Post by UGWC Staff on Jan 23, 2023 21:11:02 GMT -5
Welcome to GlobalTrollz LIVE Synergy Coverage for January 23rd, 2023!
Championship Roll Call:
World Heavyweight Champion: Lucy Wylde
- Next Defense: Infinity vs TBD
Cross-Hemisphere Champion: Ezra Wolf
- Next Defense: Infinity vs TBD
Cooperative Champions: Rydell and Wolf
- Next Defense: TBD vs TBD
Chaos Champion: Sebastian Everett-Bryce
- Next Defense:TBD vs TBD
Conquest Champion: Travis Pierce
- Next Defense: TONIGHT vs Ken Davison
Keys to the Kingdom:
Keeper of the Global Challenge Key: TBD on February 13
Keeper of the TBD Tournament Key: TBD on May 8
Keeper of the Battleground Key: TBD on June 19
Keeper of the Massive Melee Key: TBD on October 2
Your Synergy coverage begins, now…
SQUASH
Winner: John Blade
Time: 1:28
Having tripped on the way up the steps three times - for the record, there are only three steps - The Dark Destroyer readied himself for his first match in a UGWC ring for over two months. His opponent, much more assured in his step, was one Donovan Hastings who had seemingly targeted the current Chaos Champion, Sebastian Everett-Bryce, albeit with no new burgeoning love for the Championship.
The match began with the Destroyer circling dangerously. Donovan stood centrally in the ring, hands on his hips, slowly turning on the spot as The Two-Hundred Seventy-Seventh Best Wrestler in the World moved this way and that, like he was being controlled by a PlayStation remote. He rolled left, he rolled right, he dashed and Donovan and rolled to the side jumping up and extending his arms to a surprisingly warm reception from the fans. The Lord of Pain was seemingly amused by the antics as he merely turned to face his opponent, with one of his large bushy eyebrows raised to the sky. He raised a hand, offering The Destroyer a test of strength. As you can imagine, this didn’t go well. Firstly, he couldn’t reach Donovan’s upstretched hand. Secondly, as he jumped to grab it, Donovan kicked out and connected with The Destroyer’s knee. He fell face down on the mat to a chorus of boos.
Hastings smirked and strutted around the ring like he owned the place. The Destroyer wasn’t down for long, before he was pushing himself up to his feet. As he did, Donovan turned and offered a mocking hand. The Destroyer accepted it, before being mowed down with a short-arm clothesline. Again, the boos rang across the arena as Donovan toyed with his opponent. Time and again, he would offer help, and time and again The Destroyer would fall for it. Over and over with a hip toss, then a neck breaker, then a suplex, and then - in a definite attempt to mock a certain someone - a German Suplex.
The Destroyer was barely moving, but Donovan slowly lifted him up again. Wobbly-legged, face-paint already hanging from his weary face, Donovan measured The Destroyer for a Spinebuster. He whipped him into the ropes, but - as much to the Destroyer’s surprise as anyone else's - as Donovan dropped his head, The Most Dangerous Man In Any Room He’s In As Long As He’s Alone threw up his foot and connected with Hastings’ face. Staggered, Hastings blinked. The crowd popped for Evil Personified as he saw his chance and hit the ropes again, this time connecting with a “Big” Boot. Hastings staggered, and seemingly buoyed by the cheers of the crowd, he measures for The Heelvil…
But Donovan catches the boot, spins Destroyer around and nails him with an STO. Hastings isn’t playing games anymore - his eyes are wide as he looks down at the man who had dared try to make him bleed his own blood. Donovan dropped onto the Destroyer and began to lay into him with straight forearms to the face and neck. Over and over he drilled into his opponent who’s body was limp like a ragdoll. The referee tried to pull Donovan away, but he reminded him that the match was a Chaos Division match. No stoppages.
He dragged The Destroyer up and one by one, he started working his way through some of Seb’s favourite suplexes. German, T-Bone, Northern Lights, Belly to Belly. The referee is trying to stop The Lord of Pain, but he can’t. Donovan is a man possessed. Finally, he drags the Destroyer up and nails him with a Destiny’s Call. It appears to be over, nothing left for Hastings to do but cover his lifeless opponent. And yet, he’s not done. Instead, he rolls out of the ring and lifts up the apron looking for something. When he stands tall again, his face is contorted into a devilish grin. Slowly, into the air, he raises a lead pipe. The commentators remind watchers at home that this was Donovan’s weapon of choice when he attacked Sloane Taylor eighteen months earlier.
Donovan moved to roll into the ring, but noticed something else. His smile grew wider as he turned to a cameraman and began shouting at him to get into the ring. The cameraman did as instructed as a lead pipe is waved in his face. Once they were both inside, Donovan pauses and looks into the camera.
