Pride Pro Wrestling Presents Ignition #002: Trick or Treat!

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. Twenty-One Pilots "Heathens" blasts through the arena PA system as the cameras cut to the announce team.


Coby Quik:
"Welcome back to Ignition everyone!"

Parker Wayde:
"And Happy Halloween! I am Parker Wayde, and I am joined, as usual by Coby Quik!"

Coby Quik:
"I am excited tonight, man. I'm not sure what it is. The card is stacked. A hell of a party is happening right here in the ShoWare Center afterwards. I don't think I could get more hyped."

Parker Wayde:
"Tonight we crown the first ever PRIDE Champion!"

Coby Quik:
"...and we are getting to see who will be our first contenders to the Television Championship."

Parker Wayde:
"Plus, we have Julian Savell and DeMarcus Gresham's grudge against one another that looks like it is going to rip Pride apart."

Coby Quik:
"Those two ended the show last week about to tear each other apart."

Parker Wayde:
"We even had to go separate the two!"

Coby Quik:
"That is not the question on everyone's mind though."

Parker Wayde:
"What the fuck is an Eliza's House of Fun match?"

Coby Quik:
"Nope, not that."

Parker Wayde:
"Then what?"

Coby Quik:
"Is Deacon Thomas actually going to make it to the show this week?"

Suddenly on the jumbo screen, an picture of the man they were discussing appears as it seems to be an incoming Skype call from Deacon Thomas.

Parker Wayde:
“What's this?"

Coby Quik:
“Pride has all kinds of toys man.”

Something Coby does from the table answers the call, and the fans see Deacon Thomas on the screen. The camera cut to a wide shot of the commentators looking up at him from their table

Coby Quik:
“Deacon can you hear us? There are a few thousand people here so it tends to get a little loud.”

The fans explode into cheers, letting Deacon know they are there.

Deacon Thomas:
“Ahhh, yeah I can hear y’all, and I definitely can hear those amazing Pride fans. What up y’all?”

The fans get even louder as he speaks. He smiles as he waves a little in front of his webcam.

Deacon Thomas:
“Hey y’all. I just wanna let ya know I am on my way. This whole internet on a plane thing is crazy, but I thought I’d give y’all a call. I will be there soon enough.”

The fans roar in applause, so much so that Coby almost cannot be heard.

Coby Quik:
“So you think you are actually going to make it? I think Merrick Henderson will probably be relieved to see you in the arena. He has already been complaining to anyone that will listen.”

Deacon smiles.

Deacon Thomas:
“Meh, I saw his complaints and what not last Ignition. I will explain myself to all of y’all at the ShoWare Arena when I get there. A lot of things happened that shouldn’t of that caused me not to be a part of the first ever Ignition for Pride. And to answer the question Coby, yes I will be there, I should be landing there in Seattle in the next few minutes.”

He smiles more as he turns and looks at something off the camera before returning his gaze back to the camera.

Coby Quik:
“That's a relief for the fans, and maybe some not so good news for Josh Anderson. Any thoughts on this match that we might not have caught from your promos this week? I mean the guy debuted taking out three members of the roster. Are you worried?”

Thomas chuckles.

Deacon Thomas:
“Am I worried? Nah man, I don’t get worried, I am excited to fight in front of those fans again. Josh is my opponent tonight and I am going into that ring and gaining a foothold amongst the stacked roster Pride has. Like I have said from the get go fellas, I am here to win the championship. I missed out at ReAwakening, and of course I wasn’t here for the match against Merrick. It is my chance tonight to gain that foothold. Also to show that Mister Henderson I am not one to mess with.”

Coby Quik:
“That is… if there are no more unexpected delays….”

The lights in the arena go completely out sending the crowd into a frenzy, confused even especially when the jumbo screen goes blank where Deacon Thomas was. Suddenly the PA system explodes with “Stomp” by Young Buck with Ludacris and T.I. The crowd erupts in cheers especially when a spot light appears on the stage revealing Deacon standing there with a massive smile on his face. He walks down the ramp to the ring, high fiving the fans along the route. He is wearing his sleeveless jean jacket and wrestling shorts, his hands are taped, he seems ready for a fight tonight.

Parker Wayde:
"He's here! Deacon Thomas is here in the ShoWare Center!"

Instead of heading to the ring, he grabs a microphone from one of the crew members at ringside and then starts to make his way up the other side of the ramp, greeting all of those fans as well. When he gets back up to the stage, he basks in the cheers he is receiving from the crowd. The music fades down bringing the arena lights back to normal. He begins to bring the microphone to his lips which somewhat hushes the crowd.

Deacon Thomas:
“What up Seattle? How the hell are y’all?”

The crowd again erupts into cheers, letting him know how they are doing. He smiles, but puts his hand up to quiet the crowd so he can speak.

Deacon Thomas:
“Well first off let me apologize for missing out on the first Ignition. Had a bit of a rough cruise ride in the Gulf of Mexico. Got stranded on an island and wasn’t rescued until the day after the show. All of that is neither here nor there guys, because I am here tonight right?”

Again the crowd goes crazy.

Deacon Thomas:
“Alright, let me get right down to the business at hand folks.”

He pauses as he looks around at the crowd with a smile. He crosses one arm across his chest before returning the microphone to his lips.

Deacon Thomas:
“Well first I would like to address Mister Henderson. The one that thinks he is some kinda playboy or whatever. Merrick you were on the show last time out whining about me not showing up. It seemed to me that you were thinking I was out on the cruise for fun. I wasn’t man, I was on that damn ship to fight and defend my title over there in Gulf Coast. Well that lead to our boss giving you the chance to pick the stipulation for our next match, which I was kinda hoping was tonight but oh well. I am patient. You chose to battle me in a tables match. Interesting choice dude.”

The crowd cheers some more before Deacon continues.

Deacon Thomas:
“Well after I dispose of the monster Josh Anderson tonight, which I am sure you will be paying close attention to and will realize that I ain’t no pushover. A tables match will fit right into what needs to happen for me to make my staple in this company like I have and continue to do in Gulf Coast. Merrick, I hope that what you see tonight will open your eyes to what reality you have created for yourself in the tables match coming up.”

Thomas takes a breath before concluding his time.

Deacon Thomas:
“Alright folks, that is all I gotta say tonight before I do the rest of my talking in the ring against Josh Anderson tonight. I won’t delay the excellent action that Pride provides. See y’all later.”

With that he drops the microphone and as ‘Stomp’ hits the PA system again while the cameras return to the announce table.

Coby Quik:
"Well question asked, question answered Deacon Thomas is in the building tonight."

Parker Wayde: 
"We will see what he has in store for Josh Anderson later on, but right now it's time to kick things off in the best way!"

Coby Quik:
"That's right, Eliza Valentine herself looks like she is supervising the finishing touches down there."

Heather Cooper:
"This is Ignition's opening contest, and it is the Eliza's House of Fun Match!"

Eliza Valentine is already in the ring, the fans boo in response to cameras focusing on her, bringing her face up on the giant screen at the top of the ramp. She walks around the ring, checking out all of the weapons set up for use throughout the match. 

