[Greg Hamilton] Ladies and Gentlemen, here to present the award for The 2019 Female Superstar Of The Year...please welcome to the stage a woman that was among the first group of women signed to XWL. She is a multi-time Champion, and will forever be known as one of the first women to compete inside Hell in a Cell...Mickie James!
The fans cheer as one of XWL's trailblazing Women of the past steps out from the back and walks over to the podium overwhelmed at first by the out pour of love from the fans.
[Mickie James] Wow, first of all, it feels incredible to be out here again in front of all of you. But I think what's even more incredible is the feeling I get when I'm at home with my son and my husband and we're watching Anarchy, we're tuning in for The Pay-Per-Views...and what do we see? We see WOMEN. We see the talent on display, we see the fire in the eyes of those competing. We see the future that women like myself dreamed this division could be one day. I was ahead of my time, I may have accomplished incredible feats, like being apart of the FIRST Hell in a Cell Match to feature Women...but it was never about the first it was about every single one thereafter. Because when we did it? It was a novelty act and Layla will tell you that herself too. We were apart of a very brutal and highly touted rivalry...but all anyone could talk about was how "historic" it was.
She sighs, before continuing with her train of thought
[Mickie James] History is nice, but what is better? Is when your achievements don't begin with "LOOK AT HOW GROUNDBREAKING THIS IS" Our fight as a division wasn't about being special, it was about being NORMAL. The same way a man could compete in any type of match on any night, we wanted that. Even in our moment of "history", they had to throw a man in there to be the referee, they had to add a stipulation that the loser would leave...and do you know, even with all of that...we weren't The Main-Event. This division 8 years ago was changing and I bring up that moment because look at where it is now. Look at this year alone, and the women nominated for Female Superstar Of The Year.
For someone like Mickie that has been away for quite a bit and only sporadically made an appearance here and there it's clear she's speaking from the heart and is so proud of the progress that has been made, and every way it has been.
[Mickie James] I am proud to stand here to celebrate their success because that is why we fought so hard. Our work, our stories...our matches are finally being viewed through the lens of any man's. This division is no longer a victim of being a novelty act because it is now...THE act. Look at women this year and what they've done. A historic title reign ended, a rivalry built off of COMPETITION ALONE...sparked from that fire and led to an incredible Main-Event rubber match that wasn't about hatred...it was about the ability both women possessed and the magic they made together. Seeing what Kairi Sane and Tessa Blanchard accomplished was everything someone like myself ever wanted.
The fans applaud the mention of Tessa and Kairi, two Women that really elevated the division this year with their rivalry and matches.
[Mickie James] But it can't always be about respect, and when it's not? The story not only needs to be good...it needs to be real. Look at the likes of Liv Morgan The Women's Champion. Her year? Didn't start out so great, but like many great Women before her? She didn't let that define her, she persevered, she carved her lane, she set her stage, and she made her moment come whether it was frowned upon or not. Queen Of The Ring, for the first time a crown that meant more than just some gimmick change. They could cash that crown in for a title match...and again say what you will about her methods but they worked. She cashed it in and beat the woman who ended the longest reign of a Women's Champion ever.
While Liv Morgan is far from anyone's favorite person after her actions this year, including taking out Tessa Blanchard and removing her from the division for the time being...Mickie still feels it's only right to commend The Current Women's Champion even if the fans aren't allowing themselves to do the same.
[Mickie James] This year though, it wasn't just about who was fighting over The Women's Championship...this year was the first year where this division had two prizes at stake. The North American Championship again, was a dream. A dream that unfortunately looked to be a colossal nightmare in reality because it became a flop. And what two of the nominees tonight did is make you care, make you care A LOT. Again say what you will about Mandy Rose...and what she may or may not have done to get to where she was...but when she showed up? You paid attention, you were invested, and every title defense she had? You cared. Because every great Champion needs that rival that brings something special out of them, and that was Alexa Bliss. Together they stole the show, and when they're supposedly clashing over the "mid-card" title of a division? That speaks volumes to their star power.
The audience having named the pair as Rivalry Of The Year, and their finale Hell in a Cell at Cyberslam as The Match Of The Year clearly have a lot of love between the two Women Mickie mentions. Although in Mandy's case it's more of a "love to hate you" sort of deal.
[Mickie James] As I speak of the women nominated tonight, I ask you who wins? Because as for myself? There is no clear answer. Every single woman BROUGHT IT! They owned their worth, they fought tooth and nail, and that is what makes this year's award so prestigious. There isn't a clear favorite, they were all incredible...and narrowing that list down to one woman doesn't diminish what they achieved. 2019 was their year, and now with the reading of this envelope...it's time to see which woman will receive the honor of being named your Superstar Of The Year...drum roll, please.
Mickie pauses, then an audible rolling of the drums follows as she begins to open up the envelope with the winner's name within it.
[Mickie James] The 2019 Female Superstar Of The Year, is...
ALEXA BLISS!
The arena erupts with cheers as Alexa's theme sounds for the third time tonight following a Slammy reading as she is now about to receive another honor following on the heels of being the winner of Rivalry and Match Of The Year.
Alexa steps out, both Slammys in hand, as well as her North American Championship wrapped around her waist, jaw dropped and eyes, widened. "Me?" Alexa mouths as she walks over to the podium staring out at the fans who voted her The 2019 Female Superstar Of The Year. Mickie smiles grabbing The Slammy and extending it to Little Miss Bliss who just can't seem to process this moment even if her life depended on it. She thanks Mickie and the two hug for a moment before Mickie pulls away and takes a step to the side, motioning to Alexa and joining in the applause.
[Alexa Bliss] Um, what?
She looks down at The Slammy as the fans start to chant "ALEXA!" in support of the newly named Female Superstar Of The Year who just stands there having trouble finding the words when it normally seems so easy for her.
[Alexa Bliss] First of all, Mickie, you are an absolute inspiration to me and I don't know what your status is as an in-ring competitor...but I want a match like, yesterday...and given that I'm kind of this division's new IT girl...judging by this award, and whatnot...I'd say if I challenged you right now this entire arena would be chanting ONE MORE MATCH...and you'd basically be forced to because you can't disappoint them...right? But I won't use my newfound "Wicked Goddess" status for evil, I'll simply say when you're ready, come find me, cause I'll be waiting.
Mickie flashes a grin, almost as if she's tempted to take her up on that offer which the fans despite not being led to do so begin a small "ONE MORE MATCH" chant that Alexa quickly continues her speech to stifle a bit.
[Alexa Bliss] Second, what the hell you guys? Like I know I started the show like screw being humble I deserve this blah blah blah...but FEMALE SUPERSTAR OF THE YEAR? That's a pretty big freaking deal, and I honestly don't know how I'm supposed to stand here and make a speech when I legitimately never expected to win. This year was awful, it was far from a pun on my last name, it was just...the opposite of Bliss. Every corner was a new twist to ruin my day and the fact that I can go through all of that, come out on top of it...and receive this honor tonight? It's the most humbling thing ever...
She's speaking from the heart, and while this may be her third speech of the evening, it's as if the concept of making a speech is now completely foreign to her due to the fact that she literally never expected to win in this category, not with the company she shared the nominee list with.
[Alexa Bliss] I don't claim to be the best ever, or even the best currently...but I have worked for 4 very long years to be where I am now. When opportunity never came knocking, when I had little spats with someone random just to get my name out there. When I could barely apply a proper submission...but as my trainer down at the performance center Sara Amato always told me, it's not a sprint it's a marathon. That is something I've carried with me from day one to every day forward. I wasn't the instant sensation that caught this division by storm, and in the moment that can ruin you. You can feel as if your time will never come, that all these new faces can show up, and you'll just be forgotten before anyone even knows who you are. But as time goes on, you realize the true success stories in this business? Aren't the ones that attain instant success. It's those who truly keep pushing even when it feels like you aren't making any progress.
It's no secret she's been far from an instant sensation. She's been present sure, but for a while she was merely just a cast member as opposed to a leading role in any regard. But this year, she catapulted into a new status, a status that through her continued hard work...has now named her The 2019 Female Superstar Of The Year.
[Alexa Bliss] Standing here as North American Champion, one year after it was introduced, already made tonight so great. But to receive this award on top of that? There just are no words that do this moment justice. I do want to thank one person specifically for this though...while of course I'm grateful for your votes...I have to be honest there's no way I would be here tonight, or have had the year I have without the support and love of my best friend Kairi Sane!
Little Miss Bliss kicked off tonight's episode announcing that unfortunately Kairi wasn't back from Japan yet but that they would celebrate together once she arrived back in the states. And now they have even more to celebrate. The XWL Universe as we know voted to add the stipulation that if Alexa Bliss won at Cyberslam and defeated Mandy in the now newly crowned 2019 Match Of The Year? Kairi Sane would be reinstated after she was caught in the cross-fire of Bliss' rivalry with Rose and fired by Mr. McMahon for intervening on her behalf. But now Alexa's won THREE Slammies tonight and no doubt Alexa will share those with her because for the last 365 days they have been in each other's lives at first as rivals for their first month but soon into the best of friends. Kairi saw someone in need, and Bliss has been indebted to her kind heart every since, trying to be as good as her even if it doesn't come naturally someone so naturally wicked. But their friendship has been a thing of greatness. Despite people trying to drive a wedge between them, despite having battles they've had to overcome together, they TOGETHER have overcome it all. So when it comes to Bliss being named Superstar Of The Year within The Women's Division? It's no surprise she would take this opportunity to directly thank her best friend for the role she played in it.
[Alexa Bliss] When I look back at the last year...I can't believe there was a time where we weren't on the same page. While our rivalry was very short-lived, some might even say as short as we are...our friendship has risen to new heights for both of us...and it's taught me what true friendship is. A friend is someone who is there for you when you feel like you are all alone in this world. A friend will do anything within their power to help you with whatever problem you have. A friend will put their own needs to the side in the name of uplifting you. A friend is honest, a friend is true, and a friend never lets you down. Defeating Mandy at Cyberslam for this North American Championship of course was a goal of mine, but when you voted and determined that if I won? My best friend would be reinstated after she was wrongfully fired? I knew losing wasn't an option for me, because it was my turn to save her after the many times she has saved me...and honestly as great of an award as this is...I just wish she had been able to get here tonight so we could share this moment together. Because without her support? I wouldn't have gotten through this year, and I wouldn't have built up a resume worthy of this award. Kairi, I may be their Superstar Of The Year...but you're my Superstar Of The Year. Then, now, and forever...we're Five Feet Of Friendship...and this one's for you!
Alexa with the sweetest and softest smile takes The Female Superstar Of The Year Slammy into her hand, and lifts it up into the sky. The fans loved her sentimental speech and this moment is truly heartwarming. 2019 could have been a terrible year, but thanks to Alexa's Pirate Pal and their friendship? She has been named the ultimate honor a Woman can receive at The Slammy Awards.
The all too familiar start of a theme that hasn't been heard in quite some time due to her firing a handful of months ago, the live audience in attendance lets out a roar of cheers directed at the returning Pirate Princess, a woman that they were told wouldn't be here tonight but much to their delight, it turns out she is. Alongside the crowd, Bliss' neck turns so quickly from looking out at the XWL Universe to the stage behind her that it almost borderline snaps on the spot, despite her diminutive stature, she endures this like a literal Champ, awaiting the arrival of her Pirate Pal. Anticipation builds not only within Alexa, but also the live audience in attendance before the returning Kairi Sane emerges from behind the curtain, causing the cheers to elevate in volume and intensity. Alexa's eyes light up as the most sincere smile you've ever seen appears on her face, a subtle but justified single tear rolling down her cheek as the reunion between friends is imminent. The former Women's Champion makes her way towards the current North American Champion, who by this point has placed her small army of Slammy's on the podium, awaiting her best friend to close the distance between them because she's clearly frozen not from fear but from this emotional reunion. After Kairi put everything on the line to ensure that Alexa wasn't screwed out of the North American Championship, losing her job just to keep the odds from being stacked against Bliss, she's now back and that's thanks to Alexa, a three pronged victory to say the least. Not only did she finally vanquish the tyrannical Vince McMahon and his Golden Mistress in Mandy Rose, but she also regained the North American Championship and most importantly, her best friend's job.
With the distance between them effectively closed, neither woman hesitates to wrap their arms around the other, a warm feeling in the hearts of the live audience in attendance begins to rear its head at this emotional yet triumphant reunion of best friends takes place before their very eyes.
[Renee Young] You know, typically we would stay quiet during a moment like this and just let it play out...but I cannot tell you how touching it is to see Kairi surprise Alexa here tonight. She wished Kairi would have made it back from Japan in time, and little did she know she did. It's just so gosh darn cute.
[Mauro Ranallo] A bond like theirs doesn't come around often in a business like this, but when it does it just restores your faith that it doesn't always have to be so cutthroat.
[Corey Graves] Ugh, can we bring Mandy back out, please?
Words are visibly exchanged as the pair are unable to stop smiling at the scene they've more than deserved seeing as how the past couple of months have gone for both of them. Just when you think that things couldn't get better, the equally sized women begin to show a subtle but growing size difference. What's going on, I thought they were practically the same height? Kairi remains unfazed by this as Bliss begins to slide down Kairi's body, the only thing keeping her from crashing into the ground seemingly is Kairi herself. She stops at Kairi's stomach, causing the XWL Universe to realize what's going on as they spot one of Alexa's Slammys in her hand. She ever so slightly readjusts her body, causing gravity to take over and send a motionless Bliss crashing into the floor below.
[Renee Young] Wh-wha...what just happened?
[Mauro Ranallo] Uh...
[Corey Graves] Well? Go on then, talk more about how great their friendship is...
As Kairi looks down at the woman that got her job back, despite her being the reason she lost it in the first place but we're not here to push that narrative, any semblance of emotion is gone from Kairi's face. She's uncharacteristically stoic as she looks down at the lifeless North American Champion lying on the cold, unforgiving steel, the only question that unanimously remains in the minds of the XWL Universe... is why?
[Renee Young] I...I can't even process what my eyes just saw...tell me they're playing tricks on me or something because...I honestly don't believe it. That didn't just happen, there is no possible way that REALLY just happened!
[Mauro Ranallo] They're trying to get footage from one of the other cameras ready, but...it looks like Kairi...hit Alexa in the back of the head with one her Slammy Awards...
[Corey Graves] BUT MAURO, FRIENDSHIP! FRIENDSHIP, MAURO! THEY'RE A REMINDER THAT THERE IS GOOD IN THIS WORLD, RIGHT?
[Renee Young] Can we please get that replay? I need clarity, like...right now because after EVERYTHING they've been through together, after Alexa Bliss went to hell and back to win Kairi's job back...that seriously cannot be what just happened, I refuse to believe that is what happened. So hurry it up, because I can't even right now...I literally cannot even process this.
Seemingly content with her decision, or so we assume, we can't really tell because stoic, Kairi begins to leave the scene, the live audience in attendance still unsure how to react to the whole thing. For the past year, these two women have gone from rivals to allies to best friends, doing everything they could do to ensure that the other is successful in their endeavors, whether it be through moral support or literally losing their job to keep the odds from being stacked against them. As an air of uncertainty and somberness fills the arena, we're taken to a replay of what just happened so we can try to make some sense of this. A different angle shows Kairi subtly finding herself in possession of one of Alexa's many Slammys, slowly raising it into the air as to not alert Bliss to her imminent doom before driving it into the back of her skull and knocking her out in an instant. As we exit the replay and return back to the present day, Bliss is being attended to by a handful of medical personnel as an unresponsive North American Champion remains motionless on the ground.
[Renee Young] Okay I'm about to lose it, what the hell has gotten into Kairi Sane?! Hugging Alexa, then bashing her in the back of her head with a Slammy? That is nowhere near within the realm of her character...how could she do something like this?
[Corey Graves] I mean, let's not forget...it's Alexa's fault why she was fired to begin with. Even if she won her job back, she essentially caused her to miss valuable time in the division, time that Alexa had, time that solidified Alexa as The Superstar Of The Year...maybe she's tired of always being the one making the sacrifices.
[Mauro Ranallo] But it wasn't Alexa's fault, Kairi was escorted out of the building...she broke back into the arena under her own sound mind and body and chose to interfere after Mr. McMahon warned them of such. How can you sit there and say it's Alexa's fault...she never stopped protesting her firing from the moment it happened until the very end of the Cyberslam as she secured the victory that won her job back.
[Renee Young] I don't care how you justify it, what tells you try to pick out of this travesty...nothing makes sense to me right now, and given that the fans rather than booing...are simply silent? Speaks volumes to the shock-wave that has rendered the entire Staples Center virtually stunned.
Just when you think this moment can't possibly get any worse...the theme belonging to the absolute last person anyone wants to come out right now Alexa's #1 Contender to her North American Championship. They had a run-in at the beginning of tonight's show where Alexa basically expressed zero interest in entertaining her beyond her contractually obligated defense at Breakthrough against her...but Ruby despite that announced she would be hosting a celebration for Bliss' accomplishment in Hell in a Cell next week...but in light of what just happened...one can only wonder what she's got going through her mind after seeing Alexa's best friend, the woman who helped her survive their war together last year...betray her. She steps out with a swagger in her step, then feints astonishment as her hands cover her hung jaw and she steps over the still unconscious Bliss and walks over to the podium where the horrific demise of Alexa and Kairi's friendship took place. She grabs The Slammy in question, then inspects it for a moment before lifting it up and shouting into the mic.
[Ruby Riott] LET'S HEAR IT ONE MORE TIME FOR THE 2019 FEMALE SUPERSTAR OF THE YEAR, ALEXA BLISS!
She sets The Slammy down beside Alexa as medical staff tend to her, then begins to excitedly "applaud" her long time rival in a stunt that makes the silent crowd rile up with boos at the absolute arrogance and nerve of Ruby to come out here and pull something like this after what just happened. But she's very proud of herself, and she keeps clapping her hands together as a grin covers her face, and she looks down at Bliss. After all, regardless of what Kairi Sane just did? Regardless of the betrayal and the dominoes that no doubt have fallen at the result of it? Ruby's still first in line for a title match...and with Kairi Sane no longer around to play hero to the damsel in distress? This story may very well have an unhappy ending after all. And Ruby seems quite sure of it. The screen fades to a commercial break as as we try to pick our jaw up from the floor and process the end of a friendship that felt like it was unbreakable...but now it has been shattered, and all we can ask, is WHY? A question we hope will be answered sooner rather than later. It was set to be the greatest night in Bliss' career, THREE Slammy Awards, in her first official night as North American Champion...but now, it's just ended in heartache at the result of a stinging betrayal.
Returning from commercial break, where Nikki Cross received the first Slammy of the night for Promo Of The Year...the cameras cut back to the stage where XWL commentators Renee Young and Corey Graves are sharing the podium. to present the next award. On either side of the stage stand tall golden statues that reflect the likeness of the Slammy trophy placed on the surface between them. As the audience dies down slightly and the cameras reel in, the commentators smile and lean in towards the mic to speak.
[Renee Young] Welcome back to the Slammy Awards, ladies and gentlemen, where it is time to take a look at the next category, and announce the winners for Match of the Year.
[Corey Graves] That’s right Renee. The list of nominees is a long and impressive one, but there is NONE MORE IMPRESSIVE THAN THE ONE, TRUE, RIGHTFUL NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION, GOD’S GREATEST—
Just before Graves can finish allowing the Mandy Rose propaganda fall out of his mouth, Renee yanks the microphone over in her direction and forces a smile.
[Renee Young] Not tonight and not ever, Graves. Save it for your cult meeting later. Without further a due, in the category of Match of the Year, here are your nominees!
Corey wears a disgruntled expression while Renee extends her arm up towards the titantron. On the tron, we see an HD image of each match, one by one, with their respective participants and special event titles beneath them. The nominees are as follows:
Eli Drake Vs Drew McIntyre Vs Matt Sydal: Triple Threat 60 Min Iron Man Intercontinental Championship Match - Breakthrough PPV Award Nominee
Ruby Riott & Nia Jax Vs Alexa Bliss & Kairi Sane: Last Team Standing Match - Final Stand XI PPV Award Nominee
Buddy Murphy Vs Matt Sydal: TLC Intercontinental Championship Match - International Incident PPV Award Nominee
Alexa Bliss Vs Kairi Sane: XWL Anarchy 7/1/2019 - 7/82019
Kairi Sane Vs Tessa Blanchard: 2/3 Falls Women's Championship Match - Coronation PPV Award Nominee
Alexa Bliss Vs Mandy Rose: Falls Count Anywhere North American Championship Match - Coronation PPV Award Nominee
Chris Sabin Vs Matt Sydal: 60 Minute Iron Man Intercontinental Championship Match - XWL Anarchy 7/22/2019 - 7/29/2019
R-Truth vs Walter: I.C #1 Contenders Ladder Match - XWL Anarchy 7/29/19 - 8/5/10
Keith Lee Vs Dean Ambrose Vs Joey Janela: Triple Threat Falls Count Anywhere Match - Warzone PPV Award Nominee
Mandy Rose Vs Alexa Bliss: 3 Stages Of Hell North American Championship Match - Warzone PPV Award Nominee
Alexa Bliss Vs Mandy Rose: Hell In A Cell North American Championship Match - Cyberslam PPV Award Nominee
As the video concludes, the camera returns to Corey and Renee.
[Renee Young] And the 2019 Match of the Year Slammy Award goes to....
Corey is holding the Slammy Award while Renee begins to pry open the black envelope. A hush of silence falls over the crowd, with a few hecklers screaming out for their favorites in the category. After a few seconds pass, Renee unfolds the envelope and takes a look inside. Her eyes widen for a brief second, before she nods her head and shrugs her shoulders slightly, clearly not all that surprised at the result. Graves attempts to peek over her shoulder at the winner, but Young quickly gives him a shunning step away to conceal it long enough to lean down towards the microphone and make the announcement.
[Renee Young] Cyberslam: Alexa Bliss and M—
Corey promptly shoves Renee a few feet to the left and fully takes control of the microphone to finish the announcement:
[Corey Graves] THE GOLDEN GODDESS, MANDY ROSE, in a HELL IN A CELL MATCH! Which she should have won and was blatantly wronged and robbed in, by the way ladies and gentlemen! Regardless of the clearly fixed outcome, as the longest reigning North American Champion in history, her legacy lives on through this award as representation of the adversity she so boldly overcame in order to grace us undeserving mere mortals with her unparalleled and immeasurable—
Corey's rambling is immediately brought to a halt as the theme belonging to the WINNER of the newly announced 2019 MATCH OF THE YEAR sounds to a massive cheer! The North American Champion steps out from behind the curtain, smiling despite Corey's words...and with good reason because this marks the first time she has won a Slammy Award, and when you add in the fact that this is a match she won, a match that earned her the title that's on her shoulder, the match that won the job back of her best friend....and of course her first ever appearance in The Main-Event of an XWL Pay-Per-View. She walks over to the podium, collecting the award out of Corey's prying hand, and sets it down in front of her.
[Alexa Bliss] Wow, it's my first time winning one of these...thank you, thank all of you...even you Corey for this award. Because every single person in that audience, watching at home, or at the commentary booth helped Mandy and I make an instant classic that officially elevated THIS title...into The Main-Event...into the MATCH OF THE YEAR! You know I have to say Corey you say she was blatantly wronged, yet forget how many times she wronged me, huh? How many times I was robbed? Yet it's funny, the one match where it was just she and I? Where the powers that be couldn't get involved...not only did I win? But we both proved we're more than meets the eye. See, I could take this moment to trash Mandy, to revel in my victory...or even to belittle her loyal cheerleader that had to watch her fall from grace, not so gracefully from the top Hell in a Cell...to his feet. But unlike Mandy, unlike Mr. McMahon, unlike you Corey...I choose to celebrate this award by commending not only my efforts, but hers.
Corey pouts in the corner, crossing his arms as Renee smiles and claps.
[Alexa Bliss] A match is not made by the efforts of one person, it is made by the efforts of all who are involved. Before Cyberslam, Mandy was just...a Prima Donna that didn't fight her own battles, that never really proved she even could. But beneath her prissy demeanor, I always took exception to her actions, and decisions because of one underlying reason...I knew she didn't have to do any of that. Because I'm someone that in my past relied on things that didn't exactly fit the "fair" mold. I never had a special "relationship" with my boss...but that's in the past now. And at Cyberslam while I was victorious, as I knew I would be...she proved that God's Greatest Creation isn't such a farce after all. Together we made this championship matter, together in that one night...we rose to the occasion and captivated all of XWL. Together we are Match Of The Year....and before I continue any further I would like to take a moment to extend my thanks to her for bringing her A Game that night. For showing us the type of competitor she really is, and while I do not like her...and the feeling is rather mutual still I'm sure....a part of me has to respect the fight she brought, and the things she did that helped solidify us winning this award. So Mandy, wherever you are...this award is just as much yours as it is mine...and I hope that when you come back you bring more of that to the table. Now, as for myself...winning an award like this is, truly-
Corey's shriek is heard piercing through the theme song playing over the PA system, and even the boos of the crowd. After a moment, a figure emerges from the curtain, but it isn't Mandy Rose. A model-looking young man in a tuxedo and white gloves hurries out with a handkerchief. He approaches Bliss and whispers into her ear with an apologetic look on his face. Once his message has been delivered, Alexa can be seen mouthing the words: "Is she serious?" With a strong roll of the eyes, Alexa hands the Slammy Award to the man, who begins to wipe it down and sanitize it. As he does, the spotlight shifts off of the podium where Bliss is standing and shines towards the backstage doorway, where two more attractive men in matching tuxedos are holding back each black curtain open. Out from them emerges an absolute vision. Mandy Rose steps forth in a shimmering golden evening gown with a neckline that plunges even farther than she did from the top of the cell, and a slit so far up her toned and tanned thigh that Angelina Jolie herself is at home hanging her head in shame.
As Mandy struts across the stage, the spotlight follows. Once she reaches the podium, Rose is presented with the freshly cleaned and polished Slammy Award from one of her henchman. The Golden Goddess receives the trophy and effectively bumps Alexa Bliss out of her spotlight with a less than subtle elbow. As she leans in to speak, Rose runs her fingernails through the ends of her platinum hair.
Wow.... I am so honored and so deserving of this Slammy Award tonight. As my first of many, many awards to come, this Match of the Year Award will forever hold a special place in my heart.... I'd like to thank God for creating me, and myself for achieving greatness yet again. As always, XWL Universe... You're welcome.
Mandy flashes a Colgate smile towards the camera, holding 'her' Award as another sharply-dressed young man runs out, drops onto his knee, and begins snapping multiple pictures of Rose with the Slammy Award in hand. Mandy switches between a few brief poses before waving the cameraman off. She then, Award in hand, makes her exit like a true Miss America pageant winner. Rose waves by rotating her hand back and forth, walking back through the pulled open curtains.
Leaving Alexa Bliss with a bit of a sour taste in her mouth as she stands there audibly saying "Um, that's my award too...where is she going?" She looks to the camera as if they might have the answer, then at Corey Graves and Renee "I'm the one who won the match...is she serious right now?" But she is indeed serious, Mandy Rose has left the stage...and ultimately left Alexa Bliss without possession of The Slammy Award. The scene fades out from Alexa just standing at the podium as she looks to the curtain Rose went through as if she can't believe she just walked off with their award like that.
As The 2019 Slammy Awards officially go live, the first thing we see is far from the normal extravagant display of pyrotechnics at ringside with the echo of fans excitedly cheering. No, instead before us is none other than The NEW General Managers of Anarchy as announced a few weeks ago Ric Flair and Paige. Flair as true to form is wearing a suit with shades over his eyes and a huge grin. While Paige is wearing a suede brown jacket and black pants with her hair up slightly. The two look to one another as if to see who is going to speak first, but when no cue is given, they both start to speak up, at the same time.
[Paige] Ladies and-
[Ric Flair] WELCOME TO-
They again look at one another, this time with an "I thought you were letting me go first?" Ric flashes a bit of a "whatever" frown then motions for Paige to go ahead.
[Paige] Sorry about that, we're still adjusting to our new roles...but you know live television and all what are you gonna do? WELCOME to tonight's show the first show in the era of TWO General Managers...myself and The WOOOO! Nature boy Ri-
Ric interjects, not liking her "woo" judging by the "what is wrong with you" look on his face as soon as she does it.
[Ric Flair] Save the woos for me little lady.
[Paige] That's Paige, not "little lady."
[Ric Flair] I like 'em feisty so fair play...but remember who was here when you were busy swimming in your daddy's pants.
[Paige] And remember who will be here when you're no longer six feet above this ground. Now as I was saying...tonight is the 2019 Slammy Awards and we are proud to present you our baby a show taking a collection of everything great this past year and celebrating it as you look to another great year ahead.
[Ric Flair] What she means is thanks to my genius of being a LEGEND in this business, the limosine riding, jet flying, kiss stealing SON OF A GUN that I am...and her helpful ammenities...we are excited for tonight and every week to come.
[Paige] Did you suggest that Daniel Bryan defend his World Heavyweight Championship due to the travesty that took place at Cyberslam.
[Ric Flair] No because he did nothing wrong.
[Paige] I'd say conspiring with the crowd favorite, to mislead the people into voting him in, only to have him lay down via a finger poke...robbing them of the title match they were promised is pretty wrong. Which is why I arranged for the three Superstars not voted in at Cyberslam to compete in a Triple Threat Match tonight where the winner moves onto The Main-Event of this evening to challenge Daniel Bryan for The World Heavyweight Championship.
[Ric Flair] Looks to me like you were one of the fans upset by their genius and you're just placating to what you want...but hey I can't say I expect anything less from a millenial like you.
[Paige] XWL defrauded the people, and I...am simply making it right.
[Ric Flair] Well speaking of doing what's right...my daughter Charlotte was supposed to face Bianca Belair at Cyberslam but someone decided to bump her match, so The QUEEN Charlotte Flair will have a front and center spot on tonight's card when she faces Bianca Belair in the match they were supposed to have.
[Paige] A bit of clarity, since he mentioned my "amenities" earlier...I had to approve that because we don't want another Mr. McMahon type of deal going on so any decisions pertaining to Charlotte Flair require my authorization as well.
[Ric Flair] Are you insinuating my daughter isn't deserving of competing tonight?
[Paige] I'm stating that if you try to bend the rules for her, I will step in as I have been instructed and empowered to do so...and ensure that everything remains fair and that bias doesn't get in the way.
[Ric Flair] You know you need to respect your elders missy, I don't need someone babysitting my decisions.
[Paige] I'm not, I'm simply saving you from yourself, and Charlotte from going down the same road as a certain Mandy Rose. All respect in the world but we're equal here...so my decision matters as much as yours...and rather than putting on a scene here you could back me up in my decisions, especially if we're not going anywhere anytime soon.
[Ric Flair] Then take what you said about my daughter back.
[Paige] Take the fact that I want her to stand on her own merits rather than ones you bestow unto her?
[Ric Flair] You know what I mean.
[Paige] Moving on, we will also crown the winners of The 2019 Slammys. Who will be named your Champion Of The Year? The Male and Female respective Superstars of The Year? What match takes home The Slammy for Match Of The Year? What moment made you say OH MY GOD....the most out of any other this year? What rivalry captivated you from beginning to end? And who had a voice that you couldn't help but hang onto every word from? Tonight is our celebration of those who achieved such feats this year...and it is my, it is...our honor to be your New General Managers ushering in this show and every other to come.
[Ric Flair] Right you are, sweetie! It is an honor to be side by side The WOO! Nature Boy Ric Flair...and under my wing we will provide you PURE ANARCHY just as we always have.
[Paige] Well, not exactly as we always have...after all, we can't support ourselves off of the past forever. There has to be a growth mindset between us.
[Ric Flair] What she means is thanks to her youth, and my endless experience XWL is in very good hands.
[Paige] I don't think I needed clarifying, but thank you Ric. It is indeed an honor to work with someone of your accomplishment...but it is equally your honor to work with someone who from the womb to now has been breathing wrestling. And I've never just been one to sit quietly, so believe me when I say that won't be changing.
[Ric Flair] Now you're just rambling on, you know this was supposed to just be a minute of us introducing them to the show, and you had to get all yappy.
[Paige] Yes of course, that was MY fault...nonetheless...we will be working tirelessly to make Anarchy and XWL in its entirety the best it can be from champions to matches to the events themselves. Tonight is but a start of a brilliant partnership between myself and one of the greats to ever step foot in this business.
[Ric Flair] My brilliance, her beauty...A TRUE COMBINATION!
Paige bites her tongue, not wanting to continue this pissing contest with him, she lets him get that last remark out before she smiles and nods as the camera fades and Anarchy officialy goes live.
From the fireworks backstage between the two polar opposite General Managers on their first day on the job, to the fireworks on the stage as Anarchy goes live from the sold out Staples Center. A stage that is specially designed for the occasion with two large Slammy statues on both the left and right sides of the stage, and a red carpet lined ramp that leads all the way to the ring. Fans are on their feet full of excitement as we prepare for XWL's very own award show spectacular to officially begin.
[Mauro Ranallo] Well, talk about an interesting first address from The NEW General Managers of Anarchy, Paige and Ric Flair!
[Renee Young] Hopefully they can get a long a bit better as they get adjusted to their new roles...
[Corey Graves] I understand Paige is very outspoken, from her time as a Superstar and Manager...but she could show a bit more respect to the legend she shares that office with.
[Renee Young] I'd argue that notion for more respect could go both ways.
[Mauro Ranallo] But moving on Ladies and Gentlemen I'm Mauro Ranallo as always joined by Corey Graves and Renee Young and welcome to The 2019 Slammy Awards!
[Renee Young] A night that rivals Final Stand as the most exciting evening in all of wrestling because it encapsulates everything we've witnessed within the past calendar year and we celebrate it as we ready for the year to come.
[Corey Graves] A year to come that might see NEW Champions crowned right here tonight.
[Mauro Ranallo] Intercontinental Champion Chris Sabin will defend his title against the man who lost The Intercontinental Championship 2 years ago at this very event to the man that Chris Sabin also reigns as Tag-Team Champion with, Chad Gable. Robert Roode has had his eyes set on revenge, and tonight his moment has arrived. Will he reclaim what in his words was stolen from him? Or will The Enterprise's dominant "Roode" boy feel the dominance that has been TCSI since their formation?
[Renee Young] Coincidentally enough The Enterprise's own World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan will be defending his title in tonight's Main-Event as a make good for the...
[Corey Graves] Go on Renee, call it a travesty that your husband lied down for Daniel Bryan after being voted in as his challenger by The XWL Universe.
[Renee Young] Can we not drag my personal life into this?
[Corey Graves] I'm saying you have no problem pointing out everyone else's problems but you seem to have difficulty in admitting that your husband, the damn near unanimous favorite to challenge Daniel Bryan used that position to screw The XWL Universe out of their promised World Heavyweight Championship Match.
[Mauro Ranallo] Corey this is for Jon Moxley to address this doesn't have anything to do with Renee.
[Renee Young] What my husband...as you are insistent on referring to him as...did is his decision and I do not, nor shall I be the type of wife who tells him how to act or proceed in his career. I may have my opinions on the matter, but ultimately they are not relevant to the discussion which is tonight's make good match as announced moments ago by Paige.
[Corey Graves] As determined by a Triple Threat Match involving the three men not voted in by The XWL Universe. For one man they will look to prove why the fans SHOULD have voted them instead, and perhaps by the time tonight comes to an end, that man may indeed be The NEW World Heavyweight Champion.
