PROVING GROUND XXX: THE PATH OF TYRANTS RESULTS

In a rare display of sportsmanship, the two young men shared a handshake before the opening bell. After that, it was all business as Guy slapped on a side headlock out of the initial collar and elbow lock-up. Mikey countered with an atomic drop, keeping hold of Guy and then dropping him with a back suplex. From there, Mikey showed off his speed by flipping his opponent out of the ring with a hurricanrana, immediately followed by a suicide dive to the outside. It was clear that Guy was already in trouble as Mikey brought him back into the ring with a suplex and further dazed him with a missile dropkick. From there, all Mikey had to do was hook Guy’s head and hit The Best Thing Since sliced bread #2, bringing an end to the opening contest and earning himself a successful and impressive debut.



Even before the credits roll and Proving Ground 30 can start properly, the camera is already running on the parking lot of the PPG Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

TREY BOOKER: It seems the episode is starting early, and I think there’s a car coming.

J.T. PRICE: Hey, maybe it’s a celebrity guest! I hope it’s someone that’ll bring some class, like Kate Upton or Elton John.

With an oversized SUV driving up, nobody would be able to see what is inside as the black car had windows about as black as its paint job. But as the door swung open, a pair of smooth and silky legs showed from under the doorway as the camera made sure to tease the viewer long enough before revealing who was stepping out of the SUV.

An audible cheer of seeing the revelation of Calliope in her most beautiful and classiest dress was quickly replaced by an audible groan from inside the arena as Giovanni was quick to follow up, clothed in a distinctly red and black pattern of outfit emblazoned with a logo that seemed awfully familiar to something else.

Calliope and Giovanni would make smalltalk out of the earshot of the camera as in the distance a limousine was seen closing in on the SUV to park alongside it. Once more doors swung open, and this time out would first step the oversized slab of meat called Barlon Mando who was once more dressed in a very classy suit that only accentuated his oversized physique. And from the other side of the limousine would exit Johnny Levy, dressed in the black and white of a group that had become irrelevant decades earlier.

Slowly meeting up with Giovanni and Calliope, the three of them would make small talk as Barlon Mando stayed their silent self as they tried their best to look motivated, and failed spectacularly. And thirdly a bonafide 2022 Rolls Royce Phantom rolled into view that found a way to outshine all other cars in the city, let alone the ones on display for the camera.

The back passenger door opens and out steps Sonya's behemoth bodyguard, Smith, who does a quick security scan before opening the passenger door and escorting out the most stunning woman in this world and the worlds beyond. In a shocking scene, Sonya is not dressed in her usual regalia befitting a woman of the highest class. Oh no.

On this night she’s adorned in a pair of form fitting red pants with a yellow stripe up each inseam. A turtleneck sweater with the same red and yellow color scheme rounds out her flawless torso, while her boots are even matching the colors. At first glance the viewer could make a guess that she was paying some kind of homage to a by-gone legend who once blabbed about eating vitamins and saying prayers. That would be incorrect of course, because of the big logo on the chest which clearly reads “KANSAS CITY CHIEFS!”

The Pittsburgh crowd watching on the tron come UNGLUED with heat when they see her attire, for it was those very Kansas City Chiefs who eliminated their beloved Pittsburgh Steelers from the playoffs a few weeks ago. The rich bitch takes it a step further by wrapping a #15 Patrick Mahomes scarf around her neck, despite wearing a turtleneck.

J.T. PRICE: SHE’S HERE! YES! THE FEMALE THANOS - THE REAL HERO OF THE STORY - THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD VILLAIN OF THEM ALL! GOD SHE’S SOOO HOT. IT’S NOT FAIR! IT’S LIKE WE SHOULDN’T BE ALLOWED TO SEE SOMEONE LIKE HER!!

TREY BOOKER: She may very well be a female Thanos, because she’s got Giovanni and Levy wrapped around her fingers it would seem! Now get a hold of yourself, man. Have some professionalism. You’re fanboying all over our desk out here.

Her manager, Norris, joins up with them and starts passing out too sweet hand/finger gestures.

Lastly, the loud and infuriating sound of a moped could be heard approaching as Larry Livingstone approached the group sitting on the back of an UberEats moped wearing only the classiest and tackiest blue and white suit that his underpaid existence could afford.

Walking up, he’d make sure to flash his beautifully embossed and off-white business card to the camera to maximize his clientele, before whispering something about having ‘sweetened the crowd’ to Giovanni and Levy.

J.T. PRICE: I mentioned classy guests, and we got the three classiest. Including the suh-mokingly beautiful Calliope and Sonya Benson both being an utter delightful feast!

TREY BOOKER: Get a cold shower, Price. But this foolishness has gone on long enough, we’ve got to cut to the opening credits!


♫ 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' ♫

Lexi Gold is shown celebrating a victory as the crowd cheers her on, 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 Stella Jade connecting with one of her tarot themed signature moves.

♫ 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 young Mikey Hero as he does a backflip in the ring and poses for the crowd.

♫ 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 and an image of her raising the Grand Championship over her head, 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 Legacy 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 ♫




We enter the PPG Arena as a burst of pyrotechnics erupts from the stage and ring posts. The cameras scan around as the sold-out Pittsburgh crowd is already on their feet as they come alive for another edition of Proving Ground and wave their signs in the air.

“LEVY WILL HEAL THE WORLD”
“#BIGBENSONENERGY”
“THIS SIGN = 1 EFFORT UNIT”
“GIOVANNI IS THE DALI OF WRESTLING”
“THIS DOESN’T WORK FOR ME, BROTHER!”
“SONYA DIDN’T LEAVE MY SON A LEG TO STAND ON”
“LITTLE PETEY IS A JABRONI COMPARED TO BIG LEVY”

After briefly panning across the audience and their oddly specific signs, 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: That’s an odd number of signs for a particular trio…

J.T. PRICE: Dude! We’re back on!

TREY BOOKER: Oh! Welcome to Proving Ground everyone! Tonight is the first night of the official Little Petey Farewell as Big Drip will look to start his tour with a gigantic victory tonight!

J.T. PRICE: This is a night that cannot be overstated, I can finally be happy seeing Little Petey leave out the back door!

TREY BOOKER: Don’t mind my broadcast partner, he’s probably excited because we don’t have one, but two title matches on tap for tonight!

J.T. PRICE: That’s right, the opener will be a fourway as Hyde tries to continue being Project Honor’s gatekeeper against three formidable foes.

TREY BOOKER: That’s right, and we’ll also see the undefeated Betsy Gallagher go toe to toe with a man who is mere days from becoming the longest reigning Warrior Rising Champion in Casanova English.

J.T. PRICE: Cas will prove why he’s the most consistent champ in this company. But on top of that we have trios matches, eight man tags, and more fights between hungry competitors looking to make their name in this business.

TREY BOOKER: You called it, partner, and let’s not wait an—


Trey Booker is abruptly cut off as a record scratch is heard and the screen slowly fades into black and white. The scratchy and oddly recognisable guitar riff fills the air, as it’s quickly followed by derivative and generic sound clips like “Nu-Nu-Nu-New World Order” and ‘4-4-4-Life’.

TREY BOOKER: I have no earthly idea what’s going on, but I have a sneaking suspicion which idiots are behind this…

But rather than make a quick entrance for the crowd, the air fills with further bouts of paralyzing confusion amongst others as eventually after a painfully long time the first people strode out from the back, but rather than taking the stage entry they slowly trickle out into the arena through the side of the entrance ramp, all dressed in various black and white themed regalia and the occasional red and black. A litany of unknowns show up, led by the muse Calliope and the oversized slab of prime beef Barlon Mando who awkwardly seem to simply go along with it. The only one amongst them to be anywhere motivated to play along, the attorney Larry Livingstone wearing a neck brace but despite that living it up as he lives his best life well away from the city of Cleveland.

J.T. PRICE: My goodness, if there’s one thing that makes my heart beat faster, it’s my muse Calliope wearing the black and white in two sizes too small!

TREY BOOKER: It’s Giovanni’s muse, actually. So I’d watch out where you let your ‘creative juices’ wander, and I have no idea why you go along with this stupidity!

As the ringside area is filled with an inordinate amount of entourage all undoubtedly happy to cash in a paycheck for the night, the first boos could be heard as Giovanni and Sonya Benson appear on stage. Giovanni wearing a bandana with lightning-covered sunglasses, he flexes and air-guitars on his knees for at least half a minute before finally but agonizingly slowly pushing himself towards the ring whilst taunting old ladies in the front row with a few pointed words about how gauche their attire was.

Once in the ring, Giovanni would take Calliope by her hand and spin her around before lifting her up and parking her on the top turnbuckle. Before moving down towards the interview Crystal Ward who most awkward of all stood in the ring wondering what even was happening.

GIOVANNI: LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, CRYSTAL. I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT, BROTHER!

From one show into the next, Giovanni had found an indoor voice that put an outdoor voice to shame, heavily gesticulating as he stared straight at the hard camera.

GIOVANNI: Last week we came into this ring, and together Giovanni, Levy, and the beautiful Sonya Benson have gone from outsiders to being insiders in this company by combining our mega powers into mega forces, dude. The biggest icons in wrestling brought together with one goal of turning this two-cent company into a five billion dollar brand or burn it down trying!

Letting out a deep wheezing cough away from the camera, the voice of a maniacal coked up man obsessed with 20’’ inch pythons was dropped for a more sensible one.

GIOVANNI: Last week the people might not have been able to hear the name of our group, but the world knows, and soon enough, everyone will truly hear the name for real, as we repeat our proclamation. And this time around, the magnanimous Sonya Benson has bought this entire block of television both public and cable to ensure nothing gets cut short, and everybody in this colourless nation can be injected with a lethal dose of colour into their world!

TREY BOOKER: These people are either manic or just plain insane, who even buys an entire block of television to hear this?!

J.T. PRICE: Geniuses do, Book. That man and that utterly enrapturing woman in that ring right there have a message that goes beyond this sport!

GIOVANNI: But before I let beautiful Sonya speak, and before we bring forth the greatest unifier of us all in Johnny Levy, I have something to say from my heart… Because what we saw two weeks ago in Cleveland was a disgrace to us all, our honorable attorney’s pride, AND most importantly my beautiful clothing that was hand-crafted by my undyingly inspirational muse Calliope.

Pointing to the big screen, it would show the aftermath of the show, the process of them all running for their life as an angry Cleveland mob tries to prevent them from reaching their limousine, Giovanni’s clothes getting torn to shreds with only curiously specific spots being left to the imagination before he got in through the sunroof of the limousine.

The crowd in Pittsburgh would cheer those actions loudly, growing ever happier as Larry Livingstone is seen last getting devoured by the mob in the shadow of the limousine speeding away from the arena.

GIOVANNI: Truly once more an example of the barbarity of Ohio, and I’m happy to be away from that place because it had a terrible effect on my constitution.

Letting in a breath of air, Giovanni would raise a hand. Larry Livingstone looked eager and happy, but quickly saw his hopes dashed as it was raised towards Calliope instead who looked shocked to be put on the spot.

GIOVANNI: So in lieu of Cleveland’s transgression, I am expecting this Pittsburgh crowd to show some class and decorum by collectively apologizing for all the terrible things Ohio has ever done by existing.

Rather than a big ‘I’m sorry’, the crowd would instead rouse into a mixed chant of both wishing fornication on the state of Ohio, but just as equally throwing their hatred straight at Giovanni, who scrambles up to the top turnbuckle to cover Calliope’s ears and shield her innocence from all the abuse that was filling the air.

J.T. PRICE: What a disgusting act, but not surprising in the city that houses the Steelers!

With Giovanni predisposed, it would be one of the two dozen counting entourage that took a microphone and presented it to the other wrestler inside the ring.

But as soon as the microphone is deposited into her soft, angelic hand, the Pittsburgh crowd engulf her with seething hatred. The kind that carries with it a physical presence. She looks visibly shaken, but encouragement from her friends in the ring brings her around, and so she raises the mic to her perfect pouty lips and descrees…

SONYA BENSON: Last week I began the reverse engineering process in Cleveland. Unfortunately the lesson I gave them was a recital of the classic Hamlet, which was far, far too advanced for them to comprehend. Now, seeing as Pittsburgh is even dumber, I’m forced to keep it simple. I will recite poetry. Not just any poetry. I want to appeal to a person here in the audience, because I truly feel like if I can save one person against all odds, it’s a worthwhile venture. And I have just the person, because I caught sight of them on the way out here and have been unable to let them go.

J.T. PRICE: Just when I thought Sonya couldn’t outdo herself, she goes and totally throws me for a loop. How often do we see a competitor engage with the fans like this? Never. Despite their misguided hatred, she is kind enough and woman enough to regale them with what I just know is the most beautiful poem ever spoken. One lucky fan is about to remember this moment for the rest of their life.

TREY BOOKER: I’m pretty sure that fan is gonna spend the rest of their life trying to forget this experience, partner.

Flanked by Smith and other beefy guards, Sonya bends at the waist to get on eye level with a homely looking little girl aged 8-10 years. The little girl is awe struck, not because Sonya is her idol or anything, but simply because a “wrestler” is speaking to her in front of the whole world.

SONYA BENSON: Well hello lucky girl. You’ve been selected out of all the peons in this wretched city, to receive reverse engineering. To be saved from the poison of this wrestling product. I now bestow upon you a poem, called “Truth Hurts”.

She clears her throat.

SONYA BENSON:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
A face like yours,
Belongs in a zoo.

A gigantic roar of boos plaster the rich bitch for her poem. The poor little girl doesn’t do anything for about five seconds, but then, in a gut wrenching scene, you can see her die inside as her eyes explode with tears.

SONYA BENSON: Whoa. Hey whoa calm down. Okay. That was maybe too much. Too much truth for a little one to handle. Here. Allow me another try. Ahem.

Again she clears her throat. The crowd tries to drown her out with jeers.

SONYA BENSON:
Some socks are white,
Some socks are black,
You look like the victim,
Of a bear attack.

The girl’s dad looks like he is about to come over the rail. The girl’s mom is almost as sad as the girl, and hugs her dearly. Sonya shrugs.

SONYA BENSON: Well, if you didn’t know before, you know now, little girl. And knowing, is half the battle. You two parents should be ashamed of yourselves for bringing such a hideous looking creature out here in public. How dare you. HOW DARE YOU!

With that done, Sonya retreats back into the ring as the devastated little girl can be heard bawling over the jeers of the crowd. She hands the mic back to Giovanni who had recomposed himself after the earlier bout of shock and anger.

GIOVANNI: Now of course, all you unwashed masses are probably going “Where’s Levy”, because I know that you want to see and adore the man that is bringing together and healing the world with every dying second. So without further ado, we all present to you the man himself, Johnny Levy…

Raising their hands towards the stage, ‘Voodoo Chile’ by Jimi Hendrix starts blasting on the sound system of the arena at a volume that drowned out any detail in the blues masterpiece, and coincidentally every single boo in the building.

