Battle of the Best: Night One [PPV]
Jun 17, 2021 22:11:59 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Venom 🕷, and 6 more like this
Post by Vodka Fizz on Jun 17, 2021 22:11:59 GMT -5
We open to the sight of the armoured form of the newly crowned Misha Constantine before the unlit brazier. The self-proclaimed Self-Made God-Emperor of the XHF inclines his head as his voice can be heard from beneath his mask.
Constantine: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Now I am God and thus I am the Word. Now it is through me all things are made, and without me nothing will be made. In me is life, and that life is the Light. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not overcome it.
He places a gauntleted hand over the brazier and suddenly it ignites, the fire quickly growing before him. He withdraws his hand from the flame and speaks again.
Constantine: Tomorrow I will end MOYJIN once and for all, but before that you will witness a great conflict, as those drawn to the light of FIRESIDE and those who already dwell within it clash to prove who among them is the best. Whoever wins will not be my equal, but they will most certainly stand above the rest. Closer to the light. Closer to the fire...
Wright: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Battle of the Best!
Park: We have a great card tonight, one of out best shows to date for sure!
Wright: Lets get right to it, Ungoo!
The camera cuts from the announcers to show Walter Stanford in the ring.
Walter Stanford: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Walter Stanford: And it is a first-round match in the Battle of the Best Tournament AND is for the FIRESIDE SPARK Championship! Introducing first, from Eugene Oregon. He stands at 6'3" and weighs 228 pounds. He is the FIRESIDE SPARK Champion, this is... SHAAAAANE, LOOOOOOOOOOOOCKE!
Locke wastes little time heading to the ring, not bothering with exchanging high fives, not bothering with jibes, simply keeping an eye on the ring. Locke's reddish-brown mullet is capped with a heavily worn John Deere cap and his strong looking but not necessarily "jacked" frame is wrapped with a sleeveless flannel work shirt. He has a thick neck, wide chest and back, body hair evident. He has a frame powered by a lifetime of hard work rather then a gym. His forearms as especially think, capped with gnarled, thick hands and fingers.
Wright: That man is a beast in the ring! He's made quick work of Bucky Knight a few weeks back at Inferno to earn his place in the tournament, and I'm here for his journey!
Park: He is a man who will do anything to win, and that's the attitude I can get behind! Let's see how he handles Cthulhu's liege.
He takes no time to hit the steps and walk on in, wiping his boots on the apron before stepping in and heading right to his corner. He discards his shirt, throwing it to the side, taking off his hat with some reverence.
Walter Stanford: And his opponent, from Paris Illinois. She stands at 5'8" and weighs 165 pounds. THIS. IS. ZOOOOOOOOOLOTHOOOOOOOOOCH!
“Cthulhu” by Gunship begins playing as torches all along the entranceway and aisle light up. “Zolothach” Tabitha Osborne walks out from the back with a wide grin as she takes in the boos from the crowd. She heads down to the ring with a sexy swagger (but she looks like a corpse so not very many catcalls).
Park: Zolothoch is someone who's determined to win! Cheat, murder, or kick their opponent's ass! She can and will do it all!
Wright: But how will she fare against the SPARK Champ? He's beaten everyone in his path to get here and shows no signs of stopping now!
She rolls into the ring and leans in her corner. Chris Mardinly, the assigned official for this match runs down the rules for the bout with the two and makes sure they are aware of everything they need to be aware of. This will be called down the middle and the SPARK Championship is on the line. With everything covered, he motions for the bell to be rung!
DING DING! DING DING!
With the bell rung, Zolo and Locke approach each other in the middle of the ring. Locke offers up a hand for a collar-and-elbow tie up but Zolo responds by charging him and tackling him to the mat, raining down lefts and rights to his head! Locke gets his arms up to block some hits, but Zolo can smell a blind spot like a shark smells blood and just goes for any opening she sees! It takes a bit before the assault lets up, and Shane takes the opportunity to absolutely deck Zolo in the jaw! She falls backward and Shane gets to his feet, gesturing for her to bring it on!
Wright: Shane just took all of that and is begging her for more!
Park: Such is life when you have a goal like his to carry out!
Zolo screams and charges Shane, but you can only attempt the same strategy so many times before the boss catches on and adapts his style! Locke lifts Zolo with a knee to the gut, before grabbing her hair and pulling it back before BAM! An uppercut sends Zolo TO THE FLOOR! She tumbles outside the ring and Shane exits the opposite side of the ring, charging around the ring before CRASH! BANG! ALAKAZAM! Zolo is just bum rushed into the steel steps outside the ring! Mardinly keeps a close eye on the action while counting them outside the ring. Shane pulls Zolothoch to her feet, again by her hair and ZOLOTHOCH BITES HIS HAND! ZOLOTHOCH HAS SUNK HER SHARP TEETH INTO THE HAND OF SHANE LOCKE, OH GOODNESS!
Wright: Eugh, that’s unsanitary and gross! What the hell?!
Park: THAT is a desire to win, Oliver! Look at her determination! I’d love to step into the ring with that!
But Shane just smiles through the pain, and BITES ZOLOTHOCH’S HAND BACK! OH MY!
Park: Look at them, Oliver! They would do anything to win here!
Wright: I, uh… *gulp* see, Unjoo.
Is this a submission? Neither are letting go! While they’re both biting one another, Mardinly is at a count of 7! They’ve forgotten about the count while being so focused on the whole biting thing! They let go and both roll into the ring, face-to-face with one another.
Wright: Back to square one!
Shane grabs Zolo in a bear hug and begins to ragdoll her around, wearing her down in the process. She squirms, trying to escape those tree trunk size arms of Shane Locke and she does! She slides out from below and rolls backwards, nailing a questionably low kick to his precious family jewels! Mardinly didn’t have a clear line of sight and cannot call that a disqualifiable move, thus dictating the match will continue! Shane grovels and thrusts his head at Zolothoch, but Zolo moves out of the way and kicks it for good measure! She wraps around him like an anaconda for an arm-hook leg-trap neck submission, turning the SPARK Champion into a toasted pretzel! Locke is screaming in pain, trying to reach out for the ropes but they are just mere inches away! Mardinly asks him if he will submit but the MASTERLOCKE shakes his head in defiance!
Wright: Zolothoch may be our next SPARK Champion if this keeps up!
Park: Her will to win and methods are sound, but can she keep it up is the question at hand!
Wright: She will undo her mistake of losing to Mistress Discipline for the SPARK Championship at Fuel for the Fire. That I am sure of.
Park: Yes, and who beat M.D. to be the current holder to said SPARK Championship? This should be a cake walk for Shane!
Shane manages to muster the strength to sit himself forward, enough to rock himself forward a bit. He gets into a nearly on-his-feet position, and slams himself back down with all his weight! All 228 pounds of pure muscle drops backwards on Zolothoch, crushing her! While this happens, neither of them move from the submission position but the momentum gave Shane enough leeway to pin Zolo!
...ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!
Zolothoch has to break her submission to get out of the pin, leaving both competitors winded and gasping for air. Fatigued, even! They lay beside one another, panting as Mardinly checks on them both and makes sure they’re able to continue. Both agree to keep going on and not submit, but at this point you have to ask if they’re just going through the basic motor functions in their heads. Both pulled themselves to their feet, assisted with the ropes, to cheers from the crowd!
Park: Love them or hate them, you have to commend these two. Willing to put it all on the line plus some just for a strap of leather with a large metal plate in the center!
Wright: It’s about more than that, Unjoo. It’s about the fanfare, everyone who looks up to them at home. Everyone they inspire, although I hope Zolothoch isn’t inspiring too many people. It’s about advancing their careers with this win. The title is one thing, but this could be a step for one or the other to begin a new chapter in their careers that culminates in them winning the FIRESIDE World Championship!
Park: Inspiring words, but really this is about the here and the now! And right now, these two are about to start slugging it out again!
They’re tired, they’re hurt, but dammit they’re not down yet! Zolo and Locke begin to trade blows to fanfare from the crowd, cheers for the SPARK Champion and boos for the Cthulhu liege! With each punch the fans get louder, willing their chosen fighter back to full health! To get to their deserved win! Shane kicks out the leg of Zolo while she’s focused on his fists! She falls to a knee and he runs the ropes. CRACK! THE SOUND OF SKULLS COLLIDING IS SUCH A GLORIOUS SOUND, BUT DAMN DID THAT LOOK LIKE IT HURT! Zolo flops backwards in defeat as Shane shakes those cobwebs, his vision blurring a bit. He walks forward and grabs Zolo around the waist, lifting her up and over for a deadlift german suplex! Zolo folds like an origami, rolling to the edge of the ring.
Shane marches over and grabs her by the hair, pulling her to her feet. She gets up to the second rope and throws her weight forward, driving her shoulder into his gut! Shane doubles over and Zolo leaps over the ropes, landing on his back and rolling forward! SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! BOOM! SHE PINS SHANE! SPARK TITLE COULD CHANGE HANDS HERE!
...ONE! TWO! TH-KICKOUT BY SHANE!
Wright: Zolothoch's pulling out all the stops!
Park: Shane will not let Zolothoch pin him this far into the match!
Wright: He’s got a bit left in the tank and he’ll be damned if she walks out the new champ!
Zolo slaps the mat in frustration, she can’t believe that he kicked out! She delivers a few stiff strikes to his head, before lifting him off the mat. Shane is groggy, but shoves her off. He tries a quick LARIAAAAT, but Zolo ducks! She delivers a chop block and like a felled tree, Shane’s on the floor! She steps back, THRUST KICK! NO! Shane ducks and pushes her off again! Before she can react, a clubbing blow nails her in the spine!
Wright: OOF!
Shane cracks his neck before lifting her up by the throat, squeezing as he brings her to her feet. It’s his turn to run the ropes, charging for something big! But Zolo again, she ducks and kicks his knee. When he’s down on all fours, she drops him with a shining wizard! Shane goes down! Zolo kneels beside him, panting for a moment before she looks at the corner, up the turnbuckles her eyes move! She stands up and walks confidently over to the corner, climbing the turnbuckles as the crowd roars! She looks down, as Shane is beginning to stir! She smacks her hand on the turnbuckle rhythmically, screaming at Locke to get up! The crowd claps to her rhythm! As soon as he makes it to his feet, Zolothoch goes for the Twist of Fate, jumping off but SHANE LOCKE CATCHES HER! THE MASTERLOCKE HAS THE LOCKEDOWN CINCHED IN! ZOLO HAS NO IDEA WHAT CAUGHT HER AND SHE LOOKS TO BE DEFLATING FAST… Locke has her lifted a whole foot and a half off the ground, she can’t do anything. She’s fading fast… Mardinly lifts her arm once… twice… THREE TIMES! ZOLOTHOCH IS OUT COLD! RING THAT BELL!
DING DING! DING DING!
Walter Stanford: THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH VIA KNOCKOUT AT 14:25, STILL THE FIRESIDE SPARK CHAMPION, AND ADVANCING TO THE FIRESIDE FOURWAY BOUT, SHANE LOCKE!
Wright: WOW! What a war these two went through!
Park: Shane Locke has 24 hours to recover from this, because tomorrow night he may have two more matches en route to winning the Battle of the Best!
Shane is quick to release Zolothoch from his iron grip and lets her drop lifeless to the floor, gently to not cause further harm. Dr. Lagari is quick to get over to Zolothoch and check on her, but the eyes are on Shane Locke as he's just retained the SPARK Championship and advanced to the FIRESIDE Fatal 4Way part of this tournament! Shane smiles as the SPARK Championship is handed to him. He takes it and kisses the center plate, before exiting the ring and walking over to his wife, giving her a hug. He then walks up the ramp with a slight limp, before turning back to the fans and raising the SPARK Championship high one more time!
Wright: Don't go away folks, because we have plenty more matches in store for you all! Stay tuned!
A hush falls over the arena before “Choose Me” begins to play through the arena and out from the back comes Shizuku Yamamoto. She rolls her wrists and stretches her elbows as she heads to the ring.
Stanford: The following bout is a first round match in the Battle of the Best tournament, introducing first, fighting out of Asahikawa, Japan. Representing SKY Force, Shizuku Yamamot!
As Shizuku prepares in the ring the lights go out as “Nameless One” hits the speakers, Dylan Black bursts through the curtain and stands at the top for a few moments as he soaks in the reaction.
Park: Everybody knows who Dylan Black is here, and he has to be a strong favourite going into this match.
Wright: You could definitely say that, but it isn’t worth counting out Shizuku just yet.
Stanford: And her opponent, fighting out of Boston Mass, he is the Messiah of Mayhem, the Cybernetic Psychopath. Dylan! Black!
The referee checks over both competitors and goes over the rules with them, before signalling for the bell.
DING! DING!
Park: We’re ready to get this Battle of the Best bout underway!
Wright: It’s going to be very interesting to see how both opponents approach this match. Dylan Black clearly has the strength advantage here, and while Shizuku is smaller she may very well not be much faster than the Cybernetic Psychopath.
The referee calls for the bell and we are underway. Dylan and Yamamoto begin to circle each other out, trying to find an opening to start off the match. Dylan cockily offers a test of strength, and Shizuku nods her head which causes Black to smirk. The two walk towards the center of the ring, and Dylan raises his arms above Shinzuku’s head. She lowers her head a second and scoffs, before delivering a swift left kick to the leg of Dylan Black, and then another quickfire kick to the right leg of Dylan Black.
Wright: Shizuku is definitely trying to use her speed to wear out Dylan as quickly as she can.
Park: I think going for as quick an ending as possible plays into Shizuku Yamamoto’s benefit win or lose. The longer you’re in the ring with Dylan Black the shorter your career gets.
Wright: She’s going for it!
A little stunned by the speed of the kicks Dylan drops his arms, and Shizuku takes the chance to connect with the Detonate kick, dropping Dylan Black to the matt hard! Shizuku Yamamoto quickly scrambles across the ring to go for the quick pinfall cover, but as the referee slides in to count the fall, they notice that Dylan’s foot is underneath the ropes, meaning the pinfall can’t be counted.
Park: Oh veteran move by Dylan Black there!
Wright: The ring awareness of a seasoned veteran, another advantage the former two time X*Crown champion has over the relative newcomer in Shizuku Yamamoto, but so far she’s holding her own against a phenomenal talent.
