Post by Avery Quinn on Apr 14, 2018 14:17:18 GMT -5
Earlier, this afternoon, before the feed went live. Nearly six-hundred feet away, across the parking lot from the Halifax Forum, Johnny Matthews sat tucked away at a far corner table. Indistinct chatter filled the air over clinking spoons and rattling ice cubes.
The Brooklyn Warehouse was quiet following the lunch rush. Every bit of the freshly caught Nova Scotia salmon, every spoonful of his toasted farro and every drop of his beer, consumed. Quietly, he finished his lunch and sat back, taking in the quaint tranquility of the bistro in the afternoon. Conspicuous, even in the casual atmosphere, the brim of his Stetson fedora shadowed his face; the blacked-out Aviators, that normally hide his emerald greens, hung in the neck of his officially-licensed CWC “American Anarchy” T-shirt.
“Best fucking salmon,” he mumbled, wiping his mouth, “comes from right fucking here, Man. Nova Scotia,” he continued, “host of tonight's Spirit and Pride show.” Using his right thumbnail, he picked a hull from between his teeth. “Much like our friend Hutch,” he snarled in disgust, “seems Scott’s a ‘modern-day drifter’ or,” then, he rolled his eyes, “a ‘rambler’, basically,” he drove home , “yet another boardroom manufactured, writing room, rip off of,” with a wink and nod, “yours fucking truly.”
He stands up, snatched his patch-covered vest from the back of his chair and slid it on, over both shoulders. Pulling on the chain attached to his belt loop, he retrieved his wallet, rifled through it and left five twenties on the table. Out the front door he went, passing through the patrons on the patio and, no sooner was he on the sidewalk, a cigarette dangled in his lips. He stood there, admiring the Forum across the street, smoking. Filling his lungs with a long, deep drag, he schemed and plotted his way to the talent entrance. There were people everywhere, some had already started tailgating in front of the venue.
“I should have never fucking left,” he muttered, “my ass wouldn't be starting from the bottom today,” he huffs, “that's for damned certain.”
“Ay,” as he took the shades from the neck of his shirt and slid them over his ears, someone recognized him, “it's Johnny Vivacious!”
“Matthews,” he corrected as a group of five older teenagers approached. “Using my real name now.”
“Oh yeah, ay?”
Matthews signed copies of the event program, a small piece of paper and an old Vivacious T-shirt, flipping ashes about as he talked about his upcoming match. With the Canadian heathens satisfied and amped up for action, he crossed the street and headed toward the building. There's a lot to prove tonight and, let's face it, a younger challenge with a lot of momentum awaiting him.
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The lights around the arena go dim as the sounds of a guitar riff begin to reverberate from the speakers around the building. Video begins to roll of highlights of Elijah Carlson’s tenure in 4CW, with emphasis on his match against Jair Hopkins and his title defense against Scott Stevens at All or Nothing, as well as his debut in the HKW Golden Opportunity Rumble. As the video clips begin to play on, the vocals of Rise Against's “From Heads Unworthy” begin.
While the singer's voice drags on the final word of the opening verse, the entrance way is flooded with bright white lights as Elijah Carlson emerges from the backstage area wearing his usual trunks with his first name written across the back, a crown dotting the I, while a mixture of boo’s and cheers reigning down upon him. With microphone in hand Eli ignores the fans and begins his walk toward the ring as the lyrics to the song roll on.
Rolling himself into the ring, Eli stands and his familiar arrogant smirk appears almost instantaneously. As the music fades Eli takes a few moments to collect his thoughts, pacing around the ring for a bit before finally bringing the microphone upward to speak.
Elijah Carlson: “I told you so.”[/b][/color]
Before he could get another word out the smattering of cheers that had been present amongst the boo’s disappear and the fans in attendance nearly blow the lid off of the building voicing their displeasure with the man before them in the ring. Laughing to himself, he motioned with his free hand for them to bring it on even more. Obliging him, the fans get even louder before Eli drops the microphone to the canvas and takes to the nearby turnbuckle, pointing to his chest and telling the crowd that he’s the best in the damn company, mixing that in of course with a tidal wave of vulgarities. Hopping down from the turnbuckle, Eli returns to the center of the ring and picks up the microphone that he had deposited a few moments earlier. Not letting the fans dissuade him, Eli continues on.
Elijah Carlson: “I know you hate it. I know you loathe it. I know that you can’t stand it. I know that it eats at you all the way down to your very core. You hate that I’m this damn good. You hate that I can walk down to this ring, or sit backstage with the camera’s on me, or pick up my phone and get on social media and proclaim to the world that I’m going to beat someone AND THEN DO EXACTLY THAT! You despise me for it. All of that animosity just boiling up deep inside of you and in the end it really has nothing to do with me. It has to do with all of you. It’s why you identify with idiots like Mariano Fernandez and Andre Holmes. Because just like the two of them, you idiots spend every single day falling short of the expectations and the hopes and the dreams that people have for you and in you.”
Once more the fans explode, their fury and bitterness pouring out in the direction of the man standing in the middle of the ring.
Elijah Carlson: “One of these days you’ll appreciate me for every single thing I do for this company. One of these days you’ll appreciate Phoenix naming me as the face of this company after Gabriel Laroux dropped the ball over and over and over again. One of these days you’ll wrap your mind around the fact that this company is only where it’s at today because of me. Because of what I can do in this ring. Because of what I do outside of the ring. Because of the fact that I can say two months ahead of time that Rachel and I would be the final two standing in the Cavalcade match. Because I can say that I win. AND IT ALL COMES TRUE! One of these days you’ll appreciate that. But until then, you can sit their in your seats here in this shit Canadian town and sob into your Labatts. You can sit at home with mustard and ketchup stains on your shirts as you stuff another hot dog down your fat triple chinned faces and you can hate me. You can despise me. You can loathe me because you damn sure never can be me. And neither can anyone else in the back. Which brings me to our dilemma.”
Though the crowd continued to be very vocal during his continued attack on their intelligence, character and home, the whole arena fell quiet when Eli mentioned that there was a dilemma that needed to be addressed.
Elijah Carlson: “You see, because I was able to do exactly what I said I would do and that’s walk out with a victory in the Twenty Eighteen Cavalcade match, I now have an opportunity to challenge for any title I so desire. That means that I could choose to embarass Jessica Sears and show that dumb blonde bitch the only thing she’s good for is putting her mouth on the tip of a damn Goomba. Or I could put up with the obnoxious Celeste and her idiot boyfriend again but nobody wants to see the sanctioned assault of a child again. Hell, I could find a tag team partner and make a run at Hell Is Waiting. I’ve already beat the living hell out of Masuro once. It’s not like Aurora would provide a challenge for me.”
As Eli takes a moment to pause and enjoy the build up and anticipation, the fans seem to get what he’s hinting at and begin to chant.
Elijah Carlson: “Never was much of a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies to be honest.”
Indirectly shutting down what the fans were clearly chanting for, Eli chuckles to himself and shrugs as his gaze finds the camera for a split second as if to make eye contact with the man they were chanting for, daring him to show his face. It’s only a split second before Eli returns to the matter at hand.
Elijah Carlson: “See, I’ve been batting all of these options around in my head for a few days now and I came to this conclusion. Seeing as how I outwrestled, outworked, and outlasted nine of the so called best that Spirit and Pride has to offer, and seeing as how the National Championship currently has no holder. It only seems fair to me that Avery should drag his as out here and AWARD me the National Championship. I’m the face of this company. I beat EVERY SINGLE HERO YOU COULD THROW AT ME! I DESERVE TO BE GIVEN THAT CHAMPIONSHIP RIGHT THIS VERY MOMENT! But we all know Avery and Marisol aren’t going to do anything but sit in the back and let all the little birdies who want attention whisper in their ears and put ideas in their heads. You can’t expect them to think for themselves. And since they’ve got their own personal agendas to tend to, I’m going to do what I should have been doing all along. And that’s looking out for me first, and not this company. I’m going to do what’s best for Eli from here on out.”
One more pause for dramatic effect before he closed.
Elijah Carlson: “And that means you’ll find out whose throat I’m coming for when I’m damn good and ready for you to find out, and not one moment before.”
Tossing the microphone over his head, it lands with a loud thud as Eli dips out of the ring while “From Heads Unworthy” by Rise Against blares over the public address system once more.
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Johnny Matthews vs. Jamal Scott
The crowd was interested to see how Matthews would look inside the SAP ring as he hadn’t been on a SAP show since August of 2016. Jamal quickly wanted to show off some of his flash and landed a few strikes right from the get go and then connected with a springboard arm drag that he transitioned into an armbar. Johnny wasn’t going to just lay there and take this and quickly found an escape. The grizzled veteran found a number of holes in the young rookies game and kept up the pressure on him for the duration of the match. It wasn’t long until he connected with “Hungover Blues” (gutwrench neckbreaker) and picked up the win.
Winner: Johnny Matthews
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“Ollie, I have to be honest, that sounds like a terrible idea all around.” Allen says, using his cell phone as he paces back and forth backstage.
“Because it’s an animal! And not one that is very easily domesticated. Look just take it outside and let it go before it gives us all rabies or whatever…” Allen responds, pausing to let his former tag partner and new-ish SAP Wrestler Ollie Maverick speak.
“You got it tested? Ollie, you aren’t seriously considering keeping this thing as a pet, are you? Ollie? Ollie!” Allen says before looking at his phone and shaking his head before stuffing it in the pocket of his hoodie. HE turns and looks at the camera guy when he realizes he’s here.
“Don’t be scared. I remember inviting you this time so I’m not gonna do anything to hurt you probably.” Allen says, motioning for the cameraman to come closer which they do, cautiously. Allen takes a deep breath.
“Killing Joke and Zombie Vice Squad against RAWGRAPS and BGTL.” Allen says, clacking his tongue.
“It’s good news. It’s something I can work with. It’s not GREAT news. Great news would be something like ‘There’s a Radon leak in the RAWGRAPS gym and that every one of those elitist douchebags lungs has turned into liquid cancer slime’ but unfortunately we can’t live in a perfect world no matter hard we all silently wish and pray.” Allen says, holding his hands together in prayer.
“Who’s laughing now? Still me you barefoot caveman-looking motherfucker. We won’t get into exactly HOW biased the official was in your favor during our previous match, suffice to say that if anyone out there watching really thinks RAWGRAPS can beat The Killing Joke clean? Yeah, bullshit. I’m sure Spirit and Pride has some kinda deal with the two-bit wrestling school that crapped Cosmo and Kelly out and wanted to make sure they looked good. I could pursue this matter further but I think I’d rather just powerbomb the both of them down a deep dark hole and forget they ever existed so Chelsea and I can move on to someone worth our fucking time.” Allen says dismissively.
“I give it a couple months before Chelsea and I are running shit around here. Management may be biased but there are ways to work around that. By this time next year? People won’t remember a time when SAP didn’t stand for ‘Setups and Punchlines’. See you in the ring.” Allen says as he turns away
“ Fucking…’Durr they’re named after a comic book’. Walk on home with that horse shit you 80’s movie jocks…” We hear Allen mutter to himself off screen before we fade out.
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The camera cuts backstage, where Mariano Fernandez and Trixie are entering the Halifax Forum together. He, of course, is wearing his usual leather jacket and jeans. Trixie has her beige Michael Kors saffiano handbag hanging off her elbow as she wears herself a ruffle skirt with sheer leggings feeding into some sensible pencil heels. An open back light pink blouse with a sheer cardigan over the top.
Both of them look to be very concentrated, knowing the challenges that lie ahead of them.
Mariano: Things we have to do tonight, mang. I have to get Rachel Redding back for the time at Vengeance Pro. And not just that, mang. I had the win against her at the Cavalcade, but Eli had to go get in the way. He won, I don’t care, but he took an opportunity I created, mang. And I KNOW she knows that, so I’m gonna do it all over again, and this time, she ain’t getting away, nor is anyone saving her.
He bumps his fist into his palm.
Mariano: Should have been you and I, mang, but still SAP has to give us our first team match. But let’s not lose hope. For now, we’re both good where we are, even if for me the Cavalcade was a loss right in the end. But our time is gonna come, and when it does, we’ll be there together. (He looks at her in the eyes) That much I promise, chica.
Trixie: Well you better get Rachel back for what happened in VPW. Basically getting involved illegally in our tag match.
Trixie says walking with Manny as they turn the corner and nearly bump into a crate left idol.
Trixie: Yikes.
Trixie says coming to a stop as she sees it has Vince Steel on the side. Mariano gives it a dismissive look.
Mariano: That guy, mang, he WAS going to the Cavalcade. But he was dumb enough to interfere the Showcase match before that, lost his spot, and got a very nice treatment… from DA #TROLL GUY.
Covering his mouth with his palm, Manny makes a “PFFFFTTTCH!” sound as he suppresses a laugh. Trixie frowns at him with a smile and puts him in a headlock.
Trixie: You're totally goofy, Manny.
Mariano, caught off guard, struggles to get out.
Mariano: “Whaaaaaaaaa-! Trixie… what are you doing?” (As she ruffles his GLORIOUS soccer mom hair) “TRIXIE! STAHP!”
Trixie let's him go and they continue to walk past.
Trixie: So any tips for Vince Steel tonight? He's definitely taller than me.
Mariano begins to think, taking his hand to his chin as usual.
Mariano: This is a big strong DUMB guy that only cares about throwing his weight around, chica. So my advice? Keep him on his toes. Don’t let him gain an advantage and make him as angry, as frustrated as you can.
From his expression, it seems the proverbial lightbulb has lit above Manny’s head. Snapping his fingers, he flashes her a smile.
Mariano: I know! Think of him as a giant me, mang. (He chuckles)
Trixie: He's far bigger than you Manny. He's got like fifteen times your arm size.
She says squeezing his arm with one hand, holding it by the forearm with her other. Mariano gives her a hurt look.
Mariano: Why do you have to do this, mang? (He pouts, but goes back to smiling) Anyway, my point is - make him mad. Make him angry, and he starts making mistakes. I know at least that’s what happened when we faced, mang.
He sticks his tongue out in a naughty boy smirk.
Mariano: So try to get him off his toes the same way you try to do me every time we’re together, and you should probably be alright, chica.
Trixie pulls a shocked face.
Trixie: Every time we're together? That sounds totally sordid Manny.
She chuckles and before he can say anything she interrupts him.
Trixie: Bup-bup-bup. But thank you, I'll totally do that. Throw him off his game.
Mariano’s face goes red at the “sordid” comment.
Mariano: WHAT THE FUCK TRIXIE!
He blushes, looking away.
Mariano: Y-you know I ain’t mean it like that, mang… Anyway. Remember the promise we made? Spa for me, and a convention for you?
He reaches into his pocket and takes out two coupons.
Mariano: I honor my promises, mang. Here’s for you.
She hands them to her… and she reads they’re for a daycare treatment at a spa.
