DISCLAIMER: All characters (fiction, nonfiction and other OCs) mentioned and lyrics used here are properties of their respective owners; only Jesse Alvarez, Joshua Garza, Alpha & Omega, The Wolves, Kurt Hudson, Alyssa Parker, Lisa Weston, Kenji Matsuo, Zack Carver, "Violet" Clarissa Rivera, Mike "The Mic" Martin, Maria Lopez, and referees (minus Marshal Eriksen) are my property.

Enjoy.

Welcome to the APEX Era.

(WARNING: Due to the FWM's infamous sliding timeline, this chapter could take place between or (hopefully not) during the 2018 Fiction Wrestling Awards.)


APEX Saturday Night RAMPAGE

[TV-14]

[So am I still waiting

(Alpha & Omega pose while looking down at the slowly moving camera; Sasuke Uchiha lifts his head up with a glare towards the viewer.)

For this world to stop hating?

(iGeneration are found posing for the camera, Carly blowing a kiss while Sam cricks her neck.)

Can't find a good reason

(Luke Smith drapes his Evolve Championship over his shoulder; Satsuki Kiryūin is seen on her chair with a leg over the other and the World Women's Championship draped over above.)

Can't find hope to believe in

(Beowulf looks back over his shoulder, turning around with the APEX World Championship raised high…and the screen shatters to flash the RAMPAGE logo.)

So am I still waiting

(Edback smashes Smosh with Into the Belly of Hades as Eddy rubs his hands together evilly; Jeremy Ellis beats his chest on the second rope before striking Bomaye to Jimmy Carmichael.)

For this world to stop hating?!

(Jason Krueger rips off his muzzle to expose a feral expression; RC Bane scans the entire crowd in front of him with a heavy scowl; Zeke Aries arrogantly gestures "bring it" to the viewer.)

Can't find a good reason

(Edd removes his hood and poses à la A.J. Styles; Kenshin Himura surprises Aries with Ryūtsuisen; Terry Blake Jr. embarks his debut onstage.)

Can't find hope to believe!

(Tony Blake swings his right palm at the camera whilst Adrian stands behind with folded arms; the Domino City Machine Guns stand back-to-back, pointing at the camera with their finger guns; the Jeweled Felines pose together on the ring apron.)

So am I still waiting

(Joan Rivera snarks at the crowd from the second rope; New Devastation hit the ND Express on Jeremy Ellis; The Hardcore Foundation stand as an army, Mason Stone with arms spread wide.)

For this world to stop hating?!

(Tommy Oliver poses with his Power Morpher; Mari Takahashi grins ominously with the Kubrick stare before she Spin Kicks Edd's head off; Smosh crotch-chop in the ring together.)

Can't find a good reason

(PewDiePie jumps high for a Bro Fist; Trish Warrington pounds a fist into her palm; Ichigo Kurosaki forms the signature Rated-R Reaper pose.)

For this world to BELIIIIIIEVE!]

(Sasuke raises his Hardcore Title; Alpha & Omega with their Tag Titles; then iGeneration; Satsuki drives Téa Gardner down with a Bakuzan before raising her title; Luke Smith hits a Super Brainbuster on PewDiePie, raising his Evolve Title afterwards; and Beowulf nailing Naruto Uzumaki with a Wulfhammer and raising his World Title; the screen shatters once more as the RAMPAGE logo punches in on impact.)


The fallout weekend continues for RAMPAGE opening up to a wild sequence of fireworks coming out of the stage to excite the 16,500 attendance members in the SAP Center at San Jose, California. Ted Mosby welcomes the audience, introducing himself and his fellow commentators, Ned Bigby and Logan Reese. The APEX Era is still hot at the beginning after a successful Summer Wars event, likely to bring a huge effect upon the rest of the APEX roster on the RAMPAGE side.

On tonight's match card, the commentators begin hyping up for what's to come, hoping to bring a lot more action than their friendly rival brand, Ignition. In-ring veteran and Devil May Cry's Trish makes her main roster debut against the currently rising Joan Rivera, who's been waiting for a real challenge since her return to ACW. Hopefully, Trish can surely give her that and then some. The main event features APEX World Champion Beowulf making appearance on RAMPAGE and declaring an open challenge. Of course, it'll be a non-title match and it'll see who in that RAMPAGE locker room will be brave and courageous enough to defy Beowulf's undefeated streak. Adding to that, we'll be seeing how the aftermath of Summer Wars affects all those who participated in the event from PewDiePie to Jason Krueger to newly crowned APEX Hardcore Champion Sasuke Uchiha.

Out of all things to open the show, though…

…"Controlled Chaos" by CFO$ plays to the Hardcore Foundation's entrance as they received nothing but absolute ANIMOSITY from the audience.


In-ring Segment – The Trinity are forced to explain their recent actions

Recap: It's true for what the titles says despite their female stablemates also being part of the ring as well, so they obviously must have something on their minds. First things first…the Trinity were forced to enlighten the San Jose citizens of what went down at the end of RAMPAGE VIII and on Summer Wars.

"The Dark Saint" Mason Stone, being the mouthpiece as well as the leader…simply tells off the audience that there should be no reason for the Foundation to explain themselves for what they've done. He actually could not fathom of "repeating himself" to the "oblivious" fans in the arena when the "explanation" has been obvious from the very beginning of their dark turn. They are the Hardcore Foundation—emphasis on HARDCORE. And so far since the beginning of August, they have proven to earn their name—beating the Domino City Machine Guns, annihilating every weak link in the Women's Division, spoiling Shocking Bite's debut victory by tipping them over inside a DUMPSTER off the stage, and recently DESTROYING Ignition's Naughty Dogs on the Summer Wars pre-show after their match.

Every single one of these actions they've caused…they have no regrets. They promised to themselves that when they became a group, they would succeed…but that has not been the case for them, sadly. They were perceived as "bland," "boring," "vanilla" and all the related synonyms. And they were sick and tired of being in the background—sick and tired of not getting anywhere. So when the Brand Extension happened…they all knew it was time for a change. At first, it was to gather attention and it was working—taking out a few vets to gain notice…but when they progressively got more and more violent, they realized that it's not the attention they crave. It's the DESTRUCTION. The INSANITY. The BLOOD LUST. The VIOLENCE. And after last week and this past Sunday, they could not get enough of the action. Truth be told…it will NEVER be enough to satisfy them…and that's just the way they LIKE IT. Even after running down the competition, even after proclaiming to take home all the gold APEX has to offer, even after shedding so much blood all over the canvas beneath their feet…they will continue to bring destruction to those that stand in their way, no matter whether a hero or a villain. They are aligned with themselves and themselves alone. They are a FOUNDATION for a reason and they will remain that way until the day they die.

