MAINSTREAM 89 - ST LOUIS - 8/14/2022

[Robert Daniels]

Battleground Network Presents

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING 89
SUNDAY - 08/14/2022
ENTERPRISE CENTER
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING IS LIVE FROM ST LOUIS AND WE’RE INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE CENTER. HOME OF ST LOUIS BLUES!

"Until the End” by Breaking Benjamin hits the speakers and the crowd goes wild as AJ Knight emerges from behind the curtain. He walks around the stage, pageant waving at the fans and taking bows as the fans chant “welcome back” at him. In spite of his sarcastic demeanor upon his entrance, he seems genuinely taken aback by the reaction. AJ grabs a mic, looks like he’s about to roll into the ring to begin speaking…

Only to roll back out to the floor and take another lap to high five the fans, making sure to get everybody in the front row. He is absolutely milking it as he rolls back into the ring. He raises the mic to his lips… before lowering it again, putting his hand to his ear to listen to the crowd’s response. He raises the mic again before putting it down and going to the other side of the ring repeating the process. AJ raises the mic to his lips again… and lowers it once more. Now the crowd feels it’s getting old, AJ puts his hands up and concedes.

AJ KNIGHT: Alright, alright-

Before AJ can really begin his promo “Leather Teeth” hits the speaker and down comes an irate “Spaceman” Biggs. The crowd begins to boo him as he approaches the ring with a mic coming face to face with AJ Knight.

BIGGS: That’s a lot of nerve you have coming out two weeks ago to ruin Lex Collins’ crowning moment here in Mainstream Wrestling! Now instead of talking about how Lex and I pushed each other to our limits and beyond, all people are talking about is the fact that AJ Knight is back! Quite frankly, it’s rather selfish of you to steal somebody else’s limelight like that AJ. Rather selfish indeed.

The crowd cuts Biggs off with a loud “AJ! AJ! AJ!” chant, perturbing the former United States Champion even more. Biggs turns to the audience to chastise them.

BIGGS: Don’t encourage him! By all rights, AJ, I should be preparing for my match against Dayna Barrett later tonight. By all rights, I should be coaching up Blake O’Reilly and Bobby Larson for their Tag Team Title defense later tonight. By all rights, I should be back there talking with my new best friend Lex Collins about how we’re going to make sure that the ECC finals are between me and him! But instead, I’m out here dealing with a snake in the grass who doesn’t even honor his contracts!

The crowd lets out massive boos towards “The Spaceman,” but he chooses to hear it differently.

BIGGS: You hear that, AJ, these fickle fans have already turned on you, because you’re a dishonest jerk!

AJ has a cocky smirk on his face and replies in a sarcastic manner.

AJ KNIGHT: I think they’re booing you, chief…

BIGGS: Well they should be booing for you! Am I the only one here that remembers the fact that you lost a Loser Leaves Town match to Jason Cashe all those months ago, which stipulated that you would leave Mainstream Wrestling forever!?

AJ shrugs. He then follows by giving a so-so gesture.

AJ KNIGHT: I mean, kind of, but before I answer that question, I need to address the elephant in the room. You’re right, you could be backstage preparing for your match with Dayna Barrett right now, you could be coaching your friends to get them ready for their title match against Team Madness. By the way, Embrace the Madness! You go girls!

The fans pop and start chanting “Embrace the Madness” as Biggs yells at the fans to shut up. AJ laughs before continuing.

AJ KNIGHT: But you chose to be out here. Instead of taking care of yourself and getting ready for Dayna Barrett, and the Emerald City Classic you’re out here, mouthing off to me. Instead of making sure your proteges are adequately prepared for quite a challenge, you’re busy being the answer to a question that nobody asked. Really, the only person upset about what happened two weeks ago is you. These people don’t seem upset!

AJ holds the mic up to pick up the crowd reaction, which is overwhelmingly positive.

AJ KNIGHT: Lex Collins didn’t really seem all that upset, he seems happy to have the belt and frankly I’m happy for him. So what we have here really is you white knighting for a cause that nobody cares about, and defending the honor of a man who hasn’t even been offended. So pardon me if my friends and I think you’re being more than a little disingenuous. Frankly this just feels like you’re just using me to stay relevant after dropping the US title.

AJ raises an eyebrow and shrugs, as a collective “oh!” rises from the audience.

AJ KNIGHT: Now as for your accusations, I will cop to being a jerk, but dishonest? I’ve always liked to think of myself as a pretty straight shooter. In this case though, I’ll answer your question with another question: Who do you know that has the authority to waive the stipulation of that Loser Leaves Town Match, and would do anything to mess with you. Coincidentally, Jason Cashe says hi.

A loud “Diogee” chant breaks out as Biggs can be heard without his mic saying “THAT SON OF A BITCH!” He throws a bit of tantrum, huffing and puffing and walking in circles for a few seconds before turning his anger back towards AJ.

BIGGS: It’s real rich that you think I need you to be relevant. Nobody in Mainstream Wrestling has been on a hotter streak than me since last October! Lex was the first person to pin me since September of last year! Based on that fact alone, I have to be the favorite to win the Emerald City Classic! If anyone is using anybody to stay relevant, it’s you riding the coattails of the Smokin’ Aces! But you keep telling yourself that you’re the hero, AJ, keep telling yourself that you’re the stand-up guy. I know the truth, you’re jealous of me.

AJ scoffs at the notion, but Biggs presses on.

BIGGS: Sure, you used to run Mainstream Wrestling along with The Franchise, but y’all went bankrupt! Blaze left! You left! Billy was left to his own egotistical devices! The fact is that there was a power vacuum at the top, and the Smokin’ Aces more than filled that gap, we did so without having management in our back pocket! Now I’m not arrogant enough to say that you aren’t one of the all time greats here in Mainstream Wrestling, because you damn well are, but let’s face it pal, Mainstream has passed you by…

AJ looks back and forth towards the crowd and Biggs.

AJ KNIGHT: I mean, technically speaking I haven’t been pinned in Mainstream since last October either.

The utter lameness of that as a comeback combined with AJ’s matter of fact delivery draws some chuckles from the crowd. AJ puts his arms out shaking his head and mouths “I’m not wrong” to a suitably unimpressed Biggs.

AJ KNIGHT: Let’s be clear on something, I may have gotten a hero’s welcome, but I have no illusions. I’m not one. But if Mainstream’s passed me by like you say it has, if you are the new standard bearer, then why are you out here? Why would you bother with this relic of Mainstream’s past? You wonder, deep down if you would have gotten half as far as you did if I was still here. Do you know how I know this? Because I came two weeks ago when a new champion had been crowned. For all you know I was positioning myself for a crack at Lex. Your name, the name of the Smoking Aces had not once left my mouth. But here you are, face to face with me. Because you wanted it to be about you. You needed it to be about you. All of the other things you told us you could be doing right now, but here you are trying to link your name to mine. So is this really jealousy on my end, or are you just projecting?

Biggs looks like he’s just been slapped in the face by AJ’s last statement. Before he can find the words to retort, drops the mic right in front of Biggs and rolls back out to the floor, slapping hands with the fans as he leaves Biggs in the ring dumbfounded. Biggs eventually lets out a weak retort, yelling and screaming at AJ.

BIGGS: You’re just lucky I got the Emerald City Classic tonight, otherwise I would have slapped you where you stood!

AJ just chuckles at “The Spaceman,” paying him no mind as he heads up the ramp.


CHARLES HUDSON:  Jason Cashe is gone from Mainstream Wrestling but how better than to stick it to his old rival Biggs than to waive the "Loser Leaves Town" clause and release AJ Knight back into action in Mainstream Wrestling!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  It's genius really. Only a beautiful mind such as Jason Cashe can come up with something so devious. We're kicking tonight off with some First Round action in the Emerald City Classic when we return from this commercial break!

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[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE…
Zodiac is seen sitting on a storage trunk as he has his head resting in his hands.

ROBERT ZODIAC: Always so damn close...every time I think I have it...I drop the DAMN BALL!

Zodiac pounds the trunk with his fist before he sighs and shakes his head.

ROBERT ZODIAC: This is the problem...I lose my temper and screw up. I screw up and I lose. I lose and I lose. I don't mind losing, I can learn from it if I'm paying close enough attention to the small details.

He takes a deep breath and sits upright before standing up off of the trunk, hopping down onto the floor before he leans back against it. He looks up at the ceiling before he puts his hands in his pockets. Then, as if a light bulb went off over his head. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and opens his contacts before scrolling down and tapping on a number. He begins typing on his phone, but then hesitates before seemingly sending a text message. Shortly after he sends the text, his phone vibrates and looks at a tweet with him tagged in it.

Zodiac begins to smile.

ROBERT ZODIAC: So, it's that time of year again is it? Emerald City Classic of 2022, the ECC. Skye Healy is my first opponent? Okay...I can work with that.

Zodiac smirks and begins to chuckle.

ROBERT ZODIAC: This time, I'm gonna take the whole damn thing. I've busted my ass to get to where I'm at and I promise I'm not gonna stop now. I am going to prove to this entire roster why they all say what I say is the truth: I am the most dangerous man in profession wrestling. Nobody can hold a candle to what I'm capable of doing to somebody else inside that ring. I love that feeling. I know what I can do, but nobody else has even the slightest clue yet...but they will.

Zodiac smiles and puts his phone back in his pocket.

ROBERT ZODIAC: They sure as hell will...

He hears a voice that sounds familiar to him, but when he turns around to see who it was, there was nobody there.

ROBERT ZODIAC: Stop looking...and start listening. You've been off those pills for...a year now? I've been here the entire time...watching you fail. Don't respond, don't do anything except shut up...and listen. We'll take the whole thing......we'll take everything.

Zodiac snorts at this and shakes his head, walking away.

ROBERT ZODIAC: You're dead to me and you know it.

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
Standing by with Kevin Bombay is Legacy Champion Skye Healy.

KEVIN BOMBAY: Good Evening! Tonight we begin the Sixth Annual Emerald City Classic. With each year that passes the lineage of the Classic grows. This years winner will receive a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, a cash prize and will earn the right to carry the Legacy Champion for the next calendar year. Also competing tonight is Skye Healy the reigning Legacy Champion. Skye at this time I want to wish you good luck in your first round match against Robert Zodiac and give you an opportunity to speak about what winning the Classic means to you...

