EXP 5 Results - April 6, 2021 (Indianapolis, IN)

We get a shot of a seated JACK MICHAELS wrapping his fists in tape as ELISE MICHAELS sits on the floor and stretches herself out. The calm scene as the eccentric Lenny Brasco comes trolling from outside the open locker room door.

Lenny Brasco: Hey, hey, hey!

Elise looks up mildly surprised as Jack just shakes his head and continues wrapping.

Lenny Brasco: I am backstage with the man who is about to be in the steel cage main event, “The Blast” Jack Michaels! The original Mean Machine himself from the Mean Machine School of Wrestling where you can get these…

Lenny suddenly reaches under his jacket and produces a shirt with the MMSW logo imposed on it.

Lenny Brasco: These sweet MMSW Retro throwback shirts for only $29.99 in our online store today! But on top of the great story of student vs. teacher duking it out in 15 feet of steel glory, we have the pro wrestling managerial debut of Jack’s daughter Elise Michaels as she will stand by her father’s side at the ring! Elise, tell us, how are you feeling about being out there with your Dad tonight?

Elise takes a look at her Dad who just kind of shrugs it off as she pulls herself off the ground and stands next to Lenny.

Elise Michaels: Well Lenny… I’ve watched my Dad my entire life and I’m pretty excited to have a chance to make my debut managing arguably the greatest wrestler of all time vs. some ungrateful pissant like Eli Goode so yeah… Feeling pretty good. Or maybe it’s pretty damn Goode with an E.

This gets a chuckle out of Jack who smiles at his daughter. Elise smiles back before reaching into a pocket and producing a piece of gum. She pops it in her mouth as Lenny smiles and nods.

Lenny Brasco: That is great to hear. Now it’s no secret you are born and bred into a wrestling dynasty with not only your father but personal training from your sister, the world renown Amber Ryan. At only 21 years of age, you are one of the youngest licensed managers in mainstream wrestling today. What, if anything, can you bring to the table to help your Dad here in Level Up?

The small smile of Elise’s face fades as she studies Lenny.

Elise Michaels: What exactly do you mean, “if anything?”

Lenny Brasco: Oh I just mean with so much experience with your Dad, I was just wondering what else you can do for him as a manager except for say moral support?

We see something flip over in Elise’s face as a dark scowl pulls up on the corners of her mouth. She tilts her head slightly as she turns to face Lenny directly.

Elise Michaels: What… Are you saying because I’m young that I can’t offer advice to my Dad? That I can’t stand up for myself? That I’m just a pretty face standing outside the ring?

Lenny Brasco: No, of course not, I’m just asking if…

Elise spits the gum out of her mouth and swats it across the room as now Jack has his full attention at the scene in front of him.

Elise Michaels: Nah, I think that’s what you’re saying, Lenny. I think that you, and whatever asshole who is feeding you these questions don’t think I have what it takes to be out there in the ring. That somehow my Dad, the (BLEEP) ing MEAN MACHINE, is making a mistake by having me around. You think he’s an idiot then, Len? Is that what you think?

Lenny laughs nervously as he turns to Jack and shakes his head.

Lenny Brasco: No, no, no, no… That’s not what I…

CRACK! Elise wheels back and slaps Lenny across the face with such force that it knocks him to a knee.

Elise Michaels: YOU DON’T LOOK AT HIM WHEN YOU’RE TALKING TO ME!

Lenny holds his face in both pain and shock as Jack gets up and grabs his enraged daughter who looks like she wants to tear Lenny apart.

Jack Michaels: I think you have an answer to your question now, peckerhead. Interview over. Get the hell out of here NOW.

Lenny scurries across the floor like a cockroach as Jack slams the door behind him…

----



---


It seems the show is opening right away with in-ring action, as newcomer Brandon Hendrix is making his first ever entrance in Level Up. He gets in the ring, where the Giant Waluigi stands tall as he is shaking a bit looking at Hendrix. Hendrix tilts his head and launches at Giant Waluigi with speed and tactical power with a running crossbody! Getting back up quickly Hendrix picks up the giant weirdo and chucks him into the ropes. Big boot to the head of Giant Waluigi and G.W. heads to the outside after hitting the mat and gets yelled at by "Da Brain" on the outside. Hendrix, wasting no time, leaps through the ropes and hits a shoulder tackle right into the jaw of G.W... who falls like a sack of potatoes. "Da Brain" yells at Hendrix for a moment and gets clotheslined for his trouble! Hendrix reaches down and lifts up G.W. OVER HIS HEAD AND TOSSES THE SEVEN FOOTER INTO THE RING OVER THE TOP ROPES!! THE SLAM SENDS ECHOES THROUGHOUT THE ARENA AS THE WHOLE AUDIENCE IS QUIET...and at baited breath as Hendrix poses after this feat of strength!

Arthur La Forge: Look at the pure power of "The Messiah"!!

Mary DeSue: He's just manhandling that giant freak!

Arthur La Forge: And the giant is scared of this guy for some reason and I can't blame him!

Hendrix gets into the ring as G.W. starts to crawl away, scared out of his mind, but Hendrix just laughs maniacally as "The Messiah'' grabs G.W. and Irish Whips him into the corner and G.W. just slumps over. Hendrix heads up top and does a corner splash on top of G.W. before signaling for the end..."Reaper's Wish"!!! Cover!

One...

Two...

Three!!!

Mr. Rad: Here is your winner… “The Messiah” Brandon Hendrix!!

Arthur La Forge: What power and viciousness this guy has.

Mary DeSue: Yeah...if I was into that I’d be a puddle right now…

Arthur La Forge: I...I’m gonna let that one go...

Hendrix reaches down and lifts the seven foot one Giant Waluigi up and chokeslams him! He picks up G.W. and slaps him into the "999"!!!

Arthur La Forge: Someone needs to get security out here now! G.W. is out cold!

Mary DeSue: Can we do something about all these damn crazies we keep hiring. This guy creeps me out almost as much as LEGION!

Hendrix lets go of G.W. after a few moments of his passing out. Hendrix stares at G.W. as he’s out cold almost as if he’s getting some sick pleasure of choking the life out of the bigger man.

Arthur La Forge: We’ve got another sadistic monster in Level Up!

Mary DeSue: Why can’t we get some pretty boys instead...

--



Tact and Dude Waluigi circle around each other, Tact eyeing D.W. with the intent of bashing his skull in, but D.W. is...posing and jirating towards the announce table.

Arthur La Forge: Well you said you wanted a handsome fellow...

Mary DeSue: I think he's pelvic thrusting at you Artie...

D.W. winks in Arthur and Mary's direction as he turns...and gets walloped in the face by a right hook by Tact! Tact grabs D.W. and hurls him with all of his muscular might and D.W. hits the ropes. On the rebound Tact catches D.W. in a picture perfect spinebuster than echoes throughout the arena with the thunderous crack of pain that makes those on the front row wince! D.W. rolls out of the ring holding his back. He waves off the match for a moment, but Tact isn't gonna wait for his opponent to recover...he's got something to prove. Tact gets out of the ring and grabs D.W. and tosses him into the ring steps, back frist! D.W. howls in pain as Tact picks him up and rolls D.W. under the ring and then slides in himself. D.W. gets on his hands and knee's and begs off Tact, who responds as you would expect, by kicking the hell out of D.W.'s face! Pickup. Toss into the ropes. Kick to the gut. Floatover DDT! Tact gets up and waits for D.W. to crawl to the corner and pull himself up. D.W. holds up a hand with a peace sign and Tact shakes his head no. D.W. nods and charges forward going for a right hand. Tact blocks it and goes with a left hand. One. Two. Three. And a swinging punch to the face for a Forth!

Arthur La Forge: Larry Tact is showing that he can decimate opponents just like the rest of the veteran wrestling class here in Level Up!

Mary DeSue: Yeah, but you gotta feel a little sorry for Dude Waluigi...

Arthur La Forge: You feel sorry for him?

Mary DeSue: In a he's really pathetic and out of his league kinda way...I sorta feel the same way about you Artie.

Arthur La Forge: Well my self esteem just took a nosedive...

Mary DeSue: Then my work here is done...

D.W. stumbles after getting up and walks into a sleeper hold by Tact...converted into a Sleeper Hold Slam! Tact decides to go up top and hits a “Dive to Blue”! Tact calls for the end and hits the "Starbreaker"! Cover!

