EP.: XXX
DATE: XX.XX.XXXX
ARENA: THE EPICENTER
RED, WHITE, & BRUISE VS. THE PUNCH LINE
Tag Team Match
POST MATCH
IT'S TIME TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH
The scene opens with the crowd roaring after an intense and chaotic match between Red, White, and Bruise—Ryan Samuels and Johnny Patriot—and The Punch Line—Harv Norris and Rick Hull. The arena is electric as Ryan and Johnny stand in the center of the ring, sweat-soaked and breathing heavily but victorious. Johnny raises his flag high, and Ryan smirks, nodding to the fans as they cheer for the patriotic duo. Patriotic music blares through the speakers as they celebrate their hard-fought win.
Harv and Rick, still reeling from their loss, pull themselves up using the ropes on the opposite side of the ring. Their faces are a mix of frustration and anger. As Ryan and Johnny continue to celebrate, Harv and Rick exchange a nod, a silent agreement passing between them.
Suddenly, The Punch Line launches a surprise attack. Harv charges at Ryan, blindsiding him with a forearm to the back of the head, while Rick tackles Johnny to the mat. The crowd erupts into boos and shocked gasps as chaos unfolds in the ring once again.
Ryan stumbles forward from the blow, then whirls around with fury in his eyes. Harv meets him head-on, and the two begin trading heavy punches. Johnny struggles under Rick’s weight, trying to fend off his opponent’s assault. The referee and officials rush back into the ring, attempting to separate the warring teams.
As the melee continues, Major Malice appears at the top of the ramp—a rare sight, as he’s seldom seen at ringside. Clad in his imposing military attire, he strides purposefully toward the ring with a microphone in hand, his expression a mask of stern authority. The crowd’s attention shifts to him as he climbs the ring steps and enters the fray.
The officials finally manage to pull the wrestlers apart, each team retreating to opposite corners of the ring, seething and ready to explode again. Major Malice stands in the center, raising the microphone to his lips, his voice cutting through the noise.
Major Malice: (voice booming) Enough! I’ve had just about all I can take of this nonsense!
Harv and Rick glare at him, confusion and anger evident on their faces. Ryan and Johnny watch cautiously from their corner, still on guard.
Major Malice: (turning sharply to Harv and Rick) You two have been nothing but a disappointment! Week after week, you fail to deliver. Tonight was no different—you couldn’t get the job done against these two clowns!
Harv steps forward, his thick accent more pronounced in his agitation.
Harv Norris: (angrily) What’re ya talkin’ about, Malice? We gave it our all out there! That match was ours ta win!
Rick nods in agreement, his eyes flashing with frustration.
Rick Hull: We were this close! You can’t just dismiss us like that!
Major Malice scoffs, his gaze icy.
Major Malice: (sarcastically) “This close” doesn’t cut it! I’m tired of excuses. It’s time for you to put up or shut up.
He turns to face Ryan and Johnny, pointing a commanding finger at them.
Major Malice: (authoritatively) Red, White, and Bruise, since my so-called team can’t seem to finish the job, let’s settle this once and for all. At the Hunt pay-per-view, we’re issuing a challenge—a Losers Leave Town Cage Match!
The crowd reacts with a mix of cheers and astonished gasps. Ryan and Johnny exchange surprised glances, a hint of eagerness in their expressions. Harv and Rick, however, look utterly stunned. Harv’s face turns from confusion to anger as he realizes the stakes.
Harv Norris: (outraged) Ya can’t do that, Malice! Ya can’t put our careers on the line without talkin’ ta us!
Rick steps forward, his voice steady but firm.
Rick Hull: This isn’t fair! We didn’t agree to this!
Major Malice whirls on them, his face contorted with disdain.
Major Malice: (snapping) Fair? You think this is about fairness? This is about results! And since you two can’t deliver, I’m making the decisions now. Prove your worth or pack your bags!
He turns back to Ryan and Johnny, who are now grinning confidently.
