Post by jay on May 27, 2022 0:27:10 GMT -5
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After the epic intro video finishes we fade in on the beautiful Chicago skyline as we fly over the WinTrust Arena. We cut to inside with the RadDrone flying around the arena seeing all the signs the fans have brought. "/Cortes!", "Welcome to Wahhhh town!", "Skye! Rip Her Heart Out!", "Buster makes me feel good!", "Have you seen this Guy? Hit him!", "Ohhhhh Dreaaammmkillerrrr!!", "Who let all these New Yorkers in here?", "BIG MEATY MEN SLAPPING MEAT! THICC MEAT!!", "I like my game, don't change it!", "All Hail! The New King in Town!", "Dane isn't crazy...We are!", "Cowboy Sh!t!", "Where's the robot?", "Bring the Payne!", "I got a heart shaped Voxx!!", "BIOTIC CHARGE!!", "Who Booked This Sh!t? OH! HE DID!", "THE CULT IS COMING!!", etc. until the drone flies and lands in front of our commentator booth. As always we are greeted by the sight of Arthur La Forge, wearing his Captain N Letterman's Jacket and Mary DeSue cosplaying as Yuffie from Final Fantasy VII.
Arthur La Forge: Welcome everyone to the twenty fifth episode of EXP, livestreamed, right here on Twitch from the WinTrust Arena in Chicago!!! I'm Arthur La Forge and with me as always is My Main Materia Girl...Mary DeSue!
Mary DeSue: I am here to steal all the THICC Materia I can get my hands on!
Arthur La Forge:...So many jokes and not enough time! Folks if you didn't see all of the insane results of DOOM, what are you waiting for, go get it now and rewatch! There has been so much that has happened including the reveal of "The Developer" here in Level Up! One mystery solved...
Mary DeSue: And many more have popped up. But we're not here to talk about the past right Artie...cause we have a long card tonight I'm told and I got shit to do. Let's get to it.
Arthur La Forge: Tweleve matches!
Mary DeSue: STEEL I BETTER GET OVERTIME FOR DIS!
Arthur La Forge: I am sure you will be well compensated. But let's give you the run down for tonight. Kicking things off we have a "Beat The Clock Challenge"...
Mary DeSue: Beat the...
Arthur La Forge: CLOCK! C-L-O-C-K! If you get us banned from Twitch I swear! But yes, a Beat The Clock Challenge. Two teams will take on WANK! and WaLink from the Waluigi World Order to see who can beat them the fastest.
Mary DeSue: Wow...so we're just admitting these guys lose all the time?
Arthur La Forge: Well considering they are going up against 'Miss' Michelle Riggs and Paul Montouri, and then facing Stephen and Demi Stratford it's highly unlikely that The Wahs are in their favor.
Mary DeSue: Well that covers the Pun Materia for the evening.
Arthur La Forge: Following that we have the returning Amber Payne taking on Dude Waluigi, and newcomer Ricky Rodriguez taking on Giant Waluigi, and then Catalina Cortes making her in ring debut against...
Mary DeSue: Princess Waluigi?
Arthur La Forge: No Nocturne. No we haven't seen Princess Waluigi for a while...
Mary DeSue: You haven't?
Off to the side of the RadTron we see Princess Waluigi with a butcher knife making a cutting the throat motion at Mary.
Arthur La Forge: Why? Have you?
Mary DeSue: NO! Not at all...so who else do we have on this tour de farce...
Arthur La Forge: "Dollface" Sarah Wolf will be taking on "The King of Cowboy Sh!t" Ziggy Morgan, and Dane Peston is stepping up against our own Guy Manson!
Mary DeSue: Dane...I don't know you...Hurt the creep.
Arthur La Forge: That shouldn't be a problem for Mr. Preston. Then we've got a multiplayer match with one half of the Multiplayer Champs, Eli Goode, teaming with Paul Freedom against the team of Samantha Voxx and the rookie Jack Sullivan!
Mary DeSue: What is Eli afraid to put his title on the line?
Arthur La Forge: That would not be fair because of something I'm getting to in just a minute, but after that multiplayer match we have the Courage Title Match opponent for "Super Adventure Island" being decided between Kat Jones and Dionysus!
Mary DeSue: Oh I bet EAB is not going to be happy about that!
Arthur La Forge: Well we are going to give you something you'll be happy about...THICC MEAT SLAPPIN'!!!
Mary DeSue: ...how did you find my fanfiction.net account?
Arthur La Forge: No. We got a fatal fourway between Donny Mason, ISSAC, Lord Raab, and Brody Adams for a qualifier for "The Skeleton Key" match!
Mary DeSue: Oh. That kind of slapping meat...yes...yes I like...
Arthur La Forge: Then we have Larry Tact and EA Blizzard of "The Game Changers" taking on Final Boss Champion Duncan Shepard and Game Genie winner "Superstar" Peter Vaughn
Mary DeSue: Vaughn could totally wait until Shepard is wore out from this match and cash in. DO IT VAUGHN!
Arthur La Forge: That is true, but remains to be seen. One title we know to be on the line tonight will be Buster Gloves taking on challenger "The Dreamkiller" Jason Ryan for The Wisdom Championship!
Mary DeSue: Wait, that's all the heavy hitters...whose left in the main event?
Arthur La Forge: Oh we got a grudge match that has been brewing longer than Sidroy Covington's Tea...That's right folks Chelsea Skye is finally gonna get her hands on Riley Heart in our Main Event!
Mary DeSue: Oh it's gonna be a brawllllllllll!! Let's get it on!!
Arthur La Forge: And here we go!
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Beat the Clock #1: Stephen & Demi Stratford vs. The wWo
WANK makes several suggestive poses towards Demi before Stephen Stratford slaps the taste out of the wWo ringleader’s mouth. The two then lock up and Stephen drops down and picks the ankle of WANK, before jumping forward and stomping his head. WANK is sent into the ropes and comes back right into an elbow to the mouth, which knocks him back down. Stephen then lifts WANK back up and bends him backward, before spinning and dropping him face first with the HALO!
Arthur La Forge: I’d say Stephen Stratford isn’t wasting any time, but you kinda can’t with this stipulation.
Mary DeSue: It makes things more interesting than a typical wWo match, that’s for sure.
WaLink starts shouting at Stratford from his spot on the apron, and that allows WANK to crawl through his distracted legs and tag in his partner. WaLink comes in and Stratford immediately grabs him and flips him behind with a T-Bone Suplex, the two being of similar size. He then tags in Demi, who finally enters the match to deliver some offense. WANK begins gyrating on the apron, so the first thing she does is run over and hit him with a running knee strike to the chin to take him out of the match.
Mary DeSue: Well that’s the end of that.
Arthur La Forge: The WaLuigis are trying to play spoiler though. Every time they distract the Stratfords, the time goes up.
Mary DeSue: Come on now, The WaLuigis aren’t that smart!
With WANK removed, Demi turns around and stomps WaLink right in the guts, before picking him up, before hitting him with a HALO of her own! She then tags in her husband, before they lift up the dazed WaLink together. Stephen kicks him in the gut and hits the CHIP ON MY SHOULDER, staggering him back into the grip of Demi, who springboards off her own husband to land the GRAVEDIGGER! And then the pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Mr. Rad: HERE are your winners in three minutes and thirty-four seconds…DEMI AND STEPHEN STRATFORD!
Arthur La Forge: We’re going to go for a quick ad break and let the WaLuigis recover, because they’re not done!
Mary DeSue: Our boss sure doesn’t like these guys, does he?
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Beat the Clock #1: Paul Montouri & Michelle Riggs vs. The wWo
WANK and WaLink are still trying to recover from their last beating, with the latter taking the worst of it. WANK says that he will start this time as Riggs & Montouri are getting into the ring. The bell sounds and this time the clock shows up on the RADTron (3:34), signaling how much time ‘The Kingdom’ has. Montouri attempts a leg pick on WANK, similar to earlier, but WANK backpedals and then throws himself out of the ring! WaLink drops down from the apron and they both look at their opponents, shout ‘WAH’ and begin heading up the ramp!
Arthur La Forge: I think the wWo is no longer interested in taking over.
Mary DeSue: Smartest decision they’ve ever made.
With the seconds ticking down (2:59), Riggs & Montouri immediately jump down from their respective spots to the floor and give chase. The wWo tries but they’ve already been beaten up and get halfway up the ramp before they are both struck down. Montouri grabs WANK by the hair and forcibly drags him back to the ring before tossing him inside. He gives a quick glance at the clock (2:34) before grabbing WANK and hitting him with a spinebuster! Montouri covers!
ONE!
TWO…WaLink breaks it up!
Arthur La Forge: Oh dear.
Mary DeSue: That’s not going to go well for him.
Montouri looks at WaLink and tries for a punch, but WaLink ducks it and bounces off the ropes, only to be caught by a Meteora from Riggs! With WaLink out of commission, the two turn their focus to WANK…who has disappeared. Or half disappeared, as he is out in front of the announce table attempting to crawl under it. The Kingdom look back at the clock (1:12) before Riggs runs out and suicide dive through the ropes! She immediately tosses WANK back in and Montouri reaches down to grab him, only for WaLink to grab his ankle. He drags WaLink back inside and hits THE KINGS CROWN!
Arthur La Forge: WaLink is now removed from the equation!
Mary DeSue: I’ll say.
Arthur La Forge: But we’re now under thirty seconds!
WANK is again rolling out of the way and he gets to the ropes where Riggs is, so she jumps up and hits him in the mouth with a vicious forearm. He staggers backward into Montouri, who bends him over for the Kings Crown…and WANK goes dead weight on him.
TEN!
Montouri sees the timer begin to tick down and waves Michelle in.
NINE!
EIGHT!
She jumps inside and he lifts WANK up, only for her to leap up and hit him with BROKEN DREAMS!
SEVEN!
SIX!
Montouri goes for the pinfall and referee Crash Cortex demands Riggs leave.
FOUR!
She scurries out and a count is made..
ONE!
TWO
BUZZZ
THREE!!
Mr. Rad: The winners of the match are THE KINGDOM! But…unfortunately…the timer ran out with ONE SECOND TO GO!
Arthur La Forge: Oh no..that’s..that’s not gonna go over well.
Mary DeSue: And I’m sure the Stratfords will have something to say too.
Riggs hops back in the ring and the two immediately begin to stomp away on WANK, drawing boos now that the match is over. WaLink attempts to crawl in and Riggs immediately applies The Queen’s Court on him. Meanwhile, Montouri drags WANK over to the corner and climbs up, hitting TO KINGDOM COME.
Arthur La Forge: I’d say that’s uncalled for but I’m not about to argue with these two.
Mary DeSue: WaLuigis should have just taken their beatings but they messed around and found out!
With the wWo decimated, the Kingdom at least take pleasure in their win and beatdown, even if the Stratfords now have bragging rights.
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A Challenge Made and Accepted
The opening riff of Commander Shepard starts to play, keeping the crowd in suspense.
From Omega to Mars
From the Council to the seediest bars
Shepard walks out onto the stage with his ring gear and N7 hoodie on. He does his dance, finishing it with a flourish where he unzips the hoodie and throws it open to reveal the Final Boss championship strapped around his waist. He unhooks it and holds it up above his head then walks down to the ring.
Arthur La Forge: Our new Final Boss Champion is scheduled for multiplayer competition later tonight but it seems he may have something to get off his chest before that match.
Shepard reaches the ring. He takes a microphone from someone at ringside then hops up onto the apron and climbs in inbetween the ropes. He climbs up to the second rope and holds the title up overhead, then diagonally crosses the ring and does the same again on the opposite side. When he climbs back down he takes to the center of the ring as his music fades out.
