CONVICTION XXII RESULTS

Episode XXII June 28th, 2020 Toronto, Ontario

Finn Whelan def. Annie Lapalm Whelan pinned Lapalm after Fenian Rising. The Hell Realm def. Ultramega UK Terror pinned Kobain after Sacrifical Lamb. Baz Jacobi def. Astaroth Jacobi pinned Astaroth after See Some Evil.

It’s a beautiful sight as following the OATH signature and the Conviction opening video package we cut to the arena in Toronto. The fans are losing their shit as the pyro demonstration is nothing short of obscene. Cut to ringside with your mouthpieces of OATH, “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie and Matt Mears. MEARS: Wrestling fans welcome to OATH Conviction! My name is Matt Mears and I am here alongside my broadcast colleague “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie! PETRIE: Oh shit yeah we are here for yet another installment of Conviction and we’ve got a banger of a card tonight. Two title matches and the uh…World Champion in action! MEARS: Why did you pause? PETRIE: Because Erik Holland is a goon! Guy only shows up when he’s booked. He doesn’t give a shit about being World Champion. That’s why he is going to lose it in two weeks at Rapture. MEARS: That remains to be seen but he is booked to defend his championship against number one contender, “The Stone Gargoyle” Reo Ojima in two weeks. PETRIE: Ojima is gonna fuck Holland up. Holland has never faced a man like Ojima before. MEARS: How about our main event tonight Bad Mood? Who do you think is going to walk out as Intrepid Champion? PETRIE: James Edwards has been a decent champion but he has no hope in hell. He’s taking on the longest reigning World Champion in OATH history! Declan Black is walking out with the gold tonight, easy. MEARS: It’s going to be an interesting contest. James Edwards has learned a lot since dethroning Locke Helms several weeks ago but tonight he faces a massive test in Declan Black. Let us not wait any longer for the action. Let us begin!

MATCH TYPE

VS

The first contest of the evening was meant to see Zeke “The Freak” Davis take on Samantha “The Titaness” Hamilton. The problem was that Davis came out to the ring and Hamilton did not. The referee looked as perplexed as Davis. After Hamilton’s theme played for a few moments, Davis decided to take hold of a microphone. DAVIS: Ain’t this some shit. It seems like losing to Erik Holland some weeks back really ruined Hamilton’s confidence! Right? Wrong! Davis paced around the ring as the referee consulted his ear piece, listening for instruction. DAVIS: It wasn’t Holland that broke Hamilton. It was the thought of facing me! Davis smirked and started clapping for himself. MEARS: We were unsure if Hamilton would show up for this contest tonight and it appears that she hasn’t. PETRIE: Yeah because she was terrified of my man The Freak! Davis approached the referee. DAVIS: Now! Do not screw me over here. She was scheduled for this match and she isn’t here. So it is your DUTY as an OATH official to count her out and award me the victory! Now DO IT! The referee looked contemplative. He is a respected OATH official and didn’t want to award a victory in this manner, but he didn’t have much choice. DAVIS: Do it! Count her out and give me the victory. Do your job! For once! The referee looked hesitant but eventually obliged. The referee called for the opening bell, started the twenty count and once he completed it, he called for the bell again. DAVIS: Now raise The Freak’s hand! A sigh from the zebra and then he raised Davis’ hand. Winner: Zeke Davis DAVIS: Haha! Another victory for The Freak. For those of you who are counting that is two in a row now! But I am not done here tonight. This hard fought victory will not be the last you see from me tonight. I’ve got plans and I am going to make a statement. A beat. DAVIS: The Freak Resurgence will roll on! See you in the funny papers…er…later tonight!

In an outdoor lounge on the grounds of the arena, the members of Midnight Special Harvey Carbine and Josh Cherry were shown sitting and apparently waiting for someone. Cherry was playing with a deck of cards as Carbine sat with his hands folded on the table in front of him, staring off at the Toronto skyline. CHERRY: What do you think this is all about? Carbine took a moment to consider the question. He exhaled slowly before giving his answer. CARBINE: It’s a big night for him tonight my boy. He made this challenge and now he’s gotta deliver. If he doesn’t…hell…who knows what his career here in OATH looks like. CHERRY: You think he can beat Holland? CARBINE: I think he needs to. A shadow fell on the table and the camera whip panned over to show the silhouette of “The Tomorrow Man” Ben Macbeth against the backlight of the midday sun. Macbeth slowly pulled out a chair and sat down with his EMBLEM partners. MACBETH: Gentlemen. How are we? Cherry scoffed and laughed. CHERRY: You don’t need to do that man. Just tell us what’s going on. Macbeth nodded in acknowledgement of his friend’s directness. Macbeth removed his sunglasses and lay them on the table. MACBETH: Tonight is the biggest opportunity of my OATH career. If I can defeat Erik Holland then that puts the entirety of the roster on notice. EMBLEM becomes the threat in this company that it was always destined to be. Carbine cleared his throat and turned his sightline to Macbeth. CARBINE: We’ve haven’t been pullin’ our weight either. We’ve had our chances and we’ve blown ‘em. Time and again we start to rise towards the top of the tag team mountain and every time we can’t finish. MACBETH: Then we conjure a way to fix that. It begins this evening. We take our first steps in the proper direction since OATH returned. The attention of all three men turned to two figures walking into frame. The two men in question are Baz Jacobi and his manager Shortcut walk into frame. JACOBI: Hey boys! Don’t mean to interrupt, just wanted to say hi! Name is Baz Jacobi and this is my best pal Shortcut. Macbeth turned his gaze toward Jacobi and Shortcut. He was not impressed. MACBETH: Excuse us but this is a private conversation. SHORTCUT: That’s pretty fuckin’ rude joe. We’re new around here and we were hoping for a warm welcome. CHERRY: You’re looking in the wrong place you fucking goblin. Shortcut cocked an eyebrow and went to move toward Cherry. Cherry shot up out of his seat but Macbeth stood as well and stood between the two men. MACBETH: We do not need to engage in this right now. You two go your way and allow us the privacy to finish our conversation. Jacobi stepped forward and stood face to face with Macbeth. JACOBI: Listen busta I’m not really in the habit of listening when people tell me to do something. We’re gonna walk away because we’re hungry and we heard that the spread backstage is decent. But don’t get silly and think that we’re leaving because you told us to. MACBETH: You do not want to start anything with us Mr. Jacobi. I assure you. JACOBI: Maybe I do. We’ll see how I feel on a full stomach. Later losers. Jacobi and Shortcut backed away, with all three members of watching them as they departed.

