PROVING GROUND #8 11/20/20

Shot opens up in the parking lot outside of the Amway Center in beautiful Orlando, Florida. Coming from the distance is the former Project: Honor X-Factor Champion, Colton Saint. He slowly ventures towards the entrance, wearing a white sleeveless hooded sweatshirt and dark red Under Armour shorts. Draped across his shoulder is his gym bag, containing his gear for the match later on tonight. Fans are scattered throughout the exterior of the entrance, shouting things at him. Saint ignores the jeers coming from the crowd as he comes closer to the entrance. Something was in his way, however.

Before he can enter the arena, he is stopped by a line of security. He attempts to go around them, but they move into the way, blocking him from passing them. He gives them a quick glare before moving his hood back, clenching his fists as he is ready to have a go at these rent-a-cops. He mentally counts the six guards, and decides to go ahead and prepare for the fight.

Chairman Rock Johnson emerges from the group of guards and stops right in front of them. He looks directly at Saint who continues to stand, ready to fight.

ROCK JOHNSON: Colton Saint. You’ve got a target on your head bigger than I have ever seen before. What you did to Zane and your actions over the past month have been nothing short of unacceptable. What makes you think it’d be okay for one to take a human being hostage, let alone makes you think that you’d actually get away with it?

Mr. Johnson pauses for a second.

COLTON SAINT: I-

ROCK JOHNSON: IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK! Obviously, there’s going to be repercussions for your actions. That starts on the next Proving Ground show. We’ll get to that in a second. For now, you should know that you’re absolutely lucky that I don’t fire you this second and come down there myself to escort you out. You are still employed by Project: Honor, but you are on absolutely thin ice. Next show, you will have to prove yourself against an opponent or two or three of my choosing. That’s just to warm you up for the finale. Unbreakable Resolution is just a month away and you just so happen to have a match.

A confused look shows up on Colton’s face.

ROCK JOHNSON: I’m sure you know someone very close to Zane that just wants to rip you to pieces right now for what you did. Hell, half the roster wants a shot at you. You just happen to be lucky enough to just get one of them, but one that was affected closely to Zane.

COLTON SAINT: MYOJIN.

ROCK JOHNSON: Look at you, you do have some brain cells up there. MYOJIN and Zane both confronted Callum and I when they reunited and we worked out a solid deal to make things interesting. Unbreakable Resolution will be you versus MYOJIN… in a Last Man Standing Match!

The news of the match at Unbreakable Resolution certainty catches Colton off guard. His guarded position towards Rock Johnson doesn’t seem to waver. He nods slowly with his ice cold glare still on the owner of the company. This war has to come to an end some time.

ROCK JOHNSON: Good, there was no other choice besides your termination. I suggest you get ready, your final stop before the finale will not be an easy task. Any final words?

With a moment of hesitation, Colton charges himself forward to strike Mr. Johnson. He stops dead in his tracks, noticing that Johnson didn’t budge. He leaned his head in towards the side of Johnson, watching the guards with such a glare.

COLTON SAINT: “What makes you think tonight won’t be the last night for all of us?”

Slowly bringing his head back, his glare returns towards Rock Johnson. Seeing that he would be unable to get past them to even enter the arena, Colton adjusts the equipment bag on his shoulder before he slowly turns away from them, walking down the sidewalk before pausing.

COLTON SAINT: “Send one of your errand boys to come get me when you want me to head in there. Truthfully, all the bloodshed, it’s on your hands tonight..”

The walk resumes as he leaves Johnson and his security staff to take in the words of a man who is ready to walk the Green Mile. Colton Saint disappears through the door while Johnson and the guards look on in the direction he was walking.

ROCK JOHNSON: I want eyes on him constantly throughout the night. If you see anything suspicious, you report to me directly. Got it?

The guards all nod in agreement. Rock Johnson has been enjoying the growth of Project: Honor and watching in from his office. This is the first time since opening that he’s been seen anywhere else. He’s got one task besides running such a successful company; prevent Colton Saint from doing any more damage than he’s already done. The camera fades out to a still image of Johnson and the guards staring off into the direction Colton was last seen.



After the logo flashes on the screen, the scene fades into the Amway Center located in Orlando, Florida. Blue and white pyro light up the stage. “Mouth for War” by Pantera starts to play for the SOLD OUT crowd as they are on their feet holding various signs throughout the crowd. The camera pans around to show most of them.

”TAG TEAM MATCH PLAYA”
“WE WANT LAZ TO SPILL BLOOD”
“CONGRATS TO THE NEW CHAMPS”
“ARIK HAS BDE”
“WHAT HAPPENED TO PROJECT: HORROR”

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

TREY BOOKER: Welcome back to the EIGHTH edition of Proving Ground. You know me as Trey Booker alongside my partner-

J.T. PRICE: J.T. Price! We’re just a couple shows removed from the next PPV; Unbreakable Resolution! And tonight starts the Tag Team Tournament!

TREY BOOKER: That’s right! First round of the Tag Team Tournament begins right here tonight and the teams are in the back preparing for the fights of their lives.

J.T. PRICE: TEN matches on the card tonight in what looks to be the most packed show we’ve had since our inauguration. What a way to kick off the show than that standoff we just witnessed!

TREY BOOKER: Yeah… Still not sure how Colton is employed here, but Rock knows what he’s doing.

J.T. PRICE: Let’s hope so….


Backstage we catch Kimberly Chase walking down the hallway. She seems to be in a happy mood, which was strange considering the previous events that happened with her boyfriend, Colton Saint and Zane. As she continues to walk she notices Indy Darling's door to his locker room is open, she bolts over there and peeks in, notices he wasn't present in there, she enters his locker room and surveys it for a bit before something caught her attention. She walks and slowly notices the X-Factor Championship sitting on a chair. Her eyes open big and immediately she runs to quickly pick it up, then cradles it in her arms.

Kimberly Chase: “Maxwell, my baby... mommy missed you too. I can't believe we allowed you to be in this man's possession. I hope one day you will forgive us.”

She runs her hand over Maxwell and starts to sing a lullaby that she claimed helps him stop crying.

Kimberly Chase: “You missed that? I did too. Why don't we get out of here and you can tell mommy what else you missed.”

She removes her leather jacket and covers him with it, then turns around and heads for the door, only to find Indy Darling blocking her path.

Indy Darling: “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Kimberly Chase. What brings you to this neighborhood?”

Kimberly is at a momentary loss for words as she runs potential excuses through her mind. Indy takes a drag from his cigarette, allowing the awkward silence to last a little longer before speaking up again.

Indy Darling: “That’s a really nice jacket, Kim. Xavier and I prefer denim, but I’m sure it looks good on you.”

Indy suddenly reaches out to snag the sleeve of Kim’s jacket, pulling it away just enough to reveal the glimmering metal of the championship belt underneath. She looks down at it and back at him, annoyed by the new name.

Kimberly Chase “Excuse me, but what did you call him?”

Indy smirks as he glances at the title and then back to Kimberly.

Indy Darling: “I called him by his name. Xavier. He told me that he always hated being called Maxwell, so I let him choose a new one. And if I’m being honest, you came at a really bad time. We usually listen to heavy metal and smoke a few cigarettes at this time of the night.”

She grabs the alcohol wipes that was off to the side and started to wipe down the belt, angry at what she just heard

Kimberly Chase: “How dare you expose my child to your toxic ways. He deserves better than that. This is simply unacceptable. Now as I was saying, Maxwell is mine and he is coming home to his rightful owners.”

Indy Darling: “I’m not sure how to break this to you, but your “child” is my property. Despite what they say, possession isn’t really 9/10ths of the law. Besides, he deserves to be with someone who respects his opinions and treats him like an adult.”

Indy reaches out to grab the end of Maxwell/Xavier’s leather strap and gives it a forceful tug. Kimberly grabs the other half and the two have a bit of a tug of war with it, not letting go on either side. Eventually, Indy Darling tugs on it much harder, which causes Kimberly to tumble backwards and fall on the ground. While on the ground she yells and pulls out her hair. Indy watches her tantrum for a moment with an expression of curiosity.

Indy Darling: Wow...and to think I was worried that I drove Colton over the edge…

Indy takes one last look at Kimberly and shakes his head before sliding the championship over his shoulder and making his exit.



HOLLY PEREZ: Ladies and gentleman, the next match is scheduled for ONE FALL!!! Introducing first…from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at two-hundred and fifteen pounds...THE DAREDEVIL...DANIEL...HOOOOOORRRROOOOOORRRRR!!!

Fans pop.

The light dims and changes into the red light
I got two letters from you
Last words of the runaway
Your love was written so true
And now I can't speak your name
I faced destruction and you
just killed me and walked away

The smoke is filled the floor

I gave my heart to the cruel
Now it will not beat again

The light turns back into the bright white as Daniel Horror comes out from the entrance area.

I hope you do
I hope you suffer
I hope you do
I hope you suffer
I hope you do
I hope you suffer
I hope you do
Just like I suffered

The light turns into the normal light as Horror walks into the ring and waits for his opponent and a match.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his opponent...from Houston, Texas...weighing in at one-hundred and eighty-five pounds, ASTRO-HERO...GALAXY GURU...ACE...SKKYYYYYYYY!!!!

The Instrumental 2001 Space Odyssey intro begins as a rocket rises from either the bottom of the center of the stage or drops from the bottom of the titantron to the stage and the song changes to Warrior Man by Dr. Dog as the pod door opens Ace Sky walks out in an aviator jacket and his usual in ring attire, he salutes a peace sign and jogs down the aisle way high-fiving as many fans as possible on both sides then he dashes forward leaps upon the apron and flings himself in with a front flip followed by a series of three front handsprings and a rolling savate kick/center

DINGDINGDING!

Before Ace can even get his bearings back from his acrobatic display, Daniel Horror scoops him up.  He walks over and places him upside-down in the corner.  Horror quickly runs over to the other corner...turns...running start...DROPKICK INTO THE FACE OF ACE SKY!!!  Ace is just dangling there...looking like he is already out of it.  Daniel back up to his feet.  He pulls Sky up and grabs him around the neck...HORROR DDT!!!  

J.T. PRICE: DANIEL HORROR JUST HIT THE HORROR DDT WHILE ACE WAS HOOKED ONTO THE ROPES!!!  HORROR WITH THE QUICK COVER!

OOOOOONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!!

And Ace with the kickout!  Daniel seems to be still harvesting some of that anger from his match a few weeks ago, when he was fed to an already pissed off MYOJIN.

Horror grabs Ace by the neck and pulls him to hi-ACE WITH A HEADBUTT TO HORROR’S CHEST!  Horror stumbles back from the surprise attack...Ace charges forward...CLOTHESLINE INTO THE CHEST OF HORROR...BUT HORROR JUST STUMBLES INTO THE ROPES!  Ace runs back to the opposite end of the ring, bounces off the ropes...comes flying back...he goes for another clothesline…HORROR DUCKS AND THROWS ACE OVER THE ROPES WITH A BACK BODY DROP!!!  BUT ACE LANDS ON THE APRON!  He uses the ropes to slingshot himself up onto Horror’s shoulders...HURRICANRANA AND BOTH MEN FALL TO THE OUTSIDE MATS!!!  Ace is the first one up and he looks at Horror, who has just rolled onto his side.

J.T. PRICE: Daniel looks hurt!

And if Ace is smart, he will take advantage of it.

Ace quickly up onto the announcer’s table...he looks down at Horror then turns around...MOONSAULT!!!  

NO!!!  HE MOVED!!!!

Horror jumps to his feet with Ace in the air and grabs him!  Horror positions Ace...runs...AND SMASHES ACE FACE-FIRST INTO THE RING POST!!!  Daniel is still holding Ace over his shoulder.  He takes a few steps back...stops...CHARGES THE POST AGAIN...BUT ACE WRIGGLES FREE AND LANDS ON HIS FEET!  Horror stops short of the edge of the ring and turns around…

J.T. PRICE: ACE CHARGES HORROR…

Ace jumps onto the edge of the announcers table and uses it to push off towards Daniel Horror...SHINING WIZARD!!!  Horror stumbles back up against the barricade.  He looks seconds away from collapsing to the ground!  Ace back to his feet...runs about ten feet away...AND HE COMES CHARGING BACK...SPEAR INTO THE BARRICADE!  BUT IT DID NOT BREAK!!!

They must have put extra support in these things.  That was a HARD hit!

Ace up to his feet and he is eyeing up Horror here, but he makes a b-line for the ring, sliding in under the ropes.

REF: ONE!
TWO!!

Horror is slowly getting up...and stumbling towards the ring.

THREE!!!
FOUR!!!!
FIVE!!!!!

Horror manages to hop up onto the apron and step in the ring through the middle ropes.

J.T. PRICE: Ace better do something soon.  It may be early, but he has Horror a little out of it...and that may be his ticket to getting his first Project: Honor victory!

Ace comes charging at Horror...CLOTHESLINE!  BUT HORROR STANDS STRONG AND BARELY BUDGES!  Ace looks at him in amazement.  Ace goes running and bounces off the opposite ropes...he comes back...WITH ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE!  BUT DANIEL DOESN’T MOVE!!!  Instead he looks like he is getting pissed!  Ace goes running again, bouncing off the ropes...CLAYMORE KICK!!!  NO!  HORRR DUCKED UNDERNEATH IT!!!  Daniel turns and grabs Ace around the waist, specifically grabbing onto a wrist.  He spins Ace around…

HORROR PEACEMAKER!!!  

Horror drops for the cover!

OOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEE!

J.T. PRICE: Wait...the ref is up to his feet telling Horror to get up!  Ace’s foot is on the ropes!

Horror is not happy.  He is up to his feet and is in the ref’s face.

Horror turns around and Ace is up to his feet.  Horror walks over and comes down with a right...but Ace blocked it!  Horror tries again...blocked again!  Horror this time with a left...BUT IS BLOCKED AGAIN!  Ace pulls back...HUGE UPPERCUT AND IT SENDS DANIEL STUMBLING BACK!  Ace reaches forward and grabs Horror...irish whip into the ropes.  Horror bounces off them and comes flying back...Ace drops to the mat and Horror hops over him.  Ace back to his feet as Horror bounces off of the other ropes and comes back towards the middle of the ring.  Sky jumps into the air...onto Horror...HELIUM HOP!!!  ACE ROLLS ONTO DANIEL FOR THE PIN!

OOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

J.T. PRICE: NO!  DANIEL KICKS OUT AT THE LAST SECOND!  

Ace wastes no time though, jumping to his feet and climbing up the nearest turnbuckle...he stands at the top….GALAXY LEAP!!!

HORROR MOVES!!!  DANIEL HORROR MOVES!!!  ACE COME CRASHING DOWN ONTO NOTHING!!!  

Horror up to his feet as Ace is grabbing his abdomen, rolling around on the mat.  Horror walks over to Ace...and places a HUGE boot to his ribs...then another...THEN ANOTHER!!!  Horror grabs Ace and pulls him to his feet...KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION and Ace tries to double over but Horror pulls him back up straight...HEADBUTT TO THE CHEST FROM Horror AND ACE STUMBLES BACK AGAINST THE ROPES!!!  Horror walks over to Ace...AND WRAPS HIS ARMS UP IN THE ROPES!!!  The ref is over there talking to Horror, reprimanding him.  Horror pulls back...HUGE CHOP TO THE CHEST OF ACE SKY!!!  Horror pulls back...AND ANOTHER HUGE CHOP!!!

J.T. PRICE: The ref just jumped in between Horror and Ace, yelling at him about tying Ace up in the ropes.

Horror is shaking his head as the ref is laying into him.  Horror...HAS HAD ENOUGH!  HE PUSHES PAST THE REF AND CHARGES ACE...BUT ACE DUCKS!!!

Horror turns around...AND ACE ROCKS HIM WITH A HUGE FOREARM TO THE FACE!  Horror stumbles back and Ace grabs him by the arm...whipping him...NO!  REVERSAL!  Ace bounces off the ropes...AND JUMPS OVER A CHARGING DANIEL HORROR!!!  Ace lands on his feet as Horror turns around...SUPERKICK!  NO!  DANIEL DUCKS UNDER THE KICK AND GRABS ACE’S OUT-STRETCHED LEG!!!  Horror throws Ace’s leg down, spinning him...BUT ACE COUNTER’S IT COMING BACK WITH A SPINNING ELBOW STRIKE TO THE TEMPLE OF HORROR!!!  The Chicago native takes a step back, looking a little dazed. Ace steps forward and lands a HUGE right into the gut of Horror...then a left...then a right...THEN JUST A BARRAGE OF ABDOMEN STRIKES!!!  Ace takes a step back...AND HORROR CHARGES HIM, TRYING TO GRAB HIM BUT ACE DROPS DOWN AND PULLS DOWN THE ROPES!  DANIEL GOES FLYING TO THE OUTSIDE!!!

The Fans pop loudly.

Horror gets up and slides into the ring as Ace turns and both he and Horror are staring each other down.  Ace charges at Horror...Horror reaches out to grab him, but Ace slides down between Horror’s legs.  Ace quickly jumps and grabs Horror by the neck...BACKSTABBER!!!  Horror rolls onto his stomach grabbing at his back.  Ace flips up onto his feet.  Ace reaches down and pulls Horror up to his feet.  He scoops Horror up and puts him up on the top turnbuckle.

J.T. PRICE:: What does this man have planned?

Ace climbs up to the top turnbuckle , grabbing Horror around the neck.  He’s going for a su-NO!  HORROR GRABS THE ROPES!  Ace tries again...but Horror denies him.  HEADBUT TO THE CHEST OF Ace Sky!  Ace lets go completely of Horror.  Horror with an elbow to Ace’s ribcage...and Horror stands to his own feet.  Both men are standing on top of the turnbuckle.  Horror hits right hook into Ace’s ribcage, doubling him over...AND HORROR GRABS HIM FOR A…

J.T. PRICE: Wait...he’s aiming that DDT to the outside…

Oh this is going to be interesting.

J.T. PRICE: Don’t do it Horror, you’ll kill the guy if you hit that to the outside.

He positions Ace...DDT TO THE OUTSIDE FROM THE TOP OF THE TURN-

He’s going to kill Ace!

J.T. PRICE: OH MY GOD, NO!!!  Ace JUST MUSTERED ALL HIS STRENGTH AND BACK BODY DROPPED HORROR TO THE INSIDE OF THE RING!!!

Horror crashed down HARD!!!  Ace Sky turns around...GALAXY LEAP!!!

DANIEL HORROR JUST EXPLODED OFF OF THE MAT AND CAUGHT ACE SKY IN MID-AIR WITH THE CHICAGO DESTROYER!!!  ACE IS LIFELESS IN THE RING!!! Daniel Horror goes for the cover!

OOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOO!!!
THHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The fans jump to their feet and give both men a huge ovation.

HOLLY PEREZ: And your winner...DANIEL...HOOOOORRRROOOOORRRR!!!

‘I Hope You Suffer’ by AFI fills the Amway Center.  With the assistance of the ref, Daniel Horror raises his hands into the air.


We cut to backstage, where we see Alara Adams standing outside of a door that is labeled ‘HOLT’, by what looks like tape from a label-maker. She turns and looks at her cameraman, who has his camera up and pointed at her. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a green ‘Dickie Watson’ t-shirt, Alara looks into the camera and fixes her hair, using the reflection.

ALARA ADAMS: I’m happy that Project: Honor has given me this opportunity after my showing on The Edge. I hear Crystal Ward was creeped out by Arik last time. I’m not sure why though. Honestly, the man seems like a nice guy.

Alara smiles as she pulls away from her own reflection, then turns and knocks on the door. After a moment or two, the door opens and Alara can see the inside of the room. The room is just an emptied out broom closet, with cot up against the wall. Arik Holt is on the cot, holding a top hat. He notices Alara and waives, standing to his feet. He is wearing a pair of black fabric pants and an orange t-shirt that reads ‘Lulu’s Onlyfans Subscriber’.

ALARA ADAMS: Hello, Arik. This place...is...so small.

Arik shrugs. He motions for them to exit the room.

ALARA ADAMS: I guess we can do that.

Alara and the cameraman turn away from Arik, the view pointing to outside the room...where Arik is already standing.

ALARA ADAMS: Wait...what?

Alara and the cameraman turn to look behind them and obviously Arik is no longer sitting on the cot. But Alara and the cameraman turn and exit the room, where Arik is still standing, with the top hat on his head.

ALARA ADAMS: So...how did you do that?

Arik smiles, lifts his hands, and makes the motion of a rainbow...then quickly covers his mouth with his right hand.

VOICE OVER: Magic!

Alara jumps a little and starts looking around, trying to find the source of the voice.

ALARA ADAMS: What the hell was that?

With the camera still pointed at him, Arik places the tophat on his head and runs his right index finger along the brim.

ALARA ADAMS: So...Arik…

Alara finally stops looking around and looks back at Arik.

ALARA ADAMS: Are you ready for your first match?

Arik shakes his head ‘yes’.

ALARA ADAMS: Any plans for your match?

Arik makes a face like he is thinking for a moment, then quickly reaches into his pocket and pulls out a sharpie. He writes on his hand, then shows it to Alara. It says ‘Win’.

ALARA ADAMS: But your opponents have so much more experience than you.

Arik’s smile fades away. He recaps the sharpie and shoves it back into his pocket, before pointing at the wall behind Alara. Alara and the cameraman turn and see the wall behind them is covered in the word ‘Win’.

