[[[Under Pressure: 2/24/2021 - 3/24/2021]]]

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.  

We enter now to the arena where the music for tonight's event plays around the Wells Fargo Center. We hear cheering from fans around the world as they a surely excited for tonight's blockbuster card. We are greeted by our XWL commentators as they prepare to run down said match card for tonight.

[Wade Barrett]
Well that was definitely an interesting way to start tonight's events...

[MVP]
Interesting? I would say it was pretty bizarre...

[Wade Barrett]
Montel, I thought you liked crazy chi...

Static suddenly fills the screen.



With the production team seeming to not have any control of what airs on their program, we see our Intercontinetal Champion pacing back and forth in what appears to be a dimly lit abandoned warehouse. As he continues to walk around the creepy building, he begins speaking to everyone watching around the world.




Nine months… Nine months ago, I defeated ‘Hangman’ Adam Page in a ladder match fair and square… Nine months ago, I became your XWL Intercontinental Champion… For nine months, I have been the greatest champion this company has ever seen! Sure… some of you may be asking “how” could I be the greatest champion without even defending my championship. Sure… the world’s big problem has hindered me from having defenses, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t stayed ready, ready to take on any challenger at anytime, anywhere… It is not the lack of defenses I may have, but the FEAR that I strike in ever single man in the XWL locker room. The fact that not a single one of them stepped up to the plate speaks volumes to just the kind of man… just the kind of champion The Bastard truly is.

The Bastard lets out a short sinister laugh before continuing.




For the very first time in nine months, a few of XWL’s so called “talent” have sprouted the nuts to call out yours truly. A couple of them are just trying to make a name for themselves, while the other two just try to grasp at whatever bit of relevancy they can… but all are making a grave mistake. They’re all trying to do this at my expense. They see me as a stepping stone. They see me nothing more than a paper champion. Some of them have even overlooked the fact that they’ll be sharing a ring with me… already imagining themselves with MY championship. These are delusions of grandeur!

We suddenly get a shot of The Bastard's eyes. As he blinks words flash on the screen that read
"Я Ǝ ᗡ Я O".




Gentlemen… there is a true reason why I have had no challengers for this long. When you step in the ring with The Bastard, you leave a shell of the man you once were. When you step into the ring with The Bastard, you leave questioning your life decisions! When you step in the ring with The Bastard, you go into hiding never to be seen again! Just ask ‘Hangman’ Adam Page!

Suddenly, the screen turns black as all we hear is the laughter of The Bastard. Under Pressure rolls on.

First Stage: First Blood Match



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[Wade Barrett]
There is blood in the water of this World Heavyweight Championship affair tonight as Robert Roode secures his victory of stage one!

[Beth Phoenix]
With a gloriously vicious DDT on a chair no less...

[MVP]
There's a reason Robert Roode has been on a roll like no other for the past 500 days...and it's because no matter what obstacle is put in his way? He finds a way to come out on top and if he can secure just ONE more victory he'll retain his title here tonight.

[Wade Barrett]
Roode is a man after my own heart, his body of work is proof that he's not a slouch by any means...but let's remember there's still up to two more matches ahead. Winning the first stage is brilliant but for Randy Orton and Jon Moxley? Losing the first stage is motivation to bounce back, and sometimes it can spawn deadly determination.

[Beth Phoenix]
Think about the mental warfare too, Randy's the one that chose First Blood...and it was his undoing...you have to believe he's frustrated for more than one reason right now.

[MVP]
Absolutely, but Randy isn't some rookie, he's a veteran that knows how to come back from a rough start, and if ANYONE is capable of clearing the next two stages back to back? It's The Apex Predator of XWL.



As Roode falls against the corner, his eyes looking over at HIS World Heavyweight Championship awaiting the winner of this Three Stages Of Hell Match...suddenly his attention as does everyone else's turns to the stage where an Ambulance is backed into position at the very top right area of the ramp. This is the next stage of this series, and while Moxley is frustrated that he wasn't the one to draw The Viper's blood? He chose this upcoming stage for a reason...and he has no intention of letting anyone else be the victor of this one. Orton is handed a towel by the official to dry up his blood but he just angrily shoves him away and throws the towel down perhaps wanting to keep his blood as a reminder of his failure thus far...failure that CAN'T continue in this stage.

[Beth Phoenix]
Well, there the next stage awaits...Wade why don't you inform us again how an Ambulance Match works?

[Wade Barrett]
Pretty much exactly as one might initially think...your objective is to beat the piss out of your opponent until they are unable to defend themselves further...which will allow you to toss them into the open doors of an ambulance...slam them shut and send said victim to a one way trip to the nearest medical facility. Now typically these are not contested in a multi-person scenario nor are they apart of a "best of two" condition so this is going to be very interesting to see how it plays out.

[MVP]
Essentially for instance...whoever is shipped away is eliminated from the equation? How's that going to work if say, Roode is the one?

[Beth Phoenix]
Truthfully this entire series is one chaotic mess that...my husband wasn't thrilled about playing out due to so many things that can go wrong...but this rivalry has gone on long enough and if this battlefield is what will end this once and for all? Well then they've all accepted the consequences of what a disaster this all could end up being.

[Wade Barrett]
These three stages tell me that each man wants to inflict pain upon the others, and they don't care how it's going to mesh...they just want what they want and as we enter The Ambulance Match stage...let's just hope for Roode's sake he's not the one carted away because if he is...does that mean he's eliminated and Randy and Jon battle it out in the final stage to crown a NEW World Champion?

[MVP]
One thing's for certain, once these three are out of each other's hair? Some order needs to be restored for whatever awaits The World Heavyweight Champion next.

Second Stage: Ambulance Match





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Spoiler:

[Wade Barrett]
After an absolutely barbaric fight, Randy is on his way to receive some much-needed medical attention...and I guess that now has turned this Triple Threat into a one v one affair between two former members of The Enterprise.

[MVP]
Jon Moxley has had it out for Randy ever since Orton punted him at last year's Final Stand and put him on the shelf...but with that, he has successfully done what he has set out to do and it's put Randy on the shelf just like he did to him.

[Beth Phoenix]
Of course, Randy will be evaluated but after being busted open, and his subsequent injuries in the second stage before being chucked into that ambulance? I don't know if we'll be seeing him anytime soon...

[Wade Barrett]
With the rivalry of Jon Moxley and Randy Orton officially over...that just now leaves the recent falling out of The Enterprise to square off for the final stage ahead. A stage that at first seems to heavily favor Moxley, yet it's a stage The World Heavyweight Champion chose himself.

[Beth Phoenix]
There's a lot of psychology behind Roode's choice, a Bed Of Thumbtacks Match is a match where bags upon bags of thumbtacks are available, as well as boards of tacks glued upon it...and essentially they're free to use those as their devious minds see fit...all in order to achieve the ultimate goal which is securing either a pinfall or submission.

[MVP]
He believes Orton and Moxley have been "thorns" in his side...and this choice is his opportunity to turn the tables...but I'd be lying if I didn't think this might come back to bite him...or more appropriately said, prick him...because Jon Moxley is all about violence and whether it's chairs, bats, barbed-wire, or tacks? That's where he is at home.

[Wade Barrett]
Home sweet home indeed, but we cannot count The Glorious One out. He has done the improbable ever since his return 500 days ago as a changed man with a newfound motivation...and that motivation has led him to lots of victorious, only TWO losses...to the same man at that, the man he went on to dethrone to begin his reign and a record-setting reign as World Heavyweight Champion.


Third Stage: Bed Of Thumbtacks Match




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With Moxley unceremoniously introduced to the chair that had been propped into the corner...Roode looks at his fallen former ally...then quickly drops down to the mat as he ducks under the ropes rolling out of the ring and tossing up the skirt of the apron. What could he be looking for? Well, seeing as it is a Bed Of Thumbtacks Match...it's safe to assume we're finally going to see some introduced into this final showdown for Roode's World Heavyweight Championship. Roode reaches in and pulls out a string-tied pouch, presumably filled with tacks then sits it on the apron in front of him before venturing back in. After all, go big or go home, right? Well, he has no intention of going home as anything other than the STILL World Heavyweight Champion so as he returns from the depths under the ring again this time he pulls something out with both hands...a blackboard of sorts with hundreds of little thumbtacks glued upon it.

[Wade Barrett]
I've never been more glad to be sitting over here instead of competing in that ring because that board of pure pain could not look any less appealing!

[Beth Phoenix]
I asked my husband before this match how it feels to land on a bunch of tacks like that and he said although they may be small? The pain is unimaginable because it all sends a shockwave through you at once. It's enough to temporarily paralyze you because you're being hit in so many pressure points, not to mention the instant loss of blood as little holes are pierced into your flesh.

[MVP]
In laymen's terms ladies and gentlemen, it's gonna hurt a lot and human beings were not meant to have this used against them in this way.

The Glorious One carefully lifts the board up onto the apron then slides it into the ring. But...he's still not done. He's the one that chose this match so clearly, he's done his homework, and he's thought about HOW he'd utilize this stipulation and that's why as he reaches back under the ring he quickly returns with a wooden 2 x 4...A strange choice as he slides back into the ring with it, ensuring Moxley is still out and he is. He bends down picking up the pouch of tacks then dumps it onto the canvas in a pretty hefty pile then tosses the rest of the pouch aside as he refocuses back on the 2 x 4. With no hesitation, he takes that wooden blank and begins to slam it against the mound of thumbtacks causing it to attach to the wood with each slam until he lifts it up one final time revealing quite the makeshift weapon...staying true to the theme of this match.

[Wade Barrett]
Well, that's getting creative...

[Beth Phoenix]
Taken straight out of the book of Jon Moxley...that is a bad time waiting to happen.

[MVP]
Sometimes you're forced to step outside of your comfort zone when you're in Roode's position and he's not just stepped out of it he's thrown himself out of it and into Moxley's headspace. He knows what must be done, and he's doing it.

Jon Moxley pulls himself up to his feet, still a bit dazed from his skull meeting the steel of the chair...but as he turns around and Roode swings, ready to drop him back down and knock his lights completely out...Mox has enough sense to duck just in time and Roode's "tacky" 2 x 4 has nowhere to go but the ropes behind Mox...and given this weapon included a bunch of tacks...IT GETS STUCK! Roode panics trying to pull it out, only to get dropped to his knees by a sudden low blow from a very pissed-off Moxley...but then again when isn't he pissed off? With Roode clutching his "boys" writhing in agony...The Former World Champion admires Roode's choice of weapon and steps over him to successfully unstick it from the ropes. It's been a long time since The World Heavyweight Championship has been in his possession, but with this match down to the final stage and the next fall securing victory for either himself or Roode? He's dangerously close to ending that drought and making Roode regret laying his hands on him in the first place. But just as Moxley himself knows that victory is within reach...so too does Roode. Which is why despite being in a world of hurt after Moxley's "dirty deed" he stumbles up to his feet, holding his family jewels with both hands unaware of what Moxley has in his hands...and also has in mind. Much like when the roles were reversed as The CURRENT World Heavyweight Champion turns around, Mox swings for the fences...but Roode also has the wherewithal to duck avoiding certain doom...however as soon as Mox misses he turns on his heel and swings yet again, and without enough time to pull off another evasive tactic...Roode makes the choice to brace for impact...and he does so by throwing his arms up to shield himself...forgetting again that there are tacks lodged into the 2 X ...Roode cries out in pure pain as the tacks pierce the outside of his elbows!

[Beth Phoenix]
Oh my god, the tacks are stuck to his arm!

[MVP]
Well, Roode made his bed by naming this stipulation...and if this is a sign of what's to come...he's about to lie in a world of hurt!

[Wade Barrett]
Good lord, what on Earth was he thinking?

AHHHHH! OH GOD GET THEM OUT, GET THEM OUT!" Roode screams looking to the referee for help...but no such help is coming. In his state of panic, he cries out more and more as Moxley looks quite amused by what's happened...so much so that he goes for another swing! Roode, however, evades a repeat, ducking again, and as he does he notices the pile of tacks that were dumped onto the mat to create such a weapon and there's still some there. So he grabs a handful, then as Mox turns around likely going for another attempt...Roode chucks them into Jon's face! Moxley throws one arm up to prevent any from going into his eyes but with his attention momentarily lost Roode then tries to pry the 2 x 4 out of Moxley's hand. The two struggled over it, shouting for the other to let go but their combined momentum of trying to force it out of each other's possession causes the tack covered 2 X 4 to go flying out of their hands and straight into the audience! Thankfully due to the current times we're in there isn't an actual public audience or else XWL would be in for a serious lawsuit...but while there's no crowd of fans there is a giant LED board showcasing fans from within their homes and that 2 X 4 crashes it into it getting lodged in the center of it. With no time to waste Roode tries to make the first move to catch Moxley off guard and spins around looking to take his former pal's head off with a discus lariat! But Moxley sidesteps it then catches Roode's arms in a quick double underhook before lifting him off of the mat all of a sudden and SPIKING HIM INTO THE MAT WITH THE PARADIGM SHIFT!

[Wade Barrett]
Paradigm shift! Moxley's about to become World Champion again!

[Beth Phoenix]
Roode's gotta be out after a spike like that!

With exhaustion factoring in given this is their third match of the evening...as soon as Moxley plants him it takes a second or two for him to force Roode over onto his back and cover him, hooking the leg as he can feel his new reign upon him...


ONE......















TWO......













[MVP]
I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS DEGENERATE IS ABOUT TO BE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!




































THR- NO! ROODE'S SHOULDER FLIES OFF THE MAT AS IF IT'S PURE INSTINCT ALONE!

[Wade Barrett]
Not quite yet, MVP, but that was as close as it gets!

[Beth Phoenix]
Incredible heart from the longest-reigning World Heavyweight Champion in XWL history!

[MVP]
That's not heart that is the WILL of a man that was destined to be Champion.

The formerly branded "Violence Afficiando" of The Enterprise looks to the official with a snarl and a glare as he argues about his count. The referee insists it was just a two count, albeit a close one and Mox just rises up off of Roode and then spots something that changes his train of thought. When Roode was "tacking" up the ring he not only found a satchel of thumbtacks but also a whole board with tacks stuck to it and that's looking mighty nice to Jon Moxley right now. Mox then sees Roode's board of tacks and has a sinister smile as he positions it on the mat then pulls With a sinister smile he drags it a little closer then pulls Roode off of the mat and hoists him over his shoulder carrying him like a sack of potatoes as he struggles to recover. The Champion gets seated onto the top rope as Moxley follows up by stepping up onto the bottom rope himself to join Roode but then his sights seem to catch something in the corner of his eye...the aforementioned pouch of thumbtacks. While Roode did dump a good many on the mat for his creative weapon construction there's still some left in the bag and Mox picks it up before dumping it onto the already tack-covered board making it even more painful-looking than it already looked.  

[Wade Barrett]
Things are about to go from bad to worse for The Glorious One as Jon Moxley has made the bed...and he's about to make Roode lie in it!

[Beth Phoenix]
If this goes according to plan for Jon Moxley not only will he be The NEW World Heavyweight Champion...but he'll be one of only TWO men now that has pinned him in 500 days!

[MVP]
Don't count our Champ out yet, we've seen him come back from worse.

[Wade Barrett]
Absolutely...but every dirty dawg eventually gest taken out back...and well, this might be that day for Roode.

Moxley props up onto the second rope, tossing Roode's arm over his shoulder, grabs a fist full of his trunks for extra leverage then turns his head back to ensure he's lined up and after he confirms he's good for lift-off...he finds out this extra bit of time has allowed Roode to recover more from the Paradigm Shift! Roode refuses to go down without a fight so he brings that fight with all the might left within him. Then, whether intentional or a sheer benefit of circumstance...Roode delivers a HARD elbow to the side of Moxley's face...and it immediately slumps him forward as we see the blood still dripping down Roode's arm...and the tacks that had remained in his skin from earlier. Some of those tacks clearly added an extra pepper to his elbow and now Moxley's in a bad way...and Roode's not hesitating in finishing this once and for all. He reaches under Mox getting a good grip, then shouts "GO TO HELL YOU CRAZY SON OF A BITCH!" As he jumps forward launching himself and Moxley off the second rope and slams him down with a SPINEBUSTER RIGHT ONTO THE BED OF THUMBTACKS!

[Wade Barrett]
UGH, THAT HURT JUST WATCHING IT!

[Beth Phoenix]
As good ol' JR would say GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY!

The Death Rider was just sent for a ride he'll not soon forget...and as his body is introduced to hundreds of little "thorns" now in all sides of his back he wails out loudly in a rather animated way as he slightly arches up off of the board and we see the tacks stuck to his flesh...it is a brutal sight...but as Roode pops back up to his feet he is NOT finished with Jon Moxley just yet. He yanks Mox up by his hair and uses his other arm to apply a quick front headlock...then his eyes look out into the sea of cameras showing fans all around the world in their homes...and he throws his other arm out as he shouts "GLORIOUS!!" The Longest Reigning World Heavyweight Champion grabs Moxley by his pants for leverage as he lifts his tack-covered body into the air before SPIKING him into the board with a GLORIOUSLY DISGUSTING DDT!!

[MVP]
HOLY SHIT!

[Wade Barrett]
I stand corrected, THAT hurt watching it much more he just spiked his head into LITERAL spikes!

Roode lets out an anguish-filled grunt as his arm in the process was also reintroduced to the tacks but he's quick to roll Moxley over onto his back and cover him.

ONE...





TWO.....











THREE!





[Beth Phoenix]
AND STILL THE XWL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!

[Wade Barrett]
Long he has reigned, and LONG he shall STILL reign!

[MVP]
He vowed to be finished with these two tonight and to the surprise of no one..or at least it should be no one...he once again delivered true to his promise.

The official returns with Roode's title to which he snatches it out of his hands and shouts "RAISE MY HAND!" The official reaches out to do so but realizes it's the arm with some tacks still very much "in-tact" then quickly grabs the other as Roode hoists his title proudly showing off the wounds of his war, the tacks, the streams of blood, but more importantly the golden beauty that is within his hands, STILL!

[Wade Barrett]
This gentleman has been unstoppable, and with the 300th day of his reign upon us on Octane...I must ask, WHO can stop him?  No matter the situation he just keeps coming out on top and when I look at the roster I see tons of talent don't get me wrong...but are any of them at the level Roode has been performing at since his return 500 days ago?

[MVP]
The short answer? No. He waited a long painstaking time for this moment...and as he has proven time and time again? He's not letting it slip out of his hands so easily.

[Beth Phoenix]
It's a tough task at hand, but someone will step up to the plate, and after what's happened here tonight? Let's hope things go a little bit better for them.

Roode arrived, he fought like hell, and now he is leaving STILL World Heavyweight Champion. He stumbles up the ramp clearly going to feel the after-effects of the damage dealt against him in Randy and Jon's efforts to dethrone him. But then as he reaches the top of the ramp he turns with a proud smile across his face, masking the current pain he's in...as he lifts his title up VICTORIOUS in this moment as all eyes including his are drawn to one simple fact, THE WORLD BELONGS TO ROODE!



