Backstage
GOOD LUCK!
We cut to the talent parking lot where a black Dodge Ram pulls to a stop in a spot not too far from the entrance. The door opens to reveal Josh Kaine, and with him…his sister, Jesse! He pauses for a moment, grabbing his gear bag from the bed before kicking the truck door closed.
Josh Kaine: C’mon Jess, we’ll get you in that skybox with Jada and Miss Lilah.
Jesse Kaine: If she’s technically your other mom, why do you call her Miss Lilah?
Josh Kaine: Uh, to be honest, dunno. Been callin’ her that since I met her. Just feels weird callin’ her just Lilah.
Josh shrugs and gives his sister a smile before she shoulders her own bag, following him towards the entrance. He doesn’t make it ten feet before he’s all but tackled by two very familiar six year olds, Cheyenne and Alan Seton!
Chy & Alan: JOSH!!!
The SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Champion’s children are usually overjoyed to see their godmother’s son. He’s been their minder more than once and happily so—Josh loves kids, especially kids as precocious as the Seton twins. He laughs heartily, dropping his duffel to heft Cheyenne and Alan up in his arms. Jesse stands just off to the side, unsure of how to react around these children.
Josh Kaine: Hey you two, how ya been?
Cheyenne: Good! Mom said we can watch her whole match!
Alan: And yours! I’m gonna root for you and Mom!
Josh’s grin goes from ear to ear as he gives them both a squeeze before gently placing them back on the ground. Cheyenne looks back to Jesse, a curious eyebrow raised.
Cheyenne: Who’s that? Your new girlfriend?
Josh shakes his head.
Josh: Naw, that’s my little sister Jesse. We got reunited a little while ago.
Jesse smiles, shaking hands with each of the twins.
Alan: You and Josh look a lot a like—like me and Chy!
Jesse: Yeah, I guess we do, but we’re not twins like you. He’s older than me.
Josh Kaine: Ain’t that much older than you, Jess. Oh hey, Ms. Laura!
From behind the twins, the World Heavyweight Champion approaches, her boyfriend and his son following closely behind. Cheyenne and Alan give Josh one last quick hug before rejoining their mother.
Laura Seton: Hey yourself! Did I hear you right? You have a sister?
Josh: Got a fair number of siblings from my bio dad, apparently. Ms. Laura, this is my sister Jesse. Jess, this is our World Heavyweight Champion, Laura Seton. She is best friends with Jada.
Jesse stepped forward, shaking hands with the much taller woman.
Jesse: It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Seton, and your children.
Josh: Oh, and that’s Nathan and Charlie Shaw—Ms. Laura’s boyfriend and his son.
They make their introductions, shaking hands and such before Nathan speaks up.
Nathan Shaw: I hate to rush you guys, but I need to get the kids to the skybox and you need to get changed. Show’s about to start!
Laura smiles, leaning in to kiss his cheek (which elicited exaggerated disgust noises from all three children under thirteen).
Laura Seton: You’re right, of course! Good luck tonight, Josh!
Josh Kaine: And you, Ms. Laura. Whoop some ass—butt. Whoop some butt.
The Setons and Shaws laugh at his blunder before moving on. Josh looks back to his sister, picking up his bag and motioning for her to follow.
Josh Kaine: C’mon, I’ll get you to your seat and then you can watch me kick some serious ass tonight.
Jesse giggles to herself as she follows her brother.
Jesse: Or watch you get your ass kicked!
Josh Kaine: Hey now! You’re my sister, the least you could do is root for me even a little bit.
Jesse: Maybe I will and maybe I won’t!
Backstage
PLANET MOTHERFUCKER PRESENTS: ALL WANT TO CARVE
We know him from his face: jowly, surly, sporting an almost shoe polish black mustache to match his stringy, balding hair. He looks like a composite of things, an exquisite corpse that has landed somewhere between Mifune, Jesse Ventura, and Richard Belzer doing Onita cosplay.
Pigpen Matsumoto.
He’s smoked a Seven Stars cigarette to its smoldering filter, which he spits into his hand and crushes between his fingers without so much as a wince. He spits, then points his finger at the camera, rattling off in his particular combination of broken English and fluent Japanese, all with the dulcet timbre of a broken car exhaust.
Pipgen: Terry Trash leave.
He spits.
Pigpen: I call many bad man. All afraid. All pussy.
With this, the Viceroy of Pain affects a mocking, scared tone.
Pigpen: “Oh no, Mister-uh Pigpen so mean! He cut me all over! So scared!” Fuck you.
With a snort, he pops back into his native tongue, conveniently subtitled for us.
Pigpen: [ Because all of you, every one of you that I’ve stabbed, are like crying children…I had to get creative. If I were younger, maybe I’d take you both out at once. Show you what pain means, not this dance party horseshit you call wrestling. ]
Matsumoto walks forward, his gaze darkening.
Pipgen: Mister-uh Pigpen make call to dark place. Dark land. Blood, sand.
