Phase Seventy-Eight: The Carnivorous Carnival
Our love broke my heart and stopped yours
Spike and the doll stood on either side of Pavor as he stared into the screen with an intense stare. Hatred filled his pupils as he bit down on his lip as if restraining himself. He finally let out a deep sigh and even chuckled as the anger evaporated for the moment. “Congratulations to Scarlett Bordeaux. I really am surprised. A walking burlesque dancer took what was supposed to mine. I have to hand it to her...I’m impressed and I will deal with you eventually, but first? First, I need to address the man who cost me that title. I need for the former champion, wherever he may be, to listen very carefully at these words. They’re very important for your continued survival.”
He paused and looked to the sky as all three stood just behind the arena’s building. He smiled and returned his attention to the camera. “What occurred in the war games match was far from all that we intended to do. That was simply the beginning. You didn’t realize it at first, but it must have occurred to you that things are different, that something has changed in PCW ever since. The redhead has lost all control of her own destiny and it is driving her beyond insanity. Filled with hatred and wrath, she is slowly losing her grip on reality while Aleister has already done so. He is consumed by darkness, his heart steadily shifting and morphing into something beyond his comprehension. There lingers a lost soul and it has attached itself to his very being. The man you saw last week was not the champion.”
“As for Indigo, that child was doomed from the start. She is fortunate that it was Maxwell who was present when Black finally snapped. I was sure he would kill her. Safe to say that her mother was disappointed. Frankie and Natalya will soon suffer. It will take some time for it sink in, but they a sickness will take them just as it took Aleister and Taeler. It will consume their very spirits and change them forever. So what about you, Tyler? What’s different about you? Last week should be a clear indicator. You are weaker now. You were formidable for nearly a year, but now you’re on the cusp of something new. You’re walking into unmarked territory with the biggest loss of your career and now you cower in the shadows in shame... But you can’t stay there forever. You owe me a debt and you will pay with your life. I thrive in the dark, live in it, and I will eventually find you to collect.”
UIC Pavilion
Arisa Hoshiki (With Jenny Blake) vs Priscilla Kelly (With Corvus and Vipress)
Arisa and Kelly lock up and Hoshiki trips up the champion before stomping the chest. She rebounds off the ropes and connects with a kick to the back of the head. She pins Kelly for a one count and has her up again. She hooks the arm and neck for a suplex, but Kelly counters into a packaged pin for a one count. On the outside, Blake cheers on her partner, but Vipress and Corvus look to torment the former champion.
Corvus shoves Blake before Vipress kicks her in the gut. Arisa is too distracted by Kelly to notice, taking on the champion with a knee strike to the gut. She connects with a double undertook suplex, looking for the pin until Blake is tossed into the barricade. Hoshiki quickly exits the ring, taking down Corvus from behind before attacking Vipress. Arisa kicks the gut and follows up with the Brazilian kick before checking on Jenny. Kelly exits the ring and grabs Arisa from behind, slinging her into the ring post.
She doesn’t get to celebrate for long, though, as Taeler races out and tackles her to the ground. The referee has lost all control, calling off the match as both women exchange blows on the outside. Hendrix drops Kelly to the floor with a Scorpion Kick to the face before looking for a weapon under the ring. The redhead came for blood and planned to get it, but Kelly was having none of that. Vipress and Corvus were able to retreat with the champion just as Hendrix brought out the sledgehammer. She pointed the end at Priscilla with a wicked grin on her face, giving the champion a final warning that her end was near.
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Hello, freaky peoples!
Taya paces in her office with her cellphone tucked between ear and shoulder while filing perfectly manicured nails. She was rolling her eyes incessantly, appearing to be half paying attention to whoever was on the other line. “Listen, buddy. I get Maxwell is used to his bitching getting him his way in most situations, but not even a lawsuit will make me budge. You don’t even have the grounds to sue as every competitor has signed a contract explicitly stating that injuries are not my concern. It was your client who just busted a man’s face open two weeks ago and nearly killed him just to have the opportunity to face the champion. Now if he wants to take THAT to court along with his complaint, we can.”
More talking occurred and she simply tossed her phone onto the desk and sat on it, crossing her legs as she continued to file her nails. She notices the camera and smiles. “Soooo that was MJF’s lawyer trying to tell me his client is suing this company when he should be saving coins for surgery. Now Maxwell will be out a couple of weeks due to Aleister Black’s actions and the champion himself will be suspended for the rest of this month. He is currently undergoing an evaluation and we will soon figure what the hell went on at Beyond Tomorrow. Until then his championship reign is in question. Depending on what I hear back, it’s very possible that he won’t be returning for a while and we can’t have a champion missing in action. I suggest you all stay tuned in the next few weeks to stay up-to-date on the matter.”
