CONVICTION XLI

Episode XLI Sunday December 6th, 2020 The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario

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“Wet Blanket” by Metz kicked up and the opening hype video for Conviction rolled on screen. Various action shots featuring an assortment of OATH talent played one after another, all tinged with a goldenrod 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.

We glided down to ringside to show the voices of Conviction, Matt Mears and “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie. As usual, Petrie had a six pack of Dead To Rights Brewing Company’s Witch’s Brew sitting next to his notes. Mears on the other hand appeared to be nursing some Earl Grey tea. Lovely.

MEARS: Welcome wrestling fans to yet another exciting episode of OATH Pro Wrestling Conviction. I am Matthew Mears and I am seated next to my prickly broadcast colleague “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie. How are we feeling about tonight Bad Mood?

PETRIE: I’m fuckin’ psyched. I had a little pow wow with OATH Executive Director Price Bridges earlier today and tonight I get the screen time I’ve been askin’ for with my new interview segment, Mood Ring! My first guests will be the former OATH Tag Team Champions, Mancini Syndicate!

MEARS: Congratulations Bad Mood. I look forward to seeing that. Much like I am looking forward to see “The Resident Asshole” Kasey Kash back in action as he takes on “The Fire Fist Ace” Alex Pierce.

PETRIE: Been a minute since Kasey has competed on Conviction. I wonder if he’ll get ragdolled like he always does. Like OATH Pro Wrestling Tabula Rasa Champion “The Burning Heart” James Edwards and Johnny Draco are gonna get dummied by the new tandem of “The Eternal” Jonathan Cage and “The Sinner” AJ Jenkynx.

MEARS: That is going to be an interesting contest. Cage led Jenkynx to a victory on Livewire a few days ago. The contest that will follow sees tag team regulars “The Butterfly of Aurora” Kallie Reznik and “The Favoured of the Goddess” Lana Corvin facing off.

PETRIE: I for one am stoked as fuck to see Lana Corvin back in singles action. Kallie Reznik has been protected since teaming with Alex Andrews. Tonight she’s gotta go it alone. Like Switchblxde is gonna have to go it alone when he takes on “The War Queen” Leah Aguero.

MEARS: This is the biggest singles match of Switchblxde’s career in OATH, a win over Leah would launch him into the stratosphere. That is terrain that both “The Chairman of Chaos” Locke Helms and “The Outlaw” Josie Wales know well. Tonight in our main event they will collide to determine the next challenger for “The Tiger” FM Young’s Intrepid Championship.

PETRIE: Helms is a former two time Intrepid Champion. He wants to get number three and “The Outlaw” ain’t gonna stand in his way. Someone who doesn’t have anyone standin’ in his way is OATH World Champion Reo Ojima. I’m told that tonight we’re gonna find out the next challenger for the top prize.

MEARS: Exciting news to say the least. Reo has been a dominant World Champion, who will step up next to try to take the crown? So many questions to be answered tonight at Conviction 41. We’re ready if you are wrestling fans, let us begin.

SINGLES MATCH

Kasey Kash vs. Alex Pierce

In a move that surprised literally no one, “The Resident Asshole” Kasey Kash came to the ring to the tune of "RestInPeace" by Bones and he was not alone. The Sharpe Clan; SWITCHBLXDE, Jenna Sharpe, and Bert Cocaine all came to the ring with Kasey. After what happened to Kasey and Bert last week at the hands of The Hell Realm -- they weren’t taking any chances. “The Fire Fist Ace” Alex Pierce came to the ring alone. This also didn’t shock anyone.

Kasey came out of the gate and tried to shoot on Pierce but Pierce evaded that with ease. Kasey tried it again but this time Pierce hit him with a clubbing double sledge to the spine and then took Kasey over with a gutwrench suplex.

MEARS: Alex Pierce is incredibly strong. Kasey Kash is not going to be able to match him in that department.

PETRIE: Mr. Straker must have something against Kash, putting him in the ring with a hoss like Pierce.

Yeah this was a real mismatch. Pierce has almost a hundred pounds on Kash and was like ten times stronger than him. When Kash tried to get off the mat, Pierce hit him with a running punt to the ribs that literally stood him back up. Kash fell into a corner holding his ribs but Pierce pulled him out by the wrist and ten levelled him with a discus clothesline.

Kasey Kash was on dream street which afforded Pierce the opportunity to really take his time with this. Kash was on all fours when Pierce reached down and went for a deadlift German suplex. Which he completed. Kasey hit the mat like a fucking dead body and laid there like one too.

The Fire Fist Ace called out to the rest of The Sharpe Clan but they were just chatting amongst themselves -- Pierce didn’t concern them. This show of disrespect caused Pierce to run a little hot as he got Kasey up and lifted him for a powerbomb. At the last second Kasey threw his body back and took Pierce down with a hurricanranna.

MEARS: Kasey Kash with a desperation move. He needs to build on this momentum and quickly.

PETRIE: Why are the rest of the Sharpes out here? No members of The Hell Realm are here. Kash is safe.

MEARS: I highly doubt that.

Pierce fell forward and found himself draped over the middle rope. Kasey hit the opposing ropes and came back with a dropkick to the back of Pierce’s head. Kasey flew right through the ropes, landed on his feet and then hopped back up onto the apron. Kasey hit a vaulting stomp to Pierce’s lower back and then immediately applied a camel clutch.

You have to admire Kasey’s heart but a camel clutch on a guy who has nearly one hundred pounds on you was likely not the best course of action. Pierce fought up to his feet and Kash was hanging on his back, trying to switch the camel clutch into a sleeper hold. Kash got it locked in but Pierce dropped his head forward and slammed Kasey onto the mat.

PETRIE: Pierce is a beast. Kash can’t do shit to him.

The Resident Asshole was writhing in pain on the mat and Pierce stomped over to him, lifting him off the mat. Pierce went for his Backfist to the Future but Kasey dropped to a knee and hit a headbutt into Pierce’s midsection. Kasey dropped Pierce with a flatliner and made the cover.

1..

2..

..!

Pierce just kicked out and the Sharpe Clan was willing Kash on from ringside. Kash went to climb to the top rope but Pierce was back up. Pierce climbed up to the top rope with him -- or at least he tried to. Kash caught him with a mule kick to the chin on the way in and Pierce dropped. Kash wasted no time leaping off the top rope with Kash Out (Inverted Phoenix Splash)! Kash hooked the leg.

1..

2..

..!

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The Resident Asshole” Kasey Kash

"RestInPeace" by Bones cued up. The Sharpe Clan rejoiced as Kash got his hand raised. Pierce didn’t stay down for long so Kasey slipped out of the ring to join up with his friends. This moment of happiness for the Sharpes and Co. was short lived unfortunately.

