Post by jay on Oct 4, 2022 2:26:24 GMT -5
Intro
________
We see highlights from Combat Evolved 2 come on as the opening tones of "Party Time" by Forty Five Grave starts to play as we see shots from outside of The Mall of America and we pan into the makeshift arena and ring area in the middle of the mall! We cut to the RADDrone starting to fly around as we get a great view of some of the signs in the audience.
"I WANT MORE CHEESE!!"
"OnlySkye!"
"BRING ON THE PAYNE!"
"Drake The Fake!"
"ISSAC!!!"
"EA...Jerks...They're in the group..."
"CCPE! BEST TEAM!!"
"Konami Code Vaughn!"
"The Royals...The Magischeese"
"I got a better record than Paul Montouri!"
"Miss Michelle! Marry Me Instead!"
"KONAMI CODE THEM VAUGHN!"
"BIOTIC CHARGE!!!"
"CHANGE THE GAME!! THIS SETTING SUX!"
"FF6 HAS THE BEST VILLIAN!"
"HOW DARE YOU??? IN MY HOUSE!!"
"BUSTING MAKES ME FEEL GOOD!"
"THAT DAMN GOODE!"
"It's all Stratfordy!"
"Let's Go To The Mall!!"
"FF6 Is The Best!"
"FF7 You Pleb!"
"Have ya'll never heard of Shining Force?"
"GIMMIE DAT BLACK SH!T"
"Hey Ryan...Your face got improved!"
"She's Simmsational!"
"She's Psycho...She's a Queen...She's my ex named Tricia...F U TRICIA!"
"This Tag Division Is All About Fisting!"
"I'M A BANEASS!!"
"BIG GREEN MACHINE!!"
"FREEDOM!!"
"/CAT!"
"YEE HAW!!"
"SEB and Sloane: NEW TAG CHAMPS!!"
"AVALON IS AN 11/10!"
"DONOVAN IS A BUM!!"
"CRASH VS WANK! 7 Star match!"
"RICCI IS THE REAL FINAL BOSS!"
"I LIKE MY VHODKA BLACK!"
"LARRY IS MY DADDY!!"
[/div]
The RADDrone lands in front of the commentators table area in front of Arthur La Forge and Mary DeSue. Arthur is wearing his Captain N letterman's jacket and Mary DeSue is cosplaying...Robin Sparkles.
Arthur La Forge: WELCOME TO THE MALL OF AMERICA FOR E.X.P. THIRTY ONE!!!!
Mary DeSue: Let's go to the mall!!!
Arthur La Forge: Bah dah dah dahhhh dah dah dahhh dahhhh...
Mary DeSue: Trust me it was between this or something from Dawn of the Dead. Come on. It's a mall!
Arthur La Forge: High School of The Dead?
Mary DeSue:...DAMN IT!
Arthur La Forge: Anyway folks aside from the fear of the zombie apocalypse we got a great card here for you tonight. Kicking things off we got former Final Boss Champion, Joey Crash, taking on WANK!
Mary DeSue: This! This is the crap I'm talking about. Joey Crash doesn't deserve to curtain jerk just because he got beat at Combat Evolved!
Arthur La Forge: I don't see it as a punishment, I think it's more of a confidence builder from "The Developer".
Mary DeSue: "The Developer" is a damn a[bleep]hole who has a history of punishing people!
Arthur La Forge: Well that aside after that opener we got Antonio "Count Coma" Ricci taking on Impact!
Mary DeSue: Yet another insult to our established stars!
Arthur La Forge: I suppose you're thinking that Amber Payne taking on Gary "Ray-Ray" Nelson is also an insult!
Mary DeSue: Don't make me go Slapsgiving on your a[bleep] Artie!
Arthur La Forge: What about Chelsea Skye teaming with Emily Simms against "The Dreamkiller" Jason Ryan and "PsyQueen" Kennedy Matthews? What's wrong there?
Mary DeSue: I am not dignifying this with a response...
Arthur La Forge: Paul Freedom versus Catalina Cortes? Mac Bane versus Lord Raab? The GC taking on The Royals and Peter Vaughn?
Mary DeSue: Hate. Hate. Loathe Entirely!
Arthur La Forge: Oh and I bet you have a problem with the boss booking Eli Goode and Stephen Stratford against "Dollface" Sarah Wolf and Buster Gloves!
Mary DeSue: YES!
Arthur La Forge: Shane Donovan and Avalon Blackthorn having to defend against SEB and Sloane Taylor?!
Mary DeSue: YES!
Arthur La Forge: And for the Power Title you got some kind of bias against Vhodka Black taking on Larry Tact in The Bloodweb?!
Mary DeSue: OF COURSE! YOU REMEMBER THAT MATCH!!
Arthur La Forge:...
Mary DeSue:...
Arthur La Forge: This is gonna be one of those nights isn't it.
Mary DeSue: YEP!
________
Joey Crash versus Wank
DING!DING!DING!
The match starts out with Crash just starring down at Wank who is posing for a bunch of people on the front row who keep chanting.
“WANK! WANK! WANK!”
This seems to light a fire inside of Crash as he runs over and grabs WANK by the hair and runs towards the ropes. Crash leaps over the ropes and hangman’s WANK’s throat onto the top rope on his way down. WANK flies back grabbing his throat as Crash walks over to the guys on the front row and makes a “wank” motion. They get riled up at Crash who just waves them off as he slides into the ring and grabs WANK’s legs and catapults him into the closest turnbuckle! WANK walks forward for a minute…poses with his hands on his hips which shocks Crash…until WANK falls, like a tree being chopped down, flopping on the mat. Crash looks down at WANK and sighs as he looks around the arena in a “Are you kidding me?” pose.
Arthur La Forge: Crash is showing no respect to his opponent here.
Mary DeSue: Why would he? It’s WANK!
Arthur La Forge: Hey! WANK’s not a bad guy…
Mary DeSue: No but he’s definitely only good for about sixty seconds!
Crash reaches down and slaps WANK in the back of his head. He picks up WANK and throws him into the ropes…X-Plex! Crash then picks up WANK and hits him with a body slam and does WANK’s pose for the crowd who boo this action. Crash laughs as he picks up WANK and tosses him into the ropes. Crash goes for a clothesline, but WANK ducks it and punches Crash. Crash glares at WANK and dares him to hit him again. WANK starts to “WANK OFF” as he starts throwing haymaker after haymaker at Crash who just takes them until…kick to the gut…”THUNDER CRASH”!!!
Arthur La Forge: Fisherman Brainbuster! Mother Brain! That’s gotta hurt!
Mary DeSue: Crash even let WANK get some offense in and he couldn’t even pull that off. This is a waste of everybody's time…
Crash reaches down and slaps on the Cobra Clutch on WANK! The fans start chanting again…
“WANK! WANK! WANK!”
Referee Pliskin checks WANK’s arm…
One…
TWO…
TH…NOOOO!!! WANK STARTS TO POWER UP!!...CRASH lets go of the hold…WANK TEARS HIS SHIRT AND POINTS AT CRASH…HE RUSHES AT CRASH…Crash pokes WANK in the eye and WANK stumbles back...Spinning Backfist to WANK! Crash grabs WANK and stands him up. He takes the wobbly waluigi to the corner and gets on the second rope…
Arthur La Forge: Uh oh…NO! NOOO!!!
Mary DeSue: CRASH AND BURN!!
The Second Rope Avalanche Piledriver hits and Crash gets up. He puts his foot on top of WANK’s chest and does WANK’s pose again as Pliskin counts…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Mr. RAD: Here is your winner…”The Maladjusted One” Joey Crash!!
Joey Crash stands for a moment and see’s WANK start to try to get up as Crash kicks him in the ribs! Crash gets out of the ring and starts heading to back as WANK clutches his chest.
Arthur La Forge: I think WANK regrets the booking of this match.
Mary DeSue: So does Crash…he’s been besmirched by facing such a pathetic opponent.
________
Antonio Ricci versus Impact
The bell rings, and the two men circle the ring, taking measure of each other before locking up. They appear to be evenly matched, until Impact breaks the tie-up by stomping down hard on Ricci’s foot. The veteran backs up, taken aback by the newcomer’s odd tactic. Impact attempts to press his advantage, charging forward and catching Ricci with a clothesline, and then again when Ricci popped back up. The Omega Weapon got back up and charged himself, ducking under a third clothesline and rebounding off of the ropes to catch Impact with a handspring back elbow!
Arthur La Forge: Rough start for Ricci, but Impact definitely got the worse end of that exchange!
Mary DeSue: Stop talking bad about “The Omega Champion”!
Both men got to their feet and began trading blows before Impact grabs the back of Ricci’s head and delivers a Nasal Bullet, staggering the taller man and allowing Impact to launch into a Delicious Attack, landing a variety of punches before drilling Antonio with a big boot! Impact goes for the cover:
ONE…
No, Ricci powers out, a sneer of contempt on his face at the idea that he’d be finished so easily.
Arthur La Forge: Impact should have kept the assault up!
Mary DeSue: I hope he has a one up in his pocket!
Impact moves to try to continue his assault, but Ricci cuts him off with a knee to the gut before whipping Impact into the corner and delivering his Wild Arms clotheslines to work on battering the newcomer. Ricci then wraps his hand around Impact’s throat, pulling him out of the corner and delivering the Darkstalker:
ONE…
TWO, no! Impact gets his shoulder up, looking over to Antonio and giving a waggle of his finger.
Arthur La Forge:...Did he just taunt Ricci?
Mary DeSue: Yep.
Arthur La Forge: Oof…dead man walking…
The Omega Weapon answers that waggle with a stomp to Impact’s back before grabbing the man’s head and pulling him upright. Ricci lifts him to deliver a sit-out piledriver, but Impact manages to slip free, landing behind the veteran and clubbing him across the shoulders. He then whips his opponent into the corner before charging after, spearing Ricci against the turnbuckles. Impact then grabs the middle rope, using the leverage to repeatedly drive his shoulder into Ricci’s gut.
Arthur La Forge: Trying to knock the air out of Ricci might be the best strategy at this point.
Mary DeSue: I mean if he can’t breath he can’t fight, but it’s Ricci…He’ll still fight.
Ricci winces in pain as Impact continues to attack, pulling back and delivering a headbutt to stagger the veteran before chopping him across the chest. Impact lands several more before he grabs Ricci and whips him into the ropes. Ricci ducks under the clothesline, but when he rebounds, Impact catches him with a spear! The crowd cheers as the newcomer points to the top rope.
Arthur La Forge: Impact is going up top!
Mary DeSue: No…NOT LIKE THIS!
Impact moves to the corner, crouching down for a moment before deciding to go up top, wanting to make sure he delivers the High Impact Beam in order to put the Omega Weapon down. By the time he gets into position up top Ricci has begun to push himself upright, turning to face Impact as the man launches off of the top turnbuckle… and directly into Ricci’s boot as his opponent delivers a roundhouse kick to cut him off! Coma-Toes! Ricci quickly hooked the leg:
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Mr. RAD: Here is your winnerrrrr…Antonio “Count Coma” Ricci!!
Ricci gets out of the ring and grabs his “Omega Championship” and grabs a microphone.
Antonio “Count Coma” Ricci: Don’t you disrespect me or this title like that…announce me proper next time. The winner…AND STILL OMEGA CHAMPION… “COUNT COMA” ANTONIOOOOO RICCCIIII!!!
Arthur La Forge: I want to point out. Level Up does not endorse that championship as official.
Mary DeSue: Shush…We do not speak ill of champions on this show.
________
Amber Payne versus Gary “Ray-Ray” Nelson
DING DING DING!!!
Amber and Ray Ray lock up in the middle of the ring and Amber manages to push him to the ropes and sends him across the ring Ray Ray bounces of the ropes awkwardly barely avoiding the clothesline and comes back bouncing of the ropes just as awkward on the other side but Amber is waiting for him with a vicious backhand slap but Ray Ray shrugs it off and gives one back to Amber the crowd reacting to the hard cracking sound from Ray Ray’s slap. Amber clutches her chest for a moment before a sick smirk comes over her face and dives in with an uppercut. Quickly following it up with two more sending Ray Ray stumbling into the corner.
Arthur La Forge: Amber might have underestimated how hard Ray Ray can hit.
Mary DeSue: Ray Ray…I thought Guy Manson was the worst name…
Several European uppercuts in a row have stunned Ray Ray and he collapses in the corner. Amber takes a few steps back and charges into the corner delivering a cannonball on the already dazed Ray Ray. She goes to try it again but this time Ray Ray sees it coming and slides out of the ring and Amber crashes back first into the corner. Ray Ray quickly climbs back into the ring dragging Amber out of the corner and attempts the pinfall
One..
Two…
Kickout!!
Amber’s shoulder shoots off the canvas like she was burned. And Ray Ray looks stunned for a moment before he scoops Amber up for a bodyslam. The whole move was awkward and Amber crashes back onto the mat and the whole move just looked nasty. Ray Ray goes for the cover again..
One…
Kickout!
Amber kicks out almost right away but is clutching her back as she rolls onto her side.
Arthur La Forge: I think Amber might have injured her back!
Mary DeSue: Well I got proven wrong…she’s not spineless.
Amber is slow to make it to her feet holding one hand pressed against her back. Ray Ray grabs her other arm and slings her towards the ropes as she comes back she spears Ray Ray to the mat and goes for the pinfall..
One..
Two…
Kickout!!
Just in time Ray Ray manages to kick out and is holding his gut.
Arthur La Forge: Almost had him!
Mary DeSue: Like my dating life…why do THICC men run from me Artie.
Amber goes to pull Ray Ray to his feet but he had suckered her in and grabs her into the John Deere spinebuster. The spin in the move looking weird and nearly off balance but he manages to slam her down to the mat. Ray Ray is soaking in the crowd reaction to the move and Amber is getting to her feet but Ray Ray notices this just in time to spin around and “Blood on the plow” a vicious and surprisingly graceful roaring elbow slams right into Amber’s jaw and she drops to the mat. Ray Ray slides in for the pinfall..
One…
Two…
Three!!!!
DING DING DING!!!
Mr. Rad: Here is your winner by pinfall… Gary “Ray Ray” Nelson!!!!
Ray Ray celebrates in the ring for a moment and then leaves heading back to the backstage area. As he walks up the ramp we see someone rush out from the crowd… “The Dreamkiller” Jason Ryan! He grabs Payne from behind and hits a German Suplex! He grabs Payne and hoists her onto his shoulders. He then climbs the top rope…TOP ROPE DREAMKILLER INTO THE TOP OF THE STEEL STEPS ON THE OUTSIDE!!!
Arthur La Forge: SOMEONE GET THE EMT’S OUT HERE NOW!!
Mary DeSue: I’m not a fan of Amber, but come on dude!
We see a sick smile cover of the faceplated face of Ryan who stands holding up his arms to a chorus of boos as the EMT’s check on Amber and get her to the back.
________
Chelsea Skye & Emily Simms versus Jason “The Dreamkiller” Ryan and Kennedy “PsyQueen” Matthews
The match starts out with Skye and Ryan staring down each other. Skye makes a comment about the clear faceplate that Ryan is having to wear and Ryan responds with a one finger salute, blurred out for Twitch!, as the opening bell rings. Skye goes for a kick to the gut, but Ryan catches it. Skye returns the one handed salute and hits an enziguri to the back of Ryan’s head! Ryan rolls with and gets up as Skye kips up and clotheslines him back down! Skye grabs Ryan’s arm and tries to go for the “Clipped Wing Angel”, but before she can get the triangle choke locked in on Ryan, he puts his foot on the ropes. Referee Crash tells Skye to let go and Ryan quickly rolls out of the ring to collect himself, but Skye leaps over the top rope and suicide dives onto “The Dreamkiller” as this crowd cheers frantically at the aireal display!
Arthur La Forge: That’s right Skye! Don’t give that man any time to breathe!
Mary DeSue: Your showing your bias again!
Arthur La Forge: He could have just ended the career of Amber Payne with that piledriver to the steel steps!
Mary DeSue: Still a bias…
Skye gets up and rolls Ryan into the ring and heads up top. She looks to go for the 450 splash but Kennedy Matthews gets into the ring and Crash has to pull her back to the corner. The distraction works as Skye hits the 450, but Ryan gets his knee’s up and Skye clutches her chest in pain. Simms starts slapping the turnbuckle to get the crowd to pump up for her team. Skye gets to Simms and tags in, but before Simms can get her hands on the man who kidnapped her weeks ago Kennedy Matthews gets tagged in by Jason Ryan. “The PsyQueen” charges in and goes for a superkick but Simms ducks. Matthews turns. Superkick attempt by Simms. Duck by Matthews. Both run to the ropes…Lou Thez Press by Simms to Matthews and Simms starts unloading lefts and rights onto Matthews. Simms gets up and grabs Matthews and tosses her into the ropes looking to go for a back body drop, but Matthews counters with a Fameasser! Both women are down…
One…
Two…
Arthur La Forge: What a counter!
Mary DeSue: Should have beat on her a while longer!
Matthews gets up and wait for Simms to stand and as she does gets behind Simms. She hits an Olympic Slam! She then puts her foot onto Simms throat and Crash pulls her off of Simms. Matthews shoves the referee who mouths back at her about getting disqualified, but doesn’t notice he’s right in front of Matthews and Ryan’s corner. Ryan raches out and slams Crash’s head into the turnbuckle pad! AND THE MELEE BEGINS!! Ryan gets in with Matthews and grabs Simms and tosses her into the ropes, but just as Ryan is going to go for a “Pinkeye!”, Skye hits him from behind with a dropkick! Simms runs into Matthews who hits a back body drop on Simms! Matthews goes up to pick up Simms and sets her up for “God Save The Queen”, but Skye gets up and grabs Matthews from behind. German Suplex ONTO RYAN!
Arthur La Forge: Did she just hit a mfer with another mfer?
Mary DeSue: YES!
Skye quickly gets out of the ring as Referee Crash starts to come around. Ryan rolls out of the ring as well, grasping his chest. Simms is down on the mat and starts over to Chelsea Skye. Hot Tag! The fans roar with cheers as Skye runs in and starts hitting Matthews with lefts and rights. Kick to the gut of Matthews. Floatover DDT! Skye heads up top…
Arthur La Forge: She’s going for the Phoenix Splash!
Mary DeSue: Come on PsyQueen!
Ryan starts to charge into the ring to hit the ropes, but he’s met by Simms…CLOTHESLINE OVER THE ROPES. Both wrestlers sprawl to the outside as Skye hits “Skye’s The Limit”!!! Cover…
One…
TWO…
Ryan gets up and Simms starts attacking him again…
THREE!!
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. RAD: Here is your winners…Emily Simms and Chelsea Skyeeee!!!
Simms and Ryan keep brawling as security rushes out to break it up! Skye gets out of the ring as PsyQueen screams at her.
Arthur La Forge: Chelsea Skye and Emily Simms pick up the win, but just barely with the cheating ways of Ryan and Matthews!
Mary DeSue: Skye better be careful after what Ryan did to Payne earlier.
________
News of my demise…
The screen statics for a moment as we hear a music box playing a tune. We see a white music box opened and playing as a gloved hand covers it and shuts the box.
Trent Steel: People…I don’t know what I have to do here…
We pan over to see Trent’s face, covered in bandages. He takes his glasses off and sighs.
Trent Steel: I get everyone an extra ten grand for a pay per view. Didn’t take a dime of it myself. I’ve been a great promoter. I’ve given people no one else would give a chance to a chance, and my reward is getting attacked from behind in the dark by a bunch of fucking b[bleeping]es…See. I’m not mad. No. I’m not even slightly upset about that. It’s par for the course that someone would attack me eventually. I’ve been in this game for to long not to anticipate it. But you’ve made a critical mistake. You’ve taken something of mine. You’ve taken my kindness for weakness, but I am a person who believes in second chances. You’ve got until the start of EXP 32 to return what is mine, in tact, or I’m going to come looking for you. And when I do…
Trent leans forward.
Trent Steel: There isn’t a cheat code in the god damn universe that’s gonna save your a[bleep]!
Static…
________
Paul Freedom versus Catalina Cortes
We return from a break to ringside, where Arthur LaForge and Mary DeSue are at their usual positions behind the announcer’s desk.
Arthur LaForge: What words of encouragement from our boss, but in moments, Level Updogs, we will have the first of our two Power Contenders’ Series matches.
Mary DeSue: Why are we even having these?
