MWE Presents: Red Line

MWE Presents: Red Line Jan 4, 2020 17:32:25 GMT -6

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Post by gvb on Jan 4, 2020 17:32:25 GMT -6

MWE Presents: Red Line
Live from Chicago, IL
Monday, December 30th, 2019

The clip opens to a small room decorated as the most classic news studio. There's the huge glass table dominating the scene, there's a big flat screen on the left and a back wall with a map of the Chicago's Red Line, the metropolitan line that corss the city from north to south. The MWE logo stands out on the background, and sitting at the table we find a smiling brunette, professionally dressed in a blue suit. Some of the most die-hard wrestling fans may recognize her for her time as a commentator in Vengeance Pro and King's Road. For everyone else, she's about to introduce herself.

Amy Maynard:
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Amy Maynard, and welcome to Red Line.

The tone of her voice is warm and welcoming, yet at the same time calm and colllected.

Amy Maynard:
Even though this event was actually taped on December 30, we can say without a doubt that it marks a new beginning for the company, as we enter 2020. In a few days, the new tour will kick off, both Riot and Millennium will be traveling to Japan for the Big In Japan tour that will lead us to the homonymous pay-per-view airing in February from the legendary Tokyo Dome.
The first, major change concerns Riot. As we all remember, at Way Of The Dragon the founder of the orange brand Yulia Kirilenko resigned from her position. Speculations have been running since then about who will take the reins of Riot and lead the brand in the new decade. Some suggested a sensational and to a degree shocking return of Gianluigi Vaccaro, other assumed miss van Beek's assistant Elsa McCarthy would cover the position, while a minority hypothesized that the new General Manager will be somene close to Chuck Matthews and his network...
Well, we'll get the answer to all your questions tonight.

She smiles, as the screen to her left comes to light, showing short clips of the 18 wrestlers involved in today's matches.

Amy Maynard:
But back to Red Line we go. Eighteen partecipants, six harcore matches to earn one spot in the Elimination Chamber. A title shot and an unspecified cash prize awaiting the winner. The real kicker? It all happened in one day.
Four in the afternoon, in six different arenas located in four univeristies in Chicago. That's where the qualifying matches took place. Without further ado, let's go to Geralt Ratner Athletic Center at the University Of Chicago for the first match.

Jasmine sits in front of a vanity backstage putting on her dark red lipstick. She puckers her lips together a few times before sitting it down and proceeds to paint her finger nails the same color. She slowly turns around in her seat to look directly at the camera. She grins slyly crossing her legs as she begins to speak.

Jasmine:
Been out of the game for a while I'll be the first to admit. But the Fallen Angel is never far...

Jasmine snickers a bit.

Jasmine:
I keep my ear to the ground. I know what's going on. I know the places that are worth competing in. And when I found out Millennium was holding a show like Red Line? Well, how could I resist?

The Fallen Angel blows on her nails before rising out of her seat. The camera man could have been seeing things but they could have sworn they just saw a soft glow in the blondes eyes.

Jasmine:
So now I'm here and I get to hurt two other victims in a barbwire match? Oh it shall be most delightful! I'm REALLY looking forward to THAT!

Jasmine slowly licks her lips before letting out a cackle that would make almost anyone uneasy.

Jasmine:
And then I move onto the main event inside of an Elimination Chamber. A match I am no stranger of. I've been in my fair share and I've walked out a few of them as the winner. Will I be able to do that tonight? After being gone for so long...?

The Fallen Angel simply shrugs.

Jasmine:
Hell if I know? All I know is this. If I'm going down tonight? I'm taking all of you with me. Time to watch the world burn...

Jasmine smirks playing with her hair a bit as she walks out of the locker room swaying her hips as she does slamming the door behind her and the show heads back to ringside for the next match.

Barbed Wire Match
Gerald Ratner Athletic Center @ University Of Chicago (4:00 PM CST)

Kristina Spencer VS Jasmine VS Saki

The first match of Red Line marked the first time ever in a MWE ring for Jasmine. A ring that, for the occasion, was adorned with barbed wire ropes instead of the traditional ones. A change that didn’t seem to scare Saki at all, the Kawaii Deathmachine actually looking thrilled at the idea of stepping in such a dangerous environment. Spencer and Jasmine didn’t share her enthusiasm, but they were more than ready for the task at hand, and not afraid to get their hands dirty, Soon they found themselves allying temporarily to slow down the former Empire Extreme Champion, who had a strong start and was dominating the opening of the contest. Taking turns to light up her chest with stiff chops, the two women grabbed one of her arms each and fired her toward the ropes. Saki showed great agility and courage by sliding under the bottom rope, avoiding getting entangled in the barbwire. She quickly got back inside the ring, connecting a split legged dropkick to the two litigants. Saki then picked up Kristina and fired her toward the corner, but Spencer was able to halt her run by pointing her foot on the turnbuckle, swinging her elbow backwards to meet the charging Singapore Mauler, stunning her. Wasting no time, Kristina punched her to the heart with the Hand Of The Wicked, but Jasmine broke up the pin.

Obviously, there was blood as well. The first unfortunate soul that met unforgiving ropes was Saki, pushed against the barbwire by Jasmine who slid free from a german suplex attempt landing on her feet behind Saki’s back and shoving her. As the Singapore born tried to unstuck herself from the spike lodged in her abdomen, Kristina and Jasmine kept fighting, and soon the debutant felt the same kind of pain she put Saki through, only located on her back. Kristina’s celebration was cut short as the former Empire Extreme Champion had indeed, freed herself, and was ready to jump and plant Spencer on top of her head with a reverse rana. Her focus then switched to Jasmine, who was trying to get away from the ropes without extending the laceration on her back. Saki slid out on the apron and gave Jasmine that (literal) little push she needed to get away, eliciting a scream of pain. A scream that paled in comparison to the one that echoed through the Gerald Ratner Athletic Center when Saki grabbed her arm and, relentlessly, dragged it along the barbed wire all the way from one post to the other, the sharp points digging the skin of her arm that was changing color to a bright red.

With the debutant sitting in a corner holding her injured bleeding arm, the match went on with Kristina now in control, wisely targeting Saki’s abdomen, crossed by a deep wound. A series of knee strikes after bending her over were the prelude to a gutbuster that caused the Kawaii Deathmachine to bleed once again, but couldn’t keep her down for the three. Kristina already started showing the first signs of frustration, stomping and screaming at the SIngapore born who slowly pulled herself up. Spencer kicked her in the gut and lifted her for a suplex, spinning around to drop her on the barbed wire ropes instead than to the middle of the ring. This time it was her back that paid the price, the sharp edges stucking in her flesh and and drawing more blood. Slowly, she started trying to free herself, operation made possible by Jasmine who, despite the bloodied arm almost limp against her chest, brought the fight to Kristina, chopping her down with some hard kicks until Spencer fell on her knee. Then she ended the sequence with an axe kick, making the cover for a near fall.

Jasmine got once again very close to the three with a superkick that saw Kristina raising her shoulder just in the nick of time. Eventually though, as minutes passed by, the Wicked One regained control, with her patented Handful Of Fun boob-plex. Instead of making the cover, she waited for Jasmine to get up to her feet and signaled for The Wicked Hand. before she could do anything though, a chair (obviously wrapped in barbwire) shot to the back prevented the correct execution of the finishing maneuver. Saki was obviously the one wielding the weapon. Her back was a mess, some deep cuts could be spotted through the blood covering most of its surface. And the former Empire Extreme Champion was making sure Kristina’s back looked just like hers, delivering a second chair shot, and a third. Jasmine charged in and ate a boot for her troubles, a simple yet effective move that set Jasmine up for a piledriver. On the barbed wire wrapped chair. There was no way a human being would kick out of that, and Kristina couldn’t recover in time to break up the pinning predicament.

WINNER: Saki
BY: Pinfall (Piledriver), 13:41

We cut back to the studio, where Amy awaits us.

Amy Maynard:
Quite a battle there, wouldn't you agree? Probably tougher than Saki expected, but in the end the experience of the former Empire Extreme Champion was enough to come out on top. But not without paying a price, that deep cut in the abdomen area will definitely affect her in the main event later tonight.

Again the televison screen flicks to light, showing the fans ready before the match in a different arena from the previous one.

Amy Maynard:
A quick thing about the main event, before we watch what happened in the second qualifying match. You all know how an Elimination Chamber works, I don't need to explain the rules. But in our case, the starting competiotrs and the order in which the pods will open won't be random. The quicker the time they win their qualifying match, the later they will enter the hellacious structure. Saki stopped the watch at 13:41, let's see if Henri Black, Helena Noir or Brodie can beat it as they put their bodies on the line in a brutal Glass Panes match.

In a segment taped the day before red Line Henri Black is sitting backstage with his eyes closed and fingers steepled in concentration.

Henri Black:
You know I think this is the first time I’ve ever been to Chicago, odd that in the six years I have wrestled professionally on a global level that until now I have never set foot in this city. I know you’re all no doubt wonder what this has to do with anything and the answer is absolutely nothing, I just found it to be an amusing tidbit that I have criss crossed this country hell I’ve even main evented Madison square garden more than once but my travels never once lead me here before.

Henri leans forward in his chair and places his elbows on his knees.

Henri Black:
I spent most of today exploring the city, wandering aimlessly through the streets. I walked the Magnificent Mile, somehow found myself in the middle of Millenium Park and finally took in the view from the Skydeck before I got hungry and ate a frankly enormous pizza.

Henri pats his stomach and groans.

Henri Black:
I even paid a visit to Wrigley Field though I will admit to knowing absolutely nothing about Baseball beyond the obvious. During my walk about the city I came to understand the the Red Line tournament is named after a portion of Chicago's subway system but tomorrow
night, the only red line in Chicago will by my bloody path to victory…

Henri smiles and rises from his chair, preparing to leave the room.

Henri Black:
And to our esteemed champions, I want you all to pay very close attention to what happens here because one of you will be seeing me in person very soon.

Panes Of Glass Match
Henry Crown Fieldhouse @ University Of Chicago (4:00 PM CST)

Brodie VS Helena Noir VS Henri Black

One of the sides of the ring set up in the Henry Crown Fieldhouse had a wall of glass instead of ropes. Another pane was set up in the corner, more were scattered on the floor right outside the ring, ready to come to use. Inside the ring, ready for what had the potential to be the most grueling of the qualifying matches were Helena Noir and Henri Black, tag partners in their recent, unlucky tag tournament run and tonight ready to tear each other apart. In front of them a face the wrestling fans will recognize from her time in Valor Pro, where the wrestler simply known as Brodie made a name for herself and showed a certain flair for violence that will definitely come useful today. The match started and the alliance many had foreseen actually came into play, with Helena and Henri attacking Brodie simultaneously with stereo forearm strikes and a double kick to the stomach, followed by a suplex. And then the two Revenants locked up, jockeying for position in a technical exchange that looked somehow out of place in this particular context. Anyway it was Helena who found herself in a dominant position at the end of it, having Henri in a waistlock. She couldn't lift him for the German suplex though, something Black had no problems doing once he got behind her with a standing switch. He just had gotten back to a vertical base when Brodie came at him with a running single leg dropkick.

