CONVICTION XXIX RESULTS

Episode XXIX August 23rd, 2020 The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario

At the start of the show, we saw the former Tabula Rasa Champion, Jenna Sharpe, with a determined expression on her face as she boldly walked up to a door labelled "OATH President Thomas Straker”. The Canadian Wildcat clearly had some things on her mind as she knocked three times on the door, loud enough so that the man inside could hear her.

JENNA: Mr. Straker, this is Jenna Sharpe. I have some things that I’d like to discuss with you before the show.

Her tone remained professional even as she raisesd her voice to ensure that it can be heard through the office door. While waiting for an answer, she stood with her hands on her hips and her head held high, one finger tapping against the waistband of her jeans. Despite looking outwardly cool and collected, she couldn't help this one tell that gave away her tension and anxiety regarding the situation.

The door opened and there stood Thomas Straker. He said nothing but he simply gestured for Jenna to enter the room and sit down. Straker moved with a slow, deliberate pace. This was clearly a man who knew that his positioned required a sense of composure with a hint of intimidation. Wrestling administrators rarely do well if they do not command a measure of respect. See Oscar R. Barlow.

Straker then took his seat behind his desk and again, without words, gestured for her to speak. Jenna did as she was invited, taking a seat on the opposite side of Straker’s desk. She sat bolt upright, her hands folded in her lap as she looked directly at him.

JENNA: Thank you. I’d like to have a little chat with you regarding some of the matchmaking decisions you’ve made recently. I don’t understand why Stephanie Matsuda has been granted a match against Reo Ojima, even as a non-title match, considering two weeks ago she lost her opportunity to face him at Event Horizon. I also don’t understand her being granted a shot at the Tabula Rasa Championship, after having failed in the Event Horizon Series finals. Perhaps you could enlighten me?

The young rookie standout kept her eyes on Straker, one eyebrow raised as she politely - almost too politely - posed her question to him. Straker considered her question and then folded his hands in front of him on his desk.

STRAKER: I understand your frustration but Stephanie Matsuda has been with OATH since it’s very beginning. Although she “failed” in the Event Horizon Series, she has been a name in OATH for some time. She has had a great deal of success throughout her career, she faltered in the finals but making it that far is an achievement in itself. You, Ms. Sharpe, have impressed greatly in your short career with us but imagine that you had been with us as long as she has and have done the things that she has done.

JENNA: So, due to her long tenure, she gets a consolation prize - the Tabula Rasa title. I suppose that’s also why, unlike past champions, she isn’t being asked to defend it immediately after winning it. Surely you can understand my point of view here, Mr. Straker. To get my title opportunity, I had to win a contender’s match. And following my win, I immediately had to begin defending the championship. Whereas Stephanie was gifted an opportunity, and doesn’t have to immediately put the title on the line. Do you see how this might cause me to think that there’s something of a double standard being imposed on your roster?

STRAKER: That is understandable. But to be perfectly honest, Ms. Matsuda is a bigger name than you in OATH. You were made to defend that title as a means to prove yourself further. Now you have hit a road block and you need to prove yourself again. I assumed that you would be up to the challenge. Perhaps I was mistaken...

JENNA: With all due respect, I captured a title within my first five matches in this company, so clearly you throwing a challenge my way isn’t an issue. If you want me to prove myself again, that’s fine - I’ll do it. Because quite frankly? I don’t give a damn who you think is a bigger name than me in OATH. I’m not here to be ignored, or pushed aside, or shoved to the back. I’ll outwork everyone on your roster until I’ve exceeded your expectations and you have no choice but to put me in the spot I’ve earned. If you want to treat me differently simply because I don’t have as much experience or name recognition, go ahead. Because if you haven’t seen already that I am one of the most promising talents that you have on your roster, then I’ll just have to make sure I give you no choice but to pay attention. Starting with Zeke Davis tonight.

STRAKER: I am glad to hear it. I am sure you will not disappoint.

JENNA: I know I won’t. Thank you for your time, Mr. Straker. I should go get ready now.

Without waiting for a response, Jenna stood up and exits the office, making her way to the locker room. Straker watched her leave and the habitually stoic administrator tipped his hand with a smirk. All was going to plan.

We cut to the back parking lot where a figure was seen sitting on top of a production truck. The camera zoomed in a bit and we could see that it was Matt Shields and he was motioning for the cameraman to come and join him on the top of the truck.

SHIELDS: CLIMB THE LADDER AND GET YOUR ASS UP HERE!

The cameraman ran over to the truck, climbed up the ladder and walked over towards Shields. Shields motioned for him to sit down, but didn't look at the camera.

SHIELDS: I like this view. I envy Leah Aguero getting to see Erik Holland’s body down there as well, but I still like the view. Being higher than everyone. Above all of them. It’s a good feeling.

He finally turned to the camera with a smirk, then cracked knuckles before fully smiling.

SHIELDS: Hi there fuckers. Say, would you all like to hear a story about my childhood? I know what you all think when you look at me. I bet he had a wonderful childhood full of laughter and love and fond memories. He's so nice and well adjusted, you just know he was raised right.

He flashed that sinister smirk again.

SHIELDS: This story is about the day my father took me into the city to see a marching band. As we were watching that band he looked at me and said, Son, when you grow up.

He paused for a second, holding up his hand and thinking for a second.

SHIELDS: Wait wait, that's a song... No no, it just starts off that way. My dad looked at me and said, "Son, when you grow up, I hope you won't be as big a disappointment as you are now."

He just started to laugh and shook his head, before giving a slight sigh, and returned to his usual surly demeanor.

SHIELDS: Thing is though, my dad is a fucking asshole and I should have gouged out his fucking eyeballs and pissed in his damn skull right then and there. He's the disappointment and will be until the day he dies. Me, I am the best God Damned wrestler on this planet and the man who is going to break Erik Holland's arm at Event Horizon II. It's going to feel so good. That sound when the bone shatters, the screams when the muscles and tendons start to tear away, that feeling when his arm goes limp and you know that they know they finally understand that I am the breaker of bones and the crusher of dreams. Erik Holland, he reminds me of my father. Uglier, stupider, dirtier, but just as much of a fucking disappointment.

He gave a slight roll of the eyes, then laid back on the truck. The cameraman turned to catch sight of him laying back without a care in the world.

SHIELDS: Even before I came here, I heard that Erik Holland was a freaking monster. I heard that he was too damn hardcore to just be called hardcore. I heard that he was an absolute damn monster. When I got here though, that’s not what I found. It’s okay though, I expected that. I am the fucking monster from all your little storybooks and fairy tells. I don’t need to be called hardcore, I just go out and do what I fucking do best. As for nightmare’s, you’re looking at the fucking Knightmare King. I am going to show Holland that it’s for him to step the fuck inside and let a real monster take over. How you wonder, real simple. DEATHMATCH!

He sits back up and looks straight at the camera again.

SHIELDS: That’s right Holland, Event Horizon II, me and you in a Deathmatch. No disqualification, no count outs, falls count anywhere, and I mean anywhere. We end up at Pillar and Post, I can crack you over the head with a pool cue, pin you and the 10 count starts. We can end up on the fucking streets of Toronto. I could chuck you into oncoming traffic, then pin you and get the damn ten count. This is going to be fun for me Holland, and not just me. No no no, I know someone else who is going to love every second of me breaking you down. My sweet golden girl. I can get payback for her for every time you carelessly tossed her into a chair or a bag with your sweaty gear. All the time she had to spend on your gross shoulder and your nasty unwashed waist. The atrocities she was put through as you held her hostage were numerous and heinous. So what I do to you at Event Horizon, it’s much for me as it is Blanche.

He stared straight at the camera, then reached up and tosses it down to the ground, catching a glimpse of him laughing as it rotated around before smashing into the ground as the feed cuts to static.

