CONVICTION XLVI

Episode XLVI Sunday January 24th, 2021 The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario

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The OATH signature played and you were filled with a sense of great anticipation. It was time for the go home show en route to OATH Brutalism on iPPV in seven days. The opening chords of “Wet Blanket” by Metz began playing throughout The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario.

Cut to ringside with a single shot of “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie sitting at the announcers desk as always. Bad Mood didn’t look as terrible tonight as he did last week and we quickly saw the reason why. The shot pulled out and we saw that once again Matt Mears was seated beside Petrie.

PETRIE: Welcome to OATH Pro Wrestling Conviction! I’m “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie and to my left ONCE AGAIN is Matt Mears. How ya feelin’ Matty?

MEARS: Thank you for the warm welcome Bad Mood. I am happy to be back and I am feeling much better. It would take a lot more than a piece of garbage like Allen Chaney to keep me down.

PETRIE: I for one am fuckin’ eccstatic to have you back. Last week was brutal. You’re the only one for me Mears.

There was a moment. That was a sweet thing for Bad Mood to say but unintentionally awkward.

PETRIE: Aaaannnyway. We don’t have time to run down the card because I’m told that we have some footage of THE CHAMP!

EARLIER…

The scene cut backstage as we found a camera crew running after OATH World Champion Reo Ojima as he made his way through the parking lot. Reo didn’t want any of them as he repeativily told them to fuck off. King Kong Seto was by his side and waved the camera crew away, but they were persistent as they wouldn't let up on the interview. Reo finally had enough and addressed the camera crew.

OJIMA: Listen and listen well before I send you back to the TV truck with three broken fingers. If you think because Helms beat one of my students last week that it means he’s going to beat me, then I have to question your state of mind. I already question it since you’re talking to me and asking me these stupid questions. Helms and I have already fought. 8, 9 months ago. I won. He lost. He did a lot of losing in 2020 now that I think about it. But then again he was never really on my radar because he was always just a lower tier wrestler. And it seems the only way he can win these days is by beating rookies who are greener than goose shit. So if he thinks 2021 is going to be his year where he grabs the OATH World Title from me then I’ll be a very happy miserable son of a bitch and remind him that he doesn’t stand a chance tonight or next week at Brutalism when the two of us fight for my World Title. The Chairman ain’t shit. Helms ain’t shit. And Hell Realm is a pile of dog shit.

Reo placed the cigar back in his mouth and was about to walk away but stopped when he felt a presence behind him. Cracking a smile, Reo turned around to see Helms looking right at him.

OJIMA: Speaking of dog shit. Were you going to attack an old man from behind? Or were you too afraid of the ass whooping I’d inflict on you so you just stood there like a dumbass and prayed I didn’t see you.

Puffing the cigar a few times, Reo blew smoke in Helms face.

OJIMA: What do you want, boy?

Locke didn’t say anything at first before he promptly backhanded Reo with a very stiff blow that sent the Cohiba flying off past the interviewer before he got right up into the Stone Gargoyle’s face.

HELMS: First off, anyone with any real taste in cigars smokes La Perla Habanas you second rate hack! Secondly Gargoyle, I’m not afraid of you nor am I impressed with you. You’re nothing more than a sagging old piece of shit that just happens to be begging to scream the loudest of all for me to tear your arm from your body and take it home for my trophy case...and if the OATH World Championship comes with it, then who am I the one to bitch?

Locke’s eyes narrowed sharply as a look of fury came across his face not seen since the days of his war with Agustin Gates.

HELMS: And you ain’t no gargoyle, I’m thinking more of a Golgothan...you know a shit demon?

Seto was about to butt in but Reo held his hand up and waved Seto away. Cracking a grin, Reo looked Locke up and down before addressing him.

OJIMA: Tough talk, boy. Wish you had this fire the last time we fought, then maybe I’d take you seriously this time around. Tonight, when we step in that ring, I’ll get to see if this is all a show or if you’ve actually changed. Entertain me tonight “chairman”.

Walking past Locke, Reo and Seto made their way into the arena.

Locke let them walk away, his face slowly taking on a smile of a cat playing with a mouse for the ever so briefest of seconds before turning to regard the interviewer as the smile just as easily slipped away.

HELMS: My patience is only so finite with fools, especially those who don’t understand the reality that all things...end.

And like all Golgothans, flushed.

SINGLES MATCH

Jonathan Cage vs. Scribbles

It was time for the first contest of the evening! Hooray! It saw a very pissed off Jonathan Cage come to the ring with a look of severe contempt in his eyes. Poor Scribbles didn’t even get an entrance so you could probably guess how this was about to go.

MEARS: Jonathan Cage has been lost in the ocean since losing the Livewire Championship several months ago. How do you think he gets back on track Bad Mood?

PETRIE: I don’t think he’s off the fuckin’ track. He has been screwed over time and again by James Edwards, Johnny Draco, and now that moron Finale.

The bell sounded and Scribbles tried to get the jump on The Eternal but Cage cracked him with a roundhouse kick that sent Scribbles back in time. Cage was quick to pull him into a ferocious DDT that would have killed a normal person but Scribbles is not normal! Scribbles, the human crash test dummy, was quick up to his feet but Cage destroyed him with a springboard lariat.

PETRIE: It’s a bad day to be Scribbles. I mean, every day being him probably blows but today is particularly bad for him.