With the big screen switching, it would show a locker room door with a big star on it and the name Johnny ‘Superstar’ Levy plastered on it. With a foursome of overweight slovenly Pittsburgh mall cops waiting at the door for the man of the hour himself to make his appearance.

After some banging and clanging around from behind the door, Levy peeks his head out and squints at the collection of mall cops assembled in the hallway. He seems visibly confused.

JOHNNY LEVY: Listen, fellas, I ordered a redhead. But I suppose you’ll do.

There’s an awkward pause as the mall cops turn to glance at him. Eventually, one of them mumbles something about ‘escorting him to the ring’. This causes Levy to open the door entirely and step out into the hallway. He’s naked except for a small towel wrapped around his waist; looks like he really was expecting a redhead.

After a small explanation from the lead mall cop, Levy disappears back into his dressing room. About ten minutes later, he comes out dressed in an immaculate gray suit, smoking a fat cigar as he begins to stroll down the myriad hallways of the backstage area. Two cops lead the way on either side, and two follow behind him.

They are there for everyone else’s protection, of course, as Johnny Levy’s true power level has yet to be revealed. Soon, though.

After much walking, they find themselves in front of a dead end. Scratching his head, Levy looks confused as he glances back. Tapping one of the cops on the shoulder, he points down an even more narrow hallway.

They follow that path for some time, until the hallway grows so narrow that they cannot progress any further. In fact, the lead mall cop is so wide that he actually becomes stuck between the walls, unable to extricate himself to back up where he came.

JOHNNY LEVY: Dammit. Back up, everyone, this fat bastard is stuck. We’ll send someone back to rescue you pal, thanks for your sacrifice.

Another lengthy walk, and Levy - now with only a trio of cops - finds himself out in the parking lot outside the arena.

JOHNNY LEVY: Who the FUCK designed this place? Picasso?!

Cursing up a storm, Levy continues to wander aimlessly around the backstage area for what is easily 10, 15 minutes as his teammates wait patiently in the ring. Eventually, he stops to ask someone - quite sheepishly - for instructions. They point at a giant, glowing sign hanging high overhead that says ‘This Way to the Stage’.

JOHNNY LEVY: Wow. Just wow.

Bursting through the curtains onto the entrance ramp, Johnny Levy waits at the top of the stage until his entrance music ‘Fame’ - but the wrong version, by David Bowie instead of his expected song - begins to fill the arena. He looks somewhat pissed that they’ve picked the lame-ass Bowie version of the song instead of the Irene Cera one, but he’s on the clock here.

It takes him about 10 minutes to finally meander down to the ring, stopping to sign autographs for fans who clearly don’t even want any such things in the first place. But eventually, he steps into the ring, and takes the time to shake literally EVERYONE’S hand, spending some extra time clasping hands with Giovanni as they stare at each other, their friendship and admiration for each other almost palpable.

Sonya, notably, doesn’t even look up when he moves towards her for a handshake, but he smiles and laughs it off before grabbing the microphone.

JOHNNY LEVY: Ladies and gentlemen, I know you’ve been waiting for quite a while, well tonight is the night. The night we finally unveil the name which will go down in Project: Honor merchandising history as the GREATEST SELLER OF ALL TIME. The name which will go down in infamy as the most relevant, dimes-drawing, ratings-boosting stable in all of recorded civilization.

Someone leans in to whisper in Johnny’s ear, and he offers them a dismissive nod accompanied by a light shove away from him.

JOHNNY LEVY: Way too close to the suit, pal. But I digress. I’ve just been informed that the nefarious villains in charge of Proving Grounds have implemented a tax on our time here. A ‘Levy levy’, if you will. I’ve been told we are being CHARGED for every second over 30 minutes that our little chats go. Apparently it took me that long to find my way through the labyrinthine backstage area of this poverty-tier arena. So we’re on a speedrun now folks, and I will not waste ANY time or words, because they are - quite literally - money in this case. Yes, as the great Malcolm X once told my grandfather when they were battling for equality in the Civil Rights Movement of the.. what was it, the 40s? 50s? Anyway..

The entourage member who whispered in his ear pulls back his sleeve to reveal his wristwatch, tapping on the face as he holds it up to Johnny and making the universal ‘money’ symbol by rubbing his fingers together.

JOHNNY LEVY: Okay fine. I wanted to add a bit more pomp and circumstance to this, and I have Tekashi69 waiting backstage to sing our new theme song, but I guess that deposit I paid his agent is going to go to WASTE, because SOMEONE in the Project: Honor offices have it out for your beloved protagonists. To cut to the chase, we are.. psst, Gio, that’s our cue brother.

Snapping out of some kind of blank-eyed trance, Giovanni perks up and takes the cue to stand beside Levy. He raises one hand in the air, his middle and ring fingers pressed against his thumb. Levy does the same. Oh no, it’s not.. anything but..

JOHNNY LEVY: We are the New World Order, and we are just.. too.. suhweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!

They both lift one hand up high, pressing their fingers together; the entourage even gets into it, minus Sonya Benson who looks like she’s being put-upon just being a part of this silliness.

Hell, even Larry tries to get in on the fun, but he doesn’t find anyone willing to return the gesture to him, so he eventually just gives up and puts his hand back in his pockets before stepping forward to graciously take the microphone from Johnny Levy.

LARRY LIVINGSTONE: Very cool, guys, but we talked about this every day for the past week, right? Like, literally every time you brought up this name as a possibility, I told you that it’s been copyrighted for about 25 years. I’m fairly certain I’m about to get an email notifying me of a fresh lawsuit.

There’s a pause, as Giovanni and Levy share startled, confused glances. Johnny snatches the microphone back viciously, as Giovanni leans forward to speak into it.

JOHNNY LEVY: You’re telling me this now?! God-dammit…

Letting out a few more deep and existential expletives away from the camera, like the true professional Levy was, Levy lets in a deep breath as he recomposed himself.

GIOVANNI: Ok, then, I’m sure that was all just a freak coincidence… What about we’ll just call ourselves... Bullet Club?

Everyone in the ring stops whatever silliness they’re up to and stare directly at Giovanni with a look of disgust on their face. After several moments with the brilliant artist glancing around from person to person, Levy finally steps away from the man, as if actually put off by such a suggestion.

JOHNNY LEVY: That’s literally the dumbest name I’ve ever heard, Giovanni. I would expect more from a man of your artistic talents and creative genius! Anyway, Larry - I can call you Larry, right? - we have SURELY secured the rights to the song ‘Voodoo Child’, right?

Looking back and forth at the two, Larry would awkwardly shrug with an apologetic smile.

LARRY LIVINGSTONE: Well actually, you probably won’t believe this…

Those cautious, tip-toed words are enough to tell Levy that they - in fact - have NOT secured any such rights. He begins to rub at the bridge of his nose desperately, whispering curses under his breath that I shall not write here, but are picked up by the microphone and amplified over the PA system all the same.

Before he can start dressing down the group’s incompetent lawyer and let his mask of sanity slip in front of all his adoring, visibly upset fans, there is some commotion from the entrance ramp as the villainous duo of Brandon Hendrix and Lexi Gold appear from backstage. It seems that this nefarious pair of ruthless heels have had enough of the good vibes and comfy chit-chat from Proving Ground’s resident stable of beloved babyfaces, as they rush down to the ring to put a stop to this peaceful, well-received summit.

Immediately, the entourage melts away, fleeing the ring just as the two of them slide in and stomp towards the center of the ring. Seems like the paycheck isn’t worth the risk of actual physical violence.

Against all odds, Levy, Giovanni and Sonya stand tall against them. Well, Giovanni and Levy anyway. Sonya Benson is currently leaning up against the ring ropes, holding her cellphone to her ear and conducting some important business as she checks her nails absent-mindedly; apparently she’s not the slightest bit interested in any of this.

And who can blame her? It’s so far beneath her that she cannot bring herself to care. Best to leave this to the boys.

Lexi Gold is right up in Giovanni’s face, if one would ignore Calliope who was a convenient shield that Giovanni stood behind, who still stared smugly at her to try her best, not looking concerned about reprisal for his actions in the least. Whether that’s from confidence or simple blissful ignorance is up for debate. Meanwhile, the much larger Brandon Hendrix looms over Johnny Levy, as the actor rolls his eyes at the attempt to physically intimidate him.

Instead of fleeing, he simply lifts the microphone up to his mouth and begins to use his secret weapon: the ability to actually speak convincingly and entertainingly. Brandon Hendrix’s greatest weakness, as Levy knows well from their encounter on the last show.

JOHNNY LEVY: Alright, fine, we get it. Y’all are just upset that we’re getting such a positive reaction from the crowd. What’s the matter, sad you can’t get a pop to save your goddamn lives? Tell you what, rubes, you can have your little ‘victory’ here and now. Giovanni, Sonya and myself will retire to the commentary desk, and you two can go backstage to try and invent new gimmicks that will draw literally ANY heat or attention, okay? Sounds fair?

Having enough of being talked down to by the best promo in the entire company, Brandon Hendrix lashes out with two thick, mightily muscled arms (made for holding Stella Jade tight and protecting her from the evils of the world) to shove Levy backwards. The force of it is enough to send the beleaguered and unfairly assaulted Jewish man sprawling back to the mat, as he quickly rolls out of the ring to gather his wits at ringside, pointing up at Brandon and shouting insults at him as the veins in his head and neck begin to bulge.

The staredown between Lexi and Giovanni continues for a few moments, before the greatest artist to grace wrestling scoffs and turns his head; he stares at the hardcam like he can’t believe someone of Lexi’s caliber is actually bold enough to share the same ring with him, let alone get all up in his face. After making his disbelief known to everyone watching at home, he casually steps away, ensuring Calliope matches his movements stride for stride.

With Giovanni joining his stablemate outside the ring, only Lexi, Brandon and Sonya remain within the confines of the ropes. Finishing her conversation and placing her cellphone back in her pocket, Sonya glances up at the pair of wrestlers with a mildly perturbed expression on her face. Almost like she can’t believe she’s actually expected to deal with any of this nonsense.

Rolling her eyes and dismissing the pair with a slight wave of her hand, she calmly steps between the ring ropes and descends the stairs, joining Levy and Giovanni at ringside as the crowd hurls insults at the trio.

Satisfied with this result, Brandon and Lexi share a triumphant look before they too leave the ring, heading back up the entrance ramp while the heels begin to shove the commentary team aside. Looks like they’re commandeering the desk yet again, with Sonya joining this time; though noticeably, she doesn’t even bother putting a headset on. Again, simply too good for any of this.

TREY BOOKER: Yeah, yeah, we’re going.

J.T. PRICE: Hey Levy, make sure you fix my chair’s settings when you leave, you messed up the lumbar support something fierce last time!

JOHNNY LEVY: Whatever, loser. Go backstage and shine my shoes or something useful.

This warning given, the pair of commentators step away and begin to head backstage for coffee and donuts, or something similar, as the biggest draws in Proving Ground history take their seats.



The ring finally cleared of all these shenanigans, Holly Perez steps through the ropes and begins announcing the upcoming match.

HOLLY PEREZ: The next match has a three hour time limit, and is for the Gatekeeper Championship. Arriving first to the ring, she stands at 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs in at 119 pounds… she is the Energy Bunny, DIANAAAAAAA!!!

JOHNNY LEVY: Just DIANA? What, is she too good to share her full name with these fine people?

GIOVANNI: But, Johnny, I just go by ‘Giovanni’! I’m not going to tell these serfs my last name!

JOHNNY LEVY: Of course, but you actually ARE too good for these fine people. She hasn’t earned it yet.

GIOVANNI: Ah, yes. Excellent point.

JOHNNY LEVY: It was an excellent point, wasn’t it? NAILED IT.

GIOVANNI: I was thinking I should use all caps though, like she does. ‘GIOVANNI’ has a certain ring to it, no?

JOHNNY LEVY: That’s hot, brother.

As they have this lovely chat, The Hampster Dance Song blares over the sound system, DIANA skipping down to the ring and sliding under the ropes. She mounts the turnbuckles, raising one hand into a peace sign held horizontally over her right eye. The crowd seems to appreciate SOMETHING about her bouncy behaviour. Hmm.

JOHNNY LEVY: What is this heel behaviour? ‘V for Victory’? It’s not World War II anymore, sweetheart, get over yourself.

HOLLY PEREZ: And next to the ring, he stands at 6 foot, 4 inches tall, and weighs in at 299 pounds… he is OFFICER GREEEEEEYYYYYFIIIIIEEEEEELLLDDDDD

Rather than his actual theme music, ‘Fuck the Police’ by N.W.A. starts to play over the PA system; heavily censored, of course, because this is the family-friendly brand. Officer Greyfield steps out onto the ramp looking confused and pissed-off over whatever mistake led to this song being played for his intro.

He walks out to boos, and one fan actually goes so far as to throw a plastic cup of beer at him. Demonstrating impeccable reactions, he pulls his nightstick and swats it aside.

GIOVANNI: Very nice. This fine individual certainly handles his instrument of artistic expression like an absolute master.

JOHNNY LEVY: I’m not sure what you just said, GIOVANNI, but I agree whole-heartedly.

GIOVANNI: Oh, are we starting the all caps thing now? How wonderful!

During this spot of dialogue, Officer Greyfield has pulled the audience member responsible for that thrown cup out of the front row, and begun laying in vicious overhead blows with his nightstick.

JOHNNY LEVY: I for one am glad someone is doing SOMETHING to punish littering in this world. I’ve had enough, personally!

Eventually, Greyfield grows tired and moves on into the ring, where he leers at DIANA from his corner.

HOLLY PEREZ: Next to the ring, he stands at 6 foot, 3 inches tall and weighs in at 260 pounds, though he remains - as always - larger than life… he is the SURGEON OF THUGANOMICS, BIG MATCH JOHN, THE SURGEON OF SOUL, THE TRAP GOD… JOHN… BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

The audience reaction is unlike anything that can be conveyed with mere text. It is the welcoming of a hero - nay, a God - into this arena. The walls themselves seem at risk of collapsing from the sheer energy unleashed by the crowd.

GIOVANNI: Oh, looks like SOMEONE thinks they’re a big shot.

JOHNNY LEVY: Is this guy trying to big league OUR entrance?!? SERIOUSLY!??! Giovanni, get that superkick ready, we’re going to take this fool’s head off when he least expects it.

GIOVANNI: Sounds like a plan, Johnny baby.

John Blade comes out, and the already deafening roar of the crowd somehow goes up another few notches. He rushes down to the ring, where he runs the ropes while awaiting the champion.

HOLLY PEREZ:[/color] And coming out last, standing at 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing in at 215 pounds, he is the current Gatekeeper Champion…. HEEEENRYYYY LEEEEE HYYYYYYYYYYYDEEEEEE!!!

GIOVANNI: WHO?!

JOHNNY LEVY: I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone named that around the catering table backstage…

GIOVANNI: Maybe he’s one of those people from the other brand?