Trixie: Awww that's really nice. And I already started getting mine together.
Trixie pulls out of her handbag a wonder woman costume and a super girl costume.
Trixie: I picked these up from a costume place in the mall. Wonder woman, super girl or I did get a suggestion to go as Invisible Woman.
Mariano gazes at them, then at Trixie’s figure, looking interested.
Mariano: I say Supergirl, mang. She’s all the rage these days. Not to mention her outfit manages to look both beautiful AND modest at the same time.
Trixie: I wouldn't look good as wonder woman?
Trixie says a little taken back and shocked. Seeing her face, Manny realizes he’s just made a faux pas and rubs his head apologetically.
Mariano: No, nonononono that’s not what I said, mang. I mean, I haven’t yet seen you as Wonder Woman but we can try anyway, right?
He manages a small smile as his face looks like a tomato.
Trixie: You want me to model them for you now…?
Trixie says raising an eyebrow and folding her arms. Mariano’s jaw drops - at least as far as humanly possible.
Mariano: WHOA-!
He looks around nervously, not knowing what to answer. Trixie breaks the charade with a grin and then a laugh.
Trixie: Your face, Manny, priceless.
Trixie says as she puts her costumes back in her bag.
Trixie: But you'll have to tell me all about the heroes. I'm totally not looking dumb when I get asked about them at Comic Con.
She says walking with Manny as her voice slowly trails off with Trixie almost coaching Manny on how to prepare her for her first trip to Comic Con.
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Tyberius King & Stone Hendrix vs. Outkasts
Oliver started the match for his team and Stone for his. The two locked up and Overton quickly took Hendrix over with a snap suplex. Ollie was feeling it tonight as he was able to cut down Stone every time he tried to rally back. Overton then made a tag into Iris and the two were able to establish a groove. They did their best to cut the ring in half and when Stone started to rally back they used double team maneuvers. Stone caught a lucky break however when he caught Iris with a brainbuster and then was able to make the hot tag to King. Ty came in and dropped Iris with and elbow and then Olly who came in to the ring. King cleared house and whipped Hawthorne back into his corner. King came in with the “Eye of Horus” (busaiku knee kick) and then tagged in Hendrix. Stone connected with “The Broken Mirror” (TKO) he went for the cover and got the three. After the match as the two celebrated Paul Harris is once again seen in the entrance way. King leans over the top rope and yells to him that if he has something to say to him to bring Jackson along with him next time. Harris gives King a dirty look and goes behind the curtain.
Winners: Tyberius King & Stone Hendrix
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“I love waffles!”
Within the Halifax Forum, one of the cameras recording backstage is spun around and Jessica Sears takes a step back with a smile on her face. There’s quite the loud positive reception for the Paladin. Her Spirit and Pride X Championship belt is proudly draped over her right shoulder and she’s suited up for her upcoming match.
JESSICA SEARS: “What? The show is called Pancakes…”
She raises her left hand.
JESSICA SEARS: “...or Waffles?”
Then she raises her right hand and grins.
JESSICA SEARS: “Well, for the record, I love waffles.”
She lowers her left hand and throws a peace sign with her right hand.
JESSICA SEARS: “Waffles are my favorite sweet breakfast food. Savory goes to hash browns. Tonight’s catering revolves around breakfast and they have both waffles AND hash browns!”
The sheer happiness on the young woman’s face is adorable.
JESSICA SEARS: “See, I didn’t bring my boyfriend Dean backstage because he would’ve eaten everything… and this would have angered the Apex Goddess herself, Fujiko.”
The SAP X Champion clears her throat and playfully toe-kicks the floor.
JESSICA SEARS: “I get the feeling management loves booking me in the infamous ten-person tag team matches. I think this is my third… maybe fourth time in this chaotic clusterfuck of a match? It’s super confusing. Usually, these tag matches are random and insane, but I’m actually really happy with my team. Cartier, a seriously cool badass on the roster, Ollie Maverick, my longtime friend and video gaming rival, Tegan Taylor, whom Johnny swears is Ollie’s long-lost twin, and West McFadden, one of the newest and greatest additions to SAP. I’m amazed that the RNG was on my side!”
A huge grin crosses her face and she places her right hand over the ‘X’ on her championship belt. She takes a deep breath, perhaps taking in the scent of breakfast catering, and lets it out.
JESSICA SEARS: “Damn, I’m hungry. I kinda got here a little late, traffic was unpleasant, and I didn’t get to eat. That means Team Free Love is going to have to overwhelm the competition. On the opposite side of the spectrum, we’ve got Jaser Cruz, whom I’ve beaten twice now, including a successful title defense.”
She pats the gold to reinforce her first-ever successful defense and clears her throat.
JESSICA SEARS: “Then there’s Luca Di Paolo. You know, the guy who’s quasi-obsessed with a ridiculously arrogant and boring wrestler. I don’t know if that’s still going on. I don’t really care. Cailey Carter, she’s alright. I don’t care for her sister, though. Don’t ask, I’m not digging through that old history book. Rigas… he’s new, just like West. There’s a good matchup right there. And then, finally, Matthew Gamble.”
She raises both her arms out to her sides, an intentional clueless expression, and she sighs.
JESSICA SEARS: “I’m not sure if the poor guy’s a hundred percent after the incredibly vicious battle between him and CJ Cross. That match… no, that fight was brutal. Honestly, he could have avoided it altogether if he had just respected the sanctity of Celeste’s relationship with CJ. Come on, they’re super cute together. Why would you want that ship to sink?!”
Realizing some people may not understand that, Jessica quickly speaks up.
JESSICA SEARS: “The term ‘ship’ is short for relationship, to pair two or more people together. ‘Oh, I ship them! They’re so cute together!’ I’m sure one of the girls on Tumblr came up with it.”
A casual shrug and she continues on.
JESSICA SEARS: “I guess my point is we’ve got an incredibly solid team. Their team? Not so much. There’s a lot going on there, it’s too complicated to straighten out. I don’t think they can keep it together. So, to put it simply, if you’re gonna make a bet… Don’t bet on Gamble.”
With a sheepish grin, the confident SAP X Champion better adjusts her championship belt and makes her way towards ringside.
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We find Ollie backstage and he waves happily to the cameraman in his ring gear and a t-shirt featuring a picture of a raccoon reading ‘EAT TRASH. BE FREE.’ Aleks Parker is there ready with a microphone.
Aleks Parker: “Good evening Ladies and gentlemen I am here backstage with ‘The Bitcrusher’ Ollie Maverick who is fresh off of his debut and first victory here in SAP Wrestling. Ollie, how do you feel about your partners going into this match?”
Ollie Maverick: “Tegan Taylor was a heck of an opponent and just a really rad person overall and I am more than honored to be teaming with her at this show. Same with Jessica! Jessica and I have a healthy and friendly rivalry that will one day culminate both with us facing each other in the ring and me absolutely destroying her in Tekken but until that day comes? We can function well on the same team. I don’t know our other two partners but….I’m always looking to make new friends!”
A small pet carrier beside Ollie shakes a bit and Ollie makes a comforting cooing noise. Aleks seems to be a little apprehensive about the pet carrier.
Aleks Parker: “Uhm…You seem to be very much in the team spirit. Are you confident that your teammates have your back in the same way?”
Ollie Maverick: “Just because they didn’t accept the invitation to my ‘Super Awesome Team Building Ice Cream Social’ that I honestly may have forgotten to send the invites for doesn’t mean they don’t have the same goals in mind. Winning! We are here to win! I dunno what the rest of the team has in mind The good Lord Satoru Iwata has blessed me on this fine day with many faces to kick and that’s all I can really ask for!”
We hear the pet carrier shake again. The camera looks down at it but the shaking had stopped by then.
Aleks Parker: “Alright so I have to ask, what is in the box?”
Ollie Maverick: “Hm? Oh right! In honor of our team being known as ‘The Trash Pandas’ out of respect for everyone’s favorite furry bandit of a mammal which is a name we DEFINITELY all agreed on and think is perhaps the raddest name for five-person team of all time… I’ve brought along a mascot! Everyone, say hello to Reginald Trashington!”
Ollie holds up a pet carrier but quickly raises an eyebrow in concern. He turns and looks into the camera, then to Aleks, then to the camera again, then looks at the carrier, then back at Aleks.
Ollie Maverick: “So first things first… don’t freak out.”
Aleks Parker: “…is there a live raccoon loose in this room.”
Ollie Maverick: “I’m not gonna say there is…but if there WAS I think the person who brought him would tell you that the hypothetical raccoon is very friendly and safe and… also that he is very sorry and didn’t think this through very much. You know another reason that raccoons are awesome that made thi interview potentially not awesome is the fact that they can do cool human stuff with their hands, like grab food or...I mean… unlock a pet carrier door.”
Aleks yelps at the sound of a rustling sound in the room and quickly leaves, the panicked cameraman following as we abruptly cut out.
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The Infamous Ten Person Tag Match
Sears, Cartier, Maverick, Taylor, McFadden vs. Cruz, Di Paolo, Carter, Gamble, Rigas
Before the bell rings, both teams discuss who should start the match. On one side, Tegan volunteers to go first. Tegan, Ollie, and Jessica start a chant that the fans quickly pick up. “Team. Free. Love!” West shrugs and Cartier slightly facepalms. Tegan enters the ring, but on the other side, Jaser and Luca are arguing about starting first. Matthew shakes his head, Rigas glares, but the one who steps up is Cailey. She enters the ring, much to the dismay of Jaser and Luca, and the referee signals for the bell to ring. Tegan and Cailey meet in the middle and lock up, struggling against each other, and suddenly they break up. Tegan and Cailey go to kick each other at the same time and they seem to match kick for kick. Being slightly bigger, Cailey gains the advantage with a thrust kick followed by a running knee. Tegan rolls back towards her corner and reaches up. Ollie makes the tag and Cailey’s not backing down as she endures in another kick party, this time with Ollie. The fans are excited for an encore and both competitors are fairly matched until Ollie nails Cailey with an enzuigiri. Cailey’s quick to get up and backpedals for a moment, but just when she’s about to charge Ollie, Luca tags himself in. This causes the fans to boo loudly while Cailey steps out with confusion. Ollie bounces from foot to foot while Luca’s not impressed. The two men lock up in the center, but Luca pulls back to rake Ollie in the eye, spin around, and force him down with a Russian leg sweep. While Ollie’s down, Luca sets him up in a grounded headlock and tightens the hold. Ollie manages to push Luca off and launch him across the ring with a standing dropkick. Luca groans, but instead of retaliating, he tags in Matthew who raises an eyebrow, but gets into the ring. Ollie backflips towards his corner and extends a hand out for Jessica to tag.
The SAP X Champion jumps into the ring, ready to go. Gamble meets her in the middle and the two of them exchange a flurry of different blows, rights and lefts, kicks and knee strikes. Sears manages to connect with the Punch-Punch-Kick Combo, but Gamble’s quick to fight back with a series of cravate knee strikes that overwhelm Sears. Gamble kicks Sears in the midsection and easily lifts her up, holding her for the 30-Second Head Rush (Delayed Vertical Suplex), but Cartier rushes in out of nowhere and disrupts the signature move with a discus forearm smash! Gamble drops Sears whose quick to get to her feet, but as the referee tries to consult Cartier, Jaser comes in from his corner and attacks Cartier. Cartier’s in no mood and she snaps, unleashing a counterattack against Jaser. The two of them battle it out in the middle of the ring and the referee can’t break them up. Jaser kicks Cartier in the midsection, bounces off the ropes for a fast move, but Cartier suddenly charges him and clotheslines him over the top rope. Jaser manages to grab onto Cartier and both of them fall out of the ring! Jessica tries to check on Cartier, but Matthew grabs her, pulls her up, and drives her down with The Cripper (Bridging Dragon Suplex), going for the pin attempt. It’s Ollie’s turn to run in and break up the count, but Luca comes in with his Missile Dropkick signature, sending Ollie back to his corner. Tegan’s had enough and she makes the leap, taking Luca down with her Springboard Roundhouse Kick signature move!
On the outside, after Cruz hits Cartier with the Kaio-Ken Dropkick (Standing or Running Front Dropkick followed by a kip up and theatrics), he shouts at her and kicks her while she’s down. However, Cartier refuses to simply take this beating as she gets up, fends off Cruz’s attacks, and hits him with her Hiptoss into a Knee Lift signature attack. While Cruz is down, Cartier mounts him and swings down with closed fists! The referee can’t quite figure out what’s going on when Carter gets back in the ring and meets Tegan with the Sunkissed (Superkick). But as Carter turns around, Maverick surprises her with a snap suplex followed by Dance Dance Execution (Breakdancing Leg Drop). Gamble takes advantage of this distraction and he grabs hold of Maverick, hitting him with the Inside Scoop (Spinning Scoop Powerslam). When he rises to his feet, Gamble focuses on the other legal person in the match, Sears, and he makes his way towards her. She’s regaining her focus when Gamble tries to set her up for the Medium Rare (T-Bone Suplex), but Sears manages to break out of it and counter with the Dixon Arrow (Swinging DDT) out of desperation! Quickly, Sears reaches out for the only person she can tag in, McFadden. He extends a friendly hand and she makes the tag. West steps into the ring to the louder cheer of the fans and he meets Matthew in the center. He lifts the big man up and combines a snapmare with a dropkick, sending him to the opposite corner. Before Matthew can properly get up, Dimitri Rigas tags himself in and steps into the ring. With their respective teams either down, recovering, or fighting outside-- Cartier and Jaser-- West and Dimitri lock up in the center. Their power struggle lasts for a little while before West connects with a grapple elbow smash that stuns Dimitri. West follows through with a series of boxing jabs before he finishes with a king spinning kick. When West moves to pull Dimitri up, Dimitri seizes his right arm and completes the arm-trap headbutt that stuns West. Dimitri attacks West and then kicks him in the midsection, looking to finish him off early with the “Accent Slam” (Running Powerslam). However, McFadden breaks out of this, landing behind Rigas, and perfectly nails him with the “Roulette Wheel” (Flying Wheel Kick)! McFadden goes for the cover and hooks Rigas’ leg. Cruz sees this and tries to move in to break up the count, but Cartier grabs his leg and pulls him out. The referee counts the 1, 2, 3 and the tag match is over!
WINNERS: McFadden, Cartier, Sears, Maverick, Taylor
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Sauntering in the hallways of the Halifax Forum, Chelsea Pryce sports a simple yet elegant Asymmetrical black dress. She’s without her tag partner and significant other, Allen Chaney, as she notices the cameraman recording nearby. She lets out a sigh and shakes her head.
“I don’t care for the same old, same old.”
She shoots a sharp glare towards the camera and the cameraman himself shakes a little.
