Post by JASON HALICH on Oct 17, 2017 20:09:22 GMT -5
Ignition #001: RISE!
Live from the ShoWare Center in Seattle, Washington!
The feed comes to life on a beautiful pyrotechnic display on the Pride Pro stage. The cameras pan around the arena, showcasing the sold out crowd. However, before anyone can get too carried away, Twenty One Pilots' "Heathens" gives way to the music of Taryn Robinson. Fans seem undecided about her as she makes her way out to the stage in a skin tight black dress, cut way too high for someone of her position. Her heels match the dress, and stand so high that there is no way that she was going to walk all the way down to the ramp. Instead, she points towards one of the members of the crew, who run up the ramp, bringing her one of the microphones.
Taryn Robinson:
"Welcome to the new Pride Pro Wrestling's very first Ignition!"
The fans both cheer and applaud, and Taryn gives them time to enjoy it before continuing.
Taryn Robinson:
"I know we chose to stick with the name, but make no mistake about it, this is a new era of Pride. Erron Wilder, Eliza Valentine, and RC Tucker all made it into the finals of the Lion's Pride Event. Two of those three are competing in our main event tonight, and the other has brought Gavin Grimes into Pride Pro Wrestling for the night."
The fans get even louder at the mention of Gavin's name, with pockets even breaking into a chant of his name. Taryn has to cut them off though.
Taryn Robinson:
"Trust me, he is here. I have seen him with my own two eyes. That's later on though. Right now we need to talk about something that all of you deserve to see."
She points out to the crowd.
Taryn Robinson:
"...but I'm not talking just about all of you..."
He angles her finger at the camera, addressing the fans at home.
Taryn Robinson:
"I am talking about each and every one of you as well."
She pauses, giving the crowd a moment to try and figure out what she is saying before spilling the beans.
Taryn Robinson
"So what is it that you deserve to see? How about Oren Hamrick squaring off against DRU Dahl? Or even Josh Anderson going toe-to-toe with Christian Michaels?"
The fans cheer in approval of both matches.
Taryn Robinson:
"That is what I thought. See, Pride Pro Wrestling is nothing without the new faces on the roster. We prove that at ReAwakening. Jason Halich might be invested in the people he brought back into the fold from the last time, but we are here to remind him that the last time, this company crashed and burned. It is up to the fresh faces in this company to make sure that the the returning influences don't lead us down that same path. That is why I am here. That is why I have tirelessly recruited new talent for this company."
The fans cut her off with cheers, now throwing their full support behind her.
Taryn Robinson:
"Starting right now, the new talent coming into this company will no longer be punished by being forced to compete off screen. There will never be another dark match for as long as I am in this company. It is time to make everyone take notice. We are here. We are the new Pride, and we are ready to RISE!"
Her music hits the PA again as she hands off the microphone. She raises one hand and blows a kiss out at the crowd with the other as the cameras cut to the announcers.
Coby Quik:
"Welcome to Pride Pro Wresting: Ignition!"
Parker Wayde:
"That's right people, we survived ReAwakening, and here we are, ready to kick off Ignition!"
Coby Quik:
"I am almost not disappointed that I had to come back from my honeymoon for this."
Parker Wayde:
"That's right folks, in case you missed it, our very own Coby Quik tied the knot with Chelsea Payne in our time away from the ShoWare Center, so some congratulations are in order."
Coby Quik:
"Don't try to reflect, that wedding was huge. The man to my left, Parker Wayde finally took the last of the Cooper sisters off the market and are very own owner made his wedding vows official all on the same night."
Parker Wayde:
"It was almost as big of a night for Pride as ReAwakening, but I think the people that didn't get an invite would disagree with me on that one."
Coby Quik:
"Well all of them got an invitation to join us for Ignition, so whether they are here with us, or watching at home, we are happy to have you here and we have a hell of a show for you tonight."
Parker Wayde:
"Well, we used to have a better show. Recently it was announced that Jessica Nitoh would be stepped away from Pride, effectively cancelling her match with Ollie Maverick who has been missing in action."
Coby Quik:
"Not to mention that Xavier Laroux is still in the hospital following his assault at SAP. We are keeping our thoughts with him, but the show must go on."
Parker Wayde:
"And go on it will, apparently without Deacon Thomas. The Pride star finds himself stranded out on a cruise ship and unable to attend. I wonder what Merrick Henderson will have to say about that."
Coby Quik:
"I'm sure we'll find out shortly, just like we are going to find out what Oren Hamrick and DRU Dahl are made out of now that co-owner Taryn Robinson has made the decision to end dark matches in Pride."
Parker Wayde:
"Which also means that we are actually going to see Josh Anderson get his hands on someone in front of a camera for a change when he takes on Christian Michaels."
Coby Quik:
".... the first of those two matches starts right now!"
Heather Cooper:
"Introducing, for the first time ever in Pride Pro Wrestling..."
The lights fade, as The Throwaway Kids performed by Dead Celebrity Status, erupts on the airwaves inside the ShoWare Center. A red fog begins to form in front of the entrance way, as Andrew “DRU” Dahl steps out from the back, and stands center stage. He looks down; a hoodie is masking his head and face.
Heather Cooper:
“Making his way down to the ring from Columbus, Ohio, standing in at six feet, four inches tall, and weighing in at one hundred and ninety-seven pounds, Andrew DRU Dahl!”
DRU raises his head, and the hoodie falls back resting on his shoulder revealing a pair of white beats by Dre headphones. He grins ear to ear and begins his walk down the aisle that separates the entrance from the ring. He pulls his hoodie off and tosses it beside the ring followed by his headphones as he rolls underneath the bottom rope and enters the ring. DRU walks to the opposite corner of where he entered the ring and leaned up against the turnbuckle. His music fades out, as he closes his eyes.
Heather Cooper:
"...and his opponent, also making his Pride debut..."
The slow, grunge guitar chords of ’22 going on 23’ by The Butthole Surfers growl through the ShowWare Center, accompanied by rhythmic strobe lighting. Within seconds, the menacing shadow of Oren Hamrick looms over the stage, as the mammoth brawler steps out from behind the curtain, making himself visible to the crowd.The Brute from Brainerd stomps down the ramp way with menacing intent, glaring at the ring a few feet away.
Heather Cooper:
“Approaching the ring from Brainerd, Minnesota… Weighing in at four hundred and three pounds… Oren Hamrick!”
Hamrick hauls his beastly mass up onto the ring apron with the assist of the middle rope, before throwing his leg over the top with ease, stepping into the ring accordingly. There’s no smack talk, there’s no posturing - just a giant in the centre of the ring, staring down his next opponent.
As JD calls for the opening bell, DRU gets right up in the face of Oren as he starts mouthing off to him.
Coby Quik:
“Hamrick is nearly 200 pounds heavier than Dahl. I’m not quite sure how wise this is!”
When Oren has finally heard enough, he easily shoves DRU down to the mat.
Parker Wayde:
“Dahl might want to reconsider his strategy a bit.”
Oren barely gives DRU a chance to get on his feet as he grabs him by the arm and pulls him into him for a short arm lariat. Once DRU is on the mat, Oren kicks away at him and delivers a legdrop to his chest. He goes for a cover but DRU is able to kick out at 2. Oren seems angered as he pulls his opponent off the mat. Oren hoists him over his shoulder as he walks closer to the ropes.
Parker Wayde:
“Dahl should’ve stayed down when he had the chance!”
Coby Quik:
“Looks like he’s about to go for a ride…”
Oren launches him to the outside with the Human Arrow. As DRU lays motionless near the barricade, JD begins his count.
1…
2…
3…
4…
5…
This is about the time Oren goes out to retrieve DRU and tosses him back in the ring.
Parker Wayde:
“I’m not sure whether Hamrick wanted to stop the count or just beat on Dahl some more.”
Coby Quik:
“I’d say both!”
As Oren climbs up on the apron to re-enter the ring, DRU is there to meet him with a dropkick. Oren sways just a tad but otherwise isn’t much phased. DRU has to repeat the process two more times before the big man falls off the apron.
Parker Wayde:
“The rookie starting to get some offense going.”
Coby Quik:
“That’s what he needs to do. Strike when he can!”
Oren lands on his feet, though. He is staggering around a bit when DRU comes running in for a baseball slide this time. As he connects, Oren goes back into the barricade. He’s still upright thanks to it being there, but he was looking dazed nonetheless.
Parker Wayde:
“This crowd starting to rally behind Dahl in his quest to take this guy down!”
As Dahl went to the outside after him, he hit him with several right hands before rolling him back into the ring. Oren was up to one knee as DRU slid in after him. Seeing that, DRU ran into the ropes and connected with ‘Probably Gonna Hurt’.
Coby Quik:
“He’s done it! Oren goes down!”
Parker Wayde:
“Dahl not wasting any time in going for cover.”
JD drops to make the count, but Oren kicks out, shoving DRU up into the air. Not believing it, DRU tries to make a second cover. But this time, Oren powers out sending DRU flying halfway across the ring. But as Oren gets up to his feet, DRU is right there to meet him with an Enziguri. As Oren staggers about, DRU kicks him in the midsection before dropping him with a Snap DDT.
Another count by JD, but this time Oren simply rolls his shoulder up.
Coby Quik:
“Dahl doing everything he can to put Oren Hamrick away. But what’s it going to take?”
Parker Wayde:
“That is a good question.”
As DRU helped Oren up to his feet, he goes to whip him into the corner but Oren reverses the attempt. The moment DRU meets them, Oren follows him in with a big splash.
Parker Wayde:
“Talk about being squished!”
As DRU comes stumbling out of the corner, he is met with a boot to the midsection before being hoisted up for a powerbomb. He delivers a second one as Coby is heard on commentary.
Coby Quik:
“Oren looking to end this with the ‘Game Over’.”
But as Oen has DRU up in the air for the third, he drops him and falls down over him for the pin.
Coby Quik:
“Seems like Oren may have received one too many shots to the head to keep going...”
JD makes the count as the fans count with him. As soon as his hand slaps the mat the third time he pops up, pointing to the timekeeper to sound the bell.
Parker Wayde:
“Yet he still got the win. Apparently three was more than enough!”
Fans are booing loudly as “22 Going On 23” by The Butthole Surfers is heard playing out.
Heather Cooper:
“Here is your winner by pinfall, ORRRRRRENNNNNN HAAAAAMRIIIIIIICKKKKK!”
The big man mouths off to the crowd as they boo away at him.
Backstage we see Merrick Henderson. On either side is a blonde woman scantily clad in some variation of wrestling gear. One is sitting on his lap, playing with his hair while the other has his hand, rubbing it gently trying to ease the frustration from his face, but it does little to do that.
Merrick Henderson:
"Where the hell is he? He talks so much about wanting to be at the top but he can’t even manage his own schedule better. Who the hell wrestles on a cruise ship anyway? I mean don’t washed up performers do act on ships? How is this any different?"
He shakes his head in dismay as the girls croon him and murmur about how he shouldn’t worry so much and tell him how much better he is. He still doesn’t seem convinced but it’s obvious he likes the attention the women are giving him. From around the corner, for the first time we see Jules Fischer-Halich, a phone pressed to her ear. Normally, the executive producer avoids being seen on camera at all costs, not just because she has no need to be on film but also because she just doesn’t like it. She looks up and happens to catch Merrick’s eyes. He stands suddenly, dropping BJ to the floor. She lets out a woof of air and Merrick offers a hand quickly and a mumbled apology. Jules starts backing up.
Jules Halich:
"Nope."
She tries to run but before she can escape Merrick has caught up to her and grabbed her shoulder.
Jules Halich:
"Hey... get your hands off me Kojack. I am not someone you can just manhandle!"
She pulls back from him, dusting it off like he had left some dirty hand prints.
Merrick Henderson:
"Look, I know you are not really staff, like the one that can make decisions but I need to talk to your husband. I am here, ready to get in a ring and my opponent just treats this like it’s some kind of afterthought. The whole of the back and forth he has stuck his nose in the air like he’s better than me. Just because I don’t have titles or wins under the belt yet but he was just like me a year ago. Who is he to say anything?"
