Main Event
Buried Alive Match for the World Visionary Championship
Casanova English Vs. Valquist
Axel Reid: I said it before and I'll say it again! What a night this has been here in Sheffield, Ruby!
Ruby Parvati: I hate to admit it, but even around these people, I’ve actually had fun tonight! So many great matches with plenty of violence!
Axel Reid: But, of course, the violence is far from over, because coming up next… is our Main Event.
Ruby Parvati: Okay, now I’m worried again…
Axel Reid: You’re not the only one who is… but ladies and gentleman, I have to make this clear. This will not be a wrestling match. What we are about to witness will not resemble wrestling. This will be a fight for absolute supremacy, a fight over who truly gets to be the Visionary World Champion. Two men will attempt to bury each other alive, one way or another… but if one man in particular does not win… he will forfeit his career and leave VoW with nothing. For Infinity and beyond, Valquist MUST win … but Casanova English will not go down easily.
After Axel concludes his thoughts regarding the upcoming Main Event, a video package airs, chronicling the career of Valquist in highlight form before transitioning into the intense rivalry between himself and Casanova English. Once the video package ends, we see the gravesite in all of its manufactured misery, complete with shovels, a loaded wheelbarrow and a giant forklift. The bucket attached to the front is crammed deep with dirt, elevated above the gravesite with an official driver on standby.
Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentleman … this is your MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING!!!
The crowd cheer in anticipation, doing so as various cameras showcase the gravesite from different angles. Meanwhile Heisenberg occupies the ring, speaking from memory into his microphone.
Jerry Heisenberg: The following contest is the BURIED ALIVE MATCH … and it is for the VoW VISIONARY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!! The only way to win this match is to place your opponent inside the grave and cover them in dirt, effectively burying them alive! The first person to bury their opponent will be crowned the VISIONARY WORLD CHAMPION … however, should Valquist LOSE this match, then his career in Visionaries of Wrestling will be OVER!!!
Silence follows Heisenberg’s announcement, with the crowd wondering what will happen in this match. Suddenly the lights go dim as the eerie voice of a former member of the notorious Manson Family rings through the arena, resulting in strong boos for the champion.
"yeah, I remember her saying:
I'm already dead... I'm already dead... I'm already dead..."
The lights flicker revealing Casanova English at the entrance. The crowd boos loudly as the voice continues.
"You're going to get up and scream. I'm already dead... I'm already dead... I'm already dead..."
You're going to get up and-
Burn an x in your head."
Pyro blasts off and the lights turn back on as Casanova English stands there, no cigarette in his hand this time around. He scowls at the crowd before walking to the ring with a purpose, ignoring the gravesite and being absolutely different from how he has been in the past with his entrance.
Jerry Heisenberg: Introducing first, he hails from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and weighed in tonight at 200lbs… he is “The Modern Day Messiah” and the current VoW Visionary World Champion… CASANOVA ENGLISH!!!
Axel Reid: Casanova English has ended careers before. It all started with Starrkadian inside a Steel Cage at the first Armed and Dangerous event. From there, at Nothing Else Matters, English ended the career of Vanessa in a 30/20 Vision Match, becoming the first Visionary World Champion in the process. Most people agree that he contributed to Matt Slater retiring for over a year. Tonight… at Darkest Hour here in Sheffield, England… Valquist could be added to that depressing list.
Ruby Parvati: English and Robinson certainly share that same stigma. In fact, we could see TWO careers end tonight instead of just one!
Axel Reid: I assume you’re referring to Seifer Black, who was stretchered out of here after the Crucifixion Match earlier tonight. I hope his career isn’t over… but we could potentially see one end nonetheless. It has been written and signed in blood. It has been carved into the very marble that makes up that headstone. If English buries Valquist alive tonight… there is no way around it. He will have to leave VoW forever, never to be seen again.
English does not stop to taunt or acknowledge the fans; instead he climbs the steps and throws his jacket down, getting into the ring and uncoupling the World Championship from around his waist. He raises it to every side of the ring, showing the audience in the arena and those at home, all around the world, that he is the man. But he is a man who means business, as indicated by the intense look in his eyes. He then stands firm inside the ring as his music fades away, focusing only on the entrance and nothing else, the World Championship held by his side at all times.
Ruby Parvati: And now we wait.
Axel Reid: The champion is ready … but how ready, physically and mentally, is the challenger?
Eventually, after a minute or so of the crowd chanting for Valquist before they gradually settle down, “We Own It” by 2 Chainz feat. Wiz Khalifa plays from the speakers, sparking a positive reaction. Without much delay, Valquist walks out from behind the curtain, deeply contemplative yet casting an intimidating presence towards his opponent.
Axel Reid: And here he comes… perhaps for the last time!
Jerry Heisenberg: And his opponent… he hails from Infinity City and weighed in tonight at 235lbs… VALQUIST!!!
Casanova and Valquist continue to stare at one another from afar, neither moving from their current positions. Several seconds later, Valquist breaks the eye contact and turns his head, focusing on the make-shift gravesite and its amenities.
Ruby Parvati: That grave only fits one, Axel. But I seriously think that if Cass or Val had their way, they would want to bury the other one with them!
Axel Reid: Valquist craves the Visionary World Championship. He says he is not complete without it… and if a man craves something so much that he has to put his entire livelihood on the line for it, then you can expect brutality. You can expect this arena to turn into a warzone.
Instead of approaching the ring, Valquist decides to take a personal tour of the area. The fans chant his name as he walks up the incline of soil, keeping his balance before he reaches the top. His eyes move from the forklift, to the wheelbarrow, to the shovels, and then finally to the grave itself. He shrugs his shoulders, loosening the tension somewhat as the motivation to succeed consumes his very being.
