CULTURE SHOCK 2024 – NIGHT TWO

Millennium Stadium.

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.

Show. Us. Your. SIGNS!

MAKE DAYTONA DIAMONDS WEAR A SANDWICH BOARD ADVERTISING BIG GRUFFYDD’S HOUSE OF GLAMORGAN SAUSAGE
HEAR ME OUT. HAS ANYONE SEEN BRANDON YOUNGBLOOD AND KATE MIDDLETON IN THE SAME PLACE?
MY HERO IS DAYTONA DIAMONDS. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW SAD MY LIFE IS. THIS IS A CRY FOR HELP.
MY HERO IS FRED DICK. I JUST GOT OUT OF JUVIE.
I’VE BEEN HOODWINKED, BAMBOOZLED, LED ASTRAY, AND FLAT-OUT DECEIVED BY THE PROMISE OF A CULTURE SHOCK NIGHT THREE
FRED DICK PREFERS PRIMAL RAGE BECAUSE THE ONE APE FARDS AND PISSES
RANDALL SCHWARTZ, YOU FIEND! WHERE’S MY 20 BUCKS?

Now that that is over. Nick, Richard. Take it away!

Nick Stuart: PRIMEATES! Welcome to Culture Shock Night Two!

Richard Parker: I didn’t know we were having a second night until I got a wakeup call forty-five minutes ago.

Nick Stuart: How did you not know?!

Richard Parker: We did the Universal Title match last night! My brain was confused.

Nick Stuart: But we’ve been advertising War Games for the last three months.

Richard Parker: …and?

Nick Stuart: [sighs] Alrighty then. War Games. How about we kick this off?!

We cut to Vince Howard.

Vince Howard: It is time! For! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMES! Four teams. Seven members on each team. We will start off with one member for each team. Every five minutes, a new entrant will come out until all twenty-eight people are in War Games. Team eliminations don’t begin until everyone is in War Games!

Much like the previous night, darkness settles in Principality Stadium.

Cell phone lights try to pierce the darkness, but it’s like pinpricks in the ocean of dark. There’s a rumble that sounds like thunder, and stage lights dance across the crowd like crashes of lightning. The song that plays as this is going on is familiar to everyone. Like thunder. Like waves crashing against the sea. Like a cacophony, one willed by the gods of COOL themselves.

This happens a second time. Then a third. Thunder and lightning. A storm is approaching, one that intends to wash over Cardiff, the stadium, and the cage within. The sound of thunder almost drowns out another growing sound, but as it becomes louder, it becomes clearer that everything’s about to get… yolked.

A familiar guitar riff.

Then, a familiar chant.

BAN-DITS!

It’s greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos that rolls out of the crowd like its own thunder, clashing against the guitars. Like a call from the beyond. Like a call of the wild. The stones of Castle Cardiff, not too far from this building, rattle just slightly from this clash. As before, this isn’t actually AC/DC’s legendary “Thunderstruck”. This is “Banditstruck”, the fucked up abomination version of “Thunderstruck” that we’re all just going to blame Jiles for. It heralds the arrival of the first member of the most wild of wild card teams in WarGames. The team ostensibly called Team Avalon.

But we all know better.

This… is Team Bandit.

BAN-DITS!

The camera at the bottom of the ramp begins to move towards the stage. Several figures emerge from behind the curtains, and those figures are dressed in the same black druid robes that had emerged from the entrance of Coral Avalon just one night ago before the defense of his Alias Championship. If ever there was a druid, they apparently work for the eGG Bandits and they definitely help run the ship. God help them. We salute them, their jobs are truly thankless.

It isn’t until the last of the druids comes out before many of them start to unhood themselves. It’s the usual suspects, sans Bobby. A floating robe that we only belatedly realize is Doozer. Chris Chickentinders. Cardboard Dan Ryan (we stopped asking questions about him a while ago, and you should too). Lunchbox Liechtenstein. A few other faceless nobodies we stuffed in druid costumes and pushed out there because that’s just life around Bandits. Thankless jobs, remember?

BAN-DITS!

The druids step forward, forming a line between the ramp and the entry curtain. As the song continues to build and build. Several more druids appear with an enclosed litter, walking onto the stage from the side. They easily stride towards the center of the stage, so we know that Bobby isn’t in the litter. We’d have a lot of dislocated shoulders then.

Once the litter is at the center of the stage, the druids carrying it slowly lower it to the ground and step away.

BAN-BOOM!

Then it explodes in fire and pyrotechnics.

Well, shit, that’s the ballgame. I guess whoever’s in it just died but more importantly we’re going to have to do a pretty somber funeral for this Bandit litter that’s currently on fire.

Again.

Well, okay, as we’re saying this, the doors of the litter burst open, and a man walks out of it as calmly as though the litter he was leaving is not already on fire. So, not dead. Sure looked like it for a minute though.

Richard Parker: We should really do better screenings after all this fire.

Nick Stuart: Ssh.

Richard Parker: Like, what’s the next guy coming out next going to do!? Come out when everything is on fire!?

Fortunately, Richard Parker’s concerns are being addressed right now.

Production assistants with jobs almost as thankless as being associated with the Bandits come with fire extinguishers, and begin putting out the fire that’s eating away at the litter. Meanwhile, its former occupant walks forward uncaring about what’s going on behind him and focused instead on what’s in front of him. He carries an expression of grim determination on his face. He steps into the spotlight, full fur cloak over his shoulders.

BAN-DITS!

No egg-shaped helmet like there was the previous night. He’d kept it as simple as Coral Avalon could possibly make it. Ring gear and the cloak. Fans cheered, not expecting that the first man up for Team Avalon would be its eponymous Captain himself.

The Crownless King is making his presence known.

BAN-dits

As he does, “Banditstruck” ends and the heavy guitars of Monster Siren’s “Real Me” replaces it. Avalon removes his cloak, letting it fall into the hands of the druid Bandits behind him, and makes the march towards the nightmare looming before him.

Vince Howard: Introducing the first member of Team Avalon! Representing the eGG Bandits! Residing in Seattle, Washington! Weighing in at two hundred and fourteen pounds! HE IS THE GOLDEN BANDIT! THE CROWNLESS KING! THE CAPTAIN OF THE EGG BANDITS! THIS! IS! COOOOOOOOORAAAAAALLLLLLL!!! AVALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN!!!

Avalon makes the walk to the ring, not in any particular rush. His steps have more and more trepidation as he gets closer to the cage. Maybe there’s some reluctance on his part when he sees the cage walls. Maybe it takes him a few moments to compose himself before he steps inside the structure. Let’s check in with Nick and Richard while we let him sort things out mentally.

Nick Stuart: It’s well-documented that Coral Avalon does not like steel cages.

Richard Parker: It is?

Nick Stuart: …Yes. He died in a cage-style match eighteen years ago.

Richard Parker: He doesn’t look dead.

Nick Stuart: Well, he got better.

Richard Parker: Huh. I must’ve missed that in all of my production documents that I’ve been given.

Nick Stuart: …Did you even read any of it?

Richard Parker: What dork has time to read documents about the eGG Bandits?

Nick Stuart: …

After several more moments, Avalon makes the sign of the cross and then enters the cage.

WHEN MY BACK’S TO THE WALLLL!!!

I!!

WILL!!

CON!!

QUER!!

Bursting forth, as much as he’s able is Hayes Hanlon, clearly looking ragged from his battle with Brandon Youngblood the night before. “Daggers” by We Came as Romans crushes the speakers per usual, and while the boos are a-plenty, there’s plenty of appreciation from the crowd, referencing the second battle between the Diamond and the Event Horizon.

Nick Stuart: We witnessed a hellacious match between Hanlon and Youngblood last night, Richard, and that’s not stopping the former two-time champion from acting as vanguard for Team Farthington!

Home Run Hayes reaches his designated ring, climbing the steps and through the ropes, with some sort of scarf wrapped around his neck.

Vince Howard: Introducing second, for Team Farthington! Standing six feet, three inches tall and weighing in at 265 lbs, former two-time Universal Champion…The Event Horizon….Hayes!! Hanlon!!!!!

Richard Parker: It’s a wonder he’s still standing, Nick. There aren’t a lot of people who can take on Youngblood one night and show up to fight the next.

Inside the ring, and amongst the bursting flash bulbs, Hayes unfurls the scarf and holds it in front of his face, revealing that the entire scarf is shaped like a gigantic black mustache. As his music fades, he tosses it ringside, ready to start War Games off with a flash.

The cage door shuts, locking in Coral Avalon and Hayes Hanlon, the first two entrants in the first-ever War Games.

Nick Stuart: eGG Bandits vs. Glueminati to begin this event.

Richard Parker: Would it be asking too much if Avalon’s head was separated from the rest of his body by Hanlon, and then he punts it into the crowd?

Nick Stuart: Yes.

Richard Parker: Why?

Nick Stuart: Well, for one, they’re locked inside a massive cage, so he couldn’t physically kick Avalon’s head into the stands.

Richard Parker: Way to ruin my fun.

With adrenaline coursing through their veins, the two opponents lock eyes, knowing that there will be no bell to signal the start of the match. They circle each other warily in the center of one of the two rings, tension thick in the air. In a split second, Avalon lunges forward for a collar-and-elbow tie-up, but Hanlon is quicker and traps him in a vicious side headlock. As Coral roars with determination and drives his forearm into Hanlon’s lower back, Hayes tightens his grip even more, determined not to let go. But then Coral unleashes a brutal blow to Hanlon’s ribs, causing him to loosen his hold just enough for Coral to break free and send him crashing into the ropes, gasping for breath.

The sound of flesh hitting ropes echoes off the walls as Hanlon rebounds with a vicious shoulder tackle that sends Avalon crashing to the mat. The Crownless King lands hard on his stomach and quickly rolls over as Hayes springs off the ropes. Seizing the opportunity, Hanlon steps over his opponent and bounces off the opposite ropes, preparing for another attack. But Avalon is already back on his feet and anticipating the move, executing a perfectly timed hip toss that slams Hanlon into the unforgiving canvas. As Hanlon groggily rises to his hands and knees, Avalon takes aim at the back of his skull and delivers a brutal dropkick that rattles his brain inside his skull.

Richard Parker: Talk about a pairing that you wouldn’t normally see in the ring.

Nick Stuart: That’s just how rich and deep the talent pool is here in PRIME. You’re going to have people stepping foot in the ring tonight who may have only stepped foot in with each other at last year’s Murder Rumble or never at all.

Richard Parker: It’s definitely going to be tasty to see, to say the least.

Nick Stuart: And Avalon with an uppercut to the jaw of a rising Hanlon!

Coral moves with lightning speed, unleashing a barrage of bone-crushing punches that send Hanlon stumbling back into the corner. The Crownless King tries to retaliate, but Coral is too quick, grabbing Hanlon’s wrist and using his own momentum to fling him into the turnbuckle. As Hanlon crashes into the corner, Coral deftly scales the ropes, landing behind him with deadly precision. Before Hanlon can even comprehend what’s happening, Coral delivers a devastating knife-edge chop that reverberates through the arena and sends Hayes reeling. But Hanlon is far from defeated, and he responds with a savage headbutt that sends Avalon crashing to the mat in a heap of pain and fury.

Avalon struggles to sit up, his eyes wide with fear as Hanlon towers over him like a vengeful predator. But before Hanlon can pounce, Coral flips backward and springs back onto his feet with lightning reflexes. Hanlon launches a brutal clothesline at Coral, who narrowly evades the attack. Sensing an opening, Avalon unleashes a fierce kick on Hanlon’s gut, but it only fuels the raging fire within him. With a mighty force, Hanlon hurls Avalon into the ropes and hoists him onto his massive shoulders, executing a bone-crushing Samoan Drop that leaves Avalon writhing in agony, gasping for air as he struggles to regain his composure.

Coral grits his teeth as shards of pain shoot through his ribs, the weight of Hanlon crashing down on him like a boulder. But he refuses to give in, forcing himself up to meet his opponent’s merciless gaze. With a sinking feeling in his gut, Coral knows that this is only the first round of an unrelenting and brutal battle. Steeling himself for what lies ahead, he braces for impact as Hanlon prepares to strike again.

Nick Stuart: I don’t think this is going quite as Avalon intended.

Richard Parker: No, I would reckon not. Of course, when you’re in the ring with a legit bad-ass like Hanlon, you’re right for your very life. Add a second ring and a large cage surrounding the rings, and you might as well be in jail.

Nick Stuart: Not at all. With enough clearance between the rings and cage, I don’t want to think of the carnage we’re going to see in this ring.

Richard Parker: Oh, I do.

Coral struggles to his knees, only to be brutally slapped across the back of his head by Hanlon. With a sneer on his face, Hanlon then hurls Coral into the ropes like a rag doll before charging at him with a punishing back elbow. But Avalon is too quick, ducking under the attack and stunning Hanlon with a springboard crossbody that sends both men crashing to the mat.

As they scramble to their feet, The Crownless King is first to rise and unleashes a vicious forearm strike to the jaw of the two-time Universal Champion. Hanlon staggers back, caught off guard by the ferocity of the blow and finds himself hoisted onto the ropes by Avalon’s forceful grip. In a split second, Hanlon dips his shoulder and launches Avalon into the air, sending him hurtling towards the ring apron.

But Avalon is not finished yet – he lands gracefully on the apron and blocks Hanlon’s attempted punch with a sharp, high kick, forcing Hanlon’s skull against the unforgiving metal cage. The impact rattles Hayes, who stumbles away from the ropes in disorientation. Seeing an opportunity, Coral grasps the top rope and uses it as leverage to propel himself toward the top turnbuckle for a spectacular springboard move. However, before he can execute it, Hanlon charges at him like a bull and sends him flying backward into the metallic structure surrounding them. The crowd gasps in shock as both competitors lay motionless on the ground, their bodies battered and bruised from the intense clash.

CRACK!

Nick Stuart: OOOOF!

Richard Parker: Might as well call in a gurney for Avalon. He’s easily got a few broken ribs right there.

Nick Stuart: That he might, and Hanlon looks mighty pleased with himself.

Richard Parker: Well, he might not want to get too comfortable though. Because it looks like our next entrant will be coming into the ring.

Nick Stuart: Will it be from Jared Sykes’s team or JCH’s team?

Hanlon looks up at the PRIME*View as it begins counting down.

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BZZZZZT

“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith begins playing as the new Universal Champion, Jonathan-Christopher Hall, makes his way into the cage.

Nick Stuart: An exhausting weekend for the 2023 Almasy Tournament winner.

Richard Parker: Look, when you’ve got someone like Vickie in your corner, you have more than enough stamina to keep competing.

Nick Stuart: Yeah, because you’re having to run away from her constantly.

Richard Parker: Hey!

As Hall steps through the ropes, Hanlon charges at him with ferocious speed, slamming his forearms repeatedly across his back like a battering ram. JCH drops to both knees; his body wracked with agonizing pain from the brutal match the night before with Sykes. But Hanlon shows no mercy, hoisting JCH back to his feet and whipping him into the ropes. With lightning reflexes, JCH ducks under Hanlon’s running clothesline attempt. In a desperate move, Hanlon quickly spins around and tries for another clothesline, but JCH evades it once again. With adrenaline pumping in his veins, JCH bounces off the ropes for a third time and launches himself at Hanlon like a rocket, connecting with a bone-crushing spear that sends both men crashing to the mat in a deafening impact!

Nick Stuart: What a spear from JCH!

Richard Parker: I’m not sure where he pulled that from!

Nick Stuart: Neither do I, but it worked out well as Hanlon is rolling around, clutching at his ribs.

Richard Parker: If you catch my drift, Vickie must have given him a dose of energy last night.

Nick Stuart: You should put your head into a toilet if you catch my drift.

With a fierce determination, JCH turns around and catches sight of Avalon making his way back to the ring apron. Without hesitation, he charges over and drives his knee with full force into the face of the Crownless King. Although Avalon manages to stay on the apron, he drops down on all fours in a dazed state. Seizing the opportunity, JCH grabs Avalon by the hair and yanks him off the mat before slamming his face into the unforgiving turnbuckle. As the Crownless King struggles to regain his composure, JCH hoists him up and executes a brutal Uranage Slam over the top rope, sending him crashing back into the ring.

But JCH’s assault doesn’t end there. He quickly springs back to his feet and narrowly avoids a running boot from Hanlon. Reacting swiftly, Hayes bounces off the ropes and goes for a hip toss of Hanlon onto Avalon, but Hanlon proves too powerful and counters with a devastating hip toss of his own, slamming JCH onto his own body and crushing the already weakened Avalon beneath them.

Nick Stuart: Hanlon has a big move there, which is stemming the rising momentum here for Jonathan-Christopher Hall.

Richard Parker: Whatever Vickie gave JCH last night worked out well for him, though!

Nick Stuart: He will need every little bit he can get if he wants to make his way through the next little bit of action. He’s got a long way to go. Only got three people in there, and we’ve got to get 28 before eliminations begin.

Richard Parker: And I must be next to you the entire time? Pass.

Hanlon grabs Avalon and JCH by the scruff of their necks, yanking them up to their feet with a primal roar. He unleashes a barrage of brutal right fists to their faces, each blow landing with a sickening thud. With a low growl, he shoves them towards the ropes, but they quickly reverse his attack, sending him hurtling into the ropes instead. Hanlon’s body twists as he’s lifted off the ground and slammed back down with a devastating backbody drop.

As Hanlon writhes in pain on the mat, JCH and Avalon share a look before bouncing off the ropes. The two men launch themselves through the air, connecting with a vicious double elbow strike to Hanlon’s sternum. Hayes rolls away in agony, but Avalon quickly follows up with a spinning back kick that lands squarely in Hanlon’s gut.

With Hanlon doubled over in pain, Avalon wastes no time in hooking both arms before suplexing him with incredible force. JCH struggles to sit up, the excruciating pain shooting through his lower back. But before he can fully recover, Coral blasts him from behind with a thunderous running forearm to the back of his neck and skull.

Avalon rises to his feet with a deadly glint in his eye, snapping his forearm across Hanlon’s jaw as he starts to stand. But just when it seems like Avalon has the upper hand, Hanlon reverses his momentum and sends him flying towards the ropes. As Avalon bounces back towards him, Hanlon hoists him into the air and slams him down with bone-shattering force in a spinebuster move known as the Event Horizon. The crowd erupts in shocked gasps as Avalon lies motionless on the canvas, completely at Hanlon’s mercy.

Nick Stuart: I’m not sure how any of these three are going to be standing by the end of this match.

Richard Parker: I think you said this last year about the Murder Rumble.

Nick Stuart: I probably did.

Richard Parker: So now you’re repeating yourself.

Nick Stuart: Stop it.

The Event Horizon ducks under the ferocious right hook from Jonathan-Christopher. Anticipating JCH’s momentum, Hayes swiftly wraps his arms around JCH’s waist and executes a powerful side suplex. But JCH is resilient, landing on his feet and immediately retaliating with a devastating forearm strike to Hanlon’s back. Staggering forward, Hanlon is spun around and met with a vicious knife-edge chop from the bare-chested JCH. The impact causes Hanlon to wince in pain before being grabbed by the wrist and whipped towards the ropes by JCH. But Hayes counters brilliantly with a swift boot to the midsection, causing JCH to double over in agony. Seizing the opportunity, Hanlon delivers a crushing powerbomb to his opponent.

As Hanlon stands up, Avalon springs into action with a perfectly executed dropkick, sending Hanlon flying towards the ropes. Coral follows up with a series of brutal front kicks to the chest of the Event Horizon, each one causing him to recoil in pain. Eventually, Hanlon is propelled through the ropes and onto the unforgiving ring apron. Despite the impact, he manages to regain his footing, but before he can react, Avalon leaps off the top turnbuckle in an impressive display of athleticism and lands a fierce head scissors takedown onto Hanlon on the ring floor. Their bodies collide with intense force, and the sound of metal against flesh echoes throughout the arena as both fighters lay sprawled out on the ground, their determination unshaken even in the face of such punishment.

Richard Parker: I don’t think throwing your body around like that is a recipe for success in this match.

Nick Stuart: I would imagine not. When this match officially starts, these three and whoever joins first from Jared Sykes’s team will be targeted.

Richard Parker: They might collapse on the mat by then and be counted out.

Nick Stuart: I know I would be.

Avalon springs to his feet with lightning reflexes and catches a charging Hanlon with a brutal knee to the gut, sending him careening into the unyielding steel cage. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Hanlon shoves Coral aside, but before he can recover, the Crownless King sprints at full speed towards him, launching himself into the air and smashing a flying knee directly into Hanlon’s jaw, the impact echoing through the arena like thunder as the former Universal Champion crumples to the ground in a dazed heap.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

“Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell starts up throughout the arena garnering a much bigger pop that the cheery tune would have a number of months ago- FAIRPLAY flashes across the big screen as the fans jump to their feet. A polite, glittering rain of blue and gold pyrotechnics pours in front of the screen obscuring the tron. As horn starts blaring from somewhere beside the stage area we cut to a handheld shot of a cherry 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport minivan roll to a stop just shy of the side of the entrance ramp. The sliding door opens and out pops the Lil’ Goomba himself, Douglas Doubleday to a huge pop from the PRIMEates. Vince Howard smiles and bows offering the stage to the littlest manager in PRIME.

Douglas Doubleday: What’s up, jerks?! Making his way to the ring… currently getting a kiss on the cheek from our MOTHER GALE! GIVE IT UP FOR GALE, EVERYBODY!

The crowd pops again as Dabney Doubleday steps out of the van behind his little brother, leans into the driver’s seat and gets a peck from Brandon Youngblood’s newest Facebook friend the incomparable Gale Doubleday. The camera pulls in close enough to pick up Mrs. Doubleday, she shakes her fist-

Gale Doubleday: CANCER JILES IS DEAD MEAT!

Douglas Doubleday: She’s been looking for that yabbo backstage all day, folks, I think eGGman is runnin’ scared from my mom! Anyway, where was I… OH YEAH! Who cares what he weighs, he’s from MAYOOOOOOO, FLORIDA… my big brother “FAIRPLAY” DABNEY DOUBLEDAY!

Dabney smiles and waves at the packed house, shucking his jacket and tossing it to a nearby youngster. At this point the brothers have made their way over and up onto the ramp as the fans pump their fists, stomp their feet and pound the guardrails for the newest white hat here in PRIME takes a moment to soak in the enormous crowd- his enamored smile fades as his eyes settle on the steel monstrosity surrounding the rings directly in front of him. With a few private words shared between brothers, Douglas leads the Mr. Rogers of Pro Wrestling into the jaws of hell itself.

Nick Stuart: The first member is Dabney Doubleday! The young rookie in PRIME will get a chance to shine in the early throes of the match.

Richard Parker: First, boo. Second, throes? Yuck. I feel like I’m reading a trashy romance novel.

Nick Stuart: What’s your go-to trashy romance?

Richard Parker: Colleen Hoover. But don’t tell anyone!

Nick Stuart: Too late.

Dabney charges into the ring like a raging bull, unleashing a fierce clothesline that sends Jonathan-Christopher Hall crashing to the mat. But JCH is quick to rise, only to be met with another bone-shattering clothesline from Dabney. As he struggles to stand, JCH manages to block a third clothesline with a well-timed boot to the gut. Dabney stumbles back, narrowly avoiding a running clothesline from his opponent. But before he can regain his balance, JCH rebounds off the ropes, and Dabney slams him down with a scoop slam that causes the entire ring to quake.

Meanwhile, on the outside of the ring, Hanlon unleashes a barrage of brutal punches to Avalon’s midsection. Gasping for air, Avalon drops to one knee, but before he can catch his breath, Hanlon delivers a devastating knee strike to the side of his face. The Crownless King crumples to the floor, but Hanlon isn’t finished yet. He yanks Avalon up by his hair and smashes his face into the unforgiving steel cage wall. As Avalon leans against the metal, dazed and disoriented, Hanlon pulls him away and hurls him back into the cage for a second time. Coral crashes to the ring floor before Hanlon punts him in the ribs with deadly accuracy.

Richard Parker: Watching Hayes Hanlon just kick Avalon around this contraption is a sight to behold. Truly, it is something that I’ve been waiting for for a long time.

Nick Stuart: You are truly a sick individual.

Richard Parker: I think the people who willingly choose to get into this thing are sick individuals.

Nick Stuart: …fair.

Hanlon whips around just in time to see Dabney Doubleday soaring through the air, a deadly clothesline aimed right at his throat. The impact slams Hanlon to the ground, his breath stolen from him as he clutches at his chest. But before he can fully recover, Dabney is back on his feet and delivering a brutal kick to Hanlon’s face with all the force of a sledgehammer. Hanlon rolls away, bruised and gasping for air.

But Dabney isn’t done yet. He reaches down to grab Hanlon and pull him up, but the Event Horizon fights back with a vicious elbow to Dabney’s midsection. As Dabney doubles over in pain, Hanlon seizes the opportunity and strikes with a knee to the young PRIME rookie’s face, sending him reeling.

Meanwhile, Avalon makes his way back into the ring, only to be greeted by JCH’s boot slamming into the back of his skull. Coral tries to push through the pain, but JCH continues his assault with a relentless barrage of stiff kicks that leave Avalon flattened on the mat. With a burst of speed, JCH grabs onto the top rope and launches himself off the bottom rope, aiming to drive his knee into Avalon’s skull. But the Crownless King narrowly dodges out of harm’s way and quickly returns to his feet.

Wasting no time, Avalon charges forward and delivers a running forearm to the back of JCH’s skull. The Forever Man manages to get to his knees, but Avalon rebounds off the ropes and lands a devastating dropkick right to the side of his head. The impact sends shockwaves through JCH’s body as he crumples to the ground in a heap of pain and exhaustion.

Nick Stuart: Avalon taking it to the Almasy Winner. Coral knows the importance of setting his team up for success.

Richard Parker: Ugh, you just reminded me the next member in will be one from the eGG Bandits. I think I need to get my trash can ready, just in case.

Nick Stuart: In case of what?

Richard Parker: Of Jiles coming out here!

Nick Stuart: Oh. Okay.

Coral springs to his feet with a snarl, dragging JCH up with him. He tries to hurl JCH into the ropes with all his might, but JCH stands firm, muscles bulging and eyes blazing with determination. Undeterred, Coral takes another shot at it, but JCH is like an immovable mountain. In one swift motion, JCH grabs Avalon by the waist and drives him down onto the mat with a brutal side belly-to-belly suplex that sends shockwaves through the arena.

Avalon struggles to get up, but before he can fully stand, he’s blindsided by a devastating clothesline from JCH, knocking him back down to the mat. Gritting his teeth in pain, Avalon manages to pull himself up once more, only to be caught off guard by a powerful boot to the midsection from JCH. As he gasps for air, Avalon’s leg is swiftly kicked out from under him and he crashes back down to the ground as JCH unleashes a vicious discus elbow straight into his jaw.

On the outside of the ring, Hanlon has Dabney hoisted over his shoulder like a ragdoll before violently slamming him into the side of the cage. The impact echoes throughout the arena as Dabney’s head collides with the cold steel before landing on his back on the unforgiving ring floor. With no remorse or mercy, Hanlon grabs Dabney by the nape of his neck and hurls him into the side of the ring again, causing him to cry out in agony as his back smacks against the edge.

Ignoring Dabney’s screams, Hanlon grabs him once more and throws him forcefully into the side of the cage for good measure, leaving Dabney bruised and broken on the floor as Hanlon stands tall with a cold, calculating expression on his face.

Richard Parker: Destroy him, Hayes. Make him yours!

Nick Stuart: That is rather… distressing. I’m going to need you to reign that in a bit.

Richard Parker: No can do.

Nick Stuart: Avalon, meanwhile, is trading blows back and forth with Hall.

Richard Parker: I’m telling you, Vickie took care of Jonathan-Christopher. He looks like a new man!

JCH intercepts Coral’s left forearm with a swift block, using his momentum to spin him around before executing a vicious German Suplex. Avalon’s body folds like an accordion, the impact causing his knees to buckle as he hits the mat. JCH struts over to him, a cocky smirk on his face, before delivering a brutal boot to the Crownless King’s face. Avalon crumples to the ground, blood pooling beneath him as JCH stands above him triumphantly, ready to deliver the final blow.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

The opening riff of “You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito begins to play as the fans in the arena shift their attention to the entrance ramp and the imminent arrival of “Beautiful” Bobby Dean. But for whatever reason the curtain remains closed and no one seems to appear.

