The HCW
logo flashes across the screen before giving way to the familiar Voltage
opening package. Rapid-fire highlights tear across the screen—championship gold
raised overhead, bodies crashing into the canvas, fans reaching over the
barricades, and the biggest moments from recent weeks—before the Voltage logo
fills the screen.
The
broadcast cuts inside the Columbia Coliseum, where the crowd is already
on its feet. The camera sweeps across the packed stands before settling at
ringside with Sam Duffy and Rick Granger.
Sam
Duffy:
“Welcome,
everyone, to HCW Voltage! We are coming to you from the Columbia Coliseum, and
Rick, there is no shortage of unfinished business waiting for us tonight!”
Rick
Granger:
“Unfinished
business? We've got people who have been waiting weeks to get their hands on
each other! Elias and Alaric Grimmstone finally get Iron Syndicate with the
Heritage Tag Team Championship on the line. No more talking. No more taking
shots from a distance. Tonight, somebody has to back it up.”
Sam
Duffy:
“And
before we get there, one of four women receives a lifeline in the race for the
Women’s Convergent Championship. Trinity Bowman, Phoenix Blaze, Blair
Kensington and Lavender Gooms meet in our Wildcard Fatal Four-Way!”
Rick
Granger:
“One
second chance, Sam. That's it. Three of them are going to find out that getting
close doesn't mean a thing.”
Sam
Duffy:
“We'll
also see Hardcore Champion Jax Brenner in non-title action against Otto
Ruthless, Avery St. Claire takes on Penny Hall—and we've got plenty more coming
your way.”
Sam pauses
as footage from the closing stages of Saturday's Television Championship
situation appears on screen.
Sam
Duffy:
“But
before we go any further, we have to talk about what happened last night on
Live Wire. The Rich Athlete survived thirty minutes with Cassius Onyx,
retaining the Television Championship just before the time limit expired.”
Rick
Granger:
“Survived
is the right word. Thirty minutes with Cassius Onyx takes something out of
anybody.”
Sam
Duffy:
“And
unfortunately for The Rich Athlete, someone was waiting for exactly that
opportunity. “Dirty” Dick Albano cashed in his Contract-in-a-Case immediately
afterward.”
The
footage shows the decisive moments of the cash-in.
Sam
Duffy:
“And just
like that, we have a new Television Champion.”
Rick
Granger:
“That's
why you win the case, Sam. Albano didn't owe The Rich Athlete a night's sleep
and a hot shower. He had a contract, he saw his opportunity, and now he's got
the championship.”
Sam
Duffy:
“The
fallout from that is undoubtedly far from over. But tonight belongs to
Voltage—and we're starting in the ring!”
The camera
swings away from the desk and toward the entrance stage as the crowd rises for
the first match of the evening.
The camera
turns toward the entrance stage as the arena lights settle and the opening
notes of Harrison Marks’ entrance music hit.
A chorus
of boos rises from the Columbia Coliseum as Harrison Marks steps through
the curtain. Marks pauses at the top of the entranceway, looking across the
crowd with an unimpressed expression before beginning his walk toward the ring.
Sam
Duffy:
“Harrison
Marks getting us started tonight on Voltage, and there’s a man who certainly
doesn’t suffer from a lack of confidence.”
Rick
Granger:
“Why
should he? Half the people booing him couldn't last thirty seconds in that
ring. Marks knows exactly how good he is. If that bothers them, that's their
problem.”
Marks
reaches ringside and takes his time climbing onto the apron. He wipes his boots
deliberately before stepping between the ropes, then moves to his corner
without offering the crowd so much as a glance.
His music
fades.
A much
warmer reaction immediately begins building as Son of Stache’s entrance
music takes over.
Son of
Stache emerges through the curtain to a cheer, taking a moment to acknowledge
the fans before heading down the aisle. He reaches toward several outstretched
hands along the barricade as he makes his way toward the ring.
Sam
Duffy:
“And
listen to the difference in reception for Son of Stache!”
Rick
Granger:
“Oh,
congratulations. He won a popularity contest. Maybe somebody can explain to me
how many points that's worth once the bell rings.”
Sam
Duffy:
“None. But
having this crowd behind you can make a difference when a match starts getting
difficult.”
Rick
Granger:
“Then
Marks should make sure they don't have anything to cheer about.”
Son of
Stache reaches ringside and climbs onto the apron, looking across the ring at
Marks before stepping through the ropes.
Marks
watches him from the opposite corner, his expression unchanged.
Son of
Stache gives the crowd one final acknowledgment before turning his full
attention toward his opponent.
With both
men in their corners, the referee checks each competitor and signals that he's
ready.
The crowd
settles into anticipation as Harrison Marks and Son of Stache stare across the
ring at one another, waiting for the bell.
The bell
rings and Harrison Marks and Son of Stache meet in the center of the ring,
neither man able to establish an immediate advantage. Son of Stache uses his
quicker offense to keep Marks moving, landing a vicious uppercut before
connecting with The S*it Kicker and The Whiplash. Marks answers
with heavier offense of his own, including a pumphandle falling powerslam that
quickly establishes that Son of Stache can't afford to get caught standing in
front of him.
The fight
spills outside in both directions. Marks sends Son of Stache through the ropes
first, but Son of Stache is back inside by “Honest” Abe's count of four. Son of
Stache later returns the favor, and Marks takes considerably longer, remaining
outside until the count reaches seven.
Sam
Duffy:
“Son of
Stache has come ready to fight tonight. Harrison Marks hasn't been able to slow
him down for very long.”