Duncan Shepard: May 25th 2021, that was the night I made my debut here at Level Up Wrestling. It was EXP 7, two weeks removed from this company’s second ever Pay-Per-View, Combat Evolved. Now here I stand, almost one year to the day, at EXP 25, two weeks removed from the second Pay-Per-View of 2022 as the Final Boss Champion.
A cheer goes up and Duncan holds the belt up again, taking a moment to soak in the adulation.
Duncan Shepard: The first person who held this belt did so for two hundred and ninety five days. For every one of those days, against all manner of challengers she proved that she was the undisputable top competitor in this company and in doing so made this title one of the most prestigious in this business.
Arthur La Forge: It’s true, our first Final Boss Champion regularly ranked highly in Denzel Porter’s early ‘Top World Champions’ lists.
Mary DeSue: That’s a point. Did he stop doing those?
Arthur La Forge: I guess so.
Duncan Shepard: Unfortunately, the champions that have followed her have failed to live up to that early example. Now that this title rests on my shoulder though, I will do whatever it takes to elevate it to greater heights than ever before and I’ll do it the right way. I will stand toe to toe and eye to eye with whoever has the best claim to a shot at me and I will beat them clean and leave no doubts to the result. I will be a fighting champion.
Arthur La Forge: Noble words from our champi
Mary DeSue: Arrogant words if you ask me.
Duncan Shepard: At EXP 22 I broke the cycle of challengers being beaten two weeks on from earning their shot. Now I intend to break another cycle. The cycle of Final Boss Champions losing in their first defense. I’m not interested in waiting another six weeks for Super Adventure Island to do so though. I say we don’t waste any more time than we have to, which is why I’ll be defending this title in two weeks time at EXP 26.
Arthur La Forge: We’re getting a Final Boss title match on our next show? That’s huge!
Mary DeSue: Keep your underwear on Artie it’s happened before.
Duncan Shepard: Right now though there’s no one with a singular claim to be the Number One Contender, but there’s a packed locker room back there, full of old faces and new, any one of which is deserving of their chance to take a shot at the Final Boss. My question now then is which of you is ready to step up and take it?
There are a few seconds of silence before all the lights go out. The crowd murmurs as the music starts to play.
Carry on My Wayward Son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more
The crowd go crazy as the electric guitar starts. The lights come back on with Eli Goode standing on the stage with the left handed Multiplayer Gauntlet on his hand. Eli stares down at Duncan and slowly makes his way down the ramp.
Arthur La Forge: Oh my god, Eli Goode’s here. Is he gonna answer the challenge? Oh my god.
Mary DeSue: Can you stop acting like a fanboy? There’s no way Eli’s gonna do it. After that DOOM match, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to accept.
Eli walks up the ring steps and walks along the apron. He keeps his eyes on Duncan and enters the ring. He calls for a microphone and gets handed one as his music fades. The crowd continues their cheers at the sight of these two men in the ring together. There are feuding Shepard chants and Eli chants. Eli smirks and lifts the microphone up.
Eli Goode: Duncan, you’ve done some great work in your first year. I’m not going to deny that. In fact, if anyone ever ignores the great work you’ve done in Level Up, they’re all idiots.
Arthur La Forge: Eli giving Duncan the respect he deserves.
Mary DeSue: Yeah, it’s making me nauseous.
Eli Goode: And look, I may not always have the greatest luck, but I’ve always been someone that wanted to prove himself and fight the best in the company. Right now, the best in the company is you. So, if you want to defend the Final Boss Championship in two weeks time, I’m gonna be the one you're fighting.
Arthur La Forge: He is! He is accepting the challenge!
Mary DeSue: Uh, that’s annoying.
Eli Goode: However, there was a mistake you made. You said you were gonna break the cycle of champions losing in their first defense. It’s unfortunate that you just lied to everyone here. At EXP 26, you’re not leaving the Final Boss Champion. I’m not only going to be one-half of the Multiplayer Champions, but I’m also going to the Final… Boss… Champion.
Duncan nods his head a little and a wry smirk crosses his face.
Duncan Shepard: You know Eli, you’re not the first person I expected to see come down here but I’m glad you did. I’ve been curious what would happen if you and I went one-one-one for some time. You’re on. I’ll see you in two weeks.
Arthur La Forge: I think that makes it official. We’ll have a Final Boss title match on our next show with the champion Duncan Shepard defending against the challenger, one half of the multiplayer champions, Eli Goode.
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Ricky Rodriguez vs. Giant WaLuigi
Giant WaLuigi is all by himself, as his teammates are either busy or beat up. But that seems to be okay with him, as he towers over Ricky. The bell rings and GW attempts to cut off Rodriguez from getting away, trying to intimidate him. That doesn’t work, so GW runs in for a charge and Ricky quickly slides out of the ring to avoid it. The Giant WaLuigi quickly climbs out of the ring to follow, and once he’s on the floor, Ricky slides back inside the ring. As GW tries to get back inside, he’s caught with a step-up enziguri to knock him back down. He then runs off the ropes and dives out onto GW with a tope suicida!
Arthur La Forge: There’s a big size difference here but it doesn’t seem to bother Ricky at all.
Mary DeSue: Probably because there’s also a talent difference and that’s in Ricky’s favor.
Ricky gets up to his feet and seems proud of himself, but GW is back up and mows him down with a body attack. Actually getting an offensive move for once, the giant throws him back into the ring. GW stands in place and attempts a falling splash, but Rodriguez moves out of the way and scrambles back to his feet. GW pushes himself up to his knees and Rodriguez flies in with a rolling kick that connects with a heel to the bridge of GW’s nose.
Arthur La Forge: Mother Brain! He might have broken his face!
Mary DeSue: Ricky Rodriguez kills giants!
GW is wobbly so Ricky turns his back on him, looks back for a moment, then runs and leaps up onto the ropes, then off with a springboard cutter called TO THE TOP! He nearly spikes GW on his head and goes for a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!
Mr. Rad: The winner of the match is…RICKY RODRIGUEZ!
Arthur La Forge: Another impressive debut, especially because he dominated a giant!
Mary DeSue: Yeah Giant WaLuigi is like…three of him.
Arthur La Forge: Let’s see if he actually can go to the top here in Level Up in the weeks to come…
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Catalina Cortes vs. Nocturne
The bell rings and the crowd seems solidly in the corner of Cortes, who is returning to an in-ring career after a year away. Cortes circles around the ring with this version of Nocturne, but instead of going for a lock-up, Cortes trying to goad Nocturne into taking her mask off, before abandoning the quest and engaging in some mat and chain wrestling with Nocturne that proves them to be on near equal footing, eventually falling into a pattern of headlock takeovers and head scissors escapes until Cortes loses her patience and plants Nocturne with a DDT instead of using the headlock take over she was expecting!
Arthur La Forge: Cortes is not taking her first match in Level Up lightly after being gone for a year!
Mary DeSue: She shoulda stayed gone in my opinion. She’s to…perky.
Cortes is quick to press her advantage, charging the ropes and springing off with a dropsault that crashes her knees right into the small of Nocturne’s back, the final Carnage Champion transitions this almost seamlessly into a bow and arrow stretch, drawing cries of pains from Nocturne who still waves off the ref, refusing to surrender. Cortes wrenches on the move as Nocturne tries to focus past the pain and get a limb loose.
Arthur La Forge: The technical style of Cortes is showing through with her not giving Nocturne a moment’s peace.
Mary DeSue: Much like most of this roster on my OnlyFans.
Nocturne does eventually get an arm loose, elbowing her way free! She is quick onto Cat, nailing her with a suplex then dragging her up to whip her in the corner, where she charges in and connects with a high running knee! She whips Cortes to the opposite corner and goes for it again but Cat evades! Nocturne tumbles and falls, she doesn’t notice Cat stalking her and…BLAZE KICK!
Arthur La Forge: BLAZE KICK!
Mary DeSue: OOF! I think people in the nosebleed’s felt that!
Cat signals that she isn’t done yet, though as she looks to make a statement in her debut to Level Up! She pulls Nocturne up and charges the ropes…MARLOW MASSACRE!! Cat picks Nocturne up one more time and…CATA-CLYSM!! Satisfied now, Catalina Cortes drops down and hooks both legs on Nocturne.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Mr. Rad: Here is your winner…Catalina Cortes!!
Arthur La Forge: An impressive debut for Catalina Cortes!
Mary DeSue: Impressive to you maybe, but to me, she’s got a lot more to prove.
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Do you wanna party??
The arena lights cut out and have fans speaking in hushed tones as they wait to see what comes next. The opening beats of “In The Face of Evil” by Magic Sword hits the speakers. Spotlights shine down on the ring, one by one, all in a lateral row.
The first spotlight shines down upon “EAB,” Emmanuel Armitage Blizzard, with the Courage Championship secured around his waist.
A second spotlight illuminates ISAAC.
The third spotlight brings Drake Wilcox into view.
A fourth spotlight shines down between EAB and iSAAC, where Larry Tact stands with the Power Championship in one hand and The Wand sigil-covered sledgehammer in the other. Larry raises them both in the air to the disgust of the fans.
Mr. Rad: Introducing the Level Up Wrestling Courage Champion, EAB… ISAAC… Drake Wilcox… and the Level Up Wrestling Power Champion, Larry Tact… THE GAME CHANGERS!
Larry has entered the ring and grabs a mic from a ring attendant as he gives fist bumps to ISAAC and Drake, then ‘toasts’ titles with EAB before addressing the heated crowd.
Larry Tact: WAR GAMES. Five on five, two rings, inside an enclosed steel cage. There was no room for excuses. Who came out victorious?
The crowd hoses the group in the ring with their disapproval, but Tact powers through.
Larry Tact: THE GAME CHANGERS!
CROWD: YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!
Larry Tact: No, I think that’s more what the ‘Super Dear’o’ told Centurion when he came home.
The fans don’t like that shot one bit, and begin a ‘CENT’ chant.
Larry Tact: Nuh-uh! Your legend won’t be here tonight, and you know why? Because after ISAAC and I disposed of him like an afterthought, and after we all collectively beat the Mediterranean piss out of him at War Games – Centurion had enough. He hasn’t been seen around these parts, and following the announcement he made on social media, I can proudly say…
THE GAME CHANGERS. RETIRED. CENTURION.
CROWD: NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
The Game Changers laugh and high five each other.
Larry Tact: We had War Games forced onto us, along with EAB and I forced to defend our titles before that show, which is nothing more than an attempt to dim the spotlight of the Power and Courage titles. The Developer is truly a fool with the way he’s been running things... and I do mean ‘he’ because we now know the identity of this grand schemer. After we utterly devastated the supposed ‘resistance’ to us in War Games, TRENT STEEL had no other choice but to confront us directly.
He looks ruefully at the entrance, as if staring through it and at Trent.
Larry Tact: Of course, he waited until after that slithering traitor, Mac Bane, decided to take liberties with me. ME who gave a prominent place beside the Game Changers to him. ME who allowed him to share our spotlight for a night, and get revenge on Paul Freedom for what happened at The Last Of Us. That bastard decided he was somehow ‘avenging’ Kat Jones when there was nothing to do it for. Did she side with Lord Raab, a man who said he wanted to maim and disfigure me? Yes she did! Was I supposed to just allow Kat and Raab to walk all over me and take the Power title??
