PROVING GROUND XXVIII: SEASON'S BEATINGS RESULTS

With an oversized gift box at ringside, it fell upon the six competitors to eliminate their opponents by stuffing them inside and closing the lid. While still new as a team, there was a surprising amount of teamwork from The KaVengers, as Percival Burque and Noah Hope got the first elimination for their team by catching Annie Logan with a double hip toss over the top rope and into the gift box. The teamwork continued when Constantine found himself seated in the corner with Noah holding one of his arms while Percy held the other. A trapped stinkface from Serrano followed, leaving Constantine stunned with disgust and unable to avoid his elimination. Greatly outnumbered, El Puma called for a truce as he willingly climbed into the oversized gift box and allowed Larry KaChow to close the lid from ringside.


While the match was over, the developments at ringside were not. As The KaVengers celebrated their victory, El Puma climbed back out of the giant gift box and joined them inside the ring. The chubby luchador held out his arms as if sheepishly asking for acceptance, and after sharing a nod of approval, he was embraced by the rest of The KaVengers, seemingly adding to their ranks.



Immediately following the opening bell, Sonya Benson seemed to have some words for Guy that the ringside cameras could not quite pick up. Moments later, she poked him with her index finger and Guy threw himself to the canvas in dramatic fashion. Despite his confusion, the referee began his ten count and Guy did not respond.


After her easy victory, Sonya produced her checkbook, ripped out one of the checks, and left it lying beside Guy’s unmoving body as he continued to sell the devastatingly quick Last Person Standing Match. A few moments later, after Sonya had made her exit to a chorus of boos, the members of The KaVengers returned to the ring alongside their newest member, El Puma. Together, the four men helped Guy to his feet as Larry KaChow picked up the check from the mat and stuffed it into his pants pocket. There was some momentary hesitation before the four men embraced Guy with a group hug, apparently adding yet another member to their growing ranks.



After being disappointed by the previous contest, the fans were happy to see Rapture put up a fight against the newcomer named Betsy Galagher. Unfortunately, it didn’t do him much good as Betsy showed off her impressive ring skills. A Regal Knee eventually sent Rapture to the ringside area, where Betsy continued to dominate him with a single leg dropkick into the guardrail. Looking to finish off her opponent and complete a successful debut, Betsy then pulled the protective mat away from the concrete floor before dropping Rapture headfirst to the concrete with her Hexcalibur.


Betsy was long gone before The KaVengers returned to the ring yet again. Rapture, still unconscious and possibly in need of medical assistance, was surrounded by all six members of the KaVengers until they each leaned down to take hold of his body. After lifting his limp body over their heads, they began to make their way backstage once again. While not able to see Rapture’s reaction upon regaining consciousness, it would be a safe assumption to believe that the KaVengers’ kind gesture would likely ensure them yet another new member of the team.


♫ To be more than a conqueror
You have to learn to enjoy the pain
If you want to survive the game ♫

With Skillet’s “Surviving The Game” playing in the background, the video intro begins with the reigning X-Factor Champion, MYOJIN, as they hit the Falling From Heaven EX on a fallen opponent. That is soon followed by the Sultan of Spice as he wiggles his body in the center of the ring and slaps his ass cheeks in preparation for a spicy stink face. Appropriately enough, a disgusted expression from Sonya Benson comes soon after those images of Serrano.

♫ You can try to defeat me (Defeat me)
You don't know it's the pain that'll feed me (Feed me)
And I'm gonna take back what you took before (Before)
'Cause I was born for this
All the bones that you're breakin' (Breakin')
You pretend that you're the one that can save me (Save me)
Now I'm takin' it back, it was never yours (Never yours)
I'm fightin' ♫

Lil’ Petey is shown celebrating a victory as the crowd cheers on the Drip Sensation, before we get a shot of Douglas Crane screaming as he locks in his Release Me submission hold. This section of the video wraps up with an image of Caden Young in all of his fabulous glory.

♫ Fightin' for my focus
Give the pain a purpose
Light the fire inside
Feel it come alive (Come alive)
Show 'em what I'm made of
Victory's for the brave ones
Who never bow the knee
When it's do or die (Do or die-ie-ie)
One more time ♫

We see John Blade waving his hand in front of his face before turning completely invisible. Tara Fenix is the next to be highlighted, as we see the Phoenix Queen executing her Phoenix Lock. Finally, there is a shot of the intimidating Mason Kane, Proving Grounds’ official problem solver, with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

♫ Survivin' the game
I can be unstoppable
Gonna walk through Hell
Gonna shake the walls
Survive, survivin' the game (Survivin' the game)
Livin' the impossible
I'm the champion, indestructible (Survive)
Survive, 'cause I'm survivin' the game ♫

Kyle Valentine and DJ Hunter take over the screen next, with these members of The Phantom Troupe hitting Gran Rey Cero with perfect accuracy. After that shot of in-ring action, we then see Arata Asakura decked out in one of his many expensive suits, glaring at the camera. Lady Galagher joins the intro, connecting with her Betsy Bomb on an unfortunate opponent.

♫ I can be unstoppable
Gonna be indestructible
I can be unstoppable
Gonna be indestructible ♫

The smug smile of Larry KaChow appears, soon to be followed by the eccentric Percival Burque as he throws one of his pocket rats at an unsuspecting opponent. From those unlikely images, we go to a shot of LeeAnn Morgan as The Gypsy Rose connects with The Parade.

♫ All the liars around me
Like the wolves of the walls that surround me
In the face of the fear, I keep standin' tall
'Cause I will conquer this
Knock me down like a lion (Lion)
I was born to be demon defiant (Defiant)
And I won't ever let this kingdom fall (Fall)
I'll show 'em ♫

Giovanni vogues for the camera and gives his best runway model expression, immediately followed up by Officer Greyfield beating down a perp with his billy club. Then comes the disturbing sight of a smiling Casanova English, moments before he connects with the Silence of the Lamb.

♫ Show 'em what you're made of
Victory's for the brave ones
Never bow the knee
'Cause it's do or die (Do or die-ie-ie)
One more time ♫



Malachite Minj licks the back of his hand before brushing a few strands of hair away from his face, which then transitions to TJ Thompson executing Hip with the Drip. Then comes images of Johnny Levy, who gives the camera an arrogant grin before we see the execution of his Box Office Blockbuster.

♫ Survivin' the game
I can be unstoppable
Gonna walk through Hell
Gonna shake the walls
Survive, survivin' the game (Survivin' the game)
Livin' the impossible
I'm the champion, indestructible (Survive)
Survive, 'cause I'm survivin' the game (Game) ♫

With Francis in hand, DIANA gives a happy smile to the camera before the scene switches to the much different visual of Swindle Shelldrake. The Kraken is shown planting Mark Hunter with Violent Salvage before we switch to images of Archimedes J. Manson bringing his unique cartoon sensibilities to life.

♫ I am more than a conqueror
The past behind me, life is ahead
I'll take the way of the warrior
I walk alone, no fear to the death
One more time ♫

As the intro draws nearer to its conclusion, General Manager Indy Darling gives the camera a thumbs up, before we then see The Platinum Standard in motion. Following Emmanuelle’s Palisades Bomber, we get a shot of Skylar Ramsay giving a smirk during her entrance.

♫ Survivin' the game
I can be unstoppable
Gonna walk through Hell
Gonna shake the walls
Survive, survivin' the game (Survivin' the game)
Livin' the impossible
I'm the champion, indestructible (Survive)
Survive, 'cause I'm survivin' the game (Survive)
Survivin' the game (Survive)
Survivin' the game
Livin' the impossible
I'm the champion, indestructible (Survive)
Survive, 'cause I'm survivin' the game (Survive) ♫

Finally, the Proving Ground logo emerges on the screen with the reigning Grand Champion, Ozymandias, rising above it with arms outstretched, like a leviathan rising from the darkest depths of the ocean.