Kevin Bombay holds out his hands and Skye Healy removes the Legacy Championship from across her shoulder. She folds the straps behind the faceplate and kisses the belt. She places it in the hands of Bombay and he exits the frame.

SKYE HEALY: Since the fifth anniversary last year I have carried the Legacy Championship proudly. For those of you who don't realize it is the original Seattle Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. Billy Danielson fought very hard for both the wrong and right reasons with the later eventually prevailing. He wanted to restore the history of this company and shine a light on where we come from and not just where we are going. I gave up the Legacy Championship so Bombay could clean it for me. Tonight I'm going to beat Zodiac, in two weeks I'm going to beat the next person and then the next just so I can win it back and keep it right where it belongs. Around my waist.

Skye Healy exits the frame as the show goes back to ringside.

[Robert Daniels]

EMERALD CITY CLASSIC

★★★ ROBERT ZODIAC ★★★
vs
★★★ SKYE HEALY ★★★

The bell rings and the opening match of this years Emerald City Classic is now underway! Skye Healy once again is sitting on the top turnbuckle just as she did in her match against Nate Davies two weeks ago. Zodiac tells her to come down and Healy simply ignores him. Zodiac tries to rush into the corner after Skye but as expected the official intervenes preventing Zodiac from entering the corner area. Skye stands on the middle rope and leaps over the official catching Zodiac with Lou Thesz Press! Healy rolls over onto her back and kips up. Zodiac gets to his feet, Healy sidesteps him and sends him into the ropes, drop down, leap frog, and looks for an arm drag but Zodiac holds on and stands firm. Healy stomps his foot then completes the arm drag and follows by wrenching the arm back into the mat and drops an elbow. Healy rolls over and looks to stomp the hand of Zodiac but he moves out of the way at and gets to his feet. Skye ducks a clothesline and comes off the ropes with a big boot but it’s caught firmly in the hands of Robert Zodiac. He throws her leg downward towards the mat and for a moment the two combatants take a moment to breathe.

Robert Zodiac and Skye Healy lock up in the center of the ring, Zodiac quickly takes the advantage as he transitions into a side headlock. He tightens his grip as he wrenches on her neck, but she quickly begins throwing elbows into his midsection before he loosens his grip slightly and she uses this to her advantage. She forces him backwards into the ropes and shoves him off to the other side of the ring. Zodiac turns and rebounds off the ropes before being met by a prone Healy, which forces him to jump over her, but he manages to stop himself after jumping and turns around to drop an elbow across her lower back that keeps her grounded. He follows up with a knee drop in the same spot as he rolls backwards up onto his feet. He measures her as he backs up, waiting until she's up to a single knee before delivering a running knee to the face!

Zodiac quickly follows up with grabbing her by the hair and dragging her back upright. He grabs her by the back of the head and starts throwing forearms into her jaw before she drops to one knee, then both knees and he switches to a Muay Thai Clinch. He throws a knee but it's blocked by Healy! She fires off a left hand into his ribs, followed by a right hand, then a left as she begins alternating strikes but Zodiac is able to land one stiff knee right to her forehead that shuts down any momentum she was gaining. There is a mixed reaction of cheers and boos as Zodiac rolls her over and hooks the inside leg but she throws her shoulder up before the referee can get into position! Zodiac quickly gets back to his feet and grabs her by the head, dragging her back to her feet as well before delivering a series of right hands that stagger her backwards into the ropes. He turns around and runs towards the other side of the ring, bouncing off the ropes to gain momentum as he comes in with a head full of steam before he gets caught with a boot to the face! It stuns him but he quickly responds with a swinging head butt that cracks Healy square in the forehead!! The crowd pops for the head butt with an audible gasp as blood begins to trickle down Zodiacs face.

Zodiac can feel it running down his forehead. He begins to smirk as he wipes the blood on his chest and starts firing right and left hands that wear her down to the point where she begins to slump. He takes advantage and switches up to body shots, catching her under the ribs enough to keep her upright. He lights her chest up with a vicious knife edge chop as the crowd gasps afterwards and she drops off the ropes to a single knee. Zodiac takes advantage turning and running off the ropes before he comes back in with a shotgun dropkick directly into her jaw! Healy drops and he quickly rolls her over and hooks the leg as the referee drops down to count the 1…2…KICKOUT!

Zodiac sits up and nods briefly before he rushes back to his feet and grabs her by the head. He immediately locks in a sleeper hold before she drops down and catches him with a jawbreaker! Zodiac releases his grasp as she scrambles back to her feet. She runs off towards the opposite side of the ring and bounces off the ropes before charging back in only to get caught with a leaping back elbow that drops her to the mat as the crowd cheers for both competitors! Zodiac slowly works his way back up to his feet, followed shortly after by Healy as the two butt heads and begin throwing strikes before Zodiac cuts her off with a spinning back fist! She slumps over but stays on her feet somehow as her head falls deadweight against his chest. He lifts her head before throwing a European uppercut that straightens her upright, then throws another knife edge chop that stuns her enough to deliver a jumping knee strike that causes Healy to crumble to the mat! Zodiac quickly climbs out onto the apron and leaps up onto the top rope before he springboards off and delivers a flying elbow drop directly across her throat! She begins to flail around before he hooks both legs and the referee drops down 1…2…KICKOUT!

Robert Zodiac pushes himself up off one knee to his feet. He sees Healy start to roll over slowly and he looks to bounce off the ropes but he falls from a drop toehold but his opponent. Healy clinches a headlock and brings her knees into Zodiac’ head. Zodiac does his best to protect his face from being rearranged. Skye grabs the wrist and hits a forearm into the shoulder. She grabs Zodiac and slams him back first into the mat. She maintains the wrist control and flips him over, pinning his hand into the mat, and stomps on his bicep! Zodiac immediately rolls continuously under he’s under the bottom rope and down to the floor at ringside.

…1!
…2!
…3!
…4!
…5!

Skye Healy goes after Zodiac but with one arm he forearms her into the side of the head as she leans through the middle and top ropes. Healy falls down on the mat but looks to get back up. Meanwhile Zodiac rolls back into the ring under the bottom rope. Zodiac lifts her and moves into a side headlock before he begins laying in measured strikes to her forehead. Zodiac gets back to his feet and aggressively yanks her back up to her feet before he delivers a series of knee lifts to her midsection. He clutches her head in a front face lock before he starts raining down elbows into the back of her neck! He uses almost all of his strength to keep her on her feet before he drops her on her head with a DDT, but as they land he keeps hold of her head and floats over onto his knees and stands back up while pulling her up with him. He grabs her arm and wraps it around his shoulder before he lifts her up, holding her upside down in a vertical suplex momentarily only to throw himself to the ground and drop her directly onto her head and neck with a sheer drop delayed brain buster!! He rolls her over and hooks the leg as the referee slides in to make the count...1...2...KICKOUT!

Healy defiantly throws her shoulder up as the crowd cheers! He sits up out of the pin and rolls over onto his hands and knees before standing up. Zodiac looks at Healy and looks at the top rope then back to Healy. He makes a face as if to say "I hate to do this." Zodiac drags Healy over closer to the corner before he rolls her over and delivers a few more stomps to the back of her head and neck for good measure. He climbs out through the ropes and up to the top turnbuckle and stands up, measuring Healy before he leaps off and coils his legs up before he dives down and delivers a sickening double foot stomp to the back of her head!! The crowd gasps off the move that he adopted from a former mentor of his called the DEATH Stomp!! Zodiac wastes no time in rolling her over and hooking both legs deep as the referee slides in to count the pin fall attempt…1...2...BREAK!

Skye gets her foot on the bottom rope at the last second as Zodiac falls off onto the mat and clutches his head, burying his face in the canvas as he screams. He realizes he cannot afford to waste any time in capitalizing on the fact she was unable to get her shoulder up. He grabs her by the head and pulls her up and towards the center. He gets her up into a fireman's carry position before he quickly drops sideways and dumps her directly onto the back of her head and neck with a vicious death valley driver! He rolls through and with a guttural roar, lifts her back up as he stands up with her still on his shoulders!

The crowd cheers as he shows this display of pure adrenaline fueled strength before he tosses her up and over, causing the back of her head and neck to land across his knee with a wasteland-style modified Katahjime! Zodiac quickly rolls backwards and watches Healy carefully as she gets back up to her feet and charges in with a flying calf kick! Healy drops but both are quick to get back up as Zodiac comes in with another calf kick! They both pop right back up and this time, Healy swings and misses with a wild right as Zodiac ducks down, then comes back up with a sickening right hand directly underneath the jaw as he follows through with the punch to the point he leaves his feet! The crowd gasps once again and they cheer as Zodiac lands on his feet, and Healy gets sent backwards straight to the mat!

He quickly grabs her by the head and waistband of the bottom part of her attire and drags her up before tossing her out through the middle and top rope. He watches and waits for her to start recovering, then takes off in a dead sprint to the other side of the ring, hitting the ropes to keep his momentum going as he turns himself into a literal human torpedo by tucking his arms into his sides and pencil diving through the ropes and straight into Healys chest with a suicide torpedo head butt!! Zodiac quickly recovers and the crowd pops once again as he is pulling out moves they haven't seen from him before! Zodiac grabs her by the head and drags her back to his feet. He quickly tucks her head into a power bomb position, he quickly lifts her up just enough for repeated punches to the forehead of Zodiac!

Healy floats over looking for a sunset flip but Zodiac dodges it and he pulls himself forward falling into he corner to a single knee. Zodiac recovers in the corner, but is in the direct line of sight for Healy as she comes in and connects with the Skye Scraper. Healy scales to the top and goes for the Skye High, but Zodiac rolls out of the way. Healy lands on her feet and rolls to avoid a crash. Zodiac signals for the end, Healy ducks and drops Zodiac on the back of his head with a half and half suplex. Zodiac crawls back into the corner and eats another Skye Scraper. Skye pulls Zodiac up to his feet and repeatedly slaps him across the face until he looks pissed off. Zodiac grabs her by the head and turns into a neck breaker clutch. He positions himself sideways before he jumps up, placing his knee and shin behind the head of Healy before he drops backwards and yanks her back with him, forcing her head and neck to crash down across his knee and shin with a neck breaker he calls the Crimson Sunrise! Zodiac quickly rolls Healy over and hooks both legs deep, the referee quickly getting into position to count 1...2...3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall and advancing to the next round of this years Emerald City Classic is...ROBERT--ZODIAC!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Wow just wow.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Charles, I am just as shocked as you are but man did Zodiac really show up here tonight!