The four members of The Hell Realm came out onto the ramp. The Sharpe Clan readied themselves for a fight and started marching up the ramp. Before anything could happen, Force Security intervened but they seemed to target the Sharpes. All of them were restrained and escorted to the back as The Hell Realm watched smugly from the ramp.

Backstage we saw the talented Johnny Draco standing in the hallway. Draco’s hand raised to rest on his chin while he walked down the hallway. His destination being the seasoned veteran James Edwards’ locker room. That night being dressed in his normal ring attire, a towel resting over his shoulders. A nod of Draco’s head toward the camera while the crew stepped. “Feels good to be tagging with an awesome talent like James Edwards.” These words ran through Johnny’s mind with every step he had taken. At that moment he soon stopped when he reached Edwards locker room. He turned slightly to raise a hand towards the doorway, knocking on it gently in hopes that the man he was teaming with heard it. He stood back from the doorway.

???: It’s open.

Draco opened the door to find his partner for the evening, James Edwards, seated in front of his locker stall, already dressed in his ring gear, tying his shoes. Edwards glanced at Draco and then turned his attention back to double knotting his laces.

EDWARDS: What’s up?

DRACO: Doing good man just focused on our match tonight. I think we definitely have a chance, we have respect for each other which helps build chemistry inside that ring. How's it going man?

Edwards raised an eyebrow.

EDWARDS: You’re lookin’ at it...man.

He looked up at Draco, his eyebrow still arched.

EDWARDS: What’s with the speech, you nervous or something?

DRACO: I’m not nervous, just ready to give Jonathan Cage a bit of revenge with you. At the same time trying to live up to that level that you’re on, man. I think we can get the job done together tonight.

Johnny Draco glanced over towards James Edwards direction, taking notice of the way the man had raised his eyebrow. He laughed a bit as he nodded his head, knowing what Edwards was thinking. Draco did seem nervous but it was because he had a chance to tag team with the great James Edwards.

DRACO: I look at this match to be a great moment for us both, I know you’re not usually one to partake in tag team matches. Though, it does have its purpose when we get an inch of revenge back against both AJ Jenkynx and Jonathan Cage.

Edwards shook his head.

EDWARDS: Two things, Johnny. One, you don’t need to worry about being on my level. You showed a few weeks ago you’re on it. I challenged you to be creative in our fight, and you did that. Not many people in this company actually would’ve done that. Two, this ain’t about revenge, well at least not the way you might thinkin’. I don’t like that Cage thought he could interrupt a moment of respect. I don’t like that he put his hands on your girl. I don’t like the dude, period, but this ain’t about revenge. This fight is about provin’ we’re better than he is in the only place that matters, in the ring. I don’t like these team fights, normally, but you seem like you won’t stab me in the back, so I’m more than happy to make an exception to my rule tonight.

DRACO: You do have a point there. Tonight can’t be about revenge. It has to be about proving that Cage shouldn’t have stepped foot in the spotlight. Especially, when it was at a time where respect was given between two great wrestlers. I do appreciate that man, I think that what he did was wrong that night. I mean what type of man puts his hands on a woman who is innocent? It shows his true colors when you truly think about it. Though, as far as you having to worry about me stabbing you in the back tonight -- you won’t have that issue with me James. We both have respect for one another. I am happy you are making this exception, because stabbing you in the back never crossed my mind. We can definitely show what we are made of tonight. Yet at the same time, we both know we’re better than he is, only time until he faces that reality. Though, I'm sure we can help him with that realization tonight during our match.

Edwards stood up and smiled.

EDWARDS: That’s a hell of a good point. You ready to rock, partner?

Edwards was smiling, a sign that the two men could work successfully together. Johnny nodded his head gently before lifting his right hand up into the air. A sign of respect as he extended it towards James' direction, Johnny waited for the man to shake his hand, while he began to speak in response to his question.

DRACO: Damn right I am man lets give these fans a match they can remember. A match that we prove we are the better team out in that ring tonight.

Edwards nodded his head in agreement and accepted the handshake.

TAG TEAM MATCH Johnny Draco & James Edwards vs. Jonathan Cage & AJ Jenkynx

The Tabula Rasa Championship scene was heating up around The Citadel as of late and that is what led to this banger of a tag team match. TR Champion “The Burning Heart” James Edwards would team up with the man he defended the championship against two weeks ago in Johnny Draco. Their opponents were the new alliance of “The Sinner” AJ Jenkynx and “The Eternal” Jonathan Cage.

Cage instructed Jenkynx to start the match off against a very eager Johnny Draco. The two locked up and Jenkynx was able to beale Draco onto the mat and then caught him with a thigh press to the face. Jenkynx took Draco into a corner and went to strike on him. Not a great move.

MEARS: Not a great idea for AJ! Johnny Draco is a former boxer.

PETRIE: Yeah and it clearly worked out for him.

The former boxer Draco blocked every strike that Jenkynx tried to throw and then switched spots with him. Draco went yard, hitting Jenkynx with a half dozen body blows before bringing him out of the corner. Draco blasted Jenkynx with a heavy dropkick to the chest and then made the tag to Edwards.

The Tabula Rasa Champion entered the match and hit Jenkynx with a running kitchen sink. Jenkynx somersaulted and landed with a thump on the mat. Jenkynx sat up and tried to get himself back into this match but Edwards cracked him with 12-6 (Rebound Wheel) and covered him.

1..

2..!

MEARS: That could have been a three count for the Tabula Rasa Champion but Jonathan Cage wasn’t about to take the chance. He is a veteran tag team wrestler, he knows all of the tricks.

PETRIE: I still don’t think that Edwards trusts Draco. His manager is Tiffany Lynn Page. I think this whole good guy thing is a fuckin’ work. Draco is a piece of shit deep down and he’s gonna betray Edwards.

MEARS: I can’t argue with the Tiffany argument. The Social Elite are widely hated on Livewire but we have yet to see how Johnny Draco fits into that equation.

Cage entered the ring (illegally) and kicked Edwards hard in the side of the head. Cage then stomped back to his corner and got on the apron. The Eternal seemed very displeased with Jenkynx’s performance so far. Cage reached out for the tag but Edwards was back up to his feet.

Edwards went to attack Cage on the apron but the referee got in between them. Lucky AJ Jenkynx, this was the opening he needed. Jenkynx cracked Edwards in the side of the head from behind and then took him down with an inverted DDT. He was close enough to his corner now that Cage was able to make the blind tag.

MEARS: The Eternal is on clean up now. A win over the TR Champion ahead of their title match at Nightfall would do wonders for Cage’s confidence.

PETRIE: Who says he’s not confident? He’s the picture of confidence.