Richard Parker: Are we sure he’s not in the bathroom? Check the third stall from the right!

The curtain shifts and a large form in a baby blue robe momentarily appears but just as quickly disappears again behind the curtain once more.

Richard Parker: Don’t tell me the big man has stage fright?

Nick Stuart: What in the world could be more important to Bobby Dean than coming to help his team?

Finally, the big man appears, as if he were being shoved out the curtain by many backstage hands. He staggers through and takes a moment to gather himself, looking out at the audience, smiling triumphantly. But then he turns and rushes again towards the curtain and the confines of the backstage area.

Nick Stuart: Where is he going?

Richard Parker: It appears Bobby Dean doesn’t want anything to do with War Games, Nick.

Unable to get through the curtain, Bobby Dean stops struggling and turns his attention back towards the ring. Slowly walking down the ramp, Bobby takes a moment to high-five every single fan he can before returning to the top of the ramp and going back down to high-five every fan on the opposite side.

Richard Parker: Welp, poor Coral. Already lost the match before it even began.

Coral’s eyes bore into Bobby, willing him to move faster towards the ring. But he either doesn’t catch his signal or is already sprinting at full speed. The cookie crumbles in a brutal turn of events.

Straight into Bobby Dean’s gaping mouth.

Hanlon leaps onto the ring apron, ready to re-enter the fray, when Dabney Doubleday snags his boot, halting him in his tracks. Hayes glares down at the interfering brother before slamming his boot into Dabney’s nose with a sickening crunch. As Hanlon tries to regain his footing, Jonathan-Christopher Hall charges at him with a vicious running kick! Hanlon stumbles back onto the ring apron, only to be blindsided by Dabney, who delivers a bone-crushing clothesline to the back of his knees. Hanlon tumbles onto the apron, barely able to hold himself up as chaos reigns inside and outside of the ring.

THWACK!

Hanlon lies there, dazed.

Richard Parker: Well, Hanlon’s brain might be splattered like eggs now.

Nick Stuart: Talking about eggs… Bobby Dean may have moved an inch since we last checked in on him.

Richard Parker: Can the match start if Bobby Dean has been introduced but he hasn’t entered the ring?

Nick Stuart: I don’t know, but it does seem like Bobby will get a rule named after him if he doesn’t.

Avalon inches towards the ropes, eyes wide, as he looks at Bobby. Bobby waves at Coral. Repeatedly. Much to the dismay of Avalon, who is being dragged to his feet from behind by JCH. Before Hall is able to do anything to Avalon, though, Dabney slides into the ring, wiping away the blood from his nose. In the process, he connects with a chop block that sends JCH to the ground. Dabney gets to his feet and begins stomping away at the Forever Man, each kick stiffer than the last.

Dabney then looks up at Coral and presents JCH for him as if to say… join the fracas.

Coral shrugs his shoulders and begins stomping away at JCH as well. JCH tries to get away from the two do-gooders but finds himself trapped as the boots keep crashing down upon him with no end in sight.

Meanwhile, Bobby Dean is still trudging along. Poor Bobby.

Nick Stuart: Avalon now drags JCH up to his feet and whips him into the ropes.

Richard Parker: Don’t you do it! You two, leave that man alone! He is battered and broken after last night’s match.

Nick Stuart: And a back body drop!

Richard Parker: I told you not to do it! AHHH!

Hall springs to his feet with a fierce determination, but before he can take a step, he is met with a savage double clothesline that sends him crashing back down to the canvas. Dabney unleashes a guttural roar, hyping up the roaring crowd as he circles around the ring, feeding off their energy. But his momentary distraction proves fatal as Coral takes advantage and lands a brutal forearm shot across his jaw. Dabney’s legs give out beneath him like jelly as Coral sizes him up for his next move. With a swift dropkick, he sends Dabney crashing back down to the mat, leaving him dazed and disoriented.

As Avalon quickly regains his footing and sees Hanlon rising to his feet, he seizes the opportunity to launch himself off the ropes and execute a phenomenal moonsault that leaves the audience in awe. But Hanlon is not one to be taken lightly. Just when it seems like Avalon has the upper hand, Hanlon sidesteps his attack at the last second and drives him into the unforgiving steel cage with incredible force, leaving Avalon crumpled on the floor mat. As Hanlon stands tall above his fallen opponent, the intensity in his eyes only grows stronger

Nick Stuart: Well, that’s not pretty.

Richard Parker: That’s what Avalon gets for nailing poor Dabney like that.

Nick Stuart: I thought you didn’t like Dabney?

Richard Parker: True. It’s just my hate of Avalon overpowering my hate for Dabney in the present. It’s a very fluid thing and could change at any given moment.

Nick Stuart: Alrighty then.

Meanwhile, Bobby Dean may be a quarter of the way down the ramp—or a tenth. It’s really hard to tell. Bobby will join us soon enough, though. We promise that. I mean, the man came to the United Kingdom—that’s at least something. 

In a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand, Hanlon drags Avalon to his feet and tries to whip him into the unforgiving steel cage. But Avalon, fueled by adrenaline and determination, leaps onto the cage instead and delivers a shocking crossbody onto Hanlon. As they both struggle to get back on their feet, JCH sneaks up from behind and launches himself off the ropes with a breathtaking Tope Suicida, crashing onto both men and sending them down in a heap.

With all three competitors barely conscious, Hanlon rises first and grabs hold of Hall and Avalon, pulling them up with him. But before he can make a move, the two men unleash a flurry of brutal kicks to his midsection before executing a devastating DDT onto the hard arena floor. As they rise again, fueled by pure adrenaline and determination, they engage in an intense punching exchange that leaves them all battered and bloodied.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

“They say it’s good to start a story with a tragedy.”

The chunky guitar riff of “Fistfight” by The Ballroom Thieves kicks in as Paxton Ray walks out under the PRIMEView. Paxton sneers as the fans boo, then slowly holds his hand up in the air.

The day I finally met you like I knew I would
You raised me from the wreck of my doubts
You were smiling to yourself as if we both understood
The silent language of the anguish of a heart that sings but doesn’t make a sound

Vince Howard: Making his way to the ring, weighing in at 245 pounds…he is The Bayou Butcher…PAAAAAXTOOOOONNNN RAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!

Nick Stuart: Oh, things are about to get bloody.

Richard Parker: You think?!

Nick Stuart: And Paxton Ray just clotheslined Bobby Dean in the back of the neck!

Richard Parker: Well, Dean might make it to the ring in about an hour or so.

As Paxton enters the War Games cage, he cracks his knuckles and looks over at Hanlon, who is making his way to his feet with a smile on his face.

Nick Stuart: And we’re about to see one of these teams with their first advantage here.

Richard Parker: Oh, this isn’t going to be good.

Hanlon and Paxton prowl the ring like predators, their eyes fixed on their prey: Jonathan-Christopher Hall, Dabney Doubleday, and Coral Avalon. Like two ferocious beasts, they pounce at the same time, slipping under the bottom rope from opposite sides of the ring. With savage determination, Doubleday and JCH launch a relentless assault on Paxton Ray, stomping and kicking him as he struggles to his feet. Meanwhile, Hanlon battles through Avalon’s fierce kicks before delivering a brutal elbow strike to his midsection.

Paxton retaliates with a powerful right hook that sends Doubleday crashing to the mat. As Ray moves in for the kill, he unleashes a vicious headbutt that connects with the bridge of Hall’s nose. The Forever Man instinctively covers his face, but Paxton shows no mercy as he drives his elbow into JCH’s back, causing him to writhe in agony on the canvas. With Hall down, Paxton turns his attention to Doubleday, who is rising to his feet. Without hesitation, he strikes again with a crushing left elbow to the face.

But Paxton is not finished yet. With a determined stride, he crosses the ring and wraps his powerful arm around Avalon’s neck and throat from behind. He gasps for air as he tightens his grip, cutting off his oxygen supply. The intensity in the ring reaches its peak as Hanlon and Paxton dominate their opponents with ruthless ferocity.

Richard Parker: Avalon will regret coming out here first, that’s for sure.

Nick Stuart: Hanlon is now kicking Avalon in the midsection, and there’s nothing that Avalon can do to stop Paxton!

Richard Parker: I hate Paxton, but I can’t help but love this for Avalon. Rough him up!

Nick Stuart: I hope next year they put you in this match.

Richard Parker: Trust me, Nick, no one wants to see my un-athletic ass in this ring.

Paxton’s grip on Hanlon’s neck tightens as he launches into a brutal backbreaker, his knee slamming into Avalon’s spine with a sickening crack. As Avalon writhes in agony on the mat, Paxton locks eyes with Jonathan-Christopher Hall, his gaze filled with cold determination.

With Hanlon following close behind him, Paxton takes on a boxer’s stance and unleashes a vicious punch to JCH’s solar plexus, causing him to double over in pain. Meanwhile, Hanlon swings a clubbing blow to the back of JCH’s neck before quickly executing a gut-wrenching suplex.

As Ray grabs Hall and slams him onto the mat, Paxton charges forward and scoop-slams Dabney Doubleday on top of JCH. Without hesitation, he kneels down and presses his palm against Dabney’s chest, pinning both men in place. In a devastating move, Hanlon bounces off the ropes and crashes down on both competitors with a bone-crushing body splash. The sound of bones breaking echoes throughout the arena as the three men lie motionless on the mat, victims of Paxton and Hanlon’s merciless assault.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Nick Stuart: The Glueminati, and their add-ins for tonight, taking the early advantage here.

Richard Parker: I mean, I can’t say that I’m surprised in the least bit. When your captain is Cecilworth Farthington, it pretty much comes with the territory.

Nick Stuart: On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of a fangirl are you going to be when Farthington comes out here?

Richard Parker: Sorry, Nick, I wasn’t paying attention. My mind was too focused on Cecilworth. He’s dreamy.

Avalon crawls back onto the ring apron, but before he can fully recover, a fierce forearm from Paxton Ray sends him flying off and crashing onto the unforgiving arena floor. Paxton quickly hops out of the ring and greets a struggling Avalon with a swift boot to the side of his head. As Avalon writhes in pain, his hand desperately reaching for the metal cage for support, Paxton grabs onto it and lifts himself up high before bringing his boot down with brutal force across Avalon’s chest and throat. Gasping for air, Avalon rolls away as Hanlon continues to unleash a merciless assault.

Meanwhile, in the ring, Hanlon aggressively yanks Dabney to his feet and hurls him chest-first into the nearby turnbuckle. The impact is so powerful that Dabney staggers backward, dazed and disoriented. Seizing the opportunity, Hanlon hoists Dabney onto his shoulder and places him on the top turnbuckle. With a sadistic grin, he pulls Dabney backward and hooks his legs onto the top rope, leaving him helpless in the Tree of Woe position. Without hesitation, Hanlon charges forward and delivers a devastating knee strike to Dabney’s exposed midsection, causing him to writhe in agony.

Nick Stuart: This is not good for Dabney.

Richard Parker: No, not in the least bit. I mean, it’s great for Cecilworth, though. I’m game for that. Hanlon and Paxton’s advantage right now is that they’re picking apart each man, and whenever the next person comes down the ramp from Team JCH, they’re already at a disadvantage.

Nick Stuart: They very well could be.

Hanlon snarls as he grabs JCH by the hair and throws him with all his might into the Tree of Woe’d Dabney Doubleday. JCH’s body smashes into Dabney’s limp form, sending a sickening crack echoing through the arena. Hanlon wastes no time, sprinting to the opposite corner before launching himself like a missile at JCH in the corner, crushing him with a running body splash. As JCH crumples to the mat, Dabney dangles helplessly from the turnbuckle.

Outside the ring, Paxton grips Avalon in a deadly embrace, but he refuses to go down without a fight. He unleashes a torrent of fierce elbow strikes that slam into Paxton’s neck and ear, causing him to growl in pain. Ray loosens his grip on Avalon for just a moment, giving Coral a chance to deliver a stunning spinning roundhouse kick to Paxton’s jaw. The Bayou Butcher drops to one knee, only to be met with even more devastation as Avalon flips onto the apron and drives his leg down across his neck in a brutal front-flip leg drop.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

The signal is given for the next entrant, and Rob Williams explodes onto the scene. He hits the ring at a full sprint, sliding in under the ropes. Before the chorus of “Man in the Box” can even hit, Rob is swinging at the first person he comes across. He doesn’t waste time with big, showy entrances because he understands that time is of the essence in this match.

Nick Stuart: Rob Williams is going to come in and start evening the odds for Team Jonathan-Christopher Hall—

Richard Parker: Team Ivan Stanislav. Hell, Team Vickie!

Nick Stuart: Sure. Rob walks by Bobby Dean, who seems to be trying to stand to his feet but is having some issues doing so.

Richard Parker: Classic Bobby.

Bobby catches a glimpse of Williams storming into the War Games structure and looks on in horror as he watches him viciously assault Avalon with a ferocious forearm to the face. Coral stumbles backward, only to be met with a brutal boot to the midsection before being powerbombed onto the helpless body of Paxton Ray.

With a cold, determined look in his eye, Williams helps JCH up to his feet before unleashing a devastating running clothesline that knocks Hayes Hanlon off of his feet. As Dabney struggles to get back up, Williams drives his elbow into his sternum and throat, ensuring the rookie knows exactly who is in control. He then ruthlessly whips Dabney into JCH, who executes a flawless arm drag that sends Dabney crashing back down to the mat.

Meanwhile, outside of the ring, Avalon starts to make his way up, clutching at his ribs in pain. But before he can even think about re-entering the ring, he feels someone grabbing at his boot and yanking him back out onto the unforgiving arena floor. It’s Paxton Ray, seething with rage as he uses the side of the ring to hoist himself up and slip back into the ring, glaring daggers at Rob Williams with fire in his eyes

Richard Parker: Big boy party?

Nick Stuart: Big boy party.

Richard Parker: Yeah! Let’s do it.

Nick Stuart: Way too excited about this.

Paxton’s eyes blaze with determination as he signals for Williams to make his move. Rob grins, adrenaline pumping through his veins as he charges at Paxton. Their shoulders collide with a bone-crunching impact that shakes the ring. But neither man yields, their muscles strained and locked in a fierce battle of strength.

Undeterred, Paxton rebounds off the ropes and launches himself at Williams, aiming for a crushing shoulder tackle. But Williams anticipates the move and meets Paxton head-on, their collision echoing throughout the arena. As they both go down, Paxton can’t help but grin in admiration at his opponent’s resilience.

Meanwhile, Dabney and Jonathan-Christopher are locked in a vicious struggle, each one trying to gain the upper hand. JCH has Dabney’s arm twisted behind his back when suddenly, Dabney breaks free with a powerful punch to his jaw. The force of the blow forces JCH to let go of his grip and gives Dabney an opening for a brutal kick to the gut, followed by a thunderous vertical suplex that sends shockwaves through JCH’s body. As he struggles to sit up, Avalon seizes his chance and springboards off the ropes, delivering a swift dropkick straight to JCH’s face. The Forever Man is momentarily dazed and disoriented from the attack.

Richard Parker: Pure pandemonium all over the ring!

Nick Stuart: You’re telling me. Dabney Doubleday connects with a Northern Lights Suplex on Hayes Hanlon while Coral Avalon just bonked Paxton Ray’s and Rob William’s heads together.

Richard Parker: I bet he’s wishing Bobby Dean was in the ring right now.

Nick Stuart: That sounds like an understatement.

Avalon ducks and weaves, narrowly avoiding Rob Williams’ massive paw as he unleashes a powerful punch to his midsection. The Five-Star champion doubles over in pain, giving Avalon the perfect opportunity to bounce off the ropes and deliver a vicious swinging neckbreaker. But before he can fully execute his move, Hall comes flying in with a running clothesline that sends them both crashing to the mat.

Not wasting any time, Williams and JCH drag the vulnerable Crownless King off the ground and hurl him into the unforgiving turnbuckle. As Avalon recoils from the impact, Williams grabs JCH’s wrist and uses it like a whip to send him charging towards Avalon, who is then met by a crushing splash Hall. But just as JCH moves out of the way, Williams charges in with a thunderous running splash of his own.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring, Hanlon is caught off guard by Paxton Ray’s sudden boot on the face. Dazed and disoriented, Hanlon is lifted up by Paxton, who slams him down in the middle of the ring with a bone-crushing sidewalk slam. As Hanlon rolls away, trying to regain his bearings, Dabney takes advantage of the chaos and flings himself over the top rope, slamming both feet into the skull and face of the two-time Universal Champion with brutal force.

Richard Parker: Rob Williams and Jonathan-Christopher Hall working together well as a team? Vickie’s plans are working quite well.

Nick Stuart: Sure, if you call it that. Meanwhile, Paxotn Ray and Hayes Hanlon have been well separated from one another.

Richard Parker: They need their leader in the ring to provide them some direction.

Nick Stuart: Well, no telling when that might happen.

Dabney begins to step back into the ring, but as he does, Williams connects with a knee to the midsection. Doubleday is doubled over, and Williams quickly whips him into the ropes before connecting with a release overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Doubleday flies across the ring and lands hard on the mat. Meanwhile, Jonathan-Christopher Hall connects with a drop-toe hold on Avalon, smashing his face into the canvas. JCH bounces back to his feet and proceeds to drop an elbow to the back of the Crownless King’s head.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

The arena’s lights go out, and the fans erupt in anticipation. Soon, their energy is rewarded as the PRIMEView springs to life. On a field of white, three words appear in blue.

THE
NEXT
DIAMOND

Normally, the words would fade away, replaced with a logo. Instead, only the middle word fades, replaced by another. Now it says…

THE
NEW
DIAMOND

These fade away, replaced by a logo. It’s the letter C in the shape of a diamond, with a smaller N inside. The logo is framed by the name.

NATE
COLTON

A classic rock riff signals the beginning of “Tryin’” by the Eagles, and the fans give out a raucous cheer. Moments later, Nate Colton emerges from the curtain. He spares a raised arm for the crowd–

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

–before booking it to the ring, unsnapping his jacket as he goes.

Vince Howard: His opponent…hailing from Evansville, Indiana…weighing in at two hundred and forty pounds…he is the NEW Diamond! He is…NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE! COOOOOOOOOOOOOOLTON!

Colton has just enough time to hand his jacket to an attendant before climbing the steps, stepping between the ropes, and diving right into the fray.

Nick Stuart: Dabney is no longer alone in this match; Nate Colton, a former Five-Star Champion, is stepping in with him!

Richard Parker: Nate Colton… this is not a match that suits him. He’s too much of a goody two-shoe.

Nick Stuart: He’s got an edge to him.

Richard Parker: He cuts the crusts of his sandwich; that’s how much he hates edges.

Colton charges down the ramp, his eyes locked onto a rising Bobby Dean, who stumbles and falls back in a comical display. Nate’s instinct to help is quickly overridden by a fierce determination as he sprints towards the War Games contraption with a wild war cry. He smashes into Hayes Hanlon with a brutal clothesline, sending him crashing hard to the mat.

Without hesitation, Nate slides into the ring and grabs Rob Williams, who is pummeling Dabney Doubleday. With primal rage fueling him, Nate unleashes a flurry of punishing punches before hoisting Williams up for an earth-shattering reverse atomic drop.

In the midst of the chaos, Paxton Ray narrowly dodges a forearm strike from Jonathan Christopher Hall, only to be caught in a relentless full nelson from Paxton. JCH struggles against Ray’s iron grip, but it’s useless as he is lifted and slammed viciously onto the unforgiving mat.

As JCH rolls away in pain, Coral Avalon springs across the ring like a panther and delivers an explosive forearm strike to Paxton’s unsuspecting jaw. With Paxton dazed and stumbling backward, Avalon lines up and takes him down with a devastating clothesline that sends him flying over the ropes and crashing to the unforgiving outside floor.

Richard Parker: At this point, Avalon’s head needs to be squashed. It will be difficult with his forehead that size.

Nick Stuart: We’ve got our first two entrants from every team in the cage… well, except for Bobby Dean. It appears that that’s going to take a little bit longer.

Richard Parker: I wouldn’t mind if every other team came out and Coral Avalon was alone in that ring. That would be enjoyable.

Nick Stuart: Well, that’s cruel

Nate Colton swiftly blocks Hayes Hanlon’s kick, snatching his foot and wrenching it in a brutal twist. With a fierce grunt, Colton yanks Hanlon’s other leg out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Colton delivers a merciless elbow strike to Hanlon’s already injured leg, causing him to writhe in agony. As Hanlon struggles to get up, Colton drags his limp leg towards the ropes before launching himself off the bottom rope and slamming his entire body weight onto Hanlon’s right leg. With a gut-wrenching scream, Hanlon rolls away in excruciating pain as Colton smirks triumphantly over him.

Meanwhile, Dabney Doubleday executes a flawless pump-handle slam on Jonathan-Christopher Hall, driving him into the mat with bone-shattering force. Just as Doubleday starts to rise to his feet, he is viciously dragged out of the ring by Paxton Ray, who proceeds to hurl him into the unforgiving steel cage. Doubleday staggers back up, only to be met with a ruthless boot to the midsection from Paxton. Before he can even gasp for air, Paxton lifts Doubleday up and slams him onto the edge of the ring apron in a sickening Uranage Slam. Writhing in agony on the ground, Doubleday clutches at his battered back as Paxton stands tall over him.

Nick Stuart: Well, Dabney Doubleday may need corrective surgery after that one. And Paxton Ray could care less as he steps over Dabney and enters the ring.

Richard Parker: And he connects with a massive right to the jaw of Nate Colton. The Next Diamond stumbles backwards.

Nick Stuart: Samoan Drop! Paxton rushed at Nate Colton, and Colton caught him by surprise with a Samoan Drop.

Richard Parker: Not usually a fan of cheering on Colton, but when Paxton Ray is involved, I don’t mind it as much.

Colton struggles to rise from the mat but is met with a crushing knee to his gut from Rob Williams. Gasping for air, he is driven back into the corner by a barrage of powerful punches that rattle his jaw. Williams then delivers a series of brutal shoulder thrusts, leaving Colton winded and vulnerable. With a vicious grip on the back of Colton’s head, Williams hurls him out of the corner and onto the unforgiving mat. As Colton lies dazed, Williams climbs to the second turnbuckle and launches himself towards his fallen opponent, driving an elbow into Colton’s face.

Meanwhile, Coral Avalon and Jonathan-Christopher Hall engage in a fierce battle, each trying to gain the upper hand. Avalon blocks Hall’s punch and seizes his wrist, attempting to whip him into the ropes. But Hall refuses to be controlled and retaliates with a swift boot to Avalon’s ribcage, followed by a snapmere suplex that leaves Avalon reeling. As Avalon struggles to get up, he is blindsided by a thunderous shoulder tackle from Rob Williams, sending him crashing across the ring. Williams then turns his attention to helping Hall to his feet as they prepare to continue their relentless assault.

Richard Parker: Hayes Hanlon connecting with a forearm strike across the face of Dabney Doubleday. Dabney is getting a crash course introduction into the PRIME life.

Nick Stuart: It’s a painful one, to say the least, and seems to be getting worse with each passing day. Think about those who aren’t in this match. Bryan Dawkins. Fred Dick. Jason Snow. I mean, good Hoyt.

Richard Parker: Well, none of that helps Dabney as Hanlon whips him off the ropes and connects with — no — Dabney ducks underneath it only to be ran into a discus elbow from Jonathan-Christopher Hall!

Nick Stuart: And Dabney down to one knee before Rob Williams connects with a punt to Dabney’s skull, sending him to the mat in a world of pain.

Colton rises to his feet, only to be greeted with a brutal headbutt from Hanlon, causing stars to explode in front of his eyes. As Hayes lunges forward with an elbow aimed at his sternum, Nate reacts quickly and grabs him by the back of the skull, aiming to slam his head into the nearby turnbuckle. But Hanlon is ready and raises his boot just in time, sending Nate’s elbow crashing into Colton’s ribcage instead. Gasping for air, Nate stumbles away from Hanlon, but before he can catch his breath, Hayes delivers a crushing bulldog that slams him mercilessly into the unforgiving canvas. The impact leaves Nate dazed and disoriented as he struggles to regain his bearings.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

Lights. Camera. Action.. “Goin’ Out West” by Tom Waits.

Behold, The Rhinestone Cowboy.

The PRIMEates start booing before Daytona Diamonds even makes his way through the curtain, a smug look on his face and swagger in his step. We’ve been here before. We’ve seen this. The cockiness, the bravado, the wanton pageantry of it all. Dautona’s traded in good usual duds for an altogether different look; rhinestone-bedazzled military fatigues, shitkicker boots, and an equally bedazzled officer’s cap atop his head. His fists are wrapped with tape, and black warpaint is smeared beneath his eyes.

Basically, Daytona Diamonds is ready for a fuckin’ battle.

Richard Parker: It’s Cowboy Time!

Nick Stuart: Is that a… catchphrase?!

Richard Parker: I’m trying to get it over.

Nick Stuart: Hm, okay.

As Diamonds makes his way down the ramp, he looks down to see Bobby Dean struggling to make his way to his feet and make his way into the War Games structure. Daytona reaches down and helps Bobby up to his feet.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Nick Stuart: Are the fans… wanting to see Bobby Dean in the War Games rings?!

Richard Parker: It’s BOBBY-MANIA!

Nick Stuart: Enough with the catchphrases.

Richard Parker: Never.

BOB-BY! BOB-BY! BOB-BY! BOB-BY! BOB-BY!

As the fans in London chant his name, Bobby Dean’s face changes as he looks around the Millennium Stadium. His eyes grow large, and his smile grows larger. He looks like he’s ready to explode.

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAART!

Oh, Bobby…

Richard Parker: WHAT THE HELL?! I SMELL IT ALL THE WAY OVER HERE!

Unfortunately for Richard, Nick has put on a gas mask.

Nick Stuart: Yep. I know that look. Far too well.

Richard Parker: Did you bring me a gas mask?!

Nick Stuart: Nope.

Daytona Diamonds looks green around the gills and shakes his head as he makes his way down the ramp, embarrassed even more now to be on the same team as Bobby Dean. With that out of the way, Bobby begins to mow down the rest of the ramp. Out of control.

Diamonds looks at Bobby in horror as he rounds the corner and quickly enters the War Games cage with Bobby Dean right behind him.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Nick Stuart: And the tables have turned massively in the favor of Coral Avalon!

Richard Parker: Oh shit, the eGG Bandits now have three people in the match to everyone’s two!

Nick Stuart: And you can see Coral is more than happy!

Coral rushes over to Bobby Dean, arms outstretched, but halfway there, he stops himself. The stench has hit him, and he quickly runs away. Bobby Dean looks confused and shrugs his shoulders, moving to the ring apron and attempting to roll himself into the ring under the bottom rope.

He gets stuck.

Poor Bobby.

Daytona gives Bobby a little push to help him get through, and Bobby marches to his feet in a hurry, which is surprising considering the twenty or so minutes it took for Bobby to make his way down the ramp and enter the match. Nonetheless, the Beautiful one is up to his feet and simply throws his weight around. Seriously, he grabs the fat around his midsection and, like a hula-hoop, launches it at Dabney Doubleday, who is knocked over three times from the sheer force of gravity that the girth around Bobby Dean’s waist emits.

Bobby then puts his head down and runs full speed at Paxton Ray, knocking him over as if Bobby were the bowling ball, and Paxton was a bowling pin. As Ray falls to the ground, Bobby’s momentum propels him into the rope, and he is now out of control, as his momentum is too much for his poor knees to stop him. He collides with Nate Colton, who is knocked backward and through the ropes from massive momentum being created in this moment.

As Bobby hits the ropes again, they creak against the amount of pressure being applied to him, and that works to only further propel the Beautiful one as he shoots out of a cannon and his girth slams into the body of Hayes Hanlon, who blows backward as if he was at the mouth of the cannon as it shot its cannonball out of it. Bobby continues to ping pong off the ropes, helpless to stop what has started, sending poor Jonathan-Christopher Hall careening over the top rope, and then Rob Williams simply dodges out of the way.