Robert Zodiac stands up with both fists in the air celebrating his monumental win by dethroning the Legacy Champion guaranteeing the eventual winner of the Emerald City Classic to be someone other than Skye Healy.

CHARLES HUDSON:  He's pretty pumped about this win, and I don't blame him one bit.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  I know we're all surprised about this victory over Skye Healy but honestly we all have known what Robert Zodiac is capable all along given the right opportunity. Timing is everything Charles and tonight belongs to the Zodiac!

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[Robert Daniels]

EARLIER TODAY…
Samantha Kinsley is in the backstage interview area along with Biggs. There’s a backdrop behind them with the Emerald City Classic logo. Biggs is already in his ring gear, and looks amped up, shaking a bit like he’s loosening up.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Biggs, tonight you participate in your first Emerald City Classic, taking on Dayna Barrett in first round action. What are your thoughts heading into this tournament?

BIGGS: Let me say it’s about damn time that I get a fair crack at trying to earn the #1 Contendership for the Mainstream World Heavyweight Championship! Yeah, technically I’ve been in two Pinnacle Battle Royales, but I’ve found those matches to be more based on luck than skill, at least until it's down to the final two or three competitors. And when you’re as good as I am, well both years I’ve been targeted early. But an 8 person single elimination tournament? That’s a way to truly test your mettle as a professional wrestler, that’s truly a way to prove that you are the best of the best. By being a part of the Emerald City Classic, I am now three matches away from being declared the #1 Contender for Emma Douglas’s Mainstream Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship! Win three matches, and I get the chance that has eluded me in the almost two years that I’ve been here! Would you believe me if I told you, Ms. Kinsley, that I have yet to have a shot at the Mainstream World Heavyweight Championship?

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Well I know it’s true, but it is a bit hard to believe.

BIGGS: You’re damn right it’s hard to believe! I am here week in and week out, pouring out my sweat, spilling my blood out in that ring, and I’ve seen countless people leapfrog me for an opportunity at that title. Mark Storm just came back two weeks ago, and while I get that he’s a big name, he immediately got inserted into a match against Emma Douglas! Coral Rose popped up from whatever rock she’s been hiding under to face Juliana DiMaria last year for the title, and hasn’t been seen in Mainstream since! While Hammerstein was champ, pretty much all somebody had to do to get a title match was step out on the stage and say, “Me next!’ And through all of this, I kept wrestling, I kept winning, and I thought that by doing things the right way, I would prove that I deserved a World Title opportunity. Maybe I wasn’t ruthless enough. Maybe it’s the fact that despite how talented I am, and how honest and upstanding of a person I am, the fans by and large choose to hate me. Maybe I’m not marketable enough to be considered championship material by the decision makers like Kevin Bombay. But by winning my next three matches, all of those maybes and what-ifs go away. By winning my next three matches, I can no longer be denied.

“The Spaceman” pauses for a moment, wearing a pensive look on his face, and removes his shades, sliding them into the front pocket of his ring jacket before continuing to speak.

BIGGS: Now I fully acknowledge that winning my next three matches will be much easier said than done. Looking up and down the field for this year’s Emerald City Classic is like looking down a list of stone cold killers! You have proven Mainstream mainstays like Skye Healy, Cartier, and Robert Zodiac, each and every one of them a bonafide threat! You have a talented, though brash up-and-comer in RM Tapp, who is one of the most athletically gifted competitors I have ever been in the ring with! You have the wild card in Tiffany Lynn Page, and if Trixie’s run in last year’s ECC taught us anything, you can’t count out the wild card! You have the by gosh Mainstream United States Champion and my dear friend Lex Collins, who was the first person to pin me since September of last year! Any one of these competitors could win the whole darn thing, and nobody would be surprised! I’m not sure if you’ve looked at the odds in Vegas or anything, but the Emerald City Classic is pretty much a pick ‘em this year! Except for two outliers. There's the odds on favorite, me, and there's the long shot.

“Which brings me to my opponent tonight, Dayna Barrett! Of everyone in the Emerald City Classic, she undoubtedly has the most to prove. I know that there are people who inaccurately still peg her as “just a tag team wrestler,” but I know first hand that that is not the case. When I defended the United States Championship against her, she fought tooth and nail, did not become gassed at all. She’s not just a tag team wrestler, and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise. But as for tonight, I am fighting her. And Dayna, I know you’re hungry for a win, you’re hungry for an opportunity to move up the card, but tonight, all I’m gonna serve you is an L.”

“Because whether the fans, the wrestlers, and management care to admit it or not, I am the class of Mainstream Wrestling! Who is a better mat technician than me? Nobody! Who is a better high flier than me? Nobody! Who is a better submission artist than me? Nobody! Who is a better hardcore fighter than me? Nobody! I am the single most well rounded competitor this company has ever seen, and when I said earlier that of everyone in the ECC that Dayna Barrett had the most to prove, well I misspoke, because I have more to prove than her! Even though I was on another level with my U.S. Title run, you’re only as good as your last match, and I came up just short in my last one. So when I say I’m going to win my next three matches, I have to start with match one tonight. Dayna, I’m sorry you got such a bad draw for your first round opponent, but I’m not sorry what I’m going to do to you in that ring. Because you are the first person of three standing between me and my first shot at the Mainstream World Heavyweight Championship.”

Biggs puts his shades back on and nods at Kinsley before walking off screen.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Biggs takes on Dayna Barrett in Round One of the Emerald City Classic later tonight!

[Robert Daniels]

“Walk” by Saucy Santana begins to play throughout the arena as the curtain opens and Dayna Barrett walks out onto the stage slowly with the curtain closing behind her. With a determined look on her face she makes her way down the aisle to the ring.

GRAHAM STEVENS: Now making her way to the ring standing at five feet and two inches tall. From Los Angeles, California...DAYNA—BARRETT!

Barrett walks slowly up the ring stairs and along the apron turning to looking out at the fans she strikes a pose before stepping into the ring with a microphone in hand.

DAYNA BARRETT: Tonight’s date has been circled on my calendar for quite a while. You know me as an accomplished tag team wrestler but with Caroline’s unfortunate injury, I’ve landed on my feet and learned more about myself competing as a singles wrestler. But one thing I’ve learned is that no matter how much a snake sheds it’s skin, it’s still a snake.

“So, Cartier, Aria, Bianca and Nefertiti. I know I’m out here on my own tonight but if any of you mess up this opportunity for me, then you’re gonna wish you didn’t. For tonight it’s a truce. But after tonight I want a piece of that ass!”

Dayna spikes the microphone as her music starts to play again.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Dayna Barrett holds no punches! She’ll face off against Biggs in the first round of the Emerald City Classic next!

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[Robert Daniels]

EMERALD CITY CLASSIC

★★★ BIGGS ★★★
vs
★★★ DAYNA BARRETT ★★★

The bell rings and this Emerald City Classic First Round match is now officially underway! Biggs and Dayna Barrett meet in the center of the ring, exchanging a handshake before each taking a step back and circling the ring. Biggs throws a quick kick towards Barrett’s calf, trying to find his range, but she sidesteps it. “The Spaceman” feigns another Calf Kick, and Barrett takes the bait, shooting in to try to get a hold of Biggs’ leg, but he defends against the takedown, and gives her a couple of clubbing blows to the back before locking in a gut wrench around her waist and hoisting her up across his right shoulder! Barrett sneaks out the back door, landing behind him and getting a waist lock in, but Biggs pulls off a standing switch, getting Dayna’s back! He goes to lift her for a Release German suplex, but she wraps her foot around his ankle, blocking the throw! A couple of Back Elbows allow her to break the hold and spin around, pulling Biggs in for a Side Headlock!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: This first round match-up in the Emerald City Classic is a rematch from October 24th of last year, where Biggs defended the Mainstream United States Championship against Dayna Barrett on an episode of Conflict!

CHARLES HUDSON: Biggs managed to beat Barrett with a targeted focus on her lower back, eventually putting her away with a Camel Clutch. You can already tell by these early exchanges that the vivacious Ms. Dayna Barrett has been doing her homework!

Biggs tries to shove Dayna off, but as he pushes her forward, she keeps hold and drops booty first to the mat, drilling Biggs with a Bulldog! She immediately latches on a Front Facelock with her left arm and uses her right arm to pummel Biggs between the shoulder blades as he tries to push himself up. The former U.S. Champ powers his way to his feet, but Barrett’s Front face lock has shifted into a Guillotine! Biggs’ face is turning red as he tries to punch Dayna Barrett in the ribs to try and break the hold, but no dice, she keeps it locked in tight!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Biggs is in big trouble here, no pun intended! Up until his defeat last week at the hands of Lex Collins, he was not pinned or made to submit since September 26th, 2021! Could this be a trap match for him following the high intensity match he had with Collins just two weeks ago?

CHARLES HUDSON: Absolutely it can be! If Dayna Barrett has proven one thing in 2022, it’s that she’s not just a tag team wrestler! She is motivated and just as hungry for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship as anyone in the ECC!

Dayna leans back onto her heels to get a little extra leverage on the Guillotine, and Biggs’ face has transitioned from red to an interesting shade of purple. There’s less pepper behind his punches towards her ribs, and Dayna is locked in, focused one-hundred percent on finishing Biggs here! She stands on her tippy toes to get even just that much more leverage on the hold, but the slight imbalance gives Biggs the opening he needs as he wraps one arm around her waist & then uses his other to hook her leg, and delivers a sloppy, albeit effective, Northern Lights Suplex! He arches his back, pinning her to the mat, 1…2..KICK OUT!

CHARLES HUDSON: A timely counter from Biggs there, he just saved the match for himself right there!