MATCH TYPE

VS

The first real contest of the night saw “War Queen” Stephanie Matsuda return to singles action against “The Outlaw” Josie Wales. Both competitors had yet to see any significant success since returning with OATH. That gave both of them tremendous motivation coming into this match but as we know, only one person could win! They started off with some chain wrestling and Matsuda quickly realized that she would be no match for Wales in a technical stand off so she took to the skies. Following a series of deep arm drags Matsuda went for a springboard moonsault. Wales side stepped it and tried for a lariat but Matsuda grabbed Wales’ arm, slipped through and hit a high roundhouse to the back of Wales’ head. MEARS: It has been some time since we’ve had the pleasure of seeing Stephanie Matsuda in a one on one contest! PETRIE: Too bad she has to face a determined Josie Wales. Wales lost her Intrepid Title match two weeks ago and now it seems her attitude has shifted. She has eyes on FM Young. I’m no Josie Wales fan but I’m even less of an FM Young fan so…go Josie! MEARS: Not very impartial there Bad Mood. PETRIE: Hey it hasn’t been a problem yet. I calls it like I sees it! That kick seemed like a wakeup call for “The Outlaw” because she darted forward and caught Matsuda with a knee that sent the latter hard into the corner. Wales came charging in after her but Matsuda got out of the way and went for a roll up. MEARS: Matsuda is looking to pull a fast one! A win here could launch Matsuda into the hunt for singles gold, something she has yet to achieve here in OATH. Wales was able to use her own momentum to roll right backward and got up to a knee but Matsuda nailed her with a shining wizard. Before Matsuda could go for a cover, Wales rolled to the outside of the ring. Matsuda seemed momentarily frustrated before inspiration struck. PETRIE: Wales is learning. She knew she was in trouble and she went to the outside to put some distance between herself and Matsuda. Smart girl. MEARS: Smart competitor! PETRIE: Yeah fuck whatever. As Wales recovered on the outside Matsuda sprinted to the opposing ropes. After getting some momentum Matsuda came across the ring in a flash and dove through the ropes and took Wales down on the outside with a suicide dive. Not content to fight on the outside, Matsuda knew that she had the upper hand and that she could finish this match now. Matsuda got Wales back into the ring and then ascended to the top rope, where she is most comfortable. Wales knew it was coming and she rolled across the ring. PETRIE: You can see it! You can see that Wales is learning from her mistakes and showing excellent ring awareness. Fuck maybe I am a Josie Wales fan. MEARS: Regardless of that, Matsuda is still in control of this contest. Perhaps Josie is simply staving off the inevitable…no pun intended. PETRIE: You did that on purpose! Intended! Matsuda got down from the top rope and walked towards Wales with the swagger that only the “War Queen” possesses. As Matsuda reached down to take hold of Wales, Wales spit in her face! Wales then shot up and took Matsuda over with a school girl for a two count. “The Outlaw” rallied and hit Wales with a bunch of quick jabs to the midsection. Wales then applied a side headlock but Matsuda shot her into the ropes. Matsuda tried for Yahtzee (Superkick) but Wales caught her foot and spun Matsuda around. PETRIE: Wales is ready to mount a comeback! The Outlaw rides! MEARS: Josie needs to make a move now to save this match! Wales hit Matsuda with a bicycle kick that sent Matsuda back into the ropes and Matsuda returned with a Yahtzee (Superkick) before dropping. Both competitors were down and it was about as hype in the arena as it could be. PETRIE: They are both down! Come on Outlaw! MEARS: Bad Mood please try to be the least bit impartial. Both competitors dug down deep and got up to their feet. All sense of sportsmanship was out the window as they started exchanging BOMBS. Matsuda won out in that exchange and then set Wales up for Blasian Suplex (Sleeper Suplex). MEARS: Josie Wales’ attempt at a comeback run is about to be cut short! As Matsuda went to lift Wales, Wales slipped behind her, rolled her up and the referee made the count. Wales pushed her feet against the mat for increased leverage and that did it as the referee made the three count. Winner: Josie Wales “The Outlaw” got her hand raised and then the shot shifted to show Matsuda with a look of disbelief on her face. Wales left the ring unscathed, leaving Matsuda to ponder what went wrong.

CATCH THE REPLAY

Stephanie Matsuda made her way through the curtain and was visibly upset that her return to singles action did not go as planned. Producers and agents mill about but all seem to know that they should steer clear of Matsuda. All save for one person. Leah Aguero walked into frame and approached her tag team partner. Aguero did her best to appear sympathetic but Matsuda clearly wasn’t in the mood to be comforted. By anyone at all. AGUERO: I’m sorry cousin. You’ll find your groove in the next one. MATSUDA: Yeah maybe I will. Maybe I won’t. Maybe this place just isn’t for me right now. Matsuda sat down on a road case and turned her gaze to the floor. Aguero sat down next to her and began rubbing her back. AGUERO: You are one of the most talented competitors on the roster. Wales just wanted it more tonight, she is not better than you. MATSUDA: She was tonight and that’s all that matters. Matsuda looked up at her partner. MATSUDA: I’m fine cousin. You’re up next. Go out there and show these people that at least half of The Inevitable is capable of winning. Aguero gave her cousin a “cut the shit” look. MATSUDA: It’s fine. Go out there and get us a win.

