[TOM HANAFAN] Well, here's the man who stole Bobby Roode's World Heavyweight Championship last week after the Champion decided to come and congratulate Sami on winning the Fatal 5 Way match and becoming the #1 Contender. [PAT MCAFEE] What Sami did last week I can't agree with, I like the guy and all but stealing the most prized item in the company when you didn't win it? That's uncalled for, and now he has the nerve to host a "Championship celebration"? Bobby Roode has to be fuming right now.
The fans in attendance REALLY let Sami hear it, some can be heard yelling "THIEF" and "HOW DARE YOU STEAL THE CHAMPIONSHIP" to which Sami obviously doesn't care. He holds the Title up high letting out "thank you" and "Aww you guys are too much!" soaking in what he delusionally thinks are cheers. Sami raises his arms and yells "AH IT'S GOOD TO BE CHAMPION" to which many of the fans in attendance reassure him that he's, in fact, NOT Champion even if he thinks he is.
[PAT MCAFFEE] These fans REALLY don't like Sami now, I didn't think people could hate him more but, he seems to have outdone himself.
[TOM HANAFAN] That's an understatement, Pat. These fans absolutely can't stand this man right now.
Sami excitedly marches down the ramp holding "his" World Title high in the air, he makes it to the steps as he crouches down and fist pumps at the thought of once again "being World Champion"
A fan can be heard in the front row shouting things at Sami like "THIEF" and "THAT'S NOT YOUR TITLE, THAT'S BOBBY ROODES!" to which Sami pleasantly shows the fan how wrong they are, he points to the nameplate in which we can see someone has crossed out "Bobby Roode" with what looks like a sharpie and written the name "Sami Zayn" over it, even though the marker is already starting to rub off. "SEE IT SAYS SAMI ZAYN! THAT'S ME! THIS IS MY TITLE!" Sami yells to the ever-growing chorus of boos. Sami waves the fans off and steps into the ring where we can see a nice setup with a red mat and a pedestal of some sort just big enough to hold a championship. He places the title on the stand and brings the mic to his mouth to speak.
[SAMI ZAYN] HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I TOLD ALL OF YOU
The fans, who obviously do not like Sami laughing at them, continue to let him hear how much they despise him, most actually having to take breaks and drink to soothe their sore throats from booing so much. Sami starts dancing around making a mockery out of the situation.
[SAMI ZAYN] ♫OH I FEEEEEEEL GOOOOD duna duna nuna nuna I KNEW THAT I WOULD♫ [PAT MCAFEE] Sami isn't going to be winning ANY awards for his singing voice that's for sure. The fact he still thinks he's World Champion is insane.
[TOM HANAFAN] That's Sami Zayn for you, insane.
Sami doesn't let the fans get him down, this is HIS TIME. He obviously won the Title fair and square right? So why shouldn't he celebrate?
[SAMI ZAYN] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!! I INTRODUCE TO YOU, YOUR NEW REIGNING..... DEFENDING.... UNDISPUTED.... WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!!!!
[SAMI ZAYN] SAMI *(bleep)* ZAYN!!!!! [PAT MCAFFEE] WHOAH! Good thing the backstage crew bleeped that! That would get us canceled.
[TOM HANAFAN] At this point I'd rather us get canceled so I could go home.
Sami points directly to his stolen treasure, he flaunts his "hard-earned" Championship in front of everyone here tonight. He doesn't care what these "fans" think, in his mind he outlasted 4 other men and outsmarted the "former" World Champion to take what he felt he never somewhat lost in the first place.
Sami soaks in the "cheers" which are in fact, actually boos but he seems to be in such a delusional "bliss" that his twisted and skewed thought process makes him think everyone is cheering him. Sami can't help to just smile and enjoy his "moment".
[SAMI ZAYN] You know, people doubted me. People doubted that I still had it, had the killer instinct and the drive to win the World Heavyweight Championship once again. I proved ALL of the doubters wrong last week when I DOMINATED 4 other men and won the Wolrd Title FAIR AND SQUARE mind you, the "Conspiracy theorists" will tell you I DIDN'T win. That I'm a "liar" and a "Thief" well GUESS WHAT PEOPLE! JET FUEL CAN MELT STEEL BEAMS AND I WON THIS TITLE FAIR AND SQUARE SO YOUR CONSPIRACIES MAKE NO SENSE!
[TOM HANAFAN] I am in actual pain right now Pat...
Sami calms down and his smile returns, he wipes his beard and starts talking again
[SAMI ZAYN] BUT! This is a happy occasion! I'm the World Heavyweight Champion! I should be happy so, instead of getting upset about what some internet marks weirdos believe I wanted to name a few people that have helped me come this far. Sami clears his throat and takes out what seems like a small list from his jacket pocket, he unfolds the list as the bottom of it drops to the floor. He takes out his glasses and puts them on as he gets ready to read.
[TOM HANAFAN] oh no, there must be hundreds of names on that list....Can we go to commercial? [PAT MCAFEE] I'm with you Tom, this is ridiculous.
[SAMI ZAYN] I would like to thank AJ Styles, for being my best friend and helping me get the courage I needed to get back on top. I want to thank Seth Rollins, Austin Theory and most importantly Drew McIntyre..... for being complete tools and making it insanely easy to outsmart them!
Sami cackles to himself, thinking he just told the worlds best joke. He wipes away tears and continues.
[SAMI ZAYN] I want to thank fellow legends that have proved they're on par with the best in the world like me! Legends like Muhammid Ali
Instantly the arena ERUPTS in hate that Sami is even mentioning himself with Ali [PAT MCAFFEE] Uh Sami I don't think...
[SAMI ZAYN] Kobe Bryant!
One fan in a "Kobe" memorial shirt tries to jump the barricade to which he's quickly caught by security, Sami chuckles to himself and waves bye to the fan being escorted out.
[TOM HANAFAN] Sami is playing a dangerous game here...
[SAMI ZAYN] And a personal favorite of mine, the man I wanted to grow up to be, but have sense surpassed and become greater at my craft than he EVER was! OWEN HART!
Sami INSTANTLY is nailed with trash as the words come out his mouth, furious Sami yells at the fans in attendance "I'M BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM, I'M STILL HERE BECOMING GREATER! I WILL BE REMEMBERED AS THE BEST!" [PAT MCAFEE] SOMEONE COME SHUT THIS CLOWN UP BEFORE I STEP IN THERE!
[TOM HANAFAN] Pat sit down! Don't get involved! Sami isn't a pushover!
Sami takes the World Title in his hand and raises it into the air "I WILL BE THE GREATEST WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION IN HISTORY, THE GREATEST CHAMPION IN ANY SPOT EVER! I AM SAMI ZA-"
As Sami's interrupted, it in at this moment...where hell, seems to freeze over. Because after the obnoxious display of our "fraud" Champion...the music belonging to the ACTUAL champion sounding, actually triggers a response that hasn't happened with this individual in a LONG time. A noticeable "pop" cuts through the boos that were once directed at Sami, as if Roode's arrival is actually something the crowd is happy to see. It's not loud, nor is it an entire arena creating it, but it is however far from the reaction that Roode's received since he infamously told this crowd to go to hell. Well, they seem to have indeed gone there, it appears to be cooling off.
The REAL World Heavyweight Champion steps out from the back, showing up for the first time in a year without the one thing that has been right by his side the whole time, his title. No doubt seeing another man parade around with it is far from an ideal scenario for The Glorious One...but ultimately Sami can call himself Champion all he wants, it doesn't change the fact that HE is the actual one, and has been for a record-shattering long time.
[PAT MCAFEE] Did you just hear that, Tom?
[TOM HANAFAN] It was hard to miss, usually, his arrival leads to groans and jeers, but it seems Sami's stunt has actually managed to overshadow the long-standing hatred for Roode.
[PAT MCAFEE] I don't know if that's entirely the case because that dude near the stage looks pretty miffed to see him, but for some members of The XWL Universe they just want SOMEONE to shut Sami up, and if Roode's here to do just that? Well then rah-rah let's go Roode says the fans popping up out of their seats!
While Roode isn't carrying his title thanks to Sami's grand larceny...he is in possession of a mic, something he soon raises up as he looks down to the ring with an irritated look plastered on his face.
[[[Robert Roode]]] Sami, Sami...will you please...SHUT...THE HELL...UP!!
There it goes again, the crystallized flakes of snow continue to fall on the depths of hell as cheers follow Roode's remark toward Sami....and, Roode almost pauses for perhaps a little longer than he intended to...perhaps it caught him off guard too?
[[[Robert Roode]]] You're running your mouth, talking about being The World Heavyweight Champion just because you pulled a fast one last week, and honestly man...you're making a complete ass of yourself in the process. Your victory last week was impressive, I take nothing away from you for that, I sat front row and watched you cleverly duck and dodge until you picked your spots and while not everyone's willing to give you your flowers for how you fought, I for one saw a challenger that had the cunning mindset, as well as the skill to outlast every other man. It's a skill that's often overlooked, but Sami? I see you...I see the hunger, I see the desire to...redeem one's self.
[[[Robert Roode]]] Once upon a time ago, that was me. I was angry, I was hellbent on proving something, but you wanna know something Sami? My point was proven. I have been damn near untouchable for 600 some odd days, honestly, it's hard to keep track of it's been THAT long! And when I stepped into that ring with you, and looked you in your eyes and threw my hand out there as a sign of respect for what you had just accomplished? I saw that the comparisons ended right there. See, I may be slimy, I might not be everyone's cup of tea, but one thing I'm not...is delusional.
[[[Robert Roode]]] I never had to pretend to be Champion to get what I was OWED...I just had to be one thing, GLORIOUS! VICTORIOUS! OH SO NOTORIOUS! I called my shot, and one by one by, I knocked 'em all down until I was THE GUY! But you, you seem to think you can just bypass all of that, sneak away with MY title, a title that's had my name etched onto it for 365 DAYS...and what? That's it? You're Champion? Nah son, that's not gonna work for me, and unfortunately for you, playing make-believe doesn't make a Champion, it just makes you pathetic.
Sami wipes his face in annoyance, shaking his head and mouthing the words "wrong" and "nope" to Roodes words
[[[Robert Roode]]] The fact that I, of all people, am the voice of reason right now, shows that you have attained such a level of stench about you that it makes ME look good. The guy that told this crowd to go to hell back when all of this started for me...just interrupted you to cheers. A pop, if you will.
He looks to his left, then his right as some cheers continue to come in response to what he's saying. After shaking his head he refocuses back on the thief standing in the ring with HIS title.
[[[Robert Roode]]] See, they did it again...Sami, unfortunately for you...you lack the fortitude to mirror my success. So trust me when I say, this is not a road you want to continue to go down. You wanna talk about The Elimination Chamber robbing you of that title? My last two title reigns have had more multi-person defenses than anyone else, and guess what? I got the job done every single time. Hell, I LITERALLY just recently retained in a THREE STAGES OF HELL MATCH...with TWO challengers...a match where I didn't even have to play a part in the decision to lose my title, but guess what? Like every single other time, I WON! So maybe, instead of spouting off about conspiracies...you grow a pair and take a little accountability, huh?
It's almost unbelievable that right now, we find ourselves actually...agreeing with Roode. Who would have thought a mutual dislike for Sami Zayn could bring two sides together, but that's what we're witnessing right now. Roode is reading Sami the riot act, and saying the things we wish we had a mic and could say, so naturally...the usual hostility toward Roode would almost become an afterthought.
[[[Robert Roode]]] You're so angry, but it's not at them or this company, it's at yourself. Because this moment is the only moment you can call yourself a Champion these days. And before you try to spin this into some shot of irony back at me, my downfall came because of them...
He yet again looks toward the audience, an audience that infamously rooted him on to defend his title in an Open Challenge in what feels like forever ago, and that night led to his downfall as he failed to overcome that challenge. After his silence carries for a few seconds he resumes his address to Sami.
[[[Robert Roode]]] But my rise back up came from me busting my ass harder than anyone else for a very long time now, to finally be able to stand here and say that all of that anger I once carried is gone. I did something last month that changed everything, I called my shot, for ME...and I rewrote my narrative. Hell, maybe even part of me actually is thankful for them almost leading me to the destruction of my career because what I've accomplished since then? Is truly a dream come true.
[[[Robert Roode]]] Now as for you? You better wake up from this warped reality you've cooked up for yourself before this moment turns into a nightmare for you. And trust me, Sami...I am the LAST enemy you want to make. Because as this audience can attest? My spite is LIMITLESS...and there is nothing I won't do to right a wrong against me. So take a deep breath, close your eyes...and imagine this "champ."
The level of disgust in Roode's tone as he says that word says everything...he doesn't have any respect to shower on Sami anymore. He was prepared to after last week's Main Event, but once Sami pulled this stunt and robbed him of the World Heavyweight Championship? A title he's given EVERYTHING to throughout every single day of his reign? Sami made a decision with lasting consequences, and coming out here as if HE is actually Champion? It just furthers the severity of those consequences.
[[[Robert Roode]]] My fists, pulverizing that oh-so punchable face of yours over and over until not only are you STILL NOT recognized as World Heavyweight Champion, you're rendered unrecognizable, period! Point blank, that's a threat and a hefty one at that...and yet again, this audience is my character witness...I might be a bastard, but I'm no liar. So the choice is yours, no conspiracy, just the cold hard truth of the matter. You can return what's mine, or I can come in there and take it from you. But as I just warned you, I won't be gentle about it. So what do you say, buckaroo? Let's end this charade before someone gets hurt, and again...in case I haven't made myself perfectly clear enough to break through the mental gymnastics currently going on in your mind right now? That someone is YOU!
Sami contemplates Bobby Roode's words, but for nothing more than a second as Sami lifts the mic to his mouth
[SAMI ZAYN] You really are stupid aren't you Bobby? I mean...do you REALLY think you're still the World Champion? Like, really? I won it last week FAIR AND SQUARE and it's not MY fault you didn't have the guts to step into that match and defend your Championship! If any one of us won that match we'd be World Champion in my eyes because unlike YOU, we don't take "A week off", unlike YOU we don't pander and beg to everyone to get what we want. Unlike YOU Bobby we don't just host an open challenge to some washed-up hypocrite that cried about "Dwanye" being a movie star then turns around and does the exact same thing. I'm here each and every week fighting TITANS while you're sitting in your damp and musty locker room all night instead of performing for these sheep like a TRUE World Heavyweight Champion would do! I AM THE CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE BOBBY! When I was World Champ I was out here EVERY night and I fought EVERY night, I dominated this Company until Dean Ambrose and a shitty GM stole everything from ME!!!
Sami rubs his temple, obviously having a migraine from the man that proclaims to still be the World Heavyweight Champion
[SAMI ZAYN] I don't even know why I'm explaining ANYTHING to you, it's not like your inferior brain will even process what I'm trying to tell you. So allow me to put it in simple terms for you, I. SAMI. ZAYN. AM. YOUR. WORLD. HEAVYWEIGHT. CHAMPION. I beat 4 other men to prove it and I'm SICK AND TIRED of people like YOU and the brainwashed masses telling me I'm NOT!
[SAMI ZAYN] I outsmarted you, Robert. I know you don't want to admit it.....Sami Zayn outsmarted the Glorious...Victorious... and much like your brains processing speed OH SO LABORIOUS Bobby Roode but, I did! The man everyone doubted, the man EVERYONE stole the spotlight from since coming back to XWL and the man who TOOK the World Championship from you! I'M THE MASTER STRATEGIST, THE CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE AND NOW I'M YOUR WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Now if you think you have what it takes to take down YOUR WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION...then come on Robert, come take back "your" Championship.
The camera focuses back in on Roode as he stands not far from the ring, his eyes squinted as his face itself becomes scrunched inward. It's clear his brain is rather scrambled after hearing Sami's detailing of the events that in his mind has crowned him World Champion. With his hand gingerly falling over his forehead it slowly slides down until he tries to take a stab at responding to such, pure and utter nonsense.
[[[Robert Roode]]] Sami, honestly there's a part of me that feels almost bad for you right now, because it's clear the previous loss of that title has traumatized you...and rather instead of it making you bitter, it's also made you borderline insane...or perhaps a little OVER that border in some instances, such as this very one right now. But then the other part of me, the side that's painstakingly fought to make The World Heavyweight Championship into the end all be all that it has been for 365 days...that part of me finds this all a little irritating. In fact, it pisses me off because no matter how angry I've been over the wrongs against me...I never fabricated a single detail about my experience like you're trying to do right now. I fought for my revenge, for my retribution...and that Championship that you're touting about being yours? THAT is my revenge, that is my retribution, that is the narrative that has re-written all those painful memories.
With that said, he pauses, hopping up onto the apron as he stares at Sami, but his gaze moreso is aimed at HIS World Heavyweight Championship atop of Sami's podium. He begins to step into the ring, trying to restrain himself from following his first instinct which is to escalate things further.
[[[Robert Roode]]] I was in William Regal's office 2 weeks ago when he announced The FATAL FIVE WAY...ELIMINATION...NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS MATCH, WHERE THE WINNER...WOULD...NOT...BE THE WORLD CHAMPION...BUT INSTEAD, BE THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO FACE ME...THE WORLD CHAMPION...AT RESURGENCE! I don't know how your lines got crossed, but those are the facts, sorry for any confusion on your part...but no you didn't outsmart anyone...and the only one that's coming off "stupid" right now...is you.
Sami defiantly shakes his head, and immediately snatches "HIS" title off the podium not far from Roode and raises it up shouting "ITS MINE! I WON'T LET YOU TAKE IT FROM ME AGAIN!" to which Roode takes a step forward and again tries to maintain his composure.
[[[Robert Roode]]] This is your last chance, let me have it...or else.
With a grin Sami nods to himself and says "okay...I'LL LET YOU HAVE IT!" he rushes forward with The World Heavyweight Championship folded within both hands and RAMS IT FORWARD TO INDEED LET ROODE HAVE IT...but not in the way he meant. Armed with Roode's title, utilizing it as a weapon he's prepared to add insult to injury by striking the actual Champion with his title but The Glorious One ducks...almost expecting such resistance without skipping a beat hooks Sami's head for The Glorious DDT! The crowd again lets out a "pop" excited by what's about to happen...but Sami squirms free, the title falling to the mat in the process as he flees the ring instinctively perhaps unaware he's lost possession of "his" title. Roode immediately picks the title up, and stares at it with almost relief to have it back in his hands...then as Sami shouts from the outside to put "his" title down...Roode simply nods, tossing it over his shoulder and he picks up one of the microphones that had fallen in their momentary scuffle.
[[[Robert Roode]]] You know what, Sami? IF you want this title so badly? Then take it from me, right here...right now...WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL RESURGENCE!
As if this crowd couldn't feel even more conflicted, the once minority cheers have grown a bit louder as Roode's just thrown the gauntlet down and offered to have an impromptu clash for The World Heavyweight Championship RIGHT NOW! Sami begins to nod to himself erratically "YOU WANNA GO TOUGH GUY? ALRIGHT, LET'S DO IT PUNK!" The crowd begins to get louder, realizing tonight's Main Event has just grown exponentially into a WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH! He begins removing his jacket, unbuttoning it then slipping it off his shoulders until it's in his hands. He pulls at his bowtie, loosening it as he marches in place, shouting "YOU'RE GONNA GET IT NOW!" Then with absolute confidence, he hops up onto the apron as Roode himself has begun pulling away at his buttons and as he's about to step through the ropes...he stops himself and throws his blazer into Roode's face and makes an immediate u-turn storming up the ramp to a LARGE reception of boos from the disappointed crowd.
Roode pulls the jacket off of himself holding it in his hand, as his title rests in his other looking to the crowd with a shared disappointment over Sami's rejection to his proposal.
[PAT MCAFEE] The World Heavyweight Championship has been returned to its rightful holder, but these two have sure set the stage for what might be a crazy month ahead until Resurgence.
[TOM HANAFAN] Interestingly enough, I found myself rooting for Roode...
[PAT MCAFEE] I heard some of the audience finding themselves doing the same thing, maybe it's a one-off or maybe this is indeed a different Robert Roode we're seeing.
[TOM HANAFAN] Sami Zayn seems to be convinced last week was a Championship Match...so I can only begin to wonder how he'll react to "his" title now falling into the hands of Roode.
[PAT MCAFEE] He had a chance to settle this, Big Bobby Roode was prepared to do this right here, right now but Sami threw his jacket at him and said nah.
[TOM HANAFAN] Well they WILL settle this at Resurgence when they clash in our Main-Event but I have a feeling the road to that night will be paved with more outlandish behavior from our Number One Contender, Sami Zayn.
[PAT MCAFEE] The outlandish Sami Zayn is out to finally claim his revenge after the way his last reign as World Champion ended, but unfortunately for him...he's going to have to topple perhaps the greatest man to ever carry that title, the only Superstar to hold it for A STRAIGHT YEAR! But I'd dare say Roode's not had to contend with a wildcard like Sami throughout that year, so perhaps that may be the key to ending the seemingly unendable reign.
[TOM HANAFAN] Perhaps indeed, thank you ladies and gentlemen for tuning in to tonight's edition of Octane...we'll see you next week when The Razror Classic kicks off as we begin the journey to crown an Intercontinental Champion!
The final sight of the evening is Robert Roode raising his World Heavyweight Championship into the air as he mounts the corner, as Sami's golden jacket is draped over his shoulder shouting "SAMI ZAYN CAN SAY THIS IS HIS ALL HE LIKES, BUT THE PROOF IS IN THE LAST 365 DAYS THAT I HAVE CARRIED THIS TITLE!" A defiant statement, but one that also stresses that no matter how much Sami said it, simply stealing this title didn't change a single thing except maybe how the XWL Universe has begun to view Roode.
Spoilers ahead if you wanna watch the match (it's honestly pretty great):
[Tom Hannifan] Wow and just like that it's over!
[Pat Mcaffe] Tom part of me still can't believe what I just watched, these two teams went full speed ahead the entire match, it feels like there was no wasted movement or moment, just four sluggers duking it out until eventually here we are, our tag team champions standing tall!
[Tom Hannifan] And Pat as much as they obviously have their differences, you have to give some respect to Sheamus and Roman Reigns for being able to work as well together as a team as they did here tonight!
[Pat Mcaffe] Absolutely Tom but it just wasn't enough to stop these two men, who prove here now that despite the fact that they may not have had much competition, there is certainly a reason they won those titles in the first place. I don't know how sanctioned that #1 contender's stipulation earlier was, but if I'm the Hurricane of Truth or the Mysterios, I'm certainly re-evaluating some of my confidence that I can take those titles away.
Both Joe and Owens celebrate their hard fought victory as Octane rolls on to the next segment, with the last thing we hear being Owens yelling "Just try and take these, just try!"
As Octane returns from a commercial break, it’s obvious some the crowd is pumped after Rick Boogs performance but the show must go on either way.
And that theme song can only mean it’s going on one way, with the XWL tag team champions and resident complainers, Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe. While their talent is hard to deny and there certainly is some validity to their complaints about a lack of competition for their belts, they’re just getting annoying aren’t they? In kind, the audience boos the champions, as they’re well aware they're in for yet another lecture on the conspiracy working against the two men and how Sonya Deville and William Regal are doing nothing to revitalize the tag team division.
And sure enough, just based on the look on the two men’s faces, it seems that that’s exactly what we’re in for right now. Both men already have a microphone in hand, but seem to be choosing to take a little bit of time to start speaking as they make their way out to the ring. As is typical, Joe’s expression is much more contained and hard to get a read on, while Owens is much more willing to show off his frustration with the way things have gone over the past few months for the two of them and their titles.
[Tom Hannifan] Well here come the tag team champions, and is it just me Pat or are you getting kinda sick of this?
[Pat Mcaffe] Sick of what Tom? We don’t know what our reigning tag champs are going to say to us here tonight!
[Tom Hannifan] Well, probably the same thing they’ve said every time-
[Pat Mcaffe] I wasn’t being serious Tom. I absolutely know what they’re going to be talking about here tonight as does everyone else in this arena. But I posit this in response to your question, don’t you think the two of them are the most sick of it? Every week they have to come up with a new way to express their disappointment about the state of this division and how management has handled it just to try and spread their message and get some more competition, if that was me I would not enjoy it one bit!
[Tom Hannifan] I mean fair enough I wouldn’t either but sometimes with these two I get the idea that they do in fact just love hearing the sound of their own voice.
As both men make it into the ring, it is Joe who first speaks.
[Samoa Joe] Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between, let me be the first to welcome you to what is sure to be a historic moment in XWL history.
The camera pans to multiple faces in the crowd, all clearly confused by what Joe means exactly, though clearly a lot of people don't really care, judging by the amount of boos that continue to rain down.
[Samoa Joe] You see, unlike last time we spoke like this, us being in the ring right now is something that has been approved ahead of time by “his majesty” William Regal. And what is this for you may ask?
[Samoa Joe] Well, we are coming out to the ring here tonight to lay it all on the line. You see, Resurgence is coming up in a few weeks, and despite what happened with every single other championship at High Octane, nothing was decided in terms of these titles! No, all we did was face Claudio and Ilja, who were so bad as a team that little Ilja decided to turn tail and run his way out of the company entirely!
[Samoa Joe] So here’s the deal. Tonight, one last time, we’re coming out here, putting our feet down and seeing if anyone in that locker room wants to come out here and challenge for these titles.
At the news of an open challenge for the tag titles, the crowd roars in cheers and applause for the first time since the two men have made it out.
[Pat Mcaffe] Oh this is huge news Tom, we’re going to see the tag titles be defended right here right-
But it doesn’t last too long before Kevin Owens interrupts.
[Kevin Owens] Hold on hold on hold on! You think you’re getting a title match tonight? No, no, no.
And with that the audience promptly begins booing again.
[Tom Hannifan] What?
[Kevin Owens] I mean, we already have a match scheduled for tonight you idiots.[/b] Did you really think we were going two in one night? No, we’re just letting people come out here and [i]schedule a match for Resurgence, so we as the champions have proper time to prepare. How is that difficult to understand?
[Kevin Owens] So to anyone who wants to challenge for these in a few weeks, get your asses out here! [/i]
[Rey Mysterio] Are you two serious?...
The mysterios walk down the ramp to a chorus of boos.
[Rey Mysterio] There should be no question who should be challenging you for those titles, but you’d know that if you spent less time complaining about having no one to defend those belts against and more time actually looking for someone to defend them against, like you know, actual champions.
Rey and Dominik walk up the steps on opposite sides before jumping into the ring.
[Rey Mysterio] We’ve been here for less than a month and we’ve already made a bigger impact than you two have during your whole reign, and we haven’t even wrestled a match yet. There’s no one, no other team that should even be considered for an opportunity at your ‘championship’
Owens and Joe don’t seem to like what they’re hearing.
[Rey Mysterio] Congratulations though, in my twenty years in this industry, I’ve never seen anyone manage to destroy the prestige of a title, not even when David Arquette was crowned champion. My son, he grew up dreaming of one day winning tag team gold, but those belts that you carry? They’re not gold, they’re plastic. The only hope that they have left is if a real team, a real name, a real champion takes them from you and restores them to their former glory.
[R Truth]
“Woah Woah Woah Woah Woah! Now I know y’all aren’t fixing to sit there and act like I ain’t the number one contender for them titles now dawg. As if it wasn’t enough with me having to drop Lil Jimmy from being my partner which I’m still upset about. But y’all ain’t fixing to sit down here and act like y’all don’t know What’s Up! (Crowd echoes what’s up in the background) See even everybody here knows What’s Up! (Crowd echoes what’s up in the background again) Sonya Deville one of our Fiiiiiiiinnnnne GMs in the back knows What’s Up! (Crowd echoes what’s up in the background again) So allow me to inform you four scrubs What’s Up! (Crowd echoes what’s up in the background again) You see the truth is….. pun very much intended…. The truth is I have found a tag team partner and together we are gonna take this tag team division by storm! Mount Vesuvius erupting over Pompeii in 79 CE was a catastrophe! The tornado in Bangladesh in April of 1989 was a travesty! Typhoon Hayain in 2013 an enormous disaster. (The other competitiors look at truth in confusion) I tell you that to tell you this. None of those catastrophes are minuscule compared that the damage The Hurricane Of Truth is going to have on the tag team division. So without any further ado let me introduce the entire XWL universe to my new tag team partner. He hails from the Eye of the Storm! Allow me to unleash the greatest hero in the history, my friend, and my new tag team partner, The Hurricane!!!
[Tom Hanifan] “R-truth never ceases to amaze me, As if he isn’t a national treasure enough by himself. Now we have him and The Hurricane combining forces to take on the tag team division here in XWL. Let the good times roll Pat!”
[Pat Mcafee] “If you haven’t been entertained by anything that’s happened since the reopening of XWL you are sure to get your seven chuckles in watching these two. This is absolute genius!”
[Tom Hanifan] “I agree Pat. This is the perfect blend of delusional comedy that is sure to have your stomach hurting from laughing so hard. But let’s not discount the pure athletic ability that these two poses. They have had longevity in this business because they are equipped to survive and at this point survival is key in the tag division with Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe holding those belts”
[The Hurricane] "I got a call last week from my buddy R-Truth. Truth said Cane' (and im not talking about that big red bully) they made me get rid of Lil' Jimmy dawg and are denying me my spot as number 1 contender for the tag team championship. So of course my response was What's Up With Dat? After listening to Truth and hearing his situation, I knew that there was only one solution. So i said Truth, you need someone you can lean on who has honor. You need someone you can lean on that has integrity. You need someone to lean on that is a hero. Someone who stares adversity in its face and defeats it every time. Truth said you're right Cane'. Then asked if i knew of anybody. I told him i would send someone to help my friend. So i thought long and hard and decided that since I have sat back and let the world work itself out for far longer than i should have. I decided it was time to put on the mask and cape again and help my friend fight for justice. So if either team of you hooligans think you got what it takes to weather the storm of The Hurricane of Truth then let's get this party popping."
As the crowd erupts in joy and applause over the return of the Hurricane and to answer his request to “get this party popping”, Samoa Joe starts to chuckle to himself and speaks again for the first time since the two other teams came out to the ring.
[Samoa Joe] Wow this is all really something. Where do I even begin with what’s happening here?
Joe turns to face the Mysterios.
[Samoa Joe] First of all, we have the geezer and his little prodigy over here. You’re right, we weren’t looking for you over the last few weeks while we were looking for a contender? Why is that?
