Breakthrough (Edition #44) Results!

A video starts to play on the screen as the tip of a finger taps on the camera lens.

Dustin's voice: Is this thing even on?

Asks a rather raspy voice as a clicking sound echoes through the arena. Dustin's face finally comes into view as he continues to play around with the video camera.

Dustin Holt: I swear this thing is so f-BLEEP- up that it's not even workable.

Dustin is unaware that the camera is actually running and that the audio is picking up every word.

Dustin Holt: If this sorry piece of -BLEEP- doesn't work then I am going to bash it into tiny little camera bits.

The sound of laughter echoes in the distance as Dustin stands up right. He looks over his shoulders as the beautiful blonde that has joined his side comes into the picture. She is laughing at her man being completely oblivious to the camera actually working. Instead of blushing red, his face flashes a look of anger while looking back at the camera.

Dustin Holt: Are you telling me this stupid crap has been working?

The blonde nods her head while throwing her arms around his shoulders.

Chrystin Hendrix: Yes. I am sure everyone inside the arena is probably laughing at you right now.

A smirk dashes across Dustin's face as he looks at her from out of the corner of his eye.

Dustin Holt: Let them laugh because they won't be laughing long. They will be screaming out in horror as I twist both Ace Watson and that ass clown Beatrice into two human pretzels. They won't be laughing after I am the one who proves that I belong in the Zero Gravity Championship picture.

Chrystin softly kisses his cheek while spinning him around so she can look into his eyes.

Chrystin Hendrix: Babe, you are going to teach those toad scums what it truly means to be an unhinged man. I am quite certain after your daring performance then you will be back into the title picture in no time. Katie Moicelle should be thanking her lucky stars that she is still the Zero Gravity Champion.

Dustin continues to smirk while wrapping his arms around Chrystin's waist.

Dustin Holt: First thing is first, I must shut that hypocrite up then shove my foot right down that frog vomit's throat. I don't care about wins. I don't care about losses. I only care about administrating pain and suffering. Tonight, I will do just that and in the end someone will suffer a CATASTROPHIC MELTDOWN.

Chrystin giggles while giving off a devilish grin.

Chrystin Hendrix: I love when you talk like that babe.

Dustin doesn't say another word as he plants a kiss on Chrystin's face. The video slowly fades from the screen as they continue to kiss.

Axel Reid: I don't know what goes through that man's mind.

Ruby Parvati: Why can't that be me?

Axel Reid: Will you give it a rest? I can assure you that Dustin has no clue of who you are.

Upon Breakthrough’s return from commercial, “Lucky Star” by Madonna hits and Zahara Matisse walks out onto the stage, a microphone tucked into the back pocket of her faded-and-torn blue jeans. She doesn’t appear to be her usual chipper, smiley self though, standing at the top of the ramp for a moment to let the reaction wash over her. Of course, after some cheers from the crowd a smile does break free upon her starting down the ramp. She moves with purpose, interacting with only a few fans as she makes her way to the ring.

Axel Reid: This is a more serious Zahara Matisse than I can recall seeing before, Ruby. She actually looks a bit agitated.

Ruby Parvati: Well, she no longer has an undefeated streak to crow about, her partner left her high and dry at Breakthrough 43…

Axel Reid: That’s your version of the truth where it concerns the previous Breakthrough. I think this is something else entirely.

Rolling in under the bottom rope, Zahara pulls herself up and straightens the black VoW hoodie she’s got on, retrieving the microphone from her pocket and gesturing for the music to be cut. She paces a little, trying to work herself up, then finally speaks.

Zahara Matisse: I consider myself a pretty positive person, someone who tries not to let the world get to them. I’d rather face the day with a smile and the sun at my back than let things drag me down. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?

The crowd emphatically agrees with Zahara, to which she nods and queries again.

Zahara Matisse: I mean, it’s better to forgive and forget than let the past hold you back, isn’t it?

Again, the fans in Saginaw are in full agreement with the Enchanting One...much to Ruby Parvati’s dismay.

Ruby Parvati: What, is she trying to sell a self-help book or something?

Axel Reid: Do you have to be so negative all the time? You could do with smiling a little more and letting the sun shine on YOU, Ruby!

Ruby Parvati: I’ll stick to tanning beds, thank you.

Nodding in response to the cheers of the fans, again allowing a small smile to peek out, Zahara lets them quiet down a bit before continuing with her point.

Zahara Matisse: I’m the same way. And that’s part of the reason I’m out here. See, the closest I’ve had to an actual enemy since I arrived in VoW was Kelsey Spencer…

Another burst of positivity in the Dow Event Center.

Zahara Matisse: ...and we settled that with a big knockdown, drag-out battle at Double Jeopardy that I’m sure you all remember. Since then, we’ve mended fences and became good friends, something I’m quite thankful for. Friends are to be treasured, after all. That’s why when I saw what I saw last Breakthrough....well…

Rather than explaining things, Zahara gives her queue to the big screen over the stage. Fans in the arena are shown the ‘summit’ between Kelsey Spencer and Rebecca Saint from the previous Breakthrough, a conversation that quickly degenerated into a beating from Saint to her former partner when her offer was politely spurned. It had looked like Zahara was coming around before the footage played, but when it was done and her expression was shown, she looked quite troubled.

Axel Reid: Just a heinous attack by Rebecca Saint on her former partner! There was no call for it from where I sit!

Ruby Parvati: Saint tried to give Kelsey the chance to mend her mistake and come back to where she belonged and Kelsey threw it in her face, thanks in no small part to this interloper moping in the ring right now.

Axel Reid: Zahara treated Kelsey like more of a friend, and a person, than Rebecca Saint ever did!

Ruby Parvati: That’s YOUR version of things.

The Magical Maiden takes a deep breath before speaking again, seemingly working to keep her emotions in check.

Zahara Matisse: I know your type, Rebecca Saint, as I’ve said before. Ran into a lot of them over the years, in fact. And the moment you laid hands on her at Breakthrough 43, you made your biggest mistake yet since coming to VoW. Kelsey Spencer doesn’t need you, Rebecca, and that eats you up inside because without her you don’t have someone to do the heavy lifting. People like you think because of money, looks, or whatever else that they're above the rest of the world. You spend your time looking down on everyone and everything, hiding your arrogance behind the facade of someone who ‘just wants to help’. But I know the truth: you get off on pushing around people you see as 'smaller' than or beneath you, literally and metaphorically speaking.

Zahara's smile, which had come back as a sort of defense mechanism at the rising anger inside of her, is replaced by a snarl as the camera closes in on her.

Zahara Matisse: I’ll tell ya what, ‘Becky’...

Ruby Parvati: Now that’s uncalled for, addressing a true Saint with such familiarity!

Maybe it is, but it gets an ‘ohhhh!’ from the crowd which almost puts Zahara’s smile back on.

Zahara Matisse: ...I’M ‘smaller' than you, so how about you come and try pushing ME!

And the Saginaw fans love the sound of that! Zahara drops the microphone and pulls off the hoodie, obviously leaving on the white tank top beneath. She backs up to the other side of the ring, staring a hole through the air between the ring and the stage. Mere seconds later, “Because I’m Awesome” by The Dollyrots hits the speakers. The Enchanting One’s face registers a little confusion as she watches Blue Thunder walk down to the ring instead of Kelsey’s former Bellis Street Socialites partner, Rebecca Saint.

Ruby Parvati: Oh, joy. The traitor to the cause. Maybe we’ll get lucky and she’ll talk some sense into Zahara before she gets a taste of what Saint dished out at 43.

Axel Reid: It’s far more likely that Kelsey doesn’t want her friend getting assaulted by Rebecca Saint just for standing up for her.