Ryan Samuels: (smirking) Well, ain’t this a surprise. You know what? We accept. It’ll be our pleasure to send these jokers packing.
Johnny Patriot raises his flag triumphantly.
Johnny Patriot: (full of enthusiasm) For the honor of competition and the spirit of America, we gladly accept your challenge! At Hunt, we’ll show The Punch Line the true meaning of defeat!
Harv and Rick are visibly seething now. Harv’s accent becomes even thicker as he confronts Malice.
Harv Norris: (fiercely) This ain’t right! You’re throwin’ us under the bus! We deserve better than this!
Major Malice steps closer to them, his voice low and menacing.
Major Malice: (coldly) Deserve? You deserve nothing. You’ve earned this with your constant failures. Consider this your last chance to prove me wrong.
He raises the microphone, addressing everyone in the arena.
Major Malice: (declaratively) No matter the outcome at The Hunt, one thing is certain: the SHOOT Project will be cleansed of some dead weight. It’s time to take out the trash, one way or another.
He tosses the microphone aside and exits the ring without another word, leaving Harv and Rick simmering with rage and betrayal. The crowd buzzes with anticipation and shock at the high stakes just set.
Ryan and Johnny stand confidently on their side of the ring, satisfied smiles on their faces. Ryan cracks his knuckles, while Johnny waves to the crowd, soaking in the moment.
Harv turns to Rick, his eyes filled with determination despite the turmoil.
Harv Norris: (steadfastly) If this is how it’s gonna be, then we’ll just have ta fight with everything we’ve got. We’re not lettin’ him or anyone else push us out.
Rick nods firmly, placing a hand on Harv’s shoulder.
Rick Hull: Agreed. We’ll show them who the real losers are.
The two teams lock eyes across the ring, the tension palpable.
FANTASMO HAMBRIENTO VS. ELIJAH STARBORNE
Singles Match
PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
APOLOGIZE OR ELSE
We open to the shot of a modest house in East Las Vegas, the property in need of repairs but kept as neat as possible considering the location. The mailbox on the front porch bears a name of Burkhalter, spelled out in chipped and peeling text. The curtains are pulled back, the residents inside unaware of their clandestine visitor–the feed pulls back enough to tell us that it is clearly being filmed from inside of a vehicle. A male voice begins to speak with a noticeable southern drawl, almost immediately giving away his identity.
“I don’t like bullies. Never have. Don’t like folks who won’t own up to their own mistakes either; the folks that don’t wanna learn from history are even worse.”
The camera feed turned as Josh Kaine puts his phone on a mount, keeping himself and the house in view. The bruises from Joey’s attack last show have all but faded, save for an almost healed cut along the bridge of Kaine’s nose.
“I can ‘ppreciate the fact that you’re still figurin’ some shit out, hell–I was too when I first started in this business. Wasn’t even all that shocked to get jumped, should have expected it, to be honest. You’re a bully, after all and I been real nice up until now, but each time I try to be nice…it bites me in the ass. Should have learned that a lot sooner, especially after bein’ trained by my mom. Jada didn’t raise me, but there ain’t no escapin’ what havin’ Kaine blood does to ya. The restlessness, that drive to fight everyone and everythin’ which crosses ya…I grew up watchin’ her be a monster on TV. Hell, I watched right along with my adoptive dad when she harassed Barbie Kellers for weeks because she wanted a shot at NC-17’s title belt. She took a baseball bat to Osbourne Kilminster’s neck. She went toe to toe with monsters like Azraith Demitri on the regular. Most don’t know it, but she almost went after an innocent family because of some fucked up shit some jackass was doin’ to the deranged German guy she dated for a while.”
Josh couldn’t help the malicious grin that spread across his face before his attention turned back to the house.
“Been doin’ some soul searchin’ this past week while waitin’ for these bruises to heal, talkin’ with Jada and some other folks before it clicked in my head. I’ve been fightin’ against my nature for too long. That don’t mean I’m gonna turn into some ragin’ beast with no self-control, but what happens next depends on you, Joey.”
