MAINSTREAM 96 - 6 YEAR ANNIVERSARY - 11/20/2022

[Robert Daniels]

Battleground Network Presents

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING 96
SIX YEAR ANNIVERSARY
SUNDAY - 11/20/2022
T-MOBILE PARK
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING IS LIVE FROM SEATTLE, WASHINGTON AND WE’RE INSIDE T-MOBILE PARK FOR MAINSTREAM 96!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Mainstream 96 and tonight is our Sixth Year Anniversary! Let's go to the ring to kick off tonight with the Mainstream Wrestling World Tag Team Champions...Team Madness!

Inside the ring stands Echo Layne and Alexandria Monroe dressed for competition anxiously awaiting to speak to the Mainstream Wrestling fans.

ECHO LAYNE: We have looked all over for the right team to face us here tonight.

ALEXANDRIA MONROE: Some of the greatest teams in Mainstream Wrestling have come and gone that have held these titles such as Children of the Moon, Euphoric, the Midnight Horseman, Idolution and Violent Intent. But those who were available were all too scared to answer the challenge.

ECHO LAYNE: So here we are, dressed, stretched and ready to whip some ass but everybody too afraid to shoot their shot!

The lights go out and camera flashes fill the arena. The lights come up revealing Reagan Marek and Willow Dorn of Obsidian Wrestling inside the ring standing face to face with Team Madness!

REAGAN MAREK: Be careful what you ask for...

WILLOW DORN: ...you might just get your wish.

ALEXANDRIA MONROE: Yeah, and what are you going to do about it? Just what brings your here to Mainstream Wrestling? You think you've earned a shot for the tag titles?

WILLOW DORN: In an open challenge you don't have to earn anything, instead you are just the first to accept the invitation...

ECHO LAYNE: Well alright. If you want a fight then we can do that let's go...

MCKAYLA LEWIS: We're going to see Team Madness defend the titles against Marek and Dorn right here tonight!

Echo Layne pulls up her knee pads and adjust the tape on her wrists.

The lights go out again abruptly, and when the arena lights come back up Willow Dorn and Reagan Marek are standing on the stage laughing.

REAGAN MAREK: We accept your challenge but we're going to do this on our time. We're going to do this by the way of the Valkyr!

CHARLES HUDSON:  What does that even mean Lou?

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  I have the slightest ideal.

Team Madness music begins playing inside T-Mobile Park as Alexandria Monroe and Echo Layne are ready to face off against the Valkyr.

CHARLES HUDSON:  Is this considered Willow Dorn and Reagan Marek's tag team re-debut?

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  To answer your question, yes it is. And hopefully it is in the very near future.

---

---

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE…
Samantha Kinsley is standing with Tiffany Lynn Page in front of her locker room.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: I am obviously here with the challenger for the Obsidian World Championship, “Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page.

TIFFANY LYNN PAGE: We’ve been through this, Samantha, everybody already knows. You know I seriously can’t deal with you right now. I have a Obsidian World Title match tonight so I can’t nor do I even want to deal with having to be your babysitter tonight.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Well, Robert did beat….

TIFFANY LYNN PAGE: Very funny, Samantha, but it doesn’t matter that Robert previously got lucky enough to beat me in the Obsidian World title tournament. Buster Douglas can say he beat Mike Tyson, PJ Walker beat Tom Brady, Appalachian State beat the University of Michigan in a football game. So…upsets happen. Robert will have his comeuppance tonight and I will become the new Obsidian World Champion because all of you know I should be the champion. Not a dingy, filthy, uncivilized, hobo will be able to stop me.

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
Zodiac smirks and begins to chuckle.

ZODIAC: Time and Time Again. I have spoken, I have made claims and accusations.

"I have failed."

"I have fallen."

"I have gotten up."

"And I have fallen again."

"Finally--the voices came to me so clearly."

"This pain, the fear, the anguish inside that I have always delivered to my prey. It managed to tame the beast, it tamed the Red Tiger King and when it did. That time, it allowed me to 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 the most dangerous man in professional wrestling. Nobody can hold a candle to the pain and suffering I inflict on the person who stands across from the Zodiac."

Zodiac seemingly hears a familiar voice which goes unheard by the audience.

ZODIAC: This is my Obsidian Championship, Tiffany Page is my challenger and unfortunately for her I am the Zodiac.

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

ZODIAC: I am the pain that you soon will feel...

[Robert Daniels]

OBSIDIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

★★★ ROBERT ZODIAC (C) ★★★
vs
★★★ TIFFANY LYNN PAGE ★★★

The bell rings and this match for the Obsidian Championship is now underway! Robert Zodiac quickly circles the ring as Tiffany Lynn Page does the same thing. The two lock up in the center of the ring, Zodiac quickly takes advantage by shifting into a side headlock before he transitions again into a rear waist lock before he lifts her up and slams her forward. He stands back up and delivers an elbow drop but she manages to roll out of the way and sweep his legs out from underneath him, causing Zodiac to land on his face! Tiffany grabs Zodiac by the hair. She runs over to the ropes and leaps over the top ropes to the ring floor while she drops Robert’s neck across the top turnbuckle. Robert falls to the mat as Tiffany slides back into the ring and covers him 1…2…KICKOUT!

Page quickly springs back to her feet and delivers an elbow drop of her own, but this time Zodiac manages to move out of the way and cause her to miss as he gets back to his feet quickly and delivers a double stomp to her midsection! The crowd pops slightly for this as he swivels back up to a single knee and grabs her by the head, dragging her up with him before he delivers a knee lift to the ribs that doubles her over. He grabs her by the head and wraps her inside arm around his neck before grabbing her by the waistband, he pops his hips and throws Page overhead with a snap suplex but Zodiac isn't finished yet however as he swings his legs around to roll them both over.

Zodiac drags the first challenger to his championship back to her feet, and then throws her overhead again with another snap suplex. Zodiac quickly swings his legs again to get them both over and back to a vertical base, however this time he swings them both sideways while maintaining grip on her head as he drops her with a swinging neck breaker! He kips up to his feet and delivers a quick leg drop across the throat of Page before he rolls her over and attempts to lock Page in his submission hold Into The Void but she fights out with a series of rapid fire back elbows, hitting Zodiac wherever she can to escape his grasp. She is successful in breaking his grip and takes advantage by escaping his reach as Zodiac gets back to his feet as well. The crowd cheers for both competitors but Zodiac looks focused on Page as if nothing else matters on the world right now as he rushes her and before she can react, delivers a jumping spinning heel kick that catches Page directly in the jaw! She crumbles to the mat as the crowd gasps and he hooks the leg for 1…2…KICKOUT!

Zodiac sits up out of the pin and spins around up onto a single knee before clutching Page by the head and dragging her back to a vertical base before he grabs her in a front chancery and violently lifts her up and over for a snap suplex! He swings his legs around to roll them both over before he lifts her up and delivers another snap suplex, he again swings his legs as the both roll over. He pulls Page back to her feet before he lifts her up for another suplex, but then drops her down as he drops with her for a suplex lift DDT!

He rolls her over and drags her back to her feet once more. Zodiac steps out onto the ring apron. Tiffany rushes at him, baseball slides, and hits Zodiac’s shins. He falls and smacks his chin first on the ring apron. Tiffany slides out to the ring floor and slides Zodiac back into the ring. Tiffany gets back up onto the ring apron and climbs up to the top ropes. As the Obsidian Champion gets back onto his feet Tiffany leaps off the top turnbuckle and hits a crossbody block on him for the 1…2…KICKOUT!

Zodiac is up to his feet in no time. And he grabs her by the head and turns around into a neck breaker clutch. He drops down onto his hind end with a hangman's neck breaker, but instead of letting go he stands back up and delivers a spin-out DDT as the crowd gasps upon seeing her get spiked onto the crown of her head with such velocity! He rolls her over and hooks the inside leg as the referee slides in for the 1…2…BREAK!

Page gets her foot on the bottom rope to break the pin! Zodiac gets up and quickly drags her towards the center of the ring before going for another pin, this time hooking both legs as the ref drops back down to count again 1…2…KICKOUT!

Zodiac sits up and gets up onto a single knee before he grabs her by the head again and starts to drag her to her feet. He tucks her head under his arm but she starts to deliver a series of elbows to the ribs that breaks his grip. She shoves him off and connects with a rolling elbow strike that drops him to a knee! She follows up by delivering a series of forearms directly into his face before she turns and runs towards the ropes. She turns around to charge back towards Zodiac but is caught with a leaping calf kick that flattens her straight into the mat!

