Phase Fifty-One: The Return Of The King
UIC Pavilion
Charlie Morgan vs Indi Hartwell
Charlie Morgan graces the arena first. She receives a big round of applause as she makes her way to the ring. The fans start a small chant for her, showing their appreciation for the competitor.
Indi Hartwell is next on the scene and the woman looks completely confident as she makes her way down the ramp. The impressive competitor receives a welcome, as well, and she soaks it all in as she enters the ring.
The women collide with an elbow-and-collar tie up. Indi gets the advantage with a side headlock, but Morgan takes her down with a suplex. She barely gets the one-count and brings down a wave of fists to the face. Hartwell escapes to the apron and Morgan goes for a forearm. Indi blocks and connects with a roundhouse before following up with a code red as she flips back into the ring. Charlie kicks out at two.
The evenly matched women go back and forth trying to gain the advantage. Charlie asked for this match and was determined to get the win. She pulls out all the stops against Indi to succeed, but Hartwell does not give in. She takes it to Charlie without hesitation. The crowd was eating up this competitive match, but it was Morgan who took the victory after setting Indi up for a top rope backbreaker to gain the pin.
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Shooting the Breeze
Tyler Breeze is sitting in the ring in a chair, on the set for 'Shooting The Breeze. "Ladies and gentlemen, My guest tonight has fallen on a bit of bad luck, to say the least. So make sure you give a warm welcome, she could use it. My guest, at this time... Frankie Valentine!"
Frankie’s music hits and she walks through the curtain sporting a cut off Wrestle Factory t-shirt and black skinny jeans, her torso littered with bruises from last week’s events. She pauses at the top of the ramp, looking back at a recap of Rhea’s attack and grits her teeth. Frankie stomps her way to the ring. She stops and stares at Tyler for a second and grabs the other microphone from the table.
“I’m here, what do you want?”
Tyler looked almost offended and taken aback. "Whoa, whoa, no need to be so hostile. I'm not trying to argue or fight with you. Face it, any fight you've been in lately, you've lost. So just take a seat. Sit right down and we'll get right to business."
Frankie rolls her eyes, taking a seat, “Yeah, haha, Frankie always loses. Hilarious. Seriously, I have things to do. Let’s get a move on this.”
"First, the question on everyone's mind. How are you after that embarrassing beatdown at the hands of Rhea? And what do you have to say to her?"
“Embarrassing beat down? Don’t you mean ambushed? She attacked me last week because she’s scared. Rhea and I had always been a team but I was too naive to see that she was using me and my potential as a stepping stone for her success.
And now that I’ve finished my training at The Factory, she finally sees me as who I really am, a threat.”
Tyler mulled on Frankie's words for a moment before raising the mic to his mouth. "I mean, it had to be a little embarrassing, right? Let's face it, Frankie... Life has been serving you a good amount of Ls, lately. That beatdown must have been like a handful of salt thrown into a fresh wound."
She sighs and closes her eyes for a second before continuing.
“The only salty person here is her. She’s acting like a total child because I’ve finally stepped up to her bullshit.”
"Let's move on to the other thing that's on everyone's mind. You failed to recapture the All-Weight Championship, coming up short. How are you feeling after that and how do you come back from such an utter disappointment?"
“How do I feel? Do you really want to know? I’ve been wanting to be a professional wrestler since I was 7 years old. I’ve been told time and time again that I would never be able to get there, that I’m too small or too weak to do it. So you know what? I got off of my ass and went to the gym; got bigger and stronger.
When I joined PCW I just knew that this was my big break. I trained every day, the first one in and the last one out. I just knew with all that, it would get me somewhere you know? You all saw: it got me nowhere. Losing week after week, month after month. I couldn’t gain the points I needed to be a champion, so I created the All-Weight Championship.
It was actually a title that we had in my father’s boxing gym for the newer competitors, the smaller guys that needed that extra edge. I knew that it was all I needed to slingshot shot myself into the title picture. It helped, but it was a cheap attempt to get there and I paid for it, my ego bruised.”
