not until IM grabs one of the other barbed wire wrapped baseball bats and holds it up high and the SCW universe goes NUTS! And IM wraps the bat around Masque's own masked face and head from behind and grinds the bat back and forth! Masque's white mask quickly begins to stain red!
Adams: Oh this is gross!
Iron Maiden then turns around as Amber rises with her own bat in hand! A snarl on her face, as opposed to the twisted expression on the face of IM, Amber charges as does the Maniac! Both women SWING their bats and they connect with a sick crash between them! They swing again and again but it's like dueling with two swords!
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
The two bats are locked thanks to the intertwined barbed wire and it is now a tug of war! IM's grip comes loose and Amber uses her bat to send the Maniac into the ropes where she charges forward with the bat in both hands and she CLOTHESLINES IM out over the top rope and back to the floor! Just as a bloodied Masque drags TS up and delivers the Terrorfex! The blow sends TS into a tailspin and she crumbles to the mat but BEFORE Masque can make the cover - AMBER does instead!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Justin: Here are your winners -- AMBER RYAN AND MASQUE!!!
Amber quickly slides out of the ring and backs up the aisle, holding her hurt body and staring inside of the ring at Masque who simply watches her in a stony and bloody silence as she takes her leave.
Adams: Boy I knew Amber Ryan had courage but she just STOLE the pinfall away from Masque!
Simone: Yes there is a fine line between bravery and being foolhardy and Amber Ryan may have just crossed it!
The scene opens backstage where we see Jessie Salco getting ready for an interview with Ms. Rocky Mountains.
Ms. Rocky Mountains: Jessie, later on tonight, you are teaming with the current World Heavyweight Champion Matthew "The Raven" Knox to take on the King for a day Mark Cross and Levana Cade, you already have a win over Levana Cade and Mark has a win over Knox so you'd think that Levana and Knox would be making their voices heard........
Jessie: But instead, only me and Mark promoted this week's Main Event.
Ms. Rocky Mountains: Right, what are your thoughts on that?
Jessie: Part of me expected that from Levana since she did the same thing when we faced off during the Greece Lightning Tour but Knox? This is his first match as champion, a chance for him to show the men's roster that his win wasn't a fluke! I'm not sure what the outcome will be now but it does make me think of the times where I tried to become a grand slam champion.
Ms. Rocky Mountains: What do you mean?
Jessie: If I had won the World Bombshell Championship during those days you can bet your ass that I'd be promoting the hell out of my first match as champion, non-title or not! I don't know what the situation with Levana and Knox is but it falls to me and Mark to pick up the slack.
Ms. Rocky Mountains: One last thing before I go off to spin the wheel for Kat vs. Seleana, you said that you had something to announce tonight on Twitter but when it came time for your promo, you said that the main event had forced you to nix those plans.
Jessie: I'm not going into details on camera but those who know me personally know the score! It'll be announced in due time...........
Suddenly Goth walks into the shot, dressed up for his own match the same night. He and Jessie stare at each other, showing the respect they for another before Goth turns his attention to Ms. Rocky Mountains.
Goth: I got it from here Rocky, I am sure Kat is dying to hear from you.
She quickly leaves the shot as the focus is upon Jessie and Goth.
Goth: I couldn't help but hear your fighting words Jessie, always gearing to go and ready to defend your pride and dignity. That's something I have been telling Melissa, to have pride in what you do to make it in this business and stay there as long as you have. I applaud you for that
Goth nods his head in respect as Jessie smiles.
Goth: I know Melissa has been training hard, looking forward to her in ring debut. I just can't help wondering how that match would go. But enough of that, how are you doing today? Look forward to seeing you compete tonight.
The camera turns to Jessie, she sizes up the wrestling veteran for a second before nodding.
Jessie: I'm doing fine, well, as fine as someone with my nagging injuries can I guess.
Jessie comments off handily.
Jessie: You've been training your fiancé to wrestle? Well, it wouldn't be the first time I worked with a rookie in the ring I guess, but if she really ready for in ring action?
As Jessie asks this Goth's fiancé Melissa steps into view. Goth looks at Melissa before turning his attention back to Jessie.
Goth: I know about injuries I have sustained many through the years. So, I understand where you are coming from. About Melissa? She is ready to test her abilities inside the six sided ring. I am sure she looks forward to face you.
Melissa nods her head while extending her hand towards Jessie, Jessie steps past Goth to size up his fiancé and the size difference between the petite Jessie and the statuesque Melissa is as clear as day.
Jessie: Same here.
Jessie says with some uncertainty in her voice before she accepts the handshake from Melissa.
Jessie: Strong grip........
Before Jessie can finish her sentence Melissa yanks her in closer, Jessie as to arch her head up to make her contact with Melissa as the older woman barely comes up to Melissa's chest, after a few moments Melissa lets go of Jessie's hand and she gives her dominant hand a shake.
Jessie: I've got a Main Event to prepare for.
Jessie steps past Melissa and walks off as the scene fades.
The scene opens backstage where we see Krystal Wolfe standing in front of a monitor watching tonight's action unfold, the Aussie has a determined look on her face as she folds her arms.
Cassie: Gee, I wonder what match your waiting for?
