DEFIANCE TV 232

BEE-doo… BEE-doo… BEE-doo… BEE-doo… BEE-doo…

The broadcast opens on the image of the green number ‘4’ that began the last show. 

A few moments pass, with the soft electronic alarm continuing to chime in the background.

Then with a loud electric SNAP, the green ‘4’ flashes over to a vibrant and incipient yellow number ‘3’. Accompanying the new number is the shrill and piercing sound of a whistle urgently being blown.

TWWWEEEET!! TWWWEEEET!! TWWWEEEET!! TWWWEEEET!!

Cut to black.

Lindsay Troy: (v/o)
HOWDY PARTNERS!

The highlight reel from DEFtv 231 begins. The FIST of DEFIANCE -- “THE KRAKEN” HENRY KEYES -- chucks scores of pancakes into the crowd from a chest carried by Plague Doctors. “The Queen of the Ring” Lindsay Troy is within his orbit, smiling confidently while raising the old-skool mic.

Lindsay Troy: (v/o)
The Besties are here to remind the world of professional wrestling that VAE VICTIS IS ON TOP!

Waiting in the ring, DR. NED REFORM stares down the reigning champion.

Lindsay Troy: (v/o)
And his next gift to you all will be the END of NEDWARD! 

The bell rings, and both competitors go into the lock-up.

DDK: (v/o)
Here we go!

Quick cuts show us the pace of the action. Keyes biel throws Reform across the ring! Reform brings the champion’s neck down hard over the top rope with a slingshot hangman! Keyes tumbles to the outside after receiving a running dropkick in the corner!

Lance: (v/o)
This might be the damndest thing we’ve ever seen on DEFTV!!!

Reform outsmarts the official to pull off a turnbuckle pad and expose the buckle! The champion strikes back with a belly-to-belly suplex! The challenger kicks Keyes in the back and sends him face-first into the exposed turnbuckle!

DDK: (v/o)
Reform might do this! He might do this, Lance!

Reform is perched on the top rope when, without warning, Lindsay Troy SHOVES him off! Ned lands chest-first against the guardrail!

Lindsay Troy: (v/o)
Awwww, Nedward. Are you okay?? Do you need a… doctor?

Troy hits Reform with his own SYLLABUSTER on the ringside floor!

Lance: (v/o)
She might have just ended Reform’s career!

Back in the ring, Keyes cleans up with TWO COINS to successfully put the Good Doctor down for the three.

DING DING DING

The final image is of the Besties standing tall in the ring, with the reigning FIST hoisting Big Blue high overhead.

DDK:
Somebody has to stop these two.

Fade to STATIC…

…but through the white noise, we can just barely make out a human voice.

It sounds like… COUGHING!

♫ “The Defiant" by Skillet ♫

Pyro explodes from the top of the rampway as the camera pans over the sold out Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Indianapolis Faithful! 

... and their SIGNS ...

BUG
YOU BOTH SUCK
BOOOOOOOO
ADULT SHIT
BABY SHIT
YOU'LL NEVER BE SO-US
MARK LUCK IS STILL A MARK
HIGH BELIEVE
HELL'S FAVORITE HOOSIER COMES HOME
DEFCON SEASON
I’M A BIG BLUE GUY
NO FUNNY BUSINESS
IF JACK HARMEN IS YOUTHFUL, I AM A TRILLIONAIRE
REZERECTION DAY
THIS BUSINESS IS FUNNY
WELCOME TO THE INVERTED CROSSROADS OF AMERICA
THE PANCAKES THE BESTIES TOSS OUT ARE WATERED DOWN
I'M HERE TO SEE CORVO BEHEAD DEF'S GOLDEN BOY
I’VE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT PANCAKES ACTUALLY LACK NUTRITIONAL VALUE.
I FEEL MISLED.
A FRIEND AT WORK SAYS I SHOULD CONSIDER WHAT HE CALLED “LEGAL ACTION” BUT I DONT KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS

The camera shot settles on "Downttown" Darren Keebler and Lance Warner standing next to the commentation station. 

DDK:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to DEFtv! The FIST of DEFIANCE Henry Keyes is in the house and so is Rezin...

Lance:
#REZINSIGHTING

DDK:
... and if that’s any indication of the powder keg we’re sitting on tonight, buckle up.

Lance:
Keyes and Rezin have been circling each other for weeks, Darren, and the tension is absolutely suffocating! I'm sure that is not the last we've heard of that situation but before we get there, we kick this show off with a huge tag team collision.

DDK:
That’s right! Our opening contest is The Big Boss Dan teaming with the monstrous Rowzilla to take on Heavy Artillery! Power meets power in what could turn into an all-out demolition derby.

Lance:
You’ve got size, you’ve got impact, and you’ve got four men who don’t mind shortening careers if it means making a statement. That is how we are starting tonight.

DDK:
Later on, one of the most technically gifted wrestlers in DEFIANCE steps back into singles competition when Oscar Burns goes one-on-one with ALECZANDER THE GREAT.

Lance:
Burns is always dangerous and always calculating, but Aleczander has been clawing for an opportunity like this. An upset tonight could change the entire complexion of the roster.

DDK:
Butch Vic is back in action tonight as he takes on LIPS! Butcher Victorious has been riding a wave of momentum, but LIPS, representing Los Caídos, is never just a simple matchup.

Lance:
Every time Los Caídos are involved, chaos follows. Butch will have to survive more than just the man across from him if he wants to keep that momentum intact.

DDK:
We also have Mark Luck squaring off against Archer Silver in singles competition ... a bout that could have serious implications for either of these men.

Lance:
Both men have something to prove. Mark Luck wants to show he belongs among the elite, while Archer Silver is looking to halt that rise before it ever truly begins.

DDK:
Tag team action returns as Money Talks faces the unpredictable duo of Malak Garland and a mystery partner.

Lance:
That unknown factor changes everything, Darren. Malak Garland is already erratic and opportunistic. Add a surprise partner to the mix, and Money Talks may be walking into an ambush.

DDK:
In what may be one of the most emotionally charged matches of the night, Corvo Alpha goes head-to-head with “Sub Pop” Scott Douglas.

Lance:
This one is personal. Corvo Alpha’s intensity versus the resilience and heart of DEFIANCE's Favourite Son. Two men who do not back down, and something WILL have to give.

DDK:
Count Novick will battle Antonio Prince in a singles contest that promises grit and unpredictability.

Lance:
Novick brings that cold, calculating presence, while Antonio Prince thrives in chaos. That clash of styles could explode at any moment.

DDK:
Tyler Fuse is scheduled for action as well against a yet-to-be-named opponent.

Lance:
And with Tyler Fuse, it doesn’t matter who’s standing across the ring. He adapts, he dismantles, and he leaves damage in his wake.

DDK:
Then late in the night, Dex Joy collides with Killjoy in a matchup that could shake the foundations of the roster.

Lance:
Dex Joy brings heart and explosive offense, but Killjoy is relentless and unhinged. That is not a comfortable combination for anyone stepping into the ring with him.

DDK:
All of this, plus the looming shadow of Henry Keyes and Rezin hanging over the entire broadcast. The road to DEFCON 2026 continues tonight.

Lance:
If this is the calm before the storm, Darren, then the storm is going to be unforgettable.

DDK:
Stay with us, Faithful. DEFtv starts right now.

DDK:
We’ve got a SUPERHEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN! All caps! To kick off DEFtv… we’re seeing an unlikely team taking on an experienced tandem. The team of Heavy Artillery - Bobby Horrigan and Roosevelt Owens - takes on… and this is not a typo… The Big Boss Dan… and ROWZILLA!

Lance:
I heard the ring crew had to spend extra time reinforcing the ring before tonight’s show just for this reason! 

DDK:
For the past couple weeks, Rowzilla’s name has been all over the place. The likes of Tom Morrow, Sonny Silver and other interested parties have been trying to throw their hat in the ring to manage the superheavyweight rookie, but of note… The Big Boss Dan has been approaching him and Rowzilla for reasons unclear to me seems to have taken a shine to Dan. 

Lance:
The Big Boss Dan gifted Rowzilla some beer after a win over Game Face Cyrus in his DEFtv debut. Two weeks ago, Rowzilla returned the favor. The Big Boss Dan and Rowzilla have been chatting… and that apparently led to tonight’s showdown! 

DDK:
If The Big Boss Dan has successfully recruited Rowzilla… to Titanes Familia? That’s game over for EVERYONE. With that said… let’s kick it to the ring for tonight’s opening match! “The Universal Monster” Rowzilla joins forces with The Big Boss Dan to take on Heavy Artillery! 

The camera cuts to Darren Quimbey!

Darren Quimbey:
The following tag team match is set for one fall! 

♫ “Crush ‘Em” by Megadeth ♫ 

Stepping out to the music, the curtains part. Horrigan makes his way out first, followed by Roosevelt Owens! Both men wearing new matching grey and copper-colored pants and trunks with the new Heavy Artillery logo on the front! 

Darren Quimbey:
Introducing first… Weighing in at a combined weight of SEVEN-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY POUNDS… The team of Bobby Horrigan… Roosevelt Owens… <B>HEAVY ARTILLERY!</B>

The 6’2” and 330-pound Horrigan takes the lead and the massive 450-pound Roosevelt Owens flanks him. They both reach the ring and Horrigan climbs through the ropes while Big Rosey pushes the ropes down and climbs inside. The camera cuts to a quick inset promo from the two men:

---

Bobby Horrigan:
Oooh… you boyos messed up! The red-headed stepchild of Titanes Familia playin’ Hall Monitor? Sunshine, this ain’t a game we’re playing, this is real. And the giant rookie? Rowzilla? Yer tall, boyo… but you ain’t got OUR experience! And that’s why Big Rosey and I are gonna be blemishin’ that shiny undefeated record of yours tonight! 

Roosevelt Owens:
What he said. We stacked some bodies on UNCUT when we SMASHED the Gulf Coast Connection. You’re walking into OUR territory. 

---

The camera returns to the ring for the next entrances… 

♫ “I Fought The Law” by Beyond The Distance ♫ 

The cover of the famous song by The Clash earns jeers from The Faithful. The camera lingers on the entrance of red and blue lettering of “BIG BOSS DAN” flashing over and over again… The camera finally flashes up somewhere high in the crowd on the steps. Making his way through the concourse dressed in a burgundy-colored trenchcoat, black sleeveless turtleneck, black cargo pants and dark shades, The Big Boss Dan wields a retractable baton in hand and points towards the ring, jeered by the crowd! 

Darren Quimbey:
And their opponents… first, representing Titanes Familia… from Salt Lake City, Utah, weighing in at 275 pounds… He is the Shield of Titanes Familia… <B>THE BIG! BOSS! DAN!</B>

The 6’7” James climbs over the barricade and heads towards the ring. He points his baton at Heavy Artillery as they talk trash, then ends up in front of the ring. As his music cuts, he waits for his tag team partner… 

A loud guitar riff fills the air. 

♫ Godzilla! Mosura! Sore! Sore! Sore! Sore! ♫

The entire stage is bathed in a teal light and three teal stars shine across the DEFIAtron! 

♫ “Godzilla” by Bear McCreary feat. Serj Tankian ♫ 

Teal lasers fire off on all sides of the arena from the stage. Two pillars of fire erupt on either side of the stage as a very tall monster that stands over all! With a teal headband holding his long brown hair back, he steps into the light and the monster appears. He now has on white pants with three teal stars running down each side, teal boots and a big teal and white overcoat! He taps each of the three stars on the coat and then throws his arms out to roar at the people!  

Darren Quimbey:
And his partner … He hails from West Memphis, Arkansas! He stands at seven-foot-three!!! He weighs in at three-hundred and seventy-three pounds!!!  He is “The Universal Monster” … Oh, no … they say he’s got to go … ROWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! ZILLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

The Universal Monster is heading towards the ring brimming with confidence. The Heavy Artillery members watch as Rowzilla marches down to ringside and stands side by side with The Big Boss Dan, and for once, Dan looks small compared to Rowzilla! Dan moves and lets Rowzilla climb into the ring first by stepping over the ropes! Dan climbs on the ring apron and then pushes the ropes down as far as it can go. It takes him some effort, but he climbs into the ring the same way and faces off. Hector Navarro calls for the bell!

DING DING

Lance:
This is certainly going to be interesting. Can The Big Boss Dan and Rowzilla put it together as a team tonight against a team with a lot of experience like Heavy Artillery? 

The Big Boss Dan meets Bobby Horrigan in the ring and the two size one another up. Bobby is technically the shortest man in the ring at 6’2”, but he dares The Big Boss Dan to take his best shot. Dan obliges and charges off the ropes, smacking into Horrigan with a shoulder, but he doesn’t go down. The Big Boss Dan then dares him to do the same. The 330-pound Horrigan hits the ropes and smacks into Dan and he bounces back, but Horrigan launches into a DROPKICK! The Faithful gasp as he climbs back to his feet, knocking Dan into a corner! 

DDK:
That’s some shocking agility from the big man! Bobby Horrigan can move! 

Horrigan takes a knee and throws his arms out before he climbs back to his feet and starts hitting Danny with shots to the body. He grabs him by the arm and tries to connect with a short-arm clothesline on Danny, but The Familia’s Shield clocks him with a right hand a chop first! He winces in pain until Danny hits the ropes and comes back with a HUGE running front dropkick of his own that knocks Horrigan clear off his feet!

DDK:
The Big Boss Dan dishes out some High Justice with a running front dropkick of his own! These are some athletic men in that ring! 

Stunned from the dropkick, Horrigan holds his chest as The Big Boss Dan picks him up. He reels back and SMACKS Horrigan with an open-handed chop! The Boston-Irishman holds his chest and gets pushed back to the corner with a second chop! He goes back to the corner. Dan points at Rowzilla ready for the tag and the people want it, too! The big man gets the tag!

DDK:
And here comes Rowzilla for the first time! 

Rowzilla runs into the ring and CRUSHES Horrigan with a huge back elbow in the corner, then gets a full head of steam off the ropes. Horrigan stumbles out of the corner and gets bowled over with ease from a HUGE running shoulder tackle from Rowzilla! The Universal Monster towers over Horrigan and gets cheers when he flexes his arms in front of him. He then points at Horrigan and DARES him to tag in Roosevelt Owens! 

Lance:
What?! Is … is he serious?! I don’t know too many people on the roster who willingly want to pick a fight with Roosevelt Owens! 

The heavier hitter of Heavy Artillery looks ready for his part. He reaches over and lets Horrigan tag himself in. Owens steps into the ring and comes face to face with Rowzilla. The fans are awestruck from the sheer size of both men! It’s not often Roosevelt has to look up to an opponent but finds himself there as the 7’3” monster looks down and smirks, ready to fight. 

Lance:
Roosevelt Owens! Six-six! Four-fifty! Rowzilla! Seven-three! Three-seventy! And they’re going at it! 

Roosevelt Owens pelts Rowzilla in his broad chest with a number of clubbing forearm shots! He tries to wear down the monster, but Rowzilla fires back with a big shot of his own and a headbutt that rocks Big Rosey! The Universal Monster tries to hit a body slam on Roosevelt, but he’s too big and fires back with a series of back elbows! He hits the ropes for a big move … but Rowzilla runs behind him! When Roosevelt turns around, Rowzilla WOWS the crowd when he smashes right into Roosevelt Owens with a flying cross body!!!

DDK:
HOLY SH … sorry!!! I just never thought that I’d see a huge cross body like that! Rowzilla continues to surprise everyone in DEFIANCE! 

Rowzilla is back on his feet when The Big Boss Dan reaches over and slaps him on the back for the tag! The looks on The Universal’s Monster’s face shows shock as he doesn’t appear to have been expecting that! The Big Boss Dan climbs the top rope and as Big Roosevelt tries to get back up, Dan CRACKS him with a jumping high knee! Big Rosey hits the mat and The Big Boss Dan goes for the first cover!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

DDK:
That was a close one! Heavy Artillery are on the back foot right now, but I don’t think Rowzilla expected that blind tag from Danny! 

The Big Boss Dan gears up and stands on his feet, gearing up for a big lariat. He looks for The Long Arm of the Law, but Bobby Horrigan catches him with a knee to the back. Dan turns around and SMACKS Bobby with an uppercut in return, but when his focus is back on Big Rosey, he gets HIT with a huge samoan drop in the middle of the ring! 

Lance:
OOOOOHHHHH! THAT RING ALMOST SHOOK! 

DDK:
That samoan drop is a game changer from a man that large! 

The Big Boss Dan is hurt now and holds his ribs while Roosevelt gets back up slowly. The big man makes the tag to Bobby Horrigan, still smarting from the cheap shot by Dan. He gets his pound of flesh back when he runs into the ring and brings down 330 across his chest with a jumping elbow drop!

DDK:
Oooh! Horrigan is going to make him pay for that earlier right hand! 

He picks up The Big Boss Dan into a seated position and then hits the ropes before he comes back with a low back splash! He knocks him flat and then crawls back for the cover! 

ONE!

TWO!

TH… NO!

Rowzilla watches as The Big Boss Dan gets a shoulder up! Bobby Horrigan pulls up Dan by the neck and tags Big Rosey into the ring. Bobby lays into him and then Big Rosey follows up by cornering Dan and then SLAMMING his posterior into his rib cage with a corner hip attack!

DDK:
I don’t think The Big Boss Dan can take much more! Even for a Familia member, Heavy Artillery are monsters! 

Roosevelt grabs The Shield of the Familia while Rowzilla waits patiently for a chance to tag. He gets a hand out, but Dan is too far as Big Rosey body slams Dan dead center of the ring. He points at Rowzilla and makes a crushing motion with his hands before hitting the ropes… 

Lance:
OOOH! THAT RING SHOOK! NO WATER IN THE POOL FOR ROOSEVELT OWENS!

DDK:
Can Danny get the tag?!

Danny tries to get away from the big man as he holds his chest. Roosevelt limps up and grabs his leg. He pulls The Big Boss Dan up, but the agile blue chipper CRACKS Roosevelt with a 6’7” jumping enzuigiri! He goes stumbling across the ring and Bobby tags in. The Big Boss Dan reaches over… 

”RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

Lance:
Rowzilla is in! Look at this giant go!

He smashes right towards Bobby Horrigan and knocks him over with a shoulder tackle! Rowzilla keeps on moving and he hits a wide swinging uppercut that puts Bobby Horrigan back into the corner. Rowzilla gets some speed by running to the opposite corner and then he ducks down to hit a big charging headbutt right into Horrigan’s chest! He is doubled over and then picked up out of the corner and struck down with a facebreaker knee smash. 

Lance:
Rowzilla is a one-man army right now! How often do you see anybody going at Heavy Artillery like this?! 

Horrigan is doubled over and hurt but Rowzilla is unable to follow up when Rosey sneaks up behind him and lays into the Super Giant with axe handles!

DDK:
Here comes Roosevelt Owens to the rescue! 

He turns Rowzilla around he might be one of the only people who can irish whip Rowzilla and not be able to reverse it. He hits the ropes …

THEN COMES BACK WITH A RUNNING DROP KICK!!!

DDK:
ROWZILLA!!! ROWZILLA WITH A DROP KICK FOR ROOSEVELT OWENS!

The drop kick has staggered him! Big Boss Dan heads into the ring and he hits the ropes to smack right into Roosevelt Owens using the Long Arm of the Law lariat!!!

Lance:
Roosevelt Owens is out cold! And Bobby Horrigan is all alone! 

Rowzilla picks up Bobby Horrigan and drops him with a big slam! The Universal Monster throws up both hands and goes to the middle rope!

DDK:
Here it comes Lance! That big second rope splash that he likes to use … 

Big Boss Dan cheers on Rowzilla! He waits for him to fall … 

AND TAGS HIMSELF IN AGAIN! 

Lance:
WHOA WHOA WHOA!!! THE FOLLY OF MAN!!! HE HITS THE SPLASH BUT DAN TAGGED IN AGAIN!

Rowzilla is told by the referee to move! He looks confused when The Big Boss Dan hogs the glory and goes for the pinfall on Bobby Horrigan!

One … 

Two … 

THREE!!!

DING DING DING

♫ “I Fought The Law” by Beyond The Distance ♫ 

Darren Quimbey:
Your winners of this match … BIG BOSS DAN AND ROWZILLA!!!

Rowzilla gives some serious side-eye to Big Boss Dan but the two have the win! 

Lance:
There seemed to be a little bit of confusion from Rowzilla. Two different times in this match, Dan tagged himself in and took the glory. 

DDK:
But in spite of that … Rowzilla continues his dominance and Big Boss Dan made a good team! It remains to be seen if this may continue! 

Rowzilla climbs out of the ring and enjoys the reaction from the people. The Universal Monster climbs out and leaves the ring by putting a hand on the ropes and then handstanding over the ropes to land on his feet outside the ring. Seeing him do that, Big Boss Dan tries the same and gets stuck partially. Rowzilla walks back and goes to help him. 

Big Boss Dan:
I meant to do that!!!

EARLIER TODAY

DDK: (V/O):
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to get a look at a confrontation that happened earlier this afternoon. Our cameras were out working on some promotional material for DEFCON when they captured what happened first-hand! 

On his signature Morrow-branded Bluetooth headset, Tom Morrow is listening to somebody in his ear and is reacting to what’s being said like he can’t believe what he’s hearing while trying to cross one of wrestling’s most dangerous locales… 

The parking lot. 

Tom Morrow:
Okay, okay, okay! Slow down… what do you mean “Mark thought the cop was a prostitute?” What does that even mean?! How does… oh. 

More chirping on the phone. 

Tom Morrow:
Fine! Use the emergency fund and get him out! I need all hands on deck tonight! Now! in case M4NTRA or those damn Terrible Kids or whatever they’re calling themselves come around my way again! We got too many people eyeing this gold and I’m getting sick of it. 

???:
Les Enfants Terribles, Tom. You know our name. 

Morrow looks up.

Standing in front of him is Ms. Massacre, arms folded. 

Tom Morrow:
Kid, get the hell out of my way… wait… 

He turns around… 

High Flyer is to his left. 

High Flyer: [sing songy]
All my troubles seemed so far away… 

Tom Morrow:
Oh, no, I don’t have time for this crap. Time is money and I’m not wasting either on you two when I’m on the ph.. OOF. 

He about-faces right into the chest of Archer Silver. Tom looks up and gets the Bluetooth snatched from his ear. 

Archer Silver:
Tom Morrow can’t come to the phone right now on account of he’s boned. Please hang up and dial again. 

One of the Sevens protests on the other side of the headset, but it’s already on the ground… 

CRACK!

…and smashed under Archer’s boot. 

Tom Morrow clutches his phone. 

Tom Morrow:
GET MARK AND HEAD TO THE ARENA! NOW! I’VE GOT THOSE LET KIDS IN…

High Flyer snatches the phone from his hand! 

High Flyer:
Thbbbbbbbbt… 

Flyer blows raspberries into the phone before hanging up.

High Flyer: 
Now it looks as though they're here to stay…

Before Tom Morrow can run, he’s surrounded from all sides by LET! Archer grabs him by the neck and pushes Morrow into the wall! 

Tom Morrow:
Agh! Hey! Hey! Is this how you repay the guy who brought you both to the main rost… 

Ms. Massacre:
Shut up. 

Morrow goes silent for the rare time in his life. Silver has a forearm up against his throat while he nods at Ms. Massacre. 

Archer Silver: 
Thanks. And for the record, Tom, Nate and Declan brought us up to the main roster, not you, you stupid prick. And when we got too close to them, you cut us off and froze us out of your plans so you could bring the XXXL fuckboy to the main roster to help the Lucks. That ring a bell? 

Tom Morrow:
Uh… ARGH!

Silver pushes tighter with a forearm across his throat. 

Ms. Massacre:
I wouldn’t struggle. Archer is a venus fly trap.

High Flyer: [still singing]
Now I need a place to hide away…

Archer Silver:
Since M4NTRA didn’t want to give us a title match, we’re coming right to the source to beat one right out of you. Figure if we beat the shit out of you, the Triple Sevens will want a fight. And we’ll do that when they put the belts on the line… 

Tom Morrow: 
STOP! STOP! STOP! I… STOP! I’LL MAKE A DEAL, I’LL MAKE A DEAL! 

Silver eases his grip only so slightly. 

Archer Silver:
We’re listening. 

Tom Morrow:
You all wanna go to DEFCON so bad… cause of what YOU did two weeks ago, the management wants to make a rematch between M4NTRA and the Sevens at DEFCON for the Unified Tag Titles… I’ll… I’ll make a deal! 

The LET members don’t move. 

Tom Morrow:
Tonight… TONIGHT! One of you versus one of the Lucks! You win, LET can get a shot! BUT YOU LET ME GO! Deal? 

Archer Silver looks at Ms. Massacre, then Flyer. Archer nods towards Flyer. 

Archer Silver:
Sure… but you’re calling management and having that match made NOW cause I’m not fucking stupid and we’re not letting you go until you do. 

Tom Morrow:
Fine, fine, fine! Right now! Fair shake! 

Flyer hits the phone.

High Flyer: [sing songy]
We don’t believe, in Tom Morrow.

With that, the scene goes black as the camera goes back to Darren and Lance in real time. 

DDK:
You just got a look at a confrontation earlier in the day between LET and Tom Morrow! Based on that deal, Archer Silver will take on Mark Luck one-on-one! And if Archer Silver can defeat Mark Luck, LET will be added to the future Unified Tag Team Title match!

