RESULTS - WCG presents: Hype! - 003

As Austen exits, Ryan Keys steps in. This guest would be the WCGenesis Champ Ryan Keys.

Ryan: "You called me in Honey?"

Ryan Keys walks in confused by the decorations that surrounds him. With a raised brow and clutching his West Coast title. He's still dressed in civil clothes of dark colored overly ripped jeans and a sleeveless denim hoodie vest along with a gray beanie hat. Ryan carefully walks inside the office, looking around for anymore abnormalities before resting his cold blue eyes on Honey. It's still a strange sight seeing her in the seat of power this time around.

Honey points to his hat.

Honey: Can I wear it?

She says looking hopeful.

Lost in his confusing Ryan slowly nods his head and takes off his hat, letting his grown brown fall from where it was confined.

Ryan: Sure. Here... is that what you called me for? Because you could have just asked.

He chuckles while brushing his messy hair back with his hand.

Honey puts it on and smiles as she sits down at her desk and offers Brian the big beanbag chair

Honey: Ok, Ryan. So how has it been being WCGenesis Champion?

Honey says with her bumblebee clipboard at her desk ready to write the answer.

Ryan: Oh..can't complain. It's always an honor to hold a master piece of a title as this one.

Ryan says as he's a bit cautious when sitting on the big beanbag chair until he sinks down with it. Clearing his throat he tries to find a comfortable way to sit.

Ryan: After defending it against Julianna I'm a lot more confident in what I can do with the target on my back.

Honey: Yes Julianna is like really tough and she gave you a good match. If you could pick who you wanted to defend the title against, who would you pick?

There is no long pause between the question and what Ryan was thinking. The answer is obvious.

Ryan: Not Julianna.. tough as she is I don't deal with sore losers.

He chuckles a bit and shakes his head.

Ryan: No, but the real answer is Keiji Sugiwara. His style against mine would make an awesome main event.

Honey mildly squeals and quickly plays it off as a cough.

Honey: He's a Young Cub like me.

Honey points to her Young Cubs jacket on the coat rack

Ryan: I'll have to get back to you on that. Besides locker room talk and a few laugh I've hardly gotten to know him. Same with most of the roster.

He nods his head and holds himself up right after nearly falling back on the chair.

Ryan: Though another guy that I really want to meet in the ring is that Princely dude.

Honey: Hmm, Princely. Okey dokey. Maybe you can meet him too.

Honey says thinking with the pen tapping at her chin

Honey: I think you met Ruby Rose too, you saved her last show.

Smiling at the mention of his friends name Ryan nods again.

Ryan: Oh yeah Ruby. The coolest person I've met. Like I told her, she helped me paint myself like a superhero so I had to jump in and save her when she needed it.

Chuckling to himself he finally sits correctly on the beanbag chair.

Ryan: I have my friends backs no matter what.

Honey smiles

Honey: I think that's good too. But..

She says dropping her smile a little

Honey: What if you and Ruby have to face each other for that?

Honey says pointing to the WCGenesis Championship

Ryan: Then we fight it out. One on one. Her badass self vs my art. I think it would be a great match, right?

He asks with a wider smile on his face, though it vanishes.

Ryan: As a champion I'll take on anyone that worked for the chance to do it. Friend or otherwise.

Honey: I think it would be, like a super match.

Honey then puts a gold star on his paper.

Honey: And a tough question but. Umm, if one person goes up to Redemption... Who would that be, like, who you think it would be and why?

Ryan thinks about the questing for a while, tapping his thumb over his knee. With a short sound he think of a name.

Ryan: If I can't say myself I have to go with Jess Hardy. I've trained with her, fought against her, she has an incredible ability to lock people down, and trust me I've felt it. So she would be my pick. Jess is a great talent that has yet to show what she knows.

Ryan says confidently.

Honey: Interesting, like, I am glad you think so.

Honey writes down Jess.

Honey: And now I can put this away for Devlin Scott.. Mr. Scott

Honey says the correction in a gruffer tone trying to be professional.

Ryan: What's this all for anyway? Looks like you're making a list off me.

He asks casually with his brow raised at Honeys actions.

Ryan: Did Devlin put you up to this to get info out of me? Because I told him that last weeks towel accident wasn't my fault.

