BRUTALISM

Brutalism September 29th, 2019 Atlanta, Georgia

Pre-Show

— The Dynasty def. Alex Pierce & Ryan Young This contest introduced four new wrestlers to the OATH audience. The cohesion between David and Patrick Slayton was evident early. When the opportunity for double team moves presented itself, The Dynasty was able to take advantage. The momentum shifted when Pierce was able to isolate David. However, Ryan Young blind tagged himself in much to Pierce’s chagrin and following a miscommunication between Pierce and Young, The Dynasty was able to hit Young with the Chaos Theory to get the victory. Following the contest, Pierce and Young had a giant blowout which required referees and security to enter the ring and separate the two newcomers. Matt Mears noted this was likely just the beginning of an issue between Pierce and Young. — Jain Kekoa def. Tanay Wilson The next pre show contest saw “The Hawaiian High” Jain Kekoa take on “The Hype Beast” Tanay Wilson. Both competitors had the support of the fans in Atlanta. The two shook hands and then proceeded to have an excellent back and forth contest. Kekoa came out hot with some high flying offense, hitting a Yakuza kick and a blockbuster for a near fall. Wilson fought back, reversing an enziguiri attempt from Kekoa, answering with one of her own. Wilson looked to have the contest won after a Zoom! (Shotgun Dropkick) and a Tanay Lay (Snap Michinoku Driver) but she missed Around the World (Swanton Bomb) and that gave Kekoa the opportunity to climb to the top rope and hit The Hawaiian Hangover (Tumbleweed) for the pinfall and the victory. — Brie Marie def. Ben Akuma The final match of the pre show saw two competitors who gained victories in their respective debut matches on the previous episode of Conviction. Akuma took control early, beating Marie down with a series of heavy strikes. Marie attempted to cover up and block but Akuma’s speed combined with his surgeon level precision made that an impossible task. Marie tried for a strike over her own but Akuma was able to reverse it into Hell’s Gate (PAC’s Brutalizer). Against all odds Marie was able to reach the ropes and after a basement dropkick to Akuma’s knee, Marie put Akuma down with a Shining Dash Attack (Shining Wizard). Marie covered but only got a one count, which surprised the audience in Atlanta. Akuma caught Marie celebrating with a knee to the chin and then put her down with Devil’s Trident (Will Ospreay’s Stormbreaker). Instead of attempting a pin, Akuma looked to put Marie down with Demon’s Wings (Snap Tiger Suplex) but Marie was able to shift her weight and roll Akuma up! The referee counted the three and to everyone’s surprise (including Marie’s) the match was over.

MAIN SHOW

— Opening Elaborate pyro and ballyhoo illuminates the dark arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The house lights come on and we get a bird’s eye view of the capacity crowd, all chomping at the bit to see some OATH Pro Wrestling pay-per-view action. Following the flyover the shot cuts to the announce table where the voices of OATH are standing. The mercurial Ben Petrie is stood beside his broadcast colleague, the ever positive Matt Mears. Mears enthusiastically welcomed the fans to the show while Petrie was more reserved in his early comments, claiming that he could sense something bad in the air. Petrie countered, saying that he perhaps was confusing his own excitement with some form of dread. Petrie denied this, saying that his ancestors were all semi-clairvoyant. Mears did not humour this fantasy with a reaction. Instead of indulging his broadcast partner’s obvious attempt at baiting him into an argument, Mears ran down the card for Brutalism and made a point to highlight the four championship matches on the show. Petrie switched his attitude and said that although he had a sense of foreboding about the show to come, he recognized that tonight would be historic in that OATH would crown the first ever Tabula Rasa and Tag Team Champions, respectively. Mears agreed with Petrie, saying that it would definitely be a historic night. Mears directed us to the ring for the introductions of the competitors for the opening contest on OATH’s second pay-per-view offering.

— Josie Wales vs. Carlos Cruz The question in this contest was why exactly “The Outlaw” Josie Wales chose to interject into the issue between Locke Helms and The Celestial Warriors last week on Conviction. Ben Petrie said that he spoke with Wales before the match and she explained that at that time last week, she didn’t have a match booked for Brutality so she gave the front office an idea by taking out Carlos Cruz. The match began with Cruz coming hot out of the gate, catching Wales off guard with a running jump spin kick that took her down. Wales attempted to rally back but Cruz caught her in the jaw with a Divine Super Kick for an early pinfall attempt. Matt Mears noted that Cruz doesn’t have the most sterling record in OATH while Wales is undefeated. Cruz hit a spinning mule kick to the mid-section of Wales and then went for Amen (Scissors Kick) but Wales evaded it and smashed him with a bicycle kick. Wales then took control by grounding Cruz with a gator roll and beautifully transitioned that into a hammerlock suplex. Wales went for a cover but Cruz recovered suddenly and caught her with a leaping knee to the jaw. “She wanted to exclusively fight the boys, that’s what happens.” Ben Petrie said. Wales was sporting a busted lip after that knee and that was targeted when Cruz caught her with The Ultimate Sacrifice (Springboard Cutter) for another near fall. Cruz then positioned himself on the apron and went for the East Coast Pop but Wales picked his leg in mid-air, sending Cruz face first into the mat. Wales then expertly transitioned into the Spirit of St. Louis (Havana Dreams). Cruz tried to use his leg strength to bust out of the hold but to no avail, he had to tap out. Winner: Josie Wales

— Conquest In a dimly lit area of the backstage a pair of competitors stood in a dark room only slightly lit by a naked lightbulb. Flashes of the attack perpetrated on OATH World Champion Finn Whelan last week on Conviction. Enigma Protocol stood tall. TERROR took a step forward and the lone bulb illuminated his face as he spoke. TERROR spoke of the scales in OATH, the scales of morality and justice. TERROR said that tonight Enigma Protocol returns to action and will claim the Tabula Rasa Title so as to begin crafting OATH in their image. Miguel Villalobos stepped forward to stand beside his partner, in a low guttural tone he spoke, “La guerra entre el Protocolo Enigma ha terminado. Estamos completos de nuevo y esta noche en Brutalism comenzamos nuestra conquista de OATH.“ [The war between Enigma Protocol is over. We are whole again and tonight at Brutalism we begin our conquest of OATH.] Villalobos then reached skyward, grabbed the naked bulb with his bare hand and ripped the fixture from the ceiling and darkness fell over the room.

