OCW Presents: House of Cards
LIVE! Sunday, July 25th, 2021
Location: OCW Arena
One month ago, hands were dealt.
“OCW is back! The return is underway! Who will triumph?”
8 OCW wrestlers entered four rings, each surrounded by a cage. All on equal footing. All with the same opportunity – walk out OCW Champion.
As the game progressed, each wrestler watched their hands materialize. Some pushed, attempting to bully the other competitors into capitulation.
“He’s at the top of the cage...oh no...he’s not...yes he is! HOLY SHIT”
Others held firm, confident their hand would hold up.
“These two men aren’t taking any chances. They’re dead set on battling it out in the very cage they were initially placed inside.”
As the game wore on, one player went bust.
“A somber, disappointed Curt Canon. Waving goodbye to the crowd...for the last time?’
Others saw their hand crushed via an unexpected gift on the river.
“Zybala has been pinned by BRIM! I can’t believe it! He’s gone!”
Even the most experienced players found themselves distracted by exterior support, cheering on a competitor.
“Lissandra rakes Ed across the eyes! There he goes! He’s fallen out of the cage...he’s gone! Ed’s night is over!!”
Riding high, one competitor’s stack was nearly wiped away by a persistent player who just would not go away.
“Outcast has injured Dylan Thomas. That leg doesn’t look very stable...and...oh my! Dylan Thomas’ leg gave out! He’s gone!”
And then it came down to four. The four strongest, luckiest players at the table...neither of whom had yet to experience any bad beats. That is, until the least experienced of the four, grew a little too confident and pressed his luck one too many times.
“BRIM has pinned Peter Vaughn! The former Janitor made if farther than anybody could have imagined.”
The veteran. A man who had experienced thousands of hands throughout his life. Who had seen it all. Despite being dealt middling hands from the start, the vet continued to hang around until the wear and tear of mediocre luck was too much to overcome.
“Down goes Outcast! The wily veteran gave it his all...it just wasn’t enough. Not tonight!”
And, finally, we reached the ultimate moment of any tournament. Heads up action. The two strongest, luckiest players in the field facing off for the ultimate prize.
“BRIM has shocked the world by making it this far. In one night, he’s gone from a relative unknown to a pro wrestling star!”
“Xavier Lux, the prodigy, the son of an icon...I don’t think anybody is surprised to see him in the final two...the sight, however, is still hard to believe.”
The novice. Riding high on natural ability and a string of good fortune locked horns with the wrestling wunderkind. Eyeing four to a flush, the relative unknown remained aggressive, placing all his chips in the middle. The prodigy, confident in his ability to read and react, called. Could BRIM’s hot streak trump Xavier’s talent and preparation?
“Lux gets him up! He drops BRIM on his head! 1! 2! 3!!! OH MY...this one is over! Xavier Lux is the OCW Champion!!!”
In the end, BRIM missed his flush and Xavier’s Aces held.
That was then, this is now.
With hands having been dealt, placement fought for and decided. Now, we turn to a battle for redemption. A battle for recognition. A battle to retain that which has already been won.
All the familiar faces return, save one.
A new, precocious threat has emerged…
“Welcome to OCW...Thaddeus Duke!!”
A self-proclaimed King. Eyeing the OCW throne. And, while he can’t win it tonight, he can certainly take a giant leap toward his ultimate goal.
To do so, it must be at the expense of the Rocketman. Looking to fly high once again. Can Ed finally blastoff or is he sentenced to being grounded forever?
Peter Vaughn tasted success. And now, he wants more. Working to erase all lingering memories that connect him to his previous self...he has but one obstacle in his way.
Mike Zybala, mentor to Peter Vaughn. Devastated by Vaughn’s betrayal a month ago. Now, a determined man. Determined to make Peter Vaughn pay. Determined to break a streak which has lasted far too long.
Outcast crippled Dylan Thomas at Quarantined. In doing so, he robbed Dylan of obtaining OCW gold.
Tonight, Dylan Thomas looks to return to the favor. With the Paradigm Championship on the line and a potential OCW Title shot...Dylan Thomas, at full strength, is eager to dish out some payback, sending Outcast to the back of the line.
BRIM, the biggest story in OCW (literally), came within a whisper of capturing the OCW Championship in his debut. And, while the Savage Championship was his consolation prize, his mind is locked on finishing what he started inside the Prison Yard.
Uneasy is the head that wears a crown. Xavier Lux is king. Xavier Lux is OCW Champion. Now, he must defend his throne. Four hundred pounds of anger and frustration is coming his way. Can he hold it off?
Alliance. Enemies. Trust. Betrayal.
Who will keep their word? Who’s got a bigger, longer game in mind? Who is out to create chaos?
Tonight, legends past, present, and future will fight. But their fate isn’t entirely in their hands. The fate of each wrestler, of each championship, hangs in the balance.
OCW’s House of Cards has been built. From the ground up. The higher you go, the more treacherous it becomes. Paranoia striking fiercest at the very top.
Foundations take years to build. With just a month under its belt, this era of OCW has the stability of a House of Cards. Will it remain standing? Or, will it all come crashing down?
We’re about to find out.
