Post by Staff on Dec 18, 2016 13:28:38 GMT -5
Nate Hollis strolled onto the AWE headquarters floor of the high-rise office building in New York City that afternoon dressed casually classy as always, wielding his usual large cup of Starbucks coffee and trademark friendly winning smile across his face.
MARIE: Hey, Nate!
SIMON: Yo, Nate Dogg!
SHARON: Looking good, Nathan!
CAM: Nate, nice to see you.
His usual walk through the headquarters came with warm greetings, smiles and small talk, nothing that would put his mind at unease. At the reception desk shortly before the AWE studio set-up, however, Danica, the main receptionist, stood up in a hurry at first sight of him.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: Nate, wait!
NATE HOLLIS: No worries, baby, I’ll be right back.
Nate winked cleverly at her as he walked past. Since the installation of the HAL 9000 system as a mainstay in the studio, Nate had made efforts to greet the artificial intelligence first thing upon arriving so as to never exclude the unique member of the team. Danica chased after him around the desk and stopped and cringed as Nate’s takeout coffee cup spilled onto the floor with a thick splut.
NATE HOLLIS: Double-u Tee eff, dawg…
He stood in the doorway leading into the studio with his jaw agape incapable of rendering much more speech than that. Danica stood behind him wincing already at Nate’s reaction.
DANICE THE RECEPTIONIST: I tried to warn you.
Nate turned slowly around and eyed her with a clear disbelieving distaste. Inside, the studio was a shambles. The Michael Jordan cutout previously housing the HAL 9000 lens/eye had been split in half amidst what was a rather gruesome dismantling of Nate’s home away from home.
NATE HOLLIS: What happened?
Danica remained cringed and cautious.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: T.S. had the workmen come this morning to dismantle it.
NATE HOLLIS: T.S.? Are you for real right now?
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: Budget cuts, Nate. T.S. is cutting a lot of non-essentials. Apparently it costs the AWE too much money to fund the studio with an artificial intelligence and all the music licensing fees, and--
NATE HOLLIS: Are you serious right now?
Nate turned back to look at the mess of space where the flooring had been scarred as equipment had been removed, and the formerly quaint and decoratively AWE-themed setup he'd had a personal hand in had been taken down leaving bruised drywall in its stead. Nate shook his head.
NATE HOLLIS: So, okay, it costs a lot of money to play all my music, I get it. It costs money to run a HAL 9000, I get it, just like it costs money to pay some exec like T.S. $90,000 to barely ever be here and make stupid-ass decisions like this. So they cut my show, have I been cut, too?
He once more turned back to her as he spoke to view her cringing expression exacerbate his distaste for the situation. She shook her head.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: I don’t know. Cuts are ongoing. Everyone's pretty anxious.
Nate’s head shook in traumatized disbelief scanning the demolished studio room previously housing his show.
NATE HOLLIS: He shut down ‘9000, I cannot believe he shut down ‘9000.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: I’m sorry.
Nate thought with downcast eyes to the floor where coffee puddled around the beige-white soles of his new Lugz boots, a purchase he was currently wondering if he should have held off on considering the sudden prospect of his unemployment.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: Is there anything I can do?
Nate continued to think with a frown. His head shook as he turned and looked back into the studio with a more intensive investigatory glance. A eureka dawned on him.
NATE HOLLIS: Wait a second. What happened to the footage T.S. confronting Thirteen? That shit's illegal. Did everyone conveniently forget the threat of unsanctioned violence captured on video?
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: I don’t know what you’re talking about, Nate.
Nate frowned thoughtfully at the shell of the now defunct HAL 9000 unit, which two weeks prior had casually remarked to him about the fragility of video evidence and the facts in this day and age, but which, at the time, Nate had shrugged off as he clocked out for that evening. Nate turned to face Danica.
NATE HOLLIS: So you never saw that happen, then? After the show went off the air? Thirteen and T.S. in his office? A damned baseball bat and the guy going looney tunes?
Danica shook her head in concerned confusion.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: Not that I remember. Are you okay, Nate? Did you get your Christmas bonus, yet? Cause some of us haven't gotten ours. I’m sure if T.S. had cancelled your contract, or wasn't going to give us our bonuses he would have told us, maybe, right?
NATE HOLLIS: Maybe, Dani. Maybe. Or maybe there’s some funky-ass cover-up shit going on up in here.
Danica’s concern grew.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: What are you going to do?
NATE HOLLIS: I’m gonna take a page from the book of my boy, S.O.B., and protest this injustice.
He stomps past her with a look of determination on his face. Danica turns to watch him go.
The scene fades.
MARIE: Hey, Nate!
SIMON: Yo, Nate Dogg!
SHARON: Looking good, Nathan!
CAM: Nate, nice to see you.
His usual walk through the headquarters came with warm greetings, smiles and small talk, nothing that would put his mind at unease. At the reception desk shortly before the AWE studio set-up, however, Danica, the main receptionist, stood up in a hurry at first sight of him.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: Nate, wait!
NATE HOLLIS: No worries, baby, I’ll be right back.
Nate winked cleverly at her as he walked past. Since the installation of the HAL 9000 system as a mainstay in the studio, Nate had made efforts to greet the artificial intelligence first thing upon arriving so as to never exclude the unique member of the team. Danica chased after him around the desk and stopped and cringed as Nate’s takeout coffee cup spilled onto the floor with a thick splut.
NATE HOLLIS: Double-u Tee eff, dawg…
He stood in the doorway leading into the studio with his jaw agape incapable of rendering much more speech than that. Danica stood behind him wincing already at Nate’s reaction.
DANICE THE RECEPTIONIST: I tried to warn you.
Nate turned slowly around and eyed her with a clear disbelieving distaste. Inside, the studio was a shambles. The Michael Jordan cutout previously housing the HAL 9000 lens/eye had been split in half amidst what was a rather gruesome dismantling of Nate’s home away from home.
NATE HOLLIS: What happened?
Danica remained cringed and cautious.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: T.S. had the workmen come this morning to dismantle it.
NATE HOLLIS: T.S.? Are you for real right now?
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: Budget cuts, Nate. T.S. is cutting a lot of non-essentials. Apparently it costs the AWE too much money to fund the studio with an artificial intelligence and all the music licensing fees, and--
NATE HOLLIS: Are you serious right now?
Nate turned back to look at the mess of space where the flooring had been scarred as equipment had been removed, and the formerly quaint and decoratively AWE-themed setup he'd had a personal hand in had been taken down leaving bruised drywall in its stead. Nate shook his head.
NATE HOLLIS: So, okay, it costs a lot of money to play all my music, I get it. It costs money to run a HAL 9000, I get it, just like it costs money to pay some exec like T.S. $90,000 to barely ever be here and make stupid-ass decisions like this. So they cut my show, have I been cut, too?
He once more turned back to her as he spoke to view her cringing expression exacerbate his distaste for the situation. She shook her head.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: I don’t know. Cuts are ongoing. Everyone's pretty anxious.
Nate’s head shook in traumatized disbelief scanning the demolished studio room previously housing his show.
NATE HOLLIS: He shut down ‘9000, I cannot believe he shut down ‘9000.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: I’m sorry.
Nate thought with downcast eyes to the floor where coffee puddled around the beige-white soles of his new Lugz boots, a purchase he was currently wondering if he should have held off on considering the sudden prospect of his unemployment.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: Is there anything I can do?
Nate continued to think with a frown. His head shook as he turned and looked back into the studio with a more intensive investigatory glance. A eureka dawned on him.
NATE HOLLIS: Wait a second. What happened to the footage T.S. confronting Thirteen? That shit's illegal. Did everyone conveniently forget the threat of unsanctioned violence captured on video?
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: I don’t know what you’re talking about, Nate.
Nate frowned thoughtfully at the shell of the now defunct HAL 9000 unit, which two weeks prior had casually remarked to him about the fragility of video evidence and the facts in this day and age, but which, at the time, Nate had shrugged off as he clocked out for that evening. Nate turned to face Danica.
NATE HOLLIS: So you never saw that happen, then? After the show went off the air? Thirteen and T.S. in his office? A damned baseball bat and the guy going looney tunes?
Danica shook her head in concerned confusion.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: Not that I remember. Are you okay, Nate? Did you get your Christmas bonus, yet? Cause some of us haven't gotten ours. I’m sure if T.S. had cancelled your contract, or wasn't going to give us our bonuses he would have told us, maybe, right?
NATE HOLLIS: Maybe, Dani. Maybe. Or maybe there’s some funky-ass cover-up shit going on up in here.
Danica’s concern grew.
DANICA THE RECEPTIONIST: What are you going to do?
NATE HOLLIS: I’m gonna take a page from the book of my boy, S.O.B., and protest this injustice.
He stomps past her with a look of determination on his face. Danica turns to watch him go.
The scene fades.
A sweeping panoramic of the Tsongas center reveals an arena packed to capacity with anxious fans eager to get the show underway. Strobes pan the audience where signs are held aloft in the hopes of being seen.
ANA HAYDEN FOR MVP!
BE MY FANTANASY!
JESSIE IS MY HAWKEYE WARRIOR!
ALWAYS “COUNTRY FINE”!
DON’T FIGHT THE LAW!
IT'S MORPHIN' TIME!
#TAKE THE DAY!
BE MY FANTANASY!
JESSIE IS MY HAWKEYE WARRIOR!
ALWAYS “COUNTRY FINE”!
DON’T FIGHT THE LAW!
IT'S MORPHIN' TIME!
#TAKE THE DAY!
Among so many others, all homemade with pride. We center in on Nina Applebaum and Brad Stokes at the announce desk primed and ready to call the night’s worth of action!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Good evening, AWEfans, for another night of exciting Alpha Wrestling Empire action! I’m Nina Applebaum, with me, as always is the ever uncompromising Bradley Stokes.
BRAD STOKES: Just Brad. Thanks. That’s if you’re nasty.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Thank you, Janet Jackson.
BRAD STOKES: Not a fan.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Tonight we have for you what promises to be another stunning night in which we will finally, after nearly a month and a half worth of operation, decide who will be the de facto Paramount Champion.
BRAD STOKES: And they better have the damn belt this time. I’m through playing around.
NINA APPLEBAUM: And, it seems, so are the competitors who will be competing for the incomparable honor of being the first to claim the belt. Stoker and Dom DiBona have made it to the top of the Paramount Division after grueling qualifying matches, and are now set to do battle in tonight’s main event.
BRAD STOKES: Finally. And, if that wasn’t enough, we’re hosting round 2 of the Alpha Cup tournament as well. It’s going to be fantastic.
NINA APPLEBAUM: That it is, Bradley. Oh,wait. Hold on.
From the rampway down to the ring strolls a man in a suit.
NINA APPLEBAUM: It looks like we’ve got someone coming down to the ring…
BRAD STOKES: Without entrance music? What, is this guy new?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Pipe down, Bradley. That’s the COO of the AWE, Thomas Shane Elliot!
BRAD STOKES: No kidding… and holy shit it looks like he was hit by a damn bus. And then someone ran over that bus with another bus containing bowling balls which they then used to beat this guy with. Double bus bowling ball action, Nina. Someone stole my finisher.
The well suited and neatly coiffed individual is indeed T.S. Elliot striding down to the ring with a microphone in his free hand, the other resides within a thick cast inside of a sling still able to grip a silver attaché case. He sports a laceration across his face and a massively swollen black eye which has been touched up and covered up heavily with concealer and foundation as well as humanly possible tinting his face almost slightly orange, but his wounds remain pronounced under the lighting.
BRAD STOKES: Poor guy looks like an Oompa Loompa.
NINA APPLEBAUM: He definitely looks like someone went a little heavy on the wrong foundation for his skin tone, that’s for sure.
BRAD STOKES: Just say it, Nina. Someone kicked the shit out of him.
T.S. strides inside of the ring confidently as the crowd is unsure of what to make of him.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Hello, Lowell Massachussets, and AWE faithful.
The crowd responds loudly at the mention of their city.
BRAD STOKES: Initial scans indicate he knows where he is. That’s a good sign, Nina. We’ll cancel the brain scans.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: My name is Thomas Shane Elliot. I’m the Chief Operating Officer of the AWE. My apologies for not making an appearance sooner, I’ve been away handling business elsewhere, but I’m back now to ensure the AWE grows to become the great company it used to be, and we all know it can be once again under my expert leadership.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Interesting. I’d heard he was away because—
BRAD STOKES: On business, Nina. That’s what he said. Why do you have to question him?
NINA APPLEBAUM: I’m not questioning, I’m just—
BRAD STOKES: I know what you were just, and you need to stop it. The man’s been beaten up by rabid werewolves, for Burchill’s sake! Go easy on him.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: I apologize for my lack of a routine presence, fans.
FAN IN THE CROWD: What’s wrong with your face?!
A snarky fan shouts to him, raising a brief uproar from the crowd of laughter. T.S. smiles snidely a moment, letting the crowd noise die down before continuing.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: I was in a golfing accident. Now, let’s not get caught up in the details and potentially important plot points you’d be better off just forgetting, friends. I’m here tonight as a bearer of good tidings for the AWE, and those who have made the AWE what it is already. The wrestlers.
An ovation from the crowd who can’t disagree with T.S. on the point of the top-tier talent of the AWE.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: At the same time, as the company undergoes a transition period into the New Year alongside some much-needed budgetary cuts to non-essential staff, services and initiatives… I’ve decided to give the money where it is due…. In the form of a Christmas Bonus… to every single member of the AWE roster!
The crowd cheers in spite of it not truly affecting them!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nice gesture there by the COO of the AWE. I’m sure that’ll make the wrestlers backstage very happy.
BRAD STOKES: True, but something he said there has oddly stuck in my mind, Nina. What exactly does he mean by “non-essential staff” and “much-needed budget cuts”?
NINA APPLEBAUM: I’m not sure, Bradley. Perhaps we’ll find out as the night rolls out?
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: I’ve been wisely placed in charge of this company because I’ve got what it takes to help the AWE rise to the top. That’s why, in my second order of my business, I’ve invested in this…
A giant tron is slowly unveiled over the rampway sporting wicked cool CGI animations of the AWE logo. The crowd “oooohs” and “aaahhhhhs”. Thomas Shane Elliot smiles proudly as the crowd stares at the screen.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: I call it: The AlphaTron. The biggest, best and greatest Tron in all of wrestling. It’ll be with us at every single AWE Massacre show from here on out, and that’s not all. Thanks to earlier decision making by people who didn’t know what they were doing, we had previously aired two shows representing the AWE. One, a recap show on ESPN, and another a live show broadcast somewhere in Spain. Moving forward, there will be only one show! This show!
The crowd applauds.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Smart business maneuvers here by T.S. Elliot!
BRAD STOKES: I’m in love, Nina! He’s putting us front and center over that mediocre, sub-par version of us: Nate Hollis! Looks like Nate’s out of the job! HAHAHAHAHA!
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: It’s all for you guys. All for you. Without you, the fans, we’d have no product to sell you. So we’ve gotta keep you happy.
The crowd cheers.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: And what’s more, along with keeping all of my wrestlers happy, I’ve got one last order of business before I go and check on my sick mother, who’s in town visiting for a few days.
The crowd “awwwww’s” as T.S. nods.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: One more piece of business.
T.S. gestures to the attaché case he’s been holding and fumbles with the lock one-handed thanks to his other arm being in a cast. He finally opens it to reveal…
BRAD STOKES: THE RESILIENCE CHAMPIONSHIP! It’s here!!!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I don’t believe it!
The crowd cheers as T.S. holds it up for all to see before pretending to put it on his own waist.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Just kidding, folks. If I were the Resilience Champion, nobody would stand a chance.
The crowd laughs along with T.S. as he smiles.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: No, its time this belt was rewarded to the man who’s earned it each and every night since the AWE opened it’s doors. He's been waiting a long time for this, so without further ado - the Resilience Champion, Zack Fantana!
Franz Ferdinand's "Lucid Dreams" signals the arrival of the Resilience Champion. In his eagerness, Zack Fantana foregoes his usual theatrics atop the stage and hastily makes his way down the ramp before quickly jogging up the steps and hopping over the top rope.
Fantana gives T.S.’s cast-laden arm a firm handshake that causes T.S. to visibly wince before collecting the Resilience Championship belt from his grasp. Zack runs around the ring giddily as if tonight was the night he'd actually won the championship. He clutches the belt tightly to his chest like a kid might hold a hold a security blanket.
ZACK FANTANA: Thank you so much! I have so many people to thank! Of course I have you to thank, Mr. Elliot here, for delivering the goods when the others fell short.
T.S. stiffly waves his hand to the audience.
ZACK FANTANA: I'd also like to thank the Resilience division for being so gracious to lose to me long enough so that the belt could be retrieved and delivered to its rightful owner. Your generosity will not be forgotten.
Zack crosses the ring, slack-jawed in awe at the title in his hands.
ZACK FANTANA: I really didn't prepare a speech so I'll just have to go off the cuff for this one.
Zack withdraws a ruled paper from his jacket pocket.
ZACK FANTANA: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines resilience as 'an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change'.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh dear. He's one of those people.
BRAD STOKES: Shh, he may use it in a sentence!
ZACK FANTANA: I've certainly had my tribulations on my way to the A.W.E., but I can't help but feel that I've not yet lived up to that definition inside the confines of the A.W.E. After all, I've had nothing to recover from. No misfortune. No change from my status as top dog. I've run roughshod over the division since day one, redefining the very word resilience every step of the way. For now, it simply means 'the best'. It's unfortunate, since there are already so many words that mean 'the best', but perhaps this is the change and misfortune we were meant to recover from all along.
BRAD STOKES: Meta.
NINA APPLEBAUM: This is a monster you helped create with your Zeus spiel two weeks ago.
ZACK FANTANA: Trust me, no one feels guiltier than me that I've been unable to defend the strap as advertised in the past few shows as I navigate my way through the Alpha Cup field. Trust me, it will all be worth it in the end when I'm holding both the Resilience Championship and the Alpha Cup, with designs on adding the Paramount title to the ranks. You may as well call me the Federal Reserve because I'll be holding all the gold.
With a whimsical smile, Zack slides the Resilience title over his shoulder, admiring how it looks on the AlphaTron.
ZACK FANTANA: But let's not worry ourselves with plans of the future, folks. Instead, let's celebrate the moments that brought us today. I had the boys back in the lab cook up this slideshow to properly pop the cherry on our freshly coronated, big beautiful AlphaTron.
Zack points to the top of the ramp at the AlphaTron where we see a still photograph of Zack Fantana that has been painstakingly photoshopped by the A.W.E.'s most bored intern to include the Resilience Championship. A narrator emulating the crisp voice of Patrick Warburton informs us of the journey on which we are about to partake.
NARRATOR: Zack Fantana became the A.W.E.'s first Resilience Champion on November 4th, 2016.
Highlights of his win at Massacre #1 flash across the screen with an undeniably brilliant je ne sais quoi.
NARRATOR: But to understand his journey, we must go back to his humble beginnings.
The screen simply reads "Footage Not Found" now.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Isn’t there something we can cut backstage too before we over-inlfate this man’s ego any more than it already is?
BRAD STOKES: And miss the immaculate conception? Are you daft woman?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Please, someone… have mercy… if not for me, for the children watching at home.
NARRATOR: Zachary Fantana was born at Divine Providence Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 2nd, 1985 at 5:32 P.M. Weighing in at 7.3 pounds, he--
T.S. stiffly waves his hand to the audience.
ZACK FANTANA: I'd also like to thank the Resilience division for being so gracious to lose to me long enough so that the belt could be retrieved and delivered to its rightful owner. Your generosity will not be forgotten.
Zack crosses the ring, slack-jawed in awe at the title in his hands.
ZACK FANTANA: I really didn't prepare a speech so I'll just have to go off the cuff for this one.
Zack withdraws a ruled paper from his jacket pocket.
ZACK FANTANA: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines resilience as 'an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change'.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh dear. He's one of those people.
BRAD STOKES: Shh, he may use it in a sentence!
ZACK FANTANA: I've certainly had my tribulations on my way to the A.W.E., but I can't help but feel that I've not yet lived up to that definition inside the confines of the A.W.E. After all, I've had nothing to recover from. No misfortune. No change from my status as top dog. I've run roughshod over the division since day one, redefining the very word resilience every step of the way. For now, it simply means 'the best'. It's unfortunate, since there are already so many words that mean 'the best', but perhaps this is the change and misfortune we were meant to recover from all along.
BRAD STOKES: Meta.
NINA APPLEBAUM: This is a monster you helped create with your Zeus spiel two weeks ago.
ZACK FANTANA: Trust me, no one feels guiltier than me that I've been unable to defend the strap as advertised in the past few shows as I navigate my way through the Alpha Cup field. Trust me, it will all be worth it in the end when I'm holding both the Resilience Championship and the Alpha Cup, with designs on adding the Paramount title to the ranks. You may as well call me the Federal Reserve because I'll be holding all the gold.
With a whimsical smile, Zack slides the Resilience title over his shoulder, admiring how it looks on the AlphaTron.
ZACK FANTANA: But let's not worry ourselves with plans of the future, folks. Instead, let's celebrate the moments that brought us today. I had the boys back in the lab cook up this slideshow to properly pop the cherry on our freshly coronated, big beautiful AlphaTron.
Zack points to the top of the ramp at the AlphaTron where we see a still photograph of Zack Fantana that has been painstakingly photoshopped by the A.W.E.'s most bored intern to include the Resilience Championship. A narrator emulating the crisp voice of Patrick Warburton informs us of the journey on which we are about to partake.
NARRATOR: Zack Fantana became the A.W.E.'s first Resilience Champion on November 4th, 2016.
Highlights of his win at Massacre #1 flash across the screen with an undeniably brilliant je ne sais quoi.
NARRATOR: But to understand his journey, we must go back to his humble beginnings.
The screen simply reads "Footage Not Found" now.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Isn’t there something we can cut backstage too before we over-inlfate this man’s ego any more than it already is?
BRAD STOKES: And miss the immaculate conception? Are you daft woman?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Please, someone… have mercy… if not for me, for the children watching at home.
NARRATOR: Zachary Fantana was born at Divine Providence Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 2nd, 1985 at 5:32 P.M. Weighing in at 7.3 pounds, he--
Dragging into the faded-in shot is the Blue Impulse duo of Hanzo Kirigaya and Hunter Storms. Hanzo has a dufflebag slung over his shoulder while Storms is behind him dragging two medium sized luggage bags with him. Stopping, Hanzo turns towards Storms, looking at the two luggage bags.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Why do you always carry two with you?
Storms looks back at his masked student, confusion on his face.
HUNTER STORMS: Out of all questions, why ask me something like that?
Hanzo shrugs.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: I don't know, just bored I guess.
The two keep on walking towards the locker room. A voice suddenly echoes in the distance.
VOICE: Hey, Hanzo!
Turning towards the source, the duo notice three figures jogging in their direction. One rather muscular, one lanky, and the other a female. Storms blankly looks on, but surprise fills Hanzo's face.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Holy shit, Zayasu, Kat, Erika.........the hell are you guys doing here?
HUNTER STORMS: I sent them tickets for the show.
Hanzo turns back towards Storms, but before he can say anything, Zayasu heartily slaps him on the back.
ZAYASU: Figured we make the trip. Your friend here even got us plane tickets and a place to stay up until Tuesday. Figured the four, possibly five us, could spend a day together since it has been about a solid year now.
KATSUMOTO: I agree with Zayasu, you were, and still are one of our closest friends so it's only right that we spend some time together before we fly back.
Staring back at the two, still in shock, Hanzo gets slightly startled upon seeing Erika suddenly appear at his side, he doesn't even seem to notice that she now has her arms snaked around his.
ERIKA: Missed you while you weren't at the events.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Well.....y--I--.......
The three other men can be heard trying to contain their laughter as the exposed parts of Hanzo's face are now flush with red as Erika is giggling next to him.
ERIKA: You don't have to respond Hanzo. Just know that you were missed.
KATSUMOTO: Yeah man, a lot of people were asking where you were after you hadn't shown for a week. We didn't want to spoil your secret so we just said you were taking a sabbatical to recover from your injuries after the uh......well ya know---
ZAYASU: The slashing incident.
KATSUMOTO: Yeah, that. Just about everyone bought the story since you had been fighting just about non stop since you first joined. Some even suggested a memorial cup tournament in your honor in case you decide to fully retire from the fight club scene.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Sounds a bit much, don't you think?
ZAYASU: Well, as promoter and close friend of you, I've decided to hold that tournament in the coming weeks. Don't worry about your name being on it, only using your nickname for it.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Why do you always carry two with you?
Storms looks back at his masked student, confusion on his face.
HUNTER STORMS: Out of all questions, why ask me something like that?
Hanzo shrugs.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: I don't know, just bored I guess.
The two keep on walking towards the locker room. A voice suddenly echoes in the distance.
VOICE: Hey, Hanzo!
Turning towards the source, the duo notice three figures jogging in their direction. One rather muscular, one lanky, and the other a female. Storms blankly looks on, but surprise fills Hanzo's face.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Holy shit, Zayasu, Kat, Erika.........the hell are you guys doing here?
HUNTER STORMS: I sent them tickets for the show.
Hanzo turns back towards Storms, but before he can say anything, Zayasu heartily slaps him on the back.
ZAYASU: Figured we make the trip. Your friend here even got us plane tickets and a place to stay up until Tuesday. Figured the four, possibly five us, could spend a day together since it has been about a solid year now.
KATSUMOTO: I agree with Zayasu, you were, and still are one of our closest friends so it's only right that we spend some time together before we fly back.
Staring back at the two, still in shock, Hanzo gets slightly startled upon seeing Erika suddenly appear at his side, he doesn't even seem to notice that she now has her arms snaked around his.
ERIKA: Missed you while you weren't at the events.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Well.....y--I--.......
The three other men can be heard trying to contain their laughter as the exposed parts of Hanzo's face are now flush with red as Erika is giggling next to him.
ERIKA: You don't have to respond Hanzo. Just know that you were missed.
KATSUMOTO: Yeah man, a lot of people were asking where you were after you hadn't shown for a week. We didn't want to spoil your secret so we just said you were taking a sabbatical to recover from your injuries after the uh......well ya know---
ZAYASU: The slashing incident.
KATSUMOTO: Yeah, that. Just about everyone bought the story since you had been fighting just about non stop since you first joined. Some even suggested a memorial cup tournament in your honor in case you decide to fully retire from the fight club scene.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Sounds a bit much, don't you think?
ZAYASU: Well, as promoter and close friend of you, I've decided to hold that tournament in the coming weeks. Don't worry about your name being on it, only using your nickname for it.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Soooo...The Dragon Tournament?
ZAYASU: I'm still thinking on names, but I'll come up with something eventually.
Just then the door behind Hanzo opened up and he turned to see Storms enter.
HUNTER STORMS: Don't mind me, feel free to keep talking with them. Just dropping off what I got in hand, could also take your bag if you want.
Sliding the duffle bag off his arm, he passed it over to Storms who in turn entered the locker room and closed the door behind him.
KATSUMOTO: Damn that dude looks hella tough.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: He's been in the business for half a decade, so it's really no surprise that he's sharpened his craft.
ZAYASU: I wonder how he would fare in the fight club...
Zayasu laughed to himself as Kat shook his head.
ZAYASU: Alright bud, we're gonna go find our seats and we'll see you later. Good luck in your match tonight.
Turning on their heels, Zayasu and Katsumoto walk out of shot. Meanwhile is still clinging on to Hanzo.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Are you not gonna go with them?
ERIKA: I will, but not without wishing you luck first.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Wish me luck how?
She giggled at the question before unwrapping her arms from his. Gently placing her hands on the sides of his face, she dragged herself up to his face, locking their lips together. Hanzo's face seemed to be almost glowing bright red as his eyes slightly widened and after a few moments, Erika broke the kiss as she placed her arms behind her back.
HANZO KIRIGAYA: I uhm......uh.......thanks......
She giggled at him again.
ERIKA: Do us proud Hanzo.
She turned on her heels and went off in the same direction after Zayasu and Kat. The door opened again as Storms peaked out into the corridor as Hanzo turned towards him, his face still bright red.
HUNTER STORMS: You good Hanzo?
HANZO KIRIGAYA: Uh, yeah.....yeah I'm fine.
HUNTER STORMS: Alright, if you say so. Hurry up though, your match is soon.
Storms left the door open as Hanzo walked in as the shot fades back to ringside.
NINA APPLEBAUM: And with the announcement of Colgate Carnage's absence tonight, this match just became a triple threat.
BRAD STOKES: I kinda feel naked without having Colgate Carnage present to lob japes at, Nina. This whole night has been one of disruption.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Indeed it has. With a present Chief Operating Officer making his presence felt we may be looking at a new era in the AWE.
BRAD STOKES: It’s only been three shows, Nina! This is the fourth show! What the fuck?! Let me catch my breath before you introduce an “AlphaTron” would you?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Well at least we have a Resilience Championship belt to ogle finally, which is what these three competitors will be looking ahead towards depending on the outcome of this match.
It’s a steady move into the center of the ring for all three before Trinity Jones surprises Sinister Minister with a step-enziguri that fells the larger man like a tree, which forces Benny to act, quickly downing Trinity with a DDT into a triangle hold!