Honey: I'm just getting information for Devlin, I think it's called meerkat research. So he can see who like, you think is a worthy contender and stuff. And also to be a good GM.

Honey smiles wide as she puts his paper in her folder

Ryan: That so...

Ryan slowly leaned forward to help himself of the M&Ms on the desk, popping a few into his mouth.

Ryan: I'm already the champion, so what else would I be a contender for?

Honey zips her lip

Honey: Secret Honey Gm ideas.

She says slowly bursting to say but manages to refrain

Honey: Um but if you have any problems tonight or, like, get hungry there is boxes of strawberry kitkats all over so help yourself

She says smiling

Ryan: You mean these?

He looks at the kitkats on the desks and quickly grabs a few of them to store in his pocket.

Ryan: Good because I brought Har...I mean yeah, I'm starving.

He quickly catches himself and recovers.

Honey doesn't really catch what he brought and is just glad he likes her arrangements in food

Honey: Well you can eat lots and lots but don't get too full for your match

Ryan keeps stuffing more until he knows that it's enough.

Ryan: Don't worry. I'll work it all out against Gunnar tonight. After all he owes me one for attacking Ruby

Honey nods and smiles

Honey: Tell Ruby I said hi

She says expecting him to go see Ruby

Ryan: I will. She's babysitting

He smiles and makes the effort to get up from the chair that seems to be pulling him back until he stands.

Ryan: So I'll catch you outside. Remember a bunch of us are going out for pizza and bowling after the show.

He goes to the door while opening a kitkat for the road. Saying goodbye to Honey, Ryan exits as we head into the arena.

---

Mackenzie: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Coming out first, hailing from Metairie, Louisiana: Tornado Desencadenado!

The guitar riff to “Blow Me Away” cues up on the venue’s speakers. Tornado walks out from behind the curtain and does several “chain-breaker” warm ups. Afterwards he bounds back and forth across the stage; encouraging the fans to cheer louder. Tornado then jogs down the ramp, slapping any offered hands. When he reaches the ring apron he rolls inside, pops to his feet, and does a couple of spins around the center of the ring with his arms outstretched. Finally, he takes his right fist and thumps the left side of his chest three times.

Mackenzie: And his opponent, from Oceanside, California: Donovan Basch!

Once the opening chords of "Poor Twisted Me" echo through the arena, Donovan emerges from the backstage area, taking his time to survey the arena and the fans attending the event. He plasters a derisive smirk upon his face and makes his way to the ring, chuckling to himself as he soaks in the rancor of the crowd. Once he reaches the ring, he performs a standing jump from the floor to the apron, pausing long enough to shoot one last look over his shoulder before entering the ring.

Phoenix: This is a battle between two of WCG’s finest physical specimens. Donovan Basch is a giant of a man with deceptive speed, while Desencadenado himself has exceptional athleticism.

Referee Corey Carter calls both men to the middle of the ring to go over the rules. Tornado offers his hand to the bigger Basch, who warily takes and shakes it. The crowd gives a cheer of approval at the display of sportsmanship, and then Carter motions for the bell. Once the match begins the duo are all business, warily circling each other before locking up. Donovan gets the upper hand, and transitions the elbow and collar tie up into a side headlock. He takes Tornado down to the mat and continues the hold. After some considerable effort is able to shift in position enough to get Basch in a headscissors submission. Donovan powers his way out and kips up. He then rushes TD and pulls him to his feet in a front face lock. Again though the Fundamental Elemental is able to twist his way free and brings the larger man down with an armbar. Tornado switches the hold to a hammerlock and then tries rolling Basch onto his shoulders for a cradle pin, but Donovan muscles his way out. The two spring to their feet and glare at each other.

Phoenix: Nice bit of chain wrestling to start off the match. I would have expected it from Tornado, given his technical background, but Donovan was able to match him move for move.

A few seconds into the pair’s stare down Tornado raises his arm up to signal the classic ‘test of strength’ spot. Donovan smirks and mimics his opponent’s pose. The pair clasp hands, and immediately TD twists and pivots like a whirling dervish, taking Basch down to the mat with a tiger spin drop toe hold. He jumps on Donovan’s back and tries for another armbar, but an enraged Basch bucks him off with authority. When Basch gets to his feet Tornado goes for a double leg takedown which the bigger man no-sells. He clubs away at TD’s back and neck, driving him to his knees, and follows that up by grabbing two handfuls of his foes hair and slamming TD face first to the mat.