[Samoa Joe] Maybe it’s because we want our challengers to be a team where both members can actually, you know, still wrestle? Talk all you want about the “impact” you’ve made without wrestling a single match, we all know the truth that as soon as you actually step inside that ring again your knees will probably give out.
Rey scoffs at the dig at his age, and Dominick steps up to Joe as if to defend his father’s honor, but Owens cuts him off before he can.
[Kevin Owens] Hey there buddy, let’s calm down. Let’s not pretend that you would even have a job if it wasn’t for your old papi.
[Rey Mysterio] "You know Kevin, you and Joe have some gall to call yourselves champions. When the opportunity arises for you to prove you are fighting champions, you guys just show that you don't have the cajones to face the Mysterios.
Samoa Joe steps face to face with Rey and mouths something that can't be heard.
[Kevin Owens] And as for you two, dumber and somehow even dumber, this is how low management has to stoop to find tag teams? We’re not even going to dignify you two goofballs with anymore of our breath cause it’s a waste of time!
[R Truth] "Dawg, we didn't come to talk anyways, we came to get what is rightfully mine. Seeings how i done beat you already. Technically the gold belongs around these waists."
[Samoa Joe] Either way, let’s make things interesting, at least for us. I mean, all of you have a match booked tonight, and you’re already in the ring. Why not do it right now?
[Kevin Owens] WINNERS GET THE TITLE SHOT AT RESURGENCE!
Joe quickly looks over to Kevin, shocked by the sudden added stipulation enough to display his emotion on his face much clearer than typical, but he regains his composure as fast as possible.
[Samoa Joe] Yes, exactly what I was going to say next. Whoever wins right now becomes the #1 contender and gets the title shot at Resurgence. Have fun, all of you!
Joe and Owens leave the ring and make their way up the ramp, as a referee sprints down to the ring, leaving the teams in it adjusting to the bombshell that was just dropped on them.
Octane returns from a commercial break to find Kayla Braxton standing by backstage...
[Kayla Braxton] Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, "The Scottish Warrior" Drew Mcintyre!
The camera pans out slightly and Drew comes into the picture
[Kayla Braxton] Drew, in just a matter of minutes you'll step through the curtain and head down to the ring for your first XWL main event match since your return as you take on Sheamus in a No Countouts match, can you just walk me and the XWL Universe through your mindset right now?
[Drew Mcintyre] I'm over the moon to be honest with ya Kayla! Sheamus is the type of opponent I love to have out there, we're not looking for star ratings when we step between those ropes, we're looking for a FIGHT! The Celtic Warrior vs The Scottish Warrior and you throw No Countouts into the mix??? Sounds like all the makings of a grade a slobberknocker as a legendary commentator in this business used to say....
[Kayla Braxton] That's great to hear and I think everyone's looking forward to seeing that match which'll be taking place in just a few minutes!
[Drew Mcintyre] It's gonna be a great one Kayla trust me on that, I'm not gonna sit here and guarantee victory like some people would do right now, the bottom line is this, Sheamus is a Warrior, a very dangerous foe, and this is no ordinary match, this is gonna be a FIGHT, and as someone who's been in many of those before throughout my life inside and outside of the ring, I know that anything can happen at any given moment when it comes to a fight, no outcome is certain other than the fact that both combatants will come out of it worse for wear. So I'm not gonna make the mistake of taking Sheamus lightly tonight, he's dangerous, but make no mistake about it, I'm dangerous as well...
[b][Kayla Braxton][/b] Drew II know I gotta let ya go here as your match is just minutes away, but just one more question if possible?
[Drew Mcintyre] Go for it Kayla, fire away!
[Kayla Braxton] Earlier tonight, William Regal announced a five way elimination match to determine the next #1 contender to Bobby Roode's World Heavyweight Championship to take place on High Octane, that match will see Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, Sami Zayn, Austin Theory, and yourself Drew Mcintyre compete for the chance to face Roode for the title, can I just get your thoughts real quick on the announcement and the match in general?
[Drew Mcintyre] Well I'd say more than anything I'm grateful. I'm grateful for the opportunity to main event Octane tonight, and i'm grateful for Mr. Regal for including me in that #1 contenders match on High Octane. However, let's get one thing clear, I'm grateful, but at the end of the day? this wasn't handed to me, I've come out here and EARNED this opportunity, and I'd have it no other way! I had to EARN my way back into this company by winning a contract, and then I sent both Seth Rollins and Kross to Claymore Country last week, but don't worry, if you're still not a believer in Drew Mcintyre? If you still aren't convinced he's the real deal? Tune in to tonight's main event, I'll make you a believer....
Drew nods to Kayla to thank her for the interview before stepping out of the view of the camera and presumably down the hallway towards gorilla as his match is slated to go on shortly.
As Octane returns from a commercial break, we hear a female voice utter the single word before we even fully see where we are. Where we are is a dimly lit area backstage, seemingly set up fairly makeshift. A figure sits atop a crate with a red light beaming down on her, and based solely on the voice and the hair that the audience can make out, there’s no question the person in front of us is the woman who failed to capture the Women’s Championship, Sarah Logan. As she slowly looks up to face the camera, that notion is confirmed. The look on her face is hard to read, and would be even if it wasn’t for the lack of proper lighting. Considering what she’s been through lately though, who can even tell what she should be feeling? From being declared the #1 contender to the title, to having to wait months at home for the shot, to having her match interrupted by the current champion, to having to endure so much during the triple threat, only to come up short at the end of all of it. To say she looks pleased would certainly be incorrect, yet she doesn’t necessarily look as disappointed or distraught as one might expect her to.
[Sarah Logan] It’s something I’ve never really been near. Whether it be my family, Ruby, or hell even COVID, Sarah Logan has never been one that the spotlight was a fan of.
[Sarah Logan] But that was finally all going to change. I was finally going to have my time in the spotlight. It was my moment to prove myself and make myself proud of what I’ve accomplished, by taking down one of the most dominant women in this company and becoming champion at the same time.
Sarah Logan lets out a devious smirk.
[Sarah Logan] But it would seem that the powers of fate had other plans. All of a sudden a little wrench in the plan by the name of Alexa Bliss entered the picture, and twisted things to a way neither me nor Sasha Banks could predict.
[Sarah Logan] And now here we are. What was supposed to be my moment in the spotlight has become Alexa’s, with her standing tall as champion. With her targeting Ruby, the very woman I swore I would take down. With her in the spotlight.
[Sarah Logan] And as I look around at these “Women’s Division Spotlight” matches going on tonight, I can’t help but notice a lack of me in any of them. No, clearly I’ve been passed over. Clearly my chance is gone, my opportunity fading.
Sarah stands up off of the crate and makes her way to the camera placed in front of her, kneeling down so her face takes up the entire screen.
[Sarah Logan] But here’s the thing. Warriors like me? We don’t need a spotlight. We’re just as dangerous without them. And I think some people are going to find out soon enough just how dangerous that is.
With those ominous final words, Sarah stands up and makes her way out of frame, leaving only the lingering red-tinted shot as Octane continues.
As Under Pressure officially goes live, rather than being welcomed by an exciting display of fireworks, or a high budget intro inspired by this event's poster...we're instead transported to an area somewhere backstage with "Alexa's Playground" spelled out in fun colorful lettering as Alexa swings through the air on what looks to be a literal playground. Ever since Homecoming Alexa Bliss has been one of the most talked-about stories in XWL today. Because the former "Wicked Goddess" that had fallen from grace....had been helped up by an unlikely source...HIM. The Fiend for reasons we still haven't unearthed took Alexa in after the infamous night where she was left crying in the ring, defeated and embarrassed by a woman that told her she wasn't on her level...that she would NEVER be anywhere near where she was. She was just a loser, a loser that had been proven to be as such with that loss. From crying in the ring as her world had crumbled to nothing...to making a truly horrifying return at the expense of Sarah Logan and Sasha Banks...Alexa had "let HIM in." Tonight she's set to challenge the woman responsible for kicking her while she was down, and another challenger in Sarah Logan that hasn't taken too kindly to Alexa's involvement in The Women's Championship scene.
She hums to herself as her feet push forward, then backward, as carefree as could be...on what normally would be a very stressful night...especially given Alexa's history of facing Sasha Banks....and Sarah Logan for that matter. She's no slouch, even before her "change" but Sarah and Sasha were Alexa's last two losses before she became the woman swinging through the air tonight. She lowers her heels down as she swings back around to catch herself, then she looks directly to the camera as it zooms in.
PLAY{Alexa Bliss}PAIN Hi everyone, welcome to my playground! Now, I know what you're thinking...WHERE did all of this super duper cool stuff come from?
She looks to her left, then toward her right as she admires the "super duper cool stuff" around her.
PLAY{Alexa Bliss}PAIN Why the magic of FRIENDSHIP of course, what else could create such a...warm...and...safe...space? Somewhere where I can go and just forget about...all the awful things that haunt me every day....the pain...the anguish, the deepest darkest parts of my past that have scarred me beyond repair...
With that grim tone suddenly shifted to, she pauses before flashing her pearly whites once more.
PLAY{Alexa Bliss}PAIN But more importantly, a place where I can BE...and DO...whatever I want!
Alexa resumes swinging through the air as she continues to speak.
PLAY{Alexa Bliss}PAIN Tonight's a big night, probably the biggest of my WHOLE life! A Women's Championship Match with two future friends as we forge a bond that they...I mean WE...will never be able to forget! History, isn't that what we often call it? Memories that will last a lifetime...whether we want them to or not. Now speaking of memories, I'd be lying if I said mine wasn't a little foggy these days. A few too many cobwebs just scattering my brain in all sorts of directions....my what a tangled web we've weaved...BUT, that's what home movies are for, right?
Her swinging again comes to a halt as the camera zooms out and more of her "Playground" is revealed to us. On the far right of the screen sits a very old television, nothing like all the flat screens that many of us are watching on right now. Her focus is directed toward the tv and so soon does ours as the camera pans in closer to it as if we were now in some Inception-style moment where we're watching tv while watching tv...
Final Stand May 13th, 2020
The date appears over a video that begins playing as we see then North American Champion Alexa Bliss starting off the Lethal Lottery Gauntlet Match as she starts things off for her co-champ Kairi Sane. Ruby Riott the woman that threatened to destroy Alexa's very livelihood on the infamous "purge" a year prior had drawn the lucky number 1 spot on the challenger's side and things certainly didn't look good. But after a diving DDT off the second rope and Alexa's Curb Stomp...Alexa had survived Match #1 and once again put Ruby behind her. As the match continued Io Shirai would try to kick Alexa's head off, but Bliss caught and swept the leg before putting her down with another Curb Stomp. With two challengers down, Alexa just had to beat one more woman to retain hers and Kairi's title. Britt Baker gets stomped by an exhausted Alexa Bliss and SHE DID IT! SHE RAN THE WHOLE GAUNTLET! Kairi ran out to celebrate with her best friend, the other half of Five Feet Of Friend-SHIP...but their celebration would be brought to an end by the appearance of Edge.
"There's no real easy way to say this, and I'm deeply sorry that I had to come out here and spoil your moment like this...especially after that honestly incredible performance tonight as you Alexa defeated all three challengers all by yourself...but I'm afraid you have one more opponent."
Alexa was too worse for wear to even realize what was happening as a distraught Kairi's eyes had widened as she realized what was happening...
"In the event that one side was eliminated...the match would continue until there was only one Superstar left...that was mainly in the event that both of you were eliminated before the last challenger had their shot...Alexa, I'm very sorry...but your last opponent is Kairi Sane."
Immediately we see how that match ended, Kairi dropping Alexa with The Cutlass...and winning that match, claiming the title they shared now as her own even if that was never her intention...the final focus of that night sees Kairi celebrating as Alexa sat outside the ring a wreck in every regard from physical to emotional, she tried to be happy for her friend but everyone watching knew that she was hurting inside.
Octane May 20th, 2020
A graphic pops up on the screen promoting Alexa Bliss versus Sarah Logan, Alexa's first match since Final Stand.
Before we're taken to footage of that match Sarah Logan is shown on the screen
"I’ve been thinking about my ancestors a lot recently. Thinking about what they would think of me. What they would think of Sarah Logan, the woman who throughout her time in XWL has been little more than Ruby Riott’s friend and personal mercenary. What they would think of Sarah Logan, the unsuccessful warrior who has never had a true victory of her own to celebrate.
Ruby is still my best friend and I hope it will stay that way for quite some time. However, tonight marks the beginning of a new era of Sarah Logan. An era that begins by me defeating the opponent that Ruby never could, Miss Alexa Bliss. If there's one thing the Vikings were known for, it was taking down kingdoms that were thought impossible to ever topple."
The final moments of that match then follows...
But while Alexa's night was over...and unfortunately was no better than her previous....her best friend Kairi Sane competed in The Main-Event victoriously defeating two women in non-title action. As Kairi's joyously celebrating, raising her title..the title that once belonged to Alexa...and the show was almost over we'd cut to the back to find Alexa watching in a somber mood as her friend was closing out the night on top...while she, sunk further to the bottom.
But her pity party would be interrupted by Charly Caruso who probed for an explanation to Alexa's mood.
"It's not that, it's just I'm a little disappointed at my loss earlier tonight...I don't know how I lost to Sarah Logan. Don't get me wrong she's good but she's never really been...on my level...but I guess that changed tonight. Kind of like a lot of things have..."
Charly would continue to pry and dig as she tried to get Alexa to just admit she wasn't okay...but Alexa would insist she was fine.
"Don't be ridiculous, and stop trying to stir the pot. How many times do I have to tell you I'm happy for her?"
Charly would just look at Alexa before leaving her with these final words
"Maybe until you're a little more convincing?"
Alexa wasn't happy...she had gone from becoming one of the division's top superstars, including being named Female Superstar Of The Year...to an afterthought that the more she tried to be okay and be supportive...the more we all knew it was only a matter of time before she "broke."
Octane May 27th, 2020
Sasha Banks was set to announce her Dead Man's Hand Opponent, and as she stood in the ring she addressed each member of the division by name...and the first name out of her mouth? Alexa's
"Let's start with person number one: ALEXA BLISS. Straight up, I have no interest in wrestling you and I have no interest in defending my championship against you. It's nothing personal, but when I look at you I see a cover girl whereas when I look at your best friend, the woman who beat you for your North American Championship, I see the substance that kept people coming back for more - myself included. I'm not even gonna say you're a pretty face 'cause blondes aren't my thing anymore. If the wheel lands on you and I have to put my XWL Women's Championship on the line against you then so be it. I'm a fighting champion. I'm not going to back down from you or anyone else. Though, I just want to warn you; I'll give you another reason to not be happy when I five feet of friendship you to the back of the line where you belong."
Octane June 24th, 2020
Alexa had been forgotten...she wasn't booked on High Octane, she wasn't highlighted in any segments...she was officially at the bottom of the barrel...until, this night the final show before Dead Man's Hand. She had yet to throw her name in the hat to potentially challenge Sasha Banks...perhaps due to Sasha's words and maybe believing she was right deep down in some regard?
A Moment Of Bliss had returned and her guest was none other than the woman that's made it no secret she couldn't stand her...and disrespected her day one up until that very night, The Women's Champion Sasha Banks.
"With your upcoming title defense, next week...who do you believe might pose the biggest threat to your reign as Champion extending beyond Dead Man's Hand?"
Trying to be the professional host she was Alexa had asked a litany of questions up until that one but Sasha's answer would lead us in an entirely different direction.
"I would say you're a threat... but well, for one, you're really not a threat considering I can wrestle circles around you. And two, you haven't actually put yourself on the wheel yet... which makes me wonder if that's what the whole point of this is. Yeah. Now that I think about it, lemme guess; Alexa Bliss wants to stand face-to-face with the champ as she enters herself onto the wheel for Dead Man's Hand. Tell me. Am I right or am I wrong?"
"Well you know it's a little difficult to put my name out there when I've been kept off the past two shows...but since you bought it up...as a matter of fact I do!"
"So I'm not a threat, am I? This whole "Main-Event Banks" thing is pretty new for you, right? I mean it works...you've certainly upped your game lately but if you seriously think I'm about to let you talk down to me...especially to my face now you are so sadly mistaken it's almost pathetic. This wasn't my idea, I did what was asked of me...but since you love to keep making this about throwing digs at me when I've been nothing but professional to you...let's skip ahead to the part of the show where you walk a mile in my shoes since you love to tout how much better you are than me. Roll the footage!"
She would take us to earlier in the day where she had met with General Manager Edge in his office, and she wasn't happy...
"First you leave me off High Octane, THEN...you leave me off last week's show...all while Sasha continues to talk trash about me FOR NO REASON AT ALL! Then, you get the bright idea to have me interview her on A Moment Of Bliss? Are you trying to drive me crazy?"
After a bit of back and forth of Alexa's grievances being aired no longer hidden behind an "I'm fine" Edge would offer to cancel the previous arrangement.
"Actually I can't think of a more perfect opportunity to declare myself apart of that wheel than by doing it right to her face because she won't be looking down on me for much longer that I assure you."
But despite her confidence seemingly coming back...Edge wasn't convinced.
"That's not really what I had in mind...I don't think it's a good idea for you to be on that wheel, you're not in a good place and you and I both know that."
Even if he was possibly right...Alexa wasn't happy at being shot down from being on the wheel that literally anyone else in the division could be on.
"Fine, then how about AFTER I be the completely impartial host I am and allow her my show to promote her big match at Dead Man's Hand...I inform her that we have a match right then and there...considering you're okay with last minute matches that no one expects...and WHEN I win that match? You have to put me on that wheel."
Edge wouldn't see things that way though...
"That isn't exactly fair to ambush her like that..."
Alexa would find irony in that statement and grow more irritated than she already was.
"And it was "fair" to ambush me like you did? If she's truly "THE BOSS" and "THE STANDARD" and "THE BLUEPRINT" then she'll be able to succeed where I didn't...and if she's not any of those things...she'll learn to keep my name out of her mouth and if fate is as cruel to her as it was to me? I'll soon have her title around my waist."
She was clearly determined...so he gave in.
"I'll approve that match under one condition, if you lose, you're definitely not getting on the wheel because if you can't beat her tonight I don't see that changing next week."
It was in this moment that she went silent for a few seconds, sure she was fired up and wanting to prove herself...but what if he was right? What if she goes out there, embarrasses herself like against Sarah...and proves Sasha right? Losing out on the opportunity to compete for The Women's Championship? She takes in a deep inhale before slowly exhaling...
"Deal, like I said...I'm not going to lose..."
The phrase "famous last words" has never been more appropriate. Sasha would accept Alexa's ambush of a challenge...and worse, beat her.
As Banks took her celebration out of the ring, Alexa was left as the gravity of her situation had sunk in. She was furious, her hands had dug into scalp as she screamed internally, muffled slightly with her mouth shut, grimacing as she pulled at her hair.
It was an awkward sight for the audience to witness, they had been behind her since Kairi Sane entered her life but it seemed as if the seams were coming undone with her as of late, and we had no idea what to make of her reaction. This wasn't the typical "disappointed" reaction to a loss, this was a flat-out meltdown...so much so that she literally began to throw a tantrum on the mat as she let out several banshee-like shrills.
Pounding the mat as she threw her body against it, elbow, back, feet, head...she was losing it...it was if everything she fought to be, to finally be that past year...including being Female Superstar Of The Year...all of it was gone. She was losing to everyone, she became an afterthought as more Women had risen up. You wouldn't think ONE loss could have brought about such a downward spiral but Final Stand seemed to have truly been her "final stand" as she once was...it was so painful for her that nothing she did had been enough since...and while she told everyone she was fine...it was largely apparent that not only was she not "fine" but she was becoming unhinged week by week as her world as she once knew it...was crumbling apart.
This embarrassing display was witnessed by millions of people around the world...and the "home movie" comes to an end there as we return back to the present day where Alexa's mood had dropped after reliving all of that and her face is a full frown.
PLAY{Alexa Bliss}PAIN I remember now, so much pain, so much misunderstood emotion...I was so lonely...I just wanted someone to fix the mess that had become my life...to tell me it was going to be okay...to pull me off that ledge and save me...
For this brief moment, it's as if Alexa's mind had been freed...and this wasn't the animated Alexa that started things off...it was the woman that had bottled up so much pain and sadness that she broke live on the air. However, this wrinkle in time is quickly sorted out as Alexa's cheery disposition returns.
PLAY{Alexa Bliss}PAIN Gosh, wasn't that silly? While those events were quite traumatic... they opened my eyes. I was able to search for the meaning...the solution for all of my problems. The strength to tap into when I'm at my weakest...and all of that brought me, to HIM!
Just like that, she resumes swinging as if there wasn't a care in the world...as if she were truly happy...but this isn't a state of happiness that ANYONE would ever choose.
PLAY{Alexa Bliss}PAIN All I had to do was....let him in. And boom, a whole new world was within my hands. He really believes in me, you know? He sees something more...for everything everyone's always told me I could never be...including Women's Champion. With him, all of my fears disappear! With HIM...I'm free to turn my wildest dreams into everyone else's...NIGHTMARES!!
She stops swinging as she starts to laugh, and by laugh we mean cackle...attempting to stifle it with her glove but it takes her a few moments.
PLAY{Alexa Bliss}PAIN Boohoo hoo no more...I'm ready...but my readiness shouldn't really be called into question tonight...should it? No, the question is are Sarah Logan...and Sasha Banks...ready for what they've gotten themselves into? They haven't been very nice to me...when all I've ever wanted to do was have FUN! But, since they're nothing but a bunch of sourpusses deadset on spoiling everything...they leave me no other choice. For their sake, let's hope they can handle the pressure!
She pauses as her gloved hand pulls away from the rope of the swing and lifts up to the tip of her chin revealing the word "PAIN" as her giddy demeanor shifts to be more serious and direct.
PLAY{Alexa Bliss}PAIN Because I won't be playing nice tonight.
With that coldly delivered statement...she keeps the "PAIN" branding of her glove in full view as she stares intensely into the camera as if she were looking at her two opponents tonight. We're not sure what's going to happen tonight, each week seems to bring something new from this "changed" Alexa Bliss...and with The Women's Championship on the line with two women that were responsible for her downward spiral spiraling out of control and into HIS arms? The word pain may be an understatement when it describes what might await them tonight. The screen fades to black as Under Pressure officially goes on the air, albeit untraditionally.
The following is the current roster as of the confirmation thread that went up last Sunday. These characters were taken prior to the recent hiatus and the members have confirmed they will be remaining with these characters.
Alexa Bliss (David) Asuka (Lazy) Brian Pillman Jr. (BOFA) Daniel Bryan (Legal) Liv Morgan (Sam) PAC (Oreo) Randy Orton (Austin) Robert Roode (David) Sarah Logan (Sloth) Sasha Banks (Austin) WALTER (Tango)
And these characters have been picked up during the draft:
Aleister Black (Sloth) Charlotte Flair (Austin) Chris Jericho (GoHard) Dexter Lumis (KingBrew) Eddie Kingsto (P1) The Fiend (Lazy) Jake Hager (GoHard) Jaxson Ryker (KingBrew) Joey Janella (Oreo) Kane (KingBrew) Kenny Omega (Lazy) Kevin Owens (Sloth) Lucha Bros (P1) Mick Foley (Pringle) MJF (P1) Nia Jax (KingBrew) Ortiz (GoHard) The Revival (Austin) Roman Reigns (Pringle) Sammy Guervara (GoHard) Samoa Joe (Sloth) Santana (GoHard) Seth Rollins (KingBrew) The Undertaker (Pringle) The Usos (Lazy) Zelina Vega (P1)
The purpose of this thread is to allow a fair process for new pick ups now that everyone is aware of who is and isn't taken.
We know everyone leads different lives and work/whatever else can impact availabilities at certain times so with that in mind with the help of Austin I've organized this to be conducted in pairs of two members at a time that were randomly chosen between the 14 members confirmed. Each pool will have a 12 hour window to select their Superstars (up to 4 slots)
Reminder: TEAMS will only count as one Superstar slot as they'll strictly be used in the Tag Division. You ARE allowed to create your own teams so you can draft say John Cena and The Miz together for this if you'd like but they'll only be used in The Tag Division.
Once the current pool have made their picks or states they don't wish to take up any additional Superstars the next pool will officially be able to claim their Superstars. IF a member misses their 12 hour window they will be able to post their claims at anytime during the other pools but keep in mind the later you post the more Superstars that will be taken.
LIVE FROM: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Scotiabank Saddledome
ARENA FOR MATCHES: LA Hall
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last week Tegan Nox seized her opportunity and accepted Natalya's Open Challenge, and while she didn't come away with the victory she proved that her future is very bright...and so tonight I felt it was only fitting to throw her in the ring with someone that not only like Natalya shares her same view on this business...but also fought Natalya two weeks ago suffering the same defeat that Tegan just did. Bayley no doubt hoped to return with a victory at High Octane but while she wasn't successful her performance against Natalya much like Tegan's was nothing short of impressive. So let's see how these two perform against each other tonight."
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[Non-Title]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"For the past two weeks ever since his issues with Aleister Black started to form, it just hasn't been Jeff Hardy's night...he allowed himself to get too focused on Aleister in their Triple Threat which allowed AJ Styles to beat him. Then last week in his match with Daniel Bryan he was moments away from sealing the deal perhaps with The Swanton Bomb Aleister Black's presence at ringside yet again spelled defeat for The Charismatic Enigma...so tonight I'm giving him a chance to redeem those losses and focus...and what better opponent to focus on than the newly crowned Intercontinental Champion PAC? The BASTARD, as he proudly proclaims himself to be defeated Hangman Page in a Ladder Match 2 weeks ago and with his reign shiny and new how will he fare in his first match since becoming Champion? "
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"At Dead Man's Hand The Undertaker returns to the ring to face Velveteen Dream...and speaking as someone who has fought The Deadman? Not only is his aura intimidating but his sheer size is as well and in order to prepare Dream for his first showing with The Demon from Death Valley? The Velveteen Dream NEEDS to be on his A Game heading into this match. So seeing as Tomasso Ciampa has been on fire since returning and making an immediate impact by coming for Kevin Owens? What better pairing could their be than to allow both one final match to mentally and physically prepare themselves for their very different battles ahead?"
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Both of these women have expressed their desire for that wheel to land on them at Dead Man's Hand...but their history goes deeper than that as they met at Final Stand in Triple Threat action where Shayna would defeat Mia. Last week The Head Baddie In Charge wasn't exactly "ready" for Asuka...but you have to believe she's been ready to get her hands on The Queen Of Spades ever since her loss on the grandest stage of them all. So tonight felt like the perfect time and place as they both prepare for the potential Women's Championship Match they're after at Dead Man's Hand."
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Mach 6 Series ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"At High Octane 2 weeks ago Goldberg scored his first victory in The Mach 6 Series by defeating Ilja Dragunov, while Karl Anderson unfortunately perhaps due to his double duty performance suffered his first loss in the series. Well tonight redemption is potentially on the line for The Good Brother as the next match in the series takes place...will Karl Anderson turn things around or will Goldberg secure another victory...en-route to his rematch with Roman Reigns at Dead Man's Hand?"
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
""The Empress Of Tomorrow has been on a roll since returning, last week she defeated Mia Yim in a hard-fought slugfest which only furthers her case for a Women's Championship Match at Dead Man's Hand...if the wheel lands on her that is. But two weeks ago she did something that her opponent tonight hopes to do next week and that's defeat The North American Champion Kairi Sane. While Asuka was pinning Kairi at High Octane, Io Shirai was emerging victorious as The New #1 Contender to her title by defeating Shayna Baszler in a Steel Cage Match earning her opportunity to redeem her previous chance at the title at Final Stand. Can Asuka's winning ways continue, or will Io excell her final test before she meets a woman she knows VERY well at Dead Man's Hand for The North American Championship? Is Io ready for Kairi Sane? We'll perhaps find out tonight as she aims to prove she's first ready for Asuka.""
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Mach 6 Series ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
""Roman Reigns, unfortunately, failed to defeat Finn Balor at High Octane but tonight after returning home and revisiting his roots, he returns hoping that his newfound focus can be what scores him a victory tonight. However, his opponent is someone that will certainly make that matter easier said than done. Chad Gable defeated Karl Anderson in the first matches of the series with a new attitude and focus as well...he is one of the greatest Champions in XWL history...his record for the longest-reigning Champion of ANY title as Tag-Team Champion with Chris Sabin speaks for itself...but can he keep the momentum rolling tonight? Or will Roman pick up a victory as he prepares for his Final Stand Rematch with Goldberg at Dead Man's Hand?"https://i.imgur.com/TqEbSwN.png "
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[Non-Title]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Unfortunately for Sarah Logan her hopes of becoming #1 contender to Kairi Sane's Championship didn't come to fruition when she was eliminated from The #1 contenders tournament by the eventual winner, Io Shirai...the very woman Kairi will meet next week. But all hope is not lost for The Viking's Championship aspirations...as she finds herself hoping that lady luck is on her side when that wheel is spun to determine Sasha Bank's challenger for The Women's Championship. So what better way to potentially prepare herself for that possibility by allowing her to face a current champion right here tonight. And in turn also allow Kairi to face someone that COULD have been her #1 contender...and has beaten the woman she defeated at Final Stand to become the sole North American Champion."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"The very first Main-Event of Octane saw these two tear the house down but in the end The Limitless One pulled away with the victory en-route to his opportunity at The World Heavyweight Championship...well a lot has changed since that night. Keith Lee would go on to become Champion...while Kevin Owens would secure many victories after the fact until at Final Stand everything changed for both men. Kevin Owens found himself the target of a returning Tommaso Ciampa and he's been trying to navigate this budding rivalry every week since. While Keith Lee? Found himself with an unexpected challenge...and unfortunately for The Limitless One? He did not rise to that challenge. I felt like it was time to revisit this match and hopefully much like before it prepares them for what lies ahead."