Rick
Granger:
“He
doesn't need to slow him down for twenty minutes, Sam. He needs to slow him
down long enough to beat him. Marks is taking the heavier shots and he's still
right there.”
That
proves increasingly true as the match continues. Son of Stache keeps coming
with The Lasso, Rodeo Roundhouse and repeated dropkicks, but
Marks begins finding answers for them. One of the biggest momentum swings comes
when Marks reverses The Lasso and drives Son of Stache down with another
pumphandle falling powerslam.
From
there, the match becomes increasingly physical. Son of Stache refuses to
abandon his aggressive approach, scoring with the Stetson Slam and
continuing to fire back whenever Marks appears ready to take complete control.
But Marks' power begins taking its toll. Back suplexes, powerbombs and a
backbreaker leave Son of Stache spending more and more time trying to recover
rather than dictating the action.
Sam
Duffy:
“You can
see the accumulation now. Son of Stache is still answering, but every time
Harrison Marks puts him down, it's taking him a little longer to get back up.”
Rick
Granger:
“That's
because Marks isn't trying to impress anybody. He's breaking him down. Stache
can have all the crowd support he wants. They can't absorb those powerbombs for
him.”
Marks
begins looking for the finish as the match moves beyond fifteen minutes. A
European uppercut earns him a two-count, but Son of Stache gets the shoulder
up. Son of Stache responds with another S*it Kicker and The Whiplash, briefly
threatening to turn the match back in his favor, only for Marks to stop him
again with a backbreaker.
The
closing minutes belong increasingly to Marks. Son of Stache escapes one cover
quickly and survives another after a second backbreaker, kicking out at two as
the Columbia crowd rallies behind him.
Marks
doesn't argue with “Honest” Abe or allow Son of Stache time to recover. He
stays on him.
Sam
Duffy:
“Son of
Stache is still alive, but Harrison Marks can feel this slipping toward him!”
Rick
Granger:
“Then
finish it. Don't give Stache another comeback.”
Marks
pulls the exhausted Son of Stache back to his feet and hoists him up—
ROTATING
VERTICAL SUPLEX!
Marks
hooks the leg (and a handful of tights for good measure).
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
The bell
sounds at the twenty-minute mark.
Harrison
Marks rises as “Honest” Abe raises his arm, while Son of Stache remains on the
canvas recovering from the sustained punishment of the second half of the
match.
Sam
Duffy:
“Oh, come
on! Harrison Marks had the tights! Abe didn't see it!”
Rick
Granger:
“I didn't
see anything.”
Sam
Duffy:
“You're
sitting right next to me!”
Rick
Granger:
“And I saw
Harrison Marks hit a Rotating Vertical Suplex and keep Son of Stache's
shoulders down for three. Apparently, so did the referee.”
“Honest”
Abe raises Marks' arm as Son of Stache remains on the canvas.
Sam
Duffy:
“Marks may
have had him after that suplex anyway, but we'll never know because Harrison
Marks made sure of it.”
Rick
Granger:
“That's
called eliminating doubt.”
WINNER
— HARRISON MARKS 20:00 — ROTATING VERTICAL SUPLEX
Marks
leaves the ring with the victory while Son of Stache slowly sits up, receiving
an appreciative response from the Columbia Coliseum crowd.
Match
rating: ★★¾.
Backstage,
Larry Morton stands in front of the Voltage backdrop with Elias
Grimmstone and Alaric Grimmstone beside him. The brothers are
composed, their demeanor noticeably different from the chaos that has
repeatedly surrounded them and the Heritage Tag Team Champions.
Larry
Morton:
“Elias,
Alaric, later tonight you challenge Iosef Koloff and Krueger Kruschev for the
HCW Heritage Tag Team Championship. This rivalry has been building for weeks,
but lately it has become increasingly physical.”
Elias
looks toward Larry.
Elias
Grimmstone:
“Physical?”
A faint
smile crosses his face.
Elias
Grimmstone:
“Iosef and
Krueger told us we had our opportunity at Reign of Champions. They pointed to
those championships and told us that was the end of the story.”
Alaric
slowly shakes his head.
Alaric
Grimmstone:
“Then they
made a mistake.”
Larry
Morton:
“You're
referring to their challenge for you to come fight them?”
Alaric
Grimmstone:
“They
said, ‘Come fight.’”
He pauses.
Alaric
Grimmstone:
“So we
did.”
Elias'
smile widens slightly.
Elias
Grimmstone:
“They
didn't particularly enjoy the answer.”
Larry
turns slightly between the brothers.
Larry
Morton:
“And it
didn't end there. More recently, Iron Syndicate attacked Elias after his match
while Alaric had been prevented from coming to his brother's aid.”
The humor
disappears from Elias' expression.
Elias
Grimmstone:
“They
wanted me alone.”
Alaric
looks directly into the camera.
Alaric
Grimmstone:
“They had
to make certain I could not reach him first.”
A moment
of silence hangs between them.
Alaric
Grimmstone:
“That
tells us everything we need to know about the champions.”
Larry
Morton:
“After
everything that's happened between these two teams, what happens tonight when
there is nowhere left for either side to go and the Heritage Tag Team
Championship is finally on the line?”
Elias and
Alaric exchange a glance.
Elias
Grimmstone:
“We've
already left them lying once.”
Alaric
Grimmstone:
“But we
left their championships beside them.”
Alaric
turns his attention back toward Larry.
Alaric
Grimmstone:
“Because
taking those belts would not have made us champions.”
