CONVICTION XXVI RESULTS

Episode XXVI August 2nd, 2020 The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario

A dark room in which, in the middle, sat a lonely chair. A spotlight shone down on the chair which illuminated it barely at all. The sound of footsteps came from the distance and a shadow passed through part of the dim light. Then the shadow blocked out all of the light as it appeared to sit down. The figure looked directly at the floor at first while its hands were folded.

MAN: It doesn’t matter that Ryan Terror is not Intrepid Champion. Titles, accolades, admiration, and accomplishments were NEVER the mission here. The mission for those not in the know is to mold this company in the image of one man…

The figure raised his head revealing the lone whited out eye of one Ryan Terror. He smiled as the light washed over his face.

TERROR: ME!

A beat.

TERROR: You see it is I who is the standard bearer here in this company. And I know that many of you believe that titles matter around here. Well, you are sorely mistaken. Titles are mere cannon fodder, a consolation prize so to speak. If we have some gold then that’s all find and good but if not then that’s fine as well. So James, cradle your championship for another week because you don’t have to worry about the Hell Realm coming your way anytime soon.

Another beat.

TERROR: I am, however, most concerned with a man that knows James pretty well. A man who’s drowning in his own self pity. A man who used to be a ruthless fucking killer and didn’t give two shits about who stood in his way. But I can save this man, I can redeem this man. Because that’s who I am.

I AM...THE REDEEMER

I AM...THE SAVIOR

I AM...THE RESTORER

All I’m asking is for you to take my hand, Locke. Let me pull out of the pool of self pity and self doubt. I can help you become that ruthless monster again. I can restore you to prominence in the eyes of Papa Legba. And I can lead you down that path of redemption.

The light came to life and in the distance stood Adrestia Nyx and Monstruo. The two of them leaned up against the far wall as Ryan stood to his feet.

TERROR: I am the Oracle of OATH, Locke. I can save you. All you’ve got to do is…

TAKE

MY

HAND!

With that, the light suddenly went to black.

EVENT HORIZON SERIES: B BLOCK SINGLES MATCH

Stephanie Matsuda (2) vs. Ryan Terror (2)

The match started off with Ryan Terror in one corner and Stephanie Matsuda in the other. Both competitors were looking to make up any kind of points and make any kind of dent in the B block rankings, both being tied at two points a piece. Matsuda came right out of her corner with that now trademark insane aggressiveness of hers. She had backed herself into the ropes, and came at Terror with a flying cross body. Terror however showed his immense size and strength advantage by catching the tiny high flyer right out of the air and planting her down with a back breaker.

MEARS: This match is quite interesting as both Stephanie and Ryan have been with OATH since the very beginning. A victory here has the potential to put either of them in the position to enter the finals.

The audience heard the air go out of Matsuda’s lungs on that one. Terror went to capitalize, hefting Matsuda back into the air but Terror was still too close to the ropes and Matsuda held on like a spider monkey, slipping off his shoulder, using a head scissor takedown to bring Terror to the outside. PETRIE: Fuck if this were me I'd go for the count out! MEARS: I suppose a win is a win.

Matsuda quickly followed, screaming like a banshee and suiciding diving right out of the ring to hit Terror with a huge splash. Terror felt that one, rolling around as Matsuda got him up to whip him into the steel steps. Terror flopped ass over tea kettle over the steps, but when the War Queen thought she might follow by leaping off the apron again, she caught a chin full of Terror’s size 14’s! As Terror had managed to get his legs up to stop Matsuda’s wild leaping, which isn’t as some people might attest to actually a plan.

Terror pulled himself up to his feet, bringing Matsuda up with him with a handful of her hair. Everyone heard her head ring off the steps all the way to the back as Terror proceeded to bounce her around ringside like a pinball. Head off the steps, off the apron, the guard rail and finally whipped her with such force, she rolled violently over the commentary table right into the team of announcers themselves. PETRIE: Well hello War Queen! MEARS: It doesn't seem that she is in the mood to talk.

The Terror of Toledo moved around the table, tossing debris out of the way. He actually picked up one of the commentary chairs over his head, ready to drop it on Matsuda but the referee warned him about a disqualification. He begrudgingly obliged and dropped the chair to the floor before moving to the ring and crawled halfway in to break the count before going back to his opponent. He picked her up by the hair, and whipped her over into the guard rail. Terror measured up then took a full on running charge at Matsuda, roaring bloody murder as he went for a running crossbody but as he jumped for it, Matsuda hit the deck and Terror CRASHED into the guard rail, flopping over into the audience, prompting the crowd for a “HOLY SHIT” chant. MEARS: This is the opening that Matsuda needed! Terror was more concerned with violence than actually winning!

Now it was Matsuda’s turn to drag herself to her feet; the War Queen pausing for a breath before she broke the referee’s count yet again by rolling in and out of the ring. Terror started pulling himself up on the guard rail as Matsuda walked over and helped him up, so to speak, if only to deliver a big suplex that took all her strength, violently slamming Terror back to ringside with a sickening thud on the thin floor mat. Matsuda made it up to her feet and pulled Terror with her, shoving him back into the ring before climbing to the apron. Terror was already up on one knee by the time Matsuda had climbed to the top turnbuckle and as he stood and turned, she came flying off the top corner at him, showcasing the Lucha side of her Lucharesu by hitting a textbook, hurricanrana.

PETRIE: This match is slipping through your fingers Ryan!

Terror ate mat again, probably wondering somewhere in the back of his deranged mind how he’d gotten himself into this mess. The War Queen rolled into the right position and hooked Terror’s leg, but Ryan kicked out an empathetic two, practically tossing the smaller Matsuda right off of him. Matsuda wisely went rolling away, probably to avoid getting caught in a succession of backbreakers because nobody wants to get caught in a secession of backbreakers. Ryan seemed like that type of guy, and he was up chasing Matsuda down. He caught her foot just as she was almost out of the ring again, attempting to pull Stphanie back into the ring but those dangerous feet of Matsuda’s were nailing him everywhere they could every time he tried. Finally Terror dragged Matsuda literally kicking and screaming away from the ropes, only for her to change tactic and start wailing on his exposed knee with those furious feet. MEARS: It is all or nothing for both of them right now. They have to pull out all of the stops. PETRIE: I feel like that is what we are going to see.

Terror literally fell down a flight of kicks, he wobbled, Matsuda rolled to her feet and hit him with shin kick after shin kick until he was back on the ground and she was pacing the ring screaming like she’d lost her goddamn mind. Matsuda turned to goad into Terror into standing back up, to find he already was up and this time she was the one eating mat when he speared her into the canvas!

MEARS: This match is going to break down here Bad Mood. I can feel it.

Terror didn’t let the hold go, instead dragging Matsuda up and flailing her around in a desperate bear hug. Before the Ref could ask if Matsuda wanted to quit or not, Ryan brought the War Queen back down with a devastating powerslam. Terror hooked the leg and nope! Two! Matsuda is still alive! Terror shot up onto his knees, bellowing with rage and slapping the mat. He looked down at Matsuda with a telltale, crazed look in his eyes before dragging her up to her feet again.

Matsuda attempted to fight back, throwing a couple of forearms but Terror stopped her with a knee to the ribs and hoisted her up onto his shoulder, clearly setting up for the Death Sentence! As he went for the follow through, Matsuda managed to slip through and land behind him on her feet. She wasted no time, seizing the opportunity to lock on a Sleeper Hold and locked it in tight. Terror struggled to get free, almost doing so until Matsuda drove her foot into the back of his knee to make him buckle. The crowd roared then as she delivered an explosive Blasian Suplex! Terror crumpled to the mat and Matsuda dragged herself over as fast as she could, covering him for the 1, 2, 3 and the victory in this B Block matchup! Winner: Stephanie Matsuda (4 Points)

Backstage in The Citadel, Leah Aguero was seen walking down the hallway on her way toward the entrance as she prepared for her upcoming match against Erik Holland. She seemed focused on the match at hand, ignoring everyone around her until she was cut off by Vince Valerie.

VALERIE: Leah, a moment of your time before you go out there, please.

AGUERO: Make it quick. I’m about to shed some blood.

VALERIE: Well, as you quite obviously are aware, tonight is the final round of matches to determine the winners of Block A and B in the Event Horizon Series.

AGUERO: No shit. You make a fine investigative reporter.

VALERIE: As you are also aware, you’re going up against Erik Holland; a man that has already been eliminated from the series by virtue of collecting zero points up until tonight. You, on the other hand, have the off chance of staying alive in this tournament. A win against Holland gives you 4 points. Later tonight, FM Young takes on Declan Black. Should Black win that match, both Young and Black will have 4 points as well.