Jules still looks rather uncomfortable in the situation, but she still has her phone part way up toward her ear. Merrick looks very flustered, his face going redder as he thinks about how disrespected he feels. Jules gives a wide eyed shrug at his question.
Merrick Henderson:
"Can you tell Jason that? Can you tell him I need to talk to him?"
Jules smirks and holds out a finger as she holds up the phone back to her ear.
Jules Halich:
"Do I really need to repeat that all back to you? Cuz it’s kinda boring... Yeah... yeah. Okay... sorry... I will try to be nicer to people. I know I... Don’t you dare... Do I have... but... fine."
With a sign she hangs up the phone and looks at Merrick. She pulls up the corners of her lips into a scary fake smile.
Jules Halich:
"Jason would like me to tell you that he heard your complaint and that he will make sure that you do not go without. He says that he’s going to reschedule your match with Deacon."
Merrick lets out an exaggerated sigh and throws his head back.
Merrick Henderson:
"So I have to listen to all this shit again? How is that a benefit for me?"
Jules appears to be in pain for how hard she is holding her smile.
Jules Halich:
"He said that you can choose the stipulation at the next match. You can let him know by the end of the night."
Jules looks around him to see the two women watching, hands on their hips and scowls on their faces.
Jules Halich:
"I would probably go back and talk to your skan... I mean girlfriends, they seem real mad."
Merrick looks behind him momentarily to offer them a sympathetic smile but when he turns around, Jules has already disappeared around a corner.Merrick turns back shaking his head and joins his girlfriends.
The opening cords to ”Hail To The King” by Avenged Sevenfold starts to play as the arena lights start to pulse along with the beat. Just then bass kicks in and the song starts with a heaver tempo as Josh Anderson makes his way out onto the stage in his ring attire and a sleeveless TeamKill shirt.
Heather Cooper:
"From Red Wood City, California, making his official Pride debut, Josh Anderson!"
He points out to the crowd before rolling his neck and then smiles coyly and heads down to the ring. Once in the ring he mocks the fans while standing on the middle ropes. Anderson takes off his TeamKill shirt and gets ready for the match.
Heather Cooper:
"...and his opponent..."
3 Doors Down's hit "Kryptonite" hits over the speakers sending a rush through the crowd. The fans jump up on their feet cheering as the tron comes alive with CM's entrance video. Michaels himself finally walks out onto the stage about 20 or 30 seconds into the song. He stops at the top and looks out at the pumped fans. In the ring Heather Cooper raises her mic.
Heather Cooper:
"Ladies and gentlemen, this next match is scheduled for ONE fall! Introducing first, from Memphis, Tennessee...He stands six-foot-two and weighs in at two hundred and twenty-six pounds...Here is Christian Miiiiiiichaels!!!!"
Christian had been bouncing from his left foot to his right during his introduction. As Heather finishes he gestures for the fans to get louder! They're quick to oblige and CM starts his way down the aisle. The fan favorite making sure to go back and forth between the sides of the aisle, slapping hands with every fan that he can. When he reaches the end of the aisle, CM rolls into the ring under the bottom rope. He gets up and heads towards the nearest hard camera-facing corner. CM gets on the middle turnbuckle and raises his hands up, garnering another cheer from the crowd.
The crowd was clearly behind Christian Michaels as he hit the ring. Just as he was about to wrap up his entrance, Josh Anderson came at him with a closeline, that probably would have taken CM’s head off had he not ducked. When Josh spun back around to face his opponent, CM took him over with an arm drag.
Parker Wayde:
“Anderson tried to get an early advantage, but it didn’t pay off.”
Coby Quik:
“Michaels many years of experience had him prepared for that!”
CM dared Josh to come at him again as JD called for the opening bell. Josh was slow to push to his feet as he eyed his opponent.
Coby Quik:
“Anderson thinking twice about it now.”
Parker Wayde:
“He’s just playing it smart.”
Once Josh came out of the corner, the two competitors started circling each other before locking up in a collar and elbow tie up. Josh puts up a great effort but it is CM who backs him in a corner. JD asks for a clean break and it looks like the veteran is going to give it to him. But as CM goes to back away, Josh is quick to poke him in the eye and follow it up with knee to CM’s midsection.
Coby Quik:
“Anderson still up to no good in his tactics!”
Parker Wayde:
“Effective this time, though.”
And effective it was. It allowed Josh to go on the offensive keeping CM down with various moves from his skill set. Josh keeps the pressure on with three consecutive German suplexes. As he bridges for the pin, JD drops to make his count but only gets to two before CM rolls his shoulder up.
Coby Quik:
“CM keeps himself in the fight.”
As a dazed looking CM gets to his feet, he is met with a boot to the midsection and is planted to the with a DDT. Instead of going for the cover, Josh continues to punish CM with some hard kicks to his prone body. From there, he continues the assault with a pendulum backbreaker and followed with the headlock driver.
Parker Wayde:
“Betcha he’s regretting that decision after feeling that Exclamation Point!”
Coby Quik:
“I doubt it. But things definitely aren’t looking good for Christian Michaels right now.”
The crowd is booing like mad as Anderson mouths off to them. They don’t want to see this at all. As CM starts to move, Josh grabs a hold of him and pulls him up to his feet as he gets the veteran in position.
Parker Wayde:
“Looks like this could be the End…”
But before Josh can get him hoisted in the air, CM makes the block and rolls him into a small package.
Parker Wayde:
“...Or not.”
This pretty much brings the crowd to life as they count along to JD’s count which ends at two with an emphatic kick out. Regardless of not picking up the fall, the crowd rallies behind CM as both men scramble to their feet. As they come toward one another, Josh catches CM’s foot as he tries to kick him in the midsection, but as he pushes his foot aside, CM just flips around and catches Anderson with the Dragon Whap.
Coby Quik:
“Anderson goes down, but Michaels is unable to capitalize after all the earlier punishment he endured.”
By the time CM makes the cover, Josh is able to easily kick out at two. However, with Anderson still down, CM kicks him a few times before going into the corner. He perches himself on the turnbuckles before coming off with the Southern Climate Leg Drop.
Parker Wayde:
“Took him awhile to get there..but Christian Michaels is in the driver’s seat now!”
The crowd is in a frenzy now as CM connects with the move. CM taunts them getting them all the more riled up as he waits on his opponent. When Josh finally staggers up to his feet, CM puts him right back down with his Just Like That front facelock cutter. He makes the cover and hooks a leg as the fans count to three alongside JD. The official pops up, signaling for the bell.
Heather Cooper:
"Here is your winner by pinfall, Christian Michaels!"
As “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down begins to play, JD raises CM’s hand in victory.
Parker Wayde:
“Hard to believe considering how on a roll Anderson was.”
Coby Quik:
“That is just the way it goes sometimes. I’m sure he’ll have another chance to prove himself against Michaels in the future!”
Pride cameras cut to backstage, to see the lion of Pride Pro Wrestling, Sammy Duke doing some last minute preparations…
Sammy Duke:
"Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, and… (huff, huff) ...twenty!"
Sammy had just finished up a series of blood-pumping jumping jacks to get his cardio up. He looked down at his leg, more specifically his foot and his next warm up came to him.
Sammy Duke:
"Hmm. Well, last time my Sweet Shin Music wasn’t very effective, maybe I just need a bit of a stretch first. Get my leg all limbered up, then I can get the full force behind it! Then no one, not Erron, or even Anushka tonight, will be able to stand a chance!"
He let out a slight snicker as he took a seat on the floor, right leg stretched out in front of him. From the seated position he reached his hands out towards his toes, closer, closer, closer, and…
Voice:
"Getting some final stretches in before it’s time to go?"
The voice was familiar. Sammy had been so focused on his stretching that he failed to see Israeli wrestling legend, Anushka Aalto round the corner and make her way down the hall, towards him. As the rookie glanced up, he caught his first glimpse of her bright gold ring gear, and saw the confident, but friendly smirk on her face. She looked ready to go.
Anushka Aalto:
"You know, stretching is a great exercise to really get you feeling ready, but there is no substitute for actual ring time. Are you ready for tonight?"
The Israeli moved her hands to her hips, tilting her head down towards Duke. Sammy’s hands had frozen in mid-reach towards his toes.
Anushka Aalto:
"Sammy?"
The resident punster snapped out of the frozen trance long enough to look up. There she stood, those long arms and legs that were her initial selling point, all wrapped up in the golden ring gear befitting that of a champion. Former champion, I guess. Semantics really…
Sammy Duke:
"I-I yes. Anushka! You, uhh, you startled me! Did you need some advice? Maybe someone to read you your last rites before we...KILL IT...out there tonight?"
He stopped mid-stretch so that he could jump back to his feet, nudging her ribs in laughter from his...rib.
Sammy Duke:
"But seriously, what’s up?"
Anushka Aalto:
"I was actually just on my way to my locker room and here you are. Sitting in the middle of the hallway, stretching...not strange at all."
The playful manner in her voice was enough to show her opponent for later in the evening that she had no ill intentions with the joke.
Anushka Aalto:
"But now that you are here, and seeing as I am here as well, I wanted to wish you good luck once more. Remember, as lovely as the fans are, you aren’t one of them anymore. You are one of us. A warrior. A wrestler. I hope you bounce back from loss number two accordingly."
Aalto extended her hand while wearing a grin.
Sammy Duke:
"And here I thought I was supposed to be the comedian. Guess that’s one more thing you have on me, miss my legs are almost as tall as my opponent."
He saw her smirk and raised her a smirk and an eyebrow raise of his own, as he took her hand into his, shaking it firmly.
Sammy Duke:
"I hope you’re not planning to just use those deadly weapons to...walk yourself to victory tonight. I’d hate to put you on the backfoot with an ‘L’ in your debut while using your greatest feature against you. Did you remember your shin guards at least? I have a feeling you’re going to need some…protection...by the end of the night."
His bravado was brimming, but inside he was still the humble man that was all-too-aware of the threat that Anushka presented to him on this night.
Sammy Duke:
"Seriously though, these last couple of weeks learning from you, getting to know you as a person, they’ve been quite the fun learning experience. And I can’t wait to take this test...I’ve been studying sooooo hard!"
Anushka Aalto:
"I’ve had some people inform me that I was a bit crazy for helping you, mentoring you in a way before our match, but, I saw your passion, and after getting to know you in and out of the ring, I know I made the right decision. Just remember, you can learn just as much from a loss, as you can from a victory. You will probably want to use that advice after tonight."
Anushka winked at him and then walked a few feet past him, before stopping, turning only her head in his direction.
Anushka Aalto:
"Good luck tonight, Sammy."
With that, she continued down the hallway, leaving Sammy with his thoughts on the match among other things.
Sammy Duke:
"Hey, wait!"
Naturally she stopped, and started to turn around to see...nothing? Nothing... As she turned back around, Sammy ‘appeared’ in front of her, his leg hooked around hers. He looks up into her eyes, then with a smirk, finishes the leg sweep, taking her off her feet! Sammy is quick to catch her, his hands wrapped around her back, stopping her before she’d actually hit the floor. He stared into her eyes one more time.
Sammy Duke:
"Pretty slow reflexes for such a veteran...just remember, it only takes three seconds to shift a match’s direction."
He pulls her back up to her feet, safely, soundly.
Sammy Duke:
"I’ll see ya out there. May the best, true best, win tonight."
He flashed her a quick wink before turning on his heel and down the hallway, leaving Anushka now with her own thoughts. The showdown between the rookie and veteran would come to a head later tonight
Heather Cooper:
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall!"
A scuttling is heard as the jumbo screen flares to life, showing bugs and a large spider scrambling across the screen. Spotlights dance across the crowd as "Million Miles an Hour" roars through the speakers. The lights lock onto Spider herself, standing at the top of the steps in the midst of the crowd.
Heather Cooper:
"Introducing first, from Dallas, Texas, SPIDER!!!"
She slowly walks down the steps towards the ring, smiling at the fans as she goes. She hops the barricade and jumps to the apron, looking out at the crowd. Spider hops up, allowing herself to hang upside down from the top rope, knees wrapped around it, before stepping into the ring and awaiting her opponents to join her.