~We cut to the OCW Arena! The Rains of Castamere rolls through the OCW Arena...it breathes an ominous vibe into the atmosphere. However, these fans remain very excited. Several “OCW” chants clash up against the orchestral theme for tonight’s occasion. Red lights flash and pan throughout the arena and fans. The OCW Arena is PACKED~
Smith: Hello again OCW fans and welcome to House of Cards! I’m your host Smith and alongside me, as always, is Hood!
Hood: Holy shit it’s loud in here!
Smith: Yep, the music, the fans...it’s hard to make sense of anything right now. These people are STARVED for some action.
Hood: Yea, it’s been like five weeks since Quarantined and, man, I’d be lying if I said these OCW wrestlers weren’t ready to tear each other apart.
Smith: Indeed! We’ve got four championship caliber matches that will take place under a very unique set of rules...rules we call “House of Cards”.
Hood: For the second Pay Per View in a row we’re going to have all 8 wrestlers out at the ring to start off, right?
Smith: That is correct! We’ll kick things off with Thaddeus Duke making his OCW debut against Ed Houston in a Contenders Match. This will be contested inside a Steel Cage with a ladder...the contract for a title shot hanging from the ceiling.
Hood: Man, that match is gonna be so fuckin awesome. But any of the other SIX OCW wrestlers can interfere, right?
Smith: That’s right...they can attack or defend...or remain neutral. It’s up to them.
Hood: But they have to be out there?
Smith; Yes. They HAVE to be out there. Now, once Houston and Duke are finished...they can either leave or stick around to help/harm someone in a future match. It’s up to them.
Hood: And then we get rid of the cage.
Smith: Yes, we move from a Caged Ladder Match to a Hazardous Ladder Match. And this one, I believe, is going to be the match of the night...Peter Vaughn is defending his Craze Championship against Mike Zybala.
Hood: I’ve never been the biggest Zybala fan but...I mean, c’mon. He needs to win a title. Even ole Hood has a heart...I’m pulling for ya, Mike!
Smith: Zybala seems changed. He was far more focused and serious this month than I can ever remember.
Hood: Yea, well seeing a janitor you trained and literally pushed into this business completely surpass anything you’ve done in this great promotion has to be...well, it’s got to be sobering.
Smith: These two men will, like Duke and Houston, have to keep an eye out for attackers. While Duke and Houston’s presence are optional...Lux, Thomas, BRIM, and Outcast must be present...and, well, plenty of bad blood there.
Hood: I’ll say.
Smith: And, once they are finished...they, too will have the option to stick around or head to the back.
Hood: Then we get Outcast defending against Dylan Thomas.
Smith: Yes, this will be a standard ladder match. As you can tell, fans, the matches decrease in severity as we move up the card. A concept that resembles the structure of a house of cards while also keeping in mind the safety of these wrestlers who may be compromised by the time their match rolls around.
Hood: Fuck yea...like say Lux is brawling with Outcast during Zybala’s match. Then let’s say he brawls with Zybala AFTER Zybala’s match. Dude’s gonna be exhausted by the time the main event rolls around...can’t really expect him to climb a ladder and shit.
Smith: Indeed...which brings me to our main event...Xavier Lux and BRIM going at it one more time...this time one on one. These two spent more time fighting one another than any other two wrestlers at Quarantined. They started and finished the Prison Yard Match.
Hood: BRIM was THIS fucking close to defeating Lux. I bet he gets it done tonight.
Smith: A lot of people feel the same way.
Hood: No DQ against a four hundred pound monster? No thanks.
Smith: Thaddeus Duke is looking to ascend. Ed Houston is looking to lift off. Peter Vaughn is hoping to erase the final demon from his past. Mike Zybala hopes to earn respect in violent fashion. Outcast seeks to take one step closer to capping off his legendary career. Dylan Thomas wishes to return the favor from last month, injuring Outcast tonight. BRIM has unfinished business to take care of. And, at the very top sits Xavier Lux...hoping to retain his throne.
Hood: Lots of issues. Lots of shit. And way too much talking...I’m ready to see this shit get settled in the ring.
Smith: As are the fans!
~We cut to the GM Suite. OCW GM Who’Re is seated, ready to go. This is going to be a TRIUMPHANT night for OCW. She’s got her COSMO made to her liking. A plush chair...perfect view of the ring. Her two favorite people, Greg (a NEW Greg...she seems to have replaced missing Greg with another bald, african american man who looks kind of but not really like OLD Greg. Everybody just acts like he’s OLD Greg) and Grace Rimmer, at her side. All is good. There is a knock at the door entering into her GM suite~
Who’Re: Grace.
~Grace gets up and answers the door. It’s Leo~
Who’Re: Ugh
~The cadence ups the ‘disgust’ level about 15 notches~
Who’Re: What.
Leo the High School Intern: Miss Re...I was just here via orders from the CFO. We need to get Ian Dream’s name on a contract otherwise we will be in breach of Thad’s deal.
~Who’Re rolls her eyes. She has great disdain for Leo and for the idea of signing anyone else~
Leo the High School Intern: Umm, Miss
Who’Re: Yea, I heard you the first time.
~The lights start to dim. A graphic for the TransAtlantic Title displays on the OCW Tron. The fans go wild!! The event is about to kick off. Who’Re reaches into her purse and hands Leo a set of keys~
Who’Re: Those are to my office. You’ll find, in the third drawer in my desk, a stack of official OCW contracts. All standard stuff. My signature is already there...just in case. All you need to do is take one of these to Savage and have him get Ian Dream to sign. THAT’S IT.