This is when "The Best Out" by Dipset played from the loudspeakers…and it cues to the arrival a VERY angry pair in Shocking Bite's Jeremy Ellis and Terry Blake Jr. as they're still carrying recovering injuries from that dumpster incident last week. Jeremy essentially mocks the Foundation, quipping that he sees nothing wrong with them being stuck there. It's quite obvious he's still peeved over what the Trinity did to him and Terry was doing all in his power to not start a fight…yet. Jeremy mocked them further by saying that just because they all decided to be bloodthirsty psychopaths doesn't mean they're all that original. Terry then made a bold statement that if the Foundation wanted to say he and Jeremy were at the wrong place at the wrong time, it's a load of BS. The Trinity knew well enough to pick Shocking Bite as easy targets after their match against New Devastation. And that…would be their biggest mistake, especially with one flaw in their assault: they didn't make Shocking Bite stay in the hospital. Mason would agree to that…but it makes it all the more fun to do it all again to add a little blood and carnage into it. Jeremy would disagree…because the next time they try again, the only blood that'll spill around and paint this canvas will be the Trinity's and the Trinity's ALONE. And he says, "So to HELL with this tournament. We'd rather not keep ourselves waiting from giving you what you did to us back a thousand fold." Then the Dark Saint remarks that if Shocking Bite wishes to do that, they may…but it'll end with them getting prematurely disqualified before the tournament begins tonight after this show's over. And even if there's a chance they end up meeting each other in the finals, it'll end in one result: Shocking Bite broken again and the Foundation rising to the very top above all in the tag team division.

But before things can escalate between Shocking Bite and the Hardcore Trinity…Joey Wheeler and Tristan Taylor get themselves involved in this verbal dispute and for all the right reasons. The Domino City Machine Guns still haven't forgotten nor forgiven the Trinity for putting their friend, Duke Devlin, on the shelf just last week. And they still have business to take care of with them and them alone. Jeremy understood how personal it is between them…but as much fun as it would be for them to beat up the Trinity together, the sad truth in this tournament is that said trio are in the B-Block side. And on the A-Block side are Shocking Bite and the Guns. The best case scenario is if the Trinity make it all the way to the finals…and if anyone's going to meet them there, it'll be Ellis and Blake themselves.

Joey and Tristan…didn't take too kindly to that…but, in Joey's words, if it means getting to kick their [Shocking Bite] sorry butts to get the finals, then so be it. All the same time, though…it just depends that if the Trinity make it into the finals so they don't have to get their just deserts. As Joey boldly stated that in Stone's face, Stone ridiculed him for thinking that he'll even come close to the finals. Even if the Machine Guns did make it, the end result will just be the same as last week…perhaps only with more blood. To that…Joey welcomes it as much as Tristan due to their long experience of certain extreme situations. But Terry Jr. intervened and reminded them that if they're going to reach the finals, they have to make it past him and Jeremy throughout the tournament—a tournament he claims that Shocking Bite will WIN…

…which brought out the Blake Bros. 2.0, Tony agreeing from an aspect that the name of Blake will win, but it will be in the form of two people with "Hot Flash" Tony Blake and "Big A" Adrian Blake as they claim their rightful spot as the next challengers for the APEX World Tag Team Championships…

…and in turn, New Devastation came out to make a statement that despite their downfall from the week before, this RAMPAGE Tag League shall be the event to help turn the tide for Jimmy Carmichael and Benjamin Strong III…

…then the Second City Saints arrived to remind everyone that they do exist and make it straight to the point that there's nothing more important than winning this tournament and making sure their names are known and well-remembered…well, at least to Phil Hardy; in the while, Colt Anderson was busy giving out free Second City Saints merchandise in T-shirts, rubber wristbands, rolled-up posters, etc. to the audience and even handing a few over to the wrestlers present in the ring such as Joey, Jeremy, Benjamin and Tony. Obviously, Jeremy appreciated the merch due to how close he was to Colt…but of course, people like Tony spat on the shirt and threw it down and Benjamin simply tore the shirt in half, causing Colt to go down on his knees and cry in such over-the-top dramatic fashion…

…earning a face-palm from Phil…

…and then all three Erupting Eds appeared, Eddy being the only one with the mic out of them all…and he believed that the time for talk is now over for the Eds will have this tournament cinched in, especially with a trump card up their sleeve in Edback…

…who Eddy orders to DESTROY everyone he sees in the ring as Ed ROARS at the time of his lungs and Double-Clotheslines the Saints! Finally, the gasket has been blown as all teams involved in the Tag League Hour show enter a massive brawl!

Well, not EVERYONE was in the ring as one team was missing…and that was Smosh themselves, Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla rushing down the ramps to join the brawl with steel chairs in hand and Mari Takahashi behind them…and a bag of popcorn? Smosh immediately STOPPED at the end of the ramp, proceeding to set the chairs down and sat back to enjoy the chaos in the ring with their snacks while Mari simply stood by as their bodyguard. Ted even called them out for being degenerate cowards for even taking this as a joke.

Amidst the scrambled, massive brawl, Colt had attempted a Crossbody on Marcus King, who caught him easily…saw Smosh outside…and sought to ruin their fun by hurling Colt like a lawn dart at them…only for Mari to catch Colt with ease as well! And then…Mari sets him on his feet gently and dusts him off…before suddenly taking him out with a Spin Kick! Back in the ring, chaos reigned on for a little while longer, each team taking each other out of the ring when they received that chance.