It isn’t until Paxton Ray bounces off the ropes perpendicular (who says PRIME doesn’t math) to Bobby and connects with a shoulder tackle that the crisis that was causing the Prime Minister to be awakened and contingency plans enacted ended.

POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

And causes a mini-sonic boom in the process.

Nick Stuart: I don’t think I can even describe what I just saw.

Richard Parker: I just can’t wait for Matt to read this and think what says Pop says poop. (I also read poop – B)

Nick Stuart: …what? Who’s Matt?

Richard Parker: I’m delirious, Nick.

Bobby just lies on the mat. He’s exhausted. He might be dead. None of us knows.

With a roar, Dayonta Diamonds lands a ferocious knife-edge chop across Nate Colton’s chest, leaving angry red marks in its wake. The Next Diamond retaliates with a brutal right forearm to the jaw, but Daytona counters with a spinning forearm that smashes into Colton’s throat and crumples him to the mat. As Colton struggles to catch his breath, Diamonds seizes the moment and delivers a vicious swinging neckbreaker that sends Colton crashing to the canvas.

Meanwhile, Rob Williams finds himself on the receiving end of Paxton Ray’s rage as he takes a boot to the gut, knocking the wind out of him. The Lafayette Bruiser follows up with a thunderous scoop slam, driving Williams into the ring with bone-jarring force. With a roar, Ray bounces off the ropes and launches himself into the air, coming down with a massive elbow drop that crushes Williams’ sternum. But before Ray can capitalize on his attack, Doubleday Dabney charges in with swift kicks to Ray’s midsection, leaving the Bayou Butcher doubled over in pain. In one fluid motion, Doubleday springs off the ropes and drives Ray’s head into the mat with a powerful running bulldog, leaving him dazed and disoriented on the mat.

Richard Parker: It’s like you get something done, but it leaves you open to attack. No bueno!

Nick Stuart: Playing to our Latin crowd?

Richard Parker: Look, we’re in England; I have no idea who lives here.

Nick Stuart: The… British.

Richard Parker: Do you think that helps at all?

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

Flower Travellin’ Band cues up, and as the pulsating drums and time-melting guitar flourishes of “Satori part II” bathe the arena, the spotlight steadies on the entrance. 

Only nothing happens.

No one shows up.  The Bodhisattva of Transformative experiences is not there in a special big-match kimono; there are no crowns of flowers atop his dreadlocks.   

The crowd begins to mutter in confusion until a small contingent of fans begin to boo.  The boos get louder.  The boos turn into a Katamari ball of screaming when the camera finally, chaotically turns to find Sage Pontiff emerging from the sea of the crowd and onto the top of a security guardrail!!  Shirtless, bearded, and half-crazed from the prospect of doing battle, Pontiff scans the arena slowly.  He then throws his arms to the side, messianic as ever, majestic in the bright lights…and then his arms drop.  He smiles, but his eyes are narrowing toward the action in the ring.  He pops his neck once, twice. 

Then he bum-rushes the caged rings, clearly intent on causing as much destruction as possible.

Nick Stuart: And the Bodhisattva of Transformative Experience is in England!

Richard Parker: I think all of the drugs he puts in his body are illegal over here. Or legal. I can’t tell. Everyone here speaks a different language.

Nick Stuart: They all speak English, Richard.

Richard Parker: Exactly! With a funny accent and weird lingo.

Nick Stuart: I can’t with you on this trip.

With a ferocious roar, Sage charges into the ring and unleashes a devastating uppercut to Doubleday’s jaw as he rises from the mat. Dabney staggers back, but Sage is relentless, pummeling him with a barrage of punches to the midsection before spinning him around and executing a lethal Dragon Suplex. The force of impact sends Dabney crashing onto his head, leaving him dazed and motionless on the mat.

Meanwhile, Pontiff expertly evades Daytona Diamonds’ wild swing and takes advantage of the momentum to catch him off guard. With lightning speed, he hooks both of Diamonds’ arms and executes another brutal Dragon Suplex.

Not far away, Coral Avalon strikes with precision and power, driving his elbow deep into Jonathan-Christopher Hall’s gut. JCH drops to one knee in agony, but Avalon isn’t finished yet. He hoists JCH up by his arms and delivers a crushing sitout double underhook piledriver that leaves JCH crumpled on the canvas.

Avalon barely has time to catch his breath before Hayes Hanlon charges at him. But Avalon is well-prepared for this attack, ducking under Hanlon’s clothesline and using his own momentum against him with a picture-perfect dropkick that sends Hanlon sprawling to the mat.

As Hanlon struggles to get back up, Avalon wastes no time climbing the top rope and launching himself into a high-flying double stomp that lands right on target. The crowd gasps in awe as Hanlon writhes in pain on the ground while Avalon stands tall as a true warrior in the ring.

Nick Stuart: Avalon busting out some of the Armaments, connecting with the Excalibur to Jonathan-Christopher Hall and the Carnwennan to Hayes Hanlon!

Richard Parker: That’s pretty and all, but he can’t eliminate anyone right now!

Nick Stuart: No, he can’t. He’s got a little while to go until that happens.

Richard Parker: He might be dead by then. Actually, I wouldn’t mind that.

Nick Stuart: Sure, Richard, sure.

With a savage roar, Sage Pontiff rises to his feet and towers over the motionless body of Bobby Dean. He unleashes a flurry of brutal stomps, each one driving deeper into the Beautiful one’s flesh. But as he revels in his violent onslaught, Avalon sneaks up behind him like a hungry predator. With a fierce strike to the back of Pontiff’s neck, he sends the towering figure stumbling forward and falling between both rings with a resounding thud. But before Avalon can even catch his breath, Pontiff regains his footing and retaliates with a punishing forearm strike that sends him reeling. In a daring move, Diamonds races off the ropes and launches himself through the ropes, spearing Pontiff into the second ring with bone-crushing force!

Meanwhile, Colton narrowly avoids a stomp from Paxton Ray, rolling away just in time. The Murdergator swings at Colton’s neck but instead finds his own arm caught by The Legend, who expertly executes an arm drag. With lightning-fast reflexes, Paxton rises to his feet and blocks The Legend’s running boot, only to be met with a devastating right hook to the jaw. As he reels from the blow, The Legend charges forward with explosive speed and delivers a running lariat that sends Paxton crashing to the ground.

Richard Parker: Williams doing everything he can to break Paxton’s neck. I approve of this.

Nick Stuart: I don’t think you will find many people who don’t agree with you.

Richard Parker: Meanwhile, in the second ring, Diamonds is wailing away at Pontiff until the Bodhisattva gets his feet up and kicks Diamonds away from him. As both men scramble to their feet, Pontiff connects with a spinning back fist that stops Diamonds in his tracks. Pontiff then connects with a gut-wrench suplex!

Nick Stuart: I’m unsure if Daytona’s ribs are completely healed, either.

With a bloodthirsty roar, Pontiff pounces on Diamonds, unleashing a barrage of headbutts that pound into his skull like thunder. But just as Pontiff gains the upper hand, Avalon enters the fray with a brutal backheel kick to Sage’s jaw. As Pontiff stumbles off Diamonds, Avalon takes advantage and rains down vicious forearms on his exposed neck and skull. But Sage refuses to stay down, using the middle rope to pull himself up before springing backward and slamming Avalon into the corner with bone-crushing force. As Avalon crumples to the mat, Sage spins around and delivers a devastating forearm strike to his already-dazed opponent.

Meanwhile, Hanlon struggles to his feet and spots Jonathan-Christopher Hall trying to do the same. With a fierce determination, Hanlon grabs JCH by the shoulder and spins him around, unleashing a flurry of powerful right hooks that send him reeling. JCH staggers like a drunken sailor, barely able to stay upright as Event Horizon winds up for a devastating forearm strike. But before he can land the blow, Nate Colton intervenes, grabbing Sage’s arm and swinging him around before driving a boot into his gut and slamming him down with a brutal DDT onto Home Run Hayes. The ring shakes with the impact as bodies collide, and the fight rages on with ferocious intensity.

Richard Parker: Booooo! No one wants Nate Colton in this match!

Nick Stuart: I think the tens of thousands of fans here at Millennium Stadium disagree with you.

Richard Parker: They’re… what did you call them? British? They don’t have opinions.

Nick Stuart: Then why are they cheering him on?

Richard Parker: Because they’re not bright, duh.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

All eyes seem to be on the next entrant, when suddenly…

OOOH War Games do you know what that’s worth? OOOOH Moscow is a place on Earth
They say in Russia, LOVE comes first, we’ll make Moscow a place on Earth
OOOH Moscow is a place on Earrrrrrth…

The music, sounding an awful lot like “Heaven is a Place on Earth” but with the vocal stylings of Randall Schwartz, ushers in a wave of jeers from the crowd as Kenny Freeman makes his way out. This is a man who looks eager and determined to get the job done inside the Match Beyond…even if the entrance theme may not get that across.

Nick Stuart: Here comes Kenny Freeman now, looking to serve the Red Army as he heads into War Games!

Richard Parker: Look at that determination. Look at that fierceness. This man is ready to step it up big time…and he’s got a banger of a theme to boot!

Kenny approaches the massive structure from which his big moment is ready to take place…taking a moment to soak in the importance of such a match, but hopefully not TOO long because there are things to do, and Freeman is ready to get it done as he enters!

Richard Parker: K-Free is in the house!

Freeman explodes into the War Games structure like a raging bull, his eyes fixed on Doubleday, who had been mercilessly stomping on Jonathan-Christopher Hall. Without hesitation, Freeman charges forward and delivers a devastating running clothesline that sends Doubleday flying through the air. As Doubleday struggles to get up, Kenny unleashes a springboard off the middle rope and takes him down with a soaring flying crossbody. Dabney, still recovering from the chaos, slowly rises to his feet, only to be met by Freeman’s lightning-fast suicide dive that slams him back-first into the unforgiving War Games cage.

Seeing his partner under attack, Colton rushes out of the ring with a fierce forearm strike to the back of Kenny’s neck. But before he can do any more damage, Hall joins in on the fray and takes Colton down with a vicious tackle into the cage. With Colton doubled over in pain, Dabney seizes the opportunity and slams his forearm into Colton’s vulnerable shoulder blades. But before they can do any real damage, Freeman lands a swift superkick to Dabney’s jaw, opening him up for an incoming clothesline from Colton.

Nick Stuart: And JCH just stepped in front of the clothesline for Freeman!

Richard Parker: And Vickie has taught him well! That was the game plan for JCH to put his body on the line for the Red Army, and it’s working out beautifully.

Nick Stuart: Sounds like a dumb strategy to me.

Richard Parker: And what do you know?!

Bobby Dean writhes on the floor of the ring, his limbs flailing about like a wounded animal. With each movement, the ground beneath him shakes with seismic force, registering on seismographs hundreds of miles away.

Meanwhile, Rob Williams charges towards Hanlon with a lariat, but the Event Horizon expertly dodges and counters with a spine-tingling Death Valley Driver. Williams howls in pain as he crashes to the mat, only to be met with a bone-shattering big boot from Hanlon that sends him tumbling out of the ring.

As Hanlon celebrates his victory over Williams, Daytona Diamonds strikes from behind, viciously attacking his knee and causing him to collapse in agony. Grinning wickedly, Diamonds delivers a devastating running knee to the back of Hanlon’s head, leaving him sprawled on the mat in pain and frustration at being caught off guard.

Nick Stuart: Hanlon is not aware of his surroundings there.

Richard Parker: Diamonds is a cowboy who operates without rules. Hanlon has to be ready for someone like that.

Nick Stuart: And everyone else to boot.

Richard Parker: Sure, whatever.

In the brutal and chaotic chaos of the second ring, Pontiff unleashes a savage elbow strike that cracks against the top of Avalon’s forehead, sending him reeling back into the corner. But there is no respite for the wounded as Sage barrels forward, driving his shoulder deep into Avalon’s gut. With his body nearly folded in half, Avalon is helpless as Pontiff grabs him by the back of the head and hurls him onto the mat with a brutal thud. Seizing the opportunity, Pontiff ascends to the middle turnbuckle and launches himself off with a vicious elbow strike right across Avalon’s face, leaving him dazed and bloodied on the canvas.

In the other ring, Dabney and Kenny Freeman engage in a fierce exchange of blows, each strike landing with bone-crunching force. The two men trade forearms until Freeman finally catches Dabney off guard with a powerful shot to the jaw. Stumbling backward, Doubleday bounces off the ropes and attempts a clothesline, but Freeman expertly ducks underneath it. As Dabney tries to recover, Freeman seizes the opportunity to wrap his arms around him in a rear waistlock. But Dabney fights back, managing to pry Freeman’s grip away and reverse the hold. In one fluid motion, he lifts Freeman up for a German Suplex, but Freeman manages to land on his feet. As both men stand up again, Dabney wastes no time in putting Freeman back into a rear waistlock before executing a picture-perfect German Suplex of his own.

Meanwhile, Diamonds and Hall continue their intense battle in the third ring. Each strike from Diamonds feels like hot coals against Hall’s skin as he unleashes a series of knife-edge chops that leave tears streaming down Hall’s face. But Hall refuses to back down, firing back with a knee strike that lands directly into Diamond’s injured ribs. As Diamonds crumples in pain, JCH swoops in and connects with a brutal butterfly suplex. But he doesn’t stop there, immediately transitioning into a rear-naked choke hold that threatens to cut off Diamonds’ oxygen supply. Desperately, Diamonds tries to fight out of the hold, but JCH’s grip is like a vice. Struggling to his knees and then to his feet, Diamonds finally manages to break free by stomping his cowboy boots into JCH’s body until he can no longer maintain the hold. And as JCH staggers back, Diamonds unleashes a devastating running forearm smash that sends him flying through the air, landing in a crumpled heap on the mat.

Nick Stuart: Going to need to go to a triple-screen here to keep track of all the action.

Richard Parker: Don’t care about half of these yahoos. Give me more Daytona Diamonds, though not beating on Hall. Can he go beat up Dabney and Colton instead?

Nick Stuart: Well, Team Good Guys is at a bit of a disadvantage right now with only having two guys in the ring right now.

Richard Parker: Yeah, yeah, I don’t care about any of that. If we can actually just keep them in the back, that would be perfect.

Nick Stuart: I don’t see that happening.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

The video screen comes on…

(An alarm clock’s ringing.  A hand emerges from under the covers of the adjacent bed and turns it off.)

(An acoustic guitar begins to play the opening to Garrett Biggs’ “Mama Didn’t Raise No…”)

(We see Adam Ellis climb out of bed.  He throws a towel over his shoulder and walks to the bathroom.)

(Then we see Garrett Biggs from the music video, standing with his head down in a high school hallway with two lines of lockers on each side.  He’s wearing a baseball cap, a dark plaid shirt with a jacket over it, and is rocking back and forth.)

(Next, Adam’s zipping up his gym bag and getting ready to leave his apartment.  We also see Ginny pulling on a jacket before we cut to Garrett singing…)

“Mama didn’t raise no… quitter- guaranteed to get the job done.”

(Video clip from January, 2021 of Adam Ellis teaming up with ‘The Worst Heel in Pro Wrestling History’ Marty Laslo against the People’s Front of Berea- Dayle Joe Foster and Ezekiel Walker from Berea, Kentucky at an MVW house show in Fort Wayne, Indiana.)

“She didn’t raise no SOB who that can’t back himself up – been known to throw a good punch.”

(Video clip from September 30th, 2021 of Adam wrestling Canadian Jack Fraiser… accompanied by his Oootlander Blaire Rendell… in the main event of MVW’s Lock and Loaded TV show.  Ellis locks Fraiser in with the STF to get the win.)

(Cut back to Biggs miming the words as he walks forward down the hallway towards the camera.)

“And this ol’ boy gets going when the going gets tough- sundown to sun up.”

(Grainy cell phone video of Adam wrestling with ‘The Gold Standard’ John Sektor and winning the HOW Tag Team title over Conor Fuse and David Noble at March to Glory in 2022. )

“Need a man with a helping hand – he’s always got one to lend.”

(Cut back to Biggs.  He raises his right arm and then brings it down as he sings the chorus.)

“Oh, I might be a little rough around the edges”

(Video May 2022 showing Adam winning the MVW Title from John O’Reilly after making him submit to the STF.  Sektor jumps into the ring to celebrate with him… interspersed with Biggs singing and walking towards the camera down the high school hallway, slapping his chest with his hand where his heart is.)

“From the outside lookin’ in it might seem helpless.”

(Video clip from HOW’s Dead or Alive show of LT having a beer with Missouri Valley Wrestling owner Ray McAvay and PRIME’s co-heads of security Wade Elliott and Dametreyus in a makeshift Section 214 followed by clips from Adam’s MVW Title defense win over Darin Zion.)

(Cut back to Biggs who continues to walk forward down the hall.)

“I’ve been blessed with a strong backbone – I never coulda made it on my own”

(Cut to Adam signing a PRIME contract with Lindsay Troy watching on.)

“But if there’s one thing that I know – Momma didn’t raise no… boy…”

(Flashback to an MVW house show in Enid, Oklahoma in April of 2022.  Adam is walking into the arena. Ginny is in a full sprint after she set off a buck bomb inside the Kardoucheian family’s private and rather expensive Hollywood-style dressing trailer…)

“Who’s just out to break a heart.”

(…Ginny runs smack dab into Adam.  Their eyes meet.   Sparks fly.  Yadda, yadda, yadda…)

“She didn’t raise no one night stand…”

(Next… Jefferson County Courthouse in Hillsboro, MO. August 5th, 2022.  With Joe Bergman and Dawn McGill witnessing the ceremony, Adam and Ginny get married by a Justice of the Peace.)

“…not calling again…”

(After the ceremony, Adam’s Volkswagen Jetta does a U-turn on Main Street and took off in the other direction.)

“…and leave her wondering in the dark…”

(The back of the Jetta had been decorated with the traditional “Just Married’ sign hastily scrawled out with a sharpie on poster board and a couple of empty beer cans on a string to the car that dragged on the ground for about ten feet until they became dislodged and rolled to a stop on the street.)

“Oh, I might be a little rough around the edges”

Adam and Ginny move into their first home- a house trailer just outside of Greenville, Texas… Adam carries her into the trailer.  Adam’s ever-present Volkswagen Jetta is parked in the stone driveway.

“From the outside lookin’ in it might seem helpless.”

(Various video clips cycle through of Adam wrestling in PRIME with clips of Biggs singing.)

“I’ve been blessed with a strong backbone – I never coulda made it on my own”

(Quick clips of Ginny shooting down a sponsor’s inflatable backstage followed by her chasing Savannah Scandal out of the post-Colossus 2023 PressCon)

“But if there’s one thing that I know – Momma didn’t raise no…”

Adam and Ginny come out on stage at the Millenium Stadium during the song’s instrumental part as more clips of Adam in action are interspersed with clips of Garrett Biggs walking in a farmer’s field with farm implantation in the background.

“Yeah… Momma didn’t raise no…”

Ginny raises her right arm… and then brings it down as the full instrumentation hits for the final chorus- complete with pyro.

“Oh, I might be a little rough around the edges”

Also standing behind Ginny are two Enemigos who keep close watch on her… just in case.

“From the outside lookin’ in it might seem helpless.”

Adam and Ginny kiss on the stage and then hug.

“I’ve been blessed with a strong backbone – I never coulda made it on my own”

And with that, Ginny heads to the back with the Enemigos while Adam takes off down the ramp towards the twin wrestling rings.

“But if there’s one thing that I know – Momma didn’t raise no…”

Nick Stuart: And just like that, Adam Ellis is entering War Games.

Richard Parker: So basically, it’s Nate Colton with two scrubs. That sounds good to me.

Nick Stuart: You’re impossible.

As Ellis enters the structure, there’s a slight problem when they try to close the cage door. That problem is one Bobby Dean, who has managed to wedge himself in between the cage door and the structure.

Richard Parker: What the hell is Bobby doing?!

Nick Stuart: He rolled over there! And is now stuck.

Richard Parker: Why would he do that?! He’s not FLAMBERGE! The only necks that he collects are turkey necks!

Bobby Dean continues to roll out of the structure, possibly unaware his body is doing it. Maybe he is subconsciously doing it? Who knows.

Adam Ellis explodes into the ring like a raging bull, barreling towards Kenny Freeman with reckless abandon. He smashes into him with a thunderous clothesline that sends Freeman crashing to the mat. As Freeman struggles to get up, Ellis charges again and delivers another bone-crushing clothesline, sending Freeman sprawling across the canvas. But before he can recover, Ellis grabs him by the scruff of his neck and hoists him up for a snap suplex, causing Freeman to cry out in pain as he hits the mat hard.

Meanwhile, Rob Williams and Nate Colton engage in a brutal battle, their bodies colliding with fierce force as they exchange blows. Williams catches Colton’s boot and yanks him closer before slamming him down with a belly-to-belly suplex. He follows it up with a barrage of vicious fists, but Colton manages to block and retaliate, shifting his weight to throw Williams off balance. In a swift move, Colton mounts Williams and rains down ferocious strikes on his face before getting back on his feet and executing a perfect vertical suplex.

But as Williams stands up, Ellis charges at him like a freight train, catching both men off guard and sending them over the top rope in a chaotic tangle of limbs. Ellis is the first one to rise from the pile-up, determined to do more damage. He drives his boot into Williams’ chest and goes to pull him up for another attack, but Williams fights back with all his might. He shoves Ellis into the steel barricade with an audible thud before grabbing him and lifting him up for a devastating vertical suplex onto the edge of the ring. The crowd gasps as Ellis collapses to the floor in agony while Williams stands tall with a sadistic grin on his face.

Nick Stuart: Dear Hoyt, Adam may not be able to get up after that shot!

Richard Parker: You say that like it’s a bad thing.

Nick Stuart: …it is.

Richard Parker: Depends on your perspective.

Hanlon braces for impact as the Rhinestone Cowboy’s forearm strike lands with brutal force, followed by a stiff kick to his midsection. Before he can recover, Diamonds executes a snap suplex that slams Hanlon onto the mat. As he struggles to get back up, Home Run Hayes is met with Diamonds’ front somersault through the ropes and an elbow strike that splits open his forehead. Blood trickles down his face as he writhes in pain on the unforgiving canvas.

Pontiff takes a knee to the face from the Almasy Winner before being thrown off balance by Hall’s neckbreaker attempt. But quick as lightning, Hall wraps his arms around Pontiff’s waist and drives him down with a side suplex. The Bodhisattva groans in agony as Hall stomps on his chest, leaving him gasping for air. JCH wastes no time, yanking Pontiff up and driving a knee into his gut before slamming him down with a Flacon’s Arrow!

Avalon unleashes an uppercut that snaps K-Free’s jaw back with a sickening crack. As Freeman staggers backward, Coral traps his arms in the ropes and delivers a powerful knife-edge chop across his chest. But Coral isn’t done yet – he slides under the bottom rope and twists Freeman’s legs between the ropes until they are contorted in ways that defy human anatomy. In the midst of Freeman’s screams, JCH charges out of the ring and hurls himself at Avalon with a vicious clothesline to the back of his vulnerable knees, sending him crashing into the unforgiving edge of the ring.

Nick Stuart: What a brutal shot that Avalon just took there!

Richard Parker: And that’s what he gets for trying to break Freeman in half! What the hell was he thinking?! Jonathan-Christopher, though, fills Vickie’s hopes and dreams as he has all match, making sure his team is in top fighting shape.

Nick Stuart: Well, he better make sure he keeps his head on a swivel because Hall will be a marked man, no questions asked.

Richard Parker: Oh please, no one wants to hurt someone as pure as Jonathan-Christopher Hall. Especially when he’s managed by Vickie Hall! That would be a suicide mission.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

Primal Scream’s “Movin’ On Up” begins blasting from the announce system, sending the crowd into another fit of a festival sing-a-long. Don Winters wastes no time, running out from behind the curtain and immediately towards the cage.

Nick Stuart: The Revelator is in the house!

Richard Parker: And he looks like hell after his match last night with Rob Williams. Not that Williams looks any better, but it’s hard to tell the difference because I think he always looks like that.

Nick Stuart: Fair.

Richard Parker: And he is racing down the ramp as the eGG Bandits [barfs] have the advantage now!

Nick Stuart: Very true… what the hell is Bobby Dean doing?!

As Winters makes his way into the structure, he is forced to do a double take as he sees Bobby Dean sitting front row, eating a fan’s bucket of popcorn and what can only be assumed an overcaffinated drink.

Don Winters: BOBBY!

Bobby simply shrugs his shoulders. He tries to talk, but kernels of popcorn fly out of his mouth instead. We’re going to assume he simply said “WHAT?!” and well, it’s Bobby Dean and we should all expect that I think.

Winters turns around and is immediately met with a forearm strike from Rob Williams. The two, having had a personal feud, seemingly haven’t put that feud to rest even after last night’s match.

And the fans in London are loving every bit of it.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Don fires off a flurry of forearm strikes, stiff and tight, that land flush against The Legend’s jaw. There’s no holding back here as Winters continues to unload on him, wanting to inflict as much pain as possible. Winters then grabs Rob’s wrist and launches him into the side of the steel cage. Williams bounces off of it, and Winters simply grabs the back of his skull and launches him into the cage again.

And again.

And again.

I think you get the message. The Revelator then spins Williams around and punts him in the stomach before putting him into a front facelock. Winters then runs up the side of the cage before connecting with a Tornado DDT on Williams.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

In the ring, Coral Avalon ducks backward (think like the Matrix), dodging an elbow strike from the Forever Man, Jonathan-Christopher Hall. Avalon then returns to his original spot and connects with a Uranage Slam on Hall. Hall rolls onto his stomach, clutching at his stomach. Avalon drops a series of knees across the lower back of Vickie Hall’s husband before putting him into a Koji Clutch. He locks it in tight as Hall screams out in a world of pain. Avalon, now prone, opens himself up to a running boot from K-Free to the side of the head. Freeman then mounts Avalon and begins firing away with a series of fists to the face of the Golden Bandit.

Sage Pontiff tees up on Nate Colton in the corner, throwing strike after strike that finds the torso of Nate Colton with ease. The Next Diamond tries to cover up, but with the calculated fists of Sage Pontiff, that poses some difficulty. With Colton slumped in the corner, Pontiff takes a few steps backward and runs full speed at Colton, only for the Next Diamond to dip his shoulder and send Pontiff over the top rope. Pontiff manages to land on the ring apron, though. Colton stumbles out of the corner, but Sage hops onto the top turnbuckle and uses his legs to bring Colton back in before locking in a rear naked chokehold. Pontiff wrenches back to the point that Colton’s feet are dangling off the ground.

Nick Stuart: Sheer brutality from the Bodhisattva!

Richard Parker: I mean, can you blame him? I’m just hoping that he manages to make Colton’s head just pop off. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Nick Stuart: No. No, it wouldn’t.

Richard Parker: Then you don’t know what fun is.

With a fierce growl, Winters drags Williams off the stadium floor and attempts to whip him into the ring post. But Williams turns the tables, sending Winters crashing into the unforgiving steel instead. Winters crumples to the ground, clutching at his head in agony. Without hesitation, The Legend seizes Winters in a rear waist lock and brutally slams him onto the stadium floor with a German Suplex. Winters bounces off the concrete and writhes on his stomach, gripping the back of his skull in pain. As if that wasn’t enough, Williams climbs onto the ring edge and launches himself off, driving a knee into Winters’ already damaged head.

In another corner of the ring, Dabney Doubleday unleashes a barrage of running uppercuts on a dazed Paxton Ray. Despite being stunned, Paxton refuses to go down and stumbles into the corner. Mrs. Doubleday’s Perfect Little Gentleman continues his assault, repeatedly kicking Paxton in the midsection until Paxton finally catches one of his kicks and pushes him away. But before Doubleday can retaliate, Paxton grabs him and executes a devastating Uranage Slam across his knee. Doubleday rolls away in agony, clutching at his back as he struggles to get back up.