The fans really wanted Scribbles to mount a comeback but it really wasn’t in the cards. Cage had come out here tonight to make a statement. Cage got Scribbles up to his feet, yanking on the curly hair of The Chief Branding Officer. Scribbles attempted to haul off and deck Cage but Cage tied him up in a knot and planted him with Death Dealer (Cobra Clutch Backbreaker).

MEARS: It might be time for Scribbles to hang up the boots. He has a great position as our Chief Branding Officer.

PETRIE: I totally forgot that he does that.

MEARS: I think that he often does too.

Clearly not being paid by the hour, Cage ascended to the top rope and came crashing down on Lil’ Scrib with Darkness Falls (Swanton Bomb). Upon impact Scribbles let out a sound similar to a dog’s chew toy and the next sound was a count of three by the referee.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, "The Eternal" Jonathan Cage!

The Eternal got his hand raised and quickly shoved the referee away. Cage called for a microphone and promptly received one from a member of the ring crew. Cage’s music faded out and the angry veteran had some things to say.

CAGE: Edwards. Draco. Finale. You three pieces of shit think that you have cut me out of the picture...don’t you? You think that this is over but that couldn’t be further of the truth. I’ll get to Draco and Edwards eventually but the first target is Finale. We’ve done this dance before Rory and we are going to do it again at Brutalism. Tabula Rasa Championship or not, I am going to bury The Buffalo Butcher once and for all.

The screen inside The Citadel suddenly lit up with the smirking face of Matt Shields.

SHIELDS: Howdy fuckers! You didn’t really think I was going to let an episode of Conviction go by without showing up, did you? What’s that, I was banned from the show? I’m not allowed? Wrong fucksticks. That asshole Straker might have banned me from The Citadel, but it turns out Pillar and Post is a separate establishment.

He laughed, snatched a piece of sushi off the plate in front of him, tossed it in his mouth, then washed it down with his drink. He leaned to his right and peers over the second floor railing.

SHIELDS: HEY! I’m empty up here. Have that waitress with the sweet ass bring me up two more. Tell her I got a real big tip for her. If she’s extra quick she can have even more than the tip.

He started laughing again as he grabbed the camera and brought it near his crotch before doing a pelvic thrust.

SHIELDS: Now where were we. Right, little loophole I found. See War Princess, I am right fucking here, come and find me and we can continue what we started. I wouldn’t mind the chance to fuck you up a little before I burn your ass at Brutalism. I guess I could finish my meal, chug down my drinks and come find you, but I really want you to come for me.

He smirked as he ate another piece of sushi, but this one ended up flying out of his mouth as he was hit from behind with a kendo stick. The camera panned up and we saw Leah Aguero standing above Shields.

The waitress walked up now and her eyes went wide. Leah grabbed one of the drinks while the other one crashed to the floor as the young woman ran off. Leah finished the drink in one gulp, then smashed the glass over the head of her enemy. Shields stumbled out of his chair and started crawling away, but the War Queen was now the one smirking as she was ready and set for The Endgame. She didn’t even take one step before FORCE Security was there to stop her once again. Shields looked up at her and smiled.

SHIELDS: TAKE HER TO THE BRIG!

Shields rolled over and started laughing as Aguero was dragged off by security.

SHIELDS: WHERE THE FUCK ARE MY DRINKS!?

As Shields lay there laughing, everything slowly faded to black.

TAG TEAM MATCH

Social Elite vs. Ultramega UK

It seemed that anger was the theme of tonight’s episode of Conviction because like Jonathan Cage, The Social Elite came to the ring with an axe to grind. Absent was the usual preening and self-absorbed antics of Angel Kash and Summer Page. They had a singular focus and that was the obliteration...the humiliation on Ultramega UK.

PETRIE: Social Elite will bounce back. So they didn’t win their first Tag Team Title Match. Big deal! These ladies are destined for greatness.

MEARS: It was a thrilling contest. I watched it myself and although Social Elite had an excellent showing, Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron is a once in a lifetime team.

Summer started the match off against Eddie Kobain. The Spoiled One met Kobain with a slap to the face and when Kobain tried to lock up with her Summer issued a go behind and then smacked him in the back of the head before tagging in Angel. Kobain whipped around to face his opponent and was cracked with a double superkick from OATH’s Mean Girls.

MEARS: It seems that Angel and Summer have tightened up their game plan since last week. They are refining their game at an excellent pace.

Angel went about smashing the back of Kobain’s head into the canvas before she gathered him up to his feet and screeched like some kind of bleach blonde banshee before she raked his eyes. The referee warned Angel that any more garbage like that and she would be disqualified. Angel responded with a “talk to the hand” gesture. Yes people still do that.

PETRIE: Take it easy ref, these ladies don’t wanna hear you speak.

MEARS: That is his job Bad Mood.

PETRIE: His job is to count the pinfall when Social Elite are ready.

Angel tagged Summer back in and fearing that the match was slipping from The Weed Ladz grasp, Curt Kornell slipped into the ring only to get hit with a double superkick from the Social Elite. The Social Elite gathered Kobain and planted him with Silver Spoon (Spike Double DDT) and Summer made a cover but only could secure a two count.

MEARS: Uh oh. Are we about to see one of the Mean Girls’ patented outbursts?

PETRIE: Their protests are always valid Mears! Always!