♫ I can be unstoppable
Gonna be indestructible
I can be unstoppable
Gonna be indestructible ♫



The final Proving Ground of 2021 kicks off as pyro erupts around The Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York City, soon followed by various shots of the sold-out crowd and their homemade signs.

“I’LL TRAIN SONYA FOR FREE”
“ARATA NEEDS A HUG”
“ARCHIE IS <INSERT ADJECTIVE HERE>”
“JOYOUS KWANZAA BITCHES
“GIOVANNI IS A MASTERPIECE”

After briefly scanning the audience, one of the cameras takes us to the ringside announce position as Trey Booker and J.T. Price are standing by to welcome viewers to the show.

TREY BOOKER: There’s only one thing better than Christmas Eve in New York City, and that’s when Proving Ground comes to town! The holiday insanity that began at Black Friday culminates tonight as we bring you Season’s Beatings!

J.T. PRICE: Speaking of Black Friday, Arata Asakura and Johnny Levy are both getting the championship opportunities they won at that event, so we could see new champions crowned as we bring 2021 to a close!

TREY BOOKER: While that is a possibility, I have to admit that I’m a bit concerned about tonight’s broadcast. With our General Manager undergoing surgery just yesterday, we have no captain running the ship! The inmates may be running the asylum before the night is over!

J.T. PRICE: Speaking of inmates, the viewers at home should know that The KaVengers recruited three new members to their stable before our show went on the air. It just goes to show that it pays to see Project: Honor live and in person! By those tickets and stuff your stockings now!



"The Hampster Dance Song" by Hampton plays as DIANA skips down to the ring with a big smile on her face and when she gets into the ring she waves to the crowd in excitement.

HOLLY PEREZ: Following contest is the North Pole Match! The first superstar to gain the Nightstick can use it on their opponents. The first superstar to secure a pinfall or submission is the winner. In the ring first, from Okinawa, Japan, weighing in at one hundred and nineteen pounds, "The Energy Bunny", DIANA!

"Sick Like Me" In This Moment plays as LeAnn Morgan walks down to the ring and enters the ring.

HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing her opponent, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, weighing in at one hundred and thirty-five pounds, she is "The Gypsy Rose", LeAnn Morgan!

The remix of C.R.A.S.H theme hits and Officer Greyfield comes from the back and twirls his nightstick while making his way to the ring.

HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing next, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at two hundred and ninety-nine pounds, Officer Greyfield!

He hits the steel steps with his nightstick and enters the ring and waits for the match to start. With no sign of Swindle Shelldrake, the referee takes the Nightstick from Greyfield and places it on the hook. The Nightstick hangs above the turnbuckle on a pole as the bell rings.

TREY BOOKER: Where in the hell is Swindle Shelldrake?

J.T. PRICE: From what I’ve heard, no one has seen him all day. The guy is probably on strike or something. Dropping from main event matches to the show opener must have been a big blow to the ego.

TREY BOOKER: It’s hard to imagine that he wasn’t a favorite to win for many of the fans here tonight. It should be interesting to see who reaches up to grab that brass ring in his absence.

J.T. PRICE: Don’t you mean, grab that nightstick?

LeAnn and DIANA, who combined weigh less than Officer Greyfield, decide to team up and both run toward him and nail him with a double dropkick, rocking the big man. They both run off the ropes and nail another double dropkick, but they cannot bring Officer Greyfield down yet. LeeAnn runs off the ropes again but is caught with a sidewalk slam, dropping her to the mat hard. DIANA runs towards the corner of the ring where the Nightstick hangs. She starts climbing the rope, but Greyfield grabs her arm and pulls her down into a spinebuster. Officer Greyfield checks to make sure both his opponents are down before going for his Nightstick hanging up. He gets to the top rope when LeeAnn, who has gotten to her feet, runs up the turnbuckle and starts bashing his skull into the metal pole attached to the ring post before trying to reach for the Nightstick herself. Suddenly, DIANA hops onto the apron and springboards, dropkicking Officer Greyfield in the back that collides with LeeAnn, sending her off the turnbuckle to the floor below.

Still stumbling on the top rope, Greyfield did not fall as well. DIANA rushes to the opposite outer edge of the ring and springboards off the top rope and hits Officer Greyfield with a hurricanrana off the top, sending him crashing down hard. With an opportunity, DIANA quickly climbs up the turnbuckles and grabs the Nightstick off the hook. She looks at Greyfield who's in the ring and LeeAnn who's on the outside before jumping off the top rope, drilling the Nightstick into the gut of Officer Greyfield. As she exits the ring to grab LeeAnn, Officer Greyfield rolls out on the other side. He quickly tosses the ring apron aside and reaches under the ring, coming up with a second nightstick.

Meanwhile, LeeAnn is able to surprise DIANA with a Pele kick and then begins to apply her Tequila Sunrise on the Energy Bunny! The hold is locked on and DIANA begins to tap, but the referee is unable to see it as he argues with Officer Greyfield about the second nightstick. LeeAnn releases the hold and shoves the referee aside, but Greyfield responds by smacking her on the jaw with the weapon! Greyfield then steps forward to attack DIANA when she suddenly rails him in the skull with his own Nightstick, sending him back out to the ringside floor. DIANA turns her attention to LeeAnn who's to her knees, and after tossing the Nightstick out of the ring, DIANA runs off the ropes and hits her "Shining Sweetheart" Shining Wizard to the face of LeeAnn Morgan. DIANA quickly jumps into the cover as the referee gets into the counting position.

REF: "One… Two…. THREE!"

The bell rings as "The Hampster Dance Song" plays and the referee holds up DIANA's hand in the air.

HOLLY PEREZ: Here's your winner of this match, DIANA!

DIANA exits the ring, high fiving fans as she makes her way up the ramp, waving bye to the crowd as she makes her way to the back.

TREY BOOKER: Impressive victory for DIANA here tonight! I admit, I would not have called that one prior to the match. LeeAnn Morgan has been on a hot streak and with her Gatekeeper opportunity coming up at Unbreakable Resolution, she had to be a favorite to win!

J.T. PRICE: What about Greyfield? This was his kind of match! I would have bet the farm on that guy!

TREY BOOKER: You don’t have a farm.

J.T. PRICE: No shit. It’s called a safe bet, Trey.


With the show going backstage, it finds Giovanni in the middle of final stretches ahead of their own match. But eventually the stretches were cancelled by the chance appearance of another individual. Stopping for a second, Johnny Levy showed a glimmer of recognition in his eyes and it was quickly reciprocated by Giovanni.

GIOVANNI: Levy...

JOHNNY LEVY: Giovanni...

GIOVANNI: Mando...

BARLON MANDO: ...

For a second an awkward silence befell the four of them as none knew how to break the awkward silence.

CALLIOPE: CALLIOPE!

The excited voice of Giovanni's muse breaks the silence, a big smile adorned on her face as she gets to play along with the rest of them greeting each other.

GIOVANNI: Yes, my darling muse, you're here too.

But the silence befell the four of them once more as Levy took a step forward and got closer to Giovanni, seemingly investigating the artist in silence. Which again, was reciprocated by Giovanni in kind.

JOHNNY LEVY: You and I may not have ever met, but from what I know about you Giovanni, I feel a certain... kinship between the two of us even after these mere seconds. As if I've known you my entire life.

Extending a hand with a smile, Giovanni smiled back and gave him a firm handshake back like two individuals who felt they were extremely important in their own minds.

GIOVANNI: I feel the same, Levy. It's extremely refreshing to meet a fellow patron of the arts such as yourself, someone who knows that true quality is more than just whoever flips the most or throws their brutish weight around the most...