“Remember this, Sebastian? Don’t worry - if you can’t, I’m sure Sloane will remind you. Watch carefully, watch closely. It will be good for you to see what’s coming.” Said Donovan. He turned away from the camera, and looked down at the fallen Destroyer. And yet, what Donovan didn’t see that the fans at home could was the camera being lowered to the mat. The big screen adjusted, as the Cameraman pulled a hooded jumper over his head and with it the cap he’d been wearing. The crowed popped, and Donovan recognised the sound a moment too late. He turned around just in time to feel the full force of Sebastian Everett-Bryce’s boot to his jaw as he hit The Empire Kick.
Sebastian took the Dark Destroyers arm, and laced it over Donovan’s chest. The referee counted the three.
Winner: The Dark Destroyer
Time: 8:49
Seb slowly picked up the lead pipe and leaned back against the ropes. Slowly he sank into a seated position and waited. Little by little, Donovan Hastings began to come to. As he did, he slowly rolled onto his chest and pushed himself up. Groggily, he stood and slowly began to look around confused as to what was happening. And then he saw Seb, rising to his feet, the lead pipe in his hand. Hastings began to shout at Seb, slowly realising what had happened as the crowd inexplicably chanted for the Dark Destroyer. Seb stood, smirking, the pipe in his hand, willing Donovan to make a move. Instead, much to the crowd’s displeasure, Hastings chose to retreat shouting words of retribution.
Seb, satisfied that Hastings was gone, slowly helped The Dark Destroyer to his feet. Still virtually unconscious, Seb raised his hand and the crowd popped for him one more time, before he fell forward and out of the ring to the floor. Seb laughed and shook his head, as he shuffled the lead pipe in his hand, before climbing out of the ring and heading backstage.
Orson comes out first, followed by Vespertine. As soon as the bell rings, the lights dim. A message appears on the GlobalTron:
Good evening, target audience.
Holden and Vespertine both turn their attention to the Globaltron. As the camera zooms out, the lights come back on and Rogan MacLean stands between them in a referee outfit! Vespertine turns first, but Rogan brushes past her. Just as Holden turns frantically, Rogan double legs him and climbs on top of him, punching him in the head with closed fists. The ref calls for the bell immediately, ending the contest. But, that doesn’t stop the Dark Man.
Rogan rolls out of the ring and grabs a steel chair from underneath. Rolling back in, he measures Holden up as Holden slowly gets up to his feet. Holden stands with his back to him, and when he turns, Rogan lifts the chair up and steps into it as he wraps the steel chair around Holden’s skull. Orson falls flat on his back, blood on his forehead. He lays motionless as Rogan calls for a microphone. He grabs it and kneels on both knees at Holden’s side. He gazes down at him vacantly.
Rogan MacLean: Hello, Holden. I hope this is what you wanted. You know, I’ve spent the last month or two reflecting. I’ve spent the last month or two questioning what I’ve done wrong. What is it that I’m missing?
He lowers the microphone and scans the fans, who are responding with mixed reactions.
Rogan MacLean: And I answer. It’s my viciousness. My viciousness has lost ground. In reaching my dark tower, I’ve become complacent. I’ve become satisfied with mediocrity. Conformity. And you...
He reaches out and presses his index finger against Holden’s wounded forehead.
Rogan MacLean: You’ve helped me rediscover what I’ve been missing. You’ve helped me realize that I can tap into my darkness, even when I’m standing in the light. And you’ve helped remind me of just why I came back to this business to begin with.
He smiles down at Holden, running his hand through his former stablemate’s hair. He leans down right into Holden’s ear, and whispers into the microphone.
Rogan MacLean: And you can’t run away from me, Holden. And if you try, I’ll be waiting behind every reflection, just beyond every shadow in the night, and just around every corner… to remind you, that you can’t… hide… from me. This is our fate now.
He pushes himself up to his feet, still looking down at the man he used to consider a brother, and tosses the microphone to the side. Mike Shinoda’s version of “Passenger” starts to play and Rogan exits the ring with a dark expression.
Winner: Holden Orson via Disqualification
Time: 0:49
Mitchell Dennis announces are participants. All goes as normal with Ezra. He hesitates while announcing Rock N’ Rabbit, looks at Claude de Rhombus and asks him if the information he has is right. Claude shrugs, just as confused as Mitchell is. Mitchell announces Rock N’ Rabbit, announces his weight without blinking, then hesitates again before announcing his height as five foot twelve. Yes, five twelve. Because Dead Rabbit Society. Just roll with it, it’ll lessen your headache.
The bell rings and Ezra takes over from the start. He begins with a standing snap headbutt and a barrage of palm strikes. Rock N’ Rabbit tries to evade him, but ends up leaping into a particularly painful looking Muy Thai kick to his ribs. Ezra takes him to the mat with a side headlock and transitions into a Fujiwara armbar. Rock N’ Rabbit responds by “rocking out”, which basically mean that he repeatedly slams his own face into the mat because he’s headbanging while face down. Remember kids, don’t eat the bright yellow chips on the floor. They’re not Pringles.
