CONFLICT: WARGAMES - OAKLAND - 05/02/2021

[Robert Daniels]

Battleground Network Presents

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING
CONFLICT: WarGames
SUNDAY - 5/2/2021
OAKLAND ARENA
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING IS LIVE FROM OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA AND WE’RE INSIDE THE OAKLAND ARENA...AND THE HOME OF WARGAMES!

The video screen statics a bit before Bryan Ford's face appears in the screen, he lowers his shades and winks saying "Action".

"DNA" by Kendrick Lamar blares over the speakers as Bryan Ford walks out onto the stage. He makes his way down the ramp walking with a swagger as he reaches the apron. Leaping onto the edge he then somersaults over the top rope rolling into the ring sitting Indian style.

Bryan sits in the middle of the Ring before popping up and climbs the turnbuckle taking a seat at the top. He winces a bit before raising a microphone to his lips as he looks around at the cheering fans.

BRYAN FORD: Welcome to the Bryan Ford Show!

The crowd releases a cheer for Bryan as he twirls his microphone letting the crowd die down a bit.

BRYAN FORD: It goes without saying that my body still hasn't fully recovered since my battle against my good friend Echo Layne and—

Ford is cut off by the crowd chanting "ECHO LAYNE! ECHO LAYNE! ECHO LAYNE!"

BRYAN FORD: No no... I'm in agreement with you all so go ahead let her hear your cheers from wherever she is tuned in because we put on one hell of a match if I I do say so myself.

The crowd let's another cheer out as Bryan simply sits on the turnbuckle and nods in approval.

BRYAN FORD: I said it on Twitter but I'll reiterate...Echo showed me something last show that admittedly I didn't think she was capable of. But she taught me a valuable lesson... I can not afford to take anyone lightly regardless of appearance... past experiences... etcetera.

“She taught me to be a little more humble and it's not a lesson my ribs will be forgetting any time soon.”

“And while I should be here celebrating my victory... while I should be talking myself up as usual... that's not what I'm here to discuss... I'm here to discuss the Future of Bryan Ford here in Mainstream.”

The crowd seem to murmur a bit to themselves as Ford ponders his next thought.

BRYAN FORD: You see Echo reminded me that there is a lot of talent to be discovered here in Mainstream...a lot of up and comers... people who absolutely are hungry for success whether it be competition or titles everyone is here for something.

“I came here to face the best of the best and in doing so I have cemented a sort of legacy for myself...United States Champion in my first month...Two Time World Television Champion...I've had instant classics with the Likes of Billy Danielson, AJ Knight, and Mariano Fernandez... I've strived to put on the best matches against everyone I come against.”

“I am convinced that at this point whether people want to admit it or not... I am asserting the fact that you haven't had a proper Mainstream Wrestling moment until you face Bryan Ford... cocky? Sure if you're a person who lacks confidence as a whole... but be honest. No opponent whether they have won or lost against me can ever say I didn't give my all and provide a challenge.”

“That's my role I feel... I strive to bring the best out of people in this ring. Right when people think they have an answer I change the Question. So what's next for Bryan Ford?”

“the Emerald City Classic. Where the best of the best of the best come together to compete for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. It's time that people saw me as the top tier talent I am!”

“I need competition that is looking to elevate themselves on a real level and I am certain that I will find it in the Emerald City Classic.”

“Mainstream send me your best...your brightest...the people you think are the future of this company and let me show why I'm better... why I'm brighter... and why my name will be on the tongues of those who discuss who a future hall of famer is...”

Bryan climbs down the turnbuckle now standing in the center of the ring staring at the hard camera.

BRYAN FORD: I'm done playing around... I'm done waiting around for Bombay and the corporate ass kissers to determine who I face next. This is a wakeup call to all of you in the back who are done waiting for your opportunity to come. Cartier got her moment and is shining now! But how long did she have to wait for it? Too long.

“Echo Layne got the match of her Mainstream career... and how long did she have to wait to show what she could? Too long.”

“Guys like Cyrus Riddle are finally making waves and showing what he can do. I say our days of waiting are over with. So this is a public announcement to the other Emerald City Classic...if you want to really test yourself...if you really want to get that recognition...you better bring your “A-Game”. Because you’re looking at the Gold Standard and sure bet to not only win this years Classic but to finally beat DiMaria for the belt!

Ford tosses the mic to the side as his music blares and he gives a smirk to the camera before it fades to black.

MCKAYLA HUDSON: An extremely confident Bryan Ford...

CHARLES HUDSON: I just changed my pick for the whole thing. At first I was all about Cyrus Riddle but...Bryan Ford has that look in his eye.

---

---

[Robert Daniels]

CONFLICT: WAR GAMES returns from the break with the camera trained on the ringside announce team of McKayla Lewis and Charles Hudson.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Conflict: War Games. Just one week ago, we witnessed an absolutely brutal contest between Jason Cashe and Biggs in a Falls Count Anywhere Match.

CHARLES HUDSON: Brutal doesn't even begin to describe it, McKayla. They fought in the crowd, they fought in a bar, they fought in the bloody restroom! But it was a Spinebuster onto a pinball machine that has put Biggs on the shelf. Please be advised fans, the following footage is graphic.

A replay of Jason Cashe slamming Biggs back first into the pinball machine is shown, with the sound of the shattering glass emphasized in the sound mixing to sell the suddenness of the impact. It's shown from multiple angles, with the loud crash of the glass being heard again and again. The last camera angle showing the glass lodged in Biggs back as he's lifted off of the machine for the Powerbomb to the floor from Cashe. The replay ends.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Ladies and gentlemen, we do have a medical update on Biggs, in fact, we have him connected on a Zoom Call to talk with us about his injuries and when we may expect to see him again.

The show switches to split screen, McKayla and Charles on the left, Biggs on the right. He's propped up in his bed with an inordinate amount of pillows and a dark blue comforter. There's a bandage above his left eye, no doubt covering the laceration he received from the coffee pot, and he's wearing a loose fitting Seattle Sounders tank top.

CHARLES HUDSON: Biggs, thank you for joining us tonight via Zoom.

BIGGS: Thank you for having me. You know I wanted to be there tonight to watch War Games first hand, but I'm stuck in bed for two weeks at least, doctor's orders.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Speaking of doctor's orders, Biggs, what can you tell us about the injuries you sustained in the Falls Count Anywhere match last Sunday at Mainstream 65?

BIGGS: Well besides the normal cuts and bruises one would expect from a hardcore style match, the biggest thing that has me laid up and bored out of my mind is the kidney bruising. Between that and all the cuts on my back from the glass, well, lets just say it's been rough sledding for me, as I'm normally a back sleeper.

Biggs chuckles a bit, but it seems like a nervous chuckle more than anything else.

BIGGS: That being said, my doctor thinks the bruising is thankfully on the minor side, and that it should heal up naturally on it own with two weeks of bed rest. Today marks one week, so hopefully I'm halfway there. If it doesn't heal up on its own, I may have to have surgery, which would expand the time table by an additional month.

CHARLES HUDSON: Now that slam to the pinball machine came roughly halfway through the match. How were you able to continue fighting and wrestling for the remainder of the match after sustaining that kind of injury?

BIGGS: Adrenaline is a hell of drug, Charles. And I'll be honest, things between Jason Cashe and I have become so heated, so personal, that I was able to block out the pain because I wanted to beat him so badly. Let's not forget, this man broke into my home, terrorized my wife, and burned many of my prized possessions. This man threatened to burn Bobby Larson, whose safety I am currently responsible for, alive. This man threatened to flat out murder me and bury me in the bleachers during the Falls Count Anywhere match. And for what? Because I made the choice to trip him up during a World Heavyweight Championship match, costing him the belt, a choice which I have acknowledged was a mistake and attempted to apologize for on numerous occasions, because of this one choice, he thought the appropriate response was to destroy me and my family.

“So I had every motivation to defend myself and my family, and to put him down! But as I lay here on the mend, I've had time to think about things, and as much as I hate what Jason Cashe has done to me, what he has done to my wife Chelsea, and what he has done to Bobby, it is simply best for me and mine that I move on from Jason Cashe. Because I am convinced that if we continue down the path that we are on, either one or both of us will kill each other.”

Biggs lifts up his tank top, and rolls on his side, grabbing the web-cam to give them a good look at his back, wincing in pain as he does so. The entire right side of Biggs' back is a deep shade of purple with yellow edges, with several cuts scabbed over. On the left side of the screen, McKayla has a cold, clinical look on her face, as though she's observing the wounds, while Charles has a grimace on his face. Biggs rolls back over, pulling his tank top down and fumbles the camera back into position.

BIGGS: This isn't me retreating, this isn't me turning tail and running. This is me looking at the facts and coming to the conclusion that continuing to fight Jason Cashe just isn't worth it anymore. I don't like who I've become due to him, I don't like the fact that I've had to put any and all championship aspirations on hold because of him, and I most certainly do not want to end up making my wife a widow because of him, whether it's because I end up in jail or in the ground because of him.

“Jason, I know you're watching, I've won one, you've won one. We're even. We're square. I'm not asking you to be my friend again, that ship has sailed, set on fire, dashed against the rocks and capsized at sea, but I implore you, let's please just move on from this madness. Please.”

Tears can be seen forming in Biggs eyes, while McKayla and Charles sit there in a hushed silence. Biggs promptly hangs up from the Zoom call, and the screen focuses fully back on the announce team.

CHARLES HUDSON: We didn't even get a chance to thank Biggs for his time and for the update, but it's obvious that his feud with Jason has taken not just a physical toll on him, but an emotional one as well.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: It's hard to feel sorry for Biggs because he did instigate all of this, but the price he's paying is certainly much steeper than he had been expecting. On behalf of Mainstream Wrestling, we wish Biggs a speedy recovery and hope to see him in the ring sooner rather than later.

At this point, Bobby Larson walks into frame behind McKayla and Charles, with a wide-eyed stare and his head on a swivel.

CHARLES HUDSON: Bobby, what brings you down here!?

Bobby's eyes continue to dart around, like he's worried that somebody is after him.

BOBBY LARSON: You guys haven't seen Jason Cashe anywhere, have you?

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Can't say that I have...

BOBBY LARSON: I just wanna watch my Baby Girl kick butt in the War Games match tonight, but without Thaddeus and Joe, man, I just don't feel safe!

CHARLES HUDSON: Well to be fair, you shouldn't have felt safe with them either. They were worthless as far as a security detail goes...

BOBBY LARSON: Gotta bounce, can't stay around one place too long. You'll let me know if you see him, right Charles?

CHARLES HUDSON: Sure thing, pal.

Bobby hops the barricade and runs off. McKayla Lewis is obviously annoyed, but keeps her professional composure, while Charles just shakes his head and laughs to himself.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Well that was interesting. Folks, we'll be right back after the break with more CONFLICT: WAR GAMES!

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
The scene opens up in a dark room in the belly of the building, only bit of illumination is a flickering light hanging in the middle. A single bulb on a string slowly swaying back and forth, making shadows dance here and there. A figure steps into the ring of light, she slowly snaps her hood from her head and looks at the camera with a pleased smile.

SAGE LOWRY: I don't know if you've been paying any attention but since this...partnership has developed, we aren't exactly playing around. We aren't here to play nice. We aren't here to have a good competitive match with another team. No, nothing so...banal as that. We are here to fight, to destroy and have as much doing that as possible.

Sage chuckles a little bit to herself.

SAGE LOWRY: Skye and Phillips? Put down. The Immortal Atrocities? Tough but again, put down. And now the Graham Legacy? I hope "Dem Boys" understand what trouble they are in for. This won't be a fight. This is going to be brutality. Art in violence you might say. And its going to be a showcase on things to come. A declaration, if you will.