Phoenix: Whoa. Donovan isn’t too happy about being lured into that phony ‘test of strength’.

Basch puts the boots to his opponent. After several strikes he reaches down, deadlifts TD, and hurls him halfway across the ring with a gutwrench suplex. Donovan rises and stomps after his foe. Pulling him to his feet he then flings him to the ropes, hitting him with a kneeling back elbow and then a kneelift on the rebound. He flips Tornado over for the cover. One! Tw-! Desencadenado kicks out. With a grimace Basch pulls TD up and whips him to the corner. He charges, and mashes Tornado into the ring post with a body avalanche. The big man then contemptuously Biels TD away. He grabs the ropes and braces himself. Then, he bolts towards Tornado and tries for a running senton; only TD rolls out of the way.

Phoenix: That was close! Tornado Desencadenado only just escaped getting crushed by Basch. But can he capitalize on his opponent’s failure?

Tornado lurches to his feet while Basch is still writhing on the ground clutching his lower back. He waits until his opponent is on his hands and knees and tries for an Oklahoma Roll pin. One! Two! Basch kicks out. Tornado catches Basch in a front head chancery and then a gator roll. The duo trundle across the ring until they reach the apron. Basch gets his leg on the bottom rope, and the referee orders TD to break the hold. Both men clamber to their feet and begin exchanging forearm shots, ignoring Carter’s demands they move clear of the edge of the ring. Finally Basch heaves TD away. Desencadenado hits the ropes on the opposite side and caroms back. Basch tries for his jumping crescent kick, but Tornado is prepared and takes Donovan down with a dragon screw leg whip. When Basch gets up to charge again TD catches him in a snap powerslam. Hopping up to his feet the Ring Revolutionary plays to the crowd, pounding on his left breast theatrically before grabbing Basch in a headlock. He drags Basch to the corner and jumps onto the second rope before leaping off to hit a Tornado DDT, only Basch powers out and flings Tornado over the top rope. TD awkwardly crashes shoulder first into the ring apron and then flops onto the mat.

Phoenix: What a counter! A wounded, winded Donovan Basch just tossed the 235 pound Tornado Desencadenado out of the ring like he was nothing more than a gnat.

Desencadenado is propped up against the ring apron clutching the arm he landed on. Basch rolls outside and herks the smaller man to his feet. He slams his bum shoulder against the ringpost, and then works his injured arm over, weaving it between ropes and then pulling on it maliciously. Referee Carter orders him to stop, and then begins to count both men out. Basch lets go of TD’s arm, knees him in the gut, and pushes him back inside the ring. Tornado immediately crawls away from the ring apron. Basch meanwhile, leaps onto it and then enters the ring by stepping over the top rope. He walks casually up to his opponent who is now on his feet, and mockingly raises his hand, offering to test the strength of TD’s wounded arm. He then kicks Desencadenado in the gut and lifts him up in the crucifix position.

Donovan takes a couple of steps and brings Tornado down to the mat with a bone-crushing powerbomb. He hooks his legs over TD’s shoulders for the sit-out pin. One! Two! Three! Carter motions for the bell.

Mackenzie: Here is your winner, Donovan Basch!

Basch gets to his feet and holds up his fist in triumph while Carter kneels to check on the still downed Tornado.

Phoenix: An impressive victory for Donovan Basch. You have to believe the big man has made a strong case for himself as the man to beat in next month’s five way match for the South Bay Title. As for Tornado Desencadenado, the search for his first victory continues.

The segment ends with Tornado rolling out of the ring and limping his way to the back while Basch celebrates. 

We pan into the ring where McKenzie is joined in the ring by Sugiwara. He stretches on the ropes warming himself up.

Mckenzie: The following contest is for one fall. Already in the ring hailing from Oksada, Japan...Keiji Sugiwara!

"Mummy Dust" begins to play as the lights dim and a large spotlight shines down on the stage. Aaynet walks out and stretches both arms wide. Two massive plumes of smoke rise on either side of her and out steps Karston Daire on the right. He lets out a primal yell, then they stalk their way down to the ring.

