#3: August 8, 2018

Scott Parker: Hello everyone and welcome to the third edition of Hype! Tonight should be another great event.

Gemma Foster: I’ve been hearing some rumblings about some big news tonight.

Scott Parker: Let’s just right into things and see what unfolds tonight.

Ash Fi Vs. Billy Way

The first matchup of the night saw Fi and Way in a back and forth striking exchange. Fi threw a bunch of clotheslines and Way landed hard kicks. Way turned the tide his way with a big spinebuster. Way hit the ropes and connected with a big boot to the face of Fi. He climbed to the top rope and wanted to hit his Way of the Future (Shooting Star Leg Drop) but Fi knocked him off the ropes. Fi looked for the Gáe Bulg (Nomisugi Knee) but Way ducked under her and rolled her up with a school boy pin and got a pinfall.

WINNER: Billy Way, via pinfall @ 7:08

Gemma Foster: Fi just kicking out moments too late!

Way slipped out of the ring as Fi looked around, shocked. Way smirked and jumped into the crowd and vanished in the mess of people.

Kurt Hullum Vs. Talia Areano

Hullum and Areano started their match in a lock up. Areano quickly took Hullum down with a dropkick and tried to keep the pace of the match quick with some moves off the ropes. At one point she connected with her Solar Shower (Double Stomp) and thought the match was over but Hullum was able to kick out just after two. She looked for a standing moonsault but Hullum got his knees up. This gave him an opening and locked in an abdominal stretch and also landed blows to the ribs of Areano. Hullum hit a big backdrop and had control of the match. He lifted Areano to the top ropes and was looking for a superplex but she pushed him down to the mat. Hullum stood and was taken down with a hurricanrana. Areano looked for another pinfall and got two. Hullum rose to his feet and fell into the corner. Areano charged but ran into a boot to the face. This gave Hullum the opening to hit the Kurtain Kall (Hangman's Facebuster) and pick up a pinfall victory.

WINNER: Kurt Hullum, via pinfall @ 8:11

Scott Parker: A big win for Kurt!

ASHES

The view fades in on Alicia Monroe lacing up her boots in preparation for her match. Standing to the side of her, arms crossed, is Rune Sigidottir, her manager.

Rune Sigidottir: Are you ready?

Alicia finishes tying her boot and stands up, stretching her arms across her chest.

Alicia Monroe: Yeah. Yeah, I’m ready.

Rune Sigidottir: Good. I don’t need to elaborate further on your match tonight and how important it is. One of you is walking out of the arena tonight with a record of only defeats. Don’t let it be you.

Alicia Monroe: I won’t.

Rune Sigidottir: I know. And I know you’ve been training hard these past two weeks, but it isn’t only about the time that you put in at the gym. Your mind has to be in the right place. I know you can do it. You just need to find that fire inside of yourself and get out there and make it happen.

Alicia Monroe: I know.

Rune Sigidottir: You’ve chosen this…phoenix as your little symbol. There’s a lot more to that than I think you know, and the analogy gets stronger every week that you lose a match. It is time to rise from the ashes, Alicia. Time to become the predator and the burning destroyer you’re supposed to be. Do you understand?

Alicia Monroe: Yeah. Focus. Rise. Ashes. I got it.

Rune Sigidottir: Okay. You can do this-

Hell Yeah by Rev Theory begins to play, though it’s a bit muffled in the locker room. Rune looks up as if looking for the source of the sound. Alicia smiles.

Rune Sigidottir: What the hell is this now? It’s not time!

Rune looks at Alicia.

Alicia Monroe: Don’t look at me. She’s your problem, not mine.

Rune shakes her head and walks away as Alicia continues to loosen up.

Unscheduled Appearance

Casey Grey heads down the ramp to the cheers of the fans. She is in her wrestling attire and she looks like she’s ready for a match. She high fives a few fans on the way and stops to hug a little girl in the front row before giving her the black “Buttercup” cap she’s wearing. Casey jumps up onto the apron and climbs into the ring. The ring announcer backs out of her way as she runs to one corner and climbs to the second rope. She motions for the fans to get louder. She does the same in the opposite corner then hops back down and takes a microphone from the ring announcer.