A taller figure steps into the light, pulling off her hood and the gas mask from her face.

EMMA DOUGLAS: Any team in Mainstream or even ones thinking about forming, take note.

SAGE LOWRY: I almost feel bad for David and Steven for what is to become of them. We are going to use this match as a message to whomever wants to step up to us. Arrive. Decimate. Leave.

Emma smirks to herself and gives Sage a playful nudge.

EMMA DOUGLAS: And once we really begin to click as a team, there won't be anyone who can stand up to our brand of devastation. Saddle up boys, you're in for a long night.

And with that, Emma reaches up and flips the bulb off, casting the room into complete darkness, A few scuffle sounds can be heard before the scene cuts off completely.

[Robert Daniels]

TAG TEAM MATCH
★★★ THE GRAHAM LEGACY ★★★
[DAVID GRAHAM & STEVEN GRAHAM]
vs
★★★ VIOLENT INTENT ★★★
[SAGE LOWRY & EMMA DOUGLAS]

The bell rings and this tag team match is officially underway! Sage Lowry circles the ring with David Graham. She manages to duck under his attempt to grab at her and traps him in a waist lock. He tries to elbow her a few times, but she is able to evade those attempts. She then manages to pull him up off his feet with a German Suplex. She lets go and the both of them scramble to their feet. She blocks a punch from David and flattens him with an Ace Crusher! She hooks the leg for 1...2...BREAK!

Steven Grab drops a timely elbow breaking this up fall attempt up just in time. Emma Douglas enters the ring and goes after Graham but a drop toe hold lands the Mistress of Mayhem across the middle rope. He bounces off the rope but the official stops him in his tracks. He warns him first then backs him into the corner and out onto the apron. Emma Douglas shakes her finger at Steven Graham and exits out into the apron as well.

Meanwhile Sage Lowry is back on her feet and she snapmares David Graham over into a seated position. From there, Sage bounces off the ropes and nails him in the face with a low drop kick. She waits and just motions him to get to his feet. He’s shaken but gets up and turns directly into a super kick to the mouth! David stiffens up and lands flat on his back with Sage Lowry scrambling to make the cover. Emma Douglas us in the ring first cutting off Steven with a shoulder block as the official counts the 1...2...KICKOUT!

Emma and Sage are stunned. The official assured her of the two count. At this time Emma Douglas encourages Sage Lowry to stay on him before exiting out into the ring apron. Sage slips out onto the apron, with David now back to his feet quick to pursue. Sage then grabs him by the neck and drops down, causing David to go throat first along the ropes. He grabs at his throat and kicks wildly as Sage slips back into the ring, hitting a running senton on his prone body!

David Graham rolls over onto all fours and pulls himself up using the middle rope with a smile across the face of Sage Lowry. She walks over and whips David against the ropes and as he comes running back, she gets enough force into a push to launch him into the air. As David comes back down, Sage hits a headbutt directly to his sternum. She then pulls him back up to his feet and bounces off the ropes, looking to knocking him to the mat with a running STO but David maintains his footing and instead reverses. Graham drops her with a Russian Leg Sweep!

Lowry grabs the back of her head as David begins crawling towards his teams corner. With an outstretched arm by Steven his brother David lunges to make a desperation tag! Steven enters the ring but as he does Lowry makes the tag to her tag team partner Emma Douglas! She steps into the ring and Steven looks to retreat! David rolls out into the ring floor as Steven regretfully turns back to Douglas.

Emma squares up with Steven and just hammers him in the face with some stiff forearm shots. This backs him up into the ropes where Emma whips him to the other side. As Steven comes charging back, Emma flattens him with a discus clothesline. From there, she's up to her feet and bounces off the ropes to come back with a running leg drop right across the throat!

Emma Douglas grabs him by both sides of the throat, lifting him up she whips him into the corner and follows up with a running splash, squishing him against the turnbuckles. Steven drops into the corner in a seated position. Emma smirks as she follows up by just scraping her boot across his face over and over. From there, she runs back to the ropes and damn near kicks his jaw off, looking quite satisfied with her handiwork.

Emma Douglas steps back into the corner of David Graham who leans over looking to sucker punch her. He does so and she turns around dropping him to the apron with a head butt. Steven turns her around but she doubles him over with a hard kick to the gut. She then grabs him and positions him for her Queen's End package pile driver. As he lays on the mat, grabbing at his skull, Emma nails a big splash to the mat. She quickly get up to her feet and just stalks Steven, waiting for him to get up. As he is wobbly, trying to get up on one knee. Emma strikes and nails a Death Rattle to the back of his head!

Emma then tags in Sage and Sage climbs to the top turnbuckles and hits a senton from there, all her body weight crashing on him. Douglas runs across the ring tackling David through the ropes and out into the ring floor! Lowry immediately turns over, hooking a leg on Steven Graham for the 1...2...3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall is the team of Sage Lowry and Emma Douglas...VIOLENT—INTENT!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Lou, I think we have a new front runner in the tag division to challenge Euphoric for the Tag Team Championships.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  I think you’re absolutely right Charles. Emma Douglas and Sage Lowry are on a roll, undefeated in fact!

CHARLES HUDSON:  The Graham Legacy are the flag bearers for the division but they have their own issues to work our first but in the mean time Violent Intent is on a crash course Euphoric at some point!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Congratulations to Violent Intent on a hard fought match. Let’s take a commercial break and when we return more Mainstream...whoa whoa whoa!

“Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion begins to play throughout the arena as the curtain opens and Dayna Barrett and Caroline Clarke strut out onto the stage with the curtain closing behind them. Both smile and pose at the top of the stage for everyone’s viewing pleasure while looking on down at the ring with Emma Douglas and Sage Lowry. Both Barrett and Clarke hand microphones in hand.

DAYNA BARRETT: Sage, Sage! From a couple of Squire Graduates to another...great job! But if you think you’ve made it by an simply having an undefeated record at this point then you’re badly mistaken!

CAROLINE CLARKE: Mistress of Mayhem? Emma Douglas. If you think we’re intimidated by you then you’re dead wrong!

DAYNA BARRETT: You’re looking at the best team in this company’s tag division! In fact you’re looking at the best team in the business!

CAROLINE CLARKE: We just left Kevin Bombay’s office and he said the winner of this match would be receiving a title shot. Well, go ahead and celebrate ladies. Because once you step in the ring with Euphoric, you won’t be as cheerful as you once was...

DAYNA BARRETT: We’ll see you in two weeks—in Seattle for MAINSTREAM 67. Let’s tear the roof off the place...

“Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion begins playing once again.

CHARLES HUDSON: A short lived celebration for Violent Intent before Euphoric came out and broke the news.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: That’s right folks we have a Tag Team Championship match for MAINSTREAM 67 where Euphoric will defend against Violent Intent!

---

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[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
A very typical switch to the backstage area and quickly, you see Jason Cashe walking down the hallway. Thrown over his shoulder was his half of the UWL US Tag Team Championships. As he comes up to a closed locker room door at the end of the hallway, you hear Samantha Kinsley calling for his attention.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Jason! Can I have a word?

Turning his head and seeing her approach, he gave her a greeting grin. She returns the smile as she comes up to his side.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Care to comment on what Biggs said earlier during his interview?

JASON CASHE: He is here?!

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: No, he interviewed via Zoom from his home. In bed actually! He is in great pain from your match.

JASON CASHE: Did he cry? I bet he cried! Nah, I didn't see it. I don't truthfully care to hear his boo hoos because we all have our pains and sufferings in this sport. He hasn't had a leg to stand on since 2014! Let him rest, heal, and when he wants to return and break a tie? We can do that. I'm here, I have some pains as well but I refuse to lay in bed and cry about what didn't go my way..

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Can you give us any insight on what is next for you? Are there any Champions you want to match up against? Why weren't you involved with the Emerald City Classic?

JASON CASHE: Maybe next year for the ECC but as of now? My attention is up for grabs..

The locker room door he was standing in front of is pulled open. From within the room comes his girlfriend and Squires Graduate, Josslynn Spencer.

JOSSLYN SPENCER: They're here and ready inside.

Nodding, Cashe was smiling again as his hands come together in a single clap before rubbing them against each other.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Who's here? Anyone you want to introduce?

JOSSLYNN SPENCER: You can leave now..

As Josslynn steps aside so Cashe can enter the locker room, Samantha Kinsley steps back as she gets murder eyed by Josslynn. Following Cashe into the locker room, the door is pulled closed behind them, leaving Samantha Kinsley alone in the hallway.

JASON CASHE: Oh boy! This is exciting!

In a split second transfer, the cameras jump to the inside of the locker room. Jason Cashe pulls his US Tag Title off his shoulder and tosses it onto a bench nearby. Josslynn gets on her phone and takes a seat as Cashe introduces the room.

JASON CASHE: Welcome fellas! I do hope there are no hard feelings between us..

As the camera pans over to those who Cashe was speaking to and they are quickly recognized as Thadeus and Joe, Biggs' former hired Security Guards. Both shake their heads no, not being much for words. Their eyes rest not on Cashe but on where Josslynn was. She was who pulled a knife on them last time.

JASON CASHE: Don't worry guys.. Joss has her knife put away.

She laughed. Not even picking her head up or removing her eyes from the screen of her phone. As the two men put their attention back to Cashe, Cashe grabs a chair, folds it shut and tosses it to the floor at their feet.

JASON CASHE: Here is the problem.. I only have use for one of you. Who needs a reference when what I want to see is which one of you will do what needs to be done to get the job.. So.. Fight for it.

Both Thadeus and Joe turn and stare at each other. They were more than just business partners, they were friends. They probably went to the others wedding if either of them were even married. Cashe didn't know them, didn't want to know their personal stories but he had something to prove in this process.

JASON CASHE: The winner gets the job! To win? Be the guy who isn't on the ground crying and/or unconscious… Let's see how strong this friendship is! Let the pros and cons on this job offer dance around in your heads for a moment. Josslynn and I are going to grab some food. When we return I expect there to either be a winner or an empty locker room.

Opening the door, Cashe lets Josslynn leave first as he pulls the door closed behind him. Thadeus and Joe face each other as they contemplate the job offer at hand.

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
In the back we see the Mainstream World Champion and the Mainstream Legacy Champion sitting next to each other. In front of them, pacing between them and the camera is the UWL World Champion. Julianna and Billy watch AJ pace as they look at each other in tolerated disgust. Knight seems to be deep in one of his famous inner monologues, but obviously, nobody can hear it, so Julianna’s frustration just seems to grow.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: CAN YOU STOP THAT???

AJ snaps out of his inner monologue and looks at Julianna with confusion. Billy fills him in.

BILLY DANIELSON: You were pulling a Lion’s Road. Were you having a training flashback again?

AJ looks embarrassed for a second, as he looks away.

AJ KNIGHT: WHAAAAAAAT? NOOOOO? I was... thinking... about… the fact... that… we…

AJ continues to drag this sentence out to stall until he can find a real excuse. It finally hits him and he instantly blurts it out.

AJ KNIGHT: … Still don’t have a fourth member of this match!

JULIANNA DIMARIA: That’s actually a good reason to pace. This wouldn’t have been so hard if SOMEONE could just find time to stop being a prick with -complex enough to make a friend that isn’t sitting in this room.

Julianna glares at Danielson and AJ makes a face that proves that he agrees with her but isn’t going to verbalize it. Billy just rolls his eyes at Julianna and begins to defend himself.