Ezra watches this, both confused and amused at the same time, then wrenches back on the arm and proceeds to go to town on the Rabbit with boots to the side of his head. Suffice it to say, the Rabbit finally stops “rocking”. Repeated blows to the head will do that to you. Ezra releases the Rabbit and pulls him to his feet. The Rabbit suddenly comes to life and swings for the fences with “Field Mouse.” Since there’s nothing there, nothing happens and Ezra stands looking at him, clearly confused. Rock N’ Rabbit doesn’t notice, or more likely doesn’t care, and “Rocks out” again. Until Ezra grabs him around his neck and drops him on the back of his head with a reverse DDT. He goes for the pin, but the Rabbit kicks out at two. He pulls Rock N’ Rabbit up and is caught by surprise by “Dotel Hell.”
Ezra kicks out at two and pops to his feet, only to be barraged by punches and strikes, then flattened with “Rabbit Road.” It only gets Rock N’ Rabbit a two before Ezra kicks out with frustrated authority. Rock N’ Rabbit responds with more air guitar and weird gyrating, which only seems to anger Ezra even further. Rock N’ Rabbit air guitars until he’s finally facing Ezra and his solo is prematurely ended with the “Lightning Strike” and “Fore’n Object”. He waits for the Rabbit to stagger to his feet, then hoists him up and slams him down with “215MPH.” He grabs Rock N’ Rabbit by the arms and feeds him a “Knee Jerk Reaction” for the three count.
Winner: Ezra Wolf
Time: 7:02
The Mothman makes his way out first, then the Dark Man. Rogan is unusually aggressive, and catches Montague by surprise, backing him into the corner. Montague gets his bearings and shoves Rogan backwards, then charges forward. But Rogan catches him and powerslams him to the mat. MacLean follows up with a collection of suplexes, gaining momentum. He even executes a pretty vicious dragon screw that forces Montague to slide out of the ring and regroup.
Rogan baseball slides to the outside and through the recovering Cervantes, then climbs on top of him and punches him with lefts and rights. Montague manages to Houdini himself from the mount and gain position, where he presses his feet against Rogan’s stomach and monkey flips him to the floor. Rogan remains on the prowl, however, and marches back towards Montague. But Cervantes dropkicks him in the long-injured ankle from several years ago! Rogan instantly falls to the floor, clutching his ankle and Montague capitalizes, stomping on it once, twice, three times! Rogan tries to scoot backwards on his butt away from the attacks, but doesn’t quite.
Montague pulls him up and rolls him into the ring, continuing his work on the Dark Man’s ankle. He sets his ankle on the bottom rope and hits a vintage wrestling move, bouncing off the bottom rope himself, and slamming his butt down on the injured ankle. Rogan tries to fight back, but Montague is as relentless as Rogan was at the beginning of the match. He lifts his leg in the air and wraps his own leg around it as he spins, then hits a knee drop on top of the ankle against the mat. Rogan again tries to scoot away, but the Mothman looks as predatorial as a hungry spider finding a fly in its web.
Cervantes follows up with the Big Finish that Rogan can’t escape with Montague’s calculated attack on his ankle. The Showman stretches out with his elbow across MacLean’s chest, and grins as Brian Chartreuse makes the three count.
Winner: Montague Cervantes
Time: 8:23
The lights dim and the Globaltron comes to life. The face of Daedalus stares out from the screen with a half smirk. The 2023 Creative Director’s grin widens as Montague looks up at him.
Daedalus: You know, I couldn’t possibly have found a more fitting moment than now to make the announcement that I hinted at last week. This moment here, where you’re sharing the ring with that… that scum.
He nods in the direction of Rogan MacLean with a look of loathing.
Daedalus: As everyone is aware, your little girlfriend took the World Championship off of my Tempest last month. Well, the poor kid still hasn’t recovered from it. Has he, Monty?
In the ring, Montague shakes his head disapprovingly, a grim glare cast down on Rogan.
Daedalus: The two of you probably thought that was the end, too, didn’t you… Dark… Man. It’s no secret that the Astro Creeps, we like to bide our time. We enjoy calculating our attacks, strategically moving our pieces into position silently, and under the radar. Montague Cervantes has been doing that. What was it you said, Rogan? You said something about how the Mothman only succeeds with me or Tempest pulling his strings. That’s the long and short of it, right? Let me ask you this…
His eyes narrow on the screen.
Daedalus: Do you really think Montague will react to something like that? Do you think that’s supposed to hurt his feelings? With me named as Creative Director, do you realize just how stupid of a statement that was? The Astro Creeps, we don’t deflect such would-be insults. We embrace them. And guess who’s pulling the strings of the Coalition right now, my little puppet? That’s right. I am. And my first puppet show will see Lucy Wylde, the World Champion, defend her championship at Infinity… against “The Mothman!” Montague… Cervantes!