The arena lets out a huge "pop!" as Man, Woman, and Child...some decked out in their Twisted Bliss Coffee merchandise, or other various shirts of her rise to their feet celebrating the arrival of The NEW North American Champion. Five Feet Of Fury herself who truly had a career defining moment at Cyberslam when she stepped into Hell itself and emerged with The North American Championship leaving her rival to burn for the sins she put her through for a long and dramatic 6 months.
As the beat "drops" in her theme, a new array of pyrotechnics blast down over the stage proving that she's not only just arriving with a new accessory around her waist, but putting that new Champion check to use with the addition of pyro to her entrance.
A victorious Alexa Bliss steps out onto the stage, raising the back of both hands up as she strikes her signature pose, her eyes looking down at The North American Championship proudly on display around her waist. She had to go to hell and back LITERALLY, but after all the drama, the bitterness, and the controversy...she has emerged from it all a Champion that proved it may have taken her a while to be taken seriously...but now that she has our attention? We won't dare look away because what we see before us is a capable competitor that will stop at nothing to achieve whatever her heart desires.
[Mauro Ranallo] Speaking of NEW Champions, there she is Little Miss CHAMPION Alexa Bliss...hot off the heels of her victory at Cyberslam against Mandy Rose in a match that has been wildly touted as a breakout performance for both Women.
[Renee Young] They had all eyes on them and they delivered and then some...I still cannot get over Mandy Rose crashing at our feet from the top of The Cell.
[Corey Graves] I have night terrors every night about that exact moment...
[Mauro Ranallo] But in the end there is only one victor and that victory was claimed by Five Feet Of FURIOUS Fury Alexa Bliss.
[Renee Young] I've talked to Alexa since that night, and she is just so relieved all of this is finally behind her. That she won, and even more than that...what her victory meant thanks to The XWL Universe.
[Mauro Ranallo] Talking of course about the added stipulation voted in by the fans that if Alexa Bliss won...Kairi Sane would be REINSTATED as an XWL Superstar.
[Corey Graves] Can we not talk about that please...I'm still in mourning.
[Renee Young] It's been 3 weeks...
[Corey Graves] I'm sorry DO I NEED TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE XWL UNIVERSE CAN GRIEVE OVER NOT GETTING A WORLD TITLE MATCH BECAUSE OF YOUR HUSBAND BUT I CAN'T GRIEVE OVER THE LONGEST REIGNING NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION IN XWL HISTORY LOSING HER TITLE?
[Mauro Ranallo] Back to Kairi, yes after being fired in the 3 stages of hell match where Alexa Bliss lost The North American Championship back to Mandy...Alexa was granted the opportunity to bring the world back into alignment and win the job back of her best friend Kairi Sane.
[Renee Young] Literally the first thing she did after coming through the curtain when the show went off the air was face-time Kairi to celebrate the good news.
[Corey Graves] Ugh...
Alexa's hands lower to the side of her North Championship, proudly touching it as her smile lights up the room. While this is technically her second reign as Champion in XWL...her first was rather short lived due to the actions of Mr. McMahon and his alleged "mistress" that she took the title from. So now tonight it's as if it's truly her first reign because there isn't a corrupt official that's going to come out here and make her defend it. I mean, probably not...anything can happen but we'd say it's unlikely to happen. That's why she's just beaming from ear to ear, she's able to relish in the bliss that is being Champion and making her victory lap down the ramp as she passes by fans congratulating her and sharing in her achievement. It was at this very event last year where The North American Championship was introduced, and now here she is representing it proudly after being left out of the conversation when it came to determining it's inaugural champion.
[Renee Young] Of course while she's all smiles right now, we also learned at Cyberslam who the first challenger to her reign will be.
[Mauro Ranallo] Unfortunately sometimes the rivalries we think are behind us have a way of leading all roads back to where we once were...and that is now the fate of Alexa Bliss. Ruby Riott made a massive splash at Alexa Bliss' expense nearly a year ago when she made a very public and personal attack on her.
[Corey Graves] She took her best friend, she took her dignity, the strong reputation she had began to build for herself and reduced her to a charity case that The XWL Universe began to rally around.
[Renee Young] I wouldn't say a charity case...but if someone exposes your deep dark secret, a secret that you literally became the most rude and disgusting person on purpose to conceal that past...we're going to find it difficult to not support her because what she experienced was very real and what Ruby did...was disgusting.
[Mauro Ranallo] Alexa this time last year was quite the hated Superstar, her personality was very jarring to a lot of people...but what a difference a year makes. She's now one of the more beloved Superstars and she's really overcome a lot in that time. Which is what makes it so difficult to see her now having to reopen those old wounds and deal with Ruby Riott again.
[Corey Graves] Ironically enough Ruby won that opportunity to meet Bliss for The North American Championship by defeating the former best friend she stole from Alexa in perhaps one of the more terrifying displays we've seen from a Female Superstar.
[Renee Young] She tried to set her on fire...I literally have no words for that. You think Ruby Riott has topped herself, then she finds new days to up the level the vile character that she is.
Bliss turns the corner as she reached the bottom of the ramp and begins to make her way up onto the apron, popping up against the ropes with another not so subtle glance down at The North American Championship around her waist. Soon she steps through the ropes then mounts the second rope removing her title from around her waist and thrusting it into the air with both hands before lowering it down behind her shoulder with her signature pose with the title. The fans continue to give her a warm ovation until she lowers back down to the mat and places the title back around her waist and retrieves a microphone from one of the ringside attendants.
Her theme comes to an end, preparing to lift the mic up to address the fans here in California...but as she stands there the cheers just get louder and it seems to overwhelm her for a moment. After all, it's pretty different from the reaction she got when standing in this exact ring, at this very event in this exact arena one year ago. No one could have predicted the year she would have leaving that night, but now she returns one year later a more confident competitor, a more evolved competitor, someone that finally ditched the "act" and showed the world more of herself even if it was due to Ruby Riott forcing her to have to. She's lost a best friend, but gained an even better friend...she's overcome the first true bully she's ever experienced, and finally overcome the "machine" that held her back even if she never will understand why Mr. McMahon never provided her any opportunities none of that matters now because she overcame his chosen star and in effect led to him being ousted from any position of power in his own company.
[Alexa Bliss] Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...The NEW "Goddess" in these parts...who claimed her crown at Cyberslam and RECLAIMED The North American Championship that was stolen from her...I am ALEXA BLISS...and my reign? Will be one never-ending Moment of BLISS!
As she pauses for a moment to allow the applause to echo, in the midst of the cheers begin an all too classic "You Deserve It!" chant that just makes her smile become even brighter than it already was. She soaks it in for a few seconds then raises his mic back up.
[Alexa Bliss] Because THAT is what I deserve, as you chant it, as you have tweeted it, as you plaster it on a poster held above your heads right now...I DO deserve it, and this is normally where someone is humble, someone is exuding humility...but after the year I've had? I damn well DO deserve it, and I proved that when I walked into hell and emerged with THIS!
Her hand lowers to the side of her title as she strikes a "pose."
[Alexa Bliss] There isn't another Woman on this roster that deserves this more than me because no one on this roster has had to endure what I have to endure. Last year I stood in this ring upset that I was yet again excluded from a conversation I believed I DESERVED to be apart of. Well, this year I stand here with the very title in question...and there is no question that I deserve it. Because unlike the inaugural Champion? I'm still here, and she packed her begs and left the second her month in the spotlight came to an end. And don't even get me started on the Woman that took it from her and thought she could just carry the title forever without actually making it mean something.
[Alexa Bliss] I have had to have my past struggles literally shoved down my throat, I have had my best friend leave me in my hour of need and side with the person who almost made me throw in the towel and never show my face here again. And after putting that behind me, after being the last woman standing...for the next 6 months, I had to deal with some daddy's girl parading around with this title when the entire world knew it belonged to me! The rule book was rewritten, the clause of morality was broken over and over, and the owner of this company tipped a ladder I was on robbing me of this title. Literally one year ago all of this began, but I stand here tonight...in spite of it all, your NEW North American Champion...and I am not a Natalya, I am not a Tessa Blanchard...I was not born to do this, I am not this gushy "hero" I am The Wicked Witch turned Wicked GODDESS...and it's time I get back to being myself. To competing, to defeating anyone in my path, to representing THIS to the best of my ability because that is what this title deserves.
As her words echo through the ears of each and every fan in attendance and at home you can feel the edge of "confidence" she once had finally returning. As we heard it straight from her own mouth she's not exactly being "humble" but when you've had a year like hers...full of so many downs and so few ups? Being able to stand here tonight rising above it all? You feed off of her every word and feel the passion, excitement, and overall pride within her.
[Alexa Bliss] Because I deserve it, it deserves it, YOU deserve it...this division deserves it. Wicked has never been this good, and if you think this last year was my "coming out" you haven't seen anything yet. 4 years ago I was a nobody, I was gutsy, I was my own biggest fan...but beneath that all I was determined. I had a lot to prove, I had a tall hill to climb but look at me now. I am one of the nominees in perhaps the strongest pool of candidates for Female Superstar Of The Year, ever. Win or lose, that is a victory in itself. And rather than waste my time talking about Mandy, or my Hell in a Cell Match with her...I more than anything want to talk about what my victory means. Yes, it means this title now belongs to me, as it should have the first time I met her at Downpour...but it more than anything means something else because of all of you.
As if right on cue, a growing "KAIRI!" chant makes it way through The Staples Center as Alexa smiles with a nod, extending her microphone out so that it can pick up how loud the chant is for her best friend.
[Alexa Bliss] That's right, LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD! You had a choice, four options, one of which...would bring the opportunity for JUSTICE for Kairi Sane, my best friend who was fired trying to stop the screwjob we all knew Warzone was destined to be. Thanks to you, my finale with God's "Greatest Creation" had an added stipulation. If I won, Kairi Sane would be reinstated...well, as we've established...as your eyes can see, I WON! Which means one thing, MY BEST FRIEND IS BACK!
Cheers ensue as she pauses, sharing in their excitement that her Pirate Pal has returned to The XWL Roster after the travesty that her firing was.
[Alexa Bliss] However unfortunately as much as I'd love to be able to bring her out here....her visa wasn't able to be reinstated in time and she's not here tonight. I know, disappointing considering this is where she made her debut literally one year ago...but trust me when I say WHEN she is able to return I will personally see to it that she gets the celebration she deserves. I'm talking the entire roster out here in pirate garb, the stage decked out like a ship, and for one night only my talk show will be renamed to a A MOMENT OF KAIRI where we take a look back on the year she's had, and the amazing things she's done...and will surely do again in the year to come.
[Alexa Bliss] Now as much as I'd love to keep the energy high, and celebrate all the good in my life now...as North American Champion I do have a duty to uphold...and that duty entails defending this title against whomever is deemed worthy of such. Even if that person is literally the walking talking scum of the Earth that deserves nothing. Not acknowledgement of their existence, not the breath that it takes to speak of them, not even so much as a glance in their direction because they do not deserve to be treated as a human being not when they behave as anything but. This person will not live rent free inside my head, this person who STILL shall not be named may have earned The Number One Contendership to my title...but that is where our interaction begins, and it ends. I have nothing to say to this person, I owe nothing to this person other than the match they earned the right to, and the defeat that they will suffer at my hands just like they did before. I am a professional, unlike her...and so I will be at Breakthrough, waiting to face her in this ring, and just like Final Stand? When the dust settles I will once again be The Last Woman Standing. Thank you, next...that is all.
Alexa may have to come face to face with The Woman who reared her ugly head in her existence one year ago again at Breakthrough but she's just emphatically delivered a message that says everything she has to say on the matter. She will be in this ring, she will defend her title, and when she wins just as she did at Final Stand when their rivalry previously came to an end? She will move on with her life just as she did once before, and intends to again. She starts to walk to the ropes as if that was all she had to say on the matter, but both she and The XWL Universe share a united front "groan" when the theme belonging to "she who shall not be named" starts to play.
Alexa stands with her arms folded over her chest as Ruby Riott makes her way out onto the stage, accompanied by her best friend Sarah Logan. Sarah grabs Ruby's shoulders as Ruby twirls a microphone in her right hand, the oft silver-tongued Superstar smirking as she stares down towards the ring. Ruby turns to Sarah, motioning her head back towards Gorilla. Sarah curtly nods her head and walks back to the back as Ruby starts to make her way down the ramp, stopping halfway.
[Ruby Riott] Well, well, well...here we are again. Alexa Bliss and Ruby Riott once again ready to do battle, his time for the North American Championship. I have to say...congrats. You went through hell three weeks ago and you actually managed to come out relatively unscathed! So you know what, for that? I applaud you, champ!
Ruby tucks the microphone under her right arm and begins to clap, hamming it up as Alexa rolls her eyes in annoyance that this problem has once again returned into her life. The new North American Champion clearly showing she wants to be anywhere else in the world but within spitting distance of Ruby Riott as the controversial #1 Contender climbs into the ring, sharing a ring with her most heated rival for the first time since Final Stand.
[Ruby Riott] I appreciated watching you beat the life out of Vince's favorite blonde bimbo. In fact...it seems like someone learned a few tricks from yours truly with just how...how ruthless and merciless you were when you stomped Mandy's head through that mirror. Maybe you and I aren't so different after all, Alexa...maybe we're starting to become one in the same. Doing whatever it takes to get what we want.
[Ruby Riott] After all...you sent Mandy Rose straight to hell to get what you wanted...and I almost set our mutual ex-bestie Nia Jax on fire to get what I wanted. I bet it eats you alive just thinking that two people as opposite as us would go to the same lengths to reach similar goals, doesn't it? It's fitting that you've gone on to try to show that you're not a manipulative, vindictive, lying little bitch anymore...and yet you brought that side back out to get the championship that's currently around your waist.
Ruby's tongue glides across her top row of teeth as she stifles a soft chuckle at the paths they've begun to cross yet again. Alexa shows nothing but pure loathing and disgust for Ruby while the crimson-haired rebel simply smirks, eyeing the North American Champion up and down.
[Ruby Riott] You know...I'm almost impressed. And for that...I think we deserve a clean slate. No more mind games. No more bullying. No more bullshit. So you know what...I want to start fresh. So, you're the North American Champion Alexa Bliss...my name is Ruby Riott...your #1 Contender, and soon to be XWL North American Champion.
Surprising pretty much everyone in the building, Ruby Riott almost seems...sincere? And...sticks her right hand out for Alexa Bliss to shake!? Alexa herself seems incredibly confused and taken aback by this, looking down at the outstretched hand of her rival almost dumbfounded. Alexa looks to the crowd who adamantly show their disdain for the mere thought of Alexa shaking Ruby's hand. Alexa finally stares Ruby in the eyes for the first time this evening, slowly shaking her head before walking past Ruby, exiting the ring and walking up the ramp. Ruby looks down at her outstretched hand, smirking slyly before turning to face the retreating champion who has exited the stage at this point.
[Ruby Riott] You know...I knew that trying to be nice wouldn't work. I knew that actually trying to not make this personal again wouldn't work. See, Alexa, as much as you hate to admit it...you're still afraid of what I can do to you. You're afraid of just how much dirt I have on you. Afraid that one wrong move will have you right back in that same hospital bed you spent months in as a teenager, nearly starving yourself to death. And now that you've gone from starving your body to starving for attention, you really expect my sympathy for all the sins you've committed? Hell. No.
She who Alexa refuses to acknowledge by name keeps talking, but The North American Champion certainly isn't sticking around to listen to it. She hasn't turned around, she hasn't slowed down in her trek back up to the stage she's just over it and she refuses to allow Ruby to spoil tonight for her.
[Ruby Riott] See, I know you want to channel your inner Disney Princess and just poof the big, bad witch away. But unfortunately for you? This big, bad witch is coming for your title, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it, Princess. I know how much you love to call me "She Who Shall Not Be Named" like you're the high school cheerleading captain all over again and I'm just a stain on your fancy cocktail dress, but try as you might, unlike Harry Potter? You can't just wave your little magic wand, shout "Avada Kedavra" and poof me out of existence, Alexa. This is no fairytale, and the good guy doesn't always win. And I'll prove that when I take your title at Breakthrough
The crowd boos and attempts to drown out Ruby's gloating with loud chants for the new North American Champion, the cries of "A-LE-XA!" filling the arena to the sheer amusement of Ruby Riott, who just shrugs before addressing the crowd booing her out of the building.
[Ruby Riott] But hey...it's still a celebration, right!? I mean, Alexa Bliss is the new champion! Mr. McMahon has been removed from power over the company he created! We have two new stooges in power as co-General Managers! Hell, Kairi Sane even got off the unemployment line! Where's the confetti!? Where's the parade!? Where's the real party!? Actually...I have a better idea. Yeah, now that I think about it, that actually sounds pretty good!
[Ruby Riott] Next week, live on Anarchy, yours truly and my best friend Sarah Logan are going to throw another party! A party to celebrate the life and career achievements of Alexa Bliss right here in the middle of this ring! And trust me when I say...every party I throw...is an absolute riott.
Ruby tosses the mic behind her, cackling to herself as we cut to a shot backstage of Sarah Logan looking on via a monitor, her eyes averting from the screen in time to see Alexa walking her way. The Viking brute sidesteps to get into Alexa's path, who doesn't seem thrilled to be in the presence of someone who would be "best friends" with a person like Ruby Riott. Sarah sighs before making an address of her own, one that Alexa is forced to listen to even if it most likely goes in one ear and out the other.
[Sarah Logan] Look...for what it's worth? I'm sorry for how Rubes treated you in the past. I know, it's better to hear that coming from her...but I just don't know if that'll ever happen. You and I both know Ruby's very much that "stick to your guns" type...hell, I am too. I know that you and I ain't ever gonna see eye to eye or anything. But...as a co-worker, I'm gonna give you a lil' advice. No matter what she tries to pull next week? If she does follow through on this "party" she's planning? Don't come out to the ring. It ain't gonna end well for you, champ.
Patting Alexa on the shoulder, Sarah quickly walks off, leaving the North American Champion alone backstage as she tugs her title off her waist, looking down at it in her arms before watching as her rival's best friend walks off. The more things change like Alexa's rise to the top of the women's division...the more they stay the same like Ruby Riott yet again being apart of her life. It may be one year later, but for the newly crowned North American Champion? It's nothing but a rotten case of dejavu.
[Mauro Ranallo] Did Sarah Logan warn Alexa Bliss about what her best friend may or may not have up her sleeve next week?
[Renee Young] While Sarah herself isn't exactly a tame animal...she does seem to be the more compassionate of the two...and if she's telling Alexa not to show up to a party held in her "honor" as Ruby paints it to be...there's certainly more to this celebration than meets the eye.
[Corey Graves] Can't a #1 contender just want to pay tribute to the Champion she hopes to dethrone?
[Renee Young] Corey I was there the night Ruby Riott did the absolute unthinkable last year. She's not going to pop bottles and shoot streamers...there is no good that can come from next week.
[Mauro Ranallo] Certainly not...but we've got an entire show still ahead before we can begin to speculate what may or may not happen next week. One thing we forgot to mention earlier was that after Jon Moxley's shocking defeat via a "finger poke" he's since been very active with little videos during our time off issuing challenges to the roster, and being very...unhinged. Well given his ties now to The Enterprise, we do have one more big match ahead tonight and that will be Moxley going one on one with Chad Gable in a No Holds Barred Match.
[Corey Graves] Chad according to The Enterprise committed a robbery against Robert Roode at The Slammy Awards 2 years ago...and given Moxley's very aggressive tone right now? It appears he's about to finally be brought to justice for his crime via Jon Moxley's fists...and whatever he can get his hands on.
[Mauro Ranallo] We've got a blockbuster night ahead and it continues right after this word from our sponsors. This is The Season Premiere of Anarchy, The 2019 Slammy Awards...and we'll be right back!
David & Sam Break The Word Limit In Our Exciting Conclusion Part 2 As the audience are beside themselves, still reacting with a chant that isn't losing steam, we see both Women lying in what remains of the ladder, and while Alexa clearly too the worst of it that move didn't exactly leave Rose without a few aches and pains. But in a match like this, you live off adrenaline. You have tomorrow to ice your wounds, to schedule a massage, to lay around and ask yourself if it was worth it. But that's the thing, for ONE of these Women? It will ALL be worth it because as they lie there with bruises in places you don't typically have bruises...they will immediately be brought to ease by the sight of The North American Championship. For all we know, this move could very well have changed the entire course of this match, and made Rose's title defense a damn near guarantee. She winces as she grabs her lower back, because after all leaping off the apron and forcing Alexa's entire upperbody to crash and burn through the ladder meant she had to sacrifice her lower back in the process even if that sacrifice was minimal in comparison.
[Mauro Ranallo] Regardless of the factors of Mandy Rose's reign up until tonight, you have to give it up to her performance thus far. This is without question her best offensive occasion we've ever seen from her.
[Renee Young] This Mandy Rose is exactly why so many have been frustrated with her, she IS capable. She isn't an Eva Marie, she is genuinely talented and gifted, she's just chosen not to actually use that to succeed.
[Corey Graves] I've been singing her praises since night one, this is no surprise this is God's Greatest Creation and he broke the mold when he made her.
[Mauro Ranallo] To survive, to WIN a Hell in a Cell Match you have to be willing to GO there, to BE able to DO incredible things and for The Current REIGNING DEFENDING North American Champion? She is checking all the boxes and she's checked a couple of them twice!
Mandy finally starts to push off of the snapped ladder, groaning slightly but knowing she can't spend time lying there and recovering because every wasted second is a second Alexa gets to recover as well. But what does she do now? Does she throw her into the ring and go for a pin attempt? Or, is it too early? Does she believe the best course of action is to double down on what she just did and inflict even more damage to ensure that when she does pin her? She stays down. We seem to get our answer when she shoves the half of the ladder she landed on out of the way and ventures back under the ring. The ladder certainly paid dividends for her, so now she's in search for another weapon to aid in her attempt at victory. She quickly slides a table out, and even more quickly drags it over to the cell wall closest to the announce table side of the entrapped area and starts to lift the table up, hinging one of the legs while leaving the other flat. As if she's drawing up her next beautifully disastrous masterpiece she leans the table against the wall placing the legs between the holes in the cell for support then looks over her shoulder at Bliss who, to the ERUPTION of the arena has started to try and pull herself up.
[Corey Graves] Are you kidding me?
[Renee Young] Alexa may be small, but what she lacks in size she makes up in ferocity. She is not going to stay down because her pettiness and desire to END Mandy, and her reign far outweighs any anguish she's currently enduring.
[Mauro Ranallo] Let's not forget this has been a long and excruciating journey for her. 4 years of bare minimum opportunity, forced to sit back and watch others compete in every possible match in search for greatness. She has been a slow burn Superstar, but in that time she's grown, she learned, and she's making the most of this moment because she certainly had to wait long enough for it to arrive.
[Renee Young] This year especially has tested her toughness, but mentally and physically and a match like Hell in a Cell? Means you have to be willing to overcome until your body just will not allow you to anymore, and with this match in the early stage still? Her body is not going to give up on her, not yet anyways.
Mandy presses against the table with her hand double checking that it's in place for whatever she has in mind, then turns fully around to run interference in Alexa's attempt to get back up. As Alexa's hand grabs the ring skirt, trying to use it to pull herself up to her feet, Mandy charges in and grabs her by her arm yanking her up herself, before grabbing her other arm and underhooking both of them. Alexa is in no state to really fight free, not so soon after what she was just put through, literally...like literally put through a ladder, you don't brush that off or operate at full capacity for a bit after something like that. So she's powerless to stop The Longest Reigning North American Champion in XWL history from having her way with her, just like Alexa claims Mandy has had her way with The General Manager Mr. McMahon. She lifts Alexa up off of her feet, suspending her into the air, then turns toward the cell and with again a devious gleam in her eye she charges full force into the wall thrusting all of Alexa's body into the unforgiving steel!
[Mauro Ranallo] Mandy Rose is just rag-dolling Alexa Bliss with EASE!
[Renee Young] Talk about an innovative move, that's normally the start to her Bed Of Roses but instead of slamming her down with a facebuster, she's keeping her up into the air and just ramming her into the cell.
Mandy pulls away for a second, backing up into the apron, then goes for round two, CHARGING FULL FORCE AGAIN RAMMING ALEXA INTO THE CELL! The cell of course is designed to maintain its integrity, but something being thrust into it is going to test that stability as the wall mesh pushes outward, and marks begin to form on Bliss' body as she is just in a bad way right now. Because this isn't just attacking one part of her, this is literally her arms, her legs, her body, and her face being plunged into the cell wall. There's no opportunity to brace herself, to cover up, to lessen the blow she is completely helpless and that's why Mandy is milking this moment for as long as she can. She backs away again, still keeping Alexa up in the air, we knew she was physically fit but this is taking that to a new level by just with ease supporting the entire weight of her challenger all in the name of hurting her. Ready to do it a third time, she backs up, then charges forward, but this time...Alexa shifts her own body weight, forcing her feet to lower back to the floor and knowing she has to act fast she uses Mandy's own double underhook again her by showing off her own power, albeit nowhere near Mandy's and channels all five feet of her fury to THRUST Mandy up off of her feet, and FLIP her overhead STRAIGHT INTO THE CELL WALL!
[Corey Graves] OH!
[Mauro Ranallo] Rose went to the well one too many times, and Alexa Bliss dug deep to deliver a back body drop of sorts into the wall!
[Renee Young] This structure is being used to it's fullest to inflict as much pain as possible and Rose just bounces off that wall and landed very awkwardly.
Alexa stumbles forward catching herself on the apron as Mandy ricocheted off the wall and landed badly on the back of her neck as she fell to the floor immediately watching the course of this match shift. The fans cheer, happy to see Alexa get back into this match, but they know the damage was done, so if Alexa hopes to level the playing field? She needs to deal a bit of punishment Mandy's way. As she supports herself against the side of the ring she looks down, and what does she see? What brings a light to her eye? The very thing she tried to use earlier on, handcuffs. They're buried under the half of the ladder that Bliss was introduced to against her will, and so she moves it out of the way casting the remains of the ladder aside until they are now within her grasp. Much like when she pulled them out from under the ring the fans "pop!" but this time? Alexa isn't letting this moment pass her by. She turns and snaps one of the cuffs onto the wrist of Mandy, then before Rose can even react, the other cuff is snapped onto the cell wall!
[Corey Graves] WAIT A MINUTE!
[Renee Young] The North American Champion has just been shackled to the cell!
[Mauro Ranallo] Shades of Warzone when Mandy shackled Alexa to the bottom rope...but what does the formerly known Wicked Witch Of XWL have brewing in her mind?
Fans have gotten louder and louder as Mandy's eyes widen and her jaw hangs open overwhelmed by astonishment as she looks to the cell wall and tries to yank her arm forward, but it's pulled back by the cell. She's utterly and completely trapped, like...now not only is she locked inside Hell in a Cell with her mortal enemy, but now...she's bound to the cell in a cruel twist of fate. Any true Blissfit right now knows what Alexa has in store for The Golden Goddess. But for those that don't? They find out quickly as Bliss ventures under the ring, tossing the skirt up, and within an instant pulls out...THE BLISS STICK! Again, a twist of fate as Mandy Rose used this bedazzled reinforced kendo stick to intentionally disqualify herself the first time she was set to defend The North American Championship against Alexa Bliss. This is the signature weapon of Bliss, she created this object to aid in her furious rise in the division, and while it's not as much of a mainstay as it once was, it is a trick she pulls out of her proverbial hat when the time is right, and when you're locked inside HELL with a Woman you despise? Is there ever a better time to call on an old friend? She raises The Bliss Stick up, smacking her open palm with it as her own devious smile forms on her face, only growing bigger as she sees the horror appear on Mandy's face.
[Corey Graves] Someone's gotta do something!
[Renee Young] A match like this is designed so that NO ONE can do anything to interfere, Corey.
[Mauro Ranallo] Hell in a Cell is torture personified, and Mandy Rose is about to feel the wrath of the woman she has poked and prodded a little too much throughout the course of their rivalry.
[Renee Young] Alexa finally has Mandy right where she wants her, all to herself...and well, may God have mercy on his greatest creation because Alexa certainly has none for her.
Alexa swings The Bliss Stick forward, cracking it off the left arm of Mandy who squeals out, but as she instinctively goes to shield her arm with her free arm...Bliss assures her there's more where that came form when she smacks her personalized kendo stick off her other arm resulting in a reaction much like her first. This is her moment, a moment she has been waiting for, a moment that overtime has been building up. She has Mandy, she has her trapped, and every little thing she did? Is coming back full force as she swings again and again, and again! Denying Alexa's right to accept her open challenge match at International Incident? THAT'S A BLISS STICK STRIKING! Going away on vacation after Alexa loses her cool on a Moment Of Bliss, and then overshadowing Alexa's victory over the first North American Champion Toni Storm with a bikini clad photo montage? THAT DESERVES ANOTHER SHOT! Misleading Alexa with the promise of a North American Championship Match if she competes twice that night, the first of which being for her best friend's Women's Title in The Elimination Chamber, a match she had to start...ONLY TO INTENTIONALLY DISQUALIFY HERSELF? THAT DESERVES THREE MORE STRIKES! Mandy cries out as each hit connects, the leg, the arm, the chest, the spine, her face it doesn't matter she is aiming for it all! Trying to sabotage her friendship with Kairi Sane at every possible chance by diving wedge after wedge between them? HAVE FOUR MORE cracks from The Bliss Stick!
Having interviewers and various personnel instructed to bury her by bending the truth and flat out ignoring it? Have more! Every single moment, specifically the most disgusting of all deserves more and more and the audience is REVELING in this moment about as much as Alexa herself is. Mandy on the other hand has welts forming as the hits keep coming from Bliss Stick Blitzes! Organizing the most obnoxious defense for Alexa as North American Champion, by forcing her to defend in a 3 stages of hell match, which all 3 stages are officiated by The OWNER OF XWL, AND ACTING GENERAL MANAGER, AKA THE MAN MANDY HAS BEEN SCREWING THIS ENTIRE TIME TO HAVE HIM BEND EVERY RULE IN EXISTENCE ALL IN THE NAME OF GIVING HER BACK THE TITLE? LET ME JUST SNAP THIS BLISS STICK OVER YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL YOU FEEL A FRACTION OF WHAT I FELT IN THIS MOMENT! That is what is going through Alexa's mind. The ridiculousness that was having stage one be a one armed tied behind your back match, where Mandy's arm was FAR from tied and she rolled Alexa up within seconds, pulling the tights, as Vince FAST COUNTED? The audacity of them trying to perform a Montreal esque screwjob? FIRING HER BEST FRIEND KAIRI SANE WHEN SHE CAME TO HER RESCUE? Mr. McMahon tipping the ladder as Alexa was a second away from retrieving her title and retaining despite the massive mountains stacked in front of her? MR. MCMAHON HANDING MANDY HANDCUFFS SO THAT BLISS LITERALLY HAD TO SIT THERE AND WATCH ROSE RETRIEVE THE TITLE SHE HAD FOUGHT FOUR YEARS TO FINALLY HAVE? Oh no, for someone else maybe this would be cruelty. For Corey it is, he's winging, he's covering his eyes while peeping through his fingers. But for this audience, for anyone that hasn't viewed this story through literally Rose tinted glasses? This is justice, this is a Woman who was scorned and now she is showing the old adage "hell hath nothing like a woman scorned" is the undeniable truth.
[Corey Graves] OH COME ON, HOW MANY TIMES IS SHE GONNA HIT HER?!?
[Renee Young] Personally? Nowhere near enough. Mandy Rose and Mr. McMahon put her through hell, her professional life as an XWL Superstar vying for The North American Championship has been one abuse of power after the next against her and honestly? This couldn't happen to a nicer person.
[Mauro Ranallo] It's brutal, and the marks on Mandy's body are an everlasting reminder of that brutality beyond tonight...but that is what Hell in a Cell is, BRUTALITY.
Alexa Bliss fires a couple more shots for good measure, then after an especially pepper packed pitch to Rose's knee that she hurt earlier...her onslaught comes to an end. Bliss stands here, stick lowered, breathing heavily as her successive hits took her breath away but she was fueled by the anger that has existed within her since this rivalry began. Anger that has only festered and grown the more things that have transpired. Mandy's literally in the fetal position, still bound to the cell, almost so traumatized by the whole ordeal that she maybe doesn't even realize she's stopped being hit. She's gone to her happy place, a private island, laying out on the beach as she uses The North American Championship as a reflector and achieves the most stunning of tans. While she's perhaps permanently checked out of this match, Alexa sets her sights on what comes next. Has she had her fill of inflicting pain to Rose? Judging by the glare in her eyes, we'd say not yet. No she lifts the ring skirt up then starts to search for more goodies, which there's plenty to choose from. She grabs a chair, tossing it through the ropes, then spots another and throws that in too. But hey why settle on two chairs when you can have three, and hey there's a fourth one just chilling beside it let's make it four! As she tosses the steel chairs in she could stop there, but she doesn't. She ventures back under the ring and moves things around until something peaks her interest. Soon she slides a table out, and while there's one Mandy set up and leaned against the cell not far from them...she's not exactly a fan of Mandy's sloppy seconds so she's going to introduce a table of her own. Pulling it out she starts to unhinge, all while Mandy has recovered from the shock of being hit more times than we can honestly say we remember...and this is where it gets a little interesting.
Mandy is in pain, she is feeling the sting of every strike from The Bliss Stick...but, she is survival mode. She cannot just stay shackled to this cell, she's literally just allowing her reign to slowly fade away with every bit of fury she feels from Alexa. No, she has to get free, but in a situation like this...what can she even do? She tries to pull on the cell, but lightly, not wanting to make too much noise because hey if Alexa hears her while she's in the process of setting up a table beside them....she could pick The Bliss Stick back up and go for round 2, which by this point is more like round 200. She tries to slip her hand through the cuff but while she's physically fit and trim...her hand is just too big for that to work. So now she's transported to that moment in a horror film where the trapped prey looks at their surroundings to hatch a plan of escape. The killer is right there in the next room, and she's been left with an opportunity to find a way out of this situation. That's when her eyes perk up, and she sees something that very well could aid her. It's the thing she turned her nose up at earlier when she pulled the ladder out. The common man's tools, literally a toolbox. It was thrown aside, some of the contents spilling out, but what didn't spill out is what Mandy's foot starts to extend out toward. Because there's something pretty helpful for a Woman that is handcuffed to the cell, and what might that be? Well, a key would be great, but we don't exactly keep keys to handcuffs just chilling under the ring, I mean we don't keep handcuffs either but those were likely planted by Alexa beforehand to enact a bit of retribution. However we do keep this item that has Rose suddenly take a second wind and find the strength to ignore the hurt that was inflicted on her. BOLT CUTTERS! When designing this cell, when piecing it together, this item creates Hell in a Cell, it cuts steel, and what are these handcuffs that are attached to Rose made of? STEEL!
Unbeknownst to Bliss, Mandy manages to slide the toolbox toward her, using her golden boot to set her up for freedom by pushing the bolt cutters toward her until they finally get into her free hand and now is the part of the scary movie where the killer returns, hearing something amiss and checking to make sure nothing has gone array. Bliss has one leg hinged on the table, she stops before hinging the other looking at Mandy who has feigned as if she's still reeling from the hits, hiding the cutters under her leg. Satisfied that all is well Bliss refocuses on the table and Mandy acts fast. SNAPPING the chain on the cuffs, leaving one cuff still attached to the cell, while hers now dangles from her wrist still attached but no longer binding her to the hell she just suffered.