Axel Reid: Valquist is looking deep into that grave… and I cannot explain to you in words what his expression tells me. All I know is that tonight, he is on a mission … possibly his FINAL mission, to be the champion of VoW … to be the champion of Infinity … to be the champion of the WORLD!
Ruby Parvati: Not if English has anything to say about it!
Unbeknown to Valquist, Casanova has quietly shortened their distance by approaching the gravesite, still wielding the World Championship in his hands. The referee has also followed suit, wondering what will happen when he gets there. English stealthily climbs the mound of soil, evading Valquist’s sight as the Valiant One surveys the crowd. But once Valquist turns around, English stuns him with a belt shot to the head, knocking him down onto the grim dirt beneath their feet!
Axel Reid: Are you kidding me?! English just snuck up on Valquist and took advantage of this emotional situation!
Ruby Parvati: Anything to be the World Champion and rid VoW of Valquist forever, Axel!
Seeing English stomp down on Valquist, the referee waves his arms towards the timekeeper and signals for the bell to be rung, eliciting thunderous boos from the capacity crowd!
DING DING DING!!!
Axel Reid: And there’s the Goddamn bell! What is the referee thinking?!
Having heard the bell in the distance, English gazes deeply at his World Championship, focusing only on what he cherishes most. The designated referee eventually comes back to the gravesite, getting there as English vocally beckons Valquist to stand up.
Axel Reid: This could be the shortest Main Event in VoW history, but I’m sure it’ll also be the most controversial!
Ruby Parvati: Val is near the grave, so if he gets hit again, he’s going six feet under!
Valquist, slightly weary from the cheap shot, pushes himself upward and staggers just as English rushes in. But this time Valquist sees it coming and boots English in the chest, causing him to drop the World Title onto the soil!
Axel Reid: NO! The shot was blocked! And here comes Valquist, fighting for his career… FIGHTING FOR EVERYTHING HE BELIEVES IN!
Demonstrating a man enraged, Valquist batters English with right hands, eventually sending the Modern Day Messiah barrelling down the mound of dirt in a brown-stained heap with a vicious Uppercut, all to a chorus of cheers!
Axel Reid: What an Uppercut from Valquist, and English just took a ride down onto the concrete!
Ruby Parvati: Look at the state of Cass! This match has only just started!
Axel Reid: Well what did you expect?! This is a BURIED ALIVE MATCH! That soil is cold and damp, just like English’s heart!
Ruby Parvati: He doesn’t have a cold heart whatsoever!
Axel Reid: A lot of people believe he does, myself included! But this match is damn personal, and there is no one who despises Casanova English more in this arena tonight than that man right there!
As the announcers have been talking, Valquist has studied the World Championship and handed it to the referee to keep it in a safe place. Once it has been cleared from ruination, Valquist scouts English from afar, watching the champion rise to his feet and wipe his face of soil and grime.
Axel Reid: Look at the eyes of Valquist. He’s ready for English now. He’s ready to take him to the grave and… OH MY GOD!
Having absolutely no qualms about taking big risks, Valquist sprints across the flat-top of the gravesite and leaps through the air, colliding with Casanova shoulder-first half-way across the concrete aisleway! The crowd respond excitedly as the moment sinks in, but Valquist is far from done, residing on his knees and pounding English’s face and head with closed, mounted fists!
Ruby Parvati: HE’S CRAZY!
Axel Reid: He’s fighting with everything he can muster, Ruby! The moment Valquist can’t fight anymore, the moment he stops breathing in and out… THAT is the moment he loses this match!
Taking control, Valquist proceeds to bring Casanova up before whipping him into one of the steel retaining barriers that line the aisleway! The crowd yell various things at English as he attempts to stand up, only to be dealt heavy punches to the stomach and head from Valquist! Not allowing Casanova to break away from him, Valquist bear hugs the reigning champion before issuing several headbutts, each one being counted by the crowd!
Ruby Parvati: Val is acting like an animal!
Axel Reid: An animal that’s been trapped in a corner, more like! Even though he put himself into that position, he’s going to act as if his very life depends on getting away from it … which, in a way, it does!
As Casanova looks debilitated in Valquist’s muscular arms, the Valiant One releases him from the hold, only to whip him across the aisleway and into the other barricade! English slumps onto the ground, breathing heavily as Valquist marches toward his nemesis. But as Valquist grabs English by the hair, the Modern Day Messiah goes deep and hits a low blow, bringing Valquist onto his knees in an instant!
Axel Reid: And already we have a low blow from English! Not like the referee can do anything about it. All he has to do is end the match when one of these two gets buried alive! They can do anything they please to the other, and it will ALL be legal!
Ruby Parvati: As much as Valquist craves to be the World Champion, his desire does not compare to Casanova’s!
After issuing more stomps to Valquist’s head and back, English pulls the Valiant One into a kneeling position, whereby he brutalizes the hearty challenger with elbows to his chest and head in rapid succession!
Axel Reid: Casanova English values the Visionary World Championship more than life itself! He would probably sacrifice all of his accumulated wealth… maybe even one of his dearest family members in order to possess it!
Ruby Parvati: He lives and breathes being the World Champion, Axel! Without that title, without that prestige… he might as well be dead!
Concluding the numerous elbows he unleashes on Valquist, Casanova headlocks the Valiant One and stands him up, doing so before he drives his sweat-laden face into his knee! Valquist collapses onto the ground, feeling his face tentatively as English taunts the capacity crowd.
Axel Reid: Well due to the stakes in this match, Valquist’s career could be dead after this night is over! But if you had to ask me who’s more desperate… who is more determined to win this match… it can’t be answered! To both these men, they have everything to lose and everything to gain! And when the panic sets in, when it becomes a state of urgency… I don’t even want to think of the outcome...
