CONVICTION L: LAST RESORT (Part 2)

Episode L (Part 2) Sunday February 28th, 2021 Montgomery Beach, Isla Desconocida

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James Edwards sat in front of a black background with a snarl on his face.

EDWARDS: The first thing you need to know about Robb Daniels is that he is a lyin' bastard.

DANIELS: What’s the first thing that comes to mind about James Edwards? Easy, he’s a sore loser. I didn’t think so at first either but until you’ve signed his payroll checks or handed him his pink slip you may not know that. But you’ll learn that soon enough...

Off camera the producer repeated what Daniels said about Edwards. "The Burning Heart" scoffed.

EDWARDS: He really said that? You can't trust a word he says. Let's go back to the beginning and I tell you why.

A montage of photos and headlines flashed across the screen. Edwards on a Fight One poster with the World Title on his shoulder but buried behind other wrestlers. In bold black letters from an online news source "Lowell Fight Promotion Folds".

EDWARDS: I got my start in Lowell, Massachusetts in a promotion called Fight One. I busted my ass for that place. I damn near won every belt that place had and it was never enough. The way I talked was wrong. The way I dressed was wrong. When I won the World Title, the promoter Aiden Morag, brought in a bunch of big names to cut me down to size. Turns out those contracts killed the company. Morag blamed me, though. It could've ruined my career but somebody took a chance on me.

Another montage flashed, this time showing photos of Daniels and Edwards smiling together backstage at the debut show of Seattle Pro Wrestling.

DANIELS: In the beginning you couldn’t have asked for a better hand, especially after he found out he would be in the Main Event of the very first show. Just because he was our first Heavyweight Champion it doesn’t mean he was the foundation of the company.

A few photos were shown from that night of Edwards competing and then being presented a title belt by Daniels.

EDWARDS: There wasn't any bullshit back then. He called me and said to come fight. I did and I won. I was the first Seattle Pro Heavyweight Champion. I wore that title and mantle with pride. Robb told me I was "the guy" and for a while I was.

Another flash of photos were shown: Edwards holding his head in defeat while sitting on the ring apron, Edwards and Daniels in suits standing at a press conference, and a quick succession of other wrestlers fighting for the World Title, none of them were James.

EDWARDS: I had a good run with the title -- then I lost it to a guy who didn't have the company's best interest in mind. A lot of people didn't know this but I was injured for a few months, it was a knee injury. So to his credit, as much as I hate to say that, he offered to keep the injury quiet while I recovered. I was going to be a talent scout and brand ambassador. Everything was fine until the attack.

A video clip played of Edwards standing in the ring making an announcement. He was attacked from behind by a wrestler named Bryan Blaze.

EDWARDS: At the time I didn't think anything of it. Blaze just seemed like some dude who had a weird grudge. I rushed back from injury and gave up my new role to beat some sense into the guy. I wasn't healthy and he beat me pretty easy. The next few months were fine but I knew I needed some time off until and asked for my release. Nothing seemed fishy until the same thing happened again a few years later.

DANIELS: He acts like I had something to do with it. What was I supposed to do? This is professional wrestling. He could wrestle but I couldn’t dress him up and make him entertaining. Damn -- what else does that prick expect me to do? I’m no miracle worker...

Another video montage played of Edwards' surprise return to the now rebranded MAINSTREAM Wrestling to be inducted into its Hall of Fame and then a brutal attack by the the debuting Agustin Gates.

EDWARDS: I ain't ungrateful, it's still an honor to be inducted into a Hall of Fame before the age of 30. If I'd left it at that things would've been fine. Then I got jumped again by another piece of shit; another piece of shit lookin' to build a name. The attacks continued for the next few shows. Gates never got punished and I never got a fair fight against him. Then the bastard and his crew bolted. That's when I connected dots. Loyalty ain't shit to Robb. He's just another promoter. He brought me back as an attraction both times to give some credibility to his new hot young prospect. It didn't matter if I got hurt or if it ruined my career, as long as he could squeeze some money out of me is all Robb cared about. I was never "the guy" to him, I was just a guy.

DANIELS: The last time James Edwards made me any money was three years ago and he’s been well compensated for his efforts. But if he continues to drag my name through the mud, trying to harm my reputation then he’ll have more to worry about than a black eye or a broke jaw. Which that’s exactly what he’ll get this weekend.

EDWARDS: Never trust a promoter, that's my creed. I thought Robb was a friend, hell I thought he was a mentor. He never was any of those things man. I guess I can be thankful for that lesson.

DANIELS: I could teach an aspiring wrestler many things but you can’t teach charisma. James Edwards has went above and beyond what the old timers would call a ‘good hand’. He has many qualities to be successful in this business but that goes out the window this weekend. I’m going to slap the piss out of him and beat him down!

Another video montage flashed, this time of Edwards' valiant but failed efforts to win the OATH World Championship from Reo Ojima and the attacks from the last few weeks on his knee.

EDWARDS: The lows of the last year dwarfed my highs. I know I accomplished a lot, but I also lost at the biggest show of the year and got betrayed by someone I thought was a friend. Bad luck follows me around like a black dog. It's felt that way since a couple of years ago. My success is short lived and people love to remind me that every chance they get. Robb Daniels is one of my biggest doubters and tonight I've got a chance to shut him up, and you better believe I damn well will.

DANIELS: He’s right. I am his biggest critic. I am judgmental of his flaws and if he doesn’t think I’ll use those weaknesses against him in our fight then he’s a damn fool. If I don’t knock him out with a right hook then he’ll pass out in the Memory Loss!

BLOODSPORT MATCH

James Edwards vs. Robb Daniels

CRYBABY: The following contest is a special challenge Bloodsport Match! The only way to win is by submission, knockout, or referee stoppage! Introducing first from Lexington, Kentucky, weighing in at 208lbs., “The Burning Heart” James Edwards!

The house lights go down, and beach stayed black during the garbled opening guitar riff of "My Name is Human" by Highly Suspect, then, "Okay." Strobe lights moved with the easy beat of the song. James Edwards appeared at the top of the ramp with the hood on his ring jacket up. He took a few moments to survey everything before him. The hood went down with the opening lyrics. Moving with the meandering pace of the music, his eyes never left the ring. He lapped the squared circle, slid under the bottom rope, and bowed martial arts style to all four corners before settling into his own.

CRYBABY: Introducing second, from Seattle, Washington, weighing in at 235lbs., “The Innovator Of Wrestling” Robb Daniels!

"The Greatest Show" started to play throughout the arena. The lights slowly dimmed as the music played while the spotlights moved in sequence across the audience and back to the stage in sequence with the beat of the music.

DON’T FIGHT IT, IT’S COMING FOR YOU, RUNNING AT YA

IT’S ONLY THIS MOMENT, DON’T CARE WHAT COMES AFTER

YOUR FEVER DREAM, CAN’T YOU SEE IT GETTING CLOSER

JUST SURRENDER ‘CAUSE YOU FEEL THE FEELING TAKING OVER

IT’S FIRE, IT’S FREEDOM, IT’S FLOODING OPEN

IT’S A PREACHER IN THE PULPIT AND YOUR BLIND DEVOTION

THERE’S SOMETHING BREAKING

AT THE BRICK OF EVERY WALL IT’S HOLDING

ALL THAT YOU KNOW, SO TELL ME DO YOU WANNA GO?

Seemingly hundreds of camera flashes begin lighting up the darkened beach area, then suddenly the curtain was thrown back and Robb Daniels and his wife Lauren emerged from behind the curtain. Robb wore a very serious look upon his face, walking down the center of the runway with his wife in tow.

