CONVICTION: NIGHTFALL
- OATH Pro Wrestling
- Dec 24, 2020
- 69 min read
Episode XLIII Sunday December 20th, 2020 The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario
“Desperate Pleasures” by Every Time I Die was the special theme song picked for the LAST SHOW OF THE YEAR. The song kicked up and the opening hype video for Conviction: Nightfall rolled on screen. Various action shots featuring an assortment of OATH talent played one after another, all tinged with a desaturated, black and gray hue. The final five shots showed us the champions of OATH; El Diablo Blanco, James Edwards, FM Young, Minoru Tanahashi and Super Tiger, finally Reo Ojima.
The lights surveyed the arena and we saw the two rings set up for later in the evening with the double sized cage hanging from the rafters. At the announce table the sharply dressed voice of OATH Matt Mears sat next to a man who has always lived paycheque to paycheque “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie. The crowd was losing their minds for the stacked as fuck card that we had ready for the evening.
MEARS: Welcome wrestling fans to OATH Pro Wrestling Conviction: Nightfall. I am Matthew Mears alongside Mr. No Good Days, “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie. How are you feeling about Nightfall Bad Mood?
PETRIE: I’m fucking ready. Last show of the year and then we can kiss 2020 goodbye. We have had a shit mess of amazing events this year but outside the world of wrestling 2020 has been an absolute burning trash heap.
MEARS: That it has but tonight we hope to end your year on a high note with eight incredible matches. Four of them being for championships! The Tabula Rasa Championship will be decided when “The Eternal” Jonathan Cage looks to dethrone “The Burning Heart” James Edwards.
PETRIE: Edwards regained his confidence when he won the TR Title and he has been dominant as of late but he’s never had to face a violent veteran like Jonathan Cage. Cage is in Edwards’ head and that’s bad news for Eddy. Someone who might be in for bad news if they don’t get their shit together is Janica Jayden. Tonight she’ll team with “La Capa” Viola Mancini to try and win back the Tag Team Titles from the...ugh…
MEARS: Say it.
PETRIE: ...from the Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron. Fuck I hate that name. Anyway, Jayden could be in big trouble if she and Viola can win those titles back.
MEARS: Given recent events, I think you are right. A match that will happen later that isn’t about who is right or wrong is the special War Queen Rules Match. It’ll be a family affair as cousins Leah Aguero and Stephanie Matsuda finally do battle.
PETRIE: Last time those two had a singles match was at Rapture back in July and we didn’t get a winner. I have a feeling that we’ll get one tonight. I’m interested to see who is going to win the Intrepid Championship Match. “The Tiger” FM Young has been a quiet, dominant champion. The challenger Josie Wales has failed in two previous attempts to win the strap. That match is going to be must see.
MEARS: I wholeheartedly agree. The Intrepid Title Rules will make that contest vastly different from the other matches on the card. But perhaps the most unique contest that we’re going to see tonight is two teams of four do battle in WAR GAMES!
PETRIE: You have wanted to shout that for a very long time, haven’t you?
MEARS: I have. The issues between The Hell Realm and The Sharpe Clan will finally be settled inside OATH’s first ever War Games match! I have no idea what to expect Bad Mood.
PETRIE: Violence and lots of it. But it War Games doesn’t quench your bloodthirst then do not fear because right after that we are going to see another first for OATH. Erik Holland has decided to retire but not before he tries to grab the spotlight one more time as he faces “The Hellhound” Matt Shields in a Barbed Wire Massacre. Their Deathmatch at Event Horizon II was an absolute bloodbath so just imagine what this is going to look like.
MEARS: I can’t even begin to imagine what those two will do to each other. It’s hard to predict, much like our main event. The OATH Livewire Champion El Diablo Blanco made the challenge to OATH World Champion Reo Ojima for a champion vs champion match. Ojima accepted and also opted to put the World Title on the line. Which show is better? Livewire or Conviction? Can El Diablo Blanco win the biggest match of his career?
PETRIE: No. He can’t. Reo Ojima is one of the most dominant World Champions we have ever seen. He has been champion for over one hundred and sixty days. El D needs to know his place and Ojima is gonna show him to it.
MEARS: But maybe, just maybe Christmas will come early for The Backyard Phenom. That is all still to come but now we are going to get Nightfall started with our first contest! A unique tag team Fans Bring The Weapons Match between The Daughters of Darkness and Sweet Treats. Wrestling fans, let us begin!
TAG TEAM MATCH Daughters Of Darkness vs. Sweet Treats
CRYBABY: The following is our opening contest scheduled for one fall and it is a tornado tag team Fans Bring The Weapons Match! Introducing first the team of Lana Corvin and Jamie Emmerson, The Daughters of Darkness.
Lana Corvin and Jamie Emmerson were already in the ring as the fans in The Citadel booed the shit out of them. Toronto had no time for the witches and their bullshit. They clearly had no problem letting the coven know that.
CRYBABY: Introducing second, the team of Alex Andrews and Kallie Reznik, The Sweet Treats!
"Hypa Hypa" by Eskimo Callboy blared over the PA system and out walked Alex Andrews and Kallie Reznik. They didn’t bother rocking to the music like their usual fare, instead they walked out all business, dressed in street clothes, jeans and sleeveless Sweet Treat shirts. They fist bumped each other, giving each other a knowing nod and head towards the ring.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
As soon as Kallie and Alex were in the ring they both popped Jamie and Lana with Double Elysiums (Running Bicycle Kicks) that floored the DoD. With a nod, both Kallie and Alex exited the ring and went over the fans now with nothing to fear.
MEARS: It was a few weeks ago that the head of the crazed Sweet Treats fanatics -- the Sweet Boys -- was arrested. Without having to worry about Kevin, Sweet Treats can engage the fans again!
Kallie approached a fan who presented her with a large metal candy can the size of a real cane! Kallie thanked the fan and then slid the weapon into the ring. Alex approached another fan and they handed her a bin of Legos!
Before Alex could get the Legos in the ring Jamie Emmerson came flying through the ropes with a suicide dive onto Alex that took her down. Jamie popped up and someone in the crowd handed her a large rectangular object wrapped in holiday wrapping paper!
PETRIE: Hey I want a gift! Give it here Emmerson.
MEARS: Looks like it’s hers.
PETRIE: Witches don’t get Christmas presents! It’s against their religion or whatever.
Jamie tore open the wrapping to reveal a giant framed picture of Minoru Tanahashi! Jamie was irate and probably became moreso when Alex stripped her of the picture and then bashed it over her head! Jamie staggered on the spot and then Alex dropped her with Alex Crusher (Ace Cutter).
Lana Corvin had slipped out of the ring and she had stolen Kallie’s giant metal candy can! Corvin swung on Kallie but Kallie beat her to the punch and blasted her with Elysium (Running Bicycle Kick)! Corvin dropped and Kallie retrieved the candy cane.
MEARS: That candy cane looks to be metal -- that is going to do some damage.
PETRIE: Our fans are fucking insane.
Alex slipped Jamie into the ring and placed the Lego bucket into the ring aswell. Kallie went about retrieving more weapons and one fan handed her an ONI mask. Kallie gave the fan a “Really” expression but then shrugged and entered the ring with the mask.
In the ring Alex had Jamie locked in a Texas cloverleaf as Kallie entered the ring. Kallie put on the ONI mask and then hit Jamie with a falling headbutt to the back. Kallie tore off the mask and tossed it into the crowd and then started smashing Jamie in the back with the metal candy cane!
MEARS: Merry Christmas Jamie Emmerson!
Lana slipped into the ring to help her “little sister” and Alex broke the hold upon seeing her. Kallie surprised Lana with a poisonrana and sent her right back into a backdrop driver from Alex! Lana was effectively out of this match as Kallie grabbed the bin of Lego.
PETRIE: NO! NOT THE LEGO!
The Citadel exploded as Kallie poured out the Lego all over the mat in front of a corner where Alex had sat Jamie on the top rope. The fans watched as Alex took Jamie up to the top rope and hit her with a superplex onto the Lego as Kallie came off another turnbuckle with a shooting star press -- Sugar Rush! Jamie landed hard onto the bed of Lego and both members of Sweet Treats covered her.
1..
2..
..3!
Ding, Ding, Ding!
CRYBABY: Here are your winners, Alex Andrews and Kallie Reznik, -- The Sweet Treats!
"Hypa Hypa" by Eskimo Callboy cued up and Sweet Treats shared the biggest hug ever! After weeks of harassment they had banished the evil Daughters of Darkness and word has it that both Corvin and Emmerson died on the way back to their home planet. The End.
The sound of punches being thrown was heard outside a locker room. The door was opened slightly and it showed Jonathan Cage hitting a heavy bag. He struck the bag with repeated punches, kicks, and knees. After a few more shots, he stopped and sat down on a bench.
He noticed the camera and motioned for it to come inside. The camera fixed its view on the seated Cage.
CAGE: James, you are an honorable champion. The world already knows that fact. You’ve gone on record and promised Johnny Draco his match for the title. Which tells everybody that you’re overlooking me. In your mind, you already have me beaten and are planning your next defense.
A beat.
CAGE: I’ve been in this business long enough to recognize what you’ve done. And I would ask Lana Corvin’s father what happens when you overlook me. You’re setting yourself up for failure, James. Which is not a smart move for someone in the position you’re in. You are the champion, you’ve chosen the match and yet you haven’t taken account of the challenger.
Another beat.
CAGE: And it’s that mistake which is going to get you hurt. I’m well versed in submission wrestling and I know how to make a guy tap like a little bitch. And James, I’m going to make you tap out and take your title. You won’t be planning title defenses for after the current one. I will beat respect into you and make you scream like a little girl. I hope you’re ready to part with that title because it comes home to Daddy tonight.
Cage stood up and motioned for the camera to leave which it obliged.
"The Burning Heart" James Edwards walked in the parking lot, a grim look etched on his face.
EDWARDS: You could have had an invitation to a fight that might've changed your life, Cage. It would have been something that I think would have been good for both of us. We could have learned something from each other, we could have made each other better, but you wouldn't let that happen.
He let out a breath, the cold Canadian air enhancing the illusion that the Tabula Rasa Champion is a dragon breathing smoke.
EDWARDS: You committed sins against the ring. Cage, you touched a title you didn't earn and ruined a moment of mutual respect. You tried to attack a non-combat talent who was in no position to defend herself. Hell, you tried to take out my knee to get an advantage. These sins are unforgivable. That's why you don't get the invitation to a fight or a battle of creativity. Tonight you're getting a battle to the death.
He quit walking and rummaged in his pocket.
EDWARDS: I love this sport. The ring is my temple. It teaches me and makes me a better man. I can't allow a man to soil it, including myself. Cage, I've denied myself for the last month. I've craved violence against you. I've been tempted to defile my temple, but I can't, I haven't, and I won't.
He pulled his trusty tire iron from his pocket and spread his arms wide.
EDWARDS: You'll pay for your sins against me and this sport tonight here in the parking lot. I will beat you and leave you layin' on your back, and when the fight's over, you're gonna lay, see The Citadel and know that your actions have no place in it.
OATH TABULA RASA CHAMPIONSHIP
SUBMISSIONS COUNT ANYWHERE Jonathan Cage vs. James Edwards ©
CRYBABY: The following is a Submissions Count Anywhere Match for the OATH Pro Wrestling Tabula Rasa Championship. Introducing first the challenger from Detroit, Michigan, weighing in at 235lbs., “The Eternal” Jonathan Cage.
“Forget To Remember” by Mudvayne played in the parking lot of The Citadel. Snow lightly fell on the pavement as Jonathan Cage walked onto the scene with a referee. Cage was dressed for the weather but also dressed to fight. Smart.
