PROVING GROUND XIV: FINAL APPEAL RESULTS

FX’s television rating fades in and out across the screen, followed by the sound of No Resolve’s “This is War” and a flash of images from the previous episode of Proving Ground. The first image is of Terry Marshall hitting Scott Oasis with his version of a Polish Hammer while Space Lord knocks TJ Thompson from the apron.

♫ No, you're never gonna lie to me
Your mouth moves, but you never speak
And nobody can fuck with me
So get up, get up, or get out ♫

The video shifts to Blair Regent locked in Emmanuelle’s modified STF, her face contorted with pain as she reaches for the ropes.

♫ I know you're scared of catastrophe
Paranoid when you feel the heat
We'll start a riot, one, two, three
So get up, get up, or get out ♫

Another shift to Myojin taking Cadillac Jackson down with a headscissors and immediately applying his dreaded Kimura Lock.

♫ ♫It's annihilation
Hell is in the air, it's hard to breathe
Sick of all the hatred
So I'm holding on, holding on ♫

We then see Caden Young take a puff from his Juul before Ozymandias is seen pulling Lance Williams away from the turnbuckles, ultimately taking the top buckle with them as they crash on the canvas..

♫In the trenches stuck
We've gone too far
Are you ready to die?
This is war!♫

Next is an image of Betsy Granger, struggling to escape from Aiden Reynolds’ Four X Gold kneeling sharpshooter.

♫ When every step you take is do or die
When every breath you take is filled with lies
And you can't deny you're feeling like you're paralyzed
So it's time to settle the score
This is war ♫

There is a quick flash of Dickie Watson’s icy stare before we see Indy Darling accidentally take out the referee with a clothesline as Mark Hunter ducks aside. The final image is that of Mark Hunter holding his championship high above his head, a cocky smirk plastered across his face.

The video package starts to fade out and into the Proving Ground Logo.



“This Is War” by No Resolve can still be heard in the background as pyrotechnics erupt throughout Cairo, Egypt’s Covered Hall, illuminating the steel entrance stage and ramp. The cameras begin to pan around the arena, picking up the rabid audience that has packed the arena along with several of their homemade signs.

“SEX IS BEST IN EGYPT”
“DICKIE SAYS FUCK FALLOUT”
“GET WELL SOON INDY”
“LEGACY = RATINGS”
“MARK HUNTER CHEATED ON ME”
“PH’NGLUI MGLW’NAFH CTHULHU R’LYEY WGAH’NAGL FHTAGN”

TREY BOOKER: Welcome to another exciting edition of Proving Ground, coming to you tonight live from Cairo, Egypt! We’ve got a loaded card from top to bottom, and I for one cannot wait to see Mark Hunter and Lance Williams collide in tonight’s main event!

J.T. PRICE: That should be a good one for sure, but for my money, I’m ready to see The Commonwealth clash with Sports Entertainment Xpress! Legacy’s had those tag titles for a while now, and one of those two teams may be the ones to knock them out of that top spot!

TREY BOOKER: In addition to those amazing matches, we’re also going to see Blair Regent against Shawn Warstein and Ozymandias against Tyler Bradford in singles action!

J.T. PRICE: Don’t forget Cadillac Jackson teaming up with Pat the Postman against Emmanuelle and TJ Thompson! Talk about random pairings, what was Callum Walker smoking to make that one?

TREY BOOKER: I’m afraid that’s a question even I can’t answer, but we will have plenty of answers later on as we get an update on the condition of X-Factor Champion, Indy Darling, we continue to follow Caden Young on his quest with Joe Spicerack, and Myojin sits in the hot-seat as the inaugural guest in our brand new interview segment!

J.T. PRICE: Enough pimping the card, Trey! Let’s get to some action already!

TREY BOOKER: Ask and you shall receive, partner! Let’s go to the ring for our opening contest as Euan Hill and Scott Oasis team up against the debuting team of Sam Steele and Michael Shaw, The Dragon Slayers!



HOLLY PEREZ: Our opening contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, already in the ring, at a combined weight of 407 pounds…”Hard Knox” Sam Steele and “The Prodigy” Michael Shaw...THE DRAGON SLAYERS!!!

Oasis’ MMA roots show in his entrance as he doesn’t do anything too extravagant himself, staying focused on the task at hand while the red carpet is rolled out around him to express how big of a deal he is. Scott Oasis’ wealthy status speaks for itself when he comes out in special made Gucci boxing shorts and 1000 dollar boots made in a collaboration by Adidas x Virgil. He shadow boxes in his Big Oasis Brand and skullcap while his hype men hold up the boombox playing his theme. To make his entrance more grand, he comes out with a whole team of people which include his trainers and advisers, adding to the presentation by sporting a hoodie with the name of his brand on it and tights adorned with all of his different sponsors.

HOLLY PEREZ: And their opponents, introducing first, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 270 pounds…“The Vanilla Gorilla”...SCOTT OASIS!!!

The 'tron lights up with a massive white spray-painted skull on a black background, before realistic eyes suddenly open on it and a scream echoes through the arena. White lights shine along the entrance ramp as the monolith which is Euan Hill emerges, flanked by Aurora Ray. Hill keeps his eyes focused dead ahead as he approaches the ring, storming in and throwing his jacket to the outside as he waits for the match to start.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his partner, from The Rivers of Rebirth, standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 250 pounds...he is the reigning Warrior Rising Champion of Project: Honor… “The Outcast”...EUAN HILL!!!!

The opening bell sounds and it soon becomes clear that Euan Hill and Sam Steele will be starting things out for their respective teams. There is no lock-up or pacing around to kick it off as both men begin throwing strikes in the hopes of gaining an early advantage. While Steele displays his impressive speed, it is Euan Hill that comes out on top, with the power behind his forearms, elbows, and chops knocking his opponent back against the ropes. The Warrior Rising Champion follows that up by slinging Steele across the ring and meeting him with a hard lariat that flips him into the air and down to the canvas. This early advantage for Hill is enough to bring Shaw into the ring to help his partner, only to be met by another hard lariat from Euan Hill! The Outcast takes a second to bring his partner into the ring, and with both Dragon Slayers inside the ropes, Oasis and Hill send them both from the ring with a pair of tandem clotheslines!

TREY BOOKER: We’re seeing an impressive start for the makeshift team of Hill and Oasis in this opening contest!

J.T. PRICE: They’re looking pretty good for a team that’s been thrown together! Steele and Shaw are gonna have to get their shit together if they want to make a good first impression on this audience!

After regrouping for a few moments at ringside, Shaw and Steele seem to come up with a plan of action. Steele slides back under the ropes and begins to take measure of Scott Oasis, but before either man can make the first move, Shaw charges in from behind and nails Scott with a hard forearm shot to the back of the neck! Euan Hill tries to enter the ring to even the odds, but as the referee is attempting to convince him to stay in his corner, The Dragon Slayers hit Oasis with their Boot of the Dragon, a fireman’s carry flapjack and running single leg dropkick combination! Steele then tags in Shaw legally as the referee turns his attention away from a frustrated Euan Hill.

It is by far not the last quick tag we see from The Dragon Slayers as their tag team cohesion begins to shine. With every quick tag in and out of the match, Shaw and Steele show off more of their tandem moveset. When he first tags out, Shaw hits a pendulum backbreaker, allowing Steele to follow up with a diving knee drop. Mere seconds later, Steele tags Shaw again before hitting a shooting star press followed by Shaw’s diving leg drop!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE - NO! EUAN HILL RUSHES IN TO MAKE THE SAVE!

Having been battered by a flurry of tandem moves, Scott Oasis not only looks worse for wear, but he also looks pissed off. When Sam Steele attempts to take him over with a hurricanrana, The Vanilla Gorilla counters it with a thunderous powerbomb, giving him precious time to shake the cobwebs loose and regain his bearings. Once again seeing his partner in trouble, Michael Shaw is quick to enter the ring, but this time Scott is ready as he bounces off the ropes and sends Michael back between the ropes with a vicious pouncing shoulder block. No sooner has he done this, than Oasis bounces off the ropes and charges back towards Sam Steele, hitting him with the very same move that just knocked his partner from the ring. With momentum finally on his side, Scott hooks Steele in a pumphandle and executes his Relapse pumphandle death valley driver! It is a move that could mean the end of the match, but before he’s able to make a pin attempt, Euan Hill reaches over the top rope and tags himself into the match!

Scott gives the Warrior Rising Champion a confused look as Euan picks Steele up from the mat and begins to set him up for The Path of the Gods! The chokeslam over the knee to begin the move finds its mark, but before Hill can deliver the final blow, he is knocked away from Steele by a springboard dropkick from Michael Shaw! This brings Scott Oasis right back into the ring, but as he attempts to deliver a devastating lariat to Shaw, the Dragon Slayer ducks underneath the blow and Oasis’ massive arm connects with Euan Hill’s face instead! Clearly a miscommunication, Oasis begins to check on his fallen partner, only to receive a shove for his efforts from The Outcast!

TREY BOOKER: Uh-oh! Things seem to be breaking down between Oasis and Hill before our very eyes!

As the two men start to sort things out between each other, The Dragon Slayers take advantage of the confusion by hitting tandem dropkicks to the backs of both men, knocking their skulls together hard! They then grab hold of Oasis and sling him between the ropes before turning their attention back to Euan Hill. Steele lifts Hill up into a brainbuster position before Shaw connects with a roundhouse kick to the back of The Outcast’s head! Steele then immediately finishes the brainbuster and goes for the pin while Shaw does his best to keep Scott Oasis out of the ring!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

HOLLY PEREZ: And your winners in their debut match...Sam Steele and Michael Shaw...The Dragon Slayers!!!

Hearing the official decision, Scott Oasis looks on from ringside with a disgusted look upon his face. Meanwhile, The Dragon Slayers make their way back up the ramp while Euan Hill holds the back of his head and focuses his glare, not on his opponents, but the man at ringside who had served as his partner.

TREY BOOKER: Not a good night for Euan Hill and Scott Oasis! They may have looked impressive in the beginning, but they just couldn’t overcome the tag team cohesion and experience of The Dragon Slayers here tonight!

J.T. PRICE: Hey, when you’re right, you’re right! The Dragon Slayers get a big win, but I’m more interested in those unfriendly stares we’re seeing between Euan Hill and Scott Oasis!


The scene opens backstage to Terry Marshall and Space Lord warming up for their match. Space Lord is doing air squats getting his massive quads pumped up to run over The Commonwealth, while Terry Marshall is pumping up the largest arms in the sport with some curls using a resistance band.

TERRY MARSHALL: Tonight’s the night brother. Tonight, we beat Commonwealth and secure our spot as the number one contenders to the tag team titles. S.E.X won’t be denied.

SPACE LORD: We will not be stopped, I am focused more than Ford.