"LET THIS BE YET ANOTHER REMINDER...THAT YOU ALWAYS BET ON ROODE AND DON'T YOU EVER FORGET THAT!" Clearly, Roode's earned the right to gloat, to brag, and to rub this in everyone's faces....and that's what he will continue to do until someone steps up to put him in his place...but for now, his place is at the top and he's enjoying his placement. The camera focuses on The World Heavyweight Championship and Roode's victorious grin as we fade out from one of tonight's Championship matches wondering if PAC and Sasha Banks will be able to survive the pressure that tonight brings as well or if their fates won't be so lucky after one Champion already has.

Camera Zooms out to show Roman standing tall above a broken Kenny Omega. Roman then gets to his knees and starts to speak to Omega which the camera picks up on.

Roman Reigns: Do you respect me now? Has that beating finally drilled it into you. Your tribal chief has laid down the law. I hope for you this is your final lesson. When you go home tonight think long and hard about your options. Look at your family and then look deep inside yourself and you will realise that you sit below me. Your family eats because of me. Don’t make me take this to another gear and take the food I supply to your family’s table of the table. Be thankful and praise the name of your Tribal Chief Roman Reigns.

Roman then stands back up and raises his arms into the air as the camera cuts to the next segment

[Greg Hamilton]
"The following contest is a Championship Scramble... and is for the Intercontinental Championship! Two competitors will start the match with a twenty minute time clock. Every five minutes a new challenger will enter. Throughout the duration of the match the Intercontinental Championship will change owner via pinfall or submission, but the official Intercontinental Champion will not be crowned until the conclusion of the twenty minute countdown. Our current champion DOES NOT have to be involved for the championship to change hands... introducing the first competitor...



Seth Rollins walks through the curtain and smiles. The familiar entrance music sparks cheers from the crowd that echoes through the speakers. He walks to the top of the ramp and raises both hands with fists clenched. The crowd goes nuts. He drops his hands and begins walking down the ramp while rubbing his hands together and smiling.



Beth Phoenix
"Seth Rollins hasn't been met with a reception like that for a long long time."

Wade Barrett
"At some point you get fed up with being the bad guy. When you can reinvent yourself and get the reaction that Seth just received, you have successfully turned over a new leaf."

MVP
"I don't like this watered down Seth. Give me the ruthless, do whatever it takes to win and gain the upper hand Seth. That guy is a winner!"

Embracing the cheers from the crowd Rollins is feeling an emotion he hasn't felt in quite some time. He reaches the bottom of the ramp and pauses for a second. He then in a surge of energy runs and slides under the bottom rope crawling to the center. He stands up and smirks. He basks in the moment for a second and then goes to his respective corner to await the other man who will begin this match with him.



Guevara walks to the top of the ramp. He is dawning a bear head dress. He extends his arms outward in a cocky manner. He smirks cockily and begins strutting down the ramp.


Sammy Guevara and Seth Rollins meet face to face in the center of the ring. Seth looking Guevara in the face and telling him "this is your moment kid. You want to make a name for yourself?" Guevara smirks at Rollins. The referee signals for the bell and it tolls. Seth smacks Guevara right in the mouth. It lets out a thunderous clap. The two wrestlers lock up in a collar and elbow tie up. Seth rolls around behind Guevara and grabs his wrist. He lifts his wrist and wrenches the arm and the youngster goes down to one knee. He works the arm and guevara strikes him in the stomach. Rollins releases his grip and Guevara throat thrusts Rollins in the adams apple. Seth grabs his throat and Guevara gets to his feet and open hand chops Rollins right in the chest. THWACK! Rollins stumbles back.THWACK! He stumbles back into the corner. THWACK! Rollins goes down to one knee. Guevara grabs rollins by the hair, lifts him to both feet,and  signals for a tornado ddt. Rollins falls back down to his knees and brings his arm up full force catching Guevara with a low blow.


Beth Phoenix
"That's perfectly legal in this type of match.?"

Wade Barrett
"An act of desperation by Rollins. I can't say I blame him, those chops had some force behind them."

MVP
"That's what I'm talking about. Do whatever it takes Seth."


A 10 second countdown begins and we hear the fans countdown as well. As the countdown reaches zero, a familiar theme song begins playing.



Fans around the world boo the man that is about to walk out into the arena. We see Seth Rollins in the ring, ready for the champion's arrival. Sammy Guevara appears to be in too much pain to notice who's music now plays throughout the Wells Fargo Center.

MVP
"I would hate to be those two right about now."

Beth Phoenix
'Why?"

MVP
"You know damn well PAC didn't want to come out here with so much of the match left to go..."

Beth Phoenix
"Doesn't having more time work to his advantage."

Wade Barrett
"Oh Beth, you've got a lot to learn about The Bastard."

Letting the two men in the ring wait for about 30 seconds, the Bastard finally appears from the back. We see that he does not carry his Intercontinental Championship for it sits on a velvet covered platform sitting near the commentary desk.



He looks eyes with the man staring him down from the ring. Looking over, The Bastard notices the time limit clock is still running and that he now only has 14-minutes left to retain his Intercontinental Championship. Wasting no more time, The Bastard sprints toward the ring. Like a flash of lightning, PAC slides under the bottom rope and springs to his feet.

MVP
"Here we go!"

With Seth Rollins not wasting any time either, he and The Bastard begin trading closed fists to each other's faces. This continues for a few seconds until it appears Rollins is getting the better of PAC, knocking him back into the ropes. Quickly, Rollins sends The Bastard across the ring with an Irish Whip. As the champ is on the rebound, Rollins attempts a clothesline that is countered with something only a man with PAC's talent can. Handspringing his way under the attack from Rollins, PAC returns to his feet and leaps into the air as he connects with a jumping Enzuigiri knocking Rollins to the canvas. As Rollins holds his jaw, we see the Bastard spreading his arms and hands, gloating at the fallen "Savior" of XWL.

Suddenly, an arm reaches from behind PAC and wraps around his thigh, pulling him backward!

Beth Phoenix
"Sammy's got him!"

Wade Barrett
"No way!"




1...





2...




The Bastard kicks out with the referee's hand nearly coming down for the three count. Nearly losing his championship, PAC rolls away from the sneaky Guevara. As both men get back to their feet, the meet face to face. We hear The Bastard yell in the face of the younger star..

"THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU'D EVER BEAT ME!"

Beth Phoenix
"Well that's harsh..."

Cocky as ever, we see Guevara give The Bastard a smirk before slapping the champion across the face. We see PAC hold his cheek for a moment before turning and blasting Guevara with a forearm to the bridge of Guevara's nose. This shot knocks the young star down to one knee. The Bastard stands over him now and grabs him by the crown of his head. He positions Sammy's head so he gets a good look at the champion standing before him. We see that Sammy's nose is bleeding from that last blow. PAC begins shouting in Sammy's face again. We hear him yell

"THIS IS WHERE YOU BELONG! ON A KNEE BEFORE THE KING OF THIS BUSINESS! ON A KNEE BEFORE THE..."

During this yelling, we noticed some rumbling in the ring and a shadow pass by the two men sharing a scene in the middle of the ring. That shadow was Seth Rollins as he returns from the ropes to drive a flying knee into the mouth of The Bastard. A knee that hit so hard, it sends the Bastard flying through the top and middle rope. With Rollins' attention directed toward The Bastard, Guevara picks his spot and drives his knees into Rollins' back with a backstabber. With Sammy Guevara the only one on his feet, the countdown begins once again…


With 10 minutes left to remain Brian Pillman Jr’s music hits as he runs down to the ring.



Distracted by BPJ, Guevara is blindsided by a pissed off Seth Rollins. Rollins and Guevara start brawling as The Bastard is laid out on the outside of the ring. Fans start chanting, “BPJ! BPJ! BPJ!”, As BPJ leaps onto the top rop and eyes both Rollins and Guevara as he soars through the air with a crossbody, crashing into them both.  With both Rollins and Guevara laid out, the BPJ chants getting louder as Pillman Jr stares at the Intercontinental title on the velvet platform. BPJ then quickly goes for the cover on Rollins.

. .
. .

Rollins kicksout at 2. As BPJ then tries to cover Guevara.

. .
. .

The Spanish God kicks out at 2. As BPJ puts his hand on his as if he were about to lose his mind from this match. As the BPJ chants continue, The Bastard PAC is seen on the apron. As he and Brian Pillman Jr make an exchange, Pillman Jr charges at PAC and spears him through the middle rope and sends both of them out of the ring. Both of them tumbling into the barricade.

In the ring, the two downed competitors make it back to their feet. They share a staredown briefly before coming to blows. After a few hard closed fists, Rollins gets the better of The Spanish God. Quickly, Rollins grabs Guevara and Irish whips him into the ropes. As Guevara rebounds Rollins drops down and flips him backwards for a back body drop. Sammy hits the ground with a thunderous clap. Rollins slides outside the ring and lifts up the apron and pulls out a chair. Pac charges at Rollins and is met with a chairshot that sends him to the ground. Rollins slides back into the ring chair in hand. Guevara is gaining his bearings as he is using the ropes to pull himself up. As he turns around Rollins strikes him in the abdomen with the brunt end of the chair. Sammy doubles over and Seth drops the chair and delivers an enzuigiri to Guevara. Guevara goes down hard and Rollins rolls up to one knee. He sees his opportunity and takes it. Seth grabs the chair, unfolding it and places Guevara face first on the seat. He runs the ropes and comes back jumping high into the air coming down with his foot crashing into the back of Guevara's head.

Wade Barrett
"CURB STOMP! OH MY GOD!"

MVP
"That's the ruthlessness its gonna take to come out on top in this kind of match."

Beth Phoenix
"These competitors may never be the same after tonight."

Guevara is slumped over and Rollins cockily steps one foot on him and demands the referee to count. The ref goes down to the mat and begins counting.






1….






2……






3






Rollins throws his arms into the air celebrating his pinfall and as he does The Bastard appears behind him.

[Greg Hamilton]
“Seth Rollins is the NEW Intercontinental Champion!

These words cause The Bastard’s eyes to grow wide and his face red in anger. Still celebrating, Rollins is unprepared for the incoming short forearm to the back of his head. Knocking Rollins to one knee from the hard shot, The Bastard grabs a handful of Rollins’ hair and now begins shouting words at the current champion.

“YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME!”

The Bastard reaches down, locking his arms around the waist of Rollins. Showing his deceiving strength, PAC lifts the downed man off the ground and throws Rollins over his head with a deadlift german suplex. As Rollins’ shoulders hit the mat, The Bastard performs a perfect bridge in an attempt to pin the current champion.







1….







2….







Rollins kicks his legs in the air, escaping the pin attempt. The Bastard punches the canvas in anger. Back to his feet now, PAC goes to pick Rollins off the ground but is met with sharp strikes to his midsection as Rollins fights off The Bastard. Back to his feet, Rollins sends PAC stumbling back with a short forearm of his own. We see Rollins irish whip The Bastard toward the opposite side of the ring. As PAC rebounds, Rollins leap frogs the smaller man and the momentum of the irish whip causes The Bastard to continue running toward the ropes. As he returns once again, Seth Rollins down attempts his signature slingblade maneuver but The Bastard seems to have scouted this attempt as he quickly counters the move into a signature move of his own… The Brutalizer! Rollins crashes to the mat with The Bastard’s full body weight on top of him and PAC begins to crank back on Rollins face, fully locking in the brutal submission. We see Rollins use his hands, searching around for anything that might help him get out of the excruciating pain caused by The Brutalizer submission. After a few moments pass, it appears as if Rollins has passed out from the pain but before the referee can make it official, a man flies in out of nowhere and crashes onto the two men with a shooting star press from the top rope. It’s Brian Pillman Jr! The crowd goes crazy as they thought The Bastard was surely about to regain the Intercontinental Championship. With the Bastard out of commission and Rollins passed out from The Brutalizer submission, Pillman Jr. takes his chance and pins the passed out man.




1....




2….




3!




Pillman jumps off the mat in pure joy as his name is announced.

[Greg Hamilton]
Brian Pillman Jr. is the NEW Intercontinental Champion!

Fans watching around the world go wild as the referee raises Pillman Jr.’s arm briefly until suddenly...

The lights go out and the arena goes silent. All eyes point towards the entrance ramp in anticipation for the next entrant. Smoke fills the entire stage as an unfamiliar song begins to play.



Finn Balor emerges from the curtain but has no smile on his face. He has a smug look as he looks down at the other participants. He walks down the ramp as he points his finger guns at his opponents. Balor is ready for a fight. He then charges towards the ring as the lights come back on. BPJ is first to come at Balor but is met with a Sling Blade. Balor looks at him grinning as he waits in the corner for him to get back up to his feet. As he does, Balor races across the ring and hits him with a Shotgun Dropkick. The virtual crowd is raging right now for The Prince. Instead of going up top as usual for the Coup De Grace, Balor puts BPJ in the ddt position and prepares to give him a 1916, but is met with a clubbing blow from behind by PAC.

After a few minutes pass, the 5 men battle it out for the remaining time and the Intercontinental Championship change hands a few more times until it eventually returns to it’s original owner, The Bastard PAC. Only with the final 45 seconds of the match, The Bastard is not in the ring, but laid out on the outside due to a group effort to take him out by his competition. In the ring now, 15 seconds left, Sammy Guevara and Brian Pillman Jr. are trading fists in the center of the ring in an attempt to possibly knock the other out for an easy pinfall when suddenly, both men are pulled down from behind. With only 5 seconds left, Balor pins BPJ while Rollins is pinning Guevara. The confused referee hesitates for a moment before beginning his count.






1…






2…






A buzzer sounds around the arena and the bell rings calling a halt to this Championship Scramble. We hear from our announcer as the men in the ring are in shock as they realize what has just happened.

[Greg Hamilton]
Ladies and Gentlemen… your winner of the Championship Scramble…. AND STILL the XWL Intercontinental Champion…. he is The Bastard… PAAAAAAAC!

We hear the fans watching around the world boo as this is the last outcome they wanted from this match. After a few moments of only the sound of booing, The Bastard’s theme song begins to play around the arena as we finally catch him looking over the ring apron from outside the ring. His eyes are met by the eyes of his four now angry opponents.



PAC stands now, continuing to look around at the men in the ring. Not breaking eye contact with them, he slowly steps toward his Intercontinental Championship sitting on the red velvet covered platform. He raises it in the air for all of them to see.



We hear The Bastard shout:

“NO ONE WILL EVER TAKE THIS FROM ME! I WILL BE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION FOREVER!”

Before anyone in the ring gets any ideas, The Bastard hurries away from ringside and begins backing up the ramp heading toward the back. Just to be safe, he doesn’t take his eyes off the men in the ring.

MVP
"One has to wonder, just who will be able to dethrone The Bastard?"

Reaching the stage now, The Bastard turns his back toward the men in the ring. He throws the championship over his shoulder, but makes sure the full championship is visible on his back to give the men in the ring one last good look at it as if to say it’s the last time any of them will ever see it or get a shot at it.

As The Bastard makes his way through the curtain, exiting to the back, Under Pressure rolls on.

As Under Pressure rolls forwards after PAC's successful Intercontinental Championship defense, the camera cuts to Charly Caruso in the backstage area, a microphone held up to her lips.

[CHARLY CARUSO]
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, Ruby Riott!

Loud boos are heard pumping in through the Wells Fargo Center as Ruby Riott steps into shot, a custom leather jacket draped over her with images airbrushed on the back of both the North American and Women's Championships wrapped around pillars, with the pillars sporting her and Liv's respective hairstyles at the top.

[CHARLY CARUSO]
Ruby, tonight, your tag team partner Liv Morgan will be in the main event challenging for the North American Championship. You stated on the last episode of Octane that tonight would be step one to both of you claiming the North American Championship. What are your thoughts as we get closer and closer to our main event, knowing that Edge and Beth Phoenix have banned you from ringside for Liv's match tonight?

[RUBY RIOTT]
The only reason that Edge and Beth banned me from ringside is that they're afraid of the fact that when...not if, when Liv Morgan wins tonight, we'll both be North American Champion, no matter what either of those two thinks. They can throw every obstacle in our way, they can ban me from ringside, hell, they could blindfold Liv and tie an arm behind her back, but she'll still walk out as North American Champion. And do you want to know why, Chuck? Hm? C'mon, ask me why.

[CHARLY CARUSO]
...Why?

[RUBY RIOTT]
Because my girl is the best wrestler in the entire freaking world, Chuck. She's better than Edge and Beth ever were in their primes, and that's what's gotten under their skin, that's what's gotten them so riled up about the two of us. They're upset at us because they know there's not a damn stipulation that they can pull out of their asses to stop us.

[CHARLY CARUSO]
Well, uh...what if things don't go according to plan tonight? What if Nia, Charlotte or Becky walks out of the main event with the North American Championship?

Ruby cracks her neck and takes a long, deep breath, glaring a hole through Charly.

[RUBY RIOTT]
That's not going to happen, Charly. See, Liv and I...we have this...this connection. This spiritual connection that no one in that locker room has with anyone else. She and I...we're eternally bonded together, and that's why I said on Octane that even though I'll be stuck back here during Liv's match, I'll still be out there. With her, supporting her, helping her to get one of the two championships in this company that belong rightfully to us. And after we're done celebrating Liv's victory tonight, it's onto phase two.

[RUBY RIOTT]
The XWL Women's Championship. The most prestigious championship in the most prestigious women's division in the most prestigious company in professional wrestling. The championship that was unjustly stripped from Liv and basically handed to Sasha Banks on a silver freaking platter. Much like the North American Championship was for most of the past year and a half, the championship that we deserve is around the waist of someone who never earned it to begin with. And now...now it's up in the air who could walk out tonight with that title.

[RUBY RIOTT]
Sasha Banks could retain that championship. Sasha Banks...the woman who used Liv. Who took advantage of Liv. Who took her innocence and tried to...tried to mold her into her image like putty in her hands. Sasha Banks is a leech, a parasite, a worm that feeds off of whatever and whoever she can get her hands on. And yet, these people cheer Sasha for what she's done. And why? Because she's suddenly sorry that she spent months upon months using Liv like she was some kind of cheap whore? Well...the only cheap whore I see is the one who's holding the belt that she never earned. Sasha Banks broke Liv, shattered her like glass and tossed her aside like garbage. And now? Now I'm here for her. Now I'm treating Liv with the love and respect that she deserves. I've come into her life to put her heart back together after Sasha ripped it out of her chest. And if Sasha wins tonight...let's just say, I'd be more than happy to rip out Sasha's spine, but that would imply that Sasha ever had a spine to begin with.

[RUBY RIOTT]
And then, of course...there's Five Feet of Screws Loose, Alexa Bliss. I guess her little pirate pal running back to Japan and leaving her behind finally sent her walking the plank and straight off the deep end. Alexa and I have spent the past two and a half years shortening each other's careers, ruining each other's lives. I nearly snapped her neck by piledriving her head-first onto concrete. I made her almost quit this company. And if she wins the Women's Championship tonight, I will finish what I started when I shoved my fingers down her throat nearly three years ago. She can bring either of her forty-eight different personalities, she can bring Bray Wyatt, she can bring The Fiend, she can bring all those stupid puppets...she can bring the tutu, she can bring the Harley cosplay, she can bring an army of puppets and demonic messed-up clowns and tv show hosts, I don't care. I'll still drop her where she stands and leave her a broken, crippled mess on the way to becoming XWL Women's Champion.