CRYBABY: Introducing second, from Lexington, Kentucky, weighing in at 208lbs., he is the OATH Pro Wrestling Tabula Rasa Champion, “The Burning Heart” James Edwards!
“My Name Is Human” by Highly Suspect played over the parking lot p.a. James Edwards walked into frame with the TR Title over his shoulder. Edwards handed off the TR Title and was blindsided by Cage with a Shadow Kick (Superkick).
Ding, Ding, Ding!
Cage grabbed Edwards by the head and sent him face first into a lamp post. Cage took Edwards over with a hip toss and then hit him with a running soccer kick to the spine! Edwards screamed in agony but Cage shut him up by applying a reverse chin lock, driving his knee into Edwards’ spine.
Edwards fought off the ground and hit Cage with an elbow to the midsection that broke Cage’s grip. Edwards surprised Cage with an uppercut and then cracked him in the side of the head with a rebound wheel kick that sent Cage reeling sideways into a chain link fence.
MEARS: These men need to be careful now. Only a few minutes into this match and we see them out by those transformer boxes!
PETRIE: That area is surrounded by a fence. It should be fine.
MEARS: It should be.
The Burning Heart pressed Cage’s face into the chain link but Cage caught Edwards with a kick to that injured left knee. Cage then launched a leaping knee that caught Edwards on the chin and then Cage took Edwards down to the ground with a leg scissors.
MEARS: The technical prowess of Jonathan is on display here. He is a veteran, he has mastered many styles.
PETRIE: He can outwrestle Edwards. Edwards is more of a striker and Cage will have a counter to any strike that Eddy can come up with. Count on it.
MEARS: We will see.
The Eternal showed off his mat wrestling acumen (on concrete) as he rolled over Edwards’ back and started to apply a heel hook. Edwards reached forward and grabbed the chain link fence and was able to pull himself up to his feet but Cage took him down again with a chop block to his left knee.
Cage started stomping relentlessly on Edwards’ left knee and then he drove it into the asphalt. Edwars let out in pain and that prompted Cage to smash his knee into the asphalt again! Cage then wrapped Edwards’ leg up and applied a spinning toe hold!
MEARS: James is in trouble! Jonathan is going to work on that injured leg.
PETRIE: Cage targetted that leg a few weeks ago and it will pay dividends in this match. Cage is playin’ chess while Eddy is playin’ checkers.
The champion had earned himself a reprieve with that leaping knee strike and he pushed himself off the ground to engage Cage again. Edwards went for a running punt to the side of Cage’s head but Cage evaded it and then took Edwards down with yet another chop block. Cage quickly transitioned into a single leg Boston crab and Edwards was in trouble again.
PETRIE: Cage came in with a plan and he is executing it perfectly!
Cage wrenched back with all of his might but Edwards was able to slip through onto his back. Edwards kicked Cage back into the chain link and then caught him with Triple Play (Two Spinning Back Fist followed by a Spinning Back Elbow)! Cage was sent back into the chainlink again but he responded with a Shadow Kick (Superkick) and both men were down again.
MEARS: Both men are down in the snow here in Toronto! Who is going to walk out with the OATH Tabula Rasa Championship tonight and into 2021?
PETRIE: Hopefully they both make it to next year.
MEARS: Yes of course.
Edwards was back to his feet first and he tried to throw another kick at Cage but Cage brought him up for a powerbomb! Cage was gonna plant Edwards on the concrete with a powerbomb but Edwars was able to transition into Ancient Fire (Triangle Choke). Cage wanted to powerbomb Edwards still but his legs gave out. Cage was brought down to the ground and he had no choice but to submit.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
CRYBABY: Here is your winner and STILL OATH Pro Wrestling Tabula Rasa Champion, “The Burning Heart” James Edwards!
“My Name Is Human” by Highly Suspect cued up again and Edwards released his choke. It took a moment but the champion got to his feet and was handed his championship back. Edwards gave a sort of half bow in Cage’s direction before we cut.
MINORU: I know, and I agree with you.
In the hallways of The Citadel, Minoru Tanahashi walked with Volta the Capybara, him in a simple long black coat, Volta in a black cape. They strolled along, Minoru sipping some water. Volta looked up at him and honked.
MINORU: Of course she’s good to go tonight. I know we both had tough matches recently, tough losses, but this is Super Tiger we’re talking about.
Minoru and Volta continued walking along, stopping as they reached the locker room assigned to the Tag Team Champions.
MINORU: Yes I made sure she had the special gear for tonight. That’s the whole reason I got dressed in a broom closet. I’m just glad your mom dressed your furry little butt before sending you to me.
Volta honked again and wiggled a bit.
MINORU: Yea I know that things have been a little bit strange since she joined with… Look, I’m sure she has her reasons and the miserable old fuck hasn’t sent her our way, so if that’s what she needs to do, that’s what she needs to do.
Minoru knocked on the door, waited for about ten seconds, and then cracked it open.
MINORU: RISA? Are you dressed yet?
SUPER TIGER: Uhm… mostly. I’m really not sure about the cape and helmet though.
MINORU: Oh come on, we’re supposed to be superheroes. If we didn’t have capes we would just look silly.
SUPER TIGER: So the sparkly outfits with matching designs and these plastic helmets would look silly if we didn’t have the capes?
MINORU: Exactly. Besides, the capes were totally Volta’s idea.
Volta honked and then burst in through the door.
MINORU: Volta, wait a second, we don’t want the camera seeing the new gear until we’re ready. Risa, put on the special jacket.
SUPER TIGER: I really don’t think it will matter if people see the gear now or when we come out, but fine.
Minoru heads in with the camera right behind him Risa came out in a long black jacket much like Minoru was wearing a pink and gold match with the normal S in the center and KTLS right under it.
MINORU: It’s a big show, we gotta have a special look. Plus, Tag Team Title defense. Get in their heads a little bit.
SUPER TIGER: I’m more worried about what schemes they’re gonna try to get these titles back. They used a fake me last time, and she has those two goons at her disposal. She could have all kinds of tricks up her sleeve tonight.
MINORU: She could, and probably will, but we have beaten them before. We know that we are the better team, and we are certainly the more cohesive unit. Viola treats Janica like a lowly sidekick, not a tag team partner. That will be their downfall. If the plan works, Viola is gonna get so pissed off at Janica that all the screaming and yelling she does may finally set Janica off so bad that she walks out on her. If we get really lucky, she’ll hit her first.
SUPER TIGER: Maybe, but I don’t want that to be our go-to.
MINORU: I know. The go-to is to just straight up out wrestle them, and hope that we see their dirty tricks coming in enough time to stop them. Obviously, neither of us really planned on this being our path when we signed our contracts here, but we have done damn good as a team. Our only loss was complete bullshit, and we rectified that. So tonight we legitimize ourselves as the Oath Tag Team Champions, beat the previous champions once more, and then we focus on the next contenders.
Super Tiger looked at Minoru, nodded and then puts her fist in. Minoru raised his fist up, and then Volta completed the triangle.
MINORU & SUPER TIGER: GO GO SUPER KAWAII THUNDER LIGER SQUADRON!
VOLTA: HAAAARRRRRUUUUNNKK!
All three then raised their hands high and turned to the camera to do a team pose.
OATH TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
TAG TEAM MATCH Mancini Syndicate vs. Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron ©
CRYBABY: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is for the OATH Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship! Introducing first, the challengers, the team of Viola Mancini and Janica Jayden, The Mancini Syndicate!
“Fast Life" by Kool G Rap & Nas kicked up and the former Tag Team Champions did not receive a warm welcome. “La Capa” Viola Mancini was out first and she walked several paces ahead of her partner Janica Jayden. Viola reached the bottom of the ramp and let Janica enter the ring ahead of her. Janica sighed, knowing that she had to hold the ropes open for her boss. Viola entered the ring and went out of her way to not look at Janica.
CRYBABY: Introducing second, being accompanied to the ring by Volta, they are the OATH Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions, Minoru Tanahashi and Super Tiger, The 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 with the animated adventures of SKTLS as The Black Lion Warrior in full armor, hit a discus lariat on a monster. The Pink Tiger Warrior leapt high into the air and dove down with a dropkick that sent an enemy flying through a nearby wall. The Blue Kawaii Capybara started powering up, and then charged an enemy, sending them flying across the park. A loud metal bang was heard and they turned to see a massive monster towering over the city. They turned to each other, nodded, and then Minoru and Super Tiger put their fist together, Volta stepped between them, and they brought their feet together.
MINORU & TIGER: KAWAII THUNDER LIGER BATTLE BOT GOOOOO!
VOLTA: HAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUNNNNKK!
There was a sudden burst of lightning on the screen and in the arena as Bradio's "Flyers" started to play throughout The Citadel, the lights dimmed as the arena filled with fog. As it slowly dissipated, we saw a large golden robot with the face of a Capybara, the right arm has a large roaring lion mouth as the fist, the left side has the roaring mouth of a tiger. On the right shoulder stood Minoru Tanahashi in his SKTLS battle armor tights, black with large gold diamonds on each leg and five gold lines intersecting with the diamond. His ring jacket is sleeveless with a similar design on a large cape fluttering over his left shoulder with the Gold Lion insignia. He took off his battle helmet to show a black and gold lion mask.
On the right shoulder, Super Tiger stood, her gear shared the gold diamonds and lines on both her usual shorts and on her knee and kickpads, the diamonds on her knee pads, the lines starting at the top and descending all the way down her kick pads. Her top shared the diamond in the middle design, but the lines were horizontal now. She removed her battle helmet to show off her pink and gold mask, then pushed back her own cape with the golden tiger insignia shining off the pink cloth.
On the ramp in front of the bot sat Volta with a special blue and gold outfit, the design the same as his comrades including a cape with his Kawaii Capybara insignia. His battle helmet sat in front of him as he wore a blue and gold Military style General hat. Minoru and Super Tiger descended down from the battle bot, then started marching towards the ring, focused and intent on retaining their title.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
The bell sounded and it would be Minoru Tanahashi starting the match off against Janica Jayden. The two locked up but Jaydne forced Tanahashi into a head lock and punched him in the face several times before he shoved her off into the ropes. On her return Tanahashi dropped to his stomach and she hopped over him. Tanahashi was up quick and he hit the ropes where Super Tiger made a blind tag. Tanahashi ducked under a clothesline attempt from Janica and then hit a dropkick to the back of her neck as Super Tiger flew into the ring with a springboard missile dropkick to Janica’s chest.
MEARS: In the short time that they have been teaming together SKTLS have become incredibly cohesive. They know what they are doing as a unit.
PETRIE: Do you think that they’ll keep teaming together after Viola beats them?
MEARS: That is a foregone conclusion?
PETRIE: You know that Viola has a plan. She always does!
Tiger got Janica up to her feet and shot her into the ropes but Janica came back with a knee to Super Tiger’s midsection. Janica went for a gut buster but Tiger reversed it into a hurricanranna that sent Janica toward her own corner. Viola made the blind tag.
Super Tiger flew at Janica but Janica was able to hit her with a uranage that spiked Tiger into the canvas. Tiger got up to a knee but the Syndicate blasted Tiger with a double superkick. Viola hefted Tiger up and then put her back on the canvas with a pendulum backbreaker and reverse DDT combo! Viola made the first cover of the contest.
1..
2..
Viola was beyond irritated when Super Tiger kicked out of the pin. Viola went to bring Super Tiger off the mat but she ate a toe kick to the midsection. Super Tiger then grabbed Viola’s head, pushed off the top rope and drilled her into the canvas with a tornado ddt! Tiger went to make the tag to Minoru but Janica was in the ring illegally!
MEARS: Janica is doing whatever it takes to get an advantage in this match.
PETRIE: If Mancini Syndicate lose tonight then they don’t get another shot at the Tag Team Titles while SKTLS hold the gold. Viola has to win!
MEARS: It’s all or nothing.