~Leo tries to take the keys...but Who’Re holds on~
Who’Re: Can you handle that, Leo?
~Leo nods~
Who’Re: Okay. The drawer containing the contracts is locked...one of those keys should work. Once you’re finished, you bring these keys back to me...first thing, you got it?
~Leo nods~
Who’Re: Alright. Now get out of here...the show’s about to start.
~Leo takes the keys and exits. Grace shuts the door and returns to her seat. Who’Re settles in, extremely excited to watch House of Cards~
Smith: Who’Re has put Leo in charge of the keys to her office...where the highly sought after OCW contracts reside. Kinda dangerous.
Hood: Not sure what she’s thinking. Leo isn’t even PAID. It’d take, like, a Snickers bar to pay that guy off.
Smith: It’ll be interesting to see how that develops...regardless, I’m receiving word that we can announce Ian Dream has officially signed with OCW!
Smith: Welcome to OCW, Ian Dream. Ian is the son of pro wrestling legend, Daniel Dream. He’s been taken under Thaddeus’ wing.
Hood: Duke already doing more for this roster than our CFO. Royalty, Smith. Old money...it speaks volumes.
Smith: Evidently...I’m hearing we’ll see Ian later tonight. Already one huge announcement, I’ve got a feeling House of Cards is set to blow us away!
Hood: Blowing stuff away, huh?
Smith: Well, yea. You know...the phrase. Blowing us away.
Hood: You enjoy being blown away?
Smith: I mean, who doesn’t. It’s a wonderful experience. I...hey, wait a minute! Get your mind out of the gutter!
~Hood laughs~
Smith: Such childish behavior. Act like a professional, man!
Hood: Ahh...you’re the best. But, yes, I agree. Tonight should be rad.
Smith: Working with children over here. Anyway...fans, we could sit here and wax poetic about how amazing tonight’s show is going to be...but why listen to words when action can do the talking. That TransAtlantic graphic is on the OCWTron...these fans are frothing at the mouth...so let’s head down to ringside as Vhodka Marie is set to issue an open challenge for her TransAtlantic Championship!
Hood: And we’ll finally get an answer to one of pro wrestling’s biggest mysteries.
Smith: Which is?
Hood: What color hair she’ll be sporting!
Smith: Ugh. Let’s go down to ringside.
Belvedere: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is a TransAtlantic Open Challenge! OCW TransAtlantic Champion, Vhodka Marie has issued an open challenge for her TransAtlantic Championship! Whoever answers the challenge will face Vhodka Marie right here, tonight, for the TransAtlantic Championship!
~Huge ovation from the crowd. A ‘Vhodka! Vhodka!’ chant breaks out. These people are big fans of Vhodka Marie. The arena is plunged into darkness as a woman’s voice sings out over the PA system while the words flash in white lettering on the black tron screens~
Who you talkin' to man?
~The music fully kicks in as the lights come up, red and white strobes pulsating on the stage. The tron begins rushing through images of a long career, different clips of matches, backstage segments, promos - all splashed across the screen in black and white with details accented in red.~
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What's that across your eyelid
~With the first verse, Vhodka emerges from the backstage area standing framed in red and white strobes center stage. She is dressed in faded and torn blue jeans that cling to her body like a second skin, stuffed into ankle length combat boots that have seen better days. A torn up Ghost B.C. shirt adorns her upper torso, the neck and bottom half cut out to leave her collarbone and midriff bare, a cropped leather jacket hangs open over top. Her hair is orange, snarled and hanging down her back, her bangs braided back and pinned underneath to keep them from her eyes. A smile plays across her lips as she nods her head with one hand in the air, index finger extended in a point, as she mouths the words to the song that simultaneously flash across the tron~
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~She descends the ramp to the ring glancing towards the crowd on either side, occasionally sticking her tongue out at hecklers and pointing to others as she approaches the ring to slide underneath the bottom rope~
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Who knows you better than I
~Vhodka stays on hands and knees in the center of the ring, her upper body pushed up with her lower body pressed against the ring for a moment before standing and quickly moving to the corner turnbuckle where she stands taking it all in~
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~She jumps down off the turnbuckle, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she cracks her neck before removing her jacket and tossing it out of the ring~
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Belvedere: From Bent Fork, Tennessee. Standing 5’7 and weighing in at 131 lbs...she is the OCW TransAtlantic Champion. She is Vhodka Marie!!!
~Vhodka Marie soaks in the tremendous ovation. However, once finished, she steps forward and politely informs Belvedere of some pertinent information~
Belvedere: Excuse me. I’ve just been informed that she is no longer Vhodka Marie. She is now...Vhodka Black!!!
~These fans are so ready for in-ring action that they explode for this announcement. “VHODKA BLACK! VHODKA BLACK!” The newlywed finds her smile incapable of being suppressed. She beams with happiness~
Smith: Wow! Good for her!
Hood: Who the hell is Vhodka Black and what is she doing with Mack’s belt?
Smith: That’s Vhodka Marie.
Hood: No. It’s Vhodka Black.
Smith: Same person, Hood. She got married!
Hood: What in the hell did she do that for?
Belvedere: And now...the Open Challenge has begun! Whoever wishes to challenge Vhodka Black for her OCW TransAtlantic Championship...come on down!
