MAINSTREAM 39 - ECC NIGHT 1 - 5/22/2020

[Robert Daniels]

Battleground Network Presents

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING 39
FOURTH ANNUAL EMERALD CITY CLASSIC
NIGHT 1


FRIDAY - 5/22/2020
MAINSTREAM WRESTLING STUDIO
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
MAINSTREAM WRESTLING IS LIVE FROM SEATTLE, WASHINGTON AND WE’RE INSIDE THE MAINSTREAM WRESTLING STUDIO!

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BACKSTAGE...
JASON CASHE: LOOK MA! I'm on Television.. And NOT defending my TELEVISION Championship.. Not that I'm complaining. In fact, I could only be happier if I was defending this Championship EVERY night of this Emerald City Classic. That would be valhalla for me but I'll get mine.. I'll see him soon. It's inevitable.

You can see him standing in front of the camera but his back was to the recording lens. The strap of the World Television Championship barely hanging down over his right shoulder, he turns around to face the audience and peers alike who are sure to see this or at least hear about it. He is wearing an older model Jacob Hammerstein T-Shirt. One from the days in Lions Road.

JASON CASHE: So I hear there is a tournament taking place? That the winner will receive a shot at the World Mainstream Championship. Did I say that right? Seems more original and in originality, you cannot mistake it for anything else. That is what that title means to so many people be it those who came before us or those standing in line now. Those who will come after us will want it, value it all the same because to be in this sport and NOT want to at least taste the top? You have to question why you are here...

Slapping the Television Championship over his shoulder. Cashe lets his head shift slowly from right to left.

JASON CASHE: How can you say that Cashe? That'd be the question Samantha Kinsley would ask if she were here. How can I say that when I have showcased nothing but love for ONE title above the others since being here? I love this title. I have defended this title many times. I spent Valentine's Day with this Championship so to begin to think I don't LOVE this Television Title is more stupid than I look dumb. The thing is and everyone knows this.. If you want the best competition on any given roster, you seek the foam that rises to the top. Would Hammerstein return to enter the TV Title picture? How about Eli? If Manny fails again would he drop down because at the end of the day.. This belt? Represents the third tier in most places. Is it the same now? DiMaria is a bad ass female so maybe she would kick my ass and maybe she, like everyone in this tournament can get their chance.

Pulling the TV Title off his shoulder, he tosses it to the side. Out of the picture, Cashe puts it and it's value to him on pause.

JASON CASHE: I already got the Rain Check for World Title shots! Is the ECC the IOU? Could I have joined this Tournament, won and received TWO guaranteed Shots at the World Mainstream Championship?

Grinning so big that his missing front teeth show, Cashe stares off to the side of the camera briefly.

JASON CASHE: You want to see where the competition has been? Watch these last few matches I've had with Teddy Montgomery. Watch how CLOSE these matches were! We have beat the brakes off one another and I am SURE he will get another shot because that's the Mainstream way right? But as close as these matches have been, I've won them. For someone who has chimed in and judged this company for handing out opportunities to the same people over and over again.. This dude will real quick take another shot. Earning it was me winning the Pinnacle and being the one in waiting for an earned opportunity while many are handed out to people like Teddy. Funny ain't it?

He laughed but it was very sarcastic. Cashe had no room to judge because nobody can help what is booked on the card. Nobody working as a competitor anyway. Just as he starts to speak again, a small group of people walk by.

One of them coughs.

You can't see them but they can be heard and Cashe's eyes follow them. He hurries and grabs a face mask, placing it over his own as his eyebrows go angled in an angered stare.

JASON CASHE: What the fluck yo? Heey!!

The camera turns to the group of people. It was only four people, all of them working production on the event. The only female among the four coughs again. It sounds phlegmy. Cashe steps closer and then steps back, pointing at the woman with his arm held up close to his chest, scared caution falls over him.

JASON CASHE: Umm.. Umm… You need to get girl bye real quick! Ain't none of you fools wearing a mask and she didn't even cover her mouth! What the fluck?!

Looking around to see if a Hazmet team was in sight. If there were anyone who could put this woman in quarantine. Nobody was around that fit the bill.

JASON CASHE: I need to find the food court...

Using his foot to reach his TV Title which still laid on the floor, Cashe squats down and grabs it. He then simply leaves.

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Ladies and Gentlemen we’re here tonight in Downtown Seattle at the Mainstream Wrestling Studio to kickoff a Three Night Extravaganza on Memorial Day Weekend for the Fourth Annual Emerald City Classic!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Has it been four years Lou? Man, how time flies when you’re having fun!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  That’s right Charles. Now what we do know is that Jason Cashe is the reigning World Television Champion but in two nights he will defend his title against Tedmund Montgomery regardless his performance in the Classic in a Northgate Mall Brawl just down the street. Now it’s my understanding that the Northgate Mall has been closed for sometime now and we don’t really know what to expect but we will have a camera crew and official referee on site to film this ‘brawl’. Let’s not forget that Jason Cashe won the Pinnacle Battle Royal back in January to earn a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship but he’s been committed to defending the World Television Championship diligently.

CHARLES HUDSON: Past Pinnacle Battle Royal winners have already challenged for the title at this point of the year but Jason Cashe is highly unpredictable.

MCKAYLA LEWIS: I have just been told that the first match to kickoff tonight’s first round will be one half of the Tag Team Champions Cartier facing off against one third of the ‘Franchise in AJ Knight. Let’s take our first commercial break and when we return we’ll hear from both challengers!

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[Robert Daniels]

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED...
We open up to Cartier walking into her local gym in Brooklyn, her Gucci face mask covering her mouth and nose. She’s got her cell phone to her ear and a duffel bag slung over one shoulder, and her Nikes squeak on the floor as she enters the otherwise-empty gymnasium.

CARTIER: Nah, Trix… we gotta come wit’ somethin’ people gonna remember. Thot Chocolate hit the ground at full speed because people liked what they heard before they even seen it. We needa do the same thing wit’ you an’ me. We gonna run shit around here as Mainstream Tag Champs for a while even if everyone thinks we won by accident.

She keeps walking, setting down her bag on a bench next to a ring set up in the center of the spacious room. When she sits on the bench and unzips the bag, she removes one of the two Mainstream Tag Team Championships, slinging it over her shoulder.

CARTIER: We got time. Yeah. Yeah we got these two rednecks from MAGAville comin’ up soon but we gonna be ready in time, just watch. Right now I gotta worry about this Emerald City Classic. Kinda glad you ain’t in this one since we already had to go at it once in a tournament. Yup. Talk soon, Trix. These camera folks been here waitin’ on me.

Cartier then hangs up her phone and stands up again, walking toward the ring. We can now see there is a backdrop set up behind the ring with Mainstream and Emerald City Classic branding all over it, along with the faces of every competitor in the tournament.

She ducks under the rope and enters the ring, still carrying her title belt on her left shoulder, then makes her way to the middle of the ring where a similarly-masked Samantha Kinsley is standing and waiting with her mic in hand.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Cartier! Glad you could finally make it.

CARTIER: Yeah, my bad, you know how it can be though. Even wit’ this mask on my face people around here know me, recognize me, stop me in the street for selfies an’ whatnot. You know all ‘bout that, don’t you?

Kinsley reddens a bit over her mask, making it pretty clear that no, she doesn’t actually get flocked by fans everywhere that she goes in the same way that the Mainstream Superstars often do.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: No problem… as you know, we came here to meet you in this… nice… gym in Brooklyn to get some thoughts leading into the Emerald City Classic. This is the fourth annual tournament, what do you think your chances look like to be the next winner?

Cartier nods her head, patting the top of her hair with the palm of her hand in order to relieve some sort of itch on her scalp.

CARTIER: Yeah… yeah I see you, Sam Kinsley. I see how you already here tryina sow some seeds of doubt in the back of my mind in this. Just like people always do. They wanna come out here an’ ask me why I think someone like ME could possibly win, right? What makes me good enough to be in this ring wit’ legends an’ other superstars from this company’s past, present, an’ future… right? I been hearin’ that same routine, that same song an’ dance from everyone since day one. Every time I put my boots on I gotta start from square one an’ prove myself all over again to you people. Fact of the matter is this, an’ I hope everyone out there listenin’ real good right now… I ain’t never been to a single company where I ain’t been successful, and I been to the toughest places in the world. From my rookie contract at SAP to right here in Mainstream, I been a champion. Can everyone else in this tournament say that?

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Many of them can, but no one is trying to take anything away from you, Cartier…I just…

CARTIER: But you is. That’s exactly what y’all tryina do to me. Everyone in the Emerald City Classic wants to win it. That means every single person in this tournament tryina take somethin’ away from me. You feel me? I came to Mainstream wit’ one friend, SILK, the best partner anyone could ever ask for. Now that he’s gone, it’s like Tupac said… all eyes on me. Luckily me an’ Trixie known each other in the past an’ we clicked, but when it comes to the ECC? She ain’t here neither. I gotta get past eight people to take my spot, my position, as the fourth annual winner of the Emerald City Classic.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Those are big shoes to fill, Cartier. Bryan Blaze, Hammerstein, who is in this year’s tournament as well, and of course former Mainstream Champion Billy Danielson are the names you’re trying to stand next to in the history books.

CARTIER: Don’t you think I know that, Sam? What, you think I don’t do my homework? Typical. I know all about those names. I been watchin’ tape on everyone from 2017, 2018, AND 2019. You got hall of famers all over this bitch. Hammerstein, Blaze, James Edwards been in the ECC before… Billy Danielson? If he ain’t in the Mainstream Hall he will be one day. That’s just math. Probably the same wit’ Manny. Last year, it came down to the two of them, and then fast forward a few months, here they both are goin’ back an’ forth for the Mainstream Championship. You could look at the ECC as a way to take the next step in Mainstream, an’ that’s exactly what I plan to do. A month ago people was actin’ like I was stuck in reverse here, but now I got this gold on my waist, don’t I? Told y’all. All y’all. The girl don’t play.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: What about the others in the tournament here in 2020? You already mentioned Manny and Hammerstein, two men who have been through the ECC before… but what about the rest? It’s a star studded event from top to bottom.

CARTIER: You know, I’m glad you pointed that out, Samantha. Because you absolutely right. There’s a reason ya girl Cartier is in the Emerald City Classic, you feel me? It’s because the Mainstream Championship committee already knows I belong in the ring wit’ the best of the best. You got the current Mainstream Champion in this tournament, Manny Fernandez. A man I know well. I took a title off him in 4CW, he took it right back. I got respect for Manny, but I know how to beat him. We been back an’ forth in the ring, we been partners too. Me an’ his ol’ lady are the tag team champions, an’ I’m reppin’ the division in this tournament, you can bet on that. You got Julianna DiMaria, the United States Champion. She got through me in the US Title tournament not long ago, but you know what they say, don’t you? Payback’s a real bitch. I got caught once, but that’s just how it goes… fool me twice though? No shame on me for that, because that shit ain’t about to happen. Bryan Ford, a former champion himself. Real talented. He’s the number one contender to the Mainstream Title for a damn good reason. Me an’ him been pretty tight here in Mainstream, but at the end of the day business gotta be business. If it comes down to me or him? Call me Justin Timberlake because guess what? It’s gonna be me.

The N’Sync reference is too much for Sam Kinsley’s 50% basic white girl DNA, and she starts involuntarily dancing and murmuring the words like a drunk sorority girl at karaoke night.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: All that I do, is not enough for you…

CARTIER: Excuse me ho, but I was not finished.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Sorry. I don’t know what happened.

CARTIER: Sorry, you damn right you sorry. You wanna talk about these people or not? You wanna hear what I got to say about these athletes? These marquee names? You wanna know what I think about AJ Knight, the man my nigga SILK took the Mainstream Title from, an’ one half of the recently FORMER tag team champions? He couldn’t stop me from takin’ this belt off him, what makes you think I’mma let him stop me from winnin’ the ECC? Same for Hammerstein, a former Mainstream Champion an’ Hall of Famer as of the most recent Emerald City tournament. What do I think of the alleged living legend of Mainstream? I think he’s in my damn way, that’s what I think. It’s hammer time for Hammerstein, an’ he can’t touch this.

