Phase Fifty-Two: An Unexpected Journey
Shooting the Breeze
Tyler Breeze is perched up on the top rope, laying across the corner turnbuckle, twirling a microphone in his hand.
"I'm not gonna waste any time because we all know why I'm here. So let's get right to business. First up, I introduce to you, Kyle O'Reilly!"
O’Reilly reluctantly appeared, face twisted with disdain at having to attend. By the time he’s in the ring, he’s practically mean mugging Breeze as he snatches up a mic and sits, saying nothing.
"Nice to see you too, Kyle."
Tyler got off of the ropes and walked over to where the chairs are set up.
"And now, welcome our second guest tonight... CM Punk!"
The Straightedge superstar came out in a much cheerier mood. The crowd welcomed him wholeheartedly as he made his way to the ring. Kyle stared him down as Punk grabbed a mic and sat on the other side of Breeze.
"Alright, I'm gonna start with the obvious question. CM, er... Mr Punk... Whatever you like to be called... Why did you interfere in Kyle's match last week? Was it because you couldn't beat him the week before?"
“You can call me the Best in the World, but why don’t you ask Kyle why he resorted to trickery in our match? Let’s talk about that. Were you scared, Kyle?”
“Scared? Of an overrated and failed UFC fighter trying his damn hardest to return to a business that no longer needs him? That no longer wants him? I don’t fear anybody, especially not you. I just don’t respect you.”
Tyler feigns being shocked, sitting back and enjoying the back and forth between the two.
"This is great... I love it. Now since it seems like the tension is at an all-time high, I think it's safe to say that you two want another piece of each other?"
Kyle’s face scrunches up as he shakes his head furiously. “I think not. I’ve beaten him already. I’m the best in the world and I proved that! There’s nothing else to be discussed. We’re finished here.”
Kyle attempts to walk away, reaching the ropes before Punk interrupts him. “I knew it. I knew you couldn’t match up to me, so you’d rather walk away with a cheap victory, one tainted with cowardice, just because you’re too afraid to step up to me in a real challenge. You’re not the best of the best, you’re not even the best of the average category. You’re so far beneath me that you can’t even lace my boots.”
O’Reilly pauses momentarily before sprinting and lunging at Punk. Both men topple to the mat and brawl with Breeze looking on in amusement. Only when security broke them up did the brawl subside.
UIC Pavilion
Will Ospreay vs Pete Dunne
Pete Dunne is first to the stage, making a return after his defeat by Jackal a week ago. The Bruiserweight looks to redeem himself with a victory tonight. Determination etched into his features .
Ospreay was next to appear and the man looked ready for a comeback. His journey has been rough, but it was his time to rise up and grab the brass ring.
As soon as the bell rings, Will uses his speed to catch Pete off guard with the meteora for a quick one count. He doesn’t let up, using his legs to take target Pete’s with one kick after another. He rebounds and connects with a dropkick to the knee. Dunne drops to the mat and Will follows up with a superkick for yet another count. Pete kicks out at two and looks to regroup. Will attempts to continue his assault as Pete is on the outside, but the Bruiserweight forearms him hard.
Ospreay remains dazed as Dunne lifts him up from behind with a Full Nelson suplex into the pin. Will kicks out at one. He tries to fight back, but Dunne dominates him with pure power. He traps Will into the corner, attacking him over and over again with fist after fist. He backs off to avoid the countout, only to bend the arm along the rope. Dunne whips Ospreay into the corner hard and Ospreay drops to the mat. Pete looks to finish him off, but Will counter’s with a headbutt outta nowhere and finishes Pete with the Storm Breaker.
Natalya vs Shaul Guerrero
The match starts with both women looking for an advantage through grapples. Natalya takes control early on, nearly getting a surprise pin on Guerrero. The woman attempts to fight back, but is taken down by the sheer power Natalya held. She almost gets the pin again, but Shaul refuses to stay down. Natalya sends her into the corner, but misses with the clothesline. Shaul rolls her up for a two count.
She takes control after a running bulldog. Guerrero uses her speed along with her own strength to keep Natalya down, but she can’t keep her down for the pin. She pulls a trick from her father, looking for the Three Amigos, but Natalya counters the second suplex for one of her own and locks in the Sharpshooter quickly for the victory.