[RUBY RIOTT]
And speaking of armies...and being dropped, there's a chance that Sarah Logan walks out with the title. The woman who left me high and dry for her golden delusions of grandeur. She loves to walk around, chest puffed out, war paint on and tell the entire world how Sarah Logan is such a badass. But Sarah...don't get it twisted. I've seen you at your highest...and I've seen you at your lowest. Just remember, through all the good times and bad, that I was there for you until you left me to rot. Remember, I was always there to carry you off the edge. I've been a fixture in your life since we both began this twisted journey that is our wrestling careers. I've shoved skewers into your skull, and I've also been the person you leaned on and cried on when you told me your now-husband proposed to you. We went from wrestling in front of juggalos at 5AM to me being the maid of honor for the one-off spinoff, My Big Fat Viking Wedding. I carried the torch for you on that day, and I carried you to all of your success. You notice that without me by her side, Sarah's championship dreams just keep going awry? It's because without my guidance, without me putting her name out there to Edge and Beth, Sarah never would've even made it out of wrestling in front of juggalos and shoving skewers into her head. Without me, Sarah Logan is lost, and I'm the only one that can get her out.

[RUBY RIOTT]
Now, if you'll excuse me, Chuck, I've got to help Liv do some last minute preparing for her match. I'll see you on Octane, when Liv and I will both be the North American Champion.

Ruby finally walks off after saying her piece, leaving Charly alone in the interview area as Under Pressure continues.

Gotta love a broken word limit PART ONE

---

As Under Pressure resumes, the next sound we hear is...one that's oddly familiar, yet not all at the same time. The tron lights up blue as "Alexa Bliss" is spelled out but as the usual beat "drop" becomes distorted and this causes her name to distort in a mix of red as each twisted drop follows... most chilling of all about this "new" anthem for the recently changed Alexa Bliss is the background graphic on the titantron keeps flashing a close up of The Fiend the very thing that is responsible for what Alexa Bliss has become.



Soon Alexa strolls out from the back sporting a black version of her recent overall skirt inspired get up and she raises both of her gloved hands up to the sides of her face with a gleeful smile as the words "PLAY" and "PAIN" are showcased on the outside of them. Words that as of late have served as omens of what's to come when Alexa Bliss is near.



[[Wade Barrett]]
Ready or NOT here Alexa Bliss comes...ready to unleash her "fury" on this upcoming Women's Championship affair.

[[MVP]]
What is this music? It's like a horror movie if they featured dubstep.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Up until now, Alexa's music was the same as it's always been...but with this change added on top of all the others since Homecoming? One has to wonder if the Alexa Bliss we knew truly is gone forever.

[[MVP]]
She had blood dripping down her eyes as if they were tears last week on Octane...the Alexa Bliss we knew IS dead. What took her place is something that I still cannot fathom.

[[Wade Barrett]]
There's something supernatural about her there's no denying that...but is this truly the power of The Fiend? Can HE turn someone like Alexa into an extension of himself?

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Before The Fiend there was Bray Wyatt...and he strived to bring Abigail back...his most successful attempt was with AJ Lee who became the force of destruction that was Sister April. Rebuking Wyatt's hand in her transformation and surpassing him...if Bray was capable of creating Sister April...THE FIEND is undoubtedly capable of doing much worse and from the glimpses, we've seen of this "new" Alexa Bliss? Dare I say I think he has.  

The lights continue to periodically turn a sinister red as Alexa excitedly descends down the ramp making her way toward the ring as the first competitor to enter what is sure to be an explosive encounter for The Women's Championship. And as we saw during the opening "segment" of Under Pressure...Alexa's not here to play nice...she's here to avenge the moments that led to her letting "HIM" in...



Because while she may be joyously parading down the ramp, there is nothing but pain behind her disastrous fall from grace. Alexa had struggled for years to make something of herself in The Women's Division. But after a rivalry with Asuka that put her on the map, and a rivalry with Ruby Riott which destroyed her and ultimately led to her rebuilding herself a self that would become a THREE-TIME North American Champion...things had finally gone her way. Success was there, recognition was there, and all of her hard work had paid off..until, all that work crumbled in her hands as her best friend rose up at her expense...and the weeks after were nothing more than salt in the wound that never had time to heal. Each week she would lose to someone she had previously bested...each week she would grow more irrelevant as her stock plummeted. Leading to the moment that would be the tipping point. A moment where she set her sights on The Women's Championship and would attempt to prove her worth...only to fall short and be left embarrassed and broken. We're still unsure of WHEN Alexa came into contact with HIM but with his help, she's turned the painful memories of her past into her newfound strength as she forges a future that threatens the entire division and everyone in it...especially those that wronged her before.  

[[Wade Barrett]]
Don't let that smile fool you Ladies and Gentlemen...although we've only seen it in rare spurts thus far there's a haunting darkness within her that we may never fully know the extent of.

[[MVP]]
I think we may witness a little bit more of it tonight, Wade. It's all fun and games until you're in the ring with two Women that serve as a reminder of your two greatest shames.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Sarah Logan of course who stood beside Ruby Riott as she carried out her revolting torment of Bliss...and Sasha Banks who has NEVER liked Alexa, and was the reason Alexa was left in a tantrum of tears on the final Octane before Homecoming.

[[Wade Barrett]]
They say shame builds character...but what her shame has built thanks to The Fiend? Is truly bringing new meaning to that very term.

With hopes of becoming the next Women's Champion Alexa Bliss ventures around the post, climbs up onto the apron knees first then raises both of her glove hands into the frame of the camera showing off the two words that have begun to redefine her entire career "PLAY" and "PAIN."



She's had a marvelous time ruining everything, from The Homecoming Main-Event when Sarah Logan found the opportunity of a lifetime in front of her...to methodically destroying the mental facilities of both Sasha and Sarah as they've been forced to navigate the treacherous waters that have swept over them since the moment Alexa Bliss forced her way into their lives again. With HIM, she has set out to achieve the very thing that she never had done...and that's claim The Women's Championship. But as she soon lies down on the apron then rolls under the bottom rope, we ask ourselves this last question...is the change she's undergone all-flash...or is there a lot more substance just waiting to reveal itself tonight?



What defines an underdog? Many people would say that the answer is whoever is considered less likely to emerge victorious. The one who everyone is betting against. The one being told that they’re not good enough.

By this definition, nobody would argue against the notion that Sarah Logan was the underdog going into her match with Sasha Banks last month at Homecoming. Someone who had largely been defined by her relationship to someone else at this point, happening upon a women’s championship match by chance? It’s no wonder people would view her as lesser to The Boss, The Blueprint, The Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks. One could even argue that the only reason anyone supported her in that match is that there will always be support for the underdog story.

But maybe that’s not the only thing that makes someone an underdog. Maybe in order to be an underdog, someone has to view themselves as an underdog. David trying to slay Goliath. Part of the formula may be questioning yourself as to whether or not you can even complete the task that’s been set in front of you, it’s so monumental.

One month ago Sarah Logan walked out on stage at Homecoming and paused on stage for a long while, looking out at the technological crowd watching from home, and was unsure of herself. Unsure if she could beat Sasha Banks. She was the underdog.

But tonight, as Sarah makes her way out from behind the curtain? There’s no worry. No doubt on her mind. She confidently strides down the ramp like she has one thing on her mind. Victory. She may be up against the same women she put it all on the line against last month, as well the addition of a woman who made the last month a living hell in more ways than one, but if any of that is phasing her, it certainly isn’t showing at this moment.

[Beth Phoenix]
Sarah Logan certainly is confident as she makes her way down to the ring, and I’d say at this point it may be fair for her to have that kind of confidence, especially considering what we’ve seen from her over this past month.

[Wade Barrett]
Beth I absolutely have to agree with you here, Sarah Logan has proven herself more in the past month than many superstars do in their entire careers! While tonight is certainly not going to be a walk in the park and she better realize that, there is no shame in the amount of energy and pride she is showing here.

[MVP]
Sure, yes, she’s looked good recently, that is true. But are both of you and her forgetting that not only does she have to go up against the same women’s champion she was barely keeping up with at Homecoming, she also has to deal with Alexa Bliss and whatever the hell’s going on there? I don’t know what’s running through her mind right now but I hope she fully realizes what she’s getting into.

Despite the words of MVP, and any of the commentators really, Sarah keeps the same look of determination and confidence going as she makes her way up the steel steps and into the ring. Rather than climbing up to the top turnbuckle like she did last time, Sarah instead takes this opportunity to simply lean herself against the turnbuckle she’ll be starting in. The camera zooms in, giving us one last good look on her face. And to everyone watching, one thing becomes perfectly clear. Whatever exactly Sarah Logan may view herself as, whether it’s a viking, an XWL superstar, a warrior, or simply a competitor..

It’s certainly not an underdog.



For 313 days Sasha Banks has been THE BOSS of The Women's Division ever since reclaiming her title for a third time on the grandest stage of them all in the SECOND EVER Women's Main-Event of Final Stand. But despite overcoming the pressures of the showcase of the immortals...can she overcome the pressure tonight as she perhaps might be under more than she even realizes given the unpredictable element in Alexa Bliss, and the more determined than ever Sarah Logan?  



Out from behind the curtain comes the champion herself who hasn't missed a beat and walks with the same confidence she always does. She might be a bit thrown off by Alexa's antics, judging by her speechless interactions with Bliss where she's been left almost entranced by her...she appears focused and ready tonight. As the sound in her theme music drops and all the lights turn blue and focus on the stage, Sasha moves to the beat of her theme song with her hips moving and her body swaying. Then she takes a look to her left at the walls upon walls of LED screens where the fans were as she took her championship off of her waist.



[[MVP]]
And here comes the B-O-S-S, Sasha Banks is in the house! I can't wait for this.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
There's a lot of pressure being in this position and who better than the only woman in history to main-event Final Stand twice?

[[Wade Barrett]]
You wanna talk about pressure? Let's talk about the pressure that Sarah Logan finds herself in. She's in her second-ever one-on-one match for the XWL Women's Championship and let's be blunt here...second chances don't always come...so a third is even more unlikely.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
The underdog is often overlooked but she's given Sasha a run for her money and her victory over Alexa, albeit due to Sasha's involvement...certainly proves she's able to seize a moment when it arises.

Sasha with every step oozing swagger reaches the ring and pulls herself up onto it before rasing HER title with a smirk across her face as pyrotechnics blast off behind her, showcasing The Women's Champion in all of her wonder.



Once she's shown off her prize, she hands it over to the referee as she points at it and looks to her two challengers shouting "TAKE A NICE LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THAT'S AS CLOSE AS EITHER OF YOU WILL EVER GET TO MY TITLE!" Sarah just glares at her from her corner while Alexa? Well her eyes look off to the side with a slight chuckle before she brings her "PAIN" glove up into view and Sasha can't help but be reminded of the antics that took place on the last episode of Octane. For this one moment, her confident glow begins to dim but it quickly returns as she shakes it off and the bell rings.




With all three women in the ring, face to face, it’s time for the triple threat match to finally begin. The referee moves toward each women’s corner, checking to make sure they’re ready to begin the contest ahead. Each of the women replies with an emphatic yes, all of them having been ready for this moment for weeks now. With the obligations out of the way, the ref signals for the bell to be rung and this match to officially begin.

[Beth Phoenix]
Well there’s been plenty of back and forth between these three women over the last few weeks, but finally it’s all going to come to a head here tonight. No more talking, no more messing around, it’s just time for action!

[Wade Barrett]
What was supposed to be just a story of a fired up challenger who waited for her shot going up against a woman at the top of the division has been turned on its head time and time again thanks to the inclusion of the third woman involved in this match Alexa Bliss, so it’s hard for me to even make a prediction and who's going to walk away with the title when all is said and done!

[MVP]
Well it might be hard for you Wade, but it certainly isn’t all that difficult for me. That woman “turning things on their head?” She’s dangerous, and I don’t know if it’s fully possible for either Sasha Banks or Sarah Logan to fully prepare themselves for whatever it is that she has planned for tonight here.

Just as MVP makes his prediction that Alexa will be the one walking home with the title tonight, we see in the ring that her presence has absolutely brought an uneasiness to this match. Both Sasha and Sarah stand in the corners still, eyeing Alexa down. Their eyes don’t betray what exact emotion they’re feeling, but she’s certainly the biggest concern for both of them at this very moment. In turn, Alexa stays in her corner as well, albeit looking far less intense than either of the women staring her down. She has a bright smile on her face and her hands held behind her back, almost looking like she’s going to break into a laugh or a song at any moment, swaying back and forth, her eyes darting between the other two women. After about fifteen seconds of this staredown, Sarah and Sasha turn their attention to each other at the same time and both nod in unison, seemingly having the exact same idea at the exact same time.

[Beth Phoenix]
Sarah and Sasha both rushing Alexa Bliss!

Indeed, like animals on the hunt, the two of them break out of their corners and rush toward Alexa at breakneck speed, quickly jumping on her and overwhelming her with two against one offense. The camera angle we got at the moment of attack doesn’t allow us to see Alexa’s reaction to the attack before she’s brought down to the floor under a volley of messy looking punches from both champion and challenger.

[MVP]
Well there’s certainly no grace or technique being put behind these strikes, that’s for sure. You have to wonder, do Sasha and Sarah feel desperate already? Like they don’t know how to handle Alexa unless they manage to take her out of the picture completely?

[Wade Barrett]
Well if they could remove Alexa from the equation all together, that would probably be the smartest move for both of these women. After all, the reason we’re here right now watching the match we are at all is because Alexa was the one who first interrupted the ongoing contest between Logan and Banks, and she has continued to be a psychological thorn in the side of both of these women week in and week out after the fact. If you ask me it doesn’t matter how “desperate” it is, this is the right move!

As both superstars feel satisfied with the beatdown they have performed, Sasha lifts up the bottom rope, allowing for Sarah to deliver a swift sliding kick to the side of Bliss, sending her crashing outside of the ring and onto the floor outside. Both superstars look up, satisfied with their look for a moment, before their eyes lock once again, and this time it’s clear that cooperation isn’t exactly what’s on their mind. It’s time to go to war once again.

The two start off with a test of strength in the middle of the ring, a warrior’s spirit versus a champion’s pride in one of the most straightforward ways possible. After some back and forth around the ring, Sarah appears to have the upper hand, utilizing her pure strength to force Sasha down to one knee. The champ utilizes this opportunity however, and quickly delivers a powerful strike straight to the midsection of Sarah, causing her to break the grasp between the two women. Sasha moves as quickly as possible into a rollup on Sarah!

[Beth Phoenix]
Sasha Banks with a rollup!

[Wade Barrett]
Is this match about to be over already?

But if Sasha really expected things to be over that quick she sorely underestimated the fire still within Logan heading into this match, as she gets barely a 1 count before Logan kicks out. As both women make their way back to their feet, the look on Sarah’s face can only be described as one of shock and anger, as Sasha responds by informing Sarah “A champ can’t be that sloppy” while shaking her head and smiling, clearly trying to goad Sarah on. And the goading appears to work, as Sarah charges full steam ahead at Sasha, only to be caught up in an irish whip, sending her toward the ring ropes. She rebounds off the rope and heads straight toward the other side of the ring, as Sasha leaps atop her to give herself some breathing room, but on the second rebound back Sasha goes on the offensive, grabbing Sarah by the arm to flip her over onto the mat. But the extra time Sasha took to get some romo also gave Sarah time to take more control, as Sasha is instead met with a kick straight to the side of the head, sending her reeling.

[Beth Phoenix]
Both women are still jockeying to see who will start this match off with control!

[MVP]
Sasha had a point earlier though, Sarah’s been making some sloppy moves here, the kind of moves that are going to lead to your downfall against a competitor like Sasha Banks.

Despite MVP’s criticism of her performance so far, Sarah quickly hooks the arm of Sasha Banks onto her shoulder, setting her up for a snap suplex, but just as she’s lifting Sasha up in the air, she responds with knees right to the head of Sarah, causing her to be dropped down and the tug of war between these two women to continue, at least it seems that way, until the second Sasha is back on her feet she’s met with…..

[Wade Barrett]
Headbutt from Sarah Logan!

Whether it was planned ahead of time or a last minute audible, someone finally takes control of this match through a well-timed signature headbutt from Sarah Logan, sending the champion to the ground. Of course, that’s still some of the only solid offense Sarah has gotten in so far, so she knows she has to act fast in order to capitalize before Banks makes it back to her feet. But before the gears can begin to turn, suddenly a voice echoes as it calls from outside the ring "HEY SARAH!" Logan turns, recognizing this to be Alexa's overly excited tone, and when she does she finds Alexa standing on top of the barricade with her thumbs pressed against her ear as she slightly waves her hands and sticks her tongue out. "BET YOU CAN'T CATCH ME!" Sarah almost is at a loss for even how to react...is this seriously happening in the middle of a match? Much less after she and Sasha double-teamed this very person? Now she wants her to try and catch her like this were some game of cat and mouse? Not wanting to "play" Logan wastes no time in leaving the ring and rushing over to Alexa's position. "UH-OH...SHE'S COMING RIGHT AT ME! WHAT DO I DO?! Alexa quips as she stares DIRECTLY into the camera...as if she's asking the audience...what she's supposed to do. Sarah tries to swipe at her foot but Bliss jumps up avoiding the sweep then turns back to the camera "GREAT IDEA! I SHOULD JUMP! Let this be a lesson boys and girls...when in doubt...JU-" As Bliss tries to deliver some sort of life lesson as if this were a children's show...and not you know, a Women's Championship Match...Sarah reaches out grabbing her foot and begins to try and pull her off the barricade. But ever the slippery foe Alexa simply slips out of her decorated sneaker, then quickly snatches it out of Sarah's hand and walks further down the top of the barricade, with her other shoe in hand.  

[MVP]
What on Earth am I watching...

[Beth Phoenix]
Alexa Bliss's greatest strength was always her cunning nature in matches...and while this is highly unorthodox...and beyond bizarre...we're seeing that same cunning mind at play right now, albeit...much more twisted.  

[Wade Barrett]
It's mind games at the end of the day, and it rattles your opponent...look at Sarah she's a serious intense kind of fighter...when you have someone being the polar opposite of you it's hard to even process what you're supposed to do because it doesn't compute.

"I'm not playing these games with you, Alexa!" Sarah shouts as Bliss has reached the section of the barricade closest to the bottom of the ramp. Logan pursues her from the floor, again trying to claw at her when suddenly Alexa shouts "CATCH!" before throwing her shoe at Logan. Sarah instinctively as one would...catches the shoe as she avoids it clocking her in the face...but as she does Alexa leaps forward, pressing both palms onto the tips of Sarah's shoulders, then flips over her landing behind her...but not before snatching her shoe back out of her hand and then as she lands she slips the shoe back on before letting out a giddy "TA-DA!" Sarah's patience has worn as thin as one's could in this predicament...she's trying to battle Alexa...but all it's turning into is this silly exchange that's making a mockery of how serious SHE is taking this. She spins around ready to let Alexa have it with an all too classic punch...but as she does, Alexa's not there. Confused, she looks down, thinking maybe she quickly dipped under the ring? But as her head lowers, she's tapped on her shoulder from behind by Alexa Bliss. "ENOUGH OF THIS!" Sarah shouts turning yet again, but this time she's deadset on doing to Alexa as what she did to Sasha before this "playful" exchange began. She rams her head forward as she turns once more...but as she turns she's thumped in the forehead by Alexa.