Seeing that two of his partners are being attacked — Don Winters and Coral Avalon — Daytona Diamonds decides to help out Coral instead of Don (surprise, surprise), dragging Freeman off of his Team Captain. He puts him in a side waistlock and connects with a side suplex that drops K-Free on the back of his skull. Diamonds gets up to his feet and helps Avalon up. Both men then bounce off the ropes and drop a double elbow across the sternum of the Red Army member.

Nick Stuart: Starting to see some of these teams starting to work together.

Richard Parker: Sure. I mean, the dangerous time will be when you’ve got FLAMBO, Hanlon, and Farthington all in the ring at the same time. That’s real teamwork.

Nick Stuart: I don’t think the three of them have ever teamed together.

Richard Parker: They’ve been waiting until it is perfect, Nick!

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

The opening chords of Chevelle ‘s “Comfortable Liar” ring out, signalling the imminent arrival of Seán O’Neill. O’Neill emerges on the entrance way in an elaborate entrance jacket and a beautiful tartan scarf matching colours with his ring gear.

The Irishman is visibly caught off guard, expecting his normal negative reception from the crowd in attendance, he’s instead greeted by cheers.

Richard Parker: Uhh, Am I hearing this?

Nick Stuart: An unexpected reaction for Seán O’Neill this evening.

Vince Howard: Making his way into THE WAR GAAAAAMMMEEEESSS, from Belfast, Northern Ireland… weighing in at two hundred and thirty-one pounds, representing TEAM FARTHINGTON… SUURREEAALLL SEAN O’NEILLLLLL!

Howard’s announcement is greeted by even louder cheers. Feeling the support of what is essentially his home crowd, O’Neill slaps hands with the fans closest to the barriers on the rampway.

As he lowers his head, O’Neill mouths “thank you” to the crowd and balls up his right fist to beat his chest in a symbolic gesture to the fans.

Richard Parker: He looks pretty emotional!

Nick Stuart: It’s a big night, and a big opportunity for him this evening.

Sean races down the ramp, pauses as he enters the War Games structure, and sees Bobby Dean holding up a sign that says, “Sean O’Neill sucks!”. Sean pauses but shakes his head, knowing that he should not get involved in eGG Bandits’ shenanigans. As he enters the structure, he slides into the second ring and tackles Adam Ellis to the mat. Ellis barely has a chance to cover up as he’s pelted with a series of forearm strikes from the Surreal one. O’Neill quickly gets to his feet, dragging Ellis up to his feet before connecting with a Northern Lights Suplex. O’Neill floats over gracefully, lifting Ellis up in the process before connecting with a belly-to-belly suplex.

Diamonds locks eyes with Mrs. Doubleday’s Perfect Little Gentleman in the corner, a twisted grin spreading across his face. With a swift movement, he delivers a crushing elbow to the man’s face, making Mrs. Doubleday question if this is still her son. Just as quickly, Diamonds grabs Dabney by the wrist and launches him out of the corner, only to be met with an uppercut to the jaw from the Golden Bandit. But there’s no rest for Dabney as Avalon seizes the back of his skull and hurls him towards Daytona, who snatches him up and slams him down onto his knees in a vicious jawbreaker.

Dazed and disoriented, Dabney collapses onto the mat, clutching at his throbbing jaw while Avalon charges towards him with lightning speed. With a deafening roar, he takes flight and lands a devastating Shooting Star Press on Dabney’s already battered body.

Meanwhile, Hanlon unleashes a ferocious haymaker that connects solidly with Rob, sending him staggering into the ropes. Seizing the opportunity, Hanlon charges forward and delivers a bone-crushing forearm shot that sends Rob hurtling over the top rope and crashing to the unforgiving floor below. With unbridled fury, Hanlon follows after him, dropping an elbow across his face as he lies helplessly on the ground.

The Legend rolls onto his stomach, groaning in pain while Hanlon rises to his feet with a triumphant sneer. But before he can revel in his victory, Hayes pounces on him and begins savagely stomping at the back of his skull. With a relentless grip on Hanlon’s hair, Hayes attempts to smash his face into the ring edge, but Hanlon fights back with all his might. With one powerful blow, he drives his elbow into Hayes’ ribcage, causing him to stumble away in agony.

Seizing the opportunity, Rob seizes Hayes from behind and locks him into a rear waistlock before executing a masterful German Suplex. The impact leaves Hayes lying motionless on the ground as the crowd erupts into deafening cheers. This is no longer just a wrestling match – it’s a brutal battle for survival, and only one team will come out on top.

Nick Stuart: Hanlon must be feeling the effects of that last move. You can only be dropped on your skull or neck so many times before you probably need to get checked out.

Richard Parker: Look, when you’re part of the Glueminati, you actually get your neck reinforced. Plus, you’ve got the Neck Collector, and his Neck Collector magic protects them as well.

Nick Stuart: That’s not a thing.

Richard Parker: Um, yes, it is, Nick. You’re just not a believer.

Winters drives his knee with crushing force into the midsection of Paxton Ray, sending him crumpling to the corner. With a fierce growl, The Revelator sprints to the other corner and launches himself into the air, delivering a devastating shotgun dropkick to Lafayette Bruiser’s face. As Paxton falls to the side, Winters grabs his head and neck, slamming it against the ring edge before leaping into the air for an elbow drop…only for Ray to narrowly dodge out of harm’s way. Don slams onto the stadium floor, his elbow throbbing in pain as he watches Paxton crawl toward the Fallen Angel.

The Bodhisattva unleashes a gut-wrench suplex on K-Free, but Pontiff quickly rises and retaliates by putting Freeman in a fierce headlock. But Freeman fights back with a brutal forearm strike to Pontiff’s lower back, causing him to release his hold. Taking advantage of the opening, Freeman delivers a powerful dropkick that sends Pontiff tumbling through the ropes and crashing onto the unforgiving ring edge. But K-Free is relentless, striking Pontiff with a savage blow to the jaw before locking him in a front facelock. Freeman attempts a suplex, but Pontiff counters with a devastating fist to his ribs before executing a picture-perfect suplex that slams Freeman onto the hard stadium floor.

Colton and O’Neill engage in an intense struggle as they both fight for dominance. The Next Diamond manages to flip O’Neill over his shoulder and onto the canvas, but O’Neill quickly retaliates by putting Colton in a full nelson. In a desperate attempt to turn the tables, Colton tries to lift O’Neill for his signature move, but O’Neill blocks it with his foot. With lightning-fast reflexes, O’Neill throws Colton over his shoulder like a ragdoll. As Colton scrambles back to his feet, O’Neill viciously drops his throat first onto the top rope. Nate clutches at his neck in agony as he falls to his knees. But before he can recover, Sean bounces off the ropes and delivers a bone-jarring boot to his face with brutal force.

Richard Parker: Yeah, put that do-gooder down! He deserves every bit that comes to him! I hate his stupid face so much!

Nick Stuart: What are you rattling on about? Your hatred of Nate Colton is not based in facts, but pure feelings.

Richard Parker: And that’s what I’ve got to work with. I don’t need you putting me down, Nick. You’re no better than that do-gooder we’ve got in the ring right now. What are you, a Colton lover?

Nick Stuart: I do enjoy seeing a young star like Colton, yes I do. Is that a reason to put me down?

Richard Parker: No, but your stupid face is.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

The lights transition to black, immediately putting a halt to the action going on inside of the ring.

Nick Stuart: What the…

Richard Parker: Really? The lights? In the middle of WAR GAMES?!

Slum Planet. 3TEETH and Mick Gordon.

..Taste the waste of our neon disgrace..
..Deformed children made from corporate god’s grace..
..Better wear a mask ‘cause the air melts your face..

The venomous lyrics, heavy drums, and shredding guitars progress further into the song as a red light shines down upon the stage. A beat later, there’s some intrigue murmuring throughout Millenium Stadium.

..My trash, hate, and lies..
..piled as high as I like..
..So welcome to my slum planet..

Nick Stuart: Huh. No Arthur?!

Richard Parker: Something’s not right about this. Where the hell is he?!

Another spotlight shines down on the ramp as the light on the stage immediately goes dark. A spotlight shines down in front of the next spotlight, and so on, and so forth, until the spotlight is shining down on both cages, giving every inch of the unforgiving steel, and everyone inside of it, a crimson hue.

Nick Stuart: Seriously.  Where is—

Richard Parker: There!!

With everyone either focused on getting back to the action, or keeping their attention on the entrance itself, Arthur Pleasant slithers up from the ring skirt with a skeevy, sleazy smirk stained on his face.

Nick Stuart: Pleasant with the backdoor sneak attack into this thing!!

Richard Parker: When the hell did he get under that ring?!

As Arthur makes his presence known, we see Bobby Dean chanting. What is he chanting? Let’s check in on that.

“TEETH! TEETH! TEETH! TEETH!”

Arthur ignores him, though, as he slides into the first ring and spears Nate Colton into the mat before mounting him, sinks his teeth into his neck, and turns Colton into a vampire — okay, none of that happened. Instead, he wails away at him with a series of lefts and rights until Adam Ellis tackles Pleasant to the mat. Arthur gets up to his feet, wraps his hand around the throat of Ellis and chokeslams him onto the mat. Colton gets back to his feet and spins Pleasant around, getting a few good jabs in until Pleasant connects with a sickening headbutt that sends Colton careening into the nearby corner. Pleasant opens up a series of kicks to Colton’s midsection before hoisting The Next Diamond up and hot-shotting him across the top rope.

In the opposing ring, The Rhinestone Cowboy is met with a flurry of punishing blows from Pontiff, each strike feeling like a sledgehammer to Diamonds’ body. Desperately trying to defend himself, Diamonds resorts to jamming his thumb into Sage’s eye, causing the Bodhisattva to stumble back in agony. But before recovering, Daytona strikes again with a knife-edge chop and a devastating European Uppercut, leaving Pontiff reeling. With no time to breathe, Diamonds is hoisted up by Daytona and slammed mercilessly into the nearby turnbuckle.

Meanwhile, The Forever Man is locked in a fierce battle with Hanlon, who has him in a tight side headlock. But JCH breaks free with a powerful elbow to the gut, followed by a brutal clubbing blow to the back of Home Run Hayes’ neck. As Hayes tries to regain his footing, JCH grabs him in a rear waistlock and attempts to take him down. But Hayes fights back valiantly, unleashing a series of sharp back elbows that force JCH to release his grip. Seizing the opportunity, Hayes charges toward the ropes, only for Hall to counter with a swift dropkick that sends the Event Horizon crashing down.

Both men rise to their feet, adrenaline pumping as they face off once again. But Hall strikes first with a vicious sidekick, only for Hanlon to catch his foot and throw it down hard on the ground. Spinning around with lightning speed, Hanlon levels Hall with a bone-crushing lariat that sends him flipping through the air. The intensity in the ring is palpable as both men refuse to back down, ready for whatever comes next in this brutal battle.

Nick Stuart: What a vicious lariat from the Glueminati member!

Richard Parker: As you can imagine, Nick, my heart is torn as I watch the Glueminati fight the man who is married to the most amazing woman in the world, Vickie Hall. I just hope they band together shortly and destroy the likes of Nate Colton, Jared Sykes, Chandler Tsonda, and Brandon Youngblood in a hurry.

Nick Stuart: You are truly a conflicted man.

Richard Parker: So conflicted.

The Crownless King is met with a brutal kick to the side of his face, the impact sending him reeling before he is swiftly taken down by a fierce hip toss from Dabney Doubleday. As Avalon crashes onto the mat, he can feel the searing pain in his lower back and struggles to get back up. But Dabney is not finished with him yet, grabbing him and throwing him into the ropes before delivering a spinning back elbow that sends Avalon dropping to one knee. In a flash of lightning-fast movements, Avalon springs back up and lands a powerful step-up enziguri that drops Dabney to the ground. Taking advantage of his opponent’s vulnerable state, Avalon steps back and hammers Dabney with a savage side kick straight to his jaw. With a merciless grip on Dabney’s arm, The Golden Bandit whips him into the ropes and delivers a devastating lung blower that leaves Doubleday flat on his stomach.

But as Adam Ellis charges toward Paxton Ray with a Superman Punch, Ray expertly dodges out of harm’s way. As Ellis hits the mat, Paxton turns him around and unleashes a brutal punt to his stomach, leaving Ellis doubled over and gasping for air. Paxton then drives his forearm mercilessly into Adam’s back, causing him to collapse onto the mat in agony. Not yet satisfied with his punishment, Paxton kicks Adam over onto his back and delivers three swift elbows to his defenseless body. Standing tall once again, Paxton hauls Adam up on his feet before whipping him into the corner of the ring. But just as he charges towards him, Adam grabs onto the top turnbuckle and quickly flips over Paxton’s head. With lightning reflexes, Ray collides chest-first into the turnbuckle while Ellis steps back before obliterating Paxton with a thunderous superkick to his jaw.

Meanwhile, Pleasant uses dirty tactics to gain the upper hand, raking the eyes of Don Winters before delivering a vicious palm thrust straight to his throat. As Winters stumbles around in pain, Arthur bounces off the ropes and attempts to take him down with a clothesline, but The Fallen Angel expertly ducks underneath it. With incredible speed and agility, Winters spins around and catches both of Arthur’s wrists before landing a devastating knee strike to his abdomen. He then traps Arthur in a tight front facelock before unleashing a brutal Sheer Drop Brainbuster, leaving the Worst Nightmare of PRIME crumpled on the mat in agony.

Nick Stuart: Don Winters taking it right back to Arthur Pleasant.

Richard Parker: Winters thinks he’s doing something. He was cooler before he was crucified.

Nick Stuart: That was a deplorable action!

Richard Parker: And somehow not the first time that’s happened in PRIME’s history.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

“Welcome Home” by Coheed and Cambria play in Millennium Stadium, and Chandler Tsonda is here.

Tsonda bursts through the entrance of the War Games structure like a wild animal, his eyes blazing with unbridled rage. He ignores Bobby Dean in the audience, slapping his stomach like a conga drum, and zeroes in on Jonathan-Christopher Hall, who is caught off guard by Tsonda’s sudden attack. The Model Citizen unleashes a relentless assault, delivering a rapid succession of kicks and strikes that leave JCH reeling. But Tsonda isn’t satisfied yet; he grabs JCH from behind and hurls him into the steel cage walls with brutal force.

Meanwhile, Rob Williams attempts to close in on Sean O’Neill, but O’Neill cleverly evades him. Undeterred, Williams pursues O’Neill around the ring until Pleasant suddenly emerges from a kneeling position and takes out Williams with a devastating clothesline. As O’Neill starts viciously attacking Williams, smashing his face into the unforgiving metal bars, Pleasant sneaks up from behind and executes a perfect German Suplex.

As K-Free bounces off the ropes and smashes his knee into Revelator’s face, Winters struggles to get up but is met with a crushing senton from Freeman. In a show of dominance, Freeman grinds his boot into the back of Winters’ skull before the Revelator retaliates with a swift forearm strike to his jaw. With ferocious intensity, the two opponents exchange blows until the Revelator gains the upper hand with a well-timed double underhook DDT that leaves Freeman dazed on the mat.

Nick Stuart: Winters is showing plenty of moxie in the ring right now, just a night after a hellacious battle against Rob Williams.

Richard Parker: Yeah, I’m not sure why Williams didn’t put that fool into the hospital for a long stint of time. It would have done wonders for this London crowd not to have to see him twice in as many nights.

Nick Stuart: If you ask me, the fans in London are more than happy to see Winters.

Richard Parker: And I didn’t.

Hanlon’s boot slams into the back of a dazed K-Free with a sickening thud. Hayes hauls the 5’9″ wrestler upright, then delivers a brutal forearm strike that smashes into Kenny’s jaw, sending him crashing to one knee. With a ferocious roar, Hanlon charges forward, aiming to drive his knee into the exposed face of the Red Army member. But Freeman is ready and blocks the attack, then swiftly knocks Hanlon off his feet in a sweeping motion, causing the Event Horizon to hit the mat hard. As Freeman rises to his feet, he punts Hanlon’s ribs with brutal force before launching into a standing moonsault that lands perfectly on top of his downed opponent. With fierce determination, he bounces off the ropes and drives his elbow into Hanlon’s sternum with deadly precision.

Meanwhile, Pontiff unleashes a vicious kick on Dabney Doubleday’s jaw, rattling his teeth and sending him to stumbling towards the ropes. Quick as lightning, The Bodhisattva rebounds off the ropes and strikes again with another boot to the side of Dabney’s skull, propelling him through the ropes and onto the unforgiving ring apron. As Dabney struggles to get back up, Sage charges forward for a spear, but Mrs Doubleday’s Perfect Little Gentleman sidesteps and delivers a boot straight to Sage’s face. The impact sends Pontiff careening into the middle rope like a ragdoll before being hauled onto the apron by Dabney. Just when it seems like Pontiff may have a chance to recover, Dabney lands an uppercut that sends him tumbling off the apron and crashing onto the unforgiving stadium floor below.

But Dabney is not done yet. He leaps down from the ring apron and grabs hold of Pontiff’s legs, using all his strength to fling him backward and upwards, causing Pontiff’s skull to collide with the solid metal pole with a sickening crack.

CRACK!

Tsonda unleashes a flurry of savage kicks and stomps to the face of Daytona Diamonds, each one landing with bone-crunching force. But the tenacious Rhinestone Cowboy refuses to back down, rolling away just in time to avoid another devastating blow. The Model Citizen retaliates with a brutal back elbow, slamming it into the King of the Rodeo’s face as he rises to his feet. Diamonds stumbles back into the corner, barely able to defend himself as Tsonda leaps onto the middle turnbuckle and drives his feet straight into his chest, intent on flipping him out of the corner like a ragdoll. But Diamonds surprises him, using his immense strength to spin Tsonda around and hoist him onto the top turnbuckle. With a vicious slap, he knocks the ever-loving spirit out of Tsonda, leaving him vulnerable and at Diamonds’ mercy.

SLAP!

Tsonda doesn’t take too kindly to this as he smashes his boot into the face of the Rhinestone Cowboy. Diamonds stumbles away, and as he turns, Tsonda leaps off the top turnbuckle, wrapping his legs around the neck of Daytona, who sits out for a powerbomb instead of being the victim of a headscissor!

Nick Stuart: What a hell of a counter there from Diamonds!

Richard Parker: This version of Tsonda just isn’t ruthless like his Revolution era run!

Nick Stuart: Well, I think he’s trying to mellow out a bit.

Richard Parker: That sounds rather boring and leads to him being powerbombed! What fun is that?!

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

“You think I’m funny… Funny how?”

The unmistakable voice of Joe Pesci irritates the eardrums right before Metallica’s ‘Better Than You’ begins to blast through the PA System, the calling card of Tony ‘The Grin’ Gamble. He walks out at the same time the music kicks in, passing a quick arrogant glance toward the crowd before making his way toward the ring once the lyrics of the song kick in.

I look at you, then you me
Hungry and thirsty are we
Holding the lion’s share
Holding the key
Holding me back ’cause I’m striving to be 

Footage from ReVival 32 when Gamble managed to surprise Abe Lipschitz with a small package to win the Gamble Championship plays.

Better than you
Better than you
Better than you
Better than you 

As Gamble walks past a Bobby Dean who’s taken a fan’s seat, put his feet up on the barricade, and seems to be taking a nap, he enters the ring and is immediately met with a clothesline from Paxton Ray! The Lafayette Bruiser stomps furiously at the significantly smaller Tony Gamble before reaching down to him and scooping him off the canvas. He hoists him onto his shoulder and looks for a running power slam, only for Gamble to slip off his shoulder and push him back into the ropes. As Paxton bounces off the ropes, The Grin hits him with a drop toehold. Paxton crashes into the mat while Gamble bounces back to his feet and drops an elbow across the back of his neck. The Permascar Superstar bounces back to his feet and slams his boot repeatedly into the back of his skull.

Meanwhile, the Crownless King connects with a dropkick to the left knee of Arthur Pleasant. Avalon kips up to his feet and plants his knee in the face of the kneeling Worst Nightmare of PRIME. With Pleasant stunned, Avalon bounces off the ropes, but as he nears Arthur, the man of TEETH hoists Avalon onto his shoulders and dumps him to the outside of the ring! Avalon drops many feet to the stadium floor and lands with a thud. As he lays there, Pleasant exits the ring and stands on the ring edge before dropping a leg drop across the back of the Golden Bandit. Pleasant doesn’t waste much time getting back to his feet, so he grabs onto Avalon and chucks him into the steel cage. Avalon bounces off the cage like a badly thrown dart and lands at the feet of Pleasant, who grabs him by the hair and slowly pulls him up to his feet before connecting with a headbutt that only serves to send Avalon back to the stadium floor.

Jonathan-Christopher Hall connects with a stiff spinning heel kick to Sean O’Neill’s abdomen. Hall then connects with a snapmere takeover, and as he bounces back to his feet, he blows a kiss to Vickie Hall, who is certainly watching from the backstage area (right?). Hall turns his attention back to O’Neill and drags him off the mat before whipping him into the corner. As Sean collides with the turnbuckles back-first, Hall runs towards him before connecting with a running flying back elbow in the corner. Hall begins to walk away when O’Neill reaches out and wraps his arm around the throat of Hall. JCH thrashes at the grasp of the Surreal one as O’Neill locks in a rear-naked choke on the Forever Man. JCH manages to stamp his foot down onto O’Neill’s foot, breaking the hold. As JCH turns around, though, O’Neill connects with a forearm shot that drops JCH to one knee. He then hops onto the second turnbuckle before connecting with a leaping neckbreaker to the prone Hall.

Richard Parker: O’Neill, how dare he try to go toe-to-toe with the Forever Man! That Chasing Vickie was done perfectly, and JCH didn’t get a chance to show off for his beloved.

Nick Stuart: This is a match, Richard. Why wouldn’t Sean strike back?

Richard Parker: Respect.

Nick Stuart: Maybe Jonathan-Christopher should start respecting himself first instead of letting Vickie walk all over him.

Richard Parker: Look, maybe that’s the best way to motivate JCH! You don’t know!

Winters locks in a rear chin lock on Nate Colton, digging his knee into Colton’s back with brutal force. Colton grits his teeth, feeling the pressure crushing his neck. Desperately, he slams his leg into the mat, trying to gain some leverage as the fans in London roar in support. He fights through the excruciating pain until Winters switches tactics and puts him in a punishing side headlock. With a burst of adrenaline, Colton drives his forearm into Winters’ lower back before forcefully shoving him off into the ropes. But Winters rebounds and slams into Colton with a devastating shoulder tackle, sending him crashing to the ground.

Meanwhile, Hayes Hanlon unleashes a vicious elbow to the sternum of an attacking Rob Williams. As Williams stumbles away, Hanlon strikes again with a powerful forearm to his upper back, driving him towards the nearby corner. With unrelenting fury, Hanlon delivers repeated kicks to Williams’ midsection before grabbing him by the wrist and attempting to whip him to the opposite corner. But Williams quickly reverses it, sending Hanlon crashing into the turnbuckle. As he stumbles out of it, Williams seizes the opportunity and takes down Hanlon with a brutal side belly-to-belly suplex. With lightning speed, Hanlon gets back up on his feet and blocks a boot from Williams before retaliating with a brutal backbody drop.

As Gamble rises to his feet, he locks eyes with his old rival – Chandler Tsonda. The tension between the two is palpable as they exchange heated words until Tsonda says something that pushes Gamble over the edge. In a rage, Gamble slaps Tsonda across the cheek but immediately regrets it as Tsonda responds with a thunderous left forearm that rocks Gamble’s world. But Gamble quickly recovers and counters with a swift kick to Tsonda’s midsection, followed by a punishing butterfly suplex. As Tsonda struggles to get back up, Gamble takes advantage and whips him into the ropes before unleashing a spine-tingling low blow that sends Tsonda crashing to his knees. With a sinister grin, Gamble drags Tsonda up to his feet and finishes it off with a bone-crushing spinebuster.

Nick Stuart: What a disgusting move from Gamble!

Richard Parker: What do you expect? Gamble has been this way all of his career. If anything, being with the eGG Bandits has made him worse.

Nick Stuart: How much are you going to die when Cancer Jiles comes out here?

Richard Parker: Every bit of my soul will die.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

The rolling drum and roaring guitars of Nico Vega’s “Million Years” suddenly roars through the speakers.

(Oh, yes, we are finally changing themes.)

Normally, there would be theatrics here to make the people linger or even realize what’s going on. But this is War Games, you fucks, and ain’t nobody got time for that shit. Not even Time herself. Instead, what you get Anna Daniels in a full blown sprint. Wind in her hair, faux-fur coat and GLUE-GUN scarf flapping with the velocity that comes from being a mad woman with a team to help out. It’s hard to tell in the moment but there’s determination in her eyes and a smirk on her face.

Daniels makes her way down the ramp, sees Bobby Dean booing her, and punts him in the head before entering the War Games contraption. As she slides under the bottom rope and gets to her feet, she makes a beeline for Adam Ellis, pelting him with jabs to his body before planting her knee in his bread basket. The Muse then connects with an uppercut that stuns the Sykes team member before she bounces off the ropes and connects with a double knee strike to Ellis’ face. As Adam crashes to the floor, Daniels bounces back to her feet and connects with a springboard moonsault on the prone Ellis. While the Time Lord rises to her feet, Dabney comes to his teammates’ aid and connects with a forearm across Anna’s back. The Muse fires off a back kick that lands square in Dabney’s jewels section.

Doubleday turns around, grabbing at those sensitive parts, and is met by a leaping roundhouse kick from The Crownless King. Avalon is back to his feet, drags Dabney up with him, and connects with a back elbow before doing a standing switch and putting Doubleday in a reverse waistlock. Dabney quickly fires off an elbow that catches Avalon square in the jaw. Doubleday is tentative with his next step but whips Avalon into the ropes and connects with a back-body drop. As Avalon rises to his feet, Doubleday connects with a stiff uppercut before connecting with a Northern Lights Suplex. As Doubleday gets back to his feet, he sees an opening and connects with a running knee to the side of Anna Daniels, sending her crashing to the mat. As he turns around, he sees Avalon getting to his feet, and Doubleday quickly stops him in his tracks with an Atomic Drop!

Paxton is doing what he does best, which is hitting people as he connects with a series of left and right jabs to the jaw of the Forever Man. He then whips Hall into the ropes and goes for a big clothesline, only for the Almasy winner to duck underneath it. As Paxton turns around, he is met with a crossbody from JCH that connects squarely in the former Intense Champion’s chest. Both men scramble to their feet, Paxton connecting with a big boot to the midsection of Hall. He then scoops him onto his shoulder and runs into the nearby corner where he’s looking to drop him face-first into the top turnbuckle. JCH has other ideas, though, as he slips behind him and pushes him into the turnbuckles. Paxton turns around only for Hall to lift him up in a Fireman’s Carry and drop him onto his knees with a gutbuster.

Nick Stuart: This new and improved Jonathan-Christopher Hall is a sight to see.

Richard Parker: He’s been spending time with Ivan as well; that’s gotta help his confidence.

Nick Stuart: Meanwhile, Bobby Dean is still unconscious from Anna’s punt kick to the head.

Richard Parker: Good.

Diamonds connects with a swift kick into the back of Sean O’Neill’s right hamstring. The Surreal one stumbles into the ropes, where Diamonds kicks him repeatedly, each shot quicker than the previous one. Sean fires off a right hand that connects with the Rhinestone Cowboy’s jaw and causes him to stagger away. Sean quickly closes the gap, puts him into a side waistlock, and connects with a side suplex, dumping the King of the Rodeo on the back of his neck. O’Neill is quick to his feet, grabbing at the left leg of the Rhinestone Cowboy, and puts him into a half Boston Crab. As he does this, though, Diamonds is met with a drop kick to Arthur Pleasant’s face, which sends him crashing to the mat.

Tsonda manages to get his right forearm up to stop a superkick from the Permascar Superstar. Chandler fires off a kick with his left leg that catches Gamble square in the midsection. With Gamble doubled over, Chandler connects with a butterfly suplex. Tsonda quickly floats over and drags Gamble up to his feet before he puts him into a front facelock and connects with a stalling vertical suplex. As Tsonda gets to his feet, he keeps his focus on Gamble and begins to drag him up, only for The Grin to grab him by the front of his pants and launch him forward into the ropes. Tsonda lands throat first as Gamble clears his cobwebs, bounces off the opposite ropes, and leaps into the air before bringing all of his weight crashing down across the back of Tsonda’s neck, driving his throat into the braided wiring.