ALARA ADAMS: But…

Alara and the cameraman turn back around to see Arik is gone, but the word ‘Win’ is written all over the wall in front of them now, too.

ALARA ADAMS: Okay...yeah. I see what Crystal was talking about.



HOLLY PEREZ: Ladies and gentlemen...the following match is scheduled for one fall and is a FATAL FOUR WAY MATCH!!!

Fans pop.

HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing first, from Minneapolis, Minnesota...weighing in at two-hundred-and-three pounds...THE STAR….THE CENTER OF ATTENTION...NAT...WAAAALLLLLKKEERRRRR!!!

All the lights in the arena go out. On the titantron appear the words 'SPOTLIGHT ON ME' as 20 Min begins blaring through the sound system.

A single spotlight hits the stage, in the center stands Nat Walker, arms to his side, shit eating grin on his face. He gestures to the camera to come closer, as it does he grabs it and stares into it, shouting "The Show Starts Now Baby" before shoving the camera away and sauntering down the ramp.

After he jumps into the ring, he sits in the center and soaks up the jeers from the crowd, then making his way to the corner to await his opponent.

Suddenly the lights in the arena fade to black at which point several cellphone lights key on until there is almost an ocean of the little lights as a hauntingly-eerie piece of instrumental music begins to play for a few seconds before a voice can be heard faintly mixed in with the music.

[Voice]:
Look at what you've created...
...I am the eater of worlds...
Someone...to feed me...
...*Feed* me...

A pair of figures then appear on the entrance way in the form of the "Rated R Reaper" himself, Alex Slayer, and his own "Devil's Advocate" Devon Slayton. Slayer is dressed in his usual ring gear as he stops at the middle of the entrance way and slowly extends his arms out to his sides as he tilts his head back as Everyone loves a Villain's "Eater of Worlds" continues to play as the crowds let out a good measure of boos and cheers.

[Song]:
Please don't indulge me
I am sick and I'm empty
Guided by the voices in my head
My Head

Twisted by words that cut deep in my skin
Creating this monster
Consumed by the end
Oh no!
What have I become

Alex then lowers his arms as he looks over at Devon before the two men start to make their way down to the ring, Alex shakes out his arms as he goes and when they get to the ringside area, he quickly gets into the ring and is up on one knee, slowly taking a good look around "his" ring before he moves to his feet as Devon enters the ring as well.

[Pre-Chorus]
All along
I played along
To hide the beast within

[Chorus]
Look at what you've created
A creature so cruel and defeated
I am the eater of worlds
And I'm looking for someone to feed me
To feed me

HOLLY PEREZ: Being escorted to the ring by the "Devil's Advocate" himself, Devon Slayton. He weighs in tonight at two hundred and twenty five pounds and hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada...he is the "Gawd Damned Man" himself, the "Rated R Reaper" that is AALLEEXX SLAYER!!!

Alex then quickly climbs the nearest turnbuckle and once more does his signature pose for a few seconds before he undoes the front of his ring jacket as he hops down to the ring and starts to prepare for his match, talking strategy with Devon as he smiles that darkly confident smile.

HOLLY PEREZ: And coming to us from St. Paul, Minnesota...weighing in at one-hundred-and ninety-two pounds...ARIK...HOOOOOLLLLTTTT!!!

The lights in the arena go out as the sounds of music playing in reverse echoes through the place.  It is the beginning of 'The Greatest Show' by Panic! At The Disco.

#Wooo-OOO-Oo-oo-OOAH!!!
Ladies and Gents, this is the moment you've waited for.

A lone spotlight shines down onto the entrance.

#Wooo-OOO-Oo-oo-OOAH!!!
You've been searchin' in the dark, your sweat soakin' through the floor.

Multiple other smaller spotlights pop on and begin to quickly search through the arena's crowd.

#Wooo-OOO-Oo-oo-OOAH!!!
And buried in your bones, there's an ache that you can't ignore.

All the spotlights move and meet up with the original spotlight, pointing at the entrance way.

#Takin your breath, stealin' your mind.
And all that was real is left behind.

The music hits as Arik Holt steps out of the back, a smile on his face.  He is wearing a pair of black wrestling tights and a plain blue t-shirt.

#Don't fight it, it's comin' for you, runnin' at you.
It's only this moment, don't care what comes after.

He begins his descent down the entrance ramp, looking out onto the cheering crowd, the spotlight following him.

#Your fever dream, can't you see gettin' closer?
Just surrender 'cause you feel the feelin' takin' over.

Arik slides into the ring under the bottom rope and pops up to his feet, making a b-line for the closest turnbuckle.

#It's fire, It's freedom, It's floodin' open.
It's the preacher in the pulpit and your blind devotion.

Still with the smile on his face, he climbs up onto the turnbuckle and looks out onto the crowd...pointing and waving to them.

#There's somethin' breakin' at the brick of every wall
That's holdin' all that you know,
So tell me do you wanna go?

Arik lifts his arms into the air as the spotlights all break apart again, roaming around the crowd and changing colors as they go.

#Where it's covered in all the colored lights,
Where the runaways are runnin' the night.

He hops down off the turnbuckle and runs to the opposite side of the ring, climbing up onto that turnbuckle and pointing to the crowd on that side of the ring.

#Impossible comes true, it's takin' over you...

Arik raises his arms again.

#Oh, this is the Greatest Show!

His music slowly begins to fade out as he climbs off of the turnbuckle and begins to stretch his arms, getting ready for the match.  The lights come back on as the spotlights slowly trail off.

HOLLY PEREZ: And finally...hailing from The City of Champions, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...weighing in at two-hundred-and-five pounds...COLBY...SOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL!!!

‘A History of Bad Men’ by The Melvins plays the Center as Colby Sol steps out of the back to a loud pop.  Quickly and with great focus, he runs down to the ring and slides in...instantly throwing punches at the closest opponent, who just happens to be Nat Walker.

DING! DING! DING!

Colby Sol continues to beat Nat Walker into a corner as Arik Holt stands slightly away, a worried look on his face.  Suddenly Alex Slayer comes up behind him and grabs him, spinning him around.  Alex Slayer slaps Arik across the face, which Arik just responds with a look of horror.  Slayer grabs Holt and WHIPS him towards the ropes.  Arik bounces off the ropes and comes flying back.  Alex bends down...BACKBODY DROP!!!

J.T. PRICE: ARIK HOLT JUST WENT FLYING OVER THE ROPES!!!  HOLY SHIT, I SWEAR HE ALMOST TOUCHED THE LIGHTS!!!

CRASH!!!

Arik Holt lands HARD on the outside mat!  Arik is grabbing his back...but...did he...did he just crawl under the ring?

J.T. PRICE: I think so.  I don’t see him anymore.

Meanwhile in the ring, Alex Slayer turns his attention to the beat down on Nat Walker.  Alex runs over and pulls Colby off of Walker in the corner and ROCKS Sol right a right hook.  Colby stumbles back as Alex grabs Nat, pulling him out of the corner.  He turns Nat around and pushes him towards Colby, as he runs towards the ropes.  Sol grabs the stumbling Walker and tosses him aside…

YAMATO OMEGA!!!  ALEX SLAYER JUST CAUGHT A DISTRACTED COLBY SOL WITH THAT HANDSPRING CUTTER!!!  ALEX SLAYER DROPS ONTO COLBY FOR THE PIN!!!

ONE!
TWO!!

At the last second Nat Walker drops an elbow onto Alex Slayer, stopping the count.  Walker stands to his feet and pulls Alex Slayer up.  He whips Alex Slayer towards the ropes and charges after him.  Alex bounces off the ropes and comes flying back to Nat Walker WITH THE JUMPING CLOTHESLINE!!!  BUT ALEX SLAYER SLIDES DOWN UNDERNEATH IT!!!  Nat Walker lands hard, but is quickly back to his feet and turns around.  BIG BOOT BY COLBY SOL!!!  WALKER CRUMPLES BACKWARDS, FALLING THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!

Nat Walker looks injured out there.

The ring apron lifts and we see Arik Holt peer out from the shadows.  The apron quickly drops down.

J.T. PRICE: Do you think he realises he bit off more than he can chew?

Possib-WOAH!!!

Suddenly Trey and J.T. jump from their seats as Arik Holt comes out from under their announcer’s table.

Wait...how the hell…

J.T. PRICE: How did you get from there to here?  We just saw you under the ring!

Arik shrugs his shoulders, grabbing a folding chair from behind them and places it at the announcer’s table.  He sits down in between where J.T. and Trey sit and begins watching Colby and Alex in the ring.

Ooooooo-kay…

Alex Slayer and Colby Sol stand in the middle of the ring, circling each other.  They quickly lock up, but Alex swings around Colby and gets his arms around his waist.  With a cry out, Alex lifts Colby into the air and slams him down with a HUGE german suplex.  Alex continues to hold onto Colb as they both rollover and get back to their feet.  Alex plants his feet and goes to hit Colby with ANOTHER German Suplex, but Colby steps back, locking his leg between Alex’s legs.  Colby attempts to grab Alex around the neck, but Alex realizing the issue...pushes Colby away.   Colby goes flying and bounces off the ropes.  Colby comes flying back and Alex LEAP FROGS OVER HIM!!!  Colby bounces off the opposite ropes and Alex drops down to the mat.  Colby dives over the grounded Slayer.  But Colby stops dead in his tracks.  Alex Slayer is up, turns around...MASSIVE BOOT TO THE HEAD AND ALEX SLAYER STUMBLES FACE FORWARD INTO A CORNER!!!  Colby runs over and grabs him around the waist...HUGE RELEASING GERMAN SUPLEX AND ALEX IS LAYING CRUMPLED ON THE MAT!

J.T. PRICE: Uh-oh…

Colby is up to his feet and is looking over at the announcer’s table.

Arik...I think he sees you.

Arik’s eyes widen as he points at his chest and mouths the word ‘me?’.  Colby points at him, then points at the floor of the ring.

J.T. PRICE: I think he is calling you out.

Arik slides down off his seat and goes under the announcer’s table again.

Wait...what are you do-

Trey and J.T. move to the side and look under the table.

Where the hell did he go?

Colby stands in the middle of the ring as from the opposite side, we see Arik pop out from under the ring skirt and then climb up onto the ring apron.  He slowly slides into the ring, unseen by Colby Sol.  Colby Sol turns around…

J.T. PRICE: ARIK HOLT WITH SPEAK NO EVIL!!!

WHAT A SPINNING CORKSCREW ROUNDHOUSE KICK!!!

Arik goes to cover Colby, but a sudden resurgent Nat Walker reaches into the ring and grabs him by the leg...pulling him out of the ring.  Nat Walker takes a swing at Arik, but Arik drops to the ground.  Arik quickly begins to climb under the ring, but Nat grabs his legs and begins to try to pull him out.

Meanwhile in the ring...Alex Slayer is up to his knees and sees the fallen Colby Sol.  He crawls over and drapes hooks Sol’s leg.

ONE!
TWO!!

KICKOUT!!!

Nat Walker, seeing what is going on...lets go of Arik and quickly slides into the ring.

J.T. PRICE: Turn around Alex...TURN AROUND!!!

Nat Walker gets to his feet and sees Alex Slayer just getting to his knees.  Nat Walker lunges forward to grab Alex Slayer, but Slayer moves and wraps around Walker...forcing him belly first to the mat.  Alex climbs onto Nat’s back AND HOOKS IN A CAMEL CLUTCH!!!

The ref is down in Nat’s face, asking if he is okay…

J.T. PRICE: Is...he...going...to…

DING! DING! DING!

THE REF CALLED IT!  NAT WALKER GAVE UP!!!

Alex Slayer lets go of Nat Walker and stands to his feet.

HOLLY PEREZ: AND YOUR WINNER...ALEX...SLLLLLLLAAAAYYYYYERRRR!!!

Devon Slayton slides into the ring and pushes the ref away, raising Alex’s hand into the air himself.


The scene opens to the sight of J.T. Price and Trey Booker, sitting at the commentary table.

J.T. PRICE: There you have it folks! That’s how we do it in Project Honor, we start the night off with an absolute barn burner! That’s what you get only when you step into the Proving Ground, men willing to tear one another apart to put a W in the column on the left.

TREY BOOKER: That’s absolutely right. Congratulations to Alex Slayer, and I know he’s definitely inching towards putting the Warrior Rising division on notice. Hold on JT… I’m getting word from out backstage staff that there’s something going on backstage? Can we get a feed? It’s…

Trey taps his ear piece.

TREY BOOKER: To the parking lot?

Per the camera transitioning to backstage, where the Project Honor staff and officials are in a small huddle, surrounding the svelte, pissed off figure that is MYOJIN, who is standing at the entrance way to the arena. With hands up, they keep their distance yet stand in front of the entrance without budging much, to MYOJIN’s dismay.

MYOJIN:Ah, Project Honor manages to find the pennies here and there to find the spare change to hire more officials this week, of all weeks in the lord’s year 2020. I think that’s absolutely splendid! May the years taken off my life from Bloodbath go to good use, after all! Still, I’ve gotta wonder, where were these dollars when Zane got taken, no?

One of the officials break from the crowd to meet MYOJIN face to face, after the Shining Star tries to step into the mass of officials and daring anyone to touch him.

REFEREE: You can come into the building. We just need you to agree to leave the past in the past. I can’t speak for mistakes made in the past, but we need to know that you aren’t planning on making any big, big mistakes tonight. He isn’t worth it, MYOJIN.

MYOJIN: There’s not a single mistake I’m planning on making tonight.

With one flap of the cape, MYOJIN withdraws a kendo stick, twirls it at his side, and waves it in the visage of each official, who stand break from their defensive formation at the entrance and part like the red sea. With a sigh, MYOJIN speaks up.

MYOJIN: He was here. I appreciate you all doing your responsibilities, but I’ve got my own responsibilities. You all are here to make sure there’s peace in the ring, but that once you step out of the ropes there’s no officials, there’s no disqualification, there’s no five counts, there’s no rope breaks and there certainly aren’t any officiating you lot can do that’ll make a message clear. There’s only what you can do, and what others let you get away with. None of you are responsible for what happened to Zane because it didn’t happen during a match where you could do a thing.

With that being said, there’s no weakness in his grip around the kendo stick.

MYOJIN: Now it’s my turn.

With a nod to the officials surrounding him, MYOJIN breaks through the crowd, grabs both doors, pulls them open, and steps into the arena.

Crystal Ward is being followed by a camera crewman as she makes her way backstage. She brushes past the production crew and stagehands at a brisk pace until she finds the man she’s looking for. Marching towards the gorilla position with a stern expression is none other than Project Honor’s newest signee, Dagvald Riddik. Crystal matches his pace and attempts to get a word in. For the most part Dag tries to ignore her.

CRYSTAL WARD: Mr. Riddik, on Project Honor’s website, a promotional package was aired to promote your upcoming debut with the company which takes place in just a few moments. It left a lot of people buzzing with its Viking theatrics and the extremely confident monologue you gave. The audience wants to know, do you really believe in Norse Mythology or is it all part of trying to gain the mental edge of intimidation over your opponent?

Despite the innocence of the question, Dagvald takes this as extremely disrespectful. It is enough to stop him dead in his tracks, and he turns toward the young woman angrily.

Dagvald: How dare you doubt my very way of life? How dare you question my authenticity and devotion to the ways of my forebears? The people of Europe have forgotten where they came from, abandoned their roots and propped up degeneracy and gluttony in its wake. The very way you refer to the sagas as ‘mythology’ is a crime against your ancestors and a resignation to the dictions of the desert cult. Just because you cannot prove the existence of Vällhöll doesn’t mean it does not exist. I can, I have been there, and I shall continue living in accordance with such enlightening knowledge. I may be the outlier for following the wisdom of the Æsir, but with every passing day I grow closer to achieving my destiny. Once the prophecy finally comes to fruition, you will all have a choice to make. Embrace your heritage, or perish in the fires of purification.

With that, Dagvald abruptly turns and stomps away. However, Crystal has one more question passed down from the marketing team to try and pry out of the Norwegian. She follows closely behind him.

CRYSTAL WARD: Well I apologize for sounding disrespectful, it wasn’t my intention. But if I may I just have one more question for you. Lil Petey, your first wrestling opponent in years, has five matches worth of experience here in PH. Although he has one of the least successful records with the company, he has shown improvement every time he steps through the curtains. Do you think his consistent training give him any advantage tonight? Do you have anything to say to your opponent before your match gets underway?

Again, Dag stops, and steeples his hands over the bridge of his nose in frustration.

DAGVALD: You are, if nothing else, a persistent young woman, you know that? I have no choice but to forgive you, as you have no means of conceiving the force you are dealing with. I am like nobody and nothing else in this company, or this entire competition. I am Dagvald Riddik, a pure warrior in every sense of the word. I embody the ways of my barbarous ancestors and carry on their traditions in everything I do. Most certainly in combat. Young Peter is looking to make his big break in this sport. He’s looking to save himself the embarrassment of failure week in and week out. He needs a victory not only for his standing in the company, but for his mental fortitude. How many times can man face failure and still struggle onward? How many times can he face the same result time after time before accepting his undeniable insanity?

Dag starts to get heated as he thinks about the thrill of laying out yet another opponent and resuming the unbridled warpath he unleashed in another company not so long ago. He faces the camera and points angrily.

DAGVALD: Peter, you should have given up long ago. Every week you) been ugterly stomped on, yet your crew of cronies and hype beasts egg you on to face further and further humiliation. Now, I have to be the one who finally breaks you, and I will show zero hesitation while doing it. That being said, I do not expect this to be the easiest match of my career. You will be like a cornered animal, and I expect you to fight until your last breath to save yourself from annihilation at all costs. You will be trying to salvage the dying remnants of your career with just one more win, one more moment to shine and put off your inevitable death by just a few more shows.

Dagvald inhales a deep, low, growl of a breath. He continues to speak at a baritone and vicious tone.

DAGVALD: It shall not be me. You will not prop up your rotting corpse on the pedestal of my glorious name. I will not be your stepping stone, Pearson. It shall not be me. By the will, wisdom and glory of Óðinn, it. Shall. Not. Be. Me.

Dag shoves past the cameraman, throwing him completely off balance and almost causing him to drop the camera. When he regains his composure, Dag is already round the corner and out of sight.



We come back to ringside as Lil Petey stands nervously in the ring from his big Drippy Drip entrance that apparently isn’t an STD or STI.

TREY BOOKER: He looks nervous.

J.T. PRICE: Yeah wouldn’t you? Daggy boy is interesting. I mean you read this guy's bio? Apparently, he hallucinates!

As the slashing sound of cymbals slices their way through the arena, they herald the piercing eruption of thunder that strikes the stage, causing the lights to flicker for a brief moment. When all is clear and the guitars of pagan anthem In Horror by Bloodhorse begin throbbing throughout the venue, one man stands at the epicenter of the physical embodiment of a god’s wrath. Cloaked from head to toe in traditional Viking battle armor, wielding a bloody battle-ax and self-forged iron shield, he stares imposingly straight at the ring as the music picks up.

HOLLY PEREZ: Making his way to the ring weighing in at 235 pounds and six foot two inches tall hailing from Flam, Norway he is Loki’s, Prodigal Son.... DAGVALD RIDDICK!!!!

On the big screen, the lyrics to the song are superimposed in fractured fonts over paintings and scribes of Viking victories in the days of glory. The invasion of England…

I AM OF THE EARTH.
The discovery of Vinland…

AND I FEEL THE SKY.
Raids deep into modern-day Russia…

ONCE ACCEPTED YOUR GODS.
Clashes with the crusading Catholics from Saxony…

AND I DON’T KNOW WHY.

Dagvald marches in lockstep, shield, and battle-ax held ready to eviscerate all who would stand before him. Now, computer-animated worlds of destruction showing the fate which awaits all civilization are flashing on the HonorTron. The fallen steel skeleton of the Eiffel Tower…

MAN NOT MOUNTAIN WILL FALL.
The overgrown carcass of 10 Downing Street…

THIS DARKNESS FEEDS THE LIGHT.
The burning ruins of the Reichstag…

IT DON’T MATTER AT ALL. The crater where the White House once stood…
IF I LIVE OR DIE.

Dagvald reaches the ring and walks up the steel steps, climbs up the turnbuckles, and perches upon the top rope. He poses as he hoists his axe high in the air, a shield before his chest, and stands tall over the inferior peasantry of the audience. A massive Norse Eagle banner unfurls with a bang over the center of the ring. Dagvald hops down and poses again in front of it. The final lyrics to the song thunder through the arena as flames erupt from every ring post.

IT DON’T MATTER AT ALL, IF I LIVE OR DIE.

DING DING DING!

Both Riddick and Drippy Drip Drip circle the ring, looking at each other intensely. Riddick, the veteran, doesn’t bother moving in for the attack, opting to see what Drippy Drip Drip does. Lil Petey, however, surprises Riddick by taking it slow as well. Finally, they lock up, and Lil Petey gets the advantage with a headlock. Riddick pushes him, trying to free himself, but Lil Petey actually keeps the hold. Riddick changes tactics and instead throws Lil Petey up for a back body drop, but Lil Petey uses the momentum and flips to land on his feet. Riddick turns, and looks shocked that Lil Petey is standing there, none the worse for wear.

