Fate of the Gods 2016 Results!

Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is your opening match for the evening… It is the Pick Your Poison 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match for the VoW I4NI Championship! In this match, the first fall will be a standard wrestling match. When either man gains a victory, they will earn the right to choose the stipulation for the second fall. Should the other man tie-up the score at one fall a piece, he will be allowed to pick the stipulation for the third and final fall. Whoever can win two out of three falls will be declared the winner of the match, and the VoW I4NI Champion!

Cameras pan around the arena, capturing the precise moment everyone jumps to their feet to passionately boo as the opening riff of Drowning Pool’s “Reminded” cuts through the air. Tyron Bickerton slowly steps out from behind the curtain and sets foot onto the stage, prompting them to boo even louder than before.

Jerry Heisenberg: Introducing first, the challenger… Hailing from Saint City, weighing in tonight at 256 pounds… He is the Saint City Juggernaut… TYRON BICKERTON!!!

Ruby Parvati: Here comes the next I4NI Champion, Reid! This guy is a tank! There’s no way Heath Williams stands a chance!

Axel Reid: That remains to be seen, Ruby. I think both men have an equal chance of winning this match… I think it all comes down to who wants it more.

Tyron climbs up into the ring, strides to the opposite corner and takes a seat on the canvas; he’s focused on the forthcoming fight of his life, set to take place in mere moments.

His eyes are dead set on the top of the ramp as Devilskin’s “Little Pills” begins to play, the audio barely hearable over the pop conceived by the fans due to the presence of Heath Williams as he appears from behind the curtain, I4NI Championship draped over his left shoulder and warhammer firmly in his right hand. At the top, he raises both objects high above his head before making his way down.

Axel Reid: That’s him, ladies and gentlemen! The man that’s been put through hell the last couple of months, The Hardcore Hero himself!

Ruby Parvati: Boy ‘bout to get his ass whipped.

He stops at the bottom to quickly speak with a woman and her child, the three snapping a picture together. It appears that the woman’s more of a fan of Heath than her son is. Heath continues to the ring, climbing the steel steps and ducking in between the top and middle ropes before meeting Tyron’s eyes, who climbs to his feet.

The music stops and the opponents step forward, coming face to face, mere inches from each other.

“This is it, Williams! Your career ends tonight!” Tyron shouts, making bold claims.

“We’ll see pal, we’ll see.” Heath responds before passing both the title and the warhammer to the official who then takes them over to Jerry Heisenberg.
The referee calls for the bell, but Tyron stops him and drops out of the ring, demanding a microphone. Heath leans against the ropes impatiently while Tyron taps an open palm on the microphone to test it.

Tyron Bickerton: No no no, we’re not doing it like this just yet… Williams! I know you, and I know you're probably high as a kite right now. You managed to weasel your way through that drug test a couple of weeks ago, but who’s to say you're not under the influence right now?

He motions toward the ramp and the fans jeer - Heath turns just enough to keep an eye on his former friend and see what's going on; it's Earl Coleman, leading a doctor down to the ring.

Tyron Bickerton: Before I agree to wrestle any kind of match with you, I want to make sure it's the real you I'm facing, so that you can feel the sting of defeat!

Earl and the doctor set up a small station surrounded by screens, obscuring the audience’s view. Confused, Heath steps forward to inspect what's going on.

Tyron Bickerton: Those saliva tests, they've been proven to be faulty… So, if you want this match to go ahead… You're pissing in a cup!

Axel Reid: Oh, come on! Enough is enough!

Ruby Parvati: I love this! If Heath’s got nothing to hide, he’ll have no problem providing a urine sample!

Axel Reid: He shouldn't have to! He passed the test, we’re here at Fate of the Gods… The bell was literally about to ring to start this match!

Heath looks at Tyron with a shake of his head, smirk to match, before stepping out of the ring and walking over towards the booth. He goes inside and a few moments go by before he comes back out, whispering something in Coleman’s ear. Coleman sighs and hands Heath a bottle of water, who downs it in ten seconds flat. He goes back inside and disappears for a good two minutes before coming out with a cup containing his own urine.

Ruby Parvati: Ew, Heath pee.

He hands it to the doctor and idly stands by, waiting for results. Tyron climbs back into the ring, leaning over the top rope curiously.

Tyron Bickerton: So? What's it say?

Heath requests a microphone as the doctor inspects the sample, and it's granted.

Heath Williams: You know, Bickerton… I always knew you were a shithead…

In one swift move, he snatches the cup of urine from the doctors hands.

Heath Williams: ...I didn't realise you were a pisshead, too!

All of a sudden, he throws the cup of piss straight into Bickerton’s face - it enters his eyes, his nose, his mouth - the live audience comes unglued as Heath drops the microphone, slides back into the ring and starts hammering into his opponent with stinging right hands. Amid the chaos, the referee calls for the bell to officially begin the first fall.

Ruby Parvati: How disrespectful! Heath Williams should be disqualified for that!

Axel Reid: The bell only just rang, Ruby! He hasn’t broken any of the rules!

Ruby Parvati: It’s still not right…

Axel Reid: So this match will be a standard wrestling contest. Whoever wins this fall will get an early advantage, not only for being up one fall to nothing, but also getting to choose the stip for fall number two.

After picking up a heavy set of momentum, Heath stands and let’s out an almighty shout with two raised rock on signs before turning his attention back to Tyron, who’s now on all fours. He kicks Tyron’s left arm out from underneath him, causing him to give way and to collide with the canvas. Hyped up, Heath rushes over to the ropes and climbs, once at the top he turns around, coming off with a thunderous knee drop. Heath grabs Tyron by the collar of his shirt.

“How’s that feel?! Huh Bickerton?! Finally get my hands on you, you prick!”

He slaps him a couple times to make sure he’s still conscious, he proves that he is after a groan and shoves Heath’s hand away from him before rolling back over onto all fours. Heath comes up behind him and grabs the back of his shirt but he reaches around and knocks Heath square in the face, sending him back a few steps. Tyron stands and turns, launching his entire body towards his opponent but Heath sees it coming and positions himself, scoring a daring scoop slam. Once Tyron’s been flattened against the mat, Heath arches his back, leaning his forearm against it.
Axel Reid: Ouch! That’s gotta hurt! Heath just held ALL of Tyron’s weight!

Ruby Parvati: Ooooh. Sooooo stroooong. Freakin’ imbecile. It was only for like, a split second.

Heath slides himself back into the corner, that one clearly took a toll. He stands, back to the post and uses it to stretch out his back, attempting to massage the pain away. It appears to somewhat work as a moment later, he’s going back over to Tyron to make a move. He gives him a few derogatory kicks, before Tyron takes a hold of his heel and yanks him, causing him to land spine-first against the canvas.

Ruby Parvati: Yuss! The tides are turning!

Tyron retreats to the nearest corner, collecting his wits as Heath lies on the canvas, nursing his back. Suddenly, much swifter than you’d expect a man of his size to move, Bickerton explodes out of the corner and comes crushing down with all his weight on top of Williams with an elevated elbow drop. Knowing his opponent is winded, he goes for a pin.

ONE!

TWO!

Williams kicks out, and begins gasping for air. Tyron stays on the offensive, spinning around and locking Heath in a seated sleeper hold position. Earl Coleman coaches his client on from ringside, imploring him to squeeze Heath’s head until it pops - he may have managed to do so, until a modest rumble begins from the fans surrounding the ring. It grows louder as they try and will Heath back into the match; a few minutes after being trapped in the hold, Williams manages to hoist himself up to one knee, and then the other - both men are in a standing position, sleeper hold still applied. Two sharp elbow shots to Tyron’s sternum, and Heath has managed to free himself - he rebounds off the ropes, attempting to gain momentum to drive Bickerton to the mat with a strike; but, Coleman reaches into the ring and trips him up - not enough to make him faceplant, just enough to interrupt what he’s doing. Heath instinctively turns back to see what happened, and gets driven down to the mat with a German Suplex by his opponent.

Axel Reid: Bickerton aided by Coleman in putting his opponent down!

Ruby Parvati: See, that’s why you become friends with somebody like Earl Coleman, he’ll always have your back!

Although the referee didn’t physically catch what Coleman did, he knows he’s responsible for the distraction - he promptly dismisses him from ringside, much to Bickerton’s dismay. Earl Coleman begrudgingly leaves the ringside area as Tyron argues with the referee’s decision…

Ruby Parvati: No! That’s not fair!

Axel Reid: Considering this first fall is just your regular singles match, it is fair! It’s very fair!