Krystal glances over at her teenaged cousin and Hero Academy trainee Cassie who is sitting on a sofa and munching away on some snacks.
Krystal: Is it that obvious?
Cassie: Well, Bella vs. Ms. Jon got postponed, Ariana vs. Kayla has already happened, the Main Event is still to come, so yeah, I guess it is obvious!
Krystal shakes her head before joining Cassie on the sofa.
Krystal: I'm off two minds about the match, on one hand I want to see if Kat can avoid the title becoming a hot potato again, on the other hand? I know I can beat Seleana, so if Kat loses the match then I'll have a better chance at winning back the title.
Cassie: If the bosses decide to make you Seleana's first challenger off course
Krystal: Well yeah, there is that! But we've still got Amber's Queen for a Day Episode to come and we won't know what she has in mind for the rest of the Bombshell Roster until the card gets announced! Not to mention the men's roster.
Cassie: She's always been a hard one to read.
Krystal: And beat!
Cassie: That too! Guess the only thing we can do is wait, right.
Krystal: Right.
Krystal nods as the two cousins turn their attention to the monitor.
Cassie: How weird does it feel?
Krystal: Hmmm?
Cassie: Not kicking off the cycle with an in ring promo?
Krystal: Just as weird as it felt to not have a match on the first show of the cycle for the second time in a row!
Cassie: True enough I guess!
Cassie adds before the camera cuts to the wheel spinning segment and the scene fades.
The scene opens backstage at Climax Control where we see tonight's competitors in the Bombshell Roulette Title Match, Kat Jones and Seleana Zdunich, waiting for the wheel to determine their fate, Ms. Rocky Mountains meanwhile is still looking at the wheel like it murdered her puppy.
Simone: It's almost time for the first title match of the cycle! Kat and Seleana scored huge wins during Into the Void and now they are facing off with Kat's Bombshell Roulette Title on the line! And can someone please tell Rocky that all the Greece themed stipulations were removed from the wheel during the post Supercard break?!
Adams: I think Rocky's getting flashbacks to the 12 Labours of Hercules Match that kicked off the Greece Lightning Tour!
Ms. Rocky Mountains: Err, ready ladies?
Kat and Seleana nod and Rocky spins the wheel, after a few moments it starts to slow down and several stipulations are shown. Mud Pit, Briefcase Bonanza, Disney Chamber, Glitter Lightsabre, Street Fight, Ultimate X but it eventually stops on.......
Ms. Rocky Mountains: BAR ROOM BRAWL!
Kat: So, what? Are we going to be driven to a bar or something?
Ms. Rocky Mountains: Yep! Jacob will drive you to the bar as soon as the bosses find one willing to host your match!
Kat and Seleana walk off to prepare for their match as the scene fades.
Simone: Welcome back to Climax Control 331 and our penultimate match! Kat Jones won the Bombshell Roulette Title from Diamond Steele at Into the Void XI but tonight she faces her first defence and it promises to be a doozy, it's Kat Jones vs. Seleana Zdunich in a Roulette Rules Bar Room Brawl!
Adams: It would be criminal to not mention Seleana's own success at Into the Void, many saw her match against Tempest as an easy win for the Amazonian Bombshell but Seleana surprised everyone by pulling off the shock win! Now she faces another Bombshell who shocked everyone at Into the Void XI and with Kat's Bombshell Roulette Title on the line there's a real chance that this night will end with Seleana winning her second reign with that belt!
Simone: This should be a great match, let's take it to Justin who's on location at Thunderbolt which according to Timeout dot com is the best bar in LA!
Justin: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is for the Bombshell Roulette Championship! Thanks to a spin of the wheel, we know that it'll be a Bar Room Brawl Match happening right here in Thunderbolt!
The bar's patrons cheer as the two women step into view.
Justin: Introducing the challenger, from Halmstad, Sweden, Seleana Zdunich!
Seleana raises her arms up at her introduction and the crowd cheers.
Simone: Seleana has been a persistent challenger for the title since her own reign ended.
Adams: Including two challenges against Krystal, will tonight be her night?
Justin: And her opponent, from Cincinnati, Ohio, she is the reigning and defending Bombshell Roulette Champion, Kat Jones!
Kat holds her title above her head and the patrons cheer before she hands it off to Jacob!
Simone: Kat had a rocky start in SCW but with that title win she seems to have found her footing!
Adams: She faces a tough challenger for her first defence though!
Justin quickly leaves the bar before Jacob calls for the bell.
DING DING DING!
Once the bell rings Kat makes the first move charging at Seleana and throwing punches at Seleana's head, Seleana fights before with some blows of her own and the patrons cheer as the two woman more than make up for the stipulation's name by having a bar room brawl! Eventually Seleana gets the advantage by ducking under a wild right hand from Kat and Suplexing her onto the pool table! Seleana climbs on top of the pool table and goes for the first pin of the match.
ONE!
TWO!
And Kat kicks out.
Simone: Seleana wasted little time in going for the pin on Kat after Suplexing her onto the pool table.
Adams: I'm not even sure Seleana realized that the pool table was behind her, plus I can't imagine that getting Suplexed onto one is a pleasant experience as Kat can possibly attest too!