Lance:
The Triple Sevens undoubtedly have the power. M4NTRA has the heart and the support of our fans, but LET knew exactly when and where to strike to get this match made! We’ll see them in action later tonight! 

Stream UNCUT bi-weekly on DEFonDEMAND!

DEFtv is backstage where ADULT Conor Fuse stands outside the Outer Heaven locker room, holding a rather large backpack. However, he isn’t alone, as Game Face Cyrus is beside Conor, head down, shuffling his feet around the floor as the former gamer is in the middle of…

A temper tantrum?

Not too ADULT now, is it?

Fuse pulls his hair. He starts pounding his chest and then pointing to Cyrus. Spit flies outta Conor’s mouth in all kinds of directions as he keeps sounding off. The camera zooms in slowly, picking up more and more of what is being said in the process.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
AND ANOTHER THING! The nerve of the man… to challenge ME for his retirement match!? That’s a double-wammy! He was supposed to be ON our team, Cyrus! What kind of bullshit ADULT changes his mind so quickly? The last we talked, DAN WAS ON BOARD. Now he wants to RETIRE? What the hell, guy!? HONESTLY, WHAT THE HELL!?

Fuse yells while he runs an unsteady hand over his face.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
AND ANOTHER THING! What the hell was he thinking, making the announcement in front of everyone FIRST? That’s not ADULT SHIT, that’s ADOLESCENT SHIT. Make it public!? Put Conor Fuse in a corner!?

Fuse sticks his finger into Cyrus’ face, receiving Bates’ direct attention.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
AND ANOTHER THING! Nobody puts Conor in the corner! I don’t do TIME OUTS! Children dooooo TIME OUTS!

ADULT Fuse is breathing rather heavily.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
AND ANOTHER THING! You. Yes, Cyrus, you. This [pointing at GFC’s eyeblack and outfit] isn’t working anymore…

Cyrus’ eyes go wide. He looks rather stunned… and depressed upon hearing the news.

ADULT Conor reaches out and rips the token dispenser right off Cyrus’ hip. Fuse immediately discards it to the ground behind him.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
The whole GAME FACE situation you’ve got going on. Well, it’s loss after loss after loss, man. And apparently with NOOOOOOOOOOOO Dan Ryan entering in the picture anytime soon…

Fuse looks GFC over, head-to-toe.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
I’m stripping you down; I’m demoting you. You’re not fit to be the leading guy I was grooming you for.

Bates frowns as Fuse reaches behind him and pulls out clothes from the backpack sitting beside his feet. Conor hands the clothes over to Cyrus, who reluctantly takes them.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
You are GAME FACE no more. From now on, you are No Pressure Cyrus.

Conor points to the locker room door, as his typical pale face goes beet red.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
NOW GET IN THERE AND CHANGE!

Game Face Cyrus-eeerrr No Pressure Cyrus stands idle for a moment, new outfit neatly folded in his hands. He looks at Conor, almost begging Fuse with body language to reconsider. Nevertheless, the ADULT in the Room is having none of it! Dressed in his faded blue dress shirt and navy blue dress pants, looking professional as ever (while behaving the exact opposite), Fuse keeps his left index finger pointed at the locker room door.

…So Cyrus finally lowers his head and goes inside.

The door closes behind him.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
As for DAN RYAN…

Suddenly, Conor is no longer fuming. He’s flipped a switch. He’s serious and brooding, like his older brother.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
I vow to put an end to everything… tonight.

DDK:
Up next, we have Oscar Burns in action as he takes on former World Trios Champion and BRAZEN Star Cup holder, Aleczander The Great.

Lance:
Aleczander The Great, a former DEFIANT himself as a member of Team HOSS has been looking for a chance to prove himself on the main roster and looks like tonight might be the night. But can Oscar Burns put off his issues with Ryan Batts long enough for tonight?

DDK:
Batts has made it his mission to get to Oscar. Ryan Batts viciously assaulted both Oscar Burns and his manager Sonny Silver in Mexico a few weeks ago. Oscar revealed that what Ryan Batts said was true… he got him blackballed from the main roster years ago when Oscar was letting his ego get out of control.

Lance:
Let’s not mince words… what Oscar did was wrong. But he owned up to it in front of the world. He apologized. He was even willing to let Batts pick up where he left off in Mexico… but that wasn’t good enough. He said he wanted to make Oscar suffer. How he will… that remains to be seen. But we’ve got to get to in-ring action up next!

We head to the ring with Darren Quimbey making the announcements.

Darren Quimbey:
The following contest is a singles match set for one fall! Introducing first…

The DEFIAtron lights up…

Two words flash across the screen in all-gold…

OSCAR BURNS

RRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAHHHHH!

The screen displays the name and the DEFIANCE Faithful watch it change in real time…

Oscar. Burns.
No All Caps.
Just. Graps.

RRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

♫ “Teardrop” by Like A Storm ♫

A lone figure walks out from the back wearing a dark green wrestling robe with a hood covering his face. The twisted, but melodic sounds of didgeridoo of the New Zealand-based band mixed with hard rock play him down the ramp as he makes a steady motion. He turns around to show the message on the back of the robe…

Back 2 The Graps!

Darren Quimbey:
From Wellington, New Zealand, weighing in at 242 pounds… ”TWISTS AND TURNS”... OSCAR BURNS!

Oscar spins around and throws the hood off his wrestling robe before he heads toward the ring, slapping hands with the fans. Once he reaches the squared circle he calls home, Burnsie removes the wrestling robe and he’s back to the classics! Dark green wrestling trunks, kneepads and dark green wrestling shoes with golden-colored laces! He looks to be made out of granite tonight and has been keeping up on his time off! Like a good wrestler should, he walks to the ring apron, wipes his feet on it, then climbs inside the ring. He leans up towards the ropes and points to all sides of the sold-out Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

♫ “Great” by Instruction ♫

The music plays out from the back wearing new dark purple tights, knee pads, boots and tassels with the flexing “A” symbol on the front!

Darren Quimbey:
And his opponent … from Miami, Florida, by way of Manchester, England weighing in at 257 pounds… ALECZANDER THE GREAT!

The BRAZEN coach and former DEFIANCE World Trios Champion gets a mixed reaction but still looks as chiseled as he always has. He heads down to the ring and then climbs up. He poses on the middle turnbuckle, flexing his tremendous biceps before he jumps back into the ring. He looks across from the ring and also throws up his muscles. 

Aleczander The Great:
Tonight’s the night, mate! Tonight, I’m getting OUT of BRAZEN! I’m beating you and putting MY NAME on the marquis!

Burns reacts to Aleczander’s boasts with a half-hearted smile as he gets ready to wrestle…

Benny Doyle is ready for the bell…

DING DING

Oscar offers a hand up to Aleczander The Great. He looks down and scoffs before returning to the corner. When the two prepare for a lock-up…

???:
NO! NO! NO! STOP THIS BULLSHIT RIGHT NOW!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

All eyes turn to the stage…

DDK:
What the…? We’re supposed to be having a match here… Ryan Batts is here!

Lance:
And… Darren, look out! He’s heading this way fast! I…

Commandeering The Commentation Station and wearing a black athletic tank top and gun-gray jeans, is none other than Ryan Batts with a microphone! He pushes right past Lance Warner and climbs on top of the announce table!

Ryan Batts:
NO! NO! NO! WE AREN’T GOING TO SIT HERE AND PRETEND THE LAST FOUR YEARS DIDN’T FUCKING HAPPEN, OSCAR! YOU AREN’T GOING TO SIT HERE AND ADMIT TO THESE PEOPLE THAT YOU CUT MY CAREER OFF AT THE KNEES… THEN JUST COME OUT HERE TO WRESTLE ANOTHER MATCH LIKE IT’S ANOTHER DAY AT WORK!

Burns looks up to the stage while behind him, Aleczander The Great is annoyed that the attention is going elsewhere. The manic Batts has the microphone.

Ryan Batts:
GET UP HERE AND FIGHT ME!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Burns looks like he’s about to jump, but that’s all Aleczander needs! He CLOBBERS Oscar with a big forearm to the head and then starts stomping away!

DDK:
This match is still ongoing when Batts came out her… I can’t call the action! He’s on our table!

Ryan Batts:
SHUT YOUR ASS, KEEBLER!

Shifting towards the ring, Batts gets into things!

Ryan Batts:
YOU DON’T HAVE VAE VICTIS! YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR GC UNIVERSE! YOU HAVE NOBODY AND YOU KNOW I’D PUT YOU IN THE DIRT IF YOU STEPPED TO ME RIGHT NOW! HELL, YOU’RE HALFWAY THERE RIGHT NOW!

Aleczander doesn’t pay attention to Batts’ rants and continues stomping away at Oscar! He pulls him out of the corner by his arm right into a short-arm spinebuster! He giddily goes for the cover by stacking Oscar’s legs!

ONE!

TWO… NO!

Ryan Batts:
OHHH… HAS THE ALMIGHTY AND ALL-POWERFUL OSCAR BURNS TURNED INTO A LITTLE DICKLESS WONDER?!

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!

The Mancunian Muscle gets his arms ready! He waits on Oscar to get back to his feet, then tries to uncork a discus lariat…

Only to get taken down with a drop toe hold… right into the Nek Minnit!

DDK:
The Nek Minnit comes out of nowhe…

Ryan Batts:
I SAID SHUT YOUR ASS UP. NOW.

The Sleeper STF is locked in…

Aleczander taps quickly!

TAP TAP TAP!

DING DING DING

♫ “Teardrop” by Like A Storm ♫

The music plays, but Oscar Burns has almost zero time to do any sort of celebration!

Ryan Batts:
NO! NUH-UH! FUCK THIS! TURN THAT SHITTY COVER OF THE HOUSE MD THEME SONG OFF! NOW!

The music dies down and Batts yells over the microphone.

Ryan Batts:
IF YOU’RE DONE PLAYING GRAB-ASS WITH BRAZEN GUYS IN THAT RING, THEN GET YOUR ASS UP HERE AND FIGHT ME! SINCE THE ONLY WAY YOU KNOW YOU CAN DEAL WITH ME IS SEND ME TO BRAZEN, YOU KNOW I'D BEAT YOUR ASS IN A REAL FIGHT!

That’s finally enough! Burnsie LEAVES the ring! A camera catches Oscar as he heads up the ramp.

Oscar Burns:
YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE BLOODY FREE SHOT I HANDED YOU TWO WEEKS AGO!

Oscar is halfway up there. Finally getting what he wants, Batts leaps off the table and heads towards Oscar! The two meet on the stage…

RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

DDK:
OSCAR BURNS TRIED TO GIVE RYAN BATTS AN OUT TWO WEEKS AGO! HE DIDN’T WANT TO FIGHT HIS FORMER BEST FRIEND, BUT I DON’T THINK HE HAS A CHOICE NOW!

The entire The revenge-obsessed Batts tackles Oscar to the ground and starts attacking the Kiwi with right hands, but Oscar turns the tide on him and now he’s on top, throwing right hands to a man he wronged long ago!

Lance:
OSCAR TRIED TO MAKE AMENDS TWO WEEKS AGO! HE ADMITTED WHAT HE WAS WRONG IN FRONT OF THE WORLD, BUT THAT DOESN’T APPEAR TO BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR RYAN BATTS!

The Faithful’s reaction grows sour when DEFSec start pouring out from the back, led by the mammoth Wyatt Bronson! Bronson himself and a pair of DEFSec members go after Oscar Burns and pull him away while the volatile Ryan Batts is pulled to the other end of the stage.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ryan starts to go one way as Oscar goes another…

Then sidesteps Wyatt Bronson completely to resume their fight! The two men start trading fists on the stage again until Oscar takes down Batts with a double-leg and SLAMS him on the stage! The shots continue being thrown as Benny Doyle yells for help into his earpiece.

BURNSIE!
BURNSIE!
BURNSIE!
BURNSIE!
BURNSIE!

DDK:
THIS PLACE IS ERUPTING RIGHT NOW!

Lance:
AND THIS FIGHT IS HEADING TOWARDS RINGSIDE!

DEFSec struggle to keep the fight contained to the stage! Burns has Batts in a headlock and throws right hands, but Batts meets him every step of the way as he buries rights of his own into the midsection of The Master Grapster! DEFSec tries to pull Oscar off of him, but Oscar lets go of Batts long enough to grab one of the members of DEFSec and SHOVE him into the barricade! Another member does the same to Batts, but the unbound Batts grabs him first and SLAMS him up against the steel steps with a thud!

DDK:
THIS IS OUT OF HAND! BOTH MEN ARE PUTTING THEIR HANDS ON DEFSEC AND THAT’S GONNA BE EASY FINES FOR BOTH!

Oscar goes to grab Batts…

But Batts CLAWS HIS EYES!

Oscar Burns:
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

He tries to push Ryan away, but his former best friend then throws Oscar back into the ring! He quickly ducks under the ring apron!

Lance:
DARREN! HE’S GOT THAT CHAIN! HE’S GOT THAT CHAIN THAT HE BEAT THE HELL OUT OF OSCAR AND SONNY WITH IN MEXICO A FEW WEEKS AGO! OSCAR HAD FOURTEEN STITCHES PUT IN HIS HEAD THANKS TO THAT CHAIN!

DEFSec tries to push Batts away, but he grabs the weapon and shoves one member away as he wraps the chain around his arm and SMACKS another member of DEFSec with it! With Oscar grounded, he heads into the ring…

DDK:
OH, NO… WAIT! OSCAR! HE TRIPS BATTS UP!

Batts gets tripped up by Oscar with a drop toe hold and then gets LOCKED in a sleeper-style STF to the delight of the roaring Faithful!

DDK:
NEK MINNIT! HE’S GOT THE NEK MINNIT LOCKED IN ON BATTS! HE’S TRYING TO CHOKE THE LIFE OUT OF HIM!

Batts flails around the canvas trying to free himself from Oscar’s grip!

Oscar Burns:
YOU… YOU WANTED THIS, GC!

He continues to CRANK on the hold until out of desperation, he swings upwards with the chain still wrapped around his hand! He strikes up and catches Oscar in the face not once, twice, but three times before he finally lets go!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

DEFSec regroup and enter the ring before anything else can happen between the two men! Oscar is holding the side of his head in pain while Ryan Batts is pulled in another direction! He has the chain ready to go…

But then another pair of hands grabs him by the leg and pulls him out of the ring…

Lance:
IT’S… IT’S SONNY SILVER! SONNY IS BACK! HE GOT LAID OUT IN MEXICO BY BATTS, TOO!

The fans cheer the PRIME Hall of Famer and Silver-Tongued Devil as he grabs Batts and SLAMS him into the ring post with a thud! Batts stumbles away and DEFSec has FINALLY pried the men apart with a wall of guards up between the ring and Oscar! Sonny enters the ring to check on Oscar…

DDK:
LOOK AT BATTS! HE GOT HIS HEAD SLAMMED INTO THAT RING POST AND HE’S BLEEDING!

Blood is rushing down his forehead from a fresh wound on his forehead, but it only seems to make him more incensed as he’s pulled away by DEFSec!

Ryan Batts:
I TOLD YOU! HAVING OTHER PEOPLE FIGHT HIS BATTLES FOR HIM! HE’S NOT A HERO! HE’S NOT A CHAMPION! HE’S A FRAUD! I TOLD YOU HE WAS A FRAUD!

The rabid Faithful are on their feet for the fight, but start booing when both men are dragged away! Wyatt Bronson is getting into a shouting match with Oscar Burns as Ryan is being escorted up stage!

Wyatt Bronson:
YOU DON’T PUT YOUR HANDS ON MY TEAM!

Oscar Burns:
AND YOU DON’T PUT YOUR HANDS ON ME, GC!

Sonny Silver:
YEAH! NOT WHEN WE’RE HANDLING BUSINESS!

The three continue their shouting match as they collectively leave the ring.

Lance:
There’s no containing this thing tonight, Darren! These two want to fight in a bad way and look how many members of DEFSec it took to stop it!

DDK:
That fight was WILD! And we’ve still got a lot more night to go! But it’s clear that Oscar attempts to admit wrongdoing and make amends weren’t good enough for Ryan Batts! And I wonder after tonight how much worse things could get?!

Subscribe to DEFonDEMAND today! DEFY CABLE!

The camera cuts to Darren Quimbey to announce the next match.

Darren Quimbey:
The following contest is a singles match set for one fall! Introducing first…

LIGHTS OUT.

♫ “Funeral March" by Chopin ♫

The lights come up to a dim hue. The large screens on the stage show video of the flickering orange wick of dripping white candles. Walking out to the ring solo underneath a dark mask and dark ring gear, walls out the massive Los Caidos member to jeers from the Dallas Faithful!

Darren Quimbey:
Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Gerardo Villalobos and Corey Nunez… Making his way to the ring, representing Los Caidos… he weighs in at 225 pounds… HUGO “LIPS” GONZALEZ!

DDK:
What a war of words we have seen lately from the likes of Butcher Victorious and Los Caidos! After defeating Corey Nunez in Mexico, Butch Vic earned himself some unwanted attention from “The Lost Cause” Victor Vacio and Lord Nigel Trickelbush.

Lance:
Butch would follow that up in a win in his home state of Texas two weeks ago over big Gerardo Villalobos. Can Hugo Gonzalez do what his cohorts could not?

The trio pay zero attention to The Faithful. The mountainous Villalobos and speedy Nunez follow the shining star of Los Caidos, Hugo Gonzalez, towards the ring. The two remain outside as he enters the ring. He brushes right past DEFIANCE’s! Hugo talks some trash under his mask in Spanish as the crowd cuts to the stage…

♫ "Bring The Noise” by Anthrax and Public Enemy ♫

Standing on stage, wearing LED bluetooth speakers on his vest, the lights return and the bright new blue and yellow gear of one Butcher Victorious shines as he throws his hands out!

Darren Quimbey:
And his opponent… from Austin, Texas, weighing in at 226 pounds… he is ”THE MICROPHONE FIEND” BUTCHER VICTORIOUS!

Butcher gestures to the LED earbuds lighting up his ears. 

Lance:
Butcher out here with the super impressive Aural D-Lights… that’s A-U-R-A-L so we don’t get in any trouble with our other sponsors… Aural D-Lights! Listen to your music AND light up any room you walk into!

DDK:
Exactly what Butcher Victorious does each time he steps out into an arena! He’s 2-0 over Los Caidos in back-to-back weeks and we’ll see if he can make it three.

The music fades as Butcher Victorious whips out The Stick… you know, his signature microphone, you freaks. He touches the tip and brings it to his lips. (pause)

Butcher Victorious:
BUTCH VIC… HAS THE STICK!

He points to his skull. 

Butcher Victorious:
BUTCH VIC… HAS THE SKULL THAT’S THICK!

Then he points to the ring!

Butcher Victorious:
AND I DON’T CARE ABOUT VIC VAC OR LORD TRICKY DICK! CAUSE NOBODY IS GONNA SILENCE BUTCH VIC… OR YOU, THE BUTCH… VIC… CLIQUE!

The Faithful give The Microphone Fiend a nice ovation as he is near the ring. Villalobos and Nunez remain on the opposite side while Hugo Gonzalez watches silently from a corner.

Butcher Victorious:
I HEARD YOU GOT MARCHING ORDERS FROM VACIO, HUGO… BUT I’M GONNA TELL YOU THIS RIGHT NOW! YOU WANNA SILENCE ME… BUT TONIGHT, BUTCH VIC IS BUTTON UP HUGO’S LIPS!

He climbs into the ring and removes both his coat and places his belongings in the corner. The two circle up as Benny Doyle calls for the bell…

DING DING

Gonzalez and Vic get ready to lock up, but out from the corner of Butcher’s eye, Corey Nunez tries to grab a leg at ringside. Butcher steps back but the distraction is all Lips needs to CLOCK Butcher on the chin with a big running forearm! The Indy Faithful jeer Los Caidos member as he puts the boots to Butcher in the corner!

Lance:
It’s a three-on-one situation out here with the likes of Los Caidos lurking ringside and they’re already using it to their advantage!

DDK:
I know that Butcher is going his own way from The Lads, but perhaps his first big adventure out of that may not have been good by getting the attention of Los Caidos!

Lips follows up and attacks Butcher by whipping him across the ring and scoring with a running dropkick as he comes off the ropes! The Faithful let Hugo have it as he stands up and stands over Butcher, checking his jaw.

DDK:
Hugo Gonzalez has the early advantage… cover!

ONE!

TWO!

NO!

Butcher gets the shoulder up, but Hugo stays on him with a number of solid rights until Benny Doyle orders him to back off. He pulls Butcher back to his feet and whips him towards the corner before charging in…

DDK:
No! Butcher gets the boot up in the corner! Oooh! Release German suplex out of the corner!

Butch Vic pulls a new one out of his expanding playbook and then rolls up to his feet while beating his chest! As Hugo leans against the ropes, Butcher charges and knocks him over the top rope with a big running clothesline to the floor! The Indy Faithful are fired up by Butcher getting ready to fight! He leaps to action and gets ready. He avoid the other members of Los Caidos lurking ringside and then takes flight through the ropes to take down Gonzalez with a huge suicide dive in front of the ring!

DDK:
What a dive right there! After a rocky start, Butcher takes control!

Lance:
And now he’s got Hugo. He puts him back in the ring… uh-oh! Look out!

Just as Butch Vic is able to toss Lips back into the ring, he’s surrounded on either side by Gerardo Villalobos and Corey Nunez. He gets ready to fight from either side, but the only saving grace is Benny Doyle being front and center to watch them if they try anything. He warns both of the Los Caidos members to back up…

Lance:
LOOK OUT! 

BUT GONZALEZ HITS A VAULTING PLANCHA OVER THE ROPES TO WIPE OUT BUTCHER!

DDK:
WHOA! WHERE DID HE COME FROM?!

Hugo takes a moment to recover from the landing but when he does, he stands up and throws Butcher back inside the ring. He nods silently to the other Los Caidos members at ringside for the distraction well done and then rolls into the ring.

DDK:
Los Caidos technically didn’t do anything wrong, but that’s twice now their indirect involvement has given Hugo Gonzalez the openings he’s needed.

He measures up Butcher as he tries to get up off his knees, only to slide forward and plant him face-first with a sliding reverse STO!

DDK:
What a great maneuver there! Can the sliding reverse STO lead to the big win for Hugo Gonzalez?!

Lips rolls Butcher over into the cover!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT! 

Another kickout irritates Gonzalez, but he talks some more smack to Butcher before laying in more mounted punches to the mohawked dome!

Lance:
Anytime that Butcher has been able to get anything going offensively, the numbers game has just been too much.

DDK:
He’s gonna have to find a way out of this. He’s trained under one of the very best in DEFIANCE in Oscar Burns, despite how one-sided that relationship truly was!

Butcher tries to get back up, but Hugo Gonzalez is able to cut him off with a right followed by a jumping calf kick to the side of his head! After he goes down, Hugo stands up and starts throwing kicks to the side of Butcher. Almost as if he’s not going for a pinfall any more and ready to start hurting the man who has been openly DEFIANT (pun very much intended) against Los Caidos. He switches to a quick sleeper-type hold to try and get Butcher to submit!

DDK:
Gonzalez is slowing things down now and that has to be a good strategy here.

Lance:
It’s like he’s really trying to silence Butcher with that sleeper hold!

He’s got it wrapped around tight, but Butcher continues to fight! He swings his fists around with the people cheering him on!

BUTCHER!
BUTCHER!
BUTCHER!

The Indy Faithful fire Butcher up as he sits up, then suddenly drops to his knees with a hard jawbreaker to free himself from the sleeper of Lips! Hugo holds his jaw in pain and stumbles back into the ropes. Butcher tries to pick himself up and when Hugo charges, Butcher goes low with a basement dropkick to the leg! Hugo falls to a knee just as Butcher kicks up and then DRIVES him down with a snap DDT!

DDK:
What a counter! Butcher calls that The Check 1-2 and he’s got a chance to fight back!

On the outside, both Nunez and Villalobos look worried for their comrade as Butcher starts to fight up first. Lips holds the back of his head in pain when Butch Vic hits the ropes for a flying clothesline that knocks him down. He gets back up and then repeats the feat coming off the other side with a second flying clothesline! The Microphone Fiend gets back up a third time and when he waits, Hugo swings for a clothesline but Butch ducks and counters with a jumping neckbreaker. He rolls back up to his feet and then heads to the corner. When he throws out his hands…

DDK:
Butch Vic With The Flip! He hits the running blockbuster out of the corner!

After scoring with the neckbreaker, Butcher hits the corner and goes for the cover!

ONE!

TWO!

TH… NO!

DDK:
No! Lips kicks out! But the momentum is back in Butcher’s corner! Can he make the most of it?

Butcher points to the ropes and heads to the top as he slaps his elbow, ready to call for Butch Vic’s Greatest Hit Vol. 2! He climbs to the top rope and is almost there…

Lance:
Come on! Doyle, get them out of here!

Gerardo starts to slowly climb the ring apron and Doyle cuts him right off, warning him to stop. But that allows for Corey Nunez to try and grab Butcher’s leg! He jumps to the middle rope, but Butcher cuts off Corey with a right hand followed by a HEADBUTT!

DDK:
Butch Vic uses the skull that’s thick to take out Corey Nunez… NO!

