LIVEWIRE 18

Episode 18

January 20th, 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 that cycled through various action shots until we reached the final shot of Kasey Kash seated in an abandoned warehouse with the Livewire Championship in his lap. 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 OATH Pro Wrestling Livewire. I am May O’Neil alongside the owner of the worst OnlyFans in existence, The Dandy Braggart Vince Valerie.

VALERIE: People do not appreciate my elaborate boudoir shoots and that is no fault of mine.

O’NEIL: I’m sure that you’ll figure out what the people want one day. What people want right now is what we are about to deliver. Five huge matches tonight.

VALERIE: Each week Livewire just gets better and better. Tonight we will see the self proclaimed King of Pro Wrestling Maverick take on The Fire Fist Ace Alex Pierce. I spoke with Mr. Pierce earlier today and he is not in a good mood to say the least.

O’NEIL: That doesn’t bode well for Maverick. Me personally? I’m in a great mood because Midnight Special of EMBLEM is back in OATH and tonight they will return to action when they take on Your Worst Nightmare of The Organization.

VALERIE: EMBLEM chose the worst time to come back because they are about to run into the undefeated Organization. They will see to it that EMBLEM’s return is short lived.

O’NEIL: Brendon Phoenix’s career in OATH may be short lived as well because he takes on SWITCHBLXDE of The Murk Squad tonight. SWITCH brutalized Phoenix last week, does the journeyman have what it takes to put The Scum God down? VALERIE: He may have a chance if he has a defence for Bert Cocaine’s dreaded pocket sand. That also may come into play in our main event when Tyler Matthews looks to take the Livewire Championship from the outspoken champion “The Resident Asshole” Kasey Kash.

O’NEIL: Kasey looks to make his second successful defense of the title but Tyler Matthews has had a great start to his OATH career, taking the title from Kasey would put him on the fast track to the very top of this company.

VALERIE: I simply can not wait to get this show started and we will do soe with our first contest as “The Compact Combatant” Liz Karlson faces off against ONI’s King Kong Seto.

SINGLES MATCH

Liz Karlson vs. King Kong Seto

This one started with Karlson taking the fight right to the former Sumo wrestler. Karlson laid into Seto with rapid and successive slaps, chops, elbows, and forearms but they had little effect! Karlson seemed shocked and even more so when Seto just rubbed his belly and then hammered her with a Mongolian chop.

VALERIE: It seems that his loss to Locke Helms on the last episode of Conviction has only served to fill Mr. Seto with resolve.

O’NEIL: Alongside several pounds of chicken wings I’m sure.

VALERIE: Are you fat shaming him?

O’NEIL: Dude likes chicken wings!

Karlson was rattled from that chop and Seto helped her off of the canvas only to plant her with a fallaway slam. The young boy was pleased with the move’s effectiveness and decided to go for another. Bad call apparently because Karlson wriggled free and blasted him in the chin with a superkick. Seto didn’t drop and Karlson seemed mystified.

VALERIE: Seto is tough. Like some kind of ancient rock.

O’NEIL: He wasn’t so tough when he faced Locke Helms.

VALERIE: Ms. Karlson is no Locke Helms.

The Compact Combatant nailed Seto with a thrust kick and then cracked him in the ear with an enziguri that finally dropped Hungry Hungry Seto. Karlson took off for the ropes but on her return she was nearly halved with a spear from the ONI member. Seto covered and put all his weight on Karlson but she was able to grasp the bottom rope.

O’NEIL: Great ring awareness from Liz. She knew that she wasn’t going to be able to push Seto off of her so she grabbed the rope.

VALERIE: Perhaps he should just lay on her...in the middle of the ring.

O’NEIL: This is no time for your erotic wrestling fan fiction Dandy.

VALERIE: You read my blog Naked/Choke?

O’NEIL: No one does sweetie.

It was readily apparent at this point that Karlson’s ribs had suffered some kind of injury Whether it was major or minor was difficult to determine because Karlson gutted it out and got to her feet but Seto was there to grab her in a bear hug before he effortlessly tossed her over head with a belly to belly suplex.

Karlson was grounded on her stomach, wincing with every breath as Seto stomped over to her. The behemoth reached down to take her by the hair but Karlson modified a school girl and sent Seto through the ropes to the floor! Seto landed right on the crown of his head and Karlson was afforded the reprieve that she so desperately needed.

O’NEIL: Liz has outsmarted the young boy!

