Post by Boss Joe on Jul 22, 2021 20:25:10 GMT -5
Before the show can begin properly, the screen begins with static before the grinning face of Mr. Rad, the Level Up Wrestling AI and ring announcer program.
Mr. Rad: Welcome humans! This is the first-ever show for Level Up on our first-ever tour, and we’re kicking it off big at UGWC Wrestlestock! So, just sit back and max and relax to our brand new theme song and brand new intro, showcasing EVERY SINGLE STAR of Level Up!
The special Level Up district at Wrestlestock, features the standard ring and entrance with rows and rows of arcade machines, a snack vendor with retro-themed treats and fans moving in and out. Some are at the machines, some are in clusters of seats, but all of them are making noise at this unique setting for a wrestling event.
Mr. Rad shows up on the screens, where he has been appearing off and on all week, saying hello to the crowd that has gathered.
In the audience, we even see some UGWC names, such as Hall of Famers Jet Somers and Chaos. Chaos has taken advantage of the lax setting and has brought an entire six-pack of Chadweisers with him. Former UGWC World Champion Sloane Taylor is also there, albeit on crutches, hanging out with members of the audience and watching the show. Captain 80s is also around, jamming away at Dance Dance Revolution while several WaLuigis cheer him on.
We cut to the announce area, which is right near the stage this time, as Arthur La Forge and Mary DeSue are in casual gear.
Arthur La Forge: It’s been a VERY busy week here at Wrestlestock and we’re finally excited to bring you EXP 10!
Mary DeSue: Busy week? How about a busy day! We had to call a match in the Wrestlestock Open and I’ve still go to do that District Conquest thingie tomorrow!
Arthur La Forge: I cannot believe you signed up for that. And yes, congratulations are in order for our Final Boss Champion, who has moved onto round two of the tournament!
Mary DeSue: Our Power Champion too! Level Up is making BIG moves at Wrestlestock!
Arthur La Forge: We’re here all weekend long and I can’t wait to see if one of our stars wins the whole thing!
Mary DeSue: At least we know I’ll be winning that District Conquest. My very first match and I’ll do us all proud.
Arthur La Forge: R...right. Good luck tomorrow, Mary.
Mary DeSue: Thanks!
As the two talk, a spotlight shines down on a pedestal near the ramp, where the two Power Gloves, representing the Multiplayer Championships, are sitting.
Arthur La Forge: And yes, tonight in a shocking move, The Developer is moving forward to crown our first-ever Multiplayer Champions! Nearly the entire roster is taking part in one form or another, including our Wisdom Champion Sidroy Covington, when he teams with the Ragdoll against Jenny and, in case you missed it, UPRISING’s Supreme Machine!
Mary DeSue: Level Up’s so great we’re dragging other companies to relevancy! Deal with it!
Arthur La Forge: Maybe don’t alienate them, then?
Mary DeSue: Pfft, they’re all the way in Reno, what are they gonna do?
Arthur La Forge: We’re headed to Nevada soon.
Mary DeSue: Hey! Let’s go to the ring!
---
EA Blizzard vs. Nocturne
Mr. Rad: Wai...Wai...Wait a moment meatbags! I forgot to mention...this...this match is for the number one...number one...number one contendership for the Final Ba-Ba-Boss Title!
The whole crowd is stunned. EAB looks "shocked" at the announcement...
Arthur La Forge: Are you kidding me?
Mary DeSue What?
Arthur La Forge: EAB just gets a possible title shot LIKE THAT?
Mary DeSue: Um yeah, have you seen his win/loss record? He’s 6-4 after beating Eli Goode!
Arthur La Forge But Nocturne is 0-2! Explain that!
Mary DeSue: Opportunity!
...and Nocturne rushes forward hitting a running spinning heel kick to the face of EAB! EAB is knocked back into the ropes and on the rebound gets grabbed into a belly to belly suplex by Nocturne. Nocturne quickly gets up and grabs EAB and Irish Whips him into the corner. EAB hits back first and falls down in the corner as Nocturne follows this up by charging forward with a knee to the face, "Turn The Lights Out", and then grabbing EAB's right leg. Nocturne sits EAB's leg onto the first rope and then leaps up to the second rope and hits a second rope legdrop onto the knee of EAB! EAB grabs his knee in agony and tries to roll out of the ring, and Nocturne, instead, heads up top. EAB gets to his feet on the outside and walks around the corner not looking up. He turns and gets hit in the face by Nocturne completing a split legged moonsault, "Fall Into Shadow", to hit EAB! Nocturne tosses EAB into the ring, under the ropes, and quickly goes for the cover...
One...
Kickout by EAB!
Arthur La Forge: I was kind of hoping Nocturne could pull it off there. Would serve Blizzard right.
Mary DeSue Oh so you want Maggie to have an easy challenge?
Arthur La Forge: That’s not what I said at all.
Nocturne gets up and drags EAB to the center of the ring by his right leg. Looking to go for a shapshooter submission hold Nocturne begins to place EAB into the hold, but EAB kicks with his left leg to the backside of Nocturne sending her off. Nocturne runes to the ropes and bounces off, going for a flying back elbow, but EAB rolls out of the way. He gets up and heads to the ropes as Nocturne kips up...BIG BOOT TO THE FACE! Nocturne hits the mat hard as EAB holds his right knee, while standing, and winces. He reaches down and grabs Nocturne by the head and lifts Nocturne up. Setup for a hanging vertical suplex. Connects! He then grabs Nocturne and lifts Nocturne up into a Military Press Slam, "It's all Downhill", and then kicks Nocturne in the ribs for good measure! He picks up Nocturne and slams Nocturne onto his knee with a ribbreaker! EAB then lifts up Nocturne and locks in, in the center of the ring, his Bearhug submission..."Crunch Time"!
Arthur La Forge: Come on Nocturne! Fight out of it!
Mary DeSue Geez, bias much?
The fans, who do not want to see EAB become the number one contender, start chanting for Nocturne. Claps, screams, and stomps to try and keep the young up and coming wrestler focused on beating EAB. EAB wrenches and jerks around trying to add more pain to the Bearhug. The referee, Kirby, goes to check to see if Nocturne is going to give up. Nocturne isn't responding verbally. The arm goes up...
One...
Two...
NO!! Nocturne powers out of the Bearhug by slamming both of their elbows into the side of EAB's ears! EAB lets go of the hold and stumbles for a moment, off balanced, and Nocturne grabs him from behind. German Suplex! Again! AND A THIRD WITH A BRIDGE!
One...
Two...
EAB grabs the ropes with his right hand and Kirby cancels the pin. Nocturne gets up and runs to the ropes...baseball slide, but no one is home as EAB rolls out of the way. Nocturne gets back up and charges forward as EAB gets back up. Nocturne leaps...Grabbed by EAB...FALLAWAY SLAM!!
Arthur La Forge: Nocturne is trying to make the most of this chance but EAB is proving insurmountable. And let’s be honest, Maggie is actually the size of, if not smaller, Nocturne.
Mary DeSue Which means EAB will be a threat if he can win this hard-fought battle!
EAB looks over to his corner, eyeing his briefcase. He picks up Nocturne and goes to Irish Whip Nocturne into the corner, but Nocturne reverses. EAB hits the turnbuckle chest first. Nocturne runs to the ropes. "The Witching Hour"...NOOO!! Nocturne went for the springboard enzuigiri but EAB rolled out of the way. EAB gets back up. LARIAT! Pick up by EAB. Toss to the ropes. Rebound by Nocturne. "The Industry Standard"!!!! Cover!!
One...
Arthur La Forge: Kick out!
Mary DeSue Don’t kick out!
Two...
THREE!!!!
Mr. Rad: Here is your winner...an...an..and...Number o...on...ONE CONTENDER for the FINAL BOSS CHAMPIONSHIP...E...A...BLIZZARD!!
Arthur La Forge: Bull[BLEEP]
Mary DeSue Lawyers and businessmen rejoice!
EAB gets up and grabs his briefcase. He smiles and waves at everyone in the stands who are booing the hell out of him. Nocturne starts to get up and "Just Cosmetic"!! Shot to the face by EAB to Nocturne.
Arthur La Forge: AND WHAT IS THE POINT OF THAT?!
Mary DeSue It’s just business! You wouldn’t understand.
Arthur La Forge: AND YOU WOULD?!
---
We cut to backstage to see Lenny Brasco, live as usual in front of the Level Up Merchandise table.
Lenny Brasco: Hey fans and fanrinos! It’s Lenny Brasco here to showcase to you viewers, unfamiliar with Level Up, our wonderful new merchandise. Right now some of our hot sellers are “Team: THICCNESS” t-shirts, currently ladies sizes are on backorder but we should be getting more next week. Another hot seller is this lovely .Ragdoll toy gun...we promise it’s a toy. Look, it just shoots darts we swear. And finally a brand new item...Showcased by one of our popular, despite any dang common sense that says otherwise, under ranked superstars...Dude Waluigi...Get out here!
Dude Waluigi walks out with a tie dye t-shirt on that says “DUDE WALUIGI WON ONE WAH!!” on it as he struts around and high fives Donnie.
Lenny Brasco: It’s the smoothest fly Waluigi guy! How are you DW?
Dude Waluigi: Wah! WAH! WALUIGI GONNA WIN AGAIN!!! WAHHHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Lenny looks confused...more than usual...like are we really freaking surprised.
Lenny Brasco: I wish you came with subtitles…
Dude Waluigi: WAH!
DW whistles and waves over someone off camera. Lenny’s jaw almost hits the ground when he sees…
Lenny Brasco: Barnabus!
Barnabus enters the scene from the side, slightly more disheveled and with a mixed look of anxiousness and annoyance. He looks fromLenny, to Dude Waluigi, and sighs.
Barnabus: Arghh… you're looking for a translator, you said Leonard? How can I… how can I be of service to you?
Lenny Brasco: I mean...if you can...how do you speak Waluigi?
Dude Waluigi: Wah! Waluigi wah wah wahahahahhaha...wah wah wah wah!
Barnabus sighs again, his head hung low.
Barnabus: It's been a long week,Leonard. Dude Waluigi would like you to know that he and I… hm… have become very good friends.
Dude Waluigi: WAH!
DW slaps Barnabus on the back and gives him a big hug. Barnabus looks like he smells something horrible on his face.
Lenny Brasco: So you’ve been staying with Dude Waluigi this whole time? Barnabus, does this mean you are no longer working for Sidroy?
Barnabus: Absolutely not! Bite your tongue Leonard. Mr. Waluigi here was nice enough to give me a ride a few shows ago when Master Covington was having some difficulties… and though he kept me against my will for a little while, we finally learned how to communicate more efficiently, and now I have to-,erm, find myself wanting to… help Mr. Waluigi out. He did do me a- as the kids say, a solid by giving me a ride and has been nice enough to allow me to stay at his… lair? Would you call it a lair?
Dude Waluigi: Wah…
DW pulls out a notebook and writes “SHAGPAD” and smiles.
Barnabus: Yes precisely. That's true, we have also discovered that we could possibly help each other out because Mr. Waluigi has been helping me unwind, and or… 'be cool'... whilst I've been helping him with his manners and to become more sophisticated.
Lenny Brasco: I, I frankly don't know what to say to that. Well… this turned from shilling merch to this… revelation… and I don't really know where to go from here.
Dude Waluigi: (whistles) Wahh wahhh WAHHHHHHHHHAHAHAAH!!!
Barnabus: Oh… but of course. Um, Dude Waluigi says 'Get out of here, Lenny, it's… jiggy time.'
Dude’s ladies and party peeps come on screen and start dancing as we cut away.
---
We cut to the locker room, in front of a locker door, which is then closed shut to reveal Larry Tact. He has an ornery look on his face and drops a duffel bag onto a bench next to him, opening it and pulling out ring gear. He gives a glance upwards and sees approaching is his friend and current interim President of Tact Enterprises, Cesar Salvador Ramon. CSR nods at Tact and leans against a set of lockers as he observes the wrestler.
CSR: No time to rest this week, they took you from a Skeleton Key match and sent you back into the fray with a Battle Royal, Larry. How are you feeling?
Tact gives another glance at CSR before pulling out a water bottle and closing the bag, standing up straight.
Larry Tact: It’s Level Up’s time to shine at WrestleStock, Cesar. I don’t think anyone was expecting a break or easy card this week. I have to admit, though, a multiplayer tournament wasn’t what I had in mind coming out of Dead By Daylight.
Larry opens the bottle and takes a few sips.
CSR: At least you have another chance at gold, right? That’s an opportunity, and like you say, those cannot be taken for granted.
Larry Tact: I won’t be taking anything for granted, especially after all the chaos and different matches I went through at Dead By Daylight.
Perhaps involuntarily, Larry reaches up and feels around his neck. There is still a dark band around it, from the chain that hung him in the Skeleton Key match. Larry nods a little as he holds his hand there, then lets it fall to his side.
Larry Tact: I won’t forget what Tirri did in the Skeleton Key match. He showed some guts, trying to hang me out and leaving me there. That doesn’t go without counteraction. Maybe the aerial artists here, who leap and bound for a rush wouldn’t think twice of it. The hardcore freaks may think of it as a badge of honor. I think he took an action that crossed the threshold from competitive rival to desperate enemy. He knew he needed an edge, and ultimately he couldn’t finish me off.
CSR: True, and you ended his own bid for the Power title. I don’t think he’ll be forgetting that shot.
Larry lets out a laugh, slapping a hand against his knee.
Larry Tact: Maybe, but this is Don Tirri we’re talking about. He’s got a lot of experience with being knocked out of and eliminated from title opportunities. It seems to be his career’s legacy to this point. That’s all well and good, though. In fact, I hope he remembers it, along with what I’m going to do to him tonight.
CSR: You need to make sure you can last ‘til the final two in the battle royal. But what if you and Tirri end up having to team up?
Larry Tact: You know what, Cesar? That would be… ideal, actually. In fact, if I had a choice of who could be my tag team partner coming out of this battle royal, Don Tirri would be at the top of the list.
CSR looks confused, scratching his jet black beard.
CSR: I don’t think I get it. What good would that do, especially if he resents you and the two of you end up beating the hell out of one another?
Larry Tact: We’ll definitely take our share of lumps to get through the battle royal. That’s just part of the deal in these situations. You know what, though? If there’s one thing even these know-nothings of Level Up can take away from that Power title match at Dead By Daylight, it’s that I’m willing and able to endure punishment. I’m not avoiding it like EAB. I don’t need something to trigger me like Siddy. I’m a veteran who knows where he’s been and I have scars… and so does Don Tirri. I know he’ll be reliable in that sense.
CSR: Sounds like a form of, ‘Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer’ situation?
Larry Tact: No, I can see why you may think of it, but that’s not what this is. What I want to bring down upon Don TIrri isn’t going to be allowed tonight. In the meantime, that means I’m going to have to work within the system. Adapt how I can. So tonight, I want him as my tag team partner. I want him to be uncertain if I’m going to stab him in the back, or tag myself in. I want to educate ‘Old School Cool’ on what power is, just like I said before the Skeleton Key match. He’s going to learn that he has none of it, and I wield it as my will desires. That’s what I’m looking forward to tonight.
Larry grabs the bag and swings open the locker door, tossing it in and whipping the door shut.
CSR: What about Bert and Ahmya? They’re certainly not going to have that adversarial tone to their team. You think you can still make it past them, and the rest of the field?
Larry Tact: Cesar, sometimes you just need to let the cards fall where they may. You’ll learn that not every match is life or death. Unlike Tirri, though, that doesn’t mean I won’t make the most of the opportunity in the ring. I’ll still make my statement, and I never said I would intend on jeopardizing things. He’ll have to find out for himself, just like Bert and Ahmya, how well I’m capable of making adjustments. I don’t mean Bert’s idea of adjusting, either. He wanted the fans to get behind him as an underdog, when it’s clear he isn’t comfortable with playing out that role. Problem is, he isn’t ready to overcome his own shortcomings, as we saw at Dead By Daylight. He still has a confidence problem. Not to mention, he’s using Ahmya to keep himself in a spotlight he doesn’t deserve.
CSR: It does seem like a lot of the wrestling world has been excited to see her around, although I don’t know much about her. I guess she must have been real popular and then took time away?
Larry Tact: From what I can tell, she’s definitely got some extra gear to her, and could be even more trouble than Bert. What happens, though, when someone you rely on for strength ends up in peril? Your mind either freezes to switch gears and help them, losing focus on what needs to be done. Or, you can try and believe the other person will work their way out of trouble. Can either of those two resist the impulse to help one another, and leave an opening? What if they do, and the other doesn’t make it through unscathed? I’ll be real curious to see what comes of that match, if the situation arises.
CSR looks absolutely hyped, smiling and eyes wide.
CSR: That’s right! No doubt some [CENSORED] is going down tonight! I love this atmosphere, Larry, it’s gonna be a helluva night any way you slice it.
Larry Tact: A night of tactilizing moments.
---
Bert McAlroy can be seen backstage alone for the moment, he’s got a tray full of the absolute worst catering has to offer. No doubt framed in the mind of him and his partner as some sort of pregame meal ritual. He is free of the face paint he had brought to fruition at dead by daylight, obviously waiting until after the Hot Pockets created a lead weight in his belly before getting into that mode.
He rounds a corner to a previously unoccupied hallway, eyes on the tray in his hand a moment before looking up and freezing. As with any horror movie, cheesy thriller, or wrestling show his expectations were subverted. As what could be described as a distorted mirror stood halfway down the hall from him. He lets out a sigh, before nodding.
Bert McAlroy: Tempest...right, yo?
Flanking him on either side, stepping from the shadows, are two more figures. One, a short man with black hair in a suit, and the other, definitely not a small man, with long black hair and paint covering his face. It’s the shorter man who speaks, Tempest’s manager, Daedalus.
Daedalus: We’ve been hearing some… rumblings. We’ve gained the impression that perhaps you’re looking for us. Seeking us out? Does any of that ring a bell? Mr. McAlroy?
Bert’s eyes shift between the two figures. Slowly, he sets the tray down on an equipment crate and squares his shoulders, widening his stance just in case before speaking up.
Bert McAlroy: Well, you see things. You hear things. And while you’re carving out your own path, you can’t help but see one or two dudes you’d really like to tangle with.
A pause and he lifts his hand to the left side of his face.
Bert McAlroy: Especially, when we got so much in common recently.
He takes one step forward, motioning solely to Tempest with his pointer finger.
Bert McAlroy: You are the one son of a bitch I ever saw who defeated Carnage’s rat without halfway killing yourself to do it. And this is AFTER JC burned your barn down. Us unkillable types? We smell our own, yo…
He inhales sharply through his nose, before locking his gaze back onto Tempest, making sure to lock eyes with him.
Bert McAlroy: And it stinks, yo.
The Astro Creeps seem to step back. They look at each other, confused. Despite their confusion, Tempest is smiling! He starts to step forward, but Daedalus holds an arm out in front of him cautiously. After a moment of Tempest gazing at him, his dead eyes piercing through his manager, Daedalus nods and steps aside. Now it’s Tempest who speaks.
Tempest: You mean, you WANT to step into the ring with me? Not out of hatred or with the feelings that you’re better than me and you think I’m scum? What you’re proposing, is out of respect?
Bert McAlroy: Yeah, something like that..
Bert eyes them with a little more suspicion, but relaxes as the tension seems to lessen.
Bert McAlroy: They keep callin me a monster slayer around here. And from where I sit? With that win over Zane King? You’re the biggest, baddest monster in the business right now. Even if you’re like..not that big. Like me.
He trails off, eyes shifting between the three a moment before shrugging.
Bert McAlroy: The rest kinda writes itself, don’t it? I beat you, then i’m THE monster slayer. You beat me? You’re the monster who killed the guy who kills monsters. And for you and me? We get a damn good fight out of it, and isn’t that all we’re after, yo?
Tempest: Well…
Tempest glances around at Daedalus and Koznar, then back to Bert.
Tempest: In this case, yes. It will be like, Freddy Vs Jason. Except, better!
He pauses and ponders for a moment, gazing up into nothingness and tapping an index finger on his chin.
Tempest: No… no that won’t do at all, will it.
He finally comes out of his daze and stares back at Bert.
Tempest: Anyway, I agree with you! Are you thinking, the next Level Up show? E. X. P. Eleven?
Bert McAlroy: If you can make it…
He remembers then, Duncan Shepherd’s words of advice, eyes shifting to Tempest’s entourage.
Bert McAlroy: Alone, preferably.
Tempest eyes him suspiciously.
Tempest: They come with me, but you have my word they’ll stay out of the match, unless provoked. Can you live with that?
Bert McAlroy: Only if you can live with me kicking their asses too.
He made sure to eye the big one as he said this, stepping forward and extending a hand to Tempest.
Bert McAlroy: If we’re all in agreement, Let's shake on it. Make the Developer’s job a little easier, whaddya say?
He made sure to avert his gaze right into Tempest’s own then, holding the hand outstretched and waiting.
Tempest: Deal. Let’s make some fireworks, Mr. McAlroy.
Tempest extends his hand and squeezes, returning Bert’s gaze. A smile pulls at the corners of his mouth, before widening into a Cheshire grin. Bert returns the shake, and retracts his hand, before backing up to his tray of junk food, and heading to find an alternate route back to his dressing room.
---
As soon as the bell rings, Don Tirri carves a path across the ring to Larry Tact and begins to brawl with him! Tyler Cage leaps forth and locks up with Drew Dangerous while Sister Sin leans back in a corner and watches Johnny Fringe brawl it out with the smaller Eli Goode and Erika Crawford.