WHERE IT’S COVERED IN ALL THE COLORED LIGHTS

WHERE THE RUNAWAYS ARE RUNNING THE NIGHT

IMPOSSIBLE COMES TRUE, IT’S TAKING OVER YOU

OH, THIS IS THE GREATEST SHOW!

WE LIGHT IT UP, WE WON’T COME DOWN

AND THE SUN CAN’T STOP US NOW

WATCHING IT COME TRUE, IT’S TAKING OVER YOU

OH, THIS IS THE GREATEST SHOW!

Daniels stopped on the apron, holding the ropes open for his wife and then wiped his boots before stepping through himself. He circled the ring, removing his robe and draped it across the top turnbuckle. He climbed up on the turnbuckles and looked around at the crowd, smiling and enjoying the moment. He told the camera that he's the greatest wrestler to ever live before dropping down and adjusting his elbow and knee pads while the music faded.

Ding, Ding, Ding!

These two knew each other well, there was no doubt about that. The Burning Heart would typically start a match like this at a slow pace, calm cool and collected but apparently that was not the order of the evening. Edwards rushed Daniels, looking for a running knee strike but Daniels caught his leg at the thigh and shoved Edwards back down to the mat.

MEARS: You know in doing some research on Robb Daniels I watched some of his old matches. He is a very antagonistic opponent.

PETRIE: Fuck yeah. That’s how I’d be! Piss ‘em off! Make ‘em fuck up!

Edwards glared up at Daniels who just held out his arms as if to say, “I’m right here”. Edwards snarled, getting to his feet. He charged Daniels again but Daniels sidestepped him and shoved Edwards sternum first into the corner. Daniels moved in quickly, throwing Edwards’ left arm around his neck and then brought him out of the corner with a back suplex.

The Burning Heart was face down on the mat but quickly pushed up to his knees. Daniels was leaning on the top rope, breathing on his knuckles and shaking them. This just served to fire Edwards up further. He popped up and tried to shoot on Daniels but ate a kick to the face. Daniels pulled Edwards in and took him down with a textbook fireman’s carry.

MEARS: That is some classic mat wrestling right there.

PETRIE: Yeah I don’t know that you want to go that route with Jim Eddie. He knows what he’s doing on that canvas.

MEARS: I do not think he likes when you call him Jim Eddie.

PETRIE: Fuck do I care what he likes?

The Mainstream transplant kept Edwards grounded with a wristlock and when Edwards started to stir, Daniels turned it into a chin lock. Daniels pushed his knee into Edwards’ spine and that had the latter reaching out for the ropes. Daniels broke his grip to grab Edwards’ outstretched hand and pulled it behind him into a hammerlock. Edwards fought up to his feet and spun out of the hold, applying one of his own. Daniels tossed an elbow backward into Edwards’ midsection and took him over with a quick snap suplex.

With Edwards on the canvas again, Daniels applied a double wristlock. He forced Edwards face down on the mat and then pressed his knee into the back of Edwards’ neck. “Just give up James. Don’t make me embarrass you” Daniels was heard to say. Edwards just answered with a frustrated groan. Daniels laughed and stood, taking a swipe at the back of Edwards’ head. The Burning Heart pushed off the mat again up to all fours and started shaking his head.

PETRIE: Jim Eddie ain’t got a solution for Robb Daniels yet. He is being made a fuckin’ fool!

MEARS: He is uncharacteristically aggressive tonight.

PETRIE: Yeah his original opponent got fired. Now he’s facing a guy he has a ton of history with on a fuckin’ beach.

MEARS: Wrestling is intresting.

Once again Daniels was leaning on the ropes and he started chatting with some fans that were ringside. It sounded like they were having a friendly debate about which of Isla Desconocida’s signature cocktails was best. This infuriated Edwards and he rushed Daniels again, catching him in a reverse waistlock. Daniels through an elbow back but Edwards dodged it. Daniels tried another elbow on the other side but Edwards dodged that as well. The Burning Heart broke his own grip and when Daniels turned around to face him Edwards cracked him in the side of the head with an enziguiri!

The visiting star was sent through the ropes to the outside and the fans on Montgomery Beach cheered! Edwards had finally gained an inch but he needed to press the issue. Edwards gingerly exited the ring and went to meet Daniels with a knife edged chop but Daniels just absorbed it and then laced Edwards with one of his own. Edwards was sent reeling but Daniels hit him with one, two, three more big chops! Edwards then answered with a second enziguiri that saw Daniels stumble sideways and catch himself on the guard rail.

MEARS: James is starting to build some momentum here.

PETRIE: Guy needs to fuckin’ calm down just a bit. Let Daniels come to him.

MEARS: I do not see that happening.

Feeling his advantage slipping through his finger, Daniels went to grapple Edwards but got caught with a hard chop and then a palm strike right to the face. Edwards slid Daniels back into the ring but when The Burning Heart entered the ring through the ropes Daniels caught him with a chop block. Daniels grabbed Edwards’ left boot and then drove his already-injured knee into canvas. Once wasn’t enough for the guest star so he did it four more times. Edwards let out in pain, once again his knee was failing him.

The Innovator Of Wrestling dragged Edwards to the middle of the ring and hooked his left foot under his arm. Edwards tried to fight it but Daniels was able to roll him over into a single leg crab. The referee was right there to ask Edwards if he wanted to quit but the answer was a resounding no. Edwards started crawling on his forearms and it was all that Daniels could do to keep the hold locked in. Ultimately The Burning Heart reached the bottom rope and the referee called for the break.

MEARS: That left knee of James’ has been giving him trouble for some time.

PETRIE: He needs to take some time off to heal.

MEARS: Try to tell him that.

Daniels broke his hold but left Edwards with a parting stomp to the back of his left knee. Edwards let out in pain. Daniels peeled his longtime associate off of the mat and sent him across the ring with an Irish whip. On Edwards return Daniels attempted a sidewalk slam but Edwards swung behind him, landed on his feet, picked Daniels’ left leg and went to lock in the Foxfire (Heel Hook)!

MEARS: Foxfire! Foxfire! Foxfire!

The visitor was scrambling. Edwards was having trouble getting his signature hold locked in and that gave Daniels time to get to the ropes. The referee forced the separation but Edwards knew that he needed to press his advantage. Edwards stalked Daniels but Daniels grabbed the waist of Edwards’ pants and yanked him face first into the middle turnbuckle.

PETRIE: Dirty move. Love it.

MEARS: That will only serve to frustrated James further.

PETRIE: I think that’s the idea.

Edwards was laying on the canvas, with his head and neck under the bottom rope. Daniels grabbed his legs, pulled him up for a catapult and fell backward, sending Edwards’ throat into the bottom rope with incredible force. Daniels gathered Edwards up but Edwards broke free and went for Wildfire! He hit Daniels with a spin kick and then went to complete the combo with a knee strike but Daniels picked Edwards’ leg and brought him down to the mat with a dragon screw.

It was pretty obvious that Edwards was in a terrible amount of pain and it was only about to get worse. Daniels grabbed both of Edwards’ legs as the latter was on his back and rolled him over into a full Boston Crab now! Daniels wrenched back with all of his might and Edwards was in deep trouble. The referee asked Edwards if he wanted to quit but Edwards refused. He pushed off the mat and started crawling toward the ropes once again.

MEARS: James Edwards needs to start thinking about career longevity here. That knee is taking a serious amount of punishment.

PETRIE: He’s not gonna quit. Daniels is gonna have to knock the poor bastard out to win this one.

Daniels refused to let go but Edwards was inching closer to the ropes. When he was nearly there Daniels pushed forward and pulled Edwards away! The fans were cheering for the Event Horizon Series winner but things were looking grim. Edwards looked like he was ready to submit but he planted both hands again, walked both himself and his opponent to the ropes and found his salvation.