The two women were now fighting it out, Brodie with an Irish whip sent Noir into the corner and charged in. Helena showed great agility going up and over, kicking Brodie hard on the chest as she turned around. Noir then grabbed her by the arm and fired her toward the corner where the glass pane was. Brodie slowed down and stopped before crashing it, only delaying the inevitable. A shotgun dropkick sent the Manhattan born through the pane, turning her back into a pincushion for glass shards. Helena went to pick her up to capitalize on it, but she forgot about Henri who grabbed her arm and spun her around and took her to the mat with a flatliner.

The two former partners kept fighting, each of them coming close to qualify for the Elimination Chamber in different occasions. Helena with the Ink Yo Face (Double Underhook Sitout Facebuster), Henri with his pump knee/spike ddt combination. No glass panes were shattered this time around, at least not until a bleeding Brodie was back on her feet and blindsided the unaware Black with a superkick that sent the Australian through the glass wall. Luckily, he impacted with his shoulder first rather than the side of the face. His facial features were safe, but the left shoulder had a deep cut now, one that was bleeding profusely already as he laid down a agonizing on the floor outside, surrounded by millions of small pieces of glass sticking and cutting through his skin.

Helena was the only one who still hadn't been introduced to the glass panes, and this was giving her a big advantage as the match went on surpassing the ten minutes mark. While Henri was still recovering outside, trying to stop the bleeding from his arm, Helena ducked a Roundhouse Kick from Brodie and scooped her up, driving her to the mat with a powerslam. Obviously dropping the former Valor star on some shards for further damage. The last Liberty Champion then looked brought two chairs inside the ring and another glass pane, carefully setting in as a bridge between the chairs. Her intention was clearly to put Brodie through it and she went to pick the girl up. She fough tooth and mostly nails, raking Helena's eyes and sliding off her grasp. She then pushed her forward, Noir stopping inches away from glass and pointing her hands on the transparent surface. Brodie looked like she was going for a running bulldog, luckily for Helena Henri got back in the ring in time to pounce the opponent away before she could change Noir's features forever.

The three were going all out in this final part of the match, Helena being the freshest and less battered of the three taking the lion's role, delivering kicks lefts and rights, one of which floored Henri leaving her to deal with Brodie. Noir went for an Irish whip, reversed by the opponent who then charged in with a jumping knee. Noticing the glass pane still sitting between the two chairs, Brodie decided to put it to good use, sitting Helena on the top turnbuckle, climbing up to superplex her. Black came back to senses and slid between Brodie's legs, sitting her on his shoulders. The tower of doom was about to happen with disastrous outcomes, if Helena didn't break free from Brodie's grasp with some desperate forearms to the jaw. Black still had the former Valor star on his shoulders, Helena was still perching on the top rope. The fans held their breath as Noir jumped off towards the opponent, some of them closed their eyes as Brodie threw all her bodyweight forward and rolled Henri over, sending Helena crashing through the glass. Those who kept their eyes open and didn't get distracted by the bloody mess Helena became could witness Brodie picking up the three count and the win.

WINNER: Brodie
BY: Pinfall (Victory Roll), 14:18

From the freeze-frame of a bloody but victorious Brody we cut back to the studio.

Amy Maynard:
Not a ride for the fainthearted or the easily impressed, was it?

Her smile hides a slight concern from the younger audience who may, despite the disclaimers, watch the show. Call it maternal instinct.

Amy Maynard:
Just when it seemed like Brodie's fate was sealed and that Helena and Henri would fight for the right to enter the final, Brodie was able to turn the tables, picking up a win. Far from 100% but the former Valor Pro UnYelding Champion will be in the chamber. Who will join her and Saki in the devil's playground? The third name will come out from a First Blood Elimination match between Abigail Lindsay, Ashley Whitmore and a very determined Kenzie Garrett.

Abigail Lindsay:
What, oh what, will Abigail do..?

Upon these words being echo’ed, the prerecorded scene opens inside the bedroom of an unknown hotel. Sitting on the front of the freshly made Queen size bed is Abigail Lindsay, in a bathrobe with her tanned legs crossed. She waves for the camera.

Abigail Lindsay:
For those who live under a rock, that is a question I pose on Twitter on occasion to give this aura of, whoa, what trouble is this girl about to get into. Over the course of the past six months or so, the question has lost its meaning. I am not the unpredictable, indestructible force I used to be. I won a few matches in FFW. My SCW tenure? Towards the end? A lot left to be desired. I lost my mojo. I didn’t back up the claims of me being this undeniable force. Call it a slump. Shit happens. It is professional wrasslin. Tonight, maybe, just maybe, I can give the question of what will Abigail do meaning again...

I am about to cross the red line. Anyone who knows little ole me, will tell you on my best day, I am not afraid of crossing the red line, yellow line, orange line, green line, silver line, choose a color pattern, the line does not matter. Am I an undeniably violent woman? Not really. I prefer finesse. I am not a horror movie woman who gets off on making the world fear her. It is a lot better when the world does not fear you, I’m just a normal girl from a normal world who can get a little kooky on occasion. But there is a bloodlust, comes from the Lohan side of my family, I am highly curious about, what IF I decide to give into the Lohan dynamic of my nature, what will the end result wind up being? Will I succumb to the bloodlust? Will I turn away from it? Will I decide being a hardcore enthusiast is not the way to push forward into 2020?

Abigail taps her chin.

Abigail Lindsay:
Never quite know and that is the beauty of tonight. Whether I survive my FIRST BLOOD Elimination match, step into the chamber of horrors, survive that til the end. The end result is a matter of fate no matter how confident we all may be that we are riding into the sunset with victory in hand. The journey matters. On this night, lets see where the journey takes me. Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Abigail blows a kiss at the camera. With a wink she says...

Abigail Lindsay:
Serenity Now...

-STATIC-

KENZIE GARRETT:
Let's have a chat about desperation...

Kenzie raked a hand through her dark hair, standing in the dank, dark backstage area of the Joseph J. Gentile Arena. Her dark, thick hair inevitably falls back in front of a soft, chocolate-colored, heavily lined eye. Her lips are painted the color of dark wine, and her gear is simplistic: formfitting black shorts with fishnet stockings underneath, heavy black boots, and a red-colored athletic top with a black leather vest, complete with heavy buckles adorning the sides. There's a faraway look in her eyes as she speaks, even though the camera's right in front of her.

KENZIE GARRETT:
It can make you do some crazy things... my desperation to put that sack of shit Hammerstein in his place caused me to commit a crime, to get arrested, to face the reality of spending who knows how many nights in prison? And to me? The ends justified the means because that move, throwing a match I had with Null, earned me a luxury spot in Hammy's head. A spot I've lived for a long time now, even if the scars from the aftermath have long since faded.

Her fingers instinctively begin to rest on her forehead and ride into her scalp. The four pronged fork having sliced into her head, making the blood run down her face, into her eyes and mouth, it was something she remembered too vividly that night in Chicago. Her hand then went to her shoulder, which had been stabbed by the same fork in that Pizzeria. Frowning slightly as she remembered the utensil sticking out of her muscle in the most grotesque realization she'd ever experienced.

KENZIE GARRETT:
I would've done anything to get another shot at the Chicago Way Championship because I meant what I said when I told everyone that that title he slings on his shoulder when he can be bothered to show up for work, which only seems to happen when he's not facing me, is my World Championship. That's not a knock on my abilities; it's a declaration of where my heart is. I. LOVE. This. Division. I hate the fat fuck sitting at the top of it, but I. LOVE. This. Division. And I'd do anything to get my chance to sit at the top of it, once and for all!

Her voice trembles. Her dark gaze hardens, lips stiffening and tightening.

KENZIE GARRETT:
I think everyone knows that. I wouldn't bleed, I wouldn't fight, I wouldn't give all that I give if I didn't live and breathe for this division! So, that poses an important question... why didn't I take the easy way out? Hammerstein seemed to finally grow a set. He challenged me to a fight. Why didn't I take him up on it? Why am I putting myself through the rigors of Red Line?

Her lips curl into a smile.

KENZIE GARRETT:
Who the fuck passes up on a good time?!

Finally, a toothy grin finds its way to her face.

KENZIE GARRETT:
I've learned when it comes to Hammerstein not to get my hopes up. I've learned he'll say and do anything to save face. I don't believe for a second he would've shown up for the match, he would've been staying home with someone's kid and his pretty little wife... I say someone's because graduating fifth grade taught me you gotta have balls to make your own kid.

Her arms fold under her chest, giggling.

KENZIE GARRETT:
And to be honest? I'm getting really tired of being stood up by some ugly motherfucker. I can go through this, and give him no option. I can force him into a ring with me, I can lock all the doors, beat the ever-loving fuck out of him, take the Chicago Way Championship, and there's not a damn thing that he, nor Chloe, nor that fat bitch walrus of his can do about it! And all it takes is surviving seventeen people... all of which I can guarantee you don't want this as badly as I do! They want a shot at Mel Reeves to fatten up their resume, they want to add a trophy to their mantle that'll collect dust just like the others... but for me? What I've dreamed of, what I've suffered for, has eluded me because of one coward's determination not to give me what I want and that's NOT something I can tolerate anymore! Besides... it's not like Ash Whitmore and Abigail Lindsay don't deserve the brutality that I'm going to inflict on them. I'll give it to 'em. They've got a set on them, unlike Hammy. Coming to my neck of the woods, with these big dreams that they're going to stop me...

She scoffed, incredulously.

KENZIE GARRETT:
Abigail can't pick a personality. Is she Serenity? Is she Abigail? Who knows the difference? Who the fuck even cares? After she got into that whole 'I'm retiring from being bisexual' debacle - by the way, fuck you for that... the only thing that we all know for sure about her is that she's a fucking clown. But at least she's done something. I can tolerate a clown who's been to a rodeo once or twice. But Ash... you're a fucking disgrace, dude. What the fuck is wrong with you? You've got women who are busting their asses, who are punching away at the glass ceiling, leveling the playing field for women everywhere... and you take legit pride in being a walking, talking stereotype? Are you kidding me? 'Beauty, Brains, Bitchiness?' Are you kidding me right now? If I let you live, then I let all of the hard work being done on a global scale go back a century, and that's not something that I'm willing to do. That's not gonna come down on me. You two are absolute jokes for different reasons and it'll be my pleasure of bleed you both dry and keep you out of the Elimination Chamber! And speaking of that Chamber...