Shinzuku climbs to her feet and tries to argue with the referee who explains the situation. She throws her arms up and turns back to Dylan who is shaking the cobwebs from out of his head and slowly getting to his feet. Yamamoto throws a quick kick to the left arm of Black, but he throws his arm up to defend it, as she goes to send the second quick into Dylan’s right arm, he launches forwards to his feet, and almost beheads Shinzuku Yamamoto with a devastating lariat, Shinzuku almost folds in on herself backwards as she flips onto her font.
Park: Holy crap he nearly took her head off!
Wright: It worked for her once, it’s not a surprise that she’d try it again seeing how it allowed her to almost score an early pinfall, but Dylan Black is an intelligent wrestler, as intelligent as he is cruel. That was definitely sent with intent to send a message.
Dylan looks down at Shizuku before grabbing her by the waist, and slowly lifting her off the ground, up, holding her level with himself for a moment, before suddenly arching backwards and delivering a huge deadlift german suplex, Shizuku onces again almost looks to defy physics as she crumbles, and comes to a stop in the corner of the ring. Dylan rolls to a knee and just smirks as he takes in the situation.
Wright: There’s that strength advantage coming into play.
Park: Dylan made that look so easy, and poor Shizuku is crumpled up in the corner.
Wright: Smart move by Black to try and kill off her quickfire attacks.
As Shizuku leans into the turnbuckle, in a sitting position, Dylan takes a light jog to hit the ropes opposite and comes steaming across the ring leaping into the air and delivering a stiff dropkick to Yamamoto in the corner! As Black rolls away and back to his feet, Yamamoto falls forwards, one arm draped across the ropes.
Park: He sure got some height on that!
Wright: It’s almost like Dylan is showing off here.
Black drops to his back and rolls out of the ring, heading to the corner that Yamamoto finds herself in. Dylan grabs her loos arm and pulls her towards the steel post behind the turnbuckle itself. Shizuku seems to come too and realizes what has happened, she shouts out as Dylan pulls on her arm, she shifts her body position, grabbing her arm with her free arm and kicking back off the turnbuckle she pulls Dylan forwards, who’s own head now connects with the post.
Park: Oh! Did you hear that!? The sound of someone’s head connecting with pure steel!
Wright: I can’t exactly feel any sympathy for Dylan, he was going to do exactly that to Shizuku Yamamoto, which is not needed to win a wrestling match really, is it? A touch unnecessary.
Inside the ring Shizuku is pulling herself together, and taking the time to try and recover while Dylan lays on the floor. Slowly but surely Black begins to pull himself to his feet using the announcers table. Yamamoto spots this, and runs to the ropes, grabbing the top rope she leaps up and springboards off of the top rope and to the outside just as Dylan walks forwards and she connects with a huge springboard elbow smash! The two crash to the floor, Shizuku rolls through but her back hits the bottom of the announcers table, and the two lay on the floor at ringside breathing deep.
Wright: SPRINGBOARD ELBOW SMASH TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
Park: I think she might have broken Dylan’s nose!
Wright: It looks like the referee is beginning the count for both competitors being on the outside.
The referee begins a ten count as both of the fighters lay at ringside.
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THREE!
Shizuku reaches up to the top of the table to slowly pull herself up.
...FOUR!!!
Dylan grabs the ring apron and pulls himself up.
...FIVE!!!
As Dylan turns around Shizuku charges at him, she dives at him, but Dylan lifts her up into the air as if to powerbomb Yamamoto, but she grabs the ropes and flips over them, breaking into a full on sprint across the ring. She hits the ropes and comes speeding back, as Dylan turns around once more Shizuku dives through the middle ropes and connected with a powerful diving forearm/suicide dive combination that sends Dylan flying back first into the table, as Shizuku lands on her feet and roars to the crowd.
Park: Wow, Shizuku is fired up here!
Wright: The opportunity that the Battle of the Best provides is more than enough fuel for a lot of people both in Fireside itself and the XHF Network on a larger scale
Park: I guess we’re going to see a lot of people trying to pull out all the stops to progress to the final and maybe get that title shot, or possible X*Crown shot.
Wright: That is for sure the biggest part of this all, but there’s also the bragging rights that goes with being able to call yourself the BEST, When you’ve been through a battle of the best!
Shizuku grabs Dylan and brings him over to the apron, before slowly rolling him into the ring. She jumps up onto the ring apron and turns to face Dylan who is once again making his way to the ring, once more Yamamoto grabs on the ropes and launches herself up into the air, going for her springboard elbow smash once more, but out of nowhere Dylan Black absolutely nails Shizuku in the face with a bicycle knee strike DISASTERPIECE!
Park: OH MY WORD!
Wright: What a devastating knee strike from Dylan Black there, with the added momentum of Shizuku springboarding from the apron right into the knee of Black!
Dylan goes to grab Shizuku but she tries to roll through into a wheelbarrow bulldog, but Dylan reverses it and nails her with a big wheelbarrow facebuster!
Wright: Oh no! We know what’s coming next!
Park: We do!?
Wright: It’s not going to pretty trust me…
Dylan stands above Shizuku Yamamoto for a moment, allowing everyone to bask in his presence as he stands above her with a foot either side. He snarls down at her as he begins to set up the Dynamic Outro, grabbing the hair of Yamamoto to pull her up and stretch her back before full blown SLAMMING her face into the floor with the DYNAMIC OUTRO!
Wright: Speaking of broken noses, that could straight up be a broken nose for Shizuku Yamamoto there, I mean Dylan Black hits that move with such force, it’s like he’s trying to knock you out!
Park: Well, it only needs to be for three seconds at a time!
Dylan cracks his neck before he shoves Shizuku onto her back with his foot, before he kneels down and makes the cover. The referee slides in for the cover and begins the count…
...ONE! TWO! THREE!!!
DING! DING! DING!
Park: Wow, Dylan Black advances with no mercy.
Wright: You can imagine that Dylan Black has a new sense of focus after losing the X*Crown, and quite possibly a new stack of determination to prove a point.
Park: It’s going to be interesting to see who comes up against the Messiah of Mayhem next!
Wright: Credit has to be due to Shizuku Yamamoto for a valiant effort against arguably one of the best XHF has to offer.
Park: That she does, but the plaudits go to Dylan Black, who now advances to the next stage of the Battle of the Best tournament!
Dylan stands almost motionless as the referee holds up his arm, confirming him as the winner.
Stanford:The winner of this match by pinnfall and advancing to the second round of Battle of the best, DYLAAAAAN BLAAAAAACK!!!!
While “Nameless One” plays in the background, Shizuku is rolling out of the ring, coming to terms with the loss before Dylan heads to the ropes and steps through them, marching up to the back.
The light go down, and then come up an angry red. Flames explode from the either side of the ramp, jets and bursts of flame erupting into the air. Donzig walks from the back, wearing his skull mask with his hood up. He pauses, glaring out across the crowd before he shakes his head before walking down the ramp slowly. He circles around the ring, still watching the crowd before pausing to watch the announce team before he climbs the stairs.
Walter Stanford: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL and is part of the Battle of the Best Tournament! Introducing first... from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania... weighing in at 215 pounds... DONZIIIIIIGGGGGGGG!
He stops at the ropes, reaching up to shove his hood back before stepping through the ropes. Then he takes off the mask, and shakes his head at the fans with a scowl before he leans back in his corner. Arms resting on the ropes while waiting for the match to start.
Wright: Here comes Donzig, a new face to the Network, making his FIRESIDE debut!
Park: My sources tell me this guy is ruthless and can withstand insane levels of abuse in the ring to squeeze out the win, so we'll see how he fares here tonight.
The opening chords of "Gently" begin to play, as the lights darken completely. The crowd reacts to the haunting melody of Hyperion's entrance; the darkness blanketing everyone. Hyperion appears from a distance, walking through the crowd, tall and fierce. A single golden spotlight shines on him as he makes his way to the ring until he climbs over the barrier and approaches the ring steps.
Walter Stanford: And his opponent... hailing from New York, New York... weighing in at 345 pounds... he is the MAAAAD TITAN..... HYYYYYPEEEEEERIIIIIOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!!!
He pauses at the side, looking into the crowd with a scowl on his face, before raising his fist over his head to shouts from the audience. He enters over the top rope and stares down Donzig.
DING DING DING!
The two men stand across the ring from each other, staring each other down. Hyperion grins at Donzig, as if he finally has a challenger. Donzig shows no emotion as he stares down his opponent. The crowd buzzes with anticipation.
Wright: Hyperion is a legend among legends at the XHF Network! Very few people have stepped in the ring with the god among men and survived!
Park: Well, history only matters so much here, Wright. This is all about who wants it more tonight to move on to Night Two!
Donzig readies himself and circles around, sizing up the mountain of a man in front of him. Hyperion steps back and holds his arms to the side, as if to extend an invitation to Donzig... and invitation he accepts as he rushes Hyperion and tries to lock up with him! The collar-and-elbow lock up only lasts so long, though, as Hyperion's power and size advantages allows him to force Donzig back into the corner. Hyperion chokes him out in the corner as Melanie Davenport counts him off.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
Hyperion releases the hold and takes a few steps back, grinning at Donzig still. This infuriates him and he bolts out of the corner, going for another tie up, but Hyperion quickly tosses him to the ground. Donzig lands and slowly looks up to Hyperion, at the giant man in front of him, and nods, acknowleding what must be done. Donzig refuses to stay down and lunges at Hyperion once again, but the larger man overpowers him and sends him back-first into the corner. Slumped against the corner, Donzig is subjected to an onslaught of powerful kicks. Davenport counts him off again, along with the crowd.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
Hyperion relents, but only for a moment, following up by whipping Donzig across the ring and into the other corner. Donzig slams against the corner and stumbles forward out of it, and Hyperion is quickly on him to catch him as he stumbles forward, lifting him high in the air over him and dropping him several feet to the mat below! Donzig pancakes against the mat.
Park: So far, Hyperion's size advantage is proving to be a lot to overcome for Donzig.
Wright: But Donzig is showing no signs of backing down.
Hyperion drops down for the cover...
...ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!
Donzig is able to kick out easily. Hyperion nods and drags Donzig up to his feet and whips him into the corner again. Donzig slams and stumbles forward and Hyperion looks to repeat the back drop again... but as he move on his prey, Donzig gets a shoulder up! Hyperion eats a face full of shoulder and stumbles back, which leaves an opportunity for Donzig to follow up. He squares up and lands a fist directly into the forehead of Hyperion! Wasting no time, he follows up with a jab from the other hand... then another, and another, alternating back and forth!!
Wright: Looks like Donzig has got some momentum going!
Amidst the flurry of blows, Hyperion steadies himself enough to get a massive knee lift into the gut of Donzig, stopping the onslaught. Donzig grabs at his gut as he stumbles backwards, falling against the ropes. Hyperion stalks towards him and grabs him, whipping him into the corner again. Hyperion charges him to follow up, but this time, Donzig kicks up from the corner and plants two feet into the chest of the oncoming Titan. Hyperion staggers back, giving Donzig time to raise himself up to the second rope. Hyperion turns and Donzig leaps off towards the Titan, going for a flying Lou Thesz Press... but Hyperion catches him on his shoulders! Hyperion lets him hang there for a moment before planting him on the mat with a powerbomb! He holds it and bridges into a pin attempt.
...ONE! TWO! T--KICKOUT!
Donzig manages to writhe free of the pin and kicks out.
Wright: Every time Donzig gets some momentum going, Hyperion snuffs it out!
Park: Maybe so, but Donzig is finding more and more weaknesses in Hyperion's armor.
Hyperion backs away from Donzig and waits for him to rise. Hyperion charges him and goes for a running big boot, but Donzig ducks and rolls underneath it. The Mad Titan turns to find Donzig ready for him, jumping and grabbing his head and planting it on the mat with a DDT! Hyperion's whole body flops over as Donzig rests for a moment to catch his breath. Donzig pulls himself up to his feet and eyeballs the Mad Titan, who is slowly rising. Donzig keeps up the momentum and grabs Hyperion before he's back on his feet, lifting a knee into Hyperion's skull a few times to soften him up, before twisting him around into his version of the Unprettier!
Wright: 25:17 from Donzig! Hyperion's down!
With Hyperion down on the mat, Donzig goes for a cover.
...ONE! TWO! ...DONZIG LIFTS HYPERION'S SHOULDERS UP?
The crowd jeers in response as Donzig marches over to the side of the ring, taunting them.
Park: Donzig isn't content to just try to win, he wants to establish dominance.
Wright: Seems the crowd here is none too pleased to see an icon like Hyperion treated this way!
Donzig wastes slightly too much time taunting, though, and doesn't notice the Mad Titan rising behind him, staring him down.
Wright: That bit of showmanship gave Hyperion time to recover!
Hyperion rushes Donzig and wraps him up from behind, locking his arms around him in a reverse bear hug! Donzig struggles to get free and flails his arms, but Hyperion only strengthens his grip on Donzig, slowly squeezing the life out of him. Donzig starts to fade but a shout of attention from ringside by Lady Godfrey snaps him back to life. He starts to raise his arms, as if channeling some kind of divine energy.
Wright: I believe Donzig may need a higher power to escape Hyperion's grasp!
Park: Or, in his case, a lower power...
Donzig closes his eyes and mutters something to himself, then slams his head back with force. The back of his skull slams into Hyperion's nose with such force it immediately begins to spurt blood like a water fountain. Hyperion hangs onto the hold, trying his hardest not to let go, but he's just dazed enough from the headbutt to allow Donzig to turn around in his arms. Now face-to-face with Hyperion, Donzig slams his forehead down on the side of Hyperion's skull. This second headbutt fully stuns and dazes the Mad Titan, but he's still standing!
Wright: How the hell did Donzig muster the strength!?
Donzig wipes away a mixture of sweat and Hyperion's blood from his face, glancing at it briefly on his own hand, before following up with yet another sickening headbutt directly to the forehead of Hyperion. This stagger him enough to send Hyperion down to one knee, attempting to shake out the cobwebs. Donzig swings backwards, feeling the recoil himself from using his own skull as a battering ram. Hyperion manages to get back up to two feet and Donzig moves forward, squinting out of one eye and landing another massive headbutt on the Mad Titan! Hyperion staggers back, showing signs of weakness, and Donzig hits the ropes and runs at him, delivering a basement dropkick to Hyperion's shins to take him down to all fours. Donzig climbs back up to his feet and wobbles a moment, using his hands to frame up Hyperion and stabilize his aim, before firing off another missile dropkick to the back of Hyperion's head!