“RAWGRAPS… still the worst team name ever… I tire of facing Cosmo the Barefoot Fairy and Michael Kelly-Bluebook. They’re boring and predictable, but everyone loves a good protagonist. What a waste. The constant disappointing losses against such an awful pair of human beings… that angers me. This August, I’ll be turning thirty-nine. This September, I’ll officially be a ten-year veteran in this business. This is perhaps my final run in the wrestling industry and I should be doing better than… THIS.”
Chelsea motions with her hands over her own body before she rolls her eyes. For someone her age, she’s still in the prime of her life, her physical beauty showing regality and valor.
“Then there’s ‘hashtag’ BGTL… What does that even stand for? Claire Rogers and Ximena Asensio need to elaborate this.”
She raises her left hand towards the camera to intentionally half-cover the view.
“Actually, no, don’t even bother.”
Lowering her hand, she turns her head towards the camera, her dark green eyes narrowed to demonstrate an icy glare.
“I’m frustrated, Allen’s pissed off, and rightfully so. He has his own reasons, but mine? I didn’t come to Spirit and Pride Wrestling to be made a fool out of. I joined the ranks because I wanted to show the world that despite my age, I am still a professional wrestler and sportswoman to be fucking reckoned with. eWo Commonwealth Champion, 2008 eWo Breakthrough of the Year, SIN Purity Champion, and the last ECWA Hellcats Champion. What’s not on the list? Tag Team Champion. World Champion. In SAP’s case, the International Tag Team and the National championships… Those are my priorities. For now, the Killing Joke has their crosshairs on the International Tag Team championships. Hell is Waiting, Aurora and Masaru Inoue, a belated congratulations on your title victory… Now be prepared. The last laugh has yet to come.”
Chelsea begins to walk away, but she pauses and turns on her heels.
“...oh. I suppose you’ll want me to talk about my extended partners, Zombie Vice Squad. Well, I’ll keep it simple for everyone.”
For the first time, there’s a clear expression of anger rising from beneath her icy demeanor.
“Don’t. Fuck. Up.”
Violently, Chelsea places her left hand on the camera lens and shoves the cameraman back quite a ways. He’s able to keep his balance, but as he focuses the camera, the Stiletto Knife is walking away with pure, unadulterated rage in her aura.
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Cause and Effect vs. Holocene
The bell rang and all four men quickly started to beat the hell out of each other. The referee tried to get order quickly but it spilled to the outside and he was forced to start the count. As he got to eighteen Xavier and Tyson rolled into the ring and the two squared off. Initially Braddock was able to land a few suplexes but Laroux was able to strike his way back into the game. The two tagged in their partners and Gabriel was quickly able to get an upper hand on North. Braddock tried to come in to give aid to his partner but this triggered the entrance of Xavier. With Braddock sidelined, Gabriel was able to hit a gutwrench powerbomb on North and get the three count.
Winners: Cause and Effect
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The cameras switched backstage to one half of the highly decorated and SAP World Tag Team Champions, “Hell Is Waiting” as it was Masaru Inoue, standing but leaning on the countertop of the dressing room area of the lockerroom. He sported no Satanic facepaint or the whole get up, just his natural pale-faced self. He was by himself for the fact that his bestie and tag partner, Aurora was in Italy to handle business in SSWA. But for Masaru, he wanted to ‘pull-up’ in Nova Scotia to scout up close the talent on display this evening.
MASARU INOUE: Oh my Aurora, for I do hope you take care of business quickly tonight. Momentum is on another level right now and you cannot be stopped. But I must bother you for one more question.
In fact, his partner was in a sense there with him...via facetime. Masaru held up his index finger, indicating that “one more question”.
AURORA: You’re no bother, what is it?
MASARU INOUE: What’s better, Pancake or Waffle? I say Belgian Waffle.
AURORA: Oh Belgian Waffles for sure. Plenty of spaces for fruit and ice cream, whipped cream, whatever. They’re the Cadillac of breakfast foods!
Masaru eyes widened as he tapped his feet happily against the floor.
MASARU INOUE: So in real terms, “Hell Is Waiting” is that, top of the crop. Lovable, edible, cherishable. I likes that. You can obviously tell I took the meds as promised. They are working.
A chuckle from both ends came from that comment.
MASARU INOUE: Looking forward to your match tonight and I will see you tomorrow night! Take care!
AURORA: You as well. I’m telling you… these are exciting times. We’re going to be able to do more, fight more, get more… whatever we want. We’ve proved all we need to. Now? It’s time for the fun.
Masaru ended the call as he took a deep sigh before falling back into the chair that was behind him. Hands and arms stretched as the scene fades.
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The Reeds & Stanton vs. Celeste/Cross/Jenkins
Celeste was eager to start the match for her team and Lilah had no issues going against her. The two went through a short exchange with Celeste initially seeing the better but Lilah gouged her eyes and then worked her over into her corner where she could tag in Charlie. Reed kept up the heat but the North Atlantic champion was more than capable of holding her own and was able to make the tag to CJ. Cross came in and went toe to toe with Reed. Charlie however used a few underhanded tactics to get ahead and then made the tag to Stanton. Joe and Cross squared off. CJ started off hot but then went to the top rope where Stanton was able to cut him off. Joe took the lead from there and was dominant until CJ used a jawbreaker to get room and made the tag to Jenkins. Desi quickly came in and tried to use her speed as a factor. She was able to hit some high flying moves before Joe started to take back control. Stanton whipped Desi into the ropes where Celeste made a blind tag. Desi ducked a clothesline attempt and ran right to The Reeds and knocked them off the apron. Celeste came in with a springboard spinning wheel kick which took down Stanton. The Reeds came rushing back in and everything went crazy. CJ entered the ring to try and make things even but The Reeds used their tag experience to their advantage. Lilah and Charlie tossed CJ and Desi to the outside and went after them. Celeste saw them on the outside and headed for the ropes. It looked like Celeste was going to go for a dive but she was caught by a “Shoryuken” (rising uppercut) from Stanton. Joe made the cover and got the three count.
Winners: The Reeds & Stanton
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We hit RAWGRAPS gym once more where we see the team of Michael Kelly and Cosmo Cooper in the locker room, both men are clearly either pumped or exhausted the sweat beams down from their foreheads onto their nearly sweat-soaked shirts. Michael takes a seat on a nearby folding chair and reaches into his duffel bag before underhand tossing a stainless steel thermos filled with water to his partner. Kelly begins to tie his hair up into a ponytail while Cosmo reaches into his bag and puts on a pair of green flip-flops gifted to him by his other half, Leela.
Michael: So we have to face Killing Joke yet again. Hey, but not only do we have to face them for the... I dunno, millionth time, we step up face to face with Zombie Vice Squad. Nice. A challenge I see. I feel it. Did you know that Zombie Vice Squad were the first AND last Red State Revolver tag champs. They basically wiped the entire division over there. Now depending on who you talk to, that's either very impressive or too bad and I can commend them for keeping some gold around their waists.
Cosmo nods along, agreeing with everything that his tag partner is saying at the very moment.
Michael: But we're not alone here! We've got some former tag champions in our corner as well, standing side by side with Ximena Asencio and Claire Rogers. Now, I might sound biased here but those ladies right there have quite a future for themselves. Former two time ACM tag champions, these ladies pack one hell of a punch and I'm blessed to not only have them working under the ACM umbrella but I'm also blessed to have them on our side for this match.
Cosmo hunches over, picks up a towel, wipes his face with it and tosses it as the two get up to make their way out of the locker room.
Michael:So you can best believe that the GCW Champ and SCP Champ are more than ready for some action and with one opf the best tag teams in the world by our side, it's seeming more and more like some trouble for 'Ol Killing Joke and Zombie Vice Squad cus I know damn well that RAWGRAPS ain't letting up. BGTL ain't letting up. It's either gonna be one of these other guys letting up... Or we're in for one hell of a match. And that, well, that's just what we live for.
A hyped up Cooper throws his arm around the back Michael's neck as we leave with the lasting shot of RAWGRAPS standing together, the scene fading to black.
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Rachel Redding vs. Mariano Fernandez
These two looked ready to pick up where they left off at Cavalcade and quickly went at each other. Mariano headed for the ropes early but Rachel cut him off with a knee to the gut that took the wind out of him. From there Rachel laid on the stomps and tried to keep control of the match. Manny started to battle back though when he caught Rachel with his “Arrow to the knee” (dropkick to the knee) that seemed to really do some damage. Redding wasn’t going down easy however and still managed to take control back despite having one bad wheel. Redding went for “Category 1” (V trigger) but Fernandez was able to think quickly and as Rachel leapt up he nailed the knee with a forearm. Redding hit the mat and grasped at her already targeted knee. Manny wasted no time and pulled her up for the "Dovahkiin Driver” (Vertical Suplex Piledriver) and got the three count.
Winner: Mariano Fernandez
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The show cuts backstage where Nora Harris is seen prepping for her upcoming match later this evening, stretching out on the floor somewhere in the locker room area. The already rowdy crowd bursts into a bigger pop when Nick Redfield steps into the picture with his hands on his hips.
Nick Redfield: We’ve got one heck of a fight ahead of us tonight.
He extends a hand to Nora. She looks up at him for a second and then reaches up and takes his hand, popping up to her feet and bouncing in place for a moment, as if her energy can’t be contained.
Nora Harris: Well… they always are, aren’t they, or they aren’t worth showing up for.
Nora laughs and taps her boots against the tiles, as if she’s making sure they’re settled just right before she tips her head just a bit so she can better make eye contact with the taller Redfield.
Nora Harris: Just as a heads up, no matter how oblivious or uncaring he acts, I’m pretty sure Eli is going to try and smoosh me in this match. It’s a dick move, and well…
Nick chuckles.
Nick Redfield: ...Eli is a dick.
He quips with a clever smirk.
Nora Harris: At least he’s good at that. The wrestling part too, but there are a lot of guys that try what he does. But think about this. He’s good enough to pull it off with a baby duck in his arms so… guess that makes him King.
She laughs and tosses her head, her dark curls winging around with the motion.
Nora Harris: So ...we have a pretty good shot at this, you know? Andre’s no slouch out there. I’ve worked with him, he’s not going to quit easy, you know I won’t, and well I’ve watched you enough to know you won’t. Are you worried any?
Nick shrugs his shoulders and nods his head as he digests her question.
Nick Redfield: Eli Carlson is legit, easily one of the best competitors I have ever shared a ring with. The Sadboiz aren’t slouches either. So I’d be lying if I didn’t say I had my concerns about them heading into this match. Heck, I just participated in a match in which my team lost to these same three competitors just a few short weeks ago. So yea, I know they’re good. Yea they like to mess around and play like they don’t take anything in this business seriously, still I know they’re gonna come out firing out on all cylinders looking to leave Halifax tonight with a win by any means necessary.
A sly grin stretches across his face.
Nick Redfield: But I have confidence this time around because I have two partners I know I can count on. Andre Holmes is a stud. There is no doubt in my mind the future is bright for him in this business. And then there’s you, Nora. The ONE person coming out of Cavalcade I respect more than anyone else on this roster. You’re the embodiment of honor. In the ring or in the mic, you’re not out here trying to tear people down or make a name for yourself on the backs of others. You’re a true competitor and I love that about you. I can support that. I can put my faith in that.
Nora blinks and then smiles really big after hearing what Nick has to say, bouncing on the toes of her boots as if she really just can’t stand still for long.
Nora Harris: Thank you, Nick. That really means a lot. I try, you know? I was I think given a real gift by being trained by who I was, and I want to make him proud. But it’s not just that. I wouldn’t be me, if I was any other way. I either do this because I work hard and I can, or I fail because I can’t… and I’m not going to let that be the way it ends. It’s all a chance to learn, and it’s all a step forward. Sometimes the step is a lot bigger, and that’s what I hope happens tonight - and I’m more than willing to do everything I can to make it happen.
She takes a breath, pausing for just a moment.
Nora Harris: I don’t care, what the people that come into a match with me underestimating me think or say. If it mattered then they’d always get their way, and they just don’t. So if I lose? I want to still be on the right side of things, if that makes sense. Do it the right way or not at all and well I’ve run on long enough about this. How about… we just go out and kick some booty?
Nick chuckles at her mild monologue and nods his head with a big smile.
Nick Redfield: Let’s knock ‘em dead!
He extends for a handshake to which she happily obliges, and we fade to black.
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RAWGRAPS & BGTL vs. Zombie Vice Squad & Killing Joke
The tag match begins with Kowloon Zombie and Michael Kelly in the ring for their respective teams. With similar strong styles of wrestling, both men engage in a contest of furious strikes that resonate throughout the arena. Kowloon gains the advantage with a punching combination transition into a discus lariat that drives Michael down. Michael recovers and makes his way back to his corner, tagging in the ready Cosmo Cooper. On the other side, Chelsea Pryce’s eyes glare at Cosmo as he leaps into the ring. Kowloon moves forward to meet Cosmo and they exchange heavy blows. Having endured two bouts, Kowloon staggers back after a kesagiri chop from Cosmo. Cosmo quickly Kowloon in the midsection and drags him over to their corner where he tags Michael back in. RAWGRAPS hit Kowloon with the “RIP Adalynn” (Ripcord elbow from Michael into Deadlift German from Cosmo) and Michael goes for the pin, only for Allen Chaney to rush in and break up the count.
Without warning, Chelsea dashes across the ring and hits Cosmo with “The K.O. Shot” (Roundhouse Kick) that immediately sends him to the outside. The referee attempts to corral The Killing Joke back to their corner and Claire Rogers hops in while he’s distracted. Michael raises an eyebrow but leaves the ring to check on Cosmo. Allen notices this and yells at the referee to pay attention once they’re back in their corner. Siberia narrows her eyes, irritated by her new partners’ disobedience of the rules, but she calls out to Kowloon just as Claire hits Kowloon with a mule kick to attract his attention. Claire steps back and goes for her Scissor Kick signature attack, but Kowloon ducks out of the way and counters with a signature move of his own, The Pounce. The referee turns around to make the count, but Xinema Asensio breaks it up. The referee scolds her to return to her corner and she does so reluctantly. Kowloon makes his way to his corner and tags in Siberia. Siberia quickly grapples with Claire and takes her down with a harsh judo throw and follows through with a shoot kick to her lower back. Claire yells out in pain, but she continues to fight on regardless. In time, both Michael and Cooper are back in their corner, Chelsea and Allen glaring from the opposite side. After quite the agile exchange, Claire and Siberia back off to their respective corners. Claire tags in Xinema, but while Siberia reaches out for Kowloon, Allen tags in. Zombie Vice Squad stare at him for a moment as he enters the ring to confront Xinema.