TREY BOOKER: Riddick wasn’t expecting offense. I wasn’t either!

J.T. PRICE: Lil Petey has a lot to prove!

TREY BOOKER: What about him not having an STI?

A nod of respect to each other and they lock up again. Although Lil Petey notices something flashed in his eyes almost like Dagvald was seeing something nothing there. This time Riddick twists Lil Petey’s arm behind him and wrenches. Lil Petey reverses and returns the favor. Riddick slaps his own shoulder, getting the feeling back, and again reverses, this time hitting a sharp elbow to Lil Petey’s head for good measure. Lil Petey stumbles forward and Riddick races back, bounces off the ropes, and goes for a clothesline, but Lil Petey answers with a drop toe hold, floating over into a face lock.

TREY BOOKER: Fast moves by Lil Petey.

J.T. PRICE: Now he just has to follow it up!

Lil Petey wrenches back, putting torque on Riddick’ back! After nearly a full minute, and Riddick still not giving in, Lil Petey changes position, pulling Riddick up. He goes for his own back body drop, sending Riddick to the canvas with a hard crash, and he covers.

ONE!
Kickout!

TREY BOOKER: Too early to go for a pin, but Lil Petey does come off with the first attempt.

J.T. PRICE: I bet Riddick is re-thinking his game plan now!

Lil Petey bounces off the ropes, but Riddick speeds to his feet and answers with a standing dropkick, and Lil Petey is sent backward, getting somewhat tangled in the ropes. Riddick moves in, pulls him out, and hits a belly-to-belly suplex, sending Lil Petey to the canvas, and covers.

ONE!
TWO!

Kickout!

TREY BOOKER: Trying to make quick work of our excellent sound and music man!

J.T. PRICE: Men out of touch with reality are dangerous!

Riddick shakes his head, grabs Lil Petey, and brings him to his feet. He whips Lil Petey to the ropes, but on the return, Lil Petey ducks a clothesline from Riddick, bounces off the other side and connects with a body splash, and turns it into a pin!

ONE!
TWO!
Kickout!

TREY BOOKER: Close!

J.T. PRICE: I bet Riddick didn’t expect that one!

Lil Petey then whips Riddick again to the ropes, and comes from the other end and flips up behind and brings Riddick down with a body scissors into another pin attempt!

ONE!
TWO!

Kickout!

TREY BOOKER: Lil Petey’s showing some real skill!

J.T. PRICE: He may overcome the odds yet!

At this point, both men realize the other isn’t a pushover and they begin elevating their attacks to more vicious, power moves. Riddick holds the advantage a good three minutes before Lil Petey turns it around and takes control for nearly the same amount of time. Finally, Lil Petey senses a chance and connects with a spear to Riddick!

TREY BOOKER: SPEAR!!

J.T. PRICE: OUCH!!

With Riddick down, Lil Petey scrambles to the top rope and flies through the air, flashbulbs going off giving his air-time a strobe-like stop in time feel, before he connects with a top rope elbow drop!!

ONE!
TWO!
Shoulder up!

TREY BOOKER: SO CLOSE SO CLOSE!!

J.T. PRICE: We gotta see that in instant replay!

As the viewers at home are treated to a double screen, one with the replay and the other the live feed, Lil Petey looks frustrated, and grabs Riddick, bringing him to his feet. Lil Petey locks in a dragon sleeper, and cinches it in tight! The ref begins checking on Riddick!

TREY BOOKER: Lil Petey locks on a submission hold!

J.T. PRICE: If he makes Riddick tap out, he’ll definitely be on his way to the top!

The ref picks up his arm, it drops once! He picks it up again, and it drops again!

TREY BOOKER: That’s two!

J.T. PRICE: One more and it’s over!

The ref raises Riddick’s arm a third time, and it drops.. only halfway!! Riddick holds his arm out, extending his pointer finger in an ‘uh-uh-uh’ motion! Lil Petey squeezes tighter, but Riddick uses his leg strength and rolls, breaking the hold and catching Lil Petey’s arm, and driving him face-first to the canvas.

TREY BOOKER: Awesome reversal!

J.T. PRICE: That’s where being a seasoned vet comes in handy! No matter how crazy!

Riddick backs away, to get feeling back while Lil Petey stumbles to his feet. Riddick then moves in and connects with a German Suplex into a bridged pin!

ONE!
TWO!
Kickout!

TREY BOOKER: Lil Petey’s nowhere out of it yet!

J.T. PRICE: Riddick needs to pull out all the stops now!

Riddick rolls to his feet, and as Lil Petey stands, whips him to the ropes and they both come off with the same intention of a cross-body splash!

TREY BOOKER: Double splash and both men are down!

J.T. PRICE: I think we all underestimated that drip power!

The ref begins the count

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
SIX!

Lil Petey rolls to his side.

SEVEN!

Riddick pushes himself up.

EIGHT!

Lil Petey on his knees.

TEN!

Riddick on his knees, and both men trade punches!! They continue as they rise to their feet! Lil Petey then add in a swift kick to the shin, but Riddick fights through the pain and Lil Petey in the back of his leg, causing him to fall to one knee. Dagvald then delivers a stiff kick to Lil Petey’s chest, and then another stiff kick to Lil Petey’s upper back. Dagvald then hits the ropes, and charges at Lil Petey, kicking off of his thigh, turning around in mid-air, and delivering a stiff knee of his own to the back of Lil Petey’s head.

TREY BOOKER: Ouch that can’t feel good!

J.T. PRICE: He won’t need Ambien to sleep if he did before

Riddick then comes down to hook a cross-face lock on Lil Petey, but Lil Petey slips back and Riddick is forced forward. Lil Petey then scrambles, painfully, to his feet and locks on an ankle lock on Riddick! Riddick spins and kicks Lil Petey to the ropes and as Lil Petey comes back, Riddick sends him over his own body with both feet!

TREY BOOKER: Riddick isn’t letting this one slip from his grasp!

J.T. PRICE: Lil Petey had better slow himself down a bit, or he’ll over shoot his goal!

Lil Petey crashes down, and Riddick stumbles up, positioning Lil Petey and applies a front face lock with the Lil Petey's arm draped over his shoulder and the closest leg hooked, much like a Fisherman's Suplex. Riddick lifts Lil Petey up vertically and then releases his head as he drops to his knees. Lil Petey crashes down and Riddick quickly locks up the sound and music man with such a big heart in Victory or Valhöll!

TREY BOOKER: He’s got him locked in!

J.T. PRICE: I think he’s gonna tap!!

Tap he does as the referee calls for the bell!

HOLLY PEREZ: The winner of the match via submission, Dagvald Riddick!!!!

TREY BOOKER: Well JT, hallucinating or not, Dagvald just put the roster on notice!


We are backstage at the locker room of the Reckoning known as Caliban, which gets a mixed reaction from the fans. John Nash Strader appears on-screen leaving the room with a small pop that was certainly growing every couple of weeks as he gains steam.

JNS: Alright, let’s have a good match out there. Show them we are next, ya?

We can’t hear a response but John nods at him as he walks out the door. The camera follows John down the hallway and the equally evil as she is beautiful Kimberly Chase appears to the crowd’s dislike.

JNS: Ouch, the fans don’t seem to like you all that much.

She let out a smirk at his comment.

Kimberly Chase: Unlike you I don't need approval from these idiots.

JNS: “Oh don’t be like that, doll. Again, anytime you want to ride with a real outlaw...”

Kimberly Chase Do you honestly think I'm stupid? I rather get eaten alive by a shark than have anything to do with you. You're inferior. Besides that don't you have a match to get ready for?

He leans in casually with a breath of arrogance.

JNS: ... you know how to find me.

He gives her that smile of his with a wink as he starts to walk away.

Kimberly Chase: Unbelievable.

Without even looking back he just raises his left fist in the air leaving Miss Chase fuming mad. John is stopped in the hallway by a backstage interviewer and her name is Crystal Ward as the fans give the PH staff member some love with the cheap pop.

CRYSTAL WARD: John! Think we could get a few words from you about your tag match tonight and what we just saw with Kimberly Chase?

JNS: Sure thing, darlin’. Settle down Indy.

CRYSTAL WARD: How are you feeling tonight in your chance of getting one up on not one but two of Project: Honor champions in Sarah Roberts and Indy Darling?

JNS: Im feeling pretty good about it. My sisters are on their way here to support me and Caliban.

CRYSTAL WARD: Former PWA and BWF World Tag Team Champions is quite the set to have in your corner!

JNS: “Exactly, tonight you will see the Strader siblings owning whatever the hell we do.”

CRYSTAL WARD: I am sure the fans will enjoy that! What is with your obsession with Kimberly Chase?

JNS: Listen, it’s not an obsession, it’s appreciation. She may not understand that I am the Outlaw around here, but the rest are taking notice, and eventually, Miss Chase will too.

CRYSTAL WARD: I would say be careful but you don’t seem like that kinda guy.

JNS: Haha. See, Crystal here gets it, the rest of you should take notice.

With that John bids Crystal farewell and heads towards his locker room, the camera zooming in on John’s Brothers of Mayhem patches.


Oh, it’s an exciting night at the Amway Center in Sunny Orlando, Florida isn’t it with the tag team tournament, and Zane appears to be ok in the sense of being ok in the wrestling business which really doesn’t exist in a normal way. A constant struggle for power, glory, and the spoils of finishing a war only to have another one lying in wait. John Nash Strader sits in his locker room, his kutte hanging behind him, and he’s channeling the mindset he needs. He’s starting to get a bit of following as the audience gives the outlaw biker some props on his quick start in Project: Honor earning him some honourable mentions in the recent Elite 5 and The Edge. Isn’t doesn’t shock John because he could feel them coming but his siblings make them loud and proud.

Meghan/Tamika: JOHNNNNN BOY!!!!

The former Cowgirls From Hell come into view as they attack their brother with a hug. They are in matching faded boot-cut denim, with their matching snakeskin cowgirl boots. They are rocking their old school black(M) and white(T) cFh shirts. He takes it like a champ as he would do anything for either sibling if they asked, they are all like that. They are a close trio, just not Alabama close.

Meghan: This is fun being in a newer promotion that is having so much success!

Tamika: yeah Johnny, you are off to a hot start, with another win! I can feel it!

JNS: "I spoke to Caliban earlier, we are on the same page for the match. We got this."

The raven haired Meghan Kelser isn’t what you would call a optimist but nor was she pessimistic, more cynical as in instead of the glass being half full or half empty she automatically thought it was probably piss. The blondish brown haired Tamika Kalis was the cautious optimist.

Meghan: "Just don’t get too cocky little brother, they are champions."

Tamika: "I still have a good feeling! Twin intuition ya know."

Tamika laughs as jabs her elbow into him and he returns the favour as he puts his arm around her.

JNS: Hey, listen, I got a match to get ready for so if you aren’t gonna help me prepare you can check on catering.

Just as Meghan is about to hit her baby brother she stops at the sound of a familiar voice.

???: I heard the Crimson Cowgirls are making an appearance tonight!

That loud high pitched sound that some ladies and cisgender female men make when they haven’t seen each other in a long time is heard. Sometimes they even say “hey hey bitch” and the like. Hey, it happens. The camera shows the crowd Red Riot is peaking her head in the door.

Meghan/Red Riot: Bitch! Oh I missed you!

Told ya. Anyways John and Tamika stand back watching the two reunite squealing and the like it’s fucking embarrassing for only those watching apparently. They embrace in a hug then some weird ass hand thing that no one would ever do. Meghan puts her arm around Riot as they leave the locker room. John looks at his twin with a stupid grin.

JNS: Are they?

Tamika tilts her head to the left, her brow raised in thought.

Tamika: Well, I don’t think she would say no...

JNS: Which one?

John’s laugh is stifled by a playful sibling elbow to his gut. She shakes her head as he laughs at his immature comment.  

JNS: Haha, alright, come on, you got your bikes ready?

Tamika: Oh yeah, it’s been a hot minute since we have done this we are good to go.

John puts on his kutte as they head out of the locker room and begin their cue while catching up with Meghan.



HOLLY PEREZ:: The following contest is a Round One match in the Tag Title Tournament. Entering first, the team of Vortex and Debris, The Stoooooooooooooooooooooormchasers!

The wind in the arena picks up. "Respect the Wind" by Van Halen begins to play as faux pas lightning flickers in the rafters. Vortex steps out from behind the curtain. He pauses, extends his arms and begins to spin around. Debris is out next, following Vortex and dropping trash along the way.

They approach the ring in this fashion, leaving a trail of trash behind them. Vortex hops on the apron and enters, continuing to spin. Debris rolls in under the rope and gets to his feet, continuing to drop trash, following Vortex. Their music stops once Debris has run out of trash. The arena returns to normal and the ref kicks all the trash out of the ring.

TREY BOOKER:: Watch out, JT! We ain’t in Oklahoma anymore! We’re getting straight to the beezness, courtesy of Vortex and Debris, and the garbage being blown everywhere but the ring is a great metaphor for what to expect.

J.T. PRICE:: Yes, say what you will about a weather chasing career that’s documented in every slow, agonizing moment, these two are ready to bring it to Project Honor and I can’t wait to see! Is it gonna be a nimbus? Or is a full blown hurricane coming through?

TREY BOOKER:: Uhhh that’s someone else’s thing, anyways, on to the show!

HOLLY PEREZ:: And next, the team of Kira Izumi and Jordan Rayburn, Paaaaaaaaaraaaaaaaaaaaanoiiiiiiiia!

“When I Come Around By Green Day” begins to play as the two come out from the back, Jordan first with his hands raised in the air as Kira follows and crawls under his legs. he pops up and jumps in the air before he spins down the rampway. they make it into the ring before doing a cut throat motion and going to their corner.

J.T. PRICE:: Paranoia has more accomplishments than words to mince, and it’s exciting to watch them in a Project Honor ring. Cutthroat, cunning, bloodthirst, and all the other things that keep you watching the highlight reel hours later.

TREY BOOKER:: You could call it bloodthirst or you could call it cruelty. Regardless, it’s proven to get the job done. Will it get it done today? Let’s find out!

Jordan pats Kira on the back on his way to the turnbuckle. The two nod in agreement, as if acknowledging previous plans. On the other side of the ring, both Vortex and Debris fight for position to stay in the ring, before Vortex sucks it up and takes to the corner so the match can officially start! Within a split second of the bell being rang, Kira Izumi charges across the ring like a japanese bullet train! Leaping forearm, but no cigar! Vortex yells out and Debris turns just in time to go under, leaving Kira stumbling into the ropes and glaring at Vortex. Debris gives a thumbs up to his storm chasing buddy, but he isn’t there. Instead, there’s Jordan Rayburn with his shoulder in Vortex’s gut, seconds before the man’s knocked off the turnbuckle and onto hands and knees at ringside! Rolling through like a northern breeze, Debris puts his fists in Jordan’s back with a double axe handle and a little bit of revenge, but Kira’s close! He reaches for Debris’s shoulder, but gets an elbow! Punch to Jordan! Back elbow to Kira! Paranoia isolated Debris, but he’s throwing everything but the kitchen sink despite the one-on-two disadvantage! Finally, a european uppercut from Rayburn jacks Debris’ jaw for long enough for Kira to clothesline the weather expert over the top rope, where he lands at ringside next to Vortex! Jordan and Kira look to one another, rush to the ropes opposite of the Stormchasers, and Paranoia gives ‘em something to be paranoid about! Stereo tope suicina leaves Stormchasers chasing stars, and Paranoia stands with their arms held high to the resounding disapproval from PH faithful.

TREY BOOKER:: This was the plan all along! One round into this tournament, and Paranoia’s putting all those years of experience on display with that brilliant scheme to get the early advantage!

J.T. PRICE:: Years of experience… years of experiencing blind siding and taking shortcuts, is more like it. Isolate one man and use the numbers game, and Debris came so close to making them pay for underestimating him.

Kira reaches for Debris, drags him to his feet, and rolls the legal man into a ring for a quick pin, but Debris throws a shoulder up as soon as it’s put flat on the mat. Kira climbs to his feet, with his elbow driven into Debris’ face on the way up, and tries dragging Debris to a stand by his arm back to the dangerous corner of Paranoia! Halfway there, Debris plants both feet and refuses to budge! Kira yanks, and Debris both giveth in following Kira, as well as taketh away by planting his forearm in Kira’s visage! Crashing into a hard punch, Kira reels back a beat before a big boot barrels forward, which Debris shoves out of the way hard enough to leave Kira spinning, before Debris joins him in spinning in the opposite direction to get the perfect amount of pain before his discus clothesline! Battered but not beaten, Kira somehow rushes to a stand! Another clothesline makes him regret the decision! Debris takes a page from his opponents in rushing the ropes, and rebounding with a running punch, but Kira brushes beside him before he can land - Kira rebounds off the ropes expecting a surprised and confused Debris, but the wily ring vet leaps! Crossbody! Kira’s hefted to his feet and irish whipped to the turnbuckle. Debris rushes again with another body crash! He nails it - no, wait! Kira latches around him! STO into the top turnbuckle! Debris is staggered! Kira tosses Debris to the ropes, and on the rebound, Kira goes airborne! Dropsault!

J.T. PRICE:: #FlipKira!

TREY BOOKER:: That’s correct! He’s an sniper, but I think he left his scope at home!

Freshly planted back in his corner, the Stormchaser Vortex catches his partner’s arm and helps him avoid a cold front and leaves Kira falling onto his stomach. Tag! Both men cross to ring where Izumi’s rising, and double dropkick from Stormchasers show turnabout is fair play! Vortex high fives his bud and Debris’s hands waving towards him make the universal signal for ‘bring it in, man’. Vortex complies with a leap, and Debris shoves him over Kira! Assisted elbow drop! Vortex makes the cover while Debris runs interference!

ONE!

TW-

KICKOUT!

TREY BOOKER:: All it takes is one moment, one burst, and this match could be over. Paranoia’s got all the tricks in the world, but you can’t teach explosiveness. Did you see the height Vortex got on? Lookout, it’s raining elbows!

J.T. PRICE:: It could’ve been over there, but don’t you think Vortex was a little slow on the pin? All that rust and cobwebs from spending time apart wears on you, and this ain’t the kinda opponent you use to shake the dust off.

Vortex doesn’t miss a beat. Upon standing, Kira’s greeted with an arm drag whipping him to the ground, and when Kira rolls through the toss, he’s dropped with another! Izumi doesn’t get a chance to breathe, with Vortex’s fast pace. Izumi sweeps Vortex’s legs from underneath him and puts his boot in Vortex’s chest! With a short run, he tries to put the dot of the exclamation mark in Vortex’ chest with a double stomp! Vortex narrowly rolls out of the way! Izumi rises to Vortex closing in! A crisp roundhouse kick aimed at the chin is dodged as smoothly as it’s thrown! Vortex goes under and bounces off the ropes with a rocket metaphorically strapped to his back! Kira drops to the mat to trip Vortex up, but Vortex leaps over! Another rebound! Or at least, another attempt, without the brilliant move of Rayburn at ringside to grab both the top and second rope and drag them down, so Vortex’s sent spiraling like a cyclone from the ring! The brilliance isn’t appreciated by the crowd, who erupt with boos to Rayburn tapping his head and shrugging a shoulder. He approaches the Stormchaser’s wrecked body but the referee cuts him off, as the illegal man already interfered enough to earn a threat! Still, Rayburn yells to Vortex as the man fighting through the pain of getting dropped on his back by surprise rises in time for a Kira Izumi baseball slide to the jaw to truly ring his bell and send him crashing into the barricade! While the referee looks between the ropes to check on Vortex, Kira approaches his corner. Not even bothering to tag himself in, Rayburn loudly claps his hands together, and climbs from the ring apron for a Stormchaser to chase!

TREY BOOKER:: There’s a reason why Paranoia fits these two to a T. You’ve gotta have freaking eyes in the back of your head when you’re fighting these two.

J.T. PRICE:: You hit the nail on the head my friend, and judging by the bump, looks like Vortex hit his head. That’s a four outta seven on the landin’ for me dog, but I think Rayburn’s gonna give him a chance to redeem himself with another drop.

With his hands up as innocently as he can use to mock the referee, the legal Jordan Rayburn legally approaches his legal opponent and… absolutely mudhole stomps a hole in his back to stop Vortex from climbing to his feet. Seconds later, he approaches the Project Honor audience with a gracious bow, a dismissive wave, and his yell of ‘ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?’ In the time it takes him to mock the audience, Vortex stands and rubs his back with a hand. Jordan turns to see him just in time for a few shots to get laid into his face!

ONE!

TWO!

Jordan accepts the challenge! Both men pummel one another at ringside! A lil bump and bruise doesn’t stop Vortex too much, and he starts really putting his back into his punches! Jaw jackin’ right hand from Vortex! Uppercuts hammer home from Jordan! Meaty, clubbing bones resonate despite the roaring approval from the crowd!

THREE!

FOUR!

Vortex starts taking advantage, but Jordan Rayburn uses a straight kick to the knee to trip Vortex in the middle of wailing on him. The kick brought company! First, a close ranged knee to the chest! Then a toss into the barricade! Rayburn tries putting Vortex through the barricade with a body splash, but Vortex makes like the wind and sidesteps!

FIVE!

SIX!

