CATALYST: BRUTALISM

Brutalism Pre Show Sunday January 31st, 2021 The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario

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RINGSIDE

The Citadel was dressed for Catalyst, decked out in the hunter green that symbolizes an important show for the wrestlers of Livewire. After doing the standard crowd survey we landed at ringside with your voices for the kickoff show, May O’Neil and “The Dandy Braggart” Vince Valerie.

O’NEIL: Welcome wrestling fans to the start of the Brutalism festivities with Catalyst! I am May O’Neil alongside my colleague, a man who is banned from Lush’s corporate offices…”The Dandy Braggart” Vince Valerie.

VALERIE: I just wanted to know their secrets and they were unfathomably rude about the whole situation.

O’NEIL: I’m sure. Much like I am sure that Catalyst has a card that will rival that of Brutalism. We have five excellent contests on tap and one that I am very excited for is OATH’s first ever Ultimate X Match that will determine the new Keeper Of The Skeleton Key.

VALERIE: The competitor that holds that key can demand an opportunity at any OATH championship, whenever they want. There is a lot on the line in that contest and I also can not wait to see how it plays out. I personally think that it’s a travesty that “The Young Dynasty” Roddy Zalez is not involved in this contest, however, his cohorts need him.

O’NEIL: That they do. Zalez will team up with Doc Knockem and Fagoo as The Organization to take on EMBLEM; Benjamin Macbeth, Harvey Carbine, and Josh Cherry. EMBLEM has not had a great start to their return to OATH so they desperately need a win tonight.

VALERIE: We also have a match tonight that no matter who wins, both wrestlers will lose. Mr. Barlow has sanctioned OATH’s first ever...200 Light Tube Deathmatch. I do not know where to begin with that contest.

O’NEIL: It will be bloody, it will be violent, it will change both men forever. El Diablo Blanco and SWITCHBLXDE know what to expect from this contest and it will not be good.

VALERIE: Unlike our main event. Kasey Kash has had a career renaissance since War Games. He has become a sterling Livewire Champion and is the face of this brand. Alex Pierce has decided that he is going to obliterate anything in his path as of late and he has his sights set on the Livewire Championship.

O’NEIL: A stellar card and a big night for Livewire. It all kicks off with a grudge match as RC Lightlooker unleashes his monster “Howitzer” Buck Boon against Lightlooker resistor Brendon Phoenix and that match will begin right now. Ramblers, let’s get ramblin’!

SINGLES MATCH

Buck Boon w/ RC Lightlooker vs. Brendon Phoenix

The first match of the entire night was a grudge match of sorts. RC Lightlooker had been trying to recruit Brendon Phoenix to his cabal (of two) since Phoenix’s debut match but the journeyman wanted nothing to do with it. In response, Lightlooker unleashed his juggernaut client Buck Boon to teach Phoenix a lesson.

VALERIE: Brendon Phoenix has been so rude to Mr. Lightlooker since coming to OATH. Now he has to pay for that.

O’NEIL: Phoenix seems to see Lightlooker for what he is -- a dirtbag carny.

VALERIE: You should watch what you say about him! He is a kingmaker!

Class was in session right from the get go when Boon nailed Phoenix with running knee lift right off the hop. Phoenix did his best to battle back but Boon kept him subdued with some clubbing blows early while Lightlooker watched on laughing like a complete dick.

O’NEIL: This guy is insufferable.

The journeyman started to turn things around when he caught Boon with a chop block. With Howitzer down to a knee Phoenix lit him up with a series of expertly placed roundhouse kicks to the thigh. Phoenix got a little ahead of himself when he tried to lay into Boon with some knife edge chops. Boon put a stop to that shit by grabbing Phoenix by the throat. Phoenix did his best to fight out of it but Boon planted him into the canvas with a massive choke slam.

LIGHTLOOKER: Do it again! Again Bucky, again!

Howitzer smirked at Lightlooker’s instruction and then hefted Phoenix up for a second chokeslam. While lifted high in the air by his throat Phoenix was able to catch Howitzer with a knee to the chin. This broke Boon’s grip and Phoenix landed safely on the mat. Before Phoenix could mount a comeback El Caliente Loco came running down the ramp. The pop from the crowd got Phoenix’s attention and when Caliente tried to hit a springboard into the ring Phoenix moved and Caliente cracked Boon in the side of the head with a springboard knee strike!

VALERIE: Caliente you fool! What have you done?

Buck Boon was out on his feet. Phoenix disposed of Caliente, tossing him over the top rope to the floor and then caught Boon with Ashes to Ashes (Diving Neckbreaker)! Boon was dropped instantly but in the interest of caution Phoenix hit him with Phoenix-Sault (Lionsault) and hooked his leg for the pinfall and the victory.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, Brendon Phoenix!

“The Phoenix” by Fall Out Boy kicked up and Phoenix got his hand raised. To his horror, Boon was already getting to his feet and Caliente had slipped back into the ring. Phoenix knew that the coming onslaught would be detrimental so he bailed, which left Lightlooker fuming at ringside.