[Mauro Ranallo] Would you look at that, Mandy Rose has freed herself!
[Renee Young] She finally stopped being a damsel in distress and used that stress to be her own hero, good for her.
[Corey Graves] Oh Alexa Bliss is gonna get it now...she should have finished her while she had the chance because when I look at Mandy Rose right now? I see a Woman that no longer can do her planned magazine cover shoot tomorrow due to the DOZENS of welts on her body and for that crime Alexa Bliss will suffer greatly.
Mandy peers over, ensuring that Bliss's back is still turned. Alexa is in the finishing stages of setting up the table, and as we switch to the camera in front of Bliss, we see a rising Golden Goddess behind her. Rose takes her dangling handcuff and secures it in her right fist as some sort of a makeshift brass knuckle. The ever vain Champion takes a glance down at her body, her assets, her physical features. All major moneymakers and things that she prides herself on (perhaps a little more than she should sometimes). After taking one last hard look at the marks and bruises scattered across her tanned and toned physique, Mandy grits her teeth and narrows her eyes as Bliss finishes setting up the table. Rose secures her feet into a proper position and winds up her cuff-wielding fist, and as Bliss turns around to retrieve her damsel in distress, she's instantaneously met with a VICIOUS AND SICKENING RIGHT! The metal of the cuff, with all of the strength of one of the most fit women in the industry behind it, smashes through Bliss's jaw! It wouldn't be surprising if Five Feet of Fury lost a few molars after that connection, which causes the crowd to gasp before falling silent in shock.
[Mauro Ranallo] MAMA MIA! DID YOU SEE THAT RIGHT? Better yet, did you HEAR THAT RIGHT?!
[Corey Graves] Genius strategy employed by the Champion! Using the handcuffs to her own advantage as a weapon of her own, she never ceases to amaze me!
[Renee Young] This could seriously be it! If Mandy can get Alexa into the ring and cover, she might retain her Championship, cause Bliss is out COLD right now!
Mandy shakes her wrist out, taking a few heavy, vengeful breaths as she looks down at the crumbled and near unconscious frame of Alexa Bliss. Rose squats down and dead lifts Bliss to place her on the top of the table. Making sure everything was perfectly in place, Mandy rolls inside of the ring and makes eye contact with the corner closest to the table. Rose is a powerhouse for her size, given her extreme fitness background, but we have never known her to be any sort of a high flyer. Tonight is a night of exception though, as it appears God's Greatest Creation might be looking to get just a little bit closer to her Creator in order to secure her highly coveted North American Championship. The crowd, who would normally be booing unceremoniously at the momentum building in Mandy's favor, are unsure of how to react due to the sheer intensity of this match. Regardless of your favorite, it's impossible not to applaud the sheer audacity and physicality between these two competitors. Rose climbs slowly and carefully up to the top turnbuckle, looking down at Bliss one last time as she gradually stands up and fully extends her legs to a proper standing position. You can tell that this spot is anywhere but home to Mandy, as she glances up at the crowd and does her signature pose. A little less sure of herself this time though, which can be clearly observed in her eyes. However, her hatred for Alexa Bliss is outweighing her fear of jumping just enough to push her to do it. And so, Mandy Rose takes flight, leaping off of the top turnbuckle with a muscular elbow out as the Golden Goddess falls from grace all the way down to Alexa Bliss, except........
ALEXA BLISS ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! The queen of playing possum waited until Rose's boots leaped off of the turnbuckle before she got out of dodge just in time to see Mandy crash through the table. The crowd then remembers who they're rooting for, and begin jumping off their feet in support of Little Miss Bliss. Bliss is in no means recovered, however, still rocked and shaken by that veiled right from Rose. Alexa lays on the ground, trying to shake her head back into a clear-er state of mind, while Mandy remains completely lifeless and surrounded by scraps and shards of what once was a table.
[Corey Graves] IS MANDY OKAY?... Can someone check on her?! This is all that treacherous snake, Alexa Bliss's fault!
[Renee Young] For rolling out of the way to avoid being put through a table? Are you ACTUALLY out of your mind?
[Corey Graves] She ruined a monumental and sacred moment! Mandy was taking flight!
[Renee Young] Yeah well, maybe she was just blinded by all of the "magnificence" and rolled out of the way to spare her own unworthy eyes.
[Corey Graves] You know something, Renee...... You might be onto something.
[Renee Young] Oh, brother...
After at least two minutes of constant crowd chattering and both women slowly stirring to remind us that they are in fact still in this, it is Alexa who manages to struggle to her feet first. She grabs onto the apron, using it as a form of support to help her make the short journey over to the shattered table. Unbeknownst to us, as well as Bliss, however, Mandy has gathered enough consciousness over the last few minutes to reach over and grab her trusty bolt cutters once again. As soon as Bliss is with in reach, and bends down to grab hold of Rose, Mandy swings the bolt cutters up right into the side of Alexa's face! A gruesome and metallic *clink* echoes around ringside and churns everyone's stomachs in earshot. Bliss stumbles back and holds the side of her face with her hand, noticing some instant blood flow beginning to pour out from her now busted lip. While she remains understandably distracted for the moment, Mandy crawls over and begins using those bolt cutters once again to cut away at a small hole in the cell wall! She clips away in the formation of a near perfect half-circle that is ideal for crawling out of. The crowd are leaning over the barricade, shouting and pointing at Rose's efforts to escape. She finally clips the last piece of metal separating her from freedom and punches it through before army crawling out of the cell. Once fully outside of the cell, Rose struggles and stumbles over to the time keeper's area, finally pulling herself up and onto her feet. She drops the bolt cutters and rips her North American Championship off of the stand. Mandy clings to her title, holding it close to her chest as she begins to protest the match and demand its cancellation. Hearing the commotion, Alexa gathers her whits at last and takes notice of Mandy somehow OUTSIDE of the cell and with the title in her clutches. This sight alone ignites a whole new fire inside of Bliss, who grabs the cell wall and makes eye contact with the Champion. Rose glances over at her opponent, who has her fingers wrapped through the links of the wall, blood dripping from her mouth, and a glare that could ignite a wildfire. Mandy's typical nature begins to shine through once again, as she slowly grins and holds her title up high in front of Alexa's face in order to rub it in. She didn't account for Alexa to find this second wind, at least not to this extent anyway. Her fury helps her almost immediately identify the hole that Mandy created to escape through. Rose takes note of this, as Bliss makes eye contact with her one last time before shaking her head to let the Champion know that it isn't going to be that easy for her this time. Alexa suddenly darts for the hole and drops down to crawl through while Mandy's confidence vanishes and she is instantly put back into flight mode. With no other immediate option, Rose jabs the toe of her golden boot through the cell, keeping her title close on her shoulder, and reaches up with her spare hand to begin ascending up the wall!
[Mauro Ranallo] This is the first time I've ever seen someone escape Hell in a Cell like that! Now she's ascending up the cell, her title in tow...
[Renee Young] I'm not sure how this is, she's ascending up a 20 ft structure, and the only way down is...well, far from pleasant as Mick Foley will tell anyone.
[Corey Graves] Let's face it, this match is over. Mandy is climbing to the top to symbolize that she's done and knowing how small her opponent is? She knows she won't dare try to climb something that is literally four times her size.
[Renee Young] You sure do love to underestimate Alexa Bliss' determination.
[Mauro Ranallo] Speaking of, Alexa has now left the cell as well and it looks like Mandy's ascent UP to the heavens of hell hasn't deterred her.
Mandy cautiously climbs up the wall, not getting much progress due to how slow she has to go because one wrong move, one missed foot placement, and things could go very badly. Because of this Alexa quickly reaches the wall Mandy is venturing up and without hesitation begins to wrap her fingers around the wall and step up onto it herself, climbing after her. Alexa tries to swipe the boot of Mandy, to trip her up, to pull her down while climbing higher herself. The arena stares on concerned for the safety of both Women considering this isn't exactly safe by any means. They are in the middle of a heated battle, and you don't exactly try to take shots at someone while climbing up 20 feet...but such is life in XWL where bitter rivalries boil over to a point like right now where their own safety is thrown out the window if it means bringing harm to the other. Alexa's quicker pace allows her to catch up to The North American Champion and this is where things get more and more intense. Alexa grabs Mandy by her hair, and bashes her face off the cell, Mandy swags backward, but avoids falling to her doom thanks to her iron-clad grip of the cell. But an attempt at maiming her greatest features leads Mandy to return the favor, yanking Bliss by her hair and smacking it off the steel mesh.
[Mauro Ranallo] It's hard to watch in a moment like this because you feel powerless, you feel as if you could be seconds away from witnessing someone's career come to an untimely end...but that is ultimately what this match is. It is chaotic, it is brutality, it is anything goes, and if you can make your way out of the cell-like these two have? Well, they are within their rights to extend that chaos beyond the cell.
[Renee Young] At this stage in this Main-Event emotions are at the highest, pain is at its threshold, and the end is in sight. So it's no surprise to me that they are fighting while clinging to the cell wall right in front of us knowing that any second could be what decides it all.
[Corey Graves] WHY IS ALEXA SO HELL BENT ON HURTING MANDY?
[Renee Young] Judging by what Mandy's done to Alexa likewise in this match? I'd say the feeling is mutual, Corey.
[Corey Graves] No, that's self defense.
[Mauro Ranallo] This entire match is about self-preservation because your opponent's demise means your survival, that is Hell in a Cell by definition.
Alexa teeters on the wall, her lip that had previously been busted open starts to flow a new flow of blood as it's reopened from the steel chain basically slicing through it. She instinctively grabs her lip, but this proves to be Mandy's perhaps plan all along because this momentary stunning of Bliss has left her wide open. Mandy once again utilizes the handcuff still attached to her as her own set of brass knuckles and WALLOPS Alexa right in her busted lip! Alexa's hand comes off of the wall, panicking instantly as she falls backward, gracefully falling to her doom in perhaps the worst possible way. If she just flew off of the wall the worst of it would come within the blink of an eye. However, with her hand losing the grip of the cell, her panic set in trying to force her way back against the cell, and this causes her to literally just slide in a truly hard to watch descent down the wall by grinding off of the cell the entire way down until she collapses into a heap on the floor.
[Renee Young] Oh god...that hurt just watching it!
[Mauro Ranallo] That cell is unforgiving, and Alexa Bliss just felt that to a new level...
[Corey Graves] Even I had a hard time looking at that...
Mandy looks down, seeing Bliss lying on the floor and breathes a sigh of relief knowing that she's finally home free. She can climb down, she can stroll around the cell, and take her title and go. At least, that is what she thinks as her foot begins to lower down to the hole it previously climbed up with. But as she descends, she feels the wall rattle, as Bliss' hand which now has a couple of small stains of blood on grips the cell, and Mandy's eyes widen as the arena is reborn and rises up from their state of concern to a rallying roar! Alexa sits on the ground, her eyes glaring up as her busted lip is now even more of a battle wound than it already was. As the camera zooms in on Alexa her body has scratches from her hellacious slide down the cell, and in this one paused moment we reflect on how hard these two Women have fought tonight. They both are going to leave with bumps, bruises, and a few unsightly scars that will be carried with them for quite some time. But that is all in the name of LEAVING TONIGHT THE NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION!
[Corey Graves] HOW IS ALEXA ALREADY RECOVERED?
[Renee Young] That is pure adrenaline, supplemented by the fury within that refuses to allow Mandy Rose a moment of solace as long as she has anything to do about it.
[Mauro Ranallo] They know the hourglass is almost empty and for Alexa Bliss that means her time to not only regain her title but RECLAIM Kairi Sane's job? Is running out.
Mandy realizes that climbing down is just NOT a good idea anymore, and she starts climbing back up, not sure of what the hell she's going to do when she gets there but she knows she can't stay on this wall, not after the gruesome fall Alexa Bliss took. She's already covered in welts from The Bliss Stick, she can't have cuts like her foe too. Alexa pulls herself up using the cell then like a glutton for punishment shakes her head and starts climbing BACK UP THE CELL SHE JUST SLID DOWN! Mandy's got more of pep and panic in her step, not wasting a moment and it pays off as her fingers cling to the roof of the cell and she starts to drag herself, and her title officially on top of Hell in a Cell. Five Feet Of Fury has about five more feet to climb and during this time Mandy crawls across the roof, freaking out about everything, knowing that in just a minute she is going to have to fight for the survival of herself, and her reign as North American Champion.
She falls to her knees, clutching her title, shaking her head, breathing heavily, shuddering as she sees Bliss get closer and closer until Alexa Bliss joins her at the top of the cell, and rises to her feet immediately. The challenger wipes her thumb across her lip, wiping the blood away as she just stares at Mandy. THIS is what it has come to, this is where it all ends. For one of them? This is the end of this match. What happens here, 20 feet in the air at the top of this cell? There is no coming back from. The question is, who suffers the fate that is knocking at the door.
[Mauro Ranallo] One final staredown before it all comes to a final head!
[Renee Young] These two Women have given it their all, but we all know whatever happens in the next 30 seconds? THAT changes everything and effectively decides who is leaving as North American Champion. We haven't seen the classic type of a match where the competitors go for frequent pins after big moves, this match has been the pinnacle of two women who know each other, and know what it takes for them to beat one another. There hasn't been a wasted step or moment, they have doubled down on any damage dealt in the name of ensuring that WHEN they go for that pin? It is a three count and nothing less.
[Corey Graves] For Mandy of course...
[Mauro Ranallo] For either of them, to Renee's point, this pacing has been drastically different from a title match we're all used to seeing. It hasn't been about what scores you a quick victory, in the first 30 seconds yes it started that way but once that passed? They knew what each other's limit was and so it's just been endless assault after the next.
Alexa's foot steps forward, pushing down on the unstable mesh roof, it's not exactly solid so the power in her step seems to do more harm than the good of showing her intensity. But it doesn't stop her from taking another strong step forward. Mandy however simply bites her bottom lip, her eyes squinting as she lets out a banshee-like scream. "I'M SO SICK OF YOU!!" Mandy charges forward, meeting Bliss before she can react, shoving her boot into Alexa's midsection with enough impact to double her over. Then Mandy leans forward, looking down at the announce table below them and her hand grips Bliss by her neck as the audience goes quiet. IS SHE THINKING OF DOING WHAT WE THINK SHE IS? Parents prepare to shield their children's eyes, especially the little girls donning Bliss' merchandise as they see the writing on the wall, and it's spelling out a devastating doom for Little Miss Bliss. Mandy leans in close to Alexa and shouts "GO TO HELL, BITCH!" and THRUSTS ALEXA FORWARD...
BUT ALEXA STANDS HER GROUND, DELIVERS AN ELBOW TO MANDY'S RIBS THEN FLAILS HER FORWARD SENDING MANDY FORWARD OFF OF THE CELL!
[Corey Graves] NO! NO! NO!!!!! PLEASE GOD NO!!
But Mandy's nails dig down as she starts to fall from literal grace, and she clings to the top of the cell, her legs dangling down as her head leans against the roof in a terrifying display. She is literally on the cusp of falling 20 feet from the cell, and despite just trying to do this to Alexa...she starts to plead with her. "PLEASE, HELP ME!" She cries out, and Alexa stands there, almost as if she's considering it. As if after everything Mandy has put her through, the 6 months of hell, she never wanted it to have to come to a point like THIS. Surely there's a limit to all of this, right? Like, she has to be the bigger person, she can't just let Mandy fall...can she? "I'M SORRY! PLEASE! DON'T LET ME FALL! "The sincerity, we're not entirely sure is there...I mean if anyone was in Mandy's position they'd be saying whatever they could, promising their unborn children, money they don't have, their entire life's wages all to be saved...plus she did literally just try to throw Alexa off the cell so like, the fans? They're not buying it. They're not chanting for Alexa to help her, to save Mandy...to "be the bigger person" they are beginning to shout "SEND HER TO HELL! SEND HER TO HELL! SEND HER TO HELL!" Alexa looks around, then looks down, and begins to kneel...extending her hand forward to offer it to Mandy. The Golden Goddess sighs in relief, a devious relief that is subtle...but totally there, the type of relief that says oh you stupid bitch when you grab my hand I'm going to throw you over" Alexa inches forward, moments away from seemingly saving the woman she shares such intense bad blood with...then leans in to her and says "No, YOU GO TO HELL, BITCH!"
She pries Mandy's hand away from the cell, then shoves her hand forward piefacing Mandy sending her flying off of the cell!
Mandy plummets THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE AS THE ARENA RESOUNDING CHANTS "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" Corey falls to his knees, shaking as his holiness has been smitten down from the heavens and massacres what was once their table.
[Renee Young] OH MY GOD SHE JUST FELL AT OUR FEET!
Alexa sits on her knees, staring at what she just did, without a single ounce of remorse...Mandy pushed her to this, Mr. Mcmahon pushed her to this, the last 6 months of hell sentenced Mandy Rose to her Judgment day and Alexa Bliss was her executioner. She sees The North American Championship that Rose had dropped before sprinting to try and throw Alexa from the top of the cell and grabs it. She throws it over her shoulder then starts to climb down the cell, knowing she has all the time in the world, as the "holy shit" chants continue to echo without a sign of stopping anytime soon.
[Corey Graves] SOMEONE CALL THE POLICE, THERE'S BEEN AN ATTEMPTED MURDER! I'D LIKE TO PRESS CHARGES! CAN I PRESS THEM TWICE? NO MAKE THAT THREE TIMES! MANDY!! MANDY!!!! MANDY NO!!! SAY SOMETHING!
[Renee Young] Corey, we're all frazzled after that but pull yourself together man.
[Mauro Ranallo] I don't think anyone can question the level of fury that exists within Alexa Bliss' five-foot stature after THAT!
[Renee Young] If it wasn't Mandy, it would have been her, I don't know if you caught it but I totally saw a devilish gleam in Mandy's eyes as Alexa reached out to her.
[Corey Graves] CAN WE PLEASE NOT SLANDER THOSE WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES?
[Mauro Ranallo] I definitely saw that too, Renee.
[Corey Graves] CAN YOU STOP! ONE OF YOU CALL 911! THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, GOD'S GREATEST CREATION HAS BEEN SENT STRAIGHT DOWN HELL IN A CELL! THINK OF THE REPERCUSSIONS! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!
[Renee Young] I mean, we all see her, Corey. She's like, right here but this match can't be stopped. Hell in a Cell ends only one way, and we still have to see someone get pinned or submitted.
[Corey Graves] ARE YOU MAD? IN WHAT WORLD IS MANDY GOING TO PIN ANYONE BESIDES THIS ANNOUNCE TABLE THAT SHE CRASHED THROUGH SO QUICKLY THAT MY DIET MOUNTAIN DEW FLEW INTO THAT GUY'S LAP BEHIND US!
Bliss' feet drop from the wall to the floor as she stumbles handing The North American Championship to one of the ringside attendants, then shifts her focus to Mandy who hasn't moved a single inch since her untimely demise. Alexa grabs her by her blonde locks, then starts to drag her away from a crying Corey Graves and literally looks to be dragging her BACK to hell to finish this match once and for all. The energy in the arena is just everything you could want going into this match. Fans haven't left their feet, their screams are loud and proud, and it feels as if we've all been given a crystal ball and the outcome of this match has been foretold to us so that we may begin celebrating already. I mean, after what just happened? It's fair to assume Mandy Rose is no longer North American Champion. It's fair to assume that Alexa Bliss is once again Champion, that her best friend has regained her job. But there's always that small chance of something going array, like man it'd really suck if Mr. McMahom came out here right about now, with Awesome Kong or some other monstrous woman in tow as some last-ditch effort to preserve the corporate champion's stranglehold over The North American Championship....like, it'd really suck, like, just imagine hearing "NO CHANCE....THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE GOT..." right now, like imagine as you scroll down because we're dramatic here, that you see Mr. McMahon's entrance video appear in a youtube video below and it's like REALLY? THIS FUCKER AGAIN? I THOUGHT Y'ALL PROMISED NO BS THIS TIME, THAT THIS WAS IT, THAT THERE WOULD BE NO INTERFERENCE.
Well, go ahead, scroll down.
NAH THIS BITCH'S REIGN IS OVER! Mr. McMahon is too busy scouting his next prospect for an affair in a couple of years, you know once Linda goes back to trusting him again like she always does. He wouldn't dare show his face right now, Mandy is all on her own with this one and unfortunately for her? She's not doing so well. Alexa drags Mandy's corpse-like body to the hole that Rose created via the bolt cutters, then she gets down and crawls through the hole, but knowing Mandy needs a little assistance she turns around and gives a few good pulls on her hair and Mandy's now been dragging BACK into Hell as well. She hasn't moved or tried to stop anything that's happening because like, this bitch fell like 20 feet through the announce table. She's gonna need at least 5 minutes before any miracle from god could will her back into this match. Alexa grabs Mandy by her shorts then chucks her onto the apron, rolling her under the bottom rope. She looks at the mess the two made within this cell, the table broken, the ladder snapped, The Bliss Stick that's gonna need a few trips at the repair shop after the beating Bliss gave Mandy with it. The freaking bolt cutters that busted Alexa's lip open, it was quite the experience, but the time has come for it to end. But how does this rivalry end? How does Mandy's reign END? Does Bliss just slide in and cover her? No, that's far too basic for this far from average rivalry we've seen from the jump. They haven't ever done the simple route, they have always done something unique, something over the top and that's why despite Mandy literally being thrust from the top of the cell through the announce table...Alexa walks around the cell to the other side that they didn't really fight in and starts to lift up the ring skirt.
WHAT ON EARTH COULD SHE BE LOOKING FOR AT THIS POINT? SHE'S ALREADY DEAD, I mean maybe she'll kick out since it's been like 2 going on 3 minutes now...but like, that's a real stretch. Alexa doesn't spend much time looking, it's as if she personally planted this item there for this exact moment. Soon we see her starting to pull something of considerable size out, and it's like, you already got a table leaned up against the cell, why not just use that instead of grabbing another? But then we see it's not a table, it's not a ladder, it's...a full body mirror. Like, you know the mirrors that usually hang in those nice boutiques or in some stores that are like, THIS IS A DAMN NICE MIRROR? That is what this is, it's got weight to it, and apparently, it's got a use for Alexa Bliss.
She pushes it up onto the apron, the reflection of her face focused in on the camera as you see her far from pretty lip. But seeing herself doesn't upset her, it makes her...smile...because this busted lip is proof of how much this match meant to her. The fight she continued to give after suffering it, and it's now a badge of honor. She steps up onto the apron and enters the ring, dragging the mirror into the center of the squared circle and then looks at Rose who is making minor movements at this stage and grabs her by her hand dragging her to the middle of the ring. She pulls her all the way on top of the mirror, then pulls one of the four chairs she previously threw into the ring earlier in the match, a ring that they literally never came back into due to their bloodlust against one another...and sits it down onto the mat and takes a seat.
[Corey Graves] Are you kidding me? What is she up to now? JUST COVER HER!
[Mauro Ranallo] Alexa Bliss biding her time, setting the stage for the conclusion of this match, and if she's about to do what I think we ALL think she's going to do? Then things are somehow about to get a lot uglier.
[Renee Young] This is the one time Mandy Rose doesn't want to look in a mirror.
Alexa's hand rises up, her fingers moving against her palm as she pulls a Jason and stalks her prey. Mandy's hands start to inch up the mirror, most likely unaware of where she even is, or what is about to happen to her. But finally, she has life, she is BACK IN THIS MATCH AND MAYBE HER REIGN ISN'T OVER AFTER ALL! GEE, WOULDN'T THAT BE A COMEBACK STORY? SHE SURVIVES FALLING FROM HELL, AND MANAGES TO WIN? Maybe in Corey's deluded fantasies...but no, as she starts to press her palms onto the mirror, she begins to push up, and her face peels away from the mirror and that's when Bliss' hand balls into a fist and she stands back up. Mandy's eyes open, looking at the mirror, and the way the camera is angled is actually really cool because the cameraman has managed to see what Mandy herself is seeing. We see the mirror on the mat, we see Mandy seeing her reflection, her disheveled state, but what we see is even sicker...we see Alexa Bliss charging into frame, leaping up into the air to the point that her boot appears in the reflection. The instant the bottom of her boot appears, we hear an angry Bliss scream "THIS IS FOR KAIRI!" and Mandy's eyes bulge out as she is unable to do anything at this point except brace for the devastation that is Alexa's boot STOMPING down onto the back of Mandy's head, sending it right into the mirror, and it shatters!
[Renee Young] OHHHHH!!!
[Mauro Ranallo] Just like the mirror, it looks like Mandy's reign has been SHATTERED!
Corey sits in silence as Alexa rolls Mandy over onto her back, then mounts on top of her with a cover.
1.....
2......
3!!!!!!!!!!
The fans joyously cheer as Alexa Bliss rises up to her feet, no hesitation and throws both arms into the air as she bows over the fallen Champion that has been VANQUISHED! It all has finally come to an end, and what an end it was...they went to hell, but in the end, only one would survive, and that was the feisty challenger that refused to leave tonight as anything other than The NEW North American Champion!
[Mauro Ranallo] HASHTAG, AND NEW NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION!
[Renee Young] I love a happy ending...
[Corey Graves] COULD YOU BE ANY MORE INSENSITIVE?
The cell door is opened as The North American Championship is passed through the ropes to the official who immediately presents it to Bliss. Alexa stares at it for a moment then smiles as she takes it into her hand which is promptly raised into the air to signify her victory!
[Mike Rome] Ladies and Gentlemen, your WINNER...AND NEEEEWW NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION!!! ALEXA....BLISS!!
With that announcement, Alexa is all smiles her hand still raised into the air as adrenaline fuels her ability to even stand right now. No, when she heads to the back she's going to collapse and probably stay there for a few hours but for this moment? For her "Moment Of Bliss?" This is why she refused to accept the hand that was dealt to her by the corrupt regime that refused to give her a fair opportunity at becoming a Champion.
[Mike Rome] As voted by you The XWL Universe, due to Alexa's victory, effective immediately...The Pirate Princess Kairi Sane has been REINSTATED!
That announcement of reassurance brings even more elation to Alexa's face who thanks to the fans was given the opportunity to not only regain her title that was taken from her at Warzone, but also regain her best friend's job which also was taken away at that very show as well. Alexa's arm pulls away from the official as he starts to motion for assistance for Mandy who no doubt is unconscious after being Curb Stomped into a full mirror. The NEW Champion stumbles to the corner climbing up onto the second rope and thrusts her newly won prize into the air with both hands as she shouts "WE DID IT KAIRI! WE WON! I TOLD YOU I WOULDN'T LET YOUR SACRIFICE BE IN VAIN! THIS IS FOR YOU! THIS IS FOR THEM! THIS IS FOR ALL OF US!"
[Renee Young] Kairi's firing at Warzone was truly horrible, but seeing how everything has fallen back into place now is just, it's such a good feeling. Alexa's had such a difficult year and now she can finally breathe for a moment. She's now a TWO time Champion and her best friend is coming back to XWL!
[Mauro Ranallo] A difficult year that began due to the actions of Ruby Riott, the rival Alexa believed she had finally ended things with at Final Stand when she was the Last Woman Standing...which ironically was the night before she entered herself into The North American Championship conversation. But due to Ruby's victory earlier tonight over the tag-team partner she had in that Last TEAM Standing Match, Nia Jax? She's the NEW #1 Contender to the title Alexa just won.
[Renee Young] Fate can be cruel sometimes but this moment isn't about Ruby, there's a time and place. For now, Alexa can relish in her victory and the end of her rivalry with Mandy Rose.
[Corey Graves] Do you two mind? I'm in mourning over here!
Once she's soaked in her moment, Alexa lowers from the corner and looks at Rose who is being assisted by some medics who have entered the cell, then she simply turns her nose up and walks past her paying no further mind to her, or her existence for that matter. They're done, and Mandy will never forget about this night because she knows deep down she is to blame for all of the cuts that have scarred her going into the future. She pushed Bliss around too much, and Bliss pushed back, and that push brought Rose's world crashing down around her, much like she crashed down from the top of the cell. The NEW North American Champion steps through the ropes and approaches the open cell door, making her way through it and starting her trek up the ramp. She's left hell, albeit quite scathed, but all of that is worth it because of what she is leaving with. The title that she had stolen from her, and the knowledge that Kairi Sane is now allowed to come back and once again be apart of The XWL Roster. With a short trip up the ramp, she turns as she reaches the stage, and raises the title up with both hands before lowering it behind her shoulder.
[Mauro Ranallo] An incredible night, incredible matches, and an incredible conclusion which sees A NEW North American Champion crowned in our Main-Event. Congratulations to Alexa Bliss and all of tonight's winners.
[Corey Graves] MANDY LOST, THERE IS NO WINNERS!
[Renee Young] At least you've got two weeks to pull yourself back together.
[Mauro Ranallo] We ended this season with a BANGER, but do not fret as Renee said we will be back in 2 weeks for our Season Premiere and what a premiere it will be! The 2019 Slammy Awards!
[Corey Graves] I THINK THE USE OF SLAM, CONSIDERING MANDY SLAMMED THROUGH THIS TABLE IS INCREDIBLY CRUEL, MAURO!
[Renee Young] I'm not sure who left this match with the worst of it, Mandy...or Corey?
[Mauro Ranallo] Nonetheless, thank you for tuning in, and have a good night!
The closing credits appear on the screen as Alexa stands atop of the stage, as she now stands atop the division as The New North American Champion. For 6 months she and Mandy waged hell, and it all led to this, waging hell one final time inside the most sinister match type in wrestling...and it's safe to say they lived up to its purpose and delivered a match we won't soon forget. But for every rivalry, there is a winner and loser, and despite Mandy's attempts to stay on top, the "friendship" with The Owner of XWL and the fruits that were born from that labor...she does not leave tonight with her title intact, or even her stunning looks and bodily features. She leaves title-less, covered in welts, and much like the mirror, Alexa Bliss-Missed her through? She leaves shattered and broken. Five Feet Of Fury stands proudly with her title, posing to the delight of the fans, and that is our final image of the night, a triumphant Alexa Bliss who now prepares to cross paths with an old foe, once again.
[Mauro Ranallo] Well ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for tonight's opening contest, Robert Roode, Aiden English, and WALTER have arrived in the ring, and now we see what YOU have voted for this match to be.
[Corey Graves] It was between a Falls Count Anywhere Match, an Elimination Match and a Ladder Match...but after your votes...Renee, please.
[Renee Young] You have decided that this #1 contenders match, to determine Chris Sabin's challenger at The 2019 Slammy Awards for The Intercontinental Championship...will be, an ELIMINATION MATCH!
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SPOILERS
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As Roode's GLORIOUS anthem blasts throughout the arena, it drowns out the boos that grow louder the longer the realization set in that the man who "broke up" with the fans has truly been "living his best life" since doing so. No, this crowd is not happy, but as for Robert Roode? Nothing can hide the obnoxiously cheesy smile all over his face as he stands up over a broken Aiden English and has his hand raised by the official, only amplifying the boos that much more.
[Mauro Ranallo] I feel like a broken record at this point, but Robert Roode with ANOTHER big time victory!
[Corey Graves] The fans voted for this match to be held under Elimination Rules, which meant that in order for Roode to win? He had to outlast both of his opponents, and he not only outlasted them, he eliminated BOTH of them!
[Renee Young] Now with this victory he has officially named himself The #1 Contender to Chris Sabin's Intercontinental Championship...the very title that Sabin's best friend and Tag-Team partner Chad Gable...took from Roode 2 years ago.
[Mauro Ranallo] And Roode's opportunity will come at this year's Slammy Awards. The very place he lost it 2 years ago, he will have the chance to win it back, but can he?
As the official lowers his arm, he goes over to Aiden who has since rolled out of the ring to check on him. Aiden definitely had anything but a "glorious" night, especially not when he was powerbombed by Roode through a table that was leaned in the corner, and as he barely was even functioning by that point, his cobweb-covered head was spiked into the remains of that table with a GLORIOUS DDT that has him hurting, both from the physicality, and the hit to his ego knowing he wanted to leave tonight with the number one contendership instead. With the referee tending to Aiden, Roode is left to continue his celebration, leaping up onto the second rope and basking in his victory, his smile inciting more boos, which only seems to make him even happier in this moment.
[Corey Graves] I think betting against a man like Roode who is so determined to right the wrong that took place at The Slammy Awards back in 2017 isn't a wise bet to make.
[Renee Young] The fact that he came back a month and a half ago, thanks to The Enterprise, with a new lease on his career...and it has thus far been impeccable? Certainly shows that Chris Sabin has a very tough challenge ahead of him. I may not particular like Roode's change in attitude, but it has been one hundred percent effective in raising his stock in XWL.
[Mauro Ranallo] Victory after victory he has stood tall, and with tonight's performance? He is only ONE victory away from erasing the past and forging a new future...a future that picks up where he last left off, at the very event where it left off.
[Renee Young] You know, we're talking a lot about what this night could mean for Robert Roode...I think perhaps I should go try to get a word with him to see what he believes this victory has achieved for him tonight. If you'll excuse me gentlemen, I'll be back in a bit.
The sound of a headset hitting the table follows as the focus remains on Roode, he's gotten to the point in his celebration where he shouts "GLORIOUS" along with his theme, kind of like the crowd used to, but now...he doesn't need them to serenade him, not when he can serenade himself! "GLORIOUS! NO I WON'T GIVE IN, I WON'T GIVE IN, TILL I'M VICTORIOUS!" He follows with a slight cackle, looking out into the audience hamming it up knowing that each second that passes only riles them up that much more. But as he gloats, and gloats....and gloats...Renee Young steps into the ring with a microphone in hand. He seems to notice something in her peripheral vision as his head turns and sees Renee. He hops down to the mat then walks over to her, seemingly accepting her request for an impromptu interview.
[Renee Young] Robert, congratulations on your victory...defeating BOTH Walter and Aiden English here tonight to become The NEW #1 Contender to The Intercontinental Championship!
[[Robert Roode]] Are you surprised? I told you, I told them, I told the ENTIRE WORLD...that this match was merely a formality, and low and behold, it was exactly that. I earned this opportunity the second I was brought back by The Enterprise, I earned this opportunity when I beat Kyle O'Reilly in my return to action, I earned this opportunity when I beat R-Truth the week after that, and I earned this opportunity when I defeated Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly AND Chris Sabin in a Fatal 4 Way Match. What I did tonight? Was leave not a single shadow of a doubt in anyone's minds that I am a man on a mission, and my mission is clear...to right the wrong that was done to me two years ago, and with tonight's victory? With my elimination of BOTH of my opponents? My mission is nearly complete. I have The Intercontinental Champion Chris Sabin, the foolish friend of the man who stole what belonged to me back at The 2017 Slammy Awards...and after just one more victory? I will have my revenge, at his expense, and Renee...trust me it is a costly expense.
[Renee Young] Let's talk about that, now...you came back and were very vocal about your intent to right the wrongs of your career starting at that fateful moment 2 years ago on The Slammy Awards when you voluntarily defended your title, and lost to Chad Gable.
[Renee Young] Um, I'm pretty sure you issued out the challenge in honor of your Slammy Award win.
[[Robert Roode]] Exactly, these people held a proverbial gun to my head DEMANDING to be entertained, and like a puppy starved for their love...willing to do anything to receive it, to feel "worthy" of it? I wagged my tail as I felt like I could conquer ANYTHING WITH THEM BY MY SIDE, WITH THEIR LOVE FUELING ME! But all their "love" did? Is run out the second some little squirt walked out here, stole their affection, AND my title!