Xinema doesn’t even try to lock up with Allen, knowing he’ll easily overpower her. She starts with fast-paced moves, quick strikes and harsh chops, but Allen’s not having any of it. He retaliates with a German suplex chained into a straightjacket suplex with a bridging pin. The referee counts, but this time Michael breaks it up. The referee sighs and tells Michael to get back while Allen looks on spitefully. He moves back to his corner to tag in Chelsea and The Killing Joke circle around Xinema before they strike with the Lariat/Leg Sweep signature combo. After a series of kicks from Chelsea, in a surprise turn of events she Irish whips Xinema to her corner and beckons Cosmo to tag in. Furious from the sneak attack earlier, Cosmo does tag himself in and he gets into the ring. The two engage in a fight instead of wrestle for a moment before Cosmo shoulder tackles Chelsea to one of the other corners of the ring. Cosmo backpedals before he goes for a running dropkick, but Chelsea moves out of the way and brings him down with a lariat takedown. When she attempts to lock him into “Black Out!” (Rear Naked Choke), Claire’s actually the one to interrupt the submission hold. When Allen tries to intervene, Kowloon seizes his arm and demands he relents. Allen doesn’t take well to this and he deliberately strikes Kowloon with a headbutt! Kowloon staggers off the corner and Siberia immediately gets in Allen’s face.
In the ring, Chelsea and Claire exchange quite the physical beatdown before Cosmo surprises Chelsea with an enzuigiri. Claire exits the ring and the referee shakes his head before making the count on Cosmo’s pin attempt. Yet again, Allen breaks it up and Michael intervenes for the two of them to brawl on the outside. Just as Cosmo picks up Chelsea, she surprises him with a backflip kick out of nowhere and desperately tags Siberia. Siberia attacks Cosmo relentlessly before Cosmo counters with a leg lariat that halts her offense. Cosmo rolls over to tag in Claire legally who jumps into the ring and surprises Siberia with a gutbuster. On the outside, Kowloon goes to disengage Michael and Allen’s brawling, only when he does, he strikes Allen with a yakuza kick that knocks him down! Michael backs off immediately, but Chelsea manages to see this and she moves to confront Kowloon. With the distractions, they don’t realize Claire lands The Claire Bitch Project (Stone Cold Stunner) on Siberia and covers her for the three count and the victory! The fans have a mixed reaction for Claire when her hand is raised and her team is announced the winner. Chelsea faces the ring with a scowl and Kowloon disengages to check on Siberia. Allen gets up with Chelsea’s help, but she has to be restrained from charging in the ring. The Killing Joke decide to walk away as Kowloon glares at them from afar.
Winners: RAWGRAPS & BGTL
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Vince Steel vs. Trixie
The bell rang and Vince Steel didn’t look to be to excited to be in this match. Trixie tried to use her speed early but ate a chop from Steel that sent her to the mat. Steel began to toy with Trixie tossing her into the corner then then out to the mat. Steel had a smile on his face as he walked out to try and grab Trixie but she broke away. She headed to the ropes and ducked a clothesline from Steel before rebounding again and hitting him with a dropkick. Trixie used her speed to land a number of moves in a row on Steel which quickly turns his smile into anger. Steel manages to get Trixie back into a corner and unleashes on her. The ref calls for a break but Steel isn’t listening. The ref counts to five but Steel keeps going so he calls for the bell. Manny makes his way down the ramp and slides into the ring and attacks Steel from behind to get him of Trixie. He lands a few shots but then Terrence Tillman makes his way out and then goes after Fernandez. The Fam then work together and leave both members of Da Trixteam lying on the mat.
Winner: Trixie by DQ
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Happyboiz vs. Redfield, Holmes, Harris
The fans seemed particularly hyped for this match as long time Spirit and Pride members Nick and Nora teamed together for the first time alongside Andre Holmes, against a team with a lot of buzz with Sad Boiz and Eli Carlson. No time is wasted as Eli declared he’s starting for the Happyboiz, Andre jawed at him while Nora grinned and Nick shook his head. Marquis and Williams went to the apron and away we go. Off the bell Carlson was very aggressive, lacing kicks into Holmes’ legs and basically giving him a very hard time until he broke out of rotation and caught Eli with a Muay Thai Clinch and drove several knees into Eli’s gut. Carlson crumpled but when Andre moved to capitalize Eli rocketed up off the mat and hit an Inverted Russian Leg Sweep, this netted him a two but Nora came in with a Senton and broke the pin. There was a bit of a scuffle after this as Marquis invaded the ring to get the smaller Nora out, and Nick came in to help her as Marquis set up for a doubleteam with Williams.
This left nobody for Eli or Andre to tag out to, but the brawl going on got the fans excited at least. Finally the referee regained control, cleared the ring and Andre and Eli tagged out, though Eli much to Bryan’s surprise hot tagged after an exchange between Williams and Harris, Nora had had Williams in an Arm-trap Argentine leglock/neckscissors combination looking for a submission but Bryan managed to get to the ropes due to the big difference in sizes and strength. Eli got that tag and the pair threw Nora over the top rope and made the hand brushing motion but she’d caught the top rope and skinned the cat, striking Eli with a Roundhouse! Marquis tagged herself in and then we had another brawl before the referee yet again sorted them and warned them if it happened again he was throwing the whole thing out.
There was a brilliant exchange of wrestling then with Marquis and Redfield in the ring, trading off moves that had the fans on their feet while Nora and Andre urged him to put her away! This didn’t sit well with her partner Williams and he verbally lashed out, dropping off the apron as Andre did and the pair scuffled outside the ring. Eli got the tag as Nick tagged in Nora, and Carlson made a great show of using his technical prowess to keep the plucky Nora under control until she caught him with her Double knee facebreaker, Hello Patella! She only got a bare two count as Eli kicked out, he got to his feet first and dropped Nora exceptionally hard with his Slingblade, the Princes Edict! This was almost three but at the last second Nora threw the shoulder up! Eli shook his head in disbelief and argued with the referee as Nora crawled and tagged in Nick! Nick came at Eli with a full head of steam and would have caught him but Marquis tagged herself in and hit him with a huge Missile Dropkick! However Nick rolled with the impact and came up to his feet, caught Marquis as she kipped up and dropped her on her head with The Sexiest Piledriver You’ve Ever Seen! Eli dove to break the pin but was tripped by Nora, and Nick got the three for the victory!
Winners: Nick Redfield, Andre Holmes, Nora Harris
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As it seemed the show was ready to move onto the next match Avery Quinn then came out from behind the curtain with the National championship in his hands. Quinn walked down the entrance way and made his way to the ring. A microphone was handed to him and he quickly got to business.
“I would like to thank you all for coming tonight but there is one thing left we have to address. The vacant championship I am carrying with me tonight. It has been decided that the best way to crown a new champion will be through an eight person tournament.”
The crowd pops at the announcement and Quinn waits for them to stop.
“Those eight competitors have already been chosen and they represent every era of SAP that has been known from the beginning until today.”
The crowd is intrigued by this as it hints at some surprise competitors.
“Those eight are Nick Redfield, Rachel Redding, Andre Holmes, CJ Cross, Nora Harris, Johnny Matthews, and making their returns are inaugural tag team champion Tyson Gregory and the first SAP National champion Geki Nitoh!”
The crowd cheers for the star studded list of talent to determine the next champion.
“The tournament will begin next week and the bracket will be drawn at random. Thank you all for your time.”
With that Quinn exits the ring with the title and heads for the back.
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WCS World Cup Canadian Qualifier Battle Royal
Brett Carson vs. Coyote VIII vs. Kenzie Rowe vs. Levi Chambers vs. Ligaya Fontaine vs. Lis Meyers vs. Milena LeCavalier vs. Misha LeCavalier vs. Serenity vs. Sydney Christensen
The battle royale started quickly, with nobody hanging around. Ligaya and Serenity, the girls from Twin City Wrestling’s 420 B.C., looked to use their tag team connection to gain an early advantage, only to find themselves cut off by Milena and Misha, the Cousins LeCavalier. The first elimination attempt came from HKW Underground’s Lis Meyers, however. The freshly debuting Coyote, from the South Street Gym, had locked her in a Sleeper, which sent Lis into overdrive, pummeling him with back elbows and kicks to the shin until he let her go. Given their close proximity to the ropes, Lis ran them, building up momentum as she spins for a Discus Lariat… only for the greenhorn to charge in and catch her with the stiffest Shoulder Block Halifax has ever seen, lifting Lis up and off her feet… and clear over the ropes!
Elimination: Lis Meyers
Coyote stopped in shock, leaning over the ropes to check on Lis… only for Project Continuum’s Levi Chambers to take advantage of the distraction, catching Coyote with a sneak Low Blow and sending him over the top, crashing into a recovering Lis!
Elimination: Coyote (VIII)
Brett Carson, formerly of Johannesburg City Pro, charged Levi, only for Chambers to sidestep and send Brett into the corner! On the other side of the ring, Misha and Milena had managed to drop Ligaya with a Double Flapjack. Serenity was quick on the pair, but found herself outnumbered and outmatched, resulting in her elimination when Misha through her up with a Pop-Up, and Milena sniped her out of the air with an Extinction Crisis, the Single Leg High Knee sending Serenity over the rope!
Elimination: Serenity
This resulted in Milena strung up on the ropes, signalling for Misha to help her off… only for SSWA’s Kenzie Rowe to run along the ropes, seemingly out of nowhere, catching Milena with a Ropewalk Huracanrana and sending her crashing to the outside!
Elimination: Milena LeCavalier
Kenzie, now on the apron, was quick to her feet, very aware of her position out in “No-Woman’s Land”. She shrugged at Misha, who smiled… before advancing on Kenzie… only to get caught from behind by HELL’s Sydney Christensen, and surprising her with a huge German Suplex! Spying a chance, Kenzie hopped up onto the top rope, diving in with a Springboard Shoulder Block… ONLY TO GET CLOCKED BY SURPRISE BY A RISING LIGAYA FONTAINE, AND HER BATTLEGROUNDS UPPERCUT! The action progressed between the warring pairs a while longer, until Brett managed to catch Levi with his Silencer… only for Levi to land on his feet, reversing out of the Takeover, and blasting Brett with a Low Superkick to the face. He wasted no time in bundling the dazed Carson up… and HIT THE LOTTO! Levi sent Brett flying out of the ring with his Running Powerbomb, straight to the outside!
Elimination: Brett Carson
Levi spun around, seeing the two warring pairs… before hitting the mat, and rolling out under the bottom rope, ducking below eyeline at the apron. In the ring, Milena and Ligaya sent their respective opponents running at each other… only for Kenzie and Sydney to slip around each other in the middle of the ring, allowing Kenzie to catch Misha with a Shotgun Blast, and Sydney to flatten Ligaya with a Clothesline! Sydney was able to overpower Ligaya with a sequence of powerful slams, before eventually sending her flying out of the ring with a modified version of her Calgary Stampede, sending her flying out of the ring with the Fallaway Slam!
Elimination: Ligaya Fontaine
At the same time, Misha managed to force Kenzie into the corner with powerful kicks and elbows, pummeling her… she wound up, and threw a hard punch to finish the sequence, only for Kenzie to drop to the mat, and Misha to punch the turnbuckle bad hard! She tried shaking the pain out of her fist, as Kenzie slipped between her legs and popped up, catching her solid in the back with a Dropsault, sending her into the turnbuckle! She lined up for an attack, but in came Sydney! Kenzie dived for cover, as Sydney charged in and crushed Misha with a Stinger Splash! Sydney started forcing Misha over the ropes, but LeCavalier resisted! It looked like she may stay in until Kenzie got involved, and the two women working together managed to force “The Murderess” over the top… only for her to plant her feet on the apron. Kenzie backed off, but Sydney remained, entering a war of Forearms with Misha… until Kenzie charged in and caught her in the small of the back with another Shotgun Blast, the impact sending Sydney forward, into Misha, and bumping her off the apron, into elimination!
Elimination: Misha LeCavalier
Before Sydney could properly recover, Kenzie had run up, leaping onto her shoulders… but Sydney powered to standing, catching Kenzie in an Electric Chair! Kenzie shook her head no, Sydney nodded her head yes, backing up to the ropes and shoving Kenzie off of her shoulders and out to the outside… BUT ROWE MANAGED TO GRAB THE MIDDLE ROPES, KEEPING HER FEET OFF THE FLOOR! Sydney, quickly noticing the ring was clear, sighed a breath of relief, allowing herself a moment to recover… ONLY TO GET BLASTED IN THE GROIN BY LEVI CHAMBERS! Sydney’s eyes crossed as Levi spun her around, and dropped her with his Spinning Chambers! He then wasted no time in dragging her upright, and hauling her over to the ropes. Sydney resisted, hard, but Levi used his weight advantage to force her over… with a thumb to the eye being the exclamation point, breaking Sydney’s concentration enough for Levi force her to the mat!
Elimination: Sydney Christensen
With this, Levi dropped to the mat, on his knees, celebrating like he’d just won the Stanley Cup… only to be surprised as Kenzie Rowe used his own trick against him, springboarding in and catching him with a Springboard variant of her Halifax Explosion, driving Levi face first into the mat, her hometown crowd roaring in response! Although staggered, and shocked, Levi had enough fight left in him to put up a fight against Kenzie, the match extending on a few more minutes as Levi fought back as much as he could… but Kenzie would not be denied, and with the people of Halifax cheering her on like she’d never been before… ONLY FOR LEVI TO GO FOR THE LOW BLOW AGAIN… BUT KENZIE JUMPED UP, AVOIDING THE KICK… BEFORE RESPONDING WITH ONE OF HER OWN! Levi went crossed as he bent double, Kenzie leapfrogged over him, before leaning over the rope, hooking both legs under his arms before diving over the ropes, keeping hold of the top… and sending Levi flying to the outside! As the crowd cheered on their hometown hero, Kenzie skinned the cat, pulling herself back into the ring to celebrate!
Elimination: Levi Chambers
Winner: Kenzie Rowe
______________________________________________________________________________
“The Heart of the Sea” by Flogging Molly begins to play throughout the arena and the crowd quickly jumped to their feet as the new North American champion came out from behind the curtain with the belt raised high into the air.
Samuels made his way down to the ring to the chorus of cheers and he slid into the ring. The sound was deafening as Samuels wore a wry smile on his face. He climbed up the turnbuckle and raised the title high in the air. The crowd began to chant “His Name is Brendan!”. Samuels looked to be in all of his glory.
What he didn’t see was that Elijah Carlson had slid into the ring. As Samuels jumped down and turned around Carlson darted forward and caught him with the "Red Light Special" (Sick Kick). Samuels hit the mat hard and the belt dropped with him.
Carlson picked up the North American championship off of the mat and then raised it high into the air. The crowd showered him with boos as he dropped the title onto the chest of Samuels before exiting the ring. The show ended with a shot of Samuels starting to stir.
The Brooklyn Warehouse was quiet following the lunch rush. Every bit of the freshly caught Nova Scotia salmon, every spoonful of his toasted farro and every drop of his beer, consumed. Quietly, he finished his lunch and sat back, taking in the quaint tranquility of the bistro in the afternoon. Conspicuous, even in the casual atmosphere, the brim of his Stetson fedora shadowed his face; the blacked-out Aviators, that normally hide his emerald greens, hung in the neck of his officially-licensed CWC “American Anarchy” T-shirt.