BILLY DANIELSON: Here’s the thing, the problem with this company is that most people either hate ALL of us or fear The Boo Crew. That’s not my fault. I’ve already said that I am fighting for the heart and soul of this company right now, and I very obviously set my feelings aside to protect your whiny ass, Julianna, so you can’t blame just me. Plus we couldn’t all agree on the fourth person. You hated Skye, AJ hated Manny, I hated JEdwards… we ALL hated Jason Cashe.

All three of them murmur in agreeance that they hate Jason Cashe.

BILLY DANIELSON: So It’s not just MY fault. We’re all relatively shitty, but it doesn’t matter. We have a fourth member!!!

AJ KNIGHT: WE DO??? WHO???

JULIANNA DIMARIA: I DIDN’T AGREE ON A FOURTH PERSON???

Billy puts his hands up to calm them down.

BILLY DANIELSON: Bryan Blaze is going to be our fourth member!!!

A very audible groan comes from Julianna and a look of frustration comes across the face of AJ, but Billy ignores their indifference. Not about to let him ignore her, Julianna yells at Billy.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: THE GUY WHO YOU TWO HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO FIND IN THREE MONTHS AND SOMEHOW GOT HIS TWITTER DISABLED STILL IS OUR FOURTH GUY??? OH MY , WE ARE SAVED!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

AJ KNIGHT: Billy, she’s right. We don’t even know where Bryan is. We have a better chance of Robb Daniels stepping up to help us at this point. I love the dude too, but by saying Bryan is our fourth, we are walking into this match at a three to four disadvantage, whether we get the entrance advantage or not.

Billy shakes his head, unwillingly to listen to their very sound logic.

BILLY DANIELSON: A few days after the advantage match, Bryan’s wife reached out to me. She finally heard from him and said that he WILL be here tonight. She told me that he sounded weird, but it was him, and he let her know he was okay and that he was coming to finish this. Bombay got a similar message, so Bryan Blaze WILL be here tonight and he WILL be our fourth member!!!

AJ’s face brightens with excitement, but Julianna doesn’t seem to share his sentiment. She looks at Billy like he’s grown a third eye and then gives AJ the same look as they gush over the fact that their friend MIGHT show up tonight.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: You guys realize I’ve lived with Jimmy for almost four years now right? I was once possessed BY him. You don’t think these spooky idiots can change their voices to match others or convince a grieving wife that her missing husband that he’s okay? Do you guys realize how dumb this is? MY TITLE IS ON THE LINE FOR THIS SHIT damnMI-

Billy interrupts her.

BILLY DANIELSON: JULIANNA SHUT UP FOR A MOMENT. STOP JUST HEARING MY VOICE AND START LISTENING TO WHAT I AM SAYING!!!

Julianna looks taken aback by Billy’s outburst.

BILLY DANIELSON: You don’t think AJ and I didn’t think about that? You don’t think that we realize what is at stake here? We ALL have something on the line here tonight. AJ has been personal redemption and a debt collection on the line. You have your title and possibly your love life on the line. I have my legacy and nearly five years of dedication to this brand on the line. When and if Bryan shows up, he’s going to have over six months of torture on his mind and his sanity on the line. We all have something, just because you have a tangible item on the line doesn’t mean you are the one with the most on the line.

Julianna doesn’t say anything for a moment as she looks at Danielson with shock.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: If tangible items on the line don’t count as something bigger than your metaphorical bullshit, why isn’t your collector’s title on the line.

BILLY DANIELSON: DON’T YOU START WITH THAT!!!

Billy’s face turns red and Julianna laughs as AJ puts his arm in front of Billy to calm him down.

AJ KNIGHT: The point is, tonight is the culmination of nearly a year’s worth of struggle. It doesn’t matter what we have on the line, because we all have something. I truly want to believe Bryan is going to be here tonight because I cannot forgive Eli and his Spooky Goobers until I see him returned to safety, but it doesn’t matter if we are four on four or three on four. We are three World Champions against two goons, an indy champ, and the deteriorating mind of Eli Buchanan. We are a nearly unstoppable force, and if Billy is right and Blaze is coming tonight, that'll make us a team of four World Champions and our OP level gets even bigger.

Julianna reluctantly starts to agree with AJ, but only because he’s not Billy and therefore is willing to let it slide.

AJ KNIGHT: So are you with us, Julianna? After everything we’ve done to prove that tonight we are a unified front, are you going to stop being Billy’s annoying little sister long enough for us to exorcise these demons and cement YOUR legacy as a FRANCHISE player???

AJ puts his fist into the middle, and Billy follows suit. Julianna looks at their hands for a second.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Let’s beat these bitch ass spooksters and send them back to the Hotel California, which is the most overrated Eagles song there is!!!

She smiles and shoves her fist in with Billy’s and AJ’s, and they all celebrate!!!

AJ KNIGHT & BILLY DANIELSON: THE FRANCHISE!!!

JULIANNA DIMARIA: PLUS ONE!!!

They calm down for a moment, as they all sit down and look at each other. Despite a few run-ins, this is the first time this team has officially been “unified”. Julianna sighs and looks at Billy.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: So when is Bryan supposed to be here?
BILLY DANIELSON: I don’t know.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Well, is he going to be in the cage with us when the match starts?

BILLY DANIELSON: I don’t know.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Do you know ANYTHING other than he will be here tonight?

BILLY DANIELSON: Nope… In fact, I should probably do a sweep and see if I can find him now. We really need to strategize with him. I can’t imagine he’s been training all this time that he’s been missing or kidnapped or whatever happened.

Billy gets up and hi-fives AJ and sticks his tongue out at Julianna, both reciprocating simultaneously. Danielson throws his title over his shoulder and exits the room, leaving AJ and Julianna alone in the room. After a moment, Julianna looks at AJ.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: So we’re definitely about to go into this thing three against four, aren’t we???

AJ KNIGHT: YUUUUUP!

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Well… it was nice while it lasted.

Both of their eyes go wide, as they realize just how hard this match is going to be for them. Silence grows between them that gets super awkward and that’s when we fade to black!

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
Standing in front of his locker room is Your Hero and Mine, Mark Storm, who’s skipping in position with his eyes fixated on the camera, a smirk etching across his mouth.

MARK STORM: The amount of times you and I have met inside that ring, it’s like we’re meant to do this dance forever.

He pauses, turning to face his manager, Gregory Murphy, who begins to wrap white wrist tape around one of his wrist.

MARK STORM: I’ve always respected you, James. From your humble beginnings to what you’ve got onto accomplish in an established career, I can respect that and I always have. But since the turn of the year I can’t help but notice that you’ve become a little bitter. And I never thought that day would come, The Burning Heart; turning into a coward. I’m not sure whether it’s your insecurities acting up, with the new surge of next generation stars wanting to step onto the stage and show what they can offer. Or maybe this is just how you get your kicks now and that ‘Burning Heart’ of yours has extinguished... you’d rather intimidate and belittle those you know - can’t even lace your boots.

Once again he halts, with Murphy switching to the other wrist.

MARK STORM: Its been a while since our last encounter but you shouldn’t think of even a second that I’ve lost a spring in my step. I’ve evolved into another beast, returning to Mainstream Wrestling with the sole intention of beating you senseless and back into your place... you need some humbling and I’ll sure as hell be the provider,  knows we’ve all been waiting for someone to step up to task.

Murphy pats him on both shoulders and nods his head.

MURPHY: It’s go time.

MARK STORM: Your Hero and Mine did just that.

[Robert Daniels]

SINGLES MATCH
★★★ JAMES EDWARDS ★★★
vs
★★★ MARK STORM ★★★

The bell rings and this singles match is now underway! Mark Storm and James Edwards begin to circle the ring, with the audience getting behind ‘Your Hero and Mine’, who stops in his tracks and turns to face the fans, nodding his head in appreciation before turning back towards Edwards.

Edwards tries to surprise Storm as he turns back around with a flying knee but hits only air. The returning veteran traps Edwards in a waist lock. Edwards peppers Storm with some light elbows and performs a standing switch. Storm backs into the ropes and the referee orders a break. The early stalemate earns the combatants a respectful round of applause from the crowd. Edwards gives Storm a wide berth and that is a mistake on his part. Storm drills him right on the button with a superkick and covers him for the 1...2...KICKOUT!

Storm is quick to stay on the offensive. He pulls Edwards up and attempts a vertical suplex lift. Edwards floats over and throws Storm overhead with a German suplex, but Storm lands on his feet! He attempts another superkick, but Edwards catches it and drives Storm into the corner with rapid open palm strikes, still with the leg in hand. Edwards pulls Storm out of the corner a dragon screw leg whip and follows up with a grounded version causing Storm to scream out in pain. "The Burning Heart" goes for a leg submission but Storm crawls to the ropes before he can cinch it in. The pro-Storm contingent roars in approval.

Edwards stretches an arm out, implying that they should engage in a knuckle lock and Storm almost follows his lead, but in the last second he pulls out. Instead, he holds an imaginary gun next to the temple of Edwards, mouthing an explosion as he smirks and the audience applaud him for his showmanship. Edwards isn’t up for the games though and he stuns Storm with a barrel of strikes, alternating from forearm to elbow, to open palm strike that each connect sweetly. Storm stumbles backwards into the ropes and the referee tries to get in between them, warning Edwards that Storm has the rope break. Storm however barges through the official and squares up to Edwards, with the two colliding heads and pushing each other back and forth.

Edwards goes for a strike but Storm blocks his advance, delivering a spinning back kick to the mid section of Edwards, who doubles over. Storm then sprints towards the ropes, bouncing off of them and ducking under the arm of Edwards, who’s back on his feet. Storm then bounces off of the opposite ropes, going for a lariat himself - Edwards ducks underneath, and wraps his arms around the waist of Storm, going for the back suplex.

Storms elbows connect with the side of Edwards head and he releases his grip, allowing Storm to take off to the ropes this time, bouncing off of them to perform a Sling Blade to Edwards. Edwards rolls to the outside to recover, clutching his mid section as Storm eyes up the ropes before looking back towards Edwards. Storm points his imaginary gun in the direction of Edwards and then charges towards him, leaping over the top rope and connecting with a Tope Con Hilo! He lands on his feet too, revving up the fans as he smashes the barricades!

...1!
...2!
...3!
...4!
...5!

Mark Storm and James Edwards start to trade forearms shots, upping the intensity with each blow. The crowd explodes at the showing of unmitigated violence. Edwards switches to elbow strikes and lands a pair. Storm answers with four of his own and staggers Edwards.

...6!
...7!
...8!

He attempts a discuss lariat but Edwards somehow sidesteps him. Mark Storm slides into the ring to break the count of the official. Edwards steps onto the apron and looks for a leg sweep under the bottom rope but Storm leaps over it; he tries another and Storm leaps over it again! Edwards rolls under the bottom rope into the ring and attempts a third but can't connect due to another leap from Storm but this time the "Your Hero and Mine" hobbles from the stess caused by all his leaping. Edwards surprises Storm and the crowd with a small package for 1...2...KICKOUT!

Edwards seizes control of Storm after the failed pinfall, and after a few awkward maneuvers rolls him into a sloppy but effective La Magistral for 1...2...NEARFALL!

Edwards curses at himself for trying "that damned chain wrestling shit" and pulls Storm to his feet. Storm eats a pair of elbow strikes but manages to save himself by diving to the ropes when Edwards attempts another Dragon Screw. The pair engage in a standard collar to elbow tie up with Storm using his size to his advantage, applying a side headlock to Edwards before taking him to the canvas with the hold still intact. Edwards uses his legs to scissor his way out of the hold, however Storm quickly locks him back in - tightening and wrenching his lock. Edwards pushes Storm back into the ropes and swings him off to the opposite side of the ring.