VALERIE: Granted that probably is not a terribly difficult thing to do.

O’NEIL: Hey he hasn’t given us an indication that he’s an idiot.

VALERIE: That is not what I was inferring. He is just an unchained beast and has a singular focus.

Seto got to his feet and shook off the cobwebs only to be immediately slammed into the barricade via a suicide dive from Karlson. The barricade came unfastened and the two spilled into the front row! Fans scattered and Karlson was the first to her feet and she surprised Seto with Beat Street; two superkicks to the knee, one to the jaw, then a leaping Meteora to the back of the head that drove Seto’s face into a nearby standing chair! The seat on the steel chair completely bent and it seemed that Seto had been put down. Karlson seemed pleased but that expression did not remain on her face for long as Seto started to stand.

VALERIE: We are seeing some impressive resilience from the ONI member tonight. What will it take to keep him on the ground?

O’NEIL: Spill some wing sauce.

VALERIE: Do not be so monstrous.

The Compact Combatant decided that now was the time to arm herself. Seto thought the same thing. Both retrieved steel chairs from the floor but Karlson was quicker on the draw. She smashed Seto once in the head. It merely made him angier. He went to swing but again Karslon was faster and she cracked him over the head again. This shot staggered Seto but he shook it off. Karlson took a deep breath and then with all of her might she swung on Seto but he swung as well! Both of them connected and then after a moment of trying to stay on their feet -- they both dropped. The referee had seen enough and in an effort to protect both competitors from themselves he called for the bell.

CRYBABY: Wrestling fans the referee has ruled this match a draw.

The Citadel booed the shit out of that. Not that they didn’t care about the wrestlers’ well being but they wanted a winner. Unfortunately Toronto would not get what they wanted in regards to this one, trainers and EMTs were already on the scene to evaluate both competitors.

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

The familiar theme tune of “The Resident Asshole” blared throughout the press room. Kasey Kash makes his way into the room, no boos, but everyone was less than happy to see him.

KASH: Cheers for comin’ out here, cunnies. Now, I’m open to any and all questions you may have about me, or my reign as Livewire champion. Alright… you, freckleface in the glasses.

JACOBS: Bill Jacobs, Rising Sun Report…

KASH: Mate, if I had asked for your name I would’ve. What's your question.

JACOBS: After what you did to El Diablo Blanco at Livewire Seventeen, do you think we will see him in the same in ring shape he was before?

KASH: What kind of stupid fucking question was that, Freckle face? That's all you got? Really? Whatever… uhh… no. Because The Murk Squad did what they needed to. Next question…

Kash looked out at the room, his eyes falling on a female reporter.

KASH: You, girl with daddy issues, whatcha got?

OLIVIA: Hi Kasey, Olivia Newman with Cali Sports… What do you think about the stable that returned to OATH at the last livewire, EMBLEM?

Kasey rolled his eyes, clearly pissed off.

KASH: Now… am I going insane? When I sat up here, I asked about questions for me and my reign as Livewire Champ. Not all this garbage… fuck me. Alright who’s next?

PETERS: Hi Kasey, Johnny Peters here with-

KASH: I don’t give a fuck who you’re with. Just get to the fucking point.

PETERS: Riiight… so you’ve been on Livewire for a long time now, I just want to know what your thoughts are on The Organization, and do you see one of them coming for your title anytime soon?

KASH: I’ll forgive your stupid fucking question, because it related to me at the end of it. What do I think about them? I think they better stay the fuck out of my way. That’s what I think about them… and do I see one of them coming for my belt anytime soon? They better fucking not, unless they want to get a face full of broken glass and no place of work for a while. Next question.

A redheaded male reporter stands and goes to talk.

KASH: Mate, if you say your name or where you’re from I swear to god I’ll throw this table at your fucking skull, just ask your question and get it over with.

???: Sorry… so. You like to claim yourself to be the “Top Dog” on Livewire…

Kasey cut him off.

KASH: I like to claim? I’ve got the belt to prove it.

???: Right. Anyways… With you making all these claims, does it bother you that there are people out there who the fans might think are the true “Top Dogs” in OATH, guys like Reo Ojima, guys like James Edwards , guys like El Dia-

KASH: Just… just shut the fuck up. Okay? I have had it up to HERE with all of you, I came out here to field questions about ME, about MY rise to the top. Not about anybody else. You do understand that this next Livewire will be about ME retaining MY championship AGAIN… Not some Backyard “legend” that wants his 15 seconds of fame in the ring with the very best in this business. This disrespect is WHY I did what I did… is WHY I joined up with Bert and Switch full time. We’re tired of being looked over when we’re going out there and putting on the best matches that Livewire has ever seen. I’m absolutely SICK of the disrespect you’ve been showing me. So you know what? Take this press conference and shove it. I’m done, see you lot at Livewire 18.