Arthur LaForge: Glad you asked, Mary! The winners of these two matches will clash at our next Pay-Per-View, Triforce Heroes, for the chance to become the number one contender to the Power title. Tonight’s Main Event Bloodweb match will determine who the Power Champion will be between Larry Tact, the current champion, and Vhodka Black. The Power Champion will first move on to the Pay-Per-View and vie for the Triforce Championship, against the Wisdom and Courage Champions. The winner earns a Final Boss title shot in the Main Event of Final Fantasy, Part Two.
Mary DeSue: Artie, my head is going to explode from all that. If Larry or Vhodka become Triforce Champion, what about the Power title?
Arthur LaForge: Right, it will then be vacated and up for grabs between the winner of the Power Contenders’ Series. They will have a Power title match against a to-be-determined opponent at Final Fantasy, Part Two.
Mary DeSue: Okay, sooo… what if Larry or Vhodka don’t win the Triforce Championship?
Arthur LaForge: Well, last year the Developer was going to have all three of the Wisdom, Power, and Courage titles vacated after Triforce Heroes, but a change was made. Instead, the two champions that do not capture the Triforce Championship will retain their titles, and defend them at Final Fantasy, Part Two.
Mary DeSue: Grab some water, Artie. You’re blown up!
Arthur LaForge: I hope you got all that.
Mary DeSue: Oh, no chance whatsoever. But it was adorkable seeing you try and explain.
Arthur LaForge: I, uh… thanks?
Mary DeSue: I guess Catalina Conquistador and Paul America are up first?
Arthur LaForge: Ahem. Catalina Cortes and Paul Freedom will be our first match of the series. It’s an intriguing matchup, with the veteran Cortes being no stranger to championships. As we’ve noted on this broadcast, she has the distinction of being the final Carnage Wrestling World Champion, although she’s still seeking her first title in Level Up. Paul is the young upstart who has made quite an impression in his rookie campaign. He’s been in the War Games match over the summer and placed among the Final Four in The Last Of Us, Part Two, massive gauntlet match that kicked off the year.
Mary DeSue: I hope Paul wins.
Arthur LaForge: R-really? I’m a little surprised to hear you say—
Mary DeSue: Can you imagine him facing Mac Bane in a Power Rules match? He would need to get skin grafted from his butt to replace his face after Mac rips it off. We could call him America’s Assface!
Arthur LaForge: You’re as immature as I am nerdy.
Mary DeSue: Come on, we can get behind this, Artie… get it, ‘behind??’
Arthur LaForge: Before Mary sinks us any lower, let’s get the action underway!
Cortes and Freedom stand opposed in the ring as Ref Cortex calls for the bell.
DING DING DING
Paul Freedom immediately charges Cat, looking to get the jump on the veteran. She slips through the ropes to dodge and Paul goes crashing into the turnbuckle, his head snapping off the top pad. He stumbles right into a jumping kick from Cat as she uses the ropes for support. Paul hits the canvas and Cortes drags him out to the ringside area before throwing him backfirst into the barricade. She then rolls back into the ring and, as Freedom rises to his feet in a daze, she hits the opposite ropes and clears the top rope with a Corkscrew Plancha! Cat slams into Paul and then kips up to a burst of cheers from the Level Updogs as Cortes whips the apron cover up to look underneath the ring.
Arthur LaForge: It’s been a hot start for Catalina Cortes after Paul unsuccessfully tried to steal the early momentum.
Mary DeSue: Freedom, you should have known better than to try and catch an over caffeinated gamer!
Cortes pulls a table out from under the ring and slides it into the squared circle. She gets Paul up and he surprises her with a forearm shot to the face. Cat returns fire with a chop to the chest. Freedom comes in with another forearm and Cat ducks and as he turns, Cat peels off her Blaze Kick like a human whirlwind! The 540 Kick connects and Freedom goes back down, allowing Cortes to reenter the ring and begin setting up the table. She leans it against a corner before going outside and retrieving Freedom. With some effort, she’s able to get her taller and heavier opponent onto the apron. She then gets on the apron and uses the middle rope for leverage to shove him inside. She takes a couple breaths and sees Paul getting to his knees. Cat then launches herself onto the top rope and springs off with a Somersault Leg Drop that connects! She makes a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
FREEDOM KICKS OUT AT TWO!
Arthur LaForge: Paul Freedom has shown great resilience throughout his first year in the pros, and he’s not ready to let Cortes move on.
Mary DeSue: Why not stay down? He’s being punked out here.
Arthur LaForge: No red-blooded American fighter goes down that easily!
Mary DeSue: He’s going to end up red-bloodied by the end of this.
Cat sends Paul back first against the table with an Irish whip, but it does not break. She then gets the Level Updogs revved up by miming running in place in the opposite corner from Paul. She speeds up her legs and then jets towards him as he staggers out of the corner. Cat leaps up for a Tilt-a-Whirl Headscissors to fling Freedom clear through the table and Paul… stops her as Cat is in the upside down part of her motion. Paul turns the momentum against her and cracks the table into pieces with Cat’s body, leaving her in a heap of splinters! He drags her out from the wreckage and makes a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
CAT KICKS OUT AT TWO!
Mary DeSue: I guess Freedom is alive after all.
Arthur LaForge: Alive and smashing Catalina through that table! Paul has leveled things out here with help from the Power Rules.
Mary DeSue: But she’s like a hundo pounds soaking wet. He should have been throwing her around all along, let’s go Paul!
The Level Updogs give a mixed reaction for Freedom, who holds the advantage. Cat holds her back and rolls onto her stomach on the mat. When she sits up on her knees, Paul uncorks a series of stiff kicks that send perspiration flying off Cat’s body. After three kicks, Paul screams out before unleashing a Roundhouse kick. Whether planned or not, Cortes leans back and the fourth kick sails past her by a paper thin margin. Like lightning, Cat suddenly has Paul wrapped up in Cat’s Cradle!
ONE!
TWO!
…
TH— KICKOUT!
Arthur LaForge: Paul almost got caught there in Cat’s signature Magistral Cradle.
Mary DeSue: If he was, he’d be the American Idiot.
Arthur LaForge: I thought you were picking him to win? Also, we don’t have the rights to that.
Mary DeSue: Oh sure, hold down MY freedoms!
Arthur LaForge: That doesn’t even… no. Let’s watch the match.
Both wrestlers scramble to their feet and it’s Paul who lands a Haymaker that spins Cat around and sends her to a knee. Paul snatches her back up with an Inverted Facelock – setting up the Svoboda Sleeper! Before he can lock the submission in, Cat manages to bounce off the near side ropes with her feet, flipping over Paul and grabbing his head on the way down, bending him backwards! Ever the high flier, Cortes uses the ropes for an Inverted Tornado DDT, but Paul uses his strength advantage and tosses her off. Cat skids on her knees to the mat as Paul turns… a second Blaze Kick! Freedom ducks under and lands a Running Bulldog onto the splintered shards of the table! He rolls Cat over, revealing several small cuts opening from the table shards piercing her face and neck, as Paul makes a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
…
THR— CAT WITH A SHOULDER UP!
Mary DeSue: Don’t make me regret picking you, Paul. Finish her off!
Arthur LaForge: These two have both gone for multiple pinfalls with neither able to score a victory. They understand the threat of letting their opponent stick around too long.
After seeing Cortes still down, Paul goes outside the ring and pulls out a second table. He slides it in the ring and then takes a couple of chairs sitting at ringside. He sends them into the ring and follows, as Cat is on her hands and knees, wiping some blood from her eyes. Another sizzling kick to the chest sends Cat back down to the mat and Paul sets up the second table, while the Level Updogs begin dueling chants. Paul sets the table upright and places the chairs underneath it. He turns to pick up Cat and gets a kick to the knee for his trouble, knocking his balance off. Cat then springs off her hands and backflips to her feet, kicking Paul in the head! Freedom staggers back against the table and Cat, seeing this, does a handspring to close the distance before modifying her CATA-CLYSM to put Paul through the table!
Mary DeSue: Nooo!
Arthur LaForge: Wait! Catalina’s theatrics with the handspring cost her precious moments. Paul spins out of the Corkscrew Neckbreaker and lifts Cat onto his shoulders…
Mary DeSue: NO F(CENSORED) WAY!!
Arthur LaForge: He’s going for it! USA DROP THROUGH THE TABLE!!
Mary DeSue: Cat went through the table and into those chairs!
The Level Updogs are all gasps or cheers as Paul nails his DVD finisher and the two lay in a heap of lumber and steel!
Arthur LaForge: Paul hurt himself on the landing, but he manages to get an arm draped over the prone body of Cortes!
ONE!
TWO!
…
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Mr Rad: Your winner of this match, and moving on to the finals of the Power Contender Series… PAUL FREEDOM!!!
Arthur LaForge: The rut is over and Paul Freedom advances to the Power title number one contender’s match!
Mary DeSue: Called it.
Arthur LaForge: That you did, Mary. Catalina’s flourishes bit her in the end, with Freedom hitting a devastating USA Drop to put him over the top tonight.
Mary DeSue: Okay, Artie. More importantly, the transformation of Paul Freedom into America’s Assface has begun!
Arthur LaForge: Please don’t make this a thing.
Mary DeSue: Don’t you worry, Artie. A little post-show thoting and I’ll have it trending.
________
Mac Bane versus Lord Raab
DING DING DING
The match between Mac Bane and Lord Raab begins with a staredown in the center of the ring. It’s clear that Mac has taken issue with Lord Raab, as he’s mouthing off in the masked face of the Green Disease German Monster. For his part, Raab does not move nor say a word in return, only staring a hole in the head of Bane.
Arthur LaForge: I mentioned in the other Power Contender Series match that Paul Freedom had been in our first-ever War Games. On the opposing team? Mac Bane, who was enlisted by the Game Changers.
Mary DeSue: Yeah, and he screwed them after they won the match for him!
Arthur LaForge: I remember ‘The One Man Wrecking Crew’ doing a lot of heavy lifting for the Game Changers. Afterwards, it’s true that he turned on them, leaving Larry Tact laying and angry as a hornet. A well-laid plan to get payback for Kat Jones.
Mary DeSue: Not only that, but I doubt Mac has forgotten about the first time he met Paul Freedom.
Arthur LaForge: Right you are, Mary! This PCS is a chance for Mac to tie up some loose ends, with both Larry and Paul Freedom. Larry and the GC did career-shortening damage to his adopted sister, Kat Jones, who was forced to retire not long after facing Tact for the Power title. As you alluded to, Freedom got a stunning elimination of Amber Bane-Ryan, a World Champion in her own right, during The Last Of Us, Part Two.
Mac becomes increasingly enraged by Lord Raab’s lack of response, and shoves him in the chest. Raab usually holds a size advantage, but not tonight and he’s set back a couple steps by Mac. He walks right back up and Mac lands a vicious haymaker on Raab. While The Green Disease German Monster’s head is turned sideways, he holds his ground and snaps his head back to stare at Bane, who abruptly tries lifting Raab for The Ride! A clubbing blow to the neck and back of Bane halts him from following through with the Snap Spinebuster, but he immediately faces up to Lord Raab again!
Mary DeSue: I’m getting chills over here.
Arthur LaForge: Mary, this arena is temperature-controlled…
Mary DeSue: No, Artie! Look with your eyes. There’s a lot of MEAT in that ring, and we’re about to witness—
Mary can’t finish before the two break out in a back-and-forth of blows that raise the volume of the Level Updogs roars.
Mary DeSue: BIG MEATY MEN SLAPPING MEAT!!
Arthur LaForge: You’re living your dreams.
It’s Bane who begins to gain an edge and drive Lord Raab backwards against the ropes. Mac suddenly hits a knife-edge chop that stuns Raab and follows-up with an Atomic Drop that bends Raab over. Mac hooks him by the arm and goes for a Vertical Suplex, but The Green Disease German Monster blocks it. Raab then counters with a Vertical Suplex of his own that Mac blocks. The Cowboy tries again to lift Raab and receives a couple shots to the ribs that gives him pause. The Level Updogs are increasingly anxious to see who can get the suplex as Raab prepares again.
Arthur LaForge: He’s going to drop Bane all the way to the floor!
Raab does lift Bane up and over the ropes! But Mac falls to the apron and grabs Lord Raab’s masked head, whiplashing the back of his neck off the top rope. Mac lands on the floor and promptly gets back in the ring. Lord Raab shakes his head and is back up seconds later, then eats a kick to the guts from Mac. In an impressive feat of strength, The One Man Wrecking Crew LIFTS LORD RAAB IN HIS ARMS AND HITS A FALLAWAY SLAM AND COVERS RAAB!
ONE!
TWO!
LORD RAAB SHOVES MAC OFF OF HIM!
LEVEL UPDOGS: WAAAAAAHHHH!!
Arthur LaForge: The Level Updogs showing their appreciation for the exchange, finishing with Lord Raab taking a ride he isn’t accustomed to with that ring-shaking Fallaway Slam.
Mary DeSue: Mac has been around for close to two decades. He’s that well-seasoned meat that knows what he’s able to do.
Arthur LaForge: Wow, Mary, in your own way that was pretty insightful.
Mary DeSue: I study up on the Meaty Men around here!
Mac is unphased and waits on Lord Raab to rise. When he does, Mac runs at him with a Lariat— LORD RAAB DOES NOT MOVE! Mac looks at him and runs the ropes to come in with a second Lariat. SAME RESULT! Lord Raab shakes his head at Bane, and Mac in turn starts to smile before heading to the well again… Lord Raab catches him by the throat! CHOKEINATOR?! No! Mac bats Raab’s arm with both of his to break the grip and cracks Raab’s head with a Headbutt.
Arthur LaForge: Mask or no mask, that had to hurt Lord Raab.
Mary DeSue: We heard that contact from here, Artie.
Lord Raab grabs his mask for a second, and when he moves his hand away he finds Mac running at him with a boot to the face! Raab is moved back with Mac pressing forward, kneeing Lord Raab in the guts to double Raab over. Next, Mac hooks Lord Raab’s arm again to the buzz of the Level Updogs.
Arthur LaForge: Mac is showing his stubborn determination here. He wants to show Lord Raab his superiority.
Mary DeSue: I bet he’s a real dominator… *growling sound*
Not only does the Cowboy lift Raab up, but he holds him up in a Stalling Vertical Suplex. The Level Updogs count along… five… ten… FIFTEEN… TWENTY SECONDS BEFORE MAC DROPS RAAB DOWN IN A BRAINBUSTER AND COVERS!
ONE!
TWO!
LORD RAAB SHOVES MAC AWAY!
Mary DeSue: Mac is scary strong, but it’s just as scary that didn’t end this match.
Arthur LaForge: You’re right, Mary. Although we didn’t hear much from Lord Raab leading up to this match, he’s showing the monster within is here tonight. These two are plenty familiar with each other, having faced off in the past, so I don’t think it will rattle Mac as much as someone who doesn’t know Lord Raab.
Mary DeSue: Someone who isn’t scared of Lord Raab? They’re either stupid or scary, too.
The Level Updogs are digging the intensity of the two wrestlers in the ring, and vocally support both. Mac is up first and goes outside of the ring, sensing a possible impasse. He needs something extra to finish this match. He looks under the ring and pulls out a steel chair and a garbage can. Tossing both of those weapons in the ring, he himself goes back inside. As Bane picks up the steel chair… LORD RAAB SITS UP! MAC SWINGS THE CHAIR AT RAAB’S FACE AND RAAB CATCHES IT IN HIS HANDS! The Green Disease German Monster then kicks at Mac’s knee, causing it to buckle briefly and allowing Raab to rip the chair out of Mac’s hands! The Green Disease German Monster STABS BANE’S KNEE WITH THE CHAIR AND MAC GOES TO A KNEE!
Arthur LaForge: Mac has surgically repaired knees and Lord Raab appears to be targeting them.
Mary DeSue: A monster that thinks and plans? Extra scary!
Lord Raab grabs Mac by the throat and drops the chair on the ground. He stands as Mac tries to again break the hold. Lord Raab Headbutts Mac and halts his counterattack!
Arthur LaForge: MOTHER BRAIN HE HIT THE CHOKEINATOR! MAC CRASHES ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR!
Mary DeSue: Lord Raab is gonna get him!
Arthur LaForge: Raab shoots the half!
ONE!
TWO!
THREENO!! MAC KICKS OUT!
Arthur LaForge: What a destructive Chokeinator, and Mac STILL kicked out of it!
Mary DeSue: That for sure would have finished most people. Mac is one bad mofo.
Arthur LaForge: We’ve only seen him team with the Game Changers and Chris Page in Level Up, to this point, but it cannot be understated how dangerous Mac Bane is. Among his list of achievements, he’s a three-time Sin City Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion for a reason.
Lord Raab is right back on Bane, mounting him to strike. After a couple of those, though, Mac manages to turn Raab over and rains down blows of his own on The Green Disease German Monster. As Mac stands he steps on Raab’s midsection and stomps him for good measure to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Mac then shouts down at Raab, imploring him to get up! Lord Raab obliges, stirring before finding his way to his feet only for Mac to deliver The Ride ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR! Raab is buried into the unforgiving steel… but Mac does not go for a cover?
Mary DeSue: What is he doing?
Arthur LaForge: It’s possible Mac could have had the match won by landing The Ride on that steel chair. If I had to guess, Mary, he’s looking to prolong Lord Raab’s suffering here. Mac wants to prove a point that he’s dominant over Lord Raab. I think he’s taken personally Raab’s inability to protect Kat Jones in certain past instances.
Mary DeSue: Vindictive side, huh? I like this guy more and more.
Mac goes over to a turnbuckle and loosens the strings before tearing the pad off and exposing the steel ring. He decides he won’t wait on Lord Raab, lifting him up. Additionally, he grabs the steel chair off the ground… and places it over Lord Raab’s neck. Mac then looks at the corner, and the Level Updogs express a loud mixed response.
Mary DeSue: Correction, he’s got an extreme vindictive side.
Arthur LaForge: No, Mac! This is going too far, don’t!
Too late. Mac runs Lord Raab straight at the steel turnbuckle ring— but stops himself. He shakes his head, taking the chair off of Lord Raab, who tilts his head... until…
Arthur LaForge: MOTHER BRAIN! MAC BANE LIFTS RAAB FOR THE RIDE AND SLAMS HIM BACKFIRST ONTO THE STEEL TURNBUCKLE RING!
Mary DeSue: He want to break Lord Raab’s back!
Mac then lifts Lord Raab and puts the chair back on his neck. He then SMASHES RAAB NECK FIRST ON THE STEEL TURNBUCKE RING!
Arthur LaForge: LORD RAAB IS SHOT LIKE ICARUS’ ARROW INTO THE STEEL RING!
Mary DeSue: First his back, now his throat… the monster is being taken apart here.
Arthur LaForge: All legal with Power Rules. Mac Bane isn’t just showing he can contend for the Power title. He’s showing he’s in his element without restrictions!
The Cowboy isn’t done. He kicks the steel chair off of Lord Raab, booting the head of the Green Disease German Monster in the process. Mac then wrenches the neck of Raab with a headlock and picks him up. Following that, Mac lets Raab go and looks to put the nail in the coffin with TEXAS HEAT!
Arthur LaForge: MOTHER BRAIN! Lord Raab ducked under Texas Heat! Mac turns right into a Yakuza Kick from Raab! How is he finding the will?!
Mary DeSue: Scary, scary monsters. Both of them.
Lord Raab takes Bane off guard, sending him stumbling around. Raab grabs Mac around the waist from behind and lands a German Suplex. He holds on and… connects with a second! Lord Raab again keeps his grip on Mac Bane and goes for a third… UNTIL MAC LIFTS THE STEEL CHAIR HE GRABBED OFF THE GROUND! HE BASHES RAAB BEHIND HIM WITH THE STEEL CHAIR! Lord Raab is left groggy and loses his grip on the Cowboy. When he turns his attention back he’s hit with TEXAS HEAT!!! Mac decimates Raab with the Clothesline From Hell, drops down and hooks the leg for a pin attempt!
ONE!
TWO!
…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Mr Rad: Your winner of this match, and moving on to the finals of the Power Contender Series… MAC BANE!!!
Arthur LaForge: A hard hitting match between these two powerful wrestlers, and Mac Bane comes out on top.
Mary DeSue: That was everything I could have asked for. So much meat. So much smashing. With Don Tirri having ridden into the sunset, I may have found my new Elder Meatsman!
