Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2023 22:13:34 GMT -5
Episode #94 - April 2, 2023
Scott Parker: Welcome to Hype! It’s the final stop before Empire Wrestling’s Rebirth and tonight we learn which superstar joins Marilyn Lee Cross and Tia Santos in the main event. Melody Slayton and Casey Grey will do battle in tonight’s main event with the prize on the line.
Gemma Foster: It’s Melody’s biggest match here in Empire Wrestling. FM Young teams up with our Tag Team Champions, The Radicalliance, as they take on Lacy Nelson and Freaks with Benefits. We know Lacy and FM are set to compete at Rebirth and the Freaks picked up a big victory against Radicalliance last week! Could they be in line for a Tag Team Championship match?
Scott Parker: And a debut a little later tonight. Daniel Daemon steps into the ring one week after putting the World Champion on notice and had some cryptic words for a certain member of our roster. Which, it had to be towards-
Gemma Foster: I think so too, Scott.
Hanako Vs. Manic
Hanako came to the ring first to a big cheer as she made her way down. She walked around the ring and high fived the fans at ringside. She rolled into the ring and looked around the Warehouse as the lights started to flicker. Manic’s theme hit and the lights went out and came back up, red. Manic stood in the ring behind Hanako. Hanako looked behind her and the lights went out. When they came back up, Manic was attacking Hanako to the crowd booing.
Gemma Foster: A sneak attack by Manic!
Manic chopped the chest of Hanako and then landed a series of strikes to the jaw. Manic sent Hanako into the ropes and took her down with a drop toe hold. Manic tried to lock in a STF but Hanako was able to scoot to the ropes to break the hold. Hanako went to the outside and Manic quickly went after her. Manic hit Hanako with an elbow to the face but Hanako came right back with a kick to the gut. Hanako hit a Code Red on the outside to a pop from the fans! Hanako rolled Manic back into the ring and went to the top rope. Hanako dove and hit a senton splash and went into a cover for just two. Manic fought to her feet and the two exchanged strikes. Manic dodged a clothesline from Hanako and hit a German suplex. Manic pulled at her own hair and stomped on Hanako before pulling her up. Manic locked up with Hanako but Hanako fought free and hit a dropkick. Manic went into the corner and Hanako hit a big cartwheel body splash. Hanako stepped out of the corner, fired up, and Manic stumbled out to her. Hanako hit a big DDT and jumped to her feet. Hanako looked for Geitō (Starship pain) but Manic was able to roll out of the way.
Gemma Foster: Watch out!
Manic hit Hanako with Splitting Headache (Bicycle Knee Strike)! Manic dropped onto Hanako and put her arm across her and Hanako kicked out at two. Manic yelled at the referee and pushed him. She rolled out of the ring and grabbed a chair as the fans booed. She got back into the ring and Harper Blake rushed to the ring with the Extreme Championship in hand. She dropped it and slid into the ring and pulled the chair away from Manic. The referee tried to get Blake out of the ring and Hanako was up. Manic looked for another Splitting Headache but Hanako side stepped it and rolled her up but the referee took a moment to get over and Manic kicked out at two. Both were up and Hanako hit Fūkiri (Reverse Ddt into facebuster) and covered for a win.
WINNER: Hanako via pinfall @ 14:31
Hanako rolled out of the ring and Harper Blake jumped in and she and Manic quickly came to blows that spilled into the crowd before we cut away.
Born, Built, Blue
The camera shifts backstage, where we find Kim Roberts standing by, mic in hand.
Kim Roberts: Ladies and gentlemen, with me here is a woman who has the opportunity of a lifetime here tonight. Please welcome former Spartan Champion Melody Slayton.
The camera pans over to Melody and the fans cheer.
Kim Roberts: Melody, a few weeks ago, you made a bold proclamation about winning this tournament, and you’re one match away from making that a reality.
Melody Slayton: I know. I’m very excited. Some nerves, definitely, but the good kind. The kind of nerves that keep you going when you’ve got nothing left.
Kim Roberts: You’ve had some tough competition in this tourney. You beat Hanako last week, and before that, you defeated a two-time Empire Wrestling World Champion in FM Young to qualify for the tournament. Tonight, you’re facing the last person to hold that title before Tia Santos won it, Casey Grey.
