“Supreme Championship Wrestling...”

A shot of Kelcey Wallace nailing Bree Lancaster with the Perfect Ending, followed by a shot of Steve Griffin hitting the Decimator off the top rope on CHBK at the first Rise to Greatness, before turning a shot of Jake Starr pumping up the crowd on his way to the ring, before turning into a shot of Ravyn Taylor sitting in the corner, waiting for the start of a match. We then see a shot of Katie Steward holding the Women’s Championship before cutting to a shot of Selena Frost hitting Vixen Cain with the Defying Gravity at Supreme Saturday: Just Desserts.

“The leading force in sports and entertainment today....”

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MAIN SHOW:

A spotlight turns on. We then cut to see shots of Xander Valentine, Selena Frost, Cid Turner, Giovanni Aries, Deanna Frost, Syren, and Meghan Strader all standing in the middle of the ring in that spotlight.

“There are many dreams in professional wrestling…”

We see a shot of Steve Griffin hitting the Decimator on CHBK off the top rope from the first Rise to Greatness. This turns into a shot of Alistaire Allocco holding the SCW World Championship, celebrating his victory, before we then see Regan Street and Selena Frost embracing in the ring after winning the World Tag Team Championship.

“For some…it’s to arrival…”

We see a shot of Sal Darius in the ring, before cutting to a shot of the Glimmer Sisters, and then a shot of Simon Lyman and Spencer Pryce, all in the spotlight.

“For others…it’s to be remembered…”

We see a shot of Ravyn Taylor down as Monarchy standing in the ring, Kelcey Wallace holding the World Championship. We then see a shot of Shilo Valiant making an elaborate entrance heading to the ring, and another of Dark Fantasy holding the World Tag Team Championship.

“Some focus on being remembered for one night…for one victory….for one accomplishment….”

We see a shot of Cid Turner and Xander Valentine going over the top rope at the same time at Taking Hold of the Flame 2025. We then see Giovanni Aries holding the SCW World Champion, looking on stunned. We then see a shot of Chris Dumont driving James Evans off the stage, and then showing Waylon Creek with the Canary locked in on Amy Chastaine.

“They wish to be famous….”

We see a shot of Glory Braddock celebrating in the ring, before showing Ryan LeCavalier glaring at her, before showing Meghan Strader dragging Ravyn Taylor through the back on the back of her motorcycle.

“Or infamous…”

We see Selena Frost hitting the Glass Shard on Giovanni Aries, before showing a shot of Giovanni Aries slamming a chair in the back of Cid Turner. We then see a shot of Jordan Majors holding the US Championship and laughing.

“But they all dream of one thing…immortality.”

We see a shot of Dylan Howell and Andrew Raynes inside the Thunderdome, going through a table, before showing David Helms throwing some of off the Scaffold Scramble, before showing Bree Lancaster and Blake Mason at the “Bree-Show.”

“But only some will get what they want…”

Xander Valentine looking on frustrated is shown before cutting to Cid Turner, holding his back. We then see Hayes covering La Pequena Luz on Breakdown, before showing Dexter Grant fighting Kimberly Williams, followed by Colleen MacDonald looking at the Monster Machine Enigma.

“And tonight we find out who wants it more!”

Shots of Colleen MacDonald, Enigma, Chris Dumont, David Striker, Polly Pingotti, Gavin Taylor, The Connection, Konrad Raab, and others flash on the screen, standing in the middle of the spotlight. This is followed by a shot of Kimberly Williams holding the SCW Underground Championship, and then showing Deanna Frost celebrating with the SCW United States Championship, and then showing Kandis with the World Title, followed by shots of Adam Allocco and Josh Hudson holding the title. We then cut to Giovanni Aries standing at the top of the ladder. The spotlight then goes out.

“War Pigs” by Judas Priest plays as the Rise to Greatness XXII logo comes up on the screen.

“Supreme Championship Wrestling presents Rise to Greatness XXII!”

The logo remains on the screen for a few moments before we cut to the inside of the NRG Stadium. The crowd cheers as spotlights circle around the arena. The cameras pan across the crowd before Adam Sharper’s voice greets us.

Sharper: “Welcome to the biggest event of the year! Welcome to Houston, Texas! Welcome to Rise to Greatness XXII!”

The cameras continue to pan across the crowd inside the NRG Stadium before we cut to show the scaffold set up over the ring. The bell sounds.

Phillips: “Fans, your opening contest tonight at Rise to Greatness is the eight person Scaffold Scramble for an SCW United States Championship opportunity!”

The crowd roars.

David Striker vs. Polly Pingotti vs. Spencer Pryce vs. Simon Lyman vs. Gavin Taylor vs. Derek Adonis vs. Sal Darius vs. Billy Heaven Jr.

Scaffold Scramble

Suddenly the lights in the arena slowly start to act up until finally they go out completely and then one by one, as the sound of single piano key constantly being played slowly drops into a powerful bass line.

<These tears fall upon your alter>

<so clear now I have had my taste>

<this fear>

<left us so unholy>

<So cold as we test our faith>

A singular pale spotlight highlights the entranceway as David Striker walks onto the entrance as the video wall starts to play some of his more signature moments of his time in SCW before he makes his way down to the ring as "Nothing Left" by Everyone loves a Villain continues to play. The nameplate comes up.

Phillips: “Introducing first, from Cameron North Carolina, he is David Striker!”

David focuses on the ring as he makes his way down the rampway.

<There's nothing left but the hate inside>

<that I've come to find is the grief I can't let go>

<a cruel divide that I can't disguise>

<with a fragile mind as my heart betrays my soul>

Sharper: “David Striker wanted to set this match up. But as we’ve gotten closer and closer, it seems like something is rumbling inside of him.”

Knots: “And if we read between the lines from last night, it sounds like Striker and Dumont are now having problems too! Is that going to affect his focus?”

Striker continues to head to the ring as his music cuts out and is replaced by “California Love” by 2Pac Shakur. The crowd boos as we see spotlights circle the arena as Sal Darius walks out from the back, wearing his blublockers, and a smirk on his face. He takes a few steps as his nameplate comes up. He then looks around before starting to walk down to the ring.

Phillips: “From Venice, California, the Sex Vibe, Sal Darius!”

He walks a little and then takes a sprint to the ring.

Sharper: “Sal Darius, the Sex Vibe, is hoping that this may be a night he defines himself. And with a match like this, it can be just as much about being in the right place at the right time as much as it is talent.”

Knots: “One thing for sure…he wins – he’s going out for a party.”

The lights around the arena begin to flicker as "Whoa Is Me" by Down With Webster starts to play over the arena.

Whoa is me
I'm so whoa
See me decked out from my head to my toe
Whoa is me
I'm so whoa
Everywhere I go I'm a one man show

The crowd cheers as “All Star” Gavin Taylor steps out from behind the curtain onto the top of the ramp. As he stands in place, posing with his arms outstretched. His All Star Security, Karl and Jack Barker, walk out with him. Gavin turns to them, making sure both are ready, before they head to the ring.

Phillips: “From Los Angeles, California, accompanied by his All Star Security, he is The All-Star, Gavin Taylor!”

Say whoa (whoa)
The more I feel it whoa (whoa)
The more I need it whoa (whoa)
You say whoa
Whoa is me
I'm so whoa

Gavin begins to walk down the ramp with swagger, his A.S.S. behind him.

Sharper: “We saw Taylor backstage and his All-Star Security back with him.”

Knots: “Looking to go back to what got him noticed?”

Sharper: “I don’t know there. We’ll see. Ultimately, for Gavin, there’s a lot of people who are wondering if he can finally reach where many thought he’d be. He’s had huge wins; at this event too.”

The camera turns back to the entrance way as the stage lights up in red as “Dominate” by Three Days Grace begins:

{There's nothing more dangerous
Than a man with something to prove and nothing to lose
There nothing more dangerous
Than a man with nothing to lose}

A white spotlight hits the stage near the curtain as Spencer Pryce steps out, arms spread wide. Spencer then makes his way down the ramp, focused on the ring. The crowd cheers.

Phillips: “From Beaumont, Texas, Spencer Pryce!”

{I will dominate
Seize the day
Ring the bell
Storm the gates

I will dominate, dominate
through the pain, through the pain}

The cheers continue as Pryce heads down the rampway, high-fiving a few fans as he does.

Sharper: “The former US Champion. He was stripped of the title years ago. He would love to get a shot at that title tonight.”

Knots: “That’s if he’s not going to be focusing on other issue, namely keeping Simon Lyman from killing himself!”

KABLAAAAAAAAAAM!!!

The sound of a xylophone scale is heard, signifying the start of the KABLAMian Taberacle Choir's jingle, "Come In KABLAMia,” as the crowd roars. A few moments pass before we see driving under the big screens of the set, Derek Adonis, sitting a top of a cloud, alongside a number of the citizens of KABLAMia: Sweet Sangria, Mimi Mimosa, Het Meisje, and Anastasia Fantasia among them. The crowd rise to their feet in a raucous applause at the display of flesh in front of them. The float, more large, and motorized than before, starts to make its way down the rampway as Adonis’s nameplate comes up.

Welcome to the land that loves below the belt
The sky’s are clear and pleasure is felt
Come in KABLAMia, come in KABLAMia

Adonis partially rises to his knees, waving out to the crowd as chants of "KABLAM" ring out throughout the arena. The cloud continues to roll it's way down the ramp.

Where fun-loving people can give right in
To a Man Mountain utopia where everyone wins
Come in KABLAMia, come in KABLAMia

Sweet Sangria always dressed in smile
Many men and women will go the extra mile
Come in KABLAMia, come in KABLAMia

The women on the cloud toss out small, travel-sized bottles of Derek Adonis Heavy KABLAM Lubricant and folded up travel brochures to the crowd.

Phillips: “Accompanied by the KABLAMia Tourism Board, from KABLAMia, he is Man Mountain, Derek Adonis!”

The lube flows freely, never enough
It’s a copyrighted formula, the right stuff
But even still they make you feel right at home
Whether you love cleaning the carpet or polishing chrome

The cloud continues its decent, before the music cuts and a coin can be heard dropping into a coin slot.  A few seconds pass, which is when an open field is shown up on the SCW tron.  A flock of birds rise up from the tall grass and fly away as the sound of a piano can be heard playing, leading into the opening of "Bird Set Free" by Sia. The crowd gives a mixed reaction. The moment the opening words are heard, Polly Pingotti, wearing the SCW Television Championship, steps out from the back wearing a black skirt and matching black halter top, wheeling out a small red wagon with her right hand. She stops and stands at the forefront of the stage. She looks up at the tron to see one straggling bird rise up from the grass all by its lonesome. Polly admires the one small bird that begins to fly away now too until Sia reaches the chorus, which is when she turns around as a pair of pyros goes off on each side of the stage and high into the air  The nearest camera catches her piercing bright green eyes as she begins to walk down the ramp and down to the ring.

Phillips:  “From Panguitch, Utah, the SCW Television Champion, Polly Pingotti!!!”

Polly continues to drag her red wagon behind her as the camera follows her only for a bit longer.

Knots: “Adonis is making sure a lot of people get an opportunity of happiness here!”

Sharper: “As Adonis and his Tourism Board offer pamphlets and other items, Polly Pingotti won’t be happy unless she walks out the victor tonight. That’s what she wants. More than anything. She wants to finally earn what she feels she should have.”

The music cuts into “Hero” by Skillet plays. The crowd roars. A few moments pass before we see Simon Lyman walk out from the back, wearing his wrestling robe. He looks around as she pauses for a few seconds, taking in the moment. He then looks up and looks around the arena. The crowd cheers as Simon continues to watch the crowd as pyro shoots out from both sides of the stage and high into the air.

Phillips: “From Columbus, Ohio, he is Simply Sensational, Simon Lyman!”

Simon then takes his opportunity to make his way down the rampway, doing so without his cane, or any help, as he focuses on the ring. He limps only slightly as he continues to make his entrance.

Sharper: “Simon Lyman was the one who took the idea of the return of Scaffold Scramble of Striker and Pingotti, and got it done. But you wonder if this is match he should sit out.”

Knots: “He says he’s got plenty in the tank. But after everything he’s been through, and I know he wants to get a title shot again, but there are other ways. Look at Glory Braddock. Look at others. This may not be it!”

Do it baby! Do what I should think!
Do it-do it baby, do what I could think!

The opening polyphonic strokes of Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” hit the PA, and the crowd immediately turns to boos. The stage lights intensify in brightness. Through the light, we can see the outline of an emerging competitor.

I AIN’T EVER REP A SET BABY!

A two-step through the light and into the ramp, Billy Heaven pops onto the scene in his wrestling gear, a very large pair of sunglasses on his face.

I AIN’T DO NO WRONG!

A shimmy and a hard stop.

I COULD CLEAN UP GOOD FOR YA! OH I KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG!

A sharp three-hundred degree pivot on the ball of his foot, a crisp landing in a split-legged stance, left hand pointing to the sky.

‘CAUSE I WANNA MAKE IT, SO BADLY!

A sharp return of his upward pointed hand into an intense pump, thrust, and strut forward.

I’M A MILLION DOLLA BAYBAY, DON’T AT ME!

Phillips: “And finally, from Los Angeles, California, he is Billy Heaven Jr.!”

And with that said, Billy Heaven Jr. obnoxiously smiles pointing to the crowd as he makes his way down to the ring. We cut to the ring to see Striker walking around the ring and pulling himself back onto the apron. Polly stretches out as Pryce and Lyman talk, as Darius shadowboxes, Adonis continues to hand out pamphlets, and Gavin keeps watching everyone. After a long walk down to the ring, Billy rolls under the bottom rope, outstretched arms to receive his less than warm ovation, but it does not seem to register. He takes the sunglasses off and sets them on the top turnbuckle before standing on the second rope, leg over the top, bringing his hands together in a prayer. “Million Dollar Baby” dies out.

Sharper: “And Billy Heaven Jr. to round us out. One of these eight individuals will get a big title shot.”

Knots: “If they survive. And they’re going to have to. They have to climb that scaffold. Climb up the supports, use a ladder, something, and get up to that platform. And then pull down that contract.”

The scene opens up to show the eight members of the match looking up at the X-shaped scaffold over the ring. The crowd buzzes as the bell sounds. The eight keep looking up before Billy Heaven Jr. steps up and then gets in the middle of the group and starts to point to himself. He then extends his arms before pointing to the top. He starts to shoo everyone out of the ring before turning back to Simon Lyman who blasts him with the Leading the Revolution. The crowd ohs as Billy hits the mat.

Sharper: “And Lyman takes Billy Heaven Jr.’s head off. A parting shot to the Fall of Man!”

Knots: “Lyman couldn’t resist! And here we go!”

Striker goes over to Pingotti as Pingotti jumps up and grabs him. They stagger back to the corner. Gavin and Spencer pair off as they grab one another and fight. Sal Darius just smacks Derek Adonis with a California Slap and the crowd ohs. Adonis staggers back and Daris then jumps up and hits a crescent kick, sending Man Mountain to the floor. Simon turns and grabs Sal and nails him with a hard right and then another. He fires him off and Darius bounces off and Simon hits a dropkick. Darius rolls over. We see Taylor getting the advantage of Pryce before going to whip him out, but Pryce spins through and sends Taylor in. Lyman steps back as Pryce ends up next to him and they both lift Gavin up and hit a double flapjack. Lyman and Pryce get up and look at one another before we then see Striker running out and hitting a flying clothesline onto both. Pryce and Lyman roll over and start to get up and Striker hits a standing Viva la BAM on Pryce. Pryce rolls over as Striker gets up and Lyman nails him with a hard right. He chops him. Striker kicks him in the ribs and whips him into the ropes. He bounces off and Striker drills him with a Shotei. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Pryce and Lyman, early on, working together. That’s broken up by Striker. And now here comes Pingotti!”

Knots: “Only kept her down for a moment.”

Polly runs over and nails Striker with a hard right and then another before kicking him in the ribs. She then grabs him by the head and runs out and hits a running bulldog. Pingotti then gets up and stomps away on Striker. Striker takes each shot before rolling to the floor. Pingotti looks around as Darius runs at her and spears her back into the corner. He rears back and shoulder thrusts her again and then again before pulling her out and going for a short-arm clothesline, but Polly ducks and runs forward and takes Taylor as he gets up with a Lou Thesz Press. She then hammers away. Darius looks around before Pryce gets up, only for Darius to club him in the back. We cut to the floor where we see Derek Adonis go over to his platform. He climbs onto the apron and then goes over to it and climbs onto it. He then looks down and motions to the KABLAMia Tourism Board.

Sharper: “This is chaos to start. Right now, just everyone trying to cause damage. Everyone but Adonis.”

Knots: “What is he doing? He leaving?”

Sharper: “He’s back on his entrance throne. And the KABLAMia Tourism Board-“

Knots: “Wait a minute…”

The four members of the board get onto the vehicle and spin over some levers, straddling them. They then turn and look at each other, counting down.

3!

2!

1!

KABLAM!

The crowd roars as they all push down the levers. Adonis’s throne, and the platform its on, starts to rise. The crowd roars. Adonis smiles as he then stands up, holding pamphlets in his hand. He starts to throw them to the crowd as he makes his ascension.

Sharper: “Adonis is rising up. That entrance vehicle is part scissor lift!”

Knots: “KABLAMia! Always rising to the occasion!”

The crowd keeps cheering as the lift gets Adonis closer and closer to the level of the platform. He gets up there and looks around, but then, we see Striker running around the ring and he then gets up onto the lift. He pushes Sangria out of the way, getting some boos as he climbs up the lift and onto the platform. The lift stops rising. Adonis grabs him and clubs him in the back over and over. He then tries to push him, but Striker holds on. In the ring, we see Pingotti goes over to Lyman, working him over in the corner. Gavin stirs as Darius whip Pryce into the ropes. He bounces off and Darius attempts a clothesline. Pryce ducks and then turns and scoops him up and hits a sidewalk slam. He then gets up as we then see Striker nailing Adonis in the ribs. He nails him again and then gets up and punches him a couple of times in the jaw. He then looks in the ring and smirks before turning and throwing Adonis off and into the ring. Adonis hits hard and rolls over as the crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Striker! Good God! He just threw Adonis off that lift and into the ring.”

Knots: “Thank God KABLAMia has good medical care!”

Striker falls to a knee as Pryce grabs Darius and nails him with a hard right. Gavin heads over and nails Pryce in the back before Lyman fights off Polly and pushes her back. Striker then gets up and looks at the group forming in the middle of the ring and he then runs off the lift and launches himself into the group. Gavin dives out of the way as Striker lands on Pryce, Darius, and Pingotti. The crowd erupts.

Knots: “Striker! Just nuts!”

Sharper: “Off that lift. Throwing himself. Using himself as a weapon!”

Striker rolls over, smirking as he does. He then starts to get up and Lyman runs over and clotheslines him back down. Lyman then turns as Gavin runs at him and hits a running clothesline, both Taylor and Lyman go up and over to the floor. Adonis rolls to the apron as the KABLAMia Tourism Board checks on him. We then see Striker slowly pulling himself up. He then moves to the corner. He starts to climb the turnbuckle, going to the top. Gavin then turns and grabs at the ring and starts to pull himself to the apron. He sees Striker as Gavin then starts to climb on the metal bracing on the next corner over. The crowd roars as Striker and Taylor both start to climb up the metal bracing. Polly, Spencer and Sal stir as Simon winces on the floor. He looks around as we see him looking under the ring. Darius moves to the ropes. He then starts to get up and goes for a California Slap on Polly, but Polly ducks and then hits a chick kick. This sends him through the ropes to the apron.

Sharper: “Striker and Taylor going up to the scaffold. They’re trying to get to the top. But in the ring…”

Knots: “Do they even notice?”

Sharper: “Polly just did!”

Knots: “And what the hell is Simon doing?!”

Simon pulls out a table and places it on the floor. He then unfolds the legs and lifts it up. He goes back under the ring. We cut back to the ring and we see Striker now at the scaffold and pulling himself onto it. He then gets up as Taylor is a few steps behind. He gets up as we see Polly then starting to climb up from the brace across from Striker. Pryce heads over as Polly gets several rungs up. Pryce is a couple behind her and climbs up after her. Striker heads over to the contract, almost laser-focused on it before Taylor runs over and hits a Gavin Taylor Lariat on the scaffolding. The crowd roars.

Knots: “Gavin! Taylor! Lariat!”

Sharper: “Up on the scaffolding. Striker knocked down. Taylor has the advantage now.”

Taylor looks up and goes for the contract, but Striker turns and nails him in the ribs. He nails him again and Taylor staggers back. Pryce manages to catch up to Polly and grabs her, but she elbows him in the ribs a couple of times. He then strikes her and drives her face first into the metal. He nails her again and then elbows her and she twists off, landing throat first on the top rope. The crowd ohs. Darius then moves to the next bracing and starts to climb up. Up on the scaffold, Striker then grabs Taylor and clubs him in the back. He hooks his head, but Taylor gets free and nails him with a couple of hard rights to the ribs. He then backs up and hits a Dependable roundhouse. Striker drops, but as he does, he manages to grab the underside of the scaffold and swings down. The crowd roars. Taylor falls to a knee. Darius then climbs up the rungs as Spencer sees Striker and then quickly grabs under the scaffold, climbing across before then looking at Striker who tries to climb up and Pryce swings his legs up and kicks him in the body. Striker’s legs swing down and Pryce swings back and kicks him again and Striker flips through from the impact and loses his grip, dropping down, landing back first to the mat. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Oh! Oh! Pryce kicking Striker off! He almost landed on his damn head!”

Knots: “Striker was trying to climb up, but Pryce got him swinging and he lost grip. We have to take a look at this again.”

Pryce holds on as he then looks up and tries to figure out how to get up. Darius then gets up and runs over to Gavin as he starts to grab the contract. Darius then kicks him in the ribs. He nails him with a hard right and then another. Gavin fires back with a chop. The crowd roars. He chops him again. He then goes for a hard left, but Darius catches him and goes for the Sal’s Paradise. The crowd roars as Gavin tries to block it. Just then, we see Polly coming over to Pryce as he tries to swing his legs up, and grabs his legs. She starts to pull and pulls him down. The crowd ohs. Polly staggers as Pryce rolls over. He winces as we then see Gavin pushing off the platform and then they fall off the scaffold and right into Pingotti and Pryce. The crowd roars.

Sharper: “Gavin! Throwing himself off to save himself, to save this match!”

Knots: “He took Darius with him!”

Sharper: “And everyone down, but Lyman…and Lyman has all of these tables up.”

Knots: “What the hell is he thinking? Is he building some options.”

Sharper: “Well, you don’t want to injure anyone. But-“

Knots: “It’s a scaffold match! You’re dropping from what? Fifteen feet? Twenty feet in the air?!”

Sharper: “And take a look at some of this action so far…”

REPLAY: We see Striker with Adonis on his lift before throwing him off and into the ring. The crowd ohs. The RTG XXII logo comes up as we then cut to show Striker holding onto the bottom of the scaffold and trying to get up before Pryce kicks him. Both swing before Pryce kicks him again and Striker flips through before landing on his back. The crowd ohs. The RTG logo comes up again as we see Taylor struggling with Darius, blocking the Sal’s Paradise, only for Taylor to push off and send both off the scaffold and onto Pingotti and Pryce.

Simon Lyman sees all of this and then looks around. He starts to climb up to the apron and then starts to climb up the bracing

The crowd roars as Lyman gets a few rungs up, but then Billy Heaven Jr. runs over, brandishing a steel chair and nails Lyman in the back. The crowd ohs. Lyman drops down to the apron and then to the floor. Billy smirks and rolls into the ring. We then see Derek Adonis starting to climb up too, having been resuscitated by the Tourism Board. He then gets up a few rungs only for Billy to run over and throw the chair at Adonis. Adonis drops down to the apron. The crowd boos. Billy then points up and does some dance moves before then turning and storming over to the corner. The crowd boos as he climbs up the turnbuckle. He then starts to climb up the support.

Sharper: “Billy Heaven Jr.! He’s hurt Simon! He’s taken down Adonis. Everyone else is down!”

Knots: “This could be a huge start for the Fall of Man! How about that?!”

Sharper: “You’d love that! Wouldn’t you?”

Knots: “Hell yeah!”

Billy keeps climbing up the support, getting closer and closer. He gets to the top as the crowd boos. Billy looks around as we see Polly now crawling over to the one corner; Pryce is doing the same. Polly has the advantage though as she gets to the apron. She then uses the support to pull herself up. The camera gets a tight shot, showing her determination. Billy gets up and non-chalantly starts to walk along the scaffold. He even tip-toes a bit, mocking everyone. Polly climbs up as fast as she can, getting to the scaffold. She pulls herself up as Billy goes over to the contract. He then looks out and extends his arms, posing as the crowd boos.

Knots: “Just grab it Billy! Grab it!”

Sharper: “The man is milking this moment.”

Knots: “He’s an entertainer by trade!”

Billy then looks up as Polly gets up and then runs along the scaffold and drills him with a spear. The crowd ohs as Polly rolls over. She holds on, narrowly falling off and then looks around. Billy turns, holding his stomach. He gets up and then tells her to stop. Polly looks at him as Billy gets up and then points at her and then him before then making an obscene gesture, smirking and pointing to his crotch. This, however, naturally, leads to Pingotti kicking him between the legs. She places his head between her legs and then hits the Polly Pop on the top of the scaffold. The crowd cheers.

Sharper: “Billy Heaven Jr. Meet the scaffold. Polly Pop!”

Knots: “Damn it! It was right there!”

Sharper: “Polly fighting her way to the top!”

Pryce then starts to pull himself up. Polly then gets up and looks at Billy and stomps him in the face violently once and then again and the third time causes him to fall off the scaffold and to the ring. The crowd ohs. Polly then looks around and goes to reach for the contract, but Pryce runs over and kicks her in the ribs. Polly falls to a knee. Pryce nails her with a hard right and then another and another. Polly however reaches up and rakes him in the eyes. Pryce staggers back. Polly then looks around before jumping up and dropkicking him. Pryce falls back and nearly rolls off. His legs dangle, but he turns and gets back. Gavin Taylor then starts to climb up the support. We see Karl and Jack Barker looking on from the floor.

Sharper: “Pryce and Pingotti fighting up on the scaffold. Gavin Taylor climbing up.”

Knots: “And here comes Lyman too!”

Lyman starts to slowly pull himself up. Pryce turns as Polly then kicks him in the chest. She kicks him again and then boots him in the face. Polly turns and moves to the contract and grabs at it, but Pryce then gets up and grabs her from behind and hits the Epicplex on the scaffold. The crowd ohs as Polly rolls through to her stomach. The crowd cheers. Pryce gets up to his feet as he then looks at the contract and walks over and goes to grab it, but Taylor gets up and to his feet. He then runs over and hits another Gavin Taylor Lariat. The crowd roars as Pryce drops to the scaffold.

Sharper: “Pryce nearly had it. But a second lariat. Taylor back up there.”

Knots: “Could he have the opportunity?”

Taylor looks around and stomps Pryce in the face once and then again before stomping Polly for good measure. Simon then pulls himself up onto the scaffold. Taylor sees him and heads over to him, but as he does, Lyman steps up and hoists him up and hits a spinning spinebuster. The crowd ohs. Gavin turns and then slips. He slips down as his A.S.S., Karl and Jack Barker see this. They now head into the ring.

Knots: “And now the Barkers in the ring. They’re not going to let him drop like before.”

Sharper: “Now they’ve realized. It’s close. So many up there!”

Lyman looks around as Gavin struggles and then Karl and Jack yell at him. He then nods and kicks up and falls down, Karl and Jack catching him like a cheerleader. They put him down and Karl and Jack jump up and down, thrilled. Taylor falls to the ropes. Just then, Adonis clubs him from behind and Karl and Jack turn around only for Gavin, in the process of falling over, to hit a Gavin Taylor Lariat on both of them. He then looks around, stunned before turning around as Darius hits him with a Brogue kick. He then falls to the ropes and looks up before starting to climb up the supports. We see Striker doing the same on the opposite side. The crowd starts to cheer. Lyman heads over to the contract.

Sharper: “Darius takes down Gavin. And now, look! Striker! He’s climbing up. Sal Darius knows he has to get up there.”

Knots: “It may be too late. Lyman may get it. Get his shot. He’s up there!”

Lyman reaches the contract as the crowd roars and he starts to look to grab it. But as he does, we see Polly getting up and nailing him in the ribs with a kick. She strikes him again with a forearm shot and then another before hitting a chick kick. Lyman starts to turn and go off, but Pryce catches him and pulls him back. Polly then nails Lyman with a shot. He drops down to the scaffold as Pryce steps up and kicks Polly in the ribs. He then hits a vertical suplex on the scaffolding. Pryce starts to get up as we see Striker then run across and hit a discus clothesline. The crowd roars. Taylor starts to climb his way up as Striker turns and goes to the contract. He reaches up for it, but Darius gets up and nails him with a California Slap. Striker staggers. Darius then steps back and nails him with a hard right and the another and another. He then steps back and goes for a brogue kick, but Striker ducks. Darius stops as we see Pryce hit the Receipt. Darius falls and off the scaffold, dropping down to the mat. The crowd ohs. Pryce then turns and knocks Striker down with a shot. Pryce then turns and goes for the contract, but he’s stopped as Polly then places his head between his legs and hits the Polly Pop. Polly looks up and then turns as Lyman goes for the superkick. Polly blocks it and then throws his foot down and nails him with a hard right and then another and another. She then turns and goes to throw him off, but Lyman spins through and hip tosses her down. He goes to grab her, but Polly kicks him in the face. He falls back and Polly gets up and hits a dropkick. He falls back as the crowd looks on. Polly gets up and moves to the contract, but just then, Striker drills her with the Deadly Rave. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Polly Pingotti trying to take on anyone. She wants that contract and-“

Knots: “Striker! Striker from behind. He just cracked her.”

Sharper: “And David Striker now…he sees the contract.”

Knots: “He’s going to get it. The son of a bitch is going to get it!”

Striker then reaches up and grabs the contract. He then reaches up and opens the hook before pulling it off and then dropping to a knee. The crowd roars as his music plays.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, David Striker!”

Sharper: “And Striker pulls down the contract and wins and-
“

Knots: “Gavin! What the hell are you doing?”

Gavin Taylor then runs up behind Striker and grabs him and runs him forward and down one of the pathways before throwing him off. Striker flips forward and through the tables Lyman set up at ringside. The crowd erupts as a “Holy Shit!” chant breaks out. Gavin then looks around, smiling a bit. He then looks around and holds his arm up.

Sharper: “Gavin Taylor just threw David Striker off the scaffold!”

Knots: “That was all the way to the floor! The man may be done for! He just won a title shot and he may not get to enjoy it!”

Sharper: “Why the hell did you do that Gavin?!”

Gavin looks around as the crowd boos.

The scene cuts to ringside where we see Adam Sharper and Jonathan Knots at the English announce position.

Sharper: “We need to get some help for David Striker…”

Knots: “I don’t even know if he’s moving. He went right through that. I know he’s nuts, but…”

Sharper: “Officials and trainers are checking on him right now. I don’t know how to move to this, but welcome to ringside. What a start to Rise to Greatness XXII so far. I’m Adam Sharper and please to be here. I’m joined, as always, by Jonathan Knots.”

Knots: “And a lot of people are hoping that what we just saw won’t happen to them later tonight. We have a ladder match, for the World Title. And two people have a history of injury issues!”

Sharper: “Valentine, Turner, Frost, and Aries. They meet later tonight for the World Title. Ladder match.”

Knots: “And Syren, Meghan Strader, they’ll be watching closely. Cannon will too. If he can focus on Amelia, not the bigger opportunity he wants.”

Sharper: “A four way US title match, to unify the interim and actual titles. Deanna Frost, Asher Hayes, La Pequena Luz, and Jordan Majors. So much to come tonight. And we’re just getting started. And we have a bit of a surprise. We get to welcome her back to the SCW broadcast family. Let’s go backstage…Jessica Winters…it’s great to have you back!”

The scene switches backstage to show Jessica Winters at the SCW interview area. The crowd politely cheers seeing her.

Winters: “Thank you Adam. It’s great to be back and at this time, allow me to introduce at this time, Kimberly Williams.”

The crowd cheers as Kim comes into view. She looks around, smiling.

Winters: “Kimberly, you’re moments away from challenging for the SCW Adrenaline Championship. You face Dexter Grant and it’s a big match not only because you’ve had an issue with him, but if you win, you’re then one title away from Supreme Championship status.”

Kim: “Well Dexy’s Midnight Runners better be ready for a long night. Wendell already had one and I’m sorry, but in war, there are no limits. And Dexter started a war when we came after me. And while he wants to be a spoil sport and make things less fun…I am going to have the time of my life. And Kimmymaniacs, don’t forget. Take pictures. Put it on social media, and damn it, there better be some unicorns. Kimmymania is coming for the Adrenaline Championship!”

She points forward and heads off.

Winters: “Back to ringside!”

The scene cuts back to the main stadium.

Kimberly Williams vs. Dexter Grant

SCW Adrenaline Championship

The bell sounds.

Phillips: “The following contest is scheduled for onefall with a thirty minute time limit and is for the SCW Adrenaline Championship!”

The SCW Adrenaline Championship logo comes across the screen. The lights in the stadium dim for a few moments before a spotlight shines down on the stage. A few moments pass before the opening chords to “Patient Number 9” by Ozzy Osbourne begin to play. A haunting voice is heard…

"Is there a way out of here?"
"Hey, how long you been here?"
"I wanna go home"
"Hey, hahaha"
"Hahaha"
"Excuse me, could you tell how to get out of here?"
"Hahaha"
"I want to go home"
"Hahaha"
"Mommy, mommy"

The stadium lights return as fire shoots out from the stage as Kimberly Williams walks out from the back, arms outstretched. She smirks as the crowd cheers loudly. She looks around and spins around before then tapping the side of her head before then pointing to the ring. Her nameplate comes up.

Phillips: “First, the challenger, from Boston, Massachusetts, she is the Woman Scorned, the Wild Card, Kimberly Williams!”

Kimberly Williams bolts down the rampway making the long run down the rampway. The camera follows her as she runs down to the ring before getting to the ring and sliding into the ring. She then rolls to her knees and looks around before getting up and posing for the crowd. The crowd cheers again before she then starts to walk around the ring, clearly ready for her match.

Sharper: “Kimberly Williams has a way of getting under people’s skin. She did with Dexter Grant. Grant then went after her, targeting her, but he may be regretting this.”

Knots: “And Kim was happy to oblige. She’s two titles away from Supreme Championship status and guess what – the Adrenaline Title was one of those titles!”

“TokSik” by Starset hits as the lights in the arena immediately go out, a series of green spotlights converging onto the stage where fog has begun to consume it. The big screen show's a human eye opening, and reflecting in it is a montage of people glued to their phones and computers, either consuming or producing social media garbage as they all look sickly while doing so. “The Digital Detoxer” Dexter Grant marches out through the fog, stopping at the edge of the stage and staring out at the fans with disgust, the SCW Adrenaline Championship around his waist. A few cheers can be heard, but they're easily drowned out by all the boos raining down upon him. He turns his head to his right just in time to see his faithful flunky Wendell march out behind him, proudly holding up a protest sign that has the circle-backslash symbol with a wi-fi symbol behind the backslash and the words “DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT” written within the circle.