AGUERO: Bet on it.

With a pat to Matsuda’s back, Aguero took her leave and walked through the curtain

MATCH TYPE

VS

Two former champions went head to head next. Leah Aguero was having her first singles outing in such time after regularly teaming with Stephanie Matsuda as The Inevitable. Locke Helms on the other hand was looking to bounce back from a string of high profile losses. Both competitors were in the ring and ready to get rowdy. The initial lock up saw the more technically proficient Helms take down Aguero onto her stomach. Helms went for a stomp but Aguero rolled out of the way. Helms went to reach down but Aguero grabbed his wrist and kipped up. MEARS: Leah Aguero needs to use her speed to stay away from Helms. If she gets in too close for too long then she could be in trouble. PETRIE: I doubt it. Since losing the Intrepid Title Helms has been neutered. He is less and less of a threat with each passing week. Aguero tried for an arm wrench but Helms quickly reversed it into one of his own. Aguero bent down, planted her palm on the mat and did a front flip to land on her feet. Helms drove a knee into Aguero’s midsection and then sent her into the ropes. MEARS: Impressive display from Leah Aguero! That speed is her biggest weapon in this contest and she is aware of that fact. On Aguero’s return Helms tried for an abdominal stretch but Aguero was able to hip toss him onto the mat into a seated position. Aguero hit a hard soccer kick to Helms’ spine. Aguero then caught Helms with a flipping neckbreaker and went for a cover but barely got a one count. PETRIE: Goddamn she’s actually gonna do it! MEARS: She is on her way! Helms needs a big set of moves and quickly. PETRIE: He’s got nothing. Not when Declan and Clan Black are stalking him. It was clear that Aguero was looking to keep the pressure on but Helms remained cool and collected. Aguero tried to mount Helms but Helms bucked her forward, rolled backward and ended up on top of her. Helms went for a forearm smash but Aguero moved her head and he struck the mat. Using Helms’ miscalculation, Aguero was able to buck Helms off. The two were back up and Helms darted at Aguero but she sent him into the ropes. On his return Aguero hit him with a high flipping dropkick that sent him through the ropes to the outside. MEARS: Aguero has the distance, now she needs to stick and move! Aguero wasted no time as she charged and dove through the ropes with a suicide dive but Helms met her with a leaping knee that caught her right on the chin. Aguero crumbled and Helms flashed a creepy, satisfied smile. PETRIE: Holy shit! MEARS: A violent strike from Locke Helms and he looks elated with its effectiveness. PETRIE: Wouldn’t you be? Fuck that was brutal. Helms got Aguero up to her feet and rolled her into the ring. A close up shot showed us that she was bleeding from the mouth. Lucky she didn’t lose a couple of teeth! Aguero tried to get up to her feet and surprisingly, Helms helped her! MEARS: What is Helms doing? PETRIE: Locke Helms shit. Creepy shit. “The Landlord of Silent Hill” held Aguero’s chin and it appeared that was the only thing keeping her up. Helms leaned in and whispered something to her. Aguero’s eyes became wide and she responded with a kick to Helms’ midsection. She then got behind him and took her over with a snap German suplex! MEARS: Leah Aguero is still alive here! If her jaw was broken she wouldn’t still be fighting, no one would be. So this is a good sign! PETRIE: She is clearly rattled. She is in desperation mode. Trust me, I know desperate! MEARS: I do not doubt that for a moment. No one could believe that Aguero came to life like that…no one but Helms. As Helms recovered on the mat, he seemed to be smiling again. Aguero was not as gleeful. Aguero measured Helms and when she saw him smirking, she seemed to jump the gun and charge at him before he was standing up straight. MEARS: This is Leah’s opportunity! Aguero darted in and tried for a big boot but Helms slipped behind her, lifted her up with a back suplex and then dropped her back across his knee. Aguero tried to get back immediately and fight back but Helms set her up with Downfall (Hammerlock DDT). Aguero slipped out and put him down with a leg sweep. Aguero then hit the ropes and blasted Helms with The Endgame (Running Punt). Aguero covered and secured the three count. Winner: Leah Aguero Before Helms could get his hand raised Jack O’Brien and Derrick Warburton — Clan Black — charged the ring and both men were wielding chains. O’Brien slid into the ring first and was swinging the chain but Helms saw them coming. MEARS: Oh no! Locke Helms is outnumbered and in serious trouble here. O’Brien swung the chain at Helms but Helms ducked under it and caught O’Brien with Diamond Rain (Standing Moonsault Slam/C4). Warburton was in the ring soon after that but Helms had taken hold of O’Brien’s chain. Helms swung the chain and it caught Warburton in the side of the leg. PETRIE: Would you look at that? Helms has some fight left in him. MEARS: Perhaps he isn’t “neutered” as you said. PETRIE: We’ll see. Warburton dropped to a knee and Helms wrapped the chain around his own hand. Helms grabbed Warburton by the back of the head and then whispered something in his ear. Helms then cracked Warburton in the face a half dozen times, practically turning his face into ground beef. Warburton was left a bloody mess on the mat before we cut.

