Rise to Greatness XXI Preview

“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....”

MAIN SHOW:

The scene opens up inside The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The crowd can be seen slowly filing into their seats. The cameras pan across as we hear “Hellbound” by Autumn Kings playing in the background.

Jaina: “Welcome to St. Louis! Rise to Greatness weekend is here!”

The cameras continue to pan across the stadium, showing off the stage, the ring, and fans talking to each other, some with merchandise in their hands, some just finding their seats.

Lancaster: “Let us bring you in here to our lofty position…”

The cameras cut to pan into a desk, set up away from the ring, but on a platform. Jaina Lancaster sits at the table along with Dean Black and Lucas Knight.

Lancaster: “I’m Jaina Lancaster here to host you as we prepare – the final countdown for Rise to Greatness is here. And I’m joined by two hall of famers, two former World Champions, former World Tag Team Champions…current road agents for SCW…Dean Black and Lucas Knight.”

Black: “Great to be here.”

Knight: “Hoping tonight is a little less hectic.”

Lancaster: “We will get to that in a moment, Lucas. Last night, a wild night. Some hard hitting action and we have some news there, but the end of the show…”

LAST NIGHT:

The Rise to Greatness XXI logo comes up on the screen. We cut to the end of the SCW Pre-show. Phillips goes to hand the title to Demitra, but instead, Jessica takes it from him. She then rolls into the ring as Deanna suddenly sits up and looks around and then looks at Jessica, relieved again. She then starts to get up as Jessica enters the ring. Jessica gets up and raises Deanna’s arm. The crowd cheers as The Enigma then sits up. Deanna and Jessica don’t see this. Deanna continues to celebrate as Jessica turns and sees him. Jessica shrieks as Deanna turns and steps up. Jessica keeps looking right at The Enigma as The Enigma looks at her. Deanna then turns only for Jessica Winters to nail Deanna with the US Championship. Jessica then turns and looks at The Enigma as he then smiles.

Lancaster: “You can see here, Jessica Winters came to the ring, supporting Deanna Frost. The Enigma seemed to be fine with losing. But then we realized perhaps why – Jessica Winters who seemed normal, in so far that she had snapped out whatever The Enigma had done to her on Breakdown and at the pre-show, suddenly attacked her friend.”

Black: “And Deanna Frost has been pivotal behind the scenes in trying to help Jessica, even at one point, with her parents’ permission getting her moved to a different location for treatment, hoping to protect her from the Enigma.

Lancaster: “But this was also part of this. There was a plan here.”

Knight: “Yeah, that mist that we had seen billowing under the ring. It turned to smoke. Adam Sharper and I started to smell smoke. And here you see, The Enigma attacking Winters and then disappearing.”

Just then, Jesscia turns as we see not black mist, but clearly smoke. The Enigma smiles before then stepping up and grabbing Jessica Winters and driving her down with the Cryptic Slam. The crowd ohs. The Enigma then smiles as he extends his arms. The lights go out. Fans instinctively pull out their cell phones as lights pop up all over the arena. The crowd buzzes as the lights remain out for a few moments before just then, we see flames starting to appear on the ring.

Knight: “This was the moment things got scary.”

Lancaster: “The ring on fire. The stage was also alit. Deanna Frost and Jessica Winters in the ring still at this point. And Lucas, you started to get involved. And you can see the fire that had started under the ring, somehow caused by the Enigma.”

Black: “We should note that Jessica Winters went under the ring.”

Lancaster: “I can’t think she’d do that. She mentored me…This whole situation.”

The flames grow as the lights return. The Enigma is gone but we then see the flames growing. Jessica and Deanna are down in the ring. Lucas Knight gets up and runs over to the ring as a crew member lifts up the ring skirt and we see a clear fire under the ring. Knight turns, starting to move people away from the ring. He then runs over to the ring and reaches in and grabs Jessica and pulls her out. The crowd roars as we hear an explosion as then flames shoot out of part of the entrance set, but we notice a cloth has been pulled over two of the pyro holes. The result is that the cloth starts to go alight as the flames start to creep up the entrance way.

Black: “And this is another part. Those clothes were placed over during the match we believe. Not sure for certain. There was a plan here.”

Lancaster: “And plan to hurt. To hurt Deanna, to hurt our fans. The Enigma presumably involved.”

Knight: “He has to be.”

Lancaster: “And we have the local fire marshall and other authorities looking into this.”

We see Knight reaching in with the help of the official in pulling Deanna out. Lucas then turns to security, telling them to start to get people away from the ring. The Rise to Greatness XXI logo comes up on the screen.

We then open up backstage to see Destiny Page standing in the backstage area, holding a pad, clearly with notes.

Lancaster: “To help us understand what the latest is, we have Destiny Page standing by backstage. Destiny?”

Destiny nods.

Page: “Thank you Jaina. The mood backstage after last night’s pre-show is one of bittersweet. On one hand, we saw some of the new talent really step up and show why SCW has signed them and that they’re going to be threats to come. Shining Maidens. YUSA winning the Adrenaline or Underground Championship shot. Waylon Creek and Chris Lawler fighting. I’ll come back to that. But obviously, everyone is talking about the end of the pre-show and what The Enigma purported did.”

Page pauses.

Page: “Right now, I can tell you the following – Jessica Winters had been taken to a nearby hospital, her location has been hidden even from me – they fear the Enigma may try something. She had smoke inhalation issues along with issues related to the Enigma attacking her. Right now she is also someone that local officials are going to question. Deanna Frost who later tonight is scheduled to compete again, this time against Matthew Knox, defending her US Championship…we can’t even get in touch with her. She refuses to speak to anyone. We’ve talked to the trainer here backstage and we have been told she has been cleared to compete. If there are any lingering issues from last night, we don’t know, but we expect the impact to be more mental than physical.”

Page looks back at her pad.

Page: “Meanwhile other news and notes from last night. Chris Lawler suffered a broken nose as a result of that violent and hard-hitting match against Waylon Creek. Despite coming out in a losing effort, he may have actually gotten off better than Creek. We’re told Creek fractured his wrist in the match. We saw him unable to lock the Canary in normally. And he is here. We’ve seen him and that man that came out – William Heaven – Heaven has said to anyone who can listen that Creek is going to be a difference maker tonight and every night, hurt or not. Creek has a brace on, one with a splint to limit his movement. But he is here.”

Lancaster: “Plenty coming out of last night. Thank you Destiny. We’ll be back to you later.”

We cut to the panel again.

Lancaster: “We could make some comment about this being Rise to Greatness weekend, and everyone comes out big…”

Knight: “You saw the best and worst of it. Creek and Lawler leaving it all in there to walk out victorious to the Enigma’s cowardly attac.”

Lancaster: “Indeed and those differences in approach, well, in the effort of making a segue, that could also help us understand the approaches of Kandis and Xander Valentine. Xander Valentine and Kandis both contenders to the SCW World Championship. But very different ways about going about it. Xander recently saying that he did not want any regrets if he beat Selena at Taking Hold of the Flame. Kandis, who has a personal vendetta against Selena Frost, interfered hoping to help Xander win. Xander instead attacked her. But it was just a continuation of tensions between these two main event calibre talents.”

The Rise to Greatness XXI logo comes up on the screen.

“Taking Hold of the Flame”

We see Selena rolled back in the ring by Xander. Xander then leans against the apron. The officials and road agents come to ringside, checking on the fan. As this is happening, the crowd erupts in cheers as we see Kandis running out from the back. She gets a few strides down before we see a couple of other SCW officials grabbing at her, trying to stop her. They grab her arm and she is stopped briefly. She gets free and runs down a bit more. She again is stopped by one of the officials as she gets to the ringside area. Xander rolls into the ring as Kandis gets free and rolls in and Xander immediately catches her with a boot.

Sharper: “Kandis! Looking for revenge from earlier! From the battle royal!”

Knots: “Lucas left her with the help and Kandis nearly got in. But Xander…what the hell are you doing?”

Sharper: “She had to be gunning for Selena, but Xander Valentine doesn’t want to win that way. He has Selena down! He has her hurt.”

Kandis rolls over and gets up and Xander grabs her by the throat. He hits a chokeslam. Selena rolls into the ring. We then cut to show Xander hoisting Selena up for the Valhalla Has Fallen, but showing Selena countering into the Devil’s Gate. The scene cuts to black and the bell sounds.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via referee stoppage, and STILL SCW World Champion, Selena Frost!”

Knots: “She choked him out.”

Sharper: “By the skin of her teeth. Xander had her and she managed to shift her weight…and somehow lock in that hold.”

Knots: “You could’ve taken the help Xander!”

Sharper: “Selena Frost still the World Champion. And she goes on to main event Rise to Greatness for the fourth time in a row as champion!”

Xander Valentine is down on the mat as Kandis grabs at the ring apron.

Kandis: “[MUTE]ing idiot! You {MUTE]ing idiot!”

The scene cuts away as we open up on the next Breakdown. Xander Valentine is in the ring.

Xander: “To be that close. To have the feeling of Selena Frost’s will to fight slowly sapping. To feel it when I drove her into the mat.”