[[[ Main Event ]]]
[[[ A Moment Of Bliss ]]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"In just one week, The Women's Champion Sasha Banks will face her first challenge as Champion after capturing it from Liv Morgan in The Main-Event Of Final Stand. The Boss wants to face the best, she wants to continue to legitimize her legacy in this company...and the fate of her coveted title will be in the hands of the wheel at Dead Man's Hand. For the past month, many women have been putting their name in that conversation, staking their claims and expressing their interest in being on that wheel but tonight is their final opportunity if they haven't already to say they want to be on that wheel, that they want to challenge The Boss for her Women's Championship. But it's also Sasha's last chance to send a message to whoever has those aspirations of being her challenger. So tonight in the return of A Moment Of Bliss hosted by The Former North American Champion Alexa Bliss...The Women's Champion makes her final declaration before the time for talk is over, and the time to spin that wheel has come."
"Last week Tenille's recent rival Asuka picked up a big time victory over The North American Champion Kairi Sane. So seeing as Tenille is intent to make everything about her...why not allow her the opportunity to compete against The Pirate Princess and potentially overshadow her rival's victory with a victory of her own? Keyword here is opportunity, because while she has that opportunity to hand Kairi another rare loss...Kairi has an opportunity to rebound from her defeat against Tenile's rival Asuka and send a message to her newly crowned #1 Contender last week, Io Shirai."
Rebounding from her loss the week prior, the theme of the North American Champion begins to play as Kairi pulls herself off a fallen yet very game Tenille Dashwood and rests briefly on her knee, regaining her breath after that long and grueling back and forth contest. After making the three count, the referee, who had retrieved the North American Championship from the timekeeper, drops down to a knee and hands Kairi her Championship. He allows her a second to pull herself up to a vertical base before taking a hold of her wrist and raising it into the air, Kairi using her other hand to raise the Championship high above her head, a smile etched on her face as she was able to redeem herself here tonight. With the allocated time for the winner of the match getting their arm raised in victory now at its end, the referee turns his attention to the downed Tenille while Kairi remains in the center of the ring, the North American Championship lowered down in front of her, held in both of her hands as she looks down at it, almost lost in thought for a moment. For the first time ever in an XWL ring, she must face the woman that she once considered her friend, the woman she personally introduced to the XWL Universe, the woman that turned her back on her in Io Shirai. This match was a possibility at Final Stand but we were robbed of this moment when Alexa Bliss quite literally ran the gauntlet before falling to her Pirate Pal. Now, after a tournament to determine the number one contender for the North American Championship, we are finally being granted the long awaited one on one match between the two Japanese Superstars. But the thought must be lingering in the back of her mind: Does she have what it takes to defeat Io Shirai?
LIVE FROM: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Scotiabank Saddledome
ARENA FOR MATCHES: LA Hall
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Ever since Tommaso Ciamapa re-arrived on the scene he has made a lot of headway, mostly at the expense of Kevin Owens...but how will he fair tonight as he faces a Superstar looking to flip that script and reverse the roles as he returns to XWL under a new name, with a renewed purpose. Brodie Lee?"
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last week Britt Baker formally discharged Maryse from XWL courtesy of your vote, and her ability to think on her feet and overcome her newest adversary. With the departure of one former Divas Champion, Britt now finds herself face to face with another tonight. Someone that unsuccessfully returned last week suffering a loss, something she no doubt doesn't want to allow to happen again tonight. Can Britt defeat another former Champion of this division or will The Doctor Of Huganomics administer a painful loss to The D.M.D?"
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Kevin Owens has found himself being overshadowed lately by the new arrival of Tommaso Ciampa...and someone who knows a bit about that lately is Luke Gallows who seems to be the lone member of The O.C that's not quite gathered the same attention as AJ Styles and Karl Anderson. So tonight the focus is on them as they clash against one another."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
As Io Shirai moves onto Dead Man's Hand to challenge for Kairi Sane's coveted treasure The North American Championship after becoming #1 Contender last week...what is to become of the two women she defeated in order to land that spot? Sarah Logan and Shayna Baszler unfortunately weren't successful in their efforts to earn that opportunity for themselves, but when things don't go your way you get right back on that horse and chase that next opportunity. So seeing as they both need a victory to potentially further motivate them as the opportunity for Sasha Banks' Women's Championship potentially awaits one of them at Dead Man's Hand when a wheel is spun full of hungry challengers? Why not guarantee one of them recovers from their stifled momentum right here tonight against one another?"
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Velveteen Dream has had his hands full since he returned with The Undertaker and all the wild and crazy things that come from having a living breathing "Deadman" coming for your soul. So tonight I want to give him a chance to try and shake off the heebie-jeebies and show The Undertaker what soon awaits him when they soon meet in that ring. As for his opponent, Ricochet? He started off strong but week by week he's fizzled out, perhaps getting in the ring with someone who is actively putting himself out there will encourage him to do the same before I just stop booking him altogether."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"The XWL Universe voted these two Superstars to team up last week against our Womens and North American Champions and to say they made the most of that opportunity would be an understatement. Thanks to their teamwork they secured a victory over the top two females currently in this division. They were on the same page, they did pull their efforts together to outmatch Kairi Sane and Sasha Banks...but what happens when they find themselves no longer partners, but as opponents?"
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Both Superstars lost last week but each week is a new opportunity to rebound from your previous shortcomings and get back on the right track. So tonight this match is simply booked for that very reason. One of them WILL rebound while the other will unfortunately sink further from another loss."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last week Daniel Bryan secured a victory over his rival Sami Zayn while Jeff Hardy sparked a new rivalry with fellow returning Superstar Aleister Black...which unfortunately caused him to suffer a loss to AJ Styles in a Triple Threat Match. Two very different current situations for two of XWL's former World Champions...so the question is will The "Yes" Movement continue to gain traction tonight? Or will Jeff Hardy with Aleister Black not involved in this match be able to focus in order to pick up that return victory he sought last week?"
[ Natalya Issues An Open Challenge ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Natalya satisfied her desire to get back into the ring last week but tonight as she still searches for the woman who nearly ended her career 14 months ago she issues an open challenge to see who in the division might want to step in the ring with her tonight...and may there be an ulterior motive behind that individual as well?"
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Mach 6 Series ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last week in the first three matches of The Mach 6 Series Goldberg, Finn Balor, and Chad Gable secured victories...while Ilja Dragunov, Roman Reigns, and Karl Anderson unfortunately had a rocky start to their journeys to potentially earn a future Intercontinental Championship Match. But tonight the focus is solely on two Superstars as they clash in the next match and it's a pairing of a winner from last week, and a loser. Ilja Dragunov has had a rough go in XWL, from his halted debut due to a string of unfortunate losses...but through that misfortune there has been glimmers of greatness including a victory over former World Champion Daniel Bryan. Last week may have not gone according to plan but tonight he can turn that all around if he's able to do what Roman Reigns couldn't last week and that's defeat Finn Balor. Finn is a former Champion in XWL, he knows what it takes to succeed, he has the drive, he has the focus...but in the past he's gotten far too ahead of himself and it's led him down dark roads. Despite his victory last week he needs to treat each match as seriously as the last, and with a motivated Ilja Dragunov in that ring with him tonight? There's no telling how this match will go. "
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Non-Title ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last week Tenille's recent rival Asuka picked up a big time victory over The North American Champion Kairi Sane. So seeing as Tenille is intent to make everything about her...why not allow her the opportunity to compete against The Pirate Princess and potentially overshadow her rival's victory with a victory of her own? Keyword here is opportunity, because while she has that opportunity to hand Kairi another rare loss...Kairi has an opportunity to rebound from her defeat against Tenile's rival Asuka and send a message to her newly crowned #1 Contender last week, Io Shirai."
[[[ Main Event ]]]
[[[ Tag Team Match ]]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last week saw the returns of Keith Lee and Jon Moxley...both for completely different reasons. Moxley had been punted at Final Stand following his victory and put on the shelf by The Apex Predator that turned him into his prey...while Keith Lee? Unfortunately suffered a great deal mentally after losing his World Heavyweight Championship to Robert Roode at Final Stand. It was supposed to be a simple night, The Glorious One had issued a challenge to Orton, vowing to avenge his fellow Enterprise member...but what happened instead? Was our World Champion nearly found himself in the very position that Jon Moxley was in on the grandest stage of them all. However as Orton looked to punt Roode, Moxley came out of nowhere to save his ally and what followed was an absolute mugging of Orton...justified or not they were hellbent on putting him on the very shelf Orton put Moxley on. Including their final act which looked to be an attempt at a DOUBLE sided Punt...however that plan was dismantled by Keith Lee as he stormed out and would soon send an eager Jon Moxley into the crowd with a massive pounce.
Ultimately Roode would escape after a brief scuffle and immediately I knew what needed to be done....a good old fashioned Tag-Team Match! So tonight The Former World Champion Keith Lee teams up with Randy Orton as they face off against The Enterprise's own Robert Roode and Jon Moxley. Keith brashly questioned whether or not The Enterprise were even still a "thing" earlier in last week's show...but tonight he learns that they indeed are...and they're looking to remind Lee AND Orton of that very fact in this evening's Main-Event."
As High Octane continues on, we’re brought ringside to the familiar faces of our commentators, and based on the looks on their faces and the fact that they all appear to be trying to listen closely to something, it appears they are currently receiving some news over their headset that is confusing them, and were likely not planning on being on camera at this moment.
[[Mauro Ranallo]] Um, ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to High Octane: Power to the People! I apologize, the segment we had planned for this moment involved XWL’s own Kayla Braxton interviewing Sarah Logan about a variety of topics, such as her reaction to the possibility of receiving a match for the women’s championship at Dead Man’s Hand, how she feels after being eliminated for the North American title tournament, and what we can expect from the “new” Sarah Logan going forward.
[[Beth Phoenix]] Unfortunately, it has been a few minutes since the scheduled meeting time for the interview, and Sarah is nowhere to be seen.
[[Corey Graves]] I had a feeling this was going to happen. Sarah gets one big win, gets a hot head thinking she’s gonna break away from Ruby Riott and immediately starts dominating the women’s scene, and as soon as any trouble shows up she bounces. How pathetic.
[[Beth Phoenix]] Graves I have to say you really should have more faith in Logan. While I’m disappointed we’re not going to get this interview, I’m sure there’s an explana-
As if on cue, all the commentators once again look like they are receiving news on their headsets, news that again, seems to confuse them, but also seems to lift their spirits somewhat.
[[Beth Phoenix]] Well okay then! Folks, we are just receiving word that Sarah Logan has been located, yet still refuses to do the scheduled interview. However, she has in fact requested a camera be set up in front of her that we cut to, and I see no reason not to oblige that request, so here we go!
As Beth finishes explaining the situation, the camera cuts to a view of Sarah Logan very similar to the one we saw two weeks ago. Sitting down on some sort of storage crate, surrounded by the same makeshift red lighting. Her head is down once again, but this time it somehow feels a little different. Like it’s hanging a little heavier. No one could blame her for feeling disappointed in being eliminated from the North American championship tournament, any XWL superstar would be upset at losing an opportunity at a championship. Yet something about her posture conveys more. Something conveys feelings from deeper within.
[Sarah Logan] Forberg.
The first word out of the mouth of Sarah Logan is the name of her ancient viking ancestors she told us about two weeks ago. She has now begun to rub her hands together slowly, and her leg is bouncing ever so slightly.
[Sarah Logan] They were proud warriors, like I told everyone two weeks ago. Conquerors. Victors. But there was more to their story than what I shared. More to their story than what I wanted to believe.
At this point, Sarah raises her head so she’s looking directly at the camera.
[Sarah Logan] Because you see, the Forbergs did not win every battle they were in. On the contrary, their history, while full of many spectacular victories and conquests, also contains its fair share of defeats and shame. But I chose to ignore this part of their story, chose to ignore that part of their viking spirit. I thought that as long as I embraced my ancestry I would be an unstoppable warrior who never lost, when such a thing never existed.
Sarah Logan now stops rubbing her hands together and stops bouncing her legs, as her eyes almost immediately light up with fire and fury.
[Sarah Logan] But make no mistake. The Forbergs were also not ones to dwell on their mistakes, not ones to sulk in their losses. Because in the history of the Forbergs there is an easily observable pattern. A pattern that shows that their biggest victories came following their devastating losses. Because they regrouped, replanned, and vowed to push themselves in ways they didn’t think was possible before.
[Sarah Logan] At Dead Man’s Hand I will be on the wheel along with the rest of the women’s division to see who will face Sasha Banks for the women’s championship. And if there’s one thing I believe in, it’s the power of destiny to bring opportunities to those who deserve it.
[Sarah Logan] So Sasha, when destiny picks me the challenger for the women’s championship at Dead Man’s Hand, you better be ready. Because there’s nothing quite as dangerous as a viking spirit ready to apply themselves in ways they never have before to avenge a loss. You better be ready for the next slaying of a titan, the next grand victory in the story of Sarah Logan. And everyone in XWL and around the world better be ready for the future.
Logan leans into the camera as close as she possibly can while it still captures the entirety of her face, with a determination that is borderline scary.
[Sarah Logan] Because they will remember my-
??? Sally!!!...
Logan gives a look of frustration and confusion as she turns her head to her left, where none other than Dr. Britt Baker DMD just walked into the camera’s view.
Britt Baker Oh wait, no it’s Susan, right?.. Sarah!!! Sarah, yeah, sorry, there’s just so many new people I’ve met these past few weeks, it’s hard to keep track of everyone.. I uh, I guess it’s hard to forget you though, with that uh.. You know.. With that whole thing going on..
Britt points at Sarah’s attire. The Dentist then begins to look around at the lights.
Britt Baker It looks like a sketchy massage parlor over here, what’s with the, you know what, it doesn’t matter.. Can you believe that Edge is forcing me to face Maryse tonight!?!...
[Sarah Logan] We-
Britt Baker I’m a dentist Susa- Sarah!! A dentist!!! I had an emergency call last week!! That’s why I couldn’t compete in my match against Toni Storm!! An emergency call!! Facing some nobody like Toni Storm is NOT an emergency.. I save lives Sally.. Sarah.. Well, maybe not lives, but I do save people from losing their teeth, and no one looks good with missing teeth!! I mean you could just look at the crowd out there tonight and you’ll see what I mean!! Clearly Canada’s dental care system is nothing compared to the treatment you get at my office!!!.. Speaking of which, you could probably use a cleaning.. Or ten.. Here..
Britt hands Sarah her card.
[Sarah Logan] I do-
Britt cuts Sarah off once again.
Britt Baker You were Ruby Riott’s bodyguard right??.. Or henchman, whatever you want to call it.. I mean clearly you realized that the XWL Universe would never accept someone that looked like you as a champion.. So it was smart for you to latch onto Ruby.. And she never should have let you go.. But one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure!! You see Sarah, I got it right this time!! Sarah, I’m the Role Model of the XWL Universe. I defeated Alexa Bliss and Kairi Sane in one on one competition. I just competed in a North American Title Match and was selected for the North American #1 Contender Tournament, and on top of it all I still manage to work a 9-5 job as a Dentist.. So to say that I’m XWL’s biggest young rising star would be an understatement.. Wouldn’t you say??
[Sarah Logan] Wh-
Britt Baker That was a rhetorical question silly, of course you would!! Everyone would!! And you know what else everyone would do??.. They would jump at the chance to be a part of my rise to the top.. But you Sarah, you actually can do just that.. You see, I don’t know if you saw the tweet, but Edge said that if I “no-show” my match against Maryse tonight, like I did FOR VALID REASONS, with Shayna Bazler and Toni Storm, that I would be suspended without pay.. I’m a dentist.. I don’t need his paychecks, I do this because the XWL Universe needs a role model, and Sarah.. Sarah, you need me…, just like the XWL Universe needs me...
[Sarah Logan] I-
Britt Baker I know, I know. You’d love to.. But it’s not that simple. Well, it actually is.. All I need you to do is have my back tonight when I face off with Maryse. I think she’s a little angry that I fed her to Shayna Bazler the way that I did, err, I mean, that I gave her that opportunity.. So, seeing as Ruby Riott ditched you, I figured I’d let be generous and offer to take her place for you.. That’s why they call me The Role Model.. All that generosity… Anyways, I’ll see you out there!!!!
Britt turns her back and skips away. Sarah grits her teeth and rips up the card that Britt got her as she watches The Dentist go. She attempts to regain her composure and finish her thought multiple times, but just seems to keep getting frustrated in the process. The last thing we see is an angry and confused Sarah Logan staring off into the distance.
As XWL goes live, the shot opens up with a roar of cheers and adulation from the XWL Universe as the show tonight has a lot to live up to after the inaugural version was a rousing success, both in terms of the action on display as well as financially. The camera pans through the various custom made signs made to support their favorite male and female wrestlers, but fret not for those without signs as their lack of creativity is mitigated by their purchases at XWLShop.com as they're wearing merchandise for their favorites, whether it's a shirt or a cap isn't relevant. As the camera begins to focus and zoom in on the custom made stage, we can only assume that the explosion of bright colors in every direction is what comes next but instead, we're taken a back by the fact that instead of being exposed to a rainbow, we're instead slowly sent into the darkness, the air of confusion filling the arena.
The only light emanating in the arena begins to pierce the darkness, albeit only reaching out towards the limits of the stage, but illumination is brought nonetheless. The first image shown is that of the former World Heavyweight Champion in Brock Lesnar, a man that has a tall order standing before him tonight, or it would be if it was a mortal man and not The Beast Incarnate himself. As Brock shifts his head upwards from his downed state, the word “FALL” rapidly flashes on the screen for a single frame before disappearing just as quickly as it appeared before we cut to quick fire shots of the man in question sending many, many people to Suplex City and ending with him hitting the devastating move he appropriately calls The F-5. We cut from that and are greeted by an appearance from the “Good Brothers” in Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, who are standing face to face, either man extending their right arms into the air with their index and pinky fingers straight up while the remaining two fingers and thumb are all pursed together in the center, meeting at the top for a “Too Sweet” moment shared between Good Brothers. While this was going on, in the background of that image, we witnessed the duo delivering their infamous finishing maneuver to many a Superstar as a similar rapid fire slide show played for the tag team. And just like that, Gallows immediately disappears from frame, leaving Karl Anderson to react with baffled expression before the video cuts towards Anderson's second opponent for the evening, the returning Chad Gable. In this section, we see the aforementioned wrestler delivering a myriad of familiar maneuvers, starting with a handful of picture perfect Moonsaults then continuing on to tactfully precise take downs transitioning into a perfectly applied Ankle Lock and finally ending with various version of a German Suplex, whether it be from the corner, the top rope or standing in the center of the ring.
From Chad Gable, we continue along to the remainder of the Mach 6 Series, starting with The Demon King himself in Finn Balor, there's no flashy moves to display, instead, we see Balor staring directly into the camera, causing it to dip in and out of focus with every passing second before a quick switch shows his opponent for the evening in Roman Reigns hitting a Spear that nearly splits his victim in half from the sheer impact alone. Reigns goes for another Spear but a subtle cut instead shows Goldberg hitting the maneuver on an unsuspecting foe, the rivals playing a game of one-upmanship with one another. The camera pans away to show Ilja Dragunov standing on the top turnbuckle with his eyes closed and his arms out in front of him for a few moments before the word “AND” flashes on the screen for a fraction of a second as Ilja's eyes open, locking onto his target before he flies off the top rope, striking an unknown individual and knocking him onto the canvas. From the ashes on the canvas rises The Corporate Dragon, a serious expression on his face as a subtly audible sound of “Yes!” resonates around him but there's no one around besides him. Two shots are then cut together in unison, showing Bryan shouting “Yes!” at the top of his lungs while the second shot quickly follows up with him shouting “No!” the conflict inside his head being on display while Sami Zayn creeps up behind him, mockingly shouting “Yes!” in his face as Bryan doesn't seem to acknowledge his existence but that doesn't stop Zayn from indulging in his mocking nature. With a quick reset in scenery, we see Shayna Baszler defeating most of the women that have stepped up to her with her flexible yet deadly offense, whether it be strikes with her knees, fists or a submission or two, Shayna has shown that she is still a force to be reckoned with. We then see a brief history of Io Shirai's time here, starting with “The Genius of the Sky” and unsuccessfully managing to become the Women's Champion, then fast forwarding to her failed attempt at Final Stand, Io's demeanor being a stark contrast from her humble beginnings, her Championship goals now being nothing more than a means to an end.
We once again are taken to a different ring, where both the World Heavyweight Champion in Robert Roode, Bobby to his friends, and the man, or in this case viper, to hold that very same Championship first in Randy Orton are stood face to face, a venomous smile etched on Orton's face while a Glorious smirk graces the Champion's face. The Viper, living up to his namesake, strikes first, leaping into the air and wrapping his arms around Roode's head in one swift motion, sending the Champion on a one way trip to the canvas, but before both men can fully fall, they both disappear into dust. A different version of the events has now unfolded as Roode is now the one in the driver's seat, holding Orton's head under his right arm while his left arm is raised into the air as he shouts “Glorious!” before bringing his left arm back to Orton's waist and lifts him into the air, ready to plant him with a Glorious DDT but once again, both men shift to dust as the word “PRAY” flashes on the screen for a brief moment before disappearing. Instead of having Orton and Roode once again try to outdo one another, we're greeted with both the Women's and North American Champions in Sasha Banks and Kairi Sane, both women looking at one another as a clip plays behind them, featuring their last encounter, where Kairi misted Sasha, the sense of distrust in the air as neither woman trusts the other. While it's more understandable on Kairi's end, seeing as Sasha had more or less betrayed anybody she has aligned herself with, most recently being Liv Morgan, Kairi is quite the opposite in that regard. Their respective friendships have taken two drastically different paths but tonight, they have to trust one another whether they want to, which is easier said than done for both parties involved. As we transition into the final portion of the video, no subtly is needed as we immediately cut into a shot of “Hangman” Adam Page flipping over the top rope and landing his trademark Buckshot Lariat, turning PAC inside out before we quickly cut to a shot where Page is laid out on the canvas while The Bastard himself is on the top rope. With zero remorse, PAC hops off the top turnbuckle and twists through the air, perfectly landing the Black Arrow with extreme precision. The final shot we see is both men standing tall, each holding the Intercontinental Championship high above their head, but which result will be our reality?
As the video comes to an end, the lights in the arena return to their former glory and before the live audience in attendance could respond, we are NOW greeted with the wall of rainbow explosions in the form of pyrotechnics going off on and around the stage, the cheers erupting as we now kick off the second ever edition of High Octane. One last quick pan for the moment follows before the camera finds its way towards the commentary trio, snapping to them in one slick motion as the first voice we're greeted by is none other than Mauro Ranallo.
[[Mauro Ranallo]] Good evening ladies and gentlemen and WELCOME to High Octane...the night where the POWER is in the hands of the people!
[[Beth Phoenix]] Tonight is going to be really exciting as you the fans will be able to vote on many of the matches tonight ranging from the type of match, to who are even apart of those matches.
[[Corey Graves]] With great power comes an even greater responsibility and tonight The XWL Universe will be responsible for potentially deciding who walks away as The NEW Intercontinental Champion.
[[Mauro Ranallo]] Hangman Adam Page, The BASTARD PAC...a very captivating rivalry that tonight will either be decided in a Ladder Match, a Falls Count Anywhere Match, or a Flaming Tables Match!
[[Beth Phoenix]] Any single one of those matches would be incredible to see and I am excited that we indeed will see one of those matches tonight. These two Superstars stole the show at Final Stand, which is not something that is easily done...especially with many of the encounters that took place on that night. But it speaks to the hunger that is within them, it speaks to their characters that whether it's through love or hate...we are drawn to what they do. And it's going to make for a very incredible clash for The Intercontinental Championship tonight when one of these stars attains their first title in XWL.
[[Corey Graves]] Of course as they clash for The Intercontinental Championship tonight we'll also see the start of The Mach 6, a series of 15 matches featuring 6 Superstars who over the course of the next 2 months will be fighting to see which among them will walk away with a future Intercontinental Championship Match.
[[Mauro Ranallo]] Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, Ilja Dragunov, Goldberg, Chad Gable, and Karl Anderson all set to compete tonight one on one in the first of the 15 matches. And tonight much like the theme their fate may also be decided by your vote isn't that right, Beth?
[[Beth Phoenix]] That's right, Mauro it's up to the fans how these first matches play out, all three options are the same for all three matches but essentially you could choose to have each one be a different type of match. Ranging from a Normal Match, to an Extreme Rules Match, or even a Falls Count Anywhere Match. We're going to be seeing big things from everyone involved in the next 2 months and my husband and I are thrilled to watch it all kick off tonight.
[[Corey Graves]] That's not the only contendership oriented match though as tonight the finals of The North American Championship Number One Contendership Tournament will take place when Shayna Baszler who defeated Maryse to advance, will face Io Shirai who last week defeated Sarah Logan to earn her place in tonight's finals.
[[Mauro Ranallo]] Shayna a former North American Champion, Io of course came up short at Final Stand when she along with other Women clashed in Lethal Lottery over The North American Championship. Tonight is about whether Shayna can find herself back in the conversation she once led as Champion...or whether Io can attempt to avenge her loss at Final Stand and find herself across from a woman she knows very well.
[[Beth Phoenix]] The people watching tonight have the power to potentially determine who meets Kairi Sane at Dead Man's Hand. Option A is a Tables Match, which one thing I can say from experience is that this type of encounter is anyone's to take because it's a mixture of skill and luck based because our competitors don't often find themselves having to be on such a high guard. Option B is a Ladder Match with naturally favors The Genius Of The Sky herself Io who is known to soar over her competition, and while it certainly doesn't guarantee her victory it does lean more in her direction. Then of course Option C is a match that favors the cage fighter herself, Shayna Baszler. With her MMA background and history of fights in a cage, granted in a different sport it certainly lends more to someone of her background. But again you're going to hear it a lot tonight because it's the truth....anything can happen...maybe being thrown into something uncomfortable to them will motivate them to come out on top of it. So please get to voting right away so that we can find out how The #1 Contendership of The North American Championship will be determined.
[[Corey Graves]] Speaking of The North American Champion she will be teaming up with The Women's Champion tonight where their opponents will be paired up by The XWL Universe. This comes after Sasha Banks gave quite the dressing down of her potential challengers last week when the news came out of her opponent at Dead Man's Hand being determined by the wheel. Names included the likes of Charlotte, Shayna, Alexa, Sarah, Tenille, Asuka...and what was most interesting were her words about Natal-
The screen fades from blackness to a series of fog and clouds below, floating by. The motion gives the impression that we are moving, soaring through the gray-scale and overcast sky. After a few seconds, a black raven comes into view below, flapping its wings every few seconds to maintain its elevation as it glides through the clouds. While witnessing this somber sight, the voice of a woman beckons to us.
They were not ready to hear his message the first time. Their virgin ears were too unworthy to receive the deliverance he vowed to bring, and now, they have no choice but to heed his warning...
The monochromatic clouds and fog finally begins to clear as we begin to make out a large, skull-shaped rock known as Golgotha, the place where Christ was slain thousands of years ago. The raven swoops down, beginning to circle the pinnacle of the rock, where a man appears to be hanging on a cross. Wrapped in nothing but a bloody loin cloth, his muscular frame was on full display. His clean-shaven head is hung low while the raven's downward spiral brings it closer and closer to the seemingly deceased carcass of the man.
They think they've ridden the world of him and his prophecy. The fools... They've only set his plan into motion. They have sealed their own fate, and soon there will be nowhere to run, and absolutely nowhere to hide from his wrath...
As the raven gracefully finds its footing on the shoulder of the crucified man, the camera shifts over the shoulder of the man and the black bird, we catch a glimpse of a hooded figure emerging from the fog. The petite frame of the individual is mostly concealed by a black cloak. The cape of the garment drapes down over her torso and lower body, separating down the middle to reveal a pair fishnet-clad legs with every step the figure takes up the path towards the cross. The large, black hood sits over the being's head, covering the upper half of the face. Aside from the ends of platinum blonde locks the cascade down over the chest, a pair of blood red lips that stand out under the hood give us the clear indicator that this being is in fact a woman.
They turned their back on him, and for that, they will pay with their blood. Every man, woman, and child will soon fall before him and beg for mercy, and he will show them none. He is your penance, he is your apocalypse, and he is coming...
Just as she says this, the woman arrives at the foot of the cross. She kneels down by the pool of blood collecting on the sharp rocks below his nailed feet. She places her hands in a traditional praying praying pose by pressing both of her palms flat together with her fingertips pointed towards the sky. Only, they didn't remain that way for long. While her gloved hands remain firmly pressed together, they slowly transition to point down towards the pool of blood on the ground. With this unorthodox pose in full effect, the woman's red lips begin to move as the voice is now revealed to be originating from her all along.
I ask not for forgiveness on behalf of the people who have turned their backs on you. I ask only for vengeance. I ask for retribution. I ask for chaos. I ask for famine, for war, and for pestilence. I ask, for their blood.
The hooded maiden, with her praying hands still pointing down towards the pits of hell itself, turns her concealed face up towards the man hanging on the cross as she inhales in preparation to leave us with these final words...
The end, is, near... Tick tock.
Following her parting statement, our eyes are assaulted by flashing images of red. In the midst of them, we distinguish a dark silhouette of a man standing with his large arms folded across his chest. Goat-like horns are growing out from his skull. After a moment, the silhouette of a seductress steps out from behind him and positions herself by his side. Her sharp nails and fingers coil up and latch onto his shoulder as she turns and faces the camera before everything goes black.
[[Mauro Ranallo]] Are we- are we back? That uh, that was rather unexpected Beth...
[[Beth Phoenix]] Unexpected and unnerving for sure...
[[Corey Graves]] The end is near? What does that mean?
[[Mauro Ranallo]] Well, as we try to move on from that very disturbing imagery...voting for tonight's show is officially open, you can review the entire card on our website and of course cast your votes accordingly for the matches we listed and many others including a Handicap featuring Brock Lesnar's return to the ring where if he can defeat The O.C? He'll have AJ Styles at Dead Man's Hand.
[[Beth Phoenix]] As well as choosing who AJ Styles himself will make his return to the ring against tonight, which also including two returning Superstars themselves. Jeff Hardy and Aleister Black could make their return to competition with him, and if you want to spice it up you could even choose for BOTH to be in there with The Phenomenal One.
[[Corey Graves]] Can we all just agree not to vote for the loser to leave when Britt Baker faces Maryse? I don't want either of them to go! Britt's got such a bright future, and Maryse has had such a great career...sure she hasn't exactly lived up to that in the last several months but isn't it a little harsh to potentially send her on her way?