Seleana looks around for a weapon she can use following her failed pin attempt on Kat and realizes that she'd have to get off the pool table to grab one of the pool cues which would give Kat time to recover so a kindly patron happily tosses Seleana one of the pool cues, however Seleana fumbles the catch and it falls within reach of Kat who grabs it before whacking Seleana in the ribs with it from the ground doubling the Swedish Bombshell over and giving Kat time to get back to her feet and whack Seleana over the back with the cue a few times before wrapping it around Seleana's neck and executing a Russian Leg Sweep! Kat tosses the damaged pool cue aside and goes for her first pin of the match!
ONE!
TWO!
And Seleana gets the shoulder up, Kat gets off the pool table and one of the bartenders looks at the damaged cue before turning to Kat and asking:
Bartender: Who's paying for that?
Kat: Ask my bosses at Sin City Wrestling, they'll foot the bill.
However, Kat's brief conversation with the bartender gives Seleana enough time to recover and when Kat turns her attention back to the pool table Seleana leaps off it with a running senton splash knocking the defending champion down! Seleana is clearly feeling the effects from Kat's attacks with the pool cue and is a bit delayed in going for the pin on Kat but she does manage it after a few seconds whilst Jacob rushes over to count the pin.
ONE!
TWO!
And Kat gets the shoulder up!
Simone: Kat's attacks with that pool cue clearly did a lot of damage to Seleana as she wasn't able to go for the pin right away!
Adams: You have to wonder how that will affect Seleana's performance in the rest of the title match because you know Kat's going to take advantage of that!
Seleana gets back to ger feet clutching her side in pain but the Swedish Bombshell powers through the pain as she looks for something else to use on the reigning champion and finds an empty beer bottle, Seleana asks if anyone wants it and upon getting a negative response she grabs it and waits for Kat to get back to her feet before taking a swing with the beer bottle aimed at Kat's head, unfortunately for the challenger Kat ducks under it and executes a Northern Lights Suplex onto Seleana sending the bottle rolling away in the process.
Simone: I'm kinda surprised that it's taken this long for someone to try to break a beer bottle over the opponent's head in this match!
Adams: Unfortunately for Seleana, Kat had it scouted and she's holding on for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
And Seleana kicks out! Kat rolls onto her side following the failed pin attempt and upon seeing that the bottle is within reach she makes a dive at it trying to use Seleana's own idea against her! Kat turns around and waits for Seleana to get back to her feet and when she does Kat takes a swing with the beer bottle but Seleana ducks before executing an overhead Belly to Belly Suplex and this time the glass breaks on impact! Kat kicks away at Seleana to prevent her from going for a pin attempt and grabs the broken beer bottle by the spout.
Simone: What does Kat have to store for that broken beer bottle?
Adams: Evil intentions for Seleana I'm sure!
We quickly find out the answer to that question as Kat waits for Seleana to get back to her feet before going to ram the broken beer bottle into Seleana's face! Seleana grabs at the arm that's holding the beer bottle managing to stop Kat's attack in the nick of time as the sharp edges were inches away from Seleana's face but Kat isn't giving up that easily eventually forcing Seleana to kick Kat in the midsection causing her to drop the bottle (and the rest of the bottle to break) but she DDTs Kat onto the broken glass! Kat clutches at her face in pain as we can see blood pouring from her forehead before Seleana goes for a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
And Kat BARELY gets the shoulder up in time!
Simone: Seleana averted disaster there and busted Kat open in the process.
Adams: If this was a First Blood Match we'd have a new champion but instead the battle continues!
Seleana looks around trying to find a new tactic to use in her quest to dethrone the champion and finds it in the form of a barstool which she tries to use like she would a steel chair only find it too heavy for that idea! Instead, Seleana sets it down on the stool's side and waits for Kat to get back to her feet before trying for a Hip Toss onto the stool! However, Kat blocks it and instead hits her challenger with a drop toe hold into the stool before picking her up by the hair and executing a one handed bulldog into the broken glass busting Seleana open in the process.
Simone: Now both Kat and Seleana are busted open!
Adams: That's probably the most blood that place has ever seen! It has great Yelp reviews!
Kat rolls Seleana onto her back before going for the pin.
ONE!
TWO!
And Seleana kicks out! Kat gets back to her feet and takes a moment to long to contemplate her next move giving Seleana ample time to recover and hit her hip toss onto the bar stool! Seleana then goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
And Kat BARELY KICKS OUT! Seleana realizes that the bar isn't that far away from the two Bombshells and after moving the stool and table out of the way she calls for her finisher.
Simone: Seleana's going for the Cat's Eye off the bar?
Adams: Hey, you got to work with what you've got sometimes and if Seleana hits this it could mean the end of Kat's Bombshell Roulette Title Reign!
Seleana leaps up onto the bar and goes for the Cat's Eye! Unfortunately for Seleana Kat gets her knees up at the last minute causing the challenger to crash and burn! Seleana gets to her feet and quickly locks in the WILDKAT!
Simone: WILDKAT! KAT HAS IT LOCKED IN!
