CONVICTION XLVIII

Episode XLVIII Sunday February 14th, 2021 The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario

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The OATH signature played. Elegant, understated -- just lovely. The opening chords of “Wet Blanket” by Metz began playing throughout The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario. Fans were freaking out and holding up their signs in the hopes that they would get on camera. It was Valentine’s Day so OATH Executive Director Price Bridges must have instructed the production truck to look for couples in the crowd but with this being a wrestling event that proved to be a little difficult.

One couple that was easy to spot was our ringside announce team! “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie was wearing all black, head to toe, black sunglasses included. Matt Mears looked a little more lively, sporting a high end rose colored blazer and a white t-shirt.

MEARS: Welcome wrestling fans to episode forty eight of OATH Pro Wrestling Conviction. I am Matthew Mears alongside “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie. It’s Valentine’s Day Bad Mood!

PETRIE: Who fucking cares? Valentine’s Day is the second most contrived holiday there is.

MEARS: What is the first?

PETRIE: My birthday.

MEARS: I won’t try to dive into that. I’ll assume that you and Gregory don’t have anything planned for after the show? PETRIE: We’re going to order tacos and watch fashion show bloopers.

MEARS: That sounds very...you two. But I am getting ahead of myself because we have a full show of wrestling action before the wine and roses. Shall we run down the card Bad Mood?

PETRIE: Let’s get it. You know it’s appropriate that it’s Valentine’s Day because we have a tag team match tonight that is based on a broken heart. Last week Johnny Draco and his manager Tiffany Lynn Page were involved in some bullshit that ended up costing James Edwards his Tabula Rasa Championship. Tonight, Edwards has called out Tiffany’s other clients The Social Elite for a tag team match.

MEARS: We do not know who James’ partner will be but there have been some rumors. Speaking of rumors, there have been a great deal of them circulating regarding the new Tabula Rasa Champion El Diablo Blanco and what stipulation he will choose to defend the title under. I am told that he will tell us tonight ahead of his Champion vs. Champion match against World Title holder Locke Helms.

PETRIE: I’m sure that he will pick something rooted in technical wrestling and it won’t be stupid at all. Speaking of stupid, last week Finale challenged Jonathan Cage to a fucking deathmatch in response to Cage bringing in Finale’s ex-wife Ramona Holiday at Brutalism to kick The Buffalo Butcher in the dick. Bit of an overreaction as far as I’m concerned but tonight we’re gonna see those two eternal rivals go at it one more time.

MEARS: It may be trite to say but that match will not be for the faint of heart. But believe it or not, that is not our main event. The main event will see former Livewire and Tag Team Champion Minoru Tanahashi return to singles competition as he challenges for the Intrepid Championship when he faces--

PETRIE: Don’t say his fucking name.

MEARS: That is the job Bad Mood. We can not let our personal biases get in the way.

PETRIE: Fine. MEARS: Minoru will face off against the undefeated Intrepid Champion, “The Comedian” Allen Chaney for the title.

PETRIE: I never thought I would say this but I hope Minoru wins. Someone needs to wipe the smile off that fat ---

MEARS: I have been informed by Executive Director Price Bridges that you need to stop body shaming Allen Chaney.

PETRIE: How many sets of handcuffs are these suits going to put on me? Fuck sakes.

MEARS: Restrain yourself Bad Mood. Maybe set an example for someone who knows no restraint, Number One Contender to the World Championship Leah Aguero. In our opening contest of the evening she will face off against Locke Helms’ Hell Realm associate...Ryan Terror.

PETRIE: Speaking of the champ, I’m told that he is going to be joining us before our opening contest. MEARS: That’s what I see on the format sheet. He is not a patient man so wrestling fans, let us begin!

As the crowd in The Citadel waited for the the action to start, suddenly the swirling and maddening sounds of Enigma TNG’s “Heavy Grind” began playing as the fans at ringside start to throw up a veritable wall of boos and yet a small gathering of cheers comes up from here and there. Locke Helms walked out, the OATH World Championship clenched firmly in his right hand, Astaroth followed close and tried to hush the boos as the champion made his way to the ring.

PETRIE: Why are these people booing? They hated Ojima and Helms was the guy who sent him packin’. Fuck is wrong with these idiots?

MEARS: Some feel that Locke has just replaced Reo as the most hated man in the company.

PETRIE: Because they are booing him! They are all mental.

Locke slid into the ring and was handed a mic from the ring announcer which Locke took graciously as he waited for his music to die away and he moved to the center of the ring.

LOCKE: I have waited to address this matter in order to allow everyone some time to let the reality of what happened at the ipay-per-view to settle in and become fully graspable. But no, this isn’t a bad dream or some kind of darkest timeline causality...

Locke held up the World Title and showed it all for everyone to see before he draped it over his right shoulder.

LOCKE: This is the truth as I am your OATH World Champion and I know that pisses off a lot of people because the sheer concept of someone with my record in this company winning this strap is inconceivable and yet...here the fuck I am and the fuck you got to say now?!

BOOOOOOOOOO!

LOCKE: People mocked the very idea that I could beat Reo since my twenty twenty had lots of ups and down which included my first loss of the Intrepid Title to James Edwards. I won’t deny that last year was a trying year, but it was a trying year for everyone but I did not let that control me...the more that I lost, the more I focused on improving my work in that ring and all of that hard work paid off because in the end, against all odds who was it that left Brutalism as the OATH World Champion?

BOOOOOOOOOO! “FUCK YOU HELMS!”

LOCKE: Was it Reo? No...and that’s not taking a damned thing away from him because he was a fucking juggernaut where it came to this sport, but it was his own fucking hubris and arrogance that cost him the title. Not a single one of you can deny that because it was right there in each and every one of his promos as he kept throwing out how my last match of twenty twenty was a loss and how that was going to reflect how I went into that match against him. It was that cool arrogance that cost Reo his championship because each time he looked at me like that, all I could see was that sneering little bitch by the name of Agustin Gates.

Locke walked over to the side of the ring that faced the commentators and looked right at both Mears and Petrie before he pointed at them.

LOCKE: These two know full well what I did to Gates. The war that I had with him.

Locke's attention then was drawn to Petrie.

LOCKE: But I hear what you said when I watched the replay, Petrie. You said "Fuckin' resilience" for what was going to win that match and that is exactly what happened because not only did I outlast him, not only did I take Reo's arm...but now he's gone from OATH. Just like Gates!

Locke gave Petrie an ever so slight bowing of the head as a sign of respect from the "Chairman of Chaos". He moved away from the ropes and back to the center of the ring.

LOCKE: As for my intentions now that I'm your champion, Mister Straker, because I know that you're curious as are the rest of these people out here, my answer is simple. My intention is not to sit around on my laurels but I'm going to bear this championship with the dark integrity that is due. I fully intend to be a fighting champion with the belt...but I don't want anyone to just come up to me and think that they are gonna get a shot because then it'd be like some kind of fucking endless waltz and we'd never get anything actually done. The crowd was intrigued, but still pissed off.