~The crowd buzzes with excitement. WHO COULD IT BE?~
Smith: Any wagers before we find out?
Hood: Well, I mean TIO is kinda sorta on the roster, isn’t he?
Smith: Tony Savage thinks he is. Who’Re claims he’s not.
Hood: Okay, what about Tony Savage?
Smith: I think he’s more interested in handling OCW’s finances.
Hood: Well fuck, man. Just shoot down all my guesses.
Smith: I think we’re overlooking the obvious.
Hood: Yea?
Smith: The man who has an undying love for that title.
Hood: Treat Cassidy?
Smith: No, you fool. Mack O’Connor!
~The fans continue buzzing. The tension thickens. This oh-so dramatic wait is working~
Smith: It could literally be anybody!
Hood: Could be...but I think you spoiled it. It’s Mack.
~A slight ‘Mack!’ chant starts up as the fans, too, believe Mack will be the one answering Vhodka Black’s open challenge in an effort to regain what he believes was stolen, twice over. Vhodka paces the ring, eager. Belvedere stands back, waiting. WE ALL AWAIT. And then, it happens. "Blinding Lights" by Fame on Fire hits~
Smith: Oh my goodness!
Hood: Ah shit, I’m familiar with this beat.
Smith: Could it be?!
~The crowd rises. They aren’t frenzied, yet. They’ve got to see it to believe it and...there it is! Or, rather, there SHE is! Betsy Granger steps out from behind the curtain! The crowd EXPLODES!! Granger hesitates, taking in the ovation. “BETSY! BETSY!”~
Smith: It is! It’s Betsy Granger!
Hood: Did she beat Mack to the punch?
Smith: It appears so!
Hood: For those of you wondering...NO this woman is NOTHING like Alice Knight. This woman is an actual threat inside the ring.
Smith: HEY! You can raise Betsy up without tearing Alice down.
Hood: I know I can. I just refuse.
~Granger enjoys her moment. Then, like the true professional she is, her eyes lock on the prize. The ring. Vhodka Black. The TransAtlantic Title. Betsy marches down the ramp with a purpose. Belvedere shuffles around the ring, caught off guard. The fans in the arena are throwing their hands in the air, jumping around. Vhodka Black hits the ropes, unable to contain her nervous energy~
Belvedere: The person answer the open challenge...Vhodka Black’s opponent...Betsy Granger!!!
~HUGE OVATION! Betsy reaches the bottom of the ramp and goes from 0-60, sprinting forward and sliding intot he ring. She pops to her feet...the crowd yells out with glee. She meets Vhodka Black in the center of the ring. “FIGHT! FIGHT!” the fans chant~
Smith: HUGE ovation! This place is an asylum!
Hood: Bunch of men in this crowd, Smith. Bunch of men who haven’t seen a woman in that ring in a LONG time.
Smith: Well, that is KINDA true.
Hood: Plus, Betsy’s a smokeshow.
Smith: Hey! You’d better watch what you say.
Hood: Pssh. I don’t see him anywhere.
~A few words are exchanged. Nothing violent. But nothing pleasant. Two warriors in battle-mode. Vhodka Black removes her TransAtlantic Title, keeping her eyes on Betsy. She hands the title to Scruff. Scruff holds the title in the air to a huge ovation~
Smith: And here we go! Vhodka Black against Betsy Granger!
Hood: Vhodka Black?! Who the hell is that?!
Smith: That’s Vhodka Marie, Hood! She got married.
Hood: Well why didn’t somebody tell me?!
~Scruff hands the belt to Belvedere. He exits the ring. The fans are on their feet, ready for the first in-ring lock up of the night. Scruff is about to turn, signaling for the bell when...~
Smith: Bell’s about to ring!
Hood: Let’s go!
~"Vagabond” by the Greenskeepers hits!! A major ‘ohhhh shit’ vibe smothers the excitement. Vhodka Marie and Betsy Granger take their eyes off each other and stare up the ramp, toward the curtain. Both women know to whom this tune belongs. And, out he steps. Angry as ever, Mack O’Connor bursts through the curtain, bottle of Jameson in hand. A few ‘Mack’ chants can be heard but, for the most part, the fans stand with baited breath, anxious to see what Mack’s got on his mind (as if it isn’t painfully obvious)~
Smith: You’re too late, Mack!
Hood: A Hall of Famer is never too late, Smith. They’re always right on time.
~Mack reaches the end of the ramp. He heads for the ring steps. A fan at ringside yells something about Lilith. Mack pauses, processes the fact that this name got brought up randomly, and slings a bit of whiskey from his Jameson bottle into the fan’s eyes. The fan screams ‘AHH IT BURNS!’ Mack rushes up the steps and enters. He marches up to both Vhodka Black and Betsy Granger. They don’t back down. The fans, once again, work themselves into a frenzy...the visual...Mack O’Connor, Betsy Granger, and Vhodka Black...it’s crazy~
Who’Re: Whoa-whoa-WHOA! Get him outta here!
~Who’Re’s decree is met with thunderous boos. Betsy Granger shakes her head...she doesn’t agree. She’s not afraid of Mack. It seems up to Vhodka Black~
Smith: Is Vhodka Black okay with this turning into a three way?
Hood: WHO?