JOHNNY LEVY: What? Fallout?! Oh GREAT, first we have… you know what? I’m adding that to the list of demands before I break this protest of mine. NO MORE PEOPLE FROM FALLOUT, KEEP THOSE PSYCHOS ON THE PSYCHO SHOW. ALSO BILLY IF YOU’RE LISTENING PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME.

GIOVANNI: Huh?

JOHNNY LEVY: Oh, don’t worry about that last bit.

The lights go down. 'He Who Flees the Light' by Calabrese kicks in and thrums through the venue as red-orange strobes flicker across the stage in time with the music.

Broken/

Perverted/

Corrupted/

From the back, Henry Lee Hyde emerges, head bowed. He almost blends into the shadows, in his all-black ring attire, but no shadow moves as quickly as him. No shadows have the shimmer of a title belt around their waist like he does. He comes to stand at the top of the ramp, head remaining down, but his scowl deep enough to be seen under the spotlight that now focuses on him.

In our mind, body, and form/

A spiral of hatred, keep burnin'/

To savage my soul/

He rises his head in time for the chorus, eyes wild, face twisting, sneering. He gives his face, chest, a few slaps that leave a red shade to his skin, draw shouts of determination from him, before he descends the ramp towards the ring.

He who flees from the light/

Knows the true pain/

Blames all those who loved/

Blames the world and/

Henry leans into the ropes, letting them strain, and gives a mighty roar that can still be heard over the explosive music. He remains there, lets his gaze skim over the crowd and towards his opponent/the ramp. Eyes locked on his target, Henry shifts into his corner. He removes the title belt from around his waist, handing it over to the referee, and warms up in preparation for his match as his music fades out.

DING! DING! DING!

GIOVANNI: And we’re off, sports fans!

JOHNNY LEVY: Yesssssiiiiiirrrrr.

The bell rings, and the match has begun. Almost immediately, Officer Greyfield sheathes his nightstick and begins to advance upon DIANA, holding both hands out in front of him and making squeezing motions as he stalks towards the rapidly backpedaling young woman.

JOHNNY LEVY: How much do you think this guy weighs? Gotta be what, four, five hundred? What a fucking UNIT.

GIOVANNI: Didn’t they announce the weights before the match?

JOHNNY LEVY: Probably, but let’s not be silly. NOBODY is trying to listen to all that.

GIOVANNI: So true. It’s all very pedestrian.

While this is happening, John Blade lifts one arm into the air, to a tremendous roar from the crowd. The roof practically blows off the place, as the biggest pop of the entire night takes place in the very first match.

JOHNNY LEVY: Ridiculous. Who does he think he is, Johnny ‘SUPERSTAR’ Levy, the Kosher Kommando?

GIOVANNI: Oh, is that a new nickname? I like it! I’ve been trying to think of one for myself. How about the Italian Stallion?

JOHNNY LEVY: Hashtag blessed, friend. Hashtag blessed.

Fully invigorated with the energy of his beloved fans and believers, John Blade nods his head to every brave boy and girl watching at home, before turning around to…

…get laid out with a single headbutt by Henry Lee Hyde, who doesn’t even look pleased with decimating his opponent with a single maneuver. If anything, he seems somewhat shocked - and certainly unimpressed - probably used to the caliber of wrestlers on his home brand.

JOHNNY LEVY: Okay, you know what? If we’re going to have wrestlers from Fallout coming over here just to style our people, then I quit. You hear me, Indy Darling?!?! I QUIT!!!

GIOVANNI: But what about your alimony payments… seems like you might need the money, all due respect…

JOHNNY LEVY: GOD. DAMMIT!!! No more commentary, at least! The protest zone is officially extended to this cursed desk!

GIOVANNI: Well, I still have some things to say…

JOHNNY LEVY: KNOCK YOURSELF OUT THEN!

GIOVANNI: So, as I was saying, I always found Van Gogh to be rather overrated. Has anyone with real talent ever come out of the Netherlands? I don’t think so, my fine viewing audience. And don’t even get me STARTED on Rembrandt. The very definition of ‘mid’, to use the parlance of our times.

As DIANA flees the ring to escape from the sinister approach of Officer Greyfield - who seems to have utterly forgotten about the title shot waiting back in the ring - Hyde simply watches them flee up the ramp with a quizzical expression. Is this really what happens on Proving Grounds?

Shrugging to himself, he finally drops to the mat to lay over the knocked-out body of John Blade, to the booing of the crowd who obviously despise this foul beast from Fallout arriving to slay their home-brand hero.

The referee, who had been rubbing away at their forehead watching this display of dominance from Henry Lee Hyde, takes a second or two longer than necessary to drop down for the count. Almost like he were trying to give John Blade a chance to get back up.

ONE…

…

…

…

TWOOOOOOO…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…………….!!!!!!

DING! DING! DING!

GIOVANNI: Wait, is that… is that it?

JOHNNY LEVY: They really had us come out to commentate a two minute squash match, huh? This is bullshit.

Throwing his headset down in disgust, Levy stands up and adjusts his suit, joined by Sonya who looks only too glad to be heading backstage to her lavish dressing room. Giovanni needs to be prodded in the shoulder by Calliope, but he eventually realizes that everyone is leaving, and takes off his own headset.

Before they walk away, Johnny bends down to the chair he’d been sitting in, purposely screwing with all the settings to get back at the rude comments levied at him by the actual commentator he had displaced.

That important mission done, the true heroes of Proving Grounds head up the entrance ramp, crossing paths with Trey Booker and J.T. Price who are both headed back down to the desk for the next match. Rather than mutual admiration between broadcasters, Levy and J.T. stare daggers at each other, as Sonya continues to glance away disinterestedly and Giovanni offers the commentators a friendly smile and wave.


The show cuts to the backstage area where Lexi Gold is spotted sitting on some crates with a bottle of water in hand. The fans in attendance cheered her on as The Golden Goddess looked dressed to compete for her match later on. She looked around at people passing by, but it was unclear what was running through her mind after last week's events. Crystal Ward entered the frame with a mic in hand. Lexi stood up and the two women stood side by side. Project Honor's faithful interviewer smiled and was willingly and ready to ask her questions.

CRYSTAL WARD: Lexi, tonight you have a big six person tag team match you are involved in against Giovanni, Johnny Levy and Sonya Benson and your partners are Brandon Hendrix and Tara Felix, so my question to you is after what transpired last week during your match, do you believe Giovanni has now gotten the upper advantage over you because of that?

She shakes her head and laughs to herself.

LEXI GOLD: I'm not gonna lie, Crystal. At first it did bother me what happened out there, but after thinking it through I realized that I shouldn't let Gio and his crazy antics bother me anymore. I'm much better than that. I have a bright future ahead of me and I'm not going to let him, or anyone else, hold me back from the opportunities I'm given.

CRYSTAL WARD: Do you believe you can trust your partners to have your back tonight?

She bites her bottom lip and stares up at the ceiling, then gives Crystal a nod.

LEXI GOLD: Yes, I want to believe so. There should be no reason why I shouldn't unless a mistake occurs, but I don't even wanna think about that. Tonight we are going to outpower all of them and leave them no choice but to eat a pinfall.

CRYSTAL WARD: You have yet to lose here in Project: Honor, so that should give you the motivation you need. I want to switch topics and talk about Douglas Crane who was spotted watching at ringside against your match with Stella Jade. Do you think he has a possible hidden agenda with you?

She scratches the back of her head and adjusts her elbow pads, not showing any kind of intimidation as his name gets mentioned.

LEXI GOLD: I honestly don't know what he wants from me. Does he scare me? Absolutely not, but I do find it odd that I peaked his interest. I will say this, if he dares attempt to get on my bad side he may not like what he sees as a result of that. I hope he chooses his path wisely.

Lexi quickly turns on her heel and makes her way back to her locker room to do the final preparations for her match while Crystal is left standing there to watch.



"Badstreet USA" by Crossfyre hits as Kyle Valentine and DJ Hunter, the Phantom Troupe begin walking down the entrance ramp- and neither of them look happy. Both of them, instead of their usual energetic selves, seem fuming and focused as they walk down toward the ring.

TREY BOOKER: Valentine and Hunter do not seem very happy after their last match.

J.T. PRICE: Can you blame them?! They were screwed! Completely set up to face both the Grand and X-Factor Champions. I wouldn't be happy either.

TREY BOOKER: They did, however, put up a great fight against the two champions, Emmanuelle and MYOJIN. They just shouldn't let the loss stay in their head as they have a match coming up right now.

J.T. PRICE: I don't think it's gonna distract them, Booker. It's probably motivation.

"Sick Sick Beat" by Kero Kero Bonito plays as Monsieur Minj walks down the entrance way. Smiling and waving toward the audience while taking his time toward getting to the ring. He climbs up to the apron and bows toward the audience before climbing in and waiting for his partner.

TREY BOOKER: Speaking of losses, Monsieur Minj hasn't exactly had the best track record here in Project: Honor. But can he change that today?

J.T. PRICE: What makes you think he stands a chance against Phantom Troupe?

TREY BOOKER: Anyone can win any day, JT. Have some faith!

With the lights going out within the arena, a set of laser lights shoot down onto the stage and strobe along to the beat of ‘Hydrochloride’, and one singular spotlight shines down onto a hooded figure as the opening lyrics are heard throughout the arena.

♫ YOU'VE TAKEN ALL MY PAIN AWAY
AND GAVE ME SHINY CHAINS
YOU'VE TAKEN ALL MY DOUBTS AWAY
REPLACED IT WITH THIS SHAME
YOU TOOK AWAY ALL MY PROBLEMS
YEAH, YOU BET
AND THEN YOU GAVE ME A BRAND NEW SET ♫

The figure soon lifts her hood past her head and shows the facial features that belong to Skylar Ramsey -- looking around the arena with a slight smirk to her face -- as she soon begins her long walk to the ring.

♫ I THOUGHT I WOULD RIDE THE HIGH SO HIGH UNTIL I CAN'T BE REACHED
BY GRAVITY
YOU WON'T CATCH ME
WON'T CATCH ME
EVERYONE EXCEPT ME ♫

As she soon makes her way around the ring, Skylar slides right under the bottom ropes and brings herself up to one knee, sliding off her ring jacket before leaping back up to her feet and charging into the corner -- where Skylar leaps onto the second rope and looks out to the crowd with that sly grin to her expression

TREY BOOKER: Ramsay and Minj have the chance to right past wrongs and pick up a much needed win. It just depends on how motivated they are tonight.

J.T. PRICE: Do you see the looks on Valentine and Hunter's faces? I heavily doubt it.

DING! DING! DING!

The bell rings as the two teams decide who starts first. Minj persuades Ramsay to let him begin, Hunter steps in first- giving Valentine a thumbs up. Minj and Hunter move to the center of the ring before beginning with a collar and elbow tie-up! Hunter with the clear weight advantage begins to start pushing Minj toward the ropes, but Minj quickly side steps with catlike reflexes to place Hunter against the ropes! The ref demands a clean break- and Minj begins to let go, but with a smug smile as he blows a kiss in Hunter's Face- SUPERKICK! A SUPERKICK THAT LAYS MINJ COMPLETELY OUT FROM HUNTER WHO GLARES AT HIS LAID OUT OPPONENT!

TREY BOOKER: What the HELL?! SUDDEN GLAMSHOCK ROCK FROM DJ HUNTER, AND MINJ IS OUT!

J.T. PRICE: IT CONNECTED FLUSH!

Ramsay looks stunned on the apron! Hunter motions for his partner to get onto the ring and Valentine doesn't hesitate! Valentine lifts Minj up into a vertical suplex- HUNTER DELIVERS A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE BACK OF MINJ'S HEAD BEFORE VALENTINE DROPS HIM WITH A BRAINBUSTER!

TREY BOOKER: WALKING THE DRAGONS!

J.T. PRICE: THEY'RE CLEANING HOUSE!

Ramsay runs into the ring to try and make the save- NO! DJ INTERCEPTS HER WITH A SPINNING BACK KICK TO THE STOMACH! KYLE DELIVERS A SUPERKICK TO HER JAW, SHE'S ROCKED ON HER FEET! BOTH MEN DELIVER PICTURE PERFECT GAMENGIRIS TO THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF HER FACE, SHE FALLS OVER LIFELESS AND KYLE QUICKLY SHOVES HER BODY BACK OUT THE RING, FOLLOWING HER TO THE OUTSIDE AS HE TOSSES HER INTO THE BARRICADES SO HARD SHE ALMOST FLIES OVER THEM! Ramsay is out cold!

TREY BOOKER: JESUS! PHANTOM TROUPE HAVE SNAPPED!

J.T. PRICE: They're making a statement here tonight, Booker! They're done playing games!

Meanwhile in the ring, Hunter lifts Minj's limp body and puts him up over his shoulders. He holds his legs and cradles his head behind his back AND TAKES A RUNNING START BEFORE JUMPING- AND DROPPING MINJ HEAD AND NECK FIRST INTO THE CANVAS WITH THE AIR RAID CRASH!

TREY BOOKER: V-8!

J.T. PRICE: AND LIKE THAT, IT'S DONE!

Hunter wastes no time hooking the legs! The referee drops to count!

ONE!

TWO!

THREEEEE!

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ:And your winners…. The PHAAAAAAANTOM TROOOOUPE!

Valentine makes his way back into the ring, though still neither of the two seem cheery about their victory as they don't even bother to have their hands raised bg the referee. Both leave the ring and begin heading back up the entrance ramp, the crowd uneasy and surprised.

TREY BOOKER: What is going on with Phantom Troupe?

J.T. PRICE: I'll tell you what's going on, they found their edge. That last loss upset them greatly and they've had enough.

TREY BOOKER: The KaVengers should be very, very scared.


The camera fades in to the backstage area where Betsy Gallagher is currently standing by with Proving Ground Backstage Interviewer, Crystal Ward. Betsy looks ready to go, even though there's still one more match before her title opportunity against Casanova English for the Warrior Rising Championship.

CRYSTAL WARD: Ladies and gentlemen, we're here backstage with the No. 1 Contender to Casanova English's Warrior Rising Championship, Betsy Gallagher.

Crystal turns to Betsy with a professional smile, and Lady Gallagher simply nods, as she listens intently to the inevitable question that should come up right away.

CRYSTAL WARD: Betsy, this is your first title opportunity here on Proving Ground. How are you feeling right now?

BETSY GALLAGHER: Well, first of all, Crystal, fancy seeing you back here and not at that Starbucks a couple of days ago... It feels bloody amazing to be here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the PPG Arena!

Betsy pauses to let the crowd cheer themselves, a typical face move. If anything, Betsy is a student of her craft, and her family, the infamous wrestling family of the Gallaghers back in the UK, taught her every bit of knowledge she needed to be where she is right now.

BETSY GALLAGHER: Tonight, I get my first title opportunity on Proving Ground, and I am feeling amazing! Let me give you a quick run down of my career in this promotion so far, and by quick, I mean really quick because I haven't been here for long, but I've already made an impact, plowing through my competition in decisive victories.

Crystal nods with that wide smile on her face as Betsy switches her attention from her to the camera directly.

