LIVEWIRE 17

Episode 17

January 13th, 2021

The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario

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“Something Good” by The Damned Things kicked up and we got the opening video package for Livewire. The jib camera scanned the audience before the shot faded to ringside with May O’Neil and Vince Valerie.

O’NEIL: Welcome wrestling fans to episode seventeen of OATH Pro Wrestling Livewire! My name is May O’Neil and I am here with my broadcast colleague, a man who has twice been forcibly removed from Versace headquarters -- “The Dandy Braggart” Vince Valerie. VALERIE: That was all just a misunderstanding. I had an appointment. Much like we have an appointment for a sterling event tonight! The Organization will field competitors for two matches, the first being when “The Compact Combatant” Liz Karlson takes on Organization member “The Young Dynasty” Roddy Zalez! O’NEIL: Two new OATH stars looking to climb the rankings toward the Livewire Championship. In tag team action The Organization’s team Your Worst Nightmare will take on Livewire favourites The Crawfords! VALERIE: The Crawfords have heart but I expect that YWN will rip that heart out tonight. The contest that I can’t pick a winner in is “The Fire Fist Ace” Alex Pierce taking on Tyler Friggin’ Matthews. O’NEIL: Friggin? VALERIE: I do not care for colorful language.

O’NEIL: We might be using a lot of it in the main event. New Livewire Champion, “The Resident Asshole” (there it is) Kasey Kash will attempt his first defence of the title against Brendon Phoenix.

VALERIE: I hope Mr. Phoenix has brought some kind of weaponry to Toronto with him tonight. After what Kash, SWITCHBLXDE, and Bert Cocaine did to El Diablo Blanco last week...he’ll need an equalizer if he hopes to survive let alone win.

O’NEIL: It will be a tough go for Phoenix but I think that the journeyman has what it takes and we could see a massive upset tonight. I know that the fans will be praying for something similar in our opening contest.

VALERIE: This one is going to be rough. Scribbles, due to his rumor spreading about Reo Ojima, is set to face off against the World Champion’s protege King Kong Seto. O’NEIL: That is our opening contest and we are ready to get to it! Ramblers, let’s get ramblin’!

SINGLES MATCH Scribbles vs. King Kong Seto

The opening match of the evening saw Reo Ojima’s protege King Kong Seto make his debut against a man that drew Ojima’s ire -- Scribbles. Lil Scrib had reported for OATH News some rumors about Ojima and now he was forced to deal with the former Sumo wrestler a penance. Seto came to the ring armed with a steel chair, which he really didn’t need considering that he weighs double what Scribbles does.

O’NEIL: This is our first look at King Kong Seto. If he's anything like his mentor, Scribbles is in for a bad night.

VALERIE: Our World Champion does not train scrubs!

Scribbles tried some flippy shit to get the match going, flying over the top rope onto Seto but Seto smacked him out of the air with the steel chair. Fans didn’t like that. SMACK! Seto smashed Scribbles in the back again. Seto slipped the chair into the ring and then lifted Scribbles up in a gorilla press and dumped him through the ropes.

O’NEIL: I feel like this matchup isn’t exactly fair.

Scribbles was a real hurting unit when Seto stomped up the steel steps and entered the ring. Scribbles, favouring his back, tried to rush Seto but got turned inside out with a Mongolian chop! Seto lifted Scribbles off the mat by the back of his neck and planted Scribbles into the canvas with a fallaway slam. Scribbles tried to take refuge in the corner but Seto ran in and splashed him. Scribbles looked like he was on the precipice of death as Seto choked him with both hands and planted him with the Seto Bomb (Baldo Bomb)!

O’NEIL: Good lord! Scribbles was planted.

VALERIE: I feel like there is going to be an opening on OATH News soon. O’NEIL: Why is that? VALERIE: Oh because Scribbles is going to die here tonight. I could use another paycheque. I have essential oils to pay for.

The referee began pleading with Seto to end the match but the behemoth didn’t care. Seto set the chair up and lifted the limp noodle that was Scribbles up to his feet. Seto had to hold Scribbles up before he planted him with the DTW Slam (Tour Of The Islands) onto the standing chair! The chair flattened under their combined weight (most of it Seto). The referee cringed but then seemed relieved, hoping that Seto would cover Scribbles. He didn’t. Seto dragged Scribbles to the nearest corner and then lay the bent chair on top of him. Seto climbed up to the second rope and then came crashing down with his full weight onto Scribbles with the King Kong Drop (Banzai Drop). Seto remained seated and the referee mercifully counted the three.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, King Kong Seto! “Call Me King Kong Bitch” by Dienvy cued up but Seto remained seated on Scribbles. The referee told him that he had to raise his hand so Seto half heartedly held it out. The referee raised Seto’s hand while he was still seated and the fans were horrified because Scribbles’ face was turning blue.

OATH Vice President Oscar Barlow’s office looked even more disgusting than when we last saw it. The Veep’s historic bender was still in full swing and even though he looked like he was trying his best to look presentable -- it was clear that the man had not slept in days. When he did sleep, it was right there in his office.