SINGLES MATCH Matt Shields vs. Tyler War

The first match of the evening saw “The Hellhound” Matt Shields take on a man who was making his return to Conviction after some victories on Livewire, Tyler War. Shields was out first and as soon as he was in the ring he got in the referee’s face, trying to intimidate him. War was out next and he took his time coming to the ring, jaw jacking with audience members who clearly didn’t care for him.

Once they were both in the ring the referee called for the opening bell and War surprised everyone by charging at Shields. Shields obviously didn’t see this coming as War connected with a basement dropkick to Shield’s left knee.

MEARS: Who saw this coming? War taking the fight to Shields right out of the gate!

PETRIE: War has focussed himself in the last few weeks on Livewire but Matt Shields has never lost a match in OATH. If War has any hope in winning he needs to hit and run.

MEARS: That would most definitely be my strategy. There is not a wide difference in their height and weight but Shields has shown himself to be a ruthless competitor.

Shields fell right on his face and War immediately started putting the boots to Shields’ left knee. Shields shoved him away and went to stand but War ran at him again and cracked him with an enziguiri! Shields dropped and War quickly pinned.

“The Hellhound” powered out, shooting War off the mat. Shields was beyond pissed off now, no one had taken the fight to him like this in his OATH career. Shields got up but War hit him with another running dropkick to the knee and then caught Shields with a dropkick to the chin that sent Shields over the top rope to the floor.

PETRIE: Holy shit! Tyler War really seems to give a shit about this match. I am dumbfounded.

MEARS: That does not happen often.

PETRIE: Almost never!

War slipped out of the ring and then charged around the ring at Shields, who was slamming his fists on the announce table. Shields turned just as War leaped in the air at him but Shields caught him in a bear hug and then slammed him on the floor with a belly to belly suplex. Shields got War up and whipped him into the ring steps.

The tide had turned as War was trying to recover, his forehead resting on the top of the ring steps. Shields approached War and kicked him in the spine. Shields then lay War’s left arm on one of the steps. Shields stepped off the top of the ring steps and dropped a hard knee on War’s left arm. War let out in pain -- this pleased Shields.

PETRIE: War tried, but now he fails.

“The Hellhound” rolled War into the ring and grabbed him by the back of the head. Shields hoisted War up and then planted him with a hammerlock ddt. Shields kept hold of War’s head and got him back up to his feet. Shields applied a hammerlock and then scoop slammed War onto the mat, onto his own arm.

The targeting of War’s left arm continued as Shields wrenched it and then hit War with a double knee arm breaker. Shields maintained wrist control as War was on the mat and Shield’s started stomping on War’s shoulder joint. After a half dozen stomps, Shields dragged war up to his feet and wrenched his arm again.

MEARS: You have to believe that Matt is trying to send a message to Erik Holland.

PETRIE: I thought he did that last week?

MEARS: Another message then.

With War doubled over from the pain in his arm, Shields still had War by the wrist and he started hitting him with a series of sharp elbows to the shoulder joint. Shields then lifted War up in the air by the armpit and his left arm, using War’s own body weight to do further damage.

Shields let War fall to the mat and then called for the end. Shields went for another arm wrench but War slipped behind Shields and hit him with a chopblock to the left leg, the leg that he was attacking earlier. Shields dropped to a knee and War hit him with another leaping enziguiri! War set Shields up for a t-bone suplex but Sheild’s grabbed War’s left wrist and yanked him down to the mat. Shields then dropped on War’s back and applied Whispers of Azathoth (Arm Trapped Facelock)! The damage done to War’s arm throughout the match was too much, he had to tap out.

Winner: Matt Shields

“Faith” by Ghost cued up and Shields released the hold. Shields grabbed War and dumped him over the top rope to the outside so that he could have the ring to himself. The referee raised Shields’ arm in victory but Shields only let that happen for a moment before he ripped his arm from the referee’s grasp and left the ring.

We flashed to a classroom where Zeke Davis was dressed up in the finest of fine suits. When was this recorded? Who knows. That’s not really important. It certainly wasn't live right before his match, and that’s all you need to know. On the whiteboard behind him wa what looked to be a rather crudely drawn tree without any branches at all. Just a big ole stump with a few leaves at the top. Naturally, Zeke was more than proud of his work and a big grin was etched into his expression as he finally began speaking.

DAVIS: By now most of us have seen the movie Deliverance. And if you haven’t, well don’t worry because that is essentially what you’ve got with the entirety of the Sharpe family.

In his hands he tapped a large retractable metal pointer against his palm and then slapped it hard against the white board, somewhere in the relative area of where his drawing of the branchless tree was. You get the picture, I’m sure.

DAVIS: I don’t know what backwoods, Canadian rip off of West Virginia, these white trash sister cousins crawled out of but what I do know is this. Baz and I have spent weeks on end proving to the world that we are the best damn tag team that this company has ever seen. I know it might upset Pa Sharpe and his cousin-daughter Jenna, and it might get their Twitter fingers in a tizzy, but those are just the facts you know. I mean look, this drawing on the board right here? I got it off their wikipedia page and it is an exact replica of their family tree.

Chuckling to himself, he slapped the pointer against the white board again.

DAVIS: See once upon a time there was Pa Sharpe and his cousin Ma Sharpe. And they got together and continued their big ole incestuous family bloodline. All those crossed eyes and webbed feet from mixing the genes brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles together, resulting in the walking, talking, mouth breathing, halitosis riddled Runaways of today. Now of course on their 8 inch trailer park television they tuned in and saw how amazing I am. And how great Baz is. And though, ya’ll know what… we ought to try and be like them. So what did they do? They made some “championship belts” out of duct tape, dirt and spit and a little bit of tobacco juice and wandered their way on down to OATH Pro.

The smile on Zeke’s face faded at that point and he slowly retracted the pointer and tossed it onto the nearby desk.

DAVIS: But what they didn’t account for, as they put together their special needs cosplay of Baz and I, is that coming into our world and getting into our faces? It has consequences. You want to run your mouths like us. You want to talk the talk like us? There’s going to be hell to pay. This week? I get to exact justice face to face with Jenna. And make no mistake about it, I’m going to send a message to her. But more than that, I’m going to send a message to the Runaways. You can try to be us. You can try to walk and talk like us. But you’re never going to be us. You’re never going to be the REAL tag team champions of OATH Pro Wrestling. Not as long as Baz and I live and breathe. These championships?

He slapped the title belt that was concealed by his suit jacket.

DAVIS: They’re staying right where they belong for a long, long time. And you? You’re going to end up doing exactly what your team name says. You’re going to run away. But not fast enough.

One more time he smrked.

DAVIS: I’m not even remotely sorry for what I’m about to do to your future wife and baby mama. Your sister Jenna? What I do to her is going to be the one warning shot you get.

Pulling out a single card from the pocket of his suit jacket, he revealed a joker and tosses it toward the camera.

DAVIS: Jokes on you.

Wordlessly, he exited leaving the cameras to focus on the mockery of the Sharpe Family Tree that was drawn onto the white board.

SINGLES MATCH Zeke Davis vs. Jenna Sharpe

The next contest saw OATH Tag Team Champion, “The Freak” Zeke Davis take on former OATH Tabula Rasa Champion “The Canadian Wildcat” Jenna Sharpe. Davis and Baz Jacobi attacked Jenna’s cousins The Runaways last week but this contest was about more than that for Jenna. She lost her TR Title last week and she wanted to get back on the right track here tonight. A victory over a champion would do just that.

Davis made his entrance first and took his sweet time getting to the ring, showing off his Tag Team Championship title. Jenna was out next and she could not wait to get to the ring. Jenna charged down the ramp and slid into the ring under the bottom rope. Jenna darted at Davis but the referee got in between them, he had not yet called for the bell.