Mid-way down the ramp, Kelsey raises a microphone of her own as her theme fades to silence.

Kelsey Spencer: Look, Zahara… I appreciate everything you're doing for me, but I've gotta respectfully ask you to step down.

The fans appear to be perplexed as Kelsey climbs into the ring to meet her newfound ally face to face.

Kelsey Spencer: This whole mess with Becky Saint is mine to clean up. I should've listened to your advice and gotten out when I could, but I didn't. I can't allow what happened to me at Breakthrough 43 happen to you, or anyone else I care about.

Having picked up her microphone, Zahara waits patiently until Kelsey is finished rather than interrupting her. When Blue Thunder falls silent, Zahara places a hand on her shoulder and brings the stick to bear.

Zahara Matisse: I’m not afraid of Becky Saint, Kelsey, and as much as you don’t want me to get hurt, I don’t want to be standing idly by when friends of mine are getting assaulted. If Stacy Jones didn’t personally ask me to stay out of it, I’d be going after Winter Pine as well for all the pain she’s brought down on my friends, too.

The Magical Maiden pauses, canting her head to the side a bit before lowering the other from Kelsey’s shoulder.

Zahara Matisse: And I respected Stacy’s wishes on that. To be fair, I should respect yours, too, no matter how much I want to get my hands on your former partner…

And as if mere mention of the woman summoned her very presence, “Hello Bitches” by CL starts to play and the white-robed Rebecca Saint sweeps out onto the stage gracefully, Mimi Mai Saint at her side as always. She stares down at the ring with obvious displeasure as Kelsey looks up at her former partner with something between anger and uncertainty. Zahara, however, is easy to read: she’s flat-out staring at Saint, and her expression is far less than friendly...or smiley. Rebecca absorbs the boos for a short moment, before raising the microphone to her mouth to condescendingly address the women in the ring.

Rebecca Saint: For the longest time, the human race has pursued the meaning of life. And, for the longest time, the ultimate answer was 42. However, I've proven that theory wrong.

She reaches an arm out, motioning towards the crowd.

Rebecca Saint: The meaning of life, dear friends, is now 43… As in Breakthrough 43. That's the moment when Saint City was established as a safe haven for the lost youth of today. And Kelsey, you had your chance to be a part of that… But, unsurprisingly, you turned it down. So I did the only thing I could: I took you out of commission.

The fans boo passionately as Rebecca smiles, her devoted disciple being the only one enthusiastically applauding her.

Rebecca Saint: How did it feel to see your very life force streaming down your face?

Kelsey leans against the ropes, a scowl displayed on her usually-smiling face as she listens to her former best friend open old wounds. Rebecca sarcastically moves around, shielding her eyes like a golfer watching a ball soar towards the green.

Rebecca Saint: Oh, who’s your friend? I didn't see you back there, little girl! Why don't you come and join us in Saint City? Unless you'd rather hang out with your emo friend there…

She turns to Mimi, who is laughing hysterically.

Rebecca Saint: ...am I right?

Mimi makes slashing motions on her wrists, pretending to bleed out as the audience boos intensely. Kelsey drops the microphone as she clenched her fists; the constant bullying from Mimi over social media has certainly started to get to her. Identifying how her friend may react, and trying to hold back her own urge to deliver a violent retort, Zahara tries to amicably restrain Kelsey but she's shoved aside quite viciously so that Kelsey can get closer to her rival -- she leans over the ropes, extending her arm to her detractors and motioning for them to join her in the ring. Zahara might have hit the canvas had she not caught herself on the ropes, her attention more on Kelsey now than on Saint.

Rebecca Saint: Oh, you want us to come down there? I don't think so. I've got a match with Gina Neon later tonight to prepare for. Besides…

She shrugs.

Rebecca Saint: ...you're not worth any more of my time.

One hair flip later, she twirls in her place and snaps her fingers, commanding Mimi to follow like a well-trained German Shepard.

Axel Reid: Why that...that...cold-hearted, acid-tongued…!

Ruby Parvati: Ah-ah! Language! And need I remind you that you’re speaking about a dyed-in-the-wool Saint? Best choose your words carefully!

Remaining at the ropes as she watches her former friend and partner saunter backstage without a second thought, Kelsey is positively seething. Zahara, back on her feet fully and having dusted herself off, stares as well. The magician looks like she wants to offer support to her friend but shows reluctance.

Axel Reid: That Saint woman is going to get what’s coming to her, Ruby. You can’t walk all over good people like that.

Ruby Parvati: She IS the good person in all of this. How many times did she extend the olive branch, offering a seat under her tree of learning? They threw it in her face. Now they’re paying the price.

Kelsey storms from the ring and, a few seconds later, a quiet and concerned Zahara follows suit.

As we return to the arena after Raiden Himura's statements, the fans are anticipating the next match as Jerry Heisenberg stands in the ring.

Jerry Heisenberg: The following contest is a Triple Threat match set for one fall!

The lights go out for a moment and some carnival music plays until “Be My Friend” by One Eyed Doll blasts out the speakers and a bunch of streamers and balloons fill the air.

“YEEE HAAAW!!

There’s a girl across the street from me
I buried her son beneath a tree
I don’t know why she’s mad at me
He was stinking up my garage you see”

Beatrice La Fay skips out onto the stage with a big smile on her face in tune with the music amidst a confused reaction from the crowd some cheering and some booing. With her newly created Mr Smashy resting over her right shoulder, she waves at the fans a little before turning and skipping down the ramp.

Jerry Heisenberg: Introducing first! From Dallas, Texas...standing in at 5 foot 5 and weighing in at 150 pounds! BEATRICE LA FAY!!!

“YEEEE HAAW Love

I met a cute boy he liked my smile
We fell in love for a little while
He kissed me on the lips and it tasted sweet
So I chopped him into pieces and cooked his meat”

Reaching the ring she skips around the ring doing a full lap before sliding into it and starts to skip around, singing along with her music even after it dies out. She then climbs onto the turnbuckle and sits on top of it waiting for her opponents, still singing along with the music in her head.

Axel Reid: And there we see the ever strange Beatrice La Fay...who now seems to have a bit of back-up with that makeshift mallet for this match.

Ruby Parvati: It’s called Mr Smashy, Axel!

Axel Reid: Well what’s important is that Beatrice managed to win her debut match at the last Breakthrough after defeating Valerie Beasley. Now she has two opponents to contend with in this one...

Ruby Parvati: Hence why she brought Mr Smashy along to even things up...

A video package begins to play on the giant screen as the lights drop down low. The audience is beginning to murmur underneath their breaths. As the video continues to play, the opening riff of "Move" by Thousand Foot Krutch strikes up over the speakers as dark red lights float around the arena. A beautiful blonde steps out onto the stage as the crowd seems confused at first. The blonde stands on the stage with a smirk on her face as she points toward the back. As the song starts to pick, Dustin Holt comes walking out onto the stage. His face seems to show a much darker expression on his face as he joins this woman on the stage. He takes a moment to look at one side then the other. He smirks toward this woman as they start walking down the ramp side by side.

Jerry Heisenberg: And her opponent! Being accompanied to the ring by Chrystin Hendrix, from Orlando, Florida...standing in at 6 foot 2 and weighing in at 238 pounds! “The Lunatic” DUSTIN HOLT!!!

The crowd isn't shy about letting both individuals how they feel as Dustin chuckles. Chrystin rolls her eyes at the response as Dustin slides into the ring. Chrystin rounds the corner and marches up the steel ring steps. Dustin pushes himself back up to his feet while watching her enter the ring. A sadistic smirk appears on his face as he moves toward the corner. He jumps up onto the turnbuckles and throws both arms into the air. More negative responses can be heard as Dustin brings his arms down slowly. He hops down and leans against the turnbuckles as Chrystin is standing beside him as “Move” fades out.

