Phase Fifty-Three: The Desolation of Smaug
Jenny Blake's Champion Celebration
Blake stands in the ring with the Rise of the Phoenix Championship around her waist. Curls bouncing lightly on her shoulders as she grabs a mic from the corner of the ring, Jenny gives the fans a huge smile. The big, Christmas themed bow on her head with glitter and she looks ready to celebrate the holidays and her title win.
“All I can really say is thank you all so much for believing in me. It’s because of you all that I was able to become the champion. Your loyalty is what pulled me through all the hard times and it is because of you that I can finally say I did it. I am at the top of PCW!”
The fans cheer her on and she holds the title up high with a huge smile on her face. “I have to thank Fire Ant, too. He’s been so kind to me, helping me these past few weeks to teach Sami an important lesson in honour. I respect Fire so much and I think it is best if he and I faced off with me as the champion next week. If he wins, he gets six points and will be over halfway through to challenging for the title. I know he’d be a worthy opponent. For now, though, happy holidays!”
UIC Pavilion
CM Punk vs Will Ospreay vs Jay Lethal (With Taeler Hendrix)
The three men circle the ring as Taeler looks on from the outside. Her appearance was more dishevelled than usual. She seemed almost unconcerned with this match, but she remained to support Jay tonight. Punk and Lethal lock up early on, but both are taken down by Ospreay with a dropkick. Will keeps control of Punk with aerial assaults, making sure Punk remains grounded. Only when Ospreay missed a knee drop does Punk gain the advantage.
The superstar does not ease up and takes full control of Will. He hooks the leg only for Jay to breakup the count early. Now Lethal shows why he considers himself the best. He keeps up with Punk, move after move being deflected until he gets the upper hand with a forearm to the face. He goes for the Lethal Injection, but Will is there to breakup the pin. By this point, Hendrix was slowly cracking. Her expression steadily darkening as time passes.
All of a sudden, as Punk was by the ropes, she climbs the apron and mercilessly claw at him. There were no DQs in this match, but the referee tried his best to stop her, but she attacked him, as well. The redhead drags CM Punk to the outside and continues to maul him. She had no issues with him, no reason to attack him specifically, but he was the closest to her and she had frustrations to work off. Lethal looked on in confusion, more so because the attack was not motivated by wanting him to win. His wife was not the same and it concerned him, but Will should’ve been his focus because the man immediately uses the distraction for the Storm Breaker to Lethal to earn two points.
Indi Hartwell vs Alisha Edwards
Indi is the first to appear and confidence oozes from her as she makes her way to the ring. The woman ignores the fans who try to interact with her and enters the ring with a cocky attitude on full display.
Alish is out next and she’s looking ready to bounce back from her loss in the battle royale. The blonde makes her way to the ring, looking just as confident as her opponent. She enters and gives Indi a glance before smirking.
The two immediately throw strikes back and forth. Edwards gets the advantage with her heavy hits, forcing Hartwell to her knees. She continues to assault Indi before following up with a dropkick for a quick one count. Alisha continues to take control with an armbar, but Hartwell finds her way out for a quick cover. Alisha easily kicks out, but takes a boot to the chest. Hartwell continues to dominate her. She shows everyone why she’s considered so impressive and ends the match with a superkick to the jaw.
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Shooting The Breeze
Tyler Breeze is in the ring with his usual "Shooting the Breeze" set up. He's standing in the center of the ring, a very stern look on his face. "Ladies and gentlemen... I don't know if you realize this but tonight is a historic night. You are about to witness history. Because my guest tonight? The biggest one to date."
He nodded his head as the crowd murmured, curiosity building. "Our guest tonight is a pioneer. A true trendsetter and trailblazer. This man has a very busy schedule, like most important people and I had to pull a lot of strings to get him here tonight. I spared no expenses! Because I wanted to bring history to all you people of... Whatever town we're in."
The comment brought forth some boos but Tyler paid no mind. "I'm gonna need everyone to quiet down, silence their cell phones and have your undivided attention here. Because it is my honour, my privileged and my pleasure to introduce to you... my guest for this evening.... the one... the only............... ME!!"
The fans boo louder, a large smile growing across Tyler's face as he applauds for himself. "That is not how you treat your future champion!" The boos grow louder as Breeze shakes his head and waves them off.
"Last week, I solidified my spot here in PCW. I showed the world that it wasn't just a couple of fluke victories. I proved that not only am I better than everyone, but I'm also smarter than everyone. While everyone else in that battle royal was playing checkers, I was the only one playing chess. And now, I have locked down a future championship match, baby!"
He raised his arms up, celebrating his win once again, only to incite the jeers from the fans in attendance once more. "Now, I don't know when that match will be yet. And I don't know which championship it will be. But I do know a couple of things. That each and every champion is now on notice, by yours truly. That I'm still undefeated here in PCW. And with my opportunity at a championship in place, I have ensured that that future of PCW will, in fact... Be gorgeous."
Tyler grinned before dropping the mic into one of the chairs on the set and getting out of the ring, walking up the entrance with his arms raised the entire way back.
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Scarlett Bordeaux vs Shaul Guerrero
Scarlett Ant Vicky drags Shaul into the arena by her hair. The women seemed completely unfazed by her pleas and screams. The fans show their displeasure, but the women proceeded to drag Guerrero around like a prize. Scarlett demands a mic and smiles.
“After our victory against Taeler and company, I think it’s safe to say we don’t need to compete tonight. No woman, nor man, in this company is worthy of facing either of us.”
She hands the mic over to Vicky, who stomps Shaul in the torso with a spiked heel.
“We put so much effort into our match Saturday that we can’t possibly compete tonight. It’s simply not right..so we won’t. My client and I will be enjoying a nice glass of martini or mimosas or the former champion’s tears as we watch the rest of this train wreck you call a show.”