Phillips: “Her opponent, accompanied by Wendell, from Off the Grid, he is the SCW Adrenaline Champion, the Digital Detoxer, Dexter Grant!”

Wendell eagerly looks up at Dexter, who smiles and nods in approval before he starts storming down to the ring, his disgusted look returning at the sound of all the people around him who just refuse to listen to his message. He jumps up onto the apron and aggressively steps through the ropes, marching to the center of the ring and turning his back to the hard cam as he points his thumb to the same “DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT” logo of his on the back of his vest. Wendell crawls into the ring and stands beside Dexter, proudly holding up his sign before looking legitimately confused as to why they're being booed. The lights return to normal as Dexter starts to pace around the ring. Phillips goes to leave the ring, but Grant walks over and demands the microphone. The crowd boos as Phillips turns and extends it to him. Grant takes it and looks across at Kim.

Grant: “Well, Kim, you are here on the biggest stage of wrestling and I’m sure you, and SCW, are hoping your brand of nonsense will make for some trending moments on social media!”

Grant looks around.

Grant: “But all that will be known after tonight is that you will fall short and you will not get your moment of getting closer to Supreme Champion status. Instead, you and that stupid penguin will just slowly fade away. Don’t get the likes, don’t get in the algorithm, and you stop mattering. And that would be the perfect fate for what’s left of the Jones family in this company. Once great wrestlers…now just pandering dimwits to a simple audience-“

Kim then runs over as Dexter drops the microphone and quickly bails out of the ring. Kim then looks at him and grabs the microphone. Grant takes off his Adrenaline Championship and hands it off.

Kim: “Hey! They’re called Kimmymaniacs and KIMMYMANIA is gonna run wild on you!”

Kim then mockingly poses before stopping and acting confused. She then turns and tosses the microphone to the referee, Steve Hollinsworth.

Kim: “You keep that away from me. I don’t want to hit him with it and-“

The crowd roars as Grant slides into the ring and goes to run up behind Kim, but Kim ducks and Grant stops, nearly hitting Hollinsworth. He turns around and Kim nails him with a forearm shot. The crowd erupts. Kim nails him again.

Sharper: “And here we go! Adrenaline Title on the line!”

Knots: “Kimmymania is running wild!”

Kim hits him a third time and then runs him over to the corner. Kim then kicks him in the ribs once and then again and again and again.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Kim backs up and runs around the ring. She then runs at Grant and goes for a dropkick, but Grant pulls himself under the bottom rope and to the floor. Kim stops herself and then turns and steps through the ropes. Grant walks around the ring and Kim spins around the ringpost. She then runs along the apron and dives onto Grant with a missile dropkick. The crowd ohs as Kim lands on the mats too.

Sharper: “And Kim! Already throwing caution to the wind! A dropkick off the apron!”

Knots: “We already knew she wasn’t all there and it’s clear that she’ll go hard to get her Adrenaline Title.”

Sharper: “Two titles she’s never won in SCW. The Adrenaline and the World Titles!”

Kim starts to get up as Grant grabs at the barricade. Kim then steps up and grabs him by the head. She points to the crowd. They cheer and Kim then hammers away on Grant with a series of hard right hands while holding him in a headlock. She then lets go and Grant falls to the mats. He rolls over, looking around, reaching for the ring skirt. Kim then grabs him and lifts him up and turns and goes to whip him into the barricade. Grant goes in hard. Kim smirks and runs after and Grant gets an elbow up.

Sharper: “Hard elbow. Kim fighting on the floor!”

Knots: “Get her a weapon, Grant. And this could be quick!”

Sharper: “There are no countouts in Adrenaline rules, for those wondering.”

Knots: “But there are disqualifications!”

Kim staggers back and Grant then kicks her in the ribs. He then turns and goes to slide into the ring, but Kim grabs his leg and pulls him back out. She then spins him around and throws him into the barricade. Grant falls to a knee. Kim then backs up and shrugs before hitting a shoot kick to the chest. The crowd ohs. Grant falls to his other knee and Kim then hits another kick, this one to the jaw. Grant falls to the mats. Kim then walks around, and plays to the crowd, getting more cheers from the crowd. Grant crawls over to the steel steps. Kim then turns and runs at him, but Grant then hits a drop toe hold and Kim goes face first into the steps. The crowd ohs. Grant moves away, keeping some distance. Kim rolls over, holding her face in pain.

Knots: “And Kim just went head first! Into the steel.”

Sharper: “Grant may be hoping for a countout. No such thing there, but Kim is hurt. She’s still human even if she’s loved the underground.”

Knots: “Don’t tell her that!”

Grant gets up and grabs Kim. Kim holds her face in pain and Grant spins her around and throws her into the ring. He slides in after. Kim then starts to get up and Grant scoops her up and slams her down. He runs into the ropes, bouncing off and hitting a running knee drop. He turns back and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Kim kicks out. Kim rolls over and starts to get up. Grant then rakes her eyes. The crowd boos. Grant then whips her into the ropes. Kim bounces off and Grant hits a back elbow. Kim hits the mat. She rolls over and starts to get up again and Grant pushes her into the corner. He then hits a back elbow and then another and another before grinding his elbow into the face of Kim.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Grant then grabs Kim and whips her across the ring. Kim hits the corner and Grant walks across, but Kim then suddenly runs out and clotheslines him down.

Sharper: “And Kim explodes out of the corner. Grant just walking in.”

Knots: “Come on Dexter. Focus!”

Kim turns around as Grant gets up and Kim hits a dropkick. She then gets up and runs to the ropes and hits a lionsault. She hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Grant kicks out. Kim then gets up and steps over Grant. Grant rolls over, holding his stomach. He gets up, annoyed and runs at Kim, but Kim blocks the hard right and then kicks him in the ribs, hooking his arm in the process and runs to the corner and jumps up and over, driving his arm into the top rope. He falls back. Kim rolls back in. Grant starts to get up and Kim runs at him and hits a spinning heel kick. She goes for another pin.

1!

2!

Grant kicks out again. He rolls over and Kim then grabs him and hooks him up and goes for a Russian leg sweep. She rolls back and moves to the corner. Grant however rolls away and Kim hops down. She heads over to him and stomps him in the face once and then again. Grant rolls over to the apron.

Sharper: “Kim had something in mind. Grant quickly moving the opposite direction. We’ve seen him use distance and space quite a bit in this.”

Knots: “Keeping her ability to just build momentum.”

Sharper: “Grant now to the apron and, oh…Grant getting Kim there.”

Grant starts to get up on the apron, but Kim grabs him, but Grant counters with a guillotine drop. Kim staggers as Grant then climbs up to the top rope. He looks at Kim and dives off with a front missile dropkick. The crowd ohs. Grant heads over and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Kim gets her shoulder up. She rolls over and Grant grabs her and moves her to the ropes. He then goes to step over her and start to choke her on the middle rope.

Grant: “You know Kim! If you just stopped being a joke, maybe you could be salvaged. But you just want to get these people to like you and that’s as pathetic as it gets!”

1!

2!

3!

4!

Grant steps off as Kim grimaces in pain. Grant then walks over and grabs her and pulls her up before hitting a vertical suplex. He jumps up and hits a jumping knee drop and goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Kim kicks out. Grant then grabs her and lifts her up before whipping her into the ropes. She bounces off and Grant locks in a sleeper hold!

Sharper: “And Grant now trying to make Kim pass out. Locking in a sleeper.”

Knots: “It may not get trending. But it will be effective! Cut the oxygen to the brain and everyone goes night-night!”

Kim reaches out as the crowd boos. Grant looks around and smirks as Kim falls to a knee. She keeps struggling as Hollinsworth checks on her. Grant keeps the hold locked in as Kim keeps trying to keep her arm up. The fans cheer for her as Kim looks around. She starts to fade as Grant squeezes a bit more. Kim keeps fading as the fans start chanting “Kim!” over and over. Kim’s eyes nearly close as Hollinsworth checks on her again, but Kim throws her arm up. She grits her teeth, starting to pump her arms and starting to try and will herself up. Grant keeps the hold on and Kim manages to turn and elbow him in the ribs once. She does it again. He lets go. Kim goes to run into the ropes, but Grant grabs her hair and violently pulls her down. The crowd ohs. She then starts to get up and Grant grabs her by the head and arm and locks in a cobra clutch before hitting the Unplugged. He hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Kim gets her shoulder up. Grant looks up and looks around.

Sharper: “And Kim defiantly getting that shoulder up after the Unplugged!”

Knots: “Grant’s wheels are turning though.”

Grant then gets up and grabs Kim and elbows her in the back of the head once and then again. He then whips her into the corner. Kim hits hard. Grant runs after and Kim gets a boot up. Grant catches it and throws it down. He then forearms her in the jaw before pulling her out. He then goes for a guillotine choke, but Kim and him roll through and Kim gets her head free. Grant looks up, wide-eyed as Kim nails him with a series of hard right hands. The crowd erupts. Grant throws her off. Both get up and Grant lunges at Kim. Kim ducks and Grant stops at the corner. He turns around and Kim runs at him. Grant however sidesteps and sends Kim in. Kim jumps to the middle rope and then dives back as Grant turns around, hitting a twisting blockbuster. The crowd roars. Grant rolls over, holding his head and neck and Kim pushes him into the ropes. Grant lands throat first and Kim then steps over him, choking him with her body on the middle rope.

Kim: “You know what the Underground is best! You get paid to maim people and staple them, and did you know Betty White has been gathering rust because I’ve not gotten to use her on someone lately! Right Dexy’s Midnight Runners!”

1!

2!

3!

4!

Kim steps off as Grant rolls over, coughing. He then moves back, but Kim grabs his head and runs up the corner and hits an Asai DDT. She dives for the pin.

Sharper: “Driving Grant into the mat! Backflip reverse DDT!”

1!

2!

Grant gets his shoulder up. The crowd ohs. Kim rolls off. She then looks up.

Knots: “Not enough!”

Sharper: “Not enough, but she got all of it. Take a look here.”

REPLAY: We see Kim grab Grant and run up the ropes and hit the Asai DDT.

Grant starts to crawl away. Kim then gets up and goes after him.

Grant then reaches at the ropes and turns around right into Kim who hits the Morrigan’s Wrath! The crowd erupts. Kim then turns and moves Grant into position. She turns and exits to the apron. She climbs up to the top rope. She then dives off with a swanton bomb, but Grant rolls towards the corner. Kim rolls through. She then gets up to her feet, but Grant steps up and hits the Clickbait. The crowd ohs. Kim falls to the mat. Grant hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Kim gets her shoulder up just in time. The crowd ohs. Grant looks up. He then gets up and grabs Kim. He drags her to her feet and then pulls her head under her arm. He then goes for the Detox Drop, but Kim counters by spearing him back into the corner. She spears him again and again. She then backs up and grabs him, but Dexter rakes her eyes again. Kim staggers back, holding her face. Dexter then steps up and goes for the Unwanted Notification, but Kim ducks and then grabs him in the followthrough and hits a full nelson suplex. Dexter ends up on his stomach. Kim turns and goes to the corner. She climbs up to the top rope. The crowd erupts as she gets to the top rope and then looks down and hits the Chaos Theory!

Sharper: “Chaos Theory! Kim connects!”

Knots: “Right to the lower back!”

Kim rolls him over and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

3!

The crowd cheers as the bell sounds. Wendell looks on stunned as Kim falls back and rolls over. She then throws her arm up.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, and NEW SCW Adrenaline Champion, Kimberly Williams!”

Sharper: “Kimberly Williams is the Adrenaline Champion. No disconnect. Just reconnect to being a champion again in SCW!”

Knots: “This is going to trend worldwide!”

Sharper: “And with the chaos theory. Take a look at this. Just a beautiful move. High impact. Kim’s agility on display!”

REPLAY:

We see Kim on the top rope. She steadies briefly before diving off and connecting with the Chaos Theory. The RTG XXII logo comes up on the screen again as we see the replay from a wide shot. The Rise to Greatness logo comes back up on the screen.

Live, we see Kim being handed the Adrenaline Championship, holding it over her head. She then moves to the corner and climbs up to the middle rope. The crowd cheers as her music plays throughout the arena. Dexter is helped out of the ring by Wendell and he winces as they head around the ring.

Sharper: “Kim celebrating here in Houston. For the first time in her career, holding the SCW Adrenaline Championship!”

Kim continues to celebrate as the scene cuts away.

Backstage, Jaina Lancaster stands with Chris Dumont who is outside of his locker room.

Jaina: “Jaina Lancaster here and I’m with Chris Dumont. Big night for you tonight. If things go as you hope, you will get your hands on William Heaven. But if not…and we have to ask…there’s been talk about some tension now between you and your Phantom Troupe brethren, David Striker.”

Dumont: “Firstly, I just hope David is okay. Otherwise, I’m focusing on that match later tonight against Veil. I’m not going to give Jonathan Knots the satisfaction of having either David or I have to get on our knees to apologize for standing up to a piece of shit!”

The crowd roars.

Dumont: “Just look at my path here. James Evans…I took him out. Ryan Lyman…he’s not standing across the ring as I took him out too. And if I have to do the same with Veil…and I may have an ace up my sleeve there, who knows….doesn’t matter…I will take out Veil. And then Jon…you’ll sit at ringside, while I show you the consequence of your big mouth. And William…I teach you humility!”

The crowd roars again. Dumont heads off as Jaina turns to the camera.

Jaina: “Dumont looks ready. Will he be ready for Veil? We’ll find out later. Back to ringside!”

Hollywood vs. The Dependables

We open with a shot of the outside of NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The video looks a bit grainy as we hear the sound of a typewriter as “The bowels of NRG Stadium” is written at the bottom of the screen. Sinister music plays in the background. The camera fades in before we open up in a darkened area. We can hear the sound of the fans in the background as we see a masked member of THEM walk into view, seemingly giving a speech to his henchmen.

THEM: “Tonight…tonight is the night we eliminate them all. We take out the Dependables…and anyone else in our way.”

THEM then walks forward, passing two other masked men, before walking over to Destiny Page, who remains tied up to a chair.

THEM: “And you…they’re all fighting for. But if we take you, soon there will be no more future of the Dependables. They will all be taken by old age and change tastes!”

The THEM members start to laugh as Destiny looks at him with anger.

Page: “You don’t get it. There’s plenty left. And they’ll save me! And destroy you.”

The THEM leader leans in.

THEM: “No likely. Time is running out.”

Page then spits in his face. The THEM leader wipes his mask of the spit.

THEM: “And with them, you go back to be nothing more than an attractive announcer. That gives you what? Two years in the business. Then they get the new model.”

Page glares at the leader.

THEM: “Now…let’s go!”

The camera angle changes as we see Chris and Ryan Hollywood in a tunnel. Ryan paces as Chris starts to rub his temple. The footage returns to HD. Ryan stops.

Ryan: “Chris…what are you doing? I’ve never seen you this…pensive?”

Chris: “Stop making up words, Ryan. I’m thinking.”

Ryan: “Is this really the time? We need to show those blowhards, those arrogant jackoffs-“

Chris: “Easy there!”

Ryan: “We need to show them we don’t need them to save Destiny. We are BETTER than them.”

Chris: “It’s not that….okay, it is. That’s all true. But maybe we were a little too forceful. Destiny’s a smart woman. And had we been focused on just supporting her…maybe…”

Ryan: “I mean she did get into the movie and…”

Chris: “We’ll have to talk to her. We need to save her. We need to-“

Ryan: “Wait…”

Chris: “What? Should we not save her? I mean, it is 2025. Women want to be strong and powerful and independent-“

Ryan: “No….shhhh! Be quiet. I hear something.”

Ryan cups his ear and Chris does the same. They turn to one another, before we can faintly hear some maniacal laughing. Ryan and Chris turn to one another.

Chris: “You hear that?”

Ryan: “Yes….is it…tap the panels.”

Ryan and Chris walk over to the wall of the tunnel and tap on it. They then stop.

Ryan: “It’s hollow here.”

Ryan and Chris then head over and start to pull on the panel before then ripping it off, surprisingly very easily. They throw the panel down before the scene cuts to the grainer footage. We see all of the members of THEM turn as we see Chris and Ryan Hollywood looking into the secret lair of THEM (apparently just off the entrance to the Rise to Greatness set).

THEM: “It’s THEM!”

Chris: “Ah…no, that’s you! We’re Hollywood!”

THEM: “Get them!”

Destiny: “Chris! Ryan!”

Chris and Ryan’s eyes widen as they turn and run. We then see four THEM members run after them. The crowd roars as we cut to the arena.

Sharper: “Well, it looks like Hollywood may have stumbled on the wrong meeting….”

Knots: “So were they here the entire time. I thought they just built the set last week.”

Sharper: “I…I don’t know. It’s a plothole!”

We then see Chris and Ryan Hollywood running out from the back. They look at each other as we then see the paparazzi, ready for their entrance start to quickly take pictures as they run past. They bolt down to the ring as the crowd roars. We then see the four members of THEM running after as the paparazzi also take pictures of them. At this point, we notice that two of the paparazzi tower over the rest. Nonetheless, the THEM members run to the ring. Ryan and Chris slide into the ring and then stops before looking at each other and then turning back. Two of the THEM members enter the ring and Ryan and Chris jump up and meet them with dropkicks!

Sharper: “Hollywood, they’ve enter the ring. And there, I guess they feel more at home.”

Knots: “Better in the ring, than an action movie!”

The two other members enter and Chris sidesteps one and sends them into the ropes while Ryan kicks the other. He then gutwrenches him up and suplexes him as Chris hits a spinning heel kick to the other. The first two run at Chris and Ryan and both get a couple of clubbing blows in before Chris falls to his back and kicks the one in their face. Ryan powers out of the attacks by the other and scoops slams them. Chris exits the ring and goes to the apron and climbs up to the top rope. Ryan then clotheslines the one Chris knocked down and runs into the ropes. He bounces off and hits the Size 12 Stomp. Chris dives off and takes out the second THEM member with the Rodeo Special.

Sharper: “Double stomp by Ryan Hollywood. Chris Hollywood, off the top!”

Knots: “450!”

Sharper: “They’re taking out this THEM detachment!”

Knots: “The other two are coming back!”

The other two, as Knots said, are coming back and they both club away on Chris. Chris drops down. Ryan heads over and grabs one by their mask before then spinning them around and hitting a short arm clothesline. The other THEM members then rakes Ryan’s eyes and nails him with a couple of hard rights before Chris starts to get up. Ryan shoves the THEM member back and into the other THEM member. They both get up as Chris exits to the apron. Ryan then runs over and grabs the top rope as Chris springboards to the top rope and Ryan vaults him forward, as he hits the Box Office Smash on both the two THEM members as they get up. The crowd roars as Chris spins through. Ryan steps up and Chris turns. The two high five and then stand back to back, posing. The crowd roars.

Sharper: “And Hollywood taking out the THEM member.”

Knots: “They prefer to be called THEM enthusiasts-“

???: “HOLLYWOOD!”

Chris and Ryan look around as we see Destiny Page dragged out from the back, tied up, by the THEM leader, who shockingly is now wearing a blazer, to ensure we know he is the leader.

THEM: “Keep fighting and I will end Destiny Page’s hopes, along with yours, and the Dependables in one shot.”

THEM pushes Destiny to be right next to the stage.

Sharper: “Is he going to push her off?”

Knots: “No!”

Sharper: “She’s still tied up!”

THEM: “Get them!”

Chris and Ryan look around before we see two more THEM members, hidden under the ring, reveal themselves. They get up and slide in. The crowd roars, trying to warn Hollywood, but it falls on deaf ears, as the two THEM members clothesline Ryan and Chris from behind. They then each pull out a rope and hold it around the necks of Ryan and Chris, starting to choke them. The crowd boos. The THEM leader laughs.

THEM: “Now bring those Paparazzi here. The world will see that NO ONE can stop THEM!”

He laughs again as the paparazzi move into position and gather around the THEM leader. He smiles, puffing out his chest, holding Destiny by her bindings. Just then, one of the paparazzi step up and takes a picture. The flash blinds the THEM leader.

THEM: “Ahhh! My eyes! My eyes!”

Just then, the paparazzi member takes off their disguise, a hunting cap, before pulling off a fake beard, revealing it to be Arnold Braunschweiger. The crowd roars. Another member of the paparazzi, Patrick Braunschweiger, towering over the others, steps up, removing his disguise, a snowsuit and a George W. Bush mask.

Sharper: “The Dependables! The Braunschweigers! They’re here!”

Knots: “Wait…what the-“

Sharper: “I don’t recall the former president Bush in the paparazzi…”

Knots: “We would’ve seen that. Right? Like…right?”

Patrick runs over to Destiny. Arnold, at this point, reveals he’s wearing a headset microphone.

Arnold: “Say cheese!”

Arnold then punches the THEM leader in the jaw. He falls back, but Arnold catches him and then hoists him over his shoulder. He then starts to carry him down to the ring. The crowd roars as Patrick frees Destiny from her bindings. They start to head to the ring from behind. The THEM members who have Hollywood held by the throat look at each other.

Sharper: “Arnold Braunschweiger is carrying this leader to the ring!”

Knots: “And Patrick’s freed Destiny!”

They take the long walk to the ring and Arnold places the THEM leader on the apron and shoves him in. He then rolls in as Patrick jogs down and slides in to stand with his father. A bell sounds at this point, as the official assigned to the match, Steve Hollinsworth, enters the ring.

Sharper: “And the match has started!”

Arnold: “So I see you two have a choice…fight or flight?”

The two THEM members look at each other before they then let go of Chris and Ryan. They drop down, coughing as the THEM members then run at Arnold and Patrick. Both however immediately catch them and spin them around and hit stereo The Hell With Yous on the two members. Patrick and Arnold then each grab a THEM member and turn, throwing them out of the ring, over the top rope, on opposite sides of the ring. Patrick and Arnold get up and walk around the ring.

Arnold: “Looks like they chose flight!”

Chris and Ryan continue to struggle to breathe. Patrick looks over at them, shaking their heads. Destiny stands at ringside. The THEM leader slowly starts to get up in the ring. He looks up as Arnold and Patrick turn to him.

Arnold: “Now what will do we do with? I think it’s time we say hasta la bye bye with you.”

The THEM member starts to berate both, pointing at both, but not heard by the crowd, as he’s without his microphone. Patrick steps up, but then then THEM member backs up to the ropes and then tries to struggle before Patrick jukes away as the THEM member throws a fireball, missing him, but causing Patrick to think twice. He then starts to get up, laughing and nodding. The crowd looks on. Arnold checks on Patrick.

Sharper: “The man threw a fireball!”

Knots: “I think he’s plotting his escape!”

Patrick nods as the leader laughs before backing up to the ropes. He then goes to step through, but Destiny Page runs up to the ring, climbing onto the apron and low blowing the THEM leader. The crowd cheers.

Sharper: “Destiny! Low blow! There’s some revenge!”

The THEM leader staggers forward and Patrick then kicks him in the ribs and bends him over before hoisting him up in a pumphandle and plants him with Let Off Some Steam! Arnold then steps over to the THEM leader and drags him up as we see the six other THEM members staggering over and collecting in the entrance way as Destiny Page enters the ring. Arnold presses the THEM leader over his head and turns and runs at the ropes and throws him over the top rope and into the THEM members. The crowd cheers.

Sharper: “And Arnold Braunschweiger tosses the THEM leader out of the ring!”

Knots: “The Dependables get it done again!”

Destiny checks on Chris and Ryan who slowly start to get up to their feet, holding their throats. They look up as Patrick and Arnold turn to them. Chris and Ryan get their hands up, but Destiny stops them. She tries to reason with them as Patrick and Arnold stand on guard. Destiny pleads with Chris and Ryan and the two “brothers” turn to one another. They then nod before getting up and Chris extends his hand to Arnold as Ryan does the same to Patrick. Arnold and Patrick look at one another before cameras zoom in on the two handshakes. The crowd cheers. Destiny jumps for joy as “You Could Be Mine” by Guns N Roses starts to play. Arnold then turns with Patrick. They start to pose as Chris and Ryan look at one another before doing the same. Destiny smiles as she stands in the middle, just smiling.

Sharper: “The Dependables! Hollywood! They may have finally broken their issue. They stand together. Posing!”

Knots: “And standing over THEM! They’ve saved Destiny! They all stand tall!”

Everyone continues to pose in the ring before then turning and posing to the next side of the ring and fans that greet them there. The crowd cheers some more as they stand tall, getting pictures taken and looking at the crowd. After a few moments, they turn and continue to pose, but just then Chris and Ryan run up behind Patrick and Arnold and roll them up in school boys!

1!

2!

3!

The crowd roars as the bell sounds. Ryan and Chris let go and roll out of the ring. They jump up and down, celebrating, before hugging at ringside. Arnold looks over annoyed as Destiny looks shocked. Patrick gets up and moves to the ropes.

Phillips: “Here are your winners, via pinfall, Chris and Ryan, they are Hollywood!”

Sharper: “Hollywood…they just rolled them up!”

Knots: “This aint a movie! It’s SCW!”

Chris and Ryan continue to celebrate as Destiny shakes her head and turns to Arnold. Arnold slowly gets up as Patrick yells at Chris and Ryan. The crowd gives a mixed reaction as Chris and Ryan turn and run up to the back, arms up in the air, thrilled at this victory.

We open up to see a speedometer starting to climb as an engine revs. We cut to shots of a car speeding past several high-risers before we see the car turn and speed down another street. It continues to drive before we cut to closer up shots as the car weaves through some traffic and then turns down one street before continuing to drive at high speeds, tires squealing and screeching, before it takes another turn and then stops before we see a drone shot, showing the car arriving outside of Ford Field. It turns and starts to go down into a concrete tunnel, screeching through the tunnel and picking up speed before turning and we then see people running out of the way.

Voice: “Run! RUN!”

We see CHBK moving out of the way, along with Lucas Knight and Dean Black as we see the car then keep driving before crashing through a stage and banner with Rise to Greatness XXIII on it. The car finally comes to a stop. We then see reporters and photographers looking on before the window rolls down and we see Meghan Strader stick her head out.

Strader: “Sorry! Uh…I got a bit carried away!”

CHBK just looks at her as the Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen. Sirens begin to be heard in the background.

“Rise to Greatness XXIII

July 26, 2026

Detroit, Michigan”

Fade to black.

Chris Cannon vs. Amelia Nevado

All the lights in the arena slowly begin to go out, the buzz from the fans growing as the arena is slowly consumed in darkness. After a few moments, “No. 14 Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven begins playing, several fans now murmuring in confusion as the lights slowly begin to come back to life on the stage, albeit dimmed. The big LED screen is playing old black-and-white clips of the woman once known as Amelia Blythe, from slowly walking down to the ring with an emotionless, focused look on her face to old match clips of her seemingly flawless technique. After a moment, an old voice clip of British wrestling legend Aleister Blythe echoes over the speakers.

Aleister: “Amelia is my daughter, the next evolution of the Blythe legacy. She is the perfect wrestler... that is why God himself put her on this Earth in the first place. There is no one alive today who could even hope to outwrestle the perfection that is Amelia Blythe.”

As Aleister's cold, dismissive voice speaks over the haunting music, the dimmed lights on the stage reveal an unsettling scene: Amelia Nevado, wearing a white silk robe with gold sequins and “BLYTHE” in cursive on the back, facing away from the ring, her head bowed and eyes closed as her hands are folded in front of her like a proper young lady. Surrounding her on either side of the stage are various giant framed portraits of her from when she was younger, all looking classically professional, yet leaving everyone with a very off feeling, like this isn't how things are supposed to be. After a moment of this uneasiness, however, we see La Pequeña Luz, wearing an ivory and gold version of her mask and otherwise still in her street clothes as her match isn't until much later tonight, walk out onto the stage, a spotlight coming to life and following her even as Amelia remains partially obscured by the dim lighting. As Luz leans in, we can hear that she's been mic'd up because we hear her words loud and clear as the classical Beethoven song begins to fade out.

Luz: “You're a great wrestler, Ames, but no one is perfect... and no one should have to be. You have your flaws, like we all do... embrace them, love them, and love yourself and who YOU truly want to be, just as I love you, mi amor. Now... show the world the beauty in the broken glass.”

Just as Luz says those last two words, the glass on the portraits of Amelia begin to crack and break, distorting the image. And yet, as more and more lights slowly begin to come to life once more, the image in the broken glass starts to look more and more beautiful, natural, real, like an optical illusion in reverse. It's at this point that “What It Sounds Like” by HUNTR/X from the recently released hit movie K-Pop Demon Hunters slowly begins to play over the arena as Amelia looks at Luz, a smile slowly forming on her lips as she gently leans over and the two women proudly kiss to the cheers of everyone. It's at this point that Amelia unites her robe and lets it drop to the floor, revealing a wrestling attire consisting of a sleeveless crop top reminiscent of Luz's usual attire and 3” bicycle short style tights in a shimmering vinyl ivory color and gold trim. As Amelia turns to face the ring, we also now notice that her body is painted from head to toe in glittery rainbow-colored patterns that shimmer in the lights, making her look very similar to Rumi from the aforementioned movie.

Amelia takes a moment to look to either side of the stage, admiring the literal beauty in the broken glass of her reflection as she lets the lyrics of the song wash over her. With one final nod to her wife, the spotlight slowly shifts over to Amelia and follows her as she begins marching to the ring with a purpose, Luz notably staying on the stage and watching her head into battle with a proud smile before she turns and heads to the back to get ready for her own battle later and let her wife prove to all her doubters that she can, in fact, stand and rise on her own when need be. As the big LED screen now begins playing more colorful and recent clips of Amelia in action, Amelia's grin grows even wider and her confidence builds as she lets the lyrics empower her, despite the flaws her parents tried to force her to hide.

Phillips: “The following contest is schedule for onefall with a thirty minute time limit. First, on her way to the ring, from Oxford, England, representing the Light in the Darkness, she is Amelia Nevado!”

As the song begins to pick up in tempo and strength, Amelia even breaks into a sprint down the rampway, foregoing her usual mannerisms for entering the ring as she slides in and pops right back up to her feet. She moves to the nearest corner and climbs to the second turnbuckle, motioning for the fans to make some noise as they answer this call in deafening fashion, which only empowers Amelia even further as she steps down from the turnbuckles and moves to her corner, shifting her weight and adjusting her white wrist tape as she stays loose, ready to remind the world exactly who Amelia Nevado is, flaws and all.

Sharper: “Amelia Nevado with a unique entrance. She, just like Luz, don’t do half measures. And this is a special night for her.”

Knots: “Yeah, but she’s had special nights before. She’s said it. But will Chris Cannon play spoiler. He doesn’t need much more motivation beyond his own desire to get where he believes he belongs and that’s at the top of the card.”

The lights go out with a flick of a switch as the screens flicker on the stage. A few moments pass before the haunting opening to “Paint it Black” by Hidden Citizens begins to play over the P.A System. While it does CHRIS CANNON appears on the big screen, and the moment it does a spotlight shines down directly to the stage where the man stands. The light comes back on next when the lyrics begin and we see Chris Cannon is not alone. A brunette stands with him while he wears a sleeveless trench coat. His long dark hair hanging down over his face…

Phillips: “Her opponent, hailing from London England. He is being accompanied to the ring by Yvonne Knight, he is Chris Cannon!”

The nameplate comes up as Cannon begins the slow walk down towards the ring. Yvonne Knight walks behind him smiling and waves to a few fans. Chris does not acknowledge them. Instead, when he reaches the bottom of the ramp he stops for a moment before throwing his head back so the hair no longer obscures his face a look of pure intensity and focus on display. He quickly leaps onto the apron and enters the ring while Yvonne stands at the bottom of the ramp. Cannon walks over to a corner and climbs onto the second rope and looks out at the crowd and hits his chest as a final acknowledgement to them. He then steps down and walks to the opposite side and does the same once more before removing his jacket and handing it to a member of staff. Chris then looks down to Yvonne who blows him a kiss as she now walks around the ring and settles in his corner. She remains at ringside as Cannon steps down.

Sharper: “Cannon shockingly returning at Taking Hold of the Flame. He’s said he wants to rewrite history. He’s thought about his brief World Championship run and as he said, Superman’s dead, and he’s now focusing on what he deserves.”

Knots: “And he’s shown his willingness to do what is needed.”

Cannon stretches at the ropes as Amelia Nevado does the same. The crowd buzzes as Aaron Demitra, the official, calls for the bell. Cannon pops out and spins around as Nevado steps out too. The two look at one another and lunges for a grapple. Both go low though and go shoulder to shoulder before Cannon pushes Nevado back. Nevado wraps her legs around the body of Cannon as Cannon leans forward and forearms her in the jaw once and then again before Nevado lets go and Cannon moves into a side headlock. Both start to get up and Amelia gets Chris into the ropes. He fires him off. Cannon bounces off and shoulders Amelia down. He runs into the ropes. Amelia rolls towards him. Cannon hops over and bounces off the other side. Amelia hits a leap frog. Cannon ducks and stops. Amelia turns and Cannon hits a headlock takedown. Amelia moves into a headscissors. Cannon nips out. Both get up and Amelia hits a headlock takedown on Cannon. Cannon counters with a headscissors. Nevado nips out and both roll over and get up and look at one another. The crowd applauds.

Sharper: “And a neutral end to this first volley.”

Knots: “Cannon has the strength. Nevado has the quickness. Buth both have the skill.”

They circle the ring again and then lunge at one another. Amelia drops down and hits a fireman’s carry. She moves into a chinlock. Cannon slides out and grabs the arm of Amelia. Amelia winces as Cannon pushes up on her arm with a hammerlock. She then starts to slowly get up to her feet and ducks under and into a side headlock. Cannon pulls her into the ropes. He fires her off. Amelia bounces off and Cannon goes to clothesline her. Amelia slides under and gets up. Cannon turns around and Amelia blasts him with a European uppercut. Cannon staggers back. Amelia hits a second one and Cannon falls through the ropes to the floor. He walks around the ring, holding his jaw. (1) Amelia backs up as the crowd looks on. Cannon looks at Amelia, rubbing his jaw. (2) He then grabs at the ropes and slowly pulls himself onto the apron.

Sharper: “And remember, the last time these two were in the ring, Cannon speared Nevado for good measure.”

Knots: “He wants the win. He wants it more that you’d realize. As he said, Superman is dead.”

Cannon enters the ring and steps up before lunging at Amelia. He hits a single leg takedown and then grabs the leg. Amelia kicks at Cannon and Cannon lets go. Amelia rolls over and Cannon lunges at her and headlocks her again. She pulls him into the ropes and fires him off. Cannon bounces off and Amelia jumps up and hits another European uppercut. She turns around and runs into the ropes, but Cannon runs after her. Nevado hits the ropes, stopping, looking for Cannon, only to turn around as Cannon drills her with his own clothesline after having hit the ropes. Cannon dives onto her for the pin.

1!

2!

Nevado kicks out. Cannon gets up as Nevado stirs. She gets to her feet and Cannon kicks her in the ribs. Nevado falls to the ropes. Cannon whips her across. She bounces off and Cannon drops her with a dropkick.

Sharper: “Methodical offense from Cannon. Keeping it simple, but effective.”

Knots: “And sharp. Everything is just on point.”