A pause. He’s looking for the English, then gives up–the only thing we can recognize in the next strand is his accented “Planet-uh Motherfucker”.
Pigpen: [ PLANET MOTHERFUCKER isn’t a team. Isn’t a faction. Isn’t a crazed dream. PLANET MOTHERFUCKER is a plague. Disease across the land. Chewing up all you good and goofy shitbirds and leaving nothing but sadness and terror in our wake. I don’t want to beat you–I don’t even want to end careers. I want you to question why you even tried. I want you to call everyone who ever helped you on your journey to getting to that ring on that night and I want you apologizing for being so fucking stupid. Know why? ]
He jabs a thumb at his jugular.
Pigpen: You not belong. Once Pigpen dead? Another Pigpen. All want to carve. But I call worse than me. I bring devil to your party.
He smiles, drawing a fresh cigarette from behind his ear.
Pigpen: I bring Professor Sekib.
Suddenly, into the frame, walks a mountain of a human–it’d be hard to say where he’s actually from, and his trappings are decidedly vague. Brown skin, a bristling black beard, a robe with what appears to be Kanji down the lapels, a matching golden keffiyeh. Half of his face is painted, and even with his dome covered, we can see deep gouges of scars coursing down from his forehead into his eyebrows–and all across the bridge of his lumpy, misshapen nose. His eyes are wide and wild, and when he opens his mouth, we can see his teeth are filed to points. The chyron at the bottom reads:
THE IMAM OF SUFFERING
PROFESSOR SEKIB
With a growl, he takes his place behind the much shorter Matsumoto, who affects a sneering grin.
Pigpen: You will be food. Fucks! PLANET-UH MOTHERFUCKER consume you. Consume everyone. Food for starved rabid dog! Beg? If you want. Beg for mother! But up next, pretty boys with pretty hair learn what it mean to be in the ring with devils.
Professor Sekib leans forward, over Pipgen’s shoulder. When he speaks, it’s a bit jarring–he clearly sounds some variety of foreign, but with no real accent to point out. He also speaks high pitched and with a lisp, not unlike Mike Tyson–the sound coming from this hulking brute is something to behold.
And the words?
Professor Sekib: I have seen statues move as flesh and made pacts with the warlord Djinn–and in return, they gave me great knowledge! But that knowledge came with thirst! And there is only one way The Imam of Suffering will pray to his demon!
Stepping forward, he quickly fills the frame, shaking his head so his plump jowls wiggle.
Professor Sekib: You will give your souls. Or they will be taken–but either way, your flesh will be my sacrifice!! Ahahahahaha!!
He continues his laugh, a high, reedy sopranino sax of a thing, as he stomps his bulk off camera–notably, he doesn’t seem to move with a lot of what folks might call ‘agility’. Matsumoto fires up his cigarette, nodding in smug satisfaction. As he exhales, he grabs his crotch in a lewd display, leaving on last witticism before storming off to his match.
Pigpen: Suck my dick and die.
He walks off, and the scene cuts away…
PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
A DAMNED MAN: PART 1
We fade into the Epicenter employee parking garage. It is not live, as the sun is still out much earlier in the day. A brand new red mustang pulls into the parking lot. Inside is Lars Von Bremen, his face uncharacteristically nervous. Inside his car he lights up a cigar, leaning back to smoke as he tries to compose himself.
Lars Von Bremen: Alright, tonight’s the night. I’m gonna fuck that little bug guy up, show him he should have never fucked with me. I’m gonna crush that little masked fucker’s hea-
The lights in the parking garage begin to flicker. Despite the sun still being out, the parking garage is still fairly dark. Lars is visibly concerned, looking back and forth. He turns on all the lights in his car, smiling satisfied to himself.
Lars Von Bremen: Yeah, fucker, try getting me in my own ca-
All the lights go out, including in the car.
Lars Von Bremen: Fuck fuck fuck.
The lights in the car come back on, but not in the parking garage. Lars looks a little relieved, until he sees something in his rearview mirror.
The Siren: Hello, Mr. Von Bremen…
Lars lunges to try and get The Siren in his backseat, but as soon as he leaps back the lights go out again. When they come back on, Lars is halfway between his front and backseat, but The Siren is nowhere to be found. As he searches for her, he realizes that his cigar is now smouldering on his new upholstery.
Lars Von Bremen: Shit!
Lars smashes the lit cigar with his hand, burning himself slightly. He clutches his hand as he returns to the driver’s seat. The lights in the parking garage come back on, causing Lars to breathe a sigh of relief, but his relief is short lived as his car suddenly crackles to life. His headlights come on, all the inside car lights come on, his dash lights shine brighter than normal, his car alarm goes off, and his backup camera turns on. However, the strangest part is that, not only is his backup camera glowing blue, but it does not show what is behind him.
It shows a countdown.
4:45:30…
4:44:15…
4:43:05…
4:42:50…
Lars Von Bremen: What the fu-
Before Lars can finish his expletive of confusion, the screen bursts with energy and the entire car dies. Lars sits in silence for a moment before trying to turn the engine on. The engine doesn’t even sputter.