First out was the Eds, though it was in their own power as Edback carried Double D in a Military Press lift, looking to threw him at Mari…when really Edd drops down for Edback to FLY OVER all three ropes and squash Mari in the process! This gave Edd and Eddy the perfect opportunity to perform their stereo Suicide Dive on Smosh, finally earning a bit of vengeance against the YouTubers! Next out was New Devastation just as the Saints Double Superkicked them out of the ring…then they get taken out by the Guns' own Double Superkick…followed by the Blake Bros. giving them Double Blake Drops…then a Lights Out from Jeremy Ellis to Tony and a Hook Shot to Adrian by Terry Jr.…and ending with the Trinity taking over indefinitely with swinging chair shots to Ellis and Blake.

Yet again, the Hardcore Foundation have cleared the ring out as every other team were down for the count and spread all around the outside. This was a sight to be seen for the leader of the Foundation, a sight of carnage and anarchy…bodies surrounding the ring…glorious. With a raise of a steel chair, the Foundation stood tall with heavy boos raining down on them as the segment drew to a close.


Backstage Segment – Simon Nelson-Cook interviews Ashley Williams about what her plans are to ascend in the APEX rankings

Recap: Transferring over to backstage just to simmer down from the chaos that occurred before, we find our very own computer geek speaking to the Queen of Water. Cookie does come out with the palpable fact that Ashley is way below in the APEX rankings and asks what her plans might be to rise up if she's to be a potential contender for a World Women's Championship match. Ashley states that she really shouldn't discuss her plan as it may not work if she exposes it…but she can promise that it will work enough for her to rise to the top of the card. Now, she knows it won't be easy climbing up that mountain with all the competition…especially after how the Foundation are on the rise, remembering the Femme Fatales' ruthless assault to her a few weeks back…but it's not like she wanted it to be easy. And she ain't backing down one bit.

The interview was deemed over…and it was on time for Eliza Hart to attack her from behind! Cookie immediately booked it out of there as Eliza relentlessly laying out Ashley with clubbing forearms and knee strikes. Eliza drags her up, giving Ashley a chance to break away and strike her with a forearm. Ashley has managed to fight back against Eliza's sudden assault…but that's when Allison Wilson appeared, blasting her down with a Double Axe Handle to the back of her head! As commendable as it is to see Ashley retaliate against the odds, the two-on-one advantage was too much for her to handle. By the end of it all, Eliza and Allison dragged a badly injured Ashley away to someone…that someone with folded arms over her chest…and the camera moves up along with Ashley's head looking to reveal Kendra Daniels, the leader of Evil Beauty being the last to make her RAMPAGE debut appearance.

Kendra had held Ashley's head up with only a finger below her chin, giving nothing but a stoic stare towards her. She draws closer to her face and says, "Little girl…you are nothing but a BOTTOM-FEEDER among the ranks of this organization. You say you want to rise up to World Women's Championship status? Don't make us laugh… We're here to remind you…that that kind of fantasy is impossible…and the reality is CRUEL… We are reality…and as reality, we are going to show you why you should be one of the few remaining in the background." So the Dead Space character moves aside afterwards…

…for Allison and Eliza to set up a Double Powerbomb on Ashley, whom they planted her through a nearby table!

All that was left was a table broken in half with debris likely stuck in Ashley's back…and Ashley herself unconscious…

…while Evil Beauty standing together, Kendra upfront with her arms behind her back almost like a general. And like one, she, without saying a word, gestures they leave and her stablemates follow before the commercial break comes on.


"The Lightning Devil" Trish vs. "The Gamer Champ" Joan Rivera

Recap: Joan Rivera has been looking for competition since her return to promotion a month ago. So far, she's been undefeated at only "2-0"—a record she feels proud of upon this rebirth. However, the competition has "already been lacking" since her return. Ashley Williams wasn't much of a starting point in her point of view and Rei Miyamoto, as popular as she is with most fans, wasn't enough to raise her "experience points" as well. We're serious; she explained her experience points haven't even gotten past "Level One."

Enter Trish, one of Devil May Cry's most popular characters. To add, she's a personified New Japan Pro-Wrestling icon in her own right as one of the first major names to their Beat Division and being a three-time IWGP Japanimation Beat Champion. There's no doubt that Trish will be one of the few to give Rivera an actual contest. Although, Joan sees this as just another exhibition to add to her streak and grow her experience points, believing Trish to be very obscure within the FWM despite her fame in New Japan. Still, Trish doesn't seem like the kind of person Joan should underestimate so easily.

Trish surely taught Joan that valuable lesson by way of outmatching her against her own game of mat-based technical wrestling, using her veteran experience to particularly embarrass Rivera. And Trish enjoyed prolonging the magnificent series of trading holds just to see when Joan's patience will break…and nearly showed as Trish had Joan at the ropes, headlock held tight before slowly cooperating with the referee's order…then Joan switches places with her…feigning a punch just to have her fingers kiss her forehead with a Too Sweet sign! Paying homage to her SPARK stablemates, the Gunslingers, Joan decided to be the one to play mind games on Trish…who seemingly shrugged this off with a chuckle…before slapping her face so suddenly, followed up by a left low kick, a swift right forearm…and a running knee strike off the ropes that Joan barely sidesteps and nailed Trish down with a Gamer Kick! Trish staggered back into a corner, Joan chases after her…eats a back elbow, staggers back…and then Trish grabs her for an Irish Whip…but Joan reverses it, changing the whip into a Hammer Throw into the corner. Joan moves away to recover…but fails to realize that Trish had actually flipped over the turnbuckles to the apron. Trish quickly ran to the other side, disappearing from Joan's sights…before coming back to her with a Diving Crossbody. She remains on top for…a two-count, Joan kicking out into a pin of her own…and another two-count. Both roll to their feet, Trish with a Japanese Arm Drag…and another…and another…and another, another—Dropkick by Joan Rivera to the face! Trish rolls outside…while Joan runs and leaps up the corner…and springboards off the ropes with a Plancha, Christian style, on top of Trish!

Joan certainly had control over the veteran, returning to dominate her with a variety of strikes and holds from a Double Knee Drop over Trish's head to a simple Abominable Stretch. Later, she hooks her legs under Trish's arms in a Full Nelson manner, applying the Lotus Lock on Trish; adding to that, her feet are intertwined as tight as possible to prevent Trish from ever escaping. Even so, Trish knew how to turn things around in her favor, showing how strong she truly is by prying Joan's feet apart…but Joan proved wiser, changing positions into a Gedo Clutch pin attempt…kick-out at two…and at their vertical bases, Trish executes a beautiful Tiger Spin into a Northern Lights Suplex, bridging it completely…to a kick-out.