The delightful smile of OATH Correspondent May O’Neil greeted you. The stalwart interviewer was standing in front of a large flatscreen that had the Conviction signature playing on a loop. The shot slowly pulled out as she began to speak. O’NEIL: Ladies and gentlemen I’m May O’Neil and my guest at this time is about to head into the second defense of her OATH Tabula Rasa Championship. Please welcome Tabula Rasa Champion, “The Tiger” FM Young! The shot pulled out fully to show FM Young standing beside O’Neil with the championship over her shoulder. O’NEIL: Thank you for joining me FM. Tonight you attempt to defend your Tabula Rasa Title against upstar “The BlackHawk” Qiyanna Marshal. How are you feeling heading into this contest? Young almost looked annoyed by the question and after an eye roll she decided to answer. YOUNG: I feel like I always do. Ready. Sure, Marshal is a talented kid. She’s got a few wins under her belt but she isn’t ready for The Tiger. I opted to defend this championship every week because I want it to mean something. Last week was a walk in the park so I’m HOPING that Marshal can give me more of a fight. This title can’t mean more if I’m constantly defending it against— The Tiger stopped speaking because someone else walked into frame. “The Outlaw” Josie Wales appeared and was on the come down after her victory over Stephanie Matsuda. YOUNG: Listen. I didn’t watch your match. Did you somehow eek out a victory? Wales smirked. WALES: Eek one out? Who talks like that? I won, yes. That’s all that matters. Hopefully you can do the same because when I get my shot at that title I want you to be the one holding it. YOUNG: Oh for Christ’s sake. Wales you don’t have what it takes. You can win however many matches you can muster but if you face me you’re lucky if you survive, let alone win. So scamper off and let me go do what I do best. The Outlaw didn’t care for Young’s remarks. Wales stepped forward and got right in the champion’s face. WALES: Keep thinking that. Just win your match tonight. I spoke with Barlow. He told me that in order for me to get another title shot…at any title…I need more wins. One more in fact. So when I win whatever match he puts me in next week, I’m coming for that Tabula Rasa Title at Rapture. Wales looked down at the title on Young’s shoulder. WALES: Whether you’ve got it or not. The Outlaw walked off, leaving Young to stew in Wales’ threat.

2 OUT OF 3 FALLS MATCH

VS

The first of two title matches was up next as newcomer “The Blackhawk” Qiyanna Marshal challenged F.M. Young for the OATH Tabula Rasa Championship in a 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match. Both competitors were in the ring as the referee raised the championship high for all to see. Marshal started the match off quickly, catching Young off guard with a spear. Young didn’t believe that she had almost been cut in half and got back to her feet almost immediately out of instinct. That proved to not be the best course of action as Marshal put Young back on the mat with a reverse neckbreaker for a near fall. MEARS: Qiyanna Marshal is starting this match off quickly! You can not give FM Young any runway or she will do just that, run away with the match. PETRIE: You just come up with that? MEARS: Yes. I do have my moments Bad Mood. PETRIE: Yeah. Sure. That’s one way to put it. Young seemed taken aback slightly by Marshal’s fire (no pun intended) right off the hop. The champion got up to her feet and backed away, making Marshal come to her. Marshal knew that Young would be ready this time so Marshal was more cautious in her approach. MEARS: The newcomer is giving Young a run for her money here. She is switching up her approach and adapting on the fly. These are veteran instincts here. PETRIE: Yeah but she isn’t a veteran. MEARS: Which is why I am impressed. The two competitors locked up and Young, in a show of her superhuman strength, shoved Marshal down the mat and then gestured for the newcomer to “bring it on”. Marshal smirked and shot in at Young, trying to pick her leg but Young dropped a double sledge onto Marshal’s back. Young then said something that sounded like, “This is how it’s done”. MEARS: FM is ever confident. PETRIE: Yeah she’s like the rookie killer. She has yet to taste defeat but also yet to face anyone of any real substance so who really gives a shit? MEARS: She is working her way up the ladder. Past accolades are not a free pass to the top of this company. Everyone has to work their way up. With Marshal doubled over, Young put her grip under Marshal’s mid-section and lifted her up with a gut wrench into a Canadian backbreaker. Young held Marshal there for a moment and then did some squats to apply some pressure to the newcomer’s back. Young then slammed Marshal on the mat with impressive force. PETRIE: That’ll stifle Marshal’s offence. “The Blackhawk” was gasping for air as Young stalked her, taking her time. Young grabbed the back of Marshal’s hair but Marshal rolled onto her back and put both her feet into Young’s chest. Marshal shoved Young back with all her might and then kipped up. MEARS: An impressive recovery from Qiyanna! This newcomer is more impressive every time we see her in an OATH ring. PETRIE: If she can beat Young then I’ll be impressed. Before Marshal could mount an assault, Young went to blast her with Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline) but Marshal grabbed Young’s arm and swung her legs behind Young, catching her other arm and then dumped her onto the mat with a crucifix driver into a pin! Young was caught off guard yet again and Marshal got the surprise three count! First Fall: Qiyanna Marshal PETRIE: Holy shit! MEARS: Qiyanna Marshal is the first person to pin FM Young in an OATH ring. I am happily surprised! PETRIE: Fuck me even I’m impressed! The referee backed the two competitors away from each other and then approached Young. With genuine concern, the ref approached Young and asked her if she could continue. Young met him with a snarl and charged forward at Marshal. PETRIE: Oh fuck I think Marshal has pissed off the champion. MEARS: Which could be to Qiyanna’s advantage if she knows how to use it. Young went for another Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline) and Marshal went for a second crucifix driver but Young stood firm, repositioned Marshal’s head and planted her with belly to back piledriver! Marshal was fucking SHOOK and Young covered for a two count. MEARS: That was an excellent counter from Young. Marshal can’t try and do the same things time and again. Young is a veteran and she is a quick study. “The Tiger” tried to get into a mount but Marshal rolled onto her stomach. Marshal got up onto all fours and backed through Young’s legs. Young reached down but Marshal grabbed Young’s arm, pulled it through Young’s legs and then lifted Young up for a pump handle slam! Marshal covered and got a two count. MEARS: Good Lord! What an opportunistic move from Marshal that paid off. I do not know that anyone expected Qiyanna to bring this kind of fight to FM! PETRIE: Whether or not anyone expected it, it’s fucking happening. We’re gonna see a new Tabula Rasa Champion here tonight! MEARS: We very well may! Marshal knew that she was within three seconds of winning the championship and she kept the pressure on, keeping Young subdued with some stomps. Young fought up anyway so Marshal back peddled slightly and then begged for Young to stand up. PETRIE: You need to strike now rookie! Don’t give Young any room! MEARS: I agree. Qiyanna needs to make her move and now. When The Tiger got to her feet, Marshal charged in and went for another spear but Young leapfrogged over her and Marshal went head first into the middle turnbuckle. Marshal was damn loopy after that and Young pounced on her, hitting Superchick (The Shiranui). Young did not cover, but she was definitely revitalized. MEARS: The champion is back in control! Qiyanna was one fall away from becoming champion but someone like The Tiger does not go down without a fight. Marshal was definitely rocked following the Superchick so Young quicked hoisted herself up onto the turnbuckle and then came off with Negasonic Warhead (Starship Pain). Young crashed down on Marshal and then made sure to put her body between Marshal and the ropes as she covered the challenger for a three count. Second Fall: FM Young MEARS: We are on equal footing yet again. PETRIE: This is one of the best Tabula Rasa title matches we’ve seen ever! MEARS: I am shocked to hear you say that. PETRIE: It’s not fucking true? MEARS: No I believe that it is. For the first time in Young’s reign, a match has gone to the third fall. Granted this is only her second defense but it’s still true! The referee checked on Marshal and the newcomer was quickly back up to her feet. Marshal gave the referee the nod and then made for the middle of the ring. Young and Marshal met in the middle of the ring where Young said to her, “Not bad.” and Marshal responded by saying “Just wait.” The two locked up and Young forced Marshal into a corner. Marshal broke Young’s grip with an uppercut to the jaw. MEARS: Qiyanna with an expert level shot. Young did not see that coming! PETRIE: Yeah Young thinks that her strength will always win out but…look…NOT FUCKING TRUE! The champion staggered backward and Marshal charged in for a spear but stopped short. Young tried to jump over her again but Marshal caught her one the way down with a sit out jawbreaker! Young stumbled backward and Marshal took her over the top rope with a clothesline. PETRIE: Her strength didn’t help her there! Holy fuck Marshal is going to do it! MEARS: We haven’t seen much of FM on the defense during her time here in OATH but that’s exactly where she is right now. Young landed on the apron and when Marshal reached over to grab her, Young guillotined Marshal’s neck over the top rope. Marshal staggered back into the middle of the ring but then charged back at Young who hit a slingshot spear to take the challenger down. Young covered but again only got a two count. MEARS: Qiyanna will not quit! The fighting spirit of The Blackhawk is inspiring! PETRIE: What are you inspired to do? MEARS: Well…uh… PETRIE: … MEARS: Nothing in particular. The Tiger took a moment to consider her options but Marshal was back up and ready to fight. Young almost looked shocked by the tenacity of the challenger. Marshal had nothing on her mind but taking the championship. Marshal charged in and started exchanging shots with the champion. MEARS: This has devolved into a brawl! What a championship contest! The Blackhawk got the better of the exchange and shot Young across the ring. It was Marshal that went for the leapfrog this time but Young caught her in midair and drove her into the mat with a powerslam. PETRIE: Holy FUCK! I’m surprised that the ring didn’t collapse. MEARS: That was a ground shaking powerslam. Qiyanna most definitely will be feeling that tomorrow morning. FM is done playing around. PETRIE: She was never playing. She’s backed into a corner. MEARS: Fair to say! A groggy Marshal tried to recover but that move took all of the wind out of her. She got back to her feet and threw a half-hearted punch at Young that was evaded and countered into Young’s Heart of the Phoenix (Lumbar Check). Young covered and secured the three count for the victory. Winner: Still OATH Tabula Rasa Champion, FM Young “Helix” cued up and Young dropped to a knee. The referee passed the Tabula Rasa Championship to her and Young took it, draping it over her shoulder. Young got her hand raised and then looked down at her challenger. Young took a moment to consider the incredible fight she just won as the scene cut.