Biggs gets up to one knee, coughing, trying to regain his breath, but Dayna Barrett is having none of it, getting right back at him like a Junkyard Dog! She tries to apply the Guillotine once more, but Biggs slips his head out and gets her with a Double Leg Takedown, advancing through her guard to rain down right-handed Hammerfists as he holds her left wrist down to the mat! Biggs keeps on rocking Barrett, getting through her one-handed attempts at defense as he continues to hammer down!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: And now Dayna Barrett is in trouble! She needs to show that she can intelligently defend herself, otherwise the referee will have no choice but to call it!

CHARLES HUDSON: She’s giving up over 70 pounds to her opponent, and Biggs is using his rare size advantage to full effect here tonight!

One of the Biggs’ Hammerfists gets through and knocks Barrett flush on the cheek, turning her head to the right! Dayna is able to get her first arm completely over her face, blocking Biggs’ blows as she presses her nose into the nook of her arm. “The Spaceman” dismounts from “Amazing Grace”, grabbing her by the hair and pulling her up to her feet and whipping her to the near turnbuckle! He nails her with a Stinger Splash and quickly Snapmares her out of the corner onto her back. Like a flash, he’s up to the top rope, but before he can leap off, Dayna wisely rolls out of the ring! Biggs hops down onto the apron and measures Dayna up, getting a running start and leaping off for a Diving Crossbody! Barrett ducks it though, and Biggs crashes and burns to the arena floor before!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: This could be the opening Dayna Barrett needs to get back into this match!

As Biggs begins to push himself to up to all fours, Dayna Barret rushes in for a Soccer Kick to the ribs that flips Biggs right onto his back! She goes for a cover, 1..2..Kick out from Biggs! She gives him a couple of short Forearm Strikes between the eyes, and hooks both legs, 1…2…Another kick out! She grabs a hold of his head, pulling him up, which Biggs counters with a Jaw Breaker! As Dayna stumbles backwards, Biggs pops up and whips her into the ropes, nailing her on the rebound with a Spinning Leg Lariat! He covers her with a lateral press, 1…2…Barrett powers her shoulder up! Staying on his opponent, Biggs pulls Barrett up by the head, giving her some Knee Strikes to the midsection on the way up before shooting her towards the ropes once more! She gets a hold of the ropes to put on the brakes, and Biggs charges at her, but Dayna sidesteps and Biggs bounces chest first into the ropes! She rolls him up from behind, stacking Biggs up into a pinning predicament, 1…2…Kick out! Both competitors pop back up to their feet, with “The Spaceman” bull rushing Dayna with a Lariat, but she ducks the attempt, and gets behind him, catching Biggs with a Back Slide for 1…2...KICKOUT!

CHARLES HUDSON: These pin-fall attempts are coming fast and furious! I can barely keep up!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: In order to win the Emerald City Classic, you must win three matches in a row, so it behooves both competitors to try and end this one quickly! A long, grueling match in round one can put you at a disadvantage for the remainder of the tournament!

As Biggs rolls backwards up to his knees, Dayna dashes in for a Running Knee Strike! Biggs blocks it, getting a hold of her leg, and he sweeps out her planted leg from underneath her, flipping into a Jackknife cover for 1…2…KICKOUT!

They scramble to their feet, and engage in a Collar-and-Elbow Tie Up, with Dayna switching levels to get behind Biggs. She blasts him with an Elbow Strike to the back of the neck that sends him stumbling forward as she rushes to the ropes to gain momentum, leaping up for a Running Crossbody as he turns around! But Biggs gets the better of the exchange, as he catches Dayna and drills her into the mat with a Power Slam! He hooks the far leg, 1…2…Barrett gets the shoulder up! Rolling her onto her belly, Biggs locks in a Front Facelock onto Dayna, giving her a couple of Knee Strikes to the crown of the head before dizzying her up with a series of Gator Rolls! Keeping the Facelock locked in, Biggs pulls her up to a vertical base and gets a handful of her waistband, hoisting her up and spiking her head into the mat with a brutal Brainbuster!

CHARLES HUDSON: Dayna Barrett has to be out cold after that vicious, after that maniacal, after that devastating Brainbuster! Biggs just needs to cover her and he moves on!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: I don’t think the former U.S. Champ has the same idea you do, Charles.

Biggs gets to his feet and motions with his arms that it’s over, climbing the top turnbuckle and turning to face his adversary, leaping off for the UFO Frog Splash! But Barrett gets both knees up, driving them into the lungs of “The Spaceman!” Biggs holds his chest and kicks his feet in pain as Dayna slowly drags herself over, draping an arm over him 1…2..KICKOUT!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Barrett’s determination to win this thing is evident. Rather than taking more time to recover, she tried to make Biggs pay for his mistake!

CHARLES HUDSON: Lou, I gotta be honest with you, I think the pressure of this being his first ECC may be getting to Biggs!

The combatants are on spaghetti legs as the fight wears on. Danya leans into Biggs and he leans into her as they both try to make their way to their feet. Barrett pushes Biggs off and lights up his chest with a vicious Knife Edged Chop that echoes throughout the arena, and brings the St. Louis crowd to yell “WOOOOO!” Biggs responds with European Uppercut, knocking Dayna’s head back, prompting the crowd to yell “BOOOO!” Dayna recovers and answers with another Knife Edged Chop, drawing another “WOOOO!” A European Uppercut from “The Spaceman” gets a loud “BOOOOO!” Dayna Barrett digs down deep and fires off an even harder Knife Edged Chop that sends Biggs staggering backwards and falling to one knee! She pulls him up by the armpits and fires off another Chop, and another and another, backing him into the corner as the fans keep yelling “WOOOOO!” with each strike!

CHARLES HUDSON: Dayna Barrett is lighting Biggs’ chest up like a Christmas tree!

Welts and bruises are already very well formed on Biggs’ chest, which looks more like an experimental art piece than a human chest at this point! Barrett is smacking Biggs so hard with the Knife Edged Chops that her right hand is bleeding on the side, which reddens Biggs’ chest even more! Dayna winds up for a Haymaker but Biggs ducks it and she smacks her hand right on the top turnbuckle, screaming out in pain! Biggs ducks behind her, shoving her into the corner, and proceeds to go to town on her midsection, launching a volley of Biggs Kicks to the solar plexus! The very small contingent of Biggs fans in St. Louis chant “BIGGS!” with each kick, and they get up to a baker’s dozen chants before he pulls Dayna out of the corner, tossing her to the mat below before climbing his way to the top rope. As he reaches the top, Dayna gets a second wind, popping up to give Biggs’ bum a hard shove, crotching him on the top turnbuckle as the men in the audience wince in pain!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Biggs just took that turnbuckle right in the yam bags!

CHARLES HUDSON: Bloody hell, Lou! Don’t you know the civilized way to refer to a man’s bits and bobs is to call it his wedding tackle?!

Biggs is obviously in a great deal of discomfort as Dayna follows him up to the top turnbuckle, clobbering him in the back a few times before using the top rope to spring up and catch Biggs with a Super Poisonrana that sends Biggs crashing to the mat on his belly! The crowd are on their feet, chanting “MAINSTREAM! MAINSTREAM!” as Barrett gets her bearings and scrambles to cover Biggs for 1…2…NEARFALL!

CHARLES HUDSON: Biggs just barely gets his shoulder up at the last possible moment! That had to be on instinct alone! How in the hell did that not finish the match!?

Dayna is wondering the same thing as Charles Hudson, and looks down at her opponent in disbelief.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Barrett needs to stay on Biggs! One can’t afford the luxury of shock in a high stakes match such as this!

She pulls Biggs up to his feet, giving him a couple of knees to the midsection before running to the ropes and springing off for a Springboard Moonsault! Biggs catches her in midair and counters with a desperation Tombstone Piledriver! A loud “HOLY SMOKES! HOLY SMOKES!” chant gets going with the fans, but Biggs is too spent to follow up! Both him and Dayna lay on the mat, looking up at the lights above! With neither competitor showing any signs of life, the ref begins the mandatory 10 count! “1!”

MCKAYLA LEWIS: If neither competitor can answer the 10 count, this match will end in a Draw, and both competitors would be eliminated!

“2!”

CHARLES HUDSON: Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that!

“3!”

Biggs has a far away look in his eyes as he lays on the mat, breathing heavy.

“4!”

Dayna Barrett rolls onto her side, holding her head in pain.

“5!”

MCKAYLA LEWIS: We’re halfway to a count out!

“6!”

CHARLES HUDSON: This match can’t end like this! It just can’t!

“7!”

Both competitors are starting to stir, but are sluggish and obviously hurting.

“8!”

Biggs manages to get up to a knee, but still has to get up to both feet to break the count!

“9!”

Dayna Barrett claws at Biggs, pulling herself up to a vertical base as he gets to his feet just in the knick of time! The fans cheer as the fight continues on! Barrett whips Biggs chest first into the near turnbuckle and follows up with a Shotgun Dropkick right between the shoulder blades, the impact of which causes Biggs to bounce into the turnbuckle and fall backwards to the mat! She perches the top turnbuckle, motioning for Biggs to get up, and as he does, she bounds off of the top rope, aiming for The Relapse! Biggs just barely dodges it, sending Dayna crashing tailbone first into the mat!

CHARLES HUDSON: Oh, that’s gotta hurt!

As Barrett holds her bum in pain, trying to get up, Biggs rushes to the ropes and nails her in the back of the head with a Shining Wizard! Instead of going for the cover, Biggs rolls her onto her belly and stomps the small of her back before taking a seat and applying the Camel Clutch! Biggs wrenches the hold, arcing his back to make the arch in Dayna’s back that much more pronounced as she screams in pain! The ref checks to see if she wants to give up, but Dayna Barrett lets out a defiant “HELL NO!” as she grits her teeth and tries to work through the hold!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: This maneuver won Biggs the match in their last meeting, and you know he’s trying to send a message to Dayna Barrett by applying it here again!

CHARLES HUDSON: Oh you know it, Lou. But I guarantee you, the very first thing Dayna Barrett worked on in her training as soon as this match was announced was learning techniques to get out of the Camel Clutch!