A sinister grin spreads across his face. In the ring, Montague is returning the grin with a satisfied smirk of his own.
Daedalus: Consider it a late Christmas gift, Mr. Cervantes.
He chuckles and the Globaltron goes black, fading to commercial.
Zane and JC immediately launch themselves at one another, moving smoothly from grapple to reversal, counter to block. The longer the chain wrestling continues, the more hyped the crowd gets, and there's legitimately no telling who has the upper hand.
Eventually they separate go to opposite ropes to catch a breath and reassess. They run at each other again, JC sliding around to catch Zane with a snap suplex. Zane bounces up to his feet and delivers a kick to JCs middle, then grabs him up with a vertical suplex. JC recovers quickly, and we're treated to a series of back and forth suplexes, powerbombs, powerslams, and brainbusters.
Zane is the first to slip, missing a massive clothesline from hell that throws him off balance. That gives JC the opening to run the ropes and hit a massive spear. He follows up with a Schism, and a two count.
JC backs off for a second, but Zane pops up suddenly and shoulder tackles him. He pounces, locking JC into a can opener, but JC refuses to tap. Zane finally lets go, but grabs JCs arms and delivers a Salt the Earth. He gets a two and a half count, but JC shoved him off.
Undeterred, Zane immediately hits Exiled and Erased, then covers for the 3 count!
Winner: Zane Scott
Time: 9:14
Pierce comes into this match with 2-0 in the Round Robin, and Davison has one win and one draw. It’s also Pierce’s third defense of the Conquest Title, and if he is victorious he will have to defend it outside the Round Robin next week.
Pierce immediately drops to the mat and rolls out of the ring when the bell rings to begin the match. Davison looks a bit confused, but Pierce simply stands patiently on the outside. Glenn Burke is also confused, but the referee begins to count as Piece seems content to remain. When the referee reaches nine, Pierce rolls into the ring and immediately back out, resetting the count of the flabbergasted official. Davison tells Pierce that he doesn’t want a countout victory, but Pierce shrugs his shoulders and remains on the outside.
Once again as Burke gets to nine, Pierce rolls in and back out, at which point commentary begins to speculate that Pierce is stalling. Davison rolls out of the ring in pursuit of Pierce, who quickly rolls back in, and he springs to his feet as Davison slides back in and stomps away on him. Pierce lays the boots to Davison before pulling him into a snap suplex, and Pierce floats directly into a cover, but Davison kicks out right away. Pierce whips Davison off the ropes and into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, covering again, but Davison kicks out at two.
Pierce goes to kick Davison as he is getting back up, but Davison catches the leg and takes him down with a dragon screw. Pierce rolls towards the ropes and uses them to pull himself up, and as Davison charges at him Pierce lowers his shoulder and backdrops Davison over the ropes, sending him spilling to the outside. Pierce waves at the referee, who begins the ten count, and Pierce relaxes in the far corner, content to wait. Davison stumbles to his feet, but as he tries to re-enter the ring, Pierce charges and hits a baseball slide under the bottom rope, knocking Davison back down. Pierce quickly grabs Davison and hurls him into the barricade before returning to the ring, prompting the referee to start the count again. Lieberjosch speculates that Pierce has done the math and thinks that a countout victory will be sufficient, whereas Covert Jay takes it one step further and suggests that Pierce is trying to burn time towards a draw and is only trying not to lose.
Davison gets back to his feet and approaches the ring to again beat the count, with Pierce going for another slide to knock him back out, but Davison is ready this time and pulls up the apron to trap him. Davison hits several clubbing blows on Pierce, then climbs up on the apron and pulls Pierce up with him. Davison positions Pierce on the apron and steps through the ropes into the ring, before coming back over the ropes and pulling Pierce into the Fall From Grace! Davison gets to his feet and sends Pierce back into the ring, slides in himself and covers, but Pierce gets his shoulder up at two!
Davison sets up the Jawdropper, but Pierce struggles free and floats off the back. He turns around and grabs Davison for the Breakdown, but Davison elbows him loose before kicking him in the gut and hitting the Kenadian Destroyer. Davison immediately yanks Pierce back up off the mat, sets up and hits the Jawdropper, and covers for the three!
Winner: Ken Davison - New Conquest Champion!