The Eternal entered the ring and smashed Edwards with a left hand that Edwards’ ancestors probably fed. The TR Champion was sent staggering into a corner and Cage blasted him right on the chin with the Shadow Kick (Superkick). Edwards crumbled to the mat and Cage made an obnoxious cover.

1..

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..!

The Burning Heart was able to shoot his shoulder off the mat and Draco was reaching out for the tag. Cage started to get Edwards up to his feet but then darted back and blasted Draco with a Shadow Kick that took Draco off of the apron. Cage then planted Edwards with a DDT.

Sitting on the mat beside Edwards, Cage was looking very pleased with himself. The former Livewire Champion turned to his part and said, “Finish him.” before tagging him in. Jenkynx was happy to enter the ring and go after the TR Champion. Jenkynx lifted Edwards off the mat and then planted him with a scoop slam.

MEARS: AJ Jenkynx has not looked this sure of himself in some time.

PETRIE: He is sitting under Cage’s learning tree. He got his first win in weeks on the last episode of Livewire. The kid is feeling good.

The Sinner climbed to the top rope and played to the crowd, taunting them. Cage pleaded with his apprentice to cut that shit out but Jenkynx was enjoying it too much. When he was finished with the crowd, Jenkynx leaped off the top rope looking for a diving headbutt, however, Edwards was able to roll out of the way.

To the surprise of many, Jenkynx recovered quickly and prevented Edwards from making the tag. Jenkynx lifted Edwards off the mat and went to shoot him across the ring but Draco was back up on the apron and he made the blind tag. Jenkynx whipped Edwards into his corner but Edwards cracked Cage with a leaping knee that took Cage off the apron!

Jenkynx knew that he had fucked up but he didn’t know that Edwards made the tag to Draco! Draco slipped in behind Jenkynx and hit him with a right hook to the ear! Jenkynx was rocked and Draco planted him with Mic Check (Skull Crushing Finale)! Edwards stood guard as Draco made the cover.

1..

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..3!

CRYBABY: Here are your winners, Johnny Draco and the OATH Tabula Rasa Champion James Edwards!

“Kumbaya” by Hopsin started playing. Draco and Edwards got their hands raised. Edwards was handed the Tabula Rasa Championship back and Draco’s eyes were immediately fixed on the prize. Edwards took notice and looked down at the title himself.

MEARS: You have to think that Johnny wants another shot at James and the Tabula Rasa Championship sooner rather than later.

PETRIE: Yeah well there’s a line.

Draco went to say something to Edwards but was clobbered from behind with a barbed wire baseball bat! Jonathan Cage was armed and he was pretty pissed off. Edwards tried to defend himself by using the TR Title but Cage blocked it with the bat and then smashed Edwards’ left knee with it.

MEARS: Oh God! Jonathan was determined to get an advantage over James one way or another.

PETRIE: This is a veteran move! The match doesn’t begin at the bell, it starts as soon as it’s announced and Cage knows that!

The Burning Heart dropped to the mat and Cage started laying into his left knee with shots from the barbed wire baseball bat. Force Security was on their way down the ramp but the damage had been done. Edwards lay on the mat, his knee bashed and bleeding.

Congratulations! You uncovered a new part of the map. We are in an unfamiliar area of The Citadel, one that likely shouldn’t be on television but fuck it -- wrestling. This looks like the basement; stone walls, shit lighting, a real cave. A very tall and well built man in his fifties stood with his arms crossed, flanked by four other members of the security team. Across from them stood Jenna Sharpe, Swichblxde, Bert Cocaine, and fresh off a victory Kasey Kash.

FORCE: Okay. You may not know me personally because I’m never here but I am Head of Security Sheldon Force. Things have been getting chaotic around here what with The Sweet Boys and all that garbage. So I have come down from my ivory tower to get things back in order.

None of the Sharpe Clan seemed to give a good shit about this guy.

FORCE: Sharpes. You have been a pain in security’s ass for a good long while now. Tonight, you continued to annoy us. You had no call to be at ringside during little Kasey’s match earlier. Hell Realm weren’t even out there, they weren't going to do anything.

JENNA: Yeah that’s absolute bullshit.

FORCE: I didn’t ask you to speak. Mr. Straker has given me full authority to detain anyone who is being difficult and that seems to define you four pukes. Given that Switchy here has a match later against Leah Aguero it is my professional opinion that you three--

Force pointed at Bert, Jenna, and Kasey.

FORCE: --need to be detained. Welcome to The Brig. You three are gonna spend the rest of the show in here.

Bert chortled and had an incredulous look on his face.

BERT: And what if we say no?

Force took a step forward, the imposing figure looked down at Bert. Bert didn’t back down, he looked Force right in the eye. Tension. Lots of it. Broken when Force shoved Bert hard back into the cell, causing the back of Bert’s head to hit a wall. Jenna immediately moved into the cell to check on her manager. Force cast his glare toward Kasey.

FORCE: Get in there or face suspension. That’s the reality of what’s goin’ on here. You got a big win tonight kid, don’t throw your career away over this bullshit.

Kasey looked over to Switch and Switch gave him a nod. With Jenna, Bert, and Kasey all in The Brig, a security guard locked the cell and handed the key off to Force.

FORCE: See? Not that hard. Now Switchy will get to show what he can do in a fair contest.

Switchblxde took a step forward and now he was staring Force down.

SWITCHBLXDE: If I didn’t have so much other shit goin’ on you and I would take this shit outside. You don’t know who you’re fuckin’ with.

FORCE: I’m just doing my goddamn job kid. Why don’t you go do yours?

It was clear that Switch was fighting the urge to pop Force in the jaw but the fact that he had a massive singles match tonight held him back. He glanced over at Jenna and she gave him a look that said, “Not now”. Switch turned back to Force, fists clenched.

SWITCHBLXDE: When my match is over, you let 'em out.

FORCE: Of course. That is exactly what Mr. Straker wants.

With a huff, Switch walked out of frame leaving the rest of the Sharpe Clan temporarily detained in the dreaded Brig.

Spotlight clicked on, and it’s on a disheveled looking Erik Holland in an otherwise nondescript room, in that the rest of the room is ultimately unimportant. He was hunched over, rubbing a palm on his forehead.

HOLLAND: It’s funny. Every wrestler faces this in their career, I think -- when the time comes to bring down the curtain and end one’s in-ring career, there are a mix of emotions. Sadness, longing, but for many there is a sense of satisfaction. Peace. A feeling that everything you wanted to do is now done, and the impact you wanted to make on the business has now developed a sense of permanence.

Holland looked up, those welder’s goggles casting an intimidating sight as Holland’s eyes look big, empty..dead.

HOLLAND: I am in this space now, Matt Shields, and I feel as peaceful as I have ever felt which is saying something.

