2020.05.29: PWN - LONE - LONE 35
Intro
“Money (Instrumental)” by Pink Floyd hits the LONE Arena as Isaac Cornelius III, IC3 himself steps out from behind the curtain making his first professional wrestling appearance in almost 4 years. He spreads his arms out wide as he gets a warm reception and pats his hand over his heart.
Baxter: Ladies and gentlemen please welcome at this time... the President of the Prospect Wrestling Network, Isaac Cornelius The Third!
Washington: Talk about a blast from the past! Now that's a name I haven't heard in a while!
North: You worked with him before, haven't you?
Washington: That I have. As a wrestler in Golden Gate Wrestling and then when he bought MSW as the Co-Head of Talent Relations in the front office. Very successful businessman, what can I say? This man has done nothing but make money most of his life and I tell you what, this man has a passion for professional wrestling. We're talking about a guy that funded his own arena without taking a penny of public funding in San Francisco; and this was before the big hike in value of real estate down there. With today's rates? Definitely struck a bargain with that one. An arena in his own name, one that he can rent out and lease. This is one real smart dude and love him or hate him, I'm happy that he's on board with us now.
North: He is a pretty polarizing figure; you love him or you hate him. Right now though Portland loves him, they realize what he brings to the table and the enviable coffers he brings with him. We're going national, baby! I'm just surprised that DIC isn't with him!
Washington: Actually, so am I. IC3 is his uncle after all. I guess his hatred for Terri is so strong he won't end his holdout, even for his uncle!
IC3 plays to the crowd as he bows down to the crowd halfway down the ramp and slaps a few fans hands along the way. He makes his way up the steps as Baxter sits on the middle rope for him and assists him inside. As the music dies down Baxter graciously passes off the microphone before exiting. IC3 gets ready to speak but the crowd won't let him!
IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3!
North: This is certainly a first!
Washington: You know as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder!
IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3!
IC3 lets the crowd get it out of their system as he motions with his hand for them to keep going. The crowd applauds loudly before finally quieting down.
IC3: Thank you for the very classy reception!
The crowd breaks out into another chant.
IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3!
IC3 couldn't help but smile; he missed this.
IC3: As you all know and even for those of you who might not know... my name is Isaac Cornelius the Third..
The crowd finishes the rest of his introduction for him.
I C 3!
IC3: And I'm a businessman, yes. I was blessed to come from a very fortunate background, I've been blessed with very smart ancestors that came before me, people that have put their time and money into trying to make this world a better place to live in. Patrons of the arts and entertainment, sports barons that encouraged people to get and stay active and to provide them an outlet to climb the ladder of opportunity to make a better life for themselves and their families. This is a tradition I've always carried with me since birth. I saw what they did, I saw the reminders every day growing up and I wanted to be just like them. These were great men; and women, who never forgot where they came from and wanted to pay it forward. That's why I'm here tonight.
The crowd gives him another round of applause as he pauses to let them get it out of their systems before continuing.
IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3! IC3!
IC3: Thank you, truly, thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me after being away from this sport for four long years. Sometimes life doesn't go the way you want it to and sometimes we suffer little setbacks to see how we respond as people. I was very happy with MSW but there were multiple factors in me deciding to close the doors down there. There were some malcontents, yes, but sometimes you have to know when to fold for the greater good. It was with a very heavy heart that I shut things down but I made sure everyone was taken care of before I did. You know, even as I stand here today I see a few of the bright women that I saw in MSW here right now. People like Sister Catherine, Alison Crowne, Marie Porter, Anne Grayson, Ainslee Avalon. To see how much they've all grown is a matter or pride. I see the same work ethic they brought to MSW here in LONE and I couldn't be happier for all of their success. I also see some other people from my past ventures, like Frank Washington, Steven O'Reilly and I see how they've helped guide this place as it's continued to grow; I've watched them grow into and mature into leaders behind the scene these last 6 years. I'm even proud of DIC.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
IC3: I know, I know. DIC isn't exactly... light with his opinions, I know! But sometimes you need someone to root against and for DIC, he provides many of you with that. While I wish he was with us here tonight, he has for the most part earned his keep. But LONE is a promotion I've watched very closely from the start, Jack E. Bux is a great friend of mine, we've known each other for many, many years through the business world. He's a man of class. At some point over the last year something about LONE made me realize something; I wanted to get back into the game.