[[Mauro Ranallo]] I don't know about you two but I'm ready for tonight's action to start. The first episode of High Octane was such an incredible show and with an even more stacked lineup tonight? We're going to see the hottest action from today's top Superstars as they navigate the obstacles laid out in front of them by The XWL Universe's votes.
LIVE FROM: Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada ARENA FOR MATCHES: LA Hall
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Ever since Final Stand Tomasso Ciampa has been making waves as he targeted the always brash and unapologetic Kevin Owens. But while he's had his "breakout" moment...the same is no longer being said about Seth Rollins. At one time he was tearing it up with Jon Moxley...but that rivalry clearly took quite a toll on him. So my hope is that facing someone very hungry and fired up...will reignite that flame of Seth Rollins and he'll be able to "burn it down" once again. "
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"For well over 400 days Natalya's been kept away from her very livelihood...all because of the actions of an unknown Woman that delivered a calculating assault to her last year the night after Final Stand. Since then she's had to recover from a broken neck, a broken heart...and a shattered spirit. Not knowing if she'd ever find her way back into the ring, but tonight while I survey the building for any signs of this "mystery attacker" she's able to cut back relax and enjoy the fruits of her labor by competing in her first match in almost 14 months. And who better to be her opponent than someone who's looked up to and supported her all throughout their days in XWL? Bayley's hug life is back in XWL and what better moment for both of them could there be than to allow their returns to coincide with one another as they remind us what a classic battle of respect looks like?"
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"After years removed from their classic rivalry, AJ Styles & Brock Lesnar have reignited that old flame with one another and all that stands in the way of seeing them go one on one once again at Dead Man's Hand? Is the outcome of one match. Brock Lesnar returns to the ring tonight to face AJ's "good brothers." Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are the only obstacles in the way of Brock bringing The Phenomenal One back to Suplex City...well, that and the outcome of your vote. Will both members of The O.C be in the ring at the same time as they look to take down The Beast? Will they have to tag in and out? Or will they have to do the seemingly impossible and be forced to try and tap....or knockout The Beast Incarnate? From the outside, this match may look troublesome for The O.C...given their opposition but as we remind ourselves night after night in XWL...anything can happen. "
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Let this be a life lesson, this is why you don't take free candy from strangers. Just replace “free candy” with a spot in the North American Number One Contender's Tournament and “strangers” with Britt Baker, DMD and you got yourself the premise of this match. When I saw Britt's impressive outing at Final Stand as the last challenger to Alexa and Kairi's North American Championship, I pondered the thought of giving Miss Baker, along with Io Shirai, another opportunity at the North American Championship. The caveat, however, was that they would be inserted into tournament with two equally deserving women and the winner would face Kairi Sane for her treasure at Dead Man's Hand. Like a lot of things in life, this didn't fully go according to plan as Britt decided that she would rather throw an unsuspecting Maryse towards the proverbial wolf that is Shayna Baszler and save her skin, which for better or worse wasn't a bad option, but one that left a sour taste in my mouth and I would assume Maryse's as well, if she could taste anything after the beating she received from The Queen of Spades. And if that loss wasn't enough, Britt decided that the cherry on top of her masterfully executed plan would be to plant a semi conscious Maryse into the canvas one final time. So tonight, I'm giving Maryse a chance to get even with everybody's favorite role model in one of three matches chosen by you, the XWL Universe. Their fate is now in your hands."
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"It's no secret how big of a star AJ Styles is world wide, much less inside of XWL. A former World Champion, a former Intercontinental Champion and now a returning star on High Octane. That is why I found it fitting to give people the chance to choose between two other returning superstars to XWL. One of which being the Charismatic Enigma, Jeff Hardy. This would be his chance to step into the light, as he promised to do and what a better way than against one of the best? There is also Aleister Black, who is known for his hard hitting style and dark aura. The dude is a badass, honestly. We also have the choice of pitting all three in the same ring, at the same time. The choice, is yours."
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Roman Reigns has been on a roll since his return last month, declaring himself "next" for Goldberg, and then even defeating him on the grandest stage of them all. He's developed quite the bravado since attaining that victory, and while he did beat Goldberg...can he defeat everyone in this series and launch himself into The Intercontinental conversation? As for Finn Balor? That match with Randy Orton last week left all of us wanting more and that's the kind of performers you want involved in something like this. He's someone that can find a way to take-down an opponent of any size, and that'll be a major asset to him over these next 2 months. Both Superstars have been absent from any title scene for quite a while and with their renewed focus as they reestablish themselves following their returns? This series could very well bring them back to their glory days, and...even higher than that."
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"You can't throw Roman Reigns in this and NOT have Goldberg included as well. Their rivalry has been explosive from the jump, and their inclusion not only takes their rivalry to the next level, it adds the hype that something like this needs by knowing that their eventual rematch is guaranteed...the question is what will they experience along the way before and AFTER that rematch? Ilja is a Superstar I introduced on the very first Octane to the entire world. He's faced a lot of setbacks since that night but through those setbacks? He's not given up, he's let them motivate him, even pulling off one hell of an upset when he was able to defeat a former World Heavyweight Champion in Daniel Bryan. Part of being a challenger and a Champion? Is having that nerve to believe you're the best even when it's proven otherwise. Honestly the moment he delivered the sickest headbutt I've ever seen to Daniel Bryan last month? I knew my investment had paid off and I'm excited to see what he brings to this. Will the "past" or "future" move forward in the present as both Superstars look to soon claim their first titles in XWL?"
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"It's been an interesting journey for TCSI since the Tag-Team division was dissolved so I feel like I owe them one. I hated having to end their incredible run as Tag-Team Champions the way that it did...and I think it's time to make it up to them. So given that Chris Sabin was the most recent of them to be Intercontinental Champion, I think it's only fair now that it's Gable's turn. After all their entire rivalry that eventually led to their teaming up was during Chad's reign as Intercontinental Champion many years ago. Well if he can win The Mach 6? He'll return to his former glory and bring gold back to TCSI. While Karl Anderson is most known for being a "good brother" and proud member of The O.C...Karl Anderson showed me something very impressive two weeks ago when he put away Shinsuke Nakamura and sent a message that he's not just here to be support, he's here to stand alongside Luke Gallows and AJ Styles, as equals, as they collectively take over. While he's known for for his team with Gallows, tonight marks his official introduction into being a singles competitor, and just like his opponent, I believe he won't have any trouble making that transition."
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"With their initial encounter being at the inaugural High Octane two months ago, a match that Bryan used to further his agenda and keep his name in the conversation that involved the World Heavyweight Championship, The Corporate Dragon used the self proclaimed “Canadian Hero” to send a message to then World Heavyweight Champion Keith Lee, the man that prevented Bryan from regaining the Championship he never lost but had vacated on the very first Octane. The message was loud and clear, Daniel Bryan wanted one thing and one thing alone: The World Heavyweight Championship. Zayn, not taking kindly to being cast aside, made it his mission to antagonize Bryan, managing to defeat The Corporate Dragon on the Grandest Stage of Them All. We have seen these men viciously assault one another in the past couple of months, ranging from post match attacks to calculated and precise dissections before they could even get out of their vehicles but when I was approached by both men separately, they didn't want to be like most other matches on the card, they didn't want “hardcore” stipulations or voting options, instead they each wanted a standard wrestling match because they each believed they could defeat the other without the need of barbaric weapons, those were Sami Zayn's actual words by the way, all they needed was a ring, a referee and some time to let them do what they do best. On top of that, this is a historic moment as for the first time ever, we will see the same match happen on back to back High Octane's! The question now is: Will it end the same way?"
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last week Sasha Banks addressed The Women's Division as she unveiled that her challenger will be decided by the spin of a wheel at Dead Man's Hand. In doing so she had quite the choice words for many in the division, and while I'm not a betting man...if I were I'd be waging that her words won't go unanswered by those that hope to find themselves not only one that wheel but ultimately as the one standing across from her one on one for The Women's Championship. But that's 3 weeks from now, and in the mean time? I thought given that Sasha's playing the waiting game, and Kairi herself is waiting to find out who will be crowned her #1 contender tonight...why not pair them up in Tag-Team action? Better yet, why not allow some of the women called out by Banks to potentially get their hands on her and send a message of their own through their actions in that ring? So tonight seeing as the power is in the hands of the people...I'm letting you put together that team to face them. You name the two Superstars you want to team up when casting your vote, and in the end the two women with the most votes will have an opportunity at meeting The Champions of The Women's Division...How will The Boss & The Pirate fair when they team up for the first time ever? Well, if Kairi can avoid misting Sasha like when they last found each other in Tag-Team action on opposite teams...I'd say they'll be a tough challenge for any combination of these five women to handle."
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Robert Roode for 9 months has been truly "GLORIOUS" he's added many names to the list of those that he's beaten, including Keith Lee at Final Stand when he shocked the entire world and became our new World Heavyweight Champion. But the night of his rise to glory...The Enterprise may have returned what once belonged to them...but they lost something perhaps much greater...one of their own. Randy Orton had a shocking moment of his own when he struck Jon Moxley after his victory with the infamous RKO...and then eliminated his prey with a punt so destructive...that we haven't seen The Enterprise's Innovator of Violence ever since. Well, it was only a matter of time before The Enterprise's "debt collector" came calling...and after his victory over Sami Zayn last week? Roode issued the challenged and tonight he will indeed face The Apex Predator that reduced his ally to fallen prey at Final Stand. I'm not sure what's going to happen tonight when these two step into that ring but one thing I know for sure is we're going to see two men on two very different missions...and your guess is as good as mine as to which will succeed. "
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"While this tournament has been building up for the past two weeks, the anticipation for this match has been steadily increasing for much longer. We started with four well deserving women and we are now down to the final two: Io Shirai and Shayna Baszler. Where to begin? Shayna Baszler is the second woman to hold the North American Championship, while it isn't as historic as being the first, there is still an aura surrounding her achievement. Her brief yet dominant reign showed what she was capable of, from submissions to ruthlessness and precision. Shayna showed the world that if she wasn't taken seriously, they would be taken to the emergency room for their hubris. However controversial the way she lost her Championships was, she was never defeated when the Championship was on the line, so in a way, she has a legitimate claim to a rematch, a rematch that she could very possibly earn if she can defeat Io Shirai here tonight.
Io Shirai has had quite the metamorphosis in recent times, abandoning her “Genius of the Sky” moniker for something a little... darker to say the least. Since that change, she has shown a different side of her, one that doesn't care who she hurts to get what she wants and here tonight, she's gonna need that side of her when she takes on Shayna Baszler. While Io didn't emerge from the Lethal Lottery as the North American Champion, that hasn't slowed her down in the slightest, if anything, it has made her want it that much more but in order to gain another shot at the elusive Championship, she has to go through Shayna Baszler to do it, a task that is much easier said than done. Even more so when you realize that Shayna is currently nigh undefeated, her only defeat coming at the hands of a debuting Charlotte Flair, a debt she collected at Final Stand. A tall order is standing between Io and her Championship goal, but if anybody can get this done, surely it's Io Shirai.
Our statistics show that since Shayna defeated Alexa last week and Alexa has defeated Io three times over the past year, International Incident, the inaugural High Octane as well as Final Stand, this should be a walk in the park for Shayna. But what the statistics don't show is the hunger that Io Shirai has had since she got a taste of Championship gold inside the Elimination Chamber and at Final Stand. While Shayna has held the North American Championship before, Io hasn't held any Championships in XWL period, so one has to believe that winning this tournament means just as much, if not, more that it would for Shayna. For the first time ever, we will see The Queen of Spades face off against The Dark Collector and regardless of how this match goes, we'll know one thing after the dust has settled: Kairi Sane will have her hands full at Dead Man's Hand when she has to defend her treasure against one of these women."
[[[ MAIN EVENT ]]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Two months ago two men arrived onto Octane with two very different ideals, two very different characters, and two very different purposes...in fact it was their polarizing nature that drew us into what was unfolding before us. One was fresh, shiny, and new...with an opportunity to be an XWL Superstar...something he had dreamed of becoming...the other? Was far from shiny, far from new, ripe with the stench of being forgotten by an audience he once lived to entertain. He was a new man, ready to erode XWL and everything "good" in it just as he himself had become destroyed by something long ago. At first it was about this newly pronounced "bastard" trying to pick on the new guy, robbing him of his ability to have a proper debut match, thwarting that realization of his dream and taking quite the sick satisfaction in it.
But soon after that? It developed into something much more...I don't know when that moment itself was...but a switch flipped and this story was far too captivating to ignore. Yet again, these two very different halves were coming together for this perfect marriage of everything this business was essentially built on. A guy the audience cannot stand, that they loved to hate...that they detest his every word, and his every action. Then, a guy they rally behind, that they root on against this man because he is everything they themselves are drawn to. He is their hero, because he himself...was...and IS them. Final Stand is often known as the end of many things, and perhaps the same might have been said of this rivalry...but what happened when they went toe to toe? There's just no words, it was magic...instant chemistry that sure we saw in their interactions up to that point...but they made us feel every moment before that. They pulled on our heart strings when my buddy Christian was unfortunately a pawn in their issues escalating...and when they finally squared off in that ring? Everything came together in a match that stole the show, and that's not just my opinion that is the opinion of you the fans. You named it The Match Of Final Stand this year...and what's most incredible about that...is it didn't even have a conclusion. It ended in disqualification, robbing us of a winner and a loser...but Final Stand clearly wasn't meant to provide that, it was meant to show us what this rivalry really was.
A big part of being in control of a company like this is having your finger on the pulse and knowing what the right move is at the end of the day. When The Intercontinental Championship was vacated? I immediately told everyone near me that there's only one right path to take and that's bringing these two back together and letting them work their magic. The Intercontinental Champion is important, it is worth fighting for...and tonight we're going to a rematch of their show stealing encounter...but this time? There WILL be a winner, and that winner? Will be The NEW Intercontinental Champion. The only thing that's left to decide, is what kind of match will this be?
It's certainly going to be no disqualification, because let me make this clear again...there WILL be a winner tonight...but you have three very promising options at your finger tips. I chose a Ladder Match because I've had a lot of incredible Ladder Matches in my career and I have no doubt they would deliver ten times over if given that opportunity. But I also let them each decide a stipulation themselves. Adam Page chose a Falls Count Anywhere so that he could in his words kick PAC's ass up close and personal in front of the people that have supported him...and the people that our dear bastard...has gone out of his way to attack almost as much as he's gone out of his way to attack Page himself. While PAC's choice? Was taking a walk down memory lane when he put Page through a table in their match at Final Stand...and wanting to upgrade that memory with the addition of fire so that he could hear Page's anguished screams...as he burned alive in a Flaming Tables Match! As I said, two very different men, two very different cores at the center of each...and tonight one of them captures The Intercontinental Championship for the first time in their careers.
I don't even need to tell you that this is can't miss...I don't need to urge you to vote...because I know you're compiling your votes as you read this right now because you like myself...cannot wait until tonight's Main-Event when whether it's a Ladder Match, a Falls Count Anywhere Match, or a Flaming Tables Match....we know it's going to steal the show yet again. "
As we return from a brief advertisement for next week's “High Octane” event, we're taken into the backstage area, a virtually deserted wasteland of equipment crates and empty halls spanning as far as the eye could see but within the void of nothingness, we hear faint grunts of exertion within the vicinity, causing the panning camera showcasing the surrounding area to halt and lower its angle, revealing the former North American Champion seated on the ground and warming up for her match shortly against the ever dangerous Shayna Baszler, who has been on a warpath leaving dissected former Champions in her wake in her quest to regain the North American Championship. In case you haven't noticed, Alexa is aptly qualified for Shayna's apparent hit list, maybe a bit overqualified in the eyes of many people but qualified nonetheless. Following two crushing defeats in consecutive weeks, first when she fell to her best friend in Lethal Lottery at Final Stand and lost the North American Championship as a result, to last week, where she was bested by a familiar foe in a reborn Sarah Logan, now liberated from She Who Shall Not Be Named's influence.
And tonight, she faces the former North American Champion who is out for blood and has brought untold pain to her “opponents” in recent weeks. Tonight, Alexa looks to prevent herself from being another statistic but in order to do that, she needs to properly prepare herself for the battle ahead. If she could have three consecutive matches in a row and much less win them, surely Shayna isn't posing too much of a threat for her? Then again, she DID fail to defeat Sarah Logan last week, so I suppose the jury is still out on that one.
The intensity on Alexa's face is clearly visible, a mixture of determination and almost annoyance, perhaps due to her losing back to back weeks, a feeling she hasn't had to endure in a very long time. She continues going through the motions, every second not preparing herself for the battle ahead is a second wasted. Alexa continues to focus on her warm up so much so that she doesn't notice someone walk into frame a couple of feet from her, the unknown person's voice breaking through the grunts, causing Bliss to look up at the culprit responsible for interrupting her session.
??? Be careful to not pull a muscle, you got a big match coming up.
Bliss' first reaction is not necessarily, one that's inviting? But after a second she quickly puts a smile on her face as she sees none other than her best friend and The North American Champion, Kairi Sane! Alexa pulls herself up from the floor readjusting her knee pads and before she can say anything Kairi latches onto her with a big hug that at first Alexa returns the love on...but after a few seconds we notice her arms loosen as if she's done with the hug sooner than her pal.
[[[Alexa Bliss]]] Hey you, sorry I ran off after we arrived to the arena tonight, kind of needed some alone time...you know? Last week, and really the week before...didn't exactly go according to plan so I wanted to really make sure I bounce back from that tonight. Get my stretching in, focus on the task at hand and not get distracted by anything...but I'm glad you're here maybe you can lend me some advice considering you're the new winner among us....
She playfully jabs Kairi in the shoulder, laughing for a moment before going quiet.
[[[Kairi Sane]]] You don't need my advice, you're Alexa Bliss! You're a record breaking three time North American Champion, you stood against the tyranny of our former boss and his golden mistress when no one else had the guts to, I sacrificed my job for you and you got it back. And on top of all that? You're my best friend! You are a beacon of hope and while you didn't win at Final Stand, you're still Alexa Bliss, and tonight, you'll prove it when you're the one to stop Shayna in her tracks. If anything, I should be asking YOU for advice!
[[[Alexa Bliss]]] I mean you're the only one of us with gold around their waist right now...so your strategies seem to be more fruitful than mine at the moment.
Baffled by Alexa's reply, Kairi is almost taken back by the tone of her best friend's comment for a few fleeing moments before she regains her composure.
[[[Kairi Sane]]] We both know that if Edge didn't try to once again drive a wedge between us, we would BOTH still have a Championship to call our own right now. This Championship may “technically” be mine in Edge's eyes, but it still has both of our plates on it so as far as anybody's concerned, this Championship STILL belongs to both of us. And despite his best efforts, he failed because our bond is the strongest it has ever been.
[[[Alexa Bliss]]] I guess you're right...maybe that's why I wasn't granted a rematch...I mean, not that I'd want to take that from you but still it's a little triggering given my past of being excluded from things...I just hope I can turn things around tonight. I felt like Final Stand I was really proving myself...and, well it turns out I was wrong.
[[[Kairi Sane]]] You've been proving yourself for over a year now, from Last Team Standing matches to Hell in a Cell, you've shown the world that you aren't that defenseless girl that She Who Shall Not Be Named tried to make an example out of, instead, you made an example out of her to the point where she's never beaten you in that ring without resorting to her cheap tricks. Then when the Golden Mistress was handed something you FOUGHT hard to call your own, did you just take it lying down like she did? No, you stood your ground and when the dust settled, you were North American Champion. I won't allow Edge's bias against us deny you what you EARNED. So what we're going to do is forget this match with Shayna Baszler and march into Edge's office, just you and me like it's always been, and we're going to demand that you get your rightful rematch!
Alexa shakes her head as her gloved hand finds refuge on Kairi's shoulder, confusing Kairi as she had started to get a burst of energy to fight for her pal's rematch...but Bliss doesn't seem as enthusiastic about that idea.
[[[Alexa Bliss]]] No, I'd never want to take that from you...and I'm sure if you knew before Final Stand what awaited us after all three challengers were eliminated? You would have done anything to avoid what happened after. It's not your fault that I'm in a bit of a rough patch right now...you only did what you had to do...sure, it sucked fighting all three of them back to back...only for, it to have ultimately been for nothing...but that treasure now belongs to you and I know like I did...you'll protect it dearly from all who come for it...and I'll be right here cheering you on just like I was in last week's Main-Event. You've been my biggest supporter for so long...and, it's my turn now.
With that said, a wide smile forms on Kairi's face before her arms break apart and find their way around Alexa's body, embracing the equally sized challenged Former Champion, the latter's arms finding their way around the former's in a mirrored embrace as a smile also appears on her face, although, whether it's sincere or not is currently unknown but it's a lovely moment nonetheless. As the embrace lasts moments longer than the initial one, a woman nearby clears her throat before her voice takes them out of their own little world and back into reality.
[[[???]]] Excuse me, ladies, a moment of your time?
The camera zooms out a tad to reveal that it's interviewer extraordinaire Charly Caruso is standing by with a microphone in her hand and her signature smile etched on her face as both current and former North American Champions shift their attention onto their apparent intruder. Alexa immediately rolls her eyes upon seeing the interviewer and mouths to Kairi, “I gotta go have my match” to which The Pirate Princess simply replies with “Good luck!” as Charly... sarcastically? waves at the departing Alexa Bliss before she turns her attention towards the Champion.
[[[Charly Caruso]]] First off, congratulations are in order! Not only for your victory last week in the Main Event but also for your impressive showing at Final Stand in the Lethal Lottery gauntlet match, a match that ended when you pinned your best friend, who had gone through hell and back in the form of three consecutive matches, before crushing her dreams of a Final Stand moment when you drove her into the canvas for the all too important three count, making you the sole holder of the North American Championship. Walk us through the mindset you had when you learned that you had to face your best friend and either crush her dreams of being North American Champion or have her crush yours?
[[[Kairi Sane]]] That's... one way to word that? After the announcement was made, we spent every single free moment we had trying to figure out what would await us at Final Stand. Which one of us would start, every possible order of opponents we would face, how we would beat them while conserving as much strength and energy as possible, what we would do after we bested Edge at his own game once again. We prepared for every outcome... almost every outcome and in the end, whether it was me running the gauntlet or whether it was her like we saw at Final Stand, we knew Edge would have something planned to cause us to turn on the other but we didn't know what. He's clever, he's always been clever but that, that was something a super villain would do. I never thought that I would have to face Alexa, especially after she had gone through three matches. I didn't wanna face her when she wasn't at her best, but I knew that she wouldn't want me to hold back and just hand her a victory because it would undermine everything she had done up to that point and as her best friend, the last thing I ever want to do is hurt her in that way so I did what she would have wanted me to do and gave her my best. While Edge did get what he wanted in the end by having a single North American Champion, he failed in driving a wedge between us because now? Our bond is the strongest it has ever been.
[[[Charly Caruso]]] Last week, we learned the first of two possible opponents you'll face at Dead Man's Hand when Shayna Baszler made an example of an ill prepared Maryse, the same woman that faces your best friend here tonight as she looks to head into High Octane with another notch on her belt. The second match of note is the second half of that equation as your former best friend in Io Shirai faces off against a former foe of yours and the woman that beat your best friend last week in Sarah Logan. The winner of that match will have to deal with Shayna Baszler if they want a shot at your North American Championship. You have a myriad of history with all three of your possible challengers, dating back to your battles with Sarah Logan and Ruby Riott, and even further back when you and Shayna were both involved in the inaugural North American Championship match and even further than that as your friendship with Io Shirai predates your time here in XWL. If you had a choice to face one of those three women, who would you prefer to have challenge you for your treasure?
[[[Kairi Sane]]] If it were up to me, I would say neither of them get a shot until Alexa gets her rightful rematch but seeing as that isn't an option, I don't think it really matters who wins this tournament. Sarah Logan and I have faced one another many times before and more often than not, I was the one that emerged victorious. Granted, I haven't faced this “new” Sarah Logan but if history is anything to go by, the “old” Sarah is still in there somewhere and while she isn't under the influence of She Who Shall Not Be Named, some things never change.
[[[Kairi Sane]]] Next is Io Shirai, the woman I have the most history with both in and out of XWL, the woman I thought was my best friend, the woman I introduced to the XWL Universe because I felt she deserved to showcase her talents on a stage of that size, for an audience that large. She impressed “the office” so much that she was added as a replacement for the Elimination Chamber match where I had to defend the Women's Championship. While neither of us walked away with the Championship on that night, I knew that she would take all the experience she had accumulated in her all too brief time here and use it to further herself and to push herself beyond her limits. Then “The Genius of the Sky” became “The Dark Collector” and decided to try to use myself and Alexa to further her own agenda. She tried to make an example out of Alexa and she paid for that mistake. The last time Io and I were in the same place, let's just say “The Dark Collector” wasn't the one doing the “collecting.”
[[[Kairi Sane]]] Then there's Shayna Baszler, a woman I haven't crossed paths with since that inaugural North American Championship match as you mentioned, a Championship that would elude us on that night but not for long. She's held this Championship before and she wants it back, I understand that. She lost this Championship not in a match but due to being forced to vacate it, I understand that. But I need you to understand, Shayna, that if you try anything tonight against Alexa, you won't make it to High Octane, just ask Io Shirai. It's been over a year since you and I have faced one another, I know you've learned a lot of new techniques and submissions during your time away but you aren't the only one that's gotten better, that's gotten stronger, that's gotten faster. Last time we were in the same ring, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain, now I'm in the position to lose something very important to me and I'll do everything within my power to make sure I don't, just like you'll do everything within yours to regain this and for your sake, I hope it's enough.
The intensity that consumed Kairi for the moment begins to dissipate over the next few seconds, causing Charly to begin moving the microphone back towards her own lips but is quickly stopped in her tracks when Kairi's hand wraps around the microphone to keep it in place.
[[[Kairi Sane]]] I'd love to stay and answer more questions but I got to go support my best friend in her match tonight.
Just as Kairi goes to turn around and make her way down the corridor Alexa took, Charly's hand on Kairi shoulder instinctively causes her to stop and shift her attention towards the interviewer.
[[[Charly Caruso]]] Look, she's already made her entrance. Do you really want to go out there and take the spotlight from her?
As Charly says this, she points at the nearby monitor, which accurately shows Alexa already in the ring, standing across from Shayna Baszler as they await the bell to be rung for their match.
[[[Charly Caruso]]] The last thing you want to do is deny her the opportunity to face an opponent alone and deny her the opportunity to stand on her own feet. If you're out there, it'll just seem like you're holding her hand and I know you won't like to hear this but she needs to do this alone, it's the only way she'll get out of this slump she's in.
Kairi opts to not entertain this conversation any longer and justify her comments by responding, instead wrapping her arms around her chest and shifting her focus towards the monitor ahead. While she doesn't entirely trust Charly's intentions, she understands the sentiment.
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
This time last year Alexa Bliss was campaigning for a North American Championship Match with then Champion Shayna Baszler. To say that a lot has changed since then would be an understatement. Shayna left after a controversial vacancy of her title, while Alexa would begin a very harrowing journey to soon become Champion and a formidable one at that. But at Final Stand, she had her final stand as Champion...and with her best friend taking the reins from her, she now steps in the ring with the woman that next week at High Octane will face the other finalist in The North American Championship #1 Contenders Tournament where that winner will meet The Pirate Princess for her treasure at Dead Man's Hand. Can Alexa rebound after a tough loss to Sarah Logan last week, or will The Queen Of Spades "bury" another former Champion as she prepares for her big opportunity next week.
LIVE FROM: The Canadian Tire Centre, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA ARENA FOR MATCHES: LA HALL
DEADLINE: 4:30 P.M. EST / 9:30 P.M. GMT
[ #MAINEVENTBANKS IS BACK ]
"While last week saw the return of Natalya, this week the newly re-crowned Women's Champion Sasha Banks will make her return to Octane following a grueling Main-Event victory over Liv Morgan at Final Stand where she recaptured The Women's Championship. A night where their long standing rivalry came to an end, but when one chapter closes...another begins. So as we turn the page on the latest Women's Championship Match...what does the future hold for the next? Hear it from The Boss herself live in that ring tonight!"
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office: "Tomasso Ciampa showed up at Final Stand looking for trouble with Kevin Owens, and last week? He brought the trouble to Owens after his victory over Seth Rollins. With a post match assault that to me...says he's looking for a fight, and while one with Kevin might be on the horizon...I thought why not let him get some of this out of his system by facing another Superstar that's looking for a fight as he seeks a rematch with Roman Reigns, Goldberg. Perhaps fighting each other will satisfy their fists and hopefully their appetites for a fight."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office: "Sometimes you need to throw something into The Lion's Den to force it to think on it's feet, to pull from within and recapture what they once were. I feel like a broken record at this point but Maryse was once a very formidable threat in The Women's Division. She looked like the typical primma-donna but the fight within her was very fierce. Seeing her completely buckle under the pressure against Shayna Baszler last week was difficult to watch. I know she's still capable of more, and I guess it's going to take more drastic measures to get there. So tonight I'm booking her against one of the scariest Women in XWL history. Asuka is fast, and her strikes can leave you senseless in seconds. And her return to the ring was ruined last week, thanks to a steel chair to the back something that no doubt had to rile her up even more than she already is by nature alone. One of two things will happen, either Maryse finally steps up and recaptures her former magic? Or Asuka...as the audience appropriately chants...might very well "kill" her."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
Since his return last month, the man known as The One and Only Ricochet has yet to suffer a defeat, even obtaining a victory at the Grandest Stage of Them All, a victory that is elusive to many a Superstar. One of those Superstars in recent memory is Seth Rollins, who may have had success in the past but here in this new era of XWL, we don't live off our past glories, we live in the now. And ever since his war with Jon Moxley, he just hasn't been the same. So tonight, I'm giving both these men an opportunity. Ricochet is given the opportunity to face a former World Heavyweight Champion while Seth is given the opportunity to get back into the groove and pick up where he left off before he ran into the wall known as Jon Moxley.