Cartier claps her hands together loudly and then starts trotting back and forth in a perfect MC Hammer-style dance that visibly impresses Sam Kinsley. Not a lot of people can nail that move, that takes practice.

CARTIER: All jokes aside, I’m takin’ this tournament as life or death, just like every match I ever been in. Each time the bell rings it’s the most important moment of my life, that’s a fact. Tedund Montgomery, he already knows what’s comin’ his way if we meet up in the Emerald City Classic. We split the difference, 1-1. He knows I bring the fight right to his front door, gated community or not. But lemme tell you one thing before we wrap this shit up an’ I get to my trainin’... the name I really been kneelin’ down an’ prayin’ to see across from mines in round one? The pretty boy himself, Chris Constantine Jr. Constantine… man. CCJ, you been a pain in my ass since I heard your name the first time. You an’ SILK had words for a long time, but what did it amount to on your end? You got whooped by the longest reignin’ NVR or Mainstream or Seattle Pro, whatever you wanna call it, champion in history. You had a cup of coffee in the Pinnacle Battle Royal while I almost won the damn thing. You an’ Cashe got your noses rubbed in shit when y’all went for the tag team titles… one of which is on MY shoulder today. So please , please baby Jesus, let this man an’ his frosted blonde tips lookin’ like Lance Bass bitch CCJ be my first draw in this tournament, because I wanna start off wit’ a win that puts a smile on my face an’ resonates in my soul.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: STRONG words from a first timer to the Emerald City Classic! How can you be so sure you’ll back them up in the ring?

CARTIER: Bitch… it’s like we still right where we started. Nothin’ good enough for you, huh? A month ago, I took the tag team championships away from AJ Knight an’ James Edwards. I fell short in the US Tournament, but I only lost against the woman who went on to take the strap. Just like the Pinnacle Battle Royal… Jason Cashe, he tossed me out last. But Cashe is one of the best in Mainstream, so I ain’t got nothin’ to be ashamed about any of my losses. Y’all only see the defeats, y’all never give me credit for my victories… I’m a Mainstream Champion, Kinsley. I’m one of the best CURRENTLY in this company. An’ in the Emerald City Classic? I’mma prove all of you people wrong an’ me right, once again, when I become the fourth person to win the ECC, the first woman, the first person of color, to get it done. An’ after that? The sky’s the limit. Now if you don’t mind, you coffee-wit-extra-cream lookin’ mullatto-ass bitch, I gotta get some work done.

Cartier turns away from Sam Kinsley, walks into a corner of the ring, and sets her title belt down across the corner turnbuckles. She watches herself in the reflection of the gold as she warms up, shadow boxes, and gets in the zone for the Emerald City Classic.

[Robert Daniels]

EARLIER TODAY...
The camera comes up on AJ sitting cross legged in the center of the ring. He has a big grin on his face and is chuckling.

AJ KNIGHT: I bet you’re wondering why I’m smiling right now. After all didn’t Robb Daniels just screw me out of a title with an impromptu title defense? Again? But as irritating as that is, it turns out, that I was right yet again. Just like I always am. I never get tired of being right, but what I do get sick of is that people never seem to admit it.

AJ laughs to himself.

AJ KNIGHT: See, for almost a year, I have been telling everybody that SILK was bad for Mainstream Wrestling. I told you that he would fail as the world champion, and that he didn’t care about anybody but himself. I told you that he’d been ducking me since he stole my world title from me. And I was proven right. SILK knew the rematch was coming, he knew I was about to expose him, so he quit the company because he knew I would prove that his entire legacy was a lie. He left this company high and dry, abandoned his supposed fans, during a crisis when both needed him more than ever.

AJ takes a deep breath, before beginning to speak.

AJ KNIGHT: And most of all, he abandoned his supposed best friend… girlfriend? Long term booty call? I don’t know what the deal is between the two of you, and I can’t be bothered to find out Cartier, but I almost feel bad for you. See, I get it. I’ve been stabbed in the back so many damn times, that it’s been utterly ridiculous. But I’ve never been outright abandoned. That’s gotta suck. I mean sure, you got the best of me in a six man tag match with Trixie, but the person you’ve made your name with here is gone. Soon, you’re going to be on your own. James and I are going to win our belts back from you, and after that I can’t imagine Trixie is going to stick around with you. So really, this tournament’s all you’ve got. Your chance to prove you can make it here on your own. To prove that you’re not just the other half of THOT Chocolate. But right now, with THOT Chocolate broken up I guess you’re just a THOT. And unfortunately you aren’t going to be winning this tournament either. So I guess after that, you’re just going to be and afterTHOT.

AJ chuckles at his wit (If that’s what you want to call it…)

AJ KNIGHT: Now, as for the rest of the field, I have varying degrees of familiarity with, some I’ve heard of, some I’ve fought, and some of them I’m actually impressed with. Take Bryan Ford for instance. He’s a former US Champion, he’s come within a breath of being the World Champion, and just shy of being the first ever 2 time US Champion in the company’s history. And the best part of it, is that everything you’ve actually gotten, you’ve earned. You weren’t handed a damn thing, and when you were knocked down, you didn’t demand a handout, you pulled yourself up by the boot straps, and came right back. See, that’s the spirit of the Mainstream Wrestling the Franchise represents. I really think that there’s a place for you here, even in the Franchise’s Mainstream…
Just not at the top. I think you’ll be World Champion one day, it’s just that you’ve still got some dues to pay here. But that goes for just about everybody in this tourney. With a few notable exceptions, but we’ll get to that. It’s a lot of new blood in this game. Unfortunately for you guys, you just can’t beat the classics.

AJ points at the camera.

AJ KNIGHT: You know that pretty well, don’t you Juiliana? It wasn’t long ago that you tried to take the tag belts from yours truly and James Edwards, and you and Jimmy learned that the hard way. Now there’s no shame in losing to the best, and since then you’ve done pretty well for yourself, and won the United States Champion. It’s a prestigious title if there ever was one, it’s a belt that the Franchise holds dear, it’s the gateway to superstardom. After all the three of us, are the first, and the longest reigning. As for me, I’m the one who put that belt on the map. It’s the sign that you’re almost there. Just like everybody else you’re just three big wins away from that next level!

AJ raises a hand to chest level, before elevating the other one above his head.

AJ KNIGHT: But I’m a level above that next level. I’m a former, Endurance champion, a former US Champion, former Tag Champion, former World Champion, and one of only two men to complete the Grand Slam in this company. And I’ll be standing on the same bracket as people who still have yet to make their mark here just yet. Like Tedmund Montgomery, who may have the world’s stupidest name. Of all the people in this tournament, you’re the one with the most to prove. No titles to your name, no signature victories. I’m sure you think this is your breakout moment. A field of current and former champions, of all kinds. A win here, over any of us and you’re a made man. But the opposite is also true. You’re just one bad draw in the first round and three seconds away and that’s the end of it. You stay where you started. Can you handle that kind of pressure? I guess we’ll find out. Don’t choke.

AJ shrugs.

AJ KNIGHT: Now we move to the people I actually know well. We’ll start with you Chris, and I’ll say this: The Franchise has been pretty impressed by you. So please don’t take the lack of an invitation to join as a slight. Really, it’s just a matter of your resume: It’s just not up to snuff for what the Franchise represents. We’re all about multiple, record setting title reigns. We’re about prestige, and history and doing things that nobody else has done or can do. As good as you are, you’re just not quite Franchise ready yet. But honestly, keep it up. Keep doing what you’re doing, and one of these days that invite might just come. A good performance in this tournament could really help your chances. Just hope you don’t draw me in the first round. Now we get to the big ones.

AJ takes a deep breath before moving onto his next monologue.

AJ KNIGHT: Now Manny, can I level with you about something? I don’t hate you. Frankly I don’t even dislike you. That’s more Billy’s thing, and personally I think that’s more about you dating his sister, than anything else. You actually are a genuinely talented competitor, you’ve got skill, charisma and I can’t take that away from you. What I hate is what you represent. You are without a doubt the single biggest beneficiary of Robb Daniel’s bias, and his blatant favoritism. Let’s review your last year. You challenged me for the title.

“...And you lost.”

“…Then you got a rematch.”

“…And SILK pinned you to steal my belt.”

“…Then you got a spot in the Emerald City Classic.”

“…. And you lost in the finals.”

“…But got another shot any way after disappearing for months which you finally won!”

“…But then you lost it to Billy.”

“...And got a rematch.”

“…And lost.”

“...And got another shot and then won!”

“…And lost the belt two weeks later.”

AJ starts jokingly catching his breath after going through that list.

AJ KNIGHT: If that sequence in my promo seemed long and annoying to you, imagine how it feels living it. Manny, you are the king of second chances. You are Robb Daniel’s chosen one! He’ll keep handing you opportunities, until you can finally make good on it. That’s why I can’t let you win. Because I can’t let Robb Daniels get away with it. And if you win, it’s proving to him that he can just do whatever he wants with impunity, that he can favor his current toy, while throwing away everybody who brought him here! I don’t think I need to worry though: You never win on your first try Manny. This is win or go home. No second chances for the biggest choke artist in this company’s history. Just remember: It’s nothing personal.

AJ now stands up.

AJ KNIGHT: And now the one everybody’s been waiting to hear me talk about: Jacob Hammerstein. See, ever since he announced his entrance to the Emerald City Classic it’s been all the fans are talking about! They’ve been saying he’ll win for sure! He’s the favorite! How excited they are for his match with Billy Danielson! And on paper, they have a point. If you look at all he’s accomplished he’s hard to bet against. Endurance champion, first ever Tag Champion, first Pinnacle Battle Royal winner, and no offense to Billy Danielson, the greatest World Heavyweight Champion Mainstream Wrestling’s ever had! But there’s one thing you’re all forgetting.

AJ leans into the camera.

AJ KNIGHT: Me. I don’t see how Hammerstein can be a favorite in a tournament where I’m involved. Of all the times he and I have fought, I’ve almost always gotten the best of him. How may times has he beaten me? Once. In all of our wars, the mighty Hammerstein has beaten me precisely one time. For all he’s accomplished, everything he’s done. I’m just that much better than him.

AJ chuckles bitterly.

AJ KNIGHT: It’s almost sad though. Hammerstein is the one man who could realistically stand side by side with the Franchise. The only man in the history of this company with a resume that even remotely compares to ours. But he chose the wrong side…

“…Again.”

AJ sighs, shaking his head before continuing.

AJ KNIGHT: It’s been that way since I showed up here. I have always been fighting for this company against whatever threat was trying to topple it. The Horsemen, the Kill Switch, and do you know what the common factor was? It was Jacob Hammerstein in both! The guy who should be leading the charge for this company always taking the side against it!

Now AJ’s smug demeanor is gone, he’s clearly pissed.

AJ KNIGHT: So I’m going to do what I always have done: I’m going to beat Hammerstein’s ass, for the future of this company! I’m going to take on the biggest threat in this company with my own two hands! I know none of you are going to thank me for it, but you never have…

AJ goes dead silent now, regaining his composure.

AJ KNIGHT: In fact, you’ll probably hate me for it, but that’s fine. I’m getting used to it.

His voice changes again: Not anger, not smugness… A touch of sadness it seems.

AJ KNIGHT: Last year, I was at the lowest point in my life and career. My bookings dried up, and I was reduced to the status of a part timer. When I needed this company most, it turned its back on me for a man who couldn’t have cared less. Now he’s gone and I’m still here. I’m still doing everything I can to save this company, and this business from this toxic culture, where promoters treat wrestlers like commodities, where they use them up and throw them away. That’s why I’m going to win this thing. I’m not just playing to win the game, I’m playing to change it. And you’ll hate me, and you’ll boo me, and I will gladly play the villain. Because when all is said and done: History will vindicate me, just like with SILK.

AJ rolls from the ring, and walks to the locker room area waving to the camera as he leaves.