This gives Heath the opportunity to take back momentum, rolling Tyron up into a pin attempt.

ONE!

TWO!

Tyron powers out of it, attempting to roll back onto his feet. Heath proves to be far too quick, bouncing off the ropes and connecting with a flying forearm smash - Tyron falls back down to the mat, and Heath crashes down rather harshly from the reckless move. The official checks on Tyron before checking on Heath, who’s inspecting his forearm. It appears to be okay though as he shakes it off and gets back up to his feet. He goes over to Tyron and locks his own arms with his, using all of his might to pull the Juggernaut to his feet before using even more might to yank him upwards and perform a Tiger Driver. The back of Tyron’s skull knocks against the mat and he flips over, now back first, seeing stars. With a huff and a puff, Heath makes the cover attempt.

Axel Reid: And again! By god, Heath’s showing us just how much strength he has here tonight!

Ruby Parvati: Come on, Reid, it’s not all that impressive. Not as impressive as it’s gonna be when Tyron snaps him in half like a toothpick.

Axel Reid: Something tells me our I4NI Champion isn’t going to let that happen!

ONE!

TWO!!

TH-

No, Tyron kicks out.

Heath rolls away to take a breather, seated in an upright position as he stares over at Tyron, who’s barely showing any sign of life. He pushes himself up to his feet and performs a swift leg drop, repeating the process over and over again until Tyron has no choice but to quickly roll out of the ring. In his groggy state, he takes hold of the bottom rope and apron for leverage, this however proves to be a huge mistake on Tyron’s part as Heath sprints towards him with a baseball slide from the ring, connecting with his chest and forcing him spine-first into the barrier.

Axel Reid: Looks like this is being taken to the outside!

ONE! The referee starts the count.

“You suck, Bickerton!” a fan shouts from the first row as Tyron leans no more than a metre away from him.

Ruby Parvati: He does not!

TWO!

Heath plants Tyron with a series of boxing jabs and hooks, the final one knocking him over the barrier and into the crowd.

THREE!

Heath climbs on top of the barrier and gets ready to leap off with another leg drop, but a second before, Tyron reaches up and pulls Heath by the leg, causing him to go pelvis first into the ledge of the barrier. A look of pure shock plasters itself over Heath’s face before turning into a look of pain.

FOUR!

Tyron tosses Heath’s limp body over the rail and to the arena floor before climbing over himself, nursing his injuries.

FIVE!

Tyron hoists Heath onto his shoulder, and drives him spine-first into the ring post before tossing him back in the ring under the bottom rope. He follows suit soon after, dragging his rival away from the ropes to get a cover on him.

ONE!

TWO!

THR--

Heath manages to power a shoulder up, and the crowd pops. Frustrated, Tyron hammers him in the head with closed right fists, eventually drawing blood.

Ruby Parvati: He’s busted wide open! Look at that beautiful, glorious shade of crimson…

Axel Reid: Uhh… You wanna try sounding a little less sadistic when you say that?

Tyron takes a moment to gloat, raising his arms and shouting “WHO’S YOUR HERO NOW?!” at the top of his lungs. The fans boo with passion as Tyron turns back to Heath - and suffers a stiff right hand to the gut. Then, a left. Right hand, left hand - the strikes keep coming, forcing Tyron back an inch with each connecting blow. Heath finally rises to his feet, clutching Bickerton in a DDT position, hooking both arms.

Axel Reid: Heath Williams looking for Frozen Over here! Could this be it?!

As he prepares to drive Bickerton down to the mat head-first, he’s kneed in the abdomen and releases his grip. Quicker than he can react, he’s hoisted up into the air and driven down with a Brainbuster.

Ruby Parvati: It’s not FROZEN Over time, Axel! It’s GAME Over!

Tyron flops into a cover on the downed Williams.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!

Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the first fall… Tyron Bickerton!

Ruby Parvati: He did it, Axel! I told you so!

Axel Reid: Tyron Bickerton has earned the first fall, and now he’ll get to pick the stipulation for the second…

Tyron crawls over to the ropes and grabs a microphone. Gasping for air, he wipes his palms on his shirt stained with Heath’s blood, before delivering the anticipated announcement.

Tyron Bickerton: You...wanna fight...me?!

Pause for a breather.

Tyron Bickerton: I wanna beat you at your own game… A No Disqualification Match!

Jerry Heisenberg: The second fall will be contested with no disqualifications!

Ruby Parvarti: Thatta boy, Tyron! Pulverize him!

Tyron walks over to Heath and pulls him up to his knees, bending forward and getting right in Heath’s face.

Tyron Bickerton: I wanna hurt you, Heath. I wanna destroy you. I want to OBLITERATE you. Is there anything you have to say about that, Heath?

Cockily, Tyron extends the microphone to Heath’s face, who begins to mutter.

Heath Williams: Yeah...the feeling’s...mutual.

Heath launches a right fist straight into Tyron’s downstairs. Tyron drops the mic, clasps his pelvis and topples over, his groans and whimpers on reverb. Heath is quick to follow up, kicking Tyron in the gut before wrenching his arms behind his back and driving him face-first to the mat with Frozen Over. It connects this time, and Heath rolls Tyron onto his back for a cover.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!

Jerry Heisenberg: The winner of the second fall… Heath Williams!

Ruby Parvati: No! Dammit!!

Axel Reid: That was fast! Heath Williams scores the second fall, and ties this match up at one fall a piece! Now, Heath gets to decide what the stipulation for the third and final fall will be.

The audience hushes, as Heath crawls over to grab the microphone Tyron dropped, Heath picks it up from the canvas and slowly climbs to his feet, clearly on spaghetti legs. He stares down at Tyron, who’s now holding not just his pelvis but his head too. Heath brings the microphone to his lips.

Heath Williams: I’m thinkin’ of something you don’t like, Tyron...it’s a six letter word and is used by builders all over the world…

Tyron rolls over, his face covered in desperation as he shakes his head, realising just what Heath’s hinting at.

Heath Williams: That’s right, Bickerton! It’s a match you’ve never won! I’m thinkin’ of a ladder…

He drops the mic, the crowd bursting to their feet with cheers and applause. Tyron and Heath retreat to opposite corners for a breather as the official calls for the belt to be brought into the ring. He signals for a metal cable to be lowered from the ceiling as the fans continue to roar their approval.

Axel Reid: What a start to Fate of the Gods II this has been! We’re set to end things with a bang in this opening contest with a Ladder Match! The man who retrieves the belt will be the I4NI Champion!

Ruby Parvati: This isn’t fair, Axel! Tyron doesn’t do well in Ladder Matches, Heath knows that! At least Tyron had the decency to choose a stipulation Heath was experienced in!

Axel Reid: Stop making excuses, Ruby.

As the I4NI Title belt ascends higher and higher, the camera pans out to show a full screen shot of the combatants in the ring and the distance they’ll have to climb to emerge victorious tonight. The referee gives both men the go ahead, and the third and final fall is underway.

The former friends charge at each other with fists flailing, colliding with craniums, each shot more devastating than the last. Heath comes in with a swift underhook jab, Tyron clearly seeing stars as he takes a few steps back. Heath follows up with two midsection shots followed up by a shin to the ribs but just before it connects, Tyron catches the leg and delivers an elbow right into The Hardcore Hero’s knee before throwing up his arm and nailing a backhand chop.

Violently tossed aside, Williams is left in a heap on the canvas cradling his knee as Tyron drops out of the ring, searching for a ladder; he removes a decent-sized ladder from underneath the ring apron and tosses it over the top rope, where it crashes next to Heath.

Ruby Parvati: He’s already gonna win this one, Axel! Tyron’s gonna win!

Rather than set up the ladder and climb for the belt, Tyron adds in a devastating stomp to Heath’s already-injured knee, causing him to cry out in pain. With Heath seemingly crippled for the time being, the ladder is erected in the centre of the ring, and Tyron arrogantly begins the climb to glory.

But, despite being on one leg, Heath’s far from done. Using the ropes, Heath claws to his feet, hopping over to the opposite side of the ladder that Tyron climbs. Instead of climbing to, he lifts the ladder from the bottom step and tilts it backwards, swinging it violently as Tyron holds on for dear life. Eventually, the challenger is unable to keep a grip and slips, spine crashing into the ropes behind him. Heath pulls the ladder back down so that it finds its flooring and immediately begins his own climb but once he’s reached the top, he doesn’t reach out to the title and instead, performs a diving splash, causing both competitors to go reeling over the ropes and to the outside.