The son of Jada Kaine reached in the back seat of his truck, pulling out what had been a gift from the retired legend…a well-used and well-loved baseball bat. He placed it on the seat next to him.
“All I wanted was an apology. Just a quick ‘Hey man, I overreacted and I’m sorry but I don’t need no help with my family.’ would have been more’n good enough. I know your mama raised you better’n that. And damn, Joey…Hannah’s a pretty lady too, ain’t no secret I got a thing for older women. Your siblings’re something too–Maggie’s in there workin’ on her homework. Emilia’s watchin’ something on TV with Ella and Elke, have been for a while.
Point is, you wouldn’t believe how easy it was to find ‘em, Joey; and I’m done fightin’ against my nature. I’m the generous sort so I’ll give ya one last chance. You get your ass in the middle of the ring next show and apologize for bein’ a dickhead and I’ll call it even. You won’t ever have to see my face again unless we’re booked in the ring.
You don’t, and well…
You’re gonna find out personally just how much it feels to get your career ended before it ever really begins. I could easily go and take everythin’ that matters to ya in this world right now. I could if I really wanted to, but I won’t–I wanna see what you got deep down in you, Joey. I wanna know if you got the capacity for change, or if you’re just another arrogant dickhead who ain’t got the brains to stop runnin’ headlong into trouble.
Choice is yours, Joey.
Apologize, or some folks you love’re gonna have a really bad day.”
He pressed the ignition button on the dash of the truck, the Dodge Ram roaring to life before Josh reached up to turn off the phone and end the feed.
Gallus Oswald Vs. Cormac Nelson
Singles Match
IN THE RING
MONSTER MASH CHALLENGE
We cut to the ring. Mr. Ho stands with the Premier Champion, Moriton. Moriton is wearing what he was the day before at Ruination when he first showed up, a tracksuit colored in the style of the Mongolian Olympic team, cream and blue. The Premier Championship glistens around his waist. In the ring is another man, seemingly of similar Mongolian descent to Morition. He is dressed in similar gear to what the Champion wears when he competes in SHOOT Project – teal sleeved sash, tights, and cowboy-style boots.
Mr. Ho: I told you all at Ruination when we were accosted on our way into the building that I would answer CICADA’s request. Now, some might say that a promise is a promise, but I have to weigh things out. My Mighty Garuda here, he’s stood across the ring with some of the most illustrious wrestlers in the sport in his short tenure. I would not want to rubber-stamp this title match without gauging the efficacy of this challenger. So, CICADA, if you’re here, and I venture to guess you are, you should come down here.
The lights go out!
Jason Johnson: Well, that didn’t take long.
When the lights come back up, CICADA is in the ring, face to face with Morition. The official looking man and Mr. Ho jump a little, but not Moriton. He does not back down from the larger man, staring into the black void that covers CICADA’s eyes without flinching.
Mr. Ho: Alright, I didn’t take you for a coward, so I’m not surprised you’re here. That being said, I have some conditions before I let you take a shot at my young stallion here. You see, I have arranged for a challenge between the two of you.
Jason Johnson: A challenge?
Eryk Masters: Ooh, I think I know what’s about to happen, and I’m pumped. This is so old school.
Mr. Ho: You and your SWARM, you’re built upon psychological warfare. A lot of smoke and mirrors. Wrestling, at its heart, is muscle and sinew. Strength upon strength. That’s why I am proposing that for you to receive a shot at my champion, you must prove your worth in the version of the sport my Moriton has dominated so hard that he quit to come prove his mettle here in America.
The crowd gasps.
Mr. Ho: BÖKH!
RAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!
Jason Johnson: Wow, this is unique.
Mr. Ho: The rules are simple. You must grapple with your foe and drive him into the ground using leverage only. You may not strike. You must only use grappling. The match ends and only ends when one of the competitors touches the ground with a body part other than their foot. You will compete in a best of 3 competition. Do you accept?