— War of Attrition – Tabula Rasa Championship Cartriona MacKenzie vs. Casey Holliday vs. Miguel Villalobos vs. Nina Stokes vs. TERROR Matt Mears did the viewing audience a favour by running down the rules of a War of Attrition Match as the referee went about revealing the Tabula Rasa Championship to the audience in Atlanta. “Two competitors will start the match. Every two minutes a new competitor will enter until all five have entered the match. Elimination can occur at any time by pinfall, submission, knockout, or by a competitor being put through a table. Obviously this contest is no disqualification, no count outs.” Mears explained. “Sounds needlessly complicated.” Petrie said, to which Mears just scoffed. The first two competitors to enter the match got completely different reactions. Casey Holliday walked to the ring and although her initial reveal caused got a positive rise out of Atlanta, her demeanour seemed somewhat stoic. Mears noted that Holliday has had peaks and valleys in her OATH career so far but becoming the first Tabula Rasa Champion would give her career the shot in the arm that it sorely requires. Petrie claimed that Holliday doesn’t have the heart to survive the first elimination, let alone to win the whole shebang. The second competitor announced was the so-called conscience of OATH, TERROR. Formerly known as “Ryan Gates“, TERROR has drawn the ire of the OATH faithful as of late. He was not well liked since arriving in OATH but when he reformed The Enigma Protocol with partner-turned-enemy-turned-partner Miguel Villalobos last week by attacking World Champion, Finn Whelan…he became universally hated. The bell rang and Holliday decided to go all in as she rushed TERROR and smashed him in the mush with a series of forearms to the face. TERROR just ate them and let himself be backed into a corner. Once Holliday had sufficiently exhausted herself TERROR caught her on the bridge of the nose with a head butt. Holliday was subjected to a series of big strikes and finally was laid out with a Paradigm Shift (Vertical suplex lifted and dropped into a double knee backbreaker). TERROR did not go for the pin as the ten second timer had nearly run down and he decided to get Holliday up only to plant her with Blood Reign (Wristlock transitioned into a shortarm lariat). TERROR covered for a three count just as “The Uprising Begins” cued up. Eliminated: Casey Holliday TERROR kicked Holliday’s body out of the ring just as Catriona MacKenzie came running down the ramp. MacKenzie had done much to endear herself to the audience over the last few weeks, scoring a series of crucial victories. Although she came up short against Samantha Hamilton in an Intrepid Title match and then suffered as loss to Veronica Taylor with another shot at the aforementioned title on the line, MacKenzie never lost faith in herself. MacKenzie hit the ring and TERROR welcomed her offence, but he clearly wasn’t actually ready for it. MacKenzie caught TERROR with a bicycle kick that staggered him back into the ropes where he caught himself but MacKenzie was sudden, she hit him with another that sent him over the top rope to the outside. Whilst outside the ring, TERROR collected a steel chair from ringside but as he went to re-enter the ring MacKenzie hit him with a baseball slide that sent the chair right into his face. In an effort to make a statement, MacKenzie searched under the ring and pulled out a table. After setting it up, MacKenzie picked up the chair that TERROR brought into play and smashed him over the head with it. TERROR fell back and found himself laying on the table. MacKenzie called out to the audience in Atlanta and they were fully behind her. “The Highlander” ascended to the top rope and just as she prepared to come crashing down on TERROR through the table, the timer reached zero and it was time for another competitor to enter. “Oh this is not good for The Highlander.” Mears noted. He was completely correct. “Insanity Syndrome” cued up and TERROR’s tag team partner Miguel Villalobos came running to the ring. MacKenzie saw him coming and when Villalobos slid into the ring, MacKenzie made the decision to come off the top rope with a dropkick to him, instead of putting TERROR through the table. “She should have gone for the elimination! Now she is at the mercy of one of the most dangerous teams in all of professional wrestling.” Petrie said. Petrie had a point. By not eliminating TERROR when she had the opportunity, he was given the chance to recover. And he did. Although she had taken Villalobos down, MacKenzie now had to deal with TERROR. TERROR slid into the ring but MacKenzie was there to meet him with a spinning back elbow. Villalobos was back up and MacKenzie met him with a bicycle kick. MacKenzie went to hit the ropes to get some momentum for a big running strike on Villalobos but TERROR was there to turn her inside out with a