Swinging neck breaker from Vortex sends Jordan crashing into the mat! He tries to drive home the point, but Kira drops from the apron and provides some backup to his Paranoia tag partner as he slowly drags himself to his feet… but Debris doesn’t give the two men a chance to breathe before he’s back into the fray! The scuffle breaks up with a stand off between both Paranoia and Debris, both daring the other to make a move, until both Vortex and Rayburn slide into the ring to beat the break at a count of nine.

J.T. PRICE:: I don’t think that trick’s gonna work anymore. Trickery’s got its fingerprints all over this match, but I think Debris is about fed up!

Even with a brief mishap of the numbers game not serving them, Paranoia entered this match with a gameplan. Vortex tries to pick up where he left off by dropping bombs on Rayburn, but instead of getting back into his comfort zone, Jordan drags him into a quick side headlock! Jordan tries to really screw in the squeeze, firmly planting his base to give him the foundation to torque and twist on Vortex, but the storm chaser plants elbows into Rayburn’s gut to fight through the hold! Jordan’s dropped, but holding on the best he can, in surrendering the headlock for a front facelock! Vortex shoves forward and finally gets a taste of freedom while Rayburn’s back hits the turnbuckle… of the Paranoia corner! Little known to Vortex, Kira Izumi slaps Jordan’s back! Vortex pries himself from Jordan, and puts a spinning heel kick to Jordan’s stomach! With the wind booted out of his sails and dangerously approaching the line of seeing his lunch for the second time, Jordan’s doubled over and Vortex welcomes him into his front facelock… and Vortex runs to the ropes, dialing up the E-F5, the tornado ddt! Rayburn goes down, and Vortex makes the pin! All the while, the referee shakes his head and tries to emphasize Rayburn isn’t the legal man, but words don’t hammer the appoint through an adrenaline fueled rush as well as Kira Izumi’s boot, axe kicking Vortex spot on in the back of the head like an earthquake to his equilibrium! Debris steps into the ring, again looking to even up the matchup, but the referee cuts him off! While Debris and the referee argue, Paranoia get back on track.

On legs as stable as jello, Vortex rolls off of Jordan and out of the line of fire! Izumi tries dragging Rayburn up and shaking the cobwebs off of him while Jordan’s clutching his forehead, and pointing to their target… and while Debris starting to return back to the corner, Vortex rises to KIRA IZUMI REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES WITH A BOMAYE KNEE, KNOCKING HIM BACK INTO BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX WITH NAAAAAAAAAAASTY INTENT FROM RAYBURN, PRACTICALLY DROPPING VORTEX ON HIS HEAD! NIGHTMARE COMBO! After doing his dirty deed, Jordan gets out of dodge and lets Kira make the cover!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

J.T. PRICE:: This ain’t a tag match - it’s a handicap match. Isolate and destroy was clearly on the drawing board all week, and Paranoia almost executed their gameplan to  perfection right there!

TREY BOOKER:: Sorry, I haven’t met a single person that chases tornados for a living that doesn’t have a history of head trauma, so as nasty as that kick was, I think it’s gonna take a LOT more for a Stormchaser to stay down.

Izumi cuts his eyes at the referee who firmly holds his ground that the count stopped at two, but Izumi still lashes out in frustration as Vortex climbs to all fours and Debris claps his hands, stomps on the steel steps, does ANYTHING to give his partner a sense of direction for these two to blow the competition away! Unfortunately, Izumi’s enziguiri to the back of the head brushes the direction away! Then a stomp! And another! And another! Enough stomps land to force the referee to interject, beyond the count of five, teetering on the brink of disqualification! Izumi’s unhinged! Rather than go for the pin, Izumi disrespectfully steps over Vortex as he makes it to the ring apron and starts sizing up his opponent for the kill… Vortex stands to the crowd screaming ‘no’, to his partner yelling at the top of his lungs, and to see KIRA IZUMI STREAKING THROUGH THE SKY, LAUNCHING HIMSELF FROM THE TOPES! SPRINGBOARD DROPKICK--

--BUT VORTEX SPINS TO THE SIDE, AND THE SPINNING HEEL KICK LANDS LIKE A THUNDERCLAP ACROSS IZUMIS CHEEK! KIRA HITS THE CANVAS AND IS LEFT BARELY MOVING! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN! DEBRIS SLAMS HIS FOOT ON THE APRON AND THE CROWD FOLLOWS HIS BEAT WHILE CLAPPING, ROOTING FOR STORMCHASERS!

J.T. PRICE:: Veteran instincts get it done!

TREY BOOKER:: Welcome to Project Honor, where we make the NFL look like kid’s teeball. Owowowoowwowow jesus christ that kick was vicious!

Both Izumi and Vortex crawl to their respective corners, but the Paranoia corner’s still closer! Rayburn’s tagged in first, and he yanks Vortex by the ankle to stop Debris from making the save! Vortex tries for an enziguiri, but Jordan ducks! Vortex keeps the momentum up in landing on his foot despite the whiff, and lets another spinning back kick land, this time across Jordan’s face! Izumi staggers forward, again looking to use numbers for his advantage, but gets yanked into a ddt position… and Vortex RUSHES, kicking OF OFF JORDAN RAYBURN, and SLAMMING KIRAS HEAD INTO THE MAT WITH A SECOND TORNADO DDT! The crowd is nearly making the ground shake while they clap for their heroes!

STOOOOOOOORM CHASERS! *clapclapclapclapclap!* STOOOOOOOORM CHASERS! *clapclapclapclapclap!* STOOOOOOOORM CHASERS! *clapclapclapclapclap!*

He gets to a knee, he gets to two feet, and with Izumi and Rayburn rising behind him, Vortex makes the tag! Debris hops over the top rope, and enters the ring! FLYING CLOTHESLINE TO IZUMI! FLYING CLOTHESLINE TO RAYBURN! DROPKICK TO IZUMI! CLOTHESLINE FROM DEBRIS SENDS RAYBURN OVER THE TOP ROPE, AND HE LANDS ON HIS FEET OUTSIDE THE RING! IZUMI GETS HOISTED UP FROM BEHIND, SO HE DOESN’T EVEN NOTICE DEBRIS SPINNING LIKE HE’S BACK IN THE DRIER ON ROUGH TUMBLE, TIL HE GETS THE TORNADO PUNCH STRIKING HIM RIGHT IN THE SPINE AND DROPPING KIRA FROM THE SHEER FORCE! THE EF4 LANDS LIKE A BILLY CLUB, AND DEBRIS MAKES THE COVER!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

NO!

RAYBURN MAKES THE SAVE, POUNCING ON TOP OF DEBRIS AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND!

TREY BOOKER:: I thought it was funny to hear Oklahoman’s with moves named after tornados, considering they have first hand proof of what tornadoes can do. After that, I think those moves got named after tornadoes BECAUSE of the FIRST HAND PROOF of what that tornado punch is capable of doing! Rayburn makes the save, because I don’t think Kira was escaping that one!

J.T. PRICE:: ...That was waaaaaaaaay too close for comfort. First round of the tag tournament and these guys are acting like it’s the finale!

Rayburn’s hammering punch after punch atop Debris, absolutely uncorking everything left in the bottle with overhand blow after blow, til his wrist gets stopped mid punch - he turns around to Vortex staring right into his eyes before kicking his knee from underneath him to set him up in prime location for the EF3! The twist of fate scrambles Rayburn’s eggs! With both Stormchasers in the ring, Debris grabs Izumi by his ankles and gets to spinnin’! GIANT SWING! KIRAS HANDS GO BEHIND HIS HEAD, AS HES LEFT WITH AT LEAST A FOOT OF HANGTIME BETWEEN HIS BODY AT THE MAT! THE CROWD STARTS TO COUNT THE ROTATIONS!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

FIVE!

SIX!

SEVEN!

AND IT ENDS WITH A GUILLOTINE LEG DROP, A LA VORTEX, BURYING KIRA IZUMI INTO THE MAT! DEBRIS MAKES THE COVER!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

HOLLY PEREZ:: Your winners… Debris and Vortex, the STORM CHASERS!

TREY BOOKER:: That match had everything. It was fast paced, it was hard hitting, it was like as clever as the freakin’ coyote chasing the roadrunner, but there had to be someone getting their hand raised at the end, and Stormchasers weathered brutal skies and a rough forecast to get their hands raised.

J.T. PRICE:: Paranoia made one hell of a showing putting those years of experience on display and I know they’d easily see their reflections in gold one day, but Stormchasers are the ones making it to round two of the tag tournament. What a showing!

Still spinning, both Vortex and Debris raise their hands high as the referee gives up on trying to do it for them.


Before returning to the ring for the next match of the night, Crystal Ward is standing by with the newly crowned X-Factor Champion of Project: Honor, “Everyone’s Favorite” Indy Darling. With his match yet to come, Indy is wearing his ring gear with the championship belt strapped around his waist, visible underneath his open ring vest. Standing beside him and to the side is Dr. Dalton Miyagi, sporting a jubilant grin.

CRYSTAL WARD: Indy, first of all I’d like to offer you my congratulations on defeating Colton Saint to become the new X-Factor Champion. Having said that, there are those within the company who are saying it was a lucky victory. Your thoughts?

INDY DARLING: We make our own luck in this business, Crystal. Anyone who says differently is either superstitious or making excuses. Did I win decisively? No, I won with a counter into pinning combination. Not every match ends with a finishing move, but that doesn’t make it any less of a win.

CRYSTAL WARD: You must realize that there is now a huge target on your back. With so many competitors in Project: Honor and so few titles, what are your plans for dealing with all of the upcoming challenges?

INDY DARLING: Honestly, I was hoping you’d ask about that. Colton Saint got a lot of flack for not defending this championship, and if there’s one thing I learned after the last Proving Ground, it’s that I don’t want to be like “The Last Breathing Outlaw”. Don’t get me wrong, he’s one hell of an athlete, probably one of the best, but the dude’s got issues. Having said that, I am willing to defend the X-Factor Championship as often as Project: Honor will let me. I know John Nash Strader has a guaranteed title shot coming up, but I will gladly defend this championship before...and after...JNS has his shot. I don’t care if it’s Lil’ Petey, Daniel Horror, Caliban, Myojin, or Dickie Watson himself. Titles are meant to be defended, and that is exactly what I want to do, even if it means losing it in two weeks, two months, or two years.

CRYSTAL WARD: Well, I have to admit, that’s a bold statement. What about your upcoming match? Do you have any comments for John Nash Strader, Caliban, or your partner, Sarah Roberts?

Crystal holds the mic towards Indy, but before he can answer, a trio of individuals enter the scene. The two men are dressed in a combination of black and red leather, one with wavy blonde hair and the other with black hair slicked back from his face. Between them is a raven-haired woman, whose style of dress is best described as a revealing black leather corset and a long, black cloak. The two men, recent signees to Project: Honor and one of the many teams entered into the Tag Team Title Tournament, are Ambrosius and Valentine, and along with their manager, Valeria, they are known as the AV Club. The two men express intimidating stares and wicked grins at Indy, Doc, and even Crystal.

While the diminutive manager and announcer are not ashamed to show their apprehension regarding this new trio, Indy remains ambivalent. After a brief moment, Ambrosius and Valentine move on, leaving Valeria a few steps behind. She seductively runs her hand across Doc Miyagi’s shoulder and then to his chest, before ultimately feigning a bite at his neck with a pair of sharp, white fangs. She follows Ambrosius and Valentine, leaving the scene with a look of sexual intimidation focused on Indy’s manager. Following the interruption, Indy, Doc, and Crystal remain silent for an extended time, their gazes all transfixed in the direction the AV Club departed in. Finally, Indy decides to break the silence.

INDY DARLING: Jesus...they’ll let anyone in this place...

Indy shakes his head in disbelief and exits in the opposite direction of The AV Club. A nervous Doc Miyagi quickly follows his protégé, not even bothering to flirt with the befuddled Crystal Ward. Finally, Crystal has no choice but to end the segment with an unsure shrug.

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is a Round One match in the Tag Title Tournament.  Entering first…

The arena lights go down.  For a moment, there is nothing but the sound of a heartbeat. A guitar’s strumming soon accompanies it as the arena begins to pulsate with red and white alternating lights in sync with the heartbeat. The 'tron shows imagery of flocks of crows, interspersed with horrid imagery flashing on the screen before we hear a haunting voice speak out;

LISTEN TO THE WIND BLOW,
WATCH THE SUN RISE.

The lights continue pulsating as fog billows forth from the entrance.

RUN IN THE SHADOWS,
DAMN YOUR LOVE, DAMN YOUR LIES.

The fog begins to give way as the chorus kicks up, revealing three forms standing in the entrance ramp. Hill and Ray step into the arena, both breathing heavily as The Father stands behind them. He holds his hands out as the chorus blasts out, both Ray and Hill stepping ahead of him and flanking him on the entrance ramp, paying little attention to the crowd.

HOLLY PEREZ:...accompanied to the ring by The Father and weighing in at a combined weight of 375 lbs, they are the team of Aurora Ray and Euan Hill; AMERICAN GRIME!

TREY BOOKER: AMERICAN GRIME were very impressive in their last outing, but couldn’t quite get the job done in the end.

J.T. PRICE: When you think of these two you think of raw potential and tenacity.  Their moves aren’t pretty and their offense isn’t crowd pleasing, but it definitely hurts! Let’s see if The Father can lead his flock to a congregation here tonight.

Ray and Hill step up onto the apron and hold the ropes open for The Father to enter.  He steps through solemnly and they follow close behind.. They both lower to a single knee and give penance as The Father draws an ashen cross on either of their foreheads.

HOLLY PEREZ:...and their opponents…

The lights shut off abruptly, leaving the arena in darkness as"The Bloodletting” by Concrete Blonde begins to play over the PA.  A pair of spotlights shine on opposite sides of the entrance area as Ambrosius and Valentine rise from seemingly prone positions. Both men have their arms crossed at their chests and their eyes closed.  As they reach standing position, their eyes snap open simultaneously and they begin to walk toward the center of the entrance, meeting each other in the middle with a pair of sinister smiles. Valeria appears between them, pushing them apart seductively as she slinks between them and leads the two toward the ring.

HOLLY PEREZ:..accompanied to the ring by Valeria, weighing in at a combined weight of 452 lbs, the team of Ambrosia and Valentine; The A.V. CLUB!

TREY BOOKER: I honestly don’t know what to think about these two newcomers.  Apparently they subscribe to the vampire lifestyle?

J.T. PRICE: The American Vampire Club is a real thing, and these two are at the top of the chair board.  Personally I don’t know if I believe in the supernatural existence of undead bloodsucking freaks, but I gotta admit that these two are doing a good job of convincing me.

Ambrosius walks up one set of ring steps while Valentine moves to the steps on the opposite side of the ring. They both step between the ropes while Valeria slides into the ring, and the two men move behind her as she remains on her hands and knees. Both men begin to raise their arms at their sides, palms facing upwards, and the lights return to full illumination along with their symbolic gesture.  AMERICAN GRIME suddenly rush them from behind, battering them across the neck as Valera slides out to ringside where she finds herself staring down The Father.

DING! DING! DING!

Aurora and Euan club away at the backs of AV Club until they’re both down on one knee.  In tandem, AMERICAN GRIME turn to hit the ropes, but AV Club snap back upright and turn just in time to catch Euan in a double hotshot that sends him collapsing throat first into the ropes.  The frustrated Aurora Ray stutter steps in place, trying to figure out what to do as the two vampiric men roll to their feet and start menacing her and sending her backpedaling into her own corner.  Just as she literally finds herself backed into the turnbuckle, The Father jumps up on the apron and holds out two crucifixes, sending AV Club stumbling back out of the corner hissing and swatting at thin air.  Aurora takes the opening and charges in with round kicks to the back of both men’s knees as Valeria yanks The Father off of the apron, only to find herself in retreat as The Father brandishes his crosses.  She slowly retreats, hissing and slashing with her hands as The Father chases her to the back.

TREY BOOKER: What on earth am I witnessing?

J.T. PRICE: Whatever it was cleared out ringside.  THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS IT!

Meanwhile, in-ring, the rabid Aurora Ray continues to deliver round kicks to both opponents, whom are both nearly down on one knee.  Aurora, sensing the opening, rears back and measures up for a tandem Bend The Knee, only for Ambrosia and Valentine snap up to their feet last second and double hip toss her right into the waiting arms of the recovered Euan.  Euan catches Aurora Ray in an unintentionally compromising powerbomb position.  AV Club nail stereo basement dropkicks to the knees of Euan. Euan falls forward, crashing his tag partner into the canvas with an inadvertent powerbomb!  Euan Hill rises up out of the powerbomb, pulling at his hair with frustration as the ref struggles to gain control of this match and back Euan into the corner while AV Club sinisterly drags Aurora to their side of the ring and starts working her over in the corner with brutal barbaric blows.  The ref finally wrangles Euan into his corner and quickly rushes in to pull AV off of Aurora Ray and forces one to step out onto the apron.  Ambrosia sinisterly smirks, showing his fangs as he steps out onto the apron, immediately extends his hand out for the tag, and Valentine tags out in kind.  Valentina steps out of the corner as Ambrosia steps back into the ring as the ref starts the warning five for Valentine to get out.  Ambrosia whips Aurora off of the canvas, right into a superkick from the waiting Valentine.  Before the ref can even begin to hassle Valentine, he drops down and rolls out of the ring as Ambrosia makes the cover.

ONE!
TWO!

Euan Hill bursts out of the corner and quickly breaks up the pinfall with a falling double axe handle between the shoulder blades of Euan.  Euan uses his pent up rage and backwater strength to deadlift Ambrosia off of the canvas with a beautiful powerbomb setup, and then jackknifes him aside and grabs Aurora’s arm and drags her toward the corner.  Before he can reach his destination, Valentine rolls in and intercepts by grabbing the legs of Aurora and placing her body in the unenviable position of being the tug rope in a game of tug o war.  Euan finally yanks his partner’s arm hard and yanks Valentine into an innovative short-arm lariat variant.  Before Euan can even get back to his feet off of the lariat, Ambrosia rushes in and powers him into the corner.  Valentine rolls to his feet, clutching his neck as he starts laying in stomps on Aurora.  The ref steps between the two and tries to bully Valentine back to his corner, meanwhile Ambrosia has taken Euan’s own tag rope and started strangling him with it in the corner!

TREY BOOKER: OH C’MON!  THAT’S LOW!

J.T. PRICE: That’s Classic Villainy at it’s finest, Book.  I expect we’ll be seeing more of it before this match is over.

The ref finally corners Valentine as Ambrosia gives up the choke and attempts to whip Euan Hill across the ring, but Euan reverses the whip and then yanks Ambrosia back into a pop up powerbomb position.  Aurora stumbles to get to her feet for the assist, but stumbles down to one knee in exhaustion.  Euan drops Ambrosia back first across Aurora’s knee with the powerbomb!  He then rushes Valentine in the corner as Aurora Ray collapses on top of Ambrosia.

ONE!
TWO!

Ambrosia kicks out at two just as Valentine low bridges on the apron and sends Euan tumbling  to the outside of the ring.  Ambrosia crawls toward the corner, clutching his back as the rabid little Aurora Ray tries desperately to catch hold of his leg and work over the ankle.  Just as she gets her fingers around Ambrosia’s foot, he rolls underneath as Valentine low bridges the middle rope and sends her tumbling outside next to Euan.  Ambrosia lunges toward his corner and tags in Valentine.  Valentine hops into the ring and lays down on his back.  Aurora, still smarting from the powerbomb backbreaker, gingerly grabs his partner’s legs and slowly falls back onto the mat, effectively slingshotting Valentine over the top rope into a somersault senton onto AMERICAN GRIME on the outside.  Valentine lands on his feet and quickly scoops Aurora up and beals her back into the ring.  He quickly rolls in, tags in Ambrosia, and then rolls back out onto the apron and starts ascending the corner as Ambrosia steps through the ropes.  

TREY BOOKER: What are these two thinking now?

J.T. PRICE: If you watched tapes, you’d know they’re setting up for a Power-Line variant they call ‘Nail in the Coffin’, but I guess you aren’t as up on your game as you like to pretend to be.

TREY BOOKER: These two actually show up on film?

J.T. PRICE: Get with the times old man.  They’re modern vampires, not a Bram Stoker fairytale.  

As Ambrosia begins to lift Aurora up into the powerbomb position, Euan pulls himself up on the apron and grabs the perched Valentine’s leg!  Aurora starts showing signs of life on Ambrosia’s shoulders, pounding down on the vampire’s head with brutal punches and blows as Ambrosia stumbles backward into his own corner.  Ambrosia falls forward into Valentine on the top rope, clocking him with an impromptu headbutt as Euan scales up to the middle rope.  He beals Valentine off of the top right into the waiting arms of his tag partner!  SUPERPLEX!  AURORA SUPERPLEXES VALENTINE OFF OF HIS OWN PARTNER’S SHOULDERS AND IN THE PROCESS SNAP AMBROSIA OVER WITH A DRAGONRANA PIN!

ONE!
TWO!