Elias
Grimmstone:
“Tonight
can.”
The
brothers stare into the camera.
Alaric
Grimmstone:
“Iosef.
Krueger. You wanted us to come fight.”
A slight
smile finally returns.
Alaric
Grimmstone:
“We're
coming.”
Elias and
Alaric walk out of frame, leaving Larry watching them depart before the
broadcast cuts away.
Lavender
Gooms' music hits first, drawing boos from the Columbia Coliseum. Lavender
steps onto the stage wearing a confident smile, seemingly unconcerned that
three other women stand between her and another opportunity at the Women’s
Convergent Championship.
Sam
Duffy:
“Lavender
Gooms came within one elimination of advancing Wednesday night. Luciana Albano
stopped her, but tonight Lavender gets one more opportunity.”
Rick
Granger:
“And she
already told everybody what she's going to do with it. I like that. No sob
story about coming up short—just get back in there and take another shot.”
Lavender
enters the ring and settles into her corner as her music fades.
Phoenix
Blaze is next,
receiving a warm response as she emerges onto the stage. Phoenix acknowledges
the crowd on her way down the aisle before sliding into the ring, where
Lavender watches her carefully from across the ropes.
Sam
Duffy:
“Phoenix
Blaze earned her place in this Wildcard match earlier in the qualifying
process, and now everything comes down to one match.”
Phoenix
takes another corner as the arena shifts to the entrance of Blair Kensington.
Blair
emerges to another positive reception and heads directly toward the ring.
Rick
Granger:
“And Blair
Kensington better remember that Avery St. Claire isn't out here to sacrifice
herself for her tonight. Blair's on her own.”
Sam
Duffy:
“Avery
made that choice herself Wednesday night, Rick.”
Rick
Granger:
“And Blair
benefited from it. Tonight she has to earn this one herself.”
Blair
enters and takes her place as three sets of eyes turn toward the stage.
Finally, Trinity
Bowman’s music hits.
Boos greet
Trinity as she appears at the entrance. She surveys the three women already
waiting for her before confidently making her way down the aisle.
Trinity
climbs into the ring and immediately keeps her distance, leaving all four
competitors stationed near separate corners.
The music
fades as the referee brings the women forward and gives final instructions.
Sam
Duffy:
“One of
these four women is about to keep her Convergent Championship hopes alive.”
Rick
Granger:
“And for
the other three? No more excuses. No more second chances.”
The
referee looks around at all four competitors and calls for the bell.
The bell
sends all four women into motion, and the opening minutes quickly establish the
problem with a match like this: there are no lasting alliances. Phoenix Blaze
and Trinity Bowman initially find themselves across from one another while
Lavender Gooms tangles with Blair Kensington, but those pairings dissolve
almost immediately.
Blair
makes an early impression, dropping both Lavender and Phoenix with Storm
Breaker, while Lavender repeatedly looks for The Lavender Lock
whenever an opponent gives her an opening. She catches Phoenix in it early,
forcing Blair to break the hold before Lavender can steal the Wildcard
opportunity.
Sam
Duffy:
“That's
what makes this match so dangerous. You don't have to be the woman who made the
mistake. You can lose your opportunity because somebody else gets caught.”
Rick
Granger:
“Then stop
worrying about everybody else and make sure you're the one doing the catching.”
As the
match develops, temporary alliances form purely out of necessity. At different
points three women turn on the fourth, only for the arrangement to collapse
seconds later. Lavender becomes a frequent target, but she repeatedly survives
the numbers and continues threatening with The Lavender Lock. Blair's power
becomes equally important, while Phoenix uses her speed to strike whenever an
opening develops. Trinity spends much of the match looking for opportunities
created by the other three rather than wasting energy trying to control
everyone at once.
One
particularly wild exchange sees Blair plant Lavender with the Perfect Storm,
Phoenix add the Hussy Lock, and Trinity attempt to steal an opening with
a small-package roll-up amid the confusion. Moments later, Blair drives
Lavender down with Strong Zero while Phoenix launches herself into the
fray with a springboard crossbody. No advantage lasts for long before another
competitor breaks it apart.
Sam
Duffy:
“Every
time somebody starts building momentum, there are two other women waiting to
take it away.”
Rick
Granger:
“Which is
why you don't waste time admiring your work. Hit somebody, move on, and find
the woman who can't get back up.”
The
punishment continues mounting. Blair catches Trinity with a release German
suplex and makes one of the match's first serious pin attempts, but Trinity
kicks out. Later, Phoenix drops Trinity with a Falcon Arrow, Blair
follows with a double underhook powerbomb and Lavender adds a hurricanrana as
the temporary three-woman assault leaves Trinity overwhelmed.
But the
alliances remain meaningless. Before long, Blair is the target instead. Phoenix
comes off the top with a Top Rope Stunner, Trinity follows with a
bridging suplex and Lavender drives Blair down with an electric chair drop.
Blair somehow survives and fires back with another double underhook powerbomb.
Sam
Duffy:
“Blair
Kensington has taken punishment from all three women and she's still fighting!”
Rick
Granger:
“She'd
better be. Nobody gets extra credit for surviving, Sam. Somebody has to win
this thing.”
The match
becomes increasingly desperate as it moves toward forty minutes. Lavender
reverses Blair's double underhook powerbomb and immediately snatches The
Lavender Lock, threatening to end Blair's night, but Blair manages to
neutralize the hold before Lavender can force the submission.
Then
Phoenix gets her opportunity.
She
catches Blair in the Hussy Lock.