VIGNETTE

The camera started up and was all static at first, but slowly cleared up until we could see three men. #1… #2… and Tyler Fucking Matthews.

MATTHEWS: Ladies and Gentlemen. This is a big day in the history of the business. Cause you see today I go into the very first Ultimate X match in OATH history and it’s for the Skeleton Key. Which GUARANTEES the holder a championship match of his or her choosing. Today is historic for the simple fact that I am going to go into this, my fourth match in OATH, and win the Skeleton Key. How can I be so confident? It’s simple.

Tyler motioned to the two men by his side.

MATTHEWS: Cause I’m the only one that’s come prepared. I've got experience in matches like this, back in the yard we had to climb an actual fucking tree to retrieve an old poker case we called our “Money in the Bank”. I’ve competed in match types that would put deathmatch wrestlers to shame… and with 1 and 2 by my side… you know what? Fuck it. You’ve been kept in the dark long enough. Drop the hoods boys.

1 and 2 looked at Tyler, then back at the camera. Before dropping the hoods, revealing their identities.

MATTHEWS: Allow me to introduce to you… Chance Williams and J.T.M… two of my closest friends… and two people the entire roster should watch out for in 2021, cause they’re gonna do amazing things. They’re two of the most talented guys I know.

J.T.M.: And we thank our brother Tyler for bringing us into OATH with him. Without him, I have no idea where we would be.

WILLIAMS: I know exactly where we would be, working in a nothing indie promotion for a hotdog and a handshake.

J.T.M.: You know, Tyler is the guy. He brought us with him, and he didn’t need to. Thank you, my fucking guy.

MATTHEWS: Nah, thank you two. Without you I wouldn’t have this new outlook, this new fire lit under me. If I didn’t bring my best friends into OATH with me I don’t think I would even have this chance at this Catalyst show. I don’t think I would’ve lasted this long. Hell, I wouldn’t have beaten the two people I already have to be here. That’s for damn sure. I would’ve been swallowed up and spat back out into the sea of talent outside of OATH without you guys. But now… now we’re gonna switch our focus here. Go directly for the Skeleton Key. No more dicking about and telling our backstory. Time to focus on the match in front of us.

J.T.M.: To the competition that’ll be in this Ultimate X match -- I hope you guys have got eyes in the back of your head. Cause if Tyler’s gonna be out there…

WILLIAMS: You know DAMN well that we won’t be far behind him.

MATTHEWS: So while you guys are preoccupied with that thought. I’ll be in my current mindset of “I’m about to go out there and absolutely fucking crush it, win the Skeleton Key, then challenge for any championship I want.” Can you imagine… Tyler Fucking Matthews… OATH Pro Wrestling World Champion… or OATH Pro Wrestling Intrepid Champion… they all sound amazing to me. Guess I’ll have some time to think about it AFTER I win my Ultimate X matchup.

J.T.M.: And then afterwards we’ll go out and celebrate like the kings we are!

WILLIAMS: You’re goddamn right we will!

Tyler smiled, patting his two friends on the shoulder, before taking a step forward and staring directly into the camera, which flickered, showing Tyler now standing there with his blacked out contacts, and J.T.M and Williams in the Purge Masks.

MATTHEWS: Welcome… to the start of a New Fuckin’ Era... in OATH... you ain’t ready for us... or what we have planned.

With those last words, Tyler, J.T.M and Williams walked off and the shot faded to black.

OATH SKELETON KEY

ULTIMATE X MATCH

AJ Jenkynx vs. Cassidy Kane vs. Liz Karlson vs. Tyler Matthews vs. Maverick

This was a match that had never been seen in OATH before -- Ultimate X. Intersecting cables formed an ‘X’ over the ring with the OATH Skeleton Key hanging in the center. The first person to grab the prize would be the new Keeper Of The Key.

The returning “Fallen Saint” AJ Jenkynx started the match off with a bang as everyone came after him and he met all of them with their very own roundhouse kicks to the face. All save for Maverick. King Mav came at Jenkynx like a spider monkey and took him down with a leaping knee to the chin.

O’NEIL: For whatever reason Maverick absolutely hates AJ Jenkynx.

VALERIE: A lot of people do not care for anime.

O’NEIL: A hot start from AJ Jenkynx!

VALERIE: He needed it. His OATH record is miserable.

Cassidy Kane was the first person to recover and she was also the first to start climbing up the steel column in the corner. Cassidy pulled herself up onto the cable and started moving toward the middle with a hand over hand motion. Jenkynx planted Maverick with a spinning heel kick and then grabbed at Kane’s boot, yanked her down from the cable right into a POWERBOMB!

Tyler Matthews had rolled to the outside after getting hit right at the start and he convened with J.T.M. and Chance Williams. Liz Karlson didn’t seem pleased that Matthews refused to get in on the action so she vaulted over the top rope with a somersault senton that wiped out Matthews, J.T.M., and Williams.