CROWD: YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
Larry Tact: That was rhetorical you blithering idiots! Kat got in the way of Game Changers business – MY business – and she paid the price for her weakness. Now it’s too late, Mac’s made her bed and I will make sure she sleeps in it. Count on it. But after Mac struck like the (BLEEP!)[/i]bag he’s always been, Trent knew he had no better chance to spoil our War Games victory. Joke’s on him, though, because WE still claimed a statement victory, and who’s going to want to defy us now? Buster Gloves?? He barely could bring himself to beat Ahmya. No, it’s the Game Changers running this ring, and for the best interests of Level Up, we have DEMANDS.
The crowd boos as EAB flashes his trademark toothy smile and holds up his microphone.
EAB: Since the Game Changers are the powers that be in this company, I’d like to push forward the motion of fully comped traveling expenses and better catering for all members of the roster.
The crowd laughs and E.A Blizzard frowns at them.
EAB: Haven’t you seen it? Have you not seen how much just Donny Mason on his own eats up at catering?! This company needs to step up when it comes to its servings and with all the shows going around we want our talent to be rested and ready to go when the bell rings for them. This is the best darn wrestling company around and if we want to push it forward and make it even better what we need is to fuel the people and eliminate their down time. Level Up is LEVELING UP because of THE GAME CHANGERS. Because. WE. HAVE. THE. COURAGE. TO. DO. IT.
He stands there smiling and holding up the COURAGE CHAMPIONSHIP. Larry nods and shakes EAB’s hand while they discuss – off mic – about his valid points as ISAAC and Drake step up.
ISAAC: The fact of the matter is, Drake and I were ROBBED! It is clear as day we were never pinned in the Multiplayer title match a few weeks ago. Brody and Eli waited for us to do the heavy lifting, then stole the Gloves for their own. WE should be getting another shot at the Multiplayer Gloves, no other teams. We are NEXT IN LINE!
Drake: BRODY ADAMS?!? ELI GOODE?? These two are the grease we wipe off the bottom of our boots. We should already have those gloves. We are more DOMINANT than any team here and we DEMAND a one-on-one Multiplayer title shot! We will start a body count until it happens!!
Larry Tact: Clearly, these two gentleman have a rightful claim. EAB and I are running the Power and Courage divisions, and it’s time ISAAC and Drake took over the Multiplayer division to add a Game Changers makeover to it.
He laughs and shakes his head, smirking.
Larry Tact: As I’ve said all along, this has been a grassroots campaign, and the results are showing. Just look at the influx of talent in Level Up recently. This very show has a score of hungry new competitors, and what do you think caused that? There were plenty of companies looking for wrestlers with their resumes. Thank the Game Changers for making headlines. Celebrate us. But don’t worry, we’re humble enough to realize most of Chicago lives in poverty and crime. Your idea of ‘gourmet’ is Chili’s and Pizzeria Uno, stuffing your face holes at a discount. So we don’t need you to set up a celebration… we work our asses off here, and when ‘It’s Party Time’…
He motions to the entrance stage, where some ladies in evening wear roll out a large object concealed by a tarp. They bring it all the way to ringside, and do their best ‘Price Is Right’ showcasing.
Larry Tact: We do it in style. Hit it!
Confetti rains down and an explosion of pyrotechnics go off at the stage. As this happens, four BANNERS as long as the RADtron unravel and hang from the rafters, with each of EAB, ISAAC, Drake, and Larry Tact displayed. The ladies who came down the stage with the tarped object now bring champagne and flutes into the ring for the Game Changers for a toast. The crowd cannot stand it and jeer the hell out of the celebrating foursome, who each hold up a glass.
Larry Tact: To the Evolution of Level Up!
They toast with the champions holding up their titles and continue to celebrate. Larry then instructs the ladies to remove the tarp. They go back to ringside and with a flourish, pull off the covering to reveal…
GUY MAN SON sticking out of a giant tiered cake! By the look of it, he’s eating his way out… and Larry’s jubilant look turns to one filled with fury. He leans over the top rope and shouts at Guy, who tumbles out of the cake while wearing it on his face. He looks around at the crowd, who are giving a mixed reaction, then stands and enters the ring. Guy goes up to Drake and… stares? Next, he approaches ISAAC, and repeats the staredown. He then goes to EAB and does the same. Lastly, he goes up to Larry, who is fuming as he watches Guy making the rounds.
Larry Tact: I swear, if you so much as BREATHE the wrong way in my direction… it will be the last thing you remember…
The crowd’s reaction is a little more positive as Guy pisses off Larry. They stare each other down for several seconds before Guy turns and leaves the ring… then disappears UNDER it! The Game Changers look baffled, but Larry decides to continue.
Larry Tact: There is a microcosm of an issue that still exists with Level Up. Trent Steel, in whatever mania he’s been experiencing from too much career abuse, allows people like that one, and WaLuigis into this company. It’s like he wants to drag it into the ground even as the Game Changers work to raise it. After War Games, we’re at a crossroads because as Trent showed, he’s afraid of where we are moving Level Up. He thinks police escorts can stop us, but they won’t change what we’re doing in this ring. At this rate, though, who knows if we’ll make it to Triforce Heroes before Trent strips us of our titles, which brings me to my demand…
He pauses to look around at the crowd, the banners, and then his Power title.
Larry Tact: It’s time we stepped up our efforts, and silenced any remaining critics. It’s time we truly took everything, and left Trent with no choice but to acknowledge our dominance. I’ve already beaten Duncan Shepard and Peter Vaughn in my career in singles competition. EAB and I are going to show we can handle them as a team. The next step after that? For the Final Boss title. Then let’s see Trent deny that we are the engine driving Level Up to greatness.
”Myyyyyyyyyy cup runnethhhh oveeerrrr…likkkkeeee blood from a stoneeeeee…”
Trent Steel emerges from the back wearing his gray suit and tie. He looks down at his pocket watch and sighs as he strokes his beard for a moment before pulling a microphone out of his pocket.
Arthur La Forge: Oh shit it’s the boss!
Mary DeSue: Probably coming out to agree and throw himself at the mercy of The Game Changers!
Trent Steel: Larry…I have to say we got to stop meeting like this.
Larry starts to say something but the microphone yet again cuts off.
Trent Steel: You’ve had your fun. You’ve had your pat on the back public foursome jerkoff circle…
All four men start yelling at Steel on that comment.
Trent Steel: You see I love this “fan fiction” you’ve written about history. Trying to make yourselves out to be the heroes. It’s cute. It’s adorable. I’d find it hilarious if I wasn’t on a time crunch. Tonight on EXP Twenty Five we got a lot of matches to get through so I’m cutting the party short. You can either voluntarily come to the back and continue your little party backstage…or I can have you escorted out of the building again. Your call. And like it or not Larry…you may not like how I run things…but this is my game. If you don’t like it. Go play somewhere else.
Larry keeps yelling at Steel but EAB pulls him off talking him down.
Trent Steel: Let me make this perfectly clear to you. Let me say it veryyyyy slowlyyyy sooo youuu will f[bleeeping] get it! I don’t need any of you four here. You need me for your platform because anywhere else you’d be nothing. You are nothing without me Larry, and that’s the part you can’t stand. Despite all my “bad decisions” you’ve benefited from them immensely. But I warn you. You keep f[bleeping] around, you gonna find out…and I promise. You don’t want to play this game. Last warning. Get the f[bleep] out of my ring till you're told to come down and do your job. Or get the f[bleep] out of my arena!
The Game Changers talk amongst themselves as Trent turns his back on them.
Trent Steel: Do not test my patience…
Trent leaves as security starts to head down to the ring.
Arthur La Forge: Looks like the answer to “Do you wanna party?” tonight for The Game Changers is a change of venue instead of showboating eating up air time.
Mary DeSue: That’s not fair.
Arthur La Forge: We got twelve matches Mary…
Mary DeSue: LARRY MOVE YOUR THICC SELF WE GOT SHIT TO DO!
Larry tests his mic, which he then tosses out of the ring, giving us an answer. He tries the other Game Changers’ mics and finds his was the only one not working. He then gets a fresh mic.
Larry Tact: Cool story, Trent. Whatever, we have all backstage to take this celebration, but remember this. You call our success fiction, but you said yourself we earned the titles we hold.
ISAAC: We already broke your silence as The Developer, and we’re going to keep breaking new ground.
Larry Tact: That’s right. Whether it’s with the Courage and Power titles, breaking the Wisdom title ‘curse,’ or breaking your precious Final Boss and standing even taller.
Drake: What can’t be broken in this ring? THE GAME CHANGERS!
The group makes their way up the ramp, trash talking fans and holding up the titles as they head backstage.
---
Sarah Wolf vs. Ziggy Morgan
Dollface starts off circling and taunting Ziggy with rude gestures as “Caballo Diablo” seems to be more focused than normal. He charges forward going for a clothesline that Dollface ducks and reaches behind Ziggy to grab his neck. Neckbreaker from Dollface! Ziggy is down and Dollface rolls on top of him. Mounting Ziggy she smirks right before she starts unloading punches on his face over and over again hitting "Dolled Up"! until Ziggy wraps his legs around Dollface's hips and twists her over to where she's on her back and Ziggy starts returning fire with furious punches of his own. Blocking one of the punches Dollface hits Ziggy with a thumb to the eye to get him off of her. Dollface gets up and runs to the ropes. Ziggy get a kick to the side of the head for his trouble on the rebound as Dollface makes a "yee haw" taunt towards Arturo on the outside. Arturo gets up on the ring apron and Referee Pliskin goes over to tell him to get off. Dollface, ever the oppurtunist, waits for Ziggy to get up, runs up, and punt kicks him in the nuts!
Arthur La Forge: ¡Sus bolas!
Mary DeSue: YES! DO IT AGAIN! INSANT REPLAY THAT [BLEEP]! I WANT THAT TO GO VIRAL!
Arturo screams at Pliskin to pay attention as Ziggy sees stars for a few moments as Dollface grins. Reaching down and pulling Ziggy up she calls for the "Exor-kissed" but as she goes to kiss Ziggy before spitting "Black Shit" into his mouth he heabutts her square in the jaw!
Arthur La Forge: Dollface went for the "Exor-Kissed" and got a rejection!
Mary DeSue: Well of course...Ziggy only makes out with corpses.
Arturo gets off the apron just as Dollface is stumbling back. Ziggy gets up and with as much speed as he can muster, gets past Dollface. She turns. SPRINGBOARD SUPERMAN PUNCH TO THE FACE! Ziggy, adjusts himself, cause why wouldn't he, and reaches down picking up Dollface. Snap Suplex on Dollface. Followed by a Package Piledriver. Ziggy looks to go uptop and going for a moonsault, but Dollface rolls out of the way and Ziggy eats the canvas!
Arthur La Forge: Oh and pancaked on the mat!
Mary DeSue: Now if only a cow would run over him!
"COWBOY SHIT!!!" CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!CLAP! "COWBOY SHIT!!!" CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!CLAP! "COWBOY SHIT!!!" CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!
Dollface is the first to get up and looks to be going for a mandiable claw. She's just waiting for Ziggy to turn around. Ziggy doesn't turn. Dollface grabs Ziggy's shoulder and swings him around...DISCUSS PUNCH FROM ZIGGY!!! Ziggy hits the ropes and as Dollface turns..."CLINT EASTWOOD"!!! Buckshot Lariat! Cover!!!
ONE!!
TWO!!!
THREE!!!
Mr. Rad: Here is your winner...Ziggy Morgan!!
Arthur La Forge: And "Clint Eastwood" wins it for Ziggy! That was a close match!
Mary DeSue: I like her...I like her a lot...I'd like her a lot more if she punt kicked him in the junk again! Made. My. Night!