She shifted in her chair towards Tyler, looking straightforward, “I know you’re wondering where I’m going with this. You look bored, but you’re gonna learn a lesson today. After I lost to Allysin, I was embarrassed and disappointed in myself and I ran home with my tail between my legs, ready to quit right then and there.
A friend called me and told me to not give up and that he would help me, train me to become a better wrestler. So I went through an intense program and watched myself become more confident and more humble. I came back to PCW with a new sense of hope, working on building myself better to get back into that top spot. I basically became a new person from it, which is a far cry from who I was before all of this.”
“The old Frankie would’ve bitched and moaned about not winning and ran away from it all. The old Frankie would’ve stooped to Rhea’s level and attacked her, but it’s getting really hard to keep this up. This is a side I didn’t want people to see again.
I’ve worked so hard to uphold this image of myself and I can feel it starting to falter. You see, this whole act that I put on everyday—the smiling, sassy girl that was trying to find her place in this industry, I’m over it. I’m over trying to explain my way and apologize for I’ve done. One thing I don’t like is a backstabber.
She’s cost me another shot at a chance to redeem myself and is throwing a major fit I’m close to doing the same.”
Frankie got up, tossing the mic down into the chair and promptly left the ring, leaving Tyler sitting in his chair, amused by the bit of an outburst by Frankie.
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Rhea Ripley vs Zara Sabre
Zara is the first to make her appearance. It’s her first match since joining PCW and the woman was eager to show everyone what she could do. She enters the ring and receives a warm welcome from the fans in attendance.
Rhea Ripley is up next. The fans instantly show their disdain as the Australian competitor makes her way down the ring. She stares Zara down with malice before smirking at the smaller woman.
Soon as the bell rang, Ripley took her down with enough power to knock the wind out of Zara. She rolls out onto the apron, but she could not get away from Rhea. The blonde yanks her back through the ropes, violently shaking her head before slinging her across the ring. Ripley continues her vicious assault, but fails to get the pin two times. Her anger gets the best of her, allowing Zara to roll her up for the two-count.
Zara fights back, taking Ripley down with multiple clothesline. She takes controls of the match after a codebreaker for a near three-count. Sabre doesn’t let up, trying to keep the stronger competitor grounded, but Rhea is just too strong. Rhea overpowers Zara and finishers her with the Riptide for the win.
She shoves Zara out of the ring in order to celebrate and grabs a mic. “Frankie, I heard what you had to say about me on your little show. You think I’m scared of you? That you’re a threat to me? I have to laugh. The only thing you’re good for is losing and being enhancement talent. You don’t belong in PCW. I know it, Taya knows it, and even Quack knows it.”
She looks to continue, but is interrupted by Frankie’s appearance. “Last week,” she starts on the mic, “you blamed me for your loss against Morgan Webster. Instead of taking accountability and admitting you got cocky and careless, you pinned it all on me.”
Rhea looks on in disgust and rolls her eyes. “That’s fine. I’ll take the blame. I’ll say I screwed up your chances and be proud of that, but what I won’t deal with are your constant attacks against me because you couldn’t measure up in the end. You wanna fight me so bad, Rhea? Let’s fight. Next week in a tables match.”
Paige vs Tessa Blanchard vs Tyler Breeze
All three competitors are in the ring. Tessa exudes confidence as the bell rings while Paige is calmly leaning into her corner. Breeze requests a mic and steps to the center of the ring between the two women. “Ladies, you are currently in the presence of very gorgeous gentlemen. I know you want to get your hands on me, just like everyone else, but I’m willing to let you two fight over me first. May the last woman standing be graced with my superior ring skills.”
Paige and Tessa exchange a glance before both dropkicks Breeze out of the ring. Tessa immediately turns on Paige and the two throw fists back and forth with Paige gaining the advantage with a headbutt. She goes for the PTO early, but can’t lock it in. Blanchard fights her way out and exits to the apron. Paige attempts to attack, but Tessa counters with a forearm and drops the neck down onto the ropes. She goes for a pin and barely gets one.
