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OPENING SEGMENT2000 Word LimitParticipants: Charlotte Shimizu and Jennie Fenix
Charlotte Shimizu addresses the audience to discuss her recent victory in the Iron Maiden 2024 only to be joined by IWF Women's World champion.
-------------------------------
{ As the starting guitar riffs of āTit For Tatā hit, Charlotte Shimizu appears at the top of the ramp, her arms outstretched as though to soak in the greeting cheers of the crowd. The overrobe that had only dimly been seen in her last promo is now fully visible; deep purple with bright beading in indigenous patterns along the main panels and feathers dripping from the sleeves. }
{ To the opening chorus, Charlotte strides down the ramp, weaving slightly to allow her to give waves and fives to various fans. She circles the ring, grinning fit to crack her face the whole time. Right before the chorus, she nimbly hops up onto the apron. In preparation for her usual run along the apron, she wipes her boots. The new overrobe is no hindrance to her acrobatic leap to the second turnbuckle and flip over the top rope and she lands, arms outstretched overhead, as the chorus hits again.}{ As normal, she bows from her waist with her hands clasped over the mic to her chest as the chorus ends and her music fades. As she straightens, she brings the mic up. }Charlotte Shimizu: Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo London!
{ Charlotte grins and allows the crowd a moment to cheer. }Charlotte Shimizu: "Any y'all lose money betting on the Iron Maiden last week? Lemme tell ya... I feel ya, because
I certainly wasn't betting on winning!
{ She offers a dry answering laugh as chuckles ripple through the arena. }Charlotte Shimizu: But Iāll also sayā¦ It gave me the truth about myself I really needed to hear. It told me that Iām among the elite of professional wrestlers. Yāknow, I looked at the records, and Iām one of eight women whoāve won the Iron Maiden. Knowinā that is a rush like nothinā else, and itās a helluva thing to know after being shunted to the wrestling equivalent of a chorus line for six years.
{ The crowd pops for the 2024 Iron Maiden winner, but soon their cheers die down while a buzz maintains as she continues speaking. }Charlotte Shimizu: Yāall wanna hear what makes this all even more amazing to me?
{ Charlotte pauses only a beat before continuing. }Charlotte Shimizu: The fact that of those eight womenā¦ I am the
only high-flyer of the lot. I knowā¦ Crazy right? Wanna know whatās crazier? You hafta go back to Night of the Immortals of 2000 plus 21 to find yourself a Womenās Champion that won the Iron Maiden. Shelly Diamond never won the Iron Maiden.
Crowd: NOPE!
Rayne: Thatās not really a fair assessment. Shellyās never had to be in the Iron Maiden.
Charlotte Shimizu: Caroline Machado never won it.
Rayne: Thatās true, though.
Charlotte Shimizu: Brooklyn Madrox never won it.
Rayne: Also true.
Charlotte Shimizu: And Jennie Fenix never won it.
Rayne: Andā¦ true.
{ As if it were her cue, āCenturiesā by Fall Out Boy starts playing over the PA earning an enormous roar from the audience! The noise almost brings the roof off of the O2 Arena. }Iyo Kenshin: I do think that business is about to pick up, Rayne!
Rayne: What?!
Iyo Kenshin: I said BUSINESS IS ABOUT TO PICK UP!
Rayne: Weāre not anywhere near Christmas!
Iyo Kenshin: WHAT?!
Rayne: This crowd, Iyo! I canāt hear you!
{ Purge masks begin lighting up the O2 Arena as if a rippling effect from the center of the ringā¦ Jennie comes out from behind the curtains with the Docherty smirk, and the championship that the two would fight over at Night of the Immortals displayed proudly on her shoulder. She sashays onto the stage; she gives a gentle wave to Charlotte and then saunters down the ramp - she walks near the edge to greet the fans along the way, and as she reaches the bottom of the ramp, she takes the title from her shoulder and hoists it high, toward Charlotte to show her what she would be fighting for. She holds the pose for seconds until, with a spring in her step, she moves toward the steel steps and walks up to the ring apron before finally entering the ring. She talks into the microphone, her voice penetrating the noise of the crowd. }Jennie Fenix: I hope you know I lost a lot of money thanks to you!
{ Charlotte only responds with a slight smirk and a nearly imperceptible roll of her eyes. }Charlotte Shimizu: I do believe thatās why itās called
gamblingā¦
Jennie Fenix: It wasnāt a shot, honey, no need to be slick. āCause, yāknowā Iā¦
{ She presses her hand against her own chest, and takes a step toward Charlotte. }Jennie Fenix: ā¦have cost a lot of people a lot of money. When I stepped into the ring againstā oh, I donāt knowā my sister,
Taraā¦
{ The crowd pops at the mention of the name. }Jennie Fenix: I cost a lot of people a lot of money. When I stepped into the ring withā oh, I donāt knowā
Shelly Diamond!
{ Thereās a bit of a larger pop for the Hall of Famer. }Jennie Fenix: I cost a lot of people a lot of money. When I stepped into the ring withā
Brooklynā¦
Madroxā¦ I cost a lot of people a lot of money. And I'm sure I cost some people some money when I stepped into the ring with
Jessica Reed. Soooooā¦it just feels a little weird being on the receiving end of that, yāknow? But, honeyā
{ She raises a hand in protest, and reassures Charlotte. }Jennie Fenix: It donāt bother me none! Iām not likeā
Joanne Canelliā
{ She rolls her eyes. }Jennie Fenix: Or some generic Italian hack that thinks theyāre in the mob. Iām not here to collect. Iām just here to say thisā¦face to faceā¦woman to womanā¦underdog to underdogā¦
{ Jennie places a hand on Charlotteās shoulder, and Charlotte stiffens at the contact. Her expression is set firmly in a blank mask of tolerance.}Jennie Fenix: Congratulations!
YOU!
EARNED IT!
{ Jennie takes a step back, and lowers her microphone for the time beingā¦ Meanwhile, the crowd starts to go crazy with a āYou Deserve Itā chant for Charlotte Shimizu. The silence between the champion and the challenger remains for several seconds to give the 2024 Iron Maiden time to soak it all in. }Rayne: She lucked out, Iyo! Thatās all that happened!
Iyo Kenshin: She earned it, Rayne, thereās no denying that this young woman fought against the best in this industry, but she was the one standing at the end with her arm raised!
Jennie Fenix: When everyone was betting against you, you went into the ring with five of the other best women in this division, and in this industry, and you were able to doā as you so kindly pointedā something that I couldnāt do! One of the most dangerous structures to exist in this business, and you were able to prevail. You were able to prove me wrongā you were able to prove everyone in the ring wrong, and you were able to prove all of these people wrong! And you were able to stamp your golden ticket to the greatest show anyone could ever dream of being a part of!
NIGHT!
OF!
THE!
IMMORTALS!
{ The camera angle shifts to show the banner hanging from the rafters while the entire crowd is still going crazy in support of Charlotte Shimizu. Jennie stays quiet for a moment, letting the crowd show their support, and letting Charlotte soak it in. As the cheers finally die down, Charlotteās stoney expression breaks and her shoulders start shaking, her laughter echoing through the arena. }Charlotte Shimizu: Ohā¦ Oh thank youā¦ I needed that laughā¦ Youā¦ An underdogā¦
{ She laughs a moment longer before realizing that no one else seems to get the joke. }Charlotte Shimizu: You really think weāre at all alike? You, a two-time womenās champion and member of an effing Dynasty of a family, think youāre like me? Did you start training in a small dojo at 18? Which shitty regional promotion did you grind away six years of your life at? While weāre on the subject, what racist bullshit did you have to swallow for the sake of your career?
{ A hush falls over the crowd, the faint sound of them murmuring amongst each other. Meanwhile, Jennie scoffs and looks away, biting down on her bottom lip to hold her tongue. }Charlotte Shimizu: Girlie, we only got profession and gender in common. You wanna say youāre an underdog against your sister? Sureā¦ But thatās like sayinā Captain Marvelās the underdog against Wonder Woman. You donāt get to waltz up here and act like you know me and the path I walked to get here.
{ Charlotte shakes her head, smiling slightly. }Charlotte Shimizu: But noā¦ You are the bar by which every woman in Imperial measures herselfā¦ You are the glass ceiling the rest of us are all trying to shatter our way throughā¦ I already know I earned what I got. I already know Iām the equal of any winner of the Iron Maidenā¦ And at Night of the Immortals? Weāll find out if the Iron Hawk measures up to the Fenix.