One...

Two...

Three!!

Mr. Rad: Here is your winner...Larry Tact!

Arthur La Forge: Larry wins a have to win match for him to stay in the minds of these fans as a true contender here in Level Up!

Mary DeSue: Good for the old man I guess...I'm just wondering if he's gonna be retired by forty at this rate.


--

Bryan Ford is seen backstage by the catering table seemingly minding his own business as he looks at the desserts before him. Lenny Brasco makes his way over to the Innovator of Greatness microphone in hand looking to get a word from Ford.

Lenny Brasco: Bryan Ford, Lenny Brasco here... last show you clearly were offering to form some sort of Alliance with Eli Goode... I, along with the rest of the fans, would love to know what this means going forward.

Bryan Ford: Lenny is it? That's the funny thing about people like you and the fans... you all want to be involved in affairs that have nothing to do with you in any way... last show was two refined gentlemen having a mature conversation...

Listen Eli Goode is one hell of a talent... probably the most skilled performer on this roster and I'd go as far to say he's on par with me... but all the skill in the world means nothing if you have no guidance... and me? I feel I can be that guidance for him.

I want to see that man rise up here and become something bigger than he's seen... and fortunately for both of us... we've noted a little hiccup in those plans... and that is Jack Michael's standing on his own two feet without aid of a crutch... and that should be rectified.

Eli…

Ford looks directly into the camera.

Bryan Ford: The offer still very much stands... I need an answer by next show though... I know you'll make the right decision dawg. You're too smart to pass up on it. After... us being Prodigies.. we gotta stick together... heh I like that... Prodigy... hey Len stay away from these desserts, your lookin' like you've had one too many anyway.

Ford taps Lenny on the stomach before grabbing a slice of cake and taking his exit.

---



Dionysus and Miller start off circling each other. Dionysus starts by posing for a moment and Miller responds by mimicking this pose. Dionysus is not amused by this and charges at Miller with a right fist which Miller blocks and kicks Dionysus in the gut followed by a DDT! Miller grabs ahold of Dionysus' right arm and starts to work it with a vertical arm bar while Dionysus stays on the mat. After a few moments of this wrenching torment Dionysus edges his way to get the very tip of his foot on the ropes breaking the hold. Miller responds by grabbing that right arm and draping it on the ropes. He then runs to the other side of the ring, gaining his usual amount of lightning quick speed, and leaps onto the middle rope for an Assai Moonsault, but makes sure to land right on the right shoulder, aggravating the arm even further of "The God of Wine" by turning him into the true "God of WHINE"! Dionysus rolls out of the ring holding onto his right shoulder and trying to work the soreness out as he walks around on the outside. Miller responds by hitting the ropes and diving between the second and first rope into a suicide tackle aiming right for the right shoulder of Dionysus!

Arthur La Forge: Miller is taking it to Dionysus. Just in the past few weeks he’s been improving so well ever since “The Last of Us” match.

Mary DeSue: Would you say it’s time?

Arthur La Forge: What time is it?

Mary DeSue: Miller Time!

Arthur La Forge: Dear lord no...that stuff is awful...

Mary DeSue: Ditto.

Miller tosses Dionysus back into the ring and heads up top. Dionysus tries to stand up, but gets taken down by a missile dropkick right to the right shoulder sending Dionysus down to the mat praying for Zeus to intervene on his poor unfortunate ass whipping. Grabbing the injured right arm Miller irish whips Dionysus into the corner and Dionysus bounces back after taking a hit on the turnbuckle onto the chest. Miller hits an armdrag takedown sending Dionysus down to the mat. Dionysus is writhing in pain as he rolls over after Miller releases him. Miller calls for the end of this...setting up Dionysus for "Fall from Grace''! Miller instead of going for the cover slaps Dionysus into a crossface! The pressure on the right arm is too much for "The god of partying" and he taps like a beer keg!

Mr. Rad: The winner of this match...Adam Miller!!

Arthur La Forge: Miller wins while staying focused and not letting the opponent get a move up on him!

Mary DeSue: Yeah, but he really need to work on his style, moves, and his looks...basically he needs to be like Ricci...awww Antonio...

---


Nero starts things out with ISAAC and they lock up, which doesn't go well for Phoenix as ISAAC simply shoves him off and delivers a single clubbing blow to the back that knocks him down. He then places a boot on the back of Nero's head and holds him down, stepping on his skull. The referee admonishes him so he backs off, before attempting a clothesline, but Phoenix ducks under and gets a schoolboy rollup!

One!

Tw...no! ISAAC kicks out with ease and as Phoenix gets up, ISAAC hits him with a hard knee to the abdomen that knocks him back down.

Arthur La Forge: We haven't seen these two since The Last of Us and I think they have a lot to prove tonight.

Mary DeSue: Nero isn't exactly the winningest wrestler here either.

Arthur La Forge: No, but he's shown a lot of fire so maybe he just needs the right opportunity. This could be it.

Mary DeSue: I doubt it.

ISAAC picks Nero up and hits another kneelift, holding him up so he can't fall again. He tosses him into the ropes but as Nero comes back, ISAAC lowers his head and gets a toe kick to the face. This seems to do little more than anger him, so Nero charges forward, ducks another clothesline attempt and as he bounces off the other side, Jenny makes the blind tag. Nero then snaps off a quick hurricanrana that sends ISAAC stumbling, but doesn't take the behemoth down. Jenny comes off the top rope with a bodypress, which ISAAC catches, only for Nero to run forward and dropkick the back of Jenny knocking them both down! The referee counts..

One!

Two!

ISAAC powers out.

Arthur La Forge: I wondered if Nero and Jenny could work together and it seems like they have so far.

Mary DeSue: Yeah, but it's still two small people against two giants.

Arthur La Forge: Yeah, it'll take a lot to win but if they keep this up, it's possible.

Jenny hits an open hand chop to ISAAC, then another, putting enough into them that it actually forces him back a step. She hits a forearm and applies a headlock, but before she can try anything else, ISAAC backs into his corner and Drake Wilcox tags in. ISAAC pushes Jenny off into the ropes and as she comes back, ISAAC hits her with a simple punch to the abdomen, doubling her over so Drake can hit a clubbing blow to her back. She falls down and he covers.

One!

Two!

Jenny kicks out. As she tries to get to her feet, Drake charges in with a kneelift to the side of her head. He then attempts to stomp her, but she moves out of the way, pops up to her feet and chop blocks the leg of Drake. He drops down to his knees and she hits a kick to the back, then bounces off the ropes and hits a front dropkick to the face!

One!

Two!

Drake pushes her off.

Arthur La Forge: Jenny is chopping Drake away but he has a lot more power than she does.

Mary DeSue: And size. And a bigger partner. And...

Jenny hits a slap to the face that angers Drake more than anything. So she smiles at him and grabs his head, jumping up in the air and hitting him with a hard headbutt that causes him to back into the corner. She rubs her head and moves forward, kicking at his ribs. She takes a step back and rushes in, but Drake gets a back elbow that nearly knocks her to her back. Drake attempts a lariat but Jenny ducks it, then begins to kick him in the calves. Then a kick to the midsection. She hits a low dropkick to the knees and then grabs him for the facebuster to finish Bow Down, but Drake shoves her off! She gets up and tries for The Crowning, but Drake grabs her and flips her up onto his shoulder, before slamming her down with a powerslam! Cover!

One!

Two!

Thr--no! Jenny kicks out!

Mary DeSue: Creepy girl kicked out!

Arthur La Forge: Yes. After having two of her moves countered. These Faction guys are just otherworldly with their potential.

Mary DeSue: Yeah, but she's doing a lot better than her partner so far.

Arthur La Forge: Give him time.

Drake begins to stomp away at Jenny, who grabs at the ropes to try to pull herself up. He then grabs her and tosses her into The Faction's corner, tagging in ISAAC. The two each grab a side of Jenny and hoist her up with ease, before tossing her backward with a release double-team suplex! She lands hard and ISAAC covers.

One!

Two!

No! Jenny kicks out again. ISSAC, disgusted, knees her in the back. He then picks her up and irish whips her into the nearest corner with such velocity that she slams into it back-first and flies off, flopping to the mat. ISAAC stalks her and then lifts the Queen Machine up, running her back first into the Faction's corner. Drake Wilcox tags himself back in.