Blair is
trapped.
Phoenix
bears down while Blair refuses to surrender, fighting through the hold until
she finally escapes.
Sam
Duffy:
“Blair
wouldn't give it up! After more than forty minutes, she still found a way out!”
Rick
Granger:
“But how
much did that cost her? Escaping the hold doesn't mean much if you leave half
your strength behind doing it.”
That
becomes the question as all four women stagger into the final minutes.
Blair
still manages to catch Lavender with a double underhook powerbomb and
drops into the cover—
ONE!
Lavender
kicks out!
Blair sits
up in disbelief. She had enough left to deliver the move, but not enough to
keep Lavender down.
And that
moment gives Phoenix the opening she has been waiting for.
Phoenix
moves on Blair before she can recover and takes her down.
LEG
TRAP CROSSFACE!
Blair is
trapped again.
This time
there is no immediate escape.
Lavender
and Trinity are unable to reach them as Phoenix pulls back harder. Blair claws
forward, trying desperately to free herself after nearly fifty minutes of
punishment.
Sam
Duffy:
“Blair
survived the Hussy Lock! Can she survive this?!”
Blair
fights—
fights—
—and
finally taps out!
The bell
rings.
Sam
Duffy:
“Phoenix
Blaze has done it! Fifty minutes of fighting for one last opportunity, and
Phoenix Blaze survives the Wildcard!”
Rick
Granger:
“That's
the important word—survives. She didn't have to beat all three of them. She
needed one woman in the wrong place at the right time, and Blair Kensington was
that woman.”
Lavender
Gooms rolls from the ring in disgust and immediately heads toward the aisle.
Trinity Bowman follows shortly afterward, equally unhappy with the result and
showing no interest in remaining for Phoenix's celebration.
Phoenix
slowly pushes herself back to her feet as the referee raises her arm.
WINNER
— PHOENIX BLAZE in 50:00 — LEG TRAP CROSSFACE
Blair
remains seated on the canvas for several moments, clearly disappointed. Phoenix
looks toward her.
The crowd
reacts as Phoenix walks over and extends her hand.
Blair
looks at it, then up at Phoenix.
After a
moment, Blair accepts.
Phoenix
helps her back to her feet, and the two women shake hands in the center of the
ring.
Sam
Duffy:
“That's
respect. Blair Kensington gave everything she had for fifty minutes, and
Phoenix Blaze knows it.”
Rick
Granger:
“Fine.
Shake hands. Phoenix is still the one leaving with the Wildcard.”
Phoenix
gives Blair a nod before the two separate, the crowd applauding both women as
Voltage moves on.
Match
rating: ★★★¼
The Omegatron
goes dark. Then this shows up:
Then
RETURNING
NEXT WEEK
The lights
come back up as our next match is ready to begin.
Penny
Hall's music hits first, and the reaction inside the Columbia Coliseum turns
hostile as she steps through the curtain. Penny pauses at the top of the aisle,
looking distinctly unimpressed by the reception before making her way toward
the ring.
Sam
Duffy:
“Penny
Hall was part of the fourth Women’s Convergent Battle Royal qualifier Wednesday
night, and she had a hand in ending Grayson Ito's opportunity before Lavender
Gooms eventually eliminated her.”
Penny
climbs through the ropes and heads to her corner.
Rick
Granger:
“So Penny
eliminated somebody before she got eliminated herself. Sounds to me like she
accomplished more than most of the women in that Battle Royal.”
Sam
Duffy:
“I don't
think Penny Hall came away from Wednesday satisfied with that.”
Rick
Granger:
“Good. She
shouldn't be satisfied. Take it out on Avery St. Claire.”
Penny's
music fades, and the mood changes as Avery St. Claire's entrance begins.
Avery
emerges onto the stage accompanied by Coach Randall, drawing a positive
response from the crowd. Randall says something to Avery and gives her an
encouraging pat on the shoulder before pointing toward the ring. Avery nods and
starts down the aisle with the Coach following behind.
Sam
Duffy:
“Avery St.
Claire also competed in that Battle Royal Wednesday, and we saw something
revealing about her character. When Avery found herself hanging from the apron,
Blair Kensington tried to help her. Avery realized Blair could be pulled out
with her and deliberately let go.”
Rick
Granger:
“And what
did that get Avery? Eliminated.”
Randall
continues talking to Avery as they reach ringside.
Sam
Duffy:
“It gave
Blair Kensington a chance to continue. We just saw Blair come within one
submission of winning the Wildcard.”
Rick
Granger:
“And
Phoenix Blaze has the Wildcard. Avery sacrificed herself so somebody else could
almost win something. Inspirational.”
Avery
climbs onto the apron and enters the ring while Randall takes his position at
ringside. Penny watches from across the ring, showing little interest in either
Avery or her coach.
Avery
turns toward Randall one final time. The Coach gives her a quick nod and
motions for her to remain focused.
Avery
turns back toward Penny.
The
referee checks both competitors before calling them toward the center of the
ring.
The bell
rings, and Penny Hall immediately tries to keep Avery St. Claire from settling
into the match. Avery has Coach Randall calling instructions from ringside, but
Penny refuses to give her much breathing room, forcing Avery to adjust on the
fly.
Avery soon
finds her rhythm. She catches Penny in a Cobra Clutch before using her
strength to drive her down with a Pop-Up Samoan Drop. Penny answers with
a diving shoulder block, making it clear she isn't going to be overwhelmed as
easily as Avery might have hoped.
