EXP 26 Results - June 7th, 2022 (Miami, F.L.)

Inside of a private studio of E-Wrestling News, there are two couches set across from each other and a leather chair sit to the side with a table between both of them. The lighting is well placed for the center of the studio where the center of attraction will be ; Denzel Porter sits on one couch and is dressed professionally. Denzel opens with a greeting.

Denzel Porter: Welcome everyone to an exclusive sit down forum, courtesy of E-Wrestling News, and Level Up Wrestling, where this is broadcasting live on their EXP 26 weekly show. In just a few moments I will have two of the biggest names in professional wrestling sitting inches apart from each other before they go one on one at The Cannabis Cup. I'm talking Bam Miller vs Larry Tact, a Main Event matchup many people didn't see coming but now it's all everyone can talk about. It's gathering attention and now we will get to hear from them live here on The Breaking News show and EXP 26, so without further wait let's welcome Bam Miller on first.

Bam comes walking onto the set with security not far behind the hot head who's know to loose his cool. He wears a black t-shirt and some basic jeans and biker boots. He smirks at the camera and takes a seat on the chair, leaving the couch for Larry.

Bam Miller: All this security for me? Denzel you must really think low of me.


Denzel smiles hoping to break the tension coming from Bam.


Denzel Porter: Not at all, security is here to make sure we have a great show with no interruptions for everyone. Now with that said let's welcome the second guest on the show Larry Tact.


Bam rolls his eyes and then smirks as he looks towards the back. We hear some bickering before the chorus of "Pieces of Man" by Drown begins playing. Then and only then does Larry make his way through the curtain to the stage. He's dressed in a pinstriped midnight blue suit, white pressed dress shirt, purple patterned tie, and gold framed and lensed Ray Bans. He approaches the pair with arrogant swagger and motions for Bam's security to move aside as he passes by and takes a seat on the couch as the music fades.

Larry Tact: Denzel, nice to see you as always. I'm already a fan of 'Breaking News,' especially considering the many headlines I make. Having me on here in person will only bring even more eyeballs to this show, much like I've done with others like the 'Official UGWC Johncast.' The time I called in there, it drew the largest ratings of that show's history. I would expect similar results here, despite the presence of this ill-conceived malcontent we have with us.


Bam cuts his eyes in Tact's direction and looks to say something but Denzel ends up speaking before he can.


Denzel Porter: There is no denying that you are good for business and I'm happy to have you both here today on the BreakingNews to promote your upcoming match at the Chris Page Cannabis Cup but can you two tell me how this match came to be?


As Denzel leads back in his chair, Bam quickly speaks up before Tact could speak.


Bam Miller: You see Denzel I’m a man that likes the fight the best or wrestlers like Larry that think they are the best. I’m not the type guy to settle for an easy challenge. So I put the word out to Larry’s camp that I was looking for a fight and he answered the challenge and now we are just a few weeks away from me kicking his ass!!!


Bam smirks at Larry shakes his head and Denzel watches on.


Larry Tact: This guy here must not have listened to his parents when he was a wee Bam. You know how I can tell? He opens his mouth and all this unwanted trash comes out from it. He clearly never learned you shouldn't talk with your mouth full.

Tact chuckles and holds up a hand in Bam's direction, as his opponent was about to reply.

Larry Tact: Here's what Bam doesn't want everyone to know. Chris Page, who I'm not even close with, had me set for a Main Event of one night for the Cannabis Cup before Bam even cane to me. Then I heard some chatter about how Bam, the firebrand, scorched earth star was coming back after needing time off. I won't deny I was intrigued.

He briefly cocks an eyebrow at Bam.

Larry Tact: After all, this man has a reputation for being hard-nosed and not backing down. When his camp reached out to my office, I did some research and quickly realized something… whether it's XWF or elsewhere, he hadn't found anyone who wasn't carrying their own baggage or bull(BLEEP) since his return. They allowed all this trash to spew from his gullet. Now he's run into someone who not only won't allow it – I'll shove it straight back down his gluttonous gullet! Where better than a stage the size of the Cannabis Cup? It all fit together.


Bam sits up straight with an upset facial expression and looks at Larry.


Bam Miller: Listen up here you son of a bitch I didn't have parents growing up, I was left behind to fend for myself. So yeah I don't back down because I've never had the attitude to run from everyone, maybe your research team should've told you that Tact Fact!

Larry Tact: I do my own research, and it doesn't require the Bam Miller sob story. If it's a Tact Fact you're looking for, here's one: Be less concerned with telling me your story, and more concerned what your existing family will do after I orphan your spine from your back in a TACTFUL SURRENDER!!


Denzel leans in between him as the tension in the room starts to fill up.


Denzel Porter: Ok gentleman let's settle back down, we don't want any blood to spill on the set. I mean you must have some respect for each other to even agree to do the match?


Bam Miller: Yeah I respect big nose over here, he's a very good worker in the ring and his name generates views I'll give him that and it's one of the main reasons I wanted to go against him because I know he's one of the best in the game today but I just don't like his attitude and style. Larry comes off as an uppity tyrant who thinks his shit doesn't stink but after Cannabis Cup I'll give him a new reality.

Larry Tact: Like I said, Bam's a tough nut to crack. Hell, he's a nut in general the way he wracks his body. I don't respect him but if there's something I'm happy about, it's that we're meeting while both healthy. There won't be excuses after this match.

Larry stands, tugging on his suit's lapels.

Larry Tact: In fact, I don't know if I even want to wait for the Cannabis Cup. If you think you have the guts to handle it, Tough Nut, why don't you pay a visit to Level Up Wrestling at EXP 27. Or, I may just show up on your doorstep in XWF…

He approaches Denzel Porter and nods, exchanging a courteous handshake. When he passes by Bam, Larry stops and looks down at him, removing his Ray Bans to look him in the eyes.

Larry Tact: Either way, you'll be seeing me sooner than later. Be ready.


Bam stands up with a smirk on his face as he pulls out a Miller Lite beer and chugs it and then stares down Larry Tact as he says one last thing before walking out.


Bam Miller: I guess I'm about to Level Up.


Denzel Porter: Well people I don't know about you but after that sit down I can't wait to see Larry Tact v Bam Miller at the Cannabis Cup, and definitely keep your eyes open for what happens on XWF and Level Up, I have a feeling these two will be seeing each other a lot sooner than later, but that's all folks for this sit down interview. I'm going to go enjoy the rest of the show and you should too.

---



After the epic opening we see shots of the James L. Knight Center here in beautiful, and psychotic, Miami, Florida! We cut inside of the arena flying around with the RADdrone to see the capacity crowd signs.
We see some fans, probably frat boys, dressed in suits holding up "cheat code books" with a sign that says

"WE'RE CHANGING THE GAME!!"
"GIMMIE THAT BLACK SH!T"
"COWBOY SH!T? No, COWBOY ROX!!"
"BRING THE PAYNE!!"
"I'M STILL WAITING TO FINISH THE FIGHT!"
"STRAFFORDS UPON AVON"
"JACK SULLIVAN: 2ND GENERATION ASSHOLE!!"
"PAUL! TAKE ME TO PROM!"
"CAT SLASH ME!!!"
"WAHHH TAKING OVER!!"
"THE ROYALTY IS HERE!"
"CHELSEA SKYE IS METAL AS F***!!"
"RILEY HEART IS THE SIDE CHICK NO ONE DESERVES"
"THE THICCNESS!!"
"ICH LIEBE RAAB!!"
"KAT JONES! NEXT POWER CHAMPION!"
"DRINK THAT FUNKY WINE GLASS GREEK GOD!!"
"THE GREAT DANE!! WOOF!"
"HAVE A WANK!!"

Various other weird things going on in the crowd...including a pac man beach ball being batted around as we land our RADdrone in front of the announcers table. There as always is Arthur La Forge, in his Captain N Letterman's Jacket, and Mary DeSue cosplaying Tina Armstrong from DOA 6 with her long coat.

Arthur La Forge: Welcome everybody to Episode Twenty Six of Level Up Wrestling's E...X...P!!! As always I am Arthur La Forge here to give you play by play action here for this epically stacked and packed professional wrestling extravaganza!

Mary DeSue: And I am here to take your pay for my views Mary DeSue!

Arthur La Forge: Mary are you actually cosplaying a wrestler for the first time?

Mary DeSue: Yeah. I figured if Jamie Prestley can make this character look good with her ancient ass why can't I?

Arthur La Forge: Oh we're gonna get a lawsuit from that. MOVING ON! Tonight we got a stacked card for sure.

Mary DeSue: Another twelve match nightmare?

Arthur La Forge: No.

Mary DeSue: Oh Good...maybe I can get out early and buy some...

Arthur La Forge: An Eleven Match Extravaganza!

Mary DeSue: I hate you sometimes.

Arthur La Forge: Making their debut tonight as a tag team in Level Up is going to be the team of SEB and Sloane Taylor taking on those wascaly widicilous Waluigis Dude Waluigi and everyone's favorite...WANK!

Mary DeSue: A barn burner for sure...as in I wanna burn this barn of an arena down so I can get out of Florida as fast as possible.

Arthur La Forge: What's wrong with Florida?

We see Mary staring at the RADtron and we see Princess Waluigi with a butcher knife making a slicing motion.

Mary DeSue: Oh um...damn mosquitoes...yeah...and gators.

Arthur La Forge: Ohhhh Kayyy...After that we got another multiplayer match between Miss Michelle Riggs and Paul Montouri taking on the makeshift team of "The Wisdom Champion" Buster Gloves and "The Game Genie Holder" Peter Vaughn.

Mary DeSue: Will Vaughn finally cash in and stop all this anticipation?

Arthur La Forge: Stay tuned to find out folks. Also "Son of Thiccness" Donny Mason and Lord Raab will take on Stephen and Demi Stratford in another Multiplayer Match.

Mary DeSue: It's almost like Trent Steel is desperate to build that division.

Arthur La Forge: We got some solo matches right after that with Amber Payne taking on newcomer Hero Mullins, and "The Power Champion" Larry Tact taking on Guy Manson in a non title singles match as well.

Mary DeSue: Larry's going to have to touch Guy Manson...Trent's being so cruel to "The Tactful One".

Arthur La Forge: More likely paying him back for running his mouth again. After that we got one half of "The Multiplayer Gauntlet" Champions, Brody Adams taking on Ziggy Morgan, followed by "Dollface" Sarah Wolf taking on Samantha Voxx.

Mary DeSue: I swear I'm gonna need a program just to keep all these new people straight.

Arthur La Forge: Then we got two Skeleton Key Qualifiers to get through. The first being Emily Simms taking on Dane Preston taking on Jason Ryan taking on Jack Sullivan. Followed by Paul Freedom taking on Chelsea Skye taking on Catalina Cortes taking on Ricky Rodriguez. The winners of these matches will advance to "The Skeleton Key Match" at "Super Adventure Island" along with ISSAC and whomever will be our Final Boss Champion after tonight's main event...

Mary DeSue: But before that EAB and Drake Wilcox of "The Game Changers" will be beating the hell out of Kat Jones and Dionysus in a multiplayer match.

Arthur La Forge: Leading to tonight's main event! "Final Boss Champion" Duncan Shepard will be taking on one half of "The Multiplayer Gauntlets" champions, Eli Goode, in a match to see who will be the Final Boss going into Super Adventure Island. If Eli wins, Duncan Shepard will be the final competitor in "The Skeleton Key Match", but if Duncan somehow powers through Eli then we will have one more qualifying match next week on EXP Twenty Seven!

Mary DeSue: Is that all tonight?

Arthur La Forge: Along with more chills, thrills, and surprises we have not considered possible yet. Let's do it to it!

Mary DeSue: Let's go! I got stuff to do!

---

Sloane Taylor & Sebastian Everett-Bryce vs. The wWo

Dude WaLuigi starts the match out with SEB, who immediately picks the leg and forces him down, before applying a heel hook. DW wants to strut again, so he thinks about tapping, but instead squirms and gets to the ropes. SEB lets Dude get to his feet and they lockup, but SEB hits a kneelift and then a Saito suplex! It dumps Dude right on his head. Then just for the hell of it, SEB hoists DW up and hits a belly to belly suplex that plants him right in front of Sloane! SEB tags in The Final Girl and she seems eager to show what she can do to the LU faithful.

Arthur La Forge: And we’re kicking things off with the power couple of Sloane Taylor and Sebastian Everett-Bryce, doing the standard LU initiation.

Mary DeSue: Murdering WaLuigis?

Arthur La Forge: It’s a rite of passage.

Sloane actually waits for DW to get up, to her credit, and then locks hands with him. Dude seems rather pleased at this turn of events, but less so when she slaps him across the chest with a chop. She then does some flippy-doo lucha stuff by running up the ropes and corkscrewing off, landing on her feet and hitting an arm drag. The LU crowd pops for this, so it seems to do what she intended. Dude lands near WANK, who reaches over and tags himself in.

Arthur La Forge: We’ve learned that WANK is…well…

WANK immediately begins to gyrate in Sloane’s direction.

Mary DeSue: That.

Arthur La Forge: I am so sorry, ladies and gentlemen.

Sloane takes no offense to this, instead taking a step back and hitting WANK with a superkick! She then waits until he’s starting to get up and as he does, she hits the SEEING STARS, a 720 kick to the back of the head! With WANK going absolutely nowhere, Sloane moves over and tags in SEB, who immediately runs and knocks Dude WaLuigi off the apron, just as he was finally getting up.

Arthur La Forge: Here we go, the beginning of the end.

Mary DeSue: Maybe they’ll make it quick?