Meanwhile, English has returned to the gravesite, whereby he grabs an available shovel and turns it between his hands. He heads back down to the concrete floor, calculating Valquist’s movements as soon as he sees him.
Axel Reid: Now English has a shovel. Ugliness is about to ensue here!
Holding the shovel like a baseball bat, English quickens the pace and charges forward … but Valquist bursts to his feet and lays the champion out with a Spear, preventing English from doing anything with the gardening tool-turned weapon!
Axel Reid: Valquist hits a spear! That shovel has fallen by the wayside, and there goes Valquist again, pummelling his arch rival with closed fists!
Ruby Parvati: I think Val may have to use that shovel if he wants to put English down for good!
Axel Reid: He’s deadly with his fists already, Ruby. In his mind, they’re the only weapons he needs!
Getting back to his feet, Valquist momentarily looks at the shovel, taking it into consideration before he ultimately shakes his head. Grabbing English by his arm, Valquist pulls the champion to his feet, only to knock him back down with a Short-Arm Clothesline! However, Valquist does not let go of Casanova’s arm, pulling him up again and giving a second Clothesline! The crowd rally behind Valquist as he pulls English up a third time by the same arm, and it seems he’ll go for a third Clothesline in a row. Instead, Valquist brings English into another bear hug, which he quickly turns into an Overhead Belly-to-Belly Suplex onto the concrete!
Ruby Parvati: I thought you said this wouldn’t resemble a wrestling match!
Axel Reid: It was a suplex onto the concrete floor, which hurts a lot more than the ring! I should mention that these two have not been in the ring yet, and quite frankly, I don’t think they will be!
Suffering unto the pain emanating from his spine, English grimaces as he manages to turn himself over onto his knees. Meanwhile Valquist maintains control, landing another right hand on the champion once the latter reaches his feet. English reels back, stumbling on his feet from the blow, but Valquist simply follows up with a shoulder tackle, flooring Casanova once again!
Axel Reid: If Valquist can keep English grounded like this and damage him severely, we could have a new World Champion crowned tonight!
Ruby Parvati: You seem to be forgetting all the times English survived beatings like this, Axel. He’s a tough competitor and an even tougher champion!
Axel Reid: Well Valquist does have the strength advantage, and he does possess more power in his body than most of the roster!
Still occupying the exposed aisleway, Valquist hoists English onto his shoulder and begins to carry him towards the grave! The crowd cheer mightily at Casanova’s helplessness… until he appears helpless no longer, raking the eyes of Valquist with his fingers and landing on his feet! Gathering his bearings, English kicks Valquist in the stomach and lands some forearm strikes against his head, stunning the challenger enough to complete another knee strike to the temple!
Ruby Parvati: You see, Axel! It isn’t always about power! It’s about being smart and cunning… like English!
Axel Reid: Valquist is one of the most intelligent and well-versed men I’ve ever had the privilege of listening to, Ruby. He’s not a stupid man. He knows what lengths English will go to, and he knows he has to be just as violent in order to keep his career intact!
Thinking of a way to keep Valquist down, English journeys to the ringside area and searches under the apron for a weapon. Despite the shovel being nearby earlier, English pulls out a steel chair, eliciting boos from the crowd as he keeps it by his side and wanders back to the slowly-recuperating Valiant One. Finally closing the gap between them, Casanova wastes no time in dealing metallic punishment, bringing the chair down across the spine of Valquist with a hard, loud connection!
Axel Reid: A chair to the spine of Valquist, and look at the dent in that folded seat!
The indentation does not elude English either; he studies it briefly before he looks back at his foe, eventually swinging the chair upward and bringing it down onto Valquist’s spine again! The crack of metal on flesh causes the crowd to react differently, but all Valquist can do is suffer the consequences, bearing clenched teeth as he stiffens up from shock. Already finished with the chair, English throws it aside before he drops a knee onto the back of Valquist’s head, pressing it deep into his cranium as he barks insults at his nemesis!
Axel Reid: That chair has been useful to English it seems, but he still has to get Valquist to that gravesite!
Ruby Parvati: Give it time, Axel! English knows when it’s time to complete the deed.
With Valquist agonized, English pulls him up and guides him towards the ring for the first time. Once they reach the ringside area, Casanova slams Valquist’s face onto the apron, once again making him fall onto the ground. The crowd jeer English as he feels his lower back briefly, still being bothered by the overhead suplex. However, this doesn’t stop him commencing his next attack, whereby he lifts Valquist up and whips him into the steel steps!
Axel Reid: Those steel steps were just dislodged by the body of Valquist, and things don’t look good for the challenger!
Ruby Parvati: That could have dislocated his shoulder! If that happens, he’ll only be able to use one arm against Cass, which puts him at a bad disadvantage!
Fuelled by the desire to hurt, English endures the pain in his spinal column as he lifts up the smaller section of stairs. His face tells the entire story as he moves towards the grounded Valquist, eventually slamming the steps down onto his prone body!
Ruby Parvati: English wants to shatter every bone in Val’s body!
Axel Reid: If there was a way for him to cut Valquist into several pieces, he would do that in an instant!
Picking up the stairs again, English calmly waits for Valquist to stand. Something sinister is clearly on his mind, being projected by his eyes as the Valiant One grabs the ring apron for support. The fans at ringside warn Valquist about his incoming doom, but he doesn’t seem to pay their words any attention!
Axel Reid: English has locked those steps at his shoulder. What must be going through his mind right now?
Ruby Parvati: I think he’s visualizing the state of Valquist’s head one he... BREAKS IT IN TWO!
Screaming, Ruby looks on as English finally launches the steps at Valquist’s face, only for the Valiant One to dodge the incoming attack and allow the stairs to violently strike the ring post!