An interesting new addition to his decor was a pair of adult rottweilers. Barlow sat in a large office chair with a dog sitting on either side of him. If he was trying to look intimidating it was at about fifty percent effectiveness. The dogs were scary but he looked like he woke up in a ditch. Kendrick Bingham walked into frame with a microphone which is redundant because a boom mic was fighting to stay out of frame.

BINGHAM: Mr. Barlow, I was told that you have a major announcement for the Livewire fans. Would you care to share it with us? A sharp sniff from Barlow and his beat red eyes darted between Bingham and the camera operator.

BARLOW: Yeah bro. Yeah. I mean like...I mean I have changed a lot since OATH started you know? I tried to be nice and cool but no one else was cool so I could no longer stay cool. You know? See I’ve been attacked, I’ve been demeaned, and it’s all so trash. But I’m not trash. I’m clean. I am pastoral. You know bro? You get me?

Bingham was having trouble processing The Veep’s words.

BINGHAM: I am sorry sir I don’t think I do get you…

Barlow let out an obnoxious sigh.

BARLOW: Bro it’s like --- I’m trying to change wrestling you know? But like… it’s dangerous. People are plotting against me. Always. My brother-in-law, my father, my sister, -- fuck dude, even the fans! So I picked up these two little babies.

The Veep gestured to the two dogs flanking him.

BARLOW: Axe and Smash. My personal security. No one is gonna fuck with me. Not even Reo Ojima. Not again. That guy needs to get his ass kicked but my brother-in-law can’t seem to find anyone to do it proper. Maybe Locke Helms will get it done -- who knows bro? I honestly don’t know bro. Puzzled. Bingham had no idea what this ranting had to do with a “major announcement”.

BINGHAM: Sir...was the arrival of your dogs the announcement? Barlow’s eyes kept darting all over and he smiled, putting a hand on Bingham’s shoulder and squeezing.

BARLOW: Dude....no. That would be insane. No man. That’s not the announcement. But I do have one. An announcement. It’s good. You’re gonna love it. Everyone will love it. It’s fucking mint bro.

An awkward moment of silence.

BINGHAM: ...what is the announcement sir?

Barlow’s eyes went wide like he just remembered what he was doing.

BARLOW: Okay so like Kirios Hunt won the Skeleton Key at Catalyst: Nightfall but like we couldn’t come to an agreement on her contract so she’s fuckin’ gone bro. But like...I love the Skeleton Key concept. It’s so chaotic and like fruit bearing plants grow out of chaos. That’s just science bro. You get it?

BINGHAM: I think that--

BARLOW: -sniffs- So I have the Skeleton Key back. I have it.

The Veep opens his wrinkled button down and we see the Skeleton Key hanging from a chain around his neck.

BARLOW: But like I have no use for it. I mean I could have a use for it bro but I don’t. It needs a new Keeper. So we’re gonna find one bro. We’re gonna get a new Keeper of the Skeleton Key and that person can get a chance at any title they want. Any of ‘em.

BINGHAM: How will we determine the new Keeper of the Key? BARLOW: I’m working on it bro! I haven’t left the office in weeks. I’m always working. Plotting. Sorting it all out. I’ll let you know next week bro but we will get a new Keeper of the Skeleton Key and it’ll be fucking transformative okay. Now leave bro, I have serious shit to get to.

Barlow aggressively wiped his nose and moved over to his desk where a freshly cleaned hand mirror sat on top of a pile of dossiers and papers. Barlow sat behind the desk and it was like he thought Bingham had already left. He hadn’t. Barlow went to reach into his desk and his eyes fixed on Bingham.

BARLOW: Dude now. Go. Please. Fuck off.

Bingham turned on his heels and left the office. He closed the door behind him and we could hear The Veep sharply sniffing yet again.

SINGLES MATCH

Liz Karlson vs. Roddy Zalez

The next contest saw “The Compact Combatant” Liz Karlson take on The Organization’s “Young Dynasty” Roddy Zalez. Conspicuous by his absence was Zalez’s manager Newman. Once both competitors were in the ring Zalez gestured to Karlson as if to say, “This is it?”. Karlson didn’t take offense, she just shook her head in disbelief. Zalez got on the mat on all fours and offered Karlson the opportunity to take his back. Karlson cocked an eyebrow and then full force soccer kicked Zalez in the ribs much to the delight of the fans.

O’NEIL: That’s what you get for being misogynist in this day and age.

VALERIE: That wasn’t misogyny. He was giving Liz a head start! O’NEIL: You and I both know that Liz Karlson doesn’t need any help from someone like Roddy Zalez.

Zalez scrambled to his feet but Karlson met him with a slap to the chest and then shoved him through the ropes with a thrust kick that saw Zalez landed with a real gross thud on the outside of the ring. Karlson took her time going after him. Once outside the ring Karlson got Zalez to his feet but Zalez caught her with a throat thrust and then sent her face first into the ring post via a headscissor takedown! Karlson was rocked from the impact and staggered right into a back suplex on the floor from Zalez.