A heavy, contented sigh.

HOLLAND: OATH Pro Wrestling. This is where I’ve decided to bring my career to a close. After being the ONLY man in the company to win a Trial by Fire match, after being a former World Champion, I have seen that there truly is not anything left for me to do here, nor anywhere else. Everything I said I would do, I have done. I said I would become the cornerstone of OATH and I have done it, and now I will fulfill the job of the cornerstone--being the foundation that the NEXT generation is built upon.

Holland gestures in that “wait wait wait” way, as he got to his next point.

HOLLAND: But you, Matt--you tell me no, Holland, you musn’t leave yet. You want me to face you one more time, and I wonder why--since you’ve defeated me once already. Maybe because you recognize that I truly challenged you, that I truly made you believe in the art form that is the carnage I’ve inflicted for nine long brutal years..and you want your measure to be taken again.

Suddenly, the camera cut very close to his face.

HOLLAND: You NEED it.

Back to our original shot.

HOLLAND: Why else would you have asked to face me in a Barbed Wire Massacre Match? Because you know what will happen to you, and you have to know if you are ready. Ready to try to do what I have done for the past nine years--ready to assume the mantle as the most dangerous man in this industry.

Erik pursed his lips, shaking his head in a dismissive manner.

HOLLAND: I don’t think you are, which is why I accept your challenge.

Oh the OATH faithful will love this.

HOLLAND: I believe once I get you inside that barbed wire, and I make you suffer, and that cold steel tastes your flesh and tastes your fear again and again and again--you’re going to realize only one man was ever built to withstand this punishment, this savagery, this PAIN...and it wasn’t you.

Erik shook a finger at the screen.

HOLLAND: I will, in my departure, teach you a valuable lesson. And give you and these OATH faithful that have stood behind me for so long something that you will remember me forever by. I will be seeing you very soon, Shields..I am counting the days.

The monster lowered his head again, and the spotlight clicked off. Back to ringside.

SINGLES MATCH Kallie Reznik w/ Alex Andrews vs. Lana Corvin w/ Jamie Emmerson

This next one did not start out how you would have expected. The Daughters of Darkness came out first and waited in the ring for Sweet Treats. They didn’t come -- down the ramp. Sweet Treats came through the crowd and slipped into the ring behind DoD. Alex Andrews tossed Jamie Emmerson over the top rope and Kallie dropped Lana with a snap DDT. She covered.

1..

2..

..!

Lana kicked out and just barely. She looked completely shocked that she had been jumped like that. Kallie stayed on Lana for the first little while, peppering her with running dropkicks and hip tosses. Jamie and Alex had been separated at ringside by Force Security.

MEARS: Issues between these two teams have been going on for weeks now. Jamie was able to defeat Alex last week and DoD now want to go two for two against Sweet Treats in singles action.

PETRIE: Sweet Treats lack that killer instinct. You need that to make it to the top of the tag team division.

MEARS: You are aware that the Tag Team Champions come to the ring accompanied by a capybara, correct?

PETRIE: A killer capybara.

With momentum on her side Kallie sent Lana hard into a corner. So hard in fact that Lana hit the buckles and stumbled out of the corner. Kallie measured Lana and went to pop her with Elysium (Running Bicycle Kick) but Lana side stepped her and sent Kallie into the corner.

Kallie was hung up in the corner, her leg draped over the top rope. Lana saw her opportunity and started ruthlessly kicking Kallie in the quad. The referee admonished her but Lana didn’t care. She vaulted over the top rope to the floor and grabbed Kallie’s foot on the way down, yanking it over the top rope.

The Butterfly of Aurora was laying in a state of agony on the mat. Lana was clearly trying to hyper extend Kallie’s leg and she may have. Lana slithered back into the ring and immediately applied a single leg crab on Kallie’s left leg.

MEARS: Lana knows exactly what to do in this situation. She has had the best training and she likely knows hundreds of different ways to go after Kallie’s injured left leg.

PETRIE: I don’t think Kallie Reznik has the slightest idea about Lana’s bloodline. She was bred for fucking greatness! For all we know Reznik was bred because the condom broke.

MEARS: Good Lord Bad Mood!

PETRIE: It could be true!

Alex was trying to will her partner on from the outside but she could see the fear in Kallie’s eyes. Lana wrenched back with all that she had but that exertion gave Kallie the opportunity to slip through Lana’s legs. Before Kallie could do anything to counter Lana further Lana stomped on her face.

Reznik was rolling around on the mat holding her nose as Lana stalked her. Jamie started pointing and laughing at Kallie as Lana hoisted her up to her feet and then set off to hit the ropes. On her return Lana went for Hecate’s Dagger (Shotei Palm Strike) but Kallie was quicker and she blasted Lana with Elysium! Lana was flattened and Kallie fell into a cover.

MEARS: There is that speed of Kallie Reznik. She needed to cut Lana off to slow her momentum and she did just that!

1..

2..!

PETRIE: Yeah but she’s got a bad fuckin’ wheel. One more decent shot to that left quad and she won’t be flyin’ all over the place.

Lana kicked out and The Citadel did not love that because they hate Lana with the fire of a thousand suns. Alex started pounding on the mat, trying to will Kallie on. This seemed to help because Kallie was up to her feet and she set Lana up for the Ursa Major (Buster Leg Drop DDT) but Lana swung out of it and hit the Through The Veil (Satellite DDT). Both competitors were down again and The Citadel started up a “LET’S GO KALL-IE” chant to try to motivate her.

Both competitors were up but Kallie was hobbling. Out of desperation Lana shot forward on all fours and clipped Kallie’s left leg with a chop block. Kallie dropped to all fours and Lana hit her with a jumping double stomp to the spine. Kallie let out in pain as Lana grabbed both of her arms and pulled them back while Kallie was face down on the mat. Lana hit a straight kick to the back of Kallie’s head, sending it into the mat.

On the outside a fan yelled something at Jamie and given her experiences with fans as of late, she took it personally. The drunk fan was yelling insults about “Witches” at Jamie and she decided to get in their face. She swiped the fans beer and then walked away.

MEARS: Hey take that away from her! She isn’t old enough to drink!

PETRIE: Even in Canada?

MEARS: Even in Canada!

Lana was relentlessly stomping on Kallie’s neck and Alex was telling the referee to intervene. Lana took exception to this and hit Alex with a baseball slide to the face. The referee poked his head through the ropes to see if Alex was alright and this prompted Jamie to get up on the apron, armed with the cup of beer!

Kallie was able to get up to her feet, her nose bloodied, and she caught Lana with a superkick that sent her into the corner! Kallie then went to take off for the ropes but Jamie threw the cup of beer in her face! The hoppy suds got in Kallie’s eyes and left her open to get planted with Lana’s The Glorifier (Double Underhook Sit-out Facebuster). Lana made the cover and the referee turned around and made the count.