Heather Cooper: 
"Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada, Eliza Valentine!"

Strobes begin to blaze everywhere as the opening riff to Satellite begins, as smoke also fills the entryway. The silhouette of the Icon can be seen in the smoke, before he steps through the entryway, extending one hand to the sky as high as possible with his pointer, thumb and middle finger spread out--The "Iconic" Pose.

Heather Cooper: 
"Making his debut in Pride from Salem, Oregon, "The Icon" James Williams!

He holds this pose, looking up at his hand, until the smoke gets blown away and a spotlight shines down on him. He looks down out at the crowd, a manic smile on his face as he makes his way to the ring, whirling around and tagging hands and just being a ball of energy everywhere he goes. He reaches ringside and hops up on the apron, entering the ring in one fluid motion through the ropes and pinging off the opposite ropes like a super-ball, throwing his arms out and yelling out to the cheering crowd, every muscle taut and flexing tight as he displays intensity. Springing up a buckle, he plants a boot on the top rope and repeats The Iconic Pose one more time before dropping off the buckle, disposing of his entrance coat then settling into his corner.

Coby Quik:
"Eliza Valentine's House of Fun match is going to kick things off tonight."

Parker Wayde:
"I'm not sure how much fun this is going to be for either of these competitors, everything down there looks like it hurts."

The camera panned around the ring, with both superstars still in their respective corners. Both JD Wright and PJ Cooper were on hand to count any falls or mediate any damage the two competitors would soon meet. Half of the ring was surrounded by cage walls, with various weapons hung in the links of the chain.

Coby Quik:
"James Williams might not be an Icon yet, but this match could definitely make him one."

Parker Wayde:
"Imagine being the new guy and showing up to win a match in Eliza's wheelhouse to get started."

Coby Quik:
"That was probably Jason Halich's logic in booking this one, but the edge has to go to Eliza in these circumstances."

James looked out to the crowd, and raised his left arm up and down, getting them behind him to start things off. When the two came out of their respective corners, it was Eliza that took the early advantage, by diving down and taking out the high flyers legs. The two ended up on the mat where Eliza mounted him and started throwing both left and right hands while the referees were unable to stop her. The assault continued for several strikes until Eliza was convinced that he would stay down, even though he had managed to cover up for most shots. She moved away, and surveyed one of the cage walls of weapons. She takes down a kendo stick, and twirls it in her hand.

Parker Wayde:
"Eliza is not going to wait to introduce an equalizer to her size disadvantage."

James started to get up to his feet, but was stopped in his tracks when Eliza took her first swing, connecting across his chest. James' arms came up, but Eliza took another swing, this time lower and across his stomach. James actually turned away at that point, and got back up to his feet with his arms around his midsection. He retreated, but Eliza followed. She went for the home run, swinging high and aimed for his head, but James ducked under the shot. Eliza wheeled around to face him, but the Icon was faster on the trigger, and flipped backwards, nailing a pele kick to the side of her head that energized the crowd.

Coby Quik:
"James Williams getting back into things now!"

He quickly rose up to his feet while Eliza tried to piece together exactly what happened. She reached for the kendo stick, but James kicked it out of reach and then helped her back up to her feet. He sends a hard chop across her chest that draws cheers from the crowd, and followed it up with a second and third that backed Eliza up to a corner. James issued her a final chop before sprinting across the ring. He put his back to the turnbuckle and came back across the ring. James leaped and brought his right knee directly into Eliza's jaw to the sounds of applause.

Parker Wayde:
"Look at this rookie go!"

He did not let Eliza fall out of the corner, and instead grabbed her wrist and sent her running across to the ropes. Eliza came back and got dropped with a dropkick with so much air the crowd erupted.

Coby Quik:
"B.D.E from James Williams!"

The rookie was fast to the cover, but Eliza kicked out after two, which drew boos from the crowd. James was not to be denied though, he immediately went for a second cover, but it ended after one when Eliza kicked out a second time. James got back up to his feet to lift Eliza, but she played the rules to her advantage and hit him with a low blow as she got up. The fans were not happy, booing ferociously.

Parker Wayde:
"Shades of how she got the drop on Gavin Grimes in the last match!"

Coby Quik:
"Without any rules stopping her, there is nothing that Eliza will not do to win."

James fell to the mat, and Eliza left him to think about how he had made a mistake by moving away. She went back to the cage wall, and started to take a stop sign off of one of the hooks, but James rushed her from behind, driving her face into the chain links when he made contact with her.

Parker Wayde:
"I think James may have had enough."

Eliza drops the stop sign to the mat and slumps against the cage. James immediately reached down and picked up the weapon before bringing it down against her back. Eliza screamed out loud enough to rival the cheers from the crowd, but it only worked to energize James. He brought down the sign one more time before discarding it to the mat. He looked back and forth between the ropes and Eliza, before pointing to them. The crowd roared in response, and he waited for the undefeated Pride star to get back to her knees. He sprinted towards the ropes, and jumped up onto the second one as Eliza was getting up. He rebounded back towards her, and looked back over his shoulder to see if his aim was true, but Eliza scooped up the stop sign on her way up. Eliza used the sign like a baseball bat, and swatted James out of the air with it which silenced the crowd.

Coby Quik:
"That was sickening."

Parker Wayde:
"James was looking for that i-Trigger, but Eliza had it scouted."

PJ Cooper tried to check on James, but Eliza shoved him out of the way. She lifts him, and drops him back to the mat on top of the sign with her rolling cutter.

Parker Wayde:
"Mysterious girl!"

Eliza dropped down into the cover over him and PJ Cooper was the first to make it into position. He slid in and slapped the mat three times, ending the match and calling for the bell. 

Heather Cooper:
"Your winner via pin fall, Eliza Valentine!"

Both officials make an attempt to raise her hand during the announcement, but she shrugs both of them off, celebrating alone as the cameras cut away. 

The camera catches Chelsea Quik as she seems to compose herself. She straightens her already perfect attire, checks her face in her phone and takes a deep breath. She then gives the door in front of her three sharp raps. The loom on her face instantly changes to a firm one.

Voice inside:
"Come in."

The camera follows her into the office to see Jason Halich seated at his desk. He catches Chelsea’s eyes instantly and it seems to unnetve her and stop her in her tracks.

Jason Halich:
"Yes?"

Chelsea loses her train of thought for a moment before regaining her determination.

Chelsea Quik:
"I came to tell you that no amount of money or pestering is going to convince me to sign."

Jason shrugs.

Jason Halich:
"As I already told you... I have moved on from trying to persuade you."

She swallows hard, her fists clenching as she tries to hold in her anger.

Chelsea Quik:
"But everyone else seems to be trying to pressure me now. Including Parker and my own husband..."

Jason still seems unaffected by her words.

Jason Halich:
"I have no control over what other people chose to do. "

Chelsea’s cheeks flush a little in annoyance.

Chelsea Quik:
"I don't want anyone telling me I should get back in a ring. Whatever incentive you happened to mention or not mention was a dirty move. I had to lie to Abby and Maddie to get them off my back."