LOCKE: No, you step to me and you take your chances. Pure and simple, because unlike a lot of assholes in this company, Kasey Kash to name one from his recent shit on Livewire, that can only see this belt for the money and the prestige, I’ve been around the block enough to know that it is a key to some of the most vicious battles to come and I’m fucking looking forward to it.

The boos slightly subsided. For all of the hatred that he commanded, he also commanded their attention.

LOCKE: But now we come to my first contender in a self styled "War Queen". So tell me Leah, what are you going to do now that ONI is gone from OATH? How are you going to handle being all alone since you've chased even your precious cousin away? The fans immediately booed the shit out of that because… well… low blow.

LOCKE: I understand that your mentor was Reo and now you're looking for a bit of revenge on his behalf. I can respect that, honestly I can, but I am looking forward very much to seeing just how far you can go for your revenge...but if you come at me like your cousin Stephanie would or Reo did and be all full of empty rage and arrogance, I want you to understand that I won’t just stop at taking your arm, Leah.

Locke looked hard into the camera’s view as it focussed in on Locke’s cold and hard eyes.

LOCKE: I will fucking Downfall your ass and take your goddamn SPINE! So instead of bragging about what you’re going to do, I suggest that you actually stop and pay attention. And speaking of attention…

Locke turned away from the camera and looked up at the entrance way as he lifted the championship off of his shoulder and back into his right hand.

LOCKE: El Diablo Blanco. Now we come to you and our little match here tonight and to be quite honest, you’ve disappointed me by being oh so quiet this past week and choosing to focus more on your precious backyard hoopla. Well, I hope that you’re ready for our match tonight because the Landlord of Silent Hill is here and the fucking rent is DUE!

Ryan Terror paced around one of the many hallways in The Citadel. He had a lot on his mind as of late. The Hell Realm had been on the losing side many times recently and that is something that he hasn’t been able to get over. He felt his face become redder and redder with anger. Then in a moment of rage, he tossed an equipment case clear across the room.

TERROR: I AM NOT A FUCKING LOSER. I AM RYAN TERROR, THE LEADER OF THE HELL REALM.

He turned to face the camera and stared a hole through the device.

TERROR: I’m ready for war with the supposed War Queen. I’m going to restore the glory of the Hell Realm piece by fucking piece. We have the World Title in our possession so now comes establishing our dominance over all of OATH. That starts with me beating you, Leah.

A beat.

TERROR: Things have changed since we last saw each other. But the more they have changed the more they stay the same. It will end like it did when we won the Tag Team Titles. Me pinning your shoulders to the mat for three. It’s as simple as that.

Another beat.

TERROR: I’m done talking.

Terror turned and left abruptly.

SINGLES MATCH

Leah Aguero vs. Ryan Terror

The first match of the evening was the second match in “The War Queen” Leah Aguero’s campaign against The Hell Realm. She was able to defeat Adrestia Nyx last week and now she was set to take on the leader of the faction, OATH stalwart Ryan Terror -- who came to the ring alone.

Ryan Terror came out of the gate with something to prove. He blasted Aguero with a forearm to the mush and then put her on the canvas with a quick snap suplex. Terror went for a springboard moonsault but Aguero rolled out of the way.

Looking to keep the pressure on Terror wanted to hit Aguero with a lariat but she slipped under his arm, popped up and cracked him in the back of the head with a big enziguiri. CRACK! Terror staggered forward into the ropes but turned his body, shot off the ropes and came back at Aguero hitting that lariat anyway!

MEARS: Ryan Terror has been in the top ten rankings for a very long time. But we haven’t seen him in singles competition all that much. When we do, he often loses.

PETRIE: Don’t let him hear you say that.

MEARS: It is a fact.

PETRIE: His feelings don’t care about your facts.

Knowing that he couldn’t give Aguero an inch, Terror peeled her off the mat and then drove a toe kick into her stomach. Terror applied a front chancery and then with a snarl he planted her with a DDT and floated over into the first cover of the contest. 1..2!

Aguero’s shoulder shot off the mat but Terror responded by straight punching her in the face. He took a handful of her hair and jerked her face off the canvas to meet his. “I’m not a loser!” he screamed before hitting her with a trio of headbutts.

Those headbutts most have woken Aguero up because she shoved Terror backward and popped off the mat. He tried to rush to meet her but she kicked him in the midsection and took him over with a snap suplex. She popped up to her feet again, took off, and came back with a springboard moonsault of her own! The crowd was about it.

MEARS: It seems that the audience is starting to warm up to Leah Aguero again.

PETRIE: Just another case of these lemmings hating her less than they hate The Hell Realm.

Terror rolled out of the ring and pounded on the canvas in frustration. This little tantrum cost him dearly because Aguero flew through the ropes with a suicide dive that drove Terror into the barricad.e Aguero rolled him back into the ring, popped up onto the apron, then vaulted over the top rope. As soon as Aguero’s feet hit the mat she did a front roll and smoked Terror with a sliding lariat. She shot the half and covered. 1..2.! Terror kicked out, much to the chagrine of The Citadel.

Aguero took hold of Terror’s wrist and shot him into the corner with an Irish whip. She looked to follow that up with… something… but Terror exploded out of the corner with Out Of The Corner Shadows (Superkick)! Aguero nearly did a full back flip but instead landed on the back of her head.

MEARS: This is just another chapter in Leah’s forever feud with The Hell Realm. Lest we forget that Adrestia Nyx and Ryan Terror defeated Leah Aguero and Stephanie Matsuda last year to win the Tag Team Titles.

PETRIE: Fuck that feels like decades ago. Been a long time since The Hell Realm has held gold save for Locke Helms.

Terror mounted the War Queen and started smashing her in the face with repeating punches. Aguero was able to cover up and that seemed to really piss Terror off so he pulled her up to her feet and then planted her with Ohio Is For Killers (Deadeye)! The audience believed that it was over and was prepared to boo following the result of the referees count as Terror covered. 1..2..!

Anger. It was building up to meltdown levels now inside of Terror. He knelt beside her and tried to jam his thumbs into her eyes. Self-preservation became Aguero’s highest priority, she rolled onto her stomach and mule kicked Terror in the stomach to put some distance between them.

The War Queen blinked widely a dozen times in an effort to restore her vision and that gave Terror time to collect himself. He went to engage her again but she drove a knee into his stomach. The Savage caught Terror in a Muay Thai clinch and then proceeded to introduce him to Going Savage (Muay Thai Knee Strikes). Terror ate a half dozen before dropping to a knee. Aguero released him and took a few paces back.

MEARS: I don’t think we have seen Leah use any Muay Thai in the past.

PETRIE: Oh she’s got all kinds of hidden tricks.

MEARS: She will need her full arsenal in two weeks when she challenges Locke Helms for the World Championship.

The Only ONI framed Terror with her hands and was set to take off toward him looking for The Endgame (Punt Kick) but something grabbed her ankle! Adrestia Nyx had materialized from under the ring and was holding Aguero back! Terror grabbed the referee by the collar, distracting him with some bullshit.

Nyx tripped Aguero up from the outside, pulled her out of the ring, and with lightning precision she planted Aguero with The Nightmare (Snap Double ARM DDT) on the floor! The referee was preoccupied with Terror and didn’t see Nyx roll Aguero back into the ring. As soon as Nyx was clear, Terror dove into a cover, hooking Aguero’s leg. 1..2..3!