Xander smirks.

Xander: “Oh I wanted it too. But I have no one to blame but myself…”

Xander looks down.

Xander: “Some of you may question my decisions that I made. That I could have stood here as the World Champion, but then again, when you’re on borrowed time, there’s desperation, but there’s what you really want. And I’ve been on borrowed time for five years…exacerbated by last year when my ending was rewritten by the disappointment of my opponent. A worthy end was not coming and I-“

???: “-and you proved you’re a complete idiot!”

Xander turns to the entrance way as Kandis walks out from the back, microphone in hand. She stands on the stage and looks at Xander.

Kandis: “I was going to hand you the World Title. You could shut that bitch up…and you were too good for it?”

Xander: “As I said…there’s what I really want.”

Kandis: “Keep brooding because I’m done. I’m done with this and next week, a little spoiler for you all. They’re letting Selena Frost have her moment. She can think she’s going to face Josh Hudson. But next week, Selena has to deal with me. And she won’t be walking out!”

Kandis looks at Xander.

Kandis: “Maybe I’ll just take your moniker…I’ll be the Executioner. And end Selena Frost’s egotistical run for everyone’s sake.”

Just then, the crowd roars as Kirsten Scott walks out from the back. She takes a few steps and Kandis stops, noticing the roar from the crowd. She turns back. The One Kirsten Scott looks at Xander Valentine. Kandis then turns to her as Scott grabs the microphone, leaning it towards her.

Scott: “You and me both. As for him…You thought I didn’t deserve my shot. I at least left nothing back.”

Kandis: “My point exactly. Go f*ck yourself, Xander. We’re going to finish your dirty work.”

We then cut to the following week where we see Kandis and Kirsten Scott brandishing steel chairs as they work together in their fourway match against Polly Pingotti and Selena Frost. As they go to attack, we see the chaos that unfolds after with Body, Heart, and Soul running out, joined by Chris Dumont. In the chaos, which sees Hailey, Kirsten Scott’s second fighting too, we then see Scott nail Polly with a chair, before showing Selena hitting Scott with the Glass Shard. We then hear Xander’s voice.

Xander: “She found out how hard it is to see it through. I could run her down. I could call her an idiot like she did me. The difference – I at least lost on my own terms and I can live with that. As I’ve said – to say what may be my final World Title win came from her helping me. I couldn’t live with that. To be tainted by that. As for what she does in her clear tantrum stage, she’s finding out that Selena is as resilient as ever. A cockroach if you will.”

We see Xander Valentine then defeating Autumn Valentine before we see Kandis running odwn from the back, joined by Kirsten Scott. Kandis gets a few hard rights on Xander. Kirsten Scott gets up and runs over as Xander pushes Kandis off and Kirsten stomps Xander in the chest. The crowd roars as Scott gets several good shots in and Kandis then comes over and does the same. They stomp away on Xander as Lexy tries to get Autumn out of the ring. We then see Scott Reed running out from the back.

Sharper: “Kandis who has progressively just gotten more and more angry-“

Knots: “Here comes Scott Reed! The ceasefire is over!”

Scott Reed runs down to the ring and slides in and Kirsten Scott turns and Reed nails her with a couple of hard rights before turning and nailing Kandis. He turns and grabs Kirsten and goes to whip her into the ropes, but Kirsten ducks under and pulls him into a knee. She shoves back and into Kandis who hits a Starmaker. Reed goes down. Xander grabs at the ropes as Kirsten and Kandis return to their first target. They start to stomp away on him before the crowd roars again.

Sharper: “Scott Reed dispatched. Kirsten and Kandis are very much on the same page-“

Knots: “And this could get interesting! Syren!”

Syren runs out from the back. The crowd cheers. She runs down and slides in. She gets up and Kandis glances back only for Syren to run at her and hit the Face Lift. The crowd ohs. Kirsten Scott turns and nails Syren with a hard right. Syren fires back. They trade blows before Syren gets the advantage kicks her in the ribs and goes for the Total Makeover. Kirsten Scott shoves her back and rolls out of the ring. Kandis does too. Lexy just looks up.

Lexy: “What are you doing?!”

Syren stands guard over Xander as Kandis and Kirsten Scott meet up again. Scott Reed stirs in the ring, holding his head. Syren turns and looks at Xander. Xander looks at her. Syren extends an arm. The crowd roars. Xander looks at her and Syren pulls him up. Lexy looks on wide-eyed. Kandis and Kirsten Scott both look on, annoyed and frustrated.

Sharper: “Syren is helping Xander Valentine up!”

Knots: “Lexy Chapel is beside herself! And Kandis and Kirsten Scott are pissed off! They had Xander!”

Kandis looks at Xander as Xander glances at Kandis before turning to Syren. We then cut to see Xander standing with Syren on the stage with Scott and Kandis in the ring.

Xander: “I’ll admit after everything I said to Syren last year…even disrespecting her…this feels weird. But then again, she is right. I am not the same person I was a year ago. I have another lease on my career, but Kandis, I’m not arrogant enough to feel it will go on forever. I don’t have time for more regrets, even though you two seem to be ready for a lifetime of them. And if tonight, Syren and I have to team up to give you a taste of how you’re going to just be very angry with little to show for it for a long time…then so be it.”

Kandis: “Xander…you’re right that you don’t have much time left. Because whether it’s tonight or at Rise to Greatness, I plan to do what Syren couldn’t do…and that’s get you out of the way permanently. I just don’t need a stip to do it. Just one kick…and no matter what, well…Both of you, you eff around, you’ll find out.”

Kirsten: “FAFO…just a matter of when!”

We cut to later that night where Xander and Syren face Kandis and Scott. Xander looks at Kandis, wide-eyed and very angry, before hoisting her up and driving her down with a chokeslam. He then steps forward and runs at Kirsten Scott and boots her off the apron. The crowd roars. Xander turns around as Kandis slowly stirs and Xander walks over to her and kicks her in the ribs. He hoists her up for a powerbomb, but Kandis slides down and forearms Xander in the jaw. She runs back and goes to hit a back kick on Syren, but Syren catches her and she turns only for Syren to shove Kandis back into Xander who suddenly hits a school boy!

The crowd roars. Kandis rolls over and turns, stunned as Kirsten Scott is even stunned. She then enters the ring and before Xander can get up, hits him with the Hidden Blade. He goes down. Syren goes to enter, but Lexy grabs her and pulls her to the floor. Kirsten and Kandis then turn and stomp away on Xander Valentine. The crowd boos as they get good shots into the ribs and face of Xander. Kandis then nods to Kirsten. Kirsten turns and stomps her assault as Kandis grabs Xander. Kirsten walks across the ring and asks for something from Hailey. Hailey, who has a black shoulder bag, reaches in and pulls out a can of yellow spray paint and throws it to Kirsten Scott. She turns and heads over as Xander is then knocked down by Kandis who hits him with the Gratuitous.

Knots: “Ass to the face!”

Sharper: “Making sure to hit it. Xander down. Syren trying to get to the ring, but Lexy Chapel holding her back. And Kirsten Scott has something.”

Kirsten Scott walks over to Xander who is down and Kirsten looks at him before standing over him and spray painting on his chest, in yellow paint “FAFO.” The crowd boos as Kirsten Scott and Kandis stand over Xander and Kandis stomps him a couple more times for good measure.

Knots: “I think the message has been sent! FAFO? Xander effed around…he found out!”

The Rise to Greatness XXI logo comes up on the screen.

The scene opens up back at the panel.

Lancaster: “Huge match. Kandis who finally broke out last year, had a career-defining year, but this year, seems to be even more aggressive than before. Xander Valentine is a hall of famer, a stalwart of SCW for two decades. He may not have much left, but he’s not going out without someone dethroning him.

Black: “I know that feeling. The fact is that Xander Valentine has looked as good as ever lately. Yes, didn’t win the World Title, but that was a hard fought match and one that, in my estimation, Selena barely got through, even with Kandis trying to get involved. I understand Xander’s position.”

Knight: “And I understand Kandis’s too. You get to the top. You have your moment and you think you’ve won, but Selena Frost’s contracts…they’ve riled many of us backstage too. Ultimately, the fact is that things need to be done in that ring, bell to bell. Both can get it done. But what worries me is what Kandis said last night.”

Black: “Me too.”

Lancaster: “Threatening SCW officials if they got involved. What that means, I don’t know. But Kandis has had issues with Aaron Demitra, Steve Hollinsworth. She wants free rein and they won’t give her that.”

Black: “Exactly. And while I think Selena takes it to the extreme, she is trying to enforce the rules.”

Lancaster: “This is a match that certainly could have big implications post-Rise to Greatness. Does Xander FAFO or does Kandis realize she’s unleashed the executioner?”

Knight: “I can’t pick against Xander. Until he retires and isn’t competing, it’s hard to pick against one of the most dominant forces in SCW. And add that he’s looking as good as ever, seems to be in a good place physically, mentally..”

Black: “Xander too. Seen him too long. Kandis deserves her spot, but Xander is just that different.”