Arthur La Forge: The Faction keeping a fresh man in at all times and wearing Jenny down.

Mary DeSue: Gonna be hard to beat anyone if you can't even keep a guy in long enough to wear him out.

Arthur La Forge: And Nero is chomping at the bit to get back in there.

Mary DeSue: Why? He'll just get creamed.

Drake shoves his knee into the face of Jenny while she's seated in the corner. The referee admonishes him, so he backs off. He picks her up and tosses her into the ropes, but she comes back with a low dropkick and then finally connects with Bow Down! And the cover!

One!

Two!

Drake kicks out at two. He gets up and grabs her leg before she can get to her partner, dragging her back and tagging in ISAAC, who comes in and kicks her in the face. ISAAC applies a headlock but Jenny begins to hit him with rapid-fire elbows to force him to release it. He does, but then hits her with a kneelift and another clubbing blow to the back. She backs into the ropes and he tosses her to the other side. As she comes back, he lowers his head and she backflips over. He turns around and gets caught with THE CROWNING! However she's unable to make the cover due to the offense she's taken.

Arthur La Forge: I truly believe that if Jenny could pin him right now, she might win!

Mary DeSue: Yeah but she's too busy holding her head.

Arthur La Forge: At the very least, this might allow her to get to her partner.

Jenny crawls to Nero and ISAAC reaches to grab her, but she slips loose and makes the tag! ISAAC attempts a lariat as Nero comes in, but Phoenix ducks it and begins to strike at the big man with chops. He whips him to the ropes and as he bounces back, Nero connects with a dropkick! Drake tries to come in illegally and Phoenix hits him with an enziguri for his troubles. However, this momentary distraction allows ISAAC to hit him with a kick to the stomach. He Irish whips him into the corner and attempts a corner splash, but Nero moves, grabs the head of ISAAC and takes him down with a running bulldog! He makes the cover!

One!

Two

NO! ISAAC gorilla presses Nero off of him!

Mary DeSue: Holy crap!

Arthur La Forge: That guy's power is unbeliavable.

Mary DeSue: Nero might want to change strategies or tag in Jenny or something!

Drake comes back in and hits a clubbing blow to Phoenix. The referee tells him to leave but Jenny comes in to take care of that, snapping of a Jennycanrana that causes Wilcox to fall through the ropes to the floor! Nero gets up and spies ISAAC getting to his feet. He attempts a superkick but ISAAC ducks it, then as Nero comes back he gets hit with a SPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE! The move is hit with such power that it flips Nero inside out! ISAAC with the cover!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!

Mr. Rad: HERE are your winners...ISAAC and Drake Wilcox...THE FACTION!

Arthur La Forge: Damn! Jenny cleared the path for Nero Phoenix...

Mary DeSue: And ISAAC WRECKED HIM.

Arthur La Forge: I'd be hard-pressed to think of someone a spear that massive wouldn't wreck.

Mary DeSue: Spooky girl not going to be happy with this.

---


Bert and LEGION begin to circle each other, before going for a basic lockup to start. Bert is still outsized even by LEGION, who backs him up into the corner. The referee demands a break, so they do, but then Bert is frustrated and meets LEGION back to the center where they lock up again. LEGION does a quick go-behind into a waistlock, then transitions that into a headlock, forcing Bert to his knees. McAlroy actually grabs the wrist and attempts to spin out with a wristlock, his acumen surprising LEGION, who ends the grappling sequence with a straight right hand to the face.

Arthur La Forge: I think LEGION was expecting the rookie that Bert was when he started, but he's picked up a trick or two since then.

Mary DeSue: I didn't realize wrestling skills could be found at the bottom of a bong.

Bert fires up and hits LEGION with a right of his own, and things quickly turn into a slugfest that ends up in the ropes. McAlroy hits a quick chop and then Irish whips LEGION to the other side, who comes back with a hard shoulder block that knocks him back down. He runs off the ropes and as he comes back, Bert flips onto his stomach and LEGION jumps over, runs to the other side, bounces off and comes back. Bert jumps up in the air for a leapfrog but he's too early and LEGION makes him pay with a HARD slap across the face! He smirks after rocking his opponent and runs off the ropes again, but Bert jumps up and connects with a dropkick!

Arthur La Forge: Eventually you'd think people would stop taking Bert lightly.

Mary DeSue: Why should they? Guy's got a winning streak as long as your...well I shouldn't finish that, we don't want to get booted off Twitch.

Arthur La Forge: Plus you'd be wrong anyway.

Mary DeSue: Oh really?

Arthur La Forge: Yeah, my video game collection is MASSIVE.

Mary DeSue: That's not what I was...let's get back to the match.

Bert gets a quick cover, but it only gets one. He runs and hits LEGION with a move that's both a forearm and a shove to the corner, which is ugly but does what it's intended to do. He whips him to the other side and runs in only for LEGION to connect with a back elbow. LEGION charges forward and Bert AGAIN surprises him with a shotgun dropkick that propels him backward! LEGION hits the turnbuckle and bounces off, and Bert makes another cover!

One!

Two!

No, only two.

Arthur La Forge: LEGION has yet to find an answer for McAlroy here, and that's surprising.

Mary DeSue: I'll say. Maybe all that time setting up his church took away his focus.

Arthur La Forge: Did you get one of those flyers too?

Mary DeSue: Did I? I'm going to promote it on my TikTok!

Bert picks LEGION up and tries for another Irish whip, but this time LEGION grabs the ropes instead of bouncing off. Bert rushes in and LEGION tosses him over the top, and he lands on the apron. Bert grabs at LEGION and attempts to drop him on the ropes, but the Cosmic Horror will have none of it, giving him a hard throat thrust that takes the wind out of him. He then follows that up with a stunner across the top rope, attacking the throat again! With Bert grasping at his throat and trying to breathe, LEGION hits him with a leg lariat that knocks him to the floor.

Mary DeSue: He smokes enough that the throat should be the first thing somebody targets!

Arthur La Forge: Do you know this for a fact or are you just being a jerk?

Mary DeSue: I hear things.

LEGION slides out of the ring, scoops up Bert and actually body slams him down onto the apron before shoving him back inside. He goes for a cover...

One!

Two!

No, Bert throws his shoulder up. LEGION isn't bothered, simply picking him up without any emotion and dropping him back down with a back suplex that looks more like a head suplex given the angle he drops McAlroy. A cover off that..

One!

Two!

T--no! Still only two.

Arthur La Forge: I would say that LEGION is being particularly vicious tonight but I can't recall a time when he wasn't.

Mary DeSue: Remember how our champion had to almost kill him to beat him?

Arthur La Forge: I'd like to forget it.

LEGION lifts Bert by the head, choking him as much as he can get away with, but Bert retaliates with an elbow to the chest, backing him up and then hitting a forearm. He attempts a whip but LEGION ducks and reverses, grabbing the wrist and pulling Bert into a drop toehold against the ropes...throat-first. With Bert's throat across the middle rope, LEGION pushes down and begins to hammer away at the back of his head for good measure. The referee begins to count and he relents...only to run forward and hit a leg lariat across the back of the head! Bert gets up, gasping for air, and LEGION traps the arm before hitting a swinging neckbreaker. He goes for the cover...

ONE!

TWO!

Thr--no! McAlroy still won't stay down!

Mary DeSue: Why can't this guy just lose quietly like everyone else?

Arthur La Forge: Bert may not have the highest winning percentage here, but it's been a lot tougher to put him away than perhaps our other wrestlers would like to admit.

Mary DeSue: Just ask Antonio Ricci.

Arthur La Forge: Ricci knows how frustrating Bert can be first hand, for sure.

LEGION gets back to his feet and grabs Bert by the head, lifting him to his knees. McAlroy begins to hit him with punches to the abdomen that don't have as much impact as he might hope, so LEGION retaliates with a snap suplex. He covers off that..

ONE!

TWo!

T--another kickout. LEGION picks him up again and hits a kneelift. He attempts an Irish whip of his own but Bert puts on the breaks. LEGION tries for the DEATH STROKE but McAlroy slides underneath to avoid it, and as LEGION gets back up Bert catches him with an enziguri! LEGION gets back up and tries for a kick but McAlroy catches it, spins him around and nails a leaping axe handle. They are both up again and Bert nails him with a back elbow, then as LEGION's back is to him he applies a katahajime, then a BACKSTABBER!