The handshake was still taking place as the two of them did their best to not be the one breaking the hold, and it took a small prod from Calliope and a not so small prod from Barlon to make them break it up.

GIOVANNI: Anyways, I digress, I would like to wish you good luck tonight Levy, may you win title gold and bring some class to this company. Hopefully I shall follow you soon.

JOHNNY LEVY: And good luck to you as well Giovanni, it must be extremely daunting to have to carry a two-bit talentless singer like Minj to victory, but i'm sure you'll do it all the same.

With the excessive niceties behind them, they both turn around and decide to go their own directions. Levy towards title glory, and Giovanni towards surviving the hog pen match with his ego intact...



With the smooth sultry tones of Madonna's Vogue filling the air, the crowd turns their heads towards the entrance ramp. With a show of vivid colours and elaborate designs we eventually see the appearance of Giovanni strutting onto the stage with his muse hanging on his arm.

They only take in the atmosphere for a short while as Giovanni twiddles locks of his own hair between his fingers, and they move their way down the ramp.

HOLLY PEREZ: Making his way to the ring, accompanied by his 'One True Muse' Calliope, hailing from the beautiful art capital of Firenze, Italy. It's none other than Giovanni!

With the excessive elaborate announcement of his presence behind them, Giovanni helps Calliope get seated on the top turnbuckle. Leaning back himself letting Calliope massage the shoulders of the tortured artist as they await the start of proceedings.

"Sick Sick Beat" by Kero Kero Bonito plays as "Young Rich Tigga" makes his way to the ring.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his partner, making his way to the ring from Tokyo, Japan, weighing in at an undisclosed amount, he is "Prince Of Pretty", he is Monsieur Malachite Minj!

"Badstreet USA" by Crossfyre plays as comes out the team of Kyle Valentine and DJ Hunter.

HOLLY PEREZ: And introducing their opponents, at a combined weight of four hundred and twenty pounds, the team of Kyle Valentine, DJ Hunter, they are The Phantom Troupe!

Both men enter the ring and the bell rings. Both Minj and Giovanni try to out pretty each other but are cut off by a pair of running knees by Kyle and DJ. Each Phantom Troupe member takes their own man and brings them to a corner to start stomping a mudhole in them before turning to stare at each other and running past each other. Minj counters and back body drops DJ over the top rope and Giovanni counters with a running knife edge chop to the chest of Kyle, sending him down. Giovanni and Minj regroup with each other.

MALACHITE MINJ: Look. As the prettiest one of the group, I think we should end this quickly. The longer this match goes, the higher chance they're going to break a claw.

GIOVANNI: As the undisputed prettier one of the group, I agree. They're trying to mess up my beautiful face. What the hell is a "Manger Match" anyway?

MALACHITE MINJ: I don't know nor I care. Let's just get them to the back like we're supposed to and end this.

Both nod at each other before Minj exits the ring and grabs DJ, whipping him back first into the barricade. Meanwhile, Giovanni grabs Kyle and rolls him out of the ring, following suit. He gives a knife edge chop to the chest of Valentine. Both Minj and Giovanni start bringing The Phantom Troupe up the ramp and bring them past the curtain. A backstage camera is now the source of keeping up with the action as it shows both Kyle and DJ have taken advantage. DJ tosses Minj into the wall of the production area while Kyle kicks Giovanni, nearly sending him down the steps to the hallway, but Giovanni manages to catch himself. DJ slaps Minj on the chest and Giovanni tosses a five pound Gatorade Cooler, hitting Kyle in the stomach. Minj counters another slap to the chest and gives stiff slaps to the face of DJ Hunter before tossing him down the hall. On the wall nearby says "Pen Room Five".

MALACHITE MINJ: Hey ugly, the pen is this way. Room five. Hurry up and stop getting your ass kicked while I carry this team.

GIOVANNI: Only thing you're carrying is my makeup bag!

Giovanni and Minj bring DJ and Kyle down the hallway before opening up the door to room five and seeing…..

*OINK OINK*

Inside the room are pigs inside a pig pen, and the room smells like a dump. Minj nearly throws up as Giovanni looks on in terror.

GIOVANNI: Oh no… you're on your own. Yeah, no. You're on your own with this one.

MALACHITE MINJ: WHAT?!?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!?

GIOVANNI: THAT'S ACTUAL PIG DOODOO! I'M TOO GORGEOUS TO HAVE THAT ANYWHERE NEAR ME! CATCH YOU LATER KITTY KAT!

Giovanni darts off down the hall to the dismay of Minj. As he starts to do the same, he is caught in the grasp of both Phantom Troupe members.

GIOVANNI: HEY WOAH WOAH COME ON NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS! YOU WANT SOME CATNIP?! I’VE GOT THE GOOD STUFF!

DJ and Kyle look at each other before looking at the pig pen, then back at each other with a pair of smirks. They drag Minj who's pleading with them before they finally lift him in the air for a dual military press before finally tossing Minj into the pig shit filled pen. The bell rings as Phantom Troupe laughs, watching "The Prince Of Pretty" become the "Prince Of Piggy" before leaving. Minj is seen yelling, screaming, cursing, hissing, everything imaginable as the show goes back to ringside.

HOLLY PEREZ: Your winners of the Away in a Manger Match…PHANTOM TROUPE!!!

TREY BOOKER: I don’t envy Malachite Minj at this moment. Being abandoned by your partner and taking the loss is bad enough, but losing in that way is just…well…shitty.

J.T. PRICE: Giovanni had the common sense to bail, and I’m guessing Minj would have done the same thing if he could have.





The cameras take us live to Rockefeller Center in New York City and the first thing we see is the gigantic tree lit up in all its glory. Before it is the large fountain, and beyond that is the ice skating rink filled with tourists and locals alike, as they move gracefully upon the ice. Slowly the crowd of skaters begins to part, and we see Douglas Crane glide into view, surprisingly graceful on ice skates for a big man. Moments later, the crowd on the opposite side of the ring begins to part, and his opponent can be seen for the first time. Decked out in full New York Rangers hockey gear, complete with a stick in his hands, is John Blade. Seeing Big Match John in the hometown team’s attire gets the crowd pumped up, as Douglas seems to question whether the padding is legal.

Before he can register an official complaint with the nearby official, Crane is taken off his feet by a shoulder check from Big Match John. Douglas does his best to get his footing, but finds it difficult with the slippery ice underfoot, giving Blade the opportunity to break his hockey stick over Crane’s back. John then smacks Crane across the side of the face with his goalie glove before flinging it off his hand. Pulling his opponent back onto his skates, Blade takes off toward the fountains.

Douglas is unable to stop the forward momentum, but he is able to hook John’s arm and pivot on his skates, sending Big Match John into the fountain instead. Crane takes a moment to find his balance, but when he reaches over the edge to pull Blade out of the water, he’s hit with a sudden headbutt with some added damage from John’s hockey mask. Blade then tosses the hockey mask away, grabs hold of Crane, and drags him into the fountain, pressing his head under the water.

TREY BOOKER: Are you seeing this, folks? We’ve got two athletes battling in the world famous Rockefeller Center and one of them is attempting to drown the other one!

J.T. PRICE: I still can’t get over that Rangers jersey. Blade should be disqualified for that cheap pop.

Desperate for some air, Crane throws some back elbows to the side of John’s head, forcing him to let go of his head. Then, while Blade is stunned, Crane pulls off one of his ice skates and swings at his opponent, opening up a gash across John’s forehead! As Blade tries to wipe the blood from his eyes, Crane goes to apply a sleeper hold to wear John down even further. The hold is locked on, and as Blade struggles to get out of it, both men stumble over the edge of the fountain and land amongst the nearby fans. With the hold still applied, John drops down to his ass, countering with a jawbreaker to stun Douglas Crane.