Lancaster: “I’m going with Kandis. I don’t care for what she’s doing, but she’s going to do what she needs to do. And Xander used to operate with that. For a long time. And I don’t know if he’s creative enough, crafty enough…plus, his history of concussions. Kandis with a well-placed Starmaker could end this fast. We’ve seen that at this event before.”

Lancaster pauses for a moment.

Lancaster: “Meanwhile we have other late breaking news and it involves Kandis’s partner in crime recently – The One Kirsten Scott who is scheduled to face Scott Reed, Polly Pingotti and Syren tonight. The issue is Syren. This was released just before we went on the air. SCW stating on X that Syren has not been cleared to compete. She is not present in the arena either.”

Black: “Wow…”

Knight: “There’s something wrong here. Syren is not going to just not appear at Rise to Greatness and if she’s not cleared…this is serious. I’m going to text here and see…”

Knight grabs his phone.

Lancaster: “Clearly big news and we can tell you that all three of the individuals in the match have just been asked for their comments. Here they are, unedited.”

The Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen. We start with Polly Pingotti standing backstage outside of her locker room.

Pingotti: “So not just a rumour?”

Male voice off camera: “Nope.”

Pingotti: “Disappointing. She’s the only one I wanted to face in this match. That’s not say I’m not going to take the fight to Scott Reed and Kirsten Scott, but I wanted to face her because that’s how I punch through the glass ceiling. Beat the best. Someone like Kirsten Scott will just take every short cut and complain. I’ll just focus on beating her to keep her down and Scott Reed…maybe you should’ve stayed retired as I don’t know if you have the drive…”

Pingotti shakes her head.

Pingotti: “Whatever it is, I hope that you’re okay, Syren. Wherever you are. And I how we can face each other in the ring. You gave me some respect, and I’m surprised you did, but you did on Breakdown. I owe you that back. As for Reed and Kirsten…I just now know I need to beat both of you.”

Pingotti look at the camera as the scene switches to show Scott Reed sitting on a storage crate. He just scoffs.

Reed: “After everything…she’s not even here. She steps into MY fight and she pushes me aside because it was the right thing to help Xander. And then…Kirsten Scott stops focusing on me. Smacks me in the face and then focuses on her.”

Reed shakes his head.

Reed: “Getting better or something. Or maybe this is just an excuse. Can’t put that past you. You’ve done that in the past…”

Reed sighs.

Reed: “Whatever. You’re not in my way. Polly is. And Kirsten…you and I settle this. That’s all I have to say.”

Reed steps off and walks away. The scene changes to see Kirsten Scott smiling as she stands in front of her locker room.

Scott: “She’s not cleared. Oh…did glass girl shatter again? For someone who thinks she’s hot shit that she’s the greatest with the stupidest cheerleading squad behind her, she sure can’t keep it going. And it’s clear. She’s been a shell of herself for two years and it started when everyone thought her shit didn’t stink. Hasn’t she done this before? Oh yeah…as champion. Didn’t want to face someone and ran home. You know what. I think she’s fine. And either she realized she’s about to get her ass kicked or Lexy Chapel realizes her meal ticket is going to run out. Either way, she’s a coward or she can’t hack it anymore.”

Scott smirks.

Scott: “So Syren, step aside. Permanently. Stay home. Screw off. And do whatever you want to do. Garden or something. Then again, you may hurt yourself there. Don’t worry though…the future will be on the display tonight. Me. When I finally bury that waste of skin Scott Reed and I remind Polly Pingotti that she will always been beneath me. I don’t care that you’re not here. SCW will be fine. In fact, it will thrive. We don’t have to deal with the walking air raid siren that’s Lexy Chapel. We don’t need to deal with Syren pretending she’s a top star. We can watch my rise, starting tonight.”

The Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen.

We cut back live as the cameras pan across the arena.

Lancaster: “And you can see the wide range of opinions, but opportunity in the air.”

Knight: “Can see the disrespect too. And I hope Kirsten Scott realizes if Syren hears that…”

Lancaster: “Ravyn Taylor is here. Autumn Valentine is too. But we understand Lexy Chapel is not. So there’s a lot of uncertain around LexyCorp here. Any update, Lucas?”

Knight: “No, love, not yet.”

Lancaster: “Hopefully we hear something, but a big story and a big opportunity. For the first time since she debuted, Syren is not going to compete at Rise to Greatness.”

Black: “Take the opportunity and run. Reed wants respect; Scott wants to prove she’s a top star. Pingotti wants to break through the glass ceiling. Get it done.”

Knight: “Can’t put it better, mate.”

Lancaster: “Meanwhile, that’s just one of the many matches we will see tonight. Another relates to the SCW World Tag Team Championship. It was supposed to be Twisted & Sadistic facing Light in the Darkness. But Team Desire threw in a plot twist and now, this is a Katie Steward production.”

The Rise to Greatness XXI logo comes up on the screen.

“Clubbed to Death” by Rob Dougan plays as a black and white video plays, showing a shot of Light in the Darkness before showing a shot of Twisted & Sadistic. We then cut to shots of the two teams fighting. Shots of Amelia Blythe and Glory Braddock trading European uppercuts is followed by shots of Blythe German suplexing Braddock. We then see Brittany Lohan and Glory Braddock hitting a Samoan Drop/Prankster’s Paradise combo on Blythe before showing Lohan catch Luz as she tries a handspring into a spinebuster. Shots of them hitting the Hell on Earth on Luz before showing Twisted & Sadistic victorious.

Phillips: “Light in the Darkness has been eliminated!”

Sharper: “And the gas tank fell to E.”

CHBK: “An impressive run, but now Twisted & Sadistic are the team to beat.”

We then cut to images of Twisted & Sadistic facing Dark Fantasy, shots of Light in the Darkness with them too, before showing them each trading wins and then cutting to show Dark Fantasy facing Light in the Darkness at Body, Heart, and Soul. Ravyn rolls over and gets up. Luz then runs at her. Ravyn however goes for a hip toss, but Luz spins through and sends her up and over. The crowd roars. Blythe rolls over and stirs as Syren reaches out. She stirs as Luz then staggers over and Blythe grabs Syren. The official tries to get Luz out of the ring as Blythe then grabs Syren and pulls her up, but Syren shoves her back. Luz then sees Blythe hitting the ropes and she runs over and jumps up as Luz lunges and they hit the Wisteria Waltz. Ravyn, however, on the floor, pulls herself up at the barricade, right by Glory and Lohan and just as she turns to the ring. Lohan grabs her and spins her around and grabs her by the head and runs her along the barricade before throwing her into the barricade. The crowd ohs as Blythe covers Syren. The official unaware.

Sharper: “Light in the Darkness. Luz sensed it! Wisteria Waltz!”

Knots: “Hey! Hey! Look!”

Sharper: “Lohan! Brittany Lohan just manhandling Ravyn Taylor?!”

Glory even looks stunned at Brittany as Brittany steps back. Chapel yells out as the official counts.

The bell sounds and the crowd cheers.

Phillips: “Here are your winners, via pinfall, and STILL SCW World Tag Team Champions, Light in the Darkness!”

We see Light in the Darkness celebrating before showing Twisted & Sadistic challenging Light in the Darkness on the next Breakdown. Lohan enters the ring, but the official tries to get her back. Blythe then hits a European uppercut shot on Lohan. Lohan falls back and Blythe turns and goes to exit, but Braddock gets up and jumps up and hits a dropkick to the back of Blythe’s head. Blythe falls through to the floor. Braddock turns around and Luz runs at her and forearms her and then again before spinning her around. Luz looks at her and then jumps up and goes for the Lights Out, but Lohan runs up behind her and hooks her arms. Glory stumbles forward and into the corner. Lohan hoists Luz up. The crowd erupts as Glory then turns and springboards to the top rope and dives off, with Twisted & Sadistic hitting Luz with the Hell on Earth. The crowd ohs. Braddock turns and dives onto Luz.

Sharper: “Hell on Earth! Hell on Earth!”

Lohan turns as Blythe tries to breaks it up, but Lohan dives onto her.

The crowd erupts and Braddock rolls off of Luz, ecstatic. The bell sounds.

Phillips: “Here are your winners, via pinfall, and NEW SCW World Tag Team Champions…Brittany Lohan and the newest Supreme Champion, Glory Braddock, Twisted and Sadistic!”

We then cut to Retribution. Braddock then turns and runs across the ring. She bounces off and dives through the ropes and into both Ravyn and Syren. The crowd roars.

Sharper: “Braddock takes down Dark Fantasy! Through the ropes! Suicide dive!”

Knots: “Braddock set it up and knocked it down!”

Braddock rolls over and gets up. She then grabs Ravyn and slowly pulls her up and rolls her into the ring. Ravyn rolls over as Braddock turns only for Blythe to run around and jump off the steel steps and throw herself at Braddock, tackling her down. The crowd roars. Luz rolls to the apron, slowly recovering as the crowd looks on. Ravyn stirs as Lohan slowly does too. Lohan gets up as Ravyn starts to pull herself up. Lohan then walks over to Ravyn and grabs her by the hair. She jerks her up, but Ravyn suddenly counters with the Evolutionary Synthesis. Lohan falls back and into the LITD corner. Luz reaches up and tags in. Lohan steps up as Ravyn gets up and runs at her and hits the Bust of Pallas. She then turns and throws Lohan down, but Luz climbs to the top rope. Ravyn goes for the pin.