CICADA does not turn his attention from Moriton. He stares the Mighty Garuda down, but he extends a hand to the referee, silently asking for the jacket.
Eryk Masters: Looks like CICADA is accepting this challenge!
The crowd gets hyped as CICADA removes his usual sleeveless gui, revealing an incredibly cut frame that is littered with tattoos, barely any natural skin showing. He puts on the jacket and walks to the center of the ring. Moriton hands the Premier Championship to Mr. Ho and also takes to the center of the ring. Both men grab the sleeve of the other. The referee takes the center and holds up a hand.
Referee: Тэмцэл!
CICADA attempts to power Moriton down almost immediately, turning and twisting, but despite the obvious power of CICADA, Moriton is unmoved. This is his domain, his fighting style, and any of CICADA’s efforts are entirely outmatch and outclassed. Within a flash, Moriton pulls CICADA in closely and shifts his weight back on his ankles, lifting the much larger CICADA off his feet and slamming him to the ground, never actually dropping down with him. The referee signals that the first fall has gone to Moriton!
Jason Johnson: Wow…I mean, we had to know that Bokh-style match was going to favor Moriton, but I don’t think anyone has ever dominated CICADA like that in any capacity.
Eryk Masters: The speed, the quickness, the technique…I’m not usually one to doubt anyone in the SWARM, scary as they are, but I don’t think CICADA has a chance here.
CICADA looks up at Moriton, who is unflinching in his confidence. Though his face is completely concealed, the frustration and tension in CICADA are as clear as day. Mr. Ho jeers as CICADA, screams about his inferiority to the Mighty Garuda. CICADA gathers himself and stands, getting eye to eye with Morition again. He grabs the sleeves of Moriton. Moriton does the same. CICADA presses his forehead against Moriton, who pushes right back.
Referee: Тэмцэл!
CICADA immediately slams Moriton right on the bridge of the nose with a headbutt! As Moriton reels, CICADA releases the sleeves and hauls back, planting a picture perfect, precise as FUCK right that catches Moriton flush on the jaw! Moriton buckles as the blue robed referee waves off the competition. Moriton rolls to the outside, not out of retreat, but out of instinct, his bell clearly rung by the powerful shot of CICADA. Moriton stands on the outside, where Mr. Ho rejoins him. Moriton checks his jaw as a small trickle of blood drops from his nose. CICADA rolls his shoulders and cracks his neck, still clearly feeling the brutal takedown from earlier. The two men glare at each other. Moriton seems to want to get back in the ring, but Mr. Ho talks him down. The Premier Championship is placed back on the waist of Moriton, but as Moriton walks back up the entrance ramp, he walks backwards, never losing looking away from CICADA.
Jason Johnson: I don’t think anything was resolved here. Technically speaking, CICADA lost this little exhibition, but it looks like whatever message he was trying to send has been seen.
Eryk Masters: Two very clashing styles from two very different monsters, but monsters none the least, and it looks like they are both on the HUNT!
ULTIMO MUERTE VS. SCOTTIE BARNES
SIN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
Singles Match
Backstage
MISTAKES WERE MADE, LARS
Lars Von Bremen stalks down the hallways. He smokes a cigarillo, despite passing a clear ‘no smoking’ sign.
Lars Von Bremen: Fucking Ayumi. Fucking Chick. Fucking King Dickhead. Telling me I need to be here instead of tending to Mr. Teen. Can’t even fucking find them now. Bullshit man, just bullshi-
Suddenly, the lights in the hallway in front of Lars go off. Lars looks down the dark hallway, confused and a little unnerved.
Lars Von Bremen: Hey, anyone down there? Don’t fuck with me man, it’s Lars from HEXXX. You do NOT want this.
A door on the edge of the darkness flies open by itself, clanging loudly in the hall. More lights go off, the edge of the darkness now directly in front of Lars.
Lars Von Bremen: Nah, no, absolutely not. Fuck this.
