Phase Forty-Six: A Pressing Engagement
The lights came up in the UIC Pavillion, The Phoenix fading out as Griffin West raised his mic, already in the centre of the ring with a crisp suit, a red tie marking the look.
"Welcome Back for a brand-spankin' new season of PCW, Chicago and all you watching at home too. Tonight you're here for Season Eleven, Phase Forty-Six, A Pressing Engagement! And you can thank our co-GM, Taya Valkyrie because this is her vision. This season is the season of Transformation."
Griffin walked around the ring, making eye contact with some of the audience and then the camera. "This season is going to Push people to go from the bottom, and Blossom into the best wrestler they can be. Get ready for a lot of changes around here, folks.
To get things started, I want to hear you loud and clear for our first singles match!"
He cleared out of the ring and joined the commentary table as Joey Ryan made his entrance.
UIC Pavilion
Joey Ryan vs Jay Lethal (w/Taeler Hendrix)
The lights Flare as Joey Ryan makes it down the ramp, winking at the audience, licking his blowpop obscenely. He's to the center ring first when Jay Lethal's music hits. He's accompanied to the ring side by Taeler Hendrix. They share a deep kiss as he gets into the ring, facing off with Ryan.
Ryan thrust his hips in the direction of Lethal's wife and neither of them looked like they appreciated it. As Joey laughed he got hit with a hard forearm from Jay and the bell rang to indicate the start of the match.
Ryan came back from it, and the two exchanged a series of blows back and forth and Joey hit The Mustache Ride on Jay. Immediately Lethal retaliated but he was off his game from all the taunts from Ryan and all the fliratious The King of Sleaze was throwing the way of Taeler.
Joey stumbled back into his corner, recovering only to find the Poison Princess right there on the outside. She put her hands on his face and kissed him but wasn't prepared for how voraciously he kissed back and slapped him. Jay pulled him away from her but as he turned Joey around, he was hit with a powerful headbutt.
The pheromones didn't seem to be doing their job and shortly after a YouPorn Plex, Joey, seeming more empowered than ever, covered Jay Lethal for the win. He ground down on him and blew a kiss at Taeler, rolling out of the ring before either of them could retaliate.
Indigo Kelly (w/Hania) vs Phil Jackal
Indigo made a splashy entrance, making it to the center ring accompanied by Hania who hopped up on the outside apron, on the corner to support her new friend. Indigo jumped up onto the turnbuckle ready for whoever was coming out but stopped to throw a particularly nasty look to the Time Keepers table where Jimmy Havoc was still seated.
After the events that unfolded at Night of the Living Dead with her boyfriend, Scott Yim, it was understood why she still had a need to prove herself and her anger with some of those running the show. Hania still had a lot of her own feelings about the direction Jimmy had been taking things and what he'd done to her too. The two had seemed to bond out of their spite.
Still, Indigo's attention was grabbed back to the matter at hand when Phil Jackal came down the ramp like a bullet from a gun. To say his entrance was energetic was an understatement. He flipped into the ring, ready for the fight.
They started off with a respectful looking tie up and the match was pretty even for nearly half of the fight. The audience was divided in their support for the two of them.
Jackal was in the air more than he was on the ground and Indigo was pulling out a colourful repertoire moving seamlessly from fighting fire with fire with a few of her own top rope moves, then running around and hitting a series of powerful moves that nearly devastated Phil.
As Jackal was gaining steam, Hania could be seen on the outside hands moving out as if to knock him off his feet but Indigo yelled "NO" and hit him with a low kick, high kick combo to knock him to the ground on her own merit. She knew that a victory wouldn't prove anything here if it wasn't won rightfully.
Still, he rallied to the loud reaction from the crowd and managed to knock her off her feet. He got Indigo down for the two-count but she transitioned it into a creative hold that had yet to be seen in the PCW ring. Jackal tried to crawl his way to the ropes but she wrenched it in tight and he had no choice but to submit. Her business done, Indigo left the ring, giving Jimmy one more eye lock before she left with Hania at her side.
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Something Wicked This Way Comes
Isla Dawn twirls in the darkened room as she hums softly. She remains undisturbed briefly before a shadow moves in the distance. Isla slows her movements but does not stop. She knew who was there.
“My answer was no the first time.”
“You are clearly unaware of just how crucial our alliance is.” Carson steps out into view and Isla finally stops her movements.