Janica had taken hold of Tiger’s left boot but Tiger made the tag anyway! Tiger hopped on one foot and then blasted Janica in the side of the head with an enziguri that sent Janica through the ropes to the outside. Tanahashi hit Viola with a flying knee and Viola too fell through the ropes and landed hard on the outside beside Janica.
A quick nod between Minoru and Tiger was all it took for both of them to take off toward the opposing ropes. They dashed back across the ring and flew to the outside with Daburu Aete Daibingu (Stereo Tope Suicida) taking both Viola and Janica down to a massive pop from the audience. Tanahashi rolled Viola into the ring and went about finishing this match.
In the ring Tanahashi went to take hold of La Capa but she raked his eyes and planted him face first into the canvas with an STO. Viola moved toward her corner to tag out but Janica wasn’t back up on the apron yet! Viola started screaming for her partner and finally Janica was able to gut it out and get up on the apron to make the tag.
MEARS: Janica barely getting onto the apron in time.
PETRIE: She needs to quit fucking up! Viola will have her whacked?
MEARS: You believe that she’ll have Janica murdered if they lose this match?
PETRIE: Yes I do.
Janica vaulted into the ring and immediately started stomping on Tanahashi like her life depended on it. Janica whiopped Tanahashi into the Syndicate corner and followed that up with a running Yakuza kick! Janica kept Tanahashi in the corner as Mancini charge in and blasted Tanahashi with a running clothesline, which she transitioned into a running bulldog. Viola rolled out of the ring and Janica made a cover.
1..
2..!
The Black Lion kicked out just after two and viola screamed at Janica to press the advantage. This seemed to inspire Janica as she brought Tanahashi up to his feet and set him up for the White Russian Legsweep but Tanahashi hooked his arm around her waist and then floored her with Kabukicho Nights (Discus Lariat)!
Tanahashi knew that he didn’t have what he needed to successfully pin Janica so he made the tag to Super Tiger. Viola was shouting instructions at Janica but she was still reeling from the lariat. Tiger vaulted into the ring and hit Janica with a sliding dropkick to the face. Tiger stood Janica up and Minoru hit Janica with a forearm which Tiger followed up with an enziguiri that sent Janica right into a huge German suplex. Janica landed high on her neck and rolled right up to her knees where Tiger smashed her with a shining wizard. Tiger covered.
MEARS: Good Lord what a combination from SKTLS!
PETRIE: Janica just got the piss beaten out of her!
1..
2…
..!
Viola entered the ring to break up the pinfall at the last second and boy was she pissed. She went to take Tanahashi by the hair but he sent her into the middle rope with a drop toe hold. Viola was staring out into the crowd as Tanahashi screamed “Squaron Special Maneuver Alpha!” and Super Tiger smashed Viola in the face with a tiger feint kick. Viola was propelled right back into a dragon suplex from Minoru! Viola hit the mat with such force that she had to powder out of the ring.
The Black Lion exited the ring only for Super Tiger to grab Janica by the back of the head and tag Minoru back in. Tiger hit Janica with a boot to the midsection and Tanahashi hefted Janica up for a powerbomb. Tiger climbed to the top rope and shouted “Squadron Maneuver Number Seven!” and then came at Janica with a meteora as Tanahashi dropped her with a powerbomb. Tiger rolled out onto the apron so Tanahashi could make the cover.
MEARS: It could be all over for Janica Jayden and Viola Mancini!
1..
2..
..!
PETRIE: Janica is alive...for now.
Viola Mancini was in the ring again to break up the fall with a stiff kick. She went to hit the ropes to do further damage but Tiger caught her with a gamengiri from the apron. Tanahashi tagged Tiger back in and Tiger hit Viola with a springboard double knee drop to the back of the neck that spiked Viola’s face into the canvas. Tiger popped up to her feet and set Janica up for a tiger suplex as Tanahashi charged in to hit his Akihabara Dreams (Yakuza Kick) to complete their ThunderLigerPlex double team! Tiger bridge into a pin off the suplex.
1..
2..
..3!
Ding, Ding, Ding!
CRYBABY: Here are your winners and still OATH Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions, Minoru Tanahashi and Super Tiger, the Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron!
“Flyers” by Bradio started playing as the referee collected the Tag Team Titles. He presented the championships to both Tanahashi and Super Tiger as a crew member placed Volta into the ring along with a black garbage bag. Minoru and Tiger got their hands raised while they held their titles high. Minoru reached into the garbage bag and tossed some SKTLS t-shirts into the crowd in celebration.
MEARS: SKTLS are still the Tag Team Champions and The Syndicate can not challenge for the Tag Team Titles any longer.
PETRIE: It was nice knowing Janica Jayden. She was a nice girl.
There was no celebration on the outside of the ring as Viola Mancini stood over a seated and miserable Janica Jayden. Viola started berating Janica and the fans booed her heavily for this. Janica looked like she was going to pop Viola, she had both of her fists balled up.
VIOLA: What the fuck do I even pay you for?
Janica looked ready to explode. Viola then ordered her to walk up the ramp. Janica hesitated but she ultimately decided that doing what she was told was the best option. Janica started up the ramp when Viola blasted her from behind with an elbow to the back of the head. Viola planted Janica face first into the mat with Lupara Bianca (Standing Flatliner). Viola sat up and bathed in the boos from the fans before we cut.
The camera slowly opened to Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda leaning against the corridor wall with her arms folded over her chest. Her eyes were closed as if she was deep in thought.
MATSUDA: I keep thinking to myself “where did it all go wrong?” Where did we go wrong, cuz? Last year, you and I were like this...
The camera zoomed in on Stephanie’s hand as she crossed her fingers. She opened her eyes and continued to speak.
MATSUDA: You and I used to see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues, Leah. We both wanted to get by on skill, not brutality, unless there was no other option. But you took a turn for the worse. If you were doing this solo, then maybe, just maybe I can understand where you're coming from. Unfortunately, like Young, you're letting a whole dude cloud your thoughts. I didn't take you for a follower, sweets. Then again, I wanted to mind my business. Everyone from my wife to my own mother said let it be, let you do you. But, I couldn't, cuz. I didn't want you to do anything you were going to regret. But now? After costing me the Intrepid title, a third title reign in OATH? All bets are off sweets. This isn't just about payback, love. It's showing ONI what happens when you fuck with my career. Unlike you, Reo, and Young, I don't fear obscurity. I've done so much in this industry that it'll be impossible to forget me. I'm a triple world champion who co-owns the biggest joshi promotion in the world. I've walked the walk, and kicked the ass of those who thought they could talk that talk. You call yourself a War Queen. Heh...you never fought the wars I've had, sweets. I've brought down entire legacies, buried people's careers, stole their very livelihoods from their fingertips! Heh, that's why I know where the boundaries are, sweets. Because I personally crossed them. Repeatedly.
Stephanie sighs and shakes her head.
MATSUDA: But you want to be a special little snowflake? Fine Elsa, I'll let it go. In fact...you're now officially the only War Queen of OATH. Hell, you're the only War Queen in this industry, sweets. I'm beyond the battlefield. I'm something you'll never aspire to become. From here on out, I'm…
The camera focuses on Stephanie as she turns around where the back of her sleeveless jacket shows a logo that says "Queen of Fighters".
MATSUDA: Tonight, the world won't see a mirror match. Instead, they'll know, understand, and believe how clear the divide really is. And just like how me, Wales, and Diablo stomped out your team, I'll give you a cold reminder of how numbered your days are. When you're on your back staring up at the better relative, you'll think to yourself 'Cloud Rules Everything Around Me'.
The camera followed Stephanie as she walked away, putting on her hat and bandana over her face.
MATSUDA: C.R.E.A.M., bitch.
WAR QUEEN RULES MATCH Leah Aguero vs. Stephanie Matsuda
CRYBABY: The following contest will take place under War Queen Rules. No disqualification, no count outs, falls count anywhere! Introducing first from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 132lbs., representing ONI, “The War Queen” Leah Aguero!
The ONI logo flashed on the tron briefly, disappeared, and then returned as "Killing In The Name Of" by Rage Against The Machine cued up. “The War Queen” Leah Aguero walked down the ramp and entered the ring, paying no mind to the fans or anyone really. She was clearly in the zone.
CRYBABY: Introducing second from Brooklyn, New York, weighing in at 132lbs., she is “The Queen of Fighters”, Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda!
A big pop for Cloud as "Oh La La" by Run the Jewels started playing in The Citadel. Matsuda was amped the fuck up asshe ran out onto the stage and played to the crowd. Aguero just watched from the ring, unflinching. Matsuda shuffled to the ring, slapping hands with the fans. The Queen of Fighters slipped into the ring. She went to approach Aguero, to try and get in her face, but the referee got in between them.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
The Inevitable stood across the ring from one another and it was time to see which of them is the better competitor. Matsuda couldn’t hide her emotions, she was clearly fired up but conversely Aguero looked entirely unfazed. The two came to the middle of the ring quite amicably and locked up but Aguero took Matsuda down to the mat with a headlock takeover.
Aguero kept Matsuda on the mat and started grinding her knuckles into the bridge of Matsuda’s nose. Cloud was able to fight up to her feet and she took The War Queen down with a snap arm drag. They both popped back up and Matsuda took Aguero down with another arm drag. Aguero slipped out of the ring after this one to put some distance between herself and Matsuda. Cloud had other plans as she darted and flew through the ropes to the outside with a suicide dive.
MEARS: The issues between The Inevitable have been going on for some time now. We saw cracks start to form back in July but when Leah joined ONI in October the cracks became a gorge.
PETRIE: Tonight we’re gonna settle it. Who is the better member of The Inevitable and why is it Leah Aguero?
MEARS: Way to remain unbiased.
PETRIE: ONI is eternal.
The referee followed them as they took their fight to the ramp with Matsuda having the firm upper hand. In a desperate move Aguero raked the eyes of her cousin and then slipped behind Matsuda and slammed her into the ramp with a snap German suplex. Matsuda writhed on the ramp in pain and Aguero smiled.
The War Queen stood Matsuda up and delivered a few quick jabs to her midsection. Aguero went about tossing Matsuda off the ramp onto the concrete floor to the right of the stage. Aguero moved in on Matsuda but with a deliberately slow pace. Aguero was enjoying this and she wanted it to last.
A sharp elbow to the back of the head from Aguero to Matsuda and then Aguero led Matsuda into the backstage area. Aguero whipped Matsuda into a wall and then went for a big boot but Matsuda darted out of the way just in time and Aguero sent her own foot right into the concrete wall. Aguero turned around right into a hip toss from Matsuda onto the unforgiving floor. Aguero scrambled back to her feet but Matsuda hit her with an STO that sent the back of her head right into a road case.
MEARS: Good Lord did you see the angle of Leah’s neck there? That may have knocked her out cold.
PETRIE: I doubt it. This match is her namesake. She is the one and only War Queen in OATH Pro Wrestling. She’s got a lot left in the tank.
Matsuda pounced on Aguero and laid into her with some heavy strikes. Aguero was able to buck Matsuda off and then clobbered her with that big boot. Matsuda took it on the chin and Aguero grabbed her by the wrist and whipped her into the steel loading bay door. Matsuda dropped and Aguero positioned her under the door! Aguero released the chain and the loading bay door came crashing down onto Matsuda’s sternum.
The Queen of Fighters was pretty messed up. The assault on her midsection had her fighting for every breath. The referee rolled the door up and Matsuda rolled off the loading dock and was now in the parking lot. Matsuda fought up to her feet just in time to see Aguero come off the loading dock with a moonsault! Aguero landed right on top of Matsuda and both competitors were down.
PETRIE: Holy shit Leah!
MEARS: A moonsault off of the loading dock!