Amelia turns and moves to the corner. She gets up and Cannon moves in and hits a shoulder thrust to the ribs. He rears back and shoulders her again and then a third time. He steps back and whips her across the ring. Amelia, however, flips up and over and onto the apron. Cannon stops, having run across. He turns to grab her, but Amelia blocks it and hits a guillotine drop. Cannon stumbles back. Amelia steps in and then jumps up and onto the thighs of Cannon before hitting a spinning monkey flip. Cannon rolls over and gets up. He turns to Amelia who drops him with a European uppercut. She goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Cannon kicks out. Both get up and Amelia kicks him in the ribs. He then hooks him up and hits a snap suplex. Cannon grimaces and gets up and moves to the corner. Amelia follows up and forearms him in the jaw, but Cannon then kicks her in the knee. She staggers back. He kicks her again. He staggers back again and Cannon steps up, but Amelia hits a drop toe hold before rolling through, keeping the leg hooked and into an STF!

Sharper: “And Amelia using Cannon’s own momentum against him. Takes him down and rolls right into the STF.”

Knots: “Damn, that was smooth!”

Sharper: “And Cannon in trouble.”

Cannon reaches around as Amelia pulls on the head. He starts to move to the ropes as Amelia keeps the hold locked in. Demitra checks on Cannon as he moves to the ropes, closer and closer before grabbing the bottom rope with his left arm.

1!

2!

Amelia lets go and rolls away from him. Cannon uses the ropes and starts to pull himself up. Amelia steps up and snapmares him down. She then chops him in the back and runs into the ropes. She bounces off and hits a lunging European uppercut. Cannon falls back. Amelia goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Cannon kicks out. Amelia gets up as Cannon starts to get up, moving to the ropes and Amelia grabs him for an Irish whip, but Cannon spins through and pulls Amelia in and then hoists her up and drops her onto the middle rope, throat first. Amelia’s head snaps back and she rolls over, holding her throat in pain.

Knots: “Cannon went back early-“

Sharper: “I don’t know about that. He got the middle rope. Amelia’s head snapping back even more. I think that was intended.”

Amelia rolls over, moving to the corner. Cannon gets up and follows up with a back elbow. He then whips her across the ring. Amelia hits the corner and Cannon hits a running splash. He backs up and hits Amelia with a savate kick. She drops to the mat. The crowd ohs. Cannon then drags her out of the corner and then hooks her by the head and hits a swinging neckbreaker. The crowd cheers.

Sharper: “Shades of Kelcey Wallace. Neckbreaker!”

Knots: “Guess still thinking of her, huh?”

Sharper: “Cover!”

Cannon goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Amelia kicks out. She rolls over and starts to get up. Cannon grabs her in a front face lock, before hooking her arm and leg and then hitting a bridging fisherman’s suplex.

1!

2!

Amelia kicks out again. Cannon rolls over and Amelia stirs before Cannon kicks her in the side. The crowd ohs. She rolls over to the ropes and Cannon runs over and kicks her again. He then pulls her in and goes for a vertical suplex of some sort, but Amelia spins through and lands behind him. She then hits a bridging German suplex!

1!

2!

Cannon gets his shoulder up and rolls away.

Sharper: “And there’s a big counter. Two count on the German.”

Knots: “Didn’t get the hardest impact though!”

Cannon gets up and turns to Amelia who hooks him up and hits a northern lights suplex into a bridge.

1!

2!

Cannon bridges up. The two hold on and spin around before Cannon moves his arms and hooks Amelia and goes for a backslide.

1!

2!

Amelia kicks out. Both get up and Cannon jumps up for the Leg drop bulldog, but Amelia sidesteps. Cannon step forward and turns around before Amelia catches him with another European uppercut. Cannon falls back into the corner. Amelia follows up with a second European uppercut and then grabs him and hooks him up before hitting a snap suplex. She stands next to him and hits a standing shooting star press!

Sharper: “Shooting star press. Amelia inspired by her partner. And a cover!”

1!

2!

Cannon gets his shoulder up. Amelia then reaches up and grabs his head and arm and locks in cross armbreaker! The crowd roars.

Knots: “And right into the armbar! Cannon! That’s not what you wanted, Chris!”

Sharper: “And Amelia between Cannon and the ropes!”

Cannon reaches around as Yvonne Knight looks on with concern. Amelia pulls back on the arm. Cannon tries to resist as Demitra again checks on him. Cannon looks around, trying to gauge where he is to the ropes. He then starts to trying and grab at his own arm. He starts to try and roll over as Amelia keeps the hold on. Cannon slowly rolls towards the hold and reaches up as Amelia tries to push him down. Cannon continues to roll over and then folds up Amelia, but he turns and to steady himself, he ends up in the ropes. Demtira calls for the break.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Cannon hits a hard right on Amelia before getting free and staggering back. Amelia rolls over, holding her jaw. Cannon then grabs her and hits a vertical suplex. He holds on, swivelling his hips and getting up. He shakes out his arm before then just kneeing Amelia in the ribs and then hitting a second unconnected vertical suplex. He hoists her back up, but again, breaks the hold, shaking out his arm before hoisting her up for a stalling suplex. He holds her up only a moment before dropping her with a brainbuster. The crowd ohs. Cannon goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Amelia gets her shoulder up. The crowd roars. Cannon looks around, shaking out his arm. He then exits to the apron and starts to climb up to the top rope. Amelia stirs as Cannon gets to the top rope. Amelia stirs and Cannon dives off for a diving leg lariat takedown, but Amelia ducks. Cannon hits the mat and rolls over and Amelia runs over and grabs him and just spikes him with a DDT. Cannon flips over to his back.

Sharper: “Spike DDT. Cannon planted. Amelia. The cover!”

Nevado covers Cannon.

1!

2!

Cannon gets his shoulder up. The crowd ohs. Amelia rolls over and looks around before then seeing Cannon. He stirs and Amelia grabs him and then hits him with a European uppercut. Cannon snaps back, bumping to the mat. Amelia staggers to the corner. She exits to the apron and then climbs up to the top rope. She looks forward, but Cannon gets up and runs over and hits a hard right to the ribs. He then nails her again and then steps up to the middle turnbuckle. He places Amelia on his shoulders and then turns around and hits an avalanche Lion’s Bite!

Sharper: “Off the middle rope. Cannon got Nevado and the Lion’s Bite.”

Knots: “All of his weight down on her ribs.”

Cannon reaches back and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Amelia gets her shoulder up. Cannon falls forward and rolls over. He then gets up and grabs Amelia and drags her up before then hoisting her up onto his shoulders again. He then starts to walk around the ring, but Amelia elbows out of it. Cannon steps forward and Amelia then pulls him into a European uppercut. Cannon falls to a knee before getting up and Amelia hits an arm-trap neckbreaker. Cannon rolls over, holding his arm in pain. He grits his teeth, wincing as he gets up.

Sharper: “Amelia Nevado caught Cannon. Again. Back to the arm.”

Knots: “And it’s bothering him. Amelia’s tweaked his shoulder.”

Cannon turns and Amelia gets up and hits another European uppercut and then another. She then grabs the arm of Cannon and wrenches it. She starts to move for a hammerlock, but Cannon lifts her up and runs her back into the corner. He rears back and shoulders her again. He then grabs her and pulls her out and grabs the head, but Amelia pulls on the arm and spins out. Cannon swings and Amelia ducks and grabs Cannon and rolls him up into a variation of the Okana roll!

1!

2!

3!

The crowd roars as Cannon rolls his shoulder up and turns to the side. Amelia gets up and falls to her knees. Cannon looks over, stunned as Amelia gets up.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via pinfall, Amelia Nevado!”

Sharper: “Amelia Nevado outgrapples Chris Cannon to get the three count!”

Knots: “Targeted the arm over and over. Cannon went on the defensive and Amelia Nevado used that to find another way to win.”

Sharper: “And Cannon’s attempt to rewrite history taking a detour, a delay, as Amelia Nevado with a huge victory here at Rise to Greatness XXII.”

Cannon slowly gets to his knees. Yvonne gets his attention. Cannon looks at Nevado and Nevado glances at him, but Cannon drops down and rolls to the floor. Nevado keeps an eye on Cannon as Demitra raises her arm. Her music continues to play as Cannon walks around the ring with Yvonne Knight. They start to head to the back, Cannon starting to show more frustration. Amelia Nevado now starts to relax, turning to the crowd and taking a bow before applauding them. The scene cuts away.

Backstage, we see Destiny Page talking to the trainer and then talking to another woman, wearing a pantsuit. She then stands up and nods.

Page: “I’m okay…I…would like to just get back to normal and….”

Page then looks up as she smiles.

Page: “Wendell! What are…shouldn’t you be with Dexter? He’s got to be having a hard night and-“

Wendell: “I just want to make sure…uh…you’re…uh…you. You’re okay…and you’re okay, right?”

Page: “I’m fine. It’s over and they want me to do some press for the new Dependables movie. Although, I’m going to have to smooth things over with Chris and Ryan. It’ll be a thing-“

Just then, the woman in a pantsuit comes over.

Woman: “Just need a quick selfie. This worked well.”

The woman turns and takes a picture. Wendell backs up, a bit uncertain. He then looks around as Destiny poses for the picture.

Woman: “One more just to be sure…”

The woman moves out of the way, Destiny grabbing the phone to help. She gives a peace sign to even add to the standard selfie fair. Wendell walks off. The woman steps away.

Woman: “We’ll get this up and we’ll come up with some sort of line for it.”

Destiny: “Thanks.”

Destiny turns.

Destiny: “Wendell?”

Destiny looks around and then sighs before turning as the trainer turns back to her and we cut away.

The Monster-Machine Enigma vs. Colleen MacDonald

SCW Underground Championship

The bell sounds. Jason Phillips stands in the ring.

Phillips: “The following contest is scheduled for onefall with a thirty minute time limit and is for the SCW Underground Championship!”

The SCW Underground Championship logo comes across the screen. Fire shoots out from the stage as two giant spirals form in flames on either side of the entrance way. “Scum Of The Earth” by Rob Zombie hits as “The Monster Machine” Enigma slowly steps out onto the stage. The crowd roars seeing the man as he looks around, scanning the arena. He then turns and sees the spirals and walks over to one. He walks up to it, almost mesmerized by it, before reaching up and almost touching it. He then looks down before then stepping back before turning and storming to the ring. A nameplate comes up on the screen.

Phillips: “Introducing the challenger, on his way to the ring, currently residing in Rock Hill, New York, he is the Monster Machine, Enigma!”

Enigma continues his way down the ring as the cameras cut to a wide shot of the crowd, showing the sea of humanity gathered in the NRG Stadium. After several moments, Enigma reaches the ringside area. He then walks over to the steel steps and stops before slowly walking up them. He then steps onto the ring apron and then steps into the ring. He then looks across the ring before slowly starting to pace around the ring.

Sharper: “We are still learning more and more about this man. But one thing is for sure. He is as violent as they come. And he’s left people down and out in every contest he’s been in.”

Knots: “Colleen MacDonald wanted competition. She’s going to get it. That’s for damn sure!”

A coin can be heard dropping into a coin slot, followed by a few girls giggling. But before “C’est La Vie” by B*Witched can even begin, Colleen steps out onto the stage from the backstage area, wearing her normal all-black ring gear. The screens all remain black too. The SCW Underground Championship is around her waist. Colleen does a cutthroat signal.

Phillips: “His opponent, from Orderville, Utah, she is the SCW Underground Champion, Colleen MacDonald!”

The music turns off as she stands still and waits until the beginning of “How Far I’ll Go” by Auli’i Cravalho begins to play. Colleen nods once before beginning to slowly head down the entrance ramp. The crowd does keep their eyes on her as she looks straight down at the ring. She keeps going until she arrives down at the ring. The walk takes several moments as we cut to Enigma who watches her from the ring. Not quickening her pace, Colleen steps up the steel ring steps and climbs over the top rope to get into the ring. Once inside she does look around the arena. She simply approves of her surroundings before she turns to the business at hand. She hands off the title and begins warming up before the bell rings. The official, Jennifer Cassidy, raises the title over her head. The SCW Underground Championship logo comes across the screen. She then hands off the title.

Sharper: “Jennifer Cassidy will be your official for this one. It will be interesting to see if Colleen does her usual smashmouth style. Kim was smaller that her. It worked there. Enigma, but much bigger.”

Knots: “And can do the same. And you wonder if Enigma will take advantage of the underground and its rules, namely that he can do what he wants!”

Cassidy steps back to the middle of the ring. Enigma looks across at Colleen. Colleen looks back as the bell sounds. Colleen then steps out and Enigma is a bit caught off-guard as Colleen runs right at him and nails him with a series of hard right hands. Enigma then shoves her back. Colleen spins around, planting her feet and runs back at Enigma, nailing him with a series of a few more shots, before, again, Enigma uses his strength and shoves her back. Colleen stumbles back and falls to a knee, but scrambles back up and runs at him and spears him once and then again and again before Enigma grabs her by the head and body and spins out and moves to the middle of the ring. He then powers her up and just turns and throws her down with a single arm suplex. The crowd ohs. Colleen gets up and then nails Enigma with a hard right. Enigma staggers.

Sharper: “Colleen MacDonald clearly has a plan. Take the fight to Enigma. And just keep him off balance.”

Knots: “She’s relentless!”

Sharper: “And she’s coming again!”

Colleen nails her again and Enigma blocks the third shot and knees her in the ribs. He then turns and hits a spinning hip throw. Colleen lands on her leg and hip and gets up and moves to the corner. Enigma now seeks to turn it around, but Colleen then kicks him in the knee. She kicks him again and nails him with a hard right. Enigma stumbles back and Colleen runs into the ropes. She bounces off and jumps up and hits a flying shoulder tackle. Enigma falls back to the ropes. Colleen gets up and runs across, but bounces off only for Enigma to clothesline her down. Colleen rolls over, trying to fight back to her feet, but Enigma turns and clubs her in the back. She drops to the mat and crawls over to the ropes. Enigma clubs her in the back again. She turns and swings, but Enigma dodges it and boots her in the face. Colleen falls through the ropes to the apron. She slowly gets up and Enigma grabs her and hoists her up across the chest before slamming her with a release Uranage suplex on the apron. The crowd ohs as Colleen just falls to the floor in a heap.

Knots: “And that’s one way to stop her.”

Sharper: “Just hoisting her up and driving her into the ring apron. Enigma had enough of Colleen’s drive. And you could just see. The impact was enough to jar her. That thud to the ground.”

Enigma exits the ring and drops down. Colleen rolls over, refusing to stay down and Enigma knees her in the ribs and then turns and spins through and whips her hard into the barricade. The crowd ohs as she hits hard and falls to the mats. Enigma heads over and stomps her in the face and then again and again before he steps on her head and grinds his boot into her face. Cassidy comes over, calling for the break. He does after a few moments. He then turns to the ring as Colleen looks around, trying to regain her bearings. She starts to get up and turns only for Enigma to walks over with a steel chair and drill her in the ribs. Colleen grimaces in pain and Enigma lifts up the chair, slamming it into her back. Colleen collapses to the mats as the crowd ohs.

Sharper: “And that chair shot. A debilitating shot. And you could feel it just reverberate through Colleen’s body.”

Knots: “We’ve seen it in the short time of Enigma being in SCW. He makes sure everything hurts. Everything has a purpose. Methodical to a fault and strong enough to do what he wants.”

Colleen reaches forward, grabbing at the Spanish announce table as Enigma slides the chair into the ring. He grabs Colleen and spins her around and rolls her into the ring. Enigma slides in after and Colleen gets up and dives onto him and nails him with a forward elbow drop to the head. She gets up and hits another forward elbow drop. She then gets up and then dives onto him, starting to choke him. Cassidy counts, but it’s to no avail. Colleen keeps pressing down before Enigma uses his side to roll over and pry her off. Colleen rolls over and starts to crawl to the ropes. She gets up as Enigma starts to stir and Colleen heads over and nails him with a hard right. She blasts him again and again.

Sharper: “And we’ve seen this from MacDonald. She will just brawl with you and she has the confidence that she’ll knock you down.”

Knots: “That plus her drive – that’s why she’s held the title since January.”

Enigma leans against the ropes. Colleen clubs him in the chest. She grabs him and drags him out, but Enigma pushes her forward and she hits the ropes. Enigma hits a back elbow. He then turns and grabs the steel chair. Colleen steps up and Enigma places the chair along her back as he scoops her up and hits a scoop slam, causing her to land on the chair on the mat. The crowd ohs. Colleen grimaces in pain .Enigma runs into the ropes, bouncing off and going for a big elbow drop. Colleen moves out of the way and runs into the ropes. She hits the ropes and hits a running senton backsplash onto Enigma. She turns for the pin.

1!

2!

Enigma kicks out. Colleen rolls off. Both start to get up.

Sharper: “And Colleen still fighting. Even though she took that slam-“

Knots: “And it’s going to be maybe just that. Can Enigma wear her down?”

Enigma gets up and Colleen runs into the ropes. She bounces off and hits a clubbing clothesline to his chest. Enigma staggers. She turns around and hits the ropes, but Enigma hits a kick to the ribs before hitting a spinning backfist and then pulling her in and hitting a Samoan drop onto the chair. Colleen winces and rolls over. Enigma gets up and he glances back. He sees Colleen rolling over to her hands and knees and slowly getting up, fighting back to her feet. He then turns and grabs her and pulls her in and then hoists her up and turns and hits a running sitout powerbomb. The crowd ohs.

1!

2!

Colleen kicks out. She rolls over and looks out. She then starts to fight back up as Enigma calmly walks over to the steel chair and grabs it before turning and stepping over and driving it into her back again. Colleen falls through the ropes and down to the floor in a heap.

Sharper: “Again. Another chair shot. And Colleen crumbling from the impact.”

Knots: “She got some distance though.”

Enigma unfolds the chair and places it in the ring. He turns and exits to the floor. He drops down and grabs Colleen. He then hoists her up and drops her chest first on the Spanish announce table. Colleen staggers and Enigma grabs her and then turns and whips her into the ringpost. Colleen spins off and lands to the mats. She rolls through. The crowd ohs. Enigma follows up and heads over and grabs her by the hair. He drags her up and then turns and whips her again and this time, shoulder first into the steel steps. She falls back, where we see she had been busted open, from the whip into the ringpost.

Knots: “And Colleen’s bleeding.”

Sharper: “Hard to the ringpost. But Enigma just wearing her down.”

Knots: “And a cover!”

Enigma then goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Colleen kicks out. Enigma looks down and then turns and leans on the English announce table, using it for leverage as he stomps her over and over and over in the head. He then grabs her and starts to pull her up, but just then, Colleen grabs him by the tights and pulls him in and drives him shoulder and face first into the ringpost and steel steps. Colleen slowly gets up and crawls forward. She sees Enigma as he turns and Colleen runs at him and hits a running hip check, sandwiching him into the steel steps. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “And Colleen using her body now. And sandwiching. Nowhere for Enigma to go. Her hip into his head and his head went into the steel!”

Knots: “Colleen hasn’t stopped. Enigma’s may actually be in trouble!”

Enigma reaches out, annoyed and grimacing in pain. Colleen backs up and smirks before rolling into the ring. Enigma pulls himself up and moves to the ropes. He slides in and goes to grab her, but Colleen drops down and hits a drop toe hold into the back of the chair Enigma had left open. He ends up on it, and holds his throat, but Colleen runs into the ropes and runs over and jumps up and throws herself onto the back of his Enigma’s head, driving him back down. He rolls over, holding his throat. Colleen goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Enigma gets his shoulder up. He rolls over. Colleen gets up and stomps him over and over before getting him to the ropes. He then starts to choke him, leaning down on his back. Cassidy tries for the break, but Colleen keeps leaning down, while pulling up on the ropes.

Sharper: “Colleen trying to choke out Enigma! Trying to choke out the Monster-Machine!”

Knots: “And he’s fading! He’s fading!”

Colleen keeps choking him as Enigma slowly fades. Colleen then lets go and she grabs him and drags him away from the ropes. She then goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Enigma kicks out. Colleen turns and mounts and nails Enigma with repeated hard right hands. Enigma takes each shot as Colleen hammers away. She then gets up and walks around the ring. She then looks at the chair and kicks it down. She looks around and then turns and heads back over to Enigma, but Enigma then leans forward and spews the Blood Moon into the eyes of Colleen. Colleen staggers back, holding her face and her eyes.

Knots: “Did…did he just spew his blood at her?!”

Sharper: “I don’t know if she did that much damage or that’s something else. But the mist to the eyes. Colleen struggling!”

Colleen yells out, rubbing her eyes. She then swings wildly, but then runs at her and spears her down into the chair she kicked over. The crowd ohs as Colleen grimaces, rolling over in pain. We see a gash now opening up on her right side, under her top. She holds it and starts to get up as Enigma then grabs her and hoists her up and drops her with a spinebuster. Enigma goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Colleen gets her shoulder up and rolls over, her blood smearing on the mat.

Sharper: “Colleen! Kicking out…but that gash. Oh God…from how she landed on the chair!”

Knots: “And she’s still fighting. She’s still getting up. Enigma is slowly just draining her of what she has left.”

Colleen rubs her face with her hand and moves to the ropes. She starts to stir as Enigma pulls her back by the hair and drags her over before then dropping her with a vicious standing clothesline, following her to the mat. Enigma then folds her up for the pin.

1!

2!

Colleen kicks out. He looks down and folds her up again, hooking both legs.

1!

2!

Colleen kicks out again. He does it a third time.

1!

2!

Colleen kicks out again and Enigma then moves to a mount and nails her with repeated hard right hands before going to lefts and rights as Colleen drops to the mat. The crowd looks on as Enigma then gets up and walks around the ring.

Sharper: “Enigma just pummeling Colleen. Almost like it just set him off again.”

Knots: “Which part was that? The Monster? Or the Machine?”

Sharper: “Or the new Underground Champion, depending on his goes and I think Enigma is looking to end this.”

Enigma then turns to Colleen, dragging her up by her hair. He then pulls her into a double choke. He looks right at her and hoists her up, but Colleen leans forward and starts to bite the forehead of Enigma. Enigma tries to pry her off and pushes her back. She spits out her mouth before Enigma lunges and Colleen ducks. Enigma turns around as Colleen hits a kick to the stomach and then a spike DDT. The crowd roars. Colleen rolls over and looks around. Enigma turns, holding his forehead. He then plants his hand on the mat and pushes himself up, glaring as he gets up to his feet. Colleen crawls to the ropes and uses them to get up before turning around as Enigma turns to face her and Colleen runs at him and just throws her body into him. He falls back through the ropes to the apron. He pulls himself back up and Colleen fights up to her feet, running across the ring, into the ropes, and bouncing off before running at Enigma and spearing him through the ropes and taking him down to the floor. The crowd erupts as Enigma lands with a thud and Colleen rolls through.

Sharper: “Colleen! Through the ropes! Throwing herself at Enigma and Enigma landed on the floor!”

Knots: “Jesus!”

Colleen turns and looks around. She then tries to fight Enigma, blood caked now on her face. She crawls over and throws her arm over Enigma.

1!

2!

Enigma kicks out. The crowd ohs. Colleen looks around and then grabs him. She starts to pull him up.

REPLAY: We see Enigma getting up on the apron before we see Colleen running across the ring, diving through the ropes, spearing Enigma in the process and they crash to the floor.

Colleen drags Enigma up and grits her teeth trying to get him up.

She places him on the apron and rolls him into the ring. Colleen rolls in after and Enigma rolls over and Colleen moves him into the corner. She stomps him a couple of times before moving to the middle of the ring. She turns back and hits the Facewarmer! The crowd ohs. Colleen then falls forward to her knee. She pulls herself back up and then walks over to the middle of the ring. She then turns and goes to head over to Enigma, but Enigma wide-eyed, pulls himself up and runs at her and drills her with a lariat. Colleen is twisted around in the air as the crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Colleen had him down. But Enigma! Where the hell did that come from!?”

Knots: “Look at his eyes! Look at him!”

Sharper: “Just pure rage. And Colleen MacDonald turned inside out!”

Colleen rolls over, refusing to stay down She turns and crawls to Enigma, who grabs her and pulls her in before grabbing her by the throat. He then hoists her up and hits the Questions & Answers. He stays down for the pin.

1!

2!

3!

The crowd roars. The bell sounds. Enigma rolls back as he then stops at his knee. He then pulls himself up and looks around.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, and NEW SCW Underground Champion…the Monster Machine Enigma!”

Sharper: “Colleen, defiant to the end, fighting to the end, but Enigma just too much on this night and we have a new champion!”

Knots: “They beat the hell out of each other.”

Sharper: “And you can see Enigma wearing some of that pain, but he’s the new champion and for him, it’s worth it!”

Enigma is handed the Underground Championship. He looks at the title and smirks before holding it to his face and then holding it in the air. The crowd roars as he looks around. He then places it over his shoulder. Enigma turns and looks at Colleen who slowly rolls over, wincing in pain. Enigma then turns and exits to the apron. He drops down to the floor, victorious, and heads to the back.

Backstage, we see Cid Turner sitting in his locker room. He looks at his gear and just sits silently. A few moments pass. He sighs and gets up before Asher Hayes walks into the room. The crowd cheers seeing him. Cid turns to him.

Hayes: “You okay, bro?”

Cid: “Uh…yeah….just….”

Hayes: “Look, focus on why you’re here. Focus on the World Title.”

Cid: “I know…I’ve always known. It’s what’s been driving me…just….”

Hayes: “You can’t focus on that. You wanted this, right?”

Cid nods.

Hayes: “Then take it. Plus, it’s one more chance to piss off Selena.”

Cid: “I mean that’s worth it alone.”

Hayes: “Damn right it is.”

Hayes pats his friend’s back.

Hayes: “Get it done.”

Cid: “Asher….you too.”

Hayes nods. Cid then turns and grabs his boots out of his back as Hayes backs out and walks off as the scene cuts back to ringside.

The Connection vs. The Product vs. The European Fiery Nation

We return inside NRG Stadium as we see the big screens that make up the entrance flash on with a variety of words flashing on them. The crowd roars as the words cycle through on each screen before all stopping on Tommy Valentine and then Kandis before then stopping on The Connection. Those words remain on the screen as pyro shoots out from the floor and high into the air as “Trenches” by Pop Evil starts to play as the crowd cheers. A few moments pass before we see Kandis and Tommy Valentine walk out from the back and step out to the stage. Kandis drops to a knee and looks out as Valentine stands behind her and nods. They play to the crowd as their nameplate comes up. A bell sounds.

Phillips: “The following contest is scheduled for onefall and is a triple threat tag match with a thirty minute time limit. First, on their way to the ring, from Los Angeles, California, they are the team of Kandis and Tommy Valentine…they are The Connection!”

Kandis gets up and then starts to walk to the ring. Tommy Valentine walks behind her. They make the long walk down the rampway as the crowd cheers the two. They reach the ring and then Kandis heads over to the steel steps. She takes exaggerated steps and Tommy watches her climb up before she gets onto the apron. Tommy hops onto the apron and holds open the ropes, getting a full view as Kandis steps through and enters. Tommy spins into the ring. They go to opposite corners and look out at the crowd as their music fades out.

Sharper: “The Connection returned at Retribution and since then, their time has been intertwined with their opponents tonight – The Product and the European Fiery Nation.”

Knots: “And they’ve had some difficulties.”

Sharper: “Helped in part to Josh Hudson being particularly annoying at ringside.”

Knots: “Hey!”

The crowd cheers a bit as they await the Connection’s opponents. Just then, “Duality” by Slipknot starts to play throughout the stadium and the crowd boos.

"I push my fingers into my eyes..."

The cameras zoom in at the entrance way, where Josh Hudson steps out, along with Alex Hudson and Isaac Stone. Josh Hudson smirks as he looks around. Alex Hudson and Isaac Stone turn to each other.

"It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on...I'm not gonna make it!"

Josh tells them to head to the ring, stopping them from doing any posing. The nameplate comes up on the screen.

Phillips: “Next, based from New Orleans, Louisiana, they are accompanied by Josh Hudson, they are Alex Hudson and Isaac Stone, the Product!”

They all wear sleeveless black hoodies as they slowly make their way down the ramp. They reach the bottom of the ramp, and all look out to the crowd before Hudson begins making his way up the ring steps. Alex runs and slides in from under the bottom rope, as Isaac climbs over the top rope from the ring apron.

"I have screamed until my veins collapsed
I've waited as my time's elapsed
Now, all I do is live with so much hate
I've wished for this, I've bitched at that
I've left behind this little fact
You cannot kill what you did not create
I've gotta say what I've gotta say
And then, I swear, I'll go away
But I can't promise you'll enjoy the noise
I guess I'll save the best for last
My future seems like one big past
You're left with me 'cause you left me no choice..."

Each member goes to an individual, climbing to the top rope.

"I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
If the pain goes on
I'm not gonna make it!!!"

Each member is shown staring out at the crowd once again, as they lift both fists into the air, earning more jeers before they climbs down and reconvene near the ropes, waiting for the match to begin.

Knots: “If Josh Hudson had his way, they’re be challenging for the World Tag Team Titles.”

Sharper: “His actions are one reason this match is happening. This is going to be definitive. Onefall to a finish. If the Product are as good as Josh says, they should be able to win this, and remove all doubt.”

Fire starts to shoot out from the stage and keeps shooting out as “Feuer Frei” by Rammstein plays over the sound system. A few moments pass before Konrad Raab walks out from the back, dragging his flanged German mace behind him. He also holds up a blowtorch and smiles as he looks in the ring. Kemal Yilmaz walks out with him and stands next to him. Ginny Raab stands between the two and looks at both before placing a hand on each of their shoulders before then telling them to go. Ginny stops and turns back to the back.

Phillips: “And finally, representing the European Fiery Nation, from Istanbul, Turkey, he is Kemal Yilmaz, and from Cologne, Germany, he is Burned in Blood, Konrad Raab!”

Konrad drops the mace and blowtorch and focus on the ring. He storms to the ring with Kemal right next to him. The two make their way down the rampway and over to the ring. Konrad picks up a bit of steam at the end and slides into the ring. Kemal Yilmaz rolls in and slowly gets up. Konrad then stands up and looks at the Product and then the Connection. Konrad paces a bit as Kemal starts to stretch out.

Sharper: “The hatred Konrad Raab has for everyone across the ring from him is well known. Especially for Kandis and Tommy.”

Knots: “And with his second, with Kemal, who supposed to take over the EFN when Konrad retires, this is a huge moment for him too.”

Sharper: “They are however the only non-traditional team. There is some connection and chemistry and they train together, but it’s not the same as ring time.”

The bell sounds as we then see Konrad run over and nail Tommy with a hard right and then another. Kemal follows up on Kandis. He tackles her back into the corner and spears her twice before we see Konrad nail Tommy with a European uppercut, sending him through the ropes to the floor. Just then, we see Alex Hudson and Isaac Stone run over and both attack Raab from behind. He goes down at the ropes before Alex and Isaac stomp away on him. Raab covers up before Alex and Isaac push him under the bottom rope to the floor. Kemal turns and throws Kandis through the ropes to the floor. He then turns around as Alex Hudson hits a dropkick. Kemal spins off, landing back first. He starts to get up and Isaac Stone kicks him in the ribs. Alex exits to the apron. We see the official, Aaron Demitra, trying to get some order. Stone then hits a side belly-to-belly suplex onto Kemal. Alex Hudson climbs to the top as Josh smiles and Isaac moves out of the way as Alex dives off with a double stomp. The crowd ohs. He turns back and goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Konrad breaks it up.

Sharper: “The Product looking for the early win! Raab however breaking it up.”

Knots: “And Raab is targeting anything more!”

Raab gets up as Isaac runs over and clubs him in the back over and over. He then grabs Raab and goes to whip him across the ring into the corner. Raab hits the corner and Isaac runs after, but Raab gets his boot up and Isaac staggers before Raab hits a European uppercut. Isaac rolls over as he turns and Alex Hudson jumps up and hits a dropkick. Raab stumbles over to the ropes. Alex gets up and runs at Raab, but Raab lowers his head and back drops him over the top rope to the floor. The crowd roars. Raab then turns around as Demitra tries to get Raab out, but Raab turns to Isaac Stone who hoists him up and hits a Samoan drop. Stone turns and goes for the pin. Demitra waves it off though and Isaac looks up, glaring at him. He gets to his feet, but Kandis and Tommy roll into the ring and both jump up and hit dueling Yakuza kicks. Isaac rolls out of the ring. Kandis and Tommy look around as Alex starts to get up on the floor. Kandis nods as Tommy hoists her up as if going for a back suplex only to run to the top ropes and throws Kandis over, causing her to land with a seated senton on Alex Hudson, knocking him down to the mats. The crowd cheers.

Sharper: “And that’s trust right there. Tommy throwing Kandis over the top rope. Landing onto Alex Hudson.”

Knots: “Kandis just introduced Alex to manhood right there!”

Sharper: “The seated senton and Alex driven down.”

Tommy then looks around as Isaac and Raab stir. Tommy then grabs Isaac, kicking him in the ribs and hitting the Petal of Woe. He then gets up and looks at Isaac as Demitra tries to get Tommy out of the ring. Kemal rolls to the corner. Tommy looks around before Raab then gets up and runs over and clubs Tommy with a shot. Tommy turns back and nails him with a hard right. Raab hits a European uppercut as Kandis slides in and runs across and kicks him in the ribs. Raab grimaces. Tommy and Kandis look at one another and both grab Raab, hitting a double vertical suplex. Raab rolls over and out of the ring. Kandis and Tommy then get up as Demitra tries to get them out of the ring.

Sharper: “And Demitra trying to get order here-“

Knots: “Who are the legal people?”

Sharper: “Didn’t Kemal Yilmaz and Alex Hudson get the first fall attempt? I guess there?”

Knots: “And the countout is lost in all of this….or…wait, it’s triple threat!”

Sharper: “There are supposed to be tags, but these three teams just hate one another.”

Kandis says something to Tommy. Tommy shrugs and they then move past Demitra as the crowd cheers. Isaac gets up and Tommy and Kandis nail him with hard rights respectively. Isaac staggers back with each blow from Tommy or Kandis and then Kandis backs up with Tommy. They hit a double superkick and Isaac falls through the ropes to the floor. Kandis smirks as Kemal then runs up behind Kandis and shoves her into Tommy. Tommy falls back as the two members of Connection knock heads. Kemal then hoists Kandis back and hits a huge German suplex. He bridges up. Demitra then just goes for the count.

1!

2!

Kandis kicks out.

Sharper: “Two count. Kandis nearly pinned. And Demitra I think has just said screw it.”

Knots: “He can’t disqualify. Can’t count them out. Let it be chaos! And I think he figured that out. He’s making a judgment call!”

Kandis rolls over and stirs as Kemal gets up and then turns only for Kemal to grab her and hit an overhead belly to belly suplex. The crowd ohs. Kandis rolls over to the ropes. Kemal then gets up and looks around. Tommy gets up and Kemal then ducks a clothesline attempt, and catches him before hitting a t-bone suplex. The crowd ohs. Kemal gets up and then we see Alex Hudson springboarding to the top rope and diving forward, hitting a missile dropkick to the back of Kemal’s head. The crowd ohs. Alex Hudson smirks and poses a bit, getting boos from the crowd. He then dives onto Kemal, rolling him over for the pin.

1!

2!

Raab enters and breaks it up. Alex rolls over. Raab then stomps him again and again and again. Alex rolls to the ropes. Raab pulls him up and then hits a European uppercut. The crowd ohs as Alex nearly goes up and over. Raab then hits a second one. He goes to whip him across. Alex hits the opposite ropes and Raab goes to run forward, but Josh Hudson trips him up. Raab staggers forward and Alex stops, seeing this, but catching Raab. Josh snaps at his son to take him up as Alex then grabs Raab and hoists him up onto his shoulders into a crucifix. He then hits a crucifix powerbomb.