Lars turns to go in a different direction when suddenly all the lights behind him go dark as well. A single fluorescent light shines on Lars, who freezes, the cigarillo dropping to the ground in front of him. There is quiet for a long moment as Lars waits, tensing up and balling his fists, preparing for whatever. Suddenly, a small, square shaped light appears at the end of the hall.
A blue light.
The Speaker: Misssssssssssssssssssssssssteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer Von Breeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemen-men-men-men-
The blue light goes out. Lars looks around him, trying not to get hit from behind.
Lars Von Bremen: I swear to god, if you bug freaks don-
The lights go out! From the darkness, a voice can be heard.
Siren: Mistakes were made, Lars.
The sounds of struggle and clatter can be heard. Lars roars and groans, but in the darkness, all we can figure out is that there is a fight. After a few moments, the sound of struggle ends. There is silence in the darkness for several seconds before all the lights come back on. Lars Von Bremen is on the ground, half-conscious, his dress shirt and suit coat in tatters and his face bloodied. On his chest, written in what looks like blood, probably his own, is:
“TRAITOR”
RINGSIDE
BALANCING THE SCALES
Eryk Masters: Here we go! The main event! The big enchilada! The crem dela creme! The-
Jason Johnson: Get on with it!
As if on cue, the lights go down but instead of “Time Warp” hitting the speakers we see…
Shortly after, Dance with the Dead’s “HEX” hits and a spotlight swings over to reveal Ayumi Seppuku and Kingslayer standing at the top of the rampway.
The crowd is NOT happy to see the pair here but compared to earlier reactions there is a definite… mellowness as the pair slowly make their way down the ramp.
Jason Johnson: I don’t blame the fans tonight, Eryk; it’s hard to keep track of what’s going on with HEXXX these days. NC-17’s injuries, then Ayumi’s completely out of left-field reunion yesterday… and now it seems like Ayumi doesn’t trust Lars von Bremen to be alone with Kingslayer. It’s so… much!
Eryk Masters: Great recap, OG… but that still doesn’t explain what they are doing here tonight for the main event.
Jason Johnson: I mean… seems pretty obvious to me that Ayumi has a stake in the winner here tonight and may just want a first-hand- Oh. Hi… Ayumi.
Ayumi Seppuku: Make room, Eryk.
The HEXXX pair push OG and Eryk to the side as Ayumi adjusts a microphone headset.
Eryk Masters: We don’t have enough for four people… and shouldn’t there be five of you, anyways? Where’s Lars?
Ayumi Seppuku: He needs some time to cool off; Lindsay Troy’s vicious, unprompted attack on NC-17 several weeks ago has hit us each in different ways. And trust me, those responsible will face their own justice soon enough.
Kingslayer looks over at Eryk and Jason Johnson with a blank stare that causes the announcers to tense up and readjust some notes at their desk.
Jason Johnson: So… uh… you’re here to watch the match, then?
Ayumi Seppuku: I’m here, Jason, because after the last Revolution I’ve earned a front-row seat to “monitor” the outcome of this match. Wouldn’t you agree?
Eryk Masters: How do you mean?
Ayumi Seppuku: Do I need to spell it out for you Eryk? NC-17 earns his number-one contender shot through the gauntlet that is Master of the Mat only to have it stripped because of RIA and Vae Victis? RIA and Lindsay get rewarded for their assault with a number one contendership and despite the fact that Laura, as guest ref, telegraphed her desire for RIA to be her challenger at The Hunt? I’ve overcome tremendous obstacles to even get to this solace and now RIA gets to gets to still cut to the front of the line and potentially be champion before me? If you don’t see how corrupt that system is, then you’re already a lost cause.
Eryk Masters: I’m not following. Seems… like how we’ve always booked matches.
Ayumi Seppuku: My point exactly, Eryk… so how about we cut the bullshit small talk and see whose ass I get to kick at The Hunt, shall we?
RIA VS. LAURA SETON (C)
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Singles Match
POST MATCH
The fans roar with approval as Laura Seton walks over to the corner of the ring to retrieve her Heavyweight Championship belt and holds it up high.