Still stunned, Blade grabs for the nearest thing he finds, which happens to be a hot cup of cocoa from a nearby street vendor. He quickly tosses the scalding hot liquid in Crane’s face to blind him, and then lifts him up for a spinning sit out slam! Blade goes for the pin as the referee rushes in…

ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!

Finding it difficult to move around on the pavement, Blade takes a moment to remove his ice skates, and he then takes a swipe at Crane as payback for the open wound on his head. Douglas is able to duck under it and hook John’s arm, driving him down to the cement with a Uranage! This time it’s Crane who goes for the pin…

ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!

TREY BOOKER: What a brawl! Neither of these men want to be embarrassed in front of this holiday crowd!

J.T. PRICE: Bah humbug!

Crane begins to look around as he plans his next move, and his gaze eventually falls on the nearly eighty foot tall Christmas tree in the center of the square. After shoving a security guard aside, Crane begins to make his way up the tree with a high risk move in mind, but he’s unaware that John Blade is in pursuit. Finding the tree a difficult climb, Crane reaches a point where he can go no further just as John Blade catches up to him. Big Match John pulls a strand of the lights free from the tree and wraps them around Crane’s neck as both men teeter back and forth on the side of the tree.

As Crane throws punches at Blade while he’s being choked, the unmistakable sound of a chainsaw is picked up by the cameras. As the crowd looks around for the source of the noise, the tree begins to shake even more violently. Moments later, there is a loud crack and the gigantic tree starts to topple toward the ice rink. Crane and Blade have a pair of shocked expressions on their faces as the entire tree comes crashing down with both of them along for the ride. It finally crashes on the ice, the impact knocking John Blade loose and sending his body slamming against the rock hard ice rink. Meanwhile, the only thing that has managed to save Crane from the same fate is the strands of lights that he had been tangled up in.

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Crane quickly frees himself and throws his body on top of John Blade as the referee makes the count…

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: Your winner by way of pinfall…DOUGLAS CRANE!!!

TREY BOOKER: Crane picks up the win after that wild brawl, but who in their right mind would cut down the Rockefeller Christmas tree?

Just then, as Douglas Crane is getting back to his feet, TJ Thompson enters the scene with a chainsaw in hand. His head is still bandaged from the attack he suffered at Crane’s hands just two weeks ago, and it looks as if he’s after revenge.

TJ THOMPSON: Hey Dougie! Remember me?

TJ rushes toward Crane as fast as he can on the slippery ice, but before he can reach his target, he’s tackled by a group of Rockefeller Center security. Crane makes his way toward them with TJ in his sights, but he’s finally tackled to the ground as well. While local security and law enforcement bring order to the chaotic scene, we go back to the Louis Armstrong Arena…


Returning to the arena after the match in Rockefeller Center, we are greeted by an odd cover of “Chop Suey” playing over the sound system, as a young man with no affiliation to Proving Ground is slowly making his way toward the ring. The man’s pale white hair and skeletal facepaint still make him easy to recognize, as the show’s announcers are quick to point out.

TREY BOOKER: This is a bit odd. I’m not sure what he’s doing away from Project: Underground or who’s allowed it, but it looks like we’re going to hear a few words from the self-proclaimed “Bastard”, Kurtis Slayne.

J.T. PRICE: Maybe he’s trying to step up and fight with the big boys? It’s not like Indy is here to stop him…

The relative newcomer steps between the ropes, a steel folding chair in one hand and a microphone in the other. As his music dies away, Slayne flips the chair open and places it in the center of the ring. He then lowers himself into it, as a single spotlight shines down on where he’s sitting. He casually looks into the darkness where the crowd shows their disapproval as he raises the microphone to his lips.

KURTIS SLAYNE: First and foremost, I’d like to extend a very special thank you to Arik Holt for allowing us to share this time together.

He lowers the microphone to pause as the crowd boos in response. The cold look in the young man’s eyes makes it seem as if he doesn’t care in the least.

KURTIS SLAYNE: He may not run Proving Ground, but he still has enough stroke to make things happen. Unfortunately, Indy Darling couldn’t be here tonight to prevent you from hearing the truth for a change.

Some of the fans try to get an ‘INDY’ chant started in response, but Slayne is quick to cut them off.

KURTIS SLAYNE: Secondly, I’m here tonight to explain myself. Not because I have to or because I feel anyone is entitled to it, but because I’m the kind of man who takes credit where it’s due. Having said that, I’d like to confess to each and every one of you, that I am the man who proudly removed Indy Darling from your television screens with one well-placed swing of a ten-pound sledge.

Again, there is a chorus of boos from the crowd, this time louder than the last. While Slayne’s emotionless expression does not change, he’s forced to momentarily lower his microphone a second time, patiently waiting for the fans to get the hatred out of their system.

TREY BOOKER: Did he seriously just admit to the attack on our General Manager? I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. Indy has his detractors, but he’s still well-respected by many in the locker room and the business in general.

J.T. PRICE: Even competing on Project: Underground might not be enough to protect him from the target he’s putting on his back.

KURTIS SLAYNE: In no way is this an apology, because he’s had it coming for a long time. Ever since he first stepped foot into this company, sharing stories about his dear, old dad, pushing morality lessons onto all of you like he was some kind of boy scout, Indy Darling was slowly digging his own grave. Because every time he told you what a hard worker and dedicated father that Clive Darling was, he was choosing to forget the parts about him being a selfish, drug-addled, immoral piece of shit.

Slayne takes a moment to run his fingers through his short, white hair, before raising the microphone back up. He then leans forward, resting both elbows on his knees as he continues to tell his story.

KURTIS SLAYNE: You see, I’ve been watching Indy and listening to his stories for a very long time. I thought I could play some games, give him a warning or two, and eventually he’d drop the act. I admit, I wasn’t ready to step into this ring to shut him up myself, because while Indy trained for five years to earn his spot in Project: Honor, until recently I hadn’t even stepped inside of a ring at all. I guess those kinds of opportunities came easier for the prodigal son than the unwanted bastard.

Again, there are jeers from the crowd, yet he doesn’t even attempt to speak over them, keeping the tone of his voice low and precise.

KURTIS SLAYNE: Call my attack on him cowardly or underhanded, I really don’t care. What you should really call it is the surgical removal of a hypocrite and a liar. Finishing what was started by Ozymandias and compounded by three masked men in a Fallout parking lot is one of the greatest things I’ve done in my entire life, and each and every one of you should be on your hands and knees to thank me. With one swing, I avenged all the lies that have been perpetrated about Clive Darling. I made up for the fact that Indy had all of you sitting through a tournament in that son of a bitch’s name. I put Proving Ground’s self-entitled moral compass in a hospital bed, and with any luck, he’ll never think about getting close to this business again.

The crowd does its best to keep Kurtis from talking with their taunts and jeers, but other than the occasional pause, they still don’t seem to affect him in the slightest.

KURTIS SLAYNE: Even if he does, I’ve bought myself enough time to train and prepare, to become better than him at his own game, a sport that he claims to love so dearly. If we’d been lucky, the surgeon’s knife would have slipped and finished him off for good, but unfortunately, he’s currently recovering in an Indianapolis hospital bed. It’s a shame, really, because with him out of the way forever, none of us would have had to endure another sob story about Clive Darling, and when a man like Arik Holt tries to elevate this business from a carnival sideshow into a true bloodsport without rules or regulations, there would have been one less person to stand in his way.

The boos increase with another mention of Arik Holt’s name, forcing Kurtis into another brief pause before he can continue.