Lars Von Bremen: Well that’s just great.
BACKSTAGE
A DAMNED MAN: PART 2
Backstage.
As a nervous Lars Von Bremen walks through the hallways, lines of sweat bead down his face. Lars walks with his fist clenched and up, ready for a fight at any moment and time. Jumpy, he moves slowly when he comes to corners, peeking around to see if anything is there to hurt him or further torment him.
Eryk Masters: Looks like SWARM’s attacks on Bremen have taken their toll.
Dutch Harris: This isn’t anything I thought I’d see when Lars first arrived in the SHOOT Project. He’s a shell of his former self, Eryk. What have they done to him?
As Lars continues down the hallway, a light flickers. Just for a moment. Lars visibly jumps and lets out a tiny squeal, drawing looks of confusion and even a few laughs from the people in the hallway walking past him. Lars, in an attempt to reassert his masculinity, clears his throat and defiantly yells from his spot in the hallway.
Lars Von Bremen: You won’t scare me into submission, BUG BOY! Got it?! I’m going to pummel you so hard your face will turn naturally blue!
The people have dissipated by now, eerily leaving Lars by himself in the hallway. Lars feels it.
The lights flicker again, this time repeatedly. With a loud click, the lights shut off.
Lars Von Bremen: …fuck.
There’s no sound but for Lars’ heavy breathing for a moment. Then, the squeak of a wheel. A soft, pale grey light shines down from the hallway as an old TV on a cart rolls toward Lars, seemingly without any escort. The TV stops rolling just feet from Von Bremen, and turns on. Blue light emanates from the TV. Ethereal music reverberates in the hallway, softly. A digital clock appears in the blue, showing a countdown.
1:42:30…
1:42:15…
1:42:05…
1:41:50…
Lars Von Bremen: What is this fuckin’ countdown? WHAT IS IT COUNTING DOWN TO?
A crackle of electricity is shot into the TV. The TV turns off, the light goes out with it. A moment passes before the lights in the hallway return, and the TV is gone.
Lars’ sweat soaks his shirt.
Cut.
IN THE RING
A DAMNED MAN: PART 3
NIGHT NIGHT GO TO SLEEP KID LIGHTS OUT!
Lars Von Bremen’s music hits. He starts making his way to the ring, but his usual confidence is just gone. He looks jumpy as the crowd boos him. Still, even jumpy, he looks pissed, which means he is dangerous.
Dutch Harris: Clearly, the mind games that LOCUST has been playing on Lars is taking its toll on him.
Eryk Masters: I’m not entirely certain that Lars is going to be able to handle a match right now. He looks…he looks like he hasn’t slept.
Lars is about to climb the ring steps when the LIGHTS…GO…OUT!
Eryk Masters: Here we go!
When the lights come back on, The Siren is in the ring. She points a finger and laughs at Lars. Lars becomes furious and tries to get in the ring quickly, but being a man of his size makes getting through the ropes quickly difficult. Lars loses his balance and falls, but he is back up quickly. He tries to grab the Siren, but the LIGHTS GO OUT AGAIN!
Dutch Harris: How do they have this much control over our power grid?
When the lights come back on, LOCUST is in the ring behind Lars! Lars doesn’t see him, mostly confused as to why he doesn’t have The Siren in his hands. LOCUST catches Lars with a HARD dropkick to the back of the head, knocking him forward and out of the ring. Lars is able to land on his feet, but he clutches the back of his head. He turns, looking at LOCUST, and begins to shout at the masked man, but LOCUST simply motions for him to get in the ring. Lars screams out in frustration, slamming his fists on the ring apron, but he quickly realizes that this won’t help him get his revenge, so he gets in the ring as the ref signals for the bell!
IN THE RING
A DAMNED MAN: PART 4
LOCUST has his hand raised in victory. Lars looks immensely frustrated. He stands quickly, blindsiding LOCUST. LOCUST, exhausted from the match, goes down hard. Lars plants multiple stomps on LOCUST before lifting him back up.
Eryk Masters: LOCUST may have won the match, and he may have gotten in Lars’ head, but it looks like he’s about to lose the war.
Dutch Harris: You don’t poke the bear, Eryk, and Lars is the size of an American Black Bear!
Lars begins to headbutt LOCUST, screaming at him the whole time.
Lars Von Bremen: WHERE IS YOUR BUG FRIEND?! WHERE’S YOUR FUCKING HIVE!? WHERE’S THAT BITCH WITH THE VEI-
LIGHTS…OUT! As the crowd buzzes in anticipation, a different kind of buzz also begins to grown. The screens flash white as the sounds of insect buzzing grows louder. The screens show swarms of stinging insects. A spotlight hits at the top of the stage, revealing the Siren, who has a microphone.
The Siren: Behold Lars…
The Siren points behind Lars.
The Siren: WASP!