Axel Reid: ENGLISH NEARLY CAVED IN VALQUIST’S SKULL WITH THAT! Luckily Valquist moved, and Casanova English is annoyed!
Aggravated, English storms forward towards Valquist. Unfortunately for him, Valquist has the wherewithal to punch him in the ribs, ending English’s dominance and subsequently kicking him in the head! Casanova falls to the floor as the crowd cheer, but Valquist is in another realm of mind, instantly targetting English’s legs and hooking them underneath his arms.
Axel Reid: Now Valquist has control again after that kick, but what is he attempting here?
Exhaling heavily, Valquist drops backwards and propels English forward, catapulting the World Champion straight into the ring post!
Ruby Parvati: THAT’S WHAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING!
Axel Reid: THE CHAMPION’S HEAD JUST HIT THAT RING POST, AND THESE FANS IN SHEFFIELD LOVED IT!
Enthralled by the ferocity of this contest, the audience cheer wildly and chant Valquist’s name. Dealing with his own kind of pain, Valquist gradually pushes himself upward, finally attaining stability and looking over at English. As soon as the Valiant One reveals English’s face, the fans and the commentators witness streams of blood running down the skin from his forehead, dripping onto the floor and staining his neck and upper body.
Axel Reid: English is a bloody mess, and Valquist has him right where he wants him!
Ruby Parvati: CASSY!
Energized by the sight of English’s blood, Valquist mounts the champion and rains punches atop his head, concentrating on the wound and the problems that can result! Eventually he stops punching English and leaves him on the floor, instead turning his attention to the ring apron and searching under it.
Axel Reid: Valquist has definitely changed. This match has made him locate that hidden rage inside of him and… oh boy…
The crowd cheer loudly as Valquist slowly pulls out a table from underneath the ring, hardly paying attention to his supporters as he flips the table onto its side and begins to extend the folded legs.
Axel Reid: Valquist has brought a table into the equation, but this may just be the START of English’s decimation!
Ruby Parvati: I don’t like this, Axel! The referee should do something!
Axel Reid: He can’t do anything, Ruby! I mentioned that before!
Finally setting up the table adjacent to the ring post, Valquist dusts off its surface before returning his sights to English. The champion is on his knees, bleeding profusely and looking completely vulnerable. Valquist proves this by hoisting English up without difficulty and rolls him into the ring, following suit and picking English up again. Casanova’s blood stains the canvas immediately, which is aided by Valquist driving his knee into English’s sternum before he bounces off the ropes and takes the champion down with a hard clothesline!
Axel Reid: For the first time in this match, these two men are occupying the squared circle. But look how quickly it’s being stained by English’s blood!
Ruby Parvati: How is Val able to do this after taking those chair shots to his back?!
Axel Reid: Determination, Ruby. He’s not impervious to pain, but as much as his spine must be killing him, he’s not going to rest until English is buried six feet under!
Valquist arches his spine, anguish appearing on his face as he endures the pain, as noted by the commentators. The crowd encourage him to continue as he shrugs his shoulders, breathing deeply before he lifts English up and whips him into the lower-right corner. Having cornered the champion, Valquist pounds Casanova’s body with a flurry of punches, ending the melee with a well-placed elbow! English crumples to the canvas, but he is unwilling to surrender. It only takes him a couple of seconds to get onto his hands and knees, but he is unable to prevent Valquist grabbing him in a waist-lock. Pulling English up to his feet, Valquist attempts a German Suplex, but Casanova wisely grabs the ropes, stopping the Valiant One from powering him up and over. Valquist increases the pressure around English’s waist and tries again, but Casanova continues fighting against it. Suddenly, English adjusts his feet and back-kicks Valquist between the legs, delivering another low blow to the challenger!
Ruby Parvati: A few more of those and Valquist’s genitals will stop working!
Axel Reid: Desperate actions from a desperate man! That’s what English is, and everyone knows it!
Operating on said desperation, English battles through his own agony and latches onto Valquist like a wild terrier, bringing the Valiant One down with a DDT! Both men lie on the canvas afterwards, succumbing to the pain that consumes their battered entities.
Axel Reid: English with a DDT, but the amount of blood he’s lost thus far is starting to take its toll.
Ruby Parvati: He’ll pull through, Axel! He usually does.
Eventually, as the crowd chant for Valquist, both men begin to move. Somehow, it is English who gets up first, with Valquist residing on one knee. But as Valquist raises his other leg and groggily stands up, bowed down from fatigue, English jumps up and drops his leg across Valquist’s head, putting the challenger back down again with the English Lesson!
Ruby Parvati: There’s the English we all know! Look how accurate he was with that move!
Axel Reid: I never said he wasn’t talented. He’s only been in this industry for a few years, but he’s already becoming one of the best of this current generation. I just don’t like the fact he’s manipulative and despicable, aiming to put the roster down with his egomaniacal boot!
Getting up again to loud boos, English stares at the blood on his hands, something he finds strangely appealing. However, his expression changes once he sees Valquist. The Modern Day Messiah proceeds to pound Valquist with mounted punches and elbows, refusing to be overcome in this contest. Soon enough, English decides to abandon the ring with his opponent, pulling the Valiant One under the ropes and onto the floor. Valquist manages to deliver a low punch to Casanova as he stands him up, but this does not seem to help his cause, with English retaliating by grabbing Valquist’s head and driving him backwards onto the hard floor!
Axel Reid: Good God! The back of Valquist’s head just smacked that floor, and he is in serious trouble right now against the bloodied champion!
Bordered by frustrated fans, English leads the disorientated Valquist back to the gravesite, ignoring the crowd’s obscene remarks. Once they reach the mound of dirt, English knees Valquist onto the soil, keeping him down as he searches for something. Once again the shovel draws his attention, with English picking up the object and slowly walking back to his enemy.