1..

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..3!

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The Favoured of The Goddess” Lana Corvin!

"Awakening" by Unleash the Archers kicked up. The Citadel booed the shit out of Lana as Jamie entered the ring to celebrate with her. Lana picked up the cup and held it upside down -- empty. The DoD laughed as Kallie struggled to get to her feet.

It was clear that Alex Andrews was completely fed up with the DoD at this point. She slipped into the ring and went after both Jamie and Lana but they bailed out of the ring before Alex could get a shot in. They would have had the advantage but they had already proved their point. Alex wasn’t finished, she collected a microphone.

ANDREWS: Enough! Enough of all of this! You two won’t quit until you completely humiliate us will you?

Lana could be seen mouthing the words, “Probably not.” from the end of the entrance ramp. Jamie laughed some more.

ANDREWS: Then we’ll have to make you stop! Two weeks. Nightfall. Since you want to involve the fans so badly, why don’t we make it a tornado tag team Fans Bring The Weapons Match!

The Citadel roared in approval. Lana and Jamie talked amongst themselves and then Jamie took a step forward and shouted their answer.

EMMERSON: You’re on!

And with that another match was made for Nightfall in two weeks as we cut to commercial.

We’re back from commercial and color commentary man “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie was situated in the middle of the squared circle. There was a multicolored shag rug in the middle of the canvas and Christmas lights were haphazardly wrapped around the top ring rope. Four bean bag chairs were scattered about.

PETRIE: Welcome fuckers to the first instalment of Bad Mood’s Mood Ring. Get it? Yeah. Pretty fuckin’ clever. I’m here to ask the tough questions. I’m here to get into the shit. Understand? Give a good goddamn welcome to my first guests ever, the rightful OATH Tag Team Champions -- Viola Mancini and Janica Jayden, The Mancini Syndicate.

“Fast Life" by Kool G Rap & Nas cued up. The Citadel did not give Mancini Syndicate a warm reception but Bad Mood seemed pleased to see them come out from behind the curtain. Viola walked ahead, with Janica a few paces behind. Once they were in the ring, Bad Mood gestured toward the bean bag chairs. Viola just glared at him as she was handed a microphone. Janica considered sitting down but thought better of it, considering that Viola remained standing.

PETRIE: Fuck yeah. Welcome to my Mood Ring ladies. I’m gonna get right down to it because I pull no punches. How are you two dealing with the atrocity that went down last week?

Viola seemed surprised that Bad Mood saw their Tag Team Title loss in the way that he did.

VIOLA: Thank you for not being a member of the flock Mr. Petrie. What happened last week was an atrocity. I carried the OATH Tag Team Titles with pride, as a real champion. But I was forced, not once but twice, to defend my titles with a literal wild animal roaming at ringside.

Petrie nodded along, clearly in agreement with La Capa.

PETRIE: I think it’s fucked up too. You should still have those titles but now they are held by two cartoon characters. This is a horrible time for the tag team division.

VIOLA: Without question. The division will suffer with them as champions. I will not stand by and watch them take over what is my territory. I spoke with Executive Director Price Bridges and he in turn spoke with Mr. Straker. I put forth a proposition that they have accepted.

PETRIE: What kind of proposition?

VIOLA: When we challenged The Runaways back in October, they agreed that if we were to defeat them then they could not challenge for the Tag Team Titles as long as we were champions.

PETRIE: A fuckin’ excellent play. I don’t think Michael Sharpe even works here anymore!

VIOLA: I do not care. What I do care about is that we have made that proposition again. We want a third match with those -- children. We have been granted it, at Nightfall. Should I not be able to defeat them at Nightfall and reclaim my Tag Team Titles then I will not challenge for them again as long as they are the champions.

Janica nudged one of the bean bag chairs with the toe of her boot, wondering why she was even out here. It was clear that Viola wasn’t going to let her speak.

PETRIE: You make it sound like you are going to challenge them by yourself?

Viola finally acknowledged Janica’s presence, with a passing glance.

VIOLA: Some days it feels like that. I am certain that my partner will bring her A Game at Nightfall. Because if she doesn’t? Well...that would not be a great situation for her.

Viola let the microphone drop to the mat and then exited the ring. Janica looked puzzled, concerned, frightened -- lots of emotions commanded control of her facial expression. Petrie shrugged in her direction and the scene faded.

SINGLES MATCH Leah Aguero vs. SWITCHBLXDE

A big test for SWITCHBLXDE was up next as he took on ONI member “The War Queen” Leah Aguero. Leah was first out to the ring and before SWITCH could make his entrance, Leah took hold of a microphone. The Citadel tried to prevent her from talking by booing the good goddamn out of her. Leah didn’t care, she knew that if she started speaking they would listen.

AGUERO: Before I have to ruin another Sharpe’s life, I wanted to address my cousin Stephanie Matsuda. Last week you crossed a line cuz and now we have to settle this. You just had to put your hands on me and ruin everything. Now I have to put you in the ground. This isn’t a challenge because I know you would just say yes, so this is an announcement. In two weeks at Nightfall you and I are gonna tangle again. But unlike back at Rapture in July, we’re going to get a winner. Because we’re gonna fight under War Queen Rules. After Nightfall we’ll know for sure who the real War Queen of OATH is.

After that little proclaimation. SWITCH made his way to the ring. The Scum God had no interest in pageantry or anything of the sort -- he wanted to fight. SWITCH went at Aguero like a spider monkey, taking her down to the mat with a wild body avalanche. SWITCH unleashed a punching barrage before he got Aguero up and sent her hard into a corner.

Scum God ran in at Aguero in the corner from the opposing corner and hit a perfect stinger splash. Aguero tried to stagger away but SWITCH caught her by the shoulder, spun her around, and in no time he had put her on the mat with a spinning suplex.

MEARS: SWITCHBLXDE’s erratic style is very difficult for a lot of his opponents to manage. You have to keep him close and keep him on the mat. If he gets any room to move then he will come at you in a variety of ways.

PETRIE: He is nothing without his tag team partner. He could learn a thing or two from Aguero. She left her partner in the dust and she’s doing a lot better because of it.

SWITCH stomped around the ring, playing to the crowd in The Citadel -- he was clearly pleased that he had taken the fight to Aguero so quickly. Aguero didn’t seem to think so because she rallied back to her feet and when SWITCH tried to lock up with her she hit him with a toe kick and then a huge uppercut that put him on his ass.