Time: 9:02
End Show
Championship Roll Call:
World Heavyweight Champion: Lucy Wylde
- Next Defense: Infinity vs TBD
Cross-Hemisphere Champion: Ezra Wolf
- Next Defense: Infinity vs TBD
Cooperative Champions: Rydell and Wolf
- Next Defense: TBD vs TBD
Chaos Champion: Sebastian Everett-Bryce
- Next Defense:TBD vs TBD
Conquest Champion: Travis Pierce
- Next Defense: TONIGHT vs Ken Davison
Global Challenge Rankings After Week 2
Block A
| Name | Number of Matches | Points |
| Tempest | 2 | 6 |
| JC | 1 | 3 |
| Zane Scott | 1 | 3 |
| Dead Rabbit Society | 2 | 0 |
| Ezra Wolf | 2 | 0 |
Block B
| Name | Number of Matches | Points |
| Travis Pierce | 2 | 6 |
| Ken Davison | 2 | 4 |
| Dave Rydell | 2 | 1 |
| Holden Orson | 1 | 0 |
| Vespertine | 1 | 0 |
Keys to the Kingdom:
Keeper of the Global Challenge Key: TBD on February 13
Keeper of the TBD Tournament Key: TBD on May 8
Keeper of the Battleground Key: TBD on June 19
Keeper of the Massive Melee Key: TBD on October 2
Your Synergy coverage begins, now…
Blood Brother vs John Blade
SQUASH
Winner: John Blade
Time: 1:28
~Commercial Break~
Chaos Division Match: Dark Destroyer vs Donovan Hastings
Having tripped on the way up the steps three times - for the record, there are only three steps - The Dark Destroyer readied himself for his first match in a UGWC ring for over two months. His opponent, much more assured in his step, was one Donovan Hastings who had seemingly targeted the current Chaos Champion, Sebastian Everett-Bryce, albeit with no new burgeoning love for the Championship.
The match began with the Destroyer circling dangerously. Donovan stood centrally in the ring, hands on his hips, slowly turning on the spot as The Two-Hundred Seventy-Seventh Best Wrestler in the World moved this way and that, like he was being controlled by a PlayStation remote. He rolled left, he rolled right, he dashed and Donovan and rolled to the side jumping up and extending his arms to a surprisingly warm reception from the fans. The Lord of Pain was seemingly amused by the antics as he merely turned to face his opponent, with one of his large bushy eyebrows raised to the sky. He raised a hand, offering The Destroyer a test of strength. As you can imagine, this didn’t go well. Firstly, he couldn’t reach Donovan’s upstretched hand. Secondly, as he jumped to grab it, Donovan kicked out and connected with The Destroyer’s knee. He fell face down on the mat to a chorus of boos.
Hastings smirked and strutted around the ring like he owned the place. The Destroyer wasn’t down for long, before he was pushing himself up to his feet. As he did, Donovan turned and offered a mocking hand. The Destroyer accepted it, before being mowed down with a short-arm clothesline. Again, the boos rang across the arena as Donovan toyed with his opponent. Time and again, he would offer help, and time and again The Destroyer would fall for it. Over and over with a hip toss, then a neck breaker, then a suplex, and then - in a definite attempt to mock a certain someone - a German Suplex.
The Destroyer was barely moving, but Donovan slowly lifted him up again. Wobbly-legged, face-paint already hanging from his weary face, Donovan measured The Destroyer for a Spinebuster. He whipped him into the ropes, but - as much to the Destroyer’s surprise as anyone else's - as Donovan dropped his head, The Most Dangerous Man In Any Room He’s In As Long As He’s Alone threw up his foot and connected with Hastings’ face. Staggered, Hastings blinked. The crowd popped for Evil Personified as he saw his chance and hit the ropes again, this time connecting with a “Big” Boot. Hastings staggered, and seemingly buoyed by the cheers of the crowd, he measures for The Heelvil…
But Donovan catches the boot, spins Destroyer around and nails him with an STO. Hastings isn’t playing games anymore - his eyes are wide as he looks down at the man who had dared try to make him bleed his own blood. Donovan dropped onto the Destroyer and began to lay into him with straight forearms to the face and neck. Over and over he drilled into his opponent who’s body was limp like a ragdoll. The referee tried to pull Donovan away, but he reminded him that the match was a Chaos Division match. No stoppages.
He dragged The Destroyer up and one by one, he started working his way through some of Seb’s favourite suplexes. German, T-Bone, Northern Lights, Belly to Belly. The referee is trying to stop The Lord of Pain, but he can’t. Donovan is a man possessed. Finally, he drags the Destroyer up and nails him with a Destiny’s Call. It appears to be over, nothing left for Hastings to do but cover his lifeless opponent. And yet, he’s not done. Instead, he rolls out of the ring and lifts up the apron looking for something. When he stands tall again, his face is contorted into a devilish grin. Slowly, into the air, he raises a lead pipe. The commentators remind watchers at home that this was Donovan’s weapon of choice when he attacked Sloane Taylor eighteen months earlier.
Donovan moved to roll into the ring, but noticed something else. His smile grew wider as he turned to a cameraman and began shouting at him to get into the ring. The cameraman did as instructed as a lead pipe is waved in his face. Once they were both inside, Donovan pauses and looks into the camera.