Out on the floor, Tyron’s still seeing stars and Heath’s struggling with his knee; he reaches under the ring, pulling out a slightly-smaller ladder. His intentions with this ladder are far more sinister than the last, as he holds its rungs and patiently waits for Tyron to turn around - he rams the top end of it straight into his face, lacerating him deeply across the bridge of the nose as he falls to the floor.

“LET’S GO HEATH! LET’S GO HEATH!”

Axel Reid: The fans trying to rally the champ!

Ruby Parvati: This is barbaric! He’s a freaking madman!

Fans show their undying support for the champion as he drops the ladder, trying to get feeling back into his leg by moving his knee at the joint. He quickly turns his attention back to his foe, who’s still grounded, bleeding heavily. He lifts Bickerton to his feet, delivering several forearm shots directly to the bridge of the nose before sending him flying over the barricade, into the laps of several fans seated at ringside.

Williams staggers back into the ring, shifting the ladder directly under the belt before making the ascent; climbing proves to be difficult, with his knee constantly buckling under his own weight - he has to take it one rung at a time, moving at a snail’s pace. Tyron forces himself back over the barricade before climbing into the ring - oblivious, Heath continues to climb, unaware that his opponent is right behind him. With Heath only half way up the ladder, the Saint City Juggernaut grabs a hold of him in a powerbomb position before driving him down to the mat with so much force, the ring seems like it’s about to implode.

Axel Reid: A spine-rattling Powerbomb off the ladder!

Ruby Parvati: That’s it; he’s dead.

Both men lie exhausted in the ring, by the corner with the ladder lying beside them. Tyron peers over at Heath, who’s now rolled over to his stomach, clasping his back. Tyron shuffles over and sends a kick into Heath’s side, forcing him to roll even closer to the ropes. He keeps this up and ultimately sends Heath back to the outside before sliding himself over to the post and using the buckles as aid to get back to his feet. He leans against the corner for a bit, watching Heath writhe around in pain on the floor, his lips forming a smirk before stumbling over to the downed ladder, picking it up and setting it up perfectly beneath the championship.

Almost as if he’s telepathic, Tyron turns his attention to the ring apron, Heath using it to try and hoist himself up. Immediately, he jogs over to the opposite set of ropes and bounces off of them, coming forth with a baseball slide that connects with Heath’s jaw, sending him aback into the announcer's table.

Ruby Parvati: He’s right there! Nobody can be disqualified! I have a plan!

Axel Reid: Uh oh…

Ruby Parvati: Hey! Heath!

Heath cocks his head just in time for Ruby to throw a cup of cola against his face, his eye clench as the soda burns them. Ruby looks over to Tyron who’s watching on contently.

Ruby Parvati: For that cup of pee, before! Oh, and…

Ruby raises her right fist.

Ruby Parvati: FOR SAINT CITY!

Tyron follows suit, raising his fist and calling out the same thing before exiting the ring and making way over to Heath, hard slap across the I4NI Champion’s cheek. Still blinded by the carbonated beverage in his eyes, Williams swings wildly to defend himself, with none of his shots hitting their target; he’s soon taken down to the floor hard with a devastating clothesline. Tyron checks the bleeding from his nose, noticing that it’s getting heavier.

Ruby Parvati: Here! I got you, Ty!

Ruby stands in her seat, offering a towel to Tyron, who uses it to dab the blood from his nose and reduce the watering of his eyes.

Axel Reid: You’re not supposed to be helping either of the combatants, Ruby!

Ruby Parvati: Would you shut up?! I heard Saint City’s lovely this time of year, and I’m in need of a vacay!

Tyron offers the blood-soaked towel back to Ruby, who turns open palms to it, repulsed.

Ruby Parvati: You keep it…

As Heath begins to stir, Tyron throws the towel down on his face and delivers several stomps to his back. He pulls yet another ladder out from under the ring, propping it up against the security barricade 10 feet away - he pulls Heath to his feet, and prepares to whip him into the ladder - but Williams reverses it, and the challenger crashes spine-first into the aluminum instead. Although still spinning, Heath doesn’t allow this opportunity to be wasted and with full force, sprints towards Tyron with a harsh spear! The steps of the ladder give way, bending out of shape as Tyrons stature is pushed in between its frame while Heath falls backwards, breathing heavily on the ground.

Ruby Parvati: What?! No way! All the momentum was in Tyron’s hands! How did this happen?!

Axel Reid: Heath’s just the kind of person to make the right reversal at the right time, it’s part of his instinct.

Shaking immensely, Heath rolls over to his knees and after some time, finds his footing. He stumbles backwards and climbs into the ring, making for the ladder Tyron had set up previously. He very slowly moves over to the steps and begins his climb, still with only one good leg, the journey seems like that of a lifetime, the audience's cheers picking up with each step taken. He reaches the top, and slowly extends an arm towards the championship that’s only a mere metre from his grasp.

BAM! Just like that, it’s all taken away from him, as Tyron has somehow managed to recover from the powerful spear and re-enter the ring, he takes a hold of the ankle on Heath’s bad leg and yanks him down, each step of the ladder colliding with his chin on the way. He’s tossed into the corner by his larger opponent, who degradingly shoves his open palm in Heath’s face whilst shouting “I did this to you!” He rears back, catching Heath in the jaw with a stiff elbow shot, before whipping him across the ring to the opposite corner and pancaking him with a running splash. Heath flops down to the mat as the air escapes his body - the worst is yet to come, however, as Tyron pulls a folding table out from underneath the ring.

Axel Reid: What’s he planning to do with that?!

Ruby Parvati: Anything he wants, Axel! He’s running this show right now!

The table enters play underneath the bottom rope, and it’s not long before Tyron sets it up beside the ladder. One step after the other, he trails around the equipment in his way and takes hold of Heath’s forearm, dragging him back into the ring. He picks him up and tries for his patented brainbuster through the table but Heath forces all of his weight into his feet and escapes the hold, backing into the corner. With a sneer, Tyron goes for another corner splash but Heath sees it coming this time and quickly uses the top buckle to push himself up, wrapping his legs around Tyron’s arms and dropping to the outside, taking hold of the bottom ropes, locking in the tarantula submission.

Ruby Parvati: Come on, Heath knows he can’t win via submission! That move is pointless!

Axel Reid: It’s all about wearing your opponent down, Ruby and Heath knows that something like this will put a strain on just about all of Tyron’s limbs!

Heath applies the pressure, as Tyron does his best to escape the hold but it’s no use, this one’s locked in tight. After a good minute of Tyron’s own weight against him, Heath breaks the hold and allows Tyron to fall to his knees before leaping over the ropes with a knee drop. Forgetting about his injury, Heath yelps out in pain as the knee used was the one that’s already been damaged, he writhes around for a few moments before noticing that Tyron’s seemingly out cold. He crawls over and slips himself underneath Tyron’s front, using all of his might to push his opponent up onto his feet. With Tyron sprawled out on his back, Heath somehow manages to muster enough strength to stand, before quickly dumping the Juggernaut onto the surface of the table.

Axel Reid: Wow! I never knew Heath was such a powerhouse!

Ruby Parvati: Powerhouse or not, he just completely ignored the fact that he could take the victory here. He’s done too many drugs and taken too many chairshots to the head to know when to stop the beat down. He’s a savage, Reid, a damn savage.

Axel Reid: I think what he’s planning here is just to assure the challenger stays down…

Heath rolls out of the ring and grabs the smaller ladder from earlier before reaching underneath the ring and taking hold of a steel chair. He gets back in and sets the ladder beside the bigger one and the chair beside that. Backing up into the corner he turns his attention to the crowd, who sit in silence as they watch what’s about to unfold. Hopping, he makes way over to the steel chair before leaping up onto the smaller ladder and then over to the bigger one centre ring, he takes a brief moment to look at Tyron who still appears to be down and out. However, just as Heath makes the final jump, leg drop at the ready, Tyron’s eyes open and instinct kicks in as he rolls off of the table and to the outside, just as Heath crashes through the table.

Axel Reid: OH MY GOD! Heath Williams just crashed and burned before our eyes!!

Ruby Parvati: This is fantastic! Maybe Tyron can win here!

Dazed, Tyron glances down at Heath’s broken body amongst the splintered wood. With blood flooding his eyes, he takes a look at the ladder in the ring and the belt situated high above it. He slowly crawls under the bottom rope, and begins clawing his way up the ladder; each rung more desperately scaled than the last. Tyron sarcastically motions for the crowd to cheer him on - but instead, they boo, prompting him to flip them the bird. Their volume increases as they chant “Fuck you, Tyron!”