KURTIS SLAYNE: To answer the question on all of your lips, I have no relationship with Mr. Holt or his True Society whatsoever, although I do love watching them turn this business into something that would have my dead father rolling in his grave. I’m sure the head trainer of Project: Underground, Savannah Sunshine, will be thrilled to hear one of her hopefuls admit to admiring her beloved Arik. Just remember, while Indy spends the holidays in a hospital, Arik Holt is out there revolutionizing this den of selfish sin one stab wound at a time, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Despite his claims of joy, Kurtis doesn’t even bother to crack the slightest of smiles.

KURTIS SLAYNE: Knowing that my brother will get to spend more time with his buddy Mark Hunter as they both try learning to walk again is the greatest Christmas gift I could ask for. I’ve even resigned myself to the fact that Indy might be back someday, but when that time comes, men like Arik and myself will have taken everything he’s contributed to this business and turned it into an unrecognizable, bloody pulp. Whether it’s on Project: Underground, Proving Ground, Fallout, or even a rival company, I’m going to add my own contributions by spitting in the face of tradition, honor, and sportsmanship every chance I get.

It’s almost as if he’s refusing to blink as he continues to focus his ice-blue eyes ahead at the camera.

KURTIS SLAYNE: As for the handful of people out there who feel the need to be righteous or fight on behalf of poor Indy Darling, I plan on making myself very easy to find. I’m aware that I don’t have the skills or tenure inside of a ring to compete with some of them, and as a member of Project: Underground, the rules prevent me from competing on Proving Ground or Fallout anyway. But something the suits in the back need to get used to is that I do what I want. Fuck the rules. So if there’s anyone out there who feels strongly enough to bring me some of that self-righteous vengeance, I wouldn’t be opposed to meeting them in an unsanctioned fight. In fact, I’d relish that very opportunity at Unbreakable Resolution.

There is a buzz amongst the crowd as they begin to wonder what Indy Darling’s half-brother has in mind for the Proving Ground Pay-Per-View. Slayne stands back up, taking the steel chair in his free hand.

KURTIS SLAYNE: So, for the MYOJINs, the Bishops, the Fairweathers, the Strikers, and even the…*heh*...Saints out there who so valiantly came to Indy’s defense or wished him well on social media, now you have your target. In fact, I even have a target of my own. There’s a woman walking around this company with the Clive Darling Memorial Trophy, unknowingly advancing the legacy of an absent father, abuser of women, and an all-around sinner to the seventh degree. In fact, when I cut the lights at the last Proving Ground to put Indy out of our misery, it seems The Phoenix Queen suffered by extension. I guess that’s what you get for reinforcing the legacy of a man who’s burning in hell at this very moment. Tara Fenix, please, feel free to add yourself to that list of names.

Slayne takes a few slow steps forward, finally resting his forearms on the top rope as he stares ahead into the hard camera.

KURTIS SLAYNE: Clive Darling was a failure in this corrupt business, and I can’t help but think the same thing about anyone who would be proud to win a tournament in his honor. Until now, his greatest achievement was giving his happy-go-lucky son to the wrestling world. Removing Indy was only my first step. Decimating that trophy and the tournament winner is step number two. So Tara, if you muster the kind of courage you’ll need to find me at Unbreakable Resolution, don’t forget to bring that beautiful trophy along with you.

He pushes himself back from the ropes and drops the microphone nonchalantly. Slayne then pauses in the center of the ring, staring at the unseen men and women who continue to boo. Then, as his music once again starts to play, he slowly begins to make his exit.

TREY BOOKER: I’m not sure if what he just proposed is legal under the Project: Honor bylaws, but it seems like that troubled young man from Project: Underground doesn’t give a damn. He just called out a whole bunch of people, not the least of which is the winner of the Clive Darling Memorial Tournament, Tara Fenix.

J.T. PRICE: Bylaws or not, if the kid wants an unsanctioned fight in the parking lot, I can’t imagine no one showing up to accept his offer.

TREY BOOKER: Indy certainly has his share of supporters. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them shows up to make Slayne eat his words in just two short weeks.

J.T. PRICE: I think the real question they’ll need to ask themselves is whether or not Kurtis Slayne will have The True Society there to watch his back. He may claim that he’s not a member, but tonight’s confession has to make him an ally in their eyes!


TREY BOOKER: As J.T. mentioned earlier, we were treated to several matches before Proving Ground went on the air, and one of those contests featured the debut of a young woman named Betsy Galagher. Right now, let’s take another look at the woman known as “Titania”...

The camera fades into an empty dining room, settling on an entire dining table filled with the usual food people prepare for Christmas. There's turkey, potatoes, parsnips, pigs in blankets, red cabbage, some boiled vegetables, and even brussel sprouts.

BETSY GALLAGHER: (V.O.) It has been a while since I spent Christmas home, since I was home. For the past few years, I've been traveling all over the world, wrestling in different promotions, wrestling different competitors, working on my craft, trying to be better in the ring... I haven't really had time to come home and celebrate with the family, but if you know my family, if you know the Gallaghers of Manchester, well, you'd know that's not really an option.

We then see a montage of the Gallagher wrestling family in action, each member highlighted in a snippet of a previous match. From Betsy's mom in her prime to her dad still wrestling in the U.K. scene, and finally, to her older brother Charles who is a multi-time U.K. World Champion and even considered a national hero, each of them gets a brief turn in the proverbial spotlight.

BETSY GALLAGHER: (V.O.) There is no holiday for a Gallagher. There is only the ring. There is only the wrestling.

The scene switches to an empty living room. There is a fire in the fireplace and the Christmas tree towering over everything else is lit up. It looks very festive, despite the lack of people in the space.

BETSY GALLAGHER: (V.O.) Looks like some things never change... Because this year, I'll still be away from home, working my arse off against Rapture in a Deck the Halls Match at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York City!

The camera finally reveals Betsy Gallagher in all her glory, standing in an empty ring presumably inside the Stadium in New York. She is wearing her wrestling gear and smiling directly at the camera. Everything behind and around her is left in the dark, however.

BETSY GALLAGHER: Project: Honor... Season's Beatings... This isn't my first time wrestling, but this is my first match in Project: Honor. I'm looking forward to showing everyone what I can do all over again. It's just who I am. As a Gallagher, I can't wait to get in that ring and show the Project: Honor fans what British wrestling is all about, what my family is all about, what I am all about. This...will be my Proving Ground.

The camera lingers on Betsy in the dark before the lights in the stadium all turn on, revealing that behind and around her are her family. Or at least, most presumably, CGI stand-ins of them, as most of them are still wrestling all over the world. The camera zooms in on Betsy's face, and she knowingly winks, a playful smirk on her lips, before the camera blips out

TREY BOOKER: If Rapture has regained consciousness, I’m sure he’d tell us just how impressive Betsy Galagher is in the ring. We’ll get the opportunity to find out first hand as she joins fellow new stars, Sonya Benson, Stella Jade, and Giovanni in two weeks time at Unbreakable Resolution! Those four new stars will be taking on the more established group of Diana, John Blade, Malachite Minj, and Officer Greyfield with the members of the winning team earning future shots at the Warrior Rising Championship!



HOLLY PEREZ: The following is the We Three Kings match for the Warrior Rising Championship… Introducing first… the current and defending Warrior Rising Champion… from Ottawa, Ontario… CASANOVA ENGLISH!!!

The lights go dim as the eerie voice of a former member of the notorious Manson Family rings through the arena.

"yeah, I
remember her saying:
I'm already dead... I'm already dead... I'm
already dead..."

The lights flicker revealing Casanova English on the stage as the voice continues.

"You're going to get up and scream. I'm
already dead... I'm already dead... I'm already dead..."
You're
going to get up and-
Burn an x in your head."