BETSY GALLAGHER: On December 24, 2021, Proving Ground XXVIII: Seasons Beatings, instead of spending Christmas eve at home with my family, which wasn't a big loss because the Gallaghers also wrestle on holidays, I instead debuted in a singles match, a dark match, against Rapture and beat the holy hell out of him. Louis Armstrong Stadium was never, ever, the same again. Thank you, New York!

BETSY GALLAGHER: My second match was at Unbreakable Resolution II, January 9, 2022. It was a Newbies vs. OGs Eight-Person Tag Match with me, Giovanni, Sonya Benson, & Stella Jade on one side, and DIANA, John Blade, Monsieur Minj, & Officer Greyfield on the other. Guess who won that match, Crystal?

CRYSTAL WARD: You guys?

BETSY GALLAGHER: Yes, us guys. Columbus, Ohio's Nationwide Arena saw me hit John Blade with a Betsy Bomb, and that was the highlight of that match.

CRYSTAL WARD: But didn't Sonya Benson get the pin in that match?

Betsy takes a moment to breathe when Crystal reminds her of that whole thing with Sonya stealing Stella's pin. It shouldn't bother her, she thinks to herself, because she wasn't even anywhere near that finish.

BETSY GALLAGHER: Yes, Crystal, Sonya Benson got the pin in that match, but Sonya Benson isn't here, and this isn't about Sonya Benson.

Crystal makes a face that signifies she knows she screwed up on that one but remains steadfast beside Casanova English's title contender for the night. Betsy shakes her head, hands on her hips, and continues.

BETSY GALLAGHER: ...my third match was against Skylar Ramsey, another singles match, at Proving Ground XXIX: The Rat Race, and as my winning streak persisted, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH, witnessed my third straight win in this company. Three matches, three wins, zero losses... This title opportunity will not be any different. PPG Arena... Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania... After three straight victories, my fourth match, this title match, will be the perfect crowning achievement.

Betsy takes another moment to turn to Crystal who just stands there, nodding at her, before shifting her attention back to the camera, a look of fiery determination on her face.

BETSY GALLAGHER: Casanova English... I hate to be the bearer of BAD NEWS, but your time is over... It's my time now. GG!

Betsy gives Crystal one final nod before walking away as the crowd starts chanting "GG, Betsy, GG!" throughout the arena. Crystal turns to the camera one last time and nods.

CRYSTAL WARD: Well, there we have it, folks. Betsy Gallagher versus Casanova English for the Warrior Rising Championship tonight! Will Betsy rise to the challenge? Or will English be the better warrior? This could very well be the match of the night! Back to ringside!



With the bell ringing for the next match, 'Hurt' by Johnny Cash plays on the PA system as the crowd quickly reacted to it with a cascade of boos. Moving at a steady pace, Douglas Crane makes his way onto the entrance ramp, his piercing blue eyes locked only on the ring in front of him and completely uncaring of all the people that yell obscenities at him from behind the barricades.

HOLLY PEREZ: Currently making his way to the ring, from a place that can't be determined, he is Douglas Crane!

With the announcement of his name, he slowly moves further down the ramp as further boos cascade down on him. But the boos quickly change to an excited roar as from behind the curtain appears LeeAnn Morgan who has no interest in waiting for her entrance to start fighting, with a baseball bat in hand the first target is the inside of Crane's knee which quickly buckles from the hard blow, causing him to fall to one knee.

TREY BOOKER: LeeAnn Morgan is wasting no time, and she looks ready to KILL Douglas Crane!

J.T. PRICE: Hey, if Crane thought he had an easy target last week, he made a massive freaking mistake taking aim at The Gypsy Rose!

As Crane is circled by Morgan, she raises her bat once more and swings it straight at her opponent's head with deadly force. But in a bout of self-preservation Crane first throws up his forearms, taking the full blunt force to his arms rather than his skull, and on the second swing he ducks under and shoots the leg, blasting his shoulder into LeeAnn's stomach and forcefully throwing her to the floor, as the bat sails off in an arc and out of danger.

But rather than continue the fight, Crane shakily gets to his feet, trying to shake life into his arms and slowly limping towards the ring to officially start the match. But before he could make it to the apron, he keels over in pain from the Dirt Road low blow that lands him straight in the universal weakness, crumpling to the floor.

What follows are more stomps to the knee of Douglas Crane, for as long as he's unable to defend himself LeeAnn placed boot, knee, elbow to the knee before grabbing him by his hair and moving him towards the ring steps and jamming the knee between it and the ringpost. Taking a short run up, LeeAnn proceeds to throw herself through the air with a Dark and Damp Cannonball that hits the steps but only rings hollow as Douglas Crane manages to wiggle out and onto the apron at the last second.

J.T. PRICE: At this rate, we're giving those Fallout loonies a run for their money!

TREY BOOKER: But all this fighting won't matter if neither competitor gets in the ring to start the match!

For the first time since appearing, Douglas seemed to have a modicum of upperhand as LeeAnn gingerly got up from giving herself the full force from the ring steps. Douglas, despite sporting a significant limp, would muscle through the pain and grab the woman by her hair to forcefully bring her up onto the apron. Despite neither being in the ring, the referee decides it's close enough and calls for the match to start.

But despite the calls to get into the ring proper, the two would trade hard stiff blows back and forth on the apron with no care for their own health or the match itself. LeeAnn would temporarily regain control with a snapping kick to the knee that causes Crane to buckle once more, but Crane uses the momentary change in stance to pounce into striking position, using his weight advantage to lift the hometown favorite up in the air and crash her neck-down onto the apron with a brainbuster that sucks all the air out of the room as both of them crash to the floor below, Crane clutching his knee and LeeAnn seemingly lifeless.

TREY BOOKER: Oh my Goodness, that could've killed her!

J.T. PRICE: This is f**king SIIICK!

Two ringside doctors are quick to tend to both competitors, but Crane wilfully ignores it as he pushes away the first and then the second to pick LeeAnn's unmoving body up and throwing her into the ring, sliding after her and immediately planting his hand onto her throat in full sight of the referee.

Release Me!

Crane's yell would haunt through the arena as the referee did his best to first tell him to release the blatant chokehold, but after reaching four the referee decides to take matters into their own hands and uses his entire body weight to bowl Crane off and force the break, quickly tending to LeeAnn who stirred sluggishly to life, unyielding and unwilling to give up despite nearly getting her spine severed earlier.

Like a man possessed, Crane would stand in the corner muttering some words to himself, continuing to repeat the words he yelled and completely gone from the world itself. It would give ample time to his opponent to slowly recover herself, and as Crane finally managed to find a second of clarity to turn around, he'd fall back to the ground as LeeAnn swept the leg and quickly locked in her Wilted Rose knee bar on the stricken leg of Douglas Crane, who even despite his otherwise cold stoic demeanor couldn't help but show a clear grimace of pain.

J.T. PRICE: She's gonna rip his knee off!

But possibly in her own fit of rage or a miscalculation, Douglas would manage to reach the ropes in time to force a break. But in a case of turnabout, LeeAnn would refuse to let go of the hold herself, making every second of the count as agonizingly painful for Crane as possible and seeking to do as much damage as possible to the knee in that short timespan.

TREY BOOKER: I think if that had been in the middle of the ring, this match would've been over just now!

Releasing the hold on Crane's leg, LeeAnn would break for a second before grabbing his leg in a bid to pull him further into the ring. But Crane wouldn't let it happen so easily, using his healthy leg to kick at Morgan to release her hold and push her away far away enough to get to his knees, if only to see LeeAnn coming right back at him with full speed looking to hit the Parade shining wizard, but Crane ducks under it and LeeAnn crashes straight into the ropes behind and awkwardly bounces back into Crane who hoists her up and hits a hard neckbreaker on her weakened neck, before hoisting her up and again and hitting a second, a third, before letting her up long enough to bring her up above him and keeps balance long enough to drop her head first onto the turnbuckle for Snake Eyes, immediately on the rebound locking in the masterful Standing Cobra Clutch.

Release me!

Once more Douglas Crane's trance-like voice would ring through the arena as the man loses balance and falls to the mat but keeping the hold locked in in the middle of the ring, LeeAnn scratching and clawing for seconds before her hand falls limp and the referee quickly calls for the bell.

HOLLY PEREZ: Your winner by referee stoppage, Douglas Crane!

Unlike the last time, the sound of the bell ringing through the arena makes Crane let go of the chokehold on his opponent. Closing his eyes and kneeling himself next to his opponent as he took in deep breaths.

TREY BOOKER: LeeAnn brought fire and fury to destroy Douglas Crane tonight, but Crane managed to lock in that Cobra Clutch and brought home the victory.

J.T. PRICE: She focused too much on hurting Crane and not enough on beating him, Crane did fight through a hellacious beating though!

With the referee raising the hand of the kneeled Crane, the camera goes to commercial.




Going backstage, we find backstage reporter Crystal Ward standing ready with a microphone in hand. Having joined her already, the sight of Giovanni and his muse Calliope hanging on his arm, the artiste looking somewhat incredulous at being drawn into a thing like an interview backstage.

CRYSTAL WARD: Giovanni, last week you made a clear attempt at trying to attack Lexi Gold during her match. Going into the ring and throwing your 'Starstruck' superkick, missing her but hitting her opponent and in many ways ruining her victory.

Giovanni and Calliope would scoff ostentatiously, looking ever more insulted at the situation and the line of questioning from the backstage reporter.

GIOVANNI: Excuse me, Crystal? First of all I didn't miss because I never intended to throw a superkick, it just happened. I was leaving my spot from commentary and through sheer freak accident I ended up standing in that ring, and I guess someone like you would construe my actions as me attempting my patented attack on Lexi Gold?!

Scoffing ever louder, Giovanni stares a dagger at the interviewer, getting half a step closer to speak more intently.

GIOVANNI: Lexi Gold is beneath me, and her obsession with me is something that is her problem and not mine. And just because the media is trying to make it my problem doesn't mean I'll just let it happen. If you can't accept that, fine. If Lexi Gold can't accept that, I can only tell you she's delusional enough to think that I would waste my precious artistic time on causing her grief...

Throwing up a hand with a roll of his eyes, he smiled a little bit.

GIOVANNI: Besides, there was nothing to ruin. Those two in one match was terrible enough as it is, so if I did do what you said I did, which I didn't, then you and everyone else should be thanking me, rather than blaming a completely innocent bystander such as myself.

CRYSTAL WARD: But Gio--

Before Crystal could finish her sentence, Calliope wagged a finger in her face with a scowl that could curdle milk.

CALLIOPE: No butts, lady. Stop pestering this beautiful sensitive artistic soul with your rotten ideas. He doesn't have time for you, or this Lexi Gold woman, so leave. him. alone!

Calliope wanted to continue, and Crystal wanted to leave as quickly as possible, but as she turned around she bounced straight into Lexi Gold, who herself seemed primed for a fight right now, rather than later tonight. In a nearly instantaneous reaction, Giovanni would slither behind Calliope, side-eyeing the other party with mistrust.

GIOVANNI: My dear muse, tell that woman to stop her obsessions over me!

LEXI GOLD: That's classic Giovanni, isn't it? The moment someone challenges your bullshit, you go and hide behind your muse who is too oblivious to realize that she's being played every single day she's hanging around with you.

Calliope and Giovanni alike would look shocked and appalled at the insinuation, but they took a step back rather than challenging Lexi's words. But instead of allowing them to step back, Lexi would take two steps forward for every step they retreated.

LEXI GOLD: How about I don't wait until our trios match so you can hide amongst your equally despicable friends, and I'll kick your ass right here and right now for ruining my match, and showing that I won't let any asshole sneak attack me from behind!

Taking multiple steps towards Giovanni, the artiste was prepared to push Calliope straight into the path of the aggressor, but at the last second a voice called out from beyond, with Giovanni's personal ambulance chaser stepping into the fray.

Larry Livingstone: Slow down there, missy. As Giovanni's official legal counsel, you cannot lay a hand on him outside of an officially sanctioned wrestling contest. And if you do, I will ensure your diet will be sawdust and instant ramen for the next five years.

The empty threats didn't arrive with Lexi who seemed to have little interest in heeding the advice, but Larry would step in between the two parties and straighten his tie whilst winking confidently at Giovanni.

Larry Livingstone: Don't worry 'G and C', I took a tai-chi class in college once to impress this girl. I can take this toots down any day of the week.

Getting into what could only be called an attempted fighting pose, Larry would flail wildly at Lexi Gold to chase her off. But instead of letting him off the hook for it, Lexi easily caught one of the hands out of the air and twisted it at the wrist to a loud and high-pitched scream of pain and shock. But instead of retreating, foolish Larry would throw his other hand and a kick at Lexi to try and gain the upper hand, which only resulted in both of them going to the floor, but Lexi would be the one having the upper hand as she instinctively locked in her Golden Flare hold, quickly taking out Larry Livingstone. But before she could even sink it in completely, Larry had somehow already found a way to pass out from it.

But as she let go and got up, ready to take on Giovanni, she could only see the boots of Calliope running after Giovanni away from the scene and to safety.

LEXI GOLD: Fine, then i'll kick your stupid ass later tonight!

With a growl from Lexi Gold and a shot of her standing over Larry Livingstone, Lexi let out an angry curse as the camera panned away.



With the bell ringing for the impending match, ‘Dusted’ by Asteroid Boys start playing out loud as the crowd lets out a roar of excitement. From behind the curtain quickly appears Betsy Gallagher, who looks poised and confident, her robe slung over her shoulders and throwing her arms to the side. The crowd lets their appreciation and hope sound by chanting her name. With a smile at the camera, Betsy made a belt-gesture at her waist as she made her way down the ramp.

TREY BOOKER: Betsy Gallagher has had three matches and has collected three impressive wins since her debut on Proving Ground, and tonight she not just faces her biggest challenge to date, but with the highest stakes to date.

J.T. PRICE: She looks confident, that’s for sure. But who knows what happens when the bell rings properly, the chance to win the Warrior Rising belt is a very real possibility, but bigger competitors have wilted under bright lights like these. Those three wins won’t matter if she can’t make it happen tonight!

Getting onto the apron, she took a good look around at the sold out jam-packed arena that were unequivocally on their feet for her, in the hope that she could walk out of the show as the new champion.

After Betsy gets into her corner as the lights grow dim and ‘Real Solution #9’ by White Zombie slowly fills the air, the cheers dying down in place of a wary murmur.


With a flicker of the light, the audience is greeted by the presence of Casanova English standing on the stage with the gold of the title shimmering in the occasional shot of a camera, and the small red flicker of a lit cigarette on the man’s lips.


Taking a drag from his cigarette, the lights go back on and the crowd’s dislike of the man ramps up to a fever pitch as they yell their insults and their derision at the champion, who merely slings the belt across his shoulder and is subsequently flanked by his shirtless confidante Bash Daddy who joins him to the ring.

J.T. PRICE: And there’s champion, confidence incarnate, there’s nothing about Casanova that in any way implies that he’s been shaken by two tough losses in a row. Because in the mind of Casanova English, he is still Warrior Rising champion, and he’ll be looking to walk out here tonight being able to say the same.