The referee forced the break once again but again Daniels stomped on Edwards’ left knee. He did this several times before he peeled Edwards off the mat and took him back down with a dragon screw. Daniels, a smirk on his face, grabbed Edwards’ bad leg and went to apply a figure four but as he turned around Edwards pushed his boot into Daniel’s backside and sent him flying toward the ropes.

MEARS: That was the break that James needed!

PETRIE: Good old ass kick.

Daniels hit the ropes and came back at Edwards only to get caught with a leaping knee to the chin. The Burning Heart reached down deep and smashed Daniels with the Triple Play (Two Spinning Back Fists followed by a Spinning Back Elbow)! Daniels was floored and the referee dropped down to check on him. Daniels was rocked but he was not out.

Edwards brushed the referee to the side and got Daniels up off the mat. Edwards hit him with two quick knife edged chops and then another vicious palm strike. Daniels was sent reeling back into a corner, so hard in fact that he hit the corner and staggered out. Edwards went for a spinning heel kick but Daniels slipped under and behind him. Daniels got a reverse waist lock and quickly took Edwards over with a German suplex.

MEARS: Oh Lord! Did you see how awkwardly James just landed? PETRIE: Yeah that was pretty fuckin’ bad.

MEARS: To say the least!

The Burning Heart was slammed hard onto the back of his head and came to rest face down on the canvas. Daniels instructed the referee to call the match. The referee checked on Edwards but Edwards grabbed him by the collar and told him not to call it. Daniels sighed and peeled Edwards off the mat and went for a right hand but Edwards caught his wrist, applied a hammerlock and then transitioned into a half and half suplex!

The former Intrepid Champion was in control now but he was hobbling. He approached Daniels but Daniels went for a second fireman’s carry! Edwards was able to reverse it into Ancient Fire (Triangle Choke) and Daniels was trapped! The ocean side fans were calling for Daniels to tap but he refused. He showed incredible strength by lifting Edwards off the mat and then dropped him right on his head with a powerbomb!

MEARS: Jesus Murphy! The referee needs to consider ending this.

PETRIE: Jim Eddy is getting FUCKED UP! How is he gonna let some dude come into his house and beat his ass like this? He gonna let him fuck his wife too?

MEARS: I do not think he’s married.

PETRIE: You know what I mean.

Daniels quickly locked Edwards in The Memory Loss (Guillotine Choke) and Edwards had nowhere to go. The Burning Heart was fading fast and Daniels applied all of the pressure that he could muster. But the OATH fans were cheering loudly and Edwards slowly started to power up. He hit a knee to Daniels’ stomach and then took him over with a crude gut-wrench brainbuster!

Both men were down and the referee was unsure of what to do. Edwards started to get up but Daniels sat up, his eyes glazed. Edwards let out a primal scream and took off. He smashed Daniels in the face with The Violent Gospel (Running PK) and then collapsed to the mat. Both men were down so the referee started a ten count.

1..

2..

3..

4..

5..

6..

7..

8..

Edwards started to stir. He pushed off of the mat and up to a knee.

9..

Daniels was out cold as Edwards got up to both feet. The referee reached the ten count and decided that the contest was over. Daniels was finished.

..10!

Ding, Ding, Ding!

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The Burning Heart” James Edwards!

“My Name Is Human” by Highly Suspect started playing through the speakers hanging above the ring and Edwards collapsed into a corner. Edwards just glared at his foe and smiled ever so slightly. The night was his.

The large tron lit up inside a very nice cabana overlooking the beach. Three chairs were inside the cabana, two empty, one occupied with Kendrick Bingham clad in some red swim trunks, a tan button up shirt and matching sandals. He had a drink in his hand and a smile on his face.

KENDRICK: Hello everybody, welcome to a special edition of Kendrick’s Korner, or maybe Kendrick’s Kabana. Honestly, one of my two guests sort of set this all up so I guess he could choose the name. Let’s not waste any more time. Please welcome my guests at this time, the former OATH Tag Team Champions, Minoru Tanahashi and Super Tiger, The SUPER KAWAII THUNDER LIGER SQUADRON!

At the mention of their names, a few small tiki torches came to life and a roar was heard before they came through a small white curtain at the back of the cabana, Minoru was rocking some green swim trunks, tan sandals, no shirt and a pair of tortoise shell sunglasses. Super Tiger was dressed a bit more conservatively, opting for a sky blue mask and a matching zip up sleeveless beach jacket that hung just above her knees. Minoru had a drink for each hand while Tiger opted for none. They sat down, Minoru all smiles while Super Tiger seemed a bit subdued.

MINORU: We are definitely going with Kendrick’s Kabana. Great choice for an interview right? I figured, we gotta do it, but they didn’t say we had to do it backstage the night of. Why not enjoy this wonderful view and get all the talking done the day before.

KENDRICK: It is a wonderful view and I can understand wanting to make sure you can focus tomorrow. Big match ahead of you.

MINORU: Huge match. Semi main event, tag titles on the line, and not only is there the regular pressure to win, but we have to go out there and somehow be even better than we were last time.

TIGER: I have to be better than I was last time.

KENDRICK: That does take me to my first point. This will be the third time you two find yourselves as the challengers for those tag team titles. The first time did not go so well

TIGER: Yes, everybody knows that I got beat down and because of that they were able to distract Minoru, beat me and keep the tag titles. They pinned me, Sweet Treats pinned me. Tiger is the weak--

Before she could finish that thought, Minoru held his hand up and shook his head.

MINORU: No no no, not gonna go down that route. Look Kendrick, you’re right, this is the third time that myself and Tiggy have found ourselves as the top challengers for the tag team titles. That alone shows we’re a damn good team. That first time though, we got screwed over by some conniving sexy devious little bitches. We got our payback on them though. While Alex and Kallie don’t really have anything in common with the team we beat to win the titles besides being hot, that doesn’t change the fact that the outcome will be the same.

Minoru smirked, nodded and took a sip from one of his drinks while Super Tiger just sat there stoically.

KENDRICK: Well with the Mancini Syndicate, you overcame their cheating ways and outsmarted them. There was no cheating by the Sweet Treats. At Brutalism, they were simply better than you.

Minoru nodded seemingly in agreement, took another sip of his drink, then laughed a little and smiled.

MINORU: You’re not wrong Kendrick. On that night, they were better. That does not mean they are the better team though. Tiggy, do you think they’re a better team?

Super Tiger looked over at Kendrick, then to Minoru, she shrugged slightly.

TIGER: Well they did pin me and take the titles.

MINORU: But…

TIGER: But… No. I do not believe that they are a superior team. Tonight, we will show them that.

MINORU: Damn right we will.

Minoru raised his drink towards Tiggy and she nodded back at him.

MINORU: Now, that’s not to say that their win was some kind of fluke or a stroke of luck or any of that bullshit. This isn’t us saying that their win was the one in one hundred kind of deal. They are talented, they are tough, they are a good team. We have ten matches, they would likely take three, maybe four of them. We’re taking the other six or seven though.

KENDRICK: Well right now you are zero and one against them.

MINORU: Yes, and soon enough we will be one and one against them and two time tag team champions. We know this will not be easy. We expect to be hit hard and pushed to our limits. We expect them to fight tooth and nail to keep those titles. We want them to give us everything they have. That’s what will make the win so damn sweet. Me and Tiggy have stepped our game up. We have been pushing, training, fighting, studying, and we are ready to take back those titles. Right Tiggy?

TIGER: Damn right!

Super Tiger showed a bit of fire and slammed her fist on the table, almost knocking one of Minoru’s drinks over. Minoru laughed a little and she did the same.