The War Queen kept SWITCH down with a series of stomps and then hit the ropes and came back onto his prone body with a sliding elbow drop. Aguero made a quick cover but SWITCH immediately kicked out and sat up. Aguero hit him with a soccer kick to the spine and SWITCH found himself writhing on the mat in complete agony.

MEARS: Leah Aguero is so particular and lethal with her strikes. She makes sure that they always land and to a very important part of the body. She is such a dangerous competitor.

PETRIE: She makes every movement count. Fuckin’ remarkable. No wasted movement.

The former Tag Team Champion SWITCH fought up to his feet and caught Aguero in the chin with a right jab. Aguero fell back into the ropes but shot forward and caught SWITCH right on the chin again, this time with a big boot that took him off his feet and onto his back once more. Aguero checked her mouth for blood and seemed disappointed when there wasn’t any.

After she had measured the distance in her mind (and quite quickly), Aguero darted toward the nearest set of ropes and in an instant she was sailing through the air with a springboard moonsault. However, SWITCH had rolled out of the way. He was quickly up to one knee but a look of surprise came over him.

MEARS: It appears that Leah has tricks too.

PETRIE: Bet ya didn’t see that comin’ SWITCHY.

MEARS: Well he did. He moved.

PETRIE: Oh fuck off with it.

Aguero stood and did a mocking curtsy before SWITCH. This only served to fire him up and he unleashed a wild lariat in her direction. Aguero ducked under it and applied a reverse waist lock but SWITCH showed his chain wrestling prowess and executed a go behind of his own. Aguero tried to throw an elbow back but SWITCH caught her arm and took her over with a half and half suplex!

The Citadel was behind SWITCH as he pounced on Aguero’s prone body with another flurry of wild punches. Not just punches, but whatever strike he could think of to keep Leah down. When she still struggled, he looked like he was trying to bite her fingers but Aguero broke free and poked him in the eye.

SWITCH was sent reeling backward, holding his eye. Aguero was quick to strike and she took him down with a chop block. SWITCH dropped to a knee and Aguero hit him with a bicycle kick to the side of the head which dropped him to all fours. SWITCH was set up perfectly and drilled with The Endgame (Punt Kick) and that turned his lights out. Aguero covered and it was all over.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The War Queen” Leah Aguero

“Killing In The Name Of” by Rage Against The Machine started playing as the ONI member got her hand raised. SWITCH was face down on the mat as Aguero exited the ring. She reached the top of the ramp and her music cut out. Aguero looked toward the curtain as four bodies appeared.

MEARS: Why am I not shocked in the least?

PETRIE: Hey! Hell Realm might just be out here to congratulate Leah. She and THR go way back.

MEARS: I highly doubt that is why they are here. SWITCHBLXDE is alone, his friends are all locked in The Bring.

PETRIE: Gotta say, love this Brig idea.

Aguero stood before The Hell Realm for a moment, staring into Locke Helms’ eyes. Neither party moved for what felt like minutes. Finally, Aguero took one step aside and gave THR a clear path to the ring. As Nyx, Terror, Astaroth, and Helms reached the ring Aguero had disappeared beyond the curtain.

MEARS: ...And out come the wolves.

PETRIE: Gonna make SWITCH their BITCH.

MEARS: Alright enough.

There was a Hell Realm member on every side of the ring now. SWITCH got up to all fours and we could see that the side of his head was bleeding. Terror gave the signal and all four members of The Hell Realm slipped into the ring and pounced on SWITCH.

MEARS: Where is Force Security now? Why aren’t they coming to stop this?

PETRIE: Clearly they don’t have an issue with this.

With no backup, SWITCH was beaten down in short order. He fell victim to The Protocol (3D) from Terror and Nyx, a 450 Splash from Astaroth, and finally a Downfall (Hammerlock DDT) from Helms. Terror then hit SWITCH in the side of the head with as many stomps as he could muster -- opening the gash on the side of SWITCH’s head wide open.

MEARS: Come on security! Get out here now!

The Hell Realm stood over SWITCH, who was bleeding onto the mat and they all seemed quite pleased with themselves as Force Security finally started to come out in great numbers, flooding the ring with bodies in cool black turtlenecks.

In the corporate office area of The Citadel we saw Executive Director Price Bridges make his first appearance on OATH programming. No one was really demanding that we see the head of production but here he was. He knocked on the door of OATH President Tommy Straker and we could faintly hear someone say “Enter.” from the other side of the door. Bridges walked in to find Straker seated behind his desk, mindfully watching some footage.

BRIDGES: Mr. Straker, I wanted to let you know that you have a visitor. I know that you do not want to speak with competitors directly but I feel that this is a special case.

Straker did not look up from the monitor that he was watching.

STRAKER: Who?

He was brief, seemingly consumed by the footage that he was watching. Before Bridges could respond, another person entered the room and flopped down in the chair across from Straker. Fans in the arena popped because it was Toronto wrestling legend, Finale. The former owner of The Citadel sat, with the BWF Tag Team Championship over his shoulder. Straker did not look away from his monitor.

FINALE: You’re a tough guy to get ahold of Straker.

STRAKER: What do you want Rory?

Finale gave an obnoxious scoff and glanced over to Bridges with an incredulous look.

FINALE: Damn. Right to the point eh Strake? Okay man I get it. I’m not a contracted wrestler here so you don’t really have to talk to me but I was visiting some pals backstage when I saw that ol’ Erik Holland is retiring.

STRAKER: He is.

FINALE: And his last match is against Matt Shields? Barbed Wire Massacre? Jesus. Let the guy retire, don’t send him out in a body bag.

STRAKER: What do you [i]want[/i] Rory?

FINALE: Well. Are there any dibs on Holland’s second last match?

STRAKER: Dibs?

FINALE: Is he gonna have a match before the Barbed Wire Clusterfuck? Because I can’t let that nancy retire without facing me. I am offering my services. Whenever, wherever.

STRAKER: What about Blazenwing?

FINALE: I honestly don’t even know if that place is still operating or if it is a figment of our collective imaginations.

STRAKER: Next week then.

Finale clapped his hands in joy and stood, adjusting the title over his shoulder. He extended his hand to Straker but it was not accepted. Finale just nodded his head saying “Cool, cool, cool.” before leaving the room. Once Finale was gone, Straker turned to Bridges.

STRAKER: Tonight. If he does not win then you can execute the next phase.

BRIDGES: And if he does win?

STRAKER: Then they will need to find a replacement. Either way I want this to come to its conclusion at Nightfall. It needs to end.

BRIDGES: I understand sir.

Bridges took his leave and Straker returned to watching the monitor. It was hard to see, but the footage appeared to be of ONI...