Kornell was back up on the apron but Summer darted toward Angel and pushed off of Angel’s hands to take Kornell off of the apron with an assisted dropkick. Angel gathered Kobain up and he was quickly driven down to the mat with Spotlight (Hart Attack)! Summer made the cover and the Social Elite scooped up a victory.

CRYBABY: Here are your winners, Angel Kash and Summer Page, The Social Elite!

As soon as the bell rang Summer and Angel celebrated like they had won the Tag Team Titles -- despite failing in that regard last week. The celebration was cut short when the tron lit up and showed the Mean Girl’s private dressing room. Both Angel and Summer seemed perplexed but that shared expression turned to unbridled anger when Erika and Nicky Crawford appeared in the frame.

NICKY: A win! Congratulations girls. Too bad it couldn’t happen last week. We know that you had Tiffany planted to help you win that match but we just couldn’t let it happen. You two bitches are always finding bullshit ways to win and we -- along with a lot of other people -- are sick of it.

ERIKA: The way the Social Elite does things is not right! Someone needs to put a stop to it. We are those someones. Those people. You know what I mean!

Pockets of the crowd started laughing but Erika played it off with humility and a smile.

NICKY: Both of us know what it’s like to get attacked with your champagne bottle. When it smashes it’s a giant mess. And sticky.

ERIKA: So sticky!

NICKY: You definitely would hate to get it on anything of value…

Erika smiled and produced a bottle of champagne. Or is it sparkling wine? Who gives a shit. It took a moment but Erika popped the cork and the bubbly started to spill out.

NICKY: We talked to Price Bridges. He talked to Mr. Straker. Mr. Straker liked our idea. We want to end this with you two once and for all so in one week at Brutalism it will be The Crawfords vs. Social Elite.

ERIKA: And just to make sure that this is just two on two...it will be a CAGE MATCH!

Angel and Summer looked horrified.

ERIKA: We are so happy that this match has been signed that we want to celebrate!

NICKY: Right...now.

Social Elite knew what was coming and what made it worse was that there was absolutely nothing that they could do about. Erika put a thumb over the spout of the champagne, gave the bottle a good shake, and then sprayed the sticky, bubbly substance all over Social Elite’s possessions within their locker room. Angel shrieked in horror with The Crawfords laughing and cheering. Once the contents of the bottle were emptied, Erika poured out the remaining few drops and then lobbed the bottle over her shoulder with a smile as the scene cut.

A poorly sung song played over a title card that looked like it was made in 5 minutes on MS Paint.

IT’S THE OATH! RATINGS! WATCH!

WE GOT YOU SOME RATINGS AND WE BET YOU’RE GONNA LIKE’EM!

THE OATH! RATINGS! WATCH!

WITH YOUR HOST ALLEN CHANEY: HANDSOME, SINGLE, AND HILARIOUS!

THE OATH! RATINGS! WATCH!

IT STARTS NOW!

Allen Chaney spun around in a chair to face the camera, seated at a desk somewhere backstage.

CHANEY: Hello Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to the first episode of the OATH Ratings Watch where I break down the ratings, YouTube views, and Twitter trends related to OATH programming starting with a breakdown of Livewire.

Allen pulled out his first note card and started to read it.

CHANEY: Let’s see… It says here that I’m not on that show so who fucking cares? Good point, card! Yeet!

With that, Allen flung the card offscreen.

CHANEY: Now it goes without saying but without a doubt the highest-rated segment of Conviction was the Mood Ring interview with yours truly. Social media activity shows that there was tremendous interest in what I had to say among key demographics and a HUGE increase in female viewership and social media engagement due to what experts have described as ‘Mr. Chaney’s raw sex appeal’. Unfortunately I can’t be on the show ALL the time and there was a SHARP decrease in views as well as viewer interest starting the exact moment I was no longer on screen. If you need proof of this, here is a chart.

A graphic of a complicated chart popped up beside Allen.

CHANEY: This chart that I definitely understand and absolutely did not have to have explained to me three times tells us one thing: Allen Chaney is a name that puts socially distant asses in seats with six feet between them. You can see a dip in ratings right after the interview segment and then BOOM! A HUGE upswing at the end of the main event. That is no coincidence. People were calling people. Twitter hashtags were happening. Tumblr was...doing whatever Tumblr does now that there isn’t weird Steven Universe or cartoon horse porn on it. Stanning? Tumblr was stanning me.

The graph disappeared and Allen looked into the camera, his hands folded.

CHANEY: Clearly no one gives a crap about Stephanie Matsuda or Josie Wales as Intrepid Champion. I guess someone should probably DO something about that but before somebody does something about that somebody has to end this segment and go make mashed potatoes out of Cassidy Kane’s face. That’s it for the first and maybe last episode of the OATH Ratings Watch. I dunno, I might already be over this. Bye!

Allen waved goodbye to the camera as the scene faded out.

SINGLES MATCH

Allen Chaney vs. Cassidy Kane

TWO WEEKS AGO…

Allen Chaney suddenly snapped Matt Mears up off his feet and drove him down with the Punchline (Omega Driver) which couldn’t be good for Matt’s history of neck issues. Allen snapped back up to his feet and looked down at his handiwork with a smile on his face. He shrugged and chuckled a bit before starting to step out of the ring. He notices Matt starting to stir, managing to get up on all fours. Allen shook his head before getting a running start and drove Matt’s face back down to the mat with the Heckler Control (Curb Stomp). Satisfied with his work, Allen exited the ring as his music played and medical staff rushed to help Matt. We cut to commercial as Allen backed his way up the ramp saying “Ratings, baby!”