{ Jennie sighs, trying to bite down on her tongue to prevent herself from lashing out at Charlotteā¦ she winces, and grits her teeth, letting out a chuckle under her breath while taking a couple of steps. Jennie chatters her teeth a couple of times as a manner to try to restrain herself, and soon, the smile does return. }Jennie Fenix: (You donāt know my path, either.){ Jennie says in Japanese. The crowd murmurs amongst each other as the vast majority are unable to understand what she said, but the camera takes a quick glimpse at Iyo Kenshin who nods his head. She reverts back to English for the sake of the fans while continuing. }Jennie Fenix: Iām going to let it slideā¦ Iām going to let you finish your little celebration, but Iām going to also tell youā in the most clichĆ© way that I can thinkā¦imaginableā¦
{ Jennie drops her microphone, and adjusts the title on her shoulder before getting almost face-to-face with Charlotteā¦she raises a hand up and points at the Night of the Immortals banner hanging in the rafters. She cocks her head to the side, flashing a quick smile, and then pivots on her heels to turn her back to Charlotte. Charlotte remains, her expression carefully blank but for the flash of gold fire in her dark eyes. }-------------------------------
SINGLES MATCH1500 Word LimitTJ Alexander vs. El Grande Malo
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{ As "The Touch" By Stan Bush blares out of the PA speakers, TJ Alexander walks onto stages and raises his hands out to the side, he walks down the ramp with a cocky arrogance and chip on his shoulder, and TJ runs into the ring and climbs the nearest turnbuckle and looks into the crowd with a smile on his face. }
Rayne: This kid is trying to bounce back after failing to win the Roulette.
Iyo Kenshin: Eliminated by the Invictus Champion in the Roulette, but heās here tonight to rebound!
{ The house lights dim slightly as the words āOLĆā appear on the screen. The fans begin chanting along with the music as El GrandĆ© Malo bursts out from behind the curtain. He stomps his way out to the center of the stage, bouncing up and down in time with the music. He hops up and down pointing into the air and quickly begins jogging down toward the ring, slapping the outstretched hands along the way, before sliding into the ring and heading for the nearest corner. He scales the turnbuckles and continues to hype up the chanting crowd before dropping down and pulling on the nearby top rope, stretching while waiting for the match to begin. }Rayne: The experience is here!
Iyo Kenshin: Who do you think is going to take it? The veteran, or the younger, faster one?
{ At the sound of the bell, TJ Alexander and El GrandĆ© Malo encircle the center of the ring ā each one reaches a hand towards the center, appearing as if they are about to lock up, but Malo backs out at the last second. The Game Changer presses forward, though, and is able to sail Malo over with an exploder suplex causing the audience to pop for Kidd Krazy! TJ Alexander continues the offense with a belly-to-belly suplex, immediately transitioning for a pin. }ONE!
TWO!{ Malo kicks out with ease, and escapes to the outside of the ring. Malo tries to get a breather for himself, but The Kid Without Fear doesnāt give it to him! TJ Alexander sails over the top rope and catches Malo with a hurricanrana that sends El GrandĆ© Malo tumbling against the steel post! Malo is able to block his head from the steel, but still takes a great deal of damage, and TJ Alexander shakes his head to regain his bearings after getting a little dizzy from the attack. }Iyo Kenshin: The Aerial Assassin isnāt giving Malo any chances to stay away from him for very long, and this crowd is loving the high flying daredevil theatrics!
Rayne: El GrandĆ© Malo needs to figure something out to get himself out of this predicament, but you shouldnāt make any mistakes about him. Heās no rookie! Heās getting into the ring now, and TJ is still coming after him.
{ Malo rolls into the ring, and then gets back to his feet all the while TJ Alexander climbs to the ring apron ā TJ springs to the top rope, and launches himself toward Malo! MALO COUNTERS WITH A SURPRISE SUPERKICK! }Rayne: He got all of him with that kick!
{ Malo pulls TJ back to his feet, and sends him right into the corner before charging in with a hangtime dropkick! TJ falls in a perfect position, as Malo springs to the top rope and comes off with a moonsault! Malo makes the cover! }ONE!
TWO!
TJ KICKS OUT!{ Malo kicks TJ in the back as heās lying on his side, and then steps over him to spring off of the second rope with a lionsault! Malo isnāt done there, and steps over him a second time, connecting with a second lionsault! BUT STILL NOT DONE! Malo hits the ropes for a third time, and a third lionsault! He hooks the leg! }
ONE!
TWO!
TJ KICKS OUT!Iyo Kenshin: Both of these fighters are quick, but it seems the experience of El GrandĆ© Malo is proving to be a bit too much. He put his foot on the gas, and heās not letting up now!
{ Malo pulls Kidd Krazy back to his feet, then raises him up and brings him down with a brainbuster dropping him down onto his knee! Malo goes for another cover! }ONE!
TWO!
THRā TJ ALEXANDER KICKS OUT!{ Surprised by the resilience of his opponent, Malo is asking Doc if heās sure that the count wasnāt threeā¦he backs up his count, and if it were any other referee, Malo may dare to get in his faceā but he opts instead to call for the match to be over while pulling TJ Alexander yet again to his feet and this time looks to finish it off with a reverse STO, el MĆ”ximo DaƱo!
TJ COUNTERS!
TJ is able to break free from Maloās grasp before he can drop him with the STO, and catches him with a step-up enzuigiri! The kick rocks Malo, as Malo wobbles on his feetā TJ hurries back to his feet and meets Malo with a swift kick before trying to raise him for KID KRAZED DRIVER! The KKD! MALO COUNTERS! Malo trips TJ Alexander up, and then rolls over him to bridge for the cover! }ONE!
TWO!
THREā KICK OUT!{ TJ and Malo both spring to their feet with a sudden surge of energy, but TJ is quicker on the draw with a front kick! He pulls Malo in and GAME OVER! TJ Alexander hooks the legs! }ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING!
DING!
DING!Alison Valance: Your winner! BY WAY OF PINFALL! THE GAME CHANGER! T! J! ALEEEEEXXAAAAANNNNDDEEERRRR!
{ TJ kips to his feet, and raises his arms while āThe Touchā blares throughout the PA. Doc holds his arm up, while Malo rolls to the outside of the ring, seeing stars from face planting against the mat, but visibly frustrated that he didnāt pick up the win. }
Iyo Kenshin: It looked like El GrandƩ Malo had TJ Alexander right where he wanted him, but somehow, TJ Alexander battles back and ends it with GAME OVER!
Rayne: He did show some good resilience tonight, but thatās the kind of energy heās gotta carry every single week!
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SEGMENTParticipants: Serenity Holmes
Deal with a Devil-------------------------------
{ The 02 Arena has been selected to host another episode of IWFās Tuesday Night Odyssey. The fans of London, England, are very accepting of their love of sport for professional wrestling. However, when it comes to a certain individual, sheās been on a prowl to get an opportunity in IWF. In her last recent performances, sheās made quite an improvement in the ring and even earned a decisive victory over the womenās division but came up short at High Stakes; That woman is none other than Serenity Holmes marching through the backstage hallways in search of a figure who she doesnāt any choice but to go too. }Iyo Kenshin: There is Serenity Holmes walking, or should I say, marching to Mr. Veronaās office. She announced on social media that she would seeing Mr. Verona but for what reason? Serenity may have lost the Iron Maiden but thatās no reason to get involved with someone like him.
Rayne: Oh you make it sound like sheās making a deal with the devil! We clearly can see that this is a BUSINESS choice. Serenity knows the industry and when you need that extra push, you seek out the person who can help you there.
Iyo Kenshin: Yeahā¦thatās the how devil works.
{ Once approaching the door, she stops for a second and looks around her. The rest of the employees and other personnel mind their business but she can hear the mumbling and small conversations around her. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and knocked on his door awaiting an answer. For a few seconds, thereās no response. She lets her head down and turns around until the door unlocks but thereās no figure to see. Serenity just says to an unknown individual sheās looking in the door frame. }Serenity Holmes: I need his help.