Anna Daniels connects with a right forearm strike that connects across the jaw of The Next Diamond. Colton stumbles backward, and as Daniels closes the gap between the two of them, he fires off with a shoulder to her jaw, stunning her as she stands. Colton then plants his boot into her midsection before connecting with a snap mare into the corner. Daniels crashes violently into the turnbuckles while Colton returns to his feet. He drags Anna out of the corner before bouncing off the ropes, looking for an elbow across Anna’s sternum. The Time Lord, though, rolls out of the way and gets back to her feet in a hurry, where she connects with a spinning backkick to the midsection of The Next Diamond. The Muse then connects with a Falcon’s Arrow!

Nick Stuart: Hot start here from Anna Daniels to get us cooking here!

Richard Parker: Daniels beating up on Colton is a secret fetish I didn’t even know I had.

Nick Stuart: You probably need some help from a therapist.

Richard Parker: It’s not really working.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

“Underground/Chopshop” by Tom Waits and John Powell plays. Max Kael emerges from the backstage area and charges down the ramp.

As Kael enters the War Games match, passing by a still-unconscious Bobby Dean, Max makes a beeline directly to Hayes Hanlon, walloping him with a series of rights that surprise the Event Horizon! Max follows it up with an eye rake across Hanlon’s eyes before tackling him through the ropes and to the outside of the ring. Kael drops a series of elbow strikes across the face of Home Run Hayes. As Max gets to his feet, you can see a deranged look on his face as he drags Hanlon up to his feet. Hanlon drives his boot into the midsection of Kael before grabbing him by the back of the skull and launching him face-first into the side of the steel cage. Kael, though, turns around after the metal hits his flesh and smiles before tackling Hanlon to the mat!

The Legend connects with a spinning back fist that catches Winters in the face. As Winters spins away from Williams, he’s met with a right forearm from the Time Lord herself. The self-proclaimed leader of the New Era, Anna, smashes her elbow into the neck of the Revelator. This only opens him to a boot to the side of the face from Williams, which sends him into the waiting arms of Daniels, who connects with a side suplex, dropping Winters on the side of his face. Donovan slowly makes his way to his knees, where Anna is ready to unload with a stiff kick, but Winters manages to catch it and pushes it away into the gut of Williams, who doubles over. The Revelator hops back to his feet and catches Anna with an uppercut before springboarding off of Rob’s back and connects with a clothesline that sends Anna and Winters crashing to the outside.

As Daniels crashes to the floor, Ellis is on top of her, dragging her to her feet and slamming her face into the side of the ring apron. Anna stumbles away but does so into the waiting arms of Nate Colton, who connects with a side belly-to-belly suplex. Ellis hops onto the ring apron and connects with a Senton off of it, landing squarely on The Time Lord!

Richard Parker: Alright, I don’t think three-on-one is fair to the Muse!

Nick Stuart: I think she can handle just fine on her own without you coming to her defense.

Richard Parker: Not when Colton and Ellis are teaming up on her after Winters sacrificed himself simply to hurt Anna. Not cool.

Nick Stuart: Did she threaten to punt you in the head if you didn’t say nice things about her?

Richard Parker: …yes.

Tony Gamble connects with a missile dropkick that connects with the chest of the Worst Nightmare of PRIME. As Pleasant stumbles backward from the shot, Avalon bounces off the ropes and connects with a running knee strike that sends the 6’3” monster-with-rented-teeth to the mat. The Permascar Superstar punts Pleasant in the ribs while Avalon climbs to the top rope and connects with a moonsault on the prone Team Hall member.

The Legend comes to the aid of his buddy, Anna Daniels, with a clubbing blow to the back of Ellis. Adam stumbles and turns around before being blasted in the face with a forearm. Colton quickly rushes over to help Ellis, snapping his elbow into the side of Williams’s skull. Rob stumbles backward, and Colton prepares for another shot, but Daniels hops onto the ring apron and connects with a leaping kick to the ruggedly handsome face of the Next Diamond. As Colton falls to the floor on his knees, Williams comes up behind Ellis and puts him in a rear waist lock, connecting with a German Suplex that flips him inside out.

Tsonda blocks a chaotic forearm shot from Kael and knees him in the midsection before connecting with a gut-wrench suplex. Tsonda reaches down and begins to pull Kael up to his feet, but Kael immediately goes for the low blow and connects. Chandler stumbles into the corner while Max helps himself back up to his feet and connects with a running knee into the corner! Tsonda collapses onto the mat while Max hops onto the second turnbuckle before leaping into the air and bringing both feet down across the chest and stomach of the Model Citizen.

Nick Stuart: And Max Kael is starting to make his presence known here.

Richard Parker: I don’t think it’s too hard to notice, actually. He’s like a rabid animal, enjoying the fact that he gets to hurt everyone.

Nick Stuart: That could pose a problem for many people here.

Richard Parker: Especially since he entered the match so late. He’s got worn-down people to choose from.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE

LET THE GALAXY BURN

Cardiff goes downright mental.

Nick Stuart: We KNEW he was coming out last–

Richard Parker: I…I…I CAN’T HEAR YOU–

Nick Stuart: And MY WORD…MY WORD…YOUNGBLOOD…THE DIAMOND…LESS THAN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS AFTER BEATING HAYES HANLON–

Richard Parker: IT’S TOO LOUD!

Nick Stuart: HE LOOKS READY TO SUPLEX EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THAT CAGE!

There is no spotlight, no fireworks. Just Bloodsport (World Domination) by HEALTH and an oppressive wall of sound swimming around him as he marches to the ring. Each step carries purpose. Two rings filled with people he gets full rights to bludgeon. Scores to even up. Messages to send. Errors to avenge.

The Tower of Babel is here.

And he is ready for shock and awe.

Youngblood slides into the ring with Hayes Hanlon. As if Hanlon knew what was coming for him, Hayes turns around and is met with a full spear by Youngblood, who begins to pelt him with jab and forearm after jab and forearm. The Event Horizon, worn down from being in the match as long as he has, does everything he can to cover up until Anna Daniels pelts him in the back with a kick. Youngblood peels himself away from Hanlon and covers himself up from the increasing kicks from The Time Lord until Youngblood manages to slam his boot into her midsection. Suplex Daddy gets back to his feet and connects with a German Suplex that launches Daniels backward and out of the ring. Youngblood turns his attention to Hanlon, who bounces off the ropes, hoists him into the air, and plants him on the canvas with a spinebuster.

As Anna makes her way back to her feet, rubbing the back of her neck, she’s met with a clothesline from Winters, sending her crashing into the War Games cage. With her back to the cage, The Revelator slams his right boot into her midsection repeatedly until she’s nearly on the floor. The Fallen Angel quickly picks her back up to her feet before connecting with a Russian Leg Sweep into the steel cage. Daniels falls to the mat, clutching at the back of her skull as Winters makes his way up to his feet, where he’s met with a series of rights from Rob Williams.

Paxton Ray scoops an off-the-ropes Tsonda in a sidewalk slam position. He holds him up effortlessly before slamming him into the mat, driving all of the air out of him. The Lafayette Bruiser returns to his feet and brings Tsonda with him, grabbing him by the throat and tossing him into the nearby corner. Paxton connects with a right hand to Tsonda’s ribcage — the pain etched on his face — but Ray misses with a follow-up left as Tsonda deftly moves out of the way before planting his elbow in the Bayou Butcher’s face. Tsonda standing switches Ray and connects with an uppercut before hopping onto the second turnbuckle, planting his fist into the crown of the Murdergator.

Nick Stuart: That feels like a dangerous position for the Model Citizen to be in.

Richard Parker: Being six feet away from Paxton Ray is a dangerous position to be in.

Nick Stuart: And Paxton has walked out of the corner carrying Tsonda.

Richard Parker: Tsonda is still wailing away, though —

Nick Stuart: And DDT from The Sultan of Style! Paxton Ray is laid out on the canvas!

Doubleday ducks underneath a right from Jonathan-Christopher Hall, and as Hall spins around, Doubleday connects with an atomic drop! Hall stumbles away from Doubleday, but Dabney keeps the pressure up as he slams his forearm into the back of the Forever Man. He spins JCH around and whips him as hard as possible into the opposite turnbuckle. JCH connects chest first into the corner and stumbles backward, where Dabney awaits him. Doubleday puts him into a rear waist-lock and goes for a German Suplex, only for JCH to block it. Hall then fires off a trio of right elbows that catch Dabney flush on the jaw before JCH spins around and connects with a Northern Lights Suplex!

Williams hoists Winters over his head and tosses him into the cage wall. The Revelator bounces off of it and lands on the ring floor, driving the air out of him in the process. The Legend yanks Winters to his feet before Irish Whipping him into the steel steps. Winters hits them knees first and flips over them onto his back. Rob walks over to Winters and slams his boot into the chest of the Fallen Angel as hard as he can, hoping to cave in his chest. Don rolls away from Williams, but Rob is relentless as he snaps his boot into the back of Donovan’s skull. He then yanks him off the floor and goes to whip him into the ring apron, but Winters manages to reverse it. Rob’s back cracks against the edge of the ring apron, and as he stumbles forward, Winters hits him with a backbody drop.

Anna Daniels sneaks back into the ring as Hanlon and Youngblood continue battling. The Time Lord pauses as Youngblood mows Hanlon down with a clothesline and then strikes. She connects with a running knee strike that catches Youngblood in the chest. Daniels is up in a hurry, as is Youngblood, and Daniels springboards off the middle rope before connecting with a 720 DDT that nearly embeds Youngblood’s skull into the canvas. Daniels bounces back to her feet, fury in her eyes as she looks at the Tower of Babel and snaps her boot across his face before she moves to the ropes and steps through them. She waits on the ring apron and watches as Youngblood makes his way to his feet slowly. As he gets to a vertical base, she springboards off the top rope and goes for a hurricanrana, only for the Diamond of PRIME to catch her and connect with a sit-out powerbomb!

Nick Stuart: What raw power from Youngblood! My goodness! Daniels might be coughing up blood after that one.

Richard Parker: She could just go back in time and prevent herself from doing that, right?

Nick Stuart: How do you know she hasn’t already done that, and this was the alternative to an even bigger move Youngblood made for her?

Richard Parker: Shit, that’s going to bother me for the rest of the night.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

The house lights dim and thick white smoke starts billowing from the entrance as “Kingdom of the Worm” by Motörhead pounds the air. The crowd erupts as the fog pulses with the electric blue of manufactured lightning flashes.

Nick Stuart: Business is about to pick up, Richard!

Richard Parker: Holy crap! How are any of the competitors going to withstand the impending barrage of crotchety finger-wagging and polite pardons??!

A silhouette forms in the mist. The ovation increases as the great shade hovers in the void and starts to shift, decreasing in mass and taking a human form. The outline of an intimidating giant presence lingers for a moment.

Vince Howard: The next entrant, from Team Avalon…

As the giant shadow steps forward it starts losing mass again, shrinking into a bulky, childish profile that steps out of the smoke.

Vince Howard: …Being accompanied by MINION THE IMP!!……

Richard Parker: He’s back??!

Nick Stuart: HE’S BACK!!

A baritone frenzy swells throughout the arena as older fans familiar with the fabled troublemaker throw more gusto behind their applause. The fervor of their elders sends a shrill wave of excitement through the younger fans, lifting the atmosphere even higher as the mysterious cloaked dwarf with the beetroot-purple face cocks his head cautiously at the response.

Nick Stuart: Minion the Imp hasn’t been seen since Old School Wrestling was on TV!

Richard Parker: There’s a reason for that, Nick!

Minion holds fast at the head of the storm, staring at the imposing caged rings with a deathly blank expression masking his features. He raises his arm and extends a finger towards the mayhem, and his ghoulish features pinch into a gnarled glare.

The smoke cloud flashes electric blue and fills with shadow once again. It holds its giant form this time, shifting quicker and more violently than before. Minion’s arm visibly twitches with each pounding footfall as a monster emerges from the billowing storm cloud, blowing past him and stampeding towards the ring to a deafening boom from the crowd.

Vince Howard: …HHEEEEESSSIIIAAAANNN!!!

The fog envelops Minion and he disappears into the fade as the house lights come back up and the Murder Show barrels into the fray.

The Murder Show marches into the War Games cage and begins to walk up the steps, each step pronouncing everyone’s impending doom.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

He steps onto the ring apron and steps over the top rope before he makes a beeline for one of the men he’s wanted to step back into the ring with — Brandon Youngblood. The Murder Show immediately connects with a running shoulder that sends the Tower of Babel crashing to the mat. Youngblood refuses to stay down, though, as he gets back up to his feet and blocks an incoming left from Hessian, and fires off a left of his own into the solar plex of the ReVolution-era star. Hessian, though, is unfazed and unloads with a headbutt that stuns the Suplex Daddy. Hessian bounces off the ropes and connects with a big boot between the eyes that staggers Youngblood. With his former foe stunned, he wraps his arms around the waist of Mr. FAFO and puts him into a bear hug. Youngblood squirms and grimaces from the pressure being applied to his ribs and drives an elbow into the face of the Murder Show, breaking the hold.

Kael rakes the back of Diamonds, digging his fingernails into his back. Daytona stumbles away, but Max! isn’t afraid of taking advantage of his opponents, spinning him around and firing off a succession of chops across the chest of the Rhinestone Cowboy.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Diamonds clutched at his chest, turning red from the rapid succession shots. Kael takes a few steps back and goes for a short-arm lariat, but the Rhinestone Cowboy blocks it and grabs Kael’s arm before slipping behind him and hooking both arms before connecting with a Dragon Suplex. Kael folds over onto his stomach while Diamonds gets back to his feet and snaps his boot across the back of Kael’s skull. He reaches down and whips Kael into the ropes before connecting with a hip toss. As Kael’s body lands on the canvas, Diamonds immediately pounces and puts him into a Dragon Sleeper.

Paxton Ray connects with a clubbing forearm to the face of the Permascar Superstar. Gamble collapses to one knee, wondering which way the truck that just hit him went. Ray immediately puts him into a front facelock and connects with a vertical suplex. Gamble sits up, and as he does, Ray reaches down and grabs both of Gamble’s arms (tiny when compared to Paxton) and drives his knee into his spine while pulling them back. Tony grimaces in pain as he slams his boot into the mat, trying to relieve the pressure. Paxton wrenches back harder but is stopped by a running shoulder tackle from Hessian that breaks the hold Paxton has on Gamble!

Nick Stuart: When you’ve got a wrecking ball like Hessian in the ring, you’ve gotta keep your eyes on a swivel. Paxton just learned that.

Richard Parker: I wouldn’t be opposed to Hessian cracking Paxton’s skull open and eating his brains.

Nick Stuart: Well, that would be a first.

Richard Parker: It would be the first thing I’ve enjoyed from Hessian.

As Paxton makes his way to his feet, Gamble launches himself at him and plants fist after fist into Ray’s skull. As Gamble is unloading on Ray, the Bodhisattva grabs Tony and yanks him off of Paxton before connecting with a stiff elbow to the face. As Gamble stumbles away, grabbing at his face, Coral Avalon dives in and connects with a scissor kick to the face of Pontiff. Paxton rushes over and hoists Avalon into the air, only for Gamble to connect with a dropkick to his left knee. Paxton loses his grasp on Avalon, and Coral slips down before connecting with a DDT to the Lafayette Bruiser. As the Golden Bandit climbs to his feet, Pontiff bounces off the ropes and connects with a running leaping forearm strike. Avalon crashes to the mat, but Gamble is ready for Pontiff as he jams this thumb into Pontiff’s left eye before slamming his boot into the Bodhisattva’s midsection. The Grin then connects with a piledriver, leaving Pontiff splayed across the canvas.

K-Free’s body collides with Colton’s in a snap mare suplex, the impact of their bodies leaving the Next Diamond sprawled out on the canvas. Freeman quickly regains his footing and bounces off the ropes, propelling himself towards Nate with lightning speed. His knee strikes out, connecting with precision and force to Colton’s face. The impact causes him to roll onto his right side, his hand instinctively reaching up to cradle his throbbing cheek. Meanwhile, Freeman seizes this opportunity to pull Colton back up to his feet. He goes to whip him into the ropes, but Colton reverses it effortlessly and then lands a devastating boot to Freeman’s face as he rebounds off the ropes. Dazed and stumbling, Freeman tries to steady himself but is met with a Russian Legsweep from Colton. Kenny winces in pain as he clutches the back of his skull while Colton smoothly rises to his feet once again. With a firm grip on Freeman’s arm, he executes an Exploder Suplex that leaves Kenny gasping for air on the mat.

With a fierce snap of his powerful forearm, Hessian strikes the unsuspecting back of his first opponent back in PRIME, Sean O’Neill. Caught off guard, O’Neill stumbles forward and whirls around to see who has struck him. The sight of Hessian immediately sends a shiver down his spine, and he tries to exit the ring quickly. But before he can even step through the ropes, Hessian grabs hold of his wrist with an iron grip and pulls him back into the center of the ring. With a swift yank, O’Neill is sent flying forward, only to meet Hessian’s massive shoulder as it collides with his jaw. The impact is jarring, and O’Neill drops to one knee, dazed and disoriented. But he doesn’t give up without a fight, retaliating with a sharp forearm strike against the formidable Murder Show. Hessian shrugs off the blow like it was nothing and wraps his arms tightly around O’Neill’s body. Sensing an opportunity, O’Neill delivers a brutal headbutt that catches Hessian on the nose, causing blood to flow freely. The hold broken, O’Neill bounces off the ropes and charges at Hessian with all his might, delivering a spear that sends both men crashing to the mat in a heavy thud.

Nick Stuart: What a shot from O’Neill!

Richard Parker: The Murder Show has a bit of blood on his face, and you know he’s not going to be a fan of that.

Nick Stuart: Judging by the look on his face, he’s already not happy about it. The blood, though, is making him smile as well.

Richard Parker: Oh… gross.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

“Choke” hits and Cecilworth rushes towards the cage to support his team as quickly as he can. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME CRAIG???

(A lot more. A lot more.)

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

The crowd roar faded into a distant hum as Farthington focused on the task at hand—entering War Games, a match he was all too familiar with. With determination in his stride, he stormed into the ring and immediately locked eyes with his opponent, Brandon Youngblood. The tension between them was palpable as they exchanged heavy blows, each one fueled by rivalry and animosity.

Youngblood swung powerful right hooks, but Farthington quickly responded, driving the edge of his right hand into Youngblood’s throat. The Diamond doubled over in pain, clutching at his neck while Farthington took advantage of the opening. He drove his boot into Youngblood’s foot before delivering two sharp slaps to his face, each one stinging with precision.

Before Youngblood could recover, Farthington spun him around and trapped him in a spinning toe hold. The strain on Youngblood’s ankle was evident as he writhed in agony on the mat. It was clear that this was not just a moment in the match for either man – it was personal, and they were both determined to come out on top.

With a ferocious snarl, Hanlon grabs Max Kael by the hair and violently hurls him into the ropes. Kael barely has time to recover before Hanlon’s back elbow smashes into his jaw, sending him reeling. But Kael quickly retaliates, launching himself off the ropes and delivering a crushing dropkick to Hanlon’s back, causing him to crash out of the ring and onto the unforgiving stadium floor.

Like a man possessed, Kael clambers over the ropes and launches himself at Hanlon once again, this time driving an elbow straight into his face. As Hanlon writhes in pain, Kael sinks his teeth into the flesh of his forehead as he thrashes wildly. But Hayes fights back with all his might, pushing Kael away just in time for Hanlon to rise up and slam his boot into Kael’s rising form. With a brutal roar, Hanlon grabs Kael by the scruff of his neck and slams him into the steel cage with bone-crushing force.

Don Winters launches a brutal assault on Arthur Pleasant, driving his boot into his midsection before executing a vicious double underhook DDT. With ruthless efficiency, Winters rolls Pleasant over and mounts him, delivering a barrage of crushing punches to his skull. But Pleasant fights back, slamming his elbow into Winters’ head and using the brief moment to push him off. Winters scrambles to his feet, only to be met with a punishing muay-thai punch from Pleasant. As Winters struggles to regain his balance, Pleasant seizes the opportunity to gouge at his eyes with savage ferocity. Disoriented and reeling, Winters stumbles through the ropes and rises to his feet, but before he can fully recover, Pleasant grabs him by the back of the head and smashes his throat against the unforgiving braided top rope, leaving him gasping for air and in excruciating pain.

Nick Stuart: Farthington is in the ring, Kael biting Hanlon, and Arthur is leaving Winters searching for air.

Richard Parker: Sounds like a ton of fun for many people.

Nick Stuart: That’s one way to look at it. Pain for those as well.

Richard Parker: I mean, you’re surrounded by an extra large cage that is enclosing two rings. I think that comes with the territory.

With lightning reflexes, Colton dodges a ferocious clothesline from Paxton Ray and rebounds off the ropes with explosive energy. As The Next Diamond hurtles towards his opponent, he springs into the air with a flying crossbody, but Paxton is ready for him. In one swift motion, Ray catches Colton in mid-air and holds him in a suspended position before slamming him down with bone-crushing force in a fallaway slam. Colton’s body collides with the mat and skids along its surface until he comes to a halt near the ropes, gasping for breath. He struggles to get back on his feet as Paxton grabs hold of him, but The Next Diamond retaliates with lightning-fast agility. He flips Paxton onto his back and drives a crushing leg drop across his throat, leaving him gasping for air and reeling in pain.

Adam Ellis delivers a brutal boot to The Time Lord’s midsection, the force of impact causing a sickening crack to echo through the arena. As Daniels crumples to the mat, Ellis quickly takes advantage and locks her into a rear naked chokehold. Daniels struggles to break free, clawing at Adam’s fingers with desperate determination until, finally, she manages to pry them apart and escape his grasp. But before he can prepare, Daniels unleashes a lightning-fast leg sweep that sends Adam crashing to the mat, his skull bouncing off the canvas with a sickening thud. Gasping for air, Daniels springs back to her feet and drives her knee into Ellis’ sternum with bone-crushing force, eliciting a roar of pain from him as he writhes in agony on the mat.

Farthington’s boot connects with a sickening thud against Jonathan-Christopher Hall’s face, causing blood to spurt from his nose. But before he can revel in his victory, Max Kael tackles him from behind; their once strong friendship now turned into a brutal battle for dominance. Kael relentlessly pounds on Farthington’s face, leaving bruises and cuts in his wake. Finally, Farthington manages to get back to his feet, but Kael quickly slams both hands into his chest, sending him flying into the corner. As he stumbles out of the corner, Kael meets him with a vicious short-arm clothesline that sends him crashing to the mat. Just as it seems like Farthington is down for the count, he springs back up and blocks Kael’s wild swinging back fist before expertly hip-tossing him onto the unforgiving canvas.

Nick Stuart: The fans here in the United Kingdom are getting a treat as Kael and Farthington are fighting.

Richard Parker: Kill him, Farthington! A lot of times! I think it may work!

Nick Stuart: I don’t think he can hear you.

Richard Parker: I could text him.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

Thunder rumbles.

BOOM! BLAP-BLAP! BAP-BOOM-BLAP!!

BOOM! BLAP-BLAP! BAP-BOOM-BLAP!!

BOOM! BLAP-BLAP! BAP-BOOM-BLAP!!

BOOM! BLAP-BLAP! BAP-BOOM-BLAP!!

Emerald green stage lights pulse to the beat of “Blouses Blue” by Konrad OldMoney and Sleep Steady. Fog in the entryway accompanies a rolling veridian stormfront approaching on the screen.

KA-BOOM!!

As if the Heavens were sending their judgment upon the misbegotten mortals on Earth, a bolt of LIGHTNING strikes the stage, casting a bright white light across the stadium. When it clears, “The Emerald Apex” Kerry Kuroyama appears at the point of impact and immediately begins marching down the extended aisleway.

Vince Howard: Introducing next entrant for Team PRETTY PINK Army… KERRRRRYYYY KUUURROOOYAAAAAMAAAAA!!!

The Pacific Blitzkrieg’s face bears the cold, merciless conviction of a warrior with a thirst for blood and glory. No robe. No pageantry. Just the dragon on his back and a set of eyes focused on the task at hand. A fight is happening in the joined rings right now, and every second matters.

Halfway down the aisle, Kuroyama breaks into a run. Ringside attendants already have the cage door open as he bursts into the action like a human hurricane of green death.

Kuroyama steps into the War Games contraption with a fierce determination, his eyes locked on The Next Diamond. With a primal roar, he charges towards Colton, unleashing a flurry of strikes that catch him off guard. Colton desperately tries to defend himself, but Kuroyama’s precision and power are unmatched. This is the moment Kuroyama has been waiting for since their last encounter at Colossus. He lands a crushing forearm to Colton’s jaw before seamlessly transitioning into a standing switch and delivering a devastating snap Dragon Suplex. As Colton crashes to the mat, Kuroyama wastes no time sliding over and locking in a vicious rear chinlock.

The Rhinestone Cowboy gasps for air as a knife-edge chop slices across his chest, triggering painful flashbacks of the last time he faced Suplex Daddy. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Youngblood unleashes a second brutal chop that drops Diamonds to the mat. But instead of going down quietly, Diamonds scrambles out of the ring as Brandon gives chase with ferocious determination. As Diamonds looks back and sees the relentless predator closing in, he sprints around the ring with desperation driving him forward. Just as he slides back into the ring, Youngblood charges after him and is met with a barrage of kicks to the back of his head. Despite the onslaught, Youngblood fights through the pain and retaliates with a thunderous overhead belly-to-belly suplex, leaving Diamonds writhing in agony on the mat.

With lightning reflexes, Williams snags the Model Citizen in an arm drag, sending him crashing to the mat. But Tsonda is not one to stay down for long as he springs back up, only to be greeted with a brutal kick to his gut followed by a brainbuster from the Legend. Writhing in pain, Tsonda clutches the back of his head as Williams rises to his feet once more. The Hall of Famer is slowly brought up and whipped into the ropes, but he ducks Williams’ outstretched arm and rebounds off the opposite side, launching himself at full speed toward his opponent. A fierce flying forearm connects with precision, but Williams is quick to rise again and lock in a Cobra Clutch on the Legend, squeezing with all his might in an attempt to break his foe’s willpower.

Nick Stuart: Tsonda has the Breathtaker locked in!

Richard Parker: What kind of idiot locks in a submission move? The match can’t be won yet!

Nick Stuart: The key to survival right now is to take as much as he can out of his opponent.

Richard Parker: Always sticking up for the pretty boy.

The ring shakes with the force of Tony Gamble’s knee, connecting viciously with K-Free’s midsection. Coral Avalon springs off the ropes, his body a blur as he lands a powerful swinging neckbreaker on Freeman, sending him crashing to the ground. Gamble continues his assault, raining down a barrage of brutal boots on Freeman’s vulnerable midsection. Suddenly, Jonathan-Christopher Hall charges into the fray, grabbing Gamble by the shoulders and executing a savage inverted facelock backbreaker. As Gamble writhes in agony on the mat, Hall rises to his feet triumphantly, only to be met with Avalon’s ferocious yakuza kick to the face. The sound of bone hitting bone echoes through the arena as Hall falls to the ground. But before Avalon can fully revel in his victory, Freeman surprises him with a bone-shattering superkick to the jaw that sends him reeling.

With a fierce battle cry, Winters seizes Anna’s leg while having her locked into a front facelock. He unleashes his full strength to slam her with a Fisherman’s Suplex, crushing her body against the unforgiving mat. As Don rises to his feet and reaches for Anna, she fiercely kicks him in the face with all her might. Stumbling back, Winters is caught off guard as Anna springs behind him and locks in both arms, executing a devastating Tiger Suplex that sends him crashing down in a heap. Without hesitation, Daniels rises to her feet and hauls Winters up for another round of punishment, delivering a second bone-crushing Tiger Suplex. Dazed and helpless, Winters can only watch as Anna grabs him once more and unleashes an explosive Exploder Suplex that leaves him sprawled out on the ground.

