Phase Eighty-One: The Mangiacavallo Curse Makes a Lousy Wedding Present
Surfin' safari
Vipress stood front and center in the camera, eyes piercing the screen with silent rage. Corvus stood next to her with a hand covering his face, body shaking as if trying to contain his own anger. Vipress twisted her lips in an ugly snarl before addressing the PCW audience with the same calm, collected tone as always. “Last week was tainted with our...untimely end as tag team champions. Corvus and I worked so hard for those belts and they were taken from us by Blossom and Bubbles.” She then started to laugh a little. “But then poor Jenny got what she deserved. Now Arisa will suffer tonight, as well, while we will go on to reclaim what was stolen from us. Tonight starts a path towards the tag team championships, in which we will become two-time champions in the end. So—“
“ENOUGH ALREADY!” Priscilla screeches as she shoves Vipress and Corvus aside. “Taeler?! BITCH! I know you’re listening and I want you to understand just how pissed off you’ve made me. My son should’ve been returned to me a long time ago! I will not be made a fo—“
“Remember your place, Kelly,” Vipress cuts her off as Corvus grabs the succubus by the hair violently. “Don’t lose your temper. It’s exactly what she wants...and if you value your life, you’ll refrain from putting your hands on me again. It is YOUR fault only that your child was taken...but you have a chance at redemption at Moonstruck. Don’t crumble now when you’re this close. Patience, Kelly.”
“Patience? PATIENCE?!” Priscilla shoves Corvus off of her. “My patience is running thin with this ‘faction.’ None if you can seem to get the job done anymore. I’m the only one who still holds gold and I’m the only one with even the slightest bit of power. Meanwhile, Pavor can’t beat supermodels and you two can’t beat wannabe Powerpuff girls. Why am I even wasting my time with any you?!” Vipress raised a brow and stepped closer to Priscilla, holding Corvus back as he growls at the succubus.
“Because I’m far worse than Taeler...and you know that. You can go whenever you please, but do not come crawling back when you can no longer hold your own.”
Kelly stared them down but remained where she stood. Vipress smiled and turned her head towards Pavor. He stood in the back with Zara and Spike. He looked...uncertain. His eyes were wide and crazed, breaths somewhat heavy with panic. Last week was unexpected. He knew he could win. It was the same match that won him Spike, but now? Now things were different and he could not have felt more vulnerable. Vipress smiled and held out her hand to him. “Calm your mind, Pavor. Things are not as bleak as they seem.” He ignored her, instead, casting a glance at Spike before departing. Spike shoved Zara forward after him and he trailed behind them with the doll following.
Vipress’s smile slowly fades and melts into a deep-rooted frown. She looked to Priscilla and raised a brow. “She has a match tonight, no? Maybe...be in attendance and scope out the competition. We have work to do on our end, so try to get it right this time. The less opposition we have as a group, the better.” Vipress leaves Kelly alone with Corvus, who snarls at her again before following after his tag partner.
UIC Pavilion
Tag Team Tournament: 1st Round
Fire Ant & El Generico vs Mitchell Knight & Will Ospreay
The match couldn’t even begin as Vipress and Corvus drags the bodies of Mitchell Knight and Fire Ant to the stand. It was clear both men were unconscious as the former champions stood tall over them. Vipress raises the mic to her lips and grinned. “There’s no need for a tournament because the true champions, the only worthy champions, are standing right here in front of you. Rocket Stars’s victory was a fluke and the immediate removal of the titles proved that last week. They aren’t capable of being champions that can carry PCW on their backs. They’re two naive, childish little girls who lacks the willpower and domineering presence to be a champion. Consider this tournament null and void.”
Brian Pillman Jr. vs Jon Moxley vs Phil Jackal
Moxley immediately came at Phil with a boot to the gut. He forces Jackal into the corner with multiple shots to the abdomen before dragging the man out for a suplex. Brian capitalizes with the double footstomp to the chest and Phil rolls onto the apron. Moxley and Pillman lock up in the ring, battling for control until Moxley gets the headbutt. Brian is stunned and Jon capitalizes with a spinebuster for the pin. One...—Brian kicks outs Moxley has him up by the hair and slings him into the ropes, but Brian rolls over the back and connects with a roundhouse as Moxley turns around. Brian quickly capitalizes with an elevated suplex into the bridged pin. One...two—Jackal springboards with a moonsault on Moxley to break the pin up.