Arthur La Forge: Sister Sin taking the intelligent approach here, letting everyone else tire themselves out.
Mary DeSue: Maybe she’s trying to figure out whose blood would taste the best.
Arthur La Forge: I had managed to forget that moment at Dead by Daylight, thank you for reminding me.
Mary DeSue: You’re welcome!
Fringe catches Crawford with a stiff right hand and turns his attention to Eli Goode, grabbing him by the throat and throwing him into the corner Sister sin currently occupies, nearly knocking her from her perch. She sneers and leaps at Fringe who catches her attempt at a tornado DDT and slams her to the mat with a dominator-style spinebuster! He goes to capitalize but suddenly Tyler Cage has leapt upon his back and locks in a sleeper hold while driving the point of his elbow into the top of the big man’s head!
Arthur La Forge: Fringe was content to just throw people around all night but it seems Tyler Cage has seen enough.
Mary DeSue: Yeah but you what’s he gonna do if he puts Fringe to sleep? You think he’s gonna be able to lift him up and over?
Arthur La Forge: That’s assuming he can actually get him to sleep.
Suddenly, the newcomer sees an opportunity as Erika Crawford gets to her feet. She charges forward and nails Johnny Fringe with a picture perfect dropkick! He stumbles toward the ropes! Fringe tries desperately to get Cage to relent but Goode sees the situation now, and coordinating with Crawford they both nail Fringe with stereo dropkicks that send the big man over the top rope and to the outside with Tyler Cage as well!
Mr. Rad: FRINGE AND CAGE ARE OUT HIT THE SHOWERS VOODOO BOI AND AXE BO-BO-BOD-BODY SPRAY
Enraged on the outside, Fringe yanks Cage up by his hair and starches him with a right hand. But Cage isn’t taking it! The two begin to brawl to the back as the action continues in the ring!
Arthur La Forge: Goode and Crawford score an elimination each, and it’s shocking that such newcomers would go out when they did!
Mary DeSue: I don’t think they noticed, they’re too busy fighting each other!
Arthur La Forge: Hopefully they’re separated backstage, but we’ve got more action to watch here!
Eli Goode turns around right into a superkick from Sister Sin! Erika Crawford leaps at her and the two begin exchanging blows as Tirri whips Tact into the ropes. He catches himself just as Eli is using them to get up, steadying himself and...TACT WITH A BIG CLOTHESLINE! ELI GOES OVER THE TOP BUT HE’S HANGING ON!!
Eli klcks furiously and tries to pull himself up but Tact hauls off and delivers a kick through the ropes to the back of Eli’s head! He instinctively lets go to cover up and falls to the floor.
Mr. Rad: AND THATS NOT GOODE! BYE ELI!
Mary DeSue: Larry Tact still causing issues for Eli. You think he could use a good lawyer to help him?
Arthur La Forge: I don’t think a lawyer within a 100 mile radius of Indianapolis would want to after Dead by Daylight.
Mary DeSue: I know, it’s great. That’s what he gets!
Arthur La Forge: Anyway, Goode has had a real rough patch lately but I’ve seen tape of him in other places. He can bounce back from anything when he puts his mind to it. I’m sure he will do so here in Level Up.
Mary DeSue: Too bad he can’t bounce back into the battle royal, huh?
Eli looks dejected but makes his way up the ramp without incident. Tact mouths insults after him but turns into a dropkick by Sister Sin that almost sends him over the top! She gets up and tries to shove him over the top rope with little success! Tact hangs on for dear life, clubbing the back of Sister Sin’s neck ! He eventually gets her off of him and follows after her across the ring, putting the leather to Sister Sin while Erika Crawford has gotten Tirri into a corner!
Arthur La Forge: The field is starting to wind down.
Mary DeSue: The way they're fighting, how are they going to be able to team immediately after?
Arthur La Forge: Hopefully championship gold is enough to persuade them!
The young fighter shows her inexperience though as she climbs to the second rope and begins punching Tirri in the face. She hauls off for ten but Tirri suddenly snatches her and forces her into position for a powerbomb! Crawford reveses though and hangs perilously over the top rope, trying to pull Tirri over! But the Finnish giant is just too powerful as he lifts her back up for the powerbomb and nails it, sending Erika Crawford crashing to the floor on the outside!!
Mr. Rad: Erika’s in the business of misery as she’s been ELIMINATED!
Arthur La Forge: Tough break for Erika but Tirri is one of our top stars for a reason.
Mary DeSue: Damn right he is!
On the other side of the ring, Drew Dangerous has honed in on Sister Sin after knocking Tact to his knees with a stiff forearm smash. Him and the enigmatic, mysterious, terrifying woman begin to brawl to a corner until Sister sin takes him over with an arm drag and goes to lock in a triangle choke but Drew reverses and lifts her up in a modified powerbomb!! He goes for the ropes...and so does Don Tirri! Tirri dumps both out but Sister Sin clings to the bottom rope and evades elimination!!
Mr. Rad: Let's get dangerous...to the back because he's been eliminated!
Arthur La Forge: Sister Sin proving how craft she is.
Mary DeSue: Like witchcraft, right?
Arthur La Forge: What? No! Don't make her think I'm joking about her!
Sister Sin rolls in under the bottom rope only to be met by Tirri puting the boots to her. She sends an uppercut into his netherregion though which doubles the Finn over. She bounces off the ropes, and nails him with a knee strike that wobbles him further! Tirri stumbles into the ropes. Sister Sin goes over and begins trying to shove the groggy Tirri over the top rope! Tact, seeing this charges in and throws them both over!
DON TIRRI LANDS ON THE APRON AND ROLLS IN! SISTER SIN HITS THE FLOOR!!
Mr. Rad: Sister Sin returns to the convent! Your winners and moving into the tournament...Don Tirri and Larry Tact!
Arthur La Forge: How in the world are these two going to work together?
Mary DeSue: They don't like each other and now they could be champions? Where have I seen that before?
Arthur La Forge: This ain't a buddy cop movie, these two have to try to compose themselves because they fight Bert McAlroy and Ahmya….next!
---
As the team of Bert McAlroy and Ahmya make their entrance, we are shown a commercial for the next time Level Up Wrestling comes to PPV.
---
We come back from the commercial to find Tirri and Tact still bickering in the ring, while Bert McAlroy and Ahmya stare at them in amusement. Bert opts to start for his team and while he wants to start with Tact, Tact decides he needs a breather from the battle royal and lets Tirri go instead. Tirri nods at McAlroy in respect and extends a fist, the two bump knuckles and we’re ready to begin.
Arthur La Forge: Don Tirri is actually headed back to Reno immediately after tonight to face Matt Knox in Uprising, so he’s getting a little preview here with his protege.
Mary DeSue: Thicci’s leaving? But he’s gonna miss me in the District Conquest!
Arthur La Forge: I’m sure he’ll be watching from his hotel room.
Mary DeSue: You think so?
They lock up and it’s obvious from the beginning that Tirri has the advantage of that. The veteran switches to a side headlock, then rotates around to a hammerlock, then a side headlock again, which he proceeds to crank to prove a point. McAlroy tries to find some purchase to get out of the hold and begins to hit forearms to the kidneys of the larger Tirri. This allows him to wiggle free of Tirri’s grasp, so he backs up and bounces off the ropes. Tirri goes for a clothesline, ducked by Bert, who runs and bounces off the other side, coming back with a dropkick! Tirri gets up to his feet and Bert hits another one, catching him right on the chin! Tact suddenly yells out something at McAlroy from the apron and the hotheaded Bert lunges at him, only for Tact to drop down. Bert turns right around and Tirri finally nails that lariat, flipping the smaller McAlroy onto his stomach!
Arthur La Forge: Don Tirri and Bert McAlroy respect each other, but respect goes out the window in a title situation.
Mary DeSue: You’d think Bert would have learned that when Lockheart crushed his face against her title belt.
Tirri then turns to Tact and yells at him, noting that he didn’t need his help. Tact respectfully disagrees by giving him the bird. Tirri turns around and takes his aggression out on McAlroy, stomping him in the head. He throws McAlroy into the corner and extends the hand, with hesitation, but Tact wastes no time in tagging himself in. Tact hits Bert with a back elbow as he steps in, runs a few steps out, then comes back in with a corner clothesline. McAlroy slides down the corner and Tact begins to stomp at him. He then scoops McAlroy up for a quick body slam, before adding an elbow for good measure. He picks him back up and grabs him by the head, before flinging him head first at the mat. As he takes a step back to admire his handiwork, Tirri reaches in and tags himself back in. Tact does not seem happy about this.
Arthur La Forge: Tact barely had any time to get going and Tirri is back in.
Mary DeSue: Good! The more my thicc boi is in there, the better!
Arthur La Forge: Not if you’re Larry Tact.
Tirri drops down and applies a basic rear chinlock to McAlroy, holding him in place while driving his knee into the back of his neck. McAlroy begins to kick his legs to try and wiggle out but Tirri is holding on tightly. Lacking any other options, McAlroy borrows a move from another wrestler he’s watched, grabbing two of Tirri’s fingers and yanking them, possibly dislocating one! Tirri lets go and begins to shake off the pain in his hand, with Bert hitting a few right hands! He then runs and bounces off the ropes for something, but Tirri ducks low and catches him with a back body drop!
Arthur La Forge: You can tell the last match McAlroy was in did him no favors. He’s moving slower and getting up slower than he normally does.
Mary DeSue: You sure his reaction time just isn’t blurred because of all the drugs? You know, smoking his inspiration?
Arthur La Forge: I don’t think his partner would let him do that before a big night like tonight, and I think Bert is smarter than that anyway.
Tirri reaches down and grabs the head of McAlroy, who begins delivering elbows to try and create some distance. Tirri stops that with a kick to the abdomen, before throwing him into a neutral corner with an Irish Whip. He charges in but McAlroy gets his boots up, causing Don to stumble backward. Tirri shakes it off and charges in for a clothesline, but McAlroy scores with BONG WATER out of nowhere! McAlroy collapses and Tirri is laid out. Instead of going for the cover, Bert begins to crawl over to his corner. Tirri manages to roll over to his corner and reluctantly tags in Tact, while Bert dives and tags in Ahmya!
Arthur La Forge: Hot tag Ahmya, who has been dying to get in!
Mary DeSue: Sure, after she let her boyfriend get beat up!
Larry Tact runs and charges at Ahmya, who runs and jumps up, catching him with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors! She bounces back to her feet and waits for Tact to stand, ducks a clothesline attempt and gets a leaping forearm! She goes for an irish Whip and Tact reverses, but as she comes back he grabs her, attempting the ‘Humbling’, but she uses the upward momentum to float into a sitting position on Tact’s shoulders, before rolling forward with a victory roll!!
ONE!
TWO!
THr--Tirri breaks it up!
Arthur La Forge: Ahmya nearly caught Tact there, but Tirri managed to save it for the titles, if not Tact.
Mary DeSue: We need a championship around his waist...or I guess hand, since it’s a glove.
Ahmya gets up and glares at Don Tirri, but the distraction appears to be all Tact needed as he clubs her in the back of the head with a forearm! Don seems irritated that Tact took full advantage of the momentarily distracted Ahmya but chooses to go outside and let him work. There are titles on the line, after all. But before he can, Bert is back in the ring and spins him around, nailing him with a series of shots! It seems McAlroy also didn’t enjoy the two-on-one, no matter how unintentional!
Arthur La Forge: Bert McAlroy is growing quite defensive of Ahmya. No doubt she can handle herself, but Tact will take every advantage he can.
Mary DeSue: As he should! It’s not his fault she took her eye off the ball.
Tact quickly grabs Ahmya, dazed from the shot to the head, and lifts her up and drops her back down with the HUMBLING! The Uranage suplex caught flush on the back of her head! He drops down for the cover...but the referee is busy trying to stop the Bert-Tirri brawl! Tact gets up and moves over to McAlroy and quickly kicks him in the head, which causes him to spill through the ropes, pulling Tirri out with him! The two land hard on the floor and Tirri gets up, looking up and questioning Tact. Tact yells at him for costing him a pinfall and before Tirri can yell back, Bert has TACKLED HIM OVER THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!
Arthur La Forge: LOOK OUT!
Mary DeSue: GET OUT OF HERE YOU LITTLE STONER! ARE YOU OKAY THICCI?
Tact washes his hands of what’s going on outside the ring and grabs the seemingly lifeless Ahmya. He lifts her up for the Starbreaker, first the suplex position and he starts to allow her to fall into the neckbreaker, but AHMYA COUNTERS INTO A MANAMI ROLL!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!
Mr. Rad: Your winners and moving onto the semifinals...BERT MCALROY AND AHMYA!!
Mary DeSue: WHAT?! WHAT HAPPENED?
Arthur La Forge: Tact got distracted by the brawl outside and Ahmya caught him slipping, much like what happened to her earlier!
Mary DeSue: That’s ridiculous! I demand a do over!
Arthur La Forge: You know that’s not how this works!
Ahmya quickly rolls out of the ring and to the outside. Bert, hearing his name announced as the winner, removes himself from the brawl with Tirri and joins her in a hug. Tirri gets up and glares at Larry Tact in the ring, who is beside himself with shock. Tirri immediately rolls in the ring and as Tact gets up, Tact blames Tirri! Don Tirri takes this as well as you can imagine, as he shoves Tact about a foot back, and that’s all it takes for a brawl to break out again! Referees begin immediately running in through the arcade to immediately break it up.
Arthur La Forge: Ah dang, here we go!
Mary DeSue: KICK HIS ASS TIRRI! He cost us the tag titles!
Arthur La Forge: “Us?”
The referees aren’t having an easy time breaking up the two veterans as they attempt to beat the crap out of each other, so they start waving in the WaLuigis! They leave Captain 80s, who has been on DDR this entire time, and begin to run around the district to make their way inside, and one of them, WaLink, accidentally knocks a Chadweiser out of Chaos’ hand! The Drunken Buzzsaw, already four into a six-pack, doesn’t take kindly to that. He immediately grabs the poor WaLink by the back of the head and hoists him up...AND HITS ALCOHOL FUELED BRUTALITY ON THE FLOOR!
Arthur La Forge: Remind me never to interrupt that man while he’s drinking.
Mary DeSue: I think WaLink is dead.
Chaos chugs the rest of his beer and heads off to another district, while in the ring, the sheer amount of humanity has finally divided Tact and Tirri, with the former deciding to get out while the getting’s good and he heads to the back. Tirri is left to stew in the ring.
---
The Time Jumpers vs. Jennifer Williams & Teddy Warren
The bell rings as Teddy and Ciela start for their respective teams, circling each other. Teddy charges forward going for a lockup, but Ciela bides her time and launches a shot right to the sternum of Teddy. Teddy goes backwards clutching his chest as Ciela kicks him in the gut, and takes him down to the mat with a Snap DDT! Grabbing Teddy up from the mat and tossing him into the ropes, Ciela follows up her assualt with a Pele Kick sending Teddy back down to the mat. Ciela notices how close Teddy is to his corner and quickly drags him over to the "Time Jumpers" corner and tags in Makayla. Makayla goes up top and hits "Miller's Tale", Red Arrow, and Ciela heads up to the turnbuckle post and hits her "Princesca" moonsault. Cover on Teddy.
One...
Tw...
Pinfall broken up by Jennifer Williams!
Arthur La Forge: They may not like working together, but it doesn’t change the fact that Jennifer Williams and Teddy Warren want gold.
Mary DeSue Well, the Power Glove is apparently bad. I heard someone say that on my way out here.
Arthur La Forge: Lucas is here?
Referee Kirby admonishes Jennifer for breaking the pin attempt, and Makayla grabs Teddy and slaps him in a camel clutch. Teddy screams out in pain as Makayla locks in the hold. After a few moments, and much wiggling from Teddy, he's able to weasel his foot onto the ropes breaking the hold. Makayla picks up Teddy and tosses him into the ropes. SNAP DDT! Makayla picks up Teddy and tosses him into the ropes she looks to be going for a back body drop, but Teddy leaps over her and hits the ropes. On the rebound he comes in with a superkick, Makayla ducks, and grabs Teddy's leg and tosses him into the ropes. Tag to Ciela as Makalya leaps up to the top rope and comes off hitting a flying forearm, to the rebounding Teddy! Ciela goes up top and hits a 630 Splash, "Unicorn Horn", but Teddy rolls out of the way! Both are down. Teddy crawls his way over to his corner and tags in Jennifer just as Ciela tags in Makayla!
Arthur La Forge: Hot tag in both corners and here we go!
Mary DeSue: I can’t believe we have time travelers wrestling for us! CAN THEY GO BACK AND HELP TIRRI WIN THE TITLE?
The two women rush towards the center of the ring and just start wailing on each other with rights and lefts. Jennifer is able to get a slight upper hand by ducking one of Makayla's shots and runs to the ropes. Springboard Bulldog! Jennifer quickly drags Makayla over to her corner and tags in Teddy. Teddy sets up Makayla for "The Nutcracker" and Jennifer leaps off hitting a top rope ace crusher, "Sweet Dreams", and goes for the cover...
One...
Two...
Breakup by Ciela!
Arthur La Forge: After a crushing defeat to the Faction last show, Jennifer and Teddy look to really be taking the fight to the debuting Time Jumpers.
Mary DeSue: And even if the Time Jumpers lose, it’s not like we’d know because they’d just jump back and change the result!
Teddy runs and attacks Ciela and they start trading punches until Ciela ducks a punch and takes both her and Teddy over the top rope to the outside. Jennifer is arguing with the referee about the interference as Makayla starts to get up. Jennifer see's her get up and charges forward. Jennifer goes for a headscissors but Makayla catches her and turns. POWERBOMB INTO THE CORNER! Jennifer lands neck first on the top turnbuckle and moves forward right into a "Blast from the Past" superkick! Cover by Makayla!
One..
Two...
Teddy tries to break up the count but is pulled back out by Ciela!
Three!!!
Mr. Rad: Here are your winners...The Time Jumpers!!
Arthur La Forge: And just like that, it’s over!
Mary DeSue: Almost as if the flow of time has been tampered with!
Arthur La Forge: Will you stop with that? It’s just a name.
Mary DeSue: Sure, and you’re gonna tell me Legion never actually killed a guy too, huh?
---
James Wilcox is backstage, standing in the middle of the Faction. He is wearing his dark black robes. The hood up. Drake in his ring attire and typical custom wrestling paint to his right with the newest member Gina draped off his shoulder. Isaac to the left but further back. His paint the opposite to Drakes. They all stand in front of a metal mesh barrier. The arena in this area isn’t very well lit.
Lenny Brasco: I’m backstage here at Wrestlestock with someone that wasn’t booked tonight, ‘The Wizard’ James Wilcox. James, It’s the first time we’ve seen you since Dead By Daylight. You were unsuccessful in winning the title. Your thoughts?
James Wilcox: Who said it was unsuccessful? So I didn’t win a title. My time will come don’t you worry about that. When I want a title I’ll go take a title.
James pulls his hood down and takes a step towards the camera.
James Wilcox: Did any of you see the arena after I was eliminated? Utter chaos.
He sadistically smiles into the camera.
James Wilcox: Why don’t you Ask Tirri how the table felt? Ask Tact what receiving the Gateway to Hell is like. Shepard getting Head Hunted. Sin becoming one with the barricade. The Faction, Outnumbered yet utterly dominant. We took your pay per views premier match and we did what we wanted. It was left to the mercy of the Faction. You pig fans should consider that a reminder of our goals and you all in the locker room should all consider it a message sent. Anyone, Anytime and anywhere.
The Faction: In absentia lucis, Tenebrae vincunt.
The Factions music begins to play in the background and they make their way towards the curtain.
---
Dionysus & Chef Andre vs. The Faction (Drake Wilcox & ISAAC)
The match kicks off with Chef Andre coming up against the enormous frame of ISAAC, who at 7 foot tall has a noticeable height advantage. The two lock up in the centre of the ring but ISAAC pushes the Chef away with relative ease. Poêlon, not to be outdone, recovers and stubbornly locks up with the massive brute again. This time ISAAC transitions into a side headlock, and the Chef shoots him off the ropes. Andre corks back and connects with a massive discus clothesline - THE APPETIZER! Unbelievably the huge man is still standing, but his bell is rung, he’s completely groggy. Seizing the moment, Andre tags in Dionysuis, and two drop the big man with a double suplex! Dionysuis makes the cover!
Mary DeSue: Ginger boy covers big boy!
Arthur La Forge: Got another crush, Mary?
Mary DeSue: Ew! No! Only Thicci has my heart!
One!
Two!
ISAAC kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: The faction no doubt breathing a sigh of relief as big as the Wrestling World when Trent Steel dropped his ‘sexy’ gimmick
Mary DeSue: Who’s Trent Steel?
Dionysus begins to work over his opponent with a combination of strong strikes and submission holds. ISAAC, tired of being bogged down, finally forces his way out and slams Dionysus with a spinebuster! Slow to get to his feet, ISAAC manages to tag in Drake, who immediately goes to work on Dionysus. He unleashes a series of strikes, starting with a club to the back and followed up by a knee to the gut. Drake completes his attack with a flurry of punches - HANDS OF AGGRESSION! The last punch, a brutal uppercut to the jaw, knocks Dionysus to the mat, and Darke follows up with a pin.
Arthur La Forge: Here we go1 Big blows this could be it!
One!
Two!
Dionysus kicks out!
Mary DeSue:What’s it like being so wrong, old, and ugly?