But The Faithful jeer when Butcher gets tripped up on the top rope by Lips! Butcher is reeling in pain, as is Gonzalez, but he’s able to fight his way back out of it!

Lance:
No! Here comes Corey Nunez! Can he use this distraction to his advantage?

Nunez uses Butcher’s position to pull him off the top rope right into a fireman’s carry. He takes him up for a TKO…

DDK:
This might be it… NO! NO! BUTCHER SLIPS FREE!

He LEAPS behind Gonzalez and drops him back to the canvas with a leaping reverse bulldog!

DDK:
Butcher counters the TKO into the Reverb! Cover!

The crowd goes wild when Butcher hooks the leg!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

DING DING DING

♫ "Bring The Noise” by Anthrax and Public Enemy ♫

Butcher scores the win and sits up in triumph!

Darren Quimbey:
Here is your winner of the match… BUTCHER VIC…

But before he can get another word out…

CLANG!

The music stops immediately when a steel chair gets SMASHED over the back of Butcher, sending him crumbling back to the canvas! Courtesy of…

Lance:
VICTOR VACIO! VICTOR VACIO IS HERE!

He stands back a few steps with the chair in hand as Gerardo Villalobos and Corey Nunez jump into the ring and start putting the boots to The Microphone Fiend! Benny Doyle calls for the bell…

DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING

But Los Caidos have no regard for Doyle or the bell! Vacio chases off the head official from the ring with the chair in hand! Hugo Gonzalez is helped to his feet and still nurses the back of his head while joining his Los Caidos comrades in putting the boots to the Texan!

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

DDK:
 This is disgusting! The match is over! They’ve made their point!

Lance:
 No, Darren… this isn’t about the match anymore. This is a message.

Victor Vacio slowly lowers the chair rather than swing again. He doesn’t appear to be in any rush.

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Vacio steps forward and kneels beside Butcher Victorious. The Microphone Fiend tries to push up, dazed… defiant…

Vacio grabs him by the jaw.

DDK:
 Oh no… no, no…

Vacio’s thumb presses into Butcher’s throat. “The Lost Cause” leans close and speaks, but it remains unheard on the broadcast.

Lance:
Thanks god! Here comes security!

Gerardo Villalobos doesn’t wait for them to reach the apron. He meets them halfway, throwing his massive frame into the first official and sending him sprawling. Corey Nunez follows with rapid forearms and shoves, and even the worse-for-wear Hugo Gonzalez joins them, the three forming a wall at the bottom of the ramp. DEFSec is cut off before they can even reach the ring.

DDK:
They’re blocking DEFSec! Los Caídos are cutting off any chance of help!

At the top of the ramp, Lord Nigel Trickelbush steps out from behind the curtain. He stands motionless his hands folded over one of another while grasping his umbrella.

Inside the ring, Victor Vacio rises slowly and unfolds the steel chair.

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Vacio places the unfolded chair around Butcher’s neck, backwards. The backrest hung around his neck and the back of the seat wedged under his chin, pressing hard against his throat.

DDK:
No… no, he can’t be thinking this…

Vacio steps behind him and grabs the weakened Butch with a handfulof hair. His other hand gripping the top of the chair frame.

DDK:
NO! 

Victor pulls back and then pushes forward, kicking the leg out from under Butch, performing a Reverse Russian Leg Sweep. Rather then his face be driven into the mat, The Microphone Fiend’s throat is driven into the back edge of the steel chair in the dead center of the ring.

A sharp metallic crack rings out and Butcher’s body violently snaps back before convulsing. The chair comes loose from his neck and falls to the side.

The Faithful go from rage to stunned horror.

Lance:
That was his throat… that was his throat!

DEFSec desperately tries to push through, but Villalobos shoves one back into the barricade while Nunez hooks another in a choke and tosses him aside. Hugo stands guard daring anyone to try again.

Nigel never moves, even as DEFMed rushes through the curtain and passed him. 

DDK:
For the love of god! Get him out of there and get that man some medical attention! 

In the ring, Vacio slowly rolls to his side and rises to one knee beside Butcher. Butch clutches at his neck, mouth agape, but no sound comes out. 

Vacio stands and looks toward the ramp as Nigel gives a small nod of approval.

Los Caídos disengage and let DEFSec and DEFMed through as “The Lost Cause” takes a powder on the other side of the ring. 

Catch DEFIANCE Live in your town! DEFIANCEWrestling.com

DDK:
There are incredibly high stakes for LET tonight in this next match-up! After LET got in the face of Tom Morrow earlier in the night, they practically bullied him into this next match! If Archer Silver can score a win over one-third of the Unified Tag Team Champions, Mark Luck, then LET will also be added to a future Unified Tag Team rematch scheduled between The Triple 7s and M4NTRA in a three-way match!

Lance:
LET have been looking for their opening to the titles. They tried to make nice with their former friends, M4NTRA, only to get blown off. During a scheduled Unified Tag Title match between the 7s and M4NTRA, they got involved by trying to attack both teams!

DDK:
Things have been volatile all around! DEFCON is the biggest two-night event of DEFIANCE’s calendar year. Everyone wants to be a part, but in a title match? That’s even harder. But if Archer Silver can somehow pull out this win tonight? That may do it.

Lance:
Archer Silver versus Mark Luck… that match is next!

The camera cuts to Darren Quimbey ringside!

Darren Quimbey:
The following contest is a singles match set for one fall! Introducing first…

♫ "Good L_ck, Yo_’re F_cked” by Celldweller ♫

The opening trumpets to the arrogant start to blast throughout the arena. Stepping out on stage, a tall man under a silver coat with gold trim! Basking in the jeers of the Indianapolis Faithful, arms wide open, he then starts a slow walk towards the ring with some shadowboxing thrown in. 

Darren Quimbey:
Representing Les Enfants Terribles… being accompanied to the ring by High Flyer and Ms. Massacre, from Seattle, Washington weighing in at 243 pounds… he is the self-proclaimed “PRINCE OF PRICKS” ARCHER SILVER!

A sadistic smile can be seen from under the hood, but his eyes aren’t visible to The Faithful. In what has become the signature LET “I BOO YOU!” shirt, High Flyer walks alongside Archer hyping him up and the sinister Ms. Massacre on the other side, looking ready to hurt someone at a moment’s notice. Archer climbs up the steps, through the ropes, then sits on the top rope facing the backstage area. Silver unzips his jacket and tosses it down to the floor for Flyer to catch. Flyer throws his tag partner words of encouragement as they wait on the arrival of the champions.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Silver is almost taken aback by the booing from The Faithful. They do not waste any time jeering Tom Morrow when he walks out. He’s very clearly pissed off after Archer put his hands on him earlier in the night.

Tom Morrow:
You… YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE… I’M THE ONE WHO BROUGHT YOU BOTH UP FROM BRAZEN AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?!

Flyer and Archer both grin as Ms. Massacre is confused by Tom Morrow’s apparent near-convulsion. Tom Morrow cradles out a hand like he’s got a bug in it … then he smashes the imaginary bug with his other hand!

Tom Morrow:
THAT’S YOU! TONIGHT, ONE OF MY SEVEN FOOT SAVAGES IS GOING TO CRUSH YOU LIKE A BUG! THERE WON’T BE A TITLE MATCH IN YOUR FUTURE, PUNKS… ONLY PAIN!

Morrow stands aside and points at the stage.

Tom Morrow:
My next man is one-third of your NEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW Unified Tag Team champions! He stands at an immaculate seven feet tall!! He weighed in this morning at a perfect three-hundred and five Lonnie Luck-stomping pounds! MARK THE SPARK … A  … K … A … MAARRRRRRRKKKKKKK LUCCCCCCCCCKKKKKK!!!

♫ “Gasoline” by I Prevail ♫

The arena is quickly washed over with orange flame lighting all over …One spotlight appears on the stage with a man holding up the Winning Hand! Dressed in a black vest and black pants with orange flame designs all across and orange hued glasses, Mark Luck tilts them down, winks to the camera and then inches them back on his face. Behind Tom Morrow, Mason and Mark Luck are both wearing their dark green and dark red suits and rich designer shades and of course now have the Unified Tag Team title belts!

DDK:
Mark Luck has his marching orders tonight… keep Archer Silver and LET away from the Unified Tag Team Titles! M4NTRA has already been breathing down their backs, but tonight, they could be dealing with two teams at once if they aren’t careful!

Lance:
And as much as The Triple 7s often have the numbers advantage, a scenario where two teams are pitted against them? That would be Tom Morrow’s worst nightmare for sure!

Mark Luck arrogantly walks to the ring flanked by Morrow and his brothers-in-law. Once he reaches the ring, he dabs them up and bumps fists. Mark The Spark climbs over the ropes with ease and enters the ring. Referee Brian Slater calls for the bell…

DING DING

Silver and Luck start talking trash to one another in the ring. Silver, even at 6’5”, gives up some height to the seven-foot Mark Luck, who puts out his arms to show off a tremendous physique. Silver gets ready to fight…

♫ “Betty (Get Money) by Yung Gravy ♫

All eyes turn towards the entrance…

DDK:
M4NTRA! M4NTRA IS HERE!

RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

The fans erupt for the likes of Nathan Eye, Declan Alexander and “Tank Girl” Eva Vandegaar making their way out from the back. They wave … and out comes Lonnie Luck as well! The two men are wearing their matching M4NTRA jerseys, headbands and pants. Eva Vandegaar has the BRAZEN Women’s Championship, jeans and a baggy hoodie. Lonnie Luck has on his “With A Li’l Luck” shirt! 

Lance:
Here come the current #1 contenders’ to the Unified Tag Team Titles, M4NTRA! Welcome lady and gentlemen!

M4NTRA have a seat at the announce table on stage and pull up two seats next to Keebler and Warner. 

Nathan Eye:
M4NTRA Rays, Rejoice! You’re gonna be hearing DEC4L and I bring you some enlightening commentary! With your Eyes on the Prize, you can call any match you want!

DEC4L:
Pulling up with the squad. Your boy, DEC4L! Natty Eyce! Tank Girl and our boy, Lonnie! 

Lonnie dips into commentary.

Lonnie Luck:
I’m just here to spill trade secrets about my bum-ass cousins.

DDK:
New member of M4NTRA?

Nathan Eye:
Makayla Namaste’s resting up, but she will never be replaced. When she heals up, she’ll be joining all of us! Including Lonnie!

Silver turns back to Mark Luck, only to get picked up over the shoulder and rammed into the corner by the Seven Foot Savage! Silver gets the wind knocked out of him by big Mark The Spark and then has some knees thrown into his midsection. Mark takes full advantage of the appearance of M4NTRA and then starts talking trash to Archer.

Mark Luck:
You ain’t touching these titles, little bitch!

He grabs onto the Prince of Pricks by his arm and LAUNCHES him all the way across the ring with a hammer throw that sends the former three-time BRAZEN Tag Team Champion crashing chest-first into the corner before he collapses to the canvas. The Indy Faithful jeer Mark the Spark as he reaches through the ropes to dab up Max, Mason and Tom Morrow in succession. He then goes over to Archer and picks him up. He holds up the 247-pounder with relative ease before planting him mid-ring with a huge body slam! Silver bounces off the and then Mark attempts a cover!

ONE!

TWO!

NO!

DDK:
Shoulder up by Silver! With a future title match in the balance, Mark isn’t letting him breathe!

Nathan Eye:
DEC4L and I can tell you probably better than any team other than the Saturday Night Specials … they have two working brain cells between them, but you can’t deny their size works to their advantage.

DEC4L:
On God.

Mark Luck grabs onto Silver again and sends The Prince of Pricks into the corner. He attempts running corner splash, only for the third-generation star to land a boot to the chest. Mark winces in pain, then things gets worse when Silver CRACKS him in the midsection with a stiff round kicks! Mark feels it and takes a second kick! The former kickboxer goes for a third kick, only for Mark to grab the leg! He hoists Silver onto his shoulders for what looks like a snake eyes, but the slippery Silver sneaks out the back and pushes him to the ropes, then SMACKS him with a jumping calf kick on the way back, bringing Mark to a knee!

DDK:
He’s finally chopped the big man down… OOOH! And follows it up with a HUGE penalty kick!

DEC4L:
Big yikes to that kick! I wish LET wasn’t so high-key delulu about their place in the tag team division. They’re great, but somewhere along the way, they stopped being friends and started being so sus.

The Prince of Pricks pushes Luck’s shoulders down to the canvas!

ONE!

TWO… NO!

Mark kicks out right after the second hand hits the canvas.

DDK:
No title match for LET just yet, but Archer Silver is going after the neck now! He’s trying to secure that standing arm triangle choke!

Now trying to keep the big man down, The Strong Style Nepo Baby’s grip is tight around the neck of Mark with an arm triangle choke, but the self-professed Blonde God fights his way up from his knees and catches the former kickboxer with several elbows to the side of the head. Silver fires back with STIFF kicks to the knees to try and take the leg out from under him. He chops the leg down and talks trash to Mark!

Archer Silver:
I’m actual blood in wrestling! You’re a stupid-ass seven-foot poser!

High Flyer:
LOSER!

Silver nods at Flyer’s assessment. Silver charges off the ropes for a high kick, only for Mark to catch him first by SPINNING Archer around and then dumping him with an impactful release blue thunder bomb! 

DDK:
Good grief, what a slam! Luck calls that move Aces High, appropriate enough! And is that going to be enough to end LET’s dreams of challenging for the Unified Tag Titles?!

Nathan Eye:
I don’t ever wanna root for the Lucks, but that mean it’s a two on two tag match if he wins!

Mark makes the cover!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

Silver gets the shoulder up! Flyer and Massacre at ringside cheer on Archer for staying alive while the Lucks and Morrow protest Brian Slater’s count!

DEC4L:
Archer finna put a hurt on Big Mark! 

Lonnie Luck:
I know firsthand how strong Mark is. Dude is as strong as he is a giant man-whore. Can I say man-whore on commentary?

Lance:
You already did so … yeah. I guess.

Mark measures up Archer and signals that he's going to take this one home. He runs off the ropes and has a running splash in mind. He measures up the Prince of Pricks and DROPS three bills right down on his chest!

DDK:
Will Tom Morrow and the Triple 7s shut LET out of another DEFCON here tonight?! COVER!

ONE!

TWO!

TH… SHOULDER UP!

Once again, Flyer and Ms. Massacre breathe a sigh of relief while Tom Morrow shouts at Brian Slater for what he feels is a slow count! Mark Luck holds three fingers at him!

Nathan Eye:
Ooooh! So close that was paper-thin … and speaking of paper, take this time to buy you a copy of 251 Pages of Pure Perseverance on DEFshop.com!

Silver moves out of the way! The water is empty in the pool and Mark The Spark is left holding his chest in pain while Silver tries to regain his bearings. He comes back…

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

…and lands HARD round kicks into the chest of Luck, before he measures him up and CRACKS him on the jaw with a thrust kick!

DDK:
There’s some VENOM in those kicks tonight! Archer Silver’s entire attitude these days… this calls back to him feeling disrespected that he didn’t make DEFCON last year! This match is personal to him!

DEC4L:
Dude’s so salty these days about it, too!

The blow is enough to have Mark Luck stagger up to his feet. Silver grits his teeth and then leaps forward to SMACK one-third of the Unified Tag Champions right on the jaw with a nasty superman elbow! The blow sends him back into the corner. Silver gets a few cheers from The Faithful who just hate the Triple 7s that much in general, but he doesn’t pay any mind to the cheers. He lines up Mark Luck and charges across the ring to land another HUGE running superman forearm in the corner!

DDK:
The Triple 7s can all dish it out and take it too, but Mark Luck has just been overwhelmed by this recent volley of strikes!

Mark staggers out of the corner as Silver goes to the middle rope. Not something he does often, but he takes flight off the ropes with a top rope flying back elbow that finally takes Mark off his feet!

DDK:
A new one in the arsenal of Archer Silver! Is he going to help get LET to a title match?!

He crawls and hooks the leg of Mark! Morrow is biting his nails ringside and the Lucks are screaming at Mark to kick out!

ONE!

TWO!

TH… NO!

Mark gets the shoulder up just in time! Archer slaps the canvas and yells out obscenities before screaming at Brian Slater. He stands up and sees M4NTRA up at The Commentation Station and gives M4NTRA the double tall man!

Lance:
No translation needed to understand that!

Nathan Eye:
If Archer was focused on the match as he was about dropping f-bombs, he’d be a five-time FIST of DEFIANCE by now!

DEC4L:
Yeah. Wasn’t Gucci at all.

Silver turns back to Mark Luck and pulls the kneepads down! He goes for an Arrow in Flight! He lines up…

DDK:
Archer’s calling for that knockout knee strike! The Arrow in Flight coming up!

He speeds towards Mark Luck, only for Mark to barely sidestep and push Silver to the side! He turns around and gets CRACKED by a huge big boot! The shot sends him to the outside!

DDK:
Luck counters a strike with one of his own!

As he stands over Archer outside, Mark Luck finally takes notice of M4NTRA up on stage. He, too, gives them the same symbol of respect that Archer threw up moments ago and laughs.

DEC4L:
OOMF!!!

Nathan Eye:
Speaking of oomf … wanna go down there and show these guys some M4NTRA Math? Our numbers can beat their numbers any day.

Nathan and DEC4L both look at each other and come to a silent understanding. With that last gesture, the headsets come off and The Faithful start to buzz as M4NTRA leave and start to head towards the ring with Eva Vandegaar and Lonnine Luck behind them!

Lance:
Looks like our guests are departing ringside! They’ve had enough of the disrespect!

DDK:
Somebody better be careful because this match is still going on!

Mark Luck throws Archer against the barricade and follows… but Silver moves! The legal combatants are fighting ringside, but Brian Slater’s attention is outside the ring! Tom Morrow and The Triple 7s take notice and start standing by as M4NTRA head down to the ring…

DDK:
LOOK OUT!

M4NTRA GOES RIGHT AFTER MASON AND MAX LUCK! DEC4L ATTACKS MAX LUCK AND NATHAN EYE GOES RIGHT FOR MASON!

Lance:
SAFE TO SAY, THINGS HAVE REACHED DEFCON ONE OUT HERE! IT WAS ONLY GONNA BE A MATTER OF TIME!

With an empty ring, High Flyer has seen enough! Mark Luck hears the buzzing and turns around just in time to see Flyer LEAPS clear over the ropes, CRASHING DOWN with a Fosbury Flop onto the giant!

Lance:
HIGH FLYER TAKES OUT MASON LUCK! WHERE DID HE EVEN COME FROM!

Archer Silver and Mark Luck are still fighting on the opposite end of the ring but all eyes are on the huge five-way scuffle going on at ringside between M4NTRA, Mason Luck, Max Luck and now High Flyer! Ms. Massacre sees Eva Vandegaar and goes after her, too as they start throwing fists around! Brian Slater is yelling at all parties, but The Faithful are making so much noise, it drowns things out!

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Lance:
BRIAN SLATER HAS LOST CONTROL HERE! FIGHTS EVERYWHERE!

In the middle of all this, Mark chucks Archer Silver back into the ring and follows him in at the same time that Mason Luck throws Nathan Eye into the ring! Brian Slater screams at all of them to leave!

DDK:
THE OUTSIDE FIGHTING JUST SPILLED INSIDE! THIS MATCH IS STILL ONGOING, LANCE!

Silver and Nathan bump into one another! Nathan turns around and he’s about to swing, but sees Mason! Nathan ducks an oncoming lariat…

BUT ARCHER DOESN’T!

DDK:
No! Archer caught in the crossfire! And…  WAIT! SLATER SAW THE WHOLE THING!

The headstrong Mason (aka Mase the Headcase) looks down and sees Slater, then realizes what he’s just done before he EATS a superkick from Nathan Eye! Nathan hits a cactus clothesline and both men go over the ropes as Brian Slater calls for the bell!

DING DING DING

Mark Luck protest with Brian Slater, but he’s called it!

Darren Quimbey:
Your winner of this match as a result of a disqualification… ARCHER SILVER!

His jaw is gonna be sore in the morning, but Silver lays on the mat and looks up at Mark with an evil cackle when he realizes what they’ve unintentionally just done! Quickly, as M4NTRA and The Triple 7s continue to fight, High Flyer reaches in and grabs onto Archer to help pull him out the ring!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Tom Morrow’s jaw drops as he realizes what this means and starts to lose it! DEC4L and Nathan Eye still haven’t stopped fighting with Mason and Max to realize what’s just happened, but they’ve done it!

DDK:
By hook or by crook… Archer Silver wins this match! He wins tonight and the Triple 7s are now going to have to defend those titles against BOTH M4NTRA and Les Enfants Terribles!

Lance:
Things got heated out here with all three teams! But ultimately, Archer found an opening in the chaos and thanks to that, he’s secured LET a spot in their upcoming Unified Tag Team Title match!

Ms. Massacre retreats with LET up the ramp as Tom Morrow and Mark Luck both SCREAM at Brian Slater! Slater protests and gestures that Mason attacked Archer, leading to the DQ! The protesting and fighting continues as the show goes to break!

Back to The Commentation Station!

DDK:
After that CRAZY match we just saw… we’re looking at a Triple Threat for the Unified Tag Team Titles between The Triple Sevens, M4NTRA and now Les Enfants Terribles! Even Tom Morrow and the Lucks are going to have their hands full. 

Lance:
We’re waiting confirmation of when that match will take place, but we can confirm something else. After a HUGE blow-up earlier in the night between former friends, Oscar Burns and Ryan Batts, we can now confirm the following. Both men asked for this match and you, the fans, will have it:

A graphic appears on screen! 

DEFCON 2026
GRUDGE MATCH
OSCAR BURNS vs. RYAN BATTS

DDK:
You are not seeing this wrong! Oscar Burns! Ryan Batts! One-on-one at DEFCON! 

Lance:
It’s beyond personal here. Ryan Batts had to scratch and claw his way back to the main roster by any means and he may be Oscar’s worst nightmare! 

DDK:
I don’t know how one ring is going to contain that much hate and… wait… Lance…

Lance:
Yeah?

DDK:
I’m getting word that we’re heading backstage… Jamie Saywers is hoping to catch a word with one of these men. Let’s take it backstage… 

The show does just that and Jamie Sawyers is standing near one of the back offices. 

Jamie Sawyers:
Thanks, Darren. I’m just outside the offices of DEFIANCE matchmakers and I’m hoping to get a word with… wait… 

Storming out of the offices comes Ryan Batts in a tank top and pants. His head has been bandaged up quick after having his head busted open on a ring post from Sonny Silver, but stops in his tracks when he sees Jamie Sawyers. 

Jamie Sawyers:
Ryan Batts! Ryan, can I get a wor…

Ryan Batts:
You can shut your fucking mouth and give me that microphone. Now. Head behind the camera, stay right there. 

Batts rips the microphone right from Sawyers hands and pushes him partially off-camera. 

Ryan Batts:
Oscar! You keep proving me right! You admit you’re a piece of shit and earlier tonight, you had your little manager attack me from behind. I thought you changed! I thought you were a new man! I thought you were bAcK tO tHe GrApS or some bullshit! Well, turns out that WAS bullshit, huh?! Hey… eyes up here! 

Batts keeps the camera focused on him. 

Ryan Batts:
Still having other people do your damn dirty work like usual… but you know what? I’ll deal with you at DEFCON, Oscar. But since Mister Hall of Fame loudmouth-ass Sonny wants to put his hands on me… then maybe he doesn’t mind lacing up them boots one more time. 

He turns to Jamie. 

Ryan Batts:
Here’s your soundbyte. Tell Sonny Silver if he’s got the BALLS… he can see me in the ring on DEFtv in two weeks. I’m gonna take his fucking head off… then I’m gonna do the same to Oscar at DEFCON. 

Shoving the mic so far into his chest, he knock Sawyers on his ass! He steps over and pushes the camera away. 

Ryan Batts:
Get that thing out of my fucking face! Now!

Static. 

DDK:
Faithful, welcome back to ringside. It is my understanding that a tag team match is up next!

♫ “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu Tang Clan ♫

Darren Quimbey:
Introducing the team of Felton Bigsby and Adrian Payne, they are MONEY TALKS!

Bigsby and Payne waltz down to the ring with little to no fanfare. The sneers on their faces indicate they don’t care. It’s straight business and it looks like their opponents are going to be dealt some major punishment.

♫ “Big Dawgs” by Humankind ♫

DDK:
Here comes everyone’s favorite flake!

Darren Quimbey:
Introducing next, from Cheyenne, Wyoming, weighing in at two hundred and ten pounds, MALAK GARLAND!

Malak cautiously walks down to the ring but diverts from entering. Instead, he heads to the timekeeper’s table and snatches a microphone to find some time and space to ruminate.

Malak Garland:
Testing, testing, one, two, three! Can every Caitlin Clark fan in this Indianapolis arena hear me? Listen up, because I have something important to say.

He gazes up at the ring and at his looming adversaries for the night.

Malak Garland:
You two big bosses look MENACING, so it might not come as a surprise to anyone here tonight, when you hear that I had a bit of a FRETTING episode when I saw who I was booked against. I mean, let’s be real, I don’t have friends anymore. They’ve all been taken away from me. Therefore, tonight, Money Talks will face myself and a partner of my choosing.

Malak slides his phone out from his tights. He looks at it longingly.