[Robert Daniels]

EMERALD CITY CLASSIC
FIRST ROUND MATCH
★★★ AJ KNIGHT ★★★
vs
★★★ CARTIER ★★★

The bell rings and it’s AJ Knight and Cartier circling the ring eyeballing one another. AJ shoots for a single leg takedown, picks the ankle, and grabs the side headlock. Cartier pushes back to her feet and attempts to shoot AJ into the ropes, but he drops to a knee, thwarting her attempt. Knight performs a textbook standing switch, which leads into a rear waist lock. AJ transitions down for a drop toe hold, pops up, and hits the ropes for a dropkick. Knight pulls Cartier up and backs into the corner with a series of chops and punches. After one last hard chop, AJ sends Cartier flying into the opposite corner with an Irish Whip. Cartier ricochets out of the corner right into AJ's path and he blasts her with a hard lariat. Knight picks her up and nails a backbreaker, before hitting a snap suplex! Rolls through...And another! And a third then makes the cover for 1...2...KICKOUT!

Cartier bails out of the ring and takes a powder after AJ's assault and near fall. Cartier walks around the ring to cool off, and gets a chance to turn the tides in her favor when Knight reaches over the top rope at her. Cartier jumps up and grabs Knight by the head and drops back down, driving Knight throat-first into the top rope and sending them bouncing backward onto his back. Knight rolls around on the mat, grabbing at his windpipe and gasping and coughing. Cartier slides into the ring and runs at Knight just as he sits up, looking to end things with her Empire State of Mind. AJ ducks under and drags Cartier to the canvas in a roll-up! One! Two! Cartier powers out of the pinning predicament.

AJ is quick to his feet, but so is Cartier, and she drops him with a shotgun dropkick. Cartier is pumped up and feeling the adrenaline bring her to life. Knight gets back to his feet, a little slower this time and Cartier is right there to scoop him up and slam him down again. Cartier heads for the top rope, methodically climbing up the corner. She turns, with wide eyes, and waits as Knight slowly gets back to his feet. Knight stands and dizzily turns around, and that's when Cartier makes her move. She leaps off the top turnbuckle and flattens Knight with a huge Meteora! Cartier snags Knight’s left leg and holds on for a pinning combination! One! Two! Knight kicks out! A bit of frustration shows on Cartier's face as AJ's face shows that he realizes just how close he came to elimination.

Both fighters get to their feet. Cartier starts pounding on Knight with her hard right handed haymakers, but AJ catches her with a sudden discus forearm that sends her her to her ample backside. Knight takes full advantage, rebounding off the ropes and obliterating Cartier with a Shining Wizard that has her flat on her back with her arms and legs akimbo. Instead of going for a pin, AJ pulls her to her feet and hits the ropes to go for a running lariat. Cartier has other ideas, however. She ducks the lariat with a Matrix-style back bend that would have, no doubt, gotten the crowd’s jaws loose due to her limber body. With no crowd in attendance, however, the only sound to be heard is the sound of Knight's footfalls and the sound of him hitting the ropes. As he rebounds at her, Cartier grabs him around the waist and lifts him high overhead. She backs up into a corner and drops Knight face-first onto the top buckle with a modified snake eyes that sends him sprawling.

Cartier takes the chance to catch her breath, which gives Knight all the time necessary to recuperate and charge at Cartier once more, but the full frontal assault is ill-advised as it’s more emotionally driven than thought through. Cartier once again is able to duck and lift Knight up for another Snake Eyes. AJ attempts to slither down Cartier’s back, perhaps looking for a sunset flip… but Cartier grabs his ankles and drives him hard down and forward in the Staten Island Slam! Knight is rocked and Cartier dives on both of their legs in a matchbook pin! One! Two! Knight muscles their shoulder up!

Cartier's frustration is mounting, but she tamps it down, because she had a match to win. She goes to mow Knight down with a lariat of her own. AJ ducks and lands a European Uppercut! He hits a one-two combination with his forearm, and nails a second European Uppercut, putting her back on her heels! Knight blasts Cartier in the ribs with a knee, before sending her into the ropes and cutting off her forward movement with a Roaring Elbow! Cartier drops to a knee and AJ nails her with a swinging neckbreaker and hooks the leg for 1...2...KICKOUT!

Now AJ is visibly frustrated, as he questions the official's count. Knight scoops Cartier off the mat and drapes her near lifeless body over his shoulders, then hits a devastating Death Valley Driver. AJ is laying on top of her for a cover after executing the move perfectly! One! Two! Cartier gets a foot on the bottom rope, breaking up the pin!

AJ pulls Cartier to her feet and hits her with a stiff right hand. Cartier answers in kind. A slugfest is ensuing. Cartier swings, AJ ducks goes behind. He grabs her wrist, spins her around, and goes for the Holy Ouch! Cartier ducks but AJ still has her wrist and whips her into the ropes. AJ gets in position for a Back Body Drop, but telegraphs it, allowing Cartier to execute a beautiful Sunset Flip. AJ rolls through and gets to his feet. Cartier pops to her feet to charge Knight….

Superkick from AJ! Cartier was just cut off hard! Knight nails a second superkick to the chin! He goes behind and grabs ahold of the wrist! Holy Ouch! and...KNIGHTFALL DDT then rolls her over and hooks both legs for 1...2...3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall and advancing to the semi-finals of the Emerald City Classic...AJ—KNIGHT!

AJ rolls off Cartier and stumbles to the ropes, exhausted from the hard fought victory. The referee raises Knight's hand in victory before going to check on Cartier.

CHARLES HUDSON:  Amazing effort by Cartier tonight!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  My question is what happens if AJ Knight takes the whole thing? What happens if he wins the ECC and challenges Billy DANIELSON? Or does he?

CHARLES HUDSON:  Of course he does. What kind of question is that? They are called the Franchise for a reason and they understand that at some point all three of them may have to face off once they’ve beaten everybody else!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Congratulations to AJ Knight on an impressive victory. Let’s not forget Cartier may be done in the ECC but we’ll see her in action again on Sunday Night as she teams with Trixie to take on the debuting Graham Legacy in a non-title match. As for AJ he’s heading towards the semi-finals tomorrow night. When we return from the break we’ll hear from the best two participants in the Emerald City Classic!

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[Robert Daniels]

PRE-TAPED VIGNETTE...
The show cuts to an interrogation room. MAINSTREAM United States Champion Julianna DiMaria is seated at a table, not looking amused whatsoever, as she is dressed as a detective, looking over a line that she doesn’t seem impressed by. The shot cuts to seven people, one woman and seven men, leaning against the wall. Each person has a name tag that represents all of Julianna’s adversaries in the Classic, with all of them being obvious lookalikes.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: You know… I see all seven of you standing right in front of me and you all disgust me. To some degree… you make me SICK! You think you can run this city, huh? Sorry, but in order to run this city, you have to go through me. Every single one of you is a threat to the city and every single one of you must be brought to justice in some form or another. So…

Julianna stands up and turns on a flashlight that is on her desk. She walks over to the man with a name tag that says “AJ Knight” on it and has a bit of a smirk on her face as she shines the flashlight that’s on him.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: What’s your deal, boy? I don’t seem to think of you as a threat, and yet you’re here.

FAKE AJ KNIGHT: James and I beat you and your boy… remember? Are you sure that this isn’t about that?

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Think you’re a wise guy, huh? No, this has nothing to do with that. See… I don’t like people like you: people that think they can just hang around the tag team division and then when the opportunity arises, they try to get greedy and try to do something for themselves. You better hope you don’t have to deal with me because if you do, I’m putting you right back in your lane, boy.

FAKE AJ KNIGHT: So what are you charging me for, detective? Huh?

JULIANNA DIMARIA: For trying to make a name for yourself at MY expense. I’m not playing! I’ve had it with people like you that want to move up a level and think that they can do it at my expense. And you’re right… there’s a little bit of me that wants to be petty and to gain revenge for that tag team title match… but unfortunately for you, I’ve grown too mature to be that petty. Sorry, but until you prove otherwise… which you won’t… you’re better off staying in the tag team division son…

Julianna moves away from the fake AJ Knight and makes her way over to the fake Tedmund Montgomery.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: I don’t know much about you… mind telling me why you’re here?

FAKE TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: For the same reason why everyone else is here…

JULIANNA DIMARIA: You haven’t been around long, have you, Ted? You just might be the most innocent one of all the people here. But the fact of the matter is, I don’t like you. You’re defiant. You act one way when the people see you another way and I think the bright lights are too blinding for a guy like you. My research indicates that you’ve never been all that good at competing in tournaments, getting eliminated from round one quite often…

The fake Tedmond says nothing as he begins to sweat bullets.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: I’ve won one of these before… that’s how I became the United States Champion to begin with… so I’m the last bitch you want to cross paths with not just because of your lack of experience but also because of your lack of success on the big stage. If there’s a charge that I’m going to give you it’s for impersonating an actual tournament contender. I’m not saying this to underestimate you, I’m saying this because I speak facts.

Julianna sneers at the fake Tedmond Montgomery before she walks over to a more hispanic looking parody with a “Mariano” name tag stuck on his shirt. Julianna narrows her eyes as she shines the flashlight upwards into his face.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: What are YOU even doing here?

FAKE MARIANO FERNANDEZ: That depends, mang.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Don’t be a wiseass with me! I know exactly who you are. I know exactly the reputation you carry. You’re one of the greats of this city, aren’t you? You’ve done it all a few times over and you think you’re hot shit, am I right? What? You’re here because Billy boy keeps making you his bitch, am I right… MANG? A guy like you shouldn’t even be here. This Classic… it’s all about finding the next big star, you know that, right? So why are you being so greedy, huh? This should be for just the up and comers like myself, not for someone who’s been there and done that. You understand that… MANG? Do you want to flush your reputation and your dreams of being at the top down the toilet in one go… MANG? Well, you better listen to me and listen to me good… I don’t give a about who you are or what you’ve done… you and I cross paths I’ll make you long for the days of little Billy bitch beatin’ your ass and takin’ your turf… are we clear on that… MANG?

Fake Mariano just chuckles, but only until Julianna shoves the flashlight under his chin.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Don’t get too comfortable…

Julianna snarls as she walks away, focusing her attention on the next two set of criminals: their name tags consisting of “CCJ” and “Hammy”.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Oh I know ALL about you two…

Julianna pulls out a WANTED poster with both of their pictures on it.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: You two have committed a TON of crimes over in Millennium City, haven’t you? You know… inciting gang violence? YOU…

Julianna flashes the light on “Hammy”.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Don’t you think you deserve better than to be the whipping bitch of your little friend here? I know the score. APE, right? You’re a big name in your own right, why do you have to be taking orders from JUNIOR over there, huh? You’re a threat on your own. So what’s the sitch? Are you both going to help each other reach the top? Is he going to scratch your back while you scratch his? Is that it? Oh I HOPE you’re both put in a situation where one of you has to take out the other because that’s going to make this city SO much better. You want to spend the rest of your days following JUNIOR around, so be it “Hammy”... but me? I got an independent streak in me and I don’t care about your reputation, grandpa. I don’t do the bidding of others… I think for myself… which is more than I can say for you…

Julianna flashes the light at “CCJ”.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: And you… don’t laugh at me boy… don’t play with me! You’re the ringleader of the circus, aren’t you? Mainstream isn’t the only city you’ve done the crime and the time in, is it? You’re all over the place… being the spotlight whore that you are… not giving a crap about anything except what you can do to make your own name better. You’re just in it just to put another feather in your cap, aren’t you? You are one of the most notorious criminals in the world, so much so that you’re on the verge of being on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. I don’t take kindly to people like you who has to surround himself with minions to do his bidding. You take them all away and all that’s left is a shell of a man getting the shit beaten out of him by Robb Daniels over in UWL… think I’m not capable of doing the same to you? If I have to… I’ll put you on that electric chair and make what happened over there child’s play…

Julianna jabs the fake CCJ with a flashlight, causing him to double over in pain. Unamused, Julianna walks to the other side… shining the light on Fake Cartier and Fake Bryan Ford.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: But YOU TWO… partners in crime… I defeated both of you to save the United States Championship from you… what were you thinking, honey? Oh wait… you don’t think… do you… not for yourself…

FAKE CARTIER: : GIRL… YOU BETTER TAKE THAT BACK BEFORE I GET MY BOY HERE TO BEAT YO’ ASS!!!!

