Post by Admin on Mar 27, 2022 19:04:35 GMT
The camera pans back into Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy to a second night of capacity crowds here for night 2 of APWO's inaugural supercard, ABSOLUTION!! The camera focuses on signs within the crowd
ASHFORD? MORE LIKE ASSFORD LOL
NO FR WHAT IS SUPLEX ISLAND
I CAME FOR THE LEMONADE AND STAYED BECAUSE THERES A WRESTLING SHOW
FUCK MATT KNOX
#VILAROLIFE #CHANGEFORTHEBETTER #TRUSTTHESYSTEM
SUMA? SUE YOU!!
NO FR WHAT IS SUPLEX ISLAND
I CAME FOR THE LEMONADE AND STAYED BECAUSE THERES A WRESTLING SHOW
FUCK MATT KNOX
#VILAROLIFE #CHANGEFORTHEBETTER #TRUSTTHESYSTEM
SUMA? SUE YOU!!
Will Ashford: And welcome to night two of Absolution!!!
Chet Morley: I'm just glad we're getting two paychecks!
Will Ashford: We're not, though..
Chet Morley: well fuck me! Screw this pomp then, get to the ring! I'm not staying four hours for salary!
Chet Morley: I'm just glad we're getting two paychecks!
Will Ashford: We're not, though..
Chet Morley: well fuck me! Screw this pomp then, get to the ring! I'm not staying four hours for salary!
"Handsome" Jack Bytheway : Hailing from Barcelona Spain.. Weighing in at 130 lbs.. She is the mastermind behind the Vilaro System… Marisol Vilaro!!!
As she soon climbs up the steel steps and gets in the ring she poses once again in the center of the ring, before getting ready for her match by doing some jumping jacks, and stretches' in the corner. As she takes off her head microphone and mouths to the cameras " You, and everyone else could use to lose a couple of pounds so call today! As a number for her system appears right on screen.
"Handsome" Jack Bytheway: And her opponent…
12am by Caleb begins to blast all across the speaker system and as it does Todd Williams along with his wife Hope emerge from behind the curtain to the sound of loud boos. Todd cracks a very wicked grin as he grabs his wife and gives her a long sloppy kiss to even more boos. He slowly walks down to the ring hand and hand with his wife.
"Handsome" Jack Bytheway: Hailing from the Bronx New York! Weighing in at 210 pounds, he is “The Redeemer” Todd Williams!!!
He stops at the ring and she slowly walks up the steps and into the ring. She stands by the turnbuckles and spreads her legs open. He slides through the bottom of the ropes underneath her legs and into the ring. He dips her down and kisses Hope again before he flips off the booing crowds.
The two lock up in the middle of the ring and Todd has the weight advantage pushing Marisol back into the corner but when Todd breaks the hold before he can strike, Marisol has already escaped the corner and hit him with a low drop kick. Keeping it up with the quick strikes she connects with a few well placed kicks to the side of the knees of Todd before running to the ropes and connecting with a bulldog slamming him head first into the mat. She goes for the quick cover but Todd manages to kick out at two making the crowd yell along. Todd tries to get some offense going after hitting Marisol with a dragon screw but Marisol is quick to evade his attempts and shakes off the effect on her legs.
The crowd is firmly behind Marisol even though they do not like her. They dislike Todd a whole lot more which is evident each time she connects with a kick or punch they cheer for her and boo loudly each time Todd attempts to return fire. A step up enziguri from Marisol has Todd on the mat and Marisol climbs out of the ring and sees Hope coming her way and smirks before she slingshots herself over the top rope hitting a leg drop right across the throat of Todd and goes for the pin again. This time Todd manages to kick out just before the three. The hand inches away from hitting the mat. The crowd boos at the narrow escape Todd made there and Marisol is getting fired up. She gets the crowd riled up as she is getting ready to finish this.
She grabs Todd and slings him into the corner immediately following him in with a splash and grabs him for another bulldog but Todd manages to push her off Marisol hits the breaks and spins around ducking the clothesline from Todd and hitting him in the head with a roundhouse kick before she signals for her finisher. Todd is unsteady on his feet and never saw it coming. Crunch Time connects and Marisol goes for the cover. The referee counts the three and the bell rings.
Announcer : Your winner and advancing to Suplex Island.. Marisol Vilaro!!!!
"Come to Life" by Alter Bridge hits the speakers and the crowd lets out a strong reaction of support as Myra Rivers appears on the stage, already looking to take care of business. She heads down the ramp momentarily pausing at the bottom to give a quick smile at anyone nearby that is letting her know that they are behind her.
"Handsome" Jack Bytheway : Hailing from Miami Florida! Weighing in at 130 pounds, she is “The spirit breaker” Myra Rivers!!!..
Once the chorus starts, she gets inside of the ring and walks up to the opposite corner, adjacent to the ring announcer. She leans against the corner, focused and determined for her upcoming match, reveling in the continued showering of love the crowd is raining upon her.
"Handsome" Jack Bytheway: And her opponent..
“Higher Ground” by Red Hot Chili Peppers plays.
"Handsome" Jack Bytheway: Hailing from Point-Aux-Chenes, Louisiana and weighing in at 205 pounds, he is ‘The Cajun Catapult’ Trey Bouchet!
Trey appears from behind the curtain. He wastes no time with theatrics, power walking down the ramp. Totally in the zone, ‘The Suplexpert’ does not interact with the fans. He enters the ring by the stairs and then moves to the center, faces the hard camera, points up with both hands before bringing them down and sweeping them side to side in a horizontal fashion while simultaneously shaking his head in the negative. Finally cracking a smile, Trey moves to his corner.