Casey Grey: Let me tell you all somethin’ right the hell right now. I don’t know what is going on in the main office up there. First, they steal my title. Then they make me fight three people just to prove that I’m good enough to be a contender for my own belt, and then tonight I’m left completely off of the card and given a scheduled appearance before Azurine’s and Brent Bradley’s match. Well, how’s that schedule working out for you?

Laughter from the audience.

Casey Grey: Not gonna fly. I ain’t leavin’ until the bosses back there send someone down to this ring for me to fight, and if they don’t do it soon I’m just gonna go back there and fight them. Either way, I’m not leavin’ this place tonight without my fists being bloody and my title belt, or a solid reason why I ain’t the champion. So, somebody, anybody, come on out and-

“Rock Superstar” by Cypress Hill begins to play. After a moment Rune Sigidottir steps onto the stage and starts walking towards the ring.

Rune Sigidottir: Kill it! Casey, what are you doing out here? Your interview isn’t scheduled until later in the show.

Casey Grey: Schedule, Rune? What about my schedule! Mine says I’m s’posed to be the Primetime Champion minutes after I arrive tonight.

Rune Sigidottir: Casey, you can’t do this. Kevin is beside himself in the back. He’s supposed to have this interview. You can’t keep going off half-cocked over this Primetime thing.

Rune climbs the steps and onto the apron. Casey’s expression is a cross between looking mildly offended and also like she’s about to punch Rune in the mouth.

Casey Grey: You think this is half-cocked?

Rune Sigidottir: Yes. I know half-cocked when I see it and this…this is half-cocked. You can’t expect anyone in the office to care about giving you your shot if you keep acting like this. Alicia has a very important match tonight and she needs you to support her. Let’s go

Casey stands there for a moment, then shakes her head and exits the ring.

Rune Sigidottir: Oh, and you owe Kevin at Aftershock. Price of embarrassing me.


Jace Markum Vs. Bailey Mayhew

Bailey Mayhew was in the ring stretching for the match and was awaiting Markum. Markum tried to attack from behind and was able to land a few blows. Mayhew quickly turned things around and hit the Lockjaw (Osaka Stunner). Markum rolled out of the ring before Mayhew could pull him into a cover. He started to head up the ramp and was counted out at ten.

WINNER: Bailey Mayhew. via countout @ 2:31

Markum got to the top of the ramp and Daniel Daemon walked out from behind the curtain. Markum backed up right into Daemon and stopped dead in his tracks. He slowly turned around and was leveled with a hard right hand.

Scott Parker: Daniel Daemon still isn’t done with Jace Markum!

Daemon drove Markum into the ramp with a chokeslam. Trainers were trying to break things up before Daemon lifted Markum over his shoulder. He tossed him off the stage and Markum went crashing into a bunch of audio equipment. Daemon stood on the stage with a smile as we cut away.

Subject to Change

We cut over to Scott Parker who seems to have something to say.

Scott Parker: Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been given an envelope from upper management.

He opens it and looks it over before reading.

Scott Parker: Empire Wrestling is in the early days of this new era and as talent is evaluated and evolves, so do the shows we produce. That’s why tonight the scheduled main event of Hailey Harris versus Katie Shelley is being canceled and will now see Katie Shelley team up with Azurine Vebbins and Alicia Monroe as they take on Hailey Harris, Brent Bradley, and Zoey Mathews-Mitchell.

There’s a cheer as the crowd seems excited for the match.

Last Call, Out

“Lights Out” by P.O.D. kicked up as the crowd roared for AJ Adams making his way to the stage. He made his way to the ring in typical fashion with some fist pumps with some fans and rolling into the ring. He was donned in street gear and was tossed a microphone.

AJ Adams: Emily Corlen.

His music cut out and he kept talking.