Laura slings the belt over her shoulder and walks back over to the recovering RIA before extending an arm in a show of respect, which RIA accepts as she’s pulled back onto her feet.
A roar erupts as Laura lifts RIA’s hand in victory, pointing to her challenger and leading applause as the dual-haired fighter warmly takes in the fans’ reaction despite coming up short in the match.
Jason Johnson: That was a heck of a challenge put up by RIA, wouldn’t you say, Eryk?
Eryk Masters: Hard to argue that, but that’s why Laura’s a two time Heavyweight Champion!
Ayumi Seppuku: Sure… that’s the reason. Christ, how much do they pay you both to kiss her ass and sell tickets? Whatever it is can’t be worth it.
*tap tap tap*
Laura Seton: This thing on?
As RIA begins to exit, Laura has grabbed a microphone and is walking around the ring, her eyes locked on Ayumi as she takes her time letting the crowd get amped up.
Laura Seton: Let’s hear it for RIA, right? A unique one, for sure, but just an amazing role model for the next generation of fighters!
Ayumi: This bitch…
Laura flashes a bright smile pointed directly at Ayumi.
Laura Seton: Such a great example for so many young boys, girls, and non-binaries. Because that’s what it means to be a champion. Even if you don’t always have a belt around your waist… you act like you do. You treat everyone with respect.
The champion leans on the ropes and towards a furious Ayumi, who has removed her headphones and is jawing something at Laura.
Laura Seton: So… I also have a special message for Jaden.
The crowd erupts as a confident-looking Laura Seton steps back from the ropes. Meanwhile, Ayumi leaves the announce table and begins to make her way up the steel steps.
Laura Seton: Jaden. I may not be the role model I was 10 years ago, but trust me when I say this: you can do SO much better than Ayumi. She’s not anyone’s hero. She’s a goddamned train wre-
Laura drops the microphone as Ayumi barrels forward and despite bracing herself, the champion is SPEARED down to the mat with incredible force. Ayumi screams with rage as she begins to wail on Laura who is suddenly realizing she may have gone too far in pushing Ayumi over the edge. No matter how fast she gets her arms up to block, Ayumi connects! Her orbital bone, her jaw, her collar bone, and chest!
Eryk Masters: Jesus Christ! Get security out here no-
Kingslayer stands up from his position at the announce table, having been so quiet that neither Eryk Masters or Jason Johnson even remembered he was there. The two staff members are shoved off their chairs in a single eruption of anger as the red-masked fighter stands over them, getting a folding chair ready to attack!
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Ayumi has reached over to grab the dropped microphone and raises it up high above her head like a serial killer with a butcher knife. She goes to bring it down, aiming at Laura’s head.
THUNK!!
Ayumi connects across the champ’s temple, knocking her even more loopy than she already was.
The number one contender rises to her feet and chases a woozy, scrambling Laura Seton, who is trying to escape the attack. As she does, security swarms ringside from every possible angle.
The number one contender chases the champion into a corner, both competitors gasping for breath as Ayumi suddenly stops her pursuit; she looks down at Laura Seton and closes her eyes before raising the microphone and letting out a short, dry laugh.
Ayumi Seppuku: Heh. Good one, Laura. You almost got me…
Ayumi looks around and finally sees the rush of security descending on the ring. She nods solemnly before smirking.
Ayumi Seppuku: …too bad you missed.
Ayumi drops the microphone and holds up her arms in surrender as security finally slides into the ring and breaks up the scene. As Ayumi signals her surrender, so does Kingslayer, walking away from his attempted assault on Jason Johnson and Eryk Masters.
The fans are in absolute shock as a bloody Laura Seton is helped up from the ring while Ayumi Seppuku is forcefully led out of the arena with Kingslayer in tow. The champion and challenger lock eyes for a brief final moment before the chaos of the scene becomes overwhelming and the feed cuts to black.