BRAD STOKES: That Benny Stevens is so hot right now, Nina. Commercial spots, potential forward-looking women-crush-Wednesdays… Benny’s a man going places. He’s not going to win, but he’s got prospects.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Your level of confidence in our roster is, as always, inspirational, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: I like to do my part, Nina. That hefty Christmas bonus is sweetening the deal, obviously.
Sinister Minister has risen and dropped a huge leaping knee onto Trinity’s spine and on top of Benny simultaneously and has begun unloading shots into Benny before whipping Trinity into the ropes and on the rebound snap suplexed her into the canvas.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Obviously, a match like this, any match really, holds weight for future prospects, but you have to figure that all three of these competitors who’ve endured a winless drought so far in the AWE are extra hungry.
BRAD STOKES: Not anymore, Nina. Weren’t you listening? Christmas bonus raise. That’ll put some turkey in their tummies, and tofurkey on the lame-wad’s plates who eat that crap. It’s a holiday miracle courtesy of our auspicious COO.
Sinister Minister once more has Trinity up and whipped into the corner. As he goes to capitlize, Benny charges him and german suplexes him hard into the canvas, which leaves room for Trinity to leap off the turnbuckle in time with Benny’s suplex and double stomps down hard into Benny’s midsection!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Prudent maneuver by Trinity Jones and she goes for the cover!
1…
BRAD STOKES: Nah, kickout. Too early yet. She needs to soften these men up… preferably by getting in the kitchen where she belongs and baking them a cake! AHAHAHAHA!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Are you seriously making sexist jokes?
BRAD STOKES: American Tommy started it. I’m finishing it, Nina. I put periods on everybody’s sentences. I’m a damned hero.
Sinister Minister is up and aims a lariat for Trinity Jones who ducks and turns Minister around into a sitout facebuster that cracks the larger man’s face hard off the canvas! Benny isn’t about to remain down, driving a thrusting knee into Trinity Jones then remaining on the offensive as he backs her into a corner with stiff knife-edge chops then whips her hard into the opposite corner, forced on the way to leap frog over a rising Sinister Minister who catches Benny as he charges for her into a float-over DDT! With Trinity slammed hard into the corner! Sinister Minister goes for the cover on Benny!
1…
2…
NINA APPLEBAUM: Trinity came to just in time to break that pin up!
A stiff kick to the back has Sinister Minister angrily forced to his feet in a confrontation with Trinity, but Trinity’s speed has her stiff strikes keeping the larger man off balance before he nails her with a stiff haymaker, turns her around and slams her hard into the canvas with a bridging german suplex!
1…
2…
NINA APPLEBAUM: Benny Stevens was there to break up the pin!
BRAD STOKES: No quarter’s being given in that ring right now.
Benny lays a series of kicks into Sinister Minister’s midsection to keep him grounded then drops a series of elbows before forcing Sinister Minister up to his feet and absolutely plants him into the canvas with an inverted suplex that shakes the ring boards! The crowd pops as Benny is fired up, lifting to his feet, charging up the ropes and dropping a huge moonsault onto Sinister Minister and hooks the leg for the cover!
1…
2..
NINA APPLEBAUM: Trinity Jones was there to break up the cover!
Trinity has pulled Benny fresh off Sinister Minister and dragged him to his feet where a stiff elbow to his back has staggered Benny and then Trinity hooks Benny’s leg and slams him onto the canvas with a fisherman’s suplex!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Trinity Jones is fired up now too, as the crowd gets behind her!
Trinity is on her feet surging as the crowd roars ready for one of these opponents to take charge! Sinister Minister is rising to his feet with the help of the ropes not ready for the sudden side thrust kick from Trinity that powerfully knocks Sinister up and over the ropes as the crowd roars!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Those strikes of Trinity Jones pack a wallop!
BRAD STOKES: She knocked Sinister Minister into outer space with that kick!
Sinister Minister lands hard on the outside, Benny is still down and nursing his back as Trinity fires up the crowd ever further.
NINA APPLEBAUM: The lead up to this match was rife with a back and forth of vitriol, it’s no wonder Trinity wants this, these two men got her angry!
BRAD STOKES: And, presumably, we wouldn’t like her when she’s angry!
Sinister staggers to his feet on the outside shaking his head and gripping his spine as Trinity spies him through the ropes, takes a step back and charges for him for a suicide dive!!!
NINA APPLEBAUM: HIGH RISK!!!
BRAD STOKES: Nobody home!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Sinister Minister just narrowly avoided a Trinity Jones suicide dive that has sent Trinity Jones slamming hard into the ringside guardrail!
BRAD STOKES: That’s going to spoil her Christmas.
Trinity is knocked senseless on the outside, Sinister Minister shifts his attention inside the ring where Benny has stumbled to his feet. Outside American Tommy is gloating and threatening the pained Trinity Jones as Sinister Minister climbs into the ring and moves for Benny who stuns him and the crowd with a pele kick that staggers Sinister Minister into the corner but doesn’t knock him down!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Benny’s still got some life in him now as Sinister Minister was clearly not expecting that!
Benny is on his feet and jamming a knee into Sinister Minister’s shin before angrily whipping him onto the canvas! And Benny goes up top!
BRAD STOKES: Trinity Jones is down on the outside! Benny’s gonna fly! High risk. Never pays off for this moron!
Benny leaps into his patented Ten-Star Frog Splash and NAILS it to a hyped crowd!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Ten-Star Frogsplash! Benny Stevens is taking the momentum of this match!
Benny is full of adrenaline before he heaves Sinister Minister up to his feet and salutes him arrogantly before NAILING him with a karate front snap kick!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The party starter! Benny with the cover!
BRAD STOKES: And Trinity Jones is just barely coming to on the outside!!!
1…
2…
3!!!
DING! DING! DING!
“Sex Type Thing” by the Stone Temple Pilots rocks through the speakers as Benny is on his feet celebrating, pointing to the newly christened Alpha Tron where a makeshift video of his highlights is playing! Benny watches with an approving nod of his head!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… BENNY…. STEVENNNNNSSSSSS!!
BRAD STOKES: Well, son of a bitch, I was wrong. He won. Damn.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Strong showing from Benny Stevens.
BRAD STOKES: Gotta feel good to get that win under his belt.
NINA APPLEBAUM: And, for the other two, it’s likely not the outcome that was desired.
BRAD STOKES: Ehhhh, it is what it is, Nina. Can’t win them all.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Only a matter of time, Bradley.
In the backstage area, just after the gorilla position stands Nate Hollis grinning snidely into the camera.
NATE HOLLIS: Take my swell studio set-up, will they? “Budget Cuts”, hey? Then here I am, the utterly indispensable Nate Hollis, taking the entire damn backstage area to get the job I do so damn well, damn well done, you feel me?
Benny Stevens files into the back just beside Nate.
NATE HOLLIS: And just in time for my first backstage segment of the night, it’s Benny Stevens himself, fresh off a win, how’s that feel, my man?
BENNY STEVENS: Fuckin’ A plus, Nate! It is what it is, man! I could just go ahead and claim that my opponents were great tonight but that would be a lie. They didn’t win – I did! I got the message perfectly clear, though. Like I said, no more playing games from now on… My performance tonight was just a taste of what Benny Stevens will bring in 2017. New year, new me – y’all can count on it!
NATE HOLLIS: Absolutely, B-Stev, absolutely! As we close out this year and head into a new one, the AWE has been growing leaps and bounds, for better or worse, and you were one of the first to sign on the dotted line. What are your thoughts on this federation that employs us so far, my man?
BENNY STEVENS: AWE is where the tough competition is at… Simple as that. I haven’t even experienced one year as a professional wrestler yet, but I guarantee that this company is gathering the best wrestlers in the whole world. I don’t really give a fuck who you are; however, let me tell ya – the so-called ‘legends’, the pros, the rookies or even the washed ups need to experience true competition such as the one that AWE has to provide. Step up your game and roll with us, boyos… Or go fist yourself.
NATE HOLLIS: Right on, right on. How about dream matches. We got a deep roster full of talent in either division, Ben. Any matches you’d be looking forward to in the New Year?
BENNY STEVENS: There are several wrestlers on our roster that would be one hell of a challenge in the ring… I’m talking about one on one matches, of course. Do you want me to mention a couple of names? Dominic Lawson, Zack Fantana, Amis Shelton, Bindy Trent, Brandon Collins, Caroline Burchill, Ana Hayden, DiBona, ummm… Stoker even though he’s one weird dude… Wait, I said more than just a couple of names. Well, those are my favorites anyway. I’m fighting anyone, anytime, anywhere and under any circumstance. Bring it, biaaaaaatch.
Nate chuckles.
NATE HOLLIS: Nice to hear! Now, you’ve not had the best of starts, Ben. Obviously tonight is an obviously welcome reversal of fortune, but what are you thinking as you reflect on your career so far in the AWE?
BENNY STEVENS: My career in AWE? Hmmmm. Ok, no matter how many times I take a loss in an AWE ring… I guarantee that I’m still one of the best in the company. I work hard and I want to take this place to new heights. It’s my motto – go balls deep or stay outta the ring. Me? I’m going balls deep every single day of my life. People will probably laugh at me for saying something like that but hey, I don’t give a fuck. I’ll stick to putting in the work that I always do. The fact of the matter is when you think of AWE; Benny Stevens is a name that pops up in your mind – whether you like it or not… Now that’s my goal. I plan to carve my name in AWE’s history wall, no more and no less than that. They’ll talk about me – either as the biggest flop or one of the best; however, my name will never be forgotten…………… Damn! That was deep! I should totally write that down, right Nate?
Benny smacks Nate proudly on the back with a smile and walks off to get himself cleaned up. Nate shakes his head with a smirk and looks back to the camera.
NATE HOLLIS: I’d say that was an early success. Now, obviously, this T.S. bastard may be undertaking a war of attrition with me here, but I’m proving I ain’t stepping down for nobody. Take my ‘9000 unit? No problem. I’ll be Nate Hollis 9000. Here, backstage, to provide you fans with all the relevant information, rain or bloody shine like the damned post office or something. Up next we turn our attention to the Paramount Division, where Jessie Roberts, Aokigahara Zombie and Hanzo Kirigaya are set to do battle. Check it out!
NATE HOLLIS: Take my swell studio set-up, will they? “Budget Cuts”, hey? Then here I am, the utterly indispensable Nate Hollis, taking the entire damn backstage area to get the job I do so damn well, damn well done, you feel me?
Benny Stevens files into the back just beside Nate.
NATE HOLLIS: And just in time for my first backstage segment of the night, it’s Benny Stevens himself, fresh off a win, how’s that feel, my man?
BENNY STEVENS: Fuckin’ A plus, Nate! It is what it is, man! I could just go ahead and claim that my opponents were great tonight but that would be a lie. They didn’t win – I did! I got the message perfectly clear, though. Like I said, no more playing games from now on… My performance tonight was just a taste of what Benny Stevens will bring in 2017. New year, new me – y’all can count on it!
NATE HOLLIS: Absolutely, B-Stev, absolutely! As we close out this year and head into a new one, the AWE has been growing leaps and bounds, for better or worse, and you were one of the first to sign on the dotted line. What are your thoughts on this federation that employs us so far, my man?
BENNY STEVENS: AWE is where the tough competition is at… Simple as that. I haven’t even experienced one year as a professional wrestler yet, but I guarantee that this company is gathering the best wrestlers in the whole world. I don’t really give a fuck who you are; however, let me tell ya – the so-called ‘legends’, the pros, the rookies or even the washed ups need to experience true competition such as the one that AWE has to provide. Step up your game and roll with us, boyos… Or go fist yourself.
NATE HOLLIS: Right on, right on. How about dream matches. We got a deep roster full of talent in either division, Ben. Any matches you’d be looking forward to in the New Year?
BENNY STEVENS: There are several wrestlers on our roster that would be one hell of a challenge in the ring… I’m talking about one on one matches, of course. Do you want me to mention a couple of names? Dominic Lawson, Zack Fantana, Amis Shelton, Bindy Trent, Brandon Collins, Caroline Burchill, Ana Hayden, DiBona, ummm… Stoker even though he’s one weird dude… Wait, I said more than just a couple of names. Well, those are my favorites anyway. I’m fighting anyone, anytime, anywhere and under any circumstance. Bring it, biaaaaaatch.
Nate chuckles.
NATE HOLLIS: Nice to hear! Now, you’ve not had the best of starts, Ben. Obviously tonight is an obviously welcome reversal of fortune, but what are you thinking as you reflect on your career so far in the AWE?
BENNY STEVENS: My career in AWE? Hmmmm. Ok, no matter how many times I take a loss in an AWE ring… I guarantee that I’m still one of the best in the company. I work hard and I want to take this place to new heights. It’s my motto – go balls deep or stay outta the ring. Me? I’m going balls deep every single day of my life. People will probably laugh at me for saying something like that but hey, I don’t give a fuck. I’ll stick to putting in the work that I always do. The fact of the matter is when you think of AWE; Benny Stevens is a name that pops up in your mind – whether you like it or not… Now that’s my goal. I plan to carve my name in AWE’s history wall, no more and no less than that. They’ll talk about me – either as the biggest flop or one of the best; however, my name will never be forgotten…………… Damn! That was deep! I should totally write that down, right Nate?
Benny smacks Nate proudly on the back with a smile and walks off to get himself cleaned up. Nate shakes his head with a smirk and looks back to the camera.
NATE HOLLIS: I’d say that was an early success. Now, obviously, this T.S. bastard may be undertaking a war of attrition with me here, but I’m proving I ain’t stepping down for nobody. Take my ‘9000 unit? No problem. I’ll be Nate Hollis 9000. Here, backstage, to provide you fans with all the relevant information, rain or bloody shine like the damned post office or something. Up next we turn our attention to the Paramount Division, where Jessie Roberts, Aokigahara Zombie and Hanzo Kirigaya are set to do battle. Check it out!
Jessie Roberts VS. Aokigahara Zombie VS. Hanzo Kirigaya
DING! DING! DING!
BRAD STOKES: Another damn triple threat match?
NINA APPLEBAUM: This time with participants from the Paramount Division, Bradley, each with similar stories as our last triple threat.
BRAD STOKES: One giant roster full of failure, is what you’re saying, Nina. Good thing the bonuses are already on their way, otherwise you might get your butt fired for talking like that.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I didn’t say that. You said that.
BRAD STOKES: Likely story.
Hanzo has moved for Aoki Zombie swinging a lariat the Zombie ducks and plows over Hanzo with a lariat of his own. With Zombie’s back turned it leaves room for Jessie Roberts to charge in and slam a stiff knee into Zombie’s back shifts the momentum into a double-underhook suplex into a bridge pin!
1…
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nicely done by Jessie Roberts, but a kickout by the Zombie!
BRAD STOKES: That was nicely done, actually.
Roberts is up in time to catch a swinging neckbreaker from Hanzo Kirigaya! Once down Hanzo goes right to work keeping Aoki Zombie down!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The legendary Aokigahara Zombie seems to be the target of both of these formidable opponents, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Naturally. This is one of those guys who’s proven a resilience beyond just about anything seen in a wrestling ring on any shore anywhere in the world. Most of it’s fueled by alcohol I suspect, so big thumbs up to Budweiser for making a juggernaut!
Hanzo stomps on Aoki Zombie, dropping an elbow before rolling Zombie to his feet and irish whipping him into the corner! Zombie collides with the corner and Hanzo chases him in only to miss a shining wizard, colliding with the corner himself! Zombie collects a stunned Hanzo and reverse atomic drops him once into the corner then back body drops Hanzo to the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dangerous strength by Zombie!
BRAD STOKES: But now he’s got to contend with Jessie Roberts!
Roberts is right in Zombie’s face before Zombie can capitalize on the downed Hanzo. Roberts sends a series of furious strikes into Zombie, disorienting Aoki and driving him into the ropes! She goes to whip him for the opposing ropes but Aoki reverses it into a gutbuster that downs Jessie Roberts.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Looks like Aoki is going for the cover!
BRAD STOKES: Nah, he’s checking on Roberts. See? He’s actually really nice. I hear he doubles as a mall Santa Claus.
Aoki grabs Jessie Roberts by the hair and drags her back to her feet in time for Hanzo Kirigaya to surprise Aoki with a stunning headscissor on Roberts coupled with a side DDT on Aoki Zombie! AND THE CROWD POPS!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Double the damage there for Hanzo!
Hanzo is up to his feet, energized as he runs up the ropes and drops an elbow onto Jessie Roberts and goes for the cover!
1…
2…
NINA APPLEBAUM: Aokigahara Zombie broke up that pin!
BRAD STOKES: Hard to figure whether he wants to win or just beat people up, you know?
Zombie and Hanzo are both on their feet, but Zombie is caught off guard by a much quicker Hanzo Kirigaya who levels Zombie with a drop toe hold then a leaping knee drop! He doesn’t get to capitalize too long before Jessie Roberts slams a running knee that knocks Hanzo senselessly to the canvas! And Roberts doesn’t let up, fueled by a surge of adrenaline, Jessie Roberts lays violent stomps down on Hanzo Kirigaya before forcing him to his feet and suplexing the Dragon back down to the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nice transfer and Roberts with the pin!
1…
2…
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Hanzo!
BRAD STOKES: Aoki is getting a little slow in there, not a good sign!
Aokigahara Zombie rises to his feet as Roberts does as well and she careens at him with a lariat Zombie ducks, turns kicks her in the midsection and slams her with a sitout jawbreaker!
BRAD STOKES: Spoke too soon!
Zombie checks Hanzo who is just rolling to his feet before Zombie drags Roberts up to her feet and surprises Hanzo and Roberts by whipping her into Hanzo in a painful collision!
NINA APPLEBAUM: OHHHH! Collision there!
BRAD STOKES: We got a man down! And a woman. We got a man and woman down. Two. Clean up on aisle—
NINA APPLEBAUM: We get it, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: What are you doing with your bonus, Nina?
NINA APPLEBAUM: This is hardly the time!
Zombie has dropped a painful knee drop into both Roberts and Hanzo to keep them both winded and down on the canvas.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zombie has some definite evil intentions right now.
BRAD STOKES: What did I tell you about his being a mall santa? How can you say these callous things about people who are cleary looking out for our best interests?
Zombie keeps up the assault on both of his opponents before Roberts hooks his leg and drops him to the canvas, quickly flipping Zombie onto his back and laying a flurry of mounted punches into Zombie’s face geared towards drawing blood!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Roberts has had enough!
Zombie manages to raise his knees into Roberts’ back and force her off of him in order to drag her to her feet and suplex her back to the canvas.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zombie is reluctant to relinquish control for the time being.
BRAD STOKES: It’s a wrestling match, dummy. If he does, he loses. By gum you opine about the dumbest things.
NINA APPLEBAUM: You’re in rare form tonight, Bradley. You must be drunk?
BRAD STOKES: This close to Christmas? And steal Aokigahara Zombie’s gimmick? Pishawf. Besides, I’ll never divulge my secrets, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Suit yourself.
As Zombie stomps away merrily on Roberts, Hanzo is back to his feet and slammed Zombie back down to the canvas in reverse frankensteiner! Before Hanzo can capitalize, Zombie has rolled himself under the ropes to the outside.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zombie gets out of there in an interesting EVASION of further Hanzo offense.
BRAD STOKES: I still think its Avoision, but whatever.
In the ring Hanzo has shifted attention to Jessie Roberts who has made it to her feet only to be clocked by a severe Hanzo haymaker. And another, and another and another before Roberts has been backed into a corner where Hanzo unleashes a series of corner punches the crowd counts along with then whips her out of the corner onto the canvas and climbs the turnbuckle!
NINA APPLEBAUM: He lost sight of Aoki Zombie!
Zombie is on the apron quick as lightning to surprise Hanzo with a shot that stuns Hanzo atop the turnbuckle! Then Aoki slips onto the turnbuckle and SLAMS Hanzo down into the ring with a super backdrop driver into the ring!
NINA APPLEBAUM: OH WOW!
The crowd is roaring as Zombie slides atop Hanzo for a cover as Roberts stirs nearby.
1…
2..
3!!!
DING! DING! DING! NINA APPLEBAUM: This time with participants from the Paramount Division, Bradley, each with similar stories as our last triple threat.
BRAD STOKES: One giant roster full of failure, is what you’re saying, Nina. Good thing the bonuses are already on their way, otherwise you might get your butt fired for talking like that.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I didn’t say that. You said that.
BRAD STOKES: Likely story.
Hanzo has moved for Aoki Zombie swinging a lariat the Zombie ducks and plows over Hanzo with a lariat of his own. With Zombie’s back turned it leaves room for Jessie Roberts to charge in and slam a stiff knee into Zombie’s back shifts the momentum into a double-underhook suplex into a bridge pin!
1…
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nicely done by Jessie Roberts, but a kickout by the Zombie!
BRAD STOKES: That was nicely done, actually.
Roberts is up in time to catch a swinging neckbreaker from Hanzo Kirigaya! Once down Hanzo goes right to work keeping Aoki Zombie down!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The legendary Aokigahara Zombie seems to be the target of both of these formidable opponents, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Naturally. This is one of those guys who’s proven a resilience beyond just about anything seen in a wrestling ring on any shore anywhere in the world. Most of it’s fueled by alcohol I suspect, so big thumbs up to Budweiser for making a juggernaut!
Hanzo stomps on Aoki Zombie, dropping an elbow before rolling Zombie to his feet and irish whipping him into the corner! Zombie collides with the corner and Hanzo chases him in only to miss a shining wizard, colliding with the corner himself! Zombie collects a stunned Hanzo and reverse atomic drops him once into the corner then back body drops Hanzo to the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dangerous strength by Zombie!
BRAD STOKES: But now he’s got to contend with Jessie Roberts!
Roberts is right in Zombie’s face before Zombie can capitalize on the downed Hanzo. Roberts sends a series of furious strikes into Zombie, disorienting Aoki and driving him into the ropes! She goes to whip him for the opposing ropes but Aoki reverses it into a gutbuster that downs Jessie Roberts.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Looks like Aoki is going for the cover!
BRAD STOKES: Nah, he’s checking on Roberts. See? He’s actually really nice. I hear he doubles as a mall Santa Claus.
Aoki grabs Jessie Roberts by the hair and drags her back to her feet in time for Hanzo Kirigaya to surprise Aoki with a stunning headscissor on Roberts coupled with a side DDT on Aoki Zombie! AND THE CROWD POPS!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Double the damage there for Hanzo!
Hanzo is up to his feet, energized as he runs up the ropes and drops an elbow onto Jessie Roberts and goes for the cover!
1…
2…
NINA APPLEBAUM: Aokigahara Zombie broke up that pin!
BRAD STOKES: Hard to figure whether he wants to win or just beat people up, you know?
Zombie and Hanzo are both on their feet, but Zombie is caught off guard by a much quicker Hanzo Kirigaya who levels Zombie with a drop toe hold then a leaping knee drop! He doesn’t get to capitalize too long before Jessie Roberts slams a running knee that knocks Hanzo senselessly to the canvas! And Roberts doesn’t let up, fueled by a surge of adrenaline, Jessie Roberts lays violent stomps down on Hanzo Kirigaya before forcing him to his feet and suplexing the Dragon back down to the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nice transfer and Roberts with the pin!
1…
2…
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Hanzo!
BRAD STOKES: Aoki is getting a little slow in there, not a good sign!
Aokigahara Zombie rises to his feet as Roberts does as well and she careens at him with a lariat Zombie ducks, turns kicks her in the midsection and slams her with a sitout jawbreaker!
BRAD STOKES: Spoke too soon!
Zombie checks Hanzo who is just rolling to his feet before Zombie drags Roberts up to her feet and surprises Hanzo and Roberts by whipping her into Hanzo in a painful collision!
NINA APPLEBAUM: OHHHH! Collision there!
BRAD STOKES: We got a man down! And a woman. We got a man and woman down. Two. Clean up on aisle—
NINA APPLEBAUM: We get it, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: What are you doing with your bonus, Nina?
NINA APPLEBAUM: This is hardly the time!
Zombie has dropped a painful knee drop into both Roberts and Hanzo to keep them both winded and down on the canvas.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zombie has some definite evil intentions right now.
BRAD STOKES: What did I tell you about his being a mall santa? How can you say these callous things about people who are cleary looking out for our best interests?
Zombie keeps up the assault on both of his opponents before Roberts hooks his leg and drops him to the canvas, quickly flipping Zombie onto his back and laying a flurry of mounted punches into Zombie’s face geared towards drawing blood!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Roberts has had enough!
Zombie manages to raise his knees into Roberts’ back and force her off of him in order to drag her to her feet and suplex her back to the canvas.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zombie is reluctant to relinquish control for the time being.
BRAD STOKES: It’s a wrestling match, dummy. If he does, he loses. By gum you opine about the dumbest things.
NINA APPLEBAUM: You’re in rare form tonight, Bradley. You must be drunk?
BRAD STOKES: This close to Christmas? And steal Aokigahara Zombie’s gimmick? Pishawf. Besides, I’ll never divulge my secrets, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Suit yourself.
As Zombie stomps away merrily on Roberts, Hanzo is back to his feet and slammed Zombie back down to the canvas in reverse frankensteiner! Before Hanzo can capitalize, Zombie has rolled himself under the ropes to the outside.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zombie gets out of there in an interesting EVASION of further Hanzo offense.
BRAD STOKES: I still think its Avoision, but whatever.
In the ring Hanzo has shifted attention to Jessie Roberts who has made it to her feet only to be clocked by a severe Hanzo haymaker. And another, and another and another before Roberts has been backed into a corner where Hanzo unleashes a series of corner punches the crowd counts along with then whips her out of the corner onto the canvas and climbs the turnbuckle!
NINA APPLEBAUM: He lost sight of Aoki Zombie!
Zombie is on the apron quick as lightning to surprise Hanzo with a shot that stuns Hanzo atop the turnbuckle! Then Aoki slips onto the turnbuckle and SLAMS Hanzo down into the ring with a super backdrop driver into the ring!
NINA APPLEBAUM: OH WOW!
The crowd is roaring as Zombie slides atop Hanzo for a cover as Roberts stirs nearby.
1…
2..
3!!!
“Courage” by the Minutemen kicks in as Aoki Zombie rolls his neck and rises to a stand.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Clever, painful victory for Aokigahara Zombie in there!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… AOKIGAHARAAAAA ZOMBIEEEEEEE!!!
BRAD STOKES: Rough and tumble from start to finish and everywhere in between. Aokigahara Zombie proves once more he’s one of the toughest customers out there.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Tough loss for Hanzo and Jessie Roberts.
BRAD STOKES: And yet, my dear, a big win for Aoki Zombie. So the other two can cry me a river!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Clever, painful victory for Aokigahara Zombie in there!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… AOKIGAHARAAAAA ZOMBIEEEEEEE!!!
BRAD STOKES: Rough and tumble from start to finish and everywhere in between. Aokigahara Zombie proves once more he’s one of the toughest customers out there.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Tough loss for Hanzo and Jessie Roberts.
BRAD STOKES: And yet, my dear, a big win for Aoki Zombie. So the other two can cry me a river!
Nate Hollis stands backstage just behind the curtains with mic in hand. Aokigahara Zombie bursts through nodding his head and stops when he catches sight of the camera. He looks straight in and ignores Hollis.
NATE HOLLIS: Umm. Hello, Aokigahara. Congratulations on your win here tonight. If you’re wondering why I'm here, the answer is simple: I’m a man of the people, not unlike yourself, Aokigahara, and I've decided to walk among you all in order to show how this wrestling program can’t run without me, and gather the opinions and thoughts of talented fine young gentleman like yourself in order to supplement the understanding of AWE watchers at home. You read me?
Aokigahara is frozen and transfixed by the camera.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Is this live?
NATE HOLLIS: Uh… Dawg, it is recording.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: This is live, right?
Nate glances at the cameraman.
NATE HOLLIS: Yeah... yeah sure.
Aokigahara beams with a wide grin. He turns his body towards Nate but his head is frozen with his attention on the camera. He grabs Nate's hand holding the microphone and breathes into it closely for a few moments.
NATE HOLLIS: Uh, okay… your t-thoughts on the match?
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Yes. Hello. I am Zombie Aokigahara and I fight for-
NATE HOLLIS: We know, brother. Everybody knows you. Just tell us what your thought process was on the match? You just beat Jessie Roberts and Hanzo Kirigaya.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Yes, sure. I am disappointed. I thought Hanzo or Jessie would be the ones. I know their history. Where they come from but ultimately I was able to beat them. Jessie Roberts is a tough woman. Her fists are live roses and the thorns stung hard. Kirigaya-san is a rock and he stopped my offence like waves crashing into him. I know we were meant to keep Kirigaya-san warm for the Alpha Cup but it seems we went too far. Oops.
He opens his mouth and laughs slowly with a frozen grin.
NATE HOLLIS: ... Yea, dawg. Exactly. So, what do you feel about the new signees for AWE? Especially those precious few who have been brave enough to sign on to the tag division?
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: The tag division was strong since we signed up for it. I am glad we have some challengers now. It will be so much fun to test out these new fighters and see what they are made of. Kirigaya-san is fun. The devil worshipers will be fun too.
NATE HOLLIS: Actually, brother, I don't think The Solomons are-
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Of course they are. I bet they have all sorts of fun tricks. It will be great to fight them with Kimitsu-chan. I can't wait.
NATE HOLLIS: Absolutely, that’s great. Thanks for your time Aokigahara.
Aokigahara bows his head and shuffles along sideways out of the frame with his frozen grin and Nate sighs looking back to the camera.