With that, Kase stood up and flipped the desk in front of him over, throwing his water bottle at the last reporter, nailing him square in the face, before walking out of the room with the Livewire Championship around his shoulder.

SINGLES MATCH

Maverick vs. Alex Pierce

Mav started the match flying all over the place. Hit and run offense. A springboard forearm here, a chop block there, all of which connected. Maverick was like that fly that you just couldn’t catch and you could see the rage building in Pierce’s eyes.

O’NEIL: If Maverick wants to piss Alex off then he is doing a bang up job.

VALERIE: He is quite skilled in that regard.

Pierce tried to lock up with Mav but got hit with a brutal series of strikes; a swift palm strike, several stiff head kicks, and then a spinning back kick for an exclamation point. Maverick covered and only got a two count.

O’NEIL: Like him or not, Maverick can really go.

VALERIE: Of course he can. He is The Best Bout Machine!

O’NEIL: Is that not trademarked?

VALERIE: Evidently not!

Immediately after kicking out Pierce tried to lock Mav in a rear naked choke but the self styled King scurried away. Pierce was up to all fours and Mav tried to rush him but Pierce caught him in a bear hug. Mav frantically tried to fight out of it but Pierce planted him on the mat with a body slam.

Mav took the full force of that move but was able to stand back up only for Pierce to level him with a discus clothesline. Maverick turned inside out and landed face down on the canvas, much to the audience’s delight. Pierce covered for a near fall.

O’NEIL: Alex seems different tonight.

VALERIE: His career in OATH has been a rollercoaster. He has been searching for that singular star making performance and we have yet to see it.

O’NEIL: Is tonight the night?

VALERIE: How am I to know?

O’NEIL: Great banter Dandy.

The King of Pro Wrestling looketh shooketh as Pierce peeled him off of the mat and then sent him high overhead with a belly to belly suplex. Maverick landed with a thud and rolled up to a seated position, looking like someone attached a bear trap to his spine.

O’NEIL: The height on that suplex. Maverick could have knocked on the front door of the ISS!

VALERIE: What does ISIS have to do with this?

O’NEIL: Absolutely nothing.

Pierce stomped over to Mav and got hit with a desperate low blow from Maverick. Within a millisecond Mav shot forward and took Pierce down to a knee with a chop block. Maverick took off for the ropes and on his return he sent Pierce’s face into the mat with a step up axe kick! Maverick covered again but again could only get a two count.

O’NEIL: Maverick is closing in on a victory here. Alex needs to rally.

The self proclaimed Best Bout Machine called for the end. We know this because he dragged his thumb across his throat in a threatening manner. Maverick gathered Pierce and set him up for Dark Harvest (Single Arm Underhook Brainbuster) but Pierce broke free! Pierce took hold of Maverick’s wrist and it was a quick Hiken (Rainmaker) that put Maverick down for the three count.

CRYBABY: Here is your winner, “The Fire Fist Ace” Alex Pierce

"Let 'em come" by Scroobius Pip, Sage Francis, & P.O.S. cued up and Pierce got his hand raised. You’d think that a win would have made “The Eliminator” happy but he looked as surly as ever. Pierce left the ring with great haste. Guess he had things to do.

Skyview Diner in Toronto. Snow fell on the sidewalk outside and people were bustling in all directions, doing their best to escape the cold. Inside the restaurant we saw a corner booth where Harvey Carbine, Josh Cherry, and Ben Macbeth were all seated. Having recently finished their meal, the three men were enjoying some piping hot coffee.

CARBINE: Ain’t it great to be back in Toronto?

CHERRY: Ha! Feels like we never left!

MACBETH: Certain aspects have changed.

CARBINE: Eh the city seems the same to me.

MACBETH: I mean in regards to OATH. Lots of new faces.

CHERRY: Like these Organization clown shoes?

MACBETH: They are...a concern.

CARBINE: Well yeah we gotta show ‘em the business tonight. That Newman character has them thinking that they are just gonna run through everyone. Ain’t true. Not even a little.