He pauses ever so briefly as he flashes a smile.
IC3: So after speaking with my legal team we began to construct the framework to make that a reality; The Prospect Wrestling Network. A network that you can buy for only $4.99 a month! Classic content sells, and I had several wrestling promotions in my portfolio already, I even bought the library of another at a very reasonable price. I figured that'd be a good start but why stop there? People want to see live content too, they want to see the best wrestling the world has to offer at their own fingertips from anywhere in the world, right? That's where I began to talk with some of my friends in Japan, who told me that the Japanese wrestling scene could use some new blood, that we could be doing something for the next generation. That's why I've recently announced the launch of both Liger Project and SAKURA PRO, two Japanese promotions that would also broadcast globally on my Prospect Wrestling Network. Two promotions where the future starts of pro wrestling could be trained and given a platform to display their craft. I figured that miiiight be good enough to get the ball rolling but I figured; why not just go All In?
That's when I gave my friend Jack E Bux a call. Bux has done a wonderful job growing this promotion over the last few years, and I mean, iPPV isn't a bad outlet. But I saw this amazing promotion that deserved to be seen by more eyes, to have a powerful marketing and media platform behind it to spread it to every corner of the globe. I knew we could make each other a lot of money while also providing something affordable for fans of wrestling everywhere. I'm happy to announce that of course we came to an agreement for his promotion to be added the PWN family.
The crowd cheers as IC3's grin gets wider and wider, almost as if he were thinking ahead with his next words and his next move.
IC3: So with the power of my machine behind LONE? There's no heights this company can't reach! Which is why I'm out here tonight. As all of you know, next month we will be crowning the first ever Queen of the Castle where the winner will be given a tiara or a crown, however you want to stylize it, which can be used and exchanged at any time for a LONE Championship opportunity. One lucky woman is going to win the opportunity of a lifetime and you know what? She, whoever the winner may be, deserves to have her victory shown and broadcast in a First Class facility. So it is with great pride that I announce that this will be the LAST LONE event to ever take place in the state of Maine!
The cheers suddenly revolt into defeaning boos as it becomes apparent that IC3 was playing with and stringing them along the entire time!
IC3: Because the truth of the matter is, Portland lacks class! LONE has done nothing but give and give and give to this city and what has LONE gotten in return? Complete and utter contempt from a collection of ingrates! I've even heard rumors that the Mayor has already packed their bags to take a very lucrative position in Miami!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
IC3: I'm sorry, the truth hurts! But don't boo ME! We TRIED to work with the city of Portland! We wanted to renovate this arena and we weren't even going to ask for a single dime in public funding! It's not my fault your “Mayor” played you all like a bunch of puppets and let Portland fall into disrepair and if the rumors are true, bolting this ice bucket from hell for the sandy beaches of Miami! The fact of the matter is your “Mayor” got tired of playing with this little toy called Portland and threw every single one of you away. Threw away all of your lives, your hopes, and your dreams because the “Mayor” was bored of you! Portland has become this lawless land, this no man's land where businesses are in the middle of a mass exodus, people are moving out, and the ones that don't are left at the mercy of lawless and classless rogues that can do whatever they damn well please! Where's the police department, where's any sense of law and order?! IT DOESN'T EXIST, IT DOESN'T EXIST BECAUSE YOUR “MAYOR”, ACCORDING TO RUMORS, LEFT TOWN MONTHS AGO!
FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3!