“Shimmy Shimmy Ya” played throughout The Citadel as “The Comedian” Allen Chaney came out onto the stage. Chaney was holding his note cards from the OATH Rating’s Watch and as he came to the ring he made a point to try and show them to multiple fans who lined the stage. They all just booed him but Chaney didn’t care.

MEARS: I will say this once; I will not let my personal feelings toward Allen color my perspective on this match. I am a professional and in being that I will call this match without bias.

PETRIE: No! We were finally going to agree on something. Chaney is a monumental piece of dogshit. Come on Mears! Say it!

MEARS: No.

Once in the ring Chaney immediately walked over to the ropes opposite the commentary desk and gave a cheerful wave to Matt Mears. One would think that the boos could not be any louder and yet when prompted by Chaney’s antagonization of Mears the jeers reached a deafening volume.

MEARS: Worry about the match Allen.

Cassidy Kane came to the ring to the happy bop that is “Baby Shark” and for the briefest of moments The Citadel’s anger subsided and they gave in to the infectious energy of CK. Once in the ring Kane played to the fans and this action drew the ire of The Comedian so he charged and tried to blindside her with a running elbow to the back of the head but Kane felt the mat shaking and at the last moment she dodged left and Chaney spilled over the top rope to the floor.

PETRIE: Please. Please. Please. Please let the wrestler who uses Baby Shark as a theme be the first person to defeat Allen Chaney. What a great joke that would be.

MEARS: Cassidy Kane comes from a wrestling family. She is quite competent on the ring. She was successful last week when she teamed with Sweet Treats against The Hell Realm. Do not underestimate her.

The audience popped for that -- any instance in which Chaney was made to look like a fool was savored by the fans in Toronto. Chaney knew this and did his best to hide his rage but it grew further when Cassidy vaulted over the top rope and took him down to the floor with a cross body. Kane knew that she wouldn’t be able to get Chaney up to her feet so she climbed back up onto the apron to go on the offensive once more.

MEARS: Cassidy Kane may still have some developing to do as a competitor but this apparent plan that she has formulated is smart. Hit and run, keep some distance between herself and Chaney.

Chaney got to his feet and Cassidy took three steps across the apron and dove off looking for a hurricanranna but Chaney caught her, took a second to position her, and then powerbombed her hard onto the apron!

“BOOOOOOOO!” “Fuck you Allen!”

The Comedian started moving his arms like a symphony conductor and this only served to irritate Toronto more. Chaney lifted Kane up with ease and stuffed her back into the ring. Cassidy crawled across the canvas in an effort to maximize her recovery time but Chaney was up into the ring with great haste.

MEARS: Cassidy may have injured her back from that powerbomb. Allen is not the type to ignore an apparent injury.

PETRIE: Yeah he’ll exploit it. Fuck I hate this delusional piece of dog shit.

Allen went to collect Cassidy but she was up to her feet and she used her agility to surprise Allen with a running dropkick to the left knee. The Comedian dropped to a knee and Cassidy was quick to hit him with Mystery Inc. (Diving Knees)! She hit it perfectly and made a cover. The referee hit two before Allen powered out.

MEARS: Cassidy Kane is building momentum. The joke could be on The Comedian here tonight.

Cassidy rushed Allen again but this time he caught her and spiked her into the mat with a uranage. The damage already done to Cassidy’s spine was furthered with that move and she writhed on the mat in agony. But refusing to give up, Cassidy pulled herself up using the ropes only to get hit with Chaney’s Set Up (Short Arm Clothesline). Chaney glanced over at Mears, gave him a wink, and then dropped Cassidy with The Punchline (Omega Driver). Chaney covered and secured the victory.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The Comedian” Allen---

Chaney ripped the microphone away from Crybaby and she fled the ring as fast as her legs could carry here. Chaney tapped on the microphone and slowly exited the ring on the commentary table side. The Comedian approached the desk with his eyes on Matt Mears. Bad Mood stood up and albeit reluctantly, did not back down.

CHANEY: Don’t get all hot and bothered Benny. The Ratings Machine does not do reruns. I’m not going to do the SAME thing every week. I’m going to--

Before Chaney could get another word out someone had hopped the barricade. It was OATH Intrepid Champion Stephanie Matsuda! The pop from the crowd made Chaney aware of Matsuda’s presence and he quickly backed around the ring and toward the ramp.

CHANEY: You? I forgot about you! The Queen of Fighters out here to save the day? Hackneyed! No one wants to watch that.

A bolt of inspiration overtook Chaney’s face.

CHANEY: But you know what would pop an iPPV buyrate? If you defend that gold of yours against ME at Brutalism. Whadda ya say Cloudy?

Matsuda didn’t need to consider the challenge for even a second. Matsuda unstrapped the title from her waist and held it high -- which is the universal sign for “You’re on!”. Nice.

On the night where he could tie the record for most Tabula Rasa Championship defences, James Edwards didn't think ahead. He focused on sitting in the locker room and trying his boots. "The Burning Heart" smiled when he noticed he had a visitor.

EDWARDS: Hey man, you looked good last week, where did ya come up with the London Dungeon of all things?