TERRY MARSHALL: What do you mean more than Ford?

SPACE LORD: Ford Focus, your planet has an escape pod named after it.

TERRY MARSHALL: Brother, that is a …

Marshall is cut off as someone in a “STAFF” t-shirt who is obviously a Project Honor staff member and totally not a local indie guy appears, and is frantically searching for Space Lord.

STAFF SHIRT INDIE GUY: Space Lord, there is something going on outside with your spaceship.

SPACE LORD: WHOA! WHOA! WHOA! It’s a Starship, not a spaceship.

STAFF SHIRT INDIE GUY: Well look, there was some shouting from inside, then some weird sounds from inside, and finally an explosion that blew a giant hole in the side.

Without a word Space Lord takes off running, and Terry Marshall is quickly chasing after him. The team run down a few hallways and through the backstage area and soon are bursting through a door into the parking area.

There sits the massive Starship Desolator, and just as the staff shirted indy guy had said, it has a giant hole in the side. Smoke bellows from the hole, and sparks fly from the wires that dangle from the edge of the hole.

Space Lord pauses for a moment as he stares at the damage. Suddenly a massive explosion rocks the Starship again and a ball of fire shoots from the hole. As the fire subsides Space Lord begins to rush in but Marshall grabs him as he does.

TERRY MARSHALL: Brother, it isn’t safe.

SPACE LORD: MY CREW IS IN THERE!

Space Lord shakes Marshall off and rushes into the Starship Desolator. “Damn it brother” Marshall mumbles and then chases after Space Lord. The camera follows behind and soon we see Space Lord standing in the middle of the command deck with Terry Marshall. The duo looks around but the crew is nowhere in sight.

SPACE LORD: They’re gone.

TERRY MARSHALL: Brother, we don’t know that, we haven’t searched the whole ship.

SPACE LORD: No, I do know that.

Space Lord turns to face Terry Marshall and in his hand he holds a holo messenger. Space Lord presses a button on the side and a hologram of a woman in a red cloak and a red hat pulled down over her face appears.

HOLOGRAM CHICK: Him Jellwig… or should I call you… SPACE LORD! You thought you were rid of me, but I told you that I would never forget you and that I would never let you forget about me. I also told you that you breed with me, but it seems you wanted to neglect your responsibilities and not honor your word.

So, I have taken your crew as collateral, and if you do not show up to my mating grounds your crew will suffer the same fate as your ship. I am only in season for two more weeks, DO NOT MAKE ME MISS THIS!

The hologram ends and as it does Space Lord throws the holo-messenger against the wall of the ship shattering it.

TERRY MARSHALL: Uh brother… who is that?

SPACE LORD: My ex… Carmen San Francisco.

TERRY MARSHALL: Brother… you were married?

SPACE LORD: Come on, we have a tag team match to win, and then… a crew to save.

Space Lord storms off of the command deck as the shot focuses on a confused looking Terry Marshall before fading out.



HOLLY PEREZ: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome at this time, The Project: Honor X-Factor Champion…“Everyone’s Favorite”...INDY DARLING!

Not expecting to see him live and in person, the crowd comes alive upon hearing Holly Perez’s introduction. However, if there is one thing that can dull their cheers, it’s when Indy makes his entrance with the assistance of a pair of crutches. There is some light bruising still visible on his face, made even more apparent by the surprising lack of his normal sunglasses. Indy pauses at the far end of the entrance aisle after his initial entrance, slowly looking from left to right to take in the sight of the sold out crowd showing their appreciation. After soaking up the cheers, Indy gives a half-hearted smile before making the rest of the long journey toward the ring. One of the ringside attendants has to assist Indy with his crutches as he slowly makes his way up the steps, and the wince of pain on his face as he steps between the ropes is all too noticeable. Once he’s leaning on one of his crutches in the center of the ring, Indy is handed a microphone, but initially finds himself unable to speak as the crowd rains support upon him.

IN-DY! IN-DY! IN-DY!

He rubs the short stubble on his chin as the crowd chants his name, and it doesn’t take long before his eyes begin to redden and well up with tears. While he fights back the emotions he’s feeling, it remains obvious that whatever the X-Factor Champion has come out to say is not going to sit well with his fans. Finally, Indy is able to quiet the loving reception he’s received by lifting the mic towards his face.

INDY DARLING: You know, when I signed my contract with Project: Honor last fall, I really didn’t know what I was getting into. Like anyone who gets into this business, I wasn’t about to turn down the opportunity to move from bingo halls to performing in front of sold out arenas, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure that I could be the kind of guy that could get over with a mainstream audience. If any shred of that doubt still lingered, you just washed it away with that reception, and I can’t thank you enough.

Again, the crowd begins to show their appreciation with a resounding chant of the X-Factor Champion’s name, but Indy does his best to quiet them so he can continue with what he has to say.

INDY DARLING: So when I started, I was brash and cocky, so full of myself that even I didn’t recognize the guy who was doing the talking. I thought that’s what people were looking for, the people who offered me that contract and all of you as well. Of course, I had my first match and got my ass kicked by Caliban, so I realized having a chip on my shoulder wasn’t the way to go. So that night I started a journey, trying to figure out who Indy Darling was and who he needed to be. As my matches got better and I started turning heads, I still didn’t know what kind of presentation I was supposed to be making outside of the ring. Even when I won this championship, in what even I consider to be the biggest upset in Project: Honor’s first year, I didn’t know who in the hell Indy Darling was.

Indy pauses to unstrap the X-Factor Title from around his waist, takes a few moments to look at it longingly, and then slides it over his shoulder.

INDY DARLING: Eventually I made it to Unbreakable Resolution and had my toughest match to date inside of a steel cage. When I won that match and successfully defended this title, all of you started to realize who you wanted me to be even if I didn’t. Thanks to a pretty severe concussion suffered in that match, I went on what you might call a spiritual journey of where I’d been, where I was, and where I could end up. Finally it seemed like I was ready to believe in that catchphrase I’d been saying for months, that I wasn’t just good enough, but that I believed I could be better than anyone who stepped into the ring with me.

Again, the crowd cheers in support of Indy’s words, forcing him to pause before he can continue.

INDY DARLING: After that, I hit some rough patches that culminated in me getting my ass kicked again, this time by a big bastard named Ozymandias inside of the Tyranny Wargames Match. Ozy dropped me with a move he calls “The World Ender”, something he rarely breaks out because of how lethal it can be. My performance in that match may have set me straight mentally, but I’ve been dealing with back pain ever since that night. I’m not the type to rely on doctors, so I fought through it to the best of my ability. Actually, if it hadn’t been for the four guys who jumped me in the parking lot at Wired Consequences, I don’t know how long it would have been before I found out just how bad my back is.

The young man looks away from the camera as he wipes his lips with the back of his wrist, seemingly to stall for time as he searches for the words he needs to share next. With the crowd cheering him during his pause, Indy looks around the arena once more before eventually lifting the mic back up.

INDY DARLING: Now at the age of 23, with my head finally screwed on straight, championship gold around my waist, and my dreams at my fingertips, I have doctors telling me that it’s over.

As if they were expecting the other shoe to drop, the fans immediately show their dislike for Indy’s statement with a chorus of boos.

INDY DARLING: They say suffering two serious concussions within 3 months is bad enough, but the crushed disk in my lower back is not just going to put me out of action temporarily, but it might put me out permanently.

Again, the crowd shares their opinion with resounding negativity, but Indy refuses to pause for long for fear of the reality of his situation sinking in.

INDY DARLING: I have some commitments that I intend on keeping for various promotions who have advertised me and sold tickets for shows with my name on the marquee, even if those same doctor’s say I’m risking further injury or even paralysis. Still, sooner rather thank later, I’ll be going under the knife to have my back fixed, and hopefully when that’s done I’ll be able to pick up where I leave off and finally catch those dreams.

Upon hearing his determination to fulfill his obligations and eventually return, the crowd pops in support of The X-Factor Champion.

INDY DARLING: Don’t get too excited just yet, because having heard the prognosis and after being advised by both his staff doctors and lawyers, Rock Johnson doesn’t want me to compete inside this ring.

This time the crowd begins to show their anger with a much different chant…

BULLSHIT! BULLSHIT! BULLSHIT!

Indy raises his hand and motions for the crowd to settle down, even if their enthusiasm has helped to bring a slight smile to his face.

INDY DARLING: Believe me, guys, I hate it just as much as you do. I wanted to make The X-Factor Title the premiere championship in this company, and with about 50 days and 1 title defense short of matching Dickie Watson’s Grand Championship run, the last thing I want to do is give up. Unfortunately...that’s out of my hands now…

Indy slowly slides the title belt off of his shoulder, kneels down in obvious pain with the assistance of his crutch, and lays the championship upon the canvas. He then pulls himself back up and looks down on the belt he’d nicknamed “Xavier” one last time before continuing.

INDY DARLING: As of tonight, I am no longer the Project: Honor X-Factor Champion.

The crowd boos as if finding out that Mark Hunter had banged their mothers while pouring sugar in their gas tanks, but despite this announcement, it doesn’t look like Indy Darling is finished quite yet.

INDY DARLING: I don’t blame Rock Johnson for his decision. I don’t blame anyone on the Proving Ground staff. In fact, I only have one person to blame, and his name shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of you.

Indy’s eye’s narrow as he glares ahead into the camera.

INDY DARLING: Christian...fucking...DeMarco.

As if the previous boos were not bad enough, the Proving Ground faithful immediately increase the volume of their jeers upon hearing the name of Fallout’s General Manager.

INDY DARLING: Now I’m not saying that Christian had any direct involvement in those four guys jumping me at Wired Consequences. He might be as oblivious to my attackers’ identities as he is when it comes to what professional wrestling fans really want. But the fact is, whether he meant for it to happen or not, he has managed to rile up a segment of Project: Honor’s competitors and fans into believing all of the sick shit that comes out of his mouth.

There is an obvious expression of anger and resentment taking over the normally chill demeanor of Indy Darling, and as his face contorts to show his hatred, he shoves his crutch aside and limps forward until his body is being held up by the top rope. He stares directly into the camera, eyes filled with rage and the tone of his voice overflowing with vitriol.

INDY DARLING: No more talking to the fans. From here out, the rest of this is directly for you, Christian. Somewhere deep in that sick head of yours, you might have actually had the best of intentions when you started the Fallout experiment. Hell, I’ll even admit that there’s nothing wrong with Project: Honor having two brands. There’s nothing wrong with giving these fans that extreme side of pro wrestling that some of them crave. I won’t even condemn you for firing people up against a suit who takes advantage of the boys like Rock Johnson. But somewhere in all of your speeches, in all of your talk about how it’s Fallout against the rest of the world, you did something that not even you could have expected.

INDY DARLING: You...became...the suit.

The now former champion pauses briefly, the fans eagerly anticipating his every word.