Melody nods.
Melody Slayton: Casey held that title for, what, 343 days? Nearly a full year. Almost as long as Tia’s had it. Compare that with me. I’ve had one singles title in my career, the Spartan Title, and I held it for less than a third of that. Longer than my DAD held that particular title, but that’s neither here nor there.
She smirks.
Kim Roberts: So, on paper, this seems like an easy win for Casey.
Melody’s smirk fades, yet she still finds herself nodding in agreement.
Melody Slayton: Yeah. She’s got the pedigree of a winner. She’s a proven Champion. Tale of the tape, I don’t have a shot.
A beat.
Melody Slayton: But the same thing can be said about Effy, and I beat her. Yeah, Lacy Nelson got involved, but who could have predicted that? Which brings me to my point. Stats on paper are meaningless once that bell rings. Anybody can win on any given night. I’ve proven that the last two times I stepped into an Empire ring and I’m dead set on proving it tonight.
Another beat.
Melody Slayton: I’ve got Santos and Cross in my sights. I can feel my fingertips on that Empire Wrestling World Title. But that all goes away if I can’t get it done tonight against Grey. So, Casey. I’ll worry about acknowledging reigns and saying names AFTER I get past you. Tonight, my focus is on you and you alone. And unfortunately for you, that means you’re out of time. I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life, and I am absolutely not letting my dream die here at the one-yard line like the Seattle Seahawks. If there’s ONE THING you’re going to learn tonight…
A final beat.
Melody Slayton: …it’s that you ALWAYS bet on blue. I was born for this. I was built for this. And tonight, you learn that the hard way. Bet.
Melody smiles at Kim Roberts before heading off-screen to prepare for the match.
Kim Roberts: There you have it - a confident, determined Melody Slayton heading into tonight’s tournament finals. Scott, Gemma, back to you.
Daniel Daemon Vs. Jessica Carter
Cher Lloyd’s “I Wish” featuring T.I. hit the speakers, paving the way for the arrival of Jessica Carter. She emerged through the curtain with a spring in her step and stopped on the stage to raise her left index finger into the air. She yelled out at the top of her lungs, like a form of battle cry, before beginning her descent down the ramp. Smiling from ear-to-ear, she swings her hips as though she’s modeling at New York Fashion Week.
Gemma Foster: Jessica Carter making her debut tonight with a big hill to climb.
The crowd quickly erupted in boos as Daniel Daemon came out to the stage. He took his time as he loomed large and climbed into the ring. He looked down at the 5’3” Carter as he readied himself. The bell rang and Carter was quick to strike to open things up. Carter hit clubbing strikes to the chest of the Untethered Emperor which he swatted away as he pushed her to the mat. She stood and hit a dropkick that staggered him into the ropes. She tried to clothesline him over but couldn’t quite do so. Carter ran the ropes and ran into a big boot from Daemon. Carter bounced off the mat and rolled to her feet and was flipped hard to the mat with a powerslam. Daemon pulled Carter to her feet and tossed her into the corner. He charged and looked for a corner splash but Carter was able to get out of the way. She used the ropes to springboard and hit a bulldog! Carter and Daemon got to their feet and Carter kicked Daemon in the gut. She started to climb to the top rope but was pulled down by Daemon from behind. She hit the mat and rolled to her feet and was grabbed and driven into the mat with a chokeslam. Daemon roared and quickly pulled her up before hitting Twist of Cain II (Vertical Suplex Piledriver). He covered and picked up the easy pinfall.
WINNER: Daniel Daemon via pinfall @ 7:19
Daemon stood tall over Carter as she was checked on by the referee. He looked around the Warehouse and smirked.
Scott Parker: Daemon is not just looming large over Jessica Carter tonight but anyone that walks out of Rebirth with the World Championship. He has that Victorem Briefcase and the contract inside.
FM Young & The Radicalliance (Josh Goldstein & Ronnie North) Vs. Lacy Nelson & Freaks With Benefits (Kayla Taylor & Krista May Williams)
There was a buzz in the air for the next match as the Tag Team Champions came out first to a big pop. They posed with the titles before FM Young came out to a cheer. The trio stood in the ring as the crowd turned and the Freaks came out next. They waited for Lacy Nelson and the crowd booed as her music hit.