Axel Reid: And here’s Dustin Holt. He won the pre-show Fatal Four Way at Nothing Else Matters so he’ll be wanting to get continue being on the winning side of things here tonight.

Ruby Parvati: We’ve got two crazy people in the ring, Axel...don’t make eye contact with them.

"Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da (Instrumental)" by Rammstein hits and Ace Watson appears from behind the curtain, dressed in his usual ring attire of black UFC-style shorts, black knee pads and boots. He walks down the ramp, an intensity in his eyes and the look of readiness about him. He stretches his shoulders and throws a few small punches to the air as he approaches the ring, keeping his eyes on his opponents at all times.

Jerry Heisenberg: And their opponent! From Norwich, England...standing in at 5 foot 10 and weighing in at 220 pounds! ACE WATSON!!!

Entering the ring from the corner steps, Watson then stands in the center of the ring, throwing a couple more small air punches and keeping the look of intensity etched proudly on his face as he stares directly into the camera and to the crowd as "Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da (Instrumental)" fades out.

Axel Reid: And here is Ace Watson. Who despite losing to Tristan Ambrose at the last show, has been on fire since his return.

Ruby Parvati: He has this new attitude about him, perhaps Robinson knocked some sense into when he put him on the shelf all those months ago.

The referee calls for the bell and the start of the match as both Watson and Holt square up to one another, exchanging words with one another.

Axel Reid: Have these two forgotten that there’s a third participant in this match?

Ruby Parvati: Maybe Beatrice is using this kind of tactic to allow Ace and Dustin to weaken each other first.

Hopping down off the turnbuckle and leaving her mallet in the corner, the deranged woman begins to skip around the ring, circling the two men who are now focusing their attention on La Fay.

Axel Reid: Now she has their attention...

Ruby Parvati: I wonder what they’re thinking right about now?

La Fay then comes to an abrupt stop between them both, looking at both of them with a large smile on her face. The two men then slowly turn their attention back to each other and then again, back to La Fay.

Axel Reid: They seem perplexed by the actions of Beatrice here.

Ruby Parvati: Yeah, and I don’t blame them.

Looking at both men, she can be heard saying “you two big men wouldn’t pick on lil’ ol’ me would ya?” before she places her hands underneath her chin, still with the large grin on her face and flutters her eyelashes.

Axel Reid: Beatrice is up to something...

Ruby Parvati: She’s always up to something.

As both Holt and Watson turn their full attention towards La Fay, her look turns to one of slight terror as it seems as though her pleading hasn’t worked. Suddenly though, a devilish smirk grows on her face before she drops to her knees and delivers a double low blow to her opponents.

Axel Reid: What a cheap, dirty tactic!

Ruby Parvati: No DQ Axel, that was perfectly legal...

Holt and Watson collapse to the mat, clutching their groins in pain as La Fay again begins to skip around the ring, laughing maniacally at her handiwork.

Axel Reid: Does this woman even know what she’s doing?

Ruby Parvati: She won her debut, so of course she does...she’s just having fun.

La Fay finally stops beside Holt and picks him up to his feet, wrapping her arms around his waist, she hits him with a release German Suplex. Now skipping over to Watson, picking him up, she does the exact same to him and this time, she hooks Watson’s leg for the pin.


ONE!




TWO!



Kick-out!

Axel Reid: And it seems Beatrice is off to a flying start, although after those low blows, I’m not surprised.

Heading over to Holt, she pins him this time.


ONE!



Kick-out!

Ruby Parvati: Not enough to put Dustin away there.

Going back to Watson, La Fay picks him up and is met with a stiff European Uppercut for her troubles, sending her staggering backwards a little. Watson then charges towards her with a clothesline, sending her over the top rope and crashing to the outside of the ring in a heap.

Axel Reid: And there goes Beatrice! Right down in front of us here!

Looking down at his handiwork, Watson smirks and nods, happy with what he’s done when suddenly Holt, who has since gotten back to his feet, wraps his arms around his waist and nails him with a Belly to Back Suplex before he suddenly mounts him and punches him repeatedly in the face as Watson tries his best to cover up.

Ruby Parvati: Dustin is really laying into Ace here!

Getting back up to his feet, he swiftly makes his way over to the turnbuckle and he climbs it. Looking out to the booing crowd, he just shrugs them off before then diving off the top rope with a diving headbutt, connecting right with Watson’s head before he quickly hooks the leg.


ONE!




TWO!



Kick-out!

Axel Reid: And it’s still not enough to keep the Lunatic down.

Checking his own face to see if he may have busted himself open, once he realizes that everything is okay, he then proceeds to apply a Crippler Crossface onto Watson, right dead centre in the middle of the ring.

Ruby Parvati: Crippler Crossface is locked in! Will Ace tap out?

Wrenching back as far as he can, Watson has nowhere to go as he writhes in pain, the referee constantly asking him if he wants to give up. The camera then cuts to one of the turnbuckles where we see a recently recovered La Fay propped up on top of it, ready to strike.

Axel Reid: What has Beatrice got planned here?

Suddenly, she jumps off the turnbuckle with shooting star double knee drop, which only hits Watson as Holt spots her just in time and manages to roll out of the way just in time.

Ruby Parvati: Do you know what she calls that move, Axel?

Axel Reid: Yes I do...please don’t repeat it.

Ruby Parvati: WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SPLAT!!!

La Fay rolls to her feet after hitting the move and is suddenly hit from out of nowhere with a Superkick from Holt.

Axel Reid: Splitting Headache connects!

Holt drops to his knees and hooks La Fay’s inner leg and yells at the referee to make the count.


ONE!




TWO!




THREE???



NO!!! LA FAY KICKS OUT JUST IN TIME!!!

Holding up three fingers to the referee, Holt looks on in disbelief at the fact that he didn’t get the victory. The referee informs him that it was only a two before Holt shakes his head and grabs hold of La Fay and lifts her up to her feet and drags her over to the turnbuckle.

Ruby Parvati: I don’t think Dustin was too pleased about Beatrice kicking out there.

Holt then lifts La Fay up, so she is sat on the top of the turnbuckle and he begins to climb up after her, wrapping his arm around her head and draping her arm across his shoulders, it’s clear he’s setting up for a Superplex.

Axel Reid: Dustin’s going for a Superplex here...

He goes to lift her up for the move, however La Fay manages to grab hold of the top rope, not allowing Holt to execute the move, so he deliver a few clubbing blows to the back of her and then tries a second time, however again, La Fay holds on for dear life.

Ruby Parvati: Beatrice isn’t letting go!

La Fay tries to fight back herself, delivering shots to Holt’s gut but he breaks the hold and grabs hold of her head, smashing it off the top of the turnbuckle causing her to go limp.

Axel Reid: Maybe that was the opening that Dustin needed to pull off what he was hoping for!

Again, he sets her up for the Superplex when from out of nowhere, Watson appears and grabs hold of Holt’s legs as if he were going for a Powerbomb and thus the infamous Tower of Doom occurs as both La Fay and Holt crash back first onto the canvas.

Ruby Parvati: Oh my word! Who got the worst of that? It certainly wasn’t Ace...that’s for sure...

Without wasting any time, Watson quickly pins Holt, hooking his leg as the referee drops to his knees for the count.


ONE!





TWO!





Kick-out!

Scurrying over to La Fay, this time, Watson pins her, also hooking her leg.


ONE!





TWO!




Kick-out!

Axel Reid: And both Beatrice and Dustin are still in this thing! I was sure the match was going to end there!

Watson immediately jumps to his feet and gets into the face of the referee, yelling at him to count faster whilst the referee maintains his authority and informs Watson who the official in this match is.