Adams: SELEANA HAS NOWHERE TO GO! I DON'T KNOW IF THAT PLACE SERVES FOOD BUT IF IT DOES STICK A FROK IN HER, SHE'S DONE!
Jacob gets into position but it doesn't take long for him to get his answer as Seleana has no choice but to tap!
DING DING DING!
Justin: THE WINNER OF THE MATCH AND STILL BOMBSHELL ROULETTE CHAMPION, KAT JONES!
Simone: Kat retains the title in a tough first defence.
Adams: And it's back to square one for Seleana!
Kat lets go of her finisher and celebrates with the title whilst Jacob checks on Seleana.
Blood hadn't even dried on her skin by the time former World Bombshells Champion, Amber Ryan, had found her way up into the secluded rafters.
Most who she had passed gave her looks as if to suggest that heights and repeated head trauma weren't compatible, however the look in her eyes and sickly smile across her expression kept those words firmly planted on the tongue that had tried to waggle them. No, Amber had been determined from almost the time the match had ended that she needed space... air ... time to think.
An escape plan to...
No.
Dropping down gently, odd converse sneakers dangling in the abyss, Amber's hazy gaze didn't focus anywhere in particular for more than a few moments at a time. Restless and on edge, the redhead could almost hear the ticking of her own personal timebomb towards a company razing blast – the eternal countdown that she'd long since lost track of the timer on. It was just a matter of time really, it always had been. Tonight – in spite of its successes painted across her skin – had been no different. A sublimated race to the end of the road.
Finally settling on a space in the near distance, a conversation completely unaware of being watched, Amber allowed the breath she'd been fiercely holding in her chest to release; along with a lot of the tensions she'd been unnecessarily holding.
Aside from the blood soaking into her shirt, and the smattering across her pale, freckled skin- everything was fine... it didn't have any other fucking choice.
He'd been waiting there a spell. Maybe since the first trucks pulled up and dumped ring parts and physio tables out on the concrete loading docks – maybe two weeks over with a dry-run beforehand. Felt hard to remember; things didn't stay in their proper order too well anymore. Fu
ed up a little and made back-to-front.But there she was, looking just like she'd always looked. Two-parts smile, one-part fist to the gut. Couple of extra lines – always a couple of extra scars – but the years hadn't been nearly as cruel as he'd feared. Or thought. Or hoped?
No, that last one wasn't his. That was put there by someone else. The bitch with the plastic face.
Levering himself up from a slump over the nearby safety rail, Terryl Fexxfield ran an idle hand through his slick-parted hair, skimming over the thick rope of scar tissue that had been cut five years and change ago into his skull courtesy of the Atlantic City Championship of Boardwalk fame.
The same title she'd walked out on him to win.
Scratching at the course beard coating his chin, Fexxfield stepped past Amber and rested his elbows on the stanchion supporting a ring of spotlights picking out the ring below. Nonchalant , as if he'd last seen her a few hours before and not six plus years.
Fexxfield: Thought you'd be up here. Closer to the sky.
Even the air around them seems to pause as every definable muscle in the redhead tenses to a rigid halt, most notably perhaps, the one supposed to be beating in her chest. A voice lost in memories of times she'd hoped so fiercely to experience, a face that served to remind her that her hubris hadn't faltered as much as she'd tried.
Amber Ryan: I suppose you'll also tell me that if I look towards you, that you won't really be there. After all, we've probably had this conversation twenty times before – not sure my chemical imbalances can handle another one right now.
Fexxfield: Don't do dramatic entrances, but if you insist ...
He turned, stepped towards Amber and pressed the scored and worn shoeleather of his right loafer into her opposite shoulder, rocking her back and forth.
Fexxfield: If this is some chemically-induced malfunction, strikes me as a disappointing effort. Could have given me wings, or a flaming sword ...
He scratched at his beard.
Fexxfield: ... Or my whole life back. Guess you'll have to settle for this.
He lowered himself down onto the grating, grimacing with the effort. The cheap suit jacket he wore bunched and creased until eventually, the Gumshoe found something close enough to comfort to continue.
Fexxfield: It's me. Had to be me, Amber. Someone else might have gotten it wrong.
Amber shook her head emphatically, determined not to make eye contact with the man beside her. The one she'd left behind for the subtle glow of gold... the one who'd promised her he'd always be there... the one...
Amber Ryan: Got it wrong... You wouldn't even begin to understand. If this isn't real... I don't...
Trailing off, words lost meaning as the sound dissipated between them. A heavy curtain of scarlet, intrusive and deliberate between them, disbelief making way for something far more genuine and fuelled by a heartache that had spent six years telling itself how wrong it was to exist.
Pursing his lips, Fexxfield thought about whatever-that-was-supposed-to-mean for a few moments. His eyes dropped down, and then he caught sight of it.
Fexxfield: Improper to do it without permission, but if you don't mind ...
He reached forward and took her hand, the one sporting a particularly impressive ring on its assigned finger – conspicuously shiny and free from the surrounding blood, sweat and tears of which virtually none belonged to her.
Fexxfield: You always had a real talent for finding ways to make old things hurt new ...
His eyes narrowed, twisting her wrist gently as he studied it.
Fexxfield: Mighty fine. Must have cost almost as much as the office. Congratulations.