INDY DARLING: You might talk a big game about listening to your fans and looking out for your roster, but we both know that’s nothing but bullshit. The only monster you’re feeding is your own fucking ego, Christian! The only proof we need of that is seeing your demented face on the Wired Consequences poster. Instead of featuring the talent that was bleeding and suffering for the fans, it was you who was on all of the promotional material for that show. He may have a monstrous ego, but at least Rock Johnson has never stooped that low.

INDY DARLING: Do you think your roster enjoys the constant threats of suffering 3rd degree burns or bleeding out in the middle of the ring? Do you remember the fans calling for my blood just because I showed up to wish a friend good luck? This little subculture of sycophants that you’ve created actually think they’re in some kind of revolution, when all they’re doing is adding more money to Rock Johnson’s back account so that you can make even deadlier matches and feed your desire to be the next Clive Barker or Eli Roth!

INDY DARLING: To that I echo the recent sentiments of Dickie Watson and James Raven when I say, fuck you Christian DeMarco, because I’m about to throw down a plot twist that even you didn’t see coming! My days inside of this ring may be numbered, I may no longer be X-Factor Champion, but you’ve convinced Rock Johnson that Proving Ground needs its own leader to keep you in your place. For all his positive qualities, Callum Walker just isn’t the guy that this brand needs leading the charge. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce Proving Ground’s new leader behind the scenes and in front of the camera...is me! Starting with Public Execution in two weeks, I will officially be the General Manager of Proving Ground!

The crowd of Indy’s supporters and sympathizers cannot help but respond with a huge pop, secure in knowing that they are not seeing the last of him with this announcement. Indy takes a few moments so that the cameras are able to pick up the crowd’s enthusiasm, before raising the microphone while continuing to glare at the camera.

INDY DARLING: Callum Walker’s last act as General Manager may have been to sideline me from in-ring action, and that’s a decision I’ll take into consideration, but even if I only have one match left in me, I’ll still be on Proving Ground week in and week out! I’ll have more to say about my future and Public Execution later tonight, but right now I want to make sure Christian DeMarco and anyone who believes in his bullshit revolution, his twisted vision, are hearing me as clear as possible. Go put on your funny little masks, light your torches, and stock up on barbed wire. Because you’re gonna need all of that and more if you ever want to be considered as Project: Honor’s premiere brand. On Proving Ground, we don’t need to hide behind masks or fill our matches with hardcore gimmicks to make ourselves better than you. With Proving Ground, what you see is what you get, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure what you see is the greatest professional wrestling on this planet!

INDY DARLING: So you want a war, Caliban, old buddy? To steal a line from a member of your roster, congrats motherfucker, cause you’ve got one!

INDY DARLING: Why? Because we’re Proving Ground, and that’s not just good enough, it’s better than you’ll ever be!

Upon finishing his final statement, Indy tosses the microphone aside as his music begins to play. Too fired up to show any further pain on his face, Indy kneels down to pick up his crutch, but pauses to take one last look at the X-Factor Championship. Then, with his limp far less noticeable than it was during his entrance, Indy exits the ring and makes his way back toward the entrance, slapping hands with every fan that reaches over the guardrail.

TREY BOOKER: My god! Those were not the announcements we were expecting from Indy Darling here tonight!

J.T. PRICE: He may have given us a lot to process, but all I can think about right now is how high up the card Indy Darling might have made it if he’d shown that kind of fire a few months ago!

TREY BOOKER: Be that as it may, things have just gotten a whole lot more interesting for Proving Ground and Project: Honor!





HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing first… Already in the ring… Weighing in at two hundred and forty seven pounds… He is Iconic… TYYYYLLLLEEEERRRR BRRRRRAAAADDDDFFFFFOOOORRRRDDDD!!!

As "Iconic" by Jaxon Gamble starts to fade out, Tyler Bradford just smirks.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his opponent… Weighing in at three hundred and fifty seven pounds… The Butcher Of Reine… OZZZZYYYYYMMMMMAAAANNNNDDDDIIIIAAAAASSSS!!!

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

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

DING! DING! DING!

The match begins with Tyler Bradford and Ozymandias locking up in the ring with Ozymandias managing to get behind Tyler, locking his arms around his waist, and dropping him with a Release German Suplex. Ozy gets back to his feet and lifts Tyler up, slamming him down with a ring shaking Powerbomb causing the ref to hold onto the rope not wanting to fall like the last time Ozy was in the ring.

To the surprise and anger of Ozy though, Tyler gets back up to his feet. As Tyler attempts to hit a Cutter on Ozy, the big man pushes him away and Tyler falls to the mat. Ozy is having none of it as Tyler gets to his feet again, only for Ozy to run at him and send him flying off his feet with a Shoulder Barge. The momentum that sends him flying causes him to fall out of the ropes and crash down hard to the outside of the ring as the ref starts his count.

TREY BOOKER: Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

J.T. PRICE: No! It’s just Tyler Bradford flying to the outside of the ring.

ONE…
TWO…
THREE…

Ozy sees that Tyler is trying to get to his feet but really can’t be bothered to wait as he steps over the top rope making his way to the outside of the ring. Tyler is trying to get his bearings as Ozy runs at him once again, hitting him with a Shoulder Barge that sends him crashing through the barricade. Walking over to Tyler, Ozy picks him up to his feet before flinging him over his shoulder in a Fireman’s Carry position. Still with Tyler in position, Ozy walks towards the ring, making his way up the steel steps before stepping over the ropes into the ring.

Tyler is still on Ozy’s shoulders as he does this, and now in the ring Ozy manages to swing Tyler round and hit a Swinging Sitout Powerbomb, pushing him away once they hit the mat. Ozy isn’t done yet though, as he moves to the corner of the ring near one of the turnbuckles and he starts stomping his foot on the mat. Ozy watches as Tyler struggles to get to his feet, Ozy still stomping on the mat until Tyler turns around. As soon as he’s turned around, Ozy runs at Tyler going for a Big Boot only for Tyler to duck it.

TREY BOOKER: Looks like Tyler is going to get back into this match!

J.T. PRICE: There’s a lot of fight left in him!

Before Ozy can turn around, Tyler kicks at Ozy’s leg again and again, trying to find a way back into this match. Ozy feels the sting from the kicks and manages to turn around only for Tyler to hit a Dropkick on him which only makes Ozy stumble. Tyler is back to his feet running at Ozy, this time hitting him with a Clothesline, yet Ozy still doesn’t fall. In fact, Ozy is telling Tyler to do it again, so Tyler runs at the ropes bouncing off them and goes for a Clothesline only for Ozy to punch Tyler straight to the temple sending him crashing to the mat. Ozy runs and bounces off the ropes himself, running at Tyler who's on the mat and hits a bone crushing Body Splash onto Tyler and goes for the pin.

ONE…
TWO…
TH…
KICKOUT!!!

Ozy clearly thought he had the match won as he punches the mat in frustration before getting back to his feet. Ozy helps Tyler to his feet, but he still has some fight in him as he tries to wriggle free from the Headlock Ozy has applied on him. Tyler is still trying to fight with all he has to get free but no matter how much he wiggles he can’t escape. So desperate times call for desperate measures, as Tyler manages to bite on Ozy’s arm causing Ozy to break the headlock. Tyler quickly points up the ramp, and as the ref looks up, Tyler kicks Ozy straight in the balls and before the ref turns around has jumped on Ozy throwing left and right punches at him.

TREY BOOKER: Holy dough balls!

J.T. PRICE: Mmm! Dough balls!

When it suddenly looks like Tyler is getting back into this match, it’s as if instantly like The Hulk, you can see how angry Ozy is as he literally throws Tyler off and across the ring. Ozy gets up to his feet as Tyler tries to scramble away only for Ozy to grab his leg. Ozy picks Tyler up by one leg and starts to swing him around and around until he lets go sending him flying across the ring.

Ozy walks over to Tyler dragging him up to his feet and hits him with The Call(Release Crucifix Powerbomb) sending him crashing down on the back of his neck to the mat. Clearly still angry from the kick to the balls from Tyler, Ozy is out to make a point as he picks Tyler Bradford up again only this time he drops him with Sinking Faith(Jackhammer Suplex) and goes for the pin.

ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!

HOLLY PEREZ: The Winner of this match by PINFALL… OZZZZYYYYYMMMMMAAAANNNNDDDDIIIIAAAAASSSS!!!

TREY BOOKER: What an impressive showing by Ozymandias here tonight! Bradford is still looking to find some momentum on Proving Ground, but big Ozy would not be denied!

J.T. PRICE: Last week he got past Lance Williams and this week it was Tyler Bradford! I’d hate to be the next person in Ozymandias’ sights!


Following Ozymandias’ dominating win, we head backstage where Dex Graham is standing by with a familiar face, the Hollywood Exec known as Joe Spicerack.

DEX GRAHAM: I was told to meet Caden Young backstage for a very special interview segment, but instead I’m standing here with the , *ahem*, Star-Making, Trail-Blazing, Starlet-Banging, Top-Trending man in Hollywood, Mr. Joe Spicerack. Uh, did I get all of that right?

JOE SPICERACK: Not bad, kid. We’ll ask Caden to work on your cadence a bit later. After all, you can’t have cadence without Caden, am I right?

DEX GRAHAM: Uh…

JOE SPICERACK: I know Caden was really looking forward to making this announcement, but he had some kind of emergency at the last minute. Something about a sick aunt or a lost kitten, I really wasn’t paying attention. Nonetheless, I am here to make a very important announcement in Caden’s place. Over the past several weeks, I’ve been looking for the next big crossover star, and Caden is convinced that it’s one of two competitors on Proving Ground. The thing is, I still have some reservations. On one hand, there’s Myojin. The guy has a unique look and tons of talent, but I wonder if he can get over his softness, his gentleness, his perceived lack of tenacity or that missing killer instinct.

DEX GRAHAM: Okay, I can see that. Who else do you have in mind?

JOE SPICERACK: The other guy we’re considering has a great look of his own, and the ladies love a man with an accent. Of course I’m talking about Aiden Reynolds, but can this guy finally be serious enough to show that those flashes of a worldwide star aren't just flashes, they’re the entire fire? Caden and I are confident that one of them may have what it takes to not only elevate themselves in front of a massive audience, but bring a lot of recognition to Project: Honor.

DEX GRAHAM: Soooo...what’s your solution?

JOE SPICERACK: I’m glad you asked, kid. Right on cue too. The solution that Caden has proposed is that Myojin and Aiden Reynolds face each other at Public Execution to see which of them can truly break out. Just to make sure we’ve got the right guy for the job and there’s no flukes involved, Caden is booking them in what you wrestling people call a 30 Minute Iron Man Match! So there you have it, kid, and trust me...if you heard it from Joe Spicerack, you can take it to the bank!