Indeed, Dayna Barrett is squirming and wiggling, trying to find some way to get out of the hold. She turns her body to her left, trying to free her right arm off of Biggs’ knee, but in the process, hyperextends her own shoulder joint! Screaming as she digs through the pain, Dayna manages to slip her right arm off of Biggs’ leg and essentially starts punching herself in the face by attacking Biggs’ S-Grip that he has locked right beneath her nose! Biggs can tell he’s losing the hold and tries to adjust, releasing his grip and trying to get control of the left arm that’s still draped across his knee. Barrett isn’t giving up, and manages to break free, rolling backwards to create some separation!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: How badass was that!? By punching at the S-Grip, Dayna Barrett was driving Biggs’ hands further into her own face, all in an attempt to break the hold! She wants to avenge her earlier loss to Biggs and move on to the next round, and is willing to do whatever it takes to get there!


Dayna Barrett whips Biggs hard into the corner and nails him with a Running Pump Kick that connects square on the jaw of the Spaceman! She Snapmares him out of the corner, and as he groggily tries to get up, she gives him a swift kick to the gut, hunching him over and pulling him into position.

CHARLES HUDSON: She could be looking for the Heartbreaker here!

Barrett forgoes the usual pomp and appeal she does before going for her move, but even as she begins to leap up, Biggs counters it with a Back Body Drop! As Dayna presses herself up to all fours, Biggs gets a running start and nails her with the Impact Crater! He wearily hooks both legs 1…2…3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall AND ADVANCING to the next round of the Emerald City Classic...the 'Spaceman'--BIGGS!

“Leather Teeth,” by Carpenter Brut, hits the speakers, as Biggs sits up and gets his arm raised in victory. He scutes on his bottom towards the ropes, using them to pull himself up, while the ref checks on Dayna Barrett.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: That was a match worthy of the Emerald City Classic! Both competitors left it all in the ring, but in the end, Biggs moves on!

CHARLES HUDSON: There is no such thing as a moral victory in professional wrestling. Yes, Dayna Barrett wrestled what may very well have been the match of her life here tonight, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Biggs!

A camera man is up on the apron, and Biggs looks directly into the camera, sending a message to the rest of the tournament field, breathing heavily as he does so.

BIGGS: That was one! *pant* And I don’t care who I have to face in round 2, or who I have to face in the finals, I will not be denied!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Strong words from Biggs there. If tonight is any indication, he would fight through hell itself to win this tourney!

Back in the ring, the ref is helping Dayna Barrett to her feet, draping her left arm over his shoulders. Biggs approaches her, and she looks on wearily as he extends his right hand for another handshake. She looks down at the hand, and then looks him directly in the eyes, clasping his hand for the sign of respect! Biggs pulls her in for a hug and can be seen mouthing, “You’re a freakin’ warrior…” as she nods. They break the hug and Biggs raises her arm!

CHARLES HUDSON: Say what you will about Biggs being abrasive, if you earn his respect, he’s gonna let you know. And Dayna Barrett sure earned his respect here tonight!

---

---

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE…
Cartier is seen pacing back and forth as Samantha Kinsley tries to ask her questions.

Nefertiti and Aria Price are there as well, doing their best to calm the former TV Champion down, but it doesn’t look like it’s working as she just gets more and more agitated every time Kinsley tries to stick the mic up to her mouth.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Cartier… Cartier if I could just get a word…

Cartier keeps pacing, popping one fist into her other open palm as she mutters to herself.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Cartier, your match tonight with Tiffany Lynn Page…

Cartier stops dead in her tracks, facing away from Kinsley. Aria Price and Nefertiti Jackson back away, hissing through their teeth as if they know the reporter might have pressed the wrong button.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: What? That’s her name… what’s the problem?

Cartier spins toward Kinsley and snatches the mic out of her hand, causing an echoing THUD through the audio.

Cartier steps right up into Kinsley’s personal space, forcing the reporter to stumble backward as Cartier sneers at her. Kinsley looks back and forth to Aria and Nefertiti for help, but neither of them seem willing to lift a finger to calm their friend down.

CARTIER: What the hell you got to get up in my face right now for, Samantha? Right now, I’m about to embark on a journey I been gettin’ myself ready for since I stepped foot in Mainstream. Since I arrived as one of the new banner faces of a reborn company, brought out the ashes of Seattle Pro. Now’s my time, startin’ with the Emerald City Classic, an’ you wanna come mess up my mojo wit’ dumbass questions? What riveting journalistic insights you about to impart on the world, Sam? Lemme guess… you wanna know how I’mma approach the match?

Cartier holds the mic toward Kinsley who just nods timidly.

CARTIER: Wow, what a groundbreaking question. Lemme answer it for you. I’mma beat this bitch ass in the ring an’ then roll her on her back like a whupped dog for a three count. Then I’mma move on to the next one an’ whip that ass too. I’m gonna win the ECC, Sam, that’s what my plan is. But it don’t stop there. Hell no. Not after all the sweat I squeezed out my body for this company over the last few years. Not after redefinin’ what a championship run looks like. Not after havin’ a match wit’ Biggs that people still talk about to this day. Not after Gettin passed over time an’ time again by the powers that be. No… this time, I’m takin’ it to the top.

Cartier ignores Kinsley then and turns directly to the cameraman recording the scene. She speaks directly into the lens, staring laser beams into it with a look of raw anger and frustration.

CARTIER: Mainstream, this company, owes me. Y’all owe Cartier. I done everything for y’all, I made y’all the show to watch time an’ time again. I ran bums like Manny Fernandez an’ Jason Cashe out the door so you could bring in newer, better talent. Talent like my girls Bianca Reed an’ Nefertiti Jackson. I made this place hashtag hoodratchet, an’ y’all been cashin’ checks that get fatter an’ fatter every time my face graces a Mainstream ring. It’s time for MY payday. It’s time for Cartier to be the Mainstream Champion. An’ after the ECC, that’s what’s next on the docket. I’mma use this as my springboard to the tippy top. Right up to Emma Douglas’ face. I owe that hoe anyways, so it’s just the cherry on top that it gets to be her you feel me? So get ready, Mainstream. Get ready Emerald City Classic. You lookin’ at the future right here right now. An’ Emma Douglas? After the ECC? I’m comin’ for YOU, N***A!

Cartier tosses the mic at Kinsley and winces, pressing her hands against her head after realizing what language she just dropped on camera. Aria Price puts an arm around Cartier and whispers encouragement as Nefertiti has to hold back laughter at the unplanned N bomb.

Cartier simply stomps away without another word, and the others follow behind her leaving Sam Kinsley slackjawed and speechless, staring into the camera.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Did she just say that?

The camera moves up and down as the operator nods, and the scene goes black.

[Robert Daniels]

SINGLES MATCH

★★★ BRUNO NAVARRO ★★★
vs
★★★ MARK STORM ★★★

The bell sounds and this singles match is now underway! Mark Storm and Bruno Navarro circle the ring before gradually moving closer to one another, locking horns with a standard collar to elbow tie-up. Storm wins the duel and manages to lock Navarro in a headlock, tightening the hold as he drops to his knee, gritting his teeth. Navarro fights back, making his way to his feet and pushing Storm back towards the ropes, using it to propel him off. Storm runs towards the opposite ropes and bounces off of them, charging back towards Navarro and instantly grounding him with a hard shoulder barge, sending him down to the canvas.

Storm runs to the ropes and Navarro scoots his way across the canvas, looking to trip up Storm as he plants himself flat but Storm averts, skipping over him. Bouncing off of the ropes again, Navarro jumps up in the air - looking to leapfrog over Storm but he stops in motion, catches Navarro in a fireman’s carry position before performing a forward roll to slam him hard on the mat. Storm springs back up, hops onto the second ropes and delivers a moonsault on Navarro, hooking his leg for 1…2…KICKOUT!

Navarro kicks out! Storm smiles as he looks at the referee, who holds up a two, adamant with his decision. Storm doesn’t bother to argue, opting to get back to work on Navarro as he puts the boots on him, repeatedly driving his boot into the head of Navarro, which only aggravates him as he slowly rises, wanting to rebel. Storm doesn’t give him the chance, delivering a series of shoot kicks to the thigh of Navarro, who drops back to a knee. Storm swings his foot, going for a strike to the head but Navarro ducks underneath, rolling him up for the 1…2…KICKOUT!

But Storm kicks out, and the two immediately race back up to their feet. Navarro goes for the lariat but Storm evades, turning him around and connecting with a series of high intensity combination strikes with his hands, following this with a spinning back kick to the mid section! Storm then grabs him by the waist, lifting him up for a deadlift gut-wrench sit-out power-bomb for 1…2…NEARFALL!

Navarro still has life in him! Running his fingers through his hair, Storm feeds off of the energy from the crowd, rising to his feet and nodding his head as the fans urge him to finish the match off. Navarro hears this and rolls himself to the outside of the ring to recover and separate himself, to the dismay of everyone in the arena who starts booing. Storm looks at Navarro on the outside before looking back at the ropes, taking note of the opportunity as the fans urge him to now go airborne.

Storm listens, quickly running back to the ropes - bouncing and into the direction of Navarro, who moves out of the way from his position, forcing Storm to put the brakes on. Storm then heads over to the turnbuckle, using the ropes to propel himself onto the top rope, and performing an Asai moonsault onto Navarro on the outside! The fans pop as Storm rises to his feet, beating his chest with his fist, full with passion!

Storm rolls Navarro into the ring and prepares himself on the ring apron, signaling for his signature Storm Strike as Navarro gradually gets to his feet, swaying his way round as Storm flips over the top rope, landing a lariat on Navarro as he plants himself back in the ring for the Storm Strike! Mark Storm hooks the leg for the 1…2…3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall...MARK--STORM!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Bruno Navarro is a bright young star from Emerald City Squire but he's got plenty of potential.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  He's a gifted young man physically and athletically but Mark Storm, Your Hero--And Mine. He takes home the victory here tonight!

Mark Storm slaps high fives with the fans at ringside before walking up the aisle towards the back.

CHARLES HUDSON:  Mark Storm was in the original Emerald City Classic finale. Did you remember that Lou?

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  As a matter of fact I did Charles. Thanks for the history lesson. When we return from the commercial break we'll see the debut of "Too Sexy" Tiffany Lynn Page!