Luz hits the Ilumina la Noche onto Ravyn. The crowd ohs. Ravyn rolls over to her back from the impact. Chapel starts yelling out as Luz turns and dives onto Ravyn, hooking the legs.

The crowd roars. Luz rolls off. The bell sounds.

Phillips: “Here are your winners, and NEW SCW World Tag Team Champions…Light in the Darkness!”

We then cut to images of Twisted & Sadistic upset, before showing them attacking the Phantom Troupe, Cowgirls from Hell, Body, Heart and Soul and other teams backstage. We see them winning the chaotic six way tornado match, before showing shots of Light in the Darkness trying to stop Cowgirls from Hell, Striker & Dumont or others from attacking them. Then static.

“Katie Steward Presents…”

“A Plot Twist…”

Majestic music plays as we open up to see Team Desire challenging Light in the Darkness on Breakdown. Katie gets up and grabs her and pulls her up before nailing her with a forearm shot and then another. Katie then turns as Amelia re-enters and hits a European uppercut. Katie falls back and rolls through. Amelia then backs up as Luz then turns to her. Luz waits and Amelia exits. Luz tags her in. Amelia enters as Gigi slowly stirs. Luz then runs across the ring and bounces off. Amelia runs into the ropes and bounces off the other side. Gigi then drops down as Luz and Amelia stop each other when going for the Wisteria Waltz. Katie then lunges and throws herself at Luz, crossbodying her down. Amelia turns a bit from the impact. Gigi then rolls her up.

The bell sounds. The crowd erupts as Gigi lets go as Amelia rolls over and Gigi turns and looks at Katie who looks stunned.

Phillips: “Here are your winners…and NEW SCW World Tag Team Champions…Katie Steward and Gigi Steward, Team Desire!”

Katie Steward lunges for Gigi and hugs her daughter. The crowd erupts as “Sweet but Psycho” plays throughout the arena. Amelia looks over disappointed as Luz slides back to the ropes. The crowd looks on as pyro shoots out of the ringposts and sparks go off above the ring. Katie and Gigi continue their embrace before they’re presented with the SCW World Tag Team Championship.

Sharper: “History has been made tonight in Miami. Katie Steward debuted in SCW back in 2005, almost to this date…nineteen years later, she is a Supreme Champion. She has held every title she could!”

Knots: “And Gigi got the win for her. The Stewards got it done!”

Shots of Katie Steward holding the Women’s, US, Underground, Television, Adrenaline, and World Championships before showing shots of Katie Steward holding the Goddess Gauntlet, riding in on a white horse before defeating Sienna Swann, and then showing Katie Steward celebrating with the SCW World Tag Team Championship. We then cut to a shot of Katie Steward on the stage at her Celebration of Life.

Katie: “After nineteen long years…”

Katie looks down at the World Tag Team Championship around her waist.

Katie: “I have done it. I have held every title I could have. And to look back at what I have accomplished…Seven time Women’s Champion, first woman as World Champion…first all female World Championship match. Underground Championship, US, TV, Adrenaline….And now Tag Title.”

Katie smiles. The crowd cheers.

Katie: “It’s a shame that Light in the Darkness had to come and face fate. I know you and Twisted & Sadistic have had their history…but as we said two weeks ago…I…and Gigi…we are directing this story. And that was the first plot twist and this takes us back to Rise to Greatness last year!”

We then see a shot of The Stewards facing Twisted & Sadistic at Rise to Greatness XX. We see Glory Braddock countering the Platinum Blonde into a school boy and defeating Team Desire. Katie is then heard again.

Katie: “You, Glory, you set yourself against us. One of us was going to get our opportunity. Twisted & Sadistic beat Team Desire at Rise to Greatness. Well the rematch is here and a Hollywood ending is going to happen. A year in the making…we now enter as champions and we will win!”

We then cut to see Light in the Darkness disappointed in the ring.

Luz: “Twice in a row, we’ve lost before that big match. Lost the titles in Breakdown matches…both crowning a supreme champion. We’re not ready to be champion again.”

Amelia: “And so…we wanted to…we realize we need a penance and to prove to ourselves….We want a new condition placed on us. We wanted to beat everyone on the roster…before we get another shot.”

We then see CHBK standing across from Blythe and Luz.

CHBK: “This is why you’re here in this locker room, acting like you did something wrong that deserve a massive penance. YOU LOST. Get the hell over it! You’re one of the top tag teams in PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING. And I want THAT showcased at Rise to Greatness. Not your self-pity. So…right now, I have a contract. For Rise to Greatness…Team Desire defending against Twisted & Sadistic…and Light in the Darkness!”

CHBK looks at Luz and Amelia.

CHBK: “I still have a problem with how Glory and Brittany did, even if I may have done the same thing back in the day…but they jumped through the hoops I set up. They are being rewarded if you don’t step up. They even ran you ragged by encouraging you and putting themselves in circumstances that required you to join my team to keep the order. You don’t think that played a role, even if you’ll never admit it, in what happened last week.”

We see shots of Light in the Darkness trying to stop the Dangerous Minds or Cowgirls from Hell from attacking Twisted & Sadistic backstage and at ringside.

CHBK: “I think you should take some time to think about it. Because I’m not going to complicit in watching one of the bright young teams in SCW and in professional wrestling throw it away because of a crisis in confidence!”

Blythe: “We are human. And it is something on one hand we’re happy to be a part of the moment, just we’re not pleased, as competitors of being on the wrong side. Twice this year, two competitors earned the Supreme Championship title by defeating us. Glory Braddock…and Katie Steward.”

Luz: “And with Braddock and her partner, Brittany Lohan…we were on the collision course to finishing it all. One team would enter. One team would win.”

Amelia and Luz look at one another.

Amelia: “And CHBK has a point. We were helping them fight their fight. And that took a lot out of us. But we’re not done.”

Luz: “CHBK…sign that contract, but with one change….Team Desire, Twisted & Sadistic…you will be joined by Light in the Darkness at Rise to Greatness! But…we want it to remove ANY doubt. No more excuses. And we want this to be definitive! The winner can claim they are the bet of the three on that night. We want it to be a three way dance…elimination rules.”

Luz and Amelia look at one another again.

Luz & Amelia: “May the best team win!”

We cut to show shots of Twisted & Sadistic in action.

Glory: “This time, elimination rules. You have to outlast each team. No what could have been. We can’t claim we didn’t lose. No…the team that wins, it can claim it is the best. And no better way to end this story than with us, Twisted & Sadistic, the team that has survived every challenge surviving in the end. Sorry, Amelia, Luz, Katie, Gigi. I respect you all, but we’re not walking away defeated.”

Lohan: “Light in the Darkness…Team Desire. You need to beat us. And that’s not happened yet.”

We then cut to triumphant shots of Katie and Gigi Steward.

Katie: “Remember…I’m directing this movie. I directed its plot twist…We’re here.”

Shots from Katie Steward standing tall with Gigi Steward follow.

Katie: “And that’s not changing. Nineteen years, I’ve waited for this moment and the movie is going to end when I, the director, yells cut. Gigi and I are back at the top, where we belong, and while Twisted & Sadistic and Light in the Darkness want to send us back down so they can finish their fight, we’re going to keep playing spoiler. It’s a different movie. One that started a year ago and one that we’ll finish. They…they had the subplot. But Team Desire, we’re going to rise…we’ll rebound and we’ll show why we’re the main attraction. Plus…we look good in gold!”

A shot of Katie Steward and Gigi Steward holding the SCW World Championship belts in celebration ends the promo. The Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen.

The cameras pan back to a live shot at the panel.

Jaina: “Three teams, ironically, it all began here last year. Stewards, Twisted & Sadistic, and Light in the Darkness. Elimination rules. Winner walks out World Tag Team Champions.”

Knight: “Three great teams. Stewards have experience; Twisted & Sadistic the mix of styles; Light in the Darkness the chemistry.”

Jaina: “Does the Light in the Darkness and their reaction a few weeks ago concern you?”

Knight: “To them asking a ridiculous request of CHBK. That crisis of confidence. It does. But at the same time, it’s how to rebound.”

Black: “Yeah and I’m going with them. I have to lean that way as while Twisted & Sadistic have a similar style to how I and Ross White were…there’s a desire to make up for two big losses this year.”

Jaina: “I have Twisted and Sadistic. I’ve talked to them enough backstage. I think they’re the hungriest. They’ve wanted to prove they were the best in SCW this last year and going forward. And that’s not changed. You don’t declare war on the roster because you’re just half into it. They want it all.”

Knight: “Team Desire. Experience. And Katie…she’s like a cockroach. Every time you think she’s going to fade into the sunset, she finds a way to come back. She’s done this a number of times in the past and I just think she’s got it”

Jaina: “One of us will be right. That’s for sure.”

Jaina looks down at her notes briefly.