Dollface is livid as she gets up and argues with Pliskin, She turns to see Ziggy get out of the ring and blow a kiss at her. She scowls for a moment before it turns into a smirk.
Arthur La Forge: I do not like that lady's smile...
Mary DeSue: I know that look. That's someone whose gonna make a man pay! KICK HIM IN THE BALLS AGAIN GURL!!!
---
Up And Coming Star…
The scene cuts backstage, where Lenny Brasco is standing with rookie competitor Jack Sullivan, who is dressed in her gear ready for her multiplayer match.
Lenny Brasco: So I’m here tonight with Jack Sullivan, who won her professional debut match at DOOM and now has a multiplayer match tonight where she’ll be tagging with Samantha Voxx against Eli Goode and Paul Freedom. Tell us Jack, how did it feel to pick up the win at DOOM?
Jack Sullivan: Not nearly good enough, Lenny. I came to Level Up hoping I’d get a challenge, and Nocturne didn’t provide it. This week though, one half of the Multiplayer Champs and Paul Freedom? It’ll be so much more rewarding beating them.
Lenny Brasco: Bold statement coming from someone as new to the business as you are, although I suppose it makes sense as you’re a second generation wrestler… and it looked like there was some bad blood between you and Trent Steel, care to explain?
Jack Sullivan: My dad and Trent go back a long way, and my dad was always a top star in places where Trent was lucky to have a job, and then Trent had to work for him later. The tables being turned and my having to work for Trent doesn’t bother me, though. If Trent tries to mess with me or my family I’ll continue the family business of kicking his ass in particular.
Lenny Brasco: Quite a bit of bravado from you, young lady… but bravado sells, and speaking of selling, the new Level-Up wrestling dating simulator is up on Steam and the fans just can’t get enough of it!
Jack Sullivan: …The what?
Lenny Brasco: It’s only the hottest product available online right now, and you’re in it!
Jack Sullivan: I’m what?
Lenny Brasco: It’s a game where you get to go on virtual dates with your favorite Level Up fighter! Hold hands, fly kites, and maybe if you’re good you’ll even get a good night kiss! It’s in beta right now, so the only available fighters are Guy Manson, Wank, and Jack here. Tell us Jack, how does it feel to already be in a video game so new into your career?
As Lenny speaks, images flash of screenshots from the game, from the player character holding hands and walking on the beach with Guy Manson, to the player character watching Wank pose, to… Jack Sullivan decking the player character? That date must not have gone so well! Jack stares in utter disbelief, before Lenny’s question snaps her back to reality, and her face contorts to one of pure rage.
Jack Sullivan: How does it feel?! It feels like Trent Steel messing with me! I’m going to… argh!
Jack lets out an anguished yell, turning to storm away from the interview in a huff. As she goes, Jack flips over a nearby table, sending even more merchandise flying in the process.
Lenny Brasco: …We gotta stop setting up merch tables around her. Anyways! Make sure you go and download your copy of the beta today!
---
Dane Preston vs. Guy Manson
The match begins with Dane asking Kirby if ‘they’re serious right now’? Kirby shrugs, Guy kind of shoves Dane who goes for a collar and elbow tie up…but Guy thinks he wants a hug and enthusiastically returns it only for Dane to nail him with a belly to belly suplex, getting to his feet quickly and mouthing ‘what the expletive’. But he did in fact not say Expletive. Dane drags Guy up, going to fire him into the ropes but Guy rolls him up!
One!
Dane kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: Impressive ring presence from Guy Manson but…I think it just pissed Dane off.
Mary DeSue: BEAT THE CREEP!!
Dane instantly mounts Guy to rain down right hands! Guy hisses and swats at him, eventually thumbing Preston in the eye which creates some distance. Guy Manson then leaps upon Dane’s back and locks in a sleeper, grapevining his legs around Dane’s midsection. Dane swings his arms wildly, trying to grab the spindly possible lizard man which he eventually does, dragging him over his shoulder and dropping him on the mat!
Arthur La Forge: What Guy lacks up in style…well he makes up in denial
Mary DeSue: So you’re saying he’s pretty fly for a white…Guy?
Guy shoots up and continues his assault, paint brushing Dane and trying to thumb his other eye. He drives him into a corner and leaps up on the second rope, windmill chopping Dane in the face and shoulders before leaning down and biting down on his forehead! The ref exhausts his count before Dane shoves Guy off. Gay charges back in but Dane decleats him with a giant spear, explodong out of the corner!!
Arthur La Forge: He almost sent Guy into the first row!
Mary DeSue: Did he squish him like grape?
Dane gets to his feet, checking his forehead ans even asking Ref Kirby if he’s bleeding. As soon as Guy gets to his feet he nails him with R.D.S, pummeling Guy Manson into a corner before nailing him with a biel toss in an impressive show of power. Guy flies and lands like a sack full of potatoes, staring up at the lights until Dane walks up on him…and Guy rolls him up once more!!
One…
KICKOUT
Arthur La Forge: Guy is trying to get these quick rollups because he can’t seem to outwrestle Dane!
Mary DeSue: You mean…that weirdo can’t wrestle…NO!
When Dane kicks out, Guy is laughing and claiming he ‘almost got you!’ to him. This only infuriates Dane who decides he’s had enough, lifting Guy and spiking him on his head with a brainbuster. He then stalks him, waiting for him to get up and nails him with the Pendulum shift! But Dane isn’t done! Dane looks to be going for the ONE SHOT KILL, but Guy ducks the superkick. Dane turns…PURPLE MIST TO THE FACE FROM GUY MANSON!!
Arthur La Forge: The memory loss mist! That weird mist could have just turned the tide for Guy!
Mary DeSue: Ewww…He’s a spitter…Spitters are quitters Guy!
Dane holds his face as he’s trying to get that purple gunk out of his eyes as Referee Kirby gets in Guy’s face about the mist. Guy looks at Kirby and HITS THE REF WITH THE MIST!! Kirby hits the mat holding his face as Guy looks down at Dane and drags him to the turnbuckle. He places Dane ‘s head on the bottom turnbuckle and looks at the audience. Guy starts smacking both sides of his ass. It looks like he’s going for “Stinkface 2077”!!
Arthur La Forge: Not this! This is not how Dane Preston thought his Level Up Debut was gonna go..
Mary DeSue: Talk about becoming the butt of everyone’s jokes.
Guy smiles as he’s about to let one rip…TILL HE GETS LOWBLOWED IN THE BALLS!!!
Arthur La Forge: What is this? Nutshot Night in Chi Town?
Mary DeSue: I don't want to think of Guy's Nuts thank you..
Although not sure if Guy has nuts, and who wants to find out, the hit does send him flying forward facefirst into the mat. We see on the outside the referee’s are pouring water into the eyes of Referee Kirby who is out of it. Pliskin turns and slides into the ring, not having seen the low blow, Dane looks like he can finally see. He picks up Guy. For a moment Dane doesn’t seem to know what to do but grabs Guy in a belly to belly and…TOSSES GUY OVER HIM INTO THE TURNBUCKLE FACE FIRST!!! Guy stumbles around for a moment grabbing his head as Dane gets up and looks down at his feet. He looks at the foot. Guy. Foot. Guy. Something clicks. ONE SHOT KILL! SUPERKICK TO THE FACE! Dane rolls Guy over for the cover
One!!!
Two!!!
Three!!!
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. Rad: Here is your winner…Dane Preston!!
Arthur La Forge: It probably took all of his mental strength to remember how to do that superkick finisher of his. That mist is no joke.
Mary DeSue: Yeah. I wanna know what’s in that stuff…might help me forget the waste of time that this show is more often.
Dane gets out of the ring and looks really confused like he doesn’t know where he is. Pliskin grabs him and helps Dane to the back to get that mist out of his eyes. Guy just lays in the ring for a moment holding his face.
Arthur La Forge: Thankfully these effects aren’t permanent.
Mary DeSue: Damn it…guess I will still remember all this wrestling crap then if I did take a shot on the face.
Arthur La Forge: Uhh Mary…
Mary DeSue: I know what I said Artie!
---
Paul Freedom & Eli Goode vs. Samantha Voxx & Jack Sullivan
Before the match starts Paul Freedom heads over to Jack Sullivan and holds out his hand. After a bit of hesitation Jack shakes it before the two go back to their respective corners to talk to their partners.
Arthur La Forge: A bit of sportsmanship between some young superstars. How nice.
Mary DeSue: Probably trying to see if he has a limp wrist so she can break it.
Paul and Eli spend a moment talking strategy, although it looks more like the veteran is trying to keep the upstart Freedom’s feet firmly on the ground as he looks eager to charge across the ring at Jack Sullivan. So eager in fact, he does despite Eli calling for him not to and it proves costly as Jack turns Paul inside out with a thunderous diving lariat as she launches forth to meet his charge. She rolls him over, planting both hands on his chest
ONE!
TWO!!
Freedom kicks out!
Arthur La Forge: That was a close call. A zealous Freedom almost cost his team the match.
Mary DeSue: Like I said…limp wrist.
Jack hauls Paul vertical, before nailing him with a wrist-clutch suplex. She isn’t done though as she seamlessly transitions into a heel hook that has Freedom clawing toward the ropes, when he gets there he manages to snatch onto the bottom rope as Jack exhausts the four count. She goes to pull Paul up for more abuse but he fights back! Sending rights and lefts into her midsection! Paul begins to paintbrush Jack into the ropes with open palm strikes before whipping her into the ropes and following with a kitchen sink! Freedom tags in Eli Goode to a huge pop!
Arthur La Forge: And here comes one half of the Multiplayer Champions and possibly soon to be Final Boss Champion!
Mary DeSue: You’re looking to far into the future and Eli better focus on the here and now!
Freedom and Eli nail Jack with stereo dropkicks, before lifting her and..DOUBLE SLINGSHOT SUPLEX! Eli Goode directs traffic before springboarding a leg drop just as Freedom nails a moonsault! Eli goes for the pin but Voxx has come in to break up the assault, first punting Goode in the head and then Knocking Freedom off the apron. She drags Jack to her corner, tagging herself in before coming in and dropping a knee on the back of Eli’s dazed head.
Arthur La Forge: What a shot from Voxx
Mary DeSue: IT”S GOODE!!!...What? Oh he can make bad pun names but I can’t?
Voxx gets Goode up and fires him into the ropes, going for a superkick but Eli catches her foot, then steps over and nails her with a spinning heel kick. Goode lays dazed with Voxx, the both of them getting up slowly and exchanging rights as they go. Soon it devolves into an all out brawl! Voxx swings wild, Goode ducks…GOODEBYE! Freedom runs in, cutting off Jack as Eli goes for the pin!
One!
Two!!
Three!!
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. Rad: Here are your winners…the team of Paul Freedom and Eli Goode!!
Arthur La Forge: Close call of a match there, but good teamwork on the part of Goode and Freedom.
Mary DeSue: Bleh. The wrong team won. The goody goods need to go home and drink their milk.
Jack is livid. She is beside herself. She see’s Paul holding out his hand to shake her hand again and she doesn’t respond to it, instead pulling up her tag team partner and…hitting ”The Extinction”!! Freedom and Goode get the hell out of the ring as Jack keeps yelling at Voxx and turns to the camera. Most of it is bleeped out but the general gist is she’s going to make Trent Steel pay for embarrassing her!
Arthur La Forge: I think Mr. Steel is gonna regret releasing that beta test…
Mary DeSue: YUP!