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, Ryan Terror!

Music didn’t start following the bell because Nyx flew into the ring and started beating the piss out of Aguero. Terror watched with creepy satisfaction as Nyx battered the Number One Contender. There were people in the audience hoping that someone would come help Aguero but she was alone. No one was coming.

MEARS: It looks like The Hell Realm wants to give Locke an edge.

PETRIE: Some people might say that Leah deserves this. How many times has she played the numbers game to hurt someone?

MEARS: Many times.

Nyx tossed Aguero to the outside of the ring as Terror moved the ring steps out of position. Nyx fed Aguero to Terror and he picked her up for a powerbomb. Nyx jumped up onto the apron and in a flash she leaped off with a meteora! The Hell Realm planted Aguero with the Sacrificial Lamb meteroa/powerbomb combination right onto the ring steps! The sound was real gross and we couldn’t cut to commercial fast enough.

We returned from commercial and "The Burning Heart" James Edwards stood alone and forlorn in the ring.

EDWARDS: I ain't gonna take much time talkin', I know y'all came here to see a fight. I've got a few things to get off my chest, especially since I went radio silent during the past week.

He ran a hand through his freshly buzzed hair.

EDWARDS: El D, I'm sorry I didn't reply to your tweet; I'm even sorrier I couldn't present you with the belt because you earned it, man, and you showed more moral courage than any man I've fought. I wouldn't take advantage of you if you'd gotten blasted over the head with a champagne bottle and neither did you. By not doing that, you proved you'll be an even better champion than I was. I wish you good luck and hope you smash every record I set!

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

EDWARDS: Johnny, would you come out here, please.

Johnny Draco soon made his presence felt in that arena. “Kumbaya” by Hopsin started to play over the arena speakers. At the top of the ramp he gave a nod of his head to Edwards, a man who two weeks ago he had competed against. Draco makes his way down the ramp only to stop at the ring stairs. He listened to fans in The Citadel, they were booing him! A soft laugh escaped his lips as he stepped up the ring stairs. He walked onto the ring apron and ducked underneath the top rope and climbed into the ring. He waited for his music to fade as he stood in front of Edwards.

EDWARDS: Listen, man, this ain’t easy to say, but I put you in an impossible situation last week. You can’t make someone choose between their manager and a friend. A good friend doesn’t do that kind of shit. I don’t blame you for what happened last week at all, it was an accident. So with that said I’d like to ask for your forgiveness.

Edwards got down on his hands and knees and bowed toward Draco. Johnny went to reply but Edwards held up a hand to indicate he was not done speaking.

EDWARDS: What I’m about to ask ain’t about burying a grudge either, this is just me asking as your friend if you’ll be my partner tonight. This fight can be a new beginning for all of us. Let’s have fun, make each other better, and see where things go after tonight. What do you say?

DRACO: I think it will give us another chance to prove that we are a dominant force here in OATH Pro Wrestling. I think that by putting things aside and working as a team we will be able to gain so much more than if we were enemies. Draco stretched out his hand and Edwards took it in a show of solidarity.

TAG TEAM MATCH Johnny Draco & James Edwards vs. Social Elite

Tiffany Lynn Page and The Social (Elite) Media Manager Mercedes White did not look pleased as they paced around the ring. But Tiffany did not protest Draco’s decision. Perhaps she knew it would fall on deaf ears?

PETRIE: How dare Draco betray Tiffany by teaming with Edwards!

MEARS: I don’t think he sees it as a betrayal.

PETRIE: He should! Because it is!

The bell sounded and Draco gestured for Edwards to start the match, bowing toward him. Edwards obliged and was set to start the match against Angel Kash. The two legal competitors moved to the middle of the ring and just as Edwards went for a lock up he was taken down with a chop block to his bad knee!

BOOOOOOOOOO!

MEARS: Oh come on!

PETRIE: Finally! I have been waiting for this for months!

Draco put the boots to Edwards and the fans were giving him a mountain of shit for it. Draco didn’t care a bit, he was taking out weeks of frustration on his (now former) friend. Edwards did his best to fight back but Angel Kash and Summer Page got in on the fun. Edwards was getting stomped the fuck out. Tiffany and Mercedes were cackling outside the ring, definitely overdoing it on how loud they were laughing.

The Burning Heart stopped fighting and tried to cover up. That was the prompt that Draco needed, he peeled Edwards off the mat and planted him with The Mic Drop (Skull Crushing Finale)! The fans kept booing but Draco paid them no mind.

MEARS: I suppose that we can say that Johnny Draco is loyal -- to Tiffany and not to James Edwards.

PETRIE: As it should be!

Angel and Summer were looking quite pleased with this result. Hell, they were probably in on it! They stifled their glee just long enough to peel Edwards off of the mat and hit him with with the Social Climber (Indytaker)! Angel covered. 1..2..3!

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

Tiffany Lynn Page entered the ring with a steel chair as Mercedes White livestreamed all of it from her phone. There were likely some copyright issues with what she was doing but that was not the story at the moment. Draco put Edwards’ leg through the chair and went to come down on it with a stomp from the middle rope but FORCE Security entered the ring to stop it. The Social Elite screamed like banshees.

TIFFANY: Don’t touch us! Ew! You’re all so disgusting!

Tiffany’s cabal were all forced out of the ring. Mercedes did her best to keep all of them in her livestream shot. The Social Elite, Tiffany, Mercedes, and Johnny Draco all posed on the ramp and the fans were giving them some serious heat. Edwards was left fuming in the ring but he would live to fight another day. Bet on that.

Conviction came back from break to El Diablo Blanco already in the ring with the OATH Tabula Rasa Championship in one hand and a microphone in the other. The Diablo Nation members in attendance were in a frenzy. El D let's out an inaudible thank you.

BLANCO: Let me tell you something, Brother…

The crowd erupted as they followed along with El D's catchphrase. El D just laughed seeing everyone having a great time.

BLANCO: Let me tell you something, Brother. As sure as the sun shines on a Sunday morning El D is the OATH Tabula Rasa Champion. Now that's not without controversy on its own, Brother. There was interference and I can't Diggit. I'm not one to take the easy way out. No sir, no way. Mr. Edwards, the prolific champion he was, continued to fight despite being hit in the head with a bottle. Mr. Edwards would have wanted me to keep fighting and as he went for a submission I was able to reverse it and we'll… here we are, Brother.

El Diablo held the Tabula Rasa Title high in the air.

BLANCO: Now I know what you all have been asking all week long, Brother. You all want to know just what sort of stipulation I'm about to announce to go alongside this strap, Brother. Well, this is the moment you've all been waiting for. The D Man is about to announce the stip, Brother. Drumroll, please.

Members of the audience audibly made a drumroll sound as anticipation grew.

BLANCO: Each and every time I defend this strap, Brother, it's going to be inside El D's House Of Fun. That's right, Brother. It's a first of its kind so let me break it down for you all, Brother. We got ourselves a trampoline located on two sides of the ring. You can use those trampolines any which way you please. But that ain't all, Brother. You see, I'm looking up at those rafters, Brother, and El D has got himself an idea. We're going to have several ropes hanging down all the way to the floor so the competitors can swing around all they want. Are you ready for the caveat, Brother? Pinfalls and submissions only count inside the ring, Brother. Use the elements all you want but things must end inside the ring.