Unable to hide the shake that rippled through her hands, nor the way her skin prickled under his touch as though the memories themselves seemed to rise up to the surface in perpetuity.
Amber Ryan: Don't you fucking dare. No, not here...
Amber lowered her voice, the harshness of the whisper betraying the lack of control she had in the way it quivered.
Amber Ryan: I spent a year and a half doing nothing but searching, Terryl. I didn't step into a ring after Boardwalk closed, cause I couldn't fucking breathe between those ropes. A year and a half – I looked for you. Relentlessly. I searched. I pulled every miserable favor that fucking city ever owed me, and any that might have at least given me closure. I tore Atlantic City to pieces... looking for you.
Her ring hand clenched fiercely, the comparatively clean jewelry lost from immediate sight beneath the white knuckles of Amber's roaring emotional state.
Amber Ryan: I stood by an empty hole and I mourned you, for fuck's sake, cause I didn't know what else I could do. People don't just disappear, they don't just vanish... especially when they had promised they would stay no matter what...
She couldn't stop the clear rolling tear as it smudged through the blood on her cheek, unwilling to maintain a facade of apathy in the face of her crumbling walls. Still though, she didn't dare lock eyes with the man – the one who'd made her realize that even monsters had the capacity to be loved, the man who'd proven that they could never deserve it by nature.
No, she could tell him all the ways she'd hurt – but she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze.
He didn't look up from the ring – not immediately, but he listened a while. Funny how big a metaphor could be and still fit into such a tiny little band. Something so small that you could carry it around for thirty years without ever feeling its weight. But it was there, and as Fexxfield nudged it around her finger, he felt like he was rolling it up some vertical incline steeped knee-deep in molasses.
Then, he did look up and saw her cry.
Fexxfield: Not even going to do me the honour of seeing me like I see you? That's okay ...
Reaching into the folds of his suit jacket with his spare hand, the Gumshoe pulled out a handkerchief, leaned in and dabbed it on her cheek; clearing some of the blood and grit alongside.
Fexxfield: Never did quite work out how to avoid finishing in the Silver Medal Position, did I?
He sat back, still holding her fingers in his.
Fexxfield: You make it sound like I walked out on you, but despite the significant damage done to my brainpan, I can just about recollect that you walked out on me.
He squeezed those fingers.
Fexxfield: She nearly killed me, Amber. She nearly fucking killed me ...
He sucked in a deep chestful of air.
Fexxfield: Look at me, for Christ's sake.
With all the steel she might have left to muster into her spine before it broke under the weight, Amber finally conceded her gaze to Fexxfields, level and intensely deep. As though six years hadn't changed a moment between them.
Amber Ryan: You don't think I don't remember, Terryl. That I haven't regretted everything from that night every time I close my eyes. That I don't look back and wanna kick my own head off my shoulders for ever believing that the title was worth losing everything for...
Amber's hiss trailed into nothing, the silence deafening at the momentary clarity that her World Bombshells title had brought her closer to that brink than ever... that despite her best efforts to deny it, that she truly had believed it was worth everything.
Amber Ryan: I'd have changed everything in a heartbeat if I were a better person. I wasn't though, and truth be told – I don't even think I am now. If anything from that night should have changed, it should have been me... and I seem to be the only thing that's remained the same.
Heartfelt and honest, not exactly words usually used to describe the redhead. In the moment though, maybe it could have even been believable.
He squeezed her hand again.
Fexxfield: Did you see what they did to the office?
He chewed on the inside of his cheek, as if measuring up which tragedy to muse in on first.
Fexxfield: Did you hear what they did to Madeline?
Puffing his cheeks out, the Gumshoe shook his head.
Fexxfield: All that doesn't come up to halfway on what she did to you though, does it? What were you thinking?
Terryl raised his free hand up to cut her off before she even got started.
Fexxfield: I know – not thinking. Can't fathom after everything that woman did to you, to me – to us – you've thrown in your lot and imbibed down a quart of Koolaid and some cherry-flavoured cyanide capsules ...
Fexxfield: Don't want to hear your bullshit, Amber. Don't want to hear about Hurricanes not picking their direction; don't want to hear about monsters and cruel people; don't want to hear about three hundred and fifty seven days and sure don't want to hear your justifications for what you did down there a few hours ago.
He pointed towards the ring fifty feet below.
Fexxfield: You enjoyed that. What you did down there. She calls you a Living Weapon, doesn't she? You think this is just another game in which Amber Ryan has a fighting chance because nobody takes on the Queenpin without two field armies and a metropolitan police department on standby.
Terryl sighed.
Fexxfield: You're two millimetres from losing yourself and you've walked the line that's led up to this point on your cognition. Going to step across it because [i]you[/i] chose to do it of your own free will too?
Without even blinking, the redhead matched Fexxfield's sigh with one of her own, almost trying to stifle the sharp edge of a chuckle that tried to squeeze out amidst the rush of air.
Amber Ryan: To think... It's taken you six fucking years Terryl to crawl out of hiding and give me a lecture that I'm still the tragic little fuck up. I was never a Flower Girl, I was never going to be either – hard to rescue the princess when she's trying to fight the dragon with a toy sword, right? Siix years, and all you have to tell me is that I'm everything you remember – and yet here you are, not doing a damn fucking thing about it.