Smith: Vhodka Black!
Hood: …
Smith: It’s Vhodka Marie, she got married!
Hood: Ah damnit...well, I was gonna say she looks down for a threeway but given that some guy jammed a ring on her finger she may not be as willing.
Who’Re: Mack...get out of that ring! You missed your opportunity! Betsy Granger answered the challenge!
~Again, Betsy is like “I’m good with it. Let him fight!” Vhodka Black finds a corner and hops onto the second buckle, looking up at Who’Re. She extends her arms...the fans take this as an invitation to let their collective voice be heard. “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Vhodka Black motions toward Who’Re~
Smith: I don’t think our GM has much of a choice.
Hood: She’s about to lose the crowd.
~diVersity begins to surround the ring. The fans BOOOOO. Who’Re is rattled by the negative reaction. It’s obvious these people and the two competitors sharing the ring with the former OCW Champion want Mack O’Connor in this match. With a disgusted look, she throws her arms in the air and concedes. The crowd goes wild...diVersity absconds from ring side. Scruff motions for the bell and it rings!~
Smith: And we’ve got ourselves a triple threat!
Hood: Gotta hand it to Mack. He keeps using the people to sway Who’Re.
Smith: Times change but some things stay the same. A leader cannot lose the faith of its people.
Hood: Pretty easy to keep these nutjobs happy. Just give them increased violence.
Who you talkin' to man?
Who do you think you are?
Some kind of superstar
Who do you think I be?
A pretty beggar on my knees
What's that across your tongue
Which funeral comes marchin'
When the holy deed is done
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And I wanna' know
Who you talkin' to man?
And I wanna' know
Who you talkin' to man?
And I wanna' know
Who you talkin' to man?
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I'm gonna' grab your throat
I'm gonna' take your worth
I'm gonna' tell you something
Something you've never heard
The one you've never known
I'll give you back your body
You can give me back my throne
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And I wanna' know
Who you talkin' to man?
And I wanna' know
Who you talkin' to man?
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Hey, hey, hey,
How do you like me now?
Hey, hey, hey,
How do you like me now?
Hey, hey, hey,
How do you like me now?
Hey, hey, hey,
How do you like me now?
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~Vhodka Black hops around, facing the mat, remaining on the second buckle. As she does, she manages to catch Mack finishing off his whiskey and tossing the bottle into the crowd. We hear a shatter. Some lucky fan just got blessed with a glass bottle to the head. Betsy glares at Mack. There’s history between these two...you know it, you can feel it. As can Vhodka...so she sits down, watching~
Smith: Vhodka Black is no fool. If these two want to tear themselves apart, she’ll gladly sit by and observe.
Hood: Yep. I watched Mack narrowly defeat Betsy earlier this year in GCWA for the GCWA Title. She’s got revenge in her pretty little head.
Smith: Pretty little head? She’s more than just a pretty face, Hood!
Hood: You saying she’s ugly?
Smith: Of course not!
~Betsy can’t wait any longer...charging in, she throws a lariat. But Mack ducks! He grabs Betsy and picks her up for a hip toss...but Betsy holds onto Mack’s arm and throws him over with an arm drag!! Mack hits the ring and pops to one knee. He looks over at Betsy, surprise in his eyes. Unable to contain his frustration, he charges in her direction...she takes him over with another arm drag!! Again, he pops to one knee...this time he slaps the mat out of anger, yelling, “Fuck!” Betsy isn’t smiling. She’s not basking in the brief moment. She knows what she’s up against. Mack rises...he doesn’t charge...he stalks. The two circle one another...Mack lunges for a lock up. Betsy ducks. Mack spins around with a clothesline...Betsy grabs his arm and takes him over, once again, with an arm drag! This time she holds on, obtaining an arm bar. Mack slaps the mat, pissed. Scruff slides in, asking if he tapped. Mack gives Scruff a lethal stare, “Fuck off, Scruff.”~
Smith: Yea, you can’t really tap the mat like that when you’re in a submission hold. The ref might think you’re quitting.
Hood: The day Mack O’Connor taps out to am arm bar is the day I admit that Alice Knight is mildly entertaining.
Smith: On second thought, I think Mack WAS tapping.
Hood: Oh, fuck you.
~Vhodka Black continues her perch atop the highest buckle, taking in the action. Some fans near ringside call out to her, shouting pleasantries and humorous things. Vhodka smiles and nods in their direction. Shes, ya know, having a good time. Mack glares at Scruff, “tap out via arm drag, are you fucking kidding me?” he grumbles. He suddenly remembers he’s got, like, a 2-1 size advantage...so he bullies his way off the mat, to his feet. Betsy, to her credit, wrenches his arm as much as she can...but the size disparity is too much. Mack reaches his feet, grabs Betsy by the arm and rips her toward the ropes. She bounces off. Mack ducks. Betsy jumps, her back bounces off of Mack’s. Mack pops up, surprised...he spins to face Betsy and is caught with a reverse roundhouse kick!! Mack stumbles into the ropes. The crowd pops! Betsy charges at Mack, looking to send him outside. But, Mack ducks and lifts Granger up! She lands on the apron. O’Connor is unaware. Betsy charges toward the nearest corner, scaling it with effortless ease. She’s at the top, she spins around, back facing Mack. Mack’s Hall of Fame senses trigger...he turns...but only quick enough to get hit with a pele kick from the top!!! Mack stumbles backward, falling through the ropes and landing roughly outside. Betsy manages to land on one knee...slamming her fist in the mat. The crowd goes wild. “Betsy! Betsy!” She slowly raises her head, removing the hair from her face...her focus has not wavered~
Smith: Wow! What a move! What athleticism! She’s too quick for Mack!