The action became fairly back and forth from there, reaching around to where Trish struck a Shoot Kick to an oncoming Joan Rivera straight to the chest. In fact, that's what turned this match around with Joan backing up in a nearby corner and Trish speeds after to her…only to be back body dropped over the ropes. She lands her feet on the apron, blocks a right-handed punch from Joan…and CHOPS her in the face! Joan stumbles away…as Trish flies at her with a Springboard Dropkick, sending her right out of the ring. As she attempts rising, Trish hits the ropes front and back all for gathering steam…and vaults over all three ropes via High Time (Suicide Somersault Senton) on top of Joan! She quickly threw her back inside afterwards for a cover, both legs hooked…and Joan just managed to kick out at a near-fall. She had to give Joan some credit here; the Gamer Champ is proving to be more resilient than she thought.

Bringing Joan sitting up on the top turnbuckle, Trish sought for a V-Divider (Super Hurricanrana) with how she stands on that very floor…and just when she was about to execute it, Joan pops her over…and Trish splits her legs to use the impact of her thighs to flip herself over with a corkscrew, landing on her feet in perfect style. In the meanwhile, Joan waits for Trish to turn…Gamer Kick to the midsection…then a Scissors Stomp to the back of her head—caught…and Trish blasts her jaw off with a Discus Back Elbow! Joan has her back turned…as Trish grabs hold of her right wrist from behind…spins her away and—Joan strikes first with a First-Person Shooter (Bicycle Kick)! And…Trish still has hold of her wrist while on her knees…but Joan didn't care about that as she hooks both arms…and her negligence backfires on her once Trish leaps from her position into a Hurricanrana counter! Trish still has hold of Joan's wrist, pulling her up quickly to her knees…and Joan BARELY avoids the Devil Trigger (Kenny Omega's Rain Trigger). Now Joan holds tight of Trish's wrist, sets up the Pumphandle…but Trish slips out and turns her around for the Short-arm Bicycle Knee—no! Joan sidestepped the knee again…and this time, she tilt-a-whirls all around the Lightning Devil over…and over…and over, and over, and over, and over until TRISH PUSHES OFF HER DDT ATTEMPT…albeit slightly dizzy…and she grabs onto a fellow dazed Joan for another Devil Trigger. She spins her away…and Joan quickly counters the move into a tight roll-up! Referee Faith Hathaway gives the full three-count…but she was completely blind to Joan holding onto the tights, resulting heavy boos from the audience!

Another win for the Gamer Champ, who is now at 3-0. That number Joan very much gestures to a confused Trish…who turns to silent fury after realizing how she won exactly. Joan's "experience points" have rose instantaneously high over "Level Three." Seems in Joan's mind, beating an NJPW icon was a big step towards her APEX rebirth. However, Trish begs very much to differ as she sits in the ring alone with a glare towards Joan; the camera catches her mouthing, "Oh, you didn't beat me, little girl… You BARELY survived."


Backstage Segment – Alpha & Omega share their thoughts on the Best of 4 Series

Recap: It was in the news recently that for the next three weeks on Ignition up until their exclusive pay-per-view, Unforgiven, a Best of 4 Series match for the APEX World Tag Team Championship is set between Altered Egos, the Symbiotes and the reigning champions, Alpha & Omega. Though RAMPAGE clearly is not involved with the vent, it matters little to the tag champions for they had a few words to say about this decision made by the owner of APEX after last night's Ignition IX main event result.

"So after all those three title defenses in one month, this is our reward? Facing the same old, aging fogies again for the next few weeks up until Unforgiven? God, it's rematch city up on this shit," Stan Terra rolls his eyes, standing in front of a purple background for this segment. "I thought APEX had learned to be better than that—taking tips from New Japan to learn that less is more and familiarity breeds contempt and all that bullshit. But hey, if that's what they want, then allow us to disappoint management and the fans by winning this whole series. Best of 4? Fine. We'll show you all the BEST of Alpha & Omega for the next two weeks. I say that because we beat Altered Egos and the Symbiotes well enough to do it all over again."

"My partner's arrogance may not reflect on me, but I do share his displeasure of facing the same two tag teams we already beat in the past two months," Carter Young states. "At the same time…I see this series as a challenge for us. After our filler title defense at Summer Wars, we needed a REAL test to prove our worthy as the APEX Tag Team Champions. What better way than proving WHY we are the BEST than with this? I'll be the realistic one here and say Altered Egos and the Symbiotes may get one of the first three falls…but let me be confident and say that the only team walking out of Unforgiven with two out of four falls…is Alpha & Omega. The beginning…and the end of this tag team division."

"We've been proving ourselves ever since we set foot on this motherf*cking organization," Stan inserts. "Since day one…we had to crawl through shit, get our asses handed to us, made to look like IDIOTS for the selfish satisfaction of a Latino brat…and here we are, the World Tag Team Champions on top of the entire division." Stan pats his belt before continuing. "Everyone else now coming after us for our belts. Everyone trying to CLIMB that mountain when all they can do is eat our shit that they now crawl through. Oh, they can try. They can try all they want. But in the end, for Altered Egos, the Symbiotes…we'll remain the Tag Team Champions of the World. Not those old f*ckers, not anybody in the Tag League Hour and not even Alvarez is going to stop us from setting records and reign for as long as we please. This is our time…and it's gonna keep f*cking going."


The A-List Open Challenge – "The A-List Superstar" Zeke Aries vs. ?

Recap: You've read that title correctly, people. Zeke Aries, fresh off Summer Wars his victory against Kenshin Himura, has come out to the ring to declare the inaugural "A-List Open Challenge" to ANYONE willing to put out the fire in this self-proclaimed hot, young talent going today in all of APEX Wrestling. For as much as the crowd disliked Zeke, they were more excited to see at least someone shut his big mouth for once.

The first to accept this this challenge, out of people…

…was WADE W. WILSONDEADPOOL, the WCW Cartoon World Heavyweight Champion! The Merc with a Mouth was here on Apex Caliber Wrestling to accept Zeke's challenge!

