PROVING GROUND XI | 2/26/21: NINE DAYS RESULTS

The match started off with Pat charging at Kagome almost immediately after the bell sounded. Kagome was able to trip Pat, forcing him to fall down onto the mat. He then locked in the Onigiri Special, a straightjacket crossface. After a few seconds of struggling and trying to break free, Pat ended up tapping to give Kagome the easy win.

WINNER: Kagome Akaibara via Submission




After the logo flashes on the screen, the scene fades into the AccorHotels Arena located in Paris, France. Blue pyro and smoke light up the stage. “This Is War” by No Resolve starts to play for the SOLD OUT crowd as they are on their feet holding various signs throughout the crowd. The camera pans around to show most of them.

”I CAN’T TELL IF I’M ATTRACTED TO BLAIR OR NOT”
“Y’ALL REALLY HAD TO LET SHAWN WIN AND FLOOD HIS EGO?”
“BIG DRIP BIG HIP”
“HOW LONG DOES CADEN’S JUUL LAST BEFORE BUYING A NEW ONE?”
“HI MOM!”

As “This Is War” continues to play at a lower volume, the camera cuts to the announcers at ringside. The crowd stays on their feet.

TREY BOOKER: Welcome back to the ELEVENTH edition of Proving Ground. You know me as Trey Booker alongside my partner J.T. Price!

J.T. PRICE: What a ride it’s been so far and it doesn’t look like we’re slowing down any time soon!

TREY BOOKER: That’s right! Even though we caught word somehow that we’re going to collapse by this Summer…

Both J.T. and Trey burst out into laughter.

J.T. PRICE: That’s a good one. Look at us! We’re thriving right now. We have the best roster known to man and we’re still just getting warmed up. Each and every show we get better.

TREY BOOKER: Absolutely. We signed that TV deal, just finished The Crowning less than a month ago, and we have a jam packed card tonight!

J.T. PRICE: TWO TITLE MATCHES TONIGHT! This shit is crazy! It’s almost like this show is a Pay-Per-View of it’s own.

TREY BOOKER: Looking at the card, I’d say you’re right! Enough chatter from us, though… IT’S SHOW TIME!




The feverish Project Honor crowd is at a fever pitch. When the lights in the AccorHotels Arena shut off and a singular spotlight shines at the top of the ramp.

Ring Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen allow me to introduce The Tyrant of Project Honor…..

The ring announcers mic is cut off, as a well dressed man stands in the spotlight on the top of the ramp. The man raises a mic to his lips.

BARITONE MAN: HEAR YE! HEAR YE!Ladies and Gentlemen. Please stand from your seats, and join me in Welcoming to the ring. The Pride and Joy of Project Honor. The Breaker of Wills. The King Amongst Peasants. The Mack Daddy of Decrees...The TYRANT OF PROJECTTTTTTTTT HONORRRRRRR…… SSSSHHHHHAAAAAAAAWWWWWWNNNNNN WAAAAAAAARRRRRRRSSSSTTTTTEEEEEIIIIIINNNNN!!!!!

The single spotlight cuts out leaving the entire arena in darkness.


Gold sparks begin falling from the ceiling as Shawn Warstein slowly walks to the top of the ramp, by his side is Atara Themis. She is dressed to the nines and walks out in arms locked with Shawn. Shawn has on a Maroon velvet suit, emblazoned with gold shoulder pads. A golden scepter in his hand, with a large red gemstone adoring the top, as the crowd begin to jeer him as he holds up the scepter, as the pyro explodes off on either side of the stage. He waves the crowd off and walks slowly to the ring, pausing several times to jaw with the fans at ramp side.

FAN: You’re Not My King!!

FAN 2: Decree this dick!

FAN 3: You’re nothing but a coward!!

FAN 4: She deserves better!

Shawn smiles and nods before pointing to security to remove them and in quick fashion they are ushered out, much to the chagrin of Shawn.

The ring has been adorned with pillars in each corner, red carpet and a King’s Throne square in the middle. Shawn quickly runs up the steps and stands on the apron facing the jeering crowd, as he thrusts his scepter in the air even more pyro explodes from each ring post. Every thirty feet along the lower balcony pictures of Shawn in his King wardrobe uncurl at the same time as the pyro exploding. The lights dim at the same time, leaving a lone light shining in the ring and spotlights on each of the portraits of Shawn. Atara isn’t far behind him as he holds open the ropes for her. Shawn climbs in behind her, as several security guards surround the ring.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: I’m not going to say it.

Shawn smiles widely for a second and chuckles to himself.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: Yeah I am…. I fucking told you so! I told you. I told you. I told you. That when it comes to royalty… There's only one man fit for the job. It sure as fuck isn’t some thirsty asshole who calls himself king. No…. he came up way short in that department. No, everyone knew who was walking out of War Games…. for fuck sake…. IT'S IN MY NAME!

Shawn goes to adjust the crown on his head, but quickly realizes that it’s not there. He smiles at Atara and shrugs.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: Where did my crown go? Where did I put it?

Atara pulls out a smallish box and hands it over to Shawn.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: That’s right. It’s right here, but it’s not what you all will remember.

Shawn opens and retrieves an object from inside. It’s a ring. But it’s massive. It’s more akin brass knuckles. Golden in color, gems embedded along the outside. Shawn slowly puts the “ring” on and flaunts it to the crowd.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: What you see here is the remnants of the crown. It didn’t quite fit right, so I took it to a jeweler, had him melt it down. And voila! The King’s Ring was born. Where there is ugly in the world, beauty can be made. This is more than just something that looks flashy. No, no, no…. this is a constant reminder that I’m better than you, and you’ll remember that every time you bend the knee and kiss the ring for forgiveness. And if you choose to not bend the knee? I’ll make you. It’s easier if you do it on your own, but much more fun for me if you don’t.

Shawn tosses the box to the ground and points to the tron.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for everyone else that competed and failed to do what only Elena has been able to do and that’s beat me. So please give them a round of applause and get those ugly mugs up on the tron.

The crowd begins to clap as the other fifteen competitors are shown on the screen. Shawn claps for a second before abruptly stopping.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: STOP IT! They don’t deserve your praise! I Do! Look at all of them up there! Each one a failure. Each one a mere bug squished under my boot. You Jason! I’m better than you! Ozy? I’m better than you! Kayla! I’m better than you! Old man River? Yeah totally better than you! Call Me Daddy Queen? You know I’m better than you! Hunter? For sure better than that potato looking asshole. The point is… if you were in that match… I’M… BETTER …. THAN…. YOU!

The crowd begins to chant “Not My King!”. Each time the say is Shawn grows more and more frustrated.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: ALL OF YOU SHUT IT BEFORE I SHUT THE SHOW DOWN. I’ll stay in this ring all goddamn night and make sure nothing happens. And you know why I know nothing would happen? There isn’t a single soul in the back that could stop me even if they tried.

Shawn holds his arm out as the crowd begins to rise as there is a commotion on the top of the ramp. Ozymandias walks out from the back with no music, and only staring right at Shawn.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: Come to be the first one to kiss the ring and admit your glorious failure?

Ozymandias slowly makes his way down the ramp not acknowledging anything Shawn has said.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: Fine you don’t want to play by the rules? Guards make sure he doesn’t step a foot in this ring until Reynolds gets his hands on him.

Shawn ushers Atara out of the ring on the opposite side of Ozymandias as the guards begin to surround him.

SHAWN WARSTEIN: You had to know this wasn’t going to work out the way you thought…. just like at The Crowning.

As the guards reach towards Ozymandias, one by one they are flung off into the barricades. A few of them manage to slow him down, but only for a second. The numbers game wasn’t enough, with a vicious headbutt he downs one, grabs another by the hair and forcefully slamming his head into his knee. Finally lifting the last one high above his head and throwing him over the top rope from the floor, and into the unsuspecting Shawn.

Ozymandias makes his way into the ring, while Shawn scrambles to get to his feet with the last guard. Shawn once again waves Atara to get up the ramp. Ozymandias slowly approaches Shawn and the guard. Shawn holds his hands out and as Ozymandias reaches for him, Shawn shoves the last guard into Ozymandias and rolls out of the ring under the bottom rope. Ozymandias grabs the guard by the throat and lifts him high into the air, and sent him back out the same way he came into the ring. Landing right at the retreating feet of Shawn. Ozymandias then begins trashing the throne in the ring, knocking over the pillars before turning his attention to Shawn who is safely at the top of the ramp screaming at Ozymandias that “This isn’t over”.





HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Entering first…

“Cash Flow” by Ace Hood plays out through the arena speakers as Emmanuelle makes her entrance, all the flash and glamor behind her as she approaches the ring, a bit of a disgusted look on her face. She slowly approaches the apron, taking her time.

HOLLY PEREZ: Fighting tonight out of Pacific Palisades, in Los Angeles, California...weighing in at an unknown volume...she is the Platinum Standard...the Silver Starlet...EMMANUELLE!!!

TREY BOOKER: Emmanuelle didn’t have a fantastic showing in The Crowning, but she’s certainly looking to come back from it! A win here over Cadillac Jackson would go a long way in getting there!

J.T. PRICE: Emmanuelle’s a strong competitor, having held gold in WrestleWorld and vying as a top competitor in other companies-it’s no stretch of the imagination to say that she could have an excellent chance at winning here, tonight!

Emmy slowly approaches the ring, sliding over the top rope and rolling into the center.

HOLLY PEREZ: And her opponent…

"All of the Lights" by Kanye West hits, and the lights go out. Small flashes of multicolored lasers shoot through the arena in the dark, as a large white spotlight scans the crowd during the intro of the song. As we approach the drop, the lights go out besides the spotlight, that stays on the middle of the entrance curtain. As the drums and lyrics pick up in the song after the drop, Cadillac bursts through the curtain and into the spotlight, where he stands soaking in it for a few moments.

HOLLY PEREZ: Fighting tonight out of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire...weighing in at two-hundred and seventy-four pounds...he is The Luxury Experience...CADILLAC JACKSON!!!

TREY BOOKER: Jackson’s a snob, and his attitude may brush some the wrong way, but one can imagine he’s got a fighting chance here tonight!

J.T. PRICE: I’d be surprised to see anything short of a testing contest for both these competitors here tonight! These attitudes, clashing in this fashion-who’ll take the win, here?!

He walks up the stairs and onto the apron, leaning his back against the ropes and surveying the crowd before spinning around and hopping into the ring. He goes to the top rope and removes his sunglasses and ring jacket, handing it to a stagehand before hopping down and getting ready for action. The official checks down both competitors...and then the bell rings!

DING! DING! DING!

Emmanuelle and Cadillac feel one another out at first, each seemingly looking for some form of leverage, before Cadillac shoots low and tries to flatten Emmanuelle with a takedown! Emmy manages to roll over his shoulders, though, and fires back with a spinning kick, but Cadillac ducks it-ONLY FOR EMMY TO FOLLOW UP WITH A JUMPING KNEE! Cadillac falls to the ropes, and Emmanuelle tries to follow up with another jumping knee strike, but as she comes in hot, Cadillac catches her! He holds her in place for a minute, displaying a dickheaded attitude and some impressive strength-before hauling her up for a vertical lift suplex-AND DOWN TO THE MAT! Emmanuelle lands with a hell of a thud, and Cadillac puts his foot on her chest!

ON-NO!
Emmanuelle kicks out before one!

J.T. PRICE: Cadillac might be getting a bit ahead of himself, here!

TREY BOOKER: Of course he is. Have you looked at him lately?!

Cadillac seems confused, but instead pulls Emmanuelle back to her feet, looking to follow up his vertical suplex with a butterfly suplex, only for Emmanuelle to fire off a wicked forearm to the head! Cadillac’s rocked by the sudden shot, and Emmanuelle follows up with another forearm, and another, before grabbing hold of his wrist, pulling him in-but Cadillac ducks the lariat! He tries to use Emmanuelle’s momentum against her to get her up for a Uranage, but Emmanuelle counters it into an attempt at a snap DDT-only for Cadillac to block it! Cadillac shoves her off, and looks for a running lariat, but a dropkick stops him dead in his tracks! Cadillac’s sent back to the ropes once more, and Emmanuelle follows up with an attempt at a crossbody, but Cadillac catches her once again-only for Emmanuelle to get the upper-hand here with a counter into a DDT! She spikes Cadillac, and she covers!

ONE!
TW-NO! Cadillac out before two!