The ladder starts trembling as much as Bickerton himself, who’s running on fumes right now. As he inches closer to the prize, the champion begins to stir on the outside. Realising how close he is to actually losing his title, he forces himself into the ring and drags himself up the opposite side of the ladder using only his arms. Almost on even footing with each other, the two men trade fists - blood splatters from the open wounds on their faces, showering down on the canvas in a crimson mist. Bickerton thinks fast, grabbing a handful of his opponent’s hair and slamming him face-first into the steel.

Groggy, Heath holds onto the ladder and tries to regain his composure, but it’s too late - Tyron reaches up, unsnaps the belt from the hook and brings the title to his chest.

DING DING DING!

Drowning Pool’s “Reminded” blasts through the arena, and the fans vocalise their disappointment.

Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… And NEW VoW I4NI Champion… TYRON BICKERTON!!

Heath and Tyron lock eyes on the ladder, before Tyron bursts into hysteric laughter and lifts his newly-won prize up high. Exhausted and defeated, Heath flops down to the mat in a heap.

Ruby Parvati: It happened, Axel! It happened!!

Axel Reid: What a bloodbath! These two nearly killed each other, all for the sake of the I4NI Championship!

Ruby Parvati: The better man won, Axel! Say it!

Axel Reid: On this night, Tyron Bickerton was the better man… But just barely! I wonder what would’ve happened if Heath made it there a second earl--

Ruby Parvati: No, no, no! Don’t try to discredit his victory! He earned the right to be called the I4NI Champion!

Tyron stands atop the ladder, roaring “I TOLD YOU SO!!” in triumph. It’s not long before he climbs down from the ladder, title draped over his shoulder, inspecting his handiwork - Heath Williams hasn’t moved since he fell to the canvas.

But, of course, Tyron’s not satisfied with that - against the referee’s urging, Tyron knocks the ladder to the floor and lifts Heath to his feet. Defenseless, the now-former champion has no choice but to take a Game Over...right onto the ladder!

Axel Reid: No! Someone stop this!!

Medics rush out to the ring as Tyron leaves his motionless rival a broken mess in the twisted steel. The camera shows a final shot of Tyron on the ramp, wearing the proverbial crimson mask, hoisting the title high as he loudly declares, “This is MY TITLE NOW!!!”

.PAAK Vs. Valerie Beasley

Jerry Heisenberg: The following is a one-on-one match set for one fall!

The lights dim down low as the opening guitars of “Different Sense” by Dir En Grey begin to play. Those gentle guitars strums are replaced by screams and growls of the Japanese bands lead singer. A lone spotlight shines on the entrance ramp. Moments later, Raiden Himura walks out.

Jerry Heisenberg: Introducing first, led to the ring by Raiden Himura... from Seoul, South Korea and weighing in at 135 pounds... the Leviathan of the East... .PAAK!

Raiden stands in the light for a moment as the screams and growls continue. As the song switches tone and pace, Raiden steps to the side. A few moments later, .PAAK walks out from the back and into the spotlight; her hooded ring jacket covers her face.

Axel Reid: VoW has its share of wildly different personalities and mindsets, but I can't recall someone more divergent than this young lady right here.

Ruby Parvati: I'd have to agree, Axel. What you see is NOT what you get with .PAAK. She's beautiful, quite and unassuming... until it's time to fight. Then you have someone who more than lives up to her nickname.

The lights follow .PAAK as she slowly makes her down the entrance ramp. The lights dim as Raiden walks up the steels steps and holds the ring ropes open to allow .PAAK to step through them. She walks over to where the hard camera is positioned. .PAAK spreads her arms out and posses as Raiden looks on. When she is finished, .PAAK removes her hood. She stares into the hard camera for a few seconds; then she heads to her corner.

Axel Reid: She's already put a talent or two on the shelf with her viciousness inside the ring, and under normal circumstances I'd say her opponent tonight would have the best chance of countering her assault, but...

Ruby Parvati: ...but as we've seen lately, her opponent is wavering.

Axel Reid: Their first encounter, though, showed that .PAAK can be rattled and taken off her game.

Ruby Parvati: Because Valerie got a few moves in? That was the first go-round, Axel. .PAAK knows what she's up against this time.

Jerry Heisenberg: And introducing her opponent! From Lincoln, Nebraska and weighing in at 139 pounds, she is the Bitch Destroyer... VALERIE BEASLEY!

"One Shot" blares over the speakers as Valerie Beasley comes walking out onto the stage. She is wearing a dark, leather vest over a dark blue sports bra and gray MMA shorts. Her hands are covered with black fingerless gloves while wearing Nike high top tennis shoes on her feet. The crowd is going hog wild for her as she raises one arm into the sky. After more cheers begin to bellow through the audience, Valerie begins to walk down the ramp while punching her left hand into her right hand. As she is doing this, she cracks her neck before hoping up onto the ring apron. She begins to scan the arena before leaping into the ring and standing in the center of it. She lifts her hand into the air one more time as the crowd continues to go ape shit. Valerie proceeds to remove her ring jacket while turning towards her opponent.

Axel Reid: We're looking right now at one of the toughest, most thoroughly trained competitors on the roster right now, Ruby. She's extremely versed in many fighting styles.

Ruby Parvati: Yet she can't seem to put that to use in scoring a strong series of wins. This isn't MMA or peewee karate competition, Axel; this is professional wrestling. Valerie gets all the respect in the world for being tough as hell, but toughness alone doesn't get the job done.

Axel Reid: Valerie thinks she has something to prove here and I'd suggest that if we thought we saw hard-hitting from these two women last time...

Ruby Parvati: To quote Joanna Thade, there will be blood.

Axel Reid: Exactly.

The referee barely has time to ring the bell before diving out of the way! Like two semis barrelling down on each other from opposite directions, .PAAK and Valerie collide fiercely in the middle of the ring, immediately throwing forearms at one another. And not in an alternating fashion... no, these two are smashing each other in the jaw at the same time as the crowd gets into an near-immediate uproar! .PAAK is no slouch in this regard, having thrown herself into the Japanese Strong Style for some time. Every forearm lands and they all rock Valerie. But Beasley's own considerable training lets her fire back just as hard and after several punishing exchanges, she starts to back .PAAK into the corner. The Leviathan of the East covers up as Raiden yells instructions in the outside, floating between Japanese and English and back again... before the official steps in and tries to separate the two!

Axel Reid: Right off the bat these two are going for the throat!

Ruby Parvati: Come on, referee! Make that crazy woman back off! Where's the five count?!

Raiden is yelling the same thing as the official finally forces Valerie back. It's .PAAK he should be worrying about though as the Korean lunges from the corner with a shriek on her lips, landing a hard palm strike to the left side of Valerie's jaw. That blow stuns the Bitch Destroyer and .PAAK presses the opening, snatching Valerie by her left arm and locking their fingers, twisting her wrist under. Another pair of left-handed palm strikes follow before .PAAK steps in and takes Valerie over with a wrist-clutch suplex. Valerie lands hard but has no time to ruminate; the Leviathan immediately tightens her grip on Beasley's hand, trying to twist her into a Fujiwara armbar. Thinking fast, Valerie angles her body and get a foot over the bottom rope, which does nothing to stop .PAAK from milking the hold till a count of four and a half!

Ruby Parvati: That might have ended things right there, Axel! Few armbars are more painful than that one!

Axel Reid: Chalk it up to Valerie's ring presence... but .PAAK isn't done! Cripes, ref, she's in the ropes for crying out loud!

Valerie is indeed between the bottom and middle rope, but .PAAK only sees a target. Reverberating kicks to the ribs force more and more much-needed air from Valerie's lungs until, perhaps blessedly, she rolls through the ropes to the floor. Raiden keeps his distance but makes no bones about his distaste for Valerie, the words 'baka gaijin' clearly heard from the verbose manager as .PAAK rolls out of the ring to continue the assault.

Axel Reid: Valerie better create some distance... but THAT works too!

Grasped by .PAAK, Valerie gives in to instinct. She bull-rushes .PAAK, shouldering her into the ring apron. Letting out a cry of pain, the Korean has worse things to worry about as Valerie heaves her over with a well-executed exploder suplex, one that sends .PAAK back first into the barricade!

Ruby Parvati: Disqualify that crazy woman! That barricade is a foreign object!