[Beth Phoenix]
If there was any confusion as to why The Women's Champion and Sarah Logan teamed up at the start of tonight's contest...this is a prime example of why. Alexa is an unknown element that at this point you can't make heads or tails of.

Sarah's face grows beet red as she pauses after getting thumped in the forehead...all while Alexa just laughs and begins to clap, clearly proud of herself...that or she's having such a "fun" time playing with her dear friend Sarah...either way, it's not sitting well with Sarah. She suddenly reaches out grabbing Alexa by the straps of her overalls, catching Alexa by surprise, then glares at her ready to unleash every bit of frustration out on her. She turns Alexa slightly, surveying the environment as Alexa is almost "helpless" having finally been caught after her game of "can't catch me" but as Sarah decides what her next move is...suddenly Sasha Banks soars through the ropes leaping into both of her challengers with a suicide dive that ends with a quick tuck and roll as she knocks both Alexa and Sarah down to the floor.

[Wade Barrett]
The CURRENT Women's Champion reinserting herself into the situation with a BEAUTIFUL dive!

[MVP]
The Boss is no stranger to laying it all on the line and a move like that is exactly why she's known as "The Standard." She knew she needed to hit big and she got herself a two for one special right there.

[Beth Phoenix]
With two challengers both very different and threatening to her success in retaining tonight...that is exactly the thing she needs to keep doing. These matches are ultimately going to lead to many one on one situations and what sets apart the winner and the losers is your ability to pick your spots and pick them well.

The Blueprint rises up immediately to her feet and shouts "AND THAT'S WHY I'M THE BOSS OF THIS DIVISION!" Feeling herself and the moment Sasha grabs Alexa by one of her pigtails then chucks her straight over the barricade she moments ago was playfully walking along. She dusts her hands as if she were getting rid of the "trash" then shouts "THIS IS A NO PLAY ZONE, LITTLE GIRL!" Once she's dealt with Bliss her sights revert back to Sarah who has started to try and pull herself up. Sasha grabs her by her hair and attempts to pull her up but is immediately met with a headbutt to the abdomen. She briefly winces before throwing her fist down across the top of Sarah's back clubbing her a few times to beat her into "submission." Then she starts to walk her over to the ring but yet again Logan fights her before they get far opting for elbows to the side of Sasha's ribs this time. It's a game of tug of war between these two battle-tested Superstars, ready to fight tooth and nail to come out on top. With Sasha momentarily licking her wounds, Sarah tries to toss Sasha into the barricade, but Sasha is a quick thinker and that allows her to instead propel herself by pushing off the floor and using Sarah's throw to send her landing on top of the barricade. Sarah tries to react but before she can Sasha thrusts the bottom of her boot right into Sarah's jaw sending her staggering back as The Champion reacts next by jumping off with a Meteora!

[Beth Phoenix]
Again, more of Sasha's experience paying dividends to her success thus far in this match.

[MVP]
With wars against the likes of Natalya and Liv Morgan she's been forced to be ready for anything and everything in a match and Sarah's giving it a great effort but it's like The Champion is one step ahead.

[Wade Barrett]
I might argue that Sarah's almost the reason Sasha's already in that "high gear." That headbutt was not only effective it was brutal...and that's how you can describe any of Logan's offense. Sasha knows if she wants to retain she can't make one wrong move or her chances could turn dire.

[Beth Phoenix]
A valid point, Wade...Sasha knows what Sarah's made of because this is her third time facing her since Homecoming. Such recent knowledge makes her the threat she CAN identify, which explains why she's also trying to keep Bliss out of things because as we've stated...Alexa is that wild card.

As both of Sasha's knees drive Logan down in a "thud" The Champion plays to the audience at home again gloating about her current position. But in a scene that's almost straight out of Alexa's arrival onto the first LIVE edition of The Firefly Funhouse last month. Both of Alexa's gloves rise up from the floor planting onto the top of the barricade before she pops her head up with a cheesy grin and hops up onto the barricade in the same spot Sasha just dove from. Not wanting to be left out, Alexa shouts "Geronimo!!" As both of her knees press together and she kicks her heels out to the side like someone making a splash into a pool...but her landing isn't into cooling waters no her playful antics actually end in the first damage she's done in this match. Both knees crash into the gut of the laid out Sarah Logan in almost a variation of her "Insult To Injury" but as she rolls forward after landing she doesn't spring backward to deliver a kneesault...she instead pushes right ahead as Sasha had turned around and she thrusts both feet into Sasha with a front dropkick that sends Sasha back first against the ring post.

[Wade Barrett]
Suddenly Alexa's started to play rough!

[Beth Phoenix]
That transition was really something, landing into Sarah, rolling forward and using that roll to propel herself into Sasha with a dropkick that had so much oomph behind it that The Champion went back first into the steel ring post!

[MVP]
Sasha's back has already been sore from carrying this Women's division for the past few years so that one had to really hurt.

[Wade Barrett]
I know that's an attempt at humor, MVP...but actually, this could be bad news for Sasha...

[Beth Phoenix]
YOU SAID THE LINE!

[MVP]
OH COME ON!

[Beth Phoenix]
I told you he couldn't go that long before it slipped out, pay up MVP!

[Wade Barrett]
Honestly you two....ANYWAYS as I was saying...the back is the main part of your body that can affect everything you do...if your back is hurt you can't move as quick, you can't bend certain ways as easily, and since Sasha loves to dive as we've seen already this early into things? You also can't really go to the well too many times or else you might hurt yourself worse. For Sasha's sake, let's hope it's merely a stinger type of reaction and not much worse.

Alexa raises the tops of both gloves against each side of her chin, showing off the "PLAY" and "PAIN" writing on both as she poses quite gleefully. Sasha slumps down against the post, grabbing at her back, while Sarah Logan clutches her ribs with both hands after Alexa's knees pretty much knocked the wind out of her. For someone that's taking this far less "intensely" as her fellow opponents, Alexa's managed to find herself in control...and now the question is what is she going to do with it? Her hands lower back to her side as she looks to her left at Sarah, then at her right toward Sasha...her index finger taps the bottom of her jaw before her sights look instead beyond her two opponents and back to the audience. "Sorry guys I need your help again...WHO should I go for? Sarah? Or Sasha?" Alexa points to each before looking intently to the camera...awaiting her audience's participation to make the decision...we're not really sure how this is meant to work, considering this isn't actually a morning kid's show and there isn't a physical audience to shout anything...and if anyone at home is actually shouting out their assistance...we can't hear it...so it's all very puzzling. But as she stands there motionless as if time stops to allow enough time for her helpers I guess to aid her? Suddenly she nods with a proud grin and exclaims "I agree! Let's get 'em!" However, before she can reveal what the audience has told her to do....her entire body is sent crashing into the edge of the ring by Sarah Logan's own double knee assault. The Viking had lept off the floor swinging both knees together and then as if they were a cannon propelling themselves at its target BOOM indeed Sarah absolutely destroys Bliss! Alexa's body is flung against the top edge of the apron, briefly rolling up onto the top of it before falling down against the skirt of the apron.

[Beth Phoenix]
Good god, she nearly tore through her!

[Wade Barrett]
Again, this is why Sasha was singling Sarah out. That ONE move had so much power and precession behind it that Alexa turned into a ragdoll before our very eyes.

[MVP]
I don't know what you call that but both of her knees just acted as a shotgun and it's laid waste to Alexa!

”I caught you!” Sarah screams at the fallen over body of Alexa in a mocking tone of voice, getting her own quip in reference Alexa’s nature throughout this match, However, before he can enjoy the cleverness of her retort, she grabs her abdomen and winces in pain, clearly still feeling the effects of the Meteora immediately followed by Alexa’s knees. Not letting the pain stop her however, she turns her attention back over to Banks, who is still slumped over on the ring post. Sarah grabs a handful of the champ’s hair, who doesn’t seem able to put up much of a fight as she’s sent rolling back into the ring. Sarah follows behind her prey she’s chucked inside, but the movement of sliding into the ring clearly isn’t helped by the damage she sustained outside. And those few precious moments more it takes her to enter are just what the champ needs. Once Sarah’s full in the ring, the first thing that greets her is a nasty kick straight from the champ’s boot to her face. And then another. And another. And another.

[Wade Barrett]
Sasha clearly still feels that heavy pain on her back like I was talking about, reducing her mobility right now by quite a bit, but of course the champion has a solution in mind for this problem!

[Beth Phoenix]
And you have to wonder, apart from just the pure force and damage these kicks are doing directly to the face of Sarah Logan, does this also work at buying Sasha some time, keeping Sarah away from her while she takes more time to recover, but not allowing Sarah that same opportunity?

If that’s Sasha’s plan than it’s certainly working, as Sarah continues to try and bring herself closer and closer to where Sasha is currently laying in the ring, only to be met with a harsh boot to the face each time, delaying her further and making her use even more of her energy sliding on that same abdomen whose wear and tear led to this scenario. However, in as desperate of a move as she can manage, Sarah lungers her arms out, grabbing a hold of the legs of Sasha Banks, both stopping the onslaught and giving herself a means to ground herself while raising to her feet, a task that became much more of a struggle within the last ten seconds than she had any idea it would be when first trying to enter the ring. Not seeing any other course of action, Sasha almost instinctively flips over and begins to push herself using her hands, both delaying Sarah’s rise for a few more moments and perhaps hoping she can continue her onslaught of kicks once Sarah has fully risen. What she didn’t predict however, was Sarah dropping one of her legs and using Sasha pushing herself up to place her in an ankle lock!

[Beth Phoenix]
Ankle lock from Sarah Logan to the women’s champion!

[MVP]
This is a highly unorthodox move from Sarah Logan, but making the split second decisions to utilize her positioning like this is a prime example of her warrior spirit she always talks about pushing her toward success! The only question is, does this spell bad news for Sasha?

[Wade Barrett]
Oh ha ha.

[Beth Phoenix]
Sounds like someone’s still salty they lost a bet.

[MVP]
I just thought an XWL commentator would do better than to resort to catchphrase is all.

[Wade Barrett]
Well I’d like to focus on this match right now is all. And yes, this is an extremely out of the ordinary move from Sarah Logan, but in some ways it’s actually quite genius. Sarah is applying pressure to the parts of the body Sasha was just utilizing the most to maintain control, as well as continuing to put pressure on that damaged back by putting it in this arched position. Sasha better hope to figure a way out of this quickly before she gets worn down more than she can recover from.

But if Sasha has an idea for how to get out of the hold right now, she’s not using it. All we see from Sasha right now is the visible agony on her face, while her screams of pain communicate that same agony. She does attempt a couple of kicks behind her with her leg, hoping one might catch Sarah and cause her to break the hold, but Sarah seems ready and able to position herself to avoid contact each time. The referee remains right in front of Sasha, continuing to ask her over and over again if she’d like to submit, if she’d like to put an end to the pain coursing through her body right now. If she’d like to give up her championship. If she’d like to give up being the boss of the women’s division.










She would not.

Gathering up all the strength within her at this moment, Sasha raises up her free leg once again, as Sarah braces herself for yet another kick attempt, getting ready to maneuver out of the way while maintaining her locked in grip on Sasha’s ankle. But there is no force behind this leg. No, instead Sasha merely maneuvers her leg to the side of Sarah Logan’s head, resting on her shoulder. While normally Sarah may have been able to knock this leg aside with ease, the combination of her focus on maintaining the ankle lock, as well as her pattern of dodging Sasha’s kicks has left her with a slower reaction time than usual, also giving Sasha the chance to raise the leg still in the lock just slightly, onto the other shoulder of Logan, also resting on her shoulder. As Sasha cries out in searing pain, she moves both legs forward and rotates her body, delivering a sloppy but effective hurricanrana, sending Sarah Logan crashing down to the mat and finally breaking the hold!

[Beth Phoenix]
Holy shit!

[MVP]
(Muffled laughter)

[Wade Barrett]
Beth I think you just summed it up better than I possibly could have. What an out of the box move by the women’s champion to escape such a hold!

[Beth Phoenix]
My apologies for my unprofessionalism but really, what else do you want me to say at using a hurricanrana to escape an ankle lock like Sasha Banks somehow just found the energy within her to do? It’s easy for us to sit here and talk about Sarah Logan and the story involving her involvement in this match, and it’s certainly easy to talk about Alexa Bliss, but that right there was a reminder that Sasha Banks is the champion right now for a reason!

[MVP]
It’s hard to argue with anything you just Beth, that was a move that only someone who understands that ring and her own capabilities inside and out would pull off. And sure she’s pulled off fancier hurricanrana in her career, and I’m sure some of them hurt. But when we’re inevitably talking about Sasha Banks as one of the greatest women to ever lace up a pair of boots, I think that one right there might be in the highlight reel.

The camera pans around to the screens of the fans watching through the Thunderdome, and despite the fact that we don’t have their audio, it’s clear that they share the same sentiment as Beth. Holy. Shit. Kids are jumping out of chairs. Men are screaming. A little girl decked in full Sasha Banks merch looks like her life was just changed.

But Sasha can’t exactly enjoy all this admiration for the move she just pulled, because it seems to have used up most of the energy she had. The scene in the ring is far different from the one of excitement surrounding it. No, instead we simply see two women laying there, both clearly gasping for breath, struggling to summon whatever else they may have in them. The cameras give us a close-up of both of their faces, but it’s’ hard to imagine what’s running through either of their minds right now other than how they can possibly finish the other off.

---

PART TWO BELOW

PART ONE ABOVE, READ BEFORE CONTINUING PLS

---

[Wade Barrett]
This is all about The Women's Championship that Sasha Banks has held since May of last year when she defeated Liv Morgan in The Main-Event Of Final Stand. That very background alone shows the incredible merit and prestige that this title is surrounded by.

[Beth Phoenix]
It was an incredible encounter, much like tonight is living up to itself and it's a testament to the level of talent that exists in The Women's Division.

[MVP]
This division was always something special back when we were competing but it's certainly been elevated as the years have passed and more competitors have raised that bar higher and higher.

Sasha crawls to the bottom rope trying to pull herself up after the damage has certainly been done both on her back and now on her leg but her heart is one of a Champion and a Champion does not stay down they get back up so that is what her determination is leading her to do. She grabs the middle rope using it to further elevate her, all while Sasha has shaken off the cobwebs and gotten back up. She rushes at Sasha not wanting to allow her a moment to recover but as she barrels full speed ahead she's met by the point of Sasha's elbow and stumbles back. But Vikings don't give up so easily either, they are a warrior breed and the same is said for Sarah Logan. She comes right back at Sasha, attempting to grab the ankle she tenderized but as it comes within her grasp Sasha swings her other leg up catching Logan with an enzuigiri, keeping her grip of the top rope now to keep her stability.

[Beth Phoenix]
Sasha Banks is just so tenacious, her rivalries with Sister April, Natalya, and Liv Morgan really allowed her to become "the standard" of what a competitor should be. She's using her environment phenomenally.

[Wade Barrett]
When your body is failing you your surroundings can become the tag-team partner you never knew you needed.

As Sarah is temporarily staggered by the repeated shots to her head, Sasha tries to rack her brain to figure out what her next move could be. But what happens next is nowhere near the possibilities that had swirled through her mind...Alexa Bliss slides back into the ring after her unceremonious introduction to the edge of the ring had left her temporarily eliminated from the equation...and rather than try to take advantage of Sasha's handicapped state...she looks at her with a determined smile as she points at Sarah and says "LET'S GET HER!" Sasha who has been completely thrown off by Alexa's new behavior ever since she first witnessed it is still quite puzzled. She looks at her like she's crazy and shouts "I'M NOT THE ONE THAT NEEDS HELP, YOU DO!" With that, she clocks Alexa in the side of the face with a forearm...however, Alexa's body doesn't stagger or stumble...her head just turns ever so slightly from the blow, as if...it didn't phase her at all? Alexa's head turns back to Sasha as a frown has replaced her once friendly smile and she simply shakes her head. "That wasn't very nice..." Alexa quips. Sasha again returns with another forearm, however, the same result follows as Bliss is nowhere near rocked by the blow. "Hey! STOP THAT!" Alexa shouts, only to be hit again...this time there's more pepper behind the hit so Alexa is sent back a few steps...but not knocked down.

[MVP]
How is Alexa still standing?

[Wade Barrett]
Sasha Banks has to be wondering exactly that right now.

Sarah's recovered during this time so she reintroduces herself into things seeing Bliss and Banks preoccupied with each other so she quickly leaves the ring undetected and begins to search under the apron for something...but what? Alexa's eyes become less sparkly as she looks at Sasha again, prompting Sasha to go for a fourth shot....however this time? Alexa simply throws her arm up blocking the forearm and reaches out with her "PAIN" glove and wraps it around Sasha's throat as she applies pressure that starts to choke the life out of the lively Champion. But Triple Threats are no disqualifications...so the official can't do anything about it and Sasha just starts to slump further down the ropes as she claws at Alexa's hand, her eyes bulging out of her head as the pressure goes on and on. We see Logan return into the ring, a table now set up outside near the barricade, and she quickly rushes to Sasha's aid, because like with the rest of this match they know they need to sustain a temporary alliance to combat Alexa's unpredictable antics...so she grabs Alexa from behind then throws her back with a german suplex!

[Beth Phoenix]
This match may be every woman for herself but I do think it's wise of Sarah and Sasha to have this sort of...unspoken agreement to work together. I mean look at what just happened, Sasha struck Alexa three times and she barely flinched...it's as if the longer this match goes...the more...Alexa just...I don't know...she's almost not getting weaker...but...stronger?

[Wade Barrett]
Sarah and Sasha have entered the stage of this match where they're growing exhausted, they're not as quick as they were, they're nursing a few injuries...and Alexa should be right there as well given the damage dealt but she's not.

[MVP]
Since when does someone get stronger the longer a match goes?

Sasha falls to the ground gasping for air as she holds her throat while Alexa's fallen near the corner temporarily subdued by the damage of that german. Sarah tries to figure out her next move, does she use the table? Does she try to focus on Sasha? Does she think she needs to do more damage to Bliss given the difference in both of their conditions? She looks at Sasha as if perhaps she might try and beat The Champion real quick...but as her head turns and focus shifts to Sasha suddenly a snippet of Alexa's old theme sounds throughout the arena, but only for about two seconds until it abruptly fades out. Logan much like all of us is puzzled by that and turns...and well, what she sees...and what WE see? Is beyond our comprehension.



It's Alexa Bliss...not the one that was just German Suplex'd near the corner...but, the REAL Alexa Bliss. Her hair is less dramatic, her attire has changed to the gear she wore for most of her career...and she's...sobbing?

[MVP]
What the...?

[Beth Phoenix]
Uh, I blinked...what just happened?

[Wade Barrett]
It looks like she just transformed...back into...The Goddess?

[MVP]
Just when I thought things couldn't get any stranger...