Arthur La Forge: Wait a second, I know that move!

Mary DeSue: What?

Arthur La Forge: That's The Mercy! That's the move of Matt Knox, Bert's friend!

Bert's sloppy variant is enough to put LEGION down, but he's unable to maintain the submission hold that normally follows and his opponent is out of his grasp. Instead, he rolls him over and attempts a cover...

ONE!

TWO!

THR---NO! LEGION throws his shoulder up. Bert looks dejected as he's told it was only two. McAlroy rolls out to the apron and gets to his feet. LEGION is up already and runs in, only to catch a forearm from McAlroy. LEGION staggers back and McAlroy springboards off and hits the GIVE HER THE BERT! The springboard forearm connects!

ONE!

TWO!

THRE...NO!!! LEGION kicks out!

Arthur La Forge: I don't believe it! Somehow LEGION was able to survive not only Bert's signature, but Matt Knox's as well!

Mary DeSue: That is absurd.

Arthur La Forge: You can say that again. I don't know where LEGION gets the stamina.

Mary DeSue: Maybe he shotguns Red Bull.

Bert gets up and lifts LEGION, places his head between his legs to attempt the McAldestroyer...but LEGION shoves him off, grabs the head and drops down with a jawbreaker variant, only his head connects with Bert's throat instead of his chin! After essentially getting headbutted in the larynx, LEGION easily throws Bert into the ropes, but McAlroy comes back with a sunset flip. LEGION rolls through that and gets to his feet as Bert does, then charges forward and connects with DEATH STROKE! LEGION scales the turnbuckle, hoping to connect with From Hell, but Bert is somehow up and follows him up there! LEGION changes course and grabs Bert's head, before leaping to the apron and dropping him throat first across the top rope! Bert springs backward and LEGION slides back into the ring, places a boot across his throat and hits a variant of LAST SUPPER! Bert falls down clutching his throat and LEGION covers...

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!!

Mr. Rad: HERE is your winner, moving onto the Wisdom Championship tournament finals...LEGION!!!

As Bert lays in the ring and struggles to regain his breath, LEGION departs having done what he came to do. Suddenly the lights go out and we are plunged into total darkness. The moment stretches on until we hear the opening notes of “Queen Machine” Jenny’s entrance theme ring out on the PA-system

“AND THERE WAS LIGHT!”

The lights promptly return and we see Jenny herself standing behind Bert. She taps him on the shoulder and as he turns, she nails him with The Crowning! (RKO). Jenny stares down at Bert, rolling out of the ring to get a chair, casually blowing a kiss to Arthur as she passes by. She rolls back into the ring and sets the chair up, kicking Bert as she goes. She finally picks the limp man up and sets up for her “Enter The Machine”-finisher (Skullcrushing Finale), giving a quick peck to Berts cheek before driving him face first through the chair. She stands up and gives the crowd a small curtsy before demanding a microphone, which she gets. She drops down to straddle the bloodied Bert and speaks up.

Jenny: Puddin, Puddin, Puddin. I really didn’t want this to come to this ya know? I was perfectly content to let you and brother dearest slug it out over in Reno, but you just HAD to involve me. What you did to me last week was just downright rude. I was expecting to at least be wined and dined before getting bound and hoisted on a cross.

The unpredictable woman leans over to wipe a bit of the blood from Berts face onto her fingertips and looks at it for a moment before giving a manic giggle and continuing.

Jenny: For a few days I was pondering on what to do. Then it struck me. You have a penchant of getting innocents involved puddin, so takin my displeasure out on brave boy here fits the bill perfectly doesn’t it? Especially since I KNOW he won’t take this laying down. Which just makes this more fun.

She plays a bit with the blood on her fingers before standing up and sucking it off her fingers. Another manic giggle erupts from her lips and she kicks Bert once more before rolling out of the ring.

Jenny: Sorry bout this little distraction naughties, I’ll let you all get back to your regularly scheduled programming. Someone tell the brave boy there what happened once he wakes up. He knows where to find me. Toodeloo!

And with that she drops the mic and heads to the back.

---

We cut backstage where we see Lenny Brasco, microphone in hand, moving at a somewhat alarming pace. Eyeing the man he’d been looking for, he scurries up and starts going in, that man in question being one E.A. Blizzard.

Lenny Brasco:Mr. Blizzard! Since you showed up at the Last of Us, people all over social media have been asking questions, who are you? Why are you getting favourable treatment seemingly in this company? Care to comment on these things?

We can see that Blizzard stops but not because he had any desire to, even the dumbest and dimmest of us will realize it as he glares sideways at poor Lenny Brasco.

EAB: Leonard Brasco..

Lenny Brasco: Well Lenny actually sir about these questions, the people would like to know.

EAB: Leonard, you wanted me to talk. When I talk you do not interrupt me, I do not appreciate being interrupted while I’m going about my business nor when I’m talking.

Lenny Brasco: Sorry, but about these quest--

EAB: It is incredibly rude Leonard! To interrupt someone before letting them even finish what they are saying. I am a busy man, I have a lot of work to get done here in LEVEL UP and I do not appreciate you skulking after me like some vile rodent thinking you can come drop some wild conspiracy theories or ludicrous questions on me out of nowhere that is highly unprofessional and must be against all sorts of policies, which I shall have double checked as soon as we are done here so what I was saying Leonard..

We hear some clunking from above, a dragging sound and more clunks. Blizzard glares up in annoyance.

EAB: Ventilation is out of whack too? Is there ANYTHING in this place that is up to code? Leonard, you are lucky to have a man such as myself part of this company because E.A Blizzard is not someone you can just get a drop on, I am a man who gets things done and from these ventilation shafts to he gross misconduct and abortion of journalistic integrity you call your interview etiquette it will be handled post haste and you can be rest assured-

*CRASH*

The ventilation panel above EAB’s head crashes down to the floor, just missing him. Unfortunately, the blue-haired woman who followed him did not as she screeched clamping onto his back, sliding down to the floor.

Wendy House: Hey fanks! You’s gave House a soft landing!

EAB: Who the devil are you?!

Wendy nods.

Wendy House: Me’s Wendy House. Me’s business card.

She whips a piece of card out her pocket and hands it to EAB. The camera zooms in on it, and it says “Hi me’s Wendy!”

Wendy House: ...Me’s gonna need dat back, it’s da only one me’s has.

With sheer disdain Blizzard drops the card back to Wendy’s mits and she pockets it.

EAB: ..charmed, young lady. Where is your legal guardian? You musn’t skulk around in ventilation shafts like that. Those are hardly the places for adventuring and if I know anything of this place. I’d wager the company insurance policy does not include Mission Impossible inspiring hijinx related accidents.

He grumbles muttering.

EAB: or if it does, I shall have that removed post haste.

House looks confused.

Wendy House: Okay, you used a lot of big words House doesn’t undystand. But me’s an orphan, so me’s not weally have any guardians. Me’s like playing in da vents though. But me’s must have gained weight fowall the choccy eggs... Gosh dang Easter Bunny...

Lenny Brasco: ....The Easter Bunny?

Wendy House: No get me’s started on him, we’s been feudin’ on an’ off in dis business since as long as House can wemember.

EAB: Enough about this boulderdash, I am not to stand here and listen to any discussions of mythical creatures that may or not have inspired major corporate mascots, do you two have any idea what kind of class action suite and court case that could leave us in.

He gestures at the ventilation panel cracked open.

EAB: The whole place is coming apart! Do you think we can afford to buy proper legal representation, wrestling business is not pro-bono country even the slightest so if you nincompoops insist on following with this asinine conversation, I suggest you do it away from any form of recording equipment and a considerable distance away from me. I bid you both farewell..

He glares at the interviewer.

EAB: Leonard.

Then eyes at House.

EAB: Young lady, you watch yourself from now on, remember what I said.

The big man walks off as calm as ever as the camera goes from Lenny to House in turns.

Wendy House: He’s a weally nice man. House might have to make fwiends wiv him!

Lenny Brasco: ............Really?

House skips off, leaving Brasco so stunned by everything that happened, he forgot to shill any merchandise before we head elsewhere.