The War Queen needed a moment to recover from that one herself but within moments she was back after Matsuda. Aguero smashed Matsuda’s face into the side of the building and then hit Matsuda with a boot to the midsection. Aguero called for the end and set Matsuda up for a powerbomb onto the concrete but Matsuda reversed it into a hurricanranna that sent Aguero right into a parked car! Aguero’s face smacked off the driver’s side window and she dropped to a knee.
This match had taken a lot out of both competitors at this point and Matsuda was in the driver’s seat. Aguero tried to put some distance between them but Matsuda caught her with a kick to the ribs. Matsuda backpedaled slightly and then came at Aguero with Last Surprise (Sling Blade) right onto a stack of wooden pallets! Matsuda covered.
1..
2..
..!
Aguero kicked out and surprised Matsuda with a sharp elbow to the side of the head. Matsuda fell back and caught herself on the side of the car. Aguero took off and tried to hit Matsuda with a big boot but Matsuda moved and Aguero put her foot right through the window! Matsuda quickly pulled Aguero back and dropped her with a Special Delivery (Package Piledriver) on the concrete. That had to be it! It had to be all over!
MEARS: The War Queen is about to be usurped by The Queen of Fighters!
PETRIE: Where are we? Fuckin’ Westeros?
1..
2..
..!
The War Queen kicked out again but it was clear that she had tweaked her knee, with bits of glass sticking out of her leg. Aguero’s forehead was busted open too. She was a mess and Matsuda wanted to capitalize. Matsuda tried for a forearm smash but Leah blocked it and then smashed Matsuda’s face into the car. She tried to push Matsuda’s face into the broken shards of glass sticking out of the driver’s side door but Matsuda blocked it and then pushed herself onto the roof of the car. Aguero pulled out one of the shards of glass and then joined her cousin atop the car.
PETRIE: ...is she going to stab her?
In a shocking scene Aguero tried to stab Matsuda on the roof of the car with a piece of glass. Matsuda blocked it and then seemed as if she was setting Aguero up for a piledriver but Aguero reversed it and planted Matsuda onto the roof of the car with Drop The Bomb (Dead Eye)! Matsuda was down and Aguero covered her right then and there.
1..
2..
..!
Seemingly frustrated now, Aguero pulled Matsuda off of the roof of the car and screamed in Matsuda’s face. “I don’t need you!” Aguero said before she set Matsuda up for the latter’s own finishing move the Blasian Suplex (Sleeper Suplex). There was a look of fear in Matsuda’s eyes as Aguero took her over with the move. Matsuda landed with a dull thud on the concrete and Aguero made the cover.
MEARS: Stay down Stephanie! Think about the rest of your career.
PETRIE: She can’t hear you. She’s out.
1..
2..
..!
Somehow, some way Matsuda was able to kick out. Aguero couldn’t believe it. She wiped the blood from her face as the camera panned over to Matsuda, who was wearing a fierce expression. Aguero hit a stomp to Matsuda’s head but Matsuda kept standing up. Aguero hit another but Matsuda just absorbed it. Aguero looked terrified and she took off toward a production truck. Aguero started scaling the truck and Matsuda gave chase.
MEARS: Leah Aguero is going up to the top of that trailer! We know what she can do up there, lest we forget that she tossed Erik Holland off one of those a few months ago!
PETRIE: Yeah Aguero went up there as part of the plan. She’s not running, she is ready to end this match. This is gonna be fuckin’ bad.
Matsuda was beyond pissed now. She chased Aguero to the top of the tractor trailer and once she was at the top Aguero started in on her with some stomps. Matsuda was able to stand up straight and she caught a kick from Aguero. Matsuda started hammering on the open wounds on the side of Aguero’s leg which saw Aguero scream in Agony. Aguero pulled her leg away but then got popped with a Yahtzee (Superkick) from Matsuda! Aguero fell right off the side of the trailer and landed on a smaller cube van roof down below!
MEARS: Good Lord!
The Queen of Fighters looked down at Aguero from the top of the trailer. It was a good ten feet down and Matsuda did not think twice. She wanted to end this issue with her cousin and she wanted to put a period on it. Matsuda took a deep breath and then leapt off the trailer and came crashing down on Aguero with Cloud 9 (Corkscrew Shooting Star) down onto Aguero! It was a harsh sound to hear Matsuda’s body connect with Aguero. Matsuda was just barely able to make the cover.
1..
2..
..3!
Ding, Ding, Ding!
CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The Queen of Fighters” Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda!
“Oh La La” by Run The Jewels played in the arena but Matsuda was in no shape to celebrate the victory. Formerly known as The Inevitable, Matsuda and Aguero were far from a team now. The fight was over and Matsuda had finally put her cousin down.
The scene cut backstage as we saw Reo Ojima sitting on a metal chair as he’s just finished taping up his wrist with white tape. Chucking the roll of tape off screen, Reo kicked his feet up on a nearby shipping container and placed a cigar in his mouth. Puffing the cigar a few times, Reo blew out a string of smoke before addressing the camera.
OJIMA: Three People. Three Finishers. That’s what it took to take me out last week. And lucky for you, Diablo, I’m still recovering from that match. So you’re facing off against an old and injured animal who’s starting to think if he can walk out of this arena with the title still in his possession.
The camera panned down to show that Reo’s midsection was tapped, along with his knees and shoulders.
OJIMA: But lucky for me the cracked ribs, the pain, and that loss….it’s fueling me to enter that ring and kicking your ass, boy. You humiliated me once already, you ain’t doing it again tonight. 30 years I’ve been in this business, El. 30 years of blood, sweat, and tears and last week when you pinned me it was probably the low point of my career. A man in my position starts to think if it’s about time to hang up his tights if he loses to a masked clown like you. And I might just call it a career if I lose tonight.
Reo examined the cigar and paused as he reflected on his own career. Slowly getting to his feet, Reo grabbed the OATH World title and placed it on his shoulder.
OJIMA: But that ain’t happening. If I’m going out, I’m losing to someone worth a damn and not a jabroni like you. So I hope you brought a mouthguard tonight, El...
Reo pulled a mouthguard from behind his ear and placed it in his mouth.
OJIMA: ...because you’re going to need it.
OATH INTREPID CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLES MATCH Josie Wales vs. FM Young ©
CRYBABY: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a fifteen minute time limit and it is for the OATH Pro Wrestling Intrepid Championship! Introducing first, the challenger. From St. Louis, Missouri, weighing in at 134lbs., “The Outlaw” Josie Wales!
"The Unforgiven" by Metallica cued up and out came The Outlaw. Dressed in a black duster and black Stetson hat the challenger moved down the ramp with purpose. Josie took her time walking up the ringsteps as she took in the favourable reaction from the fans in The Citadel. She entered the ring and removed her coat as the music faded.
CRYBABY: Introducing second from Seville, Spain, weighing in at 210lbs., representing ONI, she is the OATH Pro Wrestling Intrepid Champion, “The Tiger” FM Young.
The ONI logo flashed on the tron briefly, disappeared, and then returned as “Helix” by Amaranthe began playing throughout The Citadel. Toronto instantly started booing as The Tiger walked out onto the stage. Young’s expression was neutral as she paced to the ring with the Intrepid Championship around her waist. Young rolled into the ring under the bottom rope, unstrapped the title and lobbed it to the referee.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
The referee called for the bell because Young immediately smashed Wales in the face with a forearm smash, catching the challenger off guard. Young slapped the Stetson off of Wales’ head and then launched her across the ring with a beale. Josie landed with a thud but was quickly up in a defensive stance. Young didn’t give her any room to breathe, she was already advancing.
MEARS: FM Young with the cheap shot before the bell.
PETRIE: That wasn’t a cheap shot! She knew that Josie would want to get down to business so she initiated that.
MEARS: Either way the countdown has started and the Intrepid Championship is on the line!
Josie sprung up off the mat and launched an attack of furious punches to the top of Young’s head but Young stopped the onslaught with a thigh press to Josie’s midsection. Young sent Josie sailing off toward the ropes and on her return Young went for a back body drop. Wales hopped over her, hit the opposing ropes and came back with a bicycle kick that caught Young right on the chin.
Young fell back into the ropes and checked her bottom lip for blood. There wasn’t any, which is probably a good sign for both competitors. What with bloodlust being a thing. Anyway, Young continued being The Terminator that she is, stomping toward Wales again. Josie evaded Young with a front roll and then she drove a knee into Young’s spine. Wales hooked Young’s neck and hit her with an inverted headlock backbreaker. Wales covered.
1..
2..!
MEARS: This is Josie Wales’ third attempt at winning the Intrepid Championship. Do you think she can finally do it Bad Mood?
PETRIE: I think she wants to do it. I think she has taken a title from FM Young before. But that wasn’t FM Young in ONI. This is much different.
The Tiger kicked out but Josie immediately transitioned into a Fujiwara armbar -- or at least the best one that she could muster. She had it locked in for mere seconds before Young powered out of it and pie faced Wales hard into a corner. Young kept Josie in the corner with a series of heavy body blows and then sat her on the top rope.
Young tried to climb up to the top rope with Josie but Josie was fighting her. Young had The Outlaw positioned for a superplex but Josie would not let it happen. Young leaned back and smashed Josie in the face with a headbutt and then took the small window of opportunity and took Josie off the top rope with a super DDT! Wales was driven head first into the mat and all she could do was roll out of the ring to prevent being pinned.
Five minutes had passed on the timer and the Intrepid Champion had left the ring. Josie’s attempt at recovery was cut short when Young fell on her and sent her head first into the ring post! Josie’s skull collided with the steel and she dropped to the floor in a heap. The referee had reached an eleven count when Young got Josie to her feet and rolled her into the ring.
MEARS: We are a third of the way through this contest and FM Young has done some serious damage to that cranium of Josie Wales. The referee has to pay very close attention.
PETRIE: I mean fuck I joke about a lot of shit but we take head trauma very seriously here in OATH. That’s why Erik Holland is being taken out back and shot. He’s too far gone.
The Outlaw was in deep trouble as Young mounted her and started hitting her with well placed strikes. They weren’t numerous but they were surgical. Young had seen the cut on Josie’s forehead and she wanted to open it up further. One clubbing hammer fist did the trick and Josie was starting to bleed quite heavily.
The referee intervened to ensure that Josie could continue but Young had no interest in the match stopping. The Tiger got Josie to her feet and whipped her with all of her might into the corner. Wales slammed into the turnbuckles and fell right onto her face. Young paced over to her and lifted her off of the mat by her hair. Young shot Josie to the opposing corner and charged in looking for a running shoulder block but Josie floated over her and rolled her up with a sunset flip!
MEARS: Josie with the surprise pin!
1..
2..
..!
Josie Wales nearly won the Intrepid Championship with that pinning attempt but Young’s shoulder shot off the mat at the last possible second. Wales got up to a knee but then fell on Young and applied a laying front chancery. With the hopes of disorienting Young, Wales started touring her around the mat with a gator roll. Wales pulled Young off the mat and then hit her with a hammerlock suplex. The Citadel was cheering for The Outlaw as she took control of the match.
The Tiger tried to regain her composure and get to her feet but Wales blasted her with a bicycle kick that sent her hard into the corner. Wales was quick to get in there and step up onto the second rope. Young was at Wales’ mercy as the challenger started laying into Young with corner mounted punches! The crowd counted along with Wales and then on ten Young came to life, reached under Josie and powerbombed the life out of her. Young covered.
MEARS: Good Lord! FM Young just planted Josie Wales.
PETRIE: It’s over. ONI is eternal!
1..
2..
..!
The Citadel cheered as The Outlaw refused to die. Young took a moment to catch her breath and then grabbed Wales by the hair. Ten minutes had gone by and Josie tried to straight up punch Young in the face but Young evaded it and then obliterated Josie with Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline)! Wales did a complete backflip and landed on her face. Young covered again.