{ Thereās a little moment of silence as Serenity continues to stare through the door frame. However, she nods her head and walks through where the camera attempts to get inside but the door slams on the cameraās face. }-------------------------------
SEGMENT2000 Word LimitParticipants: Wraith and Brandy Cvetkova
Wraith celebrates his victory at High Stakes alongside Brandy Cvetkova.-------------------------------
{ All at once, the lights throughout the O2 Arena go outā¦the crowd buzzes as they anticipate the arrival of the next superstar, and they arenāt waiting for long! Blue and pink strobe lights begin shining throughout the arena. }I'm good, yeah, I'm feeling alright
Baby, I'ma have the best fucking night of my life
And wherever it takes me, I'm down for the ride
Baby, don't you know I'm good, yeah, I'm feeling alright
'Cause I'm good, yeah, I'm feeling alright
Baby, I'ma have the best fucking night of my life
And wherever it takes me, I'm down for the ride
Baby, don't you know I'm good, yeah, I'm feeling alright{ As if they were on a casual stroll on the sidewalk, the dual champion emerges from behind the curtains, side-by-side with his girlfriend, Brandy āThe Black Widowā Cvetkova. The two are holding hands when they stop atop the stage, and Sabin scours the audience for several secondsā¦he finally reaches into his pocket pulling out a cigarette and a lighter; he puts the cigarette on his lips before lighting it, and takes a heavy drag on it before handing it to Brandy - she, too, takes a drag, and then hands it back to Sabin, and immediately after, both of them stroll toward the ring. }Iyo Kenshin: There doesnāt seem to be anymore appearing acts for Wrā
Rayne: Do you not pay attention?! He made it clear at High Stakes; itās
MADJINN.
Iyo Kenshin: Excuse me.
Madjinnā
Rayne:
MADJINN,
The Mad Prince, and I have to say that Iām a fan of the changesā¦and Iām looking forward to hearing more from him and The Black Widow here tonight.
Iyo Kenshin: Itās peculiar that Sabin looksā he looks dressed for combat, Rayne, but heās not scheduled for a match tonight.
{ While walking down the ramp, Sabin moves towards the crowd where a couple of the fans are starting to get verbal with himā¦ He mouths off at them, but keeps moving with a slight pull from Brandy as they inch closer to the ring. The Black Widow is the first to enter the ring by sliding underneath the bottom rope, and Sabin walks meticulously up the steel stepsā¦he exhales slowly before taking another drag from his cigarette, then traces his fingers across the top rope before finally entering the ring. }Iyo Kenshin: The Black Widow has the microphone. Is she going to explain to us why she screwed Nick Danger out of the ladder match at High Stakes?
{ The crowd jeers at the couple inside of the ring whilst Sabin steps forward, chuckling under his breath all the while making his way across the ring toward the ropes. Sabin folds his arms across the top rope, and leans over slightly. One hand holds the television championship to his shoulder, and the other holds a lit cigarette pinched carefully between his middle and ring fingers, and the lights throughout the O2 Arena still dimmedā¦the corners of his lips are seen visibly curling up, as he tilts from side to side. Sabin raises the cigarette to his lips, and the ember brightens as he inhales ā he savors it for a moment. Meanwhile, Brandy raises a microphone to begin the speech. }The Black Widow: He hears you. He hears your disappointment; your anger; your misguided blame. But you can take your support; your adulation; your fucking judgementsā¦ and you can shove them up your asses. Wraith is no more.
{ The camera focuses on Sabin, raising his head to look directly into the camera. }The Black Widow: I give youā¦
MAD-JINN!{ The crowd gives an instinctive mixed reaction, still unable to fully turn against the second generation superstar who has made a name for himself in the business. The boyā the manā the monster that gave them the violence they craved for their entertainment. He drops the cigarette on the outside of the ring where one of the crew members is quick to put it out, and then Sabin straightens his posture inside of the ring and cocks his head to the side. Brandy continues, addressing the crowd. }The Black Widow: He is his own man now, free from the imprisonment of your fickle desires. No longer will he be your weapon, only rising when you want him to rise against those you detest. He will rise against -and conquer- all, the way he has since he first stepped foot in this world. He doesn't need any of you to do that, and your support for Nick Danger helped to show him that light. He defeated your chosen hero with only me at his side.
{ A vocal "You screwed Nick!" chant breaks out, directed toward the Black Widow. She lowers the microphone, offering a half shrug in response. The chant breaks down into boos over her nonchalant reaction. }The Black Widow: I don't play by your rules, the same way Madjinn no longer will.
{ Brandy hands the microphone over to Sabin, and he sniffles whilst pacing back and forth. A sly smirk creep across his face before finally speaking. }Madjinn: Yāknow, Iāve been doing thisā¦officiallyā¦for just over three years, and in those three years, I have accomplished
a lot. I earned my spot in
Heir to the Throne every year since I first stepped between those ropes! I have been a force to be reckoned with in the Roulette every single time I stepped into itā
{ He stops on his heel, raising a finger in protest, and turns toward the camera ever so slightly. }Madjinn: I
chose not to participate in the
Roulette this year. There is a difference.
{ He nods, continues his stride, and resumes his original speech without missing a beat. }Madjinn: I have fought the absolute best that this industry has ever seen! I have main evented
Night of the Immortals! I am able to truly call myself the
YOUNGEST world championā¦
OF ALL TIME. The youngest
OF ALL TIME to be inducted into the
HALL OF FAME! I joined forces with Father, and I was part of the most dominant team in the history of this company. Jealous, Dean?
{ He says with a subtle wink directed to his stepbrother, Dean Harper, and maintains his smirk. }Madjinn: Iā went on to become the
IWF World Television Champion all because Nick Danger got in over his head, and thought that heā a little
chihuahuaā could fight against
WOLVES. I have become the greatest
IWF World Television Champion since this championship was introduced!
{ The outlandish statement causes the crowd to jeer at The Mad Prince who just chuckles in response. }Madjinn: Whew! You donāt like that, do you? You donāt understand, becauseā
{ He takes his place at the ropes, and holds the title toward the camera. }Madjinn: āpeople
HIDE from me! People
donāt want to be in the ring with me! And I have told all of you too many times that the reason they donāt want to be in the ring with me is becauseā¦
THEREāS NO HOPE!
{ He scrunches his face before pushing himself from the ropes, and returning the title to his shoulder. }Madjinn: Thereās no
hope for them to defeat me, and so how do they answer?
They donāt bother! Everybody before me? People had a chance! People had
hope, but when they saw me, they just turned the other wayā¦ Itās not my fault that people were too afraid to get into the ring with the greatest of all time! Itās not my fault that none of them could cut it!
{ Stopping in his tracks, Madjinn traces his tongue across his lips, and teeth before letting out another short chuckle. He sucks in air heavily through his teeth before exhaling just as hard, recalling much of his past since he first stepped foot into the ring. }Madjinn: In my short career, I have taken part in some of the most
BRUTAL matches that this industry has ever fathomed! Matches that wouldā takeā yearsā off of a mediocre career, off of a paper champion, off of someone who could never really cut it, but you just have to love him because of the heart that he has, right?! He has heart. Someone who would rather sit behind the desk now, with a silly little whiteboard, and think people are going to give a damn about his opinion when he can only be entered into the Hall of Fame based on pity.
{ He clicks his tongue. }Madjinn: I have been in the ring in what was said to be the most
violent match in the history of the IWF against my fatherā against Angel Blakeā the man who ruled this place with an ironfist, but a man who couldnāt stand to fall into my shadow! Yāsee, it was just a matter of time before I would finallyā¦ outshineā¦ everything that he did in his career, and I would take my rightful place at the top of the mountain! Butā he couldnāt live in my shadow.
{ Finally he stomps his foot down, and holds a powerful stance in the ring; he pounds his arm against his chest while speaking. }Madjinn: I am the
SINGLE!
GREATEST!
WRESTLER! To
EVER step into this ring, and I have
EARNED EVERYTHING that I have ever accomplished! And the
only thing that I finally realized was holding me backā it clickedā the
people that were holding me back were holding me back because they wanted me to give
Big Brother Dean his time in the sun! Well, youāve had your time. And now that you knowā I am going to be taking my shot, I know itās only a matter of time before youā¦
CRUMBLE.