AJ Adams: Emily Corlen. Once again I’m out here in the ring and she’s nowhere to be found. It’s been two weeks and not a peep, not a tweet, and she’s not here tonight. I came to Empire Wrestling to write a new chapter in my career, to continue to forge my legacy. Did I think for a second that Emily and I could team up and do that together? To take Empire Wrestling by storm? Maybe just for a second. Then for a second I thought my legacy would be going through Emily. Just for a second because Emily, for the second show in a row, isn’t here.

The fans boo as Adams looks around.

AJ Adams: So, what’s next?

He motions around his waist.

AJ Adams: Championship. I hear talk about Primetime Championship this and that. Casey Grey thinks she should be the champion and, between you and me I think so too. She looked amazing in that gauntlet match. However, I don’t think anyone has stepped up enough to say they’re worthy of the Heavyweight Championship. It’s time that I throw my hat into the ring.

There’s a cheer.

AJ Adams: Daniel Daemon? F.M. Young? Katie Shelley? Hailey Harris? It doesn’t matter who it is I’m ready to step into the ring against them and show why I am deserving of the Empire Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. Bring it on.

Adams tosses his microphone and rolls out of the ring and heads towards the back.

Johnny Maverick Vs. Alex Silver

There seemed to be a lot of buzz for the next match and Maverick got a solid reaction as he made his way to the ring and it was clear that the fans were definately behind him. Silver took a few moments to stretch against the ropes as things were about to get underway. As things got started, Maverick hit an arn drag and Silver rolled through and got right to his feet. He tripped Maverick up and locked in a sleeper hold. Maverick quickly started to get to his feet and hit a belly to back suplex. Both men rolled to their feet and it was Silver’s turn to hit a suplex of his own. He landed a kick to the gut and connected with a suplex. Silver pulled Maverick to his feet and took control for part of the match. He hit a snap DDT that seemed to daze Maverick. Maverick got to his feet and fell into the corner and was hit with a big corner splash. Maverick staggered forward into the middle of the ring and Silver came off the ropes and hit his Flip the Switch (Springboard Crossbody). Silver was fired up and wanted Maverick to stand. Maverick got up and blocked an incoming right hand and connected with one of his own. Then another, another, and one more. Maverick hit a belly to belly suplex and Silver rolled to his feet and walked right into an overhead belly to belly suplex. Maverick drove a knee into the chest of Silver as he tried to stand. Maverick tried to lock in a cobra clutch but Silver was able to reverse out of it.

Gemma Foster: Lots of back and forth here tonight!

Silver lifted Maverick up into a fireman’s carry but Maverick quickly rolled off his shoulders. Maverick hit the ropes and came back with the OFMF (Running Palm Strike). Silver was staggered and dropped to a knee. Maverick took the opening and connected with the Third Eye Opener) (Ripcord Bicycle Knee Strike followed by a spinning backfist). Maverick covered and it looked like a three count but Silver was just able to get his foot on the ropes.

Scott Parker: Silver with amazing ring awareness right there!

Maverick pulled Silver up to his feet and Silver was able to get some space by hitting an uppercut. Silver lifted Maverick up onto his shoulders and hit the Silver Rush (Fireman’s Carry Into A Cutter). Both men were down but Silver started to crawl to Maverick and put his arm across him. The referee got into position for the count and Maverick kicked out just before three. The fans were cheering both me on as they got to their feet. Maverick jumped up and hit another OFMF and then Silver walked into another bicycle knee strike. Maverick staggered and fell onto Silver and picked up the three count fall.

WINNER: Johnny Maverick, via pinfall @ 19:29

Scott Parker: Once again Alex Silver is involved in quite the match.

Gemma Foster: But Johnny Maverick is walking out victorious.

The Ascension

We cut back down to Scott Parker as he’s standing by with a microphone in hand and something to say.

Scott Parker: Ladies and gentlemen, earlier tonight I was given the task of informing you of the change to tonight’s card. On that piece of paper there was something else that I was tasked with informing you of. It is with my pleasure to announce the return of Empire Wrestling’s Next Level events! On Wednesday, September 26th, Empire Wrestling will present Next Level: Ascension. At the event we will determine the Primetime Champion and the EW Heavyweight Champion.

The fans cheer as the logo for the event flashes on the screen.