MACBETH: I will be out there to ensure that nothing out of sorts happens.

CHERRY: I think it’s pretty much guaranteed that these knobs are gonna pull some shit. It’s ONI all over again.

CARBINE: We’ll handle it. Like we always do. Win or lose, Your Worst Nightmare gonna find out fast what Midnight Special is all about.

CHERRY: Quote it.

All three simultaneously took a sip of their coffee and exhaled all at once ala Dale Cooper. Damn fine coffee.

TAG TEAM MATCH

Midnight Special w/ Ben Macbeth vs. Your Worst Nightmare w/ Newman & Roddy Zalez

EMBLEM came out to a big pop, the fans in The Citadel were amped to have the trio back in OATH. Ben Macbeth trailed behind, letting his cohorts take center stage. Josh Cherry took full advantage of this, doing everything in his power to hype the crowd up to max capacity. It worked. Nice for him.

O’NEIL: A hero’s welcome for the returning EMBLEM!

VALERIE: They are not heroes because that would imply that The Organization are villains -- which they are not.

O’NEIL: Could have fooled me.

VALERIE: Not a difficult endeavor I’m sure.

Your Worst Nightmare came to the ring accompanied by Newman and “The Young Dynasty” Roddy Zalez and the fans showed their dislike of them in spades. Lots of swears. Lots of lewd gestures. It didn’t phase The Organization, the quartet walked to the ring with their heads held high. Doc and Fagoo walked to the ring out front with Newman singing their praises and laughing like an evil mastermind all the way down the ramp. Zalez jaw jacked with some fans and took the time to tell them just how great he is.

VALERIE: It appears that we have everyone out here for this match. I am certain that they will all abide by the rules.

O’NEIL: We placing bets on that?

VALERIE: Gambling is for commoners.

The match kicked off and Doc launched himself across the ring at Josh Cherry, smashing him in the back of the head with a clothesline. Knockem pie faced Carbine and then sent Cherry like a projectile across the ring with a beale. Knockem tagged in Fagoo as Newman cheered them on from ringside. Zalez was still “conversing” with some fans and by conversing I mean that he was berating them and bigging himself up.

Fagoo eagerly hopped into the ring and caught Cherry with a snap back suplex and then applied a double wrist lock to grind the Party Crasher down. With ENERGY mined from his fan support, Cherry fought to his feet and took Fagoo over with a snap suplex of his own. Cherry tagged in Carbine and that too got a pop. Carbine put Fagoo on the mat with a hip toss and Cherry nailed a springboard moonsault before Carbine made a cover for a near fall.

O’NEIL: Midnight Special is starting to cook here tonight in Toronto!

Newman paced around the ring with growing concern as The Heavy Gun hefted Fagoo up to his feet and went for his triple German suplex but Fagoo rolled forward on the first attempt and brought Carbine to the mat in a heel hook. Carbine was on the bottom rope in a flash so Fagoo rolled backward and tagged in Knockem. Fagoo whipped Carbine into an inverted atomic drop from Knockem and then Fagoo caught Carbine right on the chin with a dropkick.

VALERIE: It is my opinion that Your Worst Nightmare are the most undervalued tag team in OATH at the moment. They are such a cohesive unit.

O’NEIL: I can’t argue that. They have been quite impressive since coming to OATH.

VALERIE: And they will only continue to improve.

With Carbine down, Knockem mounted him and started smashing him with unrelenting strikes to the face. The referee tried to intervene but Knockem shoved him to the mat and continued his assault. Fagoo could see that Knockem was in full rage mode and he called out to him. Knockem reluctantly went back to his corner and tagged in Fagoo. Newman called Knockem down to the floor to discuss strategy.

O’NEIL: A mid match strategy session. Definitely not something that could have been handled before the match started.

VALERIE: Newman has his team ready to adapt on the fly. His council is integral to their success.

As the other three members of The Organization conferred with one another, Fagoo went back into the ring only to get planted with a spinebuster from Carbine. Macbeth kept a close eye on the rest of The Organization as Carbine tagged in Cherry. Carbine kicked Fagoo in the midsection and after Cherry had ascended to the top rope, Midnight Special drove Fagoo into the mat with Last Picture Show (Piledriver [Carbine] / Double Stomp To The Soles Of The Feet [Cherry])! Cherry covered and the referee started the count, only for Fagoo to frantically slip into the ring and break up the fall just before three.