Jaina: “I don’t know if I should sit this one out.”

Black: “We all may want to.”

Jaina: “Folks, Amy Chastaine is going to destroy Simon Lyman! Need I say more.”

Black: “We’re all hoping for it.”

Jaina: “Oh, I’ve got a reservation at a very good restaurant for a hell of a party, no alcohol, just celebrating that son of a bitch getting everything his deserves.”

Knight: “Can we come?”

Jaina: “Sure! Why not!”

Knight turns to Black.

Jaina: “How about I make this easy…watch this to see why we hate that bastard.”

Fuzzy shots begin the video showing shots backstage of Simon Lyman talking to Amy Chastaine or Simon being friendly with her daughter Jaina Lancaster. Shots from BlackOut Academy are shown showing Amy Chastaine training people with Simon Lyman seen in the background. Shots of Simon training too follow.

We then cut to a shot of Amy Chastaine backstage, sighing. We see a shot of Amy Chastaine hugging Jaina Lancaster backstage. We see shots of Simon Lyman tagging with Amy Chastaine from angles in the crowd, including seeing them fighting the Alloccos. We then see a shot of Simon Lyman low blowing Gavin Taylor and then showing him hitting a piledriver on him before beating him. We then see a shot of Simon Lyman brandishing a flamethrower as officials stop him.

We then cut to a backstage interview. Amy Chastaine stands with Jessica Winters.

Jessica Winters stands with Amy Chastaine.

Winters: “Amy, it’s been a challenging time recently from what we have heard. And a lot has changed since we saw you in action in the Tag Team Turmoil. Simon Lyman your partner there. You’ve also taken on a mentorship. Helping Deanna Frost. Maybe the Chamber is in the cards?”

Chastaine stops Winters.

Chastaine: “No…I don’t think so. Beyond not, at this moment, at least aiming for that title, I don’t have a desire to enter into the Chamber. Not yet. Walk before I run deal. And yes, a lot has changed, but I’m focusing on one thing. Taking every match one at a time. I know that’s not sexy. People want to hear me call for a dream match or say I’m going back for the World Title. But right now, I need to make sure I’m capable of not just being at that level. I know talent wise and skill wise I still can. But mentally. And that’s going to take some work. And well, I’m getting there.”

Winters: “Sounds sensible. You mentioned the World Title. Simon Lyman challenging Kandis tonight. Who do you have?”

Chastaine looks down for a moment before looking at Winters.

Chastaine: “Go Kandis.”

We then cut to shots later on in the year where we see Simon Lyman fighting with Josh Hudson, before showing him cutting to shots of him increasingly more unhinged, showing him in a hospital bed, before showing him with Lisa Archer and Elijah Smith. Shots of him then on the microphone wearing a robe follow.

Simon: “Brother Josh!”

Simon: “Sister Bree!”

Simon: “Sister Breezus!”

We then see shots of Simon Lyman fighting Bree Lancaster, before showing him with Dylan Howell, and then cutting to shots of Simon Lyman with Dylan Howell in Bree Lancaster’s house. We then see him and Dylan Howell trying to grab Jaina and pull her into a trunk.

Lyman: “You think you can keep turning people on her side. YOU are the problem. I knew it. I KNEW it. Well, don’t worry, Jaina. You can get out of the way and people can see you, and Amy, for what they are. And we can finally end with this crap. Oh yes…”

We then cut to Taking Hold of the Flame. We see a shot of Dylan Howell being carried to the ring by six hooded men.

Sharper: “Simon Lyman was holding a walk before this event…and that’s Dylan Howell in their arms.”

Knots: “Great. We’re going to have a dead man in this one.”

Sharper: “Yes, a dead man in his wrestling gear!”

Lyman: “Are you ready for a truly wonderful moment?”

We then see Simon Lyman coming to the ring. We then see two men working on Dylan before showing Simon Lyman in the middle of the battle royal.

Lyman: “Rise Dylan! RISE!”

We then see Dylan getting “risen” slowly, taking a deep breath.

Lyman: “Rise Dylan! RISE! For a greater power! A greater purpose!”

The video cuts briefly and then flashes on as “Devil You Know” by Tyler Braden starts to play. Dylan Howell is shown still resurrecting before we show flashes of Simon Lyman’s past transgressions against Amy Chastaine.

Lyman: “I have tried to save all those near her…Sister Breezus….Sister Jaina…I was just trying to help, to rip you from that circle. Dylan and I were just doing the righteous thing. The hold of Sister Amy is too strong. But that is fine…you will soon understand the glory of him and that him is me…and Dylan…you will help me drive her from hell and into the arms of the heavenly!”

Hand on the Bible, I'm a decent man
No, I ain't perfect
But I'm learning how to be the best I can
But I've got demons collecting dust
And I buried them so damn far down
So they can't find their way back up

Just then, we cut to show Amy Chastaine arriving at Taking Hold of the Flame as the crowd roars. We then see Amy Chastaine entering the ring and tackling Simon down before hammering away on him. We then cut to show Amy Chastaine hitting him with the Lightning Strike before clotheslining him over the top rope and out of the ring.

So don't mistake my kindness for weakness
'Cause I can flip that switch
And you can find out quick (you can find out quick)

We see shots of Amy Chastaine nailing Simon Lyman from behind with a chair. Simon Lyman goes down before seeing Amy Chastaine nailing Elijah Smith before then turning and nailing Dylan Howell in the knees. He goes down as we then see Chastaine standing over Howell, placing the Howell’s ankle in a chair.

Chastaine: “You’re staying the hell away from my family, asshole!”

Howell tries to slide away, but Amy stomps him in the face. Dylan falls back before she turns back and looks at the chair.

Amy: “RISE!”

Amy stomps the chair, crushing Dylan Howell’s ankle in it. Howell yells in pain as the crowd cheers. Howell yells in pain. Amy then looks at Dylan again.

Amy: “RISE!”

Amy stomps on the chair again. Dylan yells out again and rolls over and moves to the apron.

There's a hell on the other side
That you ain't met yet, tread real light
Dare you to light that fuse 'cause I can be a loose cannon
Cross the line, I'll call your bluff
Promise when push come to shove
That you don't want that smoke
Better the devil you know than the devil you don't
You don't wanna know the devil you don't

Shots of Spencer Pryce appearing out of nowhere follow before showing him berating Lyman. Lyman goes to nail Pryce with a hard right, but Pryce blocks it. The crowd erupts as Pryce nails Lyman with a hard right of his own and then another and another. He then whips him across the ring. The crowd erupts as Lyman bounces off and Pryce spins around him and locks him up before hitting the Epicplex! The crowd ohs as Lyman rolls through to his knees and then falls forward.

So don't mistake my kindness for weakness
'Cause I can flip that switch
And you can find out quick (you can find out quick)

Pryce: “This is what you’ve become! It’s pathetic! And you could have actually done the right thing?!”

Pryce yells at Lyman before then stepping back and spinning through, but Lyman times it such to low blow Pryce, preventing him from connecting with the Receipt. The crowd ohs. Pryce drops down to his knees and then to his side. Lyman just smirks before then dusting his hands off and then miming the use of a wand. He then chuckles before wincing and rolling gingerly out of the ring to the floor.

We then cut to show Jaina in the ring and Simon Lyman rolling in after. A shot of Simon Lyman hitting her with a superkick plays. We see Amy Chastaine appear only for Simon to threaten Jaina with a piledriver.

Lyman: “And with us colliding at Rise to Greatness, a normal match isn’t going to be sufficient to do what I need to do to you so you’ll finally be gone. No…I’m not even going to try to save you anymore. It’s not worth it. You’re too weak. You’ll fall of the wagon again and everyone deserves better. Jaina, Bree…Spencer….Wyatt…”

We see shots of Simon Lyman attacking all but Wyatt.

Lyman: “So at Rise to Greatness, I’m going to drop you and leave you where you should be. There will be no resurrection because I will be the last person standing while you’ll be down on the ground where you permanently belong for everything you’ve done!”

Lyman looks at Amy.

Lyman: “Nod if you agree…”

Chastaine remains in the entrance way, ready to strike.

Lyman: “Nod if you agree or I drive Jaina into the mat and you have more blood on your hands! Another who couldn’t be saved under your weight!”

Amy turns away before nodding slightly.

Lyman: “Good.”

Lyman throws Jaina down. Amy then launches herself in the ring. She slides in as Lyman drops the microphone and rolls out of the ring. He backs up. Amy starts to go for Lyman only to stop and turn and check on Jaina. Lyman walks around the ring.

Lyman: “See you in St. Louis, Amy!”

Amy looks at him as Jaina waves off her mother. Amy turns and grabs the microphone as Lyman walks around to the entrance way and starts to head to the back. Amy turns back to Jaina.

Amy: “You are not going to be leaving St. Louis conscious, Simon!”

The Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen.

The scene opens up with a panning shot of The Dome at America’s Center. Fans are cheering.

Jaina: “I don’t think we need to do any predictions. We may be a bit biased. But trust me, I will come unglued if Simon gets everything he deserves. Mom…kick his ass. Meanwhile, we head to the ring for our first match of the night. And to call it, Adam Sharper and Jonathan Knots! Gentlemen?”