Park: Now we're seeing the fight in him! Donzig has figured out how to take down a man the size of Hyperion!
Donzig staggers forward, stabilizing himself, then runs to the ropes. Hyperion rises to meet him, but only gets part of the way to his feet. Donzig bounces off the ropes and jumps, hooking his legs around Hyperion's neck and taking him down with a headscissors takedown!
Wright: Hyperion may finally be in trouble here!
Hyperion lays on his back, out of breath and clearly seeing stars from the vicious offense from Donzig. Donzig eyeballs the ropes and runs to the side, jumping and springboarding off the second rope for a Lionsault... BUT HYPERION ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!! DONZIG EATS CANVAS!
Wright: Quick dodge by Hyperion!
Park: Took the wind right out of Donzig's sails! This may be Hyperion's time to catch his breath.
Hyperion slowly rises to his feet, staring down his opponent. Sweat drips from his face and off of the ends of his beard as he breathes deeply, trying desperately to restore oxygen to his body. He rises behind Donzig, who slowly gets back to his feet as well, shaking off the missed Lionsault. He turns around and Hyperion NEARLY TAKES HIS FUCKING HEAD OFF WITH A MASSIVE LARIAT!
Wright: First Principle! That was the First Principle!
Park: May be over for Donzig!
Hyperion goes for the cover!
...ONE! TWO! THREE!
...NO! KICKOUT! At the VERY LAST SECOND, some spark of life manages to bring Donzig back to life!
Wright: Unbelievable!
Park: I'm impressed Donzig can move his head, let alone kick out, after that!
Hyperion rolls off of him and stares up at the ceiling, his chest heaving up and down. He spent every ounce of energy, but then again, so did Donzig. Both of them lay there for a moment not really moving. The crowd starts to clap in unison as both competitors show signs of life. They both crawl to their respective sides, using the ring ropes to pull themselves up. Hyperion makes it there first, though, and stalks towards Donzig again.
Wright: Another First Principle may take Donzig's head clean off!
Hyperion crouches into a readied stance as Donzig makes it up to his feet. He lunges at Donzig for The First Principle... but DONZIG UNLEASHES THE BLACK MIST INTO HYPERION'S FACE! With the referee behind him, she doesn't see the mist spew out of his mouth! Hyperion immediately turns around holding his eyes, trying to wipe away the poison.
Wright: What on Earth!?
Park: Donzig showing he still has a trick or two up his sleeve!
With Hyperion's back to him, Donzig manages to catch his breath and then spins Hyperion round, kicking him in the stomach and cracking his jaw on his shoulder with a stunner!
Wright: EVENT HORIZON!!
Hyperion's head whips back as he flops onto the mat, black liquid pouring down from his eyes like a prom queen's mascara on prom night! Donzig quickly flops on top for the cover. Melanie Davenport drops for the count!
...ONE! TWO! THREE!
DING DING DING!
Walter Stanford: Here is your winner moving on to Night Two of Battle of the Best... DONZIGGGGGGGGG!
Donzig is quick to his feet, mouthing off at the crowd who are... well, let's just say they have some specific opinions about the manner in which he won the match. "See You Soon" by Chelsea Grin hits the speakers.
Wright: You hate to see a match end like this.
Park: Donzig did what he had to do to secure the victory.
Wright: But... like that?
Park: Donzig survived a torrent of abuse from a man twice his size and still walked away with a victory over an XHF Legend. I'd call that a good night, all things considered.
Donzig looks down upon the fallen god before him with referee Melanie Davenport checking on him to make sure he's okay as the cameras cut away.
The camera finds Vodka Fizz backstage. He is either shadowboxing with, or simply admiring, a lifesize cardboard cutout of himself. He is listening to music, judging by the airpods visible in his ears, and singing under his breath. Suddenly he reaches up to swipe his hands at the back of his hat.
Vodka: Chrissakes, Evan, I told you to quit messing with my hat! You might be my partner but that don’t mean I won’t whoop your ass. Boundaries, bro.
Silence… but then there’s a giggle, a decidedly feminine-sounding one at that, before another attempt is made to remove that glorious wonder of headgear from atop Fizz’s head.
Vodka: Evan, I said fuck off!
Vodka whirls around, intending to chastise his tag partner, only for the anger on his face to give way to confusion when he finds the interloper to be not who assumed, but Eli Dresden with a wide, mischievous grin on her face. Vodka is silent for a moment as he processes everything, and he removes one of his ear pods before speaking
Vodka: *unintelligible squeaking*
Vodka clears his throat, looking embarrassed, before speaking again.
Vodka: You’re not Evan.
The mischievous blond can’t help but to giggle to herself, though the sound is soft and pleasing rather than cutting. Eli’s amusement is genuine, lucky Fizz.
Dresden: Someone give this man the Boy Scout merit badge for observation skills.
Taking advantage of his stunned state, Eli once again makes an attempt to help herself to Vodka’s hat. Vodka absently brushes her hand away, eyeing the woman suspiciously.
Vodka: Har har.
Vodka pulls his phone out of his pocket, prodding at the screen to stop whatever he’s listening to, and turns his attention fully to Eli.
Vodka: There something I can help you with?
There’s a pout on Eli’s lips at being denied the shiny object that Fizz keeps blocking her from stealing--a first, if she’s being honest with herself--but amusement is soon taking over disappointment, the blond shaking her head.
Dresden: Beyond letting me try your hat on? Not really, though I think all the other guys that did the whole ‘call me’ thing will probably shit themselves when they see that I decided to talk to you instead of them. At least you’re cute, y’know?
Vodka quirks an eyebrow at the blond, clearly trying to play it off cool and failing miserably. He hums, running a finger along the brim of his hat as if considering removing it, then neglects to do so.
Vodka: Cute, huh? That aside, much as I *hate* to let a fan down, the hat’s a no go. Guy’s gotta keep *some* mystique.
Vodka winks at Eli, then immediately looks disgusted with himself.
Vodka: Jesus that was lame.
Even if Vodka’s calling his own antics lame, Eli’s giggling to herself before doing the classic ‘Aw, shucks!’ snap.
Dresden: Damn! Ah well, a girl can dream, can’t she?
A pause; cradling her chin, she does a good job of evilly stroking a non-existent beard.
Dresden: Or maybe plan ways of gettin’ at it another way… hmm, ye-es…
Vodka does a double take, furrowing and raising both eyebrows. He looks thoughtful and is silent for a long moment, clearly considering something, then a sly half-smile appears on his face. He leans back against a stage case that rolls out from behind him, sending the eccentric grappler tumbling to the floor.
Vodka: I mean, if you really want to discuss some options, I have a six pack in my gym bag, we can go knock a couple out before the show.
Vodka scrambles back to his feet, brushing himself off. He appears to have failed to notice his hat is, however, conspicuous in its absence. Eli’s the one who calls attention to it, albeit indirectly.
Dresden: Or it could knock off on its own.
Leaning to one side, the blond tries to spot the missing object of her fascination. Whether or not she’s also checking Fizz out is up for debate. Vodka quirks an eyebrow at her, completely failing to miss the hint.
Vodka: What, did I get something on my face?
Vodka starts swiping at some imagined grease or something. His hat, on the other hand, is revealed to be perched atop the cardboard cutout from before. Quickly and nimbly darting past him, Eli snags the hat of legend off the cutout’s head before... placing it atop Vodka’s head.
Dresden: S’not worth stealin’ off an inanimate object, y’know? Just not sportin’.
Vodka is silent for a moment, then snorts back laughter.
Vodka: Wouldn’t be sporting, would it? You’re a weird chick, Dresden.
Vodka grabs the brim of his hat, making sure it’s properly in place before speaking again.
Vodka: You know, if this WAS all about the hat, you just missed the only opportunity you had to get away with it.
Vodka grins, silently taunting Eli on--and unsurprisingly, she rises to the challenge, taking a step closer as the smaller competitor somehow manages to seem to be on even ground with how that smirk goes a little seductive about its edges.
Dresden: Oh, I wouldn’t say that…
A finger reaches out, lighty running along Fizz’s chest--but before she can say anything more? Something off-camera is catching her attention. Dresden sighs.
Dresden: Guess you’ll just have to wait and see what I’m gettin’ at, huh?
That finger boops the end of Fizz’s nose playfully.
Dresden: I’ll see you around, Fizzy.
And with that, the blond makes her way out of the frame, leaving Vodka in her wake. Vodka is silent for a moment, looking at nothing until he lets out a ‘huh.’
Vodka: ….I think I need a cigarette.
Vodka’s phone goes off suddenly and the wrestler jumps, almost throwing his phone on the floor in his rush to answer it.
Vodka: Ah shit, I gotta get to gorilla!
Vodka grabs his gym bag and dashes off in the opposite direction of Dresden.
Stanford: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is a first round Battle of the Best match!
The crowd cheers!
"Bored Of You" by Agent Orange blasts through the speakers, much to the dismay of the crowd as Seth Hoffman walks out of the back with a sarcastic sad frown on his face, before telling a few fans near him to shove it. He takes his sweet time to get to the ring, jaw-jacking with the audience, before mocking them with fake high fives. There's at least a few fans for fall for it, thinking they're going to get a high five, but instead, he just puts his boot up and kicks their hands away, laughing at their misfortune.
Stanford: Introducing first, making his FIRESIDE debut, weighing 260 pounds, from Austin, Texas, he is “Sinistar” Seth Hoffman!
As his name's announced, he rolls into the ring under the bottom rope and walks over to the ropes, using the bottom and middle rope with each foot to lift himself up, throwing his right fist up, before spitting at the outside, causing a few fans to groan in disgust as he drops to the mat and leaps up to the middle turnbuckle, sitting down on the top rope while shaking his wrists, prepping for the match at hand.
Wright: We don’t know much about the debuting Hoffman, but what a stage to make your debut on. Scoring the big win tonight, going onto tomorrow, hell if he becomes the Best on his second night in the business, what does that say about him?
Park: It would certainly say that he’s really good!
Stanford: And his opponent, from Daytona Beach, Florida, weighing in at 220 pounds, he is the ‘Dumpster Fire of FIRESIDE’, he is VODKAAAAAA FIIIIIZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
The lights go down and blacklights come up, bathing the stage in purple. A hard, grungy bassline starts to play.
“Hey, turn the bass up. Turn the bass up!”
The base gets louder and grungier, and the lyrics come in as Vodka Fizz dives out on stage in a golf cart retrofitted with huge speakers that are playing his music. He is dressed in a full-length white fur coat, white shutter glasses, and an over-the-top white top hat, and as he drives the golf cart down the ramp he toasts fans with a yard-long cocktail flask hung around his neck full of some florescent liquid he drinks from as he drives down the ramp. The crowd salutes the FIRESIDE favorite, even though a strong portion of fans boo him for his allegiance to New Money and Evan Valentine Junior.
Wright: On the other side of this one, we have Vodka Fizz, who’s drawn a lot of praise lately especially with his strong performance in a losing effort against the ReVenants at Call to Arms, but can the party boy finally break through the haze and score a win his career really needs?
Park: I’d say he’s more than a partier, Oliver, but we need to see it. He’s talked a lot about digging down deep, kindling a new fire in himself, a dumpster fire as he calls it, but we’ll have to see it in action.
When he gets to ringside, he drapes the fur coat over the seat of the golf cart and removes the top hat, keeping the shades on. he climbs up on the apron, turning to face the crowd and chugging the remnants of his large drink, finally striking a pose and spraying a mouthful of whatever it is up into the air and letting it rain over him. He grins and winks at the camera, then rolls backwards over the ropes into the ring.
Wright: There’s the bell! Here we go with this first round match-up!
The bell rings and the match is on. An angrier but shorter and heavier “Sinistar” Seth Hoffman takes the early advantage, grappling Vodka Fizz and softening up with big body blows with closed fists, doing his best to hide them from the wandering eyes of referee Chris Mardinly. Each fist shoots more air out of Fizz, and the hard elbow to the back of his neck causes him to drop to one knee. Hoffman responds by whipping him into the corner, and the powerful force behind the whip causes Fizz to crash into the top turnbuckle and go down hard, drawing boos from his fans.
Wright: A strong irish whip from a man who’s apparently been told that he’s never going to make it his entire life.
Park: He’s wrestling on the biggest show of the summer in front of ten of thousands of fans, signed by our general manager Marcus Washington. I would say he’s made it.
Hoffman grabs the downed Vodka Fizz and peels him off of the mat, using his upper body strength to place him back into the corner. He gets a running full head of steam and charges forward, looking for a big boot, but Fizz counters by going low, catching him with a schoolboy rollup!
...ONE!
Hoffman gets the shoulder up!
Wright: Nothing doing for Fizz there, just a one count but he may have surprised the newcomer.
Park: One minute you’re kicking your opponent in the face, the next minute you’re two seconds away from losing. Those kinds of things are naturally surprising, yes.
A crowd that didn’t necessarily come here to see “Sinistar” Seth Hoffman lets their opinions be known as he retakes the offensive by striking the back of Fizz’s head again with a series of hard forearm strikes. He backs up and kicks the opposing man when he’s down, sending Fizz rolling across the ring, clutching his gut in pain.
Wright: All offense for Hoffman, and you have to wonder how badly Fizz is hurting after that Call to Arms match that saw him brutalized by the ReVenants before ultimately having to submit at the hands of Oxford Osland.
Park: He didn’t have New Money to hide behind like Evan Valentine, and you have to wonder what terms he’s on with the rest of them. Wright: We’ve definitely seen him a little resistant to go along with their ideas.
Hoffman goes to grab Fizz’s legs, looking for a quick sharpshooter, but Fizz again hooks into a small package!
...ONE!
Hoffman grabs a rope!
Wright: Fizz seems like he… seems like he’s goading Hoffman into expending energy, looking for opportunities to roll him up and move on.
Park: Rope-a-dope is a common strategy in boxing, I don’t know how smart it is here! If you save your energy for the next match, great, but you might get beaten into such a pulp that you can’t kick out of a pin!