Malak Garland:
For the first time ever in the history of pro wrestling, an AI chatbot will wrestle in a match.

DDK:
He’s joking, right? I think Malak might need to be checked for a concussion, what with his busy in-ring schedule recently.

Lance:
I think he’s serious, Darren! He’s going to fight in what essentially will be a handicapped match and AI is going to be his partner. He needs to realize quick and fast this is not the way to wrestle matches in the future.

Malak stares down at the phone he’s holding. He fires up his chatbot companion app and places it on the apron before climbing up to his corner.

Malak Garland:
That’s right! My AI chatbot Missy and I will take on these two JOKERS–!

Malak throws the microphone down as Bigsby comes in with a splash.

DING DING

Hector Navarro calls for the bell to get things underway as a ‘MISSY’ chant breaks throughout the arena! Felton nails a short arm clothesline before playing to the crowd.

DDK:
It might be wise for Malak to look for a tag here. If only his partner was not an application on his phone!

Bigsby tosses Garland into the corner and lays in some chops before whipping the Snowflake Superstar to the adjacent corner, where Adrian Payne resides.

TAG!

Payne jumps in and picks up where Bigsby left off.

Lance:
Snapmare by Payne. Spinal tap kick!

Garland shrivels in pain as Payne inflicts more of his namesake.

DDK:
Reverse chin lock!

Garland reaches towards his corner with his arms extended. Adrian wrenches Malak’s spine in towards his bent knee.

DDK:
The crowd is trying to get behind Malak here! Firing him up!

The chants and cheers power up the Keyboard King to the point where his energy chakra readings are simply off the charts. Garland bursts out of the reverse chin lock, turning with vengeance in his eyes, smashing Adrian Payne across the chest with a lariat. Payne jumps back to his feet and gets met with a slingblade! Both men rise once more, Malak nails a running hurricanrana!

Lance:
Nifty little move combo there!

DDK:
Cover!

ONE!

DDK:
Bigsby breaks it up! Not sure Missy will be any use should Malak find himself in a pinning combination that requires saving!

TAG!

Payne reaches over and tags Bigsby back in. Malak rolls to his corner, where he peers through the ropes, down at his tag team partner. Noticing Bigsby bearing down on him, Malak makes a desperation tag to his cellular device.

TAG!

RAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

DDK:
Did Malak just? Did he just TAG in his phone?

Lance:
I believe he did, Darren.

The crowd cheers uncontrollably as they want to see Missy, the AI chatbot companion app, take on a vividly vicious Felton Bigsby. Malak relocates to the apron, where of course, his phone hasn’t moved an inch. Garland looks to the crowd for direction and then speaks down towards his device.

Malak Garland:
IT’S YOUR TURN, MISSY! GET IN THERE AND SHOW ‘EM A FIGHT!

Still no response. Worried and concerned, Malak isn’t sure what to do. Hector Navarro asserts himself.

Hector Navarro:
Come on Malak, if your partner cannot participate, then you must step in or forfeit the match! What will it be?

Malak smacks his agape jaw, like a lightbulb just went off.

Malak Garland:
OF COURSE! Missy can’t wrestle because I failed to put in the appropriate prompt!

By this time, Felton Bigsby is near frothing at the mouth to get going, barely being held back by Hector Navarro. Malak frantically grabs his phone and types in a prompt.

Malak Garland:
It feels like a cozy Pokemon battle up in here! Missy, use headbutt!

Just then, Malak throws his phone at Felton Bigsby’s head as hard as he can. The phone makes direct contact, rebounding back towards the thrower. Garland snatches the phone and tags himself back in!

TAG!

DDK:
I guess that can go down in the history books as the first time an AI entity wrestled in a professional wrestling match! I’m stunned, Lance! Truly stunned!

Lance:
So is Bigsby!

Reeling, both Malak and Bigsby fumble into each other. Malak double arm throws Felton overhead as his phone rests once again in the safety of the apron.

Or what he THOUGHT was safety.

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

DDK:
WHAT THE…

Like some sort of creature rising from the depths, Bronson Box’s face is seen slowly rising up from Malak and Missy’s corner. Back in the ring Malak is utterly oblivious to the danger his “tag team partner” is in right now.

Dressed all in black, the Wargod scowls as he looks from the smart phone to the action back up in the ring.

Clearly disgusted with the whole ordeal.

Lance:
WAS HE UNDER THE RING?! Wait… is that a hammer?

The Original DEFIANT lightly plucks Missy from her place in the corner and rests it delicately, screen up on the steel ring steps.

DDK:
What is he… oh, oh my goodness…

Bronson raises the claw hammer over his head.

CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK

The sound makes Malak stop cold in his tracks.

Felton can’t help but smile a sick cockeyed grin as he points back over Garland’s shoulder.

Felton Bigsby:
Yo, don’t look now, but your tag partner just murked...

Shaking, Malak slowly turns absolutely HORRIFIED at the sight of his beloved Missy smashed into a small pile of plastic and component parts.

Bronson Box looms over the small mess filling the deep dent now adorning the top of the ring steps. He flips the claw hammer several times in his hand as he glares up into and across the ring at the wide, wet eyes of Malak Garland.

Malak Garland:
Mi… Missy?

His voice quavers. With real emotion etched on his face.

Bronson Box:
Missin’ somethin’... prick?

REAL anger from Garland as he grits his teeth and digs in his heels.

Lance:
It’s just a cell phone, Malak! You’re sponsored by Verizon after all! You can get a new one!

The sound that escapes Malak Garland’s lips as he launches himself towards ringside in an almost instantaneous, reckless suicide dive sounds rabid!

DDK:
Clearly not to him, partner! I thi… OH MY GOD!

THUNK!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOH!

Malak’s dive is met with a well timed shot from the (thankfully?) butt-end of Bronson’s hammer mid-flight!

Malak crumbles and tumbles right into the sharp detritus of his former friend still littering the top of the ringsteps. 

Bronson immediately waffles Garland again with the butt-end of the hammer, RUBBING and RAKING Malak’s face across the broken smart phone.

Lance:
Oh, wow.

With a fist full of Malak’s hair, Bronson lifts Malak’s face to the camera. Pieces of glass and plastic having done their damage, bits still lodged in the now seeping red cuts and scrapes now adorning his face.

Ref Navarro has somehow managed to miss every bit of this encounter thanks to the combined distracting efforts of both Adrian Payne and Felton Bibsby.

DDK:
Money Talks might be slightly at odds with their leader lately, but currently? Those issues seem to be on the back burner.

The two giant men allow Hector his faculties once again once they see their terrifying leader has casually rolled a now near lifeless but somehow still sobbing Malak Garland back into the ring.

Lance:
Is he legitimately crying?

Felton shoulders past a confused Hector Navarro, just now piecing what he didn’t see together from the mess at ringside… at the mess etched across poor Malak’s bleeding, tear-filled face.

DDK:
Drop down and a cover from Bigsby!

ONE.

TWO.

THREE.

DING DING DING!

Malak is semi-conscious, seemingly still game, but barely attempts a kick-out.

Lance:
The fight just up and LEFT him, Keebs.

Darren Quimbey:
Ladies and gentlemen, your winners… MONEY! TALKS!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Malak doesn't move after Felton stands, barks some trash talk and vacates the ring.

He eventually, slowly rolls onto his stomach and starts desperately clawing his way towards what was he and Missy’s corner.

Towards what’s left of his friend.

DDK:
Goodness this is just sad.

Lance:
It’s JUST a darn phone… right? But then again, Malak said he didn’t have friends anymore so his phone was all he had left that resembled any kind of connection.

Malak reaches a hand out towards the direction of Missy… only for that hand to get promptly STEPPED on by a shiny black loafer.

The camera pans up to find the Bombastic Bronson Box looming over Garland, microphone in hand. The Faithful buzz as the Wargod stands like a gargoyle over his now emotionally devastated opponent.

The crowd is buzzing.

Finally Boxer lifts the microphone.

Bronson Box:
Now that this latest little FARCE is finally at an end we can have a little chat, you and I. You see Malak. You’re the absolute epitome of what Edward and I were always talkin’ about. Sad little self indulgent weirdos hell-bent on changin’ the very soul of this company. Make it… silly. And you’re just the KING of silly aintcha Malak? Joked and goofed your way to the FIST, main event after main event. Bloody embarrassin’ someone with your clear athletic talent paradin’ around here first and foremost like you’re auditionin’ for [censored] Saturday Night Live.

As Boxer talks, even with his hand crushed, Malak’s eyes don’t leave the bits and pieces of Missy still strewn on and around the steps at ringside.

Bronson Box:
But through the miasma of your painful comedy stylings, as per usual I’m left a bit mesmerized by you, Malak… I’m either watchin’ someone with an almost pathological dedication to his little act or I’m lookin’ at someone who has truly LOST his bloody marbles. You’re a fascinatin’ individual, I’ll give you that. But either way, lad?

Boxer remains standing on Malak’s hand but slowly kneels down now.

The additional pressure on his hands does break Malak’s concentration and cause him to wince… he finally looks away from what’s left of Missy and looks up at Bronson with more seriousness than we’ve seen from the Snowflake in ages.

Bronson Box:
Either way? What comes next is the same. The same opportunity to make a real moment, the two of us. The same opportunity to cause one another a great deal of PAIN. What comes next, Malak Garland… is DEFCON. What comes next, boy’o is me gettin’ my WIN back…

DDK:
DEFCON? Oh MY!

Lance:
His win? Wait. Does he mean…?

Bronson Box:
Time for yer’ receipt, Snowflake.

Felton Bigsby and Adrian Payne join Boxer in mugging for the cameras. The two massive men stepping up on either side of the Original DEFIANT in a showing of unified force from what remains of the faction… despite its current issues.

Bronson Box:
You and me, sunshine? WARCHAMBER!

The Faithful come absolutely unglued.

Box stands and spikes the microphone as the crowd roars.

♫ “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana as performed by the London Philharmonic ♫

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Through the din of the reaction The Faithful all start pumping their fists in the air and chanting…

WAR! WAR! WAR! WAR! WAR! WAR!

The last image the cameraman lingers on however, isn’t the triumphant Blood Diamonds.

It isn’t the frothing Faithful crawling over one another in excitement for the build towards the biggest DEFIANCE show of the year.

It’s Malak Garland, sitting against the turnbuckle holding in his cupped hands with what little scraps and broken pieces of his former “friend” he could manage to scrape off the top of the ring steps and pick off his own head.

The last thing we see is Malak Garland’s eyes narrowing through the tears and burning a HOLE into the back of Bronson Box’s skull as the London Philharmonic plays on.s on.

BRAZEN - Where the next generation CLASH!

We are greeted by the sight of a dimly-lit hallway made of stone as we hear a voiceover.

“Professional wrestling has tried to break me more times than I can count.”

The voice is rather faint at first, echoing through the hallway as we begin to hear footsteps. Those steps gain in volume, indicating that whoever is speaking is drawing closer as they continue on.

“But I refuse to be broken. I still have a lot left to prove.”

Finally, a figure steps through the archway, the sliver of light filtering into the hall allowing us a glimpse at the source of this message as Xander Azula steps into view.

Xander Azula:
I have walked many paths in this life, never bowing under pressure, always staying defiant ‘til the end. This is my path now…and I’m about to make it everyone else’s problem.

A titlecard flashes to emphasize this point, reading “Xander Azula…The Real F’n Problem” before we fade to black.

A graphic appears on the screen that reads “PREVIOUSLY ON DEFtv 230.”

Cut to Matt LaCroix making his much anticipated return to DEFIANCE after being out for several years with a shoulder injury and challenging for the Favoured Saints Champion, the title he was the first holder over of. A surprise attack by Jack Harmen cuts off the return before the bell rings. Then cut to the end of the match, where Jack Harmen refuses a rope break and dismantles the injured shoulder of the First Favoured Saint. The clip ends with Jack Harmen strangling Matt LaCroix with his own kinetic tape 

Now backstage, Christie Zane looks into the camera with a look of concern across her normally joyful face.

Christie Zane:
As you just saw back on DEFtv 230, Matt LaCroix returned to DEFIANCE only to be immediately put back on the shelf by Jack Harmen in a brutal assault. Although Harmen was fined for the actions, there haven’t been many updates on The Reaper of the Pontchartrain, until tonight.

A dramatic pause to build intrigue.

Christie Zane: 
The good news is it appears Matt LaCroix suffered minimal additional damage to his arm and shoulder despite the intentions of the Favoured Saints Champion. However, due to the nature of Matt’s original injury and being choked out, the medical team here in DEFIANCE are being extra cautious with Matt’s progress and his return date, if any, is still very much up in the air. Southern Strong Style did have this he wanted to pass along to the Faithful.

Unfolding a sheet of paper that had been tucked between her fist and the microphone, Christie begins to read.

Christie Zane:
Faithful, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. It’ll take more than a few stomps to take me out, tell old man Harmen that when Iris clears me, he best be ready.

Storming in from just off frame is none other than the Favored Saints Champion, flanked as always these days by Lord Nigel. He’s chewing on an obscenely large amount of chewing gum and making it his whole personality. He stands with an air of confidence with his head held high, as Lord Nigel rubs his shoulders.

Jack Harmen:
Fake news! Lies and slander. Can you believe this lady? If she is one. Christopher, can you really drag my name through the mud like you just did, and NOT be sued for slander? Libel? Defamation of character? I’m a 29 year old prodigy, I can’t have you ruining my current and future earnings by… whatever it is you do for a living.Reading other people’s love letters to their BETTERS. Listen, if Matt LaCroix wants to crawl out of whatever old folks home slash hospice care he finds himself in now, he can come and challenge the greatest 29 year old this sport has seen! If not… well… he’s had his time in the spotlight. It’s time to focus on the next generation of wrestling. It’s time, to focus on me!

Christie Zane:
Matt LaCroix is a decorated athlete and I hope he comes back and wipes that smile off your face.

Jack Harmen:
Temper temper. Aren’t you supposed to be an impartial journalist?

Harmen’s eyes go wide and he calms himself. From the opposite side of camera, in walks the Box-Man Klein. The Faithful go nuts.

Klein:
I’m not a journalist Jack. I’m a lawyer. And I will shout OBJECTION like LLB from the rooftops on you. You, are a jackass.

Jack Harmen just smiles and laughs, turning to Nigel.

Jack Harmen:
Guilty!

The two continue laughing.

Klein:
I’mma wipe that laugh from the face of DEFIANCE. Next week. Me. You. The FS Title on the line.

Jack looks at Klein, stopping his laughter, before looking at Nigel, and the two break into laughter again.

Jack Harmen:
PCP’s errand boy? Mikey Unlikely’s BITCH?! HA, you can’t even lace my boots, yet alone…

Klein reaches in and grabs Harmen on his shoulders, lifting him off his feet. Christie Zane runs away as Lord Nigel shouts in protest. The fans start counting the rotations as Klein spins in an airplane spin. After about 15, Klein just gently sets Harmen down to his feet. Harmen, rubber legged, tries to come after Klein and Klein just side steps, sending Harmen sprawling into a pile of nearby garbage. Nigel looks shocked and tries to help his client up, as Klein simply nods at Christie and walks off.

Jack Harmen:
That blithering boxhead! He wants a match, I’ll tear his larynx outta his stupid dumb mute throat! Get outta my way Christopher! 

Harmen shoves Christie out of his way as he tries to walk away from the scene, rubber legging back to his knees before choosing instead to just crawl away.

DDK:
We find ourselves smack-dab in the middle of a white-hot edition of DEFtv!

Lance:
Yes, the ooey-gooey center!

DDK:
What?

Lance:
What?

DDK:
Did you just say “ooey-gooey center”?

Lance:
I’m certain I did not, uh, up next we have a match that we’ve never seen before and might be considered a DREAM-match by many! DEFIANCE’s Favorite Son takes on the Absolute Animal!

A graphic showing a digitized Douglas and a digitized Alpha facing off with one another hits the screen for a moment before cutting back to our broadcast team.

DDK:
Each of these competitors are top contenders for the Southern Heritage Championship held, err… CO-held by “The TallFather”-Himself, Uriel Cortez and his lovely bride, Titaness! That pair, with some thanks to their extended family, have had an iron-grip on that championship for months on end and if they get their way, it will STAY that way!

Lance:
Yes, two weeks ago we saw Corvo and Douglas struggle to stay on the same page, leading the powers that be to book this contest tonight. Perhaps, after this match, we may have a SINGULAR number one contender for the SoHER determined!

DDK:
And just in time for DEFCON!

Lance:
Indeed! Oh! Oh no!

The camera cuts to a commotion in the crowd as a long, TALL train of muscle and malice is lead through the crowd by members of DEFsec. Lead all the way to a row of seats in the very front row. The crowd lets them have it. They don’t seem to care.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

DDK:
Well, it appears that the SO-US, as they call themselves, and their extended Familia, are keenly interested in the outcome of this match, as one might suspect!

Indeed, La Familia take their seats one at a time: Siofra scowls at a youngster seated next to her, who scurries onto their parents' lap. Kilgore glowers menacingly at the camera. Mil dramatically removes his fur coat and carefully folds it over an arm before sitting. Big Boss Dan awkwardly juggles several containers of popcorn and cups of soda to his chair. Their problem child, Brooklynn Rivera, doesn't sit. She takes a position behind the row, blocking second and third row fans' view, her arms folded and appropriately defiant. The massive Killjoy makes his chair, and anything behind him, disappear as the beast slowly sits, a reassuring hand on his shoulder from “mother.” Carrying the SoHERS, Titaness smiles behind her shades, the very image of confidence, elegance, and strength. She takes her seat like a queen taking her throne. Finally, Uriel Cortez soaks in the disdain from the Indy Faithful, turning in place and eyeing the fans as if he were making a mental note of every person booing, yelling profanities, etc. His stone visage breaks into a smirk as he takes his seat.

DDK:
You know, it’s not inexpensive to take your whole family out for a show like this, Lance. 

Lance:
Oh, I’m sure he was comped.

DDK:
Well, folks … get your tickets to DEFIANCE Live Today! Fun for the whole familia!

♫ “Smiling and Dyin’” by Green River ♫

The discordant tones ring out as smoke rolls out of the stage and down the ramp. The Faithful hit their feet on cue.

Darren Quimbey:
Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL! Introducing first, from Seattle, Washington… weighing in tonight at two-hundred and twenty pounds… he is DEFIANCE’s Favorite Son…

Douglas trots up the ring steps, wipes his boots on the apron, ducks through the ropes, and raises both arms overhead as nearly everyone in the building raises theirs in time.

Darren Quimbey:
“SUB POP”... SCOTT… DOUGLAS!

Douglas climbs the corner, right arm raised as the lights pulse around him. He stays on the second turnbuckle and casts a long, assessing eye at the new arrivals in the front row, each in turn. The camera pans to La Familia; Titaness cups her mouth and whispers in her husband’s ear. Whatever she said must have been hysterical because Cortez chortles. Douglas drops off the turnbuckle as his music fades, works his wrist tape, and stretches…. One eye seems to stay on the family frontrow outing.

Lance:
Douglas is, perhaps, one of the men most closely associated with the championship that Cortez & Titaness share. You have to believe, knowing how his story has unfolded over the years, being forced out of DEFIANCE, being able to return … you HAVE TO BELIEVE that regaining that championship would be a truly special achievement for him.

DDK:
True! But his opponent for tonight is–

Keebler is cut off by the sound of the rhythmic clapping of the fans, in unison.

Lance:
It seems his opponent is making his entrance!

The hard camera scans the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and quickly finds what it’s looking for. Plodding down the arena steps through the crowd, his face painted with a crude swath of yellow, red, and blue through his tangled beard, he comes.

DDK:
That man is no stranger to the SoHER either! He had a notable run with the strap just as DEF went global!

Darren Quimbey:
And his opponent… from Parts Untold… he weighs in tonight at two-hundred and fifty nine pounds… Call him SAVAGE! Call him UNTAMED! Call him the ABSOLUTE ANIMAL! 

Alpha’s path through the crowd, perhaps not coincidentally, brings him past La Familia.

Darren Quimbey:
Call him… CORVO! ALPHA!

Alpha halts at the sight of Cortez & Clan, frowning. Titaness and Cortez stand up, the former placing the title belt on the latter's massive shoulder. Cortez lowers his shades to stare Corvo down.

DDK:
Uh-oh… I don’t like the look of this.

Killjoy is the next to rise to his feet. Then Big Boss Dan & Kilgore. Turns out Mil HAD been standing and no one noticed. In the ring, Douglas re-climbs the corner turnbuckle, eager to get a better view and perhaps angle.

Lance:
I don’t like it either.

Dan takes a handful of popcorn and THROWS it futilely at Alpha. Kilgore sniggers. Rivera takes a step forward, between Alpha and her “parents”. Corvo moves to brush past her. She grabs his arm, he throws it off of him, and that’s all it took–

DDK:
LOOK OUT!

A mess of humanity lurches for Alpha. Fourteen thick, angry arms reaching for him with malicious intent. DEFsec is instantly there, more for crowd control and protection than anything else, pushing the throng back as chaos quickly unfolds.

Lance:
Corvo Alpha has disappeared under the ONSLAUGHT of La Familia! He is in serious trouble as– WAIT!

DDK:
OH MY!

From the turnbuckle, Scott Douglas LAUNCHES himself!

DDK:
What a crossbody into the crowd! Douglas just took out Kilgore, Big Boss Dan & Siofra!

Lance:
That’s enough to split the attention of the remaining members of La Familia! 

DDK:
Douglas with a LOW BLOW from BEHIND on Uriel Cortez! But here comes Killjoy! He and Douglas are trading blows through the crowd!

Corvo & Titaness have paired off. Titaness hits a knee-lift to Alpha’s chest that lowers him. She drops down to all fours just as Vueltas comes SPRINTING at her!

DDK:
SPRINGBOARD off Titaness! MIL with a flying curb stomp to Corvo Alpha! On the concrete!

Titaness slowly peels Alpha off the concrete as, in the foreground, Douglas & Killjoy brawl back into shot. Douglas LEVELS the big man with a spinning clothesline!

DDK:
Look out, Douglas! 

But it’s too late. Cortez BLISTERS him in the temple with a running kick, his boot CRUSHING the side of Douglas’ face.

DDK:
Titaness hooks Alpha – DDT! ON THE ARENA FLOOR! Alpha is not moving!

Cortez puts his massive boot on the heaving chest of Douglas as La Familia converges around him, egging him on. Alpha is dragged over next to Douglas and unceremoniously deposited beside him, still not moving other than barely perceptible intermittent breath. Titaness kneels, pulling Alpha’s head off the concrete by his long, tangled dark hair.

DDK:
I think it’s safe to say that we won’t be seeing this dream match tonight, Lance!

Over the two broken bodies, Uriel and Titaness embrace, exchanging fiery looks. Around them, their family assembles. Big Boss Dan sloppily eats a huge handful of popcorn, kernels falling everywhere and getting stuck in his bulletproof vest. Killjoy & Killjoy commiserate, clapping each other on the shoulder. Brooklynn eyes her parents with restrained “eww”. Mil dramatically unfurls his fur coat, shaking it out over the unmoving Douglas & Alpha as Siofra paces menacingly in the foreground. Mil Vueltas rubs his hands together! 

Mil Vueltas:
MI AMIGOS! OUR JOB HERE IS DONE! MIL OR BE KILLED… ASSEMBLE! 

Mil puts a fist out. Siofra, Kilgore and Killjoy join in as well. Behind them, Brooklynn and The Big Boss Dan flex and behind all of them… 

Uriel and Titaness hold their titles up. 

Titaness:
Sorry, Indianapolis… match! Cancelled! 

Uriel Cortez:
Listen when Dad’s talking to you next time. 

♫ “Familia” by AA Anuel ♫

Lance:
I think it’s safe to say that this pair, and their extended family, are intent on ensuring that NO ONE can be named number one contender. And it’s clear to me that they want “Sub Pop” Scott Douglas & Corvo Alpha off the table entirely!

Cortez and Titaness each take hold of a belt strap and slowly raise the championship over their heads, surrounded by family. Flashbulbs frame the shot.

DDK:
What a disaster for Scott Douglas and Corvo Alpha… AGAIN! Uriel Cortez and Titaness impose their will on their potential challengers for the SO-US! What’s it going to take to stop these titans!?

A closer look at the professional careers of YOUR favorite DEFIANTS!

The usually fairly sharp production value of DEFtv is replaced by shaky, somewhat less detailed footage. It quickly becomes clear that what we’re seeing is footage shot with a smartphone. In front of us, a long and well lit hallway. Along the side of the hallway are costumes hanging, people reading scripts, and other props. The cell phone is moving quickly past all this and further down the hall as a familiar voice pipes in.

Pat Cassidy:
Six hourah flight on the fuckin’ red eye, kids. All to finally get my chance…

The footage goes blurry as Cassidy swiftly moves the camera. When we can make sense of it again, it’s his face filling the frame. 

Pat Cassidy:
Two times I tried calling that little bitch Newbludd out… two times he avoided me by hiding behind his Hollywood bullshit. Well, no moah.

Cassidy moves the camera slightly to reveal what’s over his shoulder: a room with a big star on it. And the name in the center of that star? Brock Newbludd.

Pat Cassidy:
That’s right. It’s Pat Cassidy LIVE on the set of whatever b-movie he’s making for people to put on in the background while they scroll through the internet. Probably a remake of Hobgoblins or some shit… but who careahs? 