Ruby Parvati: Ace doesn’t seem too pleased that he isn’t having his arm raised in victory right now.

Eventually, Watson gives up arguing with the referee and makes his way over to Holt, he grabs him by the head and then suddenly, the Lunatic rolls him up into a small package pinning predicament.


ONE!





TWO!





Kick-out!

Axel Reid: And Ace nearly got caught there by Dustin!

Both men get to their feet, Watson with a look of shock on his face as Holt just smirks before charging at him and catching him with a clothesline that sends Watson over the top rope to the outside of the ring.

Ruby Parvati: And there goes Ace to the outside!

Holt then proceeds to scale the turnbuckle, keeping his eye on Watson the entire time who is slowly beginning to make it back up to his feet.

Axel Reid: What has Dustin got in mind here?

Once he gets to the top of the turnbuckle, he positions himself so he’s facing away from Watson. As soon as Watson gets to his feet, Holt dives off the turnbuckle and lands on him with a Moonsault as the fans start to chant ‘This Is Awesome’.

Ruby Parvati: Darkness Falls from the inside of the ring to the outside! I agree with this sold out crowd...this match is awesome!

As the camera and referee remain focused on the carnage on the outside of the ring, the fans start cheering wildly forcing the camera to cut back to the ring as this time, we see La Fay scaling the turnbuckle now, her gaze locked onto her opponents on the outside.

Axel Reid: Now what!

Both Watson and Holt slowly get back to their feet, neither man having a clue where he is as La Fay turns away from them on the turnbuckle and much like what Holt did mere moments ago, she dives backwards off the turnbuckle and lands on both men with a Moonsault of her own.

Ruby Parvati: Anything Dustin can do...Beatrice can do better...

La Fay is first to her feet naturally and she lifts Holt up to his feet and throws him into the ring, rolling under the bottom rope after him and quickly hooking his leg for the pin.


ONE!





TWO!





THREE???



NO!!! HOLT KICKS OUT JUST IN TIME!!!

Axel Reid: Neither of these competitors want to give up in this match!

Grabbing hold of his head again, La Fay lifts Holt up to his feet but she is met with a thunderous right hand, to which La Fay returns the favour with a right hand of her own as the two begin to slug it out, trading rights with one another.

Ruby Parvati: These two are pummelling the life out of each other here!

As Holt goes for another right hand, La Fay manages to block it with her arm and delivers a rake to his eyes, temporarily blinding him as the fans boo heavily at the dirty tactics of La Fay.

Axel Reid: Beatrice again with the dirty moves...

La Fay then whips Holt off the ropes and when he comes back, he delivers a thunderous knee kick straight to the temple of La Fay, knocking her flat on her back and looking up to the sky.

Ruby Parvati: What a knee kick from Dustin there!

Even after the amount of punishment the Lunatic has endured from his visits up to the top rope, he still decides to ascend up yet another time.

Axel Reid: This guy really is a lunatic!

Reaching the top, he prepares himself before then diving off with a Frog Splash right onto La Fay’s abdomen. Clutching his own stomach for a few moments, he then quickly scrambles over to her, hooking her leg.

ONE!





TWO!





THREE???



NO!!! LA FAY KICKS OUT!!!

Ruby Parvati: This match is still going?!?!

The look on Holt’s face says it all, he cannot believe that La Fay kicked out and that his arm hasn’t been raised yet in victory. However instead of getting up into the referee’s face, he realizes that all he really needs to do is deliver one final blow, so he decides to climb the turnbuckle...again.

Axel Reid: Again? He’s climbing the turnbuckle again?

As he reaches the top, he positions himself so he’s facing away from the ring and stands tall on the top, looking out to the crowd as he just smirks maniacally.

Ruby Parvati: Looks like he’s going for Darkness Falls again here, Axel.

Suddenly, Holt jumps backwards with a Moonsault and crashes down onto the mat, but not La Fay, as she managed to roll out of the way just in time.

Axel Reid: No! La Fay moved out of the way! This could be the turning point of the match right here!

La Fay manages to crawl over to Holt’s lifeless body and she pushes him over onto his back before draping her arm over his chest.


ONE!






TWO!





NO!!! HOLT KICKS OUT AGAIN!!!

Ruby Parvati: Seriously? What does someone need to do in this match to put the other away?!?!

Crawling over to the ropes, La Fay manages to pull herself up to her feet. Glancing down at Holt, she realizes he hasn’t moved since he managed to kick out from the pin earlier and then an evil looking grin appears on her face.

Axel Reid: Is she smiling? Why is she smiling?

Heading over to the corner of the ring, she grabs hold of the handle of Mr Smashy and places it onto her shoulder before she then begins to skip around the fallen Holt as the referee is pleading with her not to use the mallet.

Ruby Parvati: Ref, leave her alone! She can use Mr Smashy if she wants! It’s legal in a Triple Threat match!

Once she finally stop skipping, she stops right at the side of Holt and then lifts Mr Smashy up and drops it right down onto Holt’s chest.

Axel Reid: Jeez! Dustin may have a punctured lung after that...

Dropping the mallet, La Fay then follows up with a double foot stomp to the very same place she dropped the mallet down onto Holt.

Ruby Parvati: CLEAR!!!

Axel Reid: Please stop...

Ruby Parvati: What? I’m doing my job as a commentator, these are the names that Beatrice has given her moves, Axel.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a now fully recovered Watson is now back in the ring and grabs hold of La Fay and throws her through the ropes to the outside of the ring, causing her to crash into a heap on the outside.

Axel Reid: What a minute! We forgot about Ace Watson!

Marching over to Holt, he drags him up to his feet and sets him up for that devastating Spinning Impaler finishing move of his.

Ruby Parvati: I think a Disasterpiece is in Dustin’s near future.

Watson then indeed drops Holt with that very move and wastes little time making the cover as on the outside, La Fay is beginning to stir.


ONE!


Axel Reid: Beatrice is beginning to stir on the outside, can she make it in time?


TWO!


La Fay scrambles into the ring, trying her best to get to Watson in time to break up the pin.


THREE???


Ruby Parvati: It’s too late!!!


THREE!!!


DING DING DING!!!

La Fay collapses to the mat with exhaustion and disappointment as she was just mere inches away from breaking up the cover in time. However, "Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da (Instrumental)" blasts out of the PA system as the referee raises Watson’s arm in victory.

Jerry Heisenberg: Here is your winner... ACE WATSON!!!

Axel Reid: Beatrice was too late to get there, and Ace Watson gains the victory!

Ruby Parvati: Each of them could have won this match, I have to say. Ace will definitely be using this to stake his claim at going after the Zero Gravity Championship.

Axel Reid: Katie Moicelle is not going to be short of challengers, that's clear.

Ace leaves the ring with his arms raised before the scene changes.

As the feed returns to ringside, "Live For This" by Hatebreed blasts out of the PA system and the fans boo heavily as "The Punisher" Matthew Robinson slowly walks out onto the stage with a smirk plastered across his face. He looks around at the booing fans and laughs at them before he begins to slowly and methodically make his way down the ramp.

Jerry Heisenberg: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Making his way to the ring...from Miami, Florida by way of London, England...standing in at 6 foot 5 and weighing in at 245 pounds! "The Punisher"... MATTHEW ROBINSON!!!

Robinson reaches the bottom of the ramp and slithers underneath the bottom rope before walking across the ring to the furthest turnbuckle, he climbs it before raising his arms into the air smirking at the booing fans before he climbs back down as "Live For This" fades out.

Axel Reid: You've heard of divisive individuals, Ruby...this is the opposite of one. Not a single person in attendance here tonight likes Matt Robinson.

Ruby Parvati: ...I like him...