O’NEIL: Liz has taken out J.T.M. and Chance Williams before they could become a factor in this match.

VALERIE: Completely unprovoked and quite simply -- wrong.

O’NEIL: Liz Karlson has taken out J.T.M. and Chance Williams before they could become a factor. Smart cookie that Karlson.

The Fallen Saint had designs on starting to climb but in an incredible move, Maverick walked across the cable and came down onto Jenkynx with a Sunset Overdrive (Running Blockbuster)! The audience couldn’t help but pop, even if it was executed by the widely disliked Maverick.

Karlson slipped back into the ring and before Maverick could capitalize on his incredible move she blasted him with two consecutive superkicks to the knee, then one to the jaw, and then a rebound meteora to the back of the head that drove Maverick’s head into the canvas, Beat Street!

O’NEIL: Impressive combination from Liz Karlson!

O’NEIL: Is tonight Liz Karlson’s night Dandy?

VALERIE: It could be. She has all of the tools to become a sterling competitor but she has yet to utilize them to their full potential.

VALERIE: She is quite the skilled competitor and she needs that first landmark victory to make her name here in OATH.

O’NEIL: This is the perfect opportunity for

Cassidy Kane was once again looking to get to the Key but seeing Karlson also climbining up to the cable, Kane decided to wow the audience by coming down onto the prone Maverick with Mystery Inc. (Diving Knee Drop)! Maverick let out in pain and was forced to roll out of the ring.

“The Compact Combatant” Liz Karlson was shimmying across the cables and had her fingertips on the Key when Matthews re-entered the ring and jerked her down to the canvas by her foot. Karlson tried to meet him with an elbow smash but Matthews levelled her with Off With His (Her) Head (Discus Lariat) which turned her inside out.

O’NEIL: Tyler Matthews may have the most effective lariat in all of OATH.

VALERIE: Hard to say. Everyone uses a lariat.

It was Tyler Fuckin’ Matthews time to start his climb but Karlson refused to stay down! Karlson was up on a turnbuckle and she started crossing the cable opposite to Matthews. The two were hanging with the Skeleton Key between them when AJ Jenkynx came off a third turnbuckle and smashed Karlson with CHIDORI (Superman Punch)! Karlson landed on the mat with a thud.

Matthews was close to the key now and Jenkynx was crossing the cable! The two met in the middle and started trying to kick at one another. Jenknyx hit one solid kick to Matthews’ midsection and the man from Asheville was hanging on by one hand! Matthews looked to the outside and his cohorts were already on the move.

O’NEIL: Uh oh. Here come Matthews’ masked militants. Or formerly masked.

J.T.M. and Chance Williams hit springboards from opposite sides of the ring and cut Jenknyx in half with a double springboard spear! Jenkynx crashed down to the mat, landing on his face. Maverick, Karlson, and Cassidy were all up and they all tried to get at Matthews but he snatched the Key and dropped to the mat.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner and NEW Keeper Of The Skeleton Key, Tyler Fuckin’ Matthews!

A different kind of celebration here as the fight was still on! Maverick, Karlson, and Kane were all attacked by Matthews, J.T.M, and Williams respectively. Security was forced to break up the brawl but the fact remained that Matthews was the Keeper Of The Skeleton Key.

BACKSTAGE

We went backstage where Newman was seen surrounded by the other members of The Organization, in succession: Fagoo, Roddy Zalez, and Doc Knockem. Standing in front of them was Audrey Adams, mic in hand and ready to roll.

AUDREY: Newman, tonight The Organization takes on EMBLEM in a battle of the factions. What's goin through your mind heading into this match?

Newman took a few seconds to look Audrey up and down. He scoffed and shook his head. Audrey's look turned into disbelief more than offense. They met eyes and Newman started to speak.

NEWMAN: You see Audrey, tonight isn't just a faction war. Tonight isn't just another example of why The Organization is on its way to running OATH. Tonight...is validation. Tonight is validation for the Young Dynasty, Roddy Zalez.

Newman took a few moments to allow Roddy to preen and pose, showcasing his build.

NEWMAN: Tonight is the night that everything I have said about him and everything he is...is validated. Tonight is his biggest step to the spotlight and the crown that he deserves and will one day wear. Tonight is when Roddy Zalez...takes the next step...on his odyssey. But tonight is also validation...for Fagoo.

Roddy stepped back to allow Fagoo the chance to smile and stretch his arms a bit more.

NEWMAN: Tonight is the night that Fagoo proves he is not only one of the best tag team wrestlers alive, but also one of the best… wrestlers… alive… period. I don't choose applicants for The Organization because they're just people I enjoy being around. I choose people to join this group because I know that they are the best at what they do, and Fagoo will prove tonight… that he is… the best. But that's not all. Tonight is also validation… for Doc Knockem.

Fagoo stepped back and Doc walked up, finished taping up his wrists.