NATE HOLLIS: Right on. Still to come here on AWE’s Massacre number 4 we have several Alpha Cup second round matches, and don’t forget: we’re going to crown our first Paramount Champion! All after this!
NATE HOLLIS: Umm. Hello, Aokigahara. Congratulations on your win here tonight. If you’re wondering why I'm here, the answer is simple: I’m a man of the people, not unlike yourself, Aokigahara, and I've decided to walk among you all in order to show how this wrestling program can’t run without me, and gather the opinions and thoughts of talented fine young gentleman like yourself in order to supplement the understanding of AWE watchers at home. You read me?
Aokigahara is frozen and transfixed by the camera.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Is this live?
NATE HOLLIS: Uh… Dawg, it is recording.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: This is live, right?
Nate glances at the cameraman.
NATE HOLLIS: Yeah... yeah sure.
Aokigahara beams with a wide grin. He turns his body towards Nate but his head is frozen with his attention on the camera. He grabs Nate's hand holding the microphone and breathes into it closely for a few moments.
NATE HOLLIS: Uh, okay… your t-thoughts on the match?
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Yes. Hello. I am Zombie Aokigahara and I fight for-
NATE HOLLIS: We know, brother. Everybody knows you. Just tell us what your thought process was on the match? You just beat Jessie Roberts and Hanzo Kirigaya.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Yes, sure. I am disappointed. I thought Hanzo or Jessie would be the ones. I know their history. Where they come from but ultimately I was able to beat them. Jessie Roberts is a tough woman. Her fists are live roses and the thorns stung hard. Kirigaya-san is a rock and he stopped my offence like waves crashing into him. I know we were meant to keep Kirigaya-san warm for the Alpha Cup but it seems we went too far. Oops.
He opens his mouth and laughs slowly with a frozen grin.
NATE HOLLIS: ... Yea, dawg. Exactly. So, what do you feel about the new signees for AWE? Especially those precious few who have been brave enough to sign on to the tag division?
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: The tag division was strong since we signed up for it. I am glad we have some challengers now. It will be so much fun to test out these new fighters and see what they are made of. Kirigaya-san is fun. The devil worshipers will be fun too.
NATE HOLLIS: Actually, brother, I don't think The Solomons are-
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Of course they are. I bet they have all sorts of fun tricks. It will be great to fight them with Kimitsu-chan. I can't wait.
NATE HOLLIS: Absolutely, that’s great. Thanks for your time Aokigahara.
Aokigahara bows his head and shuffles along sideways out of the frame with his frozen grin and Nate sighs looking back to the camera.
NATE HOLLIS: Right on. Still to come here on AWE’s Massacre number 4 we have several Alpha Cup second round matches, and don’t forget: we’re going to crown our first Paramount Champion! All after this!
Benny Stevens walks happily with Arnold Bestripper through the mildly bustling freshly renovated Bestripper Mall.
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: I'm telling you, Benny. We got everything here.
A sign catches Benny's eye and he's heading for the store before Arnold can notice he's gone.
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: I'm telling you, Benny. We got everything here.
A sign catches Benny's eye and he's heading for the store before Arnold can notice he's gone.
Inside, Benny cheerily walks towards a lovely young woman wearing a store uniform with a name tag that reads Mysti. Benny looks her over with appraisal.
MYSTI: May I help you?
BENNY STEVENS: You'll do.
Benny gives a knowing grin before he hops into a display bathtub with his feet up on either edge of the tub and looks up at Mysti expectantly. Mysti blinks as an overweight gentleman happily approaches Benny and Mysti, his name tag reads Bob.
BOB: You like that model, huh?
Bob is quite excited. So is Benny as he eyes Mysti over once more with an enthusiastic nod before trying to lift the hem of her red shirt.
MYSTI: What do you think you're doing?!
BENNY STEVENS: I'm here for my Rub and Tug.
Benny starts to undo his pants as Bob's face brightens.
BOB: Rub and Tug? SON! You're in a Rug and Tub!
Cue awesome theme music as Benny looks around confused, his attempt at unbuttoning his pants has come undone at this point.
Bob's in front a green screen display of store images speaking like an exciting auctioneer!
BOB: That's right, we got Rugs! We got Tubs! We got Rugs for putting in your tub, and tubs perfect for sitting on your rugs. We got rugs and tubs. Just check out the store!
Panoramic sweeping shot.
MYSTI: May I help you?
BENNY STEVENS: You'll do.
Benny gives a knowing grin before he hops into a display bathtub with his feet up on either edge of the tub and looks up at Mysti expectantly. Mysti blinks as an overweight gentleman happily approaches Benny and Mysti, his name tag reads Bob.
BOB: You like that model, huh?
Bob is quite excited. So is Benny as he eyes Mysti over once more with an enthusiastic nod before trying to lift the hem of her red shirt.
MYSTI: What do you think you're doing?!
BENNY STEVENS: I'm here for my Rub and Tug.
Benny starts to undo his pants as Bob's face brightens.
BOB: Rub and Tug? SON! You're in a Rug and Tub!
Cue awesome theme music as Benny looks around confused, his attempt at unbuttoning his pants has come undone at this point.
Bob's in front a green screen display of store images speaking like an exciting auctioneer!
BOB: That's right, we got Rugs! We got Tubs! We got Rugs for putting in your tub, and tubs perfect for sitting on your rugs. We got rugs and tubs. Just check out the store!
Panoramic sweeping shot.
BOB: We got Rugs and Tubs! So many Rugs and Tubs you'll never want to leave. We satisfy your need for big tubs, or little rugs, large rugs and little tubs! We've been servicing the state for over thirty years, you want it so we GOT IT!! We've become the busiest rug and tub in the entire state. We're so busy I had to hire my three beautiful daughters!
All lovely and shapely, and attractive and everything Benny wanted in a girlfriend all in Bob's arms while he beams proudly.
Benny is disheartened as he now realizes the store isn't what he thought it was and climbs from the tub holding onto the unbuttoned waist of his pants and a noticeable slump of his shoulders.
BOB: Come on back, son! Who doesn't love an exotic rug and tub?!
Benny hurries from the store without an answer and catches up with Arnold Bestripper.
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: I knew you'd love being sponsored, Benny!
BENNY STEVENS: Uh...
The camera is head-on with them as they walk through the newly renovated Bestripper Mall.
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: That's right, folks. Come on down to the Bestripper Mall. We got everything. Right, Ben?
He looks to Benny who's disappointment is overwhelming. Arnold urges,
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: Say the line, Ben!
Benny rolls his eyes.
BENNY STEVENS: Come to the Bestripper Mall... where the Champions shop!
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: All right!
All lovely and shapely, and attractive and everything Benny wanted in a girlfriend all in Bob's arms while he beams proudly.
Benny is disheartened as he now realizes the store isn't what he thought it was and climbs from the tub holding onto the unbuttoned waist of his pants and a noticeable slump of his shoulders.
BOB: Come on back, son! Who doesn't love an exotic rug and tub?!
Benny hurries from the store without an answer and catches up with Arnold Bestripper.
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: I knew you'd love being sponsored, Benny!
BENNY STEVENS: Uh...
The camera is head-on with them as they walk through the newly renovated Bestripper Mall.
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: That's right, folks. Come on down to the Bestripper Mall. We got everything. Right, Ben?
He looks to Benny who's disappointment is overwhelming. Arnold urges,
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: Say the line, Ben!
Benny rolls his eyes.
BENNY STEVENS: Come to the Bestripper Mall... where the Champions shop!
ARNOLD BESTRIPPER: All right!
Corey Sanders VS. Dom Lawson
Corey Sanders unleashes a wicked spinning heel kick that Dom Lawson ducks and slams a fist into Corey’s midsection that staggers the ultimate power ranger and doubles him over!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Another swift act of evasion by Dom Lawson!
BRAD STOKES: You mean Avoision.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Avoision? There’s no such word as Avoision, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Are you sure?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Pretty certain, yes.
BRAD STOKES: Damn, you’re strange for knowing that.
Dom Lawson has laid into Corey Sanders with further blows before turning Sanders over into an inverted ddt!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Quick cover by Dom Lawson!
1…
TW—
BRAD STOKES: Kickout by that one guy!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Corey Sanders, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Must you correct everything I do?
NINA APPLEBAUM: When it’s wrong, yes.
BRAD STOKES: Well, aren’t you something, little miss fuzzy britches!
NINA APPLEBAUM: ….
Dom has Corey up to a knee but Corey has unloaded a swift haymaker that staggers Dom backward. Corey is up to his feet and once more unloading a series of stiff kicks that knock the veteran Dom Lawson back into the ropes. Corey launches him for the ropes and on the way back knocks Lawson down to the canvas with a standing drop kick!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And the cover by Corey Sanders!
ONE---
NINA APPLEBAUM: Strong kickout there by Dom Lawson!
Corey grips Dom on the way up to his feet and straight-arms Lawson back into the corner before unleashing another flurry of punches before stepping onto the middle rope as the fans cheer. Corey raises an arm threatening Dom with another blow before Dom shifts forward and POWERBOMBS Corey to the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The cover!
1…
TW—
BRAD STOKES: Corey Sanders may be efficient, but Dom Lawson, in spite of my negative feelings towards him personally, has an answer to Corey Sanders.
NINA APPLEBAUM: So far it seems so! But never count Corey Sanders out!
Dom grips Corey up to his feet only to get shoulder rushed hard into the corner by Corey Sanders and then he follows it up with hard shoulder thrusts that plow into Dom Lawson before Corey whips Dom from the corner in a monkey flip!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Corey Sanders remains as focused and dangerous as ever in spite of Dom Lawson’s best efforts!
Sanders drops a repeated array of knee drops to downed Lawson, followed by a flurry of mounted punches before Corey is back up to his feet amidst an ovation from the crowd, and the support of Izzy, Corey’s wife, at ringside. Corey does a quick circle of the ring before moving up to the top rope and signaling for the fans!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Up top! Corey’s going high risk!
Launching off the top rope into a shooting star leg drop, Lawson rolls out of the way and Corey slams down hard on his tail bone that sends the ring shaking and Corey reeling in intense pain!
BRAD STOKES: Not the kind of picture you want taken, but I got it right here ready to post on my Instagram! HAHAHA!
Dom slowly drags himself to his feet while Corey nurses his ailing tailbone before Dom NAILS Corey with a hard knee. Then another! Then another! And another that knocks Corey senseless before Dom raises Corey up to his feet and SENDS HIM BACK DOWN with a swinging neckbreaker! Lawson unleashes a series of dropped knees that rattle the ring boards before Dom glares an arrogant point at Corey’s wife, Izzy, then climbs the turnbuckle!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom Lawson looks to return the favor now!
BRAD STOKES: Gotta love that level of arrogance in a fossil, Nina. It’s refreshing!
Lawson is up top, scouting Sanders before he lifts off the turnbuckle aiming an elbow drop for Sanders!! WHAM!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom Lawson hits it!
BRAD STOKES: Brought down the law, Nina!
Lawson is energized and up to his feet giving an arrogant middle finger to the downed Corey Sanders before he forces him up to his feet and signals for the finish before he SLAMS Sanders back down with a spinning reverse shoulder breaker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Lawson with the cover after that stunning Lawbreaker!
1…
2…
3!!!
Dom Lawson lifts to his feet with an arm raised in arrogant celebration as the Clash’s “I Fought the Law” plays on the speaker system!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the third round of the Alpha Cup tournament… DOM…. LAWWWWWWWWWSSSSOOOOON!!!!!
The crowd is a mixture of boos and cheers for Dom Lawson!
NINA APPLEBAUM: A divisive figure, Dom Lawson. He is a man who has thumbed his nose at just about everyone since he got here.
BRAD STOKES: Namely me, Nina. And it’s never stopped hurting.
NINA APPLEBAUM: That’s likely true, Bradley. Dom Lawson may be brash, arrogant, and quite frankly in-your-face, but he is on a TEAR here in the AWE!
BRAD STOKES: Yeah, I’ll hand him that. I may find him to be the most annoying version of me on the roster, but I have room in my heart to forgive. Someday.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Awfully big of you, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: What can I say, that sweet Christmas Bonus has softened my otherwise gruff, hearty, rugged, sexy-tough guy exterior?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Another swift act of evasion by Dom Lawson!
BRAD STOKES: You mean Avoision.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Avoision? There’s no such word as Avoision, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Are you sure?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Pretty certain, yes.
BRAD STOKES: Damn, you’re strange for knowing that.
Dom Lawson has laid into Corey Sanders with further blows before turning Sanders over into an inverted ddt!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Quick cover by Dom Lawson!
1…
TW—
BRAD STOKES: Kickout by that one guy!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Corey Sanders, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Must you correct everything I do?
NINA APPLEBAUM: When it’s wrong, yes.
BRAD STOKES: Well, aren’t you something, little miss fuzzy britches!
NINA APPLEBAUM: ….
Dom has Corey up to a knee but Corey has unloaded a swift haymaker that staggers Dom backward. Corey is up to his feet and once more unloading a series of stiff kicks that knock the veteran Dom Lawson back into the ropes. Corey launches him for the ropes and on the way back knocks Lawson down to the canvas with a standing drop kick!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And the cover by Corey Sanders!
ONE---
NINA APPLEBAUM: Strong kickout there by Dom Lawson!
Corey grips Dom on the way up to his feet and straight-arms Lawson back into the corner before unleashing another flurry of punches before stepping onto the middle rope as the fans cheer. Corey raises an arm threatening Dom with another blow before Dom shifts forward and POWERBOMBS Corey to the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The cover!
1…
TW—
BRAD STOKES: Corey Sanders may be efficient, but Dom Lawson, in spite of my negative feelings towards him personally, has an answer to Corey Sanders.
NINA APPLEBAUM: So far it seems so! But never count Corey Sanders out!
Dom grips Corey up to his feet only to get shoulder rushed hard into the corner by Corey Sanders and then he follows it up with hard shoulder thrusts that plow into Dom Lawson before Corey whips Dom from the corner in a monkey flip!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Corey Sanders remains as focused and dangerous as ever in spite of Dom Lawson’s best efforts!
Sanders drops a repeated array of knee drops to downed Lawson, followed by a flurry of mounted punches before Corey is back up to his feet amidst an ovation from the crowd, and the support of Izzy, Corey’s wife, at ringside. Corey does a quick circle of the ring before moving up to the top rope and signaling for the fans!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Up top! Corey’s going high risk!
Launching off the top rope into a shooting star leg drop, Lawson rolls out of the way and Corey slams down hard on his tail bone that sends the ring shaking and Corey reeling in intense pain!
BRAD STOKES: Not the kind of picture you want taken, but I got it right here ready to post on my Instagram! HAHAHA!
Dom slowly drags himself to his feet while Corey nurses his ailing tailbone before Dom NAILS Corey with a hard knee. Then another! Then another! And another that knocks Corey senseless before Dom raises Corey up to his feet and SENDS HIM BACK DOWN with a swinging neckbreaker! Lawson unleashes a series of dropped knees that rattle the ring boards before Dom glares an arrogant point at Corey’s wife, Izzy, then climbs the turnbuckle!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom Lawson looks to return the favor now!
BRAD STOKES: Gotta love that level of arrogance in a fossil, Nina. It’s refreshing!
Lawson is up top, scouting Sanders before he lifts off the turnbuckle aiming an elbow drop for Sanders!! WHAM!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom Lawson hits it!
BRAD STOKES: Brought down the law, Nina!
Lawson is energized and up to his feet giving an arrogant middle finger to the downed Corey Sanders before he forces him up to his feet and signals for the finish before he SLAMS Sanders back down with a spinning reverse shoulder breaker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Lawson with the cover after that stunning Lawbreaker!
1…
2…
3!!!
DING! DING! DING!
Dom Lawson lifts to his feet with an arm raised in arrogant celebration as the Clash’s “I Fought the Law” plays on the speaker system!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the third round of the Alpha Cup tournament… DOM…. LAWWWWWWWWWSSSSOOOOON!!!!!
The crowd is a mixture of boos and cheers for Dom Lawson!
NINA APPLEBAUM: A divisive figure, Dom Lawson. He is a man who has thumbed his nose at just about everyone since he got here.
BRAD STOKES: Namely me, Nina. And it’s never stopped hurting.
NINA APPLEBAUM: That’s likely true, Bradley. Dom Lawson may be brash, arrogant, and quite frankly in-your-face, but he is on a TEAR here in the AWE!
BRAD STOKES: Yeah, I’ll hand him that. I may find him to be the most annoying version of me on the roster, but I have room in my heart to forgive. Someday.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Awfully big of you, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: What can I say, that sweet Christmas Bonus has softened my otherwise gruff, hearty, rugged, sexy-tough guy exterior?
As cameras went into the backstage area of the Tsongas Center, Candy is seen skipping cheerfully down the hallway with a smile on her face. At the sight of her, the crowd gives a loud pop as she is approached by AWE’s male interviewer.
SAM YOUNG: Excuse me, you must be Alpha’s newest signee.
CANDY: As a matter of fact, I am. The name’s Candy.”
He nodded.
SAM YOUNG: Well, I wanted to be the first to welcome you here tonight. And possibly get a few words with you, too?
CANDY: Sure, why not? It’s not like I have a match to run off for. Might as well do something with with my time. Right?
SAM YOUNG: Right.
He cleared his throat as he went about his first question.
SAM YOUNG: I guess the first thing everyone probably wants to know is what bring you to the Alpha Wrestling Empire?
CANDY: As I was looking for my next adventure in this business, AWE seemed to be top notch. Lots of competition and a great working environment to boot. It really doesn’t get much better than that as far as I’m concerned.
SAM YOUNG: Well, now that you’re here...is there anyone you wouldn’t mind facing?
CANDY: Of course, there’s Zack Fantana. He is the champion of the division I’ll be competing in. So I think it goes without saying, that’s where I want to be. But I’m not stupid. I know I have to work my way up to that. Prove my worth. In the meantime, I’ll fight and go through whoever I need to, to get there I want to be.
SAM YOUNG: Including Kimitsu Zombie?
CANDY: Especially her.
SAM YOUNG: What’s the deal with you two anyway? Rumor has it, the two of you had quite a lot to say to one another after it was announced you signed your contract here.
Candy shrugged.
CANDY: Who knows. I’m still trying to figure it out quite honestly. First, she had a problem with me. Then she didn’t. Now she does again all because I’m here. Truth be told, I’m not worried about it either way. If she wants to have it out with me once and for all, then that’s fine by me. I’ll never back down from a fight.
Candy paused
CANDY: But just because she doesn’t want to be my friend, doesn’t mean other people are against it, too! Time to see what kind of friends I can make around here.
With that being said, Candy reached into the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a lollipop. From there, she unwrapped it and popped it in her mouth before speaking again.
CANDY: See you around.
Upon those departing words, Candy started skipping off down the hallway again as the scene went to...
SAM YOUNG: Excuse me, you must be Alpha’s newest signee.
CANDY: As a matter of fact, I am. The name’s Candy.”
He nodded.
SAM YOUNG: Well, I wanted to be the first to welcome you here tonight. And possibly get a few words with you, too?
CANDY: Sure, why not? It’s not like I have a match to run off for. Might as well do something with with my time. Right?
SAM YOUNG: Right.
He cleared his throat as he went about his first question.
SAM YOUNG: I guess the first thing everyone probably wants to know is what bring you to the Alpha Wrestling Empire?
CANDY: As I was looking for my next adventure in this business, AWE seemed to be top notch. Lots of competition and a great working environment to boot. It really doesn’t get much better than that as far as I’m concerned.
SAM YOUNG: Well, now that you’re here...is there anyone you wouldn’t mind facing?
CANDY: Of course, there’s Zack Fantana. He is the champion of the division I’ll be competing in. So I think it goes without saying, that’s where I want to be. But I’m not stupid. I know I have to work my way up to that. Prove my worth. In the meantime, I’ll fight and go through whoever I need to, to get there I want to be.
SAM YOUNG: Including Kimitsu Zombie?
CANDY: Especially her.
SAM YOUNG: What’s the deal with you two anyway? Rumor has it, the two of you had quite a lot to say to one another after it was announced you signed your contract here.
Candy shrugged.
CANDY: Who knows. I’m still trying to figure it out quite honestly. First, she had a problem with me. Then she didn’t. Now she does again all because I’m here. Truth be told, I’m not worried about it either way. If she wants to have it out with me once and for all, then that’s fine by me. I’ll never back down from a fight.
Candy paused
CANDY: But just because she doesn’t want to be my friend, doesn’t mean other people are against it, too! Time to see what kind of friends I can make around here.
With that being said, Candy reached into the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a lollipop. From there, she unwrapped it and popped it in her mouth before speaking again.
CANDY: See you around.
Upon those departing words, Candy started skipping off down the hallway again as the scene went to...
Anastasia Hayden VS. Owen Salvo
Right off the bell Ana charges an unsuspecting Owen Salvo with a single legged dropkick!
NINA APPLEBAUM: She was only Seventeen!!!
BRAD STOKES: SHE MISSED!
Owen’s swift sidestep of an otherwise lethal kick renders Ana unceremoniously hanging halfway over the ropes! Owen is in there fast draping Ana’s arm over his shoulder, lifting her up from the ropes and side slamming her hard into the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: With enough force! Owen Salvo is here to make his last showing a distant memory!
BRAD STOKES: Better earn their Christmas Bonus is all I’m saying. Ana trying to hit her finishing move right off the opening bell is poor form and deserves her pay to be docked.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Rather capricious and arbitrary of you.
BRAD STOKES: That’s me by nature and by trade. I’ll be playing Puck in an upcoming AWE Roster edition of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nice plug.
BRAD STOKES: Gotta support the arts, Nina. Ana Hayden’s playing one of the trees, though. Got our paycheques here, by the way. Can’t wait to peep my bonus.
NINA APPLEBAUM: After the match, Bradley.
Salvo has Ana in an armbar that has the “MVP” of AWE trapped and in agony before she reaches the ropes and forces Owen to relent.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Owen Salvo and Ana Hayden find themselves at an interesting time in their careers. Ana is ascending the ladder in an unusual, yet efficient way, while Owen Salvo is—
BRAD STOKES: --a coattail rider. Ken. He’s my guy. See him there? Owen’s manager. Wave, Nina. Be polite.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Cast as many aspersions as you want, Owen Salvo is showing more and more confidence by the match!
Inside the ring Owen has Ana up and running the ring boards rebounding off the ropes right into a spinning powerslam right into a pin attempt!
1…
TW—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Swift kickout by Ana Hayden.
Owen Salvo grips Ana up to her feet, all business, and aims a snap suplex but Ana counters and backs Owen up before slamming a sidekick that knocks him backward. Ana bursts forward and SLAMS Owen to the canvas with a swinging neckbreaker!
BRAD STOKES: And look at the disappointment on Ken’s face. He must cry all the time because Owen’s his protégé and not someone better.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Like who?
BRAD STOKES: Zack Fantana, for instance. Imagine what these two could accomplish if Ken would just lose the zero and get with the Fantanahero?
And Ana doesn’t let up afterward, slamming stomp after angry stomp for Owen Salvo who is cleverly blocking the brunt of the attacks before blocking Ana’s shin and staggering her backward! Owen kips up to his feet then blasts Ana with a kick of his own that knocks her backward into the ropes! Without missing a beat Owen lunges a dropkick that topples Ana over the top ropes and to the outside!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I swear Ana’s got a magnet that leads her outside the ring regardless of the match type or opponent.
BRAD STOKES: She’s got ring-out-itis.
Ana lands on the outside where Ken stalks innocently towards her.
BRAD STOKES: There he is! KEN! My dude!
NINA APPLEBAUM: How many man crushes are you sporting, Bradley?
BRAD STOKES: “Man crushes”? What the hell is that? This isn’t Twitter, Nina. This is “REAL” “LIFE”. I’m Man RESPECTING Ken.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Fair enough.
Owen inside the ring is waving Ken off angrily as Ken looks to lay a beating down onto Ana.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Uh oh. Trouble between Salvo and Bradley’s Man Crush. If Owen’s manager so much as intervenes he’s liable to get Owen disqualified!
BRAD STOKES: He has a name, Nina. I suggest you use it.
As Ana flounders outside, Ken hovers ready to seemingly attack on Owen’s behalf but Owen, and Theo Refano, are disputing his involvement.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Theo Refano is unable to administer a count with Ken and Owen bickering like that.
BRAD STOKES: How can he disrespect Ken like that, Nina? It’s like Owen doesn’t even understand the manager-wrestler social contract, let alone the fact that that guy is Ken, and that’s more than Owen will ever be. Time to teach this kid a thing or two.
With Ken half way between helping Ana up and officially laying a hand on her, Owen Salvo is stepping outside looking ready to stand up to Ken.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Bradley. Put your jacket back on and sit down.
BRAD STOKES: I can’t, Nina. Owen Salvo needs to learn to respect Ken the way I do. And I’m going to beat that respect into him. If he so much as strikes Ken, I swear I will brain him with a random part of my body.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Bradley, do your belt back up. PLEASE!
BRAD STOKES: I fight naked, Nina. You know that.
Ken innocently lifts his hands and backs away as Owen lands outside and glares him off shortly before Ana slams a fist into Owen’s midsection to double him over!
BRAD STOKES: Once again, lesson learned. I will spare him the indignity of facing me in combat. Nina, your wish is granted.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Thank. Heavens.
BRAD STOKES: Still not okay to disrespect Ken.
1!
Theo Refano is able to start the count as Ana lays a sudden blast of punches to Owen that rocks him backward before she slams his head off the ring post!
2!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Ken seems to have given Ana enough time to muster a second wind.
3!
BRAD STOKES: To the untrained eye it appears that way, yes.
Ana sinks a stiff kick into Salvo’s midsection before whipping around and sending him flying into the guardrail!
BRAD STOKES: Looking more and more like that might actually be true.
4!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Hard to tell, not the intention perhaps, but it’s what’s happened!
Ana lays another kick into Salvo’s ribs and hoists him back to his feet and sends him rolling back into the ring. She follows him only up to the ring apron to break up the count and then lunges over the ring ropes and clobbers Salvo with a fancy axe kick!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Salvo is in trouble here!
Theo Refano moves in to check on Owen who is dazed as Ana confidently circles the ring and points skyward signaling where she’s headed! She heads up onto the turnbuckle!
BRAD STOKES: She’s not even a high flying wrestler. Look at the level of professionalism on display here Nina. Ana Hayden is EARNING her Christmas bonus! She and Ken both, except for Owen, of course. Lying there. He should be ashamed of himself.
NINA APPLEBAUM: And once more Ken seems to be moving to intercept Ana!
Ken moves onto the apron towards the corner Ana stands atop Ana swipes a kick at Ken who dodges it and swiftly retaliates to push Ana off the ropes hard onto the apron canvas and plummets onto the concrete.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh no!
Theo Refano sees it, standing and pointing Ken out gruffly. Theo Refano waves to bell ringer.
BRAD STOKES: What?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Ken just got Owen Salvo disqualified!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner, by disqualification…. Moving onto the Third round of the Alpha Cup tournament… ANA… HAYYYYYDEEENNNN!
“Internal Dialogue” by Mind Eraser starts, only Ana has knocked herself cold off the ring apron and Owen Salvo staggers to his feet confused.
NINA APPLEBAUM: There’s a first for Owen… a disqualification loss courtesy of an overzealous manager.
BRAD STOKES: Kid’s gotta learn who’s boss, is all.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I cannot believe you’re finding a way to justify it, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Who knows what happened there. Salvo’ll survive. Ana will probably survive after the concussion symptoms wear off. It’s Bonus time, baby!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Right, the cheque.
Bradley has opened his as the ring staff is helping Ana to her feet and Owen is looking around trying to figure out what happened as Ana’s music plays. At the announce desk, Brad Stokes is reading his pay stub with increasing scrutiny and a growing frown.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Well? How much is it?
BRAD STOKES: I don’t believe it…
NINA APPLEBAUM: … It’s better than you expected?
BRAD STOKES: No. No. Not even. It’s a damn gift certificate to a jelly of the month club and I actually went DOWN in pay scale somehow?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh… well… T.S. did say he had to make some budget cuts.
BRAD STOKES: These bitch-ass wrestlers put on that piss-poor show while taking MY pay from me?! CUT TO COMMERCIAL!
NINA APPLEBAUM: She was only Seventeen!!!
BRAD STOKES: SHE MISSED!
Owen’s swift sidestep of an otherwise lethal kick renders Ana unceremoniously hanging halfway over the ropes! Owen is in there fast draping Ana’s arm over his shoulder, lifting her up from the ropes and side slamming her hard into the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: With enough force! Owen Salvo is here to make his last showing a distant memory!
BRAD STOKES: Better earn their Christmas Bonus is all I’m saying. Ana trying to hit her finishing move right off the opening bell is poor form and deserves her pay to be docked.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Rather capricious and arbitrary of you.
BRAD STOKES: That’s me by nature and by trade. I’ll be playing Puck in an upcoming AWE Roster edition of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nice plug.
BRAD STOKES: Gotta support the arts, Nina. Ana Hayden’s playing one of the trees, though. Got our paycheques here, by the way. Can’t wait to peep my bonus.
NINA APPLEBAUM: After the match, Bradley.