Axel seems poised to reply, but before he can put a word in edgewise...

The crowd pops massively as a pyro bomb-drop falls as "Turn the Tables" by Saliva plays. The lead singer Josey Scott yells "Yeah! We're coming down!" As soon as the pyro hits, the song starts up and Emevlas Stastias pops out from behind the curtain, with a trademark smirk crossing her lips. She prompts the crowd to get up and start cheering some more. She makes eye contact with whomever is in the ring, and starts casually walking down the aisle, high fiving and fist bumping fans on the way.

Jerry Heisenberg: And his opponent, from Joliet, Illinois, weighing in at one hundred and forty five pounds… SHE is the Cult of Personality… EMEVLAS STAAAAASTIAS!!!

"...kinda like Cain and Abel, a bit unstable. Don't break the frame, break the whole damn table. How we shut it down, we give 'em a blast. We keep it real, put the shoes in your ass."

Emevlas's music is still playing as Matt Robinson suddenly steps out through the middle rope and down from the apron. Stastias sees him coming, but just a fraction too late, and the Punisher is able to grab a tight sleeper hold and drag her down to the ring in it!

Axel Reid: Matt Robinson wasting no time going to work on Emevlas Stastias...

The crowd boo as the Punisher slams the older woman's head against the turnbuckle repeatedly before sending her hurtling against the nearby post, causing her to hit it with precisely her bad shoulder! He then rolls Emevlas into the ring, following shortly behind to make sure his opponent does not have time to breathe.

Axel Reid: The brutality of Matt Robinson on display early on...as he looks to target that bad shoulder of Emevlas'...

Ruby Parvati: He is so clinical! One of the most clinical wrestlers in VoW today! Not one move is wasted!

Robinson prowls around Stastias for a moment, as she gasps for breath, before bringing her to her feet again. He then throws her over with an exploder suplex, causing her to hit the mat hard! Emevlas scrambles to her feet, but 'The Punisher' is waiting with a Thesz Press! He takes Emevlas down and begins to rain down punches to her face! Emevlas tries her best to swat his hands away, but it takes some intervention from the referee to get Robinson off her – and even then, 'The Punisher' is not happy! For the first time in this match, he turns his back on Emevlas, as he gives the referee a piece of his mind!

Axel Reid: Might not be a good idea to do that...

In fact, by giving Stastias some room to breathe, Robinson ends up compromising his own upper hand in the match. While he does not spend more than a few moments arguing with the referee, that is enough for Stastias to get to her feet, with the help of the ropes, and when The Punisher turns back around, she is alert enough to dodge his clothesline attempt and reverse it into a rotating neckbreaker! Matt Robinson goes down for the first time in this match, and Emevlas buys herself a much needed respite!

After a few moments of kneeling by the ropes catching her breath, however, the veteran wrestler is back on offence, seeing her opponent is beginning to get to his own feet. She backs up against the turnbuckle and goes for a running knee on Robinson...

...only for the Punisher to suddenly stand up and reverse it into a big back body drop!

Ruby Parvati: Well...that was good while it lasted...

Back in control, Robinson picks Stastias up and drops her with a half-nelson slam! He allows her to get to her feet, only to lock in and apply the full nelson variant of the move! He then rolls to his feet, patiently waits for Emevlas to get up once more, and sends her flying into the turnbuckle with a dropkick! Emevlas hits the buckle back-first, and Robinson wastes no time pinning her against it with a clothesline! The veteran wrestler slides down to a seated position, barely conscious, and the Punisher paces slowly around the ring, taunting the crowd.

Axel Reid: Matt Robinson is in complete control here, and there is very little Emevlas Stastias can do to stop the Punisher right now...

Robinson seems to know this, as he almost arrogantly pulls the inert Emevlas to the center of the ring and begins to ascend the turnbuckle. Once there, he jumps off with a top-rope leg drop...

...which Emevlas rolls out of the way of!

Ruby Parvati: WHAT?! How is she still conscious?!

Axel Reid: I don't know, but the fact is, she just bought herself some precious seconds!

Emevlas knows this, and promptly slides to the outside to catch a breather. This sends the crowd into a frenzy, and a chant of 'GET THE TABLES!' begins to echo across the Flint arena.

Axel Reid: It seems the crowd wants to see Emevlas' speciality, the table used as a weapon...

Ruby Parvati: She had better be careful. That could end badly for her!

Hearing the chant, Emevlas gets a determined look on her face. She begins to rummage under the ring and pulls out a table – drawing a huge reaction from the crowd – but before she can set it up, Robinson is on her again, attacking her with punches to the face! Emevlas is therefore forced to forget the table as the bigger wrestler engages her, and the two go on to trade punches all around the ring, to the delight of the crowd.

Axel Reid: Emevlas is in her element in a brawling situation...I wouldn't be surprised to see her get the upper hand over Robinson here...

As if she had heard the announcer, Emevlas lands a particularly well-placed shot on Robinson, which staggers the Punisher just long enough to allow the Cult of Personality to slide back into the ring. Emevlas promptly makes for the far corner, then – as Robinson re-enters the ring – surges forward with a forearm! Surprised, the Punisher does not react quickly enough, and the veteran is able to connect with her reverse STO, which she shouts the name of out loud:

Emevlas Stastias: HIGH MAX, BITCH!

Robinson gets planted, but is too close to the ring ropes to be pinned. As such, Emevlas simply waits for him to recover – which takes a long moment – before dropping him again with a roundhouse kick to the head! Robinson is out cold again, and Emevlas covers!

ONE!




TWO!




TH—NO! Robinson kicks out!


Axel Reid: The first pinfall of this match did not belong to who you would expect, as Emevlas Stastias is back in this one with a shout!

Indeed, 'Mevy' is now back in control, and pulls her opponent back to his feet. She attempts to go for another rotating neckbreaker...

...only for Robinson to counter by bullrushing her to the ropes! Taken by surprise, 'Mevy' goes hurtling backwards and bounces off straight into a Robinson Effect! A cover ensues!


ONE!





TWO!





...Mevy gets her foot on the ropes!


This time, Robinson lets his frustration show, and is even more rough than usual as he yanks his opponent to her feet. The manic glint in his eye indicates that he has something devious in mind, and indeed, a moment later, the crowd give a horrified gasp as Robinson hoists Emevlas up onto his shoulders!

Axel Reid: WHAT?! Surely not!!!

Ruby Parvati: I think he wants to end her little retirement tour early, Axel...

Axel Reid: But why?! What has she done to him?!

Ruby Parvati: She's pissed him off, that's what she's done. And now she's about to pay!

...or maybe not. For before Robinson can drop her from the inverted fireman's carry into a knee lift, for his trademark Black Out Knee, Emevlas manages to somehow slide down from his shoulders!

Axel Reid: What?! Wait a minute...!!

The crowd cheers as the veteran wrestler then drops down and pulls Robinson into a small package pinning predicament! The referee drops down!


ONE!





TWO!





THREE???


Ruby Parvati: NO!!!


THREE!!!


DING DING DING!!!

The crowd explodes as Robinson barely knows what hit him!

Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match... EMEVLAS STASTIAS!!!

Axel Reid: Unbelievable!! Despite having the lower hand all throughout this match, Emevlas pulls off the win!!

Ruby Parvati: The FLUKE win. Matty has grounds to complain this time...

Axel Reid: I saw nothing flukey about it – just great awareness from Stastias and...WAIT A MINUTE!!!

As the referee goes to raise Emevlas' hand, Robinson finally snaps. Having slid outside the ring directly after the pinfall, he now returns, with Emevlas' discarded table in hand. Despite the referee's intimations, he then proceeds to set it up in the center of the ring. Emevlas thinks on her feet and tries to engage the bigger wrestler, but Robinson catches her in a Robinson Effect! Mevy's fate seems inevitable, as Robinson prepares to put her through the table...