Ruby Parvati: It’s time to get this burial started, Axel!
Axel Reid: You could be right, Ruby … but I don’t think Casanova is going to use that shovel JUST to bury Valquist.
As Axel’s theory begins to come true, English stands over Valquist ominously. He wields the shovel with both hands, aiming it carefully at his intended target. Then, as the crowd scream and yell, English raises the shovel upward before he brings it down … only for Valquist to swing his leg up and kick English in the abdomen! Casanova drops the shovel onto the ground, winded from the hard kick to his lower region. As he struggles to regroup, Valquist valiantly pushes himself up and wraps his arm around English’s neck, placing the champion into the Dark Sanctuary Sleeper Hold!
Axel Reid: Valquist blocked the shovel again, and now he’s trying to put English to sleep!
Ruby Parvati: He can’t do that, can he?!
Axel Reid: Of course he can! If English becomes unconscious, there’s no possible way for him to escape the grave and avoid losing his title!
The crowd are going ballistic as Valquist walks backwards up the incline, dragging a struggling English up with him. His biceps bulge with the pressure he is applying, furiously wanting to force Casanova into a dark slumber! As they neighbour the grave, Valquist gives it a momentary glance, seeing how deep it is and how long it could take to fully bury the Modern Day Messiah!
Ruby Parvati: NO! English is fading!
Axel Reid: Indeed he is! His arms are going limp … wait, hold on a minute…
Axel questions English’s condition as the champion jolts to life, finally swinging his arm up and delivering an elbow to Valquist! The challenger refuses to take it, sinking his arms in deeper as the vigilant referee looks on. Defiant, English nails Valquist with a few more elbows, finally being able to get the Valiant One off him!
Ruby Parvati: That was a close one!
Feeling his throat, English takes in a deep breathe, absorbing as much oxygen as he can. Recovering from the blows to his head, Valquist goes for another clothesline … but from instinct alone, English avoids it and simultaneously hooks Valquist’s arm, pulling him down onto the dirt and locking in A CROSSFACE!
Axel Reid: Crossface! English has the Crossface on Valquist!
Ruby Parvati: Now he’s REALLY done for!
Blood continues to run down English’s head as he wrenches Valquist’s head. The challenger yells out loud in pain, but his heart will not allow him to give in! Pushing himself upward, Valquist lets out a gutteral roar before he rolls over English and slightly down the hill, ending the hold in one fell swoop!
Axel Reid: Valquist breaks free, and we are back to square one!
English quickly pursues Valquist, getting back to his feet and breathing heavily. As he approaches the side of the hill, Valquist grabs his legs with a burst of energy, tripping the champion backwards before he twists his foot over into an ANKLE LOCK!
Ruby Parvati: Are you kidding me right now?!
Axel Reid: The Ankle Lock is applied, and English is screaming in pain! If Valquist breaks English’s ankle, he’ll have a hard time escaping the grave!
English digs his fingers into the grassy surface of the gravesite, trying to withstand the pain as much as he can! Mustering up the toughness that has made him a two-time World Champion, English expertly rolls forward, propelling Valquist onto the dirt and breaking the hold!
Axel Reid: And yet another submission is countered, this time by English!
Both men, now covered in dirt and splashes of blood, struggle up to their feet, becoming warriors in this horrific battle. Valquist crawls up onto the flat-top towards English, who is tending to his ankle in a crouched position. Suddenly, as Valquist reaches out to him, English amazingly jumps up and grabs Valquist’s arm, hastily trapping him in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMB!
Ruby Parvati: This is unbelievable!
Axel Reid: THE SILENCE OF THE LAMB IS LOCKED IN! I can’t believe what this match has become! These two are fighting to make the other one pass out, and right now English has Valquist on the verge of going under!
The English crowd yell out support for Valquist, encouraging him to hold on and escape! English’s crimson face bears incomparable malice, directed at the man he has fought tooth-and-nail with for the past few months. Valquist, meanwhile, will not stay still, moving around the flat-top like a restless machine. Eventually, just when it seems he will finally succumb to the hold and lie down in Casanova’s grasp, the Valiant One is able to get onto his feet, now squatted in front of English with his arm locked and the champion’s shin at his neck!
Axel Reid: Wait a minute! Can he…?!
Amidst the joyous roar of the crowd, Valquist digs deep like never before and POWER-LIFTS English up from the ground! Showing an amazing feat of strength, even with his spine aching and his head throbbing, Valquist steadily turns around, doing so as English looks shocked!
Ruby Parvati: WHAT?!
Axel Reid: I DON’T BELIEVE IT!
Before English can stop him, Valquist supports the champion’s body with his other arm, putting an end to the Triangle Choke as he BOMBS ENGLISH INTO THE OPEN GRAVE!
Axel Reid: VALQUIST PUT CASANOVA INTO THE GRAVE! WE COULD HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
Ruby Parvati: NO! HE CAN’T BURY CASS! HAVE MERCY!
Exhausted from the excruciating pain he’s had to deal with, Valquist lies on the makeshift grass, feeling his arm and wincing. Meanwhile English remains inside the grave, failing to move as the crowd continue to cheer. After a short while, Valquist forces himself back onto his feet, being given respectful applause as he grabs the nearby wheelbarrow!
Ruby Parvati: SOMEBODY STOP HIM!
Tilting the wheelbarrow forward, Valquist proceeds to dump the soil into the grave! However, once he pushes the barrow onto its side, we see that it isn’t quite enough to get the job done. Even the referee says so, telling Valquist it isn’t over yet. Agitated, Valquist goes around the gravesite until he grabs the other shovel available. But as he approaches the grave, English’s hand comes up, gripping the edge of the grave as he returns to life!