AGUERO: Spit it out, Vince.

VALERIE: Well, we got to know, what sort of pressure that puts on you going against Erik Holland; a man that has already gone on record as acknowledging he has nothing else to lose and that makes him a very dangerous man.

AGUERO: I have been waiting a long time for this match. Ever since I took notice of Elysium, signed my contract and took their Triad Championships, I had my eye on Erik Holland. At that time, he was my employer. He signed my paycheques. Still, the legend of Holland always loomed. One day, Elysium decided to close its doors. Those paycheques stopped rolling in. I went my own way but everywhere I looked Erik Holland was making a name for himself. I thought, inevitably, it was only a matter of time before he and I crossed paths. Never happened. When we both signed our contracts here in OATH, I figured, Okay. When the time is right. We’ll get our match. Unfortunately, life tends to have its own paths for us. He jettisoned up the card while I dominated the tag team division. It wasn’t until about two months ago that our paths finally crossed. My Cuz and I took on Holland and his partner for the evening, Samantha Hamilton. On that night, victory was Inevitable. Tonight, however, we finally get our one on one encounter. This circumstances, however, are a bit different than anticipated.

VALERIE: How so?

AGUERO: Erik Holland is trying to save face. Erik Holland’s time at the top is starting to dwindle. He’s shown a chink in his armor. Holland’s been put through the ringer for the longest. His back isn’t what it used to be, regardless of whether he claims to be back at 100% or not. Everyone viewed Holland to be a front runner of Block A. He was, after all, the previous holder of the OATH World Title. Then he was put down by Declan Black. It infuriated him. To have Declan Black get one over him? It drove him mad. He was dead set on taking those frustrations out on FM Young. She, too, was able to get one over on him. He’s lost. He has no sense of purpose anymore. He’s grasping. Erik Holland’s career is on the back nine. So, when he says he has nothing else to lose, he means it. Meanwhile, I’m fighting to prove myself.

VALERIE: Your name already holds prominence in every company you’ve worked for. What is there to prove here?

AGUERO: My name has always been associated as a tag team competitor. Here in OATH, elsewhere, it’s not without merit. I’ve held tag titles in many companies. This Event Horizon Series is to show that I am an accomplished singles competitor as well and I’m not going down without a fight. I’ve only got one shot and I’m about to take it. Declan Black, also a former OATH World Champion, looked past me and I took advantage of the situation. I beat him clean in the middle of the ring. And now it’s time for you, Erik. You may be trying to save face where you could potentially end up getting swept through this entire tournament but it’s just like you said. You’ve got nothing to lose. Me? I’ve got everything left to lose. When you back me into a corner, I’m going to come out swinging. I’m not just going to survive in this tournament. I’m going to thrive. And that begins with a win over you. That begins by taking the horse by the reins and forging my own path. In just a few minutes, I’m heading to that ring. That line I talk about toeing? I’m about to do a hop, skip and a jump right over that line and I’m going to show you exactly why I belong in this competition. And that… well, that’s simply Inevitable.

Satisfied?

VALERIE: Absolutely, go get him, Leah.

Leah Aguero walked off away from Vince with even more fire in her belly; ready to seize the opportunity before her.

A staticy, high-focus shot was what was seen first. Bright oppressive light, like waking up in a hospital bed filled the vision of the camera lens. Shakily, maybe on purpose, the camera panned down and a vaguely Erik Holland shaped blur was seen in the distance of this...room? Hallway? Couldn't tell. But his voice began to echo through this area, let’s call it, and it was distorted--like he was talking through a bullhorn that was set on low power.

HOLLAND: I am at a point in my career now where I am doing a lot of reflecting. That the spirits that crawl and creep in my skull, they’ve found a mirror, and they're holding it up to see my twisted reflection. And in that mirror I see my past going back years, I see myself travelling back in time and I come to...

All of a sudden the “image” of Holland was gone, and the actual Holland stepped onto the screen uncomfortably close to the camera, this time from the right side.

HOLLAND: ...a conclusion.

Holland's eyes grew wide. His voice suddenly seemed to have changed to that normal, raspy, squealing rhythm he usually has--not unlike hearing a rusty gate clang closed.

HOLLAND: I conclude that even though I have amassed a list, I have been put on others’ lists, and I have the scars and the semi-permanent trauma from some of the finest wrestling matches these or any other fans have seen in my career as I have crisscrossed the road on this beautiful long adventure of carnage...I can say on the one hand that I’m proud of them.

The evil pinpoint eyes of this monster crinkled as he offered a genuine smile, showing that he was indeed proud.

HOLLAND: You see...I fashion myself as something of an artist. I wrestle the way other people paint, or cook, or sing, or even the way my sweet Lamb Lyric does her photography and costuming work. It is a way to express myself when words fail me. It’s a way to CHANNEL some of the pain or uncertainty or bad feelings that always crop up. It’s what keeps me going! I go through the curtain and let every crack of the mat, every roar of the crowd fill up my ears and my brain until I can’t hear or feel anything anymore. And it is BLISS. And so every performance of mine, I quite literally leave a piece of myself behind. Heh...sometimes, literally...

The camera panned over the many scars over Holland's body while he carried on.

HOLLAND: So I am proud when my art is recognized. I’m proud when my pain is felt on a visceral level, when the pundits and the media talk about my performances and tell me they haven't seen me this good since God only knows when. But on the other hand...

Holland put a finger to his lips, thinking hard.

HOLLAND: On the other hand being proud of such performances is difficult when I know most of those highly regarded matches are ones that i have lost. Despite every post, every hot take machine out there in Internet-land telling me that Erik Holland has had some of the finest performances in my career here in OATH Pro Wrestling, suffice to say I have lost most of those fine performances and really...I’ve not really gotten OVER that.

Resolute, Holland positioned himself dead center in front of the camera.

HOLLAND: I don’t think I should either. I have made history here. I was the first and to this date I am the ONLY man who has ever won Trial By Fire, who has ever took on the entire roster in a single bout and emerged the victor. I am a former OATH World Champion and I beat the longest reigning champion in the company’s history to do it. You think I’m OVER losing that belt? No no no no no! My destiny and that of that championship are intertwined...

Holland folded his fingers tight together in a sort of visual aid.

HOLLAND: ...permanently. Even IF the Event Horizon series is no longer the vehicle by which I can get it done! Speaking of Event Horizon, my final match in the tournament comes tonight, and it comes against the War Queen, Leah Aguero, whom I personally have wanted to face since the Elysium days. Of course because I was..well..put in charge, that never got to happen up until now. And the Leah I see now? Is more focused than ever. More determined than ever. But I need her to know something...

He looked away from the camera, chuckling to himself.

HOLLAND: I need her to know that I am not just here to have a great match with her, shake her hand and put her over like she seems to think I’m ready to do. I don’t want to be here just to be GOOD. I want to be here to be great, once again. That MEANS making a statement that I can still win big matches--and beating Leah to avoid getting swept out of the Series is a BIG DAMNED MATCH. Leah, I have not gotten over losing to Declan Black. I have not gotten over losing to FM Young. The difference here is, I am not going to need to get over losing to you because i am not GOING to lose to you..

The laughter became more acidic now as it returned.

HOLLAND: You are going to be the beginning of my comeback story. The end of my struggles and my slump. As much as I consider you a great competitor, and you are, I will not allow my misery to be prolonged for another second. The only one that can make my life, my career BETTER is myself. And Conviction tonight? I start that by driving you down and casting your crown at your feet, War Queen. Consider your throne forcefully abdicated, War Queen, by WAR himself.

Holland now closeed a palm over the camera, sending it to static, and back to ringside we go.

EVENT HORIZON SERIES: A BLOCK SINGLES MATCH Leah Aguero (2) vs. Erik Holland (0)

The first A Block match of the night saw “War Queen” Leah Aguero attempt to win and make it that former OATH World Champion Erik Holland was swept in the entire series. The two stood in the middle of the ring and Aguero struck first and hit Holland with a quick succession of forearm strikes but Holland stopped them with a quick headbutt to Aguero’s face.

The “War Queen” was sent reeling back and Holland charged at her, looking for a lariat but Aguero ducked underneath it and hit Holland with a dropkick to the back of the neck that sent him stumbling headlong into the nearest corner.

MEARS: Leah Aguero defeated Declan Black last week. If she can beat Erik Holland tonight that is two former OATH World Champions that she has bested in this series.