Storm explodes off of the ropes and with a tenacious look on his face, drops him with a hard shoulder barge. Edwards rises to his feet immediately, yet to his surprise is back down on the canvas following a hip toss from Storm, who cartwheels afterwards before clapping his hands, landing a basement drop kick on the seated Edwards, who rolls on the canvas! Storm then goes off to the ropes again, bouncing off of them and having to leap over Edwards. Storm bounces off of the ropes again and ducks under a rolling elbow attempt from Edwards, grabbing onto him and hoisting him upwards, connecting with a flapjack as Edwards face hits the canvas hard, with Storm quickly locking him into the ankle lock! Edwards struggles as the referee asks whether he wants to quit but Edwards refuses, using every bit of life in him to claw himself to the ropes for the break!

Moments later it’s James Edwards whom charges Storm but is met with a drop toe hold that sends him into the middle ring rope throat first. As Edwards gaps for air, Storm gives him room to recover. The referee checks in on Edwards and asks him of if he is good to go. Edwards struggles to his feet and thumbs "Okay" right before he is clobbered by a running hip attack from Storm. Edwards catches himself on the ropes. Running bicycle knee from Storm! Edwards crumbles over to the canvass and Storm sizes him up for another bicycle knee. Slowly, Edwards pulls himself up to his feet and Storm pounces. Out of pure instinct Edwards back body drops Storm over the the top rope and to the outside! Storm lands hard and Edwards collapses to the canvass again. The referee begins the count.

...1!
...2!
...3!
...4!
...5!

The crowd begins to boo at the thought of a count out finish.

...6!
...7!
...8!

Edwards crawls out of the ring on his stomach to break the count! The official begins to count out both men.

...1!
...2!
...3!
...4!

Storm is still on the ground clutching his bad knee.

...5!
...6!
...7!

Edwards grabs the bottom ring rope and pulls himself up.

...8!
...9!

Edwards slides in the ring and back out to break the count again!

The crowd is confused and gives Edwards' actions a healthy dose of boos and cheers. The official begins the count again!

...1!
...2!
...3!
...4!

Edwards quickly dives back in the ring.

...5!
...6!
...7!
...8!
...9!

Hobbling and with great effort, Storm dives under the rope and beats the count! Several Moments later it’s Mark Storm who leans against the padded turnbuckle, trying to catch his breath as Edwards prepares to launch an attack on him. Storm moves out of the way at the last second as Edwards eats the turnbuckle. Storm then connects with a number of kicks to the chest of Edwards. Burning Heart doesn’t seem to be affected however, shrugging them off before yelling whether that’s all he’s got! Storm nods his head, accepting the challenge, and starts with an onslaught of knife edge chops to the chest of Edwards, cornering him towards the turnbuckle as Edwards winces in pain.

After a eighth chop connects, which sends a thunderous clap echoing through the arena, Storm sweeps Burning Heart off of his feet with a high kick to the chest and Edwards lays against the bottom buckle. Storm then heads to the opposite corner, pointing his imaginary gun at the direction of Edwards and then sprinting towards him, Edwards manages to get Storm in a rear waist lock, lifting him up and over as he attempts a German suplex, but Storm lands on his feet! Edwards turns and finds Storm rushing towards him to his amazement, managing to duck under a bicycle knee attempt from Storm! This time, Edwards wraps his arms around the waist of Storm and manages to connect with their German suplex! But he isn’t finished there! With the hold still intact, Edwards rises to his feet with Storm looking weaker than ever, and he manages to land a second German suplex on The Visionary Veteran! Storm looks dumbfounded and out of sorts as Edwards picks him back up for a third attempt, a malicious look in his eye as he lifts him up for a third - but Storm backflips onto his feet yet again!

Storm is reinvigorated as Edwards looks at him in disbelief, with Storm delivering a hard shoot kick to the knee, forcing Edwards to drop to his knee. Storm grabs the back of his head and delivers three consecutive knee strikes to the face, before bringing Edwards back up onto his feet and whipping him into the turnbuckle. He runs towards the cornered Edwards and connects with a hard back elbow, and with his back against Edwards, he connects with several more back elbows, alternating between left and right! Storm then takes a step forward and Edwards stumbles out of the corner.

Edwards ducks a chop from Storm and jockeys around him. He locks in a sleeper hold. Storm fights Edwards with all he is worth. With crowd loudly willing him to safety, Storm pulls Edwards to the ropes at a glacial pace but makes it. Saka Otoshi! Edwards immediately torpedoes Storm's salvation with the takeover sleeper Choke. He ragdolls Storm for a bit and beaks the hold, floating back for a knee bar.

Storm howls in pain as Edwards cranks back on his bad knee. The crowd is at a fever pitch. Edwards screams for Storm to quit. Storms hollers he won't and muscles his way to the ropes! Edwards breaks the hold and slaps the canvass in frustration. Storm cradles his bad knee, glad for a few moments to recover.

Out of nowhere, Mark Storm manages to spring back to life and deliver a bicycle knee to Edwards! Edwards falls down to a knee, he’s stunned, checking his nose as blood trickles down! Storm capitalises and bounces off of the ropes, delivering another bicycle knee to the temple of Edwards who’s immediately collapsed to the canvas. Storm then rises to his feet and panders to the audience, staggering around the ring and signalling the end!

Mark Storm lifts James Edwards up onto his shoulders, in an electric chair position, looking to drive him back down to the canvas with his coveted; ‘Heroes End’. But Edwards shoves Storm away after sliding down his back. He runs at Storm. Flying Triangle Choke! Storm struggles and Edwards tries to cinch it in for the win. Storm gets to his feet and has Edwards ready for a powerbomb. The bad knee gives way! Edwards with a jack knife pin for 1...2...KICKOUT!

Storm leverages Edwards into a sitting pin for 1...2...KICKOUT! Edwards with another jack knife for 1...2...KICKOUT! Storm with another sitting pin for 1...2...KICKOUT! Triangle Choke! Storm fights. The crowd is loosing their minds. Storms fades. The official moves in to check on him. Edwards screams that Storm is out. Storm proves his opponent wrong by powering to his feet again and drops Edwards with a sitout power bomb for the 1...2...NEARFALL!

Edwards barely gets his shoulder uP! Storm wastes no time pulling Edwards up for Incursio! Edwards clobbers him with in the side of the head with a wild karate chop. Storm drops Edwards and Edwards quickly gets to his feet. He pushes Storm chest-first into the ring ropes. Chop block! Storm falls to his knees. Edwards hits the ring ropes and blast Storm with double knees to the back of the head. He covers for the 1...2...KICKOUT!

Storm gets his shoulder up! Edwards doesn't panic. He gets Storm back to his feet, hoists him up for a butterfly brainbuster and connects! Edwards covers for 1...2...KICKOUT! Another Storm kickout! Edwards falls on his back in disbelief. He goes to seizes Storm. Small package by Storm for 1...2...KICKOUT!

Both men scramble back on their feet. A stiff right hand by Storm rocks Edwards. He hoists Edwards up for Incursio! He flips Edwards over for the knee, but Edwards somehow blocks it. Dragon Screw! Then another. Edwards goes for a heel hook. Storm kicks him backward and rises to his knees. He raises his head looking to meet...Violent Gospel! The running PK kick to the head connects and Edwards covers for 1...2...3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall is JAMES—EDWARDS!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Five...Star...Match, Lou!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  That was a very good bout between two veterans of the sport. This one is going to have everybody talking this coming week.

CHARLES HUDSON:  My question is why are these two not in the Emerald City Classic!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  I heard the field of eight was finalized back a few weeks ago but these guys sure tore it up tonight!

---

---

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
JASON CASHE: Remind me to thank Bryan Ford.. That was a fantastic PB&J!

JOSSLYNN SPENCER: I'm pretty sure he made it PB&J thinking you wouldn't take it. Who packs a PB&J for a grown man lunch?

JASON CASHE: Who needs to pack a lunch when there is catering at your place of work? Yet here we are and I, for one, Thank Ford for being that guy! Makes a good sammich!

Coming to a stop as the two were seen walking the hallway. They reach the locker room where they were seen earlier. The door was closed and Cashe approaches and places an ear to the door.

JASON CASHE: I don't hear anything.. Maybe they declined my offer and left?

JOSSLYNN SPENCER: Only one way to find out..

Nodding, he agreed and turned the knob. Pulling the door open, he steps inside, sticking his head into the room as he enters. There was decline in his offer but rather a true fight having taken place. Cashe was all smiles.

JASON CASHE: Well good dang! Look at what we have here!

There were spray lines of blood that ran up the wall in one direction. In another was the flat screen television that had decorated the corner between two walls. Shattered and laying on the floor. Seated and leaning low in the far corner of the room was Joe. His face barely showed his white skin as it was covered so thickly with blood. He looked almost peaceful in his unconscious state. Scanning the rest of the room, Cashe couldn't see Thadeus. Had he left? Cashe turned back at Josslynn as if she might know more but she was giving the room a slow look over herself.

JASON CASHE: What are the odds that they faked this scene?

JOSSLYNN SPENCER: You think he's faking it? Guys can do that?!

JASON CASHE: Umm.. Yeah! Don't be sexist Jossy.. Let me test this…

Picking up an unopened can of soda, one of Josslynn's that she brings with her and hadn't yet noticed were used or scattered during the fight. Cashe chucks it like an MLB pitcher directly towards Joe and connects into his face. The strike zone! His body jumps but only from the impact. His nose begins to drain with blood as the cans hits the floor.

JASON CASHE: Yup, he's out!

JOSSLYNN SPENCER: Was that one of my sodas?

JASON CASHE: You don't want that one back..

From behind them, the door to the locker room opened. Cashe spins around and puts his arms up. If someone called the cops, he wasn't trying to get arrested for this. Even if he is who caused it to happen. His arms drop as he sees that it was Thadeus entering the room and shutting the door behind him.

JASON CASHE: You look like someone who just won a fight! So I take it you want the job?

Nodding. The eye contact with Thadeus was different than before. He had the eyes of a hunter. Someone who had just preyed upon prey. Cashe gives him a slow clap applause.

JASON CASHE: You are the truth! Josslynn had you by the knife last time we were all together! It was this jagoff who let his concern for a friend prevent him from taking action! Yet now? The betterment of your career, of putting REAL money in your pocket because I pay REALLY well.. That is your truth! Own that truth! Friendships, relationships are but rentals and you are making a new lease in life here today! I cannot pay for Dignity but Loyalty? There is always a price tag on that..

THADEUS: So.. I have the job then?

JASON CASHE: That you do! Let's stir the pot a bit shall we?

Extending a hand to Thadeus to seal the deal. The big beast of a man snatches Cashe's hand and shakes it with aggression.

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
The scene cuts to Mainstream Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion Julianna DiMaria standing by. She’s got her championship over her shoulder and she’s definitely got so much on her mind. Even with this, she doesn’t look like someone that is about to waver or collapse at any point. She’s still maintaining so much of her familiar confidence. Even with the odds stacked against her, Julianna is remaining as poised as she can be as she begins to express her thoughts.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: They say that the biggest responsibility of a world champion is to represent their company to the best of my ability and I would say that thus far, I’ve done that. Oh sure, maybe I’m not out on social media spamming pictures of myself and spamming nonsense like I once did, but hey, was there not a time in this business where you didn’t NEED social media to get your name out there? But where it matters, in the ring, all I’ve done is shine. I’ve defended against Eli, I’ve defended against Coral, hell, I’ve even put this title on the line in NVR. I have done everything that I’ve been asked to do as a world champion so far and I’m only just getting started. I still have so much work to do with this championship and I’m not about to let it go that easily. I don’t give a crap if you throw me in there against the Immortal Atrocities in this WarGames match. Admittedly, it’s quite strange to be teaming with AJ Knight and Billy Danielson. AJ and I have never been acquainted with each other, but Billy and I have never gotten along anywhere we’ve been on the same roster. Who I am teaming up with is awkward in and of itself, but you know what’s even more awkward?