---
Kat Jones vs. Dionysus
Dionysus and Kat circle each other before tying up collar-and-elbow. Dionysus backs Kat into the ropes before sending her off them with an Irish whip… Kat on the return ducks a Clothesline and goes for a Superkick… Dio catches it! Kat follows-up with an Enziguri that turns Dio and Kat is back up with a Roundhouse kick that brings him to a knee… Superkick! Kat grabs an arm of Dionysus and sends him into a corner, positions herself in the opposite corner… charges with a Handspring elbow… connects! Kat goes for a cover…
ONE!
TWO!!
KICKOUT BY DIONYSUS!
Arthur LaForge: An early flurry by Kat Jones seems to have taken Dio off his game so far.
Mary DeSue: This hussy says she has four ‘brothers’ that protect her. I bet they’re just her side pieces for when her man’s away.
Arthur LaForge: Mary! It’s well-known Kat has close connections with many prominent wrestlers over the years. That’s completely out of line, how could you even say that?
Mary DeSue: Out of line is getting one of them to pull a fast one over the Game Changers. She’s nothing more than a bitter (BLEEP!)
Arthur LaForge: I guess it takes one to know one.
Mary DeSue: You (BLEEP!)ing take that back, Artie!
Arthur LaForge: Yes, miss.
Kat stays on Dionysus with a headlock, but Dio is able to power up and lifts Kat for a Back Drop. She flips over to land on her feet and throws her entire body weight at his leg, crumpling the Lord of the Vine to the mat and momentarily clutching the knee. As he makes his way up, Jones rushes in from behind with a Bulldog. She then gets Dio up… DEAD-END! The Swinging Neckbreaker connects and Kat again goes for a cover!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH— NO! DIONYSUS WITH A SHOULDER UP!
Arthur LaForge: Kat is a house afire here, seeking to gain another Courage Title shot against EA Blizzard, but Dionysus isn’t making it easy for her.
Mary DeSue: She wants to complain about how EAB was disqualified in their last match. Meanwhile, she has no problem taking out Dionysus’ leg! Double standard.
Arthur LaForge: There’s nothing illegal about what she just did.
Mary DeSue: Oh, great, Artie. Stand up for that vicious woman and attack me, the innocent and cute one.
Arthur LaForge: Wait what?
Kat combos several chops to the chest with forearm shivers on Dionysus before going for a swift Spinning Heel Kick that Dionysus manages to duck under. He grabs Jones’ arms from behind and hits a Tiger Suplex that bounces her off the mat. Dio shakes his knee out before looking to lock in a Boston Crab on Kat. Before he can get her legs secured, she shoves him off and rolls over in a smooth motion. She gets to a crouch and ducks another Clothesline from Dio in the process. Jones runs off the ropes and dives back at Dionysus with a Jumping forearm—Dio catches her and counters into a Flapjack! Kat hits the mat and Dio drops a Fist to her back on the ground. He then locks in a Surfboard and Referee Pliskin checks on Kat…
Mary DeSue: Don’t be intimidated, Pliskin, she’s ready to tap out!
Arthur LaForge: I think that’s a bit premature, Mary. Kat is trying to reach the ropes.
Mary DeSue: You’re already intimidated by this witch’s presence, Artie. You can’t see clearly like I can.
Arthur LaForge: Pretty sure you hold some bias here.
Mary DeSue: No, I only hear what the leaders of this company, the Game Changers, say. Kat Jones is trying to get involved in Game Changers business. Get with the program, Artie.
Arthur LaForge: Yes, I think that pretty much covers my point.
Kat struggles against the weight of Dio, unable to make it to the ropes before he pulls her back to the middle of the ring. Just when he does, though, he sees none other than EAB walking down to ringside with his signature briefcase. Dio points it out to Ref Pliskin… just as Kat manages to push herself up enough and roll under Dio! She ends up on her back and Dio looks to straighten her legs to stepover… only for Kat to twist and send Dio off balance. She then uses great core strength to lift her body up and catch him in a Guillotine!
Arthur LaForge: For some reason, the Courage Champion is down at ringside, and it may have distracted Dionysus enough for Kat to pull off that sensational show of athleticism!
Mary DeSue: You really are brainwashed, aren’t you? EAB is scouting his next challenger.
Arthur LaForge: Hold on, are you rooting for Dionysus?
Mary DeSue: No, hell no! I hope EAB can convince Pliskin to throw this entire match out. That would be the fairest decision. No offense to Trent Steel, but we need different contenders for this title.
Arthur LaForge: Do you have suggestions?
Mary DeSue: Above my pay grade, Artie.
As Kat keeps the Guillotine cinched in tightly, Dionysus resiliently steps his way over to the ropes. He is able to grab the top rope before giving in, and Kat holds until the count of three to release the hold. Seeing Dio holding his throat and holding the top rope, Kat springs off the second rope and goes for a Tornado DDT… Dio stops her momentum and counters into a Slingshot Suplex! As Kat sits up she’s hit with a Shining Wizard from Dio… who then looks to the ropes and leaps off with a Lionsault… Round of Applause! He completes the combination and covers!
ONE!
TWO!!
KAT KICKS OUT!
Arthur LaForge: Dio hanging in there and finding a chance to turn the tables, but Kat’s still looking strong with that kickout.
Mary DeSue: Dionysus better watch out he doesn’t frustrate Kat. She’ll send one of her goons—I mean, ‘brothers’ – to finish him off.
Arthur LaForge: You know, Kat Jones has done nothing but fight her own battles here. I doubt she even knew Mac was going to do what he did at Doom.
Mary DeSue: Well isn’t that convenient! If she gets the Courage title match, I guess she could say the same thing?
Arthur LaForge: As if the Game Changers haven’t done their share of interfering in matches?
Mary DeSue: Don’t answer my question with a question!
Dio shoots EAB a look, but the Courage Champion merely shrugs and tells him to try harder. The Lord of the Vine waits for Kat to get to her feet and goes for the STO Backbreaker… but a few back elbows to Dio’s head forces a release of her. Kat then hits a Jumping back kick that sends Dio stumbling forward. Kat goes for another Bulldog and Dio throws her off. She bounces off the top rope and comes back… connecting with the Tornado DDT! Dio manages to pop back up and Kat grabs him by the arm… Leashed! The Japanese Arm Drag connects and Kat drops to the mat for another cover!
ONE!
TWO!!
EAB PUTS DIO’S LEG ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Arthur LaForge: Come on! Why is this happening? EAB and Dio have had issues of their own, too.
Mary DeSue: What issue? Dio already lost to EAB. This shrew shouldn’t have put herself in Game Changers business. Doesn’t feel so good, now, does it?
Arthur LaForge: Mary, if anything it’s the other way around. They’ve been messing with Kat for months.
Mary DeSue: She did something to piss them off. If she doesn’t know, she’d better think real hard.
Arthur LaForge: This is ridiculous. Dio and Kat would not want this to happen.
Mary DeSue: Boo-hoo, is this their show? This is basically the Game Changers show. Larry even suggested some show names on Twitter!
Arthur LaForge: Mary DeSue with the hard-hitting reporting, folks.
Kat tries to tell Referee Pliskin it looked like EAB was interfering. Blizzard, once again clutching his briefcase close to him, claims he was removing a spider from the bottom rope. Pliskin throws her hands up and tells Kat the match is still going. Kat glares at EAB and turns back to Dio… Small Package!
ONE! [/i]
TWO!! [/i]
THR— KICKOUT BY KAT!
Mary DeSue: Aw, poor wittle kitty Kat caught by surprise?
Arthur LaForge: Kat was aware something like this could happen in the match but having your head on a swivel is never easy.
Mary DeSue: EAB was trying to keep Dionysus from getting bit!
Arthur LaForge: Right, because he couldn’t possibly be trying to interfere.
Mary DeSue: EAB is the Courage Champion and a professional. He’s just learning everything he can about these two and doesn’t need to interfere.
Arthur LaForge: Maybe he doesn’t need to, but maybe he, or Larry Tact wants him to.
Both competitors are up around the same time and Kat hits some side kicks to the leg of Dio, who guards. She backs him towards a corner and breaks through with a kick that hits Dio’s already-dinged knee. He buckles a little and Kat pounces… Freaked Out! No! Dio shoves her off before Kat can hit the Snap DDT and she charges in again… Pop Up Cutter! Kat crashes to the mat and Dio goes for a cover… but Ref Pliskin is talking to EAB, who got on the apron and is pointing out a loose turnbuckle pad. Dio charges EAB and takes a swing, but Blizzard drops down to the floor and tells Dio he’s trying to keep everything on the up-and-up, giving his trademark toothy smile.
Mary DeSue: How dare Dio take a swing at our Courage Champion, he’s trying to help you oaf!
Arthur LaForge: I find it highly suspicious that a turnbuckle pad randomly came off.
Mary DeSue: You really think the worst of people, Artie.
Arthur LaForge: I do not.
Mary DeSue: We should call you Artie Pooper because you’re making EAB out to be a monster.
Arthur LaForge: Well, technically he’s over 300 pounds.
Mary DeSue: Technically’s are for nerds!
Dio turns to find Kat trying to get back up and abandons the pinfall attempt. Instead, he looks to lift her up for the Spinning Death Valley Driver – FINAL CURTAIN!!! KAT WRIGGLES OUT! She lands on her feet and hits Leashed for a second time! The Japanese Arm Drag drills Dio hard into the mat. Kat signals the end is near! She’s poised to strike again… Dio uses the ropes to reach a standing base… turns towards Jones… KAT-ASTROPHE!! IT CONNECTS!! Kat managed to lift Dio high enough to spike him on his head with the Cradle DDT! However, EAB had called for Ref Pliskin just as Kat was gearing up to hit her finisher. Pliskin is now outside the ring and getting an earful from EAB. He points out the steel stairs are in HORRIBLE disrepair and VERY UNSAFE! He demands they be checked right away.
Arthur LaForge: Can he get out of here already??
Mary DeSue: Artie, he nearly broke a foot out there. We need safe steel stairs or it could be a serious problem for the entire roster. How can they trust to get inside the ring?
Arthur LaForge: This match should be over, I can’t with… wait a second, what’s this?!
Coming from the crowd is Larry Tact! He hops on the apron behind Kat… AND HITS HER IN THE BACK WITH THE WAND! Kat goes down from the sledgehammer blow and Larry drops it to the floor. He sees Pliskin on the other side of the floor, checking the base of the steel stairs, and drags Kat onto the apron. He stands her up and hooks her… TACT TAKES KAT OFF THE APRON TO THE FLOOR WITH THE HUMBLING URANAGE SUPLEX!! He quickly hauls Kat’s limp body up and dumps her into the ring, then goes in and drapes Dio’s arm over her before rolling out.
Arthur LaForge: NOT AGAIN! Kat is about to lose another opportunity thanks to damn Larry Tact and the Game Changers!
Mary DeSue: Where are your bros now, huh?? Bahahahaha!
EAB informs Pliskin of the pinfall and to get back in the ring. She sees Dio covering Kat and slides in, not spotting Larry ducked next to the apron with the Wand as she makes the count!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Mr Rad: Your winner of the match and new #1 Contender to the Courage Championship… DIONYSUS!!!
Arthur LaForge: Kat did everything right, she had the match won, and somehow the Game Changers cost her another shot at the Courage Title!
Mary DeSue: Who runs this house? Game Changers run this house.
Arthur LaForge: The Developer, aka Trent Steel runs this company, Mary. He’s not going to allow this to go unnoticed. I hope so, anyway.
Mary DeSue: Stay sad, Artie. Or, get on the Game Changers level and laugh at losers like Kat Jones!