Salvo has Ana in an armbar that has the “MVP” of AWE trapped and in agony before she reaches the ropes and forces Owen to relent.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Owen Salvo and Ana Hayden find themselves at an interesting time in their careers. Ana is ascending the ladder in an unusual, yet efficient way, while Owen Salvo is—
BRAD STOKES: --a coattail rider. Ken. He’s my guy. See him there? Owen’s manager. Wave, Nina. Be polite.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Cast as many aspersions as you want, Owen Salvo is showing more and more confidence by the match!
Inside the ring Owen has Ana up and running the ring boards rebounding off the ropes right into a spinning powerslam right into a pin attempt!
1…
TW—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Swift kickout by Ana Hayden.
Owen Salvo grips Ana up to her feet, all business, and aims a snap suplex but Ana counters and backs Owen up before slamming a sidekick that knocks him backward. Ana bursts forward and SLAMS Owen to the canvas with a swinging neckbreaker!
BRAD STOKES: And look at the disappointment on Ken’s face. He must cry all the time because Owen’s his protégé and not someone better.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Like who?
BRAD STOKES: Zack Fantana, for instance. Imagine what these two could accomplish if Ken would just lose the zero and get with the Fantanahero?
And Ana doesn’t let up afterward, slamming stomp after angry stomp for Owen Salvo who is cleverly blocking the brunt of the attacks before blocking Ana’s shin and staggering her backward! Owen kips up to his feet then blasts Ana with a kick of his own that knocks her backward into the ropes! Without missing a beat Owen lunges a dropkick that topples Ana over the top ropes and to the outside!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I swear Ana’s got a magnet that leads her outside the ring regardless of the match type or opponent.
BRAD STOKES: She’s got ring-out-itis.
Ana lands on the outside where Ken stalks innocently towards her.
BRAD STOKES: There he is! KEN! My dude!
NINA APPLEBAUM: How many man crushes are you sporting, Bradley?
BRAD STOKES: “Man crushes”? What the hell is that? This isn’t Twitter, Nina. This is “REAL” “LIFE”. I’m Man RESPECTING Ken.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Fair enough.
Owen inside the ring is waving Ken off angrily as Ken looks to lay a beating down onto Ana.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Uh oh. Trouble between Salvo and Bradley’s Man Crush. If Owen’s manager so much as intervenes he’s liable to get Owen disqualified!
BRAD STOKES: He has a name, Nina. I suggest you use it.
As Ana flounders outside, Ken hovers ready to seemingly attack on Owen’s behalf but Owen, and Theo Refano, are disputing his involvement.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Theo Refano is unable to administer a count with Ken and Owen bickering like that.
BRAD STOKES: How can he disrespect Ken like that, Nina? It’s like Owen doesn’t even understand the manager-wrestler social contract, let alone the fact that that guy is Ken, and that’s more than Owen will ever be. Time to teach this kid a thing or two.
With Ken half way between helping Ana up and officially laying a hand on her, Owen Salvo is stepping outside looking ready to stand up to Ken.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Bradley. Put your jacket back on and sit down.
BRAD STOKES: I can’t, Nina. Owen Salvo needs to learn to respect Ken the way I do. And I’m going to beat that respect into him. If he so much as strikes Ken, I swear I will brain him with a random part of my body.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Bradley, do your belt back up. PLEASE!
BRAD STOKES: I fight naked, Nina. You know that.
Ken innocently lifts his hands and backs away as Owen lands outside and glares him off shortly before Ana slams a fist into Owen’s midsection to double him over!
BRAD STOKES: Once again, lesson learned. I will spare him the indignity of facing me in combat. Nina, your wish is granted.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Thank. Heavens.
BRAD STOKES: Still not okay to disrespect Ken.
1!
Theo Refano is able to start the count as Ana lays a sudden blast of punches to Owen that rocks him backward before she slams his head off the ring post!
2!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Ken seems to have given Ana enough time to muster a second wind.
3!
BRAD STOKES: To the untrained eye it appears that way, yes.
Ana sinks a stiff kick into Salvo’s midsection before whipping around and sending him flying into the guardrail!
BRAD STOKES: Looking more and more like that might actually be true.
4!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Hard to tell, not the intention perhaps, but it’s what’s happened!
Ana lays another kick into Salvo’s ribs and hoists him back to his feet and sends him rolling back into the ring. She follows him only up to the ring apron to break up the count and then lunges over the ring ropes and clobbers Salvo with a fancy axe kick!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Salvo is in trouble here!
Theo Refano moves in to check on Owen who is dazed as Ana confidently circles the ring and points skyward signaling where she’s headed! She heads up onto the turnbuckle!
BRAD STOKES: She’s not even a high flying wrestler. Look at the level of professionalism on display here Nina. Ana Hayden is EARNING her Christmas bonus! She and Ken both, except for Owen, of course. Lying there. He should be ashamed of himself.
NINA APPLEBAUM: And once more Ken seems to be moving to intercept Ana!
Ken moves onto the apron towards the corner Ana stands atop Ana swipes a kick at Ken who dodges it and swiftly retaliates to push Ana off the ropes hard onto the apron canvas and plummets onto the concrete.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh no!
Theo Refano sees it, standing and pointing Ken out gruffly. Theo Refano waves to bell ringer.
DING! DING! DING!
BRAD STOKES: What?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Ken just got Owen Salvo disqualified!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner, by disqualification…. Moving onto the Third round of the Alpha Cup tournament… ANA… HAYYYYYDEEENNNN!
“Internal Dialogue” by Mind Eraser starts, only Ana has knocked herself cold off the ring apron and Owen Salvo staggers to his feet confused.
NINA APPLEBAUM: There’s a first for Owen… a disqualification loss courtesy of an overzealous manager.
BRAD STOKES: Kid’s gotta learn who’s boss, is all.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I cannot believe you’re finding a way to justify it, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Who knows what happened there. Salvo’ll survive. Ana will probably survive after the concussion symptoms wear off. It’s Bonus time, baby!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Right, the cheque.
Bradley has opened his as the ring staff is helping Ana to her feet and Owen is looking around trying to figure out what happened as Ana’s music plays. At the announce desk, Brad Stokes is reading his pay stub with increasing scrutiny and a growing frown.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Well? How much is it?
BRAD STOKES: I don’t believe it…
NINA APPLEBAUM: … It’s better than you expected?
BRAD STOKES: No. No. Not even. It’s a damn gift certificate to a jelly of the month club and I actually went DOWN in pay scale somehow?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh… well… T.S. did say he had to make some budget cuts.
BRAD STOKES: These bitch-ass wrestlers put on that piss-poor show while taking MY pay from me?! CUT TO COMMERCIAL!
Instead of the commercial Brad Stokes requested, we move seamlessly backstage to center on Nate Hollis’ Cheshire grin.
NATE HOLLIS: Nice to see they finally figured out that we, the staff, have gotten absolutely shit on this Christmas by our employer at large. But enough about that, I’m here with my man Owen Salvo. What happened out there, my man?
Owen steps into frame rubbing the back of his neck and looking disappointed.
OWEN SALVO: I’m just not sure what went wrong out there. I was so close! Hats off to Anastasia, she earned that one. I’d like to think this isn’t the last she’s seen of me, though. No one has. This is just a small setback, Nate.
Nate cringes, recognizing Owen doesn’t yet realize the specifics of the loss. He gives a conciliatory, comforting nod to Owen.
NATE HOLLIS: True dat, dawg. Every loss is just one more lesson, am I right? But with that said, what are your plans now moving forward?
OWEN SALVO: Well, it’s back to the drawing board, I guess. I’ve got a whole new challenge ahead of me… Bouncing back. I won’t have the alpha cup to help catapult me to where I want to be, so I’ll need to get creative. I’ll find a new way to make a name for myself, believe me. It’s not something I want, it’s something I need!
NATE HOLLIS: I hear you, big guy, and I believe you wholeheartedly. You’ve been impressive out there in each showing, and you’re just starting out, my man. Nothing to be ashamed of, and now, with this big Christmas Bonus T.S. just doled out to all you hard working wrestlers, so that’s gotta sweeten the night, yeah?
At that moment Ken walks by, pushing his way between the two.
KEN: Taking a break already, Kid? Come on. You’ve got a lot of work to do.
Owen hangs his head for a moment.
OWEN SALVO: I tell you, Nate, the best thing to come from all of this is that raise. I’ll be looking to change quite a bit in the coming weeks…
Owen reluctantly follows Ken out of the frame as Nate watches after him with concern before looking back to the camera.
NATE HOLLIS: I’d hate to be a talented kid like that weighed down by a monster like the one Owen Salvo’s got holding him back. But, we'll save that for the New Year I guess. And there we go, fight fans. Four matches down, 6 more to go, and we take you to one right now already in progress!
NATE HOLLIS: Nice to see they finally figured out that we, the staff, have gotten absolutely shit on this Christmas by our employer at large. But enough about that, I’m here with my man Owen Salvo. What happened out there, my man?
Owen steps into frame rubbing the back of his neck and looking disappointed.
OWEN SALVO: I’m just not sure what went wrong out there. I was so close! Hats off to Anastasia, she earned that one. I’d like to think this isn’t the last she’s seen of me, though. No one has. This is just a small setback, Nate.
Nate cringes, recognizing Owen doesn’t yet realize the specifics of the loss. He gives a conciliatory, comforting nod to Owen.
NATE HOLLIS: True dat, dawg. Every loss is just one more lesson, am I right? But with that said, what are your plans now moving forward?
OWEN SALVO: Well, it’s back to the drawing board, I guess. I’ve got a whole new challenge ahead of me… Bouncing back. I won’t have the alpha cup to help catapult me to where I want to be, so I’ll need to get creative. I’ll find a new way to make a name for myself, believe me. It’s not something I want, it’s something I need!
NATE HOLLIS: I hear you, big guy, and I believe you wholeheartedly. You’ve been impressive out there in each showing, and you’re just starting out, my man. Nothing to be ashamed of, and now, with this big Christmas Bonus T.S. just doled out to all you hard working wrestlers, so that’s gotta sweeten the night, yeah?
At that moment Ken walks by, pushing his way between the two.
KEN: Taking a break already, Kid? Come on. You’ve got a lot of work to do.
Owen hangs his head for a moment.
OWEN SALVO: I tell you, Nate, the best thing to come from all of this is that raise. I’ll be looking to change quite a bit in the coming weeks…
Owen reluctantly follows Ken out of the frame as Nate watches after him with concern before looking back to the camera.
NATE HOLLIS: I’d hate to be a talented kid like that weighed down by a monster like the one Owen Salvo’s got holding him back. But, we'll save that for the New Year I guess. And there we go, fight fans. Four matches down, 6 more to go, and we take you to one right now already in progress!
Aaron Pace VS. Cyrus Riddle
Aaron Pace is seated as Cyrus Riddle hovers over him nailing his shoulders with elbow drops!
NINA APPLEBAUM: This match has taken a turn for Aaron Pace, fight fans!
BRAD STOKES: He started off all right, but Cyrus Riddle has managed to gain an upper hand here!
NINA APPLEBAUM: You seem to be over your earlier disappointment, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Shut up, Nina. How's that for "over it"?
Riddle drops a hard knee into Pace’s spine and turns the move into a bow and arrow that forces Aaron to wince painfully!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Cyrus Riddle has maintained the punishment on Aaron Pace!
BRAD STOKES: He came into this cocky, but it may be a matter of being outmatched by the Archetype. Not shaming.
Cyrus modifies the lock into a dragon sleeper that exacerbates the pain Aaron Pace is in! To make matters worse, Cyrus has enough leverage to slam his knee into Aaron’s spine!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Coordinated assault by Cyrus Riddle may very well prove too much for Aaron Pace.
Cyrus draws Aaron up to his feet and modifes his clutch into an inverted suplex that rattles the ring boards!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Big suplex there! And Riddle with the cover!
1…
TW---
BRAD STOKES: Still plenty of fight left in Aaron Pace. I guess you might say he’s… trying to catch up!
NINA APPLEBAUM: ….
BRAD STOKES: Right, Nina?! You might say Aaron… has eaten his PACE SALSA!
NINA APPLEBAUM: What the hell!
BRAD STOKES: It’s a brand name, Nina. Where do you shop, the dumpster. Haha. Try and keep up… with my pace. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
NINA APPLEBAUM: You’re high.
BRAD STOKES: Quite possibly! But I’ll never tell my secret.
Riddle has Aaron back up to his feet and sends him into the corner hard off the turnbuckle! Riddle follows him in with a hard shining wizard and back out with a bulldog!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Cyrus Riddle’s sustained offense must be overwhelming, and before you respond, Bradley, no PACE jokes.
BRAD STOKES: Way to poon dog me into a corner, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: What is WITH you, tonight?
BRAD STOKES: Don’t try to change me, Nina.
Cyrus has Aaron trapped in a crossface but Aaron is close enough to ropes to force a rope break in spite of Syd LaRoux’ attempt at preventing him from doing so!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Aaron Pace does not want to fall victim to these two tonight.
BRAD STOKES: It’s a strategy that’s worked well in the past!
Cyrus has relinquished his hold of Aaron, and allowed him to rise to his feet before rushing Aaron and spinning powerslamming him down to the canvas for a sudden cover!
1..
2…
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Near fall for Cyrus Riddle!
BRAD STOKES: He just won’t let up on Aaron Pace. You might say, he—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Don’t even.
BRAD STOKES: Damn, you’re quick, Nina. I suppose fans will never hear the end of my little… riddle.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh, my god my head will explode.
BRAD STOKES: Which would suck because I have no pun to respond to that effect. And the cameras would miss it since they’re currently trained on the ring where that Pace guy is getting his clock cleaned. NOT a Pace joke, Nina. At least not intentionally, damn I’m good.
Cyrus slowly and methodically drags Aaron up to his feet and lays a stiff right hook to knock Pace off balance, only to be surprised as Aaron responds with a stiff right hook of his own that Cyrus wasn’t expecting! Aaron straightens and lays another hard right hook, and another gaining momentum with each connection of blows before Cyrus is beign rocked back into the ropes and whipped across the ring for a rebound and SLAMMED to the canvas in a gut-wrench suplex!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Aaron Pace has turned the tables!
With Cyrus down, Aaron drops an elbow into Cyrus’ ribcage before heaving him back to his feet forcefully to keep him wobbly and offguard before whipping Cyrus into the ropes and on the return bowling him over with a running knee!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dramatic recovery underway here by Aaron Pace!
BRAD STOKES: Is that…? IT IS! It’s that damned whistle again!
Aaron has his whistle out and is blowing it shrilly as he circles the ring glaring out into the stands.
BRAD STOKES: I gotta get me one of those.
NINA APPLEBAUM: A rape whistle?!
BRAD STOKES: Why you gotta name it that? I’m not sticking my dick in a whistle for non-consensual sex you pervert.
Cyrus is staggering to his feet before Aaron Pace sees him rising. Cyrus takes a quick swing of a lariat aimed to take Aaron’s head off but Aaron ducks it and SLAMS Cyrus down in a choke bomb into a set of push ups! Aaron blows the whistle on each downward push!
BRAD STOKES: By god that’s genius.
NINA APPLEBAUM: It’s annoying!
BRAD STOKES: EXACTLY!
On his way up Aaron gloats out at the crowd with more shrill blasts of his whistle before dragging Cyrus up to his feet and DRIVING him back down in a Gory Special Reverse STO!
NINA APPLEBAUM: With authority!!! And the cover!
1….
2….
3!!
“More Than You Can Chew” by Corroded kicks in as Aaron confidently rises to his feet.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the third round of the Alpha Cup tournament…. AAARON….. PACCCCCEEEEE!!!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Another impressive victory by Aaron Pace here in the second round of the Alpha Cup tournament, and he will be moving on to the third round.
BRAD STOKES: Yeah… we heard, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I’ve almost had enough of your snark, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Yeah, well… I’m an asshole. Chicks dig it. Except you. But the jury’s still out on you.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nice, Bradley. Thank you. All that aside, Cyrus Riddle’s out, and Aaron moves ahead in a night of twists and turns that’s not even close to over! We'll back with more, fans, after this.
NINA APPLEBAUM: This match has taken a turn for Aaron Pace, fight fans!
BRAD STOKES: He started off all right, but Cyrus Riddle has managed to gain an upper hand here!
NINA APPLEBAUM: You seem to be over your earlier disappointment, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Shut up, Nina. How's that for "over it"?
Riddle drops a hard knee into Pace’s spine and turns the move into a bow and arrow that forces Aaron to wince painfully!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Cyrus Riddle has maintained the punishment on Aaron Pace!
BRAD STOKES: He came into this cocky, but it may be a matter of being outmatched by the Archetype. Not shaming.
Cyrus modifies the lock into a dragon sleeper that exacerbates the pain Aaron Pace is in! To make matters worse, Cyrus has enough leverage to slam his knee into Aaron’s spine!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Coordinated assault by Cyrus Riddle may very well prove too much for Aaron Pace.
Cyrus draws Aaron up to his feet and modifes his clutch into an inverted suplex that rattles the ring boards!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Big suplex there! And Riddle with the cover!
1…
TW---
BRAD STOKES: Still plenty of fight left in Aaron Pace. I guess you might say he’s… trying to catch up!
NINA APPLEBAUM: ….
BRAD STOKES: Right, Nina?! You might say Aaron… has eaten his PACE SALSA!
NINA APPLEBAUM: What the hell!
BRAD STOKES: It’s a brand name, Nina. Where do you shop, the dumpster. Haha. Try and keep up… with my pace. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
NINA APPLEBAUM: You’re high.
BRAD STOKES: Quite possibly! But I’ll never tell my secret.
Riddle has Aaron back up to his feet and sends him into the corner hard off the turnbuckle! Riddle follows him in with a hard shining wizard and back out with a bulldog!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Cyrus Riddle’s sustained offense must be overwhelming, and before you respond, Bradley, no PACE jokes.
BRAD STOKES: Way to poon dog me into a corner, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: What is WITH you, tonight?
BRAD STOKES: Don’t try to change me, Nina.
Cyrus has Aaron trapped in a crossface but Aaron is close enough to ropes to force a rope break in spite of Syd LaRoux’ attempt at preventing him from doing so!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Aaron Pace does not want to fall victim to these two tonight.
BRAD STOKES: It’s a strategy that’s worked well in the past!
Cyrus has relinquished his hold of Aaron, and allowed him to rise to his feet before rushing Aaron and spinning powerslamming him down to the canvas for a sudden cover!
1..
2…
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Near fall for Cyrus Riddle!
BRAD STOKES: He just won’t let up on Aaron Pace. You might say, he—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Don’t even.
BRAD STOKES: Damn, you’re quick, Nina. I suppose fans will never hear the end of my little… riddle.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh, my god my head will explode.
BRAD STOKES: Which would suck because I have no pun to respond to that effect. And the cameras would miss it since they’re currently trained on the ring where that Pace guy is getting his clock cleaned. NOT a Pace joke, Nina. At least not intentionally, damn I’m good.
Cyrus slowly and methodically drags Aaron up to his feet and lays a stiff right hook to knock Pace off balance, only to be surprised as Aaron responds with a stiff right hook of his own that Cyrus wasn’t expecting! Aaron straightens and lays another hard right hook, and another gaining momentum with each connection of blows before Cyrus is beign rocked back into the ropes and whipped across the ring for a rebound and SLAMMED to the canvas in a gut-wrench suplex!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Aaron Pace has turned the tables!
With Cyrus down, Aaron drops an elbow into Cyrus’ ribcage before heaving him back to his feet forcefully to keep him wobbly and offguard before whipping Cyrus into the ropes and on the return bowling him over with a running knee!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dramatic recovery underway here by Aaron Pace!
BRAD STOKES: Is that…? IT IS! It’s that damned whistle again!
Aaron has his whistle out and is blowing it shrilly as he circles the ring glaring out into the stands.
BRAD STOKES: I gotta get me one of those.
NINA APPLEBAUM: A rape whistle?!
BRAD STOKES: Why you gotta name it that? I’m not sticking my dick in a whistle for non-consensual sex you pervert.
Cyrus is staggering to his feet before Aaron Pace sees him rising. Cyrus takes a quick swing of a lariat aimed to take Aaron’s head off but Aaron ducks it and SLAMS Cyrus down in a choke bomb into a set of push ups! Aaron blows the whistle on each downward push!
BRAD STOKES: By god that’s genius.
NINA APPLEBAUM: It’s annoying!
BRAD STOKES: EXACTLY!
On his way up Aaron gloats out at the crowd with more shrill blasts of his whistle before dragging Cyrus up to his feet and DRIVING him back down in a Gory Special Reverse STO!
NINA APPLEBAUM: With authority!!! And the cover!
1….
2….
3!!
DING! DING! DING!
“More Than You Can Chew” by Corroded kicks in as Aaron confidently rises to his feet.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the third round of the Alpha Cup tournament…. AAARON….. PACCCCCEEEEE!!!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Another impressive victory by Aaron Pace here in the second round of the Alpha Cup tournament, and he will be moving on to the third round.
BRAD STOKES: Yeah… we heard, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I’ve almost had enough of your snark, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Yeah, well… I’m an asshole. Chicks dig it. Except you. But the jury’s still out on you.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nice, Bradley. Thank you. All that aside, Cyrus Riddle’s out, and Aaron moves ahead in a night of twists and turns that’s not even close to over! We'll back with more, fans, after this.
A flurry of fists flashes before the screen, immediately replaced by the face of an Asian Tae Kwon Do instructor dressed in a full gi.
CHUNG OH: HEY! AMERICAN JOE!
More fists followed by a sweeping back flip to reveal a dojo, with mats set up. Our Martial Arts instructor flourishes with a smooth sweeping crane technique into a stance.
CHUNG OH: DO YOU WANT TO LEARN TAE KWON DO?
Chung Oh forward flips back to the camera and slices of a rapid-fire series of slashes and chops at the lens.
CHUNG OH: THEN COME TO CHUNG OH'S SCHOOL OF TAE KWON DO!
Chung Oh cartwheels backward. The camera tracks with his rapid movement as he SLAMS through a concrete wall into a new head-on camera angle looking down the barrel of Chung Oh's fist.
CHUNG OH: YOU THINK THIS IS ALL FOR SHOW?
Wide-out to see we're in a driver's instructor class. The elderly woman teaching the class is unflinchingly staring up Chung Oh's arm at him. She's experienced this before. Chung Oh slices and chops with shadow attacks at her before he backflips back through the wall into the dojo and lands in front of the old camera angle where he swipes another series of rapid chops in front of the screen.
CHUNG OH: NOT WITH CHUNG OH'S SCHOOL OF TAE KWON DO WHERE YOU CAN BE A PRO!
Behind him a row of students in single-file. Chung Oh turns quickly and crane kicks the student in the lead which knocks the rest down in a stunning domino effect. Chung Oh turns to the camera with a much calmer aspect.
CHUNG OH: If you wish to learn with Chung Oh, we'll make it so.
Chung Oh bows.
CHUNG OH: HEY! AMERICAN JOE!
More fists followed by a sweeping back flip to reveal a dojo, with mats set up. Our Martial Arts instructor flourishes with a smooth sweeping crane technique into a stance.
CHUNG OH: DO YOU WANT TO LEARN TAE KWON DO?
Chung Oh forward flips back to the camera and slices of a rapid-fire series of slashes and chops at the lens.
CHUNG OH: THEN COME TO CHUNG OH'S SCHOOL OF TAE KWON DO!
Chung Oh cartwheels backward. The camera tracks with his rapid movement as he SLAMS through a concrete wall into a new head-on camera angle looking down the barrel of Chung Oh's fist.
CHUNG OH: YOU THINK THIS IS ALL FOR SHOW?
Wide-out to see we're in a driver's instructor class. The elderly woman teaching the class is unflinchingly staring up Chung Oh's arm at him. She's experienced this before. Chung Oh slices and chops with shadow attacks at her before he backflips back through the wall into the dojo and lands in front of the old camera angle where he swipes another series of rapid chops in front of the screen.
CHUNG OH: NOT WITH CHUNG OH'S SCHOOL OF TAE KWON DO WHERE YOU CAN BE A PRO!
Behind him a row of students in single-file. Chung Oh turns quickly and crane kicks the student in the lead which knocks the rest down in a stunning domino effect. Chung Oh turns to the camera with a much calmer aspect.
CHUNG OH: If you wish to learn with Chung Oh, we'll make it so.
Chung Oh bows.
Kass hadn’t appreciated the aggravation in the pit of her stomach. It had been there for two weeks straight, since the last time she’d seen Thirteen, and watched her disappear down the hallway of the First Arena in Elmira, New York. She weaved past backstage assistants and staff till she saw him, Francis Ford Cuppola, surrounded by a group of baggy-panted individuals she’d never seen before with their hats spun backward. Francis was bobbing his head in time to some beat-box rhythms one of the men was knocking out. Kass approached him.
KASSANDRAH: Francis!
Francis ceased grooving to the beatbox rhythm at the sight of her.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Hey! It’s… It’s… uhh… I don’t know her name but I’m sure she’s going to tell me!
KASSANDRAH: *unimpressed* Kassandrah.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Right! Kassandrah! Sweet! Check out my new rap troupe.
He pointed around the circle at the cadre of hip-looking rap professionals.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Kass, this is One-Hitter; 5-Piece; Sweet J; 8-Ball, and Beer Batter. Together, we are—
Francis stepped in front of them as they formed a wicked hip hop posse pose.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Murder, Inc!
Kass blinked at the sight of this elderly man and the young 20-somethings who had chosen to humor this fresh new direction he’d apparently taken.
KASSANDRAH: I think that’s taken, Francis.
Francis looked disappointed and silently questioned her.
KASSANDRAH: Yeah. Like 15 years ago.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Seriously?
Francis looked at the faces of his crew before he resumed his wide grin.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Nice try, Kass! HAHAHA! Now don’t break the cipher. We’re practicing. I’m gonna spit. Check this, Kass. Hit it.
Sweet J cupped his hands to his mouth and set out a sick beat-box beat everyone in the group started bobbing their heads to. Francis grooved to it, feeling the flow.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: *on beat* Uh. Yeh. Uh huh. Yeh. Uh. Yeh. Uh huh. Yeh. Uh huh.
The beat kept banging with everyone bobbing their head. Francis was set to spit some hot fire.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Uh. Yeh. Okay, that’s enough practice for now.
The group straightened and watched confused as Francis was all smiles moving off to properly pay Kass attention.
KASSANDRAH: What the hell are you doing, Francis?
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: What does it look like I’m doing? I’m connecting with the younger generation through the transformative power of music.
KASSANDRAH: You know Thirteen’s missing, right?
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Who?
KASSANDRAH: Thirteen… the OTHER Stakeholder of the AWE?
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Uh… I thought that was me.
Kass rolls her eyes.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Look, Kassandrah, I don’t know who this “Thirteen” is, but I’ve got much more pressing concerns on my plate. For instance, did you realize there actually is a Bindy Trent?
Kass glares at him in disbelief.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: I know! Turns out those cupcakes at Massacre 3 were meant for her! HAHA! And I ate them all!
KASSANDRAH: Yeah. You did.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: I shared some. But that’s beside the point. What I’ve learned after that, and watching T.S.’ amazing speech earlier is that there’s a chance I’m out of touch with the commoners, you know? The wrestlers. Like, look, check this out.
Francis stepped away from Kass and stopped a man passing by wheeling a mop and bucket. Francis presented him to Kass.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: What’s your gimmick, son?
The man looked uncertainly to Kass.
….: Uh… I’m… the janitor…?
Francis smiled in proud awe at the man.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Wow. The creativity. See? This is what I’m talking about. I need to get to know the wrestlers around here if I have any intention of being their friend.
JANITOR: No, I actually am a Janitor.
Francis shook his head in continued awed amazement.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Amazing. Keeps it Key Fob no matter what. My hats off to you, son. Here. Merry Hannukah, or Kwanza, or whatever you happen to celebrate.
Francis pats the janitor on the back and hands him a mini travel-size bottle of maple syrup. The janitor has opted, rather than to argue nuance with Francis, takes the syrup and wheels his mop and bucket off.
Kass is livid and frustrated, the aggravation in the pit of her stomach urges a disconcerted frown onto her brow.
KASSANDRAH: No. You moron. Thirteen is missing and that asshole T.S. is covering it up so everyone forgets.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Who?
Kass rolls her eyes yet again.
KASSANDRAH: Thir-Teen. OUR BUSINESS PARTNER. She’s gone missing. T.S.’ is bribing anyone that might give a damn to look the other way, meaning that leaves me… and, unfortunately, you to figure out what happened.
From behind her, unseen, an arm grips her elbow and spins Kass around to face him, Thomas Shane Elliot.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Hello, Kassandrah.
Kass steels her jaw at the sight of him even as he steps in close, forcing her to back up right into a wall. T.S. imposes.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: You know what really chaps my ass is that for three shows no one so much as bothered to organize a search party for me. No one checked in at the hospital when I suffered from a peanut allergy attack. But, here you are with tweedle-dum—
Francis smiled dimly at them, seemingly unphased by T.S.’ violent intrusion. Kass glared at him before looking back up at T.S. as he towered over her.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: --organizing an ill-advised mutiny for no reason other than concern for a person you barely know.
KASSANDRAH: What did you do to her?
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: I didn’t do anything to her.
Kassandrah eyed the obvious scars and wounds from some type of violent altercation marring T.S' features. Kassandrah narrowed her eyes.