“The Real Man” by The Seatbelts played throughout the arena as Reo Ojima made his way out with the OATH World Title on his shoulder. A lit cigar hung from his lips as he gingerly made his way to the ring. Sliding inside the ring, there was already a steel chair in the center of the canvas waiting for him with a microphone on the seat. Sitting down, Reo leaned back and stared a hole at the ramp entrance. It’s as if he was addressing the OATH roster as his rough voice echoed in the microphone.

OJIMA: So…..who’s next? Hmmm? Who wants a title shot? Who in the back wants an opportunity at the OATH World Title? Someone? Anyone? It’s surprising because someone usually makes their intentions known by now. Usually someone chirps in my mentions or my ear about how they want a shot, but nothing so far. Usually someone attacks me from behind and screams into my unconscious ears that they want my title, but no one has had the balls to do that either. Hell, no one has even walked up to me and politely asked for a title match.

Reo paused as he took a drag from his cigar and let the ash fall onto the mat.

OJIMA: Have I broken the spirit of the locker room with my near one hundred and fifty day reign as champion? Have I defeated everyone that there is to defeat in the OATH locker room? Does anyone that I’ve already defeated want another go at me? Come on out! I’m waiting.

Reo waited, but no one came out which disappointed him.

OJIMA: You all disappoint me, you know that? You’re all scared of an old man who’s being held together by tobacco tar and paper clips. Well if no one is going to come on out I guess I’ll just go home. Call me when someone finally drops a set.

Reo dropped the microphone in the middle of the ring and was ready to exit the ring when he was interrupted by "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?) by Ylvis playing in The Citadel. The fans erupted for the leader of the Diablo Nation but Reo just laughed at the thought of his next challenger. El Diablo Blanco came out on the stage with the Livewire Title in tow. With a microphone in hand, El D called for his music to be cut. As he headed towards the ring El Diablo never took his eyes off the OATH World Champion; who was leaning against the far turnbuckles with his arms folded and a grin on his face.

BLANCO: Let me tell you something, Brother. I can already tell what you're thinking. Who's this totally awesome Dude coming down to the ring right now and getting in the ring with me?

Reo let out a chuckle.

BLANCO: I'm just jonesing you, Brother. I know what you're really thinking. "I asked for a challenger; not some pencil necked geek. Not some guy with a rocking dad bod and a flea market mask." Well, Brother, to an extent you are correct. I do have a mean dad bod going on. Then again, Brother, you know a thing or two about dad bods. You're a father yourself. Yeah, that's right. You probably have no idea who I am, Brother, but I know a thing or two about you. You see, I trained at the renowned GOAT Farm Wrestling School. Yeah, that's right. I see the wheels turning in that head of yours. We didn't get to spend a ton of time together but I've ran drills with someone close to you, like real close, Brother. Yup, I ran drills with Yota. And Yota told me a thing or two about you. He said you were one tough cookie. What I've seen here in OATH, however, is not a tough cookie. What I've seen here is a bully.

El Diablo Blanco had made his way down ringside. He hopped up onto the ring apron.

BLANCO: If you have paid attention at all over the last few months then you would know I don't like bullies, Brother. You have shown outright blatant disrespect to anyone and everyone that isn't part of your little ONI.

The smile on Reo's face became a bit more serious as El D entered the ring.

BLANCO: Don't worry, Brother. I know you came out here looking for a challenger to your title. As of late people just seem to be walking out here demanding a shot at your strap. But don't you worry, Brother, because I'm not out here looking for a shot at your strap. If you hadn't noticed, I've got a bit of gold myself.

El Diablo patted the Livewire Title.

BLANCO: I am out here for a challenge but it's not the one you think, Brother. You see, I've noticed your blatant disregard of the Livewire brand and I'm here to right some wrongs. Not that long ago I said I wanted to put our brands to the test. Conviction has always been known as the A-Show but I think Livewire is on the same level. I'm willing to put that to the test. You're a champion. I'm a champion. Why don't we see for ourselves just who's the A-Show Champ and who's the B-Show Champ? In the process a bully gets his dues. Ya Diggit, Brother?

Reo gave a grin as he took the cigar from his mouth and extinguished it on the Livewire Title as he walked past Blanco and exited the ring.

• MAIN EVENT •

#1 Contendership: Intrepid Title

SINGLES MATCH Locke Helms vs. Josie Wales

Main event time was here at last. Two OATH stalwarts were set to face off to determine who would challenge FM Young for the Intrepid Title at Nightfall in two weeks. “The Chairman of Chaos” Locke Helms, being a former two time Intrepid Champion, came into this match looking confident if not reserved. He was accompanied by not only Astaroth, but Adrestia Nyx and Ryan Terror. “The Outlaw” Josie Wales came out to a decent response and stood at the top of the ring, eying down the four members of The Hell Realm.

MEARS: This is a tall order for The Outlaw. It’s practically four on one!

PETRIE: It is not. The rest of the Realm are just here for moral support!

When Helms’ friends finally left the ring, we got this match going. There was some trash talk to get us going but that soon led to Wales laying into Helms with some strikes. Wales maintained control of the match by taking Helms down with a snapmare and then chin lock.

Helms fought out of the chin lock and rattled Wales with a kneeling jawbreaker. Wales tried to come back at him with a short arm clothesline but Helms caught her wrist, rolled through and then took her over with a fluid German suplex that rocked The Outlaw.

The Chairman of Chaos slowed the paced right down, grounding Wales with some old fashioned punches. Wales did her best to cover up but Helms had the high ground and that’s like 90% of a wrestling match right? Who knows.

MEARS: Locke Helms likes to take his time in a match. He likes to discover his opponents’ weaknesses and then exploits them.

PETRIE: Yeah that shit is the mark of an incredible wrestler. Wales is gonna have no response for Helms’ incredible knack for strategy.

The Chairman of Chaos got Josie up to a vertical base and then whipped her into a corner. He followed that up with a running knee strike and then put Wales in the dreaded tree of woe! Helms hit Wales with a superkick to the midsection and then took a few paces back before he came back to blast Wales in the face with a dropkick.

MEARS: Gallows Tree! Locke Helms has hit the Gallows Tree combination and The Outlaw appears to have been knocked loopy!

PETRIE: Wales wanted a higher calibre of competition and that’s what she’s fuckin’ gettin. Just because she got a win over Leah Aguero doesn’t mean she’s ready for someone like Helms.

The Outlaw was doing her best to shake off the dizziness and Helms took advantage of that. Helms surprised Wales with a forearm smash and quickly put her on her back with a snap suplex. Helms stomped on Wales' left shoulder joint and the crowd did that real deep boo. You know the one.

Wales scrambled toward the ropes to assist her in standing but Locke hit her with another hard forearm and then took her down to the mat with a double wrist lock. Helms wrenched on the left shoulder joint with all of his might.