Arthur LaForge: Fans, we’ve got to move onto the next match, and hopefully it’ll be more satisfying than this debacle.
Larry and EAB celebrate for a moment until they hear…
Myyyy cuppp runnethhh oveeerrrr….likkkeeeee blood from a stonneee…
Mr. Rad: Ladies and gentlemen… “The Developer” Trent Steel!
The RadTron comes to life as we see Trent looking at his pocketwatch and back at Larry and EAB who are still smirking.
Trent Steel: Proud of yourselves? This is how you’re going to “change things” Larry? Well. I hope it was worth it. You see EAB either way you got an opponent who you’re going to have a reckoning with…but you Larry. I think something is in order. I think it’s time you learn that your actions have consequences. I told you. You’d find out if you kept f[bleeping] around Larry…I just found your opponent for the Power Title. The new number one contender for the Power Title…IS KAT JONES!!!
Larry Tact looks shocked as security comes out from the back. He is furious yelling at the screen as Trent raises his middle finger, blurred out by twitch, towards him. Larry and EAB are getting escorted away as Kat Jones comes around realizing what has happened. Dio is also trying to shake out the cobwebs
Arthur La Forge: The boss has spoken and The GC’s plan has backfired!
Mary DeSue: He’s just giving title shots to whoever he wants! This is b[bleeping]it!
---
Donny Mason vs. ISAAC vs. Lord Raab vs. Brody Adams
The bell doesn’t even get a chance to ring before ISAAC charges at Brody, a charging knee lift sending the Multiplayer champion over the ropes and to the floor. Before he has a chance to recover, Mason jumps him from behind with clubbing blows, which only seem to piss off ISAAC as the bell finally rings to officially start the match. He turns to face Donny but instead eats a spear from Raab, and ISAAC rolls out to the floor to catch his breath. Donny hesitates for a moment before throwing hands at Raab, who isn’t afraid to return the favor, and the German gets the better of the exchange as he backs Mason into the corner and hits a trio of European uppercuts. A whip across to the opposite corner follows, but Mason charges out on impact and stuns Raab with a clothesline, followed by a sidewalk slam. Out of the corner of his eye, Donny sees ISAAC coming back into the ring and elects not to cover Raab, knowing the attempt would just be broken up anyway.
Arthur La Forge: These guys are giving it their all and this match is for a shot at the Final Boss Title in one of the most infamous matches from Level Up’s first year. The Skeleton Key!
Mary DeSue: SHUT UP ARTIE! THICC MEN ARE FIGHTING!!
ISAAC gets caught getting to his feet after rolling in by a kick from Mason, and a quick bounce off the ropes later leads to a short bulldog. Mason still doesn’t go for a cover, instead pulling ISAAC up just to send him back down with a neckbreaker. This time he goes for a cover, but barely gets a one before Brody Adams breaks it up, having recovered from the cheap shot to start the match. Old tensions are evident as the former and current Multiplayer champs face each other, and it’s Donny who throws the first punch, which Adams blocks before retaliating with a straight headbutt. A few forearms backs Mason into the corner, and a few kicks follow that before a t-bone suplex sends Mason halfway across the ring. Brody gets up, but turns right into the grasp of Raab who delivers a spinebuster! Raab holds on for the cover on Adams:
1…
2…
ISAAC reaches in, pulls Raab to the outside and proceeds to back him into the ringside barrier! A few shoulders to the gut follow this, with Raab having nowhere to go against the barrier. Back in the ring, Donny has recovered enough to get Adams back up and land a Samoan drop on the big Alaskan! Cover by Mason now, hoking the leg:
1…
2…
No, two only as Brody pops a shoulder off the mat.
Arthur La Forge: Brody almost ate it, but found something inside to help him kick out!
Mary DeSue: Less talky, more meat slappy.
Back on the floor, ISAAC goes for one shoulder ram too many, as Raab finally manages to dodge one, and ISAAC crashes into the barrier instead. ISAAC straightens back up only to be caught from behind by Raab and a German suplex on the floor follows! Raab is a bit slow to get to his feet as back inside the squared circle, Donny has pulled Brody up and whips him to the corner on the opposite side of the ring from Raab and ISAAC. Mason charges in afterwards, hitting an avalanche, and bounces off towards the opposite corner, looking for it again. Mason charges only to be met in the center by Brody, who delivers a running big boot to send the second-generation wrestler to the mat! Cover by Brody:
1…
2…
A kick to the back of the head by Lord Raab breaks up the pinfall! Adams scrambles to his feet only to be met with a European uppercut and then a release German suplex! Raab might not have gotten as much on the release German as he’d have liked, but still enough to try a cover of his own:
1…
2…
Donny breaks up the pin with an elbow to the back of Raab! Before Lord Raab can stand back up, Mason pulls him to a vertical base and promptly YEETS Raab over the top rope to the floor! Donny turns his attention back to Brody only to eat a Brodyline for his efforts! Adams looks to be in control here as he pulls Mason back up from behind and gets into position for Brainless…
…only to be introduced face-to-metal by a steel chair wielded by ISAAC! Adams collapses to the mat, and ISAAC does not hesitate before delivering another chair shot, this one to Donny Mason’s back. He gets set for another, only to see Lord Raab sliding back into the ring. The German throws a right hand, and ISAAC uses the chair to block the punch! In the next instant, ISAAC throws the chair at Raab’s head, who ducks the steel…but raises up right in time to be dropped by a Headhunter! ISAAC drops into the cover:
1…
2…
3! Mason gets there a moment too late!
Mr. Rad: Here is your winner, advancing to the Skeleton Key match at Super Adventure Island…ISAAC!
Arthur La Forge: Oh come on! That was blatant cheating! Mason was cheated!
Mary DeSue: I mean, that’s the way it goes…phew…I need a smoke break…I mean a water break…yeah…water…thirsty Mary needs water…
---
We go backstage where we are standing in the locker room of the Final Boss Champion, Duncan Shepard. He’s working with some weights, getting himself warmed up for action later tonight, when there’s a knock at the door. He turns as the door immediately swings open, and the crowd’s boos are heard at the appearance of Peter Vaughn. He looks like he’s ready to wrestle, with the Game Genie sticking out of one of the front pockets of his uniform. He smiles at Shepard, a smile with little emotion behind it.
Peter Vaughn: Well, hello, champ. So how are we feeling about tonight? Want to talk about some strategy regarding our match with the Game Changers? Maybe some double-teams you’d want to try, like a Neural Shock & Plunge combination? Hey, by the way, sweet title you’ve got here…
Vaughn steps over to the nearby table, where the Final Boss Championship is located. He seems to admire the belt, which causes Shepard to step in and pick the gold up.
Duncan Shepard: Yeah, it’s a real sweet title I have here, and I worked really hard over the last year to earn it.
Peter Vaughn: Chill out, Shep. I was just showing the title the respect it deserves. Belts deserve to be cherished, you know? I know you cherish this one, the way it’s shined up. You know who probably doesn’t respect their belts? The Game Changers. I bet they just carry them around for show. It’d be an awful shame if one of them lost their gold, wouldn’t it?
Duncan Shepard: It sure would but don’t take me for an idiot. We both know, with that little toy in your pocket, you don’t have your eyes on the Game Changers gold.
Shepard and Vaughn face off, with neither of the wrestlers backing down. If anything, Vaughn looks more relaxed now, as he’s getting what he wants out of this confrontation.
Peter Vaughn: Look, champ, I just want you to know that I’m going to let you call the shots tonight. You want me to kick some Game Changer ass? I’m there for it. I'll show you what a Mechanic can do in the ring. Or, if you don’t trust me and decide to do all the fighting tonight against both men? Exhausting yourself? It’s completely your call. I’m just here to have some fun and feel alive, y’know? It’s not like I’m… planning anything. Spontaneity is more entertaining, anyway.
Vaughn takes another look at the championship that Shepard is holding. He smiles.
Duncan Shepard: Planned, not planned, doesn’t matter to me. I’m out there to win. I’m out there to beat up Larry Tact again and I guess I’ll beat Blizzard up too while I’m there. As for you, when you’re on my side, you’re on my side. The moment you’re not though…
Peter Vaughn: All I can say, Shep, is that I’m your partner tonight. It’s been assigned, it’s set in stone, it’s us against the world… of the Game Changers. So we’ll get out there, do some violence… and see what happens, right? See you there… champ.
Duncan Shepard: Oh yeah, you’ll see what happens.
Vaughn turns and leaves the room, as Shepard watches him go.
---
Larry Tact & EA Blizzard vs. Duncan Shepard & Peter Vaughn
Tact and Vaughn begin the match for their respective teams. EA and Tact share a sneer and pointing session at first while Duncan and Vaughn seem almost completely uninterested in any pre-match communication. As Tact and Vaughn meet in the middle of the ring, the trash talk continues as the mics pick up Larry reminding Vaughn that he holds a win over him, and begins berating him over lost titles until Vaughn, who had been smiling and nodding along knocks the taste out his mouth with an open palm strike.
Arthur La Forge: Oh…IT JUST GOT PERSONAL UP IN HERE!!
Mary DeSue: You should've watched his hand where his hip be at!
Vaughn stays on the offensive, battering Tact with knife edged chops followed by elbows until he backs him into the ropes, whipping him across the ring he goes for a clothesline but Tact ducks only to be caught with a deep arm drag that Vaughn transitions into an arm bar, wrenching and jerking on the arm of Tact. Ref Kirby asks Larry if he wants to submit only to be sent dodging a wild swing by the indignant Tact who fights his way to his feet, elbowing Vaughn off and dropping him with a DDT.
Arthur La Forge: And a DDT by the Power Champion sends the Game Genie holder down.
Mary DeSue: Vaughn is the most dangerous man in Level Up right now. He’s got the Courage Champ, The Power Champ, and The Final Boss Champion all easy prey if he can capitalize on any of them tonight!
Tact pulls Vaughn up and tags in EA Blizzard. Tact directs traffic, and EA nails Vaughn with a chokeslam over the bent knee of Tact. Vaughn spasms, holding his back o nthe mat as EA doesn’t go for the pin and instead stalks the Game Genie winner, stomping him disrespectfully before yanking him up and shoving him toward his own corner. EA motions for the Final Boss Champion to step into the ring with a confident, brilliant smile.
Arthur La Forge: That cocky idea there might cost you Blizzard!
Mary DeSue: No. He wants to dominate them both!
Vaughn is only too happy to oblige as he tags Shepherd in to a huge pop. The Final Boss and Courage Champions circle one another. They go for a collar and elbow tie-up but EA easily overpowers Duncan, driving him into a neutral corner. Ref Kirby gets to 4 before EA backs off clean, grinning…then goes for a slap but the champ ducks and shoves EA into the corner! He begins unloading rights and lefts before grabbing EA’s leg and draping it over the rope, snatching his ankle and trying to hyper extend the knee.
Arthur La Forge: The Final Boss is trying to wear down the knee of EAB!
Mary DeSue: Yeah, but he forgot one thing…Tact!
Tact charges in, past the ref and nails Duncan. This prompts Vaughn to charge in, vaulting over the top rope and taking Tact down with a clothesline! All hel has begun to break loose as EA is brawling with Vaughn now and Tact and Shepard have started in on each other! Ref Kirby doesn’t notice ISAAC hop the rail and hand Tact a chair…
Arthur La Forge: No! NO! Not another screwjob!
Mary DeSue: I thought you liked watching people get screwed Artie…
Arthur La Forge: Not funny.