IC3: If you can't win with class, at least lose with class! Have some self-respect and some dignity! If Portland is destined to become a ghost town anyway and forgotten, the least you can do is have some pride going out the door instead of letting your glorious “Mayor” have the last laugh watching you devolve into the apocalyptic world of Mad Max from afar! LONE deserves better, Jack E. Bux deserves better! Jack E Bux has done nothing but pour his time and energy into this city and all he's gotten is a pile of fucks that he's unable to give! So as per our agreement I made the executive decision to transplant LONE and move this First Class Promotion to a state of true class, my home state, the GOLDEN STATE of California! After tonight, any promotion under the Prospect Wrestling Network banner will operate only in First Class Arenas! Arenas that have all the amenities and perks that our great fans and roster deserve! I'm going to take care of everyone in LONE from the top all the way to the bottom with PWN providing raises and bonuses as a thank you AS WELL as an apology for having to put up with a dump like Portland! It's only fair!
FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3!
IC3: So enjoy tonight's farewell and if any of you want to continue following us you can do so at the cost of $4.99 per month. And just to show you what a kind man I am? Everyone in the New England Area is eligible for a free month trial of the Prospect Wrestling Network, everyone except IP addresses residing within the Portland area! Goodnight, and win with class!
With that IC3 drops the mic as “Money (Instrumental)” by Pink Floyd plays him out as he leaves an angry crowd behind him.
FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3! FUCK YOU IC3!
Violent Violet vs Madison Anderson
Baxter: The Following contest is set for one fall... and is a First Round match in the Queen of the Castle Tournament! Introducing first...
"I am Violence" by Drag the Lake kicks on over the PA, a theme that hasn't been heard before but who steps out is a LONE Superstar everyone is familiar with. Violent Violet stands on stage, surveying the audience before just casually walking to the ring.
Baxter: From Minneapolis, Minnesota, she is VIOLEEEENT VIOLEEEEEEEEEEEEET!
Violent Violet steps through the ropes after hurrying up the steel steps, and when she gets into the ring she just stands in the center and gives the camera a hard stare.
Baxter: And her opponent...
Another theme that is unheard of so far kicks in. Donkeyboy's "Ambitions" and yet again, a LONE Superstar everyone's familiar with steps through. It's Madison Anderson! She spreads her arms out while on stage, smiling and waving to fans, occasionally giving some a high five as she skips to the ring!
Baxter: From Manchester, New Hampshire, MADISON AAAAANDERSOOOOOOOON!
She slides into the ring and moves to the ropes on the hard camera side, leaning over the top rope and spreading her hands in the air. Full of energy and cheer, she moves away from the ropes to go do the same on the opposite ones!
DING DING
Madison Anderson and Violent Violet go after one another shortly after the bell as they begin to circle one another. Violet makes an aggressive low lung for Madison, looking to take advantage of her inexperience but the rookie managed to be just a step quicker as she sidestepped as Violet crashed with her arms full of air. Madison quickly followed up with dropkick to the ribs. This seems to only piss Violet off as she swung with a wild right as she lifts herself up, catching Madison on the cheek near one of her eyes sending Madison down in a hurry.
North: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the second night of the Queen of the Castle tournament, night 2 of 3! The opening match here tonight, Violent Violet and Madison Anderson, both of these women would love to see their stocks rise here tonight and get one step closer to the prize!
Washington: Violet's partner, Cinnamon, advanced last month and Madison Anderson recently has an upset win over Olga to her credit. I still think she should've gotten out of state for her own safety but I'll give her credit for coming out here to chase this opportunity.
North: While I do agree with you, sometimes you just have to face the music and take a chance!
Violet is quick to get to her feet and begins to headbutt Madison repeatedly and mercilessly as she held her by her hair. The referee immediately calls for a clean break with the hair pulling but Violet is quick to violently headbutt Madison back to the mat before aggressively shoving the referee and backing him into a corner, causing the official to quickly bring up his hands defensively. Violet barks at the referee to count as she covers Madison. 1.....2....KICKOUT! Violet demands a faster count as she shoves her forearm over Madison's face as she covers her again. 1.....2....KICKOUT! She clubs Madison in the forehead with her arm before getting up to once again arguing with the referee.