Her hands rested on her trim hips, the Soulknife's smile faltering a little bit as the daunting realization hits her.

KENZIE GARRETT:
I don't know who's going to be in those pods with me. I don't know how competitive it's going to be, considering everyone who makes it there will have walked through Hell to get there. The cash prize is lucrative, the bragging rights are alluring, it's a big deal. I've never been in one, but even as an inexperienced competitor I know that that beast of chain, glass, and steel shortens careers. That's a risk that I was more than willing to accept! Because desperate times... they call for desperate measures. And you better believe I'm desperate for my chance to finally, after failing three times, capture the gold that I've seen people less talented, less dedicated, and less passionate than me get because of the right circumstances or having the right people in their corner! Fuck the Annie Zellors, fuck the Hammersteins, and fuck ANYONE who thinks that they're going to keep me from this! I'm going to put Abi and Ash down in the dirt, I'm going to win the Elimination Chamber, I'm going to paint Chicago red from bleeding out ANYONE who wants to keep me from Hammerstein!

She seethes, her eyebrows furrowing.

KENZIE GARRETT:
No security, no police, no bureaucracy, no being cockteased with promises of matches that no one has any intention to deliver: I've been denied for far too long... this is my opportunity to take matters into my own hands. I'm not gonna let it slip away. 2020 is the year that Kenzie Garrett rises up, and finally... fin-a-fucking-ly, becomes the Chicago Way Champion!

There's a passion and determination in her every step. The small girl carrying herself with a world of confidence in her strides as she marches towards Gorilla position with her hands clutching the opening in her vest.

First Blood Elimination Match
Joseph J. Gentile Arena @ Loyola University (4:00 PM CST)

Ashley Whitmore VS Abigail Lindsay VS Kenzie Garrett

In the third match of the afternoon, an extremely determined Kenzie Garrett stepped into the ring with Ashley Whitmore, who was making her debut tonight, and the FFW superstar Abigail Lindsay. There was no doubt who the students of the Loyola University and the fans who came to the Joseph J. Gentile Arena were rooting for, but none of them was expecting this to be a walk in the park for the Soulknife. The match hadn't even started yet and Garrett already found herself laying on her back, courtesy of a cheap shot superkick from Abigail. Ashley didn't stand idle, reaching Lindsay with a stiff forearm to the jaw and sending her against the ropes with an Irish whip. The running Abigail jumped over the laying Whitmore and hit the ropes on the opposite side, bouncing back and ducking under the opponent's leapfrog. Her run was halted by a leg lariat from Kenzie, who then fired Ashley in the nearest corner and kneed her in the face.

The frantic pace of the match was already giving the fans something to be excited for, even before weapons came into play. Kenzie jumped off the top rope, Ashley ducked down and dodged her attempt while Abigail caught Garrett in mid-air with a superkick. Not even a moment to gloat and Whitmore was already charging at her, planting Lindsay with a Tornado DDT. She wasted no time and mounted on top of the FFW superstar dropping fists to her face. The aggression ended with a chair shot to the back courtesy of Kenzie Garrett, who finally decided to take things to the next level and bring in some weapons, decision welcomed with a roar from the fans. The chairs might as well be the most versatile weapon in a wrestler arsenal, and Kenzie showed that she had mastered it to the point where it looked like a natural extension of her arms. Another swing caught Abigail right on the face when she started to get up, dropping her flat on her back again. Kenzie then spun it around, changing her grip on the chair and drove it in Ashley's mid section, doubling her over and quickly following with another shot to the back. Next she unfolded it in the centre of the ring and went to grab Abigail, who quickly rolled outside. Her target then became Whitmore, who was dragged back to her feet and dropped her head first on the seat of the chair.

Abigail didn't use her time outside to rest. Instead she dug under the ring to pull out an old school lead pipe. The look on Kenzie's face when she saw her opponent entering the ring with the foreign object told the story, as did the audible "Oh shi…" that followed her. She didn't even had the chance to finish her expletive as the shot to the stomach left her breathless on her knees. Lindsay followed with a skull cracking downward pipe shot, barely dodged by Kenzie with a roll to her left. She forced herself up to a vertical basis, jumping backwards to dodge another shot to the midsection. Abigail was closing in, and things were looking ugly for Garrett who would soon find herself with her back against the ropes. Ashley came to the rescue with a springboard clothesline that leveled Lindsay and caused her to drop the weapon.

Whitmore showed a certain ability with a kendo stick, cleaning ring with it. Abigail rolled out to escape the punishment Ashley started delivering leaving Kenzie to deal with her. The Soulknife was being used like a pinata by The Perfect Score. Those hard swings leaving red marks on her sides and back, but it wasn't enough to make her bleed. The punishment continued, until Abigail sneaked back in behind Whitmore and clobbed her with a pipe shot to the head. Ashley was down, blood gushing from her skull and painting her long blonde hair red. The referee helped her out of the ring where she was attended by the medical staff, as the match went on between Abigail and Kenzie.

Lindsay was ready to swing for the fences one more time, Garrett grabbed the chair she previously dropped Ashley on and used it as a shield, parrying Abigail's killshot. From a grounded position, she kicked the opponent's knee, dropping her face first on the floor. Abi quickly tried to regain possession of the pipe, but a stomp to the hand prevented her from reaching it. Kenzie looked down at her with fire in her eyes. She knew this was her chance to win the match, and with a good a quick time that could grant her a later entry in the chamber the same night. The lead pipe, the steel chair and the kendo stick were all within reach, and all good options. But the Soulknife had something else in mind, a message to send. And she came prepared. Reaching inside her boot, she pulled out a fork, Hammerstein's weapon of choice and the one he used to beat her in that diner in Chicago back at Homecoming. Abigail tried to fight against that fate, but a couple of kicks to the head quickly sedated her reaction. And then she sat on the opponent's chest, carving her forehead with the fork and earning her spot in the final.

WINNER: Kenzie Garrett
BY: Last Survival, 13:08

Back in the studio, Amy is no longer alone. A young girl, six or seven years of age has joined her. The resemblance between the two and the fact that they are wearing matching outfits clears any doubt.

Amy Maynard:
Please welcome my assistant, co-host and daughter Mia.

Mia waves her hand and offered the camera the cutest smile.

Amy Maynard:
Sending a clear message to the Chicago Way Champion, Kenzie secured her spot in the Chamber. Surely Hammerstein and Kennedy heard Garrett's words, they most definitely noticed that little homage paid in the end. We will surely hear what's his opinion on all this as the Chicago Way Champion himself will be joining Peyton and Jessi at commentary for the main event.

The camera closes up to Amy.

Amy Maynard:
On behalf of MWE, I wanted to thank the four Universities that provided us the facilities for the qualifying matches. We already saw two matches airing from the Chicago University and one from the Loyola University. Add the DePaul University to this list and the University Of Illinois in Chicago, where the next match took place.
Joey Leclair, Leia LeBeau and Nina in a Fans Bring The Weapons Match. This was a fun one to watch.

The scene opens up with the cameras focusing on the roof of the building where Joey Leclair is seen standing on the edge of the room looking out over the city, as he then slowly looks back noticing the camera.

Joey Leclair:
Tonight is going to be very bloody night, and while the fans will be cheering their hearts out? Us wrestlers will be bleeding, and suffering, and crying putting our bodies on the line, and I suppose you then must ask the question why? Why did you sign up for this event if you knew the hazards of it, and that you have a high risk of getting injured? The answer is simple.

Joey steps back off the edge of the roof, and turns to face the camera.

Joey Leclair:
I enjoy pain, and inflicting pain, and that is my answer, because you see? When you involve weapons I become a little unhinged, and just can't control myself, because seeing the agony on my opponents face when i smash a chair over their head? it makes me feel alive like A child at a candy store, and I really really wouldn't wanna be my opponents tonight, because I will leave them lying in a pool of their own blood, because I am going to make it to the elimination chamber, and I will win the match no matter what, and then after I have earned a future title shot? I will become the longest reigning champion in this companys history, because everyone will be to afraid to challange me, and run like the cowards they are! I told everyone that two thousand, and twenty was going to be my year, and it starts tonight!.

Joey walks past the camera man shoving the camera as he does, and heads back inside the building as the scene fades to black.

As the camera moves to backstage, Leia LeBeau can be found looking up and down the running order for the show, dressed to impress in her skimpy and sparkling outfit, but the Las Vegas Showgirl looked mightily confused as she read over the listings. She half turned to the camera as she bent over to read it, the view taking more than a lingering shot at her behind before moving back to pick up her reaction.

Leia LeBeau:
So you’re telling me that, one: there is still nobody in this company who can interview me? And two: my brand doesn’t have a General Manager? Who is there here to speak to? And what does a “Fans Bring The Weapons” match even mean? I thought they would all be frisked at the door!

The camera seemed to move again, trying to take another view of her rear, but she suddenly stood tall and upright, clicking her fingers as it seemed that the cameraman was answering her, or at least someone just out of view.

Leia LeBeau:
No, no, I will not ask the Millenium interviewer. That defeats the entire object, doesn’t it? I’m sure they are just fine at what they do, but The Show is on Riot, and Riot is The Show, so if I can’t have one from there--

She planted her hands on her hips, looking absolutely horrified as she gave an over exaggerated look of disgust.

Leia LeBeau:
--What do you mean I should stop complaining then? How dare! Are all of you cameramen so… so… rude? First you won’t fetch me a latte, now this? I am just--just so disgusted with this treatment.

Leia responded with a stomp, folding her arms as she puffed her chest out, tapping her feet upon the floor as she began to go on a monologue.

Leia LeBeau:
You know, this all stems back to… to her! The tattooed girl, with the slimy thing. It all links back to her… What do you mean, explain? This is not how you speak to The Show! I am bringing a classic, classy, sophisticated and alluring form of entertainment to MWE, that I swear, this company has been severely lacking over this past year. I was nominated for a MAJOR wrestling award and no one else on the roster was, and I’ve only been here for two months. That is the impact I have had on MWE and this industry, and exactly why I was brought in, and that was to bring some glamour and pizzazz to this company.

There was a cheer of men from behind the camera, as Leia began to wave them off.

Leia LeBeau:
I said pizzazz, not pizzas! I’m not buying you all pizzas!