Now Jason’s lips form a slight amused smile.

Jason Halich:
"And what lie was that?"

Chelsea Quik:
"That the other had already convinced me to sign."

He laughs but Chelsea doesn’t think it's very funny.

Chelsea Quik:
"So please... just... stop. I’m not ready yet."

She then turns to leave but his next words stop her.

Jason Halich:
"That’s Bullshit Chelsea and everyone including yourself knows that. Everyone has seen you in the ring at Jet City. Even before you were officially cleared you were ready. So what are you so scared of?"

She doesn't turn but answers him

Chelsea Quik:
"You mean besides getting seriously hurt again? I don't want to face opponents that are well past their prime. I want my skills to be appreciated. I..."

She turns, the answer finally clear to her.

Chelsea Quik:
"I want a challenge without feeling like I am stuck."

She leans over his desk, her face a determined line again. Jason opens a desk drawer and takes out a stack of papers stapled together and pushes them toward her.

Jason Halich:
"My final offer."

Chelsea picks it up, quickly scanning the words while Jay folds his arms loosely across his chest.

Chelsea Quik:
"A one off match. Against an opponent of your choosing?"

Jason nods and then moves one arm so he can tap the papers.

Jason Halich:
"But, if you don't beat the opponent I choose then you are obligated to stay exclusive to Pride until you do beat that opponent. You will be paid on a match by match basis like everyone else at the same fee you requested at your prior company."

Chelsea seems to think about it.

Jason:
"It is what you wanted."

Chelsea Quik:
"But if I lose?"

He seems to brush it off.

Jason Halich:
"Don't."

She takes a seat. He pushes a pen towards her. She picks it up and with a slight smirk she scrawls her signature on the last page.

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!"

A funky little bass groove followed by a 'Woo!' heralds the arrival of the 16-Bit Superstar who bolts out from the back looking so excited he can barely contain himself. He smiles and flashes his 'V for victory' sign to the happy fans.

Rolling around at the speed of sound
Got places to go, gotta follow my rainbow
Can't stick around, have to keep movin' on
Guess what lies ahead, only one way to find out

Heather Cooper:
"From New York City, "The Bitcrusher" Ollie Maverick!"

Ollie runs in place for a bit then bolts halfway down the ramp at top speed before dropping to his knees to do a powerslide. The fans are delighted by Ollie's antics.

Follow me - set me free - trust me
And we will escape from the city
I'll make it through, follow -

Ollie skips to the apron before easily leaping up onto it then doing a diving somersault into the ring, landing in a kneeling position and holding up dual 'V for Victory' hand gestures. He stands and bows respectfully to the referee as his music dies down.

Coby Quik:
"This one is going to get fast paced really quick."

Parker Wayde:
"Both of these stars like to go high tempo, and Ollie really needs a win to bounce back from a less than impressive start to his Pride career."

Coby Quik:
"That's no easy task when your opponent is Spider. She has been on a roll since coming to Pride."

Parker Wayde:
"Well at least you noticed. It doesn't seem like anyone else has."

The opening of the match saw the two Pride stars circle on another until Ollie lunged forward in an attempt to tie Spider up. Instead of locking up with him, Spider slipped under his arms and nailed him with a 540 kick that energized the crowd.

Parker Wayde:
"Spiderbite right off the bat!"

Coby Quik:
"That's What's Up!"

Spider quickly covered Ollie for the pin attempt, but JD's count only made it to two before the '16-Bit Superstar' was able to kick out. It did not appear to throw Spider off of her game at all, and she got the man back up to his feet before throwing two stiff forearm shots that staggered him back. Spider continued the assault by grabbing Ollie's wrist and whipping him across the ring, but in a sign of life, Ollie hit her with a handspring back elbow that took them both down to the mat.

Coby Quik:
"Quick-Time Event!"

Parker Wayde:
"Ollie has a lot of ground to make up, but at least he broke her momentum."

Coby Quik:
"He has to capitalize here though, or this thing is going to get ugly."

Ollie fought to get to his feet first, but found that Spider was right there with him. Spider tried to get back on the attack by throwing a closed right hand Ollie's way, but he was prepared for it. After he blocked the shot Ollie followed with a sharp kick to her midsection that doubled her over. Without wasting time, Ollie hooked her up and took Spider into the air with a snap suplex that came down hard. He rolled through it and hooked Spider's outside leg for the second pin attempt of the match.

Parker Wayde:
"Will it be enough?"

Spider kicked out hard following JD's hand slapping the mat for the second time, and hit Ollie with a cheap forearm to the side of his head as he was moving away from her. Ollie moved back, but was staggered on his feet. Spider quickly popped up from the mat, in an attempt to capitalize, but Ollie was ready for her. He leaped, and tried to connect with his jumping corkscrew roundhouse kick. At the last second, Spider was able to duck under the boot aimed for her face which left Ollie to fall to the mat. When he rose, Spider showed him how it was done, and connected with a second 540 kick that dropped him to his back in the center of the ring.

Coby Quik:
"That was a second Spiderbite. I'm not sure that Ollie's getting up."

Parker Wayde:
"Spider's not trying to make a pin though."

Instead, Spider moved to the nearest corner to a chorus of boos from the fans that thought she should have ended the match. Without even taking notice of them, Spider leaped up onto the middle turnbuckle and used it to catapult herself up to the top. He feet only touch the top rope for a moment before she flipped backwards, landing on top of Ollie with a springboard moonsault.

Coby Quik:
"Arachnophobia!"

JD slid in to count the pin, and the fans booed instead of counting the fall with him. It did not matter though, as his hand slapped the mat three times before he rose to call for the bell.

Heather Cooper:
"Ladies and Gentlemen your winner via pinfall, and still undefeated in Pride Pro Wrestling, Spider!"

Spider stands next to JD, and looks down at her at her arm. Reluctantly, JD reaches out and take her wrist and raises her arm in victory. She pulls away at the last second, raising her own arms before exiting the ring to the sounds of boos from the fans. 


Coby Quik:
"To my surprise, it's not been all doom and gloom, insults and hurt feelings since Pride reopened."

Parker Wayde:
"Pride definitely has it's roster members known for their harshness, but there are a handful that are really trying to lighten the mood around here."

Coby Quik:
"Sammy Duke and Anushka Aalto's back and forth before the last Ignition proved that fact, and now I heard Sammy caught up with Pride original Luke Jackson earlier today."

Scene picks up earlier today, after a sweet meet and greet at a mall for Pride’s second Ignition taping. Sammy was decked out, in the loosest definition of the word, very casually, nice loose shirt and some baggy jeans, with a gold-brimmed hat turned sideways.

Sammy Duke:
"Hey, thanks for coming out this way, Luke. I know you didn’t have to. You’ve been wrestling for a long time? What brought you to Pride, and what do you hope to accomplish here?"

Luke smiles and shakes his head as he looks at Sammy. Luke is in a black t-shirt and gym shorts.

Luke Jackson:
"No worries Sammy. I needed to get out of the house. It was getting a little cramped."

He stops and laughs.