The fans loved the idea but not everyone was impressed.

PETRIE: Trampolines? Climbing ropes? Is he a fucking moron? MEARS: It’s a creative idea.

PETRIE: It’s asinine.

BLANCO: Now, now. I'm sure some of you out there don't quite get it. You've seen what Mr. Edwards has done with this title and you think I'm just making it a joke, Brother. On the contrary, Brother. I'm looking to make this title the one to watch. That brings me to tonight. It's champion versus champion, Brother. It's El D versus Helms, Brother. I'm no stranger to champion versus champion matches. No sir no way. I took Reo to his limits, Brother. I aided in transcending the Livewire Title and I aim to do the same to this Tabula Rasa Title. Locke Helms, you may think my priorities are elsewhere, Brother, but you couldn't be more wrong. Tonight, you better take me very seriously. You can bring your Hell Realm all you want. You've got your backup but as I look around The Citadel it appears I've got some backup as well, Brother. Diggit?!

El Diablo dropped the microphone and looked out at the Diablo Nation, pointing each one out as backup for him; even if it was just in spirit.

CHAMPION vs. CHAMPION SINGLES MATCH El Diablo Blanco vs. Locke Helms w/ Astaroth

The fans were clearly behind El D, as if that even needed to be stated. He handed off his championship as Locke Helms came out to the ring for the second time tonight, flanked by Hell Realm flunky Astaroth. Helms did his best to ignore the fans but the outpouring of support for The Backyard Phenom was staggering.

PETRIE: I just don’t get it.

MEARS: What is there to get?

PETRIE: All of this? HOW IS HE SO POPULAR?

Once in the ring Helms just stared at El D with a cold gaze. El D forwent his usual crowd pandering and moved across the ring to lock up. Helms feigned that he was going to lock up clean but surprised El D with a smack to the face. El D ate it and the fans booed. El D then unchained a straight right that dropped Helms where he stood!

The audience popped huge and for a split second Helms looked shocked that El D had the power to drop him with one shot. El D played to the crowd and that was a mistake because Helms picked his leg and quickly tried to transition into a Fujiwara arm bar. El D made it to the ropes before Helms could do any significant damage.

The World Champion was forced to break the hold but he left El D with a parting kick to the ribs. El D inhaled sharply but kept his composure. He got to his feet and went for another straight right but Helms slipped it. El D pivoted and caught Helms with a scoop slam!

MEARS: Here it comes Bad Mood! Can you feel it? Can you...diggit?

PETRIE: No. I can’t fuckin’ diggit. NO ONE SHOULD DIGGIT!

The Citadel was buzzing. El D took in the sight of his hundreds of supporters and positioned himself for the Backyard Elbow but Helms was having no part of that bullshit. The Chairman Of Chaos popped up and took off for the ropes. On his return he hit a running knee lift and then planted El D with Pulse Check (Falling Neckbreaker). Helms made a lazy cover but was sure to push down on El D’s right cheek with his left hand. 1..2!

El D powered out due in no small part to the absolute galactic energy that The Citadel was fueling him with. El D was the first one up to his feet and Helms looked to grab his wrist but El D smashed him with a headbutt! BAM! The Hell Realm member was staggered and El D hit him with another headbutt. BAM!

Helms was dancing involuntarily now and El D set him up for a spinebuster but the World Champion came back to life and put El D on the canvas with an arm breaker. Helms went for another arm bar but El D squirmed out of it so Helms pulled him up to his feet and took him over with a capture suplex. Helms covered again. 1..2..!

MEARS: You have to think that Helms is somewhat underestimating El D.

PETRIE: As he should! Luck is the only reason that El D has ever won a goddamn thing.

MEARS: That is simply not true.

El D rallied back and went for a spinebuster but Helms took him down to the mat with an arm breaker and then lifted him off the mat and took him over with a capture suplex.

Helms applied a laying side headlock but El D fought up. The Backyard Phenom shot Helms into the ropes and tried for a dropkick but Helms swatted it away and then caught El D with Diamond Rain (Standing Moonsault Slam). Helms made a tighter cover this time. 1!

The World Champion was offended. How could someone like El D kick out of Diamond Rain at a one count? Inconceivable! Helms mounted El D and laid in some punches, then transitioned to some stomps. El D started fighting up, Helms looked momentarily shocked. Helms set El D up for a German suplex but El D switched behind him, spun him around, planted him with a spinebuster!

MEARS: Here it comes! Diggit!

PETRIE: You’ve gotta stop man, I’m beggin’ you. The Citadel was losing their collective shit and El D stood over the prone World Champion at his head. El D went for The Backyard Elbow but Astaroth low bridged the top rope. The Backyard Phenom spilled over the top rope to the floor and Toronto was calling for Astaroth’s blood.

The referee scolded the spooky luchador but Astaroth raised his hands up protesting his innocence. El D didn’t stay down for long, he stood, spun Astaroth around and quickly dropped him with the Stump Piledriver (Cactus Jack Style Piledriver)! Toronto’s bloodlust had been momentarily satiated.

The Tabula Rasa Champion was back in the ring and ready to finish this sumbitch. Helms tried to meet El D with a short arm clothesline but El D took off toward the ropes and came back with a springboard DDT. El D covered. 1..2..!

Helms kicked out but a few stomps left him unmoving and prone. El D forwent the showmanship (for the most part) and nailed Helms with The Backyard Elbow! He was going to do it! He was going to beat the World Champion. El D shot the half, hooked the leg, and the ref counted. 1..2..!

MEARS: That will be all! El D is going to pin the World Champion!

PETRIE: If he does I fuckin’ quit.

MEARS: Sorry to see you go Bad Mood!

A collective groan went up from the crowd. El D saw his opportunity and he was set to make the most of it. The Backyard Phenom ascended to the top rope but he wasn’t fast enough. Helms popped up off the mat then scaled the ropes. He met El D with a forearm and then took him down to the canvas with an avalanche belly to belly suplex! Helms applied his best cover now. 1..2..!

The Citadel popped big. El D was not ready to die but Helms was for sure ready to kill him now. Done fucking around, Helms peeled El D off the mat and although El D did his best to fight the World Champion off, Helms planted him with a full nelson facebuster and transitioned into the Witching Hour (Bridging Arm Triangle Choke). El D lasted in the hold for some time but ultimately he had to tap out.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, OATH Pro Wrestling World Champion, “The Chairman Of Chaos” Locke Helms.

A plan unfolded almost immediately following the bell. Ryan Terror and Adrestia Nyx came to the ring, apparently not satisfied with the chaos that they had demonstrated here tonight.

MEARS: Here we go again...

Nyx and Terror set up the ring steps in a scene similar to what they had done earlier. They had El D set up for the Sacrificial Lamb but Leah Aguero rushed the ring! Her ribs were taped up but she was also armed with a barbed wire 2x4! Aguero cleaned house, taking down everyone but Helms, who had retreated into the crowd. Aguero was clearly hurt but she had the strength to point the weapon in Helms’ direction because we need footage for future video packages.