North: Violet is living up to her Violent moniker already but she needs to watch it with the official, she might be a little overeager and get herself disqualified!
Washington: That's the line she blurs, Violet is always got her foot slammed down on the pedal. Sometimes it works out for her and sometimes it backfires in a disastrous way.
During the commotion Madison manages to slowly pull herself together and crawls behind Violet and quickly rolls her up for the pin! The referee drops down to count as Madison tries to leverage her entire body weight to keep her held down. 1.....2....TH-KICKOUT!
North: Madison Anderson nearly steals it!
Washington: If she keeps stealing she might need to enter witness protection at some point. I can't imagine what it'd be like to be hunted down by Violent Violet AND Olga!
Violet is angry that she almost got pinned by surprise and aggressively goes after Madison again but this time Madison was a bit more prepared as she quickly used Violet's own momentum against her with an armdrag. Violet quickly crashes to the mat and pops up just in time for Madison to springboard off the ropes with a crossbody, holding on upon landing for another pin attempt. 1.....2....KICKOUT! Violet begins to look a little overwhelmed and she quickly looks to slow the pace down as she goes for a eyerake as she shoves Madison off of her. The referee sees this and gives her another verbal warning, something Violet immediately ignores as she wraps her hands around her throat and begins trying to choke the life out of her!
North: A blatant and illegal choke by Violet, come on now!
Washington: I mean, you could go down there and try to stop her! Come on, Kevin, be the hero!
It takes the referee a few moments to be able to confirm it's an illegal choke as Violet is busy trying to violently thrust Madison's head against the mat repeatedly as she chokes her and the referee has no choice but to begin the five count.
1!
2!
3!
4!
FIV-
Violet lets go just before the referee can finish, cutting it awfully close to disqualification. Madison coughs and hacks as she struggles to catch her breath after such an assault. Violet wastes no time scooping Madison up, looking to hit the Violent Tendancies package piledriver but as she she goes to lift her up Madison manages to counter with a hurricanrana, hooking the leg upon impact! 1......2....KICKOUT!
North: Again, Madison almost takes it, this time with the Hurricanrana!
Violet nearly avoids being pinned for a three count as she kicks out. Madison knows she needs to try something unorthodox and quick or else Violet was going to come out her like a house on fire and with a vengeance. Madison doesn't even wait for Violet to get all the way up, already taking off as Violet pushes herself up to a knee, connecting with the fameasser just as she got back to a vertical base!
Washington: Fameasser! Oh man, I know a guy that'd be tickled to death over seeing that classic come out!
Madison immediately goes for the cover. 1....2........3..........4........5........6...... The referee is oblivious to the count as Frank Debauchee had managed to hop on the apron to catch his attention! Madison begins to realize what's going on and gets up, only to get blindsided by Olga who boots her right in the face!
North: I.... I think this is where you run, Madison.
Washington: Or crawl away! Get out of there!
Madison crashes to the mat but Olga wasn't going to give her a single second to recover, scoops her up and drops her with the Olga Bomb jackknife powerbomb! Olga grabs Violet by the hair and nearly yanks her off completely off the mat one handed and drapes her over Madison before rolling out of the ring. Debauchee then points the pin out to the referee as he hops off the apron. The referee now sees Violet draped over Madison and counts. 1.........2..........3!
Baxter: Here is your winner... Violent Violet!
North: Sooner or later you got to pay the piper. I hate that Madison got cheated out of advancing here but Olga is the last person you want chasing you!
Washington: Absolutely! Olga, as far as she's concerned, just got a measure of revenge after Madison added a rare stain to her record! I don't agree with it but I'm pretty happy on this side of the table, thank you!
The Damned Segment
Sister Catherine: You fail to understand...
Sister Catherine's voice is heard as the titantron comes to life.
Sister Catherine isn't standing in front of a blank background with a red filter, no, instead she's in front of a podium.