The bell has rung and both competitors are beloved by the crowd so they are loud and proud in Rome tonight. Myra is smart not getting within grabbing reach by the suplex master and goes for the strike and evade tactic connecting with a stiff kick to the side of the knee before darting back out of reach of the suplexpert. It is working as it clearly limits what Trey can do. Myra hits the ropes but on the return is caught by Trey and thrown across the ring in a belly to belly suplex. She is quick to get up and avoids being thrown again. With a low drop kick she brings Trey to one knee she grabs one arm and takes him down to the mat with a cross armbreaker and the crowd is clearly split in cheering for Myra and rooting on Trey to get up. Myra cranks in the move tightly and there is no choice for Trey but to drag himself and Myra along with him to the ropes to break the hold. It takes him a few minutes and the pain filled grimace on his face telling of the effects the hold has on him. When he does reach the ropes Myra gives him a clean break and goes away from him so he can get up. He nods towards her and they are off again.
Trey is trying to shake the effects of the hold off but Myra gives him no time to do so immediately targeting the arm with a roundhouse kick and following it with another to send Trey to the mat again. Myra grabs his arm and goes for a different hold with a Triangle armbar. Trey tries to power out of the move but it only makes Myra crank the hold tighter on him and again his friends the ropes seem to be the only way to get out of the hold. It takes him longer this time but refusing to give up he gets them to the ropes again. Myra gives him the clean break and moves back. The effects of the hold on his arm are evident as he holds it clearly in pain.
With a hurt arm Trey’s game plan is severely compromised as he needs both arms to hit his beloved suplexes as he finds out when he comes at Myra hits her with a quick stiff kick to the gut doubling her over and goes to set up a vertical suplex but the arm does not want to work with it. Quickly switching to a german suplex but not getting it done either halfway into the move Myra reverses it, rolling him up for the pin. Trey kicks out quickly at the count of two. His hand cradling the damaged arm. They both get to their feet quickly and Trey storms at Myra with a clothesline with the good arm but Myra ducks underneath the clothesline bouncing off the ropes she hits a headscissors takedown which sends Trey to the mat again quickly going to the top rope she positions herself with the crowd screaming in approval as she connects with a Top rope somersault senton bomb. She goes for the pin again and this time the referee counts the three as Trey is a split second too late in kicking out.
Myra goes to the corner and climbs the top rope as she takes in the cheers from the crowd before heading out of the ring high fiving fans on the way to the back.
The scene opens on a stack of road cases stacked up high in a hallway backstage. All is still and all is quiet until…
Alexis Lemon: What’s up, gamers!
Alexis Lemon comes into shot from the top of the screen, hanging upside down from the top of the stack of cases.
Alexis Lemon: I bet you’re wondering. “Lexi, you sexy beast, what are you doing to prepare for your match where, if you win, you’ll get a chance to compete in a MrBeast challenge to win an island?!”. Well, I’ll tell you!
Alex pushes herself off the cases, flipping so her feet touch the ground first, before turning and facing the camera, a huge smile on her face. Lexi is dressed in her ring gear, a set of wrestling top and trunks with knee pads and kickpads, all an off-white set, with specks of red all over the outfit. On the chest reads “we all float” in black letters. On the back of the trunks reads “you’ll float too!”. Finally, each kneepad depicts a group of red balloons with a lemon on each.
Alexis Lemon: You see… it’s a huge secret. I’m… Handling it like a normal match!
Lexi stands in silence as she stares at the camera, a wide toothy smile beaming into the camera. Eventually, her smile fades into a look of frustration.
Alexis Lemon: No seriously! This is just another match for me! I mean, it isn’t. But that’s how I’m treating it because I don’t want to get myself too excited and mess it up! If I go into it thinking there’s some huge prize on the line, like a freaking ISLAND, I’m going to get up in my own head, I’m going to make mistakes, and I’m gonna lose! So that’s why I say forget the island, at least for now.
Lemon once again climbs on top of the stack of cases behind her, this time just sitting cross-legged on top of it.
Alexis Lemon: Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about this competition. It’s like The Hunger Games but with wrestling! Also with less murder and sappy Romeo and Juliet esque attempts. And WAY less Josh Hutcherson…
Lexi shudders.
Alexis Lemon: But anyway, all that’s in the future. We’re in the now. And now is still pretty freaking cool! Because tonight is my pay-per-view debut. My very first match on pay-per-view ever. And what better place to have such a big match than Rome Italy! Haven’t heard much from my opponent since our match was announced but I’m sure she feels the same way I do! I’m sure we’re going to tear the house down. We’re gonna prove that you don’t need to dangle a championship for us to have a kickass match, you just need to dangle a Friday Night mother-Funkin island in front of us! We’re gonna steal the show and show up all the peeps in the supposed big matches. And the winner-
She leans in close and whispers “me” before leaning back and grinning.
Alexis Lemon: Will go on to beat up a bunch of other peeps on an island where no one can hear you scream! Or something, I didn’t read the brochure. But anyway, it’s gonna be good. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
Lexi jumps down from the cases again and grabs her jacket, a yellow raincoat with the sleeves cut off.
Alexis Lemon: See you guys soon. Stay spooky!
Lexi winks and runs off screen.