Doubleday snaps Kuroyama’s arm behind his back in a merciless hammerlock, the bones audibly cracking beneath the pressure. As Kerry reaches behind him, Dabney effortlessly evades him and executes a brutal hammerlock suplex that sends Kuroyama crashing to the mat in a daze. Gasping for air, Kuroyama is defenseless as Dabney rises to his feet and drives his knee into the neck and spine of the Emerald Apex. With a primal roar, Dabney hauls Kuroyama up by his hair and receives a powerful chop to the chest from Kerry, but he remains unfazed. Sudden pain shoots through Dabney’s ribs as Kuroyama strikes with a vicious knee, then slams him down with a gutwrench sitout powerbomb that echoes through the stadium.

Richard Parker: Good night, Mrs. Doubleday’s Perfect Little Gentlemen! Just send him to the hospital now.

Nick Stuart: It was a gut-wrench sit-out powerbomb, Richard, not a knife to the heart.

Richard Parker: Maybe Kerry should do that next.

Nick Stuart: Maybe not.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

Nick Stuart: Time to see who from Team Dragonslayer is coming out!

Richard Parker: Ugh, I HATE that name.

“Cynic” by Local H blasts over the PA, causing an explosion of cheers from Millennium Stadium.

RRAAAAAHHHHH!

Richard Parker: AND I HATE HIM EVEN MORE!

The Anglo Luchador in his track jacket and towel around his neck from the night before steps out from Argyle, again taking in the crowd. Behind him on the PRIMEView isn’t his normal entrance video, but uncut footage from Empire Pro Wrestling’s UNLEASHED 2008, TAL battling “Triple X” Sean Stevens in the cage, the last time he was in a steel cage at all. He breathes in the air and then…

BOOM!

He takes off in a full sprint, disrobing from his towel and jacket and throwing them hastily in the crowd so he can help his team out.

With a roar of adrenaline, the Anglo Luchador charges into the first ring, his muscles tensed and ready for battle. The Worst Nightmare of PRIME strikes first with a series of violent stomps that shake the ground beneath them, but the Luchador refuses to back down. He retaliates with a flurry of knife-edge chops, each one landing with enough force to make Millenium Stadium tremble. Pleasant is caught off guard and recoils as if hit by a bullet, giving the Luchador an opening to unleash a rapid combination of jabs and crosses that leaves his opponent dazed and disoriented. Seizing the moment, the Luchador executes a high-speed headlock takedown, wrenching his opponent’s neck with every ounce of strength he possesses. But Arthur Pleasant is not one to go down easily – he fights back to his feet with determination etched on his face. As they both stand tall once again, Pleasant goes for a side suplex, but the Luchador deftly lands on his feet, and Pleasant spins around just in time to deliver a devastating enzuigiri to his foe’s skull. The impact echoes through the arena as Pleasant crumples to the mat, completely stunned by the Luchador’s lightning-fast reflexes and sheer power.

K-Free launches himself at Farthington with a ferocious dropkick, sending him to one knee. Before fully recovering, Freeman charges towards The Financier, only to be met with a devastating fist to the gut that knocks the wind out of him. As Cecilworth seizes his opportunity, he executes a brutal Gotch-style Piledriver that slams Freeman into the mat with immense force. Without hesitation, Farthington transitions into an armbar, wrenching Freeman’s joints in agonizing pain as he struggles to break free from the hold.

Hessian unleashes a barrage of brutal headbutts onto his ReVival 45 main event opponent, Hayes Hanlon. The Event Horizon reverberates with each skull-shattering impact, but Hanlon refuses to back down as he retaliates with a relentless onslaught of forearm strikes to Hessian’s jaw. With a fierce determination, Hanlon hurls Hessian into the ropes and delivers a devastating spinning back elbow that sends the Murder Show reeling. Seizing the opportunity, Hanlon pounds Hessian with thunderous right hooks before unleashing a wild forearm spin that culminates in a monstrous haymaker to Hessian’s face. Despite being rocked by this brutal assault, the Murder Show refuses to fall, standing tall amidst the chaos like an unbreakable titan.

Richard Parker: Well, I don’t know what you’re going to do to drop the Murder Show then.

Nick Stuart: Hanlon is probably wondering the same thing and having horrible flashbacks to ReVival 45.

Richard Parker: If I’m Hanlon, I’m walking away.

Nick Stuart: Instead, Hanlon bounces off the ropes, and Hessian drops him with a massive boot in between the eyes.

Richard Parker: Welp.

Adam Ellis’s heart races as he watches Brandon Youngblood launch himself into a powerful running power slam on Sage Pontiff. With adrenaline pumping through his veins, Ellis leaps from the top turnbuckle and lands an elbow drop directly onto Pontiff’s chest, the impact reverberating through the ring. But before fully recovering, he is blindsided by a thunderous running lariat from Paxton Ray, sending him crashing to the mat. Ray viciously stomps on the young star, relentless in his attack. As Youngblood attempts to intervene with a rear waistlock, Ray delivers a brutal elbow to his face, breaking free from the hold. In a split-second decision, Paxton wraps his arm around Suplex Daddy’s throat while Pontiff rises to his feet and executes a fierce spinning heel kick to Youngblood’s gut. As the Tower of Babel groans, Paxton finishes him off with a pump handle slam.

Nate Colton catches a swift kick from Avalon and retaliates with a brutal forearm that nearly knocks him off his feet. As Avalon stumbles back, Colton closes in and delivers a vicious backbreaker, wrenching his opponent’s spine with merciless force. With Avalon writhing in pain on the mat, Colton makes his way over to the nearby turnbuckle; his eyes locked onto Coral, who struggles to get back to his feet. Before Colton can leap from the second turnbuckle, prepared to deal even more damage, Avalon miraculously regains his footing and stumbles into the ropes, causing Colton to lose his balance and crash to the ground. In a split-second decision, Avalon takes advantage of the opening and drops a crushing leg across Colton’s throat, cutting off his air supply and leaving him gasping for breath.

The Anglo Luchador’s blood boiled as he faced off against his old nemesis, Paxton Ray. With a fierce battle cry, the Luchador lunged forward and landed a savage kick to the back of Paxton’s hamstring. But Paxton was not one to be taken down easily – with a ferocious burst of strength, he countered the Luchador’s next move — a dragon suplex — and flipped him onto the unforgiving mat. Before the Luchador could recover, Paxton delivered a brutal blow to his spine with a swift and merciless kick.

Richard Parker: You would have thought Luchador had learned his lesson by now.

Nick Stuart: TAL is always up for a fight and to right everyone else’s wrongs.

Richard Parker: Yeah, he’s kind of a dick like that.

Nick Stuart: That’s not nice.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

A chill moves through the air.

A familiar guitar riff that is too cool for school hits like crack cocaine.

I’m the one your mama warned you about
When you see me, I will leave you no doubt
I’m the coolest man that ever walked this earth
I’ve been the coolest since the day of my birth….

Out from the back steps Dirty Dick’s worst nightmare.

…I AM THE COOL!

BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOOM!

Nick Stuart: Seems odd for presumably the most hated man in this match to announce his entrance into in such a… loud manner. Then again, that’s Cancer Jiles for you.

Richard Parker: Yeah, the guy is a fucking idiot who can’t tell the difference between wrestlers from innocent bystanders.

The Eggsecutioner of the eGG Bandits stalks his way down to the ring. His hair, Alfredo now, is sure to be marinara later. He shares a brief exchange with Richard Parker that most definitely can not be televised, and then carefully assesses the situation before entering the fray. So, buying as much time and talking as much shit as he possibly can before having to climb into his coffin to face the music.

As Cancer Jiles makes his way down to the War Games contraption, one that he is far too familiar with, he looks over and sees Bobby Dean still unconscious from the kick Anna Daniels sent earlier. He shakes his head, takes his COOL glasses, and puts them on Dean.

“BOBBO! LET’S GO!”

As if the power of the COOL glasses and the sheer command of Jiles (which definitely won’t give Cancer the idea that he’s Jesus or anything, I’m certain of it) was more than enough to raise him from the dead-like stupor Bobby has been in for the past hour+ (though sugar coma is also likely)… Bobby Dean sits up and looks around wildly, like a man possessed.

He rises to his feet, clearly on a mission, and marches towards Jiles. Cancer offers a small smirk as if to say everyone else is fucked, and the two enter War Games as a tandem, sliding (or rolling in Bobby’s case) into the ring. The two immediately go after Anna Daniels and Rob Williams.

Cancer Jiles explodes into a barrage of vicious punches, each one landing with the force of a sledgehammer on Rob Williams’ face. Bobby Dean is pummeled by Anna Daniels’ relentless kicks, his belly barely jiggling as he struggles to defend himself. In a moment of desperation, Bobbo slaps Anna across the face, sending her stumbling back in shock. But she quickly rebounds and charges at him like a raging bull, only to be met by his full body weight crashing into hers as he hurls her onto the unforgiving canvas. Meanwhile, Jiles cowers in the corner, desperately shielding his face (for no logical reason) from the Legend’s fists. His loyal friend Bobby rushes over, but before he can even reach him, Williams spins around and unleashes a fury of blows towards Bobby’s head. However, this gives Jiles the perfect opportunity to strike, punting Rob in the most sensitive spot imaginable.

With a fierce battle cry, Kerry Kuroyama strikes out with an open-handed palm slap that lands with a resounding crack across Daytona Diamonds’ face. The Rhinestone Cowboy recoils but quickly retaliates with a brutal European Uppercut that sends shockwaves through the Emerald Apex’s jaw. Undaunted, Kuroyama stands his ground and unleashes a powerful forearm strike to the King of the Rodeo’s jaw, causing it to snap back with a sickening crunch. Daytona shakes off the blow and responds with a vicious knife-edge chop that slices through the air and leaves a deep imprint on Kerry’s pecs, fueling his rage even more. He retaliates by driving his boot into Daytona’s midsection before delivering a released Tiger Suplex that slams him down onto the mat with bone-crushing force.

With a burst of energy, Pontiff launches himself off the ropes and delivers a thunderous Cosmic Resonator, also known as the Sling Blade, onto Don Winters. The force of impact causes The Revelator to crash to the mat, but he shows incredible resilience by quickly returning to his feet. However, before he can even fully stand, the Bodhisattva strikes again with a second Sling Blade, sending Winters crashing back down. As Winters struggles to get up again, he narrowly avoids a devastating mule-style kick called Namaste. But before he can catch his breath, the relentless Bodhisattva lands a brutal back elbow to Winters’ jaw, followed by a Waterwheel Suplex that slams him hard against the mat.

Nick Stuart: Pontiff and Winters trading massive blows.

Richard Parker: Sorry, I’m still busy over here puking at the sight of Cancer Jiles in the United Kingdom.

Nick Stuart: How is it any different from seeing him in the US?

Richard Parker: I have no idea, but it is.

With a primal roar, Hanlon hoists Youngblood onto his broad shoulders and executes a brutal Death Valley Driver that rips through the ring and shakes the very foundation of the stadium. As Hayes watches on with cold satisfaction, he unleashes a vicious boot to Diamond’s face, sending him crashing to the mat. Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, Youngblood struggles to rise, only to be met with a brutal punt to the ribs from Hanlon that sends him under the bottom rope. Gasping for air, he uses the ropes to pull himself up and retaliates with a ferocious forearm strike that sends Hanlon reeling. With lightning speed, he locks him in a front face lock and hurls him over the top rope, slamming him down onto the unforgiving concrete floor below.

The Surreal One’s fist connects with a stiff, bone-crunching impact to the face of The Next Diamond. Colton staggers back, his body drained from the grueling match and crashes through the ropes, landing hard on the unforgiving stadium floor. O’Neill quickly climbs out of the ring and charges at Colton, grabbing him by the hair and pulling him back up to his feet. With a roar of fury, Colton wrenches free and sends O’Neill hurtling towards the nearby ring post. With a sickening thud, O’Neill collides with the steel post, crumpling to the ground in agony. But Colton is not done yet – he closes the distance between them in a blur of movement and hoists O’Neill onto his shoulder before driving him down with a brutal shoulder breaker that echoes throughout the arena.

Jiles’ boot smashes across Dabney Doubleday’s face with a sickening crunch. But as Jiles revels in his brutal victory, he is unaware of the danger lurking behind him. Cancer Jiles turns to see Brandon Youngblood, his greatest rival, standing before him with eyes burning with rage. In a split second, Youngblood lunges forward and tries to wrap his arms around Jiles, but Cancer vacates the ring as fast as possible. Youngblood begins to give chase, but Coral Avalon connects with a forearm shot to his jaw. Meanwhile, Cancer Jiles slides into the opposite ring of Youngblood but is met with a stiff kick to the midsection before being butterfly-suplexed by Anna Daniels!

Nick Stuart: The fans in Cardiff love every moment Jiles gets tossed around.

Richard Parker: It’s by far my favorite moment this weekend, and I’ll be happy if the show ends here. How about we all just watch Jiles get suplexed by Daniels for a good thirty or so minutes?

Nick Stuart: Bobby Dean, meanwhile, is met with a headbutt from Youngblood!

Richard Parker: Don’t mess with Suplex Daddy when he’s trying to suplex Jiles!

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

It’s time for the final member of Team Farthington. He’s been forced to wait all this time, and now…oh no.

…

♫…♫, ♫

♫…♫, ♫

♫…♫, ♫

♫…oh, shit.

OOH LA LA, AH OUI OUI

OOH LA LA, AH OUI OUI

OOH LA LA, AH OUI OUI

OOH LA LA, AH OUI OUI

He looks like he’s going to kill a man.

We’re in Europe, and so he’s getting a LOT of love from the crowd. It’s a cacophony out there as teal and copper sparks shoot up around the stage.

Fiery columns! Teal and copper sparks! It’s a damned spectacle of pyro as “ooh la la” by Run The Jewels featuring DJ Premier and Greg Nice blasts throughout Barclays Center.

Nicknames and titles cycle across the screen in teal text on a glue-white backdrop alternating with images of a very intense Frenchman choking the life out of very many wrestlers (and also powerbombing Ivan Stanislav so hard that the ring collapsed):

PRIME WRESTLER OF THE YEAR 2023

THE BEARDED DRAGON

THE LIZARD KING

THE ACE

LE PROTAGONISTE

LE COURONNE TRIPLE

THE NECK COLLECTOR

F L A M B E R G E

FLAMBERGE is wrapped from head to toe in the enormous scarf Anna Daniels gifted him in Wales. He surveys the brutal scene before him, measuring wrestler after wrestler after wrestler as he unfurls himself from this mummy wrap. After what seems like multiple minutes, he is finally free – and ready to make his brutal mark on this match.

The air in the War Games contraption crackles with electricity as The Neck Collector enters, a menacing aura surrounding him. He locks eyes with Nate Colton before swiftly executing a bone-crushing double-leg takedown. Colton thrashes wildly against FLAMBERGE’s iron grip, his body contorting and twisting as he tries to break free from the canvas. But FLAMBERGE remains unfazed, using his knees to pin Colton down while unleashing a barrage of devastating elbows upon The Next Diamond’s defenseless form. With calculated precision, FLAMBERGE waits for just the right moment before delivering a brutal slicing elbow that sends shockwaves of pain through Colton’s body. And as Colton finally manages to wriggle out of FLAMBERGE’s grasp and stumble to his feet, FLAMBO strikes again with a vicious leg kick that drops Nate to one knee, setting him up perfectly for a crushing running knee strike to the face that leaves The Next Diamond crumpled on the ground in agony.

The Anglo Luchador’s knife-edge chop slices through the air with a deafening crack, leaving a red welt across Hayes Hanlon’s chest. But Hanlon, fueled by the memory of Youngblood’s brutal chops from the night before, grits his teeth and retaliates with a lightning-fast right hook that slams into The Luchador’s jaw. Undeterred, TAL unleashes a spinning back heel kick to Hanlon’s gut, doubling him over in pain. With his opponent vulnerable, The Luchador effortlessly executes a Butterfly Suplex and springs back to his feet. He wastes no time in launching himself off the ropes and flipping through the air to deliver a perfect springboard moonsault onto Hanlon’s prone body.

Hessian’s hands grip Max Kael’s throat like a vice, lifting him off the ground and slamming his back against the unforgiving turnbuckle. The impact sends shockwaves through Kael’s body as Hessian charges forward with a thunderous clothesline that rattles his bones. Before he can even catch his breath, Hessian grabs Kael by the skull and slams him down to the mat with brutal force. But Kael knows how to survive in this ring, and he quickly retaliates by thrusting his thumb into Hessian’s eye, blinding him momentarily. With a guttural roar, Hessian stumbles backward, clutching at his injured eye while Kael makes his escape.

Nick Stuart: Well, that seems like one good way to piss off Hessian.

Richard Parker: I mean, Kael has actually defeated Hessian recently. Maybe he knows what he’s doing.

Nick Stuart: Do you believe he knows what he’s doing?

Richard Parker: No, not really.

Jonathan-Christopher unleashes a guttural scream of agony as Farthington mercilessly twists and pulls at his fingers, contorting them in unnatural ways. The pain courses through Hall’s body, but he grits his teeth and uses every ounce of willpower to fight through it. With a burst of adrenaline, he bounces off the ropes and launches himself at Cecilworth, taking him down with a thunderous arm drag. But Farthington quickly retaliates, landing a brutal back elbow to Hall’s already battered jaw. As Hall struggles to recover, he sees Farthington lining up for another attack. But before he can strike, Hall springs into action, delivering a spinning heel kick that stuns the Financier. In one fluid motion, he follows up with a pendulum overhead kick that sends Farthington crashing to the mat with a sickening thud.

With a swift and calculated move, Adam Ellis blocks Tony Gamble’s powerful kick and swiftly sweeps his planted leg from under him. As Gamble falls to the ground, Ellis seizes his opportunity and delivers a brutal elbow strike to the vulnerable hamstring/groin area of the Grin. Wasting no time, Ellis returns to his feet and drags Gamble up with him, hoisting him high into the air for a vicious vertical suplex. But Gamble manages to slip out of Ellis’s grasp and lands behind him with lightning speed. In a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand, Tony rushes Ellis towards the ropes, causing them both to crash onto the unforgiving stadium floor. As the crowd roars excitedly, the Permascar Superstar climbs to the top turnbuckle and fearlessly leaps off, crashing into Ellis with a flying crossbody that sends them both reeling in pain on the hard ground.

FLAMBERGE delivers a crushing judo throw onto Dabney Doubleday, but before he can regain his footing, he feels a powerful grip wrapping around him. Panicked, he realizes it’s Brandon Youngblood, and he tightens his hold on him for dear life. Youngblood seizes the opportunity and hurls FLAMBERGE into the air with a forceful German Suplex, only to have his opponent miraculously land on his feet. The Neck Collector strikes with a vicious kick to Youngblood’s left leg, causing him to howl in agony. Taking advantage of the opening, FLAMBERGE snatches Youngblood’s arm and attempts a high-angle hip toss but is thwarted as Youngblood counters with a brutal teardrop suplex that sends FLAMBERGE crashing to the ground.

Nick Stuart: Talk about two people who have some history that is definitely not finished.

Richard Parker: I think FLAMBERGE would like to add Youngblood’s neck to his mantle.

Nick Stuart: I think FLAMBERGE would have to kill Youngblood for that to happen.

Richard Parker: That sounds like a challenge FLAMBERGE is up for.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

“The Soviet National Anthem” blares through Millennium Stadium as the lights drop to a crimson color for a moment, while mayhem continues in the rings. From backstage, Ivan Stanislav emerges and raises his arms high over his head, much to the disappointment of all in attendance.

The Russian Bear takes his time walking down the entryway, eyeing everything that is happening within the dual cages. When he gets down to the side of the cage, he lingers for a moment and points this way and that, directing traffic before finally entering into the cage itself while his music fades away and the lights return to normal.

Richard Parker: Welp, everyone pack up and go home. This show is over.

Nick Stuart: Not quite. Ivan isn’t invincible. He’s been defeated by FLAMBERGE and Hayes Hanlon, both of whom are currently in the match.

Richard Parker: And beaten down, to boot. Yeah, just wrap this up. Ivan is going to crush everyone.

As he marches down the ramp and enters the War Games match, he can feel many of the eyes of his competitors land upon him. A smile appears on his face as he marches up the steps and slowly enters the ring and—

Ivan’s body reels in pain as The Anglo Luchador’s dropkick lands right on his weakened knee. TAL bounces off the ropes with lightning speed, delivering a brutal chop block to the same knee, eliciting a guttural cry from Ivan. But before he can recover, another challenger interrupts him – Jonathan-Christopher Hall, connecting with a clothesline. Ivan glares at Hall with amusement, a smile of sadistic pleasure spreading across his face. With a burst of adrenaline, Ivan grabs TAL by the throat and lifts him up into the air, executing a chokeslam that mirrors their match from the previous night. The sound of bone crunching against canvas echoes through the arena as TAL writhes in agony, gasping for air under Ivan’s merciless grip.

Chandler Tsonda springs off the middle rope with a fierce moonsault but is caught mid-air by his onetime rival, The Murder Show, Hessian. With a smirk on his face, Hessian parades around the ring with Tsonda slung over his shoulder like a rag doll before slamming him down with a brutal running power slam. Tsonda writhes in agony on the mat as Hessian towers over him, pressing his boot into Tsonda’s chest and exerting all of his intimidating force. Hessian then reaches down and begins to drag Tsonda to his feet. Just when it seems like Tsonda is at the mercy of his enemy, he unleashes a sudden Pele Kick to the back of Hessian’s skull, shocking the audience with its accuracy and impact.

Nate Colton’s muscles bulge as he unleashes a ferocious forearm strike to Cecilworth Farthington’s jaw, causing it to crunch sickeningly. With a surge of adrenaline, The Next Diamond hoists Farthington onto his shoulders, but Farthington responds with ruthless elbow strikes that leave Colton reeling and Farthington free. As Colton struggles to regain control, Farthington seizes the opportunity and connects with a spinning toe hold before his knee drives into the back of Colton’s skull like a hammer. But fueled by their one-time rivalry, Colton pushes himself up with raw determination, slamming his palms into the mat and rising to his feet. Without hesitation, Cecilworth grabs Colton’s wrist and flings him toward the ropes, but The Next Diamond counters with a brutal boot to the chest, followed by an explosive Exploder Suplex that sends Farthington crashing to the mat in agony.

Richard Parker: Just what the hell does Colton think he is doing?!

Nick Stuart: Um, wrestling?

Richard Parker: You can’t do that to The Financier! That’s Farthington!

Nick Stuart: I think he knows.

Richard Parker: Clearly, he doesn’t.

With a roar of determination, Avalon launches himself from the top rope, aiming to crush FLAMBERGE with a brutal Frog Splash. But just as his body is about to collide, The Neck Collector raises his knees with perfect timing. Avalon crashes onto the canvas, gasping for air and clutching his battered ribs. A flicker of triumph crosses FLAMBERGE’s face as he pounces on his injured opponent and drives a knee into his sternum, relishing in the pain he inflicts. In a flash, he pulls Avalon to his feet and locks him into a ruthless front facelock, preparing for the ultimate takedown. But before he can execute it, Avalon unleashes a burst of strength and flips the tables with a relentless Falcon’s Arrow, leaving FLAMBERGE stunned and reeling on the mat.

Brandon Youngblood and Kerry Kuroyama lock eyes in a fierce battle, their bodies entangled in a vicious collar-and-elbow tie-up. Sinews strain as they struggle for dominance, neither willing to yield an inch to the other. In a sudden burst of energy, Youngblood wrenches Kuroyama into a side headlock, but the Emerald Apex retaliates with a thunderous side suplex that slams Youngblood’s head onto the unforgiving mat. Both warriors rise to their feet in a heartbeat, Kuroyama unleashing a brutal kick to Youngblood’s gut before attempting a side-Russian leg sweep. But the Tower of Babel stands strong, blocking the attack and seizing Kuroyama by the back of his skull, driving it mercilessly into the turnbuckle. With Kuroyama stunned and disoriented, Youngblood seizes the opportunity and hurls him into the ropes, delivering a bone-shaking spinebuster that shakes the entire ring.

With a primal roar, Ivan Stanislav unleashes a spine-tingling open-palm strike to the chest of Hayes Hanlon. The force of the blow reverberates through Hanlon’s body, causing him to stagger backward. But he retaliates with a straight right that lands squarely on The Russian Bear’s jaw. Undeterred, Ivan grabs Hanlon and yanks him in close, using his own body as a weapon to deliver a crushing shoulder strike to Hanlon’s already-battered jaw. As Hanlon stumbles backward, Ivan closes in with relentless fury. In a display of immense strength, Hanlon hoists Ivan onto his shoulders, but before he can take advantage, Jonathan-Christopher Hall springs into action with a vicious dropkick to Hanlon’s vulnerable knee. The impact sends Hanlon crashing to the mat, with Ivan landing on top of him like a human avalanche.

Nick Stuart: Well, that couldn’t have felt good for Hanlon.

Richard Parker: No, I wouldn’t imagine a massive bear the size of Ivan falling on you would feel good.

Nick Stuart: Meanwhile, Hall is doing exactly what he was told to do — look out for his teammates.

Richard Parker: All the good signs of a great captain.

Then the PRIME*View comes to life.

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BZZZZZT

One very loud, very identifiable guitar note hits. And then…

Okay. You all know how this goes by now, right? The band is Northlane. The song is called ‘Plenty’. When you hear it, it means that a little idiot man is going to come out from the back and go to the ring, so no one should be shocked that this is what’s happening right now.

Look, there’s a cage with like 80 people in it, and my man Jarry is supposed to be in there, so we’re not wasting any time.

Song. Walking. Cage. In that order.

As Sykes enters the War Games contraption, the door shuts behind and locks.

DING DING

Nick Stuart: And War Games has officially started!

Richard Parker: Yay. Four hours later.

Nick Stuart: Sykes hits the ring and goes STRAIGHT for Jonathan-Christopher Hall! He clearly has some thoughts about what happened last night.

Richard Parker: What happened last night? I completely forgot.

Jared Sykes charges toward Jonathan-Christopher Hall like a raging bull, slamming into him with a bone-shattering double-leg takedown. With determination burning in his eyes, he mounts Hall and unleashes a barrage of ruthless forearm strikes that rain down on him relentlessly. The Forever Man desperately tries to escape, but the Dragonslayer is unrelenting, landing another brutal blow to the back of his neck. Dazed and disoriented, Hall staggers into the ropes as Sykes seizes him by the wrist and hurls him across the ring with savage force. Before he can even catch his breath, Hall is met with a thunderous running clothesline that sends him crashing to the mat. But Sykes isn’t finished yet – with cat-like agility, he sweeps Hall up in a snap suplex and follows it up with a devastating sliding elbow strike that leaves Hall reeling on the canvas.

Dabney Doubleday soars through the air, his body spinning with deadly precision before crashing onto the unforgiving canvas. Rob Williams reaches down to pull him up but is met with a barrage of fists from Adam Ellis that leave him dazed and disoriented. In a split second, Ellis traps Williams’ arm and yanks him down into a neckbreaker, causing the entire ring to shake with impact. Before anyone can react, Arthur Pleasant charges in with a vicious running clothesline that takes out both Ellis and Doubleday. But they refuse to stay down, rising to their feet with lightning speed and unleashing a brutal beating on Pleasant. With a calculated move, Doubleday and Ellis lift Pleasant high into the air before slamming him down in a devastating vertical suplex. As Doubleday ducks under Williams’ lariat attempt, he swiftly turns it into a Flapjack while Ellis rebounds off the ropes and delivers an elbow drop to the fallen Williams.

With a fierce battle cry, Anna Daniels leaps into the air and executes a perfectly timed kick to Youngblood’s jaw, causing him to spin around in disorientation. Before he can regain his bearings, FLAMBERGE swoops in with lightning speed and throws him to the ground with a powerful Judo Throw. As Youngblood lies on the mat, Tsonda rushes to his aid but is met with a brutal elbow to the face from The Muse, momentarily stunning him. Taking advantage of the chaos, FLAMBERGE quickly maneuvers behind Tsonda and delivers another bone-crushing Judo Throw, sending him crashing onto Youngblood’s body.