lariat. Atlanta gave Enigma Protocol all kinds of shit as the two put a stomping on MacKenzie that made the more squeamish members of the audience turn away. It seemed as though both men were trying to stomp through MacKenzie. Once MacKenzie was sufficiently worn down, TERROR and Villalobos got her up and then put her right back down with The Bootstrap Paradox (Magic Killer). Enigma Protocol then took a moment to discuss their next move, when TERROR pointed to the table outside the ring. “I think MacKenzie’s championship dreams are about to become a nightmare.” Mears said. “What a hackneyed phrase. Good god Mears.” Petrie said in retort. As Enigma Protocol got MacKenzie to her feet, the timer reached zero again and “Sei to Shi to Kimi” cued up. Nina Stokes came out to the stage and was welcomed with some “fuck you” boos from Atlanta. This didn’t seem to phase her in the least. Enigma Protocol turned their attention from MacKenzie and both men had their eyes on Stokes, who was casually making her way down the ramp. Once Stokes reached the ring she gestured to MacKenzie, indicating that the Scot was her target. “Unfortunately for Catriona MacKenzie, she seems to have three enemies in this match now.” Mears said. Villalobos didn’t seem to give a shit what Stokes’ intentions were but TERROR back his partner away, clearing the path for Stokes. Stokes entered the ring and approached MacKenzie, who was getting to her feet. “MacKenzie should just peace the fuck out of this match. Her career will last longer for it.” Petrie said. Stokes stood face to face with MacKenzie and then after a slight nod of Stokes’ head, MacKenzie got the idea. The two women launched themselves at Enigma Protocol. MacKenzie sent TERROR over the top rope with a bicycle kick and Stokes cracked Villalobos in the jaw with Divine Night (Roaring Elbow). MacKenzie and Stokes then worked together, wearing Villalobos down. El Lobo Loco attempted to fight back but the combined powers of MacKenzie and Stokes proved to be too much. TERROR tried to intervene by getting back in the ring but stereo dropkicks from MacKenzie and Stokes sent him back to the outside. The Highlander was able to get Villalobos up and nailed him with Beam Me Up Scottie (Fireman’s carry drop into knee lift) but Villalobos remained on his feet, albeit in a daze. This prompted Stokes to crack him with Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III (Boma Ye Knee Strike) and MacKenzie covered. Stokes stood guard as the referee counted the three. Eliminated: Miguel Villalobos TERROR slid back into the ring and to say that he was pissed would be a gross understatement. TERROR caught Stokes off guard with an Out of the Shadows (Superkick) and then when MacKenzie rushed him he grabbed her by the throat. TERROR pulled her close and whispered something (probably menacing) to her before he planted her with Ohio is for Killers (Kneeling back to belly piledriver). TERROR kept Stokes subdued with a series of stomps and then he dragged MacKenzie out onto the apron nearest to the table that was set up earlier. TERROR collected MacKenzie and it appeared that he was looking to take her off the apron through the table with Death Sentence (Stormbreaker) but MacKenzie fought out of it. MacKenzie took a step away from TERROR just as Stokes dashed toward him and hit him with Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III (Boma Ye Knee Strike) which took him off of the apron and sent him crashing through the awaiting table. Eliminated: TERROR MacKenzie didn’t take even a brief moment to revel in TERROR’s elimination, she turned her attention right to Stokes and then cautiously entered the ring. Stokes didn’t hide her intentions, she slapped MacKenzie right in the face and then caught her with Divine Night (Roaring Elbow). MacKenzie got dropped but quickly rallied back. MacKenzie attempted at bicycle kick but Stokes evaded it. Stokes went for another Divine Night (Roaring Elbow) but MacKenzie blocked it. MacKenzie caught Stokes with a toe kick to the mid-section and then put Stokes down with a Double Handcuff Neckbreaker. MacKenzie covered but only got a two count. Undeterred, Mackenzie shot Stokes into the corner and then charged in for a handspring stinger splash. As MacKenzie leaped toward Stokes for the splash portion of the combination, Stokes stepped forward and caught MacKenzie with A Slice of Grace (Throat Punch). MacKenzie staggered backward holding her throat and this gave Stokes enough space to dash forward and hit MacKenzie with Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III (Boma Ye Knee Strike). Stokes covered and counted along with the referee. It was three. Winner: New OATH Tabula Rasa Champion, Nina Stokes The referee passed the newly minted championship to Stokes and she ripped it out of his hands. Stokes held the title high in the air with an energy that screamed, “Fuck you, I’ve arrived.”