The lights turn back on as Casanova English takes a long drag off his already lit cigarette, his leather jacket hung loosely over his shoulders, championship wrapped around his waist catching light. He scowls at the crowd before Bash Daddy slowly walks from behind the curtains to join him - the towering man shirtless, wearing black jeans and a leather mask.

English and Bash Daddy look at one another and smirk before walking down the ramp slowly. English stops to blow smoke in the general direction of some fans. Bash Daddy walks over to the corner between the guard rails and the ring. English goes over to him and lays the championship over Bash’s shoulder. To the disdain of the crowd Casanova casually pushes his cigarette into the face of the title - putting it out, twisting slow. English slowly struts up the steps onto the ring apron. He hangs his jacket on the turnbuckle before stepping through the second rope. English leans against the ropes, his arms resting over the top one.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his challengers… first… from The Divided States of Hysteria… "The Animaniac" Archimedes J. Manson!!!

A pyrotechnic explosion of rainbow proportions cues Applause by Lady Gaga to kick up through the sound system. Standing dead center of the stage is "The Animaniac" Archimedes J. Manson. He's got his trusty BONKERZOOKA propped up on his shoulder as he dances down the ramp and towards the ring. As he jumps and bops to the music, he fires the BONKERZOOKA into the crowd and drenches various fans with cream pies. He drops the BONKERZOOKA as he gets halfway.

TREY BOOKER: This triple threat match is likely to be far from normal.

Casanova leans over the top rope with a smirk, giving Archimedes a simple one finger salute of welcome. Archie straightens up and reaches into his wrestling tights, after a second or two of fiddling around, he pulls out a card and shows it to Casanova, as if by magic, it reads “Fuck you too!”.

J.T. PRICE: I’m assuming these two ain’t on each other's Christmas card list.

Suddenly, barreling down the walkway toward Archie is Johnny Levy! Before Casanova can give a warning, not that he would, or Archie can turn around, Levy grabs the smaller man's forearm. He pulls hard and whips The Animaniac in the jaw with a vicious ripcord elbow!

TREY BOOKER: Right there is our third entrant.

J.T. PRICE: He’s chosen an elbow to the face as his official entrance tonight I guess, not overly grand but certainly effective.

The music cuts abruptly, overridden by “Fame” by Irene Cara. Archie stumbles backward into the side of the ring, bumping into the apron and catching himself on it before he hits the ground. Levy doesn’t let him rest, rushing him again at ringside, shooting kicks into his torso trying to bring him down to the ground!

TREY BOOKER: Levy doesn’t seem to be feeling the Christmas spirit.

J.T. PRICE: Maybe he wants to gift himself the Warrior Rising Title.

The crowd pops in surprise as Casanova, in a move out of character, bounces himself off the opposite ropes and comes flying at Levy with a suicide dive through the ropes. The pair hit the ground with a painful thump, Levy’s back taking the brunt on the unforgiving floor. Archie takes the window of opportunity to get himself into the ring, rolling up and shaking off the shock of the ambush.

TREY BOOKER: Not sure how wise this is from these three men.

Casanova doesn’t waste any time, grabbing Levy by the head as he gets up, dragging him toward the apron. Levy rolls up onto the mat as English vaults himself back up to join the pair, and the music fades away as the bell finally rings!

DING! DING! DING!

Archie takes the initiative, rushing Levy with every intention of paying him back for the sucker punch. His chop meets Levy’s chest with an audible smack, but it only staggers the superstar, who retaliates with jabs and blows targeting Archie’s jaw and ears. Levy knocks him back enough to throw a spinning elbow strike, sending Archie reeling back looking dazed.

TREY BOOKER: The logical thing to do in this match is stand back and pick your spots.

J.T. PRICE: Logic rarely lasts beyond a smack in the face.

Casanova takes advantage of the situation as he bolts forward toward Archie’s unguarded back, grabbing him and throwing him back over his head in a German suplex with an impressive show of power and force.

TREY BOOKER: Whatever you think of him, Casanova has really shown himself to be a great addition to the Project Honor roster.

J.T. PRICE: He’s come so far from wrestling not that long ago in a warehouse in Baltimore.

With Archie behind him rolling onto his side with the wind knocked out of him, Casanova focuses on the target in front of him; Smirking, he extends his arm, goading Levy with a “come here” flick of his fingers. Levy, not about to back down from a direct challenge, meets the taunt with a small chuckle and a roundhouse kick out of nowhere! As Casanova staggers back, Levy follows up the move by bouncing off the middle rope with a springboard cutter! Casanova hits the mat with a grunt and Levy rolls forward, putting his weight on his opponent and hooking the leg…

ONE!
TW.. KICK OUT BY CASANOVA!!

Instead of getting to his feet, English grapples Levy, winding him with a sharp knee to the gut before twisting him in a gator roll! Levy struggles to regain control, but the smaller man twists him down roughly into an armbar.

TREY BOOKER: Levy is in trouble!

Refusing to submit, Levy struggles toward the rope, reaching out for it, but his hand is shaking; he’s inches from the rope when… Archie is back on his feet, just long enough to throw a full-bodied low dropkick into Casanova’s ribs, sending him rolling off of Levy and breaking the submission hold. Levy hastily rolls out and retreats to the floor, grimacing and clutching his shoulder.

TREY BOOKER: The joys of a triple threat match, you can be saved.

J.T. PRICE: A gift from Archie to Johnny!!

Wincing, Archie gets to his feet, wheeling to face his opponent, just in time to meet the wrong end of Casanova’s hard knife edge chop, the loud smack audible through the whole damn arena.

J.T. PRICE: Ouchie!!

Staggering back, Archie receives a followup uppercut for his trouble. And another. And another! Stunned, Archie barely manages to catch the fourth uppercut, attempting to throw a forearm in return. But English isn’t having it, taking advantage of Archie’s forward motion to twist him around in a half-nelson, dropping him mercilessly to the mat with a modified neckbreaker.

TREY BOOKER: Casanova is so smooth in the ring.

Archie groans, his back arching off the mat, fingers curling against the pain lancing through his spine; he can’t muster the energy to get to his feet right away. Sensing an opportunity, Casanova grins and makes for the nearby turnbuckles, climbing up to the top rope. He begins to walk along the top like a circus performer, making it look easy as he approaches the center near his downed opponent.

J.T. PRICE: Smooth on the ropes as well!

With a cheeky grin, Casanova waves at Levy on the arena floor before returning his attention to Archie, he shifts on the rope and springs off into a diving headbutt! Just as he leaves the rope, Archie seems to snap back to his senses, inhaling sharply as he rolls out of the way toward the middle of the mat. Casanova’s belly hits nothing but an empty mat with a crashing THUD and a grimace of agony!

TREY BOOKER: Diving into an empty pool must really fucking hurt.

J.T. PRICE: No shit sherlock.

Levy moves fast, climbing to his feet from the ring floor, he clearly sees he doesn’t have much time. With a burst of energy, he launches himself towards Casanova English just as the Canadian is pushing himself back up to his feet. Levy takes Casanova out with a nasty looking chop block to the back of the leg! English clutches the knee in agony, but Levy grabs him and forces him back up to his feet. He pulls the former Carnage Wrestling Chaos Champion over to the turnbuckles and hoists him up onto the top rope. Levy is clearly setting up for something but before he can attempt any maneuver, he hears a loud shout of “Oi, Douchenozzle!!” from Archie behind him. Levy turns around and takes a vicious superkick straight on the jaw!

TREY BOOKER: JUST KICKING BY ARCHIE!!

Archie is standing over the downed Johnny Levy, sucking in air and clutching his lower back. With English still straddling the top rope, Archie drops and covers Levy hooking both legs…

ONE!
TWO!
THRE… CASANOVA BREAKS THE PIN WITH A DIVING ELBOW TO THE BACK OFF ARCHIE’S HEAD!!!