Aguero tried to follow that up with a second running dropkick but Holland moved and Aguero collided with the corner and landed on the back of her neck. Holland got her up and tried to plant her with Chopping Mall (Deep Six) but Aguero turned it into a crucifix pin that Holland kicked out of at a count of two.

The two met each other once again in the middle of the ring with strikes that Holland got the better of. Holland sent Aguero into the ropes but she came back with a big boot that staggered him backward. Holland hit the ropes and looked to come back with a lariat but Aguero dodged it and dropped Holland with a low kick to the back of the knee.

PETRIE: She’s gonna do it. She is smarter than Holland and he’s so out of sorts that Aguero can take advantage.

MEARS: A fair deconstruction, Bad Mood.

PETRIE: Don’t patronize me.

Aguero put Holland face first into the mat with a flipping neckbreaker and covered but Holland powered out quickly with authority. Aguero tried to keep on Holland but he caught her and went for Project Terror (Attitude Adjustment) but Aguero flipped out of it and cracked Holland in the jaw with a superkick.

The former Tag Team Champion started relentlessly stomping away on Holland with such vigor that Holland rolled out onto the apron. Holland stood and Aguero met him with a big boot that sent him off of the apron. Holland caught himself on the guard rail.

MEARS: Leah Aguero has been with OATH since the beginning. She is a talented competitor that has been regulated to tag team matches but she is a competent singles wrestlers.

PETRIE: We’ll see.

Aguero hit the opposing ropes and went for a suicide dive to the outside but Holland caught her in mid air and swung her with insane force into the guard rail. Aguero collapsed on the outside and Holland turned to snarl at the camera.

Holland moved Aguero back into the ring and then he climbed up onto the apron and entered the ring, stalking Aguero like some kind of movie monster. As Holland went to grab Aguero she kicked him in the knee, kipped up and dropped him with a sit-out jawbreaker.

PETRIE: Holy shit she’s actually gonna do it!

MEARS: She very well may!

“The Haunted” staggered backward and caught himself on the top rope. Aguero rushed him but Holland hip tossed her over the top rope. Aguero landed on the apron, on her feet, and then rushed to climb the top rope. Aguero reentered the ring with a missile dropkick from the top rope and covered Holland. The referee counted two and then Holland kicked out with authority yet again.

Aguero charged at him but Holland caught her and delivered a Toxic Avenger (Attitude Adjustment) out over nowhere. Holland covered with a sense of displeasure and secured the three count.

Winner: Erik Holland (2)

The camera crew was following May O'Neil as she was out to the multi-story parking garage at The Citadel, looking for an early scoop with some of the talent, as the revving of a motorcycle was heard pulling in. We saw Josie Wales riding a purple 1974 Harley Davidson Shovelhead, sporting a duster coat over her clothes, and the Treasure of the Sierra Madre draped over her right shoulder and around her torso. She took her helmet off and tossed her hair back, as O'Neil spoke to her.

O'NEIL: Miss Wales! Can I ask you a few questions?

WALES: Kinda surprised to see you out here. You waiting for your four friends out here, or just staking out like paparazzi?

Wales said, getting off her bike, as she spoke to her.

O'NEIL: Just part of the job, Josie. Next week you take on Reo Ojima for the OATH World Championship, but, tonight you defend the Tab...

Wales gave O'Neil a brief glare, correcting her without saying anything, as she lifted the seat up to put her helmet up.

O'NEIL: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre... against Jenna Sharpe. She's very skilled in submission skills, so, are you regretting that stipulation, especially heading into your fight with Reo?

Wales would exhale briefly, as she was a bit nervous deep down. However, she had to keep her composure.

WALES: Reo is in the future. He's already got a big enough ego, I'll deal with him then. But, as Sammy Hagar once said we're right here and now, it means everything. Right now is Jenna Sharpe, a real genuine test to prove that I deserve this title around me. She has a lot of fight and feistiness in her, like a wild mustang. But, any cowgirl worth her salt is going to find a way to break her in.

She said with a more confident tone, as Wales would perk up a little while talking.

WALES: Yes, it may be the smarter move to take a dive tonight to keep myself fresh for Reo, but, I've never wanted to do things the easy way. Jenna Sharpe is not getting a free ride for this title. In fact, I have every plan on keeping my title until they put a tag on my toe! Jenna Sharpe will be put in her place, and my treasure isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and you can guaran-damn-tee it.

Wales said with a bit of a cocky tone, before leaving her steel horse and O'Neil behind.

Jenna Sharpe stood at the bottom of a set of stairs, looking out onto a spartan room with a low ceiling. The back end was dominated by a wrestling ring, and sets of weights line one wall in front of a floor-to-ceiling mirror. There were small, rectangular windows set high on the wall, not letting in much natural light. Next to the staircase, the wall was full of framed photographs, medals, and several title belts on display. The young woman looked over at the wall, a smile forming on her full lips.

JENNA: This… is where it all started. Welcome to the infamous Sharpe Family Dungeon.

Walking over to the wall, she pointed to a black and white photo of a young man in a singlet, crouched down and looking like he was about ready to start a grappling match.

JENNA: That’s my grandfather, Edmonton Sharpe, the guy who started it all. It’s funny - when he was down here training, he was the ultimate hard ass. To teach you a lesson, he’d put you in a submission hold and keep it on long after you tapped out. He’d run drills until people thought they were ready to drop. And granted, he died not long after I started training, so most of what I know about his methods comes from hanging out here when I was a little girl, watching my mom and my uncles work with him.

He was a pitbull, you know? He was tough as hell but he loved us. When my uncle Mike died of a heart attack - during a match, no less - I think that was the first time I saw the old man break down and cry.

For a moment, Jenna’s bottom lip trembled, but she took a deep breath to steady herself and reached out to touch a framed photograph of her grandfather with all his children, including her now-deceased uncle. She then moved away from the wall, into the center of the room. The floor was covered with rubber matting, allowing Jenna to move soundlessly.

JENNA: After Grandpa died, my uncles took over down here, as did my mom. So they’re the ones who’re mostly responsible for my training. My mom, Abigail, was the first woman to ever graduate from the Sharpe Dungeon, so talk about having big shoes to fill. I’ve known that I wanted to be a wrestler my entire life, because who wouldn’t want to continue the family business? Even after Uncle Mike died, I still wanted to pursue this as a career. And I’m not about to claim that being a third-generation wrestler made my journey easy. My first day of training, I legitimately considered quitting. Maybe other generational wrestlers get that natural talent and can do 450 splashes on their first day - not that we have the room down here for that kind of thing - but not me.

I had to work for it. It took awhile for it to feel like it was natural for me to be in that ring, even though it was the only place I’d ever wanted to work. So by the time I was ready for a stage like the one I’m currently on in OATH Pro Wrestling, I had already developed the work ethic necessary to be successful in this business.

Standing with her hands on her hips, Jenna looked at herself in the mirror. Even in street clothes, her posture was impeccable and she held her head high, proud of herself and her accomplishments to this point in her career.

JENNA: Soon, I’ll be taking on Josie Wales for her Tabula Rasa Championship, in a submission match. I’m not going to call it by some cute name, nor am I going to try and undermine the current champion. What I will do, though, is take Josie Wales to her limit. I will show her every wrestling hold I’ve ever learned in this dungeon, and I will become the new Tabula Rasa Champion. This is the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had in my career, and to have a match like this after less than a month on the pro scene is incredible, so I’m making the most of it. The stipulation that Josie chose for this match gives me the chance to show everything I’ve ever learned, and more than that… it’s my opportunity to cement my place as the heiress to Edmonton Sharpe’s legacy.

So, Josie can make up what she wants about me. But when OATH Conviction XXVI airs, this entire company is going to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am every inch the competitor - and the champion - that my family name implies. This is my chance to write my own chapter of the family history, and I intend for this to be the night my very first title reign begins. I wish Josie the best of luck, I truly do, but I believe that I will be walking out the new Tabula Rasa Champion.

Jenna clapped her hands once and the lights in the Dungeon went out one by one, until she was illuminated only by the fixture above her head. As she smiled at her reflection, we see her peering out of the darkness until the light above her went dark as well, leaving the screen black.

OATH TABULA RASA CHAMPIONSHIP SUBMISSION MATCH Jenna Sharpe vs. Josie Wales ©

This match saw challenger “The Canadian Wildcat” Jenna Sharpe already in the ring as "The Unforgiven" by Metallica hit the speakers and OATH Tabula Rasa Champion Josie Wales made her appearance in The Citadel. As Wales neared the ring there was a stirring in the crowd! Out of the audience came Baz Jacobi and Zeke Davis of ONI! They blindsided the champion with hard forearm shots, yanking the Tabula Rasa Championship away from her.