— The Proposition In the locker room Brie Marie was shown revelling in her pre-show victory, celebrating with balloons that she presumably bought for herself. Tanay Wilson then walked into the frame looking visibly dejected. Wilson offered her congratulations to Marie, which was happily accepted. Marie said that Wilson should not fret over a couple of losses, that her career in OATH has only just begun. Wilson agreed and said that she just needs to find her footing. Marie proposed and idea to Wilson, she suggested that they try teaming up next week on Conviction. Wilson happily agreed and the two shook hands. A new partnership formed.

— Agustin Gates vs. Locke Helms Before the next contest we got a rundown of the Agustin Gates/Locke Helms issue. Gates essentially brought Helms to OATH via a war of words on Twitter. The night of Helms’ debut in OATH, Gates threatened him. Thus during a tag team match featuring Gates and his brother Carlos Cruz against the team of Casey Holliday and Salvador Blanco it was Helms who struck first when he came through the crowd and attacked Carlos Cruz. The following week Gates and Cruz jumped Helms and the week after that Helms invited them to try that same thing again, which brought Josie Wales into the fray. Gates and Helms both made their entrances in Atlanta but the bell didn’t even have time to ring when Helms tried to strike. Gates bailed out of the ring but Helms was right on him. Gates pointed to his head, gesturing that he was smarter than Helms but the latter was on Gates with a running forearm to the back of the head. Seeing as how the bell hadn’t rung yet, the referee couldn’t do much to stop Helms’ onslaught on the outside. After sending Gates head first into the steel steps, Helms took hold of Gates and dropped him on the steel steps with Shadows over Heck (Exploder suplex lifted and dropped into a modified scoop powerslam). Helms was a man possessed as he got Gates up and bounced his head off of the closest guard rail. It seemed that the second time Helms bounced Gates’ head off of the steel, something awoke in Gates. A small stream of blood started to trickle down Gates’ face and he hit Helms with an elbow to the mid-section. Then another. Then another. Then Gates took hold of Helms and planted him on the steel entrance ramp with Adieu (Uranage). “The bell hasn’t even rang and these two have already drawn blood!” Matt Mears said. “I feel that this one is going break down very quickly.” Ben Petrie added. Gates scrambled to roll Helms back into the ring and cover. Once they were both in the ring, the bell rang. When he did, Helms kicked out at one and the two were both back up. Gates wiped the blood from his face and looked somewhat concerned. Helms on the other hand seemed calm and collected. The two locked up and Helms forced Gates down into a headlock where he fed The Majestic One a series of stiff punches to the forehead in an effort to further open the wound. Gates was able to shove Helms off into the ropes and on Helms’ return Gates popped him with Dethroned (Discus Clothesline). Gates covered again but yet again Helms kicked out at one leaving Gates in disbelief. Gates tried to keep Helms down with some quick stomps but with each stomp Helms stood up a little bit more until he was completely vertical. Gates hit a kick to Helms’ mid-section and Helms let out a primal scream followed by Diamond Rain (Standing Moonsault Slam/C4). Helms opted not to cover, his eyes told us that he wanted to inflict more pain on his opponent. Helms dragged Gates to the nearest corner and placed Gates’ head against the bottom turnbuckle. Helms then put some space between himself and Gates before charging in with a quick face wash kick that sent a fine mist of blood into the air. Helms then sent Gates into the middle of the ring, onto his back. Helms turned his attention to the top turnbuckle and tried to undo the protective pad. “This is going to earn Helms a disqualification and a victory for Gates. What a great plan from Gates!” Petrie said. “Yes I’m sure that this is what he intended.” Mears countered. The referee tried to interject himself but Helms shoved him away. This gave Gates the opportunity to charge and hit Helms with a dropkick to the back of the head that sent Helms’ face into the exposed turnbuckle. Helms staggered backward and Gates pulled him into The Great Divide (Dragon Sleeper). Helms was trapped in the center of the ring, Gates wrenching back with all his might. It was quite the scene to see Gates’ face a crimson mask as he had Helms trapped. Gates gave it his all but Helms hit an elbow to Gates’ gut, spun around and took Gates over with a Northern Lights suplex. “Helms could have easily applied a bridge there! Why isn’t he trying to pin Gates?” Mears questioned. “Maybe this isn’t about winning.” Petrie answered. Helms got Gates up and lifted him up, looking to lawn dart Gates face first into the exposed turnbuckle. At the last second Gates slipped off of Helms’ shoulder and shoved him forward. Helms stopped himself with a boot to the middle turnbuckle. Gates tried to rush Helms but Helms caught Gates with a uranage backbreaker. With a look of complete malice in his eyes Helms got Gates up and hit him with a series of brutal bone on bone head butts before hitting Witching Hour (Locke hits Full nelson legsweep facebuster but he keeps the full nelson locked in as he flips himself over his opponent’s body and transitions the move into a bridging arm triangle choke). Gates was trapped in the middle of the ring but could not tap out. The referee noticed that Gates was out and called for the bell. Winner: Locke Helms Although the bell rang several times, Helms did not released the hold. Gates was out cold but Helms was rabid. He wanted to inflict permanent damage. It wasn’t until Carlos Cruz and Maximum Dynamite ran to the ring that Helms released the hold and fled the ring. The Celestial Warriors checked on their brother and the shot switched to Helms, who looked like he was only regrouping. As Helms seemed poised to re-enter the ring, security flooded ringside to prevent that from happening.

— Never The screen is black and we see flashes of a familiar face, the face of “The Most Dangerous” Erik Holland. The flashes of Holland’s face are intercut with images of crime scenes and the night sky. A distorted, disembodied voice speaks. “I have always been who I’m always gonna be, Archer.” More blood, more brutality is depicted in between phrases. “At Brutalism you’re gonna experience brutality first hand.” Screeching and ear piercing strings ring out. “When Holland vs. Archer is over, I hope that you can carry on finally knowing…” The final shot is that of The Most Dangerous’, sitting up after having his head put through a windshield by Jake Archer on Conviction last week. “You are never ever going to be…Erik Holland.”