Luke Jackson:
"You are full of questions aren’t you? Yeah, I have been wrestling since I was 17, and I was in Pride when it was first around so when it opened back up I had to come back and see if I could accomplish more. Hopefully I can but the first two shows really haven’t been good."

Sammy Duke:
"Aw, don’t say it like that. I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not...but uhh, I haven’t actually won a match either. But I’m still having the time of my life! It’s like my own little dream come true. We have a lot of fantastic talents under our roof don’t we? Who’s your favorite? I’ve been watching all my life, it’s sooooo hard to name just one! But try."

Luke laughs and nods his head.

Luke Jackson:
"We do have a lot of talents which is good. It gives all of us competition and makes us all work a little harder. I have been a lot of places in my career and I have seen a lot of talent. Pride Pro is right on top of that. Anyways, I guess I would have to go with DeMarcus. I have known him for a bit he is a damn good wrestler and a good guy on top of that."

Luke stops and looks at Sammy.

Luke Jackson:
"You’ve decided to give me an interview haven’t you?"

Sammy couldn’t help but chuckle, he did sound like a journalist right now, didn’t he?!

Sammy Duke:
"Whoops! I get kind of passionate about this stuff, Anushka kinda helped me separate some things a couple weeks ago. You know, like moving from fan to athlete? It’s like, sooooooo different being inside the ring as opposed to behind the barrier, and I’m always trying to be a professional. But, that fan in us...it doesn’t really die, y’know? I mean, maybe it could die I guess. But I couldn’t imagine not loving what I do!"

Sammy looks over to the side, spotting the conveniently placed mall arcade. His eyes arch in anticipation.

Sammy Duke:
"Hey, I bet they have some Deer Hunter in there. What’s better than pretending to shoot some elk? I mean I guess if we actually were hunting because that’s some good food. But uhh...you wanna take a few shots? It could be a good way to unwind from any homelife stress you know."

Luke starts to walk towards the arcade.

Luke Jackson:
"I could be down for something like that. As for the fan thing I get that. Honestly, when I first started in this business I was in awe of people. The first time in the locker room, the first time stepping into that ring. But, in a way that does go away. I mean it is always there but you start to curb that and you start to become numb to the fact that you are wrestling in front of thousands of people."

He walks into the arcade and right to Deer Hunter. He puts his money in and starts to play.

Luke Jackson:
"I saw that you started talking to Blair a little bit."

Sammy watches Luke “hunting”, his shots smooth and focused. It was like he had done this before.

Sammy Duke:
"Huh? Oh yea, Blair. To be honest, my first time seeing her work was back around a year ago or so, I remember because her hair is so unique! Then when I signed with Pride, and found her in the same wrestling Twitter I’m in, that was my first attempts at bridging the fan-to-professional gap. She seems like a super chill woman, though looks like the type that could whoop me something fierce. But we’d have a great time doing it, I think!"

He was so. So...happy. For being win-less, he just seemed to enjoy taking it all in.

Sammy Duke:
"What’s your favorite moment from fan or professional? Mine was meeting my all-time favorite inside a grocery store of all places! Like, it really IS a meet market."

Sammy beamed ear-to-ear off his “clever, straight-fire pun work”...

Luke Jackson:
"My favorite moment has to be when I won the tag team titles over in FGA with Ricky Valero. Granted he and I are like oil and water. We will never get along we will always have hatred towards each other. It is one of those things where you meet someone and you just want to destroy that person. With those tag titles we weren’t supposed to win but when we did it felt great. Wish it could have been with someone better but alas it is what it is."

Luke finishes playing and hands the gun to Sammy.

Luke Jackson:
"Your turn bud."

Sammy takes the gun in hand and drops a pair of quarters in the machine.

Sammy Duke:
"So, you won a tag team title with your enemy? I thought tag teams were supposed to be friends. Was it like an “my enemy’s enemy is my ally” type of deal? Or was it where you two just happened to ironically be the last two standing in a huge multi-person match? I bet the story there was incredible, but teaming with him...it’d probably be like if I got stuck with this Scarlet woman…."

Sammy took aim, real carefully like he were trying out for the US Secret Service sniper squad as he followed that elk around the screen.

Sammy Duke:
"Yeah, her and I….we went out once. It didn’t end well. Now we argue a lot when we come across the other, probably good she’s not here in Pride because if she was…"

Sammy raises the gun up, right at the screen. He turns his head to face Luke, and cocks the gun sideways. With a click, he pulls the trigger! ...The elk was still standing, perfectly unharmed.

Sammy Duke:
"Probably should have been paying attention if I wanted to make my point a little better."

He couldn’t help but laugh at his wildly missed shot. “Gangsta style points” for that though, for whatever those were worth. Not that the points matter.

Luke Jackson:
"Thank god we aren’t doing this for real otherwise we’d be going hungry…"

Luke laughs and looks at Sammy.

Luke Jackson:
"Tell you what Sammy, we can go to lunch and I can tell you more stories of my career. Hell, I’m having fun didn’t think I would but you are a cool dude."

Luke smiles and pats him on the back.

Sammy Duke:
"Hey, that sounds fun! And here I thought my introduction here would be a bunch of Erron Wilder type people trying to curb stomp me. It’s great to meet some friendly folk too! Stay in touch, we’ll do lunch soon!"

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!"

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 as Heather moves out the other side. PJ Cooper steps up between the two as Luke's music dies off and the two men wait for the opening bell.

Coby Quik:
"DRU was able to take Oren Hamrick down last week, so you know this kid is the real deal."

Parker Wayde:
"He still came up short though, and Luke only came up short due to some shoddy referee work from JD Wright."

Coby Quik:
"I guess that explains what PJ Cooper is doing out there in the ring so early in the show. I guess our senior referee is taking over so that there are no more surprises."

Neither man wasted any time trying to feel the other out. DRU proved his claim of being a street fighter by taking the fight right to Luke in the early going. With a size advantage that he did not have last week, DRU backed Luke up into a corner after winning the exchange of hands between the two. He fired forearm after forearm to the side of Luke's head once they were in the corner, until PJ had to step in and break the two up. The audience booed loudly as he moved away from the corner, but only in support of Luke.

Parker Wayde:
"You have to like what we're seeing from DRU. He didn't back down last week when faced with a monstrous challenge, and now he is looking good against Luke."

After the Pride original told PJ that he was able to keep going, DRU charged into the corner to stay on the offensive. DRU came in for a big splash in the corner, but Luke was able to avoid contact, leaving DRU to his the turnbuckle pad face first. Luke ran across the ring, gaining momentum and rebounded back towards DRU. When they came together, DRU moved to swing a right hand his direction, but Luke dropped to the mat, and took DRU down with a baseball slide to the knee.

Coby Quik:
"Creative offense from Luke, but can he keep it up?"

Luke was up faster than DRU, and hit the ropes again before rebounding back towards his opponent. As DRU was rising to his feet, Luke put a hand on the back of his head and drove his face back down into the mat with a bulldog. DRU turned over to his back, raising his hands up to his face, but Luke was already planning his next move. He sprinted to the ropes, and leaped onto the middle one before springboarding backwards with a moonsault. DRU was ready for him though, and raised a boot up that catches him in the jaw on the way down.