Amber's expression hardens, the flickers of her lip unable to configure to one emotion as they all flood her synapses equivalently.
Amber Ryan: There's only one thing out of all you said that you got wrong though... I lost myself the night you disappeared. Everything else since has just been looking for the line again so that I might try to cross back over. That, my darling, that is a line I'd gladly cross if I thought it might make a fucking difference.
Another attempted chuckle, less stifled and more deflective. An instinctive reaction to a bitterness she couldn't swallow.
Amber Ryan: You know what the stupidest fucking part of all of this has been though? Masque is the only one who has been truthful with me until now... Not once has she told me anything I wanted to hear, not once did she offer me an empty platitude or promise that my ever-loving soul could be salvaged and saved if I just stopped being me... and not once did she ever stop me from being the person that I NEEDED to be.
He rolled her hand over and looked at the calluses settled in deep pits underneath each finger.
Fexxfield: You know the difference between us? Known it almost since the first time you caught me thinking about investing in heavy earthmoving equipment ...
Fexxfield: You can't ever give yourself to anything. Not a person, not a concept, not a goal. Not even yourself in the literal sense. Sometimes you get close – can almost see the real Amber Ryan – but she gets swept away or stolen up and all that's left is some placeholder promising the real deal will be back at her earliest convenience.
He pressed his fingertips against each of the calluses, sandpaper-hard skin made thick by professional and unprofessional fighting.
Fexxfield: Me? Gave you everything. Expected nothing back, got more than I bargained for. Funny thing is, I was ready to hand it all over. All I had and all I was. Didn't expect you to take me so literal; could have really used my health but when you made that decision to walk out the dressing room six years ago, that went the way of her ...
A scowl flushed across his face, twisting it uncharacteristically in the direction of anger.
Fexxfield: There's a truth or two about Masque you haven't been privileged to learn just yet. Luckily, in that place you think I crawled out from to come wax lyrical about all your failings, I just so happened to have learned them. Seen them. Oh, and you got one thing wrong too.
He smirked, dropping his eyes down towards the gantry.
Fexxfield: Didn't crawl anywhere. Got wheeled on a gurney. Apparently kept asking for my wife ...
He found her gaze and shook his head.
Fexxfield: No, not Annabelle ... Amber.
Forcing her gaze away, she aimed back towards anywhere else that didn't dredge up most of the worst memories she'd tried to bury.
Amber Ryan: I don't know what else you want me to say...
Distractedly the words fell almost automatically. A level of resignation tinged through the tone.
Amber Ryan: I don't think I have any apologies left in me after all the times I'd screamed it from the rooftops, hoping you might hear me. I don't have rhyme or reason that you'll believe for everything I've become since... I just don't, Terryl.
Her hands found the guardrail's edge, loosely lacing her fingers as though examining the metal texture intently.
Amber Ryan: If I had anything worthwhile left to give you – I would have given it long before now. Instead, I'm at the end of my tether waiting for someone with enough sense to find some fucking scissors.
He leaned back, palms spread on the grating.
Fexxfield: Think you've got it backwards, Miss Ryan. Didn't come back here to hear your apologies. You left me for dead right after making me think you might just feel something of the mighty whirlwind I felt for you – could carve sorry into some precious metal big enough to adorn the face of one of Atlantic City's finest casinos, and it still wouldn't make it up. Think you know that. Think I know that.
He struggled up onto his knees, pain radiating through a badly worn-out hip that had seen too much action and too little cartilage.
Fexxfield: We both know how this goes anyway. You spin and whirl and tarry, and I just walk on behind admiring the destruction and hoping to get a spare moment of your attention when the winds die down. Might be a bit bedazzled nowadays but not quite stupid. Not yet.
Another brief pause and he managed to reach standing.
Fexxfield: Came back because we both know how this goes. You need saving from yourself, again. Just like all the other times you never asked for it. So here I am; because you need saving.
Grimacing, the Gumshoe pressed a hand into his lower back.
Fexxfield: Think it might kill me for sure, this time. But that's okay; been dead for the last six years anyway. Be a blessing for the body to finally catch up. Besides – it had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong.
Another shake of the head from Amber, disbelief and curiosity determinedly written in Latin across her features perhaps.
Amber Ryan: After all this time... why the fuck does it have to be you?
Fexxfield: Because God loves a tryer. And besides ...
He tugs on the sleeves of his creased suit jacket, turning away from the redhead.
Fexxfield: Remember falling in love with you six years ago. Don't remember falling out of it even after everything that came in-between ...
Justin: The following contest is the Main Event of Climax Control! And -- it is the BLAZING TABLES MATCH!!!
Crowd: SCW! SCW! SCW!
The arena lights dim as the bassline to "Blood" begins to rumble around the arena. As the guitar riff hits, so does the lights, revealing Mark "The Dragon" Cross standing, one fist aloft, at the top of the aisle. Receiving recognition from the crowd, he strides purposefully to ringside, taking a moment to survey the scene as he reaches the apron.