— Intrepid Championship Veronica Taylor w/ Mrs. Taylor vs. Samantha Hamilton © The second championship match of the evening saw Veronica Taylor come out with her mother at her side. Her mother was carrying the Intrepid Championship that Veronica had her steal two weeks ago on Conviction. The rightful champion made her entrance to a big ovation from Atlanta. Samantha Hamilton came to the ring with a purpose and as soon as she reached the squared circle, Veronica bailed out, albeit with a smile on her face. Hamilton gave Veronica ample space to re-enter the ring and the referee demanded that Veronica get in and start the match. With the referee occupied, Mrs. Taylor got up on the apron and tried to hit Hamilton with the title but Hamilton sensed it. Hamilton turned and ripped the belt out Mrs. Taylor’s hands. “That plan backfired immediately.” Matt Mears said. Veronica was irate as Hamilton handed the championship to the referee and then gestured “come hither” to Veronica. Veronica obliged, but slowly. Once Veronica was in the ring the referee presented the title to both competitors and then called for the bell. Veronica tried to dip out of the ring again but Hamilton was too quick, Hamilton grabbed Veronica by the hair and then looked to pull her into Wrath of the Titans (Pedigree) but Veronica slipped out of it and took Hamilton down with a chop block. Veronica then cracked Hamilton with a knee to the back of the head and covered. Hamilton kicked out of two and Veronica looked legitimately shocked. “It will take more than that to defeat a sterling champion like Samantha Hamilton.” Mears said. “Yeah but it’s a good start.” Ben Petrie answered. Seemingly following Petrie’s words, Veronica jumped on Hamilton and hit her with a combination of punches and slaps. Hamilton shoved Veronica off and tried to put some distance between them but Veronica grabbed Hamilton and took her over with a hair-mare. Veronica covered again but this time Hamilton kicked out at one. A close-up on Hamilton’s face showed nothing but malice. Hamilton got to her feet but Veronica met her with a kick to the mid-section. Veronica tried for the Facelift (Implant DDT) but Hamilton swung out of it and pulled Veronica into Exiled To Tartarus (Sleeper Hold). Veronica started to fade and the audience was really, really into it. “This is smart on the part of the champion. She needed to stop Veronica’s onslaught.” Mears said. Veronica started to fade but her mother was there ringside, cheering her on. In a move of desperation, Veronica tossed an elbow into Hamilton’s mid-section that loosened the champion’s grip and then Veronica tossed her head back, catching Hamilton in the nose to fully break the hold. “A shot like that to the nose is bound to make Hamilton’s eyes well up. Hard to fight if you can’t fucking see.” Petrie said. Veronica turned and hit a kick to the mid-section and this time she was successful in planting Hamilton with the Facelift (Implant DDT). Veronica covered yet again and this time got a two count. Not wasting time, Veronica stood on Hamilton’s hair and then took hold of her arms, pulling up with all of her might. The referee applied a five count and at four Veronica released the hold. Veronica then argued with the referee but this was just to distract him as Hamilton got to her feet, Mrs. Taylor got up on the apron and slapped Hamilton in the face. Veronica then rolled Hamilton up for yet another near fall. “The First Lady of OATH” was frustrated, as made evident by her pounding on the mat like a petulant child. Veronica shouted something to her mother and then turned to make a move on Hamilton but wasted too much time and ate a lariat because of it. Veronica got fucking nailed, so much so that it prompted the referee to check on her. This got Mrs. Taylor up on the apron wielding…her shoe. Mrs. Taylor went to hit Hamilton but Hamilton caught her wrist. Veronica got back to her feet and went to rush Hamilton but Hamilton moved and Veronica collided with her mother, sending her to the floor. Hamilton then pulled Veronica in and planted her with Wrath of the Titans (Pedigree). Hamilton covered and got the definitive win. Winner: Still OATH Intrepid Champion, Samantha Hamilton The referee handed the Intrepid Title to Hamilton and the crowd rejoiced, seeing the rightful champion with her prize. Mrs. Taylor entered the ring to check on her daughter and it seemed as though Hamilton considered further action but upon seeing Veronica get up and scream at her mother the champion thought better of it. Hamilton held the title in the air and Atlanta was about it.

— Scouting In the backstage area a monitor was shown airing the feed from the ring. The shot widened to show David and Patrick Slayton, The Dynasty watching the screen. The OATH Tag Team Titles were fixed to a loop and then lifted high above the ring, ready for someone to come snatch them. Patrick said something inaudible to his brother and both smirked.