TREY BOOKER: That may be, but ‘Cas’ made it clear how much he wanted to add to his collection, and failing to win X-Factor gold or take any of the spoils on Fallout 19 will definitely sting, even if he puts on his best face… And you can’t underestimate the power of momentum, which is firmly on the side of his undefeated opponent tonight!

After harassing a few audience members with lung damage from second hand smoking, Casanova slides into the ring, letting out his final drag before flicking the cigarette butt into the audience and blowing up a sizable puff of smoke into the air. His eyes confidently staring a hole in Betsy Gallagher’s existence, with Bash Daddy adding a second dose of intimidation to the unwavering challenger.

HOLLY PEREZ: Ladies and Gentleman, this match tonight is scheduled for one fall, and will be for the Warrior Rising Championship!

The referee, after needing to ask for it thrice, would take the belt from Casanova English and raise it above him for the world to see.

HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing the challenger, she hails from Manchester, England, and comes in tonight weighing in at 143 pounds. She is the undefeated challenger, ‘Titania’ Betsy Gallagher!

The crowd roars to life once more as Betsy takes the sight of the belt with little emotion, her mind focused on the match at hand.

HOLLY PEREZ: And the defending champion, he stood in at 220 pounds and hails from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, by way of Hamilton. He is the current Warrior Rising Champion, he is Casanova English!

The boos rain down as Casanova shrugged at the sound of it and merely made a joke to Bash Daddy on the outside about how quickly he’d finish the match and retake possession of the title.

With the pleasantries behind them, the referee is quick to not waste anymore time and call for the match to begin.

Betsy Gallagher is eager to move to the middle of the ring and seize momentum early, but the champion has other ideas as he stays in the corner for a few seconds longer before calmly and almost lazily moving forward to meet the challenger. Eventually after at least a minute of circling and stalling, Betsy proceeds to no longer wait and forces Cas into a lock up in an attempt to take control, a test of strength is quickly moved into a headlock, and quickly gets snapped onto the canvas below as the crowd lets out a roar.

But English made it obvious how little effort he was putting into fighting back as he goes through the motions and lets the Brit try her best to chain wrestle the Canadian. Eventually Betsy would realize the lack of fight-back too, and with slight frustration let go of the hold and push Casanova away to get back onto her feet.

TREY BOOKER: Cas shows no interest in chain wrestling tonight.

J.T. PRICE: He’ll fight his own fight, and get in the head of the challenger and ramp up those nerves a bit extra.

After Casanova followed, Betsy got straight in his face about making a mockery of the match he’s supposed to be fighting with her, and Casanova only gets a bigger smile on his face as he decides to add a little bit of fuel to the fire with a hard slap in her face.

The crowd lets out ‘ooh’s’ at the pure display of disrespect and disinterest, and Betsy’s face grows red as she closes what little distance had been between her and runs Casanova into the corner, the champion quickly moving in between the ropes to force a break. His ally Bash Daddy adding some more smack talk from the sidelines, but quickly being given a mean glare from Betsy.

That small glare was all the opening that English would ask for, as he suddenly decided to spring into action and hit a crisp drop kick to the chin that sends the challenger falling to the mat and Casanova quickly follows up by hitting a Russian leg sweep as Betsy tries to get up, and immediately transitions it into a pull of the leg and knee to add some extra damage to the legs to set up future offense.

It’s just as quickly followed up with hard elbows to the face of his British opponent to add some insult to injury, and eventually a quick pin.

One!

Betsy has nothing of it as she kicks out before the second hand can drop and scrambles backwards and to one knee, rubbing her nose to make sure it wasn’t busted. Casanova tries to follow up with a shining wizard, but Betsy counters with a quick and clean powerslam to the canvas, not letting Casanova get any chance to recover she grabs his left wrist and starts twisting it to the right to keep him off balance, and with the champion vulnerable she pulls him towards her for the short-arm Queen’s Lariat that drops Casanova to the canvas.

Before she could add punishment to her opponent, English is pulled out of the ring by Bash Daddy who puts himself on the apron between challenger and champion. The referee is quick to admonish the man for involving himself in the match, but Betsy cares little as she slides out of the ring on the side and gets ready to move around the stairs.

But English had recovered and was waiting, taking flight over the ring steps and hitting a flying forearm to the challenger that sends her reeling backwards, Cas follows up by getting onto the apron and jumping off and giving Betsy an ‘English Lesson’ Fameasser that plants her head first into the barely padded floor outside the ring.

TREY BOOKER: Typical cheap shots from the champion!

English smiles as the referee calls them to get back into the ring, but he has other ideas, picking up a groggy Betsy and putting her into position and hitting her with the ‘Fredericton Facelift’ Styles Clash on the floor. With the damage done, the champion slides in the ring and calls to the referee to start counting.

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

TREY BOOKER: And now he wants a count-out win, he doesn’t even want to beat Betsy straight up tonight!

J.T. PRICE: A win’s a win, and the champion doesn’t need to prove himself to anybody, Trey!

Betsy slowly stirs on the outside, but the blood trickling from her nose from repeated shots to her face added to the haggard movements of the challenger who was struggling to shake off the cobwebs in her head.

Five!

Six!

Finally some life was returning to Betsy as she pushed herself to her knees and her feet, but Bash Daddy was quick to try and distract her even further. The chants of the crowd swelling larger and larger as they willed Betsy to get back into the ring to continue her title challenge.

Seven!

Eight!

But as the crowd lets out one final roar, Betsy Gallagher doesn’t wait any longer and rushes back into the ring, where Casanova had been waiting and ready to pounce as he tries a second shining wizard, which isn’t countered but dodged instead as Betsy got behind him and quickly hit him in the face with a European uppercut, a second one, and a third one that staggered the champion backwards. The challenger, feeling the energy and adrenaline, with a good helping of seeing red as well.

English doesn’t accept backing down though, and pushes Betsy away from him before speeding up and trying to retake control, but the crowd roars again as Betsy throws English up in the air and slams him spine first into the canvas with a pop-up powerbomb that for the first time shows genuine weakness in the champion.

Casanova barely got up to his knees before Betsy followed up, trapping his arms and with a pumphandle lift dropping her into the British End STO. Betsy nodded her head and the crowd reacted in kind as they felt the end was nigh.

J.T. PRICE: She shouldn’t waste time, the champ needs little time to recover if she does.

Wanting to ensure that Casanova wouldn’t get up, Betsy quickly decided to run the ropes and deliver her Regal Knee. But just as she hits the ropes a hand stretches out and pulls her leg out from under her, causing her to fall face first to the mat.

The referee had seen enough, and would quickly get onto the apron to admonish Bash Daddy for a final time for his involvement, but rather than give him a final chance, he quickly points to the back and ejects him from ringside! The crowd letting him hear it with goodbye chants as he stomped his feet.

TREY BOOKER: Finally, he’s been way too much of a nuisance tonight!

Betsy took a few seconds to recover as she wiped some dried blood away from her nose, and the momentary distraction allowed him to close in and push his fingers straight into Betsy’s eyes whilst raking at her nose for extra pain, wiping some of the blood into her eyes to ensure she’d not see enough to fight back.

Blinded and struggling to breathe, Betsy stumbled around and pushed the champion away from her, the referee turning around none the wiser and just in time for Casanova to leap forward to lock in Silence of the Lambs… But despite being off balance and partially blinded, the British challenger finds the werewithal to counter it into a modified Betsy Bomb sitout powerbomb straight into the pin!

One!

Two!

Thrrrrrrrr-Kickout!

An audible gasp and shock reverbs through the arena as the champion kicks out only a fraction before the referee's hand hits the canvas. And neither the crowd, the challenger, or even the referee could believe that the champion managed to survive Betsy’s best attempts.

TREY BOOKER: Holy moly, how did the champion kick out of that?!

J.T. PRICE: Betsy was off-balance and had to modify her powerbomb, so that must’ve given Casanova English just enough of a chance, and that’s all the champion needed!

Clearing her eyes and pulling at her hair, Betsy looked devastated at the near-fall and pounds the mat in frustration as her eyes stared a hole at the champion still barely stirring after the powerbomb. Biting her cheek, she threw her now blood-streaked hair behind her shoulder and got up to her feet. Picking the limp body of the champion up to something resembling a standing base, she proceeded to show her herculean power by deadlifting him for her Hexcalibur Double Underhook Brainbuster…

But English slips out, possibly through mere instinct he causes Betsy to lose grip of the hold and cause the champion to fall down to the canvas, but more importantly it gives him a moment of confusion to use his final energy to leap up and lock Betsy Gallagher into the Silence of the Lamb triangle choke, the champion locking it in deep and causing the challenger to quickly be pulled to the canvas with him.

Unable to breathe properly, Betsy showed a second where she seemed like tapping but it was too late already as her body went limp and the referee ran in and called for the bell to ring.

HOLLY PEREZ: Here’s your winner by submission, and STILL Warrior Rising Champion, CASANOVA ENGLISH!

Letting go of the hold, Casanova stumbles backwards into the ropes and shakily gets himself to a standing base as he smiles widely at the sight of his championship gold being returned to him, but would show no interest in the referee raising his hand as the winner.

TREY BOOKER: The crowd has been stunned silent by this epic title match, but Casanova has managed to use his experience to find victory in the end!

J.T. PRICE: I must admit, Betsy fought as valiantly as her British heritage would push her, but it wasn’t enough, but maybe that’ll change in the future.

With Bash Daddy returning from backstage, he helped the exhausted champion out of the ring as English raised his belt extra high and taunted a few unsuspecting children in the front row who looked distraught over Betsy’s loss.

TREY BOOKER: This might just be the start of the gauntlet for English, though. Because there’s still more challengers looking to get their hands on that gold, and if every single one of those fights will be a war like this one, he might end up losing that gold he loves to flaunt to everyone in sight.

J.T. PRICE: It won’t happen tonight, Pittsburgh will have to deal with Casanova English’s victory parade for a good while longer.

With the image of Casanova English receiving a cigarette from Bash Daddy, the show goes to a commercial break at the sight of the champion lighting it up in celebration.




Just when the fans think it’s safe, “Shatter Me” by Lindsey Stirling blasts over the speakers, erupting the masses into jeers.

TREY BOOKER: Oh no. Please, haven’t we suffered enough tonight?

J.T. PRICE: I would suffer dragging my body through seven miles of broken glass just to hear Sonya fart through a walkie talkie. I wonder if she’s going to recite another poem?!

The woman in question is flanked by her bodyguard Smith and her manager Norris, and they make quick work of their trek to the ring, whereupon Norris wipes off the house mic with a sanitary wipe and hands it off to Sonya Benson.

Sonya Benson: Excuse me for the intrusion here. I wanted to address this earlier, but I didn’t want to step on the toes of my colleagues as they did their thing. I think you all know why I’m out here. I’m once again beseeching the locker room for a personal wrestling trainer. I’ve been doing this for approximately six months now, across different promotions, to no avail despite offering one million dollars. I realize that money might not be the best way to go about it now. I think people would much rather see me beg. They want to see me supplicate myself to the locker room; to humiliate myself before them all. Well, I guess when straights are dire as mine are, you must do these things.

Sonya paces for several moments, and after some last second encouragement from Norris, she begrudgingly drops to her knees facing the entrance ramp.

Sonya Benson: Fine! Here I am! On my knees begging. Please, I’m begging someone to have a heart. Do you really want this sport dragged through the mud even more if someone mauls me to death in a match? It’s not like this sport can stand to suffer any more black eyes. Come on. Do the right thing!

She waits. A moment passes. Then another. And another. More moments. A minute. Those big blue pools of hope become deeply worried and saddened upon the grim realization that not even begging can afford her what she needs. Finally, the flood barriers break and she bursts into tears. Her sobbing is a pitiful sight to behold, one that draws satisfaction from her haters in the crowd. She then stands up and, still sobbing, exits the ring with her entourage in tow.

Norris comforts her as she heads up the ramp, while Smith pulls out a large umbrella which he uses to shield her from the food, drinks, and trash being hurled at her. She disappears through the curtain as “na na na na… na na na na…. Hey hey hey…. Goodbye” is sung to her by the fans merrily enjoying her misery.


The screen cuts to somewhere backstage where we see both members of PepperJack Cheese in the form of Percival Burque & Serrano Poblano as they are talking amongst themselves when suddenly…

VOICE: Hey Slapnuts!

Percival turns around at that and promptly gets blasted full force in the face by a steel chair swung by the Phantom Troupe’s DJ Hunter, but before Serrano can do anything to help his partner, he gets a face full of a Kyle Valentine forearm that knocks him back! Valentine starts to lay the boots to him while DJ hauls Percival up before he starts to unload several stiff shotei palm strikes! Serrano is already fighting back against Kyle, who is pissed off enough that he is absorbing the other man’s strikes and returning them with even stiffer blows. He quickly catches his right arm and hooks it before hitting some knee strikes hard into the face and upper chest of Serrano before looking over at his partner…

DJ HUNTER: DO IT!

Kyle hauls Serrano up and then hits an Elevated Powerbomb on him, putting him through a wooden crate next to them! DJ feeds the other half of “Pepper Jack Cheese” to his partner and then hits another Elevated Powerbomb onto Percival, which drives him hard right through two tables that were set up near-by, at which point Kyle looks down at the two of them with a rather twisted smile on his face…

KYLE VALENTINE: That was just the down payment boys, we’ll be seeing you later. Cheers, mother fuckers!

The Phantom Troupe then starts to walk off, but Kyle stops and looks at a stack of chairs next to the fallen forms of Percival and Serrano. With that same wicked grin, he pushes the stack over onto the two fallen men, raining metal down upon them as the Troupe member then simply walks off to catch up with his partner as the screen fades back to ringside…



'Fame' by Irene Cara begins to play through the loudspeakers as fog fills the stage. The music picks up and Johnny Levy charges out through the curtain flanked by Barlon Mando to a cascade of sparks. Johnny gestures to the crowd to stand up and holds a hand to his ear as a chorus of boos is rained down onto him. The Superstar smiles and raises his hands into the air as fire and colorful fireworks are shot off from the stage. Johnny begins to make his way down to the ring.

HOLLY PEREZ: The following trios tag team contest is set for one fall! Making his way down to the ring, accompanied by his personal valet and bodyguard, this is “Superstar” Johnny Levy!

Johnny climbs the stairs and steps through the ropes, immediately climbing the turnbuckle as he stoically stairs out to the crowd.

TREY BOOKER: As if we haven’t seen enough of these three already, now it’s finally time for them to back up their behavior in the ring…

With the smooth sultry tones of Madonna's Vogue filling the air, the crowd turn 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: Next, 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.

“Shatter Me” by Lindsey Stirling plays and the crowd jeers the hateful anti pro wrestling activist turned pro wrestler against her will as she emerges atop the ramp flanked by her manager Norris and her bodyguard Smith. Sonya makes a speedy trek down to the ring because she does not want to freaking be here.