Sam
Duffy:
“Penny
Hall came here looking to rebound from Wednesday night, and she's making Avery
work for everything.”
Rick
Granger:
“And
unlike Blair Kensington, Penny isn't out here looking to make friends. Maybe
Avery should take notes.”
Penny's
persistence pays off when she catches Avery with a small package,
briefly threatening to steal the match. Coach Randall immediately calls for
Avery to regain her positioning, but Penny continues pressing and sends her
crashing into the turnbuckle with a monkey flip.
Avery
absorbs it and responds emphatically.
She
catches Penny with a Bridging Back Rack, then drives her into the canvas
with a Sitout Powerbomb. Penny is suddenly struggling to keep pace as
Avery follows with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, bringing the Columbia
crowd to its feet.
Sam
Duffy:
“Avery has
completely changed this match!”
Rick
Granger:
“Then she
needs to finish it. Looking impressive doesn't mean anything if Penny gets
another opening.”
Avery
doesn't give her one.
Penny gets
back to her feet, but Avery closes in and locks on the Cobra Clutch
again. With Penny trapped, Avery takes her down and keeps her shoulders against
the canvas as “Honest” Abe drops into position.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
The bell
rings at nine minutes.
Coach
Randall immediately applauds from ringside as Avery releases the hold and rises
to her feet. “Honest” Abe raises her arm while Penny rolls away, frustrated by
how quickly the match got away from her once Avery found her momentum.
Sam
Duffy:
“A strong
win for Avery St. Claire. Penny Hall gave her trouble early, but once Avery
took control, she never gave it back.”
Rick
Granger:
“I'll give
her credit. This time she worried about winning her own match instead of
somebody else's.”
WINNER
— AVERY ST. CLAIRE 9:00 — COBRA CLUTCH INTO A PIN
Avery
looks toward Coach Randall, who gives his protégé an approving nod before
joining her as the two celebrate the victory. They then head to the back to the
cheering from the crowd.
Match
rating: ★★½
Backstage,
Larry Morton stands with Phoenix Blaze, who is still showing the effects
of the grueling 50-minute Wildcard match earlier tonight. Despite the fatigue,
Phoenix has had time to consider the decision now in front of her.
Larry
Morton:
“Phoenix,
earlier tonight you outlasted Trinity Bowman, Lavender Gooms and Blair
Kensington to win the Women’s Convergent Wildcard. That victory gives you
something none of those other women have—a chance to take the place of one of
the four semifinalists.”
Phoenix
nods.
Larry
Morton:
“Those
four women are Korbi Kong, Valeria Vex, Luciana Albano and The Stillwell Angel.
The decision is yours. Who are you challenging?”
Phoenix
takes a moment before answering.
Phoenix
Blaze:
“The
Stillwell Angel.”
The crowd
reacts, with a mixture of surprise and anticipation.
Phoenix
Blaze:
“I know
some people probably expected me to pick Valeria Vex or Luciana Albano. Pick
somebody I don't like. But that's not what this is about.”
Phoenix
looks directly into the camera.
Phoenix
Blaze:
“Angel
earned her place. I respect that. I also fought for fifty minutes tonight to
earn one more chance at mine.”
She
pauses.
Phoenix
Blaze:
“So,
Angel, when we get in that ring, this isn't personal. I don't need to hate you
to want what you have.”
Phoenix
gives a final nod before walking out of frame.
Larry
Morton:
“The
Wildcard has been played.”
The camera
stays with Larry for another moment before Voltage cuts away.
Otto
Ruthless' music hits first, and the boos begin almost immediately. Otto emerges
with his attention fixed on the ring, ignoring the crowd as he makes his way
down the aisle.
Sam
Duffy:
“Otto
Ruthless has an opportunity here that doesn't require a championship to be on
the line. Beat Jax Brenner tonight, and you've beaten the HCW Hardcore
Champion.”
Rick
Granger:
“Which is
why this might be better for Otto. Forget the belt for a minute. Put Jax
Brenner down, and then start asking what that makes you entitled to.”
Otto
enters the ring and settles into his corner, pacing impatiently as he waits.
The
reaction changes dramatically when Jax Brenner's music hits.
Jax steps
through the curtain with Molly Mason beside him—and although tonight's
match is non-title, the HCW Hardcore Championship is strapped around his
waist.
Sam
Duffy:
“And there
is the Hardcore Champion, Jax Brenner, accompanied as always by Molly Mason.”
Rick
Granger:
“See, I
like that. The championship isn't on the line, but bring it anyway. Make Otto
stare at exactly what beating you could eventually get him.”
Jax pauses
near the top of the aisle and looks out across the Columbia Coliseum before
starting toward the ring. Molly walks alongside him, speaking to Jax as they
approach ringside.
Jax climbs
onto the apron before stepping through the ropes. Otto's eyes briefly drop
toward the championship around Jax's waist before returning to the champion
himself.
Molly
enters long enough to help Jax remove the Hardcore Championship. Jax takes one
look at the belt before handing it to her, and Molly carries it with her as she
exits to ringside.
Sam
Duffy:
“The
championship may not be at stake, but there is plenty at stake for both men.”
Rick
Granger:
“And Otto
just got a very good look at the prize.”
Jax and
Otto move toward the center of the ring as the referee gives his final
instructions.
Neither
man backs away.
The
referee calls for the bell.
Jax
Brenner comes out aggressively, giving Otto Ruthless no opportunity to
establish himself. The Hardcore Champion gets hold of Otto almost immediately,
muscles him up and drives him hard into the canvas with the BIGFOOT BOMB!