As the lights come back on, Lars turns to see a woman standing in the ring. She wears blue and white with black accents, much like CICADA and LOCUST, but her mouth is not covered. Her eyes are black and the top part of her face is covered with a Hannya mask with huge horns. Lars’ eyes go wide, but as he tries to grab this new woman, she spits out a black mist that blinds Lars! As Lars tries to wipe away the stinging liquid in his eyes, the woman pulls a fork from her waist band and SCREAMS, leaping onto Lars, wrapping her legs around his giant waist, and stabbing into his head with the fork. Lars can’t decide whether to fight her off or get the black mist out of his eyes, making his attempts to defend himself ineffective. WASP tosses the fork away and begins to bite into Lars forehead, causing the giant man to scream out. He finally collects his wits enough to shove the much smaller woman off, but WASP backflips off Lars and lands on her feet. As Lars tries to mount a comeback, LOCUST is back up and plants a hard low dropkick to the back of Lars’ legs, dropping him to a knee. WASP hits the ropes and plants a Yakuza kick that rings Lars’ bell, knocking him to the ground.
Dutch Harris: There’s…there’s another one?
Eryk Masters: Welcome to SHOOT Project, WASP!
WASP and LOCUST look at each other, getting face to face. LOCUST begins to plant kicks to Lars as WASP exits the ring and grabs a steel chair! WASP screams for LOCUST to hold Lars in place. She gets back in the ring with the chair and tosses it at Lars’ face, again causing him to go nearly unconscious. LOCUST keeps Lars on his knees as WASP takes the chair and places it against Lars’ bloody face.
Dutch Harris: This new bug is VICIOUS.
WASP begins to place step kicks to the chair, driving the chair into Lars’ face. Lars goes down, LOCUST unable to support the deadweight. Lars rolls out of the ring and begins to climb the ramp, unsure of what to do. WASP checks on LOCUST, showing a strange tenderness despite the showing of extreme violence a moment ago. Lars crawls, seemingly out of instinct, up the ramp, until his hand touches the dress of The Siren. He looks up at her through a crimson mask, unable to do much accept sputter. It seems like he is trying to beg, but he is suffered so much head trauma he can’t seem to speak.
The Siren: Oh Lars…poor poor Lars. I know how you feel. I know exactly the pain you feel, getting hit in the head so much that you can barely think.
As The Siren speaks more, it becomes apparent that this is not her normal voice, not the one we’ve become accustomed to in segments and promos in the past.
Eryk Masters: Wait…who is this Siren?
The Siren: Sweet little Lars…will you also flee Las Vegas in fear?
The Siren grabs her veil and removes it. No one can see the face, as her hood is still up, but Lars’ eyes go wide. LOCUST and WASP begin to walk up the entrance ramp.
Lars Von Bremen: No…no…you…no…
The Siren removes her hood, and the crowd gasps.
Dutch Harris: No…way…
Eryk Masters: That’s Barbie Kellers!
Barbie Kellers, still bald (though clean shaven, so intentionally now), looks down at Lars Von Bremen. Lars falls back, trying to crawl away from Barb, but he is quickly met by LOCUST and WASP. They both grab him, restraining the much larger, but exceedingly injured, man.
Barbie Kellers: You’re night isn’t over yet, Lars. Not at all.
The lights…go…out!
Dutch Harris: C’mon, not again!
When the lights come back on, WASP, LOCUST, Barb, and Lars are all gone, leaving only the trail of blood that Lars spread from the ring.
BACKSTAGE
A WARNING SHOT
As the feed cuts we are shown a scene that looks pulled straight from an A24 horror film.
Five women have formed a tight circle, arms locked over one another’s shoulders as they lean, pressing their heads together. While it may seem like an ordinary athletics huddle, it resembles more of a seance or some kind of summoning ritual.
The beams of off-white light jut up the darkened locker room walls like bolts of lighting, illuminating four ritualistic-looking animal masks hanging on individually spaced black lockers. The masks look like they are floating, circling the women and looking down from above.
Ayumi Seppuku: Tonight is not just about Redemption. It is about rebirth.
NEMESIS: About waking people up, turning on the lights, and watching the cockroaches scatter.
Bellecose: About grabbing the shards of a shattered glass ceiling and gripping them so tightly until they draw blood
RAIKO: Don’yoku to egoizumu no numa kara meiyo to gimu-kan o torimodosu koto ni tsuite.
Zee: It’s not a culmination. It’s a warning shot.
The five women relax their arms and raise their heads so they are looking at each other and truly seeing each other. Ayumi is the first to put her hand in, then Zee, then the others join as well. Ayumi lets out a deep breath and then closes her eyes — a smile creeping up her face.
Ayumi Seppuku: Let’s go show SHOOT Project what kind of monsters they’ve created.
BACKSTAGE
A DAMNED MAN: PART 5
The scene cuts to the back. LOCUST and the newly debuted WASP stand in front of a door, keeping guard. Screaming can be heard from inside the door, the scream of a grown man. LOCUST, his face fully covered, remains stoic, but WASP, who’s facial features are more apparent, grins.