Tact turns around to swing the chair at Shepard but he ducks it, the chair nails EA instead! Ref Kirby yells at Tact but can’t disqualify him for hitting his own partner. Kirby takes the chair from Tact, who Shepard grabs and tosses out of the ring. Vaughn soon follows, nailing Tact with The Plunge to the outside!! Shepard nails EA with the Biotic charge! He hooks both legs!
One…
Two…
Three!!
Mr. Rad: Here are your winners…”Superstar” Peter Vaughn and Duncan Shepard!!
Arthur La Forge: YES! EAT THAT LOSS YA B[BLEEP]HES!
Mary DeSue: Whoa! Artie! Uncalled for…I like it…but uncalled for!
Tact and ISSAC check on EAB. Before the three can make an attack on Shepard and Vaughn though they see security is already at ringside. The trio make their way to the back for now as Shepard watches them, holding the chair. Shepard doesn’t see Vaughn get in behind him for a moment and then suddenly turns. Vaughn smirks at him and winks.
Arthur La Forge: Is he gonna cash in?
Mary DeSue: Come on Vaughn!
Vaughn…hops over the ropes and out of the ring applauding “The Final Boss” as he starts making his way to the back.
Arthur La Forge: The Mind Games of Peter Vaughn have begun and no champion in Level Up is gonna be safe!
Mary DeSue: Probably going to wait till he’s not in the same match as him. Lull him into a false sense of security…
---
Buster Gloves vs. Jason Ryan
Buster Gloves is trying hard to keep his emotions in check across from the man who attacked his own father, Jason Ryan. “The Dreamkiller” motions for Buster to bring it, but instead of lashing out the disciplined Buster reaches out for a test of strength knuckle lock. The two entwine hands and struggle against one another, evenly matched in terms of size and strength. Eventually Buster manges to win out, and forcing Ryan’s hands down to his side. But Ryan catches Buster off guard with a headbutt! Ryan twists Buster’s hand behind him in a hammer lock, wrenching the limb into a painful position. Ryan transitions into a side headlock, and Buster tries to shoot him off the ropes, but Ryan stops his momentum and takes Buster to ground - headlock still locked in!
Arthur La Forge: Jason Ryan made this so personal up in here that Buster Gloves is probably only seeing red right now!
Mary DeSue: Not too wise for the Wisdom Champ to get Chumped like this.
Jason adds insult to injury with a few stiff shots to the head of Buster as he maintains the headlock. With all his strength Buster manages to push his way up and get back to a standing base. The Bull of the North tries to send Jason over with a back suplex, but Ryan lands on his feet. Jason shoves Buster forward into the ropes. He bounces back and Ryan lends down, scooping him up into a fireman’s carry! SILENCER! NO! Buster scrambles out of it, landing on his feet…sparta kick by Buster Gloves! This sends Jason into the ropes, but he rebounds right off of them to clobber Buster with a discus clothesline! Both men down!
Arthur La Forge: Both of these men are wanting to tear each other apart!
Mary DeSue: Hey! Ryan…be nice…Riley Heart lovessss himmmm haha!
Buster is the first to his feet and he sizzles Jason Ryan’s chest with a brutal chop! Ryan clutches his chest, but Buster isn’t done! He hauls him back up and chops him across the chest a second time, then a third! He goes for a fourth but it’s not to be, Jason fires up and connects with a spinning backfist! Buster is stunned and Jason makes him pay, firing open palm shots into his neck and body. Ryan puls Buster into a muay thai clinch before driving his knee into hsi midsection repeatedly. He pulls Buster into the powerbomb position, lifts him up and drives him into the turnbuckle with a BUCKLE BOMB! Cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Buster kicks out.
Arthur La Forge: Buster barely survived that Buckle Bomb!
Mary DeSue: That’s what he gets for getting to emotional!
Ryan stomps on Buster, verbally berating him as he does so but the Wisdom Champion defiantly pays Jason Ryan a one fingered salute, before catching another incoming stomp and twisting Ryan down into an ankle lock! Ryan yells in pain as Buster gets to his knees and begins to really torque on the hold, returning verbal fire on Ryan now. However, Ryan is able to roll through and send Buster into the opposite corner. However when he charges in for a dropkick, Buster moves and Ryan crotches himself going over the top rope, spilling to the outside!
Arthur La Forge: Oooooo...That’s gotta hurt.
Mary DeSue: Not as much as Dollface’s punt kick earlier…chef’s kiss.
As Ryan is getting up, he’s met with a punt kick by Buster who has made it out to the apron. He follows this up with his own leaping shotgun dropkick from the apron that sends Ryan crashing into the barricade. However, Buster being the astute fighter he is knows that he can’t win on the outside so he rolls Jason Ryan back in the ring. Ryan gets his second wind, stomping on the back of Buster’s head as he gets in, it devolves into a brawl..
Arthur La Forge: SMASHHHH BRAWWWLLLL!!!
Mary DeSue: NERRDDD!!!
Which is no good for Jason Ryan as Buster begins working him over like a heavy bag, before ducking an errant haymaker! Jason Ryan turns and instantly eats “The Heartbreaker!” he sucks in a breath of air, shrinking from the impact. He turns and Buster leaps on his back with “The Soul Crusher!” Jason Ryan refuses to tap, but he goes limp and red faced which prompts the ref to call for the bell!!
Mr. Rad: Here is your winner and still Wisdom Champion!!!...Buster Gloves!!
Arthur La Forge: Buster Gloves has done it! He’s avenged his father and kept his title!
Mary DeSue: Yeah, but at what cost to his sanity.
Buster gets out of the ring and grabs his title. He glares back at Ryan and mouths off at him as Riley Heart runs down to ringside to check on Buster and get him to the back. Ryan starts to come out of it as we cut back to ringside.
Arthur La Forge: Oh he is not gonna be happy about this!
Mary DeSue: Hey sometimes you get a guy to angry and it backfires. I applaud the attempt!
---
Amber Payne vs. Dude WaLuigi
Outside of the ring referee Kirby is trying to get Jason Ryan to go to the back, but he’s still arguing as Referee Pliskin calls for the bell.
DING DING DING!
Amber comes out swinging on Dude Waluigi, driving the one WAH with a Dub-WAH into a corner where she begins breaking him down with strong chops and elbows to the face. She eventually climbs up on the second rope and begins driving elbows down into Dude’s face until Pliskin exhausts their count. Amber hops off, but takes Dude out of the corner with a headlock takeover.
Arthur La Forge: Amber is definitely back on her A Game!
Mary DeSue: Yeah and she knows better than some. Dude Waluigi is the only Waluigi with an actual win over someone so he’s not to be taken lightly.
Dude gets to a vertical base and fires Amber off into the ropes. She rebounds but ducks a clothesline. Amber bounces off the ropes and nails Dude with a Busako knee!! Dude is left looking up at the lights but Amber isn’t done!
Arthur La Forge: This might be a mistake by Amber if she doesn’t capitalize.
Mary DeSue: Go big or go home Artie.
Amber lifts dude and works him over with forearms and elbows, dodging any weak retaliation with little effort until she cold cocks Dude and….PAIN KILLER! Amber stands and puts her foot on Dude's chest.
One…
Two…
THREE!!
DING! DING! DING!
Mr. Rad: The winner of this bout…Amber Payne!!
Arthur La Forge: Slightly insultive pin, but the point is made. A great win for Amber Payne.
Mary DeSue: Decent match, but what’s going on here?
Still hanging outside of the ring Ryan shoves Kirby into the ring barrier and gets into the ring. He’s pissed off and grabs Dude Waluigi and hits “The Dreamkiller” on Dude! Pliskin tells Ryan to back off and gets shoved out of the ring for his trouble as Ryan goes to set up Dude for “The Dreamkiller” again he gets hit from behind by Amber Payne. Ryan turns and yells at Payne who doesn’t back down and the two start throwing hands!!! The fans are on their feet cheering!!
Arthur La Forge: Amber Payne wasn’t gonna sit by and watch Dude Waluigi take the fury of Jason Ryan!
Mary DeSue: Yeah but her [bleep] might have just bought a package she can’t pay for!
The fight keeps going on until Amber misses a shot and Ryan ducks under. “PINK EYE”!! Amber falls down and Ryan picks her up…”The Dreamkiller”!! Ryan starts to go for it again but security rushes him and breaks up the fight! Ryan mouths to the camera that he’s not finished with Payne.
Arthur La Forge: Jason Ryan is becoming one of the worst people to cross in Level Up!
Mary DeSue: I think, like you, this man doesn’t have a good side Artie.
Arthur La Forge:...If I had feeling that would have hurt.
Amber lays for a moment collecting herself from that piledriver, but she refuses medical attention. Instead she gets up and starts heading to the back no doubt looking for Jason Ryan!
Arthur La Forge: Oh jeez! Can everyone just calm down for five minutes on this show!
Mary DeSue: Everyone’s getting heated or in heat for the summer…Sorry I was thinking of the meat slapping match.
---
A video package begins to play on the RadTron and fades in to take over the screen. It’s very dark with large shadows draping everywhere. Beams of green light fighting through the fog. We open up on a closeup of metal, but it’s hard to make out what it is.
Voice: I’ve seen a lot in my time…I’ve seen good men turn bad, teeth knocked out, skin shredded and finger nails peeled… all the way back. I’ve seen a lot in my time.
The video cuts to another sharp close-up but the object is out of focus. There’s something in the background, which appears to be some sort of clear bag hanging upside down.
Voice: We play dangerous games to live. I don’t mean for a living… I mean that without these barbaric displays, we don’t know how to cope. It’s not a healthy way to live, but it’s how we get by. It’s how we survive. And we do it all for gold and leather.
Now we’re looking at what might be a bed under the green light, with jagged shadows cast across on both sides. Someone is lying in the bed. They take a deep breath through their nose, their breath is shaky.
Voice: It’s a potent combination. There’s something about the feel, the smell… the weight of it. Everyone knows what it is. But only one person can have it. It drives us crazy. And we all take turns killing ourselves to get close to it. Playing dangerous games to feel alive. But of everything I’ve ever seen, nothing is as potent… as the Final Boss Championship.
We cut to the side of the hospital bed. We can see the patient from the side and only from the nose down, they’re out of focus.
Voice: That championship is a poisoned chalice, and we’ll all drink from it eventually. Duncan has taken his first sip. If his resolve is strong… he may truly be the last of us. But nobody can resist it’s charm, the way it whispers in your ear. There is no antidote. You can’t fight it no matter how hard you try. Once you drink from that chalice… You will die from the poison. Sometimes it’s quick. Sometimes it’s slow. But it always happens. It’s always painful. It’s undeniable.
We cut to a closeup of the patient, finally in focus. They’re bruised, bloody and swollen. Despite the gruesome injuries, we recognize who it is instantly. His chest wheezes as he takes a deep breath.
Joey Crash: The poison… is coming.[/i]
The camera fades out and we reopen on our commentary team, who aren’t sure what to make of what they’ve just seen.
Arthur La Forge: Well… I’m sure your guess is as good as mine for what we’ve just witnessed but I have to let our fans know that Joey Crash has been ruled out with an injury but the details are… unclear.
Mary De Sue: Ugh, doctors am I right? They can never lay it out straight. A contusion is just a bruise, Doc!
Arthur La Forge: It’s not that, Mary. Crash has refused any help from our medical team but he's clearly in a bad way. They've not cleared him for action tonight but until then, he said he's going back to London before he gets any treatment.
Mary De Sue: First he's not here and now he's not even in the country? What the hell man?
Arthur La Forge: Whatever happens, obviously Level Up wishes him a speedy recovery and we’ll keep everyone updated with more information as we get it!