PETRIE: Hahaha! Nothing like a little “outlaw” justice!

MEARS: How is this justice? Scum & Villainy have jumped Josie Wales!

Jacobi held Wales’ arm and Davis gleefully flailed the full weight of the Tabula Rasa Championship down on it. Wales grit her teeth and struggled, as Davis did it again and again. Jacobi smirked and torques back hard on Wales’ arm and shoulder, leaving the champion crying out! Just as Davis wound up again, Wales nailed Jacobi across the bridge of his nose with a back elbow, but Davis was there to strike her with the belt again. Wales managed to get her damaged arm up to shield her face from the blow.

PETRIE: Looks like we aren’t gonna get our title match! What a shame.

The champion looked like she was in real trouble when the camera panned back and here came Jenna Sharpe! Jenna charged in like a bat out of hell with all the fire and fury afforded to her by the steel chair she was carrying! Jenna NAILED Jacobi right over the head and shoulders, before taking Davis out at the knees. Wales turned in time to nail a falling Davis right in the junk, so he dropped her title belt and hit the ground writhing in pain. ONI, being without their numbers advantage and facing a pissed off Sharpe with a chair, high tailed it out of dodge. They had seemingly already done their damage anyway.

MEARS: This is absurd. Our Tabula Rasa title match may be off the table now.

PETRIE: Yeah but at least we got to see Wales get her ass kicked.

MEARS: Bully for us.

Champion and challenger stared at one another, Jenna Sharpe dropped the chair and made an “after you gesture.” Wales just having gotten jumped was understandably reluctant to allow anyone behind her. So with a roll of her eyes Sharpe tracked back to the ring and Josie slid in after her. The ref took the belt, made his announcement and had the bell rung.

MEARS: It appears that the champion still wants to fight!

PETRIE: Admirable. Stupid, but admirable. I guess.

Sharpe and Wales circled the ring with Sharpe visibly further asking if Wales was good to go. Wales nodded and the two shot in for a collar and elbow tie up. Sharpe got the advantage and administered an arm wrench on that damaged arm of Wales. Wales grit her teeth in pain but managed a reversal into a rear waistlock. Sharpe started wiggling her way out of it and got a side headlock on but Wales shoved her into the ropes and DRILLED her with a European Uppercut, knocking the taste out of her mouth.

MEARS: The champion is showing serious heart here but I have to question if this was the best idea.

It took some out of that shoulder, though and Wales had to stop and nurse it while Sharpe shook the stars out from that uppercut. Seeing an opening, Sharpe charged in but Wales was ready with a drop toehold, dragging her to the mat and immediately locked on an STF right in the middle of the ring. Sharpe was unable to reach the ropes but Bert Cocaine, who had been in the front row, climbed up onto the apron, yelling to the referee that Wales was using her fingers in Sharpe’s eyes. The referee started to approach Bert but Wales let Sharpe out of the hold and got up to her feet, getting right up in his face. Bert quickly dropped down from the apron, throwing his hands up in “submission.” Wales pointed at him, visibly and even part audibly telling him “stay the fuck back!”

MEARS: How many handicaps does Wales need in this match?

PETRIE: She has a World Title match next week! She needs to triumph against adversity!

MEARS: This isn’t adversity -- this is a sham. That being said I don’t think that Jenna Sharpe is happy about any of this.

As she turned around and went to pick Sharpe up, The Canadian Wildcat grabbed her by the head and dropped down to deliver a jawbreaker. As Wales hit the mat, though, Sharpe took a moment to look over at Bert and motioned to him as if to ask what the hell he was doing. She too, albeit nicer than Wales, asked him to not get involved. She turned back to Wales, then and hoisted her up and back down with a Michinoku Driver. Jenna floated over a stunned and visibly aching Wales, to roll her over and slap on a hammerlock! It seemed to almost kill Wales, who wailed in agony and struggled her damndest to get her feet under her. It was for a moment a back and forth battle of wills, with Jenna rocking her weight to keep the pressure on and Josie trying to pull her legs somewhere they could do her some damn good. All the while red in the face and clearly in more pain than even she thought she was reasonably able to handle it seemed though the Outlaw was just too stubborn to die. Finally Josie managed to pivot sideways enough and before Sharpe could readjust the hold.

MEARS: The champion will not die!

Wales had managed to get the leverage on her side and turn Jenna over, forcing the hold break. Wales was back up, rolling the feeling into her arm and shoulder, and when Jenna finally started to get to her feet Wales came in hot with a bicycle kick! This time, Wales wasn’t letting up, monkey flipping Jenna across the ring and into a tree of woe on the other turnbuckle, but as she crossed over to the opposite corner, measuring for an attack, Bert Cocaine was back up on the apron, anxiously getting Sharpe’s feet down to free her from the tree of woe.

MEARS: Get this fool out of here!

PETRIE: He is just providing moral support!

MEARS: There is nothing moral about this.

It worked but the referee got up in the manager’s grill, warning him about another interference. Meanwhile, Wales was getting fed up, kicking the bottom rope and slapping the turnbuckle. She stormed back over to Sharpe as the referee talked Bert down off the apron and picked Sharpe up by her hair. She whipped her across the ring into the opposite corner, took a moment to issue Bert one final warning before running in at Sharpe but the blonde got her foot up just in time to feed it right into Wales face. Wales stumbled back and Sharpe came out hot with a basement dropkick, knocking her to the mat again.

PETRIE: So much has already happened in this match! I need more beer!

MEARS: I would disagree.

Wales tried to roll away and create some distance but Jenna caught up to her, stomping on her already injured arm, before tugging her into a Fujiwara Armbar. It turns out creating some distance was tactical on Josie’s part however as the Outlaw only had to scoot herself mere inches more all the while still howling in pain and screaming “NO!” when asked if she was going to submit. It didn’t take much more for the Outlaw to be able to reach the ropes with her boot. Wales hooked a heel on the rope, but just before the Ref forces the break, Ol Bert gets caught with his hands in the cookie jar again, reaching up to shove Wales’ boot off the ropes!

MEARS: Get him out of here ref!

This time Wales lashed right out, kicking Bert in the hand and wrist as she empathetically places her heel down on the ropes far too goddamn angry at this goddamn asshole to feel anything broaching pain right now. Sharpe backs off in an instant, completely incensed as well, shouting at Bert to just let her handle her own business! Loud enough the camera easily picks it up.

PETRIE: Haha! I love this guy!

MEARS: They don’t.

Wales got up, dusts her shoulder off with a grimace and looked at Sharpe, who just shrugged and makes a sort of “by all means” gesture. Wales smirk couldn’t get any bigger, and she backed up, baseball sliding right into the head of the unsuspecting Bert! Bert went flopping into a spiral of limbs into the guard rail, where he crumpled into a heap and stayed. Sharpe had backed off to the otherside of the ring to allow Wales to climb back in without interference, a hint of a smirk on her own face.

MEARS: That should do it for Mr. er…Cocaine.

The two were at a standoff, watching each other from across the ring as they slowly circled and closed in at the same time. Sharpe shot in for another tie up but Wales slipped under her arms, getting behind Sharpe and laid into her lower back with the forearm shots. Sharpe stumbled forward after several strikes to her spine but spun around and went for a lariat. Again, Wales gave her the juke and this time leapt up, driving her knees into Sharpe’s back as she dragged her down with a Lungblower! Sharpe cried out in pain, grabbing at her back as Wales pulled herself up to her feet. She saw her opportunity here and immediately went for her opponent again. This time, she had Sharpe by the legs and administered a hasty Liontamer. Old fashioned style, digging her knee into Sharpe’s back with that same foot on her head. Sharpe cried out in agony and Wales let out a desperate, primal yell as she wrenched back as hard as she could. Just when it looked like Sharpe was about to give up, however, Wales released her opponent and grabbed at her injured shoulder both in pain and frustration.

MEARS: We are seeing Josie’s true mettle right now.

Both women fought to get to their feet but it was Sharpe making it up first as Wales was up to one knee when the Canadian Wildcat ran in, seizing the opportunity and delivered a brutal throwback, driving The Outlaw’s face into the mat. She was quick to follow up, getting into position to lock in the Devil’s Trap! Now it was Wales crying out in pain as she reached for the ropes but was too far. Again, the referee asked her but she adamantly refused, at first.

MEARS: Wales needs to think of her career! This hold could seriously injure her!

PETRIE: Let’s hope!

MEARS: You’re sick.