Sloane lifts up WANK and shoves him off into an EMPIRE KICK from SEB! Sloane climbs up top and looks back briefly, before driving off and hitting HEAD IN THE CLOUDS on WANK! For some added showmanship, she immediately runs and does a plancha onto Dude (landing on her feet) while SEB covers!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!

Mr. Rad: Your winners of the match…SLOANE TAYLOR and SEBASTIAN-EVERETT BRYCE!

Arthur La Forge: The ritual has been completed. Welcome to Level Up, you two!

Mary DeSue: SEB kicked ass in The Last of Us two years in a row and now he’s brought his badass girlfriend with him? I feel sorry for everyone else on the roster.

---

We see Jason Ryan backstage, a Level Up interviewer by his side, microphone in hand.

Interviewer: Hi there, folks! My name is Goomba Redshirt and I’m the new interviewer for Level Up Wrestling! I’m not sure why they gave me that name, but I’ve got Jason Ryan here! Jason, last week after coming up short against Buster Gloves, you attacked Dude Walugi. However, Amber Payne would get involved and would suffer your fury as well. Can you explain your actions?

Jason says nothing at first, just glares at Goomba with venom in his eyes.

Jason Ryan: You dare speak to me without my permission first?

Before Goomba can say anything, Jason smacks him across the mouth, and hits him with the PTFO! Jason then plants a foot on the interviewer’s chest and picks up the microphone.

Jason Ryan: So you simpletons watching want to know why I attacked two nobodies do ya? Simple. Because I can. That’s it. Because I can. I can beat the shit out of anyone I want, I can do what I want and everyone gets one option. Do absolutely nothing to stop me and like it. I for one, hate Dude Waluigi with every fiber of my being. Hell I hate every single Waluigi. You want to know why? Because they are treated better than me! A stupid ass comedy act that’s not even remotely clever or amusing gets better treatment than a man who has main evented Madison Square Garden! And you people sit there, you clap and you laugh because it takes zero effort to amuse you. The fact they are permitted to be in this federation, the fact they’re allowed to be in wrestling is proof this business isn’t worth its weight in shit. And the fact you people love them yet hate me pisses me off. And speaking of those that piss me off, let’s talk about the poster child for birth control, Amber Payne.

Goomba groans causing Jason to down at him and stomps on his throat several times

Jason Ryan: Shut up! You don’t get to say anything! Stop taking attention off me!

Jason then looks back up at the camera.

Jason Ryan: Amber, the next time you even think about attacking me, I swear to whatever god you believe in, I will split your skull open and damage your brain even further than it already is! Who the hell do you think you are?! The only reason you’re not in the hospital right now is that our little bout was broken up. Otherwise, I’d still be kicking your ass! You know what? Since you want to be a hero, fine. You are officially on my shit list. And since the act of thinking is too much for you, allow me to explain what that means. Don’t worry, I’ll try my best to go slooooooowwwwww for you. Try your best to pay attention. The never-ending bad joke you call a career, it’s on borrowed time. I am sentencing it to death row. Every time you and I are so much as in the same room, I am going to kick your yellow teeth down your throat and smack you even more cross-eyed than you already are! Your head is my new hacky sack. Don’t get used to being back Amber Payne. I promise you, you won’t be around for long.

With one final glare at the interviewer he just assaulted, Jason storms off.

Arthur La Forge: Jason Ryan with some harsh words for Amber Payne and honestly the whole roster of Level Up!

Mary DeSue: Poor new guy…wait…why didn’t Lenny do that interview?

Arthur La Forge: He said something about being at a youth retreat so he’d be a little late…I think someone up high is looking out for him honestly after that attack.

Mary DeSue: The people in charge of making flights like Lenny?

Arthur La Forge: MOVING ON…

---

Guy Manson vs. Larry Tact

Tact sneers across the ring at Guy Manson who looks a little more focused than usual. Not too terribly much, but still focused. As Tact begins to circle Manson, the two go for a tie up and Mason leaps up, snatching on a headlock and overexcitedly wrenching on Tact’s head, almost looking to be having some sort of seizure as he cinches the hold in. Eventually, Tact fires him into the ropes but Manson ducks a clothesline! Then another! Then another! Tact stops, stepping aside and sure enough Manson keeps running the ropes and ducking invisible clotheslines!

Arthur La Forge: Larry Tact is one of the most mentally prepared and tactful, no pun intended, professional wrestlers I’ve ever seen, but even he has got to be baffled at how he’s gonna strategize against Guy Manson!

Mary DeSue: Step one. Hit the idiot. Step two. Pin him. Step three. Profit!

Eventually, Tact steps forward and simply stuck a foot out to trip Guy Man Son before dropping a knee across the back of his head, and mounting the odd fighter to rain down stiff right hands on the back of his head. Larry locks in a rear naked choke that seems to shoot Guy to life, as he suddenly finds a vertical base and begins snatching wildly toward the ropes..BUT HE GRABS ONTO REF KIRBY! Manson seems to be imploring the referee for help, but the mess of human bodies stumble into the ropes. Kirby evades disaster and forces Tact to break the hold.

Arthur La Forge: I mean…it works…

Mary DeSue: …I’m as shocked as you are.

Guy turns around, hisses like a cat and leaps on Tact! He takes Tact to the ground and begins raining down rights and lefts, a mix of punches of open palm strikes until he leans down and bites down on Tact’s face! Kirby admonishes Guy but Tact handles his own with a quick throat chop. He gets to his feet and spacks Guy onto his head with a big backdrop driver! Tact goes for the pin.

One!

NO! GUY KICKS OUT WITH AUTHORITY!

Arthur La Forge: …MOTHER BRAIN!! What the hell has gotten in to Guy Manson!

Mary DeSue: He got his so hard he woke himself back up!

Guy stares wide-eyed at Larry Tact, he begins to speak in tongues! Larry goes to punch him, but it doesn’t seem to affect Guy! He gets to his feet and begins paintbrushing Tact with open palm strikes! He ducks another swing by Tact and nails a european uppercut! A codebreaker! Tact falls back int othe ropes! Incensed he charges in but..PURPLE MIST BY GUY MANSON!! Tact wipes desperately at his eyes, Kirby freaks out..Guy rolls up Tact!

ONE!

TWO!!

NO, LARRY REVERSES IT AND MANSONS SHOULDERS ARE ON THE MAT!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!

Mr. Rad: HERE is your winner…LARRY TACT!

Arthur La Forge: Pure instinct is the only way that Larry could have pulled that off after getting misted in the eyes with that purple mist!

Mary DeSue: Someone get the EMT’s out here! Your “Power Champion” is hurt badly!

Larry gets free and begins demanding water for his eyes, seemingly in some kind of agony from the mist. Guy Man Son meanwhile is still rolling like he has Tact in the schoolboy pin, desperately trying to reverse a move that’s already been escaped.

---

Sarah Wolf was not a “welcome mat” sort of woman, that is to say that she is not a welcoming woman. She doesn’t conjure the scent of fresh baked goods as you enter the door, she does not inspire a sense of warmth and welcoming when times are tough. No, no one with even minimal brain function would ever look to Sarah and think to themselves that this is an approachable woman. Which is why upon sensing a disturbance in the air behind her Sarah Wolf found herself mildly confused and mightily irritated at the presence at her back. She’d done a lot of things and certainly deserved a lot of things but as she searched the day's interactions she could not think of one single thing that she had done to deserve small talk.

She speaks without turning, not because she doesn’t want to see the source of the heat radiating at her back but because she is hoping that with any luck she can rectify the situation without having to expend the energy it would take to turn around and face some yokel unworthy of the expansion of the energy in the first place.

Sarah Wolf: The doctors tell me it can be transmitted by air. Best to scurry along.

There is no reply, only the faint tickling of a sharpened fingernail trailing down the nape of Sarah’s exposed neck. Sarah’s body moves like a human explosion, whirling around to pin the interloper to the concrete wall beside them with a forearm to their neck, her lips pulled back into a snarl that exposes the sharpened jagged puzzle pieces left of her teeth. The interloper smiles up at Sarah, who makes a disgusted face at Demi Stratford who she has now pinned to the wall.

Sarah Wolf: Thought I smelled stale jizz and self importance. Should have known it was you.

Demi smirks, blinking innocently up at Sarah as she lifts her hands to lightly pull the other woman’s arm down to rest on her decolletage as opposed to her throat so that she can speak.

Demi Stratford: Now is that anyway to speak to a family friend? You keep that up and pretty soon no one will want to talk to you at all.

Demi casually reaches up to gently trail a fingertip along the underside of Sarah’s jaw making a muffled sound as Sarah grounds her arm painfully into the other woman’s chest, bearing her full weight down on her. The smaller porcelain woman smiles, writhing provocatively underneath her added weight.

Sarah Wolf: What do you want, Girl Dane?

It’s clear by this point that Sarah is growing increasingly irritated with the flippant Demi who is no longer making eye contact with her but idly stroking the arm pinning her to the wall. She raises her eyes, blinking long lashes at the other woman.

Demi Stratford: It occurs to me that I’ve not had the opportunity to apologize for my role in your… little ordeal. Truth be told, I was starting to feel a little guilty but it looks like you escaped relatively unscathed.

The “little ordeal” in reference was the event that tore apart the woman who had been Sarah Wolf and remade her into the Doll. Abduction, captivity, assault, torture, rape. Weeks went by and Sarah could have sworn that she was already dead and the atrocities being dealt to her were nothing more than an elaborate illusion in the mere seconds preceding infinite darkness. She could have sworn it. She beckoned it even, whispering to true death in the sweetest words that she knew if only it would come close enough for her to reach out and grasp it. But it did not come and she did not die. Not in any way that she had hoped for, at least.

Sarah Wolf had done nothing to deserve the fate that befell her. By all accounts, Sarah was a model citizen. Beloved girlfriend, successful business partner, cherished big sister, protected little sister. She was the rock in which the Wolf/Black family had clung to when the storms of life threatened to carry them all away. Sarah was the thread holding it all together. The businesses, the family, every single thing important to the Wolf/Black family persisted because Sarah carefully tended it. A woman whose only crime in a lifetime was building an empire brick by brick with the sheer immensity of her love.

Love. That’s what it always comes down to, isn’t it? Love was the reason that Sarah Wolf had to be destroyed and strangely enough it was love that inspired Stephen Stratford to set out on a path to destroy this innocent woman in the first place. Love for the woman that had built his entire world brick by brick with the immensity of her love.

Sarah and Demi were two sides of the same coin, in the end your opinion of who had been wronged only came down to your preference between heads and tails.

Sarah dropped her arm away from Demi’s caressing hands but she did not step back, to step away from the other woman would have been a sign of weakness and Sarah Wolf was anything but weak. Demi in turn closed the space between them, pressing their bodies up against each other in one long line from breast to thigh, placing her delicate hands on the swell of Sarah’s hips. Sarah did not flinch, she’d played chicken with far worse than Demi Stratford.

Sarah Wolf: Looking for something new to ride to the top already?

Demi Stratford: Don’t be ridiculous, Sarah. If I were interested in success I’d be talking to one of your brothers.

Demi pauses, turning her face upwards toward the other woman, slowly leaning in.

Demi Stratford: I know what it’s like to be an outsider, too. How lonely it can be to stand on the fringe of a world that you so desperately want to be a part of but cannot step into. How… maddening it can be to have no one.

Her voice has lowered to a whisper, secrets breathed out only for the woman in front of her to hear as their lips are a hard breath away from touching.

Sarah Wolf: For the record, I’ve never liked you.

Demi smiles.

Demi Stratford: And you never will.

And with that unsettling promise the smaller woman brushes her lips against the tattooed fury in front of her. Sarah does not react in any visible way, only parts her lips to return what was given.

---

Peter Vaughn & Buster Gloves vs. Michelle Riggs & Paul Montouri

Arthur La Forge: What is this?

Mary DeSue: An embarrassment is what it is!

The match hasn't started yet but as Buster Gloves theme song dies down we see he's wearing a set of workman's coveralls. With a white name tag, that reads ‘Buster’ in red. Vaughn’s shirt has a CCPE patch on the right breast. Buster’s just has the word ‘Prospect’ on his. Paul Montouri is laughing hysterically at how these two are dressed. "Miss" Michelle and Paul keep cackling and trashtalking the two men in their workman's outfits.

Arthur La Forge: Such high class from "The King" and "Queen" there.

Mary DeSue: Hey. They know what cloth they are cut from, and so does Vaughn and Buster...their cloth just happens to be burlap.

Arthur La Forge: Don't mention burlap! We haven't seen Ataxia for weeks and I don't wanna chance it!

Vaughn will start off the match for his team as Montouri will start off for his. Montouri keeps talking smack as Referee Cortez calls for the bell.

DING! DING! DING!

...And VAUGHN BACKHANDS Montouri IN THE MOUTH!!!

Arthur La Forge: Did he just pimp smack Paul Montouri?

Mary DeSue: I have been waiting months to say this again but I don't think Sidroy will mind...THIS BESMIRCHMENT WILL NOT STAND!!

Montouri takes the slap and shakes his head for a moment and starts wailing on Vaughn who responds in kind as this crowd gets on it's feet cheering the display of aggression from both superstars as they start using each other's faces as haymaker practice! Vaughn goes to the well one to many times and misses a shot to Montouri's face. Montouri decides to take the low road and hits a legsweep shining wizard combo on Vaughn. Montouri gets up and bows to the crowd as he leaps up and drops and elbow into Vaughn's sternum! He picks up Vaughn and tosses him into the corner. Roundhouse kick to the face followed by his own slap to Vaughn!

Arthur La Forge: Tit for Tat right there from Paul Montouri.

Mary DeSue: The only tit you're gonna see on this show.