Parker Wayde:
"That has to hurt."

Luke stayed on his feet, but staggered backwards, giving DRU space to get back to his feet. Luke turned to the ropes, leaning on them in an attempt to get himself together, but it only gave DRU time to size him up. When Luke turned to face him, DRU shuffled forward, extending his leg towards Luke's chin and looking for his superkick to finish his opponent off, but Luke manages to catch the boot in his hand. Luke propelled DRU's leg left, trying to throw him off balance, but impressively the newcomer stayed on his single planted foot. He made a full rotation before leaping, trying to catch Luke with the same boot, but this time the veteran ducks. PJ Cooper finds himself at the wrong place at the wrong time and catches the boot to the chin.

Coby Quik:
"PJ's down!"

DRU shoots a look at the crumbled PJ as he pushed himself up from the mat but that was all the time that Luke needed. The veteran swooped in before DRU could get up from all fours and connected with a punt kick to the side of his head that brought the crowd to their feet. Luke paused only for a second to shake PJ before he climbed up to the top rope. The fans cheered wildly as he leaped off, this time nailing a picture-perfect five-star frog splash across DRU. Luke held his midsection, and rolled away after the impact, but only momentarily. He got back into position and hooked both of DRU's legs for the cover, but there was no referee to count it.

Parker Wayde:
"PJ is still out!"

Luke held the pin attempt as the crowd exploded. JD Wright sprinted down the ramp, and slid into the ring at the perfect angle to count the fall. His hand slapped the mat three times as the fans counted loudly with him. He popped up with a huge smile on his face and called for the bell.

Heather Cooper:
"Your winner via pinfall and moving onto the TV Championship match, LUKE JACKSON!"

JD reached out for Luke's hand, and raised it into the air. The two shake hands in the center of the ring, with JD again apologizing for his error back on the last Ignition. As Luke celebrates, the cameras cut away.

Backstage, the show returns in the office of Taryn Robinson. The office, which has three large buckets of candy sitting on her desk. Robinson who is seated at her desk is busy texting away on her phone. Suddenly, a knock can be heard on the door. Looking up from her phone for a moment, she looks back down at her phone and continues to text. After a few moments, the knocking at the door continues. Looking up from her phone once again, she shakes her head as she places the phone back down on the desk. As she stands up from her desk, her rather revealing Halloween costume comes into view. She walks from behind her desk and stands in front of it.

Taryn Robinson:
“ Come in.”

As the door opens, a smile comes over Taryn’s face. She folds her arms over her ample chest and shakes her head.

Taryn Robinson:
“ I know I asked for you two to come, but I didn’t expect for my invitation to be answered. You both constantly talk about how much you hate me, but god when money is involved, you come running. I guess that really is what family is for.”

As the camera pans over, it is revealed that two of Taryn’s sisters, Sarah and Kennedy standing there. Sarah scoffs at Taryn before she begins to speak.

Sarah Robinson:
“You call, and you have to answer when family calls. Now, I don’t know what you want. I’m pretty sure that you didn’t invite Kennedy and I all the way here just to exchange family pleasantries.”

Kennedy walks further into the room and takes a seat at her sister’s desk. When Taryn stares daggers at her across the room, she begins to speak.

Kennedy Robinson:
“Hey, you invited us… I may as well make myself at home. I’m really confused as to why you wanted us here though. I mean you barely speak to us, but when you do it’s normally to cause some kind of trouble. So, what do you want? I have valuable things that I could have done with my Halloween.”

Taryn lets out a soft chuckle as she looks over at Kennedy, then back over to Sarah.

Taryn Robinson:
“Look you two family, and that makes you two people that I trust to have my back no matter what. See, Jason and I don’t exactly see eye to eye on our visions for Pride. While he seems to want to bask in the glory days of the old, I see things differently. Now, Jason seems to have a nice little stronghold on respect around here, I want that to change. Since Jason has his little cult of Jet City trash running around here calling themselves announcers and journalist, I don’t see why I can’t have the same. So, that’s why I brought you two here, my trusted sisters. See, I know that we bicker a lot, but I trust you two to have my back at the end of the day. I need my trusty brain trust around me here. Sarah, you have an amazing brain that I know I could use to my advantage. Kennedy, you are a loud mouth talker, which I think is one hell of an asset. I mean have you seen those two interviewers that Jason has running around here? You can do that and do it well. I want you two with me here, because I know you two can share in the amazing vision for Pride Pro Wrestling that I have.”

Kennedy gleams as she places her hands atop Taryn’s desk.

Kennedy Robinson:
“Say no more, I’m in. I think I can definitely help you sis. I mean, you know I have my ways of… finding out exactly what needs to be found out.”

Sarah rolls her eyes before letting out a soft laugh.

Sarah Robinson:
“Of course you do kid. Look, I don’t know what you have planned Taryn, but don’t count me in on it. I personally think that Jason has a great mind for what he wants Pride to be. You just want to stick it to him because you two never made it work romantically. Now, I’ll stick around here, but don’t expect me to do your bidding.”

Taryn walks closer to Sarah and looks down at her younger sister.

Taryn Robinson:
“Given what I know, you might want to do whatever I say. Well, unless you want me to ruin your life. Look honey, you’re going to help me just like Kennedy is. I don’t care if you want to or not, you’ll do as I say. Trust me, it’s in both of your best interest to work with me. I see a future here in Pride with people like Erron Wilder, I don’t see the big deal about all these past talents that couldn’t cut the mustard when Cody Taylor was around. It’s the dawn of a new day, and once that new Pride Champion is crowned, things will definitely be to my liking.”

Taryn smirks as she reaches over the desk and grabs her phone. As she begins to text away once again, the scene fades out.

Lights dim inside the arena, the crowd falls silent. Various images of great champions and victories throughout history scroll across the projection screen. Finally after a few moments the words 'All I Do Is Win' hit the screen then ‘Stomp’ by Young Buck Feat. Ludacris and TI hits the speakers. Slowly emerging from the backstage area is Deacon Thomas.

Heather Cooper:
"Please welcome back to Pride Pro Wrestling, from Las Vegas, Nevada, Deacon Thomas!"

A broad smile across his face as a mixed reaction throughout the crowd radiates toward him. With a southern swagger, Thomas makes his way to the ring as the lights come back to normal. Stepping up the steps to the ring. He pauses and poses for the crowd before stepping through the ropes. He then leans into one of the corners looking around the crowd as the music fades.

Heather Cooper:
"...and his opponent!"

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, 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.

Coby Quik:
"Here we go! Josh Anderson needs a win just as bad as Deacon."

Parker Wayde:
"I wouldn't want to be in the way of either of these two. Merrick has been jabbing at Deacon over social media and in the lead up to Ignition."

Coby Quik:
"...and Josh Anderson really wants to right the ship after that upset loss to Christian Michaels."

The two men came together at the start of the match in a collar-elbow tie-up that ended in a stalemate. Neither man could get the other to take even a single step backwards, and eventually they broke away from each other to the sounds of cheers from the fans.