Arthur LaForge: We’re going to give Mary a chance to collect herself, but there’s still loads more action ahead, including two Championship matches as we hit Continue on EXP 31!
________
A Word Of Warning…
Arthur La Forge: We go now to Lenny Brasco! Who’s backstage with the Game Changers.
The camera cuts to Lenny stood in front of the Game Changers, facing the camera.
Lenny Brasco: Thaaaaank you Artie! Tonight I’m with…..The Game Changers! Don’t forget you can purchase their newly resealed merch! Including this fantastic shirt - yours for only $24.99! Includ……
Drake grabs the microphone, whilst simultaneously pushing Lenny away.The monster stares directly into the camera. His anger turning his face a deep shade of crimson.
Drake Wilcox: I’ll keep this short and sweet. Tonight the GC is back together. Recently there’s been too many on the roster getting out of line. Forgetting their place. It’s about time that WE REMINDED EVERYONE. WHO. WE. ARE!
The giant’s hand pointing to the floor after every word.
Drake Wilcox: Tonight The Royals and Vaughan will experience this first hand.”
Drake wipes the beads of sweat from his face and pulls the camera forward.
Drake Wilcox: This message goes to you Vaughn. Only you.
The long stubby finger of the giant points down at the camera.
Drake Wilcox: A Nickel's worth of free advice, if you will.
Drake smiles.
Drake Wilcox: Tonight. Don’t turn up. Tri-Force Heroes. Just stay at home. Stay safe if you value your career, you’d do the right thing. You’d stay away. Nothing and I do mean nothing is stopping me from steam rolling through everyone. Straight to the Wisdom title!”
He now whispers down the camera
Drake Wilcox: Don’t turn up.
Drake slams the microphone onto the floor as the GC walk away. Isaac grabs the camera and slams it to the floor, Shouting…
ISSAC: Game Changers are ON TOP!!!
As the camera lays on its side. A figure emerges from the shadows. Dressed all in black. The face is masked.
Arthur La Forge: Who is that?
Mary DeSue: I dunno Scoob…but like…I got a bad feeling…Zoinks!
The mysterious characters black gloves reach out and pick up the camera. The eyes stare down the lens and tilts his head to the right. He places the camera down on the floor, the right way up. The scene closes with the mysterious figures feet walking in the same direction as the Game Changers.
________
EAB, ISAAC, and Drake Wilcox versus Paul Montouri, “Miss’ Michelle, and Peter Vaughn
DING! DING! DING!
The match starts off with Drake Wilcox starting out for The GC as Vaughn and Paul Montouri argue with each other over who will go first for their team. Montouri shoves Vaughn and Vaughn returns the gesture and Montouri walks right into the arms of Drake Wilcox and a german suplex starts off the match! Paul lands hard on the mat as Drake Wilcox rolls with the move. Michelle is livid as Vaughn who just shrugs at her as Drake waits for Paul Montouri to stand back up and clubs Paul Montouri right in the chest with a sickening slap! Paul Montouri winces and turns around to get chopped by ISAAC, because Paul walked right into No Man’s Land!, with another thunderous chop! And one more by E.A.B.! Grabbed by the throat by Drake Wilcox and lifted up, but Paul Montouri kicks Drake in the face and Drake drops him! Paul rolls out of the way and starts rushing over to his corner and tags in Peter Vaughn!
Arthur La Forge: “The Royals” and Vaughn are going to have to work together to overcome these odds.
Mary DeSue: Reluctantly I agree, but even so “The Game Changers” are the number one force to be reckoned with in Level Up for a reason.
Before Vaughn goes in he whispers something to Paul Montouri who looks at Vaughn like he’s lost his mind. Vaughn waltzes in as Drake Wilcox starts talking smack to him. Vaughn nods and pretends to be scared…which only pisses off the seven foot tall four hundred pound Wilcox who charges at Vaughn with a big boot. Vaughn ducks it only to come up and clothesline Drake Wilcox’s standing leg in the side sending the big man down! Vaughn wastes no time grabbing that leg and dragging Drake Wilcox to his corner and tags in “Miss” Michelle!
Arthur La Forge: Michelle does not look like she appreciated that.
Mary DeSue: Would you wanna be touched by a greasy man like Peter Vaughn?
”Miss” Michelle looks a bit bewildered while Vaughn calls out a spot to her. She sighs and does it hitting a moonsault onto Drake Wilcox and then tagging in Paul Montouri. Paul Montouri goes up top and waits for Drake to start to get up and does a top rope curbstomp to him! Paul Montouri then tags in Peter Vaughn who gets up top to go for “The Plunge” but before he can hit the shooting star leg drop, ISAAC gets into the ring and drags Drake Wilcox out of the way and Peter Vaughn eats canvas! Referee Pliskin gets in ISAAC’s face as EAB also argues with him. Vaughn tries to get back to his corner to tag in one of his allies, but Drake Wilcox grabs him and places Vaughn on his shoulders…JUMPING BACKBREAKER TO VAUGHN!!
Arthur La Forge: OOF! Softening up Vaughn for that match he and Wilcox are gonna have at TFH!
Mary DeSue: He can’t wiggle his way out of anything if he’s in traction!
That move took a lot out of Drake as he crawls over and tags in E.A.B., and the psychotic businessman goes to work on Vaughn. E.A.B. picks up Vaughn and hits a pendulum backbreaker! Following this up with dropping a knee to the swol of the back of Vaughn! E.A.B. then follows it up with a “It Rolls Downhill”! After hitting the military press slam E.A.B. walks over and tags in ISAAC while still trash talking “The Royals” and Chris Page on the outside. ISAAC gets into the ring and waits like a serpent about to strike…He’s calling for the spear! Vaughn gets up clutching his back and…GETS HIT WITH THE SPEA…NO…COUNTER INTO A DDT!! ISAAC is grabbing his head in pain as he got planted by surprise by Vaughn who is down and out in the ring!
Arthur La Forge: What a counter!
Mary DeSue: Lucky shot!
Both wrestlers are down and that’s when The GC makes their move with E.A.B. and Drake rushing into the ring as “The Royals” look at each other and charge in as well! “Miss” Michelle runs over and dropkicks Drake Wilcox in the bad knee sending him down to the mat! E.A.B. comes in and starts trading punches with Paul Montrouri. Pliskin is distracted as Page slides Vaughn’s briefcase, that has “The Game Genie” in it, into the ring and Vaughn waits for ISAAC to stand up. CASESHOT! ISAAC goes down. Vaughn slide the briefcase out and heads up top…”THE PLUNGE”!!! E.A.B. and Paul Montouri go out of the ring with a clothesline between them. “Miss” Michelle grabs Drake Wilcox and pulls him out of the ring as Pliskin turns to see Vaughn pinning ISAAC…
One…
Two…
VAUGHN USES THE ROPES FOR LEVERAGE
THREE!!!
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. RAD: Here are your winners…The team of Paul Montouri, “Miss” Michelle, and Peter Vaughn!!!
Arthur La Forge: No one could have predicted such a win…without a little cheating.
Mary DeSue: …Yeah…but you get mad when my guys do it!
ISAAC is up as “The Royals” leave the ringside area as E.A.B. and Drake Wilcox nod to each other and head into the ring.
Arthur La Forge: Oh dear….
________
A Promise Kept…
The Game Changers quickly make their move. They begin to surround the ring. Trapping Vaughn. Paul Montouri and “Miss” Michelle decide to high tail it since it’s not their fight. Vaughn looks at Montouri who just smiles and waves bye bye at him.
Arthur LaForge:Oh my! This doesn’t look good for Peter Vaughn! The Game Changers have surrounded the ring!
Mary DeSue:Can’t say they didn’t warn him!
Suddenly realizing what is about to happen, Vaughn prepares to defend himself. He stands defiantly in the center of the ring encouraging the pack of Wolves outside to take him on. ISAAC makes the first move. Peter Vaughn launches himself at the muscle bound thug.
Arthur LaForge: Here they come! Vaughn though not going down without a fight here! Isaac has grabbed him around the midriff, Vaughn connecting with shots to the Man-Beasts back. Oh my look now here they come!”
The rest of the Game Changers quickly make their way over and begin assaulting Vaughn. Everyone throwing blows at the now heavily outnumbered Peter Vaughn. We see “Chronic” Chris Page dart from ringside and head to the back. Drake and Tact take a step back as E.A.B connects with a huge right hand. Vaughn stumbles over towards Isaac, who responds by connecting with his own thunderous right hand.
Arthur LaForge:He….he’s being set upon by this group of thugs! This….this isn’t a fair fight! Vaughn refusing to go down.
As Vaughn stumbles between the Game Changers shots. Drake charges forward and kicks Peter to the floor. Drake stands over the lifeless Vaughn and begins a to scream and point at him. “I TOLD YOU! Stay at home! But noooooo” Isaac slides a table under the ropes.Larry Tact slides into the ring. Tact and E.A.B begin to set it up.
Mary DeSue: Vaughn getting what he deserves! Game Changers on top!
Arthur LaForge: This is too much! Stop! THIS IS GETTING TO PERSONAL GUYS!
Isaac pours the petrol as Tact strikes the match. The table bursts into flames E.A.B scoops up the unconscious Vaughn and hands him to Drake. The monster places Vaughn between his legs ready for the power bomb. Drake holds his arms out and points his thumbs down.
Drake Wilcox:It’s OVER!”
Arthur LaForge: No no! My god!
The arena falls silent as “The Monster” power bombs Vaughn through the table. Drake takes a few steps forward and grabs the camera
Drake Wilcox: Let this be a message to you Sarah Wolf! Drake is coming! Tri-Force heroes! That contendership is MINE! You better pray you don’t face me…I’m coming for you SOUL!
As Drake makes that announcement, out from the back, The CCPE arrive…”Chronic” Chris Page, Mac Bane, and Bam Miller rush the ring as “The Game Changers” scatter. Bane and Tact glare at each other and start mouthing off as Bam and Page check on Vaughn.
Arthur La Forge: And with one swift action “The Game Changers” just upped the stakes at TFH! Is Vaughn gonna be able to face Drake?
Mary DeSue: Doesn’t matter if he can face Drake or not…Vaughn’s got the ultimate cheat code…They need to take him out!
________
Eli Goode and Stephen Stratford versus “Dollface” Sarah Wolf and Buster Gloves
The match starts out with Eli Goode and Buster Gloves meeting in the center of the ring, both men eyeing their partners who seem very nonchalant towards them. Goode and Buster shake hands in a sign of good sportsmanship and start things off with a collar and elbow tie up which Buster wins out on and gets behind Goode. Buster goes for a release german suplex, but Goode rolls with it and backflips back to a standing position as Buster kips up. Both men have their arms up ready to fight as the crowd cheers on this showdown between two crowd favorites. On the outside Dollface and Stratford stare at each other like they can’t wait to rip each other apart.
Arthur La Forge: This match is going to be a highlight reel by former and current singles champions in Level Up!
{b] Mary DeSue:[/b] Highlights mean nothing without some shade.
Buster and Goode smirk at each other, respecting the other one, as they start circling again for another lockup but this time Buster goes to shoot on Goode and take him down to the mat. Buster goes for a triangle choke and tries to lock it in, but Goode, using his in ring experience, gets to the ropes and Buster has to let go of the hold...
One...
Two...
Buster lets go. He allows Goode to get back to his feet as Buster goes for the takedown again, but this time Goode leaps over Buster and goes for the ropes. Rebound off the ropes by Goode. Buster stands his ground and braces himself. Goode goes for a dropkick, and at the same time Buster goes for a standing one! Both miss and come up staring each other down.
Arthur La Forge: These two are masters of their craft and definitely want to get one over on each other.
{b] Mary DeSue:[/b] Goody goods just need to grab some chairs…and bash each other!
Buster is starting to get a little frustrated and just charges Goode, going for an elbow strike, which Goode ducks. Goode tries to come up with a knee to the face, but Buster catches it. Knee whip to the mat, but Goode rolls with it and gets back up. Stumbling backwards Buster goes for a punch combo as Goode ducks and comes up grabbing Buster’s neck on both sides to try and ram a knee into Buster’s face, but Buster blocks it and the two lock up again in a makeshift test of strength. Both wrestlers break and go back to punches. The fans on their feet cheering each time their guy makes a hit. Finally in frustration they break and start circling again. They both stop and turn to their partners. Goode tags in Stratford and Buster tags in Dollface!
Arthur La Forge: OHHH HECK YEAH!!!
Mary DeSue: Okay, even I’m a bit intrigued by this.
Goode eyes Stratford as he just smirks at Goode, and Dollface blows Buster a kiss as he shoots daggers at her with his eyes. The Courage Champion and The Wisdom Champion stare down. This is a preview of things to possibly come at TFH. They both pose for a moment while the fans take their pictures with their phones and start to circle each other. They go to lock up and stop…THEY CHARGE THEIR OWN CORNERS AND HIT BOTH OF THEIR PARTNERS!!
Arthur La Forge: WHAT THE HECK!!
{b] Mary DeSue:[/b] AHAHAHHHAA!!!...Screwjob!!
Stratford snap suplexes Goode into the ring as Dollface does the same with Buster! They pick up their allies and toss them into the nearest corner and both start stomping their partners! Stratford and Dollface look at each other and smirk as they pick up their partners and irish whip them, Buster and Goode, into each other! Stratford and Dollface exit the ring! Referee Pliskin tells them they have to fight each other and get back into the ring. Goode and Buster get up and yell at their partners who just keep walking up the ramp. Pliskin has no choice but to call to the ring attendant…
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. RAD: Due to refusal to comply with the referee’s instructions…this match has been ruled a NO CONTEST!
“BOOOOOOOOOOoOooOOoOooOOOO!!!”
Arthur La Forge: A No Contest Finish has got this crowd upset…
Mary DeSue: They aren’t the only ones. Gloves looks like he’s about to spit fire.
Buster…is…LIVID! Being screwed out of a finish to this match has got “The Bull of The North” understandably upset. Goode is beside himself, once again dealing with the mind games of Stratford. Both men argue with Pliskin who says he’s ruling stands. Dollface and Stratford head ot the back quickly and separate as Goode takes a moment to calm down and grabs Buster’s arm and holds it up. For a moment it looked like Buster was gonna punch Goode, but it was a reflex thing and he poses with Goode to the fans cheering their performance earlier in the match.
Arthur La Forge: Something tells me Trent Steel isn’t gonna let this screwjob go unpunished.
Mary DeSue: Yeah…he didn’t think of it. That’ll tick him off…
________
No More Mr. Nice Guy…
The lights go out suddenly in the arena and we hear a bell tolling, with a muted guitar riff beneath it.
Arthur La Forge: Wait, isn’t that Donny Mason’s music?
Mary DeSue: THICCNESS IS BACK??
Arthur La Forge: We haven’t seen Donny since Bert attacked him with a steel chair at EXP 30
Out from behind the walks not Donny Mason though, but Kat Jones instead. Dressed in her usual dark getup, her pale skin almost shining at the muted lightning. She stands at the top of the isle with a wicked grin on her face.
Arthur La Forge: What is she doing here?
Mary DeSue: STAY AWAY FROM MY THICCNESS YOU GOTHIC VAMP!
Finally the man himself walks out from behind the curtain, dressed in all black and carrying a steel chair. He looks at Kat who nods and the pair slowly make their way to the ring, Donny not making any effort to acknowledge the fans trying to reach out for a high five. As he steps over the top rope and into the ring, he raises the chair up as a spotlight lands on him, a clear dent can be seen in the chair
Arthur La Forge: Wait, that can’t be what I think it is?
Mary DeSue: He kept the chair that bastard hit him with???
Donny clasps the chair open and sets it down, sitting on it with his elbows resting on the backrest. He glances up at Kat, who hands him a microphone. The crowd goes quiet, waiting for the big Englishman to speak.
Donny Mason: Missed me?
His voice is tinged with barely concealed sarcasm as he scans the crowd.
Donny Mason: A month and a half is a long time to sit and think. What happened at EXP 30 is something I should have seen coming. I should have known Robert wouldn’t let the matter rest. I should have known how far he had fallen. But I didn’t… and I paid the price.
He bangs the chair with the mic, a loud clang ringing through the arena.
Donny Mason: But that night… when this steel chair nearly caved in my “potato-shaped” skull as Johnny Shitstirrer loves to say… something clicked in my head. And as I sat at home recovering from the attack… I realized something.
He stands up and picks up the chair, staring at the indentation of his head on the seat with an odd look in his eyes. He sets it down and sits back on it.
Donny Mason: I realized that I had been a fool. A naive fool. I had been too kind, too caring. Too empathetic and too optimistic. I kept seeing the best in people. But at EXP 30, in an instant, 20 years of careful raising done by the greatest and strongest woman who ever lived was flushed away as the realities of this business got etched into my skull. When the man who I thought of as a friend, a brother, stabbed me in the back to soothe his own guilty conscience for his own failure I realized that in this business it's every man for himself. A business where only the selfish and the crooked succeed. Duncan Shepard sold his soul to shitmaker and became the Final Boss. Larry Tact threw morality to the wind and has ruled the Power division with an Iron Fist. While I tried to do the right thing, be the good guy. And All I got was jack shit and a chair to the skull.
The big Englishman stands up and kicks the chair away, his voice turning hard.
Donny Mason: No more. I’m done playing nice. As I sat at home I wanted to come back and get even with Robert. But Bertie-boy decided to take his ball and go home. He failed to do what he said he would and got so embarrassed he picked up his shit and left. And that left me with no target. No-one to get even with. Yet the rage remains. Yet the frustration still persists. Well. I’m done fucking around. Robert McAlroy got me ringing hell's bells. And because he isn’t here to pay the piper… Levelup… I’m ringing it for ALL of you. I’m sick and tired of being the nice guy who smiles in defeat and is humble in victory. I won’t take no prisoners, won’t spare no lives.
He stares right into the camera.
Donny Mason: And I’m gonna get you.
He drops the mic and as “Hell’s Bells” by AC/DC starts to play again, he exits the ring with Kat Jones watching after him with pride.
________
Shane Donovan and Avalon Blackthorn(c) versus S.E.B. and Sloane Taylor
Multiplayer Gauntlet Title Match
DING! DING! DING!
The match starts out with Donovan and SEB staring down each other. Donovan starts running his mouth and SEB nods and makes a comment that changes Donovan’s face to that of damn ticked off! Donovan goes for a punch to kick things off, but it’s blocked by SEB who quickly gets behind Donovan and hits a rolling german suplex…one suplex…two suplex…three german suplexes and a release! SEB gets up and grabs Donovan and tosses him, backfirst, into the post. SEB then unleashes a roundhouse, standing kick, mid kick and stomp to Donovan until he is down on the mat. SEB picks up Donovan and goes for a fisherman’s suplex…cover…
One…
KICK OUT BY DONOVAN![i/]
Arthur La Forge: Just because people think Shane Donovan is washed up doesn’t mean that it’s true. It’s gonna take more than that to put him away.
Mary DeSue: No worries. I’m sure SEB is gonna pull out all the stops…including dumping Sloane for me.
Not stopping his efforts SEB quickly gets behind Donovan and hits a snapmare. SEB walks over to his corner and tags in Sloane! SEB picks up Donovan and tosses him into the ropes just as Sloane leaps from the top rope…“Seeing Stars”! SEB rolls out of the ring as Sloane goes for a pin…
One…
Donovan gets his foot on the ropes!
Arthur La Forge: You can’t teach that. The veteran knew where he was in the ring and capitalized even in a beaten down position.
Mary DeSue: Well what do you expect from the trophy girlfriend.
Sloane picks up Donovan and tosses him into the ropes. She decks Donovan with a superkick that sends Donovan into the ropes. Sloane picks up Donovan and hits a jawbreaker on him. Sloane picks up Donovan and tosses him into the ropes, but Donovan grabs the ropes to stop himself. Sloane charges at Donovan. KNEE STRIKE TO THE FACE WITH THE KNEEBRACED KNEE! Donovan goes down as Sloane grabs her face. Donovan is feeling it as he starts to crawl over to Avalon Blackthorn. He gets the tag and Avalon gets in just as Sloane gets back up. The fans get to their feet to cheer on this meeting.
Arthur La Forge: Oh this has many of the fans excited.
Mary DeSue: The same ones that go to Skye’s onlyfans probably.