Montouri runs back and goes for a running knee to the face in the corner, but Vaughn sidesteps him. Montouri's knee hits the top turnbuckle pad and he falls down grabbing his knee. Vaughn, ever the oppurtunist, grabs Montouri's knee and slams it into the mat hard and then drags him over to their corner. He tags in Buster Gloves and then runs across hitting "Miss" Michelle in the face with "Get Out Of My Ring!" sending Michelle to the outside. Referee Cortez gets in Vaughn's face as Buster grabs Montouri's bad leg and drags it to the bottom rope. Buster goes up top and does a pinpoint elbow drop from the second rope. Montouri howls out in pain as he rolls towards his corner. Michelle is just now getting back up and rushes to the corner as Buster grabs the back of Montouri's ankle. ANKLE LOCK! LOCKED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!

Arthur La Forge: That ankle lock is locked in and Buster is not one to let go!

Mary DeSue: You can't treat a King like this!

Montouri is in a bad spot as Buster has that ankle lock locked in dead center and Montouri can't get to Michelle to tag in. Fans start chanting...

"TAP OUT KING! TAP OUT KING! TAP OUT KING!"

And apparently Michelle took that personally as she charges into the ring and goes for a spinning heel kick to Buster's face, but Buster ducks. Buster lets go of Montouri and hits the ropes himself. On the rebound Buster charges at Michelle and...SPINEBUSTER!!! Vaughn charges in, but referee Cortez gets in his way and orders Michelle out of the ring which she complies. Montouri is crawling to his corner as Buster tries to shake the cobwebs out of the amazing feat of such a move being pulled off by a smaller opponent. Montouri gets to the corner and tags in Michelle just as Buster gets up with his back to their corner going to tag in Vaughn. "Broken Dreams"!!! The reverse hurricanrana to The Wisdom Champion! Cover!

One...

BROKEN UP BY VAUGHN WITH A DIVE ON TOP OF MICHELLE!!

Arthur La Forge: AIR VAUGHN!!

Mary DeSue: Just about as outdated as the wrestler himself.

Vaughn quickly gets out of the ring and back to his position, slamming his hand on the turnbuckle post to get the fans riled up for Buster. Buster gets up. He goes to tag in Vaughn. He gets grabbed from behind by Michelle. She goes for a headscissors but Buster catches her...POWERBOMB! Tag into Vaughn! He picks up Michelle...SNAP DDT! Cover..

One...

Two...

BREAKUP BY Montouri!!

Arthur La Forge: "The King" is not gonna let this stand.

Mary DeSue: With Vaughn and Buster I wouldn't stand for it either!

Montouri hobbles back up and gets to the corner as Vaughn gets up from the shot to the back of the head he just got. He runs forward and hits "Get Out Of My Ring!!" on Montouri! He turns around only to get hit hard by Michelle hitting a flying cross body into the corner! Michelle grabs the back of Vaughn's head. Bulldog! She heads up top to go for a moonsault...Vaughn rolls out of the way! Michelle hits the mat and grabs her ankle. Vaughn quickly tags in Buster. Both men grab Michelle and toss her into the ropes...DOUBLE BRAINBUSTER!! Vaughn see's Montouri trying to get in and rushes over to hit him with a clothesline to knock him off the ring apron! Vaughn goes up top..."The Plunge" to the outside! Buster, not to be outdone, goes to the top rope...a rarity for the Wisdom Champion...He hits...a sorta off center top rope elbow drop!

ONE...

TWO...

THREE!!!

Mr. Rad: The winners of this bout...The team of Peter Vaughn and Buster Gloves!!

Arthur La Forge: And this makeshift team pulls out a win!

Mary DeSue: Well sometimes random combinations work...look at our current Multiplayer Chumps.

Arthur La Forge: You mean...nope you meant Chumps...

We see Paul Montouri checking on Michelle and he motions for EMT's to come down as they check on his queen.

Arthur La Forge: Uh oh. It looks like Michelle's neck might have took some damage from that double brainbuster.

Mary DeSue: I hope "The Queen" is alright.

---

Referee Cortez raises the arms of Gloves and Vaughn as they chalk up a victory against ‘The Kingdom’. Gloves gives Vaughn a quick fist bump before signaling to the timekeeper's table. At first the ring attendant starts bringing over the Wisdom Championship, but Buster stops him and asks for a microphone instead. The attendant quickly returns with a mic. Buster reaches through the ropes to grab it. He flips it in his hand and pats it to confirm that it’s working. Peter Vaughn rolls his eyes for a moment as he instructs the ring attendant to hand him the Cheat Code Game Genie. Referee Cortez remains on hand, just in case Vaughn decides to cash in his title shot. Buster begins to address the crowd… and the locker room.

Buster Gloves:How about that, folks? The Mechanic, "Superstar" Peter Vaughn, and "The Bull of the North", Wisdom Champ, Buster Gloves, together in the ring.

Buster looks at Vaughn and give him a head nod.

Buster Gloves: Peter, it’s been an honor. You’re every bit of the wrestler that you promised to be. You have my respect. In the future, should you need a tag team partner, I’ll have your back. With that said, I won’t be the least bit angry should you decide to cash in that Cheat Code and challenge me for the Wisdom Championship. We will meet in the ring one day, but I don’t think today’s the day. Your Boss, Chronis Chris Page set us up because he wants to know if I have what it takes to be CCPE material. I hope I haven’t disappointed.

To this, Peter Vaughn can only cock his head, smile and rub the Game Genie in his hands.

Buster Gloves: Fact of the matter is, you and I, we’re cut from the same cloth. We are unbeatable. Since you’ve been in Level Up, all you’ve done is win. It’s impressive to be honest. I know it, you know it, this capacity crowd in Miami knows it.

Cheap hometown pop.

Arthur La Forge: Well the crowd is agreeable at least...

Mary DeSue: These people would cheer for Floridaman.

Buster Gloves: I’m not one to brag, but I think it’s time we start talking about my record in Level Up. All I’ve done is win. No matter who they put in front of me, I put in the work, I perform for the fans, and the results speak for themselves. Twelve wins at Level Up. Nobody has been able to beat me in a real match since I got here. And that’s not going to change.

Just then, a familiar song begins to play in the arena. “Hells Bells” by AC/DC and out from behind the stage curtain appears Donny Mason. He has a mic in hand.

Arthur La Forge: You know that meme of heard you were talking crap...well here it is in real time!

Mary DeSue: Quiet you! "Son of Thiccness" is speaking...

Donny Mason: Ya know. I sat there listening to you and realized that what you were saying wasn’t exactly truthful, Buster.. You have lost a match. You got beat by yours truly and Pops. Or rather,. Mr. Old School Cool, Don Tirri.

Just then, Don Tirri appears from the curtain and is welcomed by a roar from the Level Up crowd, accompanied by his theme, “Ace of Spades” by Motörhead. Tirri isn’t holding a Microphone, he’s just standing shoulder to shoulder with his son, arms folded, and a smirk on his face. The two men nod to each other and Donny turns his attention back to Buster.

Arthur La Forge: A Blast From The Past for sure!

Mary DeSue: "THE THICCNESS" IS IN THE HOUSE!!

Donny Mason: You see Buster, everyone knows that I haven’t had too much success in Levelup. But out of all the people in this company, there is one man I KNOW I can beat. Because I’ve done it before. And that man? That is you. So. Here’s my suggestion Mr. Wisdom Champ. Put that nice and shiny belt of yours on the line at Super Adventure Island and let's see if you’re better One-on-One. I mean, correct me if I’m wrong mate, but you don’t have a match lined up. And As it stands, I’m the one guy in the roster who has a win over you.

Donny gives a small smirk.

Donny Mason: Or are you afraid you’ll end up YEETed to the 6th row and end up with a reign that belongs more in the Courage-category than Wisdom? Balls in your court!

Buster Gloves is nodding his head in agreement.

Buster Gloves: You want a match? You want a match with the "Bull of the North"? Is that what Miami wants?

The crowd starts a ‘yes! yes! yes!’ chant. Buster asks the ring attendant for the Wisdom Championship and is handed it quickly.

Buster Gloves: Donny, you and I joined Level Up at the same time. You, me, Joey Crash, Victoria Salinas. All four, championship material. We were the new pillars of Level Up. I beat Salinas. I beat Crash. And you’re right… you and I are tied at 1 win apiece. I think it's time we found out which one of the new pillars is the top of the class. I’ll give you your match. At Super Adventure Island. And I’ll put the Wisdom Championship on the line. But it’ll be on my own terms. Next week in <INSERT EXP 27 CITY NAME>, I’ll give you my terms, and if you’re still feeling froggy, you can sign a contract for that match. How does that sound, you big, beautiful, bastard?

Donny Mason smiles big a wide as he nods his head and surveys the excitement in the crowd. Don Tirri pats him on the shoulder. Donny slowly brings the mic back to his face.

Donny Mason: See you next week, Pal.

The fans cheer at the anticipation for next week as Peter Vaughn and Buster Gloves exit the ring and head to back as Donny Mason and Don Tirri head backstage as well.

Arthur La Forge: A contract signing at EXP Twenty Seven folks...don't miss it!

Mary DeSue: Buster just sealed his own fate...He's going down to "Son of Thiccness" for sure!

---

A camera is rushing past guerilla position and down the hallway, where it turns into a trainer's room. Larry Tact is sitting on a table after his match, with a medical team member wiping his face with a towel. On a table adjacent to him is the man who just had a match with him, Guy Man Son. Guy is squatting in an owling position on the training table, dipping a white stick into a packet of Wonka Fun Dip. Larry’s hairline is stained purple from Guy Man Son’s mist, as is the towel the medical staffer wipes around his eyes. Tact looks a little dazed as he blinks several times. Guy Man Son finishes the Fun Dip by holding it up in the air and dumping its sugary contents directly into his mouth.

We pick up mid-conversation between Larry and Guy.

Larry Tact: Yeah, think about what I said. I’d love for you to be on the team, and I can explain to the boys. Who else has shaken up people with their presence more than you? It’s a natural fit for a Game Changer. We can support your goals, too. It’ll be a real kick in the teeth.

Guy cocks his head at an odd angle. Then again in the other direction.

Guy Manson: Affirmative.

Larry smiles as if he just found $1000 in someone else’s wallet on the sidewalk. Guy springs off the table and lands in wide posture, elbows out as if to let his armpits breathe. He locks eyes with Larry Tact, smiles, then side shuffles out the doorway and into the unknown.

Medical Staffer: Do you have any pain around the eyes, blurred vision, or unusual sensation?

Larry Tact: No, I feel fine. What was the reason for this again?

Medical Staffer: You… don’t remember what happened?

Tact looks with some annoyance at the staffer, but shrugs it off.

Larry Tact: I was wrestling a match with my friend, Guy, and then… things got a little fuzzy.

Medical Staffer: It’s alright, that’s actually a side effect we’ve noticed from the purple mist.

Larry Tact: Where does purple mist come from?

Medical Staffer: From… Guy Man Son. He sprayed it in your face.

Tact snaps his fingers, laughing.

Larry Tact: Oh, right, I get it. I’m sure it was an accident. Guy means well, he’s just got a different way of showing it.

The Medical Staffer cocks his head momentarily, then clicks off his ocular flashlight and straightens.

Medical Staffer: I guess there’s no harm other than your memory. It’s probably from the mist, but we can do a follow-up scan to rule out a concussion.

Larry Tact: Better to be safe than sorry.

Larry ‘pats’ the staffer on the shoulder, with full force. It takes the staffer by surprise and nearly sends him to the ground, but for grabbing Tact’s arm.

Larry Tact: Whoops! I went a little overboard. Sorry, friend, didn’t realize my own strength.

He laughs and the staffer gives him an odd look as he dusts himself off.

Medical Staffer: Right, and uh, Larry… you’ve never called me ‘friend’ before, nor… anyone here. You’ve been notorious for going to your own doctors, and disregarding us. Are you sure you feel alright?

Now it’s Tact who tilts his head to one side and clicks his tongue.

Larry Tact: You all make sure the place holds together. Mostly with bandages and duct tape, am I right?

He laughs and almost smacks the staffer on the shoulder again, before stopping himself and flashing a lopsided grin.

Larry Tact: I appreciate the concern, but I feel awesome. Just being here to compete and have support from everyone? This is awesome.

Larry hops off the table and struts down the hallway. The camera follows as he turns a corner and sees the men’s locker room, and exiting is “Caballo Diablo” Ziggy Morgan. Larry gives a friendly wave as he calls out and approaches.

Larry Tact: Hey, Ziggy! Hey, over here, hombre…

He walks right up to Ziggy, still grinning.

Larry Tact: I was thinking about you earlier, and it’s such a coincidence we happen to run into each other. I wanted to talk to you about something, and I guess convenience breeds conversation, right?

Ziggy Morgan: I…reckon?

Ziggy furrows his brow suspiciously at Larry, clutching the concession beer in one hand and tilting his head slightly, one brow coming loose long enough to arch.

Ziggy Morgan: Can’t imagine we got a lot of common ground for it though, Mister Tact.

Larry Tact: I was told I've been a bit hard on your friend, Arturo. I may have cut a bit deep, if you know what I mean?

Ziggy Morgan: Reckon so..

Larry steps close to Ziggy, his grin fading as they are almost nose-to-nose. Larry looks him dead in the eyes.

Larry Tact: That said, Arturo did try and make it more than just banter. He got personal… and if your buddy took offense to what I said, and thought taking it in that direction was the tactful response? Well, you go tell him…

Larry abruptly moves back, and the grin returns as Larry shrugs.

Larry Tact: I'm sorry! I can see where I may have taken it too far, and he reacted a certain way. Tactfully speaking, I should be the first to apologize here.