CAST OFF THE CRUTCH THAT KILLS THE PAIN

THE RED FLAG WAVING NEVER MEANT THE SAME!

Robinson drops his opponent in surprise as Billy Talent's 'Red Flag' begins to blast through the speakers, heralding the arrival of Owen Gonsalves! The veteran legs it to the ring, slides in, and promptly engages Robinson, delivering shot after shot to the Punisher's face and forehead!!

Axel Reid: OWEN GONSALVES, preventing a dire fate for Emevlas Stastias!!

Ruby Parvati: That man isn't very intelligent...doesn't he know you don't make Matt Robinson angry?

Axel Reid: If he knows, he doesn't care!

Indeed, Owen continues to assault Robinson, without much regard for his own safety...that is, until The Punisher retaliates with punches of his own! The brawl between the two becomes more heated, but is cut short when the referee and certain ringside officials intervene, pulling the two men apart. Both Robinson and Owen make attempts to rekindle the brawl, but are ultimately held back, and are powerless to do more than glower at one another – which they do, heatedly, as the feed changes.

The feed cuts to the back, to find Darius Yates standing by with the undefeated half of the also-undefeated Twin Cities Champions, Gina Neon. The pair smile at the camera as it focuses on them, shortly before Darius states:

Darius Yates: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time, one-half of the VoW Twin Cities Champions, Gina Neon. Gina, you are set to face Rebecca Saint here tonight, and you've had some unusually heated words towards her earlier in the week...

Gina promptly steps forward, her demeanor somewhat less peppy than usual – as reflected by her trademark shades coming off.

Gina Neon: Darius...lemme tell you somethin', baby. Li'l Gina is all kinds a' patient. I try to get along with everyone, y'know? Life's too short to be a butthead to people. But if there's one thing that really drives li'l Gina up the wall...you know what that is, D-man?

Darius shrugs, and Gina promptly elucidates:

Gina Neon: It's people who are buttheads to their friends. An' we know a person like that, don't we, D-man?

This time, Darius nods.

Darius Yates: ...Rebecca Saint, who shunned her best friend, Kelsey Spencer, two weeks ago.

It is Gina's turn to nod.

Gina Neon: That's right. An' THAT, Darius, is why you saw li'l Gina angry. THAT's why you saw the Neon Power runnin' on empty. 'Cause Rebecca did one of the few things in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD that actually make li'l Gina ticked off. An' now...li'l Gina's gonna make her pay for it!

Darius Yates: So you are actually angry?

Gina nods again, more enthusiastically than before.

Gina Neon: Oh, I'm angry all right. I'm SUPER angry. An' trust me, D-Man...Rebecca's not gonna like me when I'm angry.

With this, and after landing the customary pat to the interviewer's back, the Twin Cities Champion walks off-frame, leaving Darius to wrap up the segment on his own.

Darius Yates: Determined words from Gina Neon, in a bad mood for possibly the first time ever. Back to ringside!

A few moments later, that is just where the feed cuts to.

As we return to the arena from another quick break, "Superman" by Bush suddenly plays from the speakers, causing the crowd to cheer loudly for the arrival of Matt Slater. There are a small spattering of boos, but they are mostly drowned out by the faithful support of his widespread fanbase. Eventually, Matt Slater walks out from behind the curtain wearing a regular black t-shirt, jeans and black shoes... but he also has a black and silver mask with gold trimming and blue lenses adorning his face, a sight that perplexes most of the fans and causes intrigue to increase.

Axel Reid: And it seems Matt Slater's quest to get Seth Iser to accept his challenge continues tonight... and now he's wearing a mask.

Ruby Parvati: I recall that mask. Isn't that the one he wore when he debuted here?

Axel Reid: It is! That's the exact same mask... but why would he be wearing it? What does it mean?

Ruby Parvati: I don't know, but if this becomes anything like what happened at the last Breakthrough, we're in for something good!

Slater reaches the ring, with the crowd taking pictures and recordings on their phones to capture this moment in time. After entering the ring, Slater rotates the microphone in his hand around until his entrance music fades away.

Axel Reid: I wonder what he's going to say this time?

Ruby Parvati: Something interesting I hope!

Through the blue lenses of his old mask, Slater silently scans the crowd, keeping the microphone close to the hard material where his mouth is supposed to be. Once he starts speaking, his voice is dulled, but it is still clear enough to make out coherently.

Matt Slater: There is an old saying that I'm sure you're all familiar with... if you play with fire, you're eventually going to get burned. Well, a couple of years ago, I never played with that figurative fire. I was targetted by it. The fire that exists inside Seth Iser's barely-functioning body consumed me... and when we finally collided, I suffered the wrath of his scorching anger. Not only was I burned, but I was nearly paralysed... all because he was envious of my success. His fire possessed him to target me with a sick level of obsession, because he could never live up to the standards in wrestling that I set on a weekly basis.

The fans applaud this response, firmly standing by him as a man whose honor and abilities could not be criticized.

Matt Slater: Now, with that said... most of you may not remember this mask I'm wearing right now. In fact I'd be surprised if few of you do. You see, from VoW's inception... right at the very beginning... I was forced to protect my face with this thing after my skin was burned by Seth Iser's Red Mist. The act of shielding my identity... concealing my appearance from viewing eyes... was rather humiliating, even if it was for the greater good. I never enjoyed the experience... and this mask was beginning to take its toll on me. But it served its purpose up to my supposed retirement... and then it was no longer needed.

Slater pauses, allowing these words to sink in and allowing the audience to mull over the details, which of course bring about some curious questions, one of which Slater realizes he has to answer before the weight of it increases.

Matt Slater: Now I'm sure you're all asking yourselves that one, nagging question... if I despised this mask so much, why did I decide to keep it? Well there's a simple explanation for that. I kept it as a reminder. I kept it as a painful memory of what had happened to me... knowing it could potentially happen again if I ignored this significant moment in history.

Slater adjusts the mask slightly, not being used to it's design after such a long time.

Matt Slater: But the time has come to craft a new piece of history... one that could alter my life forevermore. And it's not because I'm ignoring it. In fact... I'm openly welcoming it.

The crowd seem puzzled by this statement, murmuring as Slater shrugs his bothersome shoulder.

Matt Slater: There is a reason why I decided to wear this mask tonight. I didn't wear this to make a statement on how the severity of the burns could have kept me wearing this. I didn't wear this to show that my mask is actually better than the one Seth Iser used to wear... which it is.

Some fans chuckle at this cheap joke.

Matt Slater: I wore this mask to convey one irrefutable point... an ironic point... that the man who forced me to wear this mask with his horrendous actions, was not only a man who was forced to remove a mask he routinely wore to play mind games... but is now a man who claims to be changing his ways and looking out for the good... despite the fact that he is attempting to conceal who he truly is with great futility. Seth... you were never a man of honor. You were never about true wrestling or protecting the traditional values, like you claim to be now. You were a man who utilized a mask for intimidation and to disguise the being you couldn't stand to look at in the mirror, because you were ashamed to exist inside a body that paled in comparison to mine and other wrestlers like me.

A collective "Oooo" manifests from the stands, conveying the typical response used after a particularly harsh insult.