MINORU: See Kendrick, we are more than ready. Same page, same goal, same SKTLS that you know and love. Tomorrow night, we are going to show the World that we’re one of the best damn tag teams in the World, and we will reclaim those Tag Team Titles.

Minoru finished off his first drink and started in the second as we faded out.

OATH TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

TAG TEAM MATCH

Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron vs. Sweet Treats ©

CRYBABY: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is for the OATH Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship! Introducing first, at a combined weight of 345lbs., the team of Minoru Tanahashi & Super Tiger, Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron!

"When the World is in danger

When Evil is on the rise

When Heroes are most needed

You must only call on

The bravest

The strongest

The fastest

Theeeeeeee cutest

The one

The onlyyyyyyyy

SUPER

KAWAII

THUNDER

LIGER

SQUADRON!"

The screen suddenly lit up and we saw the animated adventures of SKTLS. We witnessed The Black Lion Warrior and The Pink Tiger Warrior destroy two terrible witches with superkicks. They again showed world class teamwork as they defeated a demented doctor with their signature German suplex from Lion and a shining wizard from Tiger.

They next face two black suited seductresses, but this was when the Blue Kawaii Capybara burst onto the scene and terrified them away. We next saw them battle an insidious crew of blonde shrews, one even bit the Black Lion warrior, nearly turning him, but with the help of his team, he recovered and they overcame, taking out the shrews with Daburu Aete Daibingu.

Then the screen went black and returned with two smiling women in rainbow colored mech armor. They yelled "SWEET TREAT SUGAR RUSH" and suddenly SKTLS fell and it appeared they had been replaced as the heroes of our story.

As The Sweet Treats saved the city, SKTLS stood, turned and the training montage began. On the beach two bright lights started shining on either side of the ramp. Lion, Tiger, and Capybara all trained, pushing and pushing as the light to the right and another to the left of the two lights came on, then one more on each side as we saw what appeared to be a large metal leg. The training continued as more lights came on and we saw the feet of a massive silver robot with claw-like feet. The three members of The SUPER KAWAII THUNDER LIGER SQUADRON all turned towards the screen, nodded and put their fists together.

MINORU & TIGER: ULTRA KAWAII THUNDER LIGER BATTLE BOT GOOOOO!

VOLTA: HAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUNNNNKK!

Massive fireballs erupted on either side of the robot as the lights fully illuminated the chrome face of a crowned Capybara with bright blue eyes. The right arm had the face of a roaring tiger, jet black with blood red fangs. The left arm was a beautiful pink tiger with golden stripes and fangs. “The Black Lion” Minoru Tanahashi stood on the right, clad in his SKTLS gear with the black and red color scheme, while Super Tiger stood on the left arm in pink and gold. Tanahashi and Tiger descended from the battle bot, a large burst of rainbow pyro shooting off behind them as they hit the ramp. The two came to the ring and the fans were just absolutely loving the pageantry. They entered the ring ready to fight.

CRYBABY: And introducing second, they are the OATH PRI Wrestling Tag Team Champions, the Team of Alex Andrews and Kallie Reznik, The Sweet Treats!

"Hypa Hypa" blared over the PA system as the lights began to strobe blue and pink in alternating fashion to the beat of the song. After a few moments, we saw the curtain open up and out came a golf cart. It seemed The Sweet Treats had found themselves a new ride and were driving it toward the ring, Kallie Reznik was behind the wheel.

Alex Andrews smiled big and raised her hands, getting a few "Come Ons" out there to try and rile the fans up. She banged on the roof of the cart a few times as well. Kallie stopped the cart next to a ring post and the Treats got out, meeting up, bouncing to the beat. They shared a knowing smile and a fist bumped before they slid into the ring.

Ding, Ding, Ding!

The two teams stood in the ring. If I were a gambling man I would say that visions of their last encounter were dancing through their minds. Unlike last time, they seemed to have an agreement that they’d start this contest the proper way. Super Tiger and Kallie Reznik both got the nod for their respective teams and we were under way.

PETRIE: Both of these teams have earned my respect over the last few weeks. Their first match at Brutalism was the best tag team match that OATH has ever seen. Period.

MEARS: I am still bewildered by your new found love for these two teams.

PETRIE: I don’t love them! I just respect this rivalry. It’s fuckin’ great.

MEARS: I knew that you had a heart.

PETRIE: I do not!

The two locked up and Kallie immediately took over thanks to her slight weight advantage. She forced Super Tiger down into a headlock but Tiger shoved her off into the ropes. Alex made the blind tag when Kallie came off the ropes and on the return Kallie slid through Tiger’s legs and Alex dropped Tiger with a spear!

Sweet Treats were both in the ring when Tiger got back up to her feet. The champions blasted Tiggy with Double Elysium bicycle kicks. Minoru slipped into the ring to prevent their momentum from building further but wouldn’t you know it, he got popped with Double Elysiums too! Both Minoru and Tiger exited the ring to regroup and the beachside fans popped big for the explosive offense from the champions.

MEARS: These two are so evenly matched. That first contest was a sight to behold and it was all done on the basis of respect.

PETRIE: Yeah but watch out for Minoru. He’s a cheeky fuck and he’ll do what he has to do to win. It’s not often that he doesn’t learn from a loss.

MEARS: There is a mutual admiration between these two teams. They know that they are the two best tag teams in the world. I do not see anyone in this match doing anything to spoil this incredible rivalry.

Kallie and Alex stood tall in the ring as SKTLS regrouped on the outside. Minoru whispered something to Tiggy and gave her a pat on the back. Tiger put on her best mean face and slid into the ring. Alex went to engage her with a running dropkick but Tiger slipped it and smashed Kallie with a dropkick that sent her hard into a corner. Tiger whipped Alex into that same corner, causing Alex to collide with Kallie. Tiger tagged in Minoru and they did their signature pose.

Minoru grabbed Tiger by the wrist and whipped her toward that corner. Tiger smashed Alex in the back of the head with a leaping knee strike and then sent her backward right into a German suplex from Minoru! Alex landed hard on the back of her neck and rolled right out of the ring. Tiger took hold of Kallie and hit her with a roundhouse kick. Kallie stumbled on her feet and Tiger whipped her toward Minoru. Minoru lifted Kallie up for an atomic drop but Tiger dashed at them, leaped into the air, and brought Kallie down with an elevated poisonrana! Kallie landed hard on the top of her head and rolled out of the ring with Alex.

MEARS: Now Sweet Treats are forced to come up with a new game plan!

PETRIE: Tit for tat! This match is already getting interesting.

Sweet Treats were on the outside now and SKTLS controlled the ring. SKTLS posed again as the champions were forced to regroup. Alex tried to offer some words of encouragement to her partner but SKTLS were not content to rest on their laurels! They charged across the ring and flew to the outside with Daburu Aete Daibingu (Stereo Tope Suicida)! All four competitors were laying in a heap on the outside. The fans on Montgomery Beach were losing their goddamn minds.

MEARS: My word!

Minoru gathered Alex up and slid her into the ring as Tiggy returned to her corner. Kallie was still down and it looks like took a bad bump on her head. In the ring, Minoru gathered Alex up and had her positioned for Lion’s Claw (Emerald Flosion) but Alex kicked her legs and Minoru lost his foot. Alex landed on her feet, held out her hand, and Kallie made the tag. Kallie climbed to the top rope and Alex hit Tanahashi with a forearm smash to the back of the head. Alex spun Minoru around and Kallie came off the top rope with a flipping seated senton that took Minoru down to the canvas. Kallie hooked his leg and Alex stood guard.

1..

2..!