Heather Cooper:
"...and her opponent, making her official Pride debut..."
The crowd sits patiently awaiting when an edited version of “Glorious” by Macklemore begins to play. From out of the shadows steps Riot who looks out at the crowd clapping her hands as she jumps up and down.
Heather Cooper:
"From Queens, New York, she is RIOT!"
“Are You Ready To Riot?”
She begins her way to the ring holding her hands out for the people standing in front can touch them. She gets to the ring and slides in. Taking a deep breath Riot jumps to her feet and begins to jog around the ring. She climbs up a turnbuckle and holds up a fist before hopping back down.
“Let’s Riot”
Getting to a knee Riot crosses her heart before getting back to her feet and setting up in a turnbuckle tightening up her boot strings.
Coby Quik:
"How can you not find Spider impressive though?"
Parker Wayde:
"She's five feet tall, hundred pounds on a good day, and can't or won't speak..."
Coby Quik:
"You can't argue she is talented though."
Parker Wayde:
"No she can't argue.... at all."
As the announcers debated the only woman that left ReAwakening with an unblemished record, she locked up with Riot in the center of the ring. Proving Parker's point, Riot used her height and weight advantage to push the smaller woman back a step. Not to be taken advantage of though, Spider threw herself backwards and brought her feet up into the midsection of Riot to flip her over her head. No sooner did Riot's back hit the mat, Spider rolls back, ending up mounted above Riot before raining down both left and right hands. Riot did her best to cover up before JD Wright had to step in to separate the two of them. Spider stood up, shrugging without remorse which drew boos from the crowd.
Coby Quik:
"The fans don't seem to care much for her either."
Parker Wayde:
"The only reason that you like her is because the two of you are the same size, so shut up."
Coby Quik:
"That is cold-blooded dude."
Instead of waiting for junior referee JD Wright to move out of her way, Spider went around him, and grabbed a handful of Riot's hair, pulling her up to her feet. JD inserted himself again to tell her to release her grip on Riot's hair, and Spider made and exaggerated motion out of letting it go, only to bring a hard forearm across Riot's cheek.
Parker Wayde:
"No... that was cold-blooded."
The blow sent Riot back into a corner. Spider took advantage, sprinting towards her and driving a running knee into the center of Riot's face after a springboard from the middle rope. When Lyric staggered forward out of the corner, Spider hit her with an arm drag that sent her back down to the mat. Knowing that it was not going to keep her down long, Spider took to the ropes to springboard again, turning in midair to catch Lyric as she was getting to her feet and dropping her back to the mat with a tornado DDT.
Coby Quik:
"This girl can fly, that is for sure!"
Spider threw herself over Riot for the cover, but the latter was able to get a shoulder up just before the three count. Spider was quick to get back up to her feet, and reached down for Riot's hair for a second time. This time JD intervened before she could drag her opponent back to her feet, and backed her away. Microphones could not pick up his words, but he did not appear happy with her failing to listen to him throughout the match. When she was finally fed up, Spider ducked around him to charge at Riot. Showing some life through, Riot was able to narrowly avoid contact, sending Spider shoulder first into the steel ring post between the middle and top turnbuckles.
Parker Wayde:
"Riot has an opening here."
Riot dropped to the mat, pulling Spider back and rolling her up in a school girl pin attempt. The Spider Chick managed to kick out at two though before rolling back to her feet and hitting Riot with a dropkick to her knee to break her momentum. Riot got a few precious moments of recovery time as Spider seemed to have trouble working the kinks out of her shoulder following contact with the ring post.
Parker Wayde:
"That post may have messed up any chance Spider had at being able to sink in her Cobweb submission hold."
Almost like she was hearing them, Spider charged forward to a raising Riot, leaping up to wrap her legs around her neck. The duo spun in the center of the ring until Spider hooked Riot's free arm, and proved Parker's words wrong by sinking in the octopus stretch.
Coby Quik:
"You were saying?"
Lyric tried to fight out of it, making it within a few steps of the ropes before falling to a knee. Knowing she could not make it, she was forced to tap out. JD Wright immediately called for the bell, only to turn around and find Spider not having released the hold.
Coby Quik:
"Come on now Spider, you already won!"
Parker Wayde:
"Welcome to our side."
JD appears to threaten Spider with reversing the decision in the match to get her to break off the hold. He reluctantly attempts to raise her arm as Heather makes the announcement, but Spider pushes him away.
Heather Cooper:
"Here is your winner via submission, Spider!"
Spider rolls under the bottom rope, starting to backtrack up the ramp as her music floods the PA system. Up on the screen behind her we can see referee JD Wright checking on Riot as we cut away.
The following message has been brought to you by friends of the Snowflake Squad. A picture of Eliza Valentine appears on the screen. It’s just a plain picture of her, smiling slightly at the cameraman who shot it.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine wants you to believe that she is just like everybody else, a normal human being who wrestles for a living. But Eliza Valentine, is a liar!"
The picture morphs into one of Eliza standing with puppies in her hands, her eyes have turned a bright red and the screen around it begins to glow red and orange.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine, HATES PUPPIES!!"
Canned audience gasps fill the speakers, the picture morphs again to a devil mustache and a pitchfork in her hands.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine does not just worship Satan... Eliza Valentine IS SATAN!!"
Suddenly a terrified scream pierces the speakers as the picture changes back to the original one of a slightly smiling Eliza.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine is a known bully, she has forced her way into Pride Pro under the guise of a wrestler, claiming she is here to do her job..."
Thunder crashes somewhere in the background and pained wails trickle out of the speakers.
Voiceover:
"But truly, Eliza is here to convert non-believers to her side... She is here to do the work of HELL!"
She again morphs into a demon, this time it appears she is cackling as thunder crashes again.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine wants your eternal soul... Eliza Valentine is an eater of worlds... Eliza Valentine is an enemy of the Great American Family!"
Hellfire starts to burn at her feet as she continues to cackle.
Unknown Female:
"WON’T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!"
A huge red sticker covers Eliza now, it has a snowflake squad label inside it.
Voiceover:
"Do not be fooled by this inked goddess... she will destroy our values, she will destroy your industry, she... will TAKE YOUR JOB!!"
Again canned screams echo out with the picture.
Voiceover:
"Stand up now, before it’s too late."
The screen cuts to black, before a scrolling list of credits rolls followed by the message:
This commercial was paid for by Friends of the Snowflake Squad, keep America safe.
“Everlong” plays over the P.A. In the center of the ring, Heather Cooper stands.
Heather Cooper:
"And introducing at this time... from Beaverton Oregon... Merrick Henderson!"
Merrick comes onto the ramp with his valet’s Destiny & BJ on either side. They escort him down to the ring to a mixed reaction of the crowd. While Merrick gets in the ring, the women do various provocative poses before joining him in the center of the ring. Merrick then moves to the corner of the ring. There is some awkward silence, everyone knowing that Deacon Thomas was not coming out tonight. The crowd is a mix of reaction, some obviously fans of Deacon. Merrick moves forward, holding a hand out to Heather for the microphone. She hands it over willingly before she slips underneath the ropes. Merrick holds up a hand to quiet the restless crowd.
Merrick Henderson:
"Nobody here can say they are really surprised that Deacon isn’t here tonight. He spent... no... wasted minutes of all your precious time telling you about how he was going to change the way I view this industry. That he was going to rearrange my offense."
He shakes his head. His two valets are on either side of him. They both hold their thumbs down and dramatically boo into the crowd.
Merrick Henderson:
"I was told earlier tonight that this match was going to be postponed. All because Deacon couldn’t get his priorities straight but at least I get to choose the stipulation. Now I could easily ask for a Submission match. I mean that is my specialty, old school wrestling style holds are what won me championships in school, but that would be predictable."
He smiles, watching the crowd looking confused and curious.
Merrick Henderson:
"So after discussing it with my friends Destiny and BJ..."
They both wave and blow kisses to the mixed crowd.
Merrick Henderson:
"I have decided to pick something that is a little outside the box. Not something you might expect from me. You see, many of you might not know this but i used to be an officer of the Seattle Police. I loved my job. But, it was my actions that put me on suspension. I put a suspect's face through a table when he wasn’t giving us the information we needed. In that case, it was wrong me of me to do that, not because he didn’t deserve it but because I wasn’t allowed too use those tactics in that line of work. However, in this case, I can take out my anger and disappointment in Deacon and it be perfectly legal. Wouldn’t all of you like to see Deacon pay for disrespecting you? He split his time between you and some other place and they robbed you of seeing him. But not me. My time is 100% with you folks. So in two weeks, Deacon is going to see himself getting the same treatment as that man who disrespected me and all those he hurt. On the next Ignition, Deacon is going to get put through a table and when I stand overtop of his still body, then we’ll really see who is going places here in Pride."
He hands the mic to BJ who rolls her eyes and drops it loudly to the mat. “Everlong” plays again over the P.A. as the trio moves to leave the ring, Merrick putting a foot on the rope and pulling the other up so that his lady friends and move through easily.
The cameras head backstage and focus in on Oren Hamrick, the Brute from Brainerd. His skin is glowing from the residual perspiration of his hard-fought victory against Dru Dahl before the show began airing earlier.
Coby Quik:
"Oren Hamrick was impressive tonight in his debut, and it looks like he could go again already."
Parker Wayde:
"Look at that guy, if someone of his size wasn’t successful against someone the size of Dru, I’d wonder what’s up."
Coby Quik:
"If he actually been stuck on a preshow instead of Taryn Robinson doing away with it altogether he may have destroyed the place before we got a chance to turn the cameras on."
The ‘Iron-Fisted Bastard’ snorts and growls as he marches through the hallway, visibly buoyed by his debut performance.
Maddie Wilson:
"Oh my Goodness, there you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!"
The sweet voice of Pride Pro’s resident backstage reporter echoes through the corridors, before she appears in the shot, galloping giddily towards Hamrick. The big brute studies her carefully, eyeing her and giving her an all-over glance.
Oren Hamrick:
"Here I am, sweetheart."
Maddie looks confused and cocks her eyebrow as she arrives at the fighter.
Maddie Wilson:
"I’m sorry, what? Oh, no… not you. Anushka!"
Wilson shouts over towards the distance, where Pride’s most famous acquisition, Anushka Aalto, performs a series of stretches.
Maddie Wilson:
"Miss Aalto!"
The reporter walks away from Hamrick and towards her target, with Anushka flashing a smile in the direction of the young backstage correspondent. Oren growls and glares towards the women from afar.
Oren Hamrick:
"Is she fucking kidding me?!"
The big bruiser spits towards the ground with indignance, before shaking his head and storming down the corridor. He passes a promotional poster for Ignition #1 and Anushka Aalto’s face is plastered all over it. In one, aggressive swiping motion, Hamrick rips the poster from the wall and tosses it.
Coby Quik:
"Someone's not a fan of Anushka Aalto..."
Parker Wayde:
"Did you just see the amount of disrespect the man encountered? He went out there, did his thing, picked up a W, and he was passed by for someone who hasn’t even wrestled a match in America yet. Can’t blame him for lashing out a little bit."
Coby Quik:
"Well we do still have the highly anticipated debut of Anushka Aalto later on tonight as she takes on fan favorite Sammy Duke. Stay tuned, we have more Pride action right around the corner!"
The cameras fade out.
The lights in the ShoWare Arena dim down to only full with a combo of Gold lighting and flash bulb pasted strobes. Drew walks out on stage wearing a black ring jacket with the same logo as his shorts on the back.
Heather Cooper:
"Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada! Drew Simmons!!!"
He raises his arms up and gives out a yell as his game face is on. He stalks to the ring. Walks up the steps into the ring where he crosses the ring to the second turnbuckle and unzips his jacket and flexes.
Heather Cooper:
"...and his partner..."
The lights go out as "Faith" by Limp Bizkit begins to come out of the PA System. Fans are on their feet cheering as Faith Rivers walks out a moment later and stands at the top of the entrance ramp.
Heather Cooper:
"Making her way to the ring from Miami, Florida... give it up for ... FAAAITH RIIIVERSSS!"