Looking as though he agrees with that sentiment, Raiden barks more disparaging comments at Valerie before trying to will his protege back into the match. .PAAK is slow to get back up, but much like her opponent she's ready to strike back when approached. The two women exchange fists on the floor as the referee inexorably continues his count, now up to four. Blocking a right hand, Valerie lunges forward with a headbutt and grabs .PAAK by the arm, whipping her toward the steps! .PAAK leaps up at the last momnet, landing deftly atop the steel and leaping back while turning in mid-air. She goes for the leg lariat but is caught by Valerie, her eyes widening in surprise!

Axel Reid: Bad intentions on the mind of the Bitch Destroyer here...

Ruby Parvati: High-angle belly-to-belly overhead suplex! She almost threw .PAAK into the front row!

The Korean lands against the barricade again but thankfully not as fiercely as last time. With the referee's count at seven, Valerie slides under the bottom rope. Fierce in her drive, .PAAK slips in at the count of nine to keep the action going. Immediately Valerie is upon her, stomping and kicking away at the Leviathan's right arm. Dragging .PAAK up by said arm, giving it a firm twist and yank for good measure, Valerie yanks the Korean forward by said appendage and drives an elbow into her jaw, repeating the gesture twice more before stepping over the arm and dropping the leg!

Ruby Parvati: She's trying to take .PAAK's arm off here!

Axel Reid: No doubt Valerie wants to put this away with the Bulletproof, but look at .PAAK's face!

It's faint, but there's a semblance of a smile on the Korean's features between grimaces of pain. Valerie, as well, seems to have the same facial tic. These two women are enjoying their war, and for that matter so are the fans! Dueling chants have already started up when .PAAK flips her way out of Valerie's grip and catches the Bitch Destroyer upside the noggin with a wicked roundhouse. Dropped to a knee from the impact, Valerie stumbles back just enough for the Leviathan to leap up with a high roundhouse, followed by a backcracker that has the Seattle native arched up on the mat!

Axel Reid: And just like that this dangerous young lady turns the tables!

Make no mistake, though: .PAAK's wing is bothering her... to the point that she can't get over to Valerie for a pin before the blonde starts fighting her way back up. .PAAK settles for a few more rough kicks the midsection though Valerie shoves her back once she's upright. Snatched by the hair, Valerie counters out with a sit-out jawbreaker. Sent back a few steps, .PAAK still possesses the wherewithal to duck the charging Beasley, elevating her with a back body drop. Valerie comes down on her feet behind the Korean in an excellent display of agility but immediately drops to a knee, clutching her right leg...

Ruby Parvati: Uh-oh... that landing was unsteady, Axel, and if .PAAK sees her...

Axel Reid: It looks like Valerie jammed up her knee and to someone like the Leviathan of the East, that's blood in the water!

Doing her best to brush it off, Valerie stumbles the moment she puts weight on that leg and .PAAK, seeing this, charges like a wild woman! A spear right below the knee sends Beasley for a flip and has her landing hard on the canvas, howling in pain! Raiden smirks on the outside as .PAAK starts stomping away at the afflicted leg, not giving the referee a chance to check on Valerie. Brushed aside, the official can but watch as .PAAK whips Valerie to the mat with a dragon screw, trying to wrap the Bitch Destroyer into a kneebar! As with the armbar before, however, Valerie gets to the ropes. The damage she'd done to .PAAK's right arm no doubt played a part in the Korean being unable to get the hold clamped in time!

Ruby Parvati: Call this one over, Axel! If I'm the official, I'm calling it. Valerie can't even stand up!

Axel Reid: I dare someone to try and tell her to stop the fight, Ruby. Valerie wouldn't have that for a moment.

Ruby Parvati: Well, it's her career!

Dragged to her feet, hopping on one foot to keep her balance, Valerie weathers a barrage of forearms and the odd kick to her leg as .PAAK goes into a frenzy. Twice the official has to step in when .PAAK is at risk of disqualifcation and twice the Korean pushes him back and resumes the beating. The third time is too much and Valerie pivots off her good leg, driving the back of her fist into .PAAK's jaw!

Axel Reid: B.K.O.!

Ruby Parvati: Curb the excitement, Axel! .PAAK is still standing!

Not very steadily, though. .PAAK's face is a mix of shock, pain and wondering where the bejesus she is at the moment. She ducks a second shot of the B.K.O., grabbing Beasley and pulling her forward by the hair. Valerie reaches up and gets a hold of .PAAK too and rolls back, wrapping the Korean into an inside cradle!









ONE!









TWO!









THR-KICKOUT!










Ruby Parvati: That was too close!

The attempted pinfall certainly woke up the Leviathan and she shoves the staggering Valerie backwards into the ropes, aiming another high roundhouse to the side of Beasley's skull! Having the move scouted now, Valerie ducks it and catches the rising .PAAK with a second B.K.O.! She drops down and hooks the far leg, arching into the press on one leg!









ONE!









TWO!









THREE!










Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner... VALERIE BEASLEY!

Axel Reid: Valerie pulls off the win with two B.K.O.s!

Ruby Parvati: And Raiden is fuming! But look what it cost Valerie to get that win, Axel! She can't even stand up!

It's true; Valerie's knee is hurt from her landing and the assault afterward by .PAAK. Raiden helps his charge from the ring despite her obviously wanting another go at Beasley, leading her up the ramp. Meanwhile, the trainer heads out from backstage with a pair of EMTs following in his wake. Sitting back against the ropes, Valerie is wincing in pain as her knee is checked out while her manager Todd Willingham comes down as well to check on his client. With some assistance, she's able to leave the ring and head up the ramp while "One Shot" starts to play.

Ruby Parvati: Truly a Pyrrhic victory for Valerie tonight.

Axel Reid: But a victory nonetheless. Folks, we'll keep you up to date on the severity of this injury as we have more information. In the meantime, Fate of the Gods II rolls on!

Rebecca Saint Vs. Kelsey Spencer

Fading back in, the cameras pan the arena, as feedback from a single guitar rings throughout. A couple of rattling bass notes later, and the source of the sound is shown - a musical trio is set up to the side of the entranceway, decked out in punk rock gear. With a drumstick countdown, they launch into a very familiar song - “First World Anarchist”, the original theme song of Kelsey Spencer.


Screw your rules, I’m not your tool
I’m a First World Anarchist
Stupid signs, I’ll cross those lines
I’m a First World Anarchist

If your door says push...
Then I’m pullin’!

So don’t try to tell me what to do
I’m a First World Anarchist
Ten items or less, ring up eleven
Like a First World Anarchist

No shirt, no shoes…
Gimme service!



The crowd leap to their feet as the silhouette of a woman can be seen amongst the flashing lights upon the stage. She takes a step out of the blinding spotlight to reveal that it’s none other than Kelsey Spencer herself, with a new twist; her hair is a slew of orange and yellow, almost as if she appears to be on fire.

She stands on the stage for a moment, soaking in the undying admiration from her fans as they roar with excitement.

Society, you’re so oppressive
I fight back against the system

Took my tag off my mattress
I’m a First World Anarchist
White pants look great after Labour Day
On a First World Anarchist

I drink my wine...from a beer stein!
I wear my shades...in the night time!



Kelsey makes her way down the ramp, visibly shaken by the warm reception she’s received from the packed Xcel Energy Center. She slaps a few hands of fans, still favouring her heavily-taped injured shoulder just a little as she climbs into the ring.


I wash my face...with body wash!
My lyrics don’t rhyme...perfectly!

Society, you’re so oppressive
Come join me and fight the system!

Screw your rules, we’re not your tools
We’re First World Anarchists
We don’t follow signs, we’re crossing lines
We’re First World Anarchists


Be a First World Anarchist!



Kelsey ascends the turnbuckle, raising one fist to the ceiling, and the crowd pops one last time as The Dollyrots wrap up their live performance of her theme song.

Axel Reid: That was absolutely amazing! Kelsey Spencer’s here, and she’s here with a vengeance!

Ruby Parvati: How come she gets a live band to play her theme? What makes her so special?

Axel Reid: This isn’t the first time Kelsey’s had her friends The Dollyrots play her to the ring, Ruby; they played her theme back on the Australian independent scene… Her opponent that night was none other than Rebecca Saint! History could repeat itself here tonight if Kelsey can pull off a victory!

Ruby Parvati: The nerd has done his homework… Look, Kelsey Spencer’s a cabbage-brain! She could’ve just stayed at home and accepted retirement… Instead, Miss Saint’s gonna have to teach her to stay gone the hard way!