Mary De Sue: Joey, if you don't bring me back some jaffa cakes we are gonna have PROBLEMS!
---
Chelsea Skye vs. Riley Heart
The bell tolls and Chelsea Skye is fired up! She takes the action to Riley Heart immediately, laying her out with a flying clothesline! Heart gets up and is taken down again, this time by a picture-perfect dropkick from Chelsea. The Nightmare Angel bounces off the ropes and takes Heart down with a spear so powerful it sends Riley rolling to the outside. Heart lands hard on the outside, bouncing off the padding. She manages to stand, only to turn around and see Skye flying at her! Chelsea takes out Heart with a suicide dive!
Arthur La Forge: These two are not playing for finesse tonight it’s all about beating the other one more than half to death!
Mary DeSue: I dunno who I’m pulling for here, but damn it I don’t like a good brawl!
Skye lands on her feet and raises her fists to the cheers of the crowd. After taking a moment to drink in the crowd’s appreciation in the main event spotlight, Skye gets back to work. She pulls up Riley by the hair, then slams her face-first into the ring apron. Relishing the opportunity to inflict pain on the one who cost her a chance to beat Buster Gloves and Ahmya, she goes for it again, but this time Heart blocks! Riley drives her elbow into Skye’s nose, forcing her to back away clutching at her nostrils, which are beginning to leak blood. Heart takes advantage and lays some blows into Skye’s exposed midsection. Skye doubles over and Heart shoves her backwards, sending her into the steel post!
Arthur La Forge: MOTHER BRAIN! That has to hurt!
Mary DeSue: No worries. I hear you don’t need brains to run an OnlyFans.
The back of Skye’s head collides with the post, and Chelsea slumps to the ground. Riley rolls into the ring to break the count, then slides back out. Skye is seeing stars as Heart pulls her up by the arm, then viciously gouges her eye! Skye is so disorientated that she is finding it hard to fight back, as blood streams down her face from her damaged nose. Smiling wide, Heart licks some of that blood off of Skye’s chin, smiling as she tastes the blood of her opponent. Heart then whips Skye into the steel steps! Skye is driving shoulder-first into the cold hard steel, and Heart immediately capitalizes. She rolls her into the ring, then lifts her up into a fireman’s carry…SOUTHERN BELLE! Heart’s knee meets Skye’s already damaged nose in a Go 2 Sleep! Cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Skye kicks out.
Arthur La Forge: Heart almost put Skye away there!
Mary DeSue: Almost is only good with grenades in FPS…
The referee motions for Heart to back up, as he wants to assess whether Skye can continue with the amount of blood that is pouring out of her nose. He tries to stem the bleeding with a white cloth, which slowly begins to turn red as the red liquid continues to flow. Heart though isn’t having it, she pushes the ref away and takes Skye down by the legs…SETTING SUN! NO! Skye manages to avoid the submission attempt by kicking Heart away. Both women up, Heart charges Skye again but this time catches a superkick for her troubles! Riley is stunned by this and Heart, catching a second wind, capitalizes by leaping onto her shoulders and sending her down onto the mat with a hurricanrana! She grabs Riley’s legs and hooks them into a pin!
ONE!
TWO!
Riley kicks out.
Arthur La Forge: That time Skye almost had Heart.
Mary DeSue: She doesn’t have a Heart…or she’d be gah gah for Gloves.
Skye slaps the mat, frustrated that she wasn’t able to steal the victory there. She stands, glaring at Riley with dried blood all over her lower face. Heart stares back, wide-eyed, like a deer in the headlights. Heart tries to scurry away, but Skye grabs her by the ankle and yanks her back into the center of the ring. She pulls Heart’s leg up high, then twists it around, locking in a single-leg boston crab! She wrenches back on Heart’s leg with a fire in her eyes as Riley screams in pain. Sensing Heart trying to go crawl away to the ropes, Skye sits further back, trying her damndest to destroy her ligament! Crouching back now, Skye unleashes some brutal stomps on Heart’s pretty face! It’s insult to injury as she remains trapped in the submission, away from the ropes. With her last surge of energy, Heart manages to use her free leg to kick Skye off of her!
Arthur La Forge: Safe to say...It’s Personal Up In Here!
Mary DeSue: You are so going for those catchphrases each show is just adorkable.
Despite surviving the submission, Heart is the wounded. She’s clutching her leg in significant pain, unable to make it to her feet easily. Skye is instantly back onto her, stomping on the damaged limb. Skye then drags Heart over to the corner and begins ascending the turnbuckle. The crowd pops as she makes to the top rope then steadies herself…SKYE’S THE LIMIT! NO! Heart moved out of the way! The high impact misfire sees Skye crash and burn on the canvas. Adrenaline flowing, knowing she only has one chance to put Skye away, Heart rises to her feet. She limps over to Skye and with great effort pulls her up by the hair. She hooks Skye’s arm, and wraps her other one around her head…GEORGIA PEACH! NO! Just as Heart was about to deliver the move her knee gives out, and she crumples to the ground.
Arthur La Forge: Heart’s knee seems to have taken too much damage.
Mary DeSue: I guess she’s in Ag-Oh-Knee?
Arthur La Forge: No! Bad Yuffie!
Mary DeSue: Stop spraying me with a water bottle ya jerk!
Riley is laying on top of Skye, her arm still around Chelsea’s neck. Neither lady moves for a moment…until Skye quickly locks her legs around Heart’s head! CLIPPED WING ANGEL! The triangle choke is locked in tight and despite Riley thrashing she can’t seem to free herself! Skyte yanks back on the hold in desperation, trying to force a tap out or choke Riley out completely - either will do! Heart reaches out with her good leg, trying to touch the rope…she’s almost…she’s…almost…there……just……one…….more……..inch…….
Arthur La Forge: Heart’s almost there…
Mary DeSue: Come on girl…you can work with one inch. We all have!
Ref Kirby raises Heart’s arm, and it falls lifeless to the mat.
DING DING DING!!
Mr Rad: Here is your winner…as a result of a technical knockout…THE NIGHTMARE ANGEL, CHELSEAAAAA SKYE!!
Arthur La Forge: Vindication for “The Nightmare Angel”!!
Mary DeSue: More like she beat someone nearly to death to prove a point!
Skye finally lets go of the hold and rises to her feet in jubilation. Ref Kirby raises her arm and Skye lets out a primal scream, finally getting payback from EXP 24. Chelsea takes to the top rope, raising her arms into the air in victory.
Arthur La Forge: Now, with any luck both of these ladies will move on.
Mary DeSue: Heh. Oh yeah…you have never dated a woman. Um…soooo…
Chelsea rolls out of the ring and takes some time to celebrate with the fans. After giving a few high-fives she slowly makes her way back up the ramp…but just as she turns around, she’s HIT FROM BEHIND BY HEART!
Arthur La Forge: What the hell!
Mary DeSue: Called it! This aint over yet!
Heart, having regained consciousness after being choked out, clubs Skye in the back repeatedly. She spins her around and nails an uppercut, but Skye blocks her next blow, and fires back with a roundhouse kick! The two keep exchanging blows until security comes out to separate the two.
Arthur La Forge: This battle isn’t over yet between these two!
Mary DeSue: Sounds like a good note to end on but…we got something else?
---
The lights in the arena slowly dim and then darken, leaving the audience in a buzz. Trumpets sound as the intro to Panic at the Disco’s “High Hopes” begins to play, multicolor lights flashing across the stage. As the song fully begins, the lights settle to pink and Sloane Taylor emerges from the back full of energy and all smiles. She stops on the stage and looks around her at the crowd, taking in the welcome she’s receiving.
With a wave around her, she starts off slowly down the ramp, greeting the crowd, slapping hands, and posing for quick selfies with the fans before rushing the ring. Sloane slides in under the bottom rope and springs to her feet, dancing around the ring and playing to the Chicago crowd, her crowd, hyping them until her music ends. When they continue to cheer around her, she leans over the ropes and takes a mic from ringside.
Sloane: Alright, Chicago, I know I’m your girl but ya gotta let me talk, first.
She says it lightly and with a grin, hardly meaning it at all, but the crowd eats out of her hand.
Sloane: Some of you guys are used to seeing me inside another wrestling ring.
She lowers the mic and raises her eyebrows, the crowd around her cheering again at her reference to her former company.
Sloane: But now you’ll be seeing me in another ring, because Sloane Taylor, your Sky Queen, your Final Girl has…
Sloane pauses and looks over to the Tron, dramatically holding a hand out as it flashes and then displays a screen showing a still of Sloane standing proudly with a Level Up logo.
Sloane: Leveled Up!
The crowd pops around her, and she grins in appreciation.
Sloane: And I look forward to seeing what fresh challenges this place has for me, some faces familiar to me. Looking at you Duncan, but I suppose everyone is. Man of the hour.
Sloane pauses a moment.
Sloane: Needless to say, I know I won’t be jumping to Duncan’s level right off. No, that’s not how a game works. We start from the beginning and work our way up, building points. Between us, my brother says I’m a little bit of an achievement… ahem… anyway.
She clears her throat and brightens, a bounce in her step when suddenly a mischievous look fills her eyes.
Sloane: But there’s just one more thing…
Tapping a nail against her bottom lip, she peers out at the crowd with an excited grin.
Sloane: I didn’t come alone.
Sloane pauses, a smile slowly crossing her lips as she slowly turns her head towards the ramp way. The arena lights dim once more.
This time, the lights begin to pulse in time with the sirens and beat to the opening of Sweatpants (BattleTapes Remix) by Childish Gambino, the lights then beginning to flash, alternating left and right onto the ramp. In time, the letters "S", "E", "B", and then "Empire" flash one at a time on the big screen until the lights stop flashing as the lyrics hit.
"She askin' “Why you say that?!”
The beat drops and the lights flash on the rampway again. As they do, the screen illuminates with "SEB" and then "EMPIRE" flashing on the sceen.
"Rich kid asshole, paint me as a villain"
The lights spring into life with Sebastian Everett-Bryce stood center stage, his head raised, his arms wide and a smirk crossing his face. In the ring, Sloane’s eyes are shining as Seb makes his way to the ring - much like The Sky Queen earlier, he begins to slap hands as he walks down the ramp.
He climbs the steps and enters the ring, there’s a moment where Seb and Sloane stand facing one another, a moment of tension, which breaks as he leans down and presses a kiss against her lips. He spins away, extending his arms one more time.
As the lights settle, and the buzz of the crowd dissipates, Sloane extends the microphone towards him. He offers a small bow as he takes it from her and turns back to the waiting crowd.
Seb: Did you miss me?
Seb grins widely. The crowd pops, and he takes a moment to allow the hush to fall again.
Seb: These past weeks, I’ve been thinking long and hard about what’s next for me. With the closure of Fight, my exit from Pro Wrestling Valor… I was looking for a new challenge. Turns out, right here in Level Up, I have a few bones to pick… a hangover from New York… a less than Valorous exchange… and a point to prove that started right here in Chicago.
He smirks, his eyes scanning the crowd. He then raises his hand and begins raising fingers one by one.
Seb: Dane Preston… Larry Tact… And with utmost respect, Duncan Shepherd… Gentlemen… I’m about to change the game.
Seb nods and then begins to turn on the spot, glancing out to every side of the crowd.
“Level Up… Welcome… to the Empire.”
The crowd pops once more as, in the corner, Sloane begins to clap. She steps towards Seb, and the two of them embrace, before Seb raises Sloane’s hand as Seven Nation Army plays out.
---
CREDITS