With that, both women set Shaul up for a double powerbomb to the ramp. Guerrero doesn’t move and paramedics are rushed to the ring as the two hold up the Heart of PCW Championship high, blowing each other kisses and praising each other.
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Candice LeRae
Candice is backstage with Haley Atwell, pondering the results of the title match Saturday night. “It’s not the first time I’ve been met with opposition and lost. Taeler took me down and then Scarlett and Vicky added on to my misfortune. The thing about Candice LeRae, however,” she says into the mic. “Is that I always get back up after being knocked down. No matter how many times I’m faced with a loss, I will fight for the next win. I—“
“Booooring,” Indi says as she makes her way into the interview area. Haley shifts the mic to Indi and the woman snatches it up. “Goodbye. You’re dismissed.” Hartwell shoos her away before stepping up to Candice. “The only thing you seem to be good at is tugging at heartstrings, but adoration isn’t what wins matches. Talent and skill do... Something you clearly don’t have. Why don’t you step aside and watch somebody far more impressive show you how it’s done?”
“When you find that somebody, let me know,” Candice says before she walks away.
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Rhea Ripley vs Pete Dunne
Pete Dunne is out first to make up for his recent losses. His opponent would be on the same mission, so it all comes down to who wants it more. Just before he’s down the ramp, however, Ripley is on him from behind with a big boot to the back. Dunne crashes to the ground and Ripley continues to attack him again and again.
The woman works out her frustration from Saturday’s match, taking out her anger on Pete for her loss. Dunne took a riptide onto the ramp and was laid out as Rhea admired the destruction she caused. She then tosses Dunne into the ring and takes an easy victory for her first point.
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Indigo and Priscilla Kelly
Priscilla paced backstage as she pondered how to take care of Vipress. Harlow would surely be present along with Corvus. Indigo no longer has a concussion but without Hania...
“We can do this,” Indigo whispers suddenly from behind. “We have to.”
Priscilla turns to face her daughter and nods.
“I know. Harlow went too far. She deserves to pay.” Her words triggered Indigo’s memory and the young woman clears her throat to get Priscilla’s attention.
“You said... Last night, that this wasn’t part of the deal to Harlow. What did you mean?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about. I heard you. You said it wasn’t part of the deal. What deal?!”
“Indigo, I—“
“WHAT DID YOU DO?!”
“Nothing! The match only called for Hania to be buried, not burned alive. Harlow broke that deal!”
The two stare at each other for a long time before Priscilla shakes her head.
“Listen, maybe you should stay put tonight. You may be physically fine, but clearly, your mental state is not—“
“No. Don’t do that. I’ve been in the sidelines long enough. I'm going out there.... Even if I still don’t trust you. I wanna avenge Hania and I’m not stupid enough to think it can be done alone.”
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Allysin Kay vs Jack Sexsmith
Jack makes his appearance first and makes his way down the ramp with determination fixated on his face. He wanted to prove he could keep up with the rest after his loss in the battle royale.
Allysin is up next and her features were set in an arrogant composure, lips curled into a smirk as she made her way down the ramp with a pinky in the air. Several nights ago, she got exactly what she wanted and was feeling especially cheery.
The two don’t lock up because Allysin immediately kicks him in the leg. Sexsmith drops to the mat and she boots him into the chest to knock him over. Kay rebounds off the ropes for a knee drop to the chest and stays put. She begins wearing him down by bending his arm and eventually grabbing the pinky to bend it, as well. The woman shifts to his leg, snapping it back to the mat. Kay continues to slowly work on him, getting a bit technical with different holds on him.
Sexsmith eventually escapes and nearly gets a surprise pin before taking the fight to Kay. He keeps her off her guard with quick moves in succession, nearly knocking her off her feet. He goes for a huracarrana, but she uses his momentum to powerbomb him into the corner. Kay charges and connects with a body splash, purposely squishing Jack in the face with her breasts before watching him drop. Kay lifts him up onto her shoulders before planting him for a fisherman’s buster pin. He kicks out at two, but the quick Discuss Lariat takes him out for the three count to earn a point.
Just as Kay looks to leave without even celebrating her victory, Sami Callihan makes his appearance with a mic in hand. Kay smiles and sits on the apron, waiting patiently for what he had to say.
“You cost me my title Saturday night. Because of you, I’m empty-handed. I plan to get back what’s mine, but first? I'm gonna tear you to fucking pieces, bitch!”
Callihan charges and Kay meets him head on for a clash that eventually forces the roster to appear and separate them, but even that proved difficult as the two powerhouses broke free time and time again to brawl.
Priscilla Kelly (With Indigo Kelly) vs Vipress
Vipress is our in the ring already with a mic in hand as Priscilla makes her way to the arena with Indigo by her side. The woman smirks as her opponent walks down the ramp and finally speaks. “You’re a callous woman, Kelly. The way you just go on with life, acting so casual when you are the reason for all of this.”
Indigo stops and Priscilla slows her steps. “It is because of you that the wolf is gone, but you go on living... Pretending that your hands aren’t as blood red as ours. Callous, callous, callous. At least we admit our dirty deeds. Will you confess to yours, Priscilla or would you rather die without your daughter knowing the truth?”
Vipress tosses the mic aside and beckons Priscilla to enter the ring. Indigo tries to question what Vipress said, but her mother was already in the ring. She was so blinded by fury that it destroyed her ability to compete. The usual calm demeanour was substituted for pure rage and it cost her in the end as Vipress made her succumb to darkness with a Dragon Sleeper submission to earn her first point. While she’s out Vipress looks to Indigo with a smile. “Ask your mommy what her greatest sin is, child. When you discover the truth, Harlow will be waiting for you.”