Otto rolls
onto his side, already trying to recover, but Jax stays on him.
Sam
Duffy:
“Jax
Brenner isn't wasting any time tonight!”
Rick
Granger:
“Otto
better start fighting back or this is going to be a very short night.”
Jax pulls
Otto upright and blasts him with a KNEE LIFT, sending him stumbling
backward. Molly Mason applauds from ringside as Jax continues stalking his
opponent.
Otto
finally finds an opening and catches Jax coming toward him with a BACK BODY
DROP, giving himself his first meaningful offense of the match.
But Jax is
quickly back up.
The two
collide again near the ropes, and Jax uses Otto's momentum to HURL HIM OVER
THE TOP ROPE!
Otto
crashes to the floor.
“Fast
Count” Frank immediately begins counting.
ONE!
TWO! THREE!
Otto gets
to his knees.
FOUR!
FIVE! SIX!
Jax stands
in the ring watching him while Molly watches from ringside.
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
Otto gets
back to his feet—
NINE!
—but he's
too late.
TEN!
Frank
calls for the bell!
Sam
Duffy:
“That's
it! Otto couldn't beat the count!”
Rick
Granger:
“Three
minutes, Sam. Otto spent most of them getting thrown around, and now he's
getting counted out. That's a bad night.”
Molly
retrieves the Hardcore Championship as “Fast Count” Frank raises Jax's arm.
WINNER
— JAX BRENNER 3:00 — COUNT OUT
Jax takes
the championship from Molly and raises it as the crowd cheers—
—and
before he can fully turn around, Titan Briggs attacks!
Titan
barrels into Jax from behind, sending the Hardcore Champion sprawling forward
and the championship tumbling from his hands.
Sam
Duffy:
“TITAN
BRIGGS! Where did he come from?!”
Molly
immediately backs away as Titan stays on Jax, hammering him before Jax can
recover from the surprise attack.
Rick
Granger:
“I think
we just found out why Titan Briggs is here!”
Titan
finally stops and looks down at Jax.
Then he
sees the Hardcore Championship lying nearby.
Titan
walks over and picks it up.
Sam
Duffy:
“That's
not yours, Briggs!”
Titan
studies the championship for a moment before turning back toward Jax. He
doesn't put it around his waist. He doesn't raise it as though he's won
anything.
Instead,
Titan crouches beside the fallen champion and deliberately lays the belt across
Jax's chest.
Titan
Briggs:
“I want
this.”
Titan taps
the faceplate.
Titan
Briggs:
“And I'm
coming for it.”
He stands
and leaves Jax with his own championship resting across him.
Molly
immediately moves back into the ring and checks on Jax while Titan backs up the
aisle, never taking his eyes off the Hardcore Champion.
Sam
Duffy:
“Titan
Briggs just sent Jax Brenner a message that couldn't possibly be any clearer.”
Rick
Granger:
“And I
hope Jax heard it. Titan Briggs doesn't want his attention. He wants his
championship.”
The camera
cuts between Titan standing in the aisle and Jax beginning to sit up with Molly
beside him, the Hardcore Championship still in his possession—but now with a
very clear challenger watching from afar.
Backstage,
Larry Morton stands with the HCW Heritage Tag Team Champions, Iron Syndicate
— Iosef Koloff and Krueger Kruschev. Both championship belts rest
prominently around the champions' waists. Unlike the controlled confidence of
the Grimmstones earlier tonight, neither champion appears interested in
treating the main event as anything more than another fight they intend to win.
Larry
Morton:
“Earlier
tonight, Elias and Alaric Grimmstone had a message for the two of you. They
said you told them to come fight—and tonight, they're coming.”
Iosef
looks toward Krueger before giving a dismissive laugh.
Iosef
Koloff:
“They have
been coming for weeks, Larry. Talking. Fighting. Attacking. Always coming.”
Iosef pats
the championship around his waist.
Iosef
Koloff:
“But these
are still here.”
Krueger
steps closer to Larry.
Krueger
Kruschev:
“Grimmstones
are very proud because one night, they left us lying.”
He nods
slowly.
Krueger
Kruschev:
“They
should be proud. It is not easy to put Iron Syndicate down.”
His
expression hardens.
Krueger
Kruschev:
“Keeping
us down is different.”
Larry
Morton:
“They also
made a point of saying they could have taken those championships that night,
but chose not to because taking the belts wouldn't make them champions.”
Iosef's
amusement disappears.
Iosef
Koloff:
“They want
applause for not stealing what they could not win?”
He shakes
his head.
Iosef
Koloff:
“Good.
Tonight there is referee. There is bell. There is no excuse.”
Krueger
taps the faceplate of his championship.
Krueger
Kruschev:
“At Reign
of Champions, Grimmstones had chance.”
A pause.
Krueger
Kruschev:
“They
lost.”
Iosef
Koloff:
“Tonight
they have another.”
Iosef
turns directly toward the camera.
Iosef
Koloff:
“Elias.
Alaric. You wanted to prove that what happened before does not matter anymore?”
He lifts
the Heritage Tag Team Championship from his shoulder and holds it beside his
face.
Iosef
Koloff:
“Then take
these from us.”
Krueger
steps alongside his partner.
Krueger
Kruschev:
“If you
can.”
The
champions stare into the camera for another moment before walking away, leaving
Larry behind.
Larry
Morton:
“Iron
Syndicate with their answer. There is nothing left for either team to say. The
Heritage Tag Team Championship is on the line—next.”