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Sorry, I don’t speak “trash”. I mean… your BOY over there… he failed to beat me, even with you standing at ringside. It’s a shame that the only other woman in this Classic had to be you because I don’t think you deserve it. Trixie deserves it. Minka Carter deserves it. Hell, even Coral Rose deserves it. But YOU? What have YOU done, honey? Follow bitch boy over there and for what? Just to be second best to someone else? Are you gonna get your gang and sick them on me, honey? Is that what you’re going to do? Please! I never had to resort to hiding behind a person to be what I am today. You could never be the dominant female of this neck of the woods… not as long as I’m here… not as long as you’re playing best buddies with BITCH BOY…

Julianna flashes the light exclusively on “Bryan Ford” at this point.

FAKE BRYAN FORD: You might want to back out now. It’s in your best interest if you back out…

JULIANNA DIMARIA: Really? After everything I’ve managed to accomplish? After everything you’ve done? You landed yourself in that triple threat… something you didn’t deserve after the hit you carried out on Madison and Morales… and you’ve got another chance to beat me, right? Is that how this works? Beat me, then become a world champion? No… for all the other people and their dastardly ways, you are far and away the worst. You are the biggest virus… the biggest scum… in my city and I’m not going to stand for it anymore! You are the son of a bitch that deserves to go to prison more than ANY of them…

Fake Bryan Ford just laughs.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: I’m not playing, boy!

Julianna pulls out a fake electric taser from her coat, causing him to laugh some more. Julianna responds with a low blow and an “electric shock”, causing Fake Bryan Ford to drop to the floor. Julianna drops down to her knees just to tase him some more for her own amusement.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: I told you I’m NOT playing!

Julianna stands up and Fake Cartier punches her in the face. Julianna grabs Fake Cartier by the collar and slams her against the wall to bring her down, but this causes an all out fight between the rest of the contestants.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: I love this job…

Fake CCJ comes right at her and she tases him for his troubles. Fake Hammy takes a flashlight to the head and is thrown across a nearby table. Fake Mariano chucks Fake AJ right out of the interrogation room, leading to Fake AJ getting arrested by cops. Fake Tedmond takes an electric taser to the balls from Julianna before she stuns Mariano from behind. Fake Ford gets up, but Julianna tases him again and blasts his head through the window. Julianna grabs the Fake Cartier by the hair and drags her to a table, picking her up and slamming her through it.

JULIANNA DIMARIA: To the winner of the Emerald City Classic goes the spoils. Did I tell you how much I REALLY love this job?

Julianna stands above the seven “criminals” she apprehended, smirking with confidence, feeling like her standing tall above the competition now is a preview of what’s ultimately going to happen in the tournament.

Once she leaves the interrogation room, the scene cuts.

[Robert Daniels]

FILMED AT ANNL UNDISCLOSED LOCATION...
Bryan Ford is shown in a dark room, lit only by a single candle in his hands. He stares at the camera as if deep in thought as it zooms in on his face.

BRYAN FORD: The Emerald City Classic... I've heard a lot about this event... I've heard it has the potential to create bonified stars in this company... also puts a good lump of change in the pockets of the winner...

“And see I've done my research... first ever winner was a Bryan too... Bryan Blaze... then Eli Buchanan won the second... and now once again the ultimate opportunity presents itself in front of the host of the Bryan Ford show..."

Ford cracks his neck a bit.

BRYAN FORD: Some names of the competitors... honestly don't need this as bad as someone like me... AJ Knight... you bland piece of bread... with no personality and no fire to be honest though I hardly know you or your career... but you name is never synonymous with top tier talent in Mainstream....

“Chris Constantine Jr. ... you are an absolute snake... originally my best friend in this business and you switched on me at the drop of a dime... you have no respect for this business which normally I wouldn't care about but seeing as how you're involving yourself in this tournament I have extra reason to smash your face into my knee.”

“Hammerstein... your name is one that has buzzed in my ear since my first ever day in this business... I understand you yourself are a big deal... highly respected among many...and I pride myself on challenging people of your caliber... I surely hope I get the chance in the Classic... so that I can show you that all that hype around your name is just that...”

“Cartier... oh how I hate the idea of us Clashing... and not because I don't believe we would put on a five star classic... but because the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow is just too good to pass up on and that means I'm in focus mode... that means I can't let anybody even remotely get in the way of it...”

“Teddy boy... you seem to think you can make some kind of change here... I'm gonna let you in on a secret though... that job is taken already by the Innovator of Greatness... ME. And the only change that is absolutely needed is a new World Champion. Some one who can elevate this company to new heights with top tier wrestling. I have no doubt you'll be a major player here... but it won't be off my name."

Bryan has a huge smile on his face as he waves to the camera now.

BRYAN FORD: Juuuuuliiiie hello friend... you still have that United States Championship slung over your shoulder... I'm glad because if you think I've forgotten or lost sight of that title you're dead wrong... I'm still number one contender and our paths are going to cross sooner than later... maybe even during the classic. And when they do I'm walking out TWO TIME CHAMPION.

“Last but not least...Mariano...I gotta say...I'm absolutely disappointed in you...you and I laid it all out on the line in our match...and you managed to walk out Heavyweight Champion and stripped me of my US Title...only to end up losing to Billy Danielson not too long later...and now you wanna try and get it back right? I told you if we met in the ring again there would be a different result...and I'm set to make good on that promise.”

“Everyone needs to realize that Bryan Ford is the future of the company and wrestling as a whole. Mainstream has been in need of someone like me for a long time. That title represents the company so only an elite should be holding it and I'm sorry but not too many of you in the classic meet that requirement.”

“You wanna know why you keep seeing my face every show? Because despite how any of you idiots feel about me boss man knows I put asses in seats... he knows I bring the fire every match and he knows if given the opportunity I can be THE Champ.”

“Cockiness is a common assumption of my claims but if you've been where I have and done what I have you'd understand... A third generation star, trained since the age of 12...8 years of professional wrestling against the biggest names in the business! All to mold me into the star I am today. And many wont think that's impressive but that's the difference of intelligence... my resume may not be as flashy as some in the classic but it has always been about quality to me. “

“And Bryan Ford is high quality wrestling Greatness. Future hall of famer and tonight I show why I am the most Charismatic man in Mainstream Wrestling. Mr. 24/7... The Innovator of Greatness Bryan Ford! Mainstream.... welcome to the Bryan Ford Show... time to put on a spectacle."

Bryan smirks before blowing out the candle as the screen fades to black.

[Robert Daniels]

EMERALD CITY CLASSIC
FIRST ROUND MATCH
★★★ BRYAN FORD ★★★
vs
★★★ JULIANNA DIMARIA ★★★

As the bell rings, Bryan charges forward and throws a clothesline at DiMaria who ducks it hitting the ropes, they rebound only for Julianna to get blasted by a dropkick! Ford flips backwards and lands on his feet. Julianna is getting up as Ford measures her. Once Julianna is at a vertical base, Ford grabs her around the waist, looking to connect with a belly to belly suplex. However, Julianna responds with a headbutt at the last minute and then she winds up clubbing a forearm to the face a couple of times to result in the hold surrounding her being released. Ford staggers back and when he regains his senses, Julianna comes running at him with a double axe handle that sends him bouncing off of the ropes, back toward Julianna who responds with a spinning heel kick right to the jaw, knocking her adversary down to the mat, face up.

Julianna sees Ford sit up and Julianna responds with a dropkick right across the chest to keep her adversary down. Julianna at this point has that cold, calculating look in her eyes, lips pursed and all as she drags Ford up to a vertical base only to bounce off of the ropes and plant Ford right near the center of the ring with a springboard bulldog. Julianna thinks about a cover for a split second, but decides against it when she sees Ford stirring some. Again, she drags Ford up to a vertical base and gets in position behind her adversary, but this time she plants Ford with a Russian leg sweep, continuing to pace her attack in the process. Julianna checks on her adversary, making sure that Ford doesn’t move or stir and once she sees that there’s no movement, she decides to take the opportunity to hook the leg and go for the cover…

1…..2……….KICKOUT!!!!!!!!

Bryan gets up and leans against the ropes recovering after that Russian leg sweep. DiMaria rushes him as he quickly drop toe holds her, sending her neck first onto the bottom rope! Ford then runs toward the ropes gaining momentum as he hits a V-Trigger knee to the back of her head! Julianna is struggling a bit as she gets into the corner. She’s using the ropes to pull herself up while Ford measures her every move. Ford charges right at her, but Julianna moves out of the way. Ford crashes right into the turnbuckles and then stumbles back. Julianna delivers a dropkick sending Ford back into the corner. Julianna has a bit of an angry look on her face as she charges and then delivers a double knee right into the spine of Ford. Ford stumbles backwards toward Julianna, who turns Ford around and then knees Ford in the gut. Ford doubles over and then Julianna delivers a swinging neckbreaker, bringing down Ford and causing her to get back in the game a bit more. Julianna decides to go to the top rope, wasting no time. She begins to measure her adversary as Ford winds up stirring… before standing up and getting to a vertical base.

Ford is groggy, but Julianna dives off of the top rope and connects with a cross body that lands right into the chest of Ford. Julianna’s momentum causes her to roll through upon impact, but she’s still got the advantage as she quickly gets up. Ford is taking quite a bit to do the same thing, so this drives Julianna to walk up to him/her and deliver a quick forearm to keep him/her in place. Ford remains staggered and then Julianna brings down Ford’s head and delivers a cutter right in the center of the ring. Julianna has a look of vicious determination on her face before she turns Ford over and then hooks a leg for the cover…

1…..2…….KICKOUT!

Ford decides to pick Julianna up. He I rish whips her towards the ropes but she quickly reverses it! Bryan heads towards the ropes, but leaps onto the middle one and moonsaults onto DiMaria! With Julianna still down, Ford leaps over the top rope to the outside apron, waiting for DiMaria to rise again, he leaps up onto the top ropes spring boarding off and hits a missile dropkick! Cover by Bryan Ford, but Julianna kicks out at two!

As Ford gets up and considers his next move, Julianna is slumping on the ropes as she’s using them to pull herself up to a vertical base. Ford measures her and once she gets to that vertical base Ford runs in and clotheslines her over the ropes. However, Julianna manages to grab onto the top rope to prevent herself from falling off the apron. Julianna then throws a forearm to the surprised Ford and then Ford stumbles back. Julianna then steps through the ropes and then delivers a running shoulder tackle into the gut of Ford, causing her adversary to double over. Julianna then delivers a snap DDT to bring him down and to leave Ford stunned, face down near the ropes. Julianna then locks on a cross armbreaker on Ford, trying to wear him down as he struggles to breathe. Julianna grits her teeth trying to get Ford to tap out but she also feels resistance coming from him as Ford tries to will his way up to try to use his strength to break the hold.

Julianna lets go as a result and then she continues to stomp on Ford until Ford turns over on his/her spine. She follows up with a leg drop to keep her adversary in check before she drags them to the corner. Julianna then steps back and gets a nice measurement of her downed adversary before she runs up to the corner, grabs the top rope, jumps up, lets go of the top rope and drills Ford across the chest with a reverse corner splash. She doesn’t stay on her adversary though as she climbs to the second rope, jumps and delivers a double knee stomp to the chest. At this point, she covers Ford for 1…2...ROPE BREAK!

Ford has a hold of the bottom rope! Julianna seems winded after that ropebreak that just occurred but she’s not giving up as she’s slowly getting to her feet. Ford measures her as she stands up, and when she does so, she turns around. Ford comes running at her with a clothesline, but at the last second, Julianna manages to catch the arm of her adversary and counter with an arm drag that does some damage to the shoulder. Ford gets to his knees, holding his shoulder and grimacing in pain before Julianna runs in and delivers a knee kick right into that shoulder. Julianna is getting angrier as this offensive sequence goes on as she stomps away at the shoulder until Ford slides over and goes underneath the bottom rope, forcing Julianna to stop. Julianna doesn’t stand for this so she drags her adversary out toward the center of the ring and applies a cross arm breaker, pulling back on that strained shoulder causing Ford to scream in pain for some time.