Zodiac begins slapping the mat with both hands to get the crowd pumped up as they start clapping in rhythm and they get faster and faster as he gets back up to his feet. He runs and jumps up onto the middle rope before he springboards off and rotates himself midair so he lands directly on her midsection with a double foot stomp! He shakes his head as he gets back up to his feet again, this time pointing upward as he makes his way toward the nearest turnbuckle. He grabs onto the top rope and leaps up onto the top turnbuckle before he turns around and comes flying off with a huge elbow drop right across the throat of Page! She flails around on the mat clutching her throat as the crowd cheers for the athletic ability it took Zodiac to do this as they are both on the mat once again as he rolls over to cover Page. He manages to hook the outside leg as the referee slides in to for 1…2…KICKOUT!

Zodiac sits up slowly as his demeanor changes. His face is completely blank. He grabs her by the hair with his left hand and begins laying in methodical shots to the top of her head with the point of his elbow. He lands about seven or eight before he stands up and drags her up by the hair with both hands. He wastes no time in connecting flush with a spinning back fist that drops her to the mat. He walks over and grabs her by the hair again, his face still blank. Zodiac drags her back up to both knees before he changes his grip into a Muay Thai Clinch. He delivers a knee strike to her face, after it connects she starts trying to fight back with a right hand to the ribs but he delivers another knee to her forehead, and then one to her nose, her jaw, her cheek, anywhere he is able to hit he is hitting over and over until she ducks and hooks him up, then hits a Northern Light Suplex with a bridge for 1…2…KICKOUT!

Moments later Zodiac grabs her by the hair again and drags her up to both feet, he quickly transitions around behind her and grabs her in a rear waist lock before he launches her overhead with a snap german suplex! He keeps his grip however and he rolls them both over and he switches his grip to a full nelson, but Tiffany begins to fight out of it but Zodiac lets her go and delivers a wind-up head butt that catches her directly in the back of the head as the crowd gasps! He remains emotionless as he grabs her again in a full nelson and launches her overhead with a snap dragon suplex that folds Tiffany in half! Zodiac releases his grip after impact as he gets back to his feet, walking over to the challenger for his championship.

His expression still blank, he grabs her by the hair again and drags her back up once more, rears back and delivers another head butt before he goes around behind her and grabs both of her arms, hooking them behind her in a double under hook. Zodiac lifts Page up and over as he drops her on the back of her head and neck with a tiger suplex, he refuses to let go however as he rolls them both over, drags her back to her feet. He lifts her up and over again with another tiger suplex, rolls them both over and drags her back up one more time before delivering a snap tiger suplex and finally releasing his grip! Zodiac walks over to Tiffany and pulls her up onto her knee and gets in her face, now visibly angry before Zodiac screams in her face "WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT?!!" before he balls up his right fist and draws it all the way back behind his shoulder before coming in with a massive cracking right hook that knocks her flat to the canvas!

He quickly follows up by grabbing her picking her up onto his shoulder, then positions her for a tombstone pile driver before spiking her directly onto her head with a sit-out tombstone!! The crowd gasps as he shakes his head, staring down at the crumbled challenger. He drags her back up to her feet, except facing the other way before he hits her with a jumping neck breaker across his shin with the Crimson Sunrise!! Zodiac quickly wraps his arm around her neck from behind, grapevining his legs around her midsection as he locks his dragon sleeper in that he calls Into The Void! Zodiac wrenches back violently as she quickly taps out and the referee calls for the bell!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by way of submission AND STILL Obsidian Champion...ROBERT--ZODIAC!

CHARLES HUDSON:  He's taken this one too far.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  The official can't get Zodiac to break the hold.

Zodiac refuses to let go however, and the official signals for Zodiac to break the hold, but he isn't listening to the ref! The ref tries to break the hold, but Zodiac lets go before the referee can intervene and delivers a head butt to the official that knocks him out!

Zodiac rolls out of the ring and quickly goes over to grab the Obsidian Championship. He slides the title into the ring before he reaches underneath the apron, grabbing a kendo stick. He tosses the stick into the ring before sliding back in himself, grabbing the kendo stick after standing up. He walks over to Page and lines up the shot before raising it over his head and cracking her across the back of her head! He delivers kendo stick shot after kendo stick shot, he then tosses the stick out of the ring and grabs his championship, raising it over his head as he shoves Page out of the ring with his foot to a mixed reaction before he drops down and rolls out, heading towards the back as he clutches his championship.

CHARLES HUDSON:  Zodiac has flipped a switch somewhere and not only is he the most dangerous man in Mainstream Wrestling anymore but also Obsidian and perhaps all of professional wrestling.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  We'll be back with more Mainstream Wrestling after this next commercial break!

---

---

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE…
Sitting in a chair somewhere backstage at the Six Year Anniversary, Gareth Prichard Jr looks intensely into the camera. The World Television Championship extended over his leg, right in sight for both him and the camera to know exactly where it was at all times.

GARETH PRICHARD JR: I commend you, a lot of thought must’ve gone into planning and execution of your master plan but since your arrival to Mainstream Wrestling my plans and goals have mere halted to allow the necessary reactions to your idiotic schemes.

Prichard rubs his left knuckle under the bridge of his nose before he snorts and then continues speaking.

GARETH PRICHARD JR: This all started between a weenie measuring contest you initiated with my old pal Chris Madison. You put the longest reigning World Champion on the shelf months ago and since then you've been a thorn in my side. I would love nothing more than to finally put an end to your pursuit of happiness. To put a definitive end to your pursuit of ME and MY World Television Championship.

Prichard taps his belt twice before turning completely and facing the camera directly as he speaks.

GARETH PRICHARD JR: I once called you a gambling man and you’ve proven to be quite the damn fool. But Now, since you have everyone's attention AND claim to be a “Lone star Icon” then I’m going to call you’re bluff and show you that this highly pissed off welsh kid is gunning for you. This King of Failure will not fail tonight…

[Robert Daniels]

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED…
Usually, we’d find The Franchise pacing back and forth, or shaking with excitement backstage or in front of a Mainstream Banner. However, this time is different. Billy is just sitting calmly in a chair in his personal dressing room. In the background, you can see the UWL World Championship gleaming in the light, but tonight isn’t about the UWL World Championship. It was about the Mainstream World Championship and bringing an end to a reign of terror. Danielson looks into the camera with a cold and stoic glare, like that of a gargoyle.

BILLY DANIELSON: Here we are again, Emma.

He spreads his arms out a bit, gesturing more so to the situation than the actual location.

BILLY DANIELSON: You know, I could go on and on about the rage I feel inside when I see you. I could talk about the things I plan to do to you in the ring tonight. I could talk about the people you’ve hurt on your way here, and how tonight will be the night that you finally pay for your sins… but I won’t.

Danielson pauses for a moment as he folds his hands together, resting his elbows on is knees, and points both of his index fingers at the camera.

BILLY DANIELSON: What I want to talk about, was the moment you realized you weren’t fighting just anyone in this company. That moment, between the third and fourth Death Rattle and between the first and second Flash Flood, when I looked into your eyes and you realized that you weren’t just facing a good wrestler who can talk a lot of shit. No, you were facing the man who has been carrying this company on his back for 2166 days and hasn’t stopped once.

His voice gets fiery, but he stays calm on the outside.

BILLY DANIELSON: That’s what I want to talk about, Emma, because… YES, you got the win, but I brought you to levels you never knew existed. I got up after five of your best shots, and still never tapped to two of your best submissions. I even hit you with your own finishing move and nearly pulled that title away from you, so YES, you beat me, but I also proved that I will die in that ring before I let you beat me. I proved that you have to EARN a win over Billy Danielson, and that is no easy feat.

Billy takes a deep breath, as he tries to calm himself down a bit. He’s not trying to self-inflate his ego, but he is trying to prove a point.

BILLY DANIELSON: So I commend you, and I respect your ability in that ring. However, I question if you can do it again. You saw how fast I can climb the ladder to come back to you. You saw how much punishment I can take. If our match hadn’t been stopped, what would you have done if I kept going? Do you have the endurance for that? You saw me take everything you had, and I still stood up. Can you do the same?

Danielson raises an eyebrow. This match was very similar to the way professional weight lifters approach maxing out their personal records, and Danielson was lucky enough to be the proverbial +1 weight in this scenario. Would Emma be able to lift this great weight? Or would she just crumble under the pressure like Danielson was suggesting.