Blanchard wears Paige down as Breeze returns. He takes Tessa our with a running boot to the chest. He goes for Paige, but she headbutrs him back and connects with a thrust kick. Paige follows up with a running knee before Tessa goes for the running Codebreaker. It connects, but Breeze breaks the count. Tessa attempts to take him out, but he counters with a backstabber. He hooks the leg for a two count. All three competitors aim for the victory, but it’s Tyler who steals the win with a rollup to Tessa.
Kyle O'Reilly vs Flash Morgan Webster (Non-Title Match)
Morgan is first to appear. The All-Weight Championship rests around his waist before he eventually slings it over his shoulder. Flash makes his way to the ring with determination fixed on his face, looking for redemption after his loss to Jackal.
Kyle is next and he’s out with confidence oozing from his pores. He wore a t-shirt with Punk’s face crossed out and “no longer the best” written around it. He makes his way to the ring and scoffed as Flash initially tried to shake his hand.
Morgan is on him quick as soon as the bell rang. Kyle struggles for the upper hand, but Flash was too quick for him. O’Reilly eventually escapes to the outside, but Webster climbs up high for a crossbody to the outside. Both men are down shortly. Flash gets the first strike, but Kyle fights back. They trade blows until O’Reilly connects with a sickening high knee to the face.
Morgan is recuperating, the referee checking on him, as Kyle takes a moment to show off. Strangely, a ringside fan stands up tall and grabs the man’s attention. The fan removes his hood and the crowd cheers as Punk is revealed with a Pepsi can in hand. The Straightedge superstar wastes no time in slamming the can directly into the face. Pepsi flies and Kyle scurries away into the ring, blinded just long enough for Morgan to gain his footing and take him down with a headbutt. Flash follows up with a 450 Splash for the three count.
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Ah, dov'e il perfido?
Spike Trivet looked at the wall clock, eyes going from his glass of wine to it and back, past the exquisite decoration and the extra glass across from him. He’d made a bold decision inviting Pavor in this manner, but the business they had to discuss needed to be held face to face, and he knew the Fear Master could find him anywhere he went.
He waited in his Moroccan suite, closing his eyes for a moment as Mozart filled the air, his head was pounding and he looked a little pale, the cold of his hands and the sudden pounding of his heart telling him that the moment was close. His guest was about to arrive, and he looked towards the doors with a smile.
The double doors to the dining room blew open, every light in the room going out like a suddenly snuffed candle. A gust of freezing air and a flurry of snow rushed the room, the cold accompanying the darkness as it often does. The only illumination to the room was the dull, ghostly light of the waning moon.
In the center of the doorway, a tall shadow materialized with a subdued clinking and shuffling as
it formed. It was large and looming, seeming to move and roil at the base but as it slunk just barely into the room, its harsh, pale eyes opened, the only shred of brightness to the figure. It evened out leaving only the thin imposing figure of Pavor Nox. He raised one hand and snapped his fingers together causing all the lights to flare brightly then stay lit. “I received your invitation, Mr. Trivet.” His face looked impassive but his glacial stare showed a sort of deadly withheld rage.
Spike got up from his seat, straightening his suit and running a hand through his hair. “Glad you could make it, Mr Nox. I’m afraid I only set up one plate. This was meant to be a private meeting, you know? Alas, you’re here and I’m sure your companions wouldn’t want to partake. Are you ready to accept my offer, then?”
“I have no companions. It is me and me alone here with you.” The master of fear walked toward him, standing just in front of him not taking the seat. “I am not interested in your meal nor was I in your “generous” offer. I have come to tell you in no uncertain terms that you will return Somnium or you will experience the Hell that can only be known by greedy cretins that care only for their own whims.”
Trivet’s eyebrow raised and his hand went to his chest, looking at Pavor. “You offend me, good sir. But so be it. You’ve picked your poison. And let it be known you’ll starve if you try your tricks on me. There is no fear I haven’t faced, but you’ve yet to face a man like me. I will not hold back now, and next time we meet there will be no wine, and I’ll offer you no seat. Next time we meet, there’ll be pain, there’ll be porcelain pieces and bloodied feathers.”