Hoffman eyes up Vodka Fizz, who is now resting against the bottom turnbuckle in the corner furthest away from him. The newcomer ignores any potential first-match nerves and charges in again, looking for a falling european uppercut, but Fizz has seemingly had enough, pulling himself up by the ropes and gets his knee up, causing Seth to crash right into it instead!
Wright: There’s the moment Fizz needed! Hoffman overpursued right into a big knee to the face!
Park: Is that enough?
...ONE!
Hoffman kicks out!
Wright: That’s the third one count for Vodka Fizz so far.
Park: Now that he has the offensive, can he convert into more than just a solitary one count?
Fizz immediately falls onto his opponent with a standing senton, crushing him before making it back to his feet in a hurry, clapping for the crowd to get into the rush with him. He has a different look to him as he bounces off the ropes, smacking Hoffman back into the mat with a running dropkick! He finishes the set by grabbing Hoffman’s arm and twisting it into a cross armbreaker!
Park: Cross armbreaker! I love this move! If Hoffman’s not careful, this could be the end of him right here!
Wright: I’ve never seen Fizz pull one of these out!
Before too much damage can be done, however, “Sinistar” Seth Hoffman lands a big ol’ leg on the bottom rope, causing referee Chris Mardinly to issue a break. The crowd counts along as Fizz keeps the hold applied for just a few more seconds, trying to soften up his opponent any way he can.
...ONE…
...TWO…
...THREE…
...FOUR...
…Vodka Fizz releases the hold!
Wright: Fizz releases just in time, keeping himself from getting disqualified and ruining his chances at being crowned The Best!
Park: Maybe some of that time spent with Evan and his jerk friends IS rubbing off on Fizz!
Fizz gets back into the corner and resumes clapping along, trying to get the crowd behind him as he grabs “Sinistar” Seth Hoffman and jumps up, hooking his legs around Hoffman’s head to choke him out as he pulls back on Hoffman’s arm, sealing in the choke!
Wright: I’ve never seen this one before from Fizz either!
Park: That’s the Hanging Chad, Oliver! An octopus hold with some stink on it, especially after that cross armbreaker we saw a few minutes ago!
Wright: I just never imagined Fizz as much of a technician, but he is wearing down the heavier competitor here!
The crowd cheers as “Sinistar” Seth Hoffman bends over in pain, trying to deal with the fact that he’s only got one arm to use to escape from the center of the ring, or to escape from the pain of being choked out by Fizz’s legs. He aims to do the latter first, prying his way and trying to get fingers or his entire hand in to alleviate the hold, but no such luck!
Wright: Hoffman can’t find a way out of this! He might have to tap!
Park: Went from being the funnily-named submission to a big deal in just a few seconds, now didn’t it?
Hoffman drops to one knee as the crowd gets louder, recognizing that this might be the end of the contest. Fizz wrenches back harder, trying to get the tapout so he can move on in the tournament, but to his credit, the newcomer is lasting strong, eventually refinding his balance and standing back up to two feet. Fizz is also breathing deeply, seemingly in a state of focus and flow. Hoffman aims this time to find the top rope with his free arm, and after a bit of searching and pulling his competitor who doesn’t do much to resist being carried across the ring, he finally finds it!
Wright: Hoffman’s free from the grips of Fizz’s octopus, but has the damage been done?
Park: He’s not free just yet!
...ONE!
...TWO!
...THREE!
...FOUR!
Vodka Fizz releases the hold!
Wright: Vodka Fizz again, playing on the edge of the rulebook here tonight, but he may also be more effective than I think we’ve ever seen before!
Park: If he can just close the door on Hoffman here, he’ll be in great shape entering the fourway match in the next round tomorrow night!
Vodka Fizz is rolling right now and the crowd is into it, supporting him with chants of Vod-dy, Vod-dy! The look in his eyes indicate that he’s looking for the kill, and the chants are almost enough to make Fizz forget the circumstances of his friendship with New Money and Evan Valentine. Fizz shakes off his remaining thoughts and doubts, turning his attention back to “Sinistar” Seth Hoffman, who is back on his feet! Hoffman fires off an impressively mobile bicycle knee, but Fizz counters, stepping behind him and locking his arm behind him, and meeting his own arms to lock in the crossface chicken wing!
Wright: Hair of the Dog What Bit Ya! The crossface chicken wing is locked in tight!
Park: Hoffman’s fading! The newcomer fought tough, but I don’t know how much he has left!
Hoffman tries to fight his way out of it, but Fizz jumps up, locking his legs around him and using his weight to fall back onto the mat, taking Seth with him! Seth is trapped in the center of the Philadelphia ring, and before too much longer, he taps out!
Wright: Wow! This one’s over!
Park: A surprisingly dominant performance for Vodka Fizz!
Even the cheering crowd seems a little surprised by the result, but the bell is rung.
Stanford: Here is your winner… VODKAAAAAAAAAAAA FIZZZZZZZZZ!
Vodka Fizz has been intensely deep breathing for the last few minutes, and he finally has the time to catch his breath. He runs his hands through his hair and seems almost surprised by the contact from Chris Mardinly, who raises his arm for the cheering crowd.
Wright: Hoffman was game in the early-going, but once this started to roll, Vodka Fizz simply wouldn’t be denied!
Park: Powerfully technical, I didn’t know Fizz had all of that in him! More, please!
Fizz celebrates with the crowd, who toss him a regional Philadelphia beer. He leans against the rope and cracks it open, drinking it for them as they cheer loudly.
Wright: If that version of Vodka Fizz, this new dumpster fire of technical intensity, keeps showing up every Inferno, the sky is the limit for him!
Park: We’ll see if he can follow up this huge win with another one tomorrow night!
Stanford: The following bout is for the Best of the Best tournament! It will be one fall, pinfall or submission, and is sanctioned for thirty minutes! Introducing first, from Raleigh, North Carolina, weighing two-hundred pounds and standing six feet tall, MISTRESS DISCIPLINE!
"The Planets Op. 32: IV. Jupiter- Bringer of Jollity" by Gustav Holst begins to play on the arena speakers. The lights dim slightly and a spotlight appears on the stage. Mistress Discipline steps onto the stage and adjusts the high collar and neckline of her trademark blue blouse. She marches to the ring with a purpose and without glasses because she wears contacts into the ring so she can see. She rolls into the ring and adjusts her trademark hair buns. She steps into the corner and begins stretching her arms while awaiting her opponent.
Wright: Best of the Best is shaping up to take the Network by storm! Look at the magic we have seen tonight already!
Park: Mistress Discipline has all the talents in the world to be a champion, and tonight I expect championship caliber domination from her.
Wright: She is a force to be reckoned with, whether you’re a man or a female, this woman is not to be taken lightly in the ring.
Stanford: And her opponent, hailing from Hamamatsu, Japan, weighing in at two hundred and forty five pounds and standing six foot two inches,The Knife of Motorcycles, DAKU SUZUKI!
Rio Grande by Mezcaleros plays over the sound system as you hear the revs of the motorcycle as you see Daku ride out of the curtain and stops his Suzuki Harley style motorcycle that's got blue and black colours with his motorcycle club, The Cutting Blades name with a spider with knives all over it. Daku does his typical knife cut symbol with the fans booing him as he then continues to ride down to the ramp with flames coming out the side of the stage. He goes around once on his Suzuki bike before he stops it right on the right outside of the ramp and turns the engine off with placing his jacket onto it.
Wright: Suzuki looks geared to go tonight! Everyone can feel the energy in the crowd, they are ready for some big time wrestling to go down.
Park: I’m looking for a decisive win after a hard knocks fight, and some disappointment in the eyes of the loser of this bout. Because we all know, they want this win badly.
Daku slides into the ring and closes his eyes to show his necklace of a knife and a motorcycle on it and does his cutthroat signal before spreading his arms. Daku then opens his eyes and takes off his necklace and drops it on the floor as Daku holds onto the ropes, looking across the ring at his opponent Mistress Discipline.
Park: Cheap shot by Daku on the bell ring! Discipline doesn’t look happy about that!
Suzuki hits her with a forearm to the back as she turns around to take off her coat and lay it in her corner under the bottom rope. Mistress turns around to a strike that lands her in the corner, and another, but quickly knees Suzuki in the gut and turns the tables flipping their positioning. She immediately takes Suzuki’s arm, puts it over the top rope and then grabs the wrist between the middle and top rope, wrenching back as she sticks a boot in his neck to hold him back. The referee steps in and begins the five count, but Mistress is fired up and rides it to a hard four before she lets go!
Wright: Mistress Discipline is pissed about that cheap shot Park, and it shows!
Park: And a judo hip toss from Mistress to Suzuki into the middle of the ring!
A high angle judo hip toss sends Suzuki into the center of the ring. Mistress Discipline wastes little time rushing the downed Suzuki as he scrambles to get up, and locks on a rear sleeper hold. Suzuki battles back to his feet, elbowing Mistress but she does not let go. With a stomp on the foot and another elbow, Suzuki breaks the sleeper and paylay kicks Mistress across the forehead! The move sends her into the ropes, giving Suzuki enough time to jump to his feet for her rebound attack! Suzuki ducks the clothesline attempt, Mistress crosses the ring rebounding off the ropes and goes for a knee, but is dropkicked as she raises the knee! Suzuki immediately hooks the leg and goes for the cover!
...ONE! TWO!
Kickout with authority from Mistress Discipline! The fans in attendance clap for both wrestlers as they get to their feet. Suzuki eyeing up his next attack, while Mistress takes a bit longer after the series of moves. Suzuki goes for a grapple and Mistress obliges, but she cuts under his armpit quickly while maintaining his wrist, locking on a hammerlock behind him. Mistress wrenches the wrist, knowing she has control with the elbow tight to his back. Suzuki shows the first signs of aggravation with his facial features, but bends down and grabs the calf of Mistress Discipline with his free hand. One swift move and the hammerlock is broken and Mistress is on the mat. Suzuki goes for an armbar to ground Mistress, but she kicks him in the face to avoid the hold. Another kick, and Mistress gets to her feet as Suzuki rushes her. Side stepping the rush, Mistress grabs Suzuki by the neck and drops him with a snap reverse neckbreaker!
Park: Chain wrestling at its finest here tonight folks! These two athletes are putting it all on the line, proving why they are in the Best of the Best tournament.
Wright: The way Mistress handles herself in the ring with Suzuki shows her ability to work with anyone, doesn’t it?
Park: It sure does . She’s no stranger to squaring up with men in the ring, and for good reason. Her looks may deceive many, but she’s a technician with a presence between those turnbuckles.
Mistress rolls to her knees, and sees Suzuki is still holding his neck. She gets to her feet and grabs his legs, pulling him to the center of the ring. Suzuki fights back as she goes to roll him over, and instead reverts the momentum, flipping Mistress onto her back with the counter! Mistress smacks the canvas with an open hand as she gets up, only to be met with a knife edge chop, and another, and a third one for good measure! Suzuki drives her backwards into the turnbuckle with the chops, continuing the onslaught, as the audience ‘Ooooohs’ when a chop connects. Finally Mistress slings a forearm at Suzuki, blasting him upside the jaw, and uses the top ropes to pull herself to the middle turnbuckle in a standing position. Suzuki cracks her upside the head in a last ditch effort to regain control, causing Mistress to sit down on the top turnbuckle.
Wright: Caught on the chin with that one! She’s seeing stars.
Park: Suzuki is making it known he’ll do anything tonight to come out the victor!
Throwing the legs one at a time over the top rope, Suzuki sets Mistress Discipline up, and ascends the turnbuckle himself. Hooking the neck, he lifts her from the sitting position, and then steps to the top rope. Both competitors stand for a moment, before Daku Suzuki lifts and falls backwards with a high angle superplex!
Park: What impact on the superplex!
Wright: Bombs away!
Park: Both Suzuki and Discipline are laying in the center of the ring, looking worse for wear after that maneuver.
Wright: With high risk comes high rewards! Will Suzuki be able to capitalize on this moment?
The referee checks both competitors before beginning his count, but immediately stops as Suzuki rolls over and drapes an arm over the chest of Mistress Discpline for a cover.
...ONE! TWO! THRE-
The shoulder shoots off the canvas as Mistress breaks the pinfall at the last moment. The move took a lot out of them both, but it wasn’t enough to put her away. Suzuki climbs to his feet, grabbing Mistress by the hair and placing her head at his side, as he motions for the next move, twirling a finger in the air to get the fans riled up! Hooking her neck, he lifts and executes a swinging brainbuster! The crowd pops for the move, a deadly looking execution!
Park: We have seen Suzuki do this before, setting up his opponent to put them away.
Wright: That was vicious Park, she will need checked for a concussion after that!
Park: Ah she’s a tough competitor, I doubt she would go willingly to the trainer, not with what’s at stake tonight.
Wright: Suzuki goes for the cover!
Grabbing the leg, Suzuki hooks it and looks to the referee as he rolls his back over on Mistress.
...ONE! TWO! THRE-
Rope break! Mistress Discipline grabs the ropes, aware of her surroundings, and the count is stopped as the referee motions two fingers at the timekeeper’s table. Suzuki can not believe it, and begins to argue with the referee because of how close the call was. Regaining his composure, he looks down and picks up Mistress once more. Irish whipping her across the ring, he takes his stance, looking for it and goes for the Knife Cutter! Mistress counters, swinging herself around the body and head scissors takedown on Suzuki!
Park: What a counter by Mistress Discipline! Well executed and perfectly timed, as the end was near if Daku executed his signature move.
Wright: Wait a minute, she’s not done!
Turning herself into almost a pretzel with her flexibility, Mistress Discipline locks on a Koji Clutch to Daku Suzuki!
Park: Detention has been served!
Wright: What are we witnessing here!
Park: This is why Mistress Discipline cannot be slept on. She is carving a name for herself with the way she can literally take any person and lock on this hold!
Daku Suzuki reaches for the ropes, all the while clenching teeth to avoid tapping out! The fans are on their feet, chanting ‘TAP! TAP! TAP!’ like a war cry! Mistress wrenches back more, yelling as she gives it her all! Daku shifts his lower body as she does this and rolls backwards into a pin!
...ONE! TWO!
Mistress rolls through and off her back, all the meanwhile holding the Koji Clutch on, but now away from the ropes and towards the middle of the ring! Daku claws at the canvas, trying to push himself, but Mistress Discipline is locked in and not letting go! The agony finally breaks through the teeth of Daku Suzuki as we hear japanese words come out, what they are, nobody is sure, but he’s not praying, that is for sure. Daku tries once again to roll through, but Mistress adjusts her weight to the side and instead of a roll she ends up pulling back even more causing Daku to finally tap!