Edwards' ally Johnny Draco entered the picture.

DRACO: Well see, I was traveling in London the other day, something caught my attention. It was the way these dungeons or castles were all over the place from modeling times. So, I started to think a move has to be greater than its predecessor. It has to fuel the crowd to talk about it as if it was something brought back to new life. While, having that in mind I started to think of the pain and agony the opponent would be in. It is similar to a visit to a dark dungeon in London. The chilling feeling of your body almost breaking in half.

EDWARDS: I gotcha, well I gotta hold up my end of things tonight. For all of his talk on Twitter, he's pretty damn good from the video I watched on YouTube, but speakin' of Finale, I gotta ask something, man.

DRACO: What would be that question James? I am always one to answer questions from a great friend.

Edwards hesitated and was unsure how to broach the subject.

EDWARDS: Was he your choice or her choice?

DRACO: Well, you see he was her choice. My choice would have been Super Tiger or someone like Locke Helms. Though, I have to be honest it was a great choice to make. I mean it gave you the spark you needed back to bring further value into the title you hold.

EDWARDS: I believe you, man, she just worries me sometimes. Why do you keep her around?

DRACO: I keep her around for many reasons, she was the first person who ever believed in me. I was somewhat of a nothing before coming into this industry. I also keep her around because even though, at times her ambition gets the better of her. She truly does have a great mind for this business and talent to back it up all by herself. Though, you shouldn't worry about her. You must conquer this challenge so that we can have another match. Good luck tonight James, we shall all be watching.

EDWARDS: There ain't anything wrong with having someone to represent you behind the scenes, but when they start getting involved in the ring -- that ain't any of my business, though. I appreciate you wishin' me good luck tonight, I'm gonna need it.

DRACO: Yeah that may be true but the chances of Finale defeating you are slim, I think. Though, perhaps you may have a point there James. There does come a time where a line must not be crossed. A line that keeps the manager out of harm’s way.

Edwards nodded his head but the unease was obvious in his eyes.

OATH TABULA RASA CHAMPIONSHIP

SUBMISSIONS COUNT ANYWHERE

Finale vs. James Edwards ©

When we say that submissions count anywhere we mean that they count anywhere. Where did this particular Tabula Rasa Championship match take place you ask? The vast food preparation area of The Citadel. The staff had been cleared out. In walked the challenger, “The Buffalo Butcher” Finale. He was dressed in street clothes; a black Dead To Rights t-shirt, ripped jeans, brown Doc Martins, and a sly grin.

PETRIE: Okay so how the fuck did Finale get a title shot? I know that Johnny Draco chose this opponent for Edwards but Finale has never won a match in OATH.

MEARS: James is a fighting champion. We saw that with his Intrepid Championship reign when he defended it in each of his Event Horizon Series Matches last year.

PETRIE: Yeah and he ultimately lost it because he did that.

MEARS: ...and still went on to win the entire tournament.

James Edwards walked through the double doors of the kitchen with the Tabula Rasa Championship around his waist and a referee hot on his heels. Edwards took his time unstrapping the championship from his waist as he took the measure of his challenger. Finale had seen this kind of thing before and responded by flipping Edwards off.

MEARS: Finale with a warm welcome for the champion.

The Burning Heart did not seem rattled or offended by Finale’s vulgar gesture but took it as Finale being Finale. The referee called for the bell and somewhere off screen someone banged a wooden spoon on a thick bottom pot. The two men engaged one another and Finale narrowly avoided a “testing the waters” roundhouse kick from Edwards.

MEARS: In their back and forth on Twitter this week Finale made light of James’ inability to win the OATH World Championship. Calling him a choke artist. In response James said that he would choke Finale out tonight.

PETRIE: Wouldn’t it be great if he did permanent damage to Finale’s vocal chords so we never have to hear him speak again?

MEARS: I do not wish any OATH competitor to be injured.

Finale took a few paces across the floor of the kitchen and then swooped in looking for a lock up. Edwards reversed it into a go behind hammerlock and then tried to trap Finale in a choke but Finale slipped downward, picked Edwards leg and sent the champion face first into the tile floor. Before Edwards could try to stand Finale dropped a knee onto Edwards spine and then tried to pull back with a camel clutch.

Edwards had fallen victim to this hold in the past and he was able to reverse it by reaching back, grabbed Finale’s leg, and tripped The Buffalo Butcher up. Finale staggered backward and caught himself on a wall. Edwards tried to rush him but Finale had grabbed a sauce pan and swung on Edwards. The champion was able to duck and the appropriate moment and then hit Finale with an STO that saw the back of Finale’s head smash into the wall of the kitchen.

MEARS: That was bone on concrete Bad Mood.

PETRIE: I hope it affects Finale’s speech.

MEARS: You have made that abundantly clear.

Finale shoved Edwards away and favored the back of his head. Edwards reached out and tried to pull Finale back into another choke but Finale drove an elbow into Edwards’ midsection and then smashed the champion’s face into a stainless steel prep table. Finale utilized a hip toss to slam Edwards onto his back onto the table. Finale retrieved the sauce pan and tried to bring it crashing down onto Edwards’ face but the champion rolled off the table onto the floor.

MEARS: Good gracious. Finale really wants to hurt Edwards.

PETRIE: Finale can’t do a lot of the moves that he was known for anymore. He’s beat up. He’s a brawler now.