“I do not ask for your good graces. I want only for you to repent and return what is mine. You have let me in, you opened this door to me and I will drag you out of it. You will come with me and will not see the light of day until December twenty-second. You have been damned for your own despicable actions. We will face in the ring, no rules. You, a pitiful human man versus a God, defend yourself with whatever you can. When I win, my doll returns with me. You dear darling will be the judge of your own demise.” Pavor raised one hand and the clattering returned. A dozen freezing, porcelain hands gripped and tore at the Englishman, dragging him out into screaming the night. As Pavor followed the lights blew one after the other leaving the video in darkness with his quiet laughter.
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Priscilla Kelly (With Hania) vs Masked Woman (With Masked Man)
The masked woman is already present in the ring with her partner by her side. The two whisper through the masks, scheming as they await her opponent.
Priscilla makes her way out slowly with Hania close to her side. Kelly shows no fear as she makes her way down the ramp. After all they’ve done to Indigo, she was ready for retribution. Then she’d take care of Harlow.
The bell rings and the two woman circle each other before locking up. The woman giggles at Kelly before kicking a leg out from under her. She drives a knee into the face before connecting with a double foot stomp for a quick one-count. Priscilla attempts to clear her head as the woman slams her head into the mat. She drags Kelly into the corner, forcing her to hang by the hair in the corner twice before the referee forces her to break the hold.
Hania watches on with concern, but Priscilla fights back. She gains the advantage as the woman reacts too slowly to a headbutt. Kelly connects with a forearm before whipping her into the ropes. Kelly wastes no time taking her down with multiple, wild strikes in the corner before dropping a knee to the chest. Kelly looks to lock the woman into a submission hold and the man on the outside attempts to cause a distraction. His hellish screams draws the referee away and Hania is on the move.
She collided with the man and the two brawl as Kelly releases the hold. The woman attempts to fight back, but it’s Priscilla who’s a step ahead and locks in Trapped in Sin to tap her out. Hania dragged the man into the ring and the two women exchanged glances before ripping off the masks. Corvus and Vipress. The pair attempt to escape, but they’re held down, Priscilla and Hania demanding answers.
Despite the victory, something was picking at Priscilla’s brain and eventually she looks to the giant screen above the stage. Sure enough, Harlow was on camera outside of a familiar home.
“No...” Kelly looks on as Harlow waves before materializing through the door. She knew exactly where to go, finding Indigo in bed with Colby, both fast asleep.
“She’s capable of unspeakable evil,” Harlow says with a wicked grin. “Soon.” Harlow kisses the top of Indigo’s head before the video stops. Corvus and Vipress escape and vanish into the crowd as Priscilla and Hania race out of the ring to check on Indigo.
Taeler Hendrix vs Scarlett Bordeaux (With Vicky Haskins)
Hendrix was already present, title in hand as she awaits the handpicked opponent of Vicky Haskins. Moments passed until Haskins appeared with a mic in hand a grin on her face. She was laced up and looked ready to go. “Surprised?” Vicky asks with a crooked smile. “I hope you’re ready, Taeler,” she says as she approaches the ring. The woman stops short of the apron, however, her smile steadily widening.
Before Taeler could understand her reasoning for such an expression, smoke began to fill the ring. Haskins remained on the outside looking in as Hendrix is taken down from behind. Her silhouette drops to the mat and the unknown figure beats down on her within the smoke. Haskins eventually joins her and the two mercilessly wear Taeler down until the smoke clears. Haskins smiles alongside... Scarlett Bordeaux?! The two women work together to eventually subdue Hendrix before they both raise the championship in the air. Vicky and Scarlett share a glance before blowing each other kisses, then kissing the plate of the belt.
“You think you’ve got it all figured out, Taeler? Let me make something crystal clear to you, honey. You’re a blade of grass that I can easily walk upon. You don’t hold any power over this division, not anymore.”
Scarlett takes the mic as she kneels down to look over Taeler’s barely conscious frame. “How... Ugly you are. An embodiment of just how disfigured and mangled this division really is. I almost feel sorry for you, but we’re going to help you be better, Hendrix. We’ll help you... By beating you.”