Sarah, as we could understand...is frozen in confusion, disbelief, and just...really taken aback as to what her eyes are even showing her. Are they playing tricks on her?



Alexa's head lifts up as we can see her crying, rather loudly at that...but, why? What has her in such an emotional state, and WHY has she seemingly reverted back into the Alexa Bliss we once knew? "Sarah...PLEASE...." she cries out, causing Sarah to again just stand there mortified by the sight before her. Why is Alexa crying out...to her?



"WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HER?!" Her bellowing cries continue to echo as Alexa's distraught state is directed solely at a befuddled Sarah Logan...all while they're in the middle of a Women's Championship Match.



"HELP ME, SARAH! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE BETTER THAN HER! WHY AREN'T YOU STEPPING IN! WHY AREN'T YOU SAVING ME! I CAN'T...I can't... SHE'S PUTTING HER FINGERS DOWN MY THROAT, SARAH! I..." Alexa begins to audibly gag as she coughs, taking turns between crying and gasping as she places both hands around the side of her face pleading for Sarah to help her...

[Beth Phoenix]
Is....is she reliving the infamous "purge"

[Wade Barrett]
The WHAT?

[Beth Phoenix]
Alexa Bliss used to be one of the cruelest women in the division until the moment when Ruby Riott came out of nowhere and brought to light Alexa's hidden shame...the history of her eating disorder which prompted Ruby to shove her fingers in her mouth and, well...it was so horrifying and traumatizing that it was the one moment in XWL history that they cut away from it.

[MVP]
First of all, what the actual...blank. Second, WHAT does that have to do with Sarah?

[Beth Phoenix]
Sarah while not present at that moment did enable Ruby's later antics as she terrorized Bliss including trying to recreate it and...well, I think Alexa's playing another mind game right now as she plays to the side of Sarah that wishes she did something back then.

Sarah shaking from this rather unexpected breakdown starts to walk forward as if she had forgotten this was a match and she just begins to say "Alexa...I'm...I'm sorry...I..." but as she got closer, perhaps to console her, because she isn't that person anymore...she isn't someone that enables that behavior and supports it as she did...suddenly two hands reach out behind Sarah grabbing her and snapping her back with a BACKSTABBER! Sasha had time to recover thanks to this "hallmark" moment and as her knees drive into Logan's spine she flips her over onto her stomach and applies the rest of The Bankstatement! As Sarah is wrenched backward by the crossface, and Sasha screams "TAP!!!" we notice everything is not as it once seemed as Alexa Bliss is now nowhere to be found.

[Wade Barrett]
The Women's Champion using Sarah's distracted state to perfectly execute The Bankstatement, Sarah's in trouble!

[MVP]
This is why Sasha's been such a strong force in the division for years she saw what was going down and used it to her advantage...but- wait, where did Alexa go?

[Beth Phoenix]
Oh dear, I don't know...but that might be even worse news for Logan because wherever Alexa's gone...she's not here to break up this submission.

[Wade Barrett]
We're about to find out if Logan has the heart to endure this brutal hold.

Sarah Logan is watching her dream of becoming Women's Champion slip out of her grasp the longer she's under the pressure of Sasha's trademark submission and with the way her back is being contorted backward, how much longer can she truly hope to survive? She's a proud Viking warrior, but even the proudest warriors have had to give up in the past, and she's dead center in the middle of the ring helpless as Sasha torques on her hold with all of the might left within her. Just as Logan once tried to rip apart her ankle earlier, Sasha now has turned the tables on her challenger. Sarah's hand reaches out, trying to grab the rope even if it won't help her, but even though it won't stop this hold Sasha still starts to stomp on Sarah's hand as she keeps the pressure intact the whole time.

[MVP]
I love it when she does that! It's such a smart move, I wish I thought of it when I was competing.

[Wade Barrett]
The ropes could have given Sarah some separation between herself and Sasha even if it wouldn't have forced a break but Sasha is having none of that.

[Beth Phoenix]
She has no intention of leaving this arena without her Women's Championship and she is willing and able to do whatever it takes to ensure that she leaves tonight exactly as she entered it.

Sarah's fading, her hand has been stomped so much it's probably broken, and her spirit...too seems to be on the verge of shattering. Her head falls forward as if she's passing out from the pressure, but as the official leans in to see if she has in fact lost consciousness...suddenly Sarah pushes back off the mat shifting her weight forcing Sasha's shoulders down while still trapped in the submission! The official springs into action shiting from checking on Sarah's state to counting this sudden pin!


ONE....












TWO.....









NO! Sasha Banks releases her hold, lifting her shoulder off the mat and saving her Championship...at least, for the moment.

[Wade Barrett]
A for effort but the damage appears to be done...that may have been Sarah's hail mary.

[Beth Phoenix]
Guys seriously, where did Alexa go?

[MVP]
Beth, I'm pretty sure we don't wanna know. Maybe she snapped out of The Fiend's trance and she's back to normal, confused why she was in this match?

[Wade Barrett]
I highly doubt that but I suppose anything is possible these days when it comes to Alexa.

Sasha may have been forced to break her hold but she's still very much in control as she sees Logan lying on the mat ripe for whatever her next move might be...and as Banks backs up into the corner, she raises her hand up and forms a "gun" with her hand. This of course is the trademark of when she became The "Bullet Boss" as a temporary member of The Bullet Club and as she "aims" her shot she soon charges ahead aiming to deliver The "B-Trigger" but as she comes within striking distance, Sarah ducks catching Sasha and propelling her up into the air and gravity does the rest with a blackbody drop sending Sasha crashing to the mat! Sarah doesn't fall back down though, she knows she cannot afford to waste another second...so she steps out onto the apron, eyeing the table she set up earlier, and drags Sasha out onto it with her. With her weight lifted off the apron, she has Sasha primed for a powerbomb! She turns her body so that she's lined up...but Sasha isn't going down without a fight. She delivers shot after shot to Sarah's head attempting to slip out of her grasp but The Viking refuses to relent!

[Beth Phoenix]
Oh god I can't watch if Sasha's dropped through that table her reign is as good as over!

[Wade Barrett]
WAIT, ALEXA'S BACK IN THE RING!

[MVP]
We're all in agreement that she wasn't there the whole time, right?

While Logan is seconds away from powerbombing Sasha Banks off the apron through a table...suddenly our eyes much like the eyes belonging to our announce team begin to seriously challenge our ability to believe what they're showing us because Alexa Bliss is back in the corner where she once was, returned in the state she was when she first came out here tonight as if nothing happened and she's been here the whole time...now we know she hasn't been because she's the crazy one, not us....but damn if we can't help but feel like we're losing grasp of our own sanity as we see her holding the back of her head like she was when Logan german suplexed her. She looks up to see her two opponents in a precarious position, then looks DIRECTLY into the camera as she looks for instruction. Throwing both hands up as if she's unsure of how to proceed she walks closer to the hard camera, then starts to form a widened smile as it twists ever so slightly...and she nods in agreement with whatever "we" have told her she should do. She rushes forward, sliding under the bottom rope, through Logan's legs then grabs them as she lands outside the ring forcing Logan off the apron with a powerbomb of her own! It feels as if everything goes in a sudden slow motion as Sasha is flung right into the barricade with Sarah's attempted powerbomb, as Sarah herself is sent crashing THROUGH the table! If ever there's been a "holy shit" moment in this match it is right now as a double-deck powerbomb has left The Champion and one of her challengers in a VERY bad way!

[Beth Phoenix]
OH MY GOD!

[MVP]
I've heard of two for one specials but that was ridiculous!

[Wade Barrett]
And just like that Alexa Bliss has taken down BOTH of her opponents...and dare I say...is she moments away from becoming The NEW Women's Champion?!

Alexa jumps up and down as she eagerly claps bursting with excitement as her arms extend out proud of herself. She looks back to the camera with a playful wink then kicks some of the debris that remains of the table aside as Logan lies absolutely motionless from the impact and Sasha just lies slumped on the floor against the barricade she was ricocheted right into. Her back has taken a whole lot of damage in this match and that powerbomb just turned her injury from bad...to oh so much worse. Alexa admires her opportunistic exploits but then soon raises her index finger up as she points it at Sasha..."Eeny" Her "PLAY" covered gloved finger then sways toward Sarah "Meeny"  With an exuberant smile she shifts the tip of her finger back to Sasha as she says "Miny" The viewing audience at home as well as us are again thrown off by how unorthodox this is...she's in the middle of a match after just taking down both opponents, and she's wasting time by partaking in a playful "choosing game?" Something about her tone seems to sound more troubling as she reaches the "Moe" portion of the counting rhyme looking at Sarah Logan the other challenger to Sasha's Women's Championship. "Catch a tiger by the toe..."  her pacing increases as she moves back and forth between the two Women. "If he squeals...LET....HIM....IN!!" Upon the final word, her finger is directed at The Champion who upon coming out on the wrong side of this rhyme is pulled up off of the floor and rolled into the ring by a widely grinning Alexa Bliss.

[Beth Phoenix]
Who knew a childhood rhyming game could be so chilling...

[Wade Barrett]
Well, Sasha Banks has been chosen by the troubled hand of fate courtesy of Alexa Bliss...and now the question is, what does Alexa have in store for her?

[MVP]
Do we EVER want to know the answer to that? The way Sasha landed against that barricade was hard to watch, and the fact that she's now got Alexa's undivided attention? I don't like The Boss's chances right now...

Sasha grabs at her back, writhing in agony as she awaits Bliss to re-enter the ring, unaware of what she's about to have to deal with. Once Alexa steps through the ropes her hand glides across the top rope as she walks along with it, her eyes with an almost spacey gaze. Until she reaches the corner and well, then her other hand grabs the other side of the top rope and her body begins to arch backward as her now upside-down eyes stalk her wounded prey. Sasha's a fighting Champion, one that will go down swinging and so although her ankle's hurt, although her back is no doubt in excruciating pain...she starts to pull herself up onto her hands and knees and that is what triggers Alexa's next move. She spins around releasing the ropes then raises her hand toward her face, showing off the "PAIN" on the outside of her glove. After this image has served its purpose, she assists Sasha in getting up but not in the way that she wants to be helped...because Sasha has fallen into Alexa's grasp, the back of her neck supported within Alexa's palm as she bends her slightly over her knee and looks into the camera as if she were perhaps looking at "HIM." Following a few seconds of playing with her food, she leans down kissing the forehead of The Women's Champion then swings back...delivering SISTER ABI- NO! Sasha Banks perhaps feeling her reign crumbling within Alexa's grasp stands her ground, shoving Alexa off of her! Alexa tries to render Sasha's efforts futile with a "WICKED" right hand...but Sasha ducks it then grabs Alexa by her shoulders and pulls her back driving both knees into her spine with The Backstabber! But unlike literally every other opponent that's ever been hit by this, Alexa doesn't flip backward from the impact, no in fact as soon as Sasha's knees are driven into her spine, Alexa pushes both of her feet off of the mat under her own power and flips back over Sasha trapping her in a very unique and troubling pin!

One....





TWO...




Sasha fights like hell to swing her shoulder off the canvas stopping the pin as Alexa rolls back to her feet as if she's completely unaffected by Sahsa's previous offense and before Sasha can even know what's coming....BAM! Alexa springs off the canvas driving the bottom of her playfully decorated sneaker into the back of Sasha's skull with a Curb Stomp!

[Wade Barrett]
Good grief!

[Beth Phoenix]
That's gotta be it!

With a quite sinister smirk, Alexa sits down onto Sasha's body, pulling her leg up for added leverage as she raises her "PLAY" glove against the side of her face, and the referee counts...which, is simply just a formality at this point...


ONE....










TWO....



















AND NEW- NO! SASHA KICKS OUT!

[MVP]
WHAT?!?!

Perhaps her brutal and career shortening battles with Natalya may not have led to victory over her infamous rival...but those clashes seem to have made Sasha Banks into a competitor on a level all her own and even though she's battered, bruised, and likely injured from the fight she's had tonight? SHE JUST WON'T GIVE UP! The urgency and power behind Sasha's shoulder flying up sent Alexa tumbling down to the mat on her rear, as her eyes shift from confidence to...confusion. She looks over her shoulder at Sahsa, then at the official as if she for the first time since her "change" is feeling the human emotion of "concern."  

[Wade Barrett]
I can't believe it! How did she kick out?!

[Beth Phoenix]
I'm as shocked as you are, and judging by the faces of the fans all around us at home? They are in just as much disbelief as us!

The referee informs Alexa it was only a two to which she takes in a deep breath, then lets out a short exhale...pulling herself up off the mat, and dusting off the bottom of her skirt. If at first, you don't succeed, try try again right? So she grabs Sasha up by her hair and forces her up to her feet, she stares into her eyes and regains a smirk as she sees the life fading within The Boss. While these two have never had a full-blown rivalry, there's always been tension. Mostly due to Sasha Banks who never saw anything special in Bliss. She belittled her, she looked down on her...and in Sasha's mind? Alexa was nothing more than a waste of her time and energy. Unfortunately for Sasha, she was Alexa's last loss before her complete and total breakdown, a breakdown that led her to "let HIM in." And it appears as if Sasha is the first to face the wrath of the new "fiendish" Alexa Bliss. Perhaps The Blueprint realizes this, and so while she's worse for wear...as Alexa's gaze pierces her soul...she yet again finds the strength to fight back. Sasha thrusts her knee up suddenly catching Alexa in the jaw which staggers her, then after nearly collapsing Sasha grabs a hold of the top rope to steady herself. Out of the corner of our eyes, we can see Sarah Logan somehow starting to stir, not through with her fight to become Women's Champion. She angrily shoves the remains of what was once a table out of her way and starts to pull herself up using the ring apron. Alexa stumbles back forward, grabbing the bottom of her jaw before saying "You're really gonna regret that.." in a tone that's rather...emotionless despite the threatening words. She lets out a banshee-like scream charging at The Women's Champion to indeed make her regret it...but Sasha pulls herself out of the way and Alexa barrels through the middle rope, just as Logan had risen back to her feet against the apron and this causes both to have an unwanted "meeting of the minds" as their heads ricochet off of one another and Sasha's two challengers collapse to the outside floor!

[Beth Phoenix]
Unbelievable! Sasha Banks will NOT relinquish control of her Women's Championship!

[MVP]
How in the hell is she able to keep going like this?

[Wade Barrett]
At this point, it's strictly adrenaline that she's repeatedly tapping into until there's nothing left...and kudos to her but she's gotta get one of them back into that ring pull off something big to make this all worthwhile.

[Beth Phoenix]
This woman once came back from being buried alive...literally...so we know she's certainly capable of it but can she do it tonight in this moment right here right now?

Sasha limps ever so slightly as she looks to the outside to see her two challengers lying on the floor below her...but as she gets over that limp she feels the long-lasting damage to her back grabbing at it after it was first injured when Bliss dropkicked her spine against the steel ring post. She's certainly going to be a wreck in the morning as she feels every bit of what has been done to her...but that will all be numbed by the Women's Championship sitting at her bedside after a successful title defense. She takes these next few moments to steady herself, to find whatever is left in her reserves, and make her next shot be her best. The shot that ends this match in her favor, the shot that continues her reign as The Standard Of The Women's Division. But once she's caught her breath, once she's slapped her ankle and straightened her back...she flashes a determined gaze into the camera as she shouts "I AM THE BOSS OF THIS DIVISION, AND IF ANY OF YOU THINK I'M LEAVING THIS MATCH WITHOUT MY TITLE? YOU DON'T KNOW SASHA FREAKIN' BANKS!!" With a clear message delivered, she leans through the ropes to drag one of the women inside with her, but as the top part of her body reaches the halfway point between inside and outside the ring? Suddenly she's struck by an unknown object and sent flying back into the ring!

[MVP]
What in everything that is holy is THAT!?

[Wade Barrett]
Sasha just got obliterated!

With the proverbial dust settling, the focus is shifted to what stands outside the ring, and what weapon delivered such an impactful blow? Sarah Logan is still flat on her back beside the steel steps...but Alexa Bliss is very much standing "tall" and in her hands, as it leans forward against the apron that Sasha was just struck on...is an oversized...MALLET? The handle is black with a messy streak of multiple colors of paint, but the double-sided head is what catches our attention the most for its bedazzled in black and purple gems on the outsides of it and as she pulls it off of the apron we see the sharply written "PAIN" on the face of the mallet. Alexa is erratically laughing as she holds her new "toy" as The Boss lies completely motionless on the mat, no doubt knocked out by that ridiculous choice of weapon.

[MVP]
That's almost as big as she is!

[Wade Barrett]
And every bit as furious as well...

[Beth Phoenix]
Guys Sasha isn't moving...

[MVP]
Well obviously, she just got drilled in the face by, and I cannot believe I am saying this...but an oversized bedazzled MALLET!

The audience at home are stunned and concerned as many faces are focused in on, some kids watching have their cameras suddenly go out, as if their parents didn't see this going anywhere good and other fans have their eyes widened worried about the wellbeing of The Women's Champion. But one person that isn't worried, concerned, or showcasing emotion that would come from witnessing such a brutal moment? Is Alexa Bliss who still has a twisted smile as she almost cackles at what she's done...and with her laughter, at last, slowing down...she once again allows the mallet to fall along the apron and she playfully pushes it under the bottom rope...and it appears the fears of those parents have been proven true...we've yet to see the worst of what this new "toy" will do to Sasha. Alexa crawls under the rope regaining hold of the weapon that devastated Banks...then she looks directly to the camera and says..."Yowie wowie, look what HE made me!" She admires the gift from "HIM" before her smile somehow becomes even more twisted than it already was..Sasha's lying on her stomach unaware of what's happening, likely not even conscious...hell, Alexa could probably cover her and win right now...but that's not what she does. She brings the handle of the mallet into both hands...pulls it all the way off the mat and into the air...then SLAMS it into Sasha's back!!

[Beth Phoenix]
NOOOOO!!!

[Wade Barrett]
I...

Sasha's reawoken from her "nap" as the mallet smashes the small of her spine as she wails out in absolute agony, screaming louder than we've ever heard her scream before. And these screams do not stop, they are continuous, they are haunting and disturbing...and the most disturbing part of this moment right now? Is the laughter being drowned out by the screams as Alexa pulls the mallet back up, then SLAMS IT BACK DOWN AGAIN! Sasha bellows out as her back is literally being shattered by the "fury" of Alexa's new toy. Alexa lifts it back up, as Sasha cries out "PLEASE DON-" But her cry for mercy is interrupted as the mallet strikes her back for the third time!

[MVP]
WHAT THE FUCK!