Julianna at this point, takes a pause. Her confidence gives away to some anger. Before, the situation that she’s about to mention would cause her much internal conflict, but as the weeks have gone on, this internal conflict has given way to this anger and further determination.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: The fact that in order to maintain my world championship reign and do the right thing by this company, I’ve got to fight my own boyfriend.

Julianna’s eyes narrow with anger as she continues on.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: You think this is easy for me, Jimmy? You think I WANT to do this? If you asked me that question a few weeks ago, I would’ve said hell no. I sure as hell DIDN’T want to do this and yes, I am using that phrase in the past tense because now? I DO want to do this. Do you think it was easy for me to come to grips with reality, Jimmy? It sure as hell wasn’t, but the worst thing that you could’ve done was make this easier for me. When you showed me that you cared far more about your stupid little mission then our relationship, it became easier for me to let go of this fantasy that we were going to have some ‘happily ever after’ moment. You take far more pleasure in the fact that you have taken two ‘souls’ in Penelope and Rebekah and you have basically sucked them dry. You’re proud of the fact that you took advantage of them and they became something that they never could’ve been without your corruptive influence.

“The fact of the matter is that the Immortal Atrocities are WEAK.”

“I’m not talking about being physically weak. I’m not talking about abilities in the ring. I’m talking about being weak psychologically.”

“You’re all a bunch of people that decided that caving into the darkness was the way to go. Somewhere along the way, Rebekah Stevenson, as she was before, decided she wasn’t good enough the way she was before, so she caved in and gave up. She surrendered herself to the darkness. Somewhere along the way, “Positively Penny” decided she had to “positively” sell her soul down the river and surrender herself to the darkness. You two are both WEAK! You two decided to surrender yourselves to the darkness because you decided that you weren’t good enough. You allowed other people to convince you that you weren’t good enough as you were. Think I’m talking nonsense? You’re hearing it from someone who once did the same damn thing.”

“Facts are?”

“If I never escaped the darkness and if I was still the Mistress of Demise that I was prior to last year, being that clown that I was, you two probably aren’t even in the damn picture because I know and acknowledge that on any given night, Jimmy, Eli and I would’ve been enough to terrorize any roster.”

“But ultimately, the root of all this is you, ‘love’...”

“You’ve done your thing, you’ve carried yourself the way that you have and throughout all the BS, I’ve stood by you because for whatever damn reason, I’ve been in love with you for a long time. It hurts me what I am about to say to you Jimmy… but the reality is? YOU are weak. I hold out hope, wishing that you would snap the hell out of this, but I’m not so sure you ever will now. I can never speak for why you’ve gone down the path that you’ve gone down over the years because you started going down this path long before we ever met. I want to say that this match is going to be the match that gets you to finally snap out of it, but I know that I can’t guarantee that. I know that I can’t save you. I know that I can’t save Penny or Becky, because ultimately, the only people that can save you all are yourselves. A few weeks ago, you basically said ‘screw our relationship, business is what matters’.”

“Tonight, I’m saying the same thing.”

“You and I both know what you’ve always wanted me to be, and at one point I was, but that destroyed my career all the way to rock bottom. You and I both know what you PREFER me to be and while I don’t play that crap anymore, who’s to say that I still don’t have that side in me? Who’s to say that there still isn’t a remnant of that old darkness in me? You want to test me tonight and find out, Jimmy? You want to push my buttons enough and take that gamble? I promise you “love”, that should you do so, it’s going to backfire on you. YOU of all people DON’T want that old darkness to come out of me, especially now that I’m at the top of my game. Either way, Jimmy… everything that happens to you tonight… it’s your own damn fault.”

“I’m NOT about to let this title fall into the hands of you and your crew of weak souls, Jimmy.”

“And if I have to end your career to do what’s best for this title and what’s best for this company?”

Julianna pauses and shrugs without hesitation.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: So be it…

Julianna confidently walks away, showing no remorse for what she said or anything that she may do in that WarGames match tonight. After she leaves, the scene cuts out.

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
Eli Buchanan stands in front of his team, wearing an ill-fitted army helmet and with a huge cigar sticking out of his mouth.

ELI BUCHANAN: Men! Oops, sorry Ley and Pen. I mean ladies and man… A screw it. Listen up. We are about to go into war and I know some of you might be having second thoughts about what we’re about to find ourselves up against. This is War Games! The match beyond.

He stops and takes the cigar out of his mouth for a moment and stares at it.

ELI BUCHANAN: I never understood that tagline. Anyway! This match changes people, it shortens careers, and takes normal people and turns them into legends. But we are not normal people, are we? No we are not! We are the freaks, the monsters, the individuals that society would rather just sweep under the rug and act like we don’t exist. We have been told we don’t have a place in this industry, that we need to conform, to fit into this cookie cutter image of what professional wrestlers are supposed to be. Well gosh darn it, I say it’s about time for a paradigm shift. It’s time for what’s left of the Franchise to die and for a new era to begin. Who’s with me?

Penelope steps forward out of the line, standing up straight and at full attention. She, for some reason, had taken black paint and smeared in across her face and neck in stripes. It's got a distinctly Commando-esque feel to it despite Penelope not wearing any fatigues.

PENELOPE: Commander Buchanan, permission to speak freely sir!

Eli walks over and eyes Penelope before dismissively gesturing towards her.

ELI BUCHANAN: Proceed.

PENELOPE: I can only speak for myself sir but I want you to know that tonight, in War Games, I will not rest until the Franchise is destroyed. Utterly, completely, and without hesitation sir! I will not stop until the cancer that has been metastasizing within Mainstream is cut out completely. William...AJ...and those stupid enough to stand alongside them will feel their larynx collapse under the weight of our collective boot heel! Their final, laboured breaths will be drawn only when we allow it, sir!

Eli smiles and walks over, smacking Penelope hard enough in the shoulder that she stumbles.

ELI BUCHANAN: At ease soldier…

Penelope relaxes as Eli puts an arm around her shoulder.

ELI BUCHANAN: Penelope, would you kindly remind us, what happens when you enter that cage?!

ELI BUCHANAN: STRIKE FIRST! STRIKE HARD! NO MERCY, SIR!

Eli leans down, whispering into Penelope's ear.

ELI BUCHANAN: Wrong movie.

Penelope's eyes widen as she looks around trying to remember.

PENELOPE: Uh...I mean, WE WILL CRUSH OUR ENEMIES...SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE US...AND HEAR THE LAMENTATION OF THEIR WOMEN, SIR!

Eli nods and motions for her to retake her place in the line.

ELI BUCHANAN: That's better soldier, fall in!

Eli walks over to Rebekah Stevenson and eyes her up and down.

ELI BUCHANAN: What’s wrong, soldier? Cat got your tongue?

Rebekah stares at him, black bile forming at the edge of her lips. Eli nods his head and places a hand on her shoulder.

ELI BUCHANAN: Completely focused on the task ahead of us. I like that! You, soldier, will be our frontline of defense, offense, pretense, horse sense, and anything else that rhymes fence. I’m sending you out there first. Understood?

Rebekah transforms into Leytrix in front of his eyes. She giggles menacingly and salutes him. Eli nods at her and moves on to Jimmy Pagan.

ELI BUCHANAN: Let me ask you a question, soldier. Where’s your head at right now?

JIMMY PAGAN: Iconoclasm.

Pagan looks forward, almost through Buchanan. Eli pulls his cigar out of his mouth and points it at Pagan.

ELI BUCHANAN: We will not have any big word here, soldier, and it’s not because I don’t know what that means. I know what it means, I just don’t like saying it. It feels weird on my tongue.

JIMMY PAGAN: Iconoclasm is one of my favorite words and pastimes... However, for the sake of the team, I will refrain from using it. Either way, my mind is solely on destroying The Franchise and their place in this company.

Eli stares him right in the face.

ELI BUCHANAN: Even if that means you have to go through your girlfriend to do it?
Pagan continues to look forward as he pauses for a moment.

JIMMY PAGAN: I have no girlfriend in this match. Only a fourth victim standing in front of me.

Eli nods his head and places the cigar back in his mouth.

ELI BUCHANAN: Good! We can’t afford to allow ourselves to show any weakness out there. This is war and when you go out on that battlefield, every decision you make could cost you your life and those of your teammates.

He turns away from Pagan and places his hands behind his back.

ELI BUCHANAN: I realize, men...er, whatever, that at times like this, it’s the captain’s job to make some sort of “rah, rah” speech, and perhaps I’ve already done that, it’s hard to remember because I can already feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. It’s time to go to war! Carpe jugulum! Or is that carpe diem, I can’t remember. ANYWAY! Let’s go out there and win one for the gipper.

He lifts his cigar high above his head and runs off screen yelling.

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
AJ Knight paces the floor as team Franchise prepares for the Wargames match, there's a degree of nervousness and intensity to him. Finally he speaks.

AJ KNIGHT: Let me start this match off for us. I need this.

Billy raises an eyebrow at him.

AJ KNIGHT: Look, this is a fight for the soul of the company. Julianna, you're the world champ, this company needs you. Billy and I represent what this company has been built on, what made it what it is. That's what Billy's Legacy belt is about. But that belt you hold? That's what this company IS built on right now. And if ever there has been a worthy successor to the Franchise it's you. What you guys have can give so much back to this company, to its heart and its soul. But what can I give? Right now just what I always have. My blood, my sweat, and my tears. And I'm going to pour them all out tonight.

AJ's just about to leave the locker room, but he pauses and looks over his shoulder at Billy.

AJ KNIGHT: Just one question Billy: Are you sure he's going to be here?

Billy smiles at AJ.

BILLY DANIELSON: Trust me. He'll be here. I'd stake my life on it.

SCENE FADES

[Robert Daniels]

MAIN EVENT

WARGAMES
MAINSTREAM WRESTLING
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
★★★ THE FRANCHISE ★★★
[JULIANNA DIMARIA (C), AJ KNIGHT, BILLY DANIELSON & TBD]
vs
★★★ IMMORTAL ATROCITIES ★★★
[KALIDAH, PENELOPE, REBEKAH STEVENSON & JIMMY PAGAN]

As the bell rings AJ runs to attack Leytrix, who meets him in the middle! The two begin trading blows until Leytrix bites AJ’s face! AJ knees her in the gut! AJ tries to send Leytrix into the cage wall, but Leytrix blocks! Elbow to the gut from Leytrix AJ falls into the ropes bordering the next ring! Leytrix charges… AJ elevates her over into the next ring! She lands on her feet! Leytrix pounces on AJ as he steps through the ropes, drilling him with a hip attack. She drags Knight into the ring and drills him with a DDT.

Leytrix throws up her balck sludge in the ring and begins drawing a pentagram in the sludge. AJ sees an opportunity to dispatch Leytrix as she’s not paying attention to him. He gets a full head of steam and then launches himself, spearing Leytrix into the ground. AJ gets to his feet and tries to taunt her, but The Imp suddenly sits straight up and turns her head impossibly far to look at AJ producing a creepy grin. AJ looks concerned as Leytrix slithers to him and rises to her feet. He goes for a big boot, but she catches the leg and sweeps him to the mat.