Sharpe wasn’t letting up on the hold though and Wales raised her hand, starting to look like she was going to submit but that hand balled into a fist, absolutely refusing to quit. Sharpe arched her back more, administering more pressure on the hold as Wales resisting started to quickly slow more and more until, finally, almost mercifully, The Outlaw’s arms went limp with the rest of her body. The referee was quick to pull Sharpe off of her opponent before signaling to the timekeeper to ring the bell, awarding the victory, by technicality, to Sharpe.

Winner: New OATH Tabula Rasa Champion, Jenna Sharpe

"Missile" by Dorothy cued up and Sharpe was handed the Tabula Rasa Championship. Sharpe had her arm raised but she did not look happy with her victory. Bert Cocaine tried to enter the ring to celebrate with her but Sharpe marched past him and walked up the ramp as Wales lay unconscious on the mat, having passed out from the pain.

The scene cut backstage to a shot of EMBLEM; Ben Macbeth, Harvey Carbine, and Josh Cherry who were in their locker room getting ready for their upcoming trios match. Suddenly the door shot open and in walked Reo Ojima with the OATH World Title on his shoulder. The members of EMBLEM jumped up out of their seats and looked ready for a fight but Ojima held his hands up and motioned for the guys to relax.

OJIMA: Calm down. I’m here to talk. Or if you want to fight right now, Zeke and Baz are right outside the door and the six of us can beat the crap out of one another throughout the arena for the rest of the night. So is that what you want to do? Huh? Spend another night in the hospital? Or y’all gonna act like adults?

Ojima slowly sat down on a nearby chair and leaned back on it as he looked at the three men.

OJIMA: I don’t know about you guys but I’m going to sit.

The tension eaed in the room as the members of EMBLEM loosened up.

OJIMA: I’m not going to waste anyone's time so I’m going to get straight to the point. I don’t want you three around. So much so that I want your jobs on the line…..tonight.

Cherry and Carbine looked at Ojima like he’s delusional but Ojima held his hand up and halted them from questioning him just yet.

OJIMA: This little feud between ONI and EMBLEM is going to be a back and forth sort of fight and it ain’t going to end until one group is dead. So, in exchange for your careers, I will put the OATH World Title on the line. If any of you guys pins a member of ONI, you win the title. Uou have my word ONI will no longer cross your path if that's how it shakes out. No more backstage attacks. No more looking for fights. But if ONI pins one of you, each one of you leaves OATH….for good. You win, we leave you alone. We win? You just leave.

Ojima leaned back in his chair and watched as the members of EMBLEM looked at one another.

OJIMA: My title for your career? We got a deal?

Macbeth contemplated the offer for a moment. A shot at the championship that could potentially cost EMBLEM their careers was not a decision to take lightly.

MACBETH: I can not speak for my brothers but I personally believe in high risk equating to high reward. I have wanted an opportunity at that championship since arriving in OATH. If this offer is real then I believe we would be foolish not to accept.

Macbeth turned his attention back to Carbine and Cherry, both seemed to be deep in contemplation themselves.

MACBETH: What do you think gentlemen?

There was no hesitation from Carbine.

CARBINE: I say we do it. We know we can beat these pieces of garbage--

Carbine flashed a look at Ojima.

CARBINE: --it’d be a mighty fine thing for one of us to win the World Championship in the process. What do you think Josh?

The youngest member of EMBLEM looked a little more hesitant. He fought for years to get to a big company like OATH and he was weary of putting his career on the line against three known cheaters.

CHERRY: I guess I’m in but under one condition. This is a Tornado Tag Team Match but I know you fucking pigeons are gonna try some bullshit...so it needs to be no disqualification.

A grin came crawling across his face as Ojima stood up and makes his way to the door.

OJIMA: See you there then, boys.

In a different locker room sat Declan Black, very much alone. He was attired simply, just his ring gear and an unzipped hooded jacket, his ring jacket lying off to the side ready for him to put it on.

BLACK: I got into wrestling as a lifelong fan. When I watched guys like Bret and Owen Hart, when I saw that you could be anything you wanted in wrestling, so long as it was you…well, that strikes a kid so forcibly jammed into the mold my…saintly…parents wanted for me. I could be me.

He took a deep breath, staring beyond the camera, his mind far from Toronto.

BLACK: And so I got in, and over the last twelve plus years, I’ve done my damndest to be the best wrestler the world has to offer. I’ve watched years of tapes and DVDs and videos, striving to make every little aspect a bit better. I’ve stood just behind that curtain, a notebook in my hand, for more shows than I could remember. I have constantly tinkered and toiled to make sure that the Declan Black you see in that ring is the best Declan Black I can be.

He looked down.

BLACK: Since May 17th, I’ve failed in that goal. Since I failed in Trial By Fire…let the OATH World’s Championship go, I’ve been sliding pathetically. Oh, I’ve tried to come back. I fought my ass off at Rapture and I beat the hell out of Locke Helms. I even made it 2-2 against my old friend Erik Holland. Hell, my only loss in the second Event Horizon Series was legally questionable given that my opponent chemically enhanced herself in a manner that should not be legal. But that all leads me here. To F.M. Young.

He finally looked into the camera lens.

BLACK: I know you’ll say I’m the past, Effy. That I’m old. That you’re the new fresh shiny thing and that’s why you’re going to kick my ass. And maybe you will, and hey, more power to you if you can. But what I say, knowing that that’s your mindset? Is that I have not worked and climbed and fought all this time to lay down for the shiny new toy. You might kick my ass, but you’ll have to access parts of yourself you never knew existed to do it. I’ve fought to get here in ways nobody on this roster knows how. I have gone to war with my own demons and I’ve even managed to win a few go-rounds with them.

Event Horizon is more than a World Title shot to me. If it was just a title shot, I have the best record of anyone in the company, I could just go ask for one and I’m pretty sure I’d get it. Whether I win this tournament or not, it ain’t my last go-round with the gold. But what this is to me is another accolade, and moreover proving to myself that I still exist on the highest echelon of OATH -- the most talented wrestling company on the face of the Earth. And maybe I do win…maybe I take it to Reo Ojima, one of the few men at the top of this company I’ve never faced. Maybe Minoru Tanahashi, who I’ve promised a shot at if I should win it, will do that. Maybe it’s you, Effy, and I’ll wholeheartedly endorse you if it is. But I promise you, if I have to put myself in hospital to do it, if I have to put more scars on my body, surgeries on my health card, if I have to cost myself a few of my golden years…

He got up, and put on his ring jacket.

BLACK: It ain’t gonna be easy.

OATH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TORNADO TAG TEAM MATCH EMBLEM vs. ONI

It was now time for a unique match as the team of Ben Macbeth, Harvey Carbine, and Josh Cherry took on OATH World Champion Reo Ojima, Baz Jacobi, and Zeke Davis. All six competitors were in the ring and the referee called for the bell. Immediately the six competitors collided with Macbeth charging and smashing his old rival Ojima in the face with a forearm smash. Ojima fired back with one of his own but Macbeth pushed off the middle rope and blasted Ojima with a springboard lariat!

MEARS: This is the biggest opportunity that any of the members of EMBLEM have ever had.

PETRIE: Yeah and like usual they will blow it.

“The Party Crasher” Josh Cherry hit Baz Jacobi with a flurry of blows to the midsection and then took him over the top rope to the floor with a teardrop suplex. Davis had escaped Carbine’s clutches and darted toward Cherry to avenge his tag team partner but Cherry low bridged the top rope and Davis spilled to the outside with Jacobi.

In a surprising move, Carbine charged and hit a suicide dive to the outside, taking down both Jacobi and Davis. In the ring Ojima had turned the tables on Macbeth and was hammering him in the corner. Cherry went to move on Ojima but Ojima turned and grabbed Cherry by the throat. Ojima stared into Cherry’s eyes and then hit him with such a powerful lariat that Cherry was sent over the top rope to the floor with the rest of them.

MEARS: It appears that our World Champion is not playing today.

PETRIE: He never plays! He destroys!

On the outside Carbine took hold of Davis and whipped him into the guard rail. Carbine looked to follow that up with a clothesline but Davis moved out of the way and Carbine ran straight into the guard rail. Davis then hit Carbine with a kick to the nuts to subdue him. Jacobi took hold of Cherry and hit him with Dirt Nap Dive (Lawn Dart) head first into the steel steps!

MEARS: Oh my! It appears that Josh Cherry is busted open!