[Renee Young] You will meet Chris Sabin one on one as you challenge for his Intercontinental Championship, and that clash will take place at this year's Slammy Awards. What does that night look like to you as you stand her envisioning it?
[[Robert Roode]] I have waited 2 long years for this, Renee...for a moment I never thought would come. I thought my career was out to pasture, that I was doomed to be some novelty act that returns for a cheap pop whenever the bills pile up too much...but thanks to Daniel Bryan? Thanks to Cesaro, thanks to The Enterprise? Thanks to the love and support of my gorgeous wife and my brilliant children? This moment HAS come, and the debt incurred on that fateful night where everything changed? Is about to be free and clear when I stand on The Slammy stage, WITH THE TITLE THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE LEFT MY HANDS!
[[Robert Roode]] I am no longer held back by these leeches. I am no longer restrained from rising to the greatness I was BORN to achieve. I am no longer fighting for their approval, I am fighting for MY FAMILY, for the future of my children, for THE GLORY I DESERVE! For the glory...I am owed, and am coming to collect at The Slammy Awards. I don't care about any categories I might be nominated for, the only trophy I want to leave that night with? Is The Intercontinental Championship, and I've got just the perfect place on my mantle for it when I do.
[Renee Young] What message do you have for The CURRENT Intercontinental Champion Chris Sabin, the man you will meet at this years Slammy Awards?
[[Robert Roode]] Chris, your reign as Intercontinental Champion is OVER, and you can thank your "best friend" for that!
HAIL SABIN!
As if taking this as his cue to appear ahead of his XWL Tag Team Championship defense later in the evening, Sabin's theme, something that hasn't been heard since he made his intentions to become the Intercontinental Champion clear, begins to play throughout the arena, much to the delight of the XWL Universe, anything to get Robert Roode to shut his mouth for a second is good in their books.
The words themselves appear on the Titantron, showing that we are in fact set for a collision course here tonight as Champion and newly crowned contender look to build a bit of momentum heading into the now official Intercontinental Championship match that has been set for the Slammy Awards Edition of Anarchy.
[Mauro Ranallo] Well speak his name and he shall appear, Chris Sabin THE DUAL Champion of XWL, one half of the YEAR LONG reigning Tag-Team Champions, and The Intercontinental Champion who will put his title on the line against his newly crowned #1 contender at this years Slammy Awards!
[Corey Graves] A bit disrespectful of The Champion to come out here during Roode's moment.
[Mauro Ranallo] When that moment is spent talking trash about their impending match it's only fair that he get the opportunity to address it himself, face to face.
A few moments pass before not only the Intercontinental Championship but also one half of the XWL Tag Team Champions (of the world!) steps out onto the stage, proudly wearing the Championship he's set to defend, the latter visibly absent from the “Stupid Idiot” from “Trash City.” As he begins his descent down the entrance ramp, Sabin's eyes remain locked in his hopeful challenger and the man that looks to avenge his loss at the Slammys two years ago, something that he's clearly not let go since those events transpired. Roode and Sabin's history dates back to the inaugural Motor City Cup, a tournament designed to honor The Motor City Machine Guns, where he and his then partner James Storm, formally Beer Money, would face the unlikely duo of Chad Gable and Chris Sabin. Following the then unnamed TCSI's impressive victory over the veteran team, Roode's stock would plummet while Sabin's would only just begin to rise. With Sabin holding a victory over Roode, it wouldn't be until two weeks ago that Roode would get that victory back in the form of a Fatal 4 Way match involving the Dual Champion, and while he didn't outright pin Sabin, it's still a victory over the Champion in Roode's eyes. By this point, Sabin has already descended down the entrance ramp and entered the ring, a microphone in hand as Champion and Challenger stand face to face in the center of the ring.
Chris Sabin Congratulations are in order, I suppose. You went into a triple threat match and eliminated both of your opponents. Now do that again inside the Elimination Chamber, where two of the greatest teams to ever step foot into this ring fought for tag team supremacy, and I guess Cutthroat Era were there too. Believe it or not, I'm actually glad you won. I know, it's quite the revelation. I've already beaten Walter, or WALTER as he prefers, and he attacked me after the match out of bitterness. A man that large, that talented doesn't need to resort to attacking someone from behind but here we are.
Chris Sabin Then there's Aiden English, also known as Not Velveteen Dream and former World Heavyweight Champion, a man that had all the potential in the world, managed to not only win Money in the Bank but also successfully cash it in and walk into Final Stand as World Heavyweight Champion. And after losing the Championship he fought so hard to attain, he found himself trying to take something that belonged to me: The XWL Tag Team Championships. After Chadsworth and myself beat him and Tyler Breeze, his partner saw the writing on the wall and decided to split. And who could blame him, you failed to become Intercontinental Champion, you failed to become World Heavyweight Champion, then you failed to become the XWL Tag Team Champions and with the Television Championship no longer a reality, what else is there left to fail at? But Aiden, young Aiden English wasn't about to simply walk away that easily, after all, if he couldn't take one of my Championships, why not try to take the other? And try he did but “try” can only get you so far and all it got him was put through a table and suffered a GLORIOUS end. Which brings me to you.
Chris Sabin Two years, was it? That's it? I spent over seven years fighting, I spent over seven years scratching and clawing my way to another Championship reign, over seven years of failure and doubt setting into my mind that maybe I wasn't good enough to become a Champion again. My first reign lasted two weeks, so after Chad Gable and myself became the XWL Tag Team Champions, I told myself that I wouldn't lose this one so easily, that I wouldn't repeat history, that I wouldn't be an afterthought this time around and guess what? We're STILL the longest, reigning, defending XWL Tag Team Champions of the world! And we still will be after the night is over, whether it's Bad Vibez or Truth and O'Reilly is irrelevant. Then there's the Intercontinental Championship that you're after. It took me six years since I got my first shot at it to become Champion, it took me six years to get this and if you think I'm losing it to you of all people, then you've got another thing coming.
Chris Sabin I get it, you have no idea how much I get it. You're pissed off that you lost the Intercontinental Championship to Chad Gable, I've lost to Gable too and it has pissed me off but at the end of the day, if it weren't for him, we wouldn't have held these XWL Tag Team Championships for as long as we have. You blame these people for pressuring you into defending the Championship when you didn't want to but with all your excuses and blame passing, the only person I haven't seen you blame is yourself. There was a point in my career where I blamed them for my failures as well, there was a time where I thought there was no way it was my fault and guess what? It was my fault. The sooner you realize that, the easier your loss at the Slammys will be.
Chris Sabin You and I are a lot alike, we've both made our name in tag team wrestling as part of two of the greatest teams to ever grace a wrestling ring, we've both tried to knock that chip from our shoulder, remove that stigma that we were only tag guys and our singles runs have had varying levels of success but it isn't until recently that we've both seem to have found our groove, me becoming the Intercontinental Champion and you being on the best roll of your career. You've managed to bounce back from irrelevancy and while your decisions won't win you any points with these people, the fact that this new found attitude has put you in an Intercontinental Championship match, that speaks volumes, doesn't it? On the other side of that coin, your history at the Slammys is well documented. So for your sake, let's hope that history doesn't repeat itself.
Roode flashes a temporary smile before his expression grows quite serious as he stares at The Intercontinental Champion, specifically...the title that he hasn't seen since it was taken from him by the other half of TCSI, Chad Gable.
[[Robert Roode]] For my sake? Oh no no no, don't you worry about me buttercup.
He takes a step forward, getting slightly in the face of The Champion.
[[Robert Roode]] I take accountability for my actions, and the only fault I had in what took place 2 years ago? Was letting these losers dictate my every move as if they hold all the power...but do you wanna know something? Something I realized when I was sitting at home, dodging question after question from my sons when they asked when daddy was going back to work? They don't control my fate here, I do! I choose not to listen to them, I choose not to pander to them, I choose not to allow myself to be brainwashed by them, to allow them to stroke my ego. This is the bell roll of my career, and that is to spite them, that is to spite this notion that they are GOD around here. These people, the people you crack jokes for on the nightly, the people you strive to entertain with your silly bits? They won't be there when you need them, but sure as hell DEMAND that you are there when THEY want you to be.
Roode's disdain for the fans has been abundantly made clear with each opportunity he has a microphone in front of him, and right now is no exception. The constant ragging on them only incites the boos to keep pouring in as he speaks, but rather than paying them any mind he just ups the volume of his tone and continues talking over them, as if they don't exist...because in his mind since coming back? They don't exist.
[[Robert Roode]] Until I came back last month, no one gave a damn where I was, what I was doing, or what had happened to me...then suddenly I come back, and they're all singing to my theme music, they're cheering my appearance, they're celebrating my return...as if they think I'm just going to come back crawling to them all because they acknowledged my existence. Well no, that isn't what happened...and while you've done tremendous things in the past 2 years...while this last year specifically has been nothing short of incredible? You are not going to beat me, because you can't, because I haven't worked my ass off to get this opportunity just to let it slip through my fingers, just to let your buddy Chad Gable get away with what he did to me. You are my enemy by association, you've decided to associate yourself with the man who robbed me of TWO YEARS OF MY CAREER....and you've decided to associate yourself with PROPERTY OF THE ENTERPRISE!
The Enterprise did seem to plan to seize control of all Championships in XWL, but with them being down a member due to Cesaro's untimely injury you'd think they would maybe shift that focus...but it seems as if they still view every title in the Men's division as their property, The Intercontinental Championship included.
[[Robert Roode]] That Intercontinental Championship? Belongs to me, and at The Slammys? You're going to hand it over, whether you like it or not...because I'm tired of just being full of guts, I'M HERE FOR MY FREAKING GLORY!
Roode throws his microphone down to the canvas, causing a considerable "thud" to echo as he steps even closer to Sabin and allows him to stare into his eyes, to see how determined, and beyond that...how CERTAIN he is that The Intercontinental Championship is his, and he is going to indeed collect it from him at The Slammy Awards when they clash one on one.
Chris Sabin Well, I guess there's only one thing left to do...
Sabin lowers the Intercontinental Championship from his shoulder down to his side before dropping it onto the canvas and tosses the microphone over his shoulder, creating a handful of thuds after it connects with the thinly layered padding on the outside of the ring, each lessening in volume as it becomes stationary. The live audience in attendance is excited to see the former Intercontinental Champion get what's coming to him after he turned his back on them and just when it seemed like we would get a preview of what's to come, a smirk appears on Sabin's face as he extends his arm towards the Glorious One.
Chris Sabin Good luck.
The majority of the crowd doesn't hear this but it's easily picked up on the camera's microphone. Roode looks down at Sabin's extended hand, perplexed at the gesture to say the least. The cogs begin to turn in his mind as a subtle smile appears on his face. He goes to extend his arm to meet the Champion's, less than good intentions clearly in his mind, but just before it makes contact, Sabin pulls it away, mouthing “It pays to be Roode” before dropping onto his back and rolling out of the ring, taking possession of the Intercontinental Championship before making his way up the ramp with a smile on his face, leaving a fuming Roode in the ring. Sabin lifts the Intercontinental Championship high into the air while walking backwards up the ramp, the last image shown is that of Champion and Challenger staring each other down from opposite ends of the arena.
The crowd goes wild, already hyped up after watching the PPV Intro with Daniel Bryan and Bobby Roode, as well as the interesting turn of events that just happened to Joey Janela outside of the arena. The Cyberslam theme song plays as Renee officially welcomes the millions watching at home.
Renee Young Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Cyberslam!!! We’re live here from Orlando, Florida!! And man do we have a great night in sto-
The crowd lets out a boo heavy mixed reaction as The Miz and Maryse step out onto the stage.
The crowd lets out a boo heavy mixed reaction
**The Miz** Okay, okay, okay… Cut the music..
The Miz’s music comes to an abrupt halt.
**The Miz** Look, I think that we started off on the wrong foot last week…
The Miz and Maryse are still standing on the stage, looking out towards the crowd.
**The Miz** I know that I can be a little full of myself… Some people might even call me arrogant.. Only some people, a very small amount in fact… But it’s hard not to be cocky when you look like I do, act like I do, wrestle like I do, and well.. Have a smoking hot wife, like I do!!!
The crowd lets out a laugh, as well as a mixed reaction of boos and cheers.
**The Miz** But at the end of the day, the reason that I am here, the reason that I am who I am.. Is you.. All of you.. The fans.. The XWL Universe.. The greatest fan base in the world.. I mean, obviously my natural good looks, unmatched charisma, and hollywood smile didn’t hurt… But without you there would be no Miz…
The reaction is now starting to become more 50/50 in terms of boos and cheers are concerned
**The Miz** And you people might not know it, you might not even be able to appreciate it, but I’ve been saying “thank you” ever since I took a break from in ring competition.. I’ve been saying “thank you” by promoting this company on all the red carpets, all the globally watched talk shows, all of the most prestigious interviews.. I’ve been doing everything in my power to make sure that Anarchy was the most talked about wrestling show in all of sports entertainment.. Because I’m an A-Lister, and every company needs an A-Lister to keep them relevant. It takes more than Daniel Bryan showing off his grappling ability, or Matt Sydal flipping around the ring, or even TCSI making us laugh with their antics. They don’t sell out arenas.. A-Lister’s sell out arenas.. And I’m the only A-Lister left in XWL. The Rock is gone, Cena is gone.. They’re off doing their own thing, for themselves.. They’re not promoting XWL. They’re not using their fame to put the spotlight on Anarchy.. I AM!! Each and every day I’m putting work in for YOU!! Miz and Mrs.? That’s to help promote this company!! That’s to help keep these damn lights on in the arena!! You like that stage pyro earlier? Well without me there wouldn’t be enough money in the budget for it!! I’m not saying that I’ve been carrying this company on my back..
The Miz rubs his shoulders.
**The Miz** But I do have to say, my shoulders are a little sore.. And look, I don’t expect anything in return. You can still dislike me if you want, you can still boo me if you feel like it, I know that I’m just as much fun to hate as I am to love, but just know that at the end of the day I don’t do what I do for the money, or the big houses, or the fancy clothes. I do what I do for two things… All of you… And my family.. Maryse and my daughter Monroe, who you can watch on our reality TV series “Miz and Mrs.” on the USA Network every Monday!!
The crowd lets out a “Monroe is Awesome chant, which causes Maryse and The Miz to smile.
**The Miz** So in order to say thank you I arranged for a fun guest for you all on tonight’s Miz TV later on.. She’s a hugger, not a fighter.. You all love her!!!.. That’s right!! It’s Bayley!!!
The crowd goes wild at the mention of Bayley’s name.
**The Miz** But that’s not all that’s in store for tonight!! As you all know it’s Cyberslam!! Which means that for all of tonight’s matches you got to vote upon either the stipulation or contender for it!! The votes aren’t in yet, but I can’t wait to see the results when they are!! Did you vote for a Falls Count Anywhere? Elimination? Or a ladder match for tonight’s Triple Threat between WALTER, Bobby Roode, and Aiden English..
The crowd lets out a boo at the mention of the three contenders.
**The Miz** As if any of those chumps have a chance of taking that title from Chris Sabin..
A “Sabin” chant begins to form in the crowd.
**The Miz** And what stipulation is going to be voted for in the North American Title Number One Contenders Match!?!? Nia Jax and Ruby Riot will be facing off in either a Ladder Match.. Street Fight… A match where Charlotte Flair is the guest referee..
The crowd boos. A few people can’t help from “Woo”ing of course.
**The Miz** Or a match where Sarah Logan is referee.. I hope that you all didn’t vote for Charlotte to be referee!! Because if you did, I don’t know if Bianca Belair will be there to even the odds this time. Like when the two pulled an “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” and teamed up to take out Charlotte and Nia a few weeks ago.. That being said, Ruby now has Sarah Logan to watch her back.. So maybe it’s Nia and Charlotte that should be fearing the number games now!! Speaking of Charlotte Flair, she will be taking on Bianca Belair.. And you got to vote for whether you wanted Bianca…
The crowd cheers, chanting “EST”
**The Miz** Or Charlotte to pick the stipulation of the match!!! Look, I love Ric Flair, and am so thankful for what he has taught me and how he has inspired me in the past.. But I can’t agree with how his daughter has been handling herself as of late here in XWL.. So I hope that she doesn’t get to pick the stipulation, because I bet that if she does then she will pick a Submission Match.. And trust me, I know how effect a well executed Figure Four Leg Lock can be.. For Bianca’s sake she better hope that she gets to pick the stipulation.. TCSI will be in action tonight!!
The biggest pop of the night happens at the mention of XWL’s favorite Tag Team.
**The Miz** Against either the team of Adam Cole and.. Dominic Dijikiov..
**The Miz** Dijivokiv?
The Miz looks over at Maryse with a puzzled look. She shrugs her shoulders, saying “It’s not French, I don’t know what it is!!”
**The Miz** Dijikivik?
The Miz shrugs his shoulders.
**The Miz** Or the team of R-Truth and Kyle O'Reilly.. The choice is yours!! Do you want to watch great wrestling!!!.. .Orrrrr do you want to see Truth, O’Reilly, Sabin, and Gable pull a bunch of shenanigans in the ring.. Honestly I’m game to watch either!! But only you get to choose!! We also have the corporate sell out Daniel Bryan..
The crowd lets out the loudest boo of the night at the mention of the World Champ.
**The Miz** Taking on either Jon Moxley, Joey Janela, Keith Lee, or Finn Balor.. As we saw earlier, Keith Lee promises that a vote for him is a vote for five star quality beef, and unsanitary championship belts.. Finn Balor, well, honestly I’m not sure if we’re going to be seeing “The Demon” or Finn Balor tonight if he’s voted for. For Bryan’s sake, he better hope it’s not “The Demon”.. Well, actually, he better be hoping that it’s not Moxley for that matter. After what had the say about Bryan, well, if I were the champ Moxley would be the last person I would want to step in the ring with.. And of course as we just saw, Joey Janela views this as a popularity contest, and seems preoccupied with being a “Bad Boy” with his off again, now on again girlfriend Penelope.. Which makes them the second best couple in XWL.. Well, maybe third behind Moxley and Renee… But Joey and Penelope definitely aren’t the worst couple in XWL.. The worst “couple” in XWL is Vince McMahon and Mandy Rose!!! Which, speaking of Rose, brings me to the main event.. Mandy Rose against Alexa Bliss.. Hell In a Cell... Who here misses Kairi Sane?
The crowd goes wild, chanting Sane’s name.
**The Miz** Well then hopefully you all voted for the stipulation that if Alexa Bliss wins, not only will she become the new North American Champion, but her best friend Kairi Sane will be reinstated as an XWL Superstar!! The other options of course, is if Alexa wins then Vince McMahon will be “officially” fired as General Manager. I say “officially” because right now it seems like Linda McMahon is in charge. Which, usually is the case.. The wife being in charge.. Right Maryse?
Maryse rolls her eyes and gives Miz her signature hand taunt.
**The Miz** And of course there are the last two options, which are the wrong ones.. And we will leave it at that… So… Are you all ready to finally, after a week of waiting, find out who my opponent will be tonight??.. I know that Mandy vs. Alex is the “main event”, but I promise you that “The Miz” is going to be the name trending after Cyberslam!!
**The Miz** Like I said before, everything that I’ve done, I’ve done for all of you, and for this business… Well, tonight we have a sold out crowd, and tonight is my much anticipated in ring return, coincidence? I think not… I bet if you go to the merchandise stands all of my merch is already sold out, which is okay, because you can still purchase it online at XWL.com/store. Just search “most popular” and all of my merch should pop up on the top.. Just like this T-Shirt!!
The Miz walks over to one of the fans in the front row next to the stage who is wearing a Miz “Awesome” shirt. He high fives the fan.
**The Miz** But I digress.. Tonight is Cyberslam!! Which means tonight is all about you!!! The fans!! The XWL Universe!!! So I thought to myself, what better way is there of thanking the fans then returning to In Ring Competition on the Pay Per View that is all about them!! AND have it be against THE biggest legend in the company, brother!!
The crowd begins to buzz in anticipation.
**The Miz** I’m not going to lie.. The ratings are at an all time low.. That’s why I’m back. I’m here to give XWL the star power that it needs to be noticed again. I’m here to bring in all the guest celebrities, all the TV deals, all the people that didn’t give XWL a chance before because it didn’t have a true star on the roster, a true A-Lister like me.. So in order to say thank you to all of you, for helping me become what I am, I made a few phone calls… And… Well… Orlando Florida… My opponent for my big in ring return…
The Miz pauses for dramatic effect.
**The Miz** Hulk Hogan!!!
The crowd goes wild as The Miz steps aside with a smile on his face. The cheers grow even louder as the living legend himself, Hulk Hogan, steps out onto the stage.
Hogan does his signature pose, which Miz does alongside him, as the fans go wild.
The music fades as Hogan is handed a mic. He paces back and forth on the stage, looking out at the cheering crowd. The Miz smiles as the crowd goes wild, cheering too loud for Hogan to talk.. After a few moments the crowd finally settles down and Hogan begins to speak.
HulkHogan It’s great to be back here, on Anarchy!!
HulkHogan It’s great to be here in Orlando, Florida Brother!!
The crowd goes wild. The Miz is smiling, clapping as well.
HulkHogan And speaking of greatness, it’s great to be here with my friend.. The Awesome One!! The Miz!!!
The crowd lets out a cheer, with a few boos.
**The Miz** Oh, you’re too kind Hulkster!! But it’s truly an honor to be standing next to you, let alone being in a match with you!!
HulkHogan I’m not going to lie. When you called me up and asked me if I could still go in the ring, I had some concerns.. After all, health is an issue..
**The Miz** I thought that you got cleared to compete? I mean look at you!! You’re in the best shape of your life!! You look great!!
Hulk flexes for the crowd, who chant “Hogan”
HulkHogan Thanks brother.. And you’re right. I am in the greatest shape of my life. Even though I’m not wrestling, I’ve been staying in shape. As a matter of fact I’ve been doing DDP Yoga, it’s great!!
The Miz smiles.
**The Miz** Ahh, I see that you are also a master at cheap plugs!! DDP Yoga huh? I could probably use it, I can’t even touch my toes!!
Maryse taps The Miz on the shoulder and says “I can”.. The Miz looks Maryse up and down and says “Oh I know you can..”
HulkHogan Listen brother.. My health concerns… They weren’t for me.. They were for you Miz..
HulkHogan You’ve faced a lot of the best wrestlers of your time, brother. But I come from a whole different species of wrestlers. I’m not like Daniel Bryan or Chris Sabin. When someone like you gets hit with a punch from these twenty four inch pythons..
Hulk does his signature pose.
HulkHogan Well, all I can say is that you better say your prayers and take your vitamins before our match brother...
The Miz looks excited as the crowd cheers.
**The Miz** Alright!! The Hulkster still has it!! You see!! I promised I wouldn’t disappoint!!
The Miz checks his phone.
**The Miz** “The Miz vs. Hulk Hogan” is currently the number one thing trending on Twitter!! THAT’S what happens when you have an A Lister in this company!!.. You see, having me around is not that bad after all!!!
The Miz smiles as the fans give off a cheer heavy mixed reaction now.
**The Miz** Hulkster, tonight the fans are going to be able to choose what type of match we compete in.. What do you hope that they vote for? Lumberjack Match? Iron Man Match? Or First Blood Match?.. Do you even think that you could make it through an Iron Man Match still? All I’m saying is I’m hoping it’s a Lumberjack Match.. I’m not trying to make an old man bleed!!
Hogan takes a step closer to The Miz.
HulkHogan Listen brother, I’ve been wrestling a lot longer than you have, and I’ve been in Hollywood a lot longer than you have.. You might think that you have the advantage because I’m older than you are, but that’s where you’re wrong. That’s MY advantage jack. I come from an Era where people your size were referees. I could out bench you with one arm tied behind my back, even at this age.. I could beat you in an arm wrestling match, with just my finger.. You’ve never been hit by someone like me. You have no idea what’s coming your way. If it’s an Iron Man Match, I’d be more worried about you staying conscious for an hour, when you step in the ring with me, brother..
The Miz takes a few steps back.
**The Miz** Alright, alright.. Save it for the match.. In retrospect I probably should have started my phone conversation by asking if you’ve been hitting the gym lately, you know, before asking you for a match.. But hey.. It’s what the people want!! Isn’t that right!!
The crowd cheers.
**The Miz** Speaking of what the people want. I just got a text on my phone from Linda McMahon that the votes are in!!! Hulkster, she sent me our results!! We’re going to be facing off in….
The crowd begins to buzz with anticipation.
**The Miz** A LUMBERJACK MATCH!!!
The crowd goes wild as The Miz and Hogan both nod their heads, happy with the choice.
**The Miz** I have one more question for you Hulk.
HulkHogan No. This isn’t Miz TV. You’re not the one asking the questions here.. Because I have a question.. For youuuu!!!
The Miz looks confused, saying “what is it?”.
HulkHogan Whatcha gonna do, brother? Whatcha gonna do when HulkaCyberSlam runs wild on you!!
Hulk rips his shirt off and towers over The Miz as the crowd goes wild.
Hogan glares down The Miz for a few moments before smiling and offering his hand. The Miz smiles as well, shaking Hogan’s extended hand. The Miz’s smile quickly turns to a look of pain as Hogan is squeezing his hand a little too hard. Hogan realizes and lets go quickly, saying “Sorry brother”, not realizing his own strength. The Miz nervously pats Hogan on the back as, saying “no problem” as we are brought to a video package hyping up the North American Championship #1 Contender Match.
The Miz promises a match of a lifetime against a surprise living legend. What type of match do you want to see The Miz compete in for his big in ring return?
What type of match will it be?
A. Lumberjack B. Ironman C. First Blood
Tag-Team Championship Match
Who will be the challengers?
A. Adam Cole & Dominik Dijakovic B. Kyle O'Reilly and R-Truth
Its a battle of THE EST versus The Queen
Who chooses the stipulation?
A. Charlotte chooses the stipulation B. Bianca chooses the stipulation
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Who will be the challenger?
A. Joey Janela B. Jon Moxley C. The Demon Finn Balor D. Keith Lee
MAIN-EVENT
Hell In A Cell Match For The North American Championship
What will be the added stipulation to the conclusion of this rivalry?
A. If Alexa wins Kairi Sane is reinstated as an XWL Superstar B. If Alexa wins Mr. McMahon is fired as General Manager C. If Mandy wins she's granted a restraining order against Alexa D. If Mandy wins Alexa Bliss is fired
The bell rings signaling the beginning of this match and both men immediately run right up in each other’s faces, beginning to unleash a series of blows to each other. WALTER appears to have the upper hand due mainly to the sheer size difference between the two men, but Aiden’s been around long enough to know a trick or two. While WALTER lands a series of blows to the back of Aiden’s head, Aiden continues to back himself up to the ropes, as WALTER’s continued momentum sends both men over the top rope and crashing to the outside. But this doesn’t seem to stop either of the men, as they continue to throw a series of fists at each other on the outside, seemingly not caring at all about getting back in the ring.
1
Both men continue to exchange blows, seemingly not paying any attention whatsoever to the referee beginning his count.
2
The exchange continues, with WALTER once again gaining the upper hand, delivering a series of fists straight to the chest of Aiden English.
3
4
Aiden manages to deliver blows to the gut of WALTER, sending him staggering backwards. Quickly taking advantage of this opportunity, Aiden grabs the head of WALTER and slams it into the barricade, beginning to deliver a series of blows to his chest while he’s pressed up against the railing.
5
6
WALTER catches one of Aiden’s hands, ending his series of blows. Grabbing Aiden by the arm, WALTER tosses Aiden away from him, demonstrating extremely impressive strength.
7
WALTER marches over to Aiden, looking to exact some more punishment. However, just as he almost makes his way over, Aiden manages to make his way to his feet and shove him into the ring post.
8
9
With a smirk on his face, Aiden attempts to roll into the ring, however, just before he can do so, WALTER grabs his arm, and forcefully sends it into the same post his back was just sent into.
10
As the bell is rung, declaring the match a double countout, both men instantly seem visibly upset. Both men had a plan coming into this match, a way for them to gain momentum heading into the #1 contender’s match at Cyberslam. However, it appears that their anger in the moment clouded both of their game plans, leaving neither men with the momentum. As Anarchy continues, we witness a heated staredown between the two men, clearly ready to tear each other apart on Sunday.
As Anarchy rolls right along, we see none other than Dasha Fuentes standing by with The Glorious One himself, Bobby Roode. Or, at least we would call him Bobby but as we all know we're no longer friends with him, so even in our inner monologue we have to remember to call him Robert Roode.
[Dasha Fuentes] Robert, I understand you've requested this time tonight. What is it you would like to say?
[[Bobby Roode]] Someone of my caliber should not have to request time, it should be bestowed unto thee...but, seeing as everyone's frantically getting all their ducks in a row before XWL's Season Finale extravaganza, Cyberslam...I'll let that pass, just this once. Unfortunately I'm here tonight to address several things, the first being that last week during the dark match Main-Event featuring The King Of The Ring Cesaro, which was horrible planning because who books such a big Fatal Four Way Match only to have it be for the live audience only? Anyways, my fellow Enterprise brother Cesaro was injured in the final moments of that match and myself and Daniel Bryan have to confirm as of this moment that Cesaro will be away for a bit.
[Dasha Fuentes] We did see that XWL quietly pulled you two from The Tag-Team Championship vote to determine TCSI's challengers...and a Triple Threat Match between yourself, Walter, and Aiden English was added to determine The New #1 Contender to The Intercontinental Championship, I guess Cesaro's unfortunate injury was the reason for that.
[[Bobby Roode]] That is correct, but let me just state this...had this not happened? We clearly would have won the vote, and would have left Cyberslam as The NEW Tag-Team Champions. I beat Adam Cole last week, I beat R-Truth the week before, and I beat Kyle O'Reilly the week before that. The people would have had no choice but to make the correct decision when it came to that vote. But, TCSI's Tag-Team reign has been spared...and the other two teams now get to duke it out for that right. HOWEVER, Chris Sabin's reign as Intercontinental Champion? Is now in more danger than ever...that is the title I was robbed off by his petulant brat of a partner...and sweet GLORIOUS...revenge will be taking that title away from him, and Chad knowing that he made me do this.
[Dasha Fuentes] Don't you think that's a little much, it was 2 years ago...
[[Bobby Roode]] Exactly that, Dasha...it WAS 2 years ago...two LONG years that have been wasted because of that moment. My return has been impeccable, but no matter how many people I beat, no matter HOW I beat them? That is the blemish that will continue to stick with me until I right that injustice. Chris Sabin chooses to fraternize with that man, and because of his choice of company? I have to do what has to be done, and while I may not have an issue with Chris per say? His involvement with Chadwick? Means that he supports what he did to me, and I'm sorry about Sabin's damn luck, because now he has to pay for the friends he's chosen to keep.
[Dasha Fuentes] That is assuming you are able to defeat Walter and Aiden English, who both plan to leave Cyberslam with The #1 Contendership. Let's talk about the additional factor in Cyberslam...the fans voting the type of match. Now it's between a Ladder Match, an Iron Man Match, and an Elimination Match...do you have a preference?
[[Bobby Roode]] My preference would be to not have to associate with these two losers in some last minute booking as if I should be apart of ANYONE's last minute decision. Didn't Chris beat Walter last month? Didn't Chris and Chad beat Aiden to retain their Tag-Team Championships like a month ago? Didn't he specifically pin Aiden to do so? In what reality are they remotely in the same conversation as me?
[Dasha Fuentes] Well, Walter did attack Sabin after their match at Warzone...and Aiden may have been pinned by him but that was in a Tag-Team Match, and the story could be different in a one on one scenario.
[[Bobby Roode]] So Walter is a sore loser, that's his qualification to be associated with a WINNER like me? And we're just going to make an ass out of ourselves and assume that Aiden might not completely squander a potential Intercontinental Championship Match like he squandered his Tag-Team title one? Meanwhile you have me, literally VICTORIOUS in every scenario since I came back...and what? That doesn't mean I'm more deserving?
[Dasha Fuentes] You could say if you are more deserving then you'll surely win so it shouldn't matter that you have to, right?
[[Bobby Roode]] That's not the point, I know I'll win...but the level of disrespect associated with having to even go through this formality is just appalling. Do you know who I am? No, do you TRULY know who I am? I am ROBERT ROODE...a father, a husband, a hell of a wrestler...and above all of that? I'M A WINNER! I win, and what I should be doing is facing Chris at Cyberslam, not having to "earn" an opportunity that I have already earned.
Just as Robert Roode finishes his interview with Dasha, WALTER enters in from the right of the screen standing their arms behind his back as per his normal stance in his signature tailed trench coat staring a hole through Roode.
Before WALTER can say anything however, a large "ahem" is heard coming from the left side of the screen, and as the camera pans over none other than Aiden English is revealed, making his way into view, staring at both Robert Roofer and the man he is going to face tonight, WALTER. WALTER doesn't seem to notice however, and decides to say the same thing he was planning to say to Bobby.
WALTER Schlechter Verlierer? (Sore Loser?)
WALTER BACKPFEIFENGESICHT
Just as WALTER seems to insult Robert Roode in his native language, he goes to throw a punch to seemingly incapacitate Roode, he slips out and the punch connects on Aiden English instead knocking him to the floor. In disbelief WALTER turns around looking for Robert Roode but he is nowhere to be seen. WALTER then shouts in his native language.
WALTER HOSENSCHEISSER! (Coward!)
Focusing on Roode turns out to be a mistake however, as he is quickly hit in the back with a microphone stand, quickly scavenged by Aiden English. The hit makes a loud crack, and WALTER is sent to the floor. Aiden English holds the stand in hand, furious, staring down at the man he's facing tonight, but the last thing we see is him looking out to the hallway, sending a message to Roode.
As the now iconic theme of Trash City Stupid Idiots begins to play, the live audience in attendance lights up with cheers directed at the men that not only successfully defended their XWL Tag Team Championships seven days ago, but also successfully defended the Intercontinental Championship earlier in that evening. With two grueling matches, as well as two well deserved victories, Gable and Sabin look towards the future at their impending and rapidly approaching defense, but who will their opponents be? As that question lingers in the air, the “Stupid Idiots” from “Trash City” emerge from behind the curtain, Gable wearing his half of the gold proudly around his waist while Sabin mirrors it by also having his half of the Championships wrapped around his waist and the Intercontinental Championship diagonally around his chest, it's already bad enough trying to remove the Tag Team Championships from his grasp, will the Intercontinental Championship follow the same fate?
The duo stands back to back on the stage as a spotlight falls over them, both men extending their arms out towards the ring in the shape of a gun, Gable being on the right extends his left while Sabin extends his right before they fire their shot, a small wall of pyrotechnics going off on either side of them. They begin making their way down the ramp, slapping the hands of the XWL Universe on either side of them as they continue their uneventful descent down towards the ring. Upon making it to the ringside area, Gable rolls into the ring through the bottom rope while Sabin continues walking around the ring and makes it to the timekeeper's area, retrieving two microphones and joins Gable inside the confines of the ring. He tosses him a microphone, which Gable catches with ease, their theme dying down as they stand side by side in the center.
Chris Sabin AND STILL THE LONGEST
[Chad Gable] REIGNING
Chris Sabin DEFENDING
[Chad Gable] XWL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS
Chris Sabin OF THE WORLD!
[Chad Gable] AND STILL THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION!