TREY BOOKER: Bit of a reality check for Cadillac Jackson here!

Emmanuelle is clearly quickly growing tired of this match, and she pulls Cadillac up, driving her knee into his neck REPEATEDLY! She keeps him on his knees, instead using his weight against him and driving her knee downward into the base of his skull and neck, likely setting him up for Punch Out Time! She hits him with five dropping knee strikes consecutively, before backing off, allowing him to hold his neck for a moment. She gets a running start for a modified variant of her Platinum Dynamic, but Cadillac manages to force her to over rotate, catching her with a POWERBOMB! Cadillac rolls her through, looking for a sliding lariat, but Emmanuelle manages to duck it! Emmanuelle tries to shoot for the Milan Miracle, but Cadillac catches her and rolls through! He drops her HARD onto the knee, and rolls Emmanuelle to her knees-LARIAT to Emmanuelle! He follows up, hauling her up-CADILLAC FLAPJACK INTO THE ROPES! Emmanuelle crumples to the apron!

J.T. PRICE: A salvo of offense from both competitors, but Cadillac comes out on top, here! Will Emmanuelle be able to recover?!

TREY BOOKER: I’m not sure, J.T.!

Cadillac drags Emmanuelle back over the ropes, taking a moment to set her against them before BOOTING her in the skull! Emmanuelle goes down to two knees, and Cadillac tries to follow up with another boot to the head, but Emmanuelle trips Cadillac’s legs out from beneath him! She grabs Cadillac and drags him back to his feet, throwing him into the corner, and following up with an attempt at a Tornado DDT, but Cadillac manages to haul her into place, swinging her around and DROPPING her with a nasty brainbuster! He falls back onto Emmanuelle for another attempt at a pin!

ONE!
TWO!!
NO! Emmanuelle kicks out!

Cadillac tries to pull Emmanuelle back to her feet again, setting her up for the Test Drive, but Emmanuelle counters it into a DDT as she comes down! She spikes Cadillac again, and once again whips him into the ropes, catching him with a jumping knee strike as she goes out to the apron! She catches herself before stumbling to the ringside area, before springing up onto the ropes, grabbing a hold of Cadillac’s neck and leaping for a FRONT FLIP TORNADO DDT OVER THE ROPES INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING! She spikes Cadillac a second time! But she’s not done, signalling for the finish as Cadillac slowly stumbles to his feet! She screams in hot-Platinum Dynamic! She drives both of her knees into Cadillac’s skull, and crumples onto him, hooking both legs!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!-NO!!!

TREY BOOKER: UNBELIEVABLE! Both of these competitors have withstood an insane amount of damage so far in this match!

J.T. PRICE: But you have to imagine the end will be upon us soon!

Emmy drags Cadillac back to his feet, and nails him with a stiff shot, but he returns to life and nails her, in response! The two trade stiffer and stiffer blows back and forth, before both hit the ropes and come in for a set of stereo lariats that send both down to the ground!

Cadillac grabs Emmanuelle and drags her to her feet. He tries for the Test Drive, but Emmy tries a counter, so instead he knees her point-blank in the skull, he gets her up-TEST DRIVE! Cadillac spikes Emmanuelle, and covers!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

DING! DING! DING!

"All of the Lights" by Kanye West blasts through the speakers as Cadillac gets to his feet and has his hand raised in victory.

HOLLY PEREZ: Here is your winner… CADILLAC JACKSONNN!!

TREY BOOKER: What a great match to kick us off tonight! Cadillac pulled through with the victory, but Emmanuelle is just impressing us left and right.

J.T. PRICE: Is it weird that I enjoyed her performance more than Cadillac’s?







BETSY GRANGER: “Allow me to introduce myself properly.”

The tall, attractive blond with emerald eyes steps out from behind the doors of the purple phone booth she arrived in. Her hair is disheveled and matted with sweat and dirt; she’s wearing what looks to be some sort of leather and chainmail armor. The cameraman eyes up suspiciously as he continues to record.

BETSY GRANGER: “My name is Betsy Granger, but you probably know me better as the Impossible Traveler.”

There is a decent pop from the crowd as they acknowledge her words. This brings a grin to her face as she looks around the empty section of the arena’s backstage area.

BETSY GRANGER: “There are many who had hoped this night wouldn’t happen; There are far too many in this industry that would look to Legacy as a parasite; but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our mission was never about expanding our numbers; Only the best is chosen to join their ranks. That means quality over quantity, every time. Being the most recent to be granted that honor, I have since been known also as the First Lady of Legacy. There has been some argument on how I gained that nickname. Some believe that I earned it through my work in the ring, proving that I’m more than just a pretty face to ease the sausage fest a bit. Others believe it’s a name given to me because of my relationship with James Raven.”

There’s a mixed reaction to the name. Betsy gives an acknowledging nod and smiles.

BETSY GRANGER: “I know, the man you hate to love and love to hate. Either way, I’m here to confirm to the fucking awesome fans of Project Honor that Betsy Granger is the real deal. Rumors of my talent have been greatly under-discussed; I’m here to fix this for the benefit of everyone. You know what, can you give me a moment? I really need to grab a quick shower and get out of these clothes.”

Disappearing into Excellence, she slams the door shut. After a few moments of her being inside, the light at the top of the phone box begins to flash. The poor cameraman looks terrified for a moment, but as quickly as the phone box attempts to disappear, it reappears. The flashing stops and Betsy pops out... Showed, changed, and ready for her match. The cameraman gapes at her in shock; she stares at him in polite confusion.

BETSY GRANGER: “What?”

She doesn’t give him a chance to reply. Motioning for him to follow her, she begins weaving her way through the hallways of the arena, eventually finding areas with other people. She waves towards Dickie Watson and Aiden Reynolds as she walks by. She passes by Elena DeDraca recording an interview, and pauses to throw up heart hands when the Legacy Champion finally looks up her way. DeDraca smirks and waves her fingers at Betsy before refocusing on her interview. Moving right along, Betsy passes a few other notable talents and backstage hands. At last, she pauses in front of the private room marked for Legacy. Barging in, we find Shawn Warstein and James Raven in their gear, both with their AirPods in, mentally preparing for the match. There’s a warm smile on her lips when she turns back towards the camera.

BETSY GRANGER: I just wanted to make sure I didn’t accidentally miss the match. James gets annoyed when I overshoot my times... Paradoxes are hard to clean up once the mess is made. Would you look at the two of them, though? Two have proven over and over again to be the best this business has to offer. Everyone knows it; it’s why they’ve become targets that rookies and champions alike always lock on as soon as they walk through the doors. And like the warriors they are, they meet every challenge head-on with strength and biting wit that will never fail them. But constant challenge means always having to watch your back; Even the strongest pillars break under a certain amount of pressure.

That’s where I come in.

I’m not just a pretty face with the heart of a warrior and the mind of a genius. I’m a pillar to my family; Legacy will always come first. Anyone who attempts to attack my family when they are vulnerable will have to deal with me. And I promise you, if you think dealing with James and Shawn is the challenge... Wait until you piss me off.”

James looks up now and slips his Air Pods out and stuffs them into his gym bag. He approaches Betsy and wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her in for a kiss. The movement causes Warstein to look up; he pulls a face and looks away until James has had his fill for the time being. Betsy reaches over and taps him gently on the shoulder to let him know they were done and he turns back towards them, slipping his own air Pods out.

BETSY GRANGER: Are you ready to squeeze dry Limp Dripskit and Company?

SHAWN WARSTEIN: Aren’t I always? They aren’t ready to face the wrath of the Tyrant.

JAMES RAVEN: They aren’t ready for Legacy in force. I can’t wait to see their faces when we unleash Bets on them.

The three take part in a group handshake before filing out of the locker room one by one. The camera follows them until they turn a corner. Once the group disappears, the scene cuts elsewhere.





HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first San Diego, California by way of Namba, Osaka, Japan, weighing in at 165lbs., “The Shining Star” MYOJIN!





The lights dim down while the catchy, fast paced rock of RAINBOWS by A9 echoes as a spotlight suddenly appears on a figure on the ramp, with his back turned and begins kneeling. Once the beat finally kicks in, MYOJIN explodes with energy- wearing a masquerade-style mask over his eyes, and turns around with a confident smile on his face, raising his arms to soak in the positive reaction from everyone around.

With his blonde locks hanging over his face. He then whips his head back, flipping his hair out of his face before excitedly running down the ring before performing a cartwheel and a jump, landing on his feet near ringside!

He climbs up to the apron, grabs a hold of the top rope, and slingshots himself into the ring. MYOJIN performs a somersault roll, landing on his side with a hand on his hip. The other, taking off his mask to reveal his piercing blue eye contacts. He tosses it aside nonchalantly before climbing up the top turnbuckle, tilting his head upward as if he’s looking toward the sky- while the lights mimic stars above. He backflips off, back onto his feet while taking off his flamboyant coat and moving to his corner. The lights go back to normal as he checks his wrist tape. His charismatic smile fading to a more focused expression as he paces back and forth, ready for action.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his opponent from Columbus, Ohio, weighing in at 243lbs., “The Devil, Himself” Seth Blackheart!

Static suddenly fills the titantron screen, and an ominous siren wails. Cutting through the static is the image of a blackened heart beating, a human eye opening in the center of it. The lights are cut, with the exception of a single red spotlight shining down at the top of the ramp, the slow hums of The Devil by Blue Stahli beginning to play. The figure of a man enters the glowing red light, his long black hair hanging in front of his face as he leans forward. Blackheart slowly rises up, his arms outstretched. As he rises the red glow expands now washing over the arena in a flashing red. Blackheart looks down to the ring and smiles as he strides down. Blackheart stands on the apron, his back turned to Stevens, and outstretches his arms again, soaking in the reaction of the crowd, before looking back to his opponent and entering the ring.

DING! DING! DING!

The echo of the bell was still resonating in the arena when the two competitors met in the center of the ring. Blackheart decides to test MYOJIN with a heart knife edge to the chest which MYOJIN just absorbed. Blackheart, feeling spicy, decided to present his chest for MYOJIN to try a chop of his own. MYOJIN seems taken aback but decides to play ball. He pulls back, ready to unleash a mighty knife edge chop but at the last moment hits Blackheart right in the nose with a shotei!

J.T. PRICE: It’s always interesting to me when arrogant displays fail so spectacularly.

TREY BOOKER: It was an idea that’s for sure!

Blackheart is rattled and MYOJIN shows exactly zero mercy. He cracks Blackheart with a spinning backfist and before Blackheart even knew what had hit him MYOJIN treated him again, this time to a step up enziguiri that sent Blackheart reeling into the ropes. Blackheart does his best angry face in full view of the camera lens and pushes off the ropes looking to turn the tide. He rushes MYOJIN but The Shining Star is quicker on the draw and catches Blackheart with a picture perfect Passion Flower (Spanish Fly)! MYOJIN covers for the first time in the contest.

ONE!
TWO!

TREY BOOKER: MYOJIN nearly put Blackheart away in record time!

J.T. PRICE: You need more to kill The Devil!

TREY BOOKER: The Devil, Himself!

J.T. PRICE: Seems redundant, but okay.

The Devil refuses to know that he’s dead! That’s a fun reference. Anyway MYOJIN mounts him and peppers him with some well placed shots until Blackheart finds the will to pie face MYOJIN off of him. MYOJIN lost his balance and fell into the ropes, Blackheart sees his opportunity. He catches MYOJIN with a running knee to the chin to earn himself a reprieve from the onslaught.

TREY BOOKER: That is exactly what Blackheart needed to get back into this contest.

J.T. PRICE: I feel like I heard some of MYOJIN’s teeth crack!

TREY BOOKER: Impossible.

J.T. PRICE: I’m telling you!

With MYOJIN down on the mat, Blackheart took MYOJIN’s hand (but not in a romantic way) and went about some JOINT MANIPULATION! Blackheart bends MYOJIN’s fingers backward, forcing MYOJIN to bend his arm at the elbow. Blackhart plants MYOJIN’s palm on the mat so that his elbow is sticking straight up. Blackheart holds it in place just long enough to be able to stand and then drops a stiff stomp down onto MYOJIN’s elbow. If this was a cartoon you might have heard an obnoxious crack sound effect.