Sloane and Avalon circle each other and Avalon is the first to strike going for a roundhouse kick, but Sloane avoids it and comes back with a handspring enziguri, but Avalon rolls with it and gets back onto her feet at the same time Sloane does. Both women go for standing superkicks but miss each other. The fans are loving this, but both women seemed to get more into the fight by trading punch after punch after punch with each other until Sloane misses one. Avalon grabs her by the arm and irish whips Sloane into the corner. Avalon goes for a spinning back elbow, but Sloane ducks down and rolls out of the ring. Avalon stops herself from going backfirst into the turnbuckle and climbs it. Avalon jumps off hitting a splash onto Sloane on the outside!
“THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME!”
Arthur La Forge: These two by themselves is an amazing match!
Mary DeSue: Yeah, but I prefer the rich eye candy.
Both women are down as referee Pliskin starts his count.
One…
Two…
SEB yells at Sloane to encourage her to get up, while Shane Donovan takes this time to head over to the ringside table and grab one of the Multiplayer Gauntlets.
Three…
Four…
Shane Donovan slides the gauntlet under the ring and gets back into position as Avalon finally gets up first and picks up Sloane and slides her into the ring. Avalon goes up top and jumps hitting a double stomp onto Sloane’s chest! Avalon picks up Sloane and…JAWBREAKER FROM SLOANE TO AVALON! Both women go down in the center of the ring.
Arthur La Forge: A jawbreaker out of nowhere suprised Avalon!
Mary DeSue: Well they are hard to bite.
One…
Two…
Avalon starts to crawl to Donovan as Sloane does the same to get to SEB.
Three…
Four…
Five…
Avalon tags in Donovan who comes in like a bat out of hell and grabs Sloane’s leg and drags her back to the center of the ring. He whips that leg into the canvas and quickly goes for a bow and arrow lock putting pressure onto that knee that he just slammed. Sloane howls in pain as Donovan keeps it held on. He finally lets go of the hold to tag Avalon back in. He picks up Sloane and hits a Irish Whip into his kneebraced knee sending Sloane backwards into Avalon who hits a roundhouse kick! Cover by Avalon…
One…
Tw…FOOT ON THE ROPES BY SLOANE! DONOVAN IS LIVID!
Arthur La Forge: What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Mary DeSue: You talking bout Canadian Goose eh?
Avalon, not discouraged, gets up and grabs Sloane and hits a Russian Legsweep! She decides to go and tag in Donovan and they both grab Sloane…Toss into the ropes…They go for a double knee shot, but Sloane goes flat onto the mat and they miss her. They turn and Sloane hits a roundhouse kick to the face of Avalon and rolls thru tagging in SEB! The crowd goes nuts as Donovan and SEB start trading punches again. Sloane rolls out of the ring and so does Avalon! SEB starts winning the punch war and hits Donovan with an uppercut. This sends Donovan reeling and SEB gets behind him. “THE CONQUEST”!! Cover!
One…
Two…
KICKOUT BY DONOVAN!! SEB gets up and argues with Pliskin that it was three but Pliskin stands firm. SEB nods and picks up Donovan…SEB’s going for a fisherman’s suplex but Donovan counter into FISHERMAN’S BUSTER!!
Arthur La Forge: Smart counter by Donovan!
Mary DeSue: Stop hurting the eye candy!
Both men are down. Donovan gasping for breath as SEB tries to shake out the cobwebs. Donovan rolls out of the ring to get a few moments of respite. SEB gets up to his knees with Pliskin checking on him as he starts to count out Donovan.
One…
Two…
SEB gets up and heads to the other side of the ring to rebound off the ropes to pick up speed! SEB goes for a suicide dive…and Donovan ducks it! SEB lands hard on the outside as Donovan gets back into the ring and tags Avalon! Donovan reaches under the ring and slides on The Gauntlet, but keeps it behind his back. Avalon heads outside of the ring and picks up SEB. Roll back into the ring. Avalon gets into the ring and picks up SEB…”HOE CHECK”! Dragon suplex…Cover…
One…
Two…
KICKOUT BY SEB!!
Arthur La Forge: And you can’t keep Sebastian Everett-Bryce down tonight!
Mary DeSue: I think Duncan is crapping himself backstage watching this.
Avalon is starting to get frustrated as she picks up SEB and tosses him into the ropes. Looking for a back body drop…NO. SEB stops and gets behind Avalon…“The Peoples G.S.H.O.A.T”!!! The sleeper hold is locked in! Avalon frantically tries to get out of it getting to her corner. Donovan swings The Gauntleted hand…It misses Avalon…AND SEB…BUT IT DOES CONNECT WITH PLISKIN!!! Pliskin grabs his nose and rolls on the mat!
Arthur La Forge: MOTHER BRAIN! SNAKE!! SNAKEEEEEE!!!
Mary DeSue:...that could have went better.
Donovan gets into the ring since the ref is down as Avalon tries to break out of SEB’s sleeper hold, but as Donovan gets close to SEB and Avalon, Sloane runs up to the nearest turnbuckle and leaps off onto Donovan’s shoulders… “HIGH HOPES”!! Shane Donovan is down on the mat. Avalon is on her back and so is SEB still holding on the sleeper hold as Pliskin is still out on the mat. Sloane grabs him and shakes him. Pliskin gets up and crawls over to Avalon…He checks her arm…
One…
Two…
TH…Pliskin stops. He’s looking right at Shane Donovan’s Gauntleted hand. Pliskin calls for the bell!!
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. RAD: The winners of this match as a result of a disqualification…Sebastian Everett-Bryce and Sloane Taylor!!
“...WHAATTT!!!”
Arthur La Forge: Pliskin called for the disqualification because he figured out who socked him in the face!
Mary DeSue: Oh man I haven’t seen the fans this mad since we canceled mud wrestling night…
Arthur La Forge: We have never had a mud…very funny.
SEB and Sloane rightfully are upset with the decision and argue with Pliskin who is trying to wipe the blood from his nose from the Gauntlet shot. Donovan grabs the other Gauntlet off the table and then meets a groggy Avalon at the rampway. SEB and Sloane start talking trash as Donovan responds and Avalon is slowly starting to piece together what happened.
Arthur La Forge: A win for Sebastian Everett-Bryce and Sloane Taylor, but they got cheated out of the titles!
Mary DeSue: I guess even in defeat you can still win, but I got a feeling we haven’t seen the end of this yet.
________
A word from The Final Boss Champion…
Duncan Shepard makes his way out onto the stage. Though his ‘Commander Shepard’ music is playing he is otherwise presented normally in plain jeans and a generic Level Up Wrestling t-shirt. He carries the Final Boss championship belt over his right shoulder and though he receives a typically enthusiastic welcome from the crowd in attendance his own appearance seems downcast. He sedately makes his way down to the ring, climbs inside then goes to the ropes where he is passed a microphone by a crew member. He takes it then steps back to the center of the ring, waiting a moment for his music to fade out, then leaves another moment of lingering silence. The first sound he makes is a deep sigh.
Duncan Shepard: I have a dozen things I want to say but now I’m standing here it’s hard to know where to start.
He shrugs the championship off his shoulder. He tucks the microphone under his arm eliciting a series of scrunching sounds as he folds the straps of the belt behind the face plate and tucks it into the crook of his left arm, holding it almost like one might hold a baby. He raises the microphone again but when he speaks he is still looking at the title.
Duncan Shepard: When I first came to Level Up it was in the midst of a difficult time in my life. When I got the opportunity to compete here I took it as an opportunity also to start over. Part of that was becoming Commander Shepard.
Duncan pauses for a moment then looks back out to the crowd.
Duncan Shepard: In my younger days I’ve done things I’m not proud of. I’ve been someone I don’t like. Ever since then I’ve tried to be better. I thought that perhaps Duncan Shepard could be the man that I always wished I could have been. Perhaps he could be better than the men who have come before him.
Duncan looks back to the belt, gives a small chuckle and raises it, only to shoulder height though.
Duncan Shepard: In many ways he was. Commander Shepard has achieved here in Level Up things that I have never achieved anywhere else. He has achieved the things that I always wanted to achieve.
He lets his arm drop and with it his shoulders sag and his head drops slightly.
Duncan Shepard: Nothing worth achieving comes easily. Sacrifices have to be made. The problem with sacrificing everything to achieve what you’ve always wanted is that once you’ve done it, that’s all you have. When that’s all you have then losing it means you’re left with nothing. I know what it’s like to have nothing. I never want to be in that place again.
He takes a deep breath and raises his head again.
Duncan Shepard: I put a lot of pressure on myself, to live up to my own expectations, but also to live up to the expectations you all have in me. To be Commander Shepard, to be the hero. To save the galaxy, no matter the odds. I’m not a piece of coal though. Time and pressure doesn’t turn me into a diamond, it just crushes me. At Combat Evolved, in the name of defending this title I made deliberate attempts to hurt another human being. I don’t just mean beating and wearing someone down to win a sporting contest, I mean inflicting genuine life altering harm.
Duncan starts to pace around the ring slowly, becoming slightly more animated.
Duncan Shepard: That’s not something that I believe in. That is not who I want to be. That is not Commander Shepard. That is not the hero you all deserve.
He walks into a corner, lays the title over the top of the turnbuckle and leans heavily against the ropes.
Duncan Shepard: Which brought me to the realization that I can’t be the hero you all deserve anymore. I’m not a hero at all. I’ve never held the rank of commander in any military on this planet or any other. I’ve never faced down alien machines from the darkness beyond the stars. I have never saved the galaxy, I can barely save myself. I am not a hero, I’m just a man.
Duncan starts to walk around the ring again but he leaves the title laid across the turnbuckle.
Duncan:I’m a man called Duncan Ryder. I wasn’t born on a starship or on a far found colony, I was born in London, England. I am the son of Michael and Angela Ryder, the brother of Annie and the uncle of Callum and Ella. I was once a child who dreamed of playing professional rugby. I became a young man who realized that that wasn’t going to happen and had to find a new dream.
He comes to an abrupt halt in his pacing, pauses and sighs again.
Duncan Ryder: I’m a man with an addiction to alcohol and a man who little more than a month ago threw away over eighteen months of sobriety because he was afraid of what would be left of him if he didn’t leave El Paso with that gold plated belt right there.
Duncan turns to point at the Final Boss title belt still placed in the corner. He is quiet again for a moment but when he does speak the first signs of a genuine smile seem to tug at the corners of his mouth.
Duncan Ryder: I’m getting better though. Part of that has been reminding myself of where I came from. Reminding myself of what made me fall in love with professional wrestling in the first place. So I’m finding a new path for myself from here. I’m sorry that I can’t be Commander Shepard anymore.
Duncan stomps back to the corner, sweeps up the Final Boss championship and holds it emphatically into the air.
Duncan Ryder: But Duncan Ryder isn’t going anywhere! In fact, he’s just getting started!
________
Main Event
Power Title Match
Larry Tact(c) vs Vhodka Black
Both Vhodka and Tact are on top of the platform, eyeing each other up when the bell rings. Larry closes the distance around the opening and attempts a right hand on Black, but she blocks it and hits a forearm to the face! Another one and Larry stumbles back, but not before she charges up to hit him with another. Larry swings wildly with a lariat but Vhodka is quicker and ducks it, before attempting a Harvey Wallbanger! Larry shoves her off and backs the hell away to keep himself out of trouble. He yells out at the crowd to shut up when they boo him, and that allows Vhodka to close the distance with a flying elbow! The shot very nearly knocks Tact to the barbed wire web below!
Arthur La Forge: Tact nearly took one hell of a dive early on in the match!
Mary DeSue: This isn't fair! Just throwing him into this match! Vhodka has experience throwing people into pits!
Tact stops himself from falling but Vhodka quickly grabs him by the hair and runs him face-first into one of the support structures holding the platform aloft! With Tact leaning against the structure trying to regain his senses, Vhodka climbs up it until she is standing over him and begins to rain down punches while the Level Updogs count along! 1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 8! 9! 10! Vhodka then looks at the weapons scattered on the structure and grabs…
Mary DeSue: Is that a double-sided di...
Arthur La Forge: BACK MASSAGER! VHODKA WITH A BACK MASSAGER!
Mary DeSue: It massages alright...
Arthur La Forge: MARY!
Mary DeSue: What? Prude.
She swings the...apparatus and it smacks Larry Tact right in the face. Vhodka then gets a very awful idea and runs forward with it, attempting to shove it into Larry's mouth. Before she can get Level Up banned from Twitch, Larry smacks it out of her hand and it falls into the crowd for some lucky fan to take home. In response, Vhodka hits him with another elbow to the jaw and reaches for another weapon, this time the more traditional singapore cane! Tact turns around and catches a shot directly in the shoulder! Tact's skin is bright red as the Power Champion tries to get away but Vhodka is armed and dangerous! She hits him immediately in the ribs! Then he doubles over and she hits him in the back as well!
Arthur La Forge: Vhodka Black is absolutely dominating right now!
Mary DeSue: Well it's not fair! He *just* went through Sloane Taylor, and now he's in a Bloodweb match against someone like her? Trent hates him, that's all!
Arthur La Forge: Vhodka was in the Pool of Cheese!
Mary DeSue: Oh yeah, a match totally made for her. That's TOTALLY FAIR.
Larry falls down onto the platform and Vhodka tries for a quick pin.
ONE!
TWO!
No! Larry throws the shoulder up. Vhodka grabs the cane again and raises it up high, swingng down but Larry rolls out of the way! She does it again, and he rolls away again! She smiles, as he has been unknowingly rolling towards the opening! She tries again and he rolls, but stops himself once he realizes where he is! She stalks with the cane until he kicks her HARD in the shin! Vhodka drops the cane and Larry grabs it, swinging upward and HITTING HER IN THE FACE. She goes down immediately clutching her cheekbone and when the referee checks we can see why, a bloody welt has formed almost immediately!
Arthur La Forge: Her husband's not gonna be happy about that.
Mary DeSue: SOMEONE MARRIED HER? She must smell like cheese like, all the time!
Arthur La Forge: It's 2022, don't kinkshame.
Tact then gets to his feet and picks Vhodka up as well, running her face-first into the support structure as revenge! She goes down in a heap but he scoops her back up and hits a SPINEBUSTER on the platform! Cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Th--no! Vhodka kicks out! Larry then grabs the Singapore cane and starts wailing on her with it, having snapped at the abuse he took earlier! He swings down repeatedly until the cane is in tatters, before tossing it aside. Then it's a straight kick to the face before another cover.
ONE!
TWO!
No! Vhodka kicks out again! Larry gets mad and yanks her up by the hair, when she suddenly calls out…
Vhodka Black: HARDER DADDY TACT!
Tact lets go immediately, confused, before Vhodka pokes him the eye!
Mary DeSue: Did she just...
Arthur La Forge: Poke him in the eye? Yes. We are NOT talking about the other thing.
Mary DeSue: I mean we got similar tastes but..
Arthur La Forge: I SAID NO.
Vhodka gets up to continue the attack but Tact kicks the leg again to make her go away until he can get his vision back. He gets to his feet and quickly grabs her, hitting the HUMBLING Cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THR---NO! Vhodka kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: Larry clearly has no intention of ending this match in the ring.
Mary DeSue: Did you watch the last Bloodweb match? Because I did. Both of those people are out of the company. I'm sure Larry wants to stay.
Larry seems undeterred however and immediately locks in LARRY'S THRONE! The submission hold is deep and he leans back with it...but suddenly Vhodka moans....rather suggestively. And it's loud enough that you'd think someone left Pornhub on. Larry immediately lets go of his hold and backs away in confusion. This allows Vhodka to scramble and grab another Singapore Cane. Larry shakes his head, realizing he was tricked, and grabs his own weapon...THE WAND OF THE WIZARD! James Wilcox's stylized sledgehammer is now in Tact's hands and he immediately drives the head into the upper back of Vhodka, knocking her back down. COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
NO! She kicks out!
Mary DeSue: Well, she wanted harder...
Arthur La Forge: Gross. Also, gotta respect her ability to kick out!
Mary DeSue: I don't have to if I don't want to!
Tact then lines up Vhodka's head with the sledgehammer and swings wildly, but VHODKA DUCKS AND HITS A LOW BLOW! Larry doubles over and Vhodka bends over to grab the weapon and he kicks her in the face and hits ANOTHER HUMBLING! ANOTHER COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THR---NO!!! Vhodka Black is still in this! Larry Tact is beside himself! He looks at the support structure, where more weapons are hanging, and yanks down a chair...but tosses it aside? Instead, he begins to CLIMB THE STRUCTURE!
Mary DeSue: Larry baby what is you doing?
Arthur La Forge: He can't put away Vhodka and he's getting desperate!
Larry Tact gets at a suitable height and JUMPS OFF WITH DIVE TO BLUE ELBOW DROP....BUT VHODKA MOVES!!!! Larry lands on the platform with a thud and skids, almost falling into the hole! One of the support structures creaks as clearly the platform wasn't meant to take THAT kind of an impact, and the entire thing starts to lean, scaring everyone in the building!
Mary DeSue: If that thing snaps we are SCREWED!
Arthur La Forge: I really don't want to be witness to that kind of disaster, hopefully no one else tries anything...
Vhodka immediately dives onto Larry and makes a quick pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THR---NO!! TACT KICKS OUT! Vhodka picks him up and HITS HARVEY WALLBANGER! The structure creaks again and something snaps, but Black pins!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE---NO!!! The referee almost counted three just to end things but Larry kicked out anyway!
Mary DeSue: This is getting scary!
Arthur La Forge: No kidding! This thing needs to end, now! So we can evacuate the building or something!
With their side of the platform growing more unstable, Vhodka Black moves to the section that is slanted downward. The movement causes the last of the structure to give away and suddenly the entire Platform is at an angle with only three support beams holding it up! Larry begins to slide backward, before realizing he might spill off the edge into the floor instead of the ring! He gets up and quickly scrambles to the other side, where Vhodka awaits with an eyepoke, just because she can! Larry drops to his knees and crawls around, blinded, when suddenly.....Vhodka climbs on him like a pony?
Mary DeSue: Um...what?
Arthur La Forge: You got me.
She jumps up and down while "riding" Larry, causing the platform to sway, and suddenly Larry loses his balance and slides INTO THE OPENING IN THE CENTER! VHODKA RIDES HIM DOWN INTO THE BARBED WIRE NET LIKE SLIM PICKENS AT THE END OF DR. STRANGELOVE! THEY BOTH CRASH INTO THE BARBED WIRE AND THE RING!
Arthur La Forge: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE CHEESE! That was the wildest thing I've ever seen in my life!
Mary DeSue: The woman is insane!
The two are barely moving, Larry is caught up worse in the wire than Vhodka is but he's still a mess. Parts of the broken beam have snapped off and fallen into the ring with them. The platform is wobbly but with no more weight on it (the referee has quickly climbed down), it's not a danger. Vhodka starts tearing herself as free as she can, almost literally at times, before rolling the barbed wire-wrapped Larry over and covering him! Referee Kirby is at ringside and watches the cover!
ONE!!
TWO!!
....
LARRY TACT KICKS OUT...SOMEHOW?!
Arthur La Forge: How in the [BLEEP] did he do that?
Mary Desue: YOU SWORE!
Vhodka is now the one to be shocked, perhaps for the first time ever, that Larry is even alive, let alone able to barely get his shoulder up. She does her best job lifting the man up, with both of them bleeding from numerous places...she climbs up top. Larry is wobbly and perhaps not even aware of where he is, especially as his head is pouring blood. Suddenly Vhodka DIVES OFF THE TOP WTH THE SCREWDRIVER! Larry stands still for a moment, stunned, then falls back into the barbed wire! Vhodka with the cover!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREEEEEE!!!!
Mr. Rad: Your winner....AND NEWWWWWWW LEVEL UP WRESTLING POWER CHAMPION.....VHODKA! BLACK!
Arthur La Forge: I don't believe it! Vhodka Black has ended the NINE MONTH REIGN of Larry Tact! Almost to the day!
Mary DeSue: I'm...how? I'm in total shock.
Vhodka moves off of Larry as EMTs and ring technicians immediately get into the ring to free them both, but not before referee Kirby hands the Power Championship! She pulls herself up, clutches the title to her chest and the fans cheer! They both are helped to nearby stretchers, where they will likely be rushed to a hospital.
Arthur La Forge: There will be time to celebrate later but first...let's get the hell out of here before that platform falls on us!
Mary DeSue: I'm going to the hospital with Larry! I'm an honorary Game Changer!
The show ends with Mr. Rad telling the audience they need to leave in a calm and orderly fashion, which they seem to be doing as we fade to black.