The scene cuts to the ringside area where Adam Sharper and Jonathan Knots are.

Sharper: “Thank you Jaina. Adam Sharper here with Jonathan Knots at ringside. And Jon, anything to add about Amy Chastaine facing Simon Lyman?”

Knots: “Be careful what you wish for!”

Sharper: “That may be one way to put it. Simon Lyman demanding the match. Meanwhile, we’re about to see two women who have come to hate each other. Veronica Strader wanted this match, but you wonder where Fall St. Patrick or Autumn Valentine…or whatever she’s going to go by tonight is thinking. Let’s go to the ring!”

Veronica Strader vs. Autumn Valentine

The big screen goes blank and the lights drop in the arena. “Cult of Personality” opening riff rips through the arena. The lights begin to flicker dark purple, pink and silver to the beat and the crucifix symbol of Veronica Strader appears on the big screen followed by the outline of a Scorpion in her signature purple.

// Look in my eyes
What do you see?
The cult of personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams
I've been everything you want to be
Oh, I'm the cult of personality\\

The name Veronica Strader in large font starts to flash in silver and purple, with shots of her wrestling in SCW rings. A spotlight hits the entrance way as Veronica steps out on stage. She walks to both sides of the top, amping the crowd up! Her nameplate comes up on the screen.

Phillips: “The following contest is scheduled for onefall and has a thirty minute time limit. First, on her way to the ring, from Houston, Texas by way of London, Ontario, Canada, she is the Baba Jaga of Professional Wrestling, Veronica Strader!”

//Like Mussolini and Kennedy
I'm the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality
Neon lights, a Nobel prize
When a mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You won't have to follow me
Only you can set me free\\

Hands on her hips, her hair slicked back with water, sneer across her lips. She starts to strut down to the ring, in brand new ring of black pants, with purple scorpions on the outer parts of her hips, and a black leather crop top with the crisscrossed lace across her cleavage up to her neck underneath a black leather jacket with no sleeves and a scorpion with her crucifix on the back of it. The Baba Jaga Veronica Strader stares at the ring.

//Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi
I'm the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality
Neon lights, a Nobel prize
When a leader speaks, that leader dies
You won't have to follow me
Only you can set you free\\

The Scorpion walks up the steel steps and wipes her boots on the apron before stepping through the second and top rope like a normal human being.

//You gave me fortune, you gave me fame
You gave me power in your god's name
I'm every person you need to be
Oh, I'm the cult of personality\\

Strader stands centre of the ring.

//I am the cult of, I am the cult of
I am the cult of, I am the cult of
I am the cult of, I am the cult of
I am the cult of, I am the cult of personality\\

She sneers as she watches the ramp for her opponent.

Sharper: “Veronica Strader is always focused, but tonight, almost another level. She hates Autumn Valentine.”

Knots: “Yeah, ya think. And tonight at Rise to Greatness, she’s getting some revenge!”

A woman’s voice can be heard as the video screens display the words she's saying in unison.

"Lexy Chapel Proudly Presents"

"YOUR FUTURE WHATEVER SHE WANTS TO BE…”

"AUTUMN VALENTINE"

“Miss Nothing” by The Pretty Reckless hits the PA system as Autumn Valentine walks out onto the stage wearing a black jacket. Across her ring-gear we see the ‘Lexy Chapel Presents’ and ‘Chapel Show’ branding. She pauses on the stage for a moment, looking down at the ring. She paces a bit on the stage as her nameplate comes up.

Phillips: “Her opponent, hailing from Los Angeles, California, accompanied, and PROUDLY represented, by Lexy Chapel, this is Fa….Autumn Valentine!”

Autumn shakes her head and storms down to the ring. The camera cuts to a wide shot showing her making her way down the long rampway to the ring. Veronica Strader watches her as Autumn Valentine reaches the ringside area. She skips up to the apron and jumps up before sliding off her jacket and letting it fall to the floor. She then runs at the turnbuckles, climbing up and throwing up her arms before looking to the camera confidently. She jumps from the outside of the ropes to inside of the ring, rolling back to her feet before walking the middle of the ring and dropping down into the splits. Autumn then rolls into the ring and gets up. She steps forward, looking right at Veronica. Strader stretches as she awaits the bell.

Sharper: “Veronica Strader has been on the warpath since Autumn Valentine, in a fit of rage, attacked her, costing her her spot in the Adrenaline Championship tournament. But now, it’s not Fall St. Patrick. It’s Autumn here.”

Knots: “And no Lexy Chapel. No Syren. No Lexy. What is going on in LexyCorp?!”

Sharper: “I don’t think Veronica Strader cares one bit.”

The bell sounds as Autumn steps up and Veronica Strader just smacks her with a hard right. The crowd ohs as Autumn rolls over and crawls to the corner, clearly showing her own frustration. She turns back and Veronica Strader kicks her in the ribs and then nails her with a hard right. Autumn falls back. Veronica then nails her again and again and again with a series of hard right hands, cracking Autumn in the jaw over and over again.

Veronica steps back and walks around the ring. She turns back to Autumn and Autumn runs out and nails her with a forearm shot. Veronica staggers and Autumn nails her again and again before pushing her into the ropes. She goes to fire her off. Veronica bounces off and just drills her with a running shoulder tackle. Autumn hits the mat hard.

Sharper: “Size advantage for the Baba Jaga of Professional Wrestling.”

Knots: “Them Straders are built like trucks.”

Sharper: “And run you down like one too if you get in their way.”

Autumn rolls over and gets up and Veronica kicks her in the ribs. She whips her into the ropes. Autumn bounces off and Veronica launcher her up with a huge back body drop. Autumn hits the mat hard and rolls over. She gets up and moves to the corner. Strader follows up with a hard right and then a kick to the ribs before just chopping Autumn in the chest. The crowd ohs and woos. Autumn staggers out. Veronica follows up and grabs her and drives her with a bulldog. She pushes her over to her back for the pin.

Autumn kicks out. Autumn rolls over and Veronica grabs her by the hair. She then clubs her in the back. Autumn drops down, but Veronica jerks her back up by the hair and clubs her again. Autumn drops down again and Veronica pulls her back up again and clubs her again. The official warns her.

Sharper: “Strader treading on the risky side with the rules. Using Autumn’s hair to continue the punishment.”

Knots: “Free haircut! Strader Style!”

Veronica then jerks Autumn up again by the hair and this time goes for a Ukrainian leg sweep. She rolls through for the pin.

Autumn kicks out again. She rolls over and moves to the corner. Veronica gets up and steps ove after her, but Autumn kicks her in the knee. Veronica staggers and Autumn kicks her again and then leans back in the corner and hits a double boot to the face. Veronica falls back. She gets up and turns to Autumn who grabs her and hits a jawbreaker. Veronica pops up and staggers around and turns to Autumn who runs into the ropes, bounces off and hits a running Meteora to the chest of Veronica, driving her back and into the mat.

Sharper: “And Valentine using her weight there to drive her knees into the shoulders.”

Knots: “Could pop both out.”

Sharper: “Maybe the hope.”

Autumn gets up and turns around and mounts Veronica and nails her with a series of hard right hands to the jaw. Veronica covers up as she does and Autumn gets shot after shot in. The official counts for the break, but Autumn stops and gets up and stomps Veronica in the face. She then walks around and jumps up and hits a jumping stomp to the face. Veronica rolls over, clearly annoyed and gets up and Autumn chops her in the chest. The crowd woos. Autumn chops her again. More woos. Veronica falls to the ropes and Autumn kicks her in the ribs once and then the thigh before hitting the chest again before jumping up onto the middle rope and hitting a quick kick to the head. Veronica’s head snaps back and she falls over. Autumn rolls her over and hooks the leg.

Veronica kicks out. Autumn again goes to the head and mounts her, nailing her over and over and over again.

Sharper: “And again to the mount. Autumn Valentine with her fair share of aggression here.”

Knots: “If this is any sense of the tone of Rise to Greatness tonight? After last night?”

Sharper: “As reported earlier, Chris Lawler with a broken nose; Jessica Winters with smoke inhalation; Waylon Creek with a fractured hand.”

Knots: “And we have to assume Deanna isn’t okay either. But she’s not saying anything.”

Autumn gets up and walks around the ring. Veronica starts to get up and Autumn runsa t her and hits a spinning elbow smash. Both drop to the mat. Autumn moves for the pin.

Veronica kicks out. Both get up and Autumn jumps to the middle rope and dives back, but Veronica catches her into a spinning blue thunder bomb!

Autumn gets her shoulder up. She rolls over and crawls to the corner. Veronica gets up, wincing a bit. She touches her jaw and then steps up and just drills Autumn with a hard right haymaker that sends her down. Autumn gets back up and Veronica grabs her and pulls her out before snapmaring her down and then hitting the Welcome to Rivervale to the back of Autumn’s head. Autumn drops and Veronica jumps to the middle rope and hits the Veronicasault. She hooks the leg.

Autumn gets her shoulder up.