1..
2..
..!
Wales said no. No to losing. Not yet. Young gathered Young up Wales up again and this time she applied a front face lock. Young tried to wrestle Wales down to the mat but Josie planted her feet and then drove Young into a corner to break the hold. Wales caught Young with an uppercut and then applied a front face lock of her own. Wales spun Young around and then sent her crashing into the corner with a suplex!
MEARS: Did you see how FM Young just landed?
PETRIE: She might be out cold!
MEARS: Josie needs to capitalize!
The Citadel was behind Josie as she dragged Young out of the corner by her wrist. Young started to get up to her feet but Josie maintained wrist control. Young threw a lariat but Wales used a ripcord to pull Young into a bicycle knee strike. Josie then positioned Young and planted her with the High Noon Driver (Barry White Driver)! Toronto cheered as Josie covered Young.
1..
2..
..3!
Ding, Ding, Ding!
CRYBABY: Here is your winner and NEW OATH Pro Wrestling Intrepid Champion, “The Outlaw” Josie Wales!
“The Unforgiven” by Metallica started playing as Wales was handed the Intrepid Championship. The Citadel cheered as Wales cradled the title that she had been chasing for over a year. Wales took a moment to take it all in before she climbed up into a corner and raised her prize high in the air.
The office of OATH President Tommy Straker. More accurately it was the door. A set of knuckles rapped on the door and they were prompted to enter. The shot pulled out as the owner of said knuckles was revealed to be OATH Vice President Oscar R. Barlow. Barlow entered the office and there sat Straker himself.
BARLOW: Hello brother. Is it strange to call you that, considering it’s by marriage? I don’t want you to feel as if I am overstepping.
Barlow said with a sly smile. Straker’s eyes were on a monitor, watching the ringside feed. Only after a few painfully awkward moments did Straker acknowledge Barlow.
STRAKER: Oscar I have told you several times that you are not needed at Conviction events. Catalyst was a fine start to the evening, you have my thanks for that but you work here is done for the evening.
BARLOW: Oh so you actually watched Catalyst? Guess I just assumed that you would be busy.
STRAKER: I keep a watchful eye on everything that is happening. I have allowed you to relax the rules on Livewire and Catalyst events because I think it presents an interesting dichotomy. Livewire is a lawless land where consequences are minimal. Conviction is the opposite.
BARLOW: ...are you really taking credit for this? I am building Livewire into something special. I making changes so that it is no longer considered the B Show. This is my doing.
STRAKER: Let me be clear Oscar. I sent you to Livewire because you need something to do. OATH is my company to run now because you are not strong enough to make the tough calls. I have no doubt that you can make Livewire watchable but everything that you do goes through me. Ultimately, I control it all.
That last line stung, clearly. Barlow looked like he was about to explode. He twitched, rubbed his nose, but instead of losing his cool he shot his cuffs and cleared his throat.
BARLOW: Of course Tommy. I know that. I look forward to watching the rest of the show, especially when my champion wins and comes back to Livewire with your World Championship.
Barlow wanted to leave on that line but Straker wanted the last word. You know, power move.
STRAKER: There are two shows but it was one company Oscar.
The Vice President stopped in his tracks and turned back to Straker.
BARLOW: Is it?
Barlow let his words hang in the air for a moment but Straker did not have a response. Barlow smirked and sauntered off down the hallway.
WAR GAMES Sharpe Clan vs. The Hell Realm
The double cage lowered from the ceiling to surround both rings. Klaxons rang out and the fans were losing their minds because it was time for OATH Pro Wrestling’s first ever War Games Match. Crybaby was shown standing between the two rings.
CRYBABY: The following contest is the War Games Match! Two competitors will start the match and after five minutes a member of The Hell Realm will enter the ring. Then every three minutes alternating members of each time will enter the match. The match officially begins when all eight competitors are in the ring!
"Unsainted" by Slipknot started playing as the arena lights went down and The Hell Realm emblem was emblazoned on the tron. Adrestia Nyx, Ryan Terror, Astaroth, and Locke Helms walked out onto the stage. They moved over to the left side of the stage where the cage that would house their members sat. Helms gave Terror a pat on the back before Terror made his way down the ramp toward the ring.
CRYBABY: Introducing first the team of Astaroth, Adrestia Nyx, Ryan Terror, and Locke Helms -- The Hell Realm!
Terror reached under the ring before entering the cage and pulled out some weapons. A trash can, a kendo stick, and a steel chair. Terror paced up the steps and entered the ring. He gazed at the cage as his music faded out.
CRYBABY: Introducing second, the team of Bert Cocaine, Kasey Kash, Jenna Sharpe and SWITCBLXDE!
"Mercury" By Ghostemane echoed throughout The Citadel as the Sharpes and Friends made their way out onto the stage. Force Security was positioned to keep the two teams separated in their cages. Bert swung his Pimp Stick at them but wasn’t able to connect. Kasey Kash carried on down the ramp, ready to start the match for his team. Kasey was quickly up the stairs and in the ring.
MEARS: Bad Mood I don’t really know what to expect other than carnage.
PETRIE: This match is going to be a war, it’s right there in the name. It’s not about who wins, it’s about who survives. But it is also about who wins.
MEARS: You are a gifted orator.
Terror attacked Kasey right off the bell, hitting him with a running double forearm smash that sent Kasey’s face right into the side of the cage. Terror brought him to the middle of the ring and picked up a steel chair. Kasey got the wind knocked out of him when Terror drove the point of the chair into Kasey’s midsection. With Kasey doubled over, Terror smashed the chair over his spine.
Kasey dropped to the mat and Terror dropped the steel chair in favor of the kendo stick. Terror twirled it around in his hand and then a sick smirk came over his face. Terror advanced on Kasey but was surprised when Kasey hurled the steel chair right into his face! Terror was knocked backward and that gave Kasey space to hit him with the Canberra Collapse (Springboard Cutter)!
MEARS: Kasey Kash is here to fight! This kid has amazing potential and we could see a breakout performance from here tonight.
PETRIE: The kid can go, he’s proven that. But he is in there with The Hell Realm and one of his partner’s is Bert Cocaine. He’s doomed.
MEARS: That remains to be seen.
The Resident Asshole danced around the ring a little bit, feeling good about putting Terror down. The audience in The Citadel cheered for Kasey as he pulled Terror up to his feet. Kasey grabbed the back of Terror’s head and then slowly said, “You’re...a...bitch.” before he sent Terror face first into the cage wall! Terror stumbled right back into a high angle flipping dropkick from Kasey. Just as both men hit the mat, the timer appeared.
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3..2..1!
Bzzzt!
The Hell Realm cage door opened and Adrestia Nyx was free. She charged down to the ring and walked up the ringsteps only to eat a superkick from Kasey, who was waiting for her! Nyx fell backward off the apron to the floor and Kasey had protected himself for the time being. That clever move only served to give Terror time to get up. Terror had a trash can in his hands and as Kasey turned around to engage him Terror smashed him in the head with it.
Kasey stumbled around the ring for a moment before Terror put the garbage can over Kasey’s body! He was trapped! Terror took two steps back and then unleashed Out of the Shadows (Superkick). The shot hit Kasey so hard that it dented the trash can and sent him hard into the cage wall. Nyx was up and had entered the ring now and that was pretty bad news for Kasey.
MEARS: Kasey Kash is now trapped in the cage with former OATH Tag Team Champions.
PETRIE: The nucleus of The Hell Realm is these two. If THR has a soul it would be Nyx and Terror. Kash needs to get away from them and fast.
MEARS: Absolutely.
Terror freed Kasey from the garbage can but then kicked him in the face. Rude. Terror placed the trash can on the mat and then Irish whipped Kasey into the ropes. On Kasey’s return Terror got him up with a flapjack and Nyx caught him with a cutter -- The Protocol! Kasey came down onto the trash can and let out in pain. Help couldn’t come soon enough for The Resident Asshole. Unable to pin Kasey yet, Nyx and Terror moved him into the second ring and quickly applied The Inquisition (Cloverleaf [Nyx]/Omoplata Crossface [Terror])!
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3..2..1!
Bzzzt!
With Kasey trapped in a double submission, the Sharpe Clan cage door opened and “The Canadian Wildcat” Jenna Sharpe was out of the gate. Jenna ran to the ring and was quick to enter. She charged in and cracked Nyx in the face with a single leg dropkick. THR’s hold was broken and Jenna took Terror to the mat with a snap suplex. Jenna transitioned into some mounted punches and the fans were losing their fucking minds!
MEARS: The Canadian Wildcat has found her prey and it is Ryan Terror!
PETRIE: Holy shit I’ve never seen Jenna so fired up. She’s going to work!
Jenna took a moment to check on Kasey, helping him to his feet. Nyx tried to engage the two of them but Jenna and Kasey connected with a double dropkick! The crowd was losing their shit for Kasey and Jenna. The duo got Terror up and Kasey positioned him for a wheelbarrow suplex, however, he brought Terror forward right into a double knee facebreaker from Jenna!
The Sharpe Clan was in complete control as Jenna took possession of a steel chair. Jenna set it up in the center of the ring and then hit Nyx with an Irish whip. On her return Jenna attempted to hit Nyx with a flapjack onto the standing chair but Nyx hit her with a knee to the midsection and then planted Jenna’s head into the seat of the chair with a DDT!
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3..2..1!
Bzzzt!
The crowd booed the living (or undead) shit out of Astaroth as he exited The Hell Realm cage and darted toward the ring. Astaroth reached the bottom of the ramp and immediately started searching under the ring. He retrieved a table, a hockey stick, and a 24 case of Witch’s Brew bottles! Astaroth put all of these party favours in the ring and then entered the ring himself. Kasey went to meet him but Terror hit Kasey in the back from behind with the bent steel chair!
MEARS: The Hell Realm have the advantage again. Astaroth is bringing in more hardware.
PETRIE: That’s my beer!
MEARS: It belongs to War Games now.
Astaroth slithered over to the second ring with the hockey stick in hand. Jenna got to her feet and Astaroth swung at her but she caught the hockey stick. Jenna gave him a look like “You tried to hit a Canadian, with a hockey stick?” before she stripped it from him and then hit him with a slap shot to the stomach. Jenna used the twig to clothesline Astaroth over the top rope before she was hit from behind by Nyx with a leaping knee to the back of the head!
Terror and Nyx got Jenna to her feet. The former Tag Team Champions shared a smirk before they sent Jenna sailing head first into the cage wall. The Canadian Wildcat’s dome collided with the chain link and she staggered into the middle of the ring where THR set her up for Sacrificial Lamb (Powerbomb [Terror]/Meteora [Nyx])!
MEARS: Jenna is in big trouble right now!
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3..2..1!
Bzzzt!
The Sharpe Clan cage door swung up open and the madman SWITCHBLXDE tore down to the ring. In a flash he was in the double cage and he threw his body over the ropes of ring one, into ring two! SWITCH hit Terror with a roundhouse kick to the body, saving Jenna from a big double team. SWITCH grabbed Terror by the noggin and sent him face first into the cage wall. Terror tossed a half hearted punch at SWITCH as he staggered by. SWITCH caught it and took Terror over with a half and half suplex!
MEARS: The Scum God has entered War Games and he wants to fight!
PETRIE: This guy is a fucking maniac full stop.
Kasey was up to his feet and the Sharpe Clan looked to press their advantage. Kasey caused Nyx to straddle the top rope with a leaping knee. Kasey climbed up to the top rope with Nyx and then called out to Jenna. Jenna gave him a nod and Kasey swiftly took Nyx off the top rope with a frankensteiner! Nyx was propelled right into a jumping cutter from Jenna and The Citadel popped for that massive double team!