“There are plenty of victims for you to attempt to enthral.”
“None quote like you.”
“Charming. There is no benefit for me if there was a partnership between us. Only you.”
“So you think, Witch.” Carson held out his hand for her. “At least hear me out.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You eventually will. No need to prolong the inevitable. I know your curiosity is peaked.”
Isla considers her options. She wasn’t having the best of “luck” lately and assistance did not seem entirely bad. He couldn’t be trusted entirely, but maybe he was onto something. Rather take his hand, she nodded.
"Lead the way."
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Rhea Ripley vs Frankie Valentine
Rhea was first to make an entrance, a look of absolute frustration upon her face as she makes her way down the ramp. Last week’s results would surely be corrected tonight as she faces off against a familiar foe.
Frankie was next to the scene, ready to make up for last week’s loss. She wasn’t pinned and that gave her confidence in this bout against the same opponent from the last show.
The bell rang and immediately the two locked up. Frankie took Rhea down with an STO for a quick one count pin. She switched into an armbar, but Rhea quickly escaped. The two women lock up again only for Rhea to take control with a snap suplex. The two go back and forth with a show of power. Frankie gets the advantage and shoves Rhea into the corner for multiple clotheslines. Frankie follows up with a spear in the corner for a two count pin.
Back and forth they go and Rhea goes for a roll-up with the tights. Frankie kicks out. Ripley slams the head back into the mat before choking the woman in the center of the ring, ignoring the five-count for a disqualification. Rhea clearly has other things on her mind as she kicks Frankie out of the ring and demands a mic.
Last week was a prime example of what’s wrong with PCW. As great as it can be, the way things operate can get a little murky.
I won that match and Flash simply got to keep his title as a pity gift...
But lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place, mate. So Flash, next week? It’s you and me...
And I’m not asking. I’m telling you.
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Half-Ass Legacy Kid
Rachael Ellering finds herself back in PCW after much absence. She wanted to put herself right in the middle of all the chaos and cement herself as more than just a last name. Rachael was marching to Taya’s office with the intent of telling the GM off about her lack of scheduling, but she was stopped just as the latest signee came across her path.
Tyler Breeze stopped her with his selfie stick and grinned. “The famous Rachael Ellering. Nice of you to join us again.”
“Excuse me? It’s not my fault I haven’t been around, but I’m going to change that rig—“
“Don’t even bother. PCW has me now. You no longer need your space on the roster. Give me a brown wig and I’d be a better Rachael than you ever could be. I’d actually live up to my name.”
“... What did you say?” Rachael took a step closer to Breeze. “Why don’t you repeat just so I know exactly what you said.”
Tyler takes a step back and uses his selfie stick to keep them apart. “Listen, Rach. I’m not saying you are a half-assed legacy kid... But you’re a half-assed legacy kid. You’ve been scooting by on your name alone and now you realized you actually have to work for recognition. Except... You’re too late, kid. I’m taking up the leftover space PCW will have when they kick you to the curb."
Rachael is stunned by his audacity to a point that she doesn’t even react as he stands next to her for a selfie. Breeze pats her head and walks off, leaving a pissed off Rachael in his path.
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Candice LeRae vs Priscilla Kelly
Candice LeRae is up first for her match, making her way to the ring with a look of determination. No smiles were present for this tough cupcake. She had a mission to complete and the only way to achieve it was to win no matter what.
Priscilla Kelly made her way out with a sinister smile. She slowly slinked down the ramp, tongue slowly rolling out as LeRae looked on. Hell’s favorite harlot crawled into the ring and remained on all fours as threw her arms out to the side. Candice remained fearless as Kelly rose to her feet, eyeing the blonde with a murderous stare.
The two women battled it out without holding back. Kelly took Candice for a ride with a dropkick to the chest. She trapped Candice in the corner and choked her out just before the five-count. Priscilla slowly grinds her hips on LeRae and the blonde is forced to roll out onto the apron. Kelly snatches the hair and LeRae takes her out with a high kick. She slingshots into the ring with a shoulder block and takes control.
Candice keeps control of the match until Kelly catches her with a knee to the gut. She headbutts LeRae before whipping her into the corner. Priscilla charges and Candice gets out of the way before elbowing Priscilla down into the corner. As Candice takes control, the lights flicker. One minute Candice is upright and the next she’s down in the mat. Priscilla wastes no time crawling over her for the three-count. She searches the ring in confusion until Hendrix makes her appearance. They greet each other warmly before beginning to beat down on Candice together until security arrives to chase them off into the crowd.