“Remember this, Sebastian? Don’t worry - if you can’t, I’m sure Sloane will remind you. Watch carefully, watch closely. It will be good for you to see what’s coming.” Said Donovan. He turned away from the camera, and looked down at the fallen Destroyer. And yet, what Donovan didn’t see that the fans at home could was the camera being lowered to the mat. The big screen adjusted, as the Cameraman pulled a hooded jumper over his head and with it the cap he’d been wearing. The crowed popped, and Donovan recognised the sound a moment too late. He turned around just in time to feel the full force of Sebastian Everett-Bryce’s boot to his jaw as he hit The Empire Kick.
Sebastian took the Dark Destroyers arm, and laced it over Donovan’s chest. The referee counted the three.
Winner: The Dark Destroyer
Time: 8:49
Seb slowly picked up the lead pipe and leaned back against the ropes. Slowly he sank into a seated position and waited. Little by little, Donovan Hastings began to come to. As he did, he slowly rolled onto his chest and pushed himself up. Groggily, he stood and slowly began to look around confused as to what was happening. And then he saw Seb, rising to his feet, the lead pipe in his hand. Hastings began to shout at Seb, slowly realising what had happened as the crowd inexplicably chanted for the Dark Destroyer. Seb stood, smirking, the pipe in his hand, willing Donovan to make a move. Instead, much to the crowd’s displeasure, Hastings chose to retreat shouting words of retribution.
Seb, satisfied that Hastings was gone, slowly helped The Dark Destroyer to his feet. Still virtually unconscious, Seb raised his hand and the crowd popped for him one more time, before he fell forward and out of the ring to the floor. Seb laughed and shook his head, as he shuffled the lead pipe in his hand, before climbing out of the ring and heading backstage.
~Commercial Break~
Global Challenge Block B: Holden Orson vs Vespertine
Orson comes out first, followed by Vespertine. As soon as the bell rings, the lights dim. A message appears on the GlobalTron:
Good evening, target audience.
Holden and Vespertine both turn their attention to the Globaltron. As the camera zooms out, the lights come back on and Rogan MacLean stands between them in a referee outfit! Vespertine turns first, but Rogan brushes past her. Just as Holden turns frantically, Rogan double legs him and climbs on top of him, punching him in the head with closed fists. The ref calls for the bell immediately, ending the contest. But, that doesn’t stop the Dark Man.
Rogan rolls out of the ring and grabs a steel chair from underneath. Rolling back in, he measures Holden up as Holden slowly gets up to his feet. Holden stands with his back to him, and when he turns, Rogan lifts the chair up and steps into it as he wraps the steel chair around Holden’s skull. Orson falls flat on his back, blood on his forehead. He lays motionless as Rogan calls for a microphone. He grabs it and kneels on both knees at Holden’s side. He gazes down at him vacantly.
Rogan MacLean: Hello, Holden. I hope this is what you wanted. You know, I’ve spent the last month or two reflecting. I’ve spent the last month or two questioning what I’ve done wrong. What is it that I’m missing?
He lowers the microphone and scans the fans, who are responding with mixed reactions.
Rogan MacLean: And I answer. It’s my viciousness. My viciousness has lost ground. In reaching my dark tower, I’ve become complacent. I’ve become satisfied with mediocrity. Conformity. And you...
He reaches out and presses his index finger against Holden’s wounded forehead.
Rogan MacLean: You’ve helped me rediscover what I’ve been missing. You’ve helped me realize that I can tap into my darkness, even when I’m standing in the light. And you’ve helped remind me of just why I came back to this business to begin with.
He smiles down at Holden, running his hand through his former stablemate’s hair. He leans down right into Holden’s ear, and whispers into the microphone.
Rogan MacLean: And you can’t run away from me, Holden. And if you try, I’ll be waiting behind every reflection, just beyond every shadow in the night, and just around every corner… to remind you, that you can’t… hide… from me. This is our fate now.
He pushes himself up to his feet, still looking down at the man he used to consider a brother, and tosses the microphone to the side. Mike Shinoda’s version of “Passenger” starts to play and Rogan exits the ring with a dark expression.
Winner: Holden Orson via Disqualification
Time: 0:49
~Commercial Break~
Global Challenge Block A: Dead Rabbit Society vs Ezra Wolf
Mitchell Dennis announces are participants. All goes as normal with Ezra. He hesitates while announcing Rock N’ Rabbit, looks at Claude de Rhombus and asks him if the information he has is right. Claude shrugs, just as confused as Mitchell is. Mitchell announces Rock N’ Rabbit, announces his weight without blinking, then hesitates again before announcing his height as five foot twelve. Yes, five twelve. Because Dead Rabbit Society. Just roll with it, it’ll lessen your headache.