The cheers became louder, as a variety of toppings were screamed out at her, making the Jet City Woman become even more frustrated, so much so that she even took off her prized top hat as she complained to the masses behind the camera.

Leia LeBeau:
I am not! I am so not! I am not your waitress! Eew. This all links back to her! First she gets fired for being incapable of doing her job, then she convinces the Corvette girl to quit her job when I was only raising her profile in the highest viewed MWE segment of the year, and then… Then Yulia just ups and quits and I know it’s ‘cause of her, I just know it! That dirty, slimy, slithering snake tramp!

As the crew continued shouting out their food order at her, she began to stomp off in the other direction, whining to herself about only wanting a latte, as the footage switched elsewhere.

Fans Bring The Weapons Match
Credit Union 1 Arena @ UIC (4:00 PM CST)

Leia LeBeau VS Nina VS Joey Leclair

Seeing some crazy stuff in these Fans Bring The Weapons match has become par for the course, but the students and fans who flocked the Credit Union 1 Arena, home of the intercollegiate basketball team of the UIC Flames, really went wild with their choice. During the Snakebite's entrance, accompanied by loud cheers for the hometown girl Nina, one of them who was still wearing his academic dress, handed her his motherboard cap, worn with pride by the former intern on her way to the ring, and tossed like it was a Frisbee to Joey's face. And while Leclair was checking his nose, caught off guard by Nina's sudden attack, the Chicago born launched herself against the Sin City Showgirl, taking her to the mat where she started pummelling her with lefts and rights. The Death Dealer quickly recovered, although carrying a horizontal red bruise on the bridge of his nose. Cursing under his breath, he approached Nina and stomped her back while she was trying to rearrange Leia's facial features. Pulling her up, he then tossed her shoulder first into the turnbuckle, turning around and kicking Leia who was only now standing up in the stomach, following with a snap suplex.

The first part of the match was quite tame, the action remained inside the ring and no weapons were used. The match finally kicked up a notch when a dropkick from LeBeau sent Leclair out of the ring. Leia chased him on the outside, landing a few hard chops across his chest. One of the fans called Joey's name when he managed to get a break from the Showgirl's flurry of shots and threw him a basketball. Leclair grab it in mid air, not quite sure what to do with it at first. Then he saw Leia getting up from the kick that doubled her over and faked to launch it to her face. The young girl shielded herself raising her arms to protect her face and that Smile Of The Year candidate, leaving her abdomen exposed for Joey to target, following with a snap ddt on the concrete. As Leclair raised back to his feet, he turned around to a flying Nina jumping onto him with a reckless tope con Hilo. The hometown girl celebrated with some fans the successful high risk maneuver. One of them stuck out in the crowd, everyone recognizing her as Cass Baumer, former Riot superstar. Joey came from behind and clocked Nina with a forearm to the back of the head, the Snakebite immediately answered by throwing her elbow back and left Joey counting the teeth in his mouth. In the meantime, she took something from Cass, thanking the former journalist who winked at her.

"Shit!" The cameras picked up clearly Leclair's expletive as Nina turned around with a lighter in her left hand and hair spray can in the other. He covered his face with both arms, the hot Flames grazing his skin as he let out a scream. Leia kicked the can and Nina's head off with a running yakuza kick, using those long legs of hers to punish both the former intern and the Death Dealer. Joey caught one of her legs and took her down with a dragon screw, LeBeau's head bouncing hard against the unforgiving steel ramp. Nina was back on her feet but not for long, as he scooped her up and bodyslammed her onto Leia. With a crazed look on his face, he climbed on the barricade, took a run and jumped on both women with a diving double foot stomp. With a grimace of pain, he looks at his right arm, the one he uses to deliver the Death Dealer Elbow, a burnt mark covering his forearm.

Nina showed a particularly mean streak, after dropping Joey face first on the steps with a drop toe hold. She rested his arm on the cold steel and stomped the burnt area, eliciting a scream from the Death Dealer. Leia was still recovering against the barricade when she was approached by a fan, a young man wearing a top hat just like the one the Showgirl usually wears to the ring. In his hand, much to her delight, he had a latte. “I fetched it for you” he said with a worshipful voice, getting a “Thank you, sugar” in reply, said in a sultry tone. The look on her face swiftly changed after one sip of the beverage. “It’s not how I wanted it!” She shouted in his face before throwing the latte at the charging Nina. Thankfully, the temperature of the beverage wasn’t too high, and all the damage the former intern got from it was a stain on her ring gear and stinging eyes. The reverse roundhouse kick she received after was what did the trick, knocking out the Chicago born. With her down, Leia entered the ring where Joey had just crawled back in, looking to end the match.

Leclair was pretty much fighting with one arm, delivering his strikes with the left, resulting in weaker and slower shots. One of them was ducked by Leia in a spectacular fashion with a split that definitely caught the attention of the fans in attendance. And since the match was a no DQ, she followed through with a punch right there, taking Joey's breath away and leaving him doubled over, clutching at his jewels. As LeBeau stood back up, Nina smacked her with a chair shot to the back, dropping her to her knees. Next step was superkicking her to the back of the head, knocking her senseless. That's when Camari made her way through the fans, holding a well familiar bag. Nina brought it to the ring and untied the lace. Jackie slithered out of the bag, welcomed by the loud cheers of the fans. The python seemed to know where to go, slowly crawling toward Leia. He had started crawling up her leg when she shook out of her dizziness and realized what was happening. She started kicking her legs frantically, screaming to get it away from her, much to Nina's amusement. Leia crawled under the bottom rope, falling ungracefully outside the ring. Nina was mocking her and didn't realize Joey was back on his feet and standing right behind her, setting her up for his Stygian onto the chair. There was a cover that could have been broken up by LeBeau, if only she could find the courage to get back into the ring and walk past Jackie.

WINNER: Joey Leclair
BY: Pinfall (Stygian), 12:43

Amy Maynard:
Quickest time for Joey that may grant him the last entry in the chamber. But even though I'm no doctor, that arm didn't look good.

While the little Mia is playing with some action figures, replicating the actions we witnessed in these matches, Amy keeps running down the card, introducing the next contest.

Amy Maynard:
One, if not the clear favorite to win the Red Line tournament will be in action next. Raymond Reznik took Hammerstein to the limit at Way Of The Dragon, but he doesn't have an easy task today, as he faces EMP and Andrew Wilkow in a Last One Standing Elimination match.

We see a small room come into view, a generic-looking hotel room with gray carpeting, a neutral-beige shade of paint on the walls to be as inoffensive as possible and a pair of conveniently placed brown leather armchairs facing one another. Already seated in one of them is a dark-haired white male in a pair of loose-fitting jeans and a dark t-shirt, reading from a cell phone screen as his thumbs occasionally tap against the glass. His form jars slightly at the sound of a gentle rapping that gives the familiar echo of a door being knocked, the seated figure with a hearty response.

?:

Come in, the door's open!

He rises to his feet with a hand extended for the taller male striding closer. The newcomer has a closely-shaved head, a trimmed goatee beard and is bedecked in a three-piece suit and dress shoes. Both jacket and pants are black and his vest is dark gray, while the shirt beneath is a crisp white. A burgundy tie completes his smart ensemble as the man known as Raymond Reznik unbuttons the jacket enough to be able to take his place sitting opposite the other male, smiling in one of those rare moments of enjoying another person's company.

??:
Raymond Reznik, pleasure to meet you.

Raymond Reznik:
The pleasure's all mine.

??:
Are we ready to go?

Raymond Reznik:
Whenever you are.

Raymond leans back comfortably into the chair, fingers interlocked in his lap.

??:
I'm Ross Hansford with Pro Scoops and I'm here with MWE wrestler Raymond Reznik. First of all, can I say that you're looking pretty sharp today.

Another smile cracks upon his features as Raymond allows the compliment to sink in.

Raymond Reznik:
Thank you. I like to look smart whenever I'm in situations like this but now I feel like I'm a little too over-dressed.

Ross Hansford:
That's okay. Now I'm feeling like I'm underdressed compared to you.

A moment of awkward laughter passes before Ross looks once more at the glowing screen before him, reading off whatever might be on there as the opening salvo.

Ross Hansford:
Okay, so, you've been in the ring with a lot of people over the past year, your Contraband championship reigns in xWo and taking on Rob Kelleher there, then going to MWE and making a mark, especially against Chicago Way champion HAMMERSTEIN. So my question is, what's the end game?

Raymond rubs his chin as his mind works quickly for an answer, looking pleased with the question.

Raymond Reznik:
Great question, great question...What's the end game? Well, like you said, I've been against some of the biggest and toughest in this business so far and I'd like to continue that trend. The one problem is that some people are locked into contracts so unfortunately, they're out of reach as far as matches go but the ones who aren't locked into a contract? I'm coming for them. Doesn't matter when or where, so long as there's a ring, I just want to be in there with whoever I can so that I can try to be as highly regarded as those kinds of people are.

Ross Hansford:
Right, so speaking of those kinds of people, we've seen heels on social media giving inspirational quotes and messages to their fans while some keep it kayfabe. How do you feel about heels making positive comments on, like, Twitter or whatever?

Raymond Reznik:
Well, some people...What's a "heel"? He's a bad guy, right? Now, in the real world, it's more "shades of gray", y'know? There's no such thing as good or bad because I've seen some good people do some bad things. Likewise, I've seen some bad, bad, bad people doing some good things. Right? And it's as old as time; God versus the devil, Ra versus Set, light versus dark. But even with God and the devil, whenever God said anything to the devil, he never stood there in silence, he answered back against God. And the devil, he'll give you advice, but for a price. You see what I'm saying?

Ross Hansford:
I...think I do.

Raymond Reznik:
See, I could walk into MWE presents The Red Line on January 2nd and I could do some very bad things to my opponents. It's an elimination style Last Man Standing match so I almost guarantee some very bad things will take place there but think about this; are we bad people for trying to keep the others down for a count of ten and progress to the Elimination Chamber at the end of the night? Or are we good people just doing a job to entertain the fans and make the promoter some money, so that it can be shared out among everyone who worked the show? That's also why I said I'd like to be held in a higher regard earlier, because then the more money I make for the promoter, the more money everybody gets at the end of the night. Now...is that such a bad thing?

Ross Hansford:
I guess not, no, you make a great point. So, uhh...final question, I guess. We now that you're against E.M.P. and Andrew Wilkow at Red Line, airing on January 2nd. However, I've seen a medical report from Way Of The Dragon stating that you might not be 100% after that brutal Chicago Way championship between yourself and HAMMERSTEIN. How do you-

Raymond Reznik:
Woah, woah woah. Medical report?

He looks slightly confused, furrowing his brow.