We are sent backstage where a camera man is running towards the sounds of a kerfuffle. The camera finally stopped short of the office door of one OATH President Oscar R. Barlow. Inside his office he was being held in a choke hold by Monstruo as the OATH Tag Team Champions Adrestia Nyx and Ryan Terror breaking anything that wasn’t nailed down. Their Tag Team Titles lay on a chair near them. TERROR: We TOLD you Barlow. Terror tossed some papers in Barlow’s face. They hit Monstruo too but that big bastard didn’t give a shit. Nyx then picked up a fountain pen and approached The President. NYX: You. You had the GALL to put us on the Kickoff Show tonight? After we TOLD you that you needed to start showing us some respect. Terror then approached as well with Nyx holding the pen up to Barlow’s eyeball. TERROR: You made a giant mistake Barlow. And now you’re going to pay for it. Barlow tried to speak but his face was turning blue. Perhaps they were wishing to toy with The President more so Nyx nodded at Monstruo and the hulking zombie released his hold just enough that Barlow could speak. BARLOW: It was not meant as — coughs — disrespect! I have you pencilled — coughs — I have you pencilled in for a Tag Team Title defence in two weeks at Rapture! Nyx glanced at Terror and then looked back at Barlow with an interested expression. NYX: Oh yeah? Against who? BARLOW: Against — coughs — them! Barlow nodded to the doorway and there stood Damaged Goods. Eli Hix and Terra Mason were each armed with a Tag Team Title. They closed the door behind them. Hix and Mason darted forward with Hix smashing Terror in the face with a title and Mason doing the same to Nyx. MONSTRUO: (weird hulk zombie roar) Monstruo released Barlow and then tossed the desk out of the way causing it to slam against the wall. Monstruo charged at Damaged Goods but they both moved and smashed him in the back of the head with the titles. Monstruo staggered forward and caught himself on the office door. Monstruo turned around just in time for Hix and Mason to charge and hit him with dual high/low spears that put the monster right through the office door! BARLOW: Oh come now! All five wrestlers were down and Barlow’s office was completely destroyed. But hey, the violence stopped so I guess that’s something.