KASSANDRAH: You know Thirteen’s a trained kickboxer and professional wrestler, don’t you? Has been for years.
T.S. half smirked down at her without a hint of wavering glance.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: So I’ve heard. Look, I appreciate your concern for this person. Perhaps she’s chosen to do what the two of you should have been doing all along by staying home and collecting your dividends as I turn this company into the greatest wrestling company on the planet?
KASSANDRAH: Not going to happen.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Of course not.
Thomas softened with a smile.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: What, so, you and your sidekick here are going to delve into some sort of Nancy Drew mystery investigation to uncover some dastardly plot of mine? Huh? Cuppola here is useless. He's asleep standing up.
Kass glances to Francis who is indeed snoring with his eyes closed while standing. T.S. smirks and steps in close to impose over Kassandrah once more, his free hand suddenly gripping her elbow firmly to the point of her wincing in pain.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: No one’s watching what happens here, understand? I’m not the bad guy. I’m here to work for these wrestlers and make this company great.
Her arm hurting in his grasp, Kass refused to flinch and show him how much it hurt before she noted the camera watching them from the corner of her eye.
KASSANDRAH: They’re watching, though.
Slowly, T.S. glanced at the camera before loosening his grip on her arm and smiled cordially.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Of course. So you’re going to hang on to this hostile takeover idea put forth by an absentee landlord who speaks through a speakerbox at you? You? Kassandrah with no last name; a fortune teller who listens to planetary alignments and cracked turtle shells; a woman who’s sole close ties in the wrestling world are to one Tony Chu who’s only true claim to fame is winning one title in a now defunct wrestling federation and a slew of ties to 4 Corners Wrestling. Is that your game, Kassandrah? You going to bring Tony and his friend Perry Wallace over here to flip my company?
Kass glared.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: You’re no psychic. You’re a scam artist. You’re an opportunist who’s trying to spin this story around to make me look like the bad guy. I’m not a bad guy. I’ve got a sick mother in town I’m taking care of, while you’re plotting to ruin this company with sleeping beauty. While you’re trying to figure out what happened to Thirteen, I’ve been proactive and had authorities arrest both Anastasia Hayden and Caroline Burchill quietly out of the public eye. If they’re guilty for Thirteen’s supposed disappearance, the proper authorities will discern that. So, all that said, which of us is the “villain”, huh? You… or me?
Kass breathed heavily, anger seething in her veins as T.S. glared down at her and initimdated at her.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Now drop it. You can’t win this game.
T.S. glared down at her for emphasis before striding off out of the frame. Kass sighed heavily and looked downward before glaring at Francis.
KASSANDRAH: Francis!
He snored loudly whilst standing there. Kass gritted her teeth and stepped into him and flicked the lens of his glasses with her finger.
KASSANDRAH: HEY!
Francis flinched suddenly awake.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: WATCH OUT!
He blinked and looked around to orient himself to his surroundings.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: *contented sigh* Whew. Thought I was playing Space Invaders.
Francis looked around blinking away the sleep from his eyes.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Pretty boring backstage, huh?
Kass glared at her one vague ally and considered what her next step should be.
KASSANDRAH: Francis!
Francis ceased grooving to the beatbox rhythm at the sight of her.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Hey! It’s… It’s… uhh… I don’t know her name but I’m sure she’s going to tell me!
KASSANDRAH: *unimpressed* Kassandrah.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Right! Kassandrah! Sweet! Check out my new rap troupe.
He pointed around the circle at the cadre of hip-looking rap professionals.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Kass, this is One-Hitter; 5-Piece; Sweet J; 8-Ball, and Beer Batter. Together, we are—
Francis stepped in front of them as they formed a wicked hip hop posse pose.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Murder, Inc!
Kass blinked at the sight of this elderly man and the young 20-somethings who had chosen to humor this fresh new direction he’d apparently taken.
KASSANDRAH: I think that’s taken, Francis.
Francis looked disappointed and silently questioned her.
KASSANDRAH: Yeah. Like 15 years ago.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Seriously?
Francis looked at the faces of his crew before he resumed his wide grin.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Nice try, Kass! HAHAHA! Now don’t break the cipher. We’re practicing. I’m gonna spit. Check this, Kass. Hit it.
Sweet J cupped his hands to his mouth and set out a sick beat-box beat everyone in the group started bobbing their heads to. Francis grooved to it, feeling the flow.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: *on beat* Uh. Yeh. Uh huh. Yeh. Uh. Yeh. Uh huh. Yeh. Uh huh.
The beat kept banging with everyone bobbing their head. Francis was set to spit some hot fire.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Uh. Yeh. Okay, that’s enough practice for now.
The group straightened and watched confused as Francis was all smiles moving off to properly pay Kass attention.
KASSANDRAH: What the hell are you doing, Francis?
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: What does it look like I’m doing? I’m connecting with the younger generation through the transformative power of music.
KASSANDRAH: You know Thirteen’s missing, right?
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Who?
KASSANDRAH: Thirteen… the OTHER Stakeholder of the AWE?
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Uh… I thought that was me.
Kass rolls her eyes.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Look, Kassandrah, I don’t know who this “Thirteen” is, but I’ve got much more pressing concerns on my plate. For instance, did you realize there actually is a Bindy Trent?
Kass glares at him in disbelief.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: I know! Turns out those cupcakes at Massacre 3 were meant for her! HAHA! And I ate them all!
KASSANDRAH: Yeah. You did.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: I shared some. But that’s beside the point. What I’ve learned after that, and watching T.S.’ amazing speech earlier is that there’s a chance I’m out of touch with the commoners, you know? The wrestlers. Like, look, check this out.
Francis stepped away from Kass and stopped a man passing by wheeling a mop and bucket. Francis presented him to Kass.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: What’s your gimmick, son?
The man looked uncertainly to Kass.
….: Uh… I’m… the janitor…?
Francis smiled in proud awe at the man.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Wow. The creativity. See? This is what I’m talking about. I need to get to know the wrestlers around here if I have any intention of being their friend.
JANITOR: No, I actually am a Janitor.
Francis shook his head in continued awed amazement.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Amazing. Keeps it Key Fob no matter what. My hats off to you, son. Here. Merry Hannukah, or Kwanza, or whatever you happen to celebrate.
Francis pats the janitor on the back and hands him a mini travel-size bottle of maple syrup. The janitor has opted, rather than to argue nuance with Francis, takes the syrup and wheels his mop and bucket off.
Kass is livid and frustrated, the aggravation in the pit of her stomach urges a disconcerted frown onto her brow.
KASSANDRAH: No. You moron. Thirteen is missing and that asshole T.S. is covering it up so everyone forgets.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Who?
Kass rolls her eyes yet again.
KASSANDRAH: Thir-Teen. OUR BUSINESS PARTNER. She’s gone missing. T.S.’ is bribing anyone that might give a damn to look the other way, meaning that leaves me… and, unfortunately, you to figure out what happened.
From behind her, unseen, an arm grips her elbow and spins Kass around to face him, Thomas Shane Elliot.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Hello, Kassandrah.
Kass steels her jaw at the sight of him even as he steps in close, forcing her to back up right into a wall. T.S. imposes.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: You know what really chaps my ass is that for three shows no one so much as bothered to organize a search party for me. No one checked in at the hospital when I suffered from a peanut allergy attack. But, here you are with tweedle-dum—
Francis smiled dimly at them, seemingly unphased by T.S.’ violent intrusion. Kass glared at him before looking back up at T.S. as he towered over her.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: --organizing an ill-advised mutiny for no reason other than concern for a person you barely know.
KASSANDRAH: What did you do to her?
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: I didn’t do anything to her.
Kassandrah eyed the obvious scars and wounds from some type of violent altercation marring T.S' features. Kassandrah narrowed her eyes.
KASSANDRAH: You know Thirteen’s a trained kickboxer and professional wrestler, don’t you? Has been for years.
T.S. half smirked down at her without a hint of wavering glance.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: So I’ve heard. Look, I appreciate your concern for this person. Perhaps she’s chosen to do what the two of you should have been doing all along by staying home and collecting your dividends as I turn this company into the greatest wrestling company on the planet?
KASSANDRAH: Not going to happen.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Of course not.
Thomas softened with a smile.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: What, so, you and your sidekick here are going to delve into some sort of Nancy Drew mystery investigation to uncover some dastardly plot of mine? Huh? Cuppola here is useless. He's asleep standing up.
Kass glances to Francis who is indeed snoring with his eyes closed while standing. T.S. smirks and steps in close to impose over Kassandrah once more, his free hand suddenly gripping her elbow firmly to the point of her wincing in pain.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: No one’s watching what happens here, understand? I’m not the bad guy. I’m here to work for these wrestlers and make this company great.
Her arm hurting in his grasp, Kass refused to flinch and show him how much it hurt before she noted the camera watching them from the corner of her eye.
KASSANDRAH: They’re watching, though.
Slowly, T.S. glanced at the camera before loosening his grip on her arm and smiled cordially.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Of course. So you’re going to hang on to this hostile takeover idea put forth by an absentee landlord who speaks through a speakerbox at you? You? Kassandrah with no last name; a fortune teller who listens to planetary alignments and cracked turtle shells; a woman who’s sole close ties in the wrestling world are to one Tony Chu who’s only true claim to fame is winning one title in a now defunct wrestling federation and a slew of ties to 4 Corners Wrestling. Is that your game, Kassandrah? You going to bring Tony and his friend Perry Wallace over here to flip my company?
Kass glared.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: You’re no psychic. You’re a scam artist. You’re an opportunist who’s trying to spin this story around to make me look like the bad guy. I’m not a bad guy. I’ve got a sick mother in town I’m taking care of, while you’re plotting to ruin this company with sleeping beauty. While you’re trying to figure out what happened to Thirteen, I’ve been proactive and had authorities arrest both Anastasia Hayden and Caroline Burchill quietly out of the public eye. If they’re guilty for Thirteen’s supposed disappearance, the proper authorities will discern that. So, all that said, which of us is the “villain”, huh? You… or me?
Kass breathed heavily, anger seething in her veins as T.S. glared down at her and initimdated at her.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Now drop it. You can’t win this game.
T.S. glared down at her for emphasis before striding off out of the frame. Kass sighed heavily and looked downward before glaring at Francis.
KASSANDRAH: Francis!
He snored loudly whilst standing there. Kass gritted her teeth and stepped into him and flicked the lens of his glasses with her finger.
KASSANDRAH: HEY!
Francis flinched suddenly awake.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: WATCH OUT!
He blinked and looked around to orient himself to his surroundings.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: *contented sigh* Whew. Thought I was playing Space Invaders.
Francis looked around blinking away the sleep from his eyes.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Pretty boring backstage, huh?
Kass glared at her one vague ally and considered what her next step should be.
Zack Fantana VS. Bindy Trent
As soon as the bell sounds, Zack and Bindy circle one another. Zack with a hop to his step, Bindy with a bounce to hers as well before they lock up and Zack quickly gets the better of the collar and elbow and forces Bindy into a side headlock!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The lovely Bindy Trent goes toe-to-toe with the Resilience Division’s champion in 2nd round Alpha Cup action.
BRAD STOKES: Gotta admit, through it all, it is kind of worth it to actually see him finally sporting that championship belt after that long-ass wait.
Bindy surprises Zack with a sudden back body drop that stuns both her and Zack but she keeps up the momentum dropping a leg drop onto Zack and rolling him up for a cover!
1..
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Zack Fantana!
BRAD STOKES: Seeing her in the second round makes me feel really bad I doubted her enough to call her Becky, Nina. Do you think she’d go out with me as an apology for making me think that was her name?
NINA APPLEBAUM: You mean her apologize to you?
BRAD STOKES: It’s not a normal name, Nina.
Bindy has Zack up to his feet but he lays into her with a shoulder block, then a swift knife-edge chop to keep her off guard before trapping Bindy into a bridging northern lights suplex!
1…
TW—
BRAD STOKES: Kickout! Shame, too. Sooner she loses to my boy Zack, the sooner she can apologize to me about her name.
NINA APPLEBAUM: You are such an ass. How’s your Jelly of the Month certificate treating you, Bradley?
BRAD STOKES: Low blow…
Bindy and Zack are both up to their feet. Zack swings a lariat for Bindy but she ducks and slams Zack with a discus elbow smash that flattens Fantana! Bindy is up to her feet rather quickly and sends a flurry of pleasant, joyous waves out to the crowd.
BRAD STOKES: Isn’t that nice? She thinks she’s in a parade.
Bindy blows some kisses before she moves for the corner ropes, scales them and bounces into a Best Moonsault Ever but Fantana gets his knees up!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Hard knee to the midsection of Bindy Trent!
BRAD STOKES: I have to say… not to be overly selfish like I usually am considering Bindy Trent just took a set of knees to the ribs, but it hurts me that we didn’t get a raise, Nina. Hurts me enough to turn to my secret weapon of sarcasm, insults and alcohol. Not in that order. Bindy Trent sucks! Ha. Endorphins already being released.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Is that your secret?
BRAD STOKES: No. No one must know my secret. Especially not Bindy, since we’re probably gonna date soon when I’m drunk enough to ask her.
Zack climbs to his feet bringing Bindy with him and slams a few more knife edge chops to keep her off-balance then whips her for the ropes and on the way back slams her down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zack Fantana’s starting to heat up in there.
BRAD STOKES: Pervert.
Fantana is quick off the draw, leaping into a standing moonsault that slams down hard onto Bindy! And as if to add insult to injury he does it once more and goes for the pin!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout! Zack Fantana’s elite offense is never to be underestimated.
BRAD STOKES: Poor Bindy. Feel kinda bad I said she sucks now since we’re gonna be making babies after I’m drunk enough. Think she’ll forgive me?
NINA APPLEBAUM: No comment.
Zack is relentless, first laying a string of blows into Bindy before forcing her back to her feet and once more whipping her into the ropes! On the way back he aims for a headscissor takedown but Bindy shifts his momentum against him and lays him down in a prompt powerbomb pin combo!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Impressive counter by Bindy Trent!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout at three!
BRAD STOKES: In all fairness, she has all the tools this Bindy.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Indeed she does. Going against Zack Fantana may as well be leaping into the deep end, and so far Bindy Trent has given as good as she’s gotten.
Bindy drags Zack up to his feet and swiftly takes him back down with a snapmare she follows through into a dragon sleeper!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Too close to the ropes but nice takedown!
Zack gets a leg up onto the ropes, and Theo Refano quickly calls for the rope break. Bindy happily obliges and raises to her feet and gives the crowd another pleasant smile and wave as she tours the ring.
BRAD STOKES: That one wave was aimed at me, I’ll bet.
Zack lifts to one knee and catches his breath. Bindy notices Zack finally and goes back to work, gripping him up to his feet and slamming him right back down in a reverse DDT and goes for the cover!
1…
TW—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout! Bindy can’t afford to let up on Fantana like that. He’s the Resilience Champion for a reason!
BRAD STOKES: If she can string together more offense and steal this thing from Zack, though, it’s almost like she’s the Resilience Champion!
NINA APPLEBAUM: For sure. A lot on the line for both of these two, to say nothing of the Alpha Cup waiting at the end of this tournament for possibly one of these competitors.
Bindy is back up and once more smiling out into the crowd but this time she keeps on Zack. Just before he can climb to his feet she’s stomping down onto him, but Zack catches her leg and twists her down to the canvas in an unorthodox Dragon Screw! Zack is swiftly up to his feet and drops down hard onto Bindy with a springboard moonsault!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Again the explosive offence of Zack Fantana is being showcased! This is why he’s dangerous!
Fantana is like a firecracker, gripping Bindy up to her feet and laying a series of shots into her before SLAMMING her into the canvas in an exploder suplex! And he’s not done, moving rapidly to where Bindy is and hooks her back up to her feet and into a pumphandle clutch before heaving her upwards and DROPPING her down hard into a neckbreaker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: DEUS EX MACHINA! ZACK HAS DONE IT!
Zack goes for the cover!
1..
2..
THR—
BRAD STOKES: Close but not whatever Zack smokes!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zack can’t believe Bindy kicked out!
BRAD STOKES: Neither can Bindy, I reckon.
Zack is up to his feet swiftly slashing across his throat amidst a sudden roar of the crowd! With Bindy down, Zack climbs up to the top rope and calls for the Godsend!
NINA APPLEBAUM: It’s over!
Zack stands tall and extends his arms almost self-reverentially soaking up the roar of the crowd a moment before he launches off the turnbuckle into the corkscrew shooting star press he calls the Godsend!
NINA APPLEBAUM: BINDY GOT HER KNEES UP!
BRAD STOKES: That had to hurt! Tit for tat!
Zack is writhing in agony as Bindy rolls away in agony in her own right.
BRAD STOKES: This could very well be my Christmas present in place of this stupid bonus thing, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: They’re not going to die, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: You’re ruining this night for me, Nina.
Zack is in pain on his knees clutching his midsection. Theo Refano checks on whether he’s able to continue as Bindy climbs to her feet slowly.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I don’t think anyone’s every managed to stifle Zack’s momentum quite like Bindy has, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: That’s true. Zack’s faced a lot of challenges in the AWE, but so far Bindy might be the most surprising.
Bindy looks pleased to have made it through okay, giving the fans a reassuring wave as Zack is still in pain.
NINA APPLEBAUM: But I will also say, Bindy has proven reluctant to capitalize on what amounts to some of the best turnaround skills we’ve seen so far out of her!
Zack glares at Bindy in surprise as she checks with Theo Refano to see if Zack’s okay before dragging him to his feet but is surprised by a sudden roll up by Zack!
1…
2..
THR---
NINA APPLEBAUM: Another kickout by Bindy Trent!
Zack is thrust forward off of Bindy still clutching his mid section as Bindy finds the ropes and guides her way back to her feet to look at Zack and out at the crowd.
BRAD STOKES: She’s gotta make some offence count! Now! Zack’s a sitting duck!
Bindy urges herself forward and aims a stiff kick for Zack’s head but Zack manages to grip Bindy’s leg and send her down to the canvas in a single leg take down he follows through into a roll-up!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Another pin!
BRAD STOKES: He’s got his legs on the ropes!
1..
2..
3!!
“Lucid Dreams” by Franz Ferdinand kicks in on the speakers as Fantana rolls out of the ring red-faced and out of breath clutching his Resilience Championship to his chest as he staggers towards the rampway.
NINA APPLEBAUM: A tainted victory after all that—
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the third round of the Alpha Cup Tournament… ZACK… FANTANAAAAAA.
BRAD STOKES: But a victory nonetheless. I think Fantana knew he was in tough against Bindy and had to go to plan B.
NINA APPLEBAUM: You could be right. He’s not often relying on assistance. That was one match Fantana won’t soon forget!
BRAD STOKES: Neither will Bindy. She just took the champ to his limit! And now… she and I shall dine.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I highly doubt that, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Oh ye of little faith!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The lovely Bindy Trent goes toe-to-toe with the Resilience Division’s champion in 2nd round Alpha Cup action.
BRAD STOKES: Gotta admit, through it all, it is kind of worth it to actually see him finally sporting that championship belt after that long-ass wait.
Bindy surprises Zack with a sudden back body drop that stuns both her and Zack but she keeps up the momentum dropping a leg drop onto Zack and rolling him up for a cover!
1..
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Zack Fantana!
BRAD STOKES: Seeing her in the second round makes me feel really bad I doubted her enough to call her Becky, Nina. Do you think she’d go out with me as an apology for making me think that was her name?
NINA APPLEBAUM: You mean her apologize to you?
BRAD STOKES: It’s not a normal name, Nina.
Bindy has Zack up to his feet but he lays into her with a shoulder block, then a swift knife-edge chop to keep her off guard before trapping Bindy into a bridging northern lights suplex!
1…
TW—
BRAD STOKES: Kickout! Shame, too. Sooner she loses to my boy Zack, the sooner she can apologize to me about her name.
NINA APPLEBAUM: You are such an ass. How’s your Jelly of the Month certificate treating you, Bradley?
BRAD STOKES: Low blow…
Bindy and Zack are both up to their feet. Zack swings a lariat for Bindy but she ducks and slams Zack with a discus elbow smash that flattens Fantana! Bindy is up to her feet rather quickly and sends a flurry of pleasant, joyous waves out to the crowd.
BRAD STOKES: Isn’t that nice? She thinks she’s in a parade.
Bindy blows some kisses before she moves for the corner ropes, scales them and bounces into a Best Moonsault Ever but Fantana gets his knees up!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Hard knee to the midsection of Bindy Trent!
BRAD STOKES: I have to say… not to be overly selfish like I usually am considering Bindy Trent just took a set of knees to the ribs, but it hurts me that we didn’t get a raise, Nina. Hurts me enough to turn to my secret weapon of sarcasm, insults and alcohol. Not in that order. Bindy Trent sucks! Ha. Endorphins already being released.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Is that your secret?
BRAD STOKES: No. No one must know my secret. Especially not Bindy, since we’re probably gonna date soon when I’m drunk enough to ask her.
Zack climbs to his feet bringing Bindy with him and slams a few more knife edge chops to keep her off-balance then whips her for the ropes and on the way back slams her down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zack Fantana’s starting to heat up in there.
BRAD STOKES: Pervert.
Fantana is quick off the draw, leaping into a standing moonsault that slams down hard onto Bindy! And as if to add insult to injury he does it once more and goes for the pin!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout! Zack Fantana’s elite offense is never to be underestimated.
BRAD STOKES: Poor Bindy. Feel kinda bad I said she sucks now since we’re gonna be making babies after I’m drunk enough. Think she’ll forgive me?
NINA APPLEBAUM: No comment.
Zack is relentless, first laying a string of blows into Bindy before forcing her back to her feet and once more whipping her into the ropes! On the way back he aims for a headscissor takedown but Bindy shifts his momentum against him and lays him down in a prompt powerbomb pin combo!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Impressive counter by Bindy Trent!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout at three!
BRAD STOKES: In all fairness, she has all the tools this Bindy.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Indeed she does. Going against Zack Fantana may as well be leaping into the deep end, and so far Bindy Trent has given as good as she’s gotten.
Bindy drags Zack up to his feet and swiftly takes him back down with a snapmare she follows through into a dragon sleeper!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Too close to the ropes but nice takedown!
Zack gets a leg up onto the ropes, and Theo Refano quickly calls for the rope break. Bindy happily obliges and raises to her feet and gives the crowd another pleasant smile and wave as she tours the ring.
BRAD STOKES: That one wave was aimed at me, I’ll bet.
Zack lifts to one knee and catches his breath. Bindy notices Zack finally and goes back to work, gripping him up to his feet and slamming him right back down in a reverse DDT and goes for the cover!
1…
TW—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout! Bindy can’t afford to let up on Fantana like that. He’s the Resilience Champion for a reason!
BRAD STOKES: If she can string together more offense and steal this thing from Zack, though, it’s almost like she’s the Resilience Champion!
NINA APPLEBAUM: For sure. A lot on the line for both of these two, to say nothing of the Alpha Cup waiting at the end of this tournament for possibly one of these competitors.
Bindy is back up and once more smiling out into the crowd but this time she keeps on Zack. Just before he can climb to his feet she’s stomping down onto him, but Zack catches her leg and twists her down to the canvas in an unorthodox Dragon Screw! Zack is swiftly up to his feet and drops down hard onto Bindy with a springboard moonsault!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Again the explosive offence of Zack Fantana is being showcased! This is why he’s dangerous!
Fantana is like a firecracker, gripping Bindy up to her feet and laying a series of shots into her before SLAMMING her into the canvas in an exploder suplex! And he’s not done, moving rapidly to where Bindy is and hooks her back up to her feet and into a pumphandle clutch before heaving her upwards and DROPPING her down hard into a neckbreaker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: DEUS EX MACHINA! ZACK HAS DONE IT!
Zack goes for the cover!
1..
2..
THR—
BRAD STOKES: Close but not whatever Zack smokes!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Zack can’t believe Bindy kicked out!
BRAD STOKES: Neither can Bindy, I reckon.
Zack is up to his feet swiftly slashing across his throat amidst a sudden roar of the crowd! With Bindy down, Zack climbs up to the top rope and calls for the Godsend!
NINA APPLEBAUM: It’s over!
Zack stands tall and extends his arms almost self-reverentially soaking up the roar of the crowd a moment before he launches off the turnbuckle into the corkscrew shooting star press he calls the Godsend!
NINA APPLEBAUM: BINDY GOT HER KNEES UP!
BRAD STOKES: That had to hurt! Tit for tat!
Zack is writhing in agony as Bindy rolls away in agony in her own right.
BRAD STOKES: This could very well be my Christmas present in place of this stupid bonus thing, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: They’re not going to die, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: You’re ruining this night for me, Nina.
Zack is in pain on his knees clutching his midsection. Theo Refano checks on whether he’s able to continue as Bindy climbs to her feet slowly.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I don’t think anyone’s every managed to stifle Zack’s momentum quite like Bindy has, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: That’s true. Zack’s faced a lot of challenges in the AWE, but so far Bindy might be the most surprising.
Bindy looks pleased to have made it through okay, giving the fans a reassuring wave as Zack is still in pain.
NINA APPLEBAUM: But I will also say, Bindy has proven reluctant to capitalize on what amounts to some of the best turnaround skills we’ve seen so far out of her!
Zack glares at Bindy in surprise as she checks with Theo Refano to see if Zack’s okay before dragging him to his feet but is surprised by a sudden roll up by Zack!
1…
2..
THR---
NINA APPLEBAUM: Another kickout by Bindy Trent!
Zack is thrust forward off of Bindy still clutching his mid section as Bindy finds the ropes and guides her way back to her feet to look at Zack and out at the crowd.
BRAD STOKES: She’s gotta make some offence count! Now! Zack’s a sitting duck!
Bindy urges herself forward and aims a stiff kick for Zack’s head but Zack manages to grip Bindy’s leg and send her down to the canvas in a single leg take down he follows through into a roll-up!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Another pin!
BRAD STOKES: He’s got his legs on the ropes!
1..
2..
3!!
DING! DING! DING!
“Lucid Dreams” by Franz Ferdinand kicks in on the speakers as Fantana rolls out of the ring red-faced and out of breath clutching his Resilience Championship to his chest as he staggers towards the rampway.
NINA APPLEBAUM: A tainted victory after all that—
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the third round of the Alpha Cup Tournament… ZACK… FANTANAAAAAA.
BRAD STOKES: But a victory nonetheless. I think Fantana knew he was in tough against Bindy and had to go to plan B.
NINA APPLEBAUM: You could be right. He’s not often relying on assistance. That was one match Fantana won’t soon forget!
BRAD STOKES: Neither will Bindy. She just took the champ to his limit! And now… she and I shall dine.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I highly doubt that, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Oh ye of little faith!
Just returning backstage from her match Bindy Trent had an arm up, reaching back behind herself to cradle her neck. She grit her teeth and she touched it. It hurt, but it was nothing that she hadn’t dealt with before and wouldn’t get over soon enough. Waiting for her was Nate Hollis, with a microphone.
NATE HOLLIS: Bindy, how are you feeling after that tough match with Zack Fantana?
She sighed, heavily
BINDY TRENT: I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t disappointed. I am. I really wanted to win, but I didn’t. I didn’t this round that is, but there’s going to be another time. And when that time comes I’ll be even more prepared. Live and learn I guess they say.
NATE HOLLIS: Well now that you’ve had your second match with AWE, is this what you imagined it would be after you signed your contract?
BINDY TRENT: Not at all Nate. Hey, that’s catchy, you might want to make that into a nickname. “Not At All Nate,” it rolls off the tongue. But literally, not at all. AWE has been better than I could have hoped. The talent here is like … a well of oil hiding under the ocean and AWE is drilling it out, and … hopefully the ocean rig never catches fire. That’s actually a horrible analogy. Okay, all the talent here are like precious diamonds, formed under pressure to make pieces of art and AWE is … those poor children force to mine them….
Her face turned upset, she’d kind of bummed herself out.
BINDY TRENT: Alright, those are both REALLY bad examples but AWE is awesome. The talent is awesome, just about everything here besides the fact I didn’t get a cupcake last week has been great.
NATE HOLLIS: Does that mean your future in the AWE-
BINDY TRENT: My future in the AWE is just that. It’s in the future! I’m not trying to worry about that right now, that’s heavy stuff brother.
NATE HOLLIS: One more question, T.S. Elliot made a pretty big announcement of a roster-wide pay raise tonight. Just how is that going to affect you?
BINDY TRENT: Well for one it means I don’t have to send my weird cousin after him to kidnap him for giving me a Jelly-of-the-Month club subscription instead of a Christmas bonus, huh?
She laughed and nudged Nate with her elbow.
BINDY TRENT: That’s a movie reference there, Not At All Nate, but it seriously makes my life a lot easier. For most of us wrestling isn’t exactly the path to wealth, it’s a labor of love, but knowing I’ll have a couple extra pennies to rub together means a lot. So I guess I owe T.S. a big thank you, in spite of that whole mess with Thirteen and all …
NATE HOLLIS: Thanks Bindy.
She nodded, and fired a little finger gun off at the man before taking her leave to go and get cleaned up after her match.
NATE HOLLIS: Bindy, how are you feeling after that tough match with Zack Fantana?
She sighed, heavily
BINDY TRENT: I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t disappointed. I am. I really wanted to win, but I didn’t. I didn’t this round that is, but there’s going to be another time. And when that time comes I’ll be even more prepared. Live and learn I guess they say.