Minoru kicked out and a good portion of the audience sighed. Kallie and Alex stood Minoru up only to hit him with another Double Elysium! Minoru was floored and Kallie went to cover again but Minoru rolled out onto the apron. Alex exited the ring as Kallie went after Minoru. The Black Lion stood up on the apron and Kallie tried to grab for him but Minoru pulled her down her throat first over the top rope as he landed on the floor. Minoru slid back into the ring and tagged in Tiger.

MEARS: That’s a desperation move from Minoru.

PETRIE: Like I said, he knows all of the tricks. Won’t get fooled again.

MEARS: By what?

PETRIE: Uh. Well -- hey look!

Kallie tried to rally back but got caught with a double dropkick from the challengers. Minoru quickly stood Kallie up and took her back down to the canvas with a snap suplex. Tiger was already up to the top rope and as soon as Kallie hit the canvas, Tiger came off the top rope with a frog splash! Tiger hooked Kallie’s leg for a pinfall attempt.

1..

2..!

Alex flew into the ring with a stiff kick to the back of Super Tiger’s head! Minoru tried to cut Alex off with Akihabara Dreams (Yakuza Kick) but Alex brushed by him and Minoru’s leg got hung up on the top rope! With Minoru vulnerable, Alex shot toward him and hit him with Broken Wings (Backstabber)! Minoru was forced to roll out of the ring and Sweet Treats could look for a double team.

MEARS: Alex Andrews is a house of fire here tonight!

PETRIE: Kallie has taken a beating but The Wolfcub ain’t known for giving up.

MEARS: Too true. Super Tiger sat up after getting her bell rung, Kallie ran in and hit her with a meteora! Kallie was quick to peel Tiger off the mat and fed her to Alex. Alex hoisted Tiger up into a fireman’s carry and then Kallie ran in to hit Tiger with a running DDT to complete their Pop, Lock, And Drop combination! Kallie made a cover.

1..

2..

..KICKOUT!

Super Tiger kicked out to a massive pop from the island audience. Kallie was visibly frustrated but she got her head back into the game and went to work on Tiger. She tried to get Tiger up to her feet but Tiger took her over with a quick hip toss. Kallie popped right back up but Tiger hit her with a dropkick that sent Kallie flying backward into a corner. Kallie smashed into the corner and then staggered forward right into Spicy Dragon Roll (Hammerlock Eat Defeat) from Tiger!

MEARS: That was the reprieve that Tiger needed! She needs to get Minoru into this match!

PETRIE: Tiger is resilient. We fuckin’ know that. But she has been messed up for the last few minutes. No one does it alone.

MEARS: Yeah that is an important component of a tag team match.

PETRIE: Fuck off Matt.

Super Tiger desperately needed to make a tag and she did just that. Tiger then smacked Kallie in the side of the head with an enziguiri, which Minoru followed up with a rolling elbow, and then Tiger dropped Kallie with a single knee facebuster! Kallie was in deep trouble as Minoru called out SQUADRON MANEUVER NUMBER SEVEN! He lifted Kallie up for a powerbomb and Tiger climbed to the top rope, leaping off with a meteora as Minoru brought Kallie crashing down to the mat. Minoru stacked Kallie up in a matchbook cover.

1..

2..

..KICKOUT!

The Wolfcub was able to kickout and it was Minoru now who looked a little bewildered. Minoru sent Kallie off into the ropes and on her return Minoru sent her into the middle rope with a drop toe hold. Minoru tagged in Tiger and she immediately hit Kallie with a tiger feint kick that propelled Kallie right back into a dragon suplex from Minoru! Squadron Special Maneuver Alpha! Tiggy hit a standing moonsault onto the prone Kallie and hooked her leg.

PETRIE: It’s all over! No way Kallie kicks out of this!

1..

2..

..KICKOUT!

MEARS: Kallie Reznik is not human! How did she kick out of that?

Kallie was able to get her shoulder off the mat and now it was the audience who couldn’t believe it. Kallie needed a tag in the worst way but Tiger wasn’t about to let that happen. She tagged Minoru in again and then went about getting Kallie up but Kallie broke free and caught Tiger with an enziguiri that sent her flying over the top rope to the outside! Minoru was distracted by Tiger getting knocked and left himself open for a huge Elysium (Running Bicycle Kick) from Kallie! Minoru flew back into a corner, the back of his head smashing into the top turnbuckle.

PETRIE: Kallie Reznik will not be denied!

MEARS: She needs to get Alex into this match! Kallie can’t have much left in the tank!

PETRIE: She needs to have enough to tag in Andrews!

Alex was pleading with Kallie from the apron. “Come on Kallie! Come on!” and the fans were starting to cheer for her. Minoru was seated in a corner, trying to shake off the cobwebs as he noticed the support for Sweet Treats. It may have shocked him at first but that shock quickly turned to anger. Minoru got up, staggering, as he went after Kallie. He was a foot away from her when Kallie popped up, dove, and tagged in Alex!

MEARS: HERE COMES LADY LIMITLESS!

The audience on the beach erupted as Alex shot into the ring and clobbered Minoru with a running forearm. Minoru was sent reeling into the ropes where he caught himself. Super Tiger entered the ring, looking to stop the HOT TAG momentum but Alex blasted her with a Falcon Punch (Superman Punch). Alex gathered Minoru up and hit him with Queen's End (Hammerlock DDT)! Minoru was planted and Alex made the cover.

1..

2..

..KICKOUT!

PETRIE: OH COME ON WHAT THE HELL!

MEARS: WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE?

PETRIE: Everything. It’s going to take everything.

Minoru just barely kicked out! Kallie was still in the ring and Alex called out to her. Kallie nodded and back tucked into a wheelbarrow from Alex! Alex lifted her up and then brought Kallie crashing down across a prone Minoru’s ribs. Kallie rolled out of the way and Alex moved in for a cover but Minoru got up, favouring his ribs. With his hands down, Minoru fell victim to an Alex Crusher (Ace Crusher) from Lady Limitless! Minoru was laid out again and Alex covered again.

1..

2..

..!

Super Tiger flew into the ring, just making the save. Kallie tried to engage her but Tiger caught her with a roundhouse kick and then dropped her with a springboard neckbreaker! Tiger vaulted over the top rope and Minoru was able to make the tag. Tiger flew back into the ring and hit Alex with a front dropkick. Tiger gathered Alex up and set her up for a tiger suplex. Minoru hit the ropes and nailed his Akihabara Dreams (Yakuza Kick) to complete the ThunderLigerPlex! Tiger had Alex pinned to the mat and the fans knew that it was over.

MEARS: ThunderLigerPlex! It’s over! It has to be finished!

PETRIE: What a match!

1..

2..

..!

PETRIE: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?

Kallie, out of desperation, hit the ropes and came crashing down onto Tiger with a springboard moonsault! The fans could not believe it, and Minoru really couldn’t believe it! Minoru got Kallie up and raked her eyes! The fans booed this to the moon but Minoru didn’t care. The referee warned Minoru but Minoru acted as if he didn’t know what had happened. Minoru then sent Kallie flying over the top rope and she landed with a thud on the outside.

MEARS: Rough landing for Kallie Reznik.

PETRIE: See! I told you Minoru would pull some shit!

Tiger didn’t seem to hate her partner’s dirty tactics. She fed Alex to Minoru and he set her up for a belly to back piledriver. Tiger climbed to the top rope and came down with a double stomp moonsault as Tanahashi dropped her with the driver! Starlight Express! Tiger stacked Alex up and the referee started the count. Kallie slipped back into the ring in a scramble but Minoru just threw his body down on top of her. Kallie reached out for Alex but the referee was counting.

1..

2..

..3!

Ding, Ding, Ding!