{ Returning to the ropes and folding his arms across the top rope, while leaning slightly over it, he keeps his speech rolling without missing a beat. }Madjinn: Hell,
hĆŗnxĢ±w, Iām surprised you havenāt crumbled already. You put on a strong face, and you put your best foot forward, but every step you take takes that much more out of you! And nowā¦ Where is Father to hold me back? What about TlĆ”a? Is she going to protect you from me?
{ Some motion from outside of the ring seems to catch Sabinās eyeā¦a cold glare, and he points an accusatory finger at the producer. }Iyo Kenshin: W-w-what happened?
{ Iyo stutters a little bit while trying to make sense of the confusion. }Madjinn: You donāt tell me when itās time to wrap things up! I am going to come into this ring whenever I want, and take however long I want! There is not
ONE PERSON in the back that is going to tell me different, so you can stop tapping your watch, and you can sit the fuck down and listen to what I have to say!
{ The camera takes a glimpse at the producer who backs up against the barricade, and nods his head to acknowledge that he understands what Madjinn is saying. } Madjinn: In factā¦ All of you are probably asking yourselves: why am I dressed to compete? And let me go ahead and answer that for you: itās because I am
HERE TO COMPETE! I have had people hiding from me long enough, and this
Gladiatorās Division promised to
GIVE ME COMPETITION! And that is what I want!
I AM HERE!
TO FIGHT! Soā anyoneā in the
Gladiatorās Division that wants the distinct honor of doing what Nick Danger couldnāt, itās time for you to make a name for yourself!
AND GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE! And don't make me come back there to drag one of you out!
Iyo Kenshin: Wait what? He canāt do that!
Rayne: He has, and he will! Weāre going to have two title fights tonight!
{ Colt Collins comes running down the ramp to a mild cheer from the crowd, as they are being given a treat with a bonus matchā¦ a match for the IWF World Television Championship. }Iyo Kenshin: It seems we have a match, but whoās going to answer the challenge?
{Gon Blow begins to play as the lights in the arena dim. A black and white image of Jack appears on the Imperatron as Jack slowly steps out onto the ramp, adjusting the long black coat he is wearing over his ring gear and cracking his neck. He slowly turns his head as he gazes around the arena before setting his eyes on the ring, slowly walking down the ramp and stepping easily through the ropes. He flexes his shoulders as he turns in a slow circle before settling into his corner, tilting his head Michael Meyers style as he stares down the referee. Brandy departs from the ring, and Madjinn hands the tag team title out to the timekeeper, and the belt that is now officially on the line to Colt Collins. In turn, Colt hoists the championship overhead before handing it out to the timekeeper as well. }Rayne: Jack Ferriman has the chance of a lifetime! Even in a loss, all he has to do is put up a good fight, and he could very well put his name on the map!
Iyo Kenshin: Itās one-on-one, butā Brandy is still here. Andā what is that?!
{ The bell has sounds in the background, but the audience and challenger against Madjinn are captivated by Brandy āThe Black Widowā Cvetkova who remains on the ring apron, with a grin on her face while black liquid drips off of her lips. She flashes a smile at Jack Ferriman, as who looks like he had just seen a ghost ā he turns, andā¦ }Rayne: OTA!
Iyo Kenshin: ODE!
TO!
APHRODITE! A move that has become deadly in his arsenal as homage to Atara Raven, his godmother!
Colt Collins: OH,
BABY!
{ The knee hits the mark, and Jack Ferriman falls flat on his back. The look on his face is apparent that all heās seeing are stars, and Madjinn covers Ferriman arrogantly. }ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
{ The bell sounds signaling the ending of the match, and Madjinn crawls near the corner of the ring where the nearby camera is. Alison Valance makes her announcement while her voice overlaps with Madjinn speaking into the camera. }Alison Valance: Your winner! AND STILL! IWF WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION! MAAAAADDDDDJIIIINNNNNNNNNNN!
Madjinn: Nobodyās holding me back anymore! NOTHING! Is holding me back anymore! Watch your back, brother. Iām coming for whatās mine! Daddy canāt save you anymore!
Iyo Kenshin: Madjinn is making his intentions clear!
{ Madjinn springs to his feet, and Brandy, with both titles around her waist, climbs back onto the ring apron with the black liquid still dribbling out. She looks pleased with the quick performance that Madjinn gave, and right there on the ring apron, the two share a fiery kiss with the liquid dripping from both their lips and chins. When the two break, Madjinn drops down to the mat to roll underneath the bottom rope and out of the ringā¦ While his music plays, a nearby camera follows and he continues talking to the camera and anyone near enough to hear him. }Madjinn: Daddy canāt save you, and you canāt stop me! Youāll be FORGOTTEN!
{ While talking he gives a hand gesture suggesting the end of his brother. The camera fades to commercial. }-------------------------------
TAG TEAM MATCH
3000 Word Limit (Either 3000 Combined or 1500 Each)Natasha Walker & Rini Ishikawa vs. Dixie Winston & Jolene Winston
-------------------------------
Alison Valance: The following tag match is scheduled for one fall!
Iyo Kenshin: A tag match! I love watching tag matches.
Rayne: youāre a basic bitch, you know that?
{"Riot" starts to roll the Distinctive drums into the arena as the lights dim, before stepping out the back in her outfit comes Natasha on time with the Scream in the track the thin "webbing" on her outfit lit up by UV as she bops to the beat and moves down the Ramp, taking a moment to hop to sit on the top rope Facing the crowd in a corner before draping backwards slowly to hang herself back and the use her extraordinary flexibility to pitch back onto her feet with a smile.}
{The lights dim in the area, and the Imperialtron slowly lights to show a dancing figurine turning slowly in a music box to the soft chimes of a simple melody and the sound of bells tolling in rhythm with the music. After ten seconds, the music suddenly picks up, full of synth. Rini virtually bounces into view, her overcoat swirling around her as she almost runs from one side of the stage to the other, waving with unbridled enthusiasm. Rini keeps beaming smiles and waving all the way down the ramp. She wipes her feet quickly on the outside and climbs between the ropes. Once inside the ring, she strikes a dramatic pose, her left hand on her hip and her right hand forming a sideways V next to her eye, still grinning. She holds the pose for a few beats and then goes to her corner.}Alison Valance: Out first Natasha Walker & Rini Ishikawa.
Iyo Kenshin: These two are already close friends. I assume they will be working hard to get the win here.
Rayne: Friendship doesnāt always translate to wins.
{The opening riff of "Hell on Heels" - Pistol Annies starts and as the guitar kicks in with the baseline stomp Dixie Winston emerges from the back, she stands on the entranceway and lifts on hand in the air throwing up the horns before making her way down to the ring. She runs up and slides across the apron on one knee lifting her hand on the air before sliding between the apron and the bottom rope.}
{Jolene Winston comes out as "Girl in a Country Song" by Maddie & Tae begins to play. The crowd gives her a happy reaction as she walks to the ring. As she walks to the ring, she talks into the camera smiling before shoving it to the side playfully. The camera then looks down to the ring, as she sprints the rest of the way to the ring, sliding underneath the bottom ropes. She pops up inside of the ring and goes into a corner.}Alison Valance: Dixie and Jolene Winston are next to the match.
Iyo Kenshin: They havenāt had much luck but maybe tonight they turn it around?
Rayne: And maybe pigs will fly.
{The match starts with Dixie and Natasha in the ring. Boh women are doing their all in this match. Dixie keeps hitting moves but Natasha keeps getting back up. Natasha tries to pin Dixie bu Jolene pulls her off. After a couple rounds of beating Dixie down Rini tags in and Jolene replaces her sister. The two fresher women go around a little bit but rini hits Kaguyaās Tears!}
Iyo Kenshin: This is it!
{Rini pins Jolene
1
2
3!!}Alison Valance: Winners are Natasha Walker & Rini Ishikawa!
Iyo Kenshin: Woo! Way to go Natasha and Rini!
Rayne: Simp.
{Rini and Natasha celebrate in the ring.}
-------------------------------
SEGMENT2000 Word LimitParticipants: Roberto Verona, Jessica Reed, El Grande Malo and Bob Pooler
The Trial of Bob Pooler.
-------------------------------
{ We return from a brief commercial break to arrive backstage in the office of Roberto Verona who sits in his customary marble throne surrounded by members of his Legion. A few moments pass before the figure of Bob Pooler nervously walks into view. }Bob Pooler: You asked to see me?
{ Verona looks at Bob. }Roberto Verona: I thought Iād give you an opportunity to explain yourself, Bob.