O’NEIL: Zalez is the crown jewel of The Organization right? VALERIE: Correct? O’NEIL: Then why isn’t Newman out here? VALERIE: He doesn’t need to be! He trusts Mr. Zalez to get the job done on his own.

The Young Dynasty was feeling good now, he had the upper hand. Zalez attempted to slam Liz’s face into the apron but she caught him with a sharp elbow to the stomach. Liz hopped up onto the apron and tried to hit Zalez with a back kick but Zalez caught her leg, ripped it out from underneath her and she slammed into the apron. Zalez was quick up onto the apron with her. A few paces between them, Zalez darted forward only for Liz to catch him with Get Fucked! (Fireman’s Carry into a Samoan Drop) from the apron to the floor! Zalez had all of the air driven out of his lungs and had no time to recover as Liz slipped him back into the ring.

O’NEIL: It seems that this match went from a standard contest to a grudge match real quick. Liz Karlson showing Zalez that his antiquated views on women in wrestling need to remain dead and buried.

In a mirror image from the beginning of the contest, Zalez was up to all fours but this time it was not by choice. Liz smirked at the justice and then ran in for a sliding dropkick but Zalez rolled to the side, popped up and caught her with a beautiful dropkick. Not one to be kept down by such a basic strike, Liz was back up but Zalez smacked her in the face and drove her into the mat with a poisonrana! Liz was rocked and Zalez was up to his knees, wearing the biggest shit eating grin that you’ve ever seen.

O’NEIL: It only took two weeks.

VALERIE: Two weeks for what exactly? O’NEIL: For Zalez to become one of the most hated competitors in The Citadel.

Karlson was rocked by that last move and Zalez knew it. Zalez got in her face and said “I’ll let you surrender. The only thing it’ll cost ya is a kiss.” Are you fucking kidding? It’s 2021 dude. Karlson seemed to feel the same way and she responded by cracking Zalez hard in the jaw with a firm right hand and then Karlson nailed him with Beat Street (Pair of superkicks to the knee, and then to the jaw, before following up with a rebound Meteora to the back of the head to drill an opponent's head into the canvas)! Zalez was fucked up and Karlson pinned but only got a two count.

O’NEIL: What a combination from The Brick Shithouse.

VALERIE: What a vile nickname.

O’NEIL: I like it.

VALERIE: You would.

Sensing that she could put The Young Dynasty away, Liz set Zalez up for a Three Story Trip (Rubiks Cube)! Zalez had a fear in his eyes typically reserved for those about to be mauled by some kind of wild animal and he frantically looked for an escape. He found it, landing behind Liz. She spun around to blast him with a forearm but Zalez raked her eyes and then whipped her into the middle rope! Karlson took it right in the throat and started gasping for air as Zalez planted her with Dynasty Reborn (Uranagi knee backbreaker into a Sit-Out Franchiser)! Zalez covered and got the cheap victory.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The Young Dynasty” Roddy Zalez! "Higher" by blackbear kicked up and Zalez celebrated like he had just won the World Championship. Zalez pranced around the ring like an asshole and The Citadel let him know that they hated him. Like, a lot. Zalez seemed completely ignorant of the fact that everyone in the arena was pissed off because he won. He won!

We went to a private locker room where a TV monitor showed Roddy Zalez still celebrating. It zoomed and panned over to see Newman holding a cigar in his hand and hollering.

NEWMAN: Hell yeah! That's what I'm talkin about!

Newman turned toward the camera.

NEWMAN: Ladies and gentlemen, what you just witnessed is the first step on the odyssey of Roddy Zalez. Before too long do not be shocked if he ends up at the top of the card and lookin’ down at all of you. After all, that is where his destiny lies. Hey, don't blame me for him, I'm just the one who's gonna lead him to the throne.

Newman chuckled and turned toward his other two compatriots: Doc Knockem and Fagoo.

NEWMAN: As for you two, it's gonna be easy pickins. Those two family fools stand no chance when compared to the two of you.

Newman took a puff of his cigar before shaking both of his cohorts' hands. The smoke billowed out into the air of the dimly lit room.

NEWMAN: Doc, I know I can trust you to make sure that those two ingrates regret ever stepping into the ring with you again.

Doc nodded his head, but otherwise showed little emotion beyond a scowl.

KNOCKEM: Sir. It would be a pleasure.

Doc finished taping up his right hand, tossing the remainder of the roll to the floor. He punched his right fist into his left palm and cracked his knuckles. Newman chuckled once before turning toward Fagoo.

FAGOO: Look, sir, you don't have to worry about us. You gave me this team ages ago with a partner that wasn't ready. But Doc? Trust me, this is the guy you need.

Newman shook Fagoo's hand once again, chuckling past all the smoke soaring out of his mouth.

NEWMAN: You're my right hand man, Fagoo. Show those pricks why I named you Your Worst Nightmare.

