CONVICTION XXVII RESULTS

Episode XXVII August 9th, 2020 The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario

In the deepest and darkest parts of The Citadel, James Edwards walked, his face etched in a rage-induced scowl. In his right hand he carried a tire iron destined for the head of Locke Helms. His destination was another area cloaked in darkness, a tight crevice located just by The Citadel's roster entrance.

Inside the locker room, Jenna Sharpe sat at a lighted vanity table in her ring gear, with her Tabula Rasa Championship sitting off to the side, she carefully applied her makeup to finish getting ready for her match.

JENNA: The OATH faithful have been waiting since the moment I was announced as the new Tabula Rasa Champion to find out what I’d choose for my match stipulation. Earlier in OATH’s history, we saw first blood and sole survivor as match stipulations, but that’s not really my style. No offense to those who like a more hardcore match, and as we all saw last week, I’m not opposed to picking up a weapon if the situation calls for it, but it’s not my preferred match type.

As she spoke, Jenna applied her primer and her concealer with an expert hand, not missing a beat. She reached into her makeup bag for an eyeshadow palette and a brush, starting to work on a dewy, natural eyeshadow look.

JENNA: I told Josie Wales that a submission match was my bread and butter, and I was right. Incidentally, prior to her announcing her stipulation, I’d had that match type in mind for the day that I became the Tabula Rasa Champion, but I was beaten to it. Same with two out of three falls - also a good stipulation, one that I’m happy to work with, but already used by FM Young. So what does that leave?

The young wrestler was about to answer her own question when a knocked sounded at the door.

JENNA: I’ll be there in a minute!

However, the door opened and Bert Cocaine sauntered in with a grin on his face.

COCAINE: C’mon, champ! You gotta go teach that weird goth bitch a lesson or two.

JENNA: With you sitting front row again?

COCAINE: You bet your ass.

Jenna looked back to the mirror and rolled her eyes, trying to hold back a sigh.

JENNA: Remember, she has my full permission to hit you if you get too annoying. Just try and stay out of my way, all right?

COCAINE: Hey, I stayed out of your way last time, didn’t I?

Jenna glared at him with an expression that probably made Bert very glad that looks could not, in fact, kill a man.

COCAINE: All right, message received, I’ll see you out there.

And to make sure that she wouldn't be interrupted again, Jenna locked the door behind Bert as he exited the dressing room.

JENNA: As I was saying, I wanted a stipulation that would test the stamina and the will of both myself and my opponent. There’s a saying from the Bible that my grandfather always fell back on during training, drilled into all of us from the time we were small - ‘as iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens man’. So while I am the Tabula Rasa Champion, my title defenses will be contested in Iron Man Matches. I understand that in OATH they are called Broadway Matches. I want to test myself against any and all competitors, and see if anyone on this roster has what it takes to take this championship away from me. My immediate predecessors for the Tabula Rasa title fell early in their reigns, but I intend to be different.

With her eye makeup finished, Jenna quickly applied her foundation and contour, blending it all together with some setting powder to keep her look in place. Pausing for a moment, she added lip liner and a coat of her favorite red lipstick, then returned to what she was saying.

JENNA: And that journey starts tonight, against Adrestia Nyx, a former tag team champion who seems to have her eyes on a belt - any belt. I told her I was fine with making this into a title defense, and I stand by what I said. So I hope she’s ready to be taken to her absolute limit and beyond, because I will do whatever it takes to continue my title reign and make the Tabula Rasa Championship the workhorse championship.

One final touch, a set of false lashes, were added and Jenna applied mascara to blend them in with her natural lashes. She finished the whole thing off with setting spray, ensuring that everything will stay in place during her match and beyond.

JENNA: Being a Sharpe means that I don’t half-ass anything. At the end of the night, I want no excuses from Adrestia Nyx when I leave her laying in the ring. I will be the defining Tabula Rasa Champion. And when I feel I’ve done all I can with it, then I’ll move on to another championship and do the same thing there. Because I am ready to prove myself to be the true Iron Woman of Canadian Wrestling. Anyone on this roster is welcome to challenge me for my title, whether it’s on Conviction or on Livewire. I want to see what you’re made of, because I can almost guarantee that there is no one here who can match me for talent, work ethic, and sheer determination.

Running a hand through her blonde locks, Jenna smiled in the mirror and got up from her chair, strapping the Tabula Rasa title around her waist.

JENNA: Now watch me prove it.

OATH TABULA RASA CHAMPIONSHIP

15-MINUTE BROADWAY MATCH Adrestia Nyx vs. Jenna Sharpe ©

The first match of the evening was not originally meant to be a championship match but new Tabula Rasa Champion, “The Canadian Wildcat” Jenna Sharpe wanted to show the entire world that she was deserving of the title. Her chosen stipulation is a 15-Minuted Broadway Match. Adrestia Nyx of The Hell Realm was out first with Monstruo hulking behind her. Jenna was out next, her newly won championship around her waist.

The two competitors were in the ring when a timer appeared on the tron. The referee called for the bell and the timer started counting down from fifteen minutes. Nyx and Jenna met one another in the middle of the ring and the trash talking commenced, mostly from Nyx. Jenna went to throw a forearm shiver but it was blocked. Jenna went for another but Nyx blocked that too.

MEARS: We have not seen Adrestia in singles competition that often.

PETRIE: Apparently she’s more than a tag wrestler, Jenna can land a single blow!

The former Tag Team Champion pie faced Jenna backward and that seemed to be a bad move because Jenna charged and blasted Nyx with a shotgun dropkick that sent Nyx clear across the ring. Not one to be outdone, Nyx got right back to her feet and met Jenna head on with Knuckles, Bitch (Multiple slaps and chops followed by a spinning back fist)!

Jenna was whirling after that combination and Nyx was looking quite pleased with herself. Nyx put Jenna on the mat with a double leg takedown and then smirked cheekily before she gathered up Jenna’s legs and attempted to tie the champion up in a sharpshooter.

PETRIE: Okay this is a pretty great bit.

MEARS: I do not understand...

PETRIE: It’s meta, don’t worry about it.

Being a submission specialist, Jenna was able to slip out of the hold before any damage could be done. Nyx was kicked forward into the ropes but she returned, charging at Jenna. Nyx went for a leaping reverse elbow but Jenna sidestepped it and then put Nyx on the mat with a rolling kneebar! Nyx reached out for the ropes but Jenna was ripping and tearing with all of her might.

The timer had dipped below ten minutes now and Nyx knew that she wasn’t going to reach the ropes. In order to survive and potentially win this contest, she had to tap out before any further damage was done. Nyx tapped out as Monstruo growled at ringside.

Time: 9:42

Jenna: 1

Nyx: 0

Bert Cocaine was shown in the front row whooping it up on behalf of Jenna. This got the attention of Monstruo who moved over to where Cocaine was seated. Cocaine stopped cheering and sat down as soon as the shadow of the goliath fell upon him. Monstruo then turned his back to Cocaine, shielding his view entirely.

MEARS: That is one way to neutrilize Mr. Cocaine. Do you think that is his legal name?

PETRIE: Yeah.

The referee backed Jenna away from Nyx, allowing the latter to get to her feet. Once the referee moved Jenna rushed Nyx but got caught with a back elbow to the face and then a single leg dropkick sent Jenna flying into a corner. Nyx measured Jenna and then charged in with a basement dropkick to the face. Nyx pulled Jenna out of the corner and covered but Jenna kicked out.

Following a stomp to the neck, Jenna found herself being hauled up to her feet but Jenna came back to life and attempted a Michinoku driver! Nyx slipped behind her, spun her around, and hit Jenna with Glassjaw (Bicycle Knee Strike)! Jenna slumped forward right into Nyx’s The Nightmare (Snap Double Arm DDT). Nyx covered for a three count.

Time: 5:59

Jenna: 1

Nyx: 1

The score was tied and Jenna knew that she was in trouble. The referee separated them yet again and when both were back up, he gave them the go ahead to continue. Nyx pounced immediately and set Jenna up for a second edition of The Nightmare (Snap Double Arm DDT) but Sharpe lifted Nyx up and took her overhead with a bridging Northern Lights suplex bridge into a pin! The referee counted but Nyx was able to kick out.

MEARS: Adrestia almost went one up on the champion.

PETRIE: I’m just waiting for that giant bastard to do something. You know he’s gonna.

MEARS: I am not so certain of that.

The two rallied back and went at one another but Jenna was the quicker of the two, she picked Nyx’s leg and took her down into a rolling calf crusher to target Nyx’s left leg yet again! Nyx was close enough to the ropes this time and in a matter of seconds she was able to take hold of the bottom rope.

The hold was broken and Jenna glanced up at the timer and saw that there was just over three and a half minutes left. Jenna backed away from Nyx and measured her. Jenna charged in but Nyx caught her with a knee to the midsection and then planted her with Phoenix Twist (Rolling Cutter)! Nyx covered but Jenna was able to get her foot on the bottom rope just after a count of two.

MEARS: Two rope breaks in a row.

PETRIE: Cowards way out.

MEARS: You did not say that when Adrestia used one.