BILLY DANIELSON: These are the questions that I know keep you up at night, Emma, because we all see that chip on your shoulder. We all see how you front this terrifying persona because nobody would respect you the same way if you didn’t. We all see how desperate you are to stay on top because you wouldn’t be there if you weren’t.

Billy smirks at the camera, hoping these last-minute self-doubts reach Emma.

BILLY DANIELSON: You see, this match is less about the title now, and more about me creating more chinks in your armor until Emma Douglas isn’t the woman she said she was anymore. It’s less about pomp and circumstance, and more about seeing how high you really measure up against The Greatest of All Time.

He leans in, and points two fingers at his eyes and then back at the camera.

BILLY DANIELSON: I see the exhaustion in your eyes, Emma. I see how badly you want to stay up, but you’re not sure how much longer you can handle it. You threw everything at me last time, barely came away, and thought you were done with me, but you weren’t. Now I’m back and ready for round 2, and this time, I’M going to be the one throwing everything at YOU, and when you can’t handle it any longer… I will finally put the beast to bed!

[Robert Daniels]

EARLIER TONIGHT…
A limousine pulls up to the parking lot of the T-Mobile Park. The driver gets out and opens the rear passenger door. Alan Envy steps out with a cocky obnoxious grin as he notices the cameras. He is dressed custom made in a black suit as he slaps his hands together loudly.

ALAN ENVY: For those of you without a front row ticket tonight then I would suggest you pull up a chair whether it be in the comfort of your own home, the local saloon or the Radio Shack television display because this Lone Star Icon feels like putting on a wrestling clinic in Seattle tonight. It’s going to be a long night for Gareth Prichard Junior.

Motioning as if he has the championship belt already fastened tightly around his waist.

ALAN ENVY: You call yourself the ‘King of Failure’ and they will hold true especially after tonight. Because class is in session kid, I’ve waited patiently and now I’m coming for my World Television Championship. We’ll see you real soon.

Envy walks past the camera man and enters the building as the shows goes to commercial break.

[Robert Daniels]

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING
WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

★★★ GARETH PRICHARD JR. (C) ★★★
vs
★★★ ALAN ENVY ★★★

The bell rings and the World Television Championship match is now underway! Alan Envy is talking a lot of smack to Gareth and Gareth isn't backing down waving the World Television Championship title in Envy's face. Gareth hands the title to the official. Gareth Prichard Jr and Alan Envy meet in the middle of the ring; being the bigger wrestler of the two, Envy pats Prichard on his head in a condescending manner, an action that didn’t sit well at all with the Welshman who backs away from his opponent with his hands up.

The nonchalant attitude of Gareth Prichard Jr is front and center with the champion as he offers a handshake to his challenger. But Alan Envy rejects it then slaps the taste out of Prichard and sends him reeling backward. He pounds Gareth into the corner and look at how vicious those kicks are! Envy is relentless in his attack as finally he eases up and mocks the crowd.

The Welshman doesn’t take long to reply as he plants Envy with a stiff forearm that sends him towards the ropes and into a clothesline from Gareth who begins to stomp the clavicle area of his opponent softening it up for later. Prichard unleashes a vicious streak on his Envy, all stemming from the slap, yet it doesn’t take long for Envy to regain control, shoving the World Television Champion back and hitting him with a massive clothesline which gives him some time to recover himself.

Gareth looked to take advantage over Envy early on but was unable. Since then Envy shows his quick reflexes driving Gareth with a snap power slam spiking him into the map. There's a quick cover for 1…KICKOUT! Envy transitions and is grinding Pritchard's face into the mat. Envy is now grinding the point of his elbow into the side of the champions head. Alan Envy is really showing that mean streak tonight! So far the World TV Champion hasn’t fared as well as he might’ve hoped for, as he has been reeling and defending for most of the match. Prichard manages to move to the side and capitalize by hitting a side kick to Envy followed by a spinning back fist. The King of Failure quickly rises up and looks fort a punt kick to the chest of Envy but with both hands he blocks it!

Alan Envy halts the kick with his strength and Gareth simply tries to break free. Meanwhile the World Television Champion eats a double knee to the chest that sends him to a seated position on the turnbuckle, something Envy sees as an opening, and runs into him with a boot to the jaw! He pulls him from the corner and covers him up quickly for 1…2…KICKOUT!

Envy sits up with both hands on his head when GPJ rolls from the ring to catch his breath. Envy pushes himself up off the mat and follows immediately after him. Envy grabs the Welshman by the neck and throws him into the ring. A thumb to the eye of Envy is the opening Gareth needed. He seems to have finally gained control in this match as the champion is ascending to the top which is surprising for him. And Envy crotches him.

Gareth seems to be pulling out all the stops to retain his title even going away from what he is comfortable doing here. Envy is climbing up as the two exchange blows. Gareth is getting the advantage but Envy with an elbow shot. Oh my God what a shot!! Envy is grabbing Pritchard…”SPANISH FLY ON GARETH OFF THE TOP!” A slow crawl by Alan Envy leads to a pull of the knee pad on GPJ for 1…2…NEARFALL!

Listen to this crowd showing their appreciation for these two warriors!

…1!
…2!
…3!
…4!
…5!
…6!

Alan Envy is the first to his feet and he begins lifting Gareth Prichard Junior to his feet rearing back his right hand he lands it on the jaw of the champion.


Sequence 3

GPJ had struggled to control the pace of this match, but with Envy’s arms extended as far as Gareth can stretch and the Welshman’s knee firmly up against Envy’s back. He screams in pain and the official gets close to him as he continues to fight against the pain. From that position, Gareth transitions fully to just one arm and twists it into a Fujiwara Armbar with Joint Manipulation to inflict even more pain on Alan Envy! Using his feet he turns his lower body towards the ropes and kicking as hard as he can he gets into the bottom rope and the official sees it.

…1!
…2!
…3!
…4!

GPJ breaks the hold just in time. Alan Envy rolls into the corner and kneels when the official cuts off the champion trying to remain on the offensive. He separates the two combatants checking on Envy but it allows Prichard a moment to rush him. Alan Envy tried for a spine buster, but couldn’t lift his right arm due to the pain. Gareth’s focused attack has had an effect as he is able to capitalize by grabbing the arm and applying a very tight-looking Kimura that twists Envy’s shoulder and elbow to the point that he has no way of avoiding damage other than to rush and grab the top rope for an easy rope break.

…1!
…2!
…3!
…4!

Prichard utilizes the full five seconds trying to put Envy thru as much pain as allowed before breaking the hold and walking away from his opponent; before walking in on him and hitting a Rolling Cutter and hooks the leg for 1…2…KICKOUT!

Gareth is trying to not be the King of Failure tonight. He is looking for the Simple Twist of Fate here! He goes for it but Envy slams him off the top rope! The veteran pounces on Pritchard and locks in Paying Your Dues!! Gareth is fighting the submission hold but is fading! Gareth tries to get to the ropes and he does!

Alan Envy is now toying with GPJ, slapping him in the back of the head, but the disrespect comes back to haunt him as GPJ mounts a comeback of sorts. A flurry of offense allows enough separation for Envy to have to back off and allow GPJ to regroup. Alan Envy grabs hold of Gareth Prichard Jr’s wrist and sends him into the ropes. Gareth reverses and now it seems to finally be going with what brought him to the dance and the World Television Championship as he has gone to his impeccable submission game. He is manipulating Envy here trying to get the challenger to tap out. He has the minura locked in. Envy is getting up though and is holding the champion up with one arm! Then he buckle bombs Pritchard and the hold is broken!

In obvious pain but not letting go of the wrist, Prichard pulls Envy up and hits him with a Ripcord Jumping Knee Strike! Alan Envy is down! Gareth Prichard Jr locks in the Tudor Rose! Envy begins to struggle less and less until he passes out and the official calls for the bell!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by way of total knock out AND STILL Mainstream Wrestling World Television Champion...GARETH--PRICHARD--JUNIOR!

CHARLES HUDSON:  The Lone Star Icon takes a nap!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  He didn't submit, he wasn't pinned but instead he passed out to the Tudor Rose!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Now that Gareth Prichard Junior has gotten that monkey off his back it will be interesting to see who he'll defend against next.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Alan Envy can sure back it up but tonight was not his night. Congratulations to GPJ!