Meanwhile, with her opponents momentarily incapacitated and vulnerable, Daniels ascends to the top rope and prepares to launch herself into a Shooting Star Press. But just as she begins her descent, Tsonda miraculously manages to roll out of harm’s way and spring back to his feet, leaving only Youngblood as a target for the high-flying move. However, even though he manages to block some of the impact with his knees, Youngblood still writhes in pain from the force of the landing.

Seizing the opportunity, Tsonda charges towards FLAMBERGE like a runaway freight train and catches him off guard with a ferocious Runway Vault. Meanwhile, Youngblood uses every ounce of strength left in his body to lift Daniels up and execute a devastating Belly to Back Suplex, adding insult to injury.

Nick Stuart: The teams are starting to work together to fight off the other teams.

Richard Parker: Cool. How about Team Hall, Team Avalon, and Team Farthington team up and blast Team Sykes out of this match?

Nick Stuart: You think those three teams could agree on any kind of plan?

Richard Parker: …probably not.

Bobby Dean’s knuckles turn white as he tightens his grip around Cecilworth Farthington’s neck, smirking with sadistic pleasure as he threatens to give him a noogie. Cancer Jiles leans against the ropes, cackling maniacally at the sight before viciously slamming his boot into The Financier’s face. Hayes Hanlon, fueled by pure rage, charges into the ring and scoop slams Jiles with bone-crushing force in the center of the canvas. As Dean releases Farthington and lunges towards Hanlon, he is met with a brutal scoop slam that rattles the entire ring. But Cancer, fueled by adrenaline and a thirst for chaos, quickly gets back on his feet only to be met with another unforgiving scoop slam — this time from Farthington. The two men continue their savage dance of Scoop Slam Party destruction until both roll out of the ring, leaving behind a trail of battered bodies and shattered pride.

Hessian’s hands wrap around The Anglo Luchador’s skull in a vice-like grip, crushing it with bone-breaking force. Desperate to escape, TAL unleashes a barrage of boots to The Murder Show’s midsection, causing him to loosen his hold. But before he can fully break free, Hessian scoops TAL up and slams him down with a brutal Uranage Slam that rattles the ring. With his opponent stunned on the mat, Hessian seizes the back of TAL’s skull and starts to yank him up, ready to deliver a devastating blow. But TAL fights back, launching a flurry of kicks to the back of Hessian’s skull, disorienting the Murder Show. Seizing the opportunity, TAL springs off the ropes and delivers a punishing dropkick to the back of Hessian’s knee, sending shockwaves of pain through his entire body.

Jared Sykes relentlessly pummels Jonathan-Christopher Hall, unaware of the looming danger behind him. Suddenly, like a force of nature, the Russian Bear Ivan appears and snatches Sykes by the back of his neck, hurling him across the ring with brute strength. Sykes crashes to the mat but quickly rises to his feet, ready for another round. With ferocity in his eyes, Ivan turns to attend to Hall, only to be blindsided by Sykes, who launches himself through the air and delivers a devastating blow to Ivan’s neck and shoulders with his elbow. The Russian Bear roars in agony as he grabs Sykes by the head and hurls him onto the hard canvas below. But Sykes refuses to stay down, rising once again only to be met with a vicious boot to the chest from Ivan. Undeterred, Sykes fights back with all his might, using the ropes as leverage for a powerful springboard clothesline that barely fazes Ivan. In retaliation, Ivan wraps his massive hand around Sykes’ throat and unleashes a crushing chokeslam that reverberates throughout the arena.

Richard Parker: Oof. Maybe that’s why Jared is a former Universal Champion.

Nick Stuart: I don’t think that’s why. I think it has more to do with Reed Young.

Richard Parker: That man is a savant. Don’t you speak of him like that!

Nick Stuart: Oh geez.

The two monstrous figures, Hessian and Ivan Stanislav face off with a primal intensity as they size each other up. With a deafening roar, Hessian strikes first by slamming his open palm into the chest of the Russian Bear. But Ivan barely flinches, only appearing slightly annoyed before retaliating with a powerful open-handed blow of his own to The Murder Show’s chest. Unfazed, Hessian shrugs it off and unleashes a brutal forearm shot that lands squarely on Ivan’s jaw. Though momentarily stunned, Ivan shakes it off and delivers a massive right hook that rocks The Murder Show in return. Yet despite being visibly affected by the blow, Hessian stands strong, rooted in place like an immovable force. In a heated exchange of words and roars, the two behemoths clash even harder as Ivan charges forward with full force. He drives his shoulder into Hessian’s stomach, sending him crashing into the turnbuckle with a resounding impact before unleashing an onslaught of punches to The Murder Show’s body, each strike more ferocious than the last.

Brandon Youngblood’s boot slams into Bobby Dean’s face with a sickening crack, causing him to stumble back against the ropes. Dazed and disoriented, Dean can only shake his head as Youngblood closes in on him like a predator stalking its prey. In one swift motion, he grabs Dean and flings him into the ropes before delivering a brutal stun gun that leaves Dean gasping for air. As he writhes on the mat, Youngblood towers over him, slamming his heavy boot into Dean’s chest over and over again until the air is forced from his lungs. As Bobby is pulled off the mat, he retaliates by driving nearly 400 pounds of weight down onto Youngblood’s foot, causing him to cry out in pain. With a smirk on his face, Dean slaps Youngblood across the cheek, sending him reeling. But instead of backing down, Youngblood charges forward, only to be met with a vicious Purple Nurple followed by a bone-crushing body slam from the Beautiful one. As Youngblood lies motionless on the mat, Dean stands triumphantly over him before connecting with a sitout squash on The Tower of Babel.

The Anglo Luchador’s hand cracks against FLAMBERGE’s chest with a brutal knife-edge chop, leaving behind a red mark of pain. With the Neck Collector dazed and reeling, The Luchador hurls him towards the corner and connects with a running back elbow. FLAMBERGE stumbles out of the corner, only to be caught by The Luchador in a lightning-fast Dragon Suplex that slams him into the mat with bone-shattering force. But FLAMBERGE refuses to stay down, rolling through the impact and springing back up to his feet as The Luchador charges at him with a vicious clothesline that sends both men crashing to the ground in a chaotic heap.

Nick Stuart: FLAMBERGE fighting forward with sheer force on The Anglo Luchador after having his bell run a few times there.

Richard Parker: That’s because FLAMBERGE is not human. He’s the Lizard King. Do you think a Lizard King is human?

Nick Stuart: Do you think FLAMBERGE really controls lizards?

Richard Parker: Yes.

Nick Stuart: Oh, you sweet child, you.

Kerry Kuroyama springs off the ropes with ferocious speed; his Yakuza kick slamming into Jared Sykes’ face with bone-shattering force. The former Universal Champion struggles to rise to his feet, only to be pummeled by a barrage of vicious elbows raining down from Kuroyama’s relentless assault. Sykes desperately pushes his attacker away, but Kuroyama closes in with lightning quickness and slams him to the mat with a powerful Lou Thesz Press. Unleashing a flurry of devastating strikes to Sykes’ exposed face, Kuroyama shows no mercy as he unleashes his pent-up rage upon the fallen Dragonslayer. But Sykes refuses to stay down, pushing himself up once more as Kuroyama rises to meet him. In a stunning display of agility and strength, Sykes delivers a devastating step-up Frankensteiner that sends Kuroyama crashing back to the mat with a bone-jarring impact.

Cecilworth Farthington swiftly ducks underneath a clothesline from his opponent, Arthur Pleasant. As Pleasant spins around to face him, Farthington unleashes a series of sharp slaps to the face of the “Worst Nightmare of PRIME”. But Arthur fights through the barrage and retaliates with a powerful headbutt that lands squarely on Farthington’s jaw. The Financier turns to respond but is met with another attack as Pleasant goes for a rear waist-lock. However, Farthington counters with a back elbow to his opponent’s jaw. With lightning-fast reflexes, he executes a standing switch before delivering a decisive blow – snapping his forearm across the back of Pleasant’s neck. As Arthur falls to the mat, Cecilworth seizes the opportunity and performs a graceful spinning toe hold, followed by an impactful second rope knee drop.

Cancer Jiles blocks a bone-shattering knee strike from Max Kael, gritting his teeth against the impact. In retaliation, he unleashes a closed fist to Kael’s face, feeling the satisfying crunch of bones bending underneath his knuckles. But Max refuses to back down, retaliating with a fierce chop that lands squarely on Jiles’ chest, leaving behind a fiery red mark. With a roar of determination, Max attempts to whip Jiles into the ropes, but the crafty wrestler counters with lightning speed, sending Max hurtling instead. As Max rebounds off the ropes, he launches himself at Cancer with a flying forearm, connecting with brutal force. Gasping for air, both men rise to their feet, locked in an intense battle. Max resorts to dirty tactics, launching an eye rake and then a vicious back rake as Cancer spins away in pain.

Richard Parker: How does it feel, Cancer?! WHO IS YOUR DADDY NOW?!

Nick Stuart: I take it you are now a Max Kael fan.

Richard Parker: I’m a fan of anyone willing to do what Cancer does to everyone else.

Nick Stuart: And you usually love it when others do it, just not Cancer.

Richard Parker: Correct.

Ivan’s fist collides with Nate Colton’s stomach, but before he can revel in his victory, a sharp blow to his back forces him to turn around. Brandon Youngblood stands before him, delivering a knife-edge chop that echoes through the arena. Without missing a beat, Ivan retaliates with a knee to the gut, causing Youngblood to double over in pain. Taking advantage of the moment, Ivan slams his forearm into Youngblood’s back, sending him crashing to the mat. But Youngblood is determined and pushes himself up, only to have Ivan’s boot slam into his spine with bone-crushing force. As he struggles to stand, Youngblood manages to counter with a short elbow, stunning Ivan. Seizing the opportunity, he wraps his arms around Ivan’s torso and executes a powerful side belly-to-belly suplex, slamming him down with earth-shattering impact.

Nick Stuart: Harkening back to their match at UltraViolence.

Richard Parker: I feel like Youngblood would rather forget about that match.

Nick Stuart: I think he would rather put Ivan out of commission.

Richard Parker: Easier said than done.

The Permascar Superstar viciously grabs Kenny Freeman’s face and drags it against the unforgiving metal cage, relishing in the screams of pain that escape his victim’s lips. With every rough scrape, Gamble ensures maximum damage is inflicted upon Freeman. But suddenly, Freeman unleashes a back kick with all his remaining strength, connecting with Gamble’s midsection. K-Free seizes the opportunity and delivers a devastating suplex, sending his opponent crashing into the hard stadium floor. As Gamble writhes in agony, Freeman begins to climb the cage with a fierce determination, determined to reach the highest point possible.

Richard Parker: What the hell is Freeman doing?!

Nick Stuart: Do you want to go in there and ask him?

Richard Parker: No, I do— ahhhhhhhhhhh!

Nick Stuart: And Freeman, with a moonsault off the cage, onto Gamble, who had just risen to his feet!

K-FREE! K-FREE! K-FREE! K-FREE! K-FREE!

Freeman lies on the stadium floor next to Gamble, grinning from ear to ear at the sound of the Brits chanting his name.

With a deafening crash, Farthington slams Doubleday to the mat with a brutal suplex. As he rises to his feet, he is suddenly tackled by Max Kael, his once best friend turned bitter enemy. Farthington can barely defend himself as Kael unleashes a barrage of punches to his face and skull, each one landing with a sickening impact. Managing to escape outside the ring, Farthington is quickly pursued by Kael, who dives through the ropes like a venomous serpent. But in a flash of skill and cunning, The Financier strikes first with a vicious blow to Kael’s midsection before launching him face-first into the unforgiving steel barrier. Kael bounces off, seemingly impervious to pain, and charges after Farthington, connecting with a devastating lariat that sends them both crashing to the hard stadium floor. Despite the pain coursing through his body, Kael springs back to his feet and attempts to stomp on Farthington’s chest. But Cecilworth is ready for him, blocking the attack and using Kael’s own momentum against him as he throws him down with a powerful European Uppercut. Desperate for retaliation, Kael struggles to regain his footing only to be hoisted into the air by Farthington and sent crashing spine-first onto the unforgiving edge of the ring.

Nick Stuart: Max Kael looks like a man possessed, as he went nearly rabid against his former best friend, Cecilworth Farthington!

Richard Parker: I mean, I think Kael is probably considered rabid in a country like the United Kingdom. I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me Kael eats bats.

Nick Stuart: Jesus, Richard. What the hell is wrong with you?

Richard Parker: You watch a man like Max Kael and think something is wrong with me?!

With a roar of pure rage, Rob Williams hurls himself at The Murder Show, his fist connecting with a deafening crack against the villain’s torso. But Hessian is unfazed and snatches Williams’ skull in a vice-like grip, smashing their heads together in a brutal headbutt that sends The Legend crashing to the mat. Refusing to stay down for long, Williams springs back up and blocks an incoming punch from the monstrous Hessian. With lightning speed, he retaliates with a fierce kick to Hessian’s stomach before locking him into a front facelock. Gritting his teeth, Williams strains to lift the 370-pound behemoth, but it proves to be a Herculean task. In a desperate move, Hessian pummels Williams’ midsection with bone-crushing punches before effortlessly hoisting him into the air. With a sadistic grin, he holds Williams aloft before slamming him down in a devastating Stalling Brainbuster that leaves the former Five-Star Champion crumpled on the ground.

Richard Parker: I’m hoping Williams thinks twice before attempting to do something like that to Hessian again.

Nick Stuart: Yeah, not a good position to be in, especially after Hessian connects with the Hessplex.

Richard Parker: I’m surprised it’s not called the MurderPlex.

Nick Stuart: You should join his marketing team.

Kuroyama ducks underneath a clothesline from a charging Chandler Tsonda. As Tsonda spins around, Kuroyama punts him in the midsection before connecting with a double-underhook backbreaker (Black Tahoma Breaker)! Kuroyama scrambles to his feet and is met with a dropkick from Daytona Diamonds to the chest. The Emerald Apex stumbles into the ropes but uses it to launch himself forward before connecting with a discus lariat (Squall Line Lariat) to the neck of the Rhinestone Cowboy! Kuroyama stands over Diamonds, and as he does, Winters spins Kuroyama around and unloads a series of lefts and rights on him. The Pacific Blitzkrieg is stunned by the punches. Winters races off the ropes, but Kuroyama dips his shoulder on his return and hoists him onto his shoulder before connecting with a back-to-belly piledriver (Emerald Oblivion). As Kuroyama makes his way back to his feet, Anna Daniels connects with a kick that lands on Kerry’s jaw. Kuroyama shakes out the cobwebs while Anna rushes at him, only for Kuroyama to connect with a spin-out backdrop driver (Derechoplex)!

Nick Stuart: Kuroyama decimating everyone in his path!

Richard Parker: I would just get away from the Emerald Apex if I were everyone else.

Nick Stuart: You can see that Kuroyama wants more; he looks like a crazed killer.

Richard Parker: I saw him hanging out with Rezin the other day — he might just be one.

The Universal Champion connects with a Tornado DDT to the man he took it from on Night One — Jared Sykes. Jared’s skull cracks into the canvas while Hall makes his way back to his feet. The Forever Man reaches down and pulls Sykes to his feet, but the Dragonslayer cracks a forearm across his jaw, stunning the Universal Champion. Sykes springboards off the middle rope and goes for a blockbuster only for Hall to fall to the mat and Sykes to hit the mat. As Sykes returns to his feet, Hall connects with a spinning back kick and then connects with an inverted facelock backbreaker to the Heart of PRIME.

Richard Parker: Let’s go JOHNNY!

Nick Stuart: Why are you calling him Johnny?

Richard Parker: Because everyone calls Sykes “JARRY.”

Nick Stuart: Okay, sure. Do whatever you feel like—wait, what the hell is going on at the top of the ramp?!

Enemigos start spilling out on the ramp, being tossed out there like pieces of fish, and this is a fish market. More and more security guards and PRIME officials, like Killian Sirrajin and Dametreyus, are trying to restore some form of order as bodies keep flying back. They have their hands out, trying to stop whomever is flinging people left and right. The fans in the Millennium Stadium look at the top of the ramp as the action peels their attention away. Before they know it, they see a man explode onto the stage with a fierce look on his face as he continues to chuck people away from him. The man is soaking wet, pruned up like he just walked in the ocean for nine months and walked out directly into the closest wrestling venue. On his back he has a baby carrier with a skeleton inside.

Nick Stuart: What the hell is going on up there?

Richard Parker: I have no idea but I’m sure Dam has it totally under con-

It’s a good thing we can’t hear Richard finish the rest of that sentence.

Nick Stuart: THAT’S STRONK GODSON! THAT’S STRONK GODSON! HE’S SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD! HE WALKED INTO THE OCEAN AFTER LOSING THE HOW WORLD TITLE TO CONOR FUSE!

STRONK slams his head into the skull of an Enemigo and tosses him aside like an old newspaper. He then takes another Enemigo and hoists him over his head before throwing him towards the ramp. The Enemigo slides down the ramp, only coming to a stop because the ramp ends. Killian and Dametreyus run in front of him and yell at him to stop and order him backstage, but it doesn’t seem to work.

Richard Parker: What exactly is STRONK doing here?!

Nick Stuart: I HAVE NO IDEA! BUT STRONK IS HERE!

Richard Parker: I will need you to do something about that!

Nick Stuart: I just saw Lindsay Troy and Wade Elliott vacate the VVIP Suite where they’d been watching the match with the rest of Vae Victis. They must be heading down here to restore order.

Richard Parker: Yeah, good luck with that.

Sirrajin and Dametreyus push STRONK backward, which doesn’t make the STRONK DADDY happy as he lowers his head and charges at them. Sirrajin and Dametreyus are caught in the commotion of STRONK and are sent to the edge of the stage before falling backward and to the stadium floor.

CRASH!

Nick Stuart: Holy hell! We are going to need medical personnel for Killian and Dametreyus!

Richard Parker: Or… not?

Nick Stuart: RICHARD PARKER!

Richard Parker: …you’re not my Mom…

STRONK, not caring what he just did, begins marching down the ramp, stepping over the bodies of Enemigos he’s possibly murdered in his warpath. As he makes his way down to the War Games cage, he grabs the steel cage door and rips it off its hinges before throwing it into the barricade.

SMASH!

Nick Stuart: HE IS GOING INTO THE WAR GAMES STRUCTURE!

Richard Parker: WHY ARE YOU YELLING IN MY EAR?!

Nick Stuart: BECAUSE THIS IS NUTS!

Nuts indeed. STRONK marches up the ring steps and enters the ring. STRONK flexes his muscles at the War Games participants, all of whom are confused about why STRONK GODSON is standing in the PRIME War Games match. Ivan Stanislav is marching across the ring towards the eGG Bandits but STRONK jumps on his back and puts him into a rear naked chokehold and begins to snatch the life away from Ivan!

Nick Stuart: STRONK HAS IVAN IN THE LOOP HOLD! LOOP HOLD ON IVAN!

Richard Parker: Look who is coming to his rescue!

Nick Stuart: Kenny Freeman!

Richard Parker: Oh, never mind. I guess a ring post was in my sight.

Freeman slams his boot across the back of STRONK’s skull. Our thicc behemoth isn’t phased and keeps yanking on Ivan’s neck with The Loop Hold. Freeman jams his elbow into the crown of STRONK’s skull and this attracts the attention of the gorilla sized man on Ivan’s back. STRONK swats Freeman across the ring. Kenny slides under the ropes and ends up in the center of the second ring. STRONK continues to bare down with The Loop Hold locked in on Ivan’s back, finally taking the big man down to one knee. Ivan turns towards the second ring and watches on in horror.

What is he watching? Well, before Kenny Freeman is able to get up, he realizes he has landed in a precarious position. Smack dab in the middle of what some may call ‘an eGG den.’ Freeman looks around with crazed eyes, but before he can do anything, it all happens in slow motion. Like charging the beach in Saving Private Ryan. Cancer Jiles sprays the yjolk into Freeman’s eyes.

Nick Stuart: TERMINAL CANCER!

The young communist stumbles backwards and right into a Bobby Dean chocolate mist.

Richard Parker: MIST FROM BOBBY!

The brown mist flies everywhere, including all over Kenny Freeman who is now a color known as ‘baby shit’. Kenny turns directly into another unforgiving face and Daytona Diamonds hits the stunned K-Free with a Uranage Slam (The Gold Rush).

Nick Stuart: GOLD RUSH!

Freeman pops up off the ground like a cartoon and stumbles into the waiting arms of Hessian who pulls Kenny Freeman into the air and connects with a Release Crucifix Jacknife Powerbomb (Ballista)!

Richard Parker: Ballista!

Kenny hits so hard he bounces off the canvas and directly into the Five Star Champion who scoops Freeman up and connects with a Crucifix Powerbomb (Absolution)!

Nick Stuart: Jesus… that’s Absolution…

Kenny is down on the canvas, destroyed as Ivan watches on in horror. Tony Gamble then pulls the nearly comatose Freeman up to a sitting position and fakes a move before poking him in the eyes! K-Free slumps forward as Coral Avalon flies off the top rope and plants both feet into Kenny’s chest with the double stomp.

Nick Stuart: Carnwennen too? Okay… that’s enough…

Richard Parker: I think they just killed Kenny Freeman… Holy shit.

Avalon rolls over and hooks both legs while the Bandits surround him and the referee.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

ELIMINATED: KENNY FREEMAN and TEAM JONATHAN-CHRISTOPHER HALL!

Nick Stuart: And we have our first elimination in WAR GAMES!

Richard Parker: And our first possible murder.

While that happens, Wade Elliott and a swarm of Enemigos enter the War Games cage and dog pile onto STRONK and Ivan. The Enemigos and Wade manage to pull STRONK from the ring. Lindsay Troy is standing halfway up the ramp with a face of fury. STRONK, dazed from the forcible detention, is marched past her, and she follows him up. She stops at the top of the ramp and looks down as medical personnel are helping Killian Sirrajin and Dametreyus out.

In the ring, Team Jonathan-Christopher Hall is escorted out of the War Games cage. Meanwhile, Ivan Stanislav groggily walks over to Kenny Freeman. He leans down and checks on his fallen comrade. He listens for breathing and nods. He hoists him onto his shoulder before exiting the War Games match. He looks up the ramp, seeing the back of STRONK’s skull disappearing, and his eyes can see red as he does so.

Nick Stuart: Fans, we’re trying to restore order here, but the action has continued in the ring.

Richard Parker: I’m still trying to piece together STRONK GODSON, who is showing up and ripping the door off the cage.

Nick Stuart: It’s definitely something not on anyone’s Bingo card.

Richard Parker: We have Bingo cards?!

The sound of flesh against metal echoes through the arena as Daytona Diamonds whips Paxton Ray into the corner with brutal force. The MurderGator’s spine bends painfully against the unforgiving turnbuckle, but before he can even register the pain, Diamonds launches himself off each rope, building up momentum before delivering a devastating knee strike to Paxton’s jaw. The Bayou Butcher slumps in the corner, gasping for air, while Diamonds stalks him from across the ring. With a fierce determination in his eyes, he charges towards Paxton and connects with a running basement dropkick (Boot Scootin’ Boogie) that sends the MurderGator’s head snapping back with a sickening crack. As Paxton struggles to get up, Diamonds grabs him roughly and attempts to throw him into the ropes. But with unexpected strength, Paxton reverses the move and sends Diamonds flying instead. With incredible agility for his size, Paxton catches Diamonds as he hits the ropes and delivers a bone-shattering clothesline that sends him tumbling onto the edge of the ring. As Daytona struggles to regain his footing, Paxton stands tall and unleashes a flurry of punches to his face, each strike reverberating through the stadium like gunshots. Finally, Paxton connects with one last punch that sends Diamonds crashing to the ground outside the ring.

Hayes Hanlon launches himself off the ropes with untamed fury, slamming into Jared Sykes with a flying cross body that rattles both men to their very cores. In an instant, Hanlon is on his feet and hoisting the imposing figure of The Dragonslayer onto his shoulders, ready to deliver a devastating Death Valley Driver. But before he can execute the maneuver, Sykes unleashes a barrage of savage elbow strikes to Hanlon’s skull, forcing him to drop his opponent in agony. With a fierce grip on the back of Hanlon’s head, Sykes drives vicious knee strikes into his midsection, each one stealing precious breaths from the Event Horizon. As Hanlon crumbles to one knee, Sykes mercilessly pulls him back up before planting him face-first into the mat with a brutal Facebuster. With his opponent sprawled out on the canvas, Sykes wastes no time in scaling the ropes with lightning speed, pausing for only a split second before launching himself into a gravity-defying 450 Splash (Dead Aim) that crashes down upon Hanlon’s spine with bone-shattering force.

Don Winters unleashes a fierce knife-edge chop to Chandler Tsonda’s chest, the sound of flesh smacking against bone echoing through the arena. Without pause, Winters seizes Tsonda’s wrist and hurls him into the ropes with brute force before executing a devastating Capture Suplex that slams Tsonda onto his back. As Tsonda struggles to sit up, he is met with a punishing elbow strike to his exposed neck from the merciless Revelator. With calculated precision, the Five-Star Champion drags Tsonda to his feet and delivers a bone-shattering uppercut to the Model Citizen. But Tsonda retaliates with a vicious kick to Winters’ midsection before locking him into a hammerlock. In one swift motion, Tsonda transitions into an inverted dragon sleeper, wrenching on Winters’ spine as he drives him down with a brutal kneeling backbreaker known as “Spinal Tap”. The Fallen Angel’s body contorts in agony as Tsonda asserts his dominance in the ring.

Richard Parker: Oof. A knee in the back is not the life for me.

Nick Stuart: Are you singing it to Pinocchio?

Richard Parker: …no.

Nick Stuart: Yes, you are.

Richard Parker: Fine, Nick! Just focus on the match, gosh!

The Murder Show slithers his deadly hands around the throat of The Next Diamond, tightening his grip with each passing second. Nate Colton’s face turns red as he struggles for air, his body convulsing in desperate attempts to break free. But Hessian is relentless, and with a brutal choke toss, he sends Colton crashing onto the unforgiving canvas. Grimacing in pain, Colton rises to his feet and charges at Hessian, who connects with a thunderous fist to the jaw that rocks Adam Ellis to his core. But Nate is undeterred, unleashing a flurry of kicks and knees, each one met with a fierce growl from Hessian. In a last-ditch effort, The Next Diamond hoists Hessian onto his shoulder, but the weight of the massive beast proves too much as he loses his grip. Seizing the opportunity, Hessian shoves Colton into the turnbuckle with brute force, causing him to ricochet off and stumble backward. With lightning reflexes, Hessian wraps his bulging arms around Colton’s head and locks him into an elevated swinging sleeper hold known only by its ominous name – Hallelujah Mountains.

Adam Ellis stumbles back, dazed from the brutal jab delivered by The Murder Show. But before he can regain his senses, Bobby Dean seizes the opportunity and locks him into a crushing Full Nelson hold. Adam’s body contorts in agony as he struggles to break free, but Bobby’s strength is overpowering. With a sudden burst of energy, Adam slips out of the hold and lands a powerful side kick to Bobby’s hip, eliciting a howl of pain from the Beautiful One. As Bobby reels from the blow, Adam bounces off the ropes and delivers a savage forearm shot to his face. But Bobby refuses to go down, instead countering with a vicious back elbow that sends Adam crashing to the mat. Just when it seems like Bobby has the upper hand, Adam retaliates with a rear-waist lock and goes for a devastating German Suplex. But Bobby’s massive frame proves too much for him to handle, and he breaks free with a brutal Wet Willie attack followed by a bone-crushing body slam.