Ziggy Morgan: Well that's..mighty big of you Larry. I appreciate that and know it ain't easy to say. I accept it and I'm sure Arturo will, too.

Larry Tact: I haven't forgotten our match for the Power title, either. You showed plenty of heart and guts, a combination not everyone has. It makes me wonder, where do you see your future in Level Up?

He puts an arm around Ziggy's shoulder, looking out and making a broad gesture with his other hand.

Larry Tact: Imagine how much faster you could get there, with some backup. I'm not talking about interference – in fact, I'll prove it tonight. EAB and Drake will be on their own. I'm talking about a cohesive unit, people pulling in the same direction for a common cause. We don't need a Game Genie to fast track. We do it with our efforts, our hands at work.

He moves away again and extends a hand to Ziggy.

Larry Tact: How'd you like to be apart of something like that?

Just then a security guard interrupts the surreal conversation between Larry and Ziggy.

Security: Hey Ziggy, we're going to need you down in the parking area, there's a problem with one of your horses. Guy Man Son saw someone feeding the horse sugar cubes and started fighting the horses over them. It's getting out of control. Can you come with me please?

Larry Tact: Oh ho, man! That Guy can’t sit still for one moment, can he? We’re going to have to find him some brain teasers to unravel.

Ziggy Morgan: Larry, let's continue this conversation later after your meds have worn off. If you're still feeling so amicable, maybe we can work something out."

Larry shouts to Ziggy as he runs off towards the horse Vs Man Son fight.

Larry Tact: You take care now Ziggy… “pardner!” Talk to you soon!

Larry puts his hands on his hips and chuckles in amusement before turning to walk off when he sees Trent Steel is talking to the backstage doctor.

Trent Steel: Larry…Doc says you’re a bit out of it. Do you want me to call you an ambulance to take you to the hospital?

Larry Tact: Trent? Trent! It is you. No need, I'm feeling my oats and dude, I cannot wait to tell you what's going on. The Game Changers are about to get an influx of new, talented wrestlers. I know what you're thinking, a headache for you, right? Don't worry because we are gonna show you what we're capable of with our might. No interference in the multiplayer match.

He goes to give a pat on the shoulder to Trent, who sidesteps. Larry shrugs and gives a thumbs up.

Larry Tact: At Super Adventure Island, we've got Power and Courage to take on the opposition. Level Up with the Game Changers will be a place you're proud of leading. You'll see just like Ziggy and Guy will, before they jump aboard and we all make our group a bellwether for the greatest talents to come and test themselves.

Trent gives Larry a cocked eyebrow stare for a moment as he sighs.

Trent Steel: You want to add to your little fan club of idjits, be my guest. However, as your boss…you either go to the hospital at the end of the night or see a doctor tomorrow morning. Or you aren’t cleared to wrestle and you forfeit your title. Do you understand me?

Larry holds up his hands in a pleading gesture.

Larry Tact: Hey, whoa! Sorry, not trying to ruffle your feathers. You know I'd tell you if I had an issue, health or otherwise. I'll get checked out later, but trust me, I'm feeling better than Guy Man Son after he saw that horse had sugar cubes he could get. I bet he wins that fight, too.

Larry smiles.

Larry Tact: Maybe you'd feel better if I told you that I'll go smooth things over with Kat Jones? Let bygones be bygones and wish her well. I can do that for you, Trent, because I want you to see how legitimate a champion I am.

He extends his hand for a handshake. Trent looks at Larry’s hand for a moment and then shakes it.

Trent Steel: All right, but remember one thing Larry. Kiss up to me or try to pick a fight with me. Doesn’t matter. You. Work. For. Level. Up. Keep trying to push my buttons and I promise you a difficulty you can’t cheat your way out of! Go get medically cleared or you can be at Super Adventure Island in the audience only.

Trent walks off pulling out his walkie talkie to talk to the rest of the show runners as he heads back through the backstage area.

---

Donny Mason & Lord Raab vs. Stephen & Demi Stratford

Arthur LaForge: Folks, it’s time—

Mary DeSue: For our resident THICCNESS!!

Arthur LaForge: … Also known as our Multiplayer match featuring Lord Raab and Donny Mason, whom Mary introduced, taking on the Stratfords, Demi and Stephen. You’ll never get tired of fawning, will you?

Mary DeSue: How could you get rid of the gift that keeps on flexing?

Donny and Stephen are in the ring to start the match. There’s a collar-and-elbow tieup that results in Donny shoving Stephen to the mat. Donny then slaps his chest a couple times and flexes at both Stratfords to a pop from the crowd. Stephen comes right back and Donny goes for another tieup but Stephen goes behind and lands a couple kicks to the back of Donny’s knee. Mason suddenly rips off a spinning backfist and Stephen avoids it at the last second. Donny looks at where Stephen was standing, only to find he is no longer there. Stratford bounces off the ropes (blind tag by Demi!) behind Mason and launches with a dropkick to the back of Donny’s same knee. Donny goes to a knee and Stephen kips up and goes off the ropes again while Demi charges Donny from behind…

Stereo Running Knee Strikes to Donny’s head land simultaneously and Mason collapses to the mat as Demi makes a cover!

ONE!

TW—DONNY THROWS HER OFF!

Arthur LaForge: Some nice tandem offense from the Stratfords there.

Mary DeSue: I heard they’re married, so I guess that’s a perk.

Arthur LaForge: Would you call it a marital mashup?

Mary DeSue: No, that just sounds lame, Artie. I would never say anything like that.

Mason is back up quickly and finds Demi… sitting on the top rope? Curling her finger repeatedly, she invites Donny to advance and he does just that. Demi waits for the last second and backflips to kick Donny and land on the apron smoothly. Mason staggers back but charges Demi once more, and she dives off weighing the top rope down to send Mason tumbling over to the floor while Demi ‘skins the cat’ to return into the ring.

Arthur LaForge: Demi and Stephen seem to be outmaneuvering the opposition at this point.

Mary DeSue: They’re playing games but when Donny gets ahold of them, he’ll be playing THICC CHESS!

Arthur LaForge: I don’t know what you mean by that, and I don’t think I need to.

Donny gets up a little frustrated by the early events of the match, and slides back into the ring. Demi had tagged in Stephen and the two attack with stereo dropkicks. Donny stays on his feet and the duo repeats but Donny sidesteps and tosses Demi out of the ring. He turns to find Stephen diving at him with a Flying Forearm— Donny cuts him down with a Big Boot that flips Stephen over onto the mat! Donny picks Stephen up and promptly follows-up with a Sidewalk Slam. He then ascends the top turnbuckle and begins walking the top rope… Crashing Down! The Ropewalk Moonsault lands on Stephen and Donny goes for a pin!

ONE!

TWO!

STEPHEN KICKS OUT!

Arthur LaForge: A startling show of athleticism by Donny Mason.

Mary DeSue: We should be congratulating my main THICC boi, Artie. He’s a World Champion elsewhere!

Arthur LaForge: I did hear about that, and it’s even more impressive given Donny is still just getting his career underway. I would think he’s got his eyes on becoming Final Boss sooner than later.

Mary DeSue: He would be the Final THICC Boss!

Arthur LaForge: Do you have to shout that?

Mary DeSue: I think it’s in my contract… maybe…

Donny locks Stephen’s arm up and tags Lord Raab into the match. The Green Disease German Monster lands a European Uppercut while Donny holds Stephen but traps his arms immediately after to land Repeated Headbutts. He releases Stephen who stumbles around the ring and finds a rope to steady himself. Lord Raab doesn’t give him time to regroup and comes charging with a Clothesline that Stephen counters with a back elbow. Stephen launches himself with another to back up Raab and create some distance. He springs off the second rope and lands a Jawbreaker on the way down that sends Raab to a knee. Stephen comes off the ropes with a Running Knee Strike and instead finds a Clothesline from Lord Raab! Stratford hits the mat and The Green Disease German Monster goes off the ropes to land a diving elbow. As he goes for a cover, he sees Demi Stratford crouches near the apron, her eyes peering over it to watch Raab. Distracted, he doesn’t go for a cover as she slinks her way onto the apron and stares at him. Lord Raab is thrown off as Demi stands on the apron and gestures with her ‘come hither’ motion to Raab as she did earlier with Donny. Stephen rolls up Raab from behind!

ONE!

TWO!

LORD RAAB KICKS OUT!

Arthur LaForge: Demi provided a distraction and Stephen tried to catch Lord Raab off guard, but couldn’t quite hold the big man.

Mary DeSue: Lord Raab is one scary mofo, if I were Stephen I’d be careful about pissing him off.

Arthur LaForge: On the other hand, Stephen and Demi are all about getting an edge if they can, even using mind games. It may come down to a battle of wills between these teams.

Stephen Stratford and Lord Raab are up at the same time as Demi returns to her team’s corner. Lord Raab with another European Uppercut spins around Stratford. Lord Raab grapples Stephen for a German Suplex! He holds on and goes for a second German and Stratford blocks. Raab tries again and Stephen rolls him forward but releases a pin attempt to stand and leapfrog over Raab as he’s rising up. Stephen goes off the ropes (blind tag by Demi!) and Lord Raab attempts a Big Boot. Stephen slides under Raab as Demi springs off the top rope for Gravedigger! Demi’s Springboard Bulldog is halted before it begins because she’s grabbed by Raab around the throat! He’s seemingly looking for the Chokeinator until Stephen comes from behind and chop blocks Raab. The Green Disease German Monster falls to a knee and the Stratfords again land their dual Running Knee Strikes! As Demi drops down to make a cover, Donny Mason comes into the ring and waylays Stephen with a Clothesline! He picks Demi off of Raab and grabs her for the YEET! Demi is sent for the Biel ride but corkscrews and lands on her feet! Donny looks shocked and Stephen then jumps on his back for a Sleeper Hold. Donny tries to shake him off but his opponent is stuck on him good. Donny backs up towards the ropes and then BOTH HE AND STEPHEN STRATFORD TUMBLE THROUGH TO THE FLOOR!!

Mary DeSue: That was a nasty fall! Is Donny alright?

Arthur LaForge: Both he and Stephen are down on the floor, and they could be taken out of this match altogether.

Demi watches her husband and Donny fall to the floor, then turns to find Lord Raab staring at her peculiarly. She approaches Raab who seems to suddenly snap out of his trance and land a knee to the abdomen of Demi. He then lifts her for a Back Suplex and waits on her to get up, only to hit a Release German Suplex! He lifts Demi up and sends her into the ropes only to miss her with a Big Boot. Demi hits the other ropes and BOTH COLLIDE WITH CROSS BODY BLOCKS! Outside the ring, Donny has Stephen pressed up and over his head and gets hammered in the head for his trouble. He tries to toss Stephen and Stratford lands on the barricade and immediately springs off… Silencer! The Springboard Dropkick sends Donny slamming into the apron and to the floor. As he is getting up, Stephen charges with the Silencer! Shining Wizard that drops Mason! Demi and Lord Raab are back to standing in the ring and Demi tries going off the ropes again… and finds The Green Disease German Monster dive at her with a Lou Thesz Press! He stays on her for a cover!

ONE!

TWO!

TH— DEMI KICKS OUT!

Lord Raab slaps the mat and grabs Demi by the head – DEMI IS LICKING HER LIPS AT RAAB! He shoves her head away and backs himself up on the canvas looking a certain way. Demi gets up and as Lord Raab finds himself literally backed into a corner she charges after him with a Cannonball Splash… it connects! Stephen Stratford is back on the apron and Demi tags him in. Stephen immediately springs over the ropes and lands a Diving Elbow that hits Raab square in the sternum, leaving him wheezing and gasping for air. Stratford drags Raab out of the corner and backs up… Strategizer smashes Raab! Stephen then goes for a cover!

ONE!

TWO!

THR— LORD RAAB KICKS OUT!

Arthur LaForge: Lord Raab seems to be having a tough time focusing due to Demi Stratford. We know his history with wrestling women.

Mary DeSue: Yeah, this seems to really be throwing him off. But everyone else has to look at that creepy mask of his, so it’s only fair!

Arthur LaForge: The mask and the tactics being used are all legal, and we’ll see what happens next.

Stephen immediately goes to transition into the Clipped Wings! Even with the flurry of blows, Lord Raab uses his weight advantage to resist Stephen’s locking in the Americana submission with a body lock. He tries rolling to one side and avoiding the mount. When he tries moving his body, however, Stephen seizes the moment to mount Raab and lock in the hold!

Arthur LaForge: Lord Raab caught in that trademark submission of Stephen Statford’s!

Mary DeSue: He’s going to rip the monster’s arm right out! Hopefully he won’t grow another one.

Arthur LaForge: What?

Mary DeSue: He’s a monster, Artie. It’s one of those things monsters do. Duh.

Lord Raab tries to wriggle his body but cannot move… he reaches a leg out and is just out of reach to the bottom rope! Lord Raab tries to force Stephen up with his free arm, and only gets maybe a foot of separation before the pain causes him to weaken… but it was just enough to allow him to shift and touch the bottom rope with the toe of his boot! Ref Cortex puts in a count of three before Stephen releases the hold. Lord Raab uses his good arm to pull himself up using the ropes. He turns towards Stephen with a clubbing blow only to be caught with a boot to the abdomen… CHIP ON MY SHOULDER!! NO! Raab shoves Stephen off before the Stunner can hit. Stephen runs right into a Neckbreaker on the Ropes by Donny Mason who appeared back on the apron! He is on ice skates as Lord Raab goozles him… Chokeinator! The Chokeslam sends Stratford down hard and Raab makes the cover as both Donny and Demi enter the ring!

ONE!

TWO!