O’NEIL: I thought Fagoo was the toughest of them. He nearly got beat just there.

VALERIE: He provided time for Mr. Knockem to confer with Newman. A necessary sacrifice.

Carbine cracked Knockem with a lariat that sent the Heavy Hitter down to the mat. Knockem rolled out onto the apron as Midnight Special set Fagoo up for the Special Attraction (Gory Special [Carbine] / X-Factor [Cherry])! Just before they hit it, Fagoo reached out and tagged in Knockem and then fell victim to the double team. Newman was up on the apron to get in the referee’s face as Zalez slipped into the ring and caught Carbine in the chin with a leaping knee that sent him through the ropes to the floor. Zalez took a bow but Macbeth grabbed his foot from the floor, tripped him up, and dragged him out of the ring!

O’NEIL: Macbeth was a little late on the save there.

VALERIE: A great help he has been. Pathetic.

Cherry was left all alone with Knockem and Fagoo, which led to Knockem dropping The Party Crasher with Knock 'Em Out (Hard punch, rolling elbow, Superkick)! Cherry was blasted and soon fell victim to YWN’s 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))! Knockem made the cover and Newman dropped off the apron, allowing the referee to resume his duties and count the pinfall.

CRYBABY: Here are your winners, Your Worst Nightmare!

Macbeth and Carbine were back in the ring but Fagoo had already left. Knockem looked prepared to take on all three members of EMBLEM now but he was called away by Newman. Not the time, not the place. Not yet.

We faded backstage where we The Organization in the hallway, Newman was standing up front with the celebrating trio behind him and OATH Interviewer Kendrick Bingham standing next to him holding a mic.

BINGHAM: Newman, we just saw your fellow cohorts in The Organization walk away with the victory. It wasn't the cleanest win, but--

Before Kendrick could continue, Newman swiped the mic from his hands.

NEWMAN: Stop right there you MMA reject. A win is a win and you damn well know it. Get out of our interview!

Roddy started yelling and chastising Kendrick who raised his hands and walked out of the camera's view. Newman looked into the lens.

NEWMAN: From Day One, we have proven without a shadow of a doubt that The Organization means business. And when business needs to get done, you look no further than us. Fagoo, my loyal second, proved that his interests lie solely in what's best for this group. Without him, we would not be where we are today.

Fagoo stepped forward for a moment, smiling and nodding his head.

NEWMAN: Roddy Zalez, the young dynasty...

Fagoo stepped back allowing Roddy to step forward with a huge smirk on his face.

NEWMAN:..he proved that even if he isn't in the match the spotlight will always be on him. This kid's future is brighter than anybody's who has ever stepped foot into this company. He'll outshine us all and we'll never see it coming...except for me that is, but what else is new? Then there's Doc...Doc get up here.

Roddy stepped back allowing Doc to step to his side. The two locked eyes for a few moments.

NEWMAN: I'm proud of you boy. You were a little bit weaselly at the start there, but you pulled it together and stayed focused. I'm happy to have you on as a fighter, and when you focused that energy, look where it got you. You're a winner....and you'll stay a winner as long as you're with us.

Doc signalled for the mic. He took it with his left hand.

KNOCKEM: Mr. Newman...it is a damn privilege to be by your side. Thank you. Honestly.

Doc shook Newman's hand before grabbing Fagoo around the shoulders and bringing him forward.

KNOCKEM: Boys and girls in the back...trust me when I tell you...this isn't some moniker. This isn't a branding ploy. We're two of the toughest sons of bitches in this company. Fagoo came from the jungles of Brazil and survived on his own. I came from the hard knocks of Amarillo, Texas and they had to kick me out to save their own damn faces. At the end of the day, there's no tomfoolery. There's no bullshit. Fagoo and I? We're not just your imagination. We're Your...Worst...Nightmare.

Doc let the mic fall to the floor as he walked by Newman, who was smirking and clapping. The rest of the group followed suit as we cut to ringside.

SINGLES MATCH

Brendon Phoenix vs. SWITCHBLXDE

The Citadel gave a warm response to journeyman wrestler Brendon Phoenix when he made his entrance. His face was bandaged from what happened last week but his eyes seemed to be in fine shape, thankfully. In case he forgot what The Murk Squad did to him last week, the production truck showed it on the tron.

LAST WEEK… 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.

Phoenix had reached the bottom of the ramp when SWITCHBLXDE jumped over the barricade and cracked him in the side of the head with a running forearm smash. SWITCH mounted Phoenix and started beating on him with wild punches, doing his best to try and open up those wounds.