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office: "I'll hand it to her, Britt Baker is crafty, she weaseled her way out of facing a former North American Champion last week...but this week? I doubt anyone's willing to "take her spot" like she convinced Maryse to, especially considering not only was Maryse practically slaughtered...she also was attacked by Baker after the fact. So there's no running from this former North American Champion tonight. Toni Storm's return to the ring was spoiled thanks to interference from Tenille Dashwood so hopefully that storm has blown over and her match tonight proceeds without something trying to make it "all about them."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"In this business egos are sometimes both a hindrance and an advantage, for both of these Women tonight they have experienced the highs and lows that their very large egos have led them to...but with them putting the pieces together lately and finding the balance between arrogance and confidence...I think having them square off tonight is a good step forward for both of them. And maybe it'll allow Tenille to focus on her opponent tonight rather than interfering in another match this week."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
Last week, we saw “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson pick up a huge victory over a game Shinsuke Nakamura in his return match, and how did he celebrate his new found success? By bringing in his fellow “Good Brother” and beating the living hell out of the Japanese Superstar. This time around, we're testing the other half of that tandem, the big man himself, Luke Gallows. In the past, The Miz has had a myriad of success, most notably being in possession of the World Heavyweight Championship, but recently, much like Seth as I mentioned previously, The Miz hasn't been the same since the abrupt dissolution of his alliance with John Morrison. So as with Seth Rollins, The Miz is also getting that same opportunity: Will he be able to topple the larger Luke Gallows, or will he fall prey to a much hungrier predator?
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Every career starts somewhere and for Dakota Kai, and Tegan Nox? Theirs began on the grandest stage of them all...a lot of pressure that they lived up to, so much so that their introductions alone were one of your favorite moments that night. So who better to be your debut match than your best friend? Someone that like you wants to live their dream of being an XWL Superstar? Someone that will force you to be at your best because they know you sometimes better than you even know yourself. So the pressure is once again on tonight, the question is which member of "Team Kick" will kick their careers off with a victory as they step inside the ring on Octane for the first time?"
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
This time last year Alexa Bliss was campaigning for a North American Championship Match with then Champion Shayna Baszler. To say that a lot has changed since then would be an understatement. Shayna left after a controversial vacancy of her title, while Alexa would begin a very harrowing journey to soon become Champion and a formidable one at that. But at Final Stand, she had her final stand as Champion...and with her best friend taking the reins from her, she now steps in the ring with the woman that next week at High Octane will face the other finalist in The North American Championship #1 Contenders Tournament where that winner will meet The Pirate Princess for her treasure at Dead Man's Hand. Can Alexa rebound after a tough loss to Sarah Logan last week, or will The Queen Of Spades "bury" another former Champion as she prepares for her big opportunity next week.
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
Seven nights ago, following a well deserved victory, Tommaso Ciampa made his presence felt when he assaulted the victorious Kevin Owens. While his intentions were clear, his reasoning wasn't, causing the question to be in everybody's mind: Why, Ciampa? The other half of this match is in a similar vein. Randy Orton's been stalking various male and female Superstars over the past number of weeks, his actions causing the XWL locker room to keep their head on a swivel. Last week, I opted to keep Orton's opponent a surprise for his own safety, this week? I opted for the opposite treatment due to the sheer anger emanating from Kevin, the type of anger that would make you a fool to attack him after the mood he's been in the past week. However, if anybody could manipulate this into an advantage, it would be Randy Orton, who let's not forget, forcibly removed Jon Moxley from The Enterprise for the time being when he punted him in the skull at Final Stand. With this match made official, the question now becomes: Who does Kevin Owens focus his attention on? Does he focus on the task at hand and leave himself open to Ciampa's lack of mercy, or does he focus on getting revenge on Ciampa for his assault the week prior and fall victim to an RKO outta nowhere? Or perhaps, Orton is the one that needs to watch his back?
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Non-Title ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"What do you get when you throw the two most hated Men in Canada against one another? One hell of a conflicted crowd, even more conflicted than they've been lately as they've rallied the return of The "YES" movement. But you also get a former World Heavyweight Champion facing The NEW World Champion that ironically enough won his title via a shocking moment much like Zayn when he cashed in Money In The Bank. On top of that? You throw Sami Zayn a man that's had troubles with The Enterprise, in there with a member of The Enterprise...arguably their head honcho now that he's the only one among them with gold around his waist. A man that helped lead an ambush on Zayn in the parking lot last month and I know Sami's been waiting for his moment to get revenge for that...so with all of these factors in mind...booking this match tonight was an absolute no brainer. Especially considering both Sami Zayn and Daniel Bryan Bryan have requested a rematch at High Octane next week...so can you think of a more appropriate match to lead into that?"
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ N.A #1 Contenders Tournament Match ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
Last week, we witnessed the rebirth of Sarah Logan when she did something her former handler never could when she pinned the former North American Champion in Alexa Bliss in the center of the ring. Now this week, she has an opportunity to advance to the finals of the tournament to crown a Number One Contender for Kairi Sane's newly won North American Championship, but to do that, she must first defeat the former Genius of the Sky in Io Shirai. Like I did last week with Britt Baker, I have given Io Shirai another opportunity to right a wrong from Final Stand, because while she didn't emerge with the North American Championship, she continues to impress with her sensational offense and calculated style. So tonight, the second half of this miniature tournament will have its conclusion and the winner of this match has to go face to face with a former North American Champion in Shayna Baszler, an unenviable position to say the least.
Notes From The General Manager's Office: "Next week The Intercontinental Championship will be decided in a match that stole the show at Final Stand, and it's well on it's way to doing so again. Hangman Adam Page, and The Bastard PAC have been at odds for months, and through that time they have captured your attention, hell they've captured mine too. I am one hundred percent confident with my decision to bring The Intercontinental Title into the mix with these two, and as if a rematch from the "Match Of The Night" at Final Stand wasn't appealing enough for you...I'm throwing the "power" to you THE PEOPLE and letting you vote on what type of match this will be. I've already thrown Ladder Match into the fray, but tonight before they sign on the dotted line and make things official? They'll each choose the other two options for you to pick from.
As for what else might go down when they're across from one on another with the infamous "table" between them? Well, hopefully nothing...but knowing how combustible these two elements are when they're in proximity of each other? I'm not confident they'll keep their hands to themselves..."
Octane returns and we are brought backstage where we see Britt Baker rushing through the XWL hallways. She quickly turns a corner and we can hear a “ooof, Hey! Watch where you’re going!!”.. The crowd begins to let out a boo at the sound of the unmistakable accent. The camera turns the corner, catching up with Britt Baker and none other than Maryse!!
Britt Baker Hey girlll, I am sooo sorry. I didn’t see you there.. It’s just that I-..
Britt pauses for a moment and her eyes light up, as if she just thought of something. She looks down at the bags in Maryse’s hands.
Britt Baker You just got here, huh?... You haven’t seen the match card, have you?
Maryse What?... No… Who even ar-
Britt Baker How would you like to become North American Champion?
Maryse’s expression turns from being annoyed to being somewhat interested in what this rookie dentist has to say.
Maryse Well I mean, it’s only fitting that someone with my experience takes that title off of that little brat’s shoulders.
Britt Baker My thoughts exactly!! That’s why when I read the match card and saw that I was in a North American Championship Contender Match tonight, I thought to myself; “that’s not fair, I’ve only been here a few weeks, meanwhile Maryse is a veteran of that ring. If anyone deserves a shot at the North American Title, it’s her!!!...
Maryse Well you’re not wrong… What did you say your name was?
Britt Baker Britt Baker, DMD.. Look, we don’t have a lot of time, my match is next.. I was thinking that seeing as you, being as successful in that ring as you have been, have a much better chance of defeating Alexa Bliss for that title than I do.. So if I give you my contender match spot, then you promise me that I’ll be your first Contender for it!!! Deal?
Maryse So you’re saying that you’ll give me your spot for the North American Championship Number One Contender Match? And all I have to do in return is give you a match if I win it?
Britt Baker Well it’s a tournament, but yeah!!
Maryse A tournament?
Britt Baker It’s like when a bunch of people-
Maryse I know what a tournament is!! Who is in it?!? Who am I facing?
Britt Baker Oh it’s only a four person tournament girl, that’s a cake walk with someone with your experience!! Your opponent is some nobody, I can’t even pronounce her name!!
Maryse Well okay!! I can’t say no to that!!!
Britt Baker Perfect!! The match is actually.. Well, it’s right now!!! Come on!!!
We cut to ringside where the camera is scanning the booing crowd in attendance. After a few moments we cut to the stage area where Maryse walks out onto, making her usual entrance, except that there is a certain Dentist behind her, yes, it’s Britt Baker.. Britt Baker, DMD.
Mauro Ronallo Well it looks like Britt Baker is going to be watching Maryse fall victim to her plan from ringside…
Corey Graves Victim to her plan???!? Britt Baker was being overly generous by letting her take her spot in this match!!! No wonder she’s everyone’s Role Model!! I sure know that she’s mine!!!
Maryse makes her way down to the ring with a huge smile on her face, she can’t believe her luck. She walked in tonight expecting it to be just another Octane for her, but now she gets to compete in a North American Title #1 Contender Tournament the Octane after Final Stand!!
Corey Graves Oh look.. It looks like we’re in for a treat!! Britt Baker is making her way over!!!
The camera shows Britt Baker taking a seat next to Corey Graves on commentary.
Mauro Ronallo Hey there Britt!
Britt Baker It’s Britt Baker, DMD to you!!!
Corey Graves It’s so great to see you!! XWL’s Role Model, right here on commentary with us!! I can’t believe how lucky we all are!!
Britt Baker Aww, you’re too kind Corey, but one hundred percent correct!! I just thought that everyone sitting at home watching Octane on their TV sets could benefit from listening to some words of advice from their Role Model!!!
Mauro Ronallo A role model, huh? And is what you did to Maryse what a Role Model would do??
Britt Baker Uhmm, yeah, duh… I’m showing all of my fans the importance of being fair, as well as how to be giving.. I’m a newcomer here, it is only fair that I give up my opportunity to someone more deserving.. That Mauro, is called humility... And of course, being XWL’s Role Model, I was able to show everyone the meaning of not only humility, but also selflessness!!! You’re welcome!!!..
Maryse is in the ring now, awaiting her opponent.
Beth Phoenix Are you sure you didn’t just give up your spot because you were afraid of Shayna Baszler??
Britt Baker Beth please.. I’m a dentist.. It will take a lot more than Shayna Baslzer to scare me!!
Beth Phoenix I don’t see what being a dentist has to do with.. Nevermind.. I’m just saying.. It sure seems like this is a set up!!
Britt Baker Whaaaaaaat??? Nooooo… I’m just doing the right thing… That woman in the ring is more than capable of not only taking on, but defeating Shayna Bazler. She’s a veteran of this business, she’s tall, she’s strong I guess??.. She’s uhh..
Mauro Ronallo She’s had a lot of success in this company.
Britt Baker Exactly!!!
Mauro Ronallo What do you think Maryse thinks about all of this?
Britt Baker Who??
Mauro Ronallo M-.. Maryse… The person taking your spot…
Britt Baker Ohh right.. Yeah, Maryse.. Yeah she’s probably thankful, just like you should be for me gracing you with my presence, and just like the XWL Universe should be for having such a great Role Model!!!
Ring Announcer AND HER OPPONENT… HAILING FROM SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA!!!.... WEIGHING IN AT 136 POUNDS… YOU MAY KNOW HER FROM THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER!!\..
Maryse gives a confused expression as she mouths “Ultimate Fighter??”
Ring Announcer BOASTING 13 SUBMISSION VICTORIES IN HER MMA CAREER….TRAINED BY FORMER UFC FIGHTER JOSH BARNETT…
Nervousness begins to set in for Maryse. She looks over at the commentators area and throws her hands in the air towards Britt, as if saying “You didn’t tell me it was…”
Ring Announcer SHHHHHAAAAAYYYYYYNNNNNAAAAA… BAASSSZZZLLLLLEERRRRRR
The crowd lets out a loud boo as Shayna shoots out from the curtain and charges towards the ring!!!
Britt Baker RUN!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE MAR.. What did you say her name was again??
Mauro Ronallo Maryse?
Britt Baker RUN MARYSE!!!
Maryse looks to her left, then her right, but like a deer in the headlights she stays frozen in fear!! The bell rings signalling for the match to begin as Shayna slides in and immediately takes Maryse down with a tackle/takedown. She unleashes a vicious ground and pound assault with her fists and elbows to the stunned French Superstar!!
Mauro Ronallo This doesn’t look good for Maryse!!
Britt Baker Wow.. I wouldn’t want to be her..
There’s a short air silence as once could assume Beth and Maruo are giving Beth a “really?” look. We can also hear a small snicker escape Corey Graves mouth.
Britt Baker What? I call it as I see it.. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to be doing.. Here I’ll help.. And it’s Shayna Baszler with the clear advantage here folks!! Look at those fists just hammer the face of Maryse!! What was she thinking getting into the ring with a former UFC Fighter!!?!?
Maryse kicks Shayna off and crawls to the ropes, desperately looking to escape this dangerous situation she somehow found herself in.
Britt Baker Hey!! Where does she think she’s going?!!?! She has a match to win us!!!
Shayna goes to grab her opponent, but Maryse is able to connect with a swift kick to the face with her flailing legs!!!
Beth Phoenix Ohh… That got her right on the bridge of the nose!!!
Shayna holds her nose in pain, she looks down at her hand, and sees red, literally.. Maryse looks up at the former UFC star and realizes that she busted her open.. Unfortunately for Maryse all this seemed to do was piss Shayna off.. “YOU BITCH!!” we can hear Shayna shout as Maryse screams and crawls out of the ring, one the side closest to the ramp!!! Maryse crawls backwards up the ramp, quickly getting to her feet and back pedalling away from the ring.
Mauro Ronallo It looks like Maryse wants nothing to do with Shayna!! And can you blame her Brit!!!.... Britt??
All of a sudden we can see Britt Baker come up from behind Maryse!! She grabs her and tosses her back into the ring, shouting; “HEY!!! YOU HAVE A TITLE TO WIN US!!!”... Shayna looks down at Britt and shakes her head, shouting; “YOU’RE LUCKY!!!”.. Maryse slowly gets to her feet and glares at Britt. Just as she is about to yell at The Dentist, Shayna comes up from behind Maryse and hits her with a Release German Suplex!!
Mauro Ronallo No wonder Britt had Maryse take her spot…
Maryse crawls to the corner as Shayna looks over her shoulder towards Britt, shouting “THIS WAS MEANT FOR YOU!!”. She then delivers a running corner knee strike across the jaw of Maryse, causing the crowd to let out an “ohhhh”...
Mauro Ronallo This one is over…
Shayna goes for the pin as the ref counts, but we all know that Maryse is completely knocked out…. The ref counts..
1
2
3 !!!!!
Shayna demands the ref raises her hand as she stands over Maryse as the crowd boos. She then turns and heads out of the ring and up the ramp. Britt seeing this immediately jumps into the crowd and gets as far away from Shayna as possible… The former UFC Fighter glares at Britt and shakes her head, almost as if saying “you’re not worth it.” She then makes her way to the stage and into the back..
Corey Graves Wow.. I can’t believe that Maryse waisted Britt’s Contender spot like that!! What a shame!!! Britt was trying to be a good Role Model for these people by showing them the importance of being selfless… And Maryse thanks her by trying to run away from the match!??!? Britt put her faith and trust in Maryse.. What a shame!!!
Britt pokes her head over the barricade, making sure that Shayna is gone. She then smiles and hops back onto the ramp and makes her way into the ring, a concerned look on her face.
Corey Graves Would you look at that!! Britt is going to check on Maryse!! What a nice thing to do!!
Britt slides into the ring and drops to a knee next to Maryse, slowly helping her up. Maryse is clearly dazed as she stumbles to her feet. Britt looks her in the eyes and asks; “Are you okay??”.... Maryse doesn’t have a chance to respond though, as The Dentist connects with a kick to the gut!! She then grabs Maryse and sets her up for The Baker Buster!!!!!
Corey Graves That’s what she gets!! That’s what she gets for wasting Britt’s spot!!
Britt looks down at Maryse and smirks. She then slides out of the ring, mouthing the words “Thank you!!” to the booing crowd as she makes her way up the ramp. We then head to a commercial break.
LIVE FROM: The Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada ARENA FOR MATCHES: LA HALL
DEADLINE: 4:30 P.M. EST / 9:30 P.M. GMT
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Karl Anderson and Shinsuke Nakamura are two Superstars who are certainly no stranger to each other. Both of these men are of near-legendary status in Japan for the wars they fought all over that country for New Japan Pro Wrestling. And tonight? These two superstars will do battle in an XWL ring. Will Shinsuke Nakamura show why he was such a dominant force in Japan? Or will Karl Anderson put the King of Strong Style down? Of course...one has to wonder if Anderson's running buddies in The OC will also make their presence felt as well."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Maryse and Tenille Dashwood are both veterans of the industry, each with over a decade of experience in the ring. While Maryse was born in Canada, Tenille cut her teeth in Canada training under a good buddy of mine, "Mr. Personality" himself Lance Storm. Tenille seems to be in the crosshairs of both "The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka and Toni Storm, perhaps a win over Maryse will take her mind off the fact that her big return to XWL was ruined by those two. Or, perhaps Maryse will show why she's a former Women's Champion and put away the former Emma. Only one way to find out."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"I don't know what happened with Seth Rollins at Final Stand, but needless to say skipping out on the biggest show of the year is certainly a strange choice. Perhaps "The Architect" simply needs to get his head together, so I'm putting him in a match with Kevin Owens to test him this week. Kevin Owens desperately needs a match to blow off some steam after a heated run in with a returning Tommaso Ciampa. Maybe if Owens beats Seth Rollins, he'll be able to better prepare himself for his impending clash with "Daddy." Or, perhaps Seth will finally show that side of him that's been missing the past few weeks and get back in the ring on the right foot with a victory over "The Prizefighter" this week."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last night these two Women made their return at the expense of Tenille Dashwood's time, and reinserted themselves in the division as two Women to watch. So much so that by the end of their verbal altercation with Tenille? It wasn't "all about" Tenille Dashwood the arena was buzzing with chants in favor of The Empress of Tomorrow and The Inaugural North American Champion. So seeing as we are in the business of giving the fans what they're clamoring for? It was a no brainer to pair these two up tonight against each other in their official return to action."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Alexa Bliss has had her plate full for well over a year with Ruby Riott but after defeating her in the first match in Lethal Lottery? It's safe to say this rivalry has come to an end and now Little Miss Bliss moves forward. But someone else moving forward is Sarah Logan, a woman that up until now has mainly been Ruby's support rather than going after her own goals and aspirations. So before she ventures into uncharted seas next week and faces her first round match in The North American Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, I thought what better way to prepare her for that than by facing not only a former contender for The North American Championship, but a former holder of that title as well."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"I have to say that putting this match together, this is definitely a clash of egos. On one hand, you have everyone's favorite straight-to-DVD movie star in The Miz, and on the other, you have the eccentric master of mind games in Velveteen Dream. With The Miz's wife scheduled to be in action tonight as well, I'm sure the Mizanin clan would love to make it a clean sweep on the night and possibly catapult Miz back into title contention. However, he has to make it through perhaps one of the strangest dudes I've ever seen in a ring...and I used to be a vampire, so I'm a bit of an expert on strange."
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ N.A. #1 Contenders Tournament Match ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"When it comes to determining what, or rather WHO is next to challenge Kairi Sane for The North American Championship I tried to look at the division as a whole and really figure out who deserves that opportunity, and more importantly...how do we narrow the field? I decided on four names, Shayna Baszler, Britt Baker, Io Shirai, and Sarah Logan. You're able to give a second chance to the two challengers that came up short against Kairi's other half the now former North American Champion Alexa Bliss...while throwing in some fresh faces including a former North American Champion in Shayna Baszler. So while next week Sarah Logan faces off against Io Shirai, tonight the tournament kicks off with Shayna Baszler hot off her victory over Mia Yim and Charlotte Flair at Final Stand...facing The Winner of Christian's Superstar Hunt. But the question is, who will leave this match still in the hunt for Kairi Sane's treasure and move onto the finals at High Octane in 2 weeks? Is The Doctor IN trouble, or will she have an ace up her sleeve?"
[ Randy Orton in Action Tonight ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Twenty four hours ago, Randy Orton sent a message to not only Jon Moxley, not only The Enterprise, but the entirety of the XWL Roster: Revenge is a dish best served with a side of “RKO outta nowhere.” With Randy's... shall we call them “impulses,” I have decided to keep his opponent a secret for the time being, to not only protect his well-being but also ensure that tonight's match goes off without a hitch. Randy has put a target on his back following his calculated attack on Mox, will The Enterprise retaliate following their respective nights ending with varying levels of success, or will The Viper strike first once again?"
[[[ Main Event ]]]
[[[ Triple Threat Non-Title Match ]]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"And in our Main Event for the evening, I have decided to test our new Undisputed North American Champion's mettle against two challengers who were unsuccessful in their endeavor to create their own “Final Stand moment.” Last night, we saw the now former North American Champion run the gauntlet that I appropriately named Lethal Lottery, defeating the trio of Ruby Riott, Io Shirai and Britt Baker in consecutive matches. While many saw my actions following her well deserved victories as cruel, it was simply the luck of the draw and Kairi Sane, despite her visible frustration with the decision, was able to defeat her best friend to become the sole North American Champion. While her path wasn't marred in her own blood, sweat and tears, I have decided to have our new Champion run her own version of the “gauntlet” here tonight, against two women who have become familiar with one another in the past number of weeks in Mia Yim and Charlotte Flair. Kairi has history with one of these women while the other is uncharted territory for the Champion. For the first time ever, we will have The Queen meeting The Pirate Princess, a royal encounter to say the least. Mia, on the other hand, was involved in a previous Triple Threat match, that Kairi emerged victorious from, however, she didn't pin Mia to win that match, so one has to believe that there's still unfinished business there. After a stellar Final Stand, I'm in a generous mood, so I have given the gift of redemption to both Mia and Charlotte in the form of a Triple Threat match against the current North American Champion while giving Kairi her chance to shut the naysayers down. While the Championship isn't on the line tonight, who knows, maybe if they impress, we may very well see a rematch involving all three women down the road with the North American Championship on the line."
LIVE FROM: Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada ARENA FOR MATCHES: LA HALL
DEADLINE: 4:30 P.M. EST / 9:30 P.M. GMT
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"The self-proclaimed "Shaman of Sexy", will have his hands full with one of the most exciting signings I've personally made to XWL when he takes on XWL's resident "One and Only", the master high flyer known as Ricochet, who had an incredible showing in a Triple Threat Match last week against both PAC and Ilja Dragunov. While Morrison was yet again suffering another loss, Ricochet was kicking off his debut with one hell of an impressive victory in a ridiculously awesome way against two of XWL's top new stars in the new era. Will Morrison be upstaged tonight? Or will he look to take out his recent streak of bad luck out on the newcomer? Both of these men are at their best in the air, so this high-flying dream match will definitely make for a show that you do not want to miss."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last week, Bray Wyatt was revealed as Keith Lee's challenger for the World Heavyweight Championship...until he once again pulled a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and revealed it will be The Fiend challenging Keith in one of wrestling's most violent matches, the Monster's Ball. This week, I'm making sure Bray doesn't pull another fast one like he did in the Intercontinental Championship match AND in the "Fun Counts Anywhere" match...because if The Fiend shows up during his match with PAC, he will lose his World Heavyweight Championship match. PAC took "The Limitless One" nearly to his limits on High Octane, perhaps he'll be able to lay his claim to the future World Heavyweight Championship match he's after if he vanquishes the #1 Contender this week."
[ Shayna Baszler's Open Challenge ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"This week we see the return of another former champion as former North American Champion Shayna Baszler makes her return to XWL. And per her request, she'll have her first match back in an open challenge to any female Superstar in the locker room. Shayna's legitimate mixed martial arts experience obviously makes her a dangerous threat to anyone who has the stones to answer the call...but the thing is, Shayna doesn't know who will actually answer that call, so unlike her cagefighting career, she certainly can't prepare for an opponent when even she doesn't know who it'll be."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"The Miz and John Morrison have been running their mouths for months with neither of them really backing it up in the ring. This week, I'm giving both of them a chance to do that against two of the most exciting stars in XWL today. First up is The Miz. If The Miz wants to keep running his mouth, he's going to need to prove that he can still get it done in the ring, so I'm giving him a match with the former Intercontinental Champion and one half of the longest, reigning, defending XWL Tag Team Champions... of the world in Chris Sabin. While his exploits in the Tag Division allowed him and Chad Gable to gain possession of the longest reign in this company's history, his return to single's action hasn't had the effect on his career. After a brief hiatus following the debut edition of Octane, Sabin made his return to challenge Robert Roode for the Championship that was once his in a losing effort. Since then, Sabin's been on a mission to return to his former glory, managing to topple one of his greatest obstacles in John Morrison last week and this week, I figured, “Why not allow him another opportunity to right a wrong from his past?” Enter Morrison's tag team partner, The Miz. This is a rivalry that dates back to when the Tag Division and their respective Championships were but a pipe dream, and now here we are, some seven years later and The Miz is a former World Heavyweight Champion while Sabin is a former Intercontinental and XWL Tag Team Champion, even managing to be the first man to hold both simultaneously. A lot has changed since they've last crossed paths but will the end result be the same or does Sabin have a few tricks up his sleeve to alter the outcome to continue The Chris Sabin Revenge Tour? There's only one way to find out."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Britt Baker came seconds away from breaking up a pinfall that ultimately decided her Triple Threat Match last week against Ruby Riott and Alexa Bliss. But as Britt has stated, she holds..."wins"...over both of the co-champions. As for Ruby Riott, that fact alone is driving her crazy. So she barged into my office after her match last week and personally selected her best friend Sarah Logan as her personal mercenary, claiming she wanted Sarah to take Britt out of the North American Championship picture. So, I'm giving Sarah this shot to make a name for HERSELF instead of just being "Ruby Riott's Best Buddy" by potentially wiping out one of her friend's top threats to her claim to the North American Championship."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Daniel Bryan and The Enterprise really like to believe that they run the place. Yes, their track record speaks for itself, but that doesn't mean it still isn't obnoxious. So to perhaps shut them up, I'm putting the leader of The Enterprise against Ilja Dragunov. Ilja Dragunov slayed the Austrian giant WALTER and has officially put him on the shelf, perhaps he'll do the same to Daniel Bryan. Or perhaps, Bryan will find a way to escape "Torpedo Moscow".
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Both of these women are women with something to prove. Last week, both of these women lost to the two women who are main eventing the granddaddy of them all, Final Stand XII. Mia Yim lost to Sasha Banks while Maryse lost to the Women's Champion Liv Morgan. This week, I'm giving each of them a chance to get back on the right path towards title contention by letting them each take out their frustrations of tough losses against each other. The best part? Both of these women come from such polarizing backgrounds. Maryse's life of Hollywood glitz and glamour against Mia's rough upbringing on the streets...you couldn't write a better story in Maryse's home of Hollywood."
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Tonight, Kevin Owens looks to step into that ring once again ready to FIGHT for what he wants when he battles a familiar face to the XWL Universe, Shinsuke Nakamura. It's been quite a while since we've seen Shinsuke in XWL, as far back as International Incident in his home country of Japan a few years back. Will the "King of Strong Style" have a successful showing against XWL's "Prizefighter"...or will KO continue his winning ways against a returning Nakamura?"
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Non-Title ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"For the past few weeks, Ruby Riott hasn't been able to buy a victory in the ring, even against my wife two weeks ago. Last week, Ruby Riott once again fell to Alexa Bliss in a triple threat match also involving Britt Baker. So this week, I'm giving Ruby yet another chance to gain some sort of momentum by granting her a non-title match against the other half of the co-North American Champions, Alexa Bliss's pirate pal Kairi Sane, who's been just as much of a thorn in Ruby Riott's side as Alexa Bliss has been over the past year of this vicious, deeply personal rivalry."
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Non-Title ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Last week we saw The Fiend viciously ambush Keith Lee from behind on his warpath to the World Heavyweight Championship match at Final Stand. This week, I'm giving Keith a chance to blow off some steam after that brutal attack when he goes one-on-one with a former World Heavyweight Champion in the returning Roman Reigns. "The Limitless One" will certainly have his hands full as "The Big Dog" is back to lay claim to what he feels is his yard. The question is...is there any ring rust on Roman Reigns after such a long hiatus from the ring? Or will he shock the world and put down the World Heavyweight Champion in his return match? Is Keith Lee even 100% after being attacked by The Fiend? All of this remains to be seen."
[[[ Main Event ]]]
[[[ Final Stand Contract Signing ]]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
"Tonight, a match that has been in the making for the past two Final Stands...officially has it's contract drawn up and signed by perhaps one of the most evolving rivalries we've ever seen in XWL. Friendship, a questioned love-affair, betrayal at both ends, Championship victories over the other, returns that led to rekindling of ashes from the scorched Earth beneath them...we've all followed their story, and at Final Stand XII in this year's Main-Event...Women will once again be front and center as this rivalry officially comes to an end once and for all. Because once The Blue Print, and The Bringer Of Karma sign their signatures this evening? The fate of The Women's Championship will be sealed, ONE will leave Final Stand as Champion...while the other? Will NOT be entitled to a rematch."
As a warm-up for both the new Intercontinental Champion and the World Heavyweight Champion before their Champion vs Champion next week, I decided to put both of them in matches. First up, I'm putting John Morrison against the Intercontinental Champion, Robert Roode. As his buddy The Miz looks to stake his claim as #1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, perhaps John Morrison can do the same in his match against the current Intercontinental Champion. And just like his pal the Miz being a former World Heavyweight Champion? John Morrison is one of the longest reigning Intercontinental Champions of all time. Maybe we can see the duo from "The Dirt Sheet" with both of those championships back around their waists.
LIVE FROM: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Scotiabank Saddledome
ARENA FOR MATCHES: LA HALL
DEADLINE: 4:30 P.M. EST / 9:30 P.M. GMT
[ Triple Threat Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
Knowing that there's somewhat of a shortage of challengers for Robert Roode's Intercontinental Championship, I made this triple threat match. With High Octane on the horizon and with Robert Roode potentially needing a challenger, these were my top three picks for potential challengers. These three have really caught my eye lately, so I hope that one of them can prove himself as a worthy challenger by coming out on top of this little test of mine.