THREENO! DEMI LEAPS OVER A SPEAR ATTEMPT FROM DONNY AND LANDS A SENTON SPLASH ON LORD RAAB!

Arthur LaForge: Demi showing quick reflexes to barely avoid Donny and breakup the pin!

Mary DeSue: That’s cheating! You can’t take advantage of his THICC body like that. He couldn’t stop himself.

Arthur LaForge: That’s 100% wrestling, not cheating.

Mary DeSue: 100% Lame.

Demi turns right into Donny Mason, who lands a kick to the abdomen and lifts her for the Sick Flip Moonsault Fallaway Slam! But Stephen hits a Diving Elbow to Donny’s face and he stumbles back. Demi comes over the ropes to the apron… SHE TIES DONNY’S ARMS UP IN THE ROPES! Stephen turns back to Lord Raab… and is grabbed around the throat! Chokeinator! Stephen lays flat on the mat as Raab hooks a leg!


ONE!

TWO!

Demi Stratford suddenly crouches right in front of Lord Raab’s face??

THR—NO! RAAB SITS UP AND INEXPLICABLY BREAKS THE PINFALL!

Arthur LaForge: What in the world is Lord Raab doing?? He could have won the match right there.

Mary DeSue: The monster is under a spell! Oh, maybe he’s being possessed.

Arthur LaForge: Neither of those seem plausible.

Demi reaches out a hand and as she is about to touch Lord Raab’s chin he grabs her hand! No, Demi pulls back and rolls out of the ring… LORD RAAB GIVES CHASE! He is circling the ring with Demi when Stephen Stratford stops Demi and tells her to move… LORD RAAB WITH A SPEAR! STEPHEN MOVES AND LORD RAAB GOES THROUGH THE BARRICADE!!! Stephen gets back in the ring and Ref Cortex begins a count…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Lord Raab is still not moving…

FOUR!

FIVE!

Lord Raab rolls onto his knees as Donny Mason breaks free of the ropes! Stephen Stratford is there and grapples him for Halo! Donny spins out of the Cross Rhodes and lands a Spinebuster on Stephen!

SIX!

Lord Raab is using the barricade to get up… Donny goes outside the ring and Demi Stratford flies off the apron with Double Knees! Donny knocks her out of midair with his DAMBUSTER BOOT!!

SEVEN!

Lord Raab is trying to make his way to the ring and one of his knees buckles…

EIGHT!

Donny Mason gets outside to help Lord Raab back up…

NINE!

With Donny’s help, Raab makes his way back towards the ring… he is heading inside as Ref Cortex calls…

TEN!!!

Mr Rad: The referee has determined that Lord Raab… did NOT get back in the ring in time. Therefore, your winners by countout… STEPHEN AND DEMI STRATFORD!

Arthur LaForge: Talk about a photo finish! It was truly down to the wire for Lord Raab, and he just barely, barely couldn’t make it back to the ring before the ten count befell he and Donny!

Mary DeSue: That was totally a quick count! Team Donny should get extra time to move all that man meat back inside the ring.

Arthur LaForge: Not tonight, Mary. It’s a win in the books for Demi and Stephen Stratford, with a truly bizarre looking Lord Raab, who stopped pinning Stephen at one point. I’m not sure if we’ve heard the last of that moment.

Mary DeSue: This match has shown me that meaty men need to be paired up more often, and the Stratfords may be into sorcery. Artie, do you think they could hook me up with some sweet enchanted greens?

Arthur LaForge: More EXP action incoming, Level Updogs!

---

Amber Payne vs. Hero Mullins

Amber and Hero Mullins meet dead center of the ring with Amber defiantly staring up at the man..She seems unphased even as he begins to jaw off to her. He then hauls off and nails Amber with a giant overhand chop but Amber screams in his face defiantly after shying away only a half step and her own overhand chop rings out, causing the audience to “oooh”

Arthur La Forge: At least they aren’t wooing.

Mary DeSue: Why do they do that?

The two go back and forth trading chops, their chests welting up and becoming discolored until Mullins loses patience and nails Amber with a big discus clothesline! He then snatchs a handful of Amber’s hair and begins raining down right hands while the Queen of Strong Style does her best to cover up. She nails a chop to the throat of Mullins backing him off and kips up, catching him with a superkick as he charges back in.

Arthur La Forge: SUPERKICK TO THE FACE!

Mary DeSue: It might improve what he has. He’s to skinny for me to be interested.

Amber isn't done though, leaping on the ropes and going for a dropsault but Mullins moves! He pops up and nails her with a big knee to the face but Mullins snatches her hair again, yanking her up and nailing Amber Payne with a thunderous dead drop brainbuster. He doesn’t go for the pin though, popping up and posturing to the crowd, screaming out at them to a chorus of boos. But he doesn’t see Amber get to her feet!

Arthur La Forge: Rookie mistake!

Mary DeSue: Like the condom breaking at his conception.

He turns in time for Amber to nail him with a spear! She rolls off him, screaming for Hero Mullins to get up before she charges back in and nails a shining wizard! The sound of her kneecap impacting with Mullins’s skull bounces off the arena walls and brings forth a “ooooh” from the audience! Amber isn’t done though, getting to her feet and screaming for Mullins to get up.

Arthur La Forge: Uh oh…I think…YEP!! IT’S GETTING PERSONAL UP IN HERE!!!

Mary DeSue: Catchphrase dot Tee Emm.

When he does, he eats a superkick! Then another! Then another! Amber stops, and flips him the double birds before snatching him and…PAYNE KILLER! But Amber Payne still isn’t done! She scales the ropes, motioning a wheel with her fingers before…450 SPLASH! ITS PERFECT! SHE HOOKS BOTH LEGS!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!

Mr. Rad: HERE is your winner…AMBER PAYNE!

Arthur La Forge: And what a beautiful win for “The Queen Of Strong Style”!

Mary DeSue: Yeah yeah…beat a nobody…whoop dee…LOOK OUT!

As Payne gets up to celebrate her win we see someone slide in from the ring barrier into the ring with a steel chair. IT’S “THE DREAMKILLER” JASON RYAN!! Payne turns as Ryan tosses the chair at her. She catches it on instinct only to get hit in the face with the chair as Ryan hits “PINKEYE” on her. Hero gets up and is grabbed by Ryan who puts him in the “PTFO” and Hero is out cold! As Ryan grabs Payne again we see security and referee’s rushing down to ringside but they can’t stop Ryan right before he hits Payne with “The Dreamkiller!”

Arthur La Forge: EMT’s, Security, and Officials are trying to get Ryan out of the ring to check on Payne and Hero!

Mary DeSue: Looks like Ryan wasn’t done yet with Amber!


---

We spot Larry Tact walking through the halls of the James L. Knight Center with a glazed over look and a small grin. The Power title is secured around his waist and as Larry turns a corner, he finds Kat Jones using a table to stretch out. When she sees Larry strutting up to her, she stops what she’s doing. He holds a hand up as he approaches.

Larry Tact: Kat! I was expecting you’d be in the locker room getting ready, but it looks like you’re ahead of the game for tonight. I’m sure you’re well prepared for this multiplayer match – oh, against Mister Blizzard and Drake, the other Game Changers.

Kat Jones: Tact.. You are mighty friendly to me…. Which is weird to say the very least.. Are you feeling okay?

Kat leans in a little closer and looks at his eyes.. They were glazed and he was looking and acting a bit off to say the least.

Kat: Maybe you should let the doc check you out buddy.. You are not yourself right now..

Larry Tact: I’m feeling as good as ever, and I should have said from the start that I was glad to have a moment here with you. To be honest, it feels like there’s been a lot of unpleasantness between us. Mac didn’t help, with what he did to me, but I understand that wasn’t your call. Before our match, I wanted to let you know that you’ve proven without a doubt that, well, you belong here in Level Up.

Larry shoots Kat a thumbs up and continues grinning.

Kat Jones: After all that has happened.. Unpleasantness is not the right word for what has been going on between us Tact.. Are you serious right now?


Larry Tact: Really, I mean it. Kat, you’ve been consistently strong in your performances. You could have been on the War Games team, even, and who knows if things may have gone differently. It was a tough match, like ours will be at Super Adventure Island. You know, holding the Power Championship in a non-competitive environment wouldn’t mean as much. Having wrestlers like you around to push me and challenge for this title? It means something to me, and matches like ours will keep this a hotly sought after belt.

Kat Jones: Right.. Better keep that belt nice and shiny then Tact. It will look good draped over my shoulder soon.

He motions to the Power Championship, and removes it to drape over his shoulder.

Larry Tact: Don’t think I’ll just let you have it, of course. But I’m looking forward to the challenge you’ll bring. Good luck out there tonight, we aren’t looking to lose our momentum.

Kat Jones: Neither am I.. And this way I get my hands on EAB for a little bit after all. Good luck to you as well.. Not that you need it right champ..

Kat winks towards him and Larry pats Kat on the shoulder, perhaps a little too enthusiastically, and walks off.

Kat Jones: What in the hell was that..

Kat rubs her shoulder for a moment before she shakes her head trying to get this weird meeting off her mind and continues with her pre-match preparations.

---

Brody Adams vs. Ziggy Morgan

DING! DING! DING!

As the bell rings neither man circle or lock up. They just stare each other down. Ziggy starts mouthing off to Brody and Brody responds in kind as Ziggy hold up for a test of strenght which Brody gladly accepts. The two start off neck and neck with each other testing their metal until finally they both break at the same time and start throwing fists! Back and forth. Fans cheering for their favorite fighter in this case as a sea of cheers infects the ears of all that can hear as punch after punch happens! Brody decides to change up tactics and hits a massive CHOP to the chest of Ziggy. Ziggy staggers backwards and Brody grabs Ziggy by the throat. "RELEASE CHOKESLAM" into the corner!

Arthur La Forge: MOTHER BRAIN! That looks painful as hell!

Mary DeSue: Maybe Ziggy just woke up in this century!

Brody grabs Ziggy and just flings him out of the corner. Brody goes up to the second rope and hits the "Smash Landing" on Ziggy. While Ziggy is down, Brody gets up and stands on Ziggy's chest for a moment letting that over three hundred pound frame crush down on the cowboy before getting off of him. Brody rushes to the other side of the ring and goes for a rolling senton, but Ziggy slides out of the ring and Brody puts the breaks on as Ziggy catches his breath for a moment.

Arthur La Forge: This seems to be personal for Brody!

Mary DeSue: You mean "It's getting personal up in here"?

Arthur La Forge: Trademarked me bae bayyyy...

Mary DeSue: So I'm your bae now?

Ziggy gets about a two count before Brody gets tired of waiting and dives between the ropes and lands on Ziggy!

One...

Two...

Brody gets up first and picks up Ziggy. BODYSLAM ONTO THE STEEL STEPS TO ZIGGY FROM BRODY!

Three...

Four...

Brody chucks Ziggy into the ring in between the second and bottom rope!

Five...

Brody gets in and goes up top. Ziggy is laying flat prone. Brody decides to go for broke and goes for a splash off the top rope...Ziggy gets his knee's up!

Arthur La Forge: And Ziggy Morgan puts the brakes on Brody's path of destruction!

Mary DeSue: Come on Brody! You're a Level Up Champion...Well Half of One...STILL MORE THAN THAT COWBOY S[BLEEP]!

Brody grabs his ribs as Ziggy takes a breather trying to get over the assualt that has just taken place upon him. Arturo is banging on the ring apron to try to get Ziggy to snap out of it with the noise from him and the crowd. Ziggy gets up just as Brody does. Brody charges. Ziggy ducks and heads to the opposing ropes. On the bounceback Ziggy leaps first and comes down with a shotgun dropkick right into Brody's face! Picking up the bigger man Ziggy somehow hoists him up enough to hit a package piledriver! Ziggy heads up top and hits a moonsault! Cover...

One...

NO! KICKOUT WITH AUTHORITY BY BRODY! Ziggy ends up rolling out of the ring onto the outside with Arturo looking at him and shrugging at what to do. Brody sits up and he looks pissed!

Arthur La Forge: This just seems like a showdown at high noon now folks!

Mary DeSue: KICK HIS HEAD OFF BRODY!

Ziggy, not one to back down from a fight gets back into the ring and starts jawing at Brody. Brody shoves Ziggy. Ziggy shoves Brody. Brody headbutts Ziggy and Ziggy goes back into the ropes. Big Boot to the face by Brody! Brody picks up Ziggy and tosses Ziggy into the ropes...Spinning Heel Kick by Brody! Cover!

One...

Two...

FOOT ON THE ROPES BY ZIGGY!! BRODY CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

Arthur La Forge: What a good sense of ring placement!

Mary DeSue: Bad f'n luck more than likely!

Brody picks up Ziggy and tosses him into the ropes. Ziggy dodges a clothesline by Brody and Brody starts a criss cross. The criss cross goes on for a moment until Ziggy pumps on the breaks. ZIGGY CATCHES BRODY IN A SPINEBUSTER!! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!!

One...

Two...

Three...

Ziggy gets up and heads to the top turnbuckle...He's going for a swanton bomb...Brody kips up and charges the ropes knocking Ziggy...well he's not gonna be happy for a while. Brody gets up and grabs Ziggy by the throat as he climbs to the top rope...TOP ROPE RELEASE CHOKESLAM!!! Brody is still up top as Ziggy is laid out flat in the ring. TOP ROPE "SMASH LANDING"...COVER...

ONE...

REVERSAL BY ZIGGY!!!

ONE...

TWO...

THREE!!! BRODY KICKS OUT RIGHT AFTER THE REF'S HAND HIT!!

Mr. Rad: Here is your winner...Ziggy Morgan!

Arthur La Forge: Ziggy reversed the pin attempt and Brody was winded to much to roll him out of it in time.