Chris Sabin Eighteen months ago almost to the day, I made my return to this company at the expense at my now best friend and tag team partner in Chad Gable and if you told me we would end up where we currently are, I would have laughed in your face. Not only did we capture lightning in a bottle, not only did we put the Tag Team Division on the map, we ARE the division! For the better part of a year, we have had challenger after challenger, team after team, come after us, after these prestigious XWL Tag Team Championships only to fail at taking these from our possession. We've built a bit of a reputation for ourselves as the greatest tag team to ever step into this ring or any other, we were and are the team to beat and since becoming Tag Team Champions, not one team has taken these from us. When the lights were at their brightest, when there was no room for error, when the pressure was on and our backs were to the wall, we remained your Tag Team Champions.
Chris Sabin For a division that has struggled to get off the ground for the better part of a decade, trust me, I know, I've been there before, to see it prosper is nothing short of miraculous. With that said, this combination of myself and Chad Gable is also miraculous, this is something that shouldn't have worked, our history up to that point dictated that we would never unite under a single banner, after all, we had spent four months beating the hell out of each other. On paper, we had no business trusting each other and we didn't but the combination of being excluded from a tournament that was supposed pay homage to the effort myself and Alex Shelley put into getting a tag division many years ago just didn't sit right with me and the fact that the man I just went to hell and back with found himself without a partner, I saw my opening and took it. And the rest is, as they say, history.
Chris Sabin One year later and we're still here. Many teams have come and gone, trying to take these Championships from us, whether it's an attempt to capture the same lightning in a bottle that we did a year ago or trying to become a Champion and going after us because they think it'll be an easy win, it doesn't matter because we've shown over the past year that you'll need a lot more than synergy to beat us, you'll need a lot more than natural talent, you'll need a lot more than one liners and fancy team names to take these Championships from us. We are the constant, we are the reason this division is still standing and to all the Johnny come lately tag teams that think they have what it takes to remove these Tag Team Championships from our possession, be prepared for failure. We've beaten teams that have teamed for much longer than you have and that were much better than you are, so the question remains: Who's next?
Bad Vibez’ entrance music begins playing as the arena fills with boos. Adam Cole and Dominic Dijakovic emerge from the curtain with their arms outstretched and cocky smiles on their faces. Adam then begins to speak.
Adam Cole: Who’s next you say? Dominik, did you hear that? They think they’ve run out of competition here in XWL. Well, let me introduce to you the best duo this company will ever see. My name is Adam Cole.
The crowd screams BAY BAY as Cole pauses and listens to the uproar. Cole smiles before speaking again.
Adam Cole: And this giant is my buddy, Dominic Dijakovic. Feast your eyes on the future Tag Team Champions of XWL! So, you two think you’ve done it all? Have you beaten everyone there is to beat? Take a second look at your next competitors. The true elite of wrestling. We will take what belongs to us and that is those nice looking tag team titles. Hell, Sabin, I might as well take that Intercontinental Title off your hands too. You don’t deserve either because you aren’t the best. We are. Everyone here knows that we deserve this title shot more than anyone else, because we’re that damn good. People are tired of seeing two pieces of crap run this division into the dirt, so consider us the Saviors of this division. You’re welcome.
The crowd erupts into boos as Cole hands the mic to his partner.
[Dₒₘᵢₙᵢₖ Dᵢⱼₐₖₒᵥᵢc] Settle down, you don’t have any say in this and I know you’d love to hear us grovel. No, this was a long time coming and all I have to say is to you two assjacks in the ring, you’ve met your match. You defended and climbed to the top of the mountain and fought oh so hard. Cole and I don’t hate you, although we don’t like you much at all. I respect the team effort and building this division to where you made the foundation, laid the groundwork for OUR Bad Vibes. On behalf of Cole and I, THANK YOU!
Dijakovic and Adam put their hands together praying and raising them up mocking that they are grateful for them.
[Dₒₘᵢₙᵢₖ Dᵢⱼₐₖₒᵥᵢc] You’re saved by the bell, is what I would like to say but you know damn well that once the bell rings for that match to begin at CyberSlam and we are promptly proudly voted in to dismantle TCSI, it’ll be our prophecy fulfilled. The Undisputed Era couldn’t get it done, but we aren’t them. We’re still UN-DE-FEA-TED… and what that means is you’re going to feel everything bad and everything good will fade away once we rip your Tag Team Championships off your beaten broken and battered bodies. XWL management did something right for once, they listened and here we are.. we’re looking at the Fools with the Gold, oh how the mighty shall fall. My fists, your FACE. My knees, your FACE! My boots, you guessed it.. YOUR.. F-
Dominik is cut off as Cole and him step to the side talking to each other off the microphone blatantly disrespected by the arrival of...
{Kyle O'Reilly} Hey...
The four men in the ring try to source where the voice came from, as the cameras pick up on a concerned looking Kyle O'Reilly walking through the crowd
{Kyle O'Reilly} Super sorry to interrupt, honestly I am, it looks like you're having some kind of important meeting so I won't take up too much of your time, I promise!
Tcsi seem amused by Kyles arrival, but Cole and Djankovic couldn't be more pissed off as he jumps over the barricade behind the announcers table
{Kyle O'Reilly} See I'm in a bit of a pickle, and I really don't know what to do. Truth and I were searching for Walter so we could get the million dollar championship back, we spent hours looking for the man, but I got a little bit peckish and I might have, kind of, left him on his own and now I can't find him!
Kyle shakes his head and looks down, ashamed of himself for abandoning his best friend just to satisfy his hunger.
Kyle O’Reilly Well come out then!!
The crowd laughs as Truth sticks out his head from under the ring and looks to his left, then his right. His hand pops out from under the apron, revealing that he is holding a microphone in his hand.
R-Truth NO!! I’m mad at you!!
Kyle O’Reilly How did you find a working microphone dow- Nevermind.. Why don’t you want to come out from under the ring Truth?
R-Truth Mr. Kyle…. You left me all alone before!! I offered you a pocket dog, but you just left me!! I was lost!! I didn’t know where to go!! So.. So I went into the vents to hide.. Mr. Kyle… I was in the vents.. I was wandering past Vince McMahon’s office.. And that’s where I saw it.. Well, two of them actually… And they were..
Kyle O’Reilly Oh no….
Kyle puts his head in his hands as he realizes what Truth saw in the vents. Last week it was Alexa Bliss who had to see it.. And now Truth?.. And with Truth being in the mental state that he’s in, there’s no way of telling how he will handle this..
R-Truth Oh Mr. Kyle, it was horrible.. I saw-
Kyle O’Reilly You don’t have to sa-
R-Truth SPIDERS!!!!!
The crowd laughs as Kyle looks at Truth with a blank expression.
R-Truth It was terrible Mr. Kyle!! They were huge!! And they had ten legs each!!
Kyle O’Reilly What?.. Yeah, I mean it, Truth. I’m really sorry. I fee-
R-Truth Okay!!
Truth smiles and hops out from under the ring as Kyle walks over to him.
R-Truth Well, seeing as we’re best friends again, and seeing as Chris Shelley and Alex Gable are standing right there looking for challengers, why don’t we throw our name into the shirt?
Kyle O’Reilly You mean into the hat?
R-Truth What?
Kyle O’Reilly Yes. I think that’s a great idea Truth.
R-Truth Me too!! After all, I don’t have the Intercontinental Money in the Bank briefcase anymore, because I cashed it in last week.. And lost…
Sabin smiles to himself in the ring as he remembers his victory last week against Truth.
R-Truth And then after the match WALTER pinned me for my 24/7 7-11 Eurpean Million Dollar Title… So now I have no briefcase.. And no championship…
Kyle O’Reilly Well it looks like it’s time to change that!!
Truth and Kyle high five and then slide into the ring. Kyle walks right up to Sabin and Gable as Truth walks up to Cole and his partner. They raise their mics and speak at the same time.
Kyle O’ReillyR-Truth We challenge you for the Tag Team Titles!!!
Kyle looks over at Truth with a confused expression as Truth does the same to Kyle.
Kyle O’Reilly Truth, they’re not the champs.. Sabin and Gable are.. Look at their titles..
Truth realizes that he walked up to the wrong people. He then does a double take as he sees Adam Cole’s partner.
R-Truth Oh you’re right.. I don’t even know who this is…
Truth then walks over to Kyle, and joins him in getting in Sabin and Gable’s faces.
R-Truth We challenge you for your Intercon-
Kyle O’Reilly Tag Team..
R-Truth Tag Team Titles!!!
The boo's reign down from the XWL universe as the theme of XWL's King Of The Ring begins to blast within the arena, within moments the King Of The Ring Cesaro and his newly found Enterprise ally in Bobby Roode both step out onto the stage with mics in hand. As one would expect, superstars of their wealth and stature are both suited and booted for the occasion so to speak. The two Enterprise members take position in the center of the stage as Cesaro's theme cuts off and the sheer amount of boo's reigning down upon this duo instantly become more evident. Cesaro and Roode laugh off the hate amongst themselves, chalking it up to nothing more then jealousy from these inferior people attending the show tonight.
(Cesaro) Ladies and gentleman of the XWL universe, I'm sorry you've been subjected to this little subpar talent jamboree taking place down there in the ring, but fear not, you've all been saved because the Enterprise has entered orbit, and what are we orbiting around you might ask? those World Tag Team Championships and the two goofs who currently hold them! Please Gable and Sabin, don't take too much offense to that, because the biggest goof of you all is the one down there with Kyle O Reilly, he probably doesn't know what day it is, nor does he probably know his head from his ass because it's shoved really far up his rear if he thinks you two are worthy of ANY sort of consideration for a Tag Team Championship opportunity, the only hat that will involve the two of you and something being thrown into it? is gonna be the hat sat beside you both on your street corner that people throw their spare pity change into when Me and Bobby put you clowns out of a job!
(Cesaro) And look at what else we got out here Bobby, Bad Vibez, sounds like the name of some 311 or Sublime pothead album that came out in the 90's, I mean just look at em Bobby, does that look like a team comprised of two money making supreme athletes like us? does that look like two of the most marketable stallions this company's ever known? NEIN on both of those fronts, now the franchise? XWL brass? they'd be perfectly fine with these average joes holding championship gold in this company, hell look at who's currently holding em!!! It doesn't get more plain jane then those two!!! but everyone needs to understand one thing, we're not the franchise...
(Cesaro and Roode) WE'RE THE ENTERPRISE!!!!
(Cesaro) Which means you're gonna have to go through us if you plan on making it anywhere in this division, and before one of you interrupt me with some snarky comment, let's get it out of the way right now, what happened last week when the two of you faced Me and Daniel was an absolute once in a lifetime fluke, a dead clock's right twice a day as they say, and one of those two times happened to be right when that pinfall occurred. It was a fluke, an anomaly, a tragedy, and it's NEVER happening again!!! Daniel is the World Heavyweight Champion, he's too good to be sharing a ring with you clowns anyways, so I told him Daniel my good buddy, you focus on three things in your life, your family, your luxury, and the World Heavyweight Championship, you leave the rest to Me and Bobby, and that's exactly why we're out here right now.
(Cesaro) We're here to put an end to this charade, we're not here to play like Kyle and Truth, we're here to get PAID, and trust me, fun and games do not equal cash and championships. We don't care if we give off Bad Vibezz, good vibezz, mediocre vibezz, or any version of vibezz that Dominic and Adam choose to mispell and try and pass off as clever name marketing, the only "vibezz" we give a damn about is the ones that flow through the arena when the referee hands us our newly won World Tag Team Championships, and trust me ladies and gentleman, that is a scenario is is going to play out much much sooner then later, because Chad and Chris? Your true #1 contenders have arrived, and we are GLO-----
Cesaro stops himself mid sentence and smiles.
(Cesaro) I'll leave that part to you Bobby.
[[Bobby Roode]] GLORIOUS...and going to take The Tag-Team Championships from you! Don't believe us? You don't have to, the proof will be when those titles are around our waists, and the winner's check is in our hands. You may be The LONGEST, REIGNING, DEFENDING, XWL...WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...but every novelty act wears out its welcome sooner rather than later, and you two "stupid idiots" will be no exception. You like to run around here making jokes, you like to put on silly skits, you like to dress up and play pretend. While Cesaro and I? We live in reality, and the reality is this boys...you're in the presence of The Enterprise, the single greatest assortment of Superstars this industry has ever seen. Because we're not here to get "over" we're here to get PAID! Our motivation is to line our pockets, our desire is to have a bank account that can be passed down for generation after generation, after generation...AFTER GENERATION! And in order to have the fattest stack of cash imaginable? In order to be successful where it counts? We have to be at the top of the food chain, and every team out here right now is our prey because you're trying to keep our families from having the best of everything by standing in our way. So prepare to have your bad vibes taken away, prepare to witness the cold hard truth, and prepare to look like even bigger idiots than you already appear...for we are not asking for an opportunity...we are simply telling you that it belongs to us, for those Tag-Team Titles are now property of The Enterprise, so we can either do this the easy way, and you hand them over willingly. Or, we can make an example out of every last one of you.
Bad Vibez look to take exception to what The Enterprise has collectively said and start to walk toward the ropes shouting "Come say that to our faces" but before anything can go any further than that, suddenly we hear a Woman's voice echo, as the tron lights up and it's none other than Linda McMahon. She's coming to us live from within Mr. McMahon's office, and Vince is shown sitting in the background being unusually quiet as she appears to have heard about what was going on and decided to address it herself, much like she did not too long ago with Alexa Bliss and Mandy Rose.
[Linda McMahon] Gentlemen please, try to let cooler heads prevail because while this show may be titled "Anarchy" I will not hesitate to have security intervene if need be. Now your problem seems to have a very simple solution. TCSI as The Tag-Team Champions you have been extremely successful. But that success doesn't invalidate any of The Tag-Teams out there with you right now. They all would like a shot at being the one team that can bring your historic reign to an end...and I think seeing as Cyberslam is coming up...and it's the one night a year where The XWL Universe holds all the power? We save everyone the trouble and allow them to determine the fate of this dispute. The Tag-Team Championships will be defended, and they decide which team you face. Will it be Dominik Dijakovic and Adam Cole? Will it be Kyle O'Reilly & R-Truth? Or will it be Cesaro and Robert Roode? The choice is theirs, and with 3 weeks to earn their votes I wish all of you the best of luck and urge you to prove why you believe you truly CAN be the next Tag-Team Champions if voted in. Thank you gentlemen, and seeing as I can tell you're mostly ready for a fight? All 8 of you will get that fight and then some when you face off in two separate Fatal Four Way Matches NEXT WEEK! Good night, gentlemen and good luck.
The tron returns back to it's normal shot of the ringside camera where the focus then shifts to a shot of each Tag-Team currently out here. TCSI take this time to raise up their Tag-Team titles, while each respective team stares at The Champions, ready to hit the campaign trail and prove why they as Linda said are indeed the NEXT Tag-Team Champions. Which team does The XWL Universe believe should face TCSI? Next week's collection of Fatal 4 Way matches should prove interesting in swaying the voters that's for sure.
Ok so it's obvious to pretty much everybody that with the whole rheaul of the admin team thing, this hasn't exactly been kept up to date, and it's kinda a big necessity to have it updated, soooooo this is where you come in.
Please, post all of your superstars signatures and finishers here under this format.
The theme belonging to none other than our North American Champion Alexa Bliss sounds through the arena, bringing an excited uproar of cheers for the newly dubbed "Little Miss Champion." The stage is all setup for her first official Moment Of Bliss since becoming Champion, and since Mandy Rose hijacked it as her own segment during the week of Alexa's suspension two months ago. But now not only does she have The North American Championship but she has her talk show back, and she soon steps out from the back with The North American Championship on display over her shoulder as she approaches her special set.
Much like always there's a small white table, that has three white coffee mugs tonight, one for her and one for each of her guests. These mugs are not just any regular coffee cup though, they are from her line of "Twisted Bliss Coffee" merchandise. Also on the table beside two of the cups are two microphones, and of course a third microphone that is completely bedazzled for the host herself. She approaches the table removing her title from around her shoulder then raises it into the air for a quick "pop" as she proudly displays it, and then she places it on the table beside her mug and grabs her microphone off the table before stepping out in front of her set, including the three white chairs with a smiling face as she prepares to address the audience.
[Alexa Bliss] Ladies and Gentlemen, back by popular demand...away from the sanctimonious hands of God's most regretted creation...WELCOME TO A MOMENT OF BLISS!
She throws her arm out as the stage behind and underneath her lights up with the official graphics, and pauses as the audience cheers.
[Alexa Bliss] Hosted by me of course, your North American Champion...hot off my successful title defense against Mandy Rose in a totally fair contest, that had me as all of you watching at home saw, pin a totally conscious Mandy Rose to defend my title. I know, I'm pretty proud of myself, because now with Mandy's contractually obligated title rematch clause out of the way? We are finally free of her existence in this division when it comes to titles. She lost in a FAIR match, and thus she's now at the back of the line...and while Mr. McMahon contemplates who will challenge me for The North American Championship at Warzone...I thought tonight would be a great opportunity to resume my hosting duties and give a platform to a Tag-Team that has come out of nowhere and become quite successful since their very first match together.
[Alexa Bliss] Last year The Tag-Team division for The Men stopped being a figment of some wild imagination and thus The Motor City Cup came to be, with the promise of Tag-Team Champions being crowned. Which, hint hint...Kairi and I would love to have such a tournament to crown WOMEN'S Tag-Team Champions...just saying...so in that tournament the finals were held at a special event title "Warzone." The Alpha Club represented by Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens competed against the dysfunctional team of rivals turned partners of Chad Gable and Chris Sabin. Shenanigans played out, Alpha Club became The FIRST XWL Tag-Team Champions...but their reign was quickly brought to an end by The newly dubbed "Trash City Stupid Idiots" the name ironically taken by the team they screwed in the first place.
[Alexa Bliss] TCSI, as they've later been called have been unstoppable. From Triple Threat Tag-Team Matches, to an Elimination Chamber...their teamwork has been second to none. So naturally, when it came to finding a Tag-Team worthy of challenging them next? It was clear that another tournament should be held, and Tag-Teams both new and experienced should collide in a series of matches to determine that team. My guests tonight Velveteen Dream & Tyler Breeze were one of the new pairings that really took the Tag-Team division and The 2nd Annual Motor City Cup by storm. They won their way to the finals against a Tag-Team with more experience...The Cutthroat Era Jay White & Sami Zayn. Sami of course being the deciding factor in the previous year's finals that saw his fellow Alpha Club partners emerge as the FIRST XWL Tag-Team Champions.
[Alexa Bliss] But this year, there were no shenanigans, there were no screw jobs, The Tag-Team of Velveteen Breeze emerged victorious...and thus walking away with the trophy and The #1 Contendership to The Tag-Team titles! Tonight, as 3 weeks remain until their clash with The Longest Reigning Tag-Team Champions in XWL history...I sit down with them to find out who they are, why they're such a good team, and why they surely believe they'll be the ones to do what no other Tag-Team has been able to do since TCSI became Tag-Team Champions...and that is end their reign. So without further ado, please welcome my guests...
[Alexa Bliss] The Winners Of The 2019 Motor City Cup, Tyler Breeze and Velveteen Dream...THE VELVETEEN BREEZE!
"LOOK, LOOK EVERYONE...! IT’S TYLER!"
The first member of the surprisingly dominant tag duo to arrive onto the stage is Prince Pretty himself, Tyler Breeze. Breeze walks out to dark lights and a closeup on her fur boots. As he makes it fully onto the stage, he does a quick spin to face the arena while the camera switches to a more appropriately angled one, and the lights come up. Breeze lifts up his matching, fur-coated iPhone and strokes his ego by admiring his reflection. After only a short span of time, the theme changes and the titantron shifts from a deep blue to a rich shade of purple. Entering directly after him, his partner, the Velveteen Dream.
Velveteen Dream strut out onto the stage. Cathy Kelley, the newest member of The Dream’s Entourage is escorting them out, with both her arms intertwined with the men’s elbows. Dream and Kelley make their way over to Breeze, who is still posing with his camera. The Dream gives the crowd a quick smirk and joins Breeze in a pose for a quick selfie before finally heading around towards the two white chairs set out for them to kick off A Moment of Bliss. The host graciously extends her hand to shake with the gentlemen, to which they both avoid. Breeze, who sashays by first, hollowly smiles at Bliss with a “thank you, but no” look on his face as he makes his way by her towards his seat. Dream simply lowers his glasses down the bridge of his nose to give Little Miss Bliss “the look” before pushing them back up and keeping it moving. The North American Champion takes her seat as the stares for a moment as Tyler Breeze & Velveteen Dream who sit on the two chairs on the opposite side of the table.
[Alexa Bliss] Gentlemen, thank you for your time tonight, I know you have a lot on your minds, and a lot of preparations to make for your big match in 3 weeks...but seeing as you very well could be The Tag-Team division's next great breakout stars...I feel like it's time for all of us to know who you are. We know you both as two great singles competitors, but since becoming a tandem, you've really gelled. Some might say two personalities as...what's the word, eccentric? As yourselves might be difficult to work together...but and this is something I myself can identify with...you never really can know how well two people will work together until it happens. On paper a team could seem great and be anything but, and likewise, they could seem too ego obsessed, or one of them could...and you see this whole new side of those Superstars when brought together.
[Alexa Bliss] So, what is it that makes The Velveteen Breeze work? What brings two Men such as yourselves together into a perfect union that outlasted every other Tag-Team new and experienced to win The 2nd Motor City Cup?
{Velveteen Dream} Miss Bliss thank you for having us on A Moment of Bliss here tonight. It truly, truly is an honor. I mean I can’t even think of another time where a group of 4 this good looking (Dream glances over at Miss Kelley standing to his side) has been seen together at the same time on an XWL stage. That is, until Prince Pretty and I dethrone those, what do you call them, Trash City Stupid Uggos? Then, we will walk back up this ramp, stand at the top of the stage holding our newly won XWL World Tag Team Championships. And that will be when the best looking group of 4 has ever graced XWL’s presence. And to answer your first question of what makes The Velveteen Breeze work? Well that answer is simple baby. You see we have a mutual respect because leading up to the Elimination Chamber match, Breeze defeated me in the Gauntlet match. But when we stepped foot inside the chamber, it was me whooping his ass. So we both know what we are capable of individually. And ya know something people don’t know, is that we actually have the same hair stylist. So when I was done getting my beautiful, luscious locks worked on, Tyler came in for his appointment. We brushed shoulders walking past each other. We had a long discussion, and came to the agreement that we are both incredible as individuals, and that we could be even greater as a unit. And might I add we are the most handsome unit in professional wrestling today.
Dream pauses for a second, runs his hand through his hair and continues speaking.
{Velveteen Dream} And how did we win the 2nd annual Motor City Cup Tournament? We’ll Miss Bliss that answer is as simple as the 123 we picked up over Djokovic & Strong, Batista & Elias, and Cut Throat Era. And come Warzone in August, you can guaran-damn-tee that The Velveteen Breeze will walk out hoisting those Tag Team Championships above our heads. Why? Because we’re bigger, faster, stronger, better looking and more charismatic than those stupid uggos will ever be. Get this camera on me right here, this one, zoom it in on my face.
Dream scrunches his face into an angry look, taking both Bliss, Breeze and Kelley by surprise.
{Velveteen Dream} I will not stop until I put both of you two worthless has-beens 6 feet deep into the mat. I will not rest until that gold has some prestige, honor and integrity back into its namesake. I will not quit until Tyler Breeze and I defeat you at next month’s PPV event, and oh my goodness is it ever so appropriately named, because when you step into the ring with us, you better be prepared to enter the battlefield and go to War with us, because it’s going to be a goddamn massacre.
Tyler leans over and redirects the camera back into his direction as Prince Pretty raises his microphone for the first time since entering the stage.
[TylerBreeze] What Dream is trying to say is: for months the Trash City Uggo Idiots have consistently clamored and complained that they lack competition. Well? I’ve never laid eyes on a more superbly good-looking piece of competition than Dream and I. Chris Sivan and Chad Gooble do not wear the Tag Team Championships, those Championships wear them. They may be the longest reigning Tag Team Champions in history, but in all that time they still have not mastered the art of BEING a Champion. They are, with no due respect, a couple of uggo impractical jokers. They run around backstage like a couple of chickens with their unsightly heads cut off, and show up once a month to “groove” out here to some song that wasn’t even good when it came out 30 or 40 years ago. As a matter of fact, their choice of music is fatefully reminiscent to their title reign. Never really lived up to the hype, but still somehow manages to stick around long enough to get under your skin and implores you to change the station. That is, until Warzone, when they will be forced to defend their titles against two men who have “Breezed” through all the competition this business had to offer like it was just a “Dream,” and we plan on waking the XWL Universe up from that dream at Warzone when we defeat Uggo and Uggo’er with ease. Because the Velveteen Breeze? We are the best— no, as a matter of fact, we are the ONLY look for those Tag Team Championships right now.
Breeze raises his eyebrows, glancing back and forth between Bliss and Dream as Dream nods his head in agreement to what Breeze is proclaiming.
[TylerBreeze] To get back to your question, Alexa, Dream and I have managed to do in a minuscule span of time what countless teams before us have failed to do in an infinite amount. The reason that The Velveteen Breeze has found nothing but success since it’s inception is due to the same reason that I’ve cited from the very beginning. Pretty knows pretty, and I challenge you to find a prettier superstar than the two that you are experiencing the utmost honor of interviewing right now.
[Alexa Bliss] Perhaps it's my own bias given the reward I recently reaped from someone who foolishly underestimated me...but I think the position you both share about The Tag-Team Champions may be your egos blinding you from the very real challenge you have before you. They are not "has-beens" they HAVE been unstoppable as a Tag-Team since the moment they claimed The Tag-Team Championships 295 days ago. I think to dismiss the challenge before you could lead you to the same result that The Alpha Club, like 3 iterations of The Undisputed Era, The Stygian Revelation, The Golden Lovers, and The Cutthroat Era all ultimately ended up with, and that's defeated. But, to flip that around...maybe you see something that sets you apart from the previous challengers they've put away. So for myself, and this audience who maybe worry about how you seem to be ignoring the very real threat they pose to your hopes of becoming Tag-Team Champions...how about you take this time to explain what is it about The Velveteen Breeze that guarantees you won't just be another beaten team by the end of Warzone?
Tyler Breeze lifts up one hand and shakes his head, using his index finger to signal a counterclockwise, “rewind” motion.
[TylerBreeze] It seems that you may have gotten things a little twisted around in that little, pig-tailed head of yours. Allow me to tailor your statement more eloquently, in the appropriate fashion... Have the Trash City Stupid Uggoes been successful as a Tag Team? Yes. Have they become the longest reigning Tag Team Champions for a reason? Again, yes. Are THEY the ones underestimating the Velveteen Breeze...? Finally, yes! They’ve clearly shown their lack of concern for the two most attractive men on the roster who have been all but fashionably unstoppable since joining forces. I recognize what the Trash City Stupid Uggoes are and what they’ve accomplished, but I’m not looking at only one team going into this match. We are without question impossible to take your eyes off of, and when you look at us comparatively against the current Champions? I see little to no competition. They speak about Dream and I like we’re a couple of pretty jokes and that they have nothing to worry about. They parade around backstage as if we are the least threatening of their challengers. Well Alexa, we may be dressed from head to toe in the finest furs and fabrics but I assure you that we are no joke. We are undefeated in Tag Team competition, and that isn’t going to change at Warzone. The only thing that is? Is going to be who’s carrying those Championships out when the Trash City Stupid Uggoes experience the most foolishly unexpected and beautiful beatdown of their careers... But to get to your question at hand— actually, why don’t you take this one, Dream?
{Velveteen Dream} Well Miss Bliss, the thing that keeps Breeze and myself from being just another notch under the Stupid Uggos belts, is the fact that we are like no other team in XWL history. We’re strong, fast, charismatic, good-looking. Everything you could ask for to represent the Tag Team Division. Meanwhile, Chris Sabin and Chad Gable? They exemplify everything that is wrong with this division. Whether it is the short-cuts that they take or their inability to be as talented in the ring as guys like Breeze and myself, they are doing the Tag division an injustice by holding onto those titles. I hope that answered yours, and all of the XWL Universe’s questions about what exactly is going to happen at Warzone.
[Alexa Bliss] So we've learned what brought you together, and what you think about the current Tag-Team Champions...but let's pull out the crystal ball and look beyond that. Say at Warzone you do everything you say The Velveteen Breeze is going to do. What then? What does the future hold for not only you but the entire Tag-Team division? There's new tandems popping up every week it seems. From John Cena & Brian Pillman Jr, to The Revival, to Adam Cole & Dominik Dijakovic...so what will you do to continue the ascension of this division? Essentially, what will you bring to the table as Tag-Team Champions that Chad Gable & Chris Sabin in your mind...don't?
Before a reply could be had by the lazily named “Velveteen Breeze,” the theme of an accurate named team in The Trash City Stupid Idiots begins to play, causing a surge of cheers to erupt from the live audience in attendance. Alexa once again experiences someone “crashing” her talk show but perhaps this is a good thing? It's absolutely a good thing, after all, she's a Champion, they're Champions, what could possibly go wrong? A purple hue falls over the arena as a fancy looking couch is rolled out from behind the curtain. On it lies the dual Champion himself while Gable is seated on the armrest, feeding both himself and Sabin grapes from an intricate looking bowl. A few moments pass before Gable is visibly shown coughing, causing Sabin to rise from the couch and shove the bowl away from Gable, causing it to shatter on the stage, hopefully someone cleans that up later, and wraps his arms around his waist. A few moments later, a grape goes flying out of Gable's mouth, this is why you chew your food. Gable thanks Sabin for his heroic deed and to document the occasion, retrieves what looks like a tree branch with an antique looking camera hastily taped to the opposite end from behind the couch. After a few seconds of posing, they realize that this particular camera doesn't have a timer feature on it due to its age, causing the duo to argue amongst themselves for a few moments before Gable returns their contraption to its former location.
With their theatrics reaching a momentary end, half of the XWL Tag Team Champions and the Intercontinental Champion Chris Sabin, wearing the former Championship proudly around his waist while the latter Championship is diagonally wrapped around his chest and being in possession of his own TCSI'd version of Bliss' bedazzled microphone in his right hand while having a Twisted Bliss coffee mug in his left hand (available now at XWLShop.com), closes the distance between himself and Alexa, placing his forearm on the back of her chair and resting it there before he gives her control of the mug, a much needed coffee break for sure after the interview she has had to endure. With his left hand now free, he quickly switches microphone hands and raises it up to his lips to speak.
Chris Sabin How's it going, Champ?
[Alexa Bliss] I mean I've got a Steel Cage Match against a Woman that's like three times my size later, so about as good as could be expected. Honestly I need a little caffeine boost, thanks for the coffee.
Alexa goes to take a much needed sip of her trademark coffee but a confused expression appears on her face upon doing so. She looks down to reveal the culprit to the rest of the live audience in attendance and those watching at home when she flips the mug over to unveil that there is nothing within the cup itself.
[Alexa Bliss] It's empty.
Chris Sabin Well, yeah. Did you think I was going to bring out some steaming hot coffee? What if I spilled it? But don't fret, Christopher Sabin always has a backup plan.
Not wasting another moment, Sabin tosses his microphone to Gable, who catches it with ease, and quickly disappears backstage, giving Gable ample time to make his way to the opposite of Bliss before Sabin reemerges from behind the curtain and makes his way back to his previous location. In his hands is a thermos of sorts, with the Twisted Bliss coffee logo plastered on its side. He blissfully twists off the top and motions for Alexa to get her mug ready, pouring the contents of the thermos into the cup when she's in position. We get a cinematically beautiful shot of coffee slowly pouring out of the thermos and making its way into the contents of the cup, almost as if this were some sort of advertisement in the middle of a talk show. A few moments pass before Sabin tilts the thermos back to a vertical base, closing it back up and placing it on the table for further use if needed. Gable tosses Sabin's microphone back to him as he notices the two unamused guests on the opposite side of the set.
Chris Sabin While you enjoy that, there's a few things Chadsworth and myself need to get off our chests, and it's not our newly won Intercontinental Championship. First thing's first, as a fellow Champion, congratulations are in order for our Blissful Champion successfully defending her Championship against Mandy Rose.
[Chad Gable] It's North American Champion.
Chris Sabin What?
[Chad Gable] You said Blissful Champion, that's not what it's called.
Sabin processes this for a single moment before looking towards Bliss.
Chris Sabin I'm really sorry about him, he's not usually like this in front of people.
[Alexa Bliss] This is practically XWL's hottest most requested talk show...and that was before I became as you said The North American Champion...so I can understand a little nerves, Chad but it's okay we're all friends here...well, maybe not you two, and them...and then there's the whole brief "fling" Chadsworth had with Mandy...albeit one-sided...you know what I'm just gonna stop talking.
Chris Sabin I'm gonna pretend you didn't just say that. Second, you called us the Longest Reigning Tag Team Champions in XWL History and while that's an accurate statement to make, you forgot one very crucial detail.
Sabin looks over towards the team of Velveteen Dream and Tyler Breeze, locking eyes with Dream while Gable locks eyes with Breeze.
Chris Sabin We are the Longest
[Chad Gable] Reigning
Both members of TCSI move their microphones towards Bliss, who already has one of her own but that doesn't stop the XWL Tag Team Champions from doing it, before Sabin leans down towards the seated Alexa Bliss, sneakily mouthing something into her ear.
[Alexa Bliss] Defending
[Chad Gable] XWL Tag Team Champions
Chris Sabin Of the World!
[Chad Gable] Bitches!
Sabin and Bliss both turn to Gable, clearly not expecting that as the former extends his arms while mouthing “What was that?” barely being picked up on Bliss' microphone, causing Gable to shrug in response. Sabin mirrors his shrug as if to say “Fair enough” before the duo shift their attention back to the task at hand.
Chris Sabin Third, and for the sake of conserving time, I'm going to combine these. One of you called us the Trash City Uggo Idiots and the other called us the Trash City Stupid Uggos, well, which is it? How are we supposed to make merchandise when you can't decide on a name? How can you call yourselves a team when you aren't even on the same page? Chadsworth, what's my favorite color?
[Chad Gable] Potato
Chris Sabin THAT is a tag team partner. And while on the subject, what's with the separate entrances? You call yourselves a team but you can't come out together? That's not a team, that's two singles competitors that failed to win gold on their own so they tried one last ditch effort to call themselves a Champion. Both of you lost in the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber at Downpour while Chadsworth and myself swept the competition, becoming the first team to retain inside the Chamber. Before that, Breezy Breeze over there failed to become Intercontinental Champion at Final Stand while I'm not entirely sure if Dream was even on the card. Trust me, I know how you feel, this Intercontinental Championship has eluded me for six years and now, I have finally added it to my collection. Correct me if I'm wrong, Tyler Breeze has failed to become World Heavyweight Champion while the “Uggo Goat” as you called him now has the Championship in his possession, he's failed to become the Intercontinental Champion, which is now in my possession, and with the removal of the World Television Championship, he has no other singles Championships to go after so you decide to come after the Kings of the Tag Division? The thing about Kings and Usurpers is that if you come at the Kings, you best not miss.