Fagoo nodded toward Doc before heading out of the locker room. Newman remained behind, plopping his cigar into his mouth and sitting down in a nearby reclining chair. He puffed his cigar a couple times and smiled at the TV.

O’NEIL: The Organization's Your Worst Nightmare take on The Crawfords in tag team action...next.

TAG TEAM MATCH

The Crawfords vs. Your Worst Nightmare

The next contest saw The Crawfords in action for the first time since losing a number one contenders match at Catalyst at the end of December. They came out to a great response from the Toronto fans and the pop got even louder when Your Worst Nightmare of The Organization made their entrance. Fagoo led the team with Doc Knockem trailing behind. Fagoo played to the crowd and they wanted fuck all to do with him. Knockem just walked slowly to ring looking like a badass.

O’NEIL: This is our first glimpse at Your Worst Nightmare as a tag team. We saw them pick up a victory last week in Trios action but tonight we see what they can do as a two man team.

VALERIE: And they have to do it against Livewire’s resident welfare recipients -- The Crawfords.

O’NEIL: Why would they be on welfare if they have jobs?

VALERIE: The poor are always finding a way to juke the system. The match kicked off with both Erika and Nicky hitting Fagooo and Knockem respectively with dropkicks. The Citadel popped for the siblings as both Fagoo and Knockem rolled to the outside. YWN had exactly no time to regroup because both Erika and Nicky came flying over the top rope with stereo somersault planchas. Nicky rolled Fagoo into the ring and Erika took her place on the apron to officially start the match.

O’NEIL: The Crawfords start the match with their high octane offense. You know that the siblings are still salty about losing that Number One Contenders Match to The Social Elite. They want to find a way to earn a shot at the gold.

VALERIE: The Social Elite will get their chance at the gold this Sunday on Conviction. I recommend that The Crawfords watch that match so they can see the plethora of skills that they themselves lack.

GHOSTBOY laid into Fagoo with some elbows to the back of the head and set him up for an Irish whip into the ropes but Fagoo planted his feet. Fagooo yanked Nicky right into a t-bone suplex with AUTHORITY! Nicky was at the mercy of YWN as Fagoo made the tag to Knockem. Fagoo sent Nicky into an inverted atomic drop from Doc who then held Nicky in place so Fagoo could blast him with a dropkick. Fagoo slipped out of the ring as Knockem made a cover for a two count.

O’NEIL: And just like that the momentum has swung in YWN’s favor. They are an interesting team. A unique blend of power and technical prowess.

VALERIE: Newman has put together a world class collection of talent. He has so much faith in these two that he stayed in the back!

Knockem kept Nicky subdued with some heavy hands and then shot GHOSTBOY into the ropes only to turn him inside out with a clothesline from deep in the heart of Amarillo! Nicky was fucked right up as Knockem dragged him over to the YWN corner and tagged Fagoo back in. It was almost instantaneous, YWN planted Nicky with Seeds Sown (Backstabber [Doc] into a Samoan Drop [Fagoo]) and Fagoo dropped into a cover. It would have been a three count had Erika not made the save. The referee forced Erika out of the ring and YWN took that opportunity to double team Nicky by stomping the absolute dogshit out of him.

O’NEIL: And if you look to the ring you will see YWN skirting the rules.

VALERIE: So what? Rules are made to be broken!

O’NEIL: I don’t know why people insist on saying that idiom. It makes absolutely no fucking sense.

Fagoo tried to play to the crowd yet again but The Citadel wasn’t having it. They loved The Crawfords and that wasn’t changing any time soon. Disappointed, Fagoo decided that the best way to gain The Citadel’s favor would be to climb to the top rope for some HIGH RISK OFFENSE! Fagoo was perched on the top rope and he attempted a moonsault but Nicky rolled out of the way and made the HOT TAG to his sister Erika! Erika flew into the ring and blasted Fagoo with a Yakuza kick and cracked Knockem with a bicycle pump kick that took him off the apron. Erika called out to Nicky but he was already steps ahead as he planted Fagoo with a powerbomb! Fagoo landed with a thud, rolled backward up to his knees and Erika fed him a beautiful shining wizard. Erika covered but only got a two count.

O’NEIL: Erika Crawford is lighting these boys up and The Citadel could not be happier about it!

Erika helped her brother to their corner and that proved to be a bad call because it allowed Fagoo the opportunity to tag Knockem back in. Erika huffed at her own mistake and took off toward Knockem but got caught with Windbreaker (Winds of Change)! Fagoo blind tagged Knockem and slipped into the ring. Sadly (for Erika) she soon fell victim to Lights Out (Simultaneous Powerbomb (Doc) and Backstabber (Fagoo), Fagoo then pushes the opponent away with his legs whilst on the mat, leading into a Double A Spinebuster (Doc))! Nicky hopped into the ring to assist his sister but got taken over the top rope by a clothesline from Knockem as Fagoo eagerly made the cover for the three count.