All three men are now down on the mat but English is the first to pop up, he wastes no time putting the boots to Levy and forcing him out and under the bottom rope. As he turns he’s met by Archie running at him, English ducks a clothesline attempt and waits for Archie to turn back and punts him square in the groin, before Archie can react to the brutality… Casanova nails the doubled over Archie with a Fameasser…

J.T. PRICE: ENGLISH LESSON AFTER THAT BRUTAL SHOT TO THE PLEASURE PUMP!!

Casanova hooks the far leg…

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!! CASANOVA ENGLISH WINS!!!

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: The winner via pinfall and still the Warrior Rising Champion… CASANOVA ENGLISH!!!

TREY BOOKER: Hell of a match by three of the best up-and-coming stars on Proving Ground! I wouldn’t mind seeing this one again, and it may not be long before those three men find themselves at the top of the card!

J.T. PRICE: Maybe so, but tonight Casanova English still stands tall as the Warrior Rising Champion. With a guaranteed shot against MYOJIN for the X-Factor Championship, you have to wonder if Casanova will be one of the rare few to hold two titles at once.





TREY BOOKER: It’s almost time for our main event of the evening, but before we get into that, I’ve just received a very special announcement. It seems that the minor injury Emmanuelle recently sustained was nothing serious and The Platinum Standard will be making her return at Unbreakable Resolution!

J.T. PRICE: She hasn’t been gone that long. What’s so special about that?

TREY BOOKER: It’s special because Emmanuelle will return for her first ever shot at the Grand Championship! Whoever wins our main event match tonight will go on to Unbreakable Resolution to defend the title against The Silver Starlet!

J.T. PRICE: Ozymandias against Emmanuelle? She’s going to have her work cut out for her…

TREY BOOKER: Writing off Arata Asakura already? That could be a big mistake J.T…

As "Honō no Megami (炎の女神)" by Adrian von Ziegler begins to play in the arena, we get a good look at the stars who have been selected to act as the Twelve Lumberjacks of Christmas in tonight’s main event. Gathered at ringside are Percival Burque, Serrano Poblano, Rapture, Kyle Valentine, DJ Hunter, LeeAnn Morgan, Betsy Galagher, Sonya Benson, Giovanni, Diana, Malachite Minj, Officer Greyfield, Skylar Ramsay. They watch from their spots at ringside as Arata Asakura approaches, glaring at each of them in turn.

HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is a Greatest Gift of All Match and it is for the Grand Championship! Introducing first, the challenger, weighing in at two hundred twenty pounds and hailing from Osaka, Japan…he is “The One Real Shogun” and “The Gaijin Killer”...ARATA ASAKURA!!!

TREY BOOKER: This is a big night for Arata and one he’s been waiting for. A one-on-one title shot against Ozymandias would frighten most people, but it looks as if Asakura is completely focused tonight.

J.T. PRICE: He’s sporting some new ink on his forearms too. Is it just me, or is there something different about him tonight?

As the slow, creeping sounds of Heilung start to play the lights around the entrance dim down to bare visibility. The drums of the song beat, as small glimpses of a rainstorm can be seen on screen. The stage itself begins to billow out a thick fog, a cold mist curling its way along the platform and down the ramp. Quickly, the stage itself is engulfed in the fog, as much of the ramp is also. A small light shines its weak glow from the entrance, shining against the figure of a man. His silhouette, huge in size against the soft light now moves as he does, down the ramp and through the curtain of mist. He emerges towards the end of the ramp, his form now fully visible… Ozymandias.

He pauses before the ring, staring into the squared-cage before slowly removing his jacket and placing it under the apron. He stands upright, cracks his neck in both directions then power-squats onto the apron, before entering through the ropes.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his opponent, the reigning and defending Grand Champion of Project: Honor…hailing from Old Harbour, Alaska and weighing in at three hundred fifty-seven pounds… “The Butcher of Reine”...OZYMANDIAS!!!

TREY BOOKER: The champion recently struck up a deal with the members of Big Drip Productions to watch their backs against the True Society in return for them watching his back, but there isn’t much in the way of backup among the lumberjacks tonight. With Archimedes recovering from our prior match, TJ in custody at Rockefeller Center, and Lil’ Petey on Fallout to defend the Tag Team Titles, Ozymandias is as good as alone out there.

J.T. PRICE: Do you really think he cares? Ozy has always stood alone, unless you count Meredith or those weird guys in the masks and robes. He hasn’t needed Big Drip to beat Arata in the past, and he won’t need them tonight.

DING! DING! DING!

As the two men lock eyes, Ozymandias hands his championship over to the official, who raises it high over his head before passing it on to a ringside official. As he does this, Arata begins to say something, but whether he’s talking trash in his native tongue or requesting some last minute favor of strength from the Japanese God of Creation, the ringside cameras are unable to pick it up. The staredown continues with both men several feet apart, while at ringside the lumberjacks begin to beat their hands against the ring apron, as if some tribal war drums were accompanying the fight that’s about to unfold.

With the encouragement of the lumberjacks, the two men step toward each other, at which point Arata motions for Ozymandias to take the first shot. The chuckle of amusement is visible as the champion’s chest heaves, but Arata remains steadfast as he gestures for Ozy to strike a second time. After the second invitation, Ozymandias is no longer laughing, as he instead raises his arm and brings a hard overhand chop to Arata’s chest.

Not surprisingly, the strength behind the blow drops the challenger down to one knee, but Ozymandias makes no move to capitalize. Arata then shakes his head and rises back to both feet, glares at his opponent, and fires off a knife edge chop of his own. While the blow doesn’t put Ozy on one knee, it does echo throughout the arena and force the champion to tense every muscle in his body. Moments later, Ozy raises his massive arm a second time, and Arata once again feels the hard overhand chop land against his chest. The Gaijin Killer clenches his fists and trembles, before firing off his second chop…which is then answered by a chop from the champion…and another chop from the challenger in return.

TREY BOOKER: Listen to the smack of the flesh J.T.! Those are the kind of chops that could fracture the sternum of a normal man!

J.T. PRICE: But these aren’t normal men, Trey! They’re two of the best in Project: Honor!

When Ozymandias goes for another chop, Arata’s strategy finally becomes clear as he hooks the champion’s arms and pivots on his feet to take him down with a surprise legsweep. Still holding the arm, it looks as if Asakura is going to apply a wear down hold or a submission, but Ozymandias flings him off with an armdrag from the mat. There is such force behind the toss that Arata rolls under the bottom rope where Skylar Ramsay and Officer Greyfield are positioned. The two lumberjacks do their job by immediately returning Arata to the ring without overstepping their boundaries.

Asakura quickly gets onto his feet to shoot the pair of lumberjacks a glare, but that brief moment costs him as he turns back into a running knee lift from the champion. The blow knocks Arata against the ropes and propels him back towards Ozymandias, who catches him and drives him to the mat with a pop up spinebuster! Knowing the kind of threat Arata represents, Ozy does not go for an early pin, instead choosing to pull the challenger back up for an overhead belly to belly suplex! Determined to get back on track, Arata pops back to his feet and is met by a heavy clothesline! Again, he gets on his feet, and again he’s dropped hard by another stiff arm from the champion.

Ozymandias then helps Arata back up and tries to whip him into the ropes, but the challenger springboards off the middle and comes back with a cross body attempt. The move backfires as Ozy catches him in his arms and then turns the move into a fall away throw. Again, the force sends Arata rolling under the bottom rope, this time dropping him at the feet of The Phantom Troupe. Kyle and DJ start to pull him up as is their job, when Arata gives Valentine a hard shove. DJ Hunter doesn’t take kindly to this, and hits Asakura with a pair of hard forearms before rolling him back under the bottom rope. The challenger pulls himself up by the ropes and glares at The Phantom Troupe, again leaving himself wide open for more offense from Ozymandias. This time the champ hits a release German suplex that folds Arata in half and he follows up with a pin attempt…

ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!