PETRIE: She’s no coward!

Cocaine tried to strain his neck to see past Monstruo but when the golem turned backward Cocaine shrunk down in his seat yet again. Nyx was frustrated now and she started stomping a mudhole in Jenna. Furious and vicious, Nyx got Jenna up and went for yet another Nightmare (Snap Double Arm DDT) but Jenna shoved Nyx into the ropes and then took her down with Look Sharpe! (Flying Triangle Choke). Nyx was trapped in the hold and had no option but to submit yet again.

Time: 1:08

Jenna: 2

Nyx: 1

Nyx tried to scramble up to her feet using the ropes but Jenna caught her with a basement dropkick to the face and that sent Nyx to the outside. Not wanting to gain another fall by count out, Jenna exited the ring and stalked Nyx but Monstruo stepped between them and stood sentry. Nyx got to her feet and pushed off the apron, trying to catch Jenna with a flying punch but Jenna hit her with a head butt to the face that dropped Nyx just as the time expired.

Winner: Still OATH Tabula Rasa Champion, Jenna Sharpe

"Missile" by Dorothy cued up and Monstruo took that as a prompt to go after Jenna but she was much faster than the undead beast (or whatever he is). Jenna collected the Tabula Rasa Championship, high fived Cocaine in the front row and then celebrated on the ramp. Monstruo hoisted Nyx over his shoulder and watched Jenna flee.

A hunter has to be patient. James Edwards knew that. He was prepared to wait for minutes or hours. His honor depended on it. The salvaged satisfaction from a failed promise depended on it. The stiffness in his muscles was worth the price. The voice in his mind that urged him this was a trivial task was best ignored. He watched enhancement talent walk by. He watched backstage staff meander by. Still no Helms, though. Patience, he said to himself, patience and in due time the prey will come.

The show switched over to the point of view of the cameraman as he was attempting to scale a ladder up to a catwalk that overlooked The Citadel. The entire time, we could hear the cameraman complaining about his job.

CAMERAMAN: This is bullshit. I don’t think I get paid nearly enough for this. Thank God I had one of those body cams lying around. Could you imagine if I had to lug an actual camera up here? Why the hell is she up here anyways? Some sort of stunt for later in the show? That wouldn’t be part of her character.

As the cameraman reached the top of the ladder and up onto the catwalk he is audibly breathing heavily. As he looked around, he could see all of the lighting rigs that have been set up for tonight’s show. Halfway down the catwalk, sitting with her legs dangling freely off the side of the work rafter, was Leah Aguero. Her arms were braced by a side rail as she just looked down at the ring from above. She had almost a peaceful look on her face.

CAMERAMAN: So, why was I summoned here, again? This is a bit outside my pay grade.

AGUERO: It’s beautiful isn’t it? We spend so much time bouncing off the ropes, We slam our opponents on the mat so hard that the echoes just reverberate all around The Citadel. They shoot straight up to the rafters and bounce all around. It’s majestic. You know, it would do you some good every once in a while to just take a look at things in a different perspective.

CAMERAMAN: Naw, I’m good. I hate heights.

AGUERO: Well, I guess that’s quite unfortunate for you.

CAMERAMAN: How so?

AGUERO: Later tonight, I get a rematch against Erik Holland. Last week, I had a chance to defeat another former World Champion. I had a chance to prove to the rest of OATH that I’m not just a tag team wrestler. I had the chance to be taken seriously but I let my emotions get the best of me. I allowed Holland the chance to surprise me with the Toxic Avenger and that was all she wrote. Tonight, we are no longer confined to being inside that four sided ring below us. No, tonight we embark on a Falls Count Anywhere Match. We can make our way ringside. We can make our way back to catering. We can fight in the restroom. We could go over to Pillar & Post as we bludgeon each other from… well, from pillar to post. Why, my dear sweet cameraman, Holland and I could even make our way all the way up here in the rafters fighting on this three foot wide structure as you stand there trying to catch it all. It can happen anywhere. And, after last week’s match, I would assume it very well will spill anywhere.

Leah took her eye off the cameraman to look back down at the ring.

AGUERO: Last week was disappointing. I fell in such easy fashion to Erik Holland. He caught me out of nowhere and it was just over with like that. Three seconds. Three very quick seconds. It’s hard not to see Holland’s disappointment in the match either. As much as I had been longing to face him over the course of the last year and half, my name also made his list. How disappointing it must have been to have all this hype and the match is just… it’s just mediocre. Tonight? Tonight, I have my chance to rectify the situation. I have the chance to redeem myself. I’ve been in quite a few high stakes matches but tonight is one of the most important matches in my career. It can go either way. I lose and I’m showing all of OATH that I’m nothing more than a tag team wrestler. Meanwhile, my partner, my Cuz, Steph is in a triple threat match to determine who gets a shot at the World Champ. What does that mean for me? Do I just get shoved to the side? Relegated to putting over other talent?

Leah fell silent for a moment, taking in her surroundings.

AGUERO: A win? Well, a win for me shows that I can hang with the best of them. Sure, Holland has fallen into a bit of a slump since losing the World Title. Sure, he, just like me, seems to be at the bottom of a barrel trying to scratch our way out. Holland says he becomes a dangerous man when he’s got nothing else to lose. Well, Holland has something I don’t. He’s got clout. He’s been to the mountaintop. He’s held the most coveted belt in OATH. Meanwhile, I’m just trying to find my place.

One half of the very first OATH Tag Team Champions. That’s an accomplishment. Yeah, we haven’t held those belts in like 8 months. We can only hang our caps on that hook for so long. That’s why tonight’s match means so much. That’s why tonight, it’s not about attacking the match the same way I have week in and week out for the past few months because we’ve all seen where that’s gotten me. No, tonight, it’s about kicking things back to the old school ways. It’s going back to a time when people around these parts feared and respected the Inevitable.

Tonight’s about pulling out all the stops and you know what? After tonight, everyone’s going to start paying a lot more attention to me. They’ll have no choice because they are about to realize the lengths I’ll go to in order to cement MY spot in OATH. Erik Holland is going to be fighting to show that he’s not washed up, not a springboard for others to rise, that he’s still that championship caliber athlete. Me? I’m fighting to make that name for myself through hell or high water.

You tell me what sounds more dangerous? A man clinging to his clout that he was at the top or the woman that really doesn’t have anything else to lose. If I don’t prove myself tonight, I’m better off just packing up my bags and heading home. Thing is, I’m not ready to leave. I’m ready to fight. I’m ready to win. I’m ready for falls to count anywhere; even if they’re all the way up here in the rafters.

Leah looked at the cameraman, shooting him a wink and a kiss as the show scene cut.

We were in the St. Louis City Museum in the heart of the city. As our camera went through the twists and turns of the many myriad hallways of this converted warehouse, we came upon the first floor exhibit known to Missourians as “The Caves”. Many sculptures of mythical creatures rest here, in the allegedly man-made chambers--and who could forget the ten story spiral slide? Anyway, you remember we talked about the sculptures of mythical creatures? Well, we come on one we think is pretty familiar to all you watchers of OATH Pro Wrestling. This one does look a little ancient, but we know that mohawk anywhere. The staring eyes suddenly blinked, and the smile that slithers its way across the face of the now moving Erik Holland was certainly unsettling, as he stepped off the podium he was perched on.

HOLLAND: I was there for an hour..

What is -with- this guy? He took a look around the museum, almost enthralled by the state it was in.

HOLLAND: You know, the St. Louis museum has been here for one hundred years. And that whole time, they’ve never been ‘closed for repairs’ - not in the traditional sense, right? They do all the building, all the remodeling in front of you as you go through. They call it...repurposing. They're -proud- of it. They call it art. And I find that powerful, I really do, because I...RELATE to it.

Holland splayed his arms out, taking it all in.

HOLLAND: You people, you...watched me during the Event Horizon tournament, right? Watched me lose match after match I shoulda won, I almost got swept and -yet-, and yet, you WANTED to see the art. You wanted to see Erik Holland under construction. Repurposing, remodeling. You never abandoned me and I feel...thankful to all of you for that. Only fitting you get to see where this journey goes NEXT.

Holland had this air of...peace around him, almost. We know, from following this four time World Champion’s career that -that- ain’t gonna last long.

HOLLAND: I exercised my demons in Event Horizon by beating Leah Aguero one on one in the last bout of the tournament. Beat the shit out of each other, she and I did. She’s as tough as she says she is--no -wonder- she did so well. But I think I let her know that rumors that my time is UP, are greatly exaggerated. That even though I lost to whom I consider to be the best in the world, there is still a place in this twisted reality for Erik Holland, there is still a thread of destiny that ties myself and the World Championship together, and perhaps the way I start it is the way Erik Holland always starts things..

We saw those scarred lips pulse and come apart again, showing rows of surprisingly immaculate teeth.

HOLLAND: Violently.

Peals of dry laughter, like crackling firewood replaced his words.