MYOJIN writhes on the mat for a moment. Sure his shoulder is healed but once you have an injury like that it’s always a little sensitive. Blackheart is feeling pretty pleased with himself as he peels MYOJIN off of the mat and cracks him with a forearm strike to the face. MYOJIN falls back into the corner and grasps at his shoulder. Blackheart charges in and meets MYOJIN with another knee strike to the chin and The Shining Star staggers forward right into a Blackheart Spinebuster -- attempt. MYOJIN shifts his weight at the last second and brings Blackheart down on the crown of his head right into the mat with a thrusting ddt. MYOJIN covers again.

TREY BOOKER: What a counter!

J.T. PRICE: Thanks for coming Mr. Blackheart!

ONE!
TWO!

The Devil, Himself was feeling all sorts of hellish now and the eagle eyed viewer would have seen that he went cross eyed for a brief second there. MYOJIN tries to slap some feeling back into his shoulder and a smirk crawls across his face. It works. Blackheart yanks himself up using the ropes but it appears that MYOJIN’s smirk was indicative of his shoulder feeling better, he was now ready to take this match to the next level.

J.T. PRICE: MYOJIN looks fired up!

TREY BOOKER: Let’s see if his strategy changes...

MYOJIN rushes Blackheart and cracks him with a cartwheel pele kick that catches Blackheart right on the back of the head! Blackheart face plants into the mat but tries to scramble back up to his feet. He throws a wild kick that MYOJIN catches and turns into a dragon screw that puts Blackheart on the canvas. MYOJIN keeps him subdued with some stiff stomps and then hits Blackheart with a standing 450 splash to the leg.

J.T. PRICE: That move never fails to be impressive.

Blackheart howls in pain before trying to take refuge on the floor. MYOJIN looks more annoyed than anything as he exits the ring in calculated fashion. Blackheart pulls himself to his feet using the ring apron and MYOJIN tries for a running soccer kick but Blackheart ducks and trips MYOJIN up, sending him face first into the apron. MYOJIN’s bad arm was hanging down from the apron so Blackheart gave it a nice little yank and then dropped a standing elbow onto the shoulder joint.

TREY BOOKER: MYOJIN just returned from injury and if Blackheart has it his way then MYOJIN will be going right back where he came from!

J.T. PRICE: Pays to scout your opponent! Must be why we haven’t heard from Blackheart.

Getting back into the ring, Blackheart is feeling pretty good about himself. Sorry, feeling good about The Devil, Himself. Blackheart grabs MYOJIN by the wrist and goes for an arm wrench. MYOJIN grabs at his shoulder again but drives a hook punch right into Blackheart’s stomach. Blackheart releases his grip just enough for MYOJIN to get free and put him down with a sweeping hip toss! MYOJIN transitions quickly into a heel hook that he transitions into an ankle lock with a grapevine! The audience pops big for this display of technical ability and their enthusiasm drowned out Blackheart’s screams. For the moment.

MYOJIN is rippwrenching on Blackheart’s ankle like he gets paid to do so. Which he does, so that’s good. Blackheart reaches out for the ropes but MYOJIN has fire in his eyes, he is pulling back with serious conviction. It takes some more doing but Blackheart ultimately makes it to the ropes and the crowd deflates just a little. MYOJIN releases the hold but as soon as Blackheart lets go of the bottom rope MYOJIN drags him back to the center of the ring and looks to apply the ankle lock again!

TREY BOOKER: MYOJIN has a plan and he is executing it!

J.T. PRICE: Yeah but his banged up shoulder is probably making it hard to keep a hold like that applied.

The Shining Star nearly has it locked in but Blackheart uses his free leg to boot MYOJIN right in the face! MYOJIN has to break his grip in order to protect his face and once again Blackheart retreats to the outside of the ring. MYOJIN isn’t having any of this so he darts across the ring and flings himself over the top rope with a tope con hilo! MYOJIN comes crashing down on Blackheart, leaving both competitors in a heap on the outside.

The audience is at peak hype right now and MYOJIN is feeding off of their energy. He gets to his feet and reaches down to grab Blackheart but Blackheart grabs the waistband of his trunks and yanks MYOJIN forward, sending his face into the ring post! Blackheart knows that he has to act quickly. He wrenches MYOJIN’s arm again, doubles him over, and then plants him with a neckbreaker on the floor.

TREY BOOKER: MYOJIN’s return may be short lived here. Blackheart has found his opening!

J.T. PRICE: Those ringside mats offer no real protection. There is concrete under there!

TREY BOOKER: You don’t say!

Blackheart hoists MYOJIN up and then takes a second to snarl at the camera. Blackheart rolls MYOJIN into the ring and once he himself is back in the ring, he measures MYOJIN for his untimely end. Blackheart hits MYOJIN with a kick to the midsection and sets him up for The Penance jumping piledriver but MYOJIN plants his feet and takes Blackheart over with a back body drop!

Desperate to maintain his advantage, Blackheart scrambles back to his feet and throws a wild punch. MYOJIN dips to a knee, sweeps behind Blackheart and takes him over with a snap German suplex! The audience pops! Blackheart scrambles back up to his feet again but MYOJIN dashes behind him once more and puts him on the canvas with a second German suplex! A louder pop! Blackheart rolls all the way backward up to his knees and then falls back into the ropes.

J.T. PRICE: Blackheart is rocked!

MYOJIN snarls a little bit himself and meets Blackheart’s eyeline. Blackheart pushes off the mat with his good leg in a last ditch effort to turn this match around but MYOJIN is far quicker and he takes Blackheart down with the Orion (Imanari Roll)! MYJOIN has Blackheart dead to rights in the middle of the ring and before long The Devil, Himself makes a deal with the referee -- to quit.

DING! DING! DING!

“Rainbows” by Alice Nine blasts through the speakers and every fan in attendance rises to their feet, cheering for the victor of the match. MYOJIN has his hand raised in victory.

HOLLY PEREZ: Here is your winner by submission, MYOJIN!

TREY BOOKER: It’s really good to see MYOJIN back in the ring. I really thought that injury was going to set him back some since he couldn’t partake in the Legacy Chamber, but it doesn’t look like he’s missed a step!

J.T. PRICE: Absolutely! After spending so long tied up with the whole Colton Saint and Zane thing, he’s finally able to branch out and do his own thing! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.







We’re backstage in the locker room where we see “The Bulldozer” Lance Williams and “The Straight Shooter” Mark Hunter sitting side by side. Both Lance and Mark were dressed ready for their wrestling matches tonight. Beside Mark is a Nike sports bag and the purge briefcase.

LANCE WILLIAMS: Dude, I know life is pretty shit at home at the moment. If you need anything, just give me a call anytime and we can go for a drink.

MARK HUNTER: Yeah life is shit, in fact it’s shit beyond belief but I appreciate the offer… I’ll sure as hell be drinking tonight, win or lose.

LANCE WILLIAMS: Awesome! I’m drinking with Big Drip tonight, you should come and join the party. Just think about the DRIP with that Grand Championship around your waist dude.

MARK HUNTER: FUCK OFF!! I prefer drinking with people the older side of puberty!!

LANCE WILLIAMS: You’d prefer to drink with someone who is likely to be closer to an IV drip than Big Drip themselves. Man, you don’t know what fun you’re missing out on.

MARK HUNTER: Hey, you can put vodka in a damn IV drip without people knowing, don’t knock it.

LANCE WILLIAMS: With thinking like that dude, you’re more DRIP than you fucking realize.

MARK HUNTER: Don’t be saying crap like that too loud.

After Mark finished what he was saying, both he and Lance got quiet. Not because they weren’t enjoying their time talking, but because of what they heard in the distance.

??: I’M SORRY FOR DRIPPING, BUT DRIP IS WHAT I DO!

The sound is coming from Big Drip Productions, leading a parade through the backstage area as they sing their famous theme music.

YUNG SAUCE: AND ONE OF THESE DAYS, I’M GONNA GET DRESSED-

LIL PETEY: AND DRIP ALL OVER YOU!

YUNG SAUCE: YESSIR! Anyway, what’s poppin? Mark Hunter, and the DRIPDOZER himself. What has you around these parts?

MARK HUNTER: Sounds like we’re being joined by the poster children for birth control.

LANCE WILLIAMS: Damn! As Lil Petey would say “Your vibe is way off.”

LIL PETEY: Oas- Lance, please… The vibes are WAY off right now. Like this dude really gonna disrespect us like that? TJ, let this man know who we are.

TJ THOMPSON: Y’all talking to the best faction in PH! Y’all talking to the men that are about to be DRIPPIN in gold like no one’s ever dripped before! You’re looking at the Warrior Rising Champ! The #1 contenders to the tag team championships! HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING UNDER A ROCK?!?

MARK HUNTER: It’s actually borderline funny how much you spit in the face of evolution.

TJ THOMPSON: If when you say evolution, you mean people that don’t drip like us?!? Sure!

LIL PETEY: Evolution? How did we get into Pokemon? Just like all these bitches, you know I’m tryna catch ‘em all!

TJ THOMPSON: Just like I’m trying to catch Sauce’s mom alone! :weary:

YUNG SAUCE: TJ, FOR GOD SAKE!

TJ THOMPSON: You make it too easy.

LANCE WILLIAMS: Don’t worry about Mark, he is stuck in the caveman times but he is a good dude nonetheless.

MARK HUNTER: Me, good? Even I’d question that one.

YUNG SAUCE: Well, you know what is evolving? THE NEW MERCH WE’RE RELEASING TONIGHT! TELL THEM ABOUT IT, PETEY MY DRIP BROTHA!

LIL PETEY: Shiiiiiiiit, you know.

Petey takes off his jacket to reveal Yung Sauce’s new T-Shirt!



TJ almost falls down because of the sheer fire that is Sauce’s merch. Mark raises an uninterested eyebrow.

LIL PETEY: PULL UP, LET’S PARTY! That’s the motto, baby! And don’t get your panties in a wad, you know imma come out with some HOT FIYA to go along with Sauce’s! Stay tuned for that.

LANCE WILLIAMS: Appreciate that drip dude! Most importantly, do they do it in size Bulldozer?

YUNG SAUCE: We don’t do size Bulldozer… we do size DRIPDOZER!

A cheesy grin appears on Lance’s face as he does some kind of Hotline Bling dance.

MARK HUNTER: It’s worse on the eyes than the shit people perv at on reddit for fuck sake.

TJ THOMPSON: Nah, as a certified fiend myself, NOTHING is that bad!

MARK HUNTER: Reddit is about the only thing stranger than you lot.

LIL PETEY: I’m not sure… Reading what one user wrote on some daddy dom stuff was quite disturbing… Some old dude with a cigarette in his mouth said some stuff that poor Sauce hasn’t recovered from yet.

Sauce weeps in fear.

YUNG SAUCE: ...terrible, terrible things...

MARK HUNTER: No saviours in this company that’s for damn sure.

LANCE WILLIAMS: Just be grateful that dude isn’t your DADDY!

Everyone shudders.

YUNG SAUCE: Woah, Dripdozer. You might have turned him on. Relax.

LIL PETEY: It’s different coming from a dude that’s like triple my size. Now when Sauce’s mom says it… that’s a different story.

YUNG SAUCE: PETEY BRO! COME ON!

TJ THOMPSON: That’s my thing! Just like...you know…:weary:.

MARK HUNTER: I heard someone on reddit was into Dragons too.

YUNG SAUCE: DRAGON THESE BALLS IN YOUR FACE!

TJ THOMPSON: LET’S GOOOOO GOTEMMMMMM!!!

LIL PETEY: BAZINGA!!!

Big Drip exchanges high fives as Hunter groans.

MARK HUNTER: If you kids don’t mind, I’ve an important match to worry about… so can you fuck off back to your parents?

LIL PETEY: Did this man just… hold up.

YUNG SAUCE: ...but my parents aren’t here tonight.

Lil Petey looks over at Sauce and TJ and whispers, ‘get ready to run.’ He then proceeds to take the Purge Briefcase from beside Mark Hunter and Big Drip Productions takes off haul assin’! They come to the end of the hallway and take a sharp left. When they do, Sauce can’t catch himself and goes flying into the wall. No one turns around, but Sauce recovers quickly and catches up to them. In mid-step, all of the Big Drippy Boys come to a complete halt. The sound of “Baby” by Justin Bieber playing brings the boys with their arms on each others shoulders, rocking back and forth to the beat of the song. Petey, with the briefcase still in hand, starts belting out the lyrics first.