— Tag Team Championship – Ultimate Endurance The Inevitable vs. Maximum Dynamite vs. Midnight Special vs. Thot Chocolate Eight competitors. Four teams. Three decisions. Two championship title belts. Only one can be first. The four teams made their entrances to varying degrees of fanfare. Maximum Dynamite was clearly the most unwelcome of the four teams with Midnight Special coming in as a close second. For the second time tonight Matt Mears explained the rules of this match. Four teams start, it is elimination rules. The first fall is tornado tag, the second is a submission match, and once we are down to two teams it becomes a ladder match to determine the first OATH Tag Team Champions. The bell rang and Thot Chocolate went to work. Elijah Dynamite rushed SILK only to get caught with a spinning back fist. Steven Maximum thought about doing the same thing but SILK smashed him in the face with a bicycle knee strike. Elsewhere (but still in the ring) The Inevitable had the same thought about double teaming Cartier. The Cash Money Bunny had her own plans. As Leah charged Cartier, the latter cracked her with a palm strike to the nose. Stephanie Matsuda tried her luck but Cartier caught her running in with a hip toss right into a vile knee strike. “The undefeated team of Thot Chocolate is running the show right now! And in SILK’s hometown no less. We could be looking–” Mears began but he was cut off by his colleague. “Don’t be so trite Mears, any of these teams could win but Maximum Dynamite will win.” Ben Petrie said. The teams of The Inevitable and Maximum Dynamite both rolled to the outside to recover which left Midnight Special and Thot Chocolate in the ring. Cartier rushed Josh Cherry and hit him with a running hip attack. SILK took Harvey Carbine out with a sling blade and Thot Chocolate was in firm control. Outside the ring Maximum Dynamite and The Inevitable were warring back and forth. Leah sent Maximum into the ringsteps with a drop toe hold and then together with her partner Matsuda, they hit Double Yahtzee (Stereo Superkicks) to a massive pop from Atlanta. In the ring Cartier and SILK stood in the middle of the ring, with both Carbine and Cherry back up, advancing. SILK and Cartier proceeded to Irish whip each other into their opponents but Carbine got Cartier up and nearly drove her through the mat with a spinebuster. When SILK charged at Cherry he got caught with a flapjack right into a Double Yahtzee! from The Inevitable, who had reentered the ring. Maximum Dynamite was up on the outside and they pulled Cartier out of the ring. They went for a double Irish whip but pulled Cartier into a double hip toss that saw her come down hard back first on the guard rail, leaving her in a heap in the front row. In the ring The Inevitable took SILK down with Slay (Total Elimination) and Midnight Special immediately jumped in, they got SILK up and planted him with Minutes to Midnight (Slingblade [Cherry] / Backside Spear [Carbine]). Cherry covered and secured the three count. Eliminated: Thot Chocolate “What the hell?!?” Mears exclaimed, “All three teams just ganged up on Thot Chocolate to eliminate them first. I did not see that coming.” “That’s what we do here in OATH. We subvert expectations…or whatever.” Petrie said. The Inevitable then went for a third Double Yahtzee! on Carbine but he evaded it and sent Leah sailing over the top rope. Leah landed on the apron but Maximum Dynamite hit her with stereo forearm’s to the back and then took her off of the apron to the floor with a double powerbomb! In the ring Midnight Special took Matsuda down with a double clothesline and then quickly got her up. Cherry played to the crowd for a moment before he and Carbine hit Matsuda with the Ultimate X-Plex (Carbine hits an X-Plex and Cherry catches them with a Back Stabber on the way down.) Carbine then quickly locked in the Nightcap (Inverted Sharpshooter) on Matsuda, looking for the submission elimination. “That’s the only way to get eliminated here, Carbine could end The Inevitable’s title chances!” Mears said. Maximum Dynamite slid into the ring undetected. Cherry went to apply an Fijuwara armbar on Matsuda to hasten the potential submission but Maximum Dynamite clobbered him with double running forearms. Maximum Dynamite then got Cherry up and planted him with TNT (Diving European Uppercut and Spinebuster; Eli does the spinebuster, Steven hits the uppercut.) Matsuda looked close to submitting but Maximum Dynamite applied a boston crab/crossface combination on Cherry. With double the force tearing him in two, Cherry had no choice but to submit. Eliminated: Midnight Special Carbine released the hold, thinking that Matsuda had tapped out. When he realized that it was Cherry who submitted, it was too late. Maximum Dynamite sent Carbine sailing over the top rope to the outside. With Matsuda down in the ring and Leah still recovering on the outside, Maximum Dynamite exited the ring and collected two ladders. “They are going to do it! The Celestial Warriors will claim Tag Team gold here tonight!” Petrie said. “At least they’ll win one match.” Mears added. The brothers got back in the ring and set up the ladders but Leah was back up on the apron. Leah hit a springboard into the ring and took both men down with a double dropkick. Leah turned her attention to Matsuda and tried to get her back in the fight. Maximum Dynamite were both back up quickly and Maximum rushed Leah. Leah evaded a clothesline attempt and then took Maximum over with a snap German suplex. Dynamite then tried his luck only to eat a big boot. With everyone else down, Leah saw her opportunity. Leah ascended a ladder as Matsuda got to her feet. Just as Matsuda went to approach a ladder and climb, Maximum got up just long enough to shove Matsuda from behind to send her into Leah’s ladder, toppling it. Leah fell right over the top rope and landed on the outside with a sickening thud. Dynamite positioned the ladder horizontal on the mat and then with Maximum they hit TNT (Diving European Uppercut and Spinebuste; Eli does the spinebuster, Steven hits the uppercut.) right across the prone ladder! Matsuda let out in pain and Maximum Dynamite were back in control. Maximum Dynamite repositioned two ladders under the title belts and then started to climb. Maximum seemed to have tweaked his knee on the uppercut and he was climbing slower. This gave Matsuda the opportunity to reach up from the mat and hug his leg. “It’s up to Elijah Dynamite! He could win the titles for his team!” Petrie said. Dynamite neared the top of the ladder when Leah got up on the apron, hit a springboard into the ring and landed on the other side of Dynamite’s ladder. Leah hurried to the top and smashed Dynamite’s head off the top of the ladder but he recovered quickly and did the same to her! Dynamite then went for a sunset flip powerbomb over the ladder but Leah held on and then came off the top of the ladder with Drop the Bomb (Deadeye). Dynamite and Leah were both down. Maximum tried to kick Matsuda off of his leg but she was up. She positioned him for a back suplex but took a step back and dumped him over the top rope! It took only a few seconds for Matsuda to ascend the ladder and retrieve the two title belts. A few moments later Leah was back up, she climbed the ladder and Matsuda handed her one of the titles. Our first champions were crowned. Winners: New OATH Tag Team Champions, The Inevitable “Rainy Days” played over the p.a. and the entire crowd in Atlanta was on their feet, cheering The Inevitable on. Leah and Matsuda held their titles high as a drone camera circled the arena, the first Tag Team Champions at the centre of the shot.

— A Worthy Challenger In the interview area OATH correspondent May O’Neil stood, microphone in hand. She welcomed her frequent guest, Intrepid Champion Samantha Hamilton. O’Neil congratulated Hamilton on yet another successful defence and then asked her how it felt to once again be in possession of the title belt. Hamilton explained that she was happy to have the physical belt back but went on to say that she will be the champion, belt or no, until someone is worthy enough to beat her. She added that the World Title is still in her sights and she would be watching the main event very closely. This statement prompted the arrival of Locke Helms, still feeling the effects of his war with Agustin Gates. Helms and Hamilton stood face to face for a moment before Helms said, “A worthy challenger is what you’re looking for? Here I am.” The stare down between the champion and her new challenger continued for a few moments until the scene faded out.