Kasey, Jenna, and SWITCH regroup and each of them armed themselves. SWITCH with the bent chair, Jenna with the hockey stick, and Kasey with the kendo stick. Each member of The Hell Realm had moved into ring one and they regrouped. The two trios stared across the rings at one another and then the countdown began again.
MEARS: Here he comes.
PETRIE: The Chairman of Chaos cometh!
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3..2..1!
Bzzzt!
The Hell Realm cage door was opened and out stepped “The Chairman of Chaos” Locke Helms. He took a leisurely stroll down to the ring. Helms took his time entering the ring but once he had done so The Hell Realm was at full force. The quintet moved toward the second ring at Terror’s command and The Sharpe Clan was ready for them.
Kasey struck first, cracking Astaroth over the head with the kendo stick. He then tried to do the same to Helms but Helms caught the stick with one hand and then grabbed Kasey by the throat with the other. Helms lifted Kasey off of the mat by his throat and then brought his back down over his knee in a sickening display.
MEARS: The former two time Intrepid Champion just bodied Kasey Kash.
PETRIE: Helms is at home in War Games. Everyone else is just his guest.
MEARS: Are there snacks?
PETRIE: Yes the snacks that he provides is VIOLENCE!
Jenna had Nyx in a corner and she was choking her with the hockey stick. Terror went to help his partner when SWITCH cracked him in the back of the head with the steel chair. Terror stumbled forward and SWITCH slammed the chair onto the mat. SWITCH set Terror up for a powerbomb onto the chair but at the last moment Terror reversed it into a sitout facebuster! SWITCH’s face was sent right into the chair. Nyx caught Jenna with a palm strike and then speared her to the mat. All members of the Sharpe Clan were down when the countdown returned.
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3..2..1!
Bzzzt!
The audience exploded as Bert Cocaine stepped out of the Sharpe Clan cage. The final participant in the match walked down to the ring with Pimp Stick in hand. Once he reached the ring Bert tossed the stick into the ring and then started searching under the apron. Bert pulled out a table and then put it into the ring. He pulled out a second table and put it into the ring. He pulled out a THIRD table and put it into the ring. He pulled --- no okay he stopped at three.
PETRIE: This guy loves to beat a gag into the ground.
MEARS: The fans are loving it!
With all of his tables delivered Bert started climbing the cage! All four members of The Hell Realm watched as Bert reached the top of the structure and stood there. The Citadel watched in anticipation as Bert stood high in the air, his four opponents standing beneath him. Bert called out to the crowd and then started climbing down into the ring. The audience was deflated but Bert thought it was pretty funny. It also served as a good distraction because Nyx, Terror, and Helms all got cracked with superkicks from SWITCH, Jenna, and Kasey! Astaroth tried to engage them but he got hit with a triple superkick! Killing the business. Bert’s feet hit the mat and the match could officially begin.
PETRIE: This fucking guy.
MEARS: It was effective! Work smart, not hard.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
Bert saw the case of beer and immediately went toward it. After he opened it up, Bert pulled out a bottle. Before he could even crack it open he was set upon by Nyx! Bert reacted quickly and opted to smash the bottle over Nyx’s head! The Alpha Bitch wiped the beer and glace from her face and went after Bert again. Frantic, Bert picked up another bottle and smashed it over Nyx’s head. She was still on her feet. Bert then picked up the entire case of beer and brought it crashing down onto Nyx’s head. That did it.
PETRIE: Oh you motherfucker.
MEARS: Someone please retrieve Adrestia’s car keys. She won’t be driving tonight.
Kasey’s inner interior designer came out to play as he started setting up all four tables. Helms and SWITCH were doing battle in ring one as Helms caught SWITCH with a European uppercut and then sent him hard into the corner. Helms put SWITCH in a tree of woe and then hit him with a superkick to the midsection. Helms put a chair in front of SWITCH’s face and then hit him with a running dropkick that sent the chair into his face -- Gallows Tree! Helms pulled SWITCH out of the corner and covered.
1..
2..
..!
Jenna broke up the fall and then started mauling Helms. Their issues had been going on since Halloween and it was clear that Jenna had had enough. In ring two Bert was just pummeling Astaroth and then he drilled him with the trash can and lay him on one of the tables. Jenna brought Helms into the ring and started choking him out with the hockey stick. Jenna put Helms on one of the tables. Kasey got Nyx out of the beer and glass covered mat and lay her body on a third table. Finally, SWITCH hit Terror with The Nosejob (Codebreaker) and then lay him prone on a table.
PETRIE: What the fuck do these idiots have planned now?
MEARS: Could it be?
PETRIE: They wouldn’t.
MEARS: A four post---
PETRIE: Don’t say it!
MEARS: --MASSACRE!?
SWITCH pointed his thumb to the sky and then started climbing the side of the cage. Jenna and Kasey each chose a cage wall and they too started climbing. Bert was reluctant but he ultimately started climbing the cage as well. All four members of the Sharpe Clan stood on top of the cage and then all four of them leaped off.
MEARS: JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!
Kasey came down onto Nyx and put her through the table with a swanton bomb. Jenna went with a classic elbow drop right onto Helms putting him through a table. Bert hit a kind of senton (I guess) but he more or less just fell onto Astaroth and put him through a table. Lastly SWITCH came crashing down onto Terror with the Dumpster Dive (Diving Senton Bomb) to break the fourth and final table. Everyone was down on the mat and the fans were losing their minds! SWITCH rolled over and covered the person nearest to him -- Astaroth. The referee made the count.
1..
2..
..3!
Ding, Ding, Ding!
CRYBABY: Here are your winners; Bert Cocaine, Kasey Kash, Jenna Sharpe, and SWITCHBLXDE!
"Mercury" By Ghostemane and the cage started to rise. All eight competitors were down on the mat and the fans were showing their appreciation. The ongoing conflict between The Hell Realm and The Sharpe Clan had come to an end. It took some time but the Sharpe Clan all got to their feet and embraced. They had finally won.
Matt Shields was shown walking toward the production area just moments before his Barbed Wire Massacre against Erik Holland. Shields was stopped when a OATH Vice President Oscar Barlow entered the frame.
BARLOW: Are you ready to go to war?
Shields wasn’t sure how to answer that question but it didn’t matter because Barlow gave him no time to do so.
BARLOW: I know that you are. You’ve done this before against Holland. You are a brutal guy. You are a violent guy. I think you would be right at home in a more relaxed environment. Somewhere that you can reach your full potential.
Shields simply cocked an eyebrow.
BARLOW: Come see me in the New Year, I think I have just the environment for you.
Barlow sniffed sharply and gave Shields a pat on the back before passing by him. Shields was left to consider Barlow’s offer as the scene cut.
BARBED WIRE MASSACRE Erik Holland vs. Matt Shields
CRYBABY: The following contest is a Barbed Wire Massacre! Introducing first, the manager, THIS! is Lyal ‘LYRIC’ Allllennnnn! She represents from SILENT HILL, weighing 285 pounds, ERIK! HOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLANNNNND!
"Will you tell these fools I'm not crazy! Make them listen to me before it's too late!"
The arena suddenly went completely pitch black.
"Listen to me. PLEASE listen. If you don't, if you won't...if you fail to understand, then the same incredible terror that's menacing me will STRIKE AT YOU!"
WE MUST SURVIVE!!!!!!
"The Haunted" by Walls of Jericho ERUPTED over the sound system kicking up an air-raid siren style strobelight that pulsed steadily but angrily on the stage. Lyal "Lyric" Allen came bounding through the curtain first rocking her latest outrageous makeup and costume, waving to the crowd and bounding around like a super-ball. She heads to center stage as she sees her beloved charge Erik Holland almost materializing onto the stage amid the lights and the pouring smoke from behind the curtain. Lyric stops and admires her man as he seems to just wander down the ramp past her towards the ring, completely oblivious to anything other than the prospect of destroying his opponent. The loving smile melts away and Lyric puts her game face on as she follows Holland with a confident strut to the ring. As the camera gets a good look at the monster's face--hidden by a pair of black welder's goggles and a black bandanna around his face with a barbed wire design--he seems to in his own world, tilting his head this way and that to look at the audience in attendance, leaving his fists out to touch knuckles with the fans.
Erik and Lyric stopped as they get to ringside, Lyric sharing a stare with Holland as he seems to wordlessly understand, approaching the steel steps and suddenly, explosively, lunging up them and into the ring. Then he lunges at the referee or the ring announcer, ending up sticking his head and upper body through the top and middle ropes as red strobes blaze all over the place. He stares out at the rolling, moshing swarm of fans, Lyric struts over and reaches up, taking off the goggles, taking off the bandanna--so we can see that face, twisted in a violent snarl, the teeth gritting, the eyes unblinking.
Finally as the chaos begins to subside, Holland falls against a turnbuckle pad with his butt on the mat, muttering still, with a thousand yard stare locked onto the entryway. The lights return to normal and the music fades, as the crowd brings up one last roar ready for the fight.
CRYBABY: And his opponent, from Dallas, Texas, weighing in at 235lbs., “The Hellhound” Matt Shields!
"If you meet Santa Clause tonight boy
You better run for your life!"
As "Merry Axe-Mas" blares through The Citadel, the lights start flashing red and white. As screams fill the air, four scantily clad "elves" strut out onto the stage. Four candy-striped poles rise up in front of them and they start dancing along to the music as a large dark red velvet sack rises up in the middle of the stage. As the first chorus ends, an axe slashes through the bag and out comes a demonic-looking Santa Claus, his coat is sleeveless and ragged, his pants are torn and patched with scraps of leather and his hat connects to a terrifying skull with a ragged beard underneath. He drags his bloody candy-striped axe in his left hand and a candy-striped kendo stick in his right. Santa Shields lunges at random as he stalks his way down to the ring. He slithers into the ring as the second chorus begins and raises up as it comes to an end and then suddenly everything goes black.
"So now I'm slashing through the snow
And the hearse is on its way
With the mistletoe tags
Thank God it's Christmas day!"
As the fun little sound bit starts, the lights start flashing red, green, and gold as Santa Shields started dancing around, but then suddenly stops as the sinister music returns. He lets the axe and the kendo stick fall, then takes off his mask.
SHIELDS: Come see what I got you for Christmas motherfuckers!
Ding, Ding, Ding!
Barbed wire lined the ropes. Barbed wire weapons were scattered around ringside. If you couldn’t tell that some bad shit was about to happen then you are a fucking moron. These two had gone to war before and now they would go to war again for the last time. Holland didn’t let sentimentality get in the way, his eyes were fixed on Shields.
MEARS: This is the final stop for Erik Holland. His retirement match and it wouldn’t be right if it wasn’t some sort of gruesome affair.
PETRIE: I’ve never been a Holland fan but he did a lot for this company. He has participated in both Event Horizon Series’, he won the first ever Trial By Fire Match, he is a former OATH World Champion. The man’s credentials can’t be denied and tonight he gets his final farewell.
MEARS: You surprise me Bad Mood.
PETRIE: It is what it is.
Holland didn’t flinch as Shields advanced toward him and was soon hitting him with a series of head chops. They didn’t seem to affect Holland. Unperturbed, Shields grabbed the back of Holland’s head and fed him a half dozen forearm shots to the face. Holland just ate them and barely moved an inch. Shields snarled and started alternating between punches and European uppercuts and still Holland would not move. Shields was astounded and then Shields was on his back because Holland hit him with such a heavy chop that Shields’ legs gave out.
The Hellhound was fast to get back to his feet but Holland levelled him with another chop. Shields was up a little slower this time but still rather quickly. Holland smoked him with a third chop and this time Shields stayed down longer. Shields rallied up to his feet again but this time Holland caught him with a right hand that nearly took Shields out of his boots.
MEARS: Prime Erik Holland here. He is a goliath and it takes a lot to put him down.
PETRIE: Yeah but how long can he absorb that damage? That has been his whole career, absorbing blows. You have to think that it has taken its toll.