Justin: Introducing first! From Canterbury, England, standing at 6'1" and weighing in at 225lb, he is... THE KING OF SIN CITY WRESTLING!!! Mark "The Dragon" Crrrrrrrrrosssssss!!!
A short but punchy electric guitar rift hits the speakers before the pounding of drums slams through the PA system. Stealing the fans attention, driving their eyes towards the stage. The familiar notes of "Paranoia" by A Day to Remember continues to barrel through the speakers at a deafening level, meanwhile the lighting that looms over the ramp way starts to flicker ghostly whites in time with the music. Stepping out from behind the curtains, Levana Cade makes her way towards the middle of the stage before she comes to a stop. She looks out towards the fans, as the cameras pan in on her blue eyes, her glare is as cold as ice as she surveys the crowd. Reaching up she flicks the collar of her oversized leather jacket before she makes her way towards the ring.
Justin: Making her way to the ring from Las Vegas, Nevada... Levana Caaaaaaddeee!!!
Levana makes it to the ring, disregarding the fans' outstretched hands along the way. Approaching the steps slowly... painfully... slowly she walks up them before both her feet hit the ring apron. Walking around two sides of the six-sided ring, Levana takes her time before stepping over the middle rope. Once inside the ring Levana removes her leather jacket before carefully handing it to Justin. Rocking the back of her shoulders against the ropes, Levana waits for the match to begin. As the lights and speaker system return to normal.
Justin: And their opponents....!
The arena cuts to black as the slow guitar intro of "Blood Lightning" by Lutharo is heard over the PA System, right as the song launches into the opening guitar solo the lights start to flash across the arena before a single spotlight shines on Jessie headbanging to the song.
Justin: From Miami, Florida, please welcome Jessie Salco!
Jessie posses at the top of the ramp just as the clean vocals of Krista is heard over the PA before she makes her way down the ramp, Jessie rolls into the ring and poses for the crowd again as the song fades.
Justin: And her tag team partner....!
The houselights cut out, a single Raven cries out soon joined by another, then another until the cries of an entire unkindness fill the house sound system, soon broken by "Hell Broke Luce" by Tom Waits cutting through, the house lights coming up to a dull blue as a single white strobe light pulses in time to the song's percussion. Standing in the middle of that pulsing light, back to the ring, stands Matthew Knox adorned in his ring gear and a sleeveless hoodie. Arms outstretched like a bird in flight he pivots on a heel and begins making his way to the ring, sliding under the bottom rope and picking a corner to charge and leap upon to scream the audience into a frenzy. He takes a lap around the ring, before kneeling in a corner and patiently waiting for the ring to sound.
Justin: He is the current World Heavyweight Champion! MATTHEW! THE RAVEN! KNOX!!!
Matthew stands up, holding his title belt up high with one arm, staring across the ring from the King. Mark storms over toward him but the official immediately intervenes and backs both men off to their corners so the women can begin this match! Once Cross and Knox are on the outside, the bell sounds!
DING DING DING!
The bell has rang as Levana Cade and Jessie Salco start off the match for their consecutive teams. Jessie circles Levana, as the bigger and more powerful woman stands in the middle of the ring and eyes her opponent. She moves forward towards Jessie, attempts to grab her in her powerful arms. But Jessie manages to slip underneath the grasp of Levana and executes a kick in the midsection of Levana, who just turns her head towards Jessie and shows an angry look on her face.
Adams: I don't like the look on Levana's face after that Belinda
Simone: Well we know that Jessie has fought off bigger and more powerful women than Levana, but she can punish you when you make a mistake
Levana moves forward towards Jessie once again, cornering her as Levana goes to grab her once again. And once more it is Jessie that steps aside and runs towards the ropes and goes for a running dropkick to the knee of Levana. Who because of that move drops to a knee as Jessie jumps the ropes and goes for a Springboard DDT. Only to have Levana catch her in mid air and tosses her to the middle of the ring before slowly rising back to her feet. There she hobbles slowly towards Jessie, grabbing for her hair as she drives an elbow into the face seven times in a row. Then she stops as she slides out of the ring and grabs a table and slides it back in the ring. She positions it in the corner and turns her attention towards Jessie and sets her up for an Irish Whip into the table This causes Jessie to crack face first into the table before dropping to her knee
Simone: Often we have seen Jessie use those high impact moves as they pay off.
Adams: Indeed, but just sometimes they don't succeed. And then just like right now, you can end up in a heap of trouble.
Jessie is seemingly out of it, Levante cockily walks over towards her and sets the table up nicely on the middle rope as it somehow did not break. She grabs Jessie by the hair and pulls her back to her feet before dragging herself towards the opposite corner. Whipping Jessie towards the table, but Jessie somehow manages to baseball slide underneath the bottom rope. There she rests for a moment, holding on to her stomach while trying to catch her breath. Only to find Levana rolling out of the ring as ell. Causing Jessie to roll back into the ring and quickly tags in Knox as she is close towards her own corner.
Simone: This sure gets the crowd excited!!!
Adams: Indeed and now it is time for the world champion and the king to get it on!!!