Anna Daniels connects with a right jab to the face of Coral Avalon. The Crownless King fires back with a forearm shot that connects with The Time Lord’s jaw. Avalon goes for a second one, but Anna ducks underneath it — spinning Avalon so his back to her. She puts him into a rear waistlock and connects with a German Suplex! Avalon is dropped on the back of his head and as Anna pops back up to her feet, she catches a dazed Golden Bandit with a Dragon Suplex! Avalon is out on his feet — not even certain how he got there — while Daniels then connects with the Tiger Suplex (Rassilon, Omega, and the Other). Avalon pushes himself up to his feet — operating on auto-pilot, and fires off a knee to the jaw of the Muse, sending both competitors crashing to the mat.

Cancer Jiles’ elbow makes a sickening thud against the jaw of Cecilworth Farthington, stunning him momentarily. As Cancer triumphantly stands over his fallen opponent, he delivers an inverted Atomic Drop that sends Farthington crashing to his knees in excruciating pain. The sound of Cancer’s maniacal laughter echoes through the arena as he taunts The Financier. But Farthington refuses to stay down, rising to his feet with gritted teeth and delivering a devastating right fist to the gut of King Crumb. Despite his injuries, Farthington presses on, delivering an uppercut that snaps Cancer’s head back and leaves him dazed. In a last-ditch effort, Cancer slams his elbow into Farthington’s already injured body before executing a swinging neckbreaker that sends Farthington crashing to the mat in a heap. Both competitors lay motionless for a moment, their bodies battered and bruised from the intense exchange of blows.

Nick Stuart: Jiles giving it as good as Farthington is!

Richard Parker: I will not stand for this! Jiles should be eliminated from the face of the planet!

Nick Stuart: Look — oh, Hoyt, you’re wearing your Financier shirt.

Richard Parker: As should everyone! Buy it from the PRIMEmporium!

Cancer Jiles lies sprawled on the mat, gasping for air as Hayes Hanlon approaches. With a malicious grin, Hanlon stomps his boot into Jiles’ chest repeatedly, each impact sending shockwaves of pain through his body. Desperately trying to escape, Jiles rolls away from the Event Horizon, only to be grabbed by the back of his waist and hoisted to his feet by Hanlon’s brute strength. Before he can even catch his breath, Farthington joins in with a spinning back kick straight to Jiles’ vulnerable midsection. The force of the blow leaves him winded and powerless against Hanlon, who effortlessly lifts him onto his shoulder and climbs to the top turnbuckle. As the crowd holds its breath, Hanlon looks around with a sinister glint in his eye before turning his focus to the outside of the ring. Without hesitation, he leaps off the top rope with Jiles still on his shoulder, crashing down with a bone-shattering power slam onto the unforgiving stadium floor. The impact echoes throughout the stadium as Jiles and Hanlon both lay motionless.

Richard Parker: YES! YES! YES!

Nick Stuart: You’re going to get us a copyright infringement strike. Calm down.

Richard Parker: JILES IS DEAD!

Nick Stuart: I’m pretty positive he’s not.

As the Financier looks down at his teammate and long-time enemy, both laid out on the stadium floor, he shakes his head and turns around only to be met with a running knee to the jaw from Coral Avalon! The shot sends Farthington flying back into the corner — his body colliding with the turnbuckle, sounding like a shotgun echoing throughout the stadium. Avalon quickly gets back to his feet and plants his boot repeatedly into Farthington’s face before hoisting him off the mat. Coral then bounces off the ropes and connects with a Yakuza kick to the jaw of the Financier, sending him over the top rope and onto the ring edge. Avalon quickly climbs to the top rope and watches Farthington climb to his feet. Avalon then leaps off the top rope and connects with flying head scissors that send both competitors to the stadium floor!

The Financier glares down at his fallen teammate and arch-nemesis, a cruel smirk spreading across his face as he leaves. But before he can take a step, Coral Avalon charges forward with lightning speed, delivering a brutal knee to the jaw that sends Farthington crashing into the turnbuckle with a deafening thud. As the crowd gasps in shock, Avalon wastes no time in viciously stomping on Farthington’s prone form, each strike resounding like gunshots in the stadium. With a fierce grunt, Coral lifts Farthington off the mat and hurls him towards the ropes, unleashing a powerful Yakuza kick that sends the Financier soaring over the top rope and crashing onto the ring edge. Without missing a beat, Avalon sprints to the nearest corner, scrambling up to the top rope with deadly determination shining in his eyes. He waits for Farthington to slowly rise to his feet, then leaps off with incredible agility, executing a flying head scissors that propels both men to the unforgiving floor below in a devastating impact.

Daytona Diamonds’ boot slams into Brandon Youngblood’s stomach with a sickening thud, knocking the wind out of him. Before he can recover, Diamonds executes a butterfly suplex that sends Youngblood crashing to the mat, his body contorted in agony. But he refuses to stay down and rises to his feet, delivering a ferocious forearm strike that rattles Daytona’s teeth and makes his head spin. The Tower of Babel retaliates with a powerful belly-to-belly suplex, slamming Diamonds into the ground with bone-jarring force. As Youngblood stands triumphantly, Diamond’s desperate grip wraps around his leg like a boa constrictor, but he easily shakes off the Rhinestone Cowboy and reaches down to lift him up. In a brutal twist of fate, Diamonds surprises Youngblood with a vicious knee strike to his most vulnerable area, causing him to let out an anguished growl and stumble away in pain. But before he can regain his footing, Diamonds charges at him like a raging bull, launching himself into the air and crushing the back of Youngblood’s skull with a devastating leg drop that leaves him sprawled on the canvas in defeat.

Richard Parker: That Rhinestone Cowboy is something else! My goodness, taking out to Mr. FAFO himself.

Nick Stuart: I’m glad you said FAFO and not the full thing.

Richard Parker: You want me to say it?

Nick Stuart: No, please don’t.

Hessian’s rage boils over as he snarls, lunging at Youngblood and yanking him upright. He shoves the smaller man into the corner, unleashing a vicious knife-edge chop reverberating through the arena. Brandon’s body jerks from the impact, but Hessian refuses to let him fall, delivering another brutal chop with enough force to leave welts on Youngblood’s chest. The Murder Show’s sadistic grin widens as he drives his knee into The Diamond’s gut, crushing his opponent’s ribs and stealing his breath. With a sinister laugh, Hessian hoists Youngblood onto his shoulder and traps him in the Tree of Woe. He then exits the ring, pulling Brandon’s arms taut before repeatedly smashing his head into the unforgiving turnbuckle, each blow sending shockwaves of pain through Youngblood’s skull.

Richard Parker: Oh, the Bells of Olympus!

Nick Stuart: Look at you getting the name right!

Richard Parker: And now Hessian going for the pin.

Nick Stuart: Okay, okay — You’re stealing my job now.

ONE!

TWO!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Nick Stuart: And Adam Ellis, with the save at the last second, is keeping him and his team in the War Games match!

Richard Parker: That was close. I didn’t know if Youngblood was going to kick out of it.

Nick Stuart: I don’t think so, not from the way that Youngblood is looking.

The Permascar Superstar unleashes a brutal kick to The Anglo Luchador’s midsection, causing him to double over in pain. Before he can catch his breath, TAL is met with a fierce forearm strike to the neck, sending him crashing to the ground. Tony Gamble rushes towards TAL, aiming for a devastating running knee to the side of his skull, but TAL quickly counters with a powerful spinebuster that shakes the entire ring. As Gamble writhes on the mat, The Anglo Luchador wastes no time and springs off the ropes, landing a crushing elbow drop onto Gamble’s sternum. With lightning speed, TAL returns to his feet and hoists Gamble onto his shoulders, preparing for his signature move – the straight jacket electric chair suplex pin.

Nick Stuart: And The Anglo Luchador has got Gamble up for the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex!

Richard Parker: Gamble with a series of elbows to the side of Luchador’s skull, and he manages to slip out behind The Luchador!

Nick Stuart: STOP LAUGHING AT ME! Gamble with the Front Russian Leg Sweep.

Richard Parker: Oh, I thought you were telling me to stop.

Gamble forces The Luchador onto his back and then hooks the leg.

ONE!

TWO!

THRE— NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Nick Stuart: And The Anglo Luchador saved by Dabney Doubleday!

Richard Parker: Team Sykes doing everything they can to keep themselves in this match.

Nick Stuart: It’s admirable.

Richard Parker: Makes me want to vomit.

Cancer Jiles rolls back into the ring, having connected with a superkick to the jaw of Hayes Hanlon. He looks out of it, completely gassed, and as he tries to push himself back to his feet, his fingers are smashed under the boot of Jared Sykes. Sykes reaches down and drags Cancer Jiles to his feet before uncorking a spinning right forearm to the jaw of King Crumb. Jiles stumbles backward, finds his back against the ropes, and fires off a superkick that Sykes narrowly manages to avoid. Sykes connects with a right jab to the jaw of Jiles, stunning the Greek God of Cool. He then connects with a half-and-half suplex into a Crucifix Driver! Jiles looks out of it as he makes his way to his knees, and Sykes hoists Cancer up for an Impact Driver, only for Bobby Dean to come up behind him and club him in the back!

Nick Stuart: And Jared Sykes with a stiff right forearm to the face of the Beautiful one! Sykes is none too happy that Dean stopped him from taking out Jiles.

Richard Parker: Put me on that list.

Nick Stuart: And Sykes with a springboard blockbuster! Sykes with the Domino Effect!

Sykes struggles to roll Dean over. As he does, Nate Colton grabs Cancer Jiles’s boot and drags him out of the ring while Sykes goes for the cover.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

ELIMINATED: BOBBY DEAN and TEAM CORAL AVALON!

Nick Stuart: Team Coral Avalon is out of here, and I can’t believe it.

Richard Parker: JARRY! JARRY! JARRY!

Nick Stuart: Would you knock it off?

Richard Parker: NEVER!

As Team Avalon vacates the War Games match, the match continues on.

Cecilworth Farthington uses the ropes to launch himself toward Brandon Youngblood, his boot connecting with a fierce crack against the former Universal Champion’s face. The Tower of Babel stumbles backward, caught off guard by the brutal force of Farthington’s attack. But before he can regain his footing, the Financier charges at him again, ready to deliver another punishing blow. Youngblood reacts just in time, dipping his shoulder and using all his strength to send Farthington flying over the top rope. However, Farthington’s instincts kick in, and he lands nimbly on his feet, quickly turning to grab Youngblood by the neck and locking him into a tight rear naked chokehold. Youngblood struggles against the powerful grip of his opponent, but Farthington only tightens his hold like a vice. In a desperate attempt to break free, Youngblood manages to land an elbow into Farthington’s sternum, causing him to momentarily loosen his grip. With this small window of opportunity, Youngblood bounces off the ropes and launches himself at Farthington with a devastating spear that sends both men crashing onto the unforgiving ringside floor with a bone-shattering impact.

FLAMBERGE connects with a stiff knee to the midsection of Nate Colton. The Next Diamond doubles over from the pain, and FLAMBO connects with a series of targeted elbows to the back of Colton’s neck. FLAMBERGE hoists Colton back to his feet and puts him into a front facelock before lifting him up for a vertical suplex. Colton blocks it and forces FLAMBERGE to drop him back down onto his feet. The Next Diamond lifts FLAMBERGE onto his shoulders and runs towards the nearby turnbuckle before launching FLAMBERGE into the air and crashing down face-first into the top turnbuckle. The Neck Collector stumbles around as Colton flies off the ropes and connects with a running boot to the back of his skull, sending both men crashing to the mat. Colton is the first to rise, and as he does, he brings FLAMBERGE up with him. FLAMBERGE fires off an elbow that catches Colton in the face. The Next Diamond is stunned as FLAMBO bounces off the ropes and goes for an Axe Kick to Colton, only for Tsonda to push him out of the way and take the Axe Kick himself!

Jared Sykes springs into the air, deftly evading Paxton Ray’s sweeping leg and striking with a powerful boot to his jaw. The force of the blow causes Paxton to stumble back, but he quickly regains his footing and rubs at his now-swollen jaw. Meanwhile, Sykes bounces off the ropes with incredible speed and delivers a brutal sling blade that sends the Redneck Einstein crashing to the mat. In a flurry of fast-paced action, both men scramble to their feet, with Sykes landing a vicious boot to Paxton’s midsection before locking him in a front facelock. But even as he struggles to maintain his hold, Paxton fights back with a series of punches to Sykes’ ribcage, causing him to release his grip. In an impressive display of strength, Ray then hoists Sykes up for a punishing scoop slam before bouncing off the ropes and crushing him with a devastating leg drop across his throat – leaving him gasping for air on the canvas.

The Anglo Luchador crashes onto the unforgiving canvas, his body writhing in pain after a devastating arm drag from The Time Lord. With a determined glare, Anna Daniels watches as her opponent struggles to get back on his feet. She bounces off the ropes with lightning speed and delivers a bone-shattering curb stomp, driving The Luchador’s face into the mat with brute force. As he lays motionless, Daniels sprints to the nearby corner and nimbly climbs onto the second turnbuckle, her muscles bulging with adrenaline-fueled power. She watches as The Luchador rises groggily, and she attempts a daring 720 DDT from the top rope, but The Luchador catches her mid-air. Without hesitation, The Luchador counters with a ferocious Northern Lights Suplex, seamlessly bridging it for a pinning attempt as Daniels fights against the intense impact of the move. The energy in the arena reaches a fever pitch as both competitors struggle for dominance in this epic showdown of strength and skill.

ONE!

TWO!

TH— NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Nick Stuart: Hayes Hanlon came crashing in to save that pinfall attempt! The Anglo Luchador may have won War Games for his team right there!

Richard Parker: Yeah, could have. This is War Games! You’ve gotta come bigger than that.

Nick Stuart: You have to wonder how much longer any of these competitors could possibly go.

Richard Parker: No idea, I already missed my dinner reservation.

Nick Stuart: We have catering in the back.

With a fierce roar, Hayes Hanlon stomps mercilessly on the crumpled form of The Anglo Luchador, his muscles bulging with adrenaline and fury. But before he can inflict further damage, Brandon Youngblood wraps his arms around Hanlon’s waist in a desperate attempt to stop him. In a feat of strength, Youngblood hoists Hanlon for a German Suplex, but the Event Horizon manages to land gracefully on his feet. In a split second, Hanlon retaliates with a brutal forearm shot followed by a whip into the ropes. As Youngblood rebounds towards him, Hanlon effortlessly pops him into the air and slams him down onto the mat with a vicious pop-up powerbomb.

The Tower of Babel writhes in agony as Hanlon reaches down and begins to deadlift The Strong Father off the ground, displaying his immense strength. With Youngblood helpless on his shoulders, Hanlon parades around the ring like a conqueror until suddenly, The Anglo Luchador strikes with a dropkick to his right knee. The sudden impact forces Hanlon to release Youngblood, who takes advantage of the opportunity and executes a punishing Half-Nelson Suplex that leaves both men gasping for breath on the mat.

In a flurry of quick and brutal movements, the Bodhisattva strikes Dabney Doubleday with a knee to the jaw, sending him crashing to one knee. Sean O’Neill moves in to help his partner, but is suddenly lifted into the air for a vicious vertical suplex by the duo of Doubleday and Ellis. As they hold O’Neill in the air, Ellis springs into action and unleashes a barrage of forearm strikes to their exposed necks. The force of his blows sets Doubleday free, and as O’Neill turns around, he is met with a powerful right fist from Ellis that sends him reeling.

Meanwhile, Pontiff tries to retaliate against Adam Ellis, but is caught off guard by a sharp elbow to the side of his jaw from Dabney. With both opponents stunned, Ellis and Doubleday take advantage and send O’Neill into one corner while Pontiff is hurled into the other. The two men charge towards their corners and unleash devastating running splashes on their unsuspecting targets.

As they meet in the center of the ring in a victorious embrace, Pontiff and O’Neill recover and launch themselves at their opponents with reckless abandon. But just as they are about to connect with crushing clotheslines, Ellis and Doubleday swiftly dodge out of harm’s way. Seizing the opportunity, Pontiff and O’Neill shift tactics and deliver powerful side kicks before finishing off their opponents with bone-crushing lariats that leave them crumpled on the mat in defeat.

FLAMBERGE and Nate Colton collide, their bodies merging together in a violent clash. They lock eyes before unleashing a relentless barrage of blows, their forearms crashing against each other’s faces and jaws in a frenzied exchange. The sound of bone on bone reverberates through the arena as they battle for dominance. Colton gains the upper hand, his attacks rocking FLAMBERGE’s world as he pushes him into the ropes. But FLAMBO fights back with a knee to Colton’s midsection, followed by a brutal strike to his face that sends him staggering back. With unrelenting force, FLAMBERGE whips Colton into the ropes and executes a devastating judo throw that slams him onto the mat. As Colton struggles to get back up, FLAMBERGE delivers an axe kick that sends him tumbling out of the ring in a cloud of dust and sweat.

Nick Stuart: Colton having the good wherewithal to roll out of the ring instead of letting FLAMBO collect his neck.

Richard Parker: Dumb Colton. You’re only delaying the inevitable. FLAMBO needs that neck!

Nick Stuart: You sound a bit… possessive.

Richard Parker: His precious neck…

Chandler Tsonda springs to his feet, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he faces off against the formidable duo of Cecilworth Farthington and FLAMBERGE. He stumbles backwards, colliding with the unyielding figure of Brandon Youngblood. Both men are surrounded by Hayes Hanlon and Anna Daniels, their eyes locked in a deadly stare. But they know they have each other’s backs, two battle-hardened veterans ready for whatever comes their way. The four members of Team Cecilworth lunge forward, fists flying as they try to take down the two legendary Hall of Famers. But Youngblood and Tsonda refuse to go down without a fight, retaliating with powerful jabs and forearms that leave their opponents reeling. As the fierce battle rages on, Tsonda drives his shoulder into FLAMBERGE’s midsection, sending him crashing into the corner with a thud. Meanwhile, Farthington unleashes a barrage of brutal blows upon the Model Citizen, but Chandler fights back with a vicious back elbow that lands squarely on Farthington’s jaw. In the midst of the chaos, Youngblood finds himself being picked apart by Hanlon and Daniels. Tsonda jumps to his teammate’s defense, landing a swift dropkick to Anna’s torso. But before he can fully recover, Farthington takes him out with a devastating clothesline that sends him crashing back down to the mat.

The air outside the ring ripples with raw energy as Sage Pontiff seizes Dabney Doubleday by the back of his skull and hurls him into the unforgiving ring edge. Dabney staggers back, but the Bodhisattva is relentless, driving his shoulder into Dabney’s back and sending him hurtling towards the cold steel cage. Dabney drops to his knees in pain as Pontiff closes in, viciously smashing his face against the unyielding metal. With a desperate burst of strength, Dabney manages to struggle to his feet, catching Pontiff off guard with a brutal back elbow to the chest. The two men lock eyes for a split second before Dabney unleashes a ferocious crooked arm lariat (dubbed the “Blond Bomber”) that sends Pontiff crashing to the mat with bone-shattering force. Gasping for breath, Dabney lunges forward and grabs onto Pontiff’s legs, propelling him towards the steel cage with all his might. The sound of flesh meeting metal echoes throughout the stadium as Pontiff crashes into the cage, leaving both men panting and bloodied in its wake.

With a roar of determination, Sean O’Neill hoists The Anglo Luchador onto his shoulder and hurls him down with brutal force, jaw and face first into the unyielding edge of the ring. The Luchador staggers against the metal, dazed and vulnerable as O’Neill takes a few steps back, building up speed before delivering a devastating kick to his opponent’s already injured jaw. Seizing the opportunity, O’Neill pulls The Luchador towards him, locking him in a deadly underhook position and preparing to lift him high into the air. But The Luchador fights back with all his strength, causing O’Neill to stumble and drop him onto the cold, hard ground. Furious at being thwarted, O’Neill tries again to lift his opponent, but this time The Anglo Luchador uses all his cunning and strength to lift O’Neill himself and slam him down onto the unforgiving ring edge. As both men lie battered and exhausted on the floor, The Luchador suddenly springs back to life, dragging O’Neill up for a final devastating move – the straight jacket electric chair suplex. With a wild leap off the ring edge, The Luchador slams O’Neill down onto the concrete below with bone-shattering force in an incredible display of strength and dominance that leaves the crowd gasping in awe.

Nick Stuart: Holy hell, O’Neill is broken in half!

Richard Parker: This is why you can’t fight a crazy man like The Anglo Luchador. No sane thought passes through that brain of his.

Nick Stuart: I once saw you roll around the floor in an attempt to mimic FLAMBERGE.

Richard Parker: Look, imitate the best is what I always say.

The Tower of Babel roars in agony as The Neck Collector thrusts a brutal elbow into his neck, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. Brandon Youngblood immediately pounces, grabbing FLAMBERGE by the skull and squeezing with all his might, feeling the bones beneath his hands grind together. But the French Phenom is not defeated yet, driving a powerful knee into Youngblood’s rock-hard abs and forcing him to release his grip. FLAMBERGE retaliates with a flurry of kicks that land with brutal force, sending shockwaves of pain through Youngblood’s body until he falls back against the ropes. With lightning speed, FLAMBERGE capitalizes on this moment and launches Youngblood into the corner with a vicious Judo Throw. As Youngblood struggles to get back up, FLAMBERGE unleashes a ferocious axe kick aimed right at his head. But Youngblood somehow manages to dodge at the last second, narrowly avoiding certain destruction. In one swift motion, he grabs FLAMBERGE around the waist and hoists him high into the air before slamming him down onto the mat with a devastating Diamondplex. The impact echoes throughout the arena as both competitors lay on the ground, Youngblood unable to cover the Neck Collector.

Nick Stuart: COVER HIM!

Richard Parker: The Lizard King can’t be covered! He’s taken all of Youngblood’s powers! Sapped him of them.

Nick Stuart: War Games could end right there, but Youngblood doesn’t have enough in the tank to cover him.

Richard Parker: Haha! My evil plan has WORKED!

Nick Stuart: Sit down and shut up.

Chandler Tsonda is hurled into the ropes, and he narrowly dodges a brutal clothesline from the Event Horizon. Without pause, Tsonda springs off the opposite ropes and launches himself into a flying crossbody toward his opponent, but Hanlon snatches him out of the air with effortless strength. Gripping Tsonda like a rag doll, Hanlon holds him suspended for a moment before executing a devastating fallaway slam that sends Tsonda careening across the ring, his body bouncing off the canvas with sickening force. As Tsonda lies sprawled and helpless by the nearby corner, Home Run Hayes rises to his feet and strides over to where his enemy is down. Hanlon then ascends to the top turnbuckle, turning back to take aim at his fallen enemy. In a flash of movement, Adam Ellis appears at ringside and snatches Tsonda out of the ring, leaving Hanlon momentarily confused. But before he can react, Jared Sykes hurtles across the top rope like a bolt of lightning and leaps onto Hanlon’s shoulders, driving him down in a jaw-dropping Poison-Rana off the top rope that slams both wrestlers into the unforgiving canvas below with bone-shattering impact.

Nick Stuart: HANLON MIGHT BE DONE FOR!

Richard Parker: Couldn’t have happened to a nicer boy.

Nick Stuart: If Sykes can get over there and cover Hanlon, War Games will be over!

Richard Parker: Oh shit, he’s doing it!

As he crawls over through to Hanlon, something steps in front of his path and slams his boot into Sykes’s face. That man was none other than The Financier.

Farthington reaches down and grabs Sykes to his feet before drilling him with a stiff forearm across the jaw. Farthington holds onto Jared Sykes before connecting with another forearm strike across the jaw, which rattles the teeth of the King of Thong Style. Cecilworth then hoists Farthington onto his shoulders and parades him around before connecting with a Samoan Slam. Farthington then lifts Sykes off of the mat and connects with a Fisherman’s Buster, leaving Sykes a mess in the ring. As Cecilworth gets back to his feet, he starts to slither over to Sykes before putting his forearm around the neck and throat of The Dragonslayer.

Nick Stuart: Farthington looking for The Tarp! This could be it!

Richard Parker: Yes Farthy-Daddy. Give me the good stuff.

As Farthington does so, though, Dabney Doubleday rushes into the ring and slams his knee into the back of Farthington’s skull. With a possible concussion, Cecilworth is then lifted off the mat, and Dabney connects with a delayed hangman’s neckbreaker!

Smile. Big Thumps Up. All of it.

Nick Stuart: FLORIDA SUNSET! DABNEY HAS SAVED TEAM SYKES!

Richard Parker: I hate that boy.

Nick Stuart: DABNEY COULD WIN THIS FOR TEAM SYKES!

Dabney returns to his feet, hearing the roar from those in attendance and feeling like he’s on Cloud Nine.

Unfortunately, he is unaware of the snake that is slithering across the ring, and everyone is seemingly unaware of it. Dabney stands above Farthington and is about to put on the Lazy Susan, but before he can, the snake strikes. It wraps its body around Dabney’s and pulls him down onto the mat. The snake contorts underneath the jaw of Mrs Doubleday’s Perfect Little Gentleman. Dabney’s eyes grow large as the snake tightens around his throat.

Until he realizes it’s not a snake.

It’s the Neck Collector.

Richard Parker: FLAMBERGE HAS THE MARIE ANTOINETTE LOCKED IN ON DABNEY!

Nick Stuart: The guillotine choke has been applied!

Farthington locks eyes with FLAMBERGE, snidely. He then tackles a charging Youngblood in the ribcage and sends both men crashing out of the ring. Dabney reaches out, the water reaching the top of his head, and feels like his lungs are going to crush at any moment.

He falls into the ocean, looking up and wondering if anyone will save him. He locks eyes with Adam Ellis, who is being mauled by Anna Daniels. Ellis’ eyes look large as Dabney looks at him and knows Ellis won’t be able to save him.

Deeper and deeper, he falls, the snake having its prey in hand.

Dabney sees Chandler Tsonda out of the corner of his eye. Before he manages to reach FLAMBERGE, though, Sean O’Neill grabs him and wrestles him to the floor, connecting with a series of forearm strikes.

Deeper and deeper, he falls, the snake playing with its food.

On the outside of the ring, Nate Colton connects with a Colton Clutch Suplex to Sage Pontiff. As Colton realizes what is happening in the ring, he starts to charge towards Doubleday. Dabney has a moment of hope.

Yet, the edges of his eyes grow darker and darker with each passing second.

Why won’t his friends save him? Please save me, he thinks to himself.

Paxton Ray meets Colton in the ring and connects with an uppercut.

Doubleday sees his friends all around, battling with Team Cecilworth. He tries to will himself to stay alive, to fight through the impending doom that ticks like a clock in the back of his mind.

He sees Tsonda trying to yank his foot free from Hanlon.

And he knows. It was only a matter of time.

Until the Neck Collector came to collect.

And then he saw black.

And he never heard what came next.

DING DING DING

Nick Stuart: FLAMBERGE HAS MADE DABNEY DOUBLEDAY PASS OUT!

Richard Parker: MY BOY CECILWORTH FARTHINGTON HAS DONE IT!

Nick Stuart: Sure, something like that.

FLAMBERGE releases his hold on Dabney Doubleday and slowly makes his way to his feet. Farthington marches over to FLAMBERGE and the two lock eyes. But the thing that stops Farthington from going the next steps… is the reaction he hears from the crowd.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Farthington turns around, and the crowd is on their feet, applauding their land’s son. The Financier has come home and collected War Games not just for the Glue.

But for them.

Farthington falls to both knees as the Englanders yell his name, chant Glue, and shower him with adoration. FLAMBERGE stands behind Farthington, a wicked smile on his face. Hanlon charges into the ring and slaps the back of both men. Slowly, Anna Daniels and Sage Pontiff enter the ring, standing next to the winning team. Paxton Ray and Sean O’Neill are not far behind.

Nick Stuart: What a hell of a match for these four teams!

Richard Parker: Screw the other teams, FARTHINGTON IS A HERO!

Nick Stuart: I wouldn’t go that far.

Richard Parker: These people LOVE him!

Nick Stuart: For Richard Parker, I’m Nick Stuart! Thank you for joining us these past two evenings in Cardiff! We will see you in three weeks’ time in LONDON!

We watch as Farthington, on his knees, takes in the love of the crowd.

While his team stands behind him, celebrating their victory.

And Hanlon and FLAMBERGE look down at their leader, tension palpable between them.

But it matters not this evening.

For Glue Reigns Above All.

FADE.

TO.

BLACK.