HOLLY PEREZ: And their partner, accompanied by Norris and Smith, Sonya Benson!

Before she can even make it to the ring, the music is suddenly cut off, causing Sonya to stop and look back to the ramp. Suddenly, Tara Fenix, Brandon Hendrix, and Lexi Gold all charge out the curtains and down the ramp!

TREY BOOKER: It looks like this one is starting early as these three can’t wait to get their hands on Sonya, Giovanni, and Levy!

J.T. PRICE: This is ridiculous. We have rules here for a reason! This isn’t Fallout! Wait for the bell.

Sonya quickly runs to the aid of Levy and Giovanni in the ring while her and Levy’s bodyguards, Smith and Barlon, try to delay the enraged trio, but it doesn’t work as they’re immediately taken out of action by a running knee strike by Lexi Gold and Fall of the Guard by Brandon Hendrix!

TREY BOOKER: Hendrix is not taking his time in dishing out some pain for his big return to Project; Honor!

J.T. PRICE: God forbid someone tries to keep things from getting out of hand.

TREY BOOKER: After that blatant attack last week, I can’t blame him for being in a hurry to get his hands on the Superstar.

Brandon gets back to his feet and the three all quickly slide into the ring prompting Sonya, Levy, and Giovanni to exit the opposite side. The crowd cheers as Tara Fenix, Lexi Gold, and Brandon stand tall in the center of the ring. After keeping the cowardly trio out of the ring for a while, they eventually make their way to their corner where they decide to have Lexi Gold start. Sonya, Giovanni, and Levy all talk outside the ring, eventually deciding to have Levy start the match. Finally with all competitors in the ring, the ref calls for the bell to start the action!

The two begin to circle the ring slowly getting closer to one another. Just as it looks like they are about to lock up, Levy quickly sidesteps and walks toward the ropes taunting toward the crowd and dismissing his opponent. Lexi doesn’t hesitate though as she charges at Levy who steps to the side, causing Lexi to get caught up in the ropes and giving Levy the chance to grab her around the waist. Levy quickly hits a belly to back slam and transitions into a side headlock.

TREY BOOKER: Levy has taken control early on, taking advantage of Lexi’s temper.

J.T. PRICE: This is why you gotta keep a cool head while you’re in that ring.

Lexi begins to climb back to her feet, sending elbow strokes into the gut of Levy loosening his grip. Lexi begins to push Levy into the ropes, whipping him to the opposite side of the ring. Lexi charges after catching Levy with a big flying crossbody shortly after he rebounds off the ropes. Levy crawls toward the neutral corner to try and recuperate but isn’t given much time to breath as Lexi is immediately back to her feet and follows him to the corner. Levy begins climbing the ropes back to his feet but is caught with a hard toe kick to the gut dropping him into a seated position in the corner. Lexi stands on one of the ropes and begins to stomp down onto the neck of Levy, choking him between her foot and the bottom rope. The referee steps in and begins a count, prompting Lexi to release the hold.

Brandon reaches out calling for the tag. Lexi turns to him, allowing Levy to pull her tights, sending her outside the ring. Levy crawls to the center of the ring and begins to recover. Lexi begins to recover as well, but instead of reentering the ring sets her sights on Giovanni. She rips Giovanni to the floor by his ankles and takes a swing, narrowly missing his pretty face. Giovanni runs from her, leading her into a chase around the ring, eventually sliding inside. As Lexi follows him in, Levy begins to stomp on her, not allowing her to get up. Having seen enough, Brandon charges into the ring and chases Levy away from Lexi, giving her time to recover. Levy runs to the corner where Giovanni has just gotten back into position tagging him in. Brandon pulls Lexi to their corner and steps out to tag himself in. Tara watches as this all happens, not yet ready to enter the match.

TREY BOOKER: It looks like Hendrix is tired of waiting and is ready to get back to action.

J.T. PRICE: And it looks like Lexi will have to wait before she can get her hands on Giovanni…thankfully!

Brandon runs across the ring to Giovanni who is taken off guard, being hit by a big clothesline. Giovanni springs back up to his feet and gets hit by a follow up big boot. This time, the artist stays on the ground and rolls toward the ropes. Calliope jumps up onto the apron distracting the referee. Brandon leans over to pick up Giovanni but is kicked in the side of the head. Brandon drops to a knee but quickly pulls himself back up using the ropes and knocks Levy to the floor with a clothesline. The crowd cheers as Levy gets just a little comeuppance for his attack on the previous episode. Using the distraction to his advantage Giovanni kips up and hits Hendrix with a high dropkick. Brandon stumbles backward allowing the artist to get back to his feet and run at the larger man, hitting him with a float-over DDT.

Giovanni Strikes a Pose as the flashing lights of cameras go off, then drops an elbow onto Hendrix. The Don begins to sit up but is quickly kicked in the face sending him back to the mat. Giovanni turns and begins to climb the turnbuckle but Brandon doesn’t stay down for long, ripping Giovanni off the turnbuckle causing him to smash his face against the turnbuckle. Brandon pulls Giovanni in and hits him with a stiff uppercut. Giovanni falls forward into Brandon’s chest who locks up his arms then takes him off his feet with a butterfly suplex. Hendrix rolls over for the cover.

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

TREY BOOKER: It’s going to take a little more than that to keep Giovanni down.

J.T. PRICE: Of course it will! He may be an artist but that doesn’t mean he’ll lay down for just anyone.

Brandon grabs Giovanni by the arm shortly after he kicks out and picks him up and throws him onto his shoulders. He carries Giovanni over to his corner and lifts him up for a Military Press dropping him hard onto the mat. Brandon goes to tag in Tara, but Lexi tags herself in, wanting a piece of Giovanni. Tara glares at Lexi but lets it go as Lexi looks around to the crowd, ready to unleash her vengeance on Giovanni. She looks down at Giovanni who quickly realizes what’s happening. Giovanni starts crawling away on all fours as fast as possible but Lexi grabs his leg.

In a knee jerk reaction Giovanni uses his other leg to kick her in the face, causing her to release her grip. Giovanni blind tags Sonya who isn’t paying attention since Levy is still on the floor. As Lexi tumbles backwards Tara Fenix tags herself in and steps through the ropes. Sonya begins shaking her head no, refusing to get in the ring while Tara stares her down, like a dog waiting for it’s dinner. The referee attempts to get Sonya into the ring but Tara, done with waiting, marches to the corner and grabs Sonya by the hair. Sonya begins to beg her to let go when Levy gets back into the ring and starts throwing forearms at the head of Tara. Sonya jumps down to the floor from the apron and begins freaking out, complaining to Norris. She storms off, immediately walking to the back.

TREY BOOKER: Wait a second, Sonya, the legal competitor is leaving!

J.T. PRICE: Good for her! She doesn’t have to put up with this. The blatant hair pulling should’ve been stopped by the ref before it ever even happened.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

Levy continues to go on the offensive as the referee begins his count. Levy begins to connect with stiff chops but Tara takes them and begins to kick Levy in the abdomen with every chop he lands. As Tara gets the upper hand, she takes Levy down with a drop toe hold. She doesn’t stop there though as she quickly repositions herself over Levy and grabs the arm wrenching it into a seated armbar. Levy cries out in pain as Tara pulls back on the arm. The referee’s count continues.

TREY BOOKER: It doesn’t look like there is any sign of Sonya coming back and Tara isn’t going to wait for her to get some action.

J.T. PRICE: She’s going to rip Levy’s damn arm off!

FIVE!

SIX!

SEVEN!

EIGHT!

Giovanni slides into the ring and hits Tara with a dropkick to the spine then pulls Levy out of the ring. The two look around trying to find Sonya then run towards the back after her. Brandon and Lexi notice them fleeing up the ramp and give chase, leaving Tara alone in the ring.

NINE!

TEN!

*DING DING DING*

HOLLY PEREZ: And your winners by count out, Lexi Gold, Brandon Hendrix, and Tara Fenix!

Tara doesn’t stick around to celebrate though as she also begins heading toward the back, dissatisfied that her match has ended in a count-out rather than submission.

TREY BOOKER: I can’t blame Tara for being upset by that result. She never even had the opportunity to compete!

J.T. PRICE: That’s because Sonya, Giovanni, and Levy are smart and know when some battles just aren’t worth fighting.


Following the prior contest, we go backstage to find Guy relaxing on his laptop, his work for the night already complete with another dark match loss under his belt. There is a big grin on his face as he scrolls through something, making him oblivious to the approach of Julius Fair….Foul…Fine…some kind of weather.

JULIUS FINEWEATHER: Oh, dearest friend! Thank the sweet baby Jesus that I’ve found you!

Yep. Definitely Fineweather.

GUY: Oh…what’s up, dude? I was just reading through this Project: Honor Fan Fiction site. It’s freaking wild! There’s this one with Ozy’s tentacles and Stella Jade…

JULIUS FINEWEATHER: There’s no time for that now! They’re coming!

GUY: Well, not yet, but I only started reading it…

Suddenly, the normally pleasant Fineweather slams Guy’s laptop shut.

JULIUS FINEWEATHER: No! You must listen to me! They’re coming tonight and there’s nothing I can do to stop them! Where is dear Percy? Beloved Serrano?

Guy seems a little confused, which is really nothing new for him.

GUY: Um…I guess they were jumped by those Phantom Troupe guys earlier in the show. Last I knew, the rest of the team was with them in the locker room so they could try to recuperate and prepare before the main event…

JULIUS FINEWEATHER: You must take me to them now! I have to warn them…that….they’re…coming…..

A dazed look appears in Fineweather’s eyes as if he’s beginning to forget why he’s there in the first place.

GUY: Uhhh…dude?

Then, Julius’ voice suddenly takes on a harsher edge.

JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: …motherfucker! Hey, delivery boy! Have you seen Lil’ Petey? Some bad shit is comin’ down and I need to give that little motherfucker …a…heads…up…

The dazed look returns, and this time when Julius speaks, it is in a low, sinister whisper…

JULIUS FOULWEATHER: Shut your traitorous mouth, miscreant! I’ll not have the surprise spoiled by the likes of you! And you…lowly enhancement talent! If you know what’s good for you, I was never seen within these halls! Understand?

GUY: Um…sure. No problem…

With that, Julius makes a hasty exit, leaving Guy alone to return to his fan fiction…



TREY BOOKER: During the backstage segment both competitors made their entrances for this one, what a massive test this is for Stella.

J.T. PRICE: Yeah because like him or not, Arata is one of the best we have in Project Honor.

HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, currently at the turnbuckle to my right… from New Orleans, Louisiana… STELLA JADE!!!

The crowd gives a generally positive response as Stella smiles.

HOLLY PEREZ: And her opponent, standing in the corner to my left… from Osaka, Japan… ARATA ASAKURA!!!

Holly leaves the ring and the ref calls for the bell straight away.

DING! DING! DING!

Stella and Arata circle each other in the ring for a few moments as Arata mumbles to himself. Jade stops and stares straight into the eyes of Arata, causing Arata to do the same and much to the surprise of her opponent and everyone in the crowd, Stella holds out her hand for a handshake. Arata stares at her hand and then at Stella saying "Really?" Inaudible to the fans. Arata then spits right into her hand, showing the utmost disrespect. Stella stares at her own hand as Arata mouths off to her, and then out of NOWHERE he slaps the taste out of her mouth, she hits the mat hard and scurries to the corner.

TREY BOOKER: Hard shot!!

J.T. PRICE: How many times has Arata got to act like an asshole before people realize he’s an asshole?

Stella uses the ropes to get back up to her feet as the two circle each other again. They both come in with a collar elbow tie up. Arata is quick to get behind with a waist lock and showcases the difference of strength as he lifts her up and slams her down face first onto the mat.

TREY BOOKER: Arata will throw Stella around all night unless she comes up with a game plan.

She holds her mouth and is suddenly locked in with a chin lock. Arata applies a lot of pressure much to the dismay of Stella. The two work back up to their feet as Jade uses all her strength to push her bigger opponent back, who has transitioned into a side headlock. Stella manages to get him onto the ropes as she pushes him forward, Arata lets go running towards the ropes and rebounds catching Jade with a shoulder tackle!

J.T. PRICE: Power advantage on show again.

As Stella hits the ground, Arata takes another run towards the ropes, Stella does a dropdown, causing Arata to leap over her to the opposite side. He runs at Jade who leapfrogs over the former grand champion, she spins around and throws a clothesline at Arata but he ducks and spins her around, grabbing onto her and throwing her overhead with a belly to belly suplex! Stella hits the mat hard and she rolls out of the ring to catch her breath.

TREY BOOKER: Arata is controlling this one.

Arata gestures for his opponent to step in the ring. Stella rolls in as she nods to Asakura as if acknowledging his skill and offers a hand to shake. Arata looks confused and hesitates before getting struck in the face with an open palm strike to the face! Arata is dazed! He doubles over from a kick to the gut and Stella drives him into the mat with a snap DDT! Stella floats over for a pin attempt.

ONE!

TWO!

T… KICK OUT!!!

TREY BOOKER: Stella giving Arata a taste of his own medicine with that sucker shot!

J.T. PRICE: She’s learning.

Stella grunts her frustration as she yanks Arata up by his ear and attempts an Irish Whip, but Asakura doesn't budge. She goes for it again, same result. She goes a third time and seems to be whipping Arata only to realize she's not in control as he reverses, throwing her with a whip of his own. He doesn't let go however, pulling her back to him, he lifts her up and slams her with a Flapjack! This time Arata goes for a pin attempt.

ONE!

TWO!

KICK OUT!!!

Arata drags Jade to her feet as he lifts her up and onto his shoulders. He takes a running start and begins to fall back with a samoan drop! But Stella is quick and turns it into a Crucifix Driver! She holds it trying to steal a pinfall.

ONE!

TWO!

TH… KICK OUT!!!

Arata powers out and back rolls to get onto his feet but gets caught with a V-Trigger knee shot! Arata is busy shaking the cobwebs as Stella comes forward with a bicycle kick, dropping Arata!

TREY BOOKER: Stella has found her groove and is looking good in this fight!

J.T. PRICE: Is this how Stella gets her groove back?

Stella smirks as she mouths something to Arata, heading towards the turnbuckle as she climbs up it, her back turned to Arata, she slows down wobbling a bit to get her bearings. This gives her opponent enough time to stagger up to his feet using the ropes, which wobbles her even more. Arata clubs her back with a solid forearm shot. He goes beneath her, hooking her onto his shoulders then plants her with a vicious Powerbomb.

J.T. PRICE: He just about put her through the damn ring!

TREY BOOKER: I’d assume that hurt.

Arata Asakura looks down at Stella then at the top turnbuckle as the fans have a mixed reaction. Arata seems torn but begins heading towards the buckle and climbs up slowly. He makes it to the top, he turns facing the crowd and leaps backwards with a perfect looking moonsault. But Stella rolls out the way! Arata comes crashing down hard and holds his ribs. Stella is able to hook him up and rolls over into a La Magistral pin.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!! NO!!! Arata kicks out at the last millisecond…

TREY BOOKER: Damn…

J.T. PRICE: Shit… that was close.