DEX GRAHAM: I guess we’ll take Mr. Spicerack at his word and consider this as the first match announced for Public Execution! Now let’s take it over to my colleague, Crystal Ward, who’s standing by with a guest of her own!






HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is a tag team match set for one fall! Introducing first…

"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!!!

J.T. PRICE: Strength, technique, and class all in one perfect package presents itself with the Cadillac, Cadillac Jackson!

TREY BOOKER: He’s had a rough road since a hot start on Proving Ground, but if there was anyone better equipped to put something together tonight, it’d be him. This is a match where nobody chose their partners and adaptability is the name of the game. He’s road-tested, but he’s glad to veer off road if it means getting the dub.

To the Pat the Postman theme (remix), Pat steps onto the entrance ramp and cautiously looks over his shoulder and avoids the hands outstretched towards him on his way to the ring.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his partner, hailing from Canada, standing at seven feet tall, weighing in at four hundred sixty nine pounds.... PAT THE POOOOOOSTMAN!

TREY BOOKER: He hasn’t had a lot of luck as of late, but I’m pretty damn stoked because I’ve got a pool going on how many splashes it’ll take for him to cave the ring in with a splash and I win if it’s tonight.

J.T. PRICE: I’m assuming his opponent’s rooting against you, assuming either of them are underneath him for one of those splashes.

“Cash Flow” by Ace Hood ft T-Pain and Rick Ross begins to play, and the crowd stands in knowing that she’s here; “The Silver Starlet” Emmanuelle. Entering between the ropes, Emmanuelle gives her partner a neutral expression, as if her mind is more focused on the match than anything else.

HOLLY PEREZ: And their opponents.. … from Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California… EMMANUELLE!!

J.T. PRICE: Hustle, hustle, hustle hard is the name of the game with this dame, and don’t let the beauty fool you. She’s a diamond, a diamond edged knife slitting your throat.

TREY BOOKER: This chica’s a beast on shows across different area codes, and is really the last person you should overlook if you’re eyeing a spot in gold consideration. That’s gotta’ be on the mind of every person on the roster and in this match.

Nonstop by Drake hits as the fans rise to their feet, watching the curtain while cheering. T.J. Thompson marches out onto the ramp, title around his waist, pounding his chest while shouting at the crowd with contagious energy.

HOLLY PEREZ: And her partner… Weighing in at one hundred and eighty pounds… From The Hip House… “The Hipbeast”... TJ THOMPSONNNN!!!

Chants of "HIP" are heard as he high fives fans on his way down to the ring. At the bottom of the ramp, Thompson singles out a fan, and begins shaking uncontrollably as he raises his hand up. The crowd plays along with it as if Thompson is charging up before fiving a massive high five to the fan. The fan swings his arm back from the impact of the high five while Thompson fires up the crowd before sliding into the ring.

TJ briefly poses on the top turnbuckle as the crowd continues to cheer before waiting for his opponent/the match to start with a huge grin on his face.

J.T. PRICE: If charisma were sentient, it’d look like TJ Thompson. Big Drip might’ve made a big flop, but TJ’s singles career is defined by swimming upstream, and even though he couldn’t be partnered with someone further different than Emmy tonight, he’s shown he can hang with pretty much any gang.

TREY BOOKER: As long as he doesn’t rap, I can root for him. The second someone beatboxes, I’m walking away.

DING! DING! DING!

Pat motions to TJ as if he’s looking for a little revenge for their title match, but Cadillac steps in the mail titan’s way and steps into the ring instead. TJ Thompson extends his hands for the ceremonial game of rock-paper-scissors to decide who starts the match off when Emmanuel, looking for her own set of revenge, stops TJ before he can call his shot! Emmanuel’s a bat out of hell on a beeline across the ring, only for her rush to come to a halt as Caddy’s quick on the trigger with hands wrapping around her midsection and him sweeping her to the ground while wrapped around her from behind! Emmy scowls as she’s brought to hands and knees, but fights to her feet with Caddy holding on for dear life. She batters him with elbows thrown backwards, until Cadillac abandons the waist lock for a headlock instead! The Silver Starlet shoves him to the ropes and tries whipping him across the ring, but Cadillac slides to the ground and tightens his headlock! While really putting on the pressure and refusing to let her go, a cocky Caddy drops the headlock and hoists her up for a gutwrench suplex, but Emmanuel stomps on his foot before he can pull her from the ground, then sweeps the leg and trips him to the ground. Double knees crush Cadillac’s stomach!

J.T. PRICE: I think I got a cracked rib from watching that.

TREY BOOKER: ...I hope his pre-match meal was delicious, another move like that and Cadillac’s going to see it a second time.

The Platinum Standard rolls to her feet as Cadillac’s coughing up a lung, and switches her stance as he rises - SWITCH HEADKI- no! Cadillac catches her headkick before it crashes into him! He throws the leg to spin Emmanuel around - and a spinning back elbow from Emmanual lands like a baseball on a home run strike in retaliation! A liver shot straight out of Bas Rutten’s playbook slams into Cadillac’s stomach as he stumbles from the headshot and doubles him over! Emmanuel, embodying carpe diem, rushes to the ropes and returns to sender eyeing a big boot - but Cadillac is long gone!

TREY BOOKER: Sonova… the match just started and Cadillac’s already uninterested in what Emmanuelle’s serving him.

J.T. PRICE: Hey, dude decided that Pat’s a better punching bag than he is. He’s a better winner.

Annoyed but as focused on the business as possible, Emmanuel circles around and tries measuring up her seven-foot tall, four hundred pound challenge standing in front of her but the GOATed TJ Thompson is more than happy to climb to that mountain, he’s got an arm outstretched almost begging for the smoke and Emmanuel shrugs, but obliges. TJ leaps over the top rope and rushes Pat, but the Postman’s arm extends to catch TJ with a lariat! The Hipbeast twists the Postman’s arm as he ducks out of dodge, and applies a lil’ extra english as he wrenches the limb! Pat taps his own shoulder and tries tugging away to reach the ropes, but TJ twists even harder! Acknowledging the pain, the Canadian postal service worker flips forward to take the pressure off his arm, and he cocks his free arm before punching TJ in the chin to break the hold! Mongolian chop from Pat CRACKS TJ’s chest like lightning! A running dropkick knocks TJ into a neutral corner. The GOATed one rises to his feet to the ring shaking as a postal worker who weighs as much as his mail truck begins his sprint before flipping once, twice, and even a third time to cap off his handspring back elbow! TJ comes a hair away from getting his skull crushed, but ducks out of the danger zone as Pat crashes into the turnbuckle! TJ capitalizes with his own running back elbow to bash Pat’s head in! Prying away after impact, TJ nails the dismount with an enziguri!

J.T. PRICE: CRACKCCKCKKC! All Pat wants for Christmas is his two front teeth, gotdamn.

TREY BOOKER: He’s as slippery as he is clever! Putting together two moves in a seamless combination, leaving you with no chance to counter is TJ’s game!

TJ scales the rungs of the turnbuckle Pat’s currently slumped on and raises his hands as the crowd cheers as they know what’s coming next… and he brings the hammer down! One punch at a time, all while the crowd chants HIP, HIP for his ten punches, albeit he’s cut off at four from a stiff shove from the Postman dropping TJ Thompson to the mat. But Thompson’s all hits, no misses, seizing the moment and leaping into Pat once again with a monkey flip! It takes one hell of an effort, but he rolls back and sends the Postman airborne… and Pat lands on his feet! After the lift, Thompson’s sitting and cheering himself on, until a low dropkick so pretty the front-row fans all stand claps TJ Thompson smackdab across the kisser! Stunned and confused, TJ uses the ropes to climb top his feet, and an arm drag from Pat sends him back to the ground! Quickly, TJ rises again, and a spanish armdrag is his consolation prize! Postman pat makes a quick run to the ropes, and rolls as he rebounds! Rolling Thunder senton on TJ Thompson leaves the Goated One holding his chest and wheezing! He doesn’t even get to make a noise as Pat stands, and puts the cherry on top with a standing moonsault! Pat makes the cover!

ONE!
TWO!

TJ gets an arm up just as Emmanuel’s getting into the ring to make the save. Immediately, the referee’s scolding her and yelling for her to return to her corner. Pat’s is ever-cautious in waiting for the ref as he’s looking for the ending of the match, but the same can’t be said for Cadillac. Rolling for the ropes is usually a veteran move to find safety when the ref is watching, but TJ Thompson’s smart move gets met with Cadillac washing his face with his boot, via a stiff kick as the crowd boos on! Pat snaps to attention and voices his disapproval as he gets in Cadillac’s face, but that’s just an opportunity for The Luxury Experience to clap his hands, so when the referee turns around, he signals a tag was made! Pat’s ushered from the ring, and TJ Thompson goes from getting ran over by a mail truck to getting mowed down by a Caddy, with boot after boot stomping a mudhole into the Hipbeast’s chest! Caddy’s boots eventually kick TJ onto his stomach and Cadillac blows a kiss to Emmanuel and flexing his pythons for the crowd, before hands wrap around TJ’s waist and… and… the DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX FLINGS THE FORMER CHAMPION TO THE MAT! BUT CADILLAC DOESN’T LET GO! HE HOLDS ONTO HIS TARGET AS HE STANDS, CONTINUING THE CHAIN WITH A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX! AGAIN, CADDY STANDS! THE TRIFECTA IS COMPLETED WITH A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX, AND CADDY BRIDGES INTO THE PIN!

TREY BOOKER: Experience over!

J.T. PRICE: That’s just raw power. You can get muscles but having the tenacity to use them is something you can’t simply teach.

ONE!
TWO!
THR-

TJ Thompson kicks out yet again! Caddy rises, hands running through his hair, staring daggers at the referee while pleading his case, but the man doesn’t give an inch! Cadillac growls but measures TJ Thompson as he attempts to rise from his stupor… Cadillac lingers in his team’s corner with the same stare a lion would give a gazelle… the second TJ starts to get his bearings together, Cadillac flips forward and dives into the Hip Beast, tuning up the JACK EM UP, FRONT FLIP SPEAR! BUT TJ STEPS ASIDE, AND DIVERTS THAT MOMENTUM WITH A WIIIIIIIICKED FOR YOUR OWN GOOD SLINGBLADE! BOTH MEN GO DOWN, AND SO MUCH FORCE IS USED THAT CADILLAC IS LEFT SPINNING AFTER THE IMPACT!

J.T. PRICE: What timing! TJ’s Jalen Suggs on the buzzer beater!

TREY BOOKER: Looks like all that offense left Cadillac with no way of defending himself.