Ruby Parvati: He’s getting out, Axel! Valquist couldn’t do it!
Axel Reid: There wasn’t enough dirt in that wheelbarrow to get the job done … and Valquist just threw the shovel away!
Ruby Parvati: Is he having second thoughts or…?
Axel Reid: I doubt it, Ruby. I don’t think Valquist feels comfortable bludgeoning English with that weapon … even if it will save his career.
Maintaining his respectable principles, Valquist helps Casanova out of the grave before he hammers him with more punches. Sadly, this turns out to have been a bad idea as English gets a knee up into Valquist’s stomach, giving himself some room to recover. Both men collapse onto their knees, becoming empty shells from this war of attrition.
Axel Reid: English has bought himself some time now, and God knows he needs it.
Ruby Parvati: I hate to say it, but Val should have used that shovel.
Returning the favor, English targets Valquist and lays in some punches of his own. But this is only the precursor to a deadlier thought, which the Modern Day Messiah culminates by grabbing Valquist’s head and SLAMMING IT DOWN ONTO THE MARBLE HEADSTONE!
Axel Reid: Valquist’s head was just driven into that headstone and … and now Valquist is bleeding. Valquist has been busted open by that hard marble, and the challenger seems to be approaching the end of his career!
Instead of putting Valquist into the grave, English decides to prolong the punishment, kicking the Valiant One down the slope of dirt and onto the concrete floor!
Ruby Parvati: Well, at least now that gravesite is a distant memory for him. That should be a relief.
Axel Reid: It might be a relief to know that Valquist won’t be buried just yet, but I have a terrible feeling of what English has in store for him before he is. Again, the World Championship is what matters here, and because of the grip English wants to have on it, we have no idea just how sick and twisted he can be to keep it.
English decides to take Valquist back towards the ring, beating him down with punches and kicks every step of the way. Once they reach the ringside area, English locates the chair he used before and picks it up, giving Valquist yet another shot across his spine! The crack resonates throughout the arena, causing more boos to emanate from the capacity crowd. At that point, English notices the erected table, looking at it in deep thought before he looks back at Valquist and stomps on his prone body.
Axel Reid: Valquist put up that table earlier, but it looks like English wants to use it for his own gain!
Ruby Parvati: You reap what you sow, Axel! Valquist will soon realize that when he’s lying under broken pieces of wood!
After laying his bloody rival on the table, English unleashes a few more forearm shots to Valquist’s chest. Bruised and battered, yet running on malevolence, the Modern Day Messiah then grabs the bent chair again, but this time he has another use for it. Testing out its folding capability, English casts an evil glare at the Valiant One. In a matter of seconds, English brings the mood of the crowd to panic-inducing screams, simply by placing Valquist’s head on the seat of the chair with the legs pinned at his throat!
Axel Reid: Oh my God … you don’t think…?
Ruby Parvati: I … I mean … Cass NEEDS to win, right? So this is what he--
Axel Reid: HOW CAN YOU CONDONE THIS?! HE’S GOING TO BREAK VALQUIST’S NECK AND PUT HIM THROUGH THE TABLE AT THE SAME TIME!
Emitting an expression of acceptance, English hops up onto the apron. From there he mounts the turnbuckles opposing the table, doing so gingerly as the crowd are on the verge of rioting!
Axel Reid: HE CAN’T DO THIS! YOU CAN’T DO THIS, YOU SON OF A…
Suddenly, as English nears the top rope, Valquist shudders with helpful adrenaline! The crowd cheer mightily as Valquist comprehends his predicament, and it doesn’t take him long to remove the chair from his head and roll off the table!
Axel Reid: VALQUIST IS UP, AND HE’S GOING AFTER ENGLISH!
Ruby Parvati: Kick him into the table!
Bloody and enraged, Valquist hops onto the apron and climbs the ropes in front of English. The two men then exchange right hands and elbows, neither man wanting to be deterred by the other! Eventually, Valquist gets the upper hand, pummelling English with hard rights and lefts! But before he can land a fatal blow, English punches the Valiant One in the ribs, following it up with several forearms to his spine!
Axel Reid: These two men are in dangerous territory here!
Ruby Parvati: JUST KNOCK HIM OFF ALREADY!
As Ruby urges English to do just that, the champion seems to have a different idea. With blood and sweat dripping down his face, he begins to hook Valquist’s arms behind his back, at the same time placing his foot on the top rope!
Axel Reid: Wait … no, no, no, no...
Ruby Parvati: HE’S GOING TO GIVE HIM THE EXISTENTIAL EXISTENCE THROUGH THE TABLE!
It certainly appears to be that way as English struggles to lock his hands together. Soon enough he does, at which point he carefully and steadily puts his other foot on the top rope. Now standing on the top rope with Valquist’s head between his legs, the Existential Existence seems to be inevitable!
Axel Reid: DON’T YOU DARE!
English generates a smirk, happy knowing what he is about to do … until Valquist erases the smirk off his face by resisting the move, shaking his arms to break English’s grip!
Ruby Parvati: NO … NO WAY…
Before English can properly defend himself, Valquist breaks his hands apart and puts his own hands on the champion’s thighs! That’s when he stands up and lifts English into the air, GIVING CASANOVA A BACK BODY DROP FROM THE TOP ROPE AND SENDING HIM CRASHING THROUGH THE TABLE BELOW!!!
Ruby Parvati: AHHHHHH!!!
Axel Reid: IT WAS COUNTERED! VALQUIST COUNTERED, AND HE JUST MADE ENGLISH CRASH AND BURN!
With pieces of wooden debris covering his damaged body, English merely breathes in and out on the floor, not moving any of his body parts or blinking his eyes. Meanwhile Valquist clings to the ropes, supporting himself and making sure he doesn’t fall down from fatigue. After a while the Valiant One gathers his bearings and slowly climbs down onto the apron, whereby he gently falls down onto the floor and staggers towards the motionless champion.