Both get up to their knees and begin trading forearm shots, Arata unsurprisingly gets the better of the exchange, eventually Stella throws a wild right hand which Arata ducks, Stella is unbalanced so Arata uses the momentum and locks her in a crossface!

TREY BOOKER: Touch of Gold!!!

Stella fights the hold and rocks her weight over forcing Arata’s shoulders to the mat in an awkward position…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!! NO!!! Arata kicks out but has to release his grip to do so.

Despite nearly being pinned, Arata seems the fresher and is to his feet first, Stella doesn’t see the danger coming and gets nailed in the back of the head by Arata with a brutal shining wizard!!

TREY BOOKER: RAIKIRI!!!

Arata hooks the leg…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!! Arata Asakura wins!!!

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: The winner of the match via pinfall… ARATA ASAKURA!!!

J.T. PRICE: What a great showing from both, Arata may have won but Stella Jade just proved how good she is.





Returning from commercial break, “Cash Flow” is playing over the sound system to signal the arrival of Project: Honor’s Grand Champion, Emmanuelle. Yet as The Platinum Standard emerges from the entrance curtains, she sees someone waiting for her at the bottom of the entrance ramp. Still present at ringside following the previous match is Arata Asakura, his eyes staring directly at his rival as he challenges her to continue forward.

Emmanuelle pauses briefly before she begins to remove her entrance gear, saving the championship around her waist for last. She holds the title belt in her hand for a few seconds as a smile comes across her face, only infuriating Asakura even more. She then drops the belt to the stage and continues to walk down the ramp, while Arata moves up the ramp at a precise and steady pace. The two rivals do not break eye contact as they get closer to each other as the crowd anticipates what is about to happen.

TREY BOOKER: Oh boy! Here we go!

J.T. PRICE: Yes! Let them fight!

As Arata and Emmy meet in the center of the ramp, they both immediately begin to throw rapid punches at each other’s faces, neither of them willing to back down. Before either of them can get a clear advantage, a flurry of referees and officials rush from the backstage area, intent on bringing an end to the unscheduled brawl. As they push themselves in between the champion and former champion, Arata blatantly clocks one of the officials with an elbow strike and instantly renders him unconscious. In return, Emmanuelle plants a stiff kick to the side of an official’s head and drops him like a bad habit.

More officials arrive to keep the two apart, several of them having some success in restraining Emmanuelle. They are not as successful with Asakura however, as he breaks away from them and leaps off his feet, hitting a vulnerable Emmy with a jumping elbow strike to the temple! The blow puts the champion down on the ramp as more officials crowd around Arata and manage to pull him away.

As The Gaijin Killer is restrained, The Silver Starlet pulls herself back up and launches her own body onto the crowd of officials, determined to get in a shot of her own! The referees have no choice but to grab at Emmanuelle’s flailing limbs, once again giving Asakura an opening. This time, as they try wrestling the champion to the ground, Arata has a clear shot at the back of her head and plants his Raikiri against Emmy’s skull!

The move drives the fight out of Emmanuelle and puts a satisfied smirk onto Arata’s face. As officials surround him and force him back up the ramp, the stunned champion remains down, holding her head and glaring up at her attacker.

TREY BOOKER: If there were any doubts before now, it’s more clear than ever that things between Arata and Emmanuelle are far from over!

J.T. PRICE: They want the rematch…the fans want the rematch…make it happen, Ekaterin!

A few of the remaining officials attempt to help Emmanuelle back to her feet, but she refuses their assistance, instead shoving them away and staggering backwards toward the ring. With Arata having been escorted back behind the curtains, the champion is finally able to roll under the ropes for her upcoming contest, her visible unsteadiness raising questions about her ability to compete.

Following the brawl between Arata Asakura and Emmanuelle, the reigning Grand Champion is left in the ring, clenching at her head from the fight as her opponent now makes his entrance.

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.

HOLLY PEREZ: And making his way to the ring. He weighs in at two hundred and five pounds, he 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 to the ring and runs up the steps, down the apron, and slingshots himself into the ring where more dancing and just plain foolishness goes down until the match begins.

The bell rings as Archie runs and dropkicks Emmanuelle, sending her back into the corner, her head clashing into the turnbuckle. Archie runs back into the corner he started the match in and runs back with a boot to her face. He pulls her back away from the ropes and covers her for a pin attempt.

One.

Two.

Kickout!

TREY BOOKER: Emmanuelle is rocked and Archie is taking full advantage of it!

J.T. PRICE: If he wants to prove that he can be a serious competitor, beating the Grand Champion is the way to do it!

A kick out from the champ, but that doesn't bug Archimedes. He knew walking into this match that it wasn't going to be a cake walk. He lifts Emmy up and uses a snapmare to take her back down and applies a headlock. Archie wrenches his forearm under the chin of Emmanuelle, who manages to slide her fingers in between and uses her nails to scratch his arm, forcing the hold to break. Holding her neck, Emmanuelle gets to her feet and sees a charging Archimedes, but proceeds to arm drag Archie, who rolls off the mat to his feet, but gets arm dragged again only to roll back to his feet again. Emmanuelle jumps onto the second rope and bounces off, twisting in the air and catches Archie again with an arm drag that sends him out of the ring. Seeing she has control, Emmanuelle starts getting in the groove, but still is stumbling from the head injury she is suffering from before the match. Trying to shake it off, she runs off the ropes, sprints towards Archie, and dives between the top and middle rope with a suicide dive, catching him with a tornado DDT that drills Archimedes on his skull. The Grand Champion lifts up Archimedes and tosses him into the ring. She jumps onto the edge of the ring and straight up to the top rope. She awaits for Archie to get to his feet and dives off the top rope with a crossbody, landing on Archimedes and turns it into a pin combination.

One.

Two.

Kickout!

TREY BOOKER: It looks like Emmanuelle is back in this, but is she at one hundred percent?

J.T. PRICE: If Archie is going to capitalize on the champ’s brawl with Asakura, he’d better do it soon!

She turns to the crowd and points up in the air, gathering a reaction from the fans before stepping under the middle rope and back up to the top rope. She jumps off, but Archie was ready for this one, leaping up in the air and his knee catching Emmy's jaw that immediately drops her to her back. Archie jogs over to the corner and gets to the middle turnbuckle, sitting on top of the top turnbuckle. He jumps, spins in the air some and hits a leg drop onto the face of Emmanuelle and covers her.

One.

Two.

Kickout!

No time wasted as Archimedes goes to the top rope, and starts walking the rope, getting as close to the middle as he can without busting his ass or nuts on the ropes before jumping off and hitting Emmanuelle with a body splash, covering her again.

One.

Two.

Kickout!

TREY BOOKER: The kid is getting close, but Emmanuelle is nothing if not persistent!

A loud scream comes from Archie as he thought he had Emmanuelle there. He gets to a corner of the ring, and starts clapping. He claps, getting the crowd to clap with him as Emmy starts getting up. Archie proceeds to roll, land on his feet, and goes for a clothesline, but Emmanuelle jumps, catching Archimedes with 'Malibu Shine', her tornado DDT. Dealing with the damage of the match and brawl beforehand, she cannot take advantage and make a cover. She lays on her side, holding her head as Archie slowly starts rolling away. Emmanuelle starts crawling over, trying to get Archimedes in a pinning situation, but cannot as he rolled all the way out of the ring. A visible sigh is shown on the face of Emmanuelle, who rolls out of the ring in pursuit. She starts lifting Archie up off the mat, who pushes her back and he goes for 'Boob Window', but Emmanuelle side steps and pushes Archie into the barricade stomach first. Emmanuelle slides into the ring and runs off the ropes and goes for another suicide d- SUPERKICK! ARCHIE CAUGHT EMMANUELLE WITH A SUPERKICK FROM OUT OF NOWHERE! EMMANUELLE IS ROCKED! Archimedes quickly lifts Emmanuelle off the floor and tosses her into the ring before sliding under the bottom rope with haste and covers her.

One!

Two!

Three - No!

KICKOUT!

Emmanuelle got the shoulder up! Archie starts hitting the mat before covering her again, this time his feet on the ropes.

One!

Two!

Kickout!!

Another kickout and Archimedes is freaking out. He gets up and immediately runs to the top rope. He walks the rope again and this time goes for an elbow drop, but Emmanuelle moves. She staggers as she grabs Archie's arm and bam! Milan Miracle (La Magistral Cradle Pin) as Archie struggles.

One.

Two.

Three!

The bell rings as Emmanuelle rolls out of the ring as Archie looks up with much confusion. The Grand Champion has done it again, despite the odds. From the pre match fight with Arata to the fight Archimedes J Manson has brought her this week.

TREY BOOKER: Emmanuelle pulled out the win, but Archimedes came close to handing her a loss! That’s the best we’ve seen him look since Black Friday!

J.T. PRICE: It was one hell of a match, I’ll agree with that! It makes me wonder if Archie would have been able to go that extra step if the title had been on the line.


Black and white images of various Project: Honor superstars in the midst of training flash across the screen as dramatic music plays.

NARRATOR: They are global entertainers…Professionally trained athletes…

BETSY GALAGHER: I was raised in a wrestling family…

TARA FENIX: …been training since I was 14-years old…

MYOJIN: …trained since birth…

SONYA BENSON: I haven’t had a single day of training in my life.

But those images fade as we see pure agony on the faces of indomitable men like Nick Danger and tough-as-nails women like Lexi Gold.

NARRATOR: They are Project: Honor superstars…But they are not invincible.

SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: I’ve had broken ribs…

JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: …broke both my motherfucking middle fingers…

KYLE VALENTINE: …dislocated my shoulder…

EMMANUELLE: …sprained my ankle…

JOHN BLADE: …I was rendered invisible…

GIOVANNI: Just look at my cuticles!

Brandon Hendrix looks as if he’s going to projectile vomit after having Serrano Poblano’s ass shoved against his face. Stella Jade holds her stomach as pangs of hunger overcome her, having been unable to eat for three days.

NARRATOR: When they step into that ring they take real risks and endure unimaginable pain. Broken bones. Torn muscles. Dislocations. Separations.

ELENA DEDRACA: I’ve been thrown through a stack of flaming tables covered in thumbtacks…

JOHNNY LEVY: …thrown through a window…

COOLER TJ THOMPSON: …through a dimensional portal…

OZYMANDIAS: …through the thin veil of reality that separates mortal men from the tentacled god who sits and dreams upon his gilded throne…

JASON LONG: …through with Savannah once and for all. Fuck that cunt.

NARRATOR: Bodies have been bruised…

We then see Ozymandias hurling Syndicate off the tallest level of the Mall of America.

TREY BOOKER: How do you learn to fall off a four-story balcony?

J.T. PRICE: He may have been broken in half!

The scenes then switch to horrific images of Project: Honor superstars being set aflame.

NARRATOR: Fires have been started…

HAVOC: I’ve been set on fire…

EARL BOYDE: Hey boy! I was set on fire!

PYRO: I’ve set lots of people on fire…

JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: …motherfucker set my black ass on fire!

From black and white flames, the images change to various pictures of firearms in the hands of men like Michael Bishop and Slade Castle…

NARRATOR: Shots have been fired…

ALARA ADAMS: …twenty-three gunshot victims during the Purge…

DOUGLAS CRANE: I was shot in the arm…

JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: …shot my motherfucking eye out…

ROCK JOHNSON: …shot in the head…

ARIK HOLT: …I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Thankfully, the images continue to be in black and white as superstars covered in their own blood and the blood of others begin to emerge.

NARRATOR: Careers ended in an instant. Yes, this is entertainment, but the hazards are real.

HENRY LEE HYDE: I’ll tear your throat out…

LEEANN MORGAN: …I’ll make you tap…

CASANOVA ENGLISH: …make you bleed…

RATMAN: …make you my friend…

ALYSSA GRACE: I’ll hit you with a chair…

ANGELO CAITO: …hit you with a brick…

SYNDICATE: …with a baseball bat…

JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: …with my motherfucking Cadillac…

LIL’ PETEY: …with loads of swag…ayooooo!

NARRATOR: No matter who you are, whatever you do, please…

DIANA: …please…

ADAM EKATERIN: …please…

ARCHIMEDES J. MANSON: P-P-P-Please Eddie!

NARRATOR: PLEASE…don’t try this at home.

ARATA ASAKURA: Whatever. Fucking Gaijins.



A disorienting strobe light effect fills the arena as the cheerful melody of “Even Rats” begins to play over the sound system…

♫Even the rats know that trouble's gonna come
To the edge of the city, see the little guys run
I hear Spring's nice in Canada
Maybe the men up on Capitol Hill
Need a little less Jack and a little more Jill
You can have my stereo
Even though the race may never be won
I can lay like a dandy, get heavy in the sun
Take a love song and beautify
Whoa whoa whoa♫

Percival Burque and Serrano Poblano emerge from backstage, The Ratman spinning in circles with his arms outstretched to his sides as Serrano holds his hands behind his head and slowly gyrates his hips. When Percy finally stops spinning and Serrano stops thrusting, they face each other and perform a ‘Patty Cake’ routine along with the song’s rhythm. Moments later, Rapture, Noah Hope, El Puma, and Larry KaChow join them on stage, and when the patty cake routine is complete, they all embrace each other in a group hug.

♫I hear the words but the meaning gets lost
It’s a game, it depends on who the ball gets tossed
It's the same ball anyway
You're tuggin' me now, cut me loose or take me on
You can pray, you can play the piper all night long
That's some good home cooking
Even though the race may never be won
I can lay like a dandy, get heavy in the sun
Take a love song and beautify♫

With the lyrics of the song complete and nothing but the happy yet somewhat melancholy instrumental remaining, Percy once again starts to spin in circles on his way down the ramp, while Serrano follows closely behind, occasionally reaching out to make sure The Ratman doesn’t spin right off of the entrance ramp. Rapture follows, playing with the prop knife in his grasp, while El Puma gives Noah Hope a piggy back ride to the ring.

They finally reach the ring and roll under the bottom rope, at which point Percy continues to spin without a care in the world, while Serrano does his best ‘Cabbage Patch’ and ‘Lawnmower’ dance moves. At ringside, Larry Kachow watches on with an expression of annoyed disbelief as Papercut dances on his shoulder.

As the music begins to die down, Percy stops spinning and it’s clear that he’s unsteady on his feet. Fortunately, the rest of the KaVengers are there to keep him from falling over, and once they both have their footing, they all give each other a second group hug.

HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is a ten person tag team match scheduled for one fall! Introducing first…they are the members of The KaVengers…PERCIVAL BURQUE, SERRANO POBLANO, NOAH HOPE, EL PUMA, AND RAPTURE!!!!

The piano intro of “Drip Like Me” by Kenndog starts playing. TJ Thompson and Lil Petey run out onto the stage both with mics in hand.