CRYBABY: Here are your winners and NEW OATH Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions, Minoru Tanahashi & Super Tiger, Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron!

"Flyers" by Bradio kicked up and the referee collected the Tag Team Titles. He handed each member of SKTLS a title and then held up their hands. The new champions were very happy, they raised the titles high and that seemed to be the cue for a cloud of rainbow confetti to fire out of the mouth of the on the stage robot.

MEARS: That was an incredible match but I don’t know about that nonsense from Minoru.

PETRIE: He did what he needed to do. It is what it is.

MEARS: I can’t help but feel that it spoiled what was otherwise an incredible contest.

Kallie crawled over to Alex and both of them were very upset. Tiger and Minoru didn’t halt their celebration, it kept going. The fans were conflicted. They loved SKTLS but that was a dirty way to win. Kallie and Alex sat on the mat, looking at the new champions.

MEARS: Sweet Treats have nothing to be ashamed of.

PETRIE: They do have something to be mad about though.

MEARS: Yeah I mean I don’t think that they saw that coming.

Each member of SKTLS tossed a title over their respective shoulders and then approached Sweet Treats. Minoru and Tiger looked down at the former champions and extended their hands. Sweet Treats were both wearing sullen expressions but they stood and shook their opponents’ hands. Kallie looked deep into Minoru’s eyes but there wasn’t even a hint of remorse.

No light, no noise, just complete and utter darkness in front of us. Then the sound of a deep breath cut through. There was another, and another, then a torch came to light and we saw a hunched over figure, his hair hanging down over his face, the torch just barely illuminating the area enough to see the shadowy figure. He slowly brought up a white mask, then tossed it onto the sand as he brought up a strange kendo stick that looked cracked and splintered.

SHIELDS: Last Resort… hahaha. It’s an appropriate name for tonight. This match, this triple threat bullshit against Locke Helms and Leah Aguero is my last fucking resort. I should have had my title match at Brutalism. I should have broken Ojima’s arm. I should have ended his fucking reign. The old bastard never beat me, not on his own. Nobody in ONI ever did. Yet Locke Helms weaseled into that spot and robbed me of my right to revenge. Worse, some fat fuck robbed me of my right to revenge on the War Princess and she burned me. What happens if Blanche can’t even stand to look at me after I rescue her. That’s exactly what I will do. Trust me. There can be no other outcome.

Shields took the kendo stick and smacked himself in the forehead, laughing a little bit before he suddenly stopped and dropped the kendo stick down. He shook his head, his hair dangling in front of him as a bit of blood dripped down onto the sand in front of him.

SHIELDS: Neither of you know how much she truly means to me. How truly desperate I am to finally rescue her, hold her in my arms and hear her sweet voice once more. It has been over a hundred days since she spoke to me. Over one hundred days where the only time I slept was when I passed out from too much drinking, too much fucking or too much fighting. All I could do was distract myself and try to work through the agony of knowing that I failed her time after time after fucking time because worthless assholes always had help and somehow a lesser man has taken hold of her and robbed me of the chance to destroy that worthless bastard that never truly beat me. I broke a damn promise, I crawled over to Livewire, bludgeoned a man I had never met before and demanded a match all in order to get myself in this exact position. Leah, all your allies are gone or they fucking hate you. Helms, I have beaten you before and I will do it again. Tonight, the monster wins and the horror movie has a proper happy fucking ending for him and his sweet golden girl.

He jerked his head up and there was the slightest glimpse of his face, peeling and blistered as he still had quite a bit of healing to do. He stood up, turned his back and then put the torch out with his hand, sending everything back to darkness.

OATH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TRIPLE THREAT MATCH

Leah Aguero vs. Matt Shields vs. Locke Helms ©

CRYBABY: The following contest is a triple threat match scheduled for one fall. In this match there will be no disqualifications and no count outs!

A massive pop from the oceanside crowd. They knew that this match was going to be wild, crazy, insane -- whatever adjective you choose to use.

CRYBABY: Introducing first from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 132lbs., “The War Queen” Leah Aguero! As the opening chords of “Killing In the Name” by Rage Against The Machine played on the beach, smoke started to billow out from the entryway. Leah Aguero emerged from out of the smoke with a black hoodie covering her face up. She pauses at the top of the entrance as the fans yelled out at her in disapproval. Eventually, she pulled back the hood and looked out at the crowd with her black ONI mask covering the lower half of her face.

The faintest grin could be seen under the mask as she let the chorus of boos take over the area. She slowly walked down the entrance way towards the ring. Rolling into the ring under the bottom rope, Leah immediately sat down in the corner, letting her arms drape across the bottom ring ropes as she awaited her opponents.

CRYBABY: Introducing second from Dallas, Texas, weighing in at 235lbs., “The Hellhound” Matt Shields!

"Coast guard, this is the Orca, do you read me? Four and a half miles, due east of Isla Desconocida. This is an official distress call, over!"

The lights went completely black as Ice Nine Kills' "Rocking The Boat" began to play.

"We all know the place that appears so sublime

But if you dive a little deeper, you'll hit the real bottom line

The head of the town is out there flashing his teeth

A telltale sign about to surface that there's a monster lurking underneath"

The screen lit up with an image of the ocean, a shadowy figure swimming up towards the surface.

"They're thrashing around but found

They can't contain the leak

Cause I've got a fish to fry

That's feeding on the weak

So cast a line for every life they took

It's time to set the hook"

At the sound of the screaming hook, the figure ripped through the surface and the stage, water erupting upwards as it drenched the figure. A few small flares illuminated the area as the chorus began

"We're all just floating in a shallow grave

Buoyed by the blood of the masses

They'd rather sell out instead of save

We're all so starving that we've taken the bait

You think we would've learned from the past that

The predator will soon become the prey"

Torches lit up the stage where the monster had stepped out of the water, standing there with bite marks all over his upper body and arms, tattered jeans and very worn in black boots, his mask had been replaced by a bloody grey face with jagged bloody teeth and what looks like a large fin with several chunks missing.

"Coastguard, this is the Orca again, we need you out here now. The boat is under attack. It's a great white, over!"

"Roger that, ETA fifteen minutes, over."

"In fifteen minutes we'll be fucking shark bait!"

Shields rushed toward the ring dragging a kendo stick covered in shark teeth. He swings it wildly at a few of the crew members and tried to bite a few people.

"Last chance to make amends

So try to stay afloat

With sharks like you among us

We'll need a bigger boat

Sold us down the river

So the rich could stay rich

But now you've been caught

So smile, you son of a bitch"

Shields slid into the ring and started swinging with his kendo stick until everyone cleared out and he turned to the camera with a smile as the lights returned to normal and the music slowly faded out.

Suddenly the lights on the beach cut out abruptly all at once, casting the ring area in complete and total darkness as numerous cell phone lights suddenly appeared like thousands of tiny candles until the tron came to life. A very sinister looking face appears on the screen -- the very face of Papa Legba himself. He turned his dread gaze onto Leah and Shields, a deep rumbling chuckle could be heard before he spoke.

PAPA LEGBA: Congratulations, Leah Aguero and Matthew Shields; you have been granted your sweet release from the world of the mortal. And as punishment for your crimes of murder, torture, passion, fashion, and being all-around, no-good miserables bitches, you will spend all of eternity here... in my home.

Suddenly the tron then shut down completely, tossing the area back into the semi dark save for the cell phone lights.

PAPA LEGBA: Welcome...to Hell.

As the words slowly echoed away it turned into the opening of Engima TNG's "Heavy Grind" as a dim orange light came up on the entranceway where we saw Locke Helms sitting in large wicker chair, his wrestling gear in the same colors as his chosen Loa complete with his already sinister face painted up in the same manner. The OATH World title sat in his lap with the faceplate facing the ring.