The other two commentators are stunned in silence, concerned over Sasha's condition as MVP lets out those raw words...and the sounds echoing throughout the arena right now are just too troubling to even be able to stomach. Sasha is whimpering, she is screaming, she is wailing at the top of her lungs as Alexa's erratic laughter is never-ending...There is not one sense of human compassion within her, she is enjoying every bit of this, and not in a "this feels good and it's payback" for whatever...no...Alexa is ENTERTAINED by Sasha's crying...by the PAIN she's inflicted upon her...and just when we think that maybe the worst is over...that she's felt all the fury this mallet is going to bring...Alexa kneels down using the handle to pull Sasha's head off of the mat then she playfully slaps Sasha's back causing another agonizing screech to echo before she pulls her in close...then falls backward taking Sasha with her as she drives both knees into the likely broken back of The Boss...and adds further insult to injury...by using the handle of the mallet to execute her own version of The Bank Statement! The official watches in horror as Alexa cranks the pressure back, forcing Sasha's back to stretch backward in the process...the image speaks for itself but Sasha's cries tell this wretched story better than anything else. As the "PAIN" writing on the mallet is in the forefront, Sasha Banks is put in more pain than she's probably ever been put through...and while Alexa's been known to add insult to injury in the past...this has taken that to a completely different meaning and The Women's Champion within seconds is pounding the mat with tears streaming down her face as the torture becomes more than she...or likely anyone could handle.

[Beth Phoenix]
I...I can't believe what I just witnessed...

[Wade Barrett]
We've just crowned a NEW Women's Champion...via Sasha's own submission!

[MVP]
Dear god, this can't be real...did I seriously just watch Alexa smash Sasha's back to pieces with a freaking mallet of all things before beating her with her OWN move?

Upon Sasha's submission...Alexa releases the mallet from her hand allowing it to drop the mat as she releases her hold sparing the now FORMER Women's Champion from any further damage...but as we see, and more specifically HEAR Sasha's cries continue now even after the bell has been rung? The damage has already been done, and it's officially shaken the foundation of this very Women's Division. Alexa's new frightening remix of her theme starts to play officially signifying her victory as the audience at home are both concerned for Sasha after what it took to get this win, and also terrified for what Alexa's new reign might have in store for all of XWL.



The official reluctantly leaves Sasha's side to retrieve The Women's Championship from the timekeeper, as Alexa beams from ear to ear as if she has no hint of remorse over what she's just done... a woman is bellowing out in pain beside her, and all she can do is flash her twisted gleam. Once the ref returns with Alexa's SECOND newest toy...Alexa snatches it out of his hands and pops up onto her knees as she vigorously shakes The Women's Championship with utter glee! Like a child that's just opened up their present and found EXACTLY what their heart most desired...Alexa stares at HER title and she can't help but squeal in delight all while Sasha squeals for the complete opposite reason as her back has no doubt been broken.

[Wade Barrett]
I can't...I can't believe what we just witnessed...Sasha Banks might have just had her career ended before our very eyes!

[MVP]
This is all your fault, Beth! You're the one that had the bright idea to include her in this match!

[Beth Phoenix]
Hey, that's not fair I never imagined anything like this...sure she was deeply unnerving and different but...NONE of that prepared us for the display she's put on tonight.

[Wade Barrett]
One of the most, if not THE most twisted endings we've ever seen...it was all fun and games until we saw what truly lies within Alexa's newfound being...and it is pure....evil.

The official stands there between a moral rock and a hard place...he wants to tend to Sasha but he's supposed to raise the winner's hand...so he just awkwardly stands there as Bliss rocks back and forth gazing at The Women's Championship until she looks up to see him and brings her "PLAY" hand up to the tip of her chin and waves at him. He tries to ask her to get up so he can raise her hand but instead of doing that she simply moves her hand away from her chin, turning it out and toward the official as if she'd like him to help her up. He hesitates, wondering if this might lead to some sort of trickery...but after going against his better judgment he grabs her hand and helps her to her feet to which she thanks him then repositions her grip of The Women's Title and hoists it into the air as he raises her other hand. But of course, this can't be a traditional celebration for a new Champion without their sudden burst of laughter echoing through the arena...almost drowning out the anguished cries of Sasha as she lies on the mat, broken...in more ways than one.

[Beth Phoenix]
Well, there she is...The NEW Women's Champion...and judging by her reaction she's already enjoying her new reign...

[MVP]
I know wrestling has its history of strange characters but Beth at a certain point we need a mental screening to see if they should be ANYWHERE near other talents...

[Beth Phoenix]
The thing is, MVP...and again you're not familiar with Alexa before now but...she was NOTHING like this...I don't know what The Fiend did...but it's as if she's gone MAD...mental, abnormal, and deranged...

[Wade Barrett]
I hate to come off all doom and gloom...and forgive me for this but it's hard to celebrate this moment of achievement when it's...just, it's a bad omen. The Women's Championship is now in the hands of a possessed five-foot woman with mystical powers beyond ANY of our understanding.

[MVP]
That's what I'm saying! She literally had blood oozing out of her eyes on Octane last week! This chick is out of her mind nuts and she's making all of us go crazy trying to even fathom WHAT she has become.

After fulfilling his obligation of raising the winner's hand the official releases Alexa's arm and rapidly signals for help from the back for Sasha as she lies there suffering unspeakable horrors at the hands of Alexa Bliss. Which just leaves Alexa to continue to cackle to herself as her title soon lowers behind her head, and lies across her shoulders as she strikes her signature pose...granted, the current scene makes this, unlike any other time she's been in this pose before. She's maniacally laughing as medics rush out from the back rolling a stretcher down the ramp with extra referees by their side to tend to the woman whose career Alexa may have very well ended.  

[Wade Barrett]
Ugh, you hate a night like this...you never want to see a stretcher speeding down the stage, especially not for someone that hasn't stopped whimpering since that first horrifying moment when Alexa slammed that ungodly mallet across Sasha's back.

[Beth Phoenix]
Sasha Banks was a literal pillar of this division...and Alexa just mercilessly destroyed her...I'm trying to not rush to judgment here but like you Wade, I...I worry about what Sasha's future might hold after what's happened here tonight.

We have a NEW Women's Champion...but, the only thing anyone is focused on is what this might mean for Sasha Banks. That mallet smashed through her back not once, not twice, but THREE excruciating times...and for Alexa to have added a literal insult to injury by executing Sasha's own finishing move, forcing her to give up? That was twisted, demented, and just...wrong on every level. We thought this new Alexa Bliss was dangerous but, what just happened proved that she's unlike anything this division has ever faced. A backboard is slid under the bottom rope as another medic begins to wrap a brace around Sasha's neck, more officials form a wall almost around Sasha trying to protect the medics and Sasha herself in case Alexa might have anything else planned...but thankfully for them, and Sasha...Alexa seems to accomplished exactly what she set out to do. So after ending her "chilling" Kodak moment, Alexa steps out onto the apron then hops down to the floor, landing just across from Sarah Logan who sits against the barricade, her hands covering her face as she no doubt is frustrated by the end of this contest. Bliss opts not to rub salt in her wounds and instead starts to run beside the barricade as she erratically waves The Women's Championship into the air and...high-fives...the air? As if this building were packed with fans, and excited ones at that...Alexa takes a victory lap running around the entire ringside area all while medical personnel strap Sasha to the board and carefully slide her under the bottom rope to load her up onto the stretcher. Once Alexa's made it halfway around she comes across the announce team who seem none to pleased with her after the fate Sasha Banks suffered here tonight. "Aw, come on guys...turn that frown UPSIDE DOWN!" As she lets out those words she suddenly spins on her heel so that her back falls against the table, and she stares at the three with her head upside down and a devilish grin on her face.

[MVP]
I don't get paid enough for this...

Sasha's finally loaded up onto the stretcher and strapped in as Alexa lifts herself back up off of the table and flashes her first sign of concern as she sees Sasha being rolled up the ramp. The "Twisted" Alexa Bliss starts to creep around the ring, her Women's Championship over her shoulder as Sasha's urgently pushed to the top of the stage all while Alexa finally reaches the bottom of the ramp and simply raises her "PAIN" glove to the base of her jaw then she proceeds to wave "goodbye" to Sasha before her sights return to The Women's Championship. "WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER!" She exclaims to her title...before bringing it in close to her chest and squeezing it with all her might.

[Beth Phoenix]
Well, Ladies and Gentlemen...we've indeed crowned a NEW Women's Champion tonight...and may god help this division as it tries to avoid suffering the same fate Sasha has suffered this evening.

[MVP]
WHO honestly wants to be ANYWHERE near her or that title after seeing what she did to take possession of it?

[Wade Barrett]
I suppose we'll see what the division's reaction is on Octane...but I can't help but agree. The prospect of facing THIS version of Alexa Bliss is terrifying, and yet I also can't help but remind everyone of her first appearance back at Homecoming. We've yet to see that side of her resurface...and who knows what horrors await when we do.

The final sight we see is another view of Alexa hugging The Women's Championship as she jumps up and down in circles playfully giggling until we fade out, and The FORMER Women's Champion is stretchered out of the arena.

As Under Pressure continues, we are brought backstage to the interview area where Charly Caruso is standing by in the interview area, smiling directly at the camera.

[Charley Caruso]
Ladies and gentlemen, my guests at this time, competing tonight in the tag team championship ladder match, Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe!

Charly stands to the side, obviously beckoning for the two to walk forward into frame. However, this does not occur, and Charly is left awkwardly standing still, looking at the camera with a confused look beginning to form on her face, clearly caught off guard by whatever is holding the two contenders up. She makes a motion with her head as if to indicate the camera man goes looking for them, which he complies with and begins making his way down the hallway, looking for any sign of the two men scheduled to compete tonight. Is it possible they didn’t make it to the building? Did rival superstars take them out before the interview? Are they going to be able to make their match? These questions surely must be running through the minds of viewers as the camera shakes its way down the hallway, still not catching any sight of the two men until….

[Kevin Owens]
Boo!

The camera jolts backwards, probably along with the camera man himself, as Owens and Joe make their way out from behind a pillar, Owens harboring a massive smile across his face. Joe is also smirking, but with far less over the top joy than Owens.

[Samoa Joe]
I’ll be honest I didn’t think you’d actually do that.

[Kevin Owens]
Are you kidding me? Look at this idiot’s face! Absolutely priceless. Granted he looks like he’s smarter than Brett but that might be the lowest bar in recorded human history.

[Camera Man]
Uh guys you have an interview with Charly Caruso scheduled for right now so if you could please make your way over there.

[Samoa Joe]
You hear that Kevin? We have an interview scheduled. After all this time of ignoring us, wanting to pretend like we don’t exist, shoving us to the side in favor of far inferior competitors, XWL finally decides that it’s time to give us an interview. To give us the time of day.

[Kevin Owens]
Oh trust me, don’t think we didn’t notice what’s been going on buddy. Buddy? Ah forget it. I’d ask you your name but I don’t really care. XWL is completely willing to not give us any scheduled time on their show, regardless of the fact that we’re scheduled for a title match, until we actually come on television and point out the company’s conspiracy against us. Then all of a sudden they want to give us proper attention? How dumb do they think we are?

[Samoa Joe]
Like Kevin so eloquently stated, XWL’s attempts to placate us by suddenly giving us interview time at the “correct area” are incredibly shallow and easy to see through. As such, we decided to pay those good folks Edge and Beth Phoenix back by doing the same thing to them that they’ve been doing to us. Acting like they don’t exist. So consider this your interview.

[Camera Man]
But like, you’re in a title match tonight. You need to talk about it.

[Samoa Joe]
*Sigh* Listen, we…

[Kevin Owens]
What you need to know is that me and Joe are going to march out to that ring, beat the shit out of those geezers nobody cares about and Jericho’s little goons, climb to the top of the ladder, become the new tag team champions, and keep kicking ass around here. It’s not that complicated. You happy?

[Camera Man]
I guess.

[Samoa Joe]
Glad to hear it. With all that being said, I think we’re done here, except for one final message to anyone watching this. Know that they are trying to silence us and hold us down. And know that we will not stand for it.

[Kevin Owens]
Hell no we won’t.

Joe looks over at Kevin after he interjects into his “final words”, to which Kevin simply shrugs. Joe shakes his head and smirks, and then motions with his head further down the hallway, beginning to walk away from the camera while Owens follows, stretching to prepare for the match ahead while doing so. The last image we see is the two men growing more and more distant, as the cameraman on duty likely has no idea what the hell he’s supposed to do now.

Camera cuts to the ring to the next segment



Crowd erupts into cheers waiting for Foley to come out.

Wade Barrett: And here comes Cactus Jack! And the stakes couldn’t be higher for him tonight.

Beth Phoenix: That’s right Wade. Not only could Foley career be ended tonight if he suffers a brutal beating tonight depending on how it goes he could also lose his daughter to that Monster Kane tonight as if he loses then Kane gets to marry his poor daughter Noel.

MVP: What great television that will be as well! Just think off Foleys face if he loses tonight and has to see Kane marry his daughter. I will have to get a new suit sorted for the wedding. You have to look good at weddings you know.

Cactus Jack is making his way down to the ring. His facial expressions are stone cold as he climbs into the ring. You can tell how intense he is. This certainly will be a war tonight between the two opponents. Cactus gets into the ring and turns to face the entranceway awaiting Kane’s arrival.




Beth Phoenix
"Kane has kidnapped this poor girl and lured her father into putting her on the line tonight. For her sake I hope Mick can somehow pull it off."

MVP
I Think Kane is an absolute genius. He knows what it will take to get what he wants and wont stop until he fulfills that want.

Wade Barrett
I'll admit I've used some pretty questionable tactics in my day but nothing to the severity of what we have here tonight. For the sake of the Foley family as a whole I hope Noel is returned home.


Kane walks through the curtain with Noel shackled hands to feet. They make their way down the ramp and the fans echo boos through the speakers. Kane has a demented look on his face like he is getting pleasure out of the reaction he is getting out of Mick Foley and the Fans. They approach the bottom of the ramp and Kane walks Noel over to the timekeeper's table. He shackles her to the leg of the chair so there is no escape. He gets right in front of her face and says to Noel "Watch what I'm about to do to your father!". Noel responds by screaming "Daddy,Please Daddy! Help Me!" Kane looks at Foley and mocks Noel. "Daddy!" Kane then laughs demonicly and hysterically. He grabs the top rope and pulls himself to the apron. He steps over the top rope and walks to his corner.




Wade Barrett: Oh my god I don’t believe it Kane’s won! Kane gets to marry poor Noel and look at her face she is
she’s distraught. Mick put up with so much punishment tonight and looked like he was going to put the monster down for good but I think the beatings he had took from Kane since his return as took to much off a toll on his body and hindered him tonight.

Kane stands tall with a massive sadistic grin on his face.

]
He then looks to Noel who is sitting still chained to the chair at ringside. Kane climbs out the ring and goes over to Noel. He produces a creepy grin as he picks up her hair and smells it. The camera cuts to the ring as Foley is crawling towards the ropes trying to get to his daughter. Foley is seen saying sorry to his daughter as he tried to reach out to her. Noel is seen variably upset and crying as Kane is standing there with a big grin on his face. He unlocks the shackles and picks Noel up over his shoulder and begins walking with her. Noel is flailing her arms and legs trying to escape but it is to no avail. He makes it to the top of the ramp with Noel still over his shoulder, Kane turns around and waves at Mick and the camera zooms in on Kane's face. Kane is smiling from ear to ear. Noel is extending her arms reaching out for her father. Kane looks back as he raises his free arm and drops it, fire bursts from the ringposts.




The scene fades to black.

A video begins to air. We appear to be in a shut down strip club. Music begins playing in the background.



We see a buff shirtless middle aged man with blonde hair sitting alone at the strip club bar. Drinking Jack Daniel's straight from the bottle, we see he wears wrestling trucks that reads "Mr. Ass".

Billy Gunn
Maybe I never shoulda came back... I should have just stayed retired! Yeah, I've had some big wins since coming back... but what are they good for? No one even takes me serious in XWL... not anymore. Everyone just sees me as a pathetic old man. They think I'm washed up... THEY THINK I'M WASHED UP DAMMIT!

Billy throws with half empty bottle of Jack Daniel's at the wall, shattering the bottle and sending alcohol everywhere. Quickly, we see Billy grab at his face as he yelps out in pain. We see Billy's face now and slowly he removes his hand to reveal blood trickling from his his cheek just under his right eye. After a few seconds, a tear from Billy's eye catches up with the blood as both run down to his jawline.

Billy sits back down on his barstool.

Billy Gunn
I miss Dave...


The music stops in the club as Billy sits sadly in silence. We hear the PA announcer begin to speak as he's presumably announcing the next performer for the club.

Billy's expression turns from a face of sadness to a look of intrigue. This PA announcer wasn't just any PA announcer....


PA Announcer
Now coming to the stage... Beauty... Beast... Ass Animals...





Batista walks out from behind the curtain holding the PA microphone. He's holding a bouquet of flowers as his pyro blasts from the stage, causing a small fire to break out. Billy looks on ashamed of himself, happy to see Dave but not in this state. Batista walks up to Billy as he hops off the stage and goes in for a bro-hug.


Batista
I came to this club to get some ass... maybe you can help me?


Billy gives Batista an unenthusiastic bro-hug as he chuckles at the comment.


Batista
Come on Ass-Man... What do you say to one last ride? Me... You... ASS ANIMALS!!!


A large smile from ear to ear forms on Billy's face as he gives Batista a real bro-hug.


Suddenly, as the Ass Animals embrace in the club; the strip club owner walks over yelling at the two men for causing such a disturbance.


Billy looks at Dave...
Dave looks at Billy...


Billy and Batista both smash whiskey glasses over the strip club owner's head and begin laying the boots to him for what felt like hours.


Billy Gunn
What an ass, am I right, big man?


Batista
No... he's no ass.


Dave leans back and looks at Billy Gunn's rear as a smile forms on the Animal's face.


Batista
Now that's what I call an ASS!



Billy and Dave embrace once more in the strip club as they're interrupted by a mysterious man holding a clipboard. The man lowers the clipboard covering his face...


Arn Anderson
Looks like we got some work to do...


The three men laugh and high five each other as they leave the strip club together.

The screen fades to black as we go on with the show.

[Beth Phoenix]
The new era of the tag team titles begins with Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe!

Beth’s words in combination with Samoa Joe’s theme song rings at the end of this brutal ladder match, as Samoa Joe sits atop the ladder, gripping both tag titles in his hands. Back down in the ring, we see Ortiz leaning back in the corner ring post, the frustration on his face palpable. While he managed to throw Kevin Owens out of the ring to try and stop their end of the match momentum, he didn’t get it done quick enough to stop Joe from ascending and grabbing the titles.

Speaking of Owens, he rolls back into the ring with a joyous smile on his face, and begins the slow ascent to the ladder to meet his partner, the wear and tear of this match, including what just happened to him, clearly visible in his efforts and on his face.

[MVP]
Amazing performance by our new tag team champions here tonight, as they showed and represented why the fact that XWL has been ignoring them and keeping them down for so long is an absolute shame, as these two men are killers in the ring!

[[Wade Barrett]]
Well I don’t know about this so-called “conspiracy” they keep claiming is against them, but one thing’s for sure and that’s that these men definitely know how to get in that ring and get the job done!

[Beth Phoenix]
Yeah, Montel, I’m sitting right here you know. Also, I have no idea where they get the impression we’re ignoring them, especially considering that me and my husband were the ones who literally put them in this match. That aside however, I predict this first reign in the return of the tag titles has the potential to last a long time.

Both Owens and Joe sit on rungs on opposite sides of the ladder, each having a distinct reaction to winning the titles, although both are still clearly joyous. Joe simply looks down at the belt in his hands with a grin on his face, while Owens is lifting his up high and shouting about his victory for the world to hear. The last thing we hear before moving onto the next segment is Owens shouting “I told you so!”