Parker Wayde:
"These guys are as close to the exact same size, weight and frame. Squaring off like that is not going work for either of them."

Coby Quik:
"Something is going to have to give."

Deacon and Josh locked up a second time, and Josh was able to turn it into a side headlock on Deacon. Not to be discouraged, Deacon used the position to push Josh back towards the ropes and then send him sprinting across the ring after a big push. When Josh rebounded though, the two men met in the center of the ring, both looking for a shoulderblock. Again, the two men did little more than just stand each other up.

Parker Wayde:
"Another stalemate...."

Josh talked some trash that the cameras could not pick up, but the result of the back and forth was Deacon taking off towards the ropes. When the two came together a second time, the result is the same as the first as a double shoulderblock fails to send either man down to the canvas.

Coby Quik:
"Somebody is going to have to change up their strategy a little."

No sooner than the words left Coby's mouth, Josh Anderson fired a hard right hand that caught Deacon by surprise. He followed with a second, and attempted a third that Deacon managed to swat away. He fired off a right hand of his own that landed squarely against Josh's cheek, and followed with a second before Josh could get his wits about him. Deacon went for a third, but again Josh was done with the game, and sends a hard kick to Deacon's midsection that caused him to fall forward. Josh expertly locked in a front facelock, and took Deacon down to the mat with a DDT.

Parker Wayde:
"That's how it's done!"

Coby Quik:
"Not the prettiest way to get things done, but I guess it got him the advantage."

The fans seemed to be in agreement with Coby, and booed loudly during Josh's failed attempt at a pin that followed. Josh helped Deacon back up to his feet, and propelled him across the ring to the ropes. When Deacon came back, Josh scooped him up, looking for a tilt-a-whirl maneuver of sorts, only to have Deacon counter and drop him with a DDT of his own.

Parker Wayde:
"Again the tables turn!"

Coby Quik:
"Neither man is letting the other gain any kind of momentum."

Deacon tried to roll over for the cover, but Josh rolled away and under the ropes to the apron. PJ went to check on him, which gave Deacon time to recover. Josh picked himself up outside the ropes, and told the official in some not so kind words that he was more than able to keep competing. Deacon was back on top of him in an instant. Deacon landed a few hard right hands to the side of Josh's head and attempted to suplex him back into the ring, but Josh was not having any of that. He used a closed left fist, and hammered on Deacon's ribs from between the top and middle ropes until Deacon had to let go of the hold. When Deacon straightened up to take the fight back to Josh, he was rewarded with a poke to the eyes that the crowd did not like at all.

Parker Wayde:
"If you're not cheating, you're not trying."

Coby Quik:
"That is a horrible motto. Shame on you."

Deacon backed away, his hand coming up to his eye while PJ attempted to reason with Josh. However, Josh grabbed the top rope and leaped over it, taking Deacon down with a shoulderblock from the outside.

Parker Wayde:
"That one worked!"

Josh grabbed Deacon by the back of the head and lifted him up, before locking him up and taking him up into the air with a fisherman buster.

Coby Quik:
"That's The End!"

Parker Wayde:
"Can he hang on against a man Deacon's size though?"

Josh floated over into the cover, and PJ dropped to the mat, slapping it three times before Deacon kicked out just a millisecond too slow. PJ signaled for the bell, and Josh rose triumphantly. Deacon rolls away and slaps the mat as PJ raises Josh's hand.

Heather Cooper:
"Ladies and Gentlemen your winner via pinfall, Josh Anderson!"

Josh pulls his arm away from PJ and keeps his eyes on Deacon as he rising back to his feet. He backs away, and drops down to the mat to roll under the bottom rope. The two stay focused on one another as Josh backs up the ramp.

The camera is following along a hall before a voice shouts and it swings around to see Merrick Henderson. He motions for the camera guy to come closer. When it does, the ex-cop offers a smirk.

Merrick Henderson:
"So let me get this straight, Deacon misses the first show so he can go play shuffleboard and ends up reliving the Titanic. The real kicker is while he retained his title there, once he got back on dry land he loses it all. AND still, his tweets all focus on that company, that title and hardly on Pride."

He shakes his head and offers a smile.

Merrick Henderson:
"Then he tries to sell everyone on being here for the fans and puppy dog eyeing them all but his match ends tragically with a loss. And not just any loss. A man who is supposedly a veteran. Who runs his own training facility but yet couldn't get the job done against Christian Michaels. But he finds his momentum against Mister I’m-going-to-change-your-offence himself."

He taps his chin

Merrick Henderson:
"So the point I want to make is..."

He slowly shakes his head

Merrick Henderson:
"Are you kidding me?"

He laughs.

Merrick Henderson:
"I am supposed to be intimidated by this man? It's a joke. And the best part is, when I put his ass through a table, maybe it will knock some sense into him or maybe it will still have him thinking he can reach the top of pride. He’s bleeding in shark infested waters. If he doesn’t get out soon, he will end up chum."

He then pushes the camera.

Merrick Henderson:
"Now go find something better to do, would ya?"

Heather Cooper: 
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall, with the winner qualifying for the Television Championship Triple Threat match next Ignition!"

"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. 

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.

Coby Quik:
“Kendall looking pretty confident.”

Parker Wayde:
“That has been her M.O. since debuting in Pride.”

Coby Quik:
“Well she certainly has reason. She was impressive in the early goings of ReAwakening, and put Jessica Jones out of action last week.”

Parker Wayde:
“Holly Rhodes, on the other hand, has looked dominant in ever match she has been in, but has had some bad officiating not go her way."

Kendall stared across the ring at Holly Rhodes, who was more concerned with warming up for the match. PJ Cooper called for the opening bell and both women started to circle each other before locking up. Kendall put up a good fight, but Holly backed her into the corner. She drove a knee into Kendall’s midsection before backing away to let PJ check on her. As Kendall doubledover, Holly went about pumping up the crowd as they cheered her. When Holly turned back around, those cheers turn into boos as Kendall ran out of the corner, shoving PJ out of her way. Luckily, Holly was able to size her up on the run, and level her with a clothesline.

Coby Quik:
“Never good to run right at someone with that kind of size advantage.”

As Kendall got back up to her feet, Holly was there to put her right back down with a dropkick. She then rans to the ropes and came off with a legdrop. After connecting, Holly went for a cover. PJ's hand slapped the mat only one time before Kendall kicked out convincingly.

Parker Wayde:
"Plenty more fight left in Kendall!"

After Kendall kicked out, Holly helped her back to her feet. Kendall tried to fight back, but got whipped into the ropes. As Kendall came off of them, Holly picked her up and delivered a backbreaker. Kendall held her back, but before PJ could even check on her, Holly was picking her back up. Kendall was not on her feet long though, as Holly pulled her up and planted her back to the mat with a DDT.

Parker Wayde:
“Kendall continues to pay for her earlier mistake.”

Coby Quik:
“Holly staying on top of things. Jason Halich was trying to motivate these women to go after the Television Championship, and Holly is doing just that."

Parker Wayde:
“Kendall needs to get something going instead of just trying to absorb all this damage!”