Ross Hansford:
Yeah.

Raymond Reznik:
How did you get that?

Ross Hansford:
Well, I can't disclose my sources but we all saw the match a-

He's stopped mid-sentence by Reznik lunging forwards out of his seat, clutching the report harshly with fingers digging deep into both cheeks to stop him from talking. Raymond forces Ross out of his seat and almost hurls him one-handed against the nearest hotel wall with a thud, Reznik with one hand clutching the back of the reporter's head while the other continues to muzzle him. Raymond's expression has changed, looking disappointed and exhaling loudly but with anger bubbling away beneath his demeanor, clear as day.

Raymond Reznik:
That medical report...

A smile forms as he laughs to himself before diverting his gaze back towards Ross, eyes bulging.

Raymond Reznik:
That medical report is on a need to know basis, and you really don't need to know about it. All that you and the rest of the world need to know is that I'm fine. That match with HAMMERSTEIN is in the past and Red Line is the here and now. Now...I will answer all of your questions, I'd really like to, and I'm going to, but I'm going to add a little...off the record information.

Ross' eyes are bulging as well, now, but mostly in fear for his life.

Raymond Reznik:
I...don't just enjoy hurting people. It just doesn't do anything for me. Other people at Red Line might like to scream and shout about how much they love to inflict pain and violence upon others, using that as a way into the heads of their opponents because who likes being hurt, right? But for me, that's just monotonous. I enjoy hurting people but...I also enjoy planting seeds of fear. I enjoy planting seeds...of anxiety, and uncertainty. Some people call it aporia. I just love that word. I get drunk off the concept of aporia.

Raymond licks his lips as he smiles, continuing to speak in a calm and measured manner but his tone and words terrifying the reporter still in his grasp.

Raymond Reznik:
Because when you take somebody out...When you've exploited all of their weaknesses...You almost get power-drunk off it. I dunno...I'm not like the rest of the world. But I've made peace with that. I'm fine...I swear. You believe me, right?

Ross tries to nod but Raymond forces his head to move with his hands anyway, almost sarcastically and enjoying every second.

Raymond Reznik:
Good boy. I appreciate that. Now listen...If you tell anyone about this...If you tell anyone about that medical report...Which passes me to compete for MWE Red Line, by the way. You tell people I said that...I'm gonna put you in the wall behind us. Your whole body. No one's gonna find you for a while, not until the city demos this entire block and drops a condo on it.

He chuckles to himself, Ross looking even more concerned for his well-being now.

Raymond Reznik:
Hey...I've answered all of your questions, haven't I?

His eyes pierce through the reporter as he solemnly nods in silence.

Raymond Reznik:
Good. Because I want you to answer a question for me. Not today, but next time we see each other. People...are terrified...of uncertainty. That's what really makes people scared. But people like to be terrified, they just don't want to admit to it. They don't want to know the difference between what's real...and what's not. They wanna live in a fairytale universe. Here's my question, and this goes to E.M.P. and Andrew Wilkow and whomever else I may be up against on January 2nd at Red Line. What is more terrifying...the certainty...of what I'm gonna do to you, next time I see you...or the uncertainty?

Instantly releasing the reporter's face, Raymond takes a step back and puts a finger to his lips.

Raymond Reznik:
Shhhh.

The sound is like the snake himself in the Garden of Eden, letting Ross know that this experience is all-too-real. Just like that, Raymond grins and steps towards the hotel room's door, almost jauntily and turning sideways as he opens it to get one last look at the terrified reporter before leaving with a smile, the door closed behind him. We end on the clearly-scared Ross, eyes closed and face trying to hold in the tears of pure fear, his breathing suddenly becoming heavy now that his ordeal is over.

For now.

We find E.M.P stumbling about backstage, a bottle clutched in her sloppily taped up hand. After running into a few scattered equipment boxes, knocking around some staff and tripping over her untied boot lace, sat on the floor in front of the crew. She smiled and took a sip from her unlabeled bottle.

E.M.P:
MERRY….HAPPY NEW Y...whatever.

She took the empty bottled and tossed it behind her, flinching at the sound of the glass shattering.

E.M.P:
I..I’ve been sitting home for a while. Sitting on the beach. Alone. I missed you. I missed all of this. It hasn’t been easy being away, you knoooow? But….hardcore Red Line thing...you know...sounded pretty cool.

Erin shrugged and looked at the floor, her index finger tracing a circle around a piece of glass that had slid in front of her.

E.M.P:
I know what everyone thinks...that I don’t belong here, and I get it...I mean....what have I managed to do? Nothing for anyone here, or anyone watching. I’m not exciting, or fun. I don’t win. It’s gotta be what Raymond and Andrew are thinking. I get it. I...so get it.

With a flick, the glass slid across the floor and Erin pulled herself up to her feet shakily.

E.M.P:
But...it doesn’t matter, you know? I’m...I get what I want out of this and...I don’t know, maybe some people like watching me get my ass kicked…
And for the people that like me...why?

She reached into the pocket of her vest and removed a small bottle, a shot of tequila. With a quick gulp, the warm golden liquid was down the hatch, another bottle tossed over her shoulder.

E.M.P:
And you...if you’re watching...if you’ve been watching… Fuck you.

She pushed the camera away from her face, sloppily making her way down the hallway.

Last One Standing Elimination Match
Flames Athletic Center @ UIC (4:00 PM CST)

Raymond Reznik VS E.M.P. VS Andrew Wilkow

You can’t say that Lady Luck had smiled upon E.M.P. In her first match in over a month, after she asked and obtained not to take part in the Chinese tour, Erin Paige found herself sharing the ring with two sadistic men. Wilkow was coming off strong after slaying the giant Deacon Lewis at Way Of The Dragon, while Reznik might have lost his battle against the Chicago Way Champion, but the fact that the champion barely made it out on his own two legs said something about the kind of fight the Ohio born can bring. Nonetheless, probably also due to her questionable condition, she launched herself head first in the battle, charging at a perplexed Reznik and unloading a flurry of quick punches to his ribs. It only took him one shot instead to spin Erin around, right into Wilkow's arms for a belly to belly suplex by the Appalachian Mountain Monster. EMP flew to the opposite side of the ring, landing awkwardly on her left shoulder. Surely that will bother her for the continue of her match.

The fight between Andrew and Raymond was as hard hitting as you would imagine. And with the lack of traditional rules, they both threw closed fists in this exchange. Erin tried to make her presence felt with a kick to the back of Wilkow, but a lariat from Reznik quickly took her back to the mat. He then lifted Drew's 290 pounds for a suplex, rolling out of the ring and to bring in some toys. A few chairs flew inside the ring, one of them hitting Erin on the back. Then Raymond grabbed a table, just to be sure, and slid it under the bottom rope. Entering the ring once again, he grabbed a chair and used it to punish both Erin and Andrew, hitting the lady first and then the big man. Three shots each, and then Reznik tossed the deformed and useless chair on the outside, setting up the table instead. The wobbly Erin was getting up to her feet, using the ropes to help herself. Easier to lift, she became the chosen victim for Reznik to put through the table. He approached her disoriented EMP from behind, as she had her back turned to him. He tried to pull her away, she hung on the ropes and somehow managed to remove the protective pad of the top turnbuckle. Finally Raymond spun her around, she kicked him between the legs and moved behind him, smashing his face against the exposed corner of the ring one, two, three, four times. Reznik was down, blood trickling down his face. The referee started to count, him out, while Erin smiled proudly. At five, Raymond started stirring up and at the same time, Wilkow placed his big hand on Erin’s shoulder and forced her to turn around into a kick to the stomach, prelude to a powerbomb through the table.

Surprisingly, Erin managed to get up before the 10, all while Wilkow and Reznik kept battling. Hearst’s bodyguard was on fire, scooping Raymond up for a powerslam. He then saw Paige back to her feet and turned around, charging at her while screaming LARIAAAAATTT! Erin caught his drift and, despite being dizzy, ducked the charging Wilkow and grabbed a chair from the floor smacking it with all her strength on the crown of Drew’s head. His eyes widened, but he was staring at a blank page. He fell on his knees, and then flat on his chest. The fans watched in shock as the referee started to count while Erin tried to defend herself from Reznik. She only turned around when she heard the “Nine!” shouted by the official, to see if she actually scored the elimination but, much to her disappointment, Andrew was almost up to his feet already. And she paid for that distraction. Raymond called her and tossed her a chair she instantly grabbed, only to get kicked to her face through it with the Harsh Reality (Black Mass). That was lights out for Erin, who probably at that point couldn’t even have answered a twenty count.

It was down to the two big men, one bleeding from his forehead, the other looking dazed. And in both cases, it was EMP’s doing, proof that despite the early elimination, the girl fought valiantly and created more than some headache, literally and figuratively, to the two heavyweights who were now fighting for a spot in the Elimination Chamber. A true battle of titans, with little to no room for the technical aspects of wrestling. Punches, kicks, even headbutts… And countless chair shots to try keep the opponent down. But everything seemed useless, whether it was Andrew with a with a running big boot to the corner that caused Raymond’s head to bounce once again against the unprotected turnbuckle, or Reznik setting up a pile of chairs and dropping Wilkow on top of them with a death valley driver, the referee count always stopped at eight or nine, and the match kept going on.

It was almost inevitable, and eventually the fight sprawled out of the ring. Nothing was spared, not the ring steps, hurled away when Wilkow came crushing hard against them, not the timekeeper table that, given the lack of commentary booth, became the target of a powerbomb from the Appalachian Mountain monster. Reznik once again pulled himself up, removing a splinter from his side and bringing the fight to Wilkow. It was amazing enough to see them still going with undiminished intensity, let alone witness Raymond once again finding the strength to drop Wilkow on the barricade with a flapjack and following with another Harsh Reality. To make sure he didn’t get up this time, Raymond grabbed the steel barricade and dropped it on Andrew, resting the steel steps on top of it to add more weight. Weird flex, but it worked.

WINNER: Raymond Reznik
BY: Last One Standing, 19:17

And back to the studio we are.

Amy Maynard:
One thing we know for sure now is that Raymond Reznik is one of the two competitors that will start hostilities in the chamber. Talk about stacking the odds for the fighter, right?

She smiles at the camera.

Amy Maynard:
This last match can be considered an appetizer of the chamber. Locked in a cage, Echo and The Crimson Baroness believed they were going to face Anastasia Starling. Unfortunately, the Pale Winged Passerine is still out of commission following the events of the last Underground pay-per-view, A Time For Wolves. The Underground Chief Executive For TV & Events Darcey Grove promised a big name to replace the injured talent shared between the two companies....
She wasn't lying.
Ramsay Bodach, the almost seven foot tall Ghost Of Blackthorn gave this match, and the whole tournament, a new dimension. You think I'm exaggerating? See for yourself.