There’s a moment between themes, giving the fans opportune time to chant “KEL-SEY SPEN-CER!” at the top of their lungs. Kelsey’s expression of gratitude turns to one resembling hatred the moment “Hello Bitches” begins to play, and she glares up at the top of the ramp. It’s a surreal sight as seemingly countless children begin flooding the top of the stage - every single one of them are Saint City supporters.

Axel Reid: What the--!

Just as Moses parted the Red Sea, Rebecca Saint parts the sea of kids as she walks through the middle of them with her golden child Mimi by her side.

Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall! On the way to the ring, accompanied by her daughter Mimi… From Saint City, weighing in at 135 pounds… Rebecca Saint!!

She opens her white robe slightly - which is still stained with Spencer’s blood - to reveal that her unsanctioned Saint City Championship is strapped securely around her waist. It's not going anywhere, regardless of this match’s outcome; it's not an official VoW title, and therefore doesn't need to be put on the line.

Rebecca orders Mimi to hold the ropes open for her as she climbs into the ring, and Kelsey’s eyes are locked squarely on the Saint City Savior; she's made the mistake of not watching her sharply before, and refuses to let it happen again.

As her theme dies down, Rebecca removes her robe and her title belt, handing them off to her daughter. It's in this moment she appears to notice Kelsey’s new hair colour for the first time, rolling her eyes with disgust.

Axel Reid: Rebecca Saint doesn't appear to be pleased to see Kelsey Spencer here tonight.

Ruby Parvati: Of course she's not! Kelsey betrayed and abandoned everyone in Saint City, and decided to rebel against the family by mutilating her hair with those ridiculous colours!

The two stand nose-to-nose in the centre of the ring, moments before the bell sounds.

DING DING DING!

Saint attempts a quick kick to the gut, but Spencer has it well-scouted, catching the boot of Saint in mid-air before it connects. Stunned, Rebecca pleads with her former apprentice to have mercy, but she's taken down to the mat with a snapmare. Rebecca scurries to the bottom rope for a reprieve, but her enraged adversary isn’t interested in giving her a moment of recovery - Spencer latches on to Saint’s snow white boot and attempts to drag her back into the centre of the ring. Being so focused on the task at hand, Spencer takes her eyes off the ball - or, the boot, as it were. Saint connects with a well-placed kick to the side of Spencer’s head, causing her to release her grip and stagger backwards.

Rebecca pulls herself up with the aid of the ropes, and brings Kelsey to the mat with a double-leg takedown. Her relentless assault continues as she begins laying into her foe with stinging right hands, straight to the forehead, until the referee orders her to cease.

Ruby Parvati: Stay on her, Rebecca! You got this, girl!

Axel Reid: Kelsey’s already in a bad way… It looks like she’s having trouble recovering from that vicious boot from Rebecca.

Ruby Parvati: Someone who’s been doing this as long as Spencer has should know you never take your eyes off what your opponent is doing!

With Kelsey still down on the mat, Rebecca jumps into a pin cover.

ONE!

TWO!

Kelsey still has plenty of fight left, rolling her shoulder off the canvas. Like a rabid hyena, Saint is quickly on the attack, targeting the injured shoulder of Spencer; she rolls her over using her injured arm as leverage, trapping her in a grounded hammerlock and driving her knee right into the shoulder blade. Kelsey wails in agony as Rebecca violently throws her shoulders down and pins again.

ONE!

TWO!

Kelsey rolls her shoulder off the mat again, nursing her injured shoulder. Rebecca tries to lock her in an armbar, but Kelsey senses it coming, and desperately scrambles to the bottom rope to avoid taking further damage.

Axel Reid: That could’ve been it! That was dangerously close!

Ruby Parvati: She’s lucky, Reid. Next time Miss Saint goes for that, it’s all over, mark my words!

Kelsey stands again, clutching her arm as Rebecca stands opposite her, seemingly amused by Kelsey’s pain. Saint can be heard shouting: “You sure you don’t wanna just quit, Kelsey?!”, further taunting her opponent. Saint targets the injured arm yet again, but Spencer has it scouted - she manages to maneuver around it, and catch Rebecca in a hammerlock in the centre of the ring. Rebecca puts Kelsey in a headlock, and she’s backed into a corner when Kelsey grabs the first thing she can to get ahead...which just happens to be a handful of Saint’s hair.

The referee orders a clean break whilst Rebecca cusses at him, claiming that Kelsey’s trying to rip her hair out at the roots.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

Kelsey slowly backs away, arms raised as a sign of truce; Rebecca takes advantage, jamming her thumb in Kelsey’s right eye.

Axel Reid: Oh, that’s just dirty! Can’t this woman fight fair, for once?!

Ruby Parvati: Hey! Don’t badmouth Miss Saint! She’s your Saint City Champion, dork!

Axel Reid: That’s not even a real title…

Ruby Parvati: What are you talking about? Of course it’s real! Mimi’s holding it right now!

The audience boos as Rebecca does the very same thing she was complaining about moments ago - she grabs a handful of Kelsey’s hair, and yanks it down to the canvas, her head bouncing like a basketball as she falls. Saint then stands over Kelsey and taunts the crowd.

Rebecca Saint: So, this is your hero?!

She leans back down and grabs Kelseys hair again, showing her face to the crowd - it’s painted with anguish as she tries to cope with the onslaught. Rebecca maliciously slams Kelsey’s head back down to the canvas once more, before attempting a pin.

ONE!

TWO!

Kelsey kicks out again, holding the back of her head.

Axel Reid: Kelsey may be seriously hurt here…

Kelsey, now in a seated position, is left wide open for a vicious kick to the chest from her former mentor; Kelsey grunts and groans in pain, but doesn’t fall. Rebecca delivers another, that connects with a thud - as she goes for a third, Kelsey traps her boot under her arm. The audience cheers as an enraged Kelsey rises to her feet, still clutching Rebecca’s right foot. Saint pleads with her foe to release her, but it’s no use - she’s booted squarely in the gut by Spencer with such force, it causes her to stagger back into the ropes. With no regard for her own well-being, Spencer bounces off the opposite ropes and collides with Saint in a crossbody - both women tumble to the outside, hitting the arena floor hard.

ONE!

Both women begin to stir on the arena floor, slowly rising to their feet.

TWO!

It looks as though Kelsey came off second-best from the fall, struggling to get to a vertical base.

THREE!

Mimi lurks around ringside, and the referee orders her to stay back. Rebecca grabs a hold of Kelsey’s hair, controlling her completely.

FOUR!

Rebecca takes advantage and throws Kelsey into the barrier - her back slamming into it hard - before rolling back into the ring. Kelsey, however, remains on the arena floor.

FIVE!

Rebecca stands in the middle of the ring, basking in the boos from the Xcel Energy Centre crowd. She starts complaining to the referee about a supposed pulled muscle in her forearm - which, in turn distracts him long enough for Mimi to drop the Saint City Title belt and latch onto Kelsey’s arm in an armbar. The official remains oblivious as Spencer desperately tries to escape - she uses her strength and much-larger frame to escape the hold, and lift the rather-petit Mimi. Rebecca notices as Kelsey grabs Mimi’s collar, and slides out the opposite side of the ring to confront her.

A clubbing blow to Kelsey’s back has little effect; she releases Mimi’s collar - seemingly voluntarily - and turns to Rebecca with seething rage. Rebecca takes a few steps back, knowing she’s crossed the line - but, she finds herself on the receiving end of a flying forearm smash that takes her down. Although she’s clearly still feeling the effects on her injury, it appears that something has snapped inside Kelsey’s head; she appears to have a more ruthless demeanour than she’s displayed in the past.

Axel Reid: Do you see the look in Kelsey’s eyes..? I think she’s snapped…

The referee shouts at Kelsey and Rebecca to bring it inside; Kelsey throws Rebecca in the ring under the bottom rope, and follows along behind her. Rather than go directly for a follow-up, Kelsey uncharacteristically stalks her opponent like a large cat stalking its prey. Saint stands, unaware of what’s awaiting her… She turns to see Kelsey’s eyes locked squarely on her.

All of a sudden, Spencer pounces; taking her down with a Lou Thesz Press and hammering her in the head with a flurry of closed right fists. The audience comes unglued, but the referee soon realises that this match is spiralling out of his control. He has to physically pull Kelsey off of Rebecca, as she’s unresponsive to his verbal orders; she retreats to the far corner with her eyes fixated on the mat as the official checks on Rebecca’s condition. But once again, Kelsey returns to assaulting Rebecca relentlessly without remorse - it isn’t until she draws blood that she seems satisfied, and lets up on the attack.