WASP: Couldn’t be happening to a nicer guy…
The screams die off, and everything is eerily quiet for awhile. The door finally opens and out walks Barbie Kellers. For a brief moment, Lars Von Bremen can be seen, tied to a chair, blood dripping from his face. Antonio Santos is putting his shirt back on, his blue splotch tattoos briefly seen. The door closes.
Barbie Kellers: Well…it’s done, at least. I don’t think he’s going to be a danger to anyone, at least not for awhile.
Barb scoffs.
Barbie Kellers: His mind is shattered.
WASP grabs Barb by the shoulder.
WASP: You did it, Barb. You finally got that asshole.
Barb nods, but she does not smile. She does not seem happy. She tries to stay strong, clearly holding back tears, but the weight of everything finally gets to her and she weaps. WASP pulls her in and embraces her. LOCUST simply looks on.
WASP: It’s going to be okay now, Barb. It’s going to be okay.
Barbie Kellers: No…it’s not. It’s not going to be okay for a long time.
Barb pulls away slightly while still holding WASP. She looks WASP in the eyes.
Barbie Kellers: But it’s a start. And…at least he can’t hurt me or my boy anymore.
WASP nods, her previous sinister smile turning into a sympathetic frown. The door opens again, Antonio emerging from the back.
Antonio Santos: We should go. CICADA’s match is soon. I’ve…I’ve taken care of Lars. Good work, SWARM. And…Barb…
Barb holds up a hand.
Barbie Kellers: Don’t worry, Antonio. Enough has been said.
Antonio nods. The four do not say another word, as no more words need to be said. They simply leave to go watch their fellow SWARM member defend his title. The camera man lingers on the open door. They walk into the room, making their way to Lars. Now that the camera is closer, it is clear that Lars Von Bremen is no longer tied up. Despite the blood on his face and possible concussion, the rest of his body seems uninjured. Yet Lars does not move. Drool and blood stream from his mouth. He stares at the floor, unblinking, his mind thousands of miles away. As the camera gets closer, it becomes apparent that Lars is muttering something.
Lars Von Bremen: The great maw…the great maw…the great maw…
IN THE RING
LEAVE THEM GHOSTS ALONE
As Vito stands in the ring preparing for his opponent to enter, the lights dim, but they do not go fully out.
Eryk Masters: Okay, good. We’ve had enough ‘immediate darkness’ for one night.
The SHOOTron comes to life with static before being replaced with an image of CICADA with a sepia filter. In incredibly slow motion, he is stomping the face of Moriton. A slow, bluesy country guitar line hitt as “The Lands Unknown (Hollow Heart Verse)” hits over the PA.
A cold wind calls
And so I follow
No time to rest these weary bones
CICADA is shown eliminating JJR from Master of the Mat in slow motion. It then shows CICADA defeating Ultimo Muerte in the Total Annihilation cage match for the Reign Horizon Title.
I hear her song
And my heart goes hollow
Best not to walk these woods alone
CICADA hits Avalanche Anderson with vicious ground and pound that opens up Avalanche. This scene is followed up with CICADA eliminating X-Calbur from Master of the Mat.
Best stick to the road
Stay out of the shadows
Best get on home
CICADA handedly defeats Joey Burkhalter not once, but twice. SWARM is shown defeating the Unholy Cyber Army.
Best to leave them ghosts alone
A blood-covered CICADA holds the Premier Championship high. The screen cuts out and everything goes dark.
Dutch Harris: Spoke to soon, Eryk.
Eryk Masters: Yeah, guess I did.
The crowd begins to pipe up with chants as everyone waits in the darkness.
SPOO-KY SHIT!
SPOO-KY SHIT!
SPOO-KY SHIT!
OH
“Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni” by Eiko Shimamiya begins to play over the PA system. A number of fans in attendance bust out blue glow sticks or place blue filters over their phone flashlights, creating a sea of blue lights throughout the arena. The top of the stage twinkles with blue lights as the music builds.
Dutch Harris: Woah…the fans are starting to get it.
Eryk Masters: Say what you will about CICADA and SWARM…they get the job done and they have a certain style when they do it.
As the music builds and builds and reaches a crescendo, a blue spotlight shines in the middle of the ring. CICADA stands nose to nose with Vito Valentino, holding the Premier Championship high. Vito grins at CICADA. CICADA does not move. The referee tries to stay in the middle of them to make sure nothing funny happens until the official start of the match, but neither man seems keen on starting early. They simply stare at each other, neither man backing down, neither man showing fear.
Eryk Masters: Vito Valentino vs CICADA for the Premier Championship! Monster vs monster, power vs power, this is NOT going to be a match about finesse and grappling skill. This is one is going to be UGLY!
RINGSIDE
A BRIEF PAUSE
Jason Johnson: Great win by Vito Valentino, and something tells me that’s not the last time we’re going to see those two monsters lock it up.