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Harlow Issues a Challenge
Somewhere, in a secluded area, cameras had been following two women who had decided to come to a meeting on equal grounds. Cameras catching the stained glass window of the old run down church and travelling further beyond it to get to an eerie graveyard. Finally, after a few moments of nearly stumbling over some overgrown grass, cameras caught at least one figure seated atop an old headstone of a grave. One leg crossed over the other as they seemingly awaited someone or something. In view of the camera was none other than Harlow O'Hara, the woman who had done nothing but torment Priscilla, Hania and Indigo over the course of some weeks now. Manicured fingers tapped against the headstone before Hania finally came into view. There was no one else here, save for the camera person, just two women with bad blood coming to a boil between them.
Harlow wore an overbearing grin, one that was a little too sickening to anyone who knew her. She slowly rose from her spot, long robes flowing towards the ground as she motioned with a hand towards the other woman. "Thank you for agreeing to join me here tonight. I know how busy you are, and I'm sure you know how busy I am, so I will not waste too much of your time nor too much of my precious breath." Harlow's arms crossed over her chest, but Hania seemed to glance around every few seconds. As if all of this was too good to be true. As if one of Harlow's followers may jump out into the fray at any moment to drag Hania into the darkness and shadows. Freshly manicured hands clapping together twice as candles spread throughout the area lit to give them more light.
"It seems you are a bit... tense. I am a woman of my word, you of all people should know that by now. When I say it is only going to be the two of us, I mean just that. There is a point to all of this, which I will get to in just a moment." She licked over dark black lips, inhaling a small breath with a small nod.
"I know how badly you wish to get your hands on me after the course of actions taken upon you and the rest of your measly little pack you've seemed to be putting together. I can feel how badly your blood boils just being in my presence. So, here and now, in the presence of my very church, I offer you a proposition." Harlow smirks slightly, walking a few paces ahead as fingers trail across a headstone.
"Perhaps one you may come to enjoy far more than anything else. Especially with such high stakes on the line." Harlow grows quiet for a moment and a nearly ready to pop Hania breaks her own silence.
"You better start spilling whatever the fuck bullshit you're talking about and make it quick. My patience is very, very thin right now." Arms crossed over her chest and Hania narrowed her gaze in a deadly manner towards the Priestess.
"My, my... Such a fiery temper. Surprisingly, something I do indeed like about you. No matter how many times I try to put all of you down... You all seem to get back up and that's just not something I like. So, I have to deal with that in my own very special way." She grows quiet again for a moment, snapping her fingers as light shines down upon one empty grave. Headstone reading Hania's date of birth and the date of the following show, Hania's face nearly paling at the thought before Harlow grins in a cold manner.
"I would like to propose a match. Between just the two of us as we stand here and now. Between two women who hold such animosity towards one another... A simple Buried Alive match. A match where one stands tall and the other is buried beneath piles of dirt and bugs." Harlow glances into the grave, clearing her throat as she walks forward, hand held out towards Hania.
"What do you say, dog? Yes or no?" Hania glances from the grave towards Harlow's hand before shaking it with a very, very firm grip for a moment.
"Game on, bitch."
Harlow laughs, a loud bellowing laugh that shakes the entire foundation. "Very well then, you've sealed your fate mutt. We will see how your fate plays out very, very soon."
Harlow's fingers snap, suddenly making the entire area dark and she seemingly poofs into thin air. Leaving Hania and the camera person alone as the cold wind picks up and we see cameras zoom in onto the personalized headstone made just for Hania. What fiendish plans will Harlow have in mind for her opponent? Only time will ever truly be able to tell.
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Zara Sabre (With Spike Trivet) vs Pavor Nox
Zara is the first on the scene. The woman does not have the doll in her possession, leaving those in attendance wondering exactly what else she’s done to him. She looked determined to give Pavor the same treatment.
Pavor is next. His presence noted only when the lights begin to flicker and his being manifested from the lingering shadows. He carried a new doll in his possession, one Zara would recognize immediately as he approached the ring. It looked exactly like Spike.