Bob Pooler: Well, I, ermā¦
Roberto Verona: I suggest you make use of this chance.
Bob Pooler: I know not everything quite went to plan, but you have to understand I was only trying to help and make sure that I-
Roberto Verona: What was the one thing I asked you to do, Bob?
Bob Pooler: Yes, but I wasā¦
{ Verona stares at Bob, his eyes narrowing. Pooler bows his head and nods. }Bob Pooler: Keep Jess safe.
Roberto Verona: Thatās Jessica to you.
Bob Pooler: I tried my best, Roberto, I did everything I could ā
Roberto Verona: To try and steal her a win, yes. But, I didnāt ask you to make sure she won, did I?
Bob Pooler: I mean, I guess I just assumed thatā¦
Roberto Verona: You assumed incorrectly. I asked you to keep her safe, do you believe you achieved that?
Bob Pooler: Iā¦ yes, I mean, noā¦ Iā¦ it was a wrestling match and Iā¦ please I really did try my best, I couldnāt have predicted she would refuse my help. Weāve been working really well together down at the Performance Centre andā¦
{ Verona sighs and shakes his head. }Roberto Verona: You know, Bob, I really didnāt want to do this, I want you to know thatā¦
{ Verona stands up from his throne as members of Legion begin to crowd around Pooler, completely blocking any possible escape he may have attempted. Bob looks about frantically as he closes his eyes in anticipation. }Roberto Verona: Youāre forgiven.
{ Bob slowly opens one eye, a little confused. }Bob Pooler: Iām sorry, Iā¦ wha-
Roberto Verona: Contrary to my own instincts, you have earned the mercy of somebody much more patient than I am.
{ Bob turns to see Jessica Reed stood behind him, smiling as she waves. }Jessica Reed: There you are, Bob. What are you two boys discussing?
Bob Pooler: Oh, erm, you knowā¦ this and thatā¦ wait, what is Malo doing here?
Jessica Reed: Me and Malo had a little chat about this whole Jennie business and ā wait, why is that guy holding a crowbar?
{ Suddenly one of the members of Legion slips their arm around their back as Jess shakes her head and continues. }Jessica Reed: Anyway, after everything that happened it got me thinking andā¦ look itās too hard to explain without my diagrams and pictures.
Bob Pooler: Iām sorry, I donāt understandā¦ and wait, hey, why were you holding a crowbar?
Jessica Reed: We donāt have time for that, come with me Bobbo!
{ Jess hooks her arm around Bobās as she leads him happily out of the room. Bob looks back at Verona who looks straight at him. }Roberto Verona: Donāt fail me again, Bob.
{ Pooler gulps as he is led to his safety by Jess and Verona sits back down in his throne, his hands clasped together as he turns to look at the monitor again as he monitors the remainder of the show. }-------------------------------
SINGLES MATCH1500 Word LimitDark Tiger vs. Adel Travent
-------------------------------
{ With Adel Travant already in the ring, the lights go out and Gabriella and Dark Tiger comes to the spotlight. Gabriella hugs on him and the they head down the aisle. }Alison Valance: Ladies and gentlemen being accompanied to the ring by his wife Gabriella Tigress. From Richmond Va. He stands seven feet one inch and weighs in at two hundred ninety two pounds. He is the legendary Beast of Darkness Dark Tiger!!!!!!
{ He lowers the tire for Gabriella and they come to the middle of the ring and he makes a pose and purple pyro comes from the turnbuckles. }Iyo Kenshin: It's been a while, but Dark Tiger is back and ready for one-on-one action!
Rayne: 2024 ought to be the start of a good reset for him. Let's hope he delivers on that one...
[DING!]
{ Tommy Knocker, despite his controversial performance in his last match, has been given the zebra duties on this one. In a match that lasted just under ten minutes, Dark Tiger looked pretty darn good. It didn't start that way early on though, as Adel Travant exposed some of the Tiger's IWF rust with a trio of vertical suplexes that scored him a two-count. Unfortunately for Adel, he was too flummoxed by the sight of Gabriella Tigress at ringside to even pay attention to his opponent, who ended up getting the jump on him and never looked back! }Rayne: This is why you should always, as JJ so eloquently points out, keep your head on a swivel!
Iyo Kenshin: To be objective, I think a lot of people have made that same point...but even still, Dark Tiger is not wasting any more time!
{ Yup, Iyo's right. Tiger catches Travant with a wild haymaker that sends the IWF Gladiator flying head over heels and onto the mat! To his credit, Travant tries to fight back with some lefts and rights, but Tiger yanks him by the hair and lifts him up high! Adel is going nowhere as he's caught in Dark Tiger's patented triangle choke combination dubbed PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS! }Rayne: Wow...I love this maneuver!
Iyo Kenshin: It's a little painful to watch, I must say...
{ Adel Travant has little choice but to wave his arms in the air and submit, prompting Tommy Knocker to call for the bell! }[DING-DING-DING!!!]
Alison Valance: Here is your winner -- by submission at 8:45 -- DAAAARK!! TIIIIIGEEEERRRR!!!!!!
{ Metallica's "Darkness Had A Son" continues playing as Dark Tiger celebrates his victory. He and Gabriella share a warm hug inside the ring as they take in the moment together. }Iyo Kenshin: What an impressive return for Dark Tiger!
Rayne: I can see the potential in him... this was a dominant performance.
-------------------------------
SEGMENTParticipants: Jason Hathaway
J-TV: A Happy (?) Reunion-------------------------------
{ We cut backstage to some commotion in one of the locker room areas, cameras rushing to the source of a shouting match between Jason Hathaway and Robbie the Camera Guy. Hathaway's bag has been thrown, and his ring gear is strewn across the floor. Robbie's camera is on the floor, on its side. }Jason Hathaway: It's been
weeks since we've gotten out a proper episode, Robbie! I'm counting on you to be present, and to do your goddamned job. So when I'm looking all over the arena and can't find you, it's hurting me, hurting my career, and it's hurting your paycheck, you got that?
{ Robbie raises his hands and begins to object, the phone in his hand showing a contact number that's impossible to make out from this angle. Jason cuts him off. }Jason Hathaway: I know you've got a thing for Holmes, man. You won't shut up about her, you've snuck lines into my promos about it, for Christ's sake. I need you to get over it, okay? She doesn't even know you exist, and honestly, I don't think you'd be any better off if she did.
{ Robbie reels back and shoves Jason, who stumbles back a few steps in shock. }Robbie: Piss off, man! What, I'm not allowed to have my own life beyond being your flunky?
Jason Hathaway: I didn't say that, I said--
Robbie: That you don't want me pursuing my own interests when I should have a camera pointed at you at all hours of the day! Look dude, I'm real happy for you that this IWF thing has been working out so far, but it's fucking
changing you. We came into this as a team, wanting to do something different than anybody else on this roster. One month in and you're already getting your head up your own ass. Half, the time I can't tell if I'm talking to Jason or if I'm talking to J-TV, and you
promised me you wouldn't do that, Jay.
{ Jason surges forward, retaliating with his own shove that sends Robbie back into the closed metal lockers, creating a loud echoing crash that fills the room. He winces and a silent swear rips from his lips, but shakes it off and glares at Hathaway. }Jason Hathaway: You don't get it! You don't understand the pressure I'm under, here! I'm three-and-oh in the ring, J-TV episodes are doing numbers, and now I have to
grind it out. I am
not going to be one of these Johnny-Come-Lately flakes that can't stick around more than a couple weeks. I have to produce, or they're going to forget about me!
{ There's an awkward silence in the air as the uncomfortable reality of Jason's insecurity hangs in the air. This wasn't the first time Robbie and Jason had come to this impasse, that their plans had been derailed because Jason felt a need to do more than he was humanly capable of. Nobody understood where that came from more than Robbie; They'd been best friends since childhood.
Robbie steps forward, leans down to pick up his camera, and tucks it under his arm. Not once does he break eye contact with Hathaway. }Robbie: Jason... Jay. Listen to me. I know you're hungry, you ain't gotta prove anything to me. I know TJ and Malo being in the ring tonight when you aren't is pissing you off, and you're itching for a fight. You need to stop taking it out on me, alright? I'm not on the damned Roster here. I'm on your side. We'll get to the top, but you need to keep
J-TV in check, because he's an asshole to work with, and I prefer Jay.