Arata rolls his shoulder off the mat, but that doesn’t stop Ozymandias from hammering at him with several mounted punches. Ozymandias then pulls Arata up and lifts him into the air with a military press. For a moment, it looks as if he could be going for the World Ender, but instead he steps forward and hurls Asakura over the top rope! The challenger crashes into Rapture, Serrano Poblano, and Giovanni, knocking all of them to the floor.

TREY BOOKER: Asakura is in trouble of losing this match in the next few minutes if he doesn’t think of a way to turn things around…

J.T. PRICE: Forget about Arata…look at Ozy!

Having moved to the ring apron, Ozymandias takes measure of his opponent on the floor. He then backs up to the turnbuckles and starts to climb, bringing the crowd to their feet in the process. As Arata is getting to his feet and Percival Burque is helping Serrano and Rapture back to their feet, the champion leaps off the turnbuckle! In a very rare display of flight, Ozymandias launches himself into the mass of lumberjacks, taking down Percival, Serrano, Rapture, Giovanni, and Arata Asakura as well!

CROWD: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!

Ozymandias is the first man back to his feet, but before he can pull Arata out of the human wreckage, LeeAnn Morgan and Betsy Galagher grab him by the arms and whip him toward the steps. Ozy crashes into them shoulder first, but almost immediately leaps back to his feet to hit both women with a double clothesline. Sonya Benson sees this and decides she wants no part of it, making her way toward the other side of the ring. Diana, on the other hand, does not appreciate Ozymandias taking things out of the ring and leaps off the apron to hit him with a meteora!

Arata is back on his feet, and just as annoyed by the lumberjacks as his opponent, he smacks Serrano Poblano with a spin kick. He then sees the members of the Phantom Troupe approaching, and dives toward the two men with revolving elbow strikes. It isn’t long until all of the lumberjacks are on one side of the ring, and despite a good showing initially, even Ozymandias and Arata Asakura cannot withstand a dozen Proving Ground warriors. Both men are finally forced back under the ropes, but this time it is Arata who is able to strike first, catching Ozymandias with a low enzuigiri as he’s still on one knee. The blow to the back of the head staggers Ozy but doesn’t drop him, so Arata hits the ropes and comes back with a low Yakuza kick. The champion remains on his knees, compelling Arata to hit the ropes again, this time firing back with a double knee strike that completely rocks The Butcher of Reine. Sensing his moment, Asakura hits the ropes a final time before executing the Painkiller…and it connects!

ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!

Ozymandias gets his shoulder up after the flurry of strikes, and a frustrated Asakura slaps his hands against the canvas. He then grabs Ozy by the head and forces him between the middle and top ropes, depositing him back on the floor. Before the lumberjacks can do their jobs, Arata then runs toward the corner and…Evil of the Sky! He hits the moonsault to the floor, not only taking out Ozymandias but catching Malachite Minj and Officer Greyfield in the process. With things going his way, Arata rolls Ozy back into the ring as quickly as he can and goes for another pin attempt…

ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!

Ready to end things once and for all, Asakura backs up and keeps his eyes locked on Ozymandias as the champion gets to his knees. He then rushes forward and the Raikiri is right on target! Shining Wizard to the back of the head!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

NO! Ozymandias again rolls his shoulder off the mat, and this time a frustrated Asakura punches the canvas. He backs up to measure Ozy again, but this time when he charges forward, the champion ducks under the Raikiri as if he sensed it coming from behind. Arata bounces off the opposite ropes and comes back towards Ozymandias with another strike in mind, but the champion catches him and the Arms of Azathoth are suddenly locked in! Ozymandias has his ragdoll bearhug applied and it looks as if Arata has nowhere to go!

TREY BOOKER: That’s it! The challenger is trapped and there’s no way Ozymandias will release him until he submits!

J.T. PRICE: Or passes out from pain and a lack of oxygen!

Still dazed from the flurry of Arata’s strikes, Ozy somehow manages to summon his strength to pick the challenger completely off the mat, swinging him back and forth as he applies tremendous pressure on The Shogun’s lower back. The referee is in position and asks Arata, who defiantly refuses to even consider giving up at this point. In an attempt to free himself, Asakura rains down several hard punches to Ozymandias’ head, but this only succeeds in makingThe Butcher of Reine squeeze him tighter.

With his punches failing along with the light in his eyes, Arata desperately reaches out in an attempt to reach the top rope, but Ozymandias holds firm in the center of the ring and doesn’t budge an inch. Next, Arata resorts to leaning in with a blatant bite to the bridge of Ozy’s nose, but even the drawing of his own blood isn’t enough to convince him to release the Arms of Azathoth. Finally, Arata’s arms stop flailing and his head hangs forward. The referee goes to check his arm…

It drops once…

Twice…

Three…no!

Arata presses his fingers towards Ozymandias’ face, grasping at the open would made by his previous bite. As he tries to peel the flesh off the champion’s face, Ozy is finally forced to release the hold and Arata drops back to the mat. The champion takes a few steps back and wipes at his face, as the challenger tries to fill his lungs with air. Arata then rushes forward and hooks Ozymandias’ head with his legs for another Painkiller, but Ozymandias stands up with him on his shoulders…and turns it into The Call! The champ drops to the mat and goes for the pin…

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

NO! This time it’s Asakura who gets his shoulder up at the last moment, much to the dismay of Ozymandias. The champion is not finished however, as he gets back to his feet and raises both arms toward the heavens, ready to end his persistent opponent once and for all with The World Ender. And that’s when “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine begins to play over the sound system…

The Honor Tron comes to life above the entrance stage, drawing the attention of all the lumberjacks, the referee, and Ozymandias himself. As images of Syndicate flash across the screen, Ozymandias’ eyes narrow as he prepares to fight not one but two rivals. With Arata still down on the mat, a lone lumberjack enters the ring whle Ozymandias' attention is diverted, possible looking for a bit of revenge for his treatment earlier in the match.

Rapture brings a black baseball bat slamming over the back of Ozy’s neck, managing to grab his attention so that he turns around to receive a second baseball bat swing to the midsection. Finally, Rapture hits Ozymandias one last time, splintering the baseball bat over his head. Rapture then dives back out of the ring just as Syndicate’s tron video and music stop playing. The referee returns his attention to the match, unaware of why both men are down in the ring. One of them is not down for long however, as Arata Asakura gets back to his feet and staggers backwards toward the corner buckles. Despite the damage he’s sustained, he makes it all the way to the top rope before flying back off to nail The Golden Dragon!

ONE!


TWO!


THREE!!!

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: Your winner of the match…and NNNNEEEEEWWWWW Grand Champion of Project: Honor…ARATA ASAKURA!!!

TREY BOOKER: He did it! My god he did it! Love him or hate him, Arata Asakura has just defeated the undefeatable!

The referee hands the championship to Arata, who rests on his knees following the pinfall. He looks down at the belt with a nod of satisfaction, having finally completed the goal he set out to achieve upon joining Project: Honor. As he relishes in his victory, a groggy Ozymandias rolls to ringside and catches himself on the apron, slowly lowering his feet to the floor. He glares up the entrance ramp where many of the lumberjacks have retreated, including Rapture.

Then, Rapture slowly raises his hand to grasp the mask atop his head and pulls it away, revealing the face of Syndicate, True Society’s very own Legacy Champion underneath. As he gives the former Grand Champion a sinister grin from the entrance, the last Proving Ground of 2021 goes off the air…