---

---

[Robert Daniels]

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED…
Samantha Kinsley is sitting across from “Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: I am sitting here with the newest Mainstream Wrestling newest signee, “Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page. Thank you for joining me here today, Tiffany, and welcome to Mainstream Wrestling.

TIFFANY LYNN PAGE: It is definitely your pleasure, Samantha.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Right…Coming up at Mainstream 89 you will not only be making your debut but you will be debuting in the first round of the 2022 Emerald City Classic against the former Two Time World Television Champion and former ½ of the World Tag Team Champions, Cartier. What are your thoughts?

TIFFANY LYNN PAGE: All this is very true, Samantha. Cartier has a very impressive resume and I generally like her attitude but as we both know this is business. With that being said her resume doesn’t cause me concern because if you were to look at my history I have had big wins over Mainstream Wrestling royalty myself. Granted it wasn’t in a Mainstream Wrestling ring but I do have a winning record against former Mainstream Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion, former United States Champion, and ½ of the former World Tag Team Champions in one James Edwards. It was actually last Christmas night I stepped into the ring with James in Tacoma, Washington and I pinned him in the middle of the ring. Funny enough nobody has heard much less seen him since then.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: That is very impressive, Tiffany, but…

TIFFANY LYNN PAGE: But nothing, Samantha. I know who I am stepping into the ring with on Sunday and as she should, Cartier, be confident in herself. Because the world knows that I am confident in myself and I want to come into Mainstream Wrestling and make an impact around here much like everyone else does. To say that I have won a tournament with the likes of the other seven wrestlers in this field would put me on a great course to make that impact I plan on making.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: What kind of plans do you have in mind?


TIFFANY LYNN PAGE: I for damn sure won’t be going into details because of all of the haters I have but rest assured I obviously have big plans. It was just about a year ago that I was crowned the inaugural OverPowered Pacific Northwest Champion so I have a soft spot for the Pacific Northwest so to start off my Mainstream Wrestling tenure would be a phenomenal start.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Thank you again for joining me, Tiffany.

Tiffany smiles and confidently raises her eyebrows.

[Robert Daniels]

GREATEST
OF
ALL
TIME

"Born for Greatness" by Papa Roach plays as the crowd buzzes, and the crowd goes nuts. The first verse plays out, causing more anticipation. As the verse comes to an end it pauses for a moment. All of the lights go out again, but then come right back in full brightness!!!

NO WE'RE NOT NAMELESS
WE'RE NOT FACELESS
WE WERE BORN FOR GREATNESS!!!

Suddenly, Billy "The G.O.A.T." Danielson walks out from behind the curtain to a huge pop, as he makes his way down to the ring. He's in a fine suit, so he’s obviously not doing an open challenge this time around. Danielson hi-fives many fans, acknowledging those he misses as he makes his way to the ring. Billy grabs a microphone from a ring hand, before heading up the steps, brushing his feet, and entering the ring. He looks around at the Missouri crowd and smiles as the fans cheer for him.

BILLY DANIELSON: SAINT LOUIS!!!

He pauses for the cheap pop, grinning from ear to ear.

BILLY DANIELSON: The last time I was here I was defending my Legacy Championship against my good friend Dustin Douglas…

He looks down awkwardly. Back in October, he had just finished some contract disputes with Mainstream's office and was trying to legitimize his Legacy Championship. Billy has come a long way since then, solidifying himself as one of the top faces of the company for the first time since 2017. Billy looks back up at the hard cam.

BILLY DANIELSON: This time though… I’m at a bit of a crossroads…

An awkward chuckle comes from The Franchised GOAT as he kicks the mat a bit.

BILLY DANIELSON: For the first time… in a long time… I have nothing. No title in my hands. No squad behind me. No Cashe chasing me on social media. I don’t have anyone I’m feuding with. I don’t have anyone to call out. I don’t have anyone I want to push. I… HAVE… NOTHING.

He kicks the mat again. You can tell Billy is frustrated and a bit lost with how he’s talking.

BILLY DANIELSON: I have been here since Day One, and for the first time in over two thousand and sixty one days…I have nothing to give you people. I never thought it would be possible that I of all people would hit a glass ceiling, but here we are…

Danielson starts to get choked up,

BILLY DANIELSON: I once thought that Mainstream would die if I wasn’t active in it. I once thought that there would never be a time when I wasn’t important. However, every one of those hard-working men and women in that locker room has proven me wrong. Whether I’m here or not it’s going fine without me.

He puts a fist up to his mouth, trying to hold back tears.

BILLY DANIELSON: I’ve been here a long time. I’ve done just about everything there is to do. And maybe it’s time for me to make like Eli, Hammerstein, Latimer, and all the other greats who have come and gone over the years…

He starts to take his shoes off. He places them in the center of the ring as he looks out at the fans lovingly.

BILLY DANIELSON: Ladies and Gentlemen, after five and a half years…I’m re-

But before he can finish that word, Billy is blasted in the back of the head with a championship belt, laying him out.  As he clutches the back of his head, we see that it is Mainstream World Champion Emma Douglas standing over him, a sneer on her face.  She rolls out of the ring and grabs a steel chair and slides back into the ring.  She lords over Billy a moment before pressing the chair against his throat, restricting his air flow.  She leans over and grabs the microphone Billy had dropped.

EMMA DOUGLAS: You think you're done, Billy boy?  You think you can just up and quit, Mr GOAT?  Not yet, not on my watch.  You are done when I'm finished with you and not a moment sooner…  

Emma grabs him by the hair and pulls Billy up to a kneeling position.  She bounds off the ropes and nails him right between the eyes with a Death Rattle, laying him out again.  She moves to kneel down over Billy.

EMMA DOUGLAS: I don't know if you remember this, but we have a bit of unfinished business, Billy and I'm not going to be the type of champion to sit back and wait on my challengers to come for me.  So when you wake up and regain your senses, thank your lucky stars I've decided to grace you this opportunity.  Call me gratuitous even.  Because Mainstream might have been your place before hand, but it's my time now.  So welcome to the ‘Age of Chaos’.  You're up first.  And you won't be the last.  And when I'm done with you—beaten you bloody, then you can take your ball and go home.  But not yet.

Emma uses her boot and pushes Billy out of the ring, causing him to tumble to the floor, still grasping his head from his repeated head shots.  

EMMA DOUGLAS: Not yet…

Emma grabs her Mainstream Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship and raises it high over her head as she soaks in the jeers from the crowd.

CHARLES HUDSON:  I like this side of Emma Douglas!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  She may be the World Heavyweight Champion but she’s no longer waiting on Kevin Bombay to tell her who she’s defending her championship against.

CHARLES HUDSON:  She’s chosen the former two time World Heavyweight Champion and self proclaimed Greatest of All-Time in Billy Danielson!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  This is Huge News! As we were on the cusp of what I believed to be a retirement announcement but you know for a fact Billy Danielson is going to give the World Champion exactly what she wants and that’s a fight!

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[Robert Daniels]

EMERALD CITY CLASSIC

★★★ CARTIER ★★★
vs
★★★ TIFFANY LYNN PAGE ★★★

The bell rings and this Emerald City Classic First Round Match is officially underway! Tiffany Lynn Page and Cartier begin to circle around the ring then locking up in a collar and elbow tie up. Tiffany pushes Cartier back a few steps and then Cartier regains her footing and pushes Tiffany back a few steps. Tiffany knees Cartier in the stomach. Cartier clutches her stomach as Tiffany backs her to the ring ropes. Tiffany whips Cartier to the ropes. Cartier bounces off the ropes and Cartier delivers a shoulder to Tiffany who falls to the mat. Cartier smiles then runs towards the ropes and bounces off the ropes. Tiffany rolls to her stomach as Cartier hops over Tiffany and runs to the opposite ropes. As Cartier bounces off the ropes Tiffany gets to her feet and power slams Cartier and hooks the leg for 1…2…KICKOUT!

Tiffany Lynn Page remains on the offensive and she immediately throws sharp leg kicks at Cartier’s shins and thighs when Cartier gets back to her feet. Cartier’s balance is thrown off and Page succeeds in putting the former World Television Champion on her heels.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Tiffany Page using a smart strategy, preventing Cartier from starting strong here.

CHARLES HUDSON: Cartier is known for coming out swinging, but she isn’t getting the chance here right now.

With Cartier slightly hobbled, Tiff Page runs backward to hit the ropes and then rebounds with a stiff front kick to the midsection of Cartier, but Cartier catches foot! Page adjusts with a hopping enzuigiri, but Cartier copes it out and ducks, leaving Page laying flat on her belly with Cartier still holding onto her ankle. Cartier then grabs Page around the waist and muscles her off the canvas and overhead with a chaos theory suplex! Page is dazed as Cartier hits the ropes herself, catching Page with a SIZZURP KICK as she tries to get herself back to her feet! Page’s face hits the mat and Cartier rolls her onto her shoulder for a 1…2…KICKOUT!

Cartier is stalking Tiffany who is staggering back up to her feet with the help of the ring ropes. Tiffany turns around to see Cartier standing there about to pound. Tiffany lunges towards Cartier and attempts to clothesline Cartier but she ducks out of the way and lifts Tiffany up for a Got-Damn Slam. Tiffany shakes her head no as she tries to wiggle out of Cartier’s grip. Tiffany slips out of Cartier’s clutches and reverses it into a victory roll for 1…2…KICKOUT!

Both roll to there feet but this time Cartier hits Page with a quick scoop slam and then snatches up a fist full of her hair to drag her back to her feet. She sends Page across the ring into a corner where her spine hits the turnbuckles hard. Cartier follows her in with a running clothesline, then backs up and plants her foot in the throat of Tiffany Page, leaning back and holding the ropes to get extra leverage on the choke.

The official counts all the way to five and then physically grabs Cartier to make her let go, which gets Cartier fuming in his face. Cartier finally returns her attention to Page and whips her across the opposite buckles, racing after her and not noticing that Page braced herself this time and didn’t slam into the corner as hard. Cartier leaps into a running EAT THIS ASS but Page catches her from behind in the RESTING BITCH FACE!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Cartier just got snared into the spider’s web here by Tiffany Page, she’s got her signature hold on tight!