Gemma Foster: These fans have quickly turned on Lacy Nelson after her actions of attacking FM Young.
Scott Parker: Lover scorned, Gemma.
Nelson blew right past the Freaks as she hightailed it to the ring. She slid in under the ropes and went right for Young as the two came to blows! Taylor and Williams hit the ring and brawled with North and Goldstein. The crowd ate it up as the action spilled around the ring before we ended up with North and Williams in the ring as the referee got things calmed down. Williams and North battled back and forth in the ring. Williams connected with her Stop, Drop & Roll (One-Handed Bulldog, run to the ropes, into a Rolling Thunder). She made a tag to Taylor and Taylor worked on the right knee of North. North eventually started to fight back and got a tag to Goldstein. Goldstein hit a springboard into the ropes and a big crossbody on Taylor. Goldstein had the crowd cheering after he hit Taylor with the Brooklyn Quebrada (Springboard Moonsault inverted DDT). Before he could capitalize, he was hit from behind by a clubbing blow from Nelson. Nelson then hit him with a tiger suplex. Young jumped into the ring and chased her out between the ropes.
Gemma Foster: Nelson turning the tide for her team with that.
Nelson tagged in and she and Taylor hit Goldstein with a double suplex. Nelson tagged out to Williams who looked for a second rope leg drop but Goldstein rolled out of the way. Goldstein was sent into the ropes by Nelson and Taylor but he came back with a leaping double clothesline. He got to his feet and made a hot tag to Young. Young hit the ring and delivered a Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline)! Young turned and hit Taylor with a cutter! Young was fired up and Nelson rocked her with a superkick! Young fell into her corner and North tagged himself in. North hit Nelson with an atomic drop and then looked for the Sensual Takedown of Destruction ([The STD] Crucifix Powerbomb) but Nelson struggled and made a tag to Taylor.
Scott Parker: Ronnie North was that close to ending this thing!
Taylor rolled up North and reached out to the ropes where Williams grabbed her hand and made it so North couldn’t kick out and out of sight from the referee. North struggled but couldn’t kick out as the three count sounded the bell!
WINNERS: Freaks With Benefits (Kayla Taylor & Krista May Williams) & Lacy Nelson via pinfall @ 15:09
After the bell, the Freaks jumped North and laid into hard kicks. Goldstein tried to fight them off but Lacy Nelson came and hit him with a superkick as the fans booed. FM Young was in the ring and tossed Nelson out and, with the help of North, attacked the Freaks to save Goldstein. Williams was hit with the Sensual Takedown of Destruction! Nelson hit Taylor with the Heart of a Phoenix (Lumbar Check) before looking up the ramp to Nelson. Young raised the hands of Goldstein and North as the fans cheered.
Scott Parker: What a sight!
APRIL 15, 2023
#1 Contender Tournament
Casey Grey Vs. Melody Slayton
Scott Parker: It’s main event time!
Melody Slayton came to the ring first to a cheer from the fans. She took a moment before entering the ring to soak it in and rolled under the ropes and up to her feet. Casey Grey came out with Alicia Monroe and the two stood on the ramp. Monroe said a few words to Grey before heading to the back.
Gemma Foster: Casey Grey is going solo here tonight.
The two stood across the ring from each other and neither moved. There were dueling chants throughout the Warehouse for the two stars. Slayton and Grey met in the center of the ring and locked up to a cheer. Grey hit a hard chop to the chest that made Slayton smile and shake her head. Slayton came back with a chop of her own that echoed throughout the Warehouse. Slayton sent Grey into the ropes and Grey came back with a shoulder tackle. Slayton rolled to her feet and Grey ran the ropes and took her down with a basement dropkick to the knees. Grey pulled Slayton to her feet and flipped her over with a snapmare and then hit a knee to the spine. Slayton started to get up but was driven to the mat with a belly to back suplex.
Scott Parker: The experience of Casey Grey showing here as she’s picking Melody Slayton apart here.