Valentine skitters across the ring crawling and falls on top of the cover to break up the pin.  Euan steps through the ropes and quickly rushes the backpedaling Valentine.  Valentine tries to go for the low bridge, but Euan’s wise to him this time.  He reaches down and goozles Valentine!  He deadlifts him up, and chokeslams him over the top rope and out onto the apron!  Valentine’s spine crashes against the hardest part of the ring and he goes rolling to the outside.  Euan spots the battered Aurora stumbling out of the cover.  He quickly rushes to the friendly corner and starts clapping to get her attention.  Aurora wobbles side to side, walking toward the corner.  Ambrosia takes a swipe at her leg, but she narrowly avoids it.  Valentine pushes himself up to his feet on the outside and lunges under the bottom rope as Aurora dives for the tag, but she manages to hop over and tag in the fresh Euan Hill!  Euan quickly hops in the ring, planting a foot between the shoulderblades of Valentine, before kicking him under the bottom rope to the outside.  He then rushes Ambrosia as the vampire finds his feet.  Running uppercut sends Ambrosia spiraling into his own corner, but Hill’s not far behind with a face wash!  He grabs Ambrosia up by the hair and drags him to the center of the ring.  Wild right connects against Ambrosia’s chinstrap beard, followed by a hard left.  Euan clasps the back of his head and starts laying in the forearms.  Ambrosia tries to push him off with a front kick, but Euan comes right back with a brutal clothesline that buckles Ambrosia to his knees.  Not letting him draw flies, Euan shoves Ambrosia’s head between his legs and drops down with a gross stump puller piledriver!  

TREY BOOKER: Euan Hill is a house on fire!

J.T. PRICE: He’s been forced to watch Aurora Ray take so much offense on the apron.  Every time he tried to interject and stop it, things only got worse.  Now that he’s got the legal tag you know he’s going to start fang collecting.

As if on cue, Euan reaches down and pulls Ambrosia up to his feet, clutching him by the mouth as he pulls him toward the friendly corner.  He tags out to Aurora, who exhaustedly steps through the ropes and delivers a stiff superkick to the knee of Ambrosia.  Euan lets him drop, circles around, and lands a brutal superkick to the back of Ambrosia’s head as he threatens to stand.  Aurora, quick to savor her revenge, swoops in and delivers a superkick to Ambrosia’s face soon after.  Ambrosia stumbles to his feet, but Aurora quickly pulls him back down with a hellacious front lungblower.  Ambrosia ricochets off of her knees, and right into the waiting arms of Euan, who german suplexes him overhead with a mighty toss before rolling out onto the apron.  Ambrosia goes flying head over heels into his own corner as Aurora collapses back into hier own and accepts the tag from Euan.  Valentine reluctantly tags in Ambrosia and hops into the ring.  He grabs his partner’s hand and whips him up to his feet as Euan marges in their direction.  Before Valentine can commune with his partner and make sure he’s okay, Euan’s on top of them with a double goozle.  Ambrosia nearly collapses, throwing Euan off center.  Valentine takes the opening and chops Euan’s hand away from his throat.  Ambrosia swings his body around and lands a leg sweep as Valentine flies up and cracks Euan with a spinning heel kick!  Total elimination!  Deal With The Devil sends Euan flying through the air ass over teakettle!  Ambrosia rolls out and immediately tags back in.  Valentine handsprings across the ring and mule kicks Aurora off of the apron.  The two vampires circle Euan Hill as The Outcast staggers to his feet.

TREY BOOKER: They’ve created good space here.  Aurora’s neutralized.

J.T. PRICE: I think they’re about to call the match with a Stake to the Heart!

AV Club jockey for position.  Valentine flares his fangs at Euan as he shakes the cobwebs out.  The big Outcast lets out a gruff groan of frustration and charges Valentine.  Ambrosia intercepts, lifting the charging Euan up into a flapjack setup.  Valentine catches him on the way down with a falling lungblower!  Stake to the Heart! Ambrosia covers as Valentine goes flying through the ropes with a suicide dive on Aurora!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

Ding Ding Ding!

HOLLY PEREZ: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match and moving on to the second round: The AV CLUB!

"The Bloodletting” by Concrete Blonde hits the PA once more as Valentine crawls back into the ring and lifts Ambrosia’s arm out of the cover.  Valeria reappears at ringside with a sadistic smile radiating from her eyes as she clutches The Father’s crucifix between her fangs.

TREY BOOKER: What a dominant performance by these two otherworldly athletes here tonight.  They isolated and picked apart Aurora, they capitalized on Euan Hill’s frustration, and they kept the ring cut in half throughout.  This was a masterclass, but apparently even crosses can’t stop these three.

J.T. PRICE: Get your head out of the dark ages, Book.  This is a new era of vampirism, and these three prove to be a true iconoclast to everything you know about yourself spiritually and everything you believe about tag wrestling.

AV Club smiles menacingly as Valeria beckons them with her finger at ringside. They crawl toward her, brandishing their fangs lustfully as they slide on their bodies across the ring and slide to the outside. Valeria spits out the cross and then turns to walk up the ramp as AV Club hypnotically falls in line and follow her with lust in their eyes.


Our scene opens and we see Caliban standing in a hallway, his hand on the door to a broom closet.

CALIBAN: I just need you to stay in there.

Caliban pauses for a moment. It sounds like there is a slight mumble, but it isn’t loud enough to hear what it is or where exactly it is coming from.

CALIBAN: Listen, Alice, I just need you to stay in there for a little longer. I’m still trying to get Project: Honor used to me. We don’t need to unleash the both of us on them. So let me take care of Indy and Sarah...and then we can go celebrate afterwards...okay?

More barely audible noises.

CALIBAN: I understand, believe me I do. But if you are adamant that you follow me and my teachings, then let go of the idea that you need to be seen and heard. Let go of that string. Cut it. Snip it. Untie it.

More mumbling.

CALIBAN: Good! I will be back for you.

Caliban turns around and walks off screen, but we pan out slightly and we see a bald head pop out from around a corner. It, of course, is Arik Holt.

Arik slowly walks over to the door and knocks on it slightly, pressing his ear up against it. A puzzled look crosses his face. He pulls away and grabs the doorknob, opening the closet slowly. Arik steps back as he fully opens the door and begins to try to observe anything within the closet.

Suddenly a mouse comes flying out of the closet and runs over Arik’s feet. Arik pulls back and opens his mouth, making the face like he is screaming...but nothing comes out. Arik kicks and the mouse goes flying off screen.

He pauses for a moment, realizing there was no sound to go with his ‘scream’. Suddenly a hand reaches out from behind the camera, palm-side up. Arik rolls his eyes and reaches into his pocket. After a moment of rummaging around, he pulls out a ten dollar bill and places it in the hand of the cameraman.

VOICE OVER: aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

Arik fakes the scream again, unknowing that the voice over scream was flat and was more like someone was just reading the word in a normal tone. With fake fear in his eyes he runs off to the left, out of the scene. The camera begins to lower and we just slightly catch sight of a thin red boot stepping out of the closet before we fade to black.



With the camera feed shifting back over to the ringside area, the fans in the arena come alive. Project: Honor announcer Holly Perez, in the ring, offers the fans and faithful alike a sweet smile before moving the night forward with the next set of introductions.

HOLLY PEREZ: The following contest is a TAG TEAM match scheduled for one fall!!

The opening chord from “Popular Monster” by Falling In Reverse, blares throughout the arena as Caliban steps out from the back, and onto the entrance way. He looks out to the crowd with a smirk on his face, as a mixture of boos and cheers fall onto him.

HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing first...from Apple Valley, Minnesota, weighing in tonight at 226 pounds, he is “The Reckoning” CALIBAN!

As the opening words begin to fill the air, Caliban makes his way down the ramp and to the ring, the fans continuing to voice their mixed feelings on the man. With his confident expression unwavering, he ultimately climbs up onto the apron and enters into the ring over the middle rope. Not caring for the fanfare of posing and posturing, he heads to the corner waiting for his tag team partner, and opposition, to arrive.

TREY BOOKER: You see Caliban right there, you see a man focused on victory, but also one not above causing a bit of dissension to make it easier on himself.

J.T. PRICE: Make it easier? He was just spouting the truth Booker! You’ll understand that soon enough.

TREY BOOKER: Well that’s your take on it, but one thing that can’t be denied is the opportunity this presents to him to put his name in the hat as a top contender. Speaking of top contenders...

~ Tell me who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Wrote the book of the seven seals ~

The twang of guitar from Curtis Stigers ‘John The Revelator’ signals a cue for John Nash Strader as the youngest kin to Scott Nash Strader steps out from behind the curtain.

~ You know God walked down in the cool of the day
Called Adam by his name
But he refused to answer
Because he was naked and ashamed ~

HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing his tag team partner.. making his way to the ring, weighing in tonight at 245 pounds... he is the President of the Brothers of Mayhem MC....

~ Tell me who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Wrote the book of the seven seals ~

HOLLY PEREZ: JOHN NASH STRADER!

John holds his fist up in the air as he throws out that infamous family sneer as he makes his way down to ringside. He climbs up the stairs and ducks between the middle and top rope.

~ Now Christ had twelve apostles
And three he led away
He said, "Watch with me one hour
While I go yonder and pray." ~

JNS takes a seat against the middle turnbuckle on the far right side of the ring while he awaits his opponents, his partner for the night standing to his left now.

J.T. PRICE: Looks like those two are at least on decent terms going into this thing which is more than I can say for most makeshift teams.

TREY BOOKER: Both men are smart and see this match for what it presents. We have Strader who’s the number one contender for the X-Factor Championship ready to get one over on the champ and Caliban who can stake his claim too. They’d be foolish to bicker with that kind of a chance in front of them.

J.T. PRICE: Yeah but you know several times over that others have had similar chances and let their egos get in the way.

TREY BOOKER: Fair point.

“Holding My Breath” by Alien Weaponry floods the PA, marking the arrival of Sarah Roberts. She emerges onto the stage accompanied by her manager, Delilah Huang. While Sarah isn't much for pageantry and only offers a smirk while on stage, Delilah contrasts her client's stern demeanor with the type of hype antics befitting of a Public Enemy concert. Sarah isn't wearing the Warrior Rising Championship herself, the title instead is held by and proudly hoisted overhead by Delilah.

HOLLY PEREZ: Now introducing their opponents...first, accompanied to the ring by Delilah Huang, fighting out of the Yankton Indian Reservation, South Dakota, weighing in at 140 pounds. She is "The Deerfield Destroyer" and the Project: Honor Warrior Rising Champion, SARAH ROBERTS!

Before the duo start down the ramp, Delilah straps the Warrior Rising Championship around Sarah's waist. With the same juxtaposition as seen on the stage, Sarah continues down to the ring with Delilah in tow. Before Sarah can enter the ring, Delilah scampers up the stairs and uses her body to separate the top and middle ropes. Sarah slides between them, moves to the center of the ring, and raises her arms while Delilah takes to the corner, shouting inaudibly and pointing to her client. As "Holding My Breath" fades from the PA, Sarah removes the Warrior Rising Championship from around her waist takes to her corner while Delilah exits the ring entirely.

TREY BOOKER: There she is, the new Warrior Rising Champion. Sarah has been on a roll since joining Project: Honor and now has her first test since winning the title from a very honorable inaugural champion in Zane.

J.T. PRICE: Too true a statement but I can’t help thinking she didn’t face The Crescent Moon at her best considering everything she was dealing with at the time. Speaking of assholes though, here’s the idiot who tried to shake the hand of the fu..

TREY BOOKER: J.T. come on man, we promised we’d try to be professional when it comes to this. Now look.. It’s one thing to win a title though, another to handle the pressure of being a champion. Tonight we’ll see how both Sarah and her partner do, as he’s about to make his way to the ring now.

J.T. PRICE: Whatever...

“Just Like You” by Falling in Reverse begins to play as Indy Darling walks onto the entrance area with the hood of his vest pulled over his eyes. He drops to one knee with arms outstretched on either side, soaking in the reception from the live crowd. After we hear "Honestly I'm just like you" for the first time, he springs back to both feet and allows his hood to fall from his head, revealing a lit cigarette between his lips. Indy is sporting a pair of sunglasses under his cropped reddish-blonde hair, and his expression is difficult to read. Neither smiling nor frowning, he casually makes his way toward the ring his eyes focused on the challenge that lies ahead of him. Around his waist is the championship gold, the flashing lights from above sparkling off its surface.

HOLLY PEREZ: And lastly, introducing her tag team partner...he hails from Indianapolis, Indiana and weighs in tonight at 215 pounds. Ladies and gentlemen here is “Everyone’s Favorite X-Factor Champion” INDY DARLING!

Upon reaching the ring, Indy slides under the bottom rope and lets his vest slide off of his shoulders, catching it in his right hand before whipping it out to a lucky member of the audience. He is wearing full tights with his name stylized down the right leg, along with color-coordinated kick-pads and an elbow pad on his left arm. He moves toward the ropes facing the hard camera and steps onto them with one foot on the bottom rope and one on the middle. He looks around at the crowd, letting a slight smile creep over his face, as we hear "I am aware you are all assholes" from his entrance music. He then unfastens the belt from his waist and proudly lifts it above his head with his right hand. Indy then takes a final drag from his cigarette before flicking it to the ringside area, while soaking up the cheers, jeers, curses, and praise from the diverse but mostly approving audience reacting to his presence in the ring.

J.T. PRICE: Yeah, yeah soak it in pal..

TREY BOOKER: J.T. Seriously, come on man.

J.T. PRICE: Fine.

Following the exit of Holly Perez and the respective championships being handed to the ring attendant, the official signals for the bell to ring which gets a quick loud roar of approval from the fans.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

After some discussion on both ends, the current X-Factor Champion and Caliban start things out for their teams, Strader yelling from the corner that they’ll meet on his time which garners some vocal disapproval from the crowd. The two men circle before locking up in the middle of the ring jockeying for position. Both men push to a stalemate before the champion tries for a go behind only to be met with a check to the side of the head which allows Caliban to get the advantage with a side headlock. Darling tries to send him off but the hold stays. Finally he’s able to maneuver out, going around the slightly larger competitor before getting him in a side headlock of his own. Caliban pushes him off but when he tries to catch him with a lariat, Indy slides under, meeting him at the pass with a crisp dropkick that staggers Caliban back into the ropes. He tries to charge but the champion uses his speed to again take him off guard, and down with a headscissors, following it up with a basement dropkick. The quick cover is stopped at one but the champion keeps hold of his opponent with some intermittent forearm strikes, reaching back and making the tag to Sarah Roberts when they reach the corner.

TREY BOOKER: Quick fall there by Indy and it looks like Caliban is in trouble early on.

J.T. PRICE: Yeah but let’s see if the two champions can coexist here. Remember what Caliban said.

Holding Caliban for Sarah, Indy gives her the chance to lay in a stiff knee to the midsection which is followed up with a spinning backfist that brings him down to a knee by the ropes. Roberts goes to whip him off but the stronger Caliban reverses, Sarah meeting a forearm to the back of the head from Strader leading into a backbreaker from Caliban. Now tagging in Nash, the two bring the champion to the canvas with a double suplex before Caliban exits and JNS lays in some closed fists to the head of Roberts.

J.T. PRICE: A real partner would come in and try to stop this. Looks like we got another disappointment of an X-Factor Champion.

TREY BOOKER: You’re not making this match easy to call, you realize that right?

J.T. PRICE: What are they going to do, fire me?

TREY BOOKER: Well back in the ring JNS is quick to keep the advantage with a vertical suplex, and stares right at the X-Factor Champion sending a clear message.

J.T. PRICE: Good! I can’t wait until he gets his hands on the damn kid.

TREY BOOKER: Oh will you stop?

Back in the ring nails another suplex, going for the cover but the determination of the champion prevents a one count from even happening. Nodding his head, JNS grabs hold of the arm of Sarah, forcing her up, wrenching it and laying in a couple shots with his loose hand before scaling to the top. Walking across the rope, he ends up nailing the Midnight Rider, the clubbing strike bringing her right back down. The number one contender then goes for the cover.

One..
Two-

Sarah gets the shoulder up. However she isn’t given much room to breathe as Strader gets her up by the hair, dragging her to his team’s corner and tagging in Caliban. JNS then grabs Sarah, whipping her off and looking on with a smirk as Caliban catches her with a spinebuster, the fans mixed between chanting for the X-Factor Champion who looks on at the action concerned and trying to will Roberts back into the match. Caliban keeps the new champion grounded though, laying in a few strikes to the back before locking in a Half-Nelson Choke in the middle of the ring.

TREY BOOKER: Sarah Roberts is in serious trouble here J.T. While the fans, and those at ringside alike are trying to get her in the game, she’s not looking too good here.

J.T. PRICE: She’s down but she’s not out. You see that struggle? That shows that she’s still got that grit despite her newfound champion status.

Sarah doesn’t allow herself to fade, maneuvering her body until she’s able to roll back, forcing a break to prevent a pinfall. Still out of it, she gets up to Caliban grabbing hold of her. The champion is able to break hold of his grasp though and surprises him with a Bicycle Knee, both crumbling to the mat. As the official begins to count both competitors down, the fans then begin to chant for Sarah and Indy who is yelling out for his partner.

TREY BOOKER: This is the chance Roberts needs, get the fresh man in and get their team back on track.

The referee reaches seven before the tag is made to Indy Darling. Caliban is unable to reach JNS however and turns to meet a flying crossbody press from the fired up Darling who follows it up with a Ripcord Elbow but before Caliban can fall, he snatches him and levels him with “Everyone’s Favorite Driver” as the crowd is unglued, unchained, and showing absolute love for the king of the X-Factor division.

One..
Two..

Strader comes in to try and break up the fall but Indy catches him in the act. The number one contender gives him a mockingly approving nod before stepping back and allowing him to have at his partner. The referee forces JNS back to his corner while Darling heads up, the crowd cheering as they know “Independents Day” is coming soon. Just as Caliban stirs into the right position, a loud slap is heard, Sarah Roberts having tagged herself into the match.

J.T. PRICE: What did I tell you Booker? Caliban may seem mad to most but he’s the wisest of us!

TREY BOOKER: What have you been drinking and can I please have some?

J.T. PRICE: Hey, hey. What happened to being professional?

TREY BOOKER: Colton Saint happened..

The sudden tag causes Indy to jump down from his perch and look at her surprised, the two champions mouthing off to one another to reach an understanding. Caliban sneaks a tag to JNS as this goes on and blindsides Darling with a leaping clothesline that causes both men to take a tumble to the outside of the ring. Roberts has no time to react, getting clubbed from behind by JNS who quickly sets her up for the Support Your Local BombSquad (Gorilla Press-Slam Backbreaker Combo). The champion does her best to fight it off but ultimately falls to the move. Strader then goes for the pin.

One..
Two..

Dispatching of Caliban on the outside with “Everyone’s Favorite Kick” Indy dashes into the ring to break up the pin attempt on Sarah.

THREE!!

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: Here are your winners of the match..CALIBAN AND JOHN NASH STRADER!!

Having slid in but just out of reach, Darling looks on as an exhausted Strader shoots him a quick smirk before sliding out of the ring. Meeting his dazed partner on the outside, the victorious JNS signals to Indy that the belt will soon be his as the X-Factor Champion checks on the downed Sarah Roberts.



"Blockbuster Night Pt.1” By Run the Jewels plays as both James and Shawn come out to boos that they shrug off as they continue walking down the ramp.

Holly Perez: At a combined weight of 456 lbs. The team of James Raven and Shawn Warstein….LEGACY!

TREY BOOKER:Call them an unlikely duo, call them two names you’d only expect to see on a card with a versus between em, but don’t call them out just yet! Two ring warriors who’ve made their name in this business decided to step up their level by teaming together, Shawn Warstein and James Raven, and you love to see it!

J.T. PRICE: You could argue for days about whose more pragmatic and whose approach to in ring competition is the best, but even with clashing styles these two managed to forge something white hot.

Both James and Shawn take to hopping onto the apron and nod towards each other as they get fully into the ring, mocking the crowd as the booing slowly dies down.

The lights in the building go dark and smoke fills the stage as "The Heresy" by Mushroomhead's soft symphonic intro fills the building up. At the thirteen second mark, when the boom of bass, guitars, and drums kick in while "Úlfhéðnarni" fades onto the titantron. The lights come up in a frosty blue hue, revealing Ivan Bloodaxe, Ragnar Ironside, Aegir Hamundarson, and their manager, Freydís Bloodaxe, on stage.

We feed the war machine
The sacrifice has just begun
We feed the war machine
Hide your daughters, your first born sons

The trio and manager in tow start their way down the ramp.

HOLLY PEREZ: Accompanied by Freydís Bloodaxe, hailing from Honningsvåg, Norway - at a combined weight of nine hundred and fifty four pounds - Ivan Bloodaxe, Ragnar Ironside,  and Aegir Hamundarson! Úlfhéðnarnir!

Freydis takes her place at Úlfhéðnarnir's corner. Ironside and Hamundarson reach up and use the ropes as leverage to hoist themselves onto the apron while Bloodaxe climbs the steps, slips between the ropes, and stands behind his two large teammates. All three raise their arms, then Ironside and Hamundarson step over the top rope and join Bloodaxe in their corner.

J.T. PRICE: Part of me wonders if they’re about to bash someone’s face in, the other part of me wonders if they’re about to start throwing axes, and I can’t tell which one would be more dangerous.

TREY BOOKER:: Ivan Bloodaxe, Ragnar Ironside, and Aegis Hamundarson are an absolutely terrifying force. I specifically practiced their names because I didn’t want that terrifying force to bump into me in the parking lot, after the show.

The ref looks to both teams to verify if they’re ready, Legacy merely leans against the turnbuckle and look unamused as  the team of Úlfhéðnarnir decide that they only need one member to compete. Bloodaxe stays in the ring as Ironside and Hamundarson exit the ring and proceed to leave.