MEARS: The Canadian Wildcat wants to be uncaged. She has some very serious hate in her heart for Zeke Davis.

PETRIE: I don’t know why. He helped her win the Tabula Rasa Title!

MEARS: Help that she did not want.

“The Freak” made faces at Jenna over the referee’s shoulder and that only served to incense Jenna further. When the referee finally called for the opening bell, Davis reached over the referee’s shoulder and poked Jenna in the eye. Davis then immediately darted at Jenna and took her down with a roll up. Davis put his feet on the middle rope for leverage but the referee caught it and refused to count.

Davis got in the referee’s face but he probably should have been paying more attention to Jenna. “The Canadian Wildcat” was up and she hit Davis with a chop block that took him down to all fours. Jenna then grabbed his left ankle and drove his knee into the mat, not once, not twice, but thrice! Davis let out in pain and the sound was like music to Jenna’s ears.

MEARS: I really do not know how Zeke Davis can hope to beat a technical aficionado like Jenna.

PETRIE: Zekey Baby always finds a way.

MEARS: He is capable of finding a way to win. It does not mean that he will.

PETRIE: He is a champion! Sharpie is not! It’s her that is at the disadvantage here.

MEARS: I do not agree in the slightest.

The Citadel was behind Jenna, probably more because of how much they hated Davis. The fans were not of Jenna’s concerns, winning was. Davis tried to get back up to his feet but Jenna caught him and drilled his head into the mat with a Michinoku driver. Instead of covering, the submission specialist quickly transitioned into a Fujiwara armbar.

“The Freak” was screaming in pain, scrambling to get to the ropes but Jenna was wrenching back with all her might. Davis was finally able to get to the ropes and the referee called for the break but Jenna held the hold to a count of four before releasing it. Davis had a death grip on the bottom rope. Jenna finally backed off but then darted at Davis, only for him to low bridge the top rope. Jenna flew over the top rope to the outside.

PETRIE: Hey! Look who’s here!

MEARS: I am genuinely surprised. Last week we got the impression that maybe this competitor was finished with their career in OATH following recent setbacks.

Almost as soon as Jenna hit the floor with a thud, “The Outlaw” Josie Wales started to make her way down the ramp. Jenna started to rise but she didn’t see Wales. Davis darted to the other side of the ring, hit the ropes and then came back with a tope con hilo over the top rope onto Jenna. Both competitors were laying in a heap as Wales reached the bottom of the ramp.

PETRIE: She’s gotta be here for Davis! This is bullshit! She hates ONI and she wants to make them suffer.

MEARS: I can not blame her but this is not the time. We are in the middle of a match!

PETRIE: Yeah! Get her the fuck out of here!

Davis got up, favouring his shoulder and he shouted something at Wales. Wales stood sentry at the bottom of the ramp, her arms crossed. It appeared that she was just here to watch the action but Davis didn’t trust that. Davis spit in Wales’ general direction and then sent Jenna back into the ring. As Davis went for a cover, Wales made her way to the timekeeper’s table. Davis only got a two count on Jenna.

“The Freak” felt like he could win at this point so he hit Jenna with a boot to the midsection but the former TR Champion slipped behind him, took him down, and applied a rolling kneebar! Davis was too close to the ropes and it would only be a few seconds before he could grab the bottom rope so Jenna broke the hold and transitioned back into a Fujiwara armbar! At this point she could see Wales at ringside and Jenna looked a little confused. This momentary distraction allowed Davis the opportunity to shift his weight and turn it into a cradle pin! The referee counted but Jenna kicked out just before a count of three.

MEARS: No Josie! Stay here! Do not go in there!

PETRIE: Yeah she’s not gonna listen.

Wales collected a steel chair and then went about entering the ring. Jenna got up just for Wales to smash “The Canadian Wildcat” in the back with the chair. The referee called for the bell so Wales smashed him in the head with the chair as well!

Winner: Jenna Sharpe (via DQ)

Josie looked prime and ready to strike down Davis, as he cowered back to a corner briefly. Josie heard Jenna stirring behind her, and Josie turned around quickly. Josie levelled Jenna with a chair shot to the head and then turned her attention back to Davis and warned him.

WALES: If you have a lick of common sense, you'll get the hell out of my ring, before I cave your unfunny face in!

She threatened, and Davis scrambled to get out of the ring as quickly as his feet would carry him. Davis collected his Tag Team title and backed up the ramp, unable to resist watching what was going to transpire in the ring. Josie then turned her attention back to Jenn and spoke to her.

WALES: You need people like him to protect you. When you stole my title, you had ONI ambush me, and your family to cheat for you, because deep down, you know that you could never beat me on your own! I had everything in the palm of my hand, and I gave it away for this business for almost a decade now...

Josie said, frustrated with the fact that the Sharpes basically had a free ride to the top.

WALES: Meanwhile your misfit band of spoiled brats have been coasting off the legacy of your family for years and years, making the rest of us suffer through your mediocrity, and I will not take it anymore!

Josie said, shouting at her, disgusted with them.

WALES: You have been nothing but a stain on this business I love, and I will make certain you really earn your place here...at Event Horizon II...

She said with a menacing tone, as she exited the ring.

Returning from a commercial break, "The Burning Heart" James Edwards stood in the ring, tugging at his shirt collar. He had a microphone in hand.

EDWARDS: I'm going to keep this short and sweet.

His hoarse voice was paired with a laboured expression that accompanied each word.

EDWARDS: Last week, I got what I deserved.

The admission looked like it hurt him worse than talking.

EDWARDS: Am I happy I lost? Hell no, especially to that prick.

He held the microphone away and coughed.

EDWARDS: It still hurts to talk, but I got what I deserved for lookin' backward instead of forward. I got my win over that bastard two months ago. The issue was dead and buried, but I couldn't let him take the title, especially after I made that big promise, I'd win the tournament and keep it. I couldn't stand the fact that I failed. So I went searchin' for trouble, and it damn well found me. I kept pokin' a dangerous man until I had his full attention and I paid the price. I'm damn lucky I didn't lose anything else besides the match.

He coughed again and paused to rest his voice.

EDWARDS: I put the biggest fight of the year in jeopardy. I almost threw away a chance at the world championship. Hell, I'm not the only one last week affected either.

The crowd booed at the vague hint of the OATH World Champion.

EDWARDS: Like him or not, I owe it to the champ to show up to Event Horizon---

"The Real Man" began playing as Reo Ojima made his way out with the OATH World Title in hand. A lit cigar was perched in his mouth as he casually made his way down to the ring. Making his way inside, Reo politely grabbed the microphone from James and stood across from him.

OJIMA: What I tell you, boy? Revenge or the gold? Like the dumbass that you are, you went for revenge and now look at you. Broken. Crippled. Soft. Not ready for our upcoming match. Five years ago you would have been ready for our match because of your youth, but the years of wrestling have taken their toll and you’re not a spring chicken anymore, huh? A little harder to get out of bed? More time at the gym to burn off the calories? That’s the thing about old fucks like me. I have to be smarter than the rest of the roster because my best years are behind me. You have the speed and the strength but lack the smarts. Hopefully you’ll look back at this night and realize that I’m right, but not tonight. Why? Because you’re a dumbass.

It looked like Edwards might jump at him but Reo held his hand up and told him to calm down.

OJIMA: So. If you want to scout me and learn a few things, you’ll sit your ass down at ringside with tonight’s main event. Or, if you want to be a dumbass, then go home, lick your wounds, and don’t learn anything. Be smart, James.

Tossing the microphone back to Edwards, Reo made his way out of the ring.

EDWARDS: See you then.