MATCH TYPE

VS

The OATH World Champion was in action next as “The Haunted” Erik Holland took on EMBLEM’s “The Tomorrow Man” Ben Macbeth. Macbeth challenged the champion last week, saying that he needed to beat him. Holland had no problem accepting said challenge and here we are. Hooray! The bell rang and Holland marched right toward Macbeth. Macbeth, showing that he had no fear of the World Champion, stomped right toward him! The two men in the middle of the ring, forehead to forehead and there was some trash talk. Holland shoved Macbeth and Macbeth shoved him right back. Holland hit Macbeth with a right hand and Macbeth responded with one of his own. Macbeth wanted to show that he could go toe to toe with the champion and that’s exactly what this looked like. MEARS: Oh we are set for a war right now Bad Mood. PETRIE: Good! It’d be great if they took each other out and I never had to watch either of them again. A freak like Holland and a perennial loser like Macbeth…not good wrestling! MEARS: I wholeheartedly disagree. Holland has been a great champion and Macbeth…well he is just going through a slump but he does not lack heart! The two went forehead to forehead again and Macbeth hit the champion right in the nose with a headbutt. Holland just ate it and shoved Macbeth with all of his power into the ropes. Macbeth hit the ropes and came back, walking right into a fucking brutal lariat from “The Haunted”. It definitely hurt but Macbeth got right back up to his feet. Macbeth charged and drove his shoulder into Holland’s midsection. The World Champion was driven into the nearest corner. MEARS: Macbeth is fighting like his life depends on it! PETRIE: It does! How many more times can he lose before Barlow cuts him loose? This guy has been a fucking disappointment. Actually…he’s an embarrassment to the WORD disappointment. MEARS: I completely disagree. He has all the promise in the world. “The Tomorrow Man” hit a rapid succession of shoulder thrusts in the corner before transitioning into some heavy rights and lefts. Holland absorbed those shots and then switched places with Macbeth, tossing Macbeth hard into the corner with authority. Holland then treated Macbeth to some decidedly heavy rights and lefts that had Macbeth fighting to cover up. Holland then grabbed Macbeth under the armpit and by the head. Holland let out a primitive roar and sent Macbeth sailing across the ring with an impressive beale. MEARS: The power of the champion is on display now! He is perhaps the strongest person in all of OATH! PETRIE: Yeah well smell isn’t everything. MEARS: Hahaha. You’re the worst. Macbeth rallied back to his feet and did his best to hide the pain. Macbeth turned and saw Holland barreling toward him. Macbeth sidestepped the monster and then grabbed his head, pulled it back and dropped him with an inverted ddt. Holland stayed down for only a second before he lumbered back up to his feet. Macbeth charged and hit Holland in the side of the head with a knee trembler that sent Holland through the ropes to the outside. Holland somehow landed on his feet but Macbeth had ascended to the top rope like some kind of black angel or some similar visual. Use your imagination. Holland turned to the ring and couldn’t find Macbeth. That momentary confusion allowed Macbeth to come off the top rope with a moonsault that took Holland down to the floor. Macbeth mounted Holland and started dropping BOMBS to keep the World Champion subdued. MEARS: Ben Macbeth is giving this match everything that he has! PETRIE: That’s really not much. MEARS: It seems like enough to hurt the champion! “The Haunted” was on the defence as Macbeth backed off a bit. When Holland got up, Macbeth charged and leaped off the steel steps but Holland caught him in a bear hug. Holland then charged forward and drove Macbeth’s spine into the steel ring post. Once was probably enough to cause some internal bleeding but Holland wasn’t satisfied. Holland rammed Macbeth into the ring post again. And again. And again. MEARS: Oh. Oh no… The referee was at a count of sixteen when Holland rolled Macbeth into the ring. Holland took his time getting into the ring, knowing that Macbeth was gasping for air. That wasn’t a guess, Macbeth was wheezing like an asthmatic on the mat. Holland stepped into the ring and sauntered toward Macbeth. Like one of the movie monsters that Holland is so fond of, he stalked “The Tomorrow Man”. Macbeth got up, favouring his lower back but he didn’t back away. MEARS: It might be best for Macbeth to end this match. He’s running the risk of permanent injury. PETRIE: Yeah. This…this is not good. MEARS: Stay down kid. It’s over. Holland snarled and clobbered Macbeth with a lariat that saw Macbeth land on his neck with his toes touching the mat above his head. Macbeth rolled backward and got up to his feet. Macbeth likely wasn’t sure what planet he was on but one thing he was sure of was that he still wanted to fight. Holland approached him with a sadistic look on his face. PETRIE: Yeah alright this isn’t funny anymore. Stay down kid. The World Champion grabbed Macbeth by the hair but Macbeth broke his grip and hit Holland with Toil & Trouble (Combo; Knee Kicks, Spinning Back Kick, Leaping Knee, Spinning Backfist). Holland was rocked and Macbeth had new life! Macbeth drove his shoulder into Holland’s midsection again and once again pushed the champion into the corner. MEARS: You have got to be kidding! Ben Macbeth will not die! PETRIE: The night is young. Macbeth climbed up onto the second rope and started hitting Holland with an absolute hurricane of rights and lefts. Holland couldn’t cover up and he ate every shot. The champion made a desperation move when he grabbed Macbeth from underneath and dove forward with a powerbomb. Macbeth’s injured back slammed into the mat and Holland covered. It seemed to be the end but Macbeth kicked out just before three! MEARS: No way! I do NOT believe this. The World Champion looked surprised but not enough to stop his onslaught. Holland got Macbeth up to his feet but Macbeth could barely stand. Holland said something inaudible and Macbeth responded by slapping “The Haunted” in the face. Holland snarled and dropped Macbeth with Toxic Avenger (Death Valley Driver). Holland covered and got the three count. Winner: Erik Holland

With the OATH World Championship in one hand and the referee raising the other, everything looked well for the champ as he was about to celebrate his victory. That is until he turned around and was met with a steel chair to the top of the head. Holland fell down like a ton of bricks as Reo Ojima stood over his body with the steel chair in hand. Lyric was about to make her way in and save her client but from out of the crowd, Zeke Davis grabbed Lyric from behind and made her watch as Ojima took the end of the steel chair and rammed it into the gut of Holland. Ojima then swung for the green with a golf drive with the steel chair that cracked the World Champion in the face. Looking down at the unconscious Holland, Ojima unfolded the chair and placed it on top of Holland. Pulling a microphone from his pocket, Ojima sat on the chair and looked down at Holland as he addressed him in his broken English.