{ Jason holds his hands on his hips and tilts his head down to look at the floor, seeming to soak in Robbie's words. He was right; watching High Stakes from the crowd had riled him up more than he'd expected, and he'd spent every moment wishing he was in the ring instead. Jason eventually nods, looking back up to Robbie. }Jason Hathaway: You're right. I'm getting all worked up over nothing, it's just... you know. I
need this. Those eyes on me, the way the crowd surges when that music hits, the way they say my name after a win... I'm hooked on it. It's been too long and I'm jonesing.
{ Jason extends his hand. Robbie takes it without hesitation and pulls Hathaway into a quick hug. }Robbie: I got you, Jay. How about we take a detour to the PC tomorrow and let you stretch out some rooks, get the stress out? We can shoot an Extra down there, get Management's attention.
{ Jason nods, finally flashing a smile as he clasps a hand on the back of Robbie's head. }Jason Hathaway: That sounds like a plan, but I'm not kidding when I say if I catch you watching Serenity's matches during the shoot I'm Famebreaking you.
-------------------------------
SEGMENTParticipants: RAM
Alone-------------------------------
RAM: Nothingness...
{ We find RAM sitting backstage, inside of a black box-like area. Alone, left with nothing but his thoughts. As he speaks to the camera, his unmistakably terse. Upon closer inspection, at least for the moment, we see that he's wearing a cosply mask of Cloud Strife -- but even that can't hide the hatred he has allowed to fester inside his soul. }RAM Pure, unbridled silence...
{ Pause. }RAM: When IWF was formed, there wasn't nothin' like it that ever came before it. For ten years -- ten fuckin' years -- this promotion has rested all of its marbles on differin' things: competition, egos, hopes and dreams.
{ RAM takes a deep breath as he takes in the solitary scene around him. }RAM: Names like Dean Harper or Warren Harper or Nick Knight. Stables...like the Age of Gods, the Pack, or Being Infamous...all were spawned from the IWF creation. All were commissioned for one purpose and one purpose alone...
{ His breathing grows heavier with each beat and pause. }RAM: ...to make a young, punk KID LIKE ME...A GODDAMN SERVANT!!
{ He clenched his fists and pounded them both on a small coffee table he had set up. }RAM: Didn't ya know...the plebians and slaves of Rome were often kicked around like yesterday's trash, even though all they ever wanted to do was stay on the straight and narrow?! No matter how hard they tried...their masters always got what they wanted out of 'em before discardin' 'em like they were nothin'!
{ Another pause. RAM bowed his head as his mind drifted back to earlier parts of his short career. }RAM: I was brought into this business to serve the likes of a Dean Harper or Nick Knight or Pax Stormcrow or Roberto Verona...OR ANYONE ELSE!!! All I ever wanted to do was keep on the right path, to avoid livin' a life of crime! All I EVER wanted to do was do YOU ALL a massive favour and break on this company's biggest legends FOR GOOD!! But instead...INSTEAD of gettin' the recognition I deserved...!?!
{ Through the cosplay mask, one can feel the tension as RAM gritted his teeth. }RAM: ...you stuck your widdle heads in the sand and pretended I didn't exist! You all turned ME in the very weapon ya never thought you'd see unleashed upon this shithole of a company. You turned ME into the very computer virus that y'all thought would be wiped away for good...
{ As each second passed, RAM's tone grew increasingly angrier as he stood up from the folding chair he had been sitting on. }RAM: And I'M the bad guy, the piece of shit, the punk kid of this storyline?! I didn't wanna let myself go to Fiona's l'il indy promotion! I didn't wanna spend hours and hours ridin' on a Greyhound bus just to go from one shitty town to another! I...I didn't wanna put myself in isolation, but I did so anyway...!
{ RAM reached behind the mask and ripped it off, revealing his true visage. }RAM: ...you have nothin' and no one to blame but yourselves...
{ He pointed to his pale complexion and his demonic-yellowish eyes. He was no longer clean-shaven, as evidenced by the scruffier look he sported. He also bore two distinctive scars on his cheeks, stemming from several hardcore matches he took part in during his rehab stint on the Texas indy circuit. }RAM: You...did this. You AL...DID!!...THIS!!!
{ RAM smashed the table with his bare left hand, glass shattering in all directions. }RAM: For those who doubt what I'm capable of doin', just ask the guy who once trained me...I BROKE James Gilmore! I took his entire life and burned it to the ground, but he is just the beginnin'! I dare you -- no, I DEMAND -- someone to try and shut me up! 'Cuz I'll just simply tell ya to look in the mirror and tell me what you see!
{ RAM cackles with glee, a sinister smirk permeating on his mug as he paces around the room. }RAM: Then again, none of it matters 'cuz we're all destined to die someday. No matter how many times you get up off the mat, no matter how many new Champions are created, time...is a predator that's STALKING you! And time is gonna hunt you down...and make the kill...and the best part of it?! It's meaningless to resist -- for ALL things will be burned to ashes! 'Cuz to me, this will mean more than anything I'll ever add to a trophy case...
{ RAM points to the bloody knuckles on his hands that were a result of pounding the glass table. }RAM: ...ya know I'm gonna hurt you very badly. And I'm gonna keep on hurin' tyou, no matter who you are...
{ He cackled once more as he pulled out some IWF licensed trading cards, featuring the likeness of many of its superstars -- male or female. }RAM: Competition...hopes...dreams...egos...ambitions...what do that mean?! And where do they go?! Those SICKENING things are meaningless to me, NOTHIN' TO ME!!! Yet like a computer virus, like the one YOU created, I will wipe 'em all out of existence. No matter if you're male or female or whatever...
{ His smile widens a little further, showing that he's lost two front teeth during the course of his minor league stint. }RAM: I will snuff you all back into pure, unbridled silence...
{ A final pause, RAM's voice becomes a dark, twisted whisper of its former self. }RAM: ...back into nothingness...
-------------------------------
SINGLES MATCH1500 Word LimitCyrus Daniels vs. Yusumi Mitsu-------------------------------
Alison Valance: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following intergender contest is scheduled for one fallā¦
Iyo Kenshin: Well, here we go with the biggest physical mismatch not only in the history of this show, but also the entire companyā¦
Rayne: Odyssey didnāt even exist the last time Cyrus Daniels was a force around here, and also strict non intergender match policies were also mandated across IWF, so this is not only a different Cyrus Daniels but he is also making his Odyssey debut here tonight in a very different and less restrained IWFā¦
Iyo Kenshin: Indeed. Whilst Daniels didnāt win the 2024 Roulette, both he and fellow foreign powerhouse, Tytus Rost had one hell of a showing. They jointly hold the record for most men eliminated this year, and Cyrus was so close to winning the whole thing outright. Iām not sure exactly what Roberto Veronaās logic was in ordering this match here tonight, but I canāt help but feel a little sorry for young Yusumi Mitsu here tonight.
{When Rondo- Revolution by Shoko Nakagawa hits Yusumi Mitsu comes skipping down the ramp, blowing kisses and poses on the ropes}
Alison Valance: Introducing first, standing at 5ā5 and weighing 105 poundsā¦from Osaka, Japanā¦YUSUMI MITSU!
Rayne: We havenāt seen Yusumi Mitsu compete in an intergender match on Odyssey since last July, and I thought she was in over her head even then against Frank Black who beat her in less than eight minutes, but Cyrus Daniels is a whole different beast.
Iyo Kenshin: Well, all I can say is Iām glad that Roberto Verona looks after his talent as well as he does. Iāve got a terrible feeling about this.
{"Man In The Box" by Like A Storm hits. Cyrus Daniels walks to the ring with a purpose and a length of chain draped around his neck. Cyrus looks out at the sea of free people around the arena with a noticeable look of disdain.}
Alison Valance: Introducing her opponent, standing at 6ā11, weighing 327 lbs, hailing from Queensland, Australia, CYRUS DANIELS!
{Cyrus Daniels uses the ropes to pull himself onto the apron and step over the ropes and into the ring. Cyrus walks to the centre of the ring, looking at the crowd but he seems disinterested in engaging with them on any level, he just wants the match to start as he removes the chain and hands it off to a stagehand.}
Rayne: Just look at the size differential here, Cyrus Daniels is a clear foot and a half taller and over 220 pounds heavierā¦
Iyo Kenshin: Iāll reiterate again, I have no idea what compelled Roberto Verona to sign off on this match, but for my money he really shouldnāt haveā¦
{After the initial face to face which only really served to highlight the incredible physical mismatch between Cyrus and Yusumi, the bell is called for and Cyrus strikes her in the side of the head with a stiff right hand.