O’NEIL: Not many lows that The Murk Squad won’t steep to huh.

VALERIE: SWITCHBLXDE calls himslef the Scum God. Woul you expect anything less from such a man?

The Citadel’s boos could drown out a jet engine at this point but SWITCH seemed to be basking in it. Like Godzilla and radiation. You get it. SWITCH raised Phoenix up to his feet and went to introduce Phoenix’s face into the steel steps but Phoenix caught him with an elbow to the midsection and with a hand on the back of SWITCH’s head he sent his opponent’s face into the ring post.

Phoenix rolled SWITCH into the ring, the referee called for the bell. That is when the human motel room RC Lightlooker and his client “Howitzer” Buck Boon appeared at the top of the stage. The duo walked to the ring, Boon armed with an ugly lawn chair. Boon set it up at the foot of the ramp and Lightlooker took a seat. Phoenix hadn’t noticed the duo and went about taking SWITCH down with a jawbreaker for a near fall.

O’NEIL: What the hell is Lightlooker doing out here? VALERIE: He has taken special interest in Brendon Phoenix.

O’NEIL: Clearly.

Bert Cocaine appeared with a steel chair and sat a few feet away from Lightlooker. Neither man acknowledged the other, their attention was on the match. SWITCH caught Phoenix with an eye poke and then the Mainliner (Feint Big Boot followed by Spinning Back Elbow)! Phoenix fell back into the ropes and that propelled him right into the Sharpnado DDT! The journeyman was down again and SWITCH covered for a two count.

SWITCH was feeling real good, completely in control. But something caught his eye. Sitting front row was a little kid in an El Diablo Blanco mask. You might think it was because he hates children but the real reason that SWITCH chose to exit the ring and engage this kid is because he hates El D. Just as SWITCH went to give the kid a piece of his mind, Phoenix whistled to him and then flew over the top rope to the floor with a vaulting body press.

VALERIE: How dare Mr. Phoenix interfere in that fan interaction.

O’NEIL: SWITCH looked like he was going to rip that kid’s head off.

VALERIE: And the child would be fortunate to receive that opportunity!

Phoenix sent SWITCH back into the ring and Bert had seen enough. Bert got up from his chair and hopped up onto the apron. Lightlooker said something to Boon and Boon’s eyes honed in on the ring. Bert got Phoenix’s attention and went to toss his patented POCKET SAND but before he could do so he was hit in the back and dropped off the apron!

O’NEIL: He’s baaaaaaaaaaaack!

The Citadel erupted because “The Backyard Phenom” El Diablo Blanco was on the scene and he just smashed Bert in the back with a light tube! Blanco was wearing an archer’s quiver full of light tubes and he had his eyes set on SWITCH! This distraction allowed Phoenix to roll SWITCH up for the surprise victory!

CRYBABY: Here is your winner Brendon Phoenix!

El Diablo was quick into the ring and he swung a light tube at SWITCH but SWITCH evaded it and bailed out of the ring. SWITCH regrouped with Bert and The Murk Squad members tried to retreat but El Diablo Blanco wanted his pound of flesh and he gave chase. All three were soon through the curtain leaving Brendon Phoenix in the ring alone.

O’NEIL: A big win for The Journeyman here tonight. Maybe he has finally found a home?

VALERIE: One victory does not signal anything.

Phoenix got his hand raised but the moment was interrupted as RC Lightlooker had produced a microphone. He made his way up the steps and waited for Boon to sit on the middle rope. Lightlooker entered the ring, clapping with the microphone so it made an obnoxious sound.

LIGHTLOOKER: You did it KID! Sure you needed some HELP but that’s FINE! We all need some help sometimes. At least you can admit it now!

The journeyman seemed to resent the implication that he needed help.

LIGHTLOOKER: HEY! Don’t get sour. It’s fine. You and me kid, we’re gonna go to the top! The very TOP! You just need to take my card and we’ll run this joint. Do it kid. Come to the light.

As if their past interactions had completely dissolved from Lightlooker’s mind, he stood waiting for a response from Phoenix. Much like the first time they spoke Phoenix moved to exit the ring. Lightlooker didn’t look the least bit surprised and before Phoenix could exit the ring Lightlooker simply snapped his fingers.

LIGHTLOOKER: Pity.