Arthur La Forge: It hurts, and so do words Mary.
The crowd rains down boos as The Faction begin to work over Dionysus in the corner, tagging in an out to keep him away from his partner. While Drake punishes Dionysus with some punches in the corner, ISAAC takes exception to the treatment of The Faction by the crowd, roaring at them to “SHUT UP”! The distraction costs him, though, as Chef Andre Poelon enters the ring and clubs him from behind. Drake sees this and turns his attention to the Chef, but is lifted into a huge samoan drop! The match begins to break down as both teams are brawling in the ring.
Mary DeSue: Oh look, the ref still can’t do his job.
Arthur La Forge: Is this you still being mad about combat evolved?
Mary DeSue: RICCI GOT SCREWED!
Eventually Dionysus and Chef Andre get the upper hand, with ISAAC being sent to the outside courtesy of a top rope drop by the Chef. Dionysus signals to Andre, who nods in agreement. Grabbing Drake by the hair, Chef plants a stiff boot into his midsection, dropping him to his knees. This sets him up for Dionysus, who bounces off the ropes and connects with a shining wizard! He follows this up with a moonsault, completing the ROUND OF APPLAUSE! Both men jump on Drake to hold him down for the cover.
One!
Two!
Thr-BROKEN UP BY ISAAC!
Arthur La Forge: Another near fall! The newcomers are making a statement with the fight they’re putting up against these faction brutes!
With impressive strength, The Faction’s hired muscle pulls both men off of his teammate. He grabs their heads and sends them into one another, causing a sickening “WHACK” to echo through the arena. Chef Andre and Dionysus stumble around groggily. ISAAC grabs Dionysus and sends him tumbling out of the ring. He then grabs Chef Andre by the throat, and everyone in the audience knows what’s coming next. Drake finally makes it up to his feet and joins his partner in the goozle. The Faction lift Chef Andre into the air but he counters with a DOUBLE DDT!
Arthur La Forge: The chef is serving up some grit with a side of pain!
Mary DeSue: The stream just lost 200 viewers. Way to go Arty
The crowd erupts at the counter and begins chanting BE MY GUEST! BE MY GUEST! BE MY GUEST! Dionysus slides back into the ring and all four men slowly get to their feet. In a blood rage, The Faction charge at their foes, but Dionysus lifts Drake into a huge flapjack, and Chef Andre ducks a clothesline to plant ISAAC with a massive side slam! ENTREE IS SERVED! The Chef rolls over into the pin.
One!
Two!
Three!
Mr. Rad: Here are your winners...Dionysus and Chef Andre Poêlon!
Mary DeSue: THE GINGER AND THE FRENCHY DID IT!!
Arthur La Forge: They were stuck together seemingly at random but are now one step closer to--wait, what the hell is this?
Mary DeSue: Shenanigans Artie!
James Wilcox has come to ringside and, enraged at his fellow Faction members for another loss, slides into the ring and orders them to attack! Dionysus and Chef Andre are no sooner to their feet than the large behemoths immediately mow them down! The Wizard holds up his ‘wand’ (a special, painted sledgehammer) and for good measure, slams it into the ribs of Andre! ISAAC leaves the ring and grabs a chair, tossing it inside. Drake holds down Dionysus, choking him in the process, while ISAAC reenters the fray and pins down the arm of Andre, wrapping it up in the chair. The Wizard looks at an lifts his wand up high, looking to break the Chef’s pan-swinging arm!
Arthur La Forge: My God it’s just like what they did to Adam Miller at combat evolved! Ref! Someone stop this!
Mary DeSue: No one, except maybe Bert, is stupid enough to come out here and fight all three members of the Faction Arturo!
Suddenly, smoke from dry ice starts appearing around the ramp and then on the big screen the words ‘FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE’ appear. The fans in the audience seem confused at first, as “Intro to Ultraviolence” by Robert Slump begins playing. The music stops and the arena goes dark. The music hits again and a figure with a crimson red cloak stands at the ramp with his arms wide. The faction has no idea who or what this is..
Arthur La Forge: You might be wrong Mary, but Who the hell is this?
The figure walks down the ramp, slowly walking to the bottom of the ramp and the music stops. A short pause and the hood is ripped off.
Arthur La Forge: HOLY [BLEEP]! It’s Adam Miller! He’s back!
Mary DeSue: I thought The Faction killed him!
Arthur La Forge: Broke his arm, but it seems he got better!
Miller darts in the ring, carrying a steel chair with him, and begins taking out the Faction trying to get James. After a little scuffle he takes out Isaac and Drake with chair shots to the head. Dionysus and Chef Andre get up and run at both of the larger men, knocking them outside of the ring. James tries to attack Miller but he counters him into a crossface!
Arthur La Forge: CROSSFACE! ITS LOCKED IN!!
James manages to escape and the Faction regroup on the ramp. Miller stands in the ring arms open screaming, as both Dionysus and Andre stand alongside him.
Adam Miller: THE PRODIGAL SON HAS RETURNED!
Mary DeSue: Woooh, broke arm boy is back!
Arthur La Forge: You might not be willing to sell it, Mary but the Faction look scared shitless to me. This is obviously nowhere near over, but for now we are while you enjoy a word from our sponsors at NordVPN!!
---
Sidroy Covington IV & Ragdoll vs. Jenny & Supreme Machine
Ragdoll waves Sidroy out dismissively to the apron as the bell rings, staring across the ring at the machines she had openly stated a desire for dismantling. In the opposite corner, Jenny and SuMa communicate, or rather Jenny tells her brother to wait his turn and shoos him onto the apron, with Supreme Machine looking like he wanted to murder her before adhering to the rules. Queenie then wastes no time and charges the surprised Ragdoll with a big spear that takes her to the mat! Queenie begins laying in with punches and blows!!
Arthur La Forge: Jennifer Rivers, Queen Machine, Jenny...whatever you want to call her she is a dangerous woman and Ragdoll has made the sin of pissing her off/
Mary DeSue: I Hope the clown loses.
Arthur La Forge: Which one?
Mary DeSue: Yes.
Queenie yanks Ragdoll up and whips her into the ropes. She goes for a clothesline but Ragdoll ducks, she rebounds and comes in with her own but Jenny is on fire! She ducks under it and chases Ragdoll, nailing her with a clothesline that sends her to the outside. Jenny then backs up and bounces off the ropes before charging forward and diving through the middle and top rope...but Ragdoll evades at the last minute and Jenny crashes into the guardrail!! Ragdoll measurs Queenie, going for the last Laugh.
Mary DeSue: KILL THE CLOWN, CLOWN!
But Supreme Machine suddenly snatches her by the scruff of her neck! He lifts Ragdol over his head and with brutal strength throws her into the ring. He then lifts his sister by her hair, and throws her into the ring just the same before returning to his corner. Ragdoll, incensed, goes and tags Sidroy in. Sidroy eyes Supreme Machine and seems content to let Queeny go and tag him..until suddenly he leaps forth with a big curb stomp! He goes for the cover!
Mary DeSue: Get her Sidroy!
Arthur La Forge: You know, we’re supposed to be unbiased
Mary DeSue: Actually, Arthur you are supposed to be as the play by play part of this team. I’m color commentator which means I make it interesting and hype up the big things. So please don’t mansplain my job to me.
Arthur La Forge: ….
ONE!
TWO!
No! Supreme Machine breaks it up by snatching Sidroy by his hair. He lifts the thrashing socialite up but doesn’t see Ragdoll launch from the top rope...or does he?! He drops Sidroy and catches Ragdoll by her throat. He lifts her for a chokeslam, but Sidroy saves his teammate with a chop block! He scrambles to his feet and together, the two drop SuMa with a double DDT. As they get up, Jenny has gotten to her feet and dives at them with a double clothesline! The ref has lost all control!!
Arthur La Forge: While i’m sure Supreme Machine and Jennifer are not your typical family unit and the christmases are decidedly cold and I don’t mean the weather, they are without a doubt an effective unit. He has stopped Sidroy and Ragdoll from winning twice now.
Mary DeSue: Probably helps, him being fucking giant and all too.
Supreme Machine gets to his feet, his head snapping to Jenny who motions wildly to him. He grunts and holds his hands together and low. Jenny leaps and bounces off the giant mits, nailing Ragdoll with a flying roundhouse as she gets up that knocks her to the outside. Supreme Machine follows as Jenny stalks Sidroy, the legal man She goes for a superkick but Sidoy catches her leg, then throws it over his shoulder and nails her with an exploder!!
Arthur La Forge: Beautiful counter by the wisdom champ!
Mary DeSue: Beautiful counter by a beautiful man!
Sidroy dives onto Jenny with THE COVINGTON CAVE IN! He then goes to lock in the FFB but Jenny fights like hell! SuMa sees his sibling in peril and moves to help but Ragdoll nails him with a low blow! The ref doesn’t see it! She begins searching under the ring for a weapon...BUT SUDDENLY A BILLOW OF SMOKE GOES INTO HER FACE, STUNNING HER!! Bert McAlroy rolls out from under the ring, red eyed and grinning he shouts “FUCK CLOWNS” before running into the audience. Supreme Machine grabs Ragdoll in a Von Erich Claw, lifts her up and slams her to the concrete floor on the outside!
Mary DeSue: GET THAT FUCKING CHEATING STONER OUT OF HERE! DISQUALIFY THE FREAKS!
Arthur La Forge: Technically...TECHNICALLY he didn’t attack anyone though
Mary DeSue: SHUT YOUR TECHNICAL MOUTH!!
Supreme Machine rolls into the ring, snatching Sidroy once more..DEUS EX MACHINA! Jenny yells for her brother to lift him back up and nails him with THE CROWNING! She goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!
Mr. Rad: Here are you winners...Jenny and Supreme Machine! They advance to the next round!
Arthur La Forge: Supreme Machine is definitely someone to watch in the upcoming matches!
Mary DeSue: Yeah...this one night tournament is just full of surprises folks! Stay tuned!
---
His music starts to play and Duncan Shepard makes his way down to the ring carrying the Level Up Power title belt over his left shoulder.
Arthur La Forge: Well this is a surprise! Duncan Shepard isn’t booked on our card tonight. He’s already beaten Zolton in the Wrestlestock Open and still has more tournament in him later on! But he’s still making time to make an appearance on this historic show.
Mary DeSue: Wow, aren’t we lucky...
Duncan climbs up the steps and into the ring where he is handed a microphone. He waits in the ring until his music fades and the crowd grows quiet.
Duncan Shepard: What do we all think of EXP 10 taking place for the first time here at Wrestlestock?
Duncan gets a cheap pop and Mary’s eyes roll heavily enough to be audible in spite of it.
Duncan Shepard: Even though I don’t have a match on this show I made sure I was here at Mr. Rad’s Rad Party for two reasons. Firstly, because I’m as excited as I’m certain all of you are, to see who will become the first ever Level Up Multiplayer Champions. Secondly, because I wanted to take a couple of minutes to say thank you.
The crowd pops again for their Power Champion.
Duncan Shepard: You see, earlier this year I was lost. Just when I thought I was getting somewhere the rug got pulled out from beneath me and sent me plummeting. It left me without purpose beyond mere survival. I was driving hours a day, going without decent food to get to the next show just so I could make enough money to do it again the next day. That was until May. I saw the announcement that Level Up Wrestling would be looking to crown their inaugural Power Champion in just a couple of short months. It was fortunate for me that my travels had brought me to Indiana, but something more important than that happened. I tried to bum a hundred dollars from the Developer for gas money and he said yes.
Mary DeSue:He didn’t!?
Arthur La Forge: That’s how the story goes. He or she or whatever the Developer is, we still don’t know, went the extra mile to bring Shepard to Level Up. It’s worked out so far!
Duncan Shepard: That’s when I knew that Level Up was different and since I’ve been here I’ve been treated with nothing but respect and dignity. Being here has once again given me a purpose. That is what I want to thank you for.
There is a pause as the emotions are getting to Shepard.
Duncan Shepard: It is my honor and my privilege to be able to stand here today as the first ever Level Up Power Champion.
Duncan hoists the belt up into the air with his left hand and slowly turns giving everyone a good look at it.
Duncan Shepard: This title will be contested in matches outside the remit of traditional wrestling rules. No Holds Barred. Weapons legal and no doubt more. Under these circumstances it becomes easy to forget who we are and give in to senseless violence. I’ve seen it happen a hundred times, the men and women who have held the predecessors and contemporaries of this title, become nothing more than violent monsters who do nothing but degrade the product they are meant to uplift.
Duncan Shepard: That will not be me. No matter the match, no matter the rules, no matter the opponent I will uphold the Power title with dignity and strength. Under my stewardship its name will never be sullied, its legacy will not be tarnished and as long as I am champion I will represent this title and this company to the best of my ability. Because I’m Commander Shepard and this is my favourite company on the Citadel!
Suddenly “Ace of Spades” By Motörhead hits the PA-system, interrupting Shepard and after a few moments out into the aisleway walks “Old School Cool” Don Tirri. The big Finn walks towards the ring, slapping hands with the fans as he does and slides in to stand face to face with Shepard.
Don Tirri: First off. Congratulations Shep. You earned that win. I said before the match that if I don’t win, I sure as hell hope it’s you.
Tirri gives a quick nod of acknowledgement to Shepard before continuing.
Don Tirri: Since you came to Level Up, Shep, I’ve liked what I’ve seen. You’re respectful, humble and damn good in the ring. You are just the kind of a man this promotion needs to have to represent it for the outside world. But there is one thing that I need to point out.
He looks around the arena, stopping to wink at Mary.
Don Tirri: Before the match at Dead by Daylight Shep, we both said that if either of us win, we’d give the other the first shot at the title. Well, you won. So… are you a man of your word commander?
Duncan nods along in quiet agreement.
Don Tirri: Thing is, the Power title is out of my comfort zone. But I got a taste for the kind of performance that is required of you at DbDl. And I kinda liked it. But throw into that the fact that I also ain’t the biggest fan of multi-person clusterfucks and you get a pretty good picture of why despite losing I’m not all that broken up. And most importantly Shep… I am a firm believer that I can take you one-on-one and walk away victorious. So Commander, you, me, Power Title and Devil May Cry. We on or not?
Tirri extends his hand, offering a handshake to Shepard and waits for his response.
Duncan Shepard: You know Don, I appreciate your words, I really do. I've gotta say though, when only days out from one of the biggest wins of my career you came out to put an asterisk on it, it kinda pissed me off. In fairness though, as my memory filled in more of the blank spots from that night I realised I couldn't say you were wrong. See, no matter how many people started that match, at the end I beat Larry Tact one on one in a Ladder match to claim this belt.
Duncan lifts the belt off his shoulder a little.
Duncan Shepard: But no, I didn't exactly beat you. So as far as I'm concerned, whether or not we agreed anything beforehand I think it's clear to see that you're the rightful number one contender to this title, so yeah, at Devil May Cry, you're on.
Duncan finally meets Don's outstretched hand and shakes it.
Duncan Shepard: But Don, while you may have got a taste for this now, stepping in the ring with me is like drinking ryncol. You may think it tastes good at first, but it can still tear you up on the way down.
With that Duncan breaks the handshake and gives Tirri a wicked grin before backing up and leaving the ring.
---
Bert McAlroy & Ahmya vs The Time Jumpers
Starting off for each team this time is Bert and Makayla with a lockup. Bert wins that by putting Makayla into a headlock and tossing her forward towards the ropes. Bert goes for a dropkick but Makayla grabs the ropes to stop herself. Bert, exerting himself somewhat, kips back up and charges towards Makayla. She pulls the top rope down and sends Bert out in front of the commentary table with a thud. We can see Bert already gasping for air somewhat at this point having already had a match before this one.
Arthur La Forge: The nature of a tournament means you aren’t going to be as fresh as the match before. Plus, the Time Jumpers are completely new to Bert and Ahmya.
Mary DeSue Stop making excuses for his loss! I have it on good authority that they will control time to make sure he can’t win! They’re Time Lords, they can do that!
Arthur La Forge: They’re not…
Mary DeSue: EXTERMINATE BERT!
Referee Kirby starts to count out Bert as Makayla bides her time in the ring, also taking care not to overexert herself.
One...
Two...
Bert slides in and gets stomped on by Makayla. She picks up Bert and hits him with a Belly to Belly Suplex. She tags in Ciela and drags Bert over to their corner. Ciela goes up top and goes for "Over the Rainbow" as Makayla stays in the ring. Cover by Ciela!
One...
Amhya gets into the ring as Makayla goes for her superkick, "Blast From The Past", which Amhya ducks...
Two...
Elbow drop to the back of Ciela's head! Makayla grabs Amhya and tosses her into the ropes. Amhya picks up speed and ducks the clothesline from Makayla. Makayla turns around and gets clocked with a running heel kick from Amhya as Referee Kirby tells both of them to get out of the ring. Ciela gets up and see's Bert has slide to the outside of the ring. Ciela goes up top. "Princesca"! Ciela leaps off going for the moonsault and lands on Bert! Both are down as their partners go back to their respective corners.
One...
Two...[/i]
Arthur La Forge: This match is back and forth so far, but you can tell that the Time Jumpers have more experience as a team.
Mary DeSue Oh Bert and Ahmya have experience, alright…
Arthur La Forge: WILL YOU STOP?
Three...
Four...
Ciela finally gets to her feet, as the high risk move took a lot out of her as well. She picks up Bert and rolls him in under the ropes. Sliding in she picks up Bert and hits a Snap DDT! Bert is laid out as Ciela goes up top. She calls for "Unicorn Horn", but Bert kips up and lunges for the top rope. Ciela falls off landing on the top rope on her groin. Bert falls back onto the mat. He starts crawling over to Amyha. Ciela, having a bit more energy, tags in Makayla who runs forward and elbow drops Bert in the back of the head. She pulls Bert to the center of the ring and locks in a camel clutch!
Arthur La Forge: An old school move from Ciela, but effective!
Mary DeSue: Hopefully he TAPS OUT.
Bert is not giving up as Makayla tries to get Bert to give up. After a while she decides to go for another strategy. She tags in Ciela and they both launch Bert into the ropes. Bert rebounds and Ciela and Makayla both go for superkicks, but Bert ducks them...DOUBLE GIVE THEM THE BERT!!! Bert crawls and tags in Amhya and she charges forward! Makayla is the first one up and goes for a "Blast From The Past" but is intercepted by Bert's "Bong Water" Superkick! Ahyma grabs Ciela and hits a jumping facebuster! Toss to the ropes...Bulldog from Bert! Makayla gets up and grabs Bert, reversal from Bert to where he's behind Makayla...Katahajime!!! Amhya goes up top..."Hail’s Blessing"!! Cover!!!
One...
Two...
THREE!!
Mr. Rad: Here are your winners, and moving onto the FINALS, Bert McAlroy and Ahmya!
Arthur La Forge: Just going by the experience as a team, this has to be somewhat of an upset!
Mary DeSue I’m certainly upset.
Arthur La Forge: Well you’ll have to deal with it, because Bert and Ahmya are moving on to challenge for the Multiplayer Championships!
Mary DeSue: Oh joy. Rapture. Unadulterated pleasure.
---
The first semifinal match of the Multiplayer Championship tournament had come to an end and the winners were declared. Both teams had cleared the ring when "Let it Die" by Ozzy Osbourne echoes through the arena's speaker system as the lights dim. A few seconds pass before an almost demonic looking Sah'ta Thor. He is dressed in a pair of black jeans and a red t-shirt with a golden pattern of the Seven Deadly Sins with the words Sin Incarnate in white. After a moment of standing at the top of the ramp. He starts towards the ring with a purposeful stride. Once in the ring he steps in the ring and gestures for a microphone.
Arthur La Forge: This was just announced earlier this week, but wrestling veteran Sah’ta Thor has Leveled Up!
Mary DeSue: Good lord, he’s about as old as that one guy that went crazy after five episodes!
Arthur La Forge: Hopefuly we don’t have to deal with that. Not all veterans are alike.
He is given the microphone and with a devilish smile on his lips he takes a look around the gathered fans before starting to speak.
Sah'ta Thor: So this is Level Up Wrestling? I have to admit I wasn't sure what to expect for this place but I have to say I am impressed with what I have been seeing so far. With that being said, I guess introductions are in order. I am Sah'ta Thor, some of the roster might recall me from other companies we have crossed paths in. Those who don't know me will soon learn first hand what I am all about in the ring. However, there is another matter that brings me before you all here at the WrestleStock 2021 venue.
Mary DeSue: Senility?
Arthur La Forge: Mary! SHHHH!
Thor lets the moment stretch in anticipation for what he had to say. As he does so he turns so that he is looking back up the ramp with a smile on his lips.
Sah'ta Thor: Tomorrow, I go into the first round of the WrestleStock Cup Tournament against none other than Level Up Wrestling's Power Champion Duncan Shepard. Well Duncan Ryder as he is known to the folks at UGWC. But regardless, as I said in my promo for the match the two of us have history from last year. Tomorrow is a rematch of the semi-finals from last year where I beat Duncan to go onto the finals. We will see if he has better luck this time around. However, it did get me thinking about something. What does it mean here in Level Up Wrestling if I beat him again? Do I become a top contender to the Power Championship?
He held up a hand to stop the resulting boos as the crowd still didn't know that moments before he had come out he had signed a contract with Level Up Wrestling. Something that may or may not have been passed on to the commentary team.
Sah'ta Thor: With that being said we will just have to see how tomorrow turns out before I go off planning future title shots. However, let me make one thing clear to you all. I am now officially part of the Level Up Wrestling roster and fully intend to start making my impact starting EXP 11.