Stanford: And the winner of this Best of the Best round one bout, by submission, MISTRESS DISCIPLINE!
Breaking the hold after the bell tolls, Mistress Discipline gets to her feet, sweating and showing the exhaustion from her efforts in this match. There was no doubt that both competitors put on a clinic to try and advance this evening in the tournament. Getting her arm raised as her music hits, Suzuki rolls to the apron and holds his neck. No shame in the way this one went, the technical prowess of both competitors showed through, and the standing ovation the crowd was providing proved they had gained the fans respect tonight.
Park: A well earned victory for Mistress Discipline here tonight. She has proven she can tie up with the best of them.
Wright: This audience loved it, do you hear them? Must be in the air tonight. Either way, I was impressed with the way Mistress held on and kept herself in this one.
Park: Not to take away from Daku Suzuki, he was giving it everything tonight. The cards just didn’t fall in his favor tonight.
Wright: One thing is for sure, Ungoo, the fans have got a hell of a show so far tonight, and it can only get better!
Stanford: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is a first round match for the Battle of the Best!
The hot Fireside crowd roars, anticipating another great match!
Stanford: Introducing first, representing New Money, he is the son of XHF Legend Jonnie Valentine, he is the man you love to hate on and he still knows he's better than most of you, from Palm Springs, California, and weighing in at 228 pounds, he is 'Evansent'- EVAAAAAAAN VAAAAAAALEEEEENTIIIIINE!!!
"Evansent" by the man himself plays over the speakers and Evan emerges on the stage. The crowd boos the second-generation superstar, but he tries to pump them up anyway. Conspicuously absent are his normal hangers-on, Malcolm Evans and Nick Von Erich.
Wright: No love lost between Evan Valentine and the crowd tonight.
Park: I'm more surprised that Valentine's out here without his flunkies.
Evan finally reaches ringside, taking a moment to bask in the seething heat from the crowd while he tauntingly sings along to his music, then he rolls into the ring, slinking over to prop himself against one of the turnbuckle posts. The crowd continues to boo him, so he flips off the crowd and laughs to himself.
Wright: I'm not usually one to encourage this sort of thing, but someone needs to backhand some manners into that kid.
Park: I dunno, Ollie. You gotta respect the swagger. Evan knows how he got here and he owns it.
Stanford: Introducing his oppenent!
The opening chords of “UltraNUMB” by Blu Stahli fills the arena as the lights go dark. Several flashes of blue and green lights illuminate various parts of the arena and entrance ramp to the beat of the song, all stopping with a cascade falling at the top center as Blue Stahli screams…
YOU WANT IT ALL RIGHT NOW!!!
At this point, the fans begin roaring in anticipation of Jaice Wilds' entrance, but the man is nowhere to be seen.
Wright: That's odd. No sign of Wilds yet.
Park: Johnnie Valentine probably paid him off to split and give his kid an easy first round.
3! 2! 1!
Stanford: From Puerto Vehlo, Brazil; weighing in at one hundred and eighty-four pounds! He is JAAAAAAAAICE WIIIIILDS!!!
The music suddenly cuts and is replaced by a camera feed from backstage. Malcolm Evans is holding Jaice Wilds in a full nelson while Nick is waving around a tire iron.
Park: Speaking of Valentine's goons....
Von Erich: We gave you a chance to walk away, Jaice. You had to make this difficult.
Jaice doesn't say anything, but tries to break free from Evans' grasp. He kicks at Von Erich, who rewards the other man with a hard shot into the solar plexus with the tire iron.
Von Erich: You know what we hate about guys like you, Wilds?
Von Erich drives the tire iron into Wilds' abdomen again. Evans releases Wilds from the full nelson, throwing the other man to the floor.
Evans: You think you're better than us because you 'earned' your way here.
Evans punctuates his comment with a kick to the abdomen, and Wilds starts coughing up blood.
Wright: Someone needs to call security, these two need to be stopped!
Von Erich grabs a handful of Jaice's hair, pulling the other man up of the floor.
Von Erich: You don't realize your place, man. You think you're proving something by trying to destroy yourself to make other people look better? Thinking like that's why you're gonna be managing a Shoney's in a year while New Money is on top of the world. You're the inevitable? The only inevitable thing is that New Money is gonna take your spot and leave you busted on the sidelines.
Von Erich smashes Jaice's head on the floor, then whispers something to Evans, who smirks and nods. Evans pulls Jaice up to his feet. Jaice tries to fight back, but Evans stops him cold with a punt kick in the crotch. He rolls Jaice up into position for a piledriver, then Von Erich jumps off of a storage case to help his New Money stablemate spike Wilds into the concrete floor.
Wright: Good Lord!
Park: It looks like Evans and Von Erich are earning their keep tonight!
Von Erich lifts Jaice up on his shoulder, then leads the way through a short hallway and a curtain into the crowd beside the entrance ramp. The fans cheer the New Money thugs as they make their way to the ringside while Evan watches. He has a mostly-disinterested expression on his face, but his eyes are locked on the limp form of Jaice Wilds on Nick Von Erich's shoulder.
Wright: This is despicable behavior from these two.
Park: And form the look on his face, it looks like their boss approves.
Von Erich dumps Jaice on the floor at ringside, making a big show of pulling up the floor mats to expose the concrete floor at ringside. Evans hauls Jaice up iby the waist into piledriver position and nods at his fellow assailant, who climbs up onto the ring apron. Von Erich leaps off and the pair drill Wilds into the concrete floor again. Jaice is busted open and twitching as the pair admire their handiwork.
Wright: Forget despicable, Ungoo. This display is disgusting! They could have broken Jaice Wilds' neck!
Evan snatches Stanford's microphone.
Evan: Hey you two, that's enough!
The crowd reaction is confused at Evan's sudden show of mercy.
Evan: Get him in the ring so I can win this match.
Von Erich and Evans work together to get Wilds up onto the apron, then Evans drags him into the center of the ring. Stanford and Mardinly both look horrified, but Evan seems unphased.
Evan: Do your job, referee. Ring the bell.
Mardinly hesitates. Evan pulls a wad of cash out of his pocket, which he tosses at the official. Mardinly still hesitates for a moment longer, but finally calls for the match to start. Evan tosses the mic to Stanford and covers the still-unconscious Wilds.
Wright: Not like this!
Park: Man has to do right by his family, and that looked like a chunk of change.
...ONE!!! TWO!!! THREE!!!
The referee calls for the bell, and as Evansent starts to play again, Von Erich and Evans lift Valentine up on their shoulders, celebrating his first round win.
Stanford: The, uh, the winner of this match by pinfall.... Evan Valentine!
The crowd boos Valentine as he continues his tasteless victory celebration in the ring. Mardinly calls out the ring medics to check on Wilds, who is still barely moving in the ring.
Wright: Jaice Wilds may be seriously hurt. Nick Von Erich and Malcolm Evans may have ended Jaice Wilds' career tonight. This was appalling, abhorrent behavior, and Evan Valentine Jr. should be ashamed.
Park: With daddy's money and a squadron of flunkies at his back, Evan Valentine is going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Wilds is loaded onto a stretcher, still barely moving after the brutal attack. Valentine, Evans, and Von Erich abandon their victory celebration to hassle the medics, which ends with Valentine taking the stretcher and running it up the ramp while Evans and Von Erich hold back the medics. Evan rolls the stretcher up to the edge of the stage, then raises a hand above his head in a thumbs up, which turns to a middle finger to the crowd before he rolls the loaded stretch off the stage, sending it and Jaice Wilds crashing to the floor below.
Wright: Good lord! Wilds has been through enough, someone needs to stop this!
Park: Love them or hate them, New Money has proven tonight that they're here to make a mark. I just hope the mark they made on Jaice Wilds doesn't leave permanent damage.
Valentine, Von Erich, and Evans finally unite at the top of the ramp, sharing a three-way fist bump before they leave into the backstage area. The camera pans in on Jaice Wilds lying next to the stretcher while paramedics check on him.
'Untouchable' hits the sound system as the overhead lights dim, the crowd loudly cheering for the woman that is about to emerge. Blue and white lights flash along the rampway as spotlights of similar shades swirl over the crowd... and Eliza Dresden doesn't make them wait for long. Bounding out from behind the curtain, Dresden is quick to make her way to the top of the ramp with Jason Long's technicolor light-up shades shoved up to act like a headband of sorts and Hyperion's trident in hand--and once she's there? She thrusts the latter into the air, earning a fresh wave of cheers. Of course, since she can't be idle for long, Eli is quick to bounce and poing her way down to the ring, darting from side to side to slap offered hands and otherwise play to the crowd. It's a bit trickier to do with a trident that's significantly taller than she is, but she makes it work. It's about three-fourths of the way down the ramp that she abandons that, speeding up to slide into the ring headfirst on her stomach before she twists onto her back and kips up to her feet. She's quick to mount the nearest turnbuckle, once again shoving that trident skyward to more of that positive reaction from the fans before she's popping back down and turning to look toward the middle of the ring. As her music fades, she hands the trident and the glasses over to a production assistant before bouncing around on the balls of her feet, eagerly waiting for the match to get underway.
Wright: And in a first-round match of the Battle of the Best tournament, we get two competitors with a little bit of history! But first, Eli Dresden!
Park: Dresden is a former NLW Heavyweight Champion- though she lost the title to Tommy Kelly, she hasn't let that hold her down. She's got fire, but she needs to stop being a clown in that ring.
Wright: What's the harm and having fun with your job?
Park: She needs to take things seriously.
The opening of the Big Sean’s “Wolves” hits the pa system and El Rey strolls onto the stage wearing the mask he stole off of the head of El Combatiente. He looks around soaking up there surroundings before ripping the mask off of his head and revealing the half-painted face. He strolls down the ramp ignoring the outstretched hands of the fans until he reaches the ring. At ringside he leaps up onto the apron and then over the ropes and spins around in the ring with his arms outstretched. He spins around a couple times and then moves to the corner waiting for the match to begin.
Wright: And her opponent, another mainstay in NLW, El Rey!
Park: A very young talent, but he's been in some big matches for his age. This is a rematch between these two- Dresden won their last fight, but it could very well be a different outcome tonight.
As the two stand in their separate corners, staring at each other. As the referee speaks, making sure the two know that he wants a clean match from them both. Dresden simply smiles playfully, leaning in her side of the corner. El Rey has a tense expression on his face, pacing back and forth. As the referee finishes speaking, the bell rings- EL REY RUSHES IN LOOKING FOR A QUICK FOREARM STRIKE- but Dresden swiftly moves out of the way, behind him- and… smacks his butt? While winking at him while sticking out her tongue. El Rey stands there, flustered, and blinks, quickly moving away from her.
Wright: EL REY TRYING TO ADVANCE EARLY AND- Uh. Interesting interaction by Dresden there…?
Park: I.. don't get it either.
El Rey, still unsure of what to make of what had just conspired, begins circling around the center of the ring as Dresden follows as well. They go for a quick elbow tie-up, Rey with the 37-pound weight advantage begins to push her toward the ropes! But she SUDDENLY DROPS to the mat! Laying waist level to Rey… rather suggestively, before blowing a kiss! Rey jumps back with a barely contained gasp!
Wright: Alright, what the hell is Dresden doing?
Park: I'm getting it now! She's playing mind games with the rookie. Getting off his A-game! Normally I hate this kind of goofy crap, but it's actually working in her favor right now.
Dresden stands, walking toward El Rey with a devilish grin. He almost stumbles back, both in disbelief and embarrassment, as she practically corners him before putting her finger under his chin- Rey blushes, then grits his teeth and SWINGS for her head! She dodges and rebounds off the ropes to hit an arm drag! He hits the mat, but quickly scrambles back to his feet- Dresden goes for ANOTHER arm drag, but gets caught by the arm in a half nelson! She struggles, but ER puts his other arm around her neck and trapping her in a full nelson- SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX THAT SPIKES DRESDEN ON HER HEAD!
Wright: SCORPION PLEX! A KILLER MOVE FROM EL REY'S MENTOR'S BOOK!
Park: AND THAT COULD BE IT RIGHT THERE!
HE PINS HER! THE REF GOES TO COUNT!
...ONE! TW- Rey gets off of her, shaking his head and wagging his finger. He changes his mind with a sinister grin!q
Wright: But wait.. He's not going for the pin!
Rey lifts her by the hair and pulls her into a powerbomb position, lifting her up- He's going for the Society Killer- NO, SHE REVERSES WITH A HURRICANRANA THAT SENDS EL REY AND HERSELF OUT OF THE RING ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR! THE CROWD ERUPTS!
Wright: AND THEY BOTH FALL OUT! Quick thinking by Dresden!
Park: Great ring awareness as well, she managed to recognize exactly where she was!
The referee begins to count as the two stir. Dresden holds the back of her neck, clearly somewhat dazed by the brutal full nelson suplex she had received earlier. Rey holds his back from a bad bump he had taken on the apron. As the two begin to stand.
ONE!
Rey sees Dresden moving and pulls her into a front facelock, but she FIGHTS BACK- punching him in the gut multiple times, HE HITS A SNAP SUPLEX TO STOP HER DEAD IN HER TRACKS- HOLDING ONTO THAT FACELOCK AND DRAGS HER TOWARD THE ANNOUNCEMENT TABLE!
Wright: He's coming our way!
Park: Yeah, I can see that.
TWO!
Rey lifts her, positioning her legs on the announcement table, bringing her into an elevated front face lock before HITTING A MODIFIED HANGING DDT, PLANTING HER INTO THE MAT COVERED CONCRETE!
THREE!
Wright: HANGING DDT!
Park: He needs to roll her back into that ring and finish this, no one comes back from getting spiked like that!
Smiling, El Rey raises his arms as the crowd boos him- smugly rolling back into the ring before going back out much to the ref's ire to restart the count. He takes his time walking toward Dresden, going to lift her- BEFORE GETTING MET WITH A DROPSAULT THAT SENDS HIM INTO THE RING POST, STUMBLING!
ONE!
TWO!
Wright: SHE WAS PLAYING POSSUM!
Park: Maybe I should give her more credit, she's pretty damn smart!
THREE!