HOLLAND: Falls Count Anywhere, Leah. And that means anywhere. You wanted a rematch, I asked for a little...twist, to our engagement. We could end up right in the middle of this museum here. The people of St. Louis may not think it any different from what they normally see, to watch us brutalize each other. We could be going down that slide, punching each other in the face for ten stories! I could take you up on that ten ton block of granite that NASA’s holding up with a crane and drop you on your head! Or I could get thrown off..doesn’t MATTER, Leah, what happens to me as long as I win..”

Holland turned behind him and puts a meathook on the craggy wall, dragging his hand along the mismash of stone.

HOLLAND: ...because art can look like anything. FEEL like anything. The most interesting part of it? Watching it take place right in front of you.

Holland began to chuckle again as he walked off camera.

FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE Leah Aguero vs. Erik Holland

This one was a bit odd because we were set for the Falls Count Anywhere Match between “War Queen” Leah Aguero and “The Haunted” Erik Holland but we found ourselves outside the arena and at the front door of Pillar & Post, the restaurant and bar on The Citadel grounds. The camera pushed through the front door to show Aguero and Holland already fighting one another in the bar area! A referee had joined them and did his best to stay out of the way.

MEARS: I suppose it is good that The Barlow Family also owns Pillar & Post.

PETRIE: Yeah that place is gonna get real fucked up.

Holland attempted to grab Aguero by the head and launch her over the bar but Aguero picked up a can of cherry White Claw and slammed it into Holland’s head. The contest of the can exploded in a cloud of carbonated liquid and Holland got some of the vodka in his eyes. Holland staggered away and Aguero used that opportunity to charge and hit him with a big boot to the side of the head that sent him into a bar stool.

Nearby there was a pool table and Aguero picked up the cue ball. “The War Queen” smirked and then whipped the ball toward Holland but Holland was able to move out of the way. The cue ball struck a window and shattered it. Aguero then armed herself with a pool cue and swung wildly at Holland but Holland grabbed the cue and stripped her of it.

MEARS: This match is not great for Leah, this is where Erik lives.

PETRIE: No shit. He’s a deathmatch dickhead.

MEARS: I do not know that he has ever been in a proper deathmatch but he does love the hardcore matches.

PETRIE: Garbage wrestling.

“The Haunted” stalked Aguero through the bar and she felt that it was necessary to exit the building. Aguero ran out into the area in front of the restaurant. Holland followed her with the pool cue in hand. Outside the restaurant Aguero armed herself with a sandwich board advertising the day’s specials. Holland swung the pool cue but Aguero used the heavy board as a shield.

Aguero hucked the board at Holland but he easily moved out of the way. The two started brawling yet again and were moving toward the nearby arena staff parking area. Holland had dropped the pool cue and instead he hit Aguero with a jab to the midsection. Holland then bounced Aguero’s head off the hood of a nearby Honda Civic. The car alarm started going off as Aguero staggered away in an attempt to put some space between her and the madman Holland.

PETRIE: That’s my car!

MEARS: What year is that thing?

PETRIE: It doesn’t fucking matter! What the hell are they doing?

It was Holland’s intention to prove something here tonight as he brought Aguero up onto the hood of the Civic. Holland grabbed Aguero by the face and started into her eyes. Holland snarled and then hoisted Aguero up and then proceeded to drive her back first through the windshield with The Re-Animator (Tour Of The Islands)! Holland likely could have pinned Aguero here and won but he wanted to make a statement.

PETRIE: SWEET MERCIFUL CRAP! MY CAR!

“The Haunted” pulled Aguero off of the hood of the car but Aguero had something in her hand. “War Queen” could barely stand as Holland led her deeper into the parking lot. Reaching another vehicle, this one a Volkswagen Tiguan SUV. Holland looked to put Aguero’s face through the driver side window but Aguero revealed what was in her hand -- a fistfull of glass! Aguero threw the glass in Holland’s face, temporarily blinding him yet again.

Aguero pulled herself up onto the roof of the Tiguan and without a seconds’ hesitation she threw herself backward with a moonsault that took Holland down. We could see now a hundred small cuts on Aguero’s back as she covered the former World Champion. The referee made the count on the concrete. One, two -- but it was not to be as Holland kicked out.

MEARS: These two may not be in the Event Horizon Finals but they are fighting like something of that magnitude depends on it!

PETRIE: Neither of them is gonna make it to Event Horizon II at this rate. They better still be able to write a cheque for what they did to my poor Civic!

After punching Holland in the face a few times, Aguero grabbed him by the face and said “You wanna get nuts? Come on! Let’s get nuts!” and with that she bounced his head off the concrete. Aguero then walked away and approached a transport truck. A few moments later Aguero had scaled the truck and was now standing on the roof of the trailer.

Holland finally got to his feet and heard Aguero calling. Holland actually smiled before he climbed up onto the trailer roof. The two were thirteen feet in the air and they collided once more. The referee, clearly not a fan of heights, joined them as well. Aguero hit a succession of strikes then back peddled. It seemed as if she was rushing in to hit a big boot but Holland caught her with a Chopping Mall (Deep Six) onto the trailer! Holland covered this time but only got a two count.

MEARS: This is a dangerous place to be for both of them.

PETRIE: Moreso for Aguero. Holland is gonna destroy her!

This was as good a place as any for Holland to show OATH that he was not finished, that they hadn’t seen his best days yet. Holland gathered up Aguero and then set her up for Toxic Avenger (Death Valley Driver)! Before Holland could drive Aguero head first into the trailer, she slipped behind him and hit him with a low blow! Holland dropped to all fours and Aguero darted forward to hit him with The Endgame (Punt Kick) to the head! Holland got blasted and rolled off the trailer!

MEARS: That killed him! He has to be dead!

PETRIE: As much as I don’t like him it would take a lot more to kill that fucker.

MEARS: I suppose so...

The referee was shocked, standing with his hands on his head! We could see that Holland hand landed on a stack of wooden pallets, breaking the top one. Aguero looked down at her opponent, shrugged, and leaped off of the trailer with a swanton bomb! Aguero landed with a thud on top of Holland and had him pinned. The referee could see that Holland’s shoulders were down from atop the trailer so he made the count and Aguero secured the victory.

Winner: Leah Aguero

Naturally, EMTs were quickly on the scene as both Aguero and Holland were just completely fucked. Aguero tried to stand and leave under her own power but she collapsed at the feet of medical staff.

FM Young sat on her couch, with Volta next to her, feet kicked up on a table. She was in sweats and a tank top, just looking like she’s chilling with an ice pack. After a moment, grocery bags came into frame followed by the voice of Minoru Tanahashi.

MINORU: BEST BUDDY!

The bags were set down and Minoru stepped into frame, FM moved to get up but before she knew it Minoru had wrapped Volta in his arms and was petting the potato-shaped creature vigorously.

FM: Yeah, that’s about my week.

Minoru set Volta down and allowed the animal to settle back into his spot, sitting down with a beer Minoru kicked his own feet up on the table in front of them and cracked open a beer from his bag.

MINORU: Good to have a rest day, I’ll tell ya that.

FM: Yeah, I need the time for research and shit. I was looking forward to this match but it seems like Edwards is losing his goddamn mind. You see him? Martyred himself on that goddamn belt. Oh sure, HE’S worked the hardest, I’ve been trying to cough up my spleen for two weeks and I DIDN’T lose.

Minoru chuckled before speaking as he sipped his beer.

MINORU: Oh I brokeded my nose, wah wah wah. I went out with 28 cracked ribs, both lungs punctured, a bruised spleen, chlamydia, a concussion, three pinched nerves, four shattered vertebrae and a hangover.

FM: That’s a different STD than last time, and four more ribs than the human body even has. Meanwhile, yeah actual internal injuries over here. Edwards’ ain’t under my skin but I do regret sleeping on Matsuda when this whole thing began, who knew she’d manage to pull it together? She’s wild yeah, but if I can keep her on her toes? If I can just keep her wondering who’s the bigger threat, I can get her to wear herself out.

MINORU: Yeah, she’s crazy and desperate, crazy desperate...It’s a little bit hot. Look, the smartest thing you can possibly do is let crazy lady and Mr. Martyrdom fight each other to the death. I know it’s not your thing, but keep your distance and let them work each other over so that gets you the win. That or you find some way to even the odds, it’s no secret that you’re injured and not in the best mental state. I’m just saying, maybe just maybe skirting the rules a bit, and letting them do their thing -- that’s probably your best path to victory.

FM grunted and shook her head even as Volta honked seemingly in agreement with Minoru.

FM: You know that’s not my style If I can’t win on my own, then what’s the point? I mean, Edward’s is slipping too, he’s desperate and too overly focused on Helms. I’m not Helms, I can take advantage of what he expects-

Minoru held up a hand and interrupted his friend, Volta honked again in agreement.

MINORU: Both Matsuda and Edwards are desperate, they're hungry for this. You’ve got one achievement by sweeping A block, you know how I am, Effy. Work hard, win, but this? None of us wanna see you get hur-

This time, FM cut Minoru off at the pass, scratching Volta vigorously behind the ears so that the giant rodent chittered and laid his front half onto Minoru’s lap. FM sat up and grabbed her own beer from the bag, before shaking her head as she sat back. She grabbed the remote and aimed it behind the camera.