As the crowd breaks into chaos from the announcement Thor hands the microphone to the referee and slides out of the ring walking backing up the ramp to let the show go on.
Arthur La Forge: Thor kept it short and sweet, and no doubt he’s ready to jump right in the mix here in Level Up.
Mary DeSue: And go after Shepard, from the sound of it! Power division gonna start heating up!
---
Jenny & Supreme Machine vs. Dionysus & Chef Andre Poelon
After being assaulted by The Faction earlier in the night, Dionysus and Chef Andre are still ready to go here in the semifinals. Also ready to go are the Machines, and if either one feels the effects of their battle with Ragdoll and Sidroy, they aren’t letting it show. They discuss their gameplan in the corner while Poelon is demanding one of them come face him. Jenny opts to start for her team and begins moving around the Chef. Suddenly SuMA shows up near the Chef and appears to try to grab him, so when Andre turns to defend himself, Jenny runs across to the opposite corner and rams a forearm into the face of the Lord of the Vine, nearly knocking him from the apron. Dio tries to get in and protest, but the referee stops him, and this allows SuMa to come in and flatten the Chef with a clubbing lariat to the face!
Arthur La Forge: Supreme Machine is a force of nature and no culinary expertise in the world is gonna keep him down.
Mary DeSue: How is culinary expertise going to keep ANYONE down? Make me a casserole!
Arthur La Forge: Did you get into Bert’s edibles again?
Mary DeSue: Those. Were. Mine.
Jenny takes advantage of the fallen Chef by kicking at him as he struggles to get up. She then grabs him by the head and whips him into the nearest turnbuckle. As Andre moves toward it, Queenie follows him in only for Poelon to propel his legs in the air once he grabs the top rope, catching her by the head and flipping around with a headscissors! Andre then runs and bounces off the ropes, spinning around and catching Queenie with the APPETIZER! He then turns around and steps to SuMa as he tries to get in, hitting him with a basement dropkick that causes him to fall to the ground and smack his face on the apron. Andre spins around back on his feet as Jenny gets up, charging forward and hitting her with a HUGE haymaker. He takes a step back and extends a hand, allowing Dionysus to come in and get a piece.
Arthur La Forge: Dionysus seems more fired up in this go around. He had a rough first visit but he’ll do great things with this energy.
Mary DeSue: I just like that we have a guy nicknamed the Lord of the Vine.
Jenny doesn’t back down, as she never would, but when she attempts a right hand, Dio catches it and returns in kind. He then hits a clubbing blow to the back of the Queen Machine, who backs up into the corner. Dio hits a right hand to the abdomen, doubling her over, then another for good measure. An irish whip sends her into the opposite corner and as she comes out of it, she catches a flapjack from the Lord, who covers!
One!
Two!
Jenny kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: Jenny’s always game for a fight but Dionysus outweighs her by a good deal.
Mary DeSue: Probably all the wine!
Arthur La Forge: I don’t think he actually…
Mary DeSue: Don’t ruin this for me!
Jenny gets up and Dionysus applies a hammerlock, as she reaches to her brother for the tag. SuMa starts to come in anyway and the referee stops him, but that’s just enough time for Queenie to get a thumb to Dio’s eye. He backs up in the corner to recover and she follows, attempts an Irish whip only to get reversed and sent into the corner. She steps out and Dionysus gets a HUGE hip toss! He then scoops her up and backs her into his corner, allowing the Chef to tag back in. Dionysus holds Jenny in place while Andre comes in, runs at Dionysus who picks him up and tosses him at Jenny into the corner, squashing her between the Chef and the turnbuckles! After another tag, Dionysus lifts Jenny high up over his head and pops her up into the air, before catching her with a cutter on the way down! SuMa is seething in his corner as Jenny rolls outside. He drops down and says something to her that the camera doesn’t pick up.
Arthur La Forge: : Seems like there are some communication errors for the Machines here in the semifinal round.
Mary DeSue: SuMa came in to help her win and she’s getting beat up. What do you think they’re talking about?
Arthur La Forge: Well it aint trigonometry.
Dionysus tags in Andre, who goes outside and retrieves Queenie, while calling Suma a “[Bleep]ing donkey”. He tosses her inside and then ducks a forearm attempt, getting a reverse waistlock. She runs forward while he has her and this allows Supreme Machine to make a blind tag, comes in as the Chef attempts a wheelbarrow rollup and kicks him right in the skull! SuMa then picks up Andre and hits clubbing blows. He grabs the arm of the Chef and twists it, before Jenny asks to tag back in. SuMa seems reluctant so soon but does so. She comes in and dives off, catching Andre with a Jennycanrana! She hooks the legs!
ONE!
TWO!
THr--no! Andre kicks out![/i]
Arthur La Forge: Jenny back in already, but she almost got the win!
Mary DeSue: The Chef is tough though, he grew up in the mean kitchens of Paris!
Arthur La Forge: I don’t even know where to begin with how wrong that is.
She tags SuMa back in and holds Andre down on the canvas, and SuMa just allows himself to fall with an elbow that nearly collapses the body of his opponent. He then scoops up Andre and hangs him in the tree of woe in their corner, before stepping on his chin and throat as long as the referee’s five count will allow. Jenny tags herself back in and comes in the ring, runs up to Dionysus and sticks her tongue out at him, before running and hitting Andre with a dropkick! She tags SuMa back in, who puts him back in the Tree of Woe in an opposite corner. Supreme Machine glares at Dionysus, someone who could at least come close to matching him in stature, before turning back and stomping away at his partner. Poelon flops out of the corner and then tries to pick himself back up, before the larger SuMa charges in with a corner splash, only for Andre to dive out of the way! SuMa collides with the corner and Andre scoots over and tags in Dionysus! The two bigger wrestlers stare each other down and as SuMa circles around, Jenny tags herself back in!
Mary DeSue: Why would she do that?
Arthur La Forge: I don’t know if Jenny is trying to prove a point or if she wants to face Dionysus herself, but SuMa doesn’t seem pleased.
Mary DeSue: She keeps inserting herself!
The audience actually boos Jenny for robbing them of Dionysus vs. SuMa, and SuMa has yet to leave the ring. Jenny ignores his complaints and charges at The Lord of the Vine, who flattens her with a shoulder block before charging and hitting SuMa with a big boot that knocks him to the outside! He turns around and as Jenny is back up, she catches a clothesline! Then another! And another! Jenny won’t stay down but Dionysus is fine to keep hitting her! After the third clothesline he shrugs and drops down to land a fist drop! He starts to go for the cover before SuMa is back in, and Dio charges at him only for him to drop down. He turns around and Jenny dropkicks the knees before catching his head with BOW DOWN!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE--NO! Dionysus kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: A timely assist from her brother but Dio is just able to kick out!
Mary DeSue: I like this guy, he’s not creepy at all like the Machines.
Arthur La Forge: We have nicely balanced out our creepy-non-creepy ratio.
Dionysus gets to his feet and Jenny grabs the head, looking for the Crowning, but Dio shoves her off. She runs and bounces off the ropes and as Jenny comes back Dio hits a STO BACKBREAKER! Dionysus gets up and tags in the Chef, telling him to finish it! All of a sudden SuMa appears behind Andre and pulls him off the apron, then muscles him up, running him back first into the nearby Dig Dug arcade Cabinet! Dionysus curses at him and goes outside to confront SuMa and the two begin to trade blows. Jenny slides out and chop blows the leg of Dionysus before running around and grabbing Andre, tossing him back in the ring! SuMa takes advantage of Jenny’s attack and hits Dionysus with THROTTLE AND MASK (Bossman Slam)! Jenny slides back in and charges at Andre, who CATCHES HER WITH THE ENTREE! But SuMa slides in and grabs Andre from behind and FLATTENS HIM WITH APEX ULTIMA! He grabs his sister’s arm and pulls her on top!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Mr. Rad: Your winners, moving onto the finals...JENNY AND SUPREME MACHINE!
Arthur La Forge: Jenny got the pin but you have to give the big assist to Supreme Machine, who did a lot of work there at the end.
Mary DeSue: Whatever it takes, because they’re in the finals now! Time to kill Bert and Bert’s girlfriend!
Arthur La Forge: Heartbreaking loss for Andre and Dionysus but it was so close. If they decide to keep teaming, they’ll be multiplayer champions sooner rather than later.
Andre and Dionysus realize how close they were tonight and aren’t happy with SuMa’s blatant interference. Andre rolls outside and holds his neck, while Dio checks on him and the referees are already out to force them to the back. They do as they’re asked, for now, while Supreme Machine hoists his sister to her feet and tries to get her to cover...as the main event is NEXT.
---
Outside one of the many Level Up Wrestling tents, UGWC’s own bundle of sunshine, The Man With Two Brains Johnny Hitmaker is seen peeking inside of what he’s been lead to believe is the makeshift office of the AI owner, who he’s fully expecting has either a robot body or a laptop on a podium at least.
Ragdoll: Johnny Hitmaker.
Johnny nearly jumped out of his skin when Jaclyn Pierrot stepped from behind said tent. She has the non-lethal riot shotgun slung over her back, but is otherwise appears to be armed with her only smile. She walks in a bouncing, almost skipping manner, her hands clasped behind her back. Johnny grins in that confused/scared/trying to not get killed sort of way.
Johnny: Ragdoll! MS. Ragdoll, hi, hello! Did you, ah, did you- are you… lost? ...or some… thing?
Jaclyn leans back on her heels, sucking in air through her teeth. She pantomimes thinking for a moment by cupping her chin in her hand before pointing to Johnny.
Ragdoll: A person with one brain will expire if they don't get oxygen for six minutes. For a person with two brains, is that twelve minutes or three? Asking for a friend.
Johnny thinks long and hard about the question, also wondering why he decided to go off without Hide in tow. Considering people like Eden, Gabriel, Donovan, Travis, Lucy, Tony, Maggie, Roxy, who knows who else, all trying to mess with him to varying degrees of malice for no reason, he should have known better.
Johnny: That, uhhh, that doesn’t answer my question, but I’m gonna say…….. Yes? But only if there’s no follow-up questions.
Jaclyn smiles brightly, her golden eyes narrowing in on Johnny.
Ragdoll: Oh, none for now. Actions and words and what not. Didn't you have something you wanted to talk to me about or…
She looks around for whatever it is he may be searching for.
Ragdoll: Is now a bad time?
Johnny: YES! No! I mean, you know, I was REALLY hoping for a group powwow of sorts, you know? Just me, and HIDE YAMAZAKI! Yes, just me and HIDE! YAMAZAKI! Who could just about be ANYWAY right now, and, and the rest of the guys from Carnage who I now own- er, their CONTRACTS I own, I mean, of course.
Jaclyn leans back on her heels once more before swinging the shotgun off her shoulder, looking down at it.
Ragdoll: Funny thing about a contract: I'm contracted to fight a supposed human monster and his dorky sister, but beyond a piece of paper, what stops me from putting a bullet between his eyes? Or hers? You say you own me?
She turns the shotgun in his direction, pumping it with one quick movement before walking slowly towards him.
Johnny backs up, holding up a finger.
Johnny: Ah, wait, no, I never said ANYTHING about owning ANYONE! That was social media trying… trying to make me LOOK bad! I DO own your contract, however! THAT, that I DO own. Hence why we need to have a, a group meeting about all this-
Johnny tries to slap the gun away and attempts to escape. Jaclyn laughs and watches Johnny run away, lowering the shotgun. She needs all the ammo she has after all. Besides, it was Less Lethal than necessary. She shouts after him.
Ragdoll: I'll bring my lawyer!
---
Behold...The Platformer!
Our screen's go dark as we see something glow in the distance. It's a title belt...The Courage Title Belt. As we focus in we realize that walking through it is Mr. Rad.
Mr. Rad: The final title up for grabs is finally ready for it's first master. One more chance to get in as the first of a championship here in Level Up Wrestling. We've see those of you who are the wisest. We've seen who has the power. Even tonight we will see who bares the Multiplayer Championship Power Gloves. But after tonight I just have one question meatbags...Do you have the courage to try for one more?
Mr. Rad fades, as does the title belt as we see a obstacle course lead towards a large caged ring with a caged tower rising out of it. Like some kind of demented gameshow has had a bastard child. At the top of the tower is another ring that is rotating inside of one more cage. We see Mr. Rad reappear at the top of that cage.
Mr. Rad: What's the matter meatbags? Have you never seen a Platformer before. This is "The Platformer" a specially designed match by The Developer just for those trying to prove they have the courage to be the bearer of this championship! Traps, Puzzles, Obstacles, etc. All of this leads to one thing. Can you face a challenge? Can you face your fears? Can you prove you have the Courage? Participants have until next week to decide...If you have the Courage or not! Ahahahhahaha...
Mr. Rad's electronic voices echoes as he fades out and we see fire shoot up into the top cage for "The Platformer"!
---
Bert McAlroy & Ahmya vs. Jenny & Supreme Machine
Bert McAlroy and Ahmya have come down to the ring to confront their opponents, all four wrestlers sore and beat up after the night;s events. Correction, three of them, as SuMa appears superhuman. But that doesn’t stop McAlroy from attempting to square up with him, and he demands that the larger Machine start with him, which SuMa agrees to. SuMa then makes him pay with a haymaker that nearly knocks Bert out of his Converse sneakers. Bert fires himself up and clubs SuMa in the chest, who tries a lariat but Bert ducks it and begins to hit rapid fire blows to the abdomen, treating it like a speed bag. Suma backs up and in what has been a theme tonight, the smaller machine tags herself in. SuMa piefaces Bert and then scoops Jenny up before launching her in his direction, allowing her to snap off a Jennycanrana! She covers right away!
ONE!
TWO!
NO! Bert kicks out.
Arthur La Forge: Looks like neither team wants to start this out traditionally, they’re gonna throw bombs right away and see who drops first!
Mary DeSue: I hope it’s Bert. And then Bert again.
Arthur La Forge: You gotta give him cre…
Mary DeSue: No I don’t!
Bert gets to his feet and Jenny immediately hits him with a kick to the chest, sending him backward. He backs up into the corner and Ahmya gets the blind tag. Jenny rushes in and Bert drops down from fatigue only for Ahmya to jump up and surprise Queenie with a rope-assisted jumping high kick! Bert gets up and grabs her, hitting a suplex! Meanwhile SuMa has dropped down and is circling, so Bert runs and attempts to dive at him, only to get hit with a haymaker and falls to the floor! SuMa then moves around and stalks Ahmya on the apron, who quickly runs and kicks him in the face with a PK! Jenny is getting up to her feet and Ahmya springboards over the ropes and lands on her with a Meteora, hooking the legs!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE--NO! JENNY KICKS OUT!
Arthur La Forge: You can tell how much the night has taken out of both teams as even though it’s very early in this match, they’ve all wrestled twice already!
Mary DeSue: And look at the Machines still kicking out! You’ll have to try harder than that!
Arthur La Forge: And don’t think they won’t, either.
Even though this match has just started, they’ve all wrestled twice already and so there is less adrenaline and more pain. Jenny moves to the apron and attempts to recover while Ahmya moves toward her. She grabs her and attempts a suplex back in, but Jenny lands behind her, attempts a reverse waistlock, but Ahmya reverses to one of her own. She moves forward with Ahmya grabbing her, similar as she did earlier, and just like then, SuMa is already back to make the tag. She turns around and tries a forearm but Ahmya ducks. SuMa is in and catches a mule kick to the ribs, before she grabs his head and attempts to hit a tornado DDT, but SuMA shoves her backwards into the grip of Jenny, who hooks her up and steps forward with ENTER THE MACHINE! SuMa covers!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE--NO!! BERT DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES AND BREAKS UP THE COUNT!
Mary DeSue: OH MY GOD JUST LOSE ALREADY
Arthur La Forge: McAlroy saved the match at the last minute, and Jenny doesn’t seem very happy about that!
Mary DeSue: Would you? Bert being any kind of champion would be a stain we’ll never clean off!
Bert gets up to his feet, wobbly and shaking his head, only for Jenny to run and grab him, throwing him shoulder-first into the nearby corner! Bert falls back to the outside and Jenny returns to her corner, leaving the 120 pound Ahmya against the 350 pound Supreme Machine, but Machine doesn’t want her, he wants Bert and so he willingly tags Jenny back in. Jenny hits a chop that knocks Ahmya back in the Machines’ corner, but she returns fire with a forearm. Proving herself as fearless as Bert, she immediately turns around and hits SuMa with one as well! Ahmya finds herself trying to fight her away out of the corner, delivering strikes to both Machines as quickly as she can, then runs under a kick attempt from Jenny, hops up back-to-back behind Jenny, hooks her arms with her legs and gets the MANAMI ROLL! This pinned Larry Tact earlier!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR--QUEENIE KICKS OUT!
Arthur La Forge: Ahmya tried the same trick she used on Tact but Jenny just barely got out of it!
Mary DeSue: Thank goodness.
Arthur La Forge: This is a barnburner already! I almost wonder what it’d look like if both teams weren’t spent!
SuMa slides Queenie something from their corner, which looks to be a HAMMER! Bert, who may or may not have seen it, runs and dives, jumping off Queenie’s back and hitting SuMA with a crossbody that knocks them both to the floor! The referee turns to check on the two as Ahmya jumps up on Jenny’s shoulders and prepares for the poison rana, but Jenny reaches up and hits Ahmya in the chest with the hammer! Ahmya falls down to the mat unceremoniously as Jenny ditches the evidence, before applying the Queen’s Gambit to Ahmya!
Arthur La Forge: Did the machines really need a hammer?
Mary DeSue: No, but it helps!
Arthur La Forge: I think they did it just because they like hurting people.
Mary DeSue: Probably, That seems to be SuMa’s thing!
Ahmya crawls around the ring, attempting to get to the ropes but her breathing is labored and she’s fading fast. Jenny squeezes the hold as much as she can by Ahmya just BARELY gets her foot on the ropes! Jenny immediately releases the hold and tags in SuMA, who has somehow recovered, as picks up Ahmya and holds her. SuMa charges in and attempts the boot, but Ahmya drops down, possibly out of exhaustion, and SUPREME MACHINE FLATTENS JENNY WITH THE BOOT! The referee attempts to get Jenny out of the ring and SuMA turns around, only for BERT MCALROY TO FLY OFF THE TOP WITH THE HAMMER! HE SLAMS IT INTO THE MACHINE’S FACE! Bert rolls outside and Ahmya, breathing heavy and all, climbs up top...HAIL’S BLESSING ON SUMA! SHE COVERS!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE--JENNY DIVES OVER THE REF AND MAKES THE SAVE!!!
Arthur La Forge: And now it’s the Queen Machine with a last minute save!
Mary DeSue: I almost had a heart attack! DON’T DO THAT TO ME!
Ahmya gets up and can’t catch her breath, while Bert is completely shocked that the match isn’t over. Jenny tags herself in again, with SuMa bleeding from the hammer shot. He protests briefly but sees Bert is up in the other corner and willing Ahmya to come make the tag. She is almost there but SuMa runs around and yanks Bert off the apron! Jenny staggers over to Ahmya, grabbing her by the ankle, but she flings the other leg up and hits an enziguri! She then takes a step back and NAILS HER WITH BERT’S SUPERKICK, BONG WATER! Jenny staggers back into the corner and bounces out and Ahmya pulls her down into an inside cradle!!!
ONE!
SuMa is back in,
TWO!
AND BERT DIVES BACK IN WITH THE GIVE HER THE BERT, STAGGERING THE BIG MAN!
THREEE!!!!
Mr. Rad: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS! AND THE FIRST. EVER! MULTIPLAYER CHAMPIONS! BERT MCALROY AND AHMYA!!!!
Mary DeSue: SON OF A...(throws off headset)
Arthur La Forge: Bert McAlroy finally has gold in Level Up and Ahmya grabs it in only her fourth match! What a match! What a team!
Mary DeSue: What a revolting development!
Referee Kirby awards the two with the Power Gloves, as they collapse and hug each other in the middle of the ring. SuMa is furious and is almost set to lunge at them, but instead looks to check on Jenny. Bert and Ahmya take the signal and get out of the ring, trying to recover.
Mary DeSue: Look at ‘em run! They know what they did!
Arthur La Forge: They won the match and the titles, there’s no need to keep fighting. Now is the time for celebration!
Queenie starts grabbing at SuMa’s legs and attempts to pull herself up...and SuMa takes a step back and lets her fall? She stares up at him, pleading, but he takes a step back and forces her to make herself get up. Queenie grabs the ropes and starts to hoist herself to her feet, holding her jaw, asking SuMa to come to her. Instead, he turns his back to her and steps over the ropes, leaving the Queen Machine in the ring. She drops back down to her knees and looks at him leaving in despair.
Arthur La Forge: Wow I...wonder what caused him to abandon his sister like that?
Mary DeSue: She brought him over here and caused him to lose!
Arthur La Forge: : That doesn’t seem like a good reason to leave family behind.
Mary DeSue: Okay Vin Diesel. Cool it with the memes.
Arthur La Forge: Thank you very much for watching and a big thanks to UGWC for hosting us! We’ll see you all in two weeks for EXP 11!
Outside the ring, away from the Machines, McAlroy and Ahmya are moving through the crowd and celebrating with the Level Up fans! UGWC’s Jet Somers gives them both high fives as they come by! Sloane Taylor is still here as well, congratulating them both! While they are all happy, the show closes out on Jenny, crushed that her own brother has abandoned her.