In the parking lot of The Citadel the camera caught up with Ramona Holiday as she was walking up to the back door. Kendrick Bingham came into frame and approached “The Wicked Witch”.

BINGHAM: Ramona! You haven’t made a statement about your intentions here in OATH. Can we get a comment on your actions as of late.

Ramona stopped dead in her tracks and with a sigh she nodded at Bingham.

BINGHAM: Why are you here? What is the nature of your relationship with Jonathan Cage?

RAMONA: There is no relationship. Jonathan is a means to an end.

BINGHAM: And what is that end?

RAMONA: -shaking her head- Rory is consumed by wrestling. He let it destroy our marriage and soon enough it will destroy him.

BINGHAM: And you want to save him from that?

RAMONA: No.

Ramona grabbed the door handle and yanked it open.

RAMONA: I want to expedite the process.

And just like that Ramona slipped into the building, leaving Kendrick behind.

DEATHMATCH

Jonathan Cage w/ Ramona Holiday vs. Finale

The lights in the arena dimmed significantly to let you know that things were about to get serious. White noise played over the speakers creating a buzz in The Citadel. Then the voice of infamous movie villain Jigsaw came over the speakers. “I want to play a game.”

“Forget to Remember” by Mudvayne played to a loud and emphatic boo from the fans. Jonathan Cage stepped out from behind the curtain wearing his signature face paint. Ramona Holiday trailed behind him at a fair distance carrying a black velvet bag. She did not seem happy to be there but nevertheless she followed Cage down the ramp.

As Cage warmed up in the ring, “Half Lit” by Singles Mothers kicked up and there was a big pop from the fans in Toronto. Finale stepped through the curtain wearing torn blue jeans, olive green Doc Martens, and a beat up black t-shirt with the words “Sedition Rising” emblazoned on the front.

MEARS: Finale clad in a Sedition Rising t-shirt. That tells you everything you need to know about his mindset right now. Some of our younger fans may not be aware, but Sedition Rising was Finale’s brother Godless’ militant faction from years ago. A group of truly sick individuals.

PETRIE: Yeah but Finale isn’t his brother. He can channel “The Revelator” all he wants but big bro isn’t here to help him tonight.

MEARS: He certainly isn’t.

Finale paused at the top of the ramp, looking out at the audience with a self-reflective gaze. He took a deep breath and marched to the ring. Once at the foot of the ramp, Finale walked up the steel steps. Ramona’s eyes were fixed on him but Finale didn’t regard her at all. He entered the ring and marched right over to Cage.

The two men were face to face, nose to nose, it was intense. The referee called for the opening bell and these two started laying into each other with strikes immediately. There was a desperation about both of them, neither man wanted to give the other an inch. Finale caught Cage early with a back elbow to the head and then took him down to the mat with a snapmare.

We didn’t expect any kind of traditional wrestling in this match but Finale applied a chin lock, driving his knee into Cage’s spine. The Eternal fought up to his feet and hit a sharp elbow to Finale’s nose and then shot him hard into a corner. Cage hit a running Stinger splash! Finale was sent sailing over the top rope and he landed on the floor with a THUD!

MEARS: Finale is a part time wrestler. Cage still competes almost every week. Will ring rust play a factor here tonight Bad Mood?

PETRIE: Y’know it’s hard to say. This isn’t a standard wrestling match. This is a fuckin’ fight.

Ramona kept her distance from her ex husband. Cage exited the ring and hit Finale with a running knee strike -- well he tried to. Finale moved to the side and sent Cage careening into the ring barrier. Finale followed that up with a Lou Thesz Press that took Cage down to the floor. Cage was fast enough to reverse it and put Finale on his back. Cage came down with a stomp onto Finale’s collarbone that left Super Shredder rolling in agony.

The Eternal retrieved a chair from the time keeper’s area and then stalked toward Finale. The Buffalo Butcher stood up and Cage went to tattoo him with the chair but Finale was faster and hit Cage with Use Your Illusion (Feigns a superkick and then hits a Spinning Back Elbow) into a chair. It collided with Cage’s face and he dropped.

Refusing to acknowledge his ex wife’s presence as he rooted beneath the ring and pulled out a table. The crowd provided a table pop because who doesn’t love to see some table nonsense. Finale set the table up parallel to the ring apron but when he moved in for the attack Cage drove his shoulder into Finale’s midsection and put him through the guard rail! Well not through it, but a section did come unhooked.

MEARS: This match is already spilling out into the crowd. Luckily FORCE Security is out there to ensure that none of our wonderful fans get hurt.

PETRIE: What about the fans that aren’t wonderful?

MEARS: They will protect them as well.

PETRIE: Lame.

Finale was laid out on the overturned guard rail and Cage started bashing the back of his head into the steel. Cage stood up with a smirk and bathed in the hatred of the audience. Cage reached down and dragged the guard rail section (with Finale on top) toward the ring. Finale got up and tossed a wild punch at Cage but got popped in the jaw with a leaping knee. Cage laid Finale on the ring apron and then calmly walked up the ring steps.

With the fans having gone relatively silent, Cage approached Finale on the apron with a look of malice in his eyes. Cage glanced over at Ramona and said “Are we watching?” before he lifted Finale up. It was clear that The Buffalo Butcher was nursing some battered ribs and Cage honed in on that area with some quick boxing strikes. Finale did his best to cover up but quickly found himself in a bad way. Cage lifted him up, turned him upside down, then with one step he pushed off of the apron and brought Finale down onto the overturned guard rail with Hell's Pit (Spinning Tombstone Piledriver)! It was a grizzly scene, Finale was laid out and Cage covered him. 1..2..3!

MEARS: In a normal contest that would spell the end but not in a Deathmatch. If Finale can get to his feet before a count of ten then this match will continue!

PETRIE: He should maybe just stay down. He is not on Cage’s level of brutality and if he isn’t careful then he won’t make it to his debut match in Project: Honor.

MEARS: That is definitely something to consider.

Cage stood, dusting off his hands and the referee started the ten count. If Finale couldn’t stand, this one would be over. 1..2..3..4..5..6.. Finale started to rise. Cage was neither angry nor surprised. The Buffalo Butcher was up to his feet by a count of 7 and Cage met him with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head. Finale collapsed across another section of the guard rail. Cage stalked toward him and lifted him up into a fireman’s carry. Before Finale could react, Cage dropped him ribs first over the guardrail with the Repentagram (F5).

Finale cried out in agony. For a second Ramona showed a concerned expression but realizing that she was within view of the hot camera she quickly went neutral. Cage was laughing now as Finale tried to catch his breath on the floor. Cage took a few playful slaps at the back of Finale’s head which inspired the latter to get to a vertical base. Cage stepped back and unleashed a lariat but Finale caught his wrist, swung around, and planted Cage with Butcher’s Block (Cobra Clutch Backbreaker)! The audience popped big and Finale was back in this contest.

MEARS: The Buffalo Butcher fires back! He will not die!

PETRIE: Not yet at least.