LIL PETEY: YOU KNOW YOU LOVE ME, I KNOW YOU CARE-

TJ THOMPSON: JUST SHOUT WHENEVER, AND I’LL BE THERE-

YUNG SAUCE: YOU WANT MY LOVE, YOU WANT MY HEART-

LIL PETEY: AND WE WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER BE APART-

TJ THOMPSON: ARE WE AN ITEM, GIRL JUST QUIT PLAYING-

YUNG SAUCE: WE’RE JUST FRIENDS, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING-

LIL PETEY: SAID ‘THERE’S ANOTHER’, AND LOOKED RIGHT IN MY EYES-

TJ THOMPSON: MY FIRST LOVE BROKE MY HEART FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND I WAS LIKE-

ALL: BABY, BABY, BABY OHHHHH! LIKE BABY, BABY, BABY NOOOO! LIKE BABY, BABY, BABY OHHHH! THOUGHT YOU’D ALWAYS BE MINEEE MINEEEE!

As Big Drip Productions finish the chorus Mark Hunter and Lance Williams stroll into the shot. Mark is almost smiling.

MARK HUNTER: Well... that was damn pointless.

TJ THOMPSON: Damn, how did they find us?!?

LANCE WILLIAMS: Come on guys! That’s not the next line.

TJ THOMPSON: It's close enough when you're running from the law. And y'all ruined the vibe!

LIL PETEY: Nah, TJ! The vibes aren’t off yet! We still got his briefcase with that Grand Title shot! I’M COMIN’ FOR YA LIL DICKIE!

Petey opens the briefcase and along with the other members of Big Drip Productions is instantly sprayed in the face by some form of gas substance. Petey drops the briefcase and the Big Drippy Boys all collapse to the ground. They start to roll around thinking that’s going to do anything, then try to wipe their eyes. After a few seconds of screaming and crying out bloody murder, the gang settle down enough to speak English. Whilst all of this is going on, Hunter is actually close to laughing. Lance on the other hand can’t hide the fact he was laughing as he slaps Hunter on the shoulder as he does.

YUNG SAUCE: I’M TOO YOUNG FOR THESE SHOTS TO THE FACE!

TJ THOMPSON: Your mom isn't-

YUNG SAUCE: PLEASE! I HATE IT HERE!

LIL PETEY: TJ, when is the handicap match with me and you against Sauce’s mom?

TJ THOMPSON: Anytime, Petey.

LIL PETEY: She’s ‘bout to hop on this PETEY TRAIN!

TJ THOMPSON: Drip Mountain!

YUNG SAUCE: ...come on now, dawgs.

TJ THOMPSON: You got it, Saucy! Your mom's about to be-

Before TJ could even finish YET ANOTHER mom joke, Petey screams out bloody murder again.

LIL PETEY: BRO THIS SHIT FUCKING HURTS. MARK, WHAT THE HELL DID YOU PUT IN THAT BRIEFCASE?!

LANCE WILLIAMS: Yeah dude, what the hell was that?

MARK HUNTER: Tear gas!!

LANCE WILLIAMS: Fucking hell! When did you regain your sense of humor?

Mark chuckles.

MARK HUNTER: The contract is already with management… I planted the gas in there to get you later if I was drunk and bored!!

LANCE WILLIAMS: You prick!!!

With that Mark pats Lance on the back whilst giving him a nod of agreement, Mark then starts walking back towards the locker room as Lance begins checking on Big Drip. Lance manages to grab three bottles of water from a table nearby and passes one to Petey, Sauce and TJ.





HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, the team of Lil Petey, TJ Thompson, and Yung Sauce, BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG DRIP PRODUCTIONS and LAAAAAAAAAAAAANCE WILLIAMS!

The piano intro of “Drip Like Me” by Kenndog starts playing. Yung Sauce and Lil Petey run out onto the stage both with mics in hand, eyes still absolutely reddened and leaking but fighting through the pain for their fans, followed by TJ Thompson and Lance Williams who try starting a wave within the crowd.

DRIP

The second the lyrics of the song start, both Sauce and Petey put the mics up to their mouths and rap along to the lyrics while TJ adlibs and hips up the crowd.

Yung Sauce 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. Lance Williams takes the hands of children reaching out for high fives, and lifts the teens into the air effortlessly to their amusement! Not to be outdone, TJ Thompson spots a fan extending her baby cutely dressed in a Big Drip onesie, and signs the bouncing baby’s forehead with a purple marker with the word ‘DRIP’. Lil Petey raps the entire next verse with Sauce hyping him up. TJ dances up the ramp and almost falls off the ramp into the crowd before Sauce grabs his arm and pulls him back. Lance Williams takes handfuls of purple Mardi Gras beads from TJ, and casually rocket launches them to the last row of the stadium.

While Petey was rapping the last line, Sauce and him stepped onto opposite sides of the ring apron. They have their backs turned to the ropes, facing the audience. Sauce puts the mic up to his mouth. TJ throws t-shirts and hats into the crowd as they cheer.

Petey and Sauce step into the ring. Sauce keeps the mic up to his mouth while Petey is bouncing up and down with his hands in the air. TJ exits the ring and climbs up onto the barricade, leaping into the crowd and crowd surfing after they barely manage to catch him. Lance sets the children he picked up on the entrance ramp down on the other side of the barricade, shrugs his shoulders, and keeps riding the big wave into the ring.

While Sauce was rapping the last line, both him and Petey 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. TJ re enters the ring and keeps ad libbing as the other two members of Drip Drip Productions finish their verses. Sauce and Petey drop the mics and the audience goes wild! Feeding into the energy from the crowd, they stand in a corner waiting for their opponents to try and top that entrance.

HOLLY PEREZ: And their opponents… the Project Honor Tag Team champions, -

Trickling out from the backstage area, James Raven and Betsy Granger follow Shawn Warstein. Raven and Warstein’s Championship gold rests over their shoulders, but it’s Warstein’s ring on his finger he can’t stop touching with the hand not holding a microphone. James and Betsy drag along trash bags with them, earning confused stares from the Big Drippers.

LIL PETEY: Oooooooooh snap! I see Legacy’s bringing the bodybags for their own-

TYRANT WARSTEIN: And that’s enough out of you. I assume you aren’t familiar with twitter dot com but I’m certain you’ve already ignored at least three decrees. That’s a paddlin, but I’ll get back to that later, I’ve got a few more decrees to add to the list. First decree of the day: Any stables who are reminiscent of Revenge of the Nerds movie are hereby banned from the premises.

Yung Sauce leans over the ropes, motioning for a Championship around his waist, to match the one TJ’s currently got. James brushes off the thought, about to trail off to the ring, but the Tyrant stops him in his tracks.

TYRANT WARSTEIN: Second decree: Any wrestlers on Warstein’s royal grounds with Club Penguin accounts will be removed by force.

If there were ever words to make TJ Thompson explode, these are those words. His face goes a bit red with the mention, but Legacy isn’t finished.

TYRANT WARSTEIN: And next… the only idols worth any amount of worshipping or adoration are currently standing on this entrance ramp. Any other idols must immediately be disposed of.. And we have ways of doing that.

Hearing their cue, both Raven and Granger start pouring out the booty from their most recent treasure chest into the fuckboy capitol… Petey stands on the turnbuckle to get a better look… is that… a supreme box logo? Ed Hardy pajamas? Gucci flip flops? So much swag, all on one stage, and Lil Petey gets to make eye contact with Granger as she hoists up a large pair of scissors… and waves them around like a magician with their wand… before a well placed cut makes those logos disappear! One item after the other, stripped of its identity as James and Betsy turn drip into disasters! Yung Sauce falls to his knees! TJ’s breath is taken away! Lil Petey is freakin’ vibrating, absolutely speechless, watching the car crash in slow motion before he manages to snap out of his coma! Lance Williams is the coolest head of the bunch, trying to hold back Lil Petey. Is Michael Jordan doing a dunk or a finger roll? Can’t tell once James Raven delightfully chops his hand off. Airpods? Crushed. Supreme box logos? Perfect shape for cutting out. Lil Petey’s just barely escaping Lance’s grip, Sauce looks like he’s a senzu bean away from going super saiyan three, and Shawn brings the microphone to his mouth.

TYRANT WARSTEIN: Lastly… Distractions are banned… after this one.

In the dead of pisces season, one might not expect it, but shark week arrives. The entire crowd is yelling at the top of their lungs, begging for their heroes to look away from Warstein hacking into a pair of Yeezys, but they can’t. Euan Hill is a blur darting across the ring, slamming into TJ Thompson and tackling him through the ropes. Fists fly, hammering down onto TJ Thompson with such speed and veracity that he can barely cover up and protect himself from the pounding. One Saucy boy turns around and ducks underneath the ropes to save his friend, only to notice the Tyrant King’s court making a mad dash to the ring! Yung Sauce and James Raven go to blows as Raven tries to slide into the ring. On the other side of the ring, Lance and Shawn Warstein are exchanging blows like heavyweight boxers, neither man willing to back down from the violence. Lil Petey, still stinging from the direct stab to his heart, is practically Tupac without a nose ring as he darts between Lance and Sauce, trying to help his friends out, until an arm on his shoulder grabs him. He turns to see Betsy Granger - and he immediately shoves her away.

LIL PETEY: BEGONE THOT--

He doesn’t get too far in his sentiment - the impossible traveler’s foot takes a red-eye flight to Petey’s chest, bashing him against the ropes. The referee steps in the ring to try maintaining the peace, but after that display, he can only pry Warstein and Williams away from each other for a split second before Lance hoists the official up and sets him out of the danger zone, and gets back at it. At ringside, Euan Hill’s hammering blows on TJ’s back as the hipbeast throws Joe frazier body blows at his championship’s number one contender until Euan grabs a handful of hair and--

TREY BOOKER: The block is hot, watch out!

J.T. PRICE: Watch wh-

J.T. Price is lost in James Raven’s forearms knocking Sauce back, until Sauce ducks a clothesline and tries throwing Raven out of the ring - only for the man to skin the cat and catch himself on the ring apron. The commentary team’s not even safe from the brawl, as JT Price and TJ Thompson practically get their abbreviations switch by how hard TJ’s tossed into the other’s chest, clean over the announce table! Euan Hill’s not even bothering to look at the violence in the ring, he’s only focused on TJ, who falls over JT’s rolling chair in a mess of baja blast and papers. With TJ downed, Euan Hill eyes the Warrior Rising championship laying on the ground… then he starts lurking towards the ring apron, fishing for the proverbial hammer to burst open the door of opportunity!

TREY BOOKER: It doesn’t look like Euan Hill’s wanting to wait until he gets an official match. He’s wanting to cut to the front of the line by eliminating the competition, for good!

The announcer’s bell rings multiple times as officials begin to flood the scene! Betsy gets tugged away by her arms by officials trying to pry her fists away from Petey’s chin, but she sheds their grasp! Petey hammers her in the back of her head! Betsy returns to sender, pele kick crackin’ Petey upside his head! Warstein’s finally getting the advantage with clubbing strikes and stiff chops, but Lance bull rushes him! Warstein drops his shoulder in Lance’s gut and lifts for the spinebuster, but the bulldozer doesn’t get moved that easily! Even with officials swarming him, he hoists Warstein up for the gutwrench suplex to send hordes of referees flying! James Raven, on the ring apron, ducks Sauce’s superkick and brings the top rope with him so one-half of Big Drip Productions is at ringside!

TREY BOOKER: Things are looking bad for Big Drip’s Championship dreams!

Lance, noticing his lil’ homie’s departure, is on James Raven like white on rice. Warstein’s back to his feet and charges Lance, but both of the tag team champions get pushed back by the titan! Lance charges! Double clothesline from Legacy, but both men get shoved aside as Lance powers through their arms, rebounds from the ropes, and lets a double shoulder block shove both men back! Lance then lowers his shoulder like a young Brian Urlacher, hunting down a wide receiver with a three hundred pound spear! Both Warstein and Raven shrugs their shoulders and cajually step aside, leaving Lance accidentally crashing into the ropes and landing at ringside! Warstein, Raven, and Granger start closing in on Lil’ Petey, who slowly backs away from the trio while generously offering to talk things out, potentially over a rap collab. Instead, Granger and Raven reaches for Petey’s hands and pin them down while the Tyrant King looms over his opponent…

J.T. PRICE: ...Man, TJ is small, but he’s dense! So much muscle in one man! Pound for pound, definitely the hardest object to hit me like a purple and blue bowling ball.