Mr. Rad: Welcome humans! This is the first-ever show for Level Up on our first-ever tour, and we’re kicking it off big at UGWC Wrestlestock! So, just sit back and max and relax to our brand new theme song and brand new intro, showcasing EVERY SINGLE STAR of Level Up!
The special Level Up district at Wrestlestock, features the standard ring and entrance with rows and rows of arcade machines, a snack vendor with retro-themed treats and fans moving in and out. Some are at the machines, some are in clusters of seats, but all of them are making noise at this unique setting for a wrestling event.
Mr. Rad shows up on the screens, where he has been appearing off and on all week, saying hello to the crowd that has gathered.
In the audience, we even see some UGWC names, such as Hall of Famers Jet Somers and Chaos. Chaos has taken advantage of the lax setting and has brought an entire six-pack of Chadweisers with him. Former UGWC World Champion Sloane Taylor is also there, albeit on crutches, hanging out with members of the audience and watching the show. Captain 80s is also around, jamming away at Dance Dance Revolution while several WaLuigis cheer him on.
We cut to the announce area, which is right near the stage this time, as Arthur La Forge and Mary DeSue are in casual gear.
Arthur La Forge: It’s been a VERY busy week here at Wrestlestock and we’re finally excited to bring you EXP 10!
Mary DeSue: Busy week? How about a busy day! We had to call a match in the Wrestlestock Open and I’ve still go to do that District Conquest thingie tomorrow!
Arthur La Forge: I cannot believe you signed up for that. And yes, congratulations are in order for our Final Boss Champion, who has moved onto round two of the tournament!
Mary DeSue: Our Power Champion too! Level Up is making BIG moves at Wrestlestock!
Arthur La Forge: We’re here all weekend long and I can’t wait to see if one of our stars wins the whole thing!
Mary DeSue: At least we know I’ll be winning that District Conquest. My very first match and I’ll do us all proud.
Arthur La Forge: R...right. Good luck tomorrow, Mary.
Mary DeSue: Thanks!
As the two talk, a spotlight shines down on a pedestal near the ramp, where the two Power Gloves, representing the Multiplayer Championships, are sitting.
Arthur La Forge: And yes, tonight in a shocking move, The Developer is moving forward to crown our first-ever Multiplayer Champions! Nearly the entire roster is taking part in one form or another, including our Wisdom Champion Sidroy Covington, when he teams with the Ragdoll against Jenny and, in case you missed it, UPRISING’s Supreme Machine!
Mary DeSue: Level Up’s so great we’re dragging other companies to relevancy! Deal with it!
Arthur La Forge: Maybe don’t alienate them, then?
Mary DeSue: Pfft, they’re all the way in Reno, what are they gonna do?
Arthur La Forge: We’re headed to Nevada soon.
Mary DeSue: Hey! Let’s go to the ring!
---
EA Blizzard vs. Nocturne
Mr. Rad: Wai...Wai...Wait a moment meatbags! I forgot to mention...this...this match is for the number one...number one...number one contendership for the Final Ba-Ba-Boss Title!
The whole crowd is stunned. EAB looks "shocked" at the announcement...
Arthur La Forge: Are you kidding me?
Mary DeSue What?
Arthur La Forge: EAB just gets a possible title shot LIKE THAT?
Mary DeSue: Um yeah, have you seen his win/loss record? He’s 6-4 after beating Eli Goode!
Arthur La Forge But Nocturne is 0-2! Explain that!
Mary DeSue: Opportunity!
...and Nocturne rushes forward hitting a running spinning heel kick to the face of EAB! EAB is knocked back into the ropes and on the rebound gets grabbed into a belly to belly suplex by Nocturne. Nocturne quickly gets up and grabs EAB and Irish Whips him into the corner. EAB hits back first and falls down in the corner as Nocturne follows this up by charging forward with a knee to the face, "Turn The Lights Out", and then grabbing EAB's right leg. Nocturne sits EAB's leg onto the first rope and then leaps up to the second rope and hits a second rope legdrop onto the knee of EAB! EAB grabs his knee in agony and tries to roll out of the ring, and Nocturne, instead, heads up top. EAB gets to his feet on the outside and walks around the corner not looking up. He turns and gets hit in the face by Nocturne completing a split legged moonsault, "Fall Into Shadow", to hit EAB! Nocturne tosses EAB into the ring, under the ropes, and quickly goes for the cover...
One...
Kickout by EAB!
Arthur La Forge: I was kind of hoping Nocturne could pull it off there. Would serve Blizzard right.
Mary DeSue Oh so you want Maggie to have an easy challenge?
Arthur La Forge: That’s not what I said at all.
Nocturne gets up and drags EAB to the center of the ring by his right leg. Looking to go for a shapshooter submission hold Nocturne begins to place EAB into the hold, but EAB kicks with his left leg to the backside of Nocturne sending her off. Nocturne runes to the ropes and bounces off, going for a flying back elbow, but EAB rolls out of the way. He gets up and heads to the ropes as Nocturne kips up...BIG BOOT TO THE FACE! Nocturne hits the mat hard as EAB holds his right knee, while standing, and winces. He reaches down and grabs Nocturne by the head and lifts Nocturne up. Setup for a hanging vertical suplex. Connects! He then grabs Nocturne and lifts Nocturne up into a Military Press Slam, "It's all Downhill", and then kicks Nocturne in the ribs for good measure! He picks up Nocturne and slams Nocturne onto his knee with a ribbreaker! EAB then lifts up Nocturne and locks in, in the center of the ring, his Bearhug submission..."Crunch Time"!
Arthur La Forge: Come on Nocturne! Fight out of it!
Mary DeSue Geez, bias much?
The fans, who do not want to see EAB become the number one contender, start chanting for Nocturne. Claps, screams, and stomps to try and keep the young up and coming wrestler focused on beating EAB. EAB wrenches and jerks around trying to add more pain to the Bearhug. The referee, Kirby, goes to check to see if Nocturne is going to give up. Nocturne isn't responding verbally. The arm goes up...
One...
Two...
NO!! Nocturne powers out of the Bearhug by slamming both of their elbows into the side of EAB's ears! EAB lets go of the hold and stumbles for a moment, off balanced, and Nocturne grabs him from behind. German Suplex! Again! AND A THIRD WITH A BRIDGE!
One...
Two...
EAB grabs the ropes with his right hand and Kirby cancels the pin. Nocturne gets up and runs to the ropes...baseball slide, but no one is home as EAB rolls out of the way. Nocturne gets back up and charges forward as EAB gets back up. Nocturne leaps...Grabbed by EAB...FALLAWAY SLAM!!
Arthur La Forge: Nocturne is trying to make the most of this chance but EAB is proving insurmountable. And let’s be honest, Maggie is actually the size of, if not smaller, Nocturne.
Mary DeSue Which means EAB will be a threat if he can win this hard-fought battle!
EAB looks over to his corner, eyeing his briefcase. He picks up Nocturne and goes to Irish Whip Nocturne into the corner, but Nocturne reverses. EAB hits the turnbuckle chest first. Nocturne runs to the ropes. "The Witching Hour"...NOOO!! Nocturne went for the springboard enzuigiri but EAB rolled out of the way. EAB gets back up. LARIAT! Pick up by EAB. Toss to the ropes. Rebound by Nocturne. "The Industry Standard"!!!! Cover!!
One...
Arthur La Forge: Kick out!
Mary DeSue Don’t kick out!
Two...
THREE!!!!
Mr. Rad: Here is your winner...an...an..and...Number o...on...ONE CONTENDER for the FINAL BOSS CHAMPIONSHIP...E...A...BLIZZARD!!
Arthur La Forge: Bull[BLEEP]
Mary DeSue Lawyers and businessmen rejoice!
EAB gets up and grabs his briefcase. He smiles and waves at everyone in the stands who are booing the hell out of him. Nocturne starts to get up and "Just Cosmetic"!! Shot to the face by EAB to Nocturne.
Arthur La Forge: AND WHAT IS THE POINT OF THAT?!
Mary DeSue It’s just business! You wouldn’t understand.
Arthur La Forge: AND YOU WOULD?!
---
We cut to backstage to see Lenny Brasco, live as usual in front of the Level Up Merchandise table.
Lenny Brasco: Hey fans and fanrinos! It’s Lenny Brasco here to showcase to you viewers, unfamiliar with Level Up, our wonderful new merchandise. Right now some of our hot sellers are “Team: THICCNESS” t-shirts, currently ladies sizes are on backorder but we should be getting more next week. Another hot seller is this lovely .Ragdoll toy gun...we promise it’s a toy. Look, it just shoots darts we swear. And finally a brand new item...Showcased by one of our popular, despite any dang common sense that says otherwise, under ranked superstars...Dude Waluigi...Get out here!
Dude Waluigi walks out with a tie dye t-shirt on that says “DUDE WALUIGI WON ONE WAH!!” on it as he struts around and high fives Donnie.
Lenny Brasco: It’s the smoothest fly Waluigi guy! How are you DW?
Dude Waluigi: Wah! WAH! WALUIGI GONNA WIN AGAIN!!! WAHHHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Lenny looks confused...more than usual...like are we really freaking surprised.
Lenny Brasco: I wish you came with subtitles…
Dude Waluigi: WAH!
DW whistles and waves over someone off camera. Lenny’s jaw almost hits the ground when he sees…
Lenny Brasco: Barnabus!
Barnabus enters the scene from the side, slightly more disheveled and with a mixed look of anxiousness and annoyance. He looks fromLenny, to Dude Waluigi, and sighs.
Barnabus: Arghh… you're looking for a translator, you said Leonard? How can I… how can I be of service to you?
Lenny Brasco: I mean...if you can...how do you speak Waluigi?
Dude Waluigi: Wah! Waluigi wah wah wahahahahhaha...wah wah wah wah!
Barnabus sighs again, his head hung low.
Barnabus: It's been a long week,Leonard. Dude Waluigi would like you to know that he and I… hm… have become very good friends.
Dude Waluigi: WAH!
DW slaps Barnabus on the back and gives him a big hug. Barnabus looks like he smells something horrible on his face.
Lenny Brasco: So you’ve been staying with Dude Waluigi this whole time? Barnabus, does this mean you are no longer working for Sidroy?
Barnabus: Absolutely not! Bite your tongue Leonard. Mr. Waluigi here was nice enough to give me a ride a few shows ago when Master Covington was having some difficulties… and though he kept me against my will for a little while, we finally learned how to communicate more efficiently, and now I have to-,erm, find myself wanting to… help Mr. Waluigi out. He did do me a- as the kids say, a solid by giving me a ride and has been nice enough to allow me to stay at his… lair? Would you call it a lair?
Dude Waluigi: Wah…
DW pulls out a notebook and writes “SHAGPAD” and smiles.
Barnabus: Yes precisely. That's true, we have also discovered that we could possibly help each other out because Mr. Waluigi has been helping me unwind, and or… 'be cool'... whilst I've been helping him with his manners and to become more sophisticated.
Lenny Brasco: I, I frankly don't know what to say to that. Well… this turned from shilling merch to this… revelation… and I don't really know where to go from here.
Dude Waluigi: (whistles) Wahh wahhh WAHHHHHHHHHAHAHAAH!!!
Barnabus: Oh… but of course. Um, Dude Waluigi says 'Get out of here, Lenny, it's… jiggy time.'
Dude’s ladies and party peeps come on screen and start dancing as we cut away.
---
We cut to the locker room, in front of a locker door, which is then closed shut to reveal Larry Tact. He has an ornery look on his face and drops a duffel bag onto a bench next to him, opening it and pulling out ring gear. He gives a glance upwards and sees approaching is his friend and current interim President of Tact Enterprises, Cesar Salvador Ramon. CSR nods at Tact and leans against a set of lockers as he observes the wrestler.
CSR: No time to rest this week, they took you from a Skeleton Key match and sent you back into the fray with a Battle Royal, Larry. How are you feeling?
Tact gives another glance at CSR before pulling out a water bottle and closing the bag, standing up straight.
Larry Tact: It’s Level Up’s time to shine at WrestleStock, Cesar. I don’t think anyone was expecting a break or easy card this week. I have to admit, though, a multiplayer tournament wasn’t what I had in mind coming out of Dead By Daylight.
Larry opens the bottle and takes a few sips.
CSR: At least you have another chance at gold, right? That’s an opportunity, and like you say, those cannot be taken for granted.
Larry Tact: I won’t be taking anything for granted, especially after all the chaos and different matches I went through at Dead By Daylight.
Perhaps involuntarily, Larry reaches up and feels around his neck. There is still a dark band around it, from the chain that hung him in the Skeleton Key match. Larry nods a little as he holds his hand there, then lets it fall to his side.
Larry Tact: I won’t forget what Tirri did in the Skeleton Key match. He showed some guts, trying to hang me out and leaving me there. That doesn’t go without counteraction. Maybe the aerial artists here, who leap and bound for a rush wouldn’t think twice of it. The hardcore freaks may think of it as a badge of honor. I think he took an action that crossed the threshold from competitive rival to desperate enemy. He knew he needed an edge, and ultimately he couldn’t finish me off.
CSR: True, and you ended his own bid for the Power title. I don’t think he’ll be forgetting that shot.
Larry lets out a laugh, slapping a hand against his knee.
Larry Tact: Maybe, but this is Don Tirri we’re talking about. He’s got a lot of experience with being knocked out of and eliminated from title opportunities. It seems to be his career’s legacy to this point. That’s all well and good, though. In fact, I hope he remembers it, along with what I’m going to do to him tonight.
CSR: You need to make sure you can last ‘til the final two in the battle royal. But what if you and Tirri end up having to team up?
Larry Tact: You know what, Cesar? That would be… ideal, actually. In fact, if I had a choice of who could be my tag team partner coming out of this battle royal, Don Tirri would be at the top of the list.
CSR looks confused, scratching his jet black beard.
CSR: I don’t think I get it. What good would that do, especially if he resents you and the two of you end up beating the hell out of one another?
Larry Tact: We’ll definitely take our share of lumps to get through the battle royal. That’s just part of the deal in these situations. You know what, though? If there’s one thing even these know-nothings of Level Up can take away from that Power title match at Dead By Daylight, it’s that I’m willing and able to endure punishment. I’m not avoiding it like EAB. I don’t need something to trigger me like Siddy. I’m a veteran who knows where he’s been and I have scars… and so does Don Tirri. I know he’ll be reliable in that sense.
CSR: Sounds like a form of, ‘Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer’ situation?
Larry Tact: No, I can see why you may think of it, but that’s not what this is. What I want to bring down upon Don TIrri isn’t going to be allowed tonight. In the meantime, that means I’m going to have to work within the system. Adapt how I can. So tonight, I want him as my tag team partner. I want him to be uncertain if I’m going to stab him in the back, or tag myself in. I want to educate ‘Old School Cool’ on what power is, just like I said before the Skeleton Key match. He’s going to learn that he has none of it, and I wield it as my will desires. That’s what I’m looking forward to tonight.
Larry grabs the bag and swings open the locker door, tossing it in and whipping the door shut.
CSR: What about Bert and Ahmya? They’re certainly not going to have that adversarial tone to their team. You think you can still make it past them, and the rest of the field?
Larry Tact: Cesar, sometimes you just need to let the cards fall where they may. You’ll learn that not every match is life or death. Unlike Tirri, though, that doesn’t mean I won’t make the most of the opportunity in the ring. I’ll still make my statement, and I never said I would intend on jeopardizing things. He’ll have to find out for himself, just like Bert and Ahmya, how well I’m capable of making adjustments. I don’t mean Bert’s idea of adjusting, either. He wanted the fans to get behind him as an underdog, when it’s clear he isn’t comfortable with playing out that role. Problem is, he isn’t ready to overcome his own shortcomings, as we saw at Dead By Daylight. He still has a confidence problem. Not to mention, he’s using Ahmya to keep himself in a spotlight he doesn’t deserve.
CSR: It does seem like a lot of the wrestling world has been excited to see her around, although I don’t know much about her. I guess she must have been real popular and then took time away?
Larry Tact: From what I can tell, she’s definitely got some extra gear to her, and could be even more trouble than Bert. What happens, though, when someone you rely on for strength ends up in peril? Your mind either freezes to switch gears and help them, losing focus on what needs to be done. Or, you can try and believe the other person will work their way out of trouble. Can either of those two resist the impulse to help one another, and leave an opening? What if they do, and the other doesn’t make it through unscathed? I’ll be real curious to see what comes of that match, if the situation arises.
CSR looks absolutely hyped, smiling and eyes wide.
CSR: That’s right! No doubt some [CENSORED] is going down tonight! I love this atmosphere, Larry, it’s gonna be a helluva night any way you slice it.
Larry Tact: A night of tactilizing moments.
---
Bert McAlroy can be seen backstage alone for the moment, he’s got a tray full of the absolute worst catering has to offer. No doubt framed in the mind of him and his partner as some sort of pregame meal ritual. He is free of the face paint he had brought to fruition at dead by daylight, obviously waiting until after the Hot Pockets created a lead weight in his belly before getting into that mode.
He rounds a corner to a previously unoccupied hallway, eyes on the tray in his hand a moment before looking up and freezing. As with any horror movie, cheesy thriller, or wrestling show his expectations were subverted. As what could be described as a distorted mirror stood halfway down the hall from him. He lets out a sigh, before nodding.
Bert McAlroy: Tempest...right, yo?
Flanking him on either side, stepping from the shadows, are two more figures. One, a short man with black hair in a suit, and the other, definitely not a small man, with long black hair and paint covering his face. It’s the shorter man who speaks, Tempest’s manager, Daedalus.
Daedalus: We’ve been hearing some… rumblings. We’ve gained the impression that perhaps you’re looking for us. Seeking us out? Does any of that ring a bell? Mr. McAlroy?
Bert’s eyes shift between the two figures. Slowly, he sets the tray down on an equipment crate and squares his shoulders, widening his stance just in case before speaking up.
Bert McAlroy: Well, you see things. You hear things. And while you’re carving out your own path, you can’t help but see one or two dudes you’d really like to tangle with.
A pause and he lifts his hand to the left side of his face.
Bert McAlroy: Especially, when we got so much in common recently.
He takes one step forward, motioning solely to Tempest with his pointer finger.
Bert McAlroy: You are the one son of a bitch I ever saw who defeated Carnage’s rat without halfway killing yourself to do it. And this is AFTER JC burned your barn down. Us unkillable types? We smell our own, yo…
He inhales sharply through his nose, before locking his gaze back onto Tempest, making sure to lock eyes with him.
Bert McAlroy: And it stinks, yo.
The Astro Creeps seem to step back. They look at each other, confused. Despite their confusion, Tempest is smiling! He starts to step forward, but Daedalus holds an arm out in front of him cautiously. After a moment of Tempest gazing at him, his dead eyes piercing through his manager, Daedalus nods and steps aside. Now it’s Tempest who speaks.
Tempest: You mean, you WANT to step into the ring with me? Not out of hatred or with the feelings that you’re better than me and you think I’m scum? What you’re proposing, is out of respect?
Bert McAlroy: Yeah, something like that..
Bert eyes them with a little more suspicion, but relaxes as the tension seems to lessen.
Bert McAlroy: They keep callin me a monster slayer around here. And from where I sit? With that win over Zane King? You’re the biggest, baddest monster in the business right now. Even if you’re like..not that big. Like me.
He trails off, eyes shifting between the three a moment before shrugging.
Bert McAlroy: The rest kinda writes itself, don’t it? I beat you, then i’m THE monster slayer. You beat me? You’re the monster who killed the guy who kills monsters. And for you and me? We get a damn good fight out of it, and isn’t that all we’re after, yo?
Tempest: Well…
Tempest glances around at Daedalus and Koznar, then back to Bert.
Tempest: In this case, yes. It will be like, Freddy Vs Jason. Except, better!
He pauses and ponders for a moment, gazing up into nothingness and tapping an index finger on his chin.
Tempest: No… no that won’t do at all, will it.
He finally comes out of his daze and stares back at Bert.
Tempest: Anyway, I agree with you! Are you thinking, the next Level Up show? E. X. P. Eleven?
Bert McAlroy: If you can make it…
He remembers then, Duncan Shepherd’s words of advice, eyes shifting to Tempest’s entourage.
Bert McAlroy: Alone, preferably.
Tempest eyes him suspiciously.
Tempest: They come with me, but you have my word they’ll stay out of the match, unless provoked. Can you live with that?
Bert McAlroy: Only if you can live with me kicking their asses too.
He made sure to eye the big one as he said this, stepping forward and extending a hand to Tempest.
Bert McAlroy: If we’re all in agreement, Let's shake on it. Make the Developer’s job a little easier, whaddya say?
He made sure to avert his gaze right into Tempest’s own then, holding the hand outstretched and waiting.
Tempest: Deal. Let’s make some fireworks, Mr. McAlroy.
Tempest extends his hand and squeezes, returning Bert’s gaze. A smile pulls at the corners of his mouth, before widening into a Cheshire grin. Bert returns the shake, and retracts his hand, before backing up to his tray of junk food, and heading to find an alternate route back to his dressing room.
---
Eli Goode vs. Don Tirri vs. Larry Tact vs. Sister Sin vs. Johnny Fringe vs. Drew Dangerous vs. Erika Crawford vs. Tyler Cage
As soon as the bell rings, Don Tirri carves a path across the ring to Larry Tact and begins to brawl with him! Tyler Cage leaps forth and locks up with Drew Dangerous while Sister Sin leans back in a corner and watches Johnny Fringe brawl it out with the smaller Eli Goode and Erika Crawford.