1!

2!

Raab kicks out. Alex rolls back. Josh smacks the mat as Isaac starts to pull himself to the apron. Alex turns around and tries to get Isaac in.

Sharper: “Assist from Josh. That almost got the win there.”

Knots: “And Product the only one with a manager and Josh has had no problem being a difference. He’s trying to give the Product that confidence. Hell, they should already be number one contenders!”

Isaac starts to enter as Alex stomps at Raab. He then turns as Isaac runs over to Kemal and they whip him into the ropes. Kemal bounces off and Isaac hoists him up onto his shoulders. He then spins him out for a TKO, but Alex catches his legs and then they hit a wheelbarrow facebuster/cutter combo. The crowd ohs. Alex rolls over and sits on Kemal.

1!

2!

Tommy breaks it up with a dropkick to the back. Alex falls over to the ropes. Josh heads around. Tommy gets up and Isaac nails him with a hard right and then another. He then whips Tommy across the ring. Tommy stops at the ropes. Isaac steps up, but Kandis hits a savate kick to the jaw. Isaac then falls to a knee as Tommy runs over and hits a running enziguri. He falls to his hands and knees. Tommy then turns to Kandis and scoops her up and then runs at her and throws her ass first into the face of Isaac Stone.

Knots: “Assisted ass to the face!”

Sharper: “And well…high impact there.”

Knots: “Yeah. You try to take her ass to the face when you’re not looking out for it!”

Kandis smirks as Tommy then scoops her up again and drops her with a leg drop to the head of Isaac. She moves into a pin.

1!

2!

Kemal runs over and nails Tommy as Alex, who had Josh telling him something, pushes away and nails Kandis.

Sharper: “This chaotic situation. These fans trying to keep up. We have a number of big moves so far.”

Knots: “And right now, Connection trying to keep their advantage. Kemal Yilmaz and Alex Hudson back up.”

The camera cuts to show Josh Hudson putting something in his pants pocket.

Sharper: “The hell was that?”

Knots: “Probably using some smelling salts!”

Alex nails Kandis with a couple of shots as Kemal does the same to Tommy. They then get both members of the Connection back to the ropes and both fire them across. Tommy and Kandis bounce across the ring and they both jump up with duelling dropkicks. Alex goes down as Kemal does too. Tommy and Kandis then turn and Alex tries to get out of the ring, but they pull him back in and then hook his leg. Alex shakes his leg as Kandis and Tommy look at one another and then hoist him up and swing him back violently into a leg-grasped swinging wheelbarrow suplex. The crowd ohs. Tommy however gets up and immediately we see Konrad Raab hit a running European uppercut. Tommy falls back to the ropes. Kandis turns and nails Raab with a couple of shots before getting him to the ropes. Raab spins through and sends her in. He hits a couple of forearm shots before we see Isaac Stone getting up and runs over and jumps up, crossbodying Raab and Kandis and all three go up and over the top rope to the floor. The crowd erupts as we cut to a wide shot showing Tommy, Kemal, and Alex all down.

Sharper: “Isaac Stone leaving his feet. Raab and Kandis go over the top rope. He joins them in a heap on the floor.”

Knots: “And finally everyone can take a moment to reset. Josh Hudson’s the only person standing!”

Sharper: “Let’s go back and look at some of the action here.”

REPLAY: We see Tommy hoisting Kandis up and throwing her over the top rope into the seated senton onto Alex Hudson. The RTG XXII logo comes up as we then cut to see Kemal Yilmaz hitting the T-Bone suplex onto Tommy Valentine. The RTG logo comes up again as we see Isaac Stone and Alex Hudson hitting their double-team TKO/wheelbarrow facebuster combo move. The RTG logo comes up again before we see Tommy and Kandis hitting the double swinging wheelbarrow suplex onto Alex Hudson.

Josh Hudson looks around as we see Tommy holding his jaw. Kemal starts to get up as Alex Hudson remains down. Josh then heads over to Alex.

We see Josh placing something on the right hand of Alex and then covering it as Demitra checks on Isaac, Konrad and Kandis on the floor. He turns back as we see Kemal heading over and stomping away on Tommy, over and over and over again. The crowd boos a bit as he then turns and sees Josh. Kemal runs across and kicks at the ropes. Josh backs up.

Sharper: “Kemal Yilmaz now the only one up.”

Knots: “Focus on your opponents. Not Josh!”

Sharper: “What the hell did Josh put on his son’s hand?”

Knots: “I didn’t see anything!”

Alex rolls over and looks at his hand and then shakes it off. He looks around as Yilmaz heads over and grabs Alex and nails him a couple of times. Josh sees that Alex has shaken off the brass knuckles he placed on his hand, the camera getting a good shot. Josh grabs the knuckles and quickly hides them, before Alex kicks Yilmaz in the ribs. He kicks him again and then leans back and boots Yilmaz in the face.

Josh: “What are you doing? Take it –“

Alex shakes his head and runs at Yilmaz and goes up and hits a flying headscissors. Yilmaz rolls through. He then gets up and turns and Alex runs over and grabs him in a waistlock and hits a huge release German suplex. Alex crawls over and rolls him over and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Tommy breaks it up. Alex rolls over. He looks at Tommy as Tommy then moves over on his knees and nails Alex with a hard right. Alex turns and fires back. We cut to the floor to see Josh trying to help Isaac. Isaac looks up as Josh goes to put the knuckles on him, but Isaac pushes him away. Josh then looks around as Isaac turns and grabs Raab. He then runs him over to the ringpost. Raab goes down. Alex and Tommy continue to trade blows. We then see Kandis starting to get up and Josh then looks at the knuckles, and places them on his own hand before running over and blasting Kandis. Kandis drops to the mats. The crowd ohs and boos.

Sharper: “Josh just nailed Kandis with a hard right. And I think with those knucks!”

Knots: “Well Isaac and Alex…listen to your mentor. It’s legal!”

Sharper: “Isaac and Alex seem to have been more and more hesitant to go along with Josh’s strategies as of late. But either way, that was as blatant.”

Knots: “While Alex and Tommy trade blows. They don’t even know.”

Tommy and Alex then grab one another and hammer away on each other. Isaac then grabs Raab and runs him over to the Spanish announce table. He goes to drive Raab in, but Raab blocks it and elbows him in the ribs. He elbows him again and then drives Isaac face first into the Spanish announce table. He pops up and Raab then grabs him and hits a German suplex onto the floor. The crowd ohs. Tommy then pulls Alex up and kicks him in the ribs. He then jumps up for goes for the Griever’s Bane in the ring. Alex shoves him into the ropes. Tommy bounces off and Alex hoists him up onto his shoulders. He tries to set him up, but Tommy kicks his legs and drops down before then hitting the Griever’s Bane. The crowd erupts.

Sharper: “Griever’s Bane. Experience triumphs!”

He gets up and Raab rolls into the ring and cartwheel’s towards Tommy and jumps up with the Fire Storm. The crowd ohs.

Knots: “And now revenge does!”

Sharper: “The Fire Storm. A variation. Raab into the ring and he got Tommy. Now the pin!”

He rolls Tommy over and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Tommy gets his shoulder up. The crowd ohs. Konrad looks down, stunned. He then starts to get up and looks around. Kemal starts to stir. Konrad then grabs him and pulls him up and says something to him. Konrad then notices Kandis down. Konrad then rolls to the floor. Kemal heads over to Tommy, stomping at him. Konrad grabs Kandis on the floor and drags her up and rolls her into the ring. She rolls over and Konrad slides in. Konrad then gets up and grabs Kandis and elbows her in the back. He then hits a German suplex into a bridge.

1!

2!

Isaac Stone enters and breaks it up. The crowd ohs. Raab rolls over. Kemal sees this and runs over to Isaac. Isaac starts to get up and Kemal nails him with a couple of hard rights.

Sharper: “Stone fighting to get back into the ring. That broke up the pin.”

Knots: “Kandis is still hurt!”

Sharper: “And right now, it may just be can the European Fiery Nation keep the offence. You can see Josh Hudson pacing on the floor.”

Josh Hudson paces as Kemal gets Isaac Stone up. Raab then starts to stir too as Tommy stirs and Alex does as well. Raab and Yilmaz then both kick Isaac in the ribs. Both turn and run into the ropes. Josh Hudson jumps up and nails Raab in the back. He falls to a knee. He turns over as Yilmaz runs forward, but Stone launches him in the air and then catches him before hitting a fall-forward slam. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Stone drops Yilmaz. Josh Hudson involved again.”

Demitra reprimands Josh. Josh then gets up onto the apron.

Josh: “What are you doing to do? Disqualify me? Who gets the win, smart ass! Screw this! I’m going to take this into my own hands! This match should never have happened!”

Josh Hudson then enters the ring. Demitra tries to stop him, but Josh shoves him down. Konrad then starts to get up and Hudson hoists him up onto his shoulders. He then turns and smiles before hitting the Kingdom Come. The crowd ohs. Josh Hudson then turns and points to Isaac. He then points to Konrad as Isaac looks at him and then to Konrad.

Josh: “Just pin him. We get out and we’ll get the title shots we always should’ve had!”

Isaac continues to look more stunned as Josh now turns to Tommy. He grabs Tommy and starts to drag him up. He then pulls him in and hits an overhead belly to belly suplex. The crowd boos as Josh gets up. He turns and snaps at Isaac again. Isaac then heads over to Raab. Demitra stirs as Isaac reluctantly rolls Raab over and then goes for a loose pin. Demitra turns and sees this. He then reluctantly counts as Josh grabs Kandis and pulls her up.

1!

2!

Raab gets his shoulder up. The crowd erupts. Josh turns and then goes to step back, but Kandis pulls him back in and blasts him with the Starmaker! The crowd erupts again.

Sharper: “Raab kicks out. And Josh…Kandis! Starmaker! Kandis got all of that Starmaker and Josh Hudson is out!”

Knots: “He’s a manager! He’s not supposed to be in there.”

Sharper: “Then why the hell is he in the ring.”

Kandis then steps up as Isaac gets up and Kandis nails him with a hard right and then another and another. She then grabs him and pulls him in and hits the Gratuituous. Isaac falls back.

Knots: “Ass to the face!”

Kandis steps over him and hits the Bass Drop. She stays on him for the pin.

1!

2!

Isaac kicks out. She rolls off. Alex stirs as Isaac rolls over. We then see him start to get up and Tommy waits for him to get back up and Isaac turns into him as he hoists him up and Kandis runs over and they hit the Welcome Distraction on to Isaac. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Welcome Distraction!”

Tommy rolls over as does Kandis. Tommy covers Isaac.

1!

2!

Alex breaks it up. He then turns and nails Kandis with a hard right and then nails Tommy with one. He turns and nails Kandis with another and then nails Tommy. He nails Kandis before Tommy grabs Alex and holds him back. Kandis hits a straight kick to the ribs. Just then, Raab comes up behind Tommy and nails him in the back. Tommy and Alex fall forward and knock Kandis down. Alex rolls over as Kandis stirs. Raab gets up and grabs Tommy and kicks him in the ribs as he gets up. He then hooks his arms and turns him over and hoists him up before planting him with the Burn-Blooded Killer. The crowd ohs as Tommy hits the mat. Raab then turns and dives onto him, hammering away, not going for the pin. Kandis turns to Alex who hoists her up and hits the Legacy Defined. The crowd ohs as Alex then goes for the pin, but Kemal Yilmaz grabs Alex and pulls him back before taking him down with the Turkish Acid Cross. The crowd looks on as Raab keeps attacking Tommy. Alex yells in pain.

Sharper: “Raab assaulting Tommy. Tommy driven by Raab. He’s getting what he wants, but Yilmaz. Yilmaz, focusing on winning this match. He’s got his variation of the crossface locked in on Alex!”

Knots: “Everyone’s down. He has to get out himself!”

Yilmaz keeps pulling back as Demitra checks on Alex Hudson. Hudson yells out and keeps trying to fight before then tapping out. The crowd roars as Demitra gets up and calls for the bell. The bell sounds as Yilmaz lets go and rolls over. Raab then turns and looks around as he then smirks as he gets up. Tommy rolls over and falls to the barricade. He then drops to a knee, holding his head and neck. “Wasteland” plays throughout the arena.

Phillips: “Here are your winners, via submission, Kemal Yilmaz and Konrad Raab, the European Fiery Nation!”

Raab rolls in and gets up and joins Yilmaz. He pats him on the back.

Sharper: “Kemal Yilmaz forcing Alex Hudson to submit! And the European Fiery Nation standing tall here.”

Knots: “Talk about a night you make an impact. Raab finally got Tommy Valentine. He may not have done everything. But a message for sure. And Yilmaz making a Hudson tap!”

Sharper: “EFN a huge win here. Fans were behind the Connection, but nonetheless…Raab and the future leader of the EFN from what we’ve heard, Kemal Yilmaz…Yilmaz looking ready to take up that mantle.”

Yilmaz plays to the crowd a bit more as Raab raises his arm. He then glances at Tommy. Tommy moves to the ring and moves over to Kandis, pulling her out of the ring. Kandis rolls over, holding her head and neck as they move back. They glance up to Raab as Yilmaz focuses on celebrating. Kandis turns to Tommy. Tommy and her seem to check on one another. Yilmaz and Raab celebrate some more before they exit the ring. They start to head to the back, Raab more stoic, while Yilmaz holds his arms over his head. Kandis and Tommy then turn to the ring as Josh Hudson starts to stir, holding his jaw.

Sharper: “EFN with the win. Yilmaz is over the moon here. Connection and Raab…I don’t know if that’s over. But…”

Knots: “Josh! Look out. Kandis and Tommy are still out there.”

Kandis steps up and moves to the ring, but Tommy stops her. Isaac Stone starts to stir as Alex Hudson, holds his shoulder and starts to get up. Josh holds his jaw and then looks at the entrance way to see Yilmaz and Raab walking to the back. Josh then steps up to Isaac and Alex.

Josh: “You let THEM win? We’ve owed them and-“

Alex: “Enough, dad!”

Josh: “Don’t you dare talk back. That was a disgrace and-“

Alex and Isaac look at one another as Josh continues.

Josh: “We are better than them. You are supposed to be th-“

Just then Isaac Stone kicks him in the ribs. The crowd erupts. Isaac whips him into Alex Hudson who hoists him over his head. The crowd roars as Alex then, hits a variation of the Kingdom Come on Josh. Josh falls back. Kandis and Tommy smirks as Alex moves out of the way and Isaac grabs the top rope and springbaords to the middle turnbuckle.

Knots: “The hell are you doing?! He got you your jobs! He’s your mentor! He’s your dad!”

Sharper: “And Isaac Stone to the top rope! I mentioned they were not on the same page earlier. And I think they’ve had it with Josh’s motivations! Moonsault!”

Stone jumps off the top rope and hits a moonsault onto Josh Hudson. The crowd ohs. Isaac rolls over and holds his ribs. Tommy and Kandis look up as Alex looks over at them. Isaac then turns and looks over. Tommy just nods as Kandis applauds a bit. Alex then helps Isaac up.

Sharper: “Isaac Stone and Alex Hudson turning on Josh Hudson. And Josh Hudson having a terrible night. But it brings a smile to the Connection at least!”

Knots: “The hell are they doing?!”

Kandis and Tommy start to walk around the ring and make their exit. Alex turns to look at his father before he exits with Isaac too. The scene cuts backstage.

Backstage, we open up to see Jaina Lancaster outside of the locker room of Fall of Man.

Jaina: “I’m here outside of the locker room of the Fall of Man. I had hoped to get some comments from William Heaven. He has refused to open the door and in fact, we’ve had no contact with anyone from Fall of Man. We know they are. More than likely, this is a sign of the intense focus they have on tonight’s matches. There are some major stakes, including William Heaven potentially having to get into the ring to compete, Waylon Creek rebounding off a big loss, and of course, the SCW World Championship on the line. And all of this while James Evans has been injured. The Fall of Man looks to be cracking and tonight could be a big night.”

Jaina stops briefly.

Jaina: “We will see how this night develops for this force that has dominated much of SCW in 2025. Back to ringside.”

The scene cuts back to the ring.

Veil vs. Chris Dumont

The bell sounds and again, Jason Phillips is in the ring.

Phillips: “The following contest is scheduled for onefall with a fifteen minute time limit. The rules are as follows. If Veil wins, Chris Dumont and David Striker will have to beg for forgiveness to Jonathan Knots; if Dumont wins, he gets five minutes with William Heaven!”

The crowd roars.

Sharper: “Fifteen minutes?”

Knots: “What? You think Dumont can last that long?!”

Sharper: “You’re trying to find any way to get an edge. If Veil draws this out-“

Knots: “Hey! Dumont walked into this! I’m going to give me the best chance!”

Sharper: “So Heaven doesn’t come for your ass, right?”

“Wild Thing” by X plays as the crowd roars. A few moments pass before “Ronin” Chris Dumont walks out from the back. Joining him are Kyle Gibson and Irvine. Chris Dumont stands on the stage and looks around the arena as he then stops and throws his arms up in the air as pyro shoots up into the air. He then turns and talks to Irvine and then Gibson. They turn and head to the back as Dumont then starts to head to the ring.

Phillips: “First, from New Orleans, Louisiana, he is Ronin, Chris Dumont!”

Dumont walks down the rampway, looking down, clearly focusing on the match ahead. The camera follows him down as he does. He then starts to reach the ringside are and heads over to the ring before getting a burst of speed and sliding in. He then gets up and walks around the ring before turning and running into the ropes, back and forth before then stopping and looking right at Knots at ringside.

Sharper: “That’s the man you’ve annoyed and-“

Knots: “He punched me for no reason. No, wait, he punched me because he’s thin-skinned!”

Sharper: “And you then signed up for something here.”

Knots: “It’s going to be fine. Veil has it.”

Sharper: “I still don’t believe you aligned with Veil. Veil of all people!”

The lights dim slowly. One light at a time. The crowd buzzes as “The Host of Seraphim” begins to play.

Phillips: “His opponent, this is Veil!”

The music continues to play for several moments, the eerie sensation building in the stadium. The screens on the entrance set are blacked out. A mist starts to cover the stage as the crowd continues to buzz. Dumont continues to pace in the ring. Back on the stage though, we see Veil slowly start to rise up on the stage from the mist and appear in the middle. The crowd roars. He then slowly starts to walk down the rampway.

Sharper: “Veil coming…and we have seen how this man uses mind games. Dumont, however, is focused on one thing. Victory.”

Knots: “And Veil is focused on another thing. Maiming him. I hope.”

Sharper: “You hope. Do you know what you’ve agreed to.”

Knots: “Well Deanna had that Heart of Vail or whatever. Who cares? Nothing is going to help him!”

Veil makes his long walk to the ring. Fans just watch as he walks through the mist. It takes several moments as Veil is in no hurry. He just continues to walk to the ring, slowly, methodically, his eyes not leaving the ring. Finally, he reaches the floor and then looks in the ring. He walks to the middle of the ring and stops. He crouches down. He places one open hand flat on the mat. He lowers his head. He whispers something no one can hear. A white flash comes from the stage. He then rolls into the ring. He calmly stands up.

Knots: “Come on Veil!”

The camera cuts to Knots briefly as he speaks only to turn back to the ring. Dumont turns and snaps at Knots.

Dumont: “You had to sink this far. You’re going to regret it. I hope you’re ready to see it all implode!”

Knots: “Focus on Veil. He won’t stop!”

Sharper: “I still can’t believe you turned to him.”

Knots: “I was backed into a corner. But I always had a plan!”

The bell sounds as Dumont turns back. Veil slowly cocks his head to the side. Dumont then steps up and nails him with a forearm shot. Veil barely moves as Dumont then forearms him again and then a third time before he pulls him in and snapmares him over. He then kicks him in the back. Veil grimaces a bit, but slowly rolls over and starts to get up. Dumont looks around before then nailing him with a hard right and then another. He pushes him into the ropes and fires him off. Veil bounces off and Dumont turns only for Veil to suddenly jump up and hit a flying clothesline. Dumont rolls over and to the ropes.

Knots: “See! He won’t stop!”

Sharper: “Veil with a huge flying clothesline. Absorbing the offense from Dumont and then flying through the air.”

Dumont starts to get up and Veil heads over and hits a throat thrust. Dumont falls back into the corner. Veil then leans in and starts to choke him.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Veil steps off. He then backs up as the official warns him. He steps forward and grabs Dumont, dragging him out before wrenching his arm and pulling him into a short-arm shoulder thrust. Dumont hits the mat. Veil goes for the lateral press.

1!

2!

Dumont kicks out. He rolls over and moves to the ropes. Veil follows after him and Dumont kicks him in the ribs.

Sharper: “Veil methodically attacking Dumont. Now Dumont fighting back.”

Knots: “Throw what you want at him! He’ll take it and more!”

Dumont kicks him again. He then grabs him and spins him around and sends him into the ropes. Veil bounces off and Dumont hits a dropkick. Veil hits the mat. He slowly gets up and Dumont then grabs him and hooks him up by the head and hoists him up. He then bounces him off the top rope and hits the Ode to Tully. He floats over for the pin.

1!

2!

Veil kicks out. Dumont rolls off. He gets up and Veil sits up. He slowly stirs as Dumont hits a straight kick to the face. Veil staggers. Dumont runs into the ropes, bouncing off and then hits the Tiger Knee. Veil falls back and through the ropes to the floor. He falls over and kneels in front of the announce tables. Dumont then walks over to the ropes. (1) He steps through and drops down. (1)

Sharper: “Easy Knots.”

Knots: “Hey! Don’t worry about me. I don’t attack unprovoked like this guy!”

Dumont grabs Veil and moves him to the English announce table. He looks at Knots. (2) He snaps at him before nailing Veil with a series of hard right hands to the jaw. Veil drops to a knee. (3) The crowd roars. Dumont turns and points at Knots.

Dumont: “I hope you’re ready to get on your knees!”

Dumont turns to Veil who suddenly hits a kneeling throat thrust. Dumont falls to the announce table. (4) Veil then grabs him and drives him face first into the table. Dumont staggers. (5) Veil rolls him into the ring. Dumont gets up as Veil slides in. Dumont gets up and Veil kicks him I the ribs, hooks him and hits a snap suplex. He turns and goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Dumont kicks out again.

Sharper: “Snap suplex only gets two. Veil just slow with that offense.”

Knots: “Nothing fancy. He has his plan. He knows he can do it.”

Sharper: “What is his plan? He’s helping you, or?”

Knots: “Doesn’t matter!”

Veil gets up and hits a elbow drop to Dumont before getting up and hitting a second elbow drop and then getting up and hitting a third. He then goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Dumont kicks out again. He rolls over and moves to the corner. Veil calmly gets up and heads over before then kneeing him in the ribs. He knees him again and whips him across the ring. Dumont hits the opposite corner. Veil then suddenly runs across and Dumont gets a boot up. Veil staggers as the crowd roars. He turns around and Dumont suddenly blasts him with the Code Zero!

Sharper: “Code Zero!”

Knots: “No! No!”

Sharper: “Right to the jaw. Veil dropped!”

Veil rolls over slowly, but Dumont then grabs him. He bends over and lets out a yell as he then starts to hoist him up. Veil looks around, almost uncertain as Dumont then deadlifts him up and holds him up. He continues to let out a yell before throwing Veil back with the delayed back suplex. The crowd cheers. Veil rolls over and slowly gets up and Dumont grabs him and hooks him up. He then hoists him up for a vertical suplex only to drop him into another Code Zero. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Another Code Zero. This with the added impact from gravity!”

Knots: “Come on Veil. Fight back. Don’t just go on defense! Higher stakes are here!”

Veil falls back. Dumont goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Veil gets his shoulder up. Dumont rolls off. He turns back and drags Veil up. He then moves him into the corner. Dumont nails him with a hard shoot kick to the ribs and then a spin kick to the chest and then a jumping enziguri kick to the head. Veil falls to a knee. Dumont then drags him out and goes to whip him across the ring, but Veil, shockingly, spins through and pulls him in and then hoists him up for a high angle back suplex, dropping him on the back of his head and neck. Dumont rolls through to his hands and knees. Veil then pulls him up and wrenches the arm and drills him with the Grave Silence.

Knots: “Yes!”

Sharper: “Veil, absorbing what Dumont threw at him, and just turned it around with a vicious suplex and then the clothesline. Targeting his neck!”

Veil then covers Dumont.

1!

2!

Dumont shoots his shoulder up. The crowd roars. Veil calmly gets up. HE then steps back before then hitting a pointed elbow drop to the throat of Dumont. He gets up and grabs Dumont. HE drags him up and then pushes him to the ropes. He kicks him hard in the ribs before then stomping him as Dumont practically sits on the middle rope. He stomps him again and again.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Veil is pulled off and spins around. He walks around the ring and then steps up and goes for a running clothesline, but Dumont manages to duck under. Veil stops at the ropes. He then turns around and Dumont jumps up and hits the Crown of Thorns.

Sharper: “Dumont, with a bit more flash, but just as much damage. He drives Veil into the mat.”

Knots: “Veil! Come on!”

Sharper: “Dumont now dragging Veil up!”

Dumont drags Viel up to his feet. He then hoists him onto his shoulders and hits the Thrill of the Hunt. The crowd roars. He presses down on Veil’s chest.

1!

2!

Veil kicks out. Dumont rolls back. He looks at Veil. He then steps forward and grabs him. He then drags him up and turns and runs him into the corner. Dumont runs after and goes for a running Code Zero, but Veil moves out of the way. Dumont spins around and Veil then scoops him up and backs up before dropping him with a Michinoku Driver! He pulls back on the leg.

1!

2!

Dumont shoots his shoulder up. Veil turns and looks around. He then starts to get up and walks over to Dumont. Veil looks at the crowd before then looking at Dumont, saying something to him. He then pulls him in by the arms. He starts to hoist him up, but Dumont blocks it, kicking his legs and then bending back before then flipping forward and this causes him to somersault through while driving Veil shoulder first into the ringpost. The crowd roars. Dumont turns and smirks and looks at Knots. He then flips him off before getting up.

Sharper: “Dumont sending Veil into the ringpost!”

Knots: “He…he countered the Hollowing….”

Sharper: “Veil…I don’t know if he knows what is waiting for him!”

Veil slowly pushes himself out from the turnbuckles and backs up before turning into Dumont who rolls him up in an inside cradle!

1!

2!

3!

The crowd roars. The camera cuts to Knots as the bell sounds. Knots’s eyes widen.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via pinfall, Chris Dumont!”

Sharper: “Dumont beat him! He got the pin.”

Knots: “No…it was fast…”

Sharper: “No it was not!”

Knots: “Veil…how…”

Veil calmly rolls out of the ring. Knots stands up and looks at him. Veil just glares at him. Knots looks up as Dumont smirks before turning to the entrance way. He starts to motion to the back.

Sharper: “This means he gets five minutes unobstructed with William Heaven!”

We then cut to see William Heaven being backed out from the back as Dean Black and Lucas Knight walk forward. CHBK is also with them. Heaven looks around as he then turns and looks at the ring and then back to the SCW officials. The crowd starts to cheer as Dumont motions for him to come to the ring. CHBK points as Heaven then turns and goes to run past them, but they stop him. They then turn him around and start to force him to the ring. Heaven looks around as we see Black and Knight, joined by CHBK, literally dragging him to the ring. The crowd cheers.

Sharper: “Heaven trying to escape, but Lucas Knight and Dean Black dragging him to the ring. CHBK to make sure this stipulation is enforced!”

Dumont keeps waiting in the ring as we see Heaven dragged to the ring and over to it. They let go and Heaven turns to the ring, looking at Dumont with disgust. He then turns back and CHBK grabs him and rolls him into the ring. The crowd roars. Heaven’s eyes widen.

Knots: “CHBK! What the hell?!”

Sharper: “The COO of SCW just rolled Heaven into the ring!”

The bell sounds. Dumont turns and goes to Heaven and grabs him, but Heaven manages to fight off his blazer and drop down to the mat and roll to the floor. Knight and Black around in opposite directions. He then looks around and goes to climb over the barricade only to be stopped. He looks up as we see Aisling Reed sliding to a stop in one of the walkways. Reed then runs to the ringside area as Heaven spins around and Dumont grabs Heaven. He then rolls him into the ring. The crowd roars as Aisling then hops over the barricade. Heaven gets up and Dumont runs at him and clotheslines him down. The crowd erupts.

Sharper: “Aisling Reed stopping Heaven from making another escape. And a clothesline! Dumont drops Heaven!”

Knots: “No…I’m…so sorry. I’m so sorry. Stop this! He’s not a competitor!”

Heaven rolls over, half out of it as Aisling then climbs onto the apron. She steps into the ring. Heaven looks up as Dumont grabs him and then rips open his dress shirt, exposing his chest. He then chops him. The crowd woos. Heaven yells in pain. CHBK smirks as he watches from ringside. Dumont then chops Heaven again. Heaven falls to his knees as the impact echoes through the NRG Stadium.

Sharper: “These chops are echoing. Heaven being taken out behind the woodshed by Chris Dumont! And Houston loves it!”

Knots: “The hell is wrong with you?!”

Dumont then drags him up and looks at him before saying something to him. He then whips him into the corner by Aisling and Aisling jumps up, wrapping her legs around his arms and turning him over around the ropes with the tarantula. The crowd roars as Heaven yells in pain. Dumont walks over and walks right up to his face. Heaven yells out as Dumont taunts him. Aisling keeps pulling on the legs as the crowd cheers some more. Heaven struggles as he then starts to go limp from the pain. Dumont taps Aisling and Aisling lets go and Heaven just drops to the mat in a heap. Dumont walks around the ring. Aisling looks at him.

Sharper: “Aisling Reed even getting into it. The torture of Heaven after the comments he made about Aisling, about her injury.”

Knots: “He just told the truth! That’s all! The truth hurts!”

Aisling stomps Heaven in the head and he rolls over. Dumont then grabs him and slowly drags him up. He then hooks him up and hoists him up onto his shoulders. The crowd erupts as Dumont looks around. He then smirks as he continues to hold him up. He then drops him back down onto his feet, getting some boos from the crowd. Dumont then grabs him and hoists him up and hits the Ode to Tully. Heaven grimaces in pain and rolls to his side. Dumont then gets up and looks around before then dragging him back up. He then double underhooks him. The crowd roars as Dumont looks around. He then hoists him up and spins around and drops him with the Nightrider! The crowd erupts. Dumont then rolls back and places his foot on him. Aisling counts.

1!

2!

3!

Dumont steps off and looks around. Aisling gets up and looks at Heaven who is unconscious on the mat. “Wild Thing” starts to play as the crowd roars.

Sharper: “Nightrider! Then a three count for good measure. Dumont gets what he wants. And Aisling too!”

Dumont turns as Aisling then raises his arm. The crowd cheers as Dumont looks around. Aisling looks at Heaven and steps over him. Officials enter the ring.

Knots: “This is a travesty…a travesty!”

Sharper: “How’s it going to look on you when you opened this possibility up!”

Dumont smirks as he exits the ring. He helps Aisling down to the mat and the two leave as Knots buries his head in his hands at the announce position.

We open up as the cameras pan across a barren desert. We see a crumpled pamphlet from KABLAMia roll past, taken by the win. We then see a signed photo of Cid Turner, before showing a destroyed World Tag Team Championship belt. The camera continues to pan across the scene before we see hear some cheering. The camera continues to move forward before we see several people’s feet and then the camera pans up to show a fighting circle. We see one person driven down to the ground before we see then dragged back up before driving back down by the Polly Pop. We see Polly Pingotti standing up and then standing over their opponent. The official waves it off before Polly looks around.

Polly: “Who’s next!”

Polly looks around as we then see David Striker stepping up, cracking his fingers. He takes off a post-apocalyptic helmet and throws it down.

Striker: “Always up for a fight.”

The Apocalypse logo comes up on the screen.

“SCW presents Apocalypse, live on pay per view, on Sunday, September 21, 2025.”

We then see Striker and Pingotti in the ring, before we then see Billy Heaven Jr. showing up.

Heaven Jr.: “Where’s the party?!”

Pingotti and Striker look at each other before they both throw punches at the camera, representing them attacking Billy as the scene cuts to black.

Ryan LeCavalier vs. Glory Braddock

The arena is quiet, with a palpable sense of expectancy in the air as the lights go off. An ethereal blue glow is projected onto the entry ramp by a lone floodlight that breaks through the darkness. The crowd trembles with eagerness as L'Impératrice's "A View to a Kill" pulsates synthesizers burst the stillness. A silhouette appears out of the darkness, clad in a shimmering silver cloak that seems to both reflect and absorb the light. The coat flutters about her as she moves, giving her enticing peeks of the wrestling gear in silver and black underneath. Her face is hidden behind a mask of steely resolve, framed by the hood. The moment Ryan LeCavalier, as "The Lost Monarch," removes her hood and shows off her icy-focused eyes, the audience roars. At the top of the ramp, she stops and looks out over the crowd like a queen assessing her subjects.

Phillips: “The following contest is scheduled for onefall and has a thirty minute time limit. First, from Miami, Florida, she is the Lost Monarch, Ryan LeCavalier!”

Her namepate comes up as she steps down the rampway. The crowd watches her, many booing, although some cheering her, as she walks down to the ring. We cut to a wide shot to show her walking down the rampway. The crowd continues to watch her. She then heads over to the corner and climbs up to the apron and then up to the middle turnbuckle. There, she removes her cloak and throws it down. She then steps into the ring and walks forward, pulling out her mouthguard and placing it in her mouth. She then walks around the ring, ready for her fight.

Sharper: “Ryan LeCavalier believes she’s a top star. And she’s has the talent to prove it. But she took issue with Glory Braddock and her pulling out of the Taking Hold of the Flame. And since then, these two veterans have gone back and forth and tonight, it comes to a head.”

Knots: “And this could be a hell of a match, but you know if Ryan gets the chance, she may try to rip Glory’s arm off. And Glory, she’s skilled enough to maybe want to do the same if she feels like it too!”

The first chords of "Immortal" by Ozzy Osbourne begins to play over the PA system as the crowd roars. A few moments pass as we see Glory Braddock walk out from the back, wearing a purple wrestling robe. She steps out and poses on the stage as pyro shoots off on both sides of the stage. LeCavalier just glares at her. Glory’s nameplate comes up as she starts to head to the ring.

Phillips: “Her opponent, from London, England, she is the British Bombshell, Glory Braddock!”

Announcer: From London, England, she is The British Bombshell GLORY BRADDOCK!

I come alive at the second of midnight
So I can fly when the world is asleep
You scream and howl as I'm taking the first bite
Blood on my tongue tastes of eternity

People will come and go
Some stories never told
They bury me down below
But I'll never die
'Cause I'm immortal
Yes, immortal

Braddock makes her way down the rampway and reaches the ring. The British Bombshell steps up the steel steps and then onto the ring apron. She poses momentarily on the apron, allowing people to take snapshots before stepping through the ropes and into the ring. Once in the ring Glory heads to the center of the ring and poses once more. She glances at LeCavalier, taking off her robe, and then handing it off to a crew member at ringside. Braddock turns around as her music fades out.

Knots: “LeCavalier may now be annoyed that Braddock had pyro!”