The Citadel started to rally behind The Outlaw but mostly because they were not fond of Helms. Either way, their vocal support seemed to help Wales grab the bottom rope with her legs. Helms broke the hold but provided a parting series of stomps to Wales’ left shoulder.

MEARS: The left shoulder is his target. Locke has honed in on it. Josie needs to keep that injured part of her body out of reach for Locke.

PETRIE: Good fuckin’ luck! Locke is one of the most celebrated champions we’ve ever had.

The Outlaw was struggling, she had not been able to mount much offense in this contest. Helms was picking her apart piece by piece. The rest of the Hell Realm was leaning against the guardrail, watching Helms intently. Helms stalked Wales, plotting his next move.

Helms cautiously approached Wales, making certain that he wasn’t leaving himself open for an attack. He would hit a stomp to Wales’ injured shoulder and then take a few paces back. After about six stomps, Josie went to grab his planted foot but Helms stomped on her hand!

PETRIE: You believe me now Matty? Wales beating Aguero was a fluke. She is back in the ring against a top guy and she’s getting fuckin’ worked.

MEARS: Things are certainly looking bleak for Josie. That left shoulder has taken a lot of damage and now her left hand. Locke is isolating and destroying.

PETRIE: That’s what The Chairman does. I hope FM Young is watching this beat down!

MEARS: I have no doubt that she is.

Helms walked a perimeter around the downed Outlaw and when she started to get up again Helms shot in and applied a reverse waist lock. Helms lifted Josie up for another German suplex but Wales pushed her weight forward and put Helms on the mat with a perfect Oklahoma roll! Helms’ shoulders were on the mat and the referee made the count.

1..

2..

..!

The Chairman of Chaos nearly lost and he knew it. The other Hell Realm members at ringside didn’t flinch but Helms was showing a growing concern. Shrugging off his slow, tactical approach Helms shot in on Wales only to get blasted in the chin with a bicycle kick! Helms fell back into the ropes and stumbled forward right into a second bicycle kick! Helms was floored and Josie had earned her reprieve.

Able to gather herself, Wales knew that she needed to press her advantage at this point. Bringing Helms off the mat with a front face lock, Wales blasted Helms with a European uppercut that sent him reeling back into a corner. Wales brought Helms out of the corner and dropped him face first onto the top turnbuckle!

MEARS: Josie needs to utilize an offensive strategy that doesn’t use that left arm. The more she uses it, the more damage she is doing to herself. Should Locke be able to turn the momentum in his favour once more, she will be in serious trouble.

Helms stumbled around the ring holding his jaw when Wales kicked him in the midsection and planted him with the Sundance Neckbreaker (Overdrive). The Chairman of Chaos had been laid out and Wales dropped into a cover. The Citadel counted along with the referee’s cadence.

1..

2..

..!

Toronto “Awww’d” when Wales count not get the three count. Wales called for the end and tried to set Helms up for the High Noon Driver (Barry White Driver) but Helms wrenched her bad arm and put her on the mat with an arm drag. Wales tried to rally back, charging at Helms but he caught her with Diamond Rain (C4)!

PETRIE: Faster than a roofer to the liquor store on payday! Locke Helms is back driving this big rig right on to the Intrepid Championship.

MEARS: Slow down on the Witch’s Brew maybe Bad Mood.

It was Helms now who was afforded some time to recover. The Hell Realm watched on intently as Helms got to his feet and took Wales by the injured arm. Helms dropped an elbow onto her shoulder joint and then set her up for Downfall (Hammerlock DDT) but Wales slipped behind him and shoved him toward a corner.

Before Helms made contact with the corner he jumped up to the second rope. He wasn’t able to unleash any offense because Wales hit him with a forearm smash to the lower back. Helms found himself in a bad position as Wales gritted through the pain in her shoulder and planted him with the High Noon Driver (Barry White Driver)! Wales covered with her good arm and the referee made the count.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner and new Number One Contender for the OATH Intrepid Championship, “The Outlaw” Josie Wales!

"The Unforgiven" by Metallica started playing but it quickly faded out because while Josie got her hand raised in the middle of the ring, The Hell Realm had it surrounded. Helms powdered out of the ring to recover and once he had, there was a member of THR on every side of the ring.

MEARS: This is a bad position for Josie Wales.

PETRIE: Ha! Hell Realm are gonna do FM Young’s job for her!

Josie readied herself for a fight and Hell Realm appeared poised to storm the ring when a strong reaction from the crowd drew their attention to the top of the ramp! SWITCHBLXDE, held together by a shit load of bandages.

PETRIE: Goddamn it these Sharpes don’t know when to quit!

MEARS: SWITCH wants payback and he wants it now.

PETRIE: Only thing he’s going to get is a trip to the ICU.

SWITCH was armed with a steel chair as he limped down the ramp to take on the entire Hell Realm. Dr. Evelyn Ernest came out from behind the curtain and rushed towards SWITCH, trying to stop him from engaging Helms and co.

PETRIE: Even the good doctor is out here! Listen to her SWITCH, you don’t want any of this fight.

Before SWITCH could reach the bottom of the ramp, Force Security flooded the ringside area to stop any further violence. There were three Force guys between SWITCH and Adrestia Nyx, Dr. Ernest was still pleading with SWITCH to leave ringside. The situation appeared to be ready to pop off when Executive Director Price Bridges came out onto the stage, microphone in hand.

BRIDGES: Alright that’s enough! There ain’t gonna be anymore bullshit tonight! Security is authorized to do whatever they gotta do to keep the peace tonight. Y’all can save that for Nightfall. Josie, you’ve got your match with FM Young.

The audience popped for that and their positive reaction seemed to slightly mystify the new challenger.

BRIDGES: But that ain’t what I’m out here to talk about. Mr. Straker wants this bullshit between the Sharpes and The Hell Realm to end so at Nightfall we’re gonna have a match. Adrestia Nyx, Astaroth, Ryan Terror, and Locke Helms will face SWITCHBLADE, Jenna Sharpe, Kasey Kash...and Bert Cocaine…

The crowd waited in antici-------pation.

BRIDGES: ...in War Games!

The Citadel exploded and this announcement seemed to please SWITCH enough that he stopped struggling against the members of Force Security. Josie slipped out of the ring and into the crowd while The Hell Realm came together in the ring. Each member seemed primed and ready to participate in OATH’s first ever War Games Match in two weeks and this was the closing shot of Conviction 41.

Results:

• Kasey Kash def. Alex Pierce

• James Edwards & Johnny Draco def. Jonathan Cage & AJ Jenkynx

• Lana Corvin def. Kallie Reznik

• Leah Aguero def. SWITCHBLXDE

• Josie Wales def. Locke Helms; #1 Contender: Intrepid Title

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