Dresden is still shaking off the cobwebs, but gives the crowd a thumbs up with a smile before turning back to her opponent. El Rey holds his head, out on his feet as she runs toward him- He turns and GOES FOR A BIG BOOT, BUT SHE DODGES AND LEAPS ONTO THE BARRICADE WITH NIMBLE PRECISION!
FOUR!
Wright: WOAH!
Park: The athletic prowess of Dresden is showing!
FIVE!
SIX!
El Rey goes to sweep her off, but she jumps over his attempt and runs down the barricade before turning back to him as he turns back to her- catwalking and then LEAPING INTO AN SHOOTING STAR PLANCHA OFF THE BARRICADE THAT TAKES EL REY DOWN!
SEVEN!
Wright: OH-EM-GEE!
Park: The count is starting to catch up with them! They can both get disqualified and someone will have a free pass in the tournament if that happens!
EIGHT!
Both of them are laid out, but Dresden gets up first, lifting Rey and tiredly pushing him into the ring! The crowd goes anxious as the ref's count gets higher!
NINE…!
TEN!
...
NO, AT THE LAST MILLISECOND, DRESDEN MANAGES TO GET HERSELF AND REY BACK INTO THE RING!
Wright: That was way too close!
Rey crawls into the corner, trying to get some space. Dresden grins, having an idea as she backs up in the opposite corner- she sprints forward, charging at the seated Rey- SHOOTING STAR, BUT SHE ROTATES TO CRASH INTO REY WITH A CANNONBALL SENTON!
Wright: INCOMING!
Park: GO ON! PIN HIM!
She quickly pulls his flattened body out of the corner and hooks a leg! The referee drops down the count!
...ONE! TWO! THR- KICKOUT!
Wright: El Rey is still in this!
Park: He has a hell of a lot of heart, I'll give him that.
Rey is wheezing, he had the wind knocked out of him! Dresden looks back to the top turnbuckle, knowing what she has to do, she begins climbing up- turning her back, about to go for a moonsault- REY SPRINGS UP AND SPRINGBOARD OFF THE ROPES, TRIANGLE DROPKICK TO DRESDEN'S BACK! THE IMPACT SENDS HER HEADFIRST INTO THE RING POST AND SHE FALLS BACK, SHE'S STUCK IN A TREE OF WOE!
Wright: TRIANGLE DROPKICK! DRESDEN IS IN DANGER!
Park: She took too long going for that moonsault!
Rey realizes the opportunity at hand and begins climbing the turnbuckles from the apron he stands above Dresden who's now starting to come back to her senses, lifting herself up- DOUBLE FOOT STOMP STRAIGHT THROUGH DRESDEN'S HEART!
Wright: TREE OF WOE DOUBLE STOMP!
Park: THAT HAS TO BE IT!
Rey goes for a confident pin, placing a knee on her chest!
...ONE! TWO! THREE- NO, KICKOUT!
Rey's confidence quickly turns to frustration as he glares down at her, standing up! He begins lifting her up with a ¾ facelock, about to go for his Sliced Bread- HE BACKFLIPS, DRESDEN THROWS HIM OFF OF HER BUT INADVERTENTLY INTO THE REFEREE, SENDING HIM DOWN! THE CROWD GASPS!
Wright: OH NO!
Park: The referee is down!
Dresden begins processing what happened, but Rey gets up fast and kicks her in the gut! He goes for the Sliced Bread again- IT CONNECTS! He smiles with malicious intent as the crowd begins booing again, he stands, lifting her for a full nelson- SCORPION PLEX! But he doesn't let go, he hits ANOTHER SCORPION PLEX, but still doesn't bother going for a pin or a bridge, and ANOTHER!
Wright: This is… hard to watch! Just pin her already!
Park: He's making a statement, one at her expense, but a statement nonetheless. He needs to wrap this up if he wants to win-
He lifts her up one more time, still grinning, and GOES FOR ANOTHER- SHE OVER ROTATES AND LANDS ON HER FEET, BARELY CONSCIOUS, BUT RUNS AND HANDSPRINGS OFF THE ROPES- REY TRIES TO CATCH HER BUT EATS AN ELBOW TO THE JAW! THOUGH SHE COLLAPSES TO THE MAT AS WELL!
Wright: HANDSPRING ELBOW!
Park: She's too hurt to capitalize- wait a second, who is…
Two people begin walking down the ring- it's… Malcolm Evans… and Nick Von Erich, of New Money?! What the hell are they doing?!
The two look to each other, then over to Rey, who's starting to stir. They both then turn to Dresden- who realizes what's going on. Malcolm has a kendo stick, Von Erich has a chair! Dresden quickly goes alert as they climb into the ring!
Wright: Oh no. This isn't fair!
Park: Nope, but it's smart by Rey. He had a contingency plan all along!
EVANS SWINGS A KENDO STICK, BUT DRESDEN DODGES AND REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES- SLINGBLADE TO EVANS! VON ERICH QUICKLY GOES TO DROP HER WITH HIS STEEL CHAIR, BUT SHE DODGES AGAIN- ANOTHER SLING BLADE! THE CROWD CHEERS AS BOTH GO DOWN AND QUICKLY ROLL OUT OF THE RING!
Wright: DRESDEN MANAGES TO GET THE DROP ON THEM! TWO OMFN'S FOR NEW MONEY'S TROUBLES!
As Dresden looks to make sure they stay down, SUDDENLY SHE'S GRABBED AND BROUGHT INTO A STRAIGHT JACKET BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX BY REY! THE CROWD BOOS, THE REFEREE IS AWAKE AND CRAWLS OVER TO COUNT!
Wright: XED OUT! NO, NOT LIKE THIS!
Park: HE SURPRISED HER! THIS COULD BE IT!
...ONE! TWO! THRE-
NOOO! SHE KICKS OUT! REY BRINGS HIS HANDS TO HIS HEAD, HE CAN'T BELIEVE IT! THE CROWD CHEERS!
Wright: DRESDEN KICKS OUT!
Park: SHE STILL HAS FIGHT LEFT IN HER!
FURIOUS, Rey lifts her, pulling her into position for the Society Killer- he lifts her, but she MANAGES TO PERFORM A BACK BODY DROP LIKE THE LAST THEY FACED! SHE LIFTS HIM AND PUSHES HIM TOWARD THE ROPES! HE BOUNCES OFF AND IS CAUGHT WITH A STANDING SPANISH FLY SEAMLESSLY INTO A PIN!
Wright: A STANDING VERSION OF THE GDI!
Park: SHE GOT ALL OF THAT!
THE REF COUNTS!
...ONE! TWO! THREEEEEEE!!!
DING! DING! DING!
Stanford:: Here is your winner and advancing to the next round of Battle of the Best, ELI DRESSSSDEEEEEENNN!
The audience cheers as Dresden slowly stands, holding her head as her hand is raised by the referee!
Wright: What a fight!
Park: Rey threw just about everything he had at her, but she still had his number. 2-0.
Wright: He even called his apparent allies, New Money, to get involved! But she was prepared! Speaking of them-
Evans and Von Erich are getting up and they are ANGRY- they begin crawling into the ring, but Dresden quickly rolls out with a big smile as she walks back down the ramp! They glare at her as they tend to El Rey, who's clearly pissed as he begins sitting up.
Evan Valentine Jr enters through the crowd, joining El Rey in the ring. Rey and Valentine eye each other for a moment before Evan raises his hand for a fist bump, which El Rey returns, followed by the two men sharing a hung. Evan Valentine Jr. jumps on the middle of the second rope and bounces up and down, laughing as the crowd chants.
CROWD: FUCK YOU EVAN!!! *clap* *clap* *clap-clap-clap* FUCK YOU EVAN!!! *clap* *clap* *clap-clap-clap* FUCK YOU EVAN!!! *clap* *clap* *clap-clap-clap*
Park: For decades his father, his uncle, and his grandfather fought and bled in front of these Philadelphia fans, and now Evan throws away all that good will.
Wright: And it looks as though El Rey, who's own father was a wrestling icon, is joining this gang of spoiled second generation punks!
Evan Valentine Jr.: Yo, Philly. Shut up.
Evan laughs as the crowd drowns him out with jeers. He whispers something in El Rey's ear and he starts cracking up too.
Evan Valentine Jr.: Yo, rich people talkin here, I said shut up. I ain't trying to talk over ya lame ass hockey chants.
The Citizens Bank Park chants "NEW MONEY SUCKS!!! NEW MONEY SUCKS!!! NEW MONEY SUCKS!!!" Evan Valentine Jr. rolls his eyes and El Rey pats him on the back. An empty soda cup gets thrown into the ring.
Evan Valentine Jr.: New Money going world wide! El Rey is working Louisiana, Japan, and Philly, my man El Rey is taking his rightful place in the wrestling business. El Rey already gets the gist of this, and can skip ahead in line, know what I'm saying....
The Philadelphia audience interrupts him with "FUCK YOU EVAN!!! *clap* *clap* *clap-clap-clap* FUCK YOU EVAN!!! *clap* *clap* *clap-clap-clap* FUCK YOU EVAN!!! *clap* *clap* *clap-clap-clap*" Evan stops talking and motions for them to continue. More trash starts getting thrown into the ring.
Evan Valentine Jr.: Real classy, Philly. Nice. My parents are watching this and...
The fans boo and drown out Evan Valentine Jr. again. He rolls his eyes in frustration and backs away while Malcolm Evans, Nick Von Erich, and El Rey try and calm him down. A full soda cup hits the ring and splashes everyone in the ring, as they're being pelted with garbage.
Wright: This crowd is getting pretty rowdy to say the least.
El Rey: Would you idiots shut up and listen! This man here, he is going to be a legend and when you look back on your decisions you are going to regret this bullshit. He knows this business inside and out, much like myself, and you treat him like this. He and the rest of New Money are just like me, under appreciated stars that are plain and simple better than you. That is why I am joining New Money.
The crowd drowns out El Rey’s final words and now Evan Valentine egging them on, trying to get this Philadelphia crowd riled up. Evan Valentine Jr. nods and then puts the mic back to his mouth.
Evan Valentine Jr.: (frustrated) My Dad said you would do this. No, you don't understand the runsheet from now on! New Money Is Over!! We Were Born For This!!
"Evansent" by Evan Valentine Jr. starts playing and El Rey, Evan Valentine Jr., "Fatebound" Malcolm Evans, and Nick Von Erich leave the ring. Trash continues to be tossed at New Money, as Evan walks down the aisle he catches a punch from a fan.
Wright: Oh!
Park: That's not right, no matter how much fans are upset about whatever, they should never put their hands on a wrestler.
Citizens Bank Park security swarm the man while Evan holds his eye. El Rey, Nick Von Erich and "Fatebound" Malcolm Evans check on him while he assures them he's fine. The fan is dragged away while Evan yells "You better run!" at him, then New Money exits.
The lights dim as the opening riff of "Knocking At The Door" hits, then as the horns pop a spotlight illuminates the Amazons championship belt, held high one-handed. "I'm knockin' at the door!" and the spotlight expands, lighting up Isabel Rios, standing in black and red trunks with RIOS in gold lettering across the back, with matching sports bra, kickpads over black amateur-style boots and knee pads, wrists taped.
Stanford: Entering the ring first, from Ontario, at 5’6” and 161 pounds, she is the Amazons Champion of NPW... ISABEL RIOS!
"Got the north star guidin' me, it's the fire burnin' inside of me" and Rios starts down to the ring, lowering the belt down onto her shoulder as the spotlight continues to follow her to the ring. Rios hops up to the ring apron, raising the belt again. "That's me, I'm knockin' at the door!" and the lights flash on, Rios holding her pose with the raised belt, grinning at the fans, into the hard camera, before stepping into the ring, ready for the fight.
Wright: It’s a good thing that Isabel Rios looks ready to take the fight to Keith Williams because if Keith’s reputation has any truth in it, she’s going to need to dig deep in order to come out the winner here.
Park: Usually, reputation doesn’t mean much, but Keith Williams has proven time and time again that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the win--and that’s what makes him one of the favorites of Battle of the Best.
Stanford: Her opponent, from Raleigh, North Carolina at 6’3” and 263 pounds, he is the Ultimate Kingpin of NPW... KEITH WILLIAMS!
Smirking, Williams shrugs and nonchalantly shows his palms, acting as if he's clueless to why he's getting hate. Waggling his eyebrows to get a rise out of the fans, Keith fires off a series of mustache strokes before strutting his way down to the ring. Slowly rolling under the bottom rope to enter, The Ultimate Kingpin keeps rolling until he's in the center of the squared circle. Kneeling, his back to the camera again, KW points at the design on his jacket with a single thumb.
Wright: Well, I can see one of the things I’ve heard about Keith is true. He’s a slimeball through and through, and that mask… I don’t like the look of it.
Park: What is there to like? It’s there to protect his face as it heals. And if it gives him an edge, well...whose fault is that?
The bell rings and once referee Melanie Davenport is out of the way, Isabel Rios is advancing to the middle of the ring, her hand extended for a handshake in a display of class that has the fans cheering the attempt--but, of course, Keith Williams takes one look at the sportsmanship on offer and flips the double bird. Jeers flood the air as Isabel allows her hand to drop, the Amazons Champion rolling her eyes as if to say ‘So that’s how we’re playing this?’ while Keith smirks all the more.
Wright: And the mind games start early!
Park: I know I was pretty high up on Keith a minute ago, but Isabel Rios is an experienced wrestler in her own right. She probably knew that response was coming.
A little more posturing from the Ultimate Kingpin and he’s suddenly surging forward, Rios meeting him halfway in a collar-and-elbow tie up to try to stop him from running her down. Williams is quick to take control of, Williams using his size and strength to force Rios back into the ropes, pinning her there. Davenport makes it to a count of four and a half before Williams releases the hold, a hand coming out to condescending pat Rios’ cheek as he asks the crowd if they really think she has a chance of winning here--but the boos he’s getting shift quickly to cheers as Isabel cracks him across the chest hard with a knife-edged chop that has the crowd letting out a ‘Woo!’. It almost seems like the crowd’s turned into a flock of owls as Rios continues lighting up the chest of Williams, driving him back until Rios has enough room to throw herself into the ropes, using the momentum to knock him to the mat with a Lou Thesz press, the crowd continuing to cheer as she wails on Williams as if her life depends on it!