At this point, the team of Tyler Breeze and the Velveteen Dream had heard just about enough. Both men stand to their feet and come face to face with their opposition at Warzone, Chris Sabin and Chad Gable. This could be the first time that we've seen Dream and Breeze spend longer than three seconds looking at someone that isn't their own reflection. Some brief words are exchanged between the four but are not picked up on the lowered microphones. While the tension and heat continues to rise to a near-boiling point in the arena, our attention is swiftly demanded elsewhere. Out of the corner of the camera's lens, we can see the host, Alexa Bliss, sitting in her white chair that happens to be facing the standoff. Like a flash of gold, a figure comes sprinting out of the curtain and right out onto the stage. Due to the incredibly close proximity, the figure reaches their target in a matter of not more than two seconds. With a quick propelling step into the air, a golden knee SMASHES STRAIGHT INTO THE SIDE OF ALEXA BLISS'S FACE! The culprit is quickly identified to be Bliss's nemesis, Mandy Rose, who we just saw put Becky Lynch away with the exact same maneuver. The host spills out of her chair, dropping her title onto the floor as her chair promptly tips over with her in an unpretty landing.
Rose takes a few heavy breaths, obviously still a little winded from her match with Lynch only minutes prior. She brushes her long blonde locks back out of her face while she glares down at Bliss, who has yet to show any signs of movement since the vicious and trademarked Rose Thorn connected with its intended target. All four men have since ceased their showdown to turn and watch the rapidly unfolding events. With this stage having gotten a little too crowded, and her point being made, Mandy gives Alexa's unresponsive body one last confident nod, indicating that she's far from finished with "Little Miss Champion." As she straightens out the collar on her attire and fluffs her hair out, Rose walks past all four of the men on the stage. Exchanging an obvious and somewhat awkward glance at one half of the Tag Team Champions, Chad Gable, Mandy flashes a fleeting and uncomfortable smile towards the Champion, giving him a misleading: "I'll call you" that absolutely anybody but Gable himself could have deciphered as solid confirmation that she will, in fact, NOT be calling him back. The scene concludes with the four men now left to decide where things will go from here in the upcoming weeks, while the North American Champion is being tended to by XWL staff, and Mandy Rose for the second time tonight walks away with an exclamation point behind her message.
(Mauro Ranallo) Welcome ladies and gentleman to what is sure to be another enthralling episode of XWL Anarchy!!! My name is Mauro Ranallo, alongside me is Renee Young and Corey Graves, Renee, why don't you get us started on informing the XWL universe as to what we have in store for them this evening.
(Renee Young) Well we've got a ton in store for the XWL universe tonight Mauro, but our main event tonight is gonna be something to behold, WALTER takes on R-Truth in a ladder match to determine the next #1 contender to the Intercontinental Championship!!!
(Corey Graves) We saw the Intercontinental Championship change hands in last week's main event when one of the World Tag Team Champions, Chris Sabin, managed to dethrone XWL's own "Iron Man" in an IronMan match to win the Intercontinental Title.
(Mauro Ranallo) What a match that was ladies and gentlemen, if you haven't seen it, contact your cable provider and find out if they're gonna be replaying last week's episode of Anarchy anytime soon, if they are? tune in to watch that absolute spectacle of a main event. Nonetheless, along with R-Truth and WALTER battling it out in a ladder match, how about tonight's co-main event???
(Renee Young) That's another can't miss match as well Mauro, our North American Champion Alexa Bliss takes on Awesome Kong in a STEEL CAGE match right here tonight on Anarchy, it is a non-title match, but you have to imagine, a victory for Kong would do wonders for championship aspirations, if she even has any of course, she may just be out to mame Alexa Bliss like she mamed Becky Lynch last week on Anarchy in a tables match.
(Corey Graves) That was an absolute battle, but at the end of the day, Awesome Kong sent Becky crashing face first through our announcers table with an Implant Buster that shook this arena to the core, will Alexa feel the wrath of an Implant Buster of her own tonight? or will the Blissful champion showcase some of her resilience and resourcefulness and somehow come out of this match with a win, actually scrap that, she's not fighting to win tonight, she's fighting to SURVIVE the monster that is Awesome Kong.
(Mauro Ranallo) Truly the stuff of nightmares is that Awesome Kong, whilst we're still on the topic of Alexa Bliss though, I'd like to mention that sometime before she steps into that steel cage tonight, she'll be hosting an episode of "Moment of Bliss" and her guests will be none other then the winners of the 2nd annual Motor City Cup, the Velveteen Breeze!!!
(Renee Young) I can't wait to see how that turns out Mauro, we're running out of time as the show's just itching to get underway, but a couple other things we wanted to mention for tonight. First off, the Women's Champion, Tessa Blanchard will be in action tonight for the first time since Coronation as she takes on Dana Brooke. How will the champ fare against Dana who's extremely hungry to make an impact around here anytime she steps out into the ring, tonight? she has the ultimate opportunity in front of her, a win over the Women's Champion could change her career forever, she'll look to do just that whilst the champ will attempt to get back into the flow of things and look to put down the fiery Dana Brooke as she moves closer to a showdown with Becky Lynch at Warzone with her Women's Title on the line.
(Corey Graves) Last but not least, we've got an exciting champion vs champion bout on the card tonight, one half of the World Tag Team Champions in Chad Gable, will take on the World Heavyweight Champion in Daniel Bryan. Can Chad pick up a historic upset over the recently crowned World Champ and earn himself a title shot in the future to potentially replicate what his tag team partner did just last week on Anarchy and capture some singles gold for himself? or will Daniel Bryan quickly snuff out the very game Chad Gable and prove that the World Champ is in a class of his own?
(Mauro Ranallo) That and much much more tonight on Anarchy!!!
As soon as the start of the theme begins to play, the arena is filled with cheers emanating from the live audience in attendance alongside “Yes!” chants filling the air for the newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion in Daniel Bryan. His journey was filled with ups and downs, mostly downs from a win loss perspective, but the wins he did get were the ones that mattered and now here he stands, the new World Heavyweight Champion. Bryan emerges from behind the curtain and stands in the center of the stage, the Championship wrapped firmly around his waist, a perfect fit for a perfect scene to be sure. This causes the crowd's volume to increase, if that were even possible to begin with, as Bryan begins tapping the Championship around his waist lightly with his right hand before he holds it there, moving his left hand around his back and undoing the strap and lifting the Championship into the air with his right. Bryan makes his way down the ramp the only way he can, shouting “Yes!” as loud as he could as the live audience in attendance followed along. Before long, Bryan makes it to the bottom of the ramp and quickly rolls into the ring under the bottom rope, revealing a maroon and gold throne sitting off center as a rather large, covered up unknown object sits besides it, perhaps it's a new dragon inspired Championship Bryan is unveiling here tonight? Speaking of, the throne itself has a myriad of dragons intertwined with one another as two dragons are coming out the back of it with their mouths open as if they were ready to breath fire, while the armrests themselves are dragon heads. Bryan takes a few moments to admire what could very well be his masterpiece before he takes the microphone that was places in the seat beforehand and begins to speak.
Daniel Bryan For the past seven months, I have done everything within my power to become a Champion. When I returned, I didn't use my years of experience to my advantage and throw my weight around to try and put myself into any title scene I wanted, I didn't throw a tantrum when I returned and wasn't handed a Championship match on my first night back. That wasn't the point of my return. I didn't want to be handed anything, I wanted to earn it. I didn't want my past to affect what I thought was going to be my best run in this company because I didn't see this as a return, I saw it as a rebirth. A new Daniel Bryan, if you will. I thought that this would be the time that I finally get that monkey off my back, that I finally knock that chip off my shoulder so I set two goals for myself.
Daniel Bryan While I sat at home and pondered just what my career was and had become, it hit me. The realization, the epiphany I needed finally showed itself. If I could combine my natural wrestling ability, athleticism, and unrivaled submission capabilities with the ruthless and aggressive side that was active during my time as The American Dragon, I would be unstoppable. And that is where the problem lied. Just when I thought I was on the precipice of greatness, I learned the harsh reality that I was incapable of tapping into that side of myself, it had laid dormant for far too long. And so began the string of Pay-Per-View losses that would define this “new” Daniel Bryan. He was exactly the same as the old one, with the only difference being a reignited sense of purpose. It wasn't until my loss at Downpour, inside the ominous structure known as the Elimination Chamber, that I realized what the real problem was: The cheers, the praise, the adulation for my failures, those damn “Yes!” chants, and each and every single one of you that reveled in my misery for the past seven months.
Daniel Bryan One single person saw through this facade, he saw who I really was. He watched me make a fool of myself as I pandered to people that didn't give a damn if I was here one day and gone the next. He came to me after my loss at Downpour and did something no one else has done for me since my rebirth and tell me what I needed to hear, what I really needed to hear. He told it like it was, I was a failure, this entire run was a joke. I've had people walk up to me after I made it to the final two people and failed to become the Intercontinental Champion at Final Stand and tell me that I'll “get 'em next time” and that I was “so close” to becoming Champion. You didn't think I knew that already? After the Elimination Chamber, I was told that I was getting better and if that wasn't an insult, I don't know what is because I'm already the best when it comes to wrestling in this damn ring! It was then when it hit me, like a European Uppercut to the jaw, I knew what I needed to do to reawaken The American Dragon.
Daniel Bryan So I made a call and we were off to the races. Every single thing leading to Coronation was calculated, from beating Brian Pillman Jr to the attack that followed right after. I told him to do whatever he felt was necessary and he over delivered. Drew's disrespect was a curve ball but it fit in so perfectly, it allowed me to both test what I could do when I allowed the rage to consume me while also spot a glaring weakness in the Titanium Tyrant: His overconfidence. When you cheer someone who blatantly disrespects one of your “heroes,” that says it all, doesn't it? But it would be I who got the last laugh. So without further ado, the sole reason you have all been graced by The American Dragon, the hybrid of man and machine that became YOUR King of the Ring, The Swiss Cyborg, Cesaro!
The trons light up with beaming green lights as soon as the theme begins to play, but as each second passes a row of the lights dims to darkness, this transpires until all the rows of lights have completely disappeared at the fifteen second mark, leaving the arena in pitch black darkness as the song immediately seems to stop for a few moments, mere seconds later the song comes back to life as green dynamic lighting patterns illuminate the arena, upon being able to see again, the XWL universe is drawn to the stage where they see a multitude of men dressed in medevil royal type armor stepping through the curtain and taking position on both sides of the ramp that leads to the ring, approximately twelve individuals line the ramp, six per side, forming what's known as a guard of honor. Once the guard of honor is in place, two individuals dressed in ringside tech style gear step through the curtain and begin rolling out a gigantic red carpet that you can tell was perfectly tailored for the exact specifications of the stage and ramp area that leads down to the ring, once they've got the red carpet perfectly aligned and in place, they duck out of sight and aren't seen again.
It was finally time for the king to step out onto the stage, but apparently he wasn't quite ready as yet another person stepped out onto the stage that wasn't named Cesaro, it was another royal guard looking person, but this one didn't wield weaponry, he wielded two flags, the Swiss flag, and the American flag, he was without a doubt, the royal flag bearer, he began a slow journey forward and within moments, the King finally stepped through the curtain and out onto the stage to a lovely set of boos from the XWL universe, it didn't phase the Swiss Cyborg one bit as the smile on his face grew bigger and bigger with each passing second, Cesaro was suited and booted for the occasion, but this time, he went the extra mile, he donned a royal blue suit which featured a multitude of medals and awards donned across his chest, his shoulder patches featured five silver dragons on the right side, and it featured five Swiss crosses on the left side. Golden royal cord stretched from Cesaro's back, over his shoulder and chest full of medals, and down to his waist. Cesaro also donned matching royal blue suit pants with the appropriate royal stripe going down each side to match the suit and mark the special occasion, along with a black set of loafers to round out the royal look.
Cesaro saluted his royal guard as he walked between them and they saluted back and raised their weapons into the sky so that they connected and touch one another, forming a sort of arch for the King to step through. The flag bearer stepped aside as he approached the steps and turned to face Cesaro, he raised the flags as high as he could and in that same type of arching manner to honor the King, Cesaro saluted the flag bearer on his way past before making his way up the steps and entering the ring where he was immediately greeted by the World Heavyweight Champion, Cesaro pointed at D-Bry and mouthed some words we couldn't quite make out with a cocky looking laugh just dying to come out, Bryan nodded at whatever he said and laughed back and the two men shared a quick hug as their devious plans had come to fruition beautifully, one was king, the other was champion of the world. Bryan went to the side of the ring to get a mic from a ringside tech, upon being given one, he gracefully walked over and handed it to Cesaro who accepted it and waited for his theme to die down before delivering his first address to the XWL universe as king.
(Cesaro) Thank you for the warm introduction Daniel, you understand the concept of respect more then any of these brainless, spineless hacks in attendance tonight EVER could. But that's okay, because you woke up just in the nick of time, you realized that these people were steering your career into the ground with every passing second that went by. Every viral YES! chant video that circulated the internet was great for social media attention, it was great for clicks and likes, but you know what every single one of those videos was to you? an utter EMBARRASSMENT!!! Every time a video of a YES! chant got a like or a share online, that was just more and more people PROFITING off of something you created, and what did you have to show for it? NOTHING!!!
(Cesaro) They took something you created and STOLE IT!!! and what's worse then all of that? they used it against you, they made sure you PANDERED to them week after week, night after night, and in town after town. Everywhere Daniel Bryan went, some idiot wanted you to chant YES! for their own personal gain, they didn't give a damn if you won your match that night, they didn't care if Daniel Bryan ever caught a glimpse of championship gold for the rest of his career, all they cared about was making sure you took your eyes off the ball in every match you took part in to ensure that they got their moment in the spotlight to take over the match with that goddamn YES! chant, in other words, all they cared about was THEMSELVES!!!
(Cesaro) Well that's over now, as the song from Florence And The Machine goes, "The dark days are over, the dark days are gone" There's only greener pastures to come for the both of us, and that green? is gonna be in the form of cold hard cash piling up in our SWISS bank accounts. The two of us are now the most DOMINANT, DANGEROUS, and DESTRUCTIVE wrestlers on this planet!!! and we're gonna make damn sure we're paid as such, no more working for free, you people will get no more freebies from Cesaro and Daniel Bryan.
(Cesaro) You wanna see us? you're gonna pay for it, how you might ask? quite simple, we're gonna be heading to the negotiating table really soon to hash out some new contracts with this company, and we're gonna be damn sure that we get a huge bonus for every single television and pay per view match we take part in. As far as house shows go? they're gonna have to triple what they're paying us to work those now if they want us to show up, and guess what? they have no choice, they're going to have to bend over backwards and take one for the company by locking us down and ensure that we don't decide to leave this place high and dry and take our talents elsewhere, because let's be very clear, if we walked out the door right now? this company would be in a cesspool of manure, not to mention just how embarrassing it would be, to have your World Heavyweight Champion AND your KING OF THE RING walk out the door at the same time? that would be all time brutal for this company's publicity, so there's really only one option for the brass around here, make us happy and pay us what we're owed and they'll be no problems, we're done letting you people take advantage of us, it's high time the roles were reversed, and trust me, they're going to be.
(Cesaro) That's enough about all of YOU though, it's time to talk about your king and give you a glimpse as to what the future under his rule will look like. Spoiler alert, it's going to look alot like it did at Coronation when I tossed "Flyin Brian" up in the air like he was an afterthought and took his damn head off on the way down en route to winning the King Of The Ring Tournament. I'll say this about BPJ, his father was looking down on him that night, well at least I hope he was, and I'm sure he was proud of what he saw from his son as he did take me down time and time again with his high flying offense, so you can at least take some pride in that I guess kid, but make no mistake about it, you're not in my league, you're not in Daniel's league, you're not anywhere close, you're in Drew Mcintyre's league, the LOSERS LEAGUE, you've got a comfy seat right beside him and it's exactly where the both of you belong. My experience, my strength, my power, and my technical wizardry is what propelled me to victory at Coronation, and as a result of said victory, I now sit atop this company along with my good friend here Daniel, and well, quite frankly, I may hold the current rights to the title of KING, but I firmly believe that we're not only the KINGS of this company, but we're the KINGS OF PRO WRESTLING as a whole!!!
Cesaro takes the cover off of the item that many thought was a new custom World Championship for Daniel Bryan, it's now revealed to have been a 2nd throne, this one with a custom theme of it's own. This throne bears no dragon's, it has a much more classic European feel to it, it's a two tone throne with silver and gold being the prominent colors, custom engraving weaves it's way throughout the throne including little Swiss cross patterns throughout. Cesaro's official King Of The Ring crown also sits atop a tabletop just to the side of the throne in all of it's 14 karat gold glory, only the finest sapphires and gemstones line the crown to give it a classy but not overbearing look, within moments, the King Of The Ring will sit atop this throne, and this crown will rest atop the king's head.
(Cesaro) Tonight, our journey as KINGS officially begins, we take one small step for us and one giant step for our bank accounts as we take our seats atop these thrones, and for ceremonial purposes, upon taking my rightful place atop the throne, I will have my official "King Of The Ring" crown bestowed upon me.
(Cesaro) Before we commence with our "Kings Coronation Ceremony", is there anything else that the World Heavyweight Champion would like to get off his chest?
Daniel Bryan I couldn't have said it better if I tried king, but yes, there is one thing I wanted to add before we begin, You VILE people should consider yourselves lucky that you're here tonight, and not just because you're in the presence of greatness, but because this will be the last night The American Dragon will ever be seen again. Now that I have realized my potential, I no longer require the moniker that has defined my entire career, I have surpassed it. I dethroned the Titanium Tyrant and took his World Heavyweight Championship, I struck fear in the heart of the Demon King and caused him to flee. And now that I have used it to gain what rightfully belongs to me, it no longer has any use to me. The American Dragon is no more, it has served its purpose. So from this moment forth, I will no longer be known as The American Dragon, no, I have thought of something much more fitting. The only things that matter to me now are my alliance with Cesaro, MY World Heavyweight Championship, and getting paid what we're owed. No longer will you chant alongside me, no longer will you cheer me, no longer will you manipulate me, I am my own man. And with the death of The American Dragon, The Dragon King will rise in the form of The Corporate Dragon.
(Cesaro) Amen to that brother...
The King and The Corporate Dragon share a fist bump as they prepare to begin this new era as KINGS, they appear to be moments away from taking their seats atop their thrones when all of a sudden....
The curtain parts as the two in the ring turn to the stage where Drew McIntyre has arrived. The Tyrant himself stands atop the ramp, staring down the ring where, what was formerly his, world champion sits with Daniel Bryan. His face is nothing but pure focus as he holds a mic in his hands, looking from Bryan to Cesaro, then back again. He raises it slowly, and finally speaks his first words of the night.
[Drew McIntyre] A lot of people thought I was pretty full of myself with the outlandish entrances I've made as of late but this, this is just ridiculous.
The crowd pops as Cesaro and Daniel look on, not pleased.
[Drew McIntyre] I have to give credit to which it is due. Daniel Bryan is one of the most talented wrestlers in the world. He can stand toe to toe with anyone in this ring, no matter their size or strength because his talent, is just that, talent. It is what he claims, natural ability. The only issue with that is, he didn't finish the job.
Drew almost smirks as Daniel looks on, confused at this statement.
[Drew McIntyre] You see Daniel, you had a chance of a lifetime. To slay the King. The end the Tyrant and you didn't because here I stand. You simply sit on the throne while I, the rightful ruler, stand in the pulpit asking everyone to lend an ear as I speak the truth. Daniel Bryan came back and worked his way to the top, and that's all I ever asked from my competition. But not even one week, and here he is, betraying everything that got him here. The power, the Holy Grail, having went straight to his head. You are not fit to be Champion, Daniel. Listen to me as I say it again for anyone who missed it: You are not fit to be Champion.
The fans always have a mixed feeling about Drew but right now they appear to be behind him, agreeing with his words at the very least. Or agreeing with the fact Daniel is a jerk, who knows.
[Drew McIntyre] Just like all the other men I've walked through. Because Daniel, you might be a good wrestler, but we both know that you got lucky when it came to facing me. It wasn't skill, it wasn't experience, it was luck. But, that's a lot of talk and as I said in the past, that's not who I am. I don't simply claim to be a King like some people. I don't claim to be a God. I don't claim to be a Dragon. No, I claim to be a Tyrant. And I prove it. So much like everyone else in this arena, I am done listening to you two go on and on about how great you think you are. I don't care if I'm out numbered: I'm coming to shut both of your mouths, and take back what is rightfully mine.
Drew drops his mic, ripping off his coat that he's been wearing for this time being. He begins to walk down the ramp, eyes on the prize.
The lights flash on and off before the arena goes completely dark. A dark silhouette appears on the titantron and begins speaking.
???: Daniel Bryan… You have calculated this entire spectacle perfectly except for one piece of the puzzle, and that’s me.
The Demon could be seen on the titantron looking directly at Daniel.
Finn Balor: I’ve been watching and waiting carefully. I’ve seen your entire plan unfold flawlessly, but as soon as I appeared at Coronation I saw a familiar look on your face… It was fear Daniel. I heard all the thoughts that were racing through your head in that moment and you know what’s gonna happen if you go one on one with The Demon. I’m taking your title Daniel. You know in the back of your mind that there’s nothing you can do to stop me. You can plot and plan all you want but nothing can prepare you for The Demon. I’m coming for you Daniel. The gates of hell have opened. See you soon.
Balor begins laughing as the lights begin flashing on and off. The laughs become demonic as the lights completely turn off. The arena becomes silent.
The lights turn back on and seated on the two thrones are McIntyre and Balor, both smiling. Bryan and Cesaro are both facing the crowd unaware of who’s behind them. They both turn around at the same time to witness the two on their thrones. After a moment of staring, Balor and McIntyre rise to their feet and begin throwing punches. Balor against Cesaro, McIntyre against Bryan. After a short exchange of punches, Balor clotheslines Cesaro our of the ring. The crowd begins cheering but on the other side of the ring Bryan has gained the upper hand and manages to break free of Drew’s hold on him. After Bryan kicks McIntyre off, Bryan goes for his signature Running Knee. Luckily, Drew is able to duck underneath the knee. McIntyre bounces off the ropes and raises his legs for a Claymore to Bryan, but lucky for him Cesaro sees what is going on and grabs Bryan’s legs and pulls him to safety. Balor and McIntyre stand in the ring waiting for the two so called “kings” to try their luck again. Bryan and Cesaro, seemingly furious, make their way up the ramp cursing and yelling at the duo who just “dethroned” the two kings. Balor and McIntyre make their way back towards the thrones and take a seat as the crowd cheers them on. As they sit, the camera fades and goes to the first commercial break of the night.
Backstage, we see the back of Kayla Braxton heading towards two figures in the corner of two walls. Mounted on that wall is a massive, well-lit mirror. Both men’s backs are to Kayla as well as the camera, as they seem to be checking themselves out in the reflective wall piece. As Kayla gets closer, it soon becomes blatantly obvious that these two men are the Number One Contenders for the Tag Team Championships, the delectable duo of Tyler Breeze and the Velveteen Dream. Tyler appears to be ever so delicately combing his hairs into perfect arrangement with his fingertips, while Velveteen looks like he’s in the process of reviewing and admiring his flashy attire choice. Kayla reaches up and taps Breeze on his shoulder, who doesn’t take his eyes off of himself even for a moment.
[TylerBreeze] I don’t remember ordering Postmates. Do you, Dream?
{Velveteen Dream} No Tyler, The Dream has no recollection of ordering anything from Postmates.
[Kayla Braxton] I was actually hoping to get a word from you two about your successful victory against the Cut Throat Era last week, and how you’re both feeling heading towards your Tag Team title opportunity at Warzone?
Prince Pretty raises a single index finger to cease Braxton from talking any longer, still not even so much as glancing over his shoulder at the interviewer.
{Velveteen Dream} How are we feeling, Miss Braxton? That is your question? Let me ask you how you think we feel, no no better yet. How does it look like we feel? You see we look like a million bucks. And those buffoons The Cut Throat Era looked like a couple of Jokers. But to answer your question, Miss Braxton...
[TylerBreeze] Tune in to A Moment of Bliss next week, where your future Tag Team Champions, that would be us by the way, will provide the answers to all of your burning questions and more... Now if you’ll excuse us, the Dream and I are tending to critical, pretty people's business. Nothing you average folk would know about.
Breeze holds up his phone and motions one hand as to bring the others into view of the camera. Kayla has a huge smile on her face as she squeezes into frame posing for a selfie. Breeze and Velveteen Dream give each other a puzzled look, before looking down upon Miss Braxton. A disappointed look comes over her face as she realizes what the #1 Contenders to the XWL Tag Team Championships do not want her in the picture. They motion for her to leave the set and pose for a selfie.
The lights in the arena all go out, the fans build with excitement as they have no idea what's currently happening. We hear a horrifying laugh echo throughout the arena...
as soon as the laugh fades the stage lights up slightly as we see a spotlight shine down, smoke fills the stage. We hear a dark echoing voice fill the arena "A nightmare for some. For others, a savior, I come. My hands, cold and bleak, it’s the warm hearts they seek." the lights flash a blood red as we hear a sword slice and a symbol appears on the titantron
CUTTING
OUT
THE
DEADWEIGHT
CTE is here to some mixed cheers, some have grown to like them while others refuse to forgive them for what they did to Golden Lovers, the arenas lights flash on to reveal Jay White and Sami Zayn. Jay is dressed as the Joker while Sami Zayn being who he is dressed as The Riddler complete with ? cane, jacket, and fedora. Jay is carrying a blade with him wearing a Joker T-shirt and sporting the brown boots. They make their way down the ramp as Sami twirls his cane Singing in the Rain style as Jay is more serious. The duo makes their way down the ramp and gets into the ring as they looked fired up than ever. They fist bump and await their opponents for the night
"LOOK, LOOK EVERYONE...! IT’S TYLER!"
The cameras zoom in on a pair of fur boots that are walking out onto the stage. Once he reaches the center, Prince Pretty spins around as the lights come up and he gazes down at his own image on the screen of his phone. While carefully stroking his own chin and jawline with the tip of his thumb, Tyler begins his walk down his version of the runway. Wasting little to no time entertaining the fans as the heckle and boo from the other side of the barricade, Breeze soon makes it to ringside.
As he rounds the ring post and arrives next to the apron, Prince Pretty grabs the bottom rope and uses it as leverage to kick his feet up and lay seductively across the ring apron. Eyes still on his iPhone screen, Breeze delicately combs his fingers through a few strands of his hair, smirking devilishly once they are put back into place. Once he's content with what he sees, Breeze rolls under the bottom rope and stands to his feet, walking back to that side of the ring where he briefly leans over to lend his sultry gaze to the camera.
The Definition of Delish meanders his way over to the corner turnbuckle, where he comfortable kicks his feet up and spreads out across the area. The body of Breeze is ever so eloquently draped across the corner of the ropes, with selfie-cam secure in hand. Tyler makes consistent and repeated glances at himself before turning his attention to the stage, where he awaits the arrival of his equally as enchanting partner-in-crime, the Velveteen Dream.
Velveteen DREEEEEEAM
As The Velveteen Dream gets rolled out on the couch, he has “Queen Cathy” Cathy Kelley sitting next to him in a gold and purple tiara. The couch comes to a stop at the top of the entrance way. Dream looks around the arena at all of the chanting fans screaming his name, waving his hands to his ears as if he were Hulk Hogan. Dream gets up from the couch, and extends his hand to Cathy Kelley, helping her stand up from the couch before passing her off to one of his entourage members as they escort her backstage.
{Corey Graves} Well Renee, Mauro we have the FINALS of the Motor City Cup Tag Team Tournament. We are about to crown NEW #1 Contenders to TCSI’s XWL World Tag Team Championships. I for one cannot wait to see what Cut Throat Era has in store for the new team on the block, Velveteen Breeze.
{Renee Young} Corey me too, although I think they have the charisma and the looks, plus the talent to get it done here tonight. The Velveteen Dream has been on a hot streak since debuting against Shawn Michaels, scoring pinfalls in each of his first 2 Pay-Per-View appearances… and yes Corey I know he lost at Downpour, hence why I did not say victories, just pinfalls.
{Mauro Ranallo} You’re absolutely right Renee, not many XWL superstars can make that claim as this company is really filled with stars from top to bottom. Both teams are now in the ring, lets send it over to Kayla Braxton.
{Kayla Braxton} Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL and is the Finals for the Motor City Cup #1 Contendership Tournament! Introducing first, weighing it at a combined weight of 432 lbs, Sami Zayn and Jay White. They are The Cut. Throat. ERA!! And challenging them, weighing in at a combined weight of 433 lbs, they are the most handsome tag team in all of professional wrestling today, they are Tyler Breeze and Velveteen Dream, The Velveteen Breeze!
The crowd begins to chant VelvetBreeze as Kayla exits the ring, with all 4 competitors stood in the very center, eyeing each other up and down. The bell rings and the match is underway.
As both Breeze and Zayn successfully extend to make the tag to their well-rested partners, the crowd explodes knowing they are about to see some fast, high-octane offense from the two fresh stars. Dream goes for a clothesline but White is able to roll under, bounce off the ropes and catch Dream with a clothesline of his own. He goes for a cover but Dream powers out at 2. White begins to slam the canvas in frustration, knowing that he and Sami are so close to challenging for the Tag Titles. White begins to stomp into the mat. As Dream rises to his feet, he is met by a superkick by White, sending him crashing down to the canvas. White goes for a cover but again, a 2 count on Dream. White goes to pick up Dream but the Dream counters, planting White into the mat with a powerful spinebuster. He goes for a cover but White gets the shoulder up at 2. Zayn goes in between the ropes and out of nowhere, kicks Dream in the back of the skull to buy his teammate some much needed time to recover. This of course draws the attention of Tyler Breeze. Breeze comes charging at Zayn but is knocked down by a stiff kick to his chest. Dream takes advantage of the distraction provided by his teammate and whips Zayn into the corner, however; Zayn is able to counter and Irish Whips The Velveteen Dream into the exposed turnbuckle he had set up a few moments prior. Zayn lines up Dream, sprints off the ropes twice and then aims right at Dream with the most brutal Helluva Kick the XWL Universe had ever seen. Dream goes crashing to the mat in a lifeless heap. Sami drags White’s lifeless body onto the cover and the ref begins to count.
{Renee Young} No no NO not like this Corey! It cannot end this way!
{Corey Graves} Well I’m sorry Renee but it just has to be this wa-OH MY GOD VELVETEEN DREAM KICKED OUT. His head was rammed into that exposed steel, and yet he still manages to find a way to fight out of it.
The ref motions to Sami to get him out of the ring, and Sami obliges, still in utter disbelief that Dream kicked out of the Helluva Kick. Zayn stands on the ring apron, pounding the turnbuckle trying to amp his teammate up to finish the match. Out of nowhere, Tyler Breeze springs up onto the apron, and locks Zayn in for the Unprettier, dropping Sami face-first on the edge of the ring apron, but also taking the brunt of the fall with his spine.
{Mauro Ranallo} MOMMA MIA COREY AND RENEE. BREEZE JUST OBLITERATED HIS SPINE ON THE APRON, THAT IS WHAT BEING THE #1 CONTENDER MEANS TO THIS MAN, TO THIS TEAM!!!
{Corey Graves} You’re absolutely right Mauro, all four of these men are pouring their heart and soul into this match. And I have a feeling we are only going to have 2 men moving forward. Breeze and Zayn have not moved a muscle since crashing down on the apron.
Jay White begins stirring around, seeing an unconscious Dream lying beneath his feet. White crawls over to the corner, using the ropes and turnbuckle to aid him in standing up. White gets a cocky, arrogant grin on his face and begins to point and laugh at the crowd as their “guy” was about to be defeated. White signals for the end and as Dream staggers to his feet, White sets him up for the Blade Runner. White slashes his throat and goes to execute the move. As he begins to twist Dream forward to plant his face into the mat, The Dream stops completely.
{Renee Young} OH. OH MY GOODNESS!!! VELVETEEN DREAM JUST COUNTERED THE BLADE RUNNER INTO THE RAINMAKER DDT, MID-FREAKING MOVE.
{Corey Graves} You’re not kidding Renee. White was already spinning Dream to hit him with The Blade Runner, and mid-move, Dream changed up something and hit the Rainmaker DDT. An incredible counter. Wait a minute, where is Dream going?
After executing the Rainmaker DDT, The Dream wastes no time in scrambling for the top rope. Dream gets to the top turnbuckle, and begins to rise up on his perch. Dream blesses himself, points skyward and comes crashing down onto Jay White with the Rainmaker Elbow Drop through his chest. Dream goes for the Cover!!!!!!!
spoilers ahead:
1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . 3!!!!!
{Kayla Braxton} Ladies and Gentlemen your winners of the match, AND NEW #1 CONTENDERS FOR THE XWL WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS, the team of Velveteen Dream and Tyler Breeze, they are The Velveteen BREEZE!!!!!!
[i]Breeze slides underneath the bottom rope and hugs his teammate, celebrating what they have just accomplished in such a short period of time together as a team. The crowd erupts in cheers for the two men, again chanting VelvetBreeze just as they had throughout the entirety of the match. Dream grabs his and Tyler’s custom made crowns that were hidden at ringside, and each man puts it on. The crown reads “#1 Contender. Future Champion” around the base, signifying that the two of them had just been Coronated. As Dream and Breeze leave the ring and head back up the ramp, we quickly zoom back to the ring, as Sami Zayn as rolled in under the bottom rope to check on his partner Jay White. The two men just sit there on their knees and stare at each other for more than 90 seconds. Finally, White can be heard mumbling “I’m sorry,” to Sami, as if he were apologizing for his performance. Zayn shakes his head no, responding with, “Nothing to be sorry for.” Zayn extends his hand to White and helps him get back to his feet. Tension in the crowd builds up as to what is about to happen. Zayn takes his open arm, and wraps it around the back of Jay White, embracing him in a hug after their crucial defeat. “We’ll be back,” Sami can be heard saying. The two men hug for about 10-15 seconds before exiting the ring, Velveteen Dream’s music playing the entire time to rub salt in the wounds.
XWL Coronation begins to play a promo package for the Main Event, hyping up Kairi Sane versus Tessa Blanchard in a 2 out of 3 falls match. [/i]
The thing I like most about XWL is that the community does not put down the ideas of other members, but instead gives constructive criticism and words of advice on a direction a character should go in. Another thing I like about XWL is the inclusion of every member on a weekly basis.
What do you like least about XWL?
The thing I like least about XWL is nobody in discord can detect my sarcasm and whenever somebody spams a strike after being countered.
Another thing I dislike about XWL is that while I admire and applaud the members that put the time and effort to make their promos the best they possibly can, it is possible to have a great promo without typing out The Great Wall of Text, and I feel that when promos are of such length, it becomes difficult to maintain focus all the way through, and are often times skimmed through. Sometimes short and sweet is better than long and rambly. Quality > Quantity
When it comes to booking, what is your overall assessment of how you've been booked? Is there enough variety? Could there be more? Do you want all of your characters booked every week? Or do you want them sporadically booked? And most of all do you believe we're presenting your characters as best as possible, or could we do better? If so, how?
Yes I believe that there is enough variety when it comes to booking. I’m not facing the same people every week and I have been given/earned three separate chances at a Title Match/#1 Contender Spot.