Sharper: “Only two! Autumn’s drive, hatred, frustration, whatever, driving her through that.”

Knots: “Same as Veronica’s desire for revenge! Something has to give. At least if one is walking away a winner!”

Autumn rolls over and stirs only for Veronica to grab her and hit a Ukrainian leg sweep. She then gets up and runs into the ropes, bouncing off and hitting a running elbow drop. She gets up and runs into the ropes and bounces off and hits a second one. The crowd roars and she gets up and runs into the ropes again, but this time, Autumn rolls towards her and trips her up. She fall forward. She gets up and Autumn gets up and dropkicks her down. Autumn gets up and Veronica slowly pulls herself up only to turn to Autumn who hits a superkick. Veronica falls back into the corner. Autumn walks over to her and grabs her and turns her around. She hoists her up and places her on the top rope before then pulling her back by the head and hitting a rope-hung neckbreaker. She turns and hooks the leg.

Strader kicks out. Autumn rolls off. She gets up and walks around the ring. Strader stirs and slowly gets to her feet and Autumn hits a running enziguri. Strader flips forward into a pin.

Sharper: “Got all of that enziguri!”

Knots: “Just right to the back of the head!”

Strader gets her shoulder up. Autumn looks up. She then grabs her and pulls her up. She elbows her in the back of the head once and then again before hitting a kick to the stomach. Autumn steps back and does some hand symbols before just stopping and flipping off Strader. She runs into the ropes, bouncing off, but Strader steps up and catches her in the Strader-Style! She hooks the leg.

Autumn kicks out. The crowd ohs. Both get up and Strader lowers her head, but Autumn just grabs her by the head and spikes her with the Pink Whisper.

Sharper: “Strader too early! Looked for a spinebuster or something, but Autumn saw it and spiked her!”

Knots: “All of the body on her head!”

Autumn hooks the leg.

Strader shoots her shoulder up. Autumn looks at her stunned. She then walks over to her and grabs her and pulls her up. She says something to her before dragging her up and then hitting another enziguri. Strader drops to the mat. Autumn then gets up and moves to the ropes. She slingshots to the apron. She motions for Strader to get up. She slowly does and Autumn then flips her off again and goes for the Show Must Go On, but Veronica suddenly drills her with a vicious clothesline. Autumn backflips through after the front flip of her move. Veronica gets up as the crowd ohs. She grabs Autumn and places her head between her legs and then hoists her up, but Autumn slides down and hits a front dropkick. Veronica falls back to the corner. Autumn gets up and then heads to her, only for Veronica to hit a hard right hook and then a chop to the throat. Veronica then pushes herself to the middle turnbuckle and dives off with a destroyer! The crowd ohs. Autumn rolls through to her knees. Veronica rolls back and then runs into the ropes, bouncing off and finishing the Scorpion’s Sting with a curb stomp. The crowd roars.

Sharper: “Scorpion’s Sting!”

Knots: “And you know Veronica loved every part of that. Everything behind it!”

Sharper: “And now the cover!”

Strader rolls Autumn over and hooks the leg.

The bell sounds and the crowd roars.

Phillips: “Here is your winner, via pinfall, Veronica Strader!”

Sharper: “Strader’s Rise to Greatness debut comes out with a win. And a win she badly wanted.”

Knots: “This is not the weekend for Lexy Chapel and her clients. And this caps off the disastrous state of affairs!”

Sharper: “Strader happy to push them that way. Strader victorious and Autumn Valentine may have just gotten a reminder not to mess with the wrong people!”

Knots: “God may forgive, but them….”

Strader gets up. She throws her arm into the air as the crowd roars. Strader looks around and enjoys the moment as the tens of thousands of fans cheer for her. Autumn remains down, now checked on by the official. Veronica Strader heads over to the corner, climbing up to the middle turnbuckle. She looks around and plays to the crowd some more as the cheers continue.

As Strader can be seen in the ring from a far shot, we pan back to the panel.

Jaina: “Congratulations to Veronica Strader. Her Rise to Greatness debut. The Strader Rise to Greatness debut.”

Black: “May be seeing many more to come.”

Jaina: “And we’ve kicked things off in the ring. Folks, not much left to say from us. Rise to Greatness XXI is nearly here. But we would be remiss if we did not talk about the main event.”

Black: “The Unbelievable main event?”

Knight: “Yeah, for the fourth time. Starting to get believable. But then again, that never stopped Selena from saying whatever she wanted.”

Jaina: “Selena Frost making her history making fourth consecutive Rise to Greatness main event in a row. This time, defending against Josh Hudson who is making, surprisingly, his first.”

Knight: “That’s going to be an issue. I don’t care who you are. How experienced you are. Until you walk out there for the main event, you don’t know what you’re getting in there. And you know how I know? I was out there at ringside and felt it one year. So imagine competing.”

Black: “A fair point. Hudson however clearly has the experience advantage and that’s going to be important for him. He’s going to have to draw on everything he knows. One thing he’d also have, as we saw last night, Hudson has the support of most fans.”

Jaina: “Does that play a role?”

Knight: “Absolutely. But it can cut both ways. You can amp yourself up and feel you’re doing it for the fans and it then causes you to over think. It can also give you a boost when you’re struggling.”

Black: “We saw it last year with Selena. Her coming out to a stadium of boos affected her. And Kandis took advantage. Selena never looked fully in control.

Jaina: “So then who has the benefit tonight?”

Black and Knight look at one another.

Black: “I’ll go first. Selena Frost. I’ve known Josh as long as everyone. We’ve both been in these hallways backstage together for years. And Hudson has all of the talent. But Selena Frost finds a way. And she probably is the best wrestler in the world today. As much as we don’t like her tactics, what she thinks, how she acts, she is. She’s dominant. And I have to go with her.”

Knight: “I’d agree with everything you said Dean. But I think she’s getting full of herself. I think she thinks she’s untouchable. That’s why last year live rent free in her head. Add that she doesn’t like Kandis. It all led to that. Josh Hudson is arguably one of the best in-ring competitors we ever had. People forget – he was World Champion a year ago against someone else, if they were still in that ring, we’d be maybe saying he was the best – Owen Cruze. He retired on top. Hudson can turn it on. And I think if there was anyone who took Rise to Greatness and this main event as a challenge…it’s him and he’s going to do anything he can to win.”

Jaina: “A lot to think about – look, I’m not going to say here and say that Selena Frost is a good person. I can’t say that. This is more and more a business and she’s bought into her delusions. Josh Hudson has had moments where he’s been that person too. I do think Selena is the top wrestler in the world today. And part of me wants to say she’ll find a way. But I’m cheering for Josh Hudson. To cap off his career, it would be a great story. But to also allow for Selena’s shadow to dissipate. Imagine the competition. Imagine the opportunities. Josh will open that door. I don’t think Selena does given her approach. And if you’re a wrestling fan, I think you have to cheer for Josh Hudson.”

Jaina pauses.

Jaina: “That’s all for us. Rise to Greatness is here. Enjoy the night. History will be made. It always is. And enjoy the ride! For Dean Black, Lucas Knight, Destiny Page, I’m Jaina Lancaster. Rise to Greatness XXI is here!”

The camera pans to a shot of The Dome at America’s Center one more time before the Rise to Greatness XXI logo comes up on the screen.

We open up with a shot of Selena Frost laying on the mat after having defeated Xander Valentine at Taking Hold of the Flame. She smiles as she clutches her title. She starts to almost laugh as pyro shoots around the stadium. We then cut to Josh Hudson getting up after having won the Taking Hold of the Flame. He looks around as pyro shoots around the top of Wembley Stadium. Hudson lets out a yell of accomplishment as he raises his arms.

We then cut to see Selena Frost in the ring.

Selena: “Another challenger…another victory.”

The crowd boos as Selena looks around. We see shots of Selena victorious against Xander Valentine, Kandis, Asher Hayes, and Kirsten Scott.

Selena: “I have pushed away and countered the damage done while I was away, reminding SCW and all of you what you had. And I return to Rise to Greatness to defend the World Championship at that event for the fourth consecutive year!”

We then cut to show shots of Selena Frost standing across from Ace Marshall, before showing her across from Adam Allocco, then Kandis.

Selena: “Four years in a row. And this year, last year’s stench will finally go away. But!”

Selena pauses as she looks around.

Selena: “As SCW has people who have no care for this title, who just see it as something to accomplish, instead of being the standard that it is, I think it’s more than damning that SCW needed to rely on help from outside. No one on this roster…Kandis, Xander, Polly, Kirsten, Syren…they couldn’t rise to the occasion. They could not prove me wrong. They could not just do things as they should and compete and win….and instead…”

Selena scoffs.

Selena: “SCW needed a legend…a hall of famer…just to have someone who could stand with me on this stage. And it’s Josh Hudson!”

We then hear the beginning of “Duality” by Slipknot before showing Josh Hudson standing with Bree Lancaster on the stage.

Hudson: “Don’t worry, Selena. The spotlight will be back on your soon enough because whether I like or not, Bree, these fans, the people in the back, whoever likes it or not, you are the World Champion.”

The crowd boos.