Leytrix starts stomping maniacally upon his head and chest. Once she’s grown tired of doing so she scoops up her defunct opponent over her shoulder. She turns toward the cage wall and tosses his body into the side of it. To finish her assault on AJ she lifts him again and repeatedly cracks his skull on the nearest ringpost. Knight stumbles backwards, and Leytrix charges at him, hitting a crossbody into the sludge puddle! Knight squirms as he realizes he was just dropped into the vomit sludge stuff!!!

Leytrix stalks her prey, as Knight uses the ropes to get to his feet. He stumbles for a second and Leytrix charges, but AJ counters the charge by elevating her into the cage wall! He starts putting the boots to her, before grinding her face against the cage wall! AJ elbows her in the back of the head before slamming her face into the cage wall again! AJ hoists her up and nails a snap suplex into the cage wall! He stands up and yells at the crowd to hype up as Leytrix rises back up to her feet and the two square off yet again.

The buzzer hits and Billy runs to the cage as AJ and Leytrix trade strikes. Billy enters the ring and spears The Imp right then and there. Billy drills her with a series of elbows before popping up to his feet and roaring. He and AJ lift Ley trix up by her arms into a big double crucifix powerbomb hold. The Franchise runs and tosses Leytrix over the set of ropes and into the other ring. Billy climbs through the ropes and gets to that alternate ring and tells AJ to hit the ropes. AJ follows his buddy’s directions and comes running for the center of the double ring. Knight takes a big leap onto the top rope, steps over to the other top rope and Billy catches him into a vertical suplex hold, before quickly suplexing his teammate onto Leytrix!!!

Billy and Leytrix trade strikes in the center of one of the rings as AJ is out on the side. Leytrix with a thumb to the eye of Danielson, before she grabs Billy’s head and slams it into a knee strike. Billy goes to a knee and Leytrix tries to lift the bigger opponent into a powerbomb, showing off her supernatural strength. However, Billy fights her and dumps her onto the mat with a back body drop. Leytrix tries to get back to her feet, but Billy hits the ropes and cracks her with a Chicago Blackout. Leytrix goes down as Billy stumbles over to his partner and tries to help him up.

Leytrix starts to mount a comeback, shoving Danielson away and punching AJ in the gut. While Leytrix is focused on AJ, Billy goes behind her looking to take advantage of The Imp. The Imp turns around and rockets herself at The Legacy Champion with Superman Punch! She hits him directly in the throat as he stumbles away. Leytrix snatches Billy and throws him into the cage wall. She then sends him into AJ Knight head first. She crouches over him and starts smashing his face a countless amount of times on the metal bridge that conjoins the two rings. Danielson is busted open badly on his forehead from the gruesome strikes. At the sign of the blood Leytrix’s eyes widen and she licks some of the blood off his face before leaving him there in a puddle of his own blood.

She continues her onslaught, but AJ quickly hits her with a superkick!!! He helps Billy up and Billy Danielson hoists Leytrix in a delayed vertical suplex as AJ hits the ropes and delivers a dropkick to the head sending Leytrix to the canvas! Leytrix tries to get back up to her feet, but AJ scoop slams Leytrix as Billy and AJ go to different corners. They yell and run back to the center of the ring and they connect with a Superkick/Chicago Blackout combo!!! Leytrix goes down in a heap, but Billy grabs her by her hair. He lifts her high into the air with a gorilla press and drops her into a gut buster. Leytrix lays into a kneeling fetal position, and AJ runs up with a big punt to the head. Leytrix begins to ooze black liquid from her mouth. Maybe it’s blood? Maybe it’s sludge?? Maybe it’s ectoplasm??? Who knows, this isn’t Buzzfeed Unsolved.

AJ and Billy are taking turns chopping the crap out of Leytrix in the corner. The start to increase the speed and Leytrix. Ley begins to slump in the corner, but The Franchise do not relent on their strikes. As Leytrix goes down even farther into the corner and onto the floor, Billy and AJ begin to stomp Leytrix into a spooky guacamole. The Franchise begins to show their stamina as they continue to just boot The Imp out of existence, and the fans begin to count. At first, The Franchise thinks they’re counting up, but they quickly realize theyre actually counting down. The fans hit 0 and a buzzer sounds!!!

Penelope races down the ramp, eager to get her hands and AJ and Billy. The Franchise are busy trying to eek out as much punishment to Leytrix as they can. Penelope reaches the cages, sliding inside as the door is once again locked behind her. She races in, as AJ turns to head her off, and hits a Lou Thez press dropping him to the mat. She starts absolutely unloading on AJ, with rights lefts, forearms, everything but the kitchen sink. Billy leaves Leytrix for the moment, grabbing Penelope by the hair and reefing her off AJ. Penelope turns in towards Billy to alleviate the pain, kicking him square in the balls. He immediately lets go, dropping to his knees in pain as Penelope starts to lay the boot in him.

Leytrix recovers from the corner as Penelope and AJ and trading shots in the centre of the ring. She nails AJ in the back with a clubbing forearm causing him to stumble forward. Penelope jumps, hitting a crisp reverse STO driving AJ face first to the mat. The two turn their sights to Billy who is in the corner using the ropes to get to his feet. Leytrix runs in hitting a body splash, sandwiching Danielson in the corner. She grabs him, throwing him out of the corner towards Penelope who hits him with a Belly to Belly suplex. She rolls him over, placing her knee on the small of his back, and grabbing his arm. Penelope pulls backwards, Billy's upper body comes up off the mat long enough for Leytrix to nail him flush with a basement dropkick.

Penny comes up with a big mid-air spinning heel kick to the back of Danielson’s head. Penelope grabs Billy by the hair and locks in her Fade to Black Dragon Sleeper. Danielson begins to muscle out of the hold, but Penny drops back with a body scissors. She pulls Billy back even more, as Billy tries to pull himself free of The Smiley Coyote’s grasp, but he starts to fade. Finally Danielson rallies, and breaks free of her hold. He is able to switch into a mount and quickly drills elbows into the face of Penelope and stumbles off to recover.

AJ drags Penny into the second ring by the hair! AJ clubs her with forearms before picking her up and lawndarting her into the cage wall! AJ whips her as hard as he can into the corner sending her ricocheting out and face planting on the mat! She staggers back to her feet and into a lariat from AJ turning her inside out! Leytrix turns her attention to Knight.Knight sees her approaching and superkicks her square in the face. Leytrix falls backwards backwards like a freshly cut tree onto her back. When AJ gets within range of the demon she brings her to her feet a moment before delivering a flurry of blows that puts Leytrix in the corner. AJ rushes at Leytrix’s propped up body intending to set up a helluva. At the last second Leytrix moves and AJ crashes into the corner with great force. Leytrix catches Knight as he falls and turns the momentum into an inverted DDT.

She slides AJ’s body out of the corner and mounts him before raining down punch after punch on his skull. When AJ stops moving, Leytrix leans down to smell AJ for a second before licking him across the cheek. The lick leaves some of her sludge on Knight’s face. Seeing an opportunity to possibly steal a soul, Leytrix takes the two middle fingers of her right hand and places them in his own mouth. An unnecessary amount of sludge starts flowing out of her mouth, all over her hand, and on AJ’s face. Leytrix spits the remainder of the ichor on him then proceeds to jam the same two fingers into Knight’s mouth to try to make her submit to her will with Drink My Soul!!! Billy comes rushing up on her, drilling her with a Chicago Blackout to get her off his partner.

After some time and some healing, Billy and AJ manage to stun Penelope and Leytrix. AJ climbs up the ropes and onto the cage, looking for some sort of big move, but Penelope and Leytrix both elbow Billy at the same time and climb up with AJ to stop his ascent. They grab him up in almost an Electric Chair hold, as he holds onto the cage wall for dear life. Billy seats himself between Penny and Leytrix, and grabs them in a powerbomb position, trying to get them off of AJ. Eventually, Knight’s grip slips and all four of them come crashing down onto the mat in a Tower of Doom!!!

Billy ends up trading shots with Leytrix again as AJ does the same with Penny. Both men hit big strikes, AJ hits his Holy Ouch and Billy a Chicago Blackout that knocks their opponents to the floor. They both lock in simultaneous Boston Crabs. Just as they hit this, the buzzer hits and Julianna DiMaria comes running down to the ring. Penny and Ley grab each other trying to help each other out as Julianna hits a running senton right onto the backs of the Immortal Atrocities. Billy and AJ let go of their hold and they look at their Plus 1. AJ shakes Julianna’s hand and then she turns to Billy. They pause for a moment, with years of animosity between each other it’s really the first time they’ve gotten a chance to look each other in the eyes as “teammates”. Julianna reaches out a hand out of respect, but Billy just hugs his sister-in-law and raises her hand, much to her surprise!!!

AJ and Billy take hold of Leytrix and run her into the cage face first! From there Billy starts dragging her face across the cage and tells AJ to help DiMaria with Penny. Penny is taking it to the world champion, but AJ comes in with a big Axe Handle across the back. AJ points to the corner and the World Champion nods… AJ lifts Penny in a delayed vertical suplex… TOP ROPE CROSSBODY FOR THE CHAMP!!! AJ high fives Dimaria as Team Franchise continues their onslaught!!!

Leytrix boots Billy in the nuts to break free of his hold. She then pounces on Julianna, before throwing Knight into the nearest ringpost. With Julianna virtually knocked out on the mat, Leytrix crawls to her body, unhurried, with an evil grin on her face. Leytrix slaps her a few times in the face trying to wake her. Julianna comes to finding the demon over top of her drooling a bit of the sludge of her face. DiMaria punches her once to get away from Leytrix by sliding on her ass then gets to her feet temporarily avoiding danger. Leytrix quickly skitters on her hands and knees to not let Julianna escape. When the Imp gets within range The Scourge smashes into her with a desperate Shining Wizard!!! Leytrix collapses face first on the mat.

Julianna kneels in, trying to capitalize on the assault, but Leytrix turns her head towards the woman and gives a hellish smile while getting to her feet. Julianna supremely confused haphazardly runs at Leytrix who crushes her with a Clothesline from Hell. The woman does a flip and lands on her head. Leytrix no-sells this though, and becomes ultra violent just kicking a punching DiMaria until she’s near unconsciousness. The demon picks up her lifeless body into a powerbomb position and rams her into the top rope. Not letting go she turns to the corner crushing Julianna’s body into the turnbuckle twice before finally into the mat a final time.


Leytrix climbs up, like she might be going for an avalanche stomp onto DiMaria, but AJ comes in for the save. He traps Leytrix up on the top rope, and he’s now looking to hit a superplex onto the metal bridge between the two rings. Leytrix spits black goo onto her hand and rubs it in AJ’s face! She hooks in a Drink My Soul claw hold and throws him off the turnbuckles onto the hard metal bridge below!!! Leytrix tries to pose on the turnbuckle for a second, but Julianna pulls her legs out from underneath her and Leytrix comes crashing down to the mat. At the same time, Penny has Billy on jelly legs, and goes for a moonsault reverse DDT, but Billy catches the little 133lber. He lifts her up for The Franchise. Billy calls for Julianna to hit her Scourge springboard forearm, and she does just that! DiMaria drills the elbow into the back of Penelope’s head and Billy uses that momentum to drill Pen with that reverse crucifix powerbomb!!!