________
We see highlights from Combat Evolved 2 come on as the opening tones of "Party Time" by Forty Five Grave starts to play as we see shots from outside of The Mall of America and we pan into the makeshift arena and ring area in the middle of the mall! We cut to the RADDrone starting to fly around as we get a great view of some of the signs in the audience.
"I WANT MORE CHEESE!!"
"OnlySkye!"
"BRING ON THE PAYNE!"
"Drake The Fake!"
"ISSAC!!!"
"EA...Jerks...They're in the group..."
"CCPE! BEST TEAM!!"
"Konami Code Vaughn!"
"The Royals...The Magischeese"
"I got a better record than Paul Montouri!"
"Miss Michelle! Marry Me Instead!"
"KONAMI CODE THEM VAUGHN!"
"BIOTIC CHARGE!!!"
"CHANGE THE GAME!! THIS SETTING SUX!"
"FF6 HAS THE BEST VILLIAN!"
"HOW DARE YOU??? IN MY HOUSE!!"
"BUSTING MAKES ME FEEL GOOD!"
"THAT DAMN GOODE!"
"It's all Stratfordy!"
"Let's Go To The Mall!!"
"FF6 Is The Best!"
"FF7 You Pleb!"
"Have ya'll never heard of Shining Force?"
"GIMMIE DAT BLACK SH!T"
"Hey Ryan...Your face got improved!"
"She's Simmsational!"
"She's Psycho...She's a Queen...She's my ex named Tricia...F U TRICIA!"
"This Tag Division Is All About Fisting!"
"I'M A BANEASS!!"
"BIG GREEN MACHINE!!"
"FREEDOM!!"
"/CAT!"
"YEE HAW!!"
"SEB and Sloane: NEW TAG CHAMPS!!"
"AVALON IS AN 11/10!"
"DONOVAN IS A BUM!!"
"CRASH VS WANK! 7 Star match!"
"RICCI IS THE REAL FINAL BOSS!"
"I LIKE MY VHODKA BLACK!"
"LARRY IS MY DADDY!!"
The RADDrone lands in front of the commentators table area in front of Arthur La Forge and Mary DeSue. Arthur is wearing his Captain N letterman's jacket and Mary DeSue is cosplaying...Robin Sparkles.
Arthur La Forge: WELCOME TO THE MALL OF AMERICA FOR E.X.P. THIRTY ONE!!!!
Mary DeSue: Let's go to the mall!!!
Arthur La Forge: Bah dah dah dahhhh dah dah dahhh dahhhh...
Mary DeSue: Trust me it was between this or something from Dawn of the Dead. Come on. It's a mall!
Arthur La Forge: High School of The Dead?
Mary DeSue:...DAMN IT!
Arthur La Forge: Anyway folks aside from the fear of the zombie apocalypse we got a great card here for you tonight. Kicking things off we got former Final Boss Champion, Joey Crash, taking on WANK!
Mary DeSue: This! This is the crap I'm talking about. Joey Crash doesn't deserve to curtain jerk just because he got beat at Combat Evolved!
Arthur La Forge: I don't see it as a punishment, I think it's more of a confidence builder from "The Developer".
Mary DeSue: "The Developer" is a damn a[bleep]hole who has a history of punishing people!
Arthur La Forge: Well that aside after that opener we got Antonio "Count Coma" Ricci taking on Impact!
Mary DeSue: Yet another insult to our established stars!
Arthur La Forge: I suppose you're thinking that Amber Payne taking on Gary "Ray-Ray" Nelson is also an insult!
Mary DeSue: Don't make me go Slapsgiving on your a[bleep] Artie!
Arthur La Forge: What about Chelsea Skye teaming with Emily Simms against "The Dreamkiller" Jason Ryan and "PsyQueen" Kennedy Matthews? What's wrong there?
Mary DeSue: I am not dignifying this with a response...
Arthur La Forge: Paul Freedom versus Catalina Cortes? Mac Bane versus Lord Raab? The GC taking on The Royals and Peter Vaughn?
Mary DeSue: Hate. Hate. Loathe Entirely!
Arthur La Forge: Oh and I bet you have a problem with the boss booking Eli Goode and Stephen Stratford against "Dollface" Sarah Wolf and Buster Gloves!
Mary DeSue: YES!
Arthur La Forge: Shane Donovan and Avalon Blackthorn having to defend against SEB and Sloane Taylor?!
Mary DeSue: YES!
Arthur La Forge: And for the Power Title you got some kind of bias against Vhodka Black taking on Larry Tact in The Bloodweb?!
Mary DeSue: OF COURSE! YOU REMEMBER THAT MATCH!!
Arthur La Forge:...
Mary DeSue:...
Arthur La Forge: This is gonna be one of those nights isn't it.
Mary DeSue: YEP!
________
Joey Crash versus Wank
DING!DING!DING!
The match starts out with Crash just starring down at Wank who is posing for a bunch of people on the front row who keep chanting.
“WANK! WANK! WANK!”
This seems to light a fire inside of Crash as he runs over and grabs WANK by the hair and runs towards the ropes. Crash leaps over the ropes and hangman’s WANK’s throat onto the top rope on his way down. WANK flies back grabbing his throat as Crash walks over to the guys on the front row and makes a “wank” motion. They get riled up at Crash who just waves them off as he slides into the ring and grabs WANK’s legs and catapults him into the closest turnbuckle! WANK walks forward for a minute…poses with his hands on his hips which shocks Crash…until WANK falls, like a tree being chopped down, flopping on the mat. Crash looks down at WANK and sighs as he looks around the arena in a “Are you kidding me?” pose.
Arthur La Forge: Crash is showing no respect to his opponent here.
Mary DeSue: Why would he? It’s WANK!
Arthur La Forge: Hey! WANK’s not a bad guy…
Mary DeSue: No but he’s definitely only good for about sixty seconds!
Crash reaches down and slaps WANK in the back of his head. He picks up WANK and throws him into the ropes…X-Plex! Crash then picks up WANK and hits him with a body slam and does WANK’s pose for the crowd who boo this action. Crash laughs as he picks up WANK and tosses him into the ropes. Crash goes for a clothesline, but WANK ducks it and punches Crash. Crash glares at WANK and dares him to hit him again. WANK starts to “WANK OFF” as he starts throwing haymaker after haymaker at Crash who just takes them until…kick to the gut…”THUNDER CRASH”!!!
Arthur La Forge: Fisherman Brainbuster! Mother Brain! That’s gotta hurt!
Mary DeSue: Crash even let WANK get some offense in and he couldn’t even pull that off. This is a waste of everybody's time…
Crash reaches down and slaps on the Cobra Clutch on WANK! The fans start chanting again…
“WANK! WANK! WANK!”
Referee Pliskin checks WANK’s arm…
One…
TWO…
TH…NOOOO!!! WANK STARTS TO POWER UP!!...CRASH lets go of the hold…WANK TEARS HIS SHIRT AND POINTS AT CRASH…HE RUSHES AT CRASH…Crash pokes WANK in the eye and WANK stumbles back...Spinning Backfist to WANK! Crash grabs WANK and stands him up. He takes the wobbly waluigi to the corner and gets on the second rope…
Arthur La Forge: Uh oh…NO! NOOO!!!
Mary DeSue: CRASH AND BURN!!
The Second Rope Avalanche Piledriver hits and Crash gets up. He puts his foot on top of WANK’s chest and does WANK’s pose again as Pliskin counts…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Mr. RAD: Here is your winner…”The Maladjusted One” Joey Crash!!
Joey Crash stands for a moment and see’s WANK start to try to get up as Crash kicks him in the ribs! Crash gets out of the ring and starts heading to back as WANK clutches his chest.
Arthur La Forge: I think WANK regrets the booking of this match.
Mary DeSue: So does Crash…he’s been besmirched by facing such a pathetic opponent.
________
Antonio Ricci versus Impact
The bell rings, and the two men circle the ring, taking measure of each other before locking up. They appear to be evenly matched, until Impact breaks the tie-up by stomping down hard on Ricci’s foot. The veteran backs up, taken aback by the newcomer’s odd tactic. Impact attempts to press his advantage, charging forward and catching Ricci with a clothesline, and then again when Ricci popped back up. The Omega Weapon got back up and charged himself, ducking under a third clothesline and rebounding off of the ropes to catch Impact with a handspring back elbow!
Arthur La Forge: Rough start for Ricci, but Impact definitely got the worse end of that exchange!
Mary DeSue: Stop talking bad about “The Omega Champion”!
Both men got to their feet and began trading blows before Impact grabs the back of Ricci’s head and delivers a Nasal Bullet, staggering the taller man and allowing Impact to launch into a Delicious Attack, landing a variety of punches before drilling Antonio with a big boot! Impact goes for the cover:
ONE…
No, Ricci powers out, a sneer of contempt on his face at the idea that he’d be finished so easily.
Arthur La Forge: Impact should have kept the assault up!
Mary DeSue: I hope he has a one up in his pocket!
Impact moves to try to continue his assault, but Ricci cuts him off with a knee to the gut before whipping Impact into the corner and delivering his Wild Arms clotheslines to work on battering the newcomer. Ricci then wraps his hand around Impact’s throat, pulling him out of the corner and delivering the Darkstalker:
ONE…
TWO, no! Impact gets his shoulder up, looking over to Antonio and giving a waggle of his finger.
Arthur La Forge:...Did he just taunt Ricci?
Mary DeSue: Yep.
Arthur La Forge: Oof…dead man walking…
The Omega Weapon answers that waggle with a stomp to Impact’s back before grabbing the man’s head and pulling him upright. Ricci lifts him to deliver a sit-out piledriver, but Impact manages to slip free, landing behind the veteran and clubbing him across the shoulders. He then whips his opponent into the corner before charging after, spearing Ricci against the turnbuckles. Impact then grabs the middle rope, using the leverage to repeatedly drive his shoulder into Ricci’s gut.
Arthur La Forge: Trying to knock the air out of Ricci might be the best strategy at this point.
Mary DeSue: I mean if he can’t breath he can’t fight, but it’s Ricci…He’ll still fight.
Ricci winces in pain as Impact continues to attack, pulling back and delivering a headbutt to stagger the veteran before chopping him across the chest. Impact lands several more before he grabs Ricci and whips him into the ropes. Ricci ducks under the clothesline, but when he rebounds, Impact catches him with a spear! The crowd cheers as the newcomer points to the top rope.
Arthur La Forge: Impact is going up top!
Mary DeSue: No…NOT LIKE THIS!
Impact moves to the corner, crouching down for a moment before deciding to go up top, wanting to make sure he delivers the High Impact Beam in order to put the Omega Weapon down. By the time he gets into position up top Ricci has begun to push himself upright, turning to face Impact as the man launches off of the top turnbuckle… and directly into Ricci’s boot as his opponent delivers a roundhouse kick to cut him off! Coma-Toes! Ricci quickly hooked the leg:
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
Mr. RAD: Here is your winnerrrrr…Antonio “Count Coma” Ricci!!
Ricci gets out of the ring and grabs his “Omega Championship” and grabs a microphone.
Antonio “Count Coma” Ricci: Don’t you disrespect me or this title like that…announce me proper next time. The winner…AND STILL OMEGA CHAMPION… “COUNT COMA” ANTONIOOOOO RICCCIIII!!!
Arthur La Forge: I want to point out. Level Up does not endorse that championship as official.
Mary DeSue: Shush…We do not speak ill of champions on this show.
________
Amber Payne versus Gary “Ray-Ray” Nelson
DING DING DING!!!
Amber and Ray Ray lock up in the middle of the ring and Amber manages to push him to the ropes and sends him across the ring Ray Ray bounces of the ropes awkwardly barely avoiding the clothesline and comes back bouncing of the ropes just as awkward on the other side but Amber is waiting for him with a vicious backhand slap but Ray Ray shrugs it off and gives one back to Amber the crowd reacting to the hard cracking sound from Ray Ray’s slap. Amber clutches her chest for a moment before a sick smirk comes over her face and dives in with an uppercut. Quickly following it up with two more sending Ray Ray stumbling into the corner.
Arthur La Forge: Amber might have underestimated how hard Ray Ray can hit.
Mary DeSue: Ray Ray…I thought Guy Manson was the worst name…
Several European uppercuts in a row have stunned Ray Ray and he collapses in the corner. Amber takes a few steps back and charges into the corner delivering a cannonball on the already dazed Ray Ray. She goes to try it again but this time Ray Ray sees it coming and slides out of the ring and Amber crashes back first into the corner. Ray Ray quickly climbs back into the ring dragging Amber out of the corner and attempts the pinfall
One..
Two…
Kickout!!
Amber’s shoulder shoots off the canvas like she was burned. And Ray Ray looks stunned for a moment before he scoops Amber up for a bodyslam. The whole move was awkward and Amber crashes back onto the mat and the whole move just looked nasty. Ray Ray goes for the cover again..
One…
Kickout!
Amber kicks out almost right away but is clutching her back as she rolls onto her side.
Arthur La Forge: I think Amber might have injured her back!
Mary DeSue: Well I got proven wrong…she’s not spineless.
Amber is slow to make it to her feet holding one hand pressed against her back. Ray Ray grabs her other arm and slings her towards the ropes as she comes back she spears Ray Ray to the mat and goes for the pinfall..
One..
Two…
Kickout!!
Just in time Ray Ray manages to kick out and is holding his gut.
Arthur La Forge: Almost had him!
Mary DeSue: Like my dating life…why do THICC men run from me Artie.
Amber goes to pull Ray Ray to his feet but he had suckered her in and grabs her into the John Deere spinebuster. The spin in the move looking weird and nearly off balance but he manages to slam her down to the mat. Ray Ray is soaking in the crowd reaction to the move and Amber is getting to her feet but Ray Ray notices this just in time to spin around and “Blood on the plow” a vicious and surprisingly graceful roaring elbow slams right into Amber’s jaw and she drops to the mat. Ray Ray slides in for the pinfall..
One…
Two…
Three!!!!
DING DING DING!!!
Mr. Rad: Here is your winner by pinfall… Gary “Ray Ray” Nelson!!!!
Ray Ray celebrates in the ring for a moment and then leaves heading back to the backstage area. As he walks up the ramp we see someone rush out from the crowd… “The Dreamkiller” Jason Ryan! He grabs Payne from behind and hits a German Suplex! He grabs Payne and hoists her onto his shoulders. He then climbs the top rope…TOP ROPE DREAMKILLER INTO THE TOP OF THE STEEL STEPS ON THE OUTSIDE!!!
Arthur La Forge: SOMEONE GET THE EMT’S OUT HERE NOW!!
Mary DeSue: I’m not a fan of Amber, but come on dude!
We see a sick smile cover of the faceplated face of Ryan who stands holding up his arms to a chorus of boos as the EMT’s check on Amber and get her to the back.
________
Chelsea Skye & Emily Simms versus Jason “The Dreamkiller” Ryan and Kennedy “PsyQueen” Matthews
The match starts out with Skye and Ryan staring down each other. Skye makes a comment about the clear faceplate that Ryan is having to wear and Ryan responds with a one finger salute, blurred out for Twitch!, as the opening bell rings. Skye goes for a kick to the gut, but Ryan catches it. Skye returns the one handed salute and hits an enziguri to the back of Ryan’s head! Ryan rolls with and gets up as Skye kips up and clotheslines him back down! Skye grabs Ryan’s arm and tries to go for the “Clipped Wing Angel”, but before she can get the triangle choke locked in on Ryan, he puts his foot on the ropes. Referee Crash tells Skye to let go and Ryan quickly rolls out of the ring to collect himself, but Skye leaps over the top rope and suicide dives onto “The Dreamkiller” as this crowd cheers frantically at the aireal display!
Arthur La Forge: That’s right Skye! Don’t give that man any time to breathe!
Mary DeSue: Your showing your bias again!
Arthur La Forge: He could have just ended the career of Amber Payne with that piledriver to the steel steps!
Mary DeSue: Still a bias…
Skye gets up and rolls Ryan into the ring and heads up top. She looks to go for the 450 splash but Kennedy Matthews gets into the ring and Crash has to pull her back to the corner. The distraction works as Skye hits the 450, but Ryan gets his knee’s up and Skye clutches her chest in pain. Simms starts slapping the turnbuckle to get the crowd to pump up for her team. Skye gets to Simms and tags in, but before Simms can get her hands on the man who kidnapped her weeks ago Kennedy Matthews gets tagged in by Jason Ryan. “The PsyQueen” charges in and goes for a superkick but Simms ducks. Matthews turns. Superkick attempt by Simms. Duck by Matthews. Both run to the ropes…Lou Thez Press by Simms to Matthews and Simms starts unloading lefts and rights onto Matthews. Simms gets up and grabs Matthews and tosses her into the ropes looking to go for a back body drop, but Matthews counters with a Fameasser! Both women are down…
One…
Two…
Arthur La Forge: What a counter!
Mary DeSue: Should have beat on her a while longer!
Matthews gets up and wait for Simms to stand and as she does gets behind Simms. She hits an Olympic Slam! She then puts her foot onto Simms throat and Crash pulls her off of Simms. Matthews shoves the referee who mouths back at her about getting disqualified, but doesn’t notice he’s right in front of Matthews and Ryan’s corner. Ryan raches out and slams Crash’s head into the turnbuckle pad! AND THE MELEE BEGINS!! Ryan gets in with Matthews and grabs Simms and tosses her into the ropes, but just as Ryan is going to go for a “Pinkeye!”, Skye hits him from behind with a dropkick! Simms runs into Matthews who hits a back body drop on Simms! Matthews goes up to pick up Simms and sets her up for “God Save The Queen”, but Skye gets up and grabs Matthews from behind. German Suplex ONTO RYAN!
Arthur La Forge: Did she just hit a mfer with another mfer?
Mary DeSue: YES!
Skye quickly gets out of the ring as Referee Crash starts to come around. Ryan rolls out of the ring as well, grasping his chest. Simms is down on the mat and starts over to Chelsea Skye. Hot Tag! The fans roar with cheers as Skye runs in and starts hitting Matthews with lefts and rights. Kick to the gut of Matthews. Floatover DDT! Skye heads up top…
Arthur La Forge: She’s going for the Phoenix Splash!
Mary DeSue: Come on PsyQueen!
Ryan starts to charge into the ring to hit the ropes, but he’s met by Simms…CLOTHESLINE OVER THE ROPES. Both wrestlers sprawl to the outside as Skye hits “Skye’s The Limit”!!! Cover…
One…
TWO…
Ryan gets up and Simms starts attacking him again…
THREE!!
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. RAD: Here is your winners…Emily Simms and Chelsea Skyeeee!!!
Simms and Ryan keep brawling as security rushes out to break it up! Skye gets out of the ring as PsyQueen screams at her.
Arthur La Forge: Chelsea Skye and Emily Simms pick up the win, but just barely with the cheating ways of Ryan and Matthews!
Mary DeSue: Skye better be careful after what Ryan did to Payne earlier.
________
News of my demise…
The screen statics for a moment as we hear a music box playing a tune. We see a white music box opened and playing as a gloved hand covers it and shuts the box.
Trent Steel: People…I don’t know what I have to do here…
We pan over to see Trent’s face, covered in bandages. He takes his glasses off and sighs.
Trent Steel: I get everyone an extra ten grand for a pay per view. Didn’t take a dime of it myself. I’ve been a great promoter. I’ve given people no one else would give a chance to a chance, and my reward is getting attacked from behind in the dark by a bunch of fucking b[bleeping]es…See. I’m not mad. No. I’m not even slightly upset about that. It’s par for the course that someone would attack me eventually. I’ve been in this game for to long not to anticipate it. But you’ve made a critical mistake. You’ve taken something of mine. You’ve taken my kindness for weakness, but I am a person who believes in second chances. You’ve got until the start of EXP 32 to return what is mine, in tact, or I’m going to come looking for you. And when I do…
Trent leans forward.
Trent Steel: There isn’t a cheat code in the god damn universe that’s gonna save your a[bleep]!
Static…
________
Paul Freedom versus Catalina Cortes
We return from a break to ringside, where Arthur LaForge and Mary DeSue are at their usual positions behind the announcer’s desk.
Arthur LaForge: What words of encouragement from our boss, but in moments, Level Updogs, we will have the first of our two Power Contenders’ Series matches.
Mary DeSue: Why are we even having these?