The Buffalo Butcher mounted his opponent and relentlessly rained down rights and lefts onto his face. Still struggling to breathe properly, Finale guided Cage over to the table and laid him across it. A few parting shots to the face of Cage before Finale climbed up onto the apron. Finale paced the length of the ring, pivoted, and with a run he flew off of the apron with a Cactus Elbow! Finale came crashing down on Cage, putting him through the table. Finale covered. 1..2..3!

The referee started to count Cage down but Finale was not watching, he was searching under the ring. I guess he figured that Cage would get up from that last move and he needed to be ready. 1..2..3..4..5.. Cage started to stand but Finale had reappeared from under the ring and was holding a torn Ziploc bag. The camera zoomed in to show that it was full of thumbtacks! Finale gingerly rolled into the ring and awaited his opponent. Cage was up at a count of seven and had his eyes fixed on Finale.

PETRIE: A Ziploc bag. For thumbtacks.

MEARS: A decidedly unsafe vessel to be sure.

Cage paced over to Ramona and held his hand out. She passed him the black velvet bag and Cage slowly walked up the ring steps, careful not to let Finale out of his sight. Finale made no effort to approach Cage, he didn’t want to give him cause to retreat. Cage was through the ropes and Finale tore open the Ziploc bag. Tacks fell onto the mat in the hundreds. Both men smirked.

The Eternal launched himself toward Finale, trying to hit him in the head with the bag. Finale sidestepped him and caught him with a kappo kick to the dome. Cage was staggered and Finale hit him with a boot to the section and a stunner! Cage was propelled back into a corner and Finale moved over to him as fast as he could. It took some doing but Finale set Cage up and dropped him with Snake Oil (Dragon Screw Neck Whip) onto the thumbtacks! Cage took the worst of it, tacks sticking into his head like he was a community centre bulletin board.

Finale had not escaped getting a few tacks into his left shoulder but he didn’t seem to care. That being said, he needed time to recover. His ribs were fucked and what was worse, Cage was already starting to get up. Finale looked slightly miffed and pulled himself up using the ropes. Cage picked up a handful of tacks and when Finale rushed him Cage shoved the contents of his hand into Finale’s face!

MEARS: Cage tried to blind him! This man is deranged!

Finale writhed on the mat, grabbing at his eyes and Cage just cackled like a mad man. Cage picked up the velvet bag and pulled out a championship belt. Eagle eyed viewers recognized the title as the eWo World Championship, a title that Finale and Cage had battled over on many occasions. The crowd popped for the piece of Toronto wrestling memorabilia but quickly returned to booing the shit out of Cage.

But this bag was apparently of the magic variety because Cage dumped out some more items. A coil of barbed wire and a chisel. Finale stood up and saw the eWo World Title coming right for his face at a high rate of speed! CRACK! Cage bashed Finale in the face with the title, dropping him. Toronto continued to jeer Cage but he didn’t have time to give a shit. He was busy. He had gathered up the barbed wire and was wrapping it around his boot.

MEARS: How did Jonathan Cage get his hands on the eWo World Championship? PETRIE: I mean considering the things that we have seen this guy do it doesn’t surprise me that he was able to steal that belt.

MEARS: I was under the impression that it was in the possession of a memorabilia collector.

PETRIE: Yeah because someone’s mother’s basement is Fort Knox.

Ramona moved closer to the ring, trying to get into Finale’s eyeline. Probably a wasted action because Finale was bleeding from the tacks that were embedded in both of his eyebrows and a large gash in his forehead from the belt shot. Ramona could be heard whispering “Stay down Rory.” and he replied with a simple “Go fuck yourself.” Finale stood up on shaking legs and turned around just as Cage unleashed a Shadow Kick (Superkick) with his barbed wire wrapped boot. Finale dropped and Cage fell into a cover. 1..2..3!

It really did seem like all was lost at this point. Finale was laying, looking up at the lights, blood beginning to pool around where his head rested. Cage was on one knee, smiling at the carnage that he had created. He looked over at the chisel and picked it up. He moved toward his opponent but stopped just short of his body. The referee had reached a count of eight but Finale had pulled himself up into the corner, leaning against it to keep himself upright.

Cage called to Ramona and asked her to join him in the ring. Finale could barely stand as his ex-wife reluctantly entered the ring. Finale seemed like he was going to try to engage the pair but Cage dropped him with a second barbed wire wrapped Shadow Kick. Cage then laid out Finale’s hand, much like last week, and instructed Ramona to remove his finger. Kind of fucked.

MEARS: We saw Jonathan Cage try to do this last week. This is disgusting! Perverse! Vile!

PETRIE: And so very Jonathan Cage.

The Eternal pushed held the chisel against Finale’s finger and then called for Ramona to stomp on it. The fans were silenced, mentally preparing themselves for the horror that they were about to witness. Ramona took a step forward but then stopped. Her eyes welled up with tears and she simply said “No John. I can’t.”

The fans collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Cage stood toe to toe with Ramona. “What?” he asked her and she responded with a despondent shake of her head. Cage was incensed, he grabbed Ramona by the hair and set her up for Time Shift (Twist Of Fate) but before he could hit her with it the bloodied Buffalo Butcher shot at him with One Foot In The Grave (Sick Kick)! Cage did a complete backflip and The Citadel exploded with joy.

MEARS: Finale saved Ramona! Cage was going to plant her with the Time Shift but Finale expelled the remainder of his energy to save her!

PETRIE: Kind of a simp move.

MEARS: That is his ex-wife!

PETRIE: Yeah! He should have let her get what she deserves!

Both of the competitors were down and Ramona moved over to Finale. She helped him sit up and then helped him to his feet. Ramona held her ex-husbands face in her hands. Tears ran down her cheeks as she said, “I’m sorry.” Finale, fighting to stay on his feet, grabbed her hand and said, “Don’t be.” It appeared that he was about to embrace her when Cage popped up behind them and jammed the chisel into Finale’s ear! Finale pushed Ramona clear and dropped to a knee. He was screaming.

MEARS: Good LORD!

PETRIE: Say it louder. I don’t think Finale can hear you...

Cage retrieved the eWo World Title and smoked Finale in the back of the head with it. With Finale prone on the mat, Cage knelt on Finale’s chest and then proceeded to bash Finale in the face with the title. Again and again and again. It was a sickening scene as Finale’s face bloodied more and more with each shot. Seeing that Finale’s shoulders were down, the referee made the count. 1..2..3!

The Eternal had exhausted himself, hitting Finale in the face with the title over a dozen times. The Buffalo o Butcher lay on the mat looking like a horror movie victim as the referee applied the ten count. 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10! Thankfully, it was over.

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

“Forget To Remember” by Mudvayne started playing. Dr. Evelyn Ernest and her team hit the ring with FORCE Security to tend to Finale. The Buffalo Butcher lay on the mat bloodied and beaten. Ramona left the ring, she couldn’t stand to see Finale like this and she disappeared up the ramp. Cage refused to leave the ring, even with the medical team begging him to give them room; he stood with his foot on Finale’s chest.

We cut to the locker room area of The Citadel with Audrey Abrams motioning for the camera to follow her.

AUDREY: You’re recording right? I am not going to give him a chance to refuse me an interview.

