Phase Forty-Five: The Brain Eaters
As usual, Jimmy stepped to the centre of the ring, adjusting his tie and waiting for everyone to quiet down.
"This will be the last time you'll see me up here, so enjoy it. Next week, for the start of the season, you'll get Mr West back in your lives and we can all pretend you're not watching a dystopian version of the company you once knew.
This month has been only a demonstration of the havoc, no pun intended, that we're going to wreck in your lives, both as an audience and as talent. By the end of this, you'll wish you had Quackenbush back in charge to give you those rose-tinted fantasies you liked so much.
This is the Psycho season, and though things might get more... Lighthearted, the risks are still the same."
Just as Jimmy was going to continue, Perros by Cartel de Santa cuts his speech short. The fans are aware of whose presence this song signified as bright and colorful lights sets the stage aglow. Taya stood proudly with her arms in the air, representing Los Perros Del Mal with the signature tee. She kicked up her fur boots and shook her behind, reminiscent of days in Triple A, and skipped her way down the ramp to the stage.
Jimmy’s face slightly crumples into an expression of disgust as she enters the ring, taking the mic from him.
“You couldn’t be more right, Jimmy. The Psycho season is almost over and the company will undergo yet another change, but it won’t be back to normal. With Quack out of commission, it’s up to someone with a vision, intelligence, and fierce determination to keep this company alive. And whose better at shaking things up than me? I mean, if you kept a close eye on my journey in the mother company, TWA, you already know just how much I can turn the tide in any given situation.”
There’s a mix of boos and cheers as Taya flips her hair over her shoulder. She grins and saunters over to Jimmy’s side before tapping his shoulder.
“It’s been fun, Jimmy. Short-lived, but fun being your co-general manager, but I’ll take the reigns for now and give the people a show that will make them drop dead in awe. The ending of the Psycho season is the genesis of the Transformation season.”
Taya points up high and a single spotlight casts down on her and Jimmy. She poses as the man stands beside her with disgust and somewhat feeling awkward. She nudges his arm and winks, before leaving him alone to contemplate what just happened as she saunters back up the ramp with a smirk on her face.
UIC Pavilion
Jenny Blake vs Isla Dawn
Jenny Blake makes her way out first with a huge smile on her face. The fans greet her with cheers and applause as she makes her way down the ramp. They chant her name as she leaps over the ropes into the ring. Jenny climbs the turnbuckle and the crowd cheers for her once again.
Isla Dawn is next to appear, seemingly manifesting onto the stage from thin air. The redhead makes her way to the ring with her robe trailing behind her. The stoic expression upon her face slowly shifts to a wicked smile as she steps between the ropes. The woman drops down in the center of the ring, throwing her arms up high before throwing the robe off her shoulders.
Once the bell rings, Jenny gets her defense up, but Isla remains still. She’s suffered a string of losses that’s put her on edge. She tilts her head to one side and suddenly charges. Jenny is caught off guard and knocked to the mat. Isla drags her into the corner and stomps her down. She continues to take control, eventually connecting with a jaw-shattering kick to the face for a two-count. Blake stays alive and the young witch lets out a ferocious scream that tears through the empty air.
Everyone around has to cover their ears as she looks for the killing blow. Blake fights back and takes her down with multiple clotheslines. Isla can’t take her down as the woman uses her aerial skills to her advantage. Dawn goes for yet another kick but Blake ducks for the roll-up pin for the three count. Jenny races out of the ring before the eventual meltdown. Dawn screams again louder and louder until the building shakes before disappearing from the ring.
Hania (with Indigo Kelly) vs Zack Sabre Jr.
After last week's events, Hania and Indigo had come to an understanding that they'd have to work together past their differences to tackle down the man who'd been having his fun at the roster's expenses.
Their first target was Zack Sabre Jr, but he wasn't going to be a victim by any means, despite the distraction of having Indigo at ringside, he fought with all his technical acumen against the lucha-trained Huntress, taking her to her limits with his incredible flexibility and innovative holds.
The younger Kelly moved towards Jimmy, taunting him from ringside and almost making him get up to silence her while trying to pay attention to the match, making sure it went according to plan. He started getting more and more frustrated with Indigo's taunting, to the point where he moved away from the table and a fight nearly broke at ringside, just as Hania's Rings of Saturyne made Zack pass out at the centre of the ring, the referee lifting his hand three times before declaring the match in Hania's favour.
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A Deal With God
The redhead paces back and forth within a desolate hallway. Fingers tear at the strawberry locks as cries of anguish and despair gurgle from the back of her throat. She balls a hand and gently tap the side of her head in frustration. Loss after loss after loss. The Void promised her success and domination, but she’s missing something. What, what, what?! The woman’s face turns a bright shade of red and the building begins to tremble again as her emotions slip from her control.
From the corner of her eye dashes a shadow. It distracts her long enough to still the building once more. Dawn turns her head, whipping around to find the shadow. It was nowhere in sight. The woman closes her eyes and concentrates, a sixth sense kicking in. It didn’t take long to find her visitor and she reached out to her left immediately to grip...something unseen. The figure eventually manifests from a silhouette to a familiar man. One she had the opportunity to speak with prior to now and has made himself known to the PCW roster just last week.