Slayton had to battle back and got the crowd behind her. Grey looked for a clothesline but Slayton ducked and hit a neckbreaker. Both were up quickly and Grey grabbed Slayton and sent her over the ropes. Slayton jumped back into the ring and planted Grey with Flight Risk (Slingshot DDT)! Slayton covered and Grey kicked out at two. Slayton pulled Grey up and positioned for a DDT but Grey pushed her away. Grey delivered the Breath Mint (Forearm Smash) and had Slayton staggered. A second Breath Mint had Slayton dropped to the mat. Grey was fired up and Slayton started to stand. Grey lifted Slayton and delivered Racklash (Rack Attack)! Grey rolled Slayton into a cover and Slayton kicked out just before three.
Scott Parker: Two!
Gemma Foster: Casey Grey almost punched her ticket to Rebirth!
Grey didn’t hesitate and tried to roll Slayton over into the Bitch Muzzle (Crossface) but Slayton was able to get a knee under herself and roll forward and away. Grey looked for another Breath Mint but Slayton moved and ran the ropes and came back with This Magic Moment (V Trigger)! Grey was out of it and Slayton used the opening to spike her with Sonic Rainboom (Poisonrana)! Slayton covered and got two!
Scott Parker: Casey kicked out!
Slayton moved over to the second turnbuckle and readied herself. She jumped as Grey started to stand and looked for the Glitter Bomb (Panama Sunrise) but Grey countered and lifted Slayton up with power. Grey had her in position for the Racklash but Slayton struggled and rolled Grey up for two. Both competitors popped up and Slayton hit a superkick! She finished up Full Effect 2.0 with the shining wizard combo! Slayton covered and Grey once again kicked out at two.
Gemma Foster: No! Casey says no!
Grey fought to her feet but was shut down after a few strikes with This Magic Moment! Slayton was feeling it and jumped to the second turnbuckle and hit the Glitter Bomb! Slayton covered and got the pinfall!
WINNER: Melody Slayton via pinfall @ 18:33
Slayton looked shocked as she picked up the pinfall and stood, falling into the ropes as she raised her hands.
Scott Parker: Melody Slayton has won the #1 contender tournament and has a date against the World Champion, Tia Santos, and Marilyn Lee Cross at Rebirth.
Gemma Foster: She’ll tell you that the fight isn’t over just yet, Scott.
The crowd popped as Tia Santos came out to the stage with the World Championship in hand and nodded towards Slayton, holding the title up high. We then get a shot of Marilyn Lee Cross watching the action unfold on a tv.
Scott Parker: It should be an amazing main event, Gemma.
We get one final shot of Tia Santos with the championship as we fade away.
Gemma Foster: It’s Melody’s biggest match here in Empire Wrestling. FM Young teams up with our Tag Team Champions, The Radicalliance, as they take on Lacy Nelson and Freaks with Benefits. We know Lacy and FM are set to compete at Rebirth and the Freaks picked up a big victory against Radicalliance last week! Could they be in line for a Tag Team Championship match?
Scott Parker: And a debut a little later tonight. Daniel Daemon steps into the ring one week after putting the World Champion on notice and had some cryptic words for a certain member of our roster. Which, it had to be towards-
Gemma Foster: I think so too, Scott.
Hanako Vs. Manic
Hanako came to the ring first to a big cheer as she made her way down. She walked around the ring and high fived the fans at ringside. She rolled into the ring and looked around the Warehouse as the lights started to flicker. Manic’s theme hit and the lights went out and came back up, red. Manic stood in the ring behind Hanako. Hanako looked behind her and the lights went out. When they came back up, Manic was attacking Hanako to the crowd booing.
Gemma Foster: A sneak attack by Manic!
Manic chopped the chest of Hanako and then landed a series of strikes to the jaw. Manic sent Hanako into the ropes and took her down with a drop toe hold. Manic tried to lock in a STF but Hanako was able to scoot to the ropes to break the hold. Hanako went to the outside and Manic quickly went after her. Manic hit Hanako with an elbow to the face but Hanako came right back with a kick to the gut. Hanako hit a Code Red on the outside to a pop from the fans! Hanako rolled Manic back into the ring and went to the top rope. Hanako dove and hit a senton splash and went into a cover for just two. Manic fought to her feet and the two exchanged strikes. Manic dodged a clothesline from Hanako and hit a German suplex. Manic pulled at her own hair and stomped on Hanako before pulling her up. Manic locked up with Hanako but Hanako fought free and hit a dropkick. Manic went into the corner and Hanako hit a big cartwheel body splash. Hanako stepped out of the corner, fired up, and Manic stumbled out to her. Hanako hit a big DDT and jumped to her feet. Hanako looked for Geitō (Starship pain) but Manic was able to roll out of the way.