Arthur La Forge: Sister Sin taking the intelligent approach here, letting everyone else tire themselves out.
Mary DeSue: Maybe she’s trying to figure out whose blood would taste the best.
Arthur La Forge: I had managed to forget that moment at Dead by Daylight, thank you for reminding me.
Mary DeSue: You’re welcome!
Fringe catches Crawford with a stiff right hand and turns his attention to Eli Goode, grabbing him by the throat and throwing him into the corner Sister sin currently occupies, nearly knocking her from her perch. She sneers and leaps at Fringe who catches her attempt at a tornado DDT and slams her to the mat with a dominator-style spinebuster! He goes to capitalize but suddenly Tyler Cage has leapt upon his back and locks in a sleeper hold while driving the point of his elbow into the top of the big man’s head!
Arthur La Forge: Fringe was content to just throw people around all night but it seems Tyler Cage has seen enough.
Mary DeSue: Yeah but you what’s he gonna do if he puts Fringe to sleep? You think he’s gonna be able to lift him up and over?
Arthur La Forge: That’s assuming he can actually get him to sleep.
Suddenly, the newcomer sees an opportunity as Erika Crawford gets to her feet. She charges forward and nails Johnny Fringe with a picture perfect dropkick! He stumbles toward the ropes! Fringe tries desperately to get Cage to relent but Goode sees the situation now, and coordinating with Crawford they both nail Fringe with stereo dropkicks that send the big man over the top rope and to the outside with Tyler Cage as well!
Mr. Rad: FRINGE AND CAGE ARE OUT HIT THE SHOWERS VOODOO BOI AND AXE BO-BO-BOD-BODY SPRAY
Enraged on the outside, Fringe yanks Cage up by his hair and starches him with a right hand. But Cage isn’t taking it! The two begin to brawl to the back as the action continues in the ring!
Arthur La Forge: Goode and Crawford score an elimination each, and it’s shocking that such newcomers would go out when they did!
Mary DeSue: I don’t think they noticed, they’re too busy fighting each other!
Arthur La Forge: Hopefully they’re separated backstage, but we’ve got more action to watch here!
Eli Goode turns around right into a superkick from Sister Sin! Erika Crawford leaps at her and the two begin exchanging blows as Tirri whips Tact into the ropes. He catches himself just as Eli is using them to get up, steadying himself and...TACT WITH A BIG CLOTHESLINE! ELI GOES OVER THE TOP BUT HE’S HANGING ON!!
Eli klcks furiously and tries to pull himself up but Tact hauls off and delivers a kick through the ropes to the back of Eli’s head! He instinctively lets go to cover up and falls to the floor.
Mr. Rad: AND THATS NOT GOODE! BYE ELI!
Mary DeSue: Larry Tact still causing issues for Eli. You think he could use a good lawyer to help him?
Arthur La Forge: I don’t think a lawyer within a 100 mile radius of Indianapolis would want to after Dead by Daylight.
Mary DeSue: I know, it’s great. That’s what he gets!
Arthur La Forge: Anyway, Goode has had a real rough patch lately but I’ve seen tape of him in other places. He can bounce back from anything when he puts his mind to it. I’m sure he will do so here in Level Up.
Mary DeSue: Too bad he can’t bounce back into the battle royal, huh?
Eli looks dejected but makes his way up the ramp without incident. Tact mouths insults after him but turns into a dropkick by Sister Sin that almost sends him over the top! She gets up and tries to shove him over the top rope with little success! Tact hangs on for dear life, clubbing the back of Sister Sin’s neck ! He eventually gets her off of him and follows after her across the ring, putting the leather to Sister Sin while Erika Crawford has gotten Tirri into a corner!
Arthur La Forge: The field is starting to wind down.
Mary DeSue: The way they're fighting, how are they going to be able to team immediately after?
Arthur La Forge: Hopefully championship gold is enough to persuade them!
The young fighter shows her inexperience though as she climbs to the second rope and begins punching Tirri in the face. She hauls off for ten but Tirri suddenly snatches her and forces her into position for a powerbomb! Crawford reveses though and hangs perilously over the top rope, trying to pull Tirri over! But the Finnish giant is just too powerful as he lifts her back up for the powerbomb and nails it, sending Erika Crawford crashing to the floor on the outside!!
Mr. Rad: Erika’s in the business of misery as she’s been ELIMINATED!
Arthur La Forge: Tough break for Erika but Tirri is one of our top stars for a reason.
Mary DeSue: Damn right he is!
On the other side of the ring, Drew Dangerous has honed in on Sister Sin after knocking Tact to his knees with a stiff forearm smash. Him and the enigmatic, mysterious, terrifying woman begin to brawl to a corner until Sister sin takes him over with an arm drag and goes to lock in a triangle choke but Drew reverses and lifts her up in a modified powerbomb!! He goes for the ropes...and so does Don Tirri! Tirri dumps both out but Sister Sin clings to the bottom rope and evades elimination!!
Mr. Rad: Let's get dangerous...to the back because he's been eliminated!
Arthur La Forge: Sister Sin proving how craft she is.
Mary DeSue: Like witchcraft, right?
Arthur La Forge: What? No! Don't make her think I'm joking about her!
Sister Sin rolls in under the bottom rope only to be met by Tirri puting the boots to her. She sends an uppercut into his netherregion though which doubles the Finn over. She bounces off the ropes, and nails him with a knee strike that wobbles him further! Tirri stumbles into the ropes. Sister Sin goes over and begins trying to shove the groggy Tirri over the top rope! Tact, seeing this charges in and throws them both over!
DON TIRRI LANDS ON THE APRON AND ROLLS IN! SISTER SIN HITS THE FLOOR!!
Mr. Rad: Sister Sin returns to the convent! Your winners and moving into the tournament...Don Tirri and Larry Tact!
Arthur La Forge: How in the world are these two going to work together?
Mary DeSue: They don't like each other and now they could be champions? Where have I seen that before?
Arthur La Forge: This ain't a buddy cop movie, these two have to try to compose themselves because they fight Bert McAlroy and Ahmya….next!
---
As the team of Bert McAlroy and Ahmya make their entrance, we are shown a commercial for the next time Level Up Wrestling comes to PPV.
---
Bert McAlroy & Ahmya vs. Larry Tact & Don Tirri
We come back from the commercial to find Tirri and Tact still bickering in the ring, while Bert McAlroy and Ahmya stare at them in amusement. Bert opts to start for his team and while he wants to start with Tact, Tact decides he needs a breather from the battle royal and lets Tirri go instead. Tirri nods at McAlroy in respect and extends a fist, the two bump knuckles and we’re ready to begin.
Arthur La Forge: Don Tirri is actually headed back to Reno immediately after tonight to face Matt Knox in Uprising, so he’s getting a little preview here with his protege.
Mary DeSue: Thicci’s leaving? But he’s gonna miss me in the District Conquest!
Arthur La Forge: I’m sure he’ll be watching from his hotel room.
Mary DeSue: You think so?
They lock up and it’s obvious from the beginning that Tirri has the advantage of that. The veteran switches to a side headlock, then rotates around to a hammerlock, then a side headlock again, which he proceeds to crank to prove a point. McAlroy tries to find some purchase to get out of the hold and begins to hit forearms to the kidneys of the larger Tirri. This allows him to wiggle free of Tirri’s grasp, so he backs up and bounces off the ropes. Tirri goes for a clothesline, ducked by Bert, who runs and bounces off the other side, coming back with a dropkick! Tirri gets up to his feet and Bert hits another one, catching him right on the chin! Tact suddenly yells out something at McAlroy from the apron and the hotheaded Bert lunges at him, only for Tact to drop down. Bert turns right around and Tirri finally nails that lariat, flipping the smaller McAlroy onto his stomach!
Arthur La Forge: Don Tirri and Bert McAlroy respect each other, but respect goes out the window in a title situation.
Mary DeSue: You’d think Bert would have learned that when Lockheart crushed his face against her title belt.
Tirri then turns to Tact and yells at him, noting that he didn’t need his help. Tact respectfully disagrees by giving him the bird. Tirri turns around and takes his aggression out on McAlroy, stomping him in the head. He throws McAlroy into the corner and extends the hand, with hesitation, but Tact wastes no time in tagging himself in. Tact hits Bert with a back elbow as he steps in, runs a few steps out, then comes back in with a corner clothesline. McAlroy slides down the corner and Tact begins to stomp at him. He then scoops McAlroy up for a quick body slam, before adding an elbow for good measure. He picks him back up and grabs him by the head, before flinging him head first at the mat. As he takes a step back to admire his handiwork, Tirri reaches in and tags himself back in. Tact does not seem happy about this.
Arthur La Forge: Tact barely had any time to get going and Tirri is back in.
Mary DeSue: Good! The more my thicc boi is in there, the better!
Arthur La Forge: Not if you’re Larry Tact.
Tirri drops down and applies a basic rear chinlock to McAlroy, holding him in place while driving his knee into the back of his neck. McAlroy begins to kick his legs to try and wiggle out but Tirri is holding on tightly. Lacking any other options, McAlroy borrows a move from another wrestler he’s watched, grabbing two of Tirri’s fingers and yanking them, possibly dislocating one! Tirri lets go and begins to shake off the pain in his hand, with Bert hitting a few right hands! He then runs and bounces off the ropes for something, but Tirri ducks low and catches him with a back body drop!
Arthur La Forge: You can tell the last match McAlroy was in did him no favors. He’s moving slower and getting up slower than he normally does.
Mary DeSue: You sure his reaction time just isn’t blurred because of all the drugs? You know, smoking his inspiration?
Arthur La Forge: I don’t think his partner would let him do that before a big night like tonight, and I think Bert is smarter than that anyway.
Tirri reaches down and grabs the head of McAlroy, who begins delivering elbows to try and create some distance. Tirri stops that with a kick to the abdomen, before throwing him into a neutral corner with an Irish Whip. He charges in but McAlroy gets his boots up, causing Don to stumble backward. Tirri shakes it off and charges in for a clothesline, but McAlroy scores with BONG WATER out of nowhere! McAlroy collapses and Tirri is laid out. Instead of going for the cover, Bert begins to crawl over to his corner. Tirri manages to roll over to his corner and reluctantly tags in Tact, while Bert dives and tags in Ahmya!
Arthur La Forge: Hot tag Ahmya, who has been dying to get in!
Mary DeSue: Sure, after she let her boyfriend get beat up!
Larry Tact runs and charges at Ahmya, who runs and jumps up, catching him with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors! She bounces back to her feet and waits for Tact to stand, ducks a clothesline attempt and gets a leaping forearm! She goes for an irish Whip and Tact reverses, but as she comes back he grabs her, attempting the ‘Humbling’, but she uses the upward momentum to float into a sitting position on Tact’s shoulders, before rolling forward with a victory roll!!
ONE!
TWO!
THr--Tirri breaks it up!
Arthur La Forge: Ahmya nearly caught Tact there, but Tirri managed to save it for the titles, if not Tact.
Mary DeSue: We need a championship around his waist...or I guess hand, since it’s a glove.
Ahmya gets up and glares at Don Tirri, but the distraction appears to be all Tact needed as he clubs her in the back of the head with a forearm! Don seems irritated that Tact took full advantage of the momentarily distracted Ahmya but chooses to go outside and let him work. There are titles on the line, after all. But before he can, Bert is back in the ring and spins him around, nailing him with a series of shots! It seems McAlroy also didn’t enjoy the two-on-one, no matter how unintentional!
Arthur La Forge: Bert McAlroy is growing quite defensive of Ahmya. No doubt she can handle herself, but Tact will take every advantage he can.
Mary DeSue: As he should! It’s not his fault she took her eye off the ball.
Tact quickly grabs Ahmya, dazed from the shot to the head, and lifts her up and drops her back down with the HUMBLING! The Uranage suplex caught flush on the back of her head! He drops down for the cover...but the referee is busy trying to stop the Bert-Tirri brawl! Tact gets up and moves over to McAlroy and quickly kicks him in the head, which causes him to spill through the ropes, pulling Tirri out with him! The two land hard on the floor and Tirri gets up, looking up and questioning Tact. Tact yells at him for costing him a pinfall and before Tirri can yell back, Bert has TACKLED HIM OVER THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!
Arthur La Forge: LOOK OUT!
Mary DeSue: GET OUT OF HERE YOU LITTLE STONER! ARE YOU OKAY THICCI?
Tact washes his hands of what’s going on outside the ring and grabs the seemingly lifeless Ahmya. He lifts her up for the Starbreaker, first the suplex position and he starts to allow her to fall into the neckbreaker, but AHMYA COUNTERS INTO A MANAMI ROLL!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!
Mr. Rad: Your winners and moving onto the semifinals...BERT MCALROY AND AHMYA!!
Mary DeSue: WHAT?! WHAT HAPPENED?
Arthur La Forge: Tact got distracted by the brawl outside and Ahmya caught him slipping, much like what happened to her earlier!
Mary DeSue: That’s ridiculous! I demand a do over!
Arthur La Forge: You know that’s not how this works!
Ahmya quickly rolls out of the ring and to the outside. Bert, hearing his name announced as the winner, removes himself from the brawl with Tirri and joins her in a hug. Tirri gets up and glares at Larry Tact in the ring, who is beside himself with shock. Tirri immediately rolls in the ring and as Tact gets up, Tact blames Tirri! Don Tirri takes this as well as you can imagine, as he shoves Tact about a foot back, and that’s all it takes for a brawl to break out again! Referees begin immediately running in through the arcade to immediately break it up.
Arthur La Forge: Ah dang, here we go!
Mary DeSue: KICK HIS ASS TIRRI! He cost us the tag titles!
Arthur La Forge: “Us?”
The referees aren’t having an easy time breaking up the two veterans as they attempt to beat the crap out of each other, so they start waving in the WaLuigis! They leave Captain 80s, who has been on DDR this entire time, and begin to run around the district to make their way inside, and one of them, WaLink, accidentally knocks a Chadweiser out of Chaos’ hand! The Drunken Buzzsaw, already four into a six-pack, doesn’t take kindly to that. He immediately grabs the poor WaLink by the back of the head and hoists him up...AND HITS ALCOHOL FUELED BRUTALITY ON THE FLOOR!
Arthur La Forge: Remind me never to interrupt that man while he’s drinking.
Mary DeSue: I think WaLink is dead.
Chaos chugs the rest of his beer and heads off to another district, while in the ring, the sheer amount of humanity has finally divided Tact and Tirri, with the former deciding to get out while the getting’s good and he heads to the back. Tirri is left to stew in the ring.
---
The Time Jumpers vs. Jennifer Williams & Teddy Warren
The bell rings as Teddy and Ciela start for their respective teams, circling each other. Teddy charges forward going for a lockup, but Ciela bides her time and launches a shot right to the sternum of Teddy. Teddy goes backwards clutching his chest as Ciela kicks him in the gut, and takes him down to the mat with a Snap DDT! Grabbing Teddy up from the mat and tossing him into the ropes, Ciela follows up her assualt with a Pele Kick sending Teddy back down to the mat. Ciela notices how close Teddy is to his corner and quickly drags him over to the "Time Jumpers" corner and tags in Makayla. Makayla goes up top and hits "Miller's Tale", Red Arrow, and Ciela heads up to the turnbuckle post and hits her "Princesca" moonsault. Cover on Teddy.
One...
Tw...
Pinfall broken up by Jennifer Williams!
Arthur La Forge: They may not like working together, but it doesn’t change the fact that Jennifer Williams and Teddy Warren want gold.
Mary DeSue Well, the Power Glove is apparently bad. I heard someone say that on my way out here.
Arthur La Forge: Lucas is here?
Referee Kirby admonishes Jennifer for breaking the pin attempt, and Makayla grabs Teddy and slaps him in a camel clutch. Teddy screams out in pain as Makayla locks in the hold. After a few moments, and much wiggling from Teddy, he's able to weasel his foot onto the ropes breaking the hold. Makayla picks up Teddy and tosses him into the ropes. SNAP DDT! Makayla picks up Teddy and tosses him into the ropes she looks to be going for a back body drop, but Teddy leaps over her and hits the ropes. On the rebound he comes in with a superkick, Makayla ducks, and grabs Teddy's leg and tosses him into the ropes. Tag to Ciela as Makalya leaps up to the top rope and comes off hitting a flying forearm, to the rebounding Teddy! Ciela goes up top and hits a 630 Splash, "Unicorn Horn", but Teddy rolls out of the way! Both are down. Teddy crawls his way over to his corner and tags in Jennifer just as Ciela tags in Makayla!
Arthur La Forge: Hot tag in both corners and here we go!
Mary DeSue: I can’t believe we have time travelers wrestling for us! CAN THEY GO BACK AND HELP TIRRI WIN THE TITLE?
The two women rush towards the center of the ring and just start wailing on each other with rights and lefts. Jennifer is able to get a slight upper hand by ducking one of Makayla's shots and runs to the ropes. Springboard Bulldog! Jennifer quickly drags Makayla over to her corner and tags in Teddy. Teddy sets up Makayla for "The Nutcracker" and Jennifer leaps off hitting a top rope ace crusher, "Sweet Dreams", and goes for the cover...
One...
Two...
Breakup by Ciela!
Arthur La Forge: After a crushing defeat to the Faction last show, Jennifer and Teddy look to really be taking the fight to the debuting Time Jumpers.
Mary DeSue: And even if the Time Jumpers lose, it’s not like we’d know because they’d just jump back and change the result!
Teddy runs and attacks Ciela and they start trading punches until Ciela ducks a punch and takes both her and Teddy over the top rope to the outside. Jennifer is arguing with the referee about the interference as Makayla starts to get up. Jennifer see's her get up and charges forward. Jennifer goes for a headscissors but Makayla catches her and turns. POWERBOMB INTO THE CORNER! Jennifer lands neck first on the top turnbuckle and moves forward right into a "Blast from the Past" superkick! Cover by Makayla!
One..
Two...
Teddy tries to break up the count but is pulled back out by Ciela!
Three!!!
Mr. Rad: Here are your winners...The Time Jumpers!!
Arthur La Forge: And just like that, it’s over!
Mary DeSue: Almost as if the flow of time has been tampered with!
Arthur La Forge: Will you stop with that? It’s just a name.
Mary DeSue: Sure, and you’re gonna tell me Legion never actually killed a guy too, huh?
---
James Wilcox is backstage, standing in the middle of the Faction. He is wearing his dark black robes. The hood up. Drake in his ring attire and typical custom wrestling paint to his right with the newest member Gina draped off his shoulder. Isaac to the left but further back. His paint the opposite to Drakes. They all stand in front of a metal mesh barrier. The arena in this area isn’t very well lit.
Lenny Brasco: I’m backstage here at Wrestlestock with someone that wasn’t booked tonight, ‘The Wizard’ James Wilcox. James, It’s the first time we’ve seen you since Dead By Daylight. You were unsuccessful in winning the title. Your thoughts?
James Wilcox: Who said it was unsuccessful? So I didn’t win a title. My time will come don’t you worry about that. When I want a title I’ll go take a title.
James pulls his hood down and takes a step towards the camera.
James Wilcox: Did any of you see the arena after I was eliminated? Utter chaos.
He sadistically smiles into the camera.
James Wilcox: Why don’t you Ask Tirri how the table felt? Ask Tact what receiving the Gateway to Hell is like. Shepard getting Head Hunted. Sin becoming one with the barricade. The Faction, Outnumbered yet utterly dominant. We took your pay per views premier match and we did what we wanted. It was left to the mercy of the Faction. You pig fans should consider that a reminder of our goals and you all in the locker room should all consider it a message sent. Anyone, Anytime and anywhere.
The Faction: In absentia lucis, Tenebrae vincunt.
The Factions music begins to play in the background and they make their way towards the curtain.
---
Dionysus & Chef Andre vs. The Faction (Drake Wilcox & ISAAC)
The match kicks off with Chef Andre coming up against the enormous frame of ISAAC, who at 7 foot tall has a noticeable height advantage. The two lock up in the centre of the ring but ISAAC pushes the Chef away with relative ease. Poêlon, not to be outdone, recovers and stubbornly locks up with the massive brute again. This time ISAAC transitions into a side headlock, and the Chef shoots him off the ropes. Andre corks back and connects with a massive discus clothesline - THE APPETIZER! Unbelievably the huge man is still standing, but his bell is rung, he’s completely groggy. Seizing the moment, Andre tags in Dionysuis, and two drop the big man with a double suplex! Dionysuis makes the cover!
Mary DeSue: Ginger boy covers big boy!
Arthur La Forge: Got another crush, Mary?
Mary DeSue: Ew! No! Only Thicci has my heart!
One!
Two!
ISAAC kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: The faction no doubt breathing a sigh of relief as big as the Wrestling World when Trent Steel dropped his ‘sexy’ gimmick
Mary DeSue: Who’s Trent Steel?
Dionysus begins to work over his opponent with a combination of strong strikes and submission holds. ISAAC, tired of being bogged down, finally forces his way out and slams Dionysus with a spinebuster! Slow to get to his feet, ISAAC manages to tag in Drake, who immediately goes to work on Dionysus. He unleashes a series of strikes, starting with a club to the back and followed up by a knee to the gut. Drake completes his attack with a flurry of punches - HANDS OF AGGRESSION! The last punch, a brutal uppercut to the jaw, knocks Dionysus to the mat, and Darke follows up with a pin.
Arthur La Forge: Here we go1 Big blows this could be it!
One!
Two!
Dionysus kicks out!
Mary DeSue:What’s it like being so wrong, old, and ugly?