Axel Reid: I think … we’re about to witness the end!
As Valquist points over to the gravesite, the crowd unanimously agree with him, effectively putting his objective into action. Valquist then squats down and places English onto his shoulders, using all of his remaining strength to fireman’s carry the Modern Day Messiah towards the burial ground!
Axel Reid: The desire to become the Visionary World Champion is empowering Valquist! We could be about to see the end of Casanova English’s title reign and the dawning of a new one!
Ruby Parvati: We could see the end of Cass full stop!
Axel Reid: And that will include the Orphanage as a whole!
Overcoming tiredness, Valquist reaches the gravesite and tosses English upon the hill of dirt. Putting his plan into action, the challenger walks up to the top before he turns around, leaning down to collect his destroyed opponent. As Valquist drags him up the hill, coating the front of his body in soil, English’s hand slyly digs into the mound, scooping up a handful of dirt. No one seems to notice this as the crowd look on, wondering how Valquist will finish Casanova off.
Axel Reid: It’s only a matter of time before the deed is done!
Lifting English to his feet and supporting him with his body, Valquist hoists the champion onto his broad shoulder. His legs shake from fatigue, but he does not allow himself to fall. Suddenly, English startles Valquist with a headbutt, being dropped onto his feet before he settles down on his knees and throws the collection of dirt into Valquist’s eyes!
Ruby Parvati: THERE IS LIFE LEFT IN CASS!
Axel Reid: Valquist has been temporarily blinded by dirt, and our wily champion is going straight for the shovel!
To a chorus of boos, English harnesses the shovel for a third time. This time, however, Valquist can not avoid the strike that comes, TAKING A SHOVEL SHOT TO THE HEAD AND COLLAPSING ONTO THE TARNISHED GRASS!
Axel Reid: THAT SHOVEL JUST CRACKED VALQUIST’S SKULL, AND ENGLISH IS ROLLING HIM INTO THE GRAVE IN A STATE OF URGENCY!
Ruby Parvati: HE’S DEAD, AXEL!
Valquist tumbles into the open grave, resulting in loud boos and screams. As if he is running on the motivation to succeed, the battered, exhausted champion stumbles down the hill, heading towards the forklift on-standby. Without approaching the designated driver, English fights his way into the seat and ducks down, as if inspecting the gears and figuring out what works.
Ruby Parvati: Cass wants to make a statement and bury Val himself!
Axel Reid: I don’t think he even knows how to use that forklift … and it looks like I’m right!
Scowling, English gets out of the forklift and points to the driver. He orders him to get it started … but before the driver can do so, the loud cheers from the crowd distract him. Puzzled, English looks back at the gravesite … where his eyes grow wide with fear at the sight of Valquist!
Axel Reid: VALQUIST … VALQUIST IS OUT OF THE GRAVE!
Ruby Parvati: HE’S SUPERHUMAN!
Valquist baits English to come forward, residing on his knees but not exactly a beaten man yet! Abiding by the instruction, English curses as he storms towards Valquist, both men running on pure adrenaline and hatred! Once English gets up onto the flat-top, he delivers a punch to the challenger … who comes right back with a BIONIC ELBOW!
Axel Reid: VALQUIST WILL NOT DIE! HE WANTS TO BE THE WORLD CHAMPION AND CONTINUE HIS CAREER!
A second Bionic Elbow drops English to the grass, but Valquist is not done! He bears a face of utter madness as he brings English back to his feet, giving him a kick to the stomach before he SENDS ENGLISH TUMBLING BEHIND THE HILL AND OUT OF SIGHT WITH THE WHIRLWIND!
Axel Reid: THE WHIRLWIND CONNECTS!
Ruby Parvati: HE KICKED CASS INTO OBLIVION!
However, the injuries take their toll once again as Valquist falls to his knees, still bleeding from his bald head. But his ambitions push him to continue, and after a minute he stands back up, looking over at English lying near the soil.
Axel Reid: English isn’t moving!
Valquist signals for finality, creating a wave of euphoria that flows throughout the arena. He eyes the battered and bloodied champion, lying on the dirt with no clue about his intended doom. Stained with his own blood, Valquist wipes his face to clear the residue, advancing toward English and leaning down to grab him.
Axel Reid: In a few moments, we might have a new World Champion!
The valiant one raises Casanova up by his head, his blonde hair drenched and dyed with blood. Valquist’s expression changes, becoming one of aggressive dominance. Words escape his lips, being directed at his nemesis. That’s when Casanova hits a punch at Valquist’s stomach, causing him to let go of the champion and back-off.
Axel Reid: There is still some fight left in English… but how much I don’t know.
Recovering, Valquist shakes his head, knowing he has Casanova beat… but as he moves forward again, a FIREBALL BLASTS VALQUIST IN THE FACE, HAVING COME FROM CASANOVA’S HANDS!!!
Axel Reid: HOLY S**T!
Ruby Parvati: WHAT WAS THAT?!
Blinded and burned by the flaming ball, Valquist tends to his face, writhing around in agony. Casanova, with evilness in his eyes, agonizingly crawls up the mound of dirt, focusing only on the man he needs to defeat at this crucial moment. The crowd are mixed, with some booing and others remaining silent in shock. English’s expression does not change, continuing to project exhausted disdain as he struggles to get back to his feet.
Axel Reid: How did he… where did…?
Ruby Parvati: I don’t know either, Axel!
Spreading his disdain vocally, English tells Valquist something before he physically drags him to his feet and rams his head into the headstone again! Blood drips down the neatly-cut marble from Valquist’s head, covering the engravings that detail this important contest. Disorientated, Valquist clings to the headstone, courageously using it to help him stand up in the face of adversity!