TREY BOOKER: Oh, I thought you died. Well, anyways. Warstein can’t keep getting away with this! First literally DRUGGING an opponent, and now making sure he doesn’t miss the insanity! I don’t even think FALLOUT could have a man like this on their roster!

Euan Hill’s got his fists wrapped in steel chains as he slams on the announcer’s table, looking over it, but discovering TJ is nowhere to be found. Euan stares down JT and Trey, who take the hint and step aside, but TJ isn’t there! With one hand, Euan flips the announcer’s table over as he looks for his kill, but as wood splinters and cracks as it’s tossed, he doesn’t find his target! Meanwhile, in the ring, Warstein reaches for Petey’s supreme fanny pack and pulls out his Rose Gold Iphone… with a disapproving look, he holds it up to Petey’s face and unlocks it!

LIL PETEY: What are you-

TYRANT WARSTEIN: Taking matters into my own hands since Soundcloud doesn’t seem to have any standards. Drip like me?

With a press of the button, Warstein shrugs his shoulders.

TYRANT WARSTEIN: Deleted.

Petey is in savage mode while pinned down, bucking against Raven and Granger while Warstein continues deleting Big Drip’s music from soundcloud! Euan Hill is turning this arena upside down, looking for the Warrior Rising Champion, who stealthily climbs from over the barricade and behind the commentator’s desk. He grabs JT’s rolling chair and lines himself up with Euan’s back… and takes off in a mad dash! Sprinting at top speed, he leaps onto the rolling chair, and crashes onto Euan Hill with an assisted bulldog! Euan Hill doesn’t go down! TJ dangles on Euan, held upright as his headlock’s secured, starting to nervously buck and squirm because his feet can’t reach the ground - thankfully, a huge shove from Lance shows Euan Hill forward to the ring apron, where TJ’s able to step on the apron and switch his hand position, landing with an improved Sliced Bread #2!

Warstein’s too busy deleting music to notice Raven getting dragged by his ankles from Williams. Between Lil’ Petey and Yung Sauce, Betsy’s unable to keep Petey down and he bucks her off! Still, she gets her base underneath him and lets the chopper sing! Leg kick to Petey! Spinning back kick to Yung Sauce’s stomach! Petey’s just barely able to get his hands up quickly enough to try grabbing her, but Betsy’s foot speed is too much to grasp as two roundhouse kicks to his side connect! She turn turns, switch roundhouse kick to Sauce’s chin, but he ducks underneath, and shoves her into Petey! Superkick to the stomach of the Impossible Traveler connects! Hobbled over, she’s in sights for Sauce clotheslining both her and himself over the top rope, joining into the fray at ringside! Meanwhile Petey stalks after Warstein… Warstein notices the annoying lil’ commotion coming from ringside and notices James Raven doing flippy shit. Warstein starts turning around, but Petey’s on him! Jumping cutter!

J.T. PRICE: PETEY SENDING A MESSAGE WITH THE MP3!!!

TREY BOOKER: NOT SO FAST!

TYRANT WARSTEIN SHOVES PETEY AWAY BEFORE THE CUTTER CONNECTS! PETEY CRASHES INTO THE ROPES! SHAWN RUSHES AND SLAMS HIS KNEE INTO THE BACK OF PETEY'S HEAD TO KICK HIM CLEAR FROM THE RING!

J.T. PRICE: HEAVY IS THE HEAD CONNECTS!

TREY BOOKER: THAT'S GONNA LEAVE A KNOT THE SIZE OF LANCE’S BICEP!

By now, the brawl’s been so extended that the backstage area’s practically clearing onto the ring to break things up - it takes half of the security staff to break up Euan Hill and Lance Williams, while others pry apart the rest of Big Drip’s members from Legacy. Betsy and James slide into the ring, standing tall after the brawl, as Lance carries away Petey over his shoulder as Yung Sauce and TJ are forced back as the tension’s bringing the show to its knees!







CADEN YOUNG: What about this are you not understanding?

Caden slaps the board atop his stencil with a metal pointer. The Assistant to the General Manager’s suit clashes with the bored expression painted on his face.

CADEN YOUNG: It is simple. Years and years of being exposed to media so lacking creativity and flavor has driven mass media into a position where shock value and offense are the only things capable of stimulating the average person’s mind for more than half of a second. As such, this is the final frontier. From absurdism to peak humor being deep fried completely random memes, we are entering the end game now.

He locks his hands behind his back, and paces back and forth in front of the two business execs sitting in his office - which is Callum’s office when the GM is away.

EXEC 1: I fail to see why this is necess-

CADEN YOUNG: Did you NOT see the attention on www.twitterdotcom when that game dropped and everyone all had the same urge? This isn’t fifty years ago and space jam just came out. People don’t want a thin waist and a lil’ blonde hair. You want their attention? This is how you get their attention. They want homicidal e-girls whose main attraction is that they will kill them. If you want this lil’ film you’re making to sell tickets, either bust heads or drink blood. I’m tellin’ ya.

EXEC 2: Did you listen to a word we said?

CADEN YOUNG: I heard you crystal clear. It sounded like you came to our home without bringing a number to the table first; that’s the advice that you’re getting for free.

EXEC 2: This is an opportunity for a little bit of symbiosis.

CADEN YOUNG: No thanks, I’m pretty sure Symbiosis offered me poppers after we finished shopping at Nobu.

EXEC 1: ...Symbiosis is just you scratch my back, I scratch yours. You like wrestling as it is, right? Just catering to internet smarks and dads nostalgic for the days where this was an opportunity to watch sweaty men in spandex might be a good business strategy, but we’re presenting you with an opportunity to ride the wave.

CADEN YOUNG: ...The wave?

EXEC 1: The wave. The ‘small company made up of independent contracting MMA fighters’ going to ‘owning a private island’ wave. The wrestling equivalent of Gamestop wave. Instead of increasing the strength of your brand by appealing more to your fan base, you can make this brand the greatest brand under the sun by increasing your appeal to people who aren’t fans already!

EXEC 2: That’s absolutely correct. Right now, we’re scouting talent across federations looking for a certain...je ne sais quoi, if you will. Someone who can become the face of modern wrestling. Someone who can bridge the gap between combat sports and styles. This roster’s got practically everything underneath the sun from soundcloud rappers to murderers to I’m pretty sure a literal ghost, but I am thinkin’ it’d be better served if you guys had someone to drag this industry into the mainstream again, either willingly or by its ankles kicking and screaming, don’t you think?

CADEN YOUNG: More talk but no budget makes Caden a uninterested boy.

Another deep drag of his vape precedes Caden rolling his eyes, before one of the execs writes a number down with his ballpoint pen on a napkin, and slides it over in Caden’s direction. Young’s eyes skim over the note, look up to the ceiling, look at the note again with eyes the size of fifty cent pieces, and Caden slams both hands on the desk after almost swallowing his vape pen.

CADEN YOUNG: ...That’s a good starting offer. Let’s walk and talk about some prospects, shall we?





The opening riff of Parkway Drive's "Vice grip" hits. The high speed gives way to Aiden Reynolds stepping out onto the stage, a fist in the air and a black leather jacket with "The Aussie Wolf" spray painted on the back. He moves his way down to the ring and as the refrain of the song hits he throws his arms out to the side as he and the crowd both chant.

"YEAAAH YEAH YEAH"

HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

CROWD: ONE FALL!

HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing first, hailing down under all the way from Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia! Standing at six feet one inches and weighing two-hundred and twenty-seven pounds, he is the AUSTRAAALIAAN WOLF, AAAAIDEN REYNO-

As Reynolds makes it down the ramp, FROM BEHIND A HULKING FIGURE RUNS UP AND CLOBBERS HIM WITH A LARIAT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD, SENDING HIM DOWN AND CAUSING THE CROWD TO GO SILENT IN SURPRISE! IT'S OZYMANDIAS!

TREY BOOKER: WHAT THE HELL?!

J.T. PRICE: It seems like Ozymandias couldn't wait to get his hands on Reynolds!

The referee scorns Ozymandias and tells him to wait until the bell rings, but those words fall on deaf ears! Reynolds attempts to stand, dazed as he reaches to the barricade for help while holding the back of his neck from such a stiff blow. The Butcher of Reine stares at him coldly, though the monster of a man's eyes are filled with rage. Reynolds starting to realize what's going on, throws a fist at the hulking masked man! It doesn't even phase him! Ozymandias responds with a HEADBUTT THAT DROPS REYNOLDS BACK DOWN!

TREY BOOKER: The referee needs to stop this!

J.T. PRICE: Maybe if Reynolds had kept his mouth shut..

The masked man picks the Aussie back up, and LIFTS HIM INTO CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB POSITION! The crowd begins to grow loud and nervous at what they're saying! The referee is frantically yelling for Ozymandias to stop as he walks to the apron! HE LIFTS HIM UP A BIT HIGHER IN THE AIR AND THROWS REYNOLDS BACK AND NECK FIRST INTO THE APRON! THE CALL! THE AUDIENCE GASPS AS REYNOLDS GOES LIMP ON THE FLOOR WHILE OZYMANDIAS SIMPLY STARES AT HIM!

TREY BOOKER: OH MY GOD! NO!

J.T. PRICE: Ozymandias made it clear he wasn't happy after what happened at The Crowning. Reynolds continued to taunt and banter with the brute and it looks like Ozymanfias hasn't taken that well either! But this, he's going too far- He's trying to destroy Aiden Reynolds!

TREY BOOKER: This is uncalled for! Settle it in the ring, not like this!

Ozymandias simply grabs the Australian Wolf by the hair, who is out of it, lethargically thrashing as he's dragged to the ring. The referee continues to berate the giant man but it seems to not do anything at all. Ozymandias tosses Reynolds into the ring as boos ring out from the crowd. Reynolds pulls himself up weakly in the corner as his opponent stands in his own corner. The referee checks up on him to see if he's still ready to compete, Reynolds weakly nods.

J.T. PRICE: What is he doing?! He should just forfeit if he values his life!

TREY BOOKER: Reynolds is not a man that simply gives up, J.T.!

DING! DING! DING!

OZYMANDIAS CHARGES IN LIKE A BULL BUT GETS MET WITH A SUDDEN STANDING DROPKICK THAT SENDS HIM STAGGERING BACK! Ozymandias quickly shakes it off as Reynolds makes it back to his feet, still shaking off the cobwebs as he stands unevenly, nearly falling to his knees- CONVENIENTLY DUCKING A LARIAT FROM THE BUTCHER! He throws a kick at Ozymandias' leg from the side but it barely makes him flinch! He goes for another kick but his leg gets caught- AND OZYMANDIAS PULLS HIM INTO A GERMAN SUPLEX ACROSS THE RING!

TREY BOOKER: He sent him flying!

J.T. PRICE: The referee needs to stop this match right now!

Reynolds holds his neck again, some nasty damage already been done. He groans in pain as he tries to stand- backing up into a corner again. OZYMANDIAS MOVES IN LOOKING FOR A CORNER SPEAR- REYNOLDS MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AND OZYMANDIAS GOES HEAD AND SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST, HE'S ROCKED! Reynolds' eyes brighten, he's back in this, he runs in- CANNONBALL SENTON RIGHT TO THE BACK OF OZYMANDIAS! THE IMPACT SENDS THE GIANT HEAD FIRST INTO THE RING POST AGAIN AND HE FALLS OVER! REYNOLDS QUICKLY GOES FOR A PIN!

TREY BOOKER: HE JUST TOOK OZYMANDIAS OFF HIS FEET! HE CAN DO THIS!

The referee drops to count!

ONE!- KICKOUT! A STRONG ONE THAT SENDS THE AUSTRALIAN WOLF A FEW FEET FROM OZYMANDIAS!

J.T. PRICE: Are you sure about that?

The Butcher of Reine begins to stand again, clearly angered as he roars in frustration- slamming his fists into the mat. Reynolds, for all his bravado, is a little shaken by the giant's power. He quickly goes to try and LIFT OZYMANDIAS FOR THE GOLD COAST CUTTER-! BUT OZYMANDIAS DOESN'T BUDGE!

TREY BOOKER: He's not going to be able to lift Ozymandias for the Gold Coast Cutter!

J.T. PRICE: Well, he better figure out something fast!