Behind her is what appears to be the back of a barn. She's inside of a barn made of old, rotting wood that has definitely seen better days. There are strings set up to hold lanterns that are lit up to provide light in the barn. It is the barn from nights past where she would hold her sermons, and it looks like tonight is going to be more of the same. Stitches is to her left, holding a doll close to her chest but not in the likeness of Sister Catherine. It appears to be someone else, but the front of it is pressed close to her bosom. Stitches is dressed in her usual gear while Sister Catherine is wearing a white robe with red trim, and a pattern of gold crosses stitched into it. She has the hood of her robe down, and on the podium in front of her is the Holy Bible open to a passage. Her hair is done up in a ponytail, and her reading glasses rest neatly on her nose. Her left hand is on the bible, while the right is obfuscated by the podium.
Sister Catherine: Once again, you fail to understand. We are damned, that is true. We are cursed by God but... as I explain many times and will continue to explain until you all understand... we are his tools. We are the tools for his plan. You are a Godless Monster, Alison Crowne. You are a Godless Monster and those are your own words. You have focused your whole life on martial arts. Combat. You have focused your whole life on deadly arts that are designed to KILL..... and yet we are the sick and deranged ones?
Sister Catherine raises her brow at that, perplexed by such a notion.
Sister Catherine: You could have spent all of that time learning the good book, and actually trying to help those walk in the light of the Lord. Yet instead you pine for your title, which you treat better than the human lives who are or were with you for support. Yet again, we are the sick and deranged ones...
Sister Catherine takes a glance to Stitches, who glances back at her.
Sister Catherine: Stitches, do you have a few words?
Stitches nods and steps closer to the camera, tilting her head to her right and frowning deeply.
Stitches: I just wanted to play with you, Alison! And you insult me so? Don't worry.....
That frown flips upside down.
Stitches: ... We'll play again...!
Stitches flips the doll over to reveal that it's in the likeness of Alison Crowne. She then steps back into her place, petting the doll's hair.
Sister Catherine: Before we part for the evening, I will leave you with a verse.
Sister Catherine looks down and begins reading from her bible.
Sister Catherine: Isaiah 44:9-20. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit nothing? People who do that will be put to shame; such craftsmen are only human beings. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and shame. The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint. The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, “Save me! You are my god!” They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
Sister Catherine looks down towards her right hand and starts to lift it up to reveal what she had been hiding behind the podium. It's her half of the LONE Tag Team Championship belts.
Sister Catherine: This is not a lie! This is not an idol! This is not something that I worship like the rest of you! No! This is a mark! A testament! A testament from the LORD!... On everything we are capable of... Alison Crowne. Alison Crowne, you got a taste of your sin two months ago! You must have evidently enjoyed the taste, which was not our intent, if you want to come for us now. That is fine. If God wills it in Jack E. Bux's heart, Mr. Bux will create the match you want, Ms. Crowne..... and we will be happy to oblige.
For we are Retribution!
We are Enlightenment!
Unison: We are the Damned!
Sister Catherine closes her Bible forcibly with her left hand while the right still holds up the title.
Sister Catherine: ..... Have a good evening.....
Rook vs Glorious One
Baxter: The following contest... is the final match of the first round of the Queen of the Castle Tournament! Introducing first...
Kernkraft 400's "Zombie Nation (Original Version)" starts up. Rook steps out from behind the curtain, standing on stage and lowering her glasses some as she looks out over the crowd. She takes a few steps before taking her glasses off and tossing them out towards whichever lucky fan will catch them, before retrieving another pair and sliding them on.
Baxter: From Deer Lodge County, Montana! ROOOOOOOOOOK!
She hops up onto the apron, taking a few steps and then putting one leg through the middle and top rope, but pauses to lower her glasses and look out at the crowd before fully stepping through.
Baxter: And her opponent... Accompanied to the ring by legendary manager Mark Robertson. From Hollywood, California, THEEEEEEEEEE GLOOOORIOUSSSSSS OOOOOOOOOOONEEEEEEEE!