NATE HOLLIS: Well now that you’ve had your second match with AWE, is this what you imagined it would be after you signed your contract?
BINDY TRENT: Not at all Nate. Hey, that’s catchy, you might want to make that into a nickname. “Not At All Nate,” it rolls off the tongue. But literally, not at all. AWE has been better than I could have hoped. The talent here is like … a well of oil hiding under the ocean and AWE is drilling it out, and … hopefully the ocean rig never catches fire. That’s actually a horrible analogy. Okay, all the talent here are like precious diamonds, formed under pressure to make pieces of art and AWE is … those poor children force to mine them….
Her face turned upset, she’d kind of bummed herself out.
BINDY TRENT: Alright, those are both REALLY bad examples but AWE is awesome. The talent is awesome, just about everything here besides the fact I didn’t get a cupcake last week has been great.
NATE HOLLIS: Does that mean your future in the AWE-
BINDY TRENT: My future in the AWE is just that. It’s in the future! I’m not trying to worry about that right now, that’s heavy stuff brother.
NATE HOLLIS: One more question, T.S. Elliot made a pretty big announcement of a roster-wide pay raise tonight. Just how is that going to affect you?
BINDY TRENT: Well for one it means I don’t have to send my weird cousin after him to kidnap him for giving me a Jelly-of-the-Month club subscription instead of a Christmas bonus, huh?
She laughed and nudged Nate with her elbow.
BINDY TRENT: That’s a movie reference there, Not At All Nate, but it seriously makes my life a lot easier. For most of us wrestling isn’t exactly the path to wealth, it’s a labor of love, but knowing I’ll have a couple extra pennies to rub together means a lot. So I guess I owe T.S. a big thank you, in spite of that whole mess with Thirteen and all …
NATE HOLLIS: Thanks Bindy.
She nodded, and fired a little finger gun off at the man before taking her leave to go and get cleaned up after her match.
Erron Wilder VS. Austin Gale
NINA APPLEBAUM: Right out of the gate, Erron Wilder has chosen to box Austin Gale!
BRAD STOKES: That’s a fight Austin Gale can’t win!
Instead of going toe-to-toe with a trained pugilist, Austin grips Erron’s arm, twists and judo throws Erron onto the canvas and follows it up with a hard downward punch while maintaining a handle on Erron’s arm. Austin grips Erron right back up to his feet and applies a further twist to Erron’s arm, firing a set of kicks to keep Erron neutralized then drops him down into a fierce armbar!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Have to admire the strategy of Austin Gale right now. He’s managing to keep Erron’s offence slowed, while remaining in complete control!
BRAD STOKES: But for how long?
Austin severely torque’s on Erron’s arm causing more and more pain but Erron seems to be powering upwards in spite of Austin’s grip!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I don’t believe it!
Erron Wilder strengthens his positioning so that Austin’s hold lessens. Austin wisely lets go only to get a hard elbow from Erron for his trouble! Austin rises clutching the side of his head and Erron quickly rises to his feet in pursuit firing several kidney punches staggering Austin Gale!
BRAD STOKES: Not a good spot to be in once Erron gets his fists working.
Erron works Austin’s backside over like a heavy bag before hammering Austin hard into the canvas with a vicious Saito suplex and goes for the quick cover!
1..
TW—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Austin Gale!
Erron moves onto Austin Gale, planning a set of mounted punches but Austin forces Erron off and gets to his feet in a hurry to plant Erron with a hard knee that staggers Erron on his knees. Austin lugs him to his feet only to be surprised by another series of sudden shots by Erron that knock Austin back. Erron goes for a kick but Austin surprises Erron with a capture suplex!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nice capture suplex by Austin Gale!
BRAD STOKES: He’s a suplex magician. A machine. A suplex tic-tac-ticion, Nina.
Erron is up surprisingly fast I spite of the suplex but falls quickly into a belly-to-belly suplex from Austin Gale! And this time Austin doesn’t let up, heaving Erron back up into an underhook belly-to-belly suplex! Then back up into a vertical suplex! Then Austin goes for the cover!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Close call there for Erron Wilder! And Austin Gale has firmly taken control of this match!
BRAD STOKES: BUT… for how long?
NINA APPLEBAUM: You’ve completely checked out, haven’t you?
BRAD STOKES: Pretty much. I want my Christmas Bonus, Nina. And I’ll kill someone’s pet rabbit to get it. Don’t believe me?
NINA APPLEBAUM: I believe you. I just figure you’ll forget about it by the end of this match.
BRAD STOKES: You’re probably right. I don’t even recall what I was on about now that Austin Gale’s applied a rather handy little headlock.
Austin has Erron’s head in a vice as he lays down a serious set of punches into Wilder’s head before forcing him to his feet. Erron surprises Austin by slipping his head from Austn’s grip and sending him whipping for the ropes, on the rebound Erron slams Austin hard to the canvas in an inverted Russian Leg Sweep!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And like that Erron is back in this match.
BRAD STOKES: Something about rabbits. What was I talking about before this happened, Nina?
NINA APPLEBAUM: I’m certain I don’t know.
Erron lays a set of mounted punches into Austin Gale as if to make up for a missed earlier attempt. Erron drives Austin back to his feet and sends a series of thrusting knees into Austin lifting him repeatedly off the canvas before dropping him down head first in a snap DDT!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Erron Wilder with the cover!
1…
2..
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Austin Gale!
Erron grits his teeth, clenches his fist, getting ready for a fight as he lays a series of stiff shots down into Austin Gale then rises to his feet. Buoyed by the energy of the crowd Erron does the unexpected and lunges for the nearby ropes for a springboard. But Austin has gotten to his feet and on Erron’s way back Austin spears him down to the canvas amidst a roar from the crowd!
NINA APPLEBAUM: A HOWLER! Austin Gale hit Erron Wilder with a Howler!
Austin, still stunned from Erron’s previous onslaught climbs to his feet, surprised to see Erron trying to get to his feet in spite of the spear!
BRAD STOKES: I don’t believe it! Erron Wilder is still getting up after a Howler!
Erron is staggered but hanging onto the ropes looking disoriented and dismayed as the crowd roars and is on it’s feet. Austin Gale looks determined and undeterred with Erron still moving!
NINA APPLEBAUM: ANOTHER HOWLER!
Austin unleashes the second spear flawlessly awash in an array of flash photography as Austin lifts to his feet confidently and clearly ready to finish Erron Wilder!
BRAD STOKES: This crowd is sufficiently pumped now! It might be from this, or the some-odd 5 or 6 matches leading up to it, I lost count, but they are ready, Nina!
Austin grips a stunned and staggered Erron to his feet and sets him up into a northern lights driver with delayed finished for the crowd before WHAM! Austin slams Erron down and quickly slides in for the cover!
1…
2..
3!!
“Frostbite” by Parkway Drive kicks in. Austin Gale definitively rises to his feet and raises his arm by himself, not allowing Theo Refano to touch him. The Alpha Tron has some wicked cool Austin Gale storm graphics rocking on it.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the Third Round of the Alpha Cup Tournament… AUSTINNNN…. GAAAAAAALLLE!!!!
NINA APPLEBAUM: It was the sort of match many had pinned on Erron Wilder to win, but in the end we have ourselves an upset of sorts.
BRAD STOKES: I knew the kid had it in him. Not really. Who am I kidding, I want my Christmas Bonus.
NINA APPLEBAUM: And while Bradley wrestles with his financial demons, we have yet another finalist moving forward in the Alpha Cup and still much more to come, including the first ever crowned champion of the Paramount Division, so stay tuned!
BRAD STOKES: That’s a fight Austin Gale can’t win!
Instead of going toe-to-toe with a trained pugilist, Austin grips Erron’s arm, twists and judo throws Erron onto the canvas and follows it up with a hard downward punch while maintaining a handle on Erron’s arm. Austin grips Erron right back up to his feet and applies a further twist to Erron’s arm, firing a set of kicks to keep Erron neutralized then drops him down into a fierce armbar!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Have to admire the strategy of Austin Gale right now. He’s managing to keep Erron’s offence slowed, while remaining in complete control!
BRAD STOKES: But for how long?
Austin severely torque’s on Erron’s arm causing more and more pain but Erron seems to be powering upwards in spite of Austin’s grip!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I don’t believe it!
Erron Wilder strengthens his positioning so that Austin’s hold lessens. Austin wisely lets go only to get a hard elbow from Erron for his trouble! Austin rises clutching the side of his head and Erron quickly rises to his feet in pursuit firing several kidney punches staggering Austin Gale!
BRAD STOKES: Not a good spot to be in once Erron gets his fists working.
Erron works Austin’s backside over like a heavy bag before hammering Austin hard into the canvas with a vicious Saito suplex and goes for the quick cover!
1..
TW—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Austin Gale!
Erron moves onto Austin Gale, planning a set of mounted punches but Austin forces Erron off and gets to his feet in a hurry to plant Erron with a hard knee that staggers Erron on his knees. Austin lugs him to his feet only to be surprised by another series of sudden shots by Erron that knock Austin back. Erron goes for a kick but Austin surprises Erron with a capture suplex!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Nice capture suplex by Austin Gale!
BRAD STOKES: He’s a suplex magician. A machine. A suplex tic-tac-ticion, Nina.
Erron is up surprisingly fast I spite of the suplex but falls quickly into a belly-to-belly suplex from Austin Gale! And this time Austin doesn’t let up, heaving Erron back up into an underhook belly-to-belly suplex! Then back up into a vertical suplex! Then Austin goes for the cover!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Close call there for Erron Wilder! And Austin Gale has firmly taken control of this match!
BRAD STOKES: BUT… for how long?
NINA APPLEBAUM: You’ve completely checked out, haven’t you?
BRAD STOKES: Pretty much. I want my Christmas Bonus, Nina. And I’ll kill someone’s pet rabbit to get it. Don’t believe me?
NINA APPLEBAUM: I believe you. I just figure you’ll forget about it by the end of this match.
BRAD STOKES: You’re probably right. I don’t even recall what I was on about now that Austin Gale’s applied a rather handy little headlock.
Austin has Erron’s head in a vice as he lays down a serious set of punches into Wilder’s head before forcing him to his feet. Erron surprises Austin by slipping his head from Austn’s grip and sending him whipping for the ropes, on the rebound Erron slams Austin hard to the canvas in an inverted Russian Leg Sweep!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And like that Erron is back in this match.
BRAD STOKES: Something about rabbits. What was I talking about before this happened, Nina?
NINA APPLEBAUM: I’m certain I don’t know.
Erron lays a set of mounted punches into Austin Gale as if to make up for a missed earlier attempt. Erron drives Austin back to his feet and sends a series of thrusting knees into Austin lifting him repeatedly off the canvas before dropping him down head first in a snap DDT!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Erron Wilder with the cover!
1…
2..
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Austin Gale!
Erron grits his teeth, clenches his fist, getting ready for a fight as he lays a series of stiff shots down into Austin Gale then rises to his feet. Buoyed by the energy of the crowd Erron does the unexpected and lunges for the nearby ropes for a springboard. But Austin has gotten to his feet and on Erron’s way back Austin spears him down to the canvas amidst a roar from the crowd!
NINA APPLEBAUM: A HOWLER! Austin Gale hit Erron Wilder with a Howler!
Austin, still stunned from Erron’s previous onslaught climbs to his feet, surprised to see Erron trying to get to his feet in spite of the spear!
BRAD STOKES: I don’t believe it! Erron Wilder is still getting up after a Howler!
Erron is staggered but hanging onto the ropes looking disoriented and dismayed as the crowd roars and is on it’s feet. Austin Gale looks determined and undeterred with Erron still moving!
NINA APPLEBAUM: ANOTHER HOWLER!
Austin unleashes the second spear flawlessly awash in an array of flash photography as Austin lifts to his feet confidently and clearly ready to finish Erron Wilder!
BRAD STOKES: This crowd is sufficiently pumped now! It might be from this, or the some-odd 5 or 6 matches leading up to it, I lost count, but they are ready, Nina!
Austin grips a stunned and staggered Erron to his feet and sets him up into a northern lights driver with delayed finished for the crowd before WHAM! Austin slams Erron down and quickly slides in for the cover!
1…
2..
3!!
DING! DING! DING!
“Frostbite” by Parkway Drive kicks in. Austin Gale definitively rises to his feet and raises his arm by himself, not allowing Theo Refano to touch him. The Alpha Tron has some wicked cool Austin Gale storm graphics rocking on it.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the Third Round of the Alpha Cup Tournament… AUSTINNNN…. GAAAAAAALLLE!!!!
NINA APPLEBAUM: It was the sort of match many had pinned on Erron Wilder to win, but in the end we have ourselves an upset of sorts.
BRAD STOKES: I knew the kid had it in him. Not really. Who am I kidding, I want my Christmas Bonus.
NINA APPLEBAUM: And while Bradley wrestles with his financial demons, we have yet another finalist moving forward in the Alpha Cup and still much more to come, including the first ever crowned champion of the Paramount Division, so stay tuned!
Backstage once more with Nate Hollis.
NATE HOLLIS: Back with me here in the backstage where all the action happens, and what a night, eh fight fans? Erron Wilder goes down to a Gale Force. Zack Fantana recovers the Resilience championship and proceeds to the third round, and everyone’s starting to feel the effects of T.S.’ favoritism as he scrooged the staff of their Christmas Bonuses in favor of giving them to the wrestlers. But that’s all right, that’s okay. I can make do with whatever I got, even if that means my moms is going to be getting a few less Christmas presents than I had intended, whatever. The show must go on, and I ain’t letting my personal life get in the way of doing the job I love. Up next we have another battle in the second round of the Alpha Cup between James Radford, fresh off a loss in the Paramount Division tournament, and Kimitsu Zombie, who’s been on a tear as of late. Let’s check it out!
NATE HOLLIS: Back with me here in the backstage where all the action happens, and what a night, eh fight fans? Erron Wilder goes down to a Gale Force. Zack Fantana recovers the Resilience championship and proceeds to the third round, and everyone’s starting to feel the effects of T.S.’ favoritism as he scrooged the staff of their Christmas Bonuses in favor of giving them to the wrestlers. But that’s all right, that’s okay. I can make do with whatever I got, even if that means my moms is going to be getting a few less Christmas presents than I had intended, whatever. The show must go on, and I ain’t letting my personal life get in the way of doing the job I love. Up next we have another battle in the second round of the Alpha Cup between James Radford, fresh off a loss in the Paramount Division tournament, and Kimitsu Zombie, who’s been on a tear as of late. Let’s check it out!
Kimitsu Zombie VS. "Country Fine" James Radford
Radford and Kimitsu circle one another amidst the rowdy crowd.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Still early on here in this match. Neither competitor has been able to get an edge over the other.
BRAD STOKES: You figure Bobby Benson’s bullhorn acts as some sort of voodoo curse token, Nina? I mean, look at it? Has he ever even USED that thing? He’s a flailing inflatable arm tube man, why does he need a bullhorn megaphone thing?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Okay, seriously, what the hell are you on?
BRAD STOKES: I'll just say it: Morphine.
NINA APPLEBAUM: That explains at least part of it.
Radford and Kimi lunge for one another in a lockup attempt, but Kimitsu Zombie cleverly ducks Radford’s arms and swings around behind Country Fine and plants a kick to the back of the large man sending him staggering forward! Kimi charges in and bulldogs Radford to the mat! And Kimitsu follows it up by dragging Radford to his feet and snap DDTing him right back down! Before digging her feet into his ribs painfully to make Radford squirm!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kimitsu Zombie really wants to draw some pain out of James Radford!
BRAD STOKES: Don’t you watch our roster’s promotional videos, Nina? Are you not a part of this woefully inept company like I am? This is her match strategy. Something about Kimitsu wanting to find the animal within James Radford and bring it out. So what we’re dealing with here is a lycanthropic opponent and Kimitsu Zombie wants to unleash the beast like a snickers bar. See, Kimitsu and James Radford are like two positively charged ions, Nina--
NINA APPLEBAUM: That morphine’s some good stuff, eh, Bradley?
BRAD STOKES: Isn’t it, though?
Kimitsu has a crossface locked onto Radford which she’s wrenching back on painfully before alternating on the canvas between slamming hard knees into Radford’s side before forcing him onto his back and going for the pin!
1…
2..
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Radford!
BRAD STOKES: But seriously, do you think Bobby Benson and James Radford are gay?
NINA APPLEBAUM: What is WITH you, Bradley?
BRAD STOKES: I’m pissed off about our pay cut, bish. Deal with it. That and the morphine. I got a lot of pain to kill here, Nina.
Kimi has Radford up to his feet and sticks a stiff kick up into Radford’s midsection to double him over, btu Radford quickly rushes her unexpectedly and spinebusters Kimi to the canvas and the crowd roars as Radford seems fired up! He drops for the cover!
1…
TW—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Swift kickout there by Kimitsu Zombie.
BRAD STOKES: Check it out, Nina. Rubber pencil routine going on over here. Why aren’t you looking?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And my commentary partner has completely checked out…
BRAD STOKES: I’m watching. James Bradshaw and Kelly Clarkson Zombie. Wooohoo. Exciting shit.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Hooookay.
Radford has Kimi up and has thrown her for the ropes! On the rebound Radford SLAMS Kimi down with a scoop slam that rattles the ring boards! And Radford isn’t done! He bounces off the ropes and shimmy shakes his way back at the downed Kimi for a knee drop!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Radford Jam, and—NO!
Kimi rolls awy from Radford’s knee! Still on her back, Kimi spins around and slams both soles of her feet into Radford’s chest to knock him backwards and she’s back on her feet to swiftly grab hold of Radford and force him to a stand before SLAMMING him back down to the canvas with an explosive frankensteiner
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kimitsu Zombie, once again, proving why she’s so lethal in a wrestling ring!
BRAD STOKES: As opposed to being lethal in a sauna or whereever. Get real, Nina. Nobody cares.
With Radford down, Kimi grips his head off the canvas and slams kicks down into him repeatedly before toppling him onto his back!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kimitsu Zombie with the cover!
1…
2…
THRE---
NINA APPLEBAUM: Close call!
BRAD STOKES: I’m telling you, Bobby Benson is bad luck, Nina. His “expert tutelage” is turning an otherwise promising jobber into a low-tier enhancement talent prospect. This is pathetic.
Kimi lays into Radford further with hard stomps and drops an elbow before turning it into a crossface that has Radford in agony in the center of the ring! Kimi tugs hard, harder, hardest until she forces Radford up to his feet and STUNS the crowd with a sudden crossface chickenwing suplex!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Impressive technique by Kimitsu Zombie! And the cover!
As Kimi hooks Radford’s leg, Bobby Benson hops onto the ring apron drawing the attention of Theo Refano before he can administer the count.
BRAD STOKES: Now that’s interesting.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Definitely interesting to see Bobby Benson getting involved.
BRAD STOKES: What? Oh. Yeah. That too. But it turns out I can save thousands on my car insurance by switching to Geico. Paycut be damned! I’m a walking slogan machine AND penny pincher. Oh, yeah, and Kimitsu Zombie’s got a three count but the Ref doesn’t see it. Whatever.
Indeed, Kimitsu glares over at Theo Refano who is caught in an argument with Bobby Benson> Kimi raises to her feet and charges Bobby on the apron, but he hops down with Theo Refano in between them. Kimitsu is antagonizing Bobby who is explaining to Theo that Kimitsu has a foreign object she’s struck James with.
NINA APPLEBAUM: It appears Theo Refano suspects Kimitsu’s struck James with something. He’s off to check on Radford.
Refano turns his back and heads to James who is bleary eyed on the canvas stumbling to his feet. Behind Refano, Bobby SLAMS his bullhorn off the head of Kimitsu Zombie who staggers away from Bobby who slinks off the ring apron to a boo of the crowd!
BRAD STOKES: See? That’s some good stuff. Finally. A reason to care. Thanks, Bobby Benson!
NINA APPLEBAUM: It doesn’t look like Radford knows Benson was involved!!!
Theo Refano is satisfied Radford is okay as Kimitsu stumbles blindly right into his waiting arms as he plows into her with a vicious uppercut that straightens Kimitsu before he sets her up and DROPS her to the canvas with a brain buster!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Confederate Railroad! Radford with the cover!
1…
2…
3!
“Guitars and Cadillacs” by Dwight Yoakum kicks in as Radford staggers back to his feet where Bobby Benson has climbed into the ring leaping around excitedly at his client’s victory as the AlphaTron plays highlights from James' career so far.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the third round of the Alpha Cup tournament….. “Country Fine”… JAMES…. RADFORDDDDDD!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kimitsu Zombie had that win.
BRAD STOKES: Oh, for sure. But Bobby Benson had it too.
NINA APPLEBAUM: And Radford seems unaware of any of it.
BRAD STOKES: He’s from the south. They’re stupid. You get used to it, capice?
NINA APPLEBAUM: But still. Rough way to advance in a tournament that has already been full of surprises, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Well, then why act so surprised?! We know to expect the strangest happenings, why be amazed when Bobby Benson cleans someone’s clock with a damn megaphone I was conveniently curious about earlier in the match. Morphine be damned, I’m a bona fide psychic.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Still early on here in this match. Neither competitor has been able to get an edge over the other.
BRAD STOKES: You figure Bobby Benson’s bullhorn acts as some sort of voodoo curse token, Nina? I mean, look at it? Has he ever even USED that thing? He’s a flailing inflatable arm tube man, why does he need a bullhorn megaphone thing?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Okay, seriously, what the hell are you on?
BRAD STOKES: I'll just say it: Morphine.
NINA APPLEBAUM: That explains at least part of it.
Radford and Kimi lunge for one another in a lockup attempt, but Kimitsu Zombie cleverly ducks Radford’s arms and swings around behind Country Fine and plants a kick to the back of the large man sending him staggering forward! Kimi charges in and bulldogs Radford to the mat! And Kimitsu follows it up by dragging Radford to his feet and snap DDTing him right back down! Before digging her feet into his ribs painfully to make Radford squirm!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kimitsu Zombie really wants to draw some pain out of James Radford!
BRAD STOKES: Don’t you watch our roster’s promotional videos, Nina? Are you not a part of this woefully inept company like I am? This is her match strategy. Something about Kimitsu wanting to find the animal within James Radford and bring it out. So what we’re dealing with here is a lycanthropic opponent and Kimitsu Zombie wants to unleash the beast like a snickers bar. See, Kimitsu and James Radford are like two positively charged ions, Nina--
NINA APPLEBAUM: That morphine’s some good stuff, eh, Bradley?
BRAD STOKES: Isn’t it, though?
Kimitsu has a crossface locked onto Radford which she’s wrenching back on painfully before alternating on the canvas between slamming hard knees into Radford’s side before forcing him onto his back and going for the pin!
1…
2..
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Radford!
BRAD STOKES: But seriously, do you think Bobby Benson and James Radford are gay?
NINA APPLEBAUM: What is WITH you, Bradley?
BRAD STOKES: I’m pissed off about our pay cut, bish. Deal with it. That and the morphine. I got a lot of pain to kill here, Nina.
Kimi has Radford up to his feet and sticks a stiff kick up into Radford’s midsection to double him over, btu Radford quickly rushes her unexpectedly and spinebusters Kimi to the canvas and the crowd roars as Radford seems fired up! He drops for the cover!
1…
TW—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Swift kickout there by Kimitsu Zombie.
BRAD STOKES: Check it out, Nina. Rubber pencil routine going on over here. Why aren’t you looking?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And my commentary partner has completely checked out…
BRAD STOKES: I’m watching. James Bradshaw and Kelly Clarkson Zombie. Wooohoo. Exciting shit.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Hooookay.
Radford has Kimi up and has thrown her for the ropes! On the rebound Radford SLAMS Kimi down with a scoop slam that rattles the ring boards! And Radford isn’t done! He bounces off the ropes and shimmy shakes his way back at the downed Kimi for a knee drop!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Radford Jam, and—NO!
Kimi rolls awy from Radford’s knee! Still on her back, Kimi spins around and slams both soles of her feet into Radford’s chest to knock him backwards and she’s back on her feet to swiftly grab hold of Radford and force him to a stand before SLAMMING him back down to the canvas with an explosive frankensteiner
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kimitsu Zombie, once again, proving why she’s so lethal in a wrestling ring!
BRAD STOKES: As opposed to being lethal in a sauna or whereever. Get real, Nina. Nobody cares.
With Radford down, Kimi grips his head off the canvas and slams kicks down into him repeatedly before toppling him onto his back!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kimitsu Zombie with the cover!
1…
2…
THRE---
NINA APPLEBAUM: Close call!
BRAD STOKES: I’m telling you, Bobby Benson is bad luck, Nina. His “expert tutelage” is turning an otherwise promising jobber into a low-tier enhancement talent prospect. This is pathetic.
Kimi lays into Radford further with hard stomps and drops an elbow before turning it into a crossface that has Radford in agony in the center of the ring! Kimi tugs hard, harder, hardest until she forces Radford up to his feet and STUNS the crowd with a sudden crossface chickenwing suplex!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Impressive technique by Kimitsu Zombie! And the cover!
As Kimi hooks Radford’s leg, Bobby Benson hops onto the ring apron drawing the attention of Theo Refano before he can administer the count.
BRAD STOKES: Now that’s interesting.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Definitely interesting to see Bobby Benson getting involved.
BRAD STOKES: What? Oh. Yeah. That too. But it turns out I can save thousands on my car insurance by switching to Geico. Paycut be damned! I’m a walking slogan machine AND penny pincher. Oh, yeah, and Kimitsu Zombie’s got a three count but the Ref doesn’t see it. Whatever.
Indeed, Kimitsu glares over at Theo Refano who is caught in an argument with Bobby Benson> Kimi raises to her feet and charges Bobby on the apron, but he hops down with Theo Refano in between them. Kimitsu is antagonizing Bobby who is explaining to Theo that Kimitsu has a foreign object she’s struck James with.
NINA APPLEBAUM: It appears Theo Refano suspects Kimitsu’s struck James with something. He’s off to check on Radford.
Refano turns his back and heads to James who is bleary eyed on the canvas stumbling to his feet. Behind Refano, Bobby SLAMS his bullhorn off the head of Kimitsu Zombie who staggers away from Bobby who slinks off the ring apron to a boo of the crowd!
BRAD STOKES: See? That’s some good stuff. Finally. A reason to care. Thanks, Bobby Benson!
NINA APPLEBAUM: It doesn’t look like Radford knows Benson was involved!!!
Theo Refano is satisfied Radford is okay as Kimitsu stumbles blindly right into his waiting arms as he plows into her with a vicious uppercut that straightens Kimitsu before he sets her up and DROPS her to the canvas with a brain buster!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Confederate Railroad! Radford with the cover!
1…
2…
3!
DING! DING! DING!
“Guitars and Cadillacs” by Dwight Yoakum kicks in as Radford staggers back to his feet where Bobby Benson has climbed into the ring leaping around excitedly at his client’s victory as the AlphaTron plays highlights from James' career so far.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… advancing to the third round of the Alpha Cup tournament….. “Country Fine”… JAMES…. RADFORDDDDDD!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kimitsu Zombie had that win.
BRAD STOKES: Oh, for sure. But Bobby Benson had it too.
NINA APPLEBAUM: And Radford seems unaware of any of it.
BRAD STOKES: He’s from the south. They’re stupid. You get used to it, capice?
NINA APPLEBAUM: But still. Rough way to advance in a tournament that has already been full of surprises, Bradley.
BRAD STOKES: Well, then why act so surprised?! We know to expect the strangest happenings, why be amazed when Bobby Benson cleans someone’s clock with a damn megaphone I was conveniently curious about earlier in the match. Morphine be damned, I’m a bona fide psychic.
Nate Hollis stands in front of the camera backstage just behind the entrance. Kimitsu Zombie storms by looking haggard. Before he can stop her she goes on through to the crafts services table where Jack "The Bear" Hugg is enjoying a long sub sandwich. She grabs her bottle of Shochu and paces back and forth. Nate approaches slowly.
NATE HOLLIS: Woah there. Calm down, girl. It's just me, "The Godfather of Gab" Nate Hollis here to get your thoughts on what just happened out there. You just had a great match with James Radford but unfortunately you came out on the losing end. It's not the end of the world so let's settle down and talk, ok?
KIMITSU ZOMBIE: You want to know my thoughts, huh? Wanna know how I feel about this? Wanna know what I think about not beating that countrified flake? This is what I think about it!
She slaps the sub out of Jack Hugg's hands and he holds them up. Then she throws the bottle of Shochu at him, smashing on the wall next to his head and he runs away. She stalks Nate and he holds his fists up but she stops and overturns the table with a scream of rage spilling everything on the floor. Kimitsu spots some chairs and throws them around making the backstage personnel run for cover. Nate makes sure the camera man is catching this. One of the chairs is aimed at an incoming Aokigahara Zombie and he slaps it away.
Aokigahara extends a hand and clutches Kimitsu by the hair and she glares at him with wide eyed anger. He rumbles something in Japanese and tugs her head side to side hard. She responds in a shrill voice and he puts his forehead to hers almost with a headbutt and mumbles something at her. Kimitsu shuts her eyes and visibly deflates. She covers her face in embarrassment and Aokigahara covers her head with a towel and puts an arm around her. He gives Nate an emphatic thumbs up and leads Kimitsu away.
Nate stares at the camera and shrugs.