The two women laugh, admiring their work, but were soon interrupted by Candice LeRae! She races into the ring, taking down both women. A fire was lit in the woman, her return being highly anticipated. She helps Taeler to her feet as Vicky and Scarlett looks on in disgust. “Let’s not get anything twisted,” she said after picking up the mic. “We’re not friends by a long shot, Hendrix, but one thing that’s always been a constant for me is righting wrongs. How cowardly it is of you two to attack her from behind, then jump her. You think you’re tough? I’ll show you what tough really looks like next week.”
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The Future Is Here
Morgan rests after a hard fought match against O’Reilly. Despite the distraction, he was proud of his victory and it put momentum behind him after his match with Jackal. Speaking of the man himself, Phil approached him with a smirk on his face. “Congrats, champ. You managed to come back after your loss to me. Impressive, but you know I’ll be taking that title eventually, right?”
“You know what, kid?” Morgan says as he stands from the locker room bench. “I hope Taya puts us in a match together again. I could put you away, not simply because I’m a better competitor, but because I don’t let arrogance get in the way. You may be a young, rising star...but that lack of experience and unwarranted ego may just cost you.”
“Call it what you want. I’ve been overlooked for far too long. Everywhere I go, somebody is ready to pass me by because I don’t have the look of the fame of a star, but in PCW, I’m the future. Winning this title will prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt.”
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Candice LeRae vs Fire Ant vs Sami Callihan (Non-Title Match)
Fire Ant and Jenny Blake make their way to the stage together. The two, despite being opponents tonight in triple threat action, were enjoying each other’s company. They made their way to the ring and the crowd welcomed them wholeheartedly.
Their opponent was not equally welcomed. Sami made his way to the stage with a twisted frown on his face, disgusted at the sight before him. He ignored the fans and their taunts, eyes glued onto Jenny’s face before smiling.
Just as the bell rings, a familiar theme begins to play and there was a mixed reaction as Allysin Kay steps out onto the stage. The two-toned woman makes her way down the ramp, but stops short of the ring, demanding a mic. “Oh, you thought I was a replacement for the last guy? Nah, I’m not here to compete. Much as I’d love to whoop dat ass, I’m just here to spectate. I’m gonna join Griffin here at the table and I’m gonna scope you out,” she says, eyes falling directly on Sami. “You got the best of me...once. You couldn’t do it twice and I’m eventually going to prove that, but first? Entertain me, clown.”
Allysin takes her seat next to Griffin, just as she said, as the bell rings again. Sami’s eyes were still on her as Jenny throws the first strike. It barely phases him and Callihan retaliates by shoving her down hard. Fire Ant climbs high for a crossbody, but Sami catches him and counters into a Samoan Drop. He goes for the cover, but Ant kicks out early. Callihan continues to dominate the match until Fire Ant and Jenny work together with a dropkick. They continue to combine their strengths, Jenny keeping him grounded as Ant helped her with a wheelbarrow splash.
She goes for the cover, but Ant pulls her off. He still wanted to win. Blake nods, understanding what she must do, and the two begin to throw strike after strike. She catches him with a hurricarana. This allows Callihan to connect with a Saito Suplex to Blake. He gets a two count and attempts to dominate again, but Blake fights back. She uses her speed to keep him off his game, eventually connecting with a Code Red into the pin. Ant breaks it up with a dropkick to Jenny. Ant takes control of Blake, his speed outmatching hers for near pins. She keeps kicking out and Sami takes Ant out with a shoulder block. Jenny attempts to recuperate as Sami grabbed her by the hair. She instinctively lashes out with a solid slap to the face. Callihan’s face turns a shade of red, pissed off, but Jenny doesn’t slow down for a second.
Sami did his best to keep up, occasionally taking Blake down with raw power, but it was a tilt-a-whirl packaged pin that put him away for the three-count. She escapes his rage and celebrates with Fire Ant on the outside as Allysin looks on with a smirk. The woman makes her way to the ring just as Sami got to his feet with the title. Allysin remains on the apron and Sami approaches her, glaring down at the grinning woman, raising the title up high. “You won’t get it back!” He kept shouting at her and she just smiles, puts her pinky up in the air and left him in the ring alone.