CRYBABY: Introducing third, from New Orleans, Louisiana, weighing in at 235lbs., representing The Hell Realm, the OATH Pro Wrestling World Champion, “The Chairman Of Chaos” Locke Helms!

Locke held the title up for Astraoth to take as Locke then stood up and the two men then made their way to the ring. Locke's attention was solely focused on both of his opponents as he slowly, calmly walked down to the ring before entering the ring proper and then slowly removed his top hat that he handed over to Astaroth. The junior member of the Realm handed the World Title to the ref before Locke handed Astaroth his ring coat. He stood in the ring, waiting for the opening bell.

Ding, Ding, Ding!

The chime of the bell finished reverberating in the air. The three competitors stood in their own corners and the referee got the fuck out of the way. Shields had his arms stretched behind him, holding on to the top rope on either side of a top turnbuckle, holding himself back. Helms stood up straight, his eyes slowly shifting from one opponent to the other. Aguero also looked at both of her opponents and decided to be the one to break the ice.

MEARS: Here we go! The first ever triple threat match for the OATH Pro Wrestling World Championship!

PETRIE: Leah is not waiting around for mind games. She is ready to get fuckin’ to it.

The War Queen darted across the ring and assaulted Helms, battering him with a succession of massive shots. Helms shoved her to the canvas but Aguero back tucked up to her feet only to get hit with a running high knee from Shields. Aguero spilled through the ropes and Shields moved to hit Helms with a back elbow but Helms sidestepped him and hit Shields with a drop toe hold that sent him face first into the middle buckle.

The champion attempted to engage Aguero, who was on the apron but Aguero cracked him with a gamengiri. Helms stumbled back to the center of the ring and Aguero hit a springboard, flying to the center. Helms moved and Aguero landed on her feet, rolling forward. Helms spun around and was back up to his feet. Aguero rushed him again but Helms launched her over head! Aguero flew through the air and was able to use it to her benefit as she caught Shields with a high flying missile dropkick that sent him crashing into the corner!

PETRIE: Talk about chicken salad from chicken shit! What a flight from The War Queen.

MEARS: Leah knows that she can’t win this match in the power department. She needs to use her speed and athleticism to survive both of these men.

PETRIE: I’m more worried about them being able to survive HER!

Aguero turned on a dime and darted toward Helms again but he caught her, spun her around in the air and brought her CRASHING down across his knee with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! The War Queen let out in pain as Helms immediately transitioned into a double wrist lock. Helms wrenched back, not looking for a submission but simply trying to wear Aguero down. Shields was back up to his feet and on the move. Helms released his hold on Aguero but he wasn’t fast enough to mount a proper defense and Shields blasted him with a running forearm smash to the face.

Shields peeled Aguero off the mat but she responded with a straight right hand. Shields roared in her face like the great white he had fashioned himself as and clobbered her with a short arm clothesline that turned The War Queen inside out. Shields pivoted and turned to see the champion, staring a hole through him. Shields and Helms locked eyes. Helms said, “You’re going to fail Blanche” and that sent Shields into a rage. Shields charged toward Helms again and Helms tried for a second drop toe hold but Shields jumped off the mat and hit a devastating hook kick to Helms’ face.

MEARS: So a correction from earlier. Blanche is not a pet name that Matt has for the title. He says that she told him to call her that.

PETRIE: Yeah that makes perfect sense.

The Hellhound lifted the champion off of the mat and hurled him into a corner. Shields charged in with a body avalanche and turned his head to see that Leah was back up. Shields shot Helms out of the corner with an Irish whip and Leah met the champion with a dropsault! Helms was caught on the chin and he turned right into a massive running big boot from Shields. Aguero tried to engage Shields now but he assaulted her with a series of body blows and then whipped her into the ropes. On her return Shields sent her up into the air and on her descent he planted her with a neckbreaker! Shields rolled over onto Leah and made the first cover of the contest.

1..

2!

Leah was able to kick out. Shields didn’t seem surprised. Shields sat Leah up and started dropping elbows onto her collarbone. When he was satiated with that onslaught, he started hitting her with vile crossfaces. Helms was up and he backed away, watching Shields beat the piss out of the War Queen. Suddenly it struck Shields that there was another person in this match and he turned his attention to Helms. Helms was just shaking his head saying, “No. No. No. That just won’t do”. Shields was incensed again and he shoved Leah into a prone position on the mat and approached the champion.

MEARS: The champion is doing a lot of talking and it seems to be working.

PETRIE: Yeah because no one ever had a bad time after intentionally pissing Shields off.

MEARS: I think that is what Locke wants.

PETRIE: I mean he is a sly bastard, I’m sure he has a plan.

The champion was no coward, he walked into the middle of the ring to meet Shields. There was some chin wagging between them and then Helms said “Come on!”. Shields seemed like he had been waiting for that invitation for a long time and he smashed Helms with a right hand. Helms responded with a knife edged chop. Shields ate it and then responded with one of his own. Helms hit a second one and this one did a little more damage. Shields scowled and then went to unleash a short arm clothesline but Helms caught his wrist and forced Shields down to the mat in a Fujiwara arm bar!

Terrifying. Probably the most apt description of Locke Helms at this time as he stared dead eyed into the camera lens as he wrenched back on Shields’ arm. Helms arched his back as much as he could as he tried to remove Shields’ arm from the socket. Shields was looking for a way out of this but Helms had the hold expertly applied. Shields’ saving grace came in the form of Aguero as she ran in and nailed Helms with a running knee to the side of the head.

MEARS: You absolutely can not let Locke Helms get a submission hooked in for too long. He is too skilled in that department.

PETRIE: Leah is clearly aware of that. That hold could have ended Shields AND Aguero’s night.

MEARS: Could have. And did not.

Helms was looking up at the lighting rigging from his back as Aguero hefted Shields up and shot him into the ropes. She caught him with a running Yakuza kick that sent Shields through the ropes onto the apron. Aguero took off for the opposing ropes and came back with another running big boot that caught Shields in the face! Shields was sent flying backward off the apron and the back of his head collided with guardrail.

With Shields removed from the equation for the time being, The War Queen turned her attention back to the champion. Locke got up to a knee and Leah saw the opportunity to hit him with her signature axe kick! She took off like a bullet and went to hit Locke with the axe kick but at the last second he popped up and caught her with Diamond Rain (C4)! Both of them came crashing into the canvas and Helms quickly applied a head and arm choke!

MEARS: Another submission from the champion! His plan is clear and he is executing it perfectly!

The War Queen knew that she was in deep trouble. Still reeling from Diamond Raine, Leah started squirming in an effort to get to the ropes. Of course, Helms wouldn’t HAVE to break the hold but maybe she could get enough leverage to wriggle free. Shields stood up on the outside but his rage had seemingly subsided. Now he was just cold and calm. The Hellhound dusted himself off and started to circle the ring, waiting to pick his spot to strike.

Aguero’s plan had worked, she got to the ropes and hooked her legs on the middle cable. Helms was losing his grip and ultimately decided that releasing the hold was the right strategy. Leah got up to her feet and Helms tried to meet her but Leah caught him in a Muay Thai clinch! Aguero proceeded to Go Savage as she started cracking Helms with Muay Thai knee strikes to the chin. Helms ate a couple before he broke free and answered back with some MMA strikes; right and left hands, kicks, and finally a leaping knee strike! Both competitors were dazed and Shields had entered the ring, he pushed off the ropes and blasted both of his opponents with a double clothesline!

PETRIE: The Hellhound just destroyed BOTH of his opponents.