The Glorious One walks out from the back wearing a rhinestone robe. Mark Robertson leads the way. Mark walks up the ringsteps and sits on the middle rope and holds the top rope up for the Glorious One to step through. Glorious one takes her time walking up the steps before stepping through the ropes spreading her arms out wide.
DING DING
Washington: You know this tournament is serious when you see someone like Glorious One make a shocking return! Rook has had an amazing early career thus far but this may be her biggest challenge yet!
North: You don't accumulate her resume and still be in the shape to wrestle at a high level at her age without being as smart as she is and as savvy. This is going to electric!
Rook is quick to dart after The Glorious One who is quick to duck under the ropes for a quick and clean break. Rook is forced to back out as Glorious One slithers outside of the ring to speak with Robertson, perhaps in a play in psychological warfare.
North: Glorious One isn't in any hurry to give Rook what she wants though!
Washington: It's a psychological ploy, Kevin. She's trying to get into Rook's head early and often, she's trying to get the rookie to get a little overeager and then pounce.
Rook sees this and quickly goes to dive through the ropes, but Glorious One and Robertson split like a pair of pins. Rook however doesn't crash and burn as she catches herself and backflips into the center of the ring with a loud crowd cheering as Glorious One and Robertson look flustered.
Washington: Now Rook is playing some mindgames of her own! This might turn into a game of chess!
North: Rook certainly has her own style, it's definitely a clash of the old guard vs the new generation!
Meanwhile the referee begins to count Glorious One out, ordering her back into the ring.
1!
2!
3!
4!
5!
6!
Glorious One continues to take her sweet time as Rook has her eyes glued on her the entire time. Rook actually backs up and invites her into the center of the ring.
7!
8!
Glorious One hops up on the apron and steps inside the ropes, Rook grinning as she keeps her word and stays back, leaving her and Robertson unsure exactly what to think.
North: I'm not sure Rook should've just let Glorious One into the center of the ring like that instead of pressing on the gas.
Washington: I can understand that but in a way it's genius. Glorious One expected some kind of trick and it never happened. Now is she wondering in the back of her head if something else is in store that she just hasn't seen yet? It's definitely gamesmanship in play here.
Rook backpedals to the ropes, and throws her arms behind the top rope and leans back, holding herself steady she kicks her feet up and positions and lays herself on the top rope leisurely and grins wider which seems to finally move Glorious One into action. Glorious One darts after her, causing Rook to drop down onto the apron and with the aid of the ropes swing a very high kick to the temple of the Glorious One, stunning her on her feet before hitting a plancha hurricanrana back into the ring!
Washington: Sometimes overconfidence can be a bad thing but right now Rook is definitely using her confidence to her advantage and making it work for her! She's gotten inside Glorious One's head, not an easy feat for a savvy veteran like her.
North: A high kick like that followed up by a hurricanrana is enough to get anyone's bell rung in quick succession!
Washington: Rook nearly became the LONE Champion in her first match against then-champion Alison Crowne. At worst she's always been very competitive ever since and what a statement it'd send if she could somehow find a way to capture victory! There's a lot of match left to be had but she's off to a fantastic start.
Glorious One quickly gets back to her feet a bit flustered as Rook is already up as well as she seems to be going for a boot straight to the head. Glorious One manages to side step and seems to regain her footing, only for Rook to slip behind her and take her down from behind as she's already going for her heel hook! Glorious One scrambles desperately and manages to hang onto the bottom rope just before Rook could fully lock it in!
North: Oh ho! Rook almost had her with that heel hook!
Washington: Glorious One is flirting with an absolute disaster here!
The referee calls for a clean break, which Rook gives at the count of 2, keeping it locked in a little longer than usual to send a bit of a psychological message.
North: Rook is absolutely dominating the former champion early on!
Washington: I am a little surprised I have to say, even with her track record so far. Glorious One is on a whole different level, with respect to most of the rest of the women on the roster. She's a legend, she's got experience most just simply don't have and she's absolutely bringing it to her!