CHARLES HUDSON: Cartier is in a world of hurt, McKayla, but look out, they are pretty close to the ropes here!

Cartier struggles in the hold but can’t break Tiffany Page’s grip, so instead she maneuvers herself between the ropes and simply allows herself to fall to the outside, dragging Page with her! Both women hit the floor hard, breaking the hold and separating the competitors. The referee then starts a ten count! Tiffany Lynn Page rolls Cartier back into the ring. Tiffany climbs up onto the ring apron and up to the top turnbuckle of the closest ring ropes. As a stunned Cartier is getting back up to her feet Tiffany leaps into the air from the top turnbuckle and hits Cartier with a missile dropkick. Tiffany covers Cartier for 1…2…KICKOUT!

Cartier gets up and charges Page with a full head of steam, but Page is ready and shakes her up with a snap power slam, quickly following up with a senton. Page heads to the top rope then and lines up her shot, jumping backward in a moonsault that knocks the wind right out of Cartier’s lungs!

CHARLES HUDSON: Things are looking up for Too Sexy, we might have an upset here in the early goings of the ECC!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Tiffany Page is no Squires Academy rookie, Charles, and Cartier might have approached her like some newcomer…it was a mistake!

Cartier is pulled to her feet, still grabbing at her ribs and coughing from the impact of the moonsault. Tiffany Lynn holds her forearm up for the crowd, giving a signal, and then she spins into the ALL EYES ON ME! But Cartier hits the mat in a James Brown split, avoiding the impact and leaving Page stunned after spinning a full 360 and hitting nothing but air. Cartier then pops back up and hooks Page by the arms, lifting her up for a GOT DAMN SLAM, but on the descent, Page frees her arms and reverses things into a roll-up for 1…2…NEARFALL!

Tiffany is stunned and staggering in the middle of the ring. Cartier runs to the ropes and springboards off the middle ropes and attempts to hit Tiffany with “Eat This Ass.” Tiffany ducks out of the way and does a forward somersault. Cartier lands on her feet as Tiffany stands up then Cartier charges at Tiffany as she turns around. Out of nowhere Tiffany looks for the “Sex In The City” Codebreaker but she doesn’t get all of it! Tiffany hits the back of her head on the mat looking like a bad case of whiplash. Both women return to their feet but for Cartier it’s a short visit, as she’s flattened by a crescent kick. With Cartier on her back grabbing at her nose, Tiff Page looks to go to the top floor once again, and she hops over Cartier to scale the ropes.

Cartier, out of desperation, throws her upper body into the ropes as Page stands on the top, shaking her footing loose and causing Page to crotch herself right on the top turnbuckle.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Cartier thinking quick! She just saved her skin by catching Tiffany Page unawares!

CHARLES HUDSON: And she needs to follow up, not let this change to to waste!

Cartier stumbles over to Page, hooking her up like a vertical suplex… but she adjusts slightly so that Page’s neck is against Cartier’s shoulder.

Cartier steps back and falls into a muscle buster! Tiff Page is laid out, and Cartier heads to the top herself this time, leaping off with the SUPA DUPA FLY SPLASH! Cartier hooks a leg after the big impact, nodding along with the count of 1… 2…NEARFALL!

Cartier’s absolutely stunned and deflated after failing to get the three.

Cartier rocks Page with a hard right hand, then follows up with a bicycle knee.

Tiffany Page gets a burst of energy and jumps onto Cartier’s face, snapping down in the SEX IN THE CITY! Cartier uses her strength to stop the momentum! She stands back upright and slams Page down hard in a modified power-bomb!

Cartier hits the ropes with a slap of her backside and this time when she jumps into the EAT THIS ASS she hits it flush, laying Page out.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: You can see Cartier smelling victory in the air, she can barely contain her excitement waiting for Page to sit back up…

CHARLES HUDSON: The bullet is in the chamber, she just has to hit the shot.

Tiff Page struggles up to a knee and that’s when Cartier flies into action, running at her from the corner and smashing her across the jaw with the EMPIRE STATE OF MIND! Cartier falls on top of the lifeless Page and hooks both legs for the 1… 2… 3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall and advancing to the NEXT ROUND of this years Emerald City Classic is...CARTIER!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Here's my pick to win the whole damn thing Lou! She's going to win it all--especially with Nefertiti, Aria Price and Bianca Reed watching her back!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Charles--you said Robert Zodiac was your pick during the break?

Cartier entertains the jeers from the fans at ringside as she's joined by her allies Price and Nefertiti in the aisle way.

CHARLES HUDSON:  No, for real--Cartier is my pick. I don't care what else happens here tonight...I'm sticking with Cartier!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  The debut didn't go as hoped for by Tiffany Lynn Page but she'll be back.

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[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE…
The lone soda machine's glow bathes the hallway in a dim light, revealing Lex Collins as he steps from the shadows. A shaking hand rakes through his unruly mop of hair, slicking back the wet strands. The tinny sounds of music can be heard coming from the AirPods in his ears and he seems utterly oblivious to the fact that he's being watched. Delving into the pocket of the black and gray camouflage shorts he wears to wrestle in, looking relieved when he pulls his had out to find five quarters resting on his palm: just enough for that all-important can of Pepsi. He drops them in, one by one, something almost soothing in those motions, and the rattling sound as the machine begrudgingly accepts them. His fingers curl into a fist, and he draws his arm back slowly. Instead of punching the button with all his might, he pushes it softly, leaning his head against the cool plastic front. When he bends down to pick the can up, he catches sight of movement in the glass front and almost visibly stiffens – it's no secret in the business that he hates being ambushed by reporters. Samantha Kinsley stands there, wearing a sheepish expression.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Hi, Lex. Sorry for the interruption.

He manages a thin smile as he turns fully towards her, tucking the cold can of soda into one of the oversized pockets on his shorts before taking the pods out of his ears.

LEX COLLINS: It's fine. What's up?

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Tonight you're facing RM Tapp as part of the Emerald City Classic—

LEX COLLINS: Yeah. Sorry. Didn't mean to cut you off there. Kinda…

He lifts a hand up to rub the back of his neck.

LEX COLLINS: Jumped the gun, didn't I? Yeah. Facing Tapp – one-on-one this time. Lookin' forward to it. Guy's been on an absolute tear lately.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: The same could be said for you. US Champion. Haven't yet been pinned inside a Mainstream ring. That's pretty impressive in its own right, wouldn't you say?

He pulls a sour face, shaking his head.

LEX COLLINS: I wouldn't. Try not to, most days.

At the puzzled look on her face, he tries to elaborate and make sense of that statement.

LEX COLLINS: Never been one for countin' the hash marks on the wall, y'know? Once you start fixating on the wins, on streaks an' all that nonsense… the harder it gets to lose. Not just 'cause you end with further to fall. It's more that you've built it up, this fragile house of cards on a foundation that ain't gonna hold no weight. Least that's the way I see it. So while I can spend a couple hours on some elaborate mathematical equation on how this is the best year of my career… times ten… carry the one – it ain't gonna matter once I'm inside that ring with a guy like Tapp. All that's gonna matter is the preparation. The rest of it's right out the window, then. All the lessons racked up, all of it's good to fill up here…

He taps his temple for emphasis.

LEX COLLINS: Chop wood. Carry water. Boil it down to the simplest things that can be controlled – that's how I maintain focus. So, I mean if you're asking me if I'm ready for what's prob'ly the biggest match since I got here… the answer's yes. Where else is there to go but onward and upward?

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: What would winning the ECC mean to you?

It's a softball question, but he still fumbles a little.

LEX COLLINS: After making the Grand Prix finals…

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: And managing not to get pinned.

She's quick to remind him and he nods solemnly.

LEX COLLINS: Yeah. I'm sure Tapp's itching to pay that one forward, too. Winning this match tonight, though? Proves that what happened in Lexington wasn't a fluke. Winning the whole thing, coming out on top of some of the most talented people to compete in this industry, let alone the same ring… being awarded that Legacy Championship that Skye Healy's defined over the last year?

He grins.

LEX COLLINS: That'd be the icing on a pretty sweet cake – not gonna lie. Stakes are high, an' they get bigger every week, taller an' a bit more unstable like this Jenga tower of fame. Eventually I'ma fall. I know that. Course I do. An' when it happens, I'll get back up. I'll dust off, reset. Won't find myself huffin' glory fumes, letting 'em get to my head so I'm demandin' opportunities I haven't wholly earned. Right now... I'm happy, Samantha, y'know? This is where I wanna be – no regrets on the choice to come here. And I can even endure this little chat with you right now, can endure pretty much anything for ten more seconds in the limelight. One more spin 'round the sun 'fore these wax wings melt off and I fall. It'll happen eventually. All I can do is my level best, every single time I head down that ramp. Gotta leave it all in the ring, no matter what. Gotta stay gold. 'Cause that's what a true champion does – no matter how big the odds're stacked against. Long as you do that, there's never gonna be any shame in that eventual loss.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Well said. Good luck out there tonight, Lex.

He nods, turning away from her without another word.

[Robert Daniels]

EARLIER TODAY…
Cameras are rolling in the parking lot where we see some fans who have arrived early. They’re crowded by the entrance faces full of excitement. Suddenly, a Wristlock Academy Charter bus pulls into the lot screeching to a halt a few yards away from the fans. About thirty seconds pass and RM Tapp walks out onto the steps of the bus dressed in a STRONGHOLD tracksuit. He notices the fans and a quick eye roll can be seen from the Grapmason before he turns his head noticing the camera. The annoyed look on his face is abruptly replaced by a more serious one as he slings his Wristlock Academy gym bag over his shoulder and walks over towards the camera.

RM TAPP: As you can see fans are already lining up to see a Five Star Classic by yours truly.

Tapp waves a hand over motioning towards the fans in line. Most of them are wearing the merch of other Mainstream wrestlers. But one does have on a shirt that reads RM Crapp.

RM TAPP: Can you blame them? I mean these backwood Missourians make my home state look immaculate. I’m sure they’ve been saving up multiple years of salary to afford a ticket tonight. And that’s why I have to put on a show. I’m a giver you know?