The Buzzer hits once more and Jimmy runs down into the ring as Knight and DiMaria take on Immortal Atrocities and Billy waits in the cage for his brother. Pagan gets into the cage, and instantly takes Billy out with an Abyss Kick. Danielson gets up relatively quickly and again Pagan takes him out with an Abyss Kick. Knight sees what's going on and hits Penny with a big Elbow strike on the top of the head before leaving her for DiMaria to pick apart. Knight charges at Pagan, but Jimmy catches him with a Grand Rite jumping reverse STO. Pagan runs to the middle rope and hits a springboard Turning in My Grave onto the back of Knight. As Pagan takes out Knight, Penny and Leytrix take control of the numbers game and hits a Julianna DiMaria with a Double Black Mist and a Double Leucotomy!!!

Pagan, Leytrix, and Penny each chose their opponent and began to put the boots to them. Leytrix sticks with Knight, Pagan boots Billy, and Penny begins to attack DiMaria. Pagan calls out, and all three Immortal Atrocities whip their Franchise member into the center of the ring, but The Franchise all stop each other from colliding!!! None of the IA can believe this, and they all charge at the same time, just to eat triple Superkicks!!! The IA stumble back a step, but now everyone hits a superkick, and all six wrestlers collapse to the floor!!!

Julianna looks over toward Pagan, but decides to not go after him. She quickly measures Penelope who is rising to her feet. Julianna walks up to her and knees her right in the gut and she wastes no time at all planting her with a swinging neckbreaker. Julianna continues to focus on her as she drops down and applies a headscissors chokehold on her. Penelope struggles with the move for a bit, but when she starts to punch at Julianna’s legs, Julianna breaks the hold. She gets up, dragging Penelope up with her and then grabbing her and planting her into the mat with a tornado DDT.

Pagan climbs the cage as Danielson makes his way back to his feet. Pagan gets three quarters of the way up the cage before leaping off with a Turning in My Grave tornillo onto his half brother!!! Both men go down, but Pagan is quick to spring back up and pulls Billy back to his feet. He drives Danielson into the corner and backs up across the ring. Jimmy Pagan runs full steam at Billy, but Danielson pops Jimmy up in the air at the last second and sends over the top rope so that Jimmy comes crashing down on the metal bridge between the ring. Danielson has no energy to pursue his half brother though, as he just collapses in the corner.

Leytrix grabs Knight as he tries to head between the ropes to capitalize on Billy’s counter, and headbutts him square in the face. She does it once again, and this time blood streams down AJ’s face as Leytrix cackles in delight. Leytrix shoves her fingers in her mouth to get some more sludge on it, and then attempts her Mandible claw… AJ BITES THE FINGERS!!! AJ starts hammering home with right hands against her! He hits a close range dropkick right on the chin! Leytrix comes back to her feet as AJ tosses her into the post of the second ring! Leytrix has been busted wide open!

Jimmy Pagan rushes Knight to save his partner and begins to elbow Knight in the neck to break him down. In the other ring, Penelope shoves Julianna into Billy, and then dropkicks Billy so that he DDT’s her. Penny grabs Julianna and hits an O’Connor Roll Release German suplex into the turnbuckles. Pagan and Leytrix pull Knight up to his feet, and Pagan lifts AJ into a fireman’s carry as Ley hits the ropes and they crush AJ with a Boot of Doom. Penny goes to grab Billy, but Billy points to the timer, which is counting down from 5 now, and tells The Immortal Atrocities that they are f***ed. They all turn to see who’s about to come down as the timer hits 0.

The buzzer rings for the last time for The Franchise and “Indestructible'' by Distrubed plays on the PA, but nobody comes out. The music plays for quite some time, but still the mythical fourth member of this team doesn’t come out. Billy, Julianna, and AJ all look to the ramp in disappointment, but as soon as the Immortal Atrocities catch on that nobody is coming, it proves to be brutal as they begin to attack individual members of the opposite team once again. However, they take too long to capitalize and The Franchise begins to fight back!

Julianna grabs Penelope, and runs, launching her into the side of the cage. Penelope bounces off, stumbling backwards only for Julianna to grab her and go to toss her into the opposite side of the cage. Penelope gets her hands up at the last second stopping herself. She elbows Julianna in the head a couple of times, causing her to let go. Penelope lunges, raking Julianna's eyes painfully before grabbing her and throwing her like a dart between the ropes. Julianna hits the side of the cage head first. Penelope doesn't let up, grabbing her head through the ropes and dragging it across the chain link fence. Julianna cries out as Penelope laughs, before switching tactics, grabbing the rope and using it for leverage as she puts a boot to the back of the champion's head. Penelope screams in rage as she pushes Julianna's head into the cage with as much force as possible.

Jimmy grabs Penelope and points at Billy who's getting back to his feet. Penelope meets him, rocking him with some stuff European uppercuts. She gives him a hard Irish whip into the ropes, and drops him with a hard clothesline. Billy drops and as he goes to get back up, Penelope charges. She snaps his head back with a nasty looking running knee lift. Pagan comes running out of the corner and hits the Abyss Kick to Danielson from out of nowhere! Danielson's head damn near comes off from the impact. The pair then bum rush AJ, mauling Knight like a couple of wild animals as Leytrix and Julianna square off.

Leytrix drags the world champion off of the mat. She attempts to pick her up with a suplex, but Julianna on instinct connects with a reverse elbow, causing Leytrix to stumble back. Julianna turns toward her and Leytrix tries to catch her with a lariat, but Julianna counters with an armdrag that takes Leytrix down to the mat. Leytrix is writhing in pain as she holds her arm and Julianna takes advantage of this with a running knee right in the arm. This causes Leytrix to stumble down to one knee. Julianna then follows up with a sick buzzsaw kick to the back of the head causing Leytrix to fall to the mat, knocked out cold.

Penelope runs behind DiMaria and hits a pump kick to the back of her head. Penelope tries to get Pagan to join in on the assault of Julianna, but Pagan denies and wants them to go back to attacking Billy and Knight. They begin to brawl with The Franchise and Pagan takes AJ to the metal bridge, hitting Snuff onto the UWL World Champion. Penelope dropkicks Billy into the corner. Jimmy helps Penny place Billy onto the top turnbuckle and spins him around to face the metal bridge as well Penny climbs up and hits a super hurricanrana off the top rope, as Pagan catches Billy and powerbombs him onto Knight!!! Pagan drops down to Billy and makes him look at the timer count down as he whispers to Billy that THEY are now f***ed!

The buzzer rings as red smoke begins to come out from beneath the ring and from the ring posts. As the smoke dissipates, a roar echoes throughout the arena and Kalidah stands in the middle of the ring staring at everyone. Danielson charges but Kalidah sidesteps him and drops him with a German suplex. Knight tries to grab him but Kalidah grabs him in a bear hug and tosses him into the turnbuckles with a bell-to-belly throw. The Beast of Hotel California rolls to his feet and stares DiMaria down. She comes at him but he catches her, lifts her over the head in a military press and with a running start tosses over the ropes and into the other ring.

The Franchise is down from Kalidah’s assault as AJ drags himself to his feet, challenging the leader of the Atrocities to put him down again… Kalidah obliges hammering AJ to the mat with a forearm smash dropping AJ to a knee but AJ pops back up with a European Uppercut! Kalidah blasts AJ with a throat thrust! He’s looking for his Iron claw… LOW BLOW FROM AJ! Jimmy Pagan rushes in but AJ side steps the dropkick! AJ tosses Pagan into the next ring! Pagan tries to come through the ropes but AJ nails a swinging neck breaker! AJ comes to his feet with the throat slash gesture… ONLY FOR LEYTRIX AND PENNY TO SWARM HIM CUTTING OFF HIS COMEBACK!

Julianna leans back and measures Kalidah as he crawls on the mat. She runs up and delivers a running knee right to the head to knock him down. She sees Leytrix getting up, wasting no further time. Julianna picks her up from behind and delivers a hard backbreaker. She then sees Penelope working over AJ, and she goes to grab her. She pulls her off of AJ and then drags her over to the center and connects with a release German suplex suplex. Finally, Jimmy gets up and Julianna looks over toward him. Jimmy says he doesn’t want to do this, but Julianna says she doesn’t care as she charges at Jimmy!!! She hits him with a big elbow, before throwing him to the mat with a Forward Russian Legsweep. The World Champion stumbles backwards in the ropes and delivers a Shining wizard, taking Pagan out!!! DiMaria raises her arms in the air, but eats a backstabber from Kalidah!!!

He pulls Penelope to his feet and slaps her a few times to get Penelope revived. She is running on fumes at this point, fighting through the pain, to continue the onslaught as best she can. Kalidah begins beating down on Julianna, the World champion crumpling under his merciless blows. He tosses her to Penelope who catches DiMaria with a sitout jawbreaker. She snaps back, stumbling into Kalidah who hoists her up. He hits the Sacrifice flush, as Julianna slumps to her knees. Only for Penelope to rush over, grabbing her arms and nailing the Leucotomy right after! Julianna falls back with Penelope landing on top.

Leytrix and Penelope are working over AJ, double teaming him in the corner. Julianna intervenes, clubbing Leytrix from behind. This evens the odds and Julianna is ultimately able to knock Leytrix down with a forearm. She then helps AJ fight back against Penelope and the two effectively double team her. Julianna brings her down with a snap suplex. AJ gathers himself for a second before he picks up Penelope and hoists her in an electric chair position. Julianna takes this opportunity to go to the top rope. The world champion doesn’t hesitate at all as she dives off the top rope, hitting a missile dropkick, combining that with an electric chair drop from AJ slamming Penelope hard into the mat.

Kalidah sees Danielson in the other ring. Grabbing the top rope, Kalidah springs up and launches himself onto Billy with a flying clothesline. He mounts Danielson’s chest and grinds his forearm across Billy’s face before delivering forearm shots to the bridge of his nose. Kalidah pulls Danielson to his feet and gives him a hot shot, throat first over the top rope. He grabs Danielson from behind and hits a German suplex, maintains the waist lock, rolls to his feet and hits a second, before rolling through, pulling Billy to his feet for one last German suplex, this one right into the turnbuckles.

Kalidah pulls Pagan to his feet and grabs him by the ears, pulls him towards him and the two touch foreheads. He roars into his face and Pagan nods in understanding. In unison they turn to AJ Knight. Kalidah grabs him and picks him up into a power bomb position, while Pagan climbs to the top rope and flies off with a crossbody. AJ crashes hard to the mat with the “sin eater” on top of him. Pagan rolls to his feet and points at Danielson and the two of them rush at him, hitting a double spear.

Leytrix grabs Julianna and pulls her up off of the mat. She holds her up so that Penelope can take a swing at her. She does so with a forearm, but Julianna is able to duck and break free at the last second. Penelope’s punch staggers Leytrix and Julianna follows up with a headbutt of Penelope. She turns around and knees Leytrix in the gut before taking her down with a corkscrew neckbreaker. Julianna turns back around and then knocks down Penelope with a shoulder block before running to the corner. She climbs up to the top while both women recover. Penelope and Leytrix stand next to each other and then Julianna dives off of the top rope taking down both women with a cross body!!!

As the Immortal Atrocities completely take over this match, brutalizing The Franchise at every possible turn, the lights go out!!! In the center of the front ring, where most of The IA is, Cicada appears and all of the Atrocities rejoice. Now that the numbers are 5 to 3, There is no chance that they can lose! Penny goes to pat Cicada on the shoulder to welcome him, but Cicada just looks at her, and takes off his mask revealing BRYAN BLAZE!!! HUMONGO POP!!! Penelope doesn’t get a chance to react as Blaze hits her with a Scorcher Stunner. He runs up beside Pagan, and hits him with a Heatwave enziguri!!! Leytrix is too focused on stomping Danielson into baby powder, and doesn’t realize what's going on as she gets grabbed from behind and into the first half of Combustion with the reverse DDT, but forgoes the guillotine as his eyes meets Kalidah’s in the other ring. Kalidah tells Blaze to bring it, and Blaze does just that as he leaps onto the top rope and hits a springboard spear into the other ring!!! Blaze pops back up and yells triumphantly as The Franchise begins to stir.