---

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[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE…
Dayna Barrett is seen sitting on a crate talking with a trainer whom is taping her ankles heavily to match her wrists and fingers.

DAYNA BARRETT: Make sure my boots are laced up good and tight too.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: We’re just moments away from this years Chase for the Crown ladder match. I can see you’re taking all the necessary steps to prevent from injuring yourself. What motivates you to climb that ladder here tonight to retrieve the crown?

DAYNA BARRETT: For the last six months Cartier, Bianca Reed, Nefertiti and AP have made my life a living hell. Tonight I’m going to do everything in my power to keep Cartier or whoever from grabbing that crown…

Dayna Barrett hops down from the crate and begins making her way to the stage.

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE…
Cartier is seen walking backstage, flanked by her #HoodRatchet teammates Bianca Reed and Nefertiti Jackson. All three are dressed in matching gear and their hair is adorned with jewels, making them look more like walking goddesses than professional wrestlers.

With all three women participating in the Chase for the Crown Ladder Match, theoretically they are technically opponents for the evening… however, they seem perfectly in synch, just like their matching ensembles.

CARTIER: Listen up. I'm only gonna say this to all y'all out there in TV Land one time an' one time only. Anyone that tuned into to this show tonight expectin' to see #HoodRatchet implode? To see if we turn against each other for the crown? Y'all might as well flip to the World Cup instead because y'all gonna be disappointed. These two ladies by my side are in this match to support me. They know the score. When I succeed, they succeed. Periodt.

Bianca laughs and nods her head. Nefertiti steps forward and snarls into the camera.

NEFERTITI: My time will come. Cartier and me? We are thick as thieves, and the quickest way to the top for me is loyalty and respect for the woman who brought me this far already. The woman who got me out the local scene in Saint Louis and up into the big-time of Mainstream. I didn't come here tonight to stab her in the back. I didn't come here tonight to try to take what's hers. I came tonight to ensure her place in history. To ensure HoodRatchet the W. All these other people in this match? Tapp? Julianna? Dayna? And especially you, Lex Collins… you all go ahead and fight one on one. We got this as a team. Bet.

Nef steps back and Cartier puts a hand on her shoulder.

CARTIER: That's my girl. She knows what's up. Just like Bae-anca right here. They both know Mainstream is my birthright. They know I put in the work for the last three years. I been imbing this ladder since 2019, and tonight? Tonight I reach the top. Each one of these other people in the ring with us tonight might be a real ace… but HoldRatchet is three of a kind, and every ladder is shorter when you take the rungs by three."

Right on cue, the girls walk past a storage area where the evening's ladders appear to be stored. A dozen or more stacked on top of each other.

CARTIER: I used to be one of those people that refused to take shortcuts. I believed in playing fair and going by the rules. Lining up and saying 'good game ' after every single contest, win, lose, or draw. But you know what happened? I turned ten years old. Playing fair is for little kids. The real world ain't fair. The real world MAKES you take shortcuts to survive. The American Dream ain't working hard and succeeding, it's taking away from others to give yourself more. It's cutting your piece of pie wider than everyone else. The quicker people grow up and learn that lesson, the better their life is. My life is glamorous, regal, rich, and successful… and I won't ever apologize for doing everything I can to guarantee it stays that way. Not tonight, not any night.

Nefertiti nods her head at Bianca and they start pulling out a couple of the ladders. Bianca pulls a marker from her top and writes an X across the side of one, and Nefertiti pulls out a screwdriver from her boot. Nef begins unscrewing some of the fasteners on the ladder!

CARTIER: Now, maybe y'all think it's unfair to go into a match like this as a crew. Y'all might think it's cheating to fuck with these ladders. But think about if someone was trying to take what was yours? What would you do if someone tried to snatch food off your table? Money out your pocket? You'd do what needed to be done, or you'd be a victim.

Cartier stops and looks over her shoulder at her girls.

CARTIER: Your girl Cartier ain't no victim.

She smirks and walks off… and the scene fades away.

[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE…
Pacing behind the curtain is United States Champion Lex Collins he’s the last person to be introduced to the Seattle crowd in the Chase for the Crown ladder match. He looks into the camera and speaks before heading out to the ring.

LEX COLLINS: Forgotten and overlooked too often and for far too long! Tonight everything changes. I am the US Champion, I am the uncrowned King of Mainstream Wrestling and I…want…MORE!

“I want more competition.”

“I want more challengers.”

“I want more opportunity.”

“I deserve better and starting tonight, I’m going to take whatever I want!”

Lex Collins turns his back to the camera awaiting his music as the scene fades back to the ring.

[Robert Daniels]

GRAHAM STEVENS: Ladies and Gentlemen it is now time introduce tonight’s first inductee. Please welcome to the podium at this time A.J. Morales!

“WRATH TO THE INDUSTRY!”

The opening breakdown of “King of Amarillo” by Issues hits the PA, and the lights near the entrance-way turn gold as the crowd roars with cheers. After a few seconds some steps out, but instead of “The Revolution” A.J. Morales, it’s his long-time rival and short-time leader, Billy Danielson. Billy is wearing an old “The Rev” shirt, in honor of A.J. as he walks up to the podium. Billy looks out to the fans as he takes a moment.

BILLY DANIELSON: You know, the last time I inducted someone in this company’s Hall of Fame, the inductee ended up attacking me later in the night.

Billy chuckles at the memory.

BILLY DANIELSON: Luckily, I don’t think I have to worry about that tonight.

He straightens up his speech cards in his hands. His tone changes from joking to a bit more serious.

BILLY DANIELSON: No, but what I do have to worry about tonight is doing A.J. justice.

He pauses as he looks down at the Hall of Fame ring in front of him.

BILLY DANIELSON: A.J. Morales was a workhorse, even when nobody asked him to be. He gave everything he had into this craft until it took everything away from him, and even then he still wanted to give it all, because that’s who he was.

Billy fiddles around with A.J.’s ring for a moment.

BILLY DANIELSON: And for being a buck-80 soaking wet, he wasn’t afraid to tell people off, or stand up against those who threatened him. He’d dive right into whatever danger he saw, and wouldn’t even think twice about it. That’s really how our paths ended up crossing here in Mainstream.

Danielson smiles for a moment.

BILLY DANIELSON: We were so much alike, despite being on opposite sides of the alignment spectrum. He wanted to create new opportunities and face new people. I think about how he campaigned for a shot a the Pride Championship (Now called the U.S. Championship), got into the inaugural Pride Grand Prix (Now called the Governor’s Cup), and just dominated in it. Then he went on to defeat one of, if not THE, greatest wrestler this company has ever seen in AJ Knight. He continued to ride that momentum up to the semi-finals of the Emerald City Classic, and it just propelled him into superstardom in this company.

Billy pauses for a second. In those moments, he didn’t know he was watching a Hall of Famer in action, but he knew A.J. was going to be great in this company.

BILLY DANIELSON: A.J. would become synonymous with the Pride Championship that year. He’d even be able to host his own vanity show here under the Mainstream banner, and I think he’s the only one to ever do that, THAT’S how popular he was in this company. The dude seemed bigger than Jesus…

A bit of a mischievous smirk appears on Billy’s face.

BILLY DANIELSON: But he wasn’t bigger than me!

Billy laughs as he thinks back at his rivalries with A.J.

BILLY DANIELSON: Morales had gotten so big in 2018, that I had set my sights on him. He also held the only title I needed to become the company’s first Grand Slam Champion, so you know I was gunning for him. I would follow his same path to the Pride title by winning the Pride Grand Prix, and then I would go on to have one of the best series of my career with him, and I’d take that title for one of the longest title reigns in this company’s history.

Trying not to break his arm patting himself on the back there, Billy quickly remembers that this isn’t about him, but about Morales, and continues with the speech.

BILLY DANIELSON: Most people would hit championship slumps after that, but not The Rev. No, he’d go on to team with Christina Idol and revive the Tag Titles when they were nearly dead in the water. Then he’d go on to win basically every title in NVR, even creating a title of his own there to help create a legacy for the future and inevitably inspirig the Mainstream Legacy Championship. Like, this kid continued to do new and crazy things that we’d never seen in Mainstream before. He even brought Robb Daniels out of retirement for a match, and that led to Robb returning to being a wrestler full-time too. Even when he was at his lowest, the fans rallied behind him and got him into the world title match where he would inevitably become the Mainstream World Champion. He just…

Danielson gets a bit choked up as he tries to keep it together.