Audrey found the door she was looking for and gave a loud knock. After ten or so seconds it opened and we saw the smiling face of Minoru Tanahashi, then suddenly the angry enraged face of The Black Lion.

TANAHASHI: NO! NO, NO HELL BITCH GOD DAMN SHIIIIT! FUCK NO!

After the stream of obscenities fled from his mouth, he looked at the camera and saw the red light.

TANAHASHI: Really? You were already recording. Did you really think that was going to get me to give you an interview? You would have had a much better chance if you came to me with no camera and asked me why I did not wish for you to interview me again.

AUDREY: Because you can’t handle a strong woman with her own thoughts and opinions that is determined to find the truth about the wrestlers of OATH no matter how much they may want to hide it?

TANAHASHI: Actually, no. It is because you are rude, presumptuous, slanderous, interrogative, instigative, and incredibly obnoxious. This is professional wrestling, not TMZ, not Jerry Springer, not the real housewives of Toronto. I like Kendrick because he understands that. Kendrick is like the Toronto Star, a simple trusted news source that gets their readers facts with a few opinions. You… you’re the National Enquirer, you’re tabloid journalism and that’s not what I’m here for. If you have a legitimate question about my match with Allen Chaney tonight, please ask it. It can be the simplest question ever. Something like, why are you going to win Mister Tanahashi? Or what gives you the edge in this match oh Marvelous Minoru? Or, I only acted as I did previously because I find you incredibly attractive and intimidating, will you please accept my apology? Any of those three would be wonderful questions.

Minoru looked at Audrey with a smug smirk as he awaited her response. She rolled her eyes and scoffed a bit.

AUDREY: Is it true that the Intrepid title match was originally meant for Super Tiger, but you told management that she wanted you to have it instead.

Minoru shook his head, sighed, and then yanked the mic away from Audrey.

TANAHASHI: Please leave now.

Audrey looked enraged at having the mic yanked from her hand, but when Minoru turned his head towards her, that look of rage faded and she slowly backed away. The camera went to follow, but Minoru grabbed the lens and pulled him back.

TANAHASHI: You can stay, I’ll just speak to all the people I need to directly. First off, her bullshit question, just that. I have no say in booking and I certainly would never steal a title opportunity from my friend and tag partner, even if some weird-ass contract stuff gave me that option, which it doesn’t. If she had the shot tonight, I would cheer her on, hope she wins it and knows that no matter what, The SUPER KAWAII THUNDER LIGER SQUADRON is always a priority. Tonight though, it’s a singles match. I haven’t had a proper one on one match in a while, and the last time I was in singles competition, it was a four-way that ended with me getting a bottle of knock-off cristal smashed over my head. Tonight though, I don’t have to worry about people attacking me. The next tag team myself and Tiger face are honorable, and Allen Chaney has absolutely no friends.

Minoru chuckled a little bit, then cracked his neck and stood there still and stoic for a few seconds.

TANAHASHI: I like to have a good time Allen, people know that about me. I want you to look at me right now though. This is the face you will see when the bell rings. When I stop worrying about having fun and more about kicking your ass. Of course, all work and no play does make a dull Minoru. I guess I could just have a lot of fun kicking your ass and becoming the new Intrepid Champion. You are good, you are big, and you are surprisingly agile, but you’re not better than me. You won’t be able to go as long as I can go, as fast as I can go, as hard as I can go. I am going to hit you harder than anyone has ever hit you. I am going to tear you down, wear you out, and remind the wrestling World just how good Minoru Tanahashi is inside that ring. You’ve got your undefeated streak and a title to defend. I have a title to win, a chance to become a triple crown winner in Oath, and a chance to show the World that as great as SKTLS is as a tag team, its members are just as great individually. Plus, I just think you’re kind of a gigantic asshole and would really like to kick you so hard in the jaw that it has to be wired shut and we don’t have to hear any of your awful jokes for at least a little while.

Minoru smirked once more, then stepped back and made the title motion around his waist. He then waved the cameraman off and went back to his locker room, the interview was done and over.

• MAIN EVENT •

OATH INTREPID CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES MATCH

Minoru Tanahashi vs. Allen Chaney ©

Main event time and the crowd was buzzing. “The Black Lion” Minoru Tanahashi made his entrance to the sounds of “Roll Up” by The Struts and the audience was firmly behind him. He engaged some of The Citadel faithful as he made his way down the ramp but once he was in the ring, he was all business. He stretched some more and called out to a particularly vocal group of fans in the front row who were adorned head-to-toe in Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron merch (available at OATHShop stands and online).

MEARS: Minoru Tanahashi is entering, perhaps, the most important match of his OATH career this far. Fans will remember that last year he had a campaign while Livewire Champion that he called the Path To Greatness. Could he reach another milestone on that journey tonight Bad Mood? PETRIE: I fuckin’ hope so. I’m not a Minoru fan. I’m not. I think he’s an entitled little prick but he is capable. There is no disputing that he has what it takes to be great and I think… no… I pray that he can become great tonight.

MEARS: And that opinion is born out of your dislike of Allen Chaney?

PETRIE: You dislike him too! Or at least, you should! He attacked you in that very ring not too long ago.

MEARS: We must remain professional.

PETRIE: You must.

To say that the mood changed abruptly would be an understatement. “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” by O.D.B. kicked up and although everyone in Toronto knows that Wu-Tang Is Forever, they didn’t care for the man who entered to this track. Intrepid Champion, “The Comedian” Allen Chaney stepped out onto the stage wearing an “OATH Ratings Machine” t-shirt that he apparently had fashioned himslef. Chaney did no less than strut to the ring as the audience showered him in boos. And a few death threats.

MEARS: Did someone just threaten to stab him? PETRIE: I think that is a wonderful idea.

Once Chaney was in the ring he handed off the Intrepid Championship and the referee held it high in the air. Chaney seemed perturbed by this, he snatched the title away and held it up himself.

CHANEY: Do it right! Hold it high. Nielsen, man! Nielsen!

The referee sighed as Chaney handed him the championship for a second time and he held it as high as he could. Not because Chaney demanded it, but because he knew that this would go on for a while if he didn’t adhere to what Chaney wanted. The champion nodded, satisfied. The referee handed off the championship to a member of the ring crew. The fifteen minute time limit appeared on the tron and the referee called for the bell.

15:00

Perhaps Chaney was underestimating Minoru but the third chime of the ringbell was still echoing with dimimished returns when Minoru shot across the ring like a competitive greyhound and smashed Chaney in the side of the head with Akihabara Dreams (Yakuza Kick)! The massive frame of Chaney slammed into a corner and Minoru was on him, hitting him with a variety of strikes.

CHANEY: Ref! Stop him! I wasn’t ready! Once again the referee was forced to follow Chaney’s instructions, applying a five count. Minoru stopped his onslaught at a count of four but before he took a step back he slapped Chaney in the face. The Comedian had murder in his eyes for the briefest of moments but he let it fade. He knew this game and he wasn’t about to let Minoru see him get upset.

MEARS: This is an interesting contest. Neither of these men are too fond of the rules. This may be a case of who can get away with what.

Minoru gave Chaney the “come hither” motion and Chaney responded with a middle finger and a broad smile. Minoru drew an imaginary line between them and gestured for Chaney to bring it once again. Chaney shook his head as if he wasn’t about to play into this game and then launched himself toward Minoru.