The crowd roars with approval as they see the usually-immaculate Rebecca Saint has been busted wide open. Blood begins to trickle down her face and onto her white ring gear as Kelsey stands with her back turned to her, again gazing off into the distance.

Ruby Parvati: What has she done?! Kelsey Spencer has completely lost it!

Axel Reid: Rebecca and Mimi Saint have been bullying and provoking Kelsey for months now! They assaulted her mother, and desecrated her grandfather’s grave! This is what happens when you push a good person too far!

Ruby Parvati: But… Somebody step in there and stop her! She’s an out-of-control psychopath!

Kelsey slowly turns to lock eyes with her tormentor, and brands a sinister smirk when she sees Rebecca’s struggles as she comes to terms with her life force streaming down her face. She slowly strides over to her floored foe - it’s less resemblant of a wrestling match at this point, and more like an action movie - she grabs Rebecca’s hair and lifts her head back, leaning down by her ear before screaming at the top of her lungs, “ISN’T THIS WHAT YOU WANTED?!”

Like a woman possessed, she slams Saint’s face into the canvas, but refuses to go for a pin - instead, she takes a hard seat on the spine of her foe - lifting Saint’s head once more, Spencer uses her uninjured left arm to constantly drive her forearm into Saint’s face; blood splashes everywhere with each shot. The referee tries his best to step in, but Kelsey simply won’t listen to reason - so instead, he begins the count.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

Spencer releases the hold; there’s clearly some shred of sense left in an otherwise out-of-control, damaged individual. With Rebecca lying in the middle of the ring, bleeding semi-profusely, Kelsey stands over her as cheers and chants rain down from the fans.

Rebecca quickly takes advantage of the fact that Kelsey is focused on the chants from the crowd and goes for a roll up.

ONE!

TWO!

Kelsey powers out, and swiftly returns to her feet where she meets Rebecca nose-to-nose. Mimi climbs up onto the apron behind Kelsey in a bid to distract her - but Kelsey’s focus remains squarely on Rebecca, as she continues to stare her down. The referee demands Mimi gets down as Rebecca strikes as swiftly as lightning, raking the eyes of Blue Thunder and driving her to the mat with a vicious DDT.

Ruby Parvati: BOOM! That’s all she wrote, Axel!

Mimi hops down from the apron as Rebecca hooks the leg for a pin cover. The ref dashes over and begins the count.

ONE!

TWO!

THR--

Somehow, someway, Kelsey’s able to will her shoulder off the canvas once again. Frustrated and in a state of disbelief, Rebecca turns her attention to the official, berating him and accusing him of being incompetent. Whilst this is happened, a dazed Kelsey crawls her way to the ropes, using them to stand and prop herself up while she collects her thoughts.

All of a sudden… BAM! Behind the referee’s back, a metal folding chair wielded by Mimi collides with Kelsey’s injured shoulder; she falls to the mat like a sack of potatoes, holding her arm and writhing in pain. Rebecca’s smug grin returns once again; she’s back in control.

Axel Reid: This is highway robbery! How can Rebecca Saint have even a shred of pride in defeating Kelsey Spencer this way?

Ruby Parvati: She’s doing what it takes to get the job done. Don’t worry, Axel… It’ll all be over soon, and Kelsey will be where she belongs - back home in Saint City.

The evidence of interference is gone, and Mimi returns to her spot by the announce table, clutching Saint’s unsanctioned title innocently. Kelsey gets to her feet with an expression of angst on her face - that chair shot seems to have shaken her from the state she was in before, as she’s identified the magnitude of the situation.

Both combatants lock-up, and it’s soon apparent that Kelsey’s lost the majority of, if not all strength in her right arm, as she’s unable to maintain the tie-up for long. Rebecca latches on and wrenches the arm, causing Kelsey to scream out in pain so loud, it can be heard ringing all the way up in the cheap seats.

Ruby Parvati: She’s helpless, Axel! This is what she was warned about!

Axel Reid: Without any use of that arm, Kelsey’s arsenal is near empty; she can’t perform a Spitfire Suplex with one arm; she can’t lock Rebecca in the Kelsey Cloverleaf; and I don’t see her being able to execute the Blue Thunder Bomb without her right arm, either...

Ruby Parvati: Haha, I love it! I can’t believe I get paid to watch this unfold!

Rebecca brings Kelsey to the mat with an impressive drop toe hold; but, rather than go for a pin, she maneuvers her opponent into something VoW audiences aren’t accustomed to seeing from her - a modified gogoplata.

Ruby Parvati: Woah, what is this?! Miss Saint is just full of surprises, isn’t she?

Axel Reid: That’s the Exorcism!

Ruby Parvati: The...what?

Axel Reid: One of Rebecca’s most powerful submission holds… She hasn’t used it in years, if I’m not mistaken! The last time Kelsey Spencer suffered the Exorcism, she was forced to tap out!

Ruby Parvati: That’s music to my ears, Reid!

Kelsey desperately flails, trying to find a way to escape the hold as her windpipe is crushed against Saint’s shin. It appears as though she’s contemplating tapping out; but the audience bands together and begins roaring with support, so much so that it seemingly rallies Kelsey to stay in the right. In one last ditch effort, she extends her leg and hooks her toes over the bottom rope. The fans explode with approval as Rebecca shakes her head, refusing to release the hold.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

FI--

Half a second away from tasting the sting of disqualification, Saint relinquishes Spencer from the Exorcism. Both women are slow to stand, and start slugging it out with closed fists - Spencer, of course, using her left arm instead of her usual right. Mimi once again climbs onto the apron and shouts out to Kelsey as a distraction; Spencer turns to see what’s going on, and Saint charges in with a spear - however, things don’t go according to plan as Kelsey sidesteps the tackle, and Mimi is left to feel the brunt of the move. She falls to the arena floor, clutching her stomach as Rebecca peers out of the ring at her downed daughter.

Rebecca turns back to Kelsey, who’s waiting with a springboard roundhouse kick that floors the Saint City Savior. Battling through incredible amounts of pain, Kelsey climbs atop the turnbuckle with one good arm, and takes one last look around the audience as they cheer her on with undying support. Throwing caution to the wind, she leaps off the top rope, crashing down on Saint’s torso with a Frogsplash.

Axel Reid: What a Frogsplash!

Ruby Parvati: No no no no!!

Kelsey grabs a handful of Saint’s knee pad, hoisting her leg up for the best pin cover she can manage.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!

DING DING DING!!

The studio version of “First World Anarchist” blasts out of the sound system as Kelsey rolls over to the ropes, clutching onto her right arm. Tears stream down her face as all of the pent-up emotion suddenly flows out of her body.

Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the match via pinfall… KELSEY SPENCER!!!

Axel Reid: An unbelievable showing from Kelsey Spencer tonight! She hasn’t missed a beat, has she?

Ruby Parvati: Don’t you see what she’s done, Axel?! Kelsey Spencer is a homewrecker!

Axel Reid: Wait… That’s right! As per the added stipulations, Mimi Mai is no longer a part of Saint City!

Ruby Parvati: Do you really have to remind us of that?! This is a tragedy! Akin to the Titanic, or the Hindenberg!

Axel Reid: Don’t be so dramatic! Besides, I think that’s the last thing on the mind of this young lady right now…

Kelsey sits propped against the bottom rope with her legs spread apart, her head buried in her hands as she balls her eyes out. She glances over at the unconscious body of Rebecca Saint for an extended moment, sucking up her tears and putting on a brave face. A dozen seconds later, she’s back on her feet, soaking in the adulation of her adoring St. Paul fans. Her bottom lip still quivering, she sniffles once and nods her head slightly as a sign of appreciation to the fans before she exits the ring.

Shades of Dissension

The camera cuts to the back to find Nicole Evans traipsing the halls of the Xcel Energy Center. The First Babe looks concerned as she asks the cameraman to keep following her down empty hall after empty hall. Her expression becomes more and more frustrated, not to mention worried, as every next corridor turns out to be just as frustratingly empty as the previous one.
Eventually, just as both the wrestler and the cameraman are about to give up hope, Nicole's face breaks into a smile, as the duo turn one last corner.

Nicole Evans: Gigi! There you are!

The camera spins around to catch the other half of the Neon Babes sitting not too far away, her feet dangling off a production crate. Gina wears a neutral expression, which becomes a small grin as Nicole approaches.

Gina Neon: ...hey...

Nicole Evans: I've been looking everywhere for you! You weren't in the locker room or anything, I was concerned!

Gina Neon: Nah...I've just been...here...thinkin'...

Nicole Evans: Well, anyway...aren't you forgetting something?