Yusumi goes down immediately, physically crumbling to the canvas. Cyrus goes to follow up but the referee mercifully steps in to keep him at bay. He then calls the match off as Cyrus just laughs and spits on the mat, his job done for the night. His unfortunate opponent is unconscious, proving no match for him as a man or as a proficient striker, with both Boxing and MMA fight experience.}Alison Valance: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner by knockoutā¦CYRUS DANIELS!
{The London crowd rain down boos as Cyrusā hand is raised.}Iyo Kenshin: Well, all things considered, thatās a mercy killing in my book. What was that, five seconds?
Rayne: We are just getting confirmation, it was four. The fastest knockout in UFC is five seconds and the fastest knockout in boxing is ten seconds, but Cyrus has cleared both of those in wrestling here tonightā¦
-------------------------------
SEGMENT1500 Word LimitParticipants: Dean Harper and Mystery Opponent
Dean Harper addresses the result of the Roulette and demands another opportunity to defend his IWF Men's World Championship with an Open Challenge for next weeks Sacrifice.-------------------------------
{The crowd grows silent as the lights go out as the beginning of Freak Flag gets louder the stage area starts to fill with smoke. Suddenly, and abruptly as the drums and guitars kick in a pyro explodes around the stage.}āWe're taught to be like them
Taught to know our place
We kept the pace but we're done pretending
We'll fall blindly through the fairy tale endings"
Rayne: Looks like our World Champion has some words heād like to share with the IWF Universe.
Iyo Kenshin: The manās earned his time, and without a title defense tonight it only makes sense that the face of the company would make an appearance.
{Dean Harper stalks down to the ring, eyes set forward and his expression grim and irritated as he slides below the bottom rope. Heās in his ring gear, mic in hand. He looks around at the crowd as the cheering dies down before turning to speak.}Dean Harper: Well. Here we are. Another year, another Rouletteā¦ and it looks like for the goddamn millionth time, I get to fight Warren, only this time at Night of the Immortals. Oh God, here I go, Warren, just another
fucking match with Warren. Hey, hey, hey, fuck my life.
{Dean lets out an exasperated sigh.}Dean Harper: I am so goddamn tired of beating that man. Honestly, is there anything that can be said at this point that hasnāt been already? Are you people really interested in this? Our last match was hyped up as the end of thisā¦ charade. But no, once again, Warren needs to steal the spotlight and once again insist on drawing this out so much longer than it needs to without a care as to whether I or anyone else is satisfied.
{Dean soaks up the crowdās mixed reaction for a few seconds before he continues.}Dean Harper: So Iām bored. I want something new. Something exciting. And since Kasterās too much of a little bitch to cash in his shot, I thought Iād come out here and lay out a challenge.
{He takes off his belt and holds it above his head.}Dean Harper: If thereās ANYONE back there bold enough to come and try to take this from me? Bring it on. Next week. Sacrifice. Main Event - World Championship Title Match. Get your ass out here and ENTERTAIN ME!
Iyo Kenshin: No way!
Rayne: Are you kidding me??! An open challenge on Sacrifice?! This could change Night of the Immortals!!
Iyo Kenshin: I knew Dean Harper was bold, but this is taking it to a whole new level!
{Dean stares out at the crowd for a few long seconds as the audience goes nutsā¦ untilā¦
The opening riff of "Hail to the King" plays, met with swiftly moving and flashing white spotlights flashing through the arena, and as the drums kick in ETHAN KING slowly steps out to the stage. He takes a few steps forward, wearing an expensive looking black suit, looking to either side as he cracks his neck with a smug grin.}Rayne: Oh my God!
Iyo Kenshin: Ethan King! Recently returned at the Roulette after years off the radar, Ethan King is back at Odyssey!
Rayne: The man who single-handedly destroyed the late Spike Kaneās wrestling promotion, Combat Wrestling, Ethan King hasnāt been seen in the ring since he beat Nick Danger back in January of 2022!
{Ethan looks dead ahead at the Dean, as the overture ends, the lights come up in full as he spreads his arms wide and soaks in the reaction from the crowd. When the lyrics begin he finally lowers his arms and begins his walk down the ramp. When he reaches the ring he removes his suit - revealing his ring attire underneath - pulls himself up onto the apron, and finally steps into the ring when the chorus roars through the arena. He stands in the center of the ring, a single fist raised in the air as he grins, his face barely inches from Deanās own, pumping his fists three times in time with the words āHAIL! HAIL! HAIL!ā before the music fades as Ethan chuckles softly, staring unblinkingly into Deanās eyes, his smile never wavering.}Ethan King: Are you not entertained, Harper?
{Deanās face twists with disgusted loathing.}Dean Harper: What the hell are you doing out here, Ethan?
{Ethan laughs once again, spreading his arms wide and invitingly. He begins to slowly, mockingly sing.}Ethan King: And I forget, just why I taste,
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile.
I found it hard, it's hard to find,
Oh well, whatever, never mindā¦
{As they recognize the song, the crowd slowly begins to sing with him.}Ethan King: Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, helloā¦
{Ethan lets out a raucous peal of laughter, gesturing to pump up the crowd as he screams the following lyrics into Deanās face, the whole crowd singing with him at the top of their lungs.}Ethan King: With the lights out, it's less dangerous!
Here we are now, entertain us!
I feel stupid, and contagious,
Here we are now, entertain us!
Iyo Kenshin: The man always knew how to make an entrance.
Rayne: God help us all, Iyo, the King has returned!
{Ethan leans in close grinning wide and smug into Deanās face.}Ethan King: I. Accept.
{The crowd roars with cheers. Dean just smirks}Dean Harper: Really? Two years out of the ring and you think you can just walk in and take my belt? You that desperate for a shot at me?
{Ethan smirks and shakes his head.}Ethan King: Kiddo. As much as youād love to think it? This isnāt about you. Youāre justā¦ in my way. See, you and I have something in common. An old bond that you were always far too beneath me for me to consider capitalizing on - our mutual hatred of Spike Kane. You killed him before I could take everything he had from himā¦ but Iām happy to let bygones be bygones. After all! He has a son.
{Dean scoffs.}Dean Harper: The fuck?
{Ethan winks at him.}Ethan King: Iām not here out of a desire to take anything from you, Baby Blake. Iām here to make sure Warren Kane never gets the satisfaction of taking that belt off of you. So Iām going to instead. Then Iām going to fight your little sloppyā¦ eighths? Ninths? Honestly you fuck around so much even I canāt keep track. Point is, Iām going to break Warren Kane at Night of the Immortalsā¦
{He leans close.}Ethan King: And unlike you, I wonāt leave enough behind for him to even THINK about coming back for round two.
{Dean snarls with barely contained rage.}Dean Harper: You always were a crazy son of a bitch.
{Ethan shrugs.}Ethan King: Least I can keep
my wife alive.
{Dean doesnāt hold back, immediately throwing himself at Ethan in a flurry of absolute rage. He lands a few blows before Ethan slips on a set of platinum-plated brass knuckles and drives his fist into Deanās jaw with the BRAZEN EQUALIZER!} Iyo Kenshin: HOLY SHIT!
Rayne: Heās down! The World Champion is out cold!
{Ethan looks down at the prone Dean Harper, slipping the knuckles back into his pocket before planting his foot on Deanās chest. He bends down, his grin having not faltered in the slightest.}Ethan King: Iām going to make you wish that Iād stayed gone, Dean. This is
my kingdom. Itās time you were all reminded of your place.
-------------------------------
SEGMENTNick Knight's Response to Roulette
-------------------------------
{Ecstasy Of Gold starts to play over the sound system as Nick Knight steps onto the entrance ramp. The wide-brimmed hat, trench coat, and plague doctorās mask of āThe Savior of Professional Wrestlingā have been stripped away leaving only the plain black leather pants and snakeskin boots of āThe Slayer of Gods.ā}Alison Valance: Now making his way to the ring from Hollywood, California he is the reigning IWF Invictus Champion Nick Knight!!!