BILLY DANIELSON: A.J.’s thumbprint is everywhere in this company, and realizing that now… it sucks looking back and seeing that I had a hand in ending his career. He was fun and innovative and passionate. He’s a Triple Crown Champion here in Mainstream, Grand Slam Champion in NVR, and his influence continues to touch this company. He deserves and earned this spot in the Hall of Fame, and I’m more than glad to induct him and accept this award in his honor!

Danielson takes the Hall of Fame ring and raises it high in the air, symbolizing his admiration for A.J. Morales as “King of Amarillo” by Issues plays out.

---

CHARLES HUDSON:  Welcome back and thank you to Billy Danielson for accepting the Hall of Fame induction on behalf of A.J. Morales!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  The next inductee in this years Hall of Fame Class went out on top when he won the Emerald City Classic, took his shot at the title and won it! Her had a memorable moment inside the ring where he left it all including the World Heavyweight Championship when he had just won it, he immediately vacated it as he retired and left the sport of professional wrestling.

The arena lights suddenly go down, and a Trollface appears on the big screen.

problem?

"DOESN'T TAKE MUCH AND THAT'S MESSED UP
BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE DO A LOT OF SIMPLE SHIT TO IMPRESS US!"

GRAHAM STEVENS: Please welcome the #GADFLY…MARIANO--FERNANDEZ!

"... YOU CAN'T ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS IF YOU DON'T TAKE THAT CHANCE
SO GO PRY OPEN THAT TRUNK AND GET THOSE AMPS, YOU KNOW-"

The lights come back on, and after a huge pyro blast, Robert Daniels is standing at the stage podium.

ROBERT DANIELS: no you guys go right ahead...

MANNY--MANNY!
MANNY--MANNY!
MANNY--MANNY!
MANNY--MANNY!
MANNY--MANNY!

ROBERT DANIELS: Everybody dreams about being the larger than life superhero that Mariano Fernandez was. Now I speak of him in past tense simply because I haven't spoken to him since he left the arena that night in Indianapolis. I stood in the back just as many of you did watching from home in awe of what was the perfect ending to a storybook career. Going out on top of the sport. Leaving it better, than how you found it and literally leaving it all in the ring including the World Heavyweight Championship.

"Now this decision by Mariano Fernandez has been unfairly judged and ridiculed for the last year and a half. His decision to walk away not just from Mainstream Wrestling but the business in general was a choice that he made, on his own and in that moment. This business and it's rich history is comprised of beautiful moments where the good guys beat the bad guys but just after the bad guys string the good guys along long enough to captivate our minds and hold our attention. Manny Fernandez was one of the good guys if not the best good guy and he deserves more from the critics but then again that's all they are--just critics."

Daniels smiles and looks on.

ROBERT DANIELS: I do not know what happened to the GadFly but I do know that he will forever be immortalized in the Mainstream Wrestling Hall of Fame!

---

CHARLES HUDSON: McKayla our next inductee has her names all over the Mainstream Wrestling record books.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: It's fitting that she's finally come home to Mainstream to continue her storied career and be remembered forever in the Hall of Fame.

GRAHAM STEVENS: Please Welcome to the Podium at this time Julianna DiMaria!

“Deal with the Devil” hits the speakers as Julianna DiMaria appears on the stage, greeted by some the fans in attendance. She cracks a rare smile yet continues with a focused look on her face.

Julianna DiMaria stands by as she takes the stage for her Hall of Fame speech. She's getting a good reaction in spite of some recent personal feelings she has expressed. Julianna definitely looks like she's in a good head space and doesn't seem nervous at all as she begins to express her thoughts.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Let me just say that it is a great honor to accept this. Despite the way I feel about how my first run in MAINSTREAM ended, I can't deny the impact that this company has had on my career. When I first came here a few years ago, I wasn't necessarily in the brightest spirits. After all, I was just coming off of a miserable run in Portland suffering through possibly the worst company of my entire wrestling career. My stock couldn't have been any lower at any point in my career. But this company took a chance on me. They bet on my potential and there's no way I can look past that.

“Of course, prior to coming here, I was also working through some personal demons, but by the time I made my debut here, I had sorted them out. I was able to capitalize on said potential when I went into an 8 person tournament for the vacant United States championship and I wound up winning that title in short order. It was in that tournament final where I met and defeated Bryan Ford for the first of what became many times…”

Julianna pauses to hear some laughter.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: …but all kidding aside, he was my first of a few notable rivalries that I had here. He always gave me one hell of a challenge and he was one of the most persistent people that I have ever met in that wrestling ring. My first true breakthrough I felt, was when I finished the runner up in the Emerald Classic in 2020 while I was still United States champion. I didn't win the tournament of course, but that was the first time in my career when I felt like I had the chance to be a true main event player. I rounded out that year having my ears with Skye Healy and that was definitely a fun and a good time… even though I list the United States championship in the end, but to get to the top, you've got to deal with adversity and I sure faced it when I had a match against Echo Layne and lost.

“That, I admit, was very embarrassing for me, but again… it was another adversity to face. I turned it around in a big way when I won the Pinnacle battle royal and subsequently defeated Hammerstein to become the new Mainstream world champion! Obviously, that WAS the pinnacle and it was a hell of a reign at that. There were battles with Danielson and Knight and the Immortal Atrocities. Hell, there was even an encounter with Skye in there too. I was very proud of that reign until the end… and then the end of that…”

At this point, Julianna takes a pause. She's definitely still feeling bitter about the end of her title reign. She's conflicted about what to say, but ultimately pushes on.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: …it embittered me so much that I walked away from this. It left a hole in my heart and my passion for what I do and that sucked. But, that's not going to take away from the first run that I had here. It was a good run and as I mentioned when I first came back, I wasn't going to let my time and my overall portfolio here end like that and I won't. This induction and this honor is part of a new beginning for me. While I accept it with gratitude, I am going to remind this company why this honor was bestowed upon me to begin with. I'm glad to be back, but I won't let anyone in this company deny me again. So thank you all for the honor and starting tonight, you're all going to have the privilege of watching me embark on this new beginning. Thank you so much!

She has a confident smirk on her face before she makes her exit from the stage.

CHARLES HUDSON: Julianna soaks in the positive reaction that she is getting.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Many believed we had seen the last of Julianna DiMaria after he messy departure from Mainstream Wrestling but alas she’s back, she’s in the Hall of Fame and appears very determined and confident for what's to come later tonight.

CHARLES HUDSON: We’ve not seen the last of Julianna DiMaria here tonight! She’s one of seven combatants in the Chase for the Crown ladder match!

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Congratulations to A.J. Morales, Mariano Fernandez and Julianna DiMaria this years Hall of Fame Class!

---

COMING JANUARY 2023…

---

[Robert Daniels]

CHASE FOR THE CROWN
LADDER MATCH

★★★ BIANCA REED ★★★
vs
★★★ CARTIER ★★★
vs
★★★ DAYNA BARRETT ★★★
vs
★★★ JULIANNA DIMARIA ★★★
vs
★★★ LEX COLLINS ★★★
vs
★★★ NEFERTITI ★★★
vs
★★★ RM TAPP ★★★

The bell rings and the Chase for the Crown Ladder Match is now officially underway! TWFKA Tapp Addams extends a hand to the Hall of Famer Julianna DiMaria. He tells her that ‘Us former NVR champs need to stick together. Before she can even think about returning the hand shake though, Tapp rushes forward with a European uppercut. He hits the ropes, and returns with a head rocking lariat!

Julianna is slowly getting back to her feet at RM Tapp begins to sneak up behind her. He picks her up and tries to slam her, but Julianna is able to break free from him and slide behind him. Tapp turns around and then Julianna stuns him with a step up enziguri to the side of the head. Tapp stumbles to a knee and then Julianna comes back and nails him with a super kick right in the jaw.Tapp falls down to the mat near the corner and then Julianna is able to come back and nail him with a corner slingshot splash. She goes to a ladder and grabs it. Tapp is able to get up in the corner and then Julianna runs in and nails him with the ladder, sandwiching him in the corner. Tapp stumbles out of the corner and then Julianna airplane spins the ladder right into the side of his head. Tapp stumbles to a knee again and then Julianna drives the ladder right into his face. She tosses the ladder out of the ring and drags Tapp to the center of the ring where she is able to plant him with a tornado DDT.