She lifted her hip and pulled her phone from under her. “Finally hung up. Awesome sauce.” She giggles and looked to the camera again with a mischievous grin on her face. “Beyond Tomorrow was a spectacular event and I loved every bit of it! There was bloodshed, there was a new champion, and new faces got to be on a big stage. Now that it’s over, we are officially on the road to Sweeneymania. In about four months from now, the biggest pay-per-vies in Phoenix Championship Wrestling rolls around for the third time. Every title will be on the line and surely some other big matches will be made. As for the very next big event coming up—Moonstruck—there is an announcement I’d like to make.”
Taya clasps her hands together excitedly and lightly swung her legs as they were crossed. “I’m going to host a very special match that will determine a future championship match at Sweeneymania. Doesn’t matter their point status, doesn’t matter if they never won a match in this company before, doesn’t matter if they just got here the day before because this match guarantees the title match of the winner’s choosing. More on that will come later, but for now? Stay on your toes and enjoy the show!”
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All three men did their best to take home the win. Well, Orange was doing his best impression of a sloth. He just barely touched Generico with a kick to the shin before lightly chopping the chest. Generico quickly gets him in the wrist lock and climbs the ropes for an elevated arm drag. Cassidy rolls into the ropes as Phil gets Generico with a huracarrana. As the luchador stands, Jackal gets the dropkick to send him back into the corner.
Jackal goes for the clothesline and Generico gets the boot up before taking him down with a jumping foot stomp for the pin. Cassidy manages to kick them both to break it up, but not due to impact. More out of confusion as it barely did anything. Cassidy has him up in a weak headlock and Generico looks to toss him over the ropes. Cassidy counters as he lands on the apron with a forearm. He sends Generico to the outside and narrowly misses Jackal with a shoulder block. He sends Jackal down as well before rebounding off the ropes for a suicide dive with his hands in his pockets.
All three men drop and Cassidy slowly stands, dusts himself off, and fixes his shades. He has Phil up and sends him into the ring. Orange gets inside and looks to get the running bulldog, but Jackal manages to use his momentum to lift Cassidy up and drop him with a spinout side slam. Phil climbs to the top and leaps off with the 450 to end the match and his losing streak.
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Atwell with Brian Pillman Jr.
Hayley gives the camera a smile and clears her throat. “Beyond Tomorrow was the very last pay-per-view event of the year and it ended with a bang as a new PCW Champion was crowded and Aleister Black took a turn for the worse as weeks of his insanity fading away came to ahead. However, that’s not all that occurred. Still on a winning streak, Brian Pillman Jr. captured another victory. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Mr. Pillman as my guest tonight.”
Brian came into view and shook Hayley’s hand before settling down in his seat. Hayley wasted no time in getting right to the point. “You’ve bested competitor after competitor and have racked up plenty of points to challenge a champion in Priscilla. Is she your next target or is there anyone on your mind you want to face?”
“My fast rise here in PCW has been one hell of a ride. With the last name Pillman, I’ve got some shoes to fill and I hope..no, I know I’m making my father proud. With that being said, let’s take a look back on the guys I’ve beaten. Fire Ant? Easy win. Aries? Arguably my biggest test here but an easy win no less. The six-way I won, even with the mystery competitor involved.” He flashed Hayley a wide grin and sat up even straighter in the chair across from her.
“I’m undefeated here and you’d think I’m gunning for a championship at this point? Wrong! I don’t need a title just yet but don’t confuse that with anything. I’ve got my eyes on the ultimate prize here but I’ve got more to prove. Aries says he’s not done with me and I welcome another challenge from him at any time he’s ready to come back and take yet another loss to me. I want the best PCW can give me. Who else do I have to slap around? MJF? AK? Black? Breeze? I don’t give a shit who it is because the fact remains undeniable that I’m going to come out on top no matter who you throw my way.”
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Melissa Santos vs Mitchell Knight vs Paige vs Shane Strickland
Knight and Strickland trade kicks, cutting each other’s attacks off at the same time until Knight gets the superkick. He quickly follows up with a jumping DDT. Shane rolls into the ropes and Knight connects with a baseball slide before following him to the outside. Paige and Melissa are trading blows, as well, but Paige gets the thrust kick to the gut. She looks for the Paige Turner early, but Santos reverses and gets behind Paige for a backstabber to hook the legs.