Sharper: “Maybe, but right now, both have to focus. Braddock, a Supreme Champion, and she’s been as focused as they come as of late. On a winning streak. LeCavalier, however, has let this define her and she’s going to have to fight through it.”

Knots: “And that hatred, for her, she’s hoping it’s enough to guide her to victory at Rise to Greatness!”

Ryan LeCavalier looks across at Glory Braddock with a glare on her face. Glory just smirks as the bell sounds. Jennifer Cassidy stands in as the official. Ryan jaws at Glory as the two start to circle the ring. They then step up and lock up in the middle of the ring. Ryan tries to go to the face, but Glory pulls back and then jukes back before she spins around. They lock up again and Ryan drops down and manages to go for the legs, only to then hit a fireman’s carry. Glory rolls with Ryan though and keeps hold as Ryan tries to roll through to grab Glory. Glory instead moves into a front face lock. Ryan drops down, trying to turn through, but Glory blocks it and moves back to the front facelock. Ryan keeps trying to get free, managing to get out, while, Glory stays on top of her before then both get up and push back off one another.

Sharper: “And both known for their technical ability. Ryan trying to take down Glory. Glory able to keep enough of a vertical base.”

Knots: “But first takedown went to LeCavalier.”

Sharper: “We’re not on points here.”

Knots: “Should be.”

Sharper: “You’d maybe not have to deal with the aftermath of tonight.”

Knots: “Stop it!”

Ryan and Glory keep watching one another before Ryan again drops down and this time, takes Glory down by the legs. She holds on and Glory then moves her legs and manages to get them around Ryan and rolls over and tries to hold onto Ryan. Ryan, however, slides underneath, grabbing at the leg of Glory. She goes for the ankle briefly only to then go for the arm, but Glory grabs her and rolls her over to the mat. Ryan keeps struggling and gets free. She slides back to her feet as Glory does the same. The crowd politely applauds as the two watch one another.

Sharper: “Still back and forth. Again, this has become a very personal issue here. But at the same time, they’re both very competitive.”

Knots: “Braddock’s on a win streak. She’s eying the World Title. Ryan LeCavalier feels she should be closer to the top.”

Sharper: “And it’s clear that they wouldn’t mind humbling the other for very different reasons.”

They take a moment before locking up again. Ryan this time manages to push Glory back into the corner. She pushes against her, but Glory spins through and pushes Ryan against the turnbuckle. The official comes over for the break. Glory starts to break. Ryan shoves her back though. Glory quickly responds with a stiff shove to Ryan’s chest. Glory then backs up, telling her to come at her as LeCavalier walks out of the corner. LeCavalier then slows down again. She rears for another grapple. Braddock watches her and then Ryan lunges and grabs Braddock, lifting her up. She then turns and starts to carry her over a bit before twisting her in the air and slamming her down with a Greco-Roman takedown. She rolls through to the head, but Glory gets free and rolls over and goes for the head. Ryan rolls through, trying to hold onto the arm, but Glory frees herself again before moving into a front facelock. Ryan grabs at the head and rolls under before spinning around into one of her own. Glory tries to roll her over, and Ryan is upside down, but keeps fighting as Ryan rolls to her side. She keeps holding onto Glory. Glory rolls over again, trying to force Ryan into a pin, but Ryan resists before both end up in the ropes.

1!

2!

3!

4!

They both let go and Ryan rolls away. Glory gets up and both move to the middle of the ring. This time, Glory drops down first, and hits a single leg takedown. She moves over toward Ryan and grabs at her, but Ryan grabs at Glory’s arm and manages to move around while on her back before turning into an armbar. She starts to set up for the Body/Prison, but Glory quickly moves to the ropes and grabs the bottom rope. Cassidy calls for the break.

Sharper: “And there you see it. The Body/Prison. LeCavalier didn’t get it on but was trying for it. Trying to get it there. She would love to make Glory tap to it.”

Knots: “But Braddock had it scouted. Immediately to the ropes. Didn’t try to do something fancy. Immediately force the break.”

1!

2!

3!

4!

Ryan lets go and backs up and moves to the middle of the ring. Glory looks up and slowly gets up, keeping her eye on her. They then lunge at one another and Glory gets the takedown again and then buries her head under Ryan’s arm. She tries to get more leverage and spins around and tries to get Ryan’s shoulders to the mat, but Ryan rolls through and again goes for the Body/Prison. Braddock again moves to the ropes and this time, moves right over to the apron. Ryan lets go and then grabs at Braddock. Braddock, this time, grabs at the arm and tries to pull it out, threatening the Shekinah Glory, but Ryan pulls away. She then spins around. Glory enters the ring and Ryan runs forward and goes for a hard right, but Glory ducks and spins around and chops her. The crowd woos.

Sharper: “And Ryan almost caught. Then she went for the hard right, but Glory saw it coming.”

Knots: “And I think things are going to turn up a notch!”

Glory chops her again and pushes her into the ropes. She fires her off and Ryan bounces off and Glory hoists her up for a tilt-a-whirl, but Ryan lands on her feet. Glory kicks her in the ribs and then sends her into the ropes. Ryan bounces off and Glory hits a drop toe hold and then moves to the head and arm of Ryan and goes for a crossface herself. The crowd roars as Ryan moves to the ropes. Glory smirks the entire time as Ryan moves to the ropes and grabs at them.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Glory lets go and rolls over. She then gets up. Ryan gets up enraged and steps up to Glory who then catches her arm and goes to take her down for a crossface, but Ryan blocks it and rolls through. She then goes to kick at Braddock. Braddock moves back and Ryan turns around and runs at Glory, but Glory jumps up and hits a frankensteiner. She then pulls back on the legs.

1!

2!

LeCavalier kicks out.

Sharper: “And a nearfall. LeCavalier aggressively going after Braddock. And Braddock lulling her in!”

Knots: “Slow down Ryan. Slow down. Don’t let her get into your head.”

LeCavalier gets up and Braddock chops her once, leading to woos from the crowd. She chops her hard again and LeCavalier ends up in the ropes. Braddock whips her across. She bounces off and slides through the legs of Braddock. She gets up and LeCavalier turns and Ryan nails her with a hard right before kicking her in the ribs. She then hits a snap suplex. She floats over for the pin.

1!

2!

Braddock kicks out. Both get up and Ryan chops Braddock hard in the chest and then nails her again before chopping her in the forehead. Braddock spins around and clotheslines LeCavalier down.

Sharper: “Hard chop to the head. That seemed to just enrage Glory.”

Knots: “Glory dropped her and hard. And this is starting to get away from the technical wrestling we were seeing.”

LeCavalier gets back up and Braddock kicks her in the ribs and hits a snap suplex of her own. She then gets up and runs into the ropes. She bounces off and hits a knee drop. She goes for the pin.

1!

2!

LeCavalier kicks out. She turns and Braddock nails her with a couple of forearm shots before then going to whip her across. Ryan, however, spins around and pulls her in before catching Braddock, scooping her up and hitting a spinning back suplex. Braddock rolls over, holding her head and neck. She gets back up and LeCavalier grabs her and hits a high angle back suplex.

Sharper: “A series of suplexes and LeCavalier has Braddock down.”

Knots: “Dropping her on the back of her head.”

LeCavalier turns and grabs Braddock and sits her up and then kicks her in the head. The crowd ohs. LeCavalier goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Braddock kicks out. She turns and starts to get up and LeCavalier grabs her by her arm and clubs her in the shoulder a couple of times. She then tries to take Braddock down again with the Body/Prison. Braddock blocks it and keeps trying to fight it before then suddenly rolling to her side, throwing LeCavalier off. She rolls through and lunges at Braddock. Braddock jumps up and grabs Ryan’s arm, going for the Shekinah Glory. Ryan LeCavalier fights before managing to stay upright and kicks Braddock in the back once and then again and finally a third time to get free. She staggers back and coughs a bit as Braddock rolls over. Ryan then runs at her, but Glory turns and sends her chest first into the turnbuckles. LeCavalier falls back and into Braddock who hits a snap German suplex. She then rolls over and moves to the apron and starts to pull herself up. She then moves to the corner as LeCavalier slowly gets up, holding her head and neck and Braddock gets to the middle turnbuckle. She waits and LeCavalier turns to her only for Glory to hit the Prankster’s Paradise! She turns and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

LeCavalier gets her shoulder up.

Sharper: “Braddock got all of that flipping neckbreaker. The patented Prankster’s Paradise.”

Knots: “LeCavalier probably just motivated by spite there. Didn’t want to stay down!”

LeCavalier rolls over and starts to get up and Braddock gets up to her feet and LeCavalier lunges again and Braddock suddenly takes her down by the arm and locks in crippler crossface. The crowd roars.

Sharper: “And Braddock…her using this move set off LeCavalier weeks ago!”

Knots: “And she’s got it fully locked in on her!”

LeCavalier reaches up as the crowd roars. Braddock pulls back on the head, while also pulling on the arm as it’s trapped between her legs. LeCavalier yells out as Braddock pulls pulling back and LeCavalier reaches around before then trying to move around. She then starts to get her knees under her and rolls Braddock over into a pin.

1!

2!

Braddock kicks out. Both get up and Braddock hits the Gloria in Excelsis Dio. LeCavalier falls back. Braddock then gets up and looks around before exiting to the apron. She climbs the turnbuckle to the top rope and then looks around before setting up for the London Plunge. Just then, Ryan manages to get up and falls into the ropes. Glory lands hard crotch first on the top turnbuckle. The crowd ohs. LeCavalier then takes a moment as Glory grimaces in pain. LeCavalier then runs over and just drills her with a hard right and Glory falls onto the apron in a heap. The crowd ohs. LeCavalier staggers over, exiting to the apron. Glory slowly starts to get up and Ryan then kicks her in the ribs and pulls her in before hitting the Ephemeris. The crowd ohs as Braddock is planted on the apron. LeCavalier however holds onto the arm of Glory and rolls into the ring. She slowly starts to drag her in.

Sharper: “Exploder on the apron.”

Knots: “And look at LeCavalier. She’s holding on. She’s dragging her back in!”

Sharper: “And that’s the arm that she’s been trying to lock in the Body/Prison in.”

She drags Braddock into the ring and stands up before pulling her back down and locking in the BODY/PRISON. The crowd roars as Braddock yells out in pain. LeCavalier smiles as she pulls back on Braddock’s arm and head. Cassidy checks on Braddock. Braddock shakes her head no.

Sharper: “BODY/PRISON locked in and LeCavalier…look at the glee on her face.”

Knots: “That winning streak that Glory’s so proud of, it may be done in mere moments!”

The crowd roars as Braddock keeps struggling and Ryan pulls back. She starts to berate Braddock as Braddock reaches out and starts to try and move herself to the ropes, moving laterally. She slowly starts to get a bit more movement. She keeps trying and Ryan keeps the hold on as Braddock moves closer and closer and finally grabs the bottom rope. The crowd roars. LeCavalier keeps the hold on.

1!

2!

3!

4!

LeCavalier finally lets go and rolls off. She then gets up and stomps Braddock in the shoulder a couple of times before pulling her up and going to move her back for another BODY/PRISON, but this time, Braddock rolls through and then as Ryan looks up. She knees her in the face. LeCavalier falls back. Both get up and LeCavalier lunges for Braddock with a spin crescent kick to the head, but Braddock ducks and hits a superkick. The crowd roars.

Sharper: “Superkick to the jaw! LeCavalier down!”

Knots: “Braddock got her!”

Sharper: “She’s favouring that arm, but climbing to the top rope!”

Braddock exits to the apron and uses her good arm to pull herself up to the top rope. She then looks down at LeCavalier before diving off and hitting the London Plunge. She drives her head into the head of LeCavalier. LeCavalier turns to her side. Braddock crawls over, holding her head and then hooks the leg.

1!

2!

LeCavalier shoots her shoulder up. The crowd ohs. Braddock rolls off and looks around.

Sharper: “And LeCavalier finds a way to get that shoulder off the canvas. Despite the London Plunge…”

Knots: “Spite!”

Braddock slowly gets up and grabs Ryan LeCavalier. She drags her up and then nails her with a chop. The crowd woos. She chops her again. More woos. She gets Ryan to the ropes and goes to fire her off, but Ryan ducks under and goes to take Braddock down again for the BODY/PRISON. Braddock however blocks it and keeps blocking it before rolling forward. Ryan steps up and goes to float over to move to a mount position, but as she does, both hold onto each other’s arm and this allows Braddock to pull LeCavalier in for the Shekinah Glory. The crowd erupts. LeCavalier struggles, trying to kick for the ropes, but Braddock pulls on the arm, and squeezes with her legs. LeCavalier tries to move around before falling to the side. Braddock pulls back as the crowd cheers loudly. The official heads over and checks on LeCavalier. Braddock keeps pulling back on the arm, squeezing LeCavalier. LeCavalier stops resisting as the official checks and then calls for the bell. The crowd erupts. The bell sounds.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via submission, Glory Braddock!”

Braddock lets go and rolls over as LeCavalier rolls over.

Sharper: “Braddock chokes out LeCavalier! They were both controlling the arm for their own purposes and with LeCavalier trying so hard to control, she left herself open!”

Knots: “She wanted to win so badly, she made a fatal mistake! And LeCavalier, when she comes to, she’s going to be incensed!”

Sharper: “But for now, Braddock victorious!

Braddock gets up and looks around. She has her arm raised as her music plays throughout the stadium. LeCavalier remains down as Braddock then moves to the corner and holds her arms up, holding up seven fingers. She then drops down and motions for a title as she walks around the ring.

Sharper: “And that’s going to be next…the winning streak continues and we know what Braddock wants!”

Braddock continues to play to the crowd.

Sharper: “And while Braddock celebrates, we wonder…who will walk out the SCW United States Champion. The title will be unified. Fatal Fourway action and it all started last year!”

The RTG XXII logo comes up on the screen.

We see a shot of Deanna Frost as the SCW United States Champion. She is celebrating with the title before we see the video turn into a photo which burns up. We then cut to a shot of La Pequena Luz standing in the ring with CHBK.

CHBK: “Unfortunately, Deanna Frost is in no condition to perform due to her mental health issues.”

The crowd buzzes. Luz is shown hesitant to accept what she knows will happen.

CHBK: “While we are not stripping her of the title now…we need the title defended and so, it is only right, given that you earned the number one contendership under those circumstances that you…La Pequena Luz…are the SCW interim United States Champion!”

We cut to a shot of Luz holding the SCW United States Championship before that turns into a photo that burns up. We then see Asher Hayes hitting Luz with the Dust to Dust before showing him pinning her, before that burns up. We then cut to a shot of Jordan Majors returning at Retribution as US Champion. She spins around in the ring before the image freezes on the screen. “Back Up Plan” by Bailey Zimmerman and Luke Combs plays in the background.

So your back's backed up against the wall
And the bandwagon's fallin' right off
And you're hearin' all the talk about, "Maybe you should think about
What you're gonna do if it don't work out

It ain't about if it makes sense
'Cause if the boot do, it don't fit
As far as I can see, there ain't no way to be
Somebody if you're just 'gon quit

We see shots of Jordan Majors beating various local talent, celebrating with the SCW United States Championship after each shot. We see a shot of Luz confronting Majors before we cut to see Majors planning to hit the Cash Out on Luz, only for Asher Hayes to come from the back. We then see Luz locking in the La Magica before Majors taps out quickly and then tries to run. We then see Hayes holding the SCW United States Championship.

So, if you got a fire, don't lose it
If you got a do-or-die dream, do it
If you got somethin' to prove, go on and prove it
Don't let nobody clip your wings

Keep your head down, keep on the blinders
Tune out the doubters and all the closed minders
If it's in your blood, fallin' down ain't enough
To change who you were born to be

Gettin' back up, that's the only backup plan you need

We then see shots of Jordan Majors and Asher Hayes in Mexico, with the two seemingly looking like they’re enjoying themselves. We see shots of Asher Hayes looking uncomfortable, as we see Majors taunting him. We cut to shots of Majors pinning Hayes before showing Majors again with the SCW United States Championship. This follows with shots from Taking Hold of the Flame where we see Hayes locking in a cradle pin on Majors and beating her. We then see Majors hitting the Cash Out on Hayes before showing her grabbing the US Title. This is followed by a shot of Luz running down. Majors puts the title on the apron, backing up as Luz goes to grab the title. Luz turns back to Hayes as Majors enters and hits another Cash Out on Luz. She then holds the US Title smiling.

Well life's got a lot of sticks and stones
And a blade that'll cut you to the bone
But if you're doing what you love and it kills you
Well, you can live with that all day long

We then cut to see Majors in the ring with Luz and Hayes at ringside, before seeing Dean Black and Lucas Knight in the ring. Luz and Knight keep trying to get Hayes back, before the crowd erupts as we see some rumblings in the crowd. The camera turns as we see Deanna Frost walking through the crowd. The crowd grows and grows in their cheers before she climbs over the barricade. She then walks along the ringside area. Dean Black notices her as she then slides into the ring.

Sharper: “My God…it’s Deanna Frost! She’s here! She’s here in St. Louis!”

Knots: “We’ve not seen her in months! Jordan! Jordan! Turn around!”

Deanna Frost then gets up as Majors hears the crowd and then turns around, only to lunge at Deanna, who steps up and hits the Burnout. Majors falls back and down to the mat, laid out. Deanna then looks at her. She then looks around, eyes darting a bit, before then turning to the US Championship. She looks at the title as Dean Black enters the ring. Deanna then grabs the US Title and grabs it. Deanna Frost then walks over to the ropes by Knight, Hayes, Luz and other officials. Black heads over to Deanna as Deanna then places the title down on the apron, looking at Hayes. Hayes looks at her and then grabs the title. He pulls it back as Dean Black goes over to Deanna. Deanna can be seen nodding as she looks around. Officials enter to check on Majors. Hayes looks at Deanna as Luz climbs onto the apron, now focusing on Deanna too.

So, if you got a fire, don't lose it
If you got a do-or-die dream, do it
If you got somethin' to prove, go on and prove it
Don't let nobody clip your wings

Keep your head down, keep on the blinders
Tune out the doubters and all the closed minders
If it's in your blood, fallin' down ain't enough
To change who you were born to be

Gettin' back up, that's the only backup plan you need

We then cut forward to see shots of Luz, Hayes, and Frost in the ring, before showing Majors walking out from the back.

CHBK: “At Rise to Greatness – La Pequena Luz, Asher Hayes, Deanna Frost…and Jordan Majors will meet to determine the unified SCW United States Champion!”

We then see Majors keep motioning for the belt. This is followed by shots of Jordan Majors hitting the Cash Out on Deanna Frost, before showing her hitting it on Luz and Hayes at different points. We then see a shot of Luz supporting Deanna, before showing Deanna handing the SCW United States Championship to Asher Hayes. This is shown by shots of Deanna talking to Hayes backstage.

Deanna: “As I’m concerned, you’re the defending champ going in. I need to beat you to prove I can still hold that belt.”

So if you got a fire, don't lose it
If you got a do-or-die dream, do it
If you got somethin' to prove, go on and prove it
Don't let nobody clip your wings

Keep your head down, keep on the blinders
Tune out the doubters and all the closed minders
If it's in your blood, fallin' down ain't enough
To change who you were born to be

Gettin' back up, that's the only backup plan you need
Yeah, gettin' back up, that's the only backup plan you need

We cut to shots of Luz locking in La Mistica on Majors before showing Hayes hitting the Dust to Dust on Luz before showing Hayes clotheslining Majors down. We see Majors running off as we then see shots of Deanna Frost hitting the Burnout on Majors before we cut to a fourway shot of all four competitors. The Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen.

La Pequena Luz vs. Jordan Majors vs. Asher Hayes vs. Deanna Frost

SCW United States Championship

The bell sounds.

Phillips: “The following contest is a fatal four way match scheduled for onefall with a sixty minute time limit and is for the unified SCW United States Championship!”

The SCW United States Championship logo comes across the screen.

All the lights in the arena slowly begin to go out, the buzz from the fans growing as the arena is slowly consumed in darkness. After a few moments, a spotlight cuts through the darkness, revealing La Pequeña Luz standing in the center of it, wearing an attire identical to her wife's from earlier: a sleeveless crop top like she usually wears along with 3” bicycle short style tights in a shimmering vinyl ivory color and gold trim, along with an ivory and gold version of her usual mask. The only difference on her mask tonight is that the usual design on the forehead of the mask has changed, instead showcasing a gold-colored design of the HUNTR/X logo except with the letter L in place of the usual H. We also see that, like Amelia earlier tonight, her body is painted from head to toe in glittery rainbow-colored patterns that shimmer in the lights, making her look very similar to Rumi from the soon-to-be-mentioned movie. As “How It's Done” by HUNTR/X from the recently released hit movie K-Pop Demon Hunters starts to play over the speakers, all the lights slowly begin to flicker to life in pulsing blues and purples, though Luz's spotlight still cuts through it all. The lights coming on also reveals not only Amelia Nevado standing just behind her wife, still in her own wrestling attire from earlier and the faded remains of her painted patterns, but also what look to be people dressed up like various demons from Korean folklore surrounding them. Luz just looks around and grins as she mouths along with Rumi's intro declaration.

“Ugh, you came at a bad time
But you just crossed the line
You wanna get wild?
Okay, I'll show you wild!”

As the song begins full force, the demons attempt to converge on Luz and Amelia, but suddenly we see a ton of people cosplaying as HUNTR/X appear from out of nowhere and begin fighting back the demons in a beautifully choreographed martial arts display of dominance. As this happens around them, Amelia leans her head over Luz's shoulder and the two share a passionate kiss full of love before Amelia pats Luz's back and we can see her mouth the words “you've got this, champ.” With that, Luz begins her usual energetic skipping down to the ring while Amelia turns and heads to the back, but not before getting in on the action briefly as she catches a demon trying to rush past her to pursue her wife and takes them down into a fujiwara armbar, making them tap out before she rolls to her feet and heads to the back to let Luz have this moment to shine on her own, returning the favor from earlier tonight.

Phillips: “First, on her way to the ring, from Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico, representing the Light in the Darkness, she is La Pequena Luz!”

As Luz makes her way down to the ring, her skipping slowly turns into dancing as she gets more into the high energy of the song. Along the way, we also see several more HUNTR/X cosplayers crossing in front of and behind her in dazzling displays of parkour flips and moves, adding to the spectacle and getting the crowd more and more pumped up by the second. Finally, as Luz reaches ringside, she sees one last demon hop the barricade from the crowd and move to block her path. With her usual cheesy grin daring him, the demon charges at her only for Luz to rush at him and take him down with La Mágica, making him tap out before she stands up and brushes herself off, acting unfazed by the incident. She then proceeds to leap up onto the apron and climb to the top turnbuckle, smiling out at the roaring fans before she slowly raises her palms to the sky in tandem with the insane high note Rumi hits on the final bridge with the word “light,” causing several more bright white spotlights to suddenly turn on and almost completely hide Luz from us with the blinding sight. As the song bursts into its final chorus, Luz flips into the ring and hits the mat in a roll before popping right back to her feet, feeding off the energy from both the song and the fans as she skips around the ring, motioning for the fans to make even more noise as they get louder in response.

Sharper: “We saw earlier that Amelia Nevado was able to defeat Chris Cannon. Can Luz now walk out the US Champion? The undisputed champion.”

Knots: “She wanted to face Deanna in the fall. She’s getting her chance now. But also can get a bit more revenge – Hayes. Majors.”

Sharper: “I don’t know about revenge. But could give a receipt for some losses or in the case of Majors, Majors’s attacks from behind.”

“Hater Era”

A laugh can be heard before the opening sounds of “Overdose” by Memphis May Fire begin. The song quickly picks up pace as purple, pink, and yellow lights shine throughout the arena, emanating from the stage. The song plays for some time before Jordan Majors walks out to the middle of the stage and turns around and puts her arms straight out as she looks down. The camera pans in to her leather jacket to see #HaterEra emblazoned on the back. She bobs her head to the music before turning and looking directly toward the ring. She kneels and taps a fist into the ground before she grins and begins to make her way toward the ring at her own pace.

Phillips: “Next, from Chicago, Illinois, she is the Star of Today, Jordan Majors!”

Majors walks to the ring with a huge grin on her face, her arms outstretched. She ignores the crowd on each side of the ramp as she slowly walks to the area just outside of the ring. Majors makes her way to the ring steps and slaps them twice before she runs up and jumps to the middle rope from the outside of the turnbuckle. She screams out to the crowd and points to herself before she grins and strikes a pose in the corner with her arms stretched out to each side. Jordan hops over the top rope and into the ring and removes her jacket. She tosses it out of the ring before she walks to the ropes and climbs through to the middle rope. She sits on the rope and nods her head before she ducks back into the ring. Jordan makes her way to her corner and sits on the top rope as she waits for the match to begin.

Sharper: “Jordan Majors is acting like she’s the happiest woman in the world. She’s here because Deanna Frost wanted her in this match. Yes, she could win, but more than likely, Luz, Asher, and Deanna will teach her a wrestling lesson.”

Knots: “But she could win. And she should be recognized as the US Champion. She pinned Asher. She had possession. Who cares? Hayes slipped. That’s far more believable than this redemption tour!”

The opening riff to "Song for the Dead" by Queens of the Stone Age kicks in. The crowd roars as we see the screens start to play highlights of Asher Hayes’s past accomplishment. Just then, we cut to the back as Hayes is stopped by Deanna Frost in the tunnel.

Frost: “No…I mean it…you’re the champion. You’re defending. I’m the challenger.”

Hayes: “Look, it’s fine-“

Frost: “No…the principle of it. I’m going. See you out there, champ.”

Deanna then turns and heads down the tunnel. Hayes’s music however is still playing. A few moments pass before we see Deanna Frost walk out from the back. The music abruptly changes from Hayes’s theme to “People Like Us” by Kelly Clarkson. Fall leaves seem to blow and fly on the LED screens on and around the ramp. Deanna waits a moment before running to one side of the stage, and then to the other, allowing the leaves to follow her on the stage. Returning to the middle, Deanna gives a spin on one foot, her arms outstretched, the 'leaves' circling her below her feet. Deanna wears her US Championship.

Phillips: “From Manhattan, New York, she is the SCW United States Champion, Deanna Frost!”

Hearing her name, Deanna stops her spin, side facing the ring, and, with one hand over her heart, her free hand arcs around to point forward, the 'leaves' flying down the ramp and 'circling the ring LED barriers. Making her way down to the ring, Deanna high-fives fans along the way until she reaches the ring. Sliding under the ring, the redhead jumps to her feet, making her way to the middle ropes and leaning over them, one arm raised to the crowd. She does the same to the other sides of the ring. She then stops, handing off the US Championship to the official.

Sharper: “Deanna Frost coming out before Hayes. She is the holder of the actual US Championship, Hayes is interim, but both Deanna and Asher have taken issue with that.”

Knots: “Won’t matter. When this one is done, only one is walking out with the title!”

Sharper: “Very true.”

The opening riff to "Song for the Dead" by Queens of the Stone Age kicks in. At the 37 second mark, the name "Asher Hayes" blares through the PA system, and Asher appears on the stage, wearing a long leather jacket, his face full of focus. He bows down for a few moments before standing up straight, throwing both fists in the air, before making his way towards the ring. The SCW interim United States Championship is around his waist.

Phillips: “And finally, from Chicago, Illinois, he is the interim SCW United States Champion, Asher Hayes!”

“It's late enough to go driving
And see what's mine
Life's the study of dying
How to do it right"

He makes his way down the ramp as the reaction of the crowd rains down upon him. He walks up the ring steps and climbs to the top turnbuckle, lifting both fists into the air, slinging the jacket off his shoulders, simply looking at the crowd before dropping down and running to the opposite side.

“You're a holy roller
If you bettin' to lose
If you're hanging around
I'm holding the noose"

He stands, once again, on the top rope. His expression remains focused as he looks toward the ceiling, before dropping down, removing his jacket and handing his belongings to the ref.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Come a little bit closer
And get untied
In a hearse rolling over
Just a track in the line
Fuck it..."

Asher then leans into the corner, waiting for the match to begin. Steve Hollinsworth walks over to him and takes the interim title. He holds it and Deanna’s original US Championship over his head before turning and handing the titles off.

Sharper: “Asher Hayes, all business. Back in the corner. He’s been focused on trying to just focus on his craft. He’s always been seen as talented, but his out of the ring exploits always overshadowed that.”

Knots: “Ask Jordan there-“

Sharper: “Oh stop. Jordan clearly tried something there and in the process, Asher has lost so much. His family, and even his quest for redemption has been paused.”

Asher, Deanna, Luz and Jordan all look at one another from their respective corners. Steve Hollinsworth calls for the bell. The bell sound and Majors runs over and kicks Hayes right between the legs before he can react. The crowd ohs as Hayes drops to the mat. Luz then runs over and grabs Majors and throws her back. Majors rolls through and Deanna forearms her in the jaw once and then again and again. She whips Majors into the ropes. Majors grabs the top rope and holds on and rolls to the floor. Majors taps her forehead and walks around before Luz then runs over and dives through the ropes, hitting a flip dive, onto Majors. Majors goes into the announce table as Luz flips through, landing onto the Spanish announce table and rolling through.

Sharper: “Luz! Good God!”

Knots: “Saying hi to her fellow Spanish speakers!”

Sharper: “And taking out Jordan Majors in the process.”

Hayes kicks at the mat as Deanna steps through the ropes and drops down to the floor. Luz rolls over and looks up, checking on the Spanish announcers. Deanna grabs Majors and rolls her back into the ring. Deanna rolls in after and quickly goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Majors kicks out. She rolls over and Deanna gets up and Majors pulls herself up and Deanna kicks her in the ribs. She whips Majors into the ropes. Majors bounces off and then jumps up and counters a back drop, but twisting and backflipping down Deanna’s back. She then kicks her in the ass, causing Deanna to fall forward as Luz enters and Luz hits a hip toss, sending Deanna to the floor. Luz glances over as Majors runs over and rolls up Luz in an Okana roll!

1!

2!

Luz kicks out. Both get up and Luz hits an overhead chop. Majors winces as the crowd woos. She chops her again and then wrenches Majors arm and wrenches it before running up the corner and then twisting back, but Majors breaks feet and Luz staggers back, but into Hayes who hoists her up and hits a back suplex.

Sharper: “Hayes back in as Majors knocks Luz back and Luz taking down.”

Knots: “There’s the desire to get Majors. And she knows it. She loves it. But you want to be US Champion too!”

Hayes gets up and looks at Majors as she smirks. She then playfully blows a kiss at him and Hayes lunges forward, but Majors backs up to the corner. Hayes then grabs her and Majors rakes his eyes. She turns him around and kicks him in the ribs over and over before starting to choke him with her boot. Hollinsworth comes over, calling for a break. Majors ignores it as Hayes struggles. We then see Deanna sliding into the ring. She runs over and clubs Majors in the back. He nails her again and again before then pulling her back and hitting a reverse DDT. She goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Hayes breaks it up. Deanna rolls over and starts to get up and Hayes gets up. He then grabs Majors and pulls her up before scooping her up and hitting a backbreaker. Majors rolls over in pain. Hayes then turns around as Deanna gets up and hits a running dropkick, knocking her back into the corner.

Sharper: “And Hayes making sure to get a shot in on Majors, but clearly Deanna is the big threat for him too. The US Champion, before she went on leave.”

Knots: “And someone who has shown some respect.”

Sharper: “Best way you show respect for a competitor is you don’t take it easy.”

Luz rolls over as Hayes then whips Deanna across the ring. Hayes runs after and jumps up and hits a running clothesline. He backs up and hooks Deanna up and hits a vertical suplex into a float over.

1!

2!

Majors pulls him off. He rolls to his back and then kicks Majors back and she falls through the ropes to the floor. Hayes then rolls over, moving to his hands and knees, but Luz then runs across the ring, jumping off Hayes’s back and hits a huge dive over the top rope and onto Majors as she gets up. The crowd erupts.

Sharper: “And Luz again!”

Knots: “Jesus! Twice now on Majors!”

Sharper: “And you can tell, she wants to eliminate Majors so Deanna, Asher, and her can fight.”

Hayes gets up and nails Deanna with a hard right. He nails her again and whips her into the ropes. She bounces off and Hayes goes for a scoop, but Deanna spins through and lands in front of him. She kicks him in the ribs and hits a DDT.

REPLAY: We see Majors on the floor as Luz runs at the ropes and dives through, hitting a flip dive onto Majors and then rolling onto the Spanish table and off. The RTG XXII logo comes up as we then see Majors on the floor again, but this time, Luz jumps off the back of Hayes and hits a plancha onto Majors in the entrance way.

Deanna rolls over and gets up. She turns and hits a knee drop. She goes for the pin. 1! 2!

Hayes kicks out. Deanna gets up and grabs Hayes and lifts him up and runs him into the corner. She drives him face first into the top turnbuckle. She then turns him around and nails him with a knee to the ribs and then goes to lift her up. Hayes however elbows her in the back once and then again before then shoving her back. Deanna staggers back and Hayes runs out and hits a clothesline. Luz slides in and Hayes turns around and Luz jumps up and hits a hurricanrana into a pin.

1!

2!

Hayes counters by hooking Luz’s legs and pulling her back.

1!

2!

Luz kicks out. Both get up and Hayes goes for a clothesline, but Luz ducks and grabs his head and hits a neckbreaker.

Sharper: “Luz with the neckbreaker. Such a high tempo her eon this one.”

Knots: “Well it’s just showing. Each move could be it. You get caught. It’s over.”

Sharper: “And here comes Deanna!”

Luz gets up and Deanna kicks her in the ribs. She then forearms her and whips her across the ring. Luz bounces off and Deanna scoops her up for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but Luz counters with an arm drag. Deanna rolls through. She gets up and Luz hits a hurricanrana on her. She stays down for the pin.

1!

2!

Deanna kicks out. Both get up and Luz goes for a clothesline, but Deanna catches it and the two spin around before Deanna hooks her head and hits the Spring Fling DDT. The crowd ohs. Deanna goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Luz gets her shoulder up. She rolls over and stirs.

Sharper: “Deanna got that Spring Fling after Luz had some fire there.”

Knots: “They know each other so well too. Maybe even trained together.”

Deanna starts to get up and Hayes kicks her in the ribs. He then whips her into the corner. Hayes runs after and Deanna gets a boot up. She runs out, but Hayes gets and elbow up and then he runs and hits a spinning clothesline into the corner. He hoists Deanna up and onto the top turnbuckle. Hayes then climbs up and nails her with a hard right and then another. He then climbs up to the top rope. He then hooks up Deanna as the crowd roars. Luz then gets up and runs over and climbs up too and grabs Deanna. They then hook her up and Hayes suddenly lets go at the last moment as Luz and Deanna go down with a superplex. The crowd ohs. Hayes hangs upside down. He then goes to sit up, but Majors climbs onto the apron and then slingshots over into a double stomp onto the chest of Hayes. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Hayes tried to get himself another chance. Another high-risk move, but opened himself up to Majors!”

Knots: “But Luz is going for the cover!”

Luz goes for the pin on Deanna.

1!

2!

Majors stomps her in he back of the head. Luz rolls over. She starts to get up and Majors forearms her in the jaw and then again before hitting a shoot kick to the chest. Luz falls over. Majors turns around as Deanna starts to get up and Majors turns and whips her into the corner. Majors moves to the opposite corner and runs at her and hits a Donk Bonk. The crowd ohs. Majors comes out and then runs at Hayes and hits the Chapter 11. The crowd ohs. Majors goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Luz breaks it up. The crowd roars.