…Okay, it's not really Deadpool. It's just some John Doe cosplaying as him. The worst part is how POOR the costume design was. And yet, Zeke had the NERVE to feign his reaction full of "shock and awe" to "Deadpool" answering his challenge. Referee Corey Jackson was BAFFLED at the sight…but just to get it over with, he called for the bell and merely stood back while Zeke and "Deadpool" commenced the match. The moment the imposter shouted "CHIMICHANGAS!" as the bell rang and he charged after Zeke, the A-List Superstar caught him with a Dead-Shot (Jumping Reverse STO) and promptly squashed him with the Reality Check afterwards for the three-count. Zeke took to the mic and questioned that if Deadpool was the best WCW had to offer, then it's no wonder they deserved getting squashed during The Invasion in 2001. Cheap heat, Zeke received, but it was the best kind of heat to him. Although, he'll give another chance to anybody who wishes to beat Aries in a match he wants to leave SATISFIED…and then the crowd ERUPTED when The Walking Dead theme song played to Zeke's SHOCK…

…only for the crowd's positive reception turned back to a negative one when "Rick Grimes" came out on a hobby horse, a stupidly huge cowboy hat, a plastic sheriff's badge, big cowboy boots, etc. Just that the imposter looked so exaggerated and stereotypical, the only one finding this amusing was Zeke hardly holding back his laughter while keeping his shocked expression. The "former FWF World Champion" gets ready for the next bell to ring…and when it did…Zeke squashed him with EASE, kicking him in the gut and driving his head down with the Sheriff's Badge (Cradle Piledriver). He went for the pin…but interrupts the referee's count by lifting the shoulders up. Apparently, Zeke didn't think this was fitting enough for an ending…so he brought "Rick" up on the ropes, carrying him on his shoulders…and then spiking him with Carl Grimes' Severed Ties (Electric Chair Driver)! During the pin, the imposter shouted "COOORAAAALLL!" in vain. Second time in a row, Aries has beaten "another world champion"…how historic.

Zeke Aries took to the mic once more how this match was NOT even enough to make him break a sweat, extremely disappointed by both WCW and FWF for delivering him poor competitors. But, as they say, third time's the charm. So Zeke demands another challenge for any other "unfortunate soul" to come down to the ring and meet their inevitable doom. And after a minute…Aries just gives up and begins leaving the ring, apparently undefeated for tonight in his own mind…

…until "The Time is Now" played, the arena going NUTS just as Zeke is back in the ring, showing TRUE shock and horror…

…bringing out THE CENATION LEADER HIMSELF—JOHN CENA! THE CHAMP is HERE in Apex Caliber Wrestling to stand up for the wrestlers mocked by Zeke tonight!

Though, there was something different about Cena; this person was just as jacked…and wearing the exact same clothing…but the problem is this: he's a midget. And those frenzied cheers turned into disappointed and heavy boos for the mini Cena walking down the ring, doing all the exact motions the real 16-time world champion would do. Zeke enjoyed EVERY second of it as he was laughing in the corner, covering his face in the turnbuckles that he pounds with his fist with…and Corey Jackson just exasperated at this point.

"The champ is HERE!" shouted the little person, throwing up the signature hand signs…and once the bell ring, Zeke simply stopped him with a hand in his face. "Cena" is swinging his fists at Zeke like a windmill while the latter just shook his head. Then he kicks him in the gut, carries him on his shoulders and plants him down with an Attitude Adjustment. And quickly afterwards, Aries applied the STF on the small man, forcing him to tap out literally a second after the submission used. To Aries, he managed to be the first person in YEARS to make Cena tap out and give up…to the rest, they've only seen an ego trip at best and were just hoping it was over. Which it was, thankfully. Zeke was content with wrestling three "A-Plus matches" in a row and sought exiting the ring a winner…

…and that was when "Godzilla" by Blue Öyster Cult played…

…and for sure, this was NO joke, "King of the Monsters" Godzilla had ARRIVED on RAMPAGE to say how he's had enough of Zeke's antics. Just as he entered the ring, Zeke ducked out of it, wanting NOTHING to do with the Alpha Predator. And…Godzilla was fine with that. He only stared a hole through the departing Aries…before looking all around the bodies of the fakers in and out of the ring…and there indeed evil intentions as he forcefully dragged "Deadpool" and "Rick Grimes" back inside. Godzilla pointed straight at Zeke…as he grabbed both men's throats…and PLUMMETED them into canvas with a double Atomic Breath Chokeslam (Vader's Sky High Chokeslam)! And he was far from done as he then picked up the Mini Cena with ease on his shoulders…and PLANTED him with IMPACT through a mere Elevated Powerbomb! These men were nothing more than victims…and messages towards Zeke Aries, who almost lost his smile after the sheer strength displayed by the roaring Godzilla, that karma is coming…and it hit him HARD.


Backstage Segment – Jason Krueger seeks for a new purpose after Summer Wars

Recap: Somewhere around the darkest parts of the SAP Center…Jason Krueger has entered in front of the camera's view. He stands at the center, looking down with his hands on his hips while pondering on his words in his silence. During then, we can see how the scars and wounds still exist on his face with bandages covering them up.

There were times where he shook his head in disappointment, sometimes twice or so…paced around the room for brief moment…and letting out short, yet heavy sigh. All it took was half a minute to come up with what he has to say. Half a minute to get some things off his chest. Half a minute of silence…and so, he speaks.

"I can't…even fathom how much has shit has been thrown at me. How much bull I had to go through. How much I had to suffer at the expense of others… Every time that I'm in a situation where the odds are against me…it feels like politics are involved. Only a few promotions I'm in…two higher ups are always trying to screw me over." Jason stares…breathes through the nose with eyes shut…and exhales. "…UCA…reigning Intercontinental Championship…Fatal 4-Way…Final Clash. I bled and sweat…to retain that title…only to have it take it away from me the VERY NEXT F*CKING NIGHT…by the SAME SON OF A BITCH whose NECK I've SHATTERED long ago. …And here he is, stealing MY SPOTLIGHT and MY CHAMPIONSHIP. Months on end, I reigned and defended that title…and yet this BASTARD struts in and takes my title in ONE DAY."

Krueger slowly covered his whole face up. Exhaling deeply into his hands, he had to simmer down. He knew what transpired down at the association of universal characters pissed him off…but something else was a bigger matter here. His hands ran down his face before running them over his ashy hair, letting them tie behind his head.