Jenny Blake vs Baron Corbin vs Jinny vs Chris Cadwell
All four corners of the ring were occupied as the competitors readied themselves for the fatal four-way match. Everyone had a quarter of a chance at survival, but only one would take full advantage of the odds stacked against them. The bell rang and immediately it’s every man for themselves. Jenny and Jinny go back and forth with Jinny locking Blake into a submission almost immediately. Cadwell and Corbin battle it out in the corner, unaware of the potential end of the match. Jenny escapes, however, and makes Jinny pay with a running knee to the face. The two women go from hold to hold until Jenny sends Couture out of the ring with a huracanrana.
Baron has Cadwell under the ropes with a knee buried into the chest. He shoves the man further out onto the apron and Jenny comes up from behind with a dropkick. Corbin is sent through the ropes and Chris rolls back in. Blake takes advantage with a leg drop for the one count. Chris swipes the legs and connects with a standing moonsault as Jinny comes back in with a reverse huracanrana. Couture continues the punishment on Chris by stomping his chest in. She shows off with a bow to the crowd, allowing Blake the neckbreaker from behind.
Corbin comes back in and attempts the Deep Six, but Jenny reverses in a title-a-whirl armdrag. She connects with a baseball slide to send him out of the ring. Blake goes for Couture again as the crowd is heavily behind her. They chant her name as she goes up high and takes Jinny down with a senton. She goes for the pin immediately, but Chris follows up with the double knees to the back of Blake’s head. He quickly gets Jinny into the crossface submission, wrenching hard until the woman taps out to win the match.
Sami Callihan vs Flash Morgan Webster (Champion vs Champion.)
(Non-Championship Match)
Flash Morgan makes his way to the ring with the All-Weight Championship around his waist. He was oozing with a confidence, his demeanor cool, calm and, collected. Unfortunately, that all changed as Rhea came up from behind and took him down. Mercilessly, Ripley beats down on the man and tosses him into the barricade before bringing him into the ring. She snatches up the championship and leaves as the crowd boos her out of the building.
Sami makes his way down the ramp, passing the blonde by with a grin. He now had easy pickings and didn’t waste any time beating down on Morgan. Flash, although clearly rattled by Rhea, didn’t make himself an easy target. He fights back with all he has, taking Callihan down with a jumping knee for a close two-count. Sami makes him pay with brutal shots to the face. Again and again, he goes for the face until the man is too dazed to dodge an oncoming bicycle kick and ending Flash with the Cradle Killer piledriver.
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The Chain of Command
Candice makes her way through the halls with her hands covering the back of her head. She had just left the trainer’s, still feeling the effects of the brutal attack from Taeler and Priscilla.
It was the end of the show, but she had business to address with Taya. She didn’t knock and burst through the door. Taya was sitting on her desk, legs crossed and hands clasped together in her lap. The slightest grin fixated upon her lips as Candice glares. “There’s nothing to be smiling about.”
Taya turned her head to view Candice on a monitor, the back of the blonde’s head clear in the hallway. “You know what the best thing about being the general manager is? I get access to all the little nooks and crannies of PCW. I’m shocked you weren’t attacked on the way here... For good measure.”
“I’m guessing you’re not going to do anything about the match...”
“You lost. Not fair and square, but you still lost.”
“Gee, must be nice having the GM in your pockets. Guess Taeler stuck her tongue down your throat long enough to win you over.”
“I don’t know what you—“
“Let’s not pretend like you two don’t have some sidepiece relationship you carry on behind your husband’s’ backs, okay? Cut the bullcrap. I want vengeance.”
Taya was staring Candice down with a frown beginning to settle in. She slides off the edge of the table and crosses the small space to Candice so fast that the woman doesn’t have time to keep from being pinned to the wall by the neck. “I’m not Jimmy. I’m not Quack. The one thing they weren’t willing to do is beat somebody’s ass at any given period of time. In or out of the ring, I call the shots, so it’s unwise to piss me off, LeRae.”
Taya lets her go and Candice chokes slightly as Valkyrie takes her place back on the desk. “Find a tag partner because you’ll be facing the Cycle of Life and Death next week. Get the Hell out of my office.”
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