Wright: Rios is making Williams pay for his disrespect, and the fans are loving it!
Park: She’s even making sure her fists are connecting with Keith’s face where the mask can’t protect him, but she’s playing a dangerous game even from her current position.
Indeed Rios is, as after a few more blows? Williams is twisting to the side, throwing the much-smaller competitor off of himself before taking that top mount for himself. It’s Isabel’s turn to weather a storm of blows, the Amazons Champion managing to cover up with her arms somewhat--but Williams snags one of those arms and pins it to the mat before straight-up sucker punching her in the face! The boos spike to nigh-nuclear levels as the pummeling continues to the point that Davenport has to intervene, the referee forcing the Ultimate Kingpin off his prey to give Isabel a moment to recover. Williams raises his hands in the classic ‘Hey, I’m not tryin’ to start shit’ fashion as Davenport keeps a close eye on him, knowing all too well that he’s got to be up to something. It’s just a matter of what, the air uneasy around Williams as Rios regains a vertical base with the turnbuckle’s assistance.
Wright: I have to admit it--I’m glad that Isabel’s getting a moment to clear her head of cobwebs. Judging by how slow she’s getting to her feet, she really needed it. At the same time, though, I don’t like the look in Keith’s eyes.
Park: What is there not to like? He’s playing by the rules and letting her stand up. There’s no rules against scheming--WHOA!
Once again, Williams is surging forward in an attempt to bumrush Rios and take control that way--but at the last moment, she’s dropping down, catching him in a drop toe hold that makes him slam, masked face first, into the top turnbuckle with a CRACK that echoes throughout the arena! Rebounding off of the impact, Keith twists around as he falls to land on his stomach, though he doesn’t get long to recover before Isabel is taking full advantage of his position. Instead of attempting to roll him onto his back, Rios slips an arm under the neck of Williams, twisting her hips to bring her leg up and over before she brings her hands closer and closer together! Sensing the danger that he’s in, Keith does his best to fight Isabel off, flailing and bucking as best as he can as he tries to get out from under his determined opponent. As the crowd cheers Rios on, however, her hands come closer and closer together, her jaw setting as she strains to cinch in the submission hold she’s aiming for--and after a surge of adrenaline-driven strength?
Wright: Koji Clutch! Rios has cinched in the Koji Clutch, and Williams is in a world of trouble!
Park: While Keith managed to avoid getting ensnared in the middle of the ring, he may as well be in No Man’s Land since Isabel put herself between his upper body and the ropes!
The Ultimate Kingpin is clearly in agony, but he’s gutting through it as best as he can, adamantly telling Davenport no every time the referee asks if he wants to give up even as the Amazons Champion demands that he give up. Wrenching on Keith’s neck, Isabel is truly well-settled into the hold, the battle of wills beginning to lean toward a conclusion--but then with his own burst of adrenaline, he slowly brings his legs in and his hips up as he begins to try to fight to a vertical base! It’s a slow and arduous process, one that surely threatens to sap the remaining strength out of Williams but, in spite of Rios doing all she can to keep him on the ground? First one foot plants itself, knee bending before Keith lets out a growl of effort before he’s propelling himself to that sought-after vertical base in defiance of Rios’s attempt at a submission victory!
Wright: What a show of fortitude and guts from the Ultimate Kingpin!
Park: Keith Williams isn’t just a multiple-time champion across many companies over the years because of his cutthroat violence--he can take it as well as he can dish it out!
Keith is a bit unsteady on his feet, but it’s clear that getting back up is helping him mentally gather himself. Unfortunately for him, Rios knows she cannot let him have the opportunity to break free of her grip completely, so she unlocks her legs before dropping down and using her own momentum to hit Williams with a Reverse STO! The moment that they hit the mat, Isabel is taking advantage of how she has stunned Keith, quickly cinching the Koji Clutch in all over again!
Wright: All of that effort to escape… only to wind up exactly where he was before. That’s got to take some of the wind out of Keith’s sails!
Park: But he’s not right back where he was!
Williams’ experience reveals itself in how quickly he realizes that his legs are closer to the ring ropes--and after a final burst of exertion twists his lower body just so? He’s hooking his foot on the rope, forcing Rios to break the hold! Isabel shows Keith about the same amount of mercy as he would show her, holding on until Davenport reaches a four-count. Rios is forced back to let Williams get to a knee, that handful of seconds more than enough for one thing to make itself evident; Williams is frustrated. No,no... frustration is too weak of a word for what he feels as he turns his head to glare at his opponent, his emotions writ large across his features. To put it simply? Keith Williams is pissed right the fuck off.
Wright: Why did I just feel a chill run down my spine?
Park: Because nothing good ever, ever comes out of that look from the Ultimate Kingpin that ends well. Rios has been valiant and tenacious, but I think it’s about to cost her--and cost her big!
Rising to his feet, the Ultimate Kingpin stalks over to the Amazons Champion, snagging her by the neck with both hands before bodily yeeting her into the nearest corner back-first. Keith is hot on her heels, a stiff as Hell lariat driving all of the air out of Isabel’s lungs a mere second after she collides with the unyielding turnbuckle. Retreating just enough to let Rios rebound off the ringpost, Williams wraps his arms around Rios’ middle, that size and strength advantage utilized to its utmost as he bodily hurls his opponent damn near across the ring with a release German suplex that has Rios arching her back in agony once she lands hard to a veritable explosion of boos! Retreating to the corner, Keith crouches down a little as he holds onto the top rope on either side of him, a torrent of profanity escaping his lips as he demands that Isabel get to her feet so she can get what’s coming to her.
Wright: Jesus! I see what you mean now, UnJoo. I don’t know if Isabel Rios can endure much more of this!
Park: And to think, Keith Williams is only truly beginning to warm up. I’m gonna be honest--I don’t like her chances right now.
As Isabel makes her way to her unsteady feet, Keith remains as he is, laying in wait for the perfect moment to strike. When things are just to the Ultimate Kingpin’s liking, he explodes out of the corner with a running bicycle kick that he follows up with a Gourdbuster, the Sleazy Threesome completed to perfection with a discus elbow smash that is otherwise known as Queen Anne’s Revenge! After all of that abuse, Rios drops to the canvas like a sack of potatoes. Smelling blood, Williams goes for the pin without hooking the leg, a confident smirk on his lips that cranks the heat he’s getting from the fans right up to nuclear levels.
...ONE! TWO! THREE--NO!
Rios kicks out, the cheers rising to near-deafening levels as Keith scowls at not putting his opponent away!
Wright: The fans are blowing the roof off with cheers right now, and I for one can’t blame them. Isabel is proving to be made of stern stuff indeed!
Park: Keith looks like he’s about to blow his top, though I have to question Isabel’s wisdom here. There’s still a lot of nasty things in Williams’ arsenal, after all--and judging by the look on his face, he’s gonna use each and every one of them to tear Rios apart!
Williams is already dragging Rios back to her feet by her head and as soon as she’s upright? Keith is smashing his head--and more importantly, his mask--into her face, knocking her back down to the canvas! The boos of the crowd drowns out the invectives that flow out of the Ultimate Kngpin’s mouth as he hauls the Amazon Champion back up… only to knock her back down all over again with another headbutt. This cycle continues with Keith keeping total control over Isabel, savoring every moment of how getting her up becomes harder and harder thanks to how unsteady her legs are getting.
Wright: Oh, just end it already you jerk! We get it!
Park: I have to agree with you. Keith had Isabel beaten about three headbutts ago. This is just getting uncomfortable to watch.
One final headbutt and Rios collapses to the canvas. It’s a wonder Rios isn’t bleeding from anywhere, as a matter of fact, but at least Williams looks like he’s grown bored of toying with his opponent. A dastardly stroke of his moustache and Keith leans down, scooping Isabel up to finish her off with the Emerald Flowsion that he calls the K-DRIVER--but once he has her up in the air? Instinct is penetrating the mind fog that the Amazons Champion has been in the grip of, Rios suddenly coming to life to slip free of the grip of Williams to land on her feet behind him!
Wright: Where did that come from?!
Park: I don’t know, but I sure didn’t--HOLY SHIT!
That exclamation from Park punctuates the burst of activity from Isabel as she snags Keith in a reverse DDT position, hooking his leg before she’s straining with all her might and lifting her opponent to a vertical position before driving him down onto the back of his head and neck, the Redtail Driver connecting with authority! Collapsing to the mat, Rios goes for the pinfall, hooking Williams’ legs and digging her heels into the canvas as Davenport goes for the count.
...ONE! TWO! THREE!!!
The bell rings, signaling the end of the match… as well as the Ultimate Kingpin’s time in Battle of the Best, the crowd’s cheers reaching nigh-defeaning levels.
Stanford: And your winner, via pinfall, and advancing to Night Two of Battle of the Best… ISABEL RIOS!
Williams remains prone on his back as Rios rolls off of him, Davenport reaching down to help the victor to her feet. Thrusting the exhausted Isabel’s hand skyward, the fans rain an abundance of cheers down upon the Amazons Champion as she offers the crowd a weary, but pleased smile.
Wright: What an upset! On paper, Keith Williams held almost every single advantage, but it was the intangible that led to Isabel Rios getting the victory tonight. If ever there was proof of the power of determination and heart, this is it!
Park: I’ve got to agree with you here, Oliver. Keith pulled out every trick in the book, but at the end of the day? It’s Isabel that is the victor after one Hell of a great match!
Wright: And after an incredible match, our main event is next!
Stanford: The following main event is an INFERNO MATCH for the FIRESIDE World Championship!
Any dull action in the crowd after seeing eight first-round qualifiers is quickly rekindled by the mere mention of the match type. Citizens Bank Park is suddenly very lit again, in more ways than one.
Stanford: In order to win the match, you must light your opponent on FIIIIIIIIIREEEEEEEEEE!
Wright: Oh boy! Are you ready for this one? Two warriors enter, one warrior leaves with the title, and the other with a night in the burn unit in their future!
Park: MAJESTY has wanted this moment ever since Fuel for the Fire, ruining Esmur’s defense against Otto Ritter to set a message, and tonight they finally get their hands on the Nihilist!
Stanford: Introducing first… ...fr-fr-from the Feywild, weighing in at 183 pounds, they are…. MAJESTY!
Walter Stanford looks like he’s just seen a ghost, wondering how his voice got that way. He looks generally terrified, and the general and eerie piano keys lilting out over the arena as Citizens Bank Park plunges into darkness certainly amplify the terror.
At one point, a quick flash of a projection of Majesty appears standing on one of the staircases in right field, and then just like that, it's gone.
A few more rounds of light, you could've sworn you saw Majesty yet again, this time in left field.
And then... the guitars kick in, and a wild, horrifying laugh tears through the arena.
All the lights have changed from ballpark white to a shade of green and yellow, filtering around, and Majesty rises from the stage at the top of the ramp, enshrouded by mist and smoke. They twirl around, revealing a horrifying attire potentially inspired by the Japanese Ori, with two curved horns attaching to their mask, along with solid black holes where there should be eyes. Their usual colorful streams have been replaced with all-red ones to go along with a devilish bodysuit.
Majesty makes her way around the edges of the ring, spinning still, streamers twirling. Even the fans in the front row behind the rigging for the fire recoil back a bit, not wanting to get too close to the mysterious entity, who rolls into the ring and just lays there for a moment, cackling as the thunderous guitars clang out throughout the park.
Wright: Oh God… agh… just what more can you say about MAJESTY?
Park: Some people are still in the dark, this may be their first time, Oliver.
Wright: If this is your first time, you are in for a hell of a… a being… with MAJESTY. The Feywild Figure must be some kind of magic, we’re never really sure, all we know is they basically have done whatever they’ve wanted as they’ve run roughshod throughout almost the entire roster.
Park: And tonight… they seem to be channeling some kind of demon.
Wright: Channeling seems like the wrong word, UnJoo. Something is very, very different about them.
Stanford: And their opponent…
Stanford: ...from St. Louis, Missouri, weighing in at 205 pounds, he is one half of the Nihilists, he is the FIRESIDE World Champion, he is ESSSSSSSSSSMMMMMMMMMMUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRR!
The arena dims down to pitch blackness. Two male voices are heard saying, “EMBRACE … ETERNITY” The new video package for the reborn Nihilists plays nn the big screen at Citizens Bank Park. "Saviour of Nothing" by Disturbed begins to play and a single light brown spotlight illuminates the stage. On the stage stands Gebin, hair flowing, wearing his light up Covid Mask and illuminated battle gloves. He raises his hands and the columns of LED light illuminate the stage in purple. Stepping into the brown spotlight walks Esmur complete with his luchador mask. He steps up and stares into the ring before looking out at the Fireside faithful. He is wearing a robe that is adorned with religious iconography from pretty much every religion, the symbols are all drawn on fire for emphasis. He pulls his robe off into his arms and tosses it at his feet as a column of red light illuminates it. This reveals his Fireside World Championship which he pats as he begins to move.
Wright: The FIRESIDE World champion does NOT appreciate being picked against, does not appreciate the sentiments from the fans that tonight might be the end of their reign.
Park: There is an anger that pokes out of his nihilism, about being overlooked despite wins over Misha Constantine, Daku Suzuki, and Otto.
Wright: He’s felt upstaged ever since the reappearance of the Feywild Figure, and the Feywild Figure does have a victory over him in a tag team match, hence the inferno match.
Park: I don’t think anyone envies this man tonight, that’s for sure. You’re defending the world championship in a match against a monstrous demon in a ring surrounded by fire, it’s a tall task.
Wright: He seems ready and game for it, nonetheless!
Finally he pulls off his mask revealing his face and his trim brown hair and goatee. Gebin follows him and catches the mask as he tosses it. Esmur rolls into the center of the ring and the spotlight illuminates his Nihilist-themed bodysuit which is long and dirt brown. On the right leg is the Fireside name and a flame decal. On the left leg down the side reads Embrace and Eternity in two columns. His name adorns the seat of the pants. The song and lights fade back to normal as he hands the timekeeper his Fireside World Championship belt as Gebin disappears from sight.
Wright: For the safety of our officials, no referee for this one. Whoever is lit on fire ends this contest.
Park: I can’t believe this is about to happen. I have goosebumps!
As the two competitors find their places in the ring, the pyrotechnicians at ringside allow for the rigging to be lit ablaze. The crowd roars as the flames shoot around the squared circle quite quickly, showing how fast the fire spreads!