Eryk Masters: Yeah, that was a brutal match for sure. And that’s why you’re looking at us right now instead of rolling to the next one.
Jason Johnson: That’s right. In particularly bloody matches, SHOOT Project ring staff replaces the mat with a clean one. It’s a health and safety measure for everyone, really.
The camera pans, showing the ring crew hard at work with the efficiency of a pit crew as they trash the old mat and get the new one spread out and locked in.
Eryk Masters: And with the boss and the other boss about to be out here, you best believe we’re trying to keep them as healthy as possible.
Jason Johnson: Especially because we have no idea what this match is going to bring, except it’s going to be another chance for the BRASS to scoop a tag team title reign. Wouldn’t that be crazy?!
Eryk Masters: Improbable, for sure. But their shock win over the Devil’s Advocates just two weeks ago was ALSO improbable. Avoid impromptu matches, folks!
Jason Johnson: With that in mind, it looks like the ring crew has finished up and made their exit, so up next we’ve got the SHOOT Project World Tag Team Championships on the line, as the Real Deal and Eddie E., otherwise known as The Brass challenge the Devil’s Advocates with the gold on the line!
RINGSIDE
A BRIEF PAUSE: PART 2
Eryk Masters: It’s us again! Big time defense from the Devil’s Advocates there.
Jason Johnson: Yep, and Josh is nearby and I think I heard him say that he was ready to be retired again. Ha!
A bruised and beaten Real Deal walks over to the announce desk and just flips Jason Johnson off, drawing a laugh from those nearby and from Jason and Eryk themselves.
Eryk Masters: There you have it, folks. Rumors of the Real Deal’s full retirement… put to rest.
Jason Johnson: Yeah well, he’s stubborn. Just wait til he hears from his wife.
Eryk Masters: Speaking of retirements, I heard a rumor that Jamie and Jack were considering retiring from in-ring competition as well. Jack wanting to focus on being a father, Jamie just… after his year, wanting to be done. Any truth to that?
Jason Johnson: Well, Jack is VERY wrapped up in being a dad and with Madison returning to the ring, it seems like that’s going to be his priority, at least for the time being. Maybe until the WNBA season starts back up.
Eryk Masters: And Jamie?
Jason sighs, not really sure how to answer.
Jason Johnson: Jamie hasn’t really gotten “right” after his ordeal earlier in the year. He’s in great shape, when he’s IN the ring he’s sharp, but his head’s just not there.
Eryk Masters: That’s fair. You think he’ll ever get right? Or are his best days behind him? I mean, we’re talking about someone who is still the longest reigning Sin City Champion of all time.
Jason Johnson: Wish I could answer that, E. Nobody in the family really knows. He’s kind of been a recluse since he was “freed”. All that said though, both of those guys are in the Rumble coming up, so I guess we’ll see how they look. That’s now!
IN THE RING
Eryk Masters: Are you ready for Round Two of the Ayumi Seppuku/Laura Seton feud, Jason?
Jason Johnson: I’d just prefer that Ayumi fuck off, if I’m being honest, Eryk.
Eryk Masters: Woah! That’s… okay well…
Jason Johnson: Didn’t she threaten your son while he was working six months ago?
Eryk Masters: …well shit. When you put it that way… yeah, FUCK Ayumi.
Out of the ruins
Out from the wreckage
Can’t make the same mistake this time
“We Don’t Need Another Hero” by Ghost hits as the fans turn their attention and vitriol towards the challenger for the World Heavyweight Title. Ayumi Seppuku emerges wearing a pinstripe suit over a set of workout clothes; but she also has on a blue lion mask that causes a waterfall of black, white, and blue hair to cover her shoulders as she shakes her mane defiantly.
She is joined at her side by her fiance and manager, Zee, whose dark chocolate skin, shaved head, and lengthy maroon bomber jacket make her almost look like she’s cosplaying Niobe from The Matrix.
As the pair emerges, spotlights around the arena lock on to the concourse, where other members of HEXXXED can be seen positioned with their arms crossed donning their respective animal visages.
RAIKO
Bellecose
Judy-E
As Ayumi and Zee make their way down the rampway, she points out towards her teammates and then turns her attention closer to ringside, where we see some commotion just behind the barricades. She hits the ring steps confidently, wrapping her arm around the ring post, as a group of attendees arrive and fill in five open seats just opposite one of the corners of the ring.
Ayumi slowly removes her mask to get a better look at the scene as Laura Seton’s two children, Cheyenne and Alan fill in the first two seats followed by her boyfriend, Nathan Shaw, and his son Charlie. Nathan looks up at Ayumi while his son begins to stretch forward.
Clearly an Ayumi fan, the pre-teen has a grin stretching from ear to ear as he tries to gain every inch to get closer to Laura’s sworn nemesis.
Eryk Masters: What is… this seems incredibly dangerous, Jason.
Jason Johnson: Laura Seton must be extremely confident she can contain Ayumi Seppuku and HEXXXED here tonight, Eryk. I know, for one, I wouldn’t let my son within spitting distance of that woman again, let alone have him sit ringside at an event like this.