Matt Slater: And let me be clear, I do not mean in an attractive sense. I have always been more athletic and versatille than Seth, something he strived to be until he damaged his own body by willingly subjecting himself to vicious matches on a regular basis. He willingly accepted that responsibility and the sacrifices that came with it... and then he passes the blame. He blamed you, the fans, for increasing violence in wrestling. He blamed incompetent owners who figured hardcore wrestling was the only thing that garnered money and ratings. But then he turned inward and blamed the next generation of this great sport, citing them as plague carriers... that they were mindlessly shaping wrestling into a decrepid cesspool of extreme torture because, apparently, society twisted their minds. The thing is, Seth... you carried that torch that lit the way for that change. You were the one who continued to keep hardcore wrestling alive, keeping the vicious stigma growing until YOU... YOU became the stigma of that genre, and the fact you blame everyone else for what you developed makes you a hypocrite... as well as a coward.

Once again the crowd cheer wildly, supporting Slater's viewpoint in what seems to be a solo campaign against his nemesis.

Matt Slater: So I understood your mindset. The repetitive knee surgeries... the constant loss of blood... the disfiguring wounds that never properly healed... you became a wreck. And then you saw me. You saw a man who avoided that road, who never absorbed that lasting stigma... and jealousy erupted. You... out of spite... wanted me to become you.

Pausing again, Slater focuses directly on the hard camera, as if concentrating on Seth Iser once again through the mask.

Matt Slater: What you're looking at... is the man you truly are. A hypocritical coward who will always contain a stigma of violence. Where else would "The Deity of Destruction" come from? Where else would mythological tales of you feasting rats to unconscious, heavily bound wrestlers in dark, dank basements come from? It's not that you can't change the past and make amendments, Seth. You always will be the past... with or without the mask, you're still a man of absolute wickedness. You're still an envious, bitter individual... which is why Vincent Moretti got involved last week, to try and convince me you were a different person... even though you never will be.

The crowd boo as soon as Moretti is brought up, remembering his onslaught of vile words on the previous Breakthrough.

Matt Slater: Even if you were busy with family business... I still got your attention, didn't I? I'm sure Vince is tired of having to keep his mouth shut because of what I did, and yeah, I might have sustained a financial penalty for that... but I was doing everyone a favor. I willingly sacrificed my money to spare everyone the agony of listening to the disgusting atrocities that come out of his mouth and put an end to his annoying voice.

More cheers flow from the stands, yet Slater remains seriously still.

Matt Slater: I said it before, but I'm saying it again. If you play with fire, you're going to get burned. But this time Seth... I'm channelling the fire that exists inside of me, and it is coming for you. I'm resurrecting history for one purpose... and that is to gain justice for what you ultimately did to me. And it will not stop until you accept my challenge. It will not stop until you quit being a coward and accept your sworn duty. It will not stop... until...

The dimming of the lights seems to answer the call for Slater before the familiar guitar strums of ‘Gehenna’ start to play. The audience is mixed in their response but considering Slater’s verbal attack on the man last couple of weeks...there are more boos than cheers. After a few moments as that guitar strum passes through, finally emerging from the curtain still with a small trace of that limp on that bad left knee is Seth Iser. And there is still very few who are more menacing in the industry just by walking down to the ring than him.

Axel Reid: The man who Matt referred to as The Deity of Destruction has arrived.

Ruby Parvati: I don’t think there’s anything so divine about his actions recently.

Axel Reid: I never thought I’d see the day where I’d take up for Seth Iser, but if you look at it from a rational and a human point of view...you can’t blame his concern.

The leather coat cladded Seth Iser, with the blue jeans he’s wearing and a sleeveless black t-shirt that does support his local West Virginia team just marches toward the ring, a little faster than normal, and he seems agitated by the personal insults though he might be hiding his true emotion behind that poker face of his as he pulls himself up by the ropes. The audience has simmered down in anticipation for what these two rivals could say or do to each other.

Axel Reid: Question is for Seth...what IS he going to do? Second week in a row Matt has verbally lambasted him in front of an audience. There isn’t a right answer for him.

Ruby Parvati: Take the match and take the lumps like a man.

Axel Reid: I don’t know if that’d be the case, Ruby. I remember their history and as Slater pointed out their last match how it ended.

Iser enters the ring, and it’s obvious Slater isn’t backing down from his body language. Iser reaches into his jacket and pulls out his own microphone. There’s a hushed excitement and curiosity among the crowd as Iser just glares at Matt...hard to tell what’s behind the glare though.

Seth Iser: It’s come to pass, Matt. What I said years ago. It truly has come to pass. Gone is the Silver Knight. Here stands the man that I sensed existed years ago. And I’m not proud that I’m right, either. Nor was it fully of the things I’ve done to you, either. But here you stand...nowhere near the noble man you claim yourself to be when you DID lay out a man who hasn’t wrestled a match in years in the middle of that ring. Think what you will about speech, but if even the Supreme Court allowed the KKK to express their rights to an opinion no matter how heinous. That’s how it is in this country. It’s the right the audience has the moment they buy a ticket. The right to speech. Allowed to feel or say what they please. Even if there is disagreement.

There’s a mixed reaction to what Iser is saying. Some agree, and some disagree with the sentiment. But Iser lowers his voice now when he speaks.

Seth Iser: But let’s talk about the truth here, Matt. There are things that I’ve done in my life that I have to take to the grave knowing I can’t take back. But as for the hardcore thing...I’m no different than those who came before me who had that wild reputation. We all had our own different ways that made it different though. Before me it was branding irons and the hard cowboy boots where they tried to crush people’s skulls and brand them with those burns and mark them, Matt. I’m not defending anything I’ve done to exasperate the problem. Hell, I’ve already said in the public that the reason the Casanova English’s of the world do exist with their tactics and manipulation and the fireball that put Valquist away is part of my own influence gripping the sport to this day. But to put the onus on one man when this has existed before either of us ever laced up a pair of boots is short-sighted and that...is the truth.

The audience for the most part does boo this statement even though there’s some mixed cheers thrown in there.

Seth Iser: Matt. The truth hurts even if I’m the one that has to face it. And like I said. I’m taking many things with me to the grave...hoping my kid can forgive me for when I probably die an early death because of my own self destructive behavior as a youth that helped exasperate many of these problems. But as the son of a preacher here...if envy is my sin to take to the grave then pride is yours.

There’s more of a naturally mixed reaction here to what Iser is saying. But Iser quickly continues his speech.

Seth Iser: Your pride will lead you once again to making the same mistake you did two years ago. Repeatedly. I warned you then. Don’t come back...you came back. Hurt yourself further. Just this time Matt...with everything I’ve done. I’m not going to be the guy pulling that trigger. I ain’t proud of everything I’ve done, but the least I can do is give you this piece of advice: for your own health. Reign it back...so these people can continue to see the Matt Slater they love perform for ten more years rather than just two more. Or someone else more depraved than I ever was maybe taking the influence that I’ve now begun to shun too far and they do indeed witness another, preventable tragedy in the middle of the ring. But I’m not going to be the one holding that gun pulling the trigger to cause it. My answer is still no.

Iser turns his head and the audience again boos because Iser is once again refusing the challenge of Matt Slater. He begins to duck through the ropes...on his part, ending this conversation.

Matt Slater: I wasn't even finished talking.

There are more mixed reactions as Slater stops Iser in his tracks, the latter calmly adjusting his jacket as he steps out from the ropes and occupies the ring again. The larger man stares at Slater, still wearing his customized mask. That is until he loosens the strap and pulls the mask off his face, revealing the identity everyone has known for years. Seth remains still, warily viewing Slater's body language as the Brit drops the mask onto the canvas, keeping his eyes on the reputably-monstrous entity.

Matt Slater: I might have gone a little too far with some things that I've said and done... but my point remains absolute. You can never fully remove what exists within. I know that from experience... and so do you. You haven't invalidated a single word I've said... because you know it's the truth.

The audience barely responds to this statement, instead listening to what Slater has to say.