Mary DeSue: He's got nothing to be ashamed of.

Brody slams his fist into the mat and looks up to see Ziggy Morgan, clutching his ribs, holding out his hand to help Brody up. Brody sighs, shakes his head, and accepts Ziggy's offer. Ziggy holds up Brody's arm as the fans chant for both men's steller performance tonight.

Arthur La Forge: What a wonderful display of appreciation by both wrestlers.

Mary DeSue: BLECH!!!

---

The scene cuts to backstage, where one Jack Sullivan is making her way down the halls, seemingly on the hunt for something… or someone. As she did so, she walked past some vendors selling shirts, who all immediately cleared out once Jack looked their way. Thankfully, the merchandise tables were spared this evening as Jack found what she was looking for: the temporary offices of The Developer himself, Trent Steel. Jack immediately barged in, finding the owner of Level Up at his desk.

Jack Sullivan: Trent! So this is where you’ve been hiding. We need to talk.

Trent sighs and adjusts his glasses for a moment as he leans back in the office chair.

Trent Steel: I don’t know why you think I’m hiding but…what’s on your mind kid?

Jack Sullivan: You know exactly what’s on my mind! That stupid game!

Trent looks confused for a minute and then pulls up his ipad.

Trent Steel: One second…game…game…Oh the beta test for the “Dating Sim”.

Trent pulls out a binder and flips through some folders. He pulls out a check.

Trent Steel: Give this to my assistant outside and she’ll deposit the funds into the account that you’ve decided the funds needed to go to. You mentioned getting a manager to represent you so that’s why I held onto this until you sorted that out. Anything else?

Jack looks visibly taken aback as Trent handed the check over to her. She takes it, looking it over in stunned silence for a moment before her focus snapped back to her boss.

Jack Sullivan: This isn’t about the money! This is about you not telling me you were doing that! I don’t want to be in some stupid game where people are trying to kiss me!

Trent Steel: Okay. So when you signed your contract with Level Up that meant likeness rights were allowed to be used by the company to create merchandise including, but not limited to, video games. As far as the “Dating Sim”...your character doesn’t kiss anyone. Matter of fact I made it an exclusive for the Beta as part of PRIDE month to where if anyone tries to hit on you, seduce you, etc…they get punched in the face and the game is over. My kids talked about these kinds of games with me a long time ago and I always found it annoying that there was always some obscure way that someone who can’t take no for an answer still gets what they want. That bothers me. No means no. So in this game that’s your character. Now. If you want to be removed from the game when it actually releases. That’s fine, but those royalty checks for that particular use of your likeness rights does not happen anymore. Talk it over with your manager who you have watching your business interests and get back to me and I’ll tell the developers for the game to pull your character or not. No harm. No foul, but no extra cash. Does that clear things up?

Jack let out a huff, folding her arms as Trent explained what was going on.

Jack Sullivan: So… In your quest to teach consent, you didn’t think to ask me if I was okay with your “vision”? Unbelievable.

Trent lets out a small laugh for a moment as he pulls out his pocketwatch and looks at what’s inside for a moment before shutting it.

Trent Steel: And there it is…I swear…I was really hoping you didn’t get that look from your dad, but damn it sometimes I hate being right. It’s not my fault you didn’t read the contract. It’s not my fault you didn’t get someone to represent you. It’s not my fault that you thought the promoter was always going to ask you permission to make money. Take your check and let it be proof of that lesson. Before you sign a contract you negotiate and make sure you clear up everything. You didn’t do that…because you think you know everything. Now if you’re done with your little temper tantrum was there anything else that actually requires my attention?

Jack remained silent for a moment, before holding up the check and tearing it to pieces and tossing them Trent’s way.

Jack Sullivan: And you’re a hypocritical clown. Next time you want to do something to “teach the kids”, try actually talking to yours first.

Trent slams his fist into the desk. We see a brief flash of anger before he takes a deep breath.

Trent Steel: First of all…I think you need to realize something. Your name carries a weight. A weight of pure animosity to most people in this business. Most promoters would take one look at your name and pass. I didn’t. Because I try really damn hard not to let my emotions get the better of me when doing business. Quite frankly…you’re fucking toxic waste. And this whole you know better than me because I used to “work” for your dad. Let me clue you into something with that. You look at anything I was involved in with NLW, rather I got along with your dumb ass father or not, I made a fucking profit. Every match. Every card. Everything I had to do for that promotion I made it better for me and everyone who worked there despite the fact that your father was, and apparently still is, a fucking tool! I don’t know where you get this idea that you’re better than everyone else here. You all work for the same company. You all work for me. My job is to make sure you do the best to your ability in the ring and you make something of yourself outside of the ring because this shit doesn’t last forever. Now. You like to talk shit. Fine. Let me clue you in on what shittalking without being able to back it up gets you. Enjoy the next show off. And you better hope that I do not decide to give you your pay per view payday off as well. And one more fucking thing you god damn impetious little bitch…you talk about my kids again and you’re going to have, as you guys like to put it, fucked around and found out! Now. Get out.

Jack stares daggers at Trent as he verbally dresses her down, her hands clenched into fists as he continues his tirade. Once he finished the anger was clear on her face, but already being suspended for a show she decided that it would be better to fight another day, turning on her heel and leaving. As she leaves Trent sits down back at his desk for a moment and puts his head in his hands before getting back to work. The calm composure coming back over him that we’ve seen the past few weeks on Level Up returning.

---

Dollface vs. Samantha Voxx

DING! DING! DING!

Dollface and Voxx circle each other and Voxx goes for a lockup, but Dollface sidesteps her and comes around with a back elbow to the base of the skull to Voxx sending her heading into the ropes. Voxx heads right into Dollface and Dollface hits a spinebuster on Voxx!! She mounts Voxx and starts beating the every loving hell out of her with punches. Referee Pliskin watches to make sure that these aren't closed fists. Dollface gets up and drags Voxx by the head up to a standing position. Dollface slams Voxx's forehead into the turnbuckle post. The fans count along.

One..

Two...

Three...

Four...

Five...Dollface finally lets Voxx drop down.

Arthur La Forge: Sadistic and calculating Dollface is slowly becoming one of the most feared wrestlers on the Level Up roster.

Mary DeSue: What's a matter Artie...does she scare you?

Arthur La Forge: Okay...we've seen what that purple mist of Guy's does right?

Mary DeSue: Oh yeah..."The Black Shit".

Voxx lands and rolls onto the bottom turnbuckle. Dollface walks to the center of the ring as a lot of the fans boo her till she gives a go to hell look and the boo's actually stop. She charges forward and drives a knee right into Voxx's face. She picks up Voxx and just flip tosses her to the center of the ring! Dollface slowly and purposefully sticks her fingers into her mouth and out comes "The Black Shit". She grabs Voxx as..."Exor-kissed"!!!!

Arthur La Forge: ...

Mary DeSue: ...

Arthur La Forge: Can we air this on TWITCH?

Mary DeSue: We'll find out won't we!

Voxx is fighting as "The Black Shit" keeps coming out of her mouth as she's gagging already. Dollface breaks the liplock and then hits "The Black Hand"! Mandible Claw! Voxx is in the center of the ring on her back...She keeps struggling to keep her shoulders up, but eventually starts to fade...

ONE...

No response...

TWO...

No response...

THREE!!

DING! DING! DING!

Mr. Rad: Here is your winner..."Dollface" Sarah Wolf!

Arthur La Forge: And Dollface with a bizzare finisher and win.

Mary DeSue: I don't care who you are, that was freaking awesome!

Dollface doesn't let go of the hold at first but then when she does she places Voxx's arms like she's in a coffin for a funeral. Dollface then lets the black stuff ooze out of her mouth onto the face, with Dollface's eyes rolling up into her head, of her out cold opponent.

Arthur La Forge: And that...is freaking scary!

Mary DeSue: Dear Nintendo Power...You'll never believe what I saw today...

---



We head backstage and find a camera has found its way inside of the Game Changers dressing room. Most of the group is present, with Drake and EAB discussing strategy for their multiplayer match, and ISAAC using resistance bands to keep his limbs loose and ready for action. They all look towards the door as Larry Tact steps into view. He drapes the Power title on a plush recliner and gives a thumbs up.

Larry Tact: Well, things are looking up for the Game Changers, after all. EAB and Drake, you’ll be featured tonight and have a chance to make a statement against Kat and Dionysus. It’s going to be a tough battle but I know you’ve got all you need to make it happen.

EAB: People will no doubt assume that since you and I are champions Lawrence that if we are split up then the input and effort would not be the same. I’m sure there are even rumblings of those who consider Drake and ISAAC as something of a “b-team” since they have yet to capture championships. Of course those of us part of the group know full well that such things do not exist, we are a unit and four of us work together, combinations may change at times but the goals remain the same. If Kat and Dionysus are looking for some sort of measurement of revenge instead of the fair fight we are providing, that will be their mistake.

Drake: Damn right! It doesn’t matter which combination of us they face, the result is still the same. I promise you tonight Kat and Dio will wish they hadn’t crossed the GC

Tact nods and rubs his hands together with anticipation.

Larry Tact: It's nice to have the gears firing on all cylinders. I got checked on by the trainer and they want me to have a precautionary follow-up, otherwise I’m feeling fantastic. Guy Man Son may be different than most, but how many wrestlers can come in cold to a hot company like Level Up, and make as much noise as he has in only a few short months? Sure, he didn’t do right by us last week, but he’s misunderstood. Fact is, the man has valuable intangibles. That’s why, just a few minutes ago, I was talking to him and Ziggy Morgan. I realized what great additions they would be to what we have going.

The other Game Changers look completely stunned. They exchange looks with each other.

EAB: Considering how the last couple additions to the group have gone, are you sure this is the right decision Lawrence?

ISAAC: Look Larry I’ll be honest I think we need to pump the brakes here.

Larry Tact: Having been in the ring with those two, I see what could be. We should help Guy, and give him the support no one else has. Ziggy’s actually a fascinating individual, living the way he does in this day and age. In fact, as a show of how he can blend in, I want to show what we can do with our abilities. That’s why, in the multiplayer match tonight, EAB and Drake are going it alone. ISAAC, you and I will just watch from back here. No interference, just our combined might, right? Then we add Guy and “Caballo Diablo” to further bolster the ranks! What more could we ask for?

Drake: How about someone we trust?

EAB: `That seems like a lot of decisions you have made there Lawrence, of course we are open for adding people to our vision if they actually share that vision. I would still suggest that you take all the time needed with these kinds of decisions and don’t jump into hasty conclusions just to bolster the ranks, quality over quantity is what we need.

Larry Tact: Okay, I'll give it a week to settle in, but I think this is the way to go. Ziggy's a fine fellow, Guy's going to bring excitement for everyone, I can feel it. The crowds in every arena will eat it up, they're going to help push us. These two will bring something new and different to the Game Changers, don’t you think?

Larry nods, seemingly oblivious as the other Game Changers’ eyes nearly bulge out.

ISAAC: NAH! NOPE!

DRAKE: Tact are you sure?

EAB: I think Mr. Wilcox and I have a Multiplayer match we better focus on if you and ISAAC are staying back here then you two can discuss the expansion and upcoming strategy amongst yourselves for now and if needed we’ll provide more upon after our match, I hope you know what you are getting into with all this Lawrence because adding members will not just bolster the ranks it will offer more targets for Trent Steel’s power hungry whims as well, think about that one.

Looking surprised by the reaction, Larry thinks it over before flashing a grin.

Larry Tact: For the moment, let’s give it a week to settle in. I know Mac Bane didn’t work out quite as we had hoped, but he had his reasons, too. I wanted to try bringing in a championship caliber wrestler, and as far as War Games went, it was a clear success. While we’re on the topic of successes…

Larry walks over to ISAAC, and slings an arm around him.

Larry Tact: How about this guy?? We were interrupted last week at a really inopportune time. ISAAC here has been on a huge run. Last week, it culminated with a victory that affirms the strides he’s made. The man is now in the Skeleton Key match for a shot at the Final Boss! I know I got a little wound up over Duncan last week, but ISAAC it’s you who should be stepping up to challenge for that title. I've got the Power title, and Kat Jones to contend with at Super Adventure Island. EAB has Dionysus coming back to challenge for the Courage title EAB beat him for in that Inferno match. Drake, opportunity is only just ahead of you, and in the multiplayer dicision with ISAAC I'm sure of it. But as far as Super Adventure Island goes? ISAAC, claim your spot and take the Skeleton Key.

He lightly pats him a few times on the head and nods. He then leads the others in applause, although the conversation on the whole has a lingering air of unease.

---

Dane Preston vs. Emily Simms vs. Jack Sullivan vs. Jason Ryan

The four combatants pair off with Jason Ryan and Dane Preston immediately going after each other. Ryan hits a kneelift to the abdomen of Preston, while Sullivan doubles Emily over with a shot of her own and then throws her outside. As Sullivan follows Simms, Ryan continues to lift his knees into the gut of Preston. He tosses Dane into the corner and tries to hit a strike, but Dane avoids it and goes out to the apron. Ryan turns around and charges but Preston moves, causing Ryan to go through the top and middle ropes. As he hangs there, Preston runs along the apron and hits him with a knee to the face to knock him back inside the ring. Preston follows and gets himself in position for the 1SK, but The Dreamkiller ducks out of the way, spins out and flattens Preston with a discus clothesline!

ONE!

TWO!

NO! Preston kicks out as Simms rolled into the ring to break it up, having got away from Sullivan.

Arthur La Forge: This thing is fast and furious so far!

Mary DeSue: Which one?

Arthur La Forge: Um…Tokyo Drift?

Mary DeSue: Ugh.