NEWMAN: Tonight is the night that Doc proves he has focus and he has determination. Tonight Doc will go out there and he will fight. He will fight and he will tear down EMBLEM single handedly, because when Doc is focused… nobody can stop him. Tonight we will see Doc Knockem step up… and tear down everybody in his way. But that isn't it just yet. Tonight is validation… for The Organization.

Newman paused for a few moments to look down into the camera.

NEWMAN: Tonight OATH Pro Wrestling learns that everything I say is truth. Everything my group does is proof of that. Tonight is not EMBLEM's night, because every night The Organization wrestles on… belongs… to The Organization. And tonight, OATH Pro Wrestling will bear witness to the start of a new era. Because I don't care if we have to start at the bottom to chew away at the nobodies, because when it's all said and done, we'll be the one at the top, looking down on all of you, while you beg for a scrap. And when we say no and spit in your face...you'll realize the mistakes you've made by doubting us.

With that, The Organization walked off screen as we cut to their match.

TRIOS MATCH

EMBLEM vs. The Organization

EMBLEM was already in the ring when all of The Organization came out together. Newman led the pack while Roddy Zalez focussed on making sure nobody touches him en route to the ring. Doc Knockem looked as intimidating as ever, wearing his signature scowl. Fagoo played to the crowd as best he could but The Citadel wasn’t having it. The Organization was not a favoured nation, not in the least.

The contest started with Josh Cherry and Fagoo having some back and forth. Cherry peppered Fagoo with some quick strikes, a few roundhouse kicks and an attempt at a spinning back fist but Fagoo slipped it and took The Party Crasher over with a modified t-bone suplex. To Fagoo’s surprise, Cherry popped right back up and caught Fagoo with a desperation bionic elbow.

O’NEIL: Trios Matches are quickly becoming a stable of Livewire events.

VALERIE: Perhaps we could see some Trios Titles in the future?

O’NEIL: From what I understand management has stated that we won’t be seeing that any time soon.

Doc Knockem was pacing on the apron and when Fagoo went down Knockem tried to enter the ring but Fagoo hadn’t rolled out to the floor so Knockem was forced back onto the apron by the referee. Cherry tagged in Carbine and before long Fagoo was planted with a Hart Attack. Carbine covered for a near fall.

Fagoo was able to evade a lariat from Carbine and then made a tag to Zalez. Knockem seemed irate as The Young Dynasty slipped into the ring and hit Carbine with a basement dropkick to the face. Zalez covered but Carbine kicked out at one. As soon as Carbine was vertical, Zalez tagged back out to Fagoo. Knockem gave Zalez a “What the fuck?” look as Fagoo reentered the ring.

VALERIE: Doc Knockem is seething. He really wants to get into this contest.

Zalez dropped off the apron and tripped Carbine up from the outside. Carbine turned to engage Zalez and Fagoo caught him with a German suplex into a bridge for another near fall. Carbine rolled out of the ring and citing lucha rules, Benjamin Macbeth was legally allowed to enter the ring. And he did! The Noble hit the canvas and cracked Fagoo in the mush with a running forearm smash. Zalez tried to slip in the ring and take Macbeth out but got smashed with a palm strike combo that took Zalez over the top rope to the floor.

Macbeth gathered Fagoo up and then smashed him with Toil & Trouble (Combo; Knee Kicks, Spinning Back Kick, Leaping Knee, Spinning Backfist)! Macbeth was quick to gather Fagoo up for Serious Moonlight (Lifting Single Underhook DDT) but once again Zalez attacked from the floor, grabbing Macbeth’s leg. The referee scolded Zalez and this gave Knockem the opportunity he needed. The Hard Hitter entered the ring and planted Macbeth into the canvas with a spinebuster. Fagoo made the cover but Macbeth kicked out at two.

O’NEIL: Roddy Zalez really is that fly that you can’t swat.

VALERIE: How dare you! Flies eat feces!

O’NEIL: My point exactly.

Newman decided to get in on the action and tried to distract the referee. The referee wasn’t having it, trios matches were hard enough to control without Newman’s bullshit. The referee ordered Newman to head to the back but The Organizer refused. This led to Zalez slipping into the ring where he hit Macbeth with a low blow. Zalez dropped Macbeth with Dynasty Reborn (Uranage Knee Backbreaker into a Sit-Out Franchiser)! Before Fagoo could make the cover both members of Midnight Special were into the ring and chaos ensued. Knockem entered the ring and hit Carbine with a lariat to take him over the top rope to the floor.

With the chaos in the ring Newman started heading up the ramp, acting as if he was doing what the referee instructed him to do. In the ring Fagoo hit Cherry with Hit 'em High (Pop Up Forearm Smash) which saw Cherry crumble through the ropes to the outside. On the floor Doc sent Harvey over the barricade with a clothesline! Knockem got into the ring just in time to join Fagoo in hitting Macbeth in hitting a Lights Out (Simultaneous Powerbomb (Doc) and Backstabber (Fagoo), Fagoo then pushes the opponent away with his legs whilst on the mat, leading into a Double A Spinebuster (Doc))! Macbeth didn’t know what year it was when Fagoo made the pin.