MEARS: He stands in the way of James Edwards tying the record number of Tabula Rasa Championship defences so he may want to dig deep into his arsenal. James will not be denied tonight.

The Buffalo Butcher rounded the metal prep table and looked for the champion but he was nowhere to be found. Finale cocked an eyebrow and searched for any sign of Edwards and when he finally laid eyes on him it was because Edwards had caught him with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head. Edwards tried to keep the pressure on and shot a right cross at Finale but Finale grabbed the champion’s wrist and hit him with Butcher’s Block (Cobra Clutch Backbreaker) right onto the prep table.

MEARS: My word! James was just laid out!

PETRIE: The Buffalo Butcher is looking to break down the Tabula Rasa Champion. You think he’ll actually use a knife?

MEARS: I highly doubt it.

Edwards slipped off the table and fell to the floor in a heap. Feeling that he could put Edwards away now, Finale went about locking in Nevermind II (Liontamer) but Edwards held onto the leg of the table and Finale could not roll him over onto his stomach. Frustrated, Finale broke his grip and stomped on Edwards’ lower back. The champion let out in pain and Finale hefted him up to his feet again.

Apparently in love with using this prep table, Finale got the champion up and appeared to be setting Edwards up for a powerbomb onto the steel table but as soon as he lifted Edwards up he found himself locked in Ancient Fire (Triangle Choke)! Edwards had the hold expertly applied and Finale had no choice but to submit.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner and STILL OATH Tabula Rasa Champion, “The Burning Heart” James Edwards!

“My Name Is Human” played over a small bluetooth kitchen speaker and Edwards was handed the Tabula Rasa Championship. Finale took a moment to recover and then stood up, favouring his throat. In a surprising move Finale held out his hand to Edwards and the two shared a handshake of mutual respect.

The lights in The Citadel slowly dimmed, then large bursts of rainbow colored pyro shot upwards, bursting in extraordinary fashion as the ring was lit up. There was a red carpet covering the mat, a large red velvet couch to the left side, three chairs in matching color and fabric to the right, and another in the middle that was occupied by Kendrick Bingham. Over his head was a large white sign with neon letters that said KENDRICK’S KORNER presented by BLACK LION ENTERTAINMENT! As the fireworks came to an end, Kendrick Bingham smiled.

BINGHAM: Hello everyone. Well it looks like this show is called Kendrick’s Korner and I have one of my guests tonight to thank for that. It also appears he is… diversifying his business portfolio?

“YOU’RE DAMN RIGHT I AM!”

Off-screen, the voice of Minoru Tanahashi was heard and Kendrick just shrugged.

BINGHAM: Well I had planned to introduce the challengers first, and then the champions, but it sounds like they are ready, so let’s introduce my first three guests, Minoru Tanahashi, Super Tiger, and Volta, The SUPER KAWAII THUNDER LIGER SQUADRON!

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, the members of SUPER KAWAII THUNDER LIGER SQUADRON rose up from below the ramp with rainbow colored lights flashing along to the music. As the platform reached the top of the ramp, several bursts of pyro fired off and they did their team pose.

Tanahashi, Tiger, and Volta headed down to the ring, high fiving and fist-bumping a few fans as Volta sort of danced towards the ring. Volta was put on the apron as Tanahashi and Tiger each picked out a fan to give a replica mask to. Tanahashi and Tiger then entered the ring with Tiger going straight to the Kit Kat buffet, getting at least five of each kind, putting them inside an OATH Pro Wrestling tote bag, now available at ShopOATH.

Tanahashi went over to the Strong Zero bar, grabbed a peach, then hopped over the chair and sat down while Volta got nestled into his chair and started munching away on some popcorn while Super Tiger looked down to see the bag almost overflowing. She went, sat in her chair, and started reaching into her bag of treats.

BINGHAM: Thank you for joining me and the fairly lavish set. The Kit Kats are great by the way. I think I had like a dozen of the mandarin orange and probably twenty of the strawberry cheesecake.

TANAHASHI: Oh, I hope you left enough for Tiggy. If those run out, she might bite you.

BINGHAM: I definitely don’t want that.

Super Tiger looked over at her partner, rolled her eyes, then smiled and waved to Kendrick as she opened up a strawberry cheesecake Kit Kat and began eating.

BINGHAM: I do have some questions, but before that, we have got to get the challengers out here. Alex Andrew, Kallie Reznik, the SWEET TREATS!

"Hypa Hypa" by Eskimo Callboy blared over the PA system and the lights surrounding the stage strobed blue and pink alternating colors to the beat. After a second more, out came Alex Andrews and Kallie Reznik, bobbing to the beat of the song. They went to different sides of the entrance way and tried to hype up the crowd, getting them into it as well. From there, they met back in the middle, gave each other a knowing smile and a fist bump, and headed down towards the ring, Kallie skipping while singing along to the song. Alex walking casually, taking in the sights and sounds, Kallie and Alex both entered the ring, grabbed themselves a few Kit Kats each, gave Volta a friendly ear scratch, and then took their place on the couch.

BINGHAM: Alright, well let’s get this out of the way first. What gives you the edge in this match?

TANAHASHI: Great question Kendrick, really that’s the kind of question a professional wrestling journalist asks. I hope the challengers don’t mind me sort of fielding this one. Unless my partner wants to answer.