"But that's not what is important. It isn't what sets me off the most. Actually…just BEING here, in this very company…it makes me SICK," Jason growls, baring his feral teeth as his hand gestures go along with his words. "This organization just makes me sick to my stomach every time I clock in. These fake smiles, these people…every time I look at those bastards, it makes me SICK, to think of what they have done to me now—how they TREATED ME."

The Newark native then runs a single hand over his face, pondering once more.

He sighs, "Although…I do ask myself…what it is that I'm doing wrong? …Where am I making the wrong turn? What wrong decisions am I making? What…am I doing to put myself in this mess? Is there…something wrong with me? What did I do to deserve this?" He sighs once more…and shakes his head a moment after. "Nah…there's nothing wrong. Nothing. Just a bunch of politicking in the background as usual… 'APEX Era'—what a bunch of crap. Just because this company got itself a refresher course doesn't mean that whatever shit left behind that they'll just throw it in the trash—the smell will still F*CKING be there. …Ever since I got signed to this company, since day one…despite all the BS he put me through…I bust my ass day in and day out. Through my and this company's beginning, I was the first ACW Hardcore Champion—THEIR first Hardcore Champion. And from there…the respect I had from them started to fade. It became more about nepotism. It was all black and white. It didn't matter if I was a champion. It didn't matter if I was working my ass off. No matter how much effort I put into my matches, I put into my title defenses…I don't get the respect I deserve here. I pour all my sweat, my blood and, hell, even my own heart in this business for this company…and NOTHING.

"…And that's exactly what I have in this company now: nothing. Absolutely nothing. I have no gold on me whatsoever. …Congratulations to you, Alvarez. You got what you wanted. You got your clean slate for this shit company…and you have me broken with no gold to fall back on …But to be honest, there is just so many people at fault…but I don't know who to point that finger the most," Jason utters. "There…there are just a lot of bastards that got themselves tangled in MY business. MY goals. Now…call me insane. Call me a psychopath. Call me a monster. Call me whatever you want just to make yourself feel like you're the one protecting your brats and using me as an example. But like in every promotion that I'm in or I've ever been in…I'm the hardest worker there is. And you damn well know it. Yet, here…no matter how hard I work…I seem to fall further behind. Hmph… Guess that makes sense to how the Hardcore Championship is at a further distance from my grasp… Goddamn politics."

For one last time, Jason lets out a deep sigh with a growling tone and his head lifted up, looking towards the ceiling. He then stares down once more, licking his lips slowly and smacking them once. Jason concluded this, shall we say, venting in saying, "For right now, I have no direction. At least that's what I thought when I lost the Hardcore Title. So I seek for a new purpose. In the meantime…f*ck all of you. And you know who you are since I'm unlikely to go after the Hardcore Title again for a while…and I don't know who to blame the most to go after alone…I'm coming for EVERY single one of you."


Backstage Segment – Clarissa Rivera interviews PewDiePie over his recent losses

Recap: Nearly a week since Summer Wars has come to pass and PewDiePie is still effected by his devastating loss at the event. Of course, Miss Rivera saw it on his face clear as day and as he was once an interviewer here alongside her, she couldn't help but feel bad for her friend. But she had a job to follow, stating the events that occurred at this past Sunday. Failing to capture the Evolve Championship for not just himself, but the YouTube Revolution as well, this loss has never left his mind since; she wonders aloud how it must've taken a toll on his mind.

Felix did not act like his usual self since his match with Luke Smith—at least his eccentric, sarcastic self. There was just no point of it if he didn't have a championship victory to revel about for the Revolution he once proudly represented. He felt like he let every single one of his fellow YouTubers all down (save for a few enemies). Might be bringing himself down too much, but who can blame him after coming so close, yet so far in the end? His head still hurts. His leg still hurts. But they'll heal. What'll take longer to heal is his spirit that's been nearly quite diminished after getting pinned. It's clear he won't be going after the Evolve Title or any other one for a while. And recently, he participated in the Hellfire Invitation…and was the second to last person eliminated. So with what feels like there's no direction…what's there to do?

"Perhaps I can help with that."

That sentence caught Felix's ear and his attention as he looks back…and the camera reveals Kenshin Himura himself, much to surprise of Pewds and Clarissa's surprise. Kenshin tells the YouTuber that he knows what it's like to lose in a big match situation, especially involving a title. He knows what it's like when it appears that he's let fans and friends down. And recently, like Felix, he's taken a loss himself at Summer Wars. He still intends to input respect into Aries, but with him being occupied by someone else at the moment, it seems that'll have to hold. For now, he tries reassuring that Felix has somehow been through this before long ago in his career and has come back since. Yes, Felix felt like he was leading something special and sought to help bring respect towards YouTubers in the multiversal wrestling ring…but he can't dwell on this forever.

As an offer, if Pewds wants to seek redemption for himself and find his courage again…start with Kenshin Himura himself. Tonight. Right here and now. It's wrestling for the sake of it, but at least it gives Pewds a reason to find hope in himself. Pewds thought rather hard on this proposal…and with no other option, he accepted his challenge. The crowd reacted excitedly, anticipating a possibly great match between the two as they will clash for the first time in the squared circle.


"The Swedish YouTube Sensation" PewDiePie vs. "The Wanderer" Kenshin Himura

Recap: This match was a pure contest. No heat between them, nothing personal at all. Just two respectable competitors giving their best in front of a motivated crowd. It's only a matter of which method outdoes the other: Pewds' jack of all trades style or Kenshin's hard-striking, high-flying style. Referee Taylor Michaels stood by in awe as the two entered a quick series of chain wrestling, ending with a stalemate and an applause thereafter. Although, there was something to note here as the crowd were more supportive of Kenshin than PewDiePie. The peaceful swordsman appreciated it, but it's clear his mind is all on this match like the Swedish YouTuber. Another collar-and-elbow lockup and off they go in yet another chain wrestling event…just until Kenshin caught a running Felix a headlock takedown…then a headscissors counter by Felix…and Kenshin balances himself with a headstand before popping out of the headscissors to nail a Front Dropkick in Pewds' face.