CRYBABY: Here are your winners, Roddy Zalez, Doc Knockem, and Fagoo, The Organization!

Newman entered the ring to celebrate with his charges but Roddy Zalez took center stage and acted as if he did it all alone. Knockem didn’t look satisfied, he wanted to fight some more. And Fagoo? Well he was just happy to be there.

BACKSTAGE

El Diablo Blanco could be seen wandering around backstage when he came across the office of Dr. Evelyn Ernest. Seeing the door was open, El D popped his head in.

BLANCO: What’s up Doc? You got a minute, Sister?

Dr. Ernest, who was seated at her desk looking through medical clearances for participants on tonight’s show, looked up to see El D peeking his head in.

DR. ERNEST: Absolutely, come right in. I actually wanted to speak with you regarding your clearances.

BLANCO: Um, yeah about that. Everything should still be in line, Sister.

DR. ERNEST: No, please don’t be alarmed. Medically you are cleared to go. It’s just in your file your name has been redacted.

BLANCO: Oh yeah, that. Don’t you worry, Sister. All that needs to be in there, is in there. But I’m not here to talk about the medical clearance. I want to make sure you’re prepared to deal with the aftermath of my 200 Light tube Deathmatch. I mean, I’m no stranger to getting violent, Sister. I’ve had plenty of Lighttube matches in the past. So I just needed to make sure you had some tweezers. I find that children’s nail clippers actually work fairly well but they have to be the one with that little magnifying glass at the end. That will help with some of the bigger shards. You’re also going to need a loaf of bread. You run the bread over the body to pick up any smaller pieces you may have missed. The final thing you need is super glue. Sometimes these cuts can be pretty wide and they don’t just heal up on their own so you need to just seal it shut. Super Glue is cost effective and goes a long way. Diggit?!

Dr. Ernest didn’t have a response right away for El D. She scooted back in her chair to get up and move closer to El Diablo Blanco. Placing her hand on his shoulder, Dr. Ernest reassured El D.

DR. ERNEST: El D, I assure you we won’t be needing children’s nail clippers, bread and super glue.

BLANCO: That also reminds me. You might want to have a stapler handy. Sometimes the glue doesn’t dry right away so you need to staple the gash together until it seals.

DR. ERNEST: Please, I understand there was a way you did things when you were galavanting around in people’s backyards and attempting to evade the hospital but I am a medical professional. We have all the necessary equipment should there be something that gets out of hand. You would be taken to a sterile environment where any excess glass would be removed. You would have the wounds cleaned and dressed properly. We also have antibiotic creams and ointments to ward off any infections. We know you’re a father and you take it very seriously. We wouldn’t want anything to develop into you needing to go to the hospital and miss time with your… what is it you call them again? Little Diablitos?

BLANCO: Oh, you must be mistaken, Sister. I’m not asking for you to be prepared for me. I got this. I want you to make sure you’re equipped to take care of Switchblxde when I get through with him. That whole Murk Squad gang has caused enough havoc in recent weeks and I’m not too keen on allowing them to further reign down with chaos and bloodshed, Sister. First, Switchblxde drops me into the light tubes, narrowly taking one of my eyes out. Then, he went after Brendon Phoenix, attempting to do the same thing. I can’t Diggit, Sister. No ma’am, no way. I missed some time recuperating from the trauma but as I showed at Livewire 18 I’m back, Brother. Switchblxde would love nothing more than to slice and dice me and turn me into a shishkabob. Well, news flash for Switchblxde. You ain’t seen nothing yet, Brother. He calls himself the Realest Goon but deep down he’s nothing but a bully. That whole family is and someones gotta do something about it. Enter me. El D is no stranger to a little blood shed. He’s no stranger to light tubes. If I were to take this shirt off right now you’d seen scrapes and nicks like a topographic map across my back, Sister. No, I’m not worried about what’s going to happen to my body tonight. I know I’m going to bleed. I know I’m going to suffer. Everyone suffers in this type of match. It simply comes down to when blood is lost, when you’re beaten down and feel like you can’t do it anymore, Who’s going to rise up. El D will, Sister. Go ahead and make me bleed, Switchblxde. I’m used to it. But will you be used to it? I’ve only got one thing to say to you, Switchblxde. Whatcha gonna do, Brother, when El D goes wild on you? Diggit?!

Just like that, El D bounced out of Dr. Ernest’s office and back on his way. Dr. Ernest just stood there by herself.

DR. ERNEST: Did he just cut a promo in my office to me about a guy that isn’t even here? I guess it’s a good thing that cameras are everywhere in The Citadel.

Dr. Ernest just shrugged her shoulders as she got back to work.

200 LIGHT TUBE DEATHMATCH

El Diablo Blanco vs. SWITCHBLXDE w/ Bert Cocaine

Our next contest was another first for OATH as El Diablo Blanco went face to face with one of the men responsible for costing him his Livewire Championship -- SWITCHBLXDE. Dozens of bundles of light tubes were placed around ringside and it reminded fans of the horrible attack that kept El D out of action in OATH for a few weeks. But now The Backyard Phenom was back and he wanted some retribution...brother.