The TV screen shows the three competitors inside the cage.

Amy Maynard:
After this last match, we will jump staright into the main event at the Enterprise Arena. I'll see you all back here at the end of it. Now, enjoy the final two matches of Red Line.

Footage quickly turned to backstage, and a hulking figure could be seen swinging a giant sledgehammer, smashing it over and over again against a tractor tire. The behemoth with the hammer didn’t even seem to be breaking a sweat, the bronzed and physically imposing figure simply glaring at the tire as they pounded upon it. After a few more swings, the giant of a man tossed the hammer away, before pacing around the room like a caged animal, a monstrous rawness to him that made him barely human, and more of a savage beast. He grunted as he stood in front of the camera, snorting loudly as he gripped hold of the camera with his meaty hands, glaring into the lens with a look of pure intensity upon his face.

Ramsay Bodach:
It’s been a long time since Ramsay had a fight. Too long has Ramsay been in the office, being Emperor of the Underground. But now, now Ramsay is allowed to play nice again. And Ramsay is very, very, very fucking nice. Baroness has seen what Ramsay is made of, she knows. She knows all to well. Bunny Girl? She does not, she doesn't even know what she is made of, but she does not listen. But she will listen to Ramsay, she will listen to the Emperor.

He smiled bright and broad, but something about that smile was unnerving, even terrifying, and with the backdrop being cage fencing, there was a wonder if this was a prelude for what was to come later in the night during that Steel Cage match.

Ramsay Bodach:
The Redline equals pain, the Redline equals glory, and Ramsay will fight for glory and feed upon it. Ramsay will fight tonight for his Rum. Ramsay will fight tonight for Birdie while she recovers. Ramsay will fight tonight… For Ramsay and bloody glory. The Blackthorn Breaker is in your future, and you will find it nice… or Ramsay will fuck you sideways. Ramsay… is nice. Ramsay… is free. And Ramsay… is…. LOOSE!

There was an animalistic roar from the nearly seven foot mammoth, the screen shaking as he did so, before the Emperor paced off with wild and furious purpose.

Steel Cage Match
McGrath-Philips Arena @ DePaul University (4:00 PM CST)

The Crimson Baroness VS Ramsay Bodach VS Echo

The sixth and last name that will join Saki, Brodie, Kenzie Garrett, Joey Leclair and Raymond Reznik in the Chamber will be the person walking out of this steel cage. Only one of them was currently contracted with MWE, under the Riot brand precisely. This wasn't enough to grant Echo the full support of the fans filling the McGrath-Philips Arena tonight. A good bunch of them were firmly behind Ramsay Bodach, excited to see the Emperor Of Parousia And The Underground back in action. And even The Crimson Baroness had her share of supporters, hoping to see the other half of the Small Boob Wrecking Crew follow the footsteps of her tag team partner Annie Zellor who, back in May, entered the Gauntlet at The Great White North and claimed the vacant Chicago Way Championship. The match started with the two women joining forces against the almost seven foot Ramsay, hitting him with a few kicks before attempting a double suplex. Their combined effort didn't pay off, as they failed to pick up the Ghost Of Blackthorn. Actually, it was the Emperor who lifted both women and slammed her down with a suplex, making it look effortless. "Nice." He mouthed as the fans showed their appreciation with loud cheers.

For a last minute replacement and someone who hadn't had a match in months, Ramsay looked in great shape, controlling the first part of the match and keeping the pace slow, the way he liked it. Slowly and methodically he was working on Echo's back and mid section, doubling her over with a series of knees to the guts to double her over and a heavy club to the back to take her down. The Baroness tried to escape, starting to climb the cage wall. And when Ramsay saw her, he shook his head, disappointed by his roster member trying to escape from the battle. He grabbed her by the foot and yanked, dragging her down right into a backbreaker, the first one of the night. Many others followed, coming with all the possible variations. Tilt-a-whirl, suplex lift… Echo even fell victim of a chokeslam version, thankfully for her TCB recovered in time to make the break.

The Aussie born never backed down from the fight, not afraid to go toe to toe against the Emperor even in a pure brawl situation. TCB on the other hand was often taking a break, spending long moments on the mat to recover and wait for the perfect chance to strike. Like now, when her opponents were fighting close to the cage wall. She charged and hit Ramsay with a dropkick, sending him against Echo and the cage. She shouted at the referee to open the door, but while she was stepping through the ropes, ready to leave, she felt someone grabbing her by the waistband and dragging her back inside the ring. It was Echo, who quickly switched to a waistlock and suplexed the former Bloodlust Champion. Ramsay was still stunned against the cage, a small cut on his forehead after it met the steel. The replay showed that the Aussie squatted down and avoided the falling giant, and that was why she could reach TCB so quickly. Echo went ground and pound, hammering the Baroness with lefts and rights. The resourceful SBWC member choose the easiest and cheapest way to get free from the beating, blinding the Australian born and sneaking out from her grasp, quickly planting her with the Crimson Kiss (cutter). The pinning predicament was only worth a two.

The blood trickling down from his forehead didn't seem to slow down Ramsay at all. The Emperor looked to take back control with his usual combination of hard strikes and backbreaker, this time focusing his attacks on TCB. He then whipped her to the ropes but missed the clothesline, allowing the Baroness to continue her run, right into a spear from Echo. "Nice." Said Ramsey complimenting the Australian, before charging at her and breaking her in half with a spear of his own, followed by a self-explanatory "Very Nice." the Ghost Of Blackthorn then made the cover on Echo, who had enough strength left to kick out. The Baroness jumped on Ramsay's back, wrapping her arms around his neck and cutting off the regular oxygen flow with a coquina clutch. Bodach struggled to get free, frantically moving to get rid of the woman hanging on his back. Turned out, he only worn himself down, de facto playing in TCB's hand. The Emperor fell on his knee, and God only knows if he was eventually going to tap or pass out. Gaining speed against the ropes, Echo put every inch of strength she had left in this shoulder tackle that sent Ramsay head first against the cage, and TCB rolling on the floor holding her lower back.

Showing a ruthless side, Echo grabbed a handful of Ramsay's long hair and grinded his face on the cage, widening the cut on his forehead. TCB returned the courtesy from before with a jumping bicycle knee strike to her back slamming her head against the cage multiple times leaving the Aussie dazed and groggy. She took a couple of steps back and charged in for her next strike, getting caught with The Reverb! A brief moment passed before an exhausted Echo made the cover, everyone counted along with the referee the one, the two…

The massive elbow drop from Ramsay broke the pin, but it looked like it'd broke Echo's back, judging from the scream the Aussie let out. Ramsay showed no remorse, picking her up for the Blackthorn Breaker (vertical suplex into a double knee backbreaker) TCB was up to her feet and tried to build some momentum with kicks to the legs that only seemed to irritate Ramsay. He grabbed her by the throat shaking her head and lifting her for a chokeslam. The Emperor asked for the door to be open, and left the cage. A different kind of cage will be awaiting him later that night, where he'll face five other competitors in an Elimination Chamber.

WINNER: Ramsay Bodach
BY: Cage Escape, 13:30l

"Undesirable."
"Bad attitude."
"Unprofessional."
"Malicious."
"Cruel."
"WICKED."

The final word scrawls across the screen in dark violet cursive, flashes of lightning illuminating the dark. A feminine voice speaks to the camera, but the owner of the voice's identity is obscured as the lightning dissipates, leaving her surrounded by darkness.

?:
Those are just some of the 'gems' usually thrown my way when people ask what I'm about. What's my style? And maybe, to some extent, they're right. I'm not really known for playing nicely with others. But, in my defense? It's served me well for the duration of my career. Putting number one at the top has been foolproof... until recently...

There's a tinge of somberness in her voice. A split-second flash of light allows us to see a downtrodden expression, but doesn't linger too long to identify who it belongs to.

?:
Now here we are, nearly two months removed from the first public chink in my armor, and while I was wounded by it, I'm still alive. I still stand tall and proud! And after taking some time for myself to reflect and regroup, I'm confident. I'm back! And I'm stronger than ever before. I'm more hungry for gold and success than EVER before. And I'm willing to step on ANYONE, and EVERYONE to get where I deserve to be! Where I've ALWAYS deserved to be!

The passion and conviction in her voice makes it tremble slightly. The light flashing to show a set of determined, blue eyes that were shadowed by a nude, shimmer makeup that added a little sparkle with the single blink she gave. Long, thick eyelashes framing her icy, baby blues, adding to their allure.

?:
Melissa Reeves has something I want. And a star of my caliber is not meant to wait in line. So consider yourself on notice. Consider this my notice of intent to skip to the top of the totem pole. Consider this my Christening. Consider it my war cry! Consider it the greatest return to professional wrestling that has EVER taken place! And consider it a fair warning...

something

Clips of this woman in the ring begin to play as the words cover the screen in transparent font. She is a small woman; petite in stature. A cherubic face is framed with long, blonde hair, dip-dyed with pink ends. Clips of a grandiose match finale play, featuring this petite woman curling her fingers into a fist; that fist wearing an golden chain which houses infinity stones, and her curvy figure donning royal blue gear with gold trim, standing proud with the CW World Championship held over her head.

WICKED

Her pretty face smiles angelically, all the while mocking the string of opposition that flashes in the video. Her gear, her hair, her makeup all changes, but the mocking and general contempt remains the same.

this

A montage of her slapping her hand against the championships she's earned over the last few years plays. Hoisting the gold overhead or letting it rest along her shoulders, staring longingly at the gold with a flirtatious grin.

way

Snippets of this petite girl hitting her explosive arsenal begins to play. Bodies of opponents, large and small, being flipped and planted on their backs with a brutal Yoshi Tonic. Video clips of her swinging chairs against opponents much larger. Beating an opponent with a leather strap. High-altitude Moonsault double foot stomps to the bodies resting on the mat, and a series of three count falls while she beams, arrogantly, from ear-to-ear.

comes!

Finally, the lights return to normal. A purple spotlight looming overhead and swaying its way over her figure, seated in a Millennium Wrestling ring. Finally, we can see her live, not just via snips and clips used with permission from other companies. She lifts her head, glancing at the camera while smoke billows in the background, adding atmosphere.

MELODY LENNOX

coming soon to MWE!

?:
Let me do you a favor.

The familiar call cry of the manager of Seth Iser speaks out. He’s calm, he’s calculated and when he spins on the office chair a full one hundred and eighty degrees it’s obviously Vincent Moretti. His silver hair and the silver suit on the silver fox tied all nicely together.