FM: Let’s just...do our scouting.

A crowd had gathered outside the main entrance to Pillar & Post. It was daytime so this was clearly a pre-tape. Duh. The camera closed in on the crowd to show that they were all standing in front of a podium...where Scum & Villainy stood. Baz Jacobi and Zeke Davis were each armed with bull horns. Both were dressed in their ONI t-shirts (available at OATHMERCH.com) and they looked very pleased with themselves.

JACOBI: OATH fans! You know who we are! But you don’t know why we are here!

Jacobi’s words were amplified by the bullhorn but his statement caused Davis to lower his own, to speak quietly with his tag team partner.

DAVIS: Where do I know that from? What is that?

The Sunday Morning Regret too pulled the bullhorn away from his face.

JACOBI: I made it up. It’s from my brain.

DAVIS: Nice.

Before either man continued we could see Jacobi’s manager and ONI’s mascot, Shortcut walking through the crowd. In his hands were a stack of pamphlets that he was handing out to anyone who would take them. To be honest -- not many people did.

JACOBI: What that beautiful little child orc is handing all of you right now is some literature about tag team wrestling! More than that, it is about the greatest tag team on the planet. A team with a storied history and a fucking BOAT LOAD of tag team moves.

DAVIS: Spoiler alert dickheads! It’s us! Scum & Villainy. We haven’t decided who is scum and who is villainy but it doesn’t matter. We’re the best!

FAN #1: Uh sorry but have you guys even had a tag team match together?

JACOBI: Okay this isn’t really a Q&A but I’ll indulge you little joe. No, we have not had a traditional tag team match as a team but we have spoken AT LENGTH about how we are going to operate as a tandem. We like to think that we already have years of experience as a team.

DAVIS: We are new veterans. Tag team journeymen -- of the mind.

FAN #2: That doesn’t make you a top tag team. That makes you delusional!

JACOBI: Shut your bitch mouth little joe! We are positive people and we don’t need your neckbeard negativity. We will prove that we are a top tag team tonight when we liberate the OATH Tag Team Titles from the Umbra Kooks. They do not care about tag team wrestling and tonight we will show them how to do it on the proper!

DAVIS: On the proper!

JACOBI: They don’t deserve them straps. They don’t even deserve a roster spot! The fuck do they even do for this company aside from playing kissy kissy on Twitter? NOTHING!

DAVIS: Nothing! We defended the OATH World Championship last week! What other tag team can say that?

FAN #3: Reo Ojima did most of the work!

JACOBI: Untrue! He could have easily sent those three punk asses--

DAVIS: Pigeons!

The Freak pleased with his verbal plagarism but Jacobi seemed taken aback. Jacobi lowered his bullhorn to once again confer with his tag team partner.

JACOBI: That’s what they called us man.

DAVIS: Yeah I know. I’m taking it.

JACOBI: Nice. Jacob turned back to the hoard before him with the bullhorn.

JACOBI: Reo could have easily sent those pigeons packing on his own but we would not let Glorious Leader go into battle alone.

DAVIS: No fucking way!

JACOBI: Some dickless losers might tell you that we don’t deserve this match tonight but Terry and Sherri haven’t defended those titles ONCE since they won them at Rapture. We demanded this match because they shouldn’t be able to get away with coasting.

DAVIS: Not when a world elite team like us is out there fucking carrying this company on our backs.

JACOBI: So tonight we will take those shiny titles and elevate the OATH tag team division to the heights that it deserves! We are doing this for The Runaways, The Inevitable, The Hell Realm, Mancini Syndicate, Cosa Nostra, Ultramega UK, The Hart Foundation!

DAVIS: Wait who is that last one?

JACOBI: Right, I already said The Runaways. No matter! Tonight Scum & Villainy gonna get theirs. Prepare your sphincters to see some evil!

On that last line Shortcut tossed the pamphlets into the air and they rained down on the group of annoyed fans.

OATH TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TAG TEAM MATCH Scum & Villainy vs. The Umbra Knights ©

Time for some tag team action as ONI’s Scum & Villainy with Shortcut at their back looked to dethrone the OATH Tag Team Champions, The Umbra Knights. Baz Jacobi and Caleb Abendroth started the contest for their respective teams. Abendroth took over the momentum early with some rights and lefts, followed by a scoop slam and a running elbow. Jacobi attempted to fight back but Abendroth laid him out with a jawbreaker.

Looking to keep Jacobi on the Knights’ half of the ring, Abendroth maintained wrist control and tagged in Terra Mason. Abendroth allowed Jacobi to stand only for the Knights’ to hit him with an enziguri to the back of the head from Abendroth which led right into leaping DDT from Mason. Abendroth took his place on the apron and Mason covered but only got a two count.

MEARS: I do not see how Scum & Villainy can hope to win this match. They are not a seasoned team like the Umbra Knights.

PETRIE: Seasoned? Come on. They have been a team for like a month.

MEARS: Still more seasoned than the ONI men.

Mason got Jacobi to his feet and shot him into a corner. Mason tried to run in after Jacobi but Jacobi got a boot up right into her face. Jacobi applied an arm wrench and then cracked Mason in the face with a hook kick. Jacobi then dove and made the tag to his partner Zeke Davis. Davis entered the ring and mounted Mason, grinding his forearm into her face while staring at Abendroth on the apron.

Davis flipped off Abendroth and then hit a rapid succession of standing elbow drops onto Mason before covering. Davis only got a two count and didn’t seem at all surprised. Davis dragged her back over to the S & V corner to tag Jacobi back in. Jacobi got up on the top rope as Davis lifted Mason up for a Manhattan drop. Davis held Mason there and Jacobi came off the top rope to hit her with a back elbow as Davis planted her into the mat. Jacobi covered and got a two count.

MEARS: Some surprising cohesiveness from Davis and Jacobi here.

PETRIE: Yeah they can get it done, just you watch.

MEARS: The last time they were in the ring with The Knights things did not go so well for them.

PETRIE: Things change!

Jacobi stood with a boot on Mason’s head and then laughed at Abendroth who was now pacing on the apron. Jacobi went to deliver a kick to Mason’s head but she was kipped up and took him over with an arm drag! Mason then darted toward her corner but Jacobi grabbed her by the boot. Jacobi stood and pulled Mason backward into a back suplex.

Scum & Villainy made another tag and Davis was back in the ring. Jacobi applied an arm wrench to Mason and then Davis hit a double sledge to her shoulder blade. Mason went to stagger away but Davis pulled her back into a clothesline and covered. Mason was able to kick out and the audience was behind her. The Citadel believed in The Umbra Knights.

MEARS: The Knights have the love of the people.

PETRIE: Yeah and they care too much about it.

MEARS: Maybe so.

Davis was frustrated now as he went to stomp on Mason but she moved out of the way. Mason was able to stand and Davis tried to rush her with a clothesline but Mason slipped beneath it. Davis was able to grab her and whip her across the ring but Mason vaulted over the top rope. Davis tried to rush her but Mason launched herself into the ring and hit him with Jet Force Drop (Diving Flatliner)! Instead of covering, Mason started crawling toward Abendroth.

Jacobi too was reaching out for a tag but Davis was on his back. Davis finally rolled over and started crawling toward Jacobi. Jacobi was pacing on the apron, wanting to get in the ring before Mason made the tag. Davis tagged in Jacobi but Mason tagged Abendroth at the exact same time. Jacobi jumped over the top rope into the ring but got hit with a shotgun dropkick.

MEARS: Abendroth with the hot tag and he is a house of fire right now!

PETRIE: More cliches. Please.

MEARS: Yes I am somewhat embarrassed about that phrasing...

“The Freak” tried his hand at attacking Abendroth but Abendroth hit him with a boot to the midsection and then dropped him with a rolling cutter! Davis powdered out of the ring and Abendroth had Jacobi all alone. Jacobi rushed Abendroth but The Knight caught him with a Swinging Reverse STO! Abendroth covered Jacobi but Jacobi kicked out at a count of two.

Abendroth made the tag to Mason and they proceeded to set Jacobi up for the Heart's Inferno (Flapjack [Caleb]/Jumping Snapmare Driver [Terra]) but Jacobi reversed the set up Irish whip and Shortcut grabbed Abendroth’s boot from the outside! Davis then jumped into the ring, charged and clotheslined Abendroth over the top rope to the outside. Jacobi raked Mason’s eyes and then dropped her with See Some Evil (Whale Hunt). Jacobi covered and got the three count, much to the dismay of the audience in The Citadel.

Winners: New OATH Tag Team Champions, Scum & Villainy

“Cadillac” by Gang of Four kicked up and the ONI members were awarded the Tag Team Title belts. Davis, Jacobi, and Shortcut retreated up the ramp with their new prizes as The Umbra Knights regrouped in the ring. Both Abendroth and Mason both looked devastated but those expressions quickly turned to anger.

Time was running short and still no Locke Helms. The fury built in James Edwards' head. His patience started to wear thin. He'd seen the World Champion and ONI, and snickered. He'd seen FM Young walk by and fought the urge to spit. He began to second guess himself again. This would make things right in his world, right? Justice demands it, right? Theft requires it, right? He still wasn't sure, what he did know was that he knew where Helms would be later in the night.