Nox presented Zara a widening grin as he placed the doll in the centre of the ring. In shock, Sabre didn’t move even when the bell rang. The doll was still, clearly not sentient like the others, but the features were carved so precisely and delicately, capturing Spike’s essence in its entirety. Sabre shook away her impending fear and lunged at her opponent. Pavor easily took down. While she was motivated by rage, Pavor was calm and collected, as always.
He toyed with her, beating down on Zara and allowing her to stand, only to beat her down again. Tried as much as she wanted, she could not overcome his power. Pavor eventually grabbed her face with sharpened nails, eyes staring into her own, opening up a gateway of horror that sent Zara into a fit of hellish screams. Nox enjoyed her fright, watched as the image he bored into her mind played over and over again. Sabre screamed for Spike again and again, but he never came.
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Contract Signing
Taya is standing in the center of the ring, dressed down in jeans, timberland boots and a camo tank top. Her braids were tied in a high ponytail, appearing as if she expected things to go wrong tonight. No one could blame her for that. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we take a step towards the finale of an outstanding rivalry between two future stars of PCW. We’ve seen these women become friends over the year of PCW’s lifeline, but their friendship turned sour rather quickly and now they look to settle the score. Let me introduce you to Rhea Ripley.”
Rhea came out in her ring gear, despite not being scheduled. The Aussie soaked in the disdain from the crowd, proud to be the reason this all was started. She entered the ring and ignored Taya as she attempted to shake her hand. Valkyrie laughed and brushed it off. “Thank you for joining me tonight, bruja.” Only some in the crowd caught onto the meaning of the word and Ripley smirked, rolling her eyes.
“Rhea’s opponent for this tables match is none other than Frankie!” Heads turned as Frankie made her way to the stage. She was dressed as if she just came from the gym. The woman looked just as ready to fight as the other two and as she entered the ring, it took Taya standing in front of Rhea to keep Frankie from charging. Once both women were calm, Taya continued.
“No need for extravagant introductions and a synopsis. We all know why you two will be having this match, why only this match can really settle things. As soon as you sign that dotted line, it’s done. No turning back.” Frankie hurriedly signed her name and stared at Rhea as the woman smiles. She finally snatched mic from Taya.
“What the hell are you smiling about? You must really be confident that you’ll walk away as the winner, but you’ve no idea what you’ve awakened in me. I’m over the crap, and I’m not going to hesitate to kick your ass next week.”
Rhea giggles and signs her name before putting an L on her forehead before turning to leave without a word. “Walk away. Just like you did with our friendship. All you had to do was explain yourself, apologize, something—anything!—but you chose to walk away instead of facing me like a woman."
Rhea turns back around and reaches her hand out for the mic. Frankie hands it over and balls her fist up as Ripley spoke. “I’m not obligated to tell you why I ended things, but since you need some kind of closure like a recently dumped boyfriend, I’ll tell you this, Frankie: you’re weak. You’ve always been weak and you latched onto me like a leech, so that you could get ahead. You saw me as nothing more than your ticket to the top and I made sure to remind you that Rhea Ripley is in this for herself. Nobody freeloads off of my hard work. Not even my “friend.” That’s why I turned my back on you, but clearly, it wasn’t enough. You couldn’t get the hint, so I’m telling you now, Frankie, that after I’m finished putting you through that table, I’m gonna walk away again... Expecting you not to follow up behind me like a lost puppy.”
Frankie heard enough, shoving the table aside with so much force that Taya had to get out of the way or be crushed by it. She tackled Rhea and the brawl begins. Taya pulls Frankie off of Ripley only for the Australian to get up and spear them both down. The two women continue to fight, tumbling out of the ring as security appears. Frankie finds a chair under the ring and uses it on both Rhea and the security team, taking out everyone, almost hitting Taya as she tries to stop them. Rhea finds her footing as Taya stands between them, telling Frankie to back off and shoves Frankie into the barricade. She grabs a sledgehammer from the ring and strikes Frankie in the gut. She chokes out Frankie on the floor as more security files out to finally separate them.