Cartier seems to zero in on Tapp with almost predatory, laser focus - however, before she can get close enough to the man behind the Grapboy+ and Wristlock Academy, Juliana DiMaria cuts off the #hoodRatchet matriarch with a leaping superman punch that drops Cartier to one knee. DiMaria grabs Cartier by the hair that might or might not be natural and starts to pull her to her feet, but Cartier bull rushes her and drops her onto her back, swinging wild forearm shots into the former Mainstream Champion’s head and face.

Cartier follows up by flinging DiMaria face-first into the second turnbuckle, then running up her back like a ramp and falling into an elbow drop right onto Juliana DiMaria’s lumbar vertebrae!

Cartier slides from the ring and grabs a ladder - she’s ready for some real violence to commence!

First she jabs the ladder through the ropes, hitting DiMaria in the face. Then she goes back into the ring, pulls the ladder in and leans it against DiMaria who is slumped in the corner. Cartier backs up… EAT THIS ASS into the ladder! DiMaria falls through the ropes and out of the ring!

Now Meanwhile on the other side of the ring United States Champion Lex Collins is down, cradling his head, clearly in agony. Nefertiti lifts Collins to his feet and tosses him through the middle ropes, where he sprawls on the concrete floor, still dazed. She runs across the ring, and connects with a baseball slide just as Lex is rising.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Oh man, that wasn't good!

CHARLES HUDSON: No kidding! Bae hit the barrier too!

The crowd is going nuts, freaking out over the carnage that's been happening throughout this match. Lex Collins and Nefertiti make it to their feet at the same time. Collins tries to sling her at the ring post, but she resists, instead sending Collins packing. He hits the unforgiving steel hard, and she charges in, looking for a spear on Collins, but the US Champion dodges at the last second. CLANG! Nefertiti falls back, right into Lex's clutches and he sends her crashing through that table with a release suplex! It takes him a while to get up from the smashed table and when he turns around to grab Nefertiti, he gets a boot to the face that sends him staggering back.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: This is incredible!

Lex stumbles back to his feet, backing off even though he sees Nefertiti starting to get up. He grabs the ladder and deliberately tilts it against the ropes –MY GOODNESS WHAT IS HE DOING? Lex Collins runs up the ladder and leaps off the top of it, getting a good six inches above the top rope and he crashes down on Nefertiti.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Rather than winning this match, The United States Champion has decided to INJURE EVERYONE IN IT!

Turning out attention back to Julianna DiMaria whom has finally rolled back into the ring. Bianca pounces on her and goes on the attack. She drags her back up to her feet, but Julianna surprises her with an eye rake. Bianca shakes this off, but Julianna picks her up and gives her a back suplex into one of the ladders. Bianca rolls off the ladder and she holds her lower back, wincing in pain. Julianna is quick to grab a ladder and set it up in the center of the ring. She attempts to climb it, but sees that Bianca is standing up.

Once she does so, Julianna dives off the middle of the ladder and knocks her down with a cross body. Julianna says on Bianca and pounds the crap out of her. She stands over her and then delivers a standing double knee moonsault that causes Bianca to roll near the ropes. Julianna doesn’t care and she drags her back to the center of the ring. She picks her up and gives her a hard Irish whip right into the ladder. The ladder falls on the mat and then Julianna super kicks her stunned adversary knocking her back down to the mat and leaving her laid out!

Julianna is recovering as she works to get back to her feet. She doesn’t know that Dayna has a ladder in her hands. She stands up and Dayna tries to come at her with the ladder, but Julianna ducks. Dayna turns around and then Julianna dropkicks the ladder right into her chest. Dayna falls to the mat and drops the ladder. Julianna picks up the ladder and sets it down in the center of the ring. Julianna climbs the ladder, but Dayna climbs the other side of the ladder.

They both climb and meet at the top while shots are fired between them. Julianna breaks up the fist fight with a head butt that dazes Dayna and then Julianna climbs up an extra rung to flip over and drop Dayna on the mat with a massive sunset flip power bomb off of the ladder! Julianna rolls away holding her lower back in obvious pain, but Dayna is knocked out. The ladder lands on the mat as Julianna gets back up and drags Dayna back up to a vertical base. She drags her over to the ladder and gathers the strength to pick her up and give her a back suplex into the ladder!

RM Tapp uneasily springboards off the second rope, and hits Lex Collins with a ‘modified’ crossbody. The crowd begins chanting ‘You Just Botched That!’ Tapp responds by dropping repeated elbows down onto Lex from a mounted position. He doesn’t look to ascend the ladder, but instead he stands up and asks the audience if he ‘Botched that one!?’

He remains on the offensive and catches Nefertiti Jackson with a drop toe hold. Tapp floats over and starts putting on a clinic, really stretching Nef’s limbs in all sorts of directions and working on the joints of her arms and hands. Tapp pulls Nefertiti into a butterfly submission, and then a surfboard. He transitions the surfboard into a face buster from his back, and then his kips up… right into an EAT THIS ASS!

Tapp is stunned and looks angry from getting hit by quite possibly his least favorite professional wrestling move in existence today, but Cartier hits him with a second one! This time her formidable backside sends Tapp stumbling back into a corner, and Cartier climbs up onto the second rope, essentially straddling him, and starts driving hard punches into his forehead… the crowd counts along as she pummels him…

1!
2!
3!
4!
5!
6!
7!
8!
9!


But on the tenth punch, Tapp grabs her fist as it flies toward him, and he bends her into one of his patented deadly wristlocks! Cartier is in agony, screeching as she falls to her knees. She rolls through and flips around, trying to get free or at least relieve some pressure, but at every turn, Tapp holds on.

It looks like Cartier is about to actually black out from the pain, but then she sends a wild, desperation head butt right into the nose of Tapp! Blood pours down his face as he staggers back, letting go of the wrist lock. Cartier shakes her hand out, trying to get some feeling back into it, and she gestures for Bianca Reed to help her out. Bianca slides the ladder across the ring towards Cartier and Tapp as Cartier slips behind Tapp and grabs his arms behind him… GOT DAMN SLAM right onto the ladder! She leaves Tapp lying on the ladder and hops up onto the top turnbuckle… SUPA DUPA FLY SPLASH!

MISSED!!!

Tapp rolled off the ladder and Cartier might have broken every rib in her torso as she hit the ladder full force! She kicks and hugs herself, rolling around on the mat as Bianca Reed moves in on Tapp and gets behind him as he finds his feet… REED ‘EM AND WEEP!

Tapp’s head bounces off the mat and Reed pulls him up so he is sitting up, looking dazed and confused. Bianca grabs the ladder and puts it on over Tapp’s head, with his dome in one of the gaps between the runs and an equal length of ladder on either side of him. She then gets Cartier back to her feet and gesticulates her plan. Cartier smiles and nods.

Cartier and Bianca end up on opposite sides of Tapp and then they run at the same time and hit a pair of diving drop kicks into opposite ends of the ladder that sits on Tapp’s shoulders. The ladder spins nearly a full half turn, wrenching Tapp’s neck in a gruesome angle! The ladder falls off of Tapp and he falls over onto his face, completely out of it!

Looking to swing momentum back in his favor, Lex Collins grabs Bianca Reed by the hair and right into a knee lift. She staggers back and he hoists her up for a front face slam, getting a huge pop from the crowd. He turns around, expecting the way to be clear now to ascend the ladder only to have his feet yanked out from under him and he crashes down on that chair from earlier. The impact clearly costs him and even though he's quick back to his feet, Bianca Reed is up. She charges at Lex, taking him down with a messy roaring elbow. She clubs Collins in the back of the head with a huge forearm shot and Lex sprawls to his knees at her feet, perfectly placed for the mud hole stomping that ensues – NO WAIT!

HE GRABS HER FOOT AS HE SURGES TO HIS FEET! AD HOMINEM ON THE CHAIR! He's the last one standing for the moment and he immediately grabs the fallen ladder where it rests against the ropes, taking a few precious seconds to make sure it's steady enough before he starts climbing. The crowd erupts and Collins looks down, seeing Bianca Reed's hands wrapped around the bottom rung. She yanks on it and the ladder tips, spilling Lex Collins over the rope – holy moly! He hooks the rope and lands on the apron, saving himself from a nasty fall!

CHARLES HUDSON: Lex Collins has the reflexes of a cat tonight! What was in that can of soda he drank?

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Brown water, carbonation and a boatload of sugar, I'm sure. We saw him crack it open.