To the crowd’s chanting and hitting the barricade, both Caddy and Thompson begin to crawl to their respective corners… and they both make the tag at the same time! Postman Pat rushes into the ring off the hot tag, but Emmanuel doesn’t even enter the ring before sending the first shot from the firing squad. The West-Coast warrior launches herself from the ropes, springboard flying knee cracks Pat’s cheek and leaves him standing on bambi legs! One punch, two punch, three, four five six - more body blows than can be counted hammer Pat’s stomach as if she’s trying to make Joe Frazier proud with those haymakers, and once he’s winded and bent forward, a flying knee to his chin slumps Pat out on the ropes before he is flat on his ass! The Silver Starlet measures Pat as he comes to life… out of the corner, a picture-perfect HONOR ROLL TANS PATS CHEST WITH HER FOREARM! She whips her hair out of the way and strokes her chin, making a stunning display look completely effortless! Looking to put the period on this match, Emmanuel ascends the turnbuckle and looms over Pat like a bird of prey looking to put her talons in his neck - and Caddy rushes to the turnbuckle to make the interception! Emmanuel’s boot to his cheek sends him away, but gives Pat enough time to recover and rush her! Maybe it’s instinct, maybe it’s Maybeline, but Emmanuelle goes to the tool that serves her the best, launching herself from the top turnbuckle with the Malibu Shine, the tornado ddt! Emmy makes the cover!

ONE!
TWO!
T-

J.T. PRICE: IT’S A WRAP!

TREY BOOKER: HOLD ON A SEC!

CADDY BREAKS UP THE PIN! Breaking the pin ain’t enough - he stays around just to pummel Emmanuelle, who raises her hands to protect herself but can’t do much about someone attacking from behind and ignoring the referee - but a handful of Cadillac’s tights yeets and deletes his presence from the ring, a la TJ Thompson! The Hipbeast then returns to the apron and gestures at Cadillac… Emmanuelle makes the tag and instead of going full rambo, TJ simply pulls the top rope down… Cadillac doesn’t realize the signs that he’s on the road until a Silver Ferrari’s running over the ropes and barreling into him, tope con hilo! Inside the ring, Pat’s turned inside out with a running european uppercut! TJ Thompson then climbs onto the turnbuckle and freefalls, dropping all of his dead weight on Pat via coffin drop, completing the HIP WITH THE DRIP! TJ MAKES THE COVER!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

HOLLY PEREZ:Your winners… the team of TJ THOMPSON AND EMMANUELLE!

TREY BOOKER: These two bent so they wouldn’t break, and now they’re walking out on top! Not too much love lost on either side of this thing, was there?

J.T. PRICE: Nah, seems like both Pat and TJ had a few gripes with one another and Cadillac and Emmanuelle immediately got back into their bad blood, but both TJ and Emmanuelle were able to function as the better team, rather than a set of individuals. Great fight from Caddy and Pat, but this one goes to the great and the GOAT.

The referee raises both TJ and Emmanuelle’s hands as the duo are victorious - Emmy’s eyes never leaves Caddy’s while he stares daggers at her from the entrance ramp.





Coming back from commercial break, we see the victorious TJ Thompson approaching his locker room backstage. Before he can enter, TJ notices a strange note taped to the outside of his door. He looks up and down the hall a couple of times before finally pulling the note down, unfolding it, and reading it out loud.

T.J. THOMPSON: “Dear Mr. Thompson. We have attempted to deliver your special package several times over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, we have been unable to do so as receiving the package will require your signature. Thankfully, one of our top men and your fellow co-worker, Pat the Postman, has informed us that you are currently on a world tour. As such, we have arranged to have your package shipped to Brazil so that you can claim it at Public Execution. We have been assured that Pat will be awaiting your presence. Sincerely, your friendly United States Postal Service.”

T.J. looks up from the letter and considers what this could all mean, but as the cameras take us back to ringside, it seems that neither T.J. nor the viewers will be able to find out until Proving Ground’s next Pay Per View Event...



HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing first… Weighing in at two hundred and thirty-four pounds… From Dallas, Texas… He is ½ of the current Tag Team Champions… SHAWNNNN WARSTEEINNNN!!

“Centuries (Remix)” by Fall Out Boy feat. Juicy J plays as Shawn Warstein heads to the ring with the normal grin on his face. Taking his time as he carries his Tag Team Championship around his shoulder, he climbs the stairs and steps into the ring between the top and middle ropes.

HOLLY PEREZ: His opponent… Weighing in at one hundred and fifty seven pounds… From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania… BLAAIIIRRRR REEEEGENTTTT!!

The opening chords to 'Burn Him Down' play out through the arena as Blair makes her entrance, bopping her head to the music and finishing a cigarette she likely started backstage. She tosses it to the ground and crushes it under foot before rolling forward and slapping hands with a few of the fans who're supporting her, before springing up onto the apron and rolling over the top ropes. Blair gets into the ring, and bows, giving a middle finger to the hard camera with a cheeky smile before prepping for their match.

DING! DING! DING!

The bell rings and “The Tyrant” Shawn Warstein walks out to the middle of the ring where Blair is waiting. He looks down on his much shorter opponent, talking trash until Blair has had enough and slaps Warstein across the face. Shawn shakes his head from the shock of the slap, and throws a haymaker that Blair is able to easily duck under. Regent tries to launch Warstein by grabbing the back of his neck, but Shawn pivots and turns, reversing the throw with his hand on the back of Blair’s neck. Blair jumps onto the second rope and springs off it, using it to throw The Tyrant into the ropes. Shawn rebounds off the ropes and Blair switches directions bouncing off the other side. As Blair comes back Shawn ducks down, looking for a back body drop, which Blair easily leapfrogs over. Shawn looks for a big boot on the return trip, but again Blair avoids it. Instantly Warstein turns around looking for a clothesline, but Blair slides on her knees to get under it. Before The Tyrant regains his balance, Blair Regent kips up and turns, delivering a spinning back kick to his midsection. She delivers an enziguri that sends her bigger opponent to the corner. She takes a moment to look out to the crowd who is eating this up. The double middle finger salute being given to her by Shawn garner even more crowd response.

TREY BOOKER: Shawn Warstein is going to have to negate Blair's speed if he wants to get the upper hand on her here tonight.

J.T. PRICE: Oh, I'm sure he'll catch her when she least expects it. Isn't that how this works?

TREY BOOKER: Sometimes, you're right. But Shawn has to change up his strategies in order to accomplish that.

J.T. PRICE: Nah… Warstein can beat Blair anyway he chooses.

She circles the ring and Shawn Warstein pulls himself up in the corner. Blair comes running across and spins just short of Warstein so she can deliver a discus clothesline to her bigger opponent. She keeps on the attack, grabbing The Tyrant by the wrist. She pulls him for an Irish Whip, but the more powerful Shawn reverses it with such force that Regent flies back first into the turnbuckles before falling through the top and middle ropes and then to the outside. Warstein takes a moment to pose in the middle of the ring and bow to all four sides of the arena, thus getting his normal response from the baying crowd.

J.T. PRICE: Well this guy sure knows how to enjoy the moment. Shawn Warstein has a sure fire number one fan in Shawn Warstein too.

TREY BOOKER: He'd better stop playing to the crowd and keep working on his opponent. She's outside the ring, but she's definitely not out of this.

J.T. PRICE: Warstein is too good for Regent.

After having his moment in the spotlight, Shawn Warstein reaches between the ropes and grabs Blair Regent by the hair as the referee administers the count. Shawn pulls her in the ring and let's go on the count of four, avoiding disqualification. As Blair starts to regain her footing, Warstein spins and drops her with a discus clothesline of his own whilst screaming “Anything you can do, I can do better.”

TREY BOOKER: RUDE!!

J.T. PRICE: It’s humor, no need to cry over it.

Blair sits up, only to be brought back to the mat by a low double axe handle. Shawn gets back to his feet and drops a haymaker onto Blair as she once again tries to sit up. Blair Regent is much slower now, and The Tyrant of Project Honor drops another double axe handle on to his opponent. As Blair rolls towards the corner, Shawn drops flat on his stomach and slithers over to Blair, talking trash the whole time. Unfortunately, the microphones on the cameras cannot pick up what he is saying.

TREY BOOKER: Warstein's using his size and strength advantage here, which is smart. But if he wants to piss Blair off, I think he's doing a good job.. with whatever he's saying in there.

J.T. PRICE: He’s in control and enjoying himself.

The completely in control Shawn Warstein rises to his feet, pulling Blair up by the hair again. He pushes her back first into the ropes and catches her with a snap spinebuster as she falls forward from the rebound.

ONE!
TWO!

Blair kicks out right at the count of two. She sits up as Warstein kneels behind her. Shawn grabs Blair by the wrist, but instead of trying to bring her to her feet, he nonchalantly kicks her on the side of the head. There’s not much force behind the kicks and it’s obvious he’s trying to demean Blair rather than hurt her.

TREY BOOKER: He's a bit of an asshole though. Kinda want Blair to get up and kick his ass just out of spite.

After a couple kicks, Shawn Warstein finally pulls his smaller opponent up, Blair uses the momentum to jump over Warstein’s leg, catching him with a surprise inside cradle.

ONE!

Quick kick out from the tag champion. Blair runs at Warstein and Shawn scoops her up for what looks like a sidewalk slam. Blair has other ideas and turns her body transitioning into a DDT. The crowd pops as Regent covers...

ONE!
TWO!!
THR-KICKOUT!!! Shawn Warstein kicks out at two and a half.

TREY BOOKER: She almost had him there!

J.T. PRICE: Oh behave, he’s just playing along… he still has this.

Blair Regent sits for a couple of seconds with her hands on her knees catching her breath while the egotistical Warstein sits on the mat, slightly rattled from the DDT. After a couple of moments, Shawn Warstein rolls to the ring apron and grabs the ropes to pull himself up. Blair runs over, but gets caught by a right hook from the bigger man. Warstein steps through the ropes and sends Blair crashing to the mat with his PPF signature move. The Tyrant stumbles over to the corner, posing for the fans before lifting himself up to the middle rope to take a breather. He holds his neck, showing the damage from Regent DDT earlier. Shawn Warstein waves his hand, motioning for Blair Regent to get to her feet. As she gets to her knees, Shawn hops down, now motioning for Blair to turn and face him. She finally gets to her feet and turns to try to figure out where Shawn Warstein is.

TREY BOOKER: Oh lord... Look out!

J.T. PRICE: See?! TOLD YOU!

EGO TRIP!!! The Tyrant drops Blair Regent to the mat with his Future Shock DDT. Shawn Warstein grins, covers and hooks the leg.

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

DING DING DING!!!

Warstein dismissively shoves Blairs leg away and sits on the mat, smirking as he stares at the hard camera.

HOLLY PEREZ: The winner, by pinfall… SHAWN WAAARRRRSTTTTEEEIINNN!!!


HOLLY PEREZ: In 2009, he made his unexpected debut in the world of journalism by covering the still-unsolved crash of an automobile into Los Angeles’ popular club, The Viper Room, recording the aftermath on Facebook Live.