---


Arthur La Forge: It’s time for the first match in our Wisdom Championship Tournament semifinals!

Mary DeSue: That’s a mouthful.

Arthur La Forge: Yeah well, I didn’t name it.

Mary DeSue: I still can’t believe Blizzard got here.

Arthur La Forge: Don’t get me started.

Sidroy is very aware of the size difference between himself and EA as he keeps his distance initially in the bout. EA goes to lock up but Sidroy ducks under the attempt, popping up and paying EA some stiff kicks to the shin and knee area. EA hobbles away trying to get some distance, leaning on the top ropes. Sidroy charges in, leaping and going for a dropkick but EA simply swats him out of the air! Sidroy rolls to a seated position on the mat and stares up at the big man who comes off the ropes with a sudden quickness and nails Sidroy in the face with a low dropkick of his own!

Arthur La Forge: EA Blizzard at least showing he belongs in this tournament, but I don’t like how he got the spot.

Mary DeSue: Come on, Artie. He won the match fair and square. Against TWO guys!

Arthur La Forge: Yeah but he...you know what, nevermind. My therapist told me not to get into that today.

EA gets to his feet, yanking Sidroy up roughly by the hair which leads to him being admonished by the ref. EA lifts Sidroy up and holds him there in a display of physical strength, before taking a step forward and slamming Sidroy to the mat with a thunderous powerslam! Sidroy arches his back, crying out in pain as EA gets up, bounces off the ropes once and leaps in the air before crashing down onto Sidroy with a massive leg drop! He rolls over into the cover

ONE!

TWO!

Arthur La Forge: Blizzard so far is dominant, and he might have it!

Mary DeSue: No way!

Sidroy kicks out, immediately curling into himself and coughing as he tries to get the air back in his lungs after the massive leg of EA Blizzard forced it right out of him! EA stays on the offensive, lifting a shaky Sidroy to his feet, and then over his head! He nails IT ROLLS DOWNHILL! THE MILITARY PRESS SLAM!! EA dives toward Sidroy to make the pin, but Sidroy rolls out of the ring! EA is on his knees, looking frustrated as Sidroy lays on the ground outside the ring, trying to gather himself.

Arthur La Forge: That was a very smart decision by the young prodigy Sidroy Covington.

Mary DeSue: No kidding. EAB flattened him!

EA steps onto the apron to pursue Sidroy who suddenly catches his second wind! He kips up and snatches EA’s single boot on the apron, yanking it for all he’s worth and EA is hung up on the ropes, before tumbling to the outside with a big, sickening thud!! Sidroy pulls himself up on the barrier as EA begins to get on his hands on knees Sidroy charges in and leaps up...COVINGTON CAVE IN!! THE DOUBLE STOMP LEVELS EA!! SIdroy Rolls into the ring! The ref begins to count after Covington yells at him to do so!!

Arthur La Forge: Sidroy out of nowhere with the Covington Cave In!

Mary DeSue: Who saw THAT coming? And now he’s gonna win by count out? Damn!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

EA begins to stir, getting to his knees

FIVE

SIX!

SEVEN!!

Arthur La Forge: Three more seconds and Sidroy has it!

Mary DeSue: It’s a battle of the rich guys! I don’t know who to root for!

EA gets to his feet with a great effort, and rolls into the ring..BUT SIDROY IS ON HIM AND LOCKS IN THE FFB ARM BAR!! EA yells in pain and tries to snatch the ropes but Sidroy jerks harder, causing EA to bring his hand back as a reaction to the pain, he grips the back of his head...AND TAPS! EA HAS TAPPED OUT!! THE REF BREAKS THE HOLD!


Mr. Rad: The winner of the match and the second Wisdom tournament finalist...SIDROY COVINGTON IV!

Arthur La Forge: And with that, we’ve got our finals set! Sidroy Covington IV battles...

Mary DeSue: Oh god. He’s got LEGION!

Arthur La Forge: If anyone can do it, it might be Sidroy, who has been on fire lately.

Mary DeSue: Maybe he can give a generous donation to LEGION’s church and get the win that way...

---


The battle starts out with Ricci and Tirri arguing about who is gonna start off as Lockheart starts off for her team and hits a spinning heel kick sending Ricci out of the ring as Tirri ducks the one meant for him! The two start circling each other and lock up as Tirri gets the upper hand on that one. Toss into the ropes followed by a backdrop by Tirri sends "The Final Boss" champion on the mat. Holding her back for a moment in pain while sitting up gives Tirri all the opportunity he needs by hitting a running snapmare. Ricci gets back up in the corner by that point and yells at Tirri to tag him in which Tirri does and he and Ricci grab Lockheart. Toss into the ropes. Tirri gets behind with a bulldog and directs Lockheart's face into a spinning heel kick by Ricci! Tirri gets out of the ring as Lex Collins stares on at the action as Ricci decides to set up Lockheart with a powerbomb. He connects and makes sure she lands right into the turnbuckle post for added effect! Lockheart slumps like a sack of potatoes and Ricci grabs her. Toss into the ropes followed by a Cyclone Kick to the "Final Boss'" face!

Arthur La Forge: Antonio Ricci has had an axe to grind with Maggie for a bit and he’s showing her he wants her belt right now.

Mary DeSue: Yeah but...he didn’t get the shot. Thicci did.

Arthur La Forge: And don’t think Ricci isn’t steamed at that either.

"Count Coma" lifts up Lockheart and tosses her into his corner. Tirri asks for a tag and Ricci obliges. The two men work over Lockheart with a variety of kicks. Tirri picks up Lockheart and throws her into the ropes. Catch followed up by a Sidewalk Slam! Tirri picks up Lockheart and goes for a suplex. BLOCK! REVERSAL! Lockheart looks over to Lex and starts to crawl to the corner. Tirri grabs Lockheart by her leg and drags her back towards the center of the ring! Enzigiri!!! Lockheart starts heading to Lex and Ricci rushes in and hits her from behind with an elbow drop. Lex rushes into the ring! As Bedlam begins to occur in the match Ricci and Lex start beating the hell out of each other with lefts and rights! Lex hits Ricci with an armdrag takedown and Ricci, wisely, gets out of the ring so as not to be put into WRECKAGE by Lex! In the madness Tirri grabs Lockheart and hits her with a Stalling Suplex to take her down! Lex is told to get back to his corner as Ricci is also admonished as he gets back to his. The damage is already done as Lockheart is in enemy territory as the chaos finally relents for a moment.

Arthur La Forge: These two are working rather well against the champion.

Mary DeSue: Yeah without that KO power of Lex, Maggie’s all alone in there.

Tirri tags Ricci and Ricci rushes in hitting his own variation of Tirri's "Big Boot" on Lockheart which Tirri shakes his head over. Ricci picks up "The Final Boss" and lifts her up high for a crucifix powerbomb, but she slides out! Lockheart hits the ropes! Sector 7 Press! She mounts Ricci and starts wailing on his face like he owes her money! She gets up and starts to head toward Lex, but Ricci grabs her leg and hits a drop toe hold! He tries to drag Lockheart to his corner again, but Lockheart rolls forward sending Ricci rolling forward towards her corner! Ricci gets up...METEORA!! Both are down as Lockheart crawls her way towards Lex and makes the tag. Ricci gets up and see's Lex and quickly dives towards Tirri's outstretched hand for the tag and Lex and Tirri charge towards each other with a double clothesline! Both kip back up and start exchanging punches. Lefts! Rights! Uppercuts! Crosses! This is becoming more like a parking lot brawl than a match betwen these two as they keep the pressure on. Ricci and Lockheart take their places on the corners getting much needed air as Tirri finally gets one up on Lex by tossing him into the ropes. Catch and "SACK OF SHIT"!!! Ricci yells to get tagged in but Tirri waves him off. He picks up Lex and hits him with a barrage of headbutts, better known as "Morning After" before he finally chucks Lex over into the corner. He tags in Ricci who shoves Tirri out of the way and grabs Lex!

Arthur La Forge: It seems like Ricci and Tirri are trying to outdo each other tonight.

Mary DeSue: I mean, they both want a shot and these two are in their way of the main event. Makes sense to me.