Paige kicks out at two and Melissa has her up by the hair. She uppercuts Paige and whips her into the ropes for a clothesline. She tosses Paige to the mat and climbs up high for a moonsault. Paige gets the knees up in time and both women are down for the moment. On the outside, Shane whips Knight into the barricade and knees him in the gut. He climbs the barricade and connects with the huracarrana to the floor. Strickland slides into the ring and looks to capitalize off Melissa. He has her up and whips her into the ropes for a backdrop. Santos lands on her feet and gets the kick to the back of the leg. Shane is forced to one knee and she rebounds off the ropes with a dropkick to the side of the head.
Melissa hooks the leg, but Paige breaks it by dragging her off. Melissa kicks her back and takes Paige down with a clothesline. She looks to capitalize, but Knight is back in and catches her with a running knee to the chest. Melissa drops to the mat and rolls out the ring while Knight has Paige up to her feet. He gets the headlock and drops her with a facebuster to the knee. Mitchell looks to springboard off the ropes, but Shane kicks them in time to knock him down on the apron. Shane follows up with an enzuigiri to Knight to knock him down only to eat a superkick as he turns. Paige quickly has him up and drops him with the RamPaige DDT to hook the leg. One...two...three! Paige takes the victory in her first match in months and earns three points.
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Atwell with Jenny Blake
Hayley stands next to a downtrodden Arisa Hoshiki as one half of Rocket Stars has her head hanging low. The woman sighs heavily as Atwell proceeds. “Arisa, you just lost your match tonight thanks to Hendrix’s meddling. Her rivalry with Priscilla is far from over and it cost you tonight. How are you feeling?”
Arisa shook her head and Jenny lightly patted her back. “Tonight was our opportunity to win the tag team titles by earning six points. I was so close and then Taeler came into the picture. This isn’t the first time the circle’s problems have cost us and we’re tired of it.”
Blake nods in agreement. “We demand better from PCW. All we ask is a fair shot at gold and yet we can barely get the opportunity because the Fourth Circle has a target on their back from everyone else. This continual war has nothing to do with us and we shouldn’t be dragged into their mess. We demand a chance, a real chance, to win enough points. Taya, if you’re listening...Rocket Stars is your best team. All we want is a fair chance to prove ourselves.”
Hayley brought the mic back to her lips. “You’re directly asking your enemy for an opportunity. Do you really expect Taya to grant your wish, Jenny?”
“Taya and I aren’t friends by any means, but she knows business and what’s best for it. She knows we are the best tag team and that Eyes of Demise can only ever cheat to win. I’m sick of being overlooked. Arisa is sick of being overlooked. We’re putting our foot down and telling PCW that it’s our time to rise up in the ranks.” Jenny and Arisa make their leave and leave Hayley alone to ponder their sudden assertiveness about their place in the company.
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South Wales Subculture vs Heart2Hart
Natalya and Mark lock up, but Andrews trips up the legs and turns her over for the Boston crab. Natalya manages to turn over and kick him off. They race in together and Natalya gets behind with a back suplex. She hooks the leg for a one count and has the arm behind the back. Natalya forces him on his side and twists the arm back even more before snapping it back. The Hart Dungeon graduate goes for the legs and Andrews quickly gets to the rope before she can get the finisher. He tags in Morgan Webster and he locks up with the former champion.
Webster gets the arm drag and follows up with a dropkick. Natalya rolls into the corner and he goes in with the cannonball for the pin. She kicks out at one. Webster looks to climb, but Natalya knocks the leg out from under him. He’s caught on the middle turnbuckle and she follows up with the neckbreaker for a two count. Natalya drags him over for the tag, but as Heart2Hart goes for the double suplex, he lands on his feet and gets the double neckbreaker. Morgan has Frankie up and whips her into the corner for the clothesline. He then rebounds off the ropes and gets the huracarrana to send her flying.
Frankie slowly stands and Webster tries for a running boot to the face. Frankie grabs the boot in time and slams it down, forcing Morgan’s face to the mat. She rebounds off the ropes and follows up with a dropkick to the chest. Morgan rolls to the apron and Frankie looks for a shoulder block. He dodges and knees the chest before tagging in Mark. They both race in with a double knee strike to the head to send Frankie in. Mark springboards from the ropes with a moonsault to Frankie for the pin. One...two—Frankie kicks out.