Sharper: “Majors coming in like a house on fire. Attacking everyone from behind you notice.”

Knots: “Hey! There are four people in there. You take what you get. And people are giving their backs!”

Luz turns and clubs Majors in the back once and then again before then jumping up and onto the back of Majors before leaning back and flipping forward with a sunset bomb! She stays down for the pin.

1!

2!

Majors kicks out. Both get up and Luz hits an overhead chop. Majors kicks her in the ribs. She then turns and goes to whip her into the corner. Majors hits the corner and staggers out, but Luz snaps her off with a frankensteiner and Majors flips forward and into Deanna who catches her into a sitout powerbomb!

1!

2!

Luz breaks it up. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “And Luz launched Majors-“

Knots: “But right into Deanna and Deanna almost got her there.”

Luz gets up and Deanna does too. Luz forearms her in the jaw once and then again before going to whip her across the ring. Deanna spins through and sends her in. Luz bounces off and Deanna spins around and hits a waistlock into a release German suplex. Deanna gets up and Hayes runs out and nails Deanna with a hard lariat. He flips through after the impact as Deanna falls back and is folded up. Hayes turns and leans on her, keeping her folded up for the pin.

1!

2!

Deanna kicks out just in time. Both get up and Hayes kicks her in the ribs and then grabs her and goes for a side effect. Deanna elbows out and they spin around, but suddenly Majors runs out and hits Deanna with the Cash Out as Luz hits the Lights Out on Hayes. They turn and both go for the pin. Both are counted.

1! 1!

2! 2!

Both then dive off their own pins going for the save, drilling each other in the face with stereo forearm shots. They roll away from one another as the crowd applauds.

Sharper; “And Majors and Luz both went for the win, but both then trying to break the other up.”

Knots: “And both clocked the other.”

Luz and Majors slowly get up and Luz forearms Majors with a shot. Majors fires back with a hard right. Luz forearms her again. Majors hits a right hand. They trade some more blows before Majors rakes the eyes. She then runs into the ropes and Luz hits a straight kick. She then hits a jumping enziguri kick and Majors falls back into the corner. Luz then grabs Majors and hoists her up and places her on the top rope. Luz then climbs up and Majors forearms her a couple of times and Luz falls back to the mat and rolls over. She then gets up and runs over and jumps up and to the top rope and hits a top rope frankensteiner as Majors stands up. The crowd ohs. Majors hits the mat. Luz goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Hayes pulls Luz off. Deanna dives, missing Luz, but hitting Majors. Majors rolls over, holding her face.

Sharper: “And Deanna Frost and Asher Hayes digging deep to break that up.”

Knots: “Deanna missed Luz and got Majors. Spiteful much?”

Deanna crawls over to the ropes. Hayes then grabs at Luz as Luz then nails him with a hard right. Hayes hits the ropes and Luz goes for a clothesline, but Hayes catches her and hits the side effect. He then moves into the Dream Killer. Luz grimaces in pain as Majors gets up and turns to Deanna who catches her and locks in the Consortium. She tries to get her down as the crowd roars. Majors reaches around and falls to a knee. Deanna pulls back before glancing over at Luz. Luz holds the arm and brings her arm up. Hayes keeps pulling back. Deanna glances back again and then lets go and runs over and hits a sliding knee to the head of Hayes. Hayes lets go and rolls over.

Sharper: “And Deanna now letting go of the Consortium to stop Hayes.”

Knots: “Luz looked like she was about to tap too.”

Hayes rolls over and Deanna glances at him before turning to Luz and then grabbing her and pulling her up and hitting Cold Snapmare. She runs to the ropes, jumping to the middle rope and dives back with a lionsault. She hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Hayes pulls her up and hoists her up and hits a blue thunder bomb into a pin.

1!

2!

Deanna kicks out. Both get up and run at one another and hit a double clothesline. The crowd ohs. Both are down and then suddenly Hollinsworth dives down, noticing their arms on over each other.

1!

2!

Deanna and Asher throw their shoulders up. Just then, Majors runs to the ropes and jumps to the middle rope and hits a variation of the Money Drop on both Deanna and Asher. The crowd ohs. She then falls back and winces. The crowd roars and she then crawls over and throws herself onto both!

1!

2!

Luz hits a running senton and Majors rolls off as the crowd ohs. Majors rolls over as Luz rolls over and moves to the corner.

Sharper: “And Luz breaking it up at the last moment. Majors was about to steal it.”

Knots: “And everyone is down. Whoever gets up first may have this. May win it!”

We cut to a wide shot.

Sharper: “US Championship match here at Rise to Greatness XXII. Fatal Four Way. One fall to a finish. Will also unify the interim and actual US Championships.”

Luz grabs at the ropes as Majors moves to the ropes herself. Hayes and Frost both slowly roll over, half out of it. Luz pulls herself up and then runs at Majors. Majors ducks a clothesline shot, but Luz pushes off the middle turnbuckle and turns around and hits a spinning heel kick. Majors slowly gets back up and Luz grabs her, but Majors runs her into the corner. She then shoulders her a couple of times before backing up. She then turns and jumps up for the Cash Out as Luz steps out, but Luz shoves her off and into Hayes who hits the Dust to Dust! The crowd erupts. Hayes turns and gets up and Deanna runs at him and hits the Burnout. Hayes drops to the mat. Deanna turns runs at Luz, but Luz bridges back and Deanna misses the Burnout on her and goes up and over the top rope. Luz then turns to the turnbuckle nearest Majors. She climbs up to the top rope as Deanna rolls over, landing hard on the floor. Luz then steadies herself on the top turnbuckle and hits the Ilumina la Noche. She hooks the leg.

Sharper: “Deanna down in front of us. She landed hard!”

Knots: “Luz! She’s off the top!”

Sharper: “La Pequena Luz! Ilumina la Noche!”

1!

2!

3!

The crowd erupts as Luz rolls off and the bell sounds. Her music plays as Luz looks around. She then gets up and has her arms raised before the official hands her the SCW United States Championship.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via pinfall, and NEW SCW United States Champion…La Pequena Luz!”

Sharper: “La Pequena Luz with the exclamation point and on Jordan Majors to crown herself, not interim, but the undisputed SCW United States Champion!”

Knots: “Deanna had it. Hayes though he did. He left himself open and Deanna realized Luz was still in play.”

Sharper: “She lunged at her. Luz had it scouted. The two friends have known each other for so long. And remember a few years back, they fought over the Tag Titles. And tonight, Luz takes her place as US Champion. Deanna’s reign now definitely done as is Hayes.”

Deanna slowly rolls into the ring. Luz holds the title over her head and then looks at it. She then falls to a knee and touches her head with it before getting up. Deanna Frost slowly gets up and winces. Luz turns to her. Deanna nods and walks over and embraces her. The crowd roars. Deanna then takes the title and places it around the waist of Luz. Luz smiles, tears can be seen coming from her eyes, under her mask. Deanna then finishes and raises Luz’s arm and the crowd cheers.

Sharper: “A class act form Deanna. These two friends…celebrating together. Not the finish to the story that Deanna wanted, but maybe the next best thing.”

Knots: “What a night for Light in the Darkness!”

Luz looks around as we hear from Sharper again.

Sharper: “Well next, it won’t be friendly at all. Can Amy Chastaine start a losing streak for Waylon Creek or will Creek get the revenge he wants. They meet next, here at Rise to Greatness!”

The RTG XXII logo comes up on the screen.

The scene opens up to show Ryan Lyman walking around the ring.

Ryan: “Nothing is going to prevent that…and Simon…you have your feel good win at Retribution, you lucky bastard, Now screw off and die so I can finish what I started before you tried to ruin it and-“

We then cut to see Simon Lyman walking out from the back, cane in hand, as he uses it to steady himself. Amy Chastaine walks out with him. Ryan then turns and sees them as the crowd cheers.

Sharper: “Simon and Amy have heard enough!”

Knots: “And Ryan sees them!”

Sharper: “He does, but wait! Wait! It’s the Fall of Man!”

Simon and Amy make their way forward and take a few more steps onto the ramp before we see Giovanni Aries, Waylon Creek and James Evans run out from the back. Giovanni grabs Amy Chastaine from behind. She turns, but Aries throws Chastaine onto the stage towards Creek. Creek then nails her with a clothesline. She goes down. Ryan laughs as Simon turns around as James Evans clotheslines her down. Chastaine slowly rolls over and Creek then grabs her, muscling her up and before she can get her footing under her, and then throws her off the end of the stage. The crowd roars as Chastiane flies off and through a table with some cords and a laptop on the floor next to the stage. Chastaine rolls over into a heap.

Sharper: “My God! Amy Chastaine was just manhandled!”

Knots: “She tried to fight, but Creek is just that strong!”

“Darkness Always Wins” by Halestorm starts to play in the background. We see Amy Chastaine heading to the ring at Taking Hold of the Flame. The crowd roars as we see her entering the ring and immediately nailing Creek with a Lightning Strike. This is followed by shots of her walking around the Thunderdome, supporting Lyman, but also trying to get to Creek.

Now the world is still
It's just me spinning out
Trapped inside my head
Feeling numb
And there's no song to sing
To save me from myself
Fading into black

We then cut to a shot of Amy Chastaine attacking Waylon Creek backstage, nailing him with a shot to the back. Creek staggers as Amy nailed him again. We cut to see Amy Chastaine running to the ring as Creek leans against the ropes in his Tag Team Championship defense against the Shinigasmi Foundation. We see her crack him in the back with a chair. The crowd ohs as Creek staggers forward and then we see Chastaine diving off the top rope and hitting Creek with the Blackout.

We're all fighters, holding up our lighters
Chasing off the monsters, drowning in our sins
With every last breath, try to stop the sunset
Running with the shadows, darkness always wins

We cut to shots of Amy Chastaine in the ring before we see William Heaven coming out to the stage. Heaven turns behind him. Amy watches, before then looking up at the big screen. The crowd roars as we see Waylon Creek in a military jacket, and fatigues, hop over the barricade. He then runs to the ring. Amy notices the change in the angle on the big screen and turns as Creek slides in. She runs over and stomps him in the back over and over and over again. The crowd roars. Chastaine stomps him again and again before then backing up and Creek starts to get up and Chastaine hits the Lightning Strike. Creek staggers as Chastaine turns to the corner, exiting to the apron, and climbs up to the top rope. She stands up and then dives off for the Eclipse, but Creek steps forward and catches her and drives her down into his knee. Chastaine rolls over, holding her back in pain.

I make the same mistakes
And I can't change my ways
It's how I've always been
It's in my bones, a heart of stone
The cold, cold's creeping in
I'm fading into black

Creek then gets up and grabs her and pumphandles her before muscling her up and planting her with a pumphandle slam. The crowd ohs. Chastaine rolls over and holds her head and neck. She starts to reach for the rope, trying to use it to get back up. Creek just gets up and takes off his military jacket and placing it on the top rope. He then waits as Chastaine gets up and turns and walks into Creek who quickly applies the Canary! Creek pushes back and pushes Amy down to the mat. He leans down on her. Amy grabs at the hand, trying to pull it off, while stomping at the mat. Creek leans forward as Amy starts to go limp from the pain. He keeps pushing as Amy is laid out. He then looks down at her.

We're all fighters, holding up our lighters
Chasing off the monsters, drowning in our sins
With every last breath, try to stop the sunset
Running with the shadows, darkness always wins

Darkness always wins

We then see Amy Chastaine being attacked by Ryan LeCavalier backstage, before we see LeCavalier ramming a foot locker into Amy Chastaine. Amy gets up, bloodied.

Yeah!

Yeah, oh, yeah, oh
Yeah, oh, oh, oh
Yeah, oh, yeah, oh
Yeah, oh, oh, oh
Yeah

We cut to then see Amy Chastaine running to the ring as Ryan LeCavalier turns, while Waylon Creek and Glory Braddock compete in the ring. Amy then picks up some speed and runs over and blocks a hard right from LeCavalier before nailing her with a series of hard forearm shots before then turning and running Ryan into the steel steps. Amy then turns and rolls into the ring. She then starts to get up as Creek stomps Braddock. Demitra tries to stop Chastaine as Chastaine keeps trying to get to Creek. Creek then steps over and stomps her in the back once and then again and again. Chastaine rolls over. This leads to Ryan LeCavalier, holding her side, sliding in. She then runs over and grabs Chastaine. She clubs her in the back and then pulls her back as Demitra tries to get them out. Creek turns back to Braddock and Braddock suddenly grabs him and with all her might, sends him between the top and middle turnbuckles, face first into the ringpost. LeCavalier clubs at Chastaine before Demitra manages to pull them apart. LeCavalier is pushed back and falls over. Chastaine crawls forward. Creek staggers out and Chastaine nails him with the Lightning Strike. She turns as LeCavalier tries to get past Demitra, only to then run at her and tackle her through the ropes to the floor. The crowd erupts as Creek falls back into Glory who grabs his arms and hits the Glorification! Glory then hooks the leg. Demitra turns and counts.

1!

2!

3!

Creek kicks out just after the three, but Braddock rolls off as the bell sounds. The crowd erupts in cheers.

Sharper: “Braddock, only the second person, after Xander Valentine to do it! And thanks to the assist from Amy Chastaine!”

Chastaine looks in the ring and smiles.

We're all fighters, holding up our lighters
Chasing off the monsters, drowning in our sins
With every last breath, try to stop the sunset
Running with the shadows, darkness always wins

We then cut to a shot of Creek throwing Amy Chastaine off the stage again.

Creek: “Amy…I hold you partially responsible. You thought I threatened your career before….Rise to Greatness will be its end!”

We're all fighters, holding up our lighters
Chasing off the monsters, drowning in our sins
With every last breath, try to stop the sunset
Running with the shadows, darkness always wins

We then cut to a shot of Amy Chastaine standing with Jaina before showing Chastaine hitting the Lightning Strike that helped Glory Braddock beat Creek.

Jaina: “Seems like you’ve gotten under the skin of Waylon Creek again and he’s made another threat against your career.”

Chastaine: “Another one…he already tried to take me out. Then again, after his little plot with Ryan LeCavalier and trust me, I won’t be forgetting about that either….he’s lucky all I did was remind people of his humanity. The best part, at Rise to Greatness, I plan to make it that that is all he will be known for. He’s human. He’s beatable. And like so many others…you show the cracks, and they fall apart. At Rise to Greatness, I’ll help shatter the myth of Waylon Creek!”

The crowd cheers as Chastaine stops and turns. The camera pans out to reveal Alex Belmont and Wil Pierce of the Shinigami Foundation.

Belmont: “Hello Amy….Good luck at Rise to Greatness.”

Pierce: “Just like you…we won’t be forgetting either.”

Darkness always wins

The scene cuts to black. After a few moments, the Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen.

Waylon Creek vs. Amy Chastaine

Blue and white lights flash as a fast drumbeat fills the arena followed by the words:

{I will not be afraid! I will not be afraid!}

The crowd roars as Amy Chastaine appears at the top of the stage. “Hell & Consequences” by Stone Sour continues. She looks around the arena as she steps forward and scans the crowd in the Dome at the America Center. She takes a few deep breaths before then throwing her arm in the air. Blue and red pyro shoots out in the air. She then looks around as her nameplate comes up on the screen.

Phillips: “The following contest is scheduled for onefall with a thirty minute time limit. First, on her way to the ring, from New Orleans, Louisiana, she is Amy Chastaine!”

{'Ive done this on my own, and I don’t care what you do to me,

I won't hand over what is mine
I've done this for too long, to let you take it away from me,
it's too late to stop me, cause I refuse to die.}

Amy Chastaine heads down the rampway. She picks up the pace as the camera gets a good look of the focus on her face. Reaching the ring, Amy hops onto the apron. Stepping through the ropes, Amy then goes to the near corner and hops up onto the second turnbuckle, posing with one hand on her hip, the other raised overhead. She smiles and nods at the cheering crowd, seemingly in time to the music. Amy then hops down and walks to the opposite corner as the music fades.

Sharper: “Amy Chastaine has never backed down from a fight. And this could be one of her longest nights, but she’s going to aim to make Waylon Creek regret attacking her. As she said, he’s human, he can be beat. And she’s going to do it herself tonight.”

Knots: “Too bad he may be human, but he’s built like a damn brick wall! Have fun!”

The sound of a babbling brook is heard as the images of a serene river play on the big screen. A few moments pass before we hear “Mountain Banjo” by Rhiannon Giddens play throughout the stadium. A few moments pass before we see Waylon Creek walk out from the back. He has Legion in his hand and he stops and closes his eyes before turning and leaning down to Legion. A crew member walks over and takes Legion as Creek turns and starts to walk down to the ring.

Phillips: “And her opponent, representing the Fall of Man, from Good Grief, Idaho, he is Waylon Creek!”

Creek just makes the long walk down the rampway, slowly picking up more and more speed as he reaches the ring. He then pulls himself onto the apron and then steps through the ropes. Creek then turns and lunges towards Amy. The bell sounds. Amy backs up and exits to the floor. She backs up and walks around the ring. Creek then storms over to the ropes nearest Amy and then keeps following her around. The official, Aaron Demitra moves over and tries to get Creek back. Amy looks on.

Sharper: “Amy not one to back down from a fight-“

Knots: “You’re not going to just stand there and get run over by a train.”

Sharper: “And you wonder if Creek’s a bit more riled up given what happened earlier-“

Knots: “Stop reminding me!”

Creek is forced back by Demitra and he paces a bit as Amy slides into the ring. She gets up and Creek then pushes Demitra out of the way and runs at Amy. Amy ducks a clothesline attempt. The crowd roars as Chastaine turns and nails Creek with a hard right and then another and another. Creek then shoves her back. She rolls through to her feet. Creek steps up and goes for a haymaker. Chastaine ducks and then hits a dropkick. Creek staggers. He stumbles and Chastaine hits another dropkick. He falls back into the corner. The crowd cheers as Chastaine climbs up to the middle turnbuckle and starts to nail him with a series of hard right hands. Creek however shoves her off. Chastaine rolls out. She gets back up and Creek runs out and just shoulders her down violently.

Sharper: “Hard shoulder and that’s going to be the issue for Chastaine. Creek is as pissed off as we’ve seen him.”

Knots: “And we’ve said it time and time again, Sharper. This man has explosive offense.”

Sharper: “Very much one of those competitors that every move not only hurts, but could end the match.”

Creek turns as Amy pops back up and Creek runs over and nails her with a hard right to the side of the head and them to the back. Amy covers up as Creek clubs her against the ropes over and over and over again.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Creek is backed up and spins around. He then runs at Amy and goes to clothesline her, but Amy sidesteps and pulls down the top rope. Creek goes up and over to the floor. He falls over into the Spanish announce table. (1)

Sharper: “And Creek up and over. Chastaine using her experience. Her craftiness.”

Knots: “She’s going to have to draw on all of it to have a chance!”

Creek looks around and turns around as Chastaine runs across the ring and bounces off before diving through the ropes with a tope suicida into Creek. Creek goes back first into the announce table and drops to the mats. Chastaine lands hard too. She winces and looks around and pulls herself up. (1) She turns and stomps Creek in the face and then then shoulder. He rolls over. (2) Chastaine then turns and rolls back into the ring. Creek slowly starts to get up. (3) He staggers to the ring and Chastaine runs across, bouncing off the far ropes, before hitting a baseball slide. (4) Creek falls back into the announce table. Chastaine then turns and climbs up to the top rope. The crowd roars. Creek turns. (5) Chastaine dives off with a crossbody, but Creek catches her. The crowd roars again. (1) He then runs her into the ringpost and throws her down. The crowd ohs.(2)

Sharper: “Chastaine, one high-risk move too many! Creek caught her.”

Knots: “Creek caught her and used her spine to check the structural integrity of the ringpost!”

Sharper: “As Creek follows up, take a look at some of this action.”

REPLAY: We see Creek falling into the announce table before we see Chastaine running across the ring, bouncing off and diving through with a tope suicida onto Creek. The RTG XXII logo comes up on the screen before we see Chastaine standing on the top rope. She dives off for a crossbody. Creek catches her and then runs her, back first, into the ringpost.

Creek pulls Amy up by the hair and then runs her over and drives her face first into the Spanish announce table. Amy bounces off the top and rolls off. (3) Creek slowly follows Amy. (4)

Amy crawls over to the steel steps and Creek grabs her and pulls her up, but Amy hits an elbow to the ribs. She turns and rolls into the ring. (5) Creek slides in after and Amy turns and stomps him in the back over and over before stomping him in the head. She runs across the ring, bouncing off and Creek gets up and hits a lunging back elbow. Amy hits hard. She rolls over.

Knots: “Amy’s head just nearly taken off there.”

Sharper: “Creek is like running into a brick wall.”

Knots: “Brick walls don’t move, Sharper! It’s worse.”

Amy starts to get up and Creek drags her up and then scoops her up and slams her before moving into a leg drop. He goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Chastaine kicks out. Creek then leans down, driving his forearm into the throat of Chastiane. Chastaine struggles.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Creek pulls away as Chastaine rolls over, coughing, and struggling to catch her breath. She moves to the corner and Creek walks over and then nails her in the forehead with a hard right and then another and another and another, hammering away on Chastaine, pounding her down into a seated position.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Creek backs up and walks around the ring. He then runs at Chastaine and goes for a running knee, but Chastaine pulls herself out of the way at the last moment. She crawls away and gets up. Creek turns around and Chastaine hits a drop toe hold. Creek remains on his hands and knees and Chastaine jumps up and hits a double stomp. Creek falls down to the mat as Chastaine falls to her side, landing on her side. She then moves to the corner.

Sharper: “And Amy Chastaine fighting back. Double stomp.”

Knots: “She had a hard landing too.”

Sharper: “This is half survival and half that she wants to get some revenge. She wants to hold a win over Creek. She wants to complete the breakdown!”

Creek starts to get up and Chastaine runs at him and hits a step-up enziguri to the head. He drops and Chastaine rolls him over for the pin.

1!

2!

Creek pushes her off. She rolls over. She gets up as Creek starts to get up and Chastaine runs at him and hits a dropsault. Creek falls back to the ropes. Chastaine gets up and runs at him and Creek lowers his head and goes to hoist her over, but then steps forward. Chastaine grabs the top rope instinctively, but then Creek gets under her and moves into a powerslam position before then throwing her forward like a lawn dart and Chastaine lands chest first.

Sharper: “The power! The strength! Good lord!”

Knots: “Did she go head first?”

Sharper: “Almost. And Creek doesn’t care. He wants to hurt her. Hurt her after she helped Glory Braddock get that win.”

Creek walks over and pulls Chastaine up by the hair and then pumphandles her and drops her with a slam. He folds her up.

1!

2!

Chastaine kicks out just in time.

REPLAY: We see Chastaine running at Creek. Creek lifts her up, but then stops her and places her on his shoulder before turning and spearing her forward. Chastaine lands hard face and chest first to the mat.

Creek gets up and just drives his elbow into the chest of Chastaine. Chastaine rolls over.

Creek walks over and drags Chastaine up. He then whips her into the corner. Creek then runs after and hits a running splash. The crowd ohs. He backs up and Chastaine staggers out and Creek bends her over again. He pumphandles her again and hoists her up, but Chastaine now reaches at the face and rakes his face. Creek staggers as Chastaine slides behind him. Creek turns around and Chastaine hits the Lightning Strike. Creek falls to the mat. The crowd cheers.

Sharper: “Chastaine doing anything she can! And Lightning Strike. It’s floors Creek!”

Knots: “She got all of it. She knew she had to!”

Creek remains down as Chastaine looks at him and then moves to the corner. She climbs up to the top rope, back facing the middle of the ring. She glances behind her and then dives off with the moonsault. She connects. She hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Creek gets his shoulder up. Amy rolls off and looks around.

Sharper: “And Creek kicks out after the moonsault! Amy landed exactly as she wanted, but Creek…”

Knots: “Creek’s not going to let her get this. He can’t! Not after earlier.”

Sharper: “Feeling guilty there still?”

Knots: “Shut up! Come on Creek! Turn this night around. Do it for Heaven!”

Amy starts to get up and Creek stirs. Amy then stomps him in the back over and over. Creek then shoves her back. She falls back and bounces off the ropes. Creek gets up and goes to lift her up for a back drop, but Amy spins through. Creek turns around and Amy grabs his head and hits the Vortex. She then moves to the corner and exits to the apron. She climbs up to the top rope. Creek slowly starts to get up and Amy looks on as she goes for the Blackout, but Creek sidesteps and swats her down. Amy lands on the mat and rolls through. She gets up and runs at Creek, but Creek drills her with a vicious clothesline. Amy backflips from the impact as Creek drops to the mat. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “And a violent clothesline.”

Knots: “That’s it. That may be it!”

Amy remains down as Creek slowly rolls over. He starts to pull himself up. He then gets up as Amy slowly lifts her head and looks up as Creek then walks over to her and then gutwrenches her up and hoists her up before driving her down with a vicious powerbomb. He then folds her up.

1!

2!

Creek lets go as Amy kicks out and Creek shakes his head. He then starts to get up as Amy rolls over.

Sharper: “What the hell is he doing?”

Knots: “I think he realized. He wants to put her down. Put her down with the Canary. Or the Consequences. He wants to leave her with something!”

Amy starts to get up as Creek gets up and then looks at Amy. Amy gets up and Creek lunges and goes for the Canary. Amy, immediately, starts to go spaghetti legged, causing both to fall back and into the ropes. Amy grabs the bottom rope as Creek pushes down.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Demitra warns him and Creek pulls away and looks at Amy as Amy rolls over, coughing. Creek gets up and stomps her in the chest once and then again and again. Amy grabs at the ropes, trying to move herself to the apron.

Sharper: “Amy Chastaine using the ropes. She had a plan.”

Knots: “She went limp and the impact of putting the hold down, knocked her back!”

Sharper: “And that led to the break. But many worse.”

Knots: “Creek’s just more frustrated now!”

Creek then then grabs at her, but Amy then manages to block it and then backs up and hits a variation of the Lightning Strike on the apron. Creek falls back and knocks over Demitra in the process. The crowd ohs. Creek staggers as Amy then gets up and climbs up to the top rope. She looks at him and goes for the Blackout, but Creek catches her and into a backbreaker. The crowd ohs. Creek looks around. He then walks over to Amy and grabs her, but Amy hits a mule kick. Creek staggers back and falls to a knee. The crowd cheers.

Sharper: “And Chastaine taking advantage of Demitra down! That was low.”

Knots: “Come on! And she’s the veteran!”

Sharper: “Taking advantage of the moment.”

Amy then looks around before turning and going over to Creek and she starts to move into position for the Torniquet, trying to lock it on. Creek, however, keeps resisting. Chastaine doesn’t give up, continuing to try and lock in the hold. As this happens, the crowd roars as we see several fans standing up and we cut to see Ryan LeCavalier running down from the back.

Sharper: “Amy Chataine trying for the Torniquet. She wants to make him tap out or pass out!”

Knots: “She’s trying, but he’s fighting. He’s struggling!”

Sharper: “And wait…wait a minute. Ryan LeCavalier. She had a loose arrangement with Creek. But…”

Knots: “Why is she here?!”

Ryan LeCavalier runs down and slides into the ring. She then gets up and runs over as Creek shoves Amy off. Amy rolls off and then turns as we see LeCavalier grab her and take her down with the BODY/PRISON. The crowd boos as Ryan LeCavalier pulls back. Amy yells in pain as Creek slowly rolls over and looks over. He then sees Ryan, a smirk forming on his usually stoic face. Ryan looks at him and nods.

Sharper: “Did you see that?!”

Knots: “Did they do more? Is there a new arrangement?!”

Sharper: “I don’t know, but LeCavalier is trying to damage Amy Chastaine’s arm!”

Amy yells in pain as Demitra stirs and Creek grabs him and throws him to the floor for good measure. He then starts to get up before we hear another roar from the crowd. LeCavalier lets go and the camera turns and we see Wil Pierce and Alex Belmont running from the back. They enter the ring, sliding in. Belmont runs at LeCavalier and attacks her with hard right hands as Pierce does the same on Creek. They hammer away before both go to whip their person across. LeCavalier goes into the ropes and Belmont clotheslines her down. Creek, however, spins through and sends Pierce in. Pierce stops at the ropes and Creek turns and goes to run at him, but Pierce gets a boot up. Creek turns and Belmont hits a spinning forearm shot. Creek staggers into Pierce who hoists him up and grimaces hard as he tries to hold him up. Belmont exits to the apron and then climbs up to the top rope. He looks down at Creek and then dives off as they hit the Disasterpiece! The crowd roars. Belmont and Pierce roll out of the ring.

Sharper: “Disasterpiece on Creek!”

Knots: “No! Noooo! Damn it!”

Sharper: “And….they’re not going after Chastaine?”

Chastaine leans back in the corner, as Belmont turns and points to her.

Belmont: “Now you owe us!”

Belmont turns around as LeCavalier starts to back up the rampway with Pierce heading after her, heading to the back. Creek, half out of it, remains down and slowly starts to stir. Chastaine exits to the apron as Demitra re-enters the ring. Creek starts to stagger up, showing his amazing pain tolerance. He staggers up, but Chastaine climbs to the top rope. She then sees Creek as he steps forward and Chastaine dives off with the Blackout. The crowd roars. Chastaine turns and hooks the leg, favouring her arm.

1!

2!

3!

The bell sounds as Chastaine rolls off.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via pinfall, Amy Chastaine!”

The crowd cheers as her music plays. Chastaine rolls over and winces, looking around.

Sharper: “Chastaine wins it. An assist from the Shinigami Foundation who came out when LeCavalier came to help Creek!”

Knots: “Why?!”

Sharper: “Shinigami, we know why. They challenge for the World Tag Team Titles, but I’m stunned they didn’t get their revenge on Amy tonight.”

Knots: “They said she owes them and I don’t know how much she’ll like that debt, but for now, she’ll take it…Creek…Oh Waylon…”

Sharper: “Creek suffering his third one on one loss in SCW and it’s thanks to the Shinigami Foundation and most of all, Amy Chastaine finishing him off! The veterans showing they have answers, but they’re just as decisive when it counts.”

Chastaine gets up, raising her arm. The crowd continues to cheer her as she looks around. She then looks at Creek and smirks before falling into the ropes. Demitra comes over, wincing, and raising her arm.

Sharper: “As Chastaine enjoys this victory, next, two individuals who have the World Title on their mind. Meghan Strader and Syren both have promised to hold that title before 2025 is out. This put them in each others crosshairs and it all started when Meghan Strader went after the hall of famer herself!”

The RTG XXII logo comes up on the screen.

Dramatic music plays as we open up on Breakdown. We see Syren watching the screen before we see Tearra Skye and MacKenzie Strader in the ring. Ravyn Taylor slides in and runs over as Syren turns as Skye and MacKenzie clothesline her down. Ravyn nails Skye with a forearm and then nails MacKenzie with a couple.

Sharper: “The hell are they doing here? The Cowgirls from Hell! They’re attacking Syren!”

She falls to the ropes and Ravyn turns and grabs Skye and forearms her again and again before she goes to send her into MacKenzie, but MacKenzie dodges and then kicks Ravyn in the knee and then in the jaw. She goes down. Syren gets up and hits a superkick on MacKenzie Strader.

Sharper: “Superkick!”

Syren then turns, but Tearra Skye jumps up and hits a fameasser. She then rolls over and finishes off the Road to Methodone. She then rolls out of the ring as MacKenzie rolls out. Jennifer Cassidy stirs as Adonis slowly gets up and looks around, confused before he runs over and hits a running splash onto Syren. He hooks the leg. MacKenzie and Tearra head to the back.

Sharper: “No! The splash!”

Knots: “He’s going to get another one! He’s getting another one!”

Referee Jennifer Cassidy sees the pin.

1!

2!

3!

Syren throws her arm up and it drops down, unable to get the shoulder up.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via pinfall, Derek Adonis!”

Sharper: “And Adonis again manages to find a way to pin Syren. And I don’t know if he knows what happened. But the Cowgirls from Hell…I did not expect to see them out here.”

We then cut forward to see Syren facing Dante Slayton and Meghan Strader to ride out on her motorcycle on the stage. We then see Cara Strader riding out and pulling up to her left, followed by Mackenzie Strader and Tearra Skye. The crowd roars as Meghan turns and looks at both, delivering clear orders to Cara, Tearra, and Mackenzie. She then gets up off her motorcycle as Cara, Tearra and Mackenzie do the same. Syren motions for them to come at her as Ravyn moves to the apron and yells at Syren to focus on Dante. Dante slowly gets up as Dante motions to Belmont and Pierce. The Cowgirls from Hell meanwhile start to walk to the ring.

Sharper: “And the Cowgirls from Hell are heading to the ring.”

Knots: “Syren’s ready to fight them. Ravyn is telling Syren on Dante!”

Lexy Chapel meanwhile reaches under the ring and grabs a steel chair. She then slides it into the ring. Ravyn turns to Lexy as Syren looks back and sees it. Lexy then reaches under the ring and grabs a second one. The Cowgirls then start to head to the ring and as they do, Mackenzie and Tearra stop as they see Belmont and Pierce. The official meanwhile then grabs the chair and sends it out of the ring. Mackenzie and Tearra run over to Belmont and Pierce and start to fight with them. Cara slides into the ring and Ravyn turns to Meghan as Syren turns and hits a discus clothesline on Cara. Cara hits the mat and then Syren tells Meghan to get into the ring. Meghan climbs up as Ravyn then storms around the ring. Meghan smirks as she backs up, but Syren turns as Dante then wrenches her arm and then hits the Devil Trigger!

Sharper: “Meghan never entered the ring. Ravyn going after-“

Knots: “Cara rolling out. Look!”

Sharper: “My God! Slayton! The Death Trigger! He just leveled Syren with the Death Trigger!”

Slayton goes for the pin.

1!

2!

3!

The crowd roars and the bell sounds. Meghan backs up the rampway, smirking as she whistles. Mackenzie and Tearra disengage, Tearra getting tagged by a shot from Belmont. Mackenzie pulls her away with Cara helping. Ravyn Taylor turns to the ring, almost in disbelief. Lexy Chapel looks on stunned.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via pinfall, Dante Slayton!”

Sharper: “Slayton just pinned Syren! Right in the middle of the ring!”

Knots: “And this time, the Cowgirls didn’t touch her!”

Sharper: “That’s the second time the Cowgirls in some way have intervened and cost Syren!”

we cut backstage as we see in one of the back areas, Meghan Strader sitting on her motorcycle while Tearra Skye, Mackenzie Strader, and Cara Strader all celebrate as the camera pans over towards them.

Meghan: “Girls…that’s exactly as we drew it up.

Meghan smirks as the camera spins around and Meghan notices it.

Meghan: “Want a bit of a follow-up SCW? Well, don’t worry. Because you’re fighting out just how serious I am and the CFH are in making sure I walk out with the World Championship later this year…Syren, you’re not looking too hot anymore. Seven time World Champion. I heard rumours you were thinking of walking away. I heard your contract is coming to an end soon. I’d heavily consider not re-upping because if you do, you risk getting humiliated like that time after time. Even your mistress of mind games could stop it. Or maybe she has too much faith in you. But I’m exposing you more and more for what you…out of your depth.”

Meghan smirks.