CHARLES HUDSON: You're right, Lou. Probably is crack.

Bianca and Cartier each grab one end of a ladder and run at Dayna Barrett, trying to catch her off guard with a clothesline using the steel implement of destruction. Barrett sees it coming though and actually jumps into a drop kick, knocking both #HoodRatchet girls backward… Bianca Reed ends up tumbling right out of the ring!

Barrett heads to the top as Cartier shakes off the cobwebs, but she never sees Dayna coming and gets sent crashing to the mat with the RELAPSE!

Barrett grins as Cartier is laid out, and she stands up to adjust the ladder now at her feet. She grabs Cartier and pulls her up, her head tucked in between her legs… HEARTBREAKER right onto the ladder!

Dayna Barrett is all smiles as she gets up, even though it looks like she hit her tailbone on the ladder while pulling off the impressive move. Cartier is motionless, but as Barrett turns around she eats a HUGE big boot from Nefertiti Jackson!

Jackson drags Barrett up onto her shoulders… TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY!

Dayna Barrett is out cold next to Cartier as Nefertiti howls in conquest over the UWL Women’s World Champion and fallen member of Euphoric!

Julianna DiMaria stands up from the mat while Nefertiti holds a ladder. She turns around and she throws the ladder in her direction, but Julianna catches it at the last second before throwing it back in her face to stun her. Nefertiti stumbles off of the ropes and then Julianna nails her with a spinning heel kick right to the jaw. Julianna sets up the ladder and waits for Nefertiti to get up. Once they do so, Juliana nails Nefertiti in the gut and then connects with a running bulldog that results in her face going straight into the ladder. Julianna then grabs another ladder and then throws it down on Nefertiti’s back. The ladder stays on her resulting in a sandwich. Julianna goes to the top rope and then connects with a diving splash!

Nefertiti is hurt, but Julianna rolls away almost immediately, holding her chest. She’s wincing heavily as she’s in pain herself. She gets to her knees, trying to measure her opponent. Nefertiti takes a while to move but she is able to get to her knees. Julianna comes back and nails Nefertiti with a running knee right to the side of the head before she collapses into the ropes herself.

RM Tapp sees a moment and he kicks Bianca’s left leg dropping her to a knee. He then runs to the ropes, rebounding and using this momentum to connect with a running knee to her left shoulder. He then snatches her left arm, lifting her up into a seated position and connects with multiple Wristlock Knee Strikes. Tapp releases the hold then rebounds off the ropes again, this time hitting a chop block on Nefertiti. He rolls through to his feet before hitting her with a mule thrust kick that sends her to the mat. He busts out his Garvin stomp, paying extra attention to her shoulders and locks in his Tapp Classic Full Nelson Surfboard Combo!

Submissions are meaningless in this match and Tapp knows that so he tosses Nefertiti to the side and goes after the leader of Hood Ratchet. Tapp slaps a high angled Wristlock onto Cartier. He parades around the ring, applying different levels of pressure and switching up the angles doing everything he can to prevent her from escaping. As he does he tells Cartier that she should have paid more attention during their training sessions. It’s then that Nefertiti comes through with a forearm that rocks Tapp while simultaneously making the save for her teammate!

Dayna Barrett climbs to the top of the ladder just shy of the crown and she knows it. She looks around the ring seeing Hood Ratchet rising. With disregard to her own well being she leaps off with a Senton dropping all of the Hood Ratchet members in one fall swoop! “Holy S***” chants resonate throughout the ballpark!

Lex Collins kicks a chair aside, drives a knee into Tapp's guts, hooks his head and NAILS A SICKENING DDT ON THE CHAIR! He comes off the second rope with a double knee drop across Tapp's chest before dropping some bombs to the face and neck. He doesn't see the kick coming until he's on his back with Dayna Barrett looming over him. She grabs him by the front of his bootleg Ramones tee and hauls him up only for Collins to grab her around the waist and plant her with a side slam!

The moment they're back up Collins charges at Barrett, pushing her back into the corner and pummeling her with closed fists, which earns him a warning from the ref. Collins shrugs, backing off slightly, only to be leveled as Barrett lashes out with a vicious throat thrust. Collins rolls out to the floor, coughing from the impact.

Collins cracks open the can of Pepsi he left on the apron and chugs half the can in one swallow as though he's fueling up for what's about to come next. Crumpling the can in his fist, he tosses it on the floor and springs over the ropes, connecting with the UWL Women's World Champion Dayna Barrett. It's a sloppy lariat but there's a lot of momentum behind it and she stumbles. He lunges in and grabs her, flinging her at the ropes – shoulder block off the rebound and Dayna's down! Collins immediately pounces on her and starts dropping bombs but the moment she tries to fight him off, he transitions into that deadly Fujiwara armbar!

CHARLES HUDSON: He calls that Wreckage and I can see why.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Is it just me or have we been seeing a more vicious side of Lex Collins over the past few shows?

Only a few seconds pass before Dayna catches the bottom rope, forcing a break. The moment they're back up, the crowd is in for a treat as the two begin teeing off on each other, Barrett showing off her precision strikes before Lex sends her stumbling back into the ropes with a hard left hook to the jaw. Dayna fires right back, gets Collins reeling but he smashes a forearm into her face.

The official forces them apart and Collins immediately bails out of the ring, heading towards one of the ladders. Meanwhile Julianna climbs to the top rope waiting for someone to get in her sights. That someone happens to be Lex Collins as he stands up. Julianna leaps off of the top rope and nails him with a missile dropkick. She gets angry and begins to let out some aggression on Lex. She manages to pin him against the corner and then she steps back and comes back with a back elbow. Lex comes out of the corner and Julianna knees him in the gut and takes him down with a swinging neck breaker.

Lex rolls out of the ring, but Julianna dives through the ropes and takes him down with a suicide dive. She stays on him as she nails him with a running kick to the chest. Julianna manages to grab him and then toss him into the steel steps. Lex winces a bit, but Julianna throws him back in the ring and then she gets back to the top rope. Lex slowly stands up and comes to his senses. However, Julianna jumps off of the top rope and nails Lex with a flipping Senton. Lex lands back first into the ladder as Julianna takes pride in the damage she’s doing.

Julianna leans against the corner trying to get her bearings back. Cartier is coming at her with a running corner splash, but Julianna moves out of the way and Cartier eats nothing but turnbuckle. Cartier stumbles back toward Julianna who turns her around, kicks her in the gut and then gives her a hard Irish whip into the corner where a ladder was waiting. Cartier comes back in Julianna’s direction, even more dazed and then Julianna grabs the ladder and nails her in the back to knock her down. She’s not done as she lets out her aggression by stabbing her in the gut with the ladder repeatedly. She sets up the ladder near the corner and begins to climb it. She gets to the top of the ladder and then dives off of it, nailing Cartier with a huge cross body splash!

Julianna rolls away holding her chest in pain, but Cartier is in even worse shape. Cartier is able to get to her knees, but then Julianna comes back and nails her with a shining wizard right into the chest to knock her back down again. Lex is limping slightly, he heads towards the ladder. The moment he reaches out for it, he's sent sprawling, his face crashing against the steel. Blood immediately starts flowing from his nose and Juliana moves in. She hoists up Collins who looks positively out of it – OH NO! The moment he's upright, he explodes to life, and slams a flurry of punches into Juliana. Collins nails a kick to the solar plexus, driving the wind from Juliana's lungs, and then as she's falling, hits a flawless springboard knee to the temple. He's got her hooked! BULLDOG ON THE LADDER!

The crowd is hushed, almost collectively holding their breath as Lex Collins scrambles to his feet. He tries to get the ladder out from under the immobile form of Juliana. It takes an agonizingly long time but he manages to get the ladder straight – OH NO HERE COMES CARTIER! He spins around and lashes out with a straight punch, catching her in the shoulder and the two immediately start trying to chop each other down! Lex nails her in the face with an elbow and then lines up the Bricks! She has it scouted and it just barely misses!

He sweeps her feet with a kick like this is Street Fighter 2 and then lunges for the ladder, climbing as quick as he can. He's almost at the top when he feels a tug on his ankle. He locks his arms around the top rung while Cartier tries to pull him down. Screaming in pain, Collins tries to maintain his locked grip, trying to get his legs back under him as the ladder starts to tilt. Kicking Cartier in the face, he pushes off as the ladder falls, reaching out to grab the prize but he's misjudged the distance and his fingers barely graze it. The ladder crashes to the canvas and Lex lands on top of it a moment later, leaving a shocked crowd in silence. Cartier doesn't let him rest, tipping the ladder to dump him off – he grabs hold and pulls back and it's a tug of war as he stumbles to his knees.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: Lex Collins refuses to give up! He's got to be in agony right now and he's still trying to keep an absolutely dominant Cartier from winning this thing!