TIGER: Heh, you like talking more, plus I’m busy trying Kit Kat flavor combinations. Mandarin Mint, not bad, purple sweet potato and strawberry cheesecake, not good at all.

The masked superstar shook her head and then continued with her Kit Kats. Minoru turned back to Kendrick and smiled.

TANAHASHI: That right there is why we will keep these Tag Team Titles. We’re a cohesive unit. I know the Sweet Treats are good friends, but I don’t know if they have the same kind of understanding that Risa and I have. See both of us came up in Japan, through the hard training in the dojo’s. In there you learn three things very quickly; your strengths, your weaknesses, and your limits. From there, you push two farther than you ever thought possible and you work to eliminate as many of the other. That is a mindset we share and it’s why we’re the most unique team. We acknowledged each other’s strengths and each other’s weaknesses. We help each other be better when we’re working together as a team.

The Sweet Treats gave each other a look and shook their heads at one another.

ALEX: Did you just infer we aren't a team? You do understand we are besties, right?

Alex was ready to keep going but Kallie managed to calm her down, helping her keep a level head.

KALLIE: As for the question to us? Heart. That's what we have that gives us the edge. Not to say that SKTLS doesn't have it, but they haven't had the trials and tribulations we have.

Alex nodded as Kallie got her back on track.

ALEX: We went through hell to get to this point. Dealing with being stalked, of all things. And then being basically bullied and put down for our nature, we rose up to the occasion and have put that in our past. We proved our mettle. And stayed positive in the process.

The Sweet Treats gave each other a smile, happy with that answer. Minoru kind of laughed before taking a sip of his drink while Super Tiger continued her Kit Kat combination trials.

BINGHAM: Okay, next question, and since a bit of order has been established, champs answer first.

TANAHASHI: Hold on there Kendrick. I got a question for our opponents. Did you really say you have been through more? Myself and Risa have had to deal with scheming manipulative cheaters, to win, defend and retain these titles. All the while one of the commentary crew won’t even say our damn name right and has never once acknowledged us as legitimate champions. One of the voices everyone watching at home hears, puts us down at every opportunity. So you had some over exuberant fans following you around for a bit. Didn’t they help you win at least one match? Inadvertently or not, they still helped. Last obsessive fan I had chased me through this place trying to give me a hug… while he was naked. Look, me and Tiggy, we like you, we respect you, but if you think you’re gonna win because you think you have more heart, you are dead wrong.

BINGHAM: Uh, maybe let’s go to the next question before things get heated. This time, how about we let the challengers answer first. Sweet Treats, most have you as the underdogs in this one. What do you say to those people who think it’s a foregone conclusion that we will not have new champs at Brutalism?

KALLIE: What do we say to that? We say just try us. We know we are one of the best teams in this company and have the record to prove it. As long as we can stay upright, we will keep fighting. So no, it's no forgone conclusion come Brutalism.

Alex chuckled.

ALEX: We might have not won an award for being the best anything last year, but you know what we did win? Future Stars of the Year. That's something WE did. No one else can claim that and we are just getting started. Just because we might be on the newer side of things, only a fool would count us out.

TANAHASHI: Yea, you won the Future Stars Award, and we won the World Tag Team Titles. You two have a great record. So do we. The only way a team has found to beat us is cheap underhanded tactics employed by a goon squad. So unless the Sweet Boys are making a return at Brutalism...

Tanahashi smirked then took a sip of his drink as Super Tiger ate the Kit Kat combination she had just made, then turned towards their future opponents.

TIGER: You must try raspberry with Tokyo banana, it is quite good. You must also excuse my partner. He can be a bit...

She turned and looked at Minoru for a second and smiled.

TIGER: Minoru, you’re being a jackass.

She laughed, turned back to the Sweet Treats and smiled.

TIGER: However, that doesn’t make his points invalid. Myself and Minoru, we have been nearly unstoppable as a team. We compliment each other’s styles, help each other when needed, and trust each other. Traits that you both share, which is why we respect you. We know that at Brutalism there will be no outside interference, no cheap tricks, no dirty tactics. We also know that we will prove there is no force in the universe that can defeat The SUPER KAWAII THUNDER LIGER SQUADRON!

Super Tiger, Minoru and Volta all sprang up from their chairs and did their signature pose as a burst of rainbow colored pyro shot off behind them and the spotlight shone on them. The lights returned to normal as the champions sat down while the challengers didn't seem overly impressed with the flashy display.

BINGHAM: Okay folks, it looks like that is all the time we have. This was a lot of fun, nothing on the set got destroyed, no one is being dragged away by security and nobody is bleeding. I am going to say good night and hope there are a few more of those mandarin orange Kit Kat’s left. GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY!

Kendrick waved toward the crowd as the lights dimmed as the segment comes to a close.

• MAIN EVENT •

TRIOS MATCH

ONI vs. The Hell Realm

The next one had the fans buzzing. Not just because it was the main event but because it was the first time that OATH’s two most enduring factions would face off. One one side you had World Champion, “The Stone Gargoyle” Reo Ojima, “The War Queen” Leah Aguero, and Reo’s protege King Kong Seto. On the other you had the Number One Contender to the World Championship, “The Chairman of Chaos” Locke Helms, former Tag Team Champions Ryan Terror and Adrestia Nyx. It had all the makings of an explosion.

MEARS: What a main event we have here tonight. Who is the most dominant faction in OATH?