Mckenzie: And his opponent escorted to the ring by Aaynet, hailing from Duluth, Minnesota… Karston Daire!

Karston heads up the steps while Aaynet slithers into the center of the ring and rises up to her knees as Karston steps to her right. They both raise their right fists high in the air, then slam them down on the ring, the lights going out as they hit the mat. Sugiwara rests up in the corner staring at his opponent.

DING DING DING

Sugiwara charges straight at Daire but eats a big boot. Hitting the mat hard, Daire drops to try his luck early. The pinfall doesn’t even get one. Daire rises pulling Sugiwara up with him by the hair and throws him into the corner. Daire follows in with a big splash, Sugiwara bounces forward off the corner stumbling into a stiff clothesline by Daire. Daire roars at the first row as his opponent struggles to get up to his feet.

Phoenix: Daire wastes no times going after this opponent.

Sugiwara rises up to his feet and sizes up the big man who is still looking out the ring. Sprinting across the ring Sugiwara drops a massive dropkick to the upper back of Daire. The kick knocks him forward into the ropes, but Daire looks more annoyed than in pain. He turns and shoots forward with a lariat just as Sugiwara bounces up from the dropkick. Sugiwara ducks in the last second, as Daire turns Sugiwara throws himself back connecting with a pele kick. A loud smack comes from the hill. Daire looks rocked but not enough to drop him.

Phoenix: Sugiwara has a massive uphill struggle to even get Daire’s shoulder to the mat.

Sugiwara wastes no time springing up and whipping Daire into the corner, following in with a massive knee to Daire’s chin. Pulling him out the corner in a headlock Sugiwara throws him into the opposite corner, again charging in with a knee, but this time Daire catches him. Stepping forward holding Sugiwara in some sort of bear hug he throws Sugiwara directly over his head with a belly to belly overhead release suplex that sends Sugiwara crashing into the turnbuckles and landing oddly on his neck.

Phoenix: OOOHHH! That was nasty. He may be knocked out cold by that one!

Daire grabs his opponent's boot and ragdolls him into the centre of the ring before dropping an elbow into Sugiwara’s neck. Laying on top of him Daire goes for the pin but Sugiwara immediately rolls to the his side before the ref even hits the canvas. Hustrated Daire gets up and pulls Sugiwara up in a headlock throwing up and over in a suplex. Knowing he's in trouble Sugiwara rolls to the ropes and uses them to pull himself up. Daire rushes in grabbing Sugiwara ready for german suplex but Sugiwara holds on to the top rope. Throwing several elbows back Sugiwara manages to get Daire to release his hold. Bouncing off the ropes Sugiwara darts into Daire with a stiff elbow, keeping his momentum he hits the opposite ropes and comes back with another elbow. The shots still don’t knock down Daire but is rocked. Sugiwara has enough time to sprint up to the top rope and dive off but Daire catches him in a side slam, immediately covering for the pin:

ONE

TWO

Kickout.

Phoenix: Keiji is still in this but he can’t seem to get the big man down.

Daire pulls Sugiwara up to his feet and holds him at arm's length with a fist full of hair. Sugiwara is slumped over trying to catch his breath. Daire throws a straight jab into the side of Sugiwara’s head. He wants to fall to the mat but Daire keeps him up holding his hair. He throws in a second and third punch until the ref tries to stop it. Daire ignores him throwing another punch. The ref starts his five count.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

Daire lets go of Sugiwara’s hair allowing him to crumple to the mat.

Phoenix: This is starting to a one sided fight.

Daire goes to pick Sugiwara up but he rolls backwards up to his feet and charges into the big man with a knee knee. The knock sends Daire into the ropes. Daire looks shocked yet angry while Sugiwara falls to a knee applying pressure to his face. In rage Daire dashes at Sugiwara who slides his feet out in a drop toehold bring Daire down with his own momentum. Sugiwara jumps up to drop an elbow down on the back of Daire’s neck.

Phoenix: What ingenuity, he’s finally got Karston down.