Phil quickly kicks Brian before he can fully stand, attacking the leg over and over again. He quickly follows up with an Irish whip into the ropes and races up behind with a jumping knee to the face. Brian drops to the mat and Jackal leaps over the ropes to climb the turnbuckle. He looks to leap off with the 450 Splash, but Pillman rolls out the way. Phil lands in his feet, but eats a boot to the back of the head. He’s yanked up by the legs and dropped with a wheelbarrow suplex. Jackal crawls to the corner to avoid further damage and Brian races in. Phil quickly uses the ropes to hop up and Brian crashes shoulder first into the corner.
Brian tumbles to the floor as Moxley is back in the match. He locks up with Phil and the two throw strike after strike until Moxley gets the knee to the gut. He looks for the DDT, but Phil reverses into a forearm strike. He tries to rebound off the ropes, but Moxley cuts him off with a sudden spear to the gut. Moxley starts laying in punch after punch to the face. He yanks Jackal up and sends him into the corner. Jackal kicks him back and uses the second turnbuckle for a huracarrana. Phil looks to capitalize with a dropkick that sends Moxley to the outside. By this point, Brian had retrieved a chair. No disqualifications were present and he knew that, swing the chair into Moxley’s back over and over.
Phil looks to leap out of the ring from the top rope with a senton, but Brian had the chair up and Jackal crashes against it. Pillman tosses Moxley back in the ring and quickly capitalizes with the Dire Promise to get the pinning victory. After the match, Pillman stood in the ring with a mic in hand. “I know you saw that, Allysin. And I know you’re itching to find out if I’m as good as I say I am. You can play aloof all you like, but I know you’re just about ready to shut me up. My offer still stands. There’s still time before Moonstruck to face me and prove the veteran still has a place in PCW.” Brian waited a few moments, but rather than Kay making an appearance? The titantron begins to static and the lights start to flicker. “You want a challenge?” A disembodied voice spoke from the screen. It was deep, clearly warped to hide the speaker’s true identity. “I’ll give you what you seek.”
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Put on a Happy Face
“Hi everybody!” Jenny tried her hardest to keep up her usual positive demeanor during this speech. “So these next words are like stones upon my heart, but I have to be completely honest with you. What Taya did last week almost snapped my neck. She nearly killed me. And I’m lucky to be alive right now. Unfortunately, that means I’m going to be out for some time. As a result Rocket Stars has to surrender the titles...” She pauses for a moment trying not to break into tears. Now, this is absolutely crushing to me, and Arisa, but it’s not something we can’t come back from! While my partner rides solo for a bit I want you all just show her the same love, and support you’ve shown Rocket Stars. As for Taya...”
Jenny's eyes seemed to burn with newfound aggression and intensity. “Try as you might to hurt me, to break every bone in my body, and to eliminate me from the equation forever, you can’t! Because I am nothing if not resilient. Nothing will ever put out my dynamite spirit! I will be there when Arisa beats you so I can look you in the eyes, and tell you that it’s finally over. That your sick obsession is never going to hurt me, or anyone I love ever again! Do you hear me?! You’re gonna get your butt kicked by my partner. Arisa has more heart and passion then anyone I’ve ever met. I know she can do this. I believe in my best friend and her abilities. Taya, you crazy wicked witch, you’re in for an explosive time. So I hoped you packed your spacesuit, because the Rocket Star is about to blast you to space!”
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Tea for two
Melissa was seen pacing the hall back and forth with her head down, deep in thought. Moonstruck was weeks away and she hadn’t actually accepted Sami’s match. It was clear he wanted to rip her to shreds, but she didn’t refuse out of fear. She knew she wouldn’t find back because that’s how much she loved him. She lost him once, she would not be the cause of that loss this time around. If Sami wanted a fight, he needed to call out someone else.
As the idea swam through her mind, she was startled as a hand slammed against the wall and cuts off her pathway. Melissa’s eyes go from wide to tiny slits. Her glare was icy and it wasn’t a surprise why. MJF stood before her, hand still on the wall as he flashed her a pearly grin. Santos tried to turn and leave, but he grabbed her with his free hand. “Now why the rush? I just want to talk.”
“Talk? People like you don’t have anything worthwhile to say. Let me go!” Santos tried to pull away, but he had a tight grip on her. “Sami challenged you last week...but quite frankly, he and I got unfinished business. I don’t know what voodoo bullshit he has going on, but Aleister damn bear killed me. He can hide behind Sami’s ugly mug if he wants to, but I very much plan on exacting revenge. And you, beautiful?”