We see the man in question standing outside the chaotic scene in LA while in the background, a car is wedged into the Club’s front exterior.

LARRY KACHOW: It’s absolute madness here! I was standing in line here at the club when this shitty Toyota Corolla came out of nowhere and slammed right into the side of the building! One can only assume the driver was intoxicated or upset after being denied access! All I know is that I’ve never owned a Toyota Corolla!

HOLLY PEREZ: Since then his fame has only continued to grow, as he was the first man to interview Kanye West after the birth of his child with Kim Kardashian in 2013.

We see the same man, only this time he is sitting inside of a luxurious home with a visibly irate media mogul seated across from him.

LARRY KACHOW: North West? Who are you trying to kid with that stupid shit? That has got to be the dumbest name for a child I’ve ever heard! Next you’ll probably try to run for president or something!

HOLLY PEREZ: This recognition even earned him rare access with world leaders across the globe, such as North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.

The scene is that of a press room somewhere in North Korea, and once again the same journalist is present as the Korean leader sobs into a tissue.

LARRY KACHOW: Let’s be honest with everyone right now, Kim. All these missile tests are just your way of compensating for your penis size, aren’t they?

HOLLY PEREZ: Then in 2020, the unimaginable happened. He was accused of faking his press credentials, and the news community attempted to blackball this Pulitzer Prize contender and smear his good name. Fortunately, there are men like Rock Johnson with an eye for talent, and Monsieur Larry KaChow is now bringing his special blend of journalistic integrity and bulldog tenacity exclusively to Project: Honor! Now, please welcome the host of KaPow!...Monsieur Larry KaChow!

The cameras take us to a special stage that has been erected near the back of the arena, where the Asian-American Frenchman sits upon a director’s chair. Beside him, another director’s style chair has been set up, but Monsieur KaChow’s guest is not yet present.

LARRY KACHOW: Hey, welcome to my new show everyone. I’d just like to say what an honor it is to be a part of a great wrestling company like EWA…

Someone seems to have grabbed Larry’s attention from off camera. After a few confusing moments, he turns back to correct himself.

LARRY KACHOW: As I was saying, I’m a big fan of Project: Honor and pro wrestling in general, I guess. I’m sure you all recognize me from Faux News, YouTube, and My Space, so we won’t get into my life right now. Instead, I’m much more interested in getting to all of the juicy secrets my first guest is hiding. Please welcome “The Shining Star''...Myojin to the stage everyone!

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.

That’s when Myojin turns toward the interview stage, lowers his masquerade mask, and looks at Project: Honor’s newest journalist like one would examine a mess on the bottom of their shoe. With a modicum of trepidation, Myojin walks onto the interview stage where he’s greeted by Monsieur Larry KaChow offering him a handshake. Myo instead opts to nod his head in Larry’s direction before ultimately taking his seat in the vacant director’s chair.

LARRY KACHOW: Hey! It’s Myojin, everybody! Let’s all give Myojin another big round of applause!

The crowd responds to Larry’s request with enthusiasm

LARRY KACHOW: Thanks for being my inaugural guest here tonight. I’m sure it’s a great honor for you.

Myojin begins to respond, but before he can deny Larry’s assumption, the host is ready with his first question.

LARRY KACHOW: So, right off the bat, you have a very interesting name to go along with your in-ring style. Where does a man like Myojin find his inspiration, or is there a special muse in his life?

MYOJIN: The word Myojin is a title that was given to Shinto gods, meaning shining deity. I find my inspiration from wrestlers of the past and the best mixed martial artists to have ever done it. My style is a combination of what I've learned in both MMA and professional wrestling plus my own flair.

LARRY KACHOW: Hmm, yeah. Cool stuff. So in my research, I see that you’ve been a main event star in Project: Honor, nearly since its inception. Congratulations on an amazing run so far, but you haven’t had the best of luck in championship matches. Why does it seem like Myojin can’t win the big one?

The dismissive tone of Kachow and rather insensitive question caused the relaxed expression on the Shining Star's face to further disappear. He gives an irritated stare toward the interviewer, briefly frowning before taking a moment to answer the question.

MYOJIN: That's a good question I've asked myself for a while. It's because I was focused so much on being a poster boy and a fan-favorite when I'm capable of so much more. I haven't given my all, and I've been building myself back up- finding my real purpose, and remembering that I'm not a boy scout. I'm a living weapon with a pretty face that's remembered how dangerous I can be, and the fact that I can out-wrestle more than half of the people in this company management puts in front of me. I don't have more wins than anyone else just because of luck.

LARRY KACHOW: Fair enough. So you would disagree with the detractors who say you’ve peaked in Project: Honor?

A slightly amused snort left MYOJIN as he clasped his hands together. Though it was clear by the look in his eyes, there was a calm anger burning within him.

MYOJIN: ...I'm only twenty-three, close to twenty-four. I just started last year. Be careful with using the word peak. I've barely gotten started yet.

LARRY KACHOW: Legacy Title. Grand Championship. X-Factor Title. Tag Team Championships. You’ve gone after them all and come up short for one reason or another, but since your return from injury, you’ve been on an impressive streak. What’s next for The Shining Star?

MYOJIN: I've never fought for the X-Factor title actually. I beat the first champion and never got a title match for it.

LARRY KACHOW: Cool. Now give us all a reason to care and we’ll close this mother down.

The blonde laughs, running a hand through his hair as his smile turns into a pissed scowl.

MYOJIN: You want a reason to care?

Swiftly, he stands up and delivers a QUESTION MARK KICK to the seated Kachow- sending the interviewer and the chair he's in backwards as the Shining Star stares down at him- the set going completely quiet.



♫ GOD SAVE THE QUEEN ♫

A record scratch cuts through Motorhead’s cover of the Sex Pistols’s “God Save the Queen”, which is honestly a better version of the song. It stops playing just as quickly as it started. It’s almost as if they accidentally played it, as nothing else happens. No light changes on the stage, no shutting down of the arena lights. Nothing.

♫ I COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER ♫

Again, the same scenario. Another record scratch cuts off the dulcet tones of Men At Work’s famous Australian song from the 80’s, “Down Under”. Except it’s not fully cut off. The track continues, like a record skip, as the lights in the arena finally darken to black. Red and blue lights glow upwards through the thin metal bars of the stage, as well as around the stage, mimicking the scratching sound until the growling guitar of GHØSTKID’s “START A FIGHT” echoes across the sound system.

♫ I WANNA KILL SOMETHING
WANNA DESTROY SOMETHING
I WANNA, I WANNA
I WANNA START A FIGHT ♫

From under the curtain, Aiden Reynolds is the first to dart out from underneath the curtain, stopping at stage left with a trademark cocky smirk. He’s followed closely by his tag team partner, Dickie Watson, as he copies Aiden on the other side of the stage. Behind him, standing in the center, is Hannah Watson. The three of them look out amongst the crowd, smirks across their faces as Dickie and Aiden lift their arms upwards at their waist. Aiden raises his arm up in a fist, and Dickie crouches down then, resting his elbows on his knees.

♫ YOU ARE THE PROVING GROUND
AND I’M THE DYNAMITE
ABOUT TO BLOW IT UP
I WANNA START A FIGHT ♫

Hannah puts her hands behind her back and begins to skip down to the ring as Aiden starts to head down the ramp with a smirk on his face, followed by Dickie. Both jaw around with the fans, Dickie high-fiving a couple as he always does while Aiden cockily points at them, and then at himself, shaking his head. They both grasp the bottom rope on the ring and use it as leverage, leaping upwards. Aiden moves through the second rope while Dickie flings himself over the top rope, landing in the ring at the same time as Aiden rises. They criss cross, heading to opposite turnbuckles.

♫ YOU KNOW I’M TROUBLE, MOTHERFUCKER
AND YOU KNOW I’M ‘BOUT TO BLOW IT UP
I WANNA START A FIGHT
I WANNA START A FIGHT
FUCK YOUR CREDIBILITY
THIS SHIT IS PURE INSANITY
I WANNA START A FIGHT
I WANNA START A FIGHT ♫

Dickie raises his arms in the air while Aiden places a foot on the top rope. Dickie drops back down to his feet and then looks over to the opposite side of the ring with a smile. Aiden hops down as well, jumping back, and then heads to their designated side of the ring. As their music fades out, the two of them lean back into their corner, preparing to watch their opponents’ entrance with amused expressions.

HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, at a combined weight of 403 lbs, “The Molotov” Dickie Watson and “The Australian Wolf” Aiden Reynolds...THE COMMONWEALTH!!!

“Rock you like a Hurricane” plays out through the arena as Space Lord and Terry Marshall make their entrance. They slap hands with the fans before entering the ring, Space Lord starting the match off against Aiden Reynolds as the referee checks both men over-and the bell rings.

DING! DING! DING!

Our tag team contest starts off hot, with Aiden Reynolds locking up with Space Lord out the gate! Reynolds forces Space Lord down to a knee, and begins battering him with point-blank knees to the face, before pulling him up and whipping him into the corner. He gets a running start for a flying forearm smash to Space Lord, before following up with his repeated elbows into the corner! However, as he hits a fifth elbow and goes for a sixth, Space Lord manages to force him out of the corner. Reynolds tries to keep his offense up, but Space Lord catches him with a spinning scoop slam, rolling him through and hitting the ropes for low-angle running clothesline. Reynolds kips up and manages to evade the clothesline, hitting the ropes in response and catching Space Lord off with a dropkick to the head. Space Lord goes down, and Reynolds covers.

ONE!
TWO!!

TREY BOOKER: Great move by Aiden taking down the lord from space!

J.T. PRICE: Really? The lord from space?

But it’s not enough! Space Lord kicks out just before two, and begins mounting a comeback of sorts. He hits a big snap powerslam to Reynolds, following up with a Big Boot to the head, and then a low angle clothesline that he manages to hit. Reynolds looks for a tag to Dickie, but Space Lord drags him back and whips him into the corner with Marshall. Space Lord follows up with a big running clothesline into the corner, followed by a snapped suplex to Dickie that sends him right back out of the corner. Space Lord tags to Marshall, who comes in like a house of fire with an attempt at a running forearm, but Reynolds manages to duck it, sending him into the Commonwealth’s Corner! Reynolds hits a massive running knee to the back of Marshall’s head, before tagging out to Dickie. The two hit an innovative combo move as Dickie grabs Marshall and hauls him back with a Tiger Suplex while Reynolds hits a leaping clothesline off the ropes! Marshall goes down hard, and Dickie covers!

ONE!
TWO!!

TREY BOOKER: The Commonwealth are really showing how well they work together right here, right now!

J.T. PRICE: They have plenty of times before, how are you just now noticing this?