CRYBABY: Here are your winners, Doc Knockem and Fagoo, Your Worst Nightmare!

After the bell Fagoo was all smiles and Doc was...still all frown. Fagoo celebrated like crazy and the fans hated him for it. Doc’s eyes were fixated on Erika and he had malicious intent in his eyes. Doc moved to grab Erika but Nicky was back in the ring and he smoked Doc with a superkick that took the Hard Hitter over the top rope to the floor. Not wanting to suffer the same fate, Fagoo exited the ring of his own accord.

O’NEIL: Knockem wants to keep this rumble going but Fagoo is satisfied. They may need to work on their gameplan. Seems that they are following different ones.

VALERIE: Knockem never wants to stop fighting. That’s his thing.

Nicky checked on his sister as Fagoo calmed Doc down outside the ring. Fagoo essentially had to drag Doc up the ramp because the man from Amarillo wanted to fight some more.

A drone camera gives you a bird’s eye view of Hotel X in Toronto. It is a cold January evening in the Big Smoke, the kind of evening where your breath would hang in the air in front of you for an unusual length of time. Three men stood on the roof of the building, each of them dressed in black wool peacoats. We could not see their faces until the camera pulled out to show former OATH talents; Ben Macbeth, Harvey Carbine, and Josh Cherry -- EMBLEM.

MACBETH: You’re surprised to see us, no doubt. The last time that EMBLEM graced the OATH product we were being forced to leave the company after putting our careers up against Reo Ojima’s World Championship.

The words were bitter but Macbeth forced them out. That was a dark day for the trio, one that they would never forgive.

MACBETH: But Reo Ojima has felled a great many competitors since we left OATH in August so I suppose that I am not as angry about that. He has had an incredible reign and I commend him for it.

CARBINE: We ain’t here for ONI. At least not yet. You see we ain’t even signed to OATH. We signed a per appearance deal with Barlow himself. If the Straker Man has a fuckin’ problem with it then he can come talk to me, Merle, and Haggard. We’ll sort the sumbitch out.

Carbine kissed each of his fists which he had apparently named in his time away from OATH.

CHERRY: Hell yeah. We came back to OATH from Empire Wrestling because we did everything that could be done in that company. We saw what the homie Barlow was doing with this shit right here and we wanted in.

MACBETH: We are Livewire exclusive. We are here to help Mr. Barlow elevate this brand and to reach new heights as a trio. We are not from Hell, we aren’t members of a wrestling family, and we are not an organization. We are EMBLEM and we are here to be the standard of professional wrestling. Deepest condolences. The drone camera pulled away from the roof and ascended into the night sky until EMBLEM were merely specks on far down below.

SINGLES MATCH

Alex Pierce vs. Tyler Matthews

The semi-main event saw “The Fire Fist Ace” Alex Pierce come to Livewire to take on Tyler Fuckin’ Matthews. Like last week, Matthews was accompanied to the ring by #1 and #2 -- the masked figures that lingered around the ring last week when he defeated Scribbles.

O’NEIL: What do we know about #1 and #2? Literally nothing. They don’t talk. They just skulk.

VALERIE: It could be anyone under those masks! O’NEIL: Any guesses? VALERIE: I do not play games of chance.

The match kicked off and we got a standard lock up. Pierce forced Matthews into a headlock but Matthews shoved him off into the ropes. Pierce returned and put Matthews on his back with a running shoulder block and then dropped a quick elbow into Matthews’ heart. Matthews was quickly back up to his feet and they locked up again but this time Matthews caught Pierce with a forearm smash to the face and then blasted him with a rocket kick for a quick two count.

O’NEIL: What do you think Alex Pierce is missing Vince? He has shown moments of brilliance but hasn’t been able to string a series of victories together.

VALERIE: I do not think Alex is missing anything other than that one defining victory.

The two exchanged strikes back and forth until Pierce took Matthews over with a belly to belly suplex. Matthews scrambled back to his feet and Pierce evaded a right hand from the Asheville native and then planted him with a snap German suplex. Pierce applied a modified double wrist lock in an attempt to keep Matthews grounded but Matthews grabbed the middle rope and the referee applied a five count. Pierce actually let go at a count of four but then hit Matthews with a stiff kick to the side of the head.

O’NEIL: Alex Pierce is choosing to adhere to the rules.

VALERIE: That is a mistake I think. You need to take every advantage that you can get in this industry.

Pierce stood Matthews up and shot him into the corner. Pierce followed that up with a running lariat and then guided Matthews out of the corner to the center of the ring. Pierce went for a BIG discus lariat but Matthews slipped his guard and Matthews caught Pierce with a lightning quick brainbuster. Brain = busted. Matthews ascended to the top rope and leaped off with a swanton bomb that he nailed. Matthews hooked the leg but Pierce was able to kick out at two.

O’NEIL: A near fall for Tyler Matthews.

VALERIE: You would think that the winner of this contest would be in line for a Livewire Championship Match. I think that any combination of the competitors that could potentially be involved would be just lovely.