MJF leans in towards her, keeping their faces only inches apart before whispering to her. “You’re in the goddamn way. I need you to step aside and let me accept that challenge. Thanks to the powers that be, I’ve been granted any match I want...” he pulls back and smiles as Santos snatches her hand from him.
“You’d think I’d go after Scarlett, but this is a bit more personal. It would be a pleasure to wipe that smug grin off his lopsided face and take the title from him. And...” he looks Santos up and down. “Maybe I’ll take something else from him.” A sharp slap echoes throughout the hall as Melissa’s hand connects with his cheek.
“You’re out of your damn mind if you think I’m going to just stand by while you try to pick Sami apart. Do you want him? You want that match? You’re gonna have to get through me, bitch!” She spits in his direction, the globe catching his scarf. He looks after her in disgust as she walks away with her head held high and more determined than ever before to change fate and make it bend to her will.
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Tag Team Tournament: 1st Round
Eyes of Demise vs South Wales Subculture
This match had broken into complete chaos early on with Corvus and Vipress sending their opponents to the outside. They both grabbed chairs and began to swing the metal down onto their bodies. The bell rang, throwing the match away, but they refused to stop until Mark and Morgan were lifeless. Vipress held up her chair with a maniacal grin as Corvus took an extra swing at Mark.
He laughed as the referee warned him not to swing again. He joined Vipress by her side and pulled him in to kiss his forehead. “You never disappoint me, Corvus.” He gave her the most innocent smile, laughing pleasantly as she praised him. She led her partner up the ramp, both chairs still in their grasp. They meant every word of what they said. This tournament would not take place under their watchful eye.
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Atwell with Scarlett Bordeaux & Tyler Breeze
Scarlett stood with Hayley, her leather pants hugging each curve of her hips and thighs. She gave Hayley a beautiful smile while flipping those platinum locks over her shoulder to reveal the PCW Championship. It gleamed in the backstage lights as the tapping of Scarlett’s manicured nails were heard slightly as Hayley spoke. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have the PCW Champion with me tonight and, Scarlett, its a pleasure having you here tonight!”
“Oh, I’m sure it is, Hayley. Now what can I do for PCW’s one and only interviewer?”
“I actually wanted to discuss the tag team tournament. You and Tyler Breeze were scheduled to compete in it, but it seems Vipress and Corvus are derailing it’s commencement. What are your thoughts?”
Bordeaux bit her lip as she held in a laugh. She flashed Hayley a mischievous expression before shrugging her shoulders. “You know, if those two bottom feeders want to hog the tag titles, then be my guest. They are nothing in comparison to the world title nor its champion. My little tag team with Tyler would’ve been fun, but maybe it’s best I focused on my title, especially considering I have a match to look forward to at Moonstruck.”
“It sounds like you’re concerned about Spike—“
“Concerned?!” Bordeaux snaps as her jaw drops down. She laughed out loud this time, doubling over before slapping her leg.
“I’m not worried about Spike Trivet, but I do want to honor this championship. It should not come second to any other or be shoved in the background because I think I would look fantastic with two belts on my arm. When it comes down to it, Hayley, I’m determined to be the best champion PCW ever had. Even better than the last one.”
Hayley attempted to respond but froze as she looked past Bordeaux. The champion turned with a raised eyebrow as Breeze stands face-to-face with her. “Better than the last one, huh? You walked out of that steel cage with the gold and I can’t pretend you didn’t do it based off your own merit. You kicked ass and won gold because of it. I can admit that...but be a better champion?” Breeze snickers as Bordeaux folds her arms across her chest.
“Yeah, better than you. Problem?”
“Scarlett, I have raises the bar to unimaginable heights that not even you in your stilettos could reach. And that’s not a knock on you or your capabilities. I know what you can do. I’ve been on the receiving end of it...but you’ve barely scratched the surface. What I have done? That’s a once in a lifetime occurrence and that’s not being disrespectful. That’s just being factual.”
Breeze steps in even close to the woman, eyes trailing down to land on the championship. She smirks and taps his chin with a fingernail. “My eyes are up here, Tyler. And if you want to keep yours, you’ll take back everything you just said. I know damn well that I can not only reach the bar, but I can blow it through the roof. What you’ve done is amazing and it’s the reason why beating you meant even more to me than you realize, but don’t ever think it’s indomitable. I am far more capable than you want to give me credit for, but it’s no surprise. I’d be threatened by an upgraded version of myself, too. What you’ve done won’t compare to what I will do and it all starts with Trivet’s downfall. Maybe take some notes at Moonstruck.”