“Carson Butler. The answer is no. I don’t need your ‘expertise.’”
A devilish grin spread to reveal two rows of teeth. His eyes widen slightly for a moment before removing her grip from his ship. The “man” slightly bows to her before locking eyes with her. Dawn immediately tenses, defensive, but his smile widens even more at this reaction.
“You haven’t even let me attempt to persuade you. You could truly benefit, Isla. You’re strong. That much is certain, but you’re directionless.”
“The Vo—“
“Whether real or not, is not enough. It can only strengthen you so much. It can’t guide you like I can.”
“...I don’t need you. Leave me be.”
“Think about it, Witch.”
Carson backs away from her, seemingly morphing with the shadows once more and disappearing from sight. The encounter only seems to enrage her even more and she struck the wall nearest to her, leaving a cracks and chipped pieces crumbling to the floor.
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Frankie Valentine vs Flash Morgan Webster vs Rhea Ripley (All-Weight Championship Match)
Frankie makes her appearance first. The young competitor made her return with a smile, more than happy to be back in PCW. The fans greet her warmly as she enters the ring.
Rhea is up next and her confidence showed through the smile upon her face. Unlike Frankie, she ignored the fans and made her way to the ring with the most twisted grin still on her face. She eyed Frankie from the apron and winked before climbing in and partially charging Frankie early on. Her opponent backed up instinctively and Ripley let out a laugh before stepping back.
Flash Morgan came last with his title around his waist. He makes his way to the ring unafraid of having two opponents. He was determined to prove his worth as champion and show Havoc and Taya there’s nothing they could do to take this belt from around his waist.
The bell rings once Flash is ready and the two women share a glance before looking to Morgan. Flash immediately charges Frankie, but she counters with a sitout neckbreaker. The two women beatdown on Morgan until he rolls out of the ring.
Ripley wastes no time turning on Frankie by snatching her up by the hair and slinging her across the ring. The two battle it out with Rhea keeping control until Frankie kicks the leg out from under her. She takes Ripley down with a running knee for a one-count. Flash slides back into the ring and quickly rolls her up but she kicks out at one. He takes her down with a dropkick before tossing her out of the ring. Rhea crawled into the corner just as Flash flies through the ropes for a suicide dive to Frankie. He reenters only for Ripley to take him out with a big boot.
She takes control once again, beating down on Morgan without hesitation. She shoved him into the corner and chokes until the three count before slapping him across the face. The fans gasp as she backs away with a laugh. Ripley charges again but Flash rolls out of the way. Frankie is back on her feet and on the apron, taking Rhea out with a hard forearm to the face. Frankie climbs the top rope and takes Flash out with a crossbody pin for the two-count.
Back and forth they go before Flash gets the upper hand again with. Gory Bomb for the pin. Rhea makes the save at two with a sharp kick to the head. Morgan slumps and Rhea goes for Frankie again, slinging her across the ring. Ripley attempts to take control but Frankie counters with a sitout jawbreaker. Morgan races up from behind with a backstabber to Ripley.
He and Frankie go back and forth once more, both taking each other out with a double crossbody. Rhea crawls back into the fight and covers both with no win either time. She takes control of Frankie but the woman attempts to counter with a high kick. Rhea catches her and smashes a forearm to the face. Flash catches her with small package as Ripley attempts to finish him off but both competitors' shoulders are down as the count is made. The referee awards Flash with the win despite the controversial end and Ripley nearly loses it as the man quickly exits the ring.
Priscilla Kelly vs Pentagón Jr.
Pentagon Jr and Priscilla Kelly wasted no time at all in their match. It was a clean but brutal start. Not far into the match, Hell's Favorite Harlot delivered an open hand chop that was loud enough for everyone in the UIC Pavilion to hear it an immediately react with a resounding chant of "You Fucked Up." With only a sick smile Cero Miedo Chopped back again and again. When she doubled over forward he hooked his arms into hers and slammed her down in a forceful powerbomb.
It looked like it was all almost over right there when he covered her for the count. The crowd was on the edge of its collective seats as the ref counted only to two then let out a ferocious cheer when her shoulders came off the canvas.
Following that, Priscilla was out for revenge for what was almost an embarrassing match for her. The fight waged on, the two of them matched equally in will but in the end Kelly was able to hit a Tilt-A-Whirl Dragon Sleeper on him and get the three count. She left the ring, celebrating the win.
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Head Bitch In Charge
Candice exits a room and closes the door behind her. The sign reads “infirmary” and she lets out a soft sigh before making her way down the hall. LeRae was alone, or so she thought, as she looked to leave the arena for the night. She simply wanted to check on Shaul after the brutal assault Hendrix delivered.