Gemma Foster: Watch out!
Manic hit Hanako with Splitting Headache (Bicycle Knee Strike)! Manic dropped onto Hanako and put her arm across her and Hanako kicked out at two. Manic yelled at the referee and pushed him. She rolled out of the ring and grabbed a chair as the fans booed. She got back into the ring and Harper Blake rushed to the ring with the Extreme Championship in hand. She dropped it and slid into the ring and pulled the chair away from Manic. The referee tried to get Blake out of the ring and Hanako was up. Manic looked for another Splitting Headache but Hanako side stepped it and rolled her up but the referee took a moment to get over and Manic kicked out at two. Both were up and Hanako hit Fūkiri (Reverse Ddt into facebuster) and covered for a win.
WINNER: Hanako via pinfall @ 14:31
Hanako rolled out of the ring and Harper Blake jumped in and she and Manic quickly came to blows that spilled into the crowd before we cut away.
Born, Built, Blue
The camera shifts backstage, where we find Kim Roberts standing by, mic in hand.
Kim Roberts: Ladies and gentlemen, with me here is a woman who has the opportunity of a lifetime here tonight. Please welcome former Spartan Champion Melody Slayton.
The camera pans over to Melody and the fans cheer.
Kim Roberts: Melody, a few weeks ago, you made a bold proclamation about winning this tournament, and you’re one match away from making that a reality.
Melody Slayton: I know. I’m very excited. Some nerves, definitely, but the good kind. The kind of nerves that keep you going when you’ve got nothing left.
Kim Roberts: You’ve had some tough competition in this tourney. You beat Hanako last week, and before that, you defeated a two-time Empire Wrestling World Champion in FM Young to qualify for the tournament. Tonight, you’re facing the last person to hold that title before Tia Santos won it, Casey Grey.
Melody nods.
Melody Slayton: Casey held that title for, what, 343 days? Nearly a full year. Almost as long as Tia’s had it. Compare that with me. I’ve had one singles title in my career, the Spartan Title, and I held it for less than a third of that. Longer than my DAD held that particular title, but that’s neither here nor there.
She smirks.
Kim Roberts: So, on paper, this seems like an easy win for Casey.
Melody’s smirk fades, yet she still finds herself nodding in agreement.
Melody Slayton: Yeah. She’s got the pedigree of a winner. She’s a proven Champion. Tale of the tape, I don’t have a shot.
A beat.
Melody Slayton: But the same thing can be said about Effy, and I beat her. Yeah, Lacy Nelson got involved, but who could have predicted that? Which brings me to my point. Stats on paper are meaningless once that bell rings. Anybody can win on any given night. I’ve proven that the last two times I stepped into an Empire ring and I’m dead set on proving it tonight.
Another beat.
Melody Slayton: I’ve got Santos and Cross in my sights. I can feel my fingertips on that Empire Wrestling World Title. But that all goes away if I can’t get it done tonight against Grey. So, Casey. I’ll worry about acknowledging reigns and saying names AFTER I get past you. Tonight, my focus is on you and you alone. And unfortunately for you, that means you’re out of time. I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life, and I am absolutely not letting my dream die here at the one-yard line like the Seattle Seahawks. If there’s ONE THING you’re going to learn tonight…
A final beat.
Melody Slayton: …it’s that you ALWAYS bet on blue. I was born for this. I was built for this. And tonight, you learn that the hard way. Bet.
Melody smiles at Kim Roberts before heading off-screen to prepare for the match.
Kim Roberts: There you have it - a confident, determined Melody Slayton heading into tonight’s tournament finals. Scott, Gemma, back to you.
Daniel Daemon Vs. Jessica Carter
Cher Lloyd’s “I Wish” featuring T.I. hit the speakers, paving the way for the arrival of Jessica Carter. She emerged through the curtain with a spring in her step and stopped on the stage to raise her left index finger into the air. She yelled out at the top of her lungs, like a form of battle cry, before beginning her descent down the ramp. Smiling from ear-to-ear, she swings her hips as though she’s modeling at New York Fashion Week.
Gemma Foster: Jessica Carter making her debut tonight with a big hill to climb.