As AJ recovers in the corner, he suddenly sees that his friend Bryan Blaze has finally returned, and an enormous grin spreads across his face! AJ runs over, pulling his friend into a massive hug! AJ and Blaze nod at each other as they point across the ring at Jimmy Pagan, and nail him with a HARD double Superkick! They nail him with a Double Snap Suplex into the cage wall! AJ smiles as he directs Blaze to the corner. Blaze knows exactly what to do… Electric chair from AJ… DOOMSDAY CANADIAN DESTROYER!!! THEY JUST UTTERLY KILLED JIMMY PAGAN!!! AJ comes back to his feet, looking around the cage at his teammates. “LET’S END THIS SHIT!!!” Blaze goes for the pin, but Kalidah comes running up with a Bomaye into the face of Knight that sends him crashing onto Blaze!!!

Kalidah grabs AJ Knight by the shoulder and whips him around. He spits red mist into Knight’s eyes before leveling him with a stiff lariat. The Beast of Hotel California drops on top of Knight, starts choking him and bashing his head into the mat. Kalidah roars into Knight’s face before pulling him back to his feet and hitting him with a running spear. Lifting Knight to his feet a second time, Kalidah hoists him over his shoulder. Rather than go for the Sacrifice though, Kalidah brings Knight down hard with a Black Tiger Driver. He covers Knight, but Knight kicks out just in time!!!

The Imp stalks around the ring watching everyone destroy each other. She finds an opening on Bryan and takes the opportunity to assault him chaotically from behind with frantic strikes that end with a headbutt to the back of the head. This stuns him and she uses a belly to back suplex to down the man. Leytrix happily looks to her comrades then into the camera allowing a bit of sludge drool to exit her mouth. She should have been paying closer attention to Blaze because when she returns to create more damage on the man he’s recovered and hops to his feet giving her a Codebreaker staggering her in the process.

Being close to the ropes he jumps off of them to connect with his The Heatwave, kicking her in the head. Leytrix falls to the ground in a heap. He does a stand shooting star press and goes for the pin. She kicks out almost immediately and Bryan spazzes out not believing she was unfazed by the sequence of moves. During this time Leytrix recuperates and gets right up in Blaze's face. She lets out a horrific scream before kneeing him in the guts a few times. She gives him her Spinning Fisherman Neckbreaker she calls Spiral into the Abyss. She quickly goes for the pin, but Julianna breaks it up!!!

Kalidah lifts Penelope and Leytrix to their feet and stares at them both before the trio turn and towards Knight and Danielson. Leytrix grabs Danielson and shoves him into Kalidah. The Beast grabs him by the throat and launches Danielson into the cage. Penelope grabs Knight and whips him into Kalidah, who lifts him over his head with a military press and tosses him into the cage as well. Knight lands right on top of Danielson and the members of IA pose around them. The trio turns their attention to DiMaria and mauls her from all sides. Kalidah hoists her up and with the help of Pen and Leytrix hits a triple power bomb. Kalidah goes for the cover, but Bryan Blaze springboard off the top rope over Penny and Leytrix and splashes onto Kalidah to break it up!!!

Bryan goes after Penelope, who immediately turns and races to the corner. She quickly uses the ropes and turnbuckles, and begins to try and climb the cage to get distance from Blaze. Bryan isn't far behind, grabbing at Penelope trying to pull her back down. Leytrix, seeing Penelope in trouble, rushes Blaze in the corner. She drags him down, the two trading shots in the corner as Penelope climbs up to the top of the cage. Blaze turns the tables on Leytrix, beating her in the corner. He climbs up to the second rope, and goes to continue the punishment. But Penelope jumps, hooking her legs around Blaze's neck and nailing a hurricanrana off the top of the cage!

Kalidah throws a fireball at Billy as the rest of IA takes down DiMaria and Knight. Billy stumbles and Kalidah hits a famouser that drives Billy’s face into the mat. Kalidah stalks Danielson as The Legacy Champion tries to get to his feet, and drills him with a curbstomp. Kalidah lifts Danielson up and begins to talk trash to him in some form of demonic language. Kalidah lifts Danielson up to his feet for The Sacrifice, but Billy springs to life, spins around before Kalidah can get him up in the gory hold, and Billy hits him with a Thinning the Herd cutter!!!

Billy stumbles over to his buddy Blaze and pulls him to his feet. They hug for a moment and Leytrix charges like she’s going to attack them both. Billy and Bryan both step away and she splashes into the corner. Billy and Bryan look at each other and nod, as Bryan pops Leytrix into a powerbomb position and Billy goes to the top rope. Billy screams out “FOR MARK SMART'', and delivers a flying Chicago Blackout that makes Blaze powerbomb Ley to the mat. Both men raise their fist high in the air and scream out “TESTIFY”, a cool nod to their original team from UWL. The two don’t get to celebrate long though, as Pagan and Penny attack them.

Kalidah grabs Knight by the back of the neck and tosses him into the cage before turning his attention to DiMaria. Seizing her by the throat with both hands, Kalidah spits a green mist into her eyes. Kalidah lifts her above his head and charges across the ring and smashes her back into the cage. He turns around and drops her to her feet, only to grab her around the waist and give her a belly-to-belly suplex right back into the cage. He rolls to his feet and drags DiMaria up. He scoops her up on his shoulder and charging across the ring, tosses her into the cage like a lawn dart. He covers Julianna for the 1… 2… KICKOUT BY DIMARIA!!!

Kalidah has Julianna right where he wants her. He picks her up and tries to lift her up for a powerbomb, but Julianna punches away at the face of Kalidah, trying to do the best that she can to weaken him. Eventually, she’s able to counter with a hurricanrana that sends Kalidah into the ropes. Kalidah bounces off of the ropes and Julianna is quick to respond with a double knee backbreaker to take him down onto the mat. She stands over Kalidah for a bit, and then, without hesitation, Julianna leaps backward into a moonsault double knee right into the chest area of Kalidah, causing him to writhe away in some pain as a result.

Blaze and Penny are in the corner and Blaze’s relative freshness comes into play as Penny’s strikes get slower and slower. Blaze hits a big elbow and does a standing switch, placing Penny in the corner now. He whips her out of the ring and Knight times an interception just in time to superkick Penelope in the middle of the ring. AJ gets no time to attempt a pin though, as Jimmy Pagan comes from nowhere with an Abyss Kick! Jimmy turns around, right into a Clothesline from Nova Scotia!!! Leytrix runs up on Blaze, trying to continue this exchange of signatures, but Billy Danielson stops her with a Chicago Blackout!!! Billy tells Bryan to help lift Penny and Pagan onto his shoulders as AJ climbs to the top rope. Billy has the IA in a 69 on his shoulders as AJ jumps off with a double stomp, making Penny Piledrive Pagan onto Leytrix in the process as well! All three of The Franchise dogpile onto the Immortal Atrocities for the 1… 2… KALIDAH BREAKS IT UP!!!

Kalidah hits 3 individual Bomaye knee strikes onto Blaze, Danielson, and Knight. He tries to get his teammates back to their feet, but Julianna DiMaria springboards off the top rope with that Scourge Forearm onto the Beast of Hotel California! The Franchise+1 make their way onto their feet and they all go to a corner and take the top turnbuckle pads off. They then each grab an IA member into a Fireman’s Carry. Julianna has Pagan, Billy has Kalidah, AJ has Leytrix, and Bryan has Penny. They march to the center of the ring and all scream “DIE FOR IT”, signaling for Blaze’s desperation finisher, and they all run towards the corners drilling their opponents with Death Valley Drivers!!! They all cover their opponents at once for the 1… 2… 3NO!!! ALL OF THE IMMORTAL ATROCITIES KICK OUT!!!

Everyone is on the mat now, no energy left in their tanks. The Franchise+1 has tried all of their crazy desperation moves now, and The Immortal Atrocities have used up their repertoire as well. They all slowly start to rise, and it becomes just a mob of exhausted brawling, not a single person looking to give the opposing team an inch. Julianna grabs Kalidah around the waist, and drives him into the ropes, and they actually stumble through the ropes and into the other ring. Pagan and LeyPen continue to fight Billy, Blaze, and Knight. The herd of fighters goes to the corner as their brawling does not relent. In the other ring, Kalidah seems to be beating Julianna, but everytime it seems like he might be capitalizing, Julianna counters and puts The Tiger Demon back onto the defensive.

Scorcher stunner is delivered to Jimmy Pagan from Blaze, as Billy and Knight cling onto Penny and Leytrix. Billy and Knight drill knees into the faces, as Blaze decides to climb to the top rope, and then even farther as he heads up to the top of the cage. Pagan gets to his feet and tries to pry his partners free of Billy and AJ, but it seems to be in vain as they continue to hold them where they are. Pagan looks up, and realizes what is about to happen as he sees Blaze do a quick prayer. Pagan backs away, as Blaze leaps off the top of the cage with a Double Rotation Moonsault!!! Pagan’s absence creates less cushion for Blaze, and so he takes a lot more impact than intended and the other 4 are all crushed beneath him. Five people are laid out across the ring, as Pagan heads to the other ring to help end this match.

Kalidah drills Julianna with a Northern Lights “Chaos” Driver, as he looks at his top lieutenant enter the ring with him. Kalidah and Pagan look at each other and smile, as Kalidah points at Julianna. They close in on DiMaria, as Kalidah grabs her by the hair and begins to lift her to her feet. However, before Kalidah could even set-up, Jimmy Pagan grabs him in a Half Nelson and Drills him onto the mat with the Nativity in Black Driver!!! Julianna hasn’t realized what has happened yet, so Pagan rolls Kalidah out of the ring towards the cage wall.

As Julianna comes to her senses, she realizes that Pagan turned on Kalidah for her. Pagan looks her in the eyes, before turning around and spreading his arms out in a Christ-Like Pose. Julianna realizes what Jimmy is asking for her to do, and she nods. She says “I’m Sorry… I love you…” before running at Pagan and delivering the DiMaria Code onto the former NVR World Champion. Pagan goes down, as The Franchise all seem to get to their feet. They enter the ring to play defense as Julianna covers Pagan for the 1...2…3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winners by way way of pin fall is the Franchise AND STILL the Mainstream Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion...JULIANNA—DIMARIA!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Blinded by Love, Lou! Jimmy Pagan has realized his sins and asked for forgiveness! Bodies were broken and sacrifices have been made for WARGAMES!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  What a brutal match, Charles! Perhaps the most grueling bout that any of these men and women will ever take part in!

Julianna DiMaria pushed herself up off the match as she is embraced by her teammates AJ Knight, Billy Danielson and Bryan Blaze. The official retrieves and hands the World Heavyweight Championship to Julianna DiMaria as the four partners stand beaten and battered inside the same ring as the logo flashed across the screen.

CHARLES HUDSON:  Ladies and Gentlemen my question now is have we seen the last of the Immortal Atrocities? Have they finally been vanquished?

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Julianna DiMaria’s reign atop Mainstream Wrestling continues but as far as the Franchise and the Immortal Atrocities goes we’ll have to tune into MAINSTREAM 66 and 67 on May 15th and 16th as we are officially on the Road to the Emerald City Classic! Good Night Folks!

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