The Black Lion side stepped Chaney and sent him chest first into the ropes. Chaney rebounded iand Minoru tried for a snap German suplex but Chaney grabbed the top rope with one hand and caught Minoru with a back elbow with the other. Minoru was sent reeling backward and Chaney turned to meet him with a charging shoulder block.

MEARS: Chaney is a big guy and he knows how to use his weight. There is a lot power housed in the frame of The Comedian.

PETRIE: -audible teeth grinding-

MEARS: I appreciate your restraint Bad Mood.

11:21

The champion had the challenger prone on the mat and decided that this would be a good time to fuck with him some more. Chaney put a boot on Minoru’s chest and flexed. Minoru rolled onto his stomach and tried to pick Chaney’s leg but Chaney was planted like an oak tree and he kicked Minoru in the side of the head with his free boot.

Minoru was rocked as Chaney pulled him off the canvas and sent him into the ropes with an Irish whip. Minoru came back and hit Chaney with a leaping European uppercut. This didn’t put the champion down but it caused him to fall back into the ropes. Chaney was hung up for just long enough that Minoru charged him again and caught him in the chin with a palm strike that sent Chaney through the ropes, landing in a heap on the outside.

PETRIE: That mass of humanity just landed with a plop, rather than a thud. Kind of like a giant piece of shit onto pavement.

MEARS: You’ve heard such a thing before? PETRIE: I’ve seen Chaney fall to the floor before, yeah.

Knowing that Chaney was dangerous on the outside, Minoru surveyed the scene for a moment, waiting for Chaney to stand. Maybe it was time for a dive? Hard to say because Chaney didn’t stand. He began crawling around ringside toward the announce table. Minoru moved closer to the ropes so that he could see the floor but Chaney had crawled out of sight.

8:52

The Black Lion exited the ring in pursuit of The Comedian and found him sitting on a steel chair next to Matt Mears. Minoru approached with caution. Chaney reached across Mears and took hold of his water bottle. Chaney took a huge gulp as Mears sat next to him, disgusted. When Minoru approached Chaney tossed the remaining contents into Minoru’s face. Chaney shot out of the chair and took Minoru down with an STO!

Minoru was in a daze as Chaney hefted him up and led him over to the SKTLS fans in the front row. “This is what you like?” he asked them, barely audible over the boos.

“YEAH!”

The Comedian accepted that and then hit Minoru with a series of quick jabs to the midsection. Chaney set Minoru up for a gutwrench powerbomb and then took two steps toward the ring with the intention of slamming Minoru down onto the ring apron but the ever-clever Minoru threw all of his weight back and sent Chaney careening face first into the ring post. The sound of Chaney’s skull hitting the ring post was reminsicent of the Wrestlemania 2000 sound. Ah nostalgia.

MEARS: Allen just got his bell rung! This is a great opening for Minoru. If he continues to attack Allen’s head The Comedian may become to groggy to put up much of a fight.

PETRIE: If he lost by referee stoppage I would be so happy. I mean if he lost in any way I’d be eccstatic. But if he literally couldn’t fight anymore? Yeah that would be sweet ass sweet.

Minoru rolled Chaney into the ring and then took a moment to acknowledge his fans at ringside. One screamed, “Kill that fat prick Mino!” and Tanahashi was taken aback at first but then thoroughly amused. Once he was up the ring steps and in the ring Minoru measured Chaney and went for Kabukicho Nights (Discus Lariat) but Chaney hooked his arm and blasted him with The Set-Up (Short Arm Clothesline). Chaney covered for the first time in the contest. 1..2!

MEARS: The Set-Up! It typically proceeds The Punchline and that would bring an end to Minoru’s title aspirations. At least for tonight.

PETRIE: Good Lord fuck Minoru! Don’t screw this up for us!

MEARS: Us? PETRIE: Gregory is… he likes Minoru for whatever reason.

MEARS: Ah. Things are starting to make sense.

PETRIE: Shut your whore mouth.

When Minoru’s shoulder shot off the mat there was a big cheer that rose up from The Citadel. Chaney didn’t have a single supporter in the crowd but it didn’t seem to bother him. He acted like he knew something that no one else did. Chaney peeled Minoru off the mat and Minoru poked him in the eye! Minoru seemed poised to hit Chaney with a low blow but the referee was wise to him and gave him a stern warning.

MINORU: Gomen'nasai, Gomen'nasai, won't happen again.

The referee seemed pleased that his orders were followed. Minoru pointed to something behind the ref and when the ref turned his back Minoru kicked Chaney real hard right in the dick. Chaney went crossed eye and grasped at his crotch right before Minoru pulled him in and planted him with Lion's Claw (Emerald Flowsion)! The crowd was jacked for that show of strength from The Black Lion and counted along when he made a cover. 1..2..!

4:16

Chaney kicked out and well...no one was happy about that. Save for maybe Minoru, he got a sly smirk on his face. He took hold of all of Chaney’s limbs and before the Intrepid Champion could react he was balled up in the dreaded Keimusho Saifu (Paradise Lock). Minoru then “presented” his work to the audience and one big, collective laugh emenated from the fans in Chaney’s direction. Chaney struggled to get out but the hold wasn’t broken until Minoru struck Chaney in the rear with a basement dropkick.

MEARS: Not much time left Bad Mood. Minoru needs to try to finished this as soon as possible!

PETRIE: Get a move on kid! Put this piece of shit in the dirt!

Allen Chaney was spread eagle on the canvas. Minoru looked up at the tron and saw that he didn’t have a great deal of time left. Minoru was quick to hop up to the top rope and was primed to hit Chaney with Osake Bomb (Swanton Bomb) when Chaney shot off up off the canvas and threw himself into the ropes. Minoru shook but didn’t lose his balance.

1:01

Minoru had to act quickly so he leaped off the top rope and took Chaney down with a hurricanranna that he transitioned beautifully into The Highball Hangover (Scissored Armbar Crossface)! Chaney was trapped in the middle of the ring. The referee knelt down to ask him if he wanted to quit but Chaney just laughed (in between screams). Minoru cast his glance up to the tron and started pulling back with all of his might. The audience started counting down 10..9..8..7.. Chaney was refusing to tap out. 6..5..4..3..2..1! Chaney survived, he didn’t submit! The referee called for the bell.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner and STILL OATH Pro Wrestling Intrepid Champion, “The Comedian” Allen Chaney!

Minoru was forced to break the hold by the referee and he was in complete disbelief. He rolled out of the ring, shook his head. Minoru paced up the ramp and stopped halfway to turn and flip Chaney off.

MEARS: You have to feel for Minoru Tanahashi. He was so close.

PETRIE: Gregory is going to be devestated.

In the ring, Chaney was handed the championship. He fell to the mat, cradling it, laughing hysterically as Conviction 48 came to a close.

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Results: • Ryan Terror def. Leah Aguero

• Social Elite def. Johnny Draco & James Edwards • Locke Helms def. El Diablo Blanco

• Jonathan Cage def. Finale

• Allen Chaney def. Minoru Tanahashi; Still Intrepid Champion