Axel Reid: Wait, Valquist is…!
As Valquist rises on shaky legs, his head hovering above the headstone, Casanova elicits a primal scream. Shortly thereafter he jumps into the air, forcing Valquist’s head down onto the top of the headstone with a VIOLENT CURB STOMP!!!
Axel Reid: OH GOD, NO!
Members of the audience gasp and grimace as Valquist’s head disgustingly bounces off the headstone. With his eyes glazed over and gradually closing due to unconsciousness, he collapses backwards into the open grave!
Ruby Parvati: VALQUIST IS IN THE GRAVE!
Axel Reid: I… that was just… what a sick son of a b**ch!
Clearly aggravated, Axel stays quiet as Casanova checks on Valquist’s condition. Falling briefly onto his knees, English growls as he forces himself up again, staggering down the mound of dirt towards the forklift amidst a cacophony of hatred.
Ruby Parvati: This has to be it. English is on the verge of retaining the Visionary World Championship for the first time!
Covered in blood and dirt, English violently grabs the driver of the forklift and coldly instructs him to do his job. The driver, clearly frightened of English’s mood, nods frantically before he scrambles into the forklift. After a few moments the gears turn, with the dirt bucket at the front jolting into life.
Ruby Parvati: Valquist is still in the grave, and that bucket full of dirt is rising!
Getting paranoid, Casanova urgently climbs the mound of dirt again. He loses his footing, but he keeps crawling, eventually reaching the grave and seeing Valquist still inside. The valiant one hasn’t moved since falling in, which English briefly smirks about.
Axel Reid: How can you smile at that… what is wrong with this man?
Waving his arm, English yells at the driver to dump the dirt down. The bucket is relatively high, looming above the grave. Suddenly, it begins to tilt downward, and the crowd in Sheffield lose their minds!
Axel Reid: NO! VALQUIST, GET OUT! YOU HAVE TO GET OUT!
Little waterfalls of dirt collapse into the open grave, slipping by the large quantity that exists inside the bucket. But it is only a precursor to the shower that will come, something English tenses his hands at impatiently.
Axel Reid: NO!
And then it all comes down. The soil rushes into the grave from the sky, pounding the make-shift earth as English shields his eyes from the dirt clouds. Screams of hatred and sadness flow around the arena as the bucket empties, lightly swinging above the small mountain that has been created. With wide eyes - in fact, with a shocked expression in general - English hesitantly nears the grave, looking at the dirt that has packed Valquist deep inside. A woman screams in the background, not able to accept what has just happened.
Ruby Parvati: VALQUIST HAS BEEN BURIED ALIVE!
Axel Reid: And the career of Valquist… is over…
Finally the referee signals for the bell, just as a satisfied smile comes across English’s face. Casanova looks as if a terrible burden has been lifted, no longer carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders with a thorn in his side. His hands sieve through the dirt, clutching it between his fingers and staring at the portion he cherishes.
DING DING DING!!!
The boos are vile and rebellious, failing to quieten or diminish as Jerry Heisenberg makes the dismal announcement.
Jerry Heisenberg: Here is your winner… and STILL THE VISIONARY WORLD CHAMPION… CASANOVA ENGLISH!!!
Both Axel and Ruby stay quiet, digesting what has just occurred in their own ways. Eventually Matthew Robinson appears on the scene, still dressed in his wrestling gear and applauding the Orphanage leader. Seeing the referee re-appearing with the World Championship belt, Robinson snatches it from his grasp to further boos, taking it upon himself to proudly pass over the title to English. Once he reaches the flat-top, where English is still on his knees, Robinson holds out the championship to him, which English promptly takes like a child reunited with its favourite toy. Casanova hugs the championship at his chest, finally releasing a short laugh as reality sets in.
Axel Reid: Casanova English is still the World Champion … but none of us will ever forget Valquist the valiant, especially after this night.
Ruby Parvati: Well … we knew it would be brutal. But Cass did what he said he was going to do. He buried Valquist alive, and effective immediately, Cass has ended his historic career tonight in Sheffield.
Just like the opening of the show when Seth Iser was attacked with assorted garbage, some of the fans pelt the gravesite with litter, attempting to hit either English or Robinson with disposable cups and balled-up wrappers. Robinson raises English’s arm as the duo celebrate, helping his ally to his feet soon after and supporting his battered body.
Axel Reid: Something has to be done, Ruby. I know I should be impartial … but something has to be done about the Orphanage. How many more careers will they end? How many more wrestlers will they hospitalize to protect the throne? These men truly make me sick, especially after what happened …
Robinson helps English away from the gravesite, making sure he doesn’t fall from exhaustion. But English can’t help but look back at the filled-in grave, now trashed with garbage from the volatile audience. He studies it with a smirk, as if mentally closing this particular chapter of his life and burning away the memories of his enemy. Soon enough English holds the World Championship aloft again, basking in the negativity as Robinson chuckles.
Axel Reid: Ladies and gentleman … I don’t know what to say. Usually I’d hope that you enjoyed the night and all the matches that took place here … but I truly hope, with all my heart, that you did not enjoy this. I … I have no other words.
Ruby Parvati: So please tune into Breakthrough to follow all the action here in VoW! Isn’t that right, Axel?
Axel does not reply. Instead the sounds of his headset hitting the table are emitted, clearly stressed and agitated. Once English and Robinson disappear behind the curtain, the view switches to a close-up of the gravesite. Beyond the mountain of dirt used to bury Valquist, the camera zooms in on the blood-stains on the headstone, as if marking the tragedy of this night. It also seems to be the final shot of the evening. Soon enough the feed for Darkest Hour begins fading out........