Arthur La Forge: It hurts, and so do words Mary.
The crowd rains down boos as The Faction begin to work over Dionysus in the corner, tagging in an out to keep him away from his partner. While Drake punishes Dionysus with some punches in the corner, ISAAC takes exception to the treatment of The Faction by the crowd, roaring at them to “SHUT UP”! The distraction costs him, though, as Chef Andre Poelon enters the ring and clubs him from behind. Drake sees this and turns his attention to the Chef, but is lifted into a huge samoan drop! The match begins to break down as both teams are brawling in the ring.
Mary DeSue: Oh look, the ref still can’t do his job.
Arthur La Forge: Is this you still being mad about combat evolved?
Mary DeSue: RICCI GOT SCREWED!
Eventually Dionysus and Chef Andre get the upper hand, with ISAAC being sent to the outside courtesy of a top rope drop by the Chef. Dionysus signals to Andre, who nods in agreement. Grabbing Drake by the hair, Chef plants a stiff boot into his midsection, dropping him to his knees. This sets him up for Dionysus, who bounces off the ropes and connects with a shining wizard! He follows this up with a moonsault, completing the ROUND OF APPLAUSE! Both men jump on Drake to hold him down for the cover.
One!
Two!
Thr-BROKEN UP BY ISAAC!
Arthur La Forge: Another near fall! The newcomers are making a statement with the fight they’re putting up against these faction brutes!
With impressive strength, The Faction’s hired muscle pulls both men off of his teammate. He grabs their heads and sends them into one another, causing a sickening “WHACK” to echo through the arena. Chef Andre and Dionysus stumble around groggily. ISAAC grabs Dionysus and sends him tumbling out of the ring. He then grabs Chef Andre by the throat, and everyone in the audience knows what’s coming next. Drake finally makes it up to his feet and joins his partner in the goozle. The Faction lift Chef Andre into the air but he counters with a DOUBLE DDT!
Arthur La Forge: The chef is serving up some grit with a side of pain!
Mary DeSue: The stream just lost 200 viewers. Way to go Arty
The crowd erupts at the counter and begins chanting BE MY GUEST! BE MY GUEST! BE MY GUEST! Dionysus slides back into the ring and all four men slowly get to their feet. In a blood rage, The Faction charge at their foes, but Dionysus lifts Drake into a huge flapjack, and Chef Andre ducks a clothesline to plant ISAAC with a massive side slam! ENTREE IS SERVED! The Chef rolls over into the pin.
One!
Two!
Three!
Mr. Rad: Here are your winners...Dionysus and Chef Andre Poêlon!
Mary DeSue: THE GINGER AND THE FRENCHY DID IT!!
Arthur La Forge: They were stuck together seemingly at random but are now one step closer to--wait, what the hell is this?
Mary DeSue: Shenanigans Artie!
James Wilcox has come to ringside and, enraged at his fellow Faction members for another loss, slides into the ring and orders them to attack! Dionysus and Chef Andre are no sooner to their feet than the large behemoths immediately mow them down! The Wizard holds up his ‘wand’ (a special, painted sledgehammer) and for good measure, slams it into the ribs of Andre! ISAAC leaves the ring and grabs a chair, tossing it inside. Drake holds down Dionysus, choking him in the process, while ISAAC reenters the fray and pins down the arm of Andre, wrapping it up in the chair. The Wizard looks at an lifts his wand up high, looking to break the Chef’s pan-swinging arm!
Arthur La Forge: My God it’s just like what they did to Adam Miller at combat evolved! Ref! Someone stop this!
Mary DeSue: No one, except maybe Bert, is stupid enough to come out here and fight all three members of the Faction Arturo!
Suddenly, smoke from dry ice starts appearing around the ramp and then on the big screen the words ‘FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE’ appear. The fans in the audience seem confused at first, as “Intro to Ultraviolence” by Robert Slump begins playing. The music stops and the arena goes dark. The music hits again and a figure with a crimson red cloak stands at the ramp with his arms wide. The faction has no idea who or what this is..
Arthur La Forge: You might be wrong Mary, but Who the hell is this?
The figure walks down the ramp, slowly walking to the bottom of the ramp and the music stops. A short pause and the hood is ripped off.
Arthur La Forge: HOLY [BLEEP]! It’s Adam Miller! He’s back!
Mary DeSue: I thought The Faction killed him!
Arthur La Forge: Broke his arm, but it seems he got better!
Miller darts in the ring, carrying a steel chair with him, and begins taking out the Faction trying to get James. After a little scuffle he takes out Isaac and Drake with chair shots to the head. Dionysus and Chef Andre get up and run at both of the larger men, knocking them outside of the ring. James tries to attack Miller but he counters him into a crossface!
Arthur La Forge: CROSSFACE! ITS LOCKED IN!!
James manages to escape and the Faction regroup on the ramp. Miller stands in the ring arms open screaming, as both Dionysus and Andre stand alongside him.
Adam Miller: THE PRODIGAL SON HAS RETURNED!
Mary DeSue: Woooh, broke arm boy is back!
Arthur La Forge: You might not be willing to sell it, Mary but the Faction look scared shitless to me. This is obviously nowhere near over, but for now we are while you enjoy a word from our sponsors at NordVPN!!
---
Sidroy Covington IV & Ragdoll vs. Jenny & Supreme Machine
Ragdoll waves Sidroy out dismissively to the apron as the bell rings, staring across the ring at the machines she had openly stated a desire for dismantling. In the opposite corner, Jenny and SuMa communicate, or rather Jenny tells her brother to wait his turn and shoos him onto the apron, with Supreme Machine looking like he wanted to murder her before adhering to the rules. Queenie then wastes no time and charges the surprised Ragdoll with a big spear that takes her to the mat! Queenie begins laying in with punches and blows!!
Arthur La Forge: Jennifer Rivers, Queen Machine, Jenny...whatever you want to call her she is a dangerous woman and Ragdoll has made the sin of pissing her off/
Mary DeSue: I Hope the clown loses.
Arthur La Forge: Which one?
Mary DeSue: Yes.
Queenie yanks Ragdoll up and whips her into the ropes. She goes for a clothesline but Ragdoll ducks, she rebounds and comes in with her own but Jenny is on fire! She ducks under it and chases Ragdoll, nailing her with a clothesline that sends her to the outside. Jenny then backs up and bounces off the ropes before charging forward and diving through the middle and top rope...but Ragdoll evades at the last minute and Jenny crashes into the guardrail!! Ragdoll measurs Queenie, going for the last Laugh.
Mary DeSue: KILL THE CLOWN, CLOWN!
But Supreme Machine suddenly snatches her by the scruff of her neck! He lifts Ragdol over his head and with brutal strength throws her into the ring. He then lifts his sister by her hair, and throws her into the ring just the same before returning to his corner. Ragdoll, incensed, goes and tags Sidroy in. Sidroy eyes Supreme Machine and seems content to let Queeny go and tag him..until suddenly he leaps forth with a big curb stomp! He goes for the cover!
Mary DeSue: Get her Sidroy!
Arthur La Forge: You know, we’re supposed to be unbiased
Mary DeSue: Actually, Arthur you are supposed to be as the play by play part of this team. I’m color commentator which means I make it interesting and hype up the big things. So please don’t mansplain my job to me.
Arthur La Forge: ….
ONE!
TWO!
No! Supreme Machine breaks it up by snatching Sidroy by his hair. He lifts the thrashing socialite up but doesn’t see Ragdoll launch from the top rope...or does he?! He drops Sidroy and catches Ragdoll by her throat. He lifts her for a chokeslam, but Sidroy saves his teammate with a chop block! He scrambles to his feet and together, the two drop SuMa with a double DDT. As they get up, Jenny has gotten to her feet and dives at them with a double clothesline! The ref has lost all control!!
Arthur La Forge: While i’m sure Supreme Machine and Jennifer are not your typical family unit and the christmases are decidedly cold and I don’t mean the weather, they are without a doubt an effective unit. He has stopped Sidroy and Ragdoll from winning twice now.
Mary DeSue: Probably helps, him being fucking giant and all too.
Supreme Machine gets to his feet, his head snapping to Jenny who motions wildly to him. He grunts and holds his hands together and low. Jenny leaps and bounces off the giant mits, nailing Ragdoll with a flying roundhouse as she gets up that knocks her to the outside. Supreme Machine follows as Jenny stalks Sidroy, the legal man She goes for a superkick but Sidoy catches her leg, then throws it over his shoulder and nails her with an exploder!!
Arthur La Forge: Beautiful counter by the wisdom champ!
Mary DeSue: Beautiful counter by a beautiful man!
Sidroy dives onto Jenny with THE COVINGTON CAVE IN! He then goes to lock in the FFB but Jenny fights like hell! SuMa sees his sibling in peril and moves to help but Ragdoll nails him with a low blow! The ref doesn’t see it! She begins searching under the ring for a weapon...BUT SUDDENLY A BILLOW OF SMOKE GOES INTO HER FACE, STUNNING HER!! Bert McAlroy rolls out from under the ring, red eyed and grinning he shouts “FUCK CLOWNS” before running into the audience. Supreme Machine grabs Ragdoll in a Von Erich Claw, lifts her up and slams her to the concrete floor on the outside!
Mary DeSue: GET THAT FUCKING CHEATING STONER OUT OF HERE! DISQUALIFY THE FREAKS!
Arthur La Forge: Technically...TECHNICALLY he didn’t attack anyone though
Mary DeSue: SHUT YOUR TECHNICAL MOUTH!!
Supreme Machine rolls into the ring, snatching Sidroy once more..DEUS EX MACHINA! Jenny yells for her brother to lift him back up and nails him with THE CROWNING! She goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!
Mr. Rad: Here are you winners...Jenny and Supreme Machine! They advance to the next round!
Arthur La Forge: Supreme Machine is definitely someone to watch in the upcoming matches!
Mary DeSue: Yeah...this one night tournament is just full of surprises folks! Stay tuned!
---
His music starts to play and Duncan Shepard makes his way down to the ring carrying the Level Up Power title belt over his left shoulder.
Arthur La Forge: Well this is a surprise! Duncan Shepard isn’t booked on our card tonight. He’s already beaten Zolton in the Wrestlestock Open and still has more tournament in him later on! But he’s still making time to make an appearance on this historic show.
Mary DeSue: Wow, aren’t we lucky...
Duncan climbs up the steps and into the ring where he is handed a microphone. He waits in the ring until his music fades and the crowd grows quiet.
Duncan Shepard: What do we all think of EXP 10 taking place for the first time here at Wrestlestock?
Duncan gets a cheap pop and Mary’s eyes roll heavily enough to be audible in spite of it.
Duncan Shepard: Even though I don’t have a match on this show I made sure I was here at Mr. Rad’s Rad Party for two reasons. Firstly, because I’m as excited as I’m certain all of you are, to see who will become the first ever Level Up Multiplayer Champions. Secondly, because I wanted to take a couple of minutes to say thank you.
The crowd pops again for their Power Champion.
Duncan Shepard: You see, earlier this year I was lost. Just when I thought I was getting somewhere the rug got pulled out from beneath me and sent me plummeting. It left me without purpose beyond mere survival. I was driving hours a day, going without decent food to get to the next show just so I could make enough money to do it again the next day. That was until May. I saw the announcement that Level Up Wrestling would be looking to crown their inaugural Power Champion in just a couple of short months. It was fortunate for me that my travels had brought me to Indiana, but something more important than that happened. I tried to bum a hundred dollars from the Developer for gas money and he said yes.
Mary DeSue:He didn’t!?
Arthur La Forge: That’s how the story goes. He or she or whatever the Developer is, we still don’t know, went the extra mile to bring Shepard to Level Up. It’s worked out so far!
Duncan Shepard: That’s when I knew that Level Up was different and since I’ve been here I’ve been treated with nothing but respect and dignity. Being here has once again given me a purpose. That is what I want to thank you for.
There is a pause as the emotions are getting to Shepard.
Duncan Shepard: It is my honor and my privilege to be able to stand here today as the first ever Level Up Power Champion.
Duncan hoists the belt up into the air with his left hand and slowly turns giving everyone a good look at it.
Duncan Shepard: This title will be contested in matches outside the remit of traditional wrestling rules. No Holds Barred. Weapons legal and no doubt more. Under these circumstances it becomes easy to forget who we are and give in to senseless violence. I’ve seen it happen a hundred times, the men and women who have held the predecessors and contemporaries of this title, become nothing more than violent monsters who do nothing but degrade the product they are meant to uplift.
Duncan Shepard: That will not be me. No matter the match, no matter the rules, no matter the opponent I will uphold the Power title with dignity and strength. Under my stewardship its name will never be sullied, its legacy will not be tarnished and as long as I am champion I will represent this title and this company to the best of my ability. Because I’m Commander Shepard and this is my favourite company on the Citadel!
Suddenly “Ace of Spades” By Motörhead hits the PA-system, interrupting Shepard and after a few moments out into the aisleway walks “Old School Cool” Don Tirri. The big Finn walks towards the ring, slapping hands with the fans as he does and slides in to stand face to face with Shepard.
Don Tirri: First off. Congratulations Shep. You earned that win. I said before the match that if I don’t win, I sure as hell hope it’s you.
Tirri gives a quick nod of acknowledgement to Shepard before continuing.
Don Tirri: Since you came to Level Up, Shep, I’ve liked what I’ve seen. You’re respectful, humble and damn good in the ring. You are just the kind of a man this promotion needs to have to represent it for the outside world. But there is one thing that I need to point out.
He looks around the arena, stopping to wink at Mary.
Don Tirri: Before the match at Dead by Daylight Shep, we both said that if either of us win, we’d give the other the first shot at the title. Well, you won. So… are you a man of your word commander?
Duncan nods along in quiet agreement.
Don Tirri: Thing is, the Power title is out of my comfort zone. But I got a taste for the kind of performance that is required of you at DbDl. And I kinda liked it. But throw into that the fact that I also ain’t the biggest fan of multi-person clusterfucks and you get a pretty good picture of why despite losing I’m not all that broken up. And most importantly Shep… I am a firm believer that I can take you one-on-one and walk away victorious. So Commander, you, me, Power Title and Devil May Cry. We on or not?
Tirri extends his hand, offering a handshake to Shepard and waits for his response.
Duncan Shepard: You know Don, I appreciate your words, I really do. I've gotta say though, when only days out from one of the biggest wins of my career you came out to put an asterisk on it, it kinda pissed me off. In fairness though, as my memory filled in more of the blank spots from that night I realised I couldn't say you were wrong. See, no matter how many people started that match, at the end I beat Larry Tact one on one in a Ladder match to claim this belt.
Duncan lifts the belt off his shoulder a little.
Duncan Shepard: But no, I didn't exactly beat you. So as far as I'm concerned, whether or not we agreed anything beforehand I think it's clear to see that you're the rightful number one contender to this title, so yeah, at Devil May Cry, you're on.
Duncan finally meets Don's outstretched hand and shakes it.
Duncan Shepard: But Don, while you may have got a taste for this now, stepping in the ring with me is like drinking ryncol. You may think it tastes good at first, but it can still tear you up on the way down.
With that Duncan breaks the handshake and gives Tirri a wicked grin before backing up and leaving the ring.
---
Bert McAlroy & Ahmya vs The Time Jumpers
Starting off for each team this time is Bert and Makayla with a lockup. Bert wins that by putting Makayla into a headlock and tossing her forward towards the ropes. Bert goes for a dropkick but Makayla grabs the ropes to stop herself. Bert, exerting himself somewhat, kips back up and charges towards Makayla. She pulls the top rope down and sends Bert out in front of the commentary table with a thud. We can see Bert already gasping for air somewhat at this point having already had a match before this one.
Arthur La Forge: The nature of a tournament means you aren’t going to be as fresh as the match before. Plus, the Time Jumpers are completely new to Bert and Ahmya.
Mary DeSue Stop making excuses for his loss! I have it on good authority that they will control time to make sure he can’t win! They’re Time Lords, they can do that!
Arthur La Forge: They’re not…
Mary DeSue: EXTERMINATE BERT!
Referee Kirby starts to count out Bert as Makayla bides her time in the ring, also taking care not to overexert herself.
One...
Two...
Bert slides in and gets stomped on by Makayla. She picks up Bert and hits him with a Belly to Belly Suplex. She tags in Ciela and drags Bert over to their corner. Ciela goes up top and goes for "Over the Rainbow" as Makayla stays in the ring. Cover by Ciela!
One...
Amhya gets into the ring as Makayla goes for her superkick, "Blast From The Past", which Amhya ducks...
Two...
Elbow drop to the back of Ciela's head! Makayla grabs Amhya and tosses her into the ropes. Amhya picks up speed and ducks the clothesline from Makayla. Makayla turns around and gets clocked with a running heel kick from Amhya as Referee Kirby tells both of them to get out of the ring. Ciela gets up and see's Bert has slide to the outside of the ring. Ciela goes up top. "Princesca"! Ciela leaps off going for the moonsault and lands on Bert! Both are down as their partners go back to their respective corners.
One...
Two...[/i]
Arthur La Forge: This match is back and forth so far, but you can tell that the Time Jumpers have more experience as a team.
Mary DeSue Oh Bert and Ahmya have experience, alright…
Arthur La Forge: WILL YOU STOP?
Three...
Four...
Ciela finally gets to her feet, as the high risk move took a lot out of her as well. She picks up Bert and rolls him in under the ropes. Sliding in she picks up Bert and hits a Snap DDT! Bert is laid out as Ciela goes up top. She calls for "Unicorn Horn", but Bert kips up and lunges for the top rope. Ciela falls off landing on the top rope on her groin. Bert falls back onto the mat. He starts crawling over to Amyha. Ciela, having a bit more energy, tags in Makayla who runs forward and elbow drops Bert in the back of the head. She pulls Bert to the center of the ring and locks in a camel clutch!
Arthur La Forge: An old school move from Ciela, but effective!
Mary DeSue: Hopefully he TAPS OUT.
Bert is not giving up as Makayla tries to get Bert to give up. After a while she decides to go for another strategy. She tags in Ciela and they both launch Bert into the ropes. Bert rebounds and Ciela and Makayla both go for superkicks, but Bert ducks them...DOUBLE GIVE THEM THE BERT!!! Bert crawls and tags in Amhya and she charges forward! Makayla is the first one up and goes for a "Blast From The Past" but is intercepted by Bert's "Bong Water" Superkick! Ahyma grabs Ciela and hits a jumping facebuster! Toss to the ropes...Bulldog from Bert! Makayla gets up and grabs Bert, reversal from Bert to where he's behind Makayla...Katahajime!!! Amhya goes up top..."Hail’s Blessing"!! Cover!!!
One...
Two...
THREE!!
Mr. Rad: Here are your winners, and moving onto the FINALS, Bert McAlroy and Ahmya!
Arthur La Forge: Just going by the experience as a team, this has to be somewhat of an upset!
Mary DeSue I’m certainly upset.
Arthur La Forge: Well you’ll have to deal with it, because Bert and Ahmya are moving on to challenge for the Multiplayer Championships!
Mary DeSue: Oh joy. Rapture. Unadulterated pleasure.
---
The first semifinal match of the Multiplayer Championship tournament had come to an end and the winners were declared. Both teams had cleared the ring when "Let it Die" by Ozzy Osbourne echoes through the arena's speaker system as the lights dim. A few seconds pass before an almost demonic looking Sah'ta Thor. He is dressed in a pair of black jeans and a red t-shirt with a golden pattern of the Seven Deadly Sins with the words Sin Incarnate in white. After a moment of standing at the top of the ramp. He starts towards the ring with a purposeful stride. Once in the ring he steps in the ring and gestures for a microphone.
Arthur La Forge: This was just announced earlier this week, but wrestling veteran Sah’ta Thor has Leveled Up!
Mary DeSue: Good lord, he’s about as old as that one guy that went crazy after five episodes!
Arthur La Forge: Hopefuly we don’t have to deal with that. Not all veterans are alike.
He is given the microphone and with a devilish smile on his lips he takes a look around the gathered fans before starting to speak.
Sah'ta Thor: So this is Level Up Wrestling? I have to admit I wasn't sure what to expect for this place but I have to say I am impressed with what I have been seeing so far. With that being said, I guess introductions are in order. I am Sah'ta Thor, some of the roster might recall me from other companies we have crossed paths in. Those who don't know me will soon learn first hand what I am all about in the ring. However, there is another matter that brings me before you all here at the WrestleStock 2021 venue.
Mary DeSue: Senility?
Arthur La Forge: Mary! SHHHH!
Thor lets the moment stretch in anticipation for what he had to say. As he does so he turns so that he is looking back up the ramp with a smile on his lips.
Sah'ta Thor: Tomorrow, I go into the first round of the WrestleStock Cup Tournament against none other than Level Up Wrestling's Power Champion Duncan Shepard. Well Duncan Ryder as he is known to the folks at UGWC. But regardless, as I said in my promo for the match the two of us have history from last year. Tomorrow is a rematch of the semi-finals from last year where I beat Duncan to go onto the finals. We will see if he has better luck this time around. However, it did get me thinking about something. What does it mean here in Level Up Wrestling if I beat him again? Do I become a top contender to the Power Championship?
He held up a hand to stop the resulting boos as the crowd still didn't know that moments before he had come out he had signed a contract with Level Up Wrestling. Something that may or may not have been passed on to the commentary team.
Sah'ta Thor: With that being said we will just have to see how tomorrow turns out before I go off planning future title shots. However, let me make one thing clear to you all. I am now officially part of the Level Up Wrestling roster and fully intend to start making my impact starting EXP 11.