Lex Collins has Cartier on the defensive as he peppers her with precision martial arts shots to the body. He folds her up with a liver shot that has her twisted up in agony as she leans her head out between the ropes to gain a little separation.

Collins snags Cartier and pulls her back in, then he grabs her by the head and has her all set for the AD HOMINEM! But Bianca Reed saves her teammate with a diving top rope dropkick to the side of Collins’ head!

Reed steps over Collins and locks him in a camel clutch, really cranking backward on his head and neck. Cartier gets herself together and bends over, talking some good smack right into the US Champ’s face while he struggles in the submission hold. She slaps him right across the face and then backs up…EMPIRE STATE OF MIND!

Cartier knocks the soul out of Lex Collins with the running kinshasa knee strike, and Collins is face down on the mat while Bianca and Cartier give each other a high five and wiggle their asses for the crowd. Julianna DiMaria and Dayna Barrett slide into the ring to put an end to Hood Ratchet’s antics. Meanwhile RM Tapp is looking to setup a second ladder and try to amend and easily take the Crown from above the ring. Dayna Barrett turns Nefertiti around only to be clotheslined over the top rope! Bianca Reed has a steel chair and she drills it over the forehead of Julianna DiMaria laying her out!

Bianca Reed turns with the chair but RM Tapp with the wristlock! Oh No! EAT THAT ASS out of no where! RM Tapp goes sliding on the mat and Cartier climbs the ladder with a sinister grin on her face. Dayna Barrett slides in under the rope and looks to dump her off the ladder but it’s too late Cartier has the Crown!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner of the Chase for the Crown...CARTIER!

CHARLES HUDSON:  She’s done it Lou! I told from the very beginning it was to her advantage having not one but two members of Hood Ratchet would come to her advantage and she was the favorite to win this match.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Dayna Barrett is so let down knowing she couldn’t prevent Cartier from claiming the crown.

CHARLES HUDSON:  Highlights of this match for me are RM Tapp and Julianna DiMaria who are going to be the ones to watch in 2023!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Don’t forget the United States Champion Lex Collins. He knew Cartier was highly favored to win this match but in my opinion he spent more of the match trying to play keep away from Cartier than actually trying to claim the crown for himself. Nonetheless we have a ringside area with battered and beaten professional wrestlers and Congratulations to Queen Cartier who has earned a future shot for the World Heavyweight Championship!

CHARLES HUDSON: We’re going to let them clean up the ringside area during the break and when we return we have more Mainstream Wrestling!

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[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE…
A highlight reel of Biggs and AJ’s first match plays out, including but not limited to Biggs’ wide assortment of submission hold transitions, a tense heated strike exchanges between the two of them, Biggs’ surfboard on AJ, AJ’s brutal arm work, the sequence of the Templar Stretch, and of course the Impact Crater for the win. The scene then cuts to Samantha Kinsley sitting in a chair, interviewing a figure off screen

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Going into your rematch, tonight what surprised you about your opponent in the last match?

The camera shows AJ sitting across from her, answering the question.

AJ KNIGHT: I think really just how tough he was took me off guard. I knew he wasn’t a pushover, you don’t win the Emerald City Classic, or hold the US Title for nearly a year if you’re not tough, but I separated the man’s shoulder, and he came back to win. I can't dismiss that.

The shot changes to show Biggs in the same seat answering the question.

BIGGS: To be honest, not much. Thanks to my extensive tape studies, I was able to hone in on his tendencies and bad habits. Also, despite my personal disdain for the guy, you don’t get the kind of reputation he has by accident. I knew I was going to be in for a dog fight.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: What is the biggest challenge your opponent brings to the table?

Again the shot returns to AJ.

AJ KNIGHT: The man’s an encyclopedia of wrestling holds. I’m no dummy when it comes to this, and I found him grabbing holds from positions which I didn’t even know were possible. Counter wrestling is a nightmare with this man.

Back to Biggs for his answers

BIGGS: His tenacity, for sure. I was stretching him out, curling him into pretzels, and he just would not give up. I’m sure his pride and hubris contributed to his will to not give up, but any way you can get there works, I guess. Also, I need to avoid the Knightfall DDT. Nobody has ever kicked out of it, and even with as resilient as I am, I don’t want to test my odds of being the first to be able to get my shoulder up after that deadly maneuver.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: What adjustments have you made to ensure a better outcome this time?

AJ KNIGHT: I’m wearing a cup.

There is a long awkward pause as Kinsley waits for more. There is none. Shot goes back to Biggs.

BIGGS: Well I have to account for my shoulder still not being 100 percent. Outside of that, I do not wish to divulge any more information to my opponent at this time, if you don’t mind, Ms. Kinsley.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Finally, what is it about your opponent that you hate so much?

AJ shrugs with a smirk chuckling a bit.
AJ KNIGHT: It’s just the self righteousness for me. I don’t have a problem with his philosophy. I like the idea of wrestling as a sport, I can respect that he doesn’t want all the shenanigans and bullshit this sport often entails. It’s honestly been really nice not having to worry about being jumped in the dressing room. But people who are really sincere, don’t have to talk about living that way. They just live that way. He’s the guy who volunteers at a soup kitchen, and then posts photos of it on Instagram. He’s a hypocritical phony, pure and simple.

Over to Biggs now. He thinks for a moment before responding in a very measured tone.

BIGGS: Hate is such a strong word, Ms. Kinsley. I don’t hate anyone in this world, not even Jason Cashe, and that guy freakin’ broke into my house, terrorized my wife, and destroyed priceless things. No, Ms. Kinsley, what I hate is not AJ Knight himself, but rather the lies he tells himself to justify his over abundant ego. This all started because he inserted himself in Lex Collins’ big moment after Lex defeated me for the United States Championship and joined the Smokin’ Aces. AJ Knight has done enough in Mainstream Wrestling that he did not need to piggyback off of that moment to make an impact on his return. But for some reason, AJ is hardwired in a way where he’s not happy unless he’s putting himself over at somebody else’s expense. He has to be the coolest guy in the room, he has to overshadow everyone else. I feel like a broken record saying this, but AJ Knight thinks he’s entitled to be at the top of the card, wrestling in the Main Event every single week. Now don’t get me wrong, it is a great mindset to want to be wrestling in big time matches each and every week. The problem is that AJ Knight believes that he should just be given that because he was a big name in the past. And Mainstream Wrestling does not work like that. He needs to earn his way back to the top, and unfortunately, he thinks that because of the 2022 I’ve had, I’m his ticket straight back to the top, skipping over everyone else despite a 9-month layoff. Also, I dislike how at every turn, he tries to paint me as a phony or a fake. I am neither, and I believe that my character and the way I carry myself proves that.


SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Strong words from both men. Who will win? Only one way to find out tonight! Back to the ring!

[Robert Daniels]

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED…
“It’s been a pleasure being the standard bearer…”

Robert Daniels steps out from the darkened shadows.

ROBERT DANIELS: For the last six years Seattle Pro and now Mainstream Wrestling has been changing the game and become the home of several of the all-time greats in the modern era of professional wrestling. Men and women have come and gone, names have been written in the history books, records have been set and broken. Expectations have risen and our roster has continued to step up time and time again.

“Thank you to Seattle, the Emerald City. You are our home.”

“We’ve created yearly traditions such as the Pinnacle Battle Royal, the Governor’s Cup, the Emerald City Classic and the Chase for the Crown.”

“We’ve established our own Hall of Fame recognizing talents who have paved the way before us and those who have achieved great feats under the Mainstream Wrestling banner.”

“We cultivate and develop our young wrestlers of tomorrow through Emerald City Squires. And we provide them and other young competitors a place to hone their craft in Obsidian Wrestling on Wednesday Nights in our Mainstream Wrestling Studio.”

“We are staying ahead of the curve and evolving just as a thriving company should. We thank you the fans for standing by us, believing and supporting us. Please continue to join us over the next month as we approach our one hundredth episode of Mainstream. I hope you continue to enjoy the show…”

Daniels turns his back to the camera and walks out of sight.