Mark has her up and gets the headlock. She shoves him off into the ropes and he springboards with an elevated enziguri to the face. Frankie drops hard to the mat and Mark quickly tags back in Morgan. Mark has her up and whips her into the corner just as Webster puts the knees up to connect with the chest. He slips in and gets her up to put her against the ropes for a whip. He goes for the jumping knee, but she sidesteps him and gets the jumping knee instead. Both were down and Frankie crawls to Nattie for the tag.
Natalya can barely reach as Morgan grabs the leg of Frankie. The woman eventually elbows him back before getting the jawbreaker to tag in Natalya. She comes racing in with multiple clotheslines to take him down and looks for the exploder, but he elbows his way out in time only to be hit with the discus clothesline for the pin. One...two...th—Morgan kicks out. Natalya has him up and she tries for the suplex, but he counters and gets the spinning neckbreaker for the pin. Natalya kicks out at two. He has her up and she quickly rams his back into the corner. Frankie tags in and Natalya connects with the northern lights before Frankie is up high with the moonsault to hook the legs.
One...two...thre—Morgan kicks out again. She gets him up and he forearms her before getting the bicycle kick to the chest. He lifts her up over her back, looking for some kind of slam, but she wiggles free to get on his back for the St. Valentine’s Sunset powerbomb to put Morgan away. The two teams shake hands afterwards before Heart2Hart celebrate their victory and earning of two points.
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Scarlett Bordeaux Celebration
The ring was already covered with rose gold confetti, balloons and a cake were set up on a table that was expertly decorated. Alongside this finely covered piece of furniture was a bottle of Dom Perignon on ice, an array of flute glasses set up despite this party really only having one guest. The fans knew exactly what was coming, the thing they were promised: the dawn of a new era. The speakers rang out with the sound of Scarlett Bordeaux's music, the crowd instantly jumping to their feet in a fit of cheering and excitement.
The newly crowned champion was adorned in a gold, curve-hugging dress that showed off a fair amount of cleavage as well as having a large slit in the skirt to show off the legs of The Smokeshow. All in all, it was a typical Bordeaux entrance except for one thing: the Rise of Phoenix championship that she had perfectly placed upon her shoulder. Red-tinted lips wore a large smile as she made her way down the ramp in her Louboutin heels, a man who was dressed in the attire of a butler coming to the ropes and holding them open for the new champion.
It wasn't a shock that Scarlett took the time to soak in all of the applause and attention, slowly hoisting the championship belt high in the air once she situated herself in the middle of the ring. All spotlights directed at her, everything done to perfection. Extending her hand, Bordeaux took a microphone sporting the PCW logo from the man-butler and the music faded out. The cheering and chants of her name took over the arena almost immediately. A slight chuckle could be heard from the woman as she lifted the mic toward her lips.
"Well, thank you! I know, I know, I deserve it." Ever the humble woman, but this sparked a "you deserve it" chants from fans. "See, now they'll listen. Now they'll know that when I speak, they're to listen. They'll know that the words coming out of my mouth are nothing shy of a prophecy just waiting to be fulfilled." A smirk appeared on the lips of the champion before she began to speak again. "I told each and every one of you what I was going to do, and I delivered. Scarlett Bordeaux overcame the odds and yes, I had a few helping hands but that's because some people just can't fight for themselves."
"I proved myself, once and for all that I am the biggest threat this locker room has and perhaps the biggest threat this company has ever seen. This championship means that I am the face of PCW. I am the king of PCW because we all know I've got bigger balls than the majority of this roster. This is the Era of Bordeaux. This is what I promised, this is a fresh start and what better way to end a decade than with a little Smokeshow?" Scarlett snapped her fingers and the butler hastily poured Scarlett a glass of Dom Perignon. Bordeaux raised her glass, grinning as the fans continue to her applaud her. As she took a sip, the lights cut out and the titantron began to static.
“You really think you’re out of the clear?” A chuckle broke out from the static, but the figure was difficult to identify. Still, Bordeaux had a pretty good idea of who it was.
The woman wasted no time tossing aside the mic and removing her heels. She motioned for the figure to come out, ready for a fight. She had no problem throwing down right then and there, but instead? Glass shattered somewhere far off. The screen shuts off, the lights came back on, and Bordeaux was left on her own in the ring as her butler was somehow moved from her side and to the ramp. Laid out, pieces of glass scattered on his chest and around his body, and bleeding from the multiple cuts that lined his face. The titantron cuts back on, but all that appears is a single line of words in black. “You will meet a fate worse than your predecessor.” Bordeaux couldn’t help, but to laugh, more than ready for anyone who wanted a piece of her and the title. She held the belt up high, showing no fear tonight as her celebration was cut short.