The bell rings and Ezra takes over from the start. He begins with a standing snap headbutt and a barrage of palm strikes. Rock N’ Rabbit tries to evade him, but ends up leaping into a particularly painful looking Muy Thai kick to his ribs. Ezra takes him to the mat with a side headlock and transitions into a Fujiwara armbar. Rock N’ Rabbit responds by “rocking out”, which basically mean that he repeatedly slams his own face into the mat because he’s headbanging while face down. Remember kids, don’t eat the bright yellow chips on the floor. They’re not Pringles.
Ezra watches this, both confused and amused at the same time, then wrenches back on the arm and proceeds to go to town on the Rabbit with boots to the side of his head. Suffice it to say, the Rabbit finally stops “rocking”. Repeated blows to the head will do that to you. Ezra releases the Rabbit and pulls him to his feet. The Rabbit suddenly comes to life and swings for the fences with “Field Mouse.” Since there’s nothing there, nothing happens and Ezra stands looking at him, clearly confused. Rock N’ Rabbit doesn’t notice, or more likely doesn’t care, and “Rocks out” again. Until Ezra grabs him around his neck and drops him on the back of his head with a reverse DDT. He goes for the pin, but the Rabbit kicks out at two. He pulls Rock N’ Rabbit up and is caught by surprise by “Dotel Hell.”
Ezra kicks out at two and pops to his feet, only to be barraged by punches and strikes, then flattened with “Rabbit Road.” It only gets Rock N’ Rabbit a two before Ezra kicks out with frustrated authority. Rock N’ Rabbit responds with more air guitar and weird gyrating, which only seems to anger Ezra even further. Rock N’ Rabbit air guitars until he’s finally facing Ezra and his solo is prematurely ended with the “Lightning Strike” and “Fore’n Object”. He waits for the Rabbit to stagger to his feet, then hoists him up and slams him down with “215MPH.” He grabs Rock N’ Rabbit by the arms and feeds him a “Knee Jerk Reaction” for the three count.
Winner: Ezra Wolf
Time: 7:02
~Commercial Break~
Cross-Hemisphere Division Match: Montague Cervantes vs Rogan MacLean
The Mothman makes his way out first, then the Dark Man. Rogan is unusually aggressive, and catches Montague by surprise, backing him into the corner. Montague gets his bearings and shoves Rogan backwards, then charges forward. But Rogan catches him and powerslams him to the mat. MacLean follows up with a collection of suplexes, gaining momentum. He even executes a pretty vicious dragon screw that forces Montague to slide out of the ring and regroup.
Rogan baseball slides to the outside and through the recovering Cervantes, then climbs on top of him and punches him with lefts and rights. Montague manages to Houdini himself from the mount and gain position, where he presses his feet against Rogan’s stomach and monkey flips him to the floor. Rogan remains on the prowl, however, and marches back towards Montague. But Cervantes dropkicks him in the long-injured ankle from several years ago! Rogan instantly falls to the floor, clutching his ankle and Montague capitalizes, stomping on it once, twice, three times! Rogan tries to scoot backwards on his butt away from the attacks, but doesn’t quite.
Montague pulls him up and rolls him into the ring, continuing his work on the Dark Man’s ankle. He sets his ankle on the bottom rope and hits a vintage wrestling move, bouncing off the bottom rope himself, and slamming his butt down on the injured ankle. Rogan tries to fight back, but Montague is as relentless as Rogan was at the beginning of the match. He lifts his leg in the air and wraps his own leg around it as he spins, then hits a knee drop on top of the ankle against the mat. Rogan again tries to scoot away, but the Mothman looks as predatorial as a hungry spider finding a fly in its web.
Cervantes follows up with the Big Finish that Rogan can’t escape with Montague’s calculated attack on his ankle. The Showman stretches out with his elbow across MacLean’s chest, and grins as Brian Chartreuse makes the three count.
Winner: Montague Cervantes
Time: 8:23
The lights dim and the Globaltron comes to life. The face of Daedalus stares out from the screen with a half smirk. The 2023 Creative Director’s grin widens as Montague looks up at him.
Daedalus: You know, I couldn’t possibly have found a more fitting moment than now to make the announcement that I hinted at last week. This moment here, where you’re sharing the ring with that… that scum.
He nods in the direction of Rogan MacLean with a look of loathing.
Daedalus: As everyone is aware, your little girlfriend took the World Championship off of my Tempest last month. Well, the poor kid still hasn’t recovered from it. Has he, Monty?
In the ring, Montague shakes his head disapprovingly, a grim glare cast down on Rogan.
Daedalus: The two of you probably thought that was the end, too, didn’t you… Dark… Man. It’s no secret that the Astro Creeps, we like to bide our time. We enjoy calculating our attacks, strategically moving our pieces into position silently, and under the radar. Montague Cervantes has been doing that. What was it you said, Rogan? You said something about how the Mothman only succeeds with me or Tempest pulling his strings. That’s the long and short of it, right? Let me ask you this…
His eyes narrow on the screen.