With Kendall on the mat, Holly went into the corner and perched herself up on the second turnbuckle. The fans all rose to their feet to see her fly, and a moment later, she came off with an elbow drop. However, before she could connect Kendall rolled out of the way. 

Coby Quik:
“Kendall with a chance to get back in the fight.”

Both women pulled themselves back up to their feet, and Holly came running at Kendall for second clothesline. This time Kendall was ready for it and ducked underneath. When Holly turned back around, she was met with a Roundhouse kick. Holly staggered back and Kendall ran to the ropes. She came off and once she was within reach grabbed Holly by the hair and drove her into the mat with a one-handed bulldog.

Coby Quik:
“That's What's Up!”

With Holly laid out on the mat, Kendall circled her, knowing better than to go for the cover without doing more damage first.

Coby Quik:
“Kendall seems to be in no hurry to pin her opponent.”

Parker Wayde:
“We have seen her going for one of her submissions instead of the pin on back-to-back shows. Maybe she is going to try and put her away like she did Jessica Jones!”

Fans booed loudly when Kendall moved in for the attack. She kept Holly grounded and she punished her with several closed right handed shots. PJ stepped into between the two woman, and backed Kendall off in order to make sure Holly could compete. However, for a second time, Kendall shoved him out of the way and dropped Holly with a wicked sounding Snap DDT.

Parker Wayde
“Cover her!”

Kendall dropped into the cover, and PJ slid in to make the count. Most fans counted out along with him while others booed loudly but his hand only slapped the mat twice before Holly got her shoulder off of the mat. 

Coby Quik:
“Holly is still in this one!”

This brought the crowd to life and they start to rally behind Holly. She struggled to get to her feet, but Kendall was already there measuring her up. As soon as Holly was on her feet, Kendall was able to put her back down with her sit-down jawbreaker.

Parker Wayde:
“Holly was just got introduced to the DALL Breaker!”

As soon as Holly dropped back to the mat, Kendall made another cover, this time hooking both legs. PJ dropped into the cover, and slapped the mat in line with the fans counting. Again, Kendall only got the two count, but this time she popped up irate about the call. She got into PJ's face, taking her eye off of her opponent and allowing Holly time to recuperate. PJ did not back down from Kendall, and clapped his hands together in the same time as the pin in an attempt to defend himself.

Parker Wayde:
“There was a problem on the last Ignition with officiating, now Kendall’s got a problem with PJ’s calls here. She thinks his count was too slow!”

Coby Quik:
“It wasn’t.”

Parker Wayde:
“It could’ve been a tad off.”

Coby Quik:
“You just live to disagree with me don't you?”

As the argument continued between PJ and Kendall, Holly came up behind her and rolled her up. PJ was quick to drop to the mat again,  but slapped the mat in the exact same rhythm as he did for Kendall, resulting in only a count of two. At the last second, Kendall overcame the weight disadvantage with Holly stacked up on top of her, and barely got her shoulder off of the mat.

Coby Quik:
“Holly nearly had it there!”

The two women scrambled back up to their feet, and Kendall tried to catch Holly with a hard kick to the midsection, but found her foot caught in Holly's hands instead.  Holly threw her foot hard to the left which caused Kendall to spin around in the center of the ring. As Kendall came to face her, Holly sent a boot to her midsection that landed perfectly. Holly ducked her shoulder as Kendall leaned forward, and lifted her up into a fireman's style carry. The fans exploded in cheers, and Holly popped her hips, spinning Kendall down to the mat with an F5.

Coby Quik:
“Kendall falls victim to the Holly Diver.”

Immediately following the move, Holly turned Kendall over and leaned back over her for a cover. PJ slid in, and checked Kendall's shoulders before slapping the mat three times and ending the match.

Coby Quik:
“Holly Rhodes advances to the Television Championship!”

“Holy Diver” by Killswitch Engage began to play, and Holly was all smiles as she got to her feet. PJ stepped up and raised her hand in victory as Heather was heard on the microphone.

Heather Cooper:
“Here is your winner by pinfall...HOLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYY RHOOOOOOODESSSSSSSSSS!

Coby Quik:
“After a hard fought battle, Holly finds herself with a chance at the Pride Television Championship!”

Parker Wayde:
“She got lucky. Lucky that PJ gave her a fair count instead of Kendall.”

Coby Quik:
“There was nothing wrong with PJ’s counting tonight. Shut up!”

Fans are still cheering as Holly goes on celebrating her victory.

The cameras moved to Anushka Aalto’s locker room, although today, it looked more like a makeshift office. In place of the bench to sit, was a desk with a chair on either side of it. Anushka was seated behind the desk. She flipped through folders and then sat them all back down. The usually calm and reserved star looked a bit frustrated and fatigued from the interview process.

Anushka Aalto:
"Ten applicants and none of them are fit for the job. What am I going to do?"

Aalto rose to her feet as she mumbled the words under her breath. She walked towards the door of her locker room to exit the area, but before she could do so, the door swung open forcefully, startling her. The Israeli fighter took a step back in heightened anticipation for trouble, as Oren Hamrick stood in the frame of the door, glaring at her.

Coby Quik:
"That’s Oren Hamrick! The guy that almost broke DRU in half last Ignition. What is he doing there?"

Parker Wayde:
"You saw the man last week, he’s here for one reason, to fight. He didn't take kindly to Maddie blowing him off for Anushka either."

The monstrous mass of a man stepped towards her, wearing a blank expression.

Anushka Aalto:
"May I help you?"

Anushka’s voice was shaky as she maintained what felt like a safe distance from Hamrick. When she failed to receive a response, she changed the tone of the question.

Anushka Aalto:
"I have a match to prepare for, so I will ask once more. Is there something I can help you with?"

The last thing Aalto wanted was an impromptu brawl that she couldn’t win, but she also had a massive roadblock standing between her and the outside of the locker room.

Oren Hamrick:
"Yeah, you can tell me how much you’re paying for this bodyguard role."

Hamrick produced a flier that Aalto had been pinning up over the Showare Center in his massive hand, waving it in Anushka’s direction.

Anushka Aalto:
"I could do that, but there is one thing stopping me from doing so."

Aalto marched forward and took the flier from Hamrick’s hand. She ran her index finger over the print at the bottom.

Anushka Aalto:
"Applications were due and closed as of this morning. I don’t see an application from you?"

Oren Hamrick:
"Yeah? And I don’t see anyone protecting you, so how did that work out for you?"

Anushka Aalto:
"I’m not looking for protection for what happens in the ring, just for whatever comes my way outside of it. I never back down from a fight, when it is scheduled, but right now? If I had a bodyguard, I’m not certain you would be standing here uninvited. Do you see where I’m going with this?"

Coby Quik:
"That near hit and run must've really shaken her up. Others in her position might be taking on a bodyguard for nefarious purposes, but Anushka is just trying to look out for her own safety outside the ring."

Parker Wayde:
"I'm not sure that talking to Oren like that is going to be a good move on her part though. That dude always looks ready to snap."

Hamrick emitted a gravelly laugh from her response.

Parker Wayde:
"...or not.."