O’NEIL: Lovely?

VALERIE: You heard me.

The audience started to get behind Matthews a little bit as he raised Pierce off of the mat. Matthews went over to a corner, dragged his thumb across his throat and then exploded out of the corner looking for Off With His Head (Discus Lariat) but Pierce caught his arm and put him on the mat with a cross arm breaker! Matthews was trapped in the middle of the ring and Pierce was yanking back with all of his might. Matthews got a foot on the bottom rope and Pierce broke the hold. Matthews looked to the outside at #1 and #2. The masked figures waived their hands in a sweeping motion toward the ring. Matthews gave them a slight nod.

O’NEIL: Did you see that? What did that gesture mean? VALERIE: I think it means that it is time for Mr. Matthews to go for the jugular.

The Fire Fist Ace went to attack Matthews’ arm again but Matthews plunged his thumbs into Pierce’s eyes and forced him into a corner. Matthews dropped his hands to Pierce’s throat and started choking him! The referee applied a five count but Matthews didn’t release the illegal hold. What a jerk. Matthews aggressively yanked Pierce out of the corner, kicked him in the midsection, and dropped him with The G.L.O.A.T (Spike Piledriver)! Matthews wasted no time getting Pierce back up to his feet only to send him back down to the canvas with The Death of You (Psycho Driver)! Matthews shot the half, hooked the leg, got the three.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, Tyler Fuckin’ Matthews! "The Black" by Asking Alexandria kicked up and Matthews had his hand raised. #1 and #2 had already started walking up the ramp. Matthews jerked his arm away from the referee and exited the ring, following his keepers up the ramp to the back.

RUN THEM JEWELS FAST, RUN THEM, RUN THEM JEWELS FAST

RUN THEM, RUN THEM, R-RUN THEM, R-RUN THEM, RUN THEM, FUCK THE SLO MO

“Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)” by Run The Jewels started playing through the speakers around the arena, but the boos were drowning the music out as SWITCHBLXDE, Bert Cocaine and the new Livewire Champion Kasey Kash made their way out to the ramp walking to the ring. After what went down on the previous episode of Livewire the boos were most definitely deserved.

A replay showed the closing moments of Kasey Kash against the former Livewire Champion El Diablo Blanco where Bert threw pocket sand into the eyes of El D. El D was blinded and then ate not one, not two, but three unprotected chair shots to the head before falling to a knee. Kash nailed him with the Aussie Knee Party to the back of the head, followed by the post match assault. After the replay finished we could see Kash is in an argument with a fan at ringside as Crybaby made her introduction

CRYBABY: Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time for your main event of the evening! Making his way to the ring first, from Canberra, Australia, being accompanied by Bert Cocaine and SWITCHBLXDE, he is your current Livewire Champion, “The Resident Asshole”, KASEY...KASH!

The boos grew louder with Kasey eventually spitting in the fan’s face and walking away. The fan was being held back by FORCE Security. Kash slid under the bottom rope as Bert and SWITCH climbed into the ring. Kash snatched the mic from Crybaby and shooed her out of the ring.

KASH: Oi oi… what's all this then.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

KASH: You lot REALLY love El Diablo Blanco, don’t you?

The boos grew louder as Kash just smirked.

KASH: Well, guess what? I DON’T GIVE A FUCK! THIS IS MY TIME! I’M TIRED OF PANDERING TO YOU LOT, YEAH? I’M THE FACE OF LIVEWIRE NOW, NOT SOME BACKYARD “PHENOM”! I am TIRED of being overlooked by all of you in favor of El Diablo Blanco… but you only want to hear me speak for one reason...You lot want an explanation, don’t ya?

“YEAH!”

KASH: YOU WANT A FUCKING EXPLANATION?

“YEAH!”

Kash just smiled and handed the microphone to Bert to a massive amount of boos. Bert with a smirk on his face soaked them in like sunlight.

BERT: And as ALWAYS, Bert has all of your answers. You see... El Diablo Blanco wasn’t a catalyst for what happened last week. Diablo was a statistic. He was a fucking causality. It was a tragedy what happened to him but it was necessary...

The boos started to lower. The Citadel quieted itself down, starting to wonder where Bert might be going with this.

BERT: You see a few months ago, a couple of boys known as The Runaways hit this scene running and they were hot out of the gate. They came here week after week, sometimes twice a week and they would tear the house down. And then they would go off tear down another 5 houses a week and eventually they would become your Tag Team of the Year. But the time... the money... the fame...

BERT: Sometimes it gets to be too much for some people. And sometimes they crack... sometimes though it goes much worse. Sometimes it goes to their heads.

The Citadel was silent now.

BERT: Sometimes, people grow too big for their britches. And they start trying to control the people who are supposed to be their partners. And they find themselves, bags packed shipped off on the bus with the rest of the glory hungry junkies!

The fans in The Citadel knew who Bert was referring to and they did not appreciate Bert’s harsh words.