(I'm still Alive
Must have been a miracle
It's been a hell of ride
Destination still unknown
It's a fact of life,
If you make one wrong move with the gun to your head
You better walk the line or you'll be left for dead)
As the lyrics and melodic instrumentals of Meatloaf's Alive kicks in, yellow lights begin to flash around the arena. Alexis Lemon bursts out from behind the curtain and takes her place at the top of the ramp. She looks out at the sea of fans, and a surreal smile crosses her face, as if she can't believe she's actually here.
After a few long moments, lost in her own little world, she's brought back to Earth and begins an excited march down the ramp. She slaps hands with every fan she can at ringside, going all the way around to the other side of the ring before jumping on top of the announcer's table and once again taking in the sight around her. She throws up the rock & roll devil's horns before jumping off the table and sliding into the ring.
(Lost in the night
Feeling so invisible
Oh, a dead man walking the wire
I have broke the devils net
That's made of fire
And it's a long way down from the top of the world
You better look around or you gonna get burned)
Lexi climbs up onto the ropes and leans over, once again holding up the devil's horns for the fans before jumping down and taking to her corner, removing her jacket and hat, tossing them down to ringside before turning back and preparing for her match.
"Handsome" Jack Bytheway: Introducing first, from Chicago Illinois she weighs in at 125 even...ALEXIS LEMOOOOONNNNN!!!
Watching from the ring, Alexis Lemon has a puzzled look on her face as the entrance music of Yūrei continues to play but the athlete is nowhere to be seen. The music cuts off for a moment, personnel scrambling until cameras cut to the back where a stagehand rushes over with a message for the production crew. The feed then cuts over to an unknown location where a woman in a black laced mask sits in a rather elegantly designed throne like chair, a painted portrait of another shown in the background, staring out at the befuddled young woman.
Mysterious Female: I’m sure you have many questions with more on the horizon, but for this night, for this message.. you simply happen to be the right person in the right place, reaping the benefits of the wrongs another committed. This is a public declaration that such actions will no longer be tolerated and in order to have continued prosperity in this company, as well as beyond it.. you will need to walk a steady line. Not too hard to do, though certain people are already teetering on the edge. Thankfully for you dear lemondrop, you are presently in the clear and this point, is a thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy your island merriment and don’t mourn for too long.. it’s unbecoming..
While the woman remained on the screen, staring a hole into Alexis, around the ring, several masked women in cloaks make their way over, to the confusion of the fans in attendance and staff on hand. The six masked women circle around Alexis Lemon, each echoing the sentiments of the one watching from afar. Lemon looks ready for a brawl but is shocked when one of the masked women makes her way into the ring, only to lay down on the canvas.
Chet Morley: Is that Yūrei?
William Ashford: You’re looking at the size of that person and wondering if it’s Yūrei? You’re about six inches off height wise there genius. It does seem that this person will be.. replacing Yūrei for tonight’s match?
Chet Morley: If you could call this one. She’s just laying there. Seriously what is going on and where is—
William Ashford: Don’t. Don’t ask and draw attention.
Both Alexis and the official look lost but after the simultaneous screams of those surrounding, the referee called for the bell and urged Lemon to take advantage of the situation presented. Obviously frustrated and still confused, Alexis draped herself over the prone being.
1!
2!!
3!!!
Upon the referee slapping the mat for the three, the masked women easily pushed Alexis off of her, returning to a vertical base and staring down Lemon before exiting the ring. The others follow suit, returning through the curtain in unison, but not before looking up to the video tron where the seeming leader nods in approval, allowing them to go and giving a wink. The screen cuts to black, Alexis staring for a moment and then heading back herself.
Chet Morley: Okay, I’m going to try and ask again. What the hell was a—
William Ashford: For both our sake, you won’t be asking anyone a damn thing. Do you want the attention of those masked fr— people? Let’s just be glad they’re gone for now and congratulate Alexis Lemon on moving forward to Suplex Island.
Chet Morley: If any of them are there, I wouldn’t want to be there and neither should Alexis. Either way though, congratulations on the win? I guess.
WINNER: Alexis Lemon
As Absolution continues, cameras cut over to the backstage area once again, that dreaded corridor which has played a spiritual host to many conflicts in APWO’s short history. Heading down it now we find one half of the Hardcore Championship match, Ash Cameron, who looks to have an expression of pure focus.. At least until she notices the catering area and takes a sharp turn into it. Heading over to the not so vegetarian section, she reaches out for a plate but finds her wrist colliding with someone else. The camera pans out conveniently to show it’s one third of the World Heavyweight Championship match, the incomparable Matt Stone.
The two stand nose to nose now, before Ash flashes a smirk.
Ash Cameron: Going for the pork or the steak?
Matt flashes her a smile before looking back to the catering table and all the choices that were there.
Matt Stone: Does this qualify for the food you said I owed you? Cause if so…ta da!
Ash couldn’t help but laugh at that.
Ash Cameron: How about you give me first dibs on what you were going for and I’ll let it be what you owe me. Sound like a fair deal, champ?
Matt Stone: Champ? That could be a little premature…though I do like the sound of that.
He smiles again and shows her the steak on the table that’s hiding under the top layer.
Matt Stone: That one, the sear is much better than the other ones.
Eyeing the one he pointed out, Ash’s smirk shifted to a wide smile, the young woman not wasting time in putting it on her plate before turning her attention back over.
Ash Cameron: All I need now is to somehow survive Serena with most of my blood, along with the title and I’ll be shouting how everything is coming up Ashley in the hallway. I know I’m calling you that before the whole deal is done, but I wouldn’t say something if I didn’t think it was going to happen. Fancy polls be damned. Don’t tell me you’re getting doubts now, Matty?