Ivan Bloodaxe hops back and forth as James and Shawn chuckle before playing rock, paper, scissors. Shawn wins the best of three as the ref impatiently asks them to hurry up.

J.T. PRICE: This tag tournament will be responsible for Rock Paper Scissors making a resurgence and beating out Cyberpunk.

Shawn takes a step forward as James steps thru between the top and middle rope, and takes up position as the members of Úlfhéðnarnir going up the ramp second guess, and now Ragnar decides to head back to the ring to be at his teammate’s side. The ref takes note but signals for the bell.

Ivan takes to Shawn, locking up in the center of the ring, looking for an advantage to press, but Shawn gets him immediately into a corner as the ref attempts to get them to break the hold, with neither breaking up the ref counts.

ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR!

TREY BOOKER: At 4.999, he finally breaks away, utilizing every second he can get.

Shawn releases, hands raised in self-defense as Ivan waits to see if Shawn will break away, but instead catches a slap across the face from Shawn as he backs away laughing as Ivan rubs his jaw angrily.

Ivan steps back out to the middle of the ring where Shawn motions to step up like a child. Ivan attempts another lockup with Shawn, but is outwrestled in a waist hold into a belly to belly suplex, but Shawn pulls him back up, whistling at James as he snaps Ivan into the air, stalling as he smirks at James.

Shawn waits a few more seconds before falling back on the suplex, bringing a dazed Ivan crashing down to the mat. He floats over for the pin.

ONE!
TWO!

Ragnar stomps on Shawn to stop the count, at which James immediately goes for an attempted clothesline but Ragnar stiffens up on impact, immediately taking James in his hands and drops him with an overhead belly to belly… No Shawn is over to stop the attempt, pulling his partner back down, immediately Legacy connect with a double mule kick to Ragnar’s chest, doubling him over long enough for both drape one shoulder over each, and lift him up high, showing all in attendance the stalling suplex, before dropping Ragnar in the center of the ring. They both pop up and high five as Ragnar rolls out of the ring.

J.T. PRICE: These two seem determined to cruise through this tournament, don’t they?

TREY BOOKER: I don’t think their opponents have the same plans for them! Incoming!

Immediately, Ivan charges at Shawn, who sidesteps the rookie mistake, but guides Ivan into the turnbuckle, he bounces back, having bumped his head as Shawn instantly schoolboy rolls him up. The ref slides over for the count.

ONE!

Ragnar tries to intervene as the ref counts, but James intercepts with a spine buster away from the pin attempt…

TWO!

The ref doesn’t see the leverage applied by Shawn as he uses his legs to keep Ivan pinned to the mat, who you see clearly struggling to overpower him.

THREE!!

Holly Perez: And your winners and advancing in the tournament…...LEGACY!

J.T. PRICE: Legacy gets away with the win, and Shawn’s looking like the cat that caught the mouse!

TREY BOOKER: Different approaches might make some question their cohesiveness, but what we saw tonight was variety. Different styles means they’ve got a swiss army knife in their arsenal, and they barely broke the seal tonight. Can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store!


The backstage cameras show the hallway of Project Honor, zooming in on some of the superstars locker rooms. You see the ones of the champion Dickie Watson, Contessa Floran and some others. They keep moving till they reach the door of Elena DeDraca. From the inside you can hear melodic, but somewhat dark music. They knock two times but there is no answer. Another two times till you can hear footsteps coming closer to the door.

They seem surprised when not Elena but another well known face sticks her head through the door. Hannah Watson. The bubblegum coloured hair falling loose over her shoulder. The smile on her face way too bright.

Hannah Watson: You knocked?

The camera guy was nodding which caused the camera to nod with him. He obviously tried to take a peek inside the room, but the young girl was blocking her view. Hannah bit on her bottom lip, and seemed lost in thoughts.

Hannah Watson: Miss DeDraca can’t come out to play now. She has business to attend, thank you.

With that she slammed the door shut and returned to her sister in law. But in reality she was a lot more to Hannah and Dickie. More like a mother. On one of the steel chairs sat Dickie, his title resting somewhere on the table. His focus was on Elena, a worried expression on his face. She looked at him somewhat soft, the same way she looked at Isabella.

Elena DeDraca: I told you I am okay.

Dickie Watson: You always say that though. You are not very good at sharing your feelings…

Elena kept looking at him but her body stiffened slightly. She knew he was right, but that didn’t make a difference. She had a job to do and that had Lazarus Arjen written all over it.

Elena DeDraca: And you expect this to change? If I couldn't in the past thirty years, the chances are pretty small now. I can’t let emotional bollocks distract me from my match. Lazarus and my fans deserve the very best of me. So no distraction, Dimitri.

Dickie Watson: Distraction? Elena, your mother d…

With the raise of her hand she signalised him to stop talking. She was very well aware of what had happened in the past weeks. And there she knew the moment where it hits hard would come. But not today. Not tonight.

Elena DeDraca: Can we change the subject, please? I will not make the mistake to underate my opponent. I know what he is capable of, although he had a bad start. We’ve both been in those situations, Dimitri. And as complicated as my life has been as of late, inside this ring I am better than most. I don’t care who bets against me, although I am certain the list is long. And growing every day. I wanna make tonight count. Can you understand that?

Her eyes scanned his facial expression but for a moment she looked at Hannah too. The bubbly girl that would always greet you with a smile. But also someone that could snap in less than 3 seconds, ripping her opposite apart.

Dickie sighed, crossing his arms and looking off to the side. He didn’t seem at all that he was willing to concede, which wasn’t at all strange for the British National. That was one trait all of them, blood or not blood-related, carried without a doubt. Concessions. Giving up. They weren’t words that their family knew.

Dickie Watson: Lazarus is going for the throat, Lena. He’s a deathmatch competitor -- his first instinct is to spill blood, and you know it.

Elena shook her head again, leaning back against the hard surface supporting her. She obviously either wasn’t interested in listening to him, or she already had a response ready.

Dickie Watson: I know you’re going to tell me that you’ve dealt with people like this. I remember So-Cal, I remember what you did there. But...it’s just been so long. You were at the height of your career at that time and--

A smile played upon the lips of the British Raven. This was where her brothers were far different. The other one, the one that disappeared from the limelight, would have been salivating at the bit and encouraging her to spill blood. But Dickie, even in all of his brusque candor and anger that he displayed, he erred on the side of caution when it came to his sister. If not for herself, then for the rest of them. Elena was the glue that held them all together, whether she realized it or not.

Elena DeDraca: Dimitri, are you telling me I am old?

The color drained from Dickie’s face.

Dickie Watson: No, that’s not it at all! It’s just you and Contessa kicked the shit out of those dumbshits and they peaced out. Laz seems to have a bit more spine and interest in breaking yours. You heard what he said…

For a moment nothing happened, there was this long pause when Elena simply looked at him. They had been in such situations before, even outside the business. Dimitri was a very clever guy, but he knew that the same could be said about Elena. His elder sister looked at him with those piercing green eyes.

Elena DeDraca: I heard every word he had to say, darling. Every single one of them. And I am certain that he meant each of them, but just like others before him- he hasn’t thought them through. He is pissed about his debut and the way Warstein toyed with him. He is angry at life for nothing going his way. But most importantly he has the mindset of a predator. So maybe I should be scared of the things he could do to me, but I am not. You don’t live a life like mine for so long and then back away from people like him.

She gave him that wide smile, showing off her teeth.

Elena DeDraca: Deathmatch wrestler is just a pseudonym for people that like to start fights. Folks that often lack technique or other things. I don’t care what he thinks he can do to me tonight- we will see when the time arrives. Going for my throat? Man, that will be hard without teeth.

Sitting next to Dickie, Hannah’s laugh tinkled lightly at Elena’s words. But Dickie was unphased...or perhaps, more undeterred. He tilted his head to the side, his dark, unkempt hair falling into his face as he did so. Hannah slid her arms around Dickie’s left bicep and she rested her head on his shoulder.

Hannah Watson: She’ll be fine. You know she’ll be fine. Do you remember when she stabbed that one guy in the face with a fork? I think that was the first show I went to with you all.

Dickie Watson: Don’t think I’ve forgotten -- that was the first show I went to in America. I also distinctly remember you setting your ex-husband on fire.

Elena pursed her lips in a knowing smile and she inhaled through her nose as if she were relishing in the thought.

Elena DeDraca: If you need to use that as a reminder of what I can do when I am angry, then keep that in your mind. Dimitri, you worry too much about all of us, whether you like us all to know it. And that’s the good part of you that you’ll never lose, I know that. But as your sister, I must remind you that I am not worried about Lazarus Arjen. Or anyone else in this promotion, no matter what people on that talk show say, or the persons across from me on the other side of the ring have to say. I will burn them from the inside out, and I will make them tap, if it is the last thing I do. The Fist of Hydra rises, little brother.

Dickie Watson: It’s just you’ve had a shitty couple of weeks and I don’t want to see that tear at you. Laz knows, and I bet he’s going to shit talk about it while you guys are in that match.

Elena DeDraca: I would be less of a wrestler if I allowed trash to get into my head during a match. I understand your worry, but I am far ahead of you.

Dickie Watson: I know. I know. And I don’t doubt that. I know when you get in there, you’ll burn ‘em at the stake, but I am also...I just know that even if Margaret wasn’t the best mom in the beginning, you’re like me and you wish every once and a while that things were different. That hangs over both of us all the time, Lena. Just...be careful? Okay?

Elena felt her temper getting the better of her, but she was still able to swallow it down. Instead of screaming and kicking she walked closer towards the happy couple, bending over. She kissed her little brother on the forehead, something she hadn’t done in a long while. Still smiling.

Elena DeDraca: Always the little worrier, aren’t you? I know what you mean and I can understand where you’re coming from. But I am not the girl I was back then, Dimitri. I am not the woman they wanted me to become. I am Elena DeDraca. And tonight you will see that side of me that everyone wants to dim down. You’re right. There will be blood, but it won’t be mine.

She rubbed his cheek and winked at Hannah before turning around, walking towards the door. When wrapping her hand around the knob, she looked over her shoulder once more.

Elena DeDraca: I am great at a normal night. I am perfect on an angry night. Just imagine what I will be when my heart and soul is broken.

With that she walked through the door, leaving them to think about it.

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is set for one fall and can only be won by pinfall, countout, or disqualification. Entering first…

The stage fills with smoke as “Revelation” by Black Veil Brides begins to belt through the sound system.

“THE GLORY OF A NATION DIES
THE SYMBOL OF THIS WAR IS COMING
A WARNING MEANT TO SAVE OUR LIVES FROM
F.E.A.R.'S RELIGION”

There are some cheers when the curtain is flung back and a dour, yet supremely confident Elena DeDraca makes her way onto the stage.

HOLLY PEREZ: Currently residing in Garrison, New York, by way of London, England. She stands 5’8’’ and weighed in at 135 pounds…”THE GOTHMOTHER OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING” ELENA DEDRACA!

As the fog begins to clear and the lights pulsate in tune to the music, Elena looks to her left, and then to her right as she absorbs the general atmosphere she is receiving. The pale queen nods and she appears to smile while she makes her way down the ramp.

TREY BOOKER: Elena looking dangerous here tonight. There’s no question as to whether this woman’s got as much talent as she does flare for the dramatics.

J.T. PRICE: Elena always looks dangerous, but she’s going up against one of those dangerous trashbagger types here tonight. Personally I think she deserves a better class of competition, but we’ll see how she fares against a more unrefined opponent.

Several hands reach out for Elena's acknowledgment as she heads toward the ring, however she coldly ignores each and every one of them. Once at ringside, she leaps up onto the apron and there are some boo’s as she throws up a hand and points at the crowd, before she elegantly steps between the top and middle rope. She simply throws back her head and laughs at the referee's suggestion of a weapon check. As her theme music slowly fades out, Lady DeDraca throws up her taunt once more and then she confidently stares daggers down the entranceway, awaiting her opponent.

HOLLY PEREZ:...and her opponent…

The arena lights fall to darkness, save a flickering and pulsating crimson light in the entranceway that’s synced up to a deep, low humming emitting over the P.A. That deep, low hum lasts for four seconds, and then stops -extinguishing the crimson light with it’s exit. This four seconds of the hum and flickering light repeats three more times before the beat fully drops and “PIT OF FIRE” by 3TEETH takes over the P.A. system fully. Once that beat dropped, the entire arena filled with the same dark red coloring, except now there was a dim spotlight focused on the entrance way. Emerging as soon as that heavy beat drop and riff began, Lazarus Arjen pushed his way through the curtain. Lazarus methodically walks to the ring in time with the drum beat. His gaze is affixed to the ring as he shuts out the jeering and flippant fans in passing on his way to the squared circle.

HOLLY PEREZ: On his way to the ring - from Alkmaar, Netherlands, weighing at One Hundred and Sixty-One Pounds. He is “The Poison” … Lazarus Arjen!

TREY BOOKER: What an intense human being Lazarus Arjen is.

J.T. PRICE: He’s one of those deathmatch idiots who wears pants and a t-shirt to the ring. Meanwhile, Elena’s dressed to the nines in the finest gothic fashion. But I suppose none of that matters once you’re punching someone in the face.

Lazarus slowly ascended the steel steps and slips between the ropes into the ring. He stares down Elena DeDraco with an intense stare as he backs into the corner and drops down into the seated position, leaning against the turnbuckle.

DING! DING! DING!

On cue, Lazarus grabs the top strand and slinks up out of the corner, just in time to dodge a beautiful corner splash by Elena DeDraca. Elena stops herself short of careening with the turnbuckle pad, but Laz takes the opening and quickly bulrushes her from behind with a forehead to the neck. He shoves her into the corner chest first, only to pull her back with an attempted double knee backbreaker, but Elena holds the top strand in the corner and lets Laz bump back first down to the mat empty handedly. Lazarus sits up off of the mat, just in time to catch a running knee strike to the face from Elena. Elena falls on top of Lazarus in a side mount and starts raining down blows as “The Poision” struggles to cover up, before finally rolling out of the guard and getting to his feet. The two rush one another, throwing wild haymakers and stiff punches, forcing the ref to step between them and break up the wild melee as the crowd goes wild around them.

TREY BOOKER: The Gothmother isn’t having any of it tonight.

J.T. PRICE: Clearly neither is The Revolver, but the ref might want to watch himself getting between the two of them.

The ref backs Laz off into the ropes as Elena stands center ring, beckoning for Laz to take the swing, only causing him to lunge at her more as the ref holds him back. Seemingly calm, Laz holds his hands up momentarily, before shoving the ref out of the way, only to eat s shoot kick to the midsection by Elena DeDraca as she charges in puts him back into the ropes with another hard shot to the abdomen with a stiff kick. The ref springs back to life and pushes Elena off of Laz as he steps through the ropes and takes a breather on the outside. Elena, having none of it from the official, charges past, steps through the ropes, runs the apron, and takes Laz out with a cartwheel cannonball senton! She quickly scoops Laz up off of the mats on the outside and mares him into the barricade and lays in with a swift kick to the ribs for good measure as the referee in ring finally has enough and starts the count out.

One!
Two!
Three!
Four!

Elena, in control, grabs a handful of Laz’s hair and pulls him up off of the ground and starts guiding him toward the ring post. She props him up against it as he seeths, still favoring his ribs. She looks to lace in another hard kick, but Laz side-steps last second and the British Raven’s shin cracks against the ring post! Laz sees the opening and lunges in with a front chop block to the other knee, cutting Elena for a flip on the outside.

Five!
Six!
Seven!

Laz yanks the hobbled Elena up off of the mats and rolls her back into the ring and follows her in close behind. He hovers over her as she rolls on the canvas clutching both legs. As she finally rises to her knees, Laz rushes her with a huge PK, leveling her back onto the canvas. He quickly grabs her legs and flips her over, planting his feet into the bend of her knees, grabbing her ankles, and stomping down hard with a gross surfboard stomp. Elena lets out an uncharacteristic groan of agony as Laz circles around to the front of her, clasping her head between his ankles, and then jumping up and careening her head into the mat with a double stomp. Laz sneers with delight as he nuzzles the lifeless Elena over on her back and covers.

One!
Two!
Kickout!

TREY BOOKER: I’ve got to say, I’m honestly surprised.

J.T. PRICE: Elena’s taken a lot of unprotected punishment in a short period of time, but the match is still young.

Laz starts peeling the writhing Elena DeDraca off of the canvas, but Elena fights back with some hard and desperate right hands to the midsection. She starts to rise up, only for Laz to club her across the shoulders and send her back down to her knees. He paint brushes the back of her head a few times demeaningly, before attempting to lift her again, only to find her fighting back once more with rabbit punches to the gut. Laz tries to lift a knee and take her out, but Elena slaps it away and turns him around. She locks up for the dragon suplex, but Laz easily yanks his arms free of the full nelson and reverses into one of his own. Snap Dragon Suplex, but Elena rolls through to her feet! She stumbles and tries to gain equilibrium as an annoyed Laz rises off of the canvas and rushes her looking for a lariat, but eats a flush headbutt instead! Laz staggers momentarily, before punching himself in the face and regaining his composure with a sadistic roar. He rushes Elena, but she catches him in an overhead belly-to-belly that sends Laz head over heels into the turnbuckle! Elena sits up out of the suplex, breathing heavy as life begins to reappear behind her eyes, and is quickly replaced with placid anger as she lunges off of the mat with psychotic determination and turns to face Lazarus in the corner. The madman quickly scrambles to his feet and charges DeDraca with another lariat attempt. She side steps and plants a spinning sole butt to the abdomen of Lazarus. She quickly locks up for a double underhook suplex, but Lazarus spins out of the butterfly hold and back into a full nelson. He tries to snap back with the dragon suplex, but DeDraca clasps her hands and loops her arms and steps down on her hands, breaking the full nelson. Lazarus grabs a handful of her hair and tries to yank her back with another lungblower attempt, but Elena spins around and grabs a handful of Laz’s hair in retaliation and yanks him down with a neckbreaker across the knee! Elena DeDraca covers!

ONE!

TREY BOOKER: Oh my gosh! Lazarus Arjen kicked out at one!

J.T. PRICE: It seems like both combatants are surprised by it.

Lazarus smiles up at Elena as he kicks out of the cover. Eliza gets to her feet and beckons Arjen to get to his as well. The two quickly go nose-to-nose, Lazarus sneering in the Gothmother’s face as she regards him through half-slit unimpressed eyes. Elena pulls back and looks for the headbutt again, but Lazarus side steps and lets her bob right into a knife edge chop to the throat. Elena seeths in pain from the blow only momentarily, but it’s enough for Lazarus to lay in with a hard right. Elena keels over from the punch, only to rise up and lay in with another hard kick to the sternum of Lazarus, a strike that both competitors regret as Arjen clenches his fists and sucks up the pain as Elena limps in place, favoring her worked over leg after the unwise strike. Lazarus teases another punch, but Elena puts her hands up. Lazarus drops down instead and takes Elena out at the knee with a brutal basement dropkick. Lazarus rolls to his feet off of the dropkick as DeDraca fights to regain her base, only for Lazarus to pop up and plant her on the canvas with a brutal standing frankensteiner! Elena tumbles through the bottom rope to the outside, but Lazarus is close behind, not letting his opponent gain any respite as he dives through the ropes and sends her flying into the barricade with a torpedo like tope suicida! Lazarus lands on his feet as Elena pinballs off of the guard rail. Not letting her gain a breath, he lunges in with a close range spear to follow up! Lazarus scoops the lifeless Elena off of the floor and chucks her into the ring like a bag of dirty laundry and quickly covers.

ONE!
TWO!

TREY BOOKER: ELENA KICKS OUT!

J.T. PRICE: WHAT!?!

TREY BOOKER: ELENA KICKS OUT!

J.T. PRICE: I DON’T BELIEVE IT! She’s...smiling at him!

Lazarus bites his own fingers with frustration as Elena props her head up off of the mat, smiling at him sadistically. Fed up, Lazarus jumps up to his feet and makes a slitting motion toward his throat as he yanks Elena DeDraca up off of the canvas and shoves her head between his legs.

TREY BOOKER: He’s gotta be thinking DNR.

J.T. PRICE: Indeed, that signatura piledriver that he fittingly calls Do Not Resuscitate.

Lazarus lifts Elena up for the piledriver, but she quickly locks her legs around his head and rolls up onto his shoulders, precariously putting herself into a powerbomb position. She rains down blows on Lazarus’s head as he tries to toss her off. She floats over his head and pulls him down into a sunset flip. Laz rolls through, but Elena was waiting for it as she snags the arm and locks in the kimura! Pale Horse! Elena scissors the body and wrenches on the arm! Lazarus struggles to pull himself up to his feet, but with every attempted step up off of the mat, Elena locks in the Pale Horse even tighter and drags him right back down to the canvas. Lazarus struggles desperately as Elena’s grasp grows tighter. He attempts to roll into the submission and perhaps jacknife for the cover, but Elena laces her leg behind his neck and quickly transitions right into the Octopus Stretch! FIST OF HYDRA! Lazarus taps!

DING DING DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner of this match via submission; “The British Raven” Elena DeDraca!

DING DING DING DING!

TREY BOOKER:She wont relinquish the hold!

J.T. PRICE:GET IN THERE REF!