We found ourselves outside of an adobe building during the daytime. Considering that Conviction takes place at night, one would be right to assume that this was a pre-taped segment. Right? Good. Glad we cleared that up. A banana yellow 1978 AMC Gremlin puttered into the parking lot and came to a sudden stop diagonally across two parking spaces. A cough of black smoke popped out of the tailpipe before the engine cut. The camera passed by a bumper sticker that read “I’M A BAZ BAZ MAN” before the lens caught the door creak open and a pair of desert beige Doc Martin’s hit the black top.

OATH Tag Team Champion, Baz Jacobi stood in the hot Toronto sun, staring up at the building through a pair of black Ray Ban Wayfarers. The passenger door opened and then slammed shut, with the tiny goblin Shortcut rounding the front of the car to stand beside his best friend. Shortcut was holding the Tag Team Title because that is something reasonable to carry when out on the town.

SHORTCUT: You sure you wanna do this joe? This is a big responsibility.

JACOBI: Yeah Cut. I need to do this.

SHORTCUT: Aren’t you scared?

JACOBI: I’d be lyin’ if I said I wasn’t, pal. But it’s gotta happen. I won’t feel right until I do it.

SHORTCUT: Makes sense joe. I’m here for ya.

JACOBI: I know pal. Let’s go.

The two men walked up to the front door of the building. Jacobi hesitated for a moment before grabbing the handle to the door. Jacobi took a deep breath and then opened the door with a jerk, nearly hitting Shortcut. Luckily, the goblin boy was surprisingly spry. The camera panned over to show that they were at the Toronto Humane Society.

Fast forward to about ten minutes later, Jacobi and Shortcut found themselves in the kennels of the THS. All sorts of dogs were barking and clamoring for their attention. Guiding them through the rows of potential adoptees was a young girl with braces, her nametag read Trish.

TRISH: Do you have any idea what kind of dog you’d like to adopt Mr. Jacobs?

SHORTCUT: It’s Jacobi.

Shortcut shouted at the poor girl. He would not take any slight toward his best friend well.

JACOBI: Chill Cut. It’s fine. Sorry about him Trish, he’s usually not allowed out of the house. The kinda pupper I’m looking for is one that is fucked up to be honest. Show me your biggest problem child.

Trish seemed taken aback by the request.

JACOBI: Yeah I’m serious Trish. Show me.

Trish sighed with a “if you say so” expression and then led the boys over to a small cage. The camera positioned itself behind the cage and we saw Jacobi, Shortcut, and Trish’s expression as they looked into the cage. Shortcut looked horrified, Tina looked concerned, but Jacobi looked overjoyed.

JACOBI: He’s perfect.

Fast forward again and we were back outside. Jacobi was sitting on the hood of his 1978 AMC Gremlin with a small pomeranian cradled in his arm. The dog was missing patches of hair, it had one white eye and one of its few teeth was poking out above his top lip. The medallion hanging from it’s collar read “Gomez”.

JACOBI: Hey Holly! You like my new pet? His name is Gomez and I am going to love him for the rest of his fuckin’ life. See that’s an easy promise to make because he clearly is not long for this world. That’s okay though because I am going to make sure that his remaining time on this Earth is worth all the bullshit that he has had to endure.

The Baz Baz Man held Gomez up in front of him, looking into the pooch’s one good eye. Gomez sneezed and Jacobi’s heart melted. Jacobi brought the dog in close and embraced him before addressing the camera once again.

JACOBI: I can’t say that I’m gonna do the same for you though Holly. You see you're not long for this world either. Everyone knows it -- shit is fact. You are an old dog that would be better off being euthanized. Gomez here was set to be destroyed in just a few days but I saved him. Nothing is gonna save you Holly. You’re on your way out because what OATH has become under the direction of ONI… well… these waters are just too deep for an imposter like you.

Jacobi handed over Gomez to Shortcut and the dog immediately started scratching and biting Shortcut. Jacobi didn’t seem to register the carnage that his new son was causing. Shortcut screamed and yelped as he tried to calm Gomez down. Shortcut was really struggling to hold onto the dog and Jacobi’s championship title. Jacobi was unconcerned.

JACOBI: You like to brush people off. You like to no-sell things that happen to you. You say that you love this business and that you aren’t done yet. Lies motherfucker. Lies. All of it… lies. OATH has become something that you can’t run with anymore you piss baby. Ojima took you out with ease, you completely botched the Event Horizon Series, Aguero sent you to hell. You don’t have anything left. I’m gonna help you on your journey to the boneyard. I’m gonna beat you tonight and then Shields is gonna fucking decapiate you at Event Horizon II.

The chaos between Shortcut and Gomez ceased, the dog had a mouthful of Shortcut’s forearm and the latter was doing his best not to cry.

JACOBI: I don’t expect it to be easy Holly. You are a tough old dog. But you’ve got rabies and you’ve gotta fuckin’ go. OATH is passing you buy and tonight you’re gonna see that. You’re gonna see that I am not to be underestimated. You’re gonna see that you can’t swim with these sharks. But most of all motherfucker? You’re gonna see some evil.

Jacobi winked at the camera and then hopped off the hood. He took Gomez from Shortcut and the little monster (the dog) immediately calmed down. Shortcut was covered with scratches and bite marks. Jacobi cradled Gomez in his arms and then kissed the lil’ pupper on the head.

SINGLES MATCH Erik Holland vs. Baz Jacobi

The next contest saw former OATH World Champion, “The Haunted” Erik Holland look to get a victory after losing a Falls Count Anywhere Match to Leah Aguero two weeks ago. In his way was ONI member and one half of the OATH Tag Team Champions, Baz Jacobi. Holland came to the ring with Lyric by his side and Jacobi was flanked by Shortcut, who had Jacobi’s new pet dog Gomez on a leesh. Jacobi handed the Tag Title belt to Shortcut and then the referee called for the opening bell.

Holland wasted no time, he wanted a victory and he wanted it badly. Holland charged at Jacobi and went for a bicycle kick but Jacobi slipped through the ropes on the outside and Holland just stopped short of hitting the corner. Jacobi wagged his finger at Holland from the outside and that only served to start a slow boil in Holland’s blood stream.

MEARS: Baz Jacobi was rather vocal about his dislike of Erik Holland.

PETRIE: Yeah he is just saying what we’re all thinking. Holland’s time is up. He can’t seem to stitch two wins together and he won’t ever do it again!

MEARS: I sincerely doubt that. Erik is a former OATH World Champion and a very capable competitor.

Jacobi walked over to Gomez at ringside and knelt down to pet him. Lyric yelled at Jacobi, calling him a coward but Jacobi didn’t acknowledge her. The referee was at a count of twelve when Jacobi tossed Gomez a dog treat from his pocket and then walked up the steps. Jacobi was on the apron when Holland went to approach him but Jacobi told him to back up. The referee stopped Holland and told him to let Jacobi get in the ring.

Holland paced back and forth, snarling as Jacobi took his sweet ass time entering the ring. Once he was in the ring Holland charged him again but Jacobi sidestepped the monster and tried to send him into the corner. Holland put a boot on the middle turnbuckle to stop his momentum, then he turned and destroyed Jacobi with a clothesline.

MEARS: Baz is a trickster much like his partner Zeke Davis but Erik has been around for some time and he knows all the tricks that someone like Baz might use.

PETRIE: Can we talk about Baz’s beautiful dog?

MEARS: Shortcut or Gomez?

PETRIE: Mears! That was actually funny.

“The Sunday Morning Regret” was hit so hard with the clothesline that he found himself face down on the mat. Jacobi got up on all fours but Holland ran and punted him in the midsection. Jacobi was down on the mat holding his left kidney as Holland stomped around, waiting for Jacobi to stand.

Jacobi got to his feet and Holland charged, hitting the Tag Team Champion with Plan 9 from Outer Space (Superman Punch). Jacobi ate the shot and time seemed to stand still for a moment. But that didn’t last long because Jacobi eventually crumbled through the ropes and landed on the apron.