Back in the ring Ojima was hammering on Macbeth but “The Tomorrow Man” fought up and was able to execute Toil & Trouble (Combo; Knee Kicks, Spinning Back Kick, Leaping Knee, Spinning Backfist)! Ojima was rocked and then Macbeth pulled him into String Theory (Rolling German Suplex). Macbeth scrambled into a cover but only got a two count!

MEARS: Macbeth is giving this match everything he has!

PETRIE: Which isn’t much let’s be real.

Outside the ring Davis and Jacobi had searched under the ring and pulled out not one but two tables! The duo set them up as both Cherry and Carbine tried to get to their feet. Carbine was up and he approached Davis but Davis, after setting up the table, had acquired a steel chair and he smashed Carbine in the head with it! Cherry was up, bleeding from the forehead, and before he knew what was happening, Davis had tossed the chair to Jacobi. Jacobi caught it and in one swift motion and blasted Cherry in the head with it.

PETRIE: Haha! This is a mugging and I love it.

MEARS: You are horrid sometimes Bad Mood.

PETRIE: Yeah I know.

In the ring Macbeth had Ojima mounted and he hit him with a flurry of rights and lefts. Macbeth was fighting for his life, for his career and Ojima was laughing harder with each shot. This incensed Macbeth and he got Ojima to his feet. Macbeth tried to hit Ojima with a pointed elbow to the head but Ojima caught his elbow and then wagged a scolding finger in Macbeth’s face.

Ojima pulled Macbeth in and planted him with a spinebuster. Macbeth stood up yet again but Ojima levelled him with a lariat. Again Macbeth stood so Ojima pulled him in and planted him with a DDT. Macbeth refused to stay down! Ojima was angry now, stomping furiously on Macbeth, trying to teach him a lesson.

MEARS: It seems that we are seeing the end of EMBLEM here.

PETRIE: Good riddance.

Outside the ring Davis laid the bloody Carbine across the two tables. Jacobi then got Cherry up and powerbombed him right onto Carbine through both tables! Both Jacobi and Davis looked very pleased with themselves as they turned their attention to Ojima and Macbeth in the ring.

Macbeth was bleeding from the mouth. Ojima wanted to end this issue once and for all so he hoisted Macbeth up and planted him with Last Call (Running Powerslam)! Macbeth took the full force of the move but pulled himself to the ropes and tried to stand up. Ojima almost appeared as if he respected Macbeth but that went out the window when he pulled Macbeth in and hit him with a second Last Call (Running Powerslam). Ojima covered and got the victory, ending EMBLEM’s OATH career.

Winners: ONI, Reo Ojima retains the OATH World Championship

Jacobi and Davis entered the ring to celebrate with Ojima. It seemed like both Jacobi and Davis were going to attack Macbeth further but Ojima stopped them and gestured that all three of them just leave. The damage had been done, EMBLEM was finished in Ojima’s OATH.

EVENT HORIZON SERIES: B BLOCK OATH INTREPID CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES MATCH

Locke Helms (0) vs. James Edwards (4) ©

The next contest saw an old rivalry renewed as “The Chairman of Chaos” Locke Helms sought to get his first points in the Event Horizon Series and regain the Intrepid Championship as he challenged “The Burning Heart” James Edwards. These two have battled many times so the fans in The Citadel were quite excited to see this contest. Both competitors made their entrances and the referee took the Intrepid title from Edwards. He presented it to both men and then handed it off to a production assistant.

MEARS: This is one of OATH’s most enduring rivalries and tonight we write another chapter.

PETRIE: Tonight Helms needs to fucking show me something. God he has been a disappointment.

The two men met in the center of the ring and spoke softly to one another. Despite having a bitter rivalry there was clearly respect here. Edwards defeated Helms for the Intrepid Championship months ago after chasing the title since he arrived in OATH. Helms had yet to earn any points in the Event Horizon Series and his career had gone off the rails since losing the title to Edwards. There was a lot riding on this contest and you could feel that upon seeing the two men standing face to face.

Edwards started the contest with a forearm smash to Helms’ face but Helms fired back with one of his own. Edwards shot Helms across the ring...or at least he tried to. Helms reversed the Irish whip and sent Edwards sailing toward the ropes. On Edwards’ return Helms surprised Edwards with Diamond Rain (Standing Moonsault Slam). Helms covered but Edwards was able to kick out.

PETRIE: There it is Helms! Get some!

There was a look of shock on Edwards’ face as Helms glared at him. Edwards charged in at Helms yet again but Helms was faster in this instance, he caught Edwards and lifted him up with a uranage but brought Edwards down on his knee with a backbreaker! Edwards let out in pain as Helms covered yet again.

The fans in The Citadel were stunned. They were seeing a new Helms in this contest, reinvigorated by something. That something appeared to start walking to the ring. The trio of Hell Realm; Ryan Terror, Adrestia Nyx, and Monstruo skulked to the ring amid a chorus of boos from the fans in The Citadel. Edwards looked up to see them coming down the ramp.

MEARS: Oh what is this now?

PETRIE: The cavalry.

The sight of The Hell Realm at ringside seemed to motivate Edwards. He could sense that his championship reign was in trouble so he tackled Helms to the mat and blasted him with a series of forearms that got The Citadel back on his side. They believed in him as Edwards started dropping sharp elbows on Helms’ face!

MEARS: It seems that the appearance of The Hell Realm has made Edwards quite angry.

PETRIE: I don’t know why! They are just observing!

Helms fought up to his feet and tried to strike with Edwards but Edwards was faster this time and he blasted Helms with Double Tap (Pair of consecutive spinning back fists)! Helms was rocked and he dropped to the mat. Terror watched on from ringside, apparently not worried in the least. Edwards flashed Terror a glance but Terror did not flinch.

“The Chairman of Chaos” was back up to his feet and he darted at Edwards. Helms slipped behind Edwards and attempted a German suplex but Edwards hooked his leg onto Helms’ and then turned it into an O’Connor roll but Helms was able to slip out of the pinning predicament and he punted Edwards in the side of the head.

MEARS: Good Lord! That was bone on bone!

PETRIE: I’m getting a bone thinking about Helms winning.

MEARS: That is a very odd thing to say.

The champion’s bell was certainly rung off of that shot and he was seeing stars. Helms stalked him and put the toe of his boot under Edwards chin. Helms slowly lifted his boot and Edwards started to stand. Helms then reached down and grabbed Edwards by the chin and stared him in the eyes. Edwards responded by slapping Helms in the face and then he pulled Helms in for RRE (Reverse Release Exploder Suplex) and he hit it perfectly!

Helms was down and in perfect position for one of Edwards’ patented moves. Edwards put a few paces between himself and Helms and then charged in looking for Night Comes to the Cumberlands (Hidden Blade) but Helms dropped his head and Edwards spilled through the ropes to the outside! Edwards found himself at the feet of Terror.

MEARS: This is a bad place to be for Edwards...

With Terror on the outside, Helms stood and grabbed the referee, turning him away from what was happening on the outside. The referee tried to look back but Helms was feigning an injury. Edwards stood up and looked Terror in the eyes but Terror should not have been his concern. Monstruo charged at Edwards like a freight train and hit him with a body avalanche.

Monstruo hefted Edwards up and rolled him into the ring where he came to rest at Helms’ feet. Helms then delicately got Edwards up and then planted him with Downfall (Hammerlock DDT)! Edwards was drilled head first into the mat and Helms covered, getting the shocking three count!

Winner: New OATH Intrepid Champion, Locke Helms (2)

The Citadel was silent in disbelief. The referee handed the Intrepid Championship to Helms and the new champion stared into the faceplate as if he was seeing a long lost loved one. Terror, Nyx, and Monstruo all entered the ring and stood beside Helms. Terror put a hand on Helms’ shoulder and then raised the new champion’s hand in the air.

PETRIE: Locke Helms is reborn! Reborn in the Hell Realm!

The Hell Realm stood over Edwards now one member stronger and The Citadel was fucking furious. The four members stood tall, having thwarted Edwards incredible run in the Event Horizon Series, costing him his perfect record and his championship.

Cut to the backstage area and we found a black rental SUV pulling up into the reserved parking area. The driver and shotgun doors both opened as the back hatch was popped loose. Out of the vehicle stepped FM Young and, as recently seen with her, Morgan Payne who is not even an official member of the OATH roster, nor even a manager. FM sighed in exasperation as she lifted the SUV hatch and pulled her gym bag out, before shutting the door. Together, Young and Payne started walking through the parking lot like women on a mission when a backstage security guard politely approached the shorter of the two.

GUARD: Excuse me, ma’am, do you have---

MORGAN: Backstage Pass - Eat My Ass.