Hood: Yea, well just you wait...he’s gonna get his hands on her at some point and, when he does, lights out.
Smith: Don’t get too excited over the prospect of a man beating up a woman, Hood.
Hood: Hey, if she doesn’t like it, she shouldn’t be in there.
~Granger seems to weigh the option of whether or not to fly through the ropes at Mack. Mack, too, can sense this...so he darts toward the barricade, making the plunge far more dangerous. Betsy shakes her head. The fans boo the OCW legend. The mat shakes. Betsy turns around...it’s Vhodka Black. She’s done watching. She’s ready to tumble. Granger shifts gears. Her focus falls on Black. The two women size each other up. Already primed and ready to go, Granger throws a kick at Vhodka’s ribs...but Vhodka blocks it. Granger tries a reverse spin kick into Black’s midsection...but Vhodka blocks this, as well~
Smith: Vhodka showing some nice defensive skill. Did you know she’s a big fan of the Karate Kid movies?
Hood: Yea, that sounds about right. She probably really likes the shitty one with Hilary Swank.
Smith: That one wasn’t half bad.
Hood: Case in point.
~Granger nods, “okay, okay.” She fake lunges...Vhodka dodges. Granger fake lunges...Vhodka’s evasion is a little less. Granger lunges for real, and manages to catch Vhodka, locking her midsection from behind. Black tumbles forward, tossing Betsy off. Granger rolls through, pops up into a corner and hops onto the middle buckle, her back facing Black. She leaps off with a reverse cross body...but Black catches her! Tremendous strength! The fans are impressed...as evidenced by their ‘ohh’ and some of their ‘ahhs’. Vhodka manipulates Besty onto her shoulder, looking for Snake Eyes. She charges forward...but Betsy slips off! Vhodka hits the corner empty handed. She spins around. Betsy charges in with a spear...but Vhodka moves!! Granger’s shoulder slams into the middle buckle!! She crumbles to the ground, holding her right shoulder in pain~
Smith: Betsy got caught! Vhodka Black was just a little too quick!
Hood: Who?
Smith: Vhodka Black!
Hood: Who the hell is that?!
Smith: That’s Vhodka Marie! She got married!
Hood: Oh. Well why don’t people tell me these things?
Smith: I’ve been telling you all match!
~Vhodka grabs Betsy by the hair. She rips her from the corner, dragging Granger into the center of the ring. Granger fights back, trying to get freed...but, for once, that thick, beautiful blonde hair is working against her. Black cranks back on Betsy’s hair and begins to spin. Betsy’s body elevates...Vhodka spins and spins, using Granger’s hair as leverage. The fans count the rotations...at least the ones who aren’t cringing. They reach six before Black tosses Betsy to the side as recklessly as she’s able. Betsy hits the mat and rolls toward the ropes, finding the apron. Vhodka charges forward and connects with a baseball slide, sending Betsy flying off the apron to the floor. She pops to her feet. The crowd responds favorably...”VHODKA! VHODKA!”~
Smith: These fans sure do like Vhodka!
Hood: Well, who doesn’t? It’s the alcoholics liquor of choice. Impossible to detect by smell.
Smith: Not what I meant.
Hood: By the way, isn’t Betsy Granger some kind of Marty McFly, only way more fuckable?
Smith: She’s familiar with time travel, I believe. Or, at least, a fan of it.
Hood: Maybe she should go back in time to, like, ten seconds ago and reverse what just happened.
Smith: Not sure it works that way.
~Betsy’s not only in pain. But, she’s in trouble. She’s in the ‘moat’ surrounding the ring and there’s a giant, Granger eating shark patrolling those waters in the form of Mack O’Connor. We watch Betsy, laying on the ground, nursing her wounds. We wait for Mack to snatch her. But...it never comes. Instead, we hear the ring shake...our camera cuts quickly to find Mack holding Vhodka by the throat. Somehow, he snuck in without her realizing and seized the opportunity (quite literally!). O’Connor lifts Vhodka off the mat and plants her, solidly into the mat! She hits hard, gasping for air~
Smith: Ouch.
Hood: I bet that felt good. For over a month Mack’s had to relive Vhodka Marie kicking a whiskey bottle into his head and taking his TransAtlantic Title.
Smith: Vhodka Black.
Hood: Who?!
Smith: Ugh. Nevermind.
~Karma comes back to bite Vhodka...Mack grabs her by the hair and drags her toward a corner. He slings her into the corner as hard as he can…her back SLAMS into the buckles. She slumps to the mat. Mack jams his boot in her throat, squeezing the oxygen from her lungs. She tries to fight, but he’s too strong. Once her defenses slow...he removes his foot and yanks her to a standing position. He gives her a violent shove into the buckles and raises a fist. The fans don’t seem to be enjoying this. It’s quite off putting~
Smith: Mack unleashing some pent up frustration...but I’m not sure we need to see this!
Hood: You fuckin serious? This is a FIGHT, Smith.