Ozymandias shoves him so hard that the Australian Wolf goes bouncing off the ropes at breakneck speed and is met WITH ONE OF THE STIFFEST BICYCLE KICKS EVER SEEN! REYNOLDS IS LAID OUT!

J.T. PRICE: THAT HAS TO BE IT!

Ozymandias pins him down! The ref drops to count!

ONE!

TWO!

THR- KICKOUT! REYNOLDS GETS THE SHOULDER UP!

TREY BOOKER: He's still in this match!

Ozymandias doesn't waste any time wrapping his arms around Reynolds' waist and lifts him up! BEAR HUG! REYNOLDS BEGINS SCREAMING AS THE REF ASKS HIM IF HE GIVES UP! HE YELLS NO DEFIANTLY, BUT THAT JUST MAKES OZYMANDIAS TIGHTEN THE HOLD!

TREY BOOKER: THE ARMS OF AZATHOTH!

J.T. PRICE: HE'S CRUSHING HIS INSIDES!

AS TIGHT AS OZYMANDIAS HOLDS THE HUG, REYNOLDS WITH ALL HIS HEART REFUSES TO QUIT! OZYMANDIAS HAS ENOUGH AND POPS REYNOLDS UP, GOING TO CATCH HIM WITH A SPINEBUSTER- NO! REYNOLDS GETS OZYMANDIAS INTO A FRONT FACELOCK AND WHILE FALLING BACK DOWN, PLANTS THE BUTCHER WITH A MID AIR SPIKE DDT!

TREY BOOKER: A DDT COUNTER!

J.T. PRICE: If Reynolds has any chance of winning, he has to keep going at this pace!

Reynolds scrambles to his feet gingerly, holding the back of his neck as blood runs down his nose and from his lips from the bicycle kick he took earlier. A permanent wince on his face, clearly in immense pain. But his eyes are widened with adrenaline as he turns back to Ozymandias, stalking the big man as he slowly rises to his feet!

Ozymandias gets up slowly, JUMPING CUTTER FROM THE AUSTRALIAN WOLF! A JUMPING VERSION OF THE GOLD COAST CUTTER!

TREY BOOKER: HE GOT HIM!

J.T. PRICE: HE KNEW BETTER THAN TO GO FOR HIS NORMAL VERSION THIS TIME!

COVER!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE- NO! OZYMANDIAS STILL KICKS OUT, SEEMINGLY ON INSTINCT! Reynolds can't believe it, but he doesn't waste any time as he looks towards the ropes! Ozymandias is already making it back to his feet!

TREY BOOKER: What the hell is Ozymandias?!

J.T. PRICE: Not human, Booker. Not human at all!

Ozymandias stands, though visibly hurt! Reynolds runs to the ropes, he jumps off the second one and bounces off- SPRINGBOARD CUTTER TO OZYMANDIAS!

TREY BOOKER: SPRINGBOARD GOLD COAST CUTTERRRR!

J.T. PRICE: HURRY! GO FOR THE PIN!

REYNOLDS GOES FOR THE PIN AGAIN, QUICKLY HOOKING THE LEG!

ONE!

TWO!

...

THRREEEEEEEE!

DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: And your winner is… AIDEN REYNOOOOLDS!

The crowd cheers as Reynolds rolls off of Ozymandias, tired, but he raises his fist in the air victoriously. The referee slowly helps him up and raises his hand, though Reynolds quickly goes back to holding the back of his neck.

TREY BOOKER: Aiden did it. He put Ozymandias down for the three count!

J.T. PRICE: Now I'll admit, I hadn't seen that coming. But you're right, he did it and he made a huge statement by doing it- He started the match at a disadvantage and still managed to win by his quick thinking!

Reynolds climbs out of the ring, limping and wiping the crimson from his face. Meanwhile Ozymandias begins to stir again somehow. Realizing what happened as he stares toward the referee, then Reynolds walking down the ring- HE GRABS THE REFEREE AND CHOKESLAMS HIM, NEARLY DRILLING HIM THROUGH THE MAT!

TREY BOOKER: THE REFEREE WAS JUST DOING HIS JOB!

J.T. PRICE: And if we thought Ozymandias was already pissed.. Something tells me we haven't seen anything yet.



Somewhere in the backstage area, Crystal Ward is standing by at the Proving Ground interview set, ready to conduct an exclusive interview with one of the brand’s stars.

CRYSTAL WARD: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, the reigning X-Factor Champion, Indy Darling!

Indy walks onto the set with the championship gold strapped around his waist. As usual, he is also wearing his blue aviators and his hooded denim ring vest, but he’s also showing off a new piece of apparel. Underneath his vest is a simple black t-shirt with bold white letters on the front that read “BRING BACK CALIBAN”. As Indy approaches Crystal, he gives her a confident smile, much different from the despondent and volatile young man that the reporter interviewed at The Crowning.

CRYSTAL WARD: Thanks for joining me, Indy. Judging from the smile on your face and your promo this week, it seems like you’re back to your old self. But what happens if you lose your championship to Blair Regent tonight? Will angry Indy rear his ugly head or is this “better” version of you here to stay?

Indy’s smile widens as he lets out a soft chuckle and shakes his head.

INDY DARLING: Fair question. All I can say is that all of us find ourselves in dark places from time to time. A stronger man than me may not have lashed out or felt so damn sorry for himself, but I’m only human. I can’t promise that I’ll always be out here with a smile on my face, but I can promise that I’ll never stop fighting. If Blair Regent is the better wrestler than me tonight, I’ll happily hand over this championship and be the first to congratulate “The Pop Punk Prince”. Of course, taking this belt from me is going to be a lot easier said than done.

CRYSTAL WARD: Fair enough. Now I have to ask about the shirt. You’ve been known to wear shirts with controversial slogans before. Care to enlighten us to the meaning behind this one?

Indy glances down at the front of his t-shirt and smiles before looking back up to give Crystal his response.

INDY DARLING: Caliban was my first real challenge in Project: Honor, and every time we were set to face off in the ring, he told me that I needed to “cut my strings” in order to truly be free. I admit I’m still naïve when it comes to some things in the business, and I’ll also admit when I was wrong. The truth is, Caliban was exactly right when he told me to let go of the things that were holding me down, even if it took me a long time to accept it. If he was still around, I’d be happy to tell him that to his face. Instead, we’re stuck with the Eli Roth fan club president, Christian DeMarco, and I’d just as soon not talk to him at all.

CRYSTAL WARD: I can’t fault anyone for that. Thanks for your time, Indy, and good luck tonight!

INDY DARLING: Luck? Never had it, never needed it.

Indy starts to walk off the set when he suddenly stops himself. He seems to be considering something for a moment before ultimately turning back toward Crystal. He looks at the reporter with a smile as he takes a moment to remove the sunglasses from his eyes.

INDY DARLING: You know, we should grab a drink sometime when we’re both free. It’d be nice to talk without an audience for a change.

Crystal seems taken aback by Indy’s offer, surprised that someone would ask her out in front of a live viewing audience.

CRYSTAL WARD: Oh! I...um…

INDY DARLING: No need to answer this second. I’m not hard to find, but right now I’ve got a dance to keep with my number one contender.

He slides his sunglasses back over his eyes and this time fully makes his exit, leaving a somewhat embarrassed and blushing Crystal Ward to consider his offer…





HOLLY PEREZ: The following match is for the X-Factor Championship! Introducing first….

The opening chords to 'Burn Him Down' play out through the arena as Blair makes their entrance, bopping their head to the music and finishing a cigarette they likely started backstage. They toss it to the ground and crush it underfoot before rolling forward and slapping hands with a few of the fans who're supporting them, before springing up onto the apron and rolling over the top ropes. They get into the ring, and bow, giving a middle finger to the hard camera with a cheeky smile before prepping for their match.

HOLLY PEREZ: The challenger. Standing 5’7 and weighing in at 157 pounds from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania... BLLLLLAIR REGENT!

"Just Like You" by Falling in Reverse begins to play as Indy Darling walks onto the entrance area with the hood of his vest pulled over his eyes. He drops to one knee with arms outstretched on either side, soaking in the reception from the live crowd. After we hear "Honestly I'm just like you" for the first time, he springs back to both feet and allows his hood to fall from his head, revealing a lit cigarette between his lips. Indy is sporting a pair of sunglasses under his cropped reddish-blonde hair, and his expression is difficult to read. Neither smiling nor frowning, he casually makes his way toward the ring his eyes focused on the challenge that lies ahead of him. Around his waist is the championship gold, the flashing lights from above sparkling off its surface. Upon reaching the ring, Indy slides under the bottom rope and lets his vest slide off of his shoulders, catching it in his right hand before whipping it out to a lucky member of the audience. He is wearing full tights with his name stylized down the right leg, along with color-coordinated kick-pads and an elbow pad on his left arm. He moves toward the ropes facing the hard camera and steps onto them with one foot on the bottom rope and one on the middle. He looks around at the crowd, letting a slight smile creep over his face, as we hear "I am aware you are all assholes" from his entrance music. He then unfastens the belt from his waist and proudly lifts it above his head with his right hand. Indy then takes a final drag from his cigarette before flicking it to the ringside area, while soaking up the cheers, jeers, curses, and praise from the diverse audience reacting to his presence in the ring.

HOLLY PEREZ: And now, standing 6’0 tall and weighing in at 215 pounds, from Indianapolis, Indiana, He is the Project Honor X Factor champion….EVERYBODY’S FAVORITE...INNNNNDY...DARRRRLING!

TREY BOOKER: Here we go, X-Factor Championship Match!

J.T. PRICE: Blair Regent versus Indy Darling one on one…

DING! DING! DING!

The bell rings and we are off. Blair and Indy step around the ring circling one another. Neither of them ready to make a move as they look each other up and down. Indy raises a hand and offers and old school gravo-roman knuckle lock. Blair steps forward and puts her hand up and as she intertwines her fingers she pulls her hand back right out of it and shakes her head. Indy smirks and shrugs before they lock up in the more traditional collar and elbow. Indy pulls Blair sideways and into a side headlock. He wrenches it in and Blair backs him up into the ropes and shoots Indy off to the opposite side. Indy hits the ropes, Blair drops down and Indy jumps over and as Blair gets to her feet Indy goes for a clothesline. Blair is able to duck it and as she turns back around she grabs Indy pulling him down into a side headlock takedown to the ground.

TREY BOOKER: Pretty even start here JT, Indy started to get the momentum going but Blair cut him off.

J.T. PRICE: That is the key, Blair has to make sure Indy can’t get that momentum rolling, cause if he does he’s very hard to stop.

Blair stays on top of Indy, grinding in her headlock and keeping him down. Indy turns to his left to keep a shoulder off the mat and tries to roll into the headlock and reverse the pressure. Indy is able to get to his stomach and push up to his hands and knees. He stands up and lifts Blair up in the air, but Blair kicks her legs and lands down on the mat and takes Indy over again to the mat. This time, though, Indy is reached and rolls Blair back over the other way and they both get to their feet. Blair hits Indy with a knee to the stomach as he comes in, it doubles him over and Blair pulls Indy down into a DDT spiking him on the top of his head. Blair acts fast and goes to the corner climbing up to the top before leaping off with a double foot stomp right down onto Indy’s midsection. Indy covers up but is in obvious pain.

TREY BOOKER: Blair is firmly in charge to start this match, she has been able to keep Indy grounded for the most part and that is a great strategy.

J.T. PRICE: She needs to keep him in that position though and do enough damage to end it, if she lets Indy get to a vertical base and fight back that is when Blair will be in trouble.

Blair is on the apron calling Indy to get to his feet. As he does, Blair springboards up and spins in the air hitting the Ursa Minor I. Indy goes down and Blair pops up riling up the crowd in attendance who are squarely on Indys side trying to will him to get back into the match. Indy tries to start to pull himself up and Blair stays on the attack. Indy hits a hard elbow to Blair’s stomach and then shoves her back. He hits a hard right and a left and then first off a few forearms backing Blair into the ropes. Indy whips her across the ring and ducks down for a back body drop. Blair stops and kicks Indy in the chest causing him to stand up. She then quickly hits a thumb to Indys eye stopping the momentum! Blair grabs Indy by the head and turns to run up the ropes and flip back with the 1950! Blair lands and goes for a pin.

ONE!
TWO!