[[[[ FUN Counts Anywhere Match ]]]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
Last week at Aftershock, the world was stunned as "The Devil's Favorite Demon" Kane made his return to XWL for the first time in nearly a decade, coming inches away from defeating Robert Roode for the Intercontinental Championship. Meanwhile, the downright disturbed Bray Wyatt challenged the 7'0" monster to a "Fun Counts Anywhere" Match...whatever the hell that is. While I have no clue what a "Fun Counts Anywhere" Match entails...I went ahead and approved Bray Wyatt's request...mainly because I want to see these two monsters tear the house down.
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
On the Octane before Aftershock, Sarah Logan defeated Kairi Sane in an absolutely vicious Street Fight. Meanwhile, Ruby Riott defeated the new Women's Champion Sasha Banks, but was immediately assaulted from behind by Sasha's partner in crime and opponent at Aftershock Liv Morgan. Now, Sarah Logan, who can't be anywhere near 100%, looks to avenge the assault on her sister in arms as the Viking powerhouse looks to destroy the former "Juvenile Delinquent" as revenge for her vicious attack. Personally? I think these two will tear the hell out of each other.
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
The same with the aforementioned Triple Threat Match, these two are catching my eye as potential challengers for Keith Lee's World Heavyweight Championship at High Octane, should he lose to Robert Roode next week. Kevin Owens has come close to defeating Keith Lee before, so perhaps he can put away Miz and finally get over the hump that is Keith Lee...and the Prizefighter can earn himself the biggest prize in the industry in the process. And as for Miz... while he's busy having soundbite-heavy shows with his buddy John Morrison, The Miz is a former World Heavyweight Champion. And if he can defeat Kevin Owens? Maybe that former can turn into future.
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Non-Title ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
As a warm-up for both the new Intercontinental Champion and the World Heavyweight Champion before their Champion vs Champion next week, I decided to put both of them in matches. First up, I'm putting John Morrison against the Intercontinental Champion, Robert Roode. As his buddy The Miz looks to stake his claim as #1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, perhaps John Morrison can do the same in his match against the current Intercontinental Champion. And just like his pal the Miz being a former World Heavyweight Champion? John Morrison is one of the longest reigning Intercontinental Champions of all time. Maybe we can see the duo from "The Dirt Sheet" with both of those championships back around their waists.
[ Edge Hosts The Cutting Edge ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
Tonight, I bring back my talk show, "The Cutting Edge" as I look to gain some insight into the mind of the brand new XWL Women's Champion, Sasha Banks. Her relationship with Liv Morgan, her desires for the gold and perhaps who she thinks should be the next challenger to step up for the gold. You definitely don't want to miss this.
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Non-Title ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
As for Keith Lee? Well, it seems like he's been on a course to try to destroy The Enterprise. First, he defeated Daniel Bryan at Aftershock for the World Heavyweight Championship. Next week, he'll be facing the Intercontinental Champion and Bryan's Enterprise associate Robert Roode in a Champion vs Champion match in the main event. But as for tonight, I'm placing him in a match against another Enterprise associate...the ever-unstable Jon Moxley. Mox just got through with an absolutely hellacious First Blood Match with his former best friend Seth Rollins. Obviously, neither of the men in this match are going to be at 100% after both went through grueling wars at Aftershock, but we're on the road to Final Stand now...and only the strongest will survive this road.
[ Normal Match ]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
The former World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan came up just short in his title match against Keith Lee. Knowing that he's more than capable of handling some of the giants of XWL? I decided to stick him in the ring with a guy who matches his style in the ever-dangerous WALTER. I just hope for Daniel's sake that he can avoid getting his chest caved in by those giant chops of XWL's resident "Austrian Anomaly."
[[ Normal Match ]]
[[ Non-Title ]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
Signing Mia Yim was one of my top priorities when it comes to strengthening the pool of talent in XWL. Because not only has it been years since Sister April completely ripped her identity away from her but before her downfall, she was on a rise that was hard to forget starting with her being the one that retired Layla. So when we finalized the deal at Aftershock she asked me for one thing and one thing only. "I want Sasha Banks as my first match." Why did she want this? Sasha Banks just became Women's Champion in one of the most shocking moments of Aftershock and once upon a time ago during Mia's rise? There was one challenger before that devastating fall, a certain Boss that now runs The Women's Division, Sasha Banks. She wants to prove to the world that she's not a shell of who she once was, she's back and ready to pick up where she left off. And given that I am sitting down with Sasha tonight I felt like what better first match for her to have as The NEW Women's Champion than to face a ghost from her past and potentially allow her to rewrite some history.
[[[ Main Event ]]]
[[[ Contract Signing ]]]
Notes From The General Manager's Office:
As XWL's first ever special event on the XWL Network, the inaugural edition of High Octane nears, a historic match is set to take place next week, as Intercontinental Champion Robert Roode battles World Heavyweight Champion Keith Lee in a Champion vs Champion Match. The loser of that match has the "distinct honor" of having to defend his championship in the main event of High Octane, just mere weeks after winning it. I'm just hoping cooler heads prevail during this contract signing...none of these things ever end up going very well. But next week is where Champion versus Champion matches officially change forever, I said it when addressing you for the first time when Octane first went live. They SHOULD be important, and tonight when these two Champions come face to face? The gravity of next week will officially sink in as they both become Patient Zero in an experience that changes the game and puts Champions on notice that you either are the best or you're going to have to fight harder than any Champion ever has to prove you still deserve to call yourself a Champion.
Nothing works in this new game. Online does nothing and achievements don't unlock no matter what you do.
I have not touched it in weeks and I doubt I will until it gets a serious patch.
Stick with 19 for the time being.
The purpose of this thread is because it got a serious patch last week.
I'm just going to say if I'm going to take the effort to try to get things on track by starting a conversation if people could read the thread before responding that'd be great.
"Then finally last week, another patch drops...and this one seemed quite substantial. Upon playing it against AJ (Legal) to all of you, it addressed the hit detection issues...it addressed some of the glitches and mess. And I could finally use a CAW (Cloned Superstar Alternate Attire) without the game crashing. "
The purpose of this thread is to say everyone who has it, play it and give your feedback on what you feel about the game now that it's finally gotten a patch that actually did something.
Or in Sam's case give perspective and put forth your opinion with reasonable logic despite not playing it. He's saying if most seem to think its okay give it a shot because to him and some others I've spoken to behind the scenes they're not motivated because they don't wanna play 19 anymore, they were over it and having to stick with it is just not working.
Activity is pathetic and if we're going to continue the league if I'm going to put effort into booking coming up with ideas (LIKE AN INTECONTINENTAL #1 CONTENDERS TOURNAMENT) then SOMETHING is changing. You are one of the members who isn't doing promos much less doing your matches on 19. And if you can't at least get your matches done you should be promoing because if you aren't hit by the lack of motivation by the game since you're saying stick with 19 then what needs to change because I am fed up of this bs from everyone who has been here yet is doing nothing.
If the game isn't the problem for you as for why you aren't contributing as a member then what is?
Because this thread while started as a "HEY A PATCH DROPPED CAN WE PLAY 20 NOW Y'ALL THINK?" is essentially a thread saying everyone needs to get their act together because having a 2 week card and only having 11 posts last week? RIDICULOUS.
With tonight's Main-Event upon us, the crowd are brought to their feet as a loud "pop!" echoes within the arena when none other than the upcoming defending North American's theme sounds throughout the building.
As the beat "drops" so does a display of pyrotechnics as they blast over the stage. Typically the challenger's entrance would be first but tonight it's Alexa Bliss who opts to step out onto the stage, clearly not one for waiting...after all, things haven't gone her way for the past year for a number of reasons...and even her moments of "bliss" have had their own twists to distort that state of enjoyment so who knows...maybe if she waited until her challenger came out here Ruby Riott could have tried to ambush her as she entered the ring. But she's not interested in falling into the victim category anymore. As she said in her interview earlier tonight the days of her being some damsel in distress are over. She's The North American Champion and THAT is her focus.
The camera switches to the top of the ramp as Bliss steps out, her title around her waist, as a red and brown gear acts as her battle gear for tonight's Extreme Rules match.
[Mauro Ranallo] Ladies and Gentlemen do not touch that remote because after a tremendous night we have ONE more match that your eyes are going to want to see.
[Renee Young] Absolutely, The North American Championship is going to be defended in an Extreme Rules Match between two rivals that have a story spanning all the way back to last year when their rivalry first began.
[Corey Graves] Alexa Bliss became a victim over a year ago thanks to the actions of her #1 Contender...and that victim-hood has stuck with her ever since.
[Mauro Ranallo] She used to be far more wicked, far more furious...but in the last 365 days she has admitted she's felt like the person constantly having to overcome one chapter after the next and tonight writes her final chapter of being a "victim."
Alexa raises both backs of her hands up to the camera, clenching them into fists after a few seconds before her eyes lower to the title that's proudly on display around her waist. She's been in this position before, her first defense during her first reign as North American Champion did not go well...about as disastrous as it possibly could have gone. But tonight she says this is different, this is where she proves why the fans voted her the 2019 Female Superstar Of The Year. As she heads down the ramp you see her focus lies solely on the ring before her, no slapping hands of fans tonight...because tonight is serious business, and she's not allowing herself to lose sight of that.
[Renee Young] One thing I will say is that while I do not wish to see the return of the old Alexa Bliss...considering I think she's grown tremendously in the past year. I do see her sentiment with the fact that she has been forced into this role that she really doesn't naturally fit into. She isn't this underdog that's clawing her way up every step of the way. Maybe when she was first getting into things she was in a sense...but she's very capable in that ring now and her resume this year speaks for itself. She isn't some victim, she's The Wicked Goddess of XWL in her words...and her fury when she unleashes it is matched by no other woman in that squared circle.
[Mauro Ranallo] You look at her Last Team Standing Match at Final Stand, her performance in this year's Elimination Chamber, a night where she competed twice. You look to her cunning showcase in Falls Count Anywhere when she at last became a Champion in XWL. Her refusal to fall in 3 Stages Of Hell. The fact that she defeated Tessa Blanchard in a 2 out of 3 falls match while her best friend at the time Kairi Sane couldn't. Her UNBELIEVABLE display in Hell in a Cell where she ended the rivalry of 2019 and performed in the match of 2019. Alexa Bliss no longer fits the role of a victim because a victim suffers their fate while Alexa? Refuses to accept it. She may have had her best friend betray her 3 weeks ago but rather than accept the fact that yet again she found herself in this predicament? She simply said does it hurt, yes...will it be the end of me? Absolutely not!
[Corey Graves] That's all well and good and everything and yes even I will admit she's evolved into quite the competitor in that ring in the last year...but let's not ignore who she is in that ring with tonight. This challenger to her title just a year ago reduced her to a sniveling wreck as she exposed a deep dark secret about Alexa Bliss' youth. She in Alexa's words, nearly made her just call it quits on this business right then and there. Ruby Riott may be despicable, she may cross the line that one does not cross, but when it comes to Alexa Bliss? She is in her head unlike any other woman has ever been. She's so in her head, that Alexa refuses to say her name. Every rival Alexa has had, EVEN KAIRI the woman who just backstabbed her...she says her name. But Ruby? She calls her she who shall not be named. And THAT to me says that Ruby when this match is over with? WILL be named The NEW North American Champion.
Alexa makes her way around the ring, climbing up onto the apron where she removes her title from around her waist and steps through the ropes hoisting the belt up behind her as she stands in the middle of the ring striking her signature championship pose.
Her eyes that once were gazing at her North American Championship soon pierce forward into the direction of the camera, as if they were looking at someone specific. That person obviously being her challenger that has made it her life's mission or so it seems to ruin Alexa's. Her eyes say that this title is hers, and that will not change by the end of tonight's Main-Event.
Soon her title lowers over her shoulder, and she takes a few steps back, utilizing the ropes as a makeshift seat as she awaits the woman who looks to take everything she holds dear.
As the defending North American Champion sits on the bottom rope on the side of the ring opposite of the entrance ramp and wraps her right hand around the middle rope while keeping her left hand on her Championship that's draped proudly over her shoulder, awaiting the arrival of her long time enemy and current challenger to her Championship in the woman that shall not be named, a small section of boos in an otherwise positive crowd catches her attention and causes her to shift her focus from the stage to the crowd.
Upon scanning it for a few moments, Alexa spots the culprit, her former Pirate Pal dressed in all black, a stark contrast to the bright colors she formally wore, at the top of the steps with her arms crossed over her chest.
[Renee Young] Well despite Alexa clearly stating she didn't want anything to do with Kairi after her betrayal, The Pirate Princess is in attendance tonight...and it looks like she's here to spectate the upcoming North American Championship Match.
[Corey Graves] While Alexa may be referring to herself as The "Wicked Goddess" of XWL, unlike Mandy Rose she does not hold the power that makes her wishes come true.
[Renee Young] Mandy didn't exactly have that either, unless you count Mr. McMahon moving heaven and earth for her.
[Mauro Ranallo] An interesting sighting for sure, Kairi betrayed Alexa Bliss at The Slammy Awards 2 weeks ago yet hasn't really explained why and we've been trying to get an answer ever since.
As Kairi looks on from the crowd, a brief staredown ensues between former best friends, both women looking at the other with their version of a stoic expression, Alexa done being a victim and not giving her former ally the satisfaction of breaking down while Kairi, well, we don't really know why Kairi turned her back on Bliss just yet but there surely has to be a reason, right? Or perhaps it was Alexa turning her back on Kairi? It's all a matter of perspective after all. So far, we've only heard Bliss' side of the story while Kairi hasn't spoken up about her decision to do what she did and perhaps, all is not as it seems. As Kairi's eyes remain locked on Alexa and vice versa, two people approach her while she's in the crowd, a cameraman and an interviewer.
We, as the audience watching at home, don't hear nor see this attempted interview but we see the female interviewer's mouth moving and the camera clearly recording it but when she moves the microphone towards Kairi to get answer, The Pirate Princess doesn't acknowledge her presence, causing the woman to return the microphone towards herself and ask another question. This one isn't as thought out and descriptive as the first, the microphone going back towards Kairi after a handful of seconds, causing her to slowly turn her head towards the woman, a soul shattering glare etched on her face. The interviewer takes this as her answer and opts to end the impromptu interview before the second elapses, escaping the scene in a hurry while doing her best to maintain her poise and elegance, the cameraman following shortly after. Kairi's gaze returns to Alexa, or perhaps her North American Championship? But before we get any further of an interaction between the two "pirate pals" Alexa turns away from Kairi sticking true to her promise earlier in the night that she's done allowing herself to fall into situations that turn her into this sad little victim. Instead she rises up from the ropes and refocuses back on the match ahead.
Alexa stands in the middle of the ring clutching the North American Championship in both hands, gazing into her reflection in the shining faceplate. Wondering if this could indeed be the last night she holds the championship in her hands. If Ruby Riott could rip away what she'd spent the majority of 2019 working so hard to gain. Alexa scowls into the faceplate of her title before draping it back over her shoulder.
As she waits, she lets out a sigh as Ruby Riott is clearly taking her time coming to the ring, a sign of mind games from the challenger in tonight's main event. As the seconds tick into minutes, the champion quickly grows agitated, pacing back and forth in the ring, speaking to herself as if coaching herself with a speech to hype herself up to defend her title and overcome the odds. While it's clear she's not at 100%, she'll need to perform at at least 150% in order to keep Ruby Riott at bay.
Alexa rolls her eyes as Ruby's music begins to play, muttering to herself as if to say "It's about time." Ruby walks on the stage, greeted immediately by boos and jeers as she motions to her waist, as if to tell Alexa that her championship was coming home with her tonight.
[Mauro Ranallo] Clearly, Ruby Riott is a master of mind games when it comes to ticking off Little Miss Bliss.
[Corey Graves] How do you know it's mind games, Mauro? She might have just been doing some last minute preparations!
[Renee Young] Or saying a prayer that Alexa Bliss doesn't kick her ass tonight.
As cocky and confident as ever, Ruby Riott strolls down the ramp, only to have a small girl shove a sign that reads "ALEXA BLISS ROCKS!" in her face. Chuckling, Ruby smirks at the small girl before suddenly yanking the sign out of her hand, ripping it into multiple pieces before tossing them down, stomping on the remnants of the sign.
[Renee Young] Oh come on! That's uncalled for! Ruby Riott is such a...ugh...
[Corey Graves] She's a what, Renee? A professional? A warrior? A future champion?
[Renee Young] She's a bully, and a heartless bitch! Terrorizing a little girl because of her favorite superstar just isn't right!
[Corey Graves] Renee, you're supposed to be an impartial, unbiased journalist!
[Renee Young] That never stopped you with your endless Mandy Rose asskissing, and it's not going to stop me from saying I hope Ruby Riott gets her ass kicked Alexa Bliss in front of the whole damn world. She's deserved to have a piece of humble pie shoved down her throat since the day she first walked through the doors of this company.
The small Alexa fan is sent into a sobbing fit at the treatment of her sign, being consoled by her very pissed off parents as Ruby just walks on by, cackling to herself as she adjusts her jacket. Ruby steps up to the apron only to have Alexa Bliss standing right in front of the ropes, staring a hole through the woman who's been tormenting her for over a year. Ruby lifts her hand up, motioning at Alexa to step back and stay in her lane before the referee finally steps between them, forcing Alexa back enough so Ruby can enter the ring.
[Mauro Ranallo] As much as you might hate to admit it, Renee...Ruby Riott has a clear, definitive advantage after thoroughly humiliating and then injuring Alexa last week during that "This Is Your Life" she presented. The champion definitely cannot be at 100% after last week.
[Corey Graves] And that's why we'll be seeing Ruby Riott walk out with the championship tonight. It's easy math. Ruby Riott is at 100%, Alexa Bliss is not.
[Mauro Ranallo] Well, before you go full Nostradamus on us, the last year has shown that you cannot count Alexa Bliss out. There's a reason she's the Female Superstar of the Year, and she was able to persevere through Mr. McMahon and Mandy Rose making her life a living hell...not to mention Ruby Riott making her life a living hell both before and after her rivalry with Mandy.
[Corey Graves] Yeah, there's a reason she's Female Superstar of the Year, and it's because she's a leech, leeching off others for her own benefit. You saw it with Nia Jax and you certainly saw it with Kairi Sane, and that's why neither of them want anything to do with her anymore.
[Renee Young] You do remember that Ruby Riott was the one who turned Nia against Alexa right? Leeching off Alexa's best friend in order to defeat her, and then in the end at Final Stand despite doing everything in her power to use everything for her own benefit it all blew up in her face? Alexa was The Last Woman Standing then, and tonight will be no different.
Ruby finally slides underneath the bottom rope after the referee has placed himself between her and Alexa. However, Ruby and Alexa both manage to shove the referee aside simultaneously, going nose to nose and engaging in some trash talk.
[Mauro Ranallo] Volatile, combustible elements are at play here...the question is, will Ruby Riott prove to channel Tim Burton and be Alexa Bliss's Nightmare Before Christmas?
[Corey Graves] We're going to find that out right now.
Main Event North American Championship Extreme Rules Match
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SPOILERS
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[Mauro Ranallo] HASHTAG, AND STILL NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION!
[Renee Young] You come for the crown of The Wicked Goddess, you better not miss or she will stomp you and your hopes of destroying her right into the ground like she just did moments ago.
[Corey Graves] A rare mistake by Ruby Ri-
[Renee Young] No, no...don't you dare try to write this off as if Ruby is this mastermind that made one wrong move and it tipped the sales. Ruby Riott is a master AT making mistakes. Her first mistake? Thinking she could destroy Alexa last year, and every action of hers has been a mistake ever since as evidenced by the fact that she STILL didn't beat her despite EVERYTHING she's done to try to do that. She literally ambushed her last week knowing she wouldn't be a hundred percent going into this match, a match SHE decided to announce would take place tonight instead of at Breakthrough. Ruby lost, flat out tonight. Her arrogance, her belief that she's the clock that will strike midnight to end Alexa's "fairy-tale" existence. THAT is why she lost, because as good at being bad as she may be, Alexa is far better at being GOOD.
[Mauro Ranallo] Naturally you're very invested in this Renee considering last year you weren't at this booth you were backstage as an interviewer, and that fateful night that Ruby forced herself into Alexa's world...you were there front and center to witness all of it. Even after the cameras cut away, you saw exactly what she did.
[Renee Young] I have been trying to forget what I saw ever since that night, much like I'm sure Alexa has been trying to forget it happened. You were spared the sight of seeing a woman force another's fingers down their throat until they...and I- I just refuse to allow anyone to give Ruby credit when it is far from due. Did she bring a great fight to Alexa tonight? Absolutely, look at Alexa she's still lying on the mat on top of her, beyond exhausted and feeling the effects of all that Ruby put her through. But her performance is overshadowed by the character she leads. Not a single person is sad that she lost tonight, in fact look at the faces behind us in this crowd. They are elated, they are screaming at the top of their lungs because we've all been on this journey with Alexa from the moment the purge took place. And to see how far she's come since, to see her overcoming everything she has? To see her stomp the woman responsible for her being thrown into the class of a "victim" ever since? That is a feel good moment, knowing that Ruby Riott FAILED tonight despite having everything in her favor, in her own words? THAT will make all of us sleep well tonight.
The referee left the two beaten and battered women for a moment to collect The North American Championship from the time keeper. The title that found itself in the middle of a highly personal and storied rivalry tonight. But at the end of it all, Little Miss Bliss is still very much Little Miss Champion. As he returns to the heap of exhausted competitors, Alexa looks up and through her worn out state she manages to smile when she sees The North American Championship presented back to her. The official extends his hand to her and assists her up to her feet, as she takes her title back into her possession and raises it up to a large applause from the fans that just saw her again go to hell and back for her coveted prize.
As Alexa stands over her fallen challenger that shall not be named, holding the championship she successfully defended against the woman that started it all, from losing her confidence to becoming best friends with Kairi to the events that transpired at the Slammy Awards Edition of Anarchy, it all started with her and now that she has once again defeated the woman that made her so weak, a new Alexa Bliss has risen from the ashes, an Alexa Bliss that won't be a victim anymore. Bliss lifts the North American Championship high into the air as cheers and adulation fill the ring for Alexa's successful defense but there's still a third person of interest in the arena. Bliss looks over her shoulder and slowly turns to address The Pirate Princess in the room, continuing to raise the North American Championship above her head as if to show Kairi that instead of breaking her, she only made her stronger. When the camera focuses on Kairi, she's... clapping? While her facial expression doesn't show it, her claps aren't half-assed nor overdramatic, they're surprisingly genuine. When they reach their end, Kairi begins to turn around and leave the area, a subtle smirk appearing on her face before she turns her back to the ring and makes her way up the handful of steps left between her and her great escape.
[Mauro Ranallo] Well we still may not know what is going through the mind of Alexa's ex-best friend Kairi Sane...but given her appearance for tonight's contest...I'd say Alexa may not have seen the last of her.
[Renee Young] She just had a very good first hand experience of what Ruby Riott went through after making an enemy of Alexa...for Kairi's sake? I'd suggest she just go her own direction and leave Bliss alone.
[Corey Graves] Somehow I doubt she'll have any interest in your advice, Renee. Going back to Japan seems to have changed Kairi, and obviously for the better.
Alexa walks past Ruby, not even paying her a single bit of attention after "Bliss-Missing" her. She limps over to the ropes then makes her way out of the ring, heading up the ramp to continue her celebration leaving The Equal Opportunity Agitator to come to terms with the fact that despite viewing victory tonight as a "sure thing" that nothing and no one would stop her from fulfilling her "destiny" to rip the last thing away from Alexa that she holds dear...she utterly failed. She's left in the center of the ring, in front of everyone, sitting up with her head in both hands. The cheers of delight from the fans over her defeat, the pain she endured throughout this match only to lose...the calculated schemes she plotted up to leave Alexa's emotional state in disarray. EVERYTHING in her mind pointed to victory, victory at ease no less. But that isn't what happened, instead she's once again been bested by Alexa Bliss...and you can tell she's asking herself in this moment "How did I get so close, yet so far?" We cut away from the pity party in the ring, to the VICTORY party at the top of the ramp where Alexa's North American Champion rests behind her head as she strikes her signature pose, reveling in Ruby's defeat as much as the fans.
[Mauro Ranallo] With a successful title defense tonight, one has to wonder...what might be next for The North American Champion?
[Renee Young] There's no shortage of potential challengers in that locker room, especially now heading into The New Year everyone is going to want to ring 2020 in with the prospect of becoming a Champion.
[Corey Graves] I mean does it really matter? Everyone is just a placeholder until God's Greatest Creation makes her return, reclaims what is hers, and makes MYSTORY again when she becomes The RECORD MAKING THREE TIME NORTH AMERICAN CHA-
[Renee Young] No, just no.
[Mauro Ranallo] Well no matter what might be next for The Wicked Goddess...she seems poised and ready to take it on. She's no longer the victim her story, and the final chapter of that tale was written tonight as she bested the woman who inspired the first chapter.
The North American Champion takes a couple steps further up the stage before taking her title into her hand and raising it into the air to another hefty around of applause from the fans. But seeing Ruby's sulking state, she decides turnabout is fairplay. Ruby's spent her time enjoying seeing Alexa cry...almost obsessed with making it happen...that Alexa starts to mockingly gesture toward her fallen rival.
She wipes away an imaginary tear, pouting for a moment...feeling empowered by her victory that finally it is no longer she that is consumed by her emotions but the habitual line-stepper that has crossed her last line with her. Following that moment, Bliss returns to her face as she smiles with her North American Championship held high...ready for whatever or whoever may try to come for her next.
With the joy returning to her face, the gleam in her eye once again shining bright, and the permanently written "victim" brand that once existed on her forehead removed, the camera begins to fade out signaling the end of tonight's broadcast. This is a NEW Alexa Bliss, rising up from the ashes to stand tall despite her short stature. She is The Last Woman Standing, and this...is her Moment Of Bliss.
As Anarchy resumes tonight's broadcast, audio begins to play over a black screen. "AND THE 2019 FEMALE SUPERSTAR OF THE YEAR....ALEXA BLISS!" The cheers echo as what feels like an entire arena scream out excitedly. A still image of The North American Champion standing at the podium as she holds what now would be her third Slammy award of the night. As the image remains on the screen, showing her bright smile and stunned demeanor as she received an award she admitted she didn't expect to receive given the tough competition this year. But after a few seconds, another feed of audio plays, and it's from the tail end of Alexa's acceptance speech. "There just are no words that do this moment justice. I do want to thank one person specifically for this though...while of course I'm grateful for your votes...I have to be honest there's no way I would be here tonight, or have had the year I have without the support and love of my best friend Kairi Sane!" This was a friendship that no one saw coming, nor expected to last for long at all. Yet for a year they were a beacon of the love and respect two people can have for one another. The level of selflessness that can exist in a business that's usually cutthroat. They fought together, for one another, and it seemed like their happiness was solely measured by the happiness of the other. As that image fades, another quickly replaces it. Kairi Sane had surprised Alexa and made it back from Japan in time to be here to celebrate her special moment. In this image we see the tight embrace as they hug at the podium, smiles on both of their faces, an audience in the background moved by just how touching all of this was. But in the blink of an eye, what seemed like a still image like all the others, suddenly comes to life.
We see a never before seen angle of that hug, where you see the exact same embrace...from the exact angle...but it stays there rather than cutting into a tighter shot like it did on that night. As the image stays there, you see Kairi's eyes suddenly lose the softness that was in her gaze, and you see the smile that once was bright and warm...completely dissipate. As this image that has suddenly shifted, nothing changing aside from Kairi's expression on her face...another soundbite plays for us. " Kairi, I may be their Superstar Of The Year...but you're my Superstar Of The Year. Then, now, and forever...we're Five Feet Of Friendship...and this one's for you!" This was the final thing she said before Kairi came out to surprise her, and as the audio stops again...suddenly the image turns to black and white as it starts to shrink within the screen until suddenly it splits in half as if someone had ripped it into two...and as the two halves begin to fall into opposite ends of our screen a new image takes center-stage between them. Alexa Bliss being struck with her Slammy in the back of her head by Kairi Sane.
After we see the same image for about five seconds, the camera begins to pan out, revealing that we were watching this on a monitor somewhere backstage...but as it pans out further, we find out that we weren't the only ones watching. In the center of an typical interview backdrop, we see the victim of that heartbreaking betrayal, Alexa Bliss. You see the pain in her eyes, and the intensity as she stares at the monitor before it returns back to the normal Anarchy show graphic. Charly Caruso standing beside her cautiously raises her mic as she prepares to talk after just watching it herself, having no idea what kind of state Alexa is in after not only going through that, but having to relive it just now.
[Charly Caruso] Alexa, forgive me for the informal introduction...but after we both just stood here and watched that...I have to ask, are you okay? Because I can only imagine what's been going through your mind for the past two weeks after...well, that happened.
[Alexa Bliss] Am I okay? Absolutely not. Will I be okay? Absolutely.
Alexa's never been the type to be a quick and to the point speaker. So for her to be as cut and dry as she just was? It peaks Charly's curiosity, because...this isn't her.
[Charly Caruso] Not that I want to pick at the fresh wounds, but given what happened 2 weeks ago...I have to ask, is that really all you have to say?
[Alexa Bliss] What do you want me to say? That I'm hurt? Because I am, two weeks of emotional anguish and physical pain from being attacked by not only my best friend, but also my opponent tonight will do that to you. That I have struggled to even keep it together long enough to say a word let alone a complete sentence? Because I have, and currently am. That I have so many unanswered questions and it frustrates me that it's been 2 weeks and she hasn't even answered the most blaring one of them all, WHY? I do, but what does saying that do for me in this moment? I've been through this before, 2019 began with the betrayal of my best friend Nia Jax because she got jealous over my new friend Kairi Sane. Because she chose to make it about herself rather than realize I was going through one of the most difficult periods of my life, not just my career...and I needed her to be understanding of that.
[Alexa Bliss] I wasted my breath then, and what would wasting my breath now do what it didn't then? I thought Kairi was different, I thought our bond was strong enough to last the test of time...turns out I was wrong...and as much as that hurts...as much as I could go into detail over how confused I am by all of this...I quite frankly am sick of being this "victim." I've had that label attached to me for the better part of the last year. First I was the victim of one of the most heinous acts in XWL history. Then I was the victim of a backstabbing betrayal, then I was the victim of the machine and being held down by "the man." And I remained victimized for 6 months as no matter how hard I fought and tried I couldn't seem to stay above the water to save my life. THEN, after thinking finally I had some bliss coming into my life I become the victim of fate and it's cruel sense of humor by setting up my first challenger to my North American Championship being the culprit that started ALL of this!