It is daytime outside The Citadel and a man approached the service entrance of the arena with his bags in hand. If there were anywhere but a wrestling event it would be deemed odd to see a man walking around in a black luchador mask, however, not here.

Astaroth approached the back door and went to open it when a massive meat hook of a hand slammed against it to prevent it from opening. The shot pulled back to show the hulking beast of The Hell Realm, Monstruo. Monstruo stared with his black eyes at Astaroth. The spooky luchador was not sure whether to fight or take flight but then a hand landed on his shoulder. Astaroth turned to see the Intrepid Champion Locke Helms standing before him.

HELMS: Do not be frightened my friend. If we wanted to harm you...it would already be so.

Monstruo grunted which made Astaroth jump.

HELMS: I want to discuss a proposition with you. Please follow me and we can talk -- at length -- about your future. You do not wish to remain in your current position forever...do you?

Astaroth considered the question for a moment and then slowly shook his head. Helms smirked and stepped aside, gesturing for Astaroth to follow him. Monstruo took a step forward, pushing his chest into the back of Astaroth’s head. The luchador had no choice and started forward.

HELMS: Excellent choice my friend. Come with us.

The trio then walked away from the staff entrance and rounded a corner, disappearing out of frame.

OATH INTREPID CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES MATCH Declan Black vs. Locke Helms ©

Declan Black waited in the ring as OATH Intrepid Champion, Locke Helms walked out to the tune of "Heavy Grind" by Enigma TNG. By his side was Astaroth, walking out behind him. It seemed like Helms couldn’t wait for this match, given his war with Black at Rapture. The Chairman of Chaos slid eagerly into the ring. Helms didn’t waste any time showing off the belt, he just pulled it off and handed it to the ref.

MEARS: It seems that The Hell Realm is growing every week.

PETRIE: I always said that Astaroth had untapped potential.

MEARS: You have literally never said that.

The bell rang and the two men circled around the center of the mat. At first, when they went to lock up, Black played mind games, backing off and turning his back to Locke Helms. Fans booed the “Pride of Nova Scotia” as he turned to Helms again with a smug grin. Helms opened his arms out, “we gonna do this, or you gonna pussyfoot around?”.

MEARS: Typical Declan Black here.

Black and Helms circled up again but once more, Black stepped away, turning his back to Helms and gloated to the crowd about how he was in the champion’s head. Helms moved in on him and Black quickly leaned back through the ropes, causing the referee to get between them to back Helms off. Eventually, he did and Black steps back to the center of the ring. When they went for a lockup this time, Helms barely waited and rushed in, intent on getting at Black whether he was ready or not.

PETRIE: Locke Helms was to pay Black back for what happened at Rapture but Black is fucking with him. It’s so great.

MEARS: I fear that Declan is going to pay for this.

Helms nailed Black with a running lariat, that knocked Black to the outside, mostly because he took the time to roll out of the ring. Black shook his head and wagged his finger at Helms. Helms looked ready to take a flying leap to the outside, that manic grin back on his face. He didn’t have to as Astaroth was there, approaching from the other side, obviously trying to run Black back into the ring. It worked, and Black wanted nothing to do with the spooky luchador. Helms looked like he was gearing up to charge Black once he was completely back into the ring.

Black was ready, though, and stepped in, thumbing Helms in the eye. Black immediately followed up with a barrage of right hands into the champion, backing up into the ropes. He kept wailing away at him before the referee ordered a break. Black threw his hands up, stepping back but SLAPPED Helms in the face to the jeers of the crowd. Before Helms could react, Black stepped in for more right hands. This time, before the ref could cause a break, Black whipped Helms across the ring, into the ropes and took Helms down with an armdrag into a Fujiwara Armbar.

MEARS: This is no Chain Match. Both of these men are well versed in submission wrestling and I predict that a submission will be the way that this match ends.

PETRIE: Yeah I mean Helms’ Witching Hour is deadly but Black Fujiwara Armbar is looking real good.

Helms got the tip of his boot on the rope, causing the break and Black begrudgingly released the hold. Black stood up and started laying boots to the champion, slapping him in the head with horrific taunts. Astaroth made to enter the ring, obviously ready to come to the Champion’s aid which sent Black, still hurling abuse, scurrying to the opposite corner of the ring without much recourse.

Black’s taunting eventually got to Helms and the champion started getting back to his feet. Helms stalked over to the opposite corner like a man on fire, popping his neck and asking Black if that was all he had in store for him. Black started throwing more hands at the champion but Helms had reached the point where it’s going to take more than that. Helms swatted Black’s arms away and shoved him back into the ropes. Black rebounds off and Helms opens up with a storm of stiff chops and palm strikes; each one hammered into Black and rocked him with the striking power behind them.

MEARS: I don’t know that we have ever seen Black get attacked like this before.

PETRIE: He’ll fight back! He always does.

MEARS: The Intrepid Championship has slipped through his grasp in the past.

PETRIE: I mean yeah that’s true.

Black ducked one of the blows and got behind Helms, to take him over for a suplex, but Helms simply deadweighted, making Black struggle for it. Eventually, Helms fought out of the hold with stiff elbows to the head. The likes of which left Black shaking in his boots. Black looked completely rocked, swaying on his feet. He took another couple of swings but a fired-up Helms blocked every one of them.

Black went for a shoulder block which finally nailed Helms in the guts, but the “Chairman of Chaos” just laughed, doubled over. An obviously angry Black drove a knee into Helms face, but it barely did anything. Helms just stood up straight again and rubbed his jaw, looking completely nonplussed. It was like Black just couldn’t answer the champion at all. Helms whipped Black into the ropes and laid him out with a big elbow to the head!

PETRIE: What the fuck are we seeing right now?

MEARS: We are seeing the fall of Declan Black.

The Intrepid Champion got Black up again and whipped him once more, this time catching him with a big boot! Black went sprawling and when Helms got Black up again, he was almost playful, brushing off Black’s shoulders and gave him a grin, inviting him to take another swing. Black tried to strike back but Helms swatted his arms away again and just rocked him with a stiff headbutt. Black stumbled, dazed and confused seconds before Helms scooped him right up into Shadows Over Heck!

This time, Helms pulled Black up directly to his feet and delivered the Witching Hour with picture perfect precision. Helms wrenched in the submission portion tight as Black struggled frantically to try and escape. To the shock of the crowd, however, Black tapped out, leaving Helms to emerge victorious and retain his championship.

Winner: Still OATH Intrepid Champion, Locke Helms

"Heavy Grind" by Enigma TNG cued up but was drowned out quickly by commotion in the crowd, which got Helms' attention. The fans parted to reveal James Edwards on his way to the ring, tire iron in-hand. Edwards jumped up on the barricade and stared a hole through Helms, but kept an eye on Astaroth at ringside. “The Burning Heart” snarled and pointed the weapon at Helms before he drew it back and slashed it across his throat, a promise that their business wasn't finished but would have to wait.

Two women could be seen seen mixed up in the middle of a ring. One is immediately recognized as FM Young but it didn't take long to recognize the other as Morgan Payne, who has been seen tagging along with the Amazon Tiger in the past.

Both Young and Payne were dressed and geared up for sparring. That is to say they were wearing padded grappling gloves as they appeared to be throwing full on bombs at each other. It was more like a full on martial arts throwdown as they evaded and parried punches and kicks. On one instance, Morgan went for a back roundhouse but FM caught the leg and hoisted Payne up onto her shoulders. Before FM could capitalize, Morgan grabbed her wrist and threw her weight back into an armdrag but FM slipped free before Morgan could lock on an armbar. Both women jumped to their feet and circled the mat.

MORGAN: Coulda had me there, whassup? Ya slippin’, girl? C’mon.

FM: It’s hard to lift someone in this shape, give me a break woman.

MORGAN: Das da point! Push a lil when ya ain’t really ready to then when ya are, yer more than ready. Now, c’mon!

Morgan rushed forward, sending a barrage of strikes at her older, more disciplined partner. FM did well, obviously, batting and parrying them away until Morgan backed her into the ropes. FM used the spring in them to push out and shove Morgan back with a foot to the center of the ring, but the little Italian shot in low for her legs.

FM sprawled, catching Morgan around the waist and manhandled her up into a Fallaway Slam hold. Morgan was sent flying across the ring with a slight but visible strain on FM’s face but her little partner got air, twisting like a skydiver out of control and landed unsteadily on her hands and stomach. Lord knows if this was FM at 100%, Morgan probably woulda ate canvas.

Morgan crawled to her feet again and gave charge. She had to keep FM on her toes so here she came, twisting through the air again with a shin kick, flying in. FM blocked with the forearms and barely, if at all, moved back. She came back with a storm of powerful blows that forced Morgan to cover up with her own forearms. She dropped down and tried to escape between her legs but FM caught her, gritting her teeth and hoisted her into the air again. This time it’s was a buckle bomb into the corner that left Morgan slumped against the ropes. She grimaced and gave a thumbs up.