— Erik Holland vs. Jake Archer The penultimate contest of the evening was perhaps the most emotionally charged. A video package highlighted the history that Erik Holland and Jake Archer shared elsewhere. It was explained that these two have had their careers intertwined for some time now but here in OATH, things were different. We were shown Holland’s attack on Archer several weeks ago where he attacked Archer while the latter was challenging World Champion Finn Whelan to a match for the World Championship. Holland proceeded to throw Archer off of the Conviction stage. Archer fired back last week when he attacked Holland in the parking lot with a steel chair, putting Holland through the windshield of a car head first with Holland’s own hold, The Toxic Avenger. The crowd in Atlanta was hot for this one as Erik Holland came to the ring amid a chorus of boos. Archer was out next and although elsewhere in the wrestling world he is not favoured by the fans, in OATH things are different. Archer got massive cheers but those stopped immediately when Holland met him on the ramp. Holland tried to blindside Archer but got hit with a superkick. The audience exploded yet again and Archer mounted Holland, smothering him with strikes on the entrance ramp. “Jake Archer knows Erik Holland well, he saw this coming. But can he endure the eventual storm?” Matt Mears said. “There won’t be a storm if he can just keep beating Holland’s ass and then win the match.” Ben Petrie said. “Oh. So simple.” Mears said sarcastically. On the ramp Holland bucked Archer off. Archer tried to recover with another superkick but Holland caught his boot pulled Archer in by his foot. Holland then used his superior strength to swing Archer back first into the guard rail. The referee pleaded with Holland to get Archer into the ring to officially start the match but Holland shoved the referee onto the ramp. Holland dragged Archer up the ramp, hitting him with strikes to the head every time Archer struggled. Once at the top of the ramp Holland got Archer up in a gorilla press and looked like he was going to throw Archer off of the stage…again. “Oh dear God. Holland wants to end Archer’s career!” Mears said. “He had a good run.” Petrie replied. Holland took one step forward and Archer struggled enough to slip out of Holland’s grasp. Archer stepped back and then hit Holland with Just Do It! (Handspring Enzuigiri). Holland stumbled back and fell off of the stage, landing on the concrete with a thud. “That has to be it. This match is over before it even starts.” Mears said. Archer collected himself and walked down the ramp. The referee was in the ring and Archer joined him. The two stood side by side and the referee started a twenty count which if met, would mean a forfeit on Holland’s part. “This would be a real bitch way to win.” Petrie said. Around the count of fourteen the audience stirred in shock as Holland appeared on the side of the ramp, limping toward the ring. His gaze was cold, he expression was one of murderous intent. Archer looked like he had seen a ghost. “Oh you’re all kinds of fucked now Archer.” Petrie said. Holland reached the ring and entered. The referee tried to council him but again Holland shoved him out of the way. The referee called for the bell and the match began. Archer tried to rush Holland but Holland clobbered him with a lariat. Holland then rained absolutely brutal elbows onto Archer. Holland hit one glancing elbow that opened up a big gash on Archer’s forehead. Holland yanked Archer up to his feet and then smashed Archer’s face into a turnbuckle with otherworldly force. Holland then did it a half dozen more times, trying to turn Archer’s face into hamburger. Instead, Archer’s face was just covered in blood. The Most Dangerous took some blood from Archer’s face and smeared it on his own chest. Holland then drove a knee into Archer’s mid-section and planted him with Chopping Mall (Snap Powerbomb). Archer’s body was limp but Holland wasn’t even close to finished with him. “Erik Holland is a movie monster come to life. This is legitimately scary.” Mears said. “No argument here.” Petrie responded. Holland hit the bloodied Archer with some more elbow strikes and once again lifted him up in a gorilla press. Holland then took a step forward and dropped Archer face first onto the top turnbuckle. Archer’s body was limp. He was finished and yet Holland still was not. Archer pulled himself up using the ropes and when Holland approached him Archer threw a half hearted punch that Holland easily evaded. Holland sent Archer into the ropes and on Archer’s return, Holland went for a lariat but Archer ducked under it! Archer hit the opposing ropes but this time Holland caught him and drove him into the mat with Planet Terror (Black Hole Slam). Archer was broken and Holland pinned him. The referee got to a two count but Holland broke his own pin. “Oh what the hell? Archer is barely conscious. Just end this you sick bastard!” Mears said. Holland, well he didn’t listen to Mears. Holland stood Archer up and then took a step back. Holland darted forward and went for Plan 9 from Outer Space (Superman Punch) but Archer dropped to a knee. In what must have been complete instinct, Archer was able to hit Holland with his Superman Kick (Springboard knee to a standing opponent before rolling through and delivering a Superkick)! Holland dropped and Archer fell into a cover. Unfortunately for Archer, Holland kicked out at one. And he was even more pissed. The Most Dangerous leapt on top of Archer and rained down the most furious onslaught of elbows that we had seen yet. Archer could not cover up, blood splattered onto the mat on either side of his face as Holland alternated hands. Holland then grabbed Archer by the throat with both hands and lifted him to his feet. Holland screamed in Archer’s face and then applied Screaming Skull (Iron Clawhold). “This has to be it for Jake Archer. He has fought valiantly but he needs to know when to quit.” Mears said. “This doesn’t happen often Mears, but I agree.” Petrie replied. Archer dropped to his knees as Holland screamed at him, trying to crush Archer’s head with his bare hands. Just went it looked like Archer was done, he used energy from who-knows-where and pulled Holland into a drop toe hold. Holland found his neck draped over the middle rope. Archer, a bloody fucking mess, ran and nailed Holland with a tiger feint kick. Archer landed on the apron and hit a springboard into the ring but Holland caught him in a fireman’s carry. Holland went for The Toxic Avenger (Death Valley Driver) but Archer slipped through his grasp into an O’Connor roll! The referee counted the three. Winner: Jake Archer Atlanta had only a moment to celebrate because Holland was right back up. In his most horrifying display of anger, Holland clobbered Archer with a punt to the side of the head. Holland got Archer up and planted him with The Toxic Avenger. Then another. Then Holland got Archer up in a fireman’s carry one more time, climbed up to the top rope and came off with a top rope Toxic Avenger that put both men through the ring! Atlanta was in shock. It took a few minutes but a hand protruded from the hole in the mat. Holland ascended from the hole and stood tall, Archer’s blood on his chest. Holland looked more psychotic than ever and the scene cut.