Matt Stone: Doubts? Me?
He laughs, grabbing the inferior steak off the table and slapping it on a plate.and grabbing her a set of utensils before taking one for himself.
Matt Stone: Not even close, I know what I’m capable of and what it’s going to take to walk out with a championship. This isn’t my first rodeo to be fair, though it is a little extra stressful for no reason. If Dionysus was clever it would be him and I in the finals easy peasy.
Ash Cameron: See now that’s what I wanted to hear. It is a bit on the lame side that the finals didn’t turn out as advertised with it now involving a third party. Oh the plus side, you’ll get to boast even more later on about beating two previously undefeated athletes on the road to your coronation. Then there will be whoever wins the TV Title out of the dude with the seriously squinty eyes and the re-masked Risa. Oh and me too, I guess. Easy peasy, right?
Taking the utensils and mouthing her thanks, she leads the way, motioning for him to have a seat next to her. He follows her and takes his seat, starting to cut off a piece of meat with the crappy plastic utensils.
Matt Stone: Well I haven’t made up my mind quite yet about who I’m going to have in my court, though I think it’s safe to say that you’ll be under strong consideration, especially if you take that title tonight. Even if I’m not the biggest fan of the whole hardcore scene.
Ash Cameron: I appreciate the consideration and the solid meal here, so either way I call it a win. As far as the hardcore scene, I’ll be finding out myself if I’m a fan of it in a bit. I got my weapon of choice ready to go and hopefully it’ll be enough to keep me from getting whacked across the head with the gross looking spiked bat thing Serena’s been carrying. I got a good feeling though, there are butterflies of course but I’m not doubting myself this time around. However, if I am chosen to be part of your court, I promise there won’t be any weapons present during meetings and I’ll cover up whatever scarring I have, if any, with top of the line makeup.
Chuckling a bit, Ash now begins to cut into the steak, having a bit of a hard time due to the plastic utensils, but eventually getting what she wanted.
Ash Cameron: Oh and none of this plastic crap either. We deserve legit steak knives.
Matt Stone: Oh I’ll be demanding golden utensils, you can bet on that.
He takes another stab, so to speak, at cutting open the meat on his plate.
Matt Stone: I look forward to that coronation though, a long time coming in this tournament of working with someone else. Not a big fan of being forced with someone but I made it work. It was a unique journey, I’ll say that.
Ash Cameron: The tournament wasn’t the most ideal, our boss has interesting methods on how to get the production he desires. However, it did test the waters on a lot of things and showed who can trust who despite being in such a selfish environment. The scramble was a good twist too. I’m sure some brilliant interviewer will eventually ask your thoughts on all that, but I have to know.. Champ to champ.. Are you going to have your former partner in your court? Also what do you have planned for your opposition later on in the night, aside from making them see you get your hand raised. You strike me as more calculating than you show.
Matt laughs it off at first, cutting another slice.
Matt Stone: Someone as calculating as me wouldn’t dare verbalize their strategy, you never know who’s listening in, but I assure you that i’m going to humble them. Especially Avenger, but especially Dionysus! As for VIP in my court?
He looks left, then right, then back to Ash.
Matt Stone: Hell no!
With the first Championship match of APWO underway, the big fight feel is very real. Both potential champions step up to one another, meeting in the middle to exchange a few words. While Ash’s size advantage is evident, the GOAT refuses to back up, actually offering to enter a strike exchange with the less seasoned competitor. Cameron brandishes a smirk before tapping at her chin and the two almost immediately start thrashing one another with hit after hit. With no rhyme but all the reason, Ash and Serena continue battering one another until Cameron tries to get one over on Riot with a spin kick, but the veteran scouts it, grabbing at the leg of Ash and tossing it down roughly, causing the larger competitor to do the splits in the ring.
William Ashford: It doesn’t matter how athletic or flexible you are, being forced down to the canvas like that will do a number on anyone.
Chet Morley: Yes and adding to how red her face and chest are from the strikes delivered by Serena Riot, this is not the best way to start this match out.
Serena goes to continue the attack on Ash but the younger competitor who looked to be in some serious trouble already was simply playing possum, grabbing hold of her foe and using her strength to toss her out of the ring low, Riot slamming onto the floor below in a heap. Not wasting any time in following her to the outside, Ash continues her assault, now taking the painted face of Serena and slamming it on the ring apron several times before driving her knee into her midsection and tossing her across, back first into the guardrail. Laying in some stiff boots to the back and back of the head, Ash yanks at the hair of Riot, yelling that it’s just business but she’s not in the mood for gimmicks before actually taking her hand and smearing the paint job and now spiking her head on the floor.
Chet Morley: Ash Cameron showing a more aggressive side to her in this contest, but not sure if that was the wisest move there against someone like Serena Riot.
Eyeing the steel steps nearby, Ash goes to toss Serena into them, but Riot crashes her head against Cameron’s with a wicked headbutt before irish whipping her back and head first into the unmoving steps. Looking down at her opponent now with a wicked grin, Riot starts searching under the ring for something to use in the match, producing a steel chair which is quick to meet the back of the staggering Ash who was doing her best to work her way back to her feet. Falling to her knees, she then eats a chairshot to the head which sends her all the way down, Riot marveling at the lovely dent Ash left in the seat before showing it to the cheering fans and tossing it away. She motions for the referee to come over as she goes for the pin.
1!