As the chorus of the song hits, 'You Gotta Have Faith' she jumps up a little and as her feet come down on the ramp again, lights flash on the aisle in front of her, just before Faith runs down the ramp and slides into the ring. As she gets to her feet, Faith runs into the corner and gets up on the second turnbuckle. She taunts the fans a bit before jumping down. Faith then begins to loosen up her arms before leaning back against the ropes across the ring from Spider as they wait for the their opponents.
Heather Cooper:
"... and their first opponent.."
"Holy Diver" hits over the loudspeakers and as soon as the music increases in tempo, Holly parts the curtain.
Heather Cooper:
"From Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania, Holly Rhodes!!!!"
She slowly walks to the ring, her eyes fixed on the ring. She looks around as she marches to the ring, taking in the crowd noises. She pauses at the steps, takes a deep breath and slaps the steps before running up them and into the ring where both Drew and Faith give her space.
Heather Cooper:
"...and her partner.."
Lose Yourself plays over the PA System as Luke walks out he has a backwards A's cap on he slaps the hands of the fans as he walks down the ramp.
Heather Cooper:
"From Oakland, California, Luke Jackson!!!!"
Luke rolls under the bottom rope and into the ring, getting greeted immediately by his partner as he gets to his feet. The two of them look across the ring at the couple they would soon be squaring off against before talking over who was going to start the match.
Coby Quik:
"Looks like Holly and Faith are going to get things started for their teams."
Parker Wayde:
"If I were Faith, I would be a little intimidated."
Coby Quik:
"Faith is no slouch in the ring. She has fought at a size disadvantage most of her career."
The two did not even bother locking up to start the match. Faith sprinted towards Holly, but before Holly could reach out towards her, Faith dove to the mat with a baseball slide between her legs. When she rose back to her feet Faith connected with a spinning heel kick to Holly's midsection that doubled her over. She turned and ran to the ropes for momentum, propelling herself back towards Holly only to get lifted into the air and planted on the mat with a belly-to-belly suplex from Holly that brought the crowd to life.
Parker Wayde:
"If Holly can keep the tempo down, she can this match under control."
Holly reached down, bringing Faith back to her feet before whipping her into the corner where Luke Jackson was waiting for the tag. Their hands slap, and the tag got acknowledged by JD Wright before Luke entered the ring, leaping the top rope and taking Faith out of the corner and face first into the mat with a bulldog.
Coby Quik:
"Here comes Luke Jackson!"
Luke was on his feet in a flash and crossed the ring at a sprint. He rebounded off the ropes just as Faith made it up to her knees, and attempted his punt kick, but Faith narrowly avoided contact by pushing back. With Luke off balance, Faith took him down with a neckbreaker in the center of the ring before crawling over to her corner to tag in an eager Drew Simmons.
Parker Wayde:
"Let's see what Drew has in store for Luke!"
Drew met Luke as he got to his feet and the two exchanged right hands, with Drew getting the better of the exchange and backing Luke up towards the ropes. With nowhere to go, Drew whipping Luke across the ring, hitting him with his sky high sit-out spinebuster when he came back his direction. JD slid in to count the fall, but Holly entered the ring, breaking it up before JD even had the chance to count. Faith hopped up on the middle turnbuckle, telling the referee to get Holly out of the ring. JD got up to tell her to leave the ring, but Holly's hands were already up in the air as she backed away into her corner and then back out onto the apron.
Coby Quik:
"You can't fault Holly for making sure her team stays alive in this one."
Parker Wayde:
"If she was doing something sinister she wouldn't have exited the ring promptly."
Drew dragged Luke with him back to his corner where his girlfriend tagged his back and entered the ring. Drew held Luke's arm up, free up space for Faith to send a hard kick to his midsection. Before JD even intervenes with his five count for Drew to leave the ring, he was back out on the apron.
Coby Quik:
"It's not often you see both teams playing by the rules..."
Parker Wayde:
"I doubt we are going to see that later on tonight."
The force of the kick sent Luke backwards towards the middle of the ring, and Faith closed the distance quickly. She lowered her shoulder, looking like she was going for a spear, but twisting around his side as the two went down to the mat and rolling Luke up with a pin attempt. Without Holly having to intervene, Luke kicked out at two and rolled back into his corner where Holly tagged herself in.
Coby Quik:
"Holly tags herself in!"
Faith got up to her feet expecting to still see the downed Luke across from her, but Holly leveled her with a clothesline instead. Faith flips midair, turned inside out by the impact. Drew, having seen enough, steps between the ropes and into the ring. He goes to check on Faith, but Holly only saw it as a precursor to an attack and leveled him with a clothesline. She got back to her feet quickly, and grabbed Drew's wrist, whipping him towards the ropes. At the last second, Drew reverses it and the momentum sends Holly over the top rope to the outside. Luke Jackson is back to his feet, and rushes across the ring, dumping Drew over the top as well.
Parker Wayde:
"Faith is up!"
Coby Quik:
"Turn around Luke!"
Luke did turn around, but directly into the Faithful running cutter. The fans explode in applause for the sequence of events, and JD Wright drops down to count the fall.
Parker Wayde:
"Luke isn't legal!"
JD does not seem to realize his mix up, and neither do the fans, as he counts the fall while they chant with him. Luke fails to kick out, leading JD to call for the bell and end the match.
Heather Cooper:
"Here are your winners via pinfall, the team of Drew Simmons and Faith Rivers!"
Holly gets back up to her feet on the outside where both she and Drew seem confused by the events. Holly slides in the ring as JD raises Faith's hand, and pleads her case that Luke was not the legal man in the match. Drew joins the conversation, backing Holly's claim up and not wanting to see the match end like that.
Parker Wayde:
"Oh this has turned into a huge mess."
Coby Quik:
"I mean Faith Rivers did get the fall, but Holly Rhodes was the legal person, so the pin should not have been counted."
Parker Wayde:
"I don't know that JD Wright has the power to restart this matchup though."
The sentiment seems to be what JD is explaining to the rest of them as Luke has regained his footing and joined the committee. JD looks at the crew, nodding, sticking with his decision as Faith's theme blasts through the PA system. JD raises both Faith and Drew's hands in the air as Luke and Holly look on in disbelief.
The scene cuts to the back where Josh Anderson is sitting with a towel draped over his head as he looks down. He is still in his ring gear as he lets out a large sigh.
Josh Anderson:
"I guess I have to give it up to Christian Michaels for getting the win out there. I got too cocky, too confident for my own good. It bit me on the ass and now I’m left looking foolish after taking that loss. You know it doesn’t matter if I beat the shit out of him for most of the match... I didn’t get the job done."
He shakes his head, the towels edges swaying by the motions.
Josh Anderson:
"A learning experience is what this is. I’m going to need to step my ass up and then bust it in training. So tonight is your night Christian Michaels, you won’t get many from me so soak it up, celebrate and have fun. But know the next time we share a ring together, you can look across at me and know that I’m coming to not only settle the score but to leave with a point made that despite you having a win over me, I’m still better than you.”
Josh slowly raises his head, the towel slides down his head and rests along his broad shoulders. He slowly turns his eyes to the camera, both filled with a fire.
Josh Anderson:
“I hope everyone in the back doesn’t see this as their chance to pick up some quick, cheap or easy win against me... Because the next name to be unlucky enough to draw mine? Let’s just say things won’t end as well as they did for Christian Michaels.”
Anderson stands up now and pushes the camera away before walking off in the back.
Heather Cooper:
"The following contest is a submission match! Introducing first..."
Just as "One Woman Army" by Porcelain Black starts to play throughout the arena, Jessica walks out from the back with a confident smile across her face. As she stands on the top of the entrance ramp, Jessica is greeted with a chorus of boos. She doesn't seem to mind their reaction though and shrugs it off as she heads down the aisle.
Heather Cooper:
"From Miami, Florida...this is the Blue Chip Beauty...Jesssssssicaaaaaaaaa Jonessssssssssssssss!"
On her way to the ring, Jessica makes sure that no fans touch her as she makes her way up the steel steps and onto the ring apron. She gives her backside a shake getting a rise from the males while the women just boo. Jessica laughs at the reaction as she steps between the ropes. Once inside the ring, Jessica taunts and mouth off to the crowd until her music subside. She then goes over to her side of the ring and leans back against the ropes while waiting for the match to begin.
Heather Cooper:
"...and her opponent..."
”Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato begins to play and a few seconds later, Kendall walks out onto the stage, a smirk on her face and her hands on her hips. She stops in the middle of the stage.
Heather Cooper:
"From Battle Lake, Minnesota, Kendall James!!!!"
She looks around before moving her hips in a circle and turning around, bending over slightly before turning back to face the ring. She begins to walk down the ramp, arms down by her sides now. She stops in the middle of the ramp and looks around, acting like she’s gonna slap some of the fans’ hands before pulling away and pushing her hair over her shoulder and strutting down the rest of the ramp and over to the metal steps. She jogs up them and goes to the left, stepping on the apron and dipping down to get in the ring between the middle and bottom rope. She steps into the middle of the ring and just raises her hands up and downs a small bow.
Parker Wayde:
"It is hard to see an advantage for either of these two women here."
Coby Quik:
"What are you talking about? Kendall has already scored a submission victory in her time with Pride."
Parker Wayde:
"Yeah, but Jessica Jones is a veteran of this business, and has a few submissions herself. My money's on experience."
Jessica Jones took control of the match early after a collar-elbow-tie up ended up with Kendall's back to the turnbuckles. JJ raised her knee, catching Kendall in her defenseless midsection before breaking the lock up. As soon as Kendall was free though, she issued JJ a hard slap across the face. The veteran had to take a step back to absorb the blow, but it gave her extra space to put some real power behind a return slap of her own that the fans actually cheered for.
Coby Quik:
"Jessica looks like she has had practice doing that...."
Parker Wayde:
"She used to manage Jet City, so that's not hard to believe."
JJ mounted the second rope, and threw right hand after right hand down at Kendall until the rookie summoned all of her strength to pull the woman down in a powerbomb-like move that caused the fans to boo loudly. Showing instinct beyond her experience, Kendall quickly repositioned herself, taking JJ's wrist and grapevining her arm.
Coby Quik:
"Kendall already trying to soften up JJ's arm for that Dall Cradle"
Parker Wayde:
"Jessica better find a way to break this."
Jessica brought her legs up to her chest, and rolled back. It tooke two tries to get the momentum, but she tucked her head, and rolled over to her knees. Kendall shifted her grip to try and hang on, but JJ started to bring more right hands down across her cheek forcing her to abandon her grip. Both women scrambled back up to their feet.
Coby Quik:
"Here comes Kendall!"
The rookie sprinted towards JJ, but was cut in half with a knee lift to her midsection. JJ backed up towards the ropes, and attempted her scissors kick, but Kendall was able to avoid contact. Before the veteran could get her bearings, Kendall took her to the mat with a neckbreaker. Almost immediately, she went to work repositioning herself. She hooked JJ's legs first, and then slammed her face forward into the mat before hooking her arms. Kendall leaned back, pulling JJ off of her stomach, and back into a surfboard. However, before the move even gets sunk in, Jessica lets out a scream that silences the arena. It does not take fans but a second to see the source, as her right arm appears pulled at an unnatural angle.
Parker Wayde:
"Jessica's hurt, this one has to stop."
PJ immediately steps in, breaking Kendall's hold and calling for the bell to end the match. Kendall pushes away from JJ confused. Two trainers make their way down the ring as PJ gets JJ into a sitting position. She is clutching her arm to her chest, but does not seem to be able to move it under it's own power.
Coby Quik:
"That looked like as soon as Kendall put pressure on her shoulder it popped right out of place. No way PJ could let this match continue."
The trainers take JJ from the ring, and start up the ramp while PJ moves across to talk to Heather Cooper about the outcome. As she raises her microphone, PJ moves across the ring to take Kendall's wrist.
Heather Cooper:
"Jessica Jones is unable to continue in this match. Therefore your winner, Kendall James!"
"Sorry Not Sorry" starts to play over the PA, which makes Kendall laugh. She points up with one hand and raises her other hand to her ear telling the fans to listen to it. The boos intensify until she rolls out of the ring and the camera cuts away.