As she said this, she flashes a badge in his face hanging off a lanyard around her neck without even turning her attention from their path in front of her. FM just gave a soft little, stifled chuckle. She’s usually the polite type but she couldn't deny that her friend’s brash behavior was funny at times. The two women got about twenty more yards ahead before a clamor of voices could be heard growing louder and louder. Both women stopped and Morgan, even under her sunglasses, looked annoyed as she slumped her shoulders.

MORGAN: Oh for fuck’s sake. Gimme that.

She said as she took FM’s gym bag from her and slung it over her own shoulder as a small yet obnoxious mob of reporters swarmed the two women. More specifically, they honed their attention right in on FM and began to assault the poor woman with questions.

YOUNG: I got-

FM just sucked in a breath and looked like she wanted to argue but was resisting the urge with what little patience and sanity she had left. FM just stood there for the quiet moment before the storm of reporters started trying to talk over each other, until Morgan shouted over them. She was probably the shortest person there but she silenced them with the fury of a hundred storms.

MORGAN: Hey, hey, HEY!!!! YINZ WANNA SHUT DA FUCK UP?! Cheese an’ fuckin' crackers! One at a time!

Morgan stuck a cigarette between her lips and lit the end of; building rules be damned. FM reached for the pack, before drawing her hand away and shaking her head, thinking better of it.

REPORTER 1: Now in the third round, the Event Horizon Series is nearing its completion. With a win against Declan Black, you’d have kept the promise of sweeping the entirety of Block A. What does this mean to you? Is this all about challenging for the OATH World Championship in the main event of Event Horizon II in September, or is it about something more?

YOUNG: Well, you’re damn right I want to sweep A block. It’d be a hell of a record, I know people don’t often pay attention to these little things, the detail records. It isn’t likely something someone is bound to repeat anytime soon, and I wanna have that little piece of OATH history to myself. Event Horizon is OATH's biggest show, the premiere show. It’s the grandest stage. Of course I want to win the World Title on that show. The kicker would be doing it AS the Intrepid Champion, yet ANOTHER record. But, that means Edwards has to get by Helms. I’m aware tons of things have to align for this to happen. So Intrepid belt or not, win or lose the World Title....what I want is to main event Event Horizon.

REPORTER 2: You don’t even seem to be 100% standing here, you’re walking in and you can’t even hold your own gym bag. You’re still visibly in pain, what chance do you have against a technical mastermind like Declan Black in this condition?

FM stubbornly grabbed her gym bag back from Morgan and hefted it onto her shoulder with a look of quiet pain well concealed from anyone who didn't know her.

YOUNG: I said, I've got this. I can handle it, if anyone knows anything about me, it's that the damage just makes me more dangerous. I've got a goal in sight and I've finished matches with torn muscles, with a dislocated jaw after having my teeth knocked out with a sledgehammer to the head. This little bit of damage won't stop me from achieving my goals, it just forces me to push harder. Even the time I’ve had to heal is all for my benefit.

REPORTER 3: Do you have a preferred opponent from Block B that you’d like to fight at Conviction XXVII in ideal circumstances?

YOUNG: I’d say Edwards definitely, or perhaps Ryan Terror. I want to see what Edwards’ can do when he’s not psyching himself out, when he’s all game and focused. but I haven’t yet gotten to tangle with Ryan Terror in his new form yet, and that’s also an exciting prospect. I’d sayHelms, but men who shoot for the middle don’t impress me much, you know?

REPORTER 2: After that hellacious match with Erik Holland at Conviction XXV, you said you’ve been cleared to compete tonight by OATH on the condition you wear a padded shirt. With the stakes so high and Declan’s pension for breaking the rules, have you considered that the padded shirt might be removed by the end of the bout?

MORGAN: Hey jagoff. What’s your fuckin’ business, anyway? You a reporter or a mark? Next question!

FM just put a hand on her companion’s shoulder and took a slight breath, as if working on the answer in her head before smirking. "The Tiger" seemed very less easy to goad these days with such simple taunts and less pointed questions.

YOUNG: I’d make a joke here about that possibly leading to a referee stoppage of the match and the show going off air pretty quickly, if you get my drift….But I don’t wanna feed into anyone’s hopes or scandals. Besides I’d be an idiot not to prepare for something like that. To think just a padded shirt would protect me, I’m not gonna get into the details because that’s like handing Black my playbook if you all tweet this shit out before the match. But I got it covered.

REPORTER 4: Considering all you’ve said… What happens if you don’t? What if Declan Black beats you tonight? What would be next for FM Young in OATH?

YOUNG: There’s a reason I keep mentioning the records, I do all this and that’s a lot of tiny records for me to rack up. That’s a lot of way’s I’d be in Oath’s history books. The important part though, isn’t the records, it’s not the belts. I’d still get to the finals, with the points I’d have now, Black can ONLY tie me after losing to Leah. All I’d have to do from there is get to Event Horizon, and even if I don’t? I’ve got those moments, I’ve got the fantastic matches leading up to ALMOST sweeping the tournament. I’ve got the badassery of having fought my heart out with all the disadvantages...Those ain’t bad things. That’s not a bad career to live on.

REPORTER 5: Before the show moves on, I wanted to ask one more thing: The world is struggling right now. So let’s be positive. Do you have a message for the people out there who believe in you; the fans at home and in attendance tonight who want to see you succeed?

YOUNG: I….I’ve never been very good with words, other people always say things better than I ever could….So, I mean that’s a huge question and I don’t really...Have the words. I’m just here, I’m just a fighter and an entertainer. I’m just trying to do something that might help people get through tough times. I guess like Eminem said “I ain't here to save the fucking children but if one kid out of a hundred million, who are going through a struggle feels it and then relates that's great.” That’s what I’m about, if it helps, then I’m the one thankful that it does.

FM Young seemed ready to walk away and leave those awkward yet touching words as her closing statement on the whole subject. She hitched the bag higher on her waist and seemed to stand a little taller and prouder...until the second reporter interjected again.

REPORTER 2: Hey, one more question! You have a bad tendency of choking when it comes to World Championships. In your career, of your 12 Championships only two have been World Titles and you only managed to hold onto one for five minutes. So, what makes you think this instance will be any different?

MORGAN: Yo, hold up. Don’t answer that.

Morgan said to FM with a hand on her arm. Wait, what is she, her lawyer? No, just a concerned friend as she stepped right up to Reporter #2. Even though he was taller than the backstage guest, the way Morgan carried herself suddenly had the man on edge. Morgan sized the scrub up, looking him up and down.

MORGAN: What kinda loaded question is that?

REPORTER 2: I, well…

MORGAN: You a mark?

REPORTER 2: What? No, I just….

Morgan grabbed the man by the lapels of his suit jacket. It was suspicious enough that everyone other reporter was dressed in much more formal attire and this guy was dressed quite casual with jeans, a t-shirt and a cheap blazer; but it was when Morgan yanked the blazer open that she saw it. The OATH merchandise t-shirt that she turns to the side to let FM see it.

MORGAN: Declan Black.

Reporter #2 chuckled nervously. A deer caught in headlights. A mouse in the lion’s den. Or should we say...tiger’s den?

FM took another, deeper breath and this time rummaged in her own jean pockets pulling out and lighting a cigarette. The woman seemed more calm, but a cold sort of composed that gentle icy type of fury instead of the more explosive boiling rage everyone was used to seeing from her.

YOUNG: I mean, go fucking figure right? Like, I expect tough questions, I can handle tough questions. That and dealing with fucking assholes on Twitter is just part of the damn job, but you really think this is good for Black’s credibility? He needs a simp to come try and rattle me before a match? You believe in yer boy that little? You know what, you sit in the front row. I’ll make him waive at you from the ring. It’ll be a real picture perfect moment. I’m done here, I’ve got a block to sweep up.

With that FM let Morgan help her push into and past the throng of reporters, and on into the building.

EVENT HORIZON SERIES: A BLOCK SINGLES MATCH

Declan Black (2) vs. FM Young (4)

The main event was in the A Block of the Event Horizon Series as “The Tiger” FM Young looked to complete her clean sweep of her block against the longest reigning OATH World Champion of all time, “The Pride of Nova Scotia” Declan Black. The fans in The Citadel were firmly behind Young as she made her entrance, wearing her medically mandated compression shirt due to her internal injuries that she suffered in her last match against Erik Holland. Declan Black made his entrance and even though he is a Canadian national, he was booed out of the building.

MEARS: It is pretty telling that Black is being booed by his own countrymen.

PETRIE: Canadians are dumb. Nothing new there.