2–
Ash kicks out right at the count of two, the crowd cheering the fighting spirit of both women looking to be crowned APWO’s first champion tonight.
William Ashford: Well you were right that Ash trying to talk some smack mid-match wasn’t the smartest thing, but neither is all this showboating here.
Serena notices Ash trying to crawl under the ring herself, but stops her mid-move, dragging her back up and now introducing her face to the apron before tossing her back inside the ring. Digging once more for a goodie, she finally happens upon her baby Lucy which gets a huge reaction from the fans in the arena.
Chet Morley: My God Ashford, what is that thing?!
William Ashford: Well Einstein, that looks to be a bat that has been covered in barbed wire and it also looks to be trouble for Ash Cameron.
Sliding into the ring, Serena stalks Ash now who is struggling to get to her feet. As she goes for a swing though, Cameron beats her to the punch, literally with a chain wrapped fist that sends Serena down to the canvas, dropping her baby in the process. Ash then goes for the cover.
1!
2–
Riot shoots the shoulder up, despite being clearly out of it much to the frustration of Ash Cameron. She then stands up, looking down at Lucy and contemplates taking the weapon against its own mama, but opts to exit the ring instead, now looking for something else herself.
William Ashford: I don’t know how wise that was, in this type of environment, the last thing you want to do is create space and leave any opening for your opponent to recover.
Producing what looks to be some kind of damn sickle with a chain at the end of it, now Ash Cameron is the one with a sadistic look on her face. She takes the long chain, whipping it across the back of Serena Riot before wrapping it around her neck and forcing her up, back to back in a modified canadian backbreaker rack. The referee checks to see if Riot gives up but the GOAT refuses to submit despite the air being choked out of her in such a dire position. Ash then drops her with the backbreaker before getting to work on carving at the forehead of the veteran.
Chet Morley: Jesus that’s sick. Well if there was any question as to whether or not Ash was willing to do what it takes to make it in this division, she’s answering that right now.
Finally pulling the weapon away from the forehead of Riot, Ash takes some of her blood in her hand and smears it across her chest, signaling for the end as the crowd cheers on. She takes a step back to charge herself but as she goes for a punt kick to the head Serena grabs hold of her darling Lucy and introduces her to the midsection of Ash who immediately doubles over in pain, the crowd not being able to get enough of the intense action between the two. Riot follows this up, wasting zero time in taking her other precious child (we love you Jack) and digging it into the head of Ash, cutting the young woman open and in a bad way.
William Ashford: This right here is prime Serena Riot and with the way Ash is losing blood, the end could be very close.
Seeing Ash drained of energy as much as she is of her blood, Serena Riot rolls to the outside once again, looking under the ring and pulling out a bag of, yeah you guessed it, thumbtacks and legos? Good god, that’s sick! She dumps them out for the world to see, even using her own arm to help spread the pool for what she has planned next. Dragging Ash up by her long locks, she readies her for the Psychosis, hoisting the larger competitor up.
Ash fights her way out of the piledriver though, falling to a knee before taking a handful of tacks and legos, smashing them across the face of Riot with a sick shot. She then gets Serena into position, lifting her up and driving her down to the painful pool below with the KQ Driver II, collapsing on top of her as the referee leaps in to make the count.
1!
2!!
3!!!
The referee calls for the bell to end things as the crowd erupts, giving both competitors a rousing ovation as the theme of Ash Cameron begins to play.
The houselights cut out, a single Raven cries out soon joined by another, then another until the cries of an entire unkindness fill the house sound system, soon broken by "Hell Broke Luce" by Tom Waits cutting through, the house lights coming up to a dull blue as a single white strobe light pulses in time to the song's percussion. Standing in the middle of that pulsing light, back to the ring, stands Matthew Knox adorned in his ring gear and a sleeveless hoodie. Arms outstretched like a bird in flight he pivots on a heel and begins making his way to the ring, sliding under the bottom rope and picking a corner to charge and leap upon to scream the audience into a frenzy. He takes a lap around the ring, before kneeling in a corner and patiently waiting for the ring to sound.
“Handsome” Jack Bytheway: Introducing first, from Baltimore MD by way of Monterey, CA weighing in tonight at 244 pounds…Matthew “The Raven” Knox!!
The fearsome drum intro starts for "Zetite" by Illnath, grabbing everyone's attention as a terrifying image of Supreme Machine's face glares down from the Tron. The entire arena then plunges into darkness, earning some screams of fright from the crowd after what they just saw.
As the fast-paced vocals begin, tunnels of flame begin erupting around the stage. They go off at different points in regular intervals, following the beat of the song and exploding upwards with a torrent of heat and fire. As the music increases in volume, every single funnel explodes at once, creating a huge fireball about the stage.
When the flames drop, Supreme Machine is standing there.
He has positioned himself at the top of the ramp, standing with his head bowed. His arms are tightly crossed around his chest. Supreme Machine then whips his head upwards and brings up a crucifix pose, with his gaze locking onto the ring battlefield that awaits him.
After a few moments have passed, with the crowd at peak anticipation/anxiety, Supreme Machine begins a slow measured walk down the aisle, looking ready to destroy any fan who dares reach in his direction. This is not a man you want to high five.
“Handsome” Jack Bytheway: And his opponent, from parts unknown and weighing in at 360 pounds…SUPREME MACHIIIIINE!!!!