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Candice LeRae vs Scarlett Bordeaux
Scarlett and Vicky appear through the smoke on the stage, both women posing directly in front of the nearby camera. They make sure all eyes were on them before turning to each other, lips lightly pressed together for a quick kiss. Vicky leads Scarlett to the ring. She holds the ropes down for her and Bordeaux rewards her with another quick kiss.
Candice makes her appearance next and the crowd welcomes her. After being gone for a few weeks. They were excited to have her back and she looked ready to fight. As she climbs the apron, Haskins licks her lip and winks. LeRae is distracted long enough for Scarlett to slap her down from the apron. Bordeaux rolls out and firearms LeRae. The bell had yet to ring, so Haskins races in and takes Candice down with a big boot. Scarlett takes control by slamming the face into the ring post before tossing her into the ring for a close two count. Scarlett continues to dominate as Vicky praises her. She whips LeRae into the corner and goes for a clothesline, but Candice counters. She climbs the second rope for a neckbreaker as she leaps off.
Candice gets a one count and tries to keep the advantage. She has Scarlett off guard for awhile before connecting with a standing moonsault for a two count. Candice whips Scarlett into the corner and Haskins quickly climbs the apron. She tries to snap Bordeaux out of her daze, causing Candice to connect with both of their faces with a corner boot. Vicky topples down to the floor and Candice looks to follow up. Bordeaux stands to her feet and LeRae charges, but Haskins quickly grabs the leg under the ropes and pulls her out.
Haskins goes nuts about the kick to her face as the referee tries to regain control. Bordeaux recuperates in the ring as the two women arguing, prompting Hendrix to appear. The champion takes out Haskins from behind, tossing her into the apron to even the odds. LeRae reenters the ring, only for Scarlett to rake the eyes while the referee is distracted. She sets Candice up for the Scarlett Letter and connects it for the three count.
Phil Jackal vs Fire Ant (With Jenny Blake)
Fire Ant is the first to appear with Jenny Blake by his side. The two friends make their way down the ramp as the crowd gives them a warm welcome. Jenny remains on the outside as Ant enters the ring. Determined to take a win this week.
Jackal is the next to appear and his eyes were locked on Fire Ant, a smirk beginning to form. He was more than confident tonight. Lately, his attitude exuded arrogance and tonight was no different as he entered the ring, looking Ant up and down, unimpressed.
The two start with a quick exchange of arm drags and hip tosses that wouldn’t land for either man, both being evenly matched. Jackal eventually goes for a dropkick, but so does Fire Ant. The two were at a standstill. Jackal gains the advantage, however, with a kick to the leg. He rebounds off the ropes for a shining wizard for a one count. He continues to take control, looking to wear down Ant. Jenny supports her friend on the outside, trying to gain the audience’s support, as well.
Fire breaks free of Phil’s control and connects with a jumping knee strike. He follows up with a huracarrana into the pin. Jackal kicks out at two. Fire takes control now, keeping Jackal off his feet and off guard. It looked like Fire would take this and Jenny was cheering on the outside until... Sami Callihan rams the woman from behind into the apron. Jenny collapses. Callihan proceeds to stomp down on the woman, brutalizing her on the outside, which distracts Fire long enough for Jackal to get the roll-up for the three count. He quickly exits and exchanged a look with Sami before leaving, staying out of this war between the three.
Fire ant attempts to rescue Jenny by flying to the outside with a cannonball, but Sami catches him and slings him into the ring post. Sami was losing it, attacking both so much anger and hatred that it looked as if he was going to stop. Just then, Allysin races out to the arena, sledgehammer in hand, and Sami didn’t stick around to let her use it. He escapes into the crowd and Kay demands a mic.
“You feel like a man now, Callihan? Think you look like a worthy champion? Coming out here and attacking a defenceless individual because the truth of the matter is that you couldn’t beat her if she were on her guard. It’s guys—Nah, it’s bitches—like you who talk all that noise and can’t back it up. Since you wanna fight Jenny so badly, Taya has already set up her title match against you and you’ll never guess who’s going to be the special guest referee.”
A smirk forms on Allysin’s face as she removes her t-shirt to show a striped referee shirt. “Try something else, bitch. I dare you to. You’re playing by my rules now.”