Still, Ford stubbornly struggles as he reaches out, trying to get to the bottom rope. Having the strength advantage enables him to get close, but Julianna is very adept about her ring awareness at this point and breaks the hold. She drags Ford back to the center of the ring, drags her adversary up to a vertical base, then delivers a hard knee to the gut to double him over. She wraps the weakened arm around the throat of her adversary and then drops him with a backbreaker with a cobra clutch attached. Julianna’s eyes indicate viciousness while Ford flails around in pain. She decides enough is enough at this point and she then applies the MERCEDES BENDS! Ford is somewhat close to the ropes, but he finds himself in such excruciating agony that he can’t concentrate on moving forward. At this point…there’s no choice for Ford but to tap out to the Mercedes Bends!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by submission...JULIANNA—DIMARIA!

CHARLES HUDSON:  She’s done it!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Our United States Champion has just submitted the number one contender in a Emerald City Classic First Round bout here this evening!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Bryan Ford may have been eliminated from the Emerald City Classic tonight but on Sunday he’s gets some revenge as he gets another shot at DiMaria but this time the US Championship is on the line!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  Congratulations to Julianna DiMaria as she advances to the semi-finals of the Emerald City Classic tomorrow night! We’re going to take a commercial break and when we return more Mainstream Wrestling!

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[Robert Daniels]

BACKSTAGE...
TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: The entire aim of the industry is to keep the public alarmed, why else would they come back?
Why else would they endlessly open their wallets and pour out their hard earned dollars time and time again? They become engulfed and infatuated with us, and they want to be us. Children pretend to be us. Even some of us pretend to be others we’ve seen like we are in fact their mirror.

His voice, a soothing calm that plays over each word and dances up in tone at the end of every sentence. His suit, pressed harder than any of the competitors in the Emerald City Classic have ever been. His hair, stoic and more composed than his future competitors. Perhaps that’s why he’s so calm? Maybe that’s why he’s sitting backstage with a curtain behind him in the dark. There’s a clamouring of noise on the other side of the curtains, the side where light peaks through underneath. Now his face remains emotionless as he stares into the camera.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: If the people are alarmed then they will want to be led. That’s why every booker in the industry drools when he or she sees chaos. They know the roster will come crawling back to them wondering what happens next. Unable to think for themselves. Refusing for once in their lives to just be an individual and finally stop following the herd - but no…

Ted shakes his head disappointed.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: No, no instead you all beg for them to flash the next beam of light for you to follow not realizing they’re leading you into a tunnel and the train is coming down those tracks. At any moment while you follow the light right to the end of it’s illumination you’ll see what you think is the other side. You’ll stop and wonder if that light you see that’s so bright it may blind you is the other side. Is that where you’ll break out and be the one, the first, the only.

Lifting his hand up near his head he pulls down as if he were in the front car of a locomotive.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: Choo. Choo.

They’re technically the sounds of a train, but he didn’t show any enthusiasm and act them out. He dropped his hands to the side and slide them back into his pockets.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: That’s not the other side. That’s the train coming. And because you were so eager to latch your name onto anything that might give you a little bit of notoriety you instead put yourself on the tracks. Anything for clout.

He shakes his head slowly back and forth, again like a disappointed father who no longer can find the energy to have anger dwell within him.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: You know it’s hard to tell if a man is lying, unless of course you picture yourself in his shoes and think to yourself that if it were you? You’d probably lie too. You’d probably convince yourself that this is the type of thing that could make you a household name just like that. Which is the exact thought process that has poisoned this place since it became Mainstream.

We’re still unclear what exactly is behind the curtain, but we do see a woman peek her head out from behind it and say something about how there’s still a couple minutes left before disappearing again. Her headset tells us she’s somewhat important to something, but Tedmund paid her no attention.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: Each one of these self inflated ego-maniacs stand in that ring every show and they parade themselves around for no other reason than to brag about it on social media. They ignore and forget each loss refusing to instead acknowledge it and grow from them. They see no flaws when they look into the mirror. Whether they’re a bleach haired bimbo who boasts about his cheating or a former this and former that has been who remains to be a punchline on a daily basis. They all made this place “mainstream” and I don’t mean their efforts in pushing the brand to a global audience. I’m talking about their staunch stance of stale that makes this place smell like a wet washcloth that you leave in the bath. I will not stand here and give each one of them a sliver of time.

Finally a smile perks on Ted’s lips, but it doesn’t seem like happiness is the reason why. It’s a sly grin you see in Old Westerns when one man at the table holds all the cards.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: After all, this isn’t a presidential debate. I don’t need to address each one of you because I am talking to my constituents. The people out there who have had enough of the Lame-stream. The people who yawn at the same old thing every time a show is on the air. The same words from the same personalities spinning the broken record and beating the dead horse. I speak to you as a man, as THE man, who walked into this company with the intent of turning it all around. To correct the faults that so many make before the fans turn the channel. Your one man revolution…

Now he begins to pace back and forth, but his calm demeanor is slowly slipping into an annoyance.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: Since I have arrived on the scene in this industry it began as a campaign to rid the world of the filthy troglodytes. To exterminate the parasites who are in this for nothing but themselves, and after my work was done from behind a desk I sat back one day and took a look at myself sitting in the ivory tower. I was no better than the rest of them. I was posting on social media and gathering a following who just wanted to see what I’d post. It was in that moment that I decided that the fight had to be taken off of paper and into the ring.

Ted’s hands now rigorously loosen his tie before he pulls it up over his head and throws it to the ground, but he doesn’t stop there. His pacing has quickened as he undoes the buttons on his suit jacket.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: There comes a time in every man’s life where he must challenge his own existence and step outside of the world to push himself into an uncomfortable situation. To leave the kingdom and go to war. To hold the flag on the front lines for his cause and lead not by words, but with action. It’s a powerful tool, to self reflect. To realize the situation you are in is simply complacency and not accomplishment. Now listen to me, look at me and tell me there’s someone else in this tournament who does the same thing? Or will there be, instead, one after another who pounds their chest and proclaims themself the best in two hundred and forty characters?

He stops pacing and rips his suit jacket off, throwing it to the ground as his hands then go to work on loosening the cuffs of his dress shirt.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: Is that what we need? More of the same old act from the same old people? The insanity of banging your head against the wall and recycling the same old tune like a one hit wonder on a farewell tour?

Ted’s head shakes back and forth as his breathing grows intense and his hands finally lose their patience and rip his dress shirt off from his torso revealing his wrists are already taped.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: The permanent strike against inferior competitors is fear. The fear of being passed up. The fear of being forgotten. That fear lives in every single one of the other competitors, but me? Tedmund Montgomery? I have no fear. I have nothing to lose. I walked into this company under my first full time wrestling contract and I left the world of censored photos and typing words larger than the hollow head social media succubus can comprehend. If I were to fail in that ring during this tournament the world wouldn’t be surprised. Everyone already has their favorites who have been here longer and done this before, but tell me this. Tell me what the world will do when the man with nothing to lose fights for the cause he believes is. Because a cause, a purpose, is more than anyone else in this tournament has. They have legacies. They have wants and needs, but they don’t have a purpose to go to war. They have a heart that they think manufactures a feeling of love for the industry. Love. The most foolish emotion of them all. The lie that brings forth false hope.

Now his hands go to work on his belt, and you would think for a split moment that Tedmund is going to do the unthinkable and let his mind slip as he pulls his pants down around his ankles. But this is Ted, not your average twitter troll or click bait bunny. He has his wrestling trunks on under his pants and as soon as they are removed he slaps his chest.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: The value of legacy is cherished in a world where it’s true meaning is overestimated. Not one of your legacies carry with it anything but more people who know your name. A gift to you disguised as a curse. All of your legacies after the Emerald City Classic will simply carry with it more eyes that watch as each one of you have to live with the failure that Tedmund Montgomery came into your industry and brought with it more impact than any of you have made in the time we gave you.

The same woman from before with the headset on pops peeks through the curtains one more time and this time pulls back the curtain along with her. She’s standing behind the entrance and the crowd noise can be heard in the background.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: Tedmund Montomgery. You’re on.

He smiles and nods his head as the anger and frustration leave his face as he points down towards the floor with both of his hands.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: Remember this moment right here. Each and every one of you remember this moment so that you can tell your friends ‘I told you so’. It’s not everyday that you get to be a part of something that changed the world. Together, we will change the industry. I will fight for our cause. I will be the undeniable force in Mainstream Wrestling and there’s not a damn thing anyone can do about it.

Just like that Ted turns and heads towards the curtain holding his fist up in the air.

TEDMUND MONTGOMERY: For the Cause!

He yells out right before he disappears and heads towards the entrance.

[Robert Daniels]

EARLIER TONIGHT...
There is a rooftop In the MAINSTREAM Wrestling Studio from which the Seattle skyline can be seen glittering in the purple-hued night. There stands DA #TROLL GUY Mariano Fernandez, clad as usual in his black leather jacket, faded blue jeans, and his GLORIOUS soccer mom hair blowing in the breeze, looking at the distant Space Needle, the beacon of the city and its most representative icon. As he turns towards the camera, he points at the barely visible Seattle landmark.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: It was a year ago, chicos, that I stood atop that same building over there, the Space Needle, right before the Emerald City Classic finals. It was a year ago that I said “The Future Is Now”, when I was ready to take it all away.

“And now, as this year the Fourth Emerald City Classic Tournament begins, I cannot help but be reminded of that time. I cannot help but remember that I made it all the way to the end, among the likes of Izzy Van Doren, and A.J. Morales, only to fall to Billy Danielson, who got the last accolade he wanted.”

“And as I look back between them and now, I cannot help but notice the similarity after the passage of time. Crazy it is now that I find myself in the same situation as he did back then, isn’t it?”

The MAINSTREAM Grand Slam Champion opens his arms in a shrug, the faintest hint of a smile in his face - but a deadly seriousness in the look of his eyes.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: I mean, here I stand, Grand Slam Champion, having achieved almost everything there IS to achieve here in MAINSTREAM Wrestling, BUT that one award, mang. The ONE award that shouldn’t have escaped me.

Mariano lowers his head, drawing a deep sigh, but once he raises it again to address the camera, there is a no-nonsense, glacial tone in his voice - the same cold, unforgiving stare in his eyes.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: But as always, chicos, life gives another chance, and one year later, here we are one more time. Granted, some of these names in the Emerald City Classic are different. Some of us still remain, like Chris Constantine Jr., and myself. Some others, like Julianna DiMaria and Bryan Ford, have also previously held gold in this company, and have the tournament experience from the United States tournament earlier this year. Others still, like Cartier and Ted Montgomery, are new and have been on the road to a title, only to fall short right at the end.

“And there are those that WERE something once in MAINSTREAM, and now have this shot to rekindle that glory they once had, in A.J. Knight and the returning Hammerstein. But here, chicos, we come to the point of it all…”

It is at this point that Mariano lets the sentence hang on in the air, before he bellows its ending in a roar that echoes in the wind of the rooftop.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: … because NONE of these other seven people have the g*d d*mned desire to win this tournament as I HAVE!

Standing up straight, the former World Heavyweight Champion raises his eyebrows and clenches a fist, shaking it slightly, before thrusting it almost at the camera lens, his voice rising to a booming speech amidst the quiet idle wind.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: Let everyone in this tournament hear these words, and let them ponder their significance before their faces get hit. For I may have lost the World Heavyweight Title, but UNLIKE A.J. Knight, I’ve defended it FAIRLY, and with honor, throughout the entirety of my reign. I am not remembered now for just once having BEEN something in this company, but for what I have been, for what I AM, and for what I will continue to be.

“In the same manner, UNLIKE Hammerstein, I’ve become Grand Slam Champion throughout my reign, right next to Billy g*d d*mned Danielson, and though one day perhaps I will be, I didn’t NEED to get inducted into the Hall of Fame for people to remember my name. And I got the Grand Slam, moreover, over none other than Bryan Ford - who then made it ALL the way to the tournament for the vacated title, before falling just short over Julianna DiMaria.”

“And I'll be d*mned if I’m going to let the SAME exact thing happen at MAINSTREAM’s biggest tournament. Not again. Not EVER the F*CK again!”

He slams his fist into the rooftop’s protective guard-rail, the sound of his hand banging upon steel producing a metallic, reverberating sound in the air.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: But why stop there, mang? Let’s keep noting the rest of the competition. BEFORE Cartier captured her half of the MAINSTREAM World Titles two shows ago, Trixie and I were Tag Team Champions TWICE. And UNLIKE our favorite censor Ted Montgomery, I DID beat Jason Cashe for the World Television Championship.