Sugiwara moves to the outside of the ropes watching Daire roll around cradling his neck. Sugiwara pulls on the ropes teasing the crowd. As they start chanting Sugiwara slingshoots himself back into the ring with a senton atomico but Daire rolls out the way allowing Sugiwara to crash hard on his back. Daire gets to his knees still holding his neck in pain. The brawler gets himself back to his feet and waits in the corner stretching his neck. Sugiwara starts to rise Daire charges across the ring with a clothesline as soon as Sugiwara up almost taking his head clean off.

Phoenix: He almost had no neck left to be sore after that one.

Daire stands on Sugiwara’s chest to the boos of the crowd. Again holding the hair Daire lifts Sugiwara throwing him into the corner following in with a clothesline against the turnbuckles. Sugiwara clings on to the top ropes to start on his feet. Daire looks to go in with another on but Sugiwara jumps up connecting both knees into Daire’s chest. Sugiwara steps up to the send rope to dive off but is meet with a boot to the midsection, as he bends over in pain Daire hooks his arms throwing him back in a tiger suplex. Daire follows down to the mat for the cover:

ONE

TWO

Kickout

Phoenix: Daire looks offended Keiji kicked out out of that one.

Daire watches his opponent stir and slowly get to his feet. Daire stalks Sugiwara from behind before grabbing him and throwing him over head with The Devil's Due! Sugiwara crashes hard being sent halfway across the ring. Sugiwara crawls under the ropes to try and get out of Daire’s war path. Daire follows climbing through the ropes and jumping to the floor. He grabs the prone Sugiwara by the tights and launches him into the barricade. Loving the carnage Aaynet is stood to the side encouraging Daire. Lifting Sugiwara up he holds his head ramming him into the ring post. Sugiwara looks as if he’s going to drop but Daire catches him throwing him back in the ring before the ref even starts a count. Daire smiles at the crowd as the boo him for his viciousness.

Phoenix: That was an attack, nothing sporting about that!

The referee begins the ten count.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

Daire grabs Sugiwara and tosses him into the ring. Karston climbs in after him. He lifts Keiji up and nails DaireDevil Driver (Double Underhook Piledriver) as he hooks one leg for the pin.

ONE

TWO

THREE

DING DING DING

Phoenix: Wow. What a crushing ending!

Mackenzie: The winner of the match... Karston Daire!

We move backstage.

Back in the office we find Rachel Redding, who's reclined in that bean bag chair, wearing her ring gear. She's holding the CWC Hollywood Pro California Cup trophy in one hand, the other holding a handful of M&M's from the bowl on Honey's desk.

Rachel: "I want to thank you again for that private dressing room, Honey. And these free M&M's!"

Honey: Yes, like help yourself Rachel!

Honey says taking a seat and on her bumblebee clipboard she writes Rachel's name.

Honey: Ok, Rachel. How is everything in WCGenesis?

She says with her pen ready to write

Rachel lets out a long, overblown sigh.

Rachel: Can I be frank, Honey?

She barges on, the question being rhetorical.

Rachel: On a surface level, everything here in West Coast Genesis is wonderful. Obviously we're having this little management shakeup, but Mr. Scott has been on top of things, trying to find a suitable replacement.

Rachel looks down at the trophy in her arms.

Rachel: Now, while I don't want to belittle the accomplishments of others, Julianna DiMaria's done a wonderful job representing the company in the Super Falcon Cup. But...I left HPW Blockbuster Night with this trophy. I basically ended the career of Brandy Cognac last month, and I've been taking the WCG name all over the country to represent us in every possible way.

Rachel pauses, smiling widely over at Honey.

Rachel: I just want to be sure I'm not getting overlooked. You understand, right?

Honey nods trying to write all of what she said down.

Honey: Mmhmm. Like I do for Redemption with the Super Falcon Cup. You're being a super star.

And Honey places a gold star on Rachel's paper.

Honey: Um, so you think maybe, like, you should get more? Who do you want to, like, face here

And she's ready with her pen to write down the name or names

Rachel leans forward, getting a handful of the M&M's and dropping them into the California Cup trophy. She leans back into her bean bag as she takes a couple out, popping them into her mouth.

Rachel: Honestly, I think I should be in line for at *least* a Number One Contender's match. That's speaking from this moment.

She frowns, albeit slightly.

Rachel: As I'm sure you know, the All Female Invitational is about to start, too. The further I go in that, the more and more my value is going to go up! I'd WCG doesn't strike soon, they could miss out on the chance for me to be West Coast Champion.