Simms runs at Jason Ryan and begins to hit him with jabs, but Ryan gets a kneelift to stop that. Simms hits the corner and Ryan charges in, but she moves and he hits the post and falls to the outside. Sullivan rejoins the fray just as Emily thought she had some time to rest. Sullivan grabs Simms and tosses her at Preston, who moves out of the way. Simms falls outside and Preston ducks low with a shoulder thrust on Sullivan. He then bounces off the ropes and hits a running knee, and follows that up with a face drop to the knee. Sullivan falls and Preston covers.

ONE!

TWO! Sullivan kicks out.

Arthur La Forge: This is an interesting matchup. Sullivan is new to the business and Preston’s been around the block.

Mary DeSue: So he’s old?

Arthur La Forge: He’s 31.

Mary DeSue: So old. Got it.

Preston is back up and sprints at Sullivan, who immediately backs up and pulls down the top rope so he falls outside. She then runs and hits him with a baseball slide just as he’s getting up. She gets up on the apron looking to continue the attack when suddenly Jason Ryan shoves her off the apron to the floor! Ryan then spots Simms in the corner and runs at her, but she gets the knees up. She then jumps off the middle rope and drops him with a bulldog! Cover!

One!

Two! No, Preston is already back in to break things up.

Mary DeSue: How is anybody gonna get a pin in this thing!

Arthur La Forge: It’s a good question. I doubt anyone goes for the ISAAC approach.

Mary DeSue: They should!

Preston shoves Simms aside and then immediately mounts Ryan to deliver a series of punches to the face. Simms takes offense to being pushed aside and hits an open-hand palm strike to the head of Preston. Preston swings wildly and Simms ducks, before bouncing off the ropes and hitting a running knee of her own! She then hits a swinging neckbreaker! With Preston down, Simms begins to climb up top, looking for the STAR RISE…SHE HITS IT!

ONE!

TWO!!

THRe--Jason Ryan breaks it up! He drags Simms off of Preston and she begins to hit him with strikes, but he hits a clubbing blow to the back. He goes for a suplex but suddenly Jack Sullivan is back in the ring and forms a brief team with Simms to suplex Jason Ryan!

Arthur La Forge: Well, temporary alliances in these types of matches doesn’t surprise me.

Mary DeSue: Get the advantage anyway you can.

The two begin to hammer away at Ryan in a nearby corner, before sitting him up top. They climb up for and prepare to hit a double superplex…but suddenly Dane Preston is behind them, he grabs Simms and Sullivan and EVERYONE COMES DOWN IN A TOWER OF DOOM! Preston is the only one standing, and he immediately lines up Sullivan for the 1SK, but Simms pushes herself up long enough to dive at Preston and the two clothesline each other over the top! Sullivan looks down at the pair and runs to bounce off the ropes…possibly looking for a suicide dive..but JASON RYAN SCOOPS HER IN MID-RUN AND HITS THE SILENCER!

ONE!

TWO!

THRee--PRESTON BREAKS IT UP!

Arthur La Forge: This thing is nuts!

Mary DeSue: You cannot tell who’s going to win and who’s not. I’m so tired of trying to follow it.

Arthur La Forge: It’s literally your job.

Mary DeSue: I’m still doing it!

Dane Preston and Jason Ryan stare each other down briefly and immediately go at it, turning things into a hockey fight! Ryan suddenly rakes the eyes and then takes a step back, goes for Pinkeye, but Preston catches the boot, spins him around and hits PENDULUM SHIFT! Simms is back in the fray and jumps off the top at Preston with a bodypress, but gets caught and hit with the MACHISMO! COVER!

ONE!

TWO!!

THR--NO! Sullivan breaks it up! Now all four fighters are getting to their feet and begin to brawl, similar to the start of the matchup!

Arthur La Forge: This thing may never end!

Mary DeSue: It’s definitely looking that way. Ugh.

Eventually things break down and Simms ducks a charge from Ryan to send him through the ropes while Sullivan hits a ripcord knee to the jaw of Preston to knock him out of the ring! Sullivan pulls herself up in the corner and Simms rushes in, only for Jack to hit her with knees! Sullivan immediately begins to climb the rope, looking for the FLAME BROILED, but Simms is back up and hits her in the small of the back. BACK SUPERPLEX OFF THE TOP! But Ryan is immediately in and tosses Simms out of the ring! He covers Jack Sullivan!

ONE!

TWO!!

THRE---SULLIVAN KICKS OUT! Jason Ryan gets up, clearly upset, and looks around before dropping outside….and grabbing a chair.

Mary Desue: Yes! The ISAAC strategy!

Arthur La Forge: There’s always gotta be one in the match..

Mary DeSue: It’s smart! He wants to punch his ticket!

Ryan sees Simms coming to stop him and immediately hits her in the shoulder with a chair shot! Dane Preston is starting to get up and Ryan hits him with a shot across the spine! He then begins to smack Preston with multiple shots while he’s laying down. The crowd boos intensely, not wanting a repeat of the last show. Ryan doesn’t care, as he does what he wants when he wants. He slides in the ring and sees Sullivan starting to get up and she gets a chair shot across the spine as well! And a cover!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREe-JACK SULLIVAN KICKS OUT AGAIN!

Arthur La Forge: It didn’t work! The match continues!

Mary DeSue: YOU SHOULD HAVE WENT FOR THE HEAD!

Ryan grabs the chair and looks to use it again, but Emily Simms is back in and yanks it away from him, THEN KICKS HIM LOW! Simms makes him pay for fighting dirty! Sullivan has no problem taking advantage and HITS THE EXTINCTION! Simms immediately grabs Sullivan and hoists her up, looking for a GO 2 SLEEP, but DANE PRESTON IS IN AND HITS SIMMS WITH THE ONE SHOT KILL! Simms falls and drops Sullivan! Preston shoves Simms out of the way and waits for Jack to get up…



Arthur La Forge: Wait, WHAT?

Mary DeSue: What’s he doing here?

Sebastian Everett-Bryce has stepped out onto the stage, making a showy entrance and Dane Preston finds himself staring up at him. He starts to shout a threat then suddenly realizes why SEB is out here, and realizes that SEB’s plan worked. He curses at himself for falling for the distraction and turns around, where Jack Sullivan scoops him up…THE EXTINCTION! Preston rolls away and Sullivan climbs up the corner in front of Simms….HITTING HER WITH FLAME BROILED! Sullivan covers Simms!

ONE!

TWO!

THREEE!!!!

Mr. Rad: HERE is your winner, and moving onto the Skeleton Key match at Super Adventure Island…JACK SULLIVAN!

Arthur La Forge: I don’t believe it! The rookie just earned herself a Final Boss title match!

Mary DeSue: I don’t believe it either! Dane had that match won!

SEB smirks in Dane’s direction before turning back around and going backstage, his job done. Preston, meanwhile, is angry and rolls outside, hoping to stagger up the ramp to find him and get revenge if he can.

---

Catalina Cortes vs. Chelsea Skye vs. Paul Freedom vs. Ricky Rodriguez

Paul Freedom immediately extends his hand to the others, trying for a show of good sportsmanship. Beaming, Catalina Cortes takes his hand and shakes it. Chelsea Skye begrudgingly shakes it to. He comes to Rodriguez who also takes his hand…but then as Freedom goes to let go, he grips it tightly, then pulls him into a SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK! Freedom is laid out and Rodriguez smirks as the crowd loudly boo him.

Arthur La Forge: Well…two outta three aint bad.

Mary DeSue: I’d say he has more guts than brains but look how skinny he is. No thiccness…so it’s a toss up.


Rodriguez only gets to celebrate the moment for a second as both Skye and Cortes rally against him, assaulting him some rights and lefts. They whip him off the ropes, and as he rebounds look for a double clothesline, but Rodriguez ducks under it, then springs off the opposite ropes. Rodriguez grabs both women over the head and takes them out with a spinning tornado DDT! Rodrguez leaps to his feet and taunts to the crowd, feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins. The crowd boo but those boos turn to cheers as Freedom comes off the ropes behind him and connects with a flipping dropkick to the back of his head! Freedom eagerly goes for the pin.

ONE!

Broken up by Skye.

Arthur La Forge: As we saw in the last match you gotta make sure everyone else is down or distracted before you press your advantage.

Mary DeSue: So is that why you never press your advantages Artie?

Arthur La Forge: Call match now. Flirt later.

Mary DeSue: But it’s so much more fun to tease you on air.

The Nightmare Angel grabs Freedom and tosses him over the ropes to the outside. She wipes her hand of Paul, but then turns around right into a hook kick by Catalina Cortes! She combos that kick with a low, sweeping kick that takes out Skye’s feet and drops her down to her knees. The final kick is a high turning kick that lays out Chelsea. Cortes pounces on her, hooking her arms and locking in NOOK’S CRANNY! The Rings of Saturn submission traps Skye on the mat, with Cortes pulling back on both her arms! It looks like Skye has nowhere else to go when Rodriguez springs off the middle rope and bulldogs Cortes to break up the submission!

Arthur La Forge: And Rodriguez outta nowhere breaks up that submission!

Mary DeSue: This is why I prefer my subs in the dungeon…

Arthur La Forge: Stop that!

Skye rolls away clutching her arm and Rodriguez pulls up Cortes, shoving her into the turnbuckle. He follows up with a high knee strike in the corner! Dropping down, Rodriguez lifts Cortes up to the top rope, then follows her up there. He drills a few punches into her noggin, then wraps his arm around her, both standing on the top rope…TOP ROPE SPANISH FLY! The wrestlers flip through the air then come down, with Rodriguez landing on top of Cortes. He hooks her leg and Ref Kirby makes the count.

ONE!


TWO!

Broken up by Freedom!

Arthur La Forge: And Paul Freedom says not so fast!

Mary DeSue: He’s breaking up pins like he’s breaking hearts…of teenagers…creeper.

Freedom interrupts the pinfall with a springboard moonsault! Paul then looks to take advantage by picking up Rodriguez and whipping him into the corner. Freedom charges forward and runs right up Rodriguez’s body, backflipping off his face and landing back on his feet - THE PAUL FLIP! He stands there, proud and beaming for a moment, his hands on his hips. Then he takes a second too long and is superkicked from behind by Chelsea Skye! The superkick sends him into the corner, literally face to face with Rodriguez. Skye then charges from across the ring and leaps into the air, connecting with a corner splash on both men! She sends Freedom out of the ring (again) and lifts Rodriguez up to the top rope. Skye climbs up and jumps onto his shoulders, sending him up and over with a hurracanrana! Back up the top rope, Skye steadies herself…THE SKYE’S THE LIMIT! She connects with the phoenix splash on Rodriguez. Cover!

ONE!


TWO!

THR-NOI

FREEDOM BREAKS UP THE PINFALL WITH THE IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY OF AGILITY!

Arthur La Forge: MOTHER BRAIN!! This match is insane!

Mary DeSue: How is it he can’t do a simple wrestling move, but he can pull that off?!

Freedom executes a 450 splash which sees him land knee first on Rodriguez! He crawls over to pin her but is blindsided by a BLAZE KICK by Cortes! The 540 reverse kick spins Freedom around in a circle, but he keeps his feet…only for Cortes to explode off the ropes and hit him with the MARLOWE MASSACRE! The kinshasa nearly takes Freedom’s head off, and Cortes quickly hooks the leg.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!

DING DING DING!!

Mr Rad: Here is your winner…CATALINNNNAAA CORRRRTES!!

Arthur La Forge: And Catalina Cortes advances to “The Skeleton Key” match!

Mary DeSue: I guess you could say this was a “slash” victory!

---

EA Blizzard & Drake Wilcox vs. Kat Jones & Dionysus

The match kicks off with Dionysus facing off against the monstrous Drake Wilcox, as Courage Champion and challenger eye each other off from across the ring. The two lock up but Dio is immediately overpowered by Wilcox, who shoves him away and laughs at him. The former Courage Champion isn’t about to be intimidated that easy, however, and he’s right back up and taking it to Drake. They lock up again but this time Dio takes him over into a side headlock. Wilcox grabs Dio around the waist and attempts to back suplex him, but Dio flips over and lands on his feet! Dio with a dropkick to the back of Wilcox’s head! The momentum sends Drake into the ropes, and as he rebounds Dio slides down, forcing Drake to step over him. Wilcox off the ropes, looking for a big boot, but Dio catches it! Dragon screw! The big man is down and Dio scampers for a cover.

ONE!

Wilcox shoves Dio off of him.

Arthur La Forge: And Drake Wilcox with a kickout with authority!

Mary DeSue: Get that weak sauce outta here son!

Not wanting to let the big man have any time to breathe, Dio unleashes a combination of punches, HANDS OF AGGRESSION! But instead of putting Drake down, each punch only seems to antagonize him further! He blocks another jab attempt, then SMACKS his hand across Dio’s chest in an open-palm chop! Dio’s eyes bulge as he clutches his chest, only for Drake to grab his arm and pull him back into another chop! Wilcox then whips him into the corner and follows it up with a big boot! Dio staggers out of the corner and Drake picks him and drills him into the canvas with a sidewalk slam! Cover.

ONE!

TWO!

Dio kicks out.

Arthur La Forge: A little more wear and tear and Drake might have had Dio there!

Mary DeSue: He didn’t kick out…he’s convulsing!