It was as if thinking of Taeler beckoned her presence because suddenly Candice no longer felt alone. She puts her hand over the back of her neck as the hairs begin to stand. Ivy begins to seep through cracks and spiral around her feet. Candice already knew what was happening, but was too late to stop Hendrix from ensnaring her. The woman herself appears from the opposite end of the area, heels clicking softly against the floor as a floral dress trails behind and around her.
“Hello, darling. You know who I am, but I’m afraid I never got to properly introduce myself.”
“Screw you!” Candice struggles to free herself, but her arms and legs were completely trapped as she begins to lift off the floor slightly.
“My name is Taeler Hendrix. PCW is MY house. I’m the HBIC of this promotion because this says so.”
Hendrix reveals the women’s championship from a clump of vines protecting it. It sits within a nook, gleaming with its own external light. The vines cover it from sight once more and Taeler takes a step forward.
“PCW is unlike any other promotion. This is no place for heroes and good guys trying to win the hearts of millions. This is a death trap waiting to claim a new victim every week.”
“What do you want? Huh?! Don’t you think you’ve done enough after last week?” Candice’s face was livid now, scrunched in the most rage-filled expression.
“I want you to understand that your actions last week were highly inappropriate. What Shaul and I have has nothing to do with you, yet you made your presence known last week. I will make an example out of you. You live this week...you will Hail Hendrix next week.”
Taeler finally drops Candice to the floor and the woman sprints to her feet only to be left to her own devices once more.
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Allysin Kay vs Sami Callihan (PCW Championship. Last Man Standing Match.)
Sami Callihan is on the scene first and makes his way to the ring with a bat in hand. The man enters the ring with a hard expression on his face, determination settling in. He was ready to take out the one person who’s dominated almost the entire roster.
Allysin Kay appears, pinkies stretched out and a grin on her. Several rings line her knuckles as she removes the title from around her waist. She drops it on the outside and charges the ring. The woman rolls in and Callihan swings the back. She ducks and spears him to the mat as the bell rings.
The two trade blows back and forth, immediately attempting to take each other out. The rings proved to be effective as blood drips down Callihan’s face early on. It doesn’t stop him from taking the woman down with a powerbomb. He proceeds to beat her down in the abdomen with the bat. It doesn’t stop her from fighting, however, and she’s soon back to her feet. He misses another swing and she takes him out with a big boot. Callihan rolls out of the ring, but this was a last man standing match and Allysin was right on his ass after him. She chopped him in the chest before continuing the punishment on the outside.
The tide turns once Callihan tosses her into the steel steps. He smashes her face against steel over and over again but Allysin keeps consciousness. She dropped down to start the count as Sami mocked her. She didn’t stay down for long, getting up with the assistance of the apron at four. Sami grabbed a chair from under the ring and made good use of it against her back until the chair bent inward. The fans watched in horror as Kay was taken to the limit. She was no pushover, however, taking the fight to Sami the whole way through.
The two manage to scale up the ramp and Allysin connects with a big boot. She slams the face into the ramp before scratching the rings along his face. Callihan covers his face as she stomps him down on the groin, going beyond the line at this point. The woman makes use of the crowd and grabs a cup of soda before pouring it onto him. She tosses the cup down on his head before someone hands her their belt. Allysin has a wicked grin on her face as she begins to whip the larger man along his back and arms sign pure leather. The fans watch in awe and disgust as whelps form.
Allysin eventually ties the belt around his neck, choking the man to death as the crowd watches in horror. She lets him go as he appears to pass out and the count starts. Unfortunately, he comes to at six and starts to rise. Kay races towards his hung over frame with a running knee. She drags the man further up to the stage and brings him to his feet, but suddenly he sprints forward and spears her right off the stage with him following her. Both lie crumpled on the floor with the count starting.
They both stirred at six but it was Sami who used the ramp to stand at ten and become the new PCW Champion, finally ending the reign of terror that plagued the company for so long... Only to bring a new one in.
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Sweet Dreams
Once all the lights go black and the crowd begins to disperse a mechanical cranking sound is heard muffled through the building and a music box is heard playing a haunting little melody. A soft, familiar and rumbling voice speaks quietly.
"There is a fear for everything you can imagine. A name for every horror. Two people here... Believe they can fight that tidal wave of oppressive phobias.
Some believe fear is what motivates humans to accomplish things. Some believe it is what holds them back. Both things are true."
The titantron had images shifting in the background like shadows crawling over each other, the vague image of faces in dark static awakening on the massive scream, mouths opening and closing in terror then fading back out to nothing.
"Is it Evil to push people to the point where they sink or swim? Is it an act of malice to unleash the horrors of ones on mind upon them? Few have stood toe to toe with themselves and won. I am that reflection of what you whisper to yourself on sleepless nights. I am the shadow that creeps along the wall when you think you're alone. I am the hand you fear is waiting just below your bed. I am what is in your head. I do not want your belts. I do not want gold. I do not want glory. What I want, is to hear you scream."
The static gathered in the form of one open mouth but it turned to Pavor's darkly painted lips. "To those who oppose me ...and to those that don't... Sweet Dreams."
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