Tapp makes it to the worker’s entrance and ushers the camera operator to follow. He walks inside and begins to make his way down the corridor, continuing his conversation, looking back over his shoulder every few seconds.

RM TAPP: That’s why I give everything I do my absolute all. Wrestling, The Academy, Grapflix, Grapsnax; Including Tapp Water and STRONGHOLD’s Brand New Breakfast Cereals which is out now, and GrapBurger which is coming soon. I put one hundred percent into all of those things, and then I go one step further and put in a little bit more. There is truly not a wrestler that can keep up with my workrate. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I'm ubiquitous in this business now. I am practically synonymous with professional wrestling. I'm out here helping improve the business in its entirety one match at a time. I'm building up the younger generation. I'm building a dynasty. An empire…

Tapp stops suddenly in his tracks turning his head back once more, blonde hair flipping over his shoulder as he does.

RM TAPP: A legacy.

He drops his bags in front of a door with his name on it before reaching into his pocket fishing for his keys.

RM TAPP: And that word gets thrown around haphazardly around here. A lot of people in The Emerald City Classic I don’t think they quite understand what it means to REALLY leave your mark on a place. Being known. Being acknowledged. Having history. That’s… well that’s just not what it takes. A legacy is a weapon. It’s a tool. It’s something that you can use in any situation, any location, any company. That you take and apply to put yourself in the best position possible in the shortest amount of time. A legacy is a badge of honor. And personally? I don’t think it’s one you have to earn. Either you have it or you don’t. You’re either born with the potential to succeed or you aren’t.

Tapp finally finds the right key, and unlocks the door to his locker room. He picks up his bag, tossing it into the room before turning towards the camera yet again.

RM TAPP: And that’s honestly why I’m as confident as I am about everything.Wrestling. My businesses. Even the Emerald City Classic. Because no matter who you put me up against. No matter who I end up crossing along the way. I know deep down in my heart, they just don’t have it in them the way I have it in me. I was born for this. My sole purpose is to leave my mark. Leave a legacy that will never ever be replicated or surpassed.

And with that The Wristlock Hero walks into his locker room, letting the door close behind him as the camera fades.

[Robert Daniels]

EMERALD CITY CLASSIC

★★★ LEX COLLINS ★★★
vs
★★★ RM TAPP ★★★

The bell rings and this Emerald City Class first round match is now officially underway! RM Tapp and Lex Collins circle the ring sizing one another up initially but it’s Tapp who calls for a test of strength early on. So of course he cheap shots Collins with a kick to the abdomen as soon as the two lock up. This allows Taps to lock on a side headlock, with picture perfect form, as he parades around the ring promoting one of his wrist lock Academy Modules. This momentary lapse in focus does cost The Grapmason though as Collins shoots him forward with some help from the ropes. Off the rebound though, TWFKA Tapp Addams, hooks an arm before twisting through with a modified neck breaker with a cover for 1…KICKOUT!

Collins rolls back to his feet but a stiff clothesline from Tapp knocks Collins over the ropes and he looks more than happy to follow him out to the floor. An absolute slugfest ensues and it looks like that earlier damage is catching up with the United States champion. Tapp hip tosses Collins onto the mats, ramming his face into the steps in the process. The crowd lets out a collective groan as Lex falls back, caught by Tapp and unceremoniously dumped back into the ring. Collins staggers up, right into a kick to the face that has him stumbling into the corner. Tapp stays on him, systematically pummeling him until Collins gets off a lucky elbow strike that creates enough space to lock Tapp into a sleeper.

Tapp jacks his jaw and sends him into the ropes. He misses an elbow on the rebound when Collins dives, connecting with a lunging tackle that turns into a Thesz press. He drops some bombs but Tapp manages to shove him off and they break apart again. Collins backs off for a second, waits to see what Tapp is going to do. The two circle in the middle of the ring, both wearing identical expressions of determination as the crowd holds their breath. Collins dives in and grabs Tapp around the waist; he breaks off immediately, slipping behind and taking Collins down with a lung blower before wrapping his legs around the US Champ's body, transitioning to a choke hold.

Bucking, Collins slams the back of his head into Tapp's face, bloodying his nose in the process of breaking the hold. He rolls aside and springs off the second rope, going for a knee drop to the shoulder that misses as Tapp rolls away at the last possible second. Back on their feet, Tapp telegraphs a jumping sidekick that Collins manages to catch. He dumps Tapp on his back and goes for another knee bar as the crowd goes nuts again.

CHARLES HUDSON: It's interesting to see how adaptable Lex Collins is, dipping into that MMA background of his.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: It's not as though they haven't been in the ring together; they're just getting the chance to really let loose without Pritchard running interference!

Tapp Adams shoves his foot into the sternum of the United States Champion, and Adams crawls to the ropes looking for a break. As he makes it there he starts to yell at the referee telling him to do his job. And as the referee steps between the two of them, Tapp uses his positioning to thumb Collins in the eye. Lex steps back holding his eye as RM Tapp goes back on the offensive with a jumping knee strike to the back of Collins head. He quickly follows it up with a quick bridging German Suplex for 1…2…KICKOUT!


Tapp starts off fast on the reset, dictating the pace in an attempt to keep the champ off-balance. He gets a kick to the leg to start and drives Collins back against the ropes. Lex fires back with some stiff punches but most of them connect with air as Tapp dodges. The Grapsmason takes him over with a snapmare and nails a springboard dropkick to the neck as Collins starts to get up. He follows up with a knee to the midsection but Collins catches it and rolls him over, right into a knee bar. The crowd pops at the reversal, but the excitement's short-lived when Tapp catches hold of the ropes and gets the break. Back on their feet, he goes for another speedy kick, definitely targeting every inch of his opponent's body. Collins pushes back with a few hard strikes before he runs Tapp down with a shoulder block. Bouncing back up, Tapp takes Collins down with a sunset flip and bridges for a pin. 1...2....NO! Collins kicks out with authority and rolls up to his knees, shaking off the cobwebs. Tapp grabs him in a headlock but Lex takes him over with a belly to back suplex, hanging on for the cover 1...2...KICKOUT!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: The intensity here is off the charts right now!

CHARLES HUDSON: Lex Collins is going to lose this match, go backstage and cry into his can of Pepsi. Bet.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: I wouldn't be so hasty. This is an absolute barn-burner right now, definitely match of the night contender. They're both main event calibre, arguably two of the best in this company right now.

Tapp makes it back to his feet, still a little bit groggy from the suplex, but with enough energy to pull off an arm drag as Lex comes running towards him. Still with the arm hooked, he begins bending back the fingers of Collins one by one. Tapp goes for a knee lift but Collins dodges, slips behind and tries to take Tapp over with a snap suplex – back elbow break and Tapp sends him off, spinning around. Collins tries to counter with a springboard knee but Tapp has that scouted too and instead Collins collides with the corner, bashing his knee on the middle turnbuckle. He rolls out to the floor, clearly in pain.

CHARLES HUDSON: Fresh off his US Championship win and Lex Collins is in a world of hurt right now!

The crowd goes insane as Tapp hits a springboard flip dive to the floor, flattening Collins. He pops back up and turns around, going back towards the ring to break up the count. Collins lurches to his feet and dives after Tapp, nailing a lariat into the apron that almost takes RM Tapp's head right off! He goes down hard, clutching at his neck as the crowd gets restless. Lex pulls himself back into the ring, trying to walk off the damage to his own knee. Tapp takes his time getting up on the outside, hauling himself up on the apron before rolling under the ropes. Collins stays on the other side of the ring, buying time as he tries to work the stiffness from his knee. 

Tapp on the other had has the springboard back elbow well scouted and he catches Collins instead, locking him into a belly to back wrist lock with neck submission that has the crowd popping hard! Lex tries like hell to break free, but it just isn't happening as Tapp cinches the hold in tighter. After what seems like an eternity, Collins gets a foot on the rope and the break he needs! Tapp releases the hold, and helps Lex to his feet, where he weaves like a punch-drunk boxer. This time Tapp moves in, looking for a finish as he hoists up Collins who looks positively out of it. Suddenly, the US Champ explodes to life, and slams a flurry of punches into Tapp.

Looking desperate, Collins nails a kick to the solar plexus, driving the wind from Tapp's lungs, and then as he's falling, hits another flawless springboard knee to the temple, forgoing the bulldog. Tapp goes down hard, and Collins covers him for 1…2…KICKOUT!

The crowd is hushed, almost collectively holding their breath as Tapp scrambles to his feet. Collins telegraphs a punch and Tapp grabs his arm, leaping and wrapping his legs around him. He rides him down to the canvas, looking for a triangle choke but Lex blocks the attempt. Tapp is back on his feet first, and quickly sizes Collins up for a chop block looking to cause a bit more damage to the leg. A couple of stomps to Collins later and Tapp is snatching up his opponents leg for his Achilles REAL submission finish. But Lex fights and claws his way to the ropes. Tapp removes the stretch muffler and drags Collins back to the center of the ring looking to lock in his Tapped Out Single leg Boston crab Ankle lock combo but he stomps Tapp's chest while on his back! Tapp releases the hold and Lex dives into Tapp's guard, dropping Bricks before Tapp can counter! He falls back and Lex staggers up, dropping a knee to the face for good measure! He hooks the leg! 1...2...3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall and advancing to the next round of the Emerald City Classic…the Mainstream Wrestling United States Champion…LEX—COLLINS!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Had RM Tapp been matched up with anybody else in the first round then this could have easily been a match worth of the finale!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Lex Collins, our new United States Champion moves on to the next round of the Emerald City Classic!

Lex Collins extends a hand to RM Tapp and without hesitation Tapp takes the help up off the mat. The two men embrace then Tapp raises the hand of Lex Collins giving the nod to his opponent. He exits the ring giving him the moment to shine and he heads to the back.

CHARLES HUDSON:  RM Tapp continues to impress me McKayla. He faces adversity with his head held high, he keeps it on a swivel for the unexpected and despite a .500 record he's determined to do better and better each and every outing.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Congratulations goes out to Lex Collins! When we return from this commercial break we're looking for a rematch thats one year in the making World Television Champion Gareth Prichard Jr versus former World Heavyweight Champion Chris Madison. It's gonna be good!

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