Lyric cheered Holland on at ringside as Shortcut tried to keep Gomez calm by picking him up and cradling him. Gomez just continued to bark at Holland. Jacobi started to stand on the apron but Holland reached over the top rope and grabbed him by the hair. Holland tried to walk Jacobi across the apron to smash his head into the turnbuckle but Jacobi broke Holland’s grip with a forearm shiver.

MEARS: We are seeing some signs of life from Baz Jacobi now. He can not let Erik get back in the driver’s seat because once Erik gets on a roll he is very difficult to stop.

PETRIE: A roll? The only roll he has been on as of late is losing. Constantly.

Jacobi got back in the ring and hit Holland with a flurry of shots but Holland was able to absorb each one and answer with a thigh press to Jacobi’s midsection. Holland took off for the ropes and came charging back at Jacobi but the latter strafed to the side and then caught Holland with the Last Caress (Switch Roundhouse Kick). Holland dropped and Jacobi flopped into a cover but Holland kicked out at a count of two.

The Tag Team Champion was able to get to his feet and he looked very pleased with himself. After a few stomps to the side of Holland’s head. Jacobi put his foot on Holland’s chest and raised his own arms in victory...despite not winning. Holland’s eyes then shot open and he grabbed Jacobi’s left ankle.

PETRIE: Oh shit?

MEARS: Did that frighten you Bad Mood?

PETRIE: Naw man… no way… what are you talking about?

MEARS: I thought as much.

Holland got up to his feet, holding Jacobi’s boot. Jacobi looked terrified but that look didn’t last long because Holland pulled Jacobi in and planted him into the canvas with The Re-Animator (Tour Of The Islands)! Jacobi was absolutely planted and Holland snarled with satisfaction, however, he was not ready to end the contest just yet.

“The Haunted” spit over the top rope in Shortcut’s direction and Shortcut did his best to protect Gomez, turning and having the spit hit the back of his own head. Jacobi was still down in the ring but he started to stir after seeing Holland nearly spit on his pet. Jacobi called out to Holland and Holland turned, happy that Jacobi still had some fight left.

PETRIE: Do not fuck with a man’s pet!

MEARS: Again… which one?

PETRIE: Okay Mears once was enough. Don’t milk it.

Jacobi was favouring his ribs but he took off and charged at Holland anyway, but Holland grabbed Jacobi and dropped him with TerrorVision (Irish Curse Backbreaker). Holland decided to hold on and hit Jacobi with another. And then another. Three seemed sufficient for someone like Jacobi so Holland let him fall to the mat.

Wanting to end this contest now with an exclamation point, Holland got Jacobi up to his feet and set Jacobi up for Toxic Avenger (Death Valley Driver) but Jacobi slipped out and hit Holland from behind with Sonic Reducer (Leaping Ear Clap). Holland got his bell rung but tried to turn and strike Jacobi only to get hit with Twin Peaks (Double Roaring Elbows). Jacobi covered but Holland kicked out at two.

MEARS: Some excellent striking from Baz. He appears to have a wider arsenal than Zeke.

PETRIE: A wider WHAT?

MEARS: Arsenal. Repertoire. Moveset.

PETRIE: Oh fuck I thought you said something completely different.

At this point “The Knightmare King” Matt Shields appeared at the top of the ramp. Shields started walking down the ramp but he was met by Lyric mid-way! Jacobi tried to keep on Holland but Holland came back to life and hit him with Chopping Mall (Deep Six)! Instead of going for the pin, Holland caught sight of Shields.

MEARS: Holland sees Shields!

PETRIE: He hasn’t touched Lyric. She got in his face!

MEARS: Yes but he should not even be out here!

The referee yelled from the ring for Shields to leave Lyric alone but it was Lyric that wouldn’t get out of Holland’s way. This momentary distraction gave Zeke Davis his opportunity. “The Freak” jumped the guard rail, slipped into the ring and hit Holland with a low blow from behind. Davis got Jacobi up and Jacobi hit Holland with a sloppy See Some Evil (Whale Hunt)! Jacobi covered as Davis slipped out of the ring. The referee noticed the pin but he didn’t notice Jacobi’s feet on the middle rope for leverage. The referee counted the three.

Winner: Baz Jacobi

No music kicked up because Shields shoved Lyric out of the way and then slid into the ring, along with Davis. Davis, Jacobi, and Shields started putting the boots to Holland and the audience was not happy about it in the least. The tune of the audience in The Citadel changed when The Runaways came out from the back and rushed the ring!

MEARS: I do not think The Runaways are here to help Holland. They are here to get a measure of revenge on Scum & Villainy for what happened last week!

PETRIE: Of course they aren’t here to help Holland! They hate his guts!

The Runaways slid into the ring. Rocco went after Davis, spearing him to the mat and Switchblxde cracked Jacobi with a busaiku knee strike. Security poured into the ring and separated all six men, likely at the command of OATH President Tommy Straker. We went to commercial as the commotion in the ring was handled.

Somewhere in The Citadel, a dark mind was pondering on how to properly introduce his future opponent into the world of truth and suffering that she would be entering fully at Event Horizon II. OATH Intrepid Champion, Locke Helms wandered the darkened passages of the arena with his minion, Astaroth close at his heels. As Helms paced, a pair of voices could be heard just off camera. One was immediately recognizable as OATH Livewire Champion Minoru Tanahashi.

MINORU: I hate that you mistimed the trip, Effy got the week off so she isn’t, as far as I know, here. But I’d be happy to show you around! Man, my sister’s gonna be so jealous.

Two people strode into frame, one Minoru and the other a masked Japanese joshi puroresu by the name of Super Tiger, a known student of FM Young. This is where an evil idea formed in the mind of Locke Helms.

SUPER TIGER: Darn, but hey yeah I’ll take the tour! It’s great to see you, Mino, really. I didn’t come by just watch Effy, I came to see the place and meet some online friends!

Locke smiled to himself for a moment before he picked up a nearby trashcan and then hurled it right at the head of Minoru, where it caught him square in the left side of his head. Locke quickly moved in and body checked Minoru hard into the wall before turning to look at Super Tiger.

HELMS: I know you…

SUPER TIGER: Why did you do that?!

Locke then started to charge at the smaller luchadora, ST didn’t have any time to square up or be offended. All she could do was turn to minimize the damage as much as possible. ST managed to slam her fists on Locke’s back but it didn't do much good to stop his assault. Helms’ kept ST in a bear hug and just swung her around into a wall and a catering table like a rabid dog with a chew toy, before he dropped her on the floor next to Minoru.

HELMS: Why? To set the table for your mentor, little dream tiger. For she wishes to come and dine at my manor, then she must understand that she must come for the full meal...

Locke then motioned at both Super Tiger and Minoru.

HELMS: Or else why put in the effort, yes?

Locke then reached down and pulls ST's head up by her mask, taking care not to accidentally unmask her.

HELMS: Please pass my message along, would you?

Locke then released Super Tiger before standing back up and motioning for Asatroth to follow, but the masked wrestler took a moment to get a couple of cheap kicks in on the Livewire Champion before hightailing after his “boss”.

The camera faded out as the pair lay groaning on the floor and stagehands rushed over to help them.

The show switched over to the basement of The Citadel. Up until now, we had seen a lot of locations in and around The Citadel but never that they had a basement. Typically used just for storage and some odds and ends but that really didn't matter right now. All that mattered was that we saw Leah Aguero off in a dark corner of the area.

A lone lightbulb on a dangling hook illuminated the area with a yellowish tinge. Leah’s hands were wrapped in white tape but as we saw her shadow boxing against the concrete wall little spots of blood emanating from her knuckles began covering portions of the tape. For some reason, the cameraman continued to draw nearer to the somewhat unhinged Leah.