The feed comes to life on a beautiful pyrotechnic display on the Pride Pro stage. The cameras pan around the arena, showcasing the sold out crowd. However, before anyone can get too carried away, Twenty One Pilots' "Heathens" gives way to the music of Taryn Robinson. Fans seem undecided about her as she makes her way out to the stage in a skin tight black dress, cut way too high for someone of her position. Her heels match the dress, and stand so high that there is no way that she was going to walk all the way down to the ramp. Instead, she points towards one of the members of the crew, who run up the ramp, bringing her one of the microphones.
Taryn Robinson:
"Welcome to the new Pride Pro Wrestling's very first Ignition!"
The fans both cheer and applaud, and Taryn gives them time to enjoy it before continuing.
Taryn Robinson:
"I know we chose to stick with the name, but make no mistake about it, this is a new era of Pride. Erron Wilder, Eliza Valentine, and RC Tucker all made it into the finals of the Lion's Pride Event. Two of those three are competing in our main event tonight, and the other has brought Gavin Grimes into Pride Pro Wrestling for the night."
The fans get even louder at the mention of Gavin's name, with pockets even breaking into a chant of his name. Taryn has to cut them off though.
Taryn Robinson:
"Trust me, he is here. I have seen him with my own two eyes. That's later on though. Right now we need to talk about something that all of you deserve to see."
She points out to the crowd.
Taryn Robinson:
"...but I'm not talking just about all of you..."
He angles her finger at the camera, addressing the fans at home.
Taryn Robinson:
"I am talking about each and every one of you as well."
She pauses, giving the crowd a moment to try and figure out what she is saying before spilling the beans.
Taryn Robinson
"So what is it that you deserve to see? How about Oren Hamrick squaring off against DRU Dahl? Or even Josh Anderson going toe-to-toe with Christian Michaels?"
The fans cheer in approval of both matches.
Taryn Robinson:
"That is what I thought. See, Pride Pro Wrestling is nothing without the new faces on the roster. We prove that at ReAwakening. Jason Halich might be invested in the people he brought back into the fold from the last time, but we are here to remind him that the last time, this company crashed and burned. It is up to the fresh faces in this company to make sure that the the returning influences don't lead us down that same path. That is why I am here. That is why I have tirelessly recruited new talent for this company."
The fans cut her off with cheers, now throwing their full support behind her.
Taryn Robinson:
"Starting right now, the new talent coming into this company will no longer be punished by being forced to compete off screen. There will never be another dark match for as long as I am in this company. It is time to make everyone take notice. We are here. We are the new Pride, and we are ready to RISE!"
Her music hits the PA again as she hands off the microphone. She raises one hand and blows a kiss out at the crowd with the other as the cameras cut to the announcers.
Coby Quik:
"Welcome to Pride Pro Wresting: Ignition!"
Parker Wayde:
"That's right people, we survived ReAwakening, and here we are, ready to kick off Ignition!"
Coby Quik:
"I am almost not disappointed that I had to come back from my honeymoon for this."
Parker Wayde:
"That's right folks, in case you missed it, our very own Coby Quik tied the knot with Chelsea Payne in our time away from the ShoWare Center, so some congratulations are in order."
Coby Quik:
"Don't try to reflect, that wedding was huge. The man to my left, Parker Wayde finally took the last of the Cooper sisters off the market and are very own owner made his wedding vows official all on the same night."
Parker Wayde:
"It was almost as big of a night for Pride as ReAwakening, but I think the people that didn't get an invite would disagree with me on that one."
Coby Quik:
"Well all of them got an invitation to join us for Ignition, so whether they are here with us, or watching at home, we are happy to have you here and we have a hell of a show for you tonight."
Parker Wayde:
"Well, we used to have a better show. Recently it was announced that Jessica Nitoh would be stepped away from Pride, effectively cancelling her match with Ollie Maverick who has been missing in action."
Coby Quik:
"Not to mention that Xavier Laroux is still in the hospital following his assault at SAP. We are keeping our thoughts with him, but the show must go on."
Parker Wayde:
"And go on it will, apparently without Deacon Thomas. The Pride star finds himself stranded out on a cruise ship and unable to attend. I wonder what Merrick Henderson will have to say about that."
Coby Quik:
"I'm sure we'll find out shortly, just like we are going to find out what Oren Hamrick and DRU Dahl are made out of now that co-owner Taryn Robinson has made the decision to end dark matches in Pride."
Parker Wayde:
"Which also means that we are actually going to see Josh Anderson get his hands on someone in front of a camera for a change when he takes on Christian Michaels."
Coby Quik:
".... the first of those two matches starts right now!"
Heather Cooper:
"Introducing, for the first time ever in Pride Pro Wrestling..."
The lights fade, as The Throwaway Kids performed by Dead Celebrity Status, erupts on the airwaves inside the ShoWare Center. A red fog begins to form in front of the entrance way, as Andrew “DRU” Dahl steps out from the back, and stands center stage. He looks down; a hoodie is masking his head and face.
Heather Cooper:
“Making his way down to the ring from Columbus, Ohio, standing in at six feet, four inches tall, and weighing in at one hundred and ninety-seven pounds, Andrew DRU Dahl!”
DRU raises his head, and the hoodie falls back resting on his shoulder revealing a pair of white beats by Dre headphones. He grins ear to ear and begins his walk down the aisle that separates the entrance from the ring. He pulls his hoodie off and tosses it beside the ring followed by his headphones as he rolls underneath the bottom rope and enters the ring. DRU walks to the opposite corner of where he entered the ring and leaned up against the turnbuckle. His music fades out, as he closes his eyes.
Heather Cooper:
"...and his opponent, also making his Pride debut..."
The slow, grunge guitar chords of ’22 going on 23’ by The Butthole Surfers growl through the ShowWare Center, accompanied by rhythmic strobe lighting. Within seconds, the menacing shadow of Oren Hamrick looms over the stage, as the mammoth brawler steps out from behind the curtain, making himself visible to the crowd.The Brute from Brainerd stomps down the ramp way with menacing intent, glaring at the ring a few feet away.
Heather Cooper:
“Approaching the ring from Brainerd, Minnesota… Weighing in at four hundred and three pounds… Oren Hamrick!”
Hamrick hauls his beastly mass up onto the ring apron with the assist of the middle rope, before throwing his leg over the top with ease, stepping into the ring accordingly. There’s no smack talk, there’s no posturing - just a giant in the centre of the ring, staring down his next opponent.
As JD calls for the opening bell, DRU gets right up in the face of Oren as he starts mouthing off to him.
Coby Quik:
“Hamrick is nearly 200 pounds heavier than Dahl. I’m not quite sure how wise this is!”
When Oren has finally heard enough, he easily shoves DRU down to the mat.
Parker Wayde:
“Dahl might want to reconsider his strategy a bit.”
Oren barely gives DRU a chance to get on his feet as he grabs him by the arm and pulls him into him for a short arm lariat. Once DRU is on the mat, Oren kicks away at him and delivers a legdrop to his chest. He goes for a cover but DRU is able to kick out at 2. Oren seems angered as he pulls his opponent off the mat. Oren hoists him over his shoulder as he walks closer to the ropes.
Parker Wayde:
“Dahl should’ve stayed down when he had the chance!”
Coby Quik:
“Looks like he’s about to go for a ride…”
Oren launches him to the outside with the Human Arrow. As DRU lays motionless near the barricade, JD begins his count.
1…
2…
3…
4…
5…
This is about the time Oren goes out to retrieve DRU and tosses him back in the ring.
Parker Wayde:
“I’m not sure whether Hamrick wanted to stop the count or just beat on Dahl some more.”
Coby Quik:
“I’d say both!”
As Oren climbs up on the apron to re-enter the ring, DRU is there to meet him with a dropkick. Oren sways just a tad but otherwise isn’t much phased. DRU has to repeat the process two more times before the big man falls off the apron.
Parker Wayde:
“The rookie starting to get some offense going.”
Coby Quik:
“That’s what he needs to do. Strike when he can!”
Oren lands on his feet, though. He is staggering around a bit when DRU comes running in for a baseball slide this time. As he connects, Oren goes back into the barricade. He’s still upright thanks to it being there, but he was looking dazed nonetheless.
Parker Wayde:
“This crowd starting to rally behind Dahl in his quest to take this guy down!”
As Dahl went to the outside after him, he hit him with several right hands before rolling him back into the ring. Oren was up to one knee as DRU slid in after him. Seeing that, DRU ran into the ropes and connected with ‘Probably Gonna Hurt’.
Coby Quik:
“He’s done it! Oren goes down!”
Parker Wayde:
“Dahl not wasting any time in going for cover.”
JD drops to make the count, but Oren kicks out, shoving DRU up into the air. Not believing it, DRU tries to make a second cover. But this time, Oren powers out sending DRU flying halfway across the ring. But as Oren gets up to his feet, DRU is right there to meet him with an Enziguri. As Oren staggers about, DRU kicks him in the midsection before dropping him with a Snap DDT.
Another count by JD, but this time Oren simply rolls his shoulder up.
Coby Quik:
“Dahl doing everything he can to put Oren Hamrick away. But what’s it going to take?”
Parker Wayde:
“That is a good question.”
As DRU helped Oren up to his feet, he goes to whip him into the corner but Oren reverses the attempt. The moment DRU meets them, Oren follows him in with a big splash.
Parker Wayde:
“Talk about being squished!”
As DRU comes stumbling out of the corner, he is met with a boot to the midsection before being hoisted up for a powerbomb. He delivers a second one as Coby is heard on commentary.
Coby Quik:
“Oren looking to end this with the ‘Game Over’.”
But as Oen has DRU up in the air for the third, he drops him and falls down over him for the pin.
Coby Quik:
“Seems like Oren may have received one too many shots to the head to keep going...”
JD makes the count as the fans count with him. As soon as his hand slaps the mat the third time he pops up, pointing to the timekeeper to sound the bell.
Parker Wayde:
“Yet he still got the win. Apparently three was more than enough!”
Fans are booing loudly as “22 Going On 23” by The Butthole Surfers is heard playing out.
Heather Cooper:
“Here is your winner by pinfall, ORRRRRRENNNNNN HAAAAAMRIIIIIIICKKKKK!”
The big man mouths off to the crowd as they boo away at him.
Backstage we see Merrick Henderson. On either side is a blonde woman scantily clad in some variation of wrestling gear. One is sitting on his lap, playing with his hair while the other has his hand, rubbing it gently trying to ease the frustration from his face, but it does little to do that.
Merrick Henderson:
"Where the hell is he? He talks so much about wanting to be at the top but he can’t even manage his own schedule better. Who the hell wrestles on a cruise ship anyway? I mean don’t washed up performers do act on ships? How is this any different?"
He shakes his head in dismay as the girls croon him and murmur about how he shouldn’t worry so much and tell him how much better he is. He still doesn’t seem convinced but it’s obvious he likes the attention the women are giving him. From around the corner, for the first time we see Jules Fischer-Halich, a phone pressed to her ear. Normally, the executive producer avoids being seen on camera at all costs, not just because she has no need to be on film but also because she just doesn’t like it. She looks up and happens to catch Merrick’s eyes. He stands suddenly, dropping BJ to the floor. She lets out a woof of air and Merrick offers a hand quickly and a mumbled apology. Jules starts backing up.
Jules Halich:
"Nope."
She tries to run but before she can escape Merrick has caught up to her and grabbed her shoulder.
Jules Halich:
"Hey... get your hands off me Kojack. I am not someone you can just manhandle!"
She pulls back from him, dusting it off like he had left some dirty hand prints.
Merrick Henderson:
"Look, I know you are not really staff, like the one that can make decisions but I need to talk to your husband. I am here, ready to get in a ring and my opponent just treats this like it’s some kind of afterthought. The whole of the back and forth he has stuck his nose in the air like he’s better than me. Just because I don’t have titles or wins under the belt yet but he was just like me a year ago. Who is he to say anything?"
Jules still looks rather uncomfortable in the situation, but she still has her phone part way up toward her ear. Merrick looks very flustered, his face going redder as he thinks about how disrespected he feels. Jules gives a wide eyed shrug at his question.