“Best fucking salmon,” he mumbled, wiping his mouth, “comes from right fucking here, Man. Nova Scotia,” he continued, “host of tonight's Spirit and Pride show.” Using his right thumbnail, he picked a hull from between his teeth. “Much like our friend Hutch,” he snarled in disgust, “seems Scott’s a ‘modern-day drifter’ or,” then, he rolled his eyes, “a ‘rambler’, basically,” he drove home , “yet another boardroom manufactured, writing room, rip off of,” with a wink and nod, “yours fucking truly.”
He stands up, snatched his patch-covered vest from the back of his chair and slid it on, over both shoulders. Pulling on the chain attached to his belt loop, he retrieved his wallet, rifled through it and left five twenties on the table. Out the front door he went, passing through the patrons on the patio and, no sooner was he on the sidewalk, a cigarette dangled in his lips. He stood there, admiring the Forum across the street, smoking. Filling his lungs with a long, deep drag, he schemed and plotted his way to the talent entrance. There were people everywhere, some had already started tailgating in front of the venue.
“I should have never fucking left,” he muttered, “my ass wouldn't be starting from the bottom today,” he huffs, “that's for damned certain.”
“Ay,” as he took the shades from the neck of his shirt and slid them over his ears, someone recognized him, “it's Johnny Vivacious!”
“Matthews,” he corrected as a group of five older teenagers approached. “Using my real name now.”
“Oh yeah, ay?”
Matthews signed copies of the event program, a small piece of paper and an old Vivacious T-shirt, flipping ashes about as he talked about his upcoming match. With the Canadian heathens satisfied and amped up for action, he crossed the street and headed toward the building. There's a lot to prove tonight and, let's face it, a younger challenge with a lot of momentum awaiting him.
______________________________________________________________________________
The lights around the arena go dim as the sounds of a guitar riff begin to reverberate from the speakers around the building. Video begins to roll of highlights of Elijah Carlson’s tenure in 4CW, with emphasis on his match against Jair Hopkins and his title defense against Scott Stevens at All or Nothing, as well as his debut in the HKW Golden Opportunity Rumble. As the video clips begin to play on, the vocals of Rise Against's “From Heads Unworthy” begin.
”We are the children you reject and disregard
These aching cries come from the bottom of our hearts
You can't disown us now, we are your own flesh and blood
And we don't disappear just because your eyes are shut
Now tell me”
These aching cries come from the bottom of our hearts
You can't disown us now, we are your own flesh and blood
And we don't disappear just because your eyes are shut
Now tell me”
While the singer's voice drags on the final word of the opening verse, the entrance way is flooded with bright white lights as Elijah Carlson emerges from the backstage area wearing his usual trunks with his first name written across the back, a crown dotting the I, while a mixture of boo’s and cheers reigning down upon him. With microphone in hand Eli ignores the fans and begins his walk toward the ring as the lyrics to the song roll on.
”Love, loss
Like a bullet's path
Tear through
The cavity of my chest
Lights out
Because the fuse has blown”
Like a bullet's path
Tear through
The cavity of my chest
Lights out
Because the fuse has blown”
Rolling himself into the ring, Eli stands and his familiar arrogant smirk appears almost instantaneously. As the music fades Eli takes a few moments to collect his thoughts, pacing around the ring for a bit before finally bringing the microphone upward to speak.
Elijah Carlson: “I told you so.”[/b][/color]
Before he could get another word out the smattering of cheers that had been present amongst the boo’s disappear and the fans in attendance nearly blow the lid off of the building voicing their displeasure with the man before them in the ring. Laughing to himself, he motioned with his free hand for them to bring it on even more. Obliging him, the fans get even louder before Eli drops the microphone to the canvas and takes to the nearby turnbuckle, pointing to his chest and telling the crowd that he’s the best in the damn company, mixing that in of course with a tidal wave of vulgarities. Hopping down from the turnbuckle, Eli returns to the center of the ring and picks up the microphone that he had deposited a few moments earlier. Not letting the fans dissuade him, Eli continues on.
Elijah Carlson: “I know you hate it. I know you loathe it. I know that you can’t stand it. I know that it eats at you all the way down to your very core. You hate that I’m this damn good. You hate that I can walk down to this ring, or sit backstage with the camera’s on me, or pick up my phone and get on social media and proclaim to the world that I’m going to beat someone AND THEN DO EXACTLY THAT! You despise me for it. All of that animosity just boiling up deep inside of you and in the end it really has nothing to do with me. It has to do with all of you. It’s why you identify with idiots like Mariano Fernandez and Andre Holmes. Because just like the two of them, you idiots spend every single day falling short of the expectations and the hopes and the dreams that people have for you and in you.”
Once more the fans explode, their fury and bitterness pouring out in the direction of the man standing in the middle of the ring.
Elijah Carlson: “One of these days you’ll appreciate me for every single thing I do for this company. One of these days you’ll appreciate Phoenix naming me as the face of this company after Gabriel Laroux dropped the ball over and over and over again. One of these days you’ll wrap your mind around the fact that this company is only where it’s at today because of me. Because of what I can do in this ring. Because of what I do outside of the ring. Because of the fact that I can say two months ahead of time that Rachel and I would be the final two standing in the Cavalcade match. Because I can say that I win. AND IT ALL COMES TRUE! One of these days you’ll appreciate that. But until then, you can sit their in your seats here in this shit Canadian town and sob into your Labatts. You can sit at home with mustard and ketchup stains on your shirts as you stuff another hot dog down your fat triple chinned faces and you can hate me. You can despise me. You can loathe me because you damn sure never can be me. And neither can anyone else in the back. Which brings me to our dilemma.”
Though the crowd continued to be very vocal during his continued attack on their intelligence, character and home, the whole arena fell quiet when Eli mentioned that there was a dilemma that needed to be addressed.
Elijah Carlson: “You see, because I was able to do exactly what I said I would do and that’s walk out with a victory in the Twenty Eighteen Cavalcade match, I now have an opportunity to challenge for any title I so desire. That means that I could choose to embarass Jessica Sears and show that dumb blonde bitch the only thing she’s good for is putting her mouth on the tip of a damn Goomba. Or I could put up with the obnoxious Celeste and her idiot boyfriend again but nobody wants to see the sanctioned assault of a child again. Hell, I could find a tag team partner and make a run at Hell Is Waiting. I’ve already beat the living hell out of Masuro once. It’s not like Aurora would provide a challenge for me.”
As Eli takes a moment to pause and enjoy the build up and anticipation, the fans seem to get what he’s hinting at and begin to chant.
”WHAT’S HIS NAME?
WHAT’S HIS NAME?
WHAT’S HIS NAME?”
WHAT’S HIS NAME?
WHAT’S HIS NAME?”
Elijah Carlson: “Never was much of a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies to be honest.”
Indirectly shutting down what the fans were clearly chanting for, Eli chuckles to himself and shrugs as his gaze finds the camera for a split second as if to make eye contact with the man they were chanting for, daring him to show his face. It’s only a split second before Eli returns to the matter at hand.
Elijah Carlson: “See, I’ve been batting all of these options around in my head for a few days now and I came to this conclusion. Seeing as how I outwrestled, outworked, and outlasted nine of the so called best that Spirit and Pride has to offer, and seeing as how the National Championship currently has no holder. It only seems fair to me that Avery should drag his as out here and AWARD me the National Championship. I’m the face of this company. I beat EVERY SINGLE HERO YOU COULD THROW AT ME! I DESERVE TO BE GIVEN THAT CHAMPIONSHIP RIGHT THIS VERY MOMENT! But we all know Avery and Marisol aren’t going to do anything but sit in the back and let all the little birdies who want attention whisper in their ears and put ideas in their heads. You can’t expect them to think for themselves. And since they’ve got their own personal agendas to tend to, I’m going to do what I should have been doing all along. And that’s looking out for me first, and not this company. I’m going to do what’s best for Eli from here on out.”
One more pause for dramatic effect before he closed.
Elijah Carlson: “And that means you’ll find out whose throat I’m coming for when I’m damn good and ready for you to find out, and not one moment before.”
Tossing the microphone over his head, it lands with a loud thud as Eli dips out of the ring while “From Heads Unworthy” by Rise Against blares over the public address system once more.
______________________________________________________________________________
Johnny Matthews vs. Jamal Scott
The crowd was interested to see how Matthews would look inside the SAP ring as he hadn’t been on a SAP show since August of 2016. Jamal quickly wanted to show off some of his flash and landed a few strikes right from the get go and then connected with a springboard arm drag that he transitioned into an armbar. Johnny wasn’t going to just lay there and take this and quickly found an escape. The grizzled veteran found a number of holes in the young rookies game and kept up the pressure on him for the duration of the match. It wasn’t long until he connected with “Hungover Blues” (gutwrench neckbreaker) and picked up the win.
Winner: Johnny Matthews
______________________________________________________________________________
“Ollie, I have to be honest, that sounds like a terrible idea all around.” Allen says, using his cell phone as he paces back and forth backstage.
“Because it’s an animal! And not one that is very easily domesticated. Look just take it outside and let it go before it gives us all rabies or whatever…” Allen responds, pausing to let his former tag partner and new-ish SAP Wrestler Ollie Maverick speak.
“You got it tested? Ollie, you aren’t seriously considering keeping this thing as a pet, are you? Ollie? Ollie!” Allen says before looking at his phone and shaking his head before stuffing it in the pocket of his hoodie. HE turns and looks at the camera guy when he realizes he’s here.
“Don’t be scared. I remember inviting you this time so I’m not gonna do anything to hurt you probably.” Allen says, motioning for the cameraman to come closer which they do, cautiously. Allen takes a deep breath.
“Killing Joke and Zombie Vice Squad against RAWGRAPS and BGTL.” Allen says, clacking his tongue.
“It’s good news. It’s something I can work with. It’s not GREAT news. Great news would be something like ‘There’s a Radon leak in the RAWGRAPS gym and that every one of those elitist douchebags lungs has turned into liquid cancer slime’ but unfortunately we can’t live in a perfect world no matter hard we all silently wish and pray.” Allen says, holding his hands together in prayer.
“Who’s laughing now? Still me you barefoot caveman-looking motherfucker. We won’t get into exactly HOW biased the official was in your favor during our previous match, suffice to say that if anyone out there watching really thinks RAWGRAPS can beat The Killing Joke clean? Yeah, bullshit. I’m sure Spirit and Pride has some kinda deal with the two-bit wrestling school that crapped Cosmo and Kelly out and wanted to make sure they looked good. I could pursue this matter further but I think I’d rather just powerbomb the both of them down a deep dark hole and forget they ever existed so Chelsea and I can move on to someone worth our fucking time.” Allen says dismissively.
“I give it a couple months before Chelsea and I are running shit around here. Management may be biased but there are ways to work around that. By this time next year? People won’t remember a time when SAP didn’t stand for ‘Setups and Punchlines’. See you in the ring.” Allen says as he turns away
“ Fucking…’Durr they’re named after a comic book’. Walk on home with that horse shit you 80’s movie jocks…” We hear Allen mutter to himself off screen before we fade out.
______________________________________________________________________________
The camera cuts backstage, where Mariano Fernandez and Trixie are entering the Halifax Forum together. He, of course, is wearing his usual leather jacket and jeans. Trixie has her beige Michael Kors saffiano handbag hanging off her elbow as she wears herself a ruffle skirt with sheer leggings feeding into some sensible pencil heels. An open back light pink blouse with a sheer cardigan over the top.
Both of them look to be very concentrated, knowing the challenges that lie ahead of them.
Mariano: Things we have to do tonight, mang. I have to get Rachel Redding back for the time at Vengeance Pro. And not just that, mang. I had the win against her at the Cavalcade, but Eli had to go get in the way. He won, I don’t care, but he took an opportunity I created, mang. And I KNOW she knows that, so I’m gonna do it all over again, and this time, she ain’t getting away, nor is anyone saving her.
He bumps his fist into his palm.
Mariano: Should have been you and I, mang, but still SAP has to give us our first team match. But let’s not lose hope. For now, we’re both good where we are, even if for me the Cavalcade was a loss right in the end. But our time is gonna come, and when it does, we’ll be there together. (He looks at her in the eyes) That much I promise, chica.
Trixie: Well you better get Rachel back for what happened in VPW. Basically getting involved illegally in our tag match.
Trixie says walking with Manny as they turn the corner and nearly bump into a crate left idol.
Trixie: Yikes.
Trixie says coming to a stop as she sees it has Vince Steel on the side. Mariano gives it a dismissive look.
Mariano: That guy, mang, he WAS going to the Cavalcade. But he was dumb enough to interfere the Showcase match before that, lost his spot, and got a very nice treatment… from DA #TROLL GUY.
Covering his mouth with his palm, Manny makes a “PFFFFTTTCH!” sound as he suppresses a laugh. Trixie frowns at him with a smile and puts him in a headlock.
Trixie: You're totally goofy, Manny.
Mariano, caught off guard, struggles to get out.
Mariano: “Whaaaaaaaaa-! Trixie… what are you doing?” (As she ruffles his GLORIOUS soccer mom hair) “TRIXIE! STAHP!”
Trixie let's him go and they continue to walk past.
Trixie: So any tips for Vince Steel tonight? He's definitely taller than me.
Mariano begins to think, taking his hand to his chin as usual.
Mariano: This is a big strong DUMB guy that only cares about throwing his weight around, chica. So my advice? Keep him on his toes. Don’t let him gain an advantage and make him as angry, as frustrated as you can.
From his expression, it seems the proverbial lightbulb has lit above Manny’s head. Snapping his fingers, he flashes her a smile.
Mariano: I know! Think of him as a giant me, mang. (He chuckles)
Trixie: He's far bigger than you Manny. He's got like fifteen times your arm size.
She says squeezing his arm with one hand, holding it by the forearm with her other. Mariano gives her a hurt look.
Mariano: Why do you have to do this, mang? (He pouts, but goes back to smiling) Anyway, my point is - make him mad. Make him angry, and he starts making mistakes. I know at least that’s what happened when we faced, mang.
He sticks his tongue out in a naughty boy smirk.
Mariano: So try to get him off his toes the same way you try to do me every time we’re together, and you should probably be alright, chica.
Trixie pulls a shocked face.
Trixie: Every time we're together? That sounds totally sordid Manny.
She chuckles and before he can say anything she interrupts him.
Trixie: Bup-bup-bup. But thank you, I'll totally do that. Throw him off his game.
Mariano’s face goes red at the “sordid” comment.
Mariano: WHAT THE FUCK TRIXIE!
He blushes, looking away.