AGUERO: You’re just like the others, Locke. All you ever see me as is nothing more than the “other half” of The Inevitable. It’s understandable. The Inevitable ran the tag team division. But that was the past. You keep living in the past and you’ll never move forward. That’s evident by the fact that last week my Cuz won the OATH Tabula Rasa Championship. She had a goal and she went for it. She wanted that gold. She got it.

Last week I had a chance to become number one contender to the Intrepid Title; the title that you hold. To be quite frank, I didn’t care about the title. That’s not to dismiss the fact that FM Young caught me in a submission and caused me to tap out. She beat me fair and square and I’ll give her credit for that. I didn’t care to move on to face you for the title. It’s not because I’m afraid of you. No, far from it. I’ve already shown I’m not scared of you back at Conviction XXII when my Timbs busted you straight up side your head. You were left lying in a heap as I beat you clean 1...2...3. Like I’ve said before, however, that kick might have left some lingering effects on you. You seem to enjoy likening yourself to a dragon. “Cut one head off, two more grow back.” I hate to break it to you because you’re clearly delusional but that’s mythology. Still I’ll entertain you for a moment.

Leah turned to give the camera her full attention.

AGUERO: The dragon has seven heads and five tails. If you chop off one tail, a new one immediately grows back in its place. If you chop off two tails, nothing grows back.

If you chop off one head, two new heads grow back. If you chop off two heads, one new tail grows back. You can either chop on the side of the heads or the side of the tails, and you can chop a maximum of two heads or two tails with one strike. When the dragon has no heads and no tails left, it dies. How many blows will it take to kill the dragon?

Leah took a moment just staring into the camera.

AGUERO: Confused yet? I’m sure you are because it’s just as deranged as you are, Locke. You are not this mythical creature. You wanna know how many blows it will take to kill Locke Helms? One, and that’s just what happened the last time we met in the ring. This time, things might be a tad different for you though, Locke. You see, since our last meeting, I’ve been awakened. I lost my way here in OATH. I always believed the tag team titles were what I was to strive for. That clearly is not the case for me anymore. No, Locke. It isn’t titles of any sorts. It’s, as I said before, the pound of flesh I am looking for. Tonight, I will take my memento from you. FM Young beat me last week but it was not without taking punishment from these hands. She’s been softened up. You might see that as an advantage unto yourself but tonight it is very much your disadvantage. While Young has been granted the week off, you my friend, are about to be softened up just the same. Pound of Flesh, Ounces of Blood. Tonight, I just might take that dragon head of yours as my memento. You will, after all, grow a new one back, right? I’ll see you soon, Locke.

Leah took a swing right into the concrete wall. It jostled some debris free and, as she pulled away, a blood stain could be seen on the wall. She then walked out of view as the scene ended.

SINGLES MATCH Leah Aguero vs. Locke Helms

The next match saw the number three ranked “War Queen” Leah Aguero take on the number seven ranked OATH Intrepid Champion, “The Chairman of Chaos” Locke Helms with Astaroth in his corner. Last week Aguero fought for the opportunity to face Helms at Event Horizon II for the Intrepid Title but she was defeated by FM Young.

Both competitors were in the ring and Astaroth took his place at ringside, pacing around. The referee called for the bell and Aguero launched herself at Helms right out of the gate. Aguero treated the stoic champion to some forearm smashes and then she took off for the ropes, however, on her return Helms caught her and tried to snap her in half with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.

MEARS: Locke Helms is quite proficient in backbreakers, Leah needs to watch out for those.

PETRIE: She needs to watch out for everything. Helms has been on a tear since winning back the Intrepid Championship and Leah is likely still banged up from her match with FM Young last week.

Not expecting to get caught like that, Aguero slipped to the outside in an effort to regain her composure. Astaroth approached her but Aguero head faked him and the evil luchador backed off. Helms slowly exited the ring, stepping out onto the apron but Aguero grabbed his foot and tripped him up. Helms landed with a thud on the apron and then fell to the floor.

Aguero quickly got back into the ring, hit the opposing ropes and then darted to the side where Helms was getting to his feet. Aguero flew between the top and middle ropes to the outside with a suicide dive that nailed Helms like a crossbow bolt. Helms was sent hard into the guard rail but Aguero grabbed him immediately and sent him back into the ring.

MEARS: Locke has already taken out two wrestlers here tonight, Leah has no desire to be the third.

PETRIE: What she desires is blood. She said it herself that she doesn’t give a fuck about titles. She just wants to hurt people now and that makes her extremely dangerous.

MEARS: I could not agree more.

“War Queen” was not ready to try and end the contest. Aguero reached down to take hold of Helms but Helms caught her arm, brought her down to the mat and then applied Death Proof (Presses both knees onto a facedown opponent’s arm before applying a fish hook). This being an illegal hold, the referee applied a five count. Helms released it at the count of four but gave Aguero a parting boot to the head for good measure.

Helms then walked around Aguero, stalking her, allowing her the time to stand. Helms just stared down at her with cold eyes and Astaroth clapped in approval from ringside. Aguero started to stand and then Helms charged in looking for a shin kick but Aguero caught his leg, pulled him in, and amazingly she lifted him up and planted him with a sitout powerbomb.

PETRIE: Holy fuck how strong is Aguero?

MEARS: She has shown it before but my word that was an impressive move.

PETRIE: Yeah Helms is rocked!

Rather than remain in a pin, Aguero shot forward and started rabidly attacking Helms with rights and lefts to the face. The referee had to intervene but Aguero shoved him away and then warned him to “back the fuck off”. Aguero then measured Helms and went to hit him with The Endgame (Running Punt) but Astaroth pulled Helms out of the ring.

The fact that Astaroth got involved caused Aguero to explode in anger. Aguero hit the ropes and shot to the outside with another suicide dive but this one targeted Astaroth! He was drilled into the barricade but this momentary distraction allowed Helms time to recover. Helms spun Aguero around and dropped her with Shadows Over Heck (Exploder suplex lifted and dropped into a modified scoop powerslam) on the outside.

MEARS: That will change the tide in this contest. Leah landed with a thud on those thin ringside mats and she looks to have taken tremendous punishment.

PETRIE: Yeah but that’s what she wants! It’s gonna take more than that...but I have no doubt that Helms is more than capable of dishing it out.

“The Chairman of Chaos” got Aguero up and slid her into the ring. Helms then entered the ring and stalked Aguero yet again. As she started to stand Helms hit her with a stiff boot and then applied a front chancery, lifting Aguero up to her feet. Helms sent Aguero hard into the ropes but she jumped and pushed off the ropes to hit Helms with a springboard moonsault takedown! Once again, instead of pinning Aguero just started smashing Helms in the face with heavy strikes.

Aguero got up and the look on her face said it all -- “War Queen” was out for blood. Helms sat up but Aguero charged, hit the ropes and came back with a low big boot to his face. This seemed to knock something loose in Helms’ head because he got right back up, swung on Aguero, but she slipped through and took him over with a snap German suplex with a pinning bridge.

MEARS: That has to be it! Leah is going to pin the Intrepid Champion!

Helms kicked out much to the relief of Astaroth who was back up. The evil luchador had his hands on his head as the referee made the count but his fears were unfounded as his mentor was able to kick out. Both competitors scrambled back up to their feet and Aguero rushed Helms only for the Intrepid Champion to catch her with a sudden Diamond Rain (Standing Moonsault Slam)! Helms hooked the leg and the referee made the count but Aguero kicked out at two.

“War Queen” sat up and went to stand but Helms charged and hit her with a knee to the face. Helms took hold of Aguero and put her in a tree of woe in the corner. Helms hit her with a superkick to the midsection and then followed that up with a running dropkick to Aguero’s face to complete the Gallows Tree combination.