BERT: And what’s left is broken men left to rebuild an entire empire… this time in their own image! Right back from square one.

With a laugh Bert and Kasey shared a fist bump.

BERT: When we were running high, we tried to bring Jenna with us. But she didn’t see it our way. Instead of being happy she was winning night after night she would rather chastise me for getting involved! I became “trash goblin” and as endearing as that is to me... Switch and I had a talk and we decided that this is purely about business. So instead of getting yelled at every night about doing business, we found someone who celebrates us! We found someone who doesn’t want to take the reins, but share the wealth.

Kash smirked, patting the title over his shoulder.

BERT: It was never about El Diablo Blanco. This was about something bigger than that... this was about the death of The Runaways...

And with a little too much enthusiasm, SWITCH slipped the mic from between Bert’s fingers.

SWITCH: AND THE BIRTH OF THE MUTHA’! FUCK’N! MURK SQUAD.

SWITCH lobbed the microphone to Kash who caught it and started speaking in one fluid motion.

KASH: Just so we don’t have to talk to you fuckin’ lot for much longer, I got a message for my opponent tonight. Brendan Phoenix. You ain’t shit. You’ve had one match here, and the management gives you a shot at my belt... my CHAMPIONSHIP. That I SCRATCHED... that I GRINDED for. You win one match and you’re INSTANTLY given a championship match? Looks like I’ll need to knock you down a peg or two, send you crashing down to reality. Cause when you step to the best that Livewire has to offer, you’re gonna get knocked the fuck down. Just like El Diablo Blanco found out. So you can claim all you want that you’re hungrier than I am on Twitter, you ain’t. You can claim you have just as much fight in you as I do, you don’t. I’m going to cave your fucking skull in, I’m the top dog now. Ain’t nobody out there going to say or do otherwise... now to finish this fuckin' thing off. Go Fuck Yourself, Brendan. This is MY time, not yours... and NOW... now I’m going to kick your teeth in to prove my fucking point.

Kash tossed the mic out of the ring and handed his belt to Bert, who climbed out of the ring with SWITCH.

• MAIN EVENT •

OATH LIVEWIRE CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES MATCH

Brendon Phoenix vs. Kasey Kash ©

As the champion waited in the ring for his opponent the scene cut to the announce table where RC Lightlooker was seated with May O’Neil and Vince Valerie. “Howitzer” Buck Boon stood sentry beside his manager, arms crossed, looking pissed off. That’s what you look for in a heater.

LIGHTLOOKER: May, Vince -- I want to THANK you both so much for having me out here this evening! I am excited to see what Brendon Phoenix can do all alone.

O’NEIL: Are you resentful that he declined your offer? LIGHTLOOKER: Resentful? Of course NOT! I just wanted him to come to the light but he THINKS that he KNOWS better. I guess we’ll see if that is true!

VALERIE: You know I think that Phoenix made the wrong choice. Now he is all alone against the Murk Squad!

Brendon Phoenix made his way out to the ring to a surprisingly good reaction from the audience. Granted, they probably would have cheered anyone who came out to fight Kash because they really do hate the guy. Phoenix passed by SWITCH and Bert at ringside. Bert offered to open the ropes for Phoenix but the challenger no sold it, he needed to focus on the man in the ring. SWITCH stood in Phoenix’s way and that momentary roadblock allowed Kash to dive over the top rope with a somersault plancha to take Phoenix down.

LIGHTLOOKER: I would have WARNED Brendon about that! He didn’t see it COMING and now Kasey has the ADVANTAGE!

O’NEIL: This change that we’ve seen in Kasey Kash has seemingly benefited him. He is the Livewire Champion and the top of the mountain here on Livewire.

VALERIE: The Murk Squad remembered who they really are! War Games changed them and now they have taken over Livewire. You love to see it.

O’NEIL: Some people don’t love to see it.

VALERIE: Then they have horrible taste.

Kash took a bow and The Citadel booed him like he owed them money. Kash proceeded to flip off the audience and gathered Phoenix up. Kash was caught off guard when Phoenix caught him with a few quick jabs to the midsection and then blasted Kash in the face with a reverse elbow. Phoenix was quick to apply a front face lock and then hit Kash with a release suplex onto the apron! Kash hit hard and dropped into a heap on the floor. Phoenix hefted the champion up and rolled him into the ring.

O’NEIL: Brendon Phoenix has been all over the world and yet I can’t imagine that he has faced odds like this. SWITCH and Bert are roaming around ringside and it’s only a matter of time before they get involved.

LIGHTLOOKER: Had Brendon accepted my OFFER then he would have some BACKUP. His pride is BLINDING him when he should be blinding OTHERS by coming to the light.

The journeyman Phoenix kept Kash grounded with a chin lock and then delivered some heavy elbows to Kash’s collarbone. Phoenix collected Kash up and SLAP he hit him with a knife edge chop. Kash tried to put some distance between them but SLAP Phoenix hit him with another knife edge chop. Kasey was on his heels now and Phoenix went for a third chop but Kash kicked him right in the ballbag.