That one word caught Phoenix’s attention and he was hammered with a roaring elbow in short order. Phoenix dropped to the mat and Boon stood over him. Lightlooker snapped his fingers again and Boon lifted Phoenix off of the mat only to plant him with an unreal uranage!

LIGHTLOOKER: Such a shame.

Lightlooker dropped to a knee beside Phoenix and pulled a business card from his jacket pocket.

LIGHTLOOKER: Wrong call kid. It’s gonna COST YA! There is a light...but not for you.

Boon paced around his prey as Lightlooker flicked the card onto Phoenix and then took his leave with Boon trailing behind him.

OATH Vice President Oscar Barlow stood overlooking The Citadel. The crowd. The ring. The whole shebang. The Skeleton key dangled on a chain from around his neck and he held it between his fingers. Eagle eyed viewers would see a white substance at the tip of the key but only for a moment before Barlow wiped it away upon noticing the camera.

BARLOW: Great. Right. I asked you to come in here. To talk about---

Seemingly forgetting what was in his hand Barlow snapped back to reality.

BARLOW: This. Yeah okay right. So as I said last week, this Key is without a Keeper right now. I mean I am keeping it but like I can’t use it. It needs to be out there. It needs to be in the back of every OATH champion’s mind.

He tapped on his temple for dramatic effect.

BARLOW: So we’re gonna find a Keeper. Yeah we are. And we’re gonna do it in a match that has never been seen in OATH. Not widely seen anywhere, anymore. It’s great, it’s transformative, it’s groundbreaking.

Get to the point boss.

BARLOW: At Catalyst on January 31st, we show the entirety of OATH that Catalyst is not simply a pre show. NO! Catalyst is a special event for Livewire and we’re gonna make it memorable. Yeah we are. Memorable. Grand. Big. Unforgettable.

The grandstanding was real. Yikes.

BARLOW: The Skeleton Key, the ticket to a title match of the Keeper’s choosing, whenever they choose will be awarded to the winner of OATH’s first ever Ultimate X Match!

As if on cue there was a massive pop from the audience. Ultimate X. A nasty match. Quite dangerous.

BARLOW: Leave me, I have a main event to observe. It’s gonna be good. Real good. Brilliant, spectacular.

The Veep kept repeating adjectives as the cameraman backed out of the room in what must have been a tricky maneuver.

• MAIN EVENT •

OATH LIVEWIRE CHAMPIONSHIP

SINGLES MATCH

Tyler Matthews w/ #1 & #2 vs. Kasey Kash ©

The audience in The Citadel was oddly quiet when Tyler Fuckin’ Matthews made his entrance, accompanied by #1 and #2 clad in their hoodies and masks. The longer his entrance went on, the more people in the audience decided that they would support him. He was a far more attractive option when compared to the champion.

VALERIE: I want to know what #1 and #2 are all about. I do not care for being out of the loop.

O’NEIL: We’re all out of the loop on this one.

VALERIE: Yes but I am not like you people. I deserve preferential treatment.

“The Resident Asshole” Kasey Kash was out to the ring alone. SWITCHBLXDE and Bert Cocaine were still recovering from what transpired earlier so the Livewire Champion was forced to be a Murk Squad of one. Kash didn’t seem to care that he was alone, when he reached the bottom of the ramp he appeared as if he was going to throw some punches at 1 and 2 but it seemed that he was just testing the waters.

O’NEIL: The champion is feeling scrappy tonight.

VALERIE: Those two masked...hoodlums do not pose a threat to him. He was just informing them of that.

Once the title was handed over and we went through all of the ceremonial shit the bell rang and our main event was underway. The two competitors met in the center of the ring and we saw the size disparity between the two for the first time. It seemed to startle Kash and Matthews responded with a smirk.

O’NEIL: Bit of a mismatch here. Kasey is giving up over fifty pounds to matthews.

VALERIE: The bigger they are--

O’NEIL: --the harder they--

VALERIE: --hit.

The two locked up and jockeyed for position. Kash applied a standing switch and tried to take Matthews down to the mat with a waist lock but Matthews was too well positioned. Matthews shifted his weight, grabbed Kash’s left arm, dropped his head, and took Matthews over with a Judo throw. Kash was on the mat for a split second when Matthews tried to brain him with a knee to the back of the skull. Kash was able to evade the strike and slipped to the outside.