Rachel laughs, eating a few more M&M's before continuing.

Rachel: Before you know it, I could be on the Redemption roster with you! Title or not, I've definitely accomplished more since Crossroads: Origins than our current West Coast Champion.

Rachel "coughs."

Rachel: No offense to Ryan, of course.

Honey puts a little circle next to a later question and then as she looks at Rachel she looks a little difficult saying

Honey: Um.. Well Ryan actually didn't pick you as his next contender if he could. He, um, picked Keiji.

Honey says remembering the answer.

Honey: What do you think, like, about that because you have that super duper cup. I bet, like, it's going in your house as a nice trophy.

Honey says picturing her home with the Honey shrine her dads had for her, assuming everyone had their own. Rachel scowls slightly at the mention of Keiji being mentioned by Ryan.

Rachel: With...all due respect to both of those men, Ryan Keys doesn't get to pick his challengers. That's the job of whoever is in charge, whether that's you, or Mr. Scott, or whoever gets the permanent job. And I think my résumé, both here and around the world, is more than enough to make me more qualified than Keiji Sugawara.

Rachel shakes her head, and grabs a few more M&M's with a smile crossing her face.

Rachel: Especially after I beat Danni LeBlanc tonight.

Honey: I will put you down as, like, a Honey recommended Contender and pass that to Devlin... Um Mr. Scott to see.

Honey quickly writes that down so she doesn't forget on a small memo pad.

Honey: What about this very important question

Honey circles it and takes a moment to pluck up the courage to ask it

Honey: If you got to pick one person who, like, deserves to go up to Redemption. Who would it be and why?

Rachel smirks.

Rachel: I assume you mean besides me?

Honey: Um, well you can pick you and someone else too. Like, I can write two people

Honey does a quick line to half the page and writes Rachel's name down first and looks back at her ready to write

Rachel smiles widely, her free hand's finger coming up to tap on her chin in "deep thought."

Rachel: Well that's a tough one! But I guess...it would have to be one of my best friends here, Julianna DiMaria! I mean, she almost won the West Coast Title, twice even! If anyone deserves it more than me, it's Julianna.

Rachel pauses for a moment.

Rachel: In fact, she probably deserves it more than me, sitting here today.

Honey nods very impressed with her answer and writes down Julianna and why

Honey: Well I think that is a good reason too.

She says putting the piece of paper from the clipboard into the folder.

Honey: I think that's a lot of good, um, information to tell Devli...Scott, Mr. Scott about to help make WCGenesis a good place but better.

Honey smiles offering Rachel more m&ms

Rachel takes another handful, dropping them into her trophy.

Rachel: And I've quite enjoyed carrying this with me, honestly. Credibility, it's pretty...and it holds M&M's!

Rachel smiles.

Rachel: Now...is there anything else I can help you with, dear?

Honey: Maybe we can eat M&ms out of your trophy and my super Falcon cup one day. But I think I have like all the good information. And if you have any trouble, Honey Gm is on the case!

Honey says taking a mildly heroic turn of her head to pose for a brief second

Honey: And there is lots of boxes of strawberry kitkats around the backstage area to eat and snack too.

Rachel stands up, carefully balancing her trophy as she does so.

Rachel: I'll keep an eye out for those! Thank you, Honey. It's such a pleasure to know my voice is being heard.

Rachel turns, smiling to herself as she leaves the room, popping a few more M&M's into her mouth

The arena goes dark, a slow booming sound can be heard, and BAM! Pyro shoots off as ‘The Vengeful One’ blares. Kristian Bane walks out in front of the crowd. Bane walks methodically to the ring. He waits in the ring for his next victim.

Mackenzie: From Parts Unknown, weighing in at 315 pounds, he is Kristian Bane!

As Grimes’ “Kill V. Maim” sounds out across the venue, Jess appears smiling on the entrance ramp as the vocals begin, energetically slapping hands with the fans as she makes her way down to the ring. She then rolls under the ropes and raises her fist in the air in the centre of the ring.

Mackenzie: From San Diego, California, weighing in at 148 pounds, Jessica Hardy!

The bell sounds quickly and Hardy immediately takes Bane to the mat with a chop block before transitioning into a crossface.