~O’Connor throws his fist at Black’s face. But, she crouches! His fist hits the top buckle! The crowd pops! Mack grabs his hand, turning his back to Vhodka. She knees him in the kidney. He stumbles forward...she leaps up and drops him with a Backstabber!!! Mack writhes around, holding his back in pain...he rolls out of the ring, leaving Vhodka alone, again...she rises to her feet, rubbing her throat and shaking off the punishment he doled out. Once more, the fans show her a ton of love~
Smith: She’s becoming one of the most popular wrestlers around here, Hood.
Hood: Yea, too bad she works for another company!
Smith: Hey, she’s our TransAtlantic Champion. Until she drops that belt, she’s part of this family.
Hood: Just so long as she eats way down at the end of the table...and gets the fatty portion of whatever beef we’re eating.
~Mack’s on one knee, outside, holding his back. We cut to Betsy Granger….she’s gone! Mack rises, unaware. He arches his back, trying to work the pain away. Betsy Granger suddenly appears from under the ring...she hops onto the steps behind Mack. She leaps off and locks in a Full Nelson!!! Mack drops back to his knees...Betsy digs her knees into his back (Sugar Lock)! Mack yells out, “Geezus FUCK” Cause, it really hurts. Betsy’s got it in good~
Smith: Betsy Granger from out of nowhere! She’s got Mack in a bad way!
Hood: She just time traveled!
Smith: What?
Hood: She disappeared and then reappeared...she time traveled! That’s cheating!
Smith: I thought you said she SHOULD time traveled
Hood: Against Vhodka...NOT MACK
~Vhodka watches on from inside the ring. Mack’s eyes are shut, his teeth are grinding against each other. He’s fighting through the pain. He breathes heavily, rapid breaths...the fires up, reaching one knee...then his feet...Betsy’s got it locked in, but her knees aren’t able to apply the same amount of pressure. Mack stumbles and falls backward, right into the side of the steel ring steps, crushing Betsy!! The fans at ringside cringe. The rest of the crowd, upon hearing and seeing the impact, let out a “OHHH!” Mack rolls over, holding his back, pain crippling his face. Betsy remains down, eyes shut, slouch against the side of the steps~
Smith: Oh no!
Hood: Now that’s being one with nature.
Smith: How do you figure?
Hood: He just said “Yo, Gravity, help me out” and gravity did. Betsy didn’t see it coming because I think she’s spent too much time on the moon.
~Mack fights through the pain crippling his spine. Several ‘fucks’ and ‘shits’ are emitted. Young children at ringside are growing up at an accelerated rate. He pounds the floor with his fists...working his way to a standing position. It’s taking every ounce of strength in his body to push through the pain...this is definitely tougher than giving birth, trust me ladies. He finally gets to his feet...his back to the ring. He turns, looking at Besty, it appears he wants to distribute more pain. The crowd rises. Mack turns, facing the ring...Vhodka Black comes flying over the top rope!! She somersaults over the top...but Mack catches her!! He stumbles back...her legs wrap around his head, she dives backward and throws Mack chest first into the apron with a Frankensteiner!!! Mack’s chest THUMPS into the apron. He’s having trouble breathing...instinctively, he rolls into the ring. Black pops to her feet...the fans at ringside pat her on the back, cheer her on. She rushes toward the ring, sliding in~
Smith: Mack’s in trouble! His back hurts! His chest has been impacted...he’s having trouble breathing!
Hood: Yes, crippled and out of breath. Maybe now...MAYBE Vhodka has a slight chance at pulling the upset.
Smith: She’s had a GREAT chance since the bell sounded! She’s world class...as is Betsy!
Hood: Blah blah blah
~Black reaches her feet. Mack is slow to his...he has one hand on his back, the other hand on his chest...dude’s getting it from both ends. Like a really bad hangover after a night of heavy drinking...KINDA. Vhodka DRILLS Mack with a superkick under the chin...he stumbles into a corner, reeling. The fans are vibing...Vhodka’s got this. She backs up into a corner, charges forward, leaps into the air and drills both knees into Mack’s sternum. She holds on, pulls back and tosses Mack into the center of the ring with a Monkey Flip!! He lands hard! She floats over for the cover. Scruff slides in, the fans count along~
1!
2!
3..NO!
Smith: Mack got the shoulder up!
Hood: The guy is basically crippled and he managed to avoid being pinned. HE’S A LEGEND.
Smith: Well, yes, as evidenced by the fact he’s in our Hall of Fame.
Hood: He should be in there TWICE
~Vhodka shakes her head, frustrated. But, she remains determined...back on her feet, she eyes the nearest corner. Mack stirs. She jumps in the air and comes down with a leg drop, flattening Mack back out. She rolls backwards, over her head, popping to her feet in very charismatic fashion before backing into a corner and lifting herself up to the top buckle. She stares down at the prone Mack O’Connor. The crowd rises~
Smith: Uh oh...she’s looking to hit On the Rocks! It’s the move she used to pin Mack last month at Quarantined!
Hood: Real athletes drink their shit straight. WEAK ASS MOVE NAME
~Vhodka leaps off with her patented corkscrew shooting star press...she soars through the air, spinning around with great athleticism...she comes down...right on top of Mack’s knees!!! “OHHH!” goes the crowd!! She rolls around, holding her midsection in pain. Mack manages to roll onto all fours, crawling toward a corner~
Smith: Mack got the knees up! Vhodka Black is in trouble!