Just after two for Marshall on this one-close, but no cigar! Dickie drags him to his feet, and peppers him with kicks to the chest, before backing off and looking for his La Finnlena, but as he comes in, Marshall catches him on his shoulders! He takes him down with a Fireman’s Carry Slam, before following up with a roll through and a pop-up into a powerslam of his own. Marshall pulls Dickie up and hauls him into SEX’s corner, getting a running start and NAILING Dickie with a forearm shot before following up with a corner enziguri! Dickie is rattled, and Marshall looks primed to get one over on the former Grand Champion as he hauls him up and looks to drop him with a Falcon Arrow, but Dickie catches Marshall with a knee to the head as he’s being lifted! Marshall drops Dickie, and Dickie follows up with a roundhouse kick, followed up by a pump knee shot to the face. Marshall’s clearly hurting, and Dickie grabs him for Dickie’s Revenge, calling for the end-but Marshall shoves him off and manages a snapped back elbow that sends both men to the ground! The impressive counter earned Marshall a few moments longer in this match-and a pop from the crowd! Marshall throws himself onto Dickie for a half-hearted pin attempt.

ONE!
TWO!!

...but it’s not productive, as Dickie kicks out just before two. Marshall pulls himself to a knee as Space Lord goes wild for a pin in SEX’s corner, while Dickie drags himself up and looks to Reynolds for a tag. Both men dive and make the hot tag at the exact same time, causing Space Lord to rush in headfirst-INTO A DROPKICK FROM REYNOLDS! Space Lord goes down hard, and Reynolds follows through by leaping up to the corner, and back with a leaping back elbow to Space Lord as he comes up-but Space Lord manages to catch him into a German Suplex! He plants Reynolds on his head, and follows up with his lariat-but Reynolds stays up! Reynolds fires back a headbutt, Lord fires back a headbutt, and the two seem at a standstill! Reynolds makes the first attempt to move forward, going for a clothesline, but Space Lord catches him and belts him with two knees to the midsection, dragging him up-AND REYNOLDS COUNTERS INTO A FALLING DDT! Reynolds scrambles away from Space Lord for a moment, who’s trying to collect himself. Space Lord pulls himself to his knees, but Reynolds comes in hot-AND GETS HIM WITH THE DOWN UNDA! Space Lord drops like a sack of shit! Reynolds covers!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

TREY BOOKER: NO! Marshall breaks the pin up!

But Dickie Watson’s on Marshall, dragging him to the outside of the ring and beating the utter shit out of him! Reynolds drags Space Lord up and tries for his Gold Coast Cutter, but Space Lord manages to counter and shove him off! Space Lord hits a Big Boot that sends Reynolds out onto the apron, and looks to follow up with a crippling suplex into the apron, but Reynolds has other ideas! Reynolds batters Space Lord with heavy forearms, elbows, whatever he can use at his disposal! Space Lord, however, weathers the attack and sends Reynolds into the ring-post! He follows up with a big lariat-but Reynolds ducks out of the way, causing Space Lord to smash his arm into the post! Space Lord falls back, howling in pain, and Reynolds follows up with a superkick to the jaw, before a call from above causes him to look up-AND DICKIE WATSON SOARS OVERHEAD TO SEND SPACE LORD CRASHING INTO THE RING-POST WITH A CROSSBODY!

Reynolds throws Space Lord back into the ring, and gets in position for the Down Unda as he does so. He lines up in the corner, and Space Lord slowly stumbles back to his feet! Reynolds rushes forward for the Down Unda, but Space Lord manages to counter-IT WAS A FEINT! Reynolds hits the Gold Coast Cutter, and Dickie takes Marshall to the ground on the outside as the referee counts!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

DING! DING! DING!

TREY BOOKER: What a fantastic contest between two of Project: Honor’s best tag team combinations! The Commonwealth may have come out on top tonight, but I have to admit that I’m impressed by the performance of S.E.X. against the more established team of Reynolds and Watson!

J.T. PRICE: First time you’ve been impressed by a S.E.X. performance, Trey? Sounds like a personal problem to me.

TREY BOOKER: All juvenile jokes aside, I could see either of these teams as future challengers against Legacy, but it will be interesting to see what happens when you add the new team of Dragon Slayers to the mix!

J.T. PRICE: There’s no doubt about it, tag team action is heating up here on Proving Ground. Too bad we can’t say that about Trey’s S.E.X. life...


Lance Williams is backstage already dressed in his wrestling gear, he’s walking towards Mark Hunter’s locker room carrying a small envelope. Lance is walking with a bounce in his step and looking quite confident. Eventually he reaches Mark’s room and gives it a knock.

MARK HUNTER: YEAH!

LANCE WILLIAMS: It’s only me dude.

MARK HUNTER: Doors open.

Lance opens the door and throws the envelope over to Mark, Mark stops tying his boot laces just quick enough to catch it.

LANCE WILLIAMS: I know it’s your birthday today… I didn’t forget… I’ll see you out there.

MARK HUNTER: Cheers.

As Mark starts to open the envelope, Lance walks away, leaving the door ajar. The screen splits, the scene of Mark on one side, the scene of Lance on the other. Hunter eventually pulls a card from the envelope… The card reads “Prepare for LOSERVILLE!!”. Mark just shakes his head and shouts.

MARK HUNTER: PRICK!!!

Lance clearly hears the shout and chuckles openly as he makes his way to the gorilla position.




"Better Side Of Me'' by In Our Wake graces the ears of those in attendance as it plays throughout the arena. The crowd gives somewhat of a mixed reaction, managing to hear just as much cheers as you do boos from them. The lights dim down, enough to just see the frame of a mountain of a man, and then the lights come back on as “Bulldozer” Lance Williams lets out a ferocious primal roar. Lance stands there flexing his biceps, holding his guns up for the world to see. Once he is done letting out some of his former self by showing off, he starts to head down towards the ring. The crowd still maintains the mixed reactions, “Bulldozer” smirking smugly at those who boo him, and stopping to pose for a picture with the ladies. Now at the ring, Lance jumps up onto the ring apron showing off his amazing athletic side and lets out another roar just as ferociously primal as the first while pyro shoots up from each turnbuckle. He then gets into the ring, the focus and determination clear to see as he stands there showing off his 300 lb muscular physique, dressed in just a pair of black shorts that are just above his knee and black wrestling boots. A self satisfied smirk on his face as he is ready for action.

“Feel Invincible” by Skillet suddenly sounds throughout the building and the crowd erupts 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 following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is our main event of the evening! Introducing first, hailing from Los Angeles, California, he stands at 6’5” and weighs in at 315 pounds…“The Bulldozer”...LANCE WILLIAMS!!!!

Lance takes a big step out of his corner, flexing both of his powerful arms as he stares across the ring at his opponent with a confident smile.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his opponent in this non-title encounter, fighting out of San Jose, California, standing at 5’11 and weighing in at 211 pounds, he is “The Straight Shooter” and The Project: Honor Grand Champion...MARK HUNTER!!!!

Mark steps out of his corner as well, making his way to the center of the ring where he unhooks the Grand Championship from around his waist and hands it to Holly Perez. He is soon joined by Lance Williams in the center of the ring, and as Holly makes her exit from the ring, the two friends begin to exchange some smack talk that the cameras are unable to pick up. It is clear from their grinning faces that they are enjoying each other’s attempts to dig at their nerves, but the fans in attendance make it clear that they want less talking and more action.

DING! DING! DING!

Eventually they step away from each other and begin to circle around the center of the ring, coming together in a collar and elbow tie up. The basic opening grapple move is short lived however, as Lance immediately shows off his superior strength by shoving Mark down to that mat. While the champion looks up at his opponent with an impressed expression, Lance gives the crowd another double bicep pose and flexes his pecs.

With a smile and a nod, Mark gets back to his feet and attempts to initiate a second collar and elbow. Instead, Lance ducks low, wrapping his arms around Mark’s waist in order to lift him off the canvas and run with him across the ring. He slams Mark’s back against the corner turnbuckles and immediately follows that up by driving his shoulder into the champ’s midsection several times. Hunter then finds himself tossed out of the corner as Williams’ gives him a beal toss. Mark quickly gets back on his feet, just in time to see Lance charging towards him with an attempted spear. At the last moment, Mark sidesteps and hooks Lance’s head at the same time, using his momentum against him to roll him onto the mat with an inside cradle.

ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!

TREY BOOKER: You can tell these two are friends just by how they move together!

J.T. PRICE: I wouldn't put it past Mark to screw over a friend, though.

Lance pops back to his feet following the kick-out, and as Mark moves in to capitalize on his brief advantage, The Bulldozer scoops the champion up with both hands and presses him high over his head. For a moment, it looks as if Lance is considering tossing his opponent over the top rope, but before he can act on those thoughts, Mark reaches down to rake his eyes and then drops behind him. Upon landing on his feet, The Straight Shooter immediately hooks Lance around his waist and rolls him backwards into a reverse cradle!

ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!

The Bulldozer quickly gets back on his feet following another pinning combination, but this time he is met by a dropkick to the chin from Mark Hunter. The champion maintains his momentum by hooking Lance for a snap suplex, then rolls to his feet before transitioning to a German Suplex. Mark rolls to his feet yet again, this time transitioning his hold into a Full Nelson Suplex, dropping The Bulldozer on the back of his head with an impressive display of strength and chain wrestling!

ONE!
TWO!
KICKOUT!

TREY BOOKER: Mark is really putting a number on the big guy! I'm surprised to see him, you know... not cheating.

J.T. PRICE: That's our Grand Champion you're talking about right there!

Again, Williams is able to kick out, but it’s clear that Mark had managed to ring his bell. It takes The Bulldozer a little longer to get back on his feet, and this time he is met by Hunter’s Instant Karma superkick, which immediately puts Lance back down to the mat. In full control of the match, Mark Hunter makes his way to the ringside apron, hoping to finish off his friendly rival with some high impact offense. He perfectly executes a springboard crossbody as Lance gets on his feet, but much to his chagrin, The Bulldozer still has enough wherewithal to catch Hunter in midair. Lance counters the high flying attempt by dropping Mark over his knee with a backbreaker, then still holding him in his arms, he flips Mark onto his shoulder before driving him into the canvas with a powerslam. Williams takes advantage of his surprise counter with a pin of his own, and seemingly taking a page out of the champion’s playbook, he grabs a handful of tights for good measure.

ONE!
TWO!
THR - KICKOUT!

Mark is able to kick out despite Lance’s attempt at using illegal leverage, and as he rolls to his knees he gives his friend a look of complete surprise. Lance responds with a huge smile as he holds his fingers apart by an inch to mock Mark with how close he came to pinning him.

TREY BOOKER: Lance Williams with the mind games on Mark Hunter! I think having his tights pulled has totally thrown the champ for a loop!

J.T. PRICE: Hey! Give Mark some credit here, Trey! He’s wrestling a clean match out of respect for Lance Williams and that big goof tried to take advantage of his sportsmanship!