As the crowd breaks into chaos from the announcement Thor hands the microphone to the referee and slides out of the ring walking backing up the ramp to let the show go on.
Arthur La Forge: Thor kept it short and sweet, and no doubt he’s ready to jump right in the mix here in Level Up.
Mary DeSue: And go after Shepard, from the sound of it! Power division gonna start heating up!
---
Jenny & Supreme Machine vs. Dionysus & Chef Andre Poelon
After being assaulted by The Faction earlier in the night, Dionysus and Chef Andre are still ready to go here in the semifinals. Also ready to go are the Machines, and if either one feels the effects of their battle with Ragdoll and Sidroy, they aren’t letting it show. They discuss their gameplan in the corner while Poelon is demanding one of them come face him. Jenny opts to start for her team and begins moving around the Chef. Suddenly SuMA shows up near the Chef and appears to try to grab him, so when Andre turns to defend himself, Jenny runs across to the opposite corner and rams a forearm into the face of the Lord of the Vine, nearly knocking him from the apron. Dio tries to get in and protest, but the referee stops him, and this allows SuMa to come in and flatten the Chef with a clubbing lariat to the face!
Arthur La Forge: Supreme Machine is a force of nature and no culinary expertise in the world is gonna keep him down.
Mary DeSue: How is culinary expertise going to keep ANYONE down? Make me a casserole!
Arthur La Forge: Did you get into Bert’s edibles again?
Mary DeSue: Those. Were. Mine.
Jenny takes advantage of the fallen Chef by kicking at him as he struggles to get up. She then grabs him by the head and whips him into the nearest turnbuckle. As Andre moves toward it, Queenie follows him in only for Poelon to propel his legs in the air once he grabs the top rope, catching her by the head and flipping around with a headscissors! Andre then runs and bounces off the ropes, spinning around and catching Queenie with the APPETIZER! He then turns around and steps to SuMa as he tries to get in, hitting him with a basement dropkick that causes him to fall to the ground and smack his face on the apron. Andre spins around back on his feet as Jenny gets up, charging forward and hitting her with a HUGE haymaker. He takes a step back and extends a hand, allowing Dionysus to come in and get a piece.
Arthur La Forge: Dionysus seems more fired up in this go around. He had a rough first visit but he’ll do great things with this energy.
Mary DeSue: I just like that we have a guy nicknamed the Lord of the Vine.
Jenny doesn’t back down, as she never would, but when she attempts a right hand, Dio catches it and returns in kind. He then hits a clubbing blow to the back of the Queen Machine, who backs up into the corner. Dio hits a right hand to the abdomen, doubling her over, then another for good measure. An irish whip sends her into the opposite corner and as she comes out of it, she catches a flapjack from the Lord, who covers!
One!
Two!
Jenny kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: Jenny’s always game for a fight but Dionysus outweighs her by a good deal.
Mary DeSue: Probably all the wine!
Arthur La Forge: I don’t think he actually…
Mary DeSue: Don’t ruin this for me!
Jenny gets up and Dionysus applies a hammerlock, as she reaches to her brother for the tag. SuMa starts to come in anyway and the referee stops him, but that’s just enough time for Queenie to get a thumb to Dio’s eye. He backs up in the corner to recover and she follows, attempts an Irish whip only to get reversed and sent into the corner. She steps out and Dionysus gets a HUGE hip toss! He then scoops her up and backs her into his corner, allowing the Chef to tag back in. Dionysus holds Jenny in place while Andre comes in, runs at Dionysus who picks him up and tosses him at Jenny into the corner, squashing her between the Chef and the turnbuckles! After another tag, Dionysus lifts Jenny high up over his head and pops her up into the air, before catching her with a cutter on the way down! SuMa is seething in his corner as Jenny rolls outside. He drops down and says something to her that the camera doesn’t pick up.
Arthur La Forge: : Seems like there are some communication errors for the Machines here in the semifinal round.
Mary DeSue: SuMa came in to help her win and she’s getting beat up. What do you think they’re talking about?
Arthur La Forge: Well it aint trigonometry.
Dionysus tags in Andre, who goes outside and retrieves Queenie, while calling Suma a “[Bleep]ing donkey”. He tosses her inside and then ducks a forearm attempt, getting a reverse waistlock. She runs forward while he has her and this allows Supreme Machine to make a blind tag, comes in as the Chef attempts a wheelbarrow rollup and kicks him right in the skull! SuMa then picks up Andre and hits clubbing blows. He grabs the arm of the Chef and twists it, before Jenny asks to tag back in. SuMa seems reluctant so soon but does so. She comes in and dives off, catching Andre with a Jennycanrana! She hooks the legs!
ONE!
TWO!
THr--no! Andre kicks out![/i]
Arthur La Forge: Jenny back in already, but she almost got the win!
Mary DeSue: The Chef is tough though, he grew up in the mean kitchens of Paris!
Arthur La Forge: I don’t even know where to begin with how wrong that is.
She tags SuMa back in and holds Andre down on the canvas, and SuMa just allows himself to fall with an elbow that nearly collapses the body of his opponent. He then scoops up Andre and hangs him in the tree of woe in their corner, before stepping on his chin and throat as long as the referee’s five count will allow. Jenny tags herself back in and comes in the ring, runs up to Dionysus and sticks her tongue out at him, before running and hitting Andre with a dropkick! She tags SuMa back in, who puts him back in the Tree of Woe in an opposite corner. Supreme Machine glares at Dionysus, someone who could at least come close to matching him in stature, before turning back and stomping away at his partner. Poelon flops out of the corner and then tries to pick himself back up, before the larger SuMa charges in with a corner splash, only for Andre to dive out of the way! SuMa collides with the corner and Andre scoots over and tags in Dionysus! The two bigger wrestlers stare each other down and as SuMa circles around, Jenny tags herself back in!
Mary DeSue: Why would she do that?
Arthur La Forge: I don’t know if Jenny is trying to prove a point or if she wants to face Dionysus herself, but SuMa doesn’t seem pleased.
Mary DeSue: She keeps inserting herself!
The audience actually boos Jenny for robbing them of Dionysus vs. SuMa, and SuMa has yet to leave the ring. Jenny ignores his complaints and charges at The Lord of the Vine, who flattens her with a shoulder block before charging and hitting SuMa with a big boot that knocks him to the outside! He turns around and as Jenny is back up, she catches a clothesline! Then another! And another! Jenny won’t stay down but Dionysus is fine to keep hitting her! After the third clothesline he shrugs and drops down to land a fist drop! He starts to go for the cover before SuMa is back in, and Dio charges at him only for him to drop down. He turns around and Jenny dropkicks the knees before catching his head with BOW DOWN!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE--NO! Dionysus kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: A timely assist from her brother but Dio is just able to kick out!
Mary DeSue: I like this guy, he’s not creepy at all like the Machines.
Arthur La Forge: We have nicely balanced out our creepy-non-creepy ratio.
Dionysus gets to his feet and Jenny grabs the head, looking for the Crowning, but Dio shoves her off. She runs and bounces off the ropes and as Jenny comes back Dio hits a STO BACKBREAKER! Dionysus gets up and tags in the Chef, telling him to finish it! All of a sudden SuMa appears behind Andre and pulls him off the apron, then muscles him up, running him back first into the nearby Dig Dug arcade Cabinet! Dionysus curses at him and goes outside to confront SuMa and the two begin to trade blows. Jenny slides out and chop blows the leg of Dionysus before running around and grabbing Andre, tossing him back in the ring! SuMa takes advantage of Jenny’s attack and hits Dionysus with THROTTLE AND MASK (Bossman Slam)! Jenny slides back in and charges at Andre, who CATCHES HER WITH THE ENTREE! But SuMa slides in and grabs Andre from behind and FLATTENS HIM WITH APEX ULTIMA! He grabs his sister’s arm and pulls her on top!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Mr. Rad: Your winners, moving onto the finals...JENNY AND SUPREME MACHINE!
Arthur La Forge: Jenny got the pin but you have to give the big assist to Supreme Machine, who did a lot of work there at the end.
Mary DeSue: Whatever it takes, because they’re in the finals now! Time to kill Bert and Bert’s girlfriend!
Arthur La Forge: Heartbreaking loss for Andre and Dionysus but it was so close. If they decide to keep teaming, they’ll be multiplayer champions sooner rather than later.
Andre and Dionysus realize how close they were tonight and aren’t happy with SuMa’s blatant interference. Andre rolls outside and holds his neck, while Dio checks on him and the referees are already out to force them to the back. They do as they’re asked, for now, while Supreme Machine hoists his sister to her feet and tries to get her to cover...as the main event is NEXT.
---
Outside one of the many Level Up Wrestling tents, UGWC’s own bundle of sunshine, The Man With Two Brains Johnny Hitmaker is seen peeking inside of what he’s been lead to believe is the makeshift office of the AI owner, who he’s fully expecting has either a robot body or a laptop on a podium at least.
Ragdoll: Johnny Hitmaker.
Johnny nearly jumped out of his skin when Jaclyn Pierrot stepped from behind said tent. She has the non-lethal riot shotgun slung over her back, but is otherwise appears to be armed with her only smile. She walks in a bouncing, almost skipping manner, her hands clasped behind her back. Johnny grins in that confused/scared/trying to not get killed sort of way.
Johnny: Ragdoll! MS. Ragdoll, hi, hello! Did you, ah, did you- are you… lost? ...or some… thing?
Jaclyn leans back on her heels, sucking in air through her teeth. She pantomimes thinking for a moment by cupping her chin in her hand before pointing to Johnny.
Ragdoll: A person with one brain will expire if they don't get oxygen for six minutes. For a person with two brains, is that twelve minutes or three? Asking for a friend.
Johnny thinks long and hard about the question, also wondering why he decided to go off without Hide in tow. Considering people like Eden, Gabriel, Donovan, Travis, Lucy, Tony, Maggie, Roxy, who knows who else, all trying to mess with him to varying degrees of malice for no reason, he should have known better.
Johnny: That, uhhh, that doesn’t answer my question, but I’m gonna say…….. Yes? But only if there’s no follow-up questions.
Jaclyn smiles brightly, her golden eyes narrowing in on Johnny.
Ragdoll: Oh, none for now. Actions and words and what not. Didn't you have something you wanted to talk to me about or…
She looks around for whatever it is he may be searching for.
Ragdoll: Is now a bad time?
Johnny: YES! No! I mean, you know, I was REALLY hoping for a group powwow of sorts, you know? Just me, and HIDE YAMAZAKI! Yes, just me and HIDE! YAMAZAKI! Who could just about be ANYWAY right now, and, and the rest of the guys from Carnage who I now own- er, their CONTRACTS I own, I mean, of course.
Jaclyn leans back on her heels once more before swinging the shotgun off her shoulder, looking down at it.
Ragdoll: Funny thing about a contract: I'm contracted to fight a supposed human monster and his dorky sister, but beyond a piece of paper, what stops me from putting a bullet between his eyes? Or hers? You say you own me?
She turns the shotgun in his direction, pumping it with one quick movement before walking slowly towards him.
Johnny backs up, holding up a finger.
Johnny: Ah, wait, no, I never said ANYTHING about owning ANYONE! That was social media trying… trying to make me LOOK bad! I DO own your contract, however! THAT, that I DO own. Hence why we need to have a, a group meeting about all this-
Johnny tries to slap the gun away and attempts to escape. Jaclyn laughs and watches Johnny run away, lowering the shotgun. She needs all the ammo she has after all. Besides, it was Less Lethal than necessary. She shouts after him.
Ragdoll: I'll bring my lawyer!
---
Behold...The Platformer!
Our screen's go dark as we see something glow in the distance. It's a title belt...The Courage Title Belt. As we focus in we realize that walking through it is Mr. Rad.
Mr. Rad: The final title up for grabs is finally ready for it's first master. One more chance to get in as the first of a championship here in Level Up Wrestling. We've see those of you who are the wisest. We've seen who has the power. Even tonight we will see who bares the Multiplayer Championship Power Gloves. But after tonight I just have one question meatbags...Do you have the courage to try for one more?
Mr. Rad fades, as does the title belt as we see a obstacle course lead towards a large caged ring with a caged tower rising out of it. Like some kind of demented gameshow has had a bastard child. At the top of the tower is another ring that is rotating inside of one more cage. We see Mr. Rad reappear at the top of that cage.
Mr. Rad: What's the matter meatbags? Have you never seen a Platformer before. This is "The Platformer" a specially designed match by The Developer just for those trying to prove they have the courage to be the bearer of this championship! Traps, Puzzles, Obstacles, etc. All of this leads to one thing. Can you face a challenge? Can you face your fears? Can you prove you have the Courage? Participants have until next week to decide...If you have the Courage or not! Ahahahhahaha...
Mr. Rad's electronic voices echoes as he fades out and we see fire shoot up into the top cage for "The Platformer"!
---
Bert McAlroy & Ahmya vs. Jenny & Supreme Machine
Bert McAlroy and Ahmya have come down to the ring to confront their opponents, all four wrestlers sore and beat up after the night;s events. Correction, three of them, as SuMa appears superhuman. But that doesn’t stop McAlroy from attempting to square up with him, and he demands that the larger Machine start with him, which SuMa agrees to. SuMa then makes him pay with a haymaker that nearly knocks Bert out of his Converse sneakers. Bert fires himself up and clubs SuMa in the chest, who tries a lariat but Bert ducks it and begins to hit rapid fire blows to the abdomen, treating it like a speed bag. Suma backs up and in what has been a theme tonight, the smaller machine tags herself in. SuMa piefaces Bert and then scoops Jenny up before launching her in his direction, allowing her to snap off a Jennycanrana! She covers right away!
ONE!
TWO!
NO! Bert kicks out.
Arthur La Forge: Looks like neither team wants to start this out traditionally, they’re gonna throw bombs right away and see who drops first!
Mary DeSue: I hope it’s Bert. And then Bert again.
Arthur La Forge: You gotta give him cre…
Mary DeSue: No I don’t!
Bert gets to his feet and Jenny immediately hits him with a kick to the chest, sending him backward. He backs up into the corner and Ahmya gets the blind tag. Jenny rushes in and Bert drops down from fatigue only for Ahmya to jump up and surprise Queenie with a rope-assisted jumping high kick! Bert gets up and grabs her, hitting a suplex! Meanwhile SuMa has dropped down and is circling, so Bert runs and attempts to dive at him, only to get hit with a haymaker and falls to the floor! SuMa then moves around and stalks Ahmya on the apron, who quickly runs and kicks him in the face with a PK! Jenny is getting up to her feet and Ahmya springboards over the ropes and lands on her with a Meteora, hooking the legs!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE--NO! JENNY KICKS OUT!
Arthur La Forge: You can tell how much the night has taken out of both teams as even though it’s very early in this match, they’ve all wrestled twice already!
Mary DeSue: And look at the Machines still kicking out! You’ll have to try harder than that!
Arthur La Forge: And don’t think they won’t, either.
Even though this match has just started, they’ve all wrestled twice already and so there is less adrenaline and more pain. Jenny moves to the apron and attempts to recover while Ahmya moves toward her. She grabs her and attempts a suplex back in, but Jenny lands behind her, attempts a reverse waistlock, but Ahmya reverses to one of her own. She moves forward with Ahmya grabbing her, similar as she did earlier, and just like then, SuMa is already back to make the tag. She turns around and tries a forearm but Ahmya ducks. SuMa is in and catches a mule kick to the ribs, before she grabs his head and attempts to hit a tornado DDT, but SuMA shoves her backwards into the grip of Jenny, who hooks her up and steps forward with ENTER THE MACHINE! SuMa covers!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE--NO!! BERT DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES AND BREAKS UP THE COUNT!
Mary DeSue: OH MY GOD JUST LOSE ALREADY
Arthur La Forge: McAlroy saved the match at the last minute, and Jenny doesn’t seem very happy about that!
Mary DeSue: Would you? Bert being any kind of champion would be a stain we’ll never clean off!
Bert gets up to his feet, wobbly and shaking his head, only for Jenny to run and grab him, throwing him shoulder-first into the nearby corner! Bert falls back to the outside and Jenny returns to her corner, leaving the 120 pound Ahmya against the 350 pound Supreme Machine, but Machine doesn’t want her, he wants Bert and so he willingly tags Jenny back in. Jenny hits a chop that knocks Ahmya back in the Machines’ corner, but she returns fire with a forearm. Proving herself as fearless as Bert, she immediately turns around and hits SuMa with one as well! Ahmya finds herself trying to fight her away out of the corner, delivering strikes to both Machines as quickly as she can, then runs under a kick attempt from Jenny, hops up back-to-back behind Jenny, hooks her arms with her legs and gets the MANAMI ROLL! This pinned Larry Tact earlier!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR--QUEENIE KICKS OUT!
Arthur La Forge: Ahmya tried the same trick she used on Tact but Jenny just barely got out of it!
Mary DeSue: Thank goodness.
Arthur La Forge: This is a barnburner already! I almost wonder what it’d look like if both teams weren’t spent!
SuMa slides Queenie something from their corner, which looks to be a HAMMER! Bert, who may or may not have seen it, runs and dives, jumping off Queenie’s back and hitting SuMA with a crossbody that knocks them both to the floor! The referee turns to check on the two as Ahmya jumps up on Jenny’s shoulders and prepares for the poison rana, but Jenny reaches up and hits Ahmya in the chest with the hammer! Ahmya falls down to the mat unceremoniously as Jenny ditches the evidence, before applying the Queen’s Gambit to Ahmya!
Arthur La Forge: Did the machines really need a hammer?
Mary DeSue: No, but it helps!
Arthur La Forge: I think they did it just because they like hurting people.
Mary DeSue: Probably, That seems to be SuMa’s thing!
Ahmya crawls around the ring, attempting to get to the ropes but her breathing is labored and she’s fading fast. Jenny squeezes the hold as much as she can by Ahmya just BARELY gets her foot on the ropes! Jenny immediately releases the hold and tags in SuMA, who has somehow recovered, as picks up Ahmya and holds her. SuMa charges in and attempts the boot, but Ahmya drops down, possibly out of exhaustion, and SUPREME MACHINE FLATTENS JENNY WITH THE BOOT! The referee attempts to get Jenny out of the ring and SuMA turns around, only for BERT MCALROY TO FLY OFF THE TOP WITH THE HAMMER! HE SLAMS IT INTO THE MACHINE’S FACE! Bert rolls outside and Ahmya, breathing heavy and all, climbs up top...HAIL’S BLESSING ON SUMA! SHE COVERS!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE--JENNY DIVES OVER THE REF AND MAKES THE SAVE!!!
Arthur La Forge: And now it’s the Queen Machine with a last minute save!
Mary DeSue: I almost had a heart attack! DON’T DO THAT TO ME!
Ahmya gets up and can’t catch her breath, while Bert is completely shocked that the match isn’t over. Jenny tags herself in again, with SuMa bleeding from the hammer shot. He protests briefly but sees Bert is up in the other corner and willing Ahmya to come make the tag. She is almost there but SuMa runs around and yanks Bert off the apron! Jenny staggers over to Ahmya, grabbing her by the ankle, but she flings the other leg up and hits an enziguri! She then takes a step back and NAILS HER WITH BERT’S SUPERKICK, BONG WATER! Jenny staggers back into the corner and bounces out and Ahmya pulls her down into an inside cradle!!!
ONE!
SuMa is back in,
TWO!
AND BERT DIVES BACK IN WITH THE GIVE HER THE BERT, STAGGERING THE BIG MAN!
THREEE!!!!
Mr. Rad: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS! AND THE FIRST. EVER! MULTIPLAYER CHAMPIONS! BERT MCALROY AND AHMYA!!!!
Mary DeSue: SON OF A...(throws off headset)
Arthur La Forge: Bert McAlroy finally has gold in Level Up and Ahmya grabs it in only her fourth match! What a match! What a team!
Mary DeSue: What a revolting development!
Referee Kirby awards the two with the Power Gloves, as they collapse and hug each other in the middle of the ring. SuMa is furious and is almost set to lunge at them, but instead looks to check on Jenny. Bert and Ahmya take the signal and get out of the ring, trying to recover.
Mary DeSue: Look at ‘em run! They know what they did!
Arthur La Forge: They won the match and the titles, there’s no need to keep fighting. Now is the time for celebration!
Queenie starts grabbing at SuMa’s legs and attempts to pull herself up...and SuMa takes a step back and lets her fall? She stares up at him, pleading, but he takes a step back and forces her to make herself get up. Queenie grabs the ropes and starts to hoist herself to her feet, holding her jaw, asking SuMa to come to her. Instead, he turns his back to her and steps over the ropes, leaving the Queen Machine in the ring. She drops back down to her knees and looks at him leaving in despair.
Arthur La Forge: Wow I...wonder what caused him to abandon his sister like that?
Mary DeSue: She brought him over here and caused him to lose!
Arthur La Forge: : That doesn’t seem like a good reason to leave family behind.
Mary DeSue: Okay Vin Diesel. Cool it with the memes.
Arthur La Forge: Thank you very much for watching and a big thanks to UGWC for hosting us! We’ll see you all in two weeks for EXP 11!
Outside the ring, away from the Machines, McAlroy and Ahmya are moving through the crowd and celebrating with the Level Up fans! UGWC’s Jet Somers gives them both high fives as they come by! Sloane Taylor is still here as well, congratulating them both! While they are all happy, the show closes out on Jenny, crushed that her own brother has abandoned her.