The crowd quickly erupted in boos as Daniel Daemon came out to the stage. He took his time as he loomed large and climbed into the ring. He looked down at the 5’3” Carter as he readied himself. The bell rang and Carter was quick to strike to open things up. Carter hit clubbing strikes to the chest of the Untethered Emperor which he swatted away as he pushed her to the mat. She stood and hit a dropkick that staggered him into the ropes. She tried to clothesline him over but couldn’t quite do so. Carter ran the ropes and ran into a big boot from Daemon. Carter bounced off the mat and rolled to her feet and was flipped hard to the mat with a powerslam. Daemon pulled Carter to her feet and tossed her into the corner. He charged and looked for a corner splash but Carter was able to get out of the way. She used the ropes to springboard and hit a bulldog! Carter and Daemon got to their feet and Carter kicked Daemon in the gut. She started to climb to the top rope but was pulled down by Daemon from behind. She hit the mat and rolled to her feet and was grabbed and driven into the mat with a chokeslam. Daemon roared and quickly pulled her up before hitting Twist of Cain II (Vertical Suplex Piledriver). He covered and picked up the easy pinfall.
WINNER: Daniel Daemon via pinfall @ 7:19
Daemon stood tall over Carter as she was checked on by the referee. He looked around the Warehouse and smirked.
Scott Parker: Daemon is not just looming large over Jessica Carter tonight but anyone that walks out of Rebirth with the World Championship. He has that Victorem Briefcase and the contract inside.
FM Young & The Radicalliance (Josh Goldstein & Ronnie North) Vs. Lacy Nelson & Freaks With Benefits (Kayla Taylor & Krista May Williams)
There was a buzz in the air for the next match as the Tag Team Champions came out first to a big pop. They posed with the titles before FM Young came out to a cheer. The trio stood in the ring as the crowd turned and the Freaks came out next. They waited for Lacy Nelson and the crowd booed as her music hit.
Gemma Foster: These fans have quickly turned on Lacy Nelson after her actions of attacking FM Young.
Scott Parker: Lover scorned, Gemma.
Nelson blew right past the Freaks as she hightailed it to the ring. She slid in under the ropes and went right for Young as the two came to blows! Taylor and Williams hit the ring and brawled with North and Goldstein. The crowd ate it up as the action spilled around the ring before we ended up with North and Williams in the ring as the referee got things calmed down. Williams and North battled back and forth in the ring. Williams connected with her Stop, Drop & Roll (One-Handed Bulldog, run to the ropes, into a Rolling Thunder). She made a tag to Taylor and Taylor worked on the right knee of North. North eventually started to fight back and got a tag to Goldstein. Goldstein hit a springboard into the ropes and a big crossbody on Taylor. Goldstein had the crowd cheering after he hit Taylor with the Brooklyn Quebrada (Springboard Moonsault inverted DDT). Before he could capitalize, he was hit from behind by a clubbing blow from Nelson. Nelson then hit him with a tiger suplex. Young jumped into the ring and chased her out between the ropes.
Gemma Foster: Nelson turning the tide for her team with that.
Nelson tagged in and she and Taylor hit Goldstein with a double suplex. Nelson tagged out to Williams who looked for a second rope leg drop but Goldstein rolled out of the way. Goldstein was sent into the ropes by Nelson and Taylor but he came back with a leaping double clothesline. He got to his feet and made a hot tag to Young. Young hit the ring and delivered a Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline)! Young turned and hit Taylor with a cutter! Young was fired up and Nelson rocked her with a superkick! Young fell into her corner and North tagged himself in. North hit Nelson with an atomic drop and then looked for the Sensual Takedown of Destruction ([The STD] Crucifix Powerbomb) but Nelson struggled and made a tag to Taylor.
Scott Parker: Ronnie North was that close to ending this thing!
Taylor rolled up North and reached out to the ropes where Williams grabbed her hand and made it so North couldn’t kick out and out of sight from the referee. North struggled but couldn’t kick out as the three count sounded the bell!