The more in control Kenshin was, the more frustrated Pewds got despite the fact that this was supposed to be a pure contest…and Pewds does keep it that way…until he finally lets the aggressive brawler side of himself out by SMASHING an elbow into Kenshin's jaw, freeing himself from the rear waistlock and sending spit flying out of his mouth! Kenshin staggers as Felix throws him into a near corner, proceeding to attack him relentlessly with multiple back elbows to the face. It was until the official had to step in-between the two just to hold Pewds back…and surprisingly, he complied to calm down…and then walked after Kenshin, who went for a Dropkick out of the corner. Pewds catches his feet and throws them outside as Kenshin lands on the apron. He throws a fist, but Himura catches it while grabbing his head to smash into the top turnbuckle. As Felix stumbles away, Kenshin seeks the Soaring Sakabatō…and he GETS CAUGHT IN A FLAPJACK! Kenshin rolls out upon the impact…through this was fine for Pewds…as he went out to the apron and with a wide grin, he sang at the top of his lungs, "I came in like a MEATBALL~!" before crashing into Kenshin with Wrecking Meatball!

Now it was Pewds' turn to be in the driver's seat, he kept his mean streak going with each shot landed with intent to hurt Kenshin. Obviously, it's still nothing personal, but this is a wrestling match…and there has to be a winner and a loser here; Pewds will not be the latter at all costs. But Kenshin refuses to let this go on as he escapes the Reverse Chinlock with an elbow to the gut and chest, then a knife edge chop. Pewds strikes back with his own chop and throws him over to the nearest corner, only to fail an attack when Kenshin slid through the ropes to the apron. Pewds swings and misses a punch…and fakes out the back elbow with a STIFF left-handed punch at the jaw! He then drags him to adjacent corner, looking for what appears to be a Deadlift Superplex…but Kenshin escapes, pulls the foot from under…and lands a Rope-aided Enzuigiri to the face! Pewds falls onto his back with his legs hanging off the middle ropes…and Kenshin did not hesitate to climb the very top…and FLATTEN Felix's chest with Battōsai's Wrath (Diving Double Foot Stomp)! He drags him away to the center for a cover…and only gets a near-fall. And the camera gets a good look at Kenshin's face, now he was the one letting the sense of competitiveness get the better of him.

Finally, the two made it clear they're no longer holding back on each other. Move after move, strike after strike, Pewds and Kenshin appeared to be on an even level…until Kenshin's Diving Hurricanrana attempt got caught…and Felix turns him around on his shoulders, looking for the PewDieDriver! But the two are struggling for control…and Kenshin escapes with a desperate Reverse Frankensteiner, spiking Pewds on top of his head! Pewds appeared out of it…but not completely as he managed to shoot the arm up at two-count! So Kenshin starts winding up the orthodox arm for the Reverse Blade Forearm…and through the discus, Pewds catches him in a Backslide Pin…but Kenshin slipped out instantly…and catches Pewds off guard with the feint Shining Wizard turned into a Reverse Roundhouse to the back of the head! He tries the Sakabatō Forearm once more, anticipating Pewds rise…and PEWDS FLINGS HIM HIGH WITH A POP-UP POWERBOMB! ONE, TWO—KICK-OUT AT A NEAR-FALL! But Pewds immediately tries to follow up with a Barrel Buster (Fireman's Carry Double Knee Gutbuster)…and Kenshin gets out of it, nailing the Sakabatō Forearm to the face! Kenshin covers for 1…2…Pewds powers out at a near-fall as well!

Close to the very end of this match, both men's hearts help them keep fighting, but their bodies are likely to soon reach their limits after how much damage they've done to each other. Kenshin is the one left standing momentarily as Pewds' eyes appear quite glassy after the impact of that forearm from Himura. With him on his knees, Himura begins striking him down via knife edge chops, each one more brutal than the last. But no matter how hard and sharp his chops are, Felix REFUSES to lie on his back…and Kenshin escorts him to his feet with a mere Front Facelock…then picks his head up for the Reverse Blade Forearm…which Pewds blocks with a striking fist! It hurt him as much as it hurt Kenshin's forearm…but he sucked up and grabbed him in an Inverted Headlock…until Kenshin managed to spin out, short-arm Ryūtsuisen incoming…CAUGHT by Pewds…who sets him up on his shoulders…and DRILLS him into the canvas with the PewDieDriver at the center…and he gets the three-count over The Wanderer!

…or at least he would've…

…had it not been for RC Bane pulling the referee out of the ring! The Virus King rushes in with a chair in hand to smash it over Pewds' back and sends another shot over Kenshin's head! Referee Taylor Michaels was still conscious enough to call for a no contest, but Bane was clearly not willing to listen to his orders to stop this attack, reaching to a point where Bane threatened to attack the official the same. RC has taken advantage of their fatigued conditions, planting PewDiePie with the Virus Impact (Falling Gutwrench Powerbomb) straight onto the unfolded chair. Then he went after Kenshin with a Virus Breakdown (Full Nelson Facebuster) to Kenshin onto that same chair…but the humble samurai resisted to become a victim, breaking away from his grip with an elbow to the face. Kenshin went for the Ryūtsuisen…and RC Bane caught him with another Virus Impact, quickly followed by the Virus Breakdown—face-first into the open chair!

After Bane stood tall and left, Clarissa Rivera approached him for answers to why he did such a thing just now…and the Virus King soon responded that he was sick and tired of biding his time in this promotion. He is tired of being left in the background when he should be on the same level as he is in PCUW and AUW. In the previous era, he barely got a glimpse of the spotlight for himself while his partner, Jason Krueger, had glory with hardcore gold. This organization promised a new era for all wrestlers…and Bane intends to make sure they keep their end of the bargain, because if they're not willing to let him have the spotlight, then he'll just have to take it by FORCE into the APEX Era. And soon enough…it'll all come down to the promised day: the day the Virus Era will be born.


Backstage Segment – Sasuke Uchiha and Ichigo Kurosaki hype up their Hardcore Championship match for RAMPAGE X

Recap: And right after the break, we were treated to short, yet strong backstage promo clips cut by APEX Hardcore Champion Sasuke Uchiha and challenge Ichigo Kurosaki for their upcoming bout by next week's special episode of Saturday Night RAMPAGE. Not getting too into detail over the setting, let's be safe to say that Sasuke stood before a purple background followed by Ichigo with a gray background.