OJIMA: Can you hear me, boy? Huh?

Bending over, Ojima slapped Holland a few times in the face as the camera caught blood starting to trickle down Holland’s forehead.

OJIMA: One chair shot was enough to put you down, huh?

Ojima gave a chuckle as the people in the arena started to boo.

OJIMA: I kid. You had a tough little match and I come from behind and hit you with a steel chair. So I don’t blame you for sleeping on the job. But that’s the thing when you hold the top title of a company. Everyone is out to getcha.

Picking up the OATH World Title from the ground, Ojima dipped his finger into the blood of Holland and wrote his name on the belt. Wiping the blood off on Holland’s shirt, Ojima looked at the entrance ramp and addressed one man in the back.

OJIMA: Oscar Barlow! You back there you son of a bitch? Do you think I’ve earned my title shot or are you just paying me with lip service now with that stupid little graphic? Huh? Am I worthy? I’m sitting on top of your champion with your title in my hand and his blood is under my boots. Get used to this sight because I’m going to rule this company with an iron fist. And when I beat Erik here like the little boy like he is at Rapture, you and I are going to have a very long talk about how you and the rest of the roster are going to put respect at the end of my name.

Ojima was about to get up and leave but stopped as he saw Davis and Lyric on the outside.

OJIMA: Oh, and you might want to get some friends as well because we’re going to war and you’ll need all the help that you can get, kid.

Tossing the belt on the steel chair, Ojima made his way out of the ring. Davis released Lyric and joined Ojima in making his way to the back. The camera zoomed inside the ring to find Lyric checking on Holland who had rolled onto his stomach and was staring a hole into both Ojima and Davis.

“The Burning Heart” James Edwards was shown walking into the loading dock of the arena with his gear bag and the OATH Intrepid Championship over his shoulder. Edwards stopped short and removed his sunglasses when he saw that someone was waiting for him. After a few moments of hanging on Edwards’ reaction, the shot pulled out to show “The Virulence” Finn Whelan sitting on a stack of wooden pallets. Edwards seemed only mildly surprised as he approached Whelan. As soon as Edwards got close, Whelan hopped down to greet the champion. WHELAN: How are ya James? The Intrepid Champion was not in the mood for this conversation. He was set for the main event this evening and didn’t need anything pulling his focus away from that. EDWARDS: Just fine. You’ve been waiting for me here all day Finn? Whelan smirked. WHELAN: No not all that long. I know that you’re a prompt person. Got here early so we could have a little chat before you get caught up in the craziness of the evening. The length of this conversation was already becoming too much for Edwards. Each response was becoming more and more labored. EDWARDS: And what is it that you want? Whelan’s eyes drifted toward the title but only momentarily. They were quickly back to staring at Edwards. WHELAN: I just wanted to commend you on laying down the challenge to Declan Black last week. That took some guts, he’s no push over. EDWARDS: I don’t expect him to be. WHELAN: No of course not. I mean, I’ve beaten him. Twice actually. But that’s here nor there. I’m sure that you are capable of giving him a run for his money. At this point Edwards had resigned to playing out this conversation. He knew what Whelan was doing but what was Whelan’s preferred outcome remained to be seen. Edwards was curious. EDWARDS: You don’t think I can beat him? WHELAN: No that’s not what– Alright, Edwards had had enough. Whelan was willing to let this play out for as long as it needed to but Edwards was finished. EDWARDS: I’ll stop you right there Finn. I don’t give a good goddamn what you think. You and your opinions aren’t my concern right now so if you don’t mind, I have things to do.

Edwards moved to walk past Whelan but it seemed that Whelan was not finished.

WHELAN: Don’t be like that James! I just wanted to let you know that win or lose tonight, your match at Rapture has been made. Spoke to Barlow myself.

“The Burning Heart” stopped and turned his head back to Whelan.

EDWARDS: Is that right?

Edwards turned completely around to finish the conversation.

WHELAN: It is. You get your shot to face not only a former OATH World Champion but the FIRST OATH World Champion. So do me a favour James…

Whelan approached Edwards and positioned himself in front of the Intrepid Champion. Whelan’s gaze turned to the Intrepid Championship yet again but Edwards cleared his throat and Whelan was back looking the champion in the eyes.

WHELAN: Hang on to that title tonight. I’d sure love to take it from you.

Whelan then patted the title on Edwards’ shoulder and walked out of frame.