MEARS: It most definitely has.
He had no choice, Shields had to roll out of the ring. He was careful not to let the barbed wire catch him and for a moment he was safe on the outside. Shields gestured for Holland to come join him but The Haunted stood eerily still. He just stared through the barbed wire wrapped ropes at his prey. Shields turned his back to the ring and presented Holland as a coward to the crowd.
Turning his back on a bloodthirsty lunatic like Holland proved to be a poor decision on the part of one Matt Shields because Holland grabbed the top rope with one hand and reached over the top with the other. Holland’s hand started bleeding but he didn’t give a good fuck because his other hand had grabbed the filthy looking hair of Shields. Holland lifted Shields up so he was sitting on the apron but Shields broke Holland’s grap and yanked his arm down over the barbed wire rope, opening a three inch gash on Holland’s right arm.
PETRIE: Well that’s just fucking gross.
MEARS: It is strange to call a match where you are completely certain that blood loss is going to be a deciding factor.
PETRIE: Yeah I heard that Dr. Evelyn Ernest has caches of both Shields and Holland’s blood in the trainer’s room. That’s insane.
The Haunted finally showed some emotion as he was forced to pace across the ring and inspect his newest wound. This gave Shields the opportunity to arm himself. He grabbed two barbed wire wrapped boards from ringside and another coil of barbed wire from under the ring. He put all of these horrific weapons into the ring and then went about his work.
From there, Shields started to work over the bloodied right arm of Holland with some inventive moves. Shields applied an arm wrench to double Holland over and then drove an elbow into his shoulder joint. Holland was at Shields’ mercy when Shields kicked out Holland’s left leg and forced him down onto the mat in a Fujiwara armbar. Holland was able to fight up but Shields hit him with a leaping reverse neckbreaker to put him down for the moment.
Holland’s arm was bleeding quite a bit. Shields looked very pleased with his work so far. Within seconds, Shields had Holland up and before Holland could even consider how to best defend himself, Shields hat him set up for Greetings From Crystal Lake (Air Raid Crash)! Shields took one step to the side and brought Holland down onto a barbed wire wrapped board. Hundreds of small cuts opened on Hollands back as Shields pinned him where he landed.
MEARS: Right onto that barbed wire board!
1..
2..!
PETRIE: I really hope this thing doesn’t last long.
The Haunted was able to kick out but Shields wasn’t about to let that give Holland hope. Shields tried to keep Holland on the mat with a chin lock but Holland quickly showed that he had no interest in allowing that shit. Holland fought to his feet and after a few sharp elbows to Shields’ midsection Holland had him by the throat. Holland looked Shields in the eyes before he lifted him off the mat and brought him crashing down with a heavyweight chokeslam! The ring rattled on impact and continued to vibrate as Holland fell into a cover.
1..
2..
..!
The crowd was left to wonder as Holland picked up a barbed wire wrapped board and placed it diagonally in the corner. Holland got Shields up to his feet and hooked his arm under Shields’ arm. Holland whispered something in Shields’ ear and I don’t think it was a sweet nothing because a second later Holland hit a massive hip toss that sent Shields upside down and right through the barbed wire wrapped board in the corner.
The audience cheered Holland on, they wanted him to get a victory in his last match and it seemed that he was on his way to making that a reality as he got Shields upp in a fireman’s carry, perhaps ready for the Toxic Avenger. Shit, Shields had grabbed the end of the coil of barbed wire and had it bundled up in his hand. Before Holland could hit the move Shields started punching him in the chest with his barbed wire wrapped fist! Shields dropped off Holland’s shoulder and took him down with a chop block that sent Holland falling forward into the ropes.
Holland starts to regain some momentum, sets for his finisher, Shields finds a cheap way out, chop block that sends Holland stumbling forward into the ropes. Shields fell on top of Holland and grabbed his hair. Shields started grinding Holland’s face against the barbed wire. Holland was busted open further but that didn’t stop him from drilling his elbow into Shield’s midsection and turning the tables. Holland started pressing Shields’ face into the barbed wire and The Citadel rejoiced! Holland pulled Shields up to his feet and then chokeslammed him onto the barbed wire board. Holland covered.
MEARS: Matt Shields was just sent to Hell!
PETRIE: Yeah I would call that quite hellish.
1..
2..
..!
The Citadel was shocked. Both men lay on the mat, bleeding all over the fucking place. Shields was up first but barely. Holland went to grab him but Shields clobbered him with a barbed wire wrapped fist. Shields doubled Holland over with a jab to the gut and then put him on the mat with a spinning neckbreaker. Holland rolled onto his stomach as Shields grabbed a length of barbed wire and went about whipping Holland with it!
PETRIE: I’m gonna puke.
The Haunted was screaming in pain as Shields repeatedly sliced Holland’s back open by whipping him with the length of barbed wire. The referee looked like he was close to stopping the match but Shields stopped with his onslaught and went to apply Whispers of Azathoth (Arm Trapped Facelock) but Holland fought out of it, hit the ropes, and came back with a leaping clothesline! Shields dropped to the mat and Holland fell into a cover.
1..
2..
..!
He would not go quietly into that good night and neither would Holland. The bloodied and bruised veteran slowly got to his feet and the cheers from The Citadel seemed to be giving him life. Holland gritted his teeth and took Shields by the head. After a stiff forearm smash to Shields’ face, Holland once again set him up in a fireman’s carry but Shields wiggled free, dropped to his knees and nailed Holland with a low blow that infuriated The Citadel. With Holland temporarily incapacited Shields nailed him with Frailty (Ripcord Elbow) that cracked The Haunted perfectly square but he did not go down. Shields took some more barbed wire now, wrapped it around his arm and then smashed Holland with 40 Legions (Discus Clothesline).
MEARS: Erik is taking some intense punishment and he is not responding. The referee needs to make a decision here soon.
PETRIE: Yeah I mean I know that no one wants to see Holland go but you need to call it. He has no fight left. Let’s call it a career.
Holland was fucked. That’s perhaps the most polite way to put it because he was covered in his own blood and his main struggle seemed to be keeping his eyes open. Shields had exited the ring and slid another barbed wire board into the ring. Shields was quick to get back in where he took hold of Holland and planted him with Majo No Toki (Fireman's Carry Neckbreaker) right onto the barbed wire board. He then took his broken body to the top rope and practically fell off the top rope with Year Zero (Swanton Bomb) onto Holland, who was laying on the barbed wire board. Shields rolled over into a cover and it appeared to be over.
MEARS: Thank you Erik.
1..
2..
..!
PETRIE: OH GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!
No one could believe it. Both of these men had taken punishment but Holland was barely clinging to life. The Hellhound took the barbed wire that was around his arm, pulling it out of his own skin. He dropped down onto Holland’s back and using the barbed wire, Shields locked in Whispers of Azathoth (Arm Trapped Facelock). Shields pulled the barbed wire against the bridge of Holland’s nose and blood was literally spurting out of the wound. Holland fought as best as he could muster. Holland stared out into the audience, blood blurring his vision. The fans were cheering him on but it wasn’t enough. Not tonight. Holland’s body started to fade and finally he went limp. The audience went silent. The referee checked on Holland and got no response. It was finished.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The Hellhound” Matt Shields!
Shields released the hold and let Holland’s body fall flat on the mat. Shields got up to his knees but he seemed like he was poised to faint. The mat was a bloody mess, a complete warzone. EMTs and trainers came to the ring as the ring crew cut the barbed wire off of the ropes and cleared the ring.
MEARS: It’s over. Erik Holland has had his final match in OATH Pro Wrestling. He was with us from the beginning and no we are with him at his end.
PETRIE: Thank you Erik.
The medical professionals were able to get into the ring and surprisingly, Holland was now seated on the mat. He was awake albeit breathing hard. The EMTs moved to treat both Holland and Shields but both men shoved them away. Both warriors got to their feet and both staggered a bit, but they stood. They were staring at one another and it appeared though the match was over -- the fight might not have been.
MEARS: Let it be over guys! It’s done!
The tension was broken when Holland reached out his hand. Shields took a second to consider the offer and then accepted. The fans cheered as Holland raised Shields’ arm. He was the better man tonight. Shields then gave Holland the ring and left to receive medical treatment. The fans started up a “THANK YOU ERIK!” chant as Lyric entered the ring.
PETRIE: Wrestling is about moments and this fuckin’ is one. Erik Holland is bound for the pro wrestling boneyard.
Lyric did the best to help hold Holland up but the big bastared was heavy. Holland looked like a horror movie victim and it was a fitting final image of him and his career in OATH. The fans gave The Haunted a standing ovation as he sat down on the mat. Holland began unlacing his boots and the camera panned to Lyric who had tears in her eyes.
MEARS: A symbolic gesture. Erik Holland’s days as a professional wrestler are over.
Holland removed both of his boots and lightly set them on one of the few areas of the mat that wasn’t soaking in blood. Holland stared down at his boots for quite some time before Lyric helped him to his feet and he exited the ring. The walk up the ramp must have been quite the experience for Holland as this was the last time that he would make that trek. He and Lyric stopped at the top of the ramp and paused for a moment before disappearing through the curtain. Thank you Erik.
• MAIN EVENT •
OATH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLES MATCH El Diablo Blanco vs. Reo Ojima ©
CRYBABY: The following contest is your Conviction: Nightfall main event for the OATH Pro Wrestling World Championship and it is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, the challenger, from Your Mom’s Neighbor’s Backyard, weighing in at 243lbs., he is the OATH Pro Wrestling Livewire Champion, “The Backyard Phenom” El Diablo Blanco!
As “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” by Ylvis echoed throughout The Citadel, the members of the Diablo Nation in attendance got to their feet. Smoke billowed out from the entryway, the crowd started to grow into a frenzy. El Diablo Blanco emerged from the curtain with the Livewire Championship over his shoulder, bouncing around to the music and pointing to the various audience members. As he made his way toward the ring, El D was playing air guitar with the title; stopping every once in a while to let a fan strum a few chords. Eventually making it into the ring, El Diablo finishes with a guitar solo before bowing to the masses.
CRYBABY: Introducing his opponent, from Tokyo, Japan weighing in at 239lbs., representing ONI, he is the OATH Pro Wrestling World Champion, “The Stone Gargoyle” Reo Ojima!
The ONI logo flashed on the tron briefly, disappeared, and then returned as “The Real Man” by The Seatbelts played throughout the arena. Reo Ojima made his way out with a black towel around his neck and a black mouthpiece behind his ear. The OATH World Championship strapped around his waist over his heavily taped ribs. A lit cigar hung out of his mouth as smoke billowed out and ascended to the ceiling. Scanning the crowd, Reo pulled the cigar out of his mouth and tapped it a few times to knock the ash off before putting it in his mouth and making his way to the ring. Stepping inside the ring, Reo stood in the center and looked at the ground while black, red, and white streamers filled the ring. Ripping the streamers, Reo makes his way to a corner turnbuckle and tosses the towel and the cigar to a member of the ring crew.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
The two champions stood in opposite corners. El D looked focussed and ready, eying the champion. Ojima looked like a mummy with all of the athletic tape that was holding him together. The two competitors came to the middle of the ring for a STARE DOWN. This went on for several moments, them jawing at one another. The talk stopped when Ojima slapped the taste out of El D’s mouth and then powdered out of the ring.
MEARS: I wonder where the champion is going.
PETRIE: Wherever he fuckin’ pleases. He’s the champ.
El D stood with his hands on his hips, not believing that the World Champion had just slapped him. Ojima slowly paced around the perimeter of the ring. El D kept his distance as Ojima rounded a ring post and playfully grabbed for El D’s boot. El D stepped aside and Ojima laughed, gesturing for El D to come join him.