Merrick Henderson:
"Can you tell Jason that? Can you tell him I need to talk to him?"
Jules smirks and holds out a finger as she holds up the phone back to her ear.
Jules Halich:
"Do I really need to repeat that all back to you? Cuz it’s kinda boring... Yeah... yeah. Okay... sorry... I will try to be nicer to people. I know I... Don’t you dare... Do I have... but... fine."
With a sign she hangs up the phone and looks at Merrick. She pulls up the corners of her lips into a scary fake smile.
Jules Halich:
"Jason would like me to tell you that he heard your complaint and that he will make sure that you do not go without. He says that he’s going to reschedule your match with Deacon."
Merrick lets out an exaggerated sigh and throws his head back.
Merrick Henderson:
"So I have to listen to all this shit again? How is that a benefit for me?"
Jules appears to be in pain for how hard she is holding her smile.
Jules Halich:
"He said that you can choose the stipulation at the next match. You can let him know by the end of the night."
Jules looks around him to see the two women watching, hands on their hips and scowls on their faces.
Jules Halich:
"I would probably go back and talk to your skan... I mean girlfriends, they seem real mad."
Merrick looks behind him momentarily to offer them a sympathetic smile but when he turns around, Jules has already disappeared around a corner.Merrick turns back shaking his head and joins his girlfriends.
The opening cords to ”Hail To The King” by Avenged Sevenfold starts to play as the arena lights start to pulse along with the beat. Just then bass kicks in and the song starts with a heaver tempo as Josh Anderson makes his way out onto the stage in his ring attire and a sleeveless TeamKill shirt.
Heather Cooper:
"From Red Wood City, California, making his official Pride debut, Josh Anderson!"
He points out to the crowd before rolling his neck and then smiles coyly and heads down to the ring. Once in the ring he mocks the fans while standing on the middle ropes. Anderson takes off his TeamKill shirt and gets ready for the match.
Heather Cooper:
"...and his opponent..."
3 Doors Down's hit "Kryptonite" hits over the speakers sending a rush through the crowd. The fans jump up on their feet cheering as the tron comes alive with CM's entrance video. Michaels himself finally walks out onto the stage about 20 or 30 seconds into the song. He stops at the top and looks out at the pumped fans. In the ring Heather Cooper raises her mic.
Heather Cooper:
"Ladies and gentlemen, this next match is scheduled for ONE fall! Introducing first, from Memphis, Tennessee...He stands six-foot-two and weighs in at two hundred and twenty-six pounds...Here is Christian Miiiiiiichaels!!!!"
Christian had been bouncing from his left foot to his right during his introduction. As Heather finishes he gestures for the fans to get louder! They're quick to oblige and CM starts his way down the aisle. The fan favorite making sure to go back and forth between the sides of the aisle, slapping hands with every fan that he can. When he reaches the end of the aisle, CM rolls into the ring under the bottom rope. He gets up and heads towards the nearest hard camera-facing corner. CM gets on the middle turnbuckle and raises his hands up, garnering another cheer from the crowd.
The crowd was clearly behind Christian Michaels as he hit the ring. Just as he was about to wrap up his entrance, Josh Anderson came at him with a closeline, that probably would have taken CM’s head off had he not ducked. When Josh spun back around to face his opponent, CM took him over with an arm drag.
Parker Wayde:
“Anderson tried to get an early advantage, but it didn’t pay off.”
Coby Quik:
“Michaels many years of experience had him prepared for that!”
CM dared Josh to come at him again as JD called for the opening bell. Josh was slow to push to his feet as he eyed his opponent.
Coby Quik:
“Anderson thinking twice about it now.”
Parker Wayde:
“He’s just playing it smart.”
Once Josh came out of the corner, the two competitors started circling each other before locking up in a collar and elbow tie up. Josh puts up a great effort but it is CM who backs him in a corner. JD asks for a clean break and it looks like the veteran is going to give it to him. But as CM goes to back away, Josh is quick to poke him in the eye and follow it up with knee to CM’s midsection.
Coby Quik:
“Anderson still up to no good in his tactics!”
Parker Wayde:
“Effective this time, though.”
And effective it was. It allowed Josh to go on the offensive keeping CM down with various moves from his skill set. Josh keeps the pressure on with three consecutive German suplexes. As he bridges for the pin, JD drops to make his count but only gets to two before CM rolls his shoulder up.
Coby Quik:
“CM keeps himself in the fight.”
As a dazed looking CM gets to his feet, he is met with a boot to the midsection and is planted to the with a DDT. Instead of going for the cover, Josh continues to punish CM with some hard kicks to his prone body. From there, he continues the assault with a pendulum backbreaker and followed with the headlock driver.
Parker Wayde:
“Betcha he’s regretting that decision after feeling that Exclamation Point!”
Coby Quik:
“I doubt it. But things definitely aren’t looking good for Christian Michaels right now.”
The crowd is booing like mad as Anderson mouths off to them. They don’t want to see this at all. As CM starts to move, Josh grabs a hold of him and pulls him up to his feet as he gets the veteran in position.
Parker Wayde:
“Looks like this could be the End…”
But before Josh can get him hoisted in the air, CM makes the block and rolls him into a small package.
Parker Wayde:
“...Or not.”
This pretty much brings the crowd to life as they count along to JD’s count which ends at two with an emphatic kick out. Regardless of not picking up the fall, the crowd rallies behind CM as both men scramble to their feet. As they come toward one another, Josh catches CM’s foot as he tries to kick him in the midsection, but as he pushes his foot aside, CM just flips around and catches Anderson with the Dragon Whap.
Coby Quik:
“Anderson goes down, but Michaels is unable to capitalize after all the earlier punishment he endured.”
By the time CM makes the cover, Josh is able to easily kick out at two. However, with Anderson still down, CM kicks him a few times before going into the corner. He perches himself on the turnbuckles before coming off with the Southern Climate Leg Drop.
Parker Wayde:
“Took him awhile to get there..but Christian Michaels is in the driver’s seat now!”
The crowd is in a frenzy now as CM connects with the move. CM taunts them getting them all the more riled up as he waits on his opponent. When Josh finally staggers up to his feet, CM puts him right back down with his Just Like That front facelock cutter. He makes the cover and hooks a leg as the fans count to three alongside JD. The official pops up, signaling for the bell.
Heather Cooper:
"Here is your winner by pinfall, Christian Michaels!"
As “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down begins to play, JD raises CM’s hand in victory.
Parker Wayde:
“Hard to believe considering how on a roll Anderson was.”
Coby Quik:
“That is just the way it goes sometimes. I’m sure he’ll have another chance to prove himself against Michaels in the future!”
Pride cameras cut to backstage, to see the lion of Pride Pro Wrestling, Sammy Duke doing some last minute preparations…
Sammy Duke:
"Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, and… (huff, huff) ...twenty!"
Sammy had just finished up a series of blood-pumping jumping jacks to get his cardio up. He looked down at his leg, more specifically his foot and his next warm up came to him.
Sammy Duke:
"Hmm. Well, last time my Sweet Shin Music wasn’t very effective, maybe I just need a bit of a stretch first. Get my leg all limbered up, then I can get the full force behind it! Then no one, not Erron, or even Anushka tonight, will be able to stand a chance!"
He let out a slight snicker as he took a seat on the floor, right leg stretched out in front of him. From the seated position he reached his hands out towards his toes, closer, closer, closer, and…
Voice:
"Getting some final stretches in before it’s time to go?"
The voice was familiar. Sammy had been so focused on his stretching that he failed to see Israeli wrestling legend, Anushka Aalto round the corner and make her way down the hall, towards him. As the rookie glanced up, he caught his first glimpse of her bright gold ring gear, and saw the confident, but friendly smirk on her face. She looked ready to go.
Anushka Aalto:
"You know, stretching is a great exercise to really get you feeling ready, but there is no substitute for actual ring time. Are you ready for tonight?"
The Israeli moved her hands to her hips, tilting her head down towards Duke. Sammy’s hands had frozen in mid-reach towards his toes.
Anushka Aalto:
"Sammy?"
The resident punster snapped out of the frozen trance long enough to look up. There she stood, those long arms and legs that were her initial selling point, all wrapped up in the golden ring gear befitting that of a champion. Former champion, I guess. Semantics really…
Sammy Duke:
"I-I yes. Anushka! You, uhh, you startled me! Did you need some advice? Maybe someone to read you your last rites before we...KILL IT...out there tonight?"
He stopped mid-stretch so that he could jump back to his feet, nudging her ribs in laughter from his...rib.
Sammy Duke:
"But seriously, what’s up?"
Anushka Aalto:
"I was actually just on my way to my locker room and here you are. Sitting in the middle of the hallway, stretching...not strange at all."
The playful manner in her voice was enough to show her opponent for later in the evening that she had no ill intentions with the joke.
Anushka Aalto:
"But now that you are here, and seeing as I am here as well, I wanted to wish you good luck once more. Remember, as lovely as the fans are, you aren’t one of them anymore. You are one of us. A warrior. A wrestler. I hope you bounce back from loss number two accordingly."
Aalto extended her hand while wearing a grin.
Sammy Duke:
"And here I thought I was supposed to be the comedian. Guess that’s one more thing you have on me, miss my legs are almost as tall as my opponent."
He saw her smirk and raised her a smirk and an eyebrow raise of his own, as he took her hand into his, shaking it firmly.
Sammy Duke:
"I hope you’re not planning to just use those deadly weapons to...walk yourself to victory tonight. I’d hate to put you on the backfoot with an ‘L’ in your debut while using your greatest feature against you. Did you remember your shin guards at least? I have a feeling you’re going to need some…protection...by the end of the night."
His bravado was brimming, but inside he was still the humble man that was all-too-aware of the threat that Anushka presented to him on this night.
Sammy Duke:
"Seriously though, these last couple of weeks learning from you, getting to know you as a person, they’ve been quite the fun learning experience. And I can’t wait to take this test...I’ve been studying sooooo hard!"
Anushka Aalto:
"I’ve had some people inform me that I was a bit crazy for helping you, mentoring you in a way before our match, but, I saw your passion, and after getting to know you in and out of the ring, I know I made the right decision. Just remember, you can learn just as much from a loss, as you can from a victory. You will probably want to use that advice after tonight."
Anushka winked at him and then walked a few feet past him, before stopping, turning only her head in his direction.
Anushka Aalto:
"Good luck tonight, Sammy."
With that, she continued down the hallway, leaving Sammy with his thoughts on the match among other things.
Sammy Duke:
"Hey, wait!"
Naturally she stopped, and started to turn around to see...nothing? Nothing... As she turned back around, Sammy ‘appeared’ in front of her, his leg hooked around hers. He looks up into her eyes, then with a smirk, finishes the leg sweep, taking her off her feet! Sammy is quick to catch her, his hands wrapped around her back, stopping her before she’d actually hit the floor. He stared into her eyes one more time.
Sammy Duke:
"Pretty slow reflexes for such a veteran...just remember, it only takes three seconds to shift a match’s direction."
He pulls her back up to her feet, safely, soundly.
Sammy Duke:
"I’ll see ya out there. May the best, true best, win tonight."
He flashed her a quick wink before turning on his heel and down the hallway, leaving Anushka now with her own thoughts. The showdown between the rookie and veteran would come to a head later tonight
Heather Cooper:
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall!"
A scuttling is heard as the jumbo screen flares to life, showing bugs and a large spider scrambling across the screen. Spotlights dance across the crowd as "Million Miles an Hour" roars through the speakers. The lights lock onto Spider herself, standing at the top of the steps in the midst of the crowd.
Heather Cooper:
"Introducing first, from Dallas, Texas, SPIDER!!!"
She slowly walks down the steps towards the ring, smiling at the fans as she goes. She hops the barricade and jumps to the apron, looking out at the crowd. Spider hops up, allowing herself to hang upside down from the top rope, knees wrapped around it, before stepping into the ring and awaiting her opponents to join her.
Heather Cooper:
"...and her opponent, making her official Pride debut..."