“You know the worst part of it, though? None of that matters to me now, mang. Because as we come to the tournament, I am reminded that UNLIKE Chris Constantine Jr., and UNLIKE Cartier in every tournament she has so far been, from the #QuagCup to the Queen of Southside, and even the same U.S. Title Tournament that Julianna went on to win, I actually MAKE it to the g*d d*mned end, mang, and I remember the words that Billy Danielson gave me that time: I’m the guy committed to taking you down, to prove you weren’t ready for the ECC just yet.”

“And that message, chicos, has stuck with me ever since.”

Mariano makes a pause for effect, as he gazes again at the Space Needle, with no sound but the whisper of the wind around him.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: Because as I see all these names, I realize that none of them - not a SINGLE one of them, has been as closest to the self-proclaimed face of MAINSTREAM as I HAVE been, mang, only to fall short at the very last moment. Hammerstein was the first one to beat me when he was World Heavyweight Champion, and g*d d*mned if I haven’t forgotten. I may have beaten him in Southside, but this time, should we come to face again, I’ll take him on in the place where HE was the best version of himself - and there I’ll prove I’m more than he could ever have been here in MAINSTREAM Wrestling.

“A.J. Knight cheated CONSTANTLY against me when I was going at him for the World Heavyweight Title, and D*MNED if I haven’t forgotten that either. When we come to blows, if he’s fortunate enough to even get there, I’ll pay him back for EVERY SINGLE ed time - and THERE we’ll know what a real former World Champion is. And I’ll be f*cking damned if I forgot that Cartier was the one to take the Pride Title away from me in 4CW, even if I beat her for it at the beginning of this ed year. Cartier’s had her eyes on me for a LONG time now, and even though I’m no longer Champion - I haven’t forgotten WHAT it was to take her down. Just as I did in February. Just as I did in the VERY first match in her career.”

“All of that, chicos, just gives me motivation. All of that just allows me to remember those times, the disappointment they caused and the HUNGER it gave me to come back and win all over again, and I’m going to do it one more time, against EVERY ONE of them all. Because I sure as SHIT don’t intend to go all the way to the finals to fall short all over again. Not this year. Not this time. Not while I still have the last achievement to get, another PINNACLE to reach. Because Billy Danielson told me that too, mang. That I had peaked. That I was just lucky to be there last year, and that there was only down to go from then.”

“Piss on that, and piss on him, mang. We want to talk about pinnacles, I’ve reached those in almost EVERY single company I’ve been in. From 4CW to [R]evolution to Southside, and yes, here in MAINSTREAM Wrestling too. And no matter whether it’s Chris Constantine Jr., or Bryan Ford, or Julianna Di Maria or ed Tedmund Montgomery, I’ll reach the pinnacle of MAINSTREAM Wrestling one more time.”

DA #TROLL GUY pauses again, leaning into the camera, and shows the world the steely determination in his eyes - the look of a man sallying out to war.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: This is no longer me trying to get noticed, mang. There is no further need for that. This is no longer me looking wistfully at past glory, for there is nothing to be wistful at, and everything to be proud of. This is not me trying to put anyone down, because their accomplishments, or lack thereof, speak for themselves, as does everything I have done since 2018. This is simply taking what is mine. This is simply getting what I deserved and HAVE been deserving of since last year - the culmination of a long process that began in this same city, when I spoke about the future of this company. Lots of things have happened since then, and I had gone from having lost both my titles to becoming a contender for the World Title, and then a champion. But the thorn on my side that was the Emerald City Classic remained with me since that time.

“Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I tear it off once and for all.”

Mariano bangs his fists together, the snap of his bones colliding against each other drowning the whisper of the wind.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: So let Hammerstein and A.J. Knight come with their need to recover their lost glory, mang. Let Cartier and Tedmund Montgomery come with their hunger for recognition. Let Julianna DiMaria and Bryan Ford come with their ambitions to climb one step above. And let Chris Constantine Jr. and his constant quest for validation come as well - and they will all fall to the true hunger for victory - the TRUE desire for glory. The battle of a man who’s had it all but the ONE thing he wants the most, who seeks to be the ONLY thing left for him to be.

“Then perhaps we shall wonder, what is there next for me? Another shot at the MAINSTREAM World Title? The other guy to become 3-time World Champion besides Billy Danielson? Perhaps the MAINSTREAM Hall of Fame? I don’t know, mang. It matters not. The only thing that matters is that TOO many g*d d*mned times have I been that close to winning a tournament, and I’ll be F*CKING damned if I’m letting this happen another ed year. I’m NOT waiting all this time again. I won’t be standing on this rooftop, or from that building ahead one more time talking about how I WANT to win the Emerald City Classic, because that is going to happen TONIGHT.”

“Tonight I prove that I finally have what it takes to win the big one. Today I prove that the titles behind me were well deserved. Today I come to put the master stroke on what becomes a ed LEGEND.”

“Because tonight, chicos, I become the only thing left for me to become - the winner of the Emerald City Classic.”

The Grand Slam Champion directs a final gaze to the camera, making a throat slash sign, the swift, abrupt motion of his right hand cutting the air about him.

MARIANO FERNANDEZ: And tonight, chicos, the world will know with g*d d*mned CERTAINTY, that the future... is finally upon us.

And with that, Mariano turns his back and moves towards the rooftop entrance, the last shot of the camera of the Space Needle barely distinguishable in the distance, as the scene fades to black.

[Robert Daniels]

EMERALD CITY CLASSIC
FIRST ROUND MATCH
★★★ TEDMUND MONTGOMERY ★★★
vs
★★★ MARIANO FERNANDEZ ★★★

The bell rings and it’s Tedmund Montgomery and Mariano Fernandez sharing the middle of the ring and in an effort to make sure that the match stays within the rules Montgomery extends a hand for sportsmanship. Fernandez isn’t sure about it and Montgomery redacts the offer and gets into a grappling stance only for Fernandez now to offer the handshake but as Montgomery tries to accept the handshake he embarrasses him and acts too cool for a handshake which sends Montgomery into a rage causing him to rapid fire combo open hand slap and chop Fernandez back into the corner.

Fernandez aggressively looks for a lock up, but Tedmund uses his technical prowess to evade one and kick Fernandez’s legs out from underneath his, but he isn’t down for long. He’s adamant about making it back to his feet quickly every time, yet with each time he hits the mat Fernandez grows frustrated. Tedmund is extremely proud of his work so far and offers Fernandez a test of strength - obviously assuming he’d be the bigger man. Fernandez accepted and right away Tedmund had the upper hand, Fernandez would manage to reverse his fortune and find himself with the upper hand and Tedmund is stunned! Shaking his head furiously before falling to his back and using his feet to throw Fernandez over his head with a monkey flip to bail himself out as a last resort. Tedmund did manage to keep his hands locked in so following up that monkey flip by shifting his weight and picking Fernandez up he delivered another monkey flip and kept his hands still locked! Tedmund tried to get up the third time and Fernandez bridged before flipping back over and delivering two knees to Tedmund’s chest breaking the hold! Tedmund rolls around the ring and finds himself too close to the corner allowing Fernandez to hit a standing moonsault. Referee counts a 2 on the pin attempt.

Mariano takes off as he rises from the 2 count. He rushes at the ropes and takes off in a Springboard Lionsault - NO! Montgomery HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WAY! As DA #TROLL GUY collects himself from the floor, Montgomery lands a huge right hand at his face! Mariano is rocked and Montgomery brings him down in a Brainbuster! Cover by Montgomery, but Mariano kicks out at two!

Manny's heart just never stops him from getting back up but Tedmund works a side headlock and tightens it for an extended period of time. Fernandez tries to use the momentum of the ropes to throw Tedmund into the ropes, but he inevitably falls to a knee while Tedmund keeps the hold locked in and now with added pressure. Fernandez gets to both feet and uses his elbows to jam into Tedmund’s rib cage causing him to break the headlock. Fernandez immediately applies his own side headlock, but Tedmund quickly runs him into the nearest corner chest first breaking the hold and allowing him to back body suplex him from the corner.

Montgomery isn’t done and hurries to his feet. He prepares to pick up DA #TROLL GUY from behind… NO! Counter elbow by Mariano Fernandez, which he capitalizes on with an Ushigoroshi! Montgomery is sent back and Mariano takes off once more. He bounces off the ropes and levels Montgomery with a Rolling Koppu Kick! ONE.. TWO.. THRE--KICKOUT!

Manny brings Tedmund up as he stands and he hits a hip toss into knee lift! Manny stalks him until Montgomery stands and then Manny takes off towards the ropes in a full sprint so he can hit a diving forearm but Montgomery ducks under it and catches Fernandez mid air, twisting him and hitting a spine buster that bounces Manny's head off the canvas. Montgomery makes the cover. One.. TWO… Th-Kickout!

Manny rolls away after the kickout. Tedmund sits on the canvas as the two lock eyes from almost across the ring from each other. Both climb to their feet, Manny using the corner and Tedmund pushing on the canvas or his knee to rise. Suddenly Mariano charges Montgomery, bursting out of the corner. He leaps in a flying forearm, and Montgomery is sent reeling! DA #TROLL GUY picks him up and positions him for a suplex - NO! Montgomery counters with a suplex of his own! Down goes DA #TROLL GUY and Montgomery attempts to grab his legs, but the Grand Slam Champion hits him with a kick right to their face! As they collect themselves, Mariano approaches him from behind and leaps around him to drop him with a beautiful Float Over DDT! Cover by DA #TROLL GUY, but Montgomery kicks out right after One!

As Montgomery begins to stir around, the Grand Slam Champion climbs the top turnbuckle, and as Tedmund Montgomery once again slowly rises to his feet. Mariano Fernandez launches from the top ropes, aiming and connecting THE WARHAMMER! The massive forearm hits Montgomery square in the face as they drop once more into the mat, and DA #TROLL GUY makes the cover for the 1...2...3

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall and advancing to the semi-finals of the Emerald City Classic is MARIANO—FERNANDEZ!

CHARLES HUDSON:  He’s a man on a mission Lou!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  You’re absolutely right he is Charles. He’s a two time World Heavyweight Champion and their is no way he’s getting another shot at Billy Danielson and his World Championship unless he runs the gauntlet and wins this years Emerald City Classic!

CHARLES HUDSON:  Tedmund Montgomery may be finished in his first attempt at the Emerald City Classic but he has bigger fish to fry on Sunday. He’s got some ‘shopping’ to do!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  That’s right Charles! On Sunday Night were going out on location here in Seattle for the first time in a long time for a “Mall Brawl” between Jason Cashe and Tedmund Montgomery with the World Television Championship on the line. I’m not real certain on the rules but I am intrigued. Tomorrow night though Mariano Fernandez continues his Quest in the Semi-Finals of the Emerald City Classic! When we return we now know what tonight’s matchup is in the Main Event! We’ll hear from both Chris Constantine Junior and Jacob Hammerstein after the break!

---

---

[Robert Daniels]

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED...
It’s not like Constantine to ever be nervous before an interview. It had always been easy for him to stand in front of a camera and spew whatever hot trash he wanted to say. But this time around was different. He was playing a character every time he stepped in front of a camera. This time around though…....he was playing himself and not a fictional character.

A sip of Jack Daniels calms the nerves as he awaits the ok from the camera crew to start cutting his promo. Chris can’t help but feel defensive as these are Mainstream personnel, men paid by Robb Daniels, that are in his house and setting everything up. Who knows what they’ll do. Will they beat his ass during the interview? Or will they edit his promo to make him look like an asshole? Another sip to help get those thoughts out of his head.

The ok sign is given and it’s time to talk. Breathe Constantine. Lean back in your leather chair and don’t let it show that Robb is under your skin. Be bold. Be confident. And show Robb that you’re better than him.

CHRIS CONSTANTINE JUNIOR: I’m not known for my long interviews. I like to keep them nice and short because I find that the problem doing long interviews is that you start to repeat yourself and sometimes you get off topic. But I’m making an exception today because I have a lot on my mind these days and I’d like to get it off my chest. So lay back. Relax. Pour yourself a drink and let me talk to you…..one on one…..Robb Daniels.