MORGAN: Ouch. See?

FM slumped back on a set of ropes, breathing heavily, clearly slightly gassed out by the effort. She held her ribs and bounced on her feet a little bit, with a sigh.

FM: Ok, yeah...Gonna haveta wear that compression shirt. Don’t like it, but both of Matsuda and Edwards are heavier than you.

MORGAN: Yeah? Also means ya gotta push more too. Quit wif da holdin’ back. Ya think they give a shit?

Morgan moved in again, trying to bring out the fire she knew was there. The little hothead attacked with full ferocity, hammering against FM’s arms and shoulders. Even with her trying to draw the animal out, she was careful of the ribs.

MORGAN: C’mon, Mama! C’mon! I’m still bein’ careful, but they ain’t gonna! Fuckin’ get it!

FM took the punishment for a little while, rocking with the blows so they didn't do much damage. Her face said exasperated and annoyed, finally, when Morgan struck a little too close to one of her injuries, FM reacted in pain. The pain quite quickly turned to anger and Morgan got whipped into the ropes. When she rebounded FM used it for the pop-up part of the Human Error Processor. Down Morgan went, hard into the mat, except this time FM didn't let her legs go, didn't throw her into the mat. She hefted Morgan back up, for a second Human Error Processor, crashing into the mat, then a third...Morgan actually yelped, and tapped the mat on the third time. FM basically just landed on her for a cover, crumbling in and hooking the leg. One. Two. Three.

FM: There’s three in a row and pinned. Not six backbreakers, but I can do this.

Morgan lied there, groaning at first but caught FM by one of her sports bra straps, reaching up to boop her nose with her other hand.

MORGAN: Mmph...yeah, I can tell. Ow. I think ya earned a break. Yer gonna whup dat ass...or...them asses when da time comes. Now then….

Morgan went quiet, raising an eyebrow and smirking up at FM for a moment before she turned her head directly at the camera. She frowned in annoyance at first before grinning again; her hand shot out and covered the camera lens before the feed went to static.

A disgruntled James Edwards stood in the ring before the finals of the Event Horizon.

EDWARDS: Y'all saw what happened earlier.

The crowd cheered, letting him know that they did and approved his decision to abandon the headhunt.

EDWARDS: I'm glad y'all thought it was the right move because I sure as hell have my doubts.

He paced around the ring, the tire iron gripped tight in his right fist.

EDWARDS: Last week, Locke Helms stole two months of the best work I've ever put in this ring from me. The son of a bitch couldn't beat me by himself. He had to get some freaks to help him out, and where I come from, if a man robs you, you've got a right put his ass down. Hell, it ain't a right, it's a demand. If you don't put him down, you've got no steel in your spine, but OATH ain't back home, and the Intrepid Championship didn't belong to me.

He stopped.

EDWARDS: Two months ago, I said that championships bring out the worst in a person if you ain't careful, and I thought I could walk that line. We all know that didn't happen. I was scared one week, arrogant the next and filled full of hate the week after that. I got cocky and thought that I could make history, even though I knew the chances of doing it were slim to none. Dwelling on that is backsliding, just like going after Helms was. I'm still pissed, and his day will come, I promise, but wanting to end him cost me one world title shot, and it isn't costing me another.

He slammed down the tire iron.

EDWARDS: If I learned one thing from being the Intrepid Champion, it's that anything can be gone in an instant, and you can't let opportunities go by because you ain't paying attention. We'll my full attention is on the finals tonight, so ladies, get out here, and let's do this!

EVENT HORIZON SERIES FINALS

TRIPLE THREAT ELIMINATION MATCH James Edwards vs. Stephanie Matsuda vs. FM Young

Three weeks and twelve matches had led us to this point -- The Event Horizon Finals. FM Young was able to sweep the A Block by defeating Leah Aguero, Erik Holland, and Declan Black in consecutive matches. Stephanie Matsuda was able to win two of her matches and James Edwards did the same so we found ourselves here in a triple threat elimination match to determine who would face the World Champion in the main event of Event Horizon II.

The Event Horizon Series Trophy sat on a red velvet draped pedestal ringside. Edwards was already in the ring when Matsuda made her entrance. The former Tag Team Champion looked as ready as ever for a fight and a victory. FM Young was out last, wearing a compression shirt as well as having her ribs heavily taped. Edwards seemed to be eying this target and Matsuda was eying him. With all three of the competitors in the ring, the referee called for the bell.

MEARS: Eight competitors started! Three remain! The winner of this contest gets to headline Event Horizon II for the World Championship.

PETRIE: I live for this shit! I have no fucking clue who is going to take this one.

The trio circled each other for a brief moment. Matsuda feigned going for Young and when Edwards went to join the attack Matsuda cracked him with Yahtzee! (Superkick) that took him off his feet. Matsuda covered and Young made no attempt to break up the pin but Edwards easily kicked out.

MEARS: Stephanie is showing some tenacity here early.

Matsuda looked to strike down on Edwards but Young charged in and caught Matsuda with a knee to the back of the head. Young then introduced Matsuda’s head to the top turnbuckle. Matsuda drove an elbow into Young’s ribs that did a lot more damage than it normally would given Young’s injury. Matsuda then let out a primal scream and cracked Young with Final Heaven (Springboard Forearm Smash).

Before Matsuda could make a cover Edwards surprised her from behind and hit her with a German suplex that sent Matsuda across the ring and then through the ropes to the outside. Young tried to recover and rush Edwards but he low bridged the top rope and she spilled to the outside as well.

PETRIE: FM Young shouldn’t be in this fuckin’ match. She can barely stand!

MEARS: In the short time that I have been watching FM Young compete I have determined that the word “quit” is foreign to her.

PETRIE: You calling her simple?

MEARS: Quite the opposite.

Edwards took a moment to recover in the ring as Matsuda engaged Young on the outside. Matsuda whipped Young hard into the guard rail and “The Amazon Tiger” let out in pain. Young did her best to stifle her agonized scream but Matsuda knew how bad she was hurting. Edwards tried to hit Matsuda with a baseball slide but Matsuda moved and Edwards landed on the outside.

Matsuda caught Edwards with a few big strikes to the face and then planted him with Blasian Suplex (Sleeper Suplex) hard on the thin ringside mats. Matsuda briefly considered getting Edwards in the ring to pin him but Young was coming for her and she needed to neutralize that threat first. In a snap Matsuda charged and hit Young with Last Surprise (Sling Blade).

PETRIE: Matsuda is my pick. She is fuckin’ shit up right now!

MEARS: I believe she is doing quite well actually.

PETRIE: Fine. She is fuckin’ THEM up right now!

MEARS: Better.

Knowing that she had precious few moments to eliminate Young, Matsuda hauled her up into the ring. Once Matsuda joined her opponent between the ropes Matsuda started viciously stomping on Young’s midsection. Many in the audience winced with each stomp as Young was clearly in absolute agony. Young’s eyes told us everything we needed to know, she was losing faith in herself as she struggled to breathe.

“War Queen” took no joy in this, she even looked somewhat remorseful but this was what needed to be done to ascend to the main event of Event Horizon II. Young slowly pulled herself up and Matsuda grabbed her by the back of the head and smashed her with a European uppercut. Matsuda then hoisted Young up and dropped her across her knee with a gutbuster. Young gasped for air again on the mat and Matsuda ascended to the top rope.

PETRIE: I appreciate Young’s effort but she had no business competing tonight. She’s too messed up.

MEARS: She would hate herself if she didn’t try.

PETRIE: She’s gonna hate herself when she is the first person eliminated.

Matsuda was facing the audience on the top rope when Edwards jumped up on the apron. Using the top rope as a base Edwards tossed his body upward and kicked Matsuda right in the face. Young saw her chance and she pounced, placing her head between Matsuda’s legs. Young struggled to bring Matsuda to the middle of the ring in electric chair position but she showed true grit by planting Matsuda with Human Error Processor (Assault Driver). Young covered and got the three count.

Eliminated: Stephanie Matsuda

“The Burning Heart” wasted no time at all. Matsuda rolled out of the ring and Edwards charged into the ring with a hard kick to Young’s spine. Young tried to get up to her feet but Edwards was faster, he caught Young with Double Tap (Two Spinning Back Fists). Young crumpled to the mat and Edwards was growing more and more confident with every passing second.

Young was finished. That was the thought that was going through every mind in the arena. Her midsection was ravaged and she could barely stand. Still, Edwards was cautious. If anyone was going to surprise him and snuff out any hope of winning this thing it would be the woman that swept her entire block. Edwards gathered Young up and positioned her for RRE (Reverse Release Exploder Suplex). As Edwards went to lift Young she blasted him with an elbow to the face and then clobbered him with Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline)!

MEARS: It is all or nothing for FM Young tonight. She destroyed the A Block but Edwards was not in that block and he is being called the greatest Intrepid Champion that we’ve seen thus far.

PETRIE: And yet he no longer has it.