LIGHTLOOKER: Typically I wouldn’t be down for such VILLAINY but here on Livewire you can do that kind of THING and not be reprimanded.

VALERIE: An individual like Kasey Kash can thrive in an environment like this and he is doing just that.

O’NEIL: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

As most men would be, Phoenix was in agony. Kash laughed in his face and then slapped him. Phoenix staggered sideways but did not drop. Kash approached him and shouted, “It’s my time motherfucker!” and went for a spinning backfist but Phoenix ducked under it and CRACKED Kash with an enziguiri! Kash was seeing small blue birds flying around his head when Phoenix hit the ropes and put Kash’s face into the mat with a bulldog! The audience POPPED when Phoenix hit the Phoenixsault (Lionsault)! Phoenix nailed it and hooked the leg for a two count.

O’NEIL: We nearly had a new champion just now!

VALERIE: I’ll give Phoenix this -- he has heart. He seems like a genuinely good person and that is going to cost him.

LIGHTLOOKER: You have to be a little bit NASTY to succeed. No one ever made it by being a GOOD PERSON.

O’NEIL: What about El Diablo Blanco? VALERIE: What about him? He is probably still in the hospital.

A close count but Kash was able to get the shoulder up. It was clear that Kash was hurt and Phoenix could see the Livewire Championship in his sights. Phoenix shot Kash into a corner and followed that up with a running European uppercut. Phoenix liked that so much that he sent Kash across the ring and hit Kash with another European uppercut. WHAM! Phoenix did it one final time to complete The Flurry! Kash staggered out of the corner right into a third knife edge chop from Phoenix. SLAP! Kash dropped like Quibi stock and The Citadel couldn’t be happier about it.

O’NEIL: Phoenix needs to hit one big move and put Kasey away. He can’t give the Murk Squad any opportunities to interfere.

Phoenix called out to Toronto and it was time for the end. Phoenix set Kash up for Ashes to Ashes (Diving Neckbreaker) but as he flew through the air Kash caught him with a leaping knee to the chin! Phoenix collapsed to the mat and Kash pounced on him, laying into him with rabid rights and lefts. Kash hauled Phoenix up to his feet and hit him with Fuck You and All Your Friends (Ripcord bicycle Knee)! With Phoenix down on the mat Kash made the cover but only got a two count.

Bert got up on the apron and chastised the referee. The zebra did his best to ignore the Manager Of The Year 2020 and that proved to be pretty difficult. Bert is loud and annoying as fuck. Kash called to SWITCH and a malevolent smile appeared on the face of the Scum God. SWITCH reached under the ring and pulled out a bundle of LIGHT TUBES! SWITCH placed them in the ring and The Resident Asshole moved to make use of them.

O’NEIL: Light tubes. Again. Fuck sakes.

VALERIE: It’s all---

O’NEIL: If you say it’s all legal I’ll fucking kill you.

The Livewire Champion reached down to grab a light tube but Phoenix kicked him in the face! Kash dropped one of the light tubes and Phoenix kicked the bundle out of the ring. One light tube remained on the mat as Phoenix took Kash over with a snap German suplex! Kash landed awkwardly on the back of his neck and Phoenix held him in a bridge for a two count. Kash tried to roll out of the ring but Phoenix grabbed him and set him up for another German suplex but Bert was back up on the apron! Kash dropped his head and Bert threw a handful of POCKET SAND into Phoenix’s face. Kash picked up a light tube and smashed Phoenix in the side of the head with it! Phoenix dropped to one knee, his ear cut open. Kash hit the ropes and came back with Aussie Knee Party (Last Shot)! Phoenix was rocked and Kash made the cover for the three count.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, and STILL OATH Pro Wrestling Livewire Champion, “The Resident Asshole” Kasey Kash!

Immediately SWITCH was in the ring with the bundle of light tubes and he mounted Phoenix, hitting him with a wild dog flurry of shots. Bert collected the Livewire Championship and handed it to cash. SWITCH’s onslaught continued and the fans quickly started a chant. “DIA-BLO BLAN-CO! DIA-BLO BLAN-CO! DIA-BLO BLAN-CO!”

BERT: He’s not coming!

Bert and Kasey just laughed as SWITCH continued to beat the piss out of Phoenix. SWITCH collected the bundle of light tubes and allowed Phoenix to get to his feet. SWITCH lobbed the bundle at Phoenix and hit him with The Nosejob (Codebreaker)! The light tubes shattered between SWITCH’s knees and Phoenix’s face, sending glass everywhere! Phoenix rolled on the mat in agony grasping at his eyes. The Murk Squad stood amidst the carnage that they had created here at Livewire 17 as the show came to a close.

---

Results: • King Kong Seto def. Scribbles • Roddy Zalez def. Liz Karlson • Your Worst Nightmare def. The Crawfords • Tyler Matthews def. Alex Pierce • Kasey Kash def. Brendon Phoenix; Still Livewire Champion