The crowd sits patiently awaiting when an edited version of “Glorious” by Macklemore begins to play. From out of the shadows steps Riot who looks out at the crowd clapping her hands as she jumps up and down.
Heather Cooper:
"From Queens, New York, she is RIOT!"
“Are You Ready To Riot?”
She begins her way to the ring holding her hands out for the people standing in front can touch them. She gets to the ring and slides in. Taking a deep breath Riot jumps to her feet and begins to jog around the ring. She climbs up a turnbuckle and holds up a fist before hopping back down.
“Let’s Riot”
Getting to a knee Riot crosses her heart before getting back to her feet and setting up in a turnbuckle tightening up her boot strings.
Coby Quik:
"How can you not find Spider impressive though?"
Parker Wayde:
"She's five feet tall, hundred pounds on a good day, and can't or won't speak..."
Coby Quik:
"You can't argue she is talented though."
Parker Wayde:
"No she can't argue.... at all."
As the announcers debated the only woman that left ReAwakening with an unblemished record, she locked up with Riot in the center of the ring. Proving Parker's point, Riot used her height and weight advantage to push the smaller woman back a step. Not to be taken advantage of though, Spider threw herself backwards and brought her feet up into the midsection of Riot to flip her over her head. No sooner did Riot's back hit the mat, Spider rolls back, ending up mounted above Riot before raining down both left and right hands. Riot did her best to cover up before JD Wright had to step in to separate the two of them. Spider stood up, shrugging without remorse which drew boos from the crowd.
Coby Quik:
"The fans don't seem to care much for her either."
Parker Wayde:
"The only reason that you like her is because the two of you are the same size, so shut up."
Coby Quik:
"That is cold-blooded dude."
Instead of waiting for junior referee JD Wright to move out of her way, Spider went around him, and grabbed a handful of Riot's hair, pulling her up to her feet. JD inserted himself again to tell her to release her grip on Riot's hair, and Spider made and exaggerated motion out of letting it go, only to bring a hard forearm across Riot's cheek.
Parker Wayde:
"No... that was cold-blooded."
The blow sent Riot back into a corner. Spider took advantage, sprinting towards her and driving a running knee into the center of Riot's face after a springboard from the middle rope. When Lyric staggered forward out of the corner, Spider hit her with an arm drag that sent her back down to the mat. Knowing that it was not going to keep her down long, Spider took to the ropes to springboard again, turning in midair to catch Lyric as she was getting to her feet and dropping her back to the mat with a tornado DDT.
Coby Quik:
"This girl can fly, that is for sure!"
Spider threw herself over Riot for the cover, but the latter was able to get a shoulder up just before the three count. Spider was quick to get back up to her feet, and reached down for Riot's hair for a second time. This time JD intervened before she could drag her opponent back to her feet, and backed her away. Microphones could not pick up his words, but he did not appear happy with her failing to listen to him throughout the match. When she was finally fed up, Spider ducked around him to charge at Riot. Showing some life through, Riot was able to narrowly avoid contact, sending Spider shoulder first into the steel ring post between the middle and top turnbuckles.
Parker Wayde:
"Riot has an opening here."
Riot dropped to the mat, pulling Spider back and rolling her up in a school girl pin attempt. The Spider Chick managed to kick out at two though before rolling back to her feet and hitting Riot with a dropkick to her knee to break her momentum. Riot got a few precious moments of recovery time as Spider seemed to have trouble working the kinks out of her shoulder following contact with the ring post.
Parker Wayde:
"That post may have messed up any chance Spider had at being able to sink in her Cobweb submission hold."
Almost like she was hearing them, Spider charged forward to a raising Riot, leaping up to wrap her legs around her neck. The duo spun in the center of the ring until Spider hooked Riot's free arm, and proved Parker's words wrong by sinking in the octopus stretch.
Coby Quik:
"You were saying?"
Lyric tried to fight out of it, making it within a few steps of the ropes before falling to a knee. Knowing she could not make it, she was forced to tap out. JD Wright immediately called for the bell, only to turn around and find Spider not having released the hold.
Coby Quik:
"Come on now Spider, you already won!"
Parker Wayde:
"Welcome to our side."
JD appears to threaten Spider with reversing the decision in the match to get her to break off the hold. He reluctantly attempts to raise her arm as Heather makes the announcement, but Spider pushes him away.
Heather Cooper:
"Here is your winner via submission, Spider!"
Spider rolls under the bottom rope, starting to backtrack up the ramp as her music floods the PA system. Up on the screen behind her we can see referee JD Wright checking on Riot as we cut away.
The following message has been brought to you by friends of the Snowflake Squad. A picture of Eliza Valentine appears on the screen. It’s just a plain picture of her, smiling slightly at the cameraman who shot it.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine wants you to believe that she is just like everybody else, a normal human being who wrestles for a living. But Eliza Valentine, is a liar!"
The picture morphs into one of Eliza standing with puppies in her hands, her eyes have turned a bright red and the screen around it begins to glow red and orange.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine, HATES PUPPIES!!"
Canned audience gasps fill the speakers, the picture morphs again to a devil mustache and a pitchfork in her hands.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine does not just worship Satan... Eliza Valentine IS SATAN!!"
Suddenly a terrified scream pierces the speakers as the picture changes back to the original one of a slightly smiling Eliza.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine is a known bully, she has forced her way into Pride Pro under the guise of a wrestler, claiming she is here to do her job..."
Thunder crashes somewhere in the background and pained wails trickle out of the speakers.
Voiceover:
"But truly, Eliza is here to convert non-believers to her side... She is here to do the work of HELL!"
She again morphs into a demon, this time it appears she is cackling as thunder crashes again.
Voiceover:
"Eliza Valentine wants your eternal soul... Eliza Valentine is an eater of worlds... Eliza Valentine is an enemy of the Great American Family!"
Hellfire starts to burn at her feet as she continues to cackle.
Unknown Female:
"WON’T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!"
A huge red sticker covers Eliza now, it has a snowflake squad label inside it.
Voiceover:
"Do not be fooled by this inked goddess... she will destroy our values, she will destroy your industry, she... will TAKE YOUR JOB!!"
Again canned screams echo out with the picture.
Voiceover:
"Stand up now, before it’s too late."
The screen cuts to black, before a scrolling list of credits rolls followed by the message:
This commercial was paid for by Friends of the Snowflake Squad, keep America safe.
“Everlong” plays over the P.A. In the center of the ring, Heather Cooper stands.
Heather Cooper:
"And introducing at this time... from Beaverton Oregon... Merrick Henderson!"
Merrick comes onto the ramp with his valet’s Destiny & BJ on either side. They escort him down to the ring to a mixed reaction of the crowd. While Merrick gets in the ring, the women do various provocative poses before joining him in the center of the ring. Merrick then moves to the corner of the ring. There is some awkward silence, everyone knowing that Deacon Thomas was not coming out tonight. The crowd is a mix of reaction, some obviously fans of Deacon. Merrick moves forward, holding a hand out to Heather for the microphone. She hands it over willingly before she slips underneath the ropes. Merrick holds up a hand to quiet the restless crowd.
Merrick Henderson:
"Nobody here can say they are really surprised that Deacon isn’t here tonight. He spent... no... wasted minutes of all your precious time telling you about how he was going to change the way I view this industry. That he was going to rearrange my offense."
He shakes his head. His two valets are on either side of him. They both hold their thumbs down and dramatically boo into the crowd.
Merrick Henderson:
"I was told earlier tonight that this match was going to be postponed. All because Deacon couldn’t get his priorities straight but at least I get to choose the stipulation. Now I could easily ask for a Submission match. I mean that is my specialty, old school wrestling style holds are what won me championships in school, but that would be predictable."
He smiles, watching the crowd looking confused and curious.
Merrick Henderson:
"So after discussing it with my friends Destiny and BJ..."
They both wave and blow kisses to the mixed crowd.
Merrick Henderson:
"I have decided to pick something that is a little outside the box. Not something you might expect from me. You see, many of you might not know this but i used to be an officer of the Seattle Police. I loved my job. But, it was my actions that put me on suspension. I put a suspect's face through a table when he wasn’t giving us the information we needed. In that case, it was wrong me of me to do that, not because he didn’t deserve it but because I wasn’t allowed too use those tactics in that line of work. However, in this case, I can take out my anger and disappointment in Deacon and it be perfectly legal. Wouldn’t all of you like to see Deacon pay for disrespecting you? He split his time between you and some other place and they robbed you of seeing him. But not me. My time is 100% with you folks. So in two weeks, Deacon is going to see himself getting the same treatment as that man who disrespected me and all those he hurt. On the next Ignition, Deacon is going to get put through a table and when I stand overtop of his still body, then we’ll really see who is going places here in Pride."
He hands the mic to BJ who rolls her eyes and drops it loudly to the mat. “Everlong” plays again over the P.A. as the trio moves to leave the ring, Merrick putting a foot on the rope and pulling the other up so that his lady friends and move through easily.
The cameras head backstage and focus in on Oren Hamrick, the Brute from Brainerd. His skin is glowing from the residual perspiration of his hard-fought victory against Dru Dahl before the show began airing earlier.
Coby Quik:
"Oren Hamrick was impressive tonight in his debut, and it looks like he could go again already."
Parker Wayde:
"Look at that guy, if someone of his size wasn’t successful against someone the size of Dru, I’d wonder what’s up."
Coby Quik:
"If he actually been stuck on a preshow instead of Taryn Robinson doing away with it altogether he may have destroyed the place before we got a chance to turn the cameras on."
The ‘Iron-Fisted Bastard’ snorts and growls as he marches through the hallway, visibly buoyed by his debut performance.
Maddie Wilson:
"Oh my Goodness, there you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!"
The sweet voice of Pride Pro’s resident backstage reporter echoes through the corridors, before she appears in the shot, galloping giddily towards Hamrick. The big brute studies her carefully, eyeing her and giving her an all-over glance.
Oren Hamrick:
"Here I am, sweetheart."
Maddie looks confused and cocks her eyebrow as she arrives at the fighter.
Maddie Wilson:
"I’m sorry, what? Oh, no… not you. Anushka!"
Wilson shouts over towards the distance, where Pride’s most famous acquisition, Anushka Aalto, performs a series of stretches.
Maddie Wilson:
"Miss Aalto!"
The reporter walks away from Hamrick and towards her target, with Anushka flashing a smile in the direction of the young backstage correspondent. Oren growls and glares towards the women from afar.
Oren Hamrick:
"Is she fucking kidding me?!"
The big bruiser spits towards the ground with indignance, before shaking his head and storming down the corridor. He passes a promotional poster for Ignition #1 and Anushka Aalto’s face is plastered all over it. In one, aggressive swiping motion, Hamrick rips the poster from the wall and tosses it.
Coby Quik:
"Someone's not a fan of Anushka Aalto..."
Parker Wayde:
"Did you just see the amount of disrespect the man encountered? He went out there, did his thing, picked up a W, and he was passed by for someone who hasn’t even wrestled a match in America yet. Can’t blame him for lashing out a little bit."
Coby Quik:
"Well we do still have the highly anticipated debut of Anushka Aalto later on tonight as she takes on fan favorite Sammy Duke. Stay tuned, we have more Pride action right around the corner!"
The cameras fade out.
The lights in the ShoWare Arena dim down to only full with a combo of Gold lighting and flash bulb pasted strobes. Drew walks out on stage wearing a black ring jacket with the same logo as his shorts on the back.
Heather Cooper:
"Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada! Drew Simmons!!!"
He raises his arms up and gives out a yell as his game face is on. He stalks to the ring. Walks up the steps into the ring where he crosses the ring to the second turnbuckle and unzips his jacket and flexes.
Heather Cooper:
"...and his partner..."
The lights go out as "Faith" by Limp Bizkit begins to come out of the PA System. Fans are on their feet cheering as Faith Rivers walks out a moment later and stands at the top of the entrance ramp.
Heather Cooper:
"Making her way to the ring from Miami, Florida... give it up for ... FAAAITH RIIIVERSSS!"