The Citadel popped for Young, her fighting spirit was on another level here tonight. Favouring her midsection, Young gathered Edwards up but he surprised her with an uppercut! Young spit some blood on the mat and then hit a roaring elbow that looked like it was express mailed from Japan. Edwards was levelled and Young once again found the grit to stand him up but this time she delivered Stand Alone Complex (Elevated Gutbuster) and made a cover. Edwards was able to kick out at two.

Edwards was on his back and everyone is the same size in that position. Knowing that her biggest asset, her strength, was nullified Young switched up her game plan. Edwards tried to throw a half hearted strike and Young caught his arm and transitioned it into a kimura! Edwards had nowhere to go and Young wrenched on his arm with all of her might! Edwards looked very scared as he reached out for the ropes.

MEARS: A submission! Young has had to augment her strategy and it just might work!

PETRIE: Edwards is nearly in tears! He’s gonna cry like a fuckin’ baby!

MEARS: I highly doubt that.

“The Burning Heart” wasn’t sufficiently worn down so he was able to get to the bottom rope. Young released the hold as instructed but was right up to her feet and she began stomping on Edwards’ left arm, the target of the kimura. Edwards groaned with each strike and there was a fire in Young’s eyes signifying a renewed intensity.

Young pulled Edwards to his feet by his damaged left arm and then applied an arm wrench. Edwards blocked it so Young quickly transitioned into a standing kimura! Edwards started punching her in the side of the head but Young would not release the hold. Edwards shifted his weight and drove a knee into her stomach that essentially crippled her.

MEARS: The referee needs to consider stopping this match. FM Young can’t even stand.

PETRIE: She wouldn’t let him stop the match. You know that.

MEARS: I do but it is the referee’s job.

Young dropped to her knees, releasing the hold, but Edwards grabbed both of her wrists and pulled her into a brutal knee strike to the face. Edwards covered but Young kicked out just after two, no matter how much it hurt her. Edwards got up to both knees in disbelief. The camera then zoomed in on Young who was bleeding from the nose and holding her midsection in absolute agony.

There was a moment where both of them were on their knees, looking at one another. Blood flowed from Young’s nose like a faucet and Edwards’ left arm was limp at his side. Young spit some blood on the mat and then smiled at Edwards. “The Burning Heart” looked shocked for only a moment and then he too smiled. Edwards threw a right hand at Young that connected. She responded with one of her own. The two then began battering each other back and forth as the audience roared.

MEARS: Can you believe what we are seeing?

PETRIE: This is pretty fuckin’ great.

The two were hammering at each other and then both had the same idea. They both dashed for opposing ropes and came back to the center of the ring, both of them hitting clotheslines causing a double down. The Citadel erupted. Dueling chants for both Edwards and Young rang out. The two started to rise and Young threw a desperation Human Error Processor (Discus Clothesline) but Edwards slipped through and drove a knee into Young’s midsection.

Despite the pain in his left arm Edwards was able to get Young up and over with RRE (Reverse Release Exploder Suplex). Young hit the mat with a thud but she refused to stay down, Young started to get up but Edwards struck first with Night Comes to the Cumberlands (Hidden Blade). Young dropped instantly, face down on the mat. Edwards fell into a cover and got the three count.

Winner: James Edwards, Event Horizon Series 2020 Champion

"My Name Is Human" by Highly Suspect cued up and Edwards had his hand raised. EMTs came to the ring to check on Young. OATH President Tommy Straker also made his way to the ring and entered. Straker was handed the Event Horizon Series Trophy and he presented it to Edwards. Edwards couldn’t lift it due to his arm injury so Straker set it at Edwards feet.

MEARS: And there we have it. FM Young did everything that she could but in the end it was not enough. James Edwards was finally able to hit Night Comes to the Cumberlands and win the 2020 Event Horizon Series.

PETRIE: I’m not a big fan of either of these two but goddamn that was a banger of a match. Young and Matsuda have nothing to be ashamed of.

MEARS: High praise from you Bad Mood.

PETRIE: I have my moments.

Young was loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled backward up the ramp. Young’s eyes were barely open but the last thing she saw before disappearing backstage was the trophy standing in front of “The Burning Heart”.

The scene cut backstage as OATH World Champion, "The Stone Gargoyle" Reo Ojima was shadow boxing a wall. Throwing a punch, his fist was an inch away from the wall before it stopped and he continued with another punch. Sweat rolled down his face as droplets hit the floor and the wall. Knowing that the camera was filming him, Reo started to speak in his broken English as he continued to shadow box.

OJIMA: I gave Josie a title shot. Did she earn it?

Reo chuckled to himself as he stopped and placed his hands on the wall for a quick breather. Pushing off the wall, Reo cracked his neck before addressing the camera again.

OJIMA: She didn’t win a tournament. Didn’t beat someone to become a number one contender. Hell, her last match was a loss and when she beat me she had help. So no. She doesn’t deserve a title shot. No one in the back deserves a title shot because they’re all piss babies who don’t deserve to tie my boots and share the ring with me. But I gave Josie a shot because I want my loss back from her. I want to show everyone in the back that if you want to act like a jackass and not admit you had help then I’m going to knock your jaw right off your head.

Grabbing a nearby towel, Reo wiped the sweat off before placing the towel behind his neck.

OJIMA: This is an opportunity of a lifetime Joise. So don’t fuck it up like you did last week when you lost the belt to Sharpe. Because if you don’t make the most out of this match and win the belt, this will probably be the last time you ever get a shot again because let’s face it Josie, you aren’t that great unless you have help.

Grabbing the OATH World Title, Reo draped it on his shoulder.

OJIMA: So, when you lose tonight Josie, and you will lose, and when you go to the back as a beaten and broken Barbie Doll that’s been chewed up by a dog, and you look at all your so called friends in the face, with tears and wet mascara running down your face, tell them ONI isn’t to be fucked with.

Reo gave a cocky grin and winked to the camera before walking off to join his ONI brothers.

OATH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES MATCH Josie Wales vs. Reo Ojima ©

There was a tension in the air of The Citadel because it was time for the main event. Not only was the World Championship on the line but this match would determine who would defend said title against James Edwards in the main event of Event Horizon II, the biggest match on the biggest show of the year. The crowd was electric, as they had been all night for this pay-per-view calibre card. The lights dim and it was time for the competitors to make their entrances.

MEARS: It is time for our main event. Josie Wales is the only person in OATH to have defeated Reo Ojima in a one on one contest. The World Champion wants to avenge that loss.

PETRIE: It was bullshit anyway! Ben Macbeth interfered!

MEARS: Be that as it may a loss is a loss. I have heard you say that on more than one occasion.

“The Unforgiven” by Metallica cued up and The Citadel began cheering quite loudly as “The Outlaw” Josie Wales came out onto the stage in her stetson hat and longer duster coat. This was her first appearance since losing the Tabula Rasa Championship last week but if things went her way, she would be walking out of this contest with a more prestigious prize.

MEARS: From what I can tell it seems that The Citadel has chosen to stand behind Josie Wales in this contest.

PETRIE: Everyone wants to see The Stone Gargoyle fail but it won’t happen. The jealousy is fuckin’ sickening. He is our champion and he deserves respect.

“The Real Man” by The Seatbelts rang out next and the OATH World Champion, “The Stone Gargoyle” Reo Ojima walked out onto the stage. Conspicuous by their absence were his ONI cohorts Baz Jacobi and Zeke Davis. Apparently the champion felt that it would be better for his brothers to stay behind so there would be no doubt in his ability should he be victorious.

The referee took the championship from Ojima and the champion head faked him, scaring the good goddamn out of the zebra. The official held the championship out in front of Wales and she stared into the faceplate for sometime. Everything that she had ever worked for in her career had led her to this point and she was just a three count away from realizing her dream. The referee handed off the title and then called for the bell.

MEARS: Let us begin! The OATH World Championship is on the line!

In a show of complete disrespect, Ojima sat down in his corner. Wales looked offended at first but she quickly realized that this was likely a ploy from the crafty veteran. Rather than give herself over to the spider’s web, Wales responded by sitting down too. The fans popped for this as both competitors just sat on opposite sides of the ring, staring at one another.

MEARS: I have witnessed many main events in my life but never one that has started like this.

PETRIE: Wales thinks that she can survive a game like this with Ojima? Guy has thirty years of experience. Is The Outlaw fuckin’ mental?

MEARS: It seems that she is not going to let Ojima get into her head.

PETRIE: Then he’ll just cave it in. That’s what he does.

Ojima started clapping for his opponent, clearly impressed with her intelligence. Ojima reached up and grabbed both top ropes with each hand and hoisted himself up. Ojima just laughed and kept clapping for a brief moment before he charged across the ring at Wales! Wales was the quicker of the pair and she slipped through the ropes out onto the apron. Ojima stopped short and continued clapping as Wales walked the length of the apron and reentered the ring near the adjacent corner.

MEARS: Who has the stronger will? That is the question right now. The slightest miscalculation could cost one of these competitors everything.

In a response to Ojima’s insults, Wales feigned yawning and this was enough to set the veteran off. Ojima charged at Wales but she again was faster, sending Ojima face first into the middle turnbuckle with a drop toe hold. Wales knew that she had to keep on the champion so she darted across the ring, hit the ropes and then looked to hit a double knee strike to the back of Ojima’s head -- but the champion had moved.