PETRIE: The one with the World Championship. Obviously.

MEARS: A fair thing to say.

All six competitors were in the ring and in a surprising twist the World Champion wanted to start the match off against Locke Helms. Helms was ready for it but Adrestia Nyx was already into the ring, running across the canvas. The referee called for the bell and Nyx smashed Ojima in the face with a running elbow. Then again. And again. The champion ate each strike and seemed happier with each blow.

MEARS: I have to say I did not expect Reo to start this contest.

PETRIE: Everyone thinks that he’s a broken down old war horse. Which he is. But even in that state Ojima could mop the fucking floor with most our roster.

MEARS: He has held the championship for almost two hundred days so I can not disagree.

Ojima launched Nyx into a corner and followed it up with a running back elbow. Nyx fired back with a right hand of her own and then a toe kick to the champion’s midsection. Nyx took off for the ropes and on her return Ojima flipped her high up in the air with a back body drop. Nyx landed with a thud and Ojima was bored of this battle, he tagged in King Kong Seto.

MEARS: I like the fire that we are witnessing from Adrestia Nyx.

PETRIE: The Alpha Bitch is just that. People need to remember that.

Seto stomped into the ring and ran Nyx over with a running body avalanche. He lifted her up off the mat with one jerking motion and went to level her with a lariat but Nyx slipped under it, made a huge dive and tagged in Ryan Terror. Terror cracked Seto with Out of The Shadows (Shadow Kick) that dropped him to a knee. Terror and Nyx lined Hungry Hungry Seto up and blasted him with Full Metal Jacket (Out of the Shadows [Terror]/Running Knee Strike [Nyx])! Terror fell into a cover but Leah Aguero was in the ring to break up the fall before a count of one.

MEARS: Leah Aguero is no stranger to The Hell Realm. She and Stephanie Matsuda battled Ryan and Adrestia numerous times in the past.

PETRIE: And Leah almost always came out on top.

MEARS: But not in their last meeting.

Knowing the trios rules, Seto rolled out of the ring so that Aguero could be the legal competitor. Aguero viciously stomped on Terror a few times to keep him grounded. Helms, on the apron, stared across the ring at Ojima but Ojima refused to meet his glance. Helms wasn’t worthy of Ojima’s attention apparently. Aguero got Terror up and cracked him in the side of the head with a roundhouse kick. Aguero set off for the ropes and came back with a springboard moonsault that took Terror down.

The War Queen moved back over to her corner and Ojima called for the tag. Aguero obliged and Ojima entered the ring. Terror tried to rush the World Champion but got levelled with one hell of an open hand slap to the chest. SMACK! Terror was sent reeling backward into his corner where Helms made the blind tag. Ojima snarled and beckoned for his challenger. Helms entered the ring and walked confidently toward the champion. The two were just about to lock up when Seto reentered the ring and hit Helms with a clothesline to the back of the head!

PETRIE: Gotta watch your six there Helms.

MEARS: A clear plot from ONI. Reo baited Helms in.

That was it. That was all it took for this thing to break down. The wild Nyx entered the ring, sprinted across the canvas, and cracked Aguero in the face with a running forearm smash. Leah dropped off the apron and Nyx flew to the outside with a suicide dive to take her down. Terror went after Seto, jumping on the big man’s back and applying a sleeper hold. Seto did all that he could do; he took a step forward, reached back, and tossed Seto over his head and over the top rope to the floor! Terror landed with a thud and Helms was left alone in the ring with Ojima and Seto.

MEARS: Locke Helms is in trouble here. ONI no doubt wants to injure or even end the career of Helms right now so that he can’t get to Brutalism.

The Chairman of Chaos got to his feet...with Seto gripping the back of his neck. Helms tried not to let the pain show when Seto kicked him in the back of the knee. Helms was forced into a kneeling position in front of Ojima. The World Champion stood over his challenger and then slapped the taste out of his mouth. Seto wouldn’t let Helms fall to the mat, he held him back up so Ojima could slap him again. And again. And again! Ojima unleashed a full clip of slaps and Helms’ mouth was quickly bloodied. Ojima took hold of Helms and set him up for Last Call (Running Powerslam).

MEARS: Last Call is coming for Locke Helms.

PETRIE: House lights are on, y’all gotta go home. This is over.

The World Champion took a few steps and looked to plant Helms on the mat but Helms slipped off of his shoulder and landed behind him. Helms shoved Reo into Seto and their heads smacked together. Ojima staggered backward right into Witching Hour (Full Nelson Legsweep into a Bridging Arm Triangle Choke)! With his cohorts down and nowhere to go...Ojima tapped out!

CRYBABY: Here are your winners; Locke Helms, Adrestia Nyx, and Ryan Terror -- The Hell Realm!

The Citadel was in shock. The World Champion just tapped out. Thing is, Helms refused to release the hold. He wanted to hurt Ojima and badly. Helms wrenched back with all of his might but Aguero flew into the ring and pounced on top of him. Soon Terror, Nyx, and Seto all joined the fray. FORCE Security entered the ring like a flood to break up the chaos as Conviction 46 went off the air.

---

Results: • Jonathan Cage def. Scribbles

• Social Elite def. Ultramega UK

• Allen Chaney def. Cassidy Kane

• James Edwards def. Finale; Still Tabula Rasa Champion

• The Hell Realm def. ONI