NATE HOLLIS: Okay… there you have it. An understandably crusty Kimitsu Zombie after a tough loss to “Country Fine” James Radford who, admittedly, won that match thanks to someone else, but that’s none of my business. Coming up next we have a match that may, or may not, be significant considering the current state of the company. Two weeks ago, accidentally, Francis Ford Cuppola asked two separate individuals to represent him in a planned match that would decide who would be the new COO of the company. Rather cleverly, these two challenged one another to settle the Cuppola gaffe. Now, given that the asshole has returned in force, this match might be moot, but that doesn’t mean we’re not about to watch the Gucci Girl herself, Carmen Cambridge, take on the Emerald Warrior, Drew Stevenson! Right now!
NATE HOLLIS: Woah there. Calm down, girl. It's just me, "The Godfather of Gab" Nate Hollis here to get your thoughts on what just happened out there. You just had a great match with James Radford but unfortunately you came out on the losing end. It's not the end of the world so let's settle down and talk, ok?
KIMITSU ZOMBIE: You want to know my thoughts, huh? Wanna know how I feel about this? Wanna know what I think about not beating that countrified flake? This is what I think about it!
She slaps the sub out of Jack Hugg's hands and he holds them up. Then she throws the bottle of Shochu at him, smashing on the wall next to his head and he runs away. She stalks Nate and he holds his fists up but she stops and overturns the table with a scream of rage spilling everything on the floor. Kimitsu spots some chairs and throws them around making the backstage personnel run for cover. Nate makes sure the camera man is catching this. One of the chairs is aimed at an incoming Aokigahara Zombie and he slaps it away.
Aokigahara extends a hand and clutches Kimitsu by the hair and she glares at him with wide eyed anger. He rumbles something in Japanese and tugs her head side to side hard. She responds in a shrill voice and he puts his forehead to hers almost with a headbutt and mumbles something at her. Kimitsu shuts her eyes and visibly deflates. She covers her face in embarrassment and Aokigahara covers her head with a towel and puts an arm around her. He gives Nate an emphatic thumbs up and leads Kimitsu away.
Nate stares at the camera and shrugs.
NATE HOLLIS: Okay… there you have it. An understandably crusty Kimitsu Zombie after a tough loss to “Country Fine” James Radford who, admittedly, won that match thanks to someone else, but that’s none of my business. Coming up next we have a match that may, or may not, be significant considering the current state of the company. Two weeks ago, accidentally, Francis Ford Cuppola asked two separate individuals to represent him in a planned match that would decide who would be the new COO of the company. Rather cleverly, these two challenged one another to settle the Cuppola gaffe. Now, given that the asshole has returned in force, this match might be moot, but that doesn’t mean we’re not about to watch the Gucci Girl herself, Carmen Cambridge, take on the Emerald Warrior, Drew Stevenson! Right now!
Carmen Cambridge VS. Drew Stevenson
At the announce table Nina Stokes glaringly moves out of the way as Brad Stokes attempts to feel her forehead with his palm.
NINA APPLEBAUM: What are you doing?!
BRAD STOKES: You got a fever, or anything?
NINA APPLEBAUM: No!
BRAD STOKES: Mmhmm.
Brad Stokes checks off a box on his clipboard. Inside the ring the crowd is roaring as Carmen Cambridge and Drew Stevenson move center ring eyeing one another down intensely.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Listen to that crowd ignite at the sight of these two esteemed competitors. Drew Stevenson and Carmen Cambridge are locked in a staredown, ladies and gentleman, in what has promised to be a titanic battle bound to settle a score alost a year in the making!
BRAD STOKES: They sure are, Nina. Say, when’s your birthday?
NINA APPLEBAUM: What? I’m not giving that out on the air.
BRAD STOKES: Probably forgot it when the mothership abducted the real Nina, eh Replicon?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Replicon?
BRAD STOKES: That’s right, from Alpha Centauri. I know what’s up. I first suspected when you acted so callously towards T.S. earlier, and then when you seemed unphased by the fact I got a paycut.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I got one, too, you dork!
BRAD STOKES: Aha. Now it’s confirmed. No normal human female would refer to me as simply a dork. You’ve been abducted by alien Replicons from—
NINA APPLEBAUM: OOOO! Carmen Cambridge just hauled off a massive knife-edge chop that winded Drew Stevenson! And Carmen has exploded right out of the gate!
Carmen knocks Drew back into the ropes with an assault of chops before WHIPPING Drew into the opposing ropes! On the way back she cleverly drop-toe holds Drew to the canvas then drops a set of knees into his back!
BRAD STOKES: Although Drew can afford a backiotomy, Carmen has done the chiropractic service for free, which is nice, eh, Replicon Nina?
NINA APPLEBAUM: For the last time, I am not a Replicon!
BRAD STOKES: Pod person?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Bradley!
BRAD STOKES: Mysterious Duplicating Ooze from the planet Oobleck?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: SHUT UP!
BRAD STOKES: I’m getting warm, aren’t I? Your attempts to diffuse my findings won’t work on me, blob creature.
Carmen has unleashed a string of wicked knee drops into Drew’s back and has gone to work placing Drew dangerously into Carmen’s trademark Carmen Crab!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Drew Stevenson is in trouble as Carmen works that bad knee of Drew Stevenson!
The crowd is on its feet as Drew is in serious trouble in center ring as Carmen yanks back hard on the Boston Crab! Drew is dragging himself across the canvas as Carmen keeps the hold of the legs! But Drew’s strength musters as he manages to near the ropes! But Carmen lets go before Drew can find the rope break and drops an elbow down hard into Drew’s spine and then slams Drew down face first into the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Carmen is in the business of hurting Drew tonight! She wants this win!
BRAD STOKES: Given the whole “Christmas Bonus” thing, you must figure Carmen’s literally no longer working for a living but to settle a score!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Maybe! Or they’re literally fighting to represent Cuppola in that ladder match that may never happen!
Carmen has Drew up to his feet and is once again absolutely belting Drew with stiff chops followed by a side kick that topples Drew backward onto the ropes!
NINA APPLEBAUM: She’s literally got him on the ropes!
Carmen backs Drew away from the ropes and swings him for the corner only to find Drew reversing her momentum and sending her hard into the corner! The sheer force backs Carmen hard out of the corner right into a samoan drop!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Big impact by Drew Stevenson, and the momentum has shifted!
Drew slams some elbow drops into Carmen to keep her down before locking on an Achilles tendon lock and exerting excruciating force onto Carmen Cambridge!
NINA APPLEBAUM: A lot of tension in the ring, fight fans with Drew Stevenson turning the tide on Carmen Cambridge!
BRAD STOKES: A lot of pain there. Drew’s not the kind of man to let up once he gets in control!
Drew is really working the tendon lock and Carmen is close enough to the ropes where the possibility of a rope break is in sight but Drew lets up and drops an elbow hard into Carmen’s back, pulls away from the ropes and goes back to work on Carmen’s leg with a leg ddt! And another and another! Drew targets the leg of Carmen with swift stomps before Carmen, aggravated, manages to send Drew to the canvas with a headscissor takedown!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Loads of pain there for Carmen Cambridge! You can see it all over her face.
BRAD STOKES: Or you’ve employed your alien empathic skills to accurately gauge Carmen’s level of current pain!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Would you stop essentially stirring up rumors that I’m from another planet.
BRAD STOKES: But, Nina… how else will the men that view the dating site profile I created for you confirm that you’re… out of this world?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: You have got to be… this whole thing was a set-up for that punchline, wasn’t it?
BRAD STOKES: Yeah. That’s right. I’ve spent the past few matches hatching a clever scheme to open up that kickass alien-out of this world line on you because I’m not getting paid enough to do much else! See my diagrams and flow charts? Pretty damn clever. If I were paying me I'd give me a raise, wouldn't you, Nina? Please say yes?
NINA APPLEBAUM: No.
BRAD STOKES: Damn.
Carmen and Drew have made it back to their feet and Carmen is unleashing a full arsenal of shots on Drew that have the veteran backing up from the onslaught before he manages to counter one blow, turn it around into an Irish whip that sends Carmen careening into the corner where she runs up the turnbuckles in an inexplicable reversal that stuns the crowd, including Drew!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Carmen’s still favoring that leg, but she is putting on a show tonight!
Drew watches wide-eyed as Carmen unexpectedly launches at Drew, lands on his shoulders and aims him into a hurricanrana that Drew unexpectedly reverses into a powerbomb!!
BRAD STOKES: Stunning reversal by Drew Stevenson on top of an already stunning reversal by Carmen Cambridge! Reversalception! Or whatever the hell the kids would say!
With Carmen down, Drew is up and twisting her over into a texas cloverleaf!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The Missouri Cloverleaf! He’s got it locked in!
BRAD STOKES: Center of the ring!
Carmen is in immediate pain as Drew works over her already pained leg, and now sore back! The ref checks as Carmen refuses to quit!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Not a good position to be in!
Drew works the hold more furiously to inflict the maximum amount of pain he possibly can on Carmen as The Ref checks. Carmen’s head is shaking violently ‘no’ in answer to whether she submits! Drew wrenches back on the hold ever hard and Carmen slowly but surely begins to tap the canvas and the ref calls for the bell!
“The Man” By Aloe Blacc rings out onto the speaker as Drew rises up to lift his arms in celebration!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner…. By submission… DREW….. “The Cyborg”…. STEVENSONNNNNNN!
NINA APPLEBAUM: He did it! Carmen Cambridge tapped out!
BRAD STOKES: That is a punishing maneuver by Drew Stevenson, Carmen had no choice!
NINA APPLEBAUM: It’s true, I don’t care who you are, spend enough time in Drew’s submission wheelhouse and you’re going to wind up tapping!
BRAD STOKES: And there you have it… Drew Stevenson may have just secured himself the ability to represent Cuppola in a match that won’t take place cause we have an officious bastard ruling over our lives.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Bradley, show some respect!
BRAD STOKES: Why? The guy has conveniently hidden evidence of his likely murder of one of our shareholders, has just bribed everybody except ME apparently, and—
NINA APPLEBAUM: You’re upset you didn’t receive a bribe.
BRAD STOKES: You’re damn right I am! I earned that Christmas Bonus just by sitting next to you.
NINA APPLEBAUM: What are you doing?!
BRAD STOKES: You got a fever, or anything?
NINA APPLEBAUM: No!
BRAD STOKES: Mmhmm.
DING! DING! DING!
Brad Stokes checks off a box on his clipboard. Inside the ring the crowd is roaring as Carmen Cambridge and Drew Stevenson move center ring eyeing one another down intensely.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Listen to that crowd ignite at the sight of these two esteemed competitors. Drew Stevenson and Carmen Cambridge are locked in a staredown, ladies and gentleman, in what has promised to be a titanic battle bound to settle a score alost a year in the making!
BRAD STOKES: They sure are, Nina. Say, when’s your birthday?
NINA APPLEBAUM: What? I’m not giving that out on the air.
BRAD STOKES: Probably forgot it when the mothership abducted the real Nina, eh Replicon?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Replicon?
BRAD STOKES: That’s right, from Alpha Centauri. I know what’s up. I first suspected when you acted so callously towards T.S. earlier, and then when you seemed unphased by the fact I got a paycut.
NINA APPLEBAUM: I got one, too, you dork!
BRAD STOKES: Aha. Now it’s confirmed. No normal human female would refer to me as simply a dork. You’ve been abducted by alien Replicons from—
NINA APPLEBAUM: OOOO! Carmen Cambridge just hauled off a massive knife-edge chop that winded Drew Stevenson! And Carmen has exploded right out of the gate!
Carmen knocks Drew back into the ropes with an assault of chops before WHIPPING Drew into the opposing ropes! On the way back she cleverly drop-toe holds Drew to the canvas then drops a set of knees into his back!
BRAD STOKES: Although Drew can afford a backiotomy, Carmen has done the chiropractic service for free, which is nice, eh, Replicon Nina?
NINA APPLEBAUM: For the last time, I am not a Replicon!
BRAD STOKES: Pod person?
NINA APPLEBAUM: Bradley!
BRAD STOKES: Mysterious Duplicating Ooze from the planet Oobleck?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: SHUT UP!
BRAD STOKES: I’m getting warm, aren’t I? Your attempts to diffuse my findings won’t work on me, blob creature.
Carmen has unleashed a string of wicked knee drops into Drew’s back and has gone to work placing Drew dangerously into Carmen’s trademark Carmen Crab!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Drew Stevenson is in trouble as Carmen works that bad knee of Drew Stevenson!
The crowd is on its feet as Drew is in serious trouble in center ring as Carmen yanks back hard on the Boston Crab! Drew is dragging himself across the canvas as Carmen keeps the hold of the legs! But Drew’s strength musters as he manages to near the ropes! But Carmen lets go before Drew can find the rope break and drops an elbow down hard into Drew’s spine and then slams Drew down face first into the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Carmen is in the business of hurting Drew tonight! She wants this win!
BRAD STOKES: Given the whole “Christmas Bonus” thing, you must figure Carmen’s literally no longer working for a living but to settle a score!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Maybe! Or they’re literally fighting to represent Cuppola in that ladder match that may never happen!
Carmen has Drew up to his feet and is once again absolutely belting Drew with stiff chops followed by a side kick that topples Drew backward onto the ropes!
NINA APPLEBAUM: She’s literally got him on the ropes!
Carmen backs Drew away from the ropes and swings him for the corner only to find Drew reversing her momentum and sending her hard into the corner! The sheer force backs Carmen hard out of the corner right into a samoan drop!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Big impact by Drew Stevenson, and the momentum has shifted!
Drew slams some elbow drops into Carmen to keep her down before locking on an Achilles tendon lock and exerting excruciating force onto Carmen Cambridge!
NINA APPLEBAUM: A lot of tension in the ring, fight fans with Drew Stevenson turning the tide on Carmen Cambridge!
BRAD STOKES: A lot of pain there. Drew’s not the kind of man to let up once he gets in control!
Drew is really working the tendon lock and Carmen is close enough to the ropes where the possibility of a rope break is in sight but Drew lets up and drops an elbow hard into Carmen’s back, pulls away from the ropes and goes back to work on Carmen’s leg with a leg ddt! And another and another! Drew targets the leg of Carmen with swift stomps before Carmen, aggravated, manages to send Drew to the canvas with a headscissor takedown!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Loads of pain there for Carmen Cambridge! You can see it all over her face.
BRAD STOKES: Or you’ve employed your alien empathic skills to accurately gauge Carmen’s level of current pain!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Would you stop essentially stirring up rumors that I’m from another planet.
BRAD STOKES: But, Nina… how else will the men that view the dating site profile I created for you confirm that you’re… out of this world?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: You have got to be… this whole thing was a set-up for that punchline, wasn’t it?
BRAD STOKES: Yeah. That’s right. I’ve spent the past few matches hatching a clever scheme to open up that kickass alien-out of this world line on you because I’m not getting paid enough to do much else! See my diagrams and flow charts? Pretty damn clever. If I were paying me I'd give me a raise, wouldn't you, Nina? Please say yes?
NINA APPLEBAUM: No.
BRAD STOKES: Damn.
Carmen and Drew have made it back to their feet and Carmen is unleashing a full arsenal of shots on Drew that have the veteran backing up from the onslaught before he manages to counter one blow, turn it around into an Irish whip that sends Carmen careening into the corner where she runs up the turnbuckles in an inexplicable reversal that stuns the crowd, including Drew!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Carmen’s still favoring that leg, but she is putting on a show tonight!
Drew watches wide-eyed as Carmen unexpectedly launches at Drew, lands on his shoulders and aims him into a hurricanrana that Drew unexpectedly reverses into a powerbomb!!
BRAD STOKES: Stunning reversal by Drew Stevenson on top of an already stunning reversal by Carmen Cambridge! Reversalception! Or whatever the hell the kids would say!
With Carmen down, Drew is up and twisting her over into a texas cloverleaf!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The Missouri Cloverleaf! He’s got it locked in!
BRAD STOKES: Center of the ring!
Carmen is in immediate pain as Drew works over her already pained leg, and now sore back! The ref checks as Carmen refuses to quit!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Not a good position to be in!
Drew works the hold more furiously to inflict the maximum amount of pain he possibly can on Carmen as The Ref checks. Carmen’s head is shaking violently ‘no’ in answer to whether she submits! Drew wrenches back on the hold ever hard and Carmen slowly but surely begins to tap the canvas and the ref calls for the bell!
DING! DING! DING!
“The Man” By Aloe Blacc rings out onto the speaker as Drew rises up to lift his arms in celebration!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner…. By submission… DREW….. “The Cyborg”…. STEVENSONNNNNNN!
NINA APPLEBAUM: He did it! Carmen Cambridge tapped out!
BRAD STOKES: That is a punishing maneuver by Drew Stevenson, Carmen had no choice!
NINA APPLEBAUM: It’s true, I don’t care who you are, spend enough time in Drew’s submission wheelhouse and you’re going to wind up tapping!
BRAD STOKES: And there you have it… Drew Stevenson may have just secured himself the ability to represent Cuppola in a match that won’t take place cause we have an officious bastard ruling over our lives.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Bradley, show some respect!
BRAD STOKES: Why? The guy has conveniently hidden evidence of his likely murder of one of our shareholders, has just bribed everybody except ME apparently, and—
NINA APPLEBAUM: You’re upset you didn’t receive a bribe.
BRAD STOKES: You’re damn right I am! I earned that Christmas Bonus just by sitting next to you.
NATE HOLLIS: What’s up AWEphiles? I’m backstage here before the we crown the VERY FIRST Alpha Wrestling Entertainment Paramount Champion in what will prove to be the most EXPLOSIVE match of the night between two dudes who couldn’t be more polar opposites.
Nate waves towards the camera that follows him, mic in hand, walking through the halls.
NATE HOLLIS: I’m going to try and bring you guys an EXCLUSIVE interview. That’s right, an interview with none other than..
Nate is cut off as he turns the corner and finds Dom Dibona crouched against the wall. A hood pulled up over his head that nods in unison with whatever music he’s listening to in his headphones.
NATE HOLLIS: DOM!
Nate enthusiastically says his name as Dom’s head shoots over towards Nate with an unwelcoming look at first that softens to a smile as he realizes the voice of AWE is in front of him with the AWE cameras
DOM DIBONA: What up Nate?
Dom pushes himself up from the wall and pulls his headphones out
NATE HOLLIS: What’cha listening to bud?
DOM DIBONA: Motorhead
NATE HOLLIS: Heavy, bro. I was wondering if we could get some thoughts before you meet Stoker tonight for the AWE Paramount Championship?
DOM DIBONA: No problem, man.
NATE HOLLIS: So, what have you been doing to mentally prepare for your match? I mean, you’re pretty new to professional wrestling but you find yourself in the main event tonight?
DOM DIBONA: Honestly, Nate. I’ve prepared for this the same way I’ve prepared for all adversity in my life. I broke it down into two aspects. Physical and Mental preparation. I’ve trained hours in the gym to prepare for this and had to dig deep inside myself to bring out the best side of Dom DiBona that this company, and this world has ever seen. I’ve gone from opening the show with zero expectations to closing out the card. I don’t take this opportunity for granted.
NATE HOLLIS: Sounds intense man, obviously you’re prepared and willing to go up against a man, in Stoker, who is the polar opposite of who you are. He’s a ruthless savage in that ring who we saw take down the legendary Cyrus Riddle.
DOM DIBONA: Stoker’s not a guy I’m taking lightly, Nate. But I also can’t let him consume me. He’s good at mental warfare before he steps foot into that ring and he’s normally won the mental war before every match. That’s why I made sure to take time aside to allow myself to collect my thoughts and focus more towards the actual in ring competition than the war of words.
NATE HOLLIS: Speaking of ring competition, you’ve seen multiple members of the roster come out to support you on twitter in hopes of you hoisting that Paramount Championship over your head. But what if at the end of the night you’re left laying on your back looking at Stoker’s grip on that championship title?
Dom takes a second to think allowing himself to take a deep breath before looking into Nate’s eyes.
DOM DIBONA: Nate, if I lost tonight I’ll feel like I’ve not only let myself down but let down everyone in the back. The roster, the production staff, and most importantly the fans – but if my destiny is to lose to Stoker tonight in order to learn a valuable life lesson than I’ll pick myself up by my boots and go back to work like I always have, man. By no means am I guaranteeing victory. I live to take every moment in, and tonight win or lose I’m going to fly.
NATE HOLLIS: Thanks for your time and good luck tonight in the main event.
Dom extends his hand to shake the hand of Nate as he pats him on the arm with his other hand
DOM DIBONA: Thanks for all that you do here, Nate. Take the Day, brother.
Dom walks away putting his headphones back in. Nate looks to the camera.
NATE HOLLIS: That main event match still to come, AWEphiles. Right after these messages.
“EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE!”
The music continues.
“EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE!”
“EVERY BOND YOU BREAK, EVERY STEP YOU TAKE, I’LL BE WATCHING YOU!”
“And I know when that gospel bling
That can only mean one thing
I know when my gospel bling
That can only mean one thing!”
“Don’t be so quick to… WALK AWAY!
DANCE WITH ME!
Just come and praise me… THIS DAY!
TALK TO ME BOY!
GONNA HAVE YOU NEKKID BY THE END OF THIS SONG! UH”
The creation of the universe!
The “God’s Eye” Nebula!
Sounds of the molten core of our planet!
Hanson's Mmmbop!
And so much more!
God’s Greatest Hits: In stores NOW!
Nate waves towards the camera that follows him, mic in hand, walking through the halls.
NATE HOLLIS: I’m going to try and bring you guys an EXCLUSIVE interview. That’s right, an interview with none other than..
Nate is cut off as he turns the corner and finds Dom Dibona crouched against the wall. A hood pulled up over his head that nods in unison with whatever music he’s listening to in his headphones.
NATE HOLLIS: DOM!
Nate enthusiastically says his name as Dom’s head shoots over towards Nate with an unwelcoming look at first that softens to a smile as he realizes the voice of AWE is in front of him with the AWE cameras
DOM DIBONA: What up Nate?
Dom pushes himself up from the wall and pulls his headphones out
NATE HOLLIS: What’cha listening to bud?
DOM DIBONA: Motorhead
NATE HOLLIS: Heavy, bro. I was wondering if we could get some thoughts before you meet Stoker tonight for the AWE Paramount Championship?
DOM DIBONA: No problem, man.
NATE HOLLIS: So, what have you been doing to mentally prepare for your match? I mean, you’re pretty new to professional wrestling but you find yourself in the main event tonight?
DOM DIBONA: Honestly, Nate. I’ve prepared for this the same way I’ve prepared for all adversity in my life. I broke it down into two aspects. Physical and Mental preparation. I’ve trained hours in the gym to prepare for this and had to dig deep inside myself to bring out the best side of Dom DiBona that this company, and this world has ever seen. I’ve gone from opening the show with zero expectations to closing out the card. I don’t take this opportunity for granted.
NATE HOLLIS: Sounds intense man, obviously you’re prepared and willing to go up against a man, in Stoker, who is the polar opposite of who you are. He’s a ruthless savage in that ring who we saw take down the legendary Cyrus Riddle.
DOM DIBONA: Stoker’s not a guy I’m taking lightly, Nate. But I also can’t let him consume me. He’s good at mental warfare before he steps foot into that ring and he’s normally won the mental war before every match. That’s why I made sure to take time aside to allow myself to collect my thoughts and focus more towards the actual in ring competition than the war of words.
NATE HOLLIS: Speaking of ring competition, you’ve seen multiple members of the roster come out to support you on twitter in hopes of you hoisting that Paramount Championship over your head. But what if at the end of the night you’re left laying on your back looking at Stoker’s grip on that championship title?
Dom takes a second to think allowing himself to take a deep breath before looking into Nate’s eyes.
DOM DIBONA: Nate, if I lost tonight I’ll feel like I’ve not only let myself down but let down everyone in the back. The roster, the production staff, and most importantly the fans – but if my destiny is to lose to Stoker tonight in order to learn a valuable life lesson than I’ll pick myself up by my boots and go back to work like I always have, man. By no means am I guaranteeing victory. I live to take every moment in, and tonight win or lose I’m going to fly.
NATE HOLLIS: Thanks for your time and good luck tonight in the main event.
Dom extends his hand to shake the hand of Nate as he pats him on the arm with his other hand
DOM DIBONA: Thanks for all that you do here, Nate. Take the Day, brother.
Dom walks away putting his headphones back in. Nate looks to the camera.
NATE HOLLIS: That main event match still to come, AWEphiles. Right after these messages.
ANNOUNCER: Of all the amazing artists and creators throughout time, one stands head and shoulders above all others as the greatest artist of all time… and now, in partnership with K-Tel records we present to you the Greatest Hits of…
GOD!
The music for the Police’s Every Breath You Take is playing. In the studio, a glowing ball of radiant light is hovering before the microphone.
“EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE!”
The music continues.
“EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE!”
“EVERY BOND YOU BREAK, EVERY STEP YOU TAKE, I’LL BE WATCHING YOU!”
ANNOUNCER: That’s right, GOD has graciously allowed us into all of his master recording sessions to release this 9 quadrillion CD set of all of his greatest songs in one complete collection perfect for any CD rack and library!
Drake’s "Hotline Bling" beat is playing.
Drake’s "Hotline Bling" beat is playing.
“And I know when that gospel bling
That can only mean one thing
I know when my gospel bling
That can only mean one thing!”
ANNOUNCER: That’s right! GOD is back with a collection of his hits artists everywhere will be thanking him for at awards ceremonies the world over!
Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body” is bopping in the studio as the glorious light of God rocks out with it.
Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body” is bopping in the studio as the glorious light of God rocks out with it.
“Don’t be so quick to… WALK AWAY!
DANCE WITH ME!
Just come and praise me… THIS DAY!
TALK TO ME BOY!
GONNA HAVE YOU NEKKID BY THE END OF THIS SONG! UH”
God starts rocking out the beat-box.
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God’s Greatest Hits: In stores NOW!
PARAMOUNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FINAL
Stoker VS. Dom DiBona
BRAD STOKES: This is it, Nina. Don’t get scared now.
In the ring stands Dom DiBona in one corner and Stoker in the other. Between them stands Marshall Douglas.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Ladies and Gentleman we have arrived at our main event of the evening, scheduled for one fall, a match that will determine the first ever AWE Paramount Champion.
BRAD STOKES: And check that out, the belt is ACTUALLY present, Nina. This makes all the bullshit worthwhile. These two might just kill each other and fulfill my Christmas wish.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Or, we’re in for one hell of a championship match between two highly deserving competitors!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Ladies and Gentleman… are you ready to RUMMBLLEEEE?!
The crowd roars, but before the bell can ding Stoker has seemingly dispensed with the pleasantries and moved swiftly across the ring and struck Dom down with a hard axe-handle chop!
BRAD STOKES: Gonna be one of those matches, is it?
NINA APPLEBAUM: As Marshall Douglas scrambles his way out of the ring, for better or worse, we are underway!
Stoker draws Dom up to his feet and keeps in close, sending a series of stiff knee strikes into Dom’s midsection then follows that up with a set of hard haymakers with serious heat behind them before irish whipping Dom hard into the corner! Stoker watches as Dom expertly maneuvers up the turnbuckle and comes to rest safely atop it amid a roar from the fans. Dom looks into the ring at Stoker in a feisty staredown daring Stoker to keep it up.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom can fly, he’s lethal from up there!
BRAD STOKES: The level of passion that’s gone into this match is unprecedented, Nina. You can see it in Dom’s eyes. You can see it in Stoker’s eyes even, in spite of the fact I’m not certain he has feelings.
NINA APPLEBAUM: They both want that belt, I’d assume, for very different reasons, Bradley.
Stoker stays his ground, refusing to chase after Dom. So Dom hops off the turnbuckle with a smirk before eyeing Stoker and carefully edging in. And the two lock up this time Dom switching to a headlock on Stoker and swinging him down for a takedown where Dom doesn’t release his grip, tightening the headlock ever further before he deftly lifts back to his feet with Stoker still in the headlock before Dom takes him down again! Dom tightens the headlock and again he forces Stoker to a stand! This time, however, Stoker grips Dom and sends him backward for a back body drop that Dom cleverly rolls out of and lands behind Stoker and plants a stiff kick to Stoker’s back then BULLDOGS Stoker into the canvas!
BRAD STOKES: Gotta be near superhuman to compete like DiBona does. He may be an annoyingly irritating human being, but damn can he move.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Stoker’s much less the agile warrior than a brute force combatant. Dom’s got finesse while Stoker’s effectively a tank that’s not going to go down so easily to Dom’s sheer skill level.
BRAD STOKES: Where both are different, the sheer intensity and built to this match has turned this crowd into sheer kinetic energy, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Is that the morphine talking?
BRAD STOKES: Or the LSD, I’ve lost track.
Dom has Stoker back to his feet and is laying into him with a set of stiff elbow strikes to soften him up before Dom absolutely slams a pele kick that topples Stoker to the canvas! Dom goes for the cover!
1…
TW---
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Stoker!
The crowd is as loud as they get in the Tsongas center as Dom takes it in stride, trying to drag Stoker to his feet only to be greeted by a stiff shot to his midsection that doubles Dom over then Stoker slams a series of elbow strikes to Dom’s face with a clear intent to maim if not break a bone, followed by a crushing knee that lifts Dom’s head upwards then Stoker snap suplexes Dom down to the canvas!
BRAD STOKES: Stoker for the cover!