Daedalus: Do you really think Montague will react to something like that? Do you think that’s supposed to hurt his feelings? With me named as Creative Director, do you realize just how stupid of a statement that was? The Astro Creeps, we don’t deflect such would-be insults. We embrace them. And guess who’s pulling the strings of the Coalition right now, my little puppet? That’s right. I am. And my first puppet show will see Lucy Wylde, the World Champion, defend her championship at Infinity… against “The Mothman!” Montague… Cervantes!
A sinister grin spreads across his face. In the ring, Montague is returning the grin with a satisfied smirk of his own.
Daedalus: Consider it a late Christmas gift, Mr. Cervantes.
He chuckles and the Globaltron goes black, fading to commercial.
~Commercial Break~
Global Challenge Block A: JC vs Zane Scott
Zane and JC immediately launch themselves at one another, moving smoothly from grapple to reversal, counter to block. The longer the chain wrestling continues, the more hyped the crowd gets, and there's legitimately no telling who has the upper hand.
Eventually they separate go to opposite ropes to catch a breath and reassess. They run at each other again, JC sliding around to catch Zane with a snap suplex. Zane bounces up to his feet and delivers a kick to JCs middle, then grabs him up with a vertical suplex. JC recovers quickly, and we're treated to a series of back and forth suplexes, powerbombs, powerslams, and brainbusters.
Zane is the first to slip, missing a massive clothesline from hell that throws him off balance. That gives JC the opening to run the ropes and hit a massive spear. He follows up with a Schism, and a two count.
JC backs off for a second, but Zane pops up suddenly and shoulder tackles him. He pounces, locking JC into a can opener, but JC refuses to tap. Zane finally lets go, but grabs JCs arms and delivers a Salt the Earth. He gets a two and a half count, but JC shoved him off.
Undeterred, Zane immediately hits Exiled and Erased, then covers for the 3 count!
Winner: Zane Scott
Time: 9:14
~Commercial Break~
Global Challenge Block B/Conquest Title Match: Travis Pierce vs Ken Davison
Pierce comes into this match with 2-0 in the Round Robin, and Davison has one win and one draw. It’s also Pierce’s third defense of the Conquest Title, and if he is victorious he will have to defend it outside the Round Robin next week.
Pierce immediately drops to the mat and rolls out of the ring when the bell rings to begin the match. Davison looks a bit confused, but Pierce simply stands patiently on the outside. Glenn Burke is also confused, but the referee begins to count as Piece seems content to remain. When the referee reaches nine, Pierce rolls into the ring and immediately back out, resetting the count of the flabbergasted official. Davison tells Pierce that he doesn’t want a countout victory, but Pierce shrugs his shoulders and remains on the outside.
Once again as Burke gets to nine, Pierce rolls in and back out, at which point commentary begins to speculate that Pierce is stalling. Davison rolls out of the ring in pursuit of Pierce, who quickly rolls back in, and he springs to his feet as Davison slides back in and stomps away on him. Pierce lays the boots to Davison before pulling him into a snap suplex, and Pierce floats directly into a cover, but Davison kicks out right away. Pierce whips Davison off the ropes and into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, covering again, but Davison kicks out at two.
Pierce goes to kick Davison as he is getting back up, but Davison catches the leg and takes him down with a dragon screw. Pierce rolls towards the ropes and uses them to pull himself up, and as Davison charges at him Pierce lowers his shoulder and backdrops Davison over the ropes, sending him spilling to the outside. Pierce waves at the referee, who begins the ten count, and Pierce relaxes in the far corner, content to wait. Davison stumbles to his feet, but as he tries to re-enter the ring, Pierce charges and hits a baseball slide under the bottom rope, knocking Davison back down. Pierce quickly grabs Davison and hurls him into the barricade before returning to the ring, prompting the referee to start the count again. Lieberjosch speculates that Pierce has done the math and thinks that a countout victory will be sufficient, whereas Covert Jay takes it one step further and suggests that Pierce is trying to burn time towards a draw and is only trying not to lose.
Davison gets back to his feet and approaches the ring to again beat the count, with Pierce going for another slide to knock him back out, but Davison is ready this time and pulls up the apron to trap him. Davison hits several clubbing blows on Pierce, then climbs up on the apron and pulls Pierce up with him. Davison positions Pierce on the apron and steps through the ropes into the ring, before coming back over the ropes and pulling Pierce into the Fall From Grace! Davison gets to his feet and sends Pierce back into the ring, slides in himself and covers, but Pierce gets his shoulder up at two!
Davison sets up the Jawdropper, but Pierce struggles free and floats off the back. He turns around and grabs Davison for the Breakdown, but Davison elbows him loose before kicking him in the gut and hitting the Kenadian Destroyer. Davison immediately yanks Pierce back up off the mat, sets up and hits the Jawdropper, and covers for the three!
Winner: Ken Davison - New Conquest Champion!
Time: 9:02
End Show