Mariano: Y-you know I ain’t mean it like that, mang… Anyway. Remember the promise we made? Spa for me, and a convention for you?
He reaches into his pocket and takes out two coupons.
Mariano: I honor my promises, mang. Here’s for you.
She hands them to her… and she reads they’re for a daycare treatment at a spa.
Trixie: Awww that's really nice. And I already started getting mine together.
Trixie pulls out of her handbag a wonder woman costume and a super girl costume.
Trixie: I picked these up from a costume place in the mall. Wonder woman, super girl or I did get a suggestion to go as Invisible Woman.
Mariano gazes at them, then at Trixie’s figure, looking interested.
Mariano: I say Supergirl, mang. She’s all the rage these days. Not to mention her outfit manages to look both beautiful AND modest at the same time.
Trixie: I wouldn't look good as wonder woman?
Trixie says a little taken back and shocked. Seeing her face, Manny realizes he’s just made a faux pas and rubs his head apologetically.
Mariano: No, nonononono that’s not what I said, mang. I mean, I haven’t yet seen you as Wonder Woman but we can try anyway, right?
He manages a small smile as his face looks like a tomato.
Trixie: You want me to model them for you now…?
Trixie says raising an eyebrow and folding her arms. Mariano’s jaw drops - at least as far as humanly possible.
Mariano: WHOA-!
He looks around nervously, not knowing what to answer. Trixie breaks the charade with a grin and then a laugh.
Trixie: Your face, Manny, priceless.
Trixie says as she puts her costumes back in her bag.
Trixie: But you'll have to tell me all about the heroes. I'm totally not looking dumb when I get asked about them at Comic Con.
She says walking with Manny as her voice slowly trails off with Trixie almost coaching Manny on how to prepare her for her first trip to Comic Con.
______________________________________________________________________________
Tyberius King & Stone Hendrix vs. Outkasts
Oliver started the match for his team and Stone for his. The two locked up and Overton quickly took Hendrix over with a snap suplex. Ollie was feeling it tonight as he was able to cut down Stone every time he tried to rally back. Overton then made a tag into Iris and the two were able to establish a groove. They did their best to cut the ring in half and when Stone started to rally back they used double team maneuvers. Stone caught a lucky break however when he caught Iris with a brainbuster and then was able to make the hot tag to King. Ty came in and dropped Iris with and elbow and then Olly who came in to the ring. King cleared house and whipped Hawthorne back into his corner. King came in with the “Eye of Horus” (busaiku knee kick) and then tagged in Hendrix. Stone connected with “The Broken Mirror” (TKO) he went for the cover and got the three. After the match as the two celebrated Paul Harris is once again seen in the entrance way. King leans over the top rope and yells to him that if he has something to say to him to bring Jackson along with him next time. Harris gives King a dirty look and goes behind the curtain.
Winners: Tyberius King & Stone Hendrix
______________________________________________________________________________
“I love waffles!”
Within the Halifax Forum, one of the cameras recording backstage is spun around and Jessica Sears takes a step back with a smile on her face. There’s quite the loud positive reception for the Paladin. Her Spirit and Pride X Championship belt is proudly draped over her right shoulder and she’s suited up for her upcoming match.
JESSICA SEARS: “What? The show is called Pancakes…”
She raises her left hand.
JESSICA SEARS: “...or Waffles?”
Then she raises her right hand and grins.
JESSICA SEARS: “Well, for the record, I love waffles.”
She lowers her left hand and throws a peace sign with her right hand.
JESSICA SEARS: “Waffles are my favorite sweet breakfast food. Savory goes to hash browns. Tonight’s catering revolves around breakfast and they have both waffles AND hash browns!”
The sheer happiness on the young woman’s face is adorable.
JESSICA SEARS: “See, I didn’t bring my boyfriend Dean backstage because he would’ve eaten everything… and this would have angered the Apex Goddess herself, Fujiko.”
The SAP X Champion clears her throat and playfully toe-kicks the floor.
JESSICA SEARS: “I get the feeling management loves booking me in the infamous ten-person tag team matches. I think this is my third… maybe fourth time in this chaotic clusterfuck of a match? It’s super confusing. Usually, these tag matches are random and insane, but I’m actually really happy with my team. Cartier, a seriously cool badass on the roster, Ollie Maverick, my longtime friend and video gaming rival, Tegan Taylor, whom Johnny swears is Ollie’s long-lost twin, and West McFadden, one of the newest and greatest additions to SAP. I’m amazed that the RNG was on my side!”
A huge grin crosses her face and she places her right hand over the ‘X’ on her championship belt. She takes a deep breath, perhaps taking in the scent of breakfast catering, and lets it out.
JESSICA SEARS: “Damn, I’m hungry. I kinda got here a little late, traffic was unpleasant, and I didn’t get to eat. That means Team Free Love is going to have to overwhelm the competition. On the opposite side of the spectrum, we’ve got Jaser Cruz, whom I’ve beaten twice now, including a successful title defense.”
She pats the gold to reinforce her first-ever successful defense and clears her throat.
JESSICA SEARS: “Then there’s Luca Di Paolo. You know, the guy who’s quasi-obsessed with a ridiculously arrogant and boring wrestler. I don’t know if that’s still going on. I don’t really care. Cailey Carter, she’s alright. I don’t care for her sister, though. Don’t ask, I’m not digging through that old history book. Rigas… he’s new, just like West. There’s a good matchup right there. And then, finally, Matthew Gamble.”
She raises both her arms out to her sides, an intentional clueless expression, and she sighs.
JESSICA SEARS: “I’m not sure if the poor guy’s a hundred percent after the incredibly vicious battle between him and CJ Cross. That match… no, that fight was brutal. Honestly, he could have avoided it altogether if he had just respected the sanctity of Celeste’s relationship with CJ. Come on, they’re super cute together. Why would you want that ship to sink?!”
Realizing some people may not understand that, Jessica quickly speaks up.
JESSICA SEARS: “The term ‘ship’ is short for relationship, to pair two or more people together. ‘Oh, I ship them! They’re so cute together!’ I’m sure one of the girls on Tumblr came up with it.”
A casual shrug and she continues on.
JESSICA SEARS: “I guess my point is we’ve got an incredibly solid team. Their team? Not so much. There’s a lot going on there, it’s too complicated to straighten out. I don’t think they can keep it together. So, to put it simply, if you’re gonna make a bet… Don’t bet on Gamble.”
With a sheepish grin, the confident SAP X Champion better adjusts her championship belt and makes her way towards ringside.
______________________________________________________________________________
We find Ollie backstage and he waves happily to the cameraman in his ring gear and a t-shirt featuring a picture of a raccoon reading ‘EAT TRASH. BE FREE.’ Aleks Parker is there ready with a microphone.
Aleks Parker: “Good evening Ladies and gentlemen I am here backstage with ‘The Bitcrusher’ Ollie Maverick who is fresh off of his debut and first victory here in SAP Wrestling. Ollie, how do you feel about your partners going into this match?”
Ollie Maverick: “Tegan Taylor was a heck of an opponent and just a really rad person overall and I am more than honored to be teaming with her at this show. Same with Jessica! Jessica and I have a healthy and friendly rivalry that will one day culminate both with us facing each other in the ring and me absolutely destroying her in Tekken but until that day comes? We can function well on the same team. I don’t know our other two partners but….I’m always looking to make new friends!”
A small pet carrier beside Ollie shakes a bit and Ollie makes a comforting cooing noise. Aleks seems to be a little apprehensive about the pet carrier.
Aleks Parker: “Uhm…You seem to be very much in the team spirit. Are you confident that your teammates have your back in the same way?”
Ollie Maverick: “Just because they didn’t accept the invitation to my ‘Super Awesome Team Building Ice Cream Social’ that I honestly may have forgotten to send the invites for doesn’t mean they don’t have the same goals in mind. Winning! We are here to win! I dunno what the rest of the team has in mind The good Lord Satoru Iwata has blessed me on this fine day with many faces to kick and that’s all I can really ask for!”
We hear the pet carrier shake again. The camera looks down at it but the shaking had stopped by then.
Aleks Parker: “Alright so I have to ask, what is in the box?”
Ollie Maverick: “Hm? Oh right! In honor of our team being known as ‘The Trash Pandas’ out of respect for everyone’s favorite furry bandit of a mammal which is a name we DEFINITELY all agreed on and think is perhaps the raddest name for five-person team of all time… I’ve brought along a mascot! Everyone, say hello to Reginald Trashington!”
Ollie holds up a pet carrier but quickly raises an eyebrow in concern. He turns and looks into the camera, then to Aleks, then to the camera again, then looks at the carrier, then back at Aleks.
Ollie Maverick: “So first things first… don’t freak out.”
Aleks Parker: “…is there a live raccoon loose in this room.”
Ollie Maverick: “I’m not gonna say there is…but if there WAS I think the person who brought him would tell you that the hypothetical raccoon is very friendly and safe and… also that he is very sorry and didn’t think this through very much. You know another reason that raccoons are awesome that made thi interview potentially not awesome is the fact that they can do cool human stuff with their hands, like grab food or...I mean… unlock a pet carrier door.”
Aleks yelps at the sound of a rustling sound in the room and quickly leaves, the panicked cameraman following as we abruptly cut out.
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The Infamous Ten Person Tag Match
Sears, Cartier, Maverick, Taylor, McFadden vs. Cruz, Di Paolo, Carter, Gamble, Rigas
Before the bell rings, both teams discuss who should start the match. On one side, Tegan volunteers to go first. Tegan, Ollie, and Jessica start a chant that the fans quickly pick up. “Team. Free. Love!” West shrugs and Cartier slightly facepalms. Tegan enters the ring, but on the other side, Jaser and Luca are arguing about starting first. Matthew shakes his head, Rigas glares, but the one who steps up is Cailey. She enters the ring, much to the dismay of Jaser and Luca, and the referee signals for the bell to ring. Tegan and Cailey meet in the middle and lock up, struggling against each other, and suddenly they break up. Tegan and Cailey go to kick each other at the same time and they seem to match kick for kick. Being slightly bigger, Cailey gains the advantage with a thrust kick followed by a running knee. Tegan rolls back towards her corner and reaches up. Ollie makes the tag and Cailey’s not backing down as she endures in another kick party, this time with Ollie. The fans are excited for an encore and both competitors are fairly matched until Ollie nails Cailey with an enzuigiri. Cailey’s quick to get up and backpedals for a moment, but just when she’s about to charge Ollie, Luca tags himself in. This causes the fans to boo loudly while Cailey steps out with confusion. Ollie bounces from foot to foot while Luca’s not impressed. The two men lock up in the center, but Luca pulls back to rake Ollie in the eye, spin around, and force him down with a Russian leg sweep. While Ollie’s down, Luca sets him up in a grounded headlock and tightens the hold. Ollie manages to push Luca off and launch him across the ring with a standing dropkick. Luca groans, but instead of retaliating, he tags in Matthew who raises an eyebrow, but gets into the ring. Ollie backflips towards his corner and extends a hand out for Jessica to tag.
The SAP X Champion jumps into the ring, ready to go. Gamble meets her in the middle and the two of them exchange a flurry of different blows, rights and lefts, kicks and knee strikes. Sears manages to connect with the Punch-Punch-Kick Combo, but Gamble’s quick to fight back with a series of cravate knee strikes that overwhelm Sears. Gamble kicks Sears in the midsection and easily lifts her up, holding her for the 30-Second Head Rush (Delayed Vertical Suplex), but Cartier rushes in out of nowhere and disrupts the signature move with a discus forearm smash! Gamble drops Sears whose quick to get to her feet, but as the referee tries to consult Cartier, Jaser comes in from his corner and attacks Cartier. Cartier’s in no mood and she snaps, unleashing a counterattack against Jaser. The two of them battle it out in the middle of the ring and the referee can’t break them up. Jaser kicks Cartier in the midsection, bounces off the ropes for a fast move, but Cartier suddenly charges him and clotheslines him over the top rope. Jaser manages to grab onto Cartier and both of them fall out of the ring! Jessica tries to check on Cartier, but Matthew grabs her, pulls her up, and drives her down with The Cripper (Bridging Dragon Suplex), going for the pin attempt. It’s Ollie’s turn to run in and break up the count, but Luca comes in with his Missile Dropkick signature, sending Ollie back to his corner. Tegan’s had enough and she makes the leap, taking Luca down with her Springboard Roundhouse Kick signature move!
On the outside, after Cruz hits Cartier with the Kaio-Ken Dropkick (Standing or Running Front Dropkick followed by a kip up and theatrics), he shouts at her and kicks her while she’s down. However, Cartier refuses to simply take this beating as she gets up, fends off Cruz’s attacks, and hits him with her Hiptoss into a Knee Lift signature attack. While Cruz is down, Cartier mounts him and swings down with closed fists! The referee can’t quite figure out what’s going on when Carter gets back in the ring and meets Tegan with the Sunkissed (Superkick). But as Carter turns around, Maverick surprises her with a snap suplex followed by Dance Dance Execution (Breakdancing Leg Drop). Gamble takes advantage of this distraction and he grabs hold of Maverick, hitting him with the Inside Scoop (Spinning Scoop Powerslam). When he rises to his feet, Gamble focuses on the other legal person in the match, Sears, and he makes his way towards her. She’s regaining her focus when Gamble tries to set her up for the Medium Rare (T-Bone Suplex), but Sears manages to break out of it and counter with the Dixon Arrow (Swinging DDT) out of desperation! Quickly, Sears reaches out for the only person she can tag in, McFadden. He extends a friendly hand and she makes the tag. West steps into the ring to the louder cheer of the fans and he meets Matthew in the center. He lifts the big man up and combines a snapmare with a dropkick, sending him to the opposite corner. Before Matthew can properly get up, Dimitri Rigas tags himself in and steps into the ring. With their respective teams either down, recovering, or fighting outside-- Cartier and Jaser-- West and Dimitri lock up in the center. Their power struggle lasts for a little while before West connects with a grapple elbow smash that stuns Dimitri. West follows through with a series of boxing jabs before he finishes with a king spinning kick. When West moves to pull Dimitri up, Dimitri seizes his right arm and completes the arm-trap headbutt that stuns West. Dimitri attacks West and then kicks him in the midsection, looking to finish him off early with the “Accent Slam” (Running Powerslam). However, McFadden breaks out of this, landing behind Rigas, and perfectly nails him with the “Roulette Wheel” (Flying Wheel Kick)! McFadden goes for the cover and hooks Rigas’ leg. Cruz sees this and tries to move in to break up the count, but Cartier grabs his leg and pulls him out. The referee counts the 1, 2, 3 and the tag match is over!
WINNERS: McFadden, Cartier, Sears, Maverick, Taylor
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Sauntering in the hallways of the Halifax Forum, Chelsea Pryce sports a simple yet elegant Asymmetrical black dress. She’s without her tag partner and significant other, Allen Chaney, as she notices the cameraman recording nearby. She lets out a sigh and shakes her head.