Rook backs off to the center of the ring and invites Glorious One to come after her. The Glorious One looks visibly flustered at this point and shouts something back at Robertson on the outside. Glorious One slowly moves to the center to meet Rook, not wanting to rush her and hoping to find a way to slow down the pace of this match an begin working back to her strengths. Glorious One invites Rook to a test of strength as she holds her hands up high and Rook grins and looks to reciprocate. Glorious One seems to have finally found her opening as she quickly brings her hands back down and claws and rakes them over Rook's eyes, ripping off her sunglasses in the process! The crowd boos loudly but Robertson applauds loudly on the outside as Glorious One firmly plants Rook with a DDT!
North: What a nasty DDT! That just might be what Glorious One needs! It's only a shame that she had to cheat just to catch a breather!
Washington: She's a survivor, Kevin. Sometimes you have to literally scratch and claw to get out of a bad situation! Like it or not, you don't reach the point she has in her career without developing some tricks to preserve herself!
Glorious One quickly grabs her in a sleeper hold and begins to drag her to the crowd, using her body weight and leverage to control the off balanced and flailing Rook. Glorious One manages to take her down to the ground and keeps the sleeper hold locked in tightly, trying to choke every last breath of air out of Rook's lungs. Rook gasps for air and struggles, trying to reach for the ropes in vain as Glorious One transitions to the leg body scissors and squeezes from two points of attack, looking to put this match on ice and advance in Queen of the Castle.
North: Sleeper body scissors, she's looking to put this match on ice!
The referee tries to ask Rook if she wants to give up, and she manages to shout “NO!” but perhaps against her own best interests as she expelled a lot more air than she needed to, making Glorious One's boa constrictor impression look more and more on point by the second. Rook's arms begin to droop and fall limp as the Glorious One asks the referee to check her. The referee grabs Rook's wrist and lifts her arm high into the air before letting go as it drops limp to the mat.
ONE!
Washington: She's fading, she's fading fast, this might be it!
Glorious One manages to make her hold even tighter now, if that were even possible, as Rook's face begins to turn red and blue from the pressure and lack of oxygen. The referee goes to lift Rook's arm up again and once more it falls limp to the mat.
TWO!
North: Glorious One is just one more arm drop away from advancing via submission!
The referee strongly considers calling for a medical stoppage here and now, but decides to go through the final check, rather hastily now, to keep his bases completely covered. He lifts her arm up one final time and it begins to fall like a stone plunged into a lake but right before it hits the mat Rook forms a fist.....
… and pops it back up into the air as the crowd roars to life!
North: Rook isn't done!
Washington: I don't know where she found the strength to do that, but she's not going to quit!
Glorious One begins to shake her head vigorously as Rook begins to push herself up! Glorious One sandbags her weight on Rook, making zero effort to be pulled up with her, keeping the body scissors and sleeper hold locked in tightly, forcing Rook to essentially deadlift her with her body from the prone position. The referee keeps a steady eye on Rook as she first manages to get to her knees before getting to one knee, and then finally to a vertical base all while Glorious One clung to her back for dear life! Robertson yells encouragement to Glorious One, to keep her locked in just a little longer before she fades again and Glorious One tries to buy every single second she can to make that a reality. Rook, knowing her positioning within the ring begins backpedaling with a purpose, slamming Glorious One's body right into the turnbuckles! Glorious One finally has no choice but to relent as she lets go!
North: Rook got free, but the damage might already be done!
Washington: Might? I'm pretty confident it has been done! That's a lot to come back from, she's wheezing and gasping for air, her ribs were constricted and constrained her ability to breathe properly. Her body needs to get some oxygen back into her lungs and her system and Glorious One might not afford her that luxury!