The bell sounded and the two competitors met each other in the middle of the ring. They stared at one another until Black put his hand up and offered a test of strength. Young thought about it for a moment and then accepted. To Black’s surprise, Young out-powered him and then sent him head long over the top rope to the outside which earned her a giant pop from the fans in The Citadel.

Black landed on his feet on the outside and seemed amused by it. He took his time re-entering the ring, choosing to walk the entire perimeter of the ring as Young watched. Young gestured for Black to “grow a set” and come in, even going as far as to sit on the middle rope and prop the top rope up with her shoulder. Black kept smiling and gestured that he would get back in at his own pace.

MEARS: Not many that are better at mind games than Black but Young is not falling for it.

“The Pride of Nova Scotia” had a deliberate pace as he walked up the steps and when he was on the apron Young was there to meet him but he stepped down, telling the referee to back her off. The referee did so and when Young was far enough away, he slowly entered the ring. Once inside, Black approached Young and offered his hand for a second test of strength.

Young smiled at the offer for another test of strength but Black went for a kick to Young’s injured midsection. Young saw this coming and caught Black’s boot and pulled him in for an absolutely devastating Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline). The audience exploded as Black landed on the back of his neck and came to rest face down on the mat.

MEARS: FM Young just obliterated the longest reigning OATH World Champion...ever!

PETRIE: You are the king of hyperbole.

Out of desperation Black rolled to the apron and then fell to the outside yet again. But this time “The Tiger” was not in the mood to play. Young met Black on the outside and sent him with all of her might into the closest guard rail. Black let out in pain but they were quelled when Young pounced on him and started beating the holy hell out of him with a rampage of strikes.

Black tried to cover up but Young was relentless. Black had to shove Young away and when she charged back at him, he moved and she ran into the guard rail. Black then hit her with a surgical forearm to the lower back and then he put some space between them. Young turned around and charged only for Black to use her impulsiveness against her and send her face first into the steel steps with a drop toe hold.

MEARS: Black is perhaps the most cunning competitor in all of OATH. FM needs to be more cautious.

PETRIE: She doesn’t deserve to win this series. And she won’t.

MEARS: Well if Black wins they would be tied…

PETRIE: SO WHAT HAPPENS THEN?

The camera zoomed in on Young to show that she had developed a small cut on her forehead from that last miscalculation. Black tried to charge in at her with a knee to the back but Young sensed it coming and she dove out of the way. Black darted at her again with an attempt at a spear or a tackle or something like that but she leap frogged over him and climbed the steel steps.

Black ran up the steps at Young but she caught him with a forearm to the face and then lifted him up high and jumped off of the steps to hit him with a modified Stand Alone Complex (Elevated Gutbuster). Black let out in pain and then rolled on the outside mat in agony. Young seemed pleased as she pulled Black up to his feet and then whipped him across the length of the ring into a guardrail near to the announce table.

MEARS: Young is taking the fight to Black. A win over him would not only give her the sweep but would show all of OATH that she deserves to headline Event Horizon II.

“The Pride of Nova Scotia” was hurting but he beckoned Young to “Bring it!” and she was more than happy to oblige. Young charged in but Black moved at the last second. Young knew this would happen, she stopped short but Black hit her with a knee to the midsection. He then put his shoulder into her stomach against the guardrail, then lifted her rotated ninety degrees and then rammed her back first into the announce table.

That last move hurt Young real bad and Black immediately grabbed her by the hair and sent her back into the ring. Black swiftly got back into the ring and Young tried to attack but he caught her, lifted her up and dropped her with a uranage across his knee. Young screamed in pain, writhing on the mat. Black smirked and took a bow directed at the audience.

PETRIE: Declan Black is proving why he is the best ever in OATH.

MEARS: He should focus on the fight rather than theatrics.

Young tried to fight up and Black let her. As soon as she got to her feet Black put her on her back with a double leg takedown and then applied a perfect Boston crab. Young screamed in agony while Black smiled his signature smile and wrenched back on the hold with all his might. Young was able to crawl to the ropes but Black held it for the duration of the five count.

Black released the hold at the referee’s insistence but once he did he immediately attacked Young’s lower back with clubbing blows. Black was relentless in his attack but Young was able to throw a kick back to his midsection and then she crawled backwards between his legs and kicked him in the rear end to send him through the ropes out onto the apron.

MEARS: It looks like Young is an ass kicker!

PETRIE: Don’t swear. It doesn’t suit you.

Young stood and approached Black, but he spit in her face from the apron! Young didn’t let that show of disrespect rile her up, she blasted him with a forearm! Black was rocked and Young turned her back to him, grabbed his head and then lifted herself over the top rope to drop him with the Superchick (The Shiranui) over the top rope onto the outside! Black landed with a thud and The Citadel exploded with applause.

MEARS: What a tide turning move! What an incredible feat from Young!

Not wanting to waste this momentary advantage Young sent Black back into the ring and followed in after him. Young collected Black and tried for Heart of the Phoenix (Lumbar Check) but Black landed behind her. Black smirked yet again and then slipped in front of her and hit her in the midsection with a succession of jabs. Young was doubled over when Black hit the ropes, came charging back and he blasted her with a knee trembler. Black covered but could only get a two count.

Both competitors were weakened and struggling to stand but they did stand at the same time and started trading bombs back and forth. Black got the better of the situation and he was able to catch one of Young’s strikes and turned it into his signature In The Black (Regal Cutter). Black covered and there were audience members who were visibly shaken as the referee counted but Young kicked out at a count of two.

PETRIE: That was three! What the fuck?

MEARS: Evidently it was not.

PETRIE: Zeke Davis was right! These refs are corrupt!

“The Pride of Nova Scotia” was in control and it appeared that we were seeing the man who held the OATH World Championship longer than anyone. Black got Young up and he went for his Blackout (Rainmaker Lariat) but Young slipped under and hit Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline)! Black once again landed right on his neck and Young covered but only got a two count.

Young was feeling her momentum but also that of the audience in The Citadel. Young grabbed the collar of her mandated compression shirt and tore it in half...brother. She tossed it onto the mat and The Citadel went insane as Young stood, now her upper body just clad in a half shirt.. Young collected Black and went for another Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline) but Black caught her arm and forced her down onto the mat into Painkiller 2.0 (Severn-style Inside Armbar)!

PETRIE: FM Young did her best but now she has to tap out and concede that she has no place in the hunt for the OATH World Title.

MEARS: It is not over yet.

“The Tiger” was seemingly trapped and Black looked like he was expecting a submission at any moment but his sure expression turned to shock when Young reversed his hold into a pinning predicament! The referee counted two but Black was able to kick out. Young got to her feet but was doubled over from agony and Black pounced, hitting her with a knee trembler that dropped her. Black then collected her and nailed her with Blackout (Rainmaker Lariat) but Young rolled to the outside out of desperation.

PETRIE: Disqualify her!

MEARS: For what?

PETRIE: Cowardice!

In a rare occurrence, Black was evidently frustrated. He went to the outside and started hammering on Young’s lower back. She sent a mule kick back to his midsection and then slipped back into the ring. Black followed her in and once they were both standing in the middle of the ring he went for a right hand but Young grabbed his wrist and hit him with his own Blackout (Rainmaker Lariat). Young covered but her lack of experience with the move only garnered her a two count.

Young dropped to a knee in agony from the injury to her lower back and this gave Black the opportunity to recover. Both competitors were up to a knee when they met one another’s eyeline. Young tried to throw another lariat but Black caught it, spun her around and hit her with her signature move, the Heart of the Phoenix (Lumbar Check)! The audience gasped as Black covered but Young kicked out just before the three count.

MEARS: What a sequence! They both tried to use their opponent’s best moves and neither was successful!

Angry and in pain, Black immediately applied 25:18 (Border City Stretch/Gargano Escape)! Young screamed for only a moment before she countered the hold into a pin where she stacked Black up. Black couldn’t do anything as the referee counted to three.

Winner: FM Young (6); Winner of the A Block

"Helix" by Amaranthe cued up and the camera focused on Black. He couldn’t believe that he got caught. The shot switched to Young and her hand being raised. She had won the A Block but who would she face in the finals? That question lingered in the air as Conviction came to a close.

Results:

• Stephanie Matsuda (4) def. Ryan Terror (2) • Erik Holland (2) def. Leah Aguero (2)

• Jenna Sharpe def. Josie Wales; New Tabula Rasa Champion

• ONI def. EMBLEM; Ojima retains the World Title

• Locke Helms (2) def. James Edwards (4); New Intrepid Champion • FM Young (6) def. Declan Black (2)