“I don’t care for the same old, same old.”
She shoots a sharp glare towards the camera and the cameraman himself shakes a little.
“RAWGRAPS… still the worst team name ever… I tire of facing Cosmo the Barefoot Fairy and Michael Kelly-Bluebook. They’re boring and predictable, but everyone loves a good protagonist. What a waste. The constant disappointing losses against such an awful pair of human beings… that angers me. This August, I’ll be turning thirty-nine. This September, I’ll officially be a ten-year veteran in this business. This is perhaps my final run in the wrestling industry and I should be doing better than… THIS.”
Chelsea motions with her hands over her own body before she rolls her eyes. For someone her age, she’s still in the prime of her life, her physical beauty showing regality and valor.
“Then there’s ‘hashtag’ BGTL… What does that even stand for? Claire Rogers and Ximena Asensio need to elaborate this.”
She raises her left hand towards the camera to intentionally half-cover the view.
“Actually, no, don’t even bother.”
Lowering her hand, she turns her head towards the camera, her dark green eyes narrowed to demonstrate an icy glare.
“I’m frustrated, Allen’s pissed off, and rightfully so. He has his own reasons, but mine? I didn’t come to Spirit and Pride Wrestling to be made a fool out of. I joined the ranks because I wanted to show the world that despite my age, I am still a professional wrestler and sportswoman to be fucking reckoned with. eWo Commonwealth Champion, 2008 eWo Breakthrough of the Year, SIN Purity Champion, and the last ECWA Hellcats Champion. What’s not on the list? Tag Team Champion. World Champion. In SAP’s case, the International Tag Team and the National championships… Those are my priorities. For now, the Killing Joke has their crosshairs on the International Tag Team championships. Hell is Waiting, Aurora and Masaru Inoue, a belated congratulations on your title victory… Now be prepared. The last laugh has yet to come.”
Chelsea begins to walk away, but she pauses and turns on her heels.
“...oh. I suppose you’ll want me to talk about my extended partners, Zombie Vice Squad. Well, I’ll keep it simple for everyone.”
For the first time, there’s a clear expression of anger rising from beneath her icy demeanor.
“Don’t. Fuck. Up.”
Violently, Chelsea places her left hand on the camera lens and shoves the cameraman back quite a ways. He’s able to keep his balance, but as he focuses the camera, the Stiletto Knife is walking away with pure, unadulterated rage in her aura.
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Cause and Effect vs. Holocene
The bell rang and all four men quickly started to beat the hell out of each other. The referee tried to get order quickly but it spilled to the outside and he was forced to start the count. As he got to eighteen Xavier and Tyson rolled into the ring and the two squared off. Initially Braddock was able to land a few suplexes but Laroux was able to strike his way back into the game. The two tagged in their partners and Gabriel was quickly able to get an upper hand on North. Braddock tried to come in to give aid to his partner but this triggered the entrance of Xavier. With Braddock sidelined, Gabriel was able to hit a gutwrench powerbomb on North and get the three count.
Winners: Cause and Effect
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The cameras switched backstage to one half of the highly decorated and SAP World Tag Team Champions, “Hell Is Waiting” as it was Masaru Inoue, standing but leaning on the countertop of the dressing room area of the lockerroom. He sported no Satanic facepaint or the whole get up, just his natural pale-faced self. He was by himself for the fact that his bestie and tag partner, Aurora was in Italy to handle business in SSWA. But for Masaru, he wanted to ‘pull-up’ in Nova Scotia to scout up close the talent on display this evening.
MASARU INOUE: Oh my Aurora, for I do hope you take care of business quickly tonight. Momentum is on another level right now and you cannot be stopped. But I must bother you for one more question.
In fact, his partner was in a sense there with him...via facetime. Masaru held up his index finger, indicating that “one more question”.
AURORA: You’re no bother, what is it?
MASARU INOUE: What’s better, Pancake or Waffle? I say Belgian Waffle.
AURORA: Oh Belgian Waffles for sure. Plenty of spaces for fruit and ice cream, whipped cream, whatever. They’re the Cadillac of breakfast foods!
Masaru eyes widened as he tapped his feet happily against the floor.
MASARU INOUE: So in real terms, “Hell Is Waiting” is that, top of the crop. Lovable, edible, cherishable. I likes that. You can obviously tell I took the meds as promised. They are working.
A chuckle from both ends came from that comment.
MASARU INOUE: Looking forward to your match tonight and I will see you tomorrow night! Take care!
AURORA: You as well. I’m telling you… these are exciting times. We’re going to be able to do more, fight more, get more… whatever we want. We’ve proved all we need to. Now? It’s time for the fun.
Masaru ended the call as he took a deep sigh before falling back into the chair that was behind him. Hands and arms stretched as the scene fades.
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The Reeds & Stanton vs. Celeste/Cross/Jenkins
Celeste was eager to start the match for her team and Lilah had no issues going against her. The two went through a short exchange with Celeste initially seeing the better but Lilah gouged her eyes and then worked her over into her corner where she could tag in Charlie. Reed kept up the heat but the North Atlantic champion was more than capable of holding her own and was able to make the tag to CJ. Cross came in and went toe to toe with Reed. Charlie however used a few underhanded tactics to get ahead and then made the tag to Stanton. Joe and Cross squared off. CJ started off hot but then went to the top rope where Stanton was able to cut him off. Joe took the lead from there and was dominant until CJ used a jawbreaker to get room and made the tag to Jenkins. Desi quickly came in and tried to use her speed as a factor. She was able to hit some high flying moves before Joe started to take back control. Stanton whipped Desi into the ropes where Celeste made a blind tag. Desi ducked a clothesline attempt and ran right to The Reeds and knocked them off the apron. Celeste came in with a springboard spinning wheel kick which took down Stanton. The Reeds came rushing back in and everything went crazy. CJ entered the ring to try and make things even but The Reeds used their tag experience to their advantage. Lilah and Charlie tossed CJ and Desi to the outside and went after them. Celeste saw them on the outside and headed for the ropes. It looked like Celeste was going to go for a dive but she was caught by a “Shoryuken” (rising uppercut) from Stanton. Joe made the cover and got the three count.
Winners: The Reeds & Stanton
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We hit RAWGRAPS gym once more where we see the team of Michael Kelly and Cosmo Cooper in the locker room, both men are clearly either pumped or exhausted the sweat beams down from their foreheads onto their nearly sweat-soaked shirts. Michael takes a seat on a nearby folding chair and reaches into his duffel bag before underhand tossing a stainless steel thermos filled with water to his partner. Kelly begins to tie his hair up into a ponytail while Cosmo reaches into his bag and puts on a pair of green flip-flops gifted to him by his other half, Leela.
Michael: So we have to face Killing Joke yet again. Hey, but not only do we have to face them for the... I dunno, millionth time, we step up face to face with Zombie Vice Squad. Nice. A challenge I see. I feel it. Did you know that Zombie Vice Squad were the first AND last Red State Revolver tag champs. They basically wiped the entire division over there. Now depending on who you talk to, that's either very impressive or too bad and I can commend them for keeping some gold around their waists.
Cosmo nods along, agreeing with everything that his tag partner is saying at the very moment.
Michael: But we're not alone here! We've got some former tag champions in our corner as well, standing side by side with Ximena Asencio and Claire Rogers. Now, I might sound biased here but those ladies right there have quite a future for themselves. Former two time ACM tag champions, these ladies pack one hell of a punch and I'm blessed to not only have them working under the ACM umbrella but I'm also blessed to have them on our side for this match.
Cosmo hunches over, picks up a towel, wipes his face with it and tosses it as the two get up to make their way out of the locker room.
Michael:So you can best believe that the GCW Champ and SCP Champ are more than ready for some action and with one opf the best tag teams in the world by our side, it's seeming more and more like some trouble for 'Ol Killing Joke and Zombie Vice Squad cus I know damn well that RAWGRAPS ain't letting up. BGTL ain't letting up. It's either gonna be one of these other guys letting up... Or we're in for one hell of a match. And that, well, that's just what we live for.
A hyped up Cooper throws his arm around the back Michael's neck as we leave with the lasting shot of RAWGRAPS standing together, the scene fading to black.
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Rachel Redding vs. Mariano Fernandez
These two looked ready to pick up where they left off at Cavalcade and quickly went at each other. Mariano headed for the ropes early but Rachel cut him off with a knee to the gut that took the wind out of him. From there Rachel laid on the stomps and tried to keep control of the match. Manny started to battle back though when he caught Rachel with his “Arrow to the knee” (dropkick to the knee) that seemed to really do some damage. Redding wasn’t going down easy however and still managed to take control back despite having one bad wheel. Redding went for “Category 1” (V trigger) but Fernandez was able to think quickly and as Rachel leapt up he nailed the knee with a forearm. Redding hit the mat and grasped at her already targeted knee. Manny wasted no time and pulled her up for the "Dovahkiin Driver” (Vertical Suplex Piledriver) and got the three count.
Winner: Mariano Fernandez
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The show cuts backstage where Nora Harris is seen prepping for her upcoming match later this evening, stretching out on the floor somewhere in the locker room area. The already rowdy crowd bursts into a bigger pop when Nick Redfield steps into the picture with his hands on his hips.
Nick Redfield: We’ve got one heck of a fight ahead of us tonight.
He extends a hand to Nora. She looks up at him for a second and then reaches up and takes his hand, popping up to her feet and bouncing in place for a moment, as if her energy can’t be contained.
Nora Harris: Well… they always are, aren’t they, or they aren’t worth showing up for.
Nora laughs and taps her boots against the tiles, as if she’s making sure they’re settled just right before she tips her head just a bit so she can better make eye contact with the taller Redfield.
Nora Harris: Just as a heads up, no matter how oblivious or uncaring he acts, I’m pretty sure Eli is going to try and smoosh me in this match. It’s a dick move, and well…
Nick chuckles.
Nick Redfield: ...Eli is a dick.
He quips with a clever smirk.
Nora Harris: At least he’s good at that. The wrestling part too, but there are a lot of guys that try what he does. But think about this. He’s good enough to pull it off with a baby duck in his arms so… guess that makes him King.
She laughs and tosses her head, her dark curls winging around with the motion.
Nora Harris: So ...we have a pretty good shot at this, you know? Andre’s no slouch out there. I’ve worked with him, he’s not going to quit easy, you know I won’t, and well I’ve watched you enough to know you won’t. Are you worried any?
Nick shrugs his shoulders and nods his head as he digests her question.
Nick Redfield: Eli Carlson is legit, easily one of the best competitors I have ever shared a ring with. The Sadboiz aren’t slouches either. So I’d be lying if I didn’t say I had my concerns about them heading into this match. Heck, I just participated in a match in which my team lost to these same three competitors just a few short weeks ago. So yea, I know they’re good. Yea they like to mess around and play like they don’t take anything in this business seriously, still I know they’re gonna come out firing out on all cylinders looking to leave Halifax tonight with a win by any means necessary.
A sly grin stretches across his face.
Nick Redfield: But I have confidence this time around because I have two partners I know I can count on. Andre Holmes is a stud. There is no doubt in my mind the future is bright for him in this business. And then there’s you, Nora. The ONE person coming out of Cavalcade I respect more than anyone else on this roster. You’re the embodiment of honor. In the ring or in the mic, you’re not out here trying to tear people down or make a name for yourself on the backs of others. You’re a true competitor and I love that about you. I can support that. I can put my faith in that.
Nora blinks and then smiles really big after hearing what Nick has to say, bouncing on the toes of her boots as if she really just can’t stand still for long.
Nora Harris: Thank you, Nick. That really means a lot. I try, you know? I was I think given a real gift by being trained by who I was, and I want to make him proud. But it’s not just that. I wouldn’t be me, if I was any other way. I either do this because I work hard and I can, or I fail because I can’t… and I’m not going to let that be the way it ends. It’s all a chance to learn, and it’s all a step forward. Sometimes the step is a lot bigger, and that’s what I hope happens tonight - and I’m more than willing to do everything I can to make it happen.
She takes a breath, pausing for just a moment.
Nora Harris: I don’t care, what the people that come into a match with me underestimating me think or say. If it mattered then they’d always get their way, and they just don’t. So if I lose? I want to still be on the right side of things, if that makes sense. Do it the right way or not at all and well I’ve run on long enough about this. How about… we just go out and kick some booty?
Nick chuckles at her mild monologue and nods his head with a big smile.
Nick Redfield: Let’s knock ‘em dead!
He extends for a handshake to which she happily obliges, and we fade to black.
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RAWGRAPS & BGTL vs. Zombie Vice Squad & Killing Joke
The tag match begins with Kowloon Zombie and Michael Kelly in the ring for their respective teams. With similar strong styles of wrestling, both men engage in a contest of furious strikes that resonate throughout the arena. Kowloon gains the advantage with a punching combination transition into a discus lariat that drives Michael down. Michael recovers and makes his way back to his corner, tagging in the ready Cosmo Cooper. On the other side, Chelsea Pryce’s eyes glare at Cosmo as he leaps into the ring. Kowloon moves forward to meet Cosmo and they exchange heavy blows. Having endured two bouts, Kowloon staggers back after a kesagiri chop from Cosmo. Cosmo quickly Kowloon in the midsection and drags him over to their corner where he tags Michael back in. RAWGRAPS hit Kowloon with the “RIP Adalynn” (Ripcord elbow from Michael into Deadlift German from Cosmo) and Michael goes for the pin, only for Allen Chaney to rush in and break up the count.
Without warning, Chelsea dashes across the ring and hits Cosmo with “The K.O. Shot” (Roundhouse Kick) that immediately sends him to the outside. The referee attempts to corral The Killing Joke back to their corner and Claire Rogers hops in while he’s distracted. Michael raises an eyebrow but leaves the ring to check on Cosmo. Allen notices this and yells at the referee to pay attention once they’re back in their corner. Siberia narrows her eyes, irritated by her new partners’ disobedience of the rules, but she calls out to Kowloon just as Claire hits Kowloon with a mule kick to attract his attention. Claire steps back and goes for her Scissor Kick signature attack, but Kowloon ducks out of the way and counters with a signature move of his own, The Pounce. The referee turns around to make the count, but Xinema Asensio breaks it up. The referee scolds her to return to her corner and she does so reluctantly. Kowloon makes his way to his corner and tags in Siberia. Siberia quickly grapples with Claire and takes her down with a harsh judo throw and follows through with a shoot kick to her lower back. Claire yells out in pain, but she continues to fight on regardless. In time, both Michael and Cooper are back in their corner, Chelsea and Allen glaring from the opposite side. After quite the agile exchange, Claire and Siberia back off to their respective corners. Claire tags in Xinema, but while Siberia reaches out for Kowloon, Allen tags in. Zombie Vice Squad stare at him for a moment as he enters the ring to confront Xinema.