MEARS: You have to. Triple threat matches do not lend themselves to myopic strategies.

PETRIE: It’s been a long night. Don’t use your five dollar words now.

Shields got Aguero up to her feet and then planted her with a pump handle neckbreaker! Shields immediately started scratching and clawing at Leah’s face as she was on the mat -- looking to get some retribution for his own face which she set on fire last month. Aguero rolled out of the ring to safety and Shields turned his attention back to the champion. Helms got to his feet and Shields tried to put him down with a Japanese arm drag but Helms was quickly back up to his feet and he hit Shields with a flying shoulder tackle! Helms quickly grabbed Shields’ left wrist as Shields tried to stand and Helms put him on the canvas with a flying cross armbreaker! Helms wrenched back as hard as he could cinching the hold in as tightly as he could.

Although both men weighed the exact same amount, Shields started to rock his body to either side and he was able to roll over onto Helms into a pin.

1..

2..!

Helms released his grip and was able to scramble up to his feet but Shields levelled him with 40 Legions (Discus Clothesline)! Helms was dropped but Shields quickly gathered him up and put him into position for The Hellhound’s Bite (Gory Neckbreaker) but Locke somehow was able to shift himself around and that caused Shields to roll forward at which point Locke was able to quickly mount Shields with Locke wrapping his right leg around Shields' head while snaking his left arm up and under Shields' right arm from behind. Helms locked in a Mandible Claw submission, but in a way that it kind of also became a choke!

PETRIE: What the fuck is this?

MEARS: Effective is what it is! The Chairman Of Chaos has Shields all tied up with nowhere to go!

For the first time in this match Shields looked like he was in serious trouble -- with fingers in his mouth. Aguero saw that her title opportunity was in jeopardy and she entered the ring. With a barbed wire wrapped 2x4. “Barbie”, to the initiated. Aguero stomped over and brought Barbie down onto Helms’ back! Helms kept the hold locked in so Leah did it again. And again. And AGAIN! Helms finally broke the hold and rolled out of the ring. We could see now that the champion was bleeding from his back. Leah followed Helms out of the ring but he thought that he was safe! He was quite wrong.

Helms turned to face the ring and Leah cracked him in the head with Barbie! Helms fell backward and after another shot from Barbie, the champion was bleeding from his forehead, lying prone on the timekeeper’s table. The fans on Montgomery Beach were actually cheering for Aguero but she didn’t give a fuck. She climbed up onto the barricade, with her back to Helms. Leah loosely cradled Barbie and then threw herself backward with a moonsault! Leah landed with the barbed wire 2x4 between her body and Helms’, driving him through the table!

PETRIE: Holy fuck!

MEARS: Leah Aguero is insane!

“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”

The War Queen stood up and pulled Barbie off of her skin and Locke’s. Locke was fucked up but he was laughing. Leah didn’t care for this so she grabbed the ring bell and brought it down onto his head, seemingly knocking him out! The crowd gasped, that was attempted murder! Leah retrieved Barbie and turned to Shields, who came flying through the ropes with a suicide dive! Leah was slammed into the barricade and Shields immediately threw her into the ring.

MEARS: What a dive from Matt Shields!

PETRIE: Leah was just CRUSHED against that barricade.

Once back into the ring, Shields picked up the barbed wire bat and admired it for a moment. He then looked to bring it down on Aguero but she caught him with a low blow! Shields danced on the spot for a moment and Leah stripped him of Barbie. Leah swung for the fences and caught Shields right in the face with it, dropping him. Shields, knowing that he had to get up right away, got up on all fours but Leah hit him in the back with Barbie. Shields remained on all fours so Leah slid Barbie under Shields’ face and then sent his face into it with an axe kick! The barbed wire was sticking into Shields’ flesh and Leah covered.

1..

2..

..KICKOUT!

MEARS: How on Earth did Matt Shields kick out of that?

PETRIE: He is determined. He failed to win the World Title back in November. He failed to become Number One Contender last month. He refuses to fail again. Holy shit.

The Hellhound just barely kicked out of that one. Leah didn’t have time to get pissed off because the bloodied champion was back in the ring! Groggy as hell and bleeding from the forehead, Helms approached Leah and planted her with a full nelson facebuster! Helms immediately transitioned into the Witching Hour (Bridging Arm Triangle Choke)! Leah was trapped and Helms was wrenching on the move as hard as he could.

MEARS: Witching Hour! Witching Hour! Witching Hour!

PETRIE: Helms is going to do it! He’s going to retain the title!

MEARS: The Witching Hour is perhaps the deadliest submission in OATH and Leah is trapped in it!

The fans on Montgomery Beach definitely thought that they were about to see the end but Shields was up and he was armed with Barbie! Shields brought the barbed wire 2x4 onto Helms’ stomach, cutting him up some more. Shields peeled Helms off of the mat and whipped him hard into a corner. Shields followed that up with a running clothesline. Helms staggered out of the corner, a bloody mess. Shields caught him and dropped him with Majo No Toki (Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker)! Shields covered.

1..

2..

..KICKOUT!

Shields started pulling at his hair, not believing that Helms kicked out. Shields pulled himself up using the ropes just as Aguero charged in and nailed Helms in the side of the head with The Endgame (Punt Kick)! Helms got drilled, sending a fine must of blood into the air. Helms’ momentum took him through the ropes to the floor.

MEARS: Endgame! Leah hit Locke with The Endgame!

The Hellhound saw what Leah did and was shocked when she came charging at him. Shields sidestepped her and picked up Barbie in transition. Aguero jumped up to the middle rope but Shields smashed her in the back with Barbie! Aguero held on to the top rope but Shields grabbed her in a Gory set up and then dropped her with The Hellhound’s Bite (Gory Neckbreaker)! Leah was laid out and Shields rolled over into a cover.

1..

2..

..3!

Ding, Ding, Ding!

CRYBABY: Here is your winner and NEW OATH Pro Wrestling World Champion, “The Hellhound” Matt Shields!

“Faith” by Ghost kicked up. The referee retrieved the OATH World Championship and the audience just watched in stunned silence. Shields sat up, his face a crimson mask. The referee approached him and Shields yanked the title out of his hands! Shields cradled the title and held it close. We could hear him whispering “I love you. I love you. I love you.” and the fans were more than a little creeped out.

Shields began rolling around on the mat with the title saying, “I love you.” over and over. He finally stopped after an extended period of time and sat up, cradling the belt.

SHIELDS: Blanche, come on, talk to me.

Obviously nothing happened.

SHIELDS: I did all of this for you...for us. Why won’t you talk to me?

Silence, still.

SHIELDS: WHY WON’T YOU TALK TO ME?

The new champion was beside himself but that whole scene came to an end when the blood soaked (now) former champion entered through the ropes. Helms hit a stiff boot to the back of Shields’ head and then hauled him up for a Downfall (Hammerlock DDT). Shields was dropped head first into the canvas, leaving a bloody stain. But Helms wasn’t finished. The former champion hauled Shields up THREE MORE TIMES and each time he dropped Shields with another Downfall for a total of four.

PETRIE: Locke Helms doesn’t even seem mad?

MEARS: I do not understand it but the fact of the matter is that Matt Shields has climbed to the mountain top. He has rescued Blanche. But what does that mean for the future of the company?

PETRIE: I legitimately do not know.

Helms was finished, he simply left the ring, accepting the boos and jeers with a sly smile on his face, curtained by the blood that was running down his face. The fans that had travelled to Isla Desconocida got what they came for but this issue was clearly not through.

---

Results:

• James Edwards def. Robb Daniels • SKTLS def. Sweet Treats; New Tag Team Champions • Matt Shields def. Leah Aguero, Locke Helms ; New World Champion