Lance continues to assault his friend, driving a few knees up to his midsection before taking him off his feet with a thunderous powerbomb! The impact has clearly shaken Mark Hunter, who holds the back of his head as gets his feet under him, fully unaware that he’s being measured carefully by his opponent. Still holding the back of his head, Mark turns around just in time to receive The Decapitator kick from The Bulldozer! The champion looks to be out of it as he lays upon the mat, but instead of going for a potential pinfall, he pulls his groggy opponent back onto his feet. From there, he lifts Hunter onto his shoulders into a torture rack, the first step in executing his Torture Bomb finishing move. Before throwing Mark down to the mat, Lance cranks on the hold to apply more damage, then, just when it looks like he’s going to execute the bomb, Mark hooks Lance by the head, shifts his weight, and rolls him to the mat with a modified headlock takedown. Not stopping there, Mark immediately transitions the hold into his Last Act anaconda vice!

Lance seems to be trapped in the hold with no means of escape, as Mark has it expertly applied and the ropes are far out of reach! The referee leaps into position so that he can hear The Bulldozer’s inevitable submission, but instead, Lance grasps at the only thing he can reach, which happens to be the referee’s shirt. Desperate to escape, he pulls the ref into the fray, forcing Mark to release his signature hold. The ref, shaken but still conscious, attempts to shake the cobwebs loose as Mark briefly turns his attention away from The Bulldozer. That proves to cost the champion as Lance grabs hold of Hunter’s tights once again, this time to roll him into a school boy pin. The referee turns to see Hunter in trouble and drops to make the count, completely oblivious to the fact that Williams has put both of his feet on the bottom rope!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE - NO! KICKOUT AT THE LAST SECOND!

TREY BOOKER: THAT WAS A CLOSE CALL! I didn't think Mark was gonna be able to escape that.

J.T. PRICE: Are you oblivious to the fact that Lance just had his feet on the ropes?!

Hunter rolls away from the pin, once again giving Lance Williams a bewildered look. In return, Lance smiles as he advances on the champion yet again. The Bulldozer powers Mark into the corner with his shoulder once again, adding further damage to the champion’s ribs. He then forces Mark to the top turnbuckle and climbs to the second buckle himself. It’s not unlike the position that Lance found himself in last week against Ozymandias, but this time the turnbuckle does not give out as he hurls Hunter from the top with a huge belly to belly suplex! Miraculously, Hunter seems to have anticipated the move, and somehow lands on his feet. Lance Williams is shocked when he turns around to say the least, and then further stunned as Hunter hits his second Instant Karma superkick of the match. The big man remains on his feet but is clearly staggering as Mark hooks him for his Antidote twist of fate! With Lance flat on the mat, Mark ascends to the top turnbuckle, takes a moment to balance himself, and then flies off with a picture-perfect Zero Gravity shooting star press! The move hits its mark exactly as the champion had planned, and after taking a brief moment to clutch at his own ribs, he goes for another cover!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE - NO! KICKOUT WITH NO ROOM TO SPARE!

Frustrated by his inability to put his old friend and rival down for the count, Mark slams his open palms on the canvas. Despite his frustration, Mark begins to pull The Bulldozer back to his feet, hooking both of his arms while doing so. It becomes clear that Mark is looking to execute his Extreme Dream double arm DDT, but as he starts to shift his weight, Lance suddenly stands up and hoists Mark onto his shoulders for The Touch of Class F5! The Bulldozer spins and launches Mark off of his shoulders, but instead of being forced to the mat, Hunter keeps Lance’s head hooked and uses the momentum to roll him onto the mat in a small package!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

HOLLY PEREZ: The winner of the match, The Project: Honor Grand Champion...MARK HUNTER!!!

For several moments, Mark and Lance remain sitting on the mat, both men drenched with sweat as they stare at each other with unreadable emotion. Slowly, they both get back onto their feet, and as Mark his handed his championship belt, Lance steps forward to go nose to nose with the winner of the match. After a few tense moments, Lance finally extends his hand, which Hunter accepts with a nod of respect. Despite the reputation as a chicken shit heel he’s recently been earning, Hunter receives some respectful applause as he stands in the center of the ring with the man who nearly beat him at his own game.

TREY BOOKER: What an outstanding match by two world-class talents! Lance Williams really showed us something here tonight, and he made it clear why he’s the only man that’s beaten Mark Hunter in one-on-one competition!

J.T. PRICE: And don’t take anything away from The Grand Champion! He wrestled a clean match here tonight, but something tells me that had a lot more to do with respecting his opponent than a change of attitude! I got a crisp Benjamin that says he’ll be back to his underhanded ways in no time, and I can’t wait to see it!


With the final Proving Ground under Callum Walker’s leadership nearing its conclusion, Indy Darling is already at work planning for the future. With good reason, Callum has already called it a night, giving up his temporary office in the arena to his successor. Indy sits behind a desk, going over various papers and contracts concerning the talent now under his command.

CAMERA OPERATOR: Indy, we’re on. It’s time for the Pay Per View announcements...

With an expression displaying both the excitement and the overwhelming responsibility now on his plate, Indy slowly looks up at the camera.

INDY DARLING: Yeah, I know. I’m just going over a few last minute details before announcing the line-up for Public Execution. There’s nothing like getting thrown into the deep end when it comes to a new job, but with some help from Caden Young, I think we’ve ensured that Proving Ground is going to have one hell of a Pay Per View in Brazil!

INDY DARLING: First, there’s the matter of deciding who Euan Hill will defend The Warrior Rising Championship against, and I’ve decided that he will face off against the same man he teamed with here tonight, Scott Oasis! No gimmicks and no special stipulations; just two hungry athletes competing for championship gold!

INDY DARLING: Proving Ground also has some new talent ready to debut, so in Six Person Tag Team action, it will be Emmanuelle, Lance Williams, and Cadillac Jackson against three of the company’s newest competitors in an Elimination Match! This will be more than just some random encounter though, because this match will have future ramifications for a championship that’s very near and dear to my heart, The Project: Honor X-Factor Title!

INDY DARLING: In an interesting turn of events tonight, TJ Thompson received a special invitation to personally pick up a package at the post office in Brazil. I wish I had more to say about what might happen when TJ shows up there, but if Pat the Postman is involved like I suspect he is, we can be sure that whatever transpires will be interesting to watch.

INDY DARLING: Of course, you can’t have a Proving Ground show without the man who served as the brand’s standard-bearer throughout it’s first season. Dickie Watson seems to be at a bit of a crossroads at the moment while he decides on where he goes next. I’ve made it clear that I have a ton of respect for Dickie, even if we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. So I want to give him the opportunity to clear the air, address his fans and peers, and let us all know where he stands moving forward. That’s why I’m giving Dickie time to speak his mind in an exclusive interview with Monsieur KaChow at Public Execution. In addition to that, we have a couple of competitors in Blair Regent and Tyler Bradford who are still trying to make their impact on Proving Ground, so I’ll be adding Dickie to that mix in a Triple Threat Match!

INDY DARLING: With the majority of Project: Honor’s tag teams on the Proving Ground roster, I also have the unique opportunity to let that division shine on the big stage. With that in mind, Public Execution will have another Triple Threat Match when Big Drip Productions, The Dragon Slayers, and Sports Entertainment XPress face off. A win in this one could go a long way in deciding which team should be considered for a future shot at the tag team gold.

INDY DARLING: Another benefit of being the new General Manager is having the opportunity to book Project: Honor’s Legacy Champion for our show despite Elena’s status as a member of Fallout. While the championship will not be on the line at Public Execution, I am proud to announce that Elena DeDraca will be in action in a special exhibition match against a man who’s not even on either of Project: Honor’s rosters! At Public Execution it will be Elena DeDraca going one-on-one with Alejandro Quagliaterre!

INDY DARLING: As Proving Ground GM, I’ve also inherited my share of grudges that need to be settled. One of those has been lingering since The Crowning when Shawn Warstein used some questionable tactics to eliminate Ozymandias. So at Public Execution, these two men will finally face off in a one-on-one encounter in Project Honor’s first ever Dungeon Match. They will fight within the bowels of the Mineirinho Arena, which will have all the trappings of a medieval dungeon, and the first man to escape will be declared the winner!

INDY DARLING: I guess that only leaves one person…

Suddenly, a loud commotion behind the camera can be heard, as if a door has just been violently shoved open. The camera turns to see Project: Honor’s Grand Champion, Mark Hunter, storm into Indy’s private office. With the championship over his shoulder and his face still drenched in sweat from his main event match, Mark scowls at the new General Manager as he approaches and leans forward with both hands on Indy’s desk.

MARK HUNTER: You?! You’re gonna be the new General Manager? I guess that means I should expect all kinds of bullshit matches and stipulations thrown my way. Well guess what Indy, you didn’t have a chance of taking this title off of me when you were in the ring, and you’re sure as hell not going to do it from behind a desk!

Indy slowly gets to his feet, his own hands firmly against the desk as he leans forward to meet Mark Hunter’s glare.

INDY DARLING: This is actually great timing, Mark. I was just getting ready to announce your match at Public Execution…

MARK HUNTER: Oh yeah? So what’s it gonna be, Indy? Handicap Match? Blindfold Match? Maybe I can go up against everyone on the roster at once!

INDY DARLING: Actually, that’s not a bad idea at all. You claim that you get away with the things you do because your opponents aren’t smart enough to take those advantages out of play. So instead of leaving the responsibility of watching your every move on one official, how about we put that responsibility on the shoulders of Proving Ground’s roster? Your match at Public Execution will officially be a Lumberjack Match!

Mark straightens up and scoffs at what Indy has proposed.

MARK HUNTER: Fine. Whatever. I have no problems defending my title in front of the entire roster. Maybe they can take some notes on what it takes to be a real champion.

Mark’s comment may be a subtle dig at Indy previously forfeiting The X-Factor Championship, but the new General Manager refuses to sell it.

INDY DARLING: That’s the thing, Mark. I’m not even going to make you defend your title at Public Execution. Despite what you might expect out of me, it just doesn’t seem fair.

MARK HUNTER: Oh yeah? And why’s that?

INDY DARLING: Because Rock Johnson isn’t here to tell me I can’t wrestle, and your Lumberjack Match at Public Execution will be against me!

Mark’s eyes narrow as he stares at the General Manager with all the spite he can muster. Then, as if remembering the injuries Indy described earlier in the evening, a smile begins to come over his face. Eventually that smile turns into laughter, as Mark slowly backs away from Indy’s desk toward the office door.

INDY DARLING: Oh, and Mark?

The champion stops, looking at the General Manager from across the room with a cocky smile.

INDY DARLING: Happy birthday.

The cocky smile turns into a wicked sneer as Mark continues to leave the makeshift office, leaving the General Manager to contemplate his own decision as the show fades to black.