Knox blocks a punch from Cross, whips him in the ropes and runs to the opposite side to execute a Lou Thesz Press on Cross before getting up to his feet and executing a standing leg drop on Cross before going for the table as he pulls Knox towards it by grabbing him by the arm. There he sets him up for a Powerbomb through the table and sends him through it.
Crowd: Holy Shit! Holy Shit!!
Cross stares at his handy work, smiles before rolling out of the ring and grabs another table and slides it in the ring and then grabs a can of gasoline. He sprays the gasoline all over it and then turns towards Knox who has gotten to his knees. Cross starts to kick him in the chest before booting him in the face. This causes Knox to drop down again as Cross turns his attention back to the table and lights it.
Adams: The King has got the upper hand right now!!!
Simone: Knox needs to be careful!! He could very well end up burned!!!
Knox slowly rises, to his hands and knees. Crawling over towards Cross as Cross grabs him by the head and lifts him up to his feet. Setting him up for a suplex through the burning table, but Knox manages to block it. Cross tries again and once more Knox is able to block the move and hits a suplex of his own. Causing the fans to go nuts over it.
Simone: Knox just saved his and his teams hide as they would have lost if they went through the table.
Knox gets up to his feet, stares at the burning table and then to Cross. realizing what could have happened if he had not reversed the suplex. He quickly grabs Cross by the arm and drags him over towards the table before grabbing him by the feet and sets him up for a Slingshot
Simone: Oh no!!!
Adams: No way!!!
Knox sets him up, to drive the face of Cross into the bottom end of the table, but Cross manages to put his hands up in time to block most of the impact as the table wobbles but does not fall on top of the King For A Day. Knox grabs him by the arm and lifts him up to his feet, whips Cross into the ropes before setting him up for a Back Body Drop. But Cross manages to stop in time before grabbing the head of Knox and drops him with the back of his head on the canvas as that had stopped the momentum of Knox. Cross inhales a few times before signals that he wants to end it, grabbing Knox by the head and sets him up for another Powerbomb but this time through the burning table.
Simone: This doesn't look good for the champion!!!
But just when Cross lifts Knox up in the air, the champion manages to escape his grip and lands in front of Cross. Both men react immediately and execute the same move at the same time as they clothesline each other down to the ground.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
Suddenly Dawn stops as Cross manages to crawl over towards his corner to tag back in Levana, who eagerly accepts the tag and gets back in the ring just as Jessie does the same for her team. The two start to pound away, clearly the bigger and more powerful Levana gets the upper hand before setting Jessie up for an Irish Whip into the burning table, but Jessie manages to slide underneath it.
Simone: Now that was close!!! Jessie could have severely injured herself
Adams: Injuries and severe burnes!!!
Jessie gets up behind the burning table, stares at Levana and taunts her to get her. Levana gets in front of the table and pushes it aside before charging in on Jessie who gets knocked down with a big clothesline. Jessie gets grabbed by the hair and set up for a slam on the table. But she manages to push her out of the grip of Levana and pushes her into the table. Only to have Levana stand inches away from the table with a look of fear in her eyes because of the rising flames
Simone: That was another close call.
Jessie jumps on the back of Levana and holds her in a sleeper hold merely inches away from the flames. Levana tries to get Jessie off of her back by reaching for her head and hair to yank her off her back and into the table. But Jessie manages to stay out of the grip as Levana slowly drops to a knee and then the other as she is seemingly fading. Jessie runs the ropes and sets herself up to deliver a knee in the back of Levana, but the Bombshell somehow had managed to turn around and clothesline Jessie out of her boots
Adams: Good God!!!
Levana is now wobbling, catching her senses before turning her gaze towards the burning table and shows a sickening smile. She turns her attention back to Jessie, who is slowly stirring also and grabs her by the head. She lifts her up to her feet and lifts her up for a Powerbomb on the canvas, but remains holding on to her. She goes for another and still holds on to her.
Adams: She is going to try and break Jessie physcally before dropping her into the flames!!!
Simone: Keep the fire extinguishers ready!!!
The crowd boos Levana, who tells them that this time it will be through the table as she turns around and positions Jessie in front of the table. She lifts Jessie up in the air, but Jessie frees herself from the grip and lands behind Levana. She then runs the ropes and hits a flying forearm that sends Levana staggering into the table as the flames comes in contact with Levana. Causing Dawn to immediately call for the bell as Medics run into the ring with fire extinguishers and blankets to put out the fire before it could cause srious problems.
DING DING DING!
Justin: The winners of this match!! Jessie Salco and Matthew Kross!!!!
Adams:: Oh The King looks PISSED!
Simone: And rightly so! He was hoping this match would propel for him a shot at the World Heavyweight title and instead, it's the champion rather than the King that comes out smelling like a rose!
Mark assists Levana out of the ring but his eyes never leave those of Matthew Knox's as Knox takes Jessie's wrist and the winning team raises the arms of pne another high into the air!
Simone: Well fans, that is all the time we have for tonight! Tune in next week when The Queen Amber Ryan reigns for the Day! For Jason Adams, I am Belinda Simone! Goodnight everybody!
The camera closes out on Knox and Salco celebrating in the ring as the screen slowly fades to credits.
THANK YOU! to everyone who wrote for this show.