Eryk Masters: Maybe she’s also confident in her boyfriend’s ability to handle himself and the kids. I mean, he can obviously keep the attention of the World Heavyweight Champion!
With a confident smirk, Ayumi calmly walks back down the steps and towards the barricade. Nathan bristles, so focused on Ayumi that he misses Charlie reaching over the barricade, holding out his hand for a high five.
Jason Johnson: Shit. Get that kid back! Now!
Ayumi is now inches from Charlie and Nathan freezes as he realizes how close she is to his son. The number one contender calmly kneels down to meet the kid eye to eye. He flashes a big grin and holds his hand out even more forcefully for his high five. The HEXXED leader looks like she’s going to return the gesture, but just as she begins raising her hand, she instead gives a knowing glance to Nathan and turns back to Charlie with a cocky grin.
The young fan’s enthusiasm falters seeing Ayumi’s welcoming hand turn into just her thumb moving across her throat before she nods over toward Nathan, Cheyenne, and Alan mouthing the words “DON’T WORRY. I’LL MAKE IT QUICK… FOR THEM”
Ohhh, oh-oh-oh-ohhhhh, o-o-o-o-o-ohhh…
Eryk Masters: Not a moment too soon!
Jason Johnson: No kidding; that poor kid looks terrified.
The crowd erupts at the beginning of the music for the World Heavyweight Champion, Laura Seton while Ayumi Seppuku retreats from her position near the barricade and rolls herself into the ring.
I’ll get him hot, show him what I got…
A blast of pyro at the top of the ramp goes off before the next set of lyrics to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” Amidst the smoke stands the champ herself, in her red leather jacket, black leather pants and matching boots. She locks eyes with a smiling Ayumi as she begins making her way to the ring, World Championship around her waist.
As soon as Laura reaches the base of the ramp her attention immediately shifts from Ayumi over to her family at ringside. She has a confused and concerned expression on her face as she sees Alan and Cheyenne a bundle of nerves and her boyfriend trying to comfort his son Charlie. She lowers her belt and lets it hang loosely at her side as she quickly runs over to check on what happened.
Ayumi’s smile gets even bigger as she leans on the ropes, watching the scene unfold. We can barely hear what is happening between Laura and Nathan as the cameras approach.
Laura Seton: What are you guys doing here?
Nathan Shaw: I… didn’t you want us down here? We were in the box for most of the show but then I got this text message.
Nathan reaches to pull out his phone as Charlie clutches to his side intensely, refusing to look at Laura. The Champion’s expression becomes further confused, responding quickly, preferring to get her attention to her match.
Laura Seton: Nathan… I never sent any message. You KNOW I want you guys in the box.
The color drains from Nathan’s face as he stumbles backwards but Laura manages to catch him by the arms. As she braces him steadily, Nathan looks up and sees Ayumi Seppuku staring at him from over Laura’s shoulder. The camera swings to catch Laura and Ayumi now eye to eye as the champion is wide-eyed and fuming seeing Ayumi pull a burner phone from her jacket pocket.
Ayumi Seppuku: Amazing what technology can do these days, isn’t it, Laura? I wanted to do this as a gift — for all that you’ve taught me about humility and being the better person.
Laura’s eyes are burning a hole in Ayumi.
Laura Seton: Keep my family out of this!
Ayumi return’s Laura’s rage with a cold bitterness.
Ayumi Seppuku: Oh… you mean how dare I yank them down from that ivory tower skybox you keep them locked in and away from these people — away from your fans? What’s the matter, Laura? Are you ashamed?
Ayumi’s voice raises to be as audible as possible as Laura begins to look around, realizing she may be cornered after finally seeing the other HEXXX members watching from above. The distraction allows Ayumi to sidestep her ever so slightly to close the distance once again and lean over the barricade towards Charlie Shaw.
Ayumi Seppuku: At least this one has good taste.
It happens so fast that neither Ayumi or Nathan realize what’s happening until it’s too late; just as Ayumi approaches, Charlie Shaw turns and SPITS DIRECTLY IN HER FACE!
The crowd ERUPTS as they see the scene play out on the jumbotron. While Nathan and Laura are too shocked to react, Ayumi glares at Charlie, wiping the pre-teens spit off of her face and then SPITS BACK!
A horrified gasp fills the arena just before LAURA SETON DRIVES THE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE INTO AYUMI’S FACE!
Gasps turn to a roar of applause as Laura Seton is now on top of Ayumi, WAILING on the number one contender, who is trying to block the attacks as best she can! Zee begins to run in to break the pair up but Laura snaps around and yells something uncharacteristically vulgar and threatening that stops Ayumi’s manager in her tracks.
Eryk Masters: Looks like security is going to get Nathan and Charlie Shaw back to their original box seats, but the other thing that’s happening right here is that Laura Seton has lost all control, and rightfully so, Jason!