Meghan: “Want me to be jealous? What of? And after Taking Hold of the Flame when I dump your sorry ass over the top, along with whoever else is in my way, you’ll be the one jealous of me, Syren.”

We then cut forward to see a shot of Billy Heaven Jr. talking to Tamika and Veronica Strader.

Billy: “Just waiting for Syren and Ravyn-“:

Tamika: “Syren? Ravyn? You think we’re with them?”

Veronica: “I think we need to clarify something.”

Tearra then turns and nails Billy with a forearm shot and then another before Cara, Veronica and Tamika do the same. They all pummel Billy, knocking him down. He rolls over as Cara and Veronica then start to stomp away on him as Tamika oversees it.

Tamika: “You think we’d be caught dead with her? We’ve been making her Meghan’s stepping stone!”

The camera then turns as we see Ravyn Taylor and Syren with Lexy Chapel behind giggling. Ravyn and Syren have a bucket of a liquid, dying hot pink, and they then dump it all over one of the bikes.

Sharper: “Syren and Ravyn vandalizing and damaging Meghan Strader’s motorcycle!”

Cara: “Hey!”

Tamika: “Oh you done screwed up!”

Tearra: “Jesus that’s Meghan’s ride!”

The scene cuts forward as “Fight Like a Girl” by Evanescence featuring K.Flay starts to play.

Meghan Strader: “Syren, you are going to pay for the damages to my Road King, but it will be through your broken bones and the blood I will spill from you. Sanctioned or unsanctioned, you are going to learn a very valuable lesson that a number of people in the back have already learned. God forgives.”

Crowd: “I DON’T!”

We cut to shots of Meghan Strader and Kimberly Williams fighting on Breakdown. Kim then moves back to the corner. She leans down, readying for the Shadowblade, but when she steps forward, she’s pulled down to the floor. She turns and it’s Syren who grabs her and turns and throws her violently over the announce table and Kim lands head first to the floor. The bell sounds.

Sharper: “My God! Syren! Syren just attacked Kim!”

Knots: “There’s the bell. Did she just get Meghan Strader disqualified?!”

Syren then slides into the ring. Meghan turns around and instead of seeing Kim, she sees Syren jumping up and grabbing her head and hitting the Total Makeover! Syren rolls over and gets back up. She then looks down at Meghan.

Syren: “That’s one! You’re not ruining anything more for me, Meghan!”

Syren backs up as we then cut forward.

One step closer and you're all mine
You leave me no choice
Burned into might, I'm goin' in for the kill
There is no other way out if you need to, baby

We then cut forward to see Meghan victorious before Syren heads to the ring. We see the CFH and SCW officials quickly move into position to prevent any further fighting.

Syren: “Can my so called bodyguards get out of my way so Meghan and I can fight?”

Syren steps forward and the officials stop her.

Meghan: “Just get on with it. We know they’re not going to let us throw hands tonight.”

Syren: “So then let’s throw hands at Rise to Greatness. And I can then introduce you to exactly why you picked the wrong person to send a message to.”

The crowd roars.

Meghan: “You want to go down to me on the grandest stage…seven time former World Champion…I’d be honoured to kick your ass on that night. Just, Syren…I have done some homework. Show up this year.”

The crowd ohs.

Syren: “Oh I’ll be there. So will Lexy. So will Ravyn. And so will they be with me if you choose to try and jump me again before then. And before you get too ahead of yourself, you may have numbers right now, but we have a few favours we can call in to. So…tread carefully, Meghan. Because right now, all that awaits…is for you to be so totally jealous when I kick your ass at Rise to Greatness!”

Cry (cry), cry about it (why don't you cry all about it?)
Time to pay for what you started, who's sorry now?
Tell your lies, yeah, you can run your mouth
But can you fight like a girl?
Fight like a girl and take this world

We then cut to a shot of Meghan Strader attacking Ravyn Taylor. We move forward to Meghan on her motorcycle. She then revs the engine of the motorcycle as the camera pans back to show Ravyn Taylor chained to the back of the motorcycle, the chains wrapped around her feet. Syren runs to the back as Lexy Chapel sighs and then runs after Syren. We cut backstage again as we see Meghan Strader starting to drive the motorcycle forward. The cameraman tries to follow as Ravyn Taylor is dragged behind. The crowd looks on as Meghan drives down one of the hallways. Meghan drives forward and then turns and starts to go down another hallway, only to roll to a stop. She just smirks as the motorcycle continues to run.

Meghan: “Mind getting out of my way…This doesn’t involve you.”

The camera the pans out to show Chris Cannon.

Cannon: “In this case, it does.”

Meghan then turns off the motorcycle. Meghan steps off as Cannon then looks at her.

Meghan: “That’s a big mistake. I also hear you’re gunning for titles and well…”

Cannon: “That’s part of why I’m here. Helps to have friends though. Or at least people watching you’re back.”

Tonight, you're the victim of your own crime
You made your choice
You swallowed your fate, stone cold, feed the snakes
Hold that fire, say my name

We then cut to show Meghan Strader facing Dante Slayton. Meghan then turns as we see Syren and Lexy Chapel starting to walk down to the ring. They take a few steps, before we see officials running out from the back. Hiro Tanaka and Dillusion join them and stop Syren and Lexy Chapel. Syren points to the ring as Meghan smirks and then turns around as Dante starts to stir and Meghan grabs Dante and then pulls him up and goes for the Vengeance, but just as she reaches the corner, we see crew member suddenly throw a fireball towards Meghan. It doesn’t hit her, but it causes her to let go for Dante and back up. The camera turns to show Ravyn Taylor who smirks. Strader is spun around by Slayton who then hits the Devil’s Trigger. Ravyn walks around the ring and then starts to jog to the rampway as we see Tearra Skye and Mackenzie Strader coming out from the back. Slayton covers Strader.

1!

2!

3!

The crowd roars as the bell sounds. Syren then smirks, hearing the bell. Ravyn runs over and she yells out.

Syren: “There’s another one!”

Baby, you can cry (cry), cry about it (why don't you cry all about it?)
Time to pay for what you started, who's sorry now?
Tell your lies, yeah, you can run your mouth
But can you fight like a girl?
Fight like a girl, fight like a girl
Fight like a girl

The chorus repeats as we cut to shots of Syren and Meghan Strader trading blows at Taking Hold of the Flame, and showing shots of Syren, Ravyn Taylor, and Lexy Chapel fighting off the Cowgirls from Hell. Shots follow of Syren and Meghan continuing to fight in Taking Hold of the Flame, before cutting to show officials trying to keep the two sides apart, including shots of Meghan Strader animatedly talking to Lucas Knight as Lucas holds her back on the rampway.

Sinner and savior, I've been walkin' the line
Devil disguised, I see it when I look in your eyes
Yeah, you can run your mouth
But can you fight like a girl?
Fight like a girl, fight like
Fight like a girl

We see a shot of Meghan Strader smirking before showing a shot of Syren hitting the Total Makeover on Meghan. This is followed by more shots of the two brawling before showing them held back by officials as the song ends. The Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen.

Syren vs. Meghan Strader

The crowd erupts as David Lee Roth followed by Wolfgang Van Halen with his father’s custom V-Guitar, Alex Van Halen behind the drum kit and Jason Newstead get into positions. Diamond Dave salutes the crowd. The stadium lights dim, and the crowd hushes in anticipation of the arrival of Meghan Strader. All throughout the stadium the sound of Screaming Eagle tailpipes fills everyone's ears and a low hum followed by the sound of hoof beats. A diabolical voice fills the void.

We’re taking over this town…

The hoofbeats speed up as the guitar lick known around the world of rock and roll starts for Unchained played by Wolfgang. The sound of revving motorcycles mixes in as Tamika Strader rides out on her Indian Scout Bobber in her signature green, followed by Veronica on her left on Harley, Tearra Skye on her right, Michelle Attwood and Mad Max. They stop halfway down and move to the right side of the ramp, backing their bikes to the edge as Tiffany Lee Strader rides out with Mackenzie, Alejandra, Amy and Victoria with a special bike with the clutch as a shifter as they do the same on the left. Each set fills either side of the ramp, as pyros shoot off along the top of the stage.

Phillips: “The following contest is scheduled for onefall with a sixty minute time limit. First, on her way to the ring…

The crowd blows up as Meghan rides out on a custom Harley Davidson trike, all blacked out except her signature dark red filling the tear drop gas tank on it with the Cowgirls From Hell cow-skull painted on. Behind her on the passenger seat sits her husband, wrestling legend Dustin Thunderwolf Kelser, with their twin kids. Clay sits on his left knee and Lizzie on his right. Lizzie is a spitting image of her mom and Clay looks like his father, the kids wave out to the crowd. Meghan stops right before the ramp descends, leaning back to kiss her husband, and her babes plant one on either cheek.

Phillips: “She is the co-founder, nomad and international president of the Cowgirls From Hell MC…”

The Cowgirls lining the ramp put their left fists over their hearts and pound as Meghan rides down slowly, scanning the fans. The Strader Sneer creeps across the Matriarch’s face and she continues her descent to the ring, her icy blue eyes fixated on the ring.

Phillips: “She is the Strader Matriarch…hailing from London, Ontario Canada…”

Pyros shoot out of the ring posts, black and red smoke following the silver streams of the fireworks. Tamika, Veronica, Victoria, Cara, Mackenzie, Tiffany Lee and Alejandra enter the ring, standing behind their President and her husband and twin children. Meghan throws her left fist up in the air as her name is announced.

Phillips: “She is Meghan Strader!”

Meghan gets on a knee, kissing her little ones before standing up to kiss her husband. The rest of the Cowgirls join Meghan in the ring, putting their fists knuckles together and throwing them up in unison as they yell.

Cowgirls From Hell: “COWGIRLS FOREVER! FOREVER COWGIRLS!!!!!!”

Mackenzie and Mad Max go to stand in her corner but Meghan points to the back, signaling to all the Cowgirls. Tamika tilts her head to the side but nods and sneers. Diamond Dave, Wolf, Alex and Jason finish playing the Matriarch’s music as Meghan takes off her kutte, handing it to Mackenzie before they head back. Meghan pulls on the top rope, and cracks her neck side to side, bouncing like a boxer before tossing a few air jabs towards the entrance way.

Sharper: “Being played in by Van Halen…Meghan Strader coming in and she is hoping tonight is the night she turns SCW upside down.”

Knots: “We heard from Lucas Knight last night. He made it clear – she’s someone you don’t mess with. Syren is. But Meghan started it. And Meghan is looking to take down one of he top stars in SCW history!”

Sharper: “And she’s got her game face on.”

A pink heart appears on the screens and starts to beat. He continues to beat, building up anticipation in the stadium. The lights dim as we see a pink hue come over the stage. The beat continues to echo throughout the stadium before we see Ravyn Taylor walk out from the back and stand on the stage. She looks down at the ring. Meghan looks on from the ring. We then see Lexy Chapel walk out and yell at the ring. A few moments pass before Chris Cannon and Yvonne Knight walk out too. The crowd roars.

LEXY CHAPEL PRESENTS

The heartbeat gets faster before “Groupie” by Cassie Steele hits the PA system. After a few moments Syren comes through the curtain. Syren pauses on the stage, looking out at the fans cheering, as Lexy waves her arms, trying to get them to cheer even louder for her client.

Sinfully Seductive
Captivatingly Corrupt
DARK FANTASY

Syren turns as Ravyn says something to her. Lexy looks around as Syren then turns to Cannon and Knight. Taylor, Chapel, Cannon, and Knight then turn and head to the back. Syren focuses on the ring as the crowd roars.

Sharper: “Syren making a visual statement. She’s ready with her army if this turns into a war between factions.”

Syren walks down the ramp.

Phillips: “Her opponent, representing LexyCorp International, from Los Angeles, California, she is Syren!”

The camera follows Syren down to the ring as she focuses on the ring. Meghan keeps her eyes firmly on Syren. The two competitors already aren’t taking their eyes off one another. After several moments, Syren reaches the ring. She jumps up onto the apron before climbing the turnbuckles on the outside and waving her hands to get the fans fired up. As the camera gets closer to her, she shouts at the camera before pointing out at the fans.

Syren smiles before leaping over the top rope, dropping to her knees in the ring, posing with both her arms outstretched. Syren takes off her ring jacket and hands that off before turning to the corner. She looks at Meghan as Meghan does a bit more shadow boxing. Syren’s music fades out.

The bell sounds as Syren and Meghan Strader look at each other and start to walk up to the middle of the ring, standing across from one another. The crowd roars as Syren and Meghan start jawing at each other in the middle of the ring.

Sharper: “Syren, perhaps the greatest champion in SCW History. She’s held the World Title more than anyone else. Meghan Strader, part of a family with a legacy. And she wants to bring that legacy to SCW and build it here. And here we go!”

Syren then nails Meghan with a hard right. Meghan fires back with one of her own. They trade blows in the middle of the ring before Meghan drops down and tackles Syren down. She nails Syren with a series of hard right hands before Syren pushes her off. Meghan rolls over and gets up and Syren turns and catches her and tries to tackle her down, managing to just get her down. Meghan grabs her by the head and tries to lock in a guillotine choke. Syren however nails her with a couple of hard rights to the ribs, causing Meghan to let go. Syren blasts her with one in the face and Meghan pushes her back with her legs. Syren and Meghan roll back and Meghan starts to get up. Syren looks up as she then jaws at Meghan again.

Sharper: “And the hard rights. The fists are flying in this one!”

Knots: “Just like it has been for weeks!”

Meghan then walks around the ring. Syren starts to mimic her before the two lock up in the middle of the ring. They push back on one another and Syren turns into an arm wrench. Meghan winces and Syren jerks on the arm. Meghan reaches up and then ducks down and spins around before turning around the arm wrench on Syren. Syren winces. She flips forward and nips up and then turns and hits an arm drag. Meghan rolls through and gets up and Syren hits a hip toss. She goes to grab Meghan. Meghan pushes her off with her feet. Syren falls back and rolls over. She gets up and runs at Meghan and Meghan scoops her up and slams her. She goes for the quick pin.

1!

2!

Syren kicks out. Both get up and Meghan pushes her back into the corner. She pins her back as the official, Steve Hollinsworth, starts his count. Meghan pushes Syren a couple of times in the ribs.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Meghan geos for a hip toss out of the corner, but Syren lands on her feet. She then stops and turns as Meghan goes to strike her, but Syren blocks it and hits a jawbreaker. Meghan falls back into the ropes.

Sharper: “A nice counter by Syren. Landing on her feet. Meghan was already in the midst of following up.”

Knots: “Syren sometimes surprises you with how agility she is. And she’s had some great people to learn from in terms of countering and technical wrestling too.”

Syren steps up and chops Meghan. The crowd woos. She chops her again. More woos. Meghan then spins Syren into the ropes and just nails her with a hard right. Syren falls through the ropes to the apron. The crowd ohs. Meghan walks around the ring and rubs her chest before going over to Syren. Syren buries her shoulder into the ribs of Meghan. Meghan bends over and Syren flips over her back and lands on her feet, running into the ropes. Meghan turns around and Syren hits a Lou Thesz Press. She then hammers away on Meghan. The crowd roars as she gets strike after strike after strike. She gets up and runs into the ropes, bouncing off and hitting a running leg drop. She goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Meghan kicks out. Both get up and Syren grabs Meghan by the head, locking in a side headlock.

Sharper: “And back to the control. Side headlock.”

Knots: “Get a nearfall and then make her think about it.”

Meghan reaches around and then pulls her back to the ropes. She fires Syren off. Syren bounces off and Meghan shoulders her down. She runs into the ropes. Syren drops down in front of her. Meghan hops over and then stops and stomps her in the back. The crowd roars. Syren pops up and shoves her. Meghan blasts her with a hard right and then a kick to the ribs before hooking her head and neck and hitting a vertical suplex. Syren turns around and Meghan then hoists her up and actually presses Syren over her head. The crowd roars. Syren slides back and lands behind Meghan, but Meghan hits a back elbow. Syren falls back to the ropes. Meghan turns and whips her across the ring. Syren bounces off and Meghan hits a huge back drop. Syren grimaces and starts to get up and Meghan pushes her into the corner. She then hits a knee to the ribs, before following up with more.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Meghan whips Syren across and gives it a bit more oomph, causing Syren to land hard chest first and fall forward. She grimaces as Meghan then grabs her and pulls her in and double underhooks her, but Syren gets her arms free and hits a double leg takedown. She flips forward into a jackknife pin.

Sharper: “Meghan Strader going for the My Friend of Misery, but Syren counters! Cover!”

1!

2!

Meghan kicks out. Both get up and Syren kicks her in the ribs. She whips her into the corner. Syren follows up and chops her again.

Knots: “And back to the chops. Think she’s doing that to get under her skin?”

Sharper: “It annoyed her early, but it also led to Meghan just cracking her in the jaw.”

Knots: “Sometimes it takes a bit to get the hint!”

Syren forearms her and then pulls Meghan out and hits a running facebuster. Syren gets up and then walks over to the ropes. She bounces off and steps forward and hits an elbow drop. She goes for the lateral press.

1!

2!

Meghan kicks out. Syren then grabs Meghan and drags her up. She forearms her in the jaw and then kicks her in the ribs. She hooks Meghan up and sets up for the vertical suplex of her own, but Meghan suddenly blocks it. Syren tries again and Meghan blocks it again only to then hoist Syren up and drop her with a front suplex. Syren pops up and kneels in front of Meghan. Meghan runs into the ropes, bouncing off and hitting a running boot to the face. Syren goes back. Meghan goes for the pin.

1!

2!

Syren kicks out.

Sharper: “Nothing fancy. Just a boot to the face. But only a two count.”

Knots: “But definitely giving Syren something to think about.”

Syren turns, holding her jaw. Meghan stomps her in the face again. Syren rolls over.

Sharper: “Every time, a shot here. A shot there. Both taking what they can get. Every opening.”

Meghan then grabs Syren and pulls her up and then hits a knee to the ribs. She turns and hits a Ukrainian leg sweep. She then floats over for the pin.

1!

2!

Syren kicks out. Meghan then gets up and hits a knee drop. Syren rolls over and moves to the ropes. Meghan grabs her and moves to the ropes before stepping on the back of her head and starting to press down with her boot, choking Syren on the bottom rope.

1!

2!

3!

4!

Meghan steps off and walks around the ring. She then poses to the crowd, leading to a mixed reaction. Meghan turns and walks over to Syren. She then drags her up and hooks her up before hitting a snap back suplex. She goes for another pin.

1!

2!

Syren gets her shoulder up. Meghan then grabs her and drags her up before running her face first into the top turnbuckle. Syren turns around.

Knots: “Things not looking good for Syren here. Meghan’s just taken over.”

Sharper: “Both have a wealth of experience, so few mistakes. But this is also something that is a bit of a change for Syren. Since returning, she’s largely faced newer faces to her, but few with the experience of Meghan. Maybe that’s playing a role.”

Knots: “And few as motivated as Meghan Strader too!”

Meghan then shoulders Syren in the ribs. She rears back and shoulder her again. She rears back a third time and shoulders her again. She then hoists Syren up and onto her shoulder and turns around and then runs across and hits a huge running spinebuster. The crowd ohs. Meghan rolls through and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Syren gets her shoulder up. Meghan then gets up and drives the point of her elbow into the face of Syren with a fall forward elbow drop. She gets up and hits another one. She then grabs her and lifts her up before running her across the ring and through the ropes to the floor. Syren lands with a thud. (1)

Sharper: “And Strader just dumping Syren on the floor. Meghan Strader maybe showing some frustration.”

Knots: “Or she’s decided to just expedite things.”

Sharper: “And here comes the Matriarch of the Strader family.”

Syren rolls over as Meghan exits to the floor. She then walks over and kicks Syren in the ribs. (2) She then turns and looks around before driving Syren face first into the steel steps. Syren pops up and staggers back.(3) Meghan keeps looking around before then shrugging, grabbing Syren and spinning her around and throwing her into the timekeeper’s table, causing the bell, the hammer, and the table to tip over, along with one of the chairs. The crowd ohs. (4) Syren is down in a heap as Meghan smirks and turns and rolls into the ring. She then rolls back out, restarting the count. (1)

Sharper: “Syren down. Just a few feet from me.”

Knots: “Is she moving?”

Sharper: “She is…and I think she’s cut herself. I think she caught the edge of the table going over.”

REPLAY: We see Meghan grabbing Syren and then spinning her around and throwing her into the timekeeper’s table. She goes over as the table tips over and the bell and hammer fall too. The RTG XXII logo comes up as we see it from another angle.

Meghan walks over to the timekeeper’s table, lifting it up and throwing it out of the way. (2) We see Syren leaning against the barricade, blood coming down her face. (3)

We cut back fully to live, allowing the fans to see the damage clearly. Meghan grabs her and pulls her out. (4) She then runs her over and drives her into the ring apron. Syren staggers back to the announce table. (5) Meghan then looks at Syren and drives her into the table again. Syren falls to a knee. Meghan grabs the top of the table and looks at Syren again. (6) She rips the top off. The crowd roars. She then starts to pull off the laptops.

Knots: “Hey! Go over there! Put her through the Spanish or French tables!”

Sharper: “Meghan…she’s focusing on beating Syren. She’s bloodied her and she’s thinking about something to keep her down!”

Meghan then hears the count. (7) She turns and rolls into the ring and rolls back out. She then grabs Syren and pulls her over to table. She rolls her up before climbing up. (1) She then grabs Syren and starts to pull her in for the Blackened. She smirks as the crowd roars. (2) Just then, Syren elbows her in the back of the head once and then again. She gets free and hits a superkick. Meghan stands dazed before dropping down into the heap. (3) Syren drops down to the floor and moves her into position. Determination in her eyes, she rolls into the ring. (4) The crowd erupts as Syren starts to climb up to the top rope. She looks down at Meghan. (5) She then dives off with a top rope elbow drop, driving her through the table. The crowd erupts. (1)

Sharper: “Syren off the top! Of the-“

The commentary cuts off as Syren rolls over, pulling the headset off of Sharper. Knots backs up, looking around as Syren looks up. (2)

REPLAY: We see Syren standing on the top rope and looking down before seeing her dive off, hitting a top rope elbow drop to the chest of Meghan Strader, going through the English announce table. The RTG XXII logo comes up as we see the move from another angle.

Syren looks around, wincing a bit. (3) She then starts to pull herself up and crawls over Meghan. She grabs Meghan in the process. (4)

Sharper: “Syren dragging Meghan back to the ring.”

Knots: “You see that look on Syren. She’s far from done. Meghan threw hell at her.”

Sharper: “And it may be Syren’s turn. But Meghan…she’s down. Is she out?”

Syren drags Meghan out of the table and rolls her into the ring. Meghan rolls over to her side and then to her back. Syren pulls herself onto the apron, using the ropes, and then grabs the top rope and springboards to the top rope and hits a leg drop. She turns and hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Meghan gets her shoulder up. Syren looks up and then turns to Meghan and nails her with a hard right and then another and another and another. She gets up and walks around the ring. Meghan starts to get up and moves to the corner. Syren sees this and immediately runs at her and hits the Face Lift. Meghan falls back and to the mat. Syren turns and hits the Blonde Satisfaction. She then hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Meghan gets her shoulder up again. Syren rolls off as Meghan rolls over. She winces and looks around as she then gets up as Syren nails her with a hard right and then another. Meghan throws one of her own, but Syren then kicks her in the ribs. Meghan leans back into the turnubuckle. and Syren kicks her in the ribs over and over and over again. She then gets a flurry of stomps off as she walks around the ring and then moves to the adjacent corner, bouncing off and running at Meghan, hitting a facewash boot. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Syren got that huge boot. Meghan’s head turned from the impact.”

Knots: “And Syren’s now going to follow up. This has turned around immensely and it’s looking like all Syren now.”

Syren drags Meghan up to her feet and then hooks her up and hits a vertical suplex, placing her in position. Syren moves to the corner. She climbs up to the top rope and glances back. She then dives off with a huge moonsault off the top rope. She connects. She hooks both legs.

1!

2!

Meghan kicks out and rolls over as Syren rolls off. She then looks around, a mixed reaction following. Syren staggers up to her feet and turns over to Meghan and grabs her.

Sharper: “She can’t believe Meghan kicked out. The moonsault not enough.”

Knots: “And she got it perfectly. Right on target!”

Syren then blasts her with a hard right. Meghan staggers. Syren follows up and nails her again. Meghan staggers around the ring and turns and nails Syren with a hard right. The crowd roars. Syren fires back. The crowd roars as Meghan returns fire. The two again start to trade blows in the middle of the ring, going back and forth. Meghan then gets the advantage and hits two strikes in a row. She goes again, but Syren ducks the third and hits a superkick. The crowd erupts. Meghan hits the mat. She rolls over, crawling to the ropes. She fights up to her feet and turns and swings again, but Syren ducks again and hits a second superkick. This time, she rolls through for the pin.

1!

2!

Meghan shoots her shoulder up. Syren rolls off as the crowd roars. Syren looks up and then stomps Meghan in the ribs. Meghan rolls over.

Knots: “A mini-superkick soiree and Syren only got two.”

Sharper: “Meghan defiantly throwing that shoulder into the air.”

Knots: “Probably needed Lexy Chapel yelling it out to sap her of her fight!”

Meghan rolls over after a second stomp from Syren. Syren then grabs her and drags her up. She then moves her to the corner. Syren hoists her up and places her on the top turnbuckle. She then nails her with a hard right before climbing up to the middle turnbuckle. She then grabs Meghan and steps up to the top, setting up for a top rope superplex, but Meghan blocks it and nails her in the ribs once and then again before pushing her down, but Meghan holds on as Syren falls back. She hops down too, stopping herself, before grabbing Syren’s head and running to the next corner and up the turnbuckle into the Vengeance. The crowd ohs. Meghan rolls Syren over and pulls back on the leg.

1!

2!

Syren gets her shoulder up. Syren rolls over and Meghan drags her up before dropping her with the Two for the Show. Meghan then rolls to the ropes. She grabs them and starts to pull herself up. She exits to the apron and climbs up to the top rope. She looks at Syren and dives off, hitting the Fatality to the back of her head.

Sharper: “Knee to the head. Fatality! Fatality!”

Knots: “To the back of the head too!”

Meghan rolls her over and covers her.

1!

2!

Syren kicks out and rolls over as Meghan pops off and rolls to her side. She then looks around, gritting her teeth. She slowly pulls herself up, grabbing Syren by the hair. She then starts to pull her up, jerking her up to her feet and then placing her head between her legs. She again double-underhooks her, but this time, Syren counters with a back drop. Meghan hits the mat and rolls over and gets up and right into another superkick. Meghan falls to the mat. Syren falls back and onto Meghan.

1!

2!

Meghan throws her shoulder up. Syren rolls off. She takes a moment, catching her breath. She then gets up and Meghan rolls over. Syren sees this and gets up, running past her and jumping to the middle rope and dives back, hitting the Beauty Mark. Meghan is laid out as Syren turns and exits to the apron.

Sharper: “Beauty Mark. That forearm right to the jaw.”

Knots: “And Meghan is laid out. Syren…to the top?”

Sharper: “To the top. Maybe time for the Blondeton Bomb.”

Syren moves to the corner and then springboards to the top rope and does go for the Blondeton Bomb, but Meghan gets her knees up. Syren’s momentum takes her to her feet and she then falls to the side. Meghan turns and crawls over and grabs Syren by the waist before rolling through into a bridging pin!

1!

2!

Syren gets her shoulder up and rolls over, breaking the waistlock. Syren slowly gets up as Meghan turns and pulls herself up. She staggers around and turns and the runs at Syren and hits a hard clothesline. Syren hits the mat. Meghan turns and grabs her and pulls her up before dragging her into, ready for the Blackened, but Syren elbows out of it and then spins out and pulls her in. She goes for the Total Makeover, but Meghan hoists her up onto her shoulder and then drops her with a death valley driver. She hooks the leg.

1!

2!

Syren shoots her shoulder up. The crowd ohs. Meghan rolls off and crawls to the ropes. She exits to the apron and then climbs up to the top rope. She gets to the top and looks over at Syren before then diving off for the Fatality, but Syren moves out of the way. Meghan rolls through, holding her leg. She gets up and walks into another superkick from Syren. Meghan staggers and turs as Syren moves to the apron. She then grabs the top rope and jumps to the top rope and twists in the air and hits the Beauty Spot. The crowd erupts.

Sharper: “Beauty Spot! Syren’s not pulled that out in a long time! And she got it! She spiked Meghan!”

Knots: “Meghan was out on her feet!”

Syren hooks the leg.

1!

2!

3!

The crowd roars as the bell sounds as Syren rolls off of Megan. She looks up and turns to her side.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via pinfall, Syren!”

Sharper: “Unbelievable! Back and forth. Clearly both had the other scouted and Syren pulling out the Beauty Spot to finish off Meghan.”

Knots: “I think Glory Braddock, and others…you better look out. Syren is back ascendent. And Meghan Strader…”

Sharper: “She’s not going to just take this. She’s not going to take this loss and accept it. She called her shot. Syren stopped her tonight. But the Straders came to take. This may just be a brief detour.”

Syren slowly gets up as her arm is raised. She falls to the ropes as Meghan remains down. Syren winces, falling down to a seated position in the corner. She looks out as she then turns and places to the crowd.

Sharper: “But who will be the World Champion? Next…ladder match….Valentine. Frost. Turner. Aries!”

The Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen.

The scene opens up with a shot of the Caesars Superdome as we see fans cheering at Taking Hold of the Flame. We then cut to the Thunderdome match to see shots of Xander Valentine heading to the ring as we see James Evans, Waylon Creek, and Giovanni Aries inside. We then cut to the final moments of the match. Xander looks down at James Evans and drags him up. Xander then looks around before then turning and whipping James into the corner. James hits chest first and Xander hoists him up onto his shoulders. The crowd erupts as Xander then turns and drops him with the Valhalla has Fallen.

Sharper: “Valhalla has Fallen! Have the Fall of Man?! Has James Evans’s World Title reign?”

Knots: “No!”

Giovanni Aries starts to get up as Xander gets up and turns, but Waylon Creek runs at him and blasts him with a spear. In the process, Xander’s arm catches Giovanni stiffly in the face. Giovanni falls back. Waylon rolls off of Xander, but we then hear and see Demitra counting.

1!

2!

3!

The camera turns to show Giovanni Aries has landed on James Evans’ body. The crowd looks on stunned as the bell sounds.

Sharper: “Oh my God…”

Phillips: “Fans, here is your winner, via pinfall, and NEW SCW World Champion…Giovanni Aries!”

Sharper: “And now Xander, Waylon, and James have to reset. They’re in the Taking Hold of the Flame. Xander says it’s for the roster to finish the job, but it now is also so Xander can get his chance to finish this job!”

Knots: “Giovanni Aries is World Champion?!”

We see Giovanni Aries looking at the World Championship before we cut to later in the night, the end of the Taking Hold of the Flame battle royal. Cid rolls over and slowly starts to get up. The crowd looks on as Xander Valentine pulls himself up and then sees Cid getting up. Xander runs over and shoulders him. Cid falls forward to the corner and stumbles back. Xander hoists him up for the Valhalla Has Fallen. The crowd roars, but Cid manages to backflip through. He falls back into the corner. Xander then runs at him, but Cid moves out of the way again and Xander goes chest first. Cid then turns and runs into the ropes. He bounces off and jumps up, but Xander catches Cid on his shoulders for a powerbomb. Cid shakes his head and Xander falls back but they both go over the top rope and both then drop down, landing in a thud on the floor! The crowd erupts as the bell sounds. We then cut to a slow motion shot showing both landing at the same time. We then see Cid and Xander both in the ring as CHBK is out, talking to officials.

CHBK: “Fans, you have seen history tonight!”

The crowd roars.

CHBK: “Allow me to congratulation, the winner of the 2025 Taking Hold of the Flame and going to Rise to Greatness XXII to challenge Giovanni Aries for the SCW World Championship…”

CHBK pauses a moment. Xander just glares at CHBK.

CHBK: “Xander Valentine!”

Cid looks down as Xander throws his arms up.

CHBK: “…And Cid Turner!”

The crowd roars as Cid looks up, stunned. Hollinsworth raises his arm as Xander turns to CHBK. CHBK then backs up and applauds both.

Sharper: “Xander and Cid! Dual winners…this has never happened before!”

Knots: “What…there should be one. Make them fight!”

Sharper: “Giovanni Aries as World Champion…and now two winners…and the road to Rise to Greatness XXII has just had two major twists!”

We then cut to the next Breakdown where Giovanni Aries is in the ring with William Heaven.

Heaven: “Xander Valentine!”

We see a shot of Xander in the back.

Heaven: “You do have one more attempt to try and make good on your increasingly laughable threats…you have Rise to Greatness. Where you will challenge for the SCW World Championship and-“

Giovanni Aries steps up as James Evans watches the scene play out in front of him. Giovanni Aries places his hand on Heaven’s microphone. He says something to him. Heaven just nods and allows Giovanni Aries to take the microphone. He then looks out at the crowd as they boo him.

Aries: “Yes, they will challenge for the SCW World Championship…they need to challenge for it. Even SCW is now ripping the veneer of competition from this when it is really that they need their precious main event for Rise to Greatness and it would only be great if there was the shiny trinket waved about in front of them!”

Aries looks at the crowd.

Aries: “I may be accidentally the World Champion, but I will not take this opportunity and squander it. William…you brought me in because you needed someone who knew how to take it right to SCW and right to its heart. Waylon had his attempt…James had his…Now it is mine.”

Aries smiles as Evans and Creek look at Aries as Heaven nods. We see Cid Turner watching backstage in a monitor.

Aries: “But this is all just leading to the end….DEATH TO THE LIZARD KINGDOM!”

Aries laughs.

BELIEVE IT... OR NOT!

"Thank You for Hating Me!" by Citizen Soldier plays throughout the arena, the SCW Universe deafening the song with their boos.

Sharper: “And wait a minute!”

Knots: “Her contract!”

Sharper: “She has it in her hand. Don’t tell me she’s going to use it at Rise to Greatness!”

Selena Frost looks down at the ring. Giovanni Aries turns, rolling his eyes. Heaven steps forward.

Selena: “Sorry to break up your speech, but it’s time to remember who really is running things around here. I don’t care about your stupid crusade. I care about what matters in MY world. And it’s time for me to get the World Championship back. You want to hide it…then I’ll save it. And to beat Cid and Xander too…That’s an opportunity I can’t let slip away. BELIEVE IT!”

“Greed” by Royale Lynn then starts to play in the background. We then see shots from the following Breakdown as we see Xander defeating Simon Lyman. But then we see Selena Frost entering the ring and kicking him in the groin.

I can see behind your eyes
A sickness has consumed you
And you’re never satisfied
There’s nothing that you won’t do

We see Cid Turner running down from the back. He slides into the ring. He then goes over to grab Selena, but Selena ducks a clothesline. Cid runs into Xander and Xander falls through the ropes to the floor. He staggers over to the announce table. Cid then turns and Selena goes for another Glass Shard, but Cid blocks it too. She then jumps up and hits an enziguri. Cid falls back and through the ropes to the apron.

Sharper: “Again, Selena tried for the Glass Shard!”

Knight: “Cid and Xander both know her very well! They all know each other well!”