PETRIE: Fuck me that combo is b-b-b-brutal!

MEARS: When did you develop a stutter?

PETRIE: That was for dramatic effect.

MEARS: Ah of course.

Helms sent Aguero out of the corner with a beale but she got right back up, albeit in a daze. Helms hit her with a kick to the midsection and went for a piledriver but Aguero powered out and set him up for Drop The Bomb (Dead Eye)! Helms squirmed out at the last second into a sunset flip pin but Aguero rolled backward got up to her feet.

Aguero threw a wild kick at Helms but he evaded it, got behind her and planted her face into the mat with a full nelson legsweep! Helms then flipped over and locked in the Witching Hour (Bridging Arm Triangle Choke). Aguero was in the hold for about thirty seconds, trying to fight out but she ultimately had to tap out.

Winner: Locke Helms

"Heavy Grind" by Enigma TNG cued up and Astaroth entered the ring, handing the OATH Intrepid Championship to Helms. Helms took it and held it at his side as he had his arm raised by the official and Conviction cut to commercial.

Back from commercial, OATH Intrepid Champion Locke Helms still stood with Asatroth in the ring. The footage from earlier, the attack on Super Tiger and Minoru Tanahashi replayed on the ‘Tron for everyone to see, repeating the incident in all its gory detail.

HELMS: Come now, Miss Young. The Devil himself has prepared you a seat at his table this night. Come...join us!

“Helix” by Amaranthe, FM Young’s music played over the speakers. The crowd sucks in a breath, but Helms just laughed dryly yet softly into the microphone he was holding, the very sound of his laugh like a wind going over dry bones. FM Young was in fact not in the building tonight, likely watching at home and probably furious, unable to do anything about this affront.

HELMS: My dear Miss Young, you must pardon my amusement at the poor fans’ expense but I wanted you to see that my dear friend, Ryan Terror, has helped to...reenergize Old Scratch as it were...and I felt the need to show you that I’m not planning anything like a knife the dark...but a full course of suffering. See you soon, my dear opponent.

Locke then dropped the mic and motions for Asatroth to follow him as “Heavy Grind” began to play. Locke enjoyed the assailment of boos as he left the ringside area.

The new OATH Tabula Rasa Champion, Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda was seen prepping for her match in a corridor with a shadow boxing routine. Her eyes seemed focused and lost in thought as she prepared for her main event match against Reo Ojima. As the camera closed in on her, May O’Neil, Conviction Backstage Correspondent walked up to her with a mic in hand. Matsuda was already dressed in her ring gear, bandana, and all. The Tabula Rasa Championship was sitting on a production box.

O’NEIL: Stephanie, in mere minutes you will be going one on one with the OATH World Champion, Reo Ojima himself. How are you feeling going into this match?

Stephanie stopped boxing and turned to O’Neil.

MATSUDA: How I’m feeling? I feel alive, sweets. It’s like my soul has become like an inferno, it’s heat coursing throughout my body! I wouldn’t say Ojima is an idol of mine, but he was in the trenches when Japanese wrestling was at a low point. In some ways, I’d like to thank him by going into the ring and show him my own strong style. Tonight isn’t just about winning. It’s about earning respect and showing the top brass that I not only am I the Tabula Rasa Champion for a reason, but I deserve a shot at the World Title.

O’NEIL: Would you call tonight to be a trial match?

MATSUDA: It’s more than just a trial, sweets. It’s me showing the world that I’m in the top five fighters for a reason. In fact, the Tabula Rasa title is just one several championships I have in my possession. So you can say tonight is my quinceanera into godhood, and Ojima-san is going to get me there.

O’NEIL: Speaking of the rankings, both you and your tag partner Lean Aguero are in the top five of the rankings. Are there any plans for The Inevitable to regain their tag team titles?

Stephanie simply shrugged and adjusted her hat.

MATSUDA: Not right now, as we’re focused on our singles careers. What’s even better than regaining the titles is being the first in OATH to achieve a triple crown or even grand slam achievement. Now, I’m the only person in OATH man or woman that has held two different titles. As far as I’m concerned, I’m ahead of the class. All I need is the World Title and I’m good to go. After all, me becoming world champ is...inevitable.

Stephanie winked at May and started walking away as the shot faded.

CHAMPION vs. CHAMPION SINGLES MATCH Stephanie Matsuda vs. Reo Ojima

Main event time, wrestling fans! It was champion against champion as OATH Tabula Rasa Champion, Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda took on OATH World Champion, “The Stone Gargoyle” Reo Ojima. Matsuda was out first with the TR Title over her shoulder. She rounded the ring and slipped in under the bottom rope, unstrapping the title to hold it in the air. Her demonstration of confidence was cut off when “The Real Man” by The Seatbelts cued up. The fans in The Citadel were less than pleased and they received the World Champion with a chorus of boos.

Ojima stomped to the ring, gripping a stogey with his teeth. Ojima tossed the World Championship into the ring and then stomped up the steps. He retrieved the title and then chucked it at the referee who, although surprised, was able to catch it. Ojima snuffed out his cigar on the nearest ring post and then gestured for the referee to “get on with it”.

MEARS: I can not see why someone would smoke before a main event contest…

PETRIE: Simple. Ojima is letting Matsuda know that she ain’t shit. He doesn’t need to be in peak form to beat someone like Matsuda.

MEARS: I would wholeheartedly disagree with him if that is the case.

Before the referee could call for the bell "My Name Is Human" by Highly Suspect started playing and The Citadel came alive for the arrival of “The Burning Heart” James Edwards. Edwards sauntered to the ring with a steel folding chair in his grasp. Ojima looked somewhat surprised that Edwards actually took his advice. Edwards positioned the chair at the bottom of the ramp and then sat to watch the contest.

Matsuda met Ojima in the middle of the ring and then gave him a nod of respect. He accepted it and then hit her with a slap that knocked her on her ass. Matsuda was taken a little off guard by that one, maybe she figured that Ojima would reciprocate the respect that she showed him. Guess she doesn’t know the champ very well. Matsuda rushed Ojima but he drilled his forehead right into her nose with a head butt.

PETRIE: That didn’t go as planned for ol Cloudy there.

MEARS: Cloudy?

PETRIE: Pay attention Mears. Fuck.

Cloud rallied back up to her feet but the old man grabbed her by the wrist and sent her into the turnbuckle so hard that you might think she owed him money. Matsuda hit with a thud and then fell into a seated position. Ojima stomped over her with an ass whipping in mind and he stomped the absolute shit out of Matsuda. Like not literally, but it was rough.

Ojima got Matsuda up and then decided that he didn’t want her in his ring anymore. Ojima sent Matsuda flying over the top rope and she landed with a thud on her side that earned a collective gasp from the fans in The Citadel. At this point it seemed like Ojima didn’t register that Matsuda would get up so when she started to stand he was almost angry about it.

MEARS: I can not help but think that Reo is acting this way to throw Stephanie off her game.

PETRIE: Probably. He has been around forever! He knows exactly what he is doing.

“The Stone Gargoyle” exited the ring and Matsuda was up on all fours, crawling toward the apron to assist her in standing. Edwards sat with his left leg resting on his right knee, watching the action. Matsuda started to stand but as soon as she did Ojima smashed her with a forearm shiver. Ojima glanced at Edwards with a “watch this” expression and then hoisted Matsuda up for a brief moment, only to bring her crashing down with an ushigoroshi.

Edwards’ expression didn’t change but Ojima didn’t care. The World Champion hauled Matsuda up onto the apron and rolled her into the ring. Matsuda, showing her ever-present fighting spirit, got to her feet but she was brought back down with a Ojima’s patented lariat. Matsuda was turned inside out and Ojima felt that this was an opportune moment to attempt a pin. Ojima covered but Matsuda kicked out at two. Ojima didn’t seem surprised.