Xinema doesn’t even try to lock up with Allen, knowing he’ll easily overpower her. She starts with fast-paced moves, quick strikes and harsh chops, but Allen’s not having any of it. He retaliates with a German suplex chained into a straightjacket suplex with a bridging pin. The referee counts, but this time Michael breaks it up. The referee sighs and tells Michael to get back while Allen looks on spitefully. He moves back to his corner to tag in Chelsea and The Killing Joke circle around Xinema before they strike with the Lariat/Leg Sweep signature combo. After a series of kicks from Chelsea, in a surprise turn of events she Irish whips Xinema to her corner and beckons Cosmo to tag in. Furious from the sneak attack earlier, Cosmo does tag himself in and he gets into the ring. The two engage in a fight instead of wrestle for a moment before Cosmo shoulder tackles Chelsea to one of the other corners of the ring. Cosmo backpedals before he goes for a running dropkick, but Chelsea moves out of the way and brings him down with a lariat takedown. When she attempts to lock him into “Black Out!” (Rear Naked Choke), Claire’s actually the one to interrupt the submission hold. When Allen tries to intervene, Kowloon seizes his arm and demands he relents. Allen doesn’t take well to this and he deliberately strikes Kowloon with a headbutt! Kowloon staggers off the corner and Siberia immediately gets in Allen’s face.
In the ring, Chelsea and Claire exchange quite the physical beatdown before Cosmo surprises Chelsea with an enzuigiri. Claire exits the ring and the referee shakes his head before making the count on Cosmo’s pin attempt. Yet again, Allen breaks it up and Michael intervenes for the two of them to brawl on the outside. Just as Cosmo picks up Chelsea, she surprises him with a backflip kick out of nowhere and desperately tags Siberia. Siberia attacks Cosmo relentlessly before Cosmo counters with a leg lariat that halts her offense. Cosmo rolls over to tag in Claire legally who jumps into the ring and surprises Siberia with a gutbuster. On the outside, Kowloon goes to disengage Michael and Allen’s brawling, only when he does, he strikes Allen with a yakuza kick that knocks him down! Michael backs off immediately, but Chelsea manages to see this and she moves to confront Kowloon. With the distractions, they don’t realize Claire lands The Claire Bitch Project (Stone Cold Stunner) on Siberia and covers her for the three count and the victory! The fans have a mixed reaction for Claire when her hand is raised and her team is announced the winner. Chelsea faces the ring with a scowl and Kowloon disengages to check on Siberia. Allen gets up with Chelsea’s help, but she has to be restrained from charging in the ring. The Killing Joke decide to walk away as Kowloon glares at them from afar.
Winners: RAWGRAPS & BGTL
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Vince Steel vs. Trixie
The bell rang and Vince Steel didn’t look to be to excited to be in this match. Trixie tried to use her speed early but ate a chop from Steel that sent her to the mat. Steel began to toy with Trixie tossing her into the corner then then out to the mat. Steel had a smile on his face as he walked out to try and grab Trixie but she broke away. She headed to the ropes and ducked a clothesline from Steel before rebounding again and hitting him with a dropkick. Trixie used her speed to land a number of moves in a row on Steel which quickly turns his smile into anger. Steel manages to get Trixie back into a corner and unleashes on her. The ref calls for a break but Steel isn’t listening. The ref counts to five but Steel keeps going so he calls for the bell. Manny makes his way down the ramp and slides into the ring and attacks Steel from behind to get him of Trixie. He lands a few shots but then Terrence Tillman makes his way out and then goes after Fernandez. The Fam then work together and leave both members of Da Trixteam lying on the mat.
Winner: Trixie by DQ
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Happyboiz vs. Redfield, Holmes, Harris
The fans seemed particularly hyped for this match as long time Spirit and Pride members Nick and Nora teamed together for the first time alongside Andre Holmes, against a team with a lot of buzz with Sad Boiz and Eli Carlson. No time is wasted as Eli declared he’s starting for the Happyboiz, Andre jawed at him while Nora grinned and Nick shook his head. Marquis and Williams went to the apron and away we go. Off the bell Carlson was very aggressive, lacing kicks into Holmes’ legs and basically giving him a very hard time until he broke out of rotation and caught Eli with a Muay Thai Clinch and drove several knees into Eli’s gut. Carlson crumpled but when Andre moved to capitalize Eli rocketed up off the mat and hit an Inverted Russian Leg Sweep, this netted him a two but Nora came in with a Senton and broke the pin. There was a bit of a scuffle after this as Marquis invaded the ring to get the smaller Nora out, and Nick came in to help her as Marquis set up for a doubleteam with Williams.
This left nobody for Eli or Andre to tag out to, but the brawl going on got the fans excited at least. Finally the referee regained control, cleared the ring and Andre and Eli tagged out, though Eli much to Bryan’s surprise hot tagged after an exchange between Williams and Harris, Nora had had Williams in an Arm-trap Argentine leglock/neckscissors combination looking for a submission but Bryan managed to get to the ropes due to the big difference in sizes and strength. Eli got that tag and the pair threw Nora over the top rope and made the hand brushing motion but she’d caught the top rope and skinned the cat, striking Eli with a Roundhouse! Marquis tagged herself in and then we had another brawl before the referee yet again sorted them and warned them if it happened again he was throwing the whole thing out.
There was a brilliant exchange of wrestling then with Marquis and Redfield in the ring, trading off moves that had the fans on their feet while Nora and Andre urged him to put her away! This didn’t sit well with her partner Williams and he verbally lashed out, dropping off the apron as Andre did and the pair scuffled outside the ring. Eli got the tag as Nick tagged in Nora, and Carlson made a great show of using his technical prowess to keep the plucky Nora under control until she caught him with her Double knee facebreaker, Hello Patella! She only got a bare two count as Eli kicked out, he got to his feet first and dropped Nora exceptionally hard with his Slingblade, the Princes Edict! This was almost three but at the last second Nora threw the shoulder up! Eli shook his head in disbelief and argued with the referee as Nora crawled and tagged in Nick! Nick came at Eli with a full head of steam and would have caught him but Marquis tagged herself in and hit him with a huge Missile Dropkick! However Nick rolled with the impact and came up to his feet, caught Marquis as she kipped up and dropped her on her head with The Sexiest Piledriver You’ve Ever Seen! Eli dove to break the pin but was tripped by Nora, and Nick got the three for the victory!
Winners: Nick Redfield, Andre Holmes, Nora Harris
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As it seemed the show was ready to move onto the next match Avery Quinn then came out from behind the curtain with the National championship in his hands. Quinn walked down the entrance way and made his way to the ring. A microphone was handed to him and he quickly got to business.
“I would like to thank you all for coming tonight but there is one thing left we have to address. The vacant championship I am carrying with me tonight. It has been decided that the best way to crown a new champion will be through an eight person tournament.”
The crowd pops at the announcement and Quinn waits for them to stop.
“Those eight competitors have already been chosen and they represent every era of SAP that has been known from the beginning until today.”
The crowd is intrigued by this as it hints at some surprise competitors.
“Those eight are Nick Redfield, Rachel Redding, Andre Holmes, CJ Cross, Nora Harris, Johnny Matthews, and making their returns are inaugural tag team champion Tyson Gregory and the first SAP National champion Geki Nitoh!”
The crowd cheers for the star studded list of talent to determine the next champion.
“The tournament will begin next week and the bracket will be drawn at random. Thank you all for your time.”
With that Quinn exits the ring with the title and heads for the back.
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WCS World Cup Canadian Qualifier Battle Royal
Brett Carson vs. Coyote VIII vs. Kenzie Rowe vs. Levi Chambers vs. Ligaya Fontaine vs. Lis Meyers vs. Milena LeCavalier vs. Misha LeCavalier vs. Serenity vs. Sydney Christensen
The battle royale started quickly, with nobody hanging around. Ligaya and Serenity, the girls from Twin City Wrestling’s 420 B.C., looked to use their tag team connection to gain an early advantage, only to find themselves cut off by Milena and Misha, the Cousins LeCavalier. The first elimination attempt came from HKW Underground’s Lis Meyers, however. The freshly debuting Coyote, from the South Street Gym, had locked her in a Sleeper, which sent Lis into overdrive, pummeling him with back elbows and kicks to the shin until he let her go. Given their close proximity to the ropes, Lis ran them, building up momentum as she spins for a Discus Lariat… only for the greenhorn to charge in and catch her with the stiffest Shoulder Block Halifax has ever seen, lifting Lis up and off her feet… and clear over the ropes!
Elimination: Lis Meyers
Coyote stopped in shock, leaning over the ropes to check on Lis… only for Project Continuum’s Levi Chambers to take advantage of the distraction, catching Coyote with a sneak Low Blow and sending him over the top, crashing into a recovering Lis!
Elimination: Coyote (VIII)
Brett Carson, formerly of Johannesburg City Pro, charged Levi, only for Chambers to sidestep and send Brett into the corner! On the other side of the ring, Misha and Milena had managed to drop Ligaya with a Double Flapjack. Serenity was quick on the pair, but found herself outnumbered and outmatched, resulting in her elimination when Misha through her up with a Pop-Up, and Milena sniped her out of the air with an Extinction Crisis, the Single Leg High Knee sending Serenity over the rope!
Elimination: Serenity
This resulted in Milena strung up on the ropes, signalling for Misha to help her off… only for SSWA’s Kenzie Rowe to run along the ropes, seemingly out of nowhere, catching Milena with a Ropewalk Huracanrana and sending her crashing to the outside!
Elimination: Milena LeCavalier
Kenzie, now on the apron, was quick to her feet, very aware of her position out in “No-Woman’s Land”. She shrugged at Misha, who smiled… before advancing on Kenzie… only to get caught from behind by HELL’s Sydney Christensen, and surprising her with a huge German Suplex! Spying a chance, Kenzie hopped up onto the top rope, diving in with a Springboard Shoulder Block… ONLY TO GET CLOCKED BY SURPRISE BY A RISING LIGAYA FONTAINE, AND HER BATTLEGROUNDS UPPERCUT! The action progressed between the warring pairs a while longer, until Brett managed to catch Levi with his Silencer… only for Levi to land on his feet, reversing out of the Takeover, and blasting Brett with a Low Superkick to the face. He wasted no time in bundling the dazed Carson up… and HIT THE LOTTO! Levi sent Brett flying out of the ring with his Running Powerbomb, straight to the outside!
Elimination: Brett Carson
Levi spun around, seeing the two warring pairs… before hitting the mat, and rolling out under the bottom rope, ducking below eyeline at the apron. In the ring, Milena and Ligaya sent their respective opponents running at each other… only for Kenzie and Sydney to slip around each other in the middle of the ring, allowing Kenzie to catch Misha with a Shotgun Blast, and Sydney to flatten Ligaya with a Clothesline! Sydney was able to overpower Ligaya with a sequence of powerful slams, before eventually sending her flying out of the ring with a modified version of her Calgary Stampede, sending her flying out of the ring with the Fallaway Slam!
Elimination: Ligaya Fontaine
At the same time, Misha managed to force Kenzie into the corner with powerful kicks and elbows, pummeling her… she wound up, and threw a hard punch to finish the sequence, only for Kenzie to drop to the mat, and Misha to punch the turnbuckle bad hard! She tried shaking the pain out of her fist, as Kenzie slipped between her legs and popped up, catching her solid in the back with a Dropsault, sending her into the turnbuckle! She lined up for an attack, but in came Sydney! Kenzie dived for cover, as Sydney charged in and crushed Misha with a Stinger Splash! Sydney started forcing Misha over the ropes, but LeCavalier resisted! It looked like she may stay in until Kenzie got involved, and the two women working together managed to force “The Murderess” over the top… only for her to plant her feet on the apron. Kenzie backed off, but Sydney remained, entering a war of Forearms with Misha… until Kenzie charged in and caught her in the small of the back with another Shotgun Blast, the impact sending Sydney forward, into Misha, and bumping her off the apron, into elimination!
Elimination: Misha LeCavalier
Before Sydney could properly recover, Kenzie had run up, leaping onto her shoulders… but Sydney powered to standing, catching Kenzie in an Electric Chair! Kenzie shook her head no, Sydney nodded her head yes, backing up to the ropes and shoving Kenzie off of her shoulders and out to the outside… BUT ROWE MANAGED TO GRAB THE MIDDLE ROPES, KEEPING HER FEET OFF THE FLOOR! Sydney, quickly noticing the ring was clear, sighed a breath of relief, allowing herself a moment to recover… ONLY TO GET BLASTED IN THE GROIN BY LEVI CHAMBERS! Sydney’s eyes crossed as Levi spun her around, and dropped her with his Spinning Chambers! He then wasted no time in dragging her upright, and hauling her over to the ropes. Sydney resisted, hard, but Levi used his weight advantage to force her over… with a thumb to the eye being the exclamation point, breaking Sydney’s concentration enough for Levi force her to the mat!
Elimination: Sydney Christensen
With this, Levi dropped to the mat, on his knees, celebrating like he’d just won the Stanley Cup… only to be surprised as Kenzie Rowe used his own trick against him, springboarding in and catching him with a Springboard variant of her Halifax Explosion, driving Levi face first into the mat, her hometown crowd roaring in response! Although staggered, and shocked, Levi had enough fight left in him to put up a fight against Kenzie, the match extending on a few more minutes as Levi fought back as much as he could… but Kenzie would not be denied, and with the people of Halifax cheering her on like she’d never been before… ONLY FOR LEVI TO GO FOR THE LOW BLOW AGAIN… BUT KENZIE JUMPED UP, AVOIDING THE KICK… BEFORE RESPONDING WITH ONE OF HER OWN! Levi went crossed as he bent double, Kenzie leapfrogged over him, before leaning over the rope, hooking both legs under his arms before diving over the ropes, keeping hold of the top… and sending Levi flying to the outside! As the crowd cheered on their hometown hero, Kenzie skinned the cat, pulling herself back into the ring to celebrate!
Elimination: Levi Chambers
Winner: Kenzie Rowe
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“The Heart of the Sea” by Flogging Molly begins to play throughout the arena and the crowd quickly jumped to their feet as the new North American champion came out from behind the curtain with the belt raised high into the air.
Samuels made his way down to the ring to the chorus of cheers and he slid into the ring. The sound was deafening as Samuels wore a wry smile on his face. He climbed up the turnbuckle and raised the title high in the air. The crowd began to chant “His Name is Brendan!”. Samuels looked to be in all of his glory.
What he didn’t see was that Elijah Carlson had slid into the ring. As Samuels jumped down and turned around Carlson darted forward and caught him with the "Red Light Special" (Sick Kick). Samuels hit the mat hard and the belt dropped with him.
Carlson picked up the North American championship off of the mat and then raised it high into the air. The crowd showered him with boos as he dropped the title onto the chest of Samuels before exiting the ring. The show ended with a shot of Samuels starting to stir.