Arthur LaForge: Glad you asked, Mary! The winners of these two matches will clash at our next Pay-Per-View, Triforce Heroes, for the chance to become the number one contender to the Power title. Tonight’s Main Event Bloodweb match will determine who the Power Champion will be between Larry Tact, the current champion, and Vhodka Black. The Power Champion will first move on to the Pay-Per-View and vie for the Triforce Championship, against the Wisdom and Courage Champions. The winner earns a Final Boss title shot in the Main Event of Final Fantasy, Part Two.
Mary DeSue: Artie, my head is going to explode from all that. If Larry or Vhodka become Triforce Champion, what about the Power title?
Arthur LaForge: Right, it will then be vacated and up for grabs between the winner of the Power Contenders’ Series. They will have a Power title match against a to-be-determined opponent at Final Fantasy, Part Two.
Mary DeSue: Okay, sooo… what if Larry or Vhodka don’t win the Triforce Championship?
Arthur LaForge: Well, last year the Developer was going to have all three of the Wisdom, Power, and Courage titles vacated after Triforce Heroes, but a change was made. Instead, the two champions that do not capture the Triforce Championship will retain their titles, and defend them at Final Fantasy, Part Two.
Mary DeSue: Grab some water, Artie. You’re blown up!
Arthur LaForge: I hope you got all that.
Mary DeSue: Oh, no chance whatsoever. But it was adorkable seeing you try and explain.
Arthur LaForge: I, uh… thanks?
Mary DeSue: I guess Catalina Conquistador and Paul America are up first?
Arthur LaForge: Ahem. Catalina Cortes and Paul Freedom will be our first match of the series. It’s an intriguing matchup, with the veteran Cortes being no stranger to championships. As we’ve noted on this broadcast, she has the distinction of being the final Carnage Wrestling World Champion, although she’s still seeking her first title in Level Up. Paul is the young upstart who has made quite an impression in his rookie campaign. He’s been in the War Games match over the summer and placed among the Final Four in The Last Of Us, Part Two, massive gauntlet match that kicked off the year.
Mary DeSue: I hope Paul wins.
Arthur LaForge: R-really? I’m a little surprised to hear you say—
Mary DeSue: Can you imagine him facing Mac Bane in a Power Rules match? He would need to get skin grafted from his butt to replace his face after Mac rips it off. We could call him America’s Assface!
Arthur LaForge: You’re as immature as I am nerdy.
Mary DeSue: Come on, we can get behind this, Artie… get it, ‘behind??’
Arthur LaForge: Before Mary sinks us any lower, let’s get the action underway!
Cortes and Freedom stand opposed in the ring as Ref Cortex calls for the bell.
DING DING DING
Paul Freedom immediately charges Cat, looking to get the jump on the veteran. She slips through the ropes to dodge and Paul goes crashing into the turnbuckle, his head snapping off the top pad. He stumbles right into a jumping kick from Cat as she uses the ropes for support. Paul hits the canvas and Cortes drags him out to the ringside area before throwing him backfirst into the barricade. She then rolls back into the ring and, as Freedom rises to his feet in a daze, she hits the opposite ropes and clears the top rope with a Corkscrew Plancha! Cat slams into Paul and then kips up to a burst of cheers from the Level Updogs as Cortes whips the apron cover up to look underneath the ring.
Arthur LaForge: It’s been a hot start for Catalina Cortes after Paul unsuccessfully tried to steal the early momentum.
Mary DeSue: Freedom, you should have known better than to try and catch an over caffeinated gamer!
Cortes pulls a table out from under the ring and slides it into the squared circle. She gets Paul up and he surprises her with a forearm shot to the face. Cat returns fire with a chop to the chest. Freedom comes in with another forearm and Cat ducks and as he turns, Cat peels off her Blaze Kick like a human whirlwind! The 540 Kick connects and Freedom goes back down, allowing Cortes to reenter the ring and begin setting up the table. She leans it against a corner before going outside and retrieving Freedom. With some effort, she’s able to get her taller and heavier opponent onto the apron. She then gets on the apron and uses the middle rope for leverage to shove him inside. She takes a couple breaths and sees Paul getting to his knees. Cat then launches herself onto the top rope and springs off with a Somersault Leg Drop that connects! She makes a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
FREEDOM KICKS OUT AT TWO!
Arthur LaForge: Paul Freedom has shown great resilience throughout his first year in the pros, and he’s not ready to let Cortes move on.
Mary DeSue: Why not stay down? He’s being punked out here.
Arthur LaForge: No red-blooded American fighter goes down that easily!
Mary DeSue: He’s going to end up red-bloodied by the end of this.
Cat sends Paul back first against the table with an Irish whip, but it does not break. She then gets the Level Updogs revved up by miming running in place in the opposite corner from Paul. She speeds up her legs and then jets towards him as he staggers out of the corner. Cat leaps up for a Tilt-a-Whirl Headscissors to fling Freedom clear through the table and Paul… stops her as Cat is in the upside down part of her motion. Paul turns the momentum against her and cracks the table into pieces with Cat’s body, leaving her in a heap of splinters! He drags her out from the wreckage and makes a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
CAT KICKS OUT AT TWO!
Mary DeSue: I guess Freedom is alive after all.
Arthur LaForge: Alive and smashing Catalina through that table! Paul has leveled things out here with help from the Power Rules.
Mary DeSue: But she’s like a hundo pounds soaking wet. He should have been throwing her around all along, let’s go Paul!
The Level Updogs give a mixed reaction for Freedom, who holds the advantage. Cat holds her back and rolls onto her stomach on the mat. When she sits up on her knees, Paul uncorks a series of stiff kicks that send perspiration flying off Cat’s body. After three kicks, Paul screams out before unleashing a Roundhouse kick. Whether planned or not, Cortes leans back and the fourth kick sails past her by a paper thin margin. Like lightning, Cat suddenly has Paul wrapped up in Cat’s Cradle!
ONE!
TWO!
…
TH— KICKOUT!
Arthur LaForge: Paul almost got caught there in Cat’s signature Magistral Cradle.
Mary DeSue: If he was, he’d be the American Idiot.
Arthur LaForge: I thought you were picking him to win? Also, we don’t have the rights to that.
Mary DeSue: Oh sure, hold down MY freedoms!
Arthur LaForge: That doesn’t even… no. Let’s watch the match.
Both wrestlers scramble to their feet and it’s Paul who lands a Haymaker that spins Cat around and sends her to a knee. Paul snatches her back up with an Inverted Facelock – setting up the Svoboda Sleeper! Before he can lock the submission in, Cat manages to bounce off the near side ropes with her feet, flipping over Paul and grabbing his head on the way down, bending him backwards! Ever the high flier, Cortes uses the ropes for an Inverted Tornado DDT, but Paul uses his strength advantage and tosses her off. Cat skids on her knees to the mat as Paul turns… a second Blaze Kick! Freedom ducks under and lands a Running Bulldog onto the splintered shards of the table! He rolls Cat over, revealing several small cuts opening from the table shards piercing her face and neck, as Paul makes a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
…
THR— CAT WITH A SHOULDER UP!
Mary DeSue: Don’t make me regret picking you, Paul. Finish her off!
Arthur LaForge: These two have both gone for multiple pinfalls with neither able to score a victory. They understand the threat of letting their opponent stick around too long.
After seeing Cortes still down, Paul goes outside the ring and pulls out a second table. He slides it in the ring and then takes a couple of chairs sitting at ringside. He sends them into the ring and follows, as Cat is on her hands and knees, wiping some blood from her eyes. Another sizzling kick to the chest sends Cat back down to the mat and Paul sets up the second table, while the Level Updogs begin dueling chants. Paul sets the table upright and places the chairs underneath it. He turns to pick up Cat and gets a kick to the knee for his trouble, knocking his balance off. Cat then springs off her hands and backflips to her feet, kicking Paul in the head! Freedom staggers back against the table and Cat, seeing this, does a handspring to close the distance before modifying her CATA-CLYSM to put Paul through the table!
Mary DeSue: Nooo!
Arthur LaForge: Wait! Catalina’s theatrics with the handspring cost her precious moments. Paul spins out of the Corkscrew Neckbreaker and lifts Cat onto his shoulders…
Mary DeSue: NO F(CENSORED) WAY!!
Arthur LaForge: He’s going for it! USA DROP THROUGH THE TABLE!!
Mary DeSue: Cat went through the table and into those chairs!
The Level Updogs are all gasps or cheers as Paul nails his DVD finisher and the two lay in a heap of lumber and steel!
Arthur LaForge: Paul hurt himself on the landing, but he manages to get an arm draped over the prone body of Cortes!
ONE!
TWO!
…
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Mr Rad: Your winner of this match, and moving on to the finals of the Power Contender Series… PAUL FREEDOM!!!
Arthur LaForge: The rut is over and Paul Freedom advances to the Power title number one contender’s match!
Mary DeSue: Called it.
Arthur LaForge: That you did, Mary. Catalina’s flourishes bit her in the end, with Freedom hitting a devastating USA Drop to put him over the top tonight.
Mary DeSue: Okay, Artie. More importantly, the transformation of Paul Freedom into America’s Assface has begun!
Arthur LaForge: Please don’t make this a thing.
Mary DeSue: Don’t you worry, Artie. A little post-show thoting and I’ll have it trending.
________
Mac Bane versus Lord Raab
DING DING DING
The match between Mac Bane and Lord Raab begins with a staredown in the center of the ring. It’s clear that Mac has taken issue with Lord Raab, as he’s mouthing off in the masked face of the Green Disease German Monster. For his part, Raab does not move nor say a word in return, only staring a hole in the head of Bane.
Arthur LaForge: I mentioned in the other Power Contender Series match that Paul Freedom had been in our first-ever War Games. On the opposing team? Mac Bane, who was enlisted by the Game Changers.
Mary DeSue: Yeah, and he screwed them after they won the match for him!
Arthur LaForge: I remember ‘The One Man Wrecking Crew’ doing a lot of heavy lifting for the Game Changers. Afterwards, it’s true that he turned on them, leaving Larry Tact laying and angry as a hornet. A well-laid plan to get payback for Kat Jones.
Mary DeSue: Not only that, but I doubt Mac has forgotten about the first time he met Paul Freedom.
Arthur LaForge: Right you are, Mary! This PCS is a chance for Mac to tie up some loose ends, with both Larry and Paul Freedom. Larry and the GC did career-shortening damage to his adopted sister, Kat Jones, who was forced to retire not long after facing Tact for the Power title. As you alluded to, Freedom got a stunning elimination of Amber Bane-Ryan, a World Champion in her own right, during The Last Of Us, Part Two.
Mac becomes increasingly enraged by Lord Raab’s lack of response, and shoves him in the chest. Raab usually holds a size advantage, but not tonight and he’s set back a couple steps by Mac. He walks right back up and Mac lands a vicious haymaker on Raab. While The Green Disease German Monster’s head is turned sideways, he holds his ground and snaps his head back to stare at Bane, who abruptly tries lifting Raab for The Ride! A clubbing blow to the neck and back of Bane halts him from following through with the Snap Spinebuster, but he immediately faces up to Lord Raab again!
Mary DeSue: I’m getting chills over here.
Arthur LaForge: Mary, this arena is temperature-controlled…
Mary DeSue: No, Artie! Look with your eyes. There’s a lot of MEAT in that ring, and we’re about to witness—
Mary can’t finish before the two break out in a back-and-forth of blows that raise the volume of the Level Updogs roars.
Mary DeSue: BIG MEATY MEN SLAPPING MEAT!!
Arthur LaForge: You’re living your dreams.
It’s Bane who begins to gain an edge and drive Lord Raab backwards against the ropes. Mac suddenly hits a knife-edge chop that stuns Raab and follows-up with an Atomic Drop that bends Raab over. Mac hooks him by the arm and goes for a Vertical Suplex, but The Green Disease German Monster blocks it. Raab then counters with a Vertical Suplex of his own that Mac blocks. The Cowboy tries again to lift Raab and receives a couple shots to the ribs that gives him pause. The Level Updogs are increasingly anxious to see who can get the suplex as Raab prepares again.
Arthur LaForge: He’s going to drop Bane all the way to the floor!
Raab does lift Bane up and over the ropes! But Mac falls to the apron and grabs Lord Raab’s masked head, whiplashing the back of his neck off the top rope. Mac lands on the floor and promptly gets back in the ring. Lord Raab shakes his head and is back up seconds later, then eats a kick to the guts from Mac. In an impressive feat of strength, The One Man Wrecking Crew LIFTS LORD RAAB IN HIS ARMS AND HITS A FALLAWAY SLAM AND COVERS RAAB!
ONE!
TWO!
LORD RAAB SHOVES MAC OFF OF HIM!
LEVEL UPDOGS: WAAAAAAHHHH!!
Arthur LaForge: The Level Updogs showing their appreciation for the exchange, finishing with Lord Raab taking a ride he isn’t accustomed to with that ring-shaking Fallaway Slam.
Mary DeSue: Mac has been around for close to two decades. He’s that well-seasoned meat that knows what he’s able to do.
Arthur LaForge: Wow, Mary, in your own way that was pretty insightful.
Mary DeSue: I study up on the Meaty Men around here!
Mac is unphased and waits on Lord Raab to rise. When he does, Mac runs at him with a Lariat— LORD RAAB DOES NOT MOVE! Mac looks at him and runs the ropes to come in with a second Lariat. SAME RESULT! Lord Raab shakes his head at Bane, and Mac in turn starts to smile before heading to the well again… Lord Raab catches him by the throat! CHOKEINATOR?! No! Mac bats Raab’s arm with both of his to break the grip and cracks Raab’s head with a Headbutt.
Arthur LaForge: Mask or no mask, that had to hurt Lord Raab.
Mary DeSue: We heard that contact from here, Artie.
Lord Raab grabs his mask for a second, and when he moves his hand away he finds Mac running at him with a boot to the face! Raab is moved back with Mac pressing forward, kneeing Lord Raab in the guts to double Raab over. Next, Mac hooks Lord Raab’s arm again to the buzz of the Level Updogs.
Arthur LaForge: Mac is showing his stubborn determination here. He wants to show Lord Raab his superiority.
Mary DeSue: I bet he’s a real dominator… *growling sound*
Not only does the Cowboy lift Raab up, but he holds him up in a Stalling Vertical Suplex. The Level Updogs count along… five… ten… FIFTEEN… TWENTY SECONDS BEFORE MAC DROPS RAAB DOWN IN A BRAINBUSTER AND COVERS!
ONE!
TWO!
LORD RAAB SHOVES MAC AWAY!
Mary DeSue: Mac is scary strong, but it’s just as scary that didn’t end this match.
Arthur LaForge: You’re right, Mary. Although we didn’t hear much from Lord Raab leading up to this match, he’s showing the monster within is here tonight. These two are plenty familiar with each other, having faced off in the past, so I don’t think it will rattle Mac as much as someone who doesn’t know Lord Raab.
Mary DeSue: Someone who isn’t scared of Lord Raab? They’re either stupid or scary, too.
The Level Updogs are digging the intensity of the two wrestlers in the ring, and vocally support both. Mac is up first and goes outside of the ring, sensing a possible impasse. He needs something extra to finish this match. He looks under the ring and pulls out a steel chair and a garbage can. Tossing both of those weapons in the ring, he himself goes back inside. As Bane picks up the steel chair… LORD RAAB SITS UP! MAC SWINGS THE CHAIR AT RAAB’S FACE AND RAAB CATCHES IT IN HIS HANDS! The Green Disease German Monster then kicks at Mac’s knee, causing it to buckle briefly and allowing Raab to rip the chair out of Mac’s hands! The Green Disease German Monster STABS BANE’S KNEE WITH THE CHAIR AND MAC GOES TO A KNEE!
Arthur LaForge: Mac has surgically repaired knees and Lord Raab appears to be targeting them.
Mary DeSue: A monster that thinks and plans? Extra scary!
Lord Raab grabs Mac by the throat and drops the chair on the ground. He stands as Mac tries to again break the hold. Lord Raab Headbutts Mac and halts his counterattack!
Arthur LaForge: MOTHER BRAIN HE HIT THE CHOKEINATOR! MAC CRASHES ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR!
Mary DeSue: Lord Raab is gonna get him!
Arthur LaForge: Raab shoots the half!
ONE!
TWO!
THREENO!! MAC KICKS OUT!
Arthur LaForge: What a destructive Chokeinator, and Mac STILL kicked out of it!
Mary DeSue: That for sure would have finished most people. Mac is one bad mofo.
Arthur LaForge: We’ve only seen him team with the Game Changers and Chris Page in Level Up, to this point, but it cannot be understated how dangerous Mac Bane is. Among his list of achievements, he’s a three-time Sin City Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion for a reason.
Lord Raab is right back on Bane, mounting him to strike. After a couple of those, though, Mac manages to turn Raab over and rains down blows of his own on The Green Disease German Monster. As Mac stands he steps on Raab’s midsection and stomps him for good measure to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Mac then shouts down at Raab, imploring him to get up! Lord Raab obliges, stirring before finding his way to his feet only for Mac to deliver The Ride ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR! Raab is buried into the unforgiving steel… but Mac does not go for a cover?
Mary DeSue: What is he doing?
Arthur LaForge: It’s possible Mac could have had the match won by landing The Ride on that steel chair. If I had to guess, Mary, he’s looking to prolong Lord Raab’s suffering here. Mac wants to prove a point that he’s dominant over Lord Raab. I think he’s taken personally Raab’s inability to protect Kat Jones in certain past instances.
Mary DeSue: Vindictive side, huh? I like this guy more and more.
Mac goes over to a turnbuckle and loosens the strings before tearing the pad off and exposing the steel ring. He decides he won’t wait on Lord Raab, lifting him up. Additionally, he grabs the steel chair off the ground… and places it over Lord Raab’s neck. Mac then looks at the corner, and the Level Updogs express a loud mixed response.
Mary DeSue: Correction, he’s got an extreme vindictive side.
Arthur LaForge: No, Mac! This is going too far, don’t!
Too late. Mac runs Lord Raab straight at the steel turnbuckle ring— but stops himself. He shakes his head, taking the chair off of Lord Raab, who tilts his head... until…
Arthur LaForge: MOTHER BRAIN! MAC BANE LIFTS RAAB FOR THE RIDE AND SLAMS HIM BACKFIRST ONTO THE STEEL TURNBUCKLE RING!
Mary DeSue: He want to break Lord Raab’s back!
Mac then lifts Lord Raab and puts the chair back on his neck. He then SMASHES RAAB NECK FIRST ON THE STEEL TURNBUCKE RING!
Arthur LaForge: LORD RAAB IS SHOT LIKE ICARUS’ ARROW INTO THE STEEL RING!
Mary DeSue: First his back, now his throat… the monster is being taken apart here.
Arthur LaForge: All legal with Power Rules. Mac Bane isn’t just showing he can contend for the Power title. He’s showing he’s in his element without restrictions!
The Cowboy isn’t done. He kicks the steel chair off of Lord Raab, booting the head of the Green Disease German Monster in the process. Mac then wrenches the neck of Raab with a headlock and picks him up. Following that, Mac lets Raab go and looks to put the nail in the coffin with TEXAS HEAT!
Arthur LaForge: MOTHER BRAIN! Lord Raab ducked under Texas Heat! Mac turns right into a Yakuza Kick from Raab! How is he finding the will?!
Mary DeSue: Scary, scary monsters. Both of them.
Lord Raab takes Bane off guard, sending him stumbling around. Raab grabs Mac around the waist from behind and lands a German Suplex. He holds on and… connects with a second! Lord Raab again keeps his grip on Mac Bane and goes for a third… UNTIL MAC LIFTS THE STEEL CHAIR HE GRABBED OFF THE GROUND! HE BASHES RAAB BEHIND HIM WITH THE STEEL CHAIR! Lord Raab is left groggy and loses his grip on the Cowboy. When he turns his attention back he’s hit with TEXAS HEAT!!! Mac decimates Raab with the Clothesline From Hell, drops down and hooks the leg for a pin attempt!
ONE!
TWO!
…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Mr Rad: Your winner of this match, and moving on to the finals of the Power Contender Series… MAC BANE!!!
Arthur LaForge: A hard hitting match between these two powerful wrestlers, and Mac Bane comes out on top.
Mary DeSue: That was everything I could have asked for. So much meat. So much smashing. With Don Tirri having ridden into the sunset, I may have found my new Elder Meatsman!