Indy kicks out! Blair, though, wastes no motion and drills in a hard elbow to the side of Indys face. She pulls him up and hits some hard knees to his chest backing Indy up into the corner. Blair grabs his head again and then runs up the ropes and spins going for a tornado DDT, but Indy throws Blair off! She lands in front of him and Indy comes flying forward with a rocket dropkick sending Blair back and across the ring. Indy then kips up after landing on his back and looks to be fired up. Blair gets to her feet. Indy comes in behind her and gets Blair into a waistlock as if he is about to pop his hips for a german suplex. She grabs a hold of the top rope to stop it and the referee moves around and starts to count and as he does Blair fires her leg back and kicks Indy right between the legs. He crumbles to the mat and Blair turns around to go for another pin.

ONE!
TWO!
Indy kicks out!

TREY BOOKER: Wow, Blair is a bitch to Indy’s darlings

J.T. PRICE: Blair is a master at being able to take shortcuts, and every time it looks like Indy is going to get one over on her she finds a way to put a stop to it

TREY BOOKER: You have to admire someone who is that good at getting an advantage

J.T. PRICE: Yeah, tell that to Indy’s balls…

Blair slams her fist on the mat looking frustrated. She gets to her feet and looks down at Indy shocked that he didn’t just stay down. She pulls him to his feet and locks him up for the bullet with Butterfly Wings, but Indy stands up straight and takes Blair up and over, forcing her to crash to the mat behind him. Blair gets to her feet but Indy pops up and hits an enziguri. She falls to the mat and rolls out to the floor to escape him, but she stumbles after being kicked in the head. She walks around the outside of the ring but Indy hits the ropes and throws himself up and out to the floor with everyone's favourite dive down onto Blair. He pops up and riles up the crowd some more before pulling Blair up and rolling her back into the ring. Indy jumps up and hits a springboard rolling senton landing on Blair before turning and going for the pin.

ONE!
TWO!

Blair kicks out. Indy stays on the attack as he pulls Blair up and sets up for the Independent’s Day, but before he can complete the move, Blair ducks down and slides under him and kicks Indy forward. Blair pops up and runs at Indy before leaping up and wrapping her legs around his head spinning and grabbing the top rope taking Indy out of the ring with a hurricanrana. Indy lands hard on the floor and Blair stays on the apron. She runs across and leaps off and down onto Indy with a splash on the outside of the ring! Blair holds her ribs as does Indy with a sickening splat on the floor

J.T. PRICE: Did you hear that impact? Blair just threw all of her weight down onto Indy against the floor. That cannot feel good

TREY BOOKER: Oh absolutely. Blair is doing everything she can to keep Indy down. She wants that X-Factor title

J.T. PRICE: And Indy wants to keep it. This match is showing what lengths both of these competitors will go to in attempting to keep or win that championship title….

Blair is back to her feet and grabs a hold of Indy by the jeans sliding him under the bottom rope. She looks to the apron and gets up there before leaping off with the Ursa Minor II landing on the back of Indy’s head! Indy gets spiked and Blair goes for another pin.

ONE!
TWO!

Indy kicks out again. Blair looks even more angry and calls for the Bullet with Butterfly Wings again, but Indy struggles out of it. Blair jumps up and hits a dropkick that sends Indy back into the ropes. She pops to her feet again and goes for the ICU, Indy though ducks it and hits his own superkick! Both of them are down as the referee counts.

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

Indy starts to get up. He grabs the bottom rope as Blair looks up into the lights and reaches her arms in the air.

FOUR!
FIVE!
SIX!

Indy is up to one knee. Blair rolls over to her stomach and shakes her head trying to pull herself up to.

SEVEN!
EIGHT!

Indy is up to his feet, Blair is on one knee.

NINE!

Blair was able to get to her feet to break the count. They stumble into each other and start to hit hard rights and lefts at each other. It turns into hard forearms over and over again. Blair hits one on Indy that sends him back, but then Indy steps forward and turns spinning and hitting a roaring elbow. He connects and they both go down again!

TREY BOOKER: Both are down again!

J.T. PRICE: What a match! This is what you can expect in Project: Honor!

Indy is able to get back up before Blair and pulls her up to a vertical base also. He kicks her in the gut and pulls her head between his legs looking for the finish. Indy flips over Blair and connects the Independents Day! It takes him a second, but he puts his arm over her for the cover!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

DING! DING! DING!

“Just Like You” by Falling In Reverse blasts through the speakers and the fans all begin to cheer. The ref hands Indy Darling the X-Factor Championship and holds his other arm up while he holds the Title up.

HOLLY PEREZ: Here is your winner… AND STILL PROJECT: HONOR X-FACTOR CHAMPION… INDY DARRRRLINNNGGGG!!!

TREY BOOKER: Just like you said, J.T… WHAT A MATCH! Indy retains again, but there were portions of that match where I thought we’d see a new X-Factor Champion. Blair really showed up for this match and I’m sure we’ll see her around for a while.

J.T. PRICE: Oh, absolutely! That was a great performance by her, but Indy didn’t want to let the belt go just yet. Great match to both and congrats to the Champ on yet another successful defense!









The camera cuts to the ring where Holly Perez is standing by with a mic in hand.

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: This match is scheduled for ONE FALL and it is for the PROJECT: HONOR GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first…

“Feel Invincible” by Skillet suddenly sounds throughout the building and the crowd erupt into an undeniably negative response. After a few seconds pause Mark Hunter strolls out onto the ramp area, he smirks in a self-satisfied and confident manner at the reaction from the fans and begins his walk down to the ring. Mark acknowledges literally no fans as he wanders down the ramp, he continues to receive the poor crowd response as he ascends the ring steps. He enters between the middle and top rope and instantly wanders over to the far corner, Hunter climbs up and poses for the crowd whilst taking in the response from the fans. He soon steps down to the canvas and stretches his arms in the air before readying himself for action. At this stage the music dies away.

HOLLY PEREZ: The challenger… Weighing in at two hundred and eleven pounds… From San Jose, California… “The Straight Shooter”... MARRRRKKKKKK HUNTTTTERRRRRR!!!

TREY BOOKER: It’s Grand Championship time! Mark Hunter vs. Dickie Watson. Dickie has had some tough challengers come his way, but this might be his toughest yet.

J.T. PRICE: After winning the Purge Match at Unbreakable Resolution, I knew this dude was the real deal. Let’s hope he doesn’t let the opportunity fall short.

♫ WHOA-OH-OH-OH. ♫

The aggressive guitar riff opening of “FØØL” by GHØSTKID takes its place as the lights in the arena shut off entirely. The edges of the entryway flash the lime green color that Dickie has used frequently in the past, and his trashed script of his name appears up on the entryway screen, along with images of highlighted moments from his tenure in Project: Honor. The lights flicker and strobe on the stage as the opening continues to play, rhythmic and angry. As the music pauses for a second, a symbol crash signaling for it, The Grand Champion, Dickie Watson’s silhouette appears at the entryway with the strobing light behind him, dropping out entirely as the pause lingers for just over a second.

As the reckless guitar plays again, combined with the rest of the aggressive instruments of the band, the lights on the stage turn on, casting Dickie in the same green from the floor of the stage upwards, the lights from above strobing over the The Calamity as he surveys the crowd, a smirk upon his lips as he holds tightly to his championship. He raises the Grand Championship upwards, forcing the crowd to cheer loudly for the Molotov.

♫ A SITUATION UNPLEASANTLY
YOU’RE STILL THE ONE MAKES ME FEEL THIS WAY
YOU PUSH AND PULL TO FEIGN YOUR TRUST IN ME
TIL MY DEPENDENCY BECAME YOUR GUN AGAINST ME ♫

Dickie doesn’t take his time after dropping the championship back down to his shoulder in heading for the ring. He crosses to one side, doing as he always has done and high-fiving a few select fans with a smile on his face, then doing the same to the opposite side, using both hands to do so. He shares a few, select words with them, pausing as one heckler decides to put down the Champion. He purses his lips, pointing at him, and then turns his finger around and flips off the heckler themselves with a wide smile.

HOLLY PEREZ: From London, England...weighing in at one hundred and seventy six pounds… he is the Project: Honor GRAND CHAMPION...DICKIE WAAAAAAATTTTSSSSSSSSSSOOOOONNNNNN!!!!

♫ STUCK IN YOUR CAGE LIKE AN ANIMAL
YOUR GREATEST PLEASURE MEANS I’M LOST IN HELL
YOU WANNA KEEP ME LOW
WANNA SEE ME BURN
BUT NOW IS THE TIME WHERE THE TABLES TURN ♫

Dickie moves towards the ring then, grabbing hold of the bottom rope and using it to propel him up to the top of the apron. Without hesitation, he moves swiftly onto grabbing the top rope and launching himself over it, landing smoothly in the center of the ring. He grins widely as he looks out on the crowd, almost as if it’s still a humbling experience to be standing in front of so many people week in and week out.

♫ YOU ALWAYS TOOK THE BEST OF ME
BUT I NEVER MEANT TO BE YOUR ENEMY
YOU JUST MADE ME LOOK LIKE FOOL
SO HUSH AND DON’T MAKE A SOUND
YOU’RE THE RABBIT
I’M THE COTTONMOUTH ♫

Dickie dashes to the southeast turnbuckle closest to the cameras and leaps up to the second rope, leaning on the top with his knees. He needs no assistance and doesn’t grasp the ropes as he takes his title once more and raises it high above his head. He points to it with his other hand, grinning from ear to ear as the crowd pops for not the champion, but the championship itself. He leaps down back down, jumping to the floor with his combat boots meeting the canvas heavily. With a grin, he hands his shiny championship to the referee, who holds it up between the competitiors as Dickie enters his corner, smirking slightly at his opponent. He grasps the ropes at the turnbuckle and rams his back into it, squatting down as he puts his weight on the ropes to support him. He launches himself upwards as his music fades out.

TREY BOOKER: Arguably the best Champion in all of the federations combined, Dickie Watson has proven time and time again why he’s so tough to beat. He lets us hear it, too.

J.T. PRICE: There’s no denying his pure talent. He’s shown us that, like you said. He needs to embrace what he has and realize how great of a Champion he truly is.

Dickie Watson hands the Grand Championship to the ref, who then holds it up high. The fans begin an uproar of cheers. The ref then hands the belt to an official at ringside and signals for the start of the match.

DING! DING! DING!

Mark starts to circle Watson, looking for a possible gap to start his attack. Watson eyes up the challenger, neithis competitor wanting to make the first move. Mark approaches The Molotov and goes to lock up, but instead drives a knee right into the Grand Champ’s rib cage before grabbing a side headlock. The Straight Shooter transitions to a hammerlock and starts to wrench the arm of Watson, clearly looking to wear down the Champion from the outset. Dickie slips behind into a hammerlock of his own but Hunter uses The Molotov’s own momentum and takes him to the mat with a drop-toe hold. Dickie gets back to his feet and starts to unload on Hunter. An overhand right, an open-handed chop, a kick to the midsection, followed by another open-hand chop. Hunter is on his back-foot, allowing Watson to push him against the ropes and whip him across the ring.

TREY BOOKER: Back and forth action so far and I wouldn’t expect anything less!

J.T. PRICE: Dickie could pull off a good move right here if he executes correctly.

Hunter comes back off the ropes and hurdles Dickie after he bent over, looking to flip his opponent. Watson turns around, but is greeted with a flurry of strikes from Hunter in receipt of his own. Vicious strikes to Dickie stagger him while Hunter keeps the pressure on and ends his fury with a dropkick that takes the Champ down! Hunter grabs a hold of the leg and drops an elbow. He looks to roll over the Dickie but instead he rolls through and back to one leg. Watson looks for an enziguri but Hunter ducks. Watson lands on his foot again and, in one fluid motion, spins back around for a heel kick to the temple of the challenger. Watson doesn’t allow his opponent any respite and picks him back up by the neck, but Hunter breaks free and slams himself back to the ground whilst his foot rises to connect with the groin of Dickie!

J.T. PRICE: Oh, god…

TREY BOOKER: I think you meant to say that Mark just out-dicked Dickie!

Watson is bent over double, allowing Hunter the chance to get back up to a vertical base! He pulls Dickie’s head in-between his arm and side and then connects The Antidote! The Twist of Fate connects and Mark goes for the cover!

ONE!

Dickie kicks out!

J.T. PRICE: Great move from Mark, but Dickie is able to kick out before the two count!