Tirri is shooting daggers from Ricci and then over to Lockheart who has a sick smile on her face knowing how the two are like oil and water right now. Ricci attacks Lex with more trauma to the cranium with a Jumping Knee Strike! He grabs Lex by the throat and gestures to both Lockheart and Tirri and hits his Sitdown Chokeslam! Cover...

One...

Two...

KICKOUT BY LEX!!

Arthur La Forge: Lex Collins may have taken a show off but he’s still showing why he’s one of the toughest in Level up.

Mary DeSue: Yeah, don’t call it a comeback, or something.

Tirri is yelling at Ricci who tells him where he can shove it as he keeps kicking a downed Lex! Lockheart starts slapping the turnbuckle post trying to get Lex fired up by hyping up the crowd. Ricci tosses Lex into the ropes and hits a Crucifix Powerbomb! Tirri is telling Ricci to pin him and Ricci points to Lockheart! He wants "The Final Boss". He wants to beat her! He walks over and takes a swing, causing "The Final Boss" to charge forward only to get grabbed by the referee! Tirri does a loud handslap as the official gets Lockheart back into her corner. Tirri gets up top and hits "Old School Elbow" on Lex! Cover! The ref drops down thinking the slap he heard was a tag! Ricci yells at Tirri as Ricci gets hit from behind by Lockheart with a shot to the face!

One...

Ricci and Lockheart roll over the top rope from that shot and both hit the ground outside.

Two...

Ricci tries to get back into the ring...Lockheart kicks him in the back of the head as she tries to get to the turnbuckle.

Three!!

Lockheart gets to the top turnbuckle just as Tirri rolls off after pinning Lex!

Mr. Rad: Here are your winners...The team of Don "Old School Cool" Tirri and Antonio "Count Coma" Ricci!

Arthur La Forge: Tirri just straight up stole that pin!

Mary DeSue: Well, I knew the team had to fall apart at some point. At least they got the W first.

"Count Coma" is livid yelling at the referee who isn't buying his story! Tirri heads up the rampway and makes a "shrug" motion at Ricci! Lockheart check on Lex who gets up, pissed off. Ricci eyes both of them and quickly makes haste up the rampway.

---


Arthur La Forge: This one has been brewing since EXP 1 and they’re finally going to settle it in our first steel cage match.

Mary DeSue: That’s it? A steel cage match? No fancy video game title?

Arthur La Forge: If it aint broke...

The lights cut out. The arena goes completely black. “Living on a Lie” by Tribal Ink slowly starts to play with the guitar solo. Once the singing starts, Eli Goode walks out with his leather jacket and ring gear on. He stands up at the top of the ramp. He looks around the arena.

Mr. Rad: From M-Memphis Tennessee and weighing in at 160 lbs… The Wayward Son himself… ELI GOODE!

The moment the heavier rock starts he starts his walk down the ramp. When he reaches the steps, he waits until the chorus starts to play to walk up the steps. He takes off the leather jacket as the music starts to fade away. He steps into the cage and to his respective side of the ring to wait for the match to start.

Arthur La Forge: Goode has known the Michaels family for a long time and he’s wanted to get out of Jack’s shadow for possibly longer than anyone has known.

Mary DeSue: Well, that mustache gets a lot of attention. A lot of bad attention but still.

Arthur La Forge: Anyway, we’ll see if Eli can finally pin his one-time mentor tonight and move on from the Jack Michaels part of his life. Even if he had to be an absolute troll to get here.

The first few chords of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Game Zero plays over the Loudspeaker as the lights dim. A flooding of gold light hits the entrance ramp as the curtain splits.

Mr. Rad:[/b Being led to the ring by his daughter Elise... From Las Vegas, Nevada and weighing in at 250 lbs… He is the original M-M-M-Mean Machine… “THE BLAST” JACK MICHAELS!

Jack and Elise Michaels emerge from the back as the heavy metal guitar starts to riff in the song. Gold pyro rains down on both sides of the ramp. Elise wears a black and gold tank top with black jean shorts and boots all adorned with MMSW for the Mean Machine School of Wrestling. Jack wears black and gold long tights with a towel around his neck and a white t-shirt reading MMSW. Jack turns his eyes to focus on the ring and slings the towel from around his neck into the crowd. He strips off his shirt next which still gets a response from the women in the audience even at his age.

Arthur La Forge: This is also Elise Michaels’ first time as a manager. Can’t say I like how she dealt with Lenny Brasco earlier tonight.

Mary DeSue: That’ll teach him to be a shill!

Arthur La Forge: The entire Michaels’ family seems to be undergoing a change themselves. Eli almost seems to have brought out the animal in Jack.

Mary DeSue: I’ll bring out the animal in him.

Arthur La Forge: I thought you hated the old guys?

Mary DeSue: I’ve since learned that Jack is very wealthy.

Elise is seen staring daggers into Eli from the outside who barely acknowledges her at all. She gives her Dad a kiss on the cheek before he throws his shirt into the pods. With cautious movement, he steps into the cage and locks eyes with Eli. We can feel the tension as they await the bell.

DING DING

The bell rings and Jack explodes into Eli as the crowd roars. He barrels him into the corner and begins to lay in left and right bombs as Eli struggles to cover up. It is absolutely brutal as he drives the younger man to the ground with the ferocity of his attack. Jack begins to lay boots into Eli who seems totally caught off guard by this vicious start. Jack gives him a quick kick to the head which lays Eli dangled over the bottom rope and pressed up against the cage. Jack grabs him from around the mouth and FISHHOOKS him as his daughter cheers him on from the outside.

Arthur La Forge: Can’t say I agree with Jack’s methods but it is no DQ.

Mary DeSue: Old guy immediately going crazy, I see.

Eli manages to get himself forward and starts to climb up the cage with his hands which forces Jack to let go of the fishhook in his mouth. He gets back up to his feet and swings a wild elbow back that catches Jack in the forehead. Jack stumbles back as Eli shakes the cobwebs and turns around. Jack turns around just as Eli springboards off the top rope. He leaps high in the air and catches Jack with a big dropkick which knocks Jack into a heap on the mat!

Arthur La Forge: Eli Goode has had a rocky start here in Level Up but a win here could definitely put him where he needs to be.

Mary DeSue: Yeah, which is where he should be! He’s Goode enough to be on the top!


Arthur La Forge: Ugh, puns...

Jack holds his chest where the impact caught him but is quick to get back up to a knee. Eli is right on top of him, locking him down with a side headlock and grinding into the older man. He brings Jack over to the mat but Jack is quick to break with a headscissor. Eli struggles for a sec but manages to break it quickly. He tries to drop a quick elbow onto Jack but Jack rolls out of the way and Eli strikes mat. Jack is back to his feet and he too tries to drop a quick elbow but Eli kips up and Jack hits mat. Jack holds his right elbow in pain as Eli turns around and hits a beautiful Rolling Neck Flip which flops Jack back hard to the canvas.

Arthur La Forge: Eli’s trying to beat Jack at his own game here in technical wrestling.

Mary DeSue: Didn’t Jack teach Eli everything he knows?

Arthur La Forge: Something like that, yeah.

Eli is right back on the attack as Jack holds his neck in pain. Eli begins to throw educated kicks at the back of Jack's neck and shoulders that no doubt are meant to send a message to his former teacher. On the outside, Elise yells at Jack to get back up as Jack struggles to get to the ropes. Jack pulls himself up just as Eli rushes over and jumps into the cage. He waits on the side only to leap just as Jack gets back to his feet. With a sickening THUD, he catches Jack flush to the side of the head with a forearm. Jack goes down hard as the crowd is fully into this match.

Arthur La Forge: Michaels may have strength and skill, but Goode has youth, athleticism and speed. And that may prove to be too much for the Mean Machine.

Mary DeSue: We’ve got a Mean Machine and a Queen Machine. This place is too mechanical for me.

Eli realizes he has a chance to do some serious damage as he rushes to the corner and begins to scale the top rope. He perches as Jack gets back to his knees and notices a small bit of blood coming from the corner of his eye. He visually growls and turns around just as Eli comes leaping off. He looks for a top rope Shotgun Dropkick but Jack commando rolls out of the way. Eli hits the deck hard and grimaces at the impact.

Arthur La Forge: I stand corrected, Jack has some athleticism himself.

Mary DeSue: Or he just knows Eli so well he was able to time out when he’d jump.

Arthur La Forge: That’s possible too.