Jason Johnson: GO LAURA, GO!
Like a woman possessed, Laura is screaming at Ayumi as she reaches over and grabs a fist full of her hair and YANKS it from her scalp! The two women tussle on the mat until Laura forces Ayumi to her feet, pushes her against the side of the ring, and drives her knee into the number one contender’s sternum!
Ayumi doubles over, barely able to breathe, but she has enough awareness to turn and roll into the ring before retreating to the center. The number one contender is smiling through the pain and the crowd is at a fever pitch as SHOOT Heavyweight Champion hops up onto the apron immediately, throws off her jacket and boots, and the bell finally rings!
POST MATCH
Laura Seton stands in the center of the ring holding her World Heavyweight Championship high in the air. She’s taken down Ayumi Seppuku, and with it, proved her prowess both as a professional wrestler and as the SHOOT Project’s champion. Ayumi rolls out of the ring, clutching her ribs, her partners in HEXXX have entered the ring and are gathering around her. Laura is visibly apprehensive about this, but Ayumi gives a respectful nod and the camera picks up some of what she’s saying.
“It was never about one victory, it was about proving a point and we’re just getting started.”
Laura nods in acknowledgement, and lowers the belt, glancing around the arena. Ayumi and HEXXX make their exit from the ring, with the crowd still on its feet, roaring in admiration for her victory. But as the lights start to dim and the fans begin to gather their things, a shadowy figure slips over the barricade and enters the ring unnoticed.
Jason Johnson: Whoa, who is that? Looks like someone’s here for some unfinished business!
Eryk Masters: Wait a minute…Laura doesn’t see him! She’s exhausted, she doesn’t even know he’s there!
The figure, dressed in all black with his face obscured by a hood, creeps forward with each step building the tension in the air. He gets closer, and then DRILLS Laura from behind with a vicious forearm to the back of the head, sending her crashing to the mat, her championship belt clattering beside her.
Jason Johnson: Oh! What an impact! Whoever this is, they aren’t playing around!
Eryk Masters: This is disgusting! Laura has just gone through a war with Ayumi Seppuku, and now…
Laura tries to push herself up, groggy and disoriented, but the attacker will not relent. He stomps down on her spine, pressing his weight into her, grinding her into the mat. The crowd erupts in boos, confusion turning to outrage as the assailant pulls her up by the hair, exposing her bruised, exhausted face. He stares at her for a moment before slamming his fist into her jaw, the impact echoing through the arena. Blood begins to trickle from her mouth.
Jason Johnson: Whoever this is, they’re making a serious statement! Laura Seton looks helpless out there!
Eryk Masters: Helpless? She’s defenseless! This is sickening! Somebody get out here and stop this!
With a brutal yank, he hauls Laura to her feet again, only to slam her spine-first into the turnbuckle. She crumples, her body limp, barely conscious as he backs up, sizing her up like prey. Then, in one swift motion, he pulls back his hood, revealing his face to the shocked crowd.
JOSHUA BREEDLOVE.
Jason Johnson: It’s Joshua Breedlove! My god, it’s him!
Eryk Masters: Breedlove…what are you doing?! This isn’t you! Or…at least I thought it wasn’t!
The realization sinks in, but Breedlove only licks his lips and smirks, stepping back and sizing up his fallen target. He measures her with cold, ruthless intent before delivering a devastating knee to her face, snapping her head back and spilling blood across the mat. Laura slumps over, completely at his mercy.
Jason Johnson: This is brutality in its purest form, and Breedlove is reveling in it!
Eryk Masters: Laura is defenseless! Breedlove’s gone beyond anything we’ve ever seen from him!
Breedlove steps over her now-prone body, grabbing the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship and holding it high, staring down at her bloodied face with a sneer. He raises the belt once more, and with no hesitation, he drives it down onto her skull, again and again, until the mat beneath her turns red with blood. The crowd is stunned into silence, some fans visibly horrified.
Eryk Masters: Enough, Breedlove! Stop it! Laura Seton is a champion, and she deserves better than this! Where is security?!
Jason Johnson: This isn’t about deserving, Eryk; this is about taking back power, and Joshua Breedlove is sending a message loud and clear!
Breedlove leans down and holds the blood-splattered belt beside her, looking down at her broken, motionless form with a twisted satisfaction. He leans down, getting close to her ear as he whispers something inaudible, his eyes filled with venom.
Eryk Masters: Is this really how we’re going to end this year?! So many questions, NO answers.
Jason Johnson: You’ve got to remember too, Austin Anderson just won the Redemption Rumble, so you know he paid attention to that very attack. You’re right, Eryk. There are SO many questions and we’re going to have to wait until January to get answers!
The camera zooms in on the final shot: Breedlove standing tall over Laura Seton, a scowl on his face, and her blood covering his black boots. He raises the crimson World Heavyweight Championship high into the air, satisfied with the message that was sent. With Redemption and 2024 coming to a close, the last image you see is a stunned crowd and a fallen champion whose fate is unknown.