— But A Memory Following a commercial for Conviction next week, a split screen showed Jake Archer being wheeled away from the ring on a stretcher while the ring crew hastily worked on repairing the damage done by Erik Holland. The other shot was that of the locker room and “The Pride of Nova Scotia” Declan Black. The split screen became one shot at Black stood in the middle of the frame. The challenger to the World Championship spoke with certainty as he addressed Finn Whelan’s comments on social media. Black said that while Whelan is trying to convince people that he no longer wants to be World Champion or a wrestler for that matter, Black said that he knows it’s a ruse. “I know that you’re mad about what I let happen to you last week Finny but that’s all part of the game. I told you that I’m smarter than you. I told you that I’m better than you. I told you that after tonight you will no longer be OATH World Champion. But what I am telling you right now goes along with all of that. Tonight OATH becomes mine and you…you become a memory.” Black said. Black walked out of frame and we cut back to the arena, the ring having been repaired in record time.

— World Championship Declan Black vs. Finn Whelan © It was now time for the main event. “The Pride of Nova Scotia” Declan Black challenged the first OATH World Champion, “The Seattle Saint” Finn Whelan for the title. Both men made their entrances and we got the championship match introductions. The title was presented to both competitors and then the bell rang. The wrestlers came to the middle of the ring and Black immediately started trash talking. Whelan answered that with a forearm smash but Black answered back with one of his own. Black sent Whelan into the ropes but Whelan slid through Black’s legs and applied a reverse waist lock. Whelan took Black down to his stomach but Black rolled through with a laying arm wrench. Black took Whelan’s back but Whelan slipped out, quickly crawling backward through Black’s legs. Whelan picked Black’s leg from behind, putting the challenger on his belly. Whelan dove forward and applied a laying headlock but Black fought up and lifted Whelan for a back suplex. Whelan back flipped, landed on his feet and when Black turned around Whelan cracked him in the face with a high flipping dropkick. Black was forced to roll out of the ring to regroup. Atlanta was on Whelan’s side as Black paced around ringside, frustrated. Whelan taunted Black, trying to goad him back into the ring. Black obliged and when he had his body halfway through the ropes, Whelan pounced. Black slipped back out onto the apron and told the referee to keep Whelan back. The referee had to oblige. Whelan held his hands up and took a few steps back, allowing Black to enter the ring. Black did so but Whelan was back on him. Black saw this coming and hit Whelan with a drop toe hold that sent Whelan face first into the middle turnbuckle. Black then pushed his knee into the back of Whelan’s neck, grinding Whelan’s face against the middle turnbuckle pad. The referee applied a five count and Black backed off at a count of four. The Seattle Saint regained his composure and met Black in the center of the ring where they locked up. Black forced Whelan down into a headlock but Whelan shoved Black off into the ropes. On Black’s return Whelan put the challenger on his back with a shoulder block. Whelan hit a standing moonsault on Black and hooked his leg for a quick two count. “These two are pretty evenly matched so far.” Matt Mears said. “For now. But sad boy Whelan will fall behind any minute now. Black is superior to him in every way.” Ben Petrie said. Both men were back to their feet now and they locked up once again. Whelan took Black over with an arm drag but both men were right back up. Whelan took Black down with a second arm drag but this time he followed it up with a basement dropkick to Black’s face. Whelan chained that into The Underdog (Kimura) but Black scrambled and made it to the bottom rope before much damage could be inflicted. Whelan indicated with his thumb and index finger that Black was “this close”. This taunt angered Black and he shot in on Whelan, looking for his In The Black (Regal Cutter) but Whelan ducked under it and rolled Black up for another near fall. Black was back up to his feet first and he turned the tide with a running knee to the side of Whelan’s head. This clearly run Whelan’s bell as he tried to stand but stumbled into a corner. Black smelled blood in the water, he ran into the corner with a running knee to Whelan’s mid-section. Black then hit Whelan with a half dozen more knees to the stomach before tossing him down to the mat. When Whelan stood back up Black rushed him looking for Call of the Coal (Claymore Kick) but Whelan dropped to his back and rolled out onto the apron. “Look the coward is running!” Petrie said. “Black did the same thing a few minutes ago!” Mears said. “That…that was different.” Petrie answered. Before Whelan could drop to the outside, Black took hold of him and went for a suplex back into the ring. Whelan came over top and slipped behind Black. Whelan positioned Black and went for Revelation 6:4 (The Bitter End) but Black slipped out, cracked Whelan with a hard elbow to the side of the head and dropped him with The Blackout (Rainmaker Lariat). Whelan collapsed in a heap and Black covered for the three count. Winner: New OATH World Champion, Declan Black Silence. Atlanta was in shock. “Brenda Stubbert” rang out over the p.a. and Declan Black was announced as the new OATH World Champion. The referee handed the championship title to “The Pride of Nova Scotia”. Black took a moment to look at the championship before he raised it high in the air. Finn Whelan slipped under the bottom rope and landed on the ringside mats. The final shot of Brutalism showed Whelan down and dejected on the outside as the new World Champion stood tall in the ring.

OATH Pro Wrestling 2019

Results: • The Dynasty def. Alex Pierce & Ryan Young • Jain Kekoa def. Tanay Wilson • Brie Marie def. Ben Akuma • Josie Wales def. Carlos Cruz • Nina Stokes def. Casey Holliday, Catriona MacKenzie, Miguel Villalobos, & TERROR to win the Tabula Rasa Title • Locke Helms def. Agustin Gates • Samantha Hamilton def. Veronica Taylor to retain the Intrepid Title • The Inevitable def. Maximum Dynamite, Midnight Special & Thot Chocolate to win the Tag Team Titles • Jake Archer def. Erik Holland • Declan Black def. Finn Whelan to win the World Title