Hudson: “And I plan to end that at Rise to Greatness XXI. You can call me an outsider but I’ve been marching up and down the so-called halls of SCW for over twenty years. THIS is a company I helped build. And Selena, I know the path you’re on more than anyone else. Because I’ve fought it too!”

The crowd roars.

Hudson: “The get it done in the ring, wrestling machine…”

We see shots of Josh Hudson attacking CHBK before showing him fighting Rachel Foxx, attacking Jason Zero, and fighting Xander Valentine.

That was me before it was cool. The anti-hardcore, why do people need weapons…yeah, I did that too. Do we need gimmicks? Why use weapons? Why attack people from behind…unless they deserve it…I’ve done it too. See, Selena, I’ve done everything you have. The only difference is that I didn’t need to go the contract route…except when I was young, dumb son of a bitch that had a different name and I rapped to the God damn right. The early-2000s were a trip! And get what?”

Hudson looks at Selena.

Hudson: “I got my ass kicked. But then I did the impossible. You beat Xander? I ended his undefeated streak! You were synonymous with integrity. So was I. And yeah, I’ve also thrown it all away because of ego. Happens when you’ve been in this sport long enough.”

We see shots of Sienna Swann defeating Hudson, before showing Owen Cruze doing the same.

Hudson: “From CHBK to the Mercenaries to Jason Zero to Jake Starr to Xander Valentine to Shilo Valiant to Shawn Winters to Cid Turner to Regan Street to Kelcey Wallace to Ace Marshall to Sienna Swann to Infamous and now to you…I have outlasted it all.”

Selena: “Owen Cruze?”

Hudson stops and smirks as the crowd ohs.

Hudson: “I beat him at Rise to Greatness. You know, like Kandis did. That win you want us all to forget. And Selena, what happens when you lose that title? You know that answer. Next week you’re going to face some of the consequences. The barbarians are at the gates, Selena. Your causing. And when you’re no longer World Champion, you’ll have nothing more to protect you. And trust me, from someone who has been there…you need that reality check.”

The crowd roars. Bree smirks, rubbing her hands enjoying this.

Hudson: “At Rise to Greatness, I’m going to give you a wrestling lesson, Selena. And BELIEVE me when I say…it’s a long time coming!”

Selena: “We’ll see Josh. We’ll see…But until then, I close the show.”

“Hellbound” by Alpha Academy starts to play. We then see Selena Frost hit Kirsten Scott with the Glass Shard. Boos can be heard as we see She smirks as she rolls off. Just then, we see Josh Hudson walking over to her, entering the ring, and looking down at her. Selena’s demeanor changes.

Heart's burned out
Head's too loud
Feelin' like I'm hellbound

This complicated disposition that I'm in
Chronic condition, this prescription's wearin' thin
Mr. Brightside ain't on my side
Self-deprecating
Complacent
When will I face it?

We then see shots of Josh Hudson facing Polly Pingotti. We then see him hitting a top rope belly to belly suplex on Pingotti before showing Hudson hitting the Kingdom Come from different angles. We see Hudson covering Pingotti.

The bell is heard sounding. We then see Hudson getting up as Selena slides in, only for the two to stand face to face over Polly.

Get to the root of it
Get to the root of it ('Cause I'm tired)
Get to the root of it
I'm tired of

Feelin' like I'm hellbound
Headed for a meltdown
Why do all these thoughts hound me on and on?
Confusing my thoughts with reality
Zoned out
Drowning in my own doubt
Feelin' like I'm hellbound, whoa
Feelin' like I'm

Hellbound, hell...

We then see shots of Selena Frost talking to Aaron Demitra backstage, before showing her talking to Lucas Knight, and then threatening CHBK. We see shots of Selena Frost flipping through contracts and shaking her head. We see her getting in CHBK’s face backstage as Josh Hudson’s words echo.

Josh: “You see, the best champions take on all comers and in all avenues of battle. You want to say you’re the best…or that title stands for it, you prove it, no matter the condition. Selena, you have too many conditions. Let Ravyn scheme. As much as I think the European Fiery Nation are a stain on this sport, and their own approach is foolish, I do believe that if you’re in this sport, and you can’t survive outside of your comfort zone, you will never succeed!”

We see shots of Josh Hudson bloodied, and bruised, before showing him fighting Owen Cruze, Simon Lyman, Xander Valentine, Jake Starr and others over the years. We see a shot of Selena Frost now in a steel cage.

Anxiety denying me my oxygen
This fight or flight is cyanide inside my skin
Mental breakdown
There's no way out
This life I'm wastin'
Foresakin'
It's time to face it

We see shots of Selena wrestling Polly Pingotti inside the steel cage before showing her throwing Polly into the steel cage, and then showing her counting herself out while kicking away at Polly against the ropes. This is followed by the same with Selena choking Polly. We then cut to show Polly fighting back before eventually showing Selena managing to hit the Glass Shard, knocking her down. Then we see Selena Frost pulling herself to her feet after the victory. She then raises her arm, her face blooded.

Get to the root of it
'Cause I'm tired of

We see a shot of Selena Frost now in her sitdown interview with Sharper.

Selena: “I have those legal provisos not because I’m trying to limit people. I want those claiming they want to be the best, to be at this high level, to compete in the middle of the ring. They fight me, win clean, I’ll respect that. That’s all. And no one has been able to rise to that occasion. Look at Kirsten Scott and Kandis today. Has Kandis done anything that’s not dirty? Kirsten Scott barely was able to keep it on the level. Xander needed Kandis to come down to the ring. And look at the target on my back.”

We see Selena holding a contract in her hand during her contract signing against Kandis.

Heart's burned out
Head's too loud

Josh Hudson is then shown fighting Polly Pingotti, Simon Lyman, and Ravyn Taylor. We see Ravyn Taylor breaking the rules, stomping past a four count, and Ravyn using a steel chair, before showing Hudson fighting back, hitting a snap suplex onto Ravyn and showing him hitting a belly to belly suplex on the floor. Shots of Ravyn Taylor hitting a kendo-stick assisted Russian leg sweep on Hudson follows before showing Ravyn thumbing Hudson’s eyes, only for Hudson to spray a fire extinguisher in her face.

Hudson: “Selena…I’ll show you and SCW what something different looks like. No narrative needed to spin it. No need to talk about how people aren’t deserving. You’re the so-called best, Selena. Well you’ve been surviving for too long. Miss Main Event, the show closes with you not standing tall, but you relieved, looking at the lights, knowing you’ve gotten another night where you win or you’re still champion. Well, I don’t survive. I win or I lose. And on whatever terms show up. Underground. Steel Cage. Whatever.”

This is the moment where I wake up
Fuck an alarm, put up my arms
Imma shake up
All of the anger inside my chest
Tell it, "stay out"
Cut out the victim mentality
I don't wanna see negativity play out
"Yeah, but everybody's toxic, everybody's stupid"
Yeah, you sound like somebody I want nothing to fucking do with
I'm ready to move from the past
Open the roof of my casket
I was doomed to be dead
Now I'm renewed from the ashes
A savage
Told myself, "keep your health through the hard times"
And when you're off track
Take your life back
Forgive me, father, you know that I've sinned
Grant me the strength to not go back again
Show me heaven's my friend when I'm

We then see Selena Frost hitting the Glass Shard on Josh Hudson after the fire extinguisher spray. Hudson lands on Ravyn. Selena just looks down at him. We see the Glass Shard hit over and over.

Selena: “A difference of opinion – you think it’s okay that it can be the Wild West. That anyone can just do whatever. As champion, you step up. I agree there. But why have to jump through hoops because people are lazy, want to take a short cut, don’t have it in them to step up and do it the right way. Again, Josh, I know you’re a trainer. Is that what you tell them? Oh, you want to be World Champion? Just jump them in the back? The parking lot? This is what I’m fighting for. These fans whether they like it or not WANT what I give them. Come Rise to Greatness, they KNOW they will see Josh Hudson against Selena Frost for the World Championship. A hall of famer, a former World Champion, a top star for twenty years, one of the most decorated people in SCW history – I’ll give you ALL of that. Against me, one of the greatest wrestlers in SCW history too. And instead of looking to the stage and seeing who will run out. Or waiting for chaos. They can watch us compete to see who is the BEST!”

Shots of Selena Frost hitting the Glass Shard on Polly Pingotti, on Kirsten Scott, and on Josh Hudson again. We see shots of Selena Frost smiling, laying on her back, enjoying her win. We then see shots of Hudson suplexing opponents and hitting the Kingdom Come on others, before showing him standing tall. We then see Selena fighting to her feet and holding up the World Championship.

Da, da, da da da da (alright)
Da, da, da da da da
'Cause I'm tired
Da, da, da da da da (that's right, that's right)
Da, da, da da da da
Of feelin' like I'm.
Wake up, fuck an alarm
Put up my arms, Imma shake up
All of the anger inside my chest, tell it "stay out"
You know why
'Cause I'm tired
Of feeling like I'm

We then see a shot of Josh Hudson and Selena Frost standing face to face as the Rise to Greatness logo comes up on the screen.