The champion was out on the floor and found himself standing in front of 1 and 2 with his back to them. The sentries did not move but they did startle the champion when he realized that they were there. Matthews hit Kash with a baseball slide! 1 and 2 split like the Red Sea and Kash slammed into the barricade! Matthews dropped down to the floor, grabbed Kasey by the back of the head and smashed his face into the guardrail. Matthews lifted Kasey up for an apparent back suplex but then crotched him on the guard rail.

O’NEIL: Oh damn. Looks like there may not be any little assholes in the future.

VALERIE: You could have not said that but you did.

Kash wore the expression that any man in his position would have -- searing agony. Matthews took a step back and then blasted Kash with a bicycle kick that took the Livewire Champion from straddling the barricade to laying on a set of now empty chairs in the front row. Matthews stepped over the guardrail and his watchers moved in for a closer look. Matthews gathered the champion up and then spiked him onto the chairs with a falcon arrow.

VALERIE: How dare he!

O’NEIL: Relaxed rules here on Livewire. That’s all--

VALERIE: I know the rules! I knew about that change long before you did. But what Mr. Matthews is doing is gratuitous.

Matthews dumped Kash over the railing back into the ringside area and brought a few chairs with him. He tossed two chairs into the ring and then moved to collect the champion. The Resident Asshole surprised Matthews with a leaping knee to the jaw and then treated him to a spinning backfist transitioned into a ripcord Kappo kick! Matthews dropped to a knee and Kash quickly pushed him into the ring via the apron. Kash smacked himself in the head in an effort to get back in the game. The champion looked to the top rope and quickly made his way up there.

The Resident Asshole leaped off the top rope looking for a 450 splash but Matthews was able to get out of the way. Kasey was quickly back up to his feet, favouring his midsection, when Matthews tried to take his head off with a rocket kick. He wasn’t successful in decapitating the champion but he may have knocked him out. Matthews covered but only got a two count. The champion was still lucid, for the time being.

O’NEIL: It feels like Kasey’s title reign is hanging on by a thread right now! #1 and #2 must be pleased.

VALERIE: We may never know.

The Man From Asheville went about setting up one of the chairs but he had lost track of the second. Matthews whipped around to find it and Kash was wielding it. Kash went to strike with it but Matthews kicked it out of his hands. The challenger whipped the champion into the ropes but Kash used his superior agility to come back at Matthews with Canberra Collapse (Springboard Cutter)! Matthews’ throat was dropped right over the top of the back of the chair!

O’NEIL: What a move from Kasey Kash! He may have crushed Tyler’s windpipe!

Both competitors were down and Matthews was fighting to breathe, grasping at his throat. Kash was recovering but at that moment did not have the strength to make a cover. The fans’ excitement kicked up because “The Fire Fist Ace” Alex Pierce appeared at the top of the ramp. Pierce stomped down toward the ring, getting #1 and #2’s attention. The duo moved to intercept Pierce while in the ring Matthews sat up. Matthews went to push off the mat and stand when Kash surprised him with the Aussie Knee Party (Last Shot)! Matthews instantly dropped and face planted into the mat before Kasey could scramble into a cover for the pinfall and the victory.

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

The champion was awarded his title but the referee quickly had to deal with the issues outside the ring. Pierce levelled 1 with a right hand and then took 2 over with a belly to belly suplex! Pierce set his sights on the ring and made his move.

VALERIE: I think that tonight is about to get much worse for Mr. Matthews.

Once in the ring Pierce gazed down at the man who defeated him last week -- Matthews. Matthews was still down from the Aussie Knee Party but that didn’t really matter because Pierce turned his attention to the Livewire Champion! Pierce grabbed Kash by the throat but the champion decked him with the title and then scurried out of the ring. But he left his prize behind!

O’NEIL: The champion has left his title in the ring! And I don’t think he has any desire to go get it!

VALERIE: It does not matter he is still the champion!

The belt shot had little effect on Pierce save for loosening his grip. Pierce looked down at the championship and lifted it off the mat. He took a moment to look into the face plate before he lobbed it high over the top rope to the outside. Kasey had to reposition to catch it and in doing so he fell back onto his ass. A two shot of Pierce in the ring and Kash seated on the ramp looking terrified is how Livewire 18 came to an end.

---

Results: • Liz Karlson vs. King Kong Seto was a Draw • Alex Pierce def. Maverick • Your Worst Nightmare def. Midnight Special • Brendon Phoenix def. SWITCHBLXDE • Kasey Kash def. Tyler Matthews; Still Livewire Champion