Pulling a cigar out of his left breast pocket, Constantine lights it up and lets out a few puffs of smoke before talking again.

CHRIS CONSTANTINE JUNIOR: Now everyone else that’s participating in the Emerald City Classic can listen as well but I have to talk to the boss man first before I’m going to waste my breath on you guys. So take a seat at the kiddie table and let the two adults talk for a while.

Leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs, Constantine puts out another puff of smoke before talking again.

CHRIS CONSTANTINE JUNIOR: Now, Robb…..we’ve had an interesting past year. You hired me. You fired me. You rehired me. You’ve helped me win matches and you’ve cost me matches. You’ve called my mother a monkey and called me a bunch of stuff a Twitter loser would say to me on my DMs. We’ve battled it out in tag matches and in singles matches while titles were on the line. And I was fine with all of this. It’s business. We’re making money. We’re headlining pay per views and getting exposure for us and the companies we work for. I’ve been a part of this business for a very long time so I don’t take anything seriously because at the end of the day…. it’s about how much money I can bring in. The person that you’ve seen on twitter or on your TV screen….it has always been a character. CCJ is a fictional character that I play and has always been one. It’s business. It always has and always will be business with everything that I say and do because that’s the carny in me.

“But then you did something that I thought you would never do, Robb. You did something that CCJ would never do. You crossed a line when you punched my wife, Robb. It wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t by mistake. No. You punched my wife on purpose while she was checking up on me after you and your friends beat the shit out of me. She covered her body on top of me, Robb. A wife was looking out for her husband and you punched her right in the face. And you smiled. You enjoyed it. You cherished it. And the world got to see the true Robb Daniels.”

“Now Olivia, she’s not an angel on television. Off screen she is one of the sweetest ladies in the world. Go ahead and ask anyone who’s interacted with her. She’s an angel. Now on screen she's helped me a lot in the past and has gotten her hands dirty a handful of times. But she’s not a trained wrestler. She doesn’t know how to take a punch or run the ropes. She puts on pretty dresses, puts makeup on, and looks sexy when she makes her way to the ring. She’s eye candy and she does a great job at it. But that’s all.”

By now Constantines blood pressure gets higher as he leans forward and starts to get serious.

CHRIS CONSTANTINE JUNIOR: Look at me right now Robb. The man that you see right now, it’s not CCJ. It’s not the chicken shit heel that everyone loves to hate. It’s not a CCJ who hides behind his friends while calling you names. It’s not even the guy who wrestles like he doesn’t know what he’s doing. No. CCJ isn’t performing for the masses during the Emerald City Classic. Christopher Michael Constantine Junior is making his way into that ring and kicking everyone’s teeth in that gets in my way because the only thing I want more than anything else right now is to make you watch me win this whole tournament, win the World Title, and have your greatest foe be the face that runs your company!

“Now everyone that’s participating in this tournament. The AJ Knights. The Cartiers. The Hammersteins. The Manny Fernandezs. And The Bryan Fords. They all have their own reasons for wanting to win this tournament. Fame. Fortune. To help them add an accomplishment to their Hall of Fame resume. All noble causes and I’d probably be one of them as well. But what separates me from them Robb is that I want this win more than anything in the world. I’d trade in my Millenium and King’s Road Title just to win this Tournament. I’d be happy to lose for the rest of my life if it meant winning this tournament. Because this is beyond competition for me, Robb. This is personal. So I’ll tell you this right now, Robb. Once I win this Tournament and I get my hands on the Mainstream Title, I’m going to take it and I’m never going to return to this awful company. I’m taking the belt and I’m going to do something with it. I haven’t decided yet but it’s going to be entertaining to me. Maybe throw it off a bridge. Or smash it with a hammer and send you the pieces in a letter. How about I melt it down and make a “Robb Daniels Sucks” sign out of it and place it right above my fire place. Or maybe I’ll just give it to Perry Wallace and let him do whatever the hell he wants to do with it. Those are just some of the things on the top of my head, I’m sure I’ll think up some more. But trust me, Robb. It won’t be pretty.”

“It’s this urge and this fire that burns deep inside me, Robb, that gives me the confidence in knowing that I’ll be walking into this tournament and making it to the very end. Because I’m not going to be seeing AJ on the other side of the ring of me. I’m not going to see Montgomery or DiMaria or anyone else that’s in this tournament. I’m going to see you. Everyone I face off against….. I’m going to see your face, Robb, because the hatred I have for you is deep. So enjoy your little empire while you can because I am going to set this company on fire and watch it burn to the ground with you inside of it, Robb!”

Tension is still high in Constantines face….until…. a light switch is flipped. A shit eating grin comes crawling across Constantines face as it looks like a new man is talking to you. Chris Constantine Junior the man was replaced by CCJ the character. Taking a sip of his drink and taking a puff from his cigar, the confident Constantine goes back to talking.

CHRIS CONSTANTINE JUNIOR: Alright Kids. Thanks for waiting. Now I know you all think you’re important and you actually mean something in the grand scheme of things in this tournament…..but you don’t. Each and everyone of you are just a side character in my rise to winning the Emerald City Classic. And while the rest of you are wasting your breath and saying shit you don’t mean about everyone involved in the tournament, you just can’t wait to hear what your opponents have to say about you. Myself on the other hand….I really don’t care about most of the people in this tournament or what they have to say because they’re just saying it to get the clicks or to get a laugh from the boys in the back. 's honest truth. You all bore me with your antics, in and out of the ring, and it makes me not want to watch any of your matches. Hell, it makes me want to scroll right past you on twitter. I’m looking at you Cartier.

Oh yes, the competitors. Constantine should probably talk about them as he reaches into his pocket and starts to pull his phone out.

CHRIS CONSTANTINE JUNIOR: Speaking of talking about my competitors, I guess I should talk about them because…..reasons?

Unlocking his screen, he starts to scroll through his phone until he finds the list of people involved in the match.

CHRIS CONSTANTINE JUNIOR: Let’s see. Cartier! Better talker than wrestler. Watch her career go down the tube without SILK around to hold her hand.

“Next up….. AJ Knight. We held the Tag Titles over at Kings Road and….no wait it was Lions Road? MLWA? That place went through so many name changes that it’s hard for me to remember what the hell it was called. But we won tag titles and then you never called back after the place shut down. So you? I guess?”

“Ummmm…. Ted Montgomery. I kicked you in the nuts a couple of times over in Wrestling With Christ. Sorry about that. Nothing personal. How about we join a tag team after this whole thing blows over and we go grapple across America?”

“Oooooh, a guy I’m cool with. Hammerstein! A fellow American Pain Experience brother. Nothing personal if we face each other….but I would like to have a few words with you about why you didn’t show up to assist me in my last title match over in Millennium. I’m sure it was an accident.”

“Julianna DiMaria…...you’re boning Jimmy Pagan so you’re a loser with daddy issues. Next!”

“Scroll, scroll, scroll….Manny Fernandezs. This asshole liked a sophomoric tweet that Robb made about my mother looking like a toothless gorilla. Robb was trying to get heat with that tweet and Manny, like the company ass kisser that he is, liked it. Then I’m sure Robb pet his greasy head and told him that he was a good boy and gave him another undeserved title match against Billy.”

“And finally we got Bryan Ford. What a ing waste of space you are Ford. Damien Miri brings you into the Conglomerate over in King’s Road and what did you do? You walked out. You took your ball and took my US Title and did jack shit with that and now look at you. Just another loser.”

“Aaaand that’s it. So to everyone involved….and Robb….. if you thought that I was a threat before, get ready because I’m about to blow your minds. Now get the out of here! And tell Robb he can suck my left nu—“

[Robert Daniels]

EARLIER TODAY...
HAMMERSTEIN: Thanks, man. I really appreciate this.

Jacob Hammerstein’s voice is low, not much louder than a whisper, but with this area of Seattle so much quieter than the last time he was here, he doesn’t need to speak much louder. Richard, Hammerstein’s guide, chuckles and waves the wrestler off.

RICHARD: Think nothing of it. Mr. Leiweke is a big fan of yours, as am I. We’re glad to see you back in Seattle. Everything’s set up as you requested, including the package. Ms. Kinsley and her crew are already on the arena floor, ready to go.

The two men nod to each other as they walk into the arena. Hammerstein looks around, a slightly forlorn smile on his face, as he realizes that the homey feeling he was hoping to feel was non-existent.

HAMMERSTEIN: Damn, Richard, things have definitely changed since the last time I was here.

Richard chuckles.

RICHARD: Yeah, gotta keep moving forward. Can’t stay stuck in the past, right?

The former Seattle Pro Champion sighs a bit at Richard's wisdom.

HAMMERSTEIN: Yeah.

They walk onto the arena floor where Samantha Kinsley and a film crew wait. Hammerstein turns to Richard.

HAMMERSTEIN: Again, Richard, thanks for all you have done. Tell Mr. Leiweke I really appreciate this.

Richard reaches into his pocket, pulls out two business cards, and hands them to Hammerstein.

RICHARD: It’s not a problem, really. Here’s my card. If you need anything while you’re here in Seattle, don’t hesitate to call me. The other card is Mr. Leiweke’s, with his personal cell number on it. He wants you to call him when you’re in L.A. so the two of you can meet.

Richard pats Hammerstein on the arm and walks away. The American Monster turns to Samantha, who smiles at him and motions for him to have a seat across from her. The two have a bit of smalltalk, exchanging pleasantries before it’s time to get down to business. An assistant quickly sets two cups of coffee on the table between them as the producer gives Kinsley her cue.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Memorial Day weekend will see the return of Seattle's biggest wrestling event, Mainstream Wrestling’s Fourth Annual Emerald City Classic. The winner of this three day tournament will receive a shot at the Mainstream World Heavyweight Championship. As has been the case for the past three years, this year’s competitors are some of the best in the sport. The lineup this year includes Tedmund Montgomery, Cartier, AJ Knight, Bryan Ford, Julianna DiMaria, Chris Constantine, Jr., Mariano Fernandez, and my guest at this time. He is one of the most recognizable stars in the sport today. He is one of the pioneers of Seattle Pro Wrestling, helping it evolve into today’s Mainstream Wrestling. He is the first Seattle Pro World Heavyweight Champion, and a Hall of Famer, The American Monster, Jacob Hammerstein. First off, welcome to Mainstream Wrestling. If I’m not mistaken, this is your first time in Mainstream, correct?

Hammerstein takes a sip from his cup of coffee and nods.

HAMMERSTEIN: That’s correct, Sam. First time, as a competitor.

Kinsley nods, her eyes moving towards the black leather satchel on the table.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: So, the question everyone is asking is “Why?” You had, at one time, made it clear that you had no interest in coming here. The animosity between you and Owner Robb Daniels just ran too deep.

Hammerstein scratches his chin, contemplating his response. He smiles, but it fades quickly.

HAMMERSTEIN: I’ve come to learn that you never say never in this business. Things change. You gotta keep moving forward. You can’t stay stuck in the past.

Samantha nods her head, smiling. Once again her gaze falls on the leather satchel.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: A nice way to look at things. I’d like to get your feelings on your competition in The Emerald City Classic, but first...what’s in the satchel?

Hammerstein eyes the satchel, looking almost sorry that he had it brought in. He slowly unbuckles it and opens it. The American Monster reaches in and slowly pulls out the Seattle Pro World Heavyweight Championship belt. He cradles it in his left arm as he looks at Kinsley.

HAMMERSTEIN: This is the original Seattle Pro World Heavyweight Title. Robb Daniels gave it to me the night I beat AJ Knight in The Budokan Hall. Saturday August 8th, 2018. It was, and still is, the proudest moment of my career.

Hammerstein closes his eyes and sighs, running the fingers of his right hand through his hair.

HAMMERSTEIN: This place, when it was The Key Arena, was my home. I remember when I walked in The Key on December 23, 2016. It was my first night in Seattle Pro, and I was nervous as hell. I didn’t know if I had what it took to make it there. I lost my first match there, but I knew that I had what it took, and that not one damn person in that company was gonna convince me otherwise.

“Like I said, this place was my home, and I thought that this would be like coming home again. What I’ve come to realize is that this ain’t home.”