Jack is back up to his feet as Eli rolls to his side. Jack grabs the smaller man by the back of the tights and gruffly lifts back up to his feet with one arm. Eli struggles to get away but Jack absolutely bashes him in the spine with a wicked forearm shiver. Eli staggers against the ropes as Jack keeps hold of the tights and begins throwing stiff forearms in rapid succession into his back. Eli struggles with it until Jack digs down behind him and lifts him into the air. He holds him and walks forward before getting his foot on the bottom rope. With added leverage with his foot, Jack LEAPS into the air with a massive high-angle back suplex. WHAM! Eli gets dumped on his neck and shoulders and over on his stomach.

Mary DeSue: Eli might be dead. Can we show murder on Twitch?

Arthur La Forge: I don’t think so, but he’s clearly breathing.

Mary DeSue: Not for long...

Eli writhes in pain as Jack is quick to get back up. We get a shot of Elise on the outside who seems satisfied with what she is seeing as her Dad stalks his prey. Eli holds his left neck and shoulder region as Jack opts to pick him back up. He spins Eli around and throws absolutely VICIOUS right cross that crushes the younger man’s jaw. He stumbles back into the ropes but Jack grabs him by the ears before he can fall. Jack lurches forward and SLAMS Eli into the cage with full strength which bounces the young man off the cage and face first onto the mat. There is an uneasy feeling as Jack towers over the downed Eli.

Arthur La Forge: Alright Jack, you made your point. Pin him and get it over with.

Mary DeSue: Why? Eli’s put him through hell since we opened!

Arthur La Forge: Yeah, but Jack’s supposed to be a better man than that.

Mary DeSue: Well apparently not.

Eli holds his head but struggles to get back up off the mat. Jack is happy to help him up and drags Eli up by the hair. He looks like he is going to slam Eli back into the cage but the younger man spins a bit and throws a kick at his knee. Jack buckles but keeps a hold on Eli’s head. Eli throws another kick but Jack pulls his leg up. When he does, Eli suddenly springs up and manages to shoulder Jack into the ropes. Jack bounces off and Eli hits a CUTTER out of nowhere! Jack is down as the crowd pops for the innovative move. Eli manages to fall on top of Jack for the first pin attempt as the ref dives down.

One…

Two…

KICKOUT!

Arthur La Forge: Jack played around and paid for it as Eli hit a modified Goode Bye to almost win!

Mary DeSue: Yeah and now he needs to follow up! Or you know, get pummeled again. I liked that part.

Eli is slow to roll off to his side and tries to pick himself back up on the ropes. Eli gets up but pauses to hold the back of his head. He looks down at Jack who is already getting his wits and struggling to get back up. Eli moves forward and rifles an elbow into Jack’s forehead just as he gets to a knee. Jack is dazed as Eli suddenly locks in a front facelock. He snaps back and DDTs the hell out of Jack back to the mat. Eli rolls back to his feet as he looks out at Elise on the outside. He motions it’s over as Elise shakes her head in the disgust and she yells for her Dad to get up. Eli turns to go for a pin but, to his shock, Jack is already getting back up.

Mary DeSue: Holy shit, the old guy is a machine after all!

Arthur La Forge: The terminator rises and it’s a dark fate for Eli Goode!

Mary DeSue: It’s the genesis of his judgment day!

Arthur La Forge: And um...the salvation of...the Sarah Connor Chronicles?

Mary DeSue: DUN DUN DA DUN DUN.

Jack holds his forehead in pain but rage is pushing to get him back up. Eli bites his lip and equals the rage by coming down at the older man. He dives on him like a rabid dog, throwing short rights to the small cut by Jack's left eye. Jack manages to get his hands up to protect the eye but it opens up his jaw to a straight right shot. He falls back to the mat as Eli gets off him and looks towards the corner of the ring. He starts to head towards the ropes but Jack suddenly dives and grabs his boot. Eli tries to kick Jack off but the Mean Machine won’t be deterred from it. Jack pulls himself up just as Eli throws a quick kick to his chest only for it to be caught. Eli tries for an Enzurguri to break it but Jack ducks and lets him flop to the mat. He keeps a lock on his leg as Jack viciously swings him like a baseball bat and throws Eli across the ring! Eli flops into the ropes as Jack lets out a roar. Eli is more shocked than hurt as he scrambles to get back to his feet. Jack has moved into the center of the ring and put up his fists while almost daring Eli to come at him. Eli sneers and moves back into the ring to meet him head on.

Mary DeSue: Well that’s stupid.

Arthur La Forge: Definitely not the smartest move. Jack is a former boxer and has the size advantage here.

Jack comes rushing in and begins to throw his educated boxing punches. Eli has seen enough tape and is on his game, ducking a couple sharp lefts and a follow up right from Jack. Jack keeps firing as Eli continues to shuck and jive. He lets Jack back him up towards the ropes and suddenly uses his speed to rolls under a wild hook and get behind Jack. He suddenly shoots up with a Superkick that catches Jack square. Jack falls back into the corner in a daze as Eli takes a step back. He moves to the opposite corner and comes rushing full speed at Jack. Jack manages to get out of the way as Eli uses the momentum to leap up to the top rope and grab the side of the cage. He turns around just as Jack does and leaps off looking for a flying body press. With speed unbecoming of his age, Jack shows some spring in his own legs and catches Eli with a DROPKICK as he comes flying down! Eli eats two boots to the chest and crashes to the mat.

Arthur La Forge: Did Jack Michaels just...leave his feet?

Mary DeSue: He must have taken some geritol before the match! Or maybe Viagra.

Arthur La Forge: Gross.

Jack gets up quickly and heads over to make the pin as Eli gasps for air. He starts to roll him over but stops as he sees his daughter on the outside. He shakes his head and instead looks at the cage as the crowd starts to buzz. Jack begins climbing the side of the cage as Eli writhes on the mat. The climb is somewhat slow, however, and Eli sees Jack climbing up. Just as Jack forces one leg over to balance himself at the top, Eli has managed to pull himself back up on the ropes. Still gasping for air, Eli manages to get up the corner ropes and begins to climb up the side of the cage himself. Jack sees Eli and throws a quick right cross at him to try and keep him away. Eli sees it coming and hooks Jack's arm around the elbow. He uses his legs on the steel and begins pulling Jack back down the cage. Jack hooks his left arm on the top as both struggle against the other. Suddenly, Eli kicks off the cage and hooks his legs around Jack’s head. He flips Jack with a Hurricanrana from the top of the cage!!!!!

Arthur La Forge: Look out!

Mary DeSue: TIMBER!

Jack and Eli come down together with a huge CRASH that rocks the cage. Jack hits back first, spins end over end and ends up crashing into the steel under the ropes. On the other hand, Eli has fallen straight down between the cage and the ropes and seems to have landed directly on his left arm on the ring post. He falls forward and collapses in a heap with his head laying on the bottom turnbuckle. The young man can be seen holding his arm in immense pain.

Arthur La Forge: I’m honestly not sure who got the worst of that.

Mary DeSue: Eli’s limp arm says it’s him.

Arthur La Forge: Yeah, that might not be good for Eli.

A split screen replay is shown and sure enough we see that while Jack obviously took a tough back bump with the move, he was able to roll with it and absorb most of the impact. Eli, on the other hand, landed squarely on his arm and was obviously hurt. We cut over to Jack who is grimacing with his eyes shut tight beneath the ropes but seems to be catching his breath. On the other side of the ring, Eli manages to push himself up but his left arm seems to be dead at his side. He continues to assess the damage as Elise has gone over to her Dad and is shaking him to get up through the cage. We see Jack’s eyes open as Elise begins to explain to him the situation as Jack gets back up into a sitting position.

Mary DeSue: Jack’s kid is pointing out that Eli’s a sitting duck out there.

Arthur La Forge: Okay Jack, do the right thing. You are better than this. Just pin him and let him go get some medical treatment.

Mary DeSue: Yeah like, dude’s arm is probably broken. You made your point, old dude.