Cassidy reveals what’s in his other hand: his black and blue custom slugger: Bat Cassidy.

Pat Cassidy:
Now, let’s have that ovahdue talk…

DDK:
Pat Cassidy has gone Hollywood! And not in the traditional sense!

Lance:
If he uses that bat on Brock, this could be the last we see of EITHER of them…

First, Cassidy knocks politely… but not even a second goes by before he kicks the damn thing off its hinges! Entering the dressing room, there’s all the sorts of things one would expect - but only one that Cass cares about. Directly in front of him, a large chair (facing in the other direction) with the letters “BN” on the back. 

Pat Cassidy:
Now I’ve got you, you stupid son of a…

Cassidy spins the chair around…

…to reveal Chip the stunt double. Remembering what went down two weeks and go seeing the bat in Cassidy’s hand, Chip covers up in fear.

Chip the Stunt Double:
Don’t hurt me!

Defeated, Cassidy brings the bat down and sighs. 

Pat Cassidy:
I’m not gonna hurt ya, idiot. 

Chip the Stunt Double:
Thank God. Oh! I forgot! I have a job. I’m supposed to…

Chip rummages around before producing a TV remote. He points and clicks it.

Chip the Stunt Double:
This!

Behind Cassidy, a large TV blinks on - and it’s set LIVE to DEFtv! Cassidy stands in front of the screen, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Suddenly, Cassidy’s cell phone feed is gone and we’re back as DEFtv continues to roll along as we return to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the 18,000-strong Faithful jam-packed inside of it. The camera focuses in on the ring where one of Brazen’s most promising rookies, Antonio Prince, is being checked for any illegal or foreign objects tucked away in his ring gear by referee Benny Doyle.

DDK:
Pat Cassidy has gone to Hollywood to look for Brock Newblud… but he can’t find him!

Lance:
And yet… Brock wanted him to watch DEFtv…

DDK:
We can’t spend all night on that one, because here tonight is a big opportunity for that young man - Antoino Prince -  to show off his dazzling high-flying skills tonight, Lance.

Lance:
That it is, partner. The self-proclaimed “Fresh Prince of Big Air” has a real chance to put his name on the map here in DEFIANCE if he can score the win against Count Novick. Easier said than done, though. It’s a big step moving from BRAZEN to the big stage, no matter how talented you are.

DDK:
And he’s going to need all that talent if he hopes to leave Indy with a victory under his belt against the mysterious Count. He just has to remember that undead doesn’t mean unpinnable.

Ring announcer, Darren Quimbey, enters the ring and addresses the crowd.

Darren Quimbey:
Ladies and gentlemen! The following singles contest is scheduled for one fall with a 10-minute time limit!

A cheer from The Faithful and Quimbey motions towards the corner where Prince stands.

Darren Quimbey:
Introducing first! Hailing from Garland, Texas, and weighing in at 191 pounds…“The Fresh Prince of Big Air” ANTONIO PRINCE!

The Faithful give the youngster a warm reception as he steps out of the corner and raises both arms above his head.

Lance:
Definitely more than a few BRAZEN fans in attendance tonight, letting the rookie know he has their support. Great to see.

The arena's lights suddenly dim, except for the stage, which is now bathed in an eerie red glow.

DDK:
And he’s going to need every bit of it! The Prince of Darkness has come to Indianapolis!

The stage’s double doors open, and fog begins to pour out onto it, causing The Faithful to buzz in anticipation. Buzzing turns into a surprised roar when an ancient-looking coffin on wheels follows the foreboding fog through the doors. An equally ancient old man in a dirty tunic pushes the coffin to the center of the stage and brings it to a halt.

DDK:
I have a pretty good idea of who’s in that coffin, Lance. But, who in the world is that man pushing it!?

Lance:
If my research into the Count is correct, that would be a “familiar”. Like a vampire groupie or superfan, if you will. I’m sure Novick’s got one in every major city. Being 600 years old means you get around, Keebs.

The frail old man drops to his knees in front of the coffin and bows his head. The tunic’s hood covers his eyes, but it doesn’t hide the smile on his wrinkly face. A second passes, and he violently throws his head back and spreads his arms wide.

Familiar:
AH! HA!!! HA!!!

The Faithful. They’re familiar too.

The Faithful:
AH! HA!!! HA!!!

♫ "Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)" by Concrete Blonde ♫

The coffin’s lid suddenly flies open, and fog bursts out of it like it was kept under pressure. A half second later, a cheer erupts from the crowd as Count Novick slowly sits up from his tomb. With the tip of his tongue on one of his fangs, he smiles down at Prince, and the young man visibly gulps.

Then Antonio’s eyes suddenly bulge out in surprise at something else that just appeared on the stage. A silhouette in the fog is moving fast towards the coffin…

DDK:
Hang on a second! Is that!?

Lance:
IT’S BROCK NEWBLUDD! HES’ NOT IN HOLLYWOOD! HE’S HERE!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Still seated in the coffin, Novick’s superior ultrasonic bat hearing is quick to tell him something is amiss as he picks up the sudden cacophony from the meat sacks in attendance. Novick’s second clue shows itself as he watches his familiar’s eyes light up with the same exalted joy that is always there when he looks upon his master.

But his familiar isn’t looking at Novick. No, he’s looking at some musclebound meathead in snakeskin boots.

DDK:
Whatever is going on, you gotta believe he wanted Cassidy to see it!

The old man hastily pulls his tunic up and reaches under with a hand to procure his phone from somewhere. The Count’s jaw drops like he’s about to chow down on some sweet red as he watches his familiar take a selfie with this infiltrator.

Lance:
Making a lifelong fan’s dreams come true, it looks like! That decrepit bag of bones might be the only Brock Newbludd fan in the building based on this crowd’s reaction!

Novick sneers angrily as he watches HIS familiar shake Brock’s hand and giddily exit the stage without even looking back. A 50-year relationship thrown away over some actor!? Not on the Count’s watch. He hasn’t lived this long to put up with some Hollywood phony.

The Count hisses and points a clawed finger at Brock.

Count Novick:
You’ve made a grave mistake in interrupting my sacred entrance ceremony, mortal swine! And now we find out just how “new” your blood really is! AH! HA!! HA!!!

The Count lunges forward and grabs Brock! He pulls him in close and opens his jaws!

DDK:
Novick’s gonna turn Newbludd! What is happening!?

Reaching up with both hands, Brock grabs the lid of the coffin and SLAMS it down onto Novick!

AGAIN!

AND AGAIN!

Brock slams it one final time, and Novick relents, his arm dramatically oozing back into the coffin as the lid shuts completely. Looking down, Brock sees that the vampire’s claws had ripped his white Over the Top 2 tank top. His eyes bulge in rage.

Lance:
Uh oh…

Grabbing onto the coffin with both hands, the angry Newbludd pumps his legs forward and begins pushing it across the stage. Getting close to the edge, Brock hits full speed and suddenly lets go…

DDK:
NO! He’s going over the edge on a coffin ride!

The crowd lets out a collective gasp as the loaded coffin flies off the edge of the stage and SMASHES into the concrete! The ancient wood can’t take it, and the box shatters upon impact, leaving its unconscious owner buried under a pile of broken shards!

Up on the stage, Newbludd looks over the edge and laughs at the sight. He turns away and heads towards the ramp. Brock heads down towards the ring and grabs the camera to pull it close to his face.

Brock Newbludd:
That ain’t the only bloodsuckin’ douchebag Brock Van Helsing’s takin’ out tonight, baby! I’ve come for Cassidy!

Flashing an arrogant smirk, Newbludd pushes the camera away.

Lance:
Did he just say he’s here for Pat Cassidy!? But, Cassidy’s looking for him in Hollywood!

DDK:
Hmmmm. Something tells me this isn’t a case of bad luck, Lance.

Inside the ring, Prince throws his arms up in frustration and stomps over to Doyle. The rookie grabs the ref by the collar and points at the incoming Newbludd. The veteran ref isn’t having any of the young man’s guff and promptly removes Prince from his personal space with a shove.

Lance:
Speaking of bad luck, you gotta feel for Prince, as it looks like his opportunity has been squandered by unforeseen circumstances.

Hitting the bottom of the ramp, Newbludd slides under the bottom rope and pops to his feet. Prince’s eyes bulge in rage, and his temper gets the best of him. Brushing Doyle away from him with a quick shove, The Fresh Prince of Big Air charges at Milwaukee’s Beast!

DDK:
Antonio Prince plans on making a name for himself one way or another!

Flashing his tremendous athletic ability, Prince leaps HIGH into the air and rears a forearm back as far as it can go. The extra hang time on the jump works against Antonio, though, as it gives Brock enough time to react. Taking a quick step forward, Brock ducks low and powers straight up to snatch Prince out of the air. Bringing him back down to the mat, Milwaukee’s Beast pops his hips and HEAVES Prince over the top rope!

Lance:
OH NO!

Achieving a full rotation mid-flight, the helpless rookie crashes face-first into the floor with a loud SMACK!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

DDK:
Absolutely terrible! Brock Newbludd may have just derailed that young man’s career! And for what!?

Concern overriding his anger, Doyle scrambles out of the ring to check on Prince. As a couple of DEFmed team members peel away from tending to Novick to join Doyle, Brock stands up and brushes himself off, amused.

Lance:
Hollywood has twisted another good man into a monster. You hate to see it. Ballyhoo might well, in fact, be dead.

With The Faithful raining boos down on him, DEFIANCE’S Last Action Hero walks over to a stunned Darren Quimbey and swipes the microphone out of his hand.

Brock Newbludd:
Go take a smoke break, Quimbey. I’ll take it from here.

Shaking his head, the ring announcer quickly exits the ring as Brock raises his hand in an attempt to quiet the jeering crowd. The people respond by amplifying their boos, and DEFIANCE’s premier action star sneers in annoyance.

Brock Newbludd:
If you think I give a shit what you bunch of ungrateful PATOPHILES think of me, think again. So, cut the crap and shut your mouths! It’s not every day an actual bona fide star willingly comes to a city as unremarkable as Indianapolis, so how about you people try to have a little class, huh?

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Brock Newbludd:
Clearly, Patophilia has warped all of your brains. But don’t worry, Brock’s here to take this disease out at its source. I’m here for one reason and one reason only…

Newbludd turns to face the stage.

Brock Newbludd:
Pat Cassidy! You backstabbin’ sonuvabitch! For weeks, you’ve been comin’ down to this ring and hollerin’ my name while you puff your chest out to show everyone how tough you are. Well, dickhead…

Newbludd spreads his arms wide.

Brock Newbludd:
Here I am! You think I care if we wait til’ DEFCON!? I’ll take the ACE from you anytime, anywhere!

Newbludd rips off his tank top and throws it out into the crowd.

Brock Newbludd:
C’mon, Patrick! Get out here and put your money where your mouth is!

Dropping the mic to the mat, Brock grabs onto the top rope to stretch his muscles as he keeps his eyes glued to the stage.

DDK:
This is ridiculous! Pat Cassidy isn’t here! We know it, the people know it, and most importantly, Brock Newbludd knows it!

As Brock continues to put on a big show of “waiting” for Pat Cassidy… out of nowhere and entirely uninvited, a heavy guitar riff rings out. There is an OHHHHH of realization that quickly sweeps through the arena.

Lance:
Hold on a moment… What is the meaning of this?!

DDK:
That music… is it…?

It is.

♫ “DEF Radio Theme” by RASL Tunes ♫

The curtain parts, and there is a decidedly loud and decidedly mixed vocal response from the Faithful. 

DDK:
SCOTTY FLASH IS HERE! SCOTTY FLASH IS ON DEFtv!

Lance:
Scotty Flash is… a FREE MAN?! May God have mercy on us all?!

Dressed in a fresh navy-blue suit, powder-blue shirt, and baby-blue tie, Flash runs a hand through slicked dark hair, a beaming shit-eating grin stretching his punchable face. He pulls the black sunglasses down to the tip of his nose to take in the moment.

DDK:
We had heard rumors that he was trying to appeal his seven-year conviction for wire fraud and money laundering–

Lance:
That vile individual defrauded some of the performers on this roster! He defrauded some of the fans watching around the world who SUPPORTED the very charity he eventually STOLE from! He– He has NO place in this sport! Certainly no place in DEFIANCE!

DDK:
…and yet…

Flash is here. He basks for another moment as, in the ring, Brock Newbludd paces uneasily, looking as caught off guard as anyone else. Flash pulls a house mic from his inside-lapel pocket and taps it a few times.

Scotty Flash:
Testing… testing…

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

While there is a smattering of scattered support for the disgraced former shock jock, by and large, many in attendance share Warner’s opinion on the man standing atop the stage. Flash’s radio voice unfurls–

Scotty Flash:
Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s Scotty Flash with ya! And we are LIIIIIIIIVE in INDIANAPOLIS on DEFtv!

This earns him a cheap pop with some simmering hostility just below the surface.

Scotty Flash:
Folks, I know what you’re thinking–

Lance:
Oh, I doubt that.

Scotty Flash:
–I know what you’re thinking and, yes, you CAN believe your eyes! You can believe your ears! The most trusted voice in radio, the most respected voice in professional wrestling, and the VOICE OF REASON in DEFIANCE, Scotty Flash, is back on the streets! I was a ward of the state of Louisiana for over one calendar year, falsely accused, falsely imprisoned, and, finally, VINDICATED! 

A mixed batch of reactions. The camera briefly cuts to Newbludd, who chuckles at Flash’s antics.

Scotty Flash:
But believe it or not, that isn’t important right now! What’s important is why I am here tonight! You see, for over one calendar year, while I was locked away behind bars, I did little else but watch and consume DEFIANCE programming. That's all I thought about. I was watching parts of this promotion come apart at the seams, I was watching the competitors I love and respect, some of the people who – away from the microphone, away from the camera – I consider friends… I was watching them get away from what made them ELITE! I was watching YOU two!

In the ring, Brock leans against the turnbuckle, cold eyes on Flash, measuring each of the DJ's words.

Scotty Flash:
I was watching you, and Pat, do MORE than drift apart! I watched in real time as two of the most inspiring partners, two of the most inspiring FRIENDS in the world, EXPLODED! Pat! Pat Cassidy!

Scotty spins in place on the stage, eyes looking up at the massive TRON above & behind him.

Scotty Flash:
Pat, I know you’re watching this right now!

The Tron suddenly cuts back to Pat Cassidy, via satellite from Hollywood, in Newbludd’s dressing room. Cassidy looks absolutely enraged, gripping his baseball bat with murderous sentient. In the ring, Brock acts surprised at the revelation of Cassidy’s location, though it’s not his most sincere performance. Scotty splits his remarkably, adorably short attention span between Cassidy on the giant screen and Newbludd in the ring.

Scotty Flash:
What’s happened to you both, and where is all this heading… this would NEVER have happened if I had been a free man! I would have sat you both down! Hashed things out! Found some common ground! …on the air, of course. If I had been free, I would have gotten you two together and gotten to the ROOT of this issue! Talk things through! And that’s why I’m here!

Brock starts pacing again as Cassidy pulls up a chair and straddles it in front of the monitor.

Scotty Flash:
I was released this morning and IMMEDIATELY booked a flight here because there doesn’t NEED to be a “Saturday Night StreetFight” in New Orleans at DEFCON! We can all fix this, together! But to do it, we’ve gotta BE together! The three of us! A sit-down! In TWO WEEKS at DEFtv 233, I propose YOU–

Flash points a finger towards Newbludd in the ring. The crowd boos. 

Scotty Flash:
–and YOU–

He turns the same finger up at the Tron. Up at Pat Cassidy. The Faithful cheer.

Scotty Flash:
-–meet me in Atlanta, Georgia, a city that LOVES me by the way, and we get to the ROOT of all of this! We get some RESOLUTION! We get the Saturday Night Specials BACK TOGETHER!

RAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Scotty Flash:
So whattaya say, kids?

Newbludd snatches his microphone off the mat and points a finger at Flash.

Brock Newbludd:
You know, Scotty, I’ve never been a big believer in therapy. I mean, look at me, I clearly have my shit together. Therapy is for sad daddies like Pat to go and cry at. It’s no place for a leading man like me. 

Scotty opens his mouth to speak, but Brock puts a hand up.

Brock Newbludd:
That being said, I will admit, from one entertainer to another, your story of redemption has inspired me. Much like me, you’ve dedicated your life to trying to make the world a better place with your work. And to see you come out here tonight, after rising from the ashes and surviving that prison hellhole…well, I’m genuinely moved. 

Lance:
Listen, I’m all for people changing their ways, but Scotty Flash is a convicted felon who stole from those less fortunate. To say he’s dedicated his life to trying to make the world a better place is more than a stretch here.

Brock Newbludd:
So, out of professional respect for you. I’ll agree to the sitdown in two weeks, and we can listen to Pat cry together. Let’s do it.

Flash fist pumps in success. He turns to look up at the tron… but he doesn't even have to ask.

Pat Cassidy:
Let’s. Fuckin’. Go.

The tron goes black as the people cheer!

DDK:
This… this is all very unexpected! Cassidy once again couldn’t get a face-to-face with Brock Newbludd, but it seems SCOTTY FLASH of all people has brokered the deal! 

Lance:
Do we REALLY think Scotty’s motivation is to get the Saturday Night Specials back together!? There has to be something in it for him somewhere…

DDK:
Nonetheless… in two weeks time in Atlanta, it looks like we’re getting Pat Cassidy and Brock Newbludd face-to-face! And can Scotty Flash restore the peace? Or can he even prevent them from fighting and costing them both their careers?

Lance:
I HIGHLY doubt it.

DEFIANCE ON THE ROAD AGAIN! Be sure to get your tickets today!

Without warning, the house lights go out.

DDK:
What’s this now?

Lance:
One can only imagine.

With the place still in the dark, the low hum of several people begins to echo throughout the arena. On the stage - a sudden spotlight! Through a rapidly bellowing fog, seven figures in purple hoods walk slowly out. They stop at the very top of the ramp and spread out in a single file, facing the arena. Slowly, they remove their hoods: they’re all wearing the ancient but odd masks of a Greek chorus. All of them have rolled-up scrolls in their hands. 

DDK:
I don’t have a Greek chorus on my run sheet, partner, but it’s DEFCON season. Anything is fair game.

One of the chorus steps forward. She slowly opens her scroll. As she reads in a sing-song voice, the rest of the group hum in unison.

Chorus Member #1: 
Attend! O scholars of the ring! Attend: witness to spectacle and sin! We convene not for a celebration, but with a question: what is sport without honor? What is story without trial? What is glory… if seized by deceit? 

The scroll is rolled up and she steps back. The chorus member next to her steps forward, unrolling a scroll of his own. 

Chorus Member 2:
On the appointed night, the Doctor stood prepared. Measured. Methodical. Worthy. A mind sharpened by reason, a body honed for contest.

A third chorus member rushes forward, interrupting. The second meekly steps back.

Chorus Member 3:
Yet! Before our champion could prove his mettle, chaos was introduced. Not chance. Not fate. But intervention.

In unison, all members of the chorus:

Entire Chorus:
A sneak attack.
A theft of opportunity.
An assault upon merit itself!

A fourth chorus member takes center stage.

Chorus member 4:
And who presides over this perversion of sport? Who cloaks themselves in righteousness while trafficking in ambush and denial?

Entire Chorus:
Vae Victis.

Chorus Member 5:
Woe to the conquered, they proclaim… yet they conquer not through strength, but through numbers. Through sanctimony. Through the smug assurance that their virtue excuses their violence.

Chorus Member 6:
And at their apex stands Lindsay Troy: lionized legend, self-anointed paragon, arbiter of who is worthy… and who is discarded.

Entire Chorus:
O Troy, you who sit upon the dais of moral superiority: 
we pose a question.
If your cause is just, why strike from the shadows?
If your strength is unquestioned, why deny the contest?
If your honor is pure, why fear the Doctor’s proof?

Chorus Member 8: 
For Ned Reform is no mere combatant. He is the thesis. He is the argument. He is the inevitable conclusion that exposes false virtue as fragile theater.

Chorus Member 9:
At DEFCON, the symposium of violence, the colloquium of consequence, the final exam no tyrant can avoid… You are summoned, Lindsay Troy.

Entire Chorus:
No disciples.
No Vae Victis shield.
No sanctimonious decree.
Stand alone.
Stand equal.
Stand accountable.

Chorus Member 10: 
Face the man you denied. Answer for the night you stole. Let merit confront myth. Let truth dismantle legend. At DEFCON, the Doctor demands his defense.

As the tenth chorus member steps back into line, they all raise a single hand into the air. The lights go out. While in the pitch darkness, one final lyric.

Entire Chorus:
Class is in session.

The house lights turn back on… the chorus is gone.

Lance:
Darren, I believe we just heard a challenge for DEFCON!

DDK:
In the most unique of forms, Lance… but yes. It sounds like Ned Reform, who had a chance to become our FIST of DEFIANCE two weeks ago but had it pulled out from under him by Lindsay Troy, wants a match against the Queen of the Ring at DEFCON!

Darren Quimbey:
This match is for one fall! Introducing first… from The Hague, Netherlands… weighing in at one-hundred-forty-eight pounds… she is the BRAZEN Woman’s Champion… Eva Vandegaar!

♫ “Iron” by Within Temptation ♫

Vandegaar emerges from the FIST logo and marches down the rampway.

DDK:
We’ve seen Eva in DEFIANCEtv action once more. No doubt this will be her biggest test yet, a singles match against a former Favored Saints and two-time Tag Team Champion!

Lance:
Absolutely a big match for her. She looks ready!

Tank Girl slides into the ring, raises her hands and eyes referee Mark Shields, as if to wonder with her own body language what she did wrong to score this guy as her official. Needless to say, her theme song closes and it’s replaced by another.

♫ “300 Violin Orchestra” by Jorge Quintero ♫

Darren Quimbey:
And her opponent… from Toronto, Ontario, Canada… weighing in at two-hundred-ten pounds… TYLER FUSE!

A similar, no-nonsense entrance for Fuse as he walks out from behind the FIST logo and down the rampway…

…Wearing the Flying Frenchie’s bloody beret once again.

The boos are deafening.

DDK:
Well, like we needed the reminder. Last we saw Tyler, he was in France…

Brief split-screen footage airs of the brutal attack Tyler and his henchmen played in the ambush of the Flying Frenchie.

Lance: <i>[concerned]</i>
Any word on Pierre’s status?

The split-screen finishes with the last seconds of footage - The Game Boy raising his massive boot overtop of Frenchie’s head, just about to crash it down into Frenchie’s skull as he lies helplessly on the floor of his now trashed lounge. The feed cuts as Game Boy’s boot comes crashing down…

DDK:
None. I- I don’t know if we’ll ever see Pierre again.

Lance:
You said that last time.

DDK:
Last time he wasn’t attacked by six men! Last time he didn’t face a home invasion!

Lance:
But last time he <i>was</i> left laying in a pool of his own blood! You say this like the last attack was pulled from a Disney movie.

DDK:
Regardless, that last attack put Pierre on the shelf for TWO FULL years.

Tyler reaches the end of the rampway, rolls under the bottom rope and points at Mark Shields while his theme music closes. He tosses the bloody beret to the time keeper’s table, where Darren Quimbey is able to make an impressive catch and place it beside the bell.

Inside the ring, the referee catches on, Tyler Fuse wants the match to start. Mark calls for the bell!

DING DING

POP!

DDK:
OH MY GOD! Vandegaar marched over and cracked Tyler in the jaw! He’s OUT!

The Faithful are ALIVE as Fuse falls onto his back and Eva looks around. Then she drops to her knees, hooks a leg and makes the cover!

ONE!

TWO!

LAST SECOND KICKOUT!

DDK:
Wow, she almost had him!

Lance:
She’s not done, Keebs!

Indeed. Vandegaar peels Fuse off the mat and hurls him into the ropes. Just to ensure Tyler doesn’t get any offence going, Vandegaar follows Fuse into the ropes and then knees him in the stomach the MILLISECOND Fuse bounces off them. Tyler flies over Eva’s knee and crashes back-first to the canvas. Vandegaar storms over, pulls Tyler up and lands a perfectly placed snap suplex.

She holds on and hits another!

She holds on and hits a falcon arrow suplex into a pin!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

Vandegaar whips Tyler into the ropes and connects with a powerslam! The crowd continues to cheer as this match is all, shockingly, Eva Vandegaar! She rises, brushes herself off and bounces into the ropes…

Big splash and another pin!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

Lance:
I don’t mind this strategy, partner. It’s a few quick moves and a pin. If Eva can steal this victory, what would that do for her career!?

Vandegaar tosses Fuse into a corner. She comes roaring in but this time Tyler is there and catches her with a back elbow smash! Vandegaar stumbles into the center of the ring, as Tyler sprints out…

He’s caught in another powerslam!

AND PIN!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

By now, the stoic face on Tyler shows <i>some</i> concern, as he looks up at Mark Shields, glossy eyed and wondering if he was actually able to kickout. (He was.) Regardless, Eva has Tyler on the ropes again, literally. She’s hooked his arms around the top rope and begins to SMACK the ever living shit outta his chest. ONE. TWO. THREE. FOUR. The crowd counts along while Tyler SCREAMS at Mark Shields to start his own count, since he’s tied up in the ropes and this is clearly an illegal use of the ring!