The
atmosphere inside the Columbia Coliseum shifts as the opening notes of the
Grimmstones' music hit.
Elias
Grimmstone and Alaric Grimmstone emerge together to a strong reception. There is little
celebration from either brother tonight. After weeks of trading words and
violence with Iron Syndicate, their attention is fixed squarely on the ring and
the championship opportunity waiting for them.
Sam
Duffy:
“We heard
from the Grimmstones earlier tonight. They've fought Iron Syndicate, they've
left the champions lying—but tonight is different. Tonight is their opportunity
to actually take the Heritage Tag Team Championship.”
Rick
Granger:
“And
they've had an opportunity before, Sam. Everybody keeps talking about what the
Grimmstones have done to Iron Syndicate since Reign of Champions. Iosef and
Krueger keep pointing to the only thing that matters—they're still the
champions.”
Elias and
Alaric enter the ring and move to their corner. The brothers exchange a few
quiet words before turning toward the entrance.
The
challengers' music fades.
Then Iron
Syndicate's music hits.
Boos fill
the Coliseum as Iosef Koloff and Krueger Kruschev emerge with the HCW
Heritage Tag Team Championships prominently displayed over their shoulders.
The
champions pause at the top of the aisle.
Iosef
looks toward Krueger.
Krueger
looks toward the Grimmstones.
Then both
men start toward the ring.
Sam
Duffy:
“Iosef
Koloff and Krueger Kruschev have made it very clear—they don't care what the
Grimmstones have done to them outside an official championship match.”
Rick
Granger:
“Why
should they? You don't become champion by winning a backstage fight. You don't
become champion by leaving somebody lying. You take those belts when they're
actually on the line.”
Iron
Syndicate reaches ringside and climbs onto the apron. Iosef and Krueger step
through the ropes still carrying their championships, making certain the
Grimmstones get a good look at them.
The two
teams stare across the ring at one another as the music fades.
Tony
“Echo” Calibur steps into the center of the ring with microphone in hand.
Tony
“Echo” Calibur:
“Ladies
and gentlemen, the following contest is your MAIN EVENT of the evening,
and it is for the HCW HERITAGE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP!”
The crowd
erupts.
Tony turns
toward the challengers.
Tony
“Echo” Calibur:
“Introducing
first, the challengers... ELIAS GRIMMSTONE! ALARIC GRIMMSTONE! THE BROTHERS GRIMMSTONE!”
Elias and
Alaric acknowledge the crowd but never take their eyes completely off the
champions.
Tony turns
toward the opposite corner.
Iosef and
Krueger step forward, their championships still resting over their shoulders.
Tony
“Echo” Calibur:
“And their
opponents... they are the reigning and defending HCW HERITAGE TAG TEAM
CHAMPIONS... IOSEF KOLOFF! KRUEGER KRUSCHEV! IRON SYNDICATE!”
The
champions lift the belts from their shoulders and raise them overhead as the
boos intensify.
Only now
do Iosef and Krueger lower the championships.
They step
toward the referee and hand the belts over.
The
referee holds both championships up in the center of the ring, turning so each
side of the Coliseum can see what is at stake before carrying them toward
ringside.
Sam
Duffy:
“There
they are. The championships these two teams have been fighting over for weeks.”
Rick
Granger:
“And now
the fighting actually counts.”
Tony exits
the ring.
The
referee directs both teams toward their corners. After a brief discussion, one
member of each team steps through the ropes onto the apron, leaving the
starting competitors inside.
The
referee checks both men one final time.
He signals
for the bell.
The bell
rings and there is no feeling-out period. Alaric Grimmstone catches Iosef
Koloff almost immediately with Lights Out, forcing the champions into an
early tag. Elias enters opposite Krueger Kruschev, and within moments the fight
spills outside, where Krueger sends Elias into the crowd. Elias makes it back
before “Honest” Abe reaches ten, but the exchange establishes exactly what kind
of championship match this is going to be.
Iron
Syndicate tries to turn the match into the physical fight that has defined this
rivalry, working together against Alaric and repeatedly forcing the action
outside. But the Grimmstones refuse to be isolated for long. Alaric answers the
champions' double-team pressure with a Pumphandle Swinging DVD and later
a Standing Shooting Star Press, keeping the challengers from
surrendering control.
Sam
Duffy:
“This
isn't about proving these teams can hurt each other anymore. They've already
done that for weeks. Tonight somebody has to leave with those championships.”
Rick
Granger:
“And Iron
Syndicate know how to win championship matches. The Grimmstones know how to
start fights. There is a difference.”
The
challengers begin testing that theory. Elias and Alaric find openings to work
together, battering Iosef with a combination of a Kamigoye and Sitout
Piledriver, then following with a Sitout Powerbomb and Big Boot.
Iosef refuses to fold, firing back with a Russian backbreaker as the champions
keep finding ways to interrupt the Grimmstones' momentum.
Alaric
eventually catches Iosef with another Lights Out and makes the cover,
but Iosef kicks out at one. The champion answers with a face stomp while Alaric
fires back with a Yokosuka Cutter, and both teams make tags.
Then
whatever remains of the structure breaks down.
All four
men flood the ring. Krueger plants Elias with the Last Ride, Iosef
drives a knee into the opposition, while Alaric blasts back with another Lights
Out. “Honest” Abe struggles to restore order as the championship match
threatens to become another chapter of the brawls these teams have been having
for weeks.
Sam
Duffy:
“Abe has
lost control! All four men are going at it!”