Watson’s smile is absent from his expression now. He rolls out of the pin attempt and creates some space allowing him to crack Mark with a roundhouse kick and then hits the ropes… TILT-A-WHIRL DDT! Hunter is holding his head, his face painted with a look of contempt. Watson launches himself, connecting with a Basement Dropkick. He takes a few steps back before leaping, looking for a Standing Shooting Star Press but Hunter rolls out the way and under the bottom rope.

TREY BOOKER: Damn! That was quick reflexes from Mark to roll out of the way like that.

J.T. PRICE: I was hoping Dickie could keep it up.

TREY BOOKER: AYO!

Watson gets back to his feet and looks to grab a hold of Hunter but eats a right-hand. He approaches him again and this time blocks the strike and returns one of his own. The Molotov rams a shoulder into the midsection of the Albertan that leaves his prone between the top and middle rope. Watson winds up and delivers a Penalty Kick that echoes a crack across the arena! Hunter drops to the arena floor, Watson again raises a fist in the air to pop the crowd. He lowers it before pointing at Mark who is just starting to get to his feet. He runs off the opposite ropes and looks for the suicide dive… HUNTER MOVES AS THE CHAMP CONNECTS WITH THE BARRICADE! The ref starts the count!

ONE…

Hunter takes advantage of a temporarily dazed Watson and picks him up, making sure to grab a hold of the barricade-kissed shoulder.

TWO…

He wheels him round in a 360° spin before slamming him back into the guardrail.

THREE…

Watson catches no break as Hunter picks him back to his feet and yanks him towards the ringpost by his injured arm.

FOUR…

Hunter slams the arm right into the metal ring-post.

FIVE…

Watson is pushed onto the apron by Hunter who rolls straight back into the ring. Dickie tries to get back to his feet but Hunter continues to deliver kicks to the shoulder of the Champ.

TREY BOOKER: This is where that mean streak of Mark takes place. He won’t give him space and weaken him until he’s right where he wants him.

The referee backs Hunter away from the prone Watson and gives him a warning. Watson uses the breathing space to get back to his feet, leaning on the ropes to try and regain momentum. Hunter shows no remorse as he rakes the eyes of Dickie across the top-rope before hauling him back into the ring in a modified hip-toss and applying an arm-bar. Mark smells blood and continues to work the arm-bar. A ‘MOLOTOV’ chant is heard from the crowd in an attempt to rouse their champion. Watson tries to grab at Hunter, but his blind fishing is easily thwarted. He tries to get up to a knee, but Hunter is wise to the move and leans further over the champ, extending his leverage on the hold. The Molotov’s grimace on his face disappears as he digs deep into his bag of tricks and slumps down before executing an unorthodox overhead kick to Mark that gives him a window of opportunity to extricate himself.

J.T. PRICE: That eye rake was dirty, but you really can’t blame him. That’s who he is and he’ll do what it takes to get that Title from Dickie.

TREY BOOKER: Luckily, Dickie has some time here and looks like he’s about to get back in it.

Watson is back to his feet but favors his arm as he leans into the turnbuckle. Hunter, eager to keep on the front foot, charges at Dickie, looking for a forearm, BUT WATSON MOVES, HUNTER STAGGERS OUT OF THE CORNER AND STRAIGHT INTO A FIREMAN’S CARRY LIFT… UNBELIEVABLE OVERHEAD KICK FROM THE GRAND CHAMP! Both competitors are down, Watson holds his arm - the move coming from desperation and to switch the momentum of the match. Hunter is up to a knee as Watson lags a second or two behind the challenger. Hunter charges at his opponent with a lariat but Watson ducks under and lands a jumping neckbreaker in turn. Watson goes for the cover…

ONE…
KICKOUT!

TREY BOOKER: What a counter from Dickie! That’s what we like to see!

Hunter scrambles to his feet but Watson is one step ahead and delivers a dropkick to the face of Mark. The Albertan rises back to his feet but eats a Wheelbarrow Arm Drag. Watson cuts off his rise with a running knee to the face of the kneeling Hunter as the crowd cheers. Watson measures up his opponent and looks for the A La Finnlena…. HUNTER AVOIDS THE CURB STOMP! Mark catches the off-balance Watson in an DDT position. He locks both arms in and goes for The Extreme Dream… WATSON MANAGES TO SLIP OUT THE BACK! Dickie charges his opponent to the ropes looking for the roll-up but Hunter hooks his arms. Dickie pulls him off the ropes… MILLENNIAL FALLOUT! HE KEEPS THE BRIDGE!

ONE…
TWO…
KICKOUT!

TREY BOOKER: This isn’t good for Dickie… He’s grabbing his arm right now and looks to be in pain.

J.T. PRICE: Don’t count him out yet. He’s the Champ for a reason, he’s got a lot of fight and heart in him.

Hunter laughs as he senses he has the upper hand. He connects with a forearm smash that staggers Watson against the ropes. Hunter approaches his opponent but Watson catches him with another drop-toe hold that leaves him draped across the middle rope. The crowd senses what is coming next as The Molotov hits the Molotov Cocktail! Hunter collapses to the mat and Watson starts to ascend the turnbuckle. The Grand Champ has one foot on the top turnbuckle then grasps his arm again. He finally plants the other foot and the crowd starts calling for Adrenaline! HUNTER ACTS ON ANIMAL INSTINCT AND LEAPS TO DELIVER A DROPKICK TO HIS KNEE THAT BRINGS DICKIE TO A SEATED POSITION ON THE TURNBUCKLE!

TREY BOOKER: That was quite the counter! Dickie is in trouble right now.

J.T. PRICE: He’s lucky he didn’t fall off the turnbuckle after that!

The atmosphere around the arena drops as their champion finds himself once more in peril. Watson looks rocked as the challenger climbs onto the middle turnbuckle and hooks a front-facelock. Mark lifts a leg onto the top turnbuckle and looks for the superplex. He goes for it, but Dickie manages to deliver a jab to his ribs. Mark flinches, but tries once more and again eats another jab. He returns the shot with one of his own and lifts again but Watson hooks his leg to block the move! Mark delivers an uppercut and grabs the head of his opponent and unleashes with a headbutt that connects! A quick smile flashes across the challenger’s face as he realises his next move. He leaps up and looks for a TOP-ROPE SUPLEX BUT WATSON HANGS ON! Dickie strikes Hunter in the jaw with an elbow that staggers him. Dickie gets both feet on top of the turnbuckle AND THEN OUT OF DESPERATION CONNECTS THE CALAMITY INSURANCE OFF OF THE TOP ROPE! THE CAVE-IN SENDS HUNTERS HEAD INTO THE MAT AND DICKIE LANDS AWKWARDLY ON HIS ARM!

TREY BOOKER: WHAT A MATCH THIS IS! Just as someone’s getting the upper hand, the othis counters and turns it around!

J.T. PRICE: Someone has to end this soon, they both look like they’re losing stamina quickly.

TREY BOOKER: With the Grand Championship on the line, you’ll find stamina in places you never thought to pull something out.

ONE!

J.T. PRICE: Looks like the ref is starting the double count-out here. Both competitors are out right now.

TREY BOOKER: Mark is holding his head, Dickie is holding his arm. Both of them are leaving it all out there!

Dickie starts moving around and begins crawling over to Mark to put his good arm over his body for a cover!

ONE!
TWO!
THRE--

J.T. PRICE: NO WAY DID MARK JUST KICK OUT!

TREY BOOKER: DICKIE LOOKS SHOCKED RIGHT NOW AND I DON’T BLAME HIM! How much more can these two endure?!

Dickie falls over onto his back and starts to breathe heavily. Both men get to their feet at the same time and exchange punches to the face. Mark somehow gets all the momentum in the world and kicks Dickie in the gut, THEN PULLS HIM IN POSITION FOR THE ANTIDOTE! HE STARTS THE SPIN, BUT DICKIE SPINS OUT! HE KICKS HIM IN THE GUT AND CONNECTS A JUMPING NECKBREAKER! DICKIE IS RUNNING FOR THE TOP ROPE! ADRENALINE! THE PHOENIX SPLASH CONNECTS ONTO MARK! DICKIE STAYS ON TOP FOR THE COVER! BUT WAIT! MARK ROLLS DICKIE OVER FOR A COVER OF HIS OWN! THEY’RE NEXT TO THE ROPES AND HE’S GOT HIS LEGS ON THEM! THE REF HAS NO IDEA!

TREY BOOKER: WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!

J.T. PRICE: EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO FAST! IS THIS IT?!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

DING! DING! DING!

The whole arena becomes silent as “Feel Invincible” by Skillet blasts through the speakers. Mark Hunter quickly rolls out of the ring. The ref is handed the Grand Championship and quickly runs it to Hunter who’s already halfway up the ramp. Mark pushes the ref away after taking the belt and holds it as high as he can.

HOLLY PEREZ: Here is your winner… AND THE NEW GRAND CHAMPION… MARRRRKKKKKK HUNTTTERRRRRRR!!!

J.T. PRICE: WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

TREY BOOKER: … I am in complete shock right now. I cannot believe that Mark actually beat Dickie.

J.T. PRICE: That would also mean that this is Dickie’s first loss in all of his time in Project: Honor. Of course it had to be by Mark cheating with his legs on the ropes.

TREY BOOKER: I have a feeling this isn’t over, but I suppose we have a new Grand Champion for the first time since it’s inauguration. A long, historic reign has ended, and a new one begins!



Immediately following the Grand Championship Match, the camera cuts backstage to Chairman Rock Johnson’s office. He is currently sitting at his desk, taking a drink of the tequila in front of him. Rock then hears a loud bang outside his door and sets the glass down. Quickly, he gets out of his chair and opens the door, only to see Dickie Watson knocking stuff over.

ROCK JOHNSON: The hell are you doing, man?

Dickie stops at the sound of Rock’s voice and turns around to look at him.

ROCK JOHNSON: I get you’re frustrated, but how about not taking it out on my stuff and come in my office.

It takes him a few seconds, but Dickie follows behind Rock and he closes the door behind them. Dickie, still holding his arm in pain, takes a seat in one of the chairs across from Rock. After seated, Rock takes a sip of his tequila again and then sets the glass back down. Silence takes over the office as Rock just stares at Dickie.

DICKIE WATSON: Wh-

Before Dickie could even get a word in, Rock interrupted him.

ROCK JOHNSON: Stop. Just sit there and relax for a second. You’ll thank me in a second.

Rock takes another sip of his tequila while a frustrated Dickie transitions to a more calm version.

ROCK JOHNSON: A part of me is glad that you were outside of my office. After seeing the ending of your match, I knew you’d have this reaction. I have you in here for a reason, you know? I could just let you wander free and do whatever you please, but why would I let the greatest Champion in Project: Honor history do that? That’s right. You lost the Title, yes, but you are still exactly what I said. You hold the longest Title reign, most successful defenses, and it took someone to cheat to take that belt from you. You have nothing to be ashamed about and everything to be proud of.

Dickie nods his head at Rock.

ROCK JOHNSON: You held that Grand Championship since winning it all that time ago at Hell on Earth. August 30th, 2020 you became the first-ever Grand Champion and the rest is history. Three defenses later and here we are. One hundred and seventy-nine days of Dickie Watson being the Grand Champion. Have I made my point yet?

Dickie nods his head once again.

ROCK JOHNSON: That being said, take your time in dealing with this however you please, but now you have something else to focus on and it’s not that far away. The greatest Champion in Project: Honor history will see himself against Elena DeDraca at Wired Consequences for the Legacy Championship. Whether you lost tonight or not, this is a much deserved opportunity. I’ve heard what you’ve had to say for some time now and this is your shot. I know that she’s family, but that just makes it more fun for us. If you’re as strong as you’ve shown and stated, we might see that Title switch hands. You have to give it your all and not let anything hold you back. Mainly because that DeMarco guy is starting to irritate me a bit, but also because of everything you’ve said over the past month or two now. Now, I suggest you go rest that arm and prepare yourself for another huge battle. You have no idea what match you’re about to have with Elena and from the choices, it looks like it’s going to be brutal no matter what.

With a smirk on his face, Rock grabs the bottle of tequila and pours some more in his glass. He reaches under his deck into a fridge and pulls out exactly three ice cubes, then puts them in the glass. Swirling the drink around with the ice in it, he then takes a sip.

ROCK JOHNSON: This is some good shit.

After Rock’s last statement, the camera fades out to a black screen. The Proving Ground logo flashes and then back to a black screen again.