Knox and Suma stand in opposite corners of the ring even as the bell rings. The fans scream out in an ancient, ancestral bloodlust meant to urge the two gladiators to rip each other limb from limb. The camera focuses on SuMa’s face, hidden by leather and a curtain of his hair. Then across to Matt Knox, hair slicked back and face paint masking his expression.Ref Jackson motions for them to step forward and they do, meeting in the middle of the ring.
Chet Morley: Anyone who knows anything about these two knows that this is a long time coming.
Will Ashford: They share blood, they’ve shed blood, and tonight here at Absolution they’ve resolved to end this once and for all…by burying the other one alive.
The two appear to exchange words when suddenly they lock up, each with a hand behind the others head with their primary striking hand firing off closed fist shots into the other’s head and face! The fans come unglued as the violence goes from zero to one hundred in an instant! Neither man seems willing to give any sort of ground. Eventually, with a roaring bellow, SuMa snatches Knox in a caveat and hurls him into a corner.
Will Ashford: That’s near two hundred and fifty pounds he just threw like nothing.
Chet Morley: He’s a big sumbitch alright, I wouldn’t wanna fight him. Hell, i don’t even like lookin at him!
SuMa charges in with a clothesline, but the quicker Knox side steps. He begins throwing stiff kicks into SuMa’s ribs, before hauling off and slapping him across the face. Knox sneers at SuMa and backs up as the monsters stares him down. After a moment he explodes out of the corner, spearing Knox to the mat and snatching him around the throat. He begins bashing Knox’s head into the canvas over and over while squeezing down upon his throat.
Will Ashford: Jesus christ ref, get him off of him!
Chet Morley: No rules, Ashford! Knox is on his own!
Eventually Knox is able to bring his palms down onto SuMa’s ears, smacking once, twice, three times before it’s enough to get the grip to relent. He then throws a quick chop to SuMa’s throat to get him to back up. Knox sweeps SuMa’s legs out from under him as he gets vertical, waiting and bringing down a vicious axe kick to the back of the monster’s head as he is knelt over sucking in air.
Will Ashford: That had to have rung his bell at least.
Chet Morley: I’ve seen slasher flicks all my life, Assford. It ain’t gonna do a lick o’nothin to the big man
Knox wastes no time, peppering SuMa with kicks to his upper body and arms as he pushes up through them. Eventually, SuMa catches a roundhouse kick and pulls Knox inward, snatching him by the throat once more and nailing a thunderous chokeslam. He keeps hold onto his throat, deadlift all 244 pounds of Knox from the mat and charging the ropes to dump him over the top and to the outside. Knox crashes sickly on the floor with SuMa already stepping over the top rope in pursuit.
Chet Morley: SEE?! JASON VOORHEES BULLSHIT EVERYWHERE!!
SuMa lingers on the apron for a minute as Knox writhes in pain before leaping down, stomping upon Knox’s ankle which elicits an immediate cry of pain from the Raven who pulls a leg back and fires a retaliatory kick aimed at SuMa’s crotch but the monster catches it, swinging Knox as if he weighed nothing and sending him crashing into the ring steps with enough force to jolt them off-center. SuMa stalks toward Knox, seemingly speaking down at him but it costs him when Knox snatches him by his attire and pulls him for all he’s worth into the ringpost, bouncing SuMa’s face off the steel.
Will Ashford: Some signs of life from Knox!
Chet Morley: It’s a slasher flick, Will! The badass who can match brawn with the monster never wins!! We need a Final Girl!
Knox gets up, firing a kidney punch at SuMa before creating some distance to try and work out the kink in his ankle. SuMa chatges back in but Knox leaps up, catching SuMa with a one-legged codebreaker. As he lands on the ground a hand fires under the ring apron, searching for something. Suma once more rises not unlike Michael Meyers, and stalks toward Knox who has pulled a lead pipe form under the ring!
Chet Morley: Or a lead pipe!
Knox is on one knee as SuMa moves in for an attack, looking to bring his firsts clubbing down upon the Raven but Knox cuts him off with a blow to the ribs with the lead pipe. Knox gets to his feet and soon is working SuMa over with the weapon, but no matter how hard he hits SuMa the monster won’t fall down. With an exasperated look, Knox raises the pipe over his head..but someone from the audience grabs it!
Chet Morley: HEY SECURITY CHECK THE MARKS!!
Knox whirls around to find one of the ‘followers’ from SuMa’s promo has snatched the pipe away. Before he can really react, SuMa snatches him from behind and hits a giant backdrop driver onto Knox, spiking him on his head! SuMa stands over Knox, seemingly unphased by the assault as he begins waving an arm over his head and soon, a half dozen bodies hop the guard rail. They’re all wearing SuMa masks and descend upon the Raven, stomping him viciously.
Will Ashford: Jesus Christ, this is a mugging! This has to be a plan!
Chet Morley: It’s overkill! Even with the pipe, Knox wasn’t makin too much headway in this match and now he’s outnumbered! Them million kids are about to become a million orphans!
Will Ashford: What about their moms?
Chet Morley: Look kid, it’s all about the soundbites here. Fuck facts.
APWO’s head of security, Enigma charges down but SuMa cuts him off with a clothesline that almost beheads the big man! Knox is seen at middle of the mugging, seemingly reaching out to a member of the audience in the front row wearing what appears to be a porcelain mask but his hand is quickly snatched as he is dragged up the ramp by SuMa’s followers to the big, open pit at the side of the stage.
Chet Morley: Welp, this is done and dusted. Thanks for the extra PPV buys guys! Never come back!