Rick
Granger:
“Then stop
worrying about control! This is what the Grimmstones said they wanted. Now
let's see if they can survive it!”
When order
finally returns, Elias and Alaric seize the advantage. A Big Boot and
Yokosuka Cutter combination rocks Krueger, followed by a Sitout
Piledriver and Pumphandle Over-the-Knee Neckbreaker as the challengers
begin stringing together their strongest offense.
Krueger
refuses to go quietly.
As Elias
closes in again, Krueger catches him with a blatant kick to the groin!
Sam
Duffy:
“Oh, come
on! Abe didn't see it!”
Rick
Granger:
“I've been
telling you all night—championship matches aren't morality contests.”
But Elias
somehow answers the cheap shot with a Gonzo Bomb, leaving both men
battered before each side reaches for a tag.
Alaric
explodes back into the match and launches himself at Iosef with a Slingshot
Tornillo, sending the champion outside. Iosef barely beats Abe's count,
sliding back into the ring at nine before immediately tagging Krueger.
The rapid tags continue as both teams try to find one last advantage.
Sam
Duffy:
“Iosef was
one second away from losing the match by count-out!”
Rick
Granger:
“But he
got back in. That's what champions do.”
Iosef
eventually returns and catches Alaric with a hard knee lift. Alaric absorbs it
and stays in the fight.
Iosef
moves toward him again—
Alaric
catches him!
PUMPHANDLE
OVER-THE-KNEE NECKBREAKER!
Alaric
immediately hooks the leg.
“Honest”
Abe drops into position.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
The
Columbia Coliseum erupts.
For a
moment, Alaric remains on the canvas beside Iosef as the realization sets in.
Elias enters the ring as Abe signals toward the timekeeper.
Sam
Duffy:
“They did
it! The Grimmstones did it!”
Rick
Granger:
“Iron
Syndicate told them to take the championships from them, Sam. That's exactly
what they just did.”
Elias
reaches his brother and pulls him to his feet as “Honest” Abe retrieves the
Heritage Tag Team Championships.
Tony
“Echo” Calibur's voice fills the arena.
Tony
“Echo” Calibur:
“Ladies
and gentlemen, your winners... and NEW HCW HERITAGE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...
ELIAS GRIMMSTONE! ALARIC GRIMMSTONE! THE GRIMMSTONES!”
Abe
presents the championships to the brothers.
Elias and
Alaric look down at the belts for a moment before raising them together.
WINNERS
AND NEW HCW HERITAGE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS — THE BROTHERS GRIMMSTONE AT
21:00 — ALARIC GRIMMSTONE PINS IOSEF KOLOFF FOLLOWING THE PUMPHANDLE
OVER-THE-KNEE NECKBREAKER
Sam
Duffy:
“For weeks
these teams have fought. Earlier tonight, the Grimmstones said there was one
thing they hadn't done—they had never taken those championships. That changed
tonight.”
Rick
Granger:
“And there
are no excuses. Iosef got pinned in the middle of the ring. Whether Iron
Syndicate likes it or not, the Grimmstones are the champions.”
Elias and
Alaric climb opposite turnbuckles and raise the Heritage Tag Team Championships
as the crowd celebrates the culmination of their weeks-long fight with Iron
Syndicate.
Match
rating: ★★★½
The camera
remains on Elias and Alaric Grimmstone, the new HCW Heritage Tag Team
Champions, celebrating in the ring as the Columbia Coliseum crowd continues to
roar.
Sam
Duffy:
“What a
night on Voltage! Harrison Marks stole one from Son of Stache with a handful of
tights, Phoenix Blaze survived fifty grueling minutes to win the Women's
Convergent Wildcard, and Avery St. Claire picked up an impressive victory over
Penny Hall.”
Highlights
from throughout the evening flash across the screen.
Rick
Granger:
“And
Phoenix didn't waste any time playing that Wildcard. She's coming after The
Stillwell Angel's place in the semifinals. That's a gamble, Sam. Now we'll find
out whether it pays off.”
The recap
shifts to Jax Brenner sending Otto Ruthless over the top rope and winning by
count-out—followed by Titan Briggs blindsiding the Hardcore Champion.
Sam
Duffy:
“Jax
Brenner made quick work of Otto Ruthless, but Titan Briggs made his intentions
crystal clear afterward. He wants Jax—and he wants the Hardcore Championship.”
Rick
Granger:
“And Titan
didn't ask politely. That's probably the smartest thing he did all night.”
The screen
briefly flashes back to the ominous Groove Digger teaser.
Sam
Duffy:
“And after
what we saw tonight, one more name is looming over HCW—Groove Digger. He's
coming next week.”
Finally,
the camera returns live to the ring.
Elias and
Alaric stand together, each holding one of the HCW Heritage Tag Team
Championships.
Sam
Duffy:
“But
tonight belongs to the Grimmstones. Weeks of fighting with Iron Syndicate
culminated right here tonight, and Elias and Alaric Grimmstone have finally
taken the championships they came for.”
Rick
Granger:
“Iosef and
Krueger told them earlier tonight: if you want these championships, take them.
The Grimmstones did. No argument from me.”
The
brothers raise their championships one more time as the crowd responds.
Sam
Duffy:
“For Rick
Granger, I'm Sam Duffy. Thank you for joining us for HCW Voltage. Good night
from the Columbia Coliseum!”
The final
shot is Elias and Alaric Grimmstone standing together with the Heritage Tag
Team Championships raised overhead as the HCW Voltage logo fades onto the
screen.
END OF
SHOW