Drake drags Dio over to his corner and tags in EA Blizzard. The Game Changers go to work, whipping Dio into the ropes, and as he rebounds they catch him with a DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! After the move they drag Dio over to the turnbuckle and start choking him out using one foot each! Kat is irate and tries to get into the ring and break up the double-team, but Ref Crash stops her and tells her to get back into her corner. While the ref’s back is turned, EAB pulls Dio up and starts choking him out on the middle rope with his knee across his back! Kat is furious and screams at the ref to turn around, however he still insists that she exit onto the apron. Frustrated, WildKat finally obeys and climbs through the ropes. By the time Ref Crash turns around EAB has broken the choke hold. Dio is looking red in the face, having borne the huge weight of both men on his throat. EAB hooks his arm and lifts him into a vertical suplex. Dio seems to hang in the air forever until EAB smirks at Kat and finally slams him black down onto the canvas. EAB hooks the leg.

ONE!


TWO!

Dio gets a shoulder up.

Arthur La Forge: Even trying to choke him out EAB couldn’t get the job done.

Mary DeSue: You better shut your mouth before he comes down here and chokes you out Artie!

Annoyed by the resilience of his opponent, EAB looks to end things right now! He hauls up Dio and grabs his neck with both hands…BALDO BOMB! NOI! On the way down Dio counters into a rolling pin!

ONE!


TWO!

EAB kicks out.

Arthur La Forge: The roll up almost got “The Courage Champion” pinned!

Mary DeSue: Almost only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and nice guy tears that I bathe in to keep my eternal youth!

Dio lunges for Kat’s outstretched hand, but EAB is up and manages to grab him by the foot. Dio whips around and CLOCKS EAB with an enziguri! TAG TO KAT! Kat connects with a mule kick! That forces EAB back into the corner, and she follows it up with a handspring elbow! Kat off the ropes, planting EAB face-first into the mat with a bulldog! Wilcox tries to blindside her but Kat has eyes in the back of her head, and she backflips over his spear attempt, sending him into the turnbuckle! EAB is back on his feet and Kat catches him with a kick to the gut…WHIPLASH! She makes a bridge pin after the northern lights suplex.

ONE!

TWO!

THR-NO!

EAB gets a shoulder up.

Arthur La Forge: So F’n Close!

Mary DeSue: The bias. I swear. It’s good you have me here to be impartial Artie.

Arthur La Forge: …I’m not even gonna justify that with a retort.

Kat leaps onto EAB, looking for the KAT-ASTROPHE! NO! EAB counters the cradle DDT into a surprise roll-up pin - SURPRISE MECHANIC! EAB has a handful of tights as Ref Crash makes the count!

ONE!

TWO!

THR-NO!

Broken up by Dionysus!

Arthur La Forge: DIO WITH THE SAVE!!

Mary DeSue: I’d say it’s unfair but it’s Dio. He probably just tripped over the bottom rope again.

Dionysus stuns EAB with a SHINING WIZARD right across the back of his head, breaking the pin! He follows it up by springing off the ropes and connecting with a lionsault - ROUND OF APPLAUSE! Ref Crash is on the scene and starts corralling Dio to head back to his corner…WHEN WILCOX CRASHES INTO THEM FROM BEHIND! Wilcox, who was trying to clobber Dio, accidentally ends up taking him out with the ref! Shrugging, Wilcox grabs Dio and flings him out of the ring.

Arthur La Forge: WILCOX JUST YEETED DIO!!

Mary DeSue: To bad it wasn’t into oncoming traffic.

Kat blindsides Wilcox with a superkick, but it’s not enough to knock him down. She tries again, but Drake’s still standing! Off the ropes, Wilcox looks for a big boot but Kat slides under it…he turns around right into a kick to the balls! KAT-ASTROPHE!! Kat connects with the cradle DDT, she’s about to cover when BOOM! JUST COSMETIC! EAB WITH THE BRIEFCASE!! He ditches the briefcase and pulls up Kat with both arms, planting her to the mat with THE INDUSTRY STANDARD! Cover after the baldo bomb…Ref Crash is finally coming to! He crawls over to make the count.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!

DING DING DING!!

Mr Rad: Here are your winners…EA BLIZZARD, DRAKE WILCOX, THE GAMMMMMEEE CHANGERS!!

Arthur La Forge: That damn briefcase! Why is he allowed to come to the ring with it?!

Mary DeSue: Because he’s here for business and business is good!

---

Duncan Shepard vs. Eli Goode

Duncan Shepard stares down his challenger from across the ring. Eli doesn’t necessarily hesitate, but he does attempt to soak the moment in before finally moving to the center and locking up with the champion. Duncan has a slight strength advantage and pushes Goode back into the corner before referee Kirby makes him back off. Duncan does so, then attempts a chop to send a message, but Goode’s quickness wins out and he avoids it, causing Shepard to go into the corner before hitting a chop of his own. He goes for another and Shepard grabs the arm and switches spots with him, before hitting a series of stomps in the corner, then grabbing Goode and hitting a drop toehold to force him out.

Arthur La Forge: Seems they’re a bit even so far.

Mary DeSue: I think Eli has the jitters!

Arthur La Forge: It’s not like this is his first title match.

Mary DeSue: But it’s his first main event, one-on-one, for the Final Boss title!

Duncan hits him with a stomp and that wakes Eli up, as he gets to his feet and goes on the defense. Shepard tosses him into the ropes and lowers his head for a backdrop, but Goode sees that coming and hits a kick to the face. Duncan staggers back and Eli presses the advantage with another kick to the leg. Then another. Shepard has enough of this and hits a stiff clothesline to knock Goode to the mat. He then stomps on Goode’s legs as payback for the kicks. Goode quickly gets up to stop that and Shepard follows him into the corner and hits the chop he wanted earlier. He briefly looks out to the crowd as they react and Goode takes advantage with a basement dropkick to the knees! Goode immediately grabs the stumbling Shepard and tries for GOODE BYE, but Shepard shoves him back into the corner and begins to stomp away to try and kill Eli’s momentum.

Arthur La Forge: Rare mistake from the champion. He can’t do that with someone like Eli in there.

Mary DeSue: Maybe Duncan has the jitters too! This is his first title defense after all!

Arthur La Forge: It wouldn’t surprise me. The last two Final Boss Champions lost in their first defense and he doesn’t want to make it three in a row.

Shepard then lifts Goode up and places him on the top rope, before climbing to follow. It looks like he wants a superplex, but Goode suddenly drops down and out of the corner, hitting a pele kick to the legs! Shepard drops down and falls in a nasty landing, and Eli pounces with a series of stomps before the referee makes him back off with a five count. Goode shows sportsmanship and does so, although he’s clearly incensed. He goes up top, leaps off for a frog splash and Duncan moves, so Eli manages to somehow land on his feet! He steadies himself and turns around into a dropkick from Duncan, who then drops an elbow! He then checks his knee before mounting the challenger and hitting a series of strikes to the head. He attempts to lift Eli up and Eli responds with a kick to the knee again! Then another! Duncan is starting to feel the pain and responds with a KROGAN HANDSHAKE!

Arthur La Forge: That headbutt connected flush!

Mary DeSue: That’s one way to stop someone from attacking!

Goode drops to the mat and Shepard covers!

ONE!

TWO!

Th--no! Eli is out at two. In response, Shepard grabs the arm and hooks it behind himself before driving a series of elbows to the head and neck of Eli! He then gets up and pulls Eli with him, lifting and dropping him with a vertical suplex! Another cover!

One!

Two!

No! Another kickout.

Arthur La Forge: Duncan is doing well now, that headbutt seems to have completely changed the game.

Mary DeSue: You try getting your brains scrambled, see how good you do!

Duncan lifts Eli up and shoves him into the corner. He rushes in and Eli gets the boots up, then dives forward to hit him with a forearm to the jaw. He hits another one, then bounces off the ropes, another basement dropkick to the knees, bending Duncan over. He then leaps up into the air with the GOODE LORD! The standing double stomp to the head connects! COVER!

ONE!

TWO!

Th--NO! Shepard powers him off at two. Eli bends down and scoops him up, thinking Goode Bye again, but Shepard slips out the back and shoves him forward, Eli turns around and gets a kick to the stomach and Shepard attempts the REAPER’S BA..no! Duncan’s legs wobble and he lets go, then Eli with a knee to the face! Duncan goes stumbling and falls out through the ropes to the outside, near the commentary table. The champion gets to his feet and ELI GOODE RUNS AND DIVES OUT ONTO HIM WITH THE TOPE CON HILO!

Mary DeSue: Oh god right out in front of us! Artie, protect my eddies!

Arthur La Forge: That’s not legal in Florida, Mary, maybe you shouldn’t advertise it!

Mary DeSue: It’s just Twitch, nobody’s watching!

The challenger wastes no time in grabbing Duncan and throwing him back into the ring, Shepard struggles to stand and Eli runs full force with a SLING BLADE! Eli is back waits for Shepard to stand and charges in with a shotgun dropkick! Duncan is propelled into the corner and bounces out! Eli moves past him and climbs up top….FROG SPLA…no!!! Duncan moves out of the way again! Eli crashes and burns! Duncan grabs him into NEURAL SHOCK, but doesn’t hold it for long as he follows with OVERLOAD! COVER!

ONE!

TWO!

THR--Eli barely gets the shoulder up!

Arthur La Forge: These two are letting it all hang out!

Mary DeSue: I wonder if Duncan is regretting putting his title on the line so soon?

Arthur La Forge: He hasn’t lost it yet, but Eli is trying his damndest!

Shepard lifts Eli up and catches a quick back kick to the knee, which forces him back. Eli stumbles into a corner and Shepard slowly follows. Eli tries to get the boots up but Shepard catches it, tosses it aside so Eli is planking on the middle rope, then leaps up and crashes down onto him with an elbow drop! Duncan causes Eli to crash HARD out of the corner! Cover!

ONE!

TWO!

THR---Eli gets a foot on the rope! Shepard loses his cool just a little bit, yanking the leg away and dragging Eli to the center of the ring.

ONE!

TWO!

THR--Eli kicks out this time! This time Duncan scoops Goode up and throws him to the outside, frustrated.

Arthur La Forge: Duncan Shepard maybe underestimated Eli Goode a bit, I think.

Mary DeSue: Either that or Eli just won’t die like he usually doesn’t.

Arthur La Forge: That’s my point. Eli is stubborn in big matches like this. Remember how much it took for guys like Larry Tact and EA Blizzard to beat him. Heck, his old mentor had to break his arm just to take the fight out of him.

Mary DeSue: And now Duncan is learning why he made a mistake!

Shepard regains his composure and goes outside to retrieve Goode. He lifts him up and Goode bellows before driving the champion back-first into the apron, then hitting him with a series of forearms to the face! He then climbs up to the apron where Duncan is resting his head and jumps up with a DOUBLE STOMP TO THE BACK! Shepard’s knees give out and he collapses, before Goode tosses him back into the ring! He climbs up top and FINALLY HITS THE FROG SPLASH! COVER!

ONE!

TWO!!!

THREE

----NO!! THE CHAMPION KICKS OUT!

Arthur La Forge: Eli is distraught! He thought that was it!

Mary DeSue: It SHOULD have been it!

Eli gets to his feet and motions for Duncan to get up and the champion does so, clutching at his ribs and barely able to stand. Goode hoists him up to his shoulders for the GOODE BY…Duncan again slips out the back and shoves him forward! Eli has to stop himself to avoid colliding with referee Kirby! He turns back around and GETS HIT WITH A BIOTIC CHARGE! Eli is nearly snapped in half! Duncan with the cover!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE

---ELI GOODE KICKS OUT AGAIN!!

Arthur La Forge: Eli won’t stay down! He refuses to let this opportunity slip through his fingers!

Mary DeSue: Duncan’s gonna have to kill him…will that get him disqualified?

Arthur La Forge: Among other reasons why he shouldn’t do it, yes.

Duncan gets into a corner and demands Eli stand. Eli does so, more out of instinct than anything else. Shepard runs in for another BIOTIC CHARGE..and Goode leaps over him! Duncan smashes the corner! He turns around and Eli immediately JUMPS ON HIM AND LOCKS IN THE GOODE NIGHT! The guillotine choke is cinched in!

Mary DeSue: He’s about to make Duncan go night-night!

Arthur La Forge: Eli Goode may be about to put Duncan to sleep and capture his dream!

Duncan’s knees are wobbly and he immediately drops, not being able to carry Eli’s weight and his own! The referee gets down and lifts his arm.

It falls.

He lifts it a second time.

It falls again.

He lifts it a third….and Duncan turns it into a fist! He starts hitting Eli with body shots, then puts his fist to the mat and pushes himself up to his feet, but Eli only squeezes even more! In response, Duncan wraps his arm around the head of Goode, hits him with more body shots, then grabs Eli’s leg with his other arm…AND POWERS OUT OF THE GOODE NIGHT TO HIT ELI WITH THE REAPER’S BANE! COVER!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREEE!!!!!

DING! DING! DING!

Mr. Rad: The winner of the match and STILLLLLLL the Final Boss Champion….COMMANDER DUNCAN SHEPARD!!!

Arthur La Forge: What an absolute war, a classic and you didn’t even need to pay for it!

Mary DeSue: Duncan is gonna regret giving Eli that shot once he wakes up in the morning.

Arthur La Forge: I don’t think Eli is going to regret taking it, even now. Because he knows he had the champion on several occasions. I think if this match happens ten times, they’d get five each.

Shepard rolls off of Eli and is breathing heavy, both men are absolutely spent. He finally gets to his feet and referee Kirby hands him the Final Boss Championship. He takes it and clutches it tightly to his chest. Eli Goode is also pushing himself up and stares over at Duncan, clearly upset with the decision. He then walks right up to the champion and gets in his face….before offering his hand.

Arthur La Forge: You love to see that.

Mary DeSue: I don’t. Gross. Kick his ass, Eli!

Duncan accepts the handshake and Eli gives him a nod of respect, leaving Shepard to celebrate his win as EXP 26 draws to a close.[/i][/i]