VALERIE: This is going to be similar to a horror film.

O’NEIL: Yeah? Which one?

VALERIE: I don’t watch such filth.

O’NEIL: Only Nora Ephron movies eh?

VALERIE: Correct.

SWITCH wasn’t about to let El D have the lovely comeback that he wanted. The Scum God pounced on El D from the hop with an assault of wild strikes. Punches, forearms, headbutts -- they were all on the menu and El D was getting a taste of all of them. The early onslaught caused El D to fall through the ropes to the outside and SWITCH went to arm himself. SWITCH went to the floor and pursued El D with a light tube in hand but El D kicked him in the gut. El D stripped him of the light tube but SWITCH pulled the apron over his head and trapped him. As El D struggled,

SWITCH hauled El D up to the apron and tried to powerbomb him down to the floor onto a bundle of light tubes but The Backyard Phenom took him off the apron with a hurricanranna that really got the crowd going. Seeing a man like El D hit that move will never not be incredible. SWITCH landed right on the light tubes and they shattered into thousands of glass shards -- many of them piercing SWITCH’s skin. The Scum God let out in pain and The Citadel seemed happy to hear it.

O’NEIL: I knew it was coming. It’s a light tube match. But it doesn’t make it any less grizzly to watch.

Bert Cocaine, OATH’s Manager Of The Year for 2020, tried to get involved by smashing a light tube across the back of El D’s head. He did just that but there wasn’t a great deal of force behind it. These things are brittle, you see. Nevertheless, El D was dropped to a knee for a moment but he was quickly back up to his feet. El D locked eyes with Bert and Bert gulped in fear. Before Bert could even consider running away El D sent him into the crowd with an extra large beale!

Perhaps it was all of the glass in his back that prompted this response but it was still a bit much -- SWITCH pulled out a literal switchblade. The referee tried to deter him but SWITCH was determined to stick a bitch. The Scum God advanced on El D but El D evaded the slash and sparred the Little Diablitos from seeing a murder. El D stripped SWITCH of the knife but SWITCH was able to plant El D with a cutter and then rolled him back into the ring.

O’NEIL: He pulled a knife on him!

VALERIE: Is it that different from broken glass?

O’NEIL: Yeah kinda!

In an attempt to obscure El D’s vision SWITCH started undoing The Backyard Phenom’s mask and twisting it on his head. Please with himself, SWITCH then hit him with the Mainliner (Feint Big Boot Followed by a Spinning Back Elbow)! SWITCH climbed to the top rope but El D was up and he blindly swung a light tube and by the grace of the backyard gods he connected! SWITCH fell from the top rope and landed in a heap. El D fixed his mask and then reached into his Zubaz pants. Mainly people cringed at what he might do next but it wasn’t vulgar. At least not in a sexual sense. The Backyard Phenom pulled out a Ziploc bag filled with packages of hot sauce! El D started squeezing the hot sauce into SWITCH’s cuts, the latter screaming in agony.

Bert was back over the barricade and determined to get involved again, looking to throw POCKET SAND into El D’s face but El D covered his eyes! Simple defense but effective. Unfortunately for El D, this momentary distraction allowed SWITCH to hit him with a leaping Concussion (Running Knee To The Back Of The Head) for a near fall. SWITCH laid down some more light tubes and hit El D with the Sharpnado (Tornado DDT) into them! El D’s mask protected most of his face but some glass shards sliced up the exposed areas around his eyes and mouth. SWITCH figured that was it and covered but El D kicked out again!

O’NEIL: The resilience of El Diablo Blanco is a sight to behold.

VALERIE: He is too dim to stay down!

O’NEIL: Some call that heart.

VALERIE: Whomever says that is dim too!

Both men were back up, bleeding and looking like bloody corpses. SWITCH tossed a light tube to El D and then tried to hit him with a Nosejob (Codebreaker), with designs on crushing the light tube between El D’s face and SWITCH’s knees but El D swung at the last second and caught SWITCH in the chin with it. El D lay a bundle of tubes on SWITCH’s prone body and then came off the top rope with Feelin’ Froggy (Frog Splash) and pinned him for the victory.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The Backyard Phenom” El Diablo Blanco!

“What Does The Fox Say?” kicked up and most of the fans in The Citadel were happy to see this one end. Glass, blood, hot sauce -- the mat was covered in all of it. Bert entered the ring to check on SWITCH as Dr. Evelyn Ernest and her team were quickly on the scene.

VIGNETTE

The scene opened in a warehouse, where we could see “The Resident Asshole”, with the Livewire Championship over his shoulder. Looking around we could also see people going table to table looking at nick-nacks that vendors had out for sale.

KASH: Now… you may be asking yourself. ‘Kasey Kash, why are you standing in the middle of an indoor flea market?’ and while that is an excellent question. I don’t need to give you people an answer…

Kasey turned to walk away, but turned back to the camera.