Oren Hamrick:
"Listen, you could have ten fucking bodyguards and I’d still be standing here."

Aalto looked taken back by Hamrick’s comments. He rubbed the back of his thick neck and stepped forward.

Oren Hamrick:
"So here’s the deal. You need legitimate protection outside the ring. I need some extra cash. The way I see it, whoever-the-fuck wants to get their hands on you ain’t gonna do shit when I’m around. So forget any other application you’ve had for this gig. You won’t find bigger or better than me. If the price is right, let’s do fucking business, lady."

The passionate, vulgar laced argument on behalf of himself seemed to hit Anushka in all of the right ways. She placed her hands on her hips and looked the brute up and down. With a slow nod of her head, she looked toward the open door.

Anushka Aalto:
"Let’s close the door and discuss business then. Yes?"

Hamrick paused for a moment, eye-balling the Israeli sensation. His long, right arm reached out to the door and slammed it shut.

Oren Hamrick:
"I’m all ears."

The cameras cut away from the locker room, leaving the pair alone to discuss a deal.

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. Behind him, dressed in street clothes is his girlfriend and manager Faith Rivers. 

Heather Cooper:
"Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Faith Rivers, Drew Simmons!!!"

He raises his arms up and gives out a yell as his game face is on. He stalks to the ring with Faith close behind, high fiving fans on her way down the side of the ramp. Drew walks up the steps into the ring while Faith walks around the outside to the opposite end of the ring from the entrance ramp. Drew crosses the ring in front of her and climbs to the second turnbuckle before unzipping his jacket and tossing it down to the crew

Heather Cooper:
"...and his opponent!"

"Sunglasses at Night" by Corey Hart starts to play through the PA system and the fans explode with cheers. Sammy Duke comes out onto the stage, raising both of his hands up into the air with a huge smile on his face.

Heather Cooper:
"From Santa Cruz, California, SAMMY DUKE!"

The fans break into chants of his name that almost dwarf the music. He makes his way down the ramp, slapping the hands of any fan that reaches out towards him. When he gets to the bottom of the ramp, he breaks to the other side, greeting fans before climbing up the stairs and entering the ring.


Cameras caught Faith Rivers cheering on Drew Simmons from the outside as JD signaled for the opening bell.

Parker Wayde:
“With Faith being in Drew Simmons’ corner, I’d say that gives him the advantage.”

Coby Quik:
“For as much knowledge as Faith might be able to offer, Sammy has that much heart and then some to get the job done!”

Parker Wayde:
“Guess we’ll have to see then. Either way, whoever comes out with the win is going to have earned themselves a chance at the Pride Television Championship!”

Once the bell was heard, both competitors started to circle each other for a collar and elbow tie up. Sammy showed off a great display of effort, but it was Drew who backed him in a corner. As the hold was broken, Drew tried to deliver a hard right hand, but Sammy ducked out of the way and moved out to the center of the ring. As Drew turned around, he saw Sammy standing there with a smile. When Drew came out of the corner towards him, Sammy took him over with an arm drag. He delivered another as Drew came back at him from the other side. Drew looked a bit surprised as pushed up to his feet.

Coby Quik:
“Sammy looking good in the early moments of this contest.”

Parker Wayde:
“You can tell Drew wasn’t expecting this!”

Faith shouted words of encouragement as Drew came out of the corner to lock up with Sammy again. This time Drew quickly turned it into a side headlock. He was able to apply some pressure before Sammy pushed him off into the ropes. As came off of them, Sammy leap frogged over the top of him, but as he turned around Drew took him down with a shoulder tackle. Once Sammy came back up to his feet, Drew was there to hit him with his boxing jab combo.

Parker Wayde:
“Drew starting to get some of his own offense going!”

As Sammy staggered around on his feet, Drew took him over with an overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. He followed the move up with a cover as JD dropped to make the count. Before JD can even slap the match the first time, Sammy rolls his shoulder up. Despite Sammy kicking out, Drew stayed on top of things and didn’t really give him a breather as he continued to hit him with some right hands. Sammy was once again reeling as Drew picked him for the T-Bone Suplex. JD counted as Drew went right for the cover, this time picking up a two count before Sammy kicked out.

Parker Wayde:
“Drew is getting closer and closer with each pinfall. The next one may do it!”

As Drew went to pull him off the mat, Sammy pushed him away and went to hit him with a right hand, but Drew blocked it and hit Sammy with a hard right hand of his own. He then lifted Sammy onto his shoulder for a running Powerslam. But as he started to run, Sammy freed himself and landed on his feet behind Drew, as he pushed him off into the turnbuckles. As Drew came stumbling out of the corner, the crowd cheered as Sammy kicked him in the midsection and dropped him with a DDT. A moment after Drew’s head bounced off the mat, Sammy made the cover as JD begun his count. The fans chanted along, even screaming out THREE but JD's hand never touches the mat as Drew kicks out.

Coby Quik:
“Sammy getting himself back into this fight in a big way.”

The crowd starts to come alive as Sammy kept his offense going with elbow across Drew’s knee. Drew was still looking out of it as Sammy pulled him towards the middle of the ring and locked him into a Boston Crab. As Drew screamed out in pain, Faith did her best to encourage him to get to the ropes as Sammy applied more pressure. She looked a bit relieved when he reached the bottom rope a couple moments later.

Parker Wayde:
“Drew saving his chances at the Pride Television Championship.”

Coby Quik:
“But for how long? There was quite a bit of damage done to his legs!”

As Sammy broke the hold, Drew did his best to use the ropes to get to his feet but before he knew it, Drew found himself wrapped up in the Tarantula. JD was quick to start his count, and Sammy released the hold before being disqualified. Drew wobbled but managed to stay upright as he stumbled away from the ropes. When he turned around, he jumped up as Sammy came at him and brought him down against his knees into a double knee facebuster.

Coby Quik:
“BLACK JACK! Where the hell did that come from?!”

Parker Wayde:
“Your guess is as good as mine.”

But the impact on Drew’s leg from the move was too much and it took him some time to drag himself over and make the cover. Once he threw his arm over Sammy, JD began his count but again, Sammy’s shoulder shot up at the last possible moment.

Coby Quik:
“And he still doesn’t get it! Sammy proving he has every bit of the heart he needs to be successful in this business.”

Sammy pulled himself up first. That’s when he noticed Drew was having trouble getting to his feet. Before he could totally get to his balance, Sammy hit Drew’s bad leg with the Sweet Shin Music. Drew crumpled to the mat and went to hold his leg, but Sammy hooks the injured leg in the pin for more leverage. JD dropped down to the mat, and slapped it three times.

Coby Quik:
“He’s done it. Sammy just picked up his first win and a shot at the Pride Television Championship!

As “Sunglasses at Night” by Corey Hart play out, JD raised Sammy’s hand in victory as Heather was heard on the microphone.

Heather Cooper:
“Here is your winner by pinfall...SAAAAAAMMMMMMMYYYYYYY DUUUUUUUUUUUUUKEEEEEE!

As Sammy went about his first victory celebration, Faith climbed in the ring to check on her fallen boyfriend.