From previous feedback we've received from you the members we've tried to spread opportunity wide and far among as many members as possible when possible. We've especially tried to incorporate number one contenders matches and matches of that nature rather than handpicking the names. At the same time we've also tried to recognize when moments call for us to make those executive decisions when it comes to stripping a Champion who falls below the standard, or even forgoing a contenders match and approving a long term rivalry over a title that desperately needed a jolt to bring excitement to it. One example is Alexa Bliss versus Mandy Rose for The North American Championship. The division absolutely can handle two titles, but unfortunately the first two champions of this title did nothing for the long term success of it, so we felt it needed an established rivalry to peak interest. Do you agree with our recent handling of opportunities, and knowing when and how to execute them or could we do better? If so what you suggest we could do to improve upon it in the future?
For the same reason I stated above, I believe title matches have been handled fairly since I have returned.
The World Television Championship has been one disaster reign after the other, from champions/contenders not promoting it enough to the matches somehow almost not getting done. The admins are at the point of deciding that something needs to be done. Effective immediately the title has been vacated. So we currently have two options on the table, ditch it and the third male singles title concept entirely...or get rid of it in place of another title. What would you like to see us do?
Keep the Television Title as it is, or turn it into a gimmick match title like TNA did the King of the Mountain Title. Hardcore Title that can only be defended in Extreme Rules Matches.
We understand that every member has a personal life that takes priority over XWL. This league is meant to be a hobby after all, not a job, but in order to continue to function and prosper it does require some minimal commitment. The issue presently at hand is that of activity, or lack thereof. Over the last few months, we've become lenient in this regard due to the internal struggles of the Admin Team and with this more compact team in place, we plan to ensure that activity will be more closely monitored and warnings will be distributed as needed. With that said, there are two routes that we could take. This is where you as the members of XWL have a voice to let us know how you would like this league to run because after all, we are a community more than anything else. Would you prefer the present activity rules to be closely monitored and enforced as they should have been? Or would you prefer to have more leniency regarding those activity rules, and newer policies to accommodate less active members?
I would say do not be as strict about activity, as sometimes emergencies can happen and screw up an entire week’s plan. However I feel that new measures can be created and enforced, such as implementing a rule that states a member that fails to participate for x amount of weeks in a row cannot contend for a title for x amount of months. This will drive incentive to be active for as long as people care about titles.
In light of recent events involving a lack of communication between members who are booked against one another, notably those in high profile matches (number one contenders, tournaments, title matches), members will now be encouraged/required (whichever word you guys wanna use) to provide quoted evidence that they attempted to make contact with their opponent in the event that the match is not completed. If one member put in the effort and it was not returned, then that member will automatically receive the victory for the match in question. If neither opponent can provide evidence that the match was at the very least attempted to get done, then both parties will receive a loss. This was a difficult decision to make on our part, but it was one we as a team feel is a necessary reaction to multiple (both public and private) disputes and dilemmas involving communication and matches. Do you think this is a fair request? Is it too much? How would you handle the situation differently?
Next Question (sure it’s fair)
We have always tried to bring our members together as a community where you can post promos, do matches, and other things. Lately, other things haven’t been working out for us. PPV awards for Downpour were dreadful and when we tried to bring back Predictions for real life events, while the turnout was better than the awards, it was still not enough. What’s up? Are you guys not interested in these things? Do we not give you enough time? Do you just not care? Be honest because if people don’t care then we can put our efforts to other ideas and jobs instead.
While I understand the concern with people not voting for PPV Awards, the PPV Prediction Thread is really not that big of a concern tbh. To me, make the PPV awards mean something in the long run. Maybe if a superstar wins 2 or 3 in a row they receive a title match of their choosing. Cuz right now there isn’t a lot riding on the votes + not everybody reads every single segment/match.
The admin team has been in discussion recently about a potential policy being put into place regarding the execution of finishers while your opponent is either A) unable to defend him/herself due to a major reversal, or B) unable to defend him/herself due to a lack of reversals at the time. Some of you may be familiar with this issue by usage of the "Gentleman's Rule" that several of the members have adopted. This self-imposed rule is when prior to the match, opponents make an agreement not to utilize a finishing maneuver during either of the aforementioned circumstances (A and B). What are your initial thoughts on this topic? Do you think it should be made into a standard rule for all members to follow at all times? Should that rule be exclusively regulated to title matches? Would you prefer to keep things as they are with the "Gentleman's Rule?" Feel free to make a case for the permitting/restriction of both A and B, neither A nor B, or even if you're partial to having a rule put in place for A, but not B (or vice versa). We'd love to hear your opinions on the matter as we advance towards making this decision in an effort to positively effect our regular gameplay.
No matter how many times it is explained to me, I will still never understand the Major Reversal counter rule. I’ve been told the person turns Yellow, but that’s not something I’m looking for in a match. I agree that you should try and avoid these but I don’t have any issue with them being done to me. Either be smart with your reversals or don’t put yourself into that situation is my view on it. We shouldn’t be coddling people cuz they used 4 reversals in a row but got countered as well.
Are there any features that you think the XWL shows/site could have to improve the overall experience or presentation?
Some form of XWL Trivia would be pretty fun.
If you could change one thing about XWL, what would it be, and why?
I’d make me commish/world champ/tag champ/etc/etc.
I’d also maybe have some scheduled vacation time for shows every once and a while. 52 weeks in a row gets tiring and boring and makes it easier for people to burn out (I burned out after 3 months when I returned last year).
If I earn the right to be the #1 Contender as say Chris Jericho in my case, but I grow tired of promos or somebody else opens up that I would like to be, I shouldn’t lose all my hard work and effort I put in as Jericho because a guy I feel ill have more fun with and produce better work with became available. Having me start from scratch is a real momentum killer and kills any incentive I have to work my way back up.
Coming together with all sorts of people and creating these amazing stories. Even watching how others stories play out is really cool. Like, the twists, the turns, the foreshadowing...it's all so fun to follow.
What do you like least about XWL?
I feel like this changes depending on the week. One week it's hating how other admins can be successful but if I am there's always that one person to ruin it for me enjoyment wise. Another week it's the culture of some members who just don't seem to care about getting things done, or seeing why it's important to communicate and how easy it is to do so early into the week.
When it comes to booking, what is your overall assessment of how you've been booked? Is there enough variety? Could there be more? Do you want all of your characters booked every week? Or do you want them sporadically booked? And most of all do you believe we're presenting your characters as best as possible, or could we do better? If so, how?
I'm the main booker now so it's a bit awkward for me to address this specific topic because of course I think I do okay...I do recognize however that we could try to be more spontaneous with some things, and maybe try to do specials within the shows to breakup the monotony from time to time, though I do believe it's better than it used to be. I'm of course always open to suggestions and ideas to freshen the shows up so if anyone has any lemme know.
From previous feedback we've received from you the members we've tried to spread opportunity wide and far among as many members as possible when possible. We've especially tried to incorporate number one contenders matches and matches of that nature rather than handpicking the names. At the same time we've also tried to recognize when moments call for us to make those executive decisions when it comes to stripping a Champion who falls below the standard, or even forgoing a contenders match and approving a long term rivalry over a title that desperately needed a jolt to bring excitement to it. One example is Alexa Bliss versus Mandy Rose for The North American Championship. The division absolutely can handle two titles, but unfortunately the first two champions of this title did nothing for the long term success of it, so we felt it needed an established rivalry to peak interest. Do you agree with our recent handling of opportunities, and knowing when and how to execute them or could we do better? If so what you suggest we could do to improve upon it in the future?
See, The North American Championship wasn't like The World Television Championship where it perhaps didn't have a place...it absolutely DID and does. The division has grown and expanded from the years prior and it's totally capable of supporting two titles. The issue lies in who we trusted to be in the position to kick this title off. Real life happens so I wouldn't really say we made a bad decision...it just fell apart after the crowning match, and unfortunately...the next champion we brought into things only drug it down even further. The N.A title never had a solid chance once it was finally introduced because the first two champions were utter flops. Which in turn makes no one care about the title because they weren't given a reason to. They saw who was representing it and had no desire to be involved because of that. Which is why the admins really wanted to use this "stripping" of the title as a way to really ramp up the hype factor of the title and who was involved.
A natural course was of course having Vince strip it and award it to the new number one contender, who funnily enough failed to defeat the stripped champion at the ppv 2 weeks before...THUS, it looks like a complete abuse of power and that is just money for an angle.
But with a classic villainous tale, you need a counterpart to that. You need someone to be wronged by the situation, someone to challenge the decision and the process itself. And when you look at my run as Alexa, because of my success as Natalya...Alexa was excluded from EVERYTHING. My first legitimate opportunity was that number one contenders match where Mandy beat me, and so since Mandy could get multiple opportunities, why not Alexa?
We could have rushed an Alexa Vs Mandy match at International Incident, but does that build interest in the match to rush it? Absolutely not. You need to create a genuine struggle and blatant show that Alexa is being excluded from opportunity. So since Mandy's story with Nikki Cross didn't get tied up because of that member dropping off the face of the earth activity wise...hey let's have that be who Mandy defends against. Because it gives Mandy some credibility, and it gives Mandy someone to face that isn't Alexa.
It was important too for us to really build the eventual legit title match, and that means the first one? Needed to be completely over the top and ridiculous. One thing Sam and I have prided ourselves on throughout our time working together with this N.A program is that we've really tried to go outside of the box and keep things fresh even if the overall topic is the same. So how does Alexa get an opportunity to challenge Mandy? BY HAVING HER BE A REPLACEMENT FOR SOMEONE WHO GOT REMOVED FROM THE ELIMINATION CHAMBER FOR HER BEST FRIEND'S TITLE...and if she agrees to compete in that match, then later on regardless of the outcome she'll get her match with Mandy the same night.
It gives the illusion of them trying to cover their ass like look you got two title opportunities in one night...and it pushes the absurdity to it's highest again when Alexa comes out that night, nearly beats Mandy and Mandy dqs herself. THEN WE ADD THE CHERRY ON TOP BY HAVING VINCE COME OUT AND RESTART THE MATCH WHEN ALEXA'S UNCONSCIOUS BODY IS CARTED INTO THE RING WHERE SHES IMMEDIATELY PINNED AS THE BELL SOUNDS TO GIVE MANDY A DEFENSE! ITS SO GOOD
Like sometimes a title needs a story, it needs something to sink your teeth into, and while I don't have everyone's assessment of what we've done I think we've given 110% to restoring this title's image and making it matter. I just wanted to give a bit of insight as to why we felt this was a correct course of action, rather than just getting rid of the title. The title wasn't the issue, it just never truly got it's fair shot at existing and that is really what we as admins try to keep in mind when it comes to titles, and the challengers for those titles.
Believe me, we want to do number one contenders matches and qualifiers, and all of that...but there's a time and a place for everything, and with everything it needs balance.
Nothing of course is perfect, so any feedback or criticism for our process is of course welcome but I think when it comes to N.A we wanted to give it the fix that we believed it needed in order to undo all the damage done from the jump.
It's kind of what we tried to do with The World Television Championship going into Final Stand, hey let's give these two members a platform to make something great with a best of 7...and it utterly sucked because of who was involved and their lack of actual dedication to own it. From champion to challenger getting the matches let alone the promos done was a disaster. So in cases like N.A we knew we had the right people (two trusted admins who were also two of the most active in the division, and a 2 PPV cycle to really make something happen.
I hate stripping champions of their titles because it's awkward and it's just never something we want to do...but ultimately we as admins try to ensure quality remains paramount because the day we stop caring is the day XWL becomes like all the other leagues that died. From title, to champion, to challenger, to the matches that are involved...it all needs to be monitored and kept to form.
The World Television Championship has been one disaster reign after the other, from champions/contenders not promoting it enough to the matches somehow almost not getting done. The admins are at the point of deciding that something needs to be done. Effective immediately the title has been vacated. So we currently have two options on the table, ditch it and the third male singles title concept entirely...or get rid of it in place of another title. What would you like to see us do?
Basically, it was a "good" idea in theory, but it just serves no purpose other than filler and it's not even like a good filler like another title could be instead. I think bringing back X-treme could be cool but as for now? Toss it in the trash and focus on fortifying the tag-team division because that is a title that truly needs love and support from those not involved in the main two men's scenes.
We understand that every member has a personal life that takes priority over XWL. This league is meant to be a hobby after all, not a job, but in order to continue to function and prosper it does require some minimal commitment. The issue presently at hand is that of activity, or lack thereof. Over the last few months, we've become lenient in this regard due to the internal struggles of the Admin Team and with this more compact team in place, we plan to ensure that activity will be more closely monitored and warnings will be distributed as needed. With that said, there are two routes that we could take. This is where you as the members of XWL have a voice to let us know how you would like this league to run because after all, we are a community more than anything else. Would you prefer the present activity rules to be closely monitored and enforced as they should have been? Or would you prefer to have more leniency regarding those activity rules, and newer policies to accommodate less active members?
I don't want to have to change the activity expectation because I believe it's certainly fair and not expecting too much. For some members that have issues with that we have worked with so long as communication is open on both ends. It's simple, you work with us, you communicate, and we'll find a middle ground.
In light of recent events involving a lack of communication between members who are booked against one another, notably those in high profile matches (number one contenders, tournaments, title matches), members will now be encouraged/required (whichever word you guys wanna use) to provide quoted evidence that they attempted to make contact with their opponent in the event that the match is not completed. If one member put in the effort and it was not returned, then that member will automatically receive the victory for the match in question. If neither opponent can provide evidence that the match was at the very least attempted to get done, then both parties will receive a loss. This was a difficult decision to make on our part, but it was one we as a team feel is a necessary reaction to multiple (both public and private) disputes and dilemmas involving communication and matches. Do you think this is a fair request? Is it too much? How would you handle the situation differently?
I was livid with The Queen Of The Ring tournament, because the potential was so great, and the division, like EVERY SINGLE WOMAN in the division aside from the people who were picked up shortly after had something the coming month. NA/Womens/QOTR/Becky/Asuka #1 contenders match...it was great. And for two members to not really try to do their 1st round match? That pissed me off. I am patient about a lot of things but laziness is not one of those things. If you cannot do something for your characters, and have to excuse not doing AN IMPORTANT MATCH LIKE A CONTENDERS/TITLE/TOURNAMENT MATCH...by saying you did something as your other characters? You will be forced to drop down to a number of characters you can actually handle, that is basically the point we seem to be at.
Because we do tournaments so sparingly, and we had this planned to make an entire month of them really make it special, and there was just no sense in it. Read the card when it goes up on Monday or Tuesday, (BECAUSE IT LITERALLY TAKES A MINUTE) and then contact your opponent that day, DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SUNDAY.
But another member also that week unfortunately was M.I.A so that ruined another match...another match a member had connection issues so that ruined that one...it was just a hot mess. And when things like this happen it makes us not trust the members to handle things like tournaments. Which sucks because y'all nailed getting THREE Elimination Chamber Matches done.
Basically, communicate, plan, and if you do and your opponent doesn't? You're awarded the win because you at least tried, and that at the end of the day is all we ask. If any of the two members in that first match had just actually TRIED, and not just ONE day the first day of the card or the second to last from the other...then one of them would have advanced and the second round of the tournament could have been recovered.
Communication isn't hard y'all, it's really not.
We have always tried to bring our members together as a community where you can post promos, do matches, and other things. Lately, other things haven’t been working out for us. PPV awards for Downpour were dreadful and when we tried to bring back Predictions for real life events, while the turnout was better than the awards, it was still not enough. What’s up? Are you guys not interested in these things? Do we not give you enough time? Do you just not care? Be honest because if people don’t care then we can put our efforts to other ideas and jobs instead.
Like, I get some people either don't care about Prediction Contests, or don't have time or don't read PPVs (which really is what it boils down to) but we can't all say gee we need more of a community, and then not make the effort to actually help rebuild one,. Like, if people don't care about WWE prediction contests, what if instead we did XWL ones? I think it could be interesting to get like member theories on what they think will happen at the upcoming PPVs. And everyone here SHOULD care about XWL and what's going on so the WWE aspect doesn't really apply in that regard. Thoughts? And if two days isn't enough to read PPV/do your awards then can I get some suggestions on what it will take to get you to participate in PPV award voting? If The PPV ends on Monday at 4:30 do you need until Friday at 5:30 to vote? Is that fairer to your time/availability/desire to contribute since by that point you absolutely should have read what happened, right? Yes? No? Please reply your thoughts.
Also, can we get into the habit of doing what Matt (P1) currently is for Coronation? He's giving feedback and his candid thoughts about what's posted. I plan to fully review his Page/Revival introduction once I get some other stuff done but like, if we have thoughts or comments about something that happens on the show, can we post it in the thread so it's not as Shuggz said just a bunch of promos and matches posted with no actual community involvement? Like I MISS the old days when someone won a title, and there'd be like 5 messages afterward like CONGRATULATIONS WOO ETC. Just something to show that community factor, like discord is great and I think it's helped people communicate outside of the site/xbox...however, the site needs love too.
The admin team has been in discussion recently about a potential policy being put into place regarding the execution of finishers while your opponent is either A) unable to defend him/herself due to a major reversal, or B) unable to defend him/herself due to a lack of reversals at the time. Some of you may be familiar with this issue by usage of the "Gentleman's Rule" that several of the members have adopted. This self-imposed rule is when prior to the match, opponents make an agreement not to utilize a finishing maneuver during either of the aforementioned circumstances (A and B). What are your initial thoughts on this topic? Do you think it should be made into a standard rule for all members to follow at all times? Should that rule be exclusively regulated to title matches? Would you prefer to keep things as they are with the "Gentleman's Rule?" Feel free to make a case for the permitting/restriction of both A and B, neither A nor B, or even if you're partial to having a rule put in place for A, but not B (or vice versa). We'd love to hear your opinions on the matter as we advance towards making this decision in an effort to positively effect our regular gameplay.
The Gentlemen's Rule for those who aren't aware is basically an agreement that you either won't do, or any finishers you do that go against the agreement don't count to your score. Basically, finishers will not count if they're done when your opponent has no reversals (and this is that person also agreeing not to abuse not having reversals to avoid being hit by a finisher which no one agreeing would ever abuse anyways) and not when they are majored as well. It makes matches not delve into the "tryhard" side of things and those matches have been fun and gone very well.
I'd kind of like this to be the rule going forward for all title matches, and keep normal matches where the above can still be done so people who don't see an issue can do it normally, and people who do see an issue don't have to deal with it when it comes to title matches. Thoughts?
Are there any features that you think the XWL shows/site could have to improve the overall experience or presentation?
God, I wish I had the time but The XWL Newsletter would be a breath of fresh air. Like, interviews with people "in character" to promote feuds outside of the shows, or upcoming big matches etc. A power ranking (WHICH WHAT SUCKS ABOUT THESE IS PEOPLE ALWAYS DISPUTE IT) it would just be a fun cool thing to give the site something that isn't shows/availability threads.
We def need a show intro video but I'm incapable of doing those myself so I've been on the mercy of those who are.
Really what I'd love too and I'm probably the only one, but I'd love a monthly discussion topic. Like, something pertaining to XWL where like this survey we can all communicate our thoughts on it and any ideas we may have regarding whatever it is. Like, "hey the community aspect of XWL needs work, what are some things we all like doing that we could maybe make a thing of?"
or
"hey are you thinking of this title, do you feel like it's been supported well these past few months? what are some things you'd like to see us bring to it in the future? It's been a while since it's had a fatal four way thoughts on that? what characters would you like to compete for it?"
I just think things like that, gets everyone's input and then it's not just the admins majority of the time making all the discussions in house and the decisions. The issue with doing something like this is of course participating. Because like, we have to make these surveys "mandatory" to get 100% participation but maybe since it's one topic a month people wouldn't feel like it's too much to contribute? Can I get some thoughts on this idea or if you'd even be interested or think it's a good idea?
Hell some of them could even be member submitted topics. Like, say you had an issue with a booking decision we had, you could say hey I really didn't care for this, do you think for the next monthly topic we could talk about it and what everyone themselves thought? Like in my head it'd add so much to the site just to have everyone involved.
If you could change one thing about XWL, what would it be, and why?
I'd like it if we could get to a place culture wise in XWL where not everything had to be a rule. Like, this past year a few things that were never issues before, were issues, and it led to us having to alter things in order to prevent them in future...and it's like, things that apply to our mindset when it comes to matches, that shouldn't have to be rules. I think we just need to have more fun, in every aspect. I want to have fun booking, I want to know that I can do a tag team match with random partners one week, and trust it will get done. Like, when is the last time we had a Six Man Tag that combined some stories that wasn't setup by you the members for a story? I'd love to be able to know that I can maybe throw The Tag-Team Champions and The I.C Champion or World Champion and have them face their challengers to close out the final show before a PPV AND THAT IT WILL GET DONE AND NOT JUST BE SOME STORY BS.
I'd like it if Sam as hard as he works on stories could have more people contribute the week before so he can keep them fresh and have variety. Because the stories are just incredible and like Shuggz said a true highlight of Anarchy shows.
I'd like it if people got together on their own, and just did random promos together one week that had very little impact on something long term. Like, none of you will remember this. But once upon a time ago there was a stable of Evan Bourne, Dolph Ziggler, and Michelle McCool. And one day they went to the local casino...and man, the cameos from so many superstars in little casino type things in that one segment was so cool and different. Why can't we all come up with an idea one week and have like an in character forum where every male/female is present and we can all get the "stage" and say whatever is on our minds about the current XWL product?
LIKE MAN, I'D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT A LOT OF THE SUPERSTARS THINK ABOUT MR. MCMAHON AND MANDY ROSE'S SHENANIGANS. Why can't there be more involvement in each other's things? Interviews from our characters promoting a big match we're not involved in, just to give their thoughts.
I just feel like XWL needs to come together, everyone has their own stories and there's very little overlapping. We need to come together and have more fun.
Spoiler:
AJ's Survey
What do you like most about XWL?
Using this as a creative outlet. A close second would have to be the people I've met over the years. (Most of them at least)
What do you like least about XWL?
Mandatory surveys.
When it comes to booking, what is your overall assessment of how you've been booked? Is there enough variety? Could there be more? Do you want all of your characters booked every week? Or do you want them sporadically booked? And most of all do you believe we're presenting your characters as best as possible, or could we do better? If so, how?
More often than not, I'm usually helping out with putting the matches together so I don't think it's really fair for me to answer this.
From previous feedback we've received from you the members we've tried to spread opportunity wide and far among as many members as possible when possible. We've especially tried to incorporate number one contenders matches and matches of that nature rather than handpicking the names. At the same time we've also tried to recognize when moments call for us to make those executive decisions when it comes to stripping a Champion who falls below the standard, or even forgoing a contenders match and approving a long term rivalry over a title that desperately needed a jolt to bring excitement to it. One example is Alexa Bliss versus Mandy Rose for The North American Championship. The division absolutely can handle two titles, but unfortunately the first two champions of this title did nothing for the long term success of it, so we felt it needed an established rivalry to peak interest. Do you agree with our recent handling of opportunities, and knowing when and how to execute them or could we do better? If so what you suggest we could do to improve upon it in the future?
Stop putting me in title matches. For the NA stuff, there was little else you could do to bring the Championship in line with the Women's despite it supposed to be the “lesser” of the two. With the amount of effort that was put in by both David and Sam, it was only a matter of time before the NA Championship would be elevated to rival the “main” title and I think it was successful.
The World Television Championship has been one disaster reign after the other, from champions/contenders not promoting it enough to the matches somehow almost not getting done. The admins are at the point of deciding that something needs to be done. Effective immediately the title has been vacated. So we currently have two options on the table, ditch it and the third male singles title concept entirely...or get rid of it in place of another title. What would you like to see us do?
We tried. It's time to move on, focus on the other five Championships and building up the Tag Division.
We understand that every member has a personal life that takes priority over XWL. This league is meant to be a hobby after all, not a job, but in order to continue to function and prosper it does require some minimal commitment. The issue presently at hand is that of activity, or lack thereof. Over the last few months, we've become lenient in this regard due to the internal struggles of the Admin Team and with this more compact team in place, we plan to ensure that activity will be more closely monitored and warnings will be distributed as needed. With that said, there are two routes that we could take. This is where you as the members of XWL have a voice to let us know how you would like this league to run because after all, we are a community more than anything else. Would you prefer the present activity rules to be closely monitored and enforced as they should have been? Or would you prefer to have more leniency regarding those activity rules, and newer policies to accommodate less active members?
Seeing as we've been lenient for the last handful of months and activity has subtly fallen in that time, I feel like we, as an admin team, should get our shit together and sort that out. We've had people get away without promoing for weeks on end and not received a warning. That's not due to any one person on the team but all of us as a collective since we weren't picking up the slack. That falls on us and now with this semi new team, I hope we can maintain activity and handing out warnings where appropriate.
In light of recent events involving a lack of communication between members who are booked against one another, notably those in high profile matches (number one contenders, tournaments, title matches), members will now be encouraged/required (whichever word you guys wanna use) to provide quoted evidence that they attempted to make contact with their opponent in the event that the match is not completed. If one member put in the effort and it was not returned, then that member will automatically receive the victory for the match in question. If neither opponent can provide evidence that the match was at the very least attempted to get done, then both parties will receive a loss. This was a difficult decision to make on our part, but it was one we as a team feel is a necessary reaction to multiple (both public and private) disputes and dilemmas involving communication and matches. Do you think this is a fair request? Is it too much? How would you handle the situation differently?
It takes a minute at best to message someone then the remainder of the week to try to line up a time for the match to get done. I just don't see how this is even a thing. I understand that sometimes people forget they have matches and I've fallen victim to this many times but at the end of the day, this shouldn't be an issue. But it is and here we are. I think it's more than fair that if one party doesn't try to get the match done while the other does, they should be awarded the win, same when neither try to get it done. All it takes is one message, maybe two, it's not difficult. And this is coming from the guy that waited until the last day to do his survey.
We have always tried to bring our members together as a community where you can post promos, do matches, and other things. Lately, other things haven’t been working out for us. PPV awards for Downpour were dreadful and when we tried to bring back Predictions for real life events, while the turnout was better than the awards, it was still not enough. What’s up? Are you guys not interested in these things? Do we not give you enough time? Do you just not care? Be honest because if people don’t care then we can put our efforts to other ideas and jobs instead.
I don't care for the prediction contests personally, I'm barely able to watch the Pay-Per-Views live, let alone do predictions for them. For Pay-Per-View awards, it just hurts watching the low amount of votes we got for Downpour. I don't know what's worse: Getting half-assed votes or not getting any at all.
The admin team has been in discussion recently about a potential policy being put into place regarding the execution of finishers while your opponent is either A) unable to defend him/herself due to a major reversal, or B) unable to defend him/herself due to a lack of reversals at the time. Some of you may be familiar with this issue by usage of the "Gentleman's Rule" that several of the members have adopted. This self-imposed rule is when prior to the match, opponents make an agreement not to utilize a finishing maneuver during either of the aforementioned circumstances (A and B). What are your initial thoughts on this topic? Do you think it should be made into a standard rule for all members to follow at all times? Should that rule be exclusively regulated to title matches? Would you prefer to keep things as they are with the "Gentleman's Rule?" Feel free to make a case for the permitting/restriction of both A and B, neither A nor B, or even if you're partial to having a rule put in place for A, but not B (or vice versa). We'd love to hear your opinions on the matter as we advance towards making this decision in an effort to positively effect our regular gameplay.
It's one in the morning as I type this and I'm not in the mindset to open that can of worms.
Are there any features that you think the XWL shows/site could have to improve the overall experience or presentation?
Additional match types to break up the monotony of normal matches.
If you could change one thing about XWL, what would it be, and why?
Mandatory Surveys. Stop trying to raise my post count, David.
ALSO IF WE CAN JUST HEAR DAVID, AJ AND SAMS VOICE WE CAN ALL REST EASY I KNOW YOU'RE ALL THE SAME PERSON! WHY DON'T YOU PROVE ME WRONG COWARDS!
You have my snapchat already, spud.
What do you like most about XWL?
I like expressing myself and unique storylines with the people and characters that I admire in professional wrestling. Because I don't really have anybody in my personal circle who even watch wrestling, excluding my brother, being in XWL gives me communication with a wide variety of friends that share the same enthusiasm that I do. I've made friends here that have lasted me 8 years and counting, and I don't see that changing any time soon fortunately.
What do you like least about XWL?
People saying things to each other just to be annoying or try to get under somebody's skin. That's something you can find anywhere, but it bothers me in particular especially now that I have to be professional and bite my tongue about it. We all, even myself, are guilty of it at some capacity sometimes, I just think it'd be easier if people didn't drop a comment just for the sake of being a pest and hearing themselves "speak."
When it comes to booking, what is your overall assessment of how you've been booked? Is there enough variety? Could there be more? Do you want all of your characters booked every week? Or do you want them sporadically booked? And most of all do you believe we're presenting your characters as best as possible, or could we do better? If so, how?
I'm really happy with my booking. If I ever need a week off as one or more characters, it's easy to let the admin in charge of booking know. Being one of the members who has multiple characters, it can get a little hectic when they're all booked every week, but I think overall those in charge have done/do a great job at making sure that typically doesn't happen.
From previous feedback we've received from you the members we've tried to spread opportunity wide and far among as many members as possible when possible. We've especially tried to incorporate number one contenders matches and matches of that nature rather than handpicking the names. At the same time we've also tried to recognize when moments call for us to make those executive decisions when it comes to stripping a Champion who falls below the standard, or even forgoing a contenders match and approving a long term rivalry over a title that desperately needed a jolt to bring excitement to it. One example is Alexa Bliss versus Mandy Rose for The North American Championship. The division absolutely can handle two titles, but unfortunately the first two champions of this title did nothing for the long term success of it, so we felt it needed an established rivalry to peak interest. Do you agree with our recent handling of opportunities, and knowing when and how to execute them or could we do better? If so what you suggest we could do to improve upon it in the future?
Even though I was a part of it, none of us like feeling like we're taking opportunities away from other members. David and I taking over was an absolute last resort, and would likely not even have happened at all if I hadn't just won the #1 contendership right before it was stripped. I'm really happy with the way things have turned out with the North American Championship as a result and I hope that that continues after this feud. I think it was, again, a last resort and a worst case scenario that we had to make the best of with the two most deserving superstars at the time for the title (who just so happened to be played by two admins).
The World Television Championship has been one disaster reign after the other, from champions/contenders not promoting it enough to the matches somehow almost not getting done. The admins are at the point of deciding that something needs to be done. Effective immediately the title has been vacated. So we currently have two options on the table, ditch it and the third male singles title concept entirely...or get rid of it in place of another title. What would you like to see us do?
I'd like to get rid of it for the time being until we can unanimously agree that we have the manpower to support an additional fun title, and then look into re-introducing a retro belt or bringing in something new.
We understand that every member has a personal life that takes priority over XWL. This league is meant to be a hobby after all, not a job, but in order to continue to function and prosper it does require some minimal commitment. The issue presently at hand is that of activity, or lack thereof. Over the last few months, we've become lenient in this regard due to the internal struggles of the Admin Team and with this more compact team in place, we plan to ensure that activity will be more closely monitored and warnings will be distributed as needed. With that said, there are two routes that we could take. This is where you as the members of XWL have a voice to let us know how you would like this league to run because after all, we are a community more than anything else. Would you prefer the present activity rules to be closely monitored and enforced as they should have been? Or would you prefer to have more leniency regarding those activity rules, and newer policies to accommodate less active members?
I just think the current rules need to be enforced. I think we give a relaxed enough time to accommodate the more casual, part-time members as well as the more dedicated full-time ones. Anything more lenient would just encourage the league to become a little more lazy in my opinion, and we'd probably see even less done and I don't think anyone here truly wants that to happen.
In light of recent events involving a lack of communication between members who are booked against one another, notably those in high profile matches (number one contenders, tournaments, title matches), members will now be encouraged/required (whichever word you guys wanna use) to provide quoted evidence that they attempted to make contact with their opponent in the event that the match is not completed. If one member put in the effort and it was not returned, then that member will automatically receive the victory for the match in question. If neither opponent can provide evidence that the match was at the very least attempted to get done, then both parties will receive a loss. This was a difficult decision to make on our part, but it was one we as a team feel is a necessary reaction to multiple (both public and private) disputes and dilemmas involving communication and matches. Do you think this is a fair request? Is it too much? How would you handle the situation differently?
It's fair. Admit your wrongs if you have any, communicate any extensive circumstances, show me the receipts, or take your L and try again next week. Just talk to each other, never assume that your opponent is aware of your schedule and expect them to be able to comply with it on the last day of a card.
We have always tried to bring our members together as a community where you can post promos, do matches, and other things. Lately, other things haven’t been working out for us. PPV awards for Downpour were dreadful and when we tried to bring back Predictions for real life events, while the turnout was better than the awards, it was still not enough. What’s up? Are you guys not interested in these things? Do we not give you enough time? Do you just not care? Be honest because if people don’t care then we can put our efforts to other ideas and jobs instead.
Don't look at me, I wasn't even planning on watching the PPV and I voted. I get what everyone's saying when they explain that Stomping Grounds wasn't exactly a hyped PPV, and while I agree I think this was more of a community support measure to just show that this is an activity that you actually want to see more of. Even if you weren't invested in these matches, if it was something you wanted to stick around, it doesn't take long to contribute and keep it alive.
The admin team has been in discussion recently about a potential policy being put into place regarding the execution of finishers while your opponent is either A) unable to defend him/herself due to a major reversal, or B) unable to defend him/herself due to a lack of reversals at the time. Some of you may be familiar with this issue by usage of the "Gentleman's Rule" that several of the members have adopted. This self-imposed rule is when prior to the match, opponents make an agreement not to utilize a finishing maneuver during either of the aforementioned circumstances (A and B). What are your initial thoughts on this topic? Do you think it should be made into a standard rule for all members to follow at all times? Should that rule be exclusively regulated to title matches? Would you prefer to keep things as they are with the "Gentleman's Rule?" Feel free to make a case for the permitting/restriction of both A and B, neither A nor B, or even if you're partial to having a rule put in place for A, but not B (or vice versa). We'd love to hear your opinions on the matter as we advance towards making this decision in an effort to positively effect our regular gameplay.
I don't have a fully developed, concise opinion on this just yet. I think the gentlemen's rule has worked out fine so far, but I also just hate major reversals. They are part of the game, but it's almost always an unintentional result that leaves you helpless. If you recklessly burn through all of your reversals and get spiked, that's on you, sister.
Are there any features that you think the XWL shows/site could have to improve the overall experience or presentation?
I know it's a lot of work but I love the intro videos we used to have. It really brings more life and immersion into the league, for me at least, and it's always fun to let it the Anarchy theme song play while you read the stories (you're welcome~) and looking over the card, as well as seeing where your characters ended up in the video itself. I really do enjoy those whenever they're made.
If you could change one thing about XWL, what would it be, and why?
Reasonably, not much. I wish some people were more understanding and respectful of the amount of thought and effort that goes into making everything we do here equal and fair, but for every member who doesn't see that, there are multiple that do, so the good by far outweighs the bad for me. Thanks boys<3
As Anarchy returns from commercial break, we join Velveteen Dream in The Velveteen Dream Experience Lounge, with Miss Strum and Miss Veronica standing behind him. Dream is laying sideways on a purple felt couch with cardboard cutouts of Tyler Breeze, Roderick Strong and Dominik Dijakovic behind and next to the couch. “Queen” Cathy Kelley walks into the room and sits on the chair across from Dream’s couch. The Velveteen Dream sits up right on his couch and scooches over to the far right cushion to create space.
{Velveteen Dream} Please Queen Kathy, come take a seat on The Dream couch so we can really connect for this interview. The Dream feels a strong connection, no need to be shy.