Arthur LaForge: We’re going to give Mary a chance to collect herself, but there’s still loads more action ahead, including two Championship matches as we hit Continue on EXP 31!
________
A Word Of Warning…
Arthur La Forge: We go now to Lenny Brasco! Who’s backstage with the Game Changers.
The camera cuts to Lenny stood in front of the Game Changers, facing the camera.
Lenny Brasco: Thaaaaank you Artie! Tonight I’m with…..The Game Changers! Don’t forget you can purchase their newly resealed merch! Including this fantastic shirt - yours for only $24.99! Includ……
Drake grabs the microphone, whilst simultaneously pushing Lenny away.The monster stares directly into the camera. His anger turning his face a deep shade of crimson.
Drake Wilcox: I’ll keep this short and sweet. Tonight the GC is back together. Recently there’s been too many on the roster getting out of line. Forgetting their place. It’s about time that WE REMINDED EVERYONE. WHO. WE. ARE!
The giant’s hand pointing to the floor after every word.
Drake Wilcox: Tonight The Royals and Vaughan will experience this first hand.”
Drake wipes the beads of sweat from his face and pulls the camera forward.
Drake Wilcox: This message goes to you Vaughn. Only you.
The long stubby finger of the giant points down at the camera.
Drake Wilcox: A Nickel's worth of free advice, if you will.
Drake smiles.
Drake Wilcox: Tonight. Don’t turn up. Tri-Force Heroes. Just stay at home. Stay safe if you value your career, you’d do the right thing. You’d stay away. Nothing and I do mean nothing is stopping me from steam rolling through everyone. Straight to the Wisdom title!”
He now whispers down the camera
Drake Wilcox: Don’t turn up.
Drake slams the microphone onto the floor as the GC walk away. Isaac grabs the camera and slams it to the floor, Shouting…
ISSAC: Game Changers are ON TOP!!!
As the camera lays on its side. A figure emerges from the shadows. Dressed all in black. The face is masked.
Arthur La Forge: Who is that?
Mary DeSue: I dunno Scoob…but like…I got a bad feeling…Zoinks!
The mysterious characters black gloves reach out and pick up the camera. The eyes stare down the lens and tilts his head to the right. He places the camera down on the floor, the right way up. The scene closes with the mysterious figures feet walking in the same direction as the Game Changers.
________
EAB, ISAAC, and Drake Wilcox versus Paul Montouri, “Miss’ Michelle, and Peter Vaughn
DING! DING! DING!
The match starts off with Drake Wilcox starting out for The GC as Vaughn and Paul Montouri argue with each other over who will go first for their team. Montouri shoves Vaughn and Vaughn returns the gesture and Montouri walks right into the arms of Drake Wilcox and a german suplex starts off the match! Paul lands hard on the mat as Drake Wilcox rolls with the move. Michelle is livid as Vaughn who just shrugs at her as Drake waits for Paul Montouri to stand back up and clubs Paul Montouri right in the chest with a sickening slap! Paul Montouri winces and turns around to get chopped by ISAAC, because Paul walked right into No Man’s Land!, with another thunderous chop! And one more by E.A.B.! Grabbed by the throat by Drake Wilcox and lifted up, but Paul Montouri kicks Drake in the face and Drake drops him! Paul rolls out of the way and starts rushing over to his corner and tags in Peter Vaughn!
Arthur La Forge: “The Royals” and Vaughn are going to have to work together to overcome these odds.
Mary DeSue: Reluctantly I agree, but even so “The Game Changers” are the number one force to be reckoned with in Level Up for a reason.
Before Vaughn goes in he whispers something to Paul Montouri who looks at Vaughn like he’s lost his mind. Vaughn waltzes in as Drake Wilcox starts talking smack to him. Vaughn nods and pretends to be scared…which only pisses off the seven foot tall four hundred pound Wilcox who charges at Vaughn with a big boot. Vaughn ducks it only to come up and clothesline Drake Wilcox’s standing leg in the side sending the big man down! Vaughn wastes no time grabbing that leg and dragging Drake Wilcox to his corner and tags in “Miss” Michelle!
Arthur La Forge: Michelle does not look like she appreciated that.
Mary DeSue: Would you wanna be touched by a greasy man like Peter Vaughn?
”Miss” Michelle looks a bit bewildered while Vaughn calls out a spot to her. She sighs and does it hitting a moonsault onto Drake Wilcox and then tagging in Paul Montouri. Paul Montouri goes up top and waits for Drake to start to get up and does a top rope curbstomp to him! Paul Montouri then tags in Peter Vaughn who gets up top to go for “The Plunge” but before he can hit the shooting star leg drop, ISAAC gets into the ring and drags Drake Wilcox out of the way and Peter Vaughn eats canvas! Referee Pliskin gets in ISAAC’s face as EAB also argues with him. Vaughn tries to get back to his corner to tag in one of his allies, but Drake Wilcox grabs him and places Vaughn on his shoulders…JUMPING BACKBREAKER TO VAUGHN!!
Arthur La Forge: OOF! Softening up Vaughn for that match he and Wilcox are gonna have at TFH!
Mary DeSue: He can’t wiggle his way out of anything if he’s in traction!
That move took a lot out of Drake as he crawls over and tags in E.A.B., and the psychotic businessman goes to work on Vaughn. E.A.B. picks up Vaughn and hits a pendulum backbreaker! Following this up with dropping a knee to the swol of the back of Vaughn! E.A.B. then follows it up with a “It Rolls Downhill”! After hitting the military press slam E.A.B. walks over and tags in ISAAC while still trash talking “The Royals” and Chris Page on the outside. ISAAC gets into the ring and waits like a serpent about to strike…He’s calling for the spear! Vaughn gets up clutching his back and…GETS HIT WITH THE SPEA…NO…COUNTER INTO A DDT!! ISAAC is grabbing his head in pain as he got planted by surprise by Vaughn who is down and out in the ring!
Arthur La Forge: What a counter!
Mary DeSue: Lucky shot!
Both wrestlers are down and that’s when The GC makes their move with E.A.B. and Drake rushing into the ring as “The Royals” look at each other and charge in as well! “Miss” Michelle runs over and dropkicks Drake Wilcox in the bad knee sending him down to the mat! E.A.B. comes in and starts trading punches with Paul Montrouri. Pliskin is distracted as Page slides Vaughn’s briefcase, that has “The Game Genie” in it, into the ring and Vaughn waits for ISAAC to stand up. CASESHOT! ISAAC goes down. Vaughn slide the briefcase out and heads up top…”THE PLUNGE”!!! E.A.B. and Paul Montouri go out of the ring with a clothesline between them. “Miss” Michelle grabs Drake Wilcox and pulls him out of the ring as Pliskin turns to see Vaughn pinning ISAAC…
One…
Two…
VAUGHN USES THE ROPES FOR LEVERAGE
THREE!!!
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. RAD: Here are your winners…The team of Paul Montouri, “Miss” Michelle, and Peter Vaughn!!!
Arthur La Forge: No one could have predicted such a win…without a little cheating.
Mary DeSue: …Yeah…but you get mad when my guys do it!
ISAAC is up as “The Royals” leave the ringside area as E.A.B. and Drake Wilcox nod to each other and head into the ring.
Arthur La Forge: Oh dear….
________
A Promise Kept…
The Game Changers quickly make their move. They begin to surround the ring. Trapping Vaughn. Paul Montouri and “Miss” Michelle decide to high tail it since it’s not their fight. Vaughn looks at Montouri who just smiles and waves bye bye at him.
Arthur LaForge:Oh my! This doesn’t look good for Peter Vaughn! The Game Changers have surrounded the ring!
Mary DeSue:Can’t say they didn’t warn him!
Suddenly realizing what is about to happen, Vaughn prepares to defend himself. He stands defiantly in the center of the ring encouraging the pack of Wolves outside to take him on. ISAAC makes the first move. Peter Vaughn launches himself at the muscle bound thug.
Arthur LaForge: Here they come! Vaughn though not going down without a fight here! Isaac has grabbed him around the midriff, Vaughn connecting with shots to the Man-Beasts back. Oh my look now here they come!”
The rest of the Game Changers quickly make their way over and begin assaulting Vaughn. Everyone throwing blows at the now heavily outnumbered Peter Vaughn. We see “Chronic” Chris Page dart from ringside and head to the back. Drake and Tact take a step back as E.A.B connects with a huge right hand. Vaughn stumbles over towards Isaac, who responds by connecting with his own thunderous right hand.
Arthur LaForge:He….he’s being set upon by this group of thugs! This….this isn’t a fair fight! Vaughn refusing to go down.
As Vaughn stumbles between the Game Changers shots. Drake charges forward and kicks Peter to the floor. Drake stands over the lifeless Vaughn and begins a to scream and point at him. “I TOLD YOU! Stay at home! But noooooo” Isaac slides a table under the ropes.Larry Tact slides into the ring. Tact and E.A.B begin to set it up.
Mary DeSue: Vaughn getting what he deserves! Game Changers on top!
Arthur LaForge: This is too much! Stop! THIS IS GETTING TO PERSONAL GUYS!
Isaac pours the petrol as Tact strikes the match. The table bursts into flames E.A.B scoops up the unconscious Vaughn and hands him to Drake. The monster places Vaughn between his legs ready for the power bomb. Drake holds his arms out and points his thumbs down.
Drake Wilcox:It’s OVER!”
Arthur LaForge: No no! My god!
The arena falls silent as “The Monster” power bombs Vaughn through the table. Drake takes a few steps forward and grabs the camera
Drake Wilcox: Let this be a message to you Sarah Wolf! Drake is coming! Tri-Force heroes! That contendership is MINE! You better pray you don’t face me…I’m coming for you SOUL!
As Drake makes that announcement, out from the back, The CCPE arrive…”Chronic” Chris Page, Mac Bane, and Bam Miller rush the ring as “The Game Changers” scatter. Bane and Tact glare at each other and start mouthing off as Bam and Page check on Vaughn.
Arthur La Forge: And with one swift action “The Game Changers” just upped the stakes at TFH! Is Vaughn gonna be able to face Drake?
Mary DeSue: Doesn’t matter if he can face Drake or not…Vaughn’s got the ultimate cheat code…They need to take him out!
________
Eli Goode and Stephen Stratford versus “Dollface” Sarah Wolf and Buster Gloves
The match starts out with Eli Goode and Buster Gloves meeting in the center of the ring, both men eyeing their partners who seem very nonchalant towards them. Goode and Buster shake hands in a sign of good sportsmanship and start things off with a collar and elbow tie up which Buster wins out on and gets behind Goode. Buster goes for a release german suplex, but Goode rolls with it and backflips back to a standing position as Buster kips up. Both men have their arms up ready to fight as the crowd cheers on this showdown between two crowd favorites. On the outside Dollface and Stratford stare at each other like they can’t wait to rip each other apart.
Arthur La Forge: This match is going to be a highlight reel by former and current singles champions in Level Up!
{b] Mary DeSue:[/b] Highlights mean nothing without some shade.
Buster and Goode smirk at each other, respecting the other one, as they start circling again for another lockup but this time Buster goes to shoot on Goode and take him down to the mat. Buster goes for a triangle choke and tries to lock it in, but Goode, using his in ring experience, gets to the ropes and Buster has to let go of the hold...
One...
Two...
Buster lets go. He allows Goode to get back to his feet as Buster goes for the takedown again, but this time Goode leaps over Buster and goes for the ropes. Rebound off the ropes by Goode. Buster stands his ground and braces himself. Goode goes for a dropkick, and at the same time Buster goes for a standing one! Both miss and come up staring each other down.
Arthur La Forge: These two are masters of their craft and definitely want to get one over on each other.
{b] Mary DeSue:[/b] Goody goods just need to grab some chairs…and bash each other!
Buster is starting to get a little frustrated and just charges Goode, going for an elbow strike, which Goode ducks. Goode tries to come up with a knee to the face, but Buster catches it. Knee whip to the mat, but Goode rolls with it and gets back up. Stumbling backwards Buster goes for a punch combo as Goode ducks and comes up grabbing Buster’s neck on both sides to try and ram a knee into Buster’s face, but Buster blocks it and the two lock up again in a makeshift test of strength. Both wrestlers break and go back to punches. The fans on their feet cheering each time their guy makes a hit. Finally in frustration they break and start circling again. They both stop and turn to their partners. Goode tags in Stratford and Buster tags in Dollface!
Arthur La Forge: OHHH HECK YEAH!!!
Mary DeSue: Okay, even I’m a bit intrigued by this.
Goode eyes Stratford as he just smirks at Goode, and Dollface blows Buster a kiss as he shoots daggers at her with his eyes. The Courage Champion and The Wisdom Champion stare down. This is a preview of things to possibly come at TFH. They both pose for a moment while the fans take their pictures with their phones and start to circle each other. They go to lock up and stop…THEY CHARGE THEIR OWN CORNERS AND HIT BOTH OF THEIR PARTNERS!!
Arthur La Forge: WHAT THE HECK!!
{b] Mary DeSue:[/b] AHAHAHHHAA!!!...Screwjob!!
Stratford snap suplexes Goode into the ring as Dollface does the same with Buster! They pick up their allies and toss them into the nearest corner and both start stomping their partners! Stratford and Dollface look at each other and smirk as they pick up their partners and irish whip them, Buster and Goode, into each other! Stratford and Dollface exit the ring! Referee Pliskin tells them they have to fight each other and get back into the ring. Goode and Buster get up and yell at their partners who just keep walking up the ramp. Pliskin has no choice but to call to the ring attendant…
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. RAD: Due to refusal to comply with the referee’s instructions…this match has been ruled a NO CONTEST!
“BOOOOOOOOOOoOooOOoOooOOOO!!!”
Arthur La Forge: A No Contest Finish has got this crowd upset…
Mary DeSue: They aren’t the only ones. Gloves looks like he’s about to spit fire.
Buster…is…LIVID! Being screwed out of a finish to this match has got “The Bull of The North” understandably upset. Goode is beside himself, once again dealing with the mind games of Stratford. Both men argue with Pliskin who says he’s ruling stands. Dollface and Stratford head ot the back quickly and separate as Goode takes a moment to calm down and grabs Buster’s arm and holds it up. For a moment it looked like Buster was gonna punch Goode, but it was a reflex thing and he poses with Goode to the fans cheering their performance earlier in the match.
Arthur La Forge: Something tells me Trent Steel isn’t gonna let this screwjob go unpunished.
Mary DeSue: Yeah…he didn’t think of it. That’ll tick him off…
________
No More Mr. Nice Guy…
The lights go out suddenly in the arena and we hear a bell tolling, with a muted guitar riff beneath it.
Arthur La Forge: Wait, isn’t that Donny Mason’s music?
Mary DeSue: THICCNESS IS BACK??
Arthur La Forge: We haven’t seen Donny since Bert attacked him with a steel chair at EXP 30
Out from behind the walks not Donny Mason though, but Kat Jones instead. Dressed in her usual dark getup, her pale skin almost shining at the muted lightning. She stands at the top of the isle with a wicked grin on her face.
Arthur La Forge: What is she doing here?
Mary DeSue: STAY AWAY FROM MY THICCNESS YOU GOTHIC VAMP!
Finally the man himself walks out from behind the curtain, dressed in all black and carrying a steel chair. He looks at Kat who nods and the pair slowly make their way to the ring, Donny not making any effort to acknowledge the fans trying to reach out for a high five. As he steps over the top rope and into the ring, he raises the chair up as a spotlight lands on him, a clear dent can be seen in the chair
Arthur La Forge: Wait, that can’t be what I think it is?
Mary DeSue: He kept the chair that bastard hit him with???
Donny clasps the chair open and sets it down, sitting on it with his elbows resting on the backrest. He glances up at Kat, who hands him a microphone. The crowd goes quiet, waiting for the big Englishman to speak.
Donny Mason: Missed me?
His voice is tinged with barely concealed sarcasm as he scans the crowd.
Donny Mason: A month and a half is a long time to sit and think. What happened at EXP 30 is something I should have seen coming. I should have known Robert wouldn’t let the matter rest. I should have known how far he had fallen. But I didn’t… and I paid the price.
He bangs the chair with the mic, a loud clang ringing through the arena.
Donny Mason: But that night… when this steel chair nearly caved in my “potato-shaped” skull as Johnny Shitstirrer loves to say… something clicked in my head. And as I sat at home recovering from the attack… I realized something.
He stands up and picks up the chair, staring at the indentation of his head on the seat with an odd look in his eyes. He sets it down and sits back on it.
Donny Mason: I realized that I had been a fool. A naive fool. I had been too kind, too caring. Too empathetic and too optimistic. I kept seeing the best in people. But at EXP 30, in an instant, 20 years of careful raising done by the greatest and strongest woman who ever lived was flushed away as the realities of this business got etched into my skull. When the man who I thought of as a friend, a brother, stabbed me in the back to soothe his own guilty conscience for his own failure I realized that in this business it's every man for himself. A business where only the selfish and the crooked succeed. Duncan Shepard sold his soul to shitmaker and became the Final Boss. Larry Tact threw morality to the wind and has ruled the Power division with an Iron Fist. While I tried to do the right thing, be the good guy. And All I got was jack shit and a chair to the skull.
The big Englishman stands up and kicks the chair away, his voice turning hard.
Donny Mason: No more. I’m done playing nice. As I sat at home I wanted to come back and get even with Robert. But Bertie-boy decided to take his ball and go home. He failed to do what he said he would and got so embarrassed he picked up his shit and left. And that left me with no target. No-one to get even with. Yet the rage remains. Yet the frustration still persists. Well. I’m done fucking around. Robert McAlroy got me ringing hell's bells. And because he isn’t here to pay the piper… Levelup… I’m ringing it for ALL of you. I’m sick and tired of being the nice guy who smiles in defeat and is humble in victory. I won’t take no prisoners, won’t spare no lives.
He stares right into the camera.
Donny Mason: And I’m gonna get you.
He drops the mic and as “Hell’s Bells” by AC/DC starts to play again, he exits the ring with Kat Jones watching after him with pride.
________
Shane Donovan and Avalon Blackthorn(c) versus S.E.B. and Sloane Taylor
Multiplayer Gauntlet Title Match
DING! DING! DING!
The match starts out with Donovan and SEB staring down each other. Donovan starts running his mouth and SEB nods and makes a comment that changes Donovan’s face to that of damn ticked off! Donovan goes for a punch to kick things off, but it’s blocked by SEB who quickly gets behind Donovan and hits a rolling german suplex…one suplex…two suplex…three german suplexes and a release! SEB gets up and grabs Donovan and tosses him, backfirst, into the post. SEB then unleashes a roundhouse, standing kick, mid kick and stomp to Donovan until he is down on the mat. SEB picks up Donovan and goes for a fisherman’s suplex…cover…
One…
KICK OUT BY DONOVAN![i/]
Arthur La Forge: Just because people think Shane Donovan is washed up doesn’t mean that it’s true. It’s gonna take more than that to put him away.
Mary DeSue: No worries. I’m sure SEB is gonna pull out all the stops…including dumping Sloane for me.
Not stopping his efforts SEB quickly gets behind Donovan and hits a snapmare. SEB walks over to his corner and tags in Sloane! SEB picks up Donovan and tosses him into the ropes just as Sloane leaps from the top rope…“Seeing Stars”! SEB rolls out of the ring as Sloane goes for a pin…
One…
Donovan gets his foot on the ropes!
Arthur La Forge: You can’t teach that. The veteran knew where he was in the ring and capitalized even in a beaten down position.
Mary DeSue: Well what do you expect from the trophy girlfriend.
Sloane picks up Donovan and tosses him into the ropes. She decks Donovan with a superkick that sends Donovan into the ropes. Sloane picks up Donovan and hits a jawbreaker on him. Sloane picks up Donovan and tosses him into the ropes, but Donovan grabs the ropes to stop himself. Sloane charges at Donovan. KNEE STRIKE TO THE FACE WITH THE KNEEBRACED KNEE! Donovan goes down as Sloane grabs her face. Donovan is feeling it as he starts to crawl over to Avalon Blackthorn. He gets the tag and Avalon gets in just as Sloane gets back up. The fans get to their feet to cheer on this meeting.
Arthur La Forge: Oh this has many of the fans excited.
Mary DeSue: The same ones that go to Skye’s onlyfans probably.