SuMa snatches the shovel from the mound of dirt, and walks before Knox. He jerks his head up to look him in the eye, and says something the cameras cant pick up…defiantly, Knox spits a glob of bloody spittle into SuMa’s face causing him to rear back. SuMa, enraged, prepares to swing the hammer at Knox when suddenly he’s tackled by Donny Mason!! The Corvid Combat Academy Students have come to their leader’s aid!
Will Ashford: Holy shit it’s like monster squad.
Chet Morley: But with suplexes!
Avalon Blackthorn, Shay Owens, Helena Handbasket, and Alix Mayne begin brawling with the masked disciples as Knox shakes the last one off. SuMa meanwhile has gotten the better of Donny Mason, chokeslamming the rookie before lifting him to nail Apex Ultima…BUT KNOX NAILS HIM WITH THE SHOVEL! SuMa drops Mason and turns to Knox who cracks him with the shovel again..it SNAPS OVER HIS HEAD!!!
SUMA JUST STARES AT KNOX!!!
Will Ashford: I just peed a little
Chet Morley: I just peed a lot.
Exasperated, Knox begins working SuMa over with the shovel handle until he’s caught by the throat once again and in a moment reminiscent of their match in Uprising, KNOX STABS SUMA WITH THE JAGGED END OF THE SHOVEL IN HIS THIGH!
Chet Morley: JESUS CHRIST YOU'RE GONNA GET OUR PPV CANCELED YOU GOONS
This rocks SuMa finally, prompting Knox to begin working him over with kicks that slowly back the monster to the hole. He lets out one last cry and nails a leaping inside crescent kick he calls the Dead and Lovely that sends the monster careening into the open grave. Knox soon realizes he’s fucked as far as shovels and drops to his knees, desperately shifting earth into the hole to cover SuMa…but the monster reaches a hand out! He drags Knox into the hole by his throat!
Will Ashford: Horror movies are WAY scarier live.
Chet Morley: He’s throttling him like my daddy throttled me for throwin fireworks at my sister!
Will Ashford: Why would you do that?!
Chet Morley: Bored, I guess.
The camera pans down into find the two brawling. Knox has blood running from the corner of his mouth from the beating by SuMa’s disciples, SuMa has blood flowing down his face from the shovel being broken over his head. Knox manages to get a foot up and kicks at the wound left by the handle of the shovel, Causing SuMa to falter long enough for Knox to crawl out but his relief is short lived as SuMa crawls out after him.
Chet Morley: Square fuckin’ one!
The two get up, resolving to end this the way they started as they leap at one another, locking the other in a half-caveat and busting the other in the face with right hands. Knox begins to falter again, and SuMa lifts him up in an electric chair driver, preparing for Apex Ultima…but Knox reverses and nails a poisonrana! Suma’s head spikes into the concrete! Knox slowly gets up, as SuMa does too, finally showing signs of fading. Knox kneels and with a cry of effort lifts SuMa onto his shoulders…..INTO THE VOID! SuMa falls into the grave!!
Chet Morley: HOW DID HE GET HIM UP?!
Will Ashford: Who knows, but bury him! Bury him fast!!
Knox weakly falls to his knees, shoveling earth down onto SuMa. Soon, his students join him as they work together to cover Supreme Machine in earth. After a certain point, the bell rings and Hell Broke Luce cracks through the house speakers. Alix and Helena Handbasket are seen embracing their teacher and father as Donny Mason helps him to his feet. The happy entourage make their way to the back as SuMa’s disciples set to digging him out.
Chet Morley: WHAT THE FUCK ARE THE GOTH KIDS DOING?! LEAVE HIM ALONE!!
Before long, SuMa’s hand shoots out from the earth just as the camera cuts away.
“Handsome” Jack Bytheway: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the APWO Television Title!
Rainbow colored lights swirl around the arena in time with the rhythm of "FANCY" as similarly colored pyro erupts along the front of the stage. As the pyro dies down, we see Risa Jackson standing there, one hand pointed at the sky, the other holding a peace sign up next to her face. She smiles brightly, and makes her way to the ring, high fiving fans as she goes. She does a full circuit of the ring before sliding in under the bottom rope. In the center of the ring, she spins three times before throwing her hand up to the sky again, and rainbow-colored pyro fires from all four ring posts before she backs into her corner and awaits the start
“Handsome” Jack Bytheway: Introducing first, from Orlando Florida. She weighs in tonight at all of one hundred and five pounds she is not the space chicken, but the Cosmic Swan…RIIISSSAA JACKSON!!!
The beat to "Born Legendary" by Emanuel Vo Williams hits.
-I crawled out the gutter
-I rose to the top
-My reign everlasting
-I can’t be stopped
-I was made for the throne
-Rise up til I moan
-You been waiting on a ruler
-Well I’m home
As soon as he says the word "Home" pyro explodes from the rampway as JC Keeton steps through the curtain to a thunderous ovation. He makes his way to the ring bouncing in rhythm to the music. When he reaches the ring he leaps up onto the apron and steps through the ropes, He continues to sway and bounce from heel to heel as he awaits the match to start.
“Handsome” Jack Bytheway: And her opponent, from Lexington Kentucky he weighs in tonight at 217 pounds….JAY! CEE! KEEEEEEETON!!
Ref Blazen holds the TV Title up backwards, with the plate not facing the camera at first until Bytheway leans in to correct him. Blazen laughs, turns the belt around and now presents it to the hardcam upside down. Risa Jackson is shown laughing at the display while Keeton looks to be second guessing his presence here. Blazen hands the belt off to the timekeeper, who then rings the bell.