Katie Shelley/Azurine Vebbins/Alicia Monroe Vs. Hailey Harris/Brent Bradley/Zoey Mathews-Mitchell

Each competitor came down to the ring and each entrance told a story. Katie Shelley was confident coming to the ring and she could be heard talking about Next Level: Ascension. Azurine Vebbins was bubbly and energetic. Alicia Monroe came out focused, almost stern. Rune saw her to the stage and gave her a few words before she came to the ring with her eyes on the prize. Hailey Harris had the same confidence as Shelley but lacked the same smile. She was out to show the world she was the best. Brent Bradley seemed unhinged. And finally, Zoey Mathews-Mitchell seemed focused on the match in front of her.

Scott Parker: It’s interesting to see how each team is almost a mirrored reflection of each other.

Gemma Foster: Everyone with something to prove here tonight.

The main event barely got started before both teams met in the center of the ring and came to blows. It was easy to see that the referee was going to have a tough time keeping things under control. Bradley was throwing lefts and rights all over the ring before getting blasted with a running knee strike from Monroe. She wasted no time in jumping back to her feet in finding someone else to hit. She clocked Mathews-Mitchell with a hard right hand and then turned to Harris. Harris hit her with a hard forearm and then pulled her in and connected with a snap DDT. Harris popped up to her feet and Vebbins was able to hit a springboard double axe handle smash. Vebbins pulled Harris to her feet and sent her over the top ropes. Bradley was back to his feet and he was sent flying across the ring from a missile dropkick from Shelley. Shelley kipped up to her feet but turned right into a roundhouse kick from Mathews-Mitchell. Mathews-Mitchell then turned and sent Monroe into the corner. Mathews-Mitchell charged and hit a corner clothesline. Mathews-Mitchell then pulled Monroe to the middle of the ring and looked for the Faceplant (Fameasser) but Monroe moved out of the way just in time and allowed Vebbins to come charging in with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors takedown.

Gemma Foster: Shelley and her team seem to be working well together.

Harris was back in the ring and working on Shelley as Bradley jumped in to help in the corner. Bradley backed away and Harris sent Shelley towards him and Bradley hit the Shotgun Blast (Discus Forearm). Monroe hit the ropes and connected with a clothesline on Bradley that staggered him. Monroe pulled him in and hit a boot on a charging Harris with Bradley locked into a headlock. Monroe looked around and hit the Freebird (Running Bulldog) and was fired up. She almost snarled she was so ready to hit another person. Harris had Shelley and dropped her with the Long Shot (Twist of Fate). Vebbins hit Harris with the Sweetheart Sock Hop (Two knees into the sternum, followed by a Superkick into a Pulled-In DDT). Mathews-Mitchell pulled Vebbins in and hit the Firebomb (Fireman's Carry Powerbomb). Mathews-Mitchell then was taken down by Monroe’s Freebird (Running Bulldog). Bradley looked for his Pretty Killer (Cutter) on Monroe but she pushed him away. He turned and was dropped with a jumping DDT that spiked him to the mat. Monroe hurried to the top ropes and hit her White Lightning (Moonsault). She went for a cover and was pulled off at two by Harris. Harris looked for the Long Shot (Twist of Fate) but was pushed away. Harris stepped right up to Vebbins and hit her with Check This Out (Mic Check)! Shelley was readied and landed a kick on Harris and hit the Junk Yard Jam (Pedigree). Shelley turned to Monroe and gave her a wink and a smile. Bradley charged at the two of them and Shelley hit him with a slingblade. Bradley staggered to his feet and was pushed by Shelley into Monroe who hit the Down in Flames (Burning Hammer). She covered and picked up the victory.

WINNERS: Katie Shelley, Azurine Vebbins, and Alicia Monroe via pinfall @ 15:42

Monroe seemed relieved and looked over to Shelley who gave her a pat on the back. Vebbins raised their hands as Harris shook her head at her team and left. Mathews-Mitchell gave the three a quick nod as she left.

Scott Parker: A great win for Monroe and crew here tonight.

The show ended with a shot of the ring in the ring celebrating.