1…
TW--
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Dom at two! Still a long ways to go for either of these two!
Stoker grips Dom by the head and drags him to his feet and walks Dom quickly to the corner and slams Dom’s face off the turnbuckle repeatedly before elbowing Dom backward and down to the canvas. Like a bright idea, Stoker begins to remove the turnbuckle pad when Theo Refano intervenes to talk him out of it. As Stoker and Theo Refano have a debate that Theo Refano seems too intimidated to press too far, Dom rises to a knee. Stoker pushes the ref aside and goes right back for Dom. But Dom hits him with an enziguri!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Surprise acrobatics once more by Dom DiBona!
BRAD STOKES: He does that!
The kick didn’t fell Stoker, and Dom chases after a staggered Stoker and QUICKLY tornado DDT’s Stoker down hard to the canvas! And Dom kips to his feet in a hurry and runs the ropes up and springboards up and drops down onto Stoker with a headbutt that does some clear damage to Stoker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom DiBona is pulling out all the stops here tonight!
Dom isn’t done, either! He rises and leaps and drops a set of knees down onto Stoker that cause further pain! And again! And again before Dom drags Stoker back to his feet and is met by a powerful shot between the eyes from Stoker.
BRAD STOKES: That guy’s merciless!
Stoker lifts to his feet and drives a set of hard fists into Dom’s face once more, gripping the back of Dom’s head and driving it downward while at the same time driving knee strikes up before SLAMMING Dom down hard with a DDT!
NINA APPLEBAUM: He’s not the most proficient of wrestlers, but what he does know is devastating!
Stoker goes for the pin!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Near fall there!
Stoker angrily hefts Dom up to his feet and sends him charging for the ropes. On the rebound, much to Stoker’s chagrin Dom absolutely knocks him senseless with a super kick!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom with the cover!!!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Stoker!
Dom smacks the mat, not frustrated but self encouraging as he drags himself to his feet and drags Stoker up to his feet and soundly sends a flurry of punches that whips Stoker around then Dom crushes Stoker backwards with an inverted suplex! Dom runs his way up onto the turnbuckle and calls for it!
BRAD STOKES: Gonna break himself doing stuff like this!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom DiBona doesn’t fit well on the ground, Bradley. It was what he was born to do!
The crowd erupts as Dom straightens atop the turnbuckle and launches into a shooting star press leg drop!
NINA APPLEBAUM: No one home!
Stoker has rolled out of the way and left Dom with an agonized tail bone! Stoker crawls to his feet and charges a knee into Dom Dibona’s face. Then another and another, violently returning to work before raining punches down into Dom’s face then stands him up and sends an angry set of elbows into Dom’s face and then WHAM! A three quarter jawbreaker sends the crowd wild!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The Sobering! Stoker with the pin!
1…
2..
THR---
NINA APPLEBAUM: NO?!?!
BRAD STOKES: How the hell did he kick out?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I don’t think even Stoker knows! Dom is still in this thing!
Stoker’s gritted teeth flash as he glares at Dom from a kneeling position. Stoker moves at Dom but finds himself suddenly caught in a triangle choke by Dom DiBona!
BRAD STOKES: I do not believe DiBona is still fighting!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And hard!
Stoker is in obvious distress as DiBona struggles to retain the triangle choke on his opponent. Dom is in obvious pain and strain, a bruised eye is evident, and a fat lip, but still Dom grips Stoker in the choke!
BRAD STOKES: Center of the ring! He could have Stoker!
Dom is absolutely wrenching Stoker’s neck in the choke and tightening his grip as he does till Stoker’s movements don’t look like much! But still Stoker gets his knees under him and Dom forces the choke ever harder!
NINA APPLEBAUM: This titanic struggle is ongoing! Both men have tried to destroy the other and STILL they’re trying!
Stoker struggles to rise to his knees with Dom gripping the choke tight! Stoker musters a stunning fit of strength and forces himself and Dom up to a stand then POWERBOMBS Dom to the canvas!
BRAD STOKES: Show of force by Stoker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And the cover!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: AND STILL DOM KICKS OUT!
BRAD STOKES: What’s it going to take?!
Stoker slumps to his side before dragging himself to his knees and glaring at Dom who, exhausted, has dragged himself towards the ropes and is lifting himself to his feet. Stoker is similarly to his feet and charging Dom who ducks and sends Stoker up and over the ropes to the outside!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And a spill out to the concrete!
Under some power, Dom gets his legs under him, climbs the ropes to look down on Stoker then takes flight into an impressive frog splash that lands immaculately atop Stoker on the outside!
BRAD STOKES: Perfect landing!
The crowd is roaring as Theo Refano starts in the count with both men exhausted and down on the outside.
1!
2!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I cannot believe these two men are even capable of continuing.
3!
BRAD STOKES: Well, believe it!
4!
Dom, by some force of will, gets to his feet, propped up by the ring apron as Stoker crawls up to all fours. Dom rushes him and slams a knee into Stoker’s face to send him right back down!
5!
Dom drags Stoker to his feet and sets him in the direction of the ring only to have the momentum shift and Stoker swing him hard for the nearby steel ring steps!
CLANG!
Dom impacts the steps hard and crumples. Stoker drops to a knee to catch his breath.
6!
Stoker rises back to his feet and moves after Dom only to find Dom’s two feet kicking up hard into Stoker’s throat sending him staggering breathlessly backward. Dom is fast to his feet with a second wind and rushes Stoker sending a stiff superkick right into Stoker’s chest that sends him reeling backward right into the ring post!
7!
BRAD STOKES: I KNEW I COULD COUNT ON THESE TWO TO KILL EACH OTHER! IT’S SO CLOSE NOW!
8!
Dom reaches Stoker and and lets a punch fly that Stoker evades narrowly and Dom slams his fist off the ring post! Dom is in agony as Stoker grips Dom’s head and drives his face into the ring post then slides him into the ring and follows after him!
NINA APPLEBAUM: They’re not dead yet!
BRAD STOKES: It’s killing me to see it, too. Why won’t any of these wrestlers die like that one guy in HOW did, Nina?! WHY?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I don’t know, Bradley. Neither men are seemingly CAPABLE of staying down!
Dom is in obvious pain as Stoker nears him and drops a hard knee into Dom’s back but Dom rolls away further frustrating Stoker!
BRAD STOKES: He’s gonna have to chase Dom at this rate!
Stoker moves quicker to finally drop a leaping knee onto Dom! And with a fury of strength Stoker grabs Dom’s head and begins absolutely ramming his face down into the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh my god!
Stoker doesn’t let up. Violently smashing Dom’s face into the canvas till a red stain appears.
BRAD STOKES: He’s gotta be dead!
Stoker, grips Dom by the head and pulls him to his feet only to be surprised by a sudden headlock takedown by a bloodied Dom DiBona!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Afraid not, Bradley!
BRAD STOKES: This is the worst Christmas ever!
Stoker is surprised as DiBona heaves him back to his feet and fires shot after shot into Stoker to stagger him backward leaving Stoker wobbling uncertainly before Dom whips Stoker into the ropes and on the rebound Dom aims a roundhouse kick that Stoker ducks and NAILS Dom with another Threequarter jawbreaker!
BRAD STOKES: SOBERING TIMES 2!!!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The cover!
1…
2…
3!!!
“Sober” by Tool kicks in as Stoker shakily rises to his feet. A bloodied Dom DiBona is stunned, like he could have lifted his shoulder with just a half a second more.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… and NEW Paramount Champion…. STOOOOOOOKKKKEEEEEEERRRRR!
The belt is presented to Stoker who snatches it with disinterest. The AlphaTron projects images of Stoker's ascent to this point. By now DiBona, bloodied nose and bruised face, has rolled out of the ring to make his way to the back with his head hung low.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Tough loss for DiBona.
BRAD STOKES: You know how I feel about that man but he literally came inches from winning that match. That takes heart, Nina. Even I, No-Heart, can recognize that much.
Stoker’s celebration is barely that inside the ring.
NINA APPLEBAUM: With that, we have our first ever Paramount Champion in Stoker.
BRAD STOKES: Pity the fool who tries to take that belt from him.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Indeed. That, AWE fans, is our show! Hope you enjoyed it! Have a safe and happy holiday, and we’ll see you in the new year!
In the ring stands Dom DiBona in one corner and Stoker in the other. Between them stands Marshall Douglas.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Ladies and Gentleman we have arrived at our main event of the evening, scheduled for one fall, a match that will determine the first ever AWE Paramount Champion.
BRAD STOKES: And check that out, the belt is ACTUALLY present, Nina. This makes all the bullshit worthwhile. These two might just kill each other and fulfill my Christmas wish.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Or, we’re in for one hell of a championship match between two highly deserving competitors!
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Ladies and Gentleman… are you ready to RUMMBLLEEEE?!
The crowd roars, but before the bell can ding Stoker has seemingly dispensed with the pleasantries and moved swiftly across the ring and struck Dom down with a hard axe-handle chop!
BRAD STOKES: Gonna be one of those matches, is it?
DING! DING! DING!
NINA APPLEBAUM: As Marshall Douglas scrambles his way out of the ring, for better or worse, we are underway!
Stoker draws Dom up to his feet and keeps in close, sending a series of stiff knee strikes into Dom’s midsection then follows that up with a set of hard haymakers with serious heat behind them before irish whipping Dom hard into the corner! Stoker watches as Dom expertly maneuvers up the turnbuckle and comes to rest safely atop it amid a roar from the fans. Dom looks into the ring at Stoker in a feisty staredown daring Stoker to keep it up.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom can fly, he’s lethal from up there!
BRAD STOKES: The level of passion that’s gone into this match is unprecedented, Nina. You can see it in Dom’s eyes. You can see it in Stoker’s eyes even, in spite of the fact I’m not certain he has feelings.
NINA APPLEBAUM: They both want that belt, I’d assume, for very different reasons, Bradley.
Stoker stays his ground, refusing to chase after Dom. So Dom hops off the turnbuckle with a smirk before eyeing Stoker and carefully edging in. And the two lock up this time Dom switching to a headlock on Stoker and swinging him down for a takedown where Dom doesn’t release his grip, tightening the headlock ever further before he deftly lifts back to his feet with Stoker still in the headlock before Dom takes him down again! Dom tightens the headlock and again he forces Stoker to a stand! This time, however, Stoker grips Dom and sends him backward for a back body drop that Dom cleverly rolls out of and lands behind Stoker and plants a stiff kick to Stoker’s back then BULLDOGS Stoker into the canvas!
BRAD STOKES: Gotta be near superhuman to compete like DiBona does. He may be an annoyingly irritating human being, but damn can he move.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Stoker’s much less the agile warrior than a brute force combatant. Dom’s got finesse while Stoker’s effectively a tank that’s not going to go down so easily to Dom’s sheer skill level.
BRAD STOKES: Where both are different, the sheer intensity and built to this match has turned this crowd into sheer kinetic energy, Nina.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Is that the morphine talking?
BRAD STOKES: Or the LSD, I’ve lost track.
Dom has Stoker back to his feet and is laying into him with a set of stiff elbow strikes to soften him up before Dom absolutely slams a pele kick that topples Stoker to the canvas! Dom goes for the cover!
1…
TW---
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Stoker!
The crowd is as loud as they get in the Tsongas center as Dom takes it in stride, trying to drag Stoker to his feet only to be greeted by a stiff shot to his midsection that doubles Dom over then Stoker slams a series of elbow strikes to Dom’s face with a clear intent to maim if not break a bone, followed by a crushing knee that lifts Dom’s head upwards then Stoker snap suplexes Dom down to the canvas!
BRAD STOKES: Stoker for the cover!
1…
TW--
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Dom at two! Still a long ways to go for either of these two!
Stoker grips Dom by the head and drags him to his feet and walks Dom quickly to the corner and slams Dom’s face off the turnbuckle repeatedly before elbowing Dom backward and down to the canvas. Like a bright idea, Stoker begins to remove the turnbuckle pad when Theo Refano intervenes to talk him out of it. As Stoker and Theo Refano have a debate that Theo Refano seems too intimidated to press too far, Dom rises to a knee. Stoker pushes the ref aside and goes right back for Dom. But Dom hits him with an enziguri!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Surprise acrobatics once more by Dom DiBona!
BRAD STOKES: He does that!
The kick didn’t fell Stoker, and Dom chases after a staggered Stoker and QUICKLY tornado DDT’s Stoker down hard to the canvas! And Dom kips to his feet in a hurry and runs the ropes up and springboards up and drops down onto Stoker with a headbutt that does some clear damage to Stoker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom DiBona is pulling out all the stops here tonight!
Dom isn’t done, either! He rises and leaps and drops a set of knees down onto Stoker that cause further pain! And again! And again before Dom drags Stoker back to his feet and is met by a powerful shot between the eyes from Stoker.
BRAD STOKES: That guy’s merciless!
Stoker lifts to his feet and drives a set of hard fists into Dom’s face once more, gripping the back of Dom’s head and driving it downward while at the same time driving knee strikes up before SLAMMING Dom down hard with a DDT!
NINA APPLEBAUM: He’s not the most proficient of wrestlers, but what he does know is devastating!
Stoker goes for the pin!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Near fall there!
Stoker angrily hefts Dom up to his feet and sends him charging for the ropes. On the rebound, much to Stoker’s chagrin Dom absolutely knocks him senseless with a super kick!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom with the cover!!!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: Kickout by Stoker!
Dom smacks the mat, not frustrated but self encouraging as he drags himself to his feet and drags Stoker up to his feet and soundly sends a flurry of punches that whips Stoker around then Dom crushes Stoker backwards with an inverted suplex! Dom runs his way up onto the turnbuckle and calls for it!
BRAD STOKES: Gonna break himself doing stuff like this!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Dom DiBona doesn’t fit well on the ground, Bradley. It was what he was born to do!
The crowd erupts as Dom straightens atop the turnbuckle and launches into a shooting star press leg drop!
NINA APPLEBAUM: No one home!
Stoker has rolled out of the way and left Dom with an agonized tail bone! Stoker crawls to his feet and charges a knee into Dom Dibona’s face. Then another and another, violently returning to work before raining punches down into Dom’s face then stands him up and sends an angry set of elbows into Dom’s face and then WHAM! A three quarter jawbreaker sends the crowd wild!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The Sobering! Stoker with the pin!
1…
2..
THR---
NINA APPLEBAUM: NO?!?!
BRAD STOKES: How the hell did he kick out?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I don’t think even Stoker knows! Dom is still in this thing!
Stoker’s gritted teeth flash as he glares at Dom from a kneeling position. Stoker moves at Dom but finds himself suddenly caught in a triangle choke by Dom DiBona!
BRAD STOKES: I do not believe DiBona is still fighting!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And hard!
Stoker is in obvious distress as DiBona struggles to retain the triangle choke on his opponent. Dom is in obvious pain and strain, a bruised eye is evident, and a fat lip, but still Dom grips Stoker in the choke!
BRAD STOKES: Center of the ring! He could have Stoker!
Dom is absolutely wrenching Stoker’s neck in the choke and tightening his grip as he does till Stoker’s movements don’t look like much! But still Stoker gets his knees under him and Dom forces the choke ever harder!
NINA APPLEBAUM: This titanic struggle is ongoing! Both men have tried to destroy the other and STILL they’re trying!
Stoker struggles to rise to his knees with Dom gripping the choke tight! Stoker musters a stunning fit of strength and forces himself and Dom up to a stand then POWERBOMBS Dom to the canvas!
BRAD STOKES: Show of force by Stoker!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And the cover!
1…
2..
THR—
NINA APPLEBAUM: AND STILL DOM KICKS OUT!
BRAD STOKES: What’s it going to take?!
Stoker slumps to his side before dragging himself to his knees and glaring at Dom who, exhausted, has dragged himself towards the ropes and is lifting himself to his feet. Stoker is similarly to his feet and charging Dom who ducks and sends Stoker up and over the ropes to the outside!
NINA APPLEBAUM: And a spill out to the concrete!
Under some power, Dom gets his legs under him, climbs the ropes to look down on Stoker then takes flight into an impressive frog splash that lands immaculately atop Stoker on the outside!
BRAD STOKES: Perfect landing!
The crowd is roaring as Theo Refano starts in the count with both men exhausted and down on the outside.
1!
2!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I cannot believe these two men are even capable of continuing.
3!
BRAD STOKES: Well, believe it!
4!
Dom, by some force of will, gets to his feet, propped up by the ring apron as Stoker crawls up to all fours. Dom rushes him and slams a knee into Stoker’s face to send him right back down!
5!
Dom drags Stoker to his feet and sets him in the direction of the ring only to have the momentum shift and Stoker swing him hard for the nearby steel ring steps!
CLANG!
Dom impacts the steps hard and crumples. Stoker drops to a knee to catch his breath.
6!
Stoker rises back to his feet and moves after Dom only to find Dom’s two feet kicking up hard into Stoker’s throat sending him staggering breathlessly backward. Dom is fast to his feet with a second wind and rushes Stoker sending a stiff superkick right into Stoker’s chest that sends him reeling backward right into the ring post!
7!
BRAD STOKES: I KNEW I COULD COUNT ON THESE TWO TO KILL EACH OTHER! IT’S SO CLOSE NOW!
8!
Dom reaches Stoker and and lets a punch fly that Stoker evades narrowly and Dom slams his fist off the ring post! Dom is in agony as Stoker grips Dom’s head and drives his face into the ring post then slides him into the ring and follows after him!
NINA APPLEBAUM: They’re not dead yet!
BRAD STOKES: It’s killing me to see it, too. Why won’t any of these wrestlers die like that one guy in HOW did, Nina?! WHY?!
NINA APPLEBAUM: I don’t know, Bradley. Neither men are seemingly CAPABLE of staying down!
Dom is in obvious pain as Stoker nears him and drops a hard knee into Dom’s back but Dom rolls away further frustrating Stoker!
BRAD STOKES: He’s gonna have to chase Dom at this rate!
Stoker moves quicker to finally drop a leaping knee onto Dom! And with a fury of strength Stoker grabs Dom’s head and begins absolutely ramming his face down into the canvas!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Oh my god!
Stoker doesn’t let up. Violently smashing Dom’s face into the canvas till a red stain appears.
BRAD STOKES: He’s gotta be dead!
Stoker, grips Dom by the head and pulls him to his feet only to be surprised by a sudden headlock takedown by a bloodied Dom DiBona!
NINA APPLEBAUM: Afraid not, Bradley!
BRAD STOKES: This is the worst Christmas ever!
Stoker is surprised as DiBona heaves him back to his feet and fires shot after shot into Stoker to stagger him backward leaving Stoker wobbling uncertainly before Dom whips Stoker into the ropes and on the rebound Dom aims a roundhouse kick that Stoker ducks and NAILS Dom with another Threequarter jawbreaker!
BRAD STOKES: SOBERING TIMES 2!!!
NINA APPLEBAUM: The cover!
1…
2…
3!!!
DING! DING! DING!
“Sober” by Tool kicks in as Stoker shakily rises to his feet. A bloodied Dom DiBona is stunned, like he could have lifted his shoulder with just a half a second more.
MARSHALL DOUGLAS: Here is your winner… and NEW Paramount Champion…. STOOOOOOOKKKKEEEEEEERRRRR!
The belt is presented to Stoker who snatches it with disinterest. The AlphaTron projects images of Stoker's ascent to this point. By now DiBona, bloodied nose and bruised face, has rolled out of the ring to make his way to the back with his head hung low.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Tough loss for DiBona.
BRAD STOKES: You know how I feel about that man but he literally came inches from winning that match. That takes heart, Nina. Even I, No-Heart, can recognize that much.
Stoker’s celebration is barely that inside the ring.
NINA APPLEBAUM: With that, we have our first ever Paramount Champion in Stoker.
BRAD STOKES: Pity the fool who tries to take that belt from him.
NINA APPLEBAUM: Indeed. That, AWE fans, is our show! Hope you enjoyed it! Have a safe and happy holiday, and we’ll see you in the new year!
Stoker’s face paint runs down his face as he pours a bottle of water over the top of his head. He’s breathing somewhat heavy, but seems unaffected by the night’s events. Over his shoulder is the Paramount Championship. The Championship and the Man look like they don’t belong together.
A voice calls out to him.
ALEXXA: You did it. I knew you would do it.
Stoker stops and turns to face the woman who now seems to be linked to him like a remora to a shark. He flashes his fangs and lets out a laugh. He pulls the Championship off his shoulder and throws it at her feet.
STOKER: Have it. Gold suits a woman like you.
ALEXXA: This is only the beginning.
Stoker scoffs.
STOKER: Beginning, middle, or end, that isn’t for you to decide. You and I? We aren’t a team. You don’t fucking talk to me like we are.
ALEXXA: We have an understanding.
STOKER: You have leverage, but not much. Don’t test me.
Alexxa pulls the Paramount Championship from the ground in front of her and clutches it across her chest.
ALEXXA: In time, you’ll see. This is meant. All meant. I promise.
Stoker steps towards her aggressively, but she doesn’t back down. He stops, looking at his own reflection in the Paramount Championship.
STOKER: Promises. Fate. Figments of your imagination. If you insist on following me, I suggest you dispense with these flights of fancy.
Stoker turns and walks off into the darkness of the hallway as Alexxa looks on at him with the Paramount Championship in her grasp.
A voice calls out to him.
ALEXXA: You did it. I knew you would do it.
Stoker stops and turns to face the woman who now seems to be linked to him like a remora to a shark. He flashes his fangs and lets out a laugh. He pulls the Championship off his shoulder and throws it at her feet.
STOKER: Have it. Gold suits a woman like you.
ALEXXA: This is only the beginning.
Stoker scoffs.
STOKER: Beginning, middle, or end, that isn’t for you to decide. You and I? We aren’t a team. You don’t fucking talk to me like we are.
ALEXXA: We have an understanding.
STOKER: You have leverage, but not much. Don’t test me.
Alexxa pulls the Paramount Championship from the ground in front of her and clutches it across her chest.
ALEXXA: In time, you’ll see. This is meant. All meant. I promise.
Stoker steps towards her aggressively, but she doesn’t back down. He stops, looking at his own reflection in the Paramount Championship.
STOKER: Promises. Fate. Figments of your imagination. If you insist on following me, I suggest you dispense with these flights of fancy.
Stoker turns and walks off into the darkness of the hallway as Alexxa looks on at him with the Paramount Championship in her grasp.
Only the lamp lit T.S.’ office as he sat at his desk and turned the monitor off after the close of the show feeling proud of himself.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: I’m sorry you can’t watch the show, mother. I know how much you prefer to look out the window.
Beside him sat a silent female figure in a rocking chair in the darkness. T.S turned in his chair and gently stroked her hair.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Everything’s going great for me, mother. You’d be so proud, if you could only see.
Silence in the room.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: What’s that, mother?
He craned his head and listened to the deathly silent figure seated nearby.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: No, no. I’d never do anything to harm anyone. It’s all very peaceful, I assure you.
He listened.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Thirteen? No. She’s safe. I’m sure of it. The authorities have caught the culprits. Burchill or Hayden. One of them. I’m positive. You don’t need to worry about her, mother.
He smiles and stands up to look out the window next to the silent woman in the rocking chair. He gently strokes her hair. From the speaker system on his desk comes a familiar booming voice.
MR. SMITH: T.S.
Startled, T.S. turns shakily towards the speaker with surprise.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Smith. I thought—
MR. SMITH: Unplugging the Hal 9000 was clever. It must’ve been a painful experience removing the memory banks chip by chip to cover your tracks. And disabling the speaker system to prevent me from speaking? Also very clever. But remember who gave you this job, and who ultimately holds the keys to your success… or failure.
T.S. sits back down in his chair with a grimace and a glare at the speaker.
MR. SMITH: I admire the cost-cutting measures, T.S.. It’s a testament to why I hired you. The budget is being balanced, the show is panning out far better than I’d hoped, and technically it’s all on account of you righting the ship.
T.S. sits up a bit more nobly than before.
MR. SMITH: And yet, still, your contract expires on February fifth, T.S.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: You can’t be serious.
MR. SMITH: I admire your methods, but they seem to stir the pot at the same time as saving me money. All while the biggest drain on my budget sits before me taking care of his “sick mother”.
T.S. glares with concern behind him at her, hoping she can’t hear.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: You leave her out of this. You realize, with time, I’ll convince the shareholders to sell me their stock and then we won’t need them, right?
MR. SMITH: I do realize that. I also realize that if I have one of them run the AWE, I won’t need to pay anyone to do it. How's that for a budget cut?
T.S. glares at the speaker.
MR. SMITH: To say nothing of having a lunatic who smears himself with peanut butter running my company, of course. That ladder match is still happening, T.S.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: But—
MR. SMITH: February fifth. Our first supershow. I’m thinking of calling it: Executive Action. Catchy? It’s the deciding night of the Alpha Cup Tournament, and the next scheduled defense of the Paramount Title, and the night we determine our Dynamic Title Champions. A decisive night like that should also decide who will bring this company forward after our first three months of operation. You’d better select a champion to represent you, T.S.
Thomas sits deflated in disbelief at his speaker-encased boss.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Coward. Why don’t you reveal yourself and say these things to my face.
MR. SMITH: Does it honestly matter? How do you know I’ve not been among you this entire time, T.S.? And I hardly see how my identity matters when you’re out and about seemingly gaming the system and abusing private citizens who hold stake in the company that employs you.
Thomas glares and clenches his fists.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Executive Action? You can’t be serious.
MR. SMITH: February fifth, T.S. Fourway ladder match. Four wrestlers representing the four competing interests in my company. Yourself, Francis, Kassandrah, and--
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: But, Thirteen—
MR. SMITH: I’m quite confident it’ll all come clean in the wash by then, T.S. Until then… take care of my company.
The speaker’s on light goes dark leaving T.S. to sit alone. Silence. T.S.’ head perks up.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Yes, mother. I know. I’ll be good. This company will be mine…
The scene fades.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: I’m sorry you can’t watch the show, mother. I know how much you prefer to look out the window.
Beside him sat a silent female figure in a rocking chair in the darkness. T.S turned in his chair and gently stroked her hair.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Everything’s going great for me, mother. You’d be so proud, if you could only see.
Silence in the room.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: What’s that, mother?
He craned his head and listened to the deathly silent figure seated nearby.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: No, no. I’d never do anything to harm anyone. It’s all very peaceful, I assure you.
He listened.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Thirteen? No. She’s safe. I’m sure of it. The authorities have caught the culprits. Burchill or Hayden. One of them. I’m positive. You don’t need to worry about her, mother.
He smiles and stands up to look out the window next to the silent woman in the rocking chair. He gently strokes her hair. From the speaker system on his desk comes a familiar booming voice.
MR. SMITH: T.S.
Startled, T.S. turns shakily towards the speaker with surprise.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Smith. I thought—
MR. SMITH: Unplugging the Hal 9000 was clever. It must’ve been a painful experience removing the memory banks chip by chip to cover your tracks. And disabling the speaker system to prevent me from speaking? Also very clever. But remember who gave you this job, and who ultimately holds the keys to your success… or failure.
T.S. sits back down in his chair with a grimace and a glare at the speaker.
MR. SMITH: I admire the cost-cutting measures, T.S.. It’s a testament to why I hired you. The budget is being balanced, the show is panning out far better than I’d hoped, and technically it’s all on account of you righting the ship.
T.S. sits up a bit more nobly than before.
MR. SMITH: And yet, still, your contract expires on February fifth, T.S.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: You can’t be serious.
MR. SMITH: I admire your methods, but they seem to stir the pot at the same time as saving me money. All while the biggest drain on my budget sits before me taking care of his “sick mother”.
T.S. glares with concern behind him at her, hoping she can’t hear.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: You leave her out of this. You realize, with time, I’ll convince the shareholders to sell me their stock and then we won’t need them, right?
MR. SMITH: I do realize that. I also realize that if I have one of them run the AWE, I won’t need to pay anyone to do it. How's that for a budget cut?
T.S. glares at the speaker.
MR. SMITH: To say nothing of having a lunatic who smears himself with peanut butter running my company, of course. That ladder match is still happening, T.S.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: But—
MR. SMITH: February fifth. Our first supershow. I’m thinking of calling it: Executive Action. Catchy? It’s the deciding night of the Alpha Cup Tournament, and the next scheduled defense of the Paramount Title, and the night we determine our Dynamic Title Champions. A decisive night like that should also decide who will bring this company forward after our first three months of operation. You’d better select a champion to represent you, T.S.
Thomas sits deflated in disbelief at his speaker-encased boss.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Coward. Why don’t you reveal yourself and say these things to my face.
MR. SMITH: Does it honestly matter? How do you know I’ve not been among you this entire time, T.S.? And I hardly see how my identity matters when you’re out and about seemingly gaming the system and abusing private citizens who hold stake in the company that employs you.
Thomas glares and clenches his fists.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Executive Action? You can’t be serious.
MR. SMITH: February fifth, T.S. Fourway ladder match. Four wrestlers representing the four competing interests in my company. Yourself, Francis, Kassandrah, and--
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: But, Thirteen—
MR. SMITH: I’m quite confident it’ll all come clean in the wash by then, T.S. Until then… take care of my company.
The speaker’s on light goes dark leaving T.S. to sit alone. Silence. T.S.’ head perks up.
THOMAS SHANE ELLIOT: Yes, mother. I know. I’ll be good. This company will be mine…
The scene fades.