WINNERS: Freaks With Benefits (Kayla Taylor & Krista May Williams) & Lacy Nelson via pinfall @ 15:09
After the bell, the Freaks jumped North and laid into hard kicks. Goldstein tried to fight them off but Lacy Nelson came and hit him with a superkick as the fans booed. FM Young was in the ring and tossed Nelson out and, with the help of North, attacked the Freaks to save Goldstein. Williams was hit with the Sensual Takedown of Destruction! Nelson hit Taylor with the Heart of a Phoenix (Lumbar Check) before looking up the ramp to Nelson. Young raised the hands of Goldstein and North as the fans cheered.
Scott Parker: What a sight!
APRIL 15, 2023
#1 Contender Tournament
Casey Grey Vs. Melody Slayton
Scott Parker: It’s main event time!
Melody Slayton came to the ring first to a cheer from the fans. She took a moment before entering the ring to soak it in and rolled under the ropes and up to her feet. Casey Grey came out with Alicia Monroe and the two stood on the ramp. Monroe said a few words to Grey before heading to the back.
Gemma Foster: Casey Grey is going solo here tonight.
The two stood across the ring from each other and neither moved. There were dueling chants throughout the Warehouse for the two stars. Slayton and Grey met in the center of the ring and locked up to a cheer. Grey hit a hard chop to the chest that made Slayton smile and shake her head. Slayton came back with a chop of her own that echoed throughout the Warehouse. Slayton sent Grey into the ropes and Grey came back with a shoulder tackle. Slayton rolled to her feet and Grey ran the ropes and took her down with a basement dropkick to the knees. Grey pulled Slayton to her feet and flipped her over with a snapmare and then hit a knee to the spine. Slayton started to get up but was driven to the mat with a belly to back suplex.
Scott Parker: The experience of Casey Grey showing here as she’s picking Melody Slayton apart here.
Slayton had to battle back and got the crowd behind her. Grey looked for a clothesline but Slayton ducked and hit a neckbreaker. Both were up quickly and Grey grabbed Slayton and sent her over the ropes. Slayton jumped back into the ring and planted Grey with Flight Risk (Slingshot DDT)! Slayton covered and Grey kicked out at two. Slayton pulled Grey up and positioned for a DDT but Grey pushed her away. Grey delivered the Breath Mint (Forearm Smash) and had Slayton staggered. A second Breath Mint had Slayton dropped to the mat. Grey was fired up and Slayton started to stand. Grey lifted Slayton and delivered Racklash (Rack Attack)! Grey rolled Slayton into a cover and Slayton kicked out just before three.
Scott Parker: Two!
Gemma Foster: Casey Grey almost punched her ticket to Rebirth!
Grey didn’t hesitate and tried to roll Slayton over into the Bitch Muzzle (Crossface) but Slayton was able to get a knee under herself and roll forward and away. Grey looked for another Breath Mint but Slayton moved and ran the ropes and came back with This Magic Moment (V Trigger)! Grey was out of it and Slayton used the opening to spike her with Sonic Rainboom (Poisonrana)! Slayton covered and got two!
Scott Parker: Casey kicked out!
Slayton moved over to the second turnbuckle and readied herself. She jumped as Grey started to stand and looked for the Glitter Bomb (Panama Sunrise) but Grey countered and lifted Slayton up with power. Grey had her in position for the Racklash but Slayton struggled and rolled Grey up for two. Both competitors popped up and Slayton hit a superkick! She finished up Full Effect 2.0 with the shining wizard combo! Slayton covered and Grey once again kicked out at two.
Gemma Foster: No! Casey says no!
Grey fought to her feet but was shut down after a few strikes with This Magic Moment! Slayton was feeling it and jumped to the second turnbuckle and hit the Glitter Bomb! Slayton covered and got the pinfall!
WINNER: Melody Slayton via pinfall @ 18:33
Slayton looked shocked as she picked up the pinfall and stood, falling into the ropes as she raised her hands.
Scott Parker: Melody Slayton has won the #1 contender tournament and has a date against the World Champion, Tia Santos, and Marilyn Lee Cross at Rebirth.
Gemma Foster: She’ll tell you that the fight isn’t over just yet, Scott.
The crowd popped as Tia Santos came out to the stage with the World Championship in hand and nodded towards Slayton, holding the title up high. We then get a shot of Marilyn Lee Cross watching the action unfold on a tv.
Scott Parker: It should be an amazing main event, Gemma.
We get one final shot of Tia Santos with the championship as we fade away.