KASH: But I will. You see, after what happened at the end of Livewire 18, I want to make sure Alex Pierce never does what he did to me ever again… and never… EVER thinks he can step to the best Livewire has to offer. So what I’m gonna do is walk around here and find some shit I can use in our match. So let's get on with it.

With that, Kash and the cameraman walked around the flea market in a montage, looking at tables of junk that some people had put out, until they came across one that caught Kasey’s eye.

KASH: Gday mate, how’s it goin?

? ? ?: YEAH NOT TOO BAD COBBA, WHAT CAN I INTEREST YOU IN?

The man had a dirty blonde mullet, stained wife beater, cargo shorts and thongs (flip flops). He spoke in a heavy Australian accent as Kasey smiled to the camera. The nameplate beneath it revealed his name was “Garry”

KASH: Yeah mate, look how much for the Gray-Nicolls you got there?

GARRY: Aww you wanna buy tha Davey Warner “Kaboom” bat, do ya’?

KASH: That would be correct.

GARRY: Well listen ‘ere matey, I reckon I could do ya a cheeky 20 for it, it’s defo seen better days.

KASH: Consider it done!

Kasey handed the bloke an Australian 20, before grabbing the cricket bat and continuing on his way. The montage picked up again, with Kasey laughing at some of the stuff he saw. Then he came across something REALLY special.

KASH: Gday mate, whats doin?

? ? ?: ...state your business.

The man, standing at least 6’5” and juiced to the gills dressed in military fatigues stared down at the scrawny asshole. The nametag beneath him on the screen just reads “? ? ?”. Kasey just laughed before realising that ? ? ? wasn’t laughing with him. Kasey pointed to a roll of what appeared to be barbed wire.

KASH: How much for a roll of that barbed wire you got there?

? ? ?: Son, if you think this is just regular old barbed wire you’re sorely mistaken. This right here is Military Grade Razar Tape ® Security Fencing, otherwise known as Barbed Tape or Razor Wire.

KASH: Look mate, it could be flammable for all I care, I just want to-

Kash realised that if he states his true interest in the wire, he might not be sold it, so thinking on his feet he responded with this--

KASH: To… to keep myself and my family safe from the filthy communists that are plaguing this great nation, of course!

? ? ?: Now that is what we like to hear! What kind of profile would you prefer for your wire today?

KASH: List off the options ya got for me.

Kasey looked at the camera and smiled -- everything was going according to plan.

? ? ?: Well, we got Short Barbed, which is the stuff normal home security uses, Medium Barbed, which is what you see around the top of prison walls. THEN you have your Long Barbed, which if you really want to keep the communists out of your home, this is the stuff you would use.

KASH: That will do me nicely, how much for a roll of it?

? ? ?: That would cost you about 35 dollars, good sir.

Kasey smiled and pulled out his wallet, handing him a fifty.

KASH: Keep up the good work in protecting our country. Keep the change.

The mysterious man took the fifty and gave Kasey a firm handshake, before saluting him as Kasey handed the bat to the camera man following him, and took the wire by himself. They continued about the Flea Market until coming across a little old woman selling a bunch of old stuff, old video game controllers, garden gnomes, anything like that. Kasey walked up to the table and asked.

KASH: Hello there, how much for the grumpy lookin’ gnome, and the N64 controllers?

The little old lady sitting on her walker looked up at Kasey and adjusted her glasses, before smiling. The name tag that popped up on the screen informed us that her name is “Evelyn”.

EVELYN: Why hello there! You sure do have a lot of tattoo’s now, don’t ya?

Kasey smirked.

KASH: Yeah, yeah I do.

EVELYN: Well, you seem like a nice lad, so I will only charge you ten dollars, you can take all four remotes and the gnome!

Kasey looked back to the camera in shock, before he smiled, not wanting to be an asshole to the nice lady. He handed her a fifty before thanking her and grabbing the things he purchased, before walking out of frame. The scene faded to outside where Kasey was sat on the hood of his imported 2002 Holden VY SS Ute from back home, before him was all the stuff he bought, the Razor Wire, the cricket bat, the garden gnome and the four controllers.

KASH: Now, you may be asking. Why all of these things? Why Razor wire and not regular barbed wire? Why the cricket bat? Why did I buy a Garden Gnome holding a sign that says “I’m Pissed Off.”? Well the gnome is for my house, everything else however… that would be because I want people to know I’m not fucking around when it comes to MY Livewire Championship, which is laying beside me. Alex Pierce… I am going to fuck you up so bad that even your own mother won’t recognise you. This originally started as me wanting to embarrass you, now I want to cause you some SERIOUS… serious pain. So much so you are going to think twice about ever challenging for my championship again. That’s it… that’s all. Go fuck yourself, Alex Pierce.

And with that, the screen faded to black.