Wright: It’s a lot different when it’s in a bowl at the top of the entrance ramp rather than right next to the ring like this.
Park: Are we sure we can’t get like a nice submission match instead?
Wright: I’m sure Esmur would have liked that, but too late now! There’s the bell, this match is on!
The bell rings and Esmur quickly shoots a hand up, keeping MAJESTY at bay in the corner. He winds his fingers as the arena as multiple Esmurs are projected throughout the ballpark as pillars of light, suddenly forming an army. It’s clear that he’s paid a handful of workers to make this light trick work, and the crossing of his arms that follows gives off its own message of superiority.
Wright: Esmur has accused MAJESTY of being all smoke and mirrors, and I don’t think anyone saw this coming! There must be ten Esmurs throughout the park!
Park: It’s fancy lighting for sure, but how will the Feywild Figure respond?
MAJESTY barely even acknowledges the light-up Esmurs, grabbing him by the throat and chokeslamming him right into the mat! The projections evaporate!
Wright: That’s a hell of a response! A chokeslam from the demonic entity!
Park: Esmur thought that was such a bold play, and in turn… the power of MAJESTY. Have we ever seen a chokeslam from them before?
Wright: I told ya, this is a different level tonight from the world champion contender.
The Feywild Figure seems to be driven in a different manner tonight as they grab their 205 pound opponent and pull him back up to his feet. They’re holding the Nihilist up and striking him with punches, but each punch is targeted right at his throat. After three punches, they then drop him back to the mat with a hard backbreaker.
Wright: This could be a short night for the champion at this rate.
Park: They’re manhandling Esmur right now! This match could go many ways tonight, I don’t know if I had this on my card though!
The ring is illuminated by an orange glow from the flames as the camera captures the action from a lower angle and a safe distance. Esmur is crawling away to get some space, but is quickly reminded of the dangers of getting too close to the ropes as MAJESTY raises their arms, causing the flames to shoot up!
Wright: We were wondering how we’d see the work of MAJESTY, and I think we just saw our answer!
Park: If they can control the flames like that, the champ’s in for a rough night!
A startled champion backs up from the ropes, bumping right into MAJESTY’s legs. The Feywild Figure grabs him by the throat again and lifts him back up, and the emphasis on the throat in the early-goings indicates that this isn’t quite the same demon we’re used to -- much less playful, much more destructive. They send Esmur bouncing off the ropes, and the champion comes back into a hard spinebuster, rattling the ring.
Wright: The horned mask, the power… whatever happened to MAJESTY a week ago when talking to that disembodied voice, I don’t wanna know!
Park: And to think -- to think that the whole point of Battle of the Best is to earn a title match against either the FIRESIDE World Champion or the X-Crown champion!
Wright: If MAJESTY wins tonight, I’d certainly be hoping to get in the ring with the X-Crown champion instead!
The demonic figure hangs out against the turnbuckles for a few moments, taking the time to breathe. MAJESTY turns their attention back to the FIRESIDE world champion, who is back on his feet. They charge forward, only to have Esmur go underneath their spinning back elbow and slam them face first, before wrapping their legs around for a koji clutch!
Wright: Sensory Deprivation! The champion comes roaring back with a huge submission here, beginning to choke the life out of MAJESTY!
Park: Oxygen is at a premium in a match with a fire surrounding the ring, Esmur might be able to render his opponent unconscious!
Wright: MAJESTY can’t control the fire if they’re not even with us!
The crowd has come alive, cheering for both wrestlers as the technical submission specialist has trapped the challenger in the center of the ring with a move cutting off their oxygen supply faster and faster. It is nearly impossible to figure out MAJESTY’s facial expressions in their mask, but the body language and the fight to get out indicate that this is not a situation they wanted to be in or maybe even planned for whatsoever!
Wright: Esmur is choking the life out of them in the center of the ring!
Park: There’s nowhere to go! Even if MAJESTY does get to the ropes, the fire is right there!
MAJESTY is caught in a bad spot for sure as the Nihilist screams and squeezes with every ounce of intensity they have in their body, desperately trying to make MAJESTY slip from this world, if only for a few seconds so they can light them ablaze. Esmur works to keep the hold applied as the Feywild Figure seems to give up on leveraging their hands for freedom, and instead works to pull themselves backwards, moving towards the fire!
Wright: This hold is locked in tight -- this is why you can’t underestimate the world champion, he always comes up big in matches like this!
Park: He won the title by cutting off Misha Consantine’s mobility, and now he seems to be on his way to defending it by cutting off the Feywild Figure’s air supply!
Esmur keeps the hold locked in as what’s left of MAJESTY continues pulling the Nihilist towards the ropes. As they arrive, it seems that this might have been pointless -- the fire is still raging, after all. But with a waving of their hand, the fire completely extinguishes itself!
Wright: MAJESTY just… just burned up the fire?
Park: I don’t know, but they’re free to leave the ring now!
MAJESTY uses the bottom rope to eject themselves from the ring, and the hold is broken up by the ropes, and Esmur quickly realizing what the Feywild Figure’s plans are, quickly noping himself backwards in time to avoid going up in smoke as the fire comes roaring right back due to another wave of MAJESTY’s hand!
Wright: Whoah! That was the closest we’ve come to someone winning the match, as MAJESTY almost roasted Esmur alive!
Park: Esmur had that hold on for what felt like minutes, and it’s terrifying to think that it almost cost him the match!
Esmur is now trapped in the ring by himself, unable to quite leave the ring due to the fire burning up around him. The camera captures MAJESTY doubled over at ringside, doing their best to feel their throat and take deep breaths to establish consciousness, having come that close to passing out. They are coughing so forcefully that they even are doubled over. You can see that the Nihilist is sensing that this is a missed opportunity, but the barrier is indeed an issue.
Wright: That Sensory Deprivation is probably the most brutal direction action we’ve seen taken to MAJESTY, but now they can recover on the outside for as long as they want!
Park: Esmur has to feel the moment slipping away-- wait, where’s he going?
Desperate times call for desperate measures as Esmur evaluates the fire and then scales the top turnbuckle anyway! The crowd can’t believe what they’re seeing as Esmur shakes his head, embracing his own brand of madness, before jumping upwards and crashing down onto the bent-over challenger with a swanton! The crowd roars!
Wright: ESMUR JUST CLEARED THE FIRE WITH THE VOID!
Park: I can’t believe the world champion didn’t set himself on fire with that one! Look at the replay, you can see his body ever so briefly passing through the flame, but he was never actually on fire!
Wright: In a match perhaps more designed to keep two competitors in the ring than any other, now both wrestlers are on the outside!
A little warmer than he might like to be after passing through the flames, Esmur reaches out and ‘borrows’ a water bottle from a fan, taking it and crushing it down in an attempt to stay hydrated and to help cool off, splashing himself with the remaining contents of the bottle. MAJESTY is still down as the champion begins moving with purpose towards the timekeeper’s area, looking for and finding the world championship itself. He grabs the championship and begins moving back towards the challenger, very obviously thinking about using it to inflict harm on his opponent.
Wright: The look in Esmur’s eyes as he passed us to grab the championship… this is a man with a high level of intensity, driven to retain his championship and set his name among the stars.
Park: You beat MAJESTY, in one of their matches, in front of an entire city full of fans, with so many more watching at home? You can absolutely stake a claim to being the best, tournament or not.
Esmur does their best to keep a clear distance away from the fire as they hold the world championship in their hands and work their way over to the challenger before taking the leather strap and using it essentially as a whip, lashing it against the back of the challenger! The crowd winces at the sound as the champion repeats the maneuver once, and then again before slamming the golden metal into the spine of the Feywild Figure!
Wright: Just a relentless beatdown from the champion!
Park: He’s not going home without a fight!
The champion finally drops the championship and specifically requests a chair from one of the fans that have been distanced clearly away from the on-fire rigging. He receives it and unfolds the chair before getting MAJESTY back up to their feet and wrapping the chair around their head! He gets behind MAJESTY and gets ready to leap!
Wright: Are we about to see a Fade Out from the champion?
Park: A Fade Out with that chair would be vicious!
Esmur leaps up… and comes down with the jumping reverse bulldog, planting MAJESTY into the chair and onto the floor on the outside! Esmur’s fans cheer loudly as MAJESTY fans boo the man!
Wright: Metal meets flesh meets floor as the champion drops the challenger!
Park: Listen to this crowd! The Nihilist’s fans love it, but MAJESTY’s fans are hating this!
Wright: I’m surprised the Feywild Figure even has fans outside of the people running in terror whenever they pass!
The champion makes it back up to their feet and for the first time, almost feels a little smug, having just mangled their challenger once again. They turn their attention back to the fire and the smugness is quickly replaced by a gulp as they realize that the next step of this match, the one they need to retain the championship, is actually getting the challenger into the fire.
Esmur moves slowly, running his hands through the remaining hair he has as he looks at the rigging from a safe distance, trying to figure out a moment of opportunity. He seems to sense that if he gets MAJESTY too close to the fire, the Feywild Figure might kill the heat. A moment of inspiration strikes him as he again ‘borrows’ something from the crowd, this time a sign written by a child in the front row. The “Misha Sucks” sign is leaned against the fire from a safe enough distance, causing the top of the sign to begin burning!
Wright: Esmur’s fighting fire with fire, bringing it straight to his opponent!
Park: Now who’s got the power to control the flame in the palm of their hands? This is a genius move from Esmur, who could be moments away from retaining the championship!
The camera captures the additional glow of the flame against Esmur’s eyes, highlighting a man seemingly possessed by the idea of defending his championship, getting ready to bring fire straight towards a demon. MAJESTY makes it back up to their feet and the Nihilist makes his move, charging forward and chucking what remains of the sign at the challenger!
Wright: Incoming!
Park: Look out!
MAJESTY barely sidesteps the remaining bits of the sign that are still on fire, and once the sign hits the ground, it only burns for a few more seconds before going out. Esmur looks furious at this plan not working out and charges forward, but the Feywild Figure simply moves, leaving the Nihilist to have to quickly stop short to avoid sending himself into the blaze!
Wright: These two are dangerously close to that fire!
Park: At least with the ring you have some distance, out here they are as close as they can possibly be to the flame!
The champion halts mere inches from the fire, so close that they have to actually physically contort their body to avoid going into the flame -- and then MAJESTY makes things worse for the challenger, grabbing the back of his head and trying to shove his face into the fire!
Wright: Oh my God! MAJESTY is about to light Esmur’s face on fire!
Park: No!
Esmur fires back with a series of elbows to the gut of the challenger, then grabs the back of their head and tries to do the same thing! Both competitors show a blatant disregard for life in the pursuit of the world championship, trying to get the other one to catch on fire! MAJESTY counters by waving their hands, and at the surprise of the fire dissipating, manages to break free long enough to counter by banging Esmur’s skull off the metal beam!
Wright: This match was at a level of seriousness before, but it seems any moment now one of these two is going to be lit ablaze!
Park: This is hard to watch!
Before Esmur can even drop to the floor, MAJESTY spins and twirls, crashing into the champion’s head with a spinning back elbow!
Wright: The Great Wheel! The fire is out, but so might be the champion!
Park: All MAJESTY seems to do at this point is to wave their hand, though!
MAJESTY holds their hand back, looking to put away Esmur with the Peacekeeper!
Wright: If that hand gets down the throat of the champion, that may spell disaster for Esmur!
Park: I don’t think the champion even knows where he is right now!
Esmur gets back up and carefully dodges backward away from the fire, only to turn around into the Peacekeeper! MAJESTY locks the mandible claw in and is not letting go as the champion begins fighting for life and title!
Wright: Peacekeeper! MAJESTY has put multiple members of the FIRESIDE roster to sleep with this!
Park: Esmur’s fading! This might be over if he can’t get out of this hold!
The look in Esmur’s eyes indicates that this is a man who has to do everything he can in this moment to get himself free. He works to punch and kick at the challenger, but the challenger is staying upright and is even beginning to push the champion towards the flame. Esmur tries pulling backward, sending the challenger closer to the fire!
Wright: Whoah! Is MAJESTY about to hit the fire?
Park: Esmur might have done it!
MAJESTY stops just short of the fire, but still has the claw applied! The Feywild Figure pushes forward and takes Esmur’s legs out, bringing the champion down to the ground! Esmur fights and struggles to get free, and the crowd is stunned as they stop moving!
Wright: Esmur might be on dream street! MAJESTY may have just knocked him out with the Peacekeeper!
Park: Oh no, no no-- what’re they doing now?
MAJESTY removes their hand from the mouth of the champion, having felt every one of his deepest emotions on a much, much more personal level. The challenger, no longer playful, seems still dissatisfied as they pick the champion back up and look at the flame.
Wright: UnJoo, you may want to look away now!
Park: I can’t watch!
MAJESTY grabs the back of Esmur’s head… and sets his FACE ON FIRE!
The bell rings!
Wright: OH MY GOD! THEY LIT HIS FACE ON FIRE!
Park: ESMUR IS ON FIRE! SOMEONE PUT HIM OUT! WE NEED SOMEONE TO PUT HIM OUT!
Esmur screams out in deep pain as he escapes the clutches of the Feywild Figure! Pyrotechncians quickly extinguish his face as the crowd is in shock at the man’s face being lit ablaze! It takes the announcer over a minute to actually announce the result!
Stanford: Here is your winner, and the NEW FIRESIDE World Champion… MAJEEEEESTYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
The shock, horror, and reactions are LOUD as the new champion is handed the championship. The crowd reacts in many ways, some heading for the exits, not sure of what they’ve just seen. Others seem almost entranced, watching the new champion as they receive the title.
Wright: Esmur was certainly up to the task, but MAJESTY never once played fair with that fire, and now… now this!
Park: I don’t have anything left to say… the Era of Eternity is over.
Wright: For UnJoo Park, my name is… Oliver Wright, thank you for watching, tune in tomorrow for the Battle of the Best finale and two additional title matches, including the X-Crown and uh… we’ll get updates on Esmur as soon as we can!
The disheveled finish from the commentators covers the awe sweeping through the arena as medical staff tend to the fallen former champion. The new champion, however, simply looks deeply into their championship. The final thing we see is MAJESTY holding the title high with one hand, and waving their other hand in a flourish. A brief glimpse of fire captures the final shot.