The Brit reaches into her pocket and produces a pair of shutter shades, in bright orange. She puts her own pair of red ones on as she hands Gina hers.

Nicole Evans: Here you go.

To her surprise, however, Gina shakes her head, gently pushing the shades away. Nicole frowns.

Nicole Evans: ...darling? Go on, wear them!

The Second Babe, however, simply shakes her head again.

Gina Neon: No thanks, Nicole.

This puzzles Nicole, who frowns once more.

Nicole Evans: But...why?!

Gina Neon: Because, dummy, I don't want to be that anymore, remember?

This further befuddles Nicole.

Nicole Evans: But...I thought...you said...

Gina Neon: I said I was gonna be myself. Not that I was gonna be myself. Capisce?

Nicole's brow furrows.

Nicole Evans: No, I don't capisce. What's gotten into you, Gigi? Can't you see this is who we are?!

Gina Neon: Yeah. And that's why everyone thinks we're JOKES!

For a moment, the tension between the two women becomes thick; then, with a shrug, Nicole turns away from Gina.

Nicole Evans: Fine. Don't wear them. I'm going to wear mine. I like being a Neon Babe.

With this, the older half of the duo pointedly puts her shades on again, before making a show of walking off. The cameraman, however, does not follow her, instead lingering on her partner a moment longer, as she looks down at her shades, then at the departing Nicole, and back at the shades. This impasse goes on for a long moment, before a certain familiar look comes over Gina's
face. She nods to herself once and puts the shades on, before calling out:

Gina Neon: Hey Nicky, wait up!!!

With that, the peppy wrestler hurries after her partner, leaving the cameraman to end the segment before presumably following the two women...

Warm Hearts and Frozen Souls

Backstage once again, we see Zahara Matisse still showing the Whitman family around, James right at her side with his friend Mitchell on the other, his father and older sister following behind them. It isn’t just the children with the wide-eyed looks of awe, either. All four are really soaking up the moment while Zahara herself is all smiles… a rare sight of late. The come to a stop near an intersection and the magician turns, taking a knee before James.

Zahara Matisse: ...and that’s pretty much the whole place! You guys oughta get back to your seats, though, cause there’s a lot more matches to come. And speaking of, I have to get ready for mine!

James Whitman: Are you gonna win tonight?

Zahara Matisse: Well, I’m certainly going to try to. Having you guys out there cheering will help a lot, so get as loud as you can, okay?

Nodding happily at that, James steps in to hug his favorite wrestler one more time before joining his friend and his family on their way back to their seats. A security team member comes up at about that point, offering to assist them in getting back quickly so as to not miss any of the action.

Ruby Parvati: Should have been preparing since she got here instead of playing tour guide, but…

Axel Reid: ...but?

Ruby Parvati: But it’s nice that she’s doing something for that kid. I can respect that… I guess.

Axel Reid: But you’ll still be right back to booing the crap out of her once her match starts, right?

Ruby Parvati: Spot on, you are.

Zahara looks after the small group as they depart, still smiling and somewhat relaxed after seeing them again. When they're almost out of sight, she rises and turns, heading back toward the locker rooms.

Winter Pine: Well, well... what a sight to behold, the magician DOES still know how to smile.

As if out of nowhere, there now stands the female Orphanage member as she looks over Zahara with a smirk on her face. She's a hard woman to miss. The moment Zahara lays eyes on her, that smile drifts away like morning mist at sunrise. It wouldn't be fair to call the magician's expression cold, but it certainly isn't welcoming.

Zahara Matisse: Despite some people's best efforts...

Winter Pine: Aw, what's wrong, Zoey? Not happy to see someone who is going to help get rid of one of your biggest reasons of stress later tonight?

One dark brow raises and Zoey's disdainful expression suddenly betrays confusion.

Zahara Matisse: You don't get to call me by that name. And what are you talking about?

The magician's hands clench and release a few times, a wave of tension passing through her visibly.

Winter Pine: Oh, come now, Magical Maiden... have you forgotten all your crying about on social media about how everything is so stressful and awful and oh, sweet dominatrix girlfriend, take me from this misery because all my friends are in a love circus!

Winter scoffs as she lays a hand on Zahara's shoulder.

Winter Pine: Is it not amusing how all it took was one… little… poke and everyone's world fell apart. All because of me. What person can claim such a huge accomplishment? I certainly know you can't because you're too soft to even try to get into someone's head, and that's why I pray your embarrassment tonight against Constance is swift.

Having had all she could take at that moment of Winter's taunting and manipulation, Zahara angrily shrugs off the woman's hand and reaches out to grab her by the collar. Shoving her back against the wall, the magician gets nearly nose-to-nose with Pine, whispering angrily.

Zahara Matisse: You think messing with people's hearts and minds is fun? Do you?! You get some kind of sick pleasure from making people hurt?!

Axel Reid: Whoa... bit too much of a push from Winter Pine, I think.

Ruby Parvati: I knew this smiling idiot had a temper!

The magician's free hand tightens into a shaking fist, one that itches to lash out. She raises it, holding it in a direct line for Winter's face.

Zahara Matisse: You're a despicable, wretched woman!

Despite the very rough looking situation for her, Winter's smile just grows back to her face and she pushes her forehead against Zahara's, making the rookie tense up slightly.

Winter Pine: Despicable? Wretched? Even a monster? I may be so, just as you may be a little puppy barking up more than she can bite. But… that's why I respect you. Not many people can keep such a strong will with what you go through. Sadly, respect and will only get you so far. Soon, I hope that lesson becomes very clear, but tonight is only the beginning of lessons that will change your life forever.

Her jaw set, the Enchanting One's voice comes out low and harsh.

Zahara Matisse: I'm only gonna say this once: stay away from my friends.

Dropping her hand from Winter's collar but making no other motion besides lowering her raised fist, Zahara keeps her eyes locked on the other woman's. It's obvious she doesn't trust Winter as far as she can be thrown.

Zahara Matisse: I don't curl up, cry or wail when someone threatens what I love, Winter. I fight back. And I don't stop until the lesson's learned.

Finally taking a step back, if only to not be in physical contact with the Orphan, Zahara lets her arms stay loose at her sides... the only part of her that isn't wound tighter than a bowstring.

Winter Pine: If that is the case though… why did you just let me go? I've learned no lesson from you, only what I already knew: so much bark but never enough bite from the magician. Should you not finish a trick that you begin to showcase? By releasing me, you may as well have gone and curled up in shame.

Without even the slightest hesitation, Winter spits at Zahara and just keeps that sinister smile planted firmly on her face. There's a loud 'ohhhhh' from the fans in St. Paul and Zahara, more surprised than anything else, stares aghast at Winter.

Axel Reid: That was uncalled for!

Ruby Parvati: Who put their hands on who, Axel? Seriously, did you expect Winter to just take that?

Axel Reid: That was utterly disrespectful! Who does Winter think she is?

Ruby Parvati: Who does Zahara think SHE is?

Axel Reid: Someone who owns a win over this vile woman!

As for Winter herself, the 'vile woman' smiles sweetly at Zahara, pure dark amusement alight in her eyes.

Winter Pine: You won't do a single thing to me, because if you do, I win! I ruin your ultimate opportunity to go out there and prove me wrong. So does the trash take what I give, or does she respond like an idiot and cost herself any hope of garnering the respect of the people she craves it from most?

Wiping the back of her hand across her cheek, surprise giving way to disgust, Zahara tries to force herself to be calm. Instead of lashing out, she just stares back at Winter, her voice giving away the fact that she's utterly furious at the disrespect.

Zahara Matisse: Like I said, Winter: one warning. Stacy will deal with you tonight as she rightly deserves to. I won't rob her of that chance, not when I have my own mountain to climb. So take your mind games and shove 'em. I've said my piece.

Turning on her heel, the magician strides off, giving Winter her back. The black wolf looks on, nodding to the departing woman.

Winter Pine: I know, Winter, I know. She has no idea what's in store. Time… time will tell where she stands in my domain soon.

Ruby Parvati: Little coward just walked away. I swear, if she ever had a backbone, she lost it somewhere along the way.

Axel Reid: Not everyone solves problems with violence, Ruby! Zahara took the high road, whether you want to admit that or not! She has a title match tonight and Stacy Jones deserves to settle up with Winter Pine without any excuses!

Ruby Parvati: You really think that's all there is to this? Zahara is scared and Winter proved that. End of story.

With one long smirk, Winter turns on her own heel and walks off in the opposite direction from Zahara, whistling contently to herself on the way...