OATH LIVEWIRE CHAMPIONSHIP

SINGLES MATCH

Alex Pierce vs. Kasey Kash ©

Kasey Kash came to the ring armed with all of the weapons that he had purchased; razor wire, four N64 controllers, and a cricket bat. Pierce camed armed with -- nothing. He’s more of a wrestler you see. Kash was cautious when entering the ring, not taking his eyes off of Pierce, who was pacing back and forth like a caged lion.

Right off the hop the Livewire Champion tried to swing on Pierce with the cricket bat but Pierce evaded it and took Kash over with a high angle back suplex that saw Kash land right on the back of his head. The Resident Asshole retreated out of the ring but Pierce was in hot pursuit. Kash didn’t seem to notice that Pierce was behind him and left himself open to an attack -- Pierce sent him stomach first into the barricade.

O’NEIL: This is the biggest challenge that Kasey has faced since winning the Livewire Title. Pierce is pissed off and he wants some gold.

VALERIE: That is why Mr. Kash has come prepared!

O’NEIL: He knows that he needs weapons to beat Alex.

VALERIE: No. He wants to hurt him. Pay attention May.

The Fire Fist Ace had no interest in fighting on the outside, he’s a wrestler, as previously stated. Pierce rolled Kash into the ring and kept the champion subdued with a reverse chin lock. Kash faded fast and tried to reach out to grab his coil of razor wire but Pierce yanked him up to his feet and planted him with a sleeper slam for a near fall.

The Resident Asshole was not having a great time. Pierce whipped him into the ropes and on his return Kasey slipped through Pierce’s legs, popped up behind him and took him down with a surprise backstabber. Kasey pounced on the cricket bat and then went to work smashing Pierce in the ribs with it as the latter was lying prone on the mat.

VALERIE: Cricket -- a gentleman’s sport.

O’NEIL: Cricket? You have to know what a crumpet is to understand cricket.

The fans in The Citadel booed the shit out of Kash but he responded by just flipping all of them off, calling them cunts. Usually that’s an Australian term of endearment but not today. With Pierce having beehind bludgeoned sufficiently, Kash finally got his hands on his coil of razor wire. The champion sat Pierce up and took a knee behind him, holding the coil up for all to see.

Kasey tried to slice open Pierce’s forehead but Pierce got a hand up and grabbed the razor wire, slicing open his palm. Blood ran between Pierce’s fingers but he refused to let go. Kasey was caught with an elbow to the midsection and then a snapmare. Before Kasey could react Pierce locked him in a rear naked choke and then transitioned it into a Muta lock! Kash was trapped in the center of the ring and Pierce had the hold expertly applied.

O’NEIL: And here we see the Japanese influence on Alex’s moveset. The Muta Lock is deadly.

VALERIE: I wonder where this contest will rank on the Muta Scale.

O’NEIL: Remains to be seen.

Unfortunately for Pierce, the coil of razor wire was close and Kasey was able to rope it over Pierce’s throat. Not trying to be decapitated, Pierce broke the hold before Kasey could slit his throat. Gruesome. Both men rallied back to their feet but Kasey wrapped the razor wire around his fist and caught Pierce with a shot to the face. With his free hand, Kasey picked up the cricket bat and drove it into Pierce’s midsection.

Kash took off for the ropes and came back with Canberra Collapse (Springboard Cutter) taking Pierce down. Kasey covered but Pierce kicked out at one! Kash was furious. The Livewire Champion collected one of the N64 controllers and started swinging it. He tried to whip Pierce with it but Pierce was faster and he blasted Kash with Backfist to the Future (Spinning Backfist)!

VALERIE: Oh no! Mr. Kash could be out cold!

O’NEIL: That was Pierce’s aim, to be sure.

Pierce could feel it now, he was on the verge of winning his first OATH championship. Pierce set Kash up for Hiken (Rainmaker) but Kash dropped to a knee, grabbed the N64 controller and smashed it into Pierce’s face. Pierce fell back into the ropes but used them to propel himself forward with a lariat that turned the champion inside out.

The fans were on Pierce’s side but he didn’t seem to care. He hefted Kash off the mat but Kash still had razor wire wrapped around his fist! Kash shoved his palm into Pierce’s face and the razor wire sliced open Pierce’s nose! Pierce dropped to a knee and Kash was quick to hit him with Going The Distance (Last Shot)! Pierce dropped and Kash made the cover for the victory.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, and STILL OATH Livewire Champion, “The Resident Asshole” Kasey Kash!

"Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)” by Run The Jewels kicked up and Kash was handed the Livewire Championship. He took it in his free hand, as the other hand was still cocooned with razor wire! He was in pain but he was still the champion and that was all that mattered to Kasey as Catalyst came to a close.

---

Results:

• Brendon Phoenix def. Buck Boon

• Tyler Matthews def. AJ Jenkynx, Cassidy Kane, Liz Karlson, Maverick; New Keeper Of The Skeleton Key • The Organization def. EMBLEM

• El Diablo Blanco def. SWITCHBLXDE

• Kasey Kash def. Alex Pierce; Still Livewire Champion