[BETH PHOENIX]
Well, it’s now time for our main event! A fatal four way match to decide the new XWL North American Champion.



[WADE BARRETT]
Well, you take one look at Nia Jax and you would probably consider her the favorite. However, in a match with three other elite competitors and another woman standing at ringside, Nia Jax might not fare so well in this match solely because the others may consider her a target, Beth.

[BETH PHOENIX]
Absolutely, Wade. I’ve been in multi-woman matches before and been on the receiving end of attacks that were solely focused on keeping me out of the match as much as possible, and I won’t lie and say that wouldn’t be a viable strategy for Becky, Charlotte and Liv to use against a complete force of nature like Nia Jax.

Nia Jax walks out onto the ramp. She stops at the top of the ramp and places one hand on her hip. Nia smiles and proceeds down the ramp. It's a happy but serious walk. And you can't quite tell if her smile is from the destruction she is fixing to inflict in the ring or if she's just happy. She makes it to the bottom of the ramp and proceeds up the stairs. She walks to the middle of the apron and steps through the ropes. Nia walks to the center of the ring and raises one fist into the air. She walks to the corner and the referee checks her for foreign objects. After the ref has given her the once over she punches her right fist into her left hand and awaits the other competitors.

[MVP]
Well, look at it this way, y’all: You got a big, 272 pound bad-ass Samoan wrecking ball with a million dollar smile looking to eat the three of you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Of course Nia’s the biggest threat and the biggest target in this match! But you know what they say, y’all: Size matters. And, uh, you know, maybe after Nia wins that title tonight, I can show her exactly why size ma-



[WADE BARRETT]
And here comes The Queen!

[BETH PHOENIX]
Charlotte Flair certainly has a reputation to uphold as she steps into a main event match, like her father has done hundreds...if not thousands of times before her.

Charlotte Flair slowly steps out onto the stage prepared for battle. After all three of her stablemates failed to capture gold earlier in the night, Charlotte Flair is prepared to change her group’s fortunes around and leave Under Pressure with the currently-vacant North American Championship. As she makes her way down the ramp, she glares directly at the championship currently sat atop of a pedestal covered in red velvet cloth, the gold shimmering brightly in the bright lights of the Wells Fargo Center. Beckoning for the referee to open the ropes for her, The Queen elegantly steps through said ropes, removing her robe and letting it fall at her feet while she poses, pyro erupting behind her and behind the screens showcasing the virtual XWL Universe.

[MVP]
There’s a reason Ric Flair is a sixteen time World Heavyweight Champion...the same title that Charlotte’s stablemate and fellow generational talent Randy Orton failed to win earlier tonight. When you think of the Flair family, you think of the term “championship caliber.” But when it comes to The Queen, rather her orders come from Randy Orton or they come from her father himself: Failure is not an option when your last name is Flair.

[WADE BARRETT]
Well, when you have a last name like Orton or Flair, not only do you come with a reputation, not only do you have that pressure to succeed weighing on your shoulders...it’s just like you said, Montel. You also have an unbelievable championship pedigree that is the backbone of your DNA. And that? That alone is why The Queen is my pick to win, and long may she reign!



[MVP]
Now believe it or not, THIS is my pick to win the whole thing, guys.

[WADE BARRETT]
Oh?

[MVP]
Without a doubt. Plenty of people write Liv off as impulsive and a little crazy, but they constantly underestimate how calculated she can be. Behind those crazy eyes is a master plan, and I’ve got a good feeling that whatever her plan may be, it just might pay off tonight.

[BETH PHOENIX]
That’s a fair point. Not to mention, Liv is the only one of the four competitors in this match to touch gold in the past, not once, but twice! She’s definitely proven that she’s capable, but she’s also never won a championship in a stipulation match such as this one, with not one, not two, but three other challengers vying for the same prize.

[WADE BARRETT]
But, one could argue that this is the precise environment where Morgan’s crafty nature will come into play. Three other competitors, all focused on one another, allows the metaphorical “underdog” to slip through the cracks and get the job done.

Liv bursts out through the curtains, twirling on her toes until she finds her footing on the center of the stage with her hip popped out and her hands clasped innocently behind her back. However, we soon realize that she is not alone. A green-haired ally steps out from the curtains behind her and takes her place by Morgan’s side. Liv’s head turns to her side to greet her partner with a cheshire grin. Ruby Riott then places her arm around Liv’s shoulder and pulls her in for a tight hug. Morgan returns the embrace in what could almost be described as a heartwarming display.

[BETH PHOENIX]
And of course, where Liv Morgan goes, Ruby Riott is not far behind.

[MVP]
Can you blame her? These two have caused chaos in XWL individually for years, both breaking the rules in their own rights, but together? They’ve both had a career revival that has given them more momentum than we’ve seen either achieve in recent history. You know they say two wrongs don’t make a right, but Living Riott may just prove to be the exception to that montra.

[WADE BARRETT]
I couldn’t agree more. When you carry on existing in the way that Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott have chosen to, which tends to leave a trail of carnage everywhere they venture, you find yourself in a habit of making far more enemies than friends. However, there’s strength in numbers and security in having someone to back you up when those enemies step in, and this Thelma and Louise-esque combination of Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan has already proven to be a perfectly lethal combination.

As they pull away, both women place their hands on the sides of the other’s head and press their foreheads against one another. Riott can be seen mouthing words to Morgan as they stare intently into one another’s eyes. After sharing words of encouragement, the cameras pick up on Ruby’s final words to Liv: “You’ve got this. Rip them limb from limb and remind them what you’re made of. This is OUR time!” Liv nods her head in agreement and takes a deep breath as the two take a step back and clench their hands into fists before bumping them together above their heads. Morgan pulls her gaze away from Riott, who remains atop the stage to see her partner off, while Liv returns her focus towards the prize. After shaking the nerves off and cracking her neck, Liv begins to trot down the ramp with her hands returning behind her back.

[BETH PHOENIX]
While I appreciate this gesture, I think any of these competitors would be less than wise to be lulled into a false sense of security by seeing Ruby not accompanying Liv to ringside. I wouldn’t put it past these two for a second that if things start to take a turn for the worse as far as Liv Morgan’s concerned, that Ruby Riott won’t rear her little green head and intervene.

[MVP]
Beth, these two have shown time and time again that they are not above underhanded tactics in order to get the job done. As one of the owners of this company, I understand how you may not approve of such an approach, but you cannot deny that it is incredibly smart and effective.

[WADE BARRETT]
We also cannot forget that Liv Morgan poses enough of a threat on her own as she is a former 2x XWL Women’s Champion. We have to consider that she may be able to pull this off without any outside interference whatsoever. An unlikely concept, but a valid one nonetheless.

[BETH PHOENIX]
That is true. Nothing is impossible in an XWL ring.

Her piercing eyes are now laser focused on the women who stand in the ring before her. Glitter tears descend from her eyes down her cheeks and reflect under the bright lights as she rolls into the ring and pops up onto her knees, wriggling her fingers at Nia Jax and Charlotte in a quirky manner. Morgan then steps up onto her feet and approaches the ropes. She ducks her head under the top rope and crawls through, perching herself comfortably on the ropes. Normally, her gaze would find the hard camera, but this time, she pays the camera no mind and instead keeps her eyes locked on the North American Championship that is sitting at ringside.



[BETH PHOENIX]
Well, when it comes to this young woman here, the term that comes to mind is “wildcard” guys. Becky Lynch is most certainly the wildcard between all four of these women. She doesn’t come from a dynasty like Charlotte Flair. She’s not a massive wrecking ball like Nia Jax. She doesn’t have friends watching her back like Liv Morgan...she’s just The Man. Becky has made it known over the past number of weeks that she’s leaving with that title or she will die trying.

After a number of moments, however, Becky Lynch has yet to burst through the curtains.

[MVP]
So, uh...where is she, exactly?

[WADE BARRETT]
Well, I certainly don’t think she would have gotten cold feet!

[MVP]
I guess she died trying, then…









[MVP]
Oh, you gotta’ be kidding me, man-

[WADE BARRETT
What on earth?

[BETH PHOENIX]
Hahaha, oh hell yeah!

[WADE BARRETT
Is there a Rattlesnake on the loose in the Wells Fargo Center!?

As Wade yells on, Becky Lynch suddenly busts through the curtain, a sleeveless black vest over her attire. As she walks past the cameraman, the camera pans in on the vest, the back reading “BEX 3:16” with the picture of a silver skull with Becky’s signature flowing orange locks.

[BETH PHOENIX]
Not quite, Wade! But The Man is in the building!

[WADE BARRETT
Hey, now, that’s my line!




All four competitors square off in opposite corners of the ring. Eight eyes full of determination and caution dart back and forth between their adjacent competitors. One challenge of fatal fourways is that not only do you require eyes in the back of your head, but for your sake, your peripherals better be 20/20 as well. The bell rings to indicate the start of the contest, but nobody moves. Suddenly, Charlotte, Becky, and Liv seem to have made a mute but mutual agreement to try and extinguish the biggest threat first. With a few passing glances, and an affirmative nod from Lynch to Morgan and Flair, all three superstars charge into Jax’s corner. Liv arrives a split second before the others, and launches herself up into the air with a flying forearm that collides directly with the side of Nia’s face. Becky and Charlotte aren’t far behind. The Queen begins unloading onto the Irresistible Force with a fury of chops, while The Man focuses on taking Jax out by her legs with a series of low kicks to the thigh, knee, and shin.

Nia and all of her dominant power somehow still manages to throw Liv off, who had pounced on her like a spider monkey. Morgan lands on her back but quickly turns it into a roll back. The tread of her ring boots gain traction against the mat as the Problem Child instantly comes back for more, sprinting at Jax and running straight between Lynch and Flair to land a dropkick onto the chest of Nia, forcing her back into the corner. While Liv recovers, Becky and Charlotte waste little time as they both grab one of Nia’s legs and begin to strain themselves in order to power Jax up in hopes of tossing her over the top rope. Morgan finally joins in, and although she is arguably the weakest of the four, her added contribution is enough for all three women to finally power Nia up and over the top rope, effectively sending her crashing and burning onto the apron, and then outside onto the floor.

The three standing superstars admire their handiwork, all catching a breath and breathing a sigh of relief with Jax being momentarily removed from the equation. However, it didn’t take long for Liv to realize that something was amiss, and that even though the biggest threat was no longer an immediate concern, she now had two frenemies who were. All of the comments and terrorism caused by Liv and her best friend Ruby Riott were flooding back into the heads of The Queen and The Man, and it was written all over their faces. They knew that the former Women’s Champion was crafty and underhanded, and decided not to let the delinquent backstabber stop these two from tearing the house down on their own. As Liv slowly turns around to face Becky and Charlotte, who were practically licking their chops at the thought of digging into one half of Living Riott, Morgan quickly throws up her hands innocently and backs herself into the corner. The closest camera picks up Liv’s voice as she nervously communicates with the two: “Wait! Wait, guys? It’s me! Livvy!... Remember that time we-... Or how about that one time when-...” It seems as though not even the spontaneous Liv Morgan is able to conjure up any positive experiences or memories that she’s shared with either of these two superstars over the years. As the two looming threats continue to close in, Morgan resorts in a last ditch effort to bury the hatchet by jutting out her open palm to offer up a handshake. Her cheshire smile creeps across her face anxiously as she moves her extended hand out back and forth to Lynch and Flair, praying that one of them takes the bait. “C’mon, what d’ya say?... Friends…?”

As Liv is left hanging, Charlotte and Becky exchange glances before agreeing whole heartedly upon what happens next. Both women grab Liv and collectively lift her up over their shoulders with ease. In a showing of their strength, they extend their arms up and hold the former 2x XWL Women’s Champion over their heads. Morgan kicks and squirms and screams, but it doesn’t stop Lynch and Flair from marching her around the ring once or twice before finally dropping her outside of the ring with Nia. Morgan free falls before meeting the ground with a gruesome grunt and thud, putting her out of commission for the near future as well, leaving only two competitors standing. With both Nia Jax and Liv Morgan out of the equation for the time being, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are the only two left standing in the ring. Becky and Charlotte quickly go nose-to-nose, jawjacking in the center of the ring.

[BETH PHOENIX]
Certainly no love lost here! These two women have been at each other’s throats since their first days in XWL’s developmental system!

[WADE BARRETT]
And this rivalry has kicked back up and gotten far more personal now that the North American Championship is involved!

[MVP]
This is a big fight feel, y’all, here we go!

Charlotte reaches up, palming Becky’s face and piefacing her, yelling at The Man to get out of her face. Becky stands in the center of the ring, chuckling to herself before turning back towards Charlotte, swinging a haymaker that decks The Queen! Becky quickly drops to her knees atop Charlotte, driving multiple right hands into her face! Charlotte attempts to cover up as Becky drills her with repeated fists, finally able to roll over and gain top mount, grabbing Becky by her fiery orange hair and bouncing her head off the mat like a basketball! The virtual XWL Universe comes alive watching these longtime rivals finally tee off on one another after their failed venture in teaming against Liv Morgan and her best friend Ruby Riott.

“Let’s go Becky!” chants roar throughout the Wells Fargo Center as Becky regains positioning and begins to drive right forearms directly into the jaw and chest of her bitter rival, Charlotte finally kicking Becky away and scrambling towards the corner. As Charlotte attempts to recuperate in the corner, Becky charges towards her, leaping and crashing into Charlotte with a forearm that drops Charlotte to a seated position, the turnbuckles the only thing keeping her up. Becky grips the top rope for leverage, smirking before beginning to stomp a mudhole into Charlotte!

[BETH PHOENIX]
Becky Lynch is stomping a mudhole…

[WADE BARRETT]
...And she’s walking it dry!

Charlotte cries out in agony as Becky repeatedly drives her boot into the chest and abdomen, stomping The Queen into the mat before Charlotte desperately grabs Becky by the leather belt holding her ring gear up, yanking Becky face-first into the buckle, halting The Man in her tracks. Becky lets out a groan as she immediately clutches her nose, the turnbuckle pads offering very little actual padding for the solid steel buckle underneath that just collided with her face. Charlotte is able to slither out from underneath Becky and use the ropes to get back to a standing position. Yanking Becky around, she shoved Becky’s back into the corner before beginning to light her up with those signature Flair knife-edge chops, the sound of flesh on flesh contact echoing through the building, the signature “WOOO” being mimicked by the fans echoing along with the hard strikes to Becky’s chest. Charlotte takes the chance to showboat in front of Becky, holding her arms out. “You can’t beat me, Bex...you’re going to fail, just like you always fail.” Those words immediately lit a fire in Becky, The Man rearing back and slapping the taste out of Charlotte’s mouth!

[BETH PHOENIX]
Oh, man!

[MVP]
Becky’s showing that trademark temper, and it might just cost her!

Becky immediately grabs Charlotte by the head and turns it around, Charlotte now pressed against the turnbuckles as Becky repeatedly forearms Charlotte in the head and chest, The Queen trying to slither and squirm her way through the ropes as Becky finally just begins clubbing Charlotte, flailing both arms repeatedly into Charlotte’s upper back as The Queen is forced to attempt to get the hell out of dodge of The Man’s unbridled rage.

[WADE BARRETT]
Sure isn’t stopping her right now, Montel! Look at Becky, hammering away at The Queen with a fury I’ve never seen before!

”C’mon, Charlie, where’s that fight, huh? When did ya’ become such a lil’ fuckin’ bitch, your Majesty!?” Becky is heard very loudly shouting as the official is forced to pull Becky away, Charlotte sliding out under the bottom rope and powdering out. Becky tries to yank herself free from the referee as Charlotte drops to a knee and grabs her back, clearly having taken a beating from Becky’s wild, flailing forearms. Becky finally just pushes the ref out of the way, sliding out under the bottom rope. As she approaches Charlotte, however, she’s suddenly drilled in the ribs by a kendo stick from The Queen!

[WADE BARRETT]
The Queen has a kendo stick! Where the hell did she pull that from!?

[BETH PHOENIX]
Well, it is a fatal four way match, so there’s no disqualifications or count-outs! Multi-person matches can only end by pinfall or submission in XWL!

[MVP]
Once again, Charlotte Flair is showing why the Flairs are such master strategists, generals in that ring. And of course, the tutelage of a ring veteran like Randy Orton sure don’t hurt!

Becky groans as the hard bamboo immediately leaves welts across her stomach, dropping to a knee. “That’s right, Bex, bow before your Queen!” Charlotte shouts before lifting the kendo stick, cracking it over Becky’s back over and over and over and over until the bamboo snaps across the spine of The Man!

[MVP]
Charlotte just wore that kendo stick out across The Man! And I’ve been in those Japan dojos where they use those as human torture devices, and those things do not break easy, and they sure as hell aren’t meant to break across the human body.

Bright red and pink welts now form across the back of Becky Lynch, her back sliced open by the broken shards of what was a kendo stick having been repeatedly cracked across her back. Charlotte grabs Becky by the hair, dragging her around the ring before stopping at the announce table, slamming Becky’s head off the protective covering.

[WADE BARRETT]
Talk about a front row seat, my goodness!

[MVP]
This could get ugly, y’all!

Charlotte repeatedly slams Becky’s head off the top of the announce desk before The Man is finally able to slam her hands down to block a potential finishing blow, mule kicking Charlotte in the knee in desperation, the move causing Charlotte’s leg to buckle and twist in an ugly fashion beneath her. Charlotte immediately cries out in pain, clutching at her knee before Becky goes on the assault, grabbing Charlotte in position for a back suplex. However, instead of suplexing her on the floor or on the table, Becky grabs Charlotte’s injured leg, lifting her up for a nasty shin breaker on the announce table!

[BETH PHOENIX]
Oh my gosh! That could’ve done permanent damage to Charlotte’s leg!

Charlotte immediately screams out as she lays on the announce table. “Oh, god, my knee! Becky! My knee!” She shouts out in an attempt for some form of mercy, but one look from Becky Lynch towards the North American Championship shows that Becky Lynch is not giving Charlotte any semblance of mercy. Deciding to give Charlotte a taste of her own medicine, Becky flips Charlotte over on her stomach on the announce desk, grabbing her leg and slamming it down knee first on the table to keep her at bay before unbuckling her leather belt, yanking it out through the loops of her shorts. Folding the leather strap, she lifts it up before bringing it down hard across the exposed back of Charlotte Flair, Charlotte immediately howling out in pain as Becky begins to return the favor from earlier, wearing out Charlotte’s hide with the leather belt!

[WADE BARRETT]
Turnabout is fair play for The Queen!

[MVP]
Yeah, taking advantage of your fellow competitor’s potential serious injury is real fair, man! Give me a break! Charlotte’s knee could have permanent damage, man!

Becky continues to wear out The Queen as Charlotte finally gets off the table, gingerly hobbling on one good leg in an attempt to avoid The Man’s wrath. However, Becky grabs Charlotte by the hair. “I’m ending this...and ending you, Char’. It’s been five long years...I’m finishing this once and for all.” With that firm statement, Becky hooks Charlotte up and launches her over her head, tossing her onto the table with a Bexploder, the table refusing to break as Charlotte lands hard!