Phoenix: Immediate submission from Hardy here. She’s going to have to neutralise Bane as quickly as possible, the weight difference is definitely a huge factor here, and it’ll negate a lot of her grappling offense.

Bane promptly shifts his weight forwards and outstretches his huge arms to reach the bottom rope, his overwhelming power making it fairly easy. Jess keeps the submission locked in for as long as possible, but as the referee counts, she has no choice but to break. As she does, however, she lands a furious stomp on the back of Bane’s knee. The referee forces himself between the two to break them apart.

Phoenix: Rule-bending from Jess here. A little surprising, I have to say.

Bane’s a little shaky getting back to his feet from the stomp, but as he manages it, a look of pure fury crosses his face. Jess stares him back down, and Kristian gets right in her face, shouting and cursing before coming at her with a brutal clothesline, crumpling Hardy completely.

Phoenix: Be careful what you wish for, Jess…

Bane then picks up Jess, who tries to counter with a DDT, but she has no momentum to put behind the move, Bane’s power completely negating her offense as he stays rooted in place. He then flings Jess with a snap suplex, as the entire ring trembles. Bane then leaps into the air, hitting a massive dropkick right as Jess starts to stagger to her feet, dropping her again.

Bane pins with a lateral press, a self-assured grin on his face.

Phoenix: Look at that grin, Bane’s just chewed through Hardy in record time.

One!

Two!

Thr-

Jess manages to power out from under the huge man’s weight, with a lot of difficulty.

Bane is furious, and deadlifts Jess immediately from the mat, pulls her into a powerbomb position and begins to run, ready to drop her in the centre of the ring. However, Jess slips from his grasp at the last second and manages to use the monstrous Bane’s momentum against him to plant him with a DDT. Jess makes a cover.

One!

Tw-

Bane kicks out emphatically, but he’s still very much dazed from the counterattack. Jess knocks him back to the floor from his upright position with a knee strike to the jaw and lands several stomps to his knee.

Phoenix: Trying to keep this mountain of a man grounded… It’s probably the only chance she’s got.

With that, Jess rolls Bane over and locks in a kneebar, cranking hard on his lower leg. Kristian thrashes around, but Hardy doesn’t release her grip.

Phoenix: This might be it! He may tap out to Hardy!

Bane’s hand does indeed hover over the mat as he bellows in pain, but he manages to shift his body, rolling onto his back, and pressing Jess’ shoulders to the mat in the process.

One!

Two!

Thr-

Jess pushes a shoulder up, and scrambles up to Bane’s head, using her legs and arms to lock in Hell Comes Home (Pentagram Choke). The crowd are on their feet cheering as the monster of a man thrashes against the tightly-locked hold, his movements gradually slowing as he starts to fade.

Phoenix: David might have just slayed Goliath here!

But Bane comes back, slowly and shakily getting to his feet, using the ropes to help him up. Jess is now sat on Bane’s shoulders, still holding on the choke. Bane then uses this position and his power to wrench her loose, into an electric chair powerbomb. He gloats in the ring, soaking up the anger of the crowd, as Jess remains laid out. Bane then drops a huge elbow directly into Jess’ collarbone, climbs the turnbuckles and hits a picture-perfect moonsault.

Phoenix: Wow, over 300 pounds of pure muscle just took flight! Incredible!

Bane immediately hooks the leg.

One!

Two!

Thre-

Phoenix: No! Jess kicked out at the last second! How did she manage that?!

A look of disbelief and anger on his face as Jess sits up; Bane knocks her back down with a huge superkick.

Phoenix: This has to be it! There’s no way Jess survives this!

One!

Two!

Thre-

Jess’ foot finds the ropes, and the referee breaks the pin.

Phoenix: Oh my god! Jess pulled it off again!

Bane gets in his face, yelling at him that he’d counted to three. The referee sticks with his judgement, however, refusing to be intimidated as Bane continues to square up to him.

With Bane occupied arguing with the referee over the count, Jess seizes the opportunity, sneaking behind her opponent and rolling him up with a small package.

One!

Two!

Three!

Phoenix: Wow, Hardy just stole one from the monster!

DING DING DING!

Mackenzie: Here is your winner, Jessica Hardy!

She celebrates as we head into a commercial break.