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Grudge Match
Indigo Kelly vs Taeler Hendrix
Indigo Kelly vs Taeler Hendrix
The two women clash in the center of the ring without hesitation, fists flying at each other’s sides and heads. Indigo has Hendrix by the hair and slings her down to the mat. She mounts the redhead and proceeds to throw fist after fist until Taeler turns them over to return the favor. She drags Kelly to her feet and slams the face into the turnbuckle multiple times. Hendrix whips her into the opposing corner and connects with a running clothesline. She tosses Indigo out of the corner with a hip toss and follows up with a running boot for the quick one count. Hendrix grabs the arm, sitting on the back as she bends it. Kelly was quickly reminded of their last encounter and she rolls over, getting to her feet before slamming forearm after forearm into the face.
She quickly has Hendrix in the headlock and plants the redhead with a snap suplex. Indigo rolls through and transitions into the guillotine chokehold. Hendrix doesn’t dare tap, but she feels her air supply slowly fading. The woman forces her body to roll over into the ropes to break the hold, but Indigo wasn’t letting go. Taeler has to force herself under the ropes to break apart the hold, but she drags Kelly to the outside on the floor as she goes. Taeler stomps the body several times before yanking up Indigo and slinging her into the barricade. She quickly lifts Indigo up on her shoulders, but Kelly slams her fist against the back multiple times.
Indigo slips out of the hold and drops Taeler on the head with a DDT to the floor. She tries to recuperate while Taeler is down. At the same time, Priscilla comes marching down the ramp with a twisted snarl on her face. The woman slinks her way towards both women and Indigo is instantly on guard. Priscilla eyes her daughter, but only puts her boot down on Taeler’s throat. The referee gives Kelly a warning to back up, but she proceeds to press down and he has to call off the match. Priscilla stomps the throat now before yanking Hendrix up by the hair to her knees. She holds the chin to keep her head in place before grinning at Indigo. “Hit her. You know you want to.” Kelly stares down her mother with suspicion, slowly approaching them with a raised brow. “Hit. Her.”
Indigo doesn’t trust Priscilla. Not even slightly, but she would deal with her as soon as Taeler was out of the picture. She seemed keen on taking up her mother’s offer, but Hania comes raging out with a steel chair. She attacks Priscilla from behind before chasing Indigo off around the ring. Hendrix glares at the she-wolf with suspicion, but Hania leaves her be. “Our war is long over, Red. The only person I’m out to get...” she swings the chair down, but Kelly just narrowly rolls out the way. She kicks the leg to knock Hania off her balance before tackling the woman to the floor. It’s even more chaos as Indigo instinctively wants to protect her mother, joining the fight without even thinking. All four women are forced to separate via security and Mike comes out on stage with a mic in hand.
“Next week—Hania and Taeler versus Priscilla and Indigo in a tornado tag match. Maybe this will unleash some aggression and we can finally find order until Moonstruck.”
Grudge Match: Street Fight
Taya Valkyrie vs Arisa Hoshiki
Valkyrie locks up with Arisa, but immediately knees the gut. She rebounds off the ropes clothesline to take the joshi down and puts a boot on the chest to pin her. Arisa instantly kicks out. Valkyrie yanks her up by the hair and slings Arisa into the corner, slamming the head into it multiple times. Taya then forced her around before chopping the chest. Hoshiki staggers out of the corner and Taya follows up with a running bulldog. She claps her hands and swivels her hips as the fans boo her. She flips them off before patting her backside, clearly unfazed. She grabs the arm and Hoshiki quickly counters with an arm drag. She quickly springboards from the corner with a crossbody to take Taya down with a one count. Arisa cuts off an oncoming attack with a spin kick to the gut before connecting with a superkick for another pin. One...tw—Taya kicks out.