Rook is breathing very heavily looking to catch her breath but Glorious One, despite writhing in pain was still in much better shape overall and quickly cuts Rook's feet out from under her with a chop block that skirts very close to being illegal maneuver if for no other reason than medical that sends Rook immediately back on her back. She grabs Rook by the legs and drags her into the middle of the ring and flips her over on her stomach for a boston crab! From one submission to another Rook was once again stuck in very bad way!
North: From one submission to another, Glorious One now has her trapped in that boston crab!
Washington: Glorious One has already managed to regain the momentum here in a swift manner, this might be all she wrote!
Rook screams in pain that while now she could breathe her legs and back were on fire, and her midsection already worked on a bit with the body scissors. Glorious One was looking to completely break Rook down and make her submit, especially after the disrespect she received at the beginning. Rook begins to crawl towards the ropes but her journey is painstakingly slow. The referee checks on Rook if she wants to submit but she shakes her head, as defiant as ever.
North: Rook refuses to quit!
Washington: But she might have to decide, soon, what's more important, winning this match or preserving her body for a longer career? Some lasting damage could be done here if she's not careful!
Rook scratches and claws to the ropes, inch by inch as Glorious One sat back as far as she possibly could, making Rook struggle for every single inch she gained. Rook's face begins to turn red again just from the sheer amount of pain shooting through her body, it was almost too much to handle. The referee asks her a second time if she wants to give up and again Rook refuses to give in as she flips the bird to the referee in defiance! The referee is taken a bit aback by her fire and defiance as the crowd tries to rally Rook back to the ropes. Finally, after what seems like forever Rook finally is able to reach out and gets her hand on the bottom rope! The referee immediately calls for the clean break and Glorious One milks the 5 count for all it's worth!
1!
2!
3!
4!
Glorious One finally lets go, only to avoid disqualification!
North: Glorious One abusing the rules, milking every second she could!
Glorious One doesn't give Rook a single second to recover though, as she watches her foe pull herself up with great struggle, nearly crippled by the former LONE Champion's surgical assault with the sole intent of tearing her body apart before defeat. As Rook finially forces herself back to hear feet The Glorious One sees the golden opportunity, the Spotlight calling for her as she hits Rook with The Spotlight from behind, her vicious backbreaker!
North: Spotlight! Spotlight! She's put countless people away over the years with that backbreaker!
Washington: All she has to do is go for the pin and this is as good as done!
The Glorious One doesn't go for the pin however, she wasn't going to make it that easy on Rook, she wanted to break her just a little more. She once again drags Rook to the center of the ring and locks her in the boston crab once more! Now with Rook's back thoroughly targeted and worked over she screamed in pain as Glorious One knew the end was near!
North: She wants to torture her just a little more, she wants to physically force Rook to submit to her!
Washington: She's trying to break Rook!
Rook tries her best to crawl to the ropes but she's making no significant headway towards her salvation. She clutches her fist and slams it on the mat several times, doing so to avoid the referee taking it as her tapping out. Glorious One meanwhile can feel it in the air and she torques back with all she can as she looked to deliver the kill! Rook hovers her open hand over the mat, close to tapping out but instead she forms it into a fist and tries to push herself up one more time... managed to just get enough to twist her body and reverse the boston crab into her patented heel hook! Glorious One's eyes nearly bulge and pop out of her head in shock as she went from being in total control to trapped in the center of the ring with no way out! Rook has the heel hook locked in tight and if there was a way to wiggle out it was far from obvious and despite Robertson's loud protests on the outside Glorious One has no choice but to tap out!
Baxter: Here is your winner by submission... ROOK!
North: Rook somehow, someway found a way to seal the victory! She snatched victory from he jaws of defeat!
Washington: This is the biggest win of Rook's career, this is huge! After such a stunning victory, defeating who would've been considered anyone's favorite pick to win the whole tournament you have to count Rook among the favorites to go all the way now! She overcame what would've been considered an impossible challenge and she did it in the first round!
North: Well, thank you everyone for inviting us into your homes once again. For the last time we're signing out of Portland. Catch us next month in California, on the Prospect Wrestling Network. Goodnight everyone!