[MVP]
Good god!

Seeing the desired effect of Charlotte going through the table not come to fruition, Becky does what she does best: Thinks on her feet. In the heat of the moment, Becky dropped down and yanked the ring skirt up towards the apron, her eyes lighting up at what she finds. Grabbing the mysterious object, Becky tugs...and pulls...and yanks, finally revealing what she found…

[WADE BARRETT]
What on earth does Becky need a ladder for!?

[MVP]
Yeah, this ain’t a ladder match, woman!

”Shut your mouth, ya’ loudmouth dope! I know what I’m doin’!” Becky is audibly heard shouting at MVP before she’s able to set up the ladder. Grabbing her belt, she grabs Charlotte’s arm, using the belt to tie her to a hole in the desk used for placing the television monitors, leaving The Queen trapped to her fate as Becky Lynch slowly begins to ascend the ladder.

[BETH PHOENIX]
Guys, I think we better move while we can!

The announce team scrambles for higher ground as Becky tentatively turns around once she’s climbed high enough. Raising both hands to form devil horns, she swirls her head in a circle before taking the plunge, crashing through Charlotte Flair and crashing through the announce table with a leg drop from the top of the ladder!

[WADE BARRETT]
OH MY WORD!

[BETH PHOENIX]
Becky Lynch may have just sacrificed herself to take Charlotte Flair out of this match with the home run shot!

[MVP]
They’re both done, man, they’re both done! Ain’t no way in hell either of them are getting up from that!

Chants of “HOLY SHIT!” echo through the arena as Becky and Charlotte are laying in the remnants of the broken announce table in a twisted, mangled heap. The impact of Becky’s body coming crashing down on her ribs causes Charlotte to begin to cough up blood, seemingly suffering a severe injury in the process of Becky’s death-defying leap of faith. Ringside doctors immediately rush over to check on both women, Liv Morgan and Nia Jax both standing in shock at what they’ve just witnessed.

[MVP]
Check on her, doc, check on her! Charlotte may have some internal bleeding!

[BETH PHOENIX]
Becky Lynch may have broken Charlotte’s ribs!

[WADE BARRETT]
Becky Lynch may have broken both herself and Charlotte Flair with that leg drop through our announce desk!

Doctors immediately work to fish Charlotte out of the wreckage, two doctors wrapping Charlotte’s arms over their shoulders, beginning to carry her out of the ringside area as Charlotte chokes up more blood.

[MVP]
I wouldn’t be shocked if Charlotte can’t continue this match...

While everyone's attention is on what just happened to Charlotte, Nia Jax sees her window of opportunity. She grabs Liv Morgan by the hair and hoists her up onto her shoulders. With Liv kicking and trying to escape her grasp Nia Jax falls directly back into a Samoan drop. Nia rolls up to one knee with a smile on her face. She then turns her attention to Becky Lynch who is trying to gain her bearings from the plunge off the ladder. As Nia walks towards her the emergency staff tries to convince Nia to deter from attacking Becky. In a shocking turn of events Nia Jax grabs a EMT and hoists him up into the military press slam position. With everyone gathered around Becky basically creating a barricade between her and Nia, Nia hurls the EMT into the group and they go down like bowling pins. Becky,as resilient as they come, manages to stand up. Nia Jax points at her, at which Lynch responds with a double middle finger salute. Nia begins running like a freight train and leaps with tremendous momentum and hits Lynch with a hip attack sending her into the guardrail. Nia picks Becky up by the hair and is fixing to punch her when she sees Liv Morgan slide back into the ring. Nia focuses her attention on Liv who is taunting at her to come back in the ring and fight. Nia points to her and says "You're gonna get it bitch!" Nia grabs hold of the middle rope and pulls herself up to the apron. As she goes to step in between the ropes Becky Lynch lunges and grabs Nias ankles. Nia reaches down to punch Lynch and Liv Morgan dropkicks Jax square in the back sending her crashing sternum first into the guardrail incapacitating the Irresistible Force.

While Becky takes a quick second to catch her breath, having been all systems go for the entirety of the match so far, the “fresher” Liv Morgan quickly climbs the turnbuckle and perches herself onto the top rope, facing the unsuspecting Lynch who is still standing at ringside next to the downed Jax. As Lynch slowly turns back to face the ring, Morgan takes a deep breath before launching herself from the top rope, all the way onto the outside of the ring with a diving crossbody that lands directly onto the chest of The Man! The crowd takes a collective gasp, watching Liv soar through the air as her weight and momentum knocks the wind out of Becky and sends them both crashing onto the floor in front of the commentators’ desk. Morgan rolls off of Lynch’s body, nursing her own gut from the crash as she pushes herself up onto her knee, and then up onto her feet. Riding the high of her adrenaline, Liv notices Nia also stirring and attempting to lift herself up off of the ground. With Jax on one knee, Liv sees her opening and charges at the Irresistible Force. Using the knee of Jax as a stepping stone, Morgan sends a boot square into the side of Nia’s skull with a stiff step-up enziguri!

Nia’s eyes roll back into her head as the biggest physical threat of this match is once again down on her back for the count, but knowing that she stands no chance in carrying Nia into the ring to attempt a pinfall, Liv quickly turns back to Becky, who is still suffering the effects of the diving crossbody only moments prior. Morgan reaches down and grabs a fistful of fiery orange hair before wrenching it back and forcing Lynch up to her unstable feet. Now grabbing the back of Becky’s belt, Liv tosses her inside of the ring and wastes little to no time sliding in after her. With Becky rolled over onto her back, Morgan lays her upper back over the torso of The Man, hooks a leg, and kicks her legs back and forth in desperation!

[BETH PHOENIX]
It looks like Liv Morgan is going for the first pinfall attempt in the match thus far! Could it also be the last?!

[MVP]
With as much action as we’ve seen in this match already, props to Morgan for being the first to try and capitalize off of it!

[WADE BARRETT]
But will her efforts pay off, or will they prove to be a bit too premature?



1….


2...!



THR-



KICKOUT BY LYNCH!!



[BETH PHOENIX]
OH! And Becky says: “Not so fast, Liv Morgan!” It’s going to take a little more than that to put The Man away!

[WADE BARRETT]
Exactly what I was afraid of. For Liv’s sake, she better not take her foot off of the gas. It’s not often that you see a competitor as fiery as Becky Lynch on the defensive position.

Liv bursts up onto her hands and knees out of the cover with a frustrated scream. The former Women’s Champion grits her teeth and clenches her fists as the arena lights twinkle off of the glitter tears running down her cheeks. Lynch rolls over onto her side and grabs hold of the ropes to help hoist herself up off of the mat, but unfortunately for her, Morgan’s blitz attack was all but over, and Becky unconsciously just put herself into the prime position to be sent to Oblivion. Spotting this, Liv’s blue eyes lock onto the injured Lynch while she slowly crawls over to the corner before easing up onto her feet. Once Becky is dazed against the ropes, Liv lets out a battle cry and sprints towards her opponent from across the ring.

Building up steam, Morgan is coming in hot. She jumps up to slide her legs through the ropes and wrap her arm around Becky’s neck, but just when we start to believe that the end might be in sight…. BECKY COUNTERS OBLIVION! The Man takes advantage of the Problem Child’s own finisher, hooking her arm around the thigh of Morgan which causes Liv to find herself suddenly in the holding position of the Bexplex! Becky uses her power advantage to toss Liv back over the top rope in an attempt to Bexplex her straight out of the ring, however… Liv finds her footing on the apron! Lynch turns around to face Morgan, who is holding on tight to the top rope and refusing to go down that easily again.

Liv gets herself a solid base with her feet on the apron, using the rope like a pendulum to try and clock Becky with a right forearm, but Becky ducks it! Becky then hooks her right arm around Liv’s arm and head before dragging Liv through the ropes and into the ring. Becky grabs Liv’s right leg and hauls her over her head, tossing Liv with a Bexploder! Becky quickly scampers for the cover, but as the referee’s hand goes for the third slap on the mat, Nia Jax grabs Liv’s leg and yanks her out from under Becky. Becky sits up on her knees glaring a hole through Nia, who simply wags her finger and says “No, no, no!” before she suddenly eats a quick boot to the mouth from Liv Morgan, who looks to keep Nia at bay. Liv turns around into a spinning side kick from The Man, causing Liv to clutch her ribs as she doubles over. Becky backs up and bounces off the ropes, attempting a Flying Firearm only for Nia to once again yank Liv out, hauling Liv up on her shoulders in position for a Samoan Drop.

Becky, very enraged at this turn of events, once again goes to spring off the ropes, this time taking flight through the middle and top ropes with a suicide dive! However, as she flies through the air, she’s suddenly caught with ease by Nia, even as Nia has Liv draped across her shoulders! Nia grins before curling Becky up, draping her across Liv and across her shoulders. With two of her opponents draped over her shoulder, Nia turns to face towards the barricade before dropping down, flattening Becky and Liv on the apron with a massive double Samoan Drop!

[BETH PHOENIX]
Samoan Drop! Samoan Drop by Nia Jax onto both Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch...and on the apron, no less!

[WADE BARRETT]
It’s been said before and I’ll say it again, the ring apron is the hardest part of the ring. There’s no padding there, unlike in the actual ring. The apron is just wooden boards and metal frames. When you land flat on your back on that ring apron, it’s like landing flat on your back on concrete! There’s no give to that apron!

[MVP]
Not that you can really get the best of all that, but Becky definitely got the worst end! Landing right on her back on the apron with another human being’s body weight landing on her torso, it ain’t an easy day at the office for any of these ladies, that’s for sure!

[BETH PHOENIX]
Yeah, you can ask Charlotte Flair about how much this match is taking out of these women. Charlotte’s still in the back being looked at by our training staff, Adam’s telling me through my headset that The Queen has sustained multiple internal injuries, including three broken ribs as a result of being the crash pad for Becky’s leap of faith through our announce table.

Becky is laid out flat on the apron, Liv slowly rolling into the ring from on top of her as Nia enters the ring, attempting a cover. However, Liv just barely gets her shoulder up before the count of three, causing Nia to scream in frustration. She goes to try and pin Becky, but Becky finds herself rolling off the apron, landing once more on her back with a loud thud. Seeing Becky worse for wear, Nia Jax steps through the ropes, standing on the apron. Lining herself up, she jogs across the apron before jumping off for the mother of all leg drops!

Unfortunately for Nia, however, Becky Lynch is able to just barely avoid disaster, causing Nia to land ass-first on the floor! Becky scampers towards the steps, using them to sit up against them as Nia clutches her backside, shouting in agony. Nia angrily climbs back up to her feet, attempting a running hip attack, but once again, Becky is able to move, causing Nia to go crashing ass-first into the stairs, sending her tumbling through them! “AHH, GOD! MY HOLE!” Nia is heard screaming in agony as she reaches back and clutches her sore ass while Becky simply chuckles to herself, catching the camera filming her. “Talk about a pain in the ass, eh?” The Man smirks before using the turnbuckle pole to aid herself back to her feet, an arm pressing against her injured back, hobbling as a result of the pain.

Before Becky can capitalize on Nia’s misfortunes, however, Liv shoves her in the back, causing Becky to take a vicious header off the post, a sick thud heard as Becky’s skull collides with the ring post! Becky is completely out on her stomach as Liv attempts to drag her up by the hair and towards the ring. Trying with all her might, she at last is able to yank Becky’s head up by the hair. As she lifts Becky’s head, however, you can see blood dripping onto the floor, the camera spinning to showcase a Becky Lynch who is now busted wide open!

[BETH PHOENIX]
Oh my god! Becky Lynch is split open as a result of her head bouncing off that post at the hands of Liv Morgan!

[WADE BARRETT]
That’s a nasty cut on Becky Lynch!

Becky is completely out, her eyes glassy as Liv finally pushes, shoves and lifts her dead weight into the ring. Deciding to take a page out of her partner’s playbook, Liv springboards off the bottom rope, connecting across Becky’s sternum with a senton!

[WADE BARRETT]
Oh! Big senton by Liv Morgan!

[BETH PHOENIX]
One of Ruby Riott’s trademark maneuvers.

Liv rolls through and tries to add on to the punishment, but Becky somehow finds the wherewithal to grab Liv by her trunks, yanking her forwards and hotshotting her throat-first across the middle rope, causing Liv to bounce back clutching her throat. As all three women in the match are down, though…

[BETH PHOENIX]
Wait...is that…

[MVP]
It is! Her Highness is making her triumphant return to this championship match, aided by her confidants in Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson!

Being carried down the ramp by The Revival, Charlotte Flair is brought back down to the ring, her ribs and abdomen wrapped in bandages, a line of dried blood on her chin. Charlotte slowly wills herself back into the ring as Liv and Becky sit up on their knees. Before either can attack the other…



[WADE BARRETT]
Natural Selection! Onto Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch! That’s it! Charlotte Flair is going to win the North American Championship with broken ribs and lord knows what else!

Charlotte clutches her injured ribs, using her free arm to help drag herself towards Becky Lynch!


ONE…






TWO…






THREE!







....NO, IT’S NOT A THREE COUNT! BECKY LYNCH’S SHOULDER POPS UP MERE MILLISECONDS BEFORE THE COUNT OF THREE!


[BETH PHOENIX]
No, it’s not over! It’s not over!

[WADE BARRETT]
How on earth did Becky find the strength to kick out!? All four of these women are running on fumes!

[MVP]
A Charlotte Flair running on fumes is still better than most women when they’re completely fresh.

The Revival quickly attempt to distract the referee as Charlotte goes to put Becky Lynch down again with a vicious kick to the head. Seeing that her title opportunity may go up in smoke at the hands of The Revival, Nia Jax slowly rises to her feet. She charges, lifting Dawson and Wilder off their feet and sending all three superstars into the barricade with a double spear, sending all three superstars crashing through in a twisted heap of broken bodies and bent metal!

[MVP]
Oh, good god!

[WADE BARRETT]
The barricade just snapped in half between the weight of both members of The Revival and Nia Jax! The Revival are done for!

[BETH PHOENIX]
And Nia may be as well! Nia Jax may have taken herself out of this match to keep The Revival out!

Charlotte groans as she sits up on her knees in disbelief as Becky’s arm lazily flops back down onto the ground. The Man is absolutely spent, panting heavily as she gazes up at the lights. Deciding to finish this, Charlotte Flair slowly makes the agonizing climb up to the top rope, perhaps preparing for a trademark Moonsault. As soon as she reaches the top rope, however, Becky Lynch nips up and quickly scampers up the turnbuckles!

[WADE BARRETT]
Where is Becky getting this!?

[MVP]
Your guess beats me, Wade! Ain’t no way in hell anybody can deny that these four women ain’t some of the best women’s wrestlers on the planet!

[BETH PHOENIX]
This is what XWL is all about, guys! The heart! The tenacity! The passion! The fighting spirit! These four women are leaving it all out there tonight!

Charlotte rapidly drills elbows into Becky’s neck and shoulders, trying to get The Man back down onto the mat. However, as Becky looks to be teetering, she reaches up and grabs Charlotte around the head and arm! A look of fiery determination is in Becky’s eyes as she grabs Charlotte’s leg with her free arm, jumping off the middle rope and launching Charlotte over her head, both women coming crashing down with an Avalanche Bexploder from the top rope!

[WADE BARRETT]
Bexploder! Bexploder from the top! Oh my goodness! Becky Lynch is going to do it! Becky is going to wi-

[MVP]
Wait! Look!

As Becky tries to recover, however, Liv Morgan is able to crawl towards Charlotte, barely draping an arm over Charlotte.




ONE!



[BETH PHOENIX]
No way! Liv Morgan is trying to steal it!




Becky rolls onto her stomach…




TWO!



[WADE BARRETT]
Not like this, you’ve got to be kidding me...



Becky tries her damnedest to crawl towards Liv and Charlotte, using her last bit of energy to try and break up the pinfall, she makes a leap for it…



[BETH PHOENIX]
C’mon, Becky!



THREE!

Becky Lynch is only milliseconds too late, her body landing just shy of breaking up the pin!

[WADE BARRETT]
Damn it! No!



[WADE BARRETT]
I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now! Liv Morgan has stolen the North American Championship!

[MVP]
She didn’t steal it, Wade! She outsmarted Becky Lynch. She outsmarted Charlotte Flair. She outsmarted Nia Jax. She outsmarted them all, and she earned that championship!

Becky runs her hands through her hair, her jaw dropping as she realizes the North American Championship has just slipped through her fingers by mere inches. As Liv slowly begins to stir, Ruby Riott runs down to ringside, snatching the championship from the podium. Meanwhile, Becky finds herself sitting in a corner, her knees pressed up to her chest, her hands over her mouth as she tries to hide the tears of frustration rolling down her cheeks.

[WADE BARRETT]
You gotta’ hand it to all four women in this match, but Becky especially dragged her body through hell and back and in the end-

[MVP]
And in the end, she lost, Wade! She blew it! She choked!

[WADE BARRETT]
Oh, c’mon, now, Montel...

[MVP]
Oh, c’mon, Montel nothing! A real champion capitalizes when the time is right, and that’s why Liv Morgan was able to capitalize on Becky Lynch’s mistake! That’s why Liv Morgan is the new North American Champion, and Becky’s walking out with nothing!

Ruby slides into the ring and sits on her knees next to a seated Liv Morgan. Placing the championship in Liv’s lap, Ruby wraps her arms tight around her partner, hugging her close as Liv clutches the North American Championship to her chest, her partner sealing their victory with a quick kiss to Liv’s cheek, both of their hands running over the faceplate of the title before Ruby grabs Liv’s hand, squeezing tight and helping her to her feet. “I’m so proud of you, babe…” Ruby is heard, slightly muffled as she and Liv embrace, Ruby’s hand running over the back of Liv’s head as Liv wraps one arm around Ruby’s neck, the other hand letting the North American Championship hang at her side. With a swift leap, Liv jumps up and wraps her legs around Ruby’s waist, who welcomes the embrace and supports her up in the air. Morgan, who is officially the new North American Champion, holds her title high over her head as far as her fully extended arm will reach as Riott parades her around the ring in a Living Riott of a celebration. As the duo celebrates, we see Becky Lynch sitting in the corner, glaring daggers through both Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott. While her championship aspirations may have not panned out tonight, it seems like The Man's championship dreams haven't gone up in smoke just yet.

[BETH PHOENIX]
Well...whether we like it or not...the first half of Ruby Riott’s prediction was right. Liv Morgan held up her end of the bargain. Liv Morgan is the new XWL North American Champion, and Ruby Riott might be next in line for a Women’s Championship match...

[WADE BARRETT]
I don’t even want to begin to imagine a world where those two jackals are both champions!

[MVP]
Well, in a world where that psychopath Alexa Bliss is Women’s Champion!? I’mma take what I can get, and if it's these two holding all the gold, then so be it!

[BETH PHOENIX]
It has been an absolutely incredible night. New champions have been crowned, and now we are on the road to our next special event, Edge Of Glory! For Montel Vontavious Porter and Wade Barrett, I am Beth Phoenix saying goodnight, and thank you for tuning in to Under Pressure! We will see you Wednesday night on XWL Octane!