Vincent Moretti:
Yes, let me do you a favor, Riot. I’m not going to do anything over the top or elaborate because that’d be a little played out. But for those who are wondering who the new man in charge is of the Riot brand...that person would be me.

There’s a loud reaction. Some of it is positive considering there were some people clamoring for it. Others are negative because of the hate of change from the audience but Vincent leans back on the chair with a smirk.

Vincent Moretti:
I guess you’d ask why would they hire someone who doesn’t have a history of being a general manager. Truthfully, I’ve always been a successful manager. Before that, a successful wrestler. And it is another way to give back to wrestling. But I was also asked personally by Miss van Beek to take control of things. So long as we both had our assurances cleared and based on the contract and conversation...well, there was an agreement. So here I am. Now...for the roster?

Vincent leans back on the chair a little further, the desk fully organized with papers but there’s a hint of a little glee on his face considering his new role.

Vincent Moretti:
I’m sure there are a number of people on the roster who might also have a preconceived indication of where they think they are. I’m not previous management. Right now the only thing I have in common with the previous general manager is we both have Russian blood. It’s a fresh set of eyes. And any personal dealings I might have will not apply because in professional wrestling, the word professional should mean something. So if you’re worried, don’t be. Let your actions talk in the ring. You do that, you make everybody money, that makes me a happy general manager and it’d make the people happy as well. So I know it might seem early but there is one small change that’s being put into place.

Vincent’s face curls into a serious frown.

Vincent Moretti:
What happens in that ring is damned important. It’s part of what makes professional wrestling the awesome sport and spectacle that it is. And I know that sometimes emotions can run high. It’s part of what makes us who we are. But the days of no consequences for your actions when you influence the outcome of a match are over. People like me come from the old school. You want to interfere in a match...expect repercussions. And I know we all want to be paid...but if you interfere in a match and effect the outcome...you will be fined. Further transgressions and well...let’s hope we don’t go there.

Vincent’s face darkens for a moment.

Vincent Moretti:
There will be a couple of other changes that will happen far more gradually as everyone gets settled in. But that’s the very first one. And I hope this is the start of a long and prosperous working relationship between all parties involved. I’m easy to approach for complaints and concerns. I’d rather deal with them personally, obviously. But I’ve taken more than enough time from the wrestlers. This is what everyone paid to see, am I right? So let us go back to the action in the ring.

And then the warm smile creeps back onto his face as he leans back spins around to reveal the giant television that he’s also going to watch this event on in his office.

We’re up in a luxury box overlooking the fans and ring of the arena. Glory Braddock, the self-proclaimed Best in the World finds herself alone right now sitting on a plush comfortable black leather sofa. The British Bombshell is wearing a little purple dress that hugs her every curve and matching purple high heeled patent leather pumps. A confident grin is etched across her lovely face and a pair of sunglasses cover her gorgeous eyes. A glass of wine is in her hands as she sits, watching the proceedings from the comfort of her luxury box. The gorgeous blonde isn’t alone for very long; she hears the door opening and she turns her head to spot Sophie O’Brian approaching. Her black haired best friend is dressed in stark contrast to Glory in black denim jeans, black boots, and a dark green top.

Glory Braddock:
Sophie! It is about bloody time you made it!

The British Bombshell motions for Sophie to sit down next to her. Sophie nods and then takes a seat. Glory points to the wine bottle on a nearby table, indicating that she is willing to give her Irish friend some wine, but Sophie shakes her head, rejecting the offer.

Sophie O’Brian:
No thanks, mate.

Glory Braddock:
Suit yourself.

Braddock takes a sip of her wine before placing the glass down.

Glory Braddock:
I am honestly surprised that you didn’t enter this little bloodbath, Sophie.

Sophie O’Brian:
I am a student of war, Glory; honorable war, not this carnage and mayhem. If resorting to this ever becomes necessary then so be it but you know as well as I do that the hardcore style, the extreme violence that some competitors and fans alike prefer is not the same spirit of competition taught by your father

Glory Braddock:
True enough, mate, true enough. And I suppose that is why I did not enter, either. I must admit, the opportunity at a championship match was quite tempting but I resisted. When I get my title shot...and I will get it...I will do so my way, the Braddock way.

Sophie O’Brian:
As it should be. I must ask, my dear friend, that are you not concerned about distractions? Distractions can lead to defeat. Are you not worried about the distraction that Ms. Anderson and her new little puppet Manning will provide?

The Best in the World sighs out of frustration. She did not want to concern herself with the two individuals who interrupted her match against Henri Black at the Way of the Dragon. Sophie brought it up, though, so…

Glory Braddock:
Nice description, Sophie. Distraction, because that is all they are…a distraction. They made a mistake in attacking two very dangerous individuals and myself and Henri will make them pay in due time. They will not distract me for long.

Sophie O’Brian:
Good.

Braddock points a finger at her friend.

Glory Braddock:
What about you? I saw you assisting Reeves. I thought you were still upset with her because of how she...how is it that Americans put it...dissing you?

The two friends share a laugh as Sophie nods her head.

Sophie O’Brian:
This is true, her words after our one on one encounter were not appreciated. Sun Tzu and Al Pacino both said, keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Every dog has its day, Glory. This bitch will definitely have hers. Someday soon I will raise the MWE Championship high over my head. Until then, if I have to forge alliances with individuals whom I may not one hundred percent agree with then so be it. It is all part of strategy, my friend.

Glory Braddock:
I understand. And good luck…

Glory and Sophie sit back and continue to watch the proceedings. The scene shifts.

Elimination Chamber Match
Enterprise Arena (9:00 PM CST)

Saki VS Brodie VS Kenzie Garrett VS Joey LeClair VS Raymond Reznik VS Ramsay Bodach

Peyton Holland: “Well here we go, ladies and gentlemen. We are at home, the Enterprise Arena and this is the main event of Red Line!”

Jessi Idol: “As you can see, everything is ready for this Elimination Chamber match. Reznik and Brodie are in the ring, Saki, Ramsay Bodach, Joey Leclair and Kenzie Garrett are waiting for their turn in the pods.”

Peyton Holland: “They all went through their personal hell in the afternoon, but it’s not over yet. There’s one more obstacle on their way to glory, money and a title shot.”

Jessi Idol: “A shot at any title, including the one held by our special guest tonight, the Chicago Way Champion Hammerstein.”

Hammerstein: “It’s a pleasure to be here, ladies. As the Chicago Way Champion, I kept a close eye on this tournament since it was announced. My next challenger could emerge from this match, after all.”

Peyton Holland: “That’s certainly a possibility, although one would think that after putting themselves through this much punishment, the winner would aim at the top prize in the company. With all due respect to the title you’re holding of course.”

Hammerstein: “I don’t disagree. But look at them, look at people like Reznik, Bodach, or even Brodie.. You think they care more about the weight of the title or about the fight they’ll get out of it? This title is drenched with my blood and sweat, and that of my opponents. Every champion in this company will bring a battle to defend their title. With me? You have to be ready to go to war.”

Jessi Idol: “And speaking of wars, this one is about to start!”

The bell rang, and the two competitors started moving in circles. Both of them wearing the signs of their previous match, heavy bandages wrapped around the torso for Brodie who was put through a glass pane, a glued wound on the forehead for Reznik. They were also the two who had fought the longest to come to this match, and that was definitely putting them at a disadvantage against the other four competitors. The match started slow, with some holds traded between the two competitors. Brodie showed the MWE fans her technical prowess, taking Reznik to his knees while she tried to pull his shoulder off his its socket with an elaborate submission. The power advantage and a certain knowledge of submissions allowed Raymond to escape and fire Brodie against the ropes, taking her down with a shoulder tackle.

Peyton Holland: “Hammerstein, you’ve been in the ring with this man. What are your thoughts on him”

Hammerstein: “He’s a force to be reckoned with, absolutely. He hits hard, he can take an absurd amount of pain… A bad client for everyone.”

Raymond tried a cover after a saito suplex, but he only earned a two count. The fans started to wonder if that bandage wasn’t actually do more harm to Brodie than benefits, limiting her movements. And the former Valor star seemed to think the same, starting to get out of that dressing after she knocked out Raymond with an enziguri. Free at last, Brodie’s back was almost entirely covered by micro cuts, some of them still bleeding. Her movements looked a lot more fluid now, more quick. And this surprised Raymond, who ate a shining wizard on his way up after a low dropkick dropped him flat on his chest.

Jessi Idol: “I’m in pain just by watching Brodie’s back. How can she still go?”

Reznik was at the ropes, on the receiving end of a swift kick combination. He managed to block her leg and punch her straight on the jaw, stunning her temporarily. Before he could really catch a breath, Brodie was already charging. This time he bent forward and dropped her behind him, watching her landing on her feet over the ropes, on the steels tage inside the cell. He quickly spun on himself to hit her with a discus elbow, but Brodie dodged it and went for a shoulder tackle through the ropes, finding Raymond’s knee rather than his midsection. He pulled her in, resting her feet on the middle rope clearly considering planting her with a rope hung ddt. But Brodie escaped, connecting a knee to the stomach and trying to get some momentum behind her, ending up being powerbombed over the top rope and on the outside instead.

Jessi Idol: “Ouch, that must hurt.”

Peyton Holland: “You know the saying, when it rains, it pours… Look at where Brodie is, and look at the name of the next entrant.

Jessi Idol: “Oh boy, Saki is up next… And the last place you want to be in this moment is this close to her.”

The pod opened setting the Kawaii Deathmachine free to bring her share of destruction starting with a hurricanrana on Brodie right on the steel floor. Another hurricanrana, a springboard version, surprised Reznik. Quickly back on her feet, Saki jumped onto his chest with a double foot stomp.

Peyton Holland: “Saki is so incredibly quick and exciting to watch. Does it help in this type of match?”

Hammerstein: “It could sure. She just needs to pace herself and not take pointless risks, always keeping an eye on every opponent..”

Saki didn’t listen to Hammerstein’s advice, she probably didn’t even hear him saying those wise words. If she did, she wouldn’t have climbed to the top rope right when Brodie was getting up, turning her back to such a dangerous competitor. No fancy moves, no risks taken by the enigmatic competitor who simply pushed Saki down from the turnbuckle she was perching on and took her place diving onto her with a double foot stomp. Brodie landed right on that laceration on the Singapore Mauler's abdomen, reopening the wound. Nonetheless the former Empire Extreme Champion kicked out.

Jessi Idol: "Each and everyone of these competitors already went through some brutal matches today, those fresh injuries are definitely going to be a target for their opponents."

Hammerstein: "Find a weakness and exploit it. That's the first rule."