Mark doesn’t know his ass from his face, though. Therefore, he can’t catch on to what Tyler is trying to say.

Mark Shields: <i>[not getting it]</i>
Yeah, Ty! She does seem like a badass!

The smacks are nearing TEN, before the final blow is made and then Eva breaks Fuse free from the ropes and hip tosses him to the center of the ring. She measures the former gamer and then dropkicks Tyler square in the back. She throws Fuse upright and into another snap suplex when this time Tyler blocks it, breaks free and cracks Vandegaar in the jaw with a left hand! Fuse knees Vandegaar in the stomach so she doubles over. Then Fuse delivers an axe handle smash, putting the BRAZEN Woman’s Champion on her knees.

Fuse hits the ropes.

WHAM!

Dropkick into her face!

Lance:
Damn. Looks like that may do it!

The replays show the dropkick hitting SQUARE in Vandegaar’s face. She’s definitely out.

The OG Player rises off the canvas. He points to Mark as if to tell the ref to get ready before peeling Eva off the mat and looking for his running bulldog… when Vandegaar gains a second wind and pushes Fuse off! The former Favored Saints Champion stumbles into the ropes, landing on his own two feet when Vandegaar comes racing in with a forearm shot!

Tyler’s spit files from his mouth. Vandegaar whips Fuse into the canvas with a biel toss!

DDK:
WOW!

The crowd gives a MASSIVE ovation as the Tank Girl DEADLIFTS Tyler’s body in the air and connects with a German suplex…

Into a bridge and another pin!

ONE!

TWO!

LAST SECOND KICKOUT!

Eva Vandegaar won’t let the kickout bother her. She pounds on her chest and shouts into the rafters before finding Tyler Fuse and-

WHAM!

Tyler with a leaping knee into the bottom of Vandegaar’s jaw. This stuns the BRAZEN champ, as she fumbles back a couple of steps.

Lance:
Hell of a knee!

Fuse trips Vandegaar onto the mat with a drop toe hold. Tyler has a sour look on his face. He kicks Vandegaar in the chest and then places her into a powerbomb position.

WHAM!

A delayed powerbomb follows, as he hoists her up in the air for some time before crashing them both to the mat.

Tyler isn’t done.

A scowl now firmly planted on his face, Fuse whips Vandegaar onto his shoulders and proceeds with a death valley driver.

Lance:
Hold on just a second…

The elder Fuse positions Vandegaar in the middle of the canvas before pointing to the top rope, a place where he often <i>does not</i> go.

DDK:
Moves typically reserved for his brother.

Lance:
I- I think Tyler’s taken Frenchie’s moveset! Starting with the drop toe hold, the famous one Flying Frenchie does. It was performed in a similar action. I believe since, every move Tyler’s hit has been from Pierre’s own arsenal!

DDK:
He didn’t say Weapon Get?

Lance:
He didn’t have to!

And Lance Warner is definitely on to something because once on the top buckle, Tyler smirks. He points to the bloody beret at the time keeper’s table…

Then flies off the ropes with a leg drop!

Connects perfectly.

Fuse covers Vandegaar.

ONE.

TWO.

THREE.

DING DING DING

Darren Quimbey:
Here is your winner… Tyler Fuse!

♫ “300 Violin Orchestra” by Jorge Quintero ♫

The crowd boos as Tyler’s theme song starts. He rolls to the side and looks at Eva, shaking his head. Is he shaking it because she couldn’t get it done? Or is he shaking it because she brought it to him in the opening stages of the match?

DDK:
You have to give Eva credit. She came out guns-a-blazin’!

Lance:
Oh, indeed. It was not easy. In the end, however, Tyler takes Frenchie’s moves and here… we… are???

Lance’s voice fades as Tyler’s theme song comes to a close. Fuse exited the ring and just as he’s about to retrieve his bloody beret, the lights go out.

The crowd cheers!

But moments later, there is a spotlight shown in the middle of the ring. A singular spotlight…

And then a clean, new, crisp beret drops from the rafters and into that same spot, filling the void.

The crowd cheers again, but the lights come back on. Tyler’s theme song picks up where it left off.

Meanwhile, outside the ring, Fuse looks into the squared circle and that clean, new beret just sitting there. He shakes his head. He laughs it off.

Fuse picks up his bloody beret, places it on his head and begins to make his exit.

DDK:
What was that all about?

Lance:
I’m not sure, but it doesn’t seem like it bothered Tyler Fuse one bit. And why would it? Last we saw of Pierre Delacroix, he was getting his head caved in…

Subscribe to DEFonDEMAND today! DEFY CABLE!

♫ “Fantasy” by Aldo Nova ♫

One-minute-forty-seconds in, we are greeted with a screeching electric guitar by Aldo Nova and with it, the words on the DEFI-A-TRON clarify who’s coming. To the beat of the cords, the words appear and then disappear each time.

ADULT
Conor

ADULT
Conor

ADULT
Conor

ADULT.
Conor.
Fuse.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS follow, as a lift rises from the center of the stage where another man is dressed in a three-piece baby blue suit. He holds a similar brown leather bag.

ADULT Conor Fuse.

City nights, summer breeze makes you feel all right
Neon lights, shining brightly, make your brain ignite
See the girls with the dresses so tight
Give you love, give you love if the price is right
Black or white, in the streets, there’s no wrong and no right, no!

DDK:
Well, partner. This is the third time we’ve seen this introduction but it’s the first time there are no dancers to accompany Conor.

Lance:
Nor LIVE music from Aldo himself!

Fuse starts marching down the rampway.

Outta sight, buy your kicks from the man in the white
Feels all right, powder pleasure in your nose tonight
See the men paint their faces and cry
Like some girl, like some girl, it makes you wonder why
City life sure is cool, but it cuts like a knife, it’s your life!

DDK:
This is a serious Conor.

Lance:
Dare I say… an ADULT?

DDK:
Well, I’m not so sure. That may be a stretch. We all witnessed his meltdown backstage.

Lance:
Adulthood didn’t happen overnight for me, Keebs. I would say Conor needs to grow into his role, too…

BOOM. BOOM. BANG!

Regardless of how serious Conor might look right now, there’s still too much pyro!

The ADULT arrives at the apron, as he carefully marches up the steel steps and into the ring.

So, forget all that you see
It’s not reality
It’s just a fantasy

Fuse slips in-between the top and middle rope, no longer jumping over them to display his amazing agility. He’s clearly moved on. He stands in the center of the ring as his theme song finishes up…

Can’t you see what this crazy life is doing to me?
Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?
Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?

Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?
Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?

CRACKLE, CRACKLE! BOOM, BOOM, BOOOOOOMMMM, BANG!

MOAR pyro!

Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?
Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?
Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?
Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?

The music dies down but The Faithful, however, do not.

NOT AN ADULT, clap-clap-clap-clap-clap.
NOT AN ADULT, clap-clap-clap-clap-clap.
NOT AN ADULT, clap-clap-clap-clap-clap.

Fuse stands there, alone and unamused. He reveals a microphone and gets to it…

ADULT Conor Fuse:
ADULTS don’t waste time. ADULTS don’t need to go on a twenty-minute preamble.

Fuse points to the back.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
DAN RYAN… COME. ON. OUT!

The crowd is hyped as the legend’s theme song immediately plays after.

♫ “Daddy’s Home” by JT Music ♫

Light suddenly blasts downward from the ceiling over the imposing figure of impending DOOM. Dan Ryan is dressed in his full ring gear and dark aviator sunglasses. Looking brooding as always, he marches down.

DDK:
There is definitely a serious tone here, between both men.

Lance:
Do you think Ryan was a little P.O.’ed because Conor didn’t instantly accept his match two weeks ago?

DDK:
Maybe but I think that might be a stretch. Dan had to have known Conor was going to be blindsided by the offer. But I also think Dan wants to, and deserves to receive an answer right here, right now.

Lance:
Yes. Conor can complain about Dan not being a part of his group, but to be the LAST MAN to wrestle Dan Ryan in a DEFIANCE ring? That’s extremely honorable!

Ryan reaches ringside. He pulls himself onto the apron and then steps over the top rope as his theme music comes to a close…

The Hall of Famer walks right in front of The ADULT.

There are a few HOLY SHIT chants and some DAN RYAN chants, too. There’s even fuck FUCK ‘EM UP, RYAN, FUCK ‘EM UP screams and pleads.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the ring, a rather disgruntled, yet serious Conor Fuse does not back down. Instead, he pulls the mic to his mouth.

Fuse takes a deep breath and stares into Ryan’s chest so he doesn’t have to raise his head any further.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
Dan. My friend, Dan…

Conor clutches the suitcase in his right hand and mic in his other.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
After all we’ve been through, ol’ buddy, ol’ pal. I thought you were going to JOIN ALONGSIDE ME. I thought we were gonna MAKE THE DREAM HAPPEN and own this place like we always wanted!

Fuse grumbles under his breath.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
You and my brother have had your differences… but it’s been based out of COMBAT. He cost you the FIST of DEFIANCE. If the roles were reversed, you’d have NO DOUBT done the same thing!

While Ryan stares down at Conor, it’s hard for him not to give a faint little nod at that thought. Fuse is likely right.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
As an ADULT, Dan, I am, therefore, going to be honest with you…

Conor lifts his head from Dan’s chest to his head.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
When you told me you weren’t going to join Outer Heaven like we INTENDED… I wanted to kill you. I wanted to stab you in the back so f’n bad… leave you ROTTING in the middle of the ring.

Anger starts to fill Conor’s face as he speaks.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
End you. Watch your last month of active wrestling tick down into nothing. At that moment, I felt like it’s what you deserved. You stabbed me in the back with your words, so I’d do the same with my actions. Christ, I wouldn’t even have to get your blood on my hands. I wanted to sic Cyrus on you!

Conor stops and shakes his head in shame.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
But we all know how that would’ve gone…

Fuse laughs at the thought, the clear notion Cyrus Bates would have failed miserably. Then the ADULT gets back on track.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
Anyway, I said I wanted to be honest with you. It’s what ADULTS do. So here I am, being honest…

Conor stands on his tippy toes and gets right into Dan Ryan’s face.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
I [BEEP]ing HATED YOU AND I WANTED YOU TO DIE!!!

There’s serious, growing tension throughout the entire arena…

Until ADULT Conor Fuse lowers himself, takes a step back, and calms the hell down.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
But I was wrong. Which is why I never did any of what I just mentioned. Which is why I was speaking in PAST TENSE. Because that ain’t me right now.

Conor starts nodding to himself.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
You are giving me HONOUR. You are giving me a BADGE of honour. Something that will stay with me for the rest of my career. You are strapping me to a rocket. You are sending me into outer space. Sure, it’s not OUTER Heaven space… but it’s space nonetheless.

Fuse laughs.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
I’d expect nothing more than a man who calls his home HOUSTON.

Conor keeps nodding along.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
I digress. As an ADULT, I needed to grow up. I needed to realize that not everything is gonna go my way. You, Dan, you ARE my friend and you will ALWAYS be my friend. You are giving me a lesson I’ll NEVER forget!

Conor has major momentum in his speech. He keeps going. He’s shed the anger. Instead, he’s finding confidence and excitement!

ADULT Conor Fuse:
I appreciate learning from you in High Octane Wrestling and it is one-hundred-percent humbling that YOU came to DEFIANCE…

He pauses. He lowers his voice.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
For me.

And he stops to let the moment breathe.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
ADULTS need to realize the ever changing landscape within their emotions and reality. Therefore, my FRIEND, I was silly and childish to want to respond in those backstabbing ways!

Fuse puts up his hand.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
But I didn’t do any of it. And I stand before you, right here and now…

The ADULT raises the suitcase in his hand. He sticks the mic under his neck to retrieve a slip of paper before taking the mic back with his free hand.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
DEFCON. And it’s not just any DEFCON, it’s the biggest DEFCON in the history of DEFIANCE! Biggest show ever! This summer DEFIANCE is going to be fifteen years old. It’s almost becoming an ADULT, too. Eighty-thousand strong inside the Superdome. And you… you chose little ol’ me to be your last DEFIANCE wrestling match?

Conor sticks the paper in front of the legend.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
I accept.

The Faithful explode!

ADULT Conor Fuse:
Hell, put LT in your corner, I’ll have No Pressure Cyrus in mine. While you won’t join our ranks, NPC will watch two REAL ADULTS wrestle. Through our actions, Dan, Cyrus will learn to become the man he was supposed to be!

Conor closes his eyes and tilts his head back. He grins just thinking about it.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
You want the match? I am not only honored, I am not only ON… I will give you the greatest wrestling match of my career!

Dan looks down and smiles just slightly, then looks back up at Conor.

Dan Ryan:
You know Conor, you’re right, I did spring that on you. The truth is, I wanted to see how you would react. I know what it feels like to be blindsided like that, and it’s moments like that where we find out who we really are, where I found out who you really are. I have no doubt you wanted to take a shot at me right there in that ring. You’re a proud man, and you deserve the truth. So here’s the God’s honest truth, Conor. We’ve been through a lot. You started out as a wide-eyed kid following me around the locker room like a lost puppy. You blossomed into a multiple-time World Champion, and now, you’re here, and when I came back, yes, I came back for you, because you needed me. But the man I’m looking at in this ring right now doesn’t need me anymore. You’re ready to do this without me, and my time is coming to an end. I want to end this in the way I want to end it, and that’s why I chose you for this match. In the great big history of my career, I could have dug in deep and chosen anyone to finish my time in DEFIANCE with. I’m choosing you. I’m glad you accepted. Let’s make it one for the history books.

The ADULT agrees, as he smiles what looks to be a really genuine smile.

And the two shake hands.

Ryan’s theme song begins but just as he’s stepping over the top rope, Conor interjects.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
Hold on! Sorry, everyone! Sorry, Dan! Hold on.

The theme music is cut. Ryan remains on the apron before he is waved back into the ring by yours truly.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
I wanted to show you there really ARE no hard feelings. I want to offer you the most humble truce I can…

DDK:
Where’s he going with this?

ADULT Conor Fuse:
A couple years ago, when you first came back to DEFIANCE, you wanted to team with me…

Conor looks at his wristwatch.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
According to my watch, friend… we still have time.

Ryan seems intrigued.

ADULT Conor Fuse:
I spoke to the Favored Saints and I have you and I booked for a UNIFIED Tag Team Championship match in two weeks. The LAST EVER televised DEFIANCE match for Dan Ryan will see him and his friend, ADULT Conor Fuse, win the belts they were supposed to win over two years ago! And then come DEFCON, you and I will enter and wrestle as the Tag Team Champions!

The crowd cheers. The announcers seem taken back. Needless to say, Dan nods along, shakes Conor’s hand once more and…

ADULT Conor Fuse:
Now play my friend’s music!

So it plays. Ryan exits the ring, all while ADULT Conor Fuse stands in the middle of it, clapping the legend up the rampway before DEFtv goes backstage.

To the parking lot we go! 

With Christie Zane trying to keep pace with two people trying to get into a limo… 

Nay. 

Two VERY tall people. 

Christie Zane:
Hey! 

Christie catches the SO-US Champion walking towards a limo on their way out of the building for the night. 

Christie Zane:
Uriel! Titaness! Can I get a word about what happened earlier? 

Titaness is the first one to answer. 

Titaness:
Christie! Oh! Hi! Hubby and I were just on our way to the airport… seeing as how there’s no current contenders for OUR SO-US Championship!

Uriel Cortez:
I was kinda rooting for Corvo Alpha myself. I haven’t forgotten what happened last time we were in a title match together… 

Christie Zane:
You and the entire Titanes Familia ASSAULTED Douglas and Corvo. You don’t think that might have to do with you not having a contender? 

Uriel Cortez:
Not at all. Now if you’ll excuse us, we gotta hit the airport early cause we booked a trip to Maui, bay-beh! Mil’s gonna hold things down with the rest of the Familia tonight and Killjoy’s gonna slaughter Dex Joy. It’s gonna be hilarious. 

Realizing that she’s not getting anywhere with this, Christie is about to walk away from the gleeful pair… 

Titaness:
Wait… girl worked hard and approached us Talls for a word. Can I go ahead and tell her now? 

Uriel Cortez:
Awww, what the heck. 

The Motherly Saint turns to address Christie. 

Titaness:
We’re tired of Scott Douglas. We’re tired of Corvo Alpha. We’re tired of these two trying to get involved in Familia Business and thinking they’re gonna take OUR SO-US! THEY do not make the rules. 

Uriel Cortez:
We do. Tell ‘em, honey. 

Titaness looks down at Christie. 

Titaness:
But because I’m a great mother and kind of a saint around here… I heal families, you know… I will BLESS Corvo Alpha and Scott Douglas with one more opportunity to earn a shot. Tag team match in two weeks. If they win… they’ll BOTH be graced with a SO-US Championship match at DEFCON! 

Christie Zane:
Against you and Uriel Cortez?

Uriel Cortez:
No, no, no… they barked up that tree and lost already. We’re gonna give two, young giant Talls a chance to prove themselves. I’m gonna get in the limo. 

Titaness:
Go ahead, love. 

They tap their titles together as the gargantuan Papa Tez crouches down to step inside the limo. 

Titaness:
If Douglas and Corvo want a crack at these titles at DEFCON against us, they’ll take the challenge. Like Uri said, they’re gonna face off against two men that are looking for a huge opportunity to face two stars of their caliber. 

She starts to follow Uriel and Titaness.

Christie Zane:
Wait… who are they facing? 

The window opens. 

Titaness:
Oh! Sorry! The Big Boss Dan… sorry, this ride is moving! 

The limo inches away, but the last words can be heard. 

Titaness:
AND ROWZILLA!

Christie Zane:
WHAT… WAIT?! DOES THAT MEAN… DOES THAT MEAN ROWZILLA IS A MEMBER OF TITANES FAMILIA?!

But the limo is gone before she can get an answer. 

DDK:
After what has been a raucous night tonight … we’ve seen things I can’t even believe! But tonight, Dex Joy is out for payback after what happened a couple weeks ago! Dex Joy and Janna Ray took on Mil Vueltas and Brooklynn Rivera when the shocking appearance of Kill or Be Killed led to the victory!

Lance:
Dex Joy demanded any member of this new sub-group of the Familia … calling themselves Mil or Be Killed! We have a first match of its kind in DEFIANCE Wrestling! The Battle of the Joys! Dex … versus Kill!

Without any more warning we’re already off to entrances! Four words appear on the DEFIAtron that bring The Faithful to their feet as Darren Quimbey gets to the in-ring introductions! Words form on the screen made of blue and yellow lightning…

SHAKE
HANDS
BECOME
LADS!!!

♫ “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” by WAR ♫

One by one, DEFIANCE’s friendliest group walk out! “The Ray of Sunshine” Janna Ray, throwing her hands up in the sky! Punch Drunk Purcell, throwing his MMA-glove covered hands to the sky and rocking a blue and yellow boxing robe with his brand new SUPER SMACK! Superheavyweight Championship! Janna signals for Punchy to smile and he does, though half-heartedly… and “The Biggest Boy” Dex Joy!

Janna Ray crosses her hands in front of her to shake hands with both Punchy and Dex…

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

And different shades of blue and yellow pyro explode on stage!

Darren Quimbey:
The following match is set for one fall! Introducing first … Accompanied to the ring by Punch Drunk Purcell and Janna Ray … from Los Angeles, California weighing in at three-hundred and eight pounds … he is a Triple Crown winner in DEFIANCE Wrestling … “THE BIGGEST BOY” DEEEXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX … JOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

The Biggest Boy is flanked by Janna Ray and the Super Smack! Superheavyweight Champion Dex looks ready to take on the world!

Lance:
I do not envy Dex Joy tonight! He has had his share of big meaty battles against big meaty men, but tonight … he must face off with the Familia’s three-hundred and fifty-pound killer!

DDK:
The two couldn’t be further apart! And don’t forget… in just a few weeks time… It will be Titanes Familia against The Lads at DEFCON in FAMILIA FEUD RULES II! And we know the participants are going to be! Dex Joy! Janna Ray! Punch Drunk Purcell and a partner to be named … against Mil Vueltas, The Big Boss Dan and Kill or Be Killed!

Lance:
That’s why tonight is so important! The Lads have been at the throats of Titanes Familia going back a year. They want to end this conflict for good!

Ms. Joy’s Baby Boy takes center stage!

Dex Joy:
Killjoy! Killgore! Mil-Gore! Mil-Joy! Mil Vueltas! Hell, I don’t care if it’s MIL-HOUSE! Bring your Familia backsides down to this ring cause they’re gonna be getting REAL REAL COZY with my size thirteens, pally!

♫ “Bigger Man” by Konrad OldMoney, Droox, Taelor Yung ♫

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The Indy Faithful do not share the affinity for Mexico City did for Mil Vueltas a few moments ago. For once, the self-proclaimed DEFIANCE’s Biggest Hero! He has Brooklynn Rivera in her new graffiti-tagged black and gold jacket and spraypaint and The Big Boss Dan behind him.

DDK:
How they can look so smug after what they did earlier tonight to Scott Douglas and Corvo Alpha?! They helped The SO-US deal with the competition and now dealing with The Lads!

A white spotlight shines up on stage on Mil as the music cuts.

Mil Vueltas:
Dexy, Dexy, Dexy… amigo… tonight… you face The Future of the Familia! You face… mi querido sobrino! You face one half of the DEFIANCE Rookie of the Year 2025 … you face… HIM!

♫ War (Viking Chant) - Peyton Parrish ♫

A red mist creeps over the stage and behind Siofra emerges two shadows: Kilgore - the focused, face-painted monster. Not far behind, the half-Native American monster, Killjoy, adorning a brand new black and red mask obscuring his entire face!

Darren Quimbey:
And his opponent, representing… MIL OR BE KILLED… being accompanied by Siofra and Kilgore… From Crowheart, Wyoming, weighing in at THREE-HUNDRED FIFTY POUNDS… KILLJOY!

The 6’10” masked monster approaches the ring. He starts to head down the ramp as Dex Joy, Punch Drunk Purcell and Janna Ray watch on. Now with a new addition to their gear, both Killjoy and Kilgore have matching black vests with gold spikes on the shoulders. They turn around and show off the phrase on the back of their vests in gold:

“RUN”

DDK:
That message is clear, but run is the one thing that Dex Joy will NEVER do! The man who spent months running through every then-member of Vae Victis to take the FIST of DEFIANCE from an unstoppable Lindsay Troy!

Siofra and Kilgore watch Killjoy climb onto the apron. He gets inside and faces off with Dexy Baby …

DING DING

THE BULLS COLLIDE AT THE BELL AND START THROWING BOMBS!!!

DDK:
Here we go! This match is tonight’s main event and we aren’t going to be seeing any headlocks and scientific takedowns here!

Killjoy and Dex Joy are throwing big right hands against one another in a big ol’ hockey fight in the middle of the ring! The shots rain out without either one being able to stop until Dex finally crouches after an oncoming right. He backs up and hits a headbutt on Killjoy and follows with a huge shot gun drop kick right to the chest! Killjoy is kicked backwards into the corner and almost gets taken off his feet! Dex stands up to cheers from the DEFIANCE Wrestling Faithful! 

Lance:
Look at Dexy Baby go already! He knew he had come out with something big to turn the tide early and that signature shot gun drop kick did the trick!

DDK:
And now Dexy is going for broke!

With all three-hundred plus pounds of his frame he charges and unleashes a jumping splash in the corner and crushes the Future of the Familia! The Good Son is stunned from the splash when Dex starts to ascend to the middle turnbuckle. He grabs the hair of Killjoy and throws up a fist for the DEFIANCE Wrestling Faithful! At ringside, Punchy and Janna count along with the people!

ONE!!! TWO!!! THREE!!! FOUR!!! FIVE!!! SIX!!! SEVEN!!! EIGHT!!! NINE!!! TEN!!!

And because Dexy Baby is an upstanding wrestler and shining example of following the rules, he leaves the corner when the referee tells him to!

DDK:
We’re seeing Dex Joy hit the big guns early here! He has Killjoy rocked!

Dex wraps a pair of hands around the waist of Killjoy in an attempt for a belly to belly suplex. Surprisingly even for Dex, this gets countered quickly when Killjoy drops elbows on the top of his dome. Dex is stunned from the elbows and then gets the scare of his life…

LARIATOOOOOOOO!!!

Lance:
Oh, no! Killjoy returns fire with that big lariat off the ropes!

Mil Vueltas leads the charge from ringside and then points towards Dex Joy. Killjoy nods and from one Joy to another, he grabs him Dexy Baby by the neck and pulls him up and tackles him right into the corner. Big punches to the body follow from both sides now and Ms. Joy’s Baby Boy finds himself in a world of trouble with the gigantic Familia member teeing off on him. Killjoy grabs Dex by the neck and starts to rake his eyes across the top rope and gets screams from Dexy Baby as he does this. Dex is then taken into the nearest corner and then gets boxed some more. He holds onto the neck of Dex and pulls him out of the corner by an inverted facelock and then drives a massive hammer-like forearm into his heart!

DDK:
Two big hits! And Killjoy has Dex Joy right where he wants him in that corner.

Janna and Punchy cheer on The Biggest Boy from their side of the ring while the entire Familia on the other side does the same for their chosen monster. Killjoy has Dex up by the arms. He whips Dex towards the corner with ill intent…

DDK:
Dex gets shot to the corner … COMES BACK WITH A LARIAT OF HIS OWN!!! HE TAKES KILLJOY OFF HIS FEET!!!

”RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!”

Not a person isn’t cheering right now in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Dex as he gets back up and points towards the Good Son. Mil Vueltas and company at ringside are completely shocked that Dex was able to take Killjoy off his feet unsuspectingly like that, but the Triple Crown winner has ideas in mind!

Dex Joy:
YOU’S ABOUT TO GET THE WHOOPIN’ PAPA TEZ SHOULDA GIVEN YOU!!!

Killjoy is in the corner now when Dex comes right at him and lands a speeding clothesline right in the corner. Killjoy is rocked when Dex Joy grabs his neck and is taken from the corner. He follows with a headbutt! A second headbutt! A third headbutt! A fourth headbutt! All this to bring Killjoy to his knees. Dex hits the ropes and comes back with a flying cannon ball take down on the Good Son!

DDK:
Dex with this offensive flurry has just taken down Killjoy!

Dexy Baby tries to secure the win!

One … 

Two … 

NO!!!

The larger half of the Kill or Be Killed duo kicks out! 

Lance:
It’s scary power like that that made Kill or Be Killed the Rookies of the Year for 2025! Their destructive power is great but their potential is limitless still!

DDK:
Oh what is he doing?! Get him off the apron ref!

What Darren is talking about is Mil Vueltas now climbing on the apron. 

Mil Vueltas:
YOU NO HERO, PUTA!!! ME! SIOFRA! KILLERS! WE HEROES YOU DON’T DESER … AHHH!!! LET GO!!!! LET GO!!!

Dex has Mil by his neck but he has left himself wide open for Killjoy to clock him from behind with an elbow! Mil leaps off the apron.

Mil Vueltas:
GOOD KIDDO! GET EM SLUGGER!!!

The Biggest Boy is pushed into the corner. Killjoy pulls back a hand …

THWACK!

…and DEVASTATES Dex Joy with a massive chop across the chest! The entire Indy Faithful seem to feel it as they collectively wince. Dex eats the chop and STILL tries to fight back, but Killjoy lands a stiff headbutt… 

THWACK!

…and another chop! With the second set of shots stunning him, Killjoy RUNS across the ring to the other side and comes back full speed ahead with a crushing body avalanche in the corner!

Lance:
Look at the speed off that move! That’s incredible for a man that big!

And things go from bad to worse when Killjoy hits the ropes! Dexy Baby is dragged out of the corner and gets CRUSHED by a huge flying cross body from the 350-pound Killjoy! After landing the move, the monster gets to a knee and lets out a roar to the masses!

DDK:
THAT MIGHT BE IT!

At ringside, both Janna and Punchy show concern for their fellow Lad as Killjoy makes the cover!

Lance:
This could be the biggest singles win of Killjoy’s career!

ONE!

TWO!

TH… NO!

It’s close as Dex gets the shoulder up!

DDK:
That was only the first cover of the match and we ALMOST had a winner there!

Mil, The Big Boss Dan, Kilgore, Siofra and Brooklynn continue to watch on with Mil signalling for the big man to wrap things up! Killjoy nods and then he ducks down to apply a tight cobra clutch submission!

Lance:
That’s incredible! How the heck did he get Dex Joy up for that?!

Killjoy then drops to a knee, DROPPING Dex Joy over his shoulders with a cobra clutch backbreaker! Joy’s back gets wrenched by the big man! Mil signals for him to make another cover!

DDK:
I don’t think I’ve seen that kind of a move! That might do it here!

With both arms pressed down on The Biggest Boy’s chest, Killjoy looks for the big win!

ONE!

TWO!

…KICKOUT!

”RRRRRRRRAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

Lance:
Dex kicks out again! Killjoy is throwing everything at the Biggest Boy tonight, but he will not quit! Not after everything the Familia have done!

At the urging of his fellow Lads, Janna Ray and Punch Drunk Purcell cheer on Dex, but Killjoy applies a bearhug mid-ring and starts shaking the former FIST of DEFIANCE in his grip!

Mil Vueltas:
BREAK HIM IN HALF! ¡RÓMPELO EN DOS!

DEXY BABY! Clap x5
DEXY BABY! Clap x5
DEXY BABY! Clap x5
DEXY BABY! Clap x5

Lance:
This place is coming alive! Every match he has out here, he energizes these people! This is what Big Dex Energy is all about!

DDK:
But he better find a way out of this hold or the battery’s going to be on empty!

Fueled by the DEFIANCE Wrestling Faithful Dex boxes the ears of the big monster. When one strike doesn’t do it he fires twice! He then gets his around Killjoy and he uses all the power he can to rip the three-hundred fifty pound beast to the canvas with a belly to belly side suplex! The Indianapolis Faithful are roaring!

Lance:
Dex Joy did it! He countered the bear hug and he takes down Killjoy with that belly to belly side suplex. Is there anything left in the tank for Dex to fight back with?!

DDK:
If he has a plan, now’s the time to use it!

Dex Joy unleashes his plan and that is going to the outside. He goes to the ring closer to the Lads to keep any member of the Familia on the other side from doing what he’s planning next. He gets to the top rope …

Lance:
What is Dex Joy going to do here?!

The answer …

MISSILE DROP KICK!!!

DDK:
AMAZING!!! MISSILE DROP KICK FROM DEX JOY TO KILLJOY!!! AND KILLJOY IS OUTSIDE THE RING!!!

The masked monster has been knocked out of the ring and taken to the floor with the rest of the Familia scrambling. Dex Joy fights slowly to his feet after having his back tenderized by Killjoy. Tonight, there is no whoa-pe from the people because Dex Joy just runs to the ropes and then he jumps right to the outside!!!

DDK:
WHOA-PE!!! NO WASTING TIME ON THE CHANT TONIGHT! HE’S NOT GIVING KILLJOY ANY BREATHING ROOM!!!

Dex goes to grab Killjoy but before he can, Kilgore stands in between he and his tag team partner daring the Biggest Boy to make a move!

”BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Siofra joins him and yells at Dex to make a move.

Siofra:
Take your best shot big boy!

Dex Joy:
Big-gest Boy thank you!

The Big Boss Dan stands next to him with Mil Vueltas and Brooklynn Rivera at the ready too!

Mil Vueltas:
Outnumbered, amigo!

The Big Boss Dan gets turned around… 

AND GETS POWER SLAPPED BY PUNCH DRUNK PURCELL!!!

RRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

Lance:
PUNCH DRUNK PURCELL SHOWING OFF THAT SLAP-FIGHTING PROWESS HE’S BEEN SHOWING OFF IN SUPER SMACK! AND NOW HE’S AFTER KILGORE!

Janna Ray charges Brooklynn Rivera with a big spear! Now they’re fighting as well! Dex Joy goes to pick up Killjoy and hoists him into the ring. When he gets a foot on the ropes …

Lance:
There’s Mil Vueltas!

He snags Dex’s leg, but Dex pulls him up and delivers a huge hambone that knocks the top Familia star to the floor!

DDK:
Dex is in … OH! NO! WAIT!!! SPEAR BY KILLJOY!

Killjoy takes down Dex Joy! The referee ducks down to make the cover!

Lance:
Titanes Familia are going to steal one tonight!

ONE! 

TWO!

THRE… KICKOUT!!!

Killjoy sits up and he stares down the ref. The monster does not show emotion often but tonight he is flipping out!

DDK:
Killjoy thinks he had it! But Dex … Dex is up!

Killjoy continues to argue with the referee but when he turns around he gets taken off his feet by an explosive flying tackle that has the crowd on their feet!

DDK:
DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNER!!! HE JUST KNOCKED KILLJOY OFF HIS FEET!!! AND NOW HE’S GOING UP TOP!!! THE MOONSAULT CALLED JOY BUZZER IS COMING UP!

Dexy Baby starts to go to the top rope and climbs…

When all eyes are on the ringside area…

ROWZILLA steps through the curtains to check on The Big Boss Dan! Still rocked from being power slapped by Punch Drunk Purcell, he turns towards the ring! Dex Joy yells at Rowzilla!

DDK:
What’s he doing out here?!

Lance:
That interview from Uriel and Titaness before this match… there’s… there’s no way he’s joined the Familia, has he?! 

Kilgore and Purcell continue to duke it out alongside Brooklynn and Janna while Brian Slater yelles! Dex starts to climb when Mil climbs back up on the apron and SMACKS Dex right between the eyes with what looks like The Big Boss Dan’s baton!

DDK:
NO! SLATER NEVER SAW IT! MIL VUELTAS CRACKED DEX WITH THAT BATON HE JACKED FROM DAN!

Mil hops off the apron just as Killjoy gets back up! With Dex still dazed and hanging off the middle rope, he grabs onto Dex… and DRILLS him into the canvas with the FreeFall powerbomb!

DDK:
FREEFALL FROM KILLJOY! THERE’S NO WAY! THERE’S NO WAY!!!

Killjoy goes for the cover!

Lance:
THE FAMILIA ARE GOING TO STEAL THIS ONE AGAIN!!!

Killjoy with the cover!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

DING DING DING

The Faithful are in SHOCK! Killjoy yells out!

Darren Quimbey:
Your winner of this match … KILLLLLLLLLLLLJOY!!!

DDK:
DEX JOY HAS JUST BEEN DEFEATED BY KILLJOY THANKS TO THE ASSIST FROM MIL AND THE PRESENCE OF ROWZILLA!!! WHAT IS HE DOING OUT HERE?!

Punch Drunk Purcell jumps into the ring back after Killjoy and hits body shots on the Familia member… but out of nowhere, Mil Vueltas jumps in and catches Purcell with a low blow!

Kilgore is stumbling back to the ropes when Siofra leads the charge and points at Killjoy! Killjoy slowly picks himself back up and nods to Kilgore. They both grab onto Purcell by the throat!

DOUBLE CHOKESLAM!!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Lance:
This is nuts! Dex Joy had this match won and had Killjoy beat when Familia got involved!

Rowzilla just watches from outside at the damage being done! Janna Ray then goes after Mil Vueltas in the ring! She takes down Mil with a running shoulder tackle and starts unloading right hands onto the luchador!

DDK:
Janna Ray to the rescue! She’s got Mil!

But before she can get anywhere, she gets spun around and kicked square across the face! She gets stunned and then Killjoy grabs her …

DDK:
NO!!! NO, NO, NO …

FREEFALL POWERBOMB ON JANNA RAY!!!

Lance:
Titanes Familia have just lost it tonight! 

Dex Joy sees what’s just happened to Janna Ray as well and then goes nuts!!! He starts going after Killjoy and Kilgore, but The Big Boss Dan is back! He pulls out his baton and smacks Dex in the back with it twice! Soon, Brooklynn Rivera is involved and it’s a mugging!

DDK:
Try as they might, the numbers just aren’t with The Lads any more! It’s a five-on-three mugging out here with Siofra and Mil Vueltas leading the charge! And Rowzilla… he’s just standing by, WATCHING this!

He remains poker-faced, but the seven-foot three goliath doesn’t get involved. Mil is back up! Purcell and Janna are both laid out in opposite corners with only Dex Joy. Mil stands over Dex and points to the corner. He leaps up…

MOONSAULT DOUBLE STOMP TO THE RIBS!!!

DDK:
GLOATED! MIL JUST HIT GLOATED ON DEX JOY!

Mil rolls through the impactful move … but once isn’t enough! He gestures to Killjoy and Kilgore to outstretch Dex’s arms and legs. They do for the GLOAT to climb the ropes again …

Lance:
GLOATED NUMBER TWO!!!

A third and final try leads to Mil climbing to the top rope again… 

DING DING DING DING DING DING

DEFSec swarm down again but they are too little, too late…

GLOATED NUMBER THREE!!!

Mil hits the third consecutive moonsault double foot stomp on Dex Joy, then rolls to his feet! 

”BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

DDK:
DEFSEC HAVE HAD THEIR HANDS FULL TONIGHT! BETWEEN OSCAR BURNS AND RYAN BATTS… THE TAG TEAM MATCH … THE ATTACK ON BUTCHER VICTORIOUS … NOW THIS!

Mil Vueltas, Siofra, Killjoy, Kilgore, Rivera and The Big Boss Dan all stand in the ring and they take a bow! DEFSec swarm the ring, but the damage is done and the Familia takes their leave… but not before Mil grabs the microphone.

Mil Vueltas:
FAMILIA FEUD RULES II! DEFCON!!! CABRONS … LADS!!! YOU’LL BE FIGHTING BIG BOSS DAN …

Dan throws his hands up!

Mil Vueltas:
KILL OR BE KILLED …

Kilgore and Killjoy watch stoically at the damage they’ve caused.

Mil Vueltas:
AND ME!!!

He throws the microphone down and the six Familia members finally take their leave after the damage done!

Lance:
The Lads have been taken apart tonight by Titanes Familia! Look at the damage they caused! Scott Douglas! Corvo Alpha! Now the Lads! Something has to give!

DDK:
And who will The Lads have to help them!

They all leave. The Big Boss Dan reaches up and pats Rowzilla on the back. Mil does the same as he walks by. Brooklynn helps Siofra while Kilgore taps Killjoy on the chest with his fist. Killjoy throws his hands up!

DDK:
Who… who’s going to STOP the Familia? And they have ROWZILLA in the group, too?!

Rowzilla’s eyes are on the Lads, all three laid out inside the ring. He lets out a sigh and then follows rest of the Familia up the ramp!

DEFCON 2026: HOMECOMING Wednesday & Thursday, April 1 & 2 Caesars Superdome - New Orleans, Louisiana (82,000)

CARD AS IT STANDS...

Saturday Night Street Fight for the ACE of DEFIANCE
Pat Cassidy (c) vs Brock Newbludd

FAMILIA FEUD RULES II
Titanes Familia (Members TBA) vs The Lads (Dex Joy, Punch Drunk Purcell, Janna Ray, ???)

Dan Ryan DEFIANCE Retirement Match
Dan Ryan vs. ADULT Conor Fuse

More to come...

DDK:
It’s certainly been an action-packed evening, wouldn’t you say, Lance?

Lance:
Couldn’t agree more, Keebs. But before we wrap things up here, I think we’ve got one more thing to get to.

DDK:
Indeed we do! Because after being missing since the IMMORTALS crossover, ERIK BLACK -- aka REZIN -- is rumored to make an appearance here tonight to personally address the Faithful! 

Lance:
Only after all the “Rezin sightings” we’ve heard about these past several weeks, something tells me it won’t be that obnoxious “Reverend Black” persona we see here tonight.

DDK:
One can only hope! With all reports of random sightings from across the globe, I think it’s safe to say the Sacred Lamb is gone for good, and the Goat Bastard is finally back! 

Lance:
I’m still not quite sure how this is going to go down, given that we received word less than a week ago that he turned himself in to the authorities here in Indianapolis.

DDK:
Quite the surprising move for someone with such hostile tendencies toward institutes of authority. However, based on my understanding of the situation, an agreement was reached between Black and the Indianapolis Metro Police Department that he would be released under their authority for a limited amount of time in order to make a special statement here tonight.

Lance:
Could it be he just told them what they wanted to hear so he could give them the slip? Let’s not forget this is “the Escape Artist” we’re talking about.

DDK:
It’s possible… though I’m not sure why he’d surrender himself only to turn around and escape once again. 

“SQUAD!! MOVE OUT!!”

An authoritative voice suddenly cuts across the din of the arena…

Clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp!!

…and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse fills with the loud and rhythmic stomping of no fewer than three dozen heavy black boots as two rows of riot officers appear from around both edges of the curtained-off backstage area and file out across the stage. 

DDK:
Looks like it’s getting started!

The troopers are strapped in heavy black helmets and padded vests. The letters “IMPD” are clearly painted across their transparent polycarbonite shields.

Lance:
This looks a bit… excessive?

Once more, the commanding voice pierces the air through a bullhorn from one among the troops.

“ASSEMBLE DEFENSIVE PHALANX FORMATION, DELTA!!”

Clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp-clomp!!

The riot squad quickly form up, taking up fortified positions on either end of the stage with their shields focused toward the entry-way.

DDK:
Clearly, these guys aren’t taking any chances!

The squad commander appears, taking a moment to quietly assess the situation before raising the bullhorn once more.

Riot Squad Commander:
HIT THE LIGHTS!!

The spotlight hits the curtain.

Riot Squad Commander:
ANTI-PERSONNEL DEVICES… ARMED!!

A number of troops in the front rows power up their cattle prods.

After another prolonged pregnant pause, the squad commander raises a walkie talkie.

Riot Squad Commander:
…okay… send in the package.

Voices can be heard calling behind the curtain relaying the command.

”SEND IN THE PACKAGE!”

“Send in the package!”

“SEND in the PACKage…”

A beat.

Then… a faint rumble across the stage.

“CONTAINMENT UNIT INCOMING!”

“Containment unit incoming!”

“ConTAINment UNit inCOMing!”

The light rumble steadily escalates into a quake! Anticipation and excitement begins to ripple through the crowd. A few riot officers can be seen looking around with uncertainty.

DDK:
If I’m being honest, I’m not sure what’s about to happen here, fans…

Lance:
I’m right there with you, Keebs. DEFIANCE is going into uncharted territory tonight.

Riot Squad Commander:
TEAM, LOOK ALIVE!!

The curtains pull aside as a heavy duty forklift slowly rolls out from the backstage area, hauling out before it a MASSIVE METAL CUBE roughly half the size of a shipping container.

DDK:
Look at THAT!!

The walls of the giant box look to be made of thick steel, secured by a complicated network of electronic locks. It looks like it was made to imprison comic book supervillains.

Riot Squad Commander:
BEGIN CONTAINMENT UNIT DEPLOY ACTION ZERO SIX!!

The forklift lets out the persistent squeal of a klaxon as the “containment unit” is slowly lowered to the stage.

Riot Squad Commander:
TOUCHDOWN IN FIVE… FOUR… THREE… TWO… ONE…

WHOOMPH!!

The portable prison hits the stage with a resounding THUD.

Riot Squad Commander:
WHAT IS TARGET’S STATUS? REPORT!!

One riot trooper breaks from the ranks to operate a small viewscreen and keypad on the front of the secure containment unit. After pushing a sequence of buttons, the screen lights up to reveal the infrared outline of someone presumably held inside.

Riot Trooper:
Sir, target is contained, sir! All systems in the green, sir!

Once more, the riot squad commander seems just ever so slightly reluctant to proceed. After another beat, he raises the bullhorn again…

Riot Squad Commander:
RELEASE LOCK LEVEL LAMBDA BROWN THIRTEEN!!

The trooper at the panel hits another combination of buttons, pulling up a hand outline on the screen. The squad commander pulls off his glove and presses his hand onto the screen, prompting a series of green lights to flash.

KRR-HISSS!!!

With a deafening snap of released air, the containment unit suddenly SPLITS down its center. Jets of steam (or smoke?) plume through the cracks and gaps as the two divisions of the unit’s exterior steadily come apart, gradually revealing a smaller box within.

Lance:
There’s MORE?!

The next layer in this Russian nesting doll of a containment unit is fortified with metal bars that hum with electrical current and sheer mesh walls that barely obscure the silhouette of the individual within.

DDK:
There is DEFINITELY someone in there!

Riot Squad Commander:
RELEASE LOCK LEVEL OMNICRON PERIWINKLE SIX-SEVEN!!

Two more riot troopers slowly advance from either side of the pod. Their hands grip two matching electronic keys dangling from chains around their necks, which they insert into a set of slots. We hear a kid in the crowd yell out “SIX SEVEN!”

Riot Squad Commander:
THREE… TWO… ONE… INITIATE!!

In perfect synchronization, the troopers twist their keys. In an instant, the electrical hum fades, and a set of mechanical clamps around the front panel unlatch in sequence. A second later, the entire exterior wall falls flat onto the stage…

WHAMM!!

A human figure can be seen standing upright within. Black pants. Black straight jacket. Black hood. They appear to be bound in an almost comical amount of reinforced chains.

DDK:
Could THAT BE HIM??

Lance:
I don’t know, but I think they gave less security to Hannibal Lecter!

The body language among the ranks of riot troopers grows progressively anxious. 

Riot Squad Commander:
TARGET… STEP FORWARD!!

The imprisoned casually marches forward, out of the smaller box within a box. Two more sets of troopers approach and begin meticulously unfastening the network of chains, straps, and manacles binding his limbs.

Riot Squad Commander:
RELEASE LOCK LEVEL OMEGA ONYX--

SNAP!

One of the figure’s strait-jacketed arms suddenly comes LOOSE and extends itself! In the blink of an eye, the two troops tasked with unfettering his many bindings sprawl back into the safety of the human wall of riot guards.

Riot Squad Commander:
CODE RED!! CODE RED!! TARGET IS LOOSE!! I REPEAT, TARGET IS LOOSE!!

SNAP!

The other arm breaks free. Chains that had moments ago looked taut and secure now loosely fall from the hooded figure’s shoulders. The riot troopers nervously stand and watch the figure slowly undo the straps to the strait-jacket, ready to swarm in at the first sign of trouble.

Lance:
He could have broken out at ANY TIME if he wanted to!

Eventually, a set of tattooed HANDS are freed. They reach back and unzip the leather hood… before finally tearing it off.

“RRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!”

There’s no disingenuous smile on the familiar figure’s face. No cheap rug to hide the bare crest at the top of the head. Beyond a doubt, this isn’t “Reverend Black” who stands before the roaring capacity crowd.

The fiery gaze that stares back at them belongs only to the crazy son of a bitch who answers to the name REZIN.

DDK:
IT’S HIM!! IT’S HIM!! REZIN IS BACK!!

Lance:
That’s him alright! No two ways about it!

The fans cheer endlessly. Rezin does a prolonged north-to-south pan of the arena. Someone in the production booth suddenly gets smart to what’s going down…

♫ “I Have A Prepared Statement” by Whores. ♫

Guitars feedback. Drums and bass thump. Rezin tears off the remainder of his bindings and tosses the straight-jacket aside. The beard is still some months away before returning to its former glory, but otherwise, it’s the classic Goat Bastard look: black pants, black boots, black wristbands, and an upper body of scars and tattoos that tell tales long forgotten.

He walks to the head of the ramp, continuing to intensely stare into the crowd. After a beat, his mouth briefly cracks open… only for an inexplicably LIT JOINT to suddenly extend out from the corner!

DDK:
WHAT… HOW… WHERE?!

The song’s RIFF hits. Rezin takes a drag. Smoke cascades from his nostrils as he exhales and begins the procession to the ring.

Rezin struts the aisle, smoking and making eye contact, but keeping his hands at his sides. Halfway down the ramp, he stops. His eyes flick to the side as if he is suddenly remembering something. Slowly, he turns back toward the stage… 

Despite being at least two dozen in number and armed to the teeth, the twin ranks of riot officers visibly tremble in unease, weakening the bulwark of their position on the stage.

One can almost smell the FEAR rising off of them.

Rezin turns and begins walking back up the rampway.

Lance:
Where the heck is he going?!

Panic sets across the squad at the sight of the Goat Bastard marching back up the rampway with a look of DEATH in his eyes. 

Rezin hunches over like a wolf moving in for a kill. After a few steps, the walk escalates into a run.

RRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!

DDK:
He’s got UNFINISHED BUSINESS to take care of!

Riot Squad Commander:
JESUS CHRIST, HE’S COMING TO KILL US!! FALL BACK!! FALL BACK!!

In an instant, chaos.

The rank collapses within seconds. Riot shields and clubs hit the stage as the officers flee in terror in all directions like a mass of cockroaches under light. 

Rezin pilfers a club as he hits the stage, and swings it savagely over his head as he runs off the few remaining stragglers.

Lance:
The IMPD doesn’t want ANY of that!

DDK:
Can’t say I blame them! This release may not be as “temporary” as we were led to believe.

Spotting the discarded bullhorn left behind on the stage, Rezin scoops it up and shouts what everyone else in the arena is thinking.

Rezin:
GET OUTTA MY HOUSE, YA TOTALITARIAN SCUM!!!

With the welcoming committee fully dispersed, Rezin swaggers drunkenly around on stage and basks in the reaction a few moments more before resuming the voyage down the aisle.

Lance:
Hard to believe that this is the same man who spent the better part of last year preaching falsehoods and warping Dr. Reform's Honor Society into the so-called “Heavenly Society”.

DDK:
It's an astounding transformation to be sure. All it took was a few weeks out in the wild, and Erik Black has apparently reverted back to his old ways!

Lance:
So it would seem, but let's be realistic here, Keebs… after everything that's been done, there's no reason we should be expecting “same old” Rezin.

DDK:
You may be onto something, partner. Right now, while he may have the look and the attitude, this isn't quite the typically aloof and overly spastic Goat Bastard that we've come to know! There's a focus and intensity in those eyes I don't think we've seen before! Tonight, Rezin looks downright DANGEROUS!

Chris Trutt stands waiting in the ring with a mic in his hand and a friend’s smile on his face. Rezin takes his time getting into the ring, scaling the steps and walking the apron for a bit while letting the song play out and milking the reaction with several prolonged stares into the crowd.

Finally, he steps through the ropes and approaches the junior reporter. The music fades out, and Indianapolis fills the silence.

RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

Chris Trutt:
Rezin, allow me to be the first to formally say… WELCOME BACK!

RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

The Gainbridge Fieldhouse roars. Rezin’s expression remains stone-faced and fiery-eyed. The spliff jutting out of the corner of his mouth continues to burn.

Chris Trutt: [gesturing to the crowd]
Listen to this reaction right now! All for you, Rezin! 

FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!!

Expressionless, the Goat Bastard scans the chanting crowd.

Chris Trutt:
Does it make you happy to be back?

Rezin sniffs the air and leans into the mic to speak…

Rezin:
…no… it don’t.

The room deflates immediately. The smile on Trutt’s face melts into a confused grimace. The chant collapses into a din of baffled murmurs. 

Rezin turns away from the interviewer, shaking his head. It’s becoming steadily clear that the intensity he carried with him on his procession to the ring masked a brewing irritation that is beginning to claw its way to the surface.

Chris Trutt:
Rezin… y-you can’t be serious!

Rezin:
OH, but I AM, Trutt! SURRIOUS as a SNAKE-CHARMER! SURRIOUS and DELURRIOUS! NAWW, I ain’t happy to be back! Do ya see me SMILIN’, Trutt?!

Trutt shakes his head, looking lost and disheartened. Already, this interview is going south.

Chris Trutt:
I don’t get it, Rez… I mean, all these people are giving you a HERO’S WELCOME! They’re ecstatic to see you back! We ALL are!

Rezin:
HEY, MAN… don’t get me wrong here! I ain’t sayin’ it doesn’t warm this lil black heart of mine just a WEEEE bit to hear the great state of SINDIANA losin’ their shit over Hell’s Favorite Hoosier! That’s PEACHY, Trutt! That’s just PLUMS and APRICOTS! But tellin’ me y’all’re HAPPY that I’m BACK?!

When he scoffs, the Goat Bastard’s face turns into a scruffy blur. Specks of effluvia fly off in every direction like he were a human sprinkler system. Trutt holds up a hand to shield himself from the unexpected precipitation.

Rezin:
I'ma tell ya RIGHT NOW, Trutt… this “HERO’S WELCOME” -- all this LOVE and ENERGY and FIRE I’m hearin’ outta these crazy muthafuggaz -- as much as I WANNA EMBRACE that love, I CAN'T! And I WON'T! It's absolutely WASTED on me, Trutt! Cuz I’m tellin’ ya right now, I AIN’T ANYBUDDY’S HERO! 

An anguished, almost hurt “NOOOO” echoes through the audience. Rezin leans in, eyes boring holes through the junior interviewer’s skull. Trutt leans back, maintaining what few inches of personal space he can get while facing down this madman.

Rezin:
Is errybuddy just gonna FORGET what I DID, Trutt?! We all just gonna overlook the fact that I MANIPULATED and HURT people!? In the name of some phony “lOaRd JaYzUs”?! Naww, dawg, I ain’t buyin’ that shit for a SECOND…

Overwhelmed with agitation, Rezin steps away from the interviewer and shakes his head.

Chris Trutt:
Look… Rezin… obviously, you can never take back your past actions. Nobody can. But that doesn’t mean everyone here isn’t willing to support you on your path to redemption. The fact that you can merely REGRET your actions is proof enough of the person you are.

The fans applaud supportively, but Rezin storms back up to the mic.

Rezin:
Hey, man, I get it… I GET IT!! These people are wantin’ a hero right now! NEEDIN’ a hero!! Ya got those PANCAKES PUKES chokin’ the LIFE outta this company, and it’s FACE is turnin’ from DEFIANT RED to SUBMISSIVE BLUE!!

The crowd picks up a bit more, applauding the mutual show of distaste for the Vae Victis Besties.

Rezin:
…but I ain’t the guy to do it, Trutt… cuz we already know how it ends with me. I get these people fired up, and they fire me up enough to stand up to the regime. Then I get knocked down… and that fire gets snuffed out. Rinse and repeat… but nothin’s ever any cleaner. 

Rezin becomes morose, staring at his feet. 

Rezin:
I ain’t hurtin’ these people anymore. I ain’t goin’ through that routine again. I ain’t buildin’ up that HOPE they’re jonesin’ for, just so I can FAIL ‘em again…

The crowd has again become quiet and somber. Once again, Rezin shakes his head.

Rezin:
They’re giving me a hero’s welcome… but errybuddy here’s missin’ the point, Trutt. This was never meant to be a “welcome back” speech…

His eyes rise to meet the junior interviewer’s gaze.

Rezin:
Real reason I asked for this time was… to say farewell to DEFIANCE.

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

The cries of protest rising from the crowd are as unanimous as they are loud. Trutt blanches, shaking his head in denial.

Chris Trutt:
No… you can’t mean that! “FAREWELL!?” As in… you’re LEAVING DEFIANCE?!

Rezin solemnly nods.

Chris Trutt:
NO! Rezin… you… you don’t understand just how sorely missed you are around here! You just came back to tell us you’re going away forever!?

Rezin:
It ain’t an easy choice, Trutt… but it’s the right one. For me. For DEFIANCE. So long as I’m here, I’m gonna make these people believe in me. At the same time, so long as I’m here, I’m gonna crush those beliefs and hurt these people time and time again…

A chant emerges from the crowd, catching the attention of both men standing in the ring.

HIGH BE-LIEVE!! HIGH BE-LIEVE!! HIGH BE-LIEVE!! HIGH BE-LIEVE!!

Rezin continues to sullenly shake his head. Trutt suddenly bows up.

Chris Trutt:
No…

Rezin sets his glare on the junior reporter.

Chris Trutt:
Rezin, I can’t speak for all of these people here tonight, or the millions more watching at home… but speaking for myself? We don’t believe in you because of the results; we believe in you because of your heart. And your determination! And the COURAGE you put on display whenever you stand between these ropes!

The Indianapolis Faithful cheer in agreement. Trutt is now well and fired up. Rezin’s eyes are bugging out of his head.

Chris Trutt:
So few could be so forthcoming and honest as you! So few would choose to do what’s RIGHT when faced with impossible odds! It’s that very attitude that makes YOU, Rezin, the very DEFinition of DEFIANT!

Rezin abruptly tears this mic out of his hand and begins angrily pacing around the ring.

Rezin:
Let’s get to BRASS TACKS here, YEAH? Whuttur we REEEAAALLY welcomin’ back here, Trutt? HUH?? 

He points down Chris and approaches with an off-kilter sense of intensity. Without his mic, all Trutt can do is stammer. 

Rezin:
“HEY LOOK, errybuddy… REZIN’S BACK! It’s the PUNK ROCK guy, HA-HAA!! Maybe he’ll GET HIGH and flip off some shit!” 

The Goat Bastard raises his foot -- hoof? -- and the junior reporter has only a second to pull his own foot away before Rezin’s black boot nearly STOMPS upon it!

Rezin:
“Or maybe he’ll TRIP and FALL on his way to the ring! Classic Rezin… ALLLWAYS good for a laugh…” 

Rezin again attempts to STOMP on Trutt’s foot. The interviewer this time hops back a foot, his face filling with a sense of dread.

Rezin:
“Or maybe he’ll set some shit on FIRE! We’ll just call it a REBELLIOUS ACT against CONSUMERISM!!”

STOMP! Again, Trutt hops away. He is looking increasingly nervous. Likewise, the Goat Bastard is becoming increasingly erratic.

Rezin:
“Or-or maybe he’ll pop out of a GIANT EGG on THANKSGIVING! SO RANDOM! SO ABSURD!”

Without warning, the dopesmoking daredevil begins dancing a DEVIL’S JIG, stomping his heels HARD into the canvas in the direction of Trutt’s toes! 

Rezin:
“Or-or maybe he’ll wear a TINFOIL HAT and RANT ABOUT ALIENS, OR-OR, HE CAN SING US A FUNNY SONG on DEFRADIO, OR-OR-OR-OR FIRE UP THE GRILL and FIX UP SOME DOOMBURGERS! GEE WHIZ, sure is GREAT to have that loveable JACKASS back! WHO KNOWS what crazy hijinks that scamp will get into this time! Huh? HUH?? HUH???”

When the shock finally breaks, Chris jumps away from Rezin’s storm of stomps and clamors for the ropes. But as soon as the junior interviewer rolls out to the floor, Rezin rolls out right after him.

Rezin:
WELL TRUTT DID YA EVER CONSIDER THAT MEBBE I DON’T WANNA BE THIS LOW-DOWN SCUM-STAINED MUDSHOW IDJIT ANYMORE, TRUTT?! 

A chase ensues. 

Rezin:
MEBBE I’M TIRED OF CONSTANTLY PUSHIN’ MY ASS UP JUST TO FALL FLAT ON MY FACE ERRY GODDAMB TIME, TRUTT!! MEBBE I’M TIRED OF TAKIN’ FOUR-HUNNERD’N-TWENNY STEPS FORWARD JUST TO FALL A THOUSAND MILES BACK ON MY ASS, TRUTT!! 

Arms outstretched ahead of him, a confused and fearful Chris Trutt runs circles around the ring like he’s Penelope Pussycat. 

Rezin:
ALL MY LIFE, TRUTT!! ALL MY LIFE I keep hearin’ the SAME DAMB THANG!! “OH ERIK! You had so much PROMISE! So much POTENTIAL! Ya coulda been a GAME-CHANGER! A real TREND-SETTER! But ya PISSED IT ALL AWAY with all your DOPESMOKIN’ DIPSHITTERY!! All you are now is a DAMB COULDA-BEEN!”

Still raving into the mic like a lunatic, Rezin mirthfully bounds after him like he’s Pepe le Pew.

Rezin:
I KNOW I’M NO SAINT, TRUTT!! I HAVE LIED and CHEATED and STOLEN MY WAY THROUGH LIFE, TRUTT!! But I’d rather DROWN IN MY OWN SHIT than LISTEN TO ANOTHER ONE OF THESE SUMBISHES TELL ME -- mmMMEEEE!!! -- THAT I’M A GODDAMB COULDA-BEEN!! 

Trutt hops to the steps, attempting to get onto the apron. But the Goat Bastard snags him by his hoodie, yanks him back to the floor, and shakes him by the collar.

Rezin:
I TRIED TO GET BETTER, TRUTT!! I TRIED!! I KICKED THE DOPE, TRUTT! I CLEANED UP MY GAME, TRUTT! I TOOK the DOC’S ADVICE, TRUTT! CUZ IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO… RIGHT, TRUTT?! RIGHT!?! BUT EVEN BY TRYNNA DO RIGHT, I JUST FUCK THINGS UP, TRUTT!!

Whoosh! In a flash, Trutt frees himself by slipping out of his hoodie and dropping to the floor. Rezin’s wide eyes stare accusingly as the junior interviewer scrambles under the apron to get beneath the ring.

Rezin:
BEIN’ CLEAN DIDN’T MAKE ME ANY BETTER, TRUTT! ALL IT MADE ME, TRUTT, WAS AN ASSHOLE!! 

The Goat Bastard slides back into the ring and begins gator rolling across the canvas to the other side.

Rezin:
AND THERE AIN’T ANYTHING THAT PISSES ME OFF RIGHT NOW MORE’N KNOWIN’ MY ONLY TWO WALKS IN LIFE ARE BEIN’ THAT, OR BEIN’ THIS, TRUTT!! AND THERE AIN’T ANY WORSE FEELIN’ THAN KNOWIN’ WHETHER I’M SOBER OR HIGH, I’M THE SAME GODDAMB GRIFTIN’ LOW-LIFE I’VE ALWAYS BEEN, TRUTT!!

Rezin rolls under the ropes out the opposite side of the ring, feet hitting the floor and dropping into a squat just as Trutt’s head pokes out through the apron. Chris is expectedly horrified to see him looming over him.

Rezin:
NO ESCAPE, TRUTT!!

Trutt pulls himself out from under the ring as the Escape Artist continues to maddeningly stalk after him like a predator closing in on its prey. With no other choice, Trutt impulsively slides back into the ring to get away. Rezin goes in after him, closing in.

Rezin:
I’M THE ESCAPE ARTIST, BUT CAN’T FIND A WAY TO ESCAPE FROM THIS FATE!! IT’S FOREVER DAMBED IF I DOPE, DAMBED IF I DOPEN’T!!

Back on his feet, Trutt is backed into a corner where he meekly tries to beg Rezin off. 

Rezin:
AND I’M SICK OF IT, TRUTT!! I’M SICK TO MY GODDAMB STOMACH KNOWIN’ THAT NO MATTER HOW I LIVE MY LIFE, I’M ALWAYS HURTIN’ SOMEBUDDY!! THAT SHIT AIN’T PUNK ROCK, AND IT NEVER WAS!!

Rezin boosts himself up to the second rope, effectively trapping Trutt in the corner, and leans down within INCHES of the cringing junior reporter’s face.

Rezin:
…no matter what ya think, Trutt… no matter what ya say… I ain’t no “DEFinition of DEFIANCE”. The more I’m here, the more I just end up DEFilin’ the place.

The Goat Bastard drops off the ropes and turns away from Trutt. Within seconds, his wild and chaotic fury fades into a somber and accepting calm.

Rezin:
And that… I cannot abide. Cuz this place… DEFIANCE… ya can’t understand what it means to me, Trutt. Ya can’t fathom the feelin’. DEFIANCE is what brought me back into the ring. DEFIANCE is what made this ol’ DOPESMOKER relevant again. DEFIANCE… means fuggin’ ERRYTHING to me, Trutt…

Rezin slowly turns to face Chris Trutt, still pressing his back into the corner.

Rezin:
Which is why I have to leave it behind. Cuz it’d be better for me to just walk away from errything here that brings me some peace and joy… rather than drag it all down to ruin for completely selfish reasons.

When he came to the ring, his eyes were practically fire. Now, they begin to dampen as he looks into the crowd.

Rezin:
Sorry, gang… just how it has to be.

V/O:
WELLLLLLLLL WELL WELL WELL WELL…

Trutt and Rezin pause and instinctively look for the source of the sound. The first few strums of the tune to DEFIANCE’s most loathsome zaddy kick out.

♫ “Ride The Tiger” by Jefferson Starship. ♫

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Rezin’s head snaps to the entrance, the pure, unstable FEROCITY immediately returning to his eyes.

Henry Keyes:
CUT IT, CUT IT, CUT IT, CUT IT. ENOUGH.

The music stops and the FIST of DEFIANCE emerges onto the stage. He’s wearing a crisp bright blue suit with a pink and white striped button-down. The front buttons of his blazer are closed and Big Blue rests over his shoulders. It looks like he’s recently been to the barber and/or the nearest Just For Men depot, as his sharp graying undercut coif and lined up yet shaggy jet-black beard scream out “is your mom single? How about your dad?”

Boos rain down around the arena. Keyes pauses and looks straight down - in fact, it doesn’t seem like he’s showing any interest in looking at Rezin or Trutt at all.

Henry Keyes:
You know…all, this, really makes me think of those reports you see on the news…

At “this,” Keyes gestures a hand vaguely at the ring. Between the ropes, Rezin begins to pace like a caged animal.

Henry Keyes:
“Tonight at 7, Man Threatens to Jump Off a Building”...then later on, “Tonight at 10, Man Still On Building, Says He’ll Really Do It”...then “Good morning, Indianapolis, today’s top headline, Man Tackled By Firefighter who was Tired Of Waiting On This STUPID ASSHOLE TO JUST DO IT ALREADY, REZIN, GAWD.”

BOOOOOOOOO!

Henry Keyes:
You know why those people stay on those rooftops for so long that the folks with the ropes and the helicopters come out? It’s two reasons, Rez - it’s because they want that attention so badly and they don’t know how else to get it, and it’s because they really, deep down, want to be saved. You want your career to be saved, Rezin. You want somebody to swoop in and make this life worth living again, or some bullshit, is that it? Because you’re saying over and over again how much you want to leave while standing in the middle of MY ring.

Keyes finally looks towards the ring with a weird snarl-smile, very Scar from the Lion King.

Henry Keyes:
You stumble, you fall, you slip, you scamper, you get allllll these people here to love you. But the bad news for you is, you’ve always had your number. No one is better at defeating Erik Black than Erik Black himself………..well. No one, except me.

Rezin’s face stretches into a bestial SNEER! Keyes looks out at the crowd, then back down the ramp. He’s gotten EVERYONE’s attention with that one.

DDK:
These two have faced off many many times in their careers, and to the Kraken’s point, he’s nearly undefeated against the Escape Artist.

Lance:
Sure, but what’s he getting at with this? 

Henry Keyes:
If I had my way, you’d already be long gone, quietly, discreetly, like the afterthought you should be, but you’ve decided to come out here tonight and be LOUD about it. You’re milking this crowd out of every ounce of love they have left in them, because you CAN’T leave quietly, you HAVE to have the biggest personality, you HAVE to TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT FROM ME AGAIN! TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME YOU DO THIS, REZIN, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I BEAT YOU, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I KNEE YOU IN THE FACE, EVERY CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH, EVERY MAIN EVENT, EVERY SEGMENT OF THE YEAR YOU DRAG ME INTO, EVERY MATCH OF THE YEAR I WIN, IT’S NEVER ENOUGH! IT NEVER STOPS YOU, AND YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE QUIETLY!?!  YOU CAN’T OVERSHADOW ME AGAIN! IT AIN’T HAPPENING, REZIN! NOT THIS TIME!

Keyes is absolutely bug-eyed and spitting as he hollers into the microphone. 

Henry Keyes:
You can’t overshadow me, Rezin, because Big Blue will be the main event of DEFCON. I will be the main event of DEFCON, AGAIN. And the more I look at you, the more it’s really sinking in for me, Rez - the only way I’m going to be able to get rid of you once and for all is the same way they got rid of the demon car from 1977’s The Car…I’m going to have to throw you off of a mountain into every stack of TNT in the state of Louisiana and blow your ass up on the biggest stage this company provides, until your primal death yawp shakes the rafters before it goes quiet, for good.

Keyes takes the blue-strapped FIST and lays it on the ground before his feet.

Henry Keyes:
So…I offer you this. Your career…for the only shot you’ll ever get in your life to make good. What do you say?

In the seats, there’s a MASSIVE pop. Between the ropes, it’s prolonged silence.

Standing side by side in the ring, Rezin and Trutt stare back at the reigning FIST on the stage, patiently waiting for an answer.

Suddenly, Rezin breaks down LAUGHING…

Rezin: [elbowing Trutt in the ribs]
Can ya believe this guy? My career against his FIST??

He chuckles, wiping a tear from his eye.

Rezin:
Does he really think I can’t SEE THROUGH this OBVIOUS ATTEMPT to BAIT ME into walking in another match? Another STOMPING?! So he can stroll into DEFCON and pick up another GUARANTEED WIN?! Do I look like the kinda FOOL that would just BLINDLY WALK INTO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!

Rezin throws his head back and clutches his sides with boisterous laughter. Looking quite dubious, Trutt opens his mouth to say “Actually…”, but decides against it and let’s the Escape Artist cook.

Rezin:
Keyes…

The Goat Bastard stops laughing and looks to the stage.

Rezin:
KEYES…

He walks up to the ropes, eyes wide with fury, and extends an angrily shaking fist in the direction of his arch nemesis on the stage.

Rezin:
KEEEEYYYYEEEESSSSS!!!

The crowd join in on the fist shaking and the KEYESSS-ing.

Rezin:
YA CAN’T FOOL ME, KEEEYYYEEESS!! I KNOW EXACTLY why you want a MATCH! It’s cuz YOOUU wanna be the one that can claim he ran the ESCAPE ARTIST outta DEFIANCE! YOOUU wanna make MEEE the next NOTCH on that ugly BLUE BELT of yours! Well you’re gonna have to TRY HARDER THAN THAT, KEEYYEESSSS, cuz I AIN’T FALLIN’ FOR IT!

Keyes puts a hand to his beard and thinks about what are, admittedly, pretty good points.

Lance:
I think Rezin is right - Keyes is goading the Goat Bastard here. Henry Keyes can talk all he wants about how “he’s not a coward” or “Vae Victis is about the best in pro wrestling”, we have years and years of proof that shows Henry Keyes has an enormous and fragile ego. He can’t let Rezin go out on his own terms - Keyes wants to humiliate the man!

DDK:
What was all that about a mountain and dynamite? 

Lance:
Beats me - never heard of that movie, either.

A lightbulb seems to switch on above Keyes’s head. 

Henry Keyes:
You know, that’s too bad…

He unbuttons his blazer, revealing that yes indeed his dress shirt is tucked in - and that he’s wearing a belt. A very interesting belt.

A belt that eagle-eyed Faithful who know their graps and know their history would describe as the black-leather, metal-studded, PUNK RAWK belt that Henry Keyes won from Rezin back at DEFCON 2021. A murmur from the crowd.

Henry Keyes:
...because I think you’d agree, it would be the punk rock thing to do.

He unbuckles the studded leather belt, removes it, and lays it on top of Big Blue at his feet.

DDK:
UH OH…

Seeing what was once his studded strap when he first came to DEFIANCE years ago, the Goat Bastard’s jaw drops open in shock.

Rezin:
…oh shucks.

He turns away so that nobody can see him take a sidebar with himself.

Rezin: [muttering]
…goddambkeyeshaddawhipouttheolbeltshitthatspunkrockasfuck…

On a dime, he twirls around and points down the FIST.

Rezin:
YA KNOW WHAT, KEEEYYYEEESS?! FUCK YOU!! AT DEFCOM, I’M COMIN’ TO KICK YOUR ASS!!

rrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWRRRGHHHH!!!!!

Somewhere in Indianapolis, the corpse of Jim Irsay rises from his grave, resurrected by the enormous pop resounding out of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

DDK:
I DON’T BELIEVE IT! REZIN ACCEPTS!! REZIN WILL FACE KEYES ONCE AGAIN AT DEFCON!!

Lance:
And with his CAREER on the line! This may be Rezin’s FINAL MATCH in DEFIANCE!

The Goat Bastard is livid, pacing the length of the ring. He almost looks as though he could breathe fire and bleed lightning.

And maybe piss tornados.

Rezin:
BUT IT AIN’T CUZ YOU OFFERED, KEYES!! AND IT AIN’T CUZ MY CAREER NEEDS SAVIN’!! AND IT AIN’T CUZ I HAVE ANY INNEREST IN EITHER OF THOSE DAMB BELTS!! AND IT AIN’T CUZ I HATE LOOKIN’ AT YOUR ROTTEN, UGLY, NO-GOOD, SALT-AND-PEPPER, DAMBABLY-STUPID-HANDSOME-FOR-YOUR-AGE FACE, AND I WANNA PUT MY GODDAMB FOOT INTO IT!! NAW, KEYES… YA KNOW WHY I WANT THIS MATCH?! YOU KNOW WHY I WANNA MAKE THIS MY SWAN SONG HERE IN DEFIANCE!?

Rezin parks his feet and stares DAGGERS at the Kraken standing tall and impervious on the stage.

Rezin:
ONE REASON… ONLY ONE SINGLE FUGGIN’ REASON, KEYES… AND I’LL TELL YA RIGHT NOW!! I’LL TELL YA WHAT THAT ONE, SINGLE REASON IS…

He pauses. The camera slowly zooms in on his face as his eyes only seem to get WIDER.

Then, with all the grace of a Floridian knuckle-dragger on a cocktail of Tide pods and bath salts, Rezin SLAPS the TINFOIL CAP onto his head!

Rezin:
…IT’S CUZ YOU’RE ONE OF THEM!!

RRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!

Rezin:
REPTILE!! SHAPESHIFTER!! I SEE RIGHT THROUGH YOUR EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL DECEPTION!! YOU’VE COME TO TAKE OVER THE EARTH, STARTING WITH OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE: PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING!!

Suddenly, Rezin is out of the ring. He has the apron pulled up within seconds, and is reaching under the ring.

Rezin:
WELL I AIN’T GONNA LET THAT HAPPEN, KEEEEYYYYEEESSSS!!! AND THERE’S ONLY ONE RELIABLE WAY TO DEALIN’ WITH THE ALIEN THREAT…

He procures a ruby red JERRY CAN!

Rezin:
WE GOTTA BURN ‘EM!!

RRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!

With the can of gasoline hanging in one hand and the other pulling his handy Zippo out of his pants, Rezin begins charging up the rampway. Keyes IMMEDIATELY turns and bolts away from this charging arsonist. 

Rezin:
NOW GET OVER HERE, WE GOTTA DO THE MACREADY-CARPENTER TEST!! ONLY WAY TO BE SURE!! DON’T WORRY, THIS’LL ONLY HURT FOR A MINUTE OR TWO!! AND IF I’M WRONG, THEN, WELL… FUGGIT, YA GOT PLAGUE DOCTORS, DON’T YA?!

Rezin pounces up to the stage, running east-to-west in search of the Kraken.

Rezin:
KEEEYYYYEEEESSS?!? KEEEEYYYYEEEEESSSS!!! KEEEEEEYYYYYYEEEEESSSS!!!!

FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!!

DDK:
Rezin is back alright!

Lance:
And the main event picture of DEFIANCE just got a bit hotter!

DDK:
The stage is now set for DEFCON, ladies and gentlemen! It’s “The Kraken” Henry Keyes against “The Escape Artist” Rezin yet again, TITLE versus CAREER!

The camera lingers on the Goat Bastard continuing to rampage across the stage with the Indy crowd chanting loudly around him.

FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!! FIRE-IT-UP!!

THIS.

IS.

DOPEFIANCE.