His voice lowers in volume, but increases in intensity. He holds the belt up towards the camera.

HAMMERSTEIN: You know, I was gonna pull this belt out, hold it up, and remind the world just who the hell I am. I was gonna look into this camera and remind the world that I defended this title, the very title that The Mainstream World Championship title evolved from, more than any Seattle Pro Champion….and any Mainstream World Champion in its lineage. When it became The World Title, I picked up this belt...the very standard of Seattle Pro, and as the standard bearer, I went beyond the borders of this company, and I defended this title in other companies...against the very best they had.

Hammerstein’s grip on the belt is so tight that his hand begins to shake. His voice,full of intensity, begins to get louder.

HAMMERSTEIN: And I was gonna make a promise to Tedmund Montgomery, Cartier, AJ Knight, Bryan Ford, Julianna DiMaria, Chris Constantine, Jr., and Mariano Fernandez that, by the end of The Emerald City Classic, they would all remember just who the hell I am.

Hammerstein brings the belt back down to its position in his left arm. He lowers his head.

HAMMERSTEIN: I was gonna do that. Then I walked in here, and saw that this was no longer my home, and I realized that none of it meant a damn thing.

He tosses the Seattle Pro World Title onto the table with a huff.

HAMMERSTEIN: Seattle Pro is dead. RIP.

Samantha looks shocked at Hammerstein’s words.

HAMMERSTEIN: I realize now that when I walk into the Mainstream Studio on Friday, May 22nd, it’s gonna be just like my first night in Seattle Pro. The uncertainty. The self-doubt. The wondering. Do I still have what it takes to outlast, outwrestle, and outfight seven of the greatest in our sport? They all deserve to be in this tournament. Do I? They all have it in them to win it all. Do I?

Kinsley looks on, stunned at the sight of the man who had been one of the most charismatic and self assured wrestlers she had known in her career seemingly fall apart in front of her and the fans watching at home. She starts to speak.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: Hammerstein….

Hammerstein cuts her off, not in an attempt to be rude, but because he is unable to stem the tide. He cups his hands over his nose and mouth, then looks at Kinsley.

HAMMERSTEIN: I’ve lost so much over the past few months. I’ve lost every title I’ve held. I’ve lost the respect of peers. I’ve lost friends. I lost...Reese.

“It’s got to stop. It’s time to stop losing and start winning.”

“I’ve got something to prove. Not to the “experts.” Not to my opponents. Not to my friends and family…”

“The American Monster looks up to the sky, his eyes full of emotion.”

HAMMERSTEIN: Not even to you, Reese, my friend.

“I’ve got something to prove to myself.”

“I’ve got to remind myself just who the hell I am.”

“And I do that by winning The Emerald City Classic.”

Samantha nervously forms her final question.

SAMANTHA KINSLEY: But what if you don’t win? What then?

Hammerstein shoots her a look, but it quickly dissolves into a sheepish grin.

HAMMERSTEIN: I could give the standard badass/dumbass response of ‘Failure is not an option.’ But we all know that’s bullshit.

“What if I don’t win? What then?”

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t have a plan B.”

The American Monster stands up, looks down at the Seattle Pro World Title, then walks away, leaving Kinsley speechless.

[Robert Daniels]

MAIN EVENT
EMERALD CITY CLASSIC
FIRST ROUND MATCH
★★★ CHRIS CONSTANTINE JUNIOR ★★★
vs
★★★ HANMERSTEIN ★★★

The bell rings and it’s Hammerstein and Chris Constantine Junior coming together with a collar and elbow tie up in the center of the ring. Hammer backs Constantine into the corner. The referee calls for The American Monster to give a clean break, which he does, slowly backing away from Constantine.

Hammerstein stands in the center of the ring, inviting his opponent to lock up with him again. Just as they do, Jacob buries a knee in his midsection. Hammerstein bullies Constantine into the corner and hits a succession of forearm smashes to the side of his head. The American Monster Irish Whips Constantine across the ring into the far side turnbuckles and follows him in with a stiff clothesline! Hammerstein grabs him by the wrist and whips Constantine back across the ring before looking for another big clothesline!

Chris Constantine Junior ducks and brings Hammerstein down with a double leg takedown. Keeping hold of his legs, Chris looks out at the empty arena and yells out Giant Swing! Constantine begins to swing Hammerstein around while counting the number of full cycles out loud.

...1!
...2!
...3!
...4!
...5!
...6!
...7!
...8!
...9!
...10!

Chris Constantine Junior releases the hold and Hammerstein skids across the ring as a very dizzy Constantine makes his way over to the referee and blocks his view as Olivia makes her way over to Hammerstein and gives him a slap to the face from between the ropes as he is trying to push himself up.

Constantine Junior makes his way to the outside, looking to take a breather but Hammerstein wastes no time and is right on his trail as he clubs the back of Constantine. Constantine stumbles forward but recovers when he eye pokes Hammerstein. Picking him up from behind, Constantine lands Hammerstein crotch first into the guardrail. Hammerstein holds his crotch and let’s the pain consume his face until Constantine Junior chops him right off the guardrail and he falls to the ground!

Chris Constantine Junior lifts Hammerstein up and rolls him back into the ring. Taking his time reentering the ring it allows Hammerstein a moment to regain his bearings. Constantine backs Hammerstein against the ropes, and hits several hard strikes that weakens The American Monster. Constantine attempts to Irish Whip Hammer, but Hammer reverses and catches them with the Pop-up Cutter. Hammerstein floats over, straddling opponent's back while pulling back on their chin. The Hammer begins laying in several debilitating Crossface Forearm Smashes that bloody, and have possibly broken his nose.

Constantine is stunned, but Hammerstein's not done, he pulls him up and sends him across the ring again, but this time following it up with a big Avalanche Splash! Constantine staggers a couple steps out of the corner then slumps to the mat with his back against the turnbuckles. Hammerstein sprints across the ring, slamming into the corner. He rebounds off the turnbuckles and crashes into Constantine with a Cannonball! Hammerstein pulls him out of the corner and hooks the leg for 1...2...NEARFALL!

Constantine kicks out hard at the very last second. He rolls over and grabs the bottom rope pulling himself under the ropes. The official at this point as put his gloves on and is checking the nose of Constantine Junior. He wipe his face with a towel and give the thumbs up to the official that he’s okay to continue. Hammerstein takes a step back in an act of mutual respect. Constantine rolls back into the ring and pushed himself up off the mat to finds Hammerstein
running towards him.

Instead of running away, Constantine lands an arm drag. And another. And another. Hammerstein gets up and looks to hit a clothesline but Constantine would duck underneath it and connect with a back body drop. Hammerstein would get up but would be met with a drop kick. Hammerstein would get out of the ring, hoping to regroup. Constantine would tease about jumping to the outside. Instead, he struts in the ring and gives a WOOOOO to Hammerstein.

Constantine Junior would step back and take a moment allowing Hammerstein to re-enter the ring. He would return the favor and bulrush his opponent but Hammerstein would be ready and shove Constantine backward into the corner, Hammerstein chops Constantine in the chest. Constantine isn’t happy about this as he places Hammerstein in the turnbuckle and lands his own knife edge chop on Hammerstein that echoes throughout the Mainstream Wrestling Studio. Constantine lands another knife edge chop and another. Whipping Hammerstein to the other side of the ring, Constantine would look to land a clothesline in the corner but eats a boot to his face by Hammerstein instead. Hammerstein would come charging at Constantine but he would surprise him with a scoop power slam instead.

Hammerstein lifts an exhausted former United States Champion to his feet hooking him under his arm then picks Constantine up in a vertical Hammerplex position, he sets him on the top rope. He climbs to the middle turnbuckle, intent in delivering a superhammerplex. Constantine punches Hammerstein in the face several times, finally knocking him to the mat.

Constantine Junior leaps off the top rope with a double axe handle across the top of Hammerstein’s head! Hammerstein stumbles away but catches Constantine with an elbow to the stomach on the rebound. Hammerstein then Irish whips him to the ropes and looks to hit him with a back body drop but Constantine scouts it though and lands a running DDT. Crawling his way over to the ring post, Constantine slowly climbs to the second rope. Holding his fist out, it looks like he wants to hit Hammerstein with a fist drop, but he gets caught by him as they climb to the turnbuckle and land a few hard shots to the head of Constantine. Jumping up, Hammerstein looks to hit Constantine with a Frankinsteiner but luckily for Constantine, Oliva grabs hold of his feet preventing him from falling to the mat. Hammerstein lands hard on the mat and slowly makes his way back to his feet, only to be met with Constantine jumping off the turnbuckle and wowing everyone with a Flipping American Style Pile Driver!

“Don’t be mistaken, your bloody time’s up!
This ain’t no game, we’re not here to entertain you”

"Entertain You" by Within Temptation begins to play inside the Mainstream Wrestling Studio. From behind the curtain, Nikolas Thoreau emerges at the top of the ramp, looking from one side to the other. He takes a deep breath, and throws a few shadow punches before beginning his march toward the ring.

He strides with ease to ringside before stopping short of the ring. Chris Constantine Junior looks out at his former stablemate who throws the ‘too sweet’ hand gesture and smiles.

Hammerstein is back to his feet and stalking Constantine Junior. He turns him around but it’s Constantine Junior who whips Hammerstein into the ropes and goes for a clothesline, but Hammerstein ducks and hits the ropes. Constantine goes for another clothesline, but Hammer ducks it, too. As Hammerstein runs East to West, Constantine runs West to East against the ropes. When they meet in the middle of the ring, they both had the same idea...and nail each other with simultaneous lariats!

The referee begins to count both fighters out. Constantine starts to stir first as the official's count reaches four. At six, Hammerstein rolls over to his hands and knees, as Constantine is up to his feet. The American Monster fights to get to a knee and Constantine takes his shot, and runs the East/West ropes. Hammerstein charges hard into the North/South ropes and explodes into Constantine with The POUNCE! Hammerstein musters what strength he has left to pull Constantine up, then lifts him and drills Constantine into the mat with The Hammersteiner. He falls on top of Constantine Junior and hooks both legs for 1…2…3!

GRAHAM STEVENS: Your winner by pin fall and advancing to the Semi-Finals of the Emerald City Classic...JACOB—HAMMERSTEIN!

Hammerstein celebrates his monumental return victory to Mainstream Wrestling inside the ring as the official raises his arm in victory. Meanwhile Nikolas Thoreau slides into the ring clearing it as Hammerstein retreats between the ropes and up the aisle still celebrating.

Thoreau teaches between the ropes and grabs a microphone. He walks over to the side where Olivia is standing and he puts his foot on the bottom rope pushing downward and pulls up on the middle rope allowing her to get into the ring to check on her husband. Thoreau looks to help his fallen friend up from the mat. Constantine Junior holding his midsection with one hand is leaning on Thoreau whom he embraces despite the disappointing loss.

CHARLES HUDSON:  Chris Constantine Junior was unsuccessful in his attempt at the Emerald City Classic but the competition has been stiff here tonight. AJ Knight, Julianna DiMaria, Mariano Fernandez and Jacob Hammerstein all advance to tomorrow nights semi-final round!

MCKAYLA LEWIS:  You're right Charles and don’t forget tomorrow night Billy Danielson defends the World Heavyweight Championship against A.J. Morales! Tonight has been an awesome night of Emerald City Classic action! It’s not over yet as we celebrate this Memorial Day Weekend! We’ll be back tomorrow night for the semi-finals and the finale on Sunday Night!

The music stops as Hammerstein is completely out of sight. The official leaves the ring as the Mainstream logo appears in the bottom portion of the screen signaling the ending of the show. Constantine Junior releases his embrace with Thoreau the latest signing of Mainstream Wrestling. Thoreau’s smile disappears quickly as he steps back and levels Constantine Junior with his patented “Conglomerate Free Kick! Constantine Junior crumbles to the mat! Nik Thoreau scares Olivia out of the ring. Thoreau stands overtop his former Conglomerate ally with his arms down at his side staring into the lights. Thoreau raises the microphone up to his mouth and mumbles.

NIKOLAS THOREAU: It’s very nice to see you Chris...

Thoreau flips the microphone as the show fades to black.

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