Hood: Who?!
Smith: I’m not explaining it again!
~Mack reaches for the middle buckle, he pulls himself up, leaning into the corner...his back is killing him. He gets to his feet, leaning into the top buckle, gasping for air. The wind takes a hit when the back is compromised. Vhodka gets to one knee, holding her abdomen. Her line of sight finds Mack...she looks angry. She fires up and charges his way. Mack ducks and hoists Vhodka in the air!! But Vhodka lands on the top rope...Mack stumbles out of the corner. Vhodka leaps off...but Mack catches her with HOLLOW POINT!!! She flies into the air, into the ropes...she bounces forward, Mack catches her, spins around and drills Vhodka into the mat with CLAYMORE!!! The entire ring shakes!! Mack hooks the leg~
1!
2!
3...NO
Smith: Betsy Granger!
Hood: What the...she just time traveled again!
Smith: No she didn’t...she was outside and broke up the pin just in time.
Hood: in time..eh? Time traveling confirmed!
~Diving in at the last second, Betsy smacks Mack in the back of the head with a double axe handle. She doesn’t relent...she grabs his arms, while he’s stunned and locks in a Full Nelson...Mack remembers...knees to the back. So, he rises to his feet quickly...right into Granger’s trap. She leans in, head butting Mack in the back of the head, stunning him, weakening his base...she then uses all her strength to get him up, just enough, before driving him into the mat with a Full Nelson Facebuster (Ich Muss Dich Brechen)!!!! Mack slams HARD, face first...he rolls out of the mat, instinctively, hitting the floor on the outside. Betsy tries to stop him, but she can’t...she’s hanging over the bottom rope, staring down at him~
Smith: Betsy laid Mack out...but, in true veteran fashion, he escaped danger.
Hood: Alcoholics are good at rolling over. Get on that side, prevent any sort of asphyxiation on your puke.
Smith: Gross.
Hood: Hey, it happens. Just ask Jimi Hendrix.
~Betsy, still in the ropes, looking down at Mack doesn’t see Vhodka rising behind her. The fans yell at Besty, trying to get her to turn around. She reaches for the middle rope, getting to her knees. She finally starts to turn only to get BLASTED in the face with a running knee!! Vhodka grabs Betsy by the hair, dragging her into the center of the ring...but, while in command, its clear she’s a little worse for wear after suffering Mack’s two trademark moves~
Smith: Vhodka fighting back...my goodness, the strength within this woman!
Hood: She’s resilient, I’ll give her that. Not sure about that hair, though.
Smith: Leave the woman’s hair alone!
~Black goes for Betsy’s arm. The fans react...she’s looking for her signature move Harvey Wallbanger (seated fujiwara armbar). Betsy chops down on Vhodka’s extended arms, breaking free. She delivers a VICIOUS knife edged chop...it rocks Vhodka. Betsy delivers a spinning back fist, scrambling Vhodka’s already staggered gray matter. Vhodka turns around, punch drunk...Betsy grabs her arms, hooks her in a Full Nelson, lifts her up and plants her with Ich Muss Dich Brechen!!! The crowd goes wild!! She flips Vhodka over and hooks both legs. Scruff slides in with the count~
1!
2!
3!!!!
~The bell rings!!~
Belvedere: Here is your winner...AND THE NEW OCW TRANSATLANTIC CHAMPION...BETSY GRANGER!!!!!
Smith: She did it! Betsy did it!
Hood: This is terrible!
Smith: How so?
Hood: She’s going to take that belt back in time with her...we’ll never see it again!
~Mack is staring up at the OCW Tron, seated against the ring apron, shoulder pressed against the steel ring steps. He yells “FUCK!” and slams his fist into the ground. Betsy reaches her feet and gets her hand raised. The TransAtlantic Championship is handed over~
Smith: What a night for Betsy Granger! She answered the open challenge, defeated Vhodka Black AND got a bit of revenge on Mack O’Connor.
Hood: Vhodka WHO?!
Smith: Shaddup
~Betsy hops through the ropes, landing firmly on her feet, near the bottom of the ramp. She pauses and looks over at Mack. He starts to move, but winces. Betsy, keeping her eyes on Mack, raises the title he covets more than any high above her head. Mack snarls and spits. Betsy turns, heading up the ramp. The fans give her a huge ovation “BETSY! BETSY!” She reaches the top of the ramp, turns around and nods, showing her appreciation with a kiss and a wave, before making her way through the curtain~
Smith: What a wonderful person. So happy she decided to answer that challenge and enhance tonight’s event!
Hood: Poor Mack. How is he going to get his TransAtlantic Title back if it’s, ya know, taken back to the year 1976...or 1945...or, worst of all, 2020?!
Smith: I’m not concerned about Mack’s mental state.
Hood: Well, that much is fucking obvious.
~Vhodka Black reaches her feet in the ring. She hangs her head, disappointed. But the fans aren’t having any of that. “THANK YOU, VHODKA!” chants ring out. She picks her head back up, nods and smiles, waving at the OCW audience before exiting the ring and heading up the ramp to a rousing ovation~
Smith: If this is the last we see of Vhodka...it’s been a pleasure.