Matt Slater: Seth... I am handing you this opportunity one last time. Just like I said in Flint... I am giving you the chance to prove that you're indeed better than me... instead of using dirty tricks to tarnish a victory you've told yourself you're capable of getting cleanly. Only cowards and hypocrites resort to those measures... and only cowards and hypocrites refuse to accept conditions they know they can't honestly... respectively win.

Another "Ooo" flows around the arena, and a twitch occurs on Iser's face as he attempts to maintain his composure.

Matt Slater: So are you finally going to accept and give it your all one last time, to finally put to rest the demons that lurk in your brain and silence the critics... or will you stand by this ridiculous notion that you don't want to be the guy to end my career, when in reality... it just proves your manhood is about as crippled and useless as your knees are?

The crowd "Oooo" once more before Iser becomes a little more stern, tensing his hand around his microphone a touch more to emphasise his displeasure.

Seth Iser: You can have the opinion of what defines a coward. Fine. Take it. If I’m a coward in your book. That’s no skin off of my bones at this point...because the last couple of weeks...all you have done is try to provoke a mudslinging contest and make an ass of yourself in your wounded pride. And we both know what’d happen because it appears you haven’t learned from history.

Iser shakes his head calmly...for the moment he’s regained his composure as he stares down Slater.

Seth Iser: Again Matt. It’s going to end badly and lead to nothing but regrets for the both of us. And it’d be one more thing I’d have to apologize for my daughter for before I hit the grave. You joke about my knees but I know damn well about your neck. So let’s not go there. Leave it to the people to decide at this point with all the facts available who is better when they compare everything. I’ve made my peace with the fact that I won’t be remembered like I would want to be. But as for your answer...you’ll have to find your own peace another way. My answer is still no. This conversation is over.

Iser doesn’t break eye contact this time as the audience boos very loudly at the decline for a second time. He’s finally starting to gesture as if he’s going to leave at this point, showing more agitation than he did coming out.

Slater says nothing. Instead he allows Seth to finally leave the ring, watching him walk towards the entrance before he studies his mask on the canvas.

Axel Reid: Once again, I have to reiterate what I've said before... this is not the Matt Slater I've known before. These fans may dislike Iser declining the challenge, but he has made some valid points.

Continuing to study the floor around him, it seems Slater is contemplating something as Iser gets further and further away. Suddenly, some kind of realization appears on his face, as if he has located another truth he has yet to mention.

Matt Slater: You know something, Sebastian...

The utterance of Iser's full first name causes him to stop again, although he attempts to avoid listening to Slater's words on the distant stage.

Matt Slater: I think I've just figured it out. Avoiding one last match with me... removing yourself from the equation of ending my career... they're all just layers covering what you're too ashamed to admit.

The fans are now on the edge of their seats, anticipating this one thing Slater has supposedly unearthed from Iser's psyche.

Matt Slater: The Red Mist... the Black Magics... the steel chair shots and backstage assaults... everything you have ever done to me was not just out of malice or bitterness. Everything you ever did to me... was designed by your secret belief of inferiority.

Iser turns his head slightly, unable to block out Slater's words. A slight smirk appears on Matt's face, only to disappear before he concludes his speech.

Matt Slater: Because you know... deep down, Seth... that you are not able to do... what Mike Park was able to do.

A raucous, surprised reaction follows this announcement, all while Slater straightens his posture and turns to focus on Iser. Iser tilts his head more so... there’s that moment of silence...a s the rage is just brewing... and he’s beginning to shake before he throws off his jacket. It’s consumed him now. What may be the fastest he has moved in years follows as he walks back to the ring with a purpose... seeping anger as he slides through the ropes. He’s seeing red at this point. And the audience roars in approval at this development.

Axel Reid: Uh-oh...I think Matt might’ve gone too far now. Iser’s going to blow his gasket.

Ruby Parvati: It’s about time, Axel.

Iser’s right hand is tensed up and Slater looks like he’s ready for a brawl to happen. Iser ends up slapping the microphone away from Slater’s hand with his left hand as his right hand is obviously twitching...and you can tell he wants to pop Slater in the mouth so bad... but at last... for a brief moment he shakes his head... and regains control... and the audience boos vociferously. Iser, however, is mouthing profanities to himself... almost as if he really wanted to do it... but the right thing to do was to not create a violent situation. It takes a couple more seconds before Iser can finally speak.

Seth Iser: You have a death wish don’t you? I can’t believe my ears and my eyes... but you have a death wish.

Obviously after slapping the microphone out of Slater’s hand... he’s in no range to respond to that. But Iser continues anyway. Slater continues to stare at Seth, almost showing satisfaction by what his mind games have done; the same kind of mind games Iser himself used to deploy in years past.

Seth Iser: You were there for Mike Park’s last match after he let his pride continue. He kept getting up and I had to keep spiking him down on the mat until he couldn’t continue anymore. He hasn’t been seen since that night! His career ended. But in my heart of hearts... he’s no longer wrestling. I am. I’m better than that man who had tortured me just as much as you think I tortured him.

Iser’s just spitting fire at this point. He’s breathing a little wildly... and he’s barely in control.

Seth Iser: He’s not HERE because of what I did! And YOU were there that night! And yet YOU, like Mike... are making the SAME mistake... he just did because guess what... that’s the last affront to my honor I’ll ever let you have. There ISN’T a choice anymore, Matthew Slater. I ACCEPT your challenge.

Slater smiles knowing he full well got what he wanted and the audience roars with approval now that Iser has changed his mind.

Seth Iser: But be warned Matthew. Whatever happens here now. This is on YOU. YOU asked for this. You might think of me as a monster. A pariah. A coward. All those things. But there are things that I’ve done in the ring that very few men have ever done. You’re aware of this. And even with accepting that challenge... there’s a part of me, the most heinous part of me that exists in all of us that wishes I were. But unlike you... I’m not tapping into that part of me even if it’s so easy to. Because YOU’RE the one who gave in to that.

Iser just shakes his head... but the anger and wounded pride he does have himself is coming out in full force.

Seth Iser: Matthew, I’m not that monster. I’m not a Deity. I’m merely a human being. And this human being at Fate of the Gods is going to give you exactly what you asked for... and I promise when the end result is the same as the first two times... you will be the one who feels the regret that you EVER demanded this challenge and when my words come to pass one more time. You only have yourself to blame for this predicament. I take no joy in knowing what will end up happening. But I’m going to go make peace with it because it means extracting the darkness in you that I helped create.

Iser takes a couple of deep breaths as he starts to take a couple of back steps... not taking the physical route... and after he let all of that out, he’s a little more back in control of himself.

Seth Iser: But even if I fail in extracting the darkness that I unfortunately helped create... do me a favor. Ask Mike Park how going after me when you succumbed to your pride and desire do things one more time... went for him.

Iser slides under the ropes and leaves the ring to leave Slater to think. He walks away with great strides, shaking his head at what has just transpired.

Axel Reid: What... just happened...?

Ruby Parvati: Seth Iser caved in and accepted Matt Slater's challenge! Their match is on for Fate of the Gods!

Axel Reid: As much as these two men will put on a hard-hitting, awe-inspiring contest... I have a bad feeling about all of this. I don't want history to be repeated, but remember what Slater said earlier. He welcomes it. Do you think... he's prepared for what could happen?

Ruby Parvati: Are you trying to say this is the way he wants to go out?

Axel Reid: I don't know... but something tells me we haven't fully heard the entirety of this story... just like we have not yet seen the end of the rivalry between these two men.

Slater crouches down and collects his disgarded mask, raising it above his head towards Iser as the latter gives one last look at his future opponent. The sight is a strange depiction of what has been... but also what could be again, for reasons that are numerous in validity and with more waiting to be explored. The scene then fades to black for a commercial break.