[Alexa Bliss] Now, I'm the victim of yet another backstabbing "best friend" and I have officially run out of whats to give. I'm through with being everyone's sad little victim that you feel sorry for. I am The North American Champion dammit, and THAT is where my focus lies. Not some pirate that led me astray...no...I refuse to give her what she wants. She wants to see me breakdown because she knows how much I cherished our friendship. But I won't do it, I won't give her the satisfaction...I may not know why she did it...but at this point it's kind of irrelevant isn't it? She doesn't seem to be too interested in talking about it so that's fine. She can continue to act out while I'll keep my eye where it belongs, and that's maintaining possession of MY treasure.
Following her long winded rant, you could feel the frustration as she stands there having recalled her last year of victim-hood. Someone like Little Miss Bliss, and her personality are not typically the "victims" of their stories but no matter what situation she's found herself in for a full year now...she's been exactly that, a victim. But she's fed up of it, she's over it, she is ready to put that chapter of her career behind her and never be put in that position again. Even if all of the pieces on the board point to her being exactly that she refuses to give in to that notion.
[Charly Caruso] Well, it is a bit more complicated than that though, isn't it? I mean last week Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan led an attack on you, and...strangely enough it almost looked like Kairi came out to your rescue.
[Alexa Bliss] Is it complicated? Is it really? She hated she who shall not be named as much as I did. That's how our bond began, we united against a common enemy, it was us against the world...and while apparently her allegiance has changed...clearly her disdain for that person has not. So I'm sorry but there will be no thank you note, nor a fruit basket delivered to her ship. Now can we please talk about something else because as I've made abundantly clear...I have zero interest in being apart of this story. Been there, done that...no thank you.
She lost her best friend 2 weeks ago when that friend assaulted her with her Female Superstar Of The Year Slammy Award...and while we have seen the hurt in her eyes as she has spoken tonight...we know that she's trying with every fiber of her being to just push forward and not succumb to the emotions within her.
[Charly Caruso] Alright how about we lighten the mood a bit and talk about the good part of your experience at The Slammy Awards 2 weeks ago? You not only took home your first ever Slammy, but you claimed a grand total of THREE of them most notable of all the award for Female Superstar Of The Year. Talk to us about that moment, and what it means now weeks later knowing that all of your hard work was immortalized with that trophy?
Even with the topic of something light...you can tell she's in the middle of a raging war of emotions in her head as she tries to put that to the wayside to talk about something cheery. I mean this is a huge honor, and that should make anyone perk up when talking about it...but we all know why she's not, even if she is trying to not feel the way that she does. She's hurt, her pirate pal sent their friendship to walk the plank...and now it's sinking to the unforgiving depths of the sea.
[Alexa Bliss] It's still hard to believe that I'm associated with the list of names that were awarded that honor before me...but for all the humility within me over that...there's also part of me that isn't ashamed in saying I deserve it. This last year was a transformation for me, in more ways than one. I went from virtually a nobody to the living embodiment of a Superstar. I have upped my ability in that ring, and the multiple nominations for Match Of The Year, as well as the award for Match Of The Year are confirmation of that. But I've also made sure that my voice was never left unheard. No matter what it was, if I had something to say...I not only said it but you listened. I introduced the first female hosted Talk Show and I can officially confirm that Season Two of a Moment Of Bliss will be returning soon to Anarchy! But above all else, I've proven that big things come in small packages...and I'm the gift that keeps on giving.
[Charly Caruso] Alright let's talk about Ruby Riott.
A noticeable groan leaves her, after all...this person that she has refused to address by her name for the year that they've known each other was the catalyst that started ALL of this.
[Alexa Bliss] If we must...
[Charly Caruso] Given that she is your #1 contender, and will be the woman who will challenge you in tonight's Main-Event...I think she's worth mentioning.
[Alexa Bliss] I'm not really buying what you're trying to sell but go ahead.
[Charly Caruso] The history between you two is volatile to say the least. She doesn't like you, and the feeling is very mutual. But it's officially been one year since her disgusting attack on you, in a deeply emotionally scarring way. An attack that changed the entire course of your career because the walls you had built up to protect yourself...to hide that deep dark secret of your past...had suddenly been brought down by a wrecking ball named Ruby Riott. A name that you for a year, have refused to speak of by her name. Tonight's almost like the next round of the war between you two, a war you thought was long gone when you bested her and were The Last Woman Standing at Final Stand. But fate is a funny thing, and your paths have once again intertwined...leading us to tonight. Extreme Rules, nothing off limits...and your North American Championship at stake. What is going to happen tonight?
[Alexa Bliss] Well, I'm going to win...obviously. What other option is there?
Again, she tries to keep it brief...but Charly's job is to get the scoop...and so she digs deeper.
[Charly Caruso] It's not necessarily so black and white though, is it? Because this match is held under Extreme Rules meaning it's no disqualifications...and there's nothing stopping Ruby's best friend Sarah Logan from pulling another stunt like last week?
[Alexa Bliss] I won't be screwed out of this championship again...it happened before, it won't happen again tonight.
In what was acclaimed as The 2019 Rivalry Of The Year Alexa Bliss became Champion for the first time in XWL by defeating Mandy Rose in a Falls Count Anywhere Match that went all the way to Mr. McMahon's office and seemingly finally brought her some much needed "bliss" in her life. But that reign was short lived when Mandy Rose would meet her in a Three Stages Of Hell Match that was one screwjob after the next, it even led to her best friend at the time Kairi Sane to interfere on her behalf to try and save her reign, to help her "first mate." But ultimately her reign would end and her best friend would be fired. So when Alexa Bliss talks about the screwjob, which infamously ended with Mr. McMahon "accidentally" bumping into the ladder and sending her crashing to the mat allowing Mandy to climb and seize her title...she peaks as a woman who went through it before and now says NEVER AGAIN.
[Charly Caruso] Aren't you at all worried that in your need to stress that it won't happen again, that you're not a victim and all of these things...that you're almost being a little narrow minded? Some people including fans of yours have concerns about tonight's match. Because this is your past coming back to haunt you. You overcame Ruby Riott, you thought this story was done...and then she finds her way back to you and with everything else that has happened...your head may not be entirely in the game. Which Ruby, given how much of an expert at mind games she is...that could be her key to ending your reign.
[Alexa Bliss] She got in my head once before...but all of that is behind me. Tonight she's not going to take this title from me by beating that dead horse anymore than she's already beaten it. If her fingers come anywhere near my mouth, I'm going to chomp down and bite her freaking fingers off and then I'm going to shove them down her throat. How's that for mind games?
[Charly Caruso] Alexa, are you sure you're okay? You don't seem much like yourself tonight...you're very on edge, which is ironic considering how much you're trying to act like you're not.
It was that last remark that made Alexa's eyes squint ever so slightly as she leers in Charly's direction. Yes, she's not "okay" right now...but she's trying to be and she can't exactly be that if the narrative everyone's trying to throw her way paints her as this damsel in distress. She isn't in distress, she is The North American Champion that went literally through hell to claim her crown. She is The WICKED GODDESS of XWL...and her fury is matched by no one.
[Alexa Bliss] Let me make one thing perfectly clear, that apparently wasn't made clear enough. I'm done, FINISHED...with being a "victim." That means that tonight if I am to shed that shell I've been stuck inside of for the past year? I have to look at this as do, or die. The past 2 weeks haven't gone my way, and rather than harp on what made those nights so bad? I choose to dust myself off, raise my chin, cross my arms...and say try me. Try to do it again, try to take this title from me, try to defeat me when I am at the height of my career. TRY, but as you try you will fail because failure is not an option for me. Failure would be letting them win, and if I decide to be "bubbly" or "carefree?" That is exactly what will happen. Tonight is Extreme Rules, against a woman that has proven the lengths she will go to destroy me and everything I hold dear. And what I hold dearest of all? Is The North American Championship.
Her eyes lower down to the title over her shoulder, as she stares in silence at it. This is the spoils of her previous war, a war that challenged her more than any other before. She didn't come out on top of that just to lose it to some ghost from her past that's trying to go for round two.
[Alexa Bliss] I'm not leaving this arena without it...
Her eyes are on the prize, the prize that is The North American Championship on her shoulder right now. She utters those final powerful words that say so much despite saying so little. She doesn't care what she has to go through tonight, she's going to be leaving this arena the same way that entered it. The camera slowly zooms in on Bliss, and her focused gaze on the championship she'll be defending in The Main-Event. She's clearly ready to be The Last Woman Standing after the dust settles much like she was at this year's Final Stand...but the question is will she be? Her challenger is a dangerous woman to not only Bliss but this entire division. She has no boundaries that she won't cross. Ruby Riott is someone who will stop at nothing to bring pain and misfortune to others...and Alexa Bliss knows that better than anyone considering what she did to her last year...and what she continually did to her on the weeks and months after it. The scene fades from the sight of Bliss staring at her title, a mix of concern and confidence all fighting the battle to be shown as Anarchy continues.
XWL Anarchy is live as staff and XWL officials are in the middle of decorating the ring for what appears to be a party. Knowing what's about to occur, the fans boo as white and pink streamers decorate the ropes, pink glittery party hats are adorned over each of the four ringposts, and a red carpet is rolled down the ramp, leading to the ring, which is covered with a black canvas. A table is set up in the middle, various objects clearly laying on top of it even as a black sheet covers what they are.
[Mauro Ranallo] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to yet another explosive edition of XWL Anarchy! Mauro Ranallo alongside Renee Young and Corey Graves as we're apparently kicking things off with...well, a party!
[Corey Graves] What gave you that idea, Mauro? But it's not just ANY party...it's a party that's being thrown for our North American Champion...and to top it off, it's being hosted by her #1 Contender, Ruby Riott!
[Renee Young] That's what I'm afraid of. You never know what can happen when Ruby Riott is in an XWL ring...and after Kairi Sane ruthlessly betrayed her supposed "best friend" I doubt the champ is in any mood to party at all.
[Corey Graves] Oh come on, Renee! Clearly, Ruby is going to throw this party and help cheer up the champion! After all...it's obvious that considering how the last two friends ended up betraying Alexa...Little Miss Bliss could clearly use a real friend. But of course, that's not all! Our main event is without a doubt one of the most action-packed matches we've had in some time, as The Enterprise battles Keith Lee and the Trash City Stupid Idiots in a six-man tag!
[Mauro Ranallo] We've also got some familiar faces returning to in-ring action this week, and...uh...what on earth is all this in the ring?
[Corey Graves] Have you not ever been to a party, Mauro? Actually don't answer that, you clearly haven't. These are party favors, genius! Why am I the only one who ever knows what's going on around here!?
[Renee Young] Oh, good grief...
Another large object is covered by yet another black sheet, set atop what appears to be a stand or easel of some kind. A smaller table than the table being covered up is set up in the corner of the ring, adorned with various snacks and pitchers and bowls of unspecified brand drinks because Ric Flair clearly doesn't want to get sued again. As ringside attendants finish decorating the ring, a cheesy, deep voice is heard over the PA system.
[Deep Voice] Ladies and gentlemen...presenting your party host...the next XWL North American Champion...Ruby Riott!
The crowd grows much, much saltier as Ruby Riott steps out onto the stage, clearly over-exaggerating how excited she is for this "celebration" of Alexa Bliss as she puts her hands to her chest at the sight of her party set-up being exactly how she envisioned. Ruby starts to walk down the ramp, but suddenly stops, waving her finger before fishing another pink glittery party hat out of her jacket, placing it atop her head.
[Corey Graves] Wow, what a shindig that's being thrown by Ruby Riott tonight!
[Renee Young] I'm gonna throw up.
[Corey Graves] What do you mean!? You like pink...and you like glitter...and you like parties! You should be thrilled that you got invited to Ruby's party...you did get invited, didn't you?
[Renee Young] We're all mandated to be here by our bosses, Graves.
[Corey Graves] ...So you didn't get an invite, huh? That's why you're so down in the dumps! It's okay, Renee...no one invites Mauro to anything, either.
[Mauro Ranallo] Your soon to be ex-wife actually invited me to your alimony hearing.
[Corey Graves] ...Shut up, Mauro.
[Renee Young] Does she get half of the Mandy Rose shrine in the divorce?
[Corey Graves] You shut up, too!
Ruby stands in the middle of the ring, grinning ear-to-ear as she grabs a microphone, the party host beginning to address the XWL Universe.
[Ruby Riott] Man, do I know how to throw a party, or do I know how to throw a party!? Look at this! We got balloons, we got streamers, we got party hats...we have an incredibly talented, soon to be gold-wearing party host! All that's missing is...well, the guest of honor, but we'll get to that in a little bit. But before we do...I might as well spill the beans on why I'm throwing this party. See, I know Alexa probably needs to be cheered up after her apparently former favorite pirate clonked her on the head with her own Slammy last week...so why not throw a party in her honor? So Alexa Bliss...this...
[Ruby Riott] THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
More balloons and even confetti begins to fall from the ceiling as Ruby grabs a noisemaker out of her other jacket pocket, loudly blowing it into the microphone.
[Ruby Riott] Now, let's begin with Alexa's early life, shall we? If you could all direct your attention to the stage!
[Ruby Riott] Most of you already know all the details so I have an index card with all the important things. Let's see...born to Bob and Andrea Kaufman. Birthday is August 9th, 1991. Had an eating disorder and nearly starved herself to death. Blah, blah, blah. I know you want to get to all the interesting things about our guest of honor, so let's start in Akron, Ohio.
[Ruby Riott] This is Alexa Bliss's sophomore year in college at Akron University, where she became the captain of the school's cheerleading team! In fact...I have someone who can talk a lot more about that. See, I spared no expense for this little shindig of mine. So please welcome...Alexa Bliss's college cheerleading coach, Coach Vaughn!
A rather thin individual in an Akron University tracksuit slowly jogs down to the ring, waving to the crowd who continues to boo, chanting "A-LE-XA!" as the college coach enters the ring, nearly stumbling through the ropes.
[Ruby Riott] How you doing, Coach? So, everyone wants the scoop: What was Alexa like as a Division I athlete? Well...I guess waving your pom-poms isn't really much of a sport, but I digress. What was she like in college?
[Coach Vaughn] Well, to tell you the truth, Alexa worked very hard. But she did have a major attitude problem! I remember during her junior year, she had some of the other cheerleaders hang one of our new freshman members...ah...underwear, on a pole outside of the Akron University dining hall. I tried to make Alexa apologize, but instead, she threatened to quit the team if I didn't cut the freshman from the team. And well, Alexa was our best cheerleader...so that's just what I had to do.
[Ruby Riott] Man, what a bitch, huh? So would you say Alexa was kind of a diva? A "my way or the highway" type?
[Coach Vaughn] Ah, well, I can't really go that far...but it was very clear that she really lacked the maturity or the ability to make very many friends. As seen last week when her friend, Miss Sane, decided to attack her. But uh...I really need to go catch my flight, uh, our team has nationals next week and we have to be ready.
[Ruby Riott] Well, I do certainly appreciate you dropping by, Coach! One more round of applause for Coach Vaughn!
The crowd responds with a standing boo for the cheerleading coach who quickly exits the ring and leaves through the audience.
[Ruby Riott] Now...let's backtrack a little bit, back to Alexa's childhood. See, ever since Alexa was a little girl...she's always loved a truly magical place...Disney World!
[Ruby Riott] Oh, whoops! That's actually a picture Alexa took at Disney World during our break, but she's so tiny that it's hard to tell modern Alexa from child Alexa. Uh...next slide!
[Ruby Riott] Ah, Disney World! The most magical place on Earth for parents to buy their rotten kids a bunch of crap that'll start collecting dust when they outgrow it. Speaking of crap that's been collecting dust, I want to show you something.
Ruby Riott grabs the tablecloth covering the table, pulling it back to reveal a bunch of weathered Disney memorabilia, including a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal with an eye missing. Ruby picks up the stuffed animal, her free hand motioning to a staff member outside the ring.
[Ruby Riott] This...this was Alexa Bliss's safety net as a child. When she was a little girl, Alexa used to hug and squeeze this Mickey Mouse toy, right next to her nightlight because poor little Alexa was so afraid of the dark, she'd end up wetting herself. Isn't that just awful? No child should ever have to be afraid of anything, after all. Well...poor little Alexa still fears me, and the fact that I will be taking her North American Championship at Breakthrough. Because when I get my hands on her, her title reign...all her hopes and dreams, her entire career...will go up in flames.
The staff member beckoned earlier pushes a metal garbage can into the ring along with a book of matches. Ruby grins as one-by-one, she takes Alexa's childhood toys and tosses them into the trashcan. Holding the Mickey Mouse toy up, she spits onto it before tossing it in. Glaring down at the trashcan, Ruby lights a match, dropping it into the trashcan and setting all of Alexa's childhood possessions alight!
[Ruby Riott] Ashes to ashes, dust to dust...how tragic. Now that we've taken a walk down Alexa's childhood, let's keep venturing further down memory lane...to Christmas last year. Roll the footage!
Quote :
[Alexa Bliss] Oh! I almost forgot.
Alexa quickly makes her way to Kairi, placing the wheel down on the table next to the bow and lifting her still covered tray, extending it towards The Pirate Princess.
[Alexa Bliss] I'm sorry, how rude of me...I got you something too. It's not as great as this hat, but it's the thought that counts, right?
Kairi pulls off the cover with relative ease as the expression on her face says it all: It is, in fact, the thought that counts. On the plate sits a tray of cookies in the shape of pirate wheels that together form a much larger pirate wheel with an alternating pattern of red and green frosting in the spirit of Christmas. Kairi's hand slowly reaches for a cookie, hesitant to disrupt the perfection of the pirate wheel but if anybody would have to do it, it'd have to be her. She pulls a customized cookie from the tray and goes to take a bite, but before she could, it's snatched away from her, causing both women to shift their attention to the culprit.
The camera pans to the left to reveal none other than Ruby Riott, the cause of torment for both Kairi Sane and Alexa Bliss over the past number of weeks. Ruby is seen with a black Santa hat on her head, the words "Merry Kiss-My-Ass" printed in large letters on the white brim. As the camera pans over her shoulder, you can see that she has placed a Christmas tree in the locker room has been spray-painted completely black. The "Voice of Anarchy" has a smirk on her face as she takes the tray of cookies in her opposite hand, chuckling to herself as she looks towards an angry Kairi and Alexa.
[Ruby Riott] Aw...you two are so cute, it almost makes me want to puke. Don't worry, Alexa, you don't have to join me...I'm sure you already did that enough today. But, hey, these cookies look good! I know you're just going to let them go to waste, so maybe they're better off with me...or you know...maybe I should help join in the festivities. After all...I know how to throw a great party! They're always...a riot.
Ruby smirks before biting into the cookie Kairi had selected. Her eyebrows raised up as she acknowledged that they did indeed taste pretty good. However, as she finished the cookie, she suddenly slammed the tray onto the floor, sending the cookies scattering at her feet! Alexa and Kairi look on with a mixture of anger and despair as Ruby begins to stomp on the pirate-themed Christmas cookies, laughing at the chaos she's caused before kicking the tray across the room.
[Ruby Riott] Aw...did I ruin your little Christmas party? Did big bad Wuby Wiott hurt your wittle feewings? Are you two going to cry? Here...let me make it better.
Ruby snickers before grabbing a jug of milk that Alexa had sat next to the tray of cookies. Looking up at Alexa's head, she quickly yanks the glitter-covered pirate hat off her head, taking the milk and beginning to pour it into the hat! Alexa's eyes bug out of her head as she and Kairi share a look of outrage before Ruby suddenly stuffs the hat back onto Alexa's head, causing the cold milk to drench her head. Alexa starts to shiver and sniffle as milk runs down her hair and face, this image causing Ruby to nearly double over with laughter, slapping her knee as she laps up the fact that she has broken Alexa yet again.
[Ruby Riott] I think your cute little party has just been cancelled. Better luck next year...oh, and have a holly jolly "Blissmas!"
Having thoroughly ruined said "Blissmas" for Alexa and Kairi, Ruby cackles to herself as she shoulder checks both Kairi and Alexa on her way out of the locker room, leaving Kairi rushing to grab paper towels to help clean Alexa up as her make-up runs down her cheeks with a mixture of tears and milk ruining it. However, while Kairi is able to help Alexa dry off, the glittery pirate hat is completely ruined, as are Alexa's pirate cookies.
Cutting back to the live feed, Ruby Riott is doubled over with her arms wrapped around her stomach, full-on belly laughing at the sheer torment she caused Alexa and her then-friend Kairi Sane.
[Ruby Riott] Hahahaha! Oh my god, that look on her face! That's just classic! That picture should be put in a frame! Oh...speaking of that, hey, you! Ring announcer! Bring that picture over here!
The ring announcer sighs as he gets up, grabbing a picture frame from near the timekeeper's table. The picture in the frame? Well...actually, two pictures side-by-side. The first is a picture of Kairi and Alexa hugging...the second is Kairi Sane striking Alexa Bliss with her own Female of the Year Slammy award.
[Ruby Riott] What a great photo! I might have to go to Kairi Sane and try and get it signed! She'll probably sign it with something like, "To my former best friend Alexa Bliss, burn in hell. Love, Kairi Sane." And to remember the now-lost friendship of Alexa Bliss and Kairi Sane, if you'll turn your attention to the snack table, I've made some cookies just like the ones Alexa made for Kairi last Christmas...except, well...
Placing the framed photo down, Ruby pulls a sheet of aluminum foil off a tray filled with...well, what used to be pirate wheels and heart cookies, each of them broken and crumbled.
[Ruby Riott] Just like their friendship...and just like Alexa's heart...these cookies are irreparably broken. Such a shame. Oh well, down the hatch, right?
Ruby takes one of the broken pirate wheel cookies, quickly scarfing it down before swallowing it.
[Ruby Riott] Now those are pretty tasty, just like the ones I stomped into oblivion last Christmas. But...sticking with the theme of things that happened last year...see, last year, Alexa Bliss was introduced to someone who is now one of her favorite musicians...and her name is Poppy. But, since this is a celebration of Alexa's life...I figured we'd go all out. So ladies and gentlemen...here to sing her hit new song "I Disagree"...Poppy!
The crowd actually cheers for the first time during this segment as the talented musician and her band step out onto the stage. The quirky yet creepy Youtube star-turned pop-metal singer smiles as she leans into the microphone she's holding.
[Poppy] I'm Poppy. XWL Anarchy. Alexa Bliss. Alexa Bliss loves Poppy. Ruby Riott...Poppy loves Ruby Riott. Ruby Riott gives Poppy money. Poppy plays "I Disagree" for Ruby Riott. Watashi wa anata ni dōi shimasen.
[Poppy] Watashi wa anata ni dōi shimasen Watashi wa anata ni dōi shimasen Watashi wa anata ni dōi shimasen I disagree, everything you believe is a tragedy I disagree with the way you keep preaching insanity I disagree with all of the reasons you're mad at me I disagree, everything in your life is a tragedy
As Poppy sings, a video plays behind her of Alexa and Kairi's tearful reunion last week. Alexa hugs her best friend. However, the tides quickly turns during the heavier portions of the song.
[Poppy] Down, let it all burn down Burn it to the ground We'll be safe and sound When it all burns down Let it all burn down Burn it to the ground We'll be safe and sound When it all burns down
During these heavy portions, the video plays of Kairi's reaction to her being fired, Alexa's torment at the hands of Mr. McMahon and his lover Mandy Rose, all the way up to the brutal betrayal by her best friend, repeatedly showcasing Kairi laying Alexa out with her own Slammy award from a multitude of different camera angles.
[Poppy] If only all of you could see the world I see Then maybe everyone could live in harmony Watashi wa anata ni dōi shimasen Watashi wa anata ni dōi shimasen Watashi wa anata ni dōi shimasen Watashi wa anata ni dōi shimasen
As this portion of the song is played, the video also shows flashbacks of Ruby Riott's multiple assaults on Alexa Bliss, including Nia Jax's assaults on both Kairi and Alexa.
[Poppy] Down, let it all burn down Burn it to the ground We'll be safe and sound When it all burns down Let it all burn down Burn it to the ground We'll be safe and sound When it all burns down
As the song ends, the video focuses on the most heinous assault Ruby Riott made on Alexa Bliss, having rammed her fingers down Little Miss Bliss's throat and caused her to vomit, a still image of Ruby's fingers jammed down Alexa's throat remaining on the titantron.
[Ruby Riott] Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Poppy! And make sure to listen to her album "I Disagree" when it drops in January 2020! I know I'll be the first in line for an autographed copy! Now...I think it's about time that we brought out the guest of honor. Ladies and gentlemen...without further adieu, I present the soon to be former North American Champion...Alexa Bliss!
The mood in the arena shifts to disdain directed toward Ruby to an overwhelming show of delight as the theme belonging to the "guest of honor" and North American Champion Alexa Bliss. All focus turns to the stage as we await her arrival, knowing that she won't exactly be in a good mood due to Ruby's antics, nor due to the unexpected betrayal by her best friend Kairi Sane last week on The 2019 Slammy Awards. To have Ruby come back into her life, and then have the woman who helped her get through that unfortunate period the first time then seemingly turn her back on her...it's a very confusing time for Bliss and the fact she's even going to show her face right now is a bit of a shock in itself.
[Renee Young] I can't say I expected Alexa to show up tonight, not after Ruby's best friend Sarah Logan suggested against it last week, and after what Kairi did to her later in last week's show...
[Mauro Ranallo] It's very tragic that's for sure...just when Alexa thinks she's finally able to enjoy the fruits of her labor...her life just gets turned upside down all over again.
After moments pass and Bliss doesn't step out from behind the curtain, her theme finally stops and the titantron lights up as a camera crew has assembled outside her locker room door and Bliss is standing in a partially open doorway with slightly swelled eyes and anything but a smile on her face.
[Alexa Bliss] Please, just go away...get that camera out of my face.
[Cameraman] But Alexa, Ruby's waiting for you...
[Alexa Bliss] Does it look like I want to be anywhere near her, or ANYONE right now? Please, just give me some space.
[Cameraman] You're the guest of honor though...
[Alexa Bliss] We both know the type of person she is, and nothing good will come from me going out there. So tell her to enjoy her "party" but I will not be apart of it...not so she can relish in my pain...no thank you.
With that, The North American Champion shuts the door, ending the dialogue between herself and one of our cameramen. He tries to knock on the door, even tries the handle...but ultimately she much like the door will not budge. The footage comes to an end as the focus shifts back to Ruby Riott in the ring.
[Ruby Riott] Wow...Alexa, play "It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to."
The longtime tormentor of the clearly distraught Alexa Bliss snickers at her own joke before continuing.
[Ruby Riott] See, that's just like our Female Superstar of the Year! Never face your problems head-on, just keep running away and hiding until the big, bad monster comes to get you. But...speaking of monsters...I'm sure none of you actually cared about Alexa at that time, but the last time XWL had a "This Is Your Life"...funny enough, Alexa Bliss hosted her own version. Yes, it was about as unbearable as you'd expect, but I went back and watched it on the XWL Network, and something really stuck out to me.
[Ruby Riott] I want you all to see the real North American Champion...and how she speaks to her own mother. The mother who brought her into this world, the mother who was there for Alexa through all her troubles and all her strife, the mother who brought her to her favorite place on Earth, Disney World. I think we have it queued up in the truck...play the footage.
Quote :
[Corey Graves] It's Mrs Bliss! Stand up and bow down Mauro! That right there is the woman responsible for giving us all the gift of The Goddess!
[Mauro Ranallo] I'm quite comfortable where I am right now thank you Corey. But yes, Mrs Bliss looks like a pleasant lady.
*Mrs Bliss is all smiles as she waves to the XWL Universe while strolling to the ring wearing her daughter's Little Miss Bliss shirt. The fans give her no reaction at all. Bliss claps her mother onwards as she enters the ring and grabs a microphone.*
[Mrs Bliss] Lexi, I just wanted to say-
*Alexa rudely interrupts her mother.*
[Alexa Bliss] Mom, be quiet! This is my moment. Nobody wants to hear what you have to say!
*Mrs Bliss looks completely dejected and heartbroken as she's shut down by her daughter. The XWL Universe gives Alexa arguably the largest amount of heat she's had to this point for her actions, and that's saying something.*
[Alexa Bliss] Just stand there and smile ok? You should be glad to be associated with me after the waste of a life you've had.
*Mrs Bliss now becomes infuriated with her daughter. Alexa takes a step back from the wrath of her mother and tries to calm the situation.*
[Ruby Riott] Wow...she might be the Female Superstar of the Year, but she definitely isn't the Daughter of the Year. Yikes. See, Alexa is like all of you: She's an entitled, spoiled brat who's used to getting everything she wants...and then starts throwing tantrums until she gets her way when she doesn't. And you wanna know why? It's clearly because of bad parenting skills. I mean...that woman just let her own daughter walk all over her on worldwide pay-per-view. She's just as soft and spineless as her daughter is. And much like Alexa's mother was a failure at parenting...at Breakthrough, Alexa Bliss will be a failure when all that Disney magic and pixie dust runs out, and I take that North American Championship from her.
The 2019 Female Superstar Of The Year's music hits again, but this time the very second it begins to play, a very "Blissed Off" Alexa Bliss tears through the curtain as if she's not even waiting for her "cue." The North American Championship is sloppily wrapped around her waist as if she threw it on just seconds ago before storming out here.
While she at first clearly wanted no part of this "party" when Ruby decided to dig up some old footage displaying behavior Alexa today clearly isn't proud of...she's decided enough is enough. She may be in an emotional state due to her best friend clonking her in the back of the head with her Female Superstar Of The Year Slammy...but she will not stand back there and allow Ruby to continue to play these games, not when she's already played them last year.
[Alexa Bliss] What in the hell is your problem? You get off on this kind of thing do you? Your own life so uninspiring that you have to dig up dirt on others to spark a buzz, to get people to pay attention to your sad...miserable existence?
The Wicked Goddess in full effect tonight as she is not holding back, not pulling a punch, she is furious and every bit of emotion within her is being taken out on a Woman she hates so much that she has refused to utter her name within the year they've unfortunately known each other.