The crowd goes wild as the ref tries to pull Elena out of the Fist of Hydra as “Revelation” by Black Veil Brides blares through the PA. Finally, another official makes his way into the ring and the two manage to peel DeDraca off. Laz immediately hunches up out of the hold and rolls out of the ring in retreat as the Gothmother smiles with satisfaction at her conquest.



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

HOLLY PEREZ: This match is scheduled for ONE FALL and is A FIRST ROUND MATCH IN THE TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT!

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

DRIP

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

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

Yung Sauce lowers his mic while Petey keeps his up to his mouth. They both slowly start to walk down the ramp, high-fiving the fans on their way down. Lil Petey raps the entire next verse with Sauce hyping him up. TJ dances up the ramp and almost falls off the ramp into the crowd before Sauce grabs his arm and pulls him back.

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

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

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

Petey and Sauce step into the ring. Sauce keeps the mic up to his mouth while Petey is bouncing up and down with his hands in the air. TJ exits the ring and climbs up onto the barricade, leaping into the crowd and crowdsurfing after they barely manage to catch him.

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

While Sauce was rapping the last line, both him and Petey got onto the top turnbuckle and held the mics in the air, wanting the crowd to do the last verse with them. The second the verse started, not all, but a majority of the audience joined in. TJ reenters the ring and keeps adlibing.

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

Sauce and Petey drop the mics and the audience goes wild! Feeding into the energy from the crowd, they stand in a corner waiting for their opponents to try and top that entrance.

HOLLY PEREZ: Introducing first… The team of TJ Thompson and Yung Sauce… BIG DRIP PRODUCTIONS!!!!!



Everything goes dark for a few moments. A beautiful projection of stars and moons shows up on the ceiling of the arena, swirling around the audience and over the ring.

O—
Aphrodite
I wrote your constellation
Into the sky
S-s-s-s-s-sa
Suns at night

The lights return ever so softly dim as the entrancing melody of 4 ÆM begins to play. Magenta, neon blues, and other vibrant mesmerizing colors give the arena a cosmic, ethereal appearance. The lights begin to shine down upon two figures, standing- as if they’re glowing. The lights dim, revealing both the Crescent Moon and the Shining Star! Zane wears a tiger mask as MYOJIN wears a half mask, their color schemes matching. They both lock elbows as they walk down the entrance ramp as the music begins to amp up, the two staring at each other with a grin before they let go and simultaneously run down the ramp!

I’m out late at 4 AM
He says, “How’s the weather, baby? How’ve you been?”
You’re gonna get sick, you don’t know when
I never doubt it at 4 AM
I’m out late at 4 AM
He says, “How’s the weather, baby? How’ve you been?”
You’re gonna get sick, you don’t know when
I never doubt it at 4 AM

They both climb up the apron and somersault into the ring. Zane moves to the left top turnbuckle as MYOJIN moves to the right. The glowing lights now shining down on them both once more as they point up to the ‘starry sky’ projected up above, then slowly point toward each other with a dramatic flair, before both backflip off of the turnbuckles. They move into the center of the ring. Both bowing in front of the audience as they take off their masks at the same time, their confident grins unfading. They then move toward their corner and began to get ready.[/center]

HOLLY PEREZ: And their opponents… The team of Zane and MYOJIN… CELESTIAAALLL LOVERRSSS!!

DING DING DING!

Myojin enters the ring first for Celestial Lovers and TJ for Big Drip Productions. They lock up in the middle of the ring. TJ whips The Shining Star to the ropes. The Shining Star bounces off and TJ clotheslines Myo to the mat. Myojin back up quickly to his feet. TJ grabs him sets him up and power slams him to the mat. The Shining Star quickly back up to his feet. TJ goes for a punch but The Shining Star catches it and hit’s a drag arm take down. Myojin back up to his feet as TJ up to his. TJ drives a knee into the midsection, he lifts him up and The Shining Star slides down his backside. Myo jumps on his back applying a sleeper hold.

TREY BOOKER: This has been quite the tournament so far!

J.T. PRICE: Yeah, Big Drip was extra drippy this week.

TJ falls back into the corner and rams The Shining Star into it. Myo climbs up to the middle turnbuckle as TJ turns around and gets hit with a flying clothesline sending him to the mat. The Shining Star up to his feet followed by TJ. Myo whips TJ into the corner and TJ tags in the nearby Yung Sauce. Yung Sauce jumps up onto the top rope and hits a springboard round house kick on The Shining Star sending him back down to the mat. Yung Sauce grabs the leg of the celestial lover and applies a knee bar. The Shining Star tries to get out but can’t. He reaches for the ropes, but is just out of reach. He slowly uses his strength to get there and to get the hold released.

TREY BOOKER: incredible ring awareness shown by Myojin!

Yung Sauce gets up to his feet as does The Shining Star. Yung Sauce connects with a series of punches and whips Myojin but he reverses it and Yung Sauce gets sent into the corner instead. TJ tags himself in.

J.T. PRICE: Lots of action so far, I can’t keep up! So dripppppy.

TREY BOOKER: Some great Project: Honor talent on IT tonight.Although when will Zane get in on this? She looks out of it up there.

TJ grabs Myojin by the hair and slams him into the turnbuckle. The ref declares it a hot tag and orders TJ into the ring. TJ rolls out of the ring and heads back to his corner as Yung Sauce gets back in. Myojin charges in and hits an enziguri on Yung Sauce. The Shining Star heads over and tags in The Crescent Moon. Zane enters slowly, sizing up possibly the drippiest member of Big Drip production. She charges in to try and knock Yung Sauce off his feet but is countered by a big boot. Yung Sauce drops an elbow but Zane rolls out of the way. Zane up and puts a headlock on Yung Sauce, only to get a back body suplex for her trouble. Yung Sauce locks an armbar on The Crescent Moon and moves over to tag in TJ, who hops off the turnbuckle to drive an elbow into Zane’s shoulder, and tags Yung Sauce back in. Zane exits as she tags in The Shining Star.]

TREY BOOKER: Nice tags, everyone is staying fresh. Glad to see Zane snap out of it!

Yung Sauce takes The Shining Star down with a leg sweep. Myojin gets back up. They lockup. Yung sends The Shining Star to the corner of the ring. Sauce uses a snap mare takeover on Myojin..

J.T. PRICE: That looked like it dripped all over the ring!

The Shining Star is back on his feet but TJ is tagged in by Yung Sauce. Myojin gets bounced off of the ropes and hit with a backdrop diver on him.

TREY BOOKER: What a tremendous match so far!

Myojin runs and clotheslines Yung Sauce flipping him right over, he moves over and tags in the former Rising Star Champion. The Crescent Moon stalks Yung Sauce as he slowly gets to his feet. Yung Sauce and The Crescent Moon lock up, and Yung Sauce takes control. He moves around and gets behind The Crescent Moon with a rear waistlock, he then quickly Irish whips her into the ropes, he goes for a spear a returning The Crescent Moon, only to have Zane leapfrog it, and counters with a reverse DDT!

TREY BOOKER: Veteran work from Zane the former Rising Star Champion!

Yung Sauce makes the tag to TJ but just barely. TJ moves in quickly trying for a short-arm lariat on The Crescent Moon, but Zane ducks, and hits TJ in the back of the head with a hard elbow sending him into the corner. She tags Myojin back in, who goes for his own lariat missing TJ completely and is Irish whipped into the corner. Or is he? He reverses the move sending TJ there instead. He moves in and hits The GLAMOUR TOUCH with ease on TJ. The ref drops for the cover.

1

2

TJ kicks out and jumps towards his partner and tags Yung Sauce as he rolls out of the ring. They lockup. Myojin sends Yung Sauce to the corner of the ring with a rough force that he bounces back down to the mat face first.

J.T. PRICE: That had to hurt!

Zane is tagged in by The Shining Star. Zane executes a gut-wrench powerbomb on Yung Sauce.

TREY BOOKER: gut-wrenching! No pun intended!

TJ is then tagged back in by Yung Sauce. TJ grabs Zane and whips her over the ropes, but The Crescent Moon hangs on. In a flash, TJ is running and Zane pulls down on the ropes to make TJ go flying over into the guardrail. The fans cheer at The Crescent Moon, as TJ groggily makes his way back to his feet. The Crescent Moon hops down as the referee starts to make the count. Yung Sauce and The Shining Star enter the ring and square off. The Shining Star, showing signs why he’s a star here in Project: Honor, starts sending out left and rights, as does Yung Sauce.

1

TREY BOOKER: Myojin has carried a good amount of this match but they should be wary of getting counted out.

2

J.T. PRICE: The tournament for the titles has been hard-fought! Ouch, I felt that one!.

3

Yung Sauce and The Shining Star go in with a simple lock-up. Yung moves into a hammerlock and applies pressure. The Shining Star quickly reverses that and takes it into a headlock. Yung Sauce shoots a couple of elbows into Myojin back to soften him up and tries to push him off into the ropes, but The Shining Star takes a hand full of Sauce's hair and uses the leverage to pull himself back into the headlock. Yung Sauce tries again but again The Shining Star pulls himself back into the headlock by the hair.

4

TREY BOOKER: The Shining Star doing what needs to be done.

5

J.T. PRICE: Celestial Lovers could win this whole thing but so could Big Drip Productions!

6

The Shining Star wrenches down on the headlock and Yung Sauce again eases the pressure by shooting a couple of elbows into Myo’s back, but instead of pushing him off, Irish whips him to the corner with such strength he too flips over the top rope onto the ring apron just like The Crescent Moon did minutes ago. Yung Sauce comes running in with a clothesline, but Myojin blocks. He hooks on a suplex and is sent flying into his own partner TJ who Zane just threw into the mix.

7

TREY BOOKER: Some basic teamwork from both sides really tonight JT.

J.T. PRICE: So I’ve noticed.

Zane pushes TJ back into the ring, negating the count, and climbs in as they are the legal members (DON’T YOU ASSUME GENDERS ASSHOLE) of the match still. The Shining Star takes his place at his corner, while Yung Sauce is slow to get back to his post. The Crescent Moon offers up her hand in a test of strength which TJ accepts and begins to get the better of The Crescent Moon when she goes for a cheap shot kick that TJ manages to dodge. TJ breaks out of the test of strength and wrenches it into a wrist lock on the former champion. She winces as TJ pulls her over to his corner and tags in Yung Sauce who’s made it back. TJ keeps the wrist lock applied as Yung Sauce goes up top and brings a double axe handle crashing down.

TREY BOOKER: Good teamwork!

J.T. PRICE: Yeah, ok, whatever you say, Booker.

The Crescent Moon shakes off her arm as Yung Sauce pummels her into the corner where he unloads with lefts, rights, and kicks. Once she is sufficiently weakened, Yung Sauce marches to the other corner and comes charging at The Crescent Moon in a splash attempt, but The Crescent Moon moves at the last second, making Yung Sauce bounce face-first off the turnbuckle. As Yung Sauce turns around, dizzy, Zane delivers a low kick to the inside of his thigh and then follows that up with a mid-roundhouse kick to their ribs. She then leaps onto Yung Sauce and sandwiches their head with a downward Muay Thai elbow thrust to the top of their head, and a rising Muay Thai knee to their jaw.

J.T. PRICE: He’s gonna have a headache!

1

2

Kickout!

J.T. PRICE: Slow count right there!

The Crescent Moon puts the stomps to Yung Sauce before tagging The Shining Star back in. They start to double team Yung Sauce as the ref begins a count for Zane to leave the ring. They both whip Yung Sauce into the ropes and send him crashing down to the mat with a double back body drop. The Crescent Moon then goes to her corner as instructed as The Shining Star puts a camel clutch on Yung Sauce.

TREY BOOKER: Yung Sauce better tag in TJ before its too late, The Celestial Lovers are putting on a bit of a show.

The Shining Star wrenches the hold as the ref asks whether he wants to quits or not. Yung Sauce grits his teeth and fights to his feet before running backward and ramming The Shining Star into the corner. He stops, takes a deep breath, and comes charging in. BOOM! Myojin goes down! The Crescent Moon rushes in, BOOM! Zane goes down. Yung Sauce picks up The Crescent Moon and tosses her to the outside. Zane now fully into the match and not her kidnaping looking rather pissed off jumps back up on the apron, and has her hand out for the tag. Both Myojin and Yung Sauce take the opportunity and tag in their partners.

TREY BOOKER: What a tournament match!

Zane and TJ circle each other, and Zane takes TJ down quickly with a drop toe hold. The Crescent Moon quick to her feet bounces off the ropes and connects with swinging DDT on the risen TJ. The Shining Star cheers his partner on as Zane lifts TJ up and locks in like she is going for a fisherman’s suplex. Zane lifts up TJ, but TJ, not quite knocked out enough flips his legs in the air bringing Zane down with an unsuspected face slam. The fans start to cheer as TJ crawls over and tags in Yung Sauce.

TREY BOOKER: Here we go!

Yung Sauce rushes the ring just as Zane gets to her feet and goes through her with an elbow. He then meets Myojin with more of the same before turning back to Zane and catching her on a charge to drive him into the corner. Yung Sauce turns around to hunt down Myojin but he’s already there and lifts Yung Sauce with a kick to the stomach. He then hits the ropes behind Yung Sauce and throws himself into a Lariat but Sauce ducks down at the right moment, sending Myojin spilling forward. Yung Sauce then follows up with a Superkick, catch Myojin just under the jaw on the turn.

J.T. PRICE: that’s not sweet, or music for a chin.

TREY BOOKER: *looking at JT* What the fu...

Myojin staggers to the ropes and bounces back into a kick in the gut. Yung Sauce then gets him down and gets a hold of his head for a DDT, and almost misses The Crescent Moon coming in from the top rope with MOONLIGHT CRESCENDO. He gets his head out of the way in time but Zane lands on her feet ready to fight. Yung Sauce then loses his grip, allowing Myojin to slip free and get around behind him. Zane launches a Mule Kick that smashes Yung Sauce in the face, just before Myojin buries him with a German Suplex.

TREY BOOKER: Myojin bridges, but he’s not the legal man!

Myojin lets go and Zane shoots for the cover, but TJ is back to break it up. Myojin gets him with a series of Forearm Shots to slop TJ up and Zane comes back to join him. The two then wing TJ to the ropes and then charge him down, but TJ gets both arms up and destroys them with a Double Clothesline.

J.T. PRICE: It’s all breaking down now!

TJ helps Yung Sauce to his feet and then the two go after Zane. They beat her down with a few stomps before Yung gets Zane by the legs in a Wheelbarrow and turns him to Yung Sauce. She hooks his arms however Myojin is up again and charges TJ from behind with the Lariat. Yung Sauce calls for him to duck but can’t get out of the way himself and gets mowed down.

J.T. PRICE: Myojin scores with the lariat!!

Myojin turns around and gets a kick in the gut from TJ that sets him up for a Piledriver. TJ wastes no time getting him to the air, hooking the leg and then burying him with a brutal Piledriver.

J.T. PRICE: Now TJ returns the favour with Fuel, but Zane is back on her feet and is on the top rope.

TJ can’t get up fast enough, and only gets as far as a knee before Zane scores with the MOONLIGHT CRESCENDO!. Tearing through TJ and putting him back to the floor. The fans are on their feet.

J.T. PRICE: They’re all down!

TREY BOOKER: But Zane still has some life in her.

Zane gets back up and turns to Yung Sauce. She then drags him off the floor to his feet and unloads on him with a two Elbows and then one from behind. She then twists into a Roundhouse Kick but Yung Sauce catches her leg and then spins him around. He then catches Zane with a knee in the chest and then a leg sweep that drops Zane on her face. He then hooks up her arms and pulls her to her feet, but Zane sinks to a knee and refuses to stand.

J.T. PRICE: She’s fighting it!

Yung Sauce lets free his arms and smashes Zane with a Double Axe-Handle to the back, but Zane surges to her feet and smashes him with a Headbutt. She then goes to town with a series of Elbows that rock Yung Sauce and then a kick through the legs that put him down. She then grabs Yung Sauce by the hair and drags him, face first, into a series of knees.

TREY BOOKER: Zane must have some aggression to take out after losing her strap and a poor kidnapping attempt!

Zane pushes him away and Yung Sauce snaps back with a thrust kick. Zane goes back but won't go down and Yung Sauce shoots with another but Zane falls to one side and lets him pass by. She then catches Yung Sauce with a stiff European uppercut.

J.T. PRICE: Don’t see that very much anymore!

Lil Petey finally shows up to the scene and tries to get Yung Sauce’s attention.

LIL PETEY: Hey, man, do that move you were practicing on me at The Hip House!

Yung Sauce looks confused and Zane comes up behind him to roll him up for a cover!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

DING! DING! DING!

“4ÆM” by Grimes blasts through the speakers. Zane and MYOJIN exit the ring and start to walk up the ramp together. The ref follows to hold their arms up in victory.

HOLLY PEREZ: Here are you winners by pinfall and advancing to the semi-finals of the Tag Team Tournament… The team of Zane and MYOJIN… CELESTIAL LOVERS!

TREY BOOKER: THEY DID IT! THE CELESTIAL LOVERS ARE GOING ONTO THE NEXT ROUND OF THE TAG TEAM TOURNEY!

J.T. PRICE: I think everyone was rooting for them after everything they’ve been through, but man… Big Drip Productions were absolutely impressive tonight. I honestly didn’t expect it.

TREY BOOKER: I agree one hundred percent. This is a brand new team and really they could’ve done it, but Lil Petey just had to ruin things at the last second and he wasn’t even in the match!

J.T. PRICE: I think we’re in for a great time with Big Drip Productions, but I’m stoked to see Celestial Lovers advance further!

Perched upon one of the storage carts, Dickie Watson kept his eyes closed. He seemed relaxed, ignoring the “hip” of the show. While it would be, in a few moments, the final match of the night, it would be literally the first time that he and Aiden had tagged in four months. They weren’t rusty, not by any means, but it was a new venture in which the two of them were willing to pursue and attempt one more time.

HANNAH WATSON: I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to support you more, you know.

He opened his eyes and gave Hannah a smile, leaning upwards and over his title as it laid across his criss-crossed legs.

DICKIE WATSON: I know. I believe you.

HANNAH WATSON: So I was thinking…maybe I could start tonight?

Dickie tilted his head to the side then, lifting an eyebrow. He opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out as he was cut off by the approach of his tag partner. Aiden Reynolds, already in his leather jacket, flung his arm across his body and stretched it with the opposite one. He bounced up and down for a second, before crossing his arms and looking at the two of them.

AIDEN REYNOLDS: Oi, you ready?

DICKIE WATSON: As I’ll ever be. Kind of irritated that it has to be with a piece of shit, but you know what…

AIDEN REYNOLDS: I resent that remark--

Dickie snorted at the slightly irritated expression on Aiden’s face.

DICKIE WATSON: Not you, mate. I meant this match. The last time I stood across from Colton Saint, it was a tag match. You know it’s kind of like deja vu. Except this time, I have a competent partner that knows which way is up and why not to flirt with the agent on the other side.

Aiden’s face screwed up in disgust and he shook his head.

AIDEN REYNOLDS: I’m not saying she’s not a lovely-lookin’ sheila, mate, but that broad is a fuckin’ demon. Wouldn’t dream of walking over there and showing her me bloody wombat, much less talkin’ to her.

HANNAH WATSON: No, you just like blondes.

Aiden turned his gaze on Hannah, who pursed her lips and crossed her arms, tilting her head to the side as if to await his answer.

AIDEN REYNOLDS: I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, Han.

Hannah rolled her eyes, but nevertheless, she leaned forward and set her elbow on Dickie’s leg and her chin on her hand. She turned her head to look at her husband again and gave him a dazzling smile, squinching her nose up in a cute manner and tapping her foot into the ground.

HANNAH WATSON: So, can I?

DICKIE WATSON: I mean, I’m okay with it. It’d be good to have eyes on the other side of the ring. Colton has been dominant in this company before, but I think that’s kind of all fading. He couldn’t speak for himself, had to have someone boost his self-esteem because he went and fucked up. Did you see that retirement letter? ’I got some negative reactions’--

AIDEN REYNOLDS: Yeah, nah, nah, yeah! What the fuck was up with that lousy fuckin’ assessment, mate? ‘I did something fucking heinous and expected to be praised for it’. Kidnapping a co-worker, especially in this day and age probably isn’t the best idea in the world.

DICKIE WATSON: And on top of it, of all the things, to act like you’ve finally figured out what to do and where to go, and it’s all for nothing? Is it a ploy to literally get us all to feel bad for him and just let him slide past us all? Nah. Fuck nah. I’m going out there tonight and bashing his face in. He doesn’t get to lord it over anyone his propensity for destruction. He doesn’t get to repeat himself thirty times in the space for twenty minutes and think that it’s a positive. And Contessa…

AIDEN REYNOLDS: Kind of had better hopes for her, you know? She’s kind of daft, to be honest. Her points she had about both of us were kind of stat-worthy, but not really like she did her research. I mean, yeah, mate. I’m not as well-travelled as Richard over here…

Dickie twitched as Aiden snickered. It was one of Dickie’s most annoying pet peeves.

AIDEN REYNOLDS: To be honest, Dickie doesn’t come from Dimitri, you know. I would suppose Contessa assumed, but you know what they say about making assumptions.

DICKIE WATSON: It makes an ass out of you and me?