Arisa rebounds off the ropes for a soccer kick to the chest. Valkyrie quickly rolls to the apron to recuperate. Arisa gets behind her and pulls Taya halfway back through the ropes for an elbow drop to the chest. Taya rolls out of the ring completely, partially stunned. Hoshiki gets to the apron and looks for a flying knee, dropping Taya to the floor. Hoshiki gets the crowd on their feet as she climbs the barricade. She looks to get the senton onto Valkyrie, but the woman rolls out the way in time. Arisa is shocked from the hard landing and Taya connects with the superkick to the jaw as her opponent tries to stand. She starts searching under the ring and pulls out a steel chair. Valkyrie unfolds it and drags Arisa to the seat before slamming the face into it. Taya follows up by climbing the apron and leaping off with a double foot stomp to the back of the head. Hoshiki goes limp and Taya quickly slings her into the ring for a pin. One...two...th—Arisa kicks out.
Taya climbs up high, going for the moonsault, but Hoshiki rolls out the way. Taya eats the mat and Arisa lets out a raging shriek as a roundhouse connects to the temple. She hooks both legs. One...two...th—Taya kicks out. Arisa rolls out of the ring, grabbing the chair to toss it in. She retrieves a table from under the ring, as well, and slides it in. Taya was slowly getting to her feet and Hoshiki races in with a running knee strike to knock her back down. Arisa sets up the table in the corner and yanks Taya up, looking to whip her into it. Valkyrie uses the boot to keep from crashing. She meets Arisa in the center of the ring with multiple punches to the face and torso. Arisa headbutts Valkyrie and quickly rebounds off the ropes for a crossbody. Taya catches her and drops the woman with a backbreaker.
Taya gets out of the ring to grab a trash can behind the barricade. She enters the ring to dump the trash on Arisa before slamming the can on the back. Valkyrie then lifts Hoshiki off the mat by her legs and lifts the woman up for a slam on top of the can. It bends inward as Arisa rolls off to the side and Taya hooks the leg. One...two...th—Arisa kicks out. Valkyrie slams her hand on the mat before dragging Hoshiki into the corner. She forearms the face before setting Arisa up high. Taya makes the climb, but Arisa slips out from under her and connects with a powerbomb to the dented can. Instead of the pin, Hoshiki gets the chair and drags Taya to sit in it. Valkyrie was dazed as Arisa aims her fingers at her opponent. “Ready...set...BLAST OFF!” Arisa rebounds off the ropes for a devastating front dropkick to the chest to send Taya backwards for the pin. One...two...thr—Valkyrie still kicks out.
Arisa lets out a hellish shriek as she drags Taya to the cornered table. She tries to force the blonde up, but Valkyrie is too strong and slams the back into the wood. It cracks, but doesn’t break. Taya quickly pulls Arisa into the exploder hold and turns around to toss Arisa’s body into the table. It shatters and Arisa lies still on the mat. Taya leans against the ropes, too exhausted to pin Hoshiki. She drops to her knees and drags the woman away from the ropes before draping her back over the chest. One...two...thr—Arisa counters with a crucifix pin. One...two...three! Hoshiki did it! She beats Valkyrie and throws arms in the air to celebrate. Taya looks on in confusion and shock as Arisa climbs the turnbuckle to celebrate. Eventually, Valkyrie stands and approaches Hoshiki with a grim expression.
Arisa stares her down, but raises a brow as Taya holds out her hand. “I can admit you were the better woman tonight...just tonight.” She keeps her hand outstretched as Hoshiki tries to analyze the situation. The crowd wasn’t having any of that, but Arisa looked on with curiosity. She eventually and slowly extends her hand, shaking Taya’s carefully. The blonde bows to Hoshiki as a sign of respect. Arisa bows back and Taya suddenly catches her with a knee to the face. Arisa is stunned, unable to break free as Taya has her up for the Road to Valhalla, dropping the woman onto the steel chair. Arisa doesn’t move and paramedics start to rush in as Mike follows closely behind with a mic.
“You just don’t know when to quit, do you? No...somebody has to make you quit. Somebody has to make you submit, make you give up, and move on.” He stares her down as she inches towards the ropes with a wicked smile. “You injured Jenny, possibly injured Arisa, almost got this company sued, and have abused your position from the start. I have overlooked your cruelty because...oddly enough I respect your vision and admire your brilliance as a general manager. It is not a lie when I say you have transformed PCW into something amazing, something I never dreamed it could be.” Taya looks on with a half-interested expression as he continues. “But that doesn’t give you the right to do what you’ve done, so I’m done. No more playing nice, no more standing idly by while you tear this company down to the ground, no more turning a blind eye to your misdeeds. If you so badly want to fight and unleash some pent up rage, then at least do it right. Moonstruck—I Quit Match. Your opponent?"
"Me.”