[Alexa Bliss] You think it's funny showing that footage? You think I'm honestly proud of that? Since you want to talk about my life, considering you apparently don't have one of your own...let's talk about my life. Let's talk about 2 years ago when I went out to that ring, and dismantled my own mother. I was in a dark place, I was insecure, I was feeling as if no one would ever give me the time of day, no one would see anything in me. So I decided I would show the world the WORST part of me and do something so outlandish, that they would have no choice but to SEE ME! See, I call you out because I tried to do the same thing. The only difference between us? Literally that night I was backstage balling my eyes out as I could not apologize enough for what I put my own mother through on National Television. XWL loved it, management wanted it to be this next great "story." But the pain I put my mom through was far too real to even think of doing it. I saw the pain in her eyes, felt the hurt in her tone as she told me it was okay...because I knew how much she had sacrificed so that I could have my life...I knew what she gave up to give me everything I've had. And I knew how much she was there for me when I was at my absolute lowest. That person you just showed, is why I see you for the disgusting person you are. Because I knew I had crossed a line, I knew I went way too far...and I stopped. But you? You just keep going, don't you?
As Alexa recalls that point in time, you see how much she never wanted to talk about it, because no one up until now ever had the nerve to bring it up...but now that everyone's been reminded of it she's saying everything she's no doubt wanted to say to the world ever since she put it out there.
[Alexa Bliss] I'm not proud of the person that was so weak, felt so insignificant that she made some big stunt to try and make a name for herself...but I am proud of the person who realized the road she was going down and turned right around before she went any further. I love my mother, and last year when you were trying to "expose" me to the world? Not only was, Kairi there for me...
Alexa pauses, as her voices cracks upon the mere attempt of saying Kairi's name. Her eyes shake, and her mouth hangs open for a second, trying to build the strength up within to continue.
[Alexa Bliss] But so was my mom, she called me before and after each show to make sure I was okay. And when you were announced as my Number One Contender? She told me that as much as I may want to give up, as much as I may want nothing to do with you...as much as I may wish upon everything that is good...that you would just stay out of my life. That there are always going to be people, like you. People who take a sick satisfaction out of the mistakes, out of the experiences of others because you have nothing else to bring you joy. You, are pathetic...you, are insignificant, you...are a walking gimmick that has outlived your welcome. And honestly, at this point I don't even hate you anymore...I just feel sorry for you. Sorry that something made you into this person, and no one cared enough about you to save you from yourself before you lost your own identity. All you do is talk about me, talk about my life, talk about MY Championship...expose every detail of my life, my past, my story...my flaws...and you're right THIS IS MY LIFE! So why don't you try getting one of your own instead of being so obsessed over mine?!
[Ruby Riott] Oh, so you're openly admitting that you're just doing all of this for the attention now? Well, I'm proud of you for being so open. But it appears that you've run out of friends in the process. Unfortunately for you, though, Alexa....I haven't.
Ruby simply smirks towards the stage as Alexa glares daggers through her. However, as Alexa focuses on Ruby, the crowd sees what's about to happen...the XWL Universe attempting to get Alexa's attention, but unfortunately, they're unable to in time as Sarah Logan stalks up behind Alexa before slamming the North American Champion in the back of the head with a steel chair!
[Mauro Ranallo] OH MY GOD! WHAT THE HELL!
[Corey Graves] HAHAHA....this is brilliant!
[Renee Young] This is disgusting! This entire character assassination of Alexa Bliss has been the most disgusting thing I've ever seen!
The crowd is absolutely irate as they expected Sarah Logan to be the voice of reason for this bitter, personal rivalry. Instead, it appears that Sarah Logan would never even begin to try to betray her best friend. The Viking brute yanks Alexa's head up by the hair, shouting into her face. The camera audibly picks up the dreadlocked warrior yelling "I TOLD YOU YOU WERE GONNA GET HURT!" before Sarah roughly yanks an unconscious Alexa to her feet before hauling her over her shoulder, carrying the lamb to the feet of the wolf for slaughter, and unfortunately for Alexa, that wolf's name is Ruby Riott, her #1 Contender.
[Ruby Riott] Yeah, Alexa...THIS IS YOUR LIFE...and oh, what a wonderful life it's been.
However, as Ruby gloats, Alexa begins to try to use the ropes to get back to her feet, the champion showing the resilience that has made her one of XWL's most beloved Superstars over the last year. Unfortunately, the numbers game is too much for the champion. Ruby yanks the title off of Alexa's waist, tossing it aside before grabbing her most hated rival. Sarah Logan lets out a primal howl before Ruby Riott places Alexa onto the shoulders of her best friend, the powerful Viking sending Alexa crashing through the snacks table with a vicious Powerbomb, sending drinks and food all over the destroyed champion! The war paint-donning Superstar victoriously beats her chest in triumph as Ruby Riott laughs wickedly into the microphone.
[Ruby Riott] And now that the guest of honor has arrived...Alexa, allow me to present you with your gift!
Grabbing the tarp covering the final covered object in the ring, Ruby yanks it down, unveiling a large painting of Ruby's most heinous action against her rival, with Ruby having jammed her fingers down Alexa's throat. Ruby shouts orders at Sarah, who lifts Alexa up to her knees, forcing her mouth open. Ruby smirks as she drops to a knee, pushing the North American Championship into her rival's face. "The worst is yet to come..." She mutters before suddenly shoving her fingers down Alexa's throat once again, right in front of the painting that has immortalized the last time Ruby pulled this off.
However, as Ruby digs her fingers down Alexa's throat, her eyes widen as none other than Kairi Sane comes dashing down to the ring, pirate wheel in hand. Ruby immediately bails from the ring as Kairi ducks under a clothesline from Sarah, bouncing off the opposite ropes before dropping Sarah Logan with an Interceptor, sending the Viking rolling out of the ring clutching her ribs. Once Ruby brought herself and her best friend to a safe distance up the ramp, she begins gesturing to Kairi that Alexa was "all hers" before grabbing the microphone Alexa brought out with her.
[Ruby Riott] Hey, hey! If you want to beat Alexa up some more, then be my guest, Princess! But once the champ wakes up...let her know that I'm not waiting until Breakthrough. Because Alexa Bliss...I'm cashing in on my title shot next week!
[Renee Young] She's doing WHAT!? Are you kidding me!?
[Corey Graves] Talk about an ultimate opportunist. This entire night has been an absolute stroke of genius from Ruby Riott!
[Mauro Ranallo] Well, there's surely no way that Alexa Bliss will be anywhere close to 100% in their title match next week. Hell, I'm not even sure a normal one-on-one match can even contain the sheer hate that these two women have for one another!
Tonight's stacked show resumes to the sound of Robert Roode's "GLORIOUS" anthem signaling his arrival to a battle that has been 2 years in the making. And while typically a match of this build, with this backstory, with all of the combustible elements attached would be reserved for a Pay-Per-View showdown...this match is different than your average match of its type. Because where better for the clash to go down than the very namesake where the seeds were first rooted into the ground and have been festering into what it is today? The 2019 Slammy Awards are a celebration of what the last year has brought, but tonight? For Roode's Intercontinental Championship Match with Chris Sabin...it is a reminder of the night Roode got a sour taste in his mouth that to this very day, still remains. This night is not a cause for celebration for The Enterprise's resident "Roode Boy" but if he can regain the title tonight that in his words was "stolen" from him? Then there will be cause for celebration. As his theme blasts through the arena, an arena that years prior would have sung along, the only audience participation tonight are the boos attempting to drown out the infectious tune. But it's not The #1 Contender who steps out from behind the curtain, instead...it's... 8 women dressed in sparkling purple long gowns as if they were dressed to present an award at your average award show.
To go along with the "big fight feel" Robert Roode is looking to make quite the entrance as the women split off into fours on each side of the stage, leaving a gap of course for the prize they're about to "present" to The XWL Universe. In unison their arms open out to the side motioning toward the curtain where The #1 Contender himself backs out facing away from the camera where a Purple Robe to match perfectly with the women joining him on the stage.
[Mauro Ranallo] Talk about making a GLORIOUS entrance!
[Corey Graves] I hope his wife is okay with him being surrounded by 8 gorgeous women...
[Renee Young] This coming from the guy that gawks over Mandy Rose for every second she's around. As the broadcast journalist I am I had a word with Bobby before the match and his wife being the supportive and non-jealous woman she is encouraged him to go all out for his big night. Both she and their kids are watching at home right now and they're rooting daddy on.
[Corey Graves] Did you just, call him Bobby?
[Renee Young] Slip of the tongue.
The Glorious One spins around, flashing a huge smile before linking arms with his escorts to the ring as they all collectively begin to descend down the ramp.
Robert Roode could be nervous about a night such as this, after all...every road has led him to where he is right now. Every victory since returning with a new attitude, since aligning with The Enterprise...it has all been about reaching this moment. Revenge, redemption, RIGHTING the wrong of his past that has been holding him back every since it happened. The 2017 Breakout Star Of The Year within minutes of winning his award had his star burn out, and he is here seeking that flame to be reignited. Sure he's been unbeatable since coming back, but that fire while blazing...could go out if it isn't properly stoked...and the only thing that will ensure it lasts? Is if he does what he has set out to do. Win The Intercontinental Championship against the best friend and Co-Tag-Team Champion of the man who caused all of this, Chad Gable. Chris Sabin is guilty by association, and Roode wants to ensure that justice is served.
Like a perfect gentleman, as they reach the end of the ramp he stops and turns to the women allowing them to go first. One by one they walk up the stairs making their way onto the apron and eventually into the ring until all 8 have done so. Once they've all entered the ring he walks up the steps himself, stopping along the edge of the apron where he turns to face the booing crowd completely unbothered by it.
It's a stark difference from where he was two years ago when he was motivated by their love and support, support that led him to issue the fateful open challenge that would bring his world as he knew it crashing down. But now? Now he looks at all of them, he hears their boos, sees their raised thumbs pointing down, sees the signs calling for his impending "failure" even a sign that's showing a screengrab of the moment Chad Gable stood over him 2 years ago with The I.C title in hand. But it brings no shift in emotion to him. He sees them, he hears them, and feels NOTHING. Because that power they once held over him? Is now gone, and in spite of them? He is going to prove tonight he never needed them then, and he doesn't need them now to achieve his goals.
[Renee Young] They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and for Roode? Tonight it is his every intent to prove that what happened at The Slammy Awards back in 2017 did NOT kill him, or his career.
[Corey Graves] But is that self imposed pressure such a good idea?
[Mauro Ranallo] For most it can be a self destructive tactic...but for a lucky few, it leads to incredible things. Roode hopes to be in that category of that few after tonight.
[Renee Young] When I look at Roode, I see a man that thus far since his return nearly 3 months ago? He hasn't been beaten, and in that time? He hasn't exactly faced scrubs along the way, and two of those matches are perhaps the most challenging kind to win. A Fatal Four Way is about as unpredictable as it gets, while an Elimination Triple Threat Match, with the stake of The Number One Contendership attached? Is truly a new level of difficulty because he not only has to beat one man he has to beat two, and he did just that. He eliminated both, and that is what makes his challenge tonight so threatening for The Intercontinental Champion Chris Sabin.
[Mauro Ranallo] A man who he himself is no slouch either.
[Corey Graves] Dual Champion, he's held The Tag-Team Championships as of tonight longer than ANY CHAMPION HAS EVER HELD A TITLE IN XWL! A record that began what, ten years ago by Shawn Michaels during his reign as Intercontinental Champion has now been broken after all these years by The Tag-Team Champions that have beaten every team that comes for their crowns.
[Renee Young] Which is insanity, considering how many Champions have come close to that number, and then not reached it before their reign came to an end. One was even drawn to madness over his obsession to break it. So Chris Sabin? He's at the top of his game, he's delivering, and he's beaten a lot of great men, including defeating Matt Sydal to start this reign as Intercontinental Champion.
[Mauro Ranallo] What it boils down to tonight is that we have two Men at the top of their professional wrestling game, and only one of them can walk away with The Intercontinental Championship tonight. A title they've both shared an obsession with winning at one point.
Robert Roode steps into the ring, then throws both arms out as the women stand behind him. "GLORIOUS! NO I WON'T GIVE IN, I WON'T GIVE IN TILL I'M VICTORIOUS!" Roode shouts along with his theme music, before staring closing his eyes and allowing his music to serenade him, as well as the boos that continue pouring in.
He's got a lot riding on this match, but he's a cool as a cumber right now. He was accompanied out by 8 lovely ladies and his family is rooting him on back at home. He is at ease, he is ready...and he as he just shouted out...will not give in, until he IS...victorious. However we're sure the defending champion also shares that sentiment about himself.
HAIL SABIN!
Wait a minute, that isn't TCSI's theme, nor is it Sabin's. The sound of a machine gun firing causes a surge of electricity to go through every single member of the live audience in attendance, or those that remember the iconic team that was The Motor City Machine Guns. As the theme kicks in following the gun firing, the pair of Alex Shelley, who decided to get more bang for his buck by accompanying his former tag team partner out for his Intercontinental Championship match tonight, and Chris Sabin, XWL's dual Champion and Slammy winner of Champion of the Year alongside Chad Gable, walk out onto the stage, taking their positions as the duo stands back to back with one another, once more for old times sake. Shelley has both halves of the Ersatz Tag Team Champions, one wrapped around his waist and the other diagonally wrapped across his chest while Sabin has his half of the XWL Tag Team Championships wrapped around his waist while having the Intercontinental Championship wrapped diagonally across his chest, a sight that has become commonplace after he attained the Championship that has eluded him for six years, as well as having the Slammy for Champion of the Year in his left hand.
Both Shelley and Sabin extend their arms forward, the former extending his left while the latter extends his right, both in the form of a gun and both taking aim at the ring, or more specifically, Robert Roode standing inside it. The Machine Guns fire off, a wall of pyrotechnics going of on either side of them in time to the motion, causing the duo to exchange one final gaze before Shelley returns to his hibernation until the next time he's needed, leaving Sabin on the stage, locking eyes with the man that looks to end his long awaited reign as Intercontinental Champion, something Sabin plans on preventing from becoming a reality. The dual Champion makes his descent down the entrance ramp, his eyes remaining locked with Roode's, who is patiently waiting for his date with destiny and undoing a wrong that he has had to endure for two years, this is his night and it's time for the world to know it, but standing in his way is someone who is at the top of their game, someone who done something only a handful of people have done: Be a Dual Champion. On top of that, he and Chad Gable are now the longest reigning Champions in the history of XWL, something we never thought we'd see when he made his return almost two years ago.
Sabin makes it to the bottom of the ramp and without hesitation, easily climbs onto the apron before following through with the momentum he's given himself and scales the outside of the middle turnbuckle, extending the palm of his right hand to the crowd before placing the index finger of his right hand on it while still gripping the Slammy, the familiar gesture of The Motor City Machine Guns on full display. Sabin hops into the ring and places the Slammy on the apron near the bottom turnbuckle before he undoes his half of the XWL Tag Team Championship from around his waist and holds it in his hand. He uses his other hand to undo the Intercontinental Championship from around his chest, and looks at it for a moment. This is the Championship he spent six years in pursuit of, this is the Championship that eluded him and now it's in his possession, but will it still be after this match? No, he can't be thinking those thoughts. He won't lose it without a fight, especially not tonight to the man that has held a grudge for two years against his tag team partner and best friend. He endured not only a sixty minute Iron Man match but that match against the man that made that his entire gimmick, the Iron Man of XWL, Matt Sydal himself. A war where he would hand “IronMatt” his first loss in that match type to win the Championship. Sabin's eyes rise from the Intercontinental Champion to the hopeful Challenger, any hint of doubt erased from his eyes and mind and replaced with concentration and intent. MCMG's theme begins to die down as both men are on opposite ends of the ring and between them stands the referee and the ring announcer, both ready to get this match underway.
Normal Match
Intercontinental Championship
The audience rises up out of their seats, ready to see what trick The Defending Champion is about to pull out of his high-risk bag after tossing Roode back into the ring and ascending to the top rope. He starts to take this moment to play to the audience, riling up their cheers louder to make the anticipation for the moment he dives to be that much more exciting...however in doing so, he allows Robert Roode the time to pop up to his feet and immediately charge at Chris Sabin. Sabin while making a slight mistake in hamming it up too much, is still able to correct his actions and prevent things from going awry. Roode runs to him, but Sabin leaps off the turnbuckle, flying over his challenger's head, landing onto the mat in a flashy evasion spot that makes the fans "pop!" again. But as he lands, his foot plants to the side, and he halfway collapses down onto his knee as if something went wrong with his landing.
It's an unfortunate twist of fate considering the man he previously dethroned Matt Sydal had an awkward landing himself that in result led to him to now be out 6-9 months from an ACL injury. While this thought may cross our minds, considering Sabin's had his own issues with both his ACL and MCL...he cannot afford to lick his wounds and think about the what-ifs right now. Because like a shark in water drawn to blood...Roode turns around and sees Sabin a little worse for wear and smiles. "AW, DID YOU HURT YOUR KNEE!" He laughs at Sabin's pain, and we mean REALLY laughs at it. Rib clutch, hunched forward, finger point and all. After getting his fill of laughter The Glorious One looks to take advantage of Sabin's perilous predicament, walks right at him...AND GETS DROPPED IMMEDIATELY AS SABIN POPS UP OFF OF THE MAT AND DELIVERS A CUTTER TO THE ABSOLUTE INSANE DELIGHT OF THE ENTIRE STAPLES CENTER!
[Corey Graves] Was he playing possum?
[Mauro Ranallo] I'm not sure, I don't think so...Sabin's still clutching his knee I think he just dug deep to deliver something to render his challenger ineffective for the moment.
[Renee Young] Sabin's a proud wrestler, while he's been bitten a bit too many times by the injury bug one thing he refuses to do every time is allow it to interfere with finishing the match. I'm not sure how hurt he is...but that landing looked rough when he leaped off the top rope.
[Mauro Ranallo] Not the level of Sid Vicious...but still vicious in its own right.
[Corey Graves] Luckily for him, that cutter seemed to do the trick, at least for the time being. But as we previously mentioned Roode's on a streak right now, and that streak won't be ended off just that. He's gotta try to finish him off before the pendulum swings back his way.
Sabin slaps his knee a good few times as he sits there, then looks at the crowd throwing up the universal "I'm okay" gesture with his hand and slowly rises to his feet shaking his leg for good measure. Maybe it's adrenaline or maybe the landing looked worse than it actually was. Whatever the case maybe he's back on his feet and seemingly is looking to take Corey's advice and finish this match. He leans over grabbing Robert by his wrist, and slowly starts to try and lift him up off of the mat. His knee quivers at first, but with a little bit of grin and bearing it he successfully pulls his challenger not only up to his feet, but onto his shoulders in PRIME position for The Cradle Shock.
[Corey Graves] For the record I'm going say he must've heard me and taken my advice so when he retains I better get my due credit for assisting him in another successful defense.
[Renee Young] Corey, all you did is literally state the obvious.
[Mauro Ranallo] Nonetheless, if Sabin can cross his legs and drive him into the mat this match may very well be over!
One half of The Tag-Team Champions, and the currently DUAL Champion fighting to retain not only his dual status but The Intercontinental Championship that goes along with it starts to grab at Roode's feet in an attempt to cross them...but Roode's not going down without a fight. Any state of unawareness he may have suffered at the result of the cutter has faded and now Roode is flailing. He's kicking, he's screaming, he's wiggling all over the place, and as his boot tries to kick Sabin's hands away from completing the necessary motions...that boot swings a little too far left and kicks the referee SQUARE IN HIS JAW! Unlike your average official though, he isn't a lightweight that suddenly dies the second he's touched. No, this official just got kicked in his jaw and he spins around away from the action, slightly falling to his knee as he grabs at his jaw, BUT HE'S STILL CONCIOUS! Clearly this official is worthy of Referee Of The Year because man, if he went down, and rolled to the outside you just know that Daniel Bryan or Jon Moxley would slide in out of nowhere and DELIVER A CODEBREAKER TO CHRIS SABIN AS HE FINALLY GRABBED A HOLD OF ROODE'S FOOT AND BEGAN TO CROSS THE-
WAIT WHAT?! The arena goes silent for all of five seconds as a man with shoulder length hair decked out in leather spiked pants slides into the ring and collides into Sabin with Roode on his shoulders and does a move that IMMEDIATELY tells us who they are. Chris Jericho just stunned Los Angeles, AND Chris Sabin who has been dropped to the mat, and in effect...Roode has landed on top of him! Jericho flashes a grin then sees the referee starting to turn around and dips out of the ring falling out of sight like a child that's just stolen a cookie out of the jar when their mom wasn't looking.
[Mauro Ranallo] WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?! WHY DID CHRIS JERICHO JUST CODEBREAKER CHRIS SABIN!?!
[Corey Graves] Where did he even come from?!?
[Renee Young] Roode's on top of Sabin...Sabin's out cold, is...is this it?
[Corey Graves] THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY? WHAT ABOUT HOW IN THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN? Why did Chris Jericho just return after a lengthy absence, and drop The Intercontinental Champion at the absolute most opportune time...aiding The Enterprise's Robert Roode?
With no idea what's happened in the brief time his view was obstructed, the official turns to see the challenger lying on top of the champion and drops down to make the count as the boos just begin to rein in louder and louder and LOUDER.
"ONE!!"
As he makes a one count, the boos greatly intensify, all while the camera is angled so that you see Chris Jericho with the smuggest of smiles across his face as he sits against the bottom of the ring holding up a singular finger to go along with the count.
"TWO!"
Jericho's devious glow gets that much brighter as now two fingers extend out, and the boos just keep growing as The Staples Center voices their absolute displeasure with what just happened.
"THREE!"
Chris Jericho, the man that swooped in as Sabin was seconds away from delivering The Cradle Shock to potentially retain his title...sits against the apron with three fingers wiggling back and forth as as Robert Roode is declared THE NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION! Fans to the left, the right, the front, the back, and surely at home all seethe at the LITERAL highway robbery that we have just witnessed here at The 2019 Slammy Awards. Chris Sabin's reign was just stole out from under him by a man that NO ONE expected to show up tonight, certainly not in the final moments of The Intercontinental Championship Match that going into it...had no purpose in showing up to. What happened is shocking, it's baffling, and it's infuriating.
"GLORIOUS! NO I WON'T GIVE IN, I WON'T GIVE IN...TILL I'M VICTORIOUS!" Those words echo as Robert Roode's theme sounds in VICTORY as the official retrieves his prize from the time keeper, unaware of the shenanigans that took place in the final moments of the match. The NEW Intercontinental Champion sits on his knees, jerking the belt out of the official's hands as he lets out an emotional scream as every bit of emotion carried with him from The 2017 Slammy Awards until this moment right now are released in one wave of relief and satisfaction. The official seeing Sabin still out kneels down to check on him as we just see Roode continually screaming out.
[Mauro Ranallo] That is a man that has waited a very long time to have The Intercontinental Championship back in his hands...and while I'm far from a fan of HOW it came about...you can tell how much this moment means to him.
[Renee Young] Every second, minute, hour, day, week, month, YEAR since that fateful night has been about reaching this night. Where he rights all of it, where he re-writes his story...and to echo your sentiments while it's far from the preferred methodology...he doesn't care because in his eyes he was robbed 2 years ago, and it seems he believes that two wrongs make all of this right.
[Corey Graves] With this victory The Enterprise now claim a second Championship within XWL. Daniel Bryan of course The World Heavyweight Champion, set to defend his title in tonight's Main-Event...but now Robert Roode brings The Intercontinental Championship to their group, solidifying that he indeed was a wise investment on behalf of Bryan.
Having screamed his lungs out, Roode finally brings himself back to his feet and grabs the official by his shirt yanking him up to his feet ordering him to raise his hand. This picture perfect vision that he foresaw in his head every since it all went wrong for him had the referee raising his hand as he raised his REGAINED title into the air and that is what he wants. Albeit with a slight hesitation the official grabs Roode by his wrist and raises his arm as again Robert Roode lets out an emotional cry as he screams "I DID IT! I TOLD ALL OF YOU! I DID IT! SCREW YOU, SCREW YOU AND SCREW YOU TOO I NEVER NEEDED YOU I'LL NEVER BE YOUR PUPPET AGAIN!"
Those are far from the words this audience wants to hear, after all the only reason he won tonight is the assist by Chris Jericho who now after hiding out of view for long enough for the official to be none the wiser to the hit and run of his...rises up to his feet looks to the ring at Roode raising both of his thumbs up with a smile and then begins to clap. Clearly there's a lot more to this story, but from the pieces we're able to put together we'd say it looks like The Enterprise just invested in another new addition to their coalition...and it's the man that interestingly enough...was the first ever Intercontinental Champion in XWL...the man that has held The World Heavyweight Championship more than any other Superstar in XWL history. And...one half of the first team to hold Tag-Team Championship in XWL. He's got a stacked resume and he had a vendetta of his own against Chris Sabin...after all, TCSI ended The Alpha Club's reign...and it looks like Jericho's come to collect that debt incurred over a year ago, and make right of his own. Roode pulls away from the referee then runs over to corner, climbing onto the second rope before burying his face into The Intercontinental Championship as muffled cries come from him as he still is releasing every bit of emotion that he's had buried down deep within.
[Renee Young] When it boils down to it, a lot of pieces on the board had to align for this night. Robert Roode had a vendetta, he had an end goal to right everything in his words...but achieving it required him to be better than he has ever been. And even though his tactics were frowned upon...every match before this night he proved one very simple thing. He is not one half of a novelty act that runs down a beer case Zamboni and is just simply happy to be here. He is an elite athlete, he is determined, and that determination has led him back to The Intercontinental Championship.
[Mauro Ranallo] I just wish Chris Jericho wasn't involved, Roode was completely capable of winning this on his own...
[Corey Graves] That's one thing I'll say, maybe he is...but do you want a maybe, or do you want a sure thing? For a man as desperate as Roode was to leave that night in the past? He had to pull out all the stops, and I'm not sure where Chris Jericho was brought into the plan but much like every plan concocted by The Enterprise? It was a rousing success, and further proof of their genius. Love 'em or hate 'em, they are here to takeover...and they're damn well close to doing so.
With pure joy all over his face, Robert Roode raises The Intercontinental Championship into the air as he stands in the corner and while for him and The Enterprise this is a "feel good" moment. The audience's reaction is the polar opposite. Boos, boos, and more boos. Roode broke up with The XWL Universe, blamed them for everything that went wrong for him, and now before them just screwed one of their most beloved Superstars out of The Intercontinental Championship that he literally went to war to win in the first place. But their anger, their jeers fall on his deaf ears as the only thing that matters in this moment in his own joy and happiness at the fact that he no matter how he did it, he did it.
He jumps off the second rope and walks over to the middle of the ring, seeing the referee tending to the vanquished Champion on the outside, then looks to the other side of the ring and sees Chris Jericho. Obviously he is fully aware of the role he played, and we're very sure this was premeditated and all apart of a scheme they worked up heading into tonight. He gives him a nod, then raises The Intercontinental Championship back up into the air and shouts "DADDY'S COMING HOME A CHAMPION TONIGHT BOYS!"
Chris Jericho having stayed outside for the duration of Roode's celebration now enters the ring and walks over to Roode. He gives him a nod, then slaps him on his shoulder and shouts "I TOLD YOU! I TOLD YOU THIS NIGHT WOULD NOT PASS YOU BY! CONGRATULATIONS BUDDY!" If there needed to be any clarity, we have just achieved it. Jericho grabs The Intercontinental Championship out of Roode's hand, then walks around him and starts to wrap it around his waist. While Jericho is seemingly the newest addition to the powerful assembly that is The Enterprise...the honor is all Roode's right now because he's having The Intercontinental Championship wrapped around his waist by the first man to ever hold this title in XWL. After it's snugly put into place, a perfect fit one might say...Jericho extends his fist up with his thumb extended out toward Roode, the very gesture that signified Roode's joining of The Enterprise almost 3 months ago. Roode now finding himself on the other end of this gesture...smiles and mirrors Jericho's motion as their thumbs align to form a "bar." After completing the "ritual" of sorts...Jericho backs up and again gives Roode a round of applause, as the audience do anything but join in.
[Mauro Ranallo] The Enterprise has raised the "bar" in XWL in recent months...and with the new addition of one of the most decorated Superstars in XWL history in Chris Jericho? There stock is on the never ending rise.
[Corey Graves] There's a whole lot of ego between Daniel Bryan, Robert Roode, Jon Moxley, and...Chris Jericho...but with a universal stance in their feeling in regards to the fans? That very well may be the glue that holds them together into perhaps the greatest faction in this company's history. A bit early to make that claim, but they're getting damn close to doing so.
[Renee Young] Chris Jericho is a major get, he's always reinventing himself, always outdoing himself, and always doing it for himself rather than the love of the fans. And as we've seen that is exactly what the other three men are all about as of late. I'm sure we'll hear it from him in his own words next week no doubt...but Chris Jericho has made a shocking return tonight, and he's ready to begin the next great era of his long standing career. And he's certainly picked great company to surround himself with as he looks to do so.
[Mauro Ranallo] What will Chris Jericho's entry into The Enterprise mean for the future of XWL? If tonight is anything to go by, I'd say it means they're getting down to business more than ever before...and when they say they are here to be the top of the food chain, they are indeed here to eat rather than be eaten like they have in the past.
Chris Jericho and Robert Roode stand in the ring, arms outstretched as they soak in the boos that just keep getting louder as they celebrate their victory they achieved together, and the many victories that they no doubt plan to achieve every night going forward. Their own individual vendettas collectively led to the demise of Chris Sabin's reign as Intercontinental Champion...and all we have to say to anyone that thinks about wronging either them or anyone within The Enterprise? Think twice, because while they've got the talent to get it done on their own? They're not looking to win any morality competitions anytime soon, and they're not afraid to do whatever it takes by any means necessary, to be the ones left standing tall when the dust settles. The camera focuses in on Robert Roode as he shouts "WE'RE NOT THE FRANCHISE..." before he looks to his right and gives a nod Jericho who steps closer into the frame and shouts "WE'RE THE ENTERPRISE BABY!" With that, the scene fades to our next commercial break.
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Sat Jul 23, 2022 4:31 pm