DRIP

The second the lyrics of the song start, both TJ and Petey put the mics up to their mouths and rap along to the lyrics while several feet behind them, we see Ozymandias, MYOJIN, and Swindle Shelldrake emerge from the entrance. Judging from their expressions, Petey and TJ’s three partners do not seem pleased to be a part of this group entrance. It seems likely that they weren’t even aware that it was going to happen.

I’m sorry for drippin’, but drip is what I do.
And one of these days i’m gonna get dressed then drip all over you.
I’m that fly young hitta.
Lil baby can’t you see?
Your style is old my fashion colt tell me who drip like me? Oh!

TJ lowers his mic while Petey keeps his up to his mouth. They both slowly start to walk down the ramp, high-fiving the fans on their way down. Lil Petey raps the entire next verse with TJ hyping him up. Still several feet behind them, we can MYOJIN roll their eyes, Swindle shake his head in disbelief, and Ozymandias remaining stoic as ever.

Lil baby I don't chase I erase and replace.
Man that bitch ain't loyal cause I just dripped on her face.
Shopping at the finish line but you still ain't last place,
I'm a star and I smile bitch I need my space.
Petey with two E's cause I'm twice as erect.
Are you damn seeing fit
Then I'm wearing it twice.
And when the summer hit my fit's gonna be cold as ice.
Off white so nice but it ain't your price.
Imma hot hitta in the coldest fit,
When you see me walking in you're gonna notice it.
How you niggas hatin on me but you steal my drip and steal my pics?
I'm tryna tell these hittas they ain't fucking with me.

While Petey was rapping the last line, he and TJ stepped onto opposite sides of the ring apron. They have their backs turned to the ropes, facing the audience. Petey puts the mic up to his mouth again while TJ throws t-shirts and hats into the crowd as they cheer. Still unimpressed, Ozymandias, MYOJIN, and Swindle remove their entrance gear and do their best to keep their distance from the Big Drippers.

I'm sorry for drippin' but drip is what I do.
And one of these days I'm gonna get dressed then drip all over you.
I'm that fly young hitta?
Lil baby can't you see?
Your style is old my fashion cold tell me who drip like me? Oh!

Petey and TJ step into the ring. Petey keeps the mic up to his mouth while TJ is bouncing up and down with his hands in the air. Ozymandias steps over the top rope without any attempt at showing rhythm, MYOJIN springs over the ropes gracefully, and Swindle chooses to remain at ringside, completely disgusted by what he’s signed up for.

I'm the flyest in the room but you already knew that.
You're lying with those fake ass clothes, so where the truth at?
You say you big drip with the fit but it don't match.
I kill him with the drip (Finishem!) mortal kombat.
Big old sauce, I be drippin' when I'm dressing.
You're trying with them weak ass fits, you need a lesson.
I got too much sauce, hitta thinking that I'll be chiefing.
But I study dripology hitta class is in session.
Don't sleep when I'm drippin' high fashion.
I dripped on a scene.
But I spilled by the gallon.
And they're telling me I'm fly,
So I think that I'm blasting off,
In a spaceship through the stratosphere.

While Petey was rapping the last line, both him and TJ got onto the top turnbuckle and held the mics in the air, wanting the crowd to do the last verse with them. The second the verse started, not all, but a majority of the audience joined in. The remainder of their team continue to abide but not participate.

I'm sorry for drippin' but drip is what I do.
And one of these days I'm gonna get dressed then drip all over you.
I'm that fly young hitta.
Lil baby can't you see?
Your style is old my fashion cold tell me who drip like me? Oh!

TJ and Petey drop the mics and the audience goes wild! Feeding into the energy from the crowd, they stand in a corner and encourage their teammates to join them.

TREY BOOKER: Well that was…different.

J.T. PRICE: I was really hoping we’d see Ozy do a beatbox.

HOLLY PEREZ: And their opponents…the members of Big Drip Worldwide…LIL’ PETEY…TJ THOMPSON…OZYMANDIAS…MYOJIN…AND SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE!!!

DING! DING! DING!

Eight of the participants move the apron and it looks as if Ozymandias will be starting for his team while Noah Hope volunteers to begin for The KaVengers. Fired up by the power of friendship, Noah has no reservations about competing until he’s face to face with the Legacy Champion in the center of the ring. At that point, it looks as if Noah is going to wet himself, but he doesn’t have the chance as Ozymandias picks him off the mat and lifts him overhead with a Military Press. After pressing Noah a few times with ease, The Butcher of Reine simply releases him, allowing him to fall flat on his face.

Somehow Noah begins to pull himself back up, but he’s met with a running bicycle kick from Ozymandias that nearly takes his head off. The blow sends Hope flying five feet backwards into his corner, where El Puma makes the tag before Hope collapses to the mat and rolls to ringside in an unconscious heap. With a disappointed shake of his head, Ozymandias turns to tag MYOJIN into the match, having had his fill for the time being.

TREY BOOKER: Well, so much for Noah Hope. Maybe El Puma will have better luck?

J.T. PRICE: Ha! Yeah, right.

With his hands on his hips, El Puma gives the fans a heroic pose, but MYOJIN is not impressed as he almost takes the chubby luchador’s head off with a spinning kick. The Shining Star pulls Puma back to unsteady legs before unleashing a striking combination that would dazzle the most experienced performer. Kicks, knees, and forearms land along several parts of El Puma’s body until MYOJIN takes to the air and plants a roaring elbow to the jaw. Completely rocked, El Puma staggers into his corner where Rapture can tag himself in, mere seconds before the masked man collapses and joins Noah Hope in laying prone at ringside.

With a shrug of his shoulders, MYOJIN turns and smacks the hand of Swindle Shelldrake, who glares at his partner in return. Nonetheless, The Kraken enters the ring and turns his glare toward Rapture, who pumps himself up before hitting the ropes. Whatever Rapture may have in mind is lost to his own memory, as Shelldrake leaps into the air to counter his charge with a mushroom stomp to the chest. With Rapture flat on his back, Swindle leans over him and proceeds to drive numerous mounted punches to the masked man’s face. He doesn’t stop until the squishy sound of blood can be heard from underneath the fabric covering Rapture’s face. At that point, Swindle nonchalantly shoves Rapture into his corner so that Percival Burque can enter the match. Not wanting to give any more effort in this match, Swindle himself turns to bring in TJ Thompson.

TREY BOOKER: Okay, enough is enough. We all love the enthusiasm shown by The KaVengers, but this is turning into genocide. Let’s just end it already.

J.T. PRICE: No, not yet! Ratman and Serrano haven’t gotten beat up yet!

Thompson points and laughs at Ratman as the man known as ‘Wrestling Supreme’ calls for a test of strength. Percy continues to demand that TJ meet him in the center of the ring honorably, and finally The Hip Beast obliges. The two men lock hands, but suddenly, Percy knocks one of Thompson’s hands away with a kick, ducks under his arm, and flips him onto the mat! Burque then begins to drop a series of elbows on TJ’s upper body, much to the dismay of Big Drip’s teammates! Percy then pulls TJ back up before hip tossing him back to the canvas. He then hits the ropes and snags TJ’s head for a hurricanrana just as he’s getting back on his feet! Thompson scrambles back to his feet again, only this time he’s met by a superkick from Ratman!

With Thompson down and stunned, Percy tags in Serrano and both men climb to the top turnbuckle! Percy and Serrano put their arms over each other’s shoulders and then leap off the top, smashing TJ with a double flying splash! Ratman rolls off and goes into a defensive position in front of TJ’s partners as Serrano goes for the pin…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

NO! TJ kicks out at the last second, but that still hasn’t stopped Lil’ Petey from rushing the ring! As Percival and Lil’ Petey exchange right hands, Serrano pulls TJ back to his feet and flings him into the corner before he begins slapping his ass cheeks…

TREY BOOKER: Oh God…here it comes!

J.T. PRICE: Somewhere backstage, Brandon Hendrix is having horrible flashbacks…

Serrano backs ‘dat ass up and presses ham against the face of TJ Thompson, who squirms in a desperate attempt to escape! Percival then gives Lil’ Petey an Irish whip towards the corner and Serrano steps aside at the last second so that Petey crotches himself on his opponent’s face! Oh, the humanity!

Having seen enough, Ozymandias enters the ring and breaks up Percival and Serrano’s brief celebration, grabbing them both by the throat and lifting them high into the air for a double chokeslam! With his work complete, The Butcher shakes his head and returns to the apron without waiting for a warning from the official. This gives Petey the chance to drag TJ to their corner and tag himself in legally while Poblano is still helpless on the mat. Ratman is forced to his corner by the referee while Petey gestures for The Lil’ Petey Elbow…he hits the ropes…jumps over Serrano…hits the opposite ropes…and lands the elbow perfectly! Petey goes for the pin, unaware that Swindle Shelldrake has tagged himself into the ring!

Petey gives Swindle a look as if he wants to argue about him stealing his thunder, but Shelldrake ignores him completely as he pulls Serrano back to his feet. He hooks Serrano’s arms, lifts him up, and drives him back down…VIOLENT SALVAGE! Ratman runs in to make the save only to have MYOJIN cut him off…

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: Your winners of the match…LIL’ PETEY…TJ THOMPSON…MYOJIN…OZYMANDIAS…AND SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE…BIG DRIP WORLDWIDE!!!

Percival does his best to hide his disappointment as he helps the unconscious Serrano from the ring. As Ratman and his spicy friend join the other unconscious KaVengers at ringside, Lil’ Petey and TJ Thompson try to convince their teammates to join them in some hip celebration. Ozymandias, MYOJIN, and Swindle all look at each other and it soon becomes clear that they have no intention of joining the festivities.

TREY BOOKER: Well, they’re victorious, but I don’t know how much of a united team they are…

J.T. PRICE: Come on, guys! Bust a move!

Ratman tries to revive his friends while the winning team remains in the ring…

…and that’s when the lights go out.

After a few brief seconds, the lights return to the arena but the members of Big Drip Worldwide are no longer alone. They immediately realize the threat at hand as they are outnumbered by armed rivals on all sides.



No matter how well they try to defend themselves, the five reluctant teammates are quickly overcome by the coordinated attack. Havoc and Syndicate bash Ozymandias’ head between a pair of steel chairs…Savannah and Billy tackle MYOJIN to the mat and pummel them with more strikes than can be properly blocked…Arik Holt manages to distract Lil’ Petey from outside the ring as Angeolo Caito blindsides him with a brick…Slade Castle holds TJ Thompson’s arms behind his back while Foulweather blasts him with brass knuckles…and Drago Santiago chokes Swindle from behind with a steel pipe while Casanova drives hard kicks into his midsection.

Ozymandias refuses to drop further than one knee as he does his best to cover up, but with his attention on the chairs being swung by Havoc and Syndicate, he’s unable to avoid Angelo Caito striking him from behind with the same brick that laid out Lil’ Petey. As the brick crumples in Caito’s hands, Havoc and Syndicate cannot be bothered to stop slamming the chairs against the Legacy Champion’s body.

As this is happening, Lil’ Petey is clearly out of it, which allows Billy Bennett to sit cross-legged on the mat and cradle him like a helpless child as she gently strokes his hair. With Billy otherwise occupied, MYOJIN fights back and it looks like they’re going to get the best of Savannah, when Casanova English charges toward them and slaps on the Silence of the Lambs! Slade Castle applies a submission hold of his own, capturing TJ Thompson in his Lights Out choke, which frees up Julius to join Drago Santiago in a double team on Swindle Shelldrake. A Mr. Glass Jaw with brass knuckles followed by Drago’s Deus Ex Machina is too much for even a competitor as tough as The Kraken. As the full double team decimation of Big Drip Worldwide continues, Arik Holt watches it all from ringside with a satisfied grin.

On the other side of the ring, Percival Burque looks to his fallen KaVenger teammates at ringside, then turns his attention toward the ring with a nervous look on his face. After a few moments, Ratman slides under the bottom rope and jumps onto his feet in a fighting stance. Against his better judgment, it looks as if Burque is attempting to stand up to all of True Society on his own. This brings an even bigger smile to Arik’s face, as one-by-one, the attackers in the ring begin to notice Percival’s presence.

TREY BOOKER: Oh dear lord…don’t do this, Percival…

J.T. PRICE: I have no love for the Ratman, but even I don’t want to see the kid get murdered…

Syndicate, Havoc, Drago, Casanova, and Angelo smile like foxes in the hen house as they start to approach Percival Burque. Castle and Foulweather can only shake their heads in disbelief at the young man’s foolishness. Even Savannah, determined to prove her loyalty toward her new family, begins to advance on the greatly outnumbered rookie. At least Billy Bennett is too preoccupied with cradling Lil’ Petey to join them. Still, it is eight on one, and there can be no doubt that Ratman is about to pay for his act of bravery…

ADAM EKATERIN: STOP!

Thankfully, the arrival of Project: Honor’s Director of Operations is enough to prevent True Society from advancing any further…for the moment.

ADAM EKATERIN: With the exception of Casanova English, not a damn one of you has permission to appear on Proving Ground tonight! As Fallout competitors, you are violating your contracts, and if you so much as lay one finger on that kid’s head, I will fine and suspend each and every one of you!

Adam’s arrival has soured the expression of Arik Holt, but the Fallout General Manager is also smart enough to motion for his team to stand down.

ADAM EKATERIN: Get them out of the ring now, or you’re going to find out what it’s like to run Fallout without any of them to watch your back! You know I’m a man who backs up his threats!

After a few moments of consideration, Arik Holt concedes and motions for the rest of True Society to join him at ringside, which they do reluctantly. Having already beaten down the members of Big Drip Worldwide, it seems as if they’re content to let Burque live…for now. Yet despite this, Adam has more to say from the entrance stage.

ADAM EKATERIN: Last night you said that if Big Drip and the KaVengers wanted a war, you’d give them one. Well you’re going to get the chance, because at the Crowning in two weeks, there's going to be five members of your True Society…five members of Big Drip Productions…and five members of the KaVengers in… WARGAMES!

The crowd pops upon hearing Adam’s announcement, as the members of True Society look at each other with a mix of uncertainty and excitement. Despite the declaration, Arik Holt continues to look confident.

ADAM EKATERIN: But that’s not all that I’m announcing for the Crowning. In case you’ve forgotten, Arik, you signed a wrestling contract in order to face Savannah Sunshine several months back. That contract is still active and as such, I’m putting you in a one-on-one match against Proving Ground’s newest competitor…

“Rocket Skates” by the Deftones immediately hits the sound system, bringing another pop from the crowd. With the members of The Fist of Hydra backing her up, Elena DeDraca steps onto the stage next to Adam Ekaterin, her icy stare directed right at Fallout’s General Manager.

ADAM EKATERIN: Arik Holt versus Elena DeDraca at the Crowning in a No Holds Barred Match…and if anyone interferes on behalf of either party I will personally terminate their contract with Project: Honor!

The confidence drains from Holt’s face like the last drops of lukewarm bath water going down a drain. As the members of Big Drip Worldwide begin to recover in the ring, Arik and the True Society find themselves between a rock and a hard place. With a devilish smile, Elena shakes Adam Ekaterin’s hand as Proving Ground goes off the air…