AIDEN REYNOLDS: Nah, mate, nah. Nah, nah, nah. Saw some philosophical fuck say this thing that was like...assumptions are unopened windows that foolish birds fly into, and their broken bodies are evidence gathered too late.

There was silence for a few seconds as Dickie raised his eyebrow at his tag partner.

DICKIE WATSON: Very Contessa of you.

Aiden grinned, rather pleased with himself.

AIDEN REYNOLDS: I thought that might hit the right airwaves, ye?

DICKIE WATSON: Ye.

AIDEN REYNOLDS: Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. I’ll be here all week.

Hannah rolls her eyes as the two men snort and snicker, Aiden bowing slightly.

DICKIE WATSON: Either way, mate. Let’s go out there and do this thing, eh? Win or lose, it’s gonna be going to be excellent tagging with you again. Hannah, you’re coming with us.

Dickie hopped down and wrapped an arm around Hannah’s shoulders as she happily laughed, clapping her fingers together. The trio began walking towards the stage, their backs retreating from the frame.

AIDEN REYNOLDS: Let’s finish it quickly, aye? Got a lobby open for Cold War and I need to shoot some shit before the night is through. Can’t just throw you at everything to get a high K-D, fuck.

DICKIE WATSON: Oi, fuck off, mate!



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

DING! DING! DING!

HOLLY PEREZ: This match is scheduled for ONE FALL and is the
A TAG TEAM MAIN EVENT MATCH! Introducing first…

Arena lights completely black out.

In pure darkness, loud footsteps are heard in the audience. A pack of four security guards are seen when the lights come back on. "The Hunter" by FalKKonE starts to play as Colton Saint and Kimberly Chase are seen behind the security guards. They make their way through the crowd and down the stairs. Once they reach the barricade, the security guards stop while Colton and Kimberly jump over and walk into the ring.

HOLLY PEREZ: Weighing in at two hundred forty-five pounds… From Rofflestomp Ranch… Accompanied by Kimberly Chase… “The Last Breathing Outlaw”... COLTONNNNN SAINNNNTTT!!

TREY BOOKER: I have no idea how this dude is even employed by us after what he did…

J.T. PRICE: I don’t even know… I’m not sure how he hasn’t been mauled by now.

The lights in the arena flicker as if there is some sort of electrical short. The power struggles to stay on for a few moments until they ultimately go out. For a few seconds the arena is in complete darkness until rose tinted lights start pulsing along with the opening snare hits of “Only Shallow” by My Bloody Valentine.

The guitars scream as a cloud of smoke envelopes the stage and obfuscates a shape that stands in front of the curtain. The audience is entranced by the mythic imagery flashing on the screen and they wait with bated breath.

Sʟᴇᴇᴘ Lɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴘɪʟʟᴏᴡ Dᴏᴡɴ(ᴡᴀʀᴅ) Aɴᴅ (Wʜᴇʀᴇ)Sʜᴇ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴇ
Aɴʏᴡᴀʏ (ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ)

A small bleach blonde figure paces out onto the stage with her head low and her hair hanging in front of her eyes. Contessa Floran slowly parts the hair that obstructed the view of her face as the camera moves in for a close up. Her eyes are closed, she appears to be in a deeply pensive state. As if struck by lightning, she opens her eyes and her piercing blue gaze stares down the lens of the camera.

For a moment she gazes into the lens, her expression blank. Following a deep sigh, Floran skulks to the ring, choosing to walk along the guard rail in an effort to stay out of sight as much as possible. She does her best to avoid the grasp of clamouring fans. The camera scrambles to find her amid the darkness and haze.

Upon reaching the ring, she pulls herself up onto the apron and sits there for a moment, hanging her head once again. As the rose colored lights flash and the smoke begins to clear, Floran jumps up so she is standing on the apron. She takes a moment to survey the audience before she wipes her feet on the apron and enters the ring.

HOLLY PEREZ: And his partner… Weighing in at one hundred and forty-one pounds… From Visby, Sweden… “Oblivion’s Crush”... CONTESSSSAAA FLORRRANNN!!

TREY BOOKER: Contessa has been absolutely impressive lately, but she’s on the wrong side of the things right now.

J.T. PRICE: I still think they have a chance. While Colton has dug himself a grave, he’s still a dominant force. These two together could cause some havoc.


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


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


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


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


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

HOLLY PEREZ: And their opponents… Weighing in at a combined weight of four hundred and three pounds…Accompanied by Hannah Watson… The team of the Project: Honor Grand Champion Dickie Watson and Aiden Reynolds… THEEEE COMMMMONWEALLTTTHHHH!!!

TREY BOOKER: We haven’t seen these two in action together in Project: Honor yet, but we do know they were recently Tag Team Champions at a different company. Makes you wonder just how good they really are.

J.T. PRICE: You’re joking, right? One of them is the Grand Champion and cannot be defeated. That says enough right there.

The Commonwealth along with Colton and Contessa stand in their respective corners. Dickie and Colton stand on the apron while Aiden and Contessa look to get things started. Hannah and Kimberly stand at ringside, leaning against the ring.

DING! DING! DING!

TREY BOOKER: Main event time, bitches!

Both Aiden and Contessa inch closer to the middle of the ring and lock up. Aiden has the power advantage and twists her arm behind her back. Contessa reacts quickly with a quick jawbreaker, making him groggy while still on his feet. She turns around and connects a snap DDT. Aiden immediately gets back to his feet. Contessa kicks him right in the gut, forcing him to keel over. She attempts to drive her elbow into the back of his neck. Aiden is able to pull away at the last second and they stand across from each other, circling around the ring. Aiden charges at Contessa who ducks when he attempts a clothesline. When he rebounds against the ropes, he comes back at her with another, but stops while she ducks again. Aiden chuckles and then grabs a hold of her for a snap suplex. They both immediately get back up. Aiden grabs her arm and flips her over for the successful arm drag. Both get back up once again, this time Aiden pulls Contessa in belly-to-back and connects a german suplex. She’s slower to get up this time and Aiden doesn’t waste any time. He grabs her head and drives his fist right to it. Not once, not twice, not three times, but four times right to the head. She’s down on the mat now while Aiden runs for the ropes again. Coming back, he dives at Contessa with a forearm right across her face.

J.T. PRICE: Aiden is in complete control right now!

Aiden gets back to his feet and looks around at the crowd for a second. He grabs a hold of Contessa by the neck and pulls her up. She pushes off of him and then strikes him with a hook right to his jaw. She continues a fury of punches to Aiden’s face, backing him up to the ropes. When his back reaches the ropes, Contessa whips him across the ring and to the turnbuckle. His back collides with the turnbuckle and Contessa follows from right behind to hit a running European Uppercut. After the uppercut, Contessa continues to strike Aiden in the face before pulling him out. Before getting too far, she whips him back into the turnbuckle, but connects a drop toe hold so that Aiden’s face goes straight into the bottom buckle. Contessa pulls him away from the ropes and goes for the cover!

ONE!

TREY BOOKER: Definitely not enough as Aiden kicks out! Contessa looks to be trying to cover him again!

ON--

J.T. PRICE: The ref couldn’t even count to one this time before Aiden kicked out.

Contessa runs to the ropes while Aiden is getting back to his feet. She springboards off and connects an arm drag from the springboard! Aiden is sent flying across the ring, but rolls back onto his feet. Contessa charges at Aiden once again and this time Aiden is charging back. Aiden connects a running face wash and takes Contessa down to the mat! After a few seconds, Contessa is in a seated position and Aiden is already charging back at her, this time with a cannon ball right on top of her! He stays on top for the cover!

ONE!
TW--

TREY BOOKER: Kickout right before the two count! Great back and forth these two are putting on so far.

Aiden leaves Contessa where she lies and walks over to Dickie on the apron. The tag is official so that Dickie is now the legal competitor along with Contessa. Dickie enters the ring to Contessa on her feet close to the side that Colton is on. He tags himself in and then both men charge at one another with Colton getting the clothesline to connect. Contessa looks confused but goes to the apron. Dickie immediately gets back to his feet to be taken down by another clothesline. When he gets on his feet again, Colton whips him into the ropes. Colton bends over to have Dickie flip over him, but he stops and waits for Colton to stand straight. As he does so, Dickie twists for a corkscrew roundhouse kick right to Colton’s jaw. He falls to the mat and Dickie mounts on top, driving his elbows across Colton’s face. Left, right, left, right, left and then before hitting with his right one he stops. He waits a split second and then nails Colton right in the kisser with another elbow. Right after, Dickie gets back to his feet and then starts to stomp a mudhold into Colton’s chest.

J.T. PRICE: Dickie is really putting a hurting onto Colton right now!

TREY BOOKER: Well, he deserves it if you’ve been paying attention to what Colton has done. Whether that’s the reason Dickie is doing it or not, he still deserves it.

Dickie stops the stomping to run directly at the ropes. He rebounds back and attempts a running leg drop! Colton rolls out of the way, forcing Dickie to land on his buttocks. Colton takes a second to gather himself while Dickie gets to his feet, holding his lower back. When Dickie finally reaches a vertical base, Colton grabs him by the head and starts driving his fist into the Grand Champ. He does this a few times before pulling Dickie in and connecting a wheelbarrow suplex. Immediately after, Colton attempts the pinfall.

ONE!
TWO!

J.T. PRICE: Dickie kicks out right at the two count!

Colton switches positions on top of Dickie to where his knees are pointing towards his head. Colton then starts driving the knees right into Dickie’s skull. Left knee, right knee, left, right, left, right and then finally one more for safe measure. Hannah is on the side of the ring banging on the mat, trying to give Dickie some motivation to get up. Aiden joins in and so does everyone in attendance. Colton grabs a hold of Dickie and pulls him up to his feet, then whips him across the ring into the turnbuckle. Colton follows right behind and when Dickie gets to the turnbuckle he jumps up to the top. Colton was attempting to drive his shoulders into Dickie, but instead collided with the metal post. Dickie jumps off with a double foot stomp right onto Colton’s back. He walks right over to Aiden and tags him back in.

TREY BOOKER: The Commonwealth have control now. It’s been a back and forth battle for both teams, but it looks to be in favor for them.

J.T. PRICE: You and I both know that it could change at any second.

Aiden walks over to Colton and sits him up, then puts him in a headlock. Aiden gets down on a knee and presses it up against Colton’s back. Colton starts to struggle a bit while trying to get the hold to be released. He flails his arms around trying to hit Aiden and is able to with a left jab to the jaw. The hold weakens a bit, allowing Colton to connect another fist to jaw. Aiden releases the hold and then staggers back. Colton takes a second to get back to his feet, but is met with a short-arm clothesline by Aiden! Aiden is feeling himself right now and is running to the ropes. He jumps on top of them and springboards off just in time for Colton to be back on his feet. Aiden connects his signature; a springboard clothesline! He’s now stalking Colton, waiting for him to get back up again.

TREY BOOKER: Wait, look at Kimberly! She just got on the ropes and is yelling at Aiden!

Aiden turns immediately to face Kimberly. The ref is looking in the direction of Kimberly until she points in the opposite direction and he turns around to face Dickie just standing on the apron. Aiden charges at Kimberly only to be met by the Smoke Signal from Contessa! The black poison mist ends up all over his face and he steps back and kneels to the mat, trying to wipe everything off. Hannah, without hesitation, runs over to the side that Kimberly is on and pulls her off the apron to the mat, unloading a fury of punches at her. Contessa, unbothered, just sits on the apron. Colton ignores what’s going on at ringside and grabs a hold of Aiden to connect the Wrath of Bodacious. Aiden gets planted into the mat. Colton stares at Aiden on the mat and takes a second to measure him.

J.T. PRICE: This honestly doesn’t look good for The Commonwealth right now.

Hannah and Kimberly are still at ringside right now. Kimberly has Hannah by the hair and they’re walking directly to the announcers table. She slams Hannah’s head against the table not once, not twice, but three times. Kimberly then releases the grip of Hannah’s hair and throws a punch at her face. Hannah blocks it and slaps Kimberly across the face. Then tackles her to the ground, pummeling her face with a fury of punches. Back in the ring, Colton backs up a little bit as Aiden is getting back to his feet and before he could do anything else, Contessa tags herself back in. Colton doesn’t let this bother him and still charges at Aiden. Dickie yells at Aiden to watch out and Aiden immediately rolls out of the way and out of the ring. Dickie drops to the ground and stands next to Aiden. They both are begging Colton and Contessa to come at them.

TREY BOOKER: I’ll tell you what, Dickie might’ve just saved Aiden from what could’ve been the end of the match.

J.T. PRICE: Agreed, although Contessa did tag herself in so Colton wouldn’t have been able to pin him.

TREY BOOKER: Now they gotta make a decision… Do they tempt fate and jump out of the ring or wait for Commonwealth to get back in?

J.T. PRICE: Also… are we just going to ignore the fact that Kimberly and Hannah were just messing with our table?!?!

Dickie waves for Colton to come out while Aiden waves at Contessa. Colton doesn’t waste another second and just slides out of the ring. Both Aiden and Dickie start laying into him with fists. Colton tries fighting back with fists of his own but is outnumbered by The Commonwealth, who now have him on the ground. Contessa watches and waits for the right opportunity before charging right to the ropes… And she jumps through the ropes with a suicide dive, landing on top of both Aiden and Dickie, then collapsing onto Colton on the ground! She seems unharmed as she immediately gets back to her feet. The crowd actually starts to cheer for her.

TREY BOOKER: What a great move from Contessa! Now she needs to get Aiden back in the ring and close this match out!

Contessa grabs a hold of Aiden and pulls him up to his feet. She then rolls him into the ring and follows right behind. Without wasting any time, she lays on top of him for the cover!

ONE!
TWO!

Aiden kicks out after the two count. Contessa locks in a boston crab onto Aiden who's already trying to reach the ropes. He's able to pull Contessa with him, but she's making it difficult as she pulls his legs back further and sits on his back. Outside the ring, Dickie is getting back to his feet and heading to the apron, Colton is slowly getting back up, and Kimberly and Hannah are still brawling away next to the announcers table. Dickie yells at Aiden again.

DICKIE WATSON: Oi, mate, get the fuck up!

Aiden crawls very slowly to the ropes. Dickie is leaning as far as he can over the rope and reaching out to Aiden for the tag. Contessa tries to apply more pressure, but Aiden is able to reach just by the tip and the ref confirms the tag is legal. Dickie is in for The Commonwealth now. He comes into the ring and knocks Contessa off of Aiden, who then rolls out of the ring. Dickie grabs a hold of Contessa and throws her into the ropes next to Colton. Colton smacks her back to make the tag legal, but Dickie doesn’t notice this. When Contessa comes back he spins around to the back of Contessa and connects the Bridging German Suplex which he calls the Millennial Fallout! The ref doesn’t count the pin and Dickie gets up asking what’s going on. Colton sneaks up behind him and before he could do anything…

The lights in the entire arena go out.

…

…

TREY BOOKER: Uh, J.T… do you know what’s going on?

J.T. PRICE: Did we forget to pay the power bill?

Suddenly the lights come back on and the camera cuts to the stage.

TREY BOOKER: WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

On the stage, right up front, you see Zane and MYOJIN. Behind them stand just about half the roster; John Nash Strader, Pat the Postman, Legion, Ace Sky, Sarah Roberts, Caliban, Alex Slayer, Lazarus Arjen, Josiah Andrew Scott, Colby Sol, Lil Petey, Yung Sauce, TJ Thompson, Indy Darling, Arik Holt, Elena DeDraca, Cecilia Ortiz, Alex Kincaid, and Kallie Reznik.

J.T. PRICE: What are all these people doing out here?

With Zane and MYOJIN leading them, everyone walks in unison down the ramp.

TREY BOOKER: Aren’t all these people considered like the nice ones? Well, the non-bad ones?

Colton walks up to the ropes closest to the ramp and looks on as everyone inches closer. Dickie goes to check on Aiden while the opportunity is available. Zane and MYOJIN stop at the edge of the ramp. The roster stops right behind them. Colton smirks at everyone before yelling at them without a mic.

COLTON SAINT: You brought all your little friends that were worried about you? What do you expect to accomplish here?

Everyone stands in silence.

COLTON SAINT: Just going to stand there and try to make a statement? HUH?!

MYOJIN steps forward while everyone else stays back.

MYOJIN: You have no idea the mistake you’ve made. I can’t wait for Unbreakable Resolution. I can’t wait to make you suffer for what you put Zane through.

COLTON SAINT: Let’s go right now then if you want me so bad!

MYOJIN points behind Colton where Dickie is standing waiting for him to turn around. He kicks him in the gut and then connects Dickie’s Revenge; a modified lifting reverse STO. Dickie hooks the leg for the pinfall.

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

DING! DING! DING!

"Start a Fight" by GHØSTKID starts to play. Dickie, Aiden and Hannah all gather together outside of the ring. The ref follows to hold up The Commonwealth’s arms in victory. An official hands the Grand Championship over to Dickie and he puts it on his shoulder.

HOLLY PEREZ: Here are your winners… The team of Aiden Reynolds and the Grand Champion Dickie Watson… THE COMMONWEALTHHHH!!!

TREY BOOKER: Wow. Just wow. What a moment that was. A powerful statement from Zane and MYOJIN after everything that’s been taking place.

J.T. PRICE: Absolutely. You can tell that even though most of the people on the roster have their own beliefs and all that, they all know when something just isn’t right. They brought these people together and hopefully Colton understands that his actions caused this.

TREY BOOKER: I wouldn’t disagree if someone was to say he might be regretting what he did. No matter, The Commonwealth walk away with the victory. Both teams put on a great show with moments from everyone involved.

J.T. PRICE: Project: Honor has so much talent just in this match alone. That was proven tonight.


The screen cuts to a black screen. A voice over can be heard now.

VOICEOVER: We here at Project: Honor try to recognize the holiday’s when we can and make it fair to the people involved in our federation. We do not force any holiday/religion/etc onto anyone and let the people choose if they want to be involved.

A brief pause occurs.

VOICEOVER: Some of our roster wanted to celebrate a Thanksgiving meal together before leaving for the night and going home to their families before getting their asses back to work the week after.

An image starts to fade in on the screen.

VOICEOVER: Project: Honor presents… ‘What Are You Thankful For?’

The image fully fades in to show a group of people sitting together at a table. The room is FILLED with foods of all kinds. Of course you have the cranberry sauce, turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and many other fine dishes. Kimberly Chase, TJ Thompson, Lil Petey, Pat the Postman, Indy Darling, Caliban, James Edgebrook, and Arik Holt sit around the table laughing with one another and shoveling food into their faces. The camera circles around showing everyone having a good time. The camera zooms in on a sticky note on the table that reads, ‘Shawn Warstein would’ve sat here and he really wanted to be here, but he didn’t. And so he isn’t.’ The camera zooms in on James Edgebrook.

JAMES EDGEBROOK: So, what are you all thankful for this holiday season?

Kimberly, without hesitation, sets her fork down and wipes her mouth.

KIMBERLY CHASE: I am thankful for my good looks, my amazing talent, Maxwell, and Colton. Did I already mention my good looks? It seems like that is lacking at this table.

The camera just circles around the table again, going from person to person.

PAT THE POSTMAN: Happy Thanksgiving friends, I sure hope the great postal workers of American delivered everything for you. This year I’m thankful for the children all around the world. Because they are our future. Thank you all.

INDY DARLING: I'm thankful to be in a company like Project: Honor where I can live my dreams, where I have the opportunity to build on my father's legacy and take it to heights he only dreamt of, and where I can represent the fans as X-Factor Champion.

Indy then looks across the table at Kimberly Chase as he pats the gold hanging over his shoulder.

INDY DARLING: Above all that, I'm thankful that Xavier, this beautiful championship, is no longer straddled with a stupid name like Maxwell.

CALIBAN: I’m thankful for the nature of Project: Honor and a chance to quiet the voices in my head without adding more strings to hold me down.

Arik Holt opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. He holds his hands to his chest, then offers them out to the rest of the people, like he’s thankful for them. Then he reaches into his sports jacket and pulls out some fake flowers and offers them to Kimberly. He hands them to her and makes a rainbow motion with his hands while mouthing the word ‘magic’.

TJ Thompson goes to say something but then just falls out of his chair.

Lil Petey was going to say something from what it looked but then he also fell out of his chair, only because he was laughing so hard at TJ falling out of his.

The camera circles back around to James Edgebrook who just blankly stares at everyone.

JAMES EDGEBROOK: Well alright, then. I’m thankful for the opportunity to host The Edge and the ability to share my vision with everyone!

Everyone stops talking and the camera pans out to share the circus that has unfolded in the room. Kimberly throws the flowers to the ground while Arik makes a motion with his hands like his heart broke. Lil Petey and TJ are still on the ground, both laughing now. Caliban starts to talk to himself. Indy pats the X-Factor Championship while locking eyes with Kimberly. Pat the Postman just sits there because you never really know what expressions he’s making. Which leaves James confused and just continues to eat.

VOICEOVER: As you can see, Project: Honor offers the chance to express yourself and to enjoy your time whether it be eating dinner with a bunch of weirdos or proving the pure wrestling talent that you have. That’s all I got because that food made me hungry and now I want some. Happy Holiday’s from our family to yours!

The camera cuts out to Petey and TJ laughing so hard that Petey pulls on the tablecloth and food goes all over the place.

Project: Honor Logo flashes.