Cid pulls himself up and Selena runs at him and nails him with a running forearm. Cid flies back and into Xander. Xander catches him. The crowd roars. Cid looks back and then Xander muscles him up onto his shoulders, but Cid hammers away on Xander. He then ends up on the table where he wrenches Xander’s head and drives him into the top of the table with the Sovereign Takeover. The impact causes the table to implode. Xander rolls to his side. Selena looks on and smirks as Cid Turner grimace in pain, grabbing at his back.

The dots are connected
Showed your infected
I know you’re intentions

Cause you take
Everything you can take
Until there’s nothing left
You never change stay the same
Feed on the greed that makes you
When it’s gonna be too much
When It’s gonna be enough
You always want more
You always want more
You always want

We then see Cid Turner standing across from Xander Valentine in the ring.

Cid: “You’ve got Giovanni Aries who is trying to blot the World Title from existence and watching us all dance and take each other out and you have the Wicked Witch of the North thinking this is easy. While you and I are risking everything to be here. I’m back here not because I was bored – I’m here because I sadly know there’s only one thing that drives me day in and day out and that’s to compete and to compete for that World Title!”

The crowd roars as Xander just looks down at Cid. Xander brings the microphone up.

Xander: “Nice speech. Too bad I don’t give a damn. Too bad you’re just another person in my way. Too bad you’re going to be another casualty. Already one is gone – James…he finally snapped. Two left. And I plan to take out the second at Rise to Greatness. Where does Selena stand in it…nothing more than another obstacle that has put itself in my way to my goal. Just like you are. Just like Light in the Darkness was. Just like the Dangerous Minds. Just like everyone else. I don’t need help, Cid. In fact, it’s better you get out of my way. I had Selena handled last week. You’re the one who complicated things.”

The cycle is repeating
At the bottom you keep feeding
Cannibal you gotta taste for the blood
Don’t think you got a
Motive I dont notice
Might not say it but you show it
Found you out and now there’s nowhere to run

We then cut later to show Selena Frost fighting Asher Hayes before we see the official knocked down and then showing Cid Turner running to the ring as Jordan Majors exits the ringside area. We then sees Cid fighting Selena. She hits the ropes and then stops at the ropes. Cid runs at her and clotheslines her up and over to the apron. Selena slowly gets up as the crowd roars again. Cid steps through to the apron and grabs Selena, but Selena suddenly low blows Cid. The crowd ohs as Cid drops down to his knees and rolls to the floor. Selena then enters into the ring, but we see Xander Valentine sliding in. The crowd erupts as Selena backs up and into Xander who hoists her up and hits the Valhalla Has Fallen! We then see Hayes pinning Frost.

Sharper: “The undefeated run…it’s over!”

Knots: “That wasn’t fair! It wasn’t fair!”

Sharper: “But it may have been justice!”

The dots are connected
Showed your infected
I know you’re intentions

We then hear the music pause as we see Giovanni Aries in the ring, smiling.

Aries: “I only have to look at the last few weeks and laugh. Selena Frost cashes in her rematch. Xander and Cid both being given this opportunity. All so CHBK and SCW can have their precious main event. And while they all are at each other’s throats, they have missed the change unfolding. Cid Turner can point out how disappointed he is. Xander Valentine can make threats. Selena Frost can annoy us all. And yet…the sniper shots from all three are fired at each other. And I stand unscathed…”

We then see the World Title lowered from the ceiling.

Aries: “This is what all of you dream of. The moment, the memory, not the fight…but this!”

We see Aries hold the World Title.

Aries: “That moment when the dream becomes reality…never mind that it already was. You need the ten pounds of gold…Well, what are you willing to put on the line for it? Hmmm?”

As Aries talks we see shots of the contract signing the following week.

Aries: “Cid Turner, spinal stenosis…one fall and it’s over. Are you willing to see your family cry over your pathetic body as you can’t even hug your daughter again?”

Cid Turner is shown signing the contract without hesitation.

Aries: “Are you willing, Xander, to risk a lifetime of suffering, maybe not even remembering the moment, all so you can hold it again and wipe out Fall of Man…”

Xander Valentine is shown signing the contract without hesitation.

Aries: “And Selena…if you’re so good, are you willing to prove it, by removing the one thing you hold over your head – you hadn’t been pinned since Rise to Greatness. We’ll put last week aside for your ego…for the random chance that one wrong move…and it doesn’t matter how talented you are….to hold this…”

Selena is shown hesitating, before we see her signing it.

Aries: “If CHBK can engineer his own main event…well, I’m going to engineer my own. You can make a new belt, but the world will know. So…let’s remove the bullshit. We’ll kill each other for this title. But will it be worth it? Let’s find out. Either we raise this title over the ring and we fight to see who can bring it down….or I will make sure the original World Championship is never seen again. How’s that SCW…”

Shots of CHBK, Steve Griffin, Jason Zero, Jay Gold, Baron Scythe, Shilo Valiant, Damian Angel, Syren, Shawn Winters, Josh Hudson, Shaun Cruze, Kelcey Wallace, Regan Street, Selena Frost, Xander Valentine and Cid Turner all holding the World Title are shown. The music plays again.

Cause you take
Everything you can take
Until there’s nothing left
You never change stay the same
Feed on the greed that makes you
When it’s gonna be too much
When It’s gonna be enough
You always want more
You always want more
You always want more
You always want more

Shots of Xander hitting the Valhalla has Fallen on Selena Frost is shown before we see Xander fighting Cid Turner at Rise to Greatness. Shots of Selena Frost low blowing Xander, before showing Cid Turner hitting the Sovereign Takeover on Selena Frost before showing him again hitting the same move on Xander on the table on the floor. We then cut to see Selena striking Xander with the Glass Shard before showing Giovanni Aries locking in the Embrace of the Reptilian Genocide on Cid Turner. This cuts to more shots of fighting as Xander chokeslams Selena Frost, before we see Cid Turner hitting Xander with a Denver Diving Kick. This is followed by a shot of Aries being handed a chair and we see Aries nailing Cid in the back with the steel chair. This is followed by Aries lifting the chair up again before Selena hits him with the Glass Shard. We see Selena looking at them, before showing shots of Selena, Xander and Cid holding the World Title at different points of their career and then showing Aries holding the title over his head while on a ladder.

The dots are connected
Showed your infected
I know you’re intentions
Cause you take
Everything you can take
Until there’s nothing left
You never change stay the same
Feed on the greed that makes you
When it’s gonna be too much
When It’s gonna be enough
You always want more
You always want more
You always want

The word want echoes as the image pauses on Aries and the Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen.

Xander Valentine vs. Cid Turner vs. Selena Frost vs. Giovanni Aries

SCW World Championship

Ladder Match

The bell sounds as Jason Phillips stands in the ring.

Phillips: “Fans…the following contest is a fatal four way ladder match, with a sixty minute time limit, for the SCW World Championship!”

The SCW World Championship logo comes across the screen.

BELIEVE IT... OR NOT!

"Thank You for Hating Me!" by Citizen Soldier plays throughout the arena, the SCW Universe deafening the song with their boos. We then see two lines of people, one wearing all white, the other wearing all black, walk out from the back and line up on either side of the rampway. The boos continue as the lights shift to dark purple and blue, filling the arena as snow is seen “falling” along the electronic floor and screens. The two lines of people come to a stop and then in unison turn as Selena Frost walks out from the back. The boos only grow.

Selena’s nameplate comes up as she then starts to walk down to the ring, the two sides lines yelling and making noise while Selena ignores it, walking down the rampway and to the ring.

Phillips: “First, from Nome, Alaska, she is the Snow Queen, Selena Frost!”

The crowd boos as Selena remains focused on the ring. She walks past a ladder set up in the entrance way and then heads over to the ring. She then walks up the steel steps and then steps into the ring. Once inside and in the center of the ring, she stands still, confident and powerful, as the lights form to make a massive blue and black snowflake under her and the purple and blue lights. Raising her hand back up, towards the audience, once again palm upright, a wicked smirk graces her lips. With a slam of her foot, Selena causes the snowflake at her feet to “crack” as the rampway did, the shards of ice streaking out to all four corners of the ring to shoot out purple streaks of light from the turnbuckle the lights return to normal.

Sharper: “Selena Frost has waited a year for this opportunity. She is main eventing Rise to Greatness for the fourth consecutive year. It’s a sign of pure consistency and skill.”

Knots: “She wants to end the wild west. She wants to go back to SCW with her on top, guiding it forward. But Giovanni has a plan. Xander too.”

Sharper: “It may be who wants it more. Motivation is abound in this one. Four individuals who see the World Champion with a very personal attachment in some way, shape, or form. All have been at the top.”

The lights slowly dim down. The crowd buzzes in anticipation, many of them taking their phones out and lighting up the arena with their flashlights. After a few moments of silence, “Dark Child” by Marlon Williams plays as the lights flash back on. The big screen shows several highlights of Cid Turner's career as the song continues to play. The crowd roars as Cid makes his way onto the stage, looking tensely out into the crowd. Cid takes a moment to let it all soak in before he begins his walk down the ramp.

Phillips: “Next, from Denver, Colorado, he is one of the co-winners of the 2025 Taking Hold of the Flame, he is Cid Turner!”

“My little blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy

One day you'll grow up and be distressed

One day you'll grow up and reject everything

I've set out for you”

Cid continues his walk down the ramp and keeps his eye on the ring while continually muttering to himself. Cid reaches the ring and climbs up the steps, slowly walking across the apron to the corner and pulling himself up onto the second rope, standing on the turnbuckle and looking around the arena while taking a deep breath. He pounds his chest and peers out into the sea of people.

“My only dear long wasteful son

One day you'll wonder what you've become”

The music begins to fade out as Cid climbs down from the ropes and enters the ring, making his way to the corner.

Sharper: “Cid Turner – shocking the world at Taking Hold of the Flame. Co-winner with Xander. But is this a match that could end it all for him.”

Knots: “He’s got a bad spine. We know it. He’s been cleared, but ultimately, this is a match that could end his career and Giovanni Aries did that intentionally. He wanted to show how this sport destroys people by making them want the title.”

Sharper: “But Cid Turner, he said it…he wants to be World Champion more than anything again. It’s all he knows. To wrestle. To compete.”

The lights went pitch black. A red light filled the stage, highlighting the fog bellowing out from behind the entrance, consuming everything it touches. Flashes spread light wildfire in the stands of the NRG Stadium. The crowd roars as the opening chords of “Fade to Black” by Metallica ring out. 

“Life, it seems, will fade away
Drifting further, every day
Getting lost within myself
Nothing matters, no one else
I have lost the will to live
Simply nothing more to give
There is nothing more for me
Need the end to set me free”

For a moment, the Executioner logo appears on the screen only to be replaced by a grainy highlight reel of Xander’s early career in SCW. The streak. The championship wins. The proudest moments. Bright lights flash between clips. 

“Things not what they used to be
Missing one inside of me
Deathly loss, this can't be real
I cannot stand this hell I feel
Emptiness is filling me
To the point of agony
Growing darkness, taking dawn
I was me, but now he's gone”

Then the clips turned to a red monotone. Through the static, you see Xander’s face bloodied. You see his face in anguish. X-rays showing injuries. Brain scans. Handcuffs and courtroom footage. Xander screams in pain before everything goes abruptly black.

The clamoring crowd is the only exception to the stillness that devoured the scene.

A long church bell rings, once- twice- a third time as the crowd comes alive again. White lights flash at the entrance to reveal the silhouette of a man. Xander’s voice echoes out:

“Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

The few opening keystrokes of “Soul On Fire” by Last Internationale radiate through the crowd. The lull hushes the crowd for only a moment before Delila Paz’s blues dominate the audio. 

“Some are born to kill
Others are born to run
Some need to keep on takin'
Till you ain't got none”

Pyros explode from the set as a curtain drops to reveal Xander Valentine. Most his features are bleached by the blinding light on him. On the screen, Xander is holding onto the bars of a prison cell. He prys the bars open before stepping through, before the screen goes black. Xander walks through the fog and down the ramp.

Phillips: “Fighting out of Fort Collins, Colorado, from Rochester, New York, the co-winner of the 2025 Taking Hold of the Flame battle royal, he is the Paragon of Violence, the Executioner, Xander Valentine!”

“But baby, I wasn't built to die
Lay down and be crucified
Nah, no matter how hard they try
To push me down
Still I rise”

“Soul on Fire (Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul)
Soul on Fire (Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul)”

At the bottom of the ramp, he stares at the ring. Nothing but pure focus is expressed on his face. He leaps onto the apron, kicks off his boots, and steps into the ring. He immediately heads over to the far corner to shoot his arm into the air as he looks out at the sea of fans. They erupt in a pop. Xander goes to the opposite to garner the same reaction.

“Baby, I wasn't built to die
Lay down and be crucified
Nah, no matter how hard they try
To push me down
Still I rise”

Xander kicked off the turnbuckle and went to the middle of the ropes. He shakes the top rope while releasing a roar. A salvo of pyros explodes in a line behind him. His music starts to fade:

“Soul on Fire (Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul)
Soul on Fire (Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul)
Soul on Fire (Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul)
Soul on Fire (Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul”

Sharper: “Taking Hold of the Flame was not the night he wanted in one sense. He wanted to destroy Fall of Man. But he started the process. And then he won the Taking Hold of the Flame, co-winner with Cid Turner. But now can he finish the job and in the process, get through Cid and Selena too.”

Knots: “Selena and Xander have a long history. Cid and Selena too. Giovanni has history with everyone here. This is one of those matches that in some ways is years in the making. And only one will walk out World Champion. One may only walk out….”

We cut to the entrance way as the large wooden door appears to open on the stage. We then see three circus performance slowly descend from the ceiling, held by strings, and acting like marionettes. They jump up and down as it appears someone is pulling their strings.

“THE WONDERLAND MADMAN!”

“Villain” by Wildfire begins to play as we see the stage flash in a variety of colours. We then see Giovanni Aries rise up from under the stage, seated cross-legged. He just smiles as he slowly gets up to his feet. He takes a drag of his cigarette before throwing it to the side. Pyro shoots out in front of the stage. He then starts to walk down to the ring.

Phillips: “And finally, representing the Fall of Man, from Black Rock Desert, Nevada, he is the SCW World Champion, Giovanni Aries!”

Aries slowly walks down to the ring before stopping part way to show the SCW World Championship on an gold-adorned pedestal. He kicks the pedestal over, causing the title to fall to the ground. Aries then walks over and grabs it and lifts it up before heading to the ring. He continues to walk down to the ring before reaching to ringside. He throws the World Championship in the ring. He then snaps at Demitra, the senior official, to grab it and raise it. Demitra obliges, grabbing the title and walking over to the hook. He places it on it as he then steps back. Aries rolls into the ring and smiles before looking across at Selena, Cid, and Xander, each who occupy a corner.

Sharper: “No Heaven-“

Knots: “Don’t start there!”

Sharper: “But I don’t know if Aries minds. This is the match he wanted. He demanded a ladder match to ensure his participation. He is here. And in the process, he gets to have the puppets dance as he put it.”

Knots: “Xander, Cid, Selena…they all wanted to be here. They’ve proven him right to some degree.”

Sharper: “They have. All risking their health. Their careers. All to become World Champion!”

Demitra steps back as the World Championship belt is raised up to the ceiling. The crowd roars as the camera focuses on the World Title.

Sharper: “And the title raised over the ring. Here we go…”

The bell sounds as Xander steps up to go after Giovanni. Giovanni rolls out of the ring, but just then, Selena Frost drills Xander with the Glass Shard. The crowd erupts. Xander hits the mat.

Sharper: “Glass Shard! She got Xander!”

Knots: “Did she knock him out again in record time?!”

Selena smirks as Cid then runs over and nails Selena with a hard right. He nails her again and again, moving her into the corner. Cid kicks her a couple of times in the ribs as we then see Giovanni Aries heading over to the ladder set up in the entrance way. He then turns and folds it up and slides it into the ring. Cid turns and sees this as Giovanni Aries cackles. He turns and reaches under the ring and grabs a second ladder. He lifts it up and slides it in. He then stands back.

Aries: “Come on! Climb and get your prize!”

Cid then looks at the ladder before grabbing one and going to set it up, but Selena runs over and clubs him in the back. Cid drops the ladder and then falls to a knee. Selena clubs him in the back again.

Knots: “Giovanni Aries is trying to expedite this!”

Sharper: “Putting ladders in the ring, but he’s remaining on the floor! He wants everyone to start climb. He wants them to risk their lives!”

Selena then turns and hits a shoot kick to the chest of Cid. Cid leans back and then leans forward on his knees and takes a second shoot kick. Cid staggers and Selena goes for a third, but Cid ducks and then pulls her down for a school boy. Cid quickly lets go and both get up and Selena rushes at Cid, but Cid sidesteps and sends Selena through the ropes to the floor. Cid then looks around and grabs one of the ladders brought into the ring by Aries. Aries watches him, smiling, as Cid then unfolds the ladder and sets it up.

Sharper: “And Cid Turner first to set up a ladder. This could be a short one! Xander’s still down!”

Knots: “Giovanni is just watching while Selena…here she comes again!”

Cid Turner starts to climb up the ladder, but Selena slides in. Aries starts to look like he’s entering, but slides back out as Selena grabs Cid’s leg and pulls him off the ladder. Cid lands on his feet and Selena chops him. The crowd woos. She chops him again. She then goes to whip him into the ladder, but Cid spins through and sends Selena in. Selena hits the ladder, knocking it over and rolling over in pain. Cid then follows up and stomps her in the chest a couple of times. He turns back and goes to the ladder and lifts it back up. He then starts to climb up and Giovanni now enters and runs over and grabs the ladder, shoving it over. Cid however notices this and lands on his feet again. Giovanni then nails Cid and spins him around and throws him to the floor. Aries then smiles as he sets the ladder up again and drops to the mat, rolling to the floor. Cid slowly gets up on the floor and Giovanni grabs him and whips him hard into the barricade. Cid hits the barricade and drops to the mats.

Sharper: “Aries finally in. But all to stop Cid. And immediately use the ladder, use the barricade, to do damage. All targeting the back too.”

Knots: “And he even set up the ladder again. And here comes Selena!”

Selena heads to the ladder and starts to climb up. Aries enters the ring again and Selena hops down, pre-emptively cutting him off and nailing him with a hard right. She then hits a shoot kick to the ribs and then another and another before hitting a spinning back kick, knocking him through the ropes to the floor. Selena turns and grabs the ladder. She starts to climb up it as the crowd roars. She gets up about halfway and then even more before we then see Xander Valentine getting back up and falling into the ladder, pushing it over. Selena falls over and lands stomach first on the top rope and flipping over to the floor. The crowd erupts.

Sharper: “Valentine back up! And he looks pissed off!”

Knots: “And Selena tried to take him out early, but now, the Executioner…”

Sharper: “And he’s the only one up. We could still see a fast end here!”

Xander takes the ladder and places it back into position. He then turns and grabs the second ladder and lifts it up. Selena stirs on the floor as Aries starts to get up too and Xander runs over and just throws the ladder over the top rope and into both. The crowd ohs as Aries and Frost take the ladder and fall back to the floor. Xander turns around and goes to the ladder and starts to climb up it, but Cid slides into the ring. Cid runs over and clubs Xander in the back. Xander drops down. Cid nails him again and again and Xander shoves him back. Xander then lunges and goes for a running boot, but Cid ducks and Xander catches himself on the top rope. Cid then turns and nails him with a repeated hard right hands to the face before kicking at the other leg of Xander. Xander gets free and staggers. Cid then runs into the ropes, bouncing off and jumps up, but Xander catches him in a double choke. The crowd roars.

Sharper: “The strength! The power!”

Knots: “Just caught him in mid-air! And he’s going to toss a hall of famer like a bag of potatoes!”

Xander turns and choke throws Cid down to the mat. He rolls over to the ropes. Xander then takes the ladder in the ring and folds it back up. He then places it in the corner. He heads back to Cid and pulls him up, but Cid elbows him in the jaw. Xander staggers and Cid then turns and hits the ropes, bouncing off and hitting a dropkick. Xander falls back to the ropes.

Sharper: “Cid using his body, trying to get the Executioner down and keep him there.”

Knots: “He’s got to think quick. And that’s what he’s doing. He takes a hard slam, a throw to the floor or lands hard off that ladder, that could be it for him.”

Xander starts to get up and Cid runs at him and clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Xander flips through and lands on his feet. Cid sees this and then turns and runs to the corner, jumping to the middle rope and then diving over the top rope with a crossbody onto Xander, taking him down. The crowd roars. Cid rolls over. Cid starts to get up and we then see Giovanni Aries with the ladder and he runs over and drives the end of it into the stomach of Cid. Cid grimaces and Giovanni steps back and turns and spears it into the face of Cid. Cid goes down. Aries then turns to the ring as Selena has entered in. Aries slides his ladder in and rolls in and Selena heads over and nails him with a hard right and then another. She then grabs him and hits a snap suplex onto the ladder he brought in. He rolls over in pain. Selena then gets up and grabs the ladder Aries just brought in and lifts it up. She then turns and goes to open it up, but Aries starts to get up. Selena turns and takes the ladder and tips it over and drives into the head of Giovanni. Giovanni goes down. Selena then turns around as Xander is in and he grabs her and then turns and lifts her up and hits a huge hip toss into the ladder he set up in the corner. Selena bounces off and rolls back into the middle of the ring.

Sharper: “And Xander back in. Selena was looking to make her move, but Xander in and slams her into the ladder.”

Knots: “And you could see the bounce. Selena nearly landed on her neck from that too!”

Selena turns and slowly starts to get up and Xander grabs her and knees her in the ribs. He knees her again and then whips her into the ropes. She bounces off and Xander hoists her up in a military press. He then turns and heads to the ropes nearest the rampway and takes a running start and launches her .Selena flies through the air as the crowd ohs and she manages to get her feet under her and rolls through into a heap. Xander turns and then walks over to the ladder set up and folds it back up. He then turns as Giovanni starts to get up and Xander runs and swings it, spearing Aries in the ribs.

Sharper: “Selena Frost launched out of the ring!”

Knots: “Xander may have just responded!”

Sharper: “Take a look at this. This doesn’t involve a ladder. This is pure strength!”

REPLAY: We see Xander pressing Selena over his head and he runs to the ropes and launches her, throwing her over the top rope. Selena manages to just get her feet under her to break her fall, but the momentum causes her to roll over repeatedly before ending in a head down the entrance way.

Xander then starts to grind the top of the ladder into the chin and face of Aries. Aries struggles.

Aries keeps struggling and Xander then backs up and drives his heel into the bottom rung of the ladder. Aries drops down, holding his face. He rolls to the apron. Cid slowly slides in, wincing and grabs the ladder in the opposite corner. He then turns and runs at Xander. Xander gets his hands up, but Cid catches him in the forearms with the ladder. Xander drops down. Xander then grabs the ladder nearest him and Cid stumbles around the ring. He goes to ram Xander again with the ladder, but Xander turns and gets the ladder up and they clash. They both swing, hitting the ladder once and then swinging again, clanging the ladders together. We then see Aries climbing up to the top rope. They go a third time, but this time, Aries hits a front flip dive and takes both down. The crowd ohs.

Sharper: “Aries taking down both Cid and Xander. You wonder if he thought he could cause an awkward landing.”

Knots: “This is nuts though. You have people in there who have said their goal is to end their careers!”

Sharper: “I thought you’d be for it. All for Fall of Man!”

Knots: “Yes and no. But still!”

Aries rolls over and looks around. He then grabs one of the ladders and lifts it up. He places it in the middle of the ring. He then turns as Cid starts to get up and Aries hits a Mongolian chop. Cid drops to the mat. Xander gets up and Aries kicks him in the ribs and then boots him in the head. Xander falls to the apron. Aries then turns and grabs the other ladder and places it on the mat. He then grabs Cid and looks at him and says something before then pulling him in and hooking his arms and hitting an overhead armtrap suplex onto the ladder. Cid yells in pain as he rolls over, holding his lower back.

Sharper: “And Aries targeting the back. Cid landing hard on it.”

Knots: “And it’s just not even, so it tweaks everything!”

Cid rolls over in a heap. Aries then looks around before he then takes the ladder and looks at Xander. Xander starts to get up and Aries lifts the ladder up and then places it against the ropes. Aries turns and runs across the ring. He bounces off and runs up the ladder before hitting a dropkick right to the face of Xander. Xander drops to the floor. The crowd ohs.

Knots: “And then targeting Xander’s head.”

Sharper: “And we know of the concussion problems. Aries right there, making both have to come to terms with what’s at risk for them.”

Selena starts to crawl to the ring. Aries then grabs the ladder. He smirks as he walks over to the ropes. He then lifts it up and throws it down onto Selena. Selena drops to the mats. Aries just smirks as he walks around the ring. He then drops to his knees.

Aries: “DEATH! TO THE LIZARD KINGDOM!”

The crowd roars, before some boo, and Aries cackles.

Sharper: “Aries has to be loving this. He’s got three hall of famers down and he’s making them compete in this ladder match.”

Knots: “Risking their careers all to hold the title again. But is he going to go for it?”

Sharper: “I don’t know. Aries right now, seems to be relishing in this.”

Aries then calmly gets up and exits to the floor. He then reaches under the ring and grabs a third ladder. This one is taller than the others. The crowd roars. He turns and stomps Selena for good measure before lifting the ladder up and sliding it into the ring. He then slides in after and takes the taller ladder and unfolds it. He then places it up in the middle of the ring. He then looks around before grabbing one of the other ladders. He takes it and places it on the ropes before sliding the end in between the rungs of the other ladder. He then looks around. He then grabs Cid and pulls him up before nailing him with a hard right and then another and another. He then turns and goes for a back suplex, but Cid blocks it and punches Aries in the face. He nails him again and again. Aries rakes the eyes. Cid staggers to the ladder. Aries then runs at him and Cid lifts him up and drops him chest first onto the ladder laid across the rungs and the ropes. Aries falls back. Cid staggers over to the ropes. He then starts to get up, but Selena jumps up and hits a pump kick to the head. Cid falls over. He then starts to get up and Selena slingshots into the ring and then kicks Cid and hits a DDT.

Sharper: “Selena driving Cid into the mat. But Selena back in this match and back into the saddle here.”

Knots: “Back in control and that’s bad for everyone.”

Selena then starts to get up and looks around as Aries starts to get up and Selena grabs him and spins him around and sends him face first into the ladder straddled across. Aries goes down hard. Selena then turns and climbs up the other side of the ladder. She slowly starts to climb up, rung by rung, the crowd booing as she gets a bit farther up. Cid then fights up to his feet and then turn sand heads to the opposite side. He climbs up and onto the straddled ladder before then up onto the ladder itself. Selena gets near to the top. She manages to even be the first person to touch the World Championship belt. The crowd roars. Cid then gets up and nails her with a hard right. Selena grimaces. Cid nails her again. He then grabs her by the head and drives her face first into the top of the ladder. She slides down on. Cid then steps up and reaches up. He touches the belt, but then, Selena nails him in the stomach hard and then grabs the top of the ladder before hitting a shoot kick to the head. Cid staggers and Selena then gets up and grabs Cid by the head and hair and throws him back violently. Cid lands hard perpendicular to the ladder and bounces off of it awkwardly and falls to the mat. The crowd ohs as Cid yells in pain. We cut to his hand as it starts to shake.

Sharper: “No! No! Cid! Turner landing back first to that ladder!”

Knots: “That may be it for him. That may be it. He bent on the ladder!”

Sharper: “And Selena looking down…look at that look. There’s a smile there.”

Selena smirks a bit.

Knots: “Jesus…”

Selena gets up another rung and reaches up, but Aries then grabs the ladder. Selena looks around and Aries lifts the ladder up, causing the ladder straddling the rungs and the ropes to fall out and he pushes it up. Selena turns and drops to the floor, landing onto Xander. Xander and Selena fall to the mats. The crowd roars. Aries falls to his hands and knees.

REPLAY: We see Selena grabbing Cid and violently throwing him back, causing him to land back first on the horizontal ladder and fall to the mat. The RTG XXII logo comes up as we see it again from a different angle. The logo comes again as we see Aries lifting the ladder up and Selena glancing back as she then is thrown off and lands on Xander on the floor.

Officials check on Turner as Turner remains on his side. Aries looks around.

Aries then slowly grabs the ladder and starts to pull it up and set it back up. He then leans for a moment and looks over.

Aries: “Come on Cid! Don’t you want it that bad!”

Aries heads over and stomps Cid in the side once and then again. Demitra then gets up onto the apron as do another official as Aries just backs up, cackling.

Sharper: “The hell is wrong with Giovanni Aries!”

Aries then looks around before then turning and looking at Xander and Selena on the floor. Aries then glances back before turning and exiting to the floor. He then looks under the ring. This time, though, he grabs a steel chair. Aries then walks over and we see Xander pushing Selena off. Selena rolls over. Xander starts to get up and Aries heads over and swings the chair, nailing him in the leg. Xander staggers over to the ring steps. He leans over as Aries then slams the chair into the back of Xander. Xander falls to his knees.

Aries: “Maybe I just end this for you now, too!”

Aries looks at Xander as Xander’s head leans against the steps. Aries then looks at the chair and smirks before lifting it up and going to nail Xander, but Xander moves out of the way. Aries hits the steel steps. He winces and pulls back. He then turns around as Xander boots him in the face. Aries rolls over and starts to get up. He then rolls him into the ring. Xander slides in after. Aries starts to get up and Xander gets up and grabs him by the throat. He then hoists him up and then turns as he hits a chokeslam on Aries on a ladder just lying on the mat. The crowd ohs. Xander staggers around.

Sharper: “Xander makes Aries regret his decision. Right onto the ladder. A chokeslam!”

Xander grabs at the ropes. He then starts to get up and he turns and looks at the ladder. He places it back in position. He then looks at Cid before shaking his head. Cid remains down as Xander then starts to climb up the ladder. The crowd roars as he makes it up rung by rung. He then looks up at the title. He gets closer and closer before grabbing at the title. He resets and climbs up one more before we see Cid Turner moving to the ladder. He reaches up and grabs the leg of Xander.

Sharper: “Cid! Cid’s still fighting!”

Knots: “Just give it up. Xander’s almost got it!”

Sharper: “Cid has Xander’s boot.”

Xander looks back and then turns and shakes his foot free as Cid looks up and Xander steps down only to boot Cid in the face twice. He drops down and goes to the apron. Xander then starts to climb up again as Aries now starts to climb up the other side of the ladder. Xander gets to the top of the ladder again and touches the title. He starts to reach up for the buckle, but Giovanni reaches up and nails him in the throat with a throat thrust. He nails him again and again. He goes for a fourth shot, but Xander blocks it and headbutts him. He then headbutts him again. He then starts to twist Giovanni Aries around to face away from the ladder, but then he pulls him back and locks in the Fade to Black on Giovanni Aries on the top of the ladder!

Sharper: “Xander has the Fade to Black locked in. Giovanni Aries is bent over the top of the ladder!”

Knots: “Oh God! He’s trying to make him pass out! He’s trying to choke him out!”

Sharper: “And I guarantee he’ll dump him to the floor! I guarantee it!”

Xander keeps the hold on as Aries starts to fade as the crowd roars. Xander keeps the hold on and Aries slides down a bit as just then, Selena springboards to the top rope and spin through the air, hitting a variation of the Defying Gravity, catching Xander in the upper chest. Xander lets go and falls to the mat. The crowd ohs. Selena lands hard and rolls through. Aries starts to come to on the top, holding onto the ladder as he looks around. Just then, Cid Turner climbs to the top rope and hits the Denver Diving Kick. Aries falls forward and to the ropes before bouncing off and falling through the ropes to the floor.

Sharper: “Defying Gravity! Denver Diving Kick! Xander down! Aries down!”

Knots: “Everyone’s down! Even Cid and Selena. They had rough landings!”

Sharper: “Putting their bodies on the line to prevent another from getting the title too!”

Cid Turner looks around as he winces, holding his back. He then starts to crawl to the ropes. He grabs at the ropes, starting to pull himself up with them, only for Selena Frost to come over and suplex a ladder onto the back of Cid. Cid drops to the mat. The crowd ohs. Selena turns and then grabs the ladder. She stumbles over, lifting it up and driving it into the back of Cid. She lifts it up and drives it into his back again and then again before throwing it down. She turns and the staggers to the corner. She then walks over and starts to climb up the ladder. The crowd boos as she starts to climb up the ladder. The boos rise as she gets up a bit more before we then see Xander come back to his feet and grab her by the throat. The crowd erupts as he then hoists her up and chokeslams her down. Xander falls to the ropes.

Sharper: “Xander drives Selena Frost into the mat! Chokeslam!”

Knots: “Comes back from the dead!”

Xander then looks around and sees Giovanni down before Xander looks around and we can see the gears turning. He then grabs one of the ladders and lifts them up. He turns and hoists it up before turning and lifting it over the top rope. He then spears it down into Giovanni Aries. The crowd ohs as it is lands in his body and falls over, nearly going into the crowd. Xander turns around and then looks at the ladder already set up. He then starts to climb up it. The crowd cheers as Xander climbs up, rung by rung. The camera goes to a wide shot as Xander looks up and goes to reach up for the title. The crowd cheers before we see Selena Frost setting up a second ladder next to the ladder Xander’s on. She then starts to climb up it as Xander touches the title. He reaches up to unhook it, but just as he does, we see Selena get up. Xander swats at her and she turns as Xander then goes back to the title. Then Selena turns and manages to hit a superkick from her ladder to Xander. Xander tries to stay on but falls back and down to the mat. The crowd boos loudly.

Sharper: “Selena got Xander! Superkicking him off the ladder!”

Knots: “She’s going to get it. She’s going to get the title! She’ll win her seventh World Championship!”

But Cid is already starting to climb up the ladder, under where Xander was. He climbs up as Selena then moves over to Xander’s ladder and climbs up a bit more. The crowd boos loudly as she then grabs the title. She reaches up to unhook it, but Cid then manages to get to the top of the ladder and nails Selena with a hard right. The crowd roars. He nails her again. Selena then forearms him. He slides down. Selena then reaches up and Cid then nails her again and again. She then grabs him and tries to drive him into the top of the ladder. Cid however blocks it and then manages to fight and throws her to the side. She lands ribs first into the top of the ladder she climbed on and Selena grimaces. Cid then steps down and kicks at the ladder, causing it to fall over. Selena flies off over the top rope and down to the floor. Cid then looks up as the crowd cheers.

Sharper: “Selena! Thrown off the ladder!”

Knots: “She’s in front of us!”

Sharper: “Cid Turner is climbing back up. Xander is stirring!”

Cid manages to climb up a couple more rungs and looks up at the title. He then reaches up and grabs the title. He then unbuckles it and it drops down into his hands. The crowd erupts as Cid takes it and then leans forward onto the ladder. The bell sounds.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, and NEW SCW World Champion…Cid Turner!”

Sharper: “The Cinderella story has ended. Cid Turner, despite great risk to his well-being, has managed to do it…managed to win the World Title!”

Knots: “I don’t believe it…I just don’t!”

Cid slowly climbs down the ladder and drops down to his feet and falls over. He clutches the World Championship, almost like a baby. Xander Valentine looks over as officials check on Giovanni Aries and Selena Frost.

Sharper: “Selena nearly had it. Xander nearly had it. But Cid Turner…Cid managing to outlast and he’s World Champion again!”

Knots: “But at what cost?!”

Cid remains down in the ring, clutching the SCW World Championship.

Sharper: “What a night in Houston! Cid Turner is World Champion again!”

The scene then slowly fades to black…