PETRIE: There’s that miscalculation you were talking about.

MEARS: So it would seem.

After colliding with the middle turnbuckle with her knees, Wales found herself the victim of a storming of stomps from the World Champion. With Wales sufficiently subdued, Ojima hoisted her up to her feet and sent her so hard into the corner with an Irish whip that he himself dropped to his stomach. Wales slammed into the corner and then fell face down on the mat.

MEARS: I have heard an Irish whip done with power like that called executing it with “authority”.

PETRIE: The Stone Gargoyle is the supreme authority in OATH.

MEARS: I believe that Tommy Straker would have something to say about that.

Still on his belly, Ojima crawled toward Wales who too was on the mat face down. Ojima grabbed her by the hair and started saying something to her that we couldn’t quite make out. It was likely pretty nasty because that is just the kind of dude that he is. Ojima then pulled Wales up to her feet by her hair and hit her with a sudden succession of forearm shivers. Wales was rocked and then Ojima treated her to one of his patented lariats that turned her inside out. The champion made an arrogant cover but Wales was able to kick out.

MEARS: Those lariats are a key part of Reo’s arsenal. A few more of those and it could be the end of the line for Josie Wales.

“The Stone Gargoyle” stood and looked out into the crowd, who were all booing him. Ojima just chuckled and gestured to Wales. “This is it huh?” the champion said and the audience showered him in boos. Ojima simply raised his hands and basked in the hatred from his “subjects”. This act of arrogance gave Wales the time to pull herself up using the top rope. Ojima turned and approached her but he was surprised by a kick to his midsection. Wales went to throw a punch but Ojima blocked it and chopped Wales off her feet. Down again, the fans were starting to lose faith in “The Outlaw”.

MEARS: Perhaps Josie was not ready for this contest. This is not the same Reo Ojima that she faced a few months ago.

PETRIE: Yeah he’s beating the piss out of her.

Ojima decided at this point that this fight wasn’t worth his time so he went to leave the ring. However, he stopped when he sensed Wales getting back to her feet. Ojima sighed, as if having to engage Wales again was a chore for him. Ojima turned and went after her, looking for another heavyweight lariat. Ojima threw his arm but Wales slipped behind him and sent him through the ropes to the outside with an expertly placed dropkick!

MEARS: And with one well placed strike the audience in The Citadel has come back to life.

PETRIE: Toronto is such a garbage wrestling city.

MEARS: You may want to watch your words Bad Mood or you may have to deal with some of our fans later tonight at Pillar & Post.

PETRIE: Fuck em.

The Citadel exploded when Ojima fell through the ropes to the outside and landed right on his face. Furious, the World Champion quickly got up but Wales met him with a baseball slide under the bottom rope. Ojima staggered backward and caught himself on the announce table. Ojima snarled and ripped the hood off of the announce table in frustration and then turned to see Wales sitting on the apron, waving at him.

PETRIE: Oh you idiot.

Ojima rushed Wales but she jumped over his attempt at a clubbing blow and then she kicked him in the face. Ojima stumbled backward like the old drunk many believed him to be and had no time to react before Wales ran and leaped off of the apron to take him down on the outside with a blockbuster! The Citadel erupted once again and Wales was finally on the offensive.

MEARS: That was a tide turning move if there ever was one. Josie needs to capitalize and quickly.

PETRIE: Get up champ! Don’t let this...cowgirl...embarrass you again!

MEARS: Would it be so embarrassing to lose to a high calibre athlete like Josie Wales?

PETRIE: Yes. It would be.

The World Champion tried to get up using the steel steps but that move really fucked his shit up. Wales knew that and she ran it at him, hitting him with double knees to sandwich his head against the ring steps. Wales then used all the strength in her tiny frame to haul Ojima up onto the apron and back into the ring. Wales slid in under the bottom rope and made a cover but Ojima kicked out right after a count of two.

The former Tabula Rasa Champion was in desperation mode now. She knew that she could not let Ojima get back up to his feet because one should press the advantage if they have one on a veteran the level of Ojima. Ojima sat up and Wales dropped to a knee behind him and applied a chin lock. Ojima seemed more annoyed by this than anything and he started to stand but he was stunned when Wales transitioned into a sleeper hold. Wales had the hold locked in tightly enough that Ojima was having trouble breathing and he seemed completely caught off guard!

MEARS: The World Champion is in the clutches of the submission specialist! He has nowhere to go!

Ojima started to fade and The Citadel’s cheers grew louder with every passing second. Unbelievably, Ojima’s eyes started to close as Wales had wrestled him down to the mat. The referee approached the champion and grabbed his limp arm. The referee lifted it up and released -- Ojima’s arm dropping to the mat. Wales screamed “Again!” and the referee obliged. He lifted Ojima’s hand up a second time and then released. It fell for a second time. The Citadel was becoming unglued, everyone standing.

PETRIE: You have to be fuckin’ jerkin’ my chain here! He can’t lose like this!

MEARS: Bad Mood your way with words is ever so moving.

PETRIE: Fuck off Mears! The champion is about to be put to sleep by an Old West cosplayer!

If Ojima’s hand would fall one more time than Wales would reach her ultimate goal of becoming OATH World Champion. The referee grabbed Ojima’s wrist, lifted his arm up and released. Ojima’s arm was about an inch away from hitting the mat before he stopped it from falling. The champion’s eyes opened and boy did he look pissed off.

MEARS: Uh oh.

“The Stone Gargoyle” sat up, bringing Wales’ weight with him. Wales knew what was coming so she broke her sleeper hold and started dropping elbows on Ojima’s left collarbone. The champion let out in agony with each blow and when Wales went to apply the sleeper hold again Ojima fought up to his feet. Ojima swung wildly at Wales but she slipped through and went for a back suplex!

PETRIE: Come on Reo! You’ve gotta put this loser away!

MEARS: She does not look like a loser right now.

PETRIE: Just wait!

Wales tried with all her might to lift Ojima but the veteran knew how to shift his weight. Wales gave up and that was the opening that Ojima needed to pivot and clobber her with a lariat! Wales was turned inside out and it appeared that at this point Ojima was finished playing games. Wales was once again face down on the mat and Ojima stomped to put himself behind her. Ojima reached down and lifted Wales off the mat with an impressive deadlift German suplex. Wales landed with a thud and the World Champion looked as pissed off as we had ever seen him.

PETRIE: Rip her fuckin’ head off champ!

MEARS: In all honesty he likely could.

It was as if Ojima got even more pissed off when Wales started to pull herself up off the mat. Ojima stomped over to her and grabbed her by the hair but Wales surprised him with a European uppercut. And then another. And then a third. After the third strike Ojima screamed in her face for “MORE!” and Wales faked a fourth but instead took Ojima down with a fireman’s carry that she perfectly transitioned into an armbar!

MEARS: Armbar! Armbar!

PETRIE: He has to get to the ropes! He has to!

The World Champion was in a spot of trouble as the submission expert Wales wrenched back on his arm. Ojima tried to reach for the ropes but she had him in a perfect position! Ojima clawed at the mat but that wasn’t the way out of this. Ojima enacted plan b and used his strength to change the arm bar into a pinning predicament! Wales’ shoulders were down and the referee made a two count.

MEARS: Josie Wales nearly became OATH World Champion there!

PETRIE: The Stone Gargoyle isn’t gonna lose to a fuckin’ armbar.

MEARS: I mean...he almost did.

Both competitors were back up and Wales charged at the champion but he hoisted her up and went for the Last Call (Running Powerslam) but at the last moment Wales slipped off of his shoulders and sent him hard into the corner as he did earlier in the contest. Wales then rushed in on Ojima only for him to clobber her with a lariat. Ojima hit a stiff kick to her head and then got her up and was able to drop her with the Last Call (Running Powerslam). Ojima covered and got the three count to retain his championship.

Winner: Still OATH World Champion, Reo Ojima

“The Real Man” by The Seatbelts cued up yet again and Ojima was handed the OATH World Championship. It seemed as if Ojima was going to drop to a knee but his pride prevented that. Ojima turned to the entrance ramp to see his ONI brothers, the new Tag Team Champions, Zeke Davis and Baz Jacobi coming to the ring. The duo had their new titles strapped around their wastes and they were applauding “The Stone Gargoyle”.

MEARS: This is quite the scene. All three members of ONI hold championships…

PETRIE: That’s the way it should be! OATH is ONI!

Davis and Jacobi entered the ring and shook Ojima’s hand. The trio then stood in a line and all three men held up their respective championships as Conviction XXVII went off the air.

Results: • Jenna Sharpe def. Adrestia Nyx (2-1) to retain the OATH Tabula Rasa Title

• Leah Aguero def. Erik Holland

• Scum & Villainy def. Umbra Knights to win the OATH Tag Team Titles • Locke Helms def. Declan Black to retain the OATH Intrepid Title

• James Edwards def. FM Young, Stephanie Matsuda; Event Horizon Series 2020 Winner

• Reo Ojima def. Josie Wales to retain the OATH World Title