And that was what Brodie was doing, cruelly stomping at Saki's stomach with a sadistic grin on her face. All fun and games, until she suffered a similar fate once Raznik clawed at her back, wrapping his strong arms around her neck in a sleeper hold. Brodie tried to get free, but it wasn't a submission Raymond was looking for. He lifted her and dropped her on his back for a backbreaker, hooking the leg for a two count. The siren signaled the opening of another pod, this one welcomed by the loudest cheer from the fans, well aware who was going to enter the ring next, and how the bar of violence would step up now that the Ghost Of Blackthorn had been unleashed.

Hammerstein: "Oh boy, this will be fun.. "

Peyton Holland: "The Emperor entered Red Line as a replacement for the injured Anastasia Starling, who we are wishing a speedy recovery and hoping to see back soon. But make no mistake, he didn't came here to play a walk-on part. "

Jessi Idol: "Not at all he's here to kick ass… Oh My God, did he just threw Saki through the pod?"

Yes. Yes he did. It too about a minute to Ramsay to make an impact and change the course of the match. Reznik was greeted with a boot to the face, Brodie with a backbreaker. And Saki was lifted and launched against the plexiglass wall with disarming ease. Reznik tried to stop Ramsay on his path of destruction, blindsiding him with a heavy forearm strike to the back of the head. And for a moment, he managed to stay on top of the contest, even scoring a near fall with a hangman neckbreaker. In the meantime, things were looking bad for Saki right outside the ring. Brodie was relentlessly attacking her, launching her against the wall of chains and choking her with her boot pressed on her throat. When she let her go, Saki fell on her knees, seemingly out of it. But then, from that position, she swept Brodie's legs taking the former UnYelding Champion down on the steel floor, inflicting more punishment to her already injured back. Saki then jumped and grabbed on to the edge of the inner chamber, pulling herself up.

Peyton Holland: "Wait, what is she thinking?"

Jessi Idol: "Oh My God! Cotton Candy Kiss Of Death from the top! That's it, we have the first elimination…"

Peyton Holland: "HOW DID SHE KICK OUT?"

Hammerstein was laughing, definitely enjoying what he was seeing. Saki was in disbelief, staring at Brodie with a shocked expression. Inside the ring, Reznik hit his Harsh Reality, but Bodach raised his shoulder in two. Much like Saki, Raymond was in disbelief, his best shot just wasn't enough to keep the Emperor down. The lights in the Arena dimmed down creating the usual atmosphere before any entrance, even though everybody knew it was Kenzie's turn now. And when the pod opened and the lights came back, Brodie was laying on top of Saki, while the referee counted to three.

Jessi Idol: "What happened there?"

The replay showed Brodie hitting Saki with a butterfly kick, capitalizing on her distraction when the lights went out.

Hammerstein: "That was brilliant. Like I said before, you can't afford any distraction in this match. Ever."

Peyton Holland: "Indeed. Anyway, Kenzie Garrett has now entered the ring. You know her quite well, don't you?"

The champion shot a glare at the blue eyed interviewer. Jessi quickly added up to it.

Jessi Idol: "You didn't mention when you listed the possible winners. You don't believe in the Soulknife? Not even after she took you to the limit in your Street Fight match at Homecoming?"

Hammerstein: "You can try to spin it how you want, but no matter what she says, I'm not running, and I'm not hard to find. If the beating I gave her in Chicago wasn't enough, she only has to convince the management that she deserves another shot at this. Until she earns it, all she can do is talk. And I have no time for that. "

Peyton Holland: "You know, she just might do it, after tonight."

Hammerstein snickered, but Kenzie, almost to prove Peyton's point, Kenzie entered the ring with fire burning in her eyes, focusing her attack on Brodie leaving the two big men exchanging the hardest strikes in a battle of muscles and pride where none of them was giving up a inch. Following a back kick to the stomach, Brodie found herself doubled over. Kenzie glanced back at Hammerstein before planting the New Yorker on her head with the Grim Fandango on the steel grates. And unlike earlier when she was hit by Saki's Meteora, Brodie couldn't kick out of the spikerana this time. And through all the three count, Kenzie was staring at the Chicago Way champion.

Peyton Holland: "Well, in case you had any doubt, champ, she definitely has her eyes on you and your title"

Jessi Idol: "Down to four, guys, even though Joey Leclair has yet to enter the match."

Kenzie was on fire tonight, flying all over the ring and using her speed and agility to keep herself away from the two men. A low dropkick to Ramsay's leg and quickly back to her feet to hit a second dropkick to Reznik's chest, sending him through the ropes. The Emperor ate a shining wizard, but Kenzie didn't stop there, gaining speed and jumping on the outside with a somersault plancha. An unnecessary risk, as Hammerstein quickly pointed out that left Garrett hurting after landing hard on her lower back. For the last time the siren rang and in came Joey Leclair. A step out of his cell and… Death Dealer Elbow on Kenzie! Garrett was just getting back to her feet when Leclair knocked her out, the heavily nandaged arm, the one that was burned earlier by Nina wasn't affecting Joey too much. The Chicago Way Champion smiled at ringside, and that smile quickly faded when the Geek Gladiator raised her shoulders in two.

Bodach had brought Joey back inside the ring with a reverse suplex, and he was now manhandling the Florida born in the corner with several knee strikes. Kenzie and Reznik also entered the ring and began to fight, trading blows until the Emperor beheaded them both with with a double clothesline.

Hammerstein: "Bodach seems unstoppable tonight, they need to do something about this."

Peyton Holland: "Easier to be said than done, the emperor is controlling the match now."

Strength, size and power advantage can be the difference maker in a match like this, and Ramsay had that in spades. Keeping his slow and methodical pace and giving out backbreakers for everyone, the Ghost Of Blackthorn seemed more driven and focused than ever, perhaps that extra motivation to represent his company and his friend Birdie being the force pushing him. He had near falls over every opponent, and it now looked he was now only waiting for Kenzie to get up to put her away. Leclair and Reznik finally realized the same thing Hammerstein suggested a couple of minutes earlier and began working together on the big man, soon joined by Kenzie as well. Even one against three, Ramsay refused to go down without swinging, and even managed to land a few strikes that rocked his opponents and, making it look like the Emperor Of Parousia And The Underground could once again turn the tides. But eventually, even Ramsay Bodach had to succumb. A Grim Fandango, a Harsh Reality and a C'Est La Vie, each competitor hit him with their best shot to make sure he'd stay down. And he did.

Peyton Holland: "Desperate times call for desperate measure.."

Jessi Idol: "This reminded me of Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun Death on Game Of Thrones.."

Ramsay left the chamber welcomed by a standing ovation from the Chicago fans. Although clearly disappointed, he greeted the fans on his way out, station that "This was nice." Inside the ring the action continued with Kenzie rolling up Joey for a shocking quick three.

Jessi Idol: "Whoa! Well played by Kenzie!"

Peyton Holland: "Still thinking she can't do it, Hammerstein?"

Leclair was fuming, yelling at the referee that he had kicked out in time. But the official stood up for his decision, barking at the Death Dealer to leave the ring. This went on for a while, until Joey yelled a loud expletive and turned around to leave. Not before kicking Garrett's head off with the C'est La Vie! The boos were loud covering the referee's voice as he counted the pinning predicament Reznik made, thanking Leclair for the assist. One... Two…

Jessi Idol: "Oh come on! Not like this!"

And there was a kick out, at 2.9. Kenzie wasn't moving, her eyes staring at the ceiling with a blank expression on her face, blood dripping from the busted nose.. But she kicked out. Reznik wasted no time and picked her up, launching her over the top rope, watching her land hard on the steel floor. He lifted her over his shoulder and was about to launch her head first against the wall of chains surrounding the structure, but she slipped away and pushed him against it with a desperation move.

Peyton Holland: "It's unbelievable how she is still in this…"

Jessi Idol: "GRIM FANDANGO! IT'S OVER!"

A collective gasp echoed in the Arena when Kenzie with a last burst of energy planted Reznik with her finishing move. She collapsed onto him to make the cover, thirty thousands people counting with the referee up to a three that never came.

Hammerstein: "I told you that Raymond is one tough son of a bitch!"

Exclaimed Hammerstein, praising his last opponent. Garrett was shocked and every single MWE fan with her. But she didn't let this drag her down. She climbed on top of the pod, watching down at Reznik, who still hadn't move.

Jessi Idol: " Oh God no… "

Peyton Holland: "This is it girl. It's your moment, make it or break it"

The next few moments happened in slow motion, or that's what it looked like, almost if time froze. You could hear a pin drop in the up to that moment loud Enterprise Arena as Kenzie jumped off the pod flipping in mid air. Thousands of phone cameras immortalized the moment when she connected the Pinball Wizard from the top. And finally the Chicago crowd could explode in a liberating roar.

Jessi Idol: "She did it! SHE DID IT!"

Peyton Holland: "What a gutsy performance from Kenzie tonight! She left everything in this ring, she overcame the odds and took her huge risks.. But she's the last one standing tonight. Your thoughts, Hammerstein?"

WINNER: Kenzie Garrett
BY: Only Survivor, 35:37

Hammerstein didn't answer, taking off his headset and standing up from the table. Kenzie didn't even have the strength to stand up for her rightful celebration forcing the ref to simply raise her arm while she was staring at the Chicago Way Champion on her knees. The exhaustion and the emotion formed a lump on her throat. All the things she wanted to say, all the words she wanted to scream at the champion's face just weren't coming out. Hammerstein walked to the cell, the wall of chains separating the two competitors. He raised the title over his head, grunting out.

Hammerstein:
You want it? Come fucking get it.

Kenzie nodded and on that staredown, we cut back to the studio.

Amy Maynard:
What a night, right people?

The little Mia was now sitting on her mother's lap.

Amy Maynard:
In a rollercoaster of violence and emotions, Kenzie Garrett secured the win and the title shot. We already know she will use it to challenge Hammerstein for the Chicago Way Championship or, as she called it, her World Championship.
This was Red Line, I hope you all enjoyed it. The next appointment with the MWE shows is for next Wednesday, January 8 for the first Millennium show of the new year, coming live from Yokohama, Japan.
As for Riot?

Her smile grows wider.

Amy Maynard:
We have a new General Manager, Vincent Moretti, we have a new signing, Melody Lennox and a new face on commentary, yours truly. Don't miss Riot in Kansai Saturday 11 from Osaka! This is all ladies and gentlemen, from Amy Maynard...

A quick glance down at the little Mia.

Amy Maynard:
And Mia Maynard, thanks for watching and good night!

Post by gvb on Jan 4, 2020 17:32:25 GMT -6

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