MEARS: I am somewhat surprised that James Edwards came to ringside to watch this. He does not strike me as the type to expose himself this way.

PETRIE: Maybe Locke Helms choked the sense out of Edwards last week.

MEARS: I do not believe that to be the case.

Ojima kept Matsuda prone on the mat with a flurry of elbows to the back of the head. Ojima glanced at Edwards yet again and then shouted some kind of vulgarity at him. Ojima reached down to apply a waist lock. With an old man grunt, Ojima impressively lifted Matsuda off the mat for a deadlift German suplex but as he lifted her over, Matsuda did a backflip and landed on her feet behind him!

Matsuda vaulted over the top rope and just as Ojima was able to turn around she shot into the ring and smashed the old bastard with Final Heaven (Springboard Forearm Smash)! The Citadel popped, Matsuda was finally able to get some offense and she made sure to cover. Maybe she knocked the old fucker out. The referee didn’t even get to a two count when Ojima powered out. Old man strength.

MEARS: Stephanie Matsuda has shot her shot! She needs to keep the World Champion on his heels.

PETRIE: She needs to stay the fuck away from him if she wants a hope in hell of winning.

Ojima had been doing this shit for some time but Matsuda was no rookie. She knew that Ojima would do the most damage if she stayed close so she put some space between herself and the World Champion. Ojima stomped toward Matsuda and went for a lariat but Matsuda slipped under, hit the opposing ropes and then came back to hit Ojima with Last Surprise (Sling Blade)! Matsuda covered again but Ojima kicked out right at two.

The Citadel was behind Matsuda as she measured Ojima again. The Tabula Rasa Champion darted toward him again but the geriatric champion was faster and he levelled her with a lariat that nearly took her out of her boots! Ojima was pissed now and he wanted to end this match. No more surprises from Matsuda.

MEARS: The Tabula Rasa Champion is showing heart here tonight but Ojima has been a different competitor since returning to OATH in May. He has yet to lose in a one on one contest.

PETRIE: That’s why he is the World Champion. He’s the fucking best.

MEARS: That can not be disputed right now.

Ojima grabbed Matsuda with his weathered paws and hit her with a succession of European uppercuts but he didn’t let her drop. He held her up by her chin after every shot. Ojima shouted something at her in Japanese and then lifted her up and tried to put her through the mat with a Double A spinebuster! Ojima applied a rough cover and the referee made the count but Matsuda kicked out at two, much to the World Champion’s surprise.

If he wasn’t pissed before the World Champion surely was now. Ojima knelt over Matsuda, grabbed the back of her head and then started hammering her in the nose with headbutt after headbutt. Blood began pouring from Cloud’s face. After a half dozen, the referee asked Matsuda if she wanted to quit. Matsuda screamed “No!” so Ojima hit her with one more headbutt.

PETRIE: I get that she wants to win this match but Matsuda is getting right fucked up. She should just let the referee count her out or she’ll never get to defend that Tabula Rasa Title.

MEARS: Those headbutts definitely did not help her cause.

The referee checked on Matsuda but she was still moving so he couldn’t call the match, she wouldn’t let him. Ojima looked pleased at the blood that he had spilt so he turned to Edwards at ringside and gestured to Matsuda. “That’s gonna be you in two weeks. HA!” Ojima said but Edwards didn’t react. This caused Ojima to push down on the top rope and lean over, screaming at Edwards, “It’s gonna be you piss baby! You’re gonna die!”.

As Ojima was preoccupied with Edwards, Matsuda got up to her feet and she was pretty irate herself. Matsuda charged and hit Ojima with a leaping knee to the back of the head that nearly sent Ojima over the top rope! Ojima dropped to a knee so Matsuda backed up and hit him with another running knee to the face. Matsuda then quickly got Ojima up and dropped him right on his fucking head with

Special Delivery (Package Piledriver)! Matsuda covered but Ojima got his foot on the bottom rope just before a count of three.

MEARS: Reo had to use the rope to break up the pin! That is good news for Matsuda, he did not feel that he had the strength to kick out!

PETRIE: That or he didn’t want to waste the energy when the ropes were right fucking there.

MEARS: Too true.

The Stone Gargoyle was able to stand up but he was rocked from that series of moves. Matsuda backed up yet again but then she unleashed a Yahtzee! (Superkick)! Ojima spilled through the ropes to the outside and landed at Edwards’ feet. Edwards still did not move, he just stared at the champion.

Ojima stood up and noticed where he was. Ojima looked Edwards in the eyes and flipped him off. The time it took for him to do that was enough for Matsuda to fly through the ropes and hit Ojima with a suicide dive. The two nearly wiped Edwards out but he still didn’t move. Matsuda quickly got Ojima up and rolled him into the ring.

MEARS: Stephanie Matsuda is set to defeat the World Champion and James Edwards has to be loving this! The World Champion is about to be knocked down a peg.

PETRIE: No one is pegging Reo Ojima!

MEARS: That is not what I said.

Breathing hard through her mouth because the blood in her nose made it so, Matsuda ascended to the top rope. Without a moment’s hesitation, Matsuda came off the top rope with Cloud 9 (Corkscrew Shooting Star Press) but Ojima had moved! Matsuda ate canvas and then Ojima hauled her up and quickly planted her with Last Call (Running Power Slam). Ojima covered, while staring at Edwards while the referee counted to three.

Winner: Reo Ojima

“The Real Man” cued up yet again and the referee of the contest handed Ojima his World Championship. Ojima was breathing hard but he accepted the title and slung it over his shoulder. Ojima then made his way over to a corner and retrieved his cigar.

MEARS: And just like that the World Champion has defeated the Tabula Rasa Champion.

PETRIE: Fuck he should have put the belt on the line but I bet lots of people would have some sharp comments about that.

MEARS: Subtle.

Edwards stood up on the outside and slowly clapped for the champion. Ojima cocked an eyebrow at Edwards, gave a slight nod, then turned to the referee. Ojima gestured for a lighter. The referee seemed taken aback but then gave in, fished a lighter out of his pocket, and handed it to Ojima. The champion sparked up his stogey again and then leaned over the ropes to seemingly address Edwards.

PETRIE: Tell him what’s what champ!

Edwards stood and began to approach the ring when two figures jumped over barriers on either side of Edwards. He didn’t see them, he was preoccupied with addressing Ojima. Zeke Davis and Baz Jacobi blindsided Edwards with Salt & Vinegar (Sandwiching Double Roundhouse Kicks to the head). Edwards dropped instantly.

MEARS: Scum & Villainy are here. Goddamnit. We should have seen this coming.

PETRIE: Edwards should have saw it coming aswell. Guy does not pay attention.

“The Burning Heart” was laid out and Ojima slowly exited the ring. Ojima called for a microphone and he slowly walked over to where S&V had Edwards pinned down. Jacobi knelt on Edwards’ right arm while Davis held Edwards’ palm open.

OJIMA: I told you to be smart. The smart thing would have been to walk away because you’re in no form to defend yourself against ONI.

Edwards started to struggle but he could not get up. Ojima stomped down hard on his chest and then removed the cigar from his mouth after one final drag.

OJIMA: So, here’s something to remember this night by.

Ojima inspected the stogey, then knelt down and proceeded to extinguish the cigar by grinding it into Edwards’ exposed palm. Edwards screamed in pain as security swarmed the three members of ONI. Edwards was released and he grabbed at his right hand. ONI backed away and Edwards was left screaming ringside as Conviction XXIX came to a close.

Results:

• Matt Shields def. Tyler War

• Jenna Sharpe def. Zeke Davis via DQ

• Baz Jacobi def. Erik Holland

• Locke Helms def. Leah Aguero • Reo Ojima def. Stephanie Matsuda