The Backyard Phenom cautiously exited the ring and Ojima swiped at his legs again. El D evaded it and Ojima just laughed again. El D reentered the ring and stood in the center, holding his arms out to his side and inviting Ojima to get in the ring. The referee continued his count and Ojima pointed at him, instructing him to stop. He did.
PETRIE: Ha! Look at the power that The Stone Gargoyle wields.
MEARS: I am sure that Mr. Straker had something to do with it. A match between two champions, for the World Championship? Straker is not letting that end in a disqualification or a count out.
PETRIE: Nor should he!
Ojima slowly walked up the ring steps and El D advanced to meet him. Ojima slapped El D in the face and then dropped back down to the floor, laughing. The fans were sick of this cat and mouse game, they wanted a fight and Ojima was depriving them of that. El D was sick of this shit too and while Ojima had his back turned El D vaulted over the top rope with the sloppiest crossbody you have ever seen.
The gamble was effective and El D had taken Ojima down on the outside. El D got Ojima to his feet and whipped him hard into the guard rail. El D followed that up with a running clothesline that took Ojima over the guard rail and into the lap of a front row fan. El D apologized and dragged Ojima back over the rail.
PETRIE: Did this idiot just apologize?
MEARS: I believe he did. He’s a good guy, El D.
PETRIE: He’s a fucking loser and he’s about to get ONI’d.
El D called out to the Diablo Nation and they replied with a giant cheer for the Livewire Champion. El D grabbed Ojima by the wrist and went to Irish whip him into the guardrail again but Ojima planted his foot and sent El D for a ride instead. El D slammed back first into the guard rail and the World Champion followed it up with a spear through the guard rail.
Okay so I lied. They didn’t go THROUGH the guard rail but the impact from Ojima’s spear caused the guard railings to break where they were connected. Both men were laying at the feet of many fans, on top of the broken guard rail. Ojima grabbed El D by the head and started slamming the back of his head into overturned railing.
The World Champion got to his feet and grabbed El D by the wrist. Ojima asked the crowd if this was their champion and they replied in unison with a “GO EL D GO!” chant. Ojima spit on the floor and yanked El D up to a standing position. Ojima delivered a rough boot to the midsection of El D and then hit the Livewire Champion with an ONI Suplex (Tiger Suplex) and brought El D crashing down on the guardrail! El D screamed in pain -- music to Ojima’s ears.
MEARS: The brawler is here. Reo Ojima is a thirty year veteran. He knows how bad he is hurt so he is literally making El D wrestle his kind of a match. A brawl on the outside favours Reo.
PETRIE: Yeah but that idiot Blanco has experience in backyard wrestling. Cheesegraters and badminton rackets -- they know how to use everything as a weapon!
MEARS: That is very true. I have been told that El D has been set on fire in the past.
PETRIE: Who set him on fire?
MEARS: He did.
Ojima was in the driver’s seat now -- where he is most comfortable. Ojima brought El D back to ringside and went for a throat thrust but El D blocked it and pulled Ojima right into a huge spinebuster on the ramp! The bandaged and broken World Champion was in a world of pain as El D took a moment to recover. Once he had his wits about him again, El D hauled up the World Champion and hefted him into the ring.
The Stone Gargoyle was crumbling. The injuries that he had been dealing with for months were catching up to him. El D could see that the World Champion was in trouble. Not being one to bully people, El D looked to finish this match off and put Ojima out of his misery. The Backyard Phenom got Ojima to his feet and then planted his head into the mat with the Stump Piledriver (Cactus Jack Style Piledriver). Ojima’s eyes rolled back in his head and El D covered him.
1..
2..!
To the surprise of El D, Ojima’s arm shot off the mat. Blanco knew that Ojima couldn’t withstand a lot more punishment -- that much was very clear. El D shot Ojima into the ropes and on the World Champion’s return El D applied an abdominal stretch. It was a sloppy transition but he eventually got the hold locked in to target Ojima’s damaged ribs. Blanco wrenched back with everything he had but Ojima refused to submit. El D seemed mystified by the World Champion’s resilience. He was even more shocked when Ojima moved his left foot and took El D over with a hip toss. Before El D could scramble back to his feet Ojima punted El D in the back of the head.
MEARS: You can see that Reo is desperate here tonight. El D pinned him in a trios match last week, a match that saw Reo take a great deal of damage. I don’t see how Reo can make it to 2021 with the OATH World Championship.
PETRIE: Just you wait. El D may be getting the better of The Stone Gargoyle for the moment but Reo has lots of Aces up his sleeve.
MEARS: He can’t have more than four.
PETRIE: They are aces used for cheating! You can have as many as you need!
El D was face down on the mat staring blankly into the crowd. Ojima had dropped to a knee and it appeared that he was having trouble drawing breath. Ojima looked concerned but that look vanished when sinister inspiration struck. Ojima slowly walked over to the nearest corner and started undoing the top turnbuckle pad. The referee tried to stop the champion but Ojima turned to him and cold cocked him in the mouth. The referee dropped to the mat, out cold.
El Diablo Blanco had gotten to his feet with aid from the ropes and Ojima stomped over him. Ojima hit a jab to El D’s midsection and then smashed his elbow into the back of El D’s head. Ojima led El D over to the exposed turnbuckle and without a second of hesitation Ojima started smashing El D’s face into the metal turnbuckle coupling. Over and over again. El D’s mask had torn just above his left eye and he was bleeding.
PETRIE: Welcome to the big leagues El D. Unfortunately, your guide is our psychotic World Champion.
MEARS: Welcome to the big leagues? More like welcome to hell. El D is getting absolutely tortured right now by Reo. Good Lord.
Ojima was practically holding El D up at this point. The World Champion turned the challenger around in the corner and grabbed him by the throat. The champion was choking El D out as blood ran down from the cut above El D’s eye to color parts of his mask. With El D barely able to stand, Ojima lay into him with One Thousand Cuts, repeated slaps to the face. Each slap sent a fine mist of El D’s blood into the air and the audience in Toronto was horrified.
A new referee had finally come to ringside to take over for the one who had been knocked out. The first referee was carried off by trainers as Ojima brought El D out of the corner by the wrist. After hitting the challenger with one more slap, Ojima shot him forward and then immediately pulled him back into a Double A spinebuster! El D was looking up at the lights through a lens of his own blood as Ojima dropped into a cover.
1..
2..
..!
MEARS: And the World Champion nearly retains. You can see that took a lot out of Reo.
PETRIE: He’ll die in this ring if he fuckin’ has to. But that won’t happen tonight because El D is not the man to kill someone like Reo Ojima. No fuckin’ way.
El D kicked out at The Citadel audience showed some life as well. The Backyard Phenom wasn’t finished just yet. Ojima only seemed slightly inconvenienced by El D’s refusal to quit. The World Champion helped El D to his feet and then hit him with a lariat that would make lesser men shit themselves. El D was sent over the top rope to the floor, landing in a bloody heap.
Ojima took his time exiting the ring though not by choice. His ribs were fucked and it was impossible for him not to show that. Ojima approached El D and hit him with another running kick to the back of the head. Ojima kicked the ringsteps out of position and placed El D’s head in between the steel steps and the ring post. The Citadel could only watch on in horror as Ojima took a few paces backward. The World Champion measured El D and then charged in, looking to pop his head like a pimple. Luckily, El D moved at the very last second.
MEARS: He moved! El D got out of the way.
PETRIE: Holy fuck we almost just saw a murder!
El D got back up to his feet as best he could and after Ojima kicked the stairs, El D took him over with a hurricanranna! Ojima was sent like a bullet head first into the ring post. Ojima’s skull collided with the steel and he dropped where he stood. El D needed a moment before he could continue and the shot closed in to show that now Ojima was busted open. The audience was slowly starting a “GO EL D GO” chant and El D stood up straight.
MEARS: He is feeling it! The Power of Diablo Nation is pulsing through El D’s veins!
PETRIE: He is going to need it. Look who is here!
MEARS: Oh I almost forgot about these two. Get them out of here!
The chant was really starting to gather momentum when it was sharply changed to overwhelming boos. Leah Aguero and FM Young were making their way down to the ring and El D had no idea. Nor would he because before ONI could reach ringside, The Crawfords appeared and were hot on their tail. The Crawfords engaged with ONI and the four competitors started brawling. The original idea had gone out the window for ONI and their brawl with the Pride of Dingley Village led them backstage quite quickly.
PETRIE: Who were those homeless children?
MEARS: The Crawfords have cleared out ONI! This is El D’s match to lose now!
PETRIE: We need another ace! Quick!
El D seemed completely unaware of what just took place and he slipped Ojima back into the ring. El D was able to keep the pressure on as he shot Ojima into the ropes and on his return El D planted the World Champion with another spinebuster. The Citadel exploded as El D climbed to the top rope. El D surveyed the crowd, blood pouring down the side of his face. El D raised a fist and then came off the top rope with Feelin’ Froggy (Frog Splash) but Ojima rolled out of the way. He had been playing possum! Ojima mustered all of his strength, got to his feet, and planted El D with Last Call (Running Powerslam)! The bloodied El D was laid out and Ojima covered.
PETRIE: Thanks for coming moron!
1..
2..
..!
PETRIE: WHAT THE FUCK?
MEARS: HE KICKED OUT! THE BACKYARD PHENOM IS NOT DEAD YET!
Complete shock. The ref. The crowd. Ojima. Everyone was stunned because El D got his shoulder off the mat! The audience was going insane and Ojima looked defeated. His body was broken and that kick out may have broken his spirit. Ojima got to his feet and could barely stand. Before he could engaged El D again, The Backyard Phenom rolled him up! Ojima’s arm fell beneath the bottom rope as he struggled to kick out.
1..
2..
..3!
Ding, Ding, Ding!
CRYBABY: Here is your winner and NEW OATH Pro Wrestling World Champion, “The Backyard Phenom” El Diablo Blanco!
Jesus Christ. The sound in The Citadel when the referee’s hand came down for the three count. Deafening. People were cheering, people were crying -- El Diablo Blanco had just become the World Champion! The Backyard Phenom had done it!
PETRIE: THERE IS NO FUCKING WAY!
MEARS: THERE IS A WAY BECAUSE HE HAD THE WILL! EL DIABLO BLANCO IS THE NEW WORLD CHAMPION OF---
Mears stopped talking. The referee was frantically waving off the call. Crybaby approached the ring and the referee whispered something to her. Her face fell as she was forced to make the announcement.
CRYBABY: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has determined that Reo Ojima’s arm was under the bottom rope and thus this match will continue!
Ding, Ding, Ding!
All of the air went out of The Citadel. El D, his mask torn and his face bloody, was the picture of disappointment. But he had to forget all of that because the match had restarted! Ojima came out of nowhere and unleashed a brutal lariat. Ojima literally fell on top of El D and started hammering with the most disgusting ground and pound you have ever seen. El D was knocked out, he couldn’t defend himself, and the referee had to call for the bell.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
CRYBABY: Here is your winner and STILL OATH Pro Wrestling World Champion, “The Stone Gargoyle” Reo Ojima!
The Citadel was enraged. Garbage started flying into the ring as the referee went to hand the World Title to Ojima. As he did so, Ojima collapsed in the middle of the ring. The bloodied World Champion lay beside the even bloodier Livewire Champion as trash landed in the ring all around them. A skyview of this scene was last shot of OATH Pro Wrestling in 2020.
Results:
• James Edwards def. Jonathan Cage; Still Tabula Rasa Champion • Sweet Treats def. Daughters of Darkness • SKTLS def. Mancini Syndicate; Still Tag Team Champions • Stephanie Matsuda def. Leah Aguero • Josie Wales def. FM Young; New Intrepid Champion • Sharpe Clan def. The Hell Realm • Matt Shields def. Erik Holland • Reo Ojima def. El Diablo Blanco; Still World Champion
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