{Cathy Kelley} Sitting down on The Dream Couch Thank you very much, Dream. Now I wanted to start off this interview by asking you how the pairing of you and “Prince Pretty” Tyler Breeze came together to be such a formidable force here in XWL?
{Velveteen Dream} Well Queen, when you take “The Dreamboat” Velveteen Dream and pair him with someone like “The God of Gorgeous” Tyler Breeze, you’re destined to be the greatest, best-looking tag team that has ever been seen in Wrestling history. Isn't that right T?
Velveteen Dream taps the sternum of the Breeze cutout and chuckles to himself.
Last week, we merely scratched the surface of our full potential when we defeated Team Ugly in Elias and Batista. And this week will be no different. Next question please.
{Cathy Kelley} Okay Dream well if you guys defeat Dijakovic and Strong tonight, you move on to the finals against the winner of Cut Throat Era versus The Los Conquistadors at Coronation to see who will earn the right to face Trash City Stupid Idiots for the XWL Tag Team Titles at Ascension, what are your thoughts on that?
{Velveteen Dream} What are my thoughts on that you ask? Well let’s just say that the Trash City Stupid Idiots are in for a very rude awakening when they face The Velveteen Breeze at Ascension because T and I will defeat Dijakovic and Strong here tonight, and we will go on to defeat those two imbeciles named CTE, that have CTE at the Coronation PPV and there isn’t a damn thing they can do about it. Now on the off chance CTE loses to Los Conquistadors? Well then you might as well name T and I the #1 Contenders on the spot. And then when T and I take our rightful place on our thrones as the #1 Contenders at Coronation, there is no doubt in my mind that The Velveteen Breeze will ascend to become XWL Tag Team Champions. I will sit you down on the throne next to me, permanently making you Queen Dream honey. Did you see what I did there? I took the next two PPV names and put them into my sentences like a true great!
Velveteen grabs Cathy’s free hand and gives it a kiss. He stands up from the couch and then looks back at Cathy.
Excuse me one moment.
Velveteen Dream superkicks the cutout of Roderick Strong before hitting the Dijakovic cutout with the now empty chair. The Dream extends his hand to Cathy, helps her off the couch and twirls her around as he poses over the two cut-outs. As the Tyler Breeze cutout remains in the background, Dream grabs Cathy and walks her over to the cutout. The Dream wraps one arm around the Breeze cutout, one arm around Cathy, and the “3” pose for a selfie.
{Velveteen Dream} On 3, say Future Tag Champs… 1..2...3
Anarchy cuts to a commercial break as we fade away from The Velveteen Dream Experience
World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contenders Match
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While unsuccessful the night prior inside the dreaded structure known as the Elimination Chamber, Bryan has reversed his fortunes here tonight with a victory over an extremely game Brian Pillman Jr, his theme playing much to the joy of the live audience in attendance. Take nothing away from the bright young star that is Pillman Jr, despite his loss, he's shown that he is a top talent and is deserving of a World Heavyweight Championship opportunity, but on this night, Bryan was the better man. With both men now on their feet and looking at one another, Pillman Jr extends his hand towards the victorious Goat, a reverse of their previous encounter where Pillman Jr was the one getting his arm raised. Bryan nods his head and extends his own hand, causing it to interlock with his opponent's, a clear sign of respect between both men. Pillman Jr takes his leave of the ring and makes his way up the ramp, leaving Bryan to celebration his hard earned victory with the XWL Universe. Bryan does just that, throwing his hands into the air as he shouts “Yes!” at the top of his lungs, the live audience in attendance being mesmerized to do the same. This goes on for a few moments before Bryan stops himself, holding his abdomen in pain. Whether it's due to the sheer intensity of having to endure starting the Chamber the night prior or the war he waged tonight is unsure, all we know is that Bryan currently isn't one hundred percent. He begins to turn around towards the timekeeper's area, presumably to ask for a microphone, but he instead finds something else entirely.
EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Bryan goes from vertical to horizontal in record time as the culprit behind the attack is the man that tried to “reawaken the dragon” after he was unsuccessful in his Championship goal just twenty four hours ago: The Swiss Cyborg, Cesaro. Not being satisfied with a single strike, Cesaro pulls a downed Daniel Bryan up to a seated position and in his defenseless state, begins unloading a barrage of European Uppercuts, if Bryan wasn't out before, surely he is now. Instinctively, the live audience in attendance begins to count along with the strikes being delivered. Cesaro notices this at his fourth strike and begins to pick up the pace, able to deliver the deadly strike faster than the crowd could count, leaving them in the dust as he releases Bryan, who falls back down to the canvas. Still not content with his calculated assault, Cesaro lifts a clearly limp Daniel Bryan and drags him against his will towards the nearest turnbuckle, using it as a crutch to keep our Goat Faced Hero at a vertical base, albeit barely.
Cesaro runs towards the opposite turnbuckle, leaping into the air when he gets close and using the middle one as a bit of a momentum boost before he reverses his destination and picks up a head full of steam on his return trip towards the defenseless Daniel Bryan. When he's within range, he throws his full weight behind his strike: The dreaded European Uppercut. The maneuver nearly takes Bryan's head off upon impact as it bends backwards while Cesaro takes a few steps back to admire his work. The force of the strike sends Bryan stumbling forward towards an awaiting Cesaro, who places his left hand on Bryan's right shoulder and looks into his glazed over eyes mouthing, “I'm doing this for you!” before shoving him away towards the ropes behind him.
The ropes do their job and send Bryan stumbling back towards Cesaro, who takes a hold of either side of Bryan's waist and tosses him into the air. He allows gravity to do the rest as Bryan returns back to his launching point and right into Cesaro's arm, who delivers the European Uppercut to end all European Uppercuts as Bryan remains motionless on the canvas. Now finally satisfied with his actions, Cesaro bends down and takes a hold of Bryan's unconscious arm and shakes it, mocking the handshake he shared with Pillman Jr prior to this attack, releasing it shortly after as he makes his way out of the ring and up the ramp, a sinister smirk etched on his face as the last image seen is that of a laid out Daniel Bryan in the center of the ring before we head into a commercial break.
Downpour’s theme song plays as the stage’s pyro lights up the arena. The camera scans the thousands in attendance while the commentators greet the millions watching at home.
[[Renee Young]] Ladies and gentlemen welcome back to another jam packed episode of XWL Anarchy!!!
[[Corey Graves]] We’re fresh off the wild ride that was Downpour, and all that I can say is.. Wow!!!
[[Mauro Ronallo]] Wow is right!! We had the debut of “Glorification in Demonstration” Keith Lee. As well as the returns of Dean Ambrose, Ronda Rousey, Joey Janela, Rhea Riley, Elias, Nia Jax, and more!!
[[Renee Young]] I can’t believe that Ronda Rousey is letting Paul Heyman be her advocate!!
[[Corey Graves]] Well can you blame her? Look at what it did for Brock Lesnar. And Ronda is just as dominant in the women's division as Bock was in the men’s. With Paul Heyman directing traffic there just may be no stopping Ronda Rousey.
[[Mauro Ronallo]] Well speaking of fighters and fights, we were witness to a grueling battle between Matt Sydal and Buddy Murphy for the Intercontinental Title.
[[Renee Young]] Matt Sydal defied the odds last night with a history making come from behind victory to win back his title.
[[Corey Graves]] Tonight those two will once again be facing off for the Intercontinental Championship. Only this time we’re not in Sydal’s hometown. And we all know that the Champ is going to have to keep his head on a swivel in case The Undisputed Era decides to interfere in his Championship match again.
[[Renee Young]] Speaking of Championships and gold, we have three exciting tournaments starting tonight to crown our new King and Queen of the Rings, as well as our 2nd Annual Motor City Cup!!
[[Corey Graves]] I’m so excited!! The winner of the Motor City Cup will face off against the Tag Team Champions for the titles at Ascension!!
[[Mauro Ronallo]] I love tag team wrestling!! I can’t wait for this tournament to get under way!!
[[Renee Young]] Well before any tag team matches get under way we’re going to be treated to our huge Opening Match!!
[[Corey Graves]] That’s right!! We have Brian Pillman Jr. facing off against Daniel Bryan to start the night off!!
[[Mauro Ronallo]] Daniel Bryan stood across Drew McIntyre as the first two men to enter the Chamber, and lasted all the way until the final three. Bryan must still be pretty banged up after that grueling chamber match!
[[Renee Young]] Well Pillman Jr. didn’t have a walk in the park against “The Demon” Finn Balor either!!
[[Corey Graves]] That’s true!! Let’s take a look!!
The lights go dark in the arena as the titantron lights up, showing highlights from Finn Balor and Brian Pillman Jr.’s match.
[[Renee Young]] Wow!! What a great match!! I can’t believe that Pillman Jr. is able to still compete tonight after that battle, and as the Opening Match at that!!
The video comes to an end and the lights return to the arena. The crowd begins to buzz.
[[Corey Graves]] Pillman and Daniel Bryan will be competing for the #1 Contender Spot for the World Heavyweight Championship.
The crowd’s buzzes grow louder.
[[Renee Young]] Gu-
[[Mauro Ronallo]] That’s right, and the loser of the match won’t be walking away empty handed either, they’ll be given the last spot in the King of the Ring Tournament!!
[[Renee Young]] Do you not se-
[[Corey Graves]] And the winner of the King of the Ring Match will be able to exchange their crown for a scheduled World Title opportunity within 90 days of winning the Tournam-
[[Renee Young]] Corey!! Look!!
The camera zooms out so that we can now see the ring as well, and the cause of the crowd’s noises.
[[Renee Young]] That’s Dean Ambrose!!
We can see Dean Ambrose in the middle of the ring, mic in hand, standing still as a statue as he glares at the camera.
[[Dean Ambrose]] I’m not really into big entrances and loud pyro. I don’t need my theme song to get my blood pumping. I could care less about giving Graves, Renee, and that other buffoon sitting there time to talk about me, and what I did last week, or who I’m facing this week. I don’t need all that nonsense. I’m not here for the hype. I’m not here for the “glory”. I had all that. I didn’t return for all that.. …
[[Mauro Ronallo]] Did he just call me a buffoon!?!
[[Dean Ambrose]] I returned to fight. I returned to gouge out eyeballs, I returned to rip off ears, I returned to knock out teeth, I returned to bloody noses… And I sure as hell don’t care about what a referee has to say about it. If I feel like cracking somebody's skull open with a chair, then I will. If I want to break someone’s back by putting them through a table, then I’m going to do just that. If the sudden urge to beat the living hell out of somebody with a kendo stick springs upon me, well guess what, I’m going to give into that urge. I’m going to do what I want, to who I want, when I want, because that’s the only way I’m going to be able to accomplish what I returned to do.. And that’s bring about the demise of XWL...
Dean takes a deep breath before cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders. He then begins to pace the ring as he speaks..
[[Dean Ambrose]] I don’t care about matches. I don’t care about tournaments. I don’t care about wins or losses.. All that I care about is taking out each and every one of the superstars in the back, one injury at a time, until there is no one left for you people to cheer for, no more lives for you people to ruin!!! One by one, your heroes will fall at the hands of Dean Ambrose, and each time you will hate me more and more… Until one day..One day.. Because one day you will all be thanking me. Once this company is nothing more than a pile of ashes, that’s when you will all see. The world is better without XWL.. All this business does is take, and take, and take, and take, until there is nothing left… And your cheers are the fuel to the fire… Well once I’m through, there will be nothing left for you to cheer for.
The crowd lets out a loud wave of boos.
[[Dean Ambrose]] Like I said before.. I didn’t return to wrestle. I didn’t return for Championships. I didn’t return for ego boosting tournaments…I returned to fight. When you get out of the ring with me you’re going to be looking a lot different than when you stepped into it. Your nose might be all the way up here-
Dean points to his forehead.
[[Dean Ambrose]] Your smile could me missing a couple of teeth. Your eye could be bruised or bloody. Hell, one of your arms or legs could even be broken.. When people see an XWL superstar in crutches, or a sling, or with cuts, scrapes, and bruises they’re going to think to themselves; “Wow, that guy looks terrible, he must have had a match with Dean Ambrose.”
[[Dean Ambrose]] Some wrestlers have a cool theme song, some wrestlers have an awesome finishing maneuver. Everyone has something to remember them by.. Well Dean Ambrose will be remembered for breaking the rules, and breaking bodies.
Dean smiles to himself.
[[Dean Ambrose]] And the best part about it is that there is nothing that anyone can do about it!!! You see, when I signed my contract Vince made sure that I agreed to a special clause. He knew that I wasn’t thrilled about rejoining XWL after what this company did to me. He thought that I would try to just hide in the back and collect a paycheck each week. So he made sure that I signed a clause in my contract that forces me to compete each week in a match!! So if I refuse to show up and compete, then I’m breaking my side of the contract. But get this, if XWL doesn’t book me every week, then they’re breaking theirs!! So even Vince can’t stop me!!
[[Dean Ambrose]] It gets better!! Because of that stupid “Demise of Dean Ambrose” tournament, not to mention everything else that XWL did to me, I made sure that my contract keeps me safe from being fired unjustly. And last I checked excessively injuring other wrestlers during a match doesn’t qualify as a just reason to fire someone from XWL!!
Dean laughs as the crowd boos.
[[Dean Ambrose]] This is the demise of XWL!! And there is nothing that anyone can do about it!! Not Vince!! Not any of you!! No one can stop me from tearing apart this compa-
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Ambrose is immediately cut off as he is flush red in the face ready for anything and everything, but was he ready for this? Was he ready for the illustrious Keith Lee to take center stage. Lee steps out through the curtains with a hood covering his eyes. A menacing stance and the arena is still along with everyone else.
Keith looks to the man in the ring, one Dean Ambrose and doesn’t hesitate to let off a smirk as his theme song runs it’s course. The background titantron shows the word LIMITLESS in all caps, symbolism of Lee’s capabilities.
He has a microphone in hand and puts his other hand in his hoodie pocket, everyone is trying to figure out his intentions here tonight on Anarchy. A resonating voice that speaks with infliction starts to come over the arena.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ Forgive me for the interruption, I only felt.. That there was no better suited time than to show my face and my grace. Everyone, there stands a man with conviction in that ring, spoken like a true warrior and presenting himself as a fighter. There comes a time when the fight outweighs the spirit and you Dean Ambrose are beyond the spiritual pathways and are WAY iin over your head.
Lee smirks and then continues on and sees Ambrose is still spoiling for that said fight or match.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ I get that you probably think, who would want to hear someone tell you who you are and what you can accomplish, your limitations. That is quite okay, I didn’t expect you to take my words of truth as simply that. You’re here to compete, and so am I. I compete on a level that changes your level by association. I heighten individuals, and I can’t help but think that I can take you to these new heights too, Dean. I can take you to the highest of highs and you’ll be in the fight of your life, because I know you.
Keith takes off his hood and looks at Ambrose in the ring, inching closer from the top of the ramp to near the barricade where all the fans are looking up to him, in more ways than one.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ I know you are the type to want to go out in a heated exchange and in a blaze of… GLORY. I can give you that, I can achieve great things with you in that squared circle. You won’t be going down in vain, you’ll be powerful and you’ll be everything you ever wanted to be. You will be the reason Keith Lee raises his hand in victory and marks his claim in history. You’ll forever be aligned with me in the annals of time, nobody can take that away from you, not a living soul.
The boisterous Keith Lee takes another step closer and this time his one hand is gripping the middle ring rope and thinking to himself.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ I also know you’d love nothing more to cause mayhem and rampage without direction, intelligence isn’t your forte and that’s completely okay. You have two fists, and that’s what will make me not feel nearly as bad when I put the rabid dog down that is Dean Ambrose. There won't be a chance for demise, there will be a conclusion to your story. For now I ask you, I ask that you take the next week to be the man you are today, be the best Dean you can possibly be. For once you step into that ring with me, everything changes, you.. Change and so does this place. This company becomes absolutely, positively, undeniably..
Lee sniffs the air and closes his eyes tightly.. Exhaling only when he chooses to do so.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ LIMITLESS.
Lee’s eyes remain closed for a few moments as he allows the crowd to bask in his glory. The camera then turns to the middle of the ring, where Dean Ambrose is shown yawning over-dramatically as he leans against the farthest turnbuckle.
[[Dean Ambrose]] You done?
Lee makes an angry gesture towards Ambrose and goes to speak but is cut off by The Lunatic Fringe.
[[Dean Ambrose]] Listen pal, I don’t know who you think you are-.. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know who you are.. What did you say your name was Heath Lee? Right?
Keith goes to correct Ambrose, but is once again cut off.
[[Dean Ambrose]] Heath, Heath, Heath.. I might not know you, but you should know me. But just in case you’re as dumb as you look, my name is Dean Ambrose. I’m a four time XWL World Heavyweight Champion, hell I’m the longest reigning XWL World Champion, ever! So believe me when I say that the only “new heights” that you can take me to, is on a ladder that I’m pushing you off of.
Lee begins to pace around the ring.
[[Dean Ambrose]] You see Heath, whether it’s a ladder, a chair, a table, a kendo stick, barbed wire, it doesn’t matter… I can show you the definition of limitations. Trust me, I thought that I was “limitless” too. I thought that there was nothing in the world that could keep me down.. And you know what, I was right. And look where it got me.. Broken, battered, a shell of the man that I was when I first stepped foot into this company… But I’m still Dean Ambrose.. I’m still The Lunatic Fringe.. And there still is nothing that can keep me down. I’ve proven it in the past, time after time, no matter what was thrown my way. So I’m here to use that skill, and I’m going to use it to do you a favor Heath.. I’m going to end your career before it even begins. I’m going to save you from going through what I’ve had to go through..
Lee puts both his hands back on the ropes, looking as if he is about to try to rush the ring. Ambrose quickly puts his hands up non-threateningly
[[Dean Ambrose]] Heath, Heath, Heath, Heath… Heath. Not so hasty! I used to rush head first into every fight as well. As a matter of fact, you remind me of myself back when I first started out. So because of that, I’m going to let you in on a little secret… This isn’t going to end well for you. There’s no scenario where you walk away from this in one piece.. Don’t get me wrong, that’s what I want. I want you being carted out in pieces. I just don’t want you stepping into this ring thinking that there could be any other outcome other than your demise..
[[Dean Ambrose]] You gave me two options. Well I choose both. I will be the reason that Heath Lee marks his claim to history. I will in fact forever be aligned with you in the annals of time. Because you’ll be known as the first man to have a career ending injury on his second ever XWL show. And the first name on the long list of men that Dean Ambrose saved. But most importantly you’ll be the first step in the demise of XWL… And as far as the second option that you gave me goes.. Well how about you step into this ring so that I can show you mayhem and rampage without direction..
That look of anger on Keith’s face, the disrespect given towards him fades almost into thin air.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ I thought you would get riled up, get twisted up inside to no end. How typical of you to want to resort to your violence, resort to what you harbored the closest to you, when you were in the oh so precious.. Combat Zone many years ago.
Dean smirks at that and so does Lee and everyone else who caught on, then Lee continues.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ Are we going to act like children or are we going to be men that handle business, the way it should be done and not through you pretending, pretending that I am not a serious threat to you, and the entire line of men in the locker room. You might not know me because you’re too consumed by your own ego, as you said you didn’t have one, it showed it’s ugly head, when you listed all those accomplishments. The longest reigning champion of XWL and yet how the mighty have fallen.
Keith Lee taking his hand off the middle rope and then extends himself over to the steel steps and pulls himself up it using the steel post.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ I just remembered something, I could have sworn you were always too needy and relied on the glory days of your Switchblade Conspiracy, and The Shield when the going got tough. You took all the falls and you’ve gotten back up, yet we see a bitter Dean Ambrose who has lost his way. It’s plain to see you’re not the same “Lunatic Fringe” you’ve ran out of tricks up your sleeve.
Keith mocks Dean by looking around everywhere for a new “trick” to try out.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ I don’t need a weapon to put you down, Dean, you see.. I don’t need any material other than my genetic defense and offense that is myself. I am made to break you, I was made to shake you, and i’m not only faster, smarter and defied the odds MORE than you. I’m the pinnacle piece XWL has waited a decade plus for. No matter what you say or what you do, no matter the skill or risks you take.. what has remain always will, and that’s this prophecy foretold. You can come closer and look me in the eyes if you’d like to have it instilled within you.
[Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ I am the One, Keith Lee, and I.. AM.. YOUR DEMISE!
Dean smiles to himself and begins to shake his head in amazement.
[[Dean Ambrose]] Oh.. Wow.. You know what big guy, I take back what I said before. You see prior to you running that oversized mouth of yours I questioned your intelligence, or lack thereof, when I said; “just in case you’re as dumb as you look”.. I take it back...Keith, it’s Keith right? Was I mispronouncing your name wrong before? That’s my mistake.
Dean throws up his hand apologetically.
[[Dean Ambrose]] Like I was saying Keith, I take back any questioning about your intelligence…
[[Dean Ambrose]] .. Because there is now no doubt in my mind that you are in fact as dumb as you look!!
The look in Lee’s eyes as he glares at Dean would be enough to send most men running, but Dean cleary isn’t like most men.
[[Dean Ambrose]] You might be dumb, but you’re also delusional if you think that I’m intimidated by you.. I’ve fought men bigger than me, stronger than me, faster, smarter, quicker, heavier, it doesn’t matter what they had on me, I’ve fought them all.. And I beat them all. I outlasted them all.. And when it was all said and done it got me fame, it got me titles, it got me money.. But none of that was worth what it cost me, what it cost my soul, my body, my humanity… You’re new here, you haven’t seen what this company does to people. And thanks to me you won’t have to. All you have to do is step into this ring and challenge me to a match, or accept my challenge to a sanctioned fight. I don’t care. Either way I just need for that bell to ring because like I said before, I can’t get fired for injuring you during a match.
Dean begins to pace back and forth
[[Dean Ambrose]] I don’t need The Shield, I don’t nee-.. Well, I won’t lie, I do miss Don, but I don’t need The West Side Army, and I sure don’t need The Switchblade Conspiracy, all I need is for you to step through those ropes, look me in the eyes, and agree to face me in a match so that I can save your life, by ending your career.
[[Dean Ambrose]] I’m doing you a favor. Once it’s all said and done, twenty years from now, when you have a nice job, and a family, and a healthy body... You’re going to thank me. You’re going to thank me for not letting you end up like me. You’re going to thank me for bringing about the demise of XWL. You’re going to thank me Keith.. You said XWL has waited over a decade for “The Pinnacle Piece of XWL”? Well I hate to break it to you.. They're going to have to keep on waiting..
Dean motions for Lee to join him in the ring, almost daring him to.
[[Dean Ambrose]] Oh and buddy, just because I know that I can kick your ass doesn’t mean I have an ego, it just means that I know that I can kick your ass…
Lee wipes his feet off on the apron and shaking his head whilst audibly saying "Oh you want to do this, right now? Okay." He ducks down and enters through the ropes and Dean waits patiently.
Keith takes two giant steps forward and cups the microphone of Dean without hesitation. They stare at each other... Lee throws away his microphone and then tells everyone to be quiet. Ambrose not too impressed, thinking Keith Lee is being a tough guy. The two begin to exchange words face to face, so that the microphones can’t pick it up. Only the viewers at home as well as a few of the audience members in the front row are able to hear what is being said.
[OFF MIC] [Keith Lee] ’GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION’ I actually like you Dean, you prove a lot of good points but enough talking, we've talked enough here tonight. A smart man would back down and swallow his pride. You, do not.. you swallow the sword as much as you get impaled BY IT. You want me in this ring, you have to wait. All eyes are on me and you at.. Coronation. May the odds ever be in your favor, and the best man win. Pressure is where I live, I hope you can feel the heat and handle it too.
[[Dean Ambrose]] Coronation? All you care about is “glory”. And you said that I had a big ego? You want a match? Let’s have a match. I don’t care about pay per views. Hell, it can be a dark match for all I care. I don’t care when we fight, I don’t care where we fight, I don’t care how we fight. I just need that bell to ring so that I can kick the living shit out of you without being fired for it… It can even be tonight. I don’t care about pulling double duty, hell I’d take you and Cesaro on at the same time if I had to. Two careers in one night? Let’s do this!! Let’s do this Keith!! Come on!!!
Lee extends his palm over to the top of Dean's messy medium hair and pats it down a few times before walking away, a tongue in cheek response from the Lunatic Fringe. Dean angrily paces the ring for a few moments before raising his mic to his lips.
[[Dean Ambrose]] Hey.. Keith.. What if I put my King of the Ring spot on the line? If you pin me or submit me then I’ll give you my place.. Right here, right now… Like I said before, I don’t care about tournaments, or crowns, or titles.. All I care about is fighting…
Lee slowly turns around and looks towards Ambrose.
[[Renee Young]] That got his attention!!
Lee makes his way back up the stairs and into the ring.
[[Renee Young]] It looks like we may have an impromptu match!!
The referee who was standing by for the opening match between Bryan and Pillman Jr. slides into the ring.
[[Corey Graves]] Well it looks like we’re about to see Keith Lee taking on Dean Ambrose for The Lunatic Fringe’s King of the Ring spot!!!
[[Renee Young]] Dean must really only care about fighting if he’s willing to put his King of the Ring spot on the line so quickly!!
[[Corey Graves]] Well like he said, he’s not here for matches Renee. He’s here to fight!! I just hope that Keith Lee knows what he’s getting himself into! I don’t think Ambrose is looking for a match, he’s looking to injure Lee and begin his “Demise of XWL”
[[Renee Young]] Well I for one hope that Lee stops Ambrose before he starts, I need this job!!
Lee enters through the ropes and the bell rings. The two go to lock up but Ambrose instead pokes Lee right in the eyes.
[[Renee Young]] Hey!! He can’t do that!!
The ref checks on Lee, who is rubbing at his eyes in pain. Ambrose smiles to himself as he slides out of the ring and grabs a chair from underneath it.
[[Renee Young]] What’s he doing with that chair!?!? This isn’t a no disqualification match!!
[[Corey Graves]] I don’t think that Ambrose cares!!
Ambrose slides back into the ring and slams the chair down hard across the back of Lee before the ref has a chance to stop him.
[[Mauro Ronallo]] It looks like Ambrose didn’t plan on having a match after all!! He just wanted an excuse to hurt Lee!! Maybe even injure him!!
[[Corey Graves]] And he’s allowed to now too!! Thanks to his contract he can’t get fired for what happens during an XWL match, or directly after one!!
The ref calls for the bell to ring, signalling for the match to end. Ambrose hits Lee over the back once again with the chair.
[[Corey Graves]] Lee refuses to go down!!!
Lee slowly turns around towards Ambrose, clearly not affected by the two vicious chair shots.
[[Renee Young]] It looks like Ambrose only managed to anger him!!!
Ambrose goes to strike once more with the chair but Lee grabs it out of his hands and throws it to the mat.
[[Corey Graves]] Lee might not walk away tonight with Dean’s King of the Ring spot, but he may get some revenge for those chair shots!!
Ambrose looks down at the chair, and then up at Lee before shrugging his shoulders and unleashing an assault of elbows and punches.
[[Corey Graves]] The Lunatic Fringe is never one to back down from a fight!!!
Lee blocks the majority of the strikes before landing a gut kick on Ambrose. He then lifts The Lunatic Fringe onto his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. But before he is able to hit his signature move, Ambrose fights his way down and slides out of the ring.
[[Renee Young]] Dean’s probably going to think twice before picking another fight with Keith Lee!!
Ambrose kicks the steps in frustration before pacing back and forth near the beginning of the ramp. He takes a step towards the ring, looking like he is about to charge in for more, but Keith Lee grabs the chair that way laying on the mat, stopping Ambrose in his tracks.
[[Renee Young]] Even The Lunatic Fringe doesn’t like those odds!!
Ambrose curses before making his way back up the ramp, glaring at Lee.
[[Renee Young]] I doubt that this is the last that Keith Lee has seen of Dean Ambrose!! This doesn’t look over!!
[[Corey Graves]] I wouldn’t be surprised if these two go at it again before Coronation!!
Ambrose makes his way to the back as Lee raises his arms to the crowd’s cheers. We are then shown a video package hyping up The King of The Ring Tournament.
LIVEFROM: Verizon Arena North Little Rock, Arkansas
DEADLINE: 4:30 P.M. EST / 9:30 P.M. GMT
1. Champions of the Chamber World Heavyweight Champion Drew McIntyre and Tag Team Champions Chad Gable and Chris Sabin successfully defied the odds of the Elimination Chamber by walking into, and out of the structure with their Championships still in tact. Despite Tyler Breeze eliminating Aleister Black and previously coming out victorious in the gauntlet match among the World Heavyweight Championship contenders, Prince Pretty’s dreams of winning the gold were short-lived and briskly put to rest by the defending Champion, the Scottish Psychopath. Aiden English was up for the chopping block next when the former World Heavyweight Champ was eliminated by the Velveteen Dream. Following that, Daniel Bryan was pinned by the Champion, which brought the tally down to 2, that being the Velveteen Dream and Drew McIntyre himself. In the end, the Scottish-born Champion was able to put the Dream to rest and retain his Championship, making him only the second superstar in history to do so inside of the Elimination Chamber. Closing the show in the Main Event of the night, however, the Trash City Stupid Idiots achieved the same seemingly unattainable feat when one half of the defending Champions Chris Sabin eliminated Kenny Omega, and the other half Chad Gable eliminated Sami Zayn. With both of the challenging teams now down a partner, an unlikely alliance of Jay White and Kota Ibushi temporarily came into play. Unfortunately for the challengers, however, this was not enough to shake the unbreakable cohesive unit of the longest reigning Tag Team Champions. Gable went on to pin the remainder of the Cut Throat Era in Jay White, and Sabin did the same to the resilient but outnumbered remainder of the Golden Lovers, Kota Ibushi. You can practically hear the synthesizers of the A-ha’s hit single playing in the distance as the Trash City Stupid Idiots’ historic reign continues.
2. And Still... Several Champions were able to cling to walk in, and out of Downpour with their reigns still in tact, although two specifically could not manage to do so without a little controversy. While World Television Championship contender Kyle O’Reilly thought he had the match won after striking the current Champ Dolph Ziggler with a chair and escaping the Steel Cage, it was Ziggler who still managed to walk out of Downpour with his championship reign still in tact. How you might ask? Although O’Reilly may have escaped the Steel Cage first, the referee was down and out due to an unintended super kick by O’Reilly himself. This mistake would prove fatal for Kyle’s championship opportunity when the wily Dolph attacked Kyle from behind and dragged him back inside of the cage only to escape himself just as the referee came to. This rivalry continues to boil over though, as on this week’s edition of Anarchy, O’Reilly has demanded and been granted a Steel Cage rematch for the World Television Championship. Only this time, escape is not an option for the champion or the challenger. Meanwhile, after being sent through the ringer and a chamber pod in the Women’s Championship Elimination Chamber match, Alexa Bliss came up short (pun intended) and was eliminated. However, Bliss’s efforts to survive Downpour wouldn’t end there. Per Mandy Rose’s request, Bliss was pulling double duty and was also booked for the match she originally demanded against Rose for the North American Championship. Careful what you wish for, as Alexa discovered last week, too much of a good thing is most certainly a bad thing. During her second Championship match of the night against the Golden Goddess, Little Miss Bliss found herself duped by the elusive North American Champion once again. When Rose rolled out of the ring for a breather, she received a mysterious object from an even more mysterious hooded figure in the front row. The insult was added to Bliss’s prior injuries when she rolled out of the ring to retrieve the Champion, and was struck repeatedly by her very own Bliss Stick, causing Alexa to win the match off of disqualification, but not the gold. However once again, Alexa’s struggle to survive Downpour was not yet over. Vince McMahon, in an effort to save Mandy’s reputation in the record books, restarted the match by having Alexa’s lifeless body positioned back inside of the ring. This granted Bliss her record-breaking third Championship opportunity of the night, which she lost in a total of 3.84 seconds. While God’s Greatest Title Reign continues to stack up W’s, something tells us the tension between these two superstars is far from over.
3. The King and Queen Reclaim Their Thrones Appropriately, the poster boy and girl of XWL’s next special event, Coronation, were able to reclaim what was previously theirs in their matches last week. Matt Sydal and tessa Blanchard were the only “new” Champions to be crowned at Downpour, but not without both superstars putting some blood, sweat, and tears into the process. Blanchard won her second Women’s Championship by defeating Kairi Sane inside of the Elimination Chamber. It all came down to the former and defending Champion when Tessa eliminated the Genius of the Sky, Io Shirai, and Five Feet of Fury, Alexa Bliss, and the defending Champion Kairi eliminated the Empress of tomorrow, Asuka, as well as the Man, Becky Lynch (compliments of Asuka). These two familiar and respected foes battled it out inside of the Chamber until Sane went for the fatal Cutlass, but Blanchard had it well scouted and was able to reverse it into her own devastating Hammerlock DDT, regaining her Women’s Championship. The other half of the Coronation poster, Matt Sydal, proved that he is the undisputed Iron Man of XWL when he finally put away the man who at one point ended his previous Intercontinental Championship reign, as well as his friendship with the Undisputed Era. With a tie of 2-2 on the scoreboard and literal seconds on the clock, the Golden Boy did the unthinkable when his Australian rival got a little too cocky for his own good while setting up his finishing maneuver. This gave the Iron Man the slight opening he needed, and he took full advantage of it. As the final remaining seconds began to strike away, Sydal miraculously managed to capitalize off of a Sunset Flip and keep Murphy’s shoulders down for 3 seconds, virtually just in the nick of time. Thus, the former King of the Ring and now 4x Intercontinental Champion and 2x Women’s Champion achieved greatness once again at Downpour.
4. Tournament Season Competition is in the summer air, as we head into the season of opportunity. This year, XWL has not 1, not 2, but 3 tournaments lined up to offer a wide variety of superstars their shot to achieve greatness. The annual King and Queen of the Ring tournaments are underway with a surprising new twist. The winners of this year’s tournaments will attain more than just bragging rights. As we learned last week, this year’s winners will win their crown, but will now have the option to turn in that crown for a Championship match within 90 days of their respective victories. As if the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments lacked any sort of competitive nature in the past, this new element is sure to kick things up a notch. In addition to the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, XWL will also be holding the 2nd annual Motor City Cup tournament, which will determine the next new contenders for Sabin and Gable’s Tag Team Championships. With several new teams thrown into the fray, which pairings will stick together and find success, and which will fall apart at the seams?
5. With Every Beginning Comes an End Downpour brought us quite the variety of new and returning faces. The likes of Cesaro, Nia Jax, Ronda Rousey, Elias, and Braun Strowman all teased their returns to the ring while rising stars like Keith Lee, Joey Janela, Rhea Ripley, Lio Rush made their presence known along with news of an upcoming debut Sonya Deville, and Killer Kross in the works for the Queen of the Ring and King of the Ring tournaments. With all of these doors opening, it is unfortunate that one instrumental door is coming to a close. After joining the likes of Aleister Black, Tyler Breeze, Daniel Bryan, and Velveteen Dream in being eliminated out of the Elimination Chamber match, former World Heavyweight Champion Aiden English made the not-so-subtle announcement last week outside of Vince McMahon’s office that this episode of Anarchy will be his last. What impact will English make on his last week, and among this new crop of stars, who will step up and take the spotlight over their peers?
Normal Match
World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contenders Match
Topic: 
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Sun Dec 01, 2019 6:56 pm
One, Keith Lee, and I.. AM.. YOUR DEMISE!
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