SINGLES MATCH

VS

Talk about a dream match! The longest reigning OATH World Champion, “The Pride of Nova Scotia” Declan Black was set to challenge “The Burning Heart” James Edwards for the OATH Intrepid Championship. We got the standard championship ring introductions with Edwards and Black standing with the referee between them. The ref held up the white strapped Intrepid Title and called for the bell. MEARS: I have wanted to see this contest for some time Bad Mood. James Edwards and Declan Black is a main event match and here it has been given its rightful placement on the card. PETRIE: Edwards has really fucked himself over here. Black is the longest reigning OATH World Champion EVER. Edwards has never even sniffed that level of success. For Edwards to make this challenge was career suicide. MEARS: Or career defining. PETRIE: Unlikely! Notable by their absence were Black’s bodyguards Jack O’Brien and Derrick Warburton. The reason for that being that Locke Helms beat the piss out of them with a chain earlier in the night! If you didn’t know that then you should tune in on time and watch the entirety of the program. Be a better fan! These two locked up off the get go and Edwards spun behind Black, putting him in a hammerlock. Black untwisted his own arm and found himself behind Edwards where he attempted to apply a sleeper. It apparently wasn’t bed time because Edwards took a step, angled his body and drove an elbow into Black’s midsection to break the hold. Edwards attempted a back suplex but Black fought out of it with some shots to the head. Edwards was forced to release Black. MEARS: Both of these men have shown excellent technical prowess in the past. I believe we are about to witness a masterclass in the artform. PETRIE: Out of Black — yes. Out of Edwards — unlikely. MEARS: You sure are liking that word tonight. PETRIE: What? Edwards? Never! The former World Champion went for an Irish whip and it was successful! Joy! Edwards hit the ropes and came running back like the cops were chasing him and that momentum was used against him when Black took him over with a belly to belly suplex! Edwards landed with a clunk and decided to let that momentum take him out of the ring. PETRIE: Coward! “The Pride of Nova Scotia” paraded around the ring like he had the Intrepid Championship won already but on the outside, Edwards was plotting his next move. Edwards crouched around the ring and was able to get back into the ring without Black detecting him. Black was still more interested in pandering to the sparse crowd when Edwards came to grapple him from behind. MEARS: Excellent tactics from the champion. Black’s hubris has been known to bury him in the past and Edwards is well aware of that. Edwards went for a bulldog from behind but the wiley ring veteran knew that Edwards was there and he sent Edwards flying across the ring, landing hard on his back. Black then charged in and hit Edwards with a hard soccer kick to the spine. Black then quickly got the champion up and took him down with a snapmare. Black applied a classic REVERSE CHIN LOCK! Black’s intention was to work Edwards’ spine and he did so by driving his knee hard into it. PETRIE: Hope you don’t enjoy walking Edwards because your spine is about to be ground into dust my man! MEARS: Are you insinuating that Black is going to cripple Edwards? PETRIE: Best case scenario, yes! “The Burning Heart” suffered in this hold for some time before he was able to find the strength to fight up to a vertical base. Black applied a cravate but Edwards hit him with some sharp elbows to the midsection in order to loosen Black’s grip. When Black wouldn’t let go, Edwards stomped on his foot. Black had no choice but to let go and that’s when Edwards blasted him with Double Tap (Pair of consecutive spinning back fists). Black dropped in a heap! What kind of heap? Whichever kind you want to visualise. Just visualise Edwards pinning said heap because that’s what happened. But only for a count of two. MEARS: A nearfall for Edwards! Black did not see EITHER of those back fists coming. Edwards kept Black grounded with some elbows to the side of the head and Black was only able to get up to his feet when Edwards helped him. Edwards measured Black and then tried for his signature High Heat (Discus Roundhouse Kick) but that crafty bastard Black saw it coming. Black ducked under it and hit Edwards with a toe kick to the midsection. Black then came off the ropes and caught the champion in the side of the head with a knee trembler! Black covered but only got a two count himself! Imagine! PETRIE: That was three! Maybe Davis is onto something with this crooked referee stuff. MEARS: I highly doubt it. PETRIE: You would! With Edwards rocked from that shot to his dome, Black took hold of Edwards’ left leg and applied Black Magic (Callihan-Style Stretch Muffler). Edwards was nowhere near the ropes and trapped in a pretty vile submission. What could he POSSIBLY do? While standing in the hold Black started stomping on the back of Edwards’ head! Black then dropped onto his back and tried to get his hooks in but Edwards sat up and was on top of Black! MEARS: Uh oh Declan. The two competitors were face to face when Edwards jumped into the air and tried to come down with a double footstomp to Black’s abdomen. It was super effective! Black rolled around the ring writhing in pain. Edwards then targeted Black’s left leg and started stomping on it with all the fury that he could muster. Black tried to call away but Edwards stood him up and took Black over with RRE (Reverse Release Exploder Suplex). Black was pretty fucked up for that one and Edwards could see the end in sight. MEARS: Black is reeling! PETRIE: He’s playing possum again! Edwards is going to fall for it and it will cost him the title! Black sat up and Edwards measured him. The champion then darted forward and tried for Night Comes to the Cumberlands (Hidden Blade) but Black lay back, rolled backwards, and was back up to his feet. Black charged in and went for Call of the Coal (Claymore Kick) but Edwards moved out of the way. The two were back up to their feet. Black charged at Edwards and went for Deadlights (Bicycle knee strike to the chin)! Black crumbled to the mat and Edwards covered for the three count! Winner: Still OATH Intrepid Champion, James Edwards “My Name Is Human” cued up and Edwards was awarded the title. Edwards held it high in the air but didn’t seem interested in hanging around. Edwards slipped out of the ring only to see his old nemesis Locke Helms walking down to the ring, wielding a steel chain.

PETRIE: No Helms! Get outta here! You don’t need to drop any more bodies tonight. Especially not Declan Black.

MEARS: Payback is coming for last week.

PETRIE: That was an ACCIDENT!

Helms passed by Edwards without a glance and slid into the ring. Black sat up, holding his jaw. Black’s back was to Helms but it only took a moment for Black to be aware that the third person in the ring was no longer Edwards.

MEARS: Declan Black’s world has just crashed down around him.

Black’s eyes went wide as he turned around to see “The Landlord of Silent Hill” standing before him with the same weapon that Black used on him last week. Black begged off and then slipped out of the ring. Helms made no attempt to give chase. Helms simply stood in the ring holding the chain, letting it swing back and forth as he stared a hole through Black.

Results: • Finn Whelan def. Annie Lapalm • The Hell Realm def. Ultramega UK • Baz Jacobi def. Astaroth • Zeke Davis def. Samantha Hamilton (via Count Out) • Josie Wales def. Stephanie Matsuda • Leah Aguero def. Locke Helms • FM Young def. Qiyanna Marshal (2-1) to retain the Tabula Rasa Title • Erik Holland def. Ben Macbeth • James Edwards def. Declan Black to retain the Intrepid Title