The newly-crowned champion went first, getting straight to the point how all of this is a proper waste of time. Happy as he was when he won at Summer Wars, the fact that he's facing Ichigo Kurosaki in a rematch for his Hardcore Championship just disdains him. It's all beneath him—both this match and the challenger. Even so, there's one thing he'll get out of this and that's to get Ichigo out of the way for his climb back to the top, using the Hardcore Title to do just that. He states that Ichigo won't be left a loser once he beats him…he'll be left a VICTIM once he's done pulverizing him to a near coma. It's nothing personal, really…just how he has to be in a malicious environment such as a Hardcore Match.

The Substitute Soul Reaper…appeared very disgruntled. He hasn't had exactly much luck outside of APEX from UWE to the Madness Trio Tournament and his recent loss with the Hardcore Title after holding for only a MONTH did not help matters. Given this second chance to regain the belt, Ichigo is determined to turn the tide for himself. However, just the same as Sasuke stated before him, Ichigo promises his path to becoming a first-ever two-time champion overall in APEX and ending Sasuke's reign in an instant will only end with the latter left as nothing more than a broken shell of his former self. In this path, if he's to turn to the dark side completely…then so be it. There will be no regrets from then on out. One way or another, Ichigo Kurosaki will become the Hardcore Champion once again.


Main Event: Open Challenge – "The Beast of Geats" Beowulf vs. ?

Recap: Finally, we've arrived to our main event. And the San Jose natives inside the SAP Center were very excited to be treated to see APEX World Champion Beowulf putting out an open challenge. It may not be for the title, but a chance to break his undefeated streak should suffice enough as a way to give challengers a reason to give their all. Beowulf stated this challenge was extended to ANY man brave and confident enough to take The Beast of Geats himself. No matter who challenged him, the epic hero was ready for anything…

…or so he thought when "Just Close Your Eyes" by Bedlam's Gate played…his expression became into an intrigued one…and whole arena were standing on their feet…

…because the one answering Beowulf's challenge…

…was "Vengeance" Drew Cage riding in on a Hell Cycle with flame pyro shooting up from both sides of the stage! To describe him for casual fans reading this, he has brown hair, blue eyes, a scar running downward on his left cheek, and his hairstyle is described as emo-style with the fringe mostly covering up the right side. True to his inspiration, the Ghost Rider of Marvel fame, Cage wore an attire similar to with a leather jacket wielding spikes on the shoulders, spiked gloves, black jeans, a chain wrapped around his side, and brown boots. The APEX Era has become full of surprises as of late…and they can only get better from here on out now that the face of the Cage family has arrived. Of course, a certain A-Lister won't be happy about this…

…but it matters not. Drew Cage was here to shine in APEX and make a name for himself. Of course…he had to get through a beast to get by. One Beast of Geats with an undefeated streak and an APEX World Championship under his belt. And it will definitely not be easy for Cage. Especially how the match kicked off with Beowulf effortlessly pushing Drew back twice after their collar-and-elbow lockup attempt. Drew does get a shot in via forearm after feigning another tie-up, but Beowulf stops him on his tracks with a Big Boot. Into the corner they go for Beowulf to display his raw strength once again by Biel Throwing the firstborn Cage all the way across the ring. Now, Beowulf knew when to take any opponent seriously and with caution…but it's quite clear how he's taunting Cage out of his own amusement as well to emphasize power and strength over finesse. Well, now how that was shown, it was Drew's turn to show what he can do as he was able to lure Beowulf into a Side Headlock. The Beast of Geats lifted Cage for a Back Suplex, but Drew flipped over onto his feet behind and low kicks him at the thigh. Drew allowed Beowulf to nurse the left leg before they began intertwining their hands in a Greco-Roman knuckle lock. Of course, Drew twisted the left arm of Beowulf and repeatedly kicked the same limb until Beowulf blocked it with his right elbow and pulled him into Short-arm Shoulder Block. Drew rolled away to recover like Beowulf, nursing the leg…and noticed how this turned into a game of one-upmanship with the way Drew smirked quite arrogantly despite the wind getting knocked out of his lungs.

So after Drew appeared to have momentum with the armbar, Beowulf provided power over finesse again with a back body drop. Then after Drew caught himself with the ropes off the Irish Whip, Drew booted Beowulf in the face and aims for a Springboard Moonsault…which Beowulf caught with ease. But Drew squirmed around, trying to escape his clutches when they got too close to the ropes and Drew slipped out onto the apron. With that, he decided to execute a Suplex on the champion, but he wouldn't have it as Beowulf's power overwhelmed Cage and forced him back in the ring with a Suplex of his own…and Drew landed on his feet behind him. Dropkick from behind—Beowulf was sent out of the ring! As he collected himself from the crash, Drew took advantage quickly as he hit the ropes front and back for white hot adrenaline…and has taken down Beowulf with a Suicide Somersault Senton! The crowd on their feet with a round of applause as Drew quipped that as a former world champion, he was merely giving Beowulf a lesson on how he should ACT as one.

Back in the ring, Drew applied a rest hold in the Reverse Chinlock in order to hold Beowulf down. However, Beowulf still had plenty of energy to basically carry and BANG Cage into the mat with a Back Suplex Side Slam. Drew rolled away to a nearby corner to try and keep his distance, but it wasn't much of a good idea…at first until Drew kicked the approaching Beowulf in the gut. Then he went up the second rope, jumped over for a Sunset Flip…but Beowulf's feet remain planted into the canvas. Beowulf grabbed onto Drew's neck, effortlessly heaved him all the way up to the top turnbuckle and elbow smashed him for good measure. He has joined him on the same floor, feet on the second rope as he set up the Superplex…but Cage prevented it with a couple of elbows to the sides, enough make his opponent lose his grip and go on with forearms to the face. Beowulf is forced to step off as Drew Cage crouches on the very top…and the Diving Clothesline attempt is avoided, Beowulf rebounding off the turnbuckles for an early Spear finish…but Drew proves one step ahead with a leapfrog and a Superkick—no, caught by Beowulf…and thrown down—shifting into a Pelé Kick. Beowulf down to a knee and Drew circled around to apply a waistlock…but his German Suplex attempt is foiled by Beowulf's back elbows. This lead to Drew pushing him to the ropes so he can rebound off them himself…