Chet Morley: Clearly, we don’t drug test.
Will Ashford: Maybe he’s just old and confused?
Chet Morley: Maybe i’m just having a bad day, and thats why im such a sour bastard
Keeton and Risa meet in the middle of the ring and begin circling one another before they lock up. Keeton immediately has an advantage as he pushes her to the corner. Blazen gets to four before Keeton breaks, smirking as he backs up with his hands in the air signaling a clean break. However, as soon as Risa takes a step out he takes her to the mat with a headlock takeover. Risa goes for a headscissors but JC breaks it! They pop up, headlock takeover! Headscissors! Slip! They repeat this a few times before popping up in fighting stances simultaneously.
Will Ashford: These are two premiere athletes, no doubt about it Chet.
Chet Morley: Took the words right outta my mouth.
As they circle each other once more, Keeton golf claps confidently before they go for another lockup but Risa takes Keeton over with a big arm drag and nails a dropkick to the back of his head! She then bounces off the ropes and gets him in the temple with a baseball slide that sends him rolling out onto the arpon. Keeton pulls himself up using the ropes but Risa nails him with a springboard dropkick that sends Keeton out into the guardrail.
Chet Morley: There goes Keeton!
Will Ashford: But can Risa capitalize?
Keeton barely has time to pull himself up and lean against the rail to catch his breath before suddenly Risa springboards off the top rope going for a meteora..BUT KEETON CATCHES HER! He charges forward and powerbombs Risa onto the ringsteps! Risa cries out in pain, arching her back in pain. Keeton does her no favors as he hauls off and punt kicks Risa in the small of her back, lifting her by the mask and rolling her back into the ring.
Chet Morley: Back and forth, these two.
Will Ashford: What more would you expect from two former world champions?
Keeton takes full control now, hauling Risa up before taking her over with a half and half suplex. Risa rolls to a corner, trying to prop herself up but Keeton follows with a leaping dropkick while she’s knelt in the corner, bashing her face into the turnbuckle. Keeton then yanks her out of the corner, lifting her up and nailing a brainbuster. He floats over into a cover as ref Blazen drops down to count
Chet Morley: FIRST CHAMP!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR–NO! RISA JACKSON KICKS OUT!
Will Ashford: SO CLOSE!
Keeton confers with the ref who confirms the two, stops to think about it, recounts on his other hand, then nods that it was two. Keeton shakes his head, getting to his feet and pulling Risa with him. Suddenly, Risa pops up and breaks out of his grasp! She nails him with a series of open palm strikes before pulling him into a Muay Thai Plum and alternating between knee and elbow shots to his ribs and the back of his neck, eventually driving Keeton down to one knee!
Will Ashford: Risa is fighting back with all she’s got!
Risa backs up, then charges forward and nails Keeton with a shining wizard that sends him toppling. Risa is feeling it now as she cries out to the fans, shaking the top rope before scaling it herself. She stands and crosses herself before leaping and nailing Keeton in the chest with a big double foot stomp! She bounces off of Keeton, charges the ropes and nails a lionsault!! Risa hooks both Keeton’s legs. Blazen drops down to count!
Will Ashford: HERE WE GO!
Chet Morley: Hey. Impartiality, Dick!
ONE!
TWO!
NO! KEETON KICKS OUT THIS TIME!!
Risa remains fired up! She gets to her feet and signals the end is near, waiting for Keeton to get vertical before charging in she goes for the POWER BREAK but Keeton reverses it! WRECK YOUR NECK!! He sinks the bulldog choke in deep as Ref Blazen goes to check on Risa who refuses to tap! She reaches out for the ropes but eventually her arm goes slack. Blazen tries to rouse her but waves his arms, calling for the bell!
Will Ashford: It’s over!
Chet Morley: JC KEETON HAS DONE IT!
Keeton releases Risa and takes the TV Title from Ref Blazen, Holding it up high above his head as his music plays. Suddenly, something catches his eye as Vance Isaac Parker walks out from the back ,clapping. He points to Keeton’s shoulder and then motions around his own waist as Keeton only smirks in response, taking a moment to help Risa to her feet and raise her hand as well in a show of sportsmanship.
Will Ashford: Wonder what that’s about…
Chet Morley: Ambition, probably
Just as Risa moves behind the curtain, and Keeton remains celebrating in the ring Mighty and High by Can't Stop Won't Stop hits on the speakers as the new APWO TV Champion stands in front. Helena Handbasket slides from behind the curtain, mic, and briefcase in hand. The blond sets the briefcase on a rising barricade and leans back, clapping as she brings the mic to her mouth.
Helelna Handbasket: "Oi, congrats Champ. Listen, [Insert name here.] We could do this right now, right here. There's a Ref. Here's the crowd. But you know what? The side of this business I personally love is the Showmanship. The antics...The shenanigans, some might phrase it. I love that everything good thing around here needs some spicy build. So...Naw, you get tonight to celebrate. Feel good about it. Sit with that belt for a bit. Warm it up for me. Because after midnight? You better learn to check your bathroom mirror in the morning for flying knees. Because me? I'm setting up something grand, and you? Get to wonder when the other shoe tied to an anvil is gonna drop. Anyway, that's all I really wanted to say. Conga Rats. See you soon. Or not. We'll work on it."
Helena winks picks up her briefcase and high-fives fans as she leaves through the crowd instead of backstage. JC Keeton just stares after her, bemused at his sudden popularity before heading up the ramp with the prize held above his head.