Eli continues to try to get his left arm to work to little or no avail as Jack grabs a hold of the ropes and brings himself up between the ring and cage. A dark look comes on Jack’s face as he stares at Eli and heads back into the ring. Jack stalks over to where Eli has now gotten to his feet as the young man lunges out with a side kick. He catches Jack in the gut and begins to throw a few more kicks to Jack to try and back him up. Jack powers down and suddenly throws a right cross to Eli’s injured left arm which sends him sprawled onto the ropes. Jack grabs the arm and wraps it around the top rope to torque it as Eli screams out in pain. The ref begins to ask Eli if he wants to quit. Eli can only scream no as he tries to break the hold on his arm. Out of sheer desperation and pain, Eli rakes Jack’s eyes to get him off.

Arthur La Forge: Eli raked the eyes but I mean, again, no DQ and Jack has taken liberties himself.

Mary DeSue: Plus, what else was he supposed to do? Jack was trying to tear his arm off!

Eli senses the trouble he is in and opts to dive on Jack’s back and continue to dig at his eyes. Jack struggles to whip him off but Eli holds on and eventually kicks out the blinded Jack’s knee. Jack drops down as suddenly Eli looks like he gets an idea. He rushes off the ropes and looks as if he is going to go for the GOODE LORD but as he hits the ropes, Jack clears his eyes. Eli leaps up in the air but the old man rolls to his right to avoid the curb stomp. Instead, he comes up behind Eli and locks in the MEAN MACHINE STRETCH!

Arthur La Forge: That is going to be hell on Eli’s shoulder!

Mary DeSue: There’s no way he can stand anymore damage. Just tap out, Eli!

Arthur La Forge: I’m inclined to agree. I don’t think a single soul in that locker room is going to think less of him, not after tonight’s performance.

Mary DeSue: You admitting you were wrong about him?

Arthur La Forge: I mean, he still acted like a troll but he’s clearly got the heart of a champion. And Jack’s lost his damn mind.

Jack rag dolls the hell out of the smaller man as he screams at Eli ferally. Jack is actually frothing at the mouth as he tries to rip Eli’s arm completely out of it’s socket. The ref comes in to check on Eli but Jack continues to rock him back and forth, refusing to take him down to the mat to get a submission but instead looking to do permanent damage. Eli is struggling like hell in the hold as Jack is wrenching everything he has into hurting Eli. After several seconds, Eli manages to catch his foot on the rope and hook it. Jack struggles to pull him off but Eli uses his legs to pull forward and get a foot on the cage. He walks up the cage and FLIPS behind Jack! Jack whips around as Eli jumps up. With the last of his strength, he locks in the GOODE NIGHT on his former teacher!

Arthur La Forge: Eli turns the tables!

Mary DeSue: Can he even keep that hold locked in with his bad wing?

The choke is latched in as Jack refuses to be dragged down to the mat and begins to throw short punches into Eli’s ribs. Eli figure fours his good right arm to his bad left arm and holds on like he’s taming a bull. The blood eventually begins to pool in Jack’s head as his knees give out from underneath him. The ref comes in to check on Jack as his blows grow softer. He holds up his hand once… Twice… AND IT DROPS A THIRD TIME!

Mr. Rad: YOUR WINNER OF THE MATCH, BY SUBMISSION…..ELI GOODE!

Mary DeSue: Holy crap!

Arthur La Forge: I don’t believe it! Eli Goode has got perhaps the biggest win of his career!

We get a shot of an upset Elise on the outside as Eli lets go of the choke and slumps back to the mat. We see Jack’s eyes pop open as the blood flows back to his head and he takes a greedy breath of air. The ref helps Eli up and holds up his hand as the crowd gives him a respectable cheer. Jack sits up and sees Elise on the outside looking upset and worried for him. He gives her a small wave as Eli walks over to where Jack lies on the mat. He offers his good hand to Jack as the old man stares up at him.

Arthur La Forge: Eli is trying to bury the hatchet here. Showing respect to Jack even after all they’ve went through.

Mary DeSue: Hopefully Jack came to his senses...

Jack takes him hand but suddenly pulls him in and drops him with a massive clothesline! We see the ref go down to check on Eli but Jack shoves him away and instead kicks Eli in his hurt arm! The ref tries to hold Jack back but instead Jack throws a vicious HEADBUTT square between the eyes. We see the ref stagger before Jack grabs him by the belt and LAUNCHES him into the cage!

Arthur La Forge: OH COME ON!

The ref is out as Jack continues to kick at Eli who tries rolling towards the cage door. We cut to a shot of Elise watching on the outside of the ring. She has a concerned look on her face as she rushes around and heads towards the cage door. She rushes inside and grabs hold of her Dad who continues to stare daggers at Eli. Elise says something to him as Eli manages to pull himself under the ropes. It looks like Jack has calmed down some as Elise goes through the ropes and leans down next to Eli.

Arthur La Forge: Well, at least Elise is out there to talk some sense into her father. Good.

Mary DeSue: Yeah, that could have been really bad.

We see Eli look up at her with a mixture of agony and sorrow on his face as Elise smiles at him softly. However, that smile slowly turns into a sneer as she suddenly grabs hold of Eli’s ears and HEADBUTTS him herself!

Arthur La Forge: WTF!

Mary DeSue: I take it back, she’s crazy too!

The crowd is in shock as Elise has seemingly cracked Eli’s nose with the shot. A small stream of blood flows from his nose before Elise begins to pound at him with her fists. The crowd is booing as Jack drags Eli back into the ring and Elise reaches into her pocket. Security has rushed from the back but Elise has produced a chain and is locking the door!

Arthur La Forge: Someone get out here and stop this! I know Eli’s not exactly beloved backstage but this is ridiculous!

Jack clobbers Eli with a left hook as Elise finishes locking the cage door. She turns to her Dad who is stomping away at a helpless Eli and asks him to lift him up to his feet. He does as Elise heads to the corner turnbuckle and scales up. Jack goes beneath Eli and hoists him up in an Electric Chair. Elise perches on the top rope and the two hit a version of a Doomsday Device but instead of a top rope clothesline, she comes through with a DROPKICK! Eli goes spinning off Jack’s shoulders and lands square on his bad arm as the crowd has completely turned on the father and daughter.

Arthur La Forge: This crowd has turned on the Michaels family and GOOD. That son of a bitch deserves their hatred and more.

Mary DeSue: Calm down, Artie. Think of your blood pressure!


Arthur La Forge: Eli Goode did some bad things, yes. But he came out here, he hung with Jack Michaels and beat him clean. Then he tried to make amends, but that selfish prick couldn’t stand the fact he lost!

Mary DeSue: Yeah this is...this is way too far.

We see security trying to bring boltcutters out as Jack and Elise hug each other in the ring. Jack motions for them to leave by climbing out of the cage but Elise shakes her head no. A sick smile crosses her face as she grabs the broken carcass of Eli and begins dragging him by his damaged left arm. She pulls him through the ropes and yells something to Jack. Jack seems to agree as the same smile pulls up on his lips and he rushes over. Elise props up Eli only for Jack to get into a boxing stance, wheel off his back foot and catch Eli with an UPPERCUT that nearly takes his head off! He flops between the ropes and the cage with his eyes half shut as Elise and Jack begin to scale the cage.

Arthur La Forge: Thank god, they’re done.

The two get over the top just as the boltcutters make it to the lock on the cage. The two drop to the outside but strangely we see Elise reach through the cage bars and grab hold of Eli’s left arm. She posts it at the elbow on the metal as Jack goes over to the timekeeper and violently shoves him out of his chair. He scoops up the chair and comes walking over as the crowd is becoming violent in their hatred and their sympathy for Eli.

Mary DeSue: This crowd is going to riot!

Arthur La Forge: Somebody get out here and stop this! What does the Developer pay you people for?

The lock is snapped as some security try running around the ring. It’s too late though as Jack rushes forward with the chair like a battering ram. A censor bar comes over Eli’s arm as a sickening CRACKKKKK is heard followed by an absolutely brutal scream. Elise lets the arm drop as, even with the censoring of it, we can see that Eli’s arm has been absolutely shattered at the elbow. Security closes in on Jack and Elise but the older man wields the chair and bellows at them to make a move. We see Elise spit on Eli as Jack puts her behind him and the two start to make their way out through the pods.

Arthur La Forge: Ladies and gentlemen, my apologies if you had to watch that.

Mary DeSue: We’re gonna get kicked off Twitch for sure. And Eli is going to the hospital.

Arthur La Forge: That is in no way how you treat a fellow human being. You can go to hell, Jack Michaels. Straight to hell.