Sloane and Avalon circle each other and Avalon is the first to strike going for a roundhouse kick, but Sloane avoids it and comes back with a handspring enziguri, but Avalon rolls with it and gets back onto her feet at the same time Sloane does. Both women go for standing superkicks but miss each other. The fans are loving this, but both women seemed to get more into the fight by trading punch after punch after punch with each other until Sloane misses one. Avalon grabs her by the arm and irish whips Sloane into the corner. Avalon goes for a spinning back elbow, but Sloane ducks down and rolls out of the ring. Avalon stops herself from going backfirst into the turnbuckle and climbs it. Avalon jumps off hitting a splash onto Sloane on the outside!
“THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME!”
Arthur La Forge: These two by themselves is an amazing match!
Mary DeSue: Yeah, but I prefer the rich eye candy.
Both women are down as referee Pliskin starts his count.
One…
Two…
SEB yells at Sloane to encourage her to get up, while Shane Donovan takes this time to head over to the ringside table and grab one of the Multiplayer Gauntlets.
Three…
Four…
Shane Donovan slides the gauntlet under the ring and gets back into position as Avalon finally gets up first and picks up Sloane and slides her into the ring. Avalon goes up top and jumps hitting a double stomp onto Sloane’s chest! Avalon picks up Sloane and…JAWBREAKER FROM SLOANE TO AVALON! Both women go down in the center of the ring.
Arthur La Forge: A jawbreaker out of nowhere suprised Avalon!
Mary DeSue: Well they are hard to bite.
One…
Two…
Avalon starts to crawl to Donovan as Sloane does the same to get to SEB.
Three…
Four…
Five…
Avalon tags in Donovan who comes in like a bat out of hell and grabs Sloane’s leg and drags her back to the center of the ring. He whips that leg into the canvas and quickly goes for a bow and arrow lock putting pressure onto that knee that he just slammed. Sloane howls in pain as Donovan keeps it held on. He finally lets go of the hold to tag Avalon back in. He picks up Sloane and hits a Irish Whip into his kneebraced knee sending Sloane backwards into Avalon who hits a roundhouse kick! Cover by Avalon…
One…
Tw…FOOT ON THE ROPES BY SLOANE! DONOVAN IS LIVID!
Arthur La Forge: What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Mary DeSue: You talking bout Canadian Goose eh?
Avalon, not discouraged, gets up and grabs Sloane and hits a Russian Legsweep! She decides to go and tag in Donovan and they both grab Sloane…Toss into the ropes…They go for a double knee shot, but Sloane goes flat onto the mat and they miss her. They turn and Sloane hits a roundhouse kick to the face of Avalon and rolls thru tagging in SEB! The crowd goes nuts as Donovan and SEB start trading punches again. Sloane rolls out of the ring and so does Avalon! SEB starts winning the punch war and hits Donovan with an uppercut. This sends Donovan reeling and SEB gets behind him. “THE CONQUEST”!! Cover!
One…
Two…
KICKOUT BY DONOVAN!! SEB gets up and argues with Pliskin that it was three but Pliskin stands firm. SEB nods and picks up Donovan…SEB’s going for a fisherman’s suplex but Donovan counter into FISHERMAN’S BUSTER!!
Arthur La Forge: Smart counter by Donovan!
Mary DeSue: Stop hurting the eye candy!
Both men are down. Donovan gasping for breath as SEB tries to shake out the cobwebs. Donovan rolls out of the ring to get a few moments of respite. SEB gets up to his knees with Pliskin checking on him as he starts to count out Donovan.
One…
Two…
SEB gets up and heads to the other side of the ring to rebound off the ropes to pick up speed! SEB goes for a suicide dive…and Donovan ducks it! SEB lands hard on the outside as Donovan gets back into the ring and tags Avalon! Donovan reaches under the ring and slides on The Gauntlet, but keeps it behind his back. Avalon heads outside of the ring and picks up SEB. Roll back into the ring. Avalon gets into the ring and picks up SEB…”HOE CHECK”! Dragon suplex…Cover…
One…
Two…
KICKOUT BY SEB!!
Arthur La Forge: And you can’t keep Sebastian Everett-Bryce down tonight!
Mary DeSue: I think Duncan is crapping himself backstage watching this.
Avalon is starting to get frustrated as she picks up SEB and tosses him into the ropes. Looking for a back body drop…NO. SEB stops and gets behind Avalon…“The Peoples G.S.H.O.A.T”!!! The sleeper hold is locked in! Avalon frantically tries to get out of it getting to her corner. Donovan swings The Gauntleted hand…It misses Avalon…AND SEB…BUT IT DOES CONNECT WITH PLISKIN!!! Pliskin grabs his nose and rolls on the mat!
Arthur La Forge: MOTHER BRAIN! SNAKE!! SNAKEEEEEE!!!
Mary DeSue:...that could have went better.
Donovan gets into the ring since the ref is down as Avalon tries to break out of SEB’s sleeper hold, but as Donovan gets close to SEB and Avalon, Sloane runs up to the nearest turnbuckle and leaps off onto Donovan’s shoulders… “HIGH HOPES”!! Shane Donovan is down on the mat. Avalon is on her back and so is SEB still holding on the sleeper hold as Pliskin is still out on the mat. Sloane grabs him and shakes him. Pliskin gets up and crawls over to Avalon…He checks her arm…
One…
Two…
TH…Pliskin stops. He’s looking right at Shane Donovan’s Gauntleted hand. Pliskin calls for the bell!!
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. RAD: The winners of this match as a result of a disqualification…Sebastian Everett-Bryce and Sloane Taylor!!
“...WHAATTT!!!”
Arthur La Forge: Pliskin called for the disqualification because he figured out who socked him in the face!
Mary DeSue: Oh man I haven’t seen the fans this mad since we canceled mud wrestling night…
Arthur La Forge: We have never had a mud…very funny.
SEB and Sloane rightfully are upset with the decision and argue with Pliskin who is trying to wipe the blood from his nose from the Gauntlet shot. Donovan grabs the other Gauntlet off the table and then meets a groggy Avalon at the rampway. SEB and Sloane start talking trash as Donovan responds and Avalon is slowly starting to piece together what happened.
Arthur La Forge: A win for Sebastian Everett-Bryce and Sloane Taylor, but they got cheated out of the titles!
Mary DeSue: I guess even in defeat you can still win, but I got a feeling we haven’t seen the end of this yet.
________
A word from The Final Boss Champion…
Duncan Shepard makes his way out onto the stage. Though his ‘Commander Shepard’ music is playing he is otherwise presented normally in plain jeans and a generic Level Up Wrestling t-shirt. He carries the Final Boss championship belt over his right shoulder and though he receives a typically enthusiastic welcome from the crowd in attendance his own appearance seems downcast. He sedately makes his way down to the ring, climbs inside then goes to the ropes where he is passed a microphone by a crew member. He takes it then steps back to the center of the ring, waiting a moment for his music to fade out, then leaves another moment of lingering silence. The first sound he makes is a deep sigh.
Duncan Shepard: I have a dozen things I want to say but now I’m standing here it’s hard to know where to start.
He shrugs the championship off his shoulder. He tucks the microphone under his arm eliciting a series of scrunching sounds as he folds the straps of the belt behind the face plate and tucks it into the crook of his left arm, holding it almost like one might hold a baby. He raises the microphone again but when he speaks he is still looking at the title.
Duncan Shepard: When I first came to Level Up it was in the midst of a difficult time in my life. When I got the opportunity to compete here I took it as an opportunity also to start over. Part of that was becoming Commander Shepard.
Duncan pauses for a moment then looks back out to the crowd.
Duncan Shepard: In my younger days I’ve done things I’m not proud of. I’ve been someone I don’t like. Ever since then I’ve tried to be better. I thought that perhaps Duncan Shepard could be the man that I always wished I could have been. Perhaps he could be better than the men who have come before him.
Duncan looks back to the belt, gives a small chuckle and raises it, only to shoulder height though.
Duncan Shepard: In many ways he was. Commander Shepard has achieved here in Level Up things that I have never achieved anywhere else. He has achieved the things that I always wanted to achieve.
He lets his arm drop and with it his shoulders sag and his head drops slightly.
Duncan Shepard: Nothing worth achieving comes easily. Sacrifices have to be made. The problem with sacrificing everything to achieve what you’ve always wanted is that once you’ve done it, that’s all you have. When that’s all you have then losing it means you’re left with nothing. I know what it’s like to have nothing. I never want to be in that place again.
He takes a deep breath and raises his head again.
Duncan Shepard: I put a lot of pressure on myself, to live up to my own expectations, but also to live up to the expectations you all have in me. To be Commander Shepard, to be the hero. To save the galaxy, no matter the odds. I’m not a piece of coal though. Time and pressure doesn’t turn me into a diamond, it just crushes me. At Combat Evolved, in the name of defending this title I made deliberate attempts to hurt another human being. I don’t just mean beating and wearing someone down to win a sporting contest, I mean inflicting genuine life altering harm.
Duncan starts to pace around the ring slowly, becoming slightly more animated.
Duncan Shepard: That’s not something that I believe in. That is not who I want to be. That is not Commander Shepard. That is not the hero you all deserve.
He walks into a corner, lays the title over the top of the turnbuckle and leans heavily against the ropes.
Duncan Shepard: Which brought me to the realization that I can’t be the hero you all deserve anymore. I’m not a hero at all. I’ve never held the rank of commander in any military on this planet or any other. I’ve never faced down alien machines from the darkness beyond the stars. I have never saved the galaxy, I can barely save myself. I am not a hero, I’m just a man.
Duncan starts to walk around the ring again but he leaves the title laid across the turnbuckle.
Duncan:I’m a man called Duncan Ryder. I wasn’t born on a starship or on a far found colony, I was born in London, England. I am the son of Michael and Angela Ryder, the brother of Annie and the uncle of Callum and Ella. I was once a child who dreamed of playing professional rugby. I became a young man who realized that that wasn’t going to happen and had to find a new dream.
He comes to an abrupt halt in his pacing, pauses and sighs again.
Duncan Ryder: I’m a man with an addiction to alcohol and a man who little more than a month ago threw away over eighteen months of sobriety because he was afraid of what would be left of him if he didn’t leave El Paso with that gold plated belt right there.
Duncan turns to point at the Final Boss title belt still placed in the corner. He is quiet again for a moment but when he does speak the first signs of a genuine smile seem to tug at the corners of his mouth.
Duncan Ryder: I’m getting better though. Part of that has been reminding myself of where I came from. Reminding myself of what made me fall in love with professional wrestling in the first place. So I’m finding a new path for myself from here. I’m sorry that I can’t be Commander Shepard anymore.
Duncan stomps back to the corner, sweeps up the Final Boss championship and holds it emphatically into the air.
Duncan Ryder: But Duncan Ryder isn’t going anywhere! In fact, he’s just getting started!
________
Main Event
Power Title Match
Larry Tact(c) vs Vhodka Black
Both Vhodka and Tact are on top of the platform, eyeing each other up when the bell rings. Larry closes the distance around the opening and attempts a right hand on Black, but she blocks it and hits a forearm to the face! Another one and Larry stumbles back, but not before she charges up to hit him with another. Larry swings wildly with a lariat but Vhodka is quicker and ducks it, before attempting a Harvey Wallbanger! Larry shoves her off and backs the hell away to keep himself out of trouble. He yells out at the crowd to shut up when they boo him, and that allows Vhodka to close the distance with a flying elbow! The shot very nearly knocks Tact to the barbed wire web below!
Arthur La Forge: Tact nearly took one hell of a dive early on in the match!
Mary DeSue: This isn't fair! Just throwing him into this match! Vhodka has experience throwing people into pits!
Tact stops himself from falling but Vhodka quickly grabs him by the hair and runs him face-first into one of the support structures holding the platform aloft! With Tact leaning against the structure trying to regain his senses, Vhodka climbs up it until she is standing over him and begins to rain down punches while the Level Updogs count along! 1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 8! 9! 10! Vhodka then looks at the weapons scattered on the structure and grabs…
Mary DeSue: Is that a double-sided di...
Arthur La Forge: BACK MASSAGER! VHODKA WITH A BACK MASSAGER!
Mary DeSue: It massages alright...
Arthur La Forge: MARY!
Mary DeSue: What? Prude.
She swings the...apparatus and it smacks Larry Tact right in the face. Vhodka then gets a very awful idea and runs forward with it, attempting to shove it into Larry's mouth. Before she can get Level Up banned from Twitch, Larry smacks it out of her hand and it falls into the crowd for some lucky fan to take home. In response, Vhodka hits him with another elbow to the jaw and reaches for another weapon, this time the more traditional singapore cane! Tact turns around and catches a shot directly in the shoulder! Tact's skin is bright red as the Power Champion tries to get away but Vhodka is armed and dangerous! She hits him immediately in the ribs! Then he doubles over and she hits him in the back as well!
Arthur La Forge: Vhodka Black is absolutely dominating right now!
Mary DeSue: Well it's not fair! He *just* went through Sloane Taylor, and now he's in a Bloodweb match against someone like her? Trent hates him, that's all!
Arthur La Forge: Vhodka was in the Pool of Cheese!
Mary DeSue: Oh yeah, a match totally made for her. That's TOTALLY FAIR.
Larry falls down onto the platform and Vhodka tries for a quick pin.
ONE!
TWO!
No! Larry throws the shoulder up. Vhodka grabs the cane again and raises it up high, swingng down but Larry rolls out of the way! She does it again, and he rolls away again! She smiles, as he has been unknowingly rolling towards the opening! She tries again and he rolls, but stops himself once he realizes where he is! She stalks with the cane until he kicks her HARD in the shin! Vhodka drops the cane and Larry grabs it, swinging upward and HITTING HER IN THE FACE. She goes down immediately clutching her cheekbone and when the referee checks we can see why, a bloody welt has formed almost immediately!
Arthur La Forge: Her husband's not gonna be happy about that.
Mary DeSue: SOMEONE MARRIED HER? She must smell like cheese like, all the time!
Arthur La Forge: It's 2022, don't kinkshame.
Tact then gets to his feet and picks Vhodka up as well, running her face-first into the support structure as revenge! She goes down in a heap but he scoops her back up and hits a SPINEBUSTER on the platform! Cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Th--no! Vhodka kicks out! Larry then grabs the Singapore cane and starts wailing on her with it, having snapped at the abuse he took earlier! He swings down repeatedly until the cane is in tatters, before tossing it aside. Then it's a straight kick to the face before another cover.
ONE!
TWO!
No! Vhodka kicks out again! Larry gets mad and yanks her up by the hair, when she suddenly calls out…
Vhodka Black: HARDER DADDY TACT!
Tact lets go immediately, confused, before Vhodka pokes him the eye!
Mary DeSue: Did she just...
Arthur La Forge: Poke him in the eye? Yes. We are NOT talking about the other thing.
Mary DeSue: I mean we got similar tastes but..
Arthur La Forge: I SAID NO.
Vhodka gets up to continue the attack but Tact kicks the leg again to make her go away until he can get his vision back. He gets to his feet and quickly grabs her, hitting the HUMBLING Cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THR---NO! Vhodka kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: Larry clearly has no intention of ending this match in the ring.
Mary DeSue: Did you watch the last Bloodweb match? Because I did. Both of those people are out of the company. I'm sure Larry wants to stay.
Larry seems undeterred however and immediately locks in LARRY'S THRONE! The submission hold is deep and he leans back with it...but suddenly Vhodka moans....rather suggestively. And it's loud enough that you'd think someone left Pornhub on. Larry immediately lets go of his hold and backs away in confusion. This allows Vhodka to scramble and grab another Singapore Cane. Larry shakes his head, realizing he was tricked, and grabs his own weapon...THE WAND OF THE WIZARD! James Wilcox's stylized sledgehammer is now in Tact's hands and he immediately drives the head into the upper back of Vhodka, knocking her back down. COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
NO! She kicks out!
Mary DeSue: Well, she wanted harder...
Arthur La Forge: Gross. Also, gotta respect her ability to kick out!
Mary DeSue: I don't have to if I don't want to!
Tact then lines up Vhodka's head with the sledgehammer and swings wildly, but VHODKA DUCKS AND HITS A LOW BLOW! Larry doubles over and Vhodka bends over to grab the weapon and he kicks her in the face and hits ANOTHER HUMBLING! ANOTHER COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THR---NO!!! Vhodka Black is still in this! Larry Tact is beside himself! He looks at the support structure, where more weapons are hanging, and yanks down a chair...but tosses it aside? Instead, he begins to CLIMB THE STRUCTURE!
Mary DeSue: Larry baby what is you doing?
Arthur La Forge: He can't put away Vhodka and he's getting desperate!
Larry Tact gets at a suitable height and JUMPS OFF WITH DIVE TO BLUE ELBOW DROP....BUT VHODKA MOVES!!!! Larry lands on the platform with a thud and skids, almost falling into the hole! One of the support structures creaks as clearly the platform wasn't meant to take THAT kind of an impact, and the entire thing starts to lean, scaring everyone in the building!
Mary DeSue: If that thing snaps we are SCREWED!
Arthur La Forge: I really don't want to be witness to that kind of disaster, hopefully no one else tries anything...
Vhodka immediately dives onto Larry and makes a quick pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THR---NO!! TACT KICKS OUT! Vhodka picks him up and HITS HARVEY WALLBANGER! The structure creaks again and something snaps, but Black pins!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE---NO!!! The referee almost counted three just to end things but Larry kicked out anyway!
Mary DeSue: This is getting scary!
Arthur La Forge: No kidding! This thing needs to end, now! So we can evacuate the building or something!
With their side of the platform growing more unstable, Vhodka Black moves to the section that is slanted downward. The movement causes the last of the structure to give away and suddenly the entire Platform is at an angle with only three support beams holding it up! Larry begins to slide backward, before realizing he might spill off the edge into the floor instead of the ring! He gets up and quickly scrambles to the other side, where Vhodka awaits with an eyepoke, just because she can! Larry drops to his knees and crawls around, blinded, when suddenly.....Vhodka climbs on him like a pony?
Mary DeSue: Um...what?
Arthur La Forge: You got me.
She jumps up and down while "riding" Larry, causing the platform to sway, and suddenly Larry loses his balance and slides INTO THE OPENING IN THE CENTER! VHODKA RIDES HIM DOWN INTO THE BARBED WIRE NET LIKE SLIM PICKENS AT THE END OF DR. STRANGELOVE! THEY BOTH CRASH INTO THE BARBED WIRE AND THE RING!
Arthur La Forge: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE CHEESE! That was the wildest thing I've ever seen in my life!
Mary DeSue: The woman is insane!
The two are barely moving, Larry is caught up worse in the wire than Vhodka is but he's still a mess. Parts of the broken beam have snapped off and fallen into the ring with them. The platform is wobbly but with no more weight on it (the referee has quickly climbed down), it's not a danger. Vhodka starts tearing herself as free as she can, almost literally at times, before rolling the barbed wire-wrapped Larry over and covering him! Referee Kirby is at ringside and watches the cover!
ONE!!
TWO!!
....
LARRY TACT KICKS OUT...SOMEHOW?!
Arthur La Forge: How in the [BLEEP] did he do that?
Mary Desue: YOU SWORE!
Vhodka is now the one to be shocked, perhaps for the first time ever, that Larry is even alive, let alone able to barely get his shoulder up. She does her best job lifting the man up, with both of them bleeding from numerous places...she climbs up top. Larry is wobbly and perhaps not even aware of where he is, especially as his head is pouring blood. Suddenly Vhodka DIVES OFF THE TOP WTH THE SCREWDRIVER! Larry stands still for a moment, stunned, then falls back into the barbed wire! Vhodka with the cover!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREEEEEE!!!!
Mr. Rad: Your winner....AND NEWWWWWWW LEVEL UP WRESTLING POWER CHAMPION.....VHODKA! BLACK!
Arthur La Forge: I don't believe it! Vhodka Black has ended the NINE MONTH REIGN of Larry Tact! Almost to the day!
Mary DeSue: I'm...how? I'm in total shock.
Vhodka moves off of Larry as EMTs and ring technicians immediately get into the ring to free them both, but not before referee Kirby hands the Power Championship! She pulls herself up, clutches the title to her chest and the fans cheer! They both are helped to nearby stretchers, where they will likely be rushed to a hospital.
Arthur La Forge: There will be time to celebrate later but first...let's get the hell out of here before that platform falls on us!
Mary DeSue: I'm going to the hospital with Larry! I'm an honorary Game Changer!
The show ends with Mr. Rad telling the audience they need to leave in a calm and orderly fashion, which they seem to be doing as we fade to black.
