PCW Phase Eighteen: A Scandal In Bohemia
The PCW crowd was amped up and loud, ready for the action that was always bound to come with the end of a season. The lights dimmed on the UIC Pavillion, then came back on with bright red and orange lights tracking the ramp and ring, splaying over the crowd as the opening notes of The Phoenix by Fall Out Boy began to play. The usual music cues came and went and there was no sign of the ring announcer.
The commentators entered and looked around confused as well, trying to find the host. The crowd was whispering and looking around for him when a man in a long grey-brown coat and deerstalker hat. He stepped calmly out of his aisle seat, walked through to the front and pulled himself over the barricade with ease. He tossed his hat into the ring and slid in behind it, pulling a mic out of his pocket once he was standing.
Griffin West grinned.
Lookin' for me, Chicago?
He laughed and paced then came to stand in the center of the ring, the music fading out.
Tonight is the close on my very first season with you and just on a personal note, I wanted to thank you all for making me feel welcome.
He moved a hand right after like he was pushing the sentiment.
Anyway! Now what you're here for! Tonight, here at the UIC Pavillion we're bringing you A Scandal in Bohemia! Starting off with a fierce competition between one fellow that's already well on his way to a title shot with two whole points and another, who currently has Zilch! I wanna hear you!
He shouted out excitedly then rolled out of the ring to commentary, putting his hat back on as he did, scooting up beside Mike, sitting probably way too close.
Chad Lail vs Baron Corbin
As his theme song "I bring the darkness" hit, Corbin emerged from the backstage area, nodding his head and moving his body to the beat. And just before the chorus hit he stood in the center of the stage bowing his head swaying side to side with the beat. Once the chorus hit he stood tall spreading his arms as a barrage of mixed boos with cheers came from the crowd. 80% were boo's 20% were cheers. He made his way down the ramp with this intense stare in his eyes, coming around the ring, walking up the steel steps, and climbed in between the ropes.
"Day of rage" started playing and Chad Lail walked down the ramp with a stern look on his face, arms at his sides, strong and confident as he stepped inside the ring to meet his opponent.
Lail entered the match with two points and planned on coming out with enough points to challenge for the championship and Corbin tried to get back in the path to contention by putting the other man quickly away. Their exchange was near brutal and everything they did was trying to one-up one another to get the win.
Finally, after the extenuating match was almost at its climax, it was the End of Days from Corbin that gave him the win over Lail, giving him his first point and sending the other wrestler back to zero.
Marty Scurll vs Mick Moretti
Mick Moretti had the lights turned off for his entrance. Just static on the titantron as the first notes of Galactic Pegasus' Turn Down For Whathit. He ran down, goggles and cane in hand, wearing a tailcoat jacket to accompany him down the ramp along with Buddy Murphy and Rhea Ripley. He had a huge smile on his face. People didn't know what to make of him, and that was fine.
Hot Tag Media's "One True Villain" started playing, and as the lights dimmed, the audience started putting on their Villain bandannas, awaiting the entrance of Marty Scurll. He came out, dark-clad and with his signature umbrella and plague doctor mask, making his way down the ramp and quickly into the ring, slipping between the ropes and discarding his entrance gear.
The villain had gotten his first point at last month's season finale and he was waiting to make another impression at this season finale again. As unpredictable as Moretti was, it was no match for Scurll's strangeness and his insane behaviour. Their meeting inside the ring had the audience torn and chanting for both of them nonstop, while their moves kept them at the edge of their seats.
Despite Mick's attempts, the Villan's experience took the match. When the Bird of Prey came for him and after being powerslammed nearly through the canvas, the match was over.
Jamie Frost vs Gemini
VTZ's Cold as Ice started playing and the slow notes guided the smirking Jamie Frost down the ramp. She nonchalantly touched hands with a few people, but for the most part, focused on getting to the ring and making a show of it, keeping cool as she stepped between the ropes.
"World is mine" played, and as the cutesy Japanese lyrics filled the air, the audience started to get a little carried away, much to their distaste, because as the rift played on, the tiny Gemini stepped out to the ramp, doing a short spin before walking down the ramp, blowing kisses but ignoring the few outstretched hands. She was helped up to the ring by a member of the ring crew, who set her gently on the apron so she could slide right in from under the bottom rope.
The newcomer saw her debut with a loss at the hands of Santana Garrett at the beginning of the season but was willing to make up for it by beating she much smaller (and cockier) Japanese woman. Which she did, and within a matter of minutes, Gemini was tapping out to a submission hold that, quite frankly, she could have touched the ropes to get out of.
With a final slap, which sent Gemini running for the hills, Jamie Frost claimed her first point for championship contention, which the referee handed to her while raising her hand in the air.
Griffin still had the excitement he started with and it showed when he jumped, legs out to the side over the top rope and into the ring, bouncing when he landed. The crowd's energy seemed to be in sync with his as they were still one of the loudest crowds the had brought in for some time. They were still talking about the last match but hushed enough for the announcer to do his thing.
And NOW it's time for your Maaain Event! It's a one on one match for the Women's Championship! Will the She-Wolf herself be able to defend against someone who's willing to lay it all on the line and go toe to toe with her? Well? We're gonna find out!
With that, he rolled back out of the ring, standing to the side to watch them enter.
Hania vs Britt Baker (Women's Championship Match)
Hania came in with her usual seductive cadence, walking down the ramp calmly, making her way inside the ring through the third rope, using it to propel herself up and landing on her knees, howling right before removing her wolf-like cloak, setting it on her corner while she waited for her opponent to appear.
As the beat slowly revs up, the fans all shift their attention to the stage in time to see Britt Baker race out onto the stage. “Bad Blood” is in full effect as the woman shows a burst of enthusiasm, arms flung around her as she gives a little hop on stage. The brunette makes her way down the ramp with a wide smile, fans having the honor of giving her high-fives as she makes her way around the ring. Britt hops onto the apron and enters the ring. She races to the opposite side and climbs the rope before throwing an arm in the air. Britt puts a hand to her ear, soaking in the adoration of the fans.
The champion paced the ring before the contender showed up, stretching, jumping, moving around like a feral animal. As soon as Britt stepped foot in the ring, the Huntress went for the kill, jumping on her with a series of kicks and moving on to dangerous submission holds. Despite the surprise, Baker was able to escape without tapping, and once she'd recovered, she picked back up on the match to even out the situation.
The She-Wolf had a predatorial smile on her face while she took everything Britt was dishing out and returned it in kind, doubled sometimes, even. The crowd had gone silent except for some gasps from how the match was going, and before Baker could connect with the Rainbaker, Hania forearmed her to take her down and set her up for the Hanialation, pinning her to successfully retain her championship.