{Knight slowly makes his way towards the ring dragging the Invictus Championship belt across the arena floor. Once he reaches ringside, he gives the ten pounds of gold a wild toss into the ring before rolling in behind it. The camera zooms in on the belt as Nick picks it up showing off the dents, dings, and scratches that cover the gold plates.}Iyo Kenshin: Thereās a good look at the Invictus Championship belt and the scars that cover it from Nick Kngihtās total disregard for the championship.
Rayne: Given the way that Roberto Verona has been treating Knight Iām not surprised that heās abused the belt like that.
Iyo Kenshin: You might want to watch what you say Rayne because you never know when a member of The Legion could be listening.
{Nick takes a microphone from the ringside attendant and makes sure that it is turned on before beginning to speak.}Nick Knight: Do you smell that?
{Knight sniffs the air.}Nick Knight: That is the stench of Roberto Veronaās fear because he has finally figured out that I have the power to burn his entire empire to the ground. Right now is the very first time in the existence of IWF that he is truly feeling vulnerable and he knows that he has to do everything possible to get rid of me. Why else would he feel the need to send an entire fucking army to eliminate me from the Roulette?
I get it, heās not stupid enough to chance me taking the World Championship to another company when my contract expires, and he obviously doesnāt have enough faith in Dean Harperās ability to beat me. So, he stacked the deck against me just to be sure that I didnāt even make it into the main event of Night of the Immortals. Hell, Iām not even mad at him for it, but I think he forgets that I still have one Hell of a bargaining chip.
{Nick holds the Invictus Championship high into the air.}Nick Knight: There isnāt a professional wrestling company in the world that wouldnāt give me anything that I want if I walked into their offices carrying this belt because they all know that it would mean the death of IWF, which would leave room at the top for someone else. Trust me, this is the last thing that I want to do because I have so many friends in this company, but ultimately that is going to be completely up to Roberto Verona.
If the CEO continues to use The Legion to wage war on me I will not stop until IWF lays in rubble at his feet. Tonight I might stand in the middle of this ring as a single soldier, but the longer that I fight the more that will join the cause because I can see that others are already chaffing under Veronaās authority. It wonāt be long before it wonāt fucking matter how many The Legion are because he will push too many men and women to their breaking point.
Iām done talking letās get this fight started.
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MAIN EVENT
IWF INVICTUS CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLES MATCH3000 Word Limit-------------------------------
Iyo Kenshin: Nick Knight seems to be doubling down on his feelings towards Roberto Verona by going as far as to say that heās not alone in his distaste of The CEO.
Rayne: I wouldnāt be surprised if heās right but we donāt have time to talk about it because we have a match to call.
{The arena lights fade to black as a fog begins to fill the entrance area. Eerie-pitched music begins to play as crimson light moves through the fog serpent, causing goosebumps on the skin of anyone who views it. Heavy guitar begins to blast from the speakers and bright blood-red light begins to strobe to the beat revealing that there is a creature deep inside of the fog.
Slowly the creature moves forward in an otherworldly way, sometimes moving like a man and sometimes like a serpent. There is an explosion of pyro as the soulless screams of Torture by Deviloof begin and for the first time the fans see the demon-masked face of āThe Lady Painā Itami with the massive frame of Gregor Winter standing behind her with his arms overhead as if The MODifier is calling the wrath of The Demoness down upon their unfortunate opponents.}
Alison Valance: Now making her way to the ring accompanied by Gregor Winter from The MOD Island āLady Painā Itami!!!
{The pair make their way towards the ring as if the fans do not exist. They do not care if they cheer or boo, all that matters is the damage that Itami is about to do to her opponent. Once she reaches ringside she climbs the stairs and steps between the top and middle rope and goes to her corner. Years of competing in combat sports have beaten sportsmanship before the bell, but once it rings there will be no mercy.}Iyo Kenshin: That entrance never fails to give me goosebumps. Itās like the temperature of the arena drops twenty degrees instantly.
Rayne: A good entrance can be psychological warfare and that one is no different, but itās going to take a lot more than that to get into the head of the Invictus Champion.
{Blue Shoes calls for the bell and Nick Knight charges towards the center of the ring looking to lock up, but Itami chooses to keep the bigger wrestler at a distance with a series of stiff kicks to the legs. The kicks seem to have little effect on the Champion and he keeps barreling forward until finally Itami grabs him by the wrist and takes him hard to the canvas with a judo throw. Wasting absolutely zero movement she transitions from the throw to locking on a heel hook in the center of the ring. The pain is immediate on Knightās face and Gregor Winter is smacking his palms on the edge of the canvas telling Itami to end Nickās career and take the Invictus Championship back to The MOD Island.
Nick has other ideas and uses his size advantage to roll to the ropes and force a break, but some damage has been done as he can barely put weight on that foot when he stands back up. Smelling blood in the water āThe Lady Painā again goes on the attack laying in stiff kicks to the good leg of the champion first on the inside of the thigh and then the outside trying to chop the big redwood down.}Iyo Kenshin: This is the most trouble that weāve seen Nick Knight in since he won the Invictus Championship four months ago.
Rayne: The arena is eerily quiet right now Iyo. I donāt think anyone thought that the Invictus Champion could be handled in this way.
{Itami lands two more stiff kicks, but on the third Knight catches it before sending the wide-eyed student of Gregor Winterās flying over the ropes and crashing to the floor with a leg capture suplex. Winter quickly runs over to check on his charge after the awkward landing, but Nick rolls right to the floor and shoves his former stablemate away before pulling Itami to her feet by a handful of her black and red hair before whipping her against the guardrail followed by a lariat that sends her up and over into the crowd.}Iyo Kenshin: The last place that Itami wants to be in a match with Nick Knight is out on the floor.
Rayne: I donāt know about that, Iyo. Itami has a more traditional skill set, but she loves nothing more than inflicting pain. I have a feeling that sheās going to be able to hold her own out there.
{Knight climbs over the guardrail and gets Itami to a vertical base before leveling her with a knife-edge chop that sounds like a gunshot. He loads up for a second but is met with a stiff elbow from āThe Lady Pain.ā The two grapplers begin to fire back and forth with brutal forearm shots as they fight deeper into the O2 Arena.}Iyo Kenshin: I am amazed that Blue Shoes has not thrown this match out.
Rayne: Heās smart enough to know that in a championship match you have to be lenient.
{Nick and āThe Demonessā fight up one set of stairs and are slowly making their way back towards ringside with security doing their best to keep the crowd away from the action. Once they reach ringside they both climb over the guardrail and keep on battling right back into the ring. The chest and neck of both competitors look like raw hamburger and blood is dripping from above the eye of Knight as they just keep on throwing bombs back and forth.
Seeing that Itami is beginning to wane Winter hops up on the apron and draws Blue Shoes away from the action. Knight sees the big Viking out of the corner of his eye and then charges over to knock the big Viking to the floor. Gregor grabs ahold of the Invictus Championsās leg and tries to pull him out of the ring causing Blue Shoes to slide out and eject the leader of The MOD. The plan of the creator of The MOD System is soon revealed when someone climbs out from under the ring and slides a pair of brass knuckles into Itami.}Iyo Kenshin: Who in the world just climbed out from underneath the ring?
Rayne: I have no idea, but I think itās a safe bet that they follow The MOD System.
{Itami picks up the knucks and connects with a vicious spinning back fist that has Nick walking around on Dream Street. She quickly follows up by leveling him with Baku, but the champ is too close to the ropes and just falls to the floor. Out on the entrance ramp, Gregor Winter is screaming for Itami and the newly revealed member of The MOD to get the champion back into the ring, so āThe Lady Painā can make the cover.}Iyo Kenshin: Gregor Winterās plan seems to be falling apart at the seams.
{The two women are lifting āThe Hollywood Butcherā up when Blue Shoes turns and catches them red handed. Having no other option he calls for the bell to end the contest.}Alison Vallance: This match has been ruled a no contest!!!
Iyo Kenshin: I canāt help but think that Nick Knight dodge a bullet tonight and should feel lucky to be leaving London with the Invictus Championship still in his possession.
Rayne: I agree, but the fact that he is still champion is proof of just how hard it is going to be to end the reign of the most successful IWF Invictus Champion in the titles history.
{The credits run and IWF medical runs to the ring to check on the obviously concussed Nick Knight}
Well howdy there pardner.