As the chorus of the song hits, 'You Gotta Have Faith' she jumps up a little and as her feet come down on the ramp again, lights flash on the aisle in front of her, just before Faith runs down the ramp and slides into the ring. As she gets to her feet, Faith runs into the corner and gets up on the second turnbuckle. She taunts the fans a bit before jumping down. Faith then begins to loosen up her arms before leaning back against the ropes across the ring from Spider as they wait for the their opponents.
Heather Cooper:
"... and their first opponent.."
"Holy Diver" hits over the loudspeakers and as soon as the music increases in tempo, Holly parts the curtain.
Heather Cooper:
"From Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania, Holly Rhodes!!!!"
She slowly walks to the ring, her eyes fixed on the ring. She looks around as she marches to the ring, taking in the crowd noises. She pauses at the steps, takes a deep breath and slaps the steps before running up them and into the ring where both Drew and Faith give her space.
Heather Cooper:
"...and her partner.."
Lose Yourself plays over the PA System as Luke walks out he has a backwards A's cap on he slaps the hands of the fans as he walks down the ramp.
Heather Cooper:
"From Oakland, California, Luke Jackson!!!!"
Luke rolls under the bottom rope and into the ring, getting greeted immediately by his partner as he gets to his feet. The two of them look across the ring at the couple they would soon be squaring off against before talking over who was going to start the match.
Coby Quik:
"Looks like Holly and Faith are going to get things started for their teams."
Parker Wayde:
"If I were Faith, I would be a little intimidated."
Coby Quik:
"Faith is no slouch in the ring. She has fought at a size disadvantage most of her career."
The two did not even bother locking up to start the match. Faith sprinted towards Holly, but before Holly could reach out towards her, Faith dove to the mat with a baseball slide between her legs. When she rose back to her feet Faith connected with a spinning heel kick to Holly's midsection that doubled her over. She turned and ran to the ropes for momentum, propelling herself back towards Holly only to get lifted into the air and planted on the mat with a belly-to-belly suplex from Holly that brought the crowd to life.
Parker Wayde:
"If Holly can keep the tempo down, she can this match under control."
Holly reached down, bringing Faith back to her feet before whipping her into the corner where Luke Jackson was waiting for the tag. Their hands slap, and the tag got acknowledged by JD Wright before Luke entered the ring, leaping the top rope and taking Faith out of the corner and face first into the mat with a bulldog.
Coby Quik:
"Here comes Luke Jackson!"
Luke was on his feet in a flash and crossed the ring at a sprint. He rebounded off the ropes just as Faith made it up to her knees, and attempted his punt kick, but Faith narrowly avoided contact by pushing back. With Luke off balance, Faith took him down with a neckbreaker in the center of the ring before crawling over to her corner to tag in an eager Drew Simmons.
Parker Wayde:
"Let's see what Drew has in store for Luke!"
Drew met Luke as he got to his feet and the two exchanged right hands, with Drew getting the better of the exchange and backing Luke up towards the ropes. With nowhere to go, Drew whipping Luke across the ring, hitting him with his sky high sit-out spinebuster when he came back his direction. JD slid in to count the fall, but Holly entered the ring, breaking it up before JD even had the chance to count. Faith hopped up on the middle turnbuckle, telling the referee to get Holly out of the ring. JD got up to tell her to leave the ring, but Holly's hands were already up in the air as she backed away into her corner and then back out onto the apron.
Coby Quik:
"You can't fault Holly for making sure her team stays alive in this one."
Parker Wayde:
"If she was doing something sinister she wouldn't have exited the ring promptly."
Drew dragged Luke with him back to his corner where his girlfriend tagged his back and entered the ring. Drew held Luke's arm up, free up space for Faith to send a hard kick to his midsection. Before JD even intervenes with his five count for Drew to leave the ring, he was back out on the apron.
Coby Quik:
"It's not often you see both teams playing by the rules..."
Parker Wayde:
"I doubt we are going to see that later on tonight."
The force of the kick sent Luke backwards towards the middle of the ring, and Faith closed the distance quickly. She lowered her shoulder, looking like she was going for a spear, but twisting around his side as the two went down to the mat and rolling Luke up with a pin attempt. Without Holly having to intervene, Luke kicked out at two and rolled back into his corner where Holly tagged herself in.
Coby Quik:
"Holly tags herself in!"
Faith got up to her feet expecting to still see the downed Luke across from her, but Holly leveled her with a clothesline instead. Faith flips midair, turned inside out by the impact. Drew, having seen enough, steps between the ropes and into the ring. He goes to check on Faith, but Holly only saw it as a precursor to an attack and leveled him with a clothesline. She got back to her feet quickly, and grabbed Drew's wrist, whipping him towards the ropes. At the last second, Drew reverses it and the momentum sends Holly over the top rope to the outside. Luke Jackson is back to his feet, and rushes across the ring, dumping Drew over the top as well.
Parker Wayde:
"Faith is up!"
Coby Quik:
"Turn around Luke!"
Luke did turn around, but directly into the Faithful running cutter. The fans explode in applause for the sequence of events, and JD Wright drops down to count the fall.
Parker Wayde:
"Luke isn't legal!"
JD does not seem to realize his mix up, and neither do the fans, as he counts the fall while they chant with him. Luke fails to kick out, leading JD to call for the bell and end the match.
Heather Cooper:
"Here are your winners via pinfall, the team of Drew Simmons and Faith Rivers!"
Holly gets back up to her feet on the outside where both she and Drew seem confused by the events. Holly slides in the ring as JD raises Faith's hand, and pleads her case that Luke was not the legal man in the match. Drew joins the conversation, backing Holly's claim up and not wanting to see the match end like that.
Parker Wayde:
"Oh this has turned into a huge mess."
Coby Quik:
"I mean Faith Rivers did get the fall, but Holly Rhodes was the legal person, so the pin should not have been counted."
Parker Wayde:
"I don't know that JD Wright has the power to restart this matchup though."
The sentiment seems to be what JD is explaining to the rest of them as Luke has regained his footing and joined the committee. JD looks at the crew, nodding, sticking with his decision as Faith's theme blasts through the PA system. JD raises both Faith and Drew's hands in the air as Luke and Holly look on in disbelief.
The scene cuts to the back where Josh Anderson is sitting with a towel draped over his head as he looks down. He is still in his ring gear as he lets out a large sigh.
Josh Anderson:
"I guess I have to give it up to Christian Michaels for getting the win out there. I got too cocky, too confident for my own good. It bit me on the ass and now I’m left looking foolish after taking that loss. You know it doesn’t matter if I beat the shit out of him for most of the match... I didn’t get the job done."
He shakes his head, the towels edges swaying by the motions.
Josh Anderson:
"A learning experience is what this is. I’m going to need to step my ass up and then bust it in training. So tonight is your night Christian Michaels, you won’t get many from me so soak it up, celebrate and have fun. But know the next time we share a ring together, you can look across at me and know that I’m coming to not only settle the score but to leave with a point made that despite you having a win over me, I’m still better than you.”
Josh slowly raises his head, the towel slides down his head and rests along his broad shoulders. He slowly turns his eyes to the camera, both filled with a fire.
Josh Anderson:
“I hope everyone in the back doesn’t see this as their chance to pick up some quick, cheap or easy win against me... Because the next name to be unlucky enough to draw mine? Let’s just say things won’t end as well as they did for Christian Michaels.”
Anderson stands up now and pushes the camera away before walking off in the back.
Heather Cooper:
"The following contest is a submission match! Introducing first..."
Just as "One Woman Army" by Porcelain Black starts to play throughout the arena, Jessica walks out from the back with a confident smile across her face. As she stands on the top of the entrance ramp, Jessica is greeted with a chorus of boos. She doesn't seem to mind their reaction though and shrugs it off as she heads down the aisle.
Heather Cooper:
"From Miami, Florida...this is the Blue Chip Beauty...Jesssssssicaaaaaaaaa Jonessssssssssssssss!"
On her way to the ring, Jessica makes sure that no fans touch her as she makes her way up the steel steps and onto the ring apron. She gives her backside a shake getting a rise from the males while the women just boo. Jessica laughs at the reaction as she steps between the ropes. Once inside the ring, Jessica taunts and mouth off to the crowd until her music subside. She then goes over to her side of the ring and leans back against the ropes while waiting for the match to begin.
Heather Cooper:
"...and her opponent..."
”Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato begins to play and a few seconds later, Kendall walks out onto the stage, a smirk on her face and her hands on her hips. She stops in the middle of the stage.
Heather Cooper:
"From Battle Lake, Minnesota, Kendall James!!!!"
She looks around before moving her hips in a circle and turning around, bending over slightly before turning back to face the ring. She begins to walk down the ramp, arms down by her sides now. She stops in the middle of the ramp and looks around, acting like she’s gonna slap some of the fans’ hands before pulling away and pushing her hair over her shoulder and strutting down the rest of the ramp and over to the metal steps. She jogs up them and goes to the left, stepping on the apron and dipping down to get in the ring between the middle and bottom rope. She steps into the middle of the ring and just raises her hands up and downs a small bow.
Parker Wayde:
"It is hard to see an advantage for either of these two women here."
Coby Quik:
"What are you talking about? Kendall has already scored a submission victory in her time with Pride."
Parker Wayde:
"Yeah, but Jessica Jones is a veteran of this business, and has a few submissions herself. My money's on experience."
Jessica Jones took control of the match early after a collar-elbow-tie up ended up with Kendall's back to the turnbuckles. JJ raised her knee, catching Kendall in her defenseless midsection before breaking the lock up. As soon as Kendall was free though, she issued JJ a hard slap across the face. The veteran had to take a step back to absorb the blow, but it gave her extra space to put some real power behind a return slap of her own that the fans actually cheered for.
Coby Quik:
"Jessica looks like she has had practice doing that...."
Parker Wayde:
"She used to manage Jet City, so that's not hard to believe."
JJ mounted the second rope, and threw right hand after right hand down at Kendall until the rookie summoned all of her strength to pull the woman down in a powerbomb-like move that caused the fans to boo loudly. Showing instinct beyond her experience, Kendall quickly repositioned herself, taking JJ's wrist and grapevining her arm.
Coby Quik:
"Kendall already trying to soften up JJ's arm for that Dall Cradle"
Parker Wayde:
"Jessica better find a way to break this."
Jessica brought her legs up to her chest, and rolled back. It tooke two tries to get the momentum, but she tucked her head, and rolled over to her knees. Kendall shifted her grip to try and hang on, but JJ started to bring more right hands down across her cheek forcing her to abandon her grip. Both women scrambled back up to their feet.
Coby Quik:
"Here comes Kendall!"
The rookie sprinted towards JJ, but was cut in half with a knee lift to her midsection. JJ backed up towards the ropes, and attempted her scissors kick, but Kendall was able to avoid contact. Before the veteran could get her bearings, Kendall took her to the mat with a neckbreaker. Almost immediately, she went to work repositioning herself. She hooked JJ's legs first, and then slammed her face forward into the mat before hooking her arms. Kendall leaned back, pulling JJ off of her stomach, and back into a surfboard. However, before the move even gets sunk in, Jessica lets out a scream that silences the arena. It does not take fans but a second to see the source, as her right arm appears pulled at an unnatural angle.
Parker Wayde:
"Jessica's hurt, this one has to stop."
PJ immediately steps in, breaking Kendall's hold and calling for the bell to end the match. Kendall pushes away from JJ confused. Two trainers make their way down the ring as PJ gets JJ into a sitting position. She is clutching her arm to her chest, but does not seem to be able to move it under it's own power.
Coby Quik:
"That looked like as soon as Kendall put pressure on her shoulder it popped right out of place. No way PJ could let this match continue."
The trainers take JJ from the ring, and start up the ramp while PJ moves across to talk to Heather Cooper about the outcome. As she raises her microphone, PJ moves across the ring to take Kendall's wrist.
Heather Cooper:
"Jessica Jones is unable to continue in this match. Therefore your winner, Kendall James!"
"Sorry Not Sorry" starts to play over the PA, which makes Kendall laugh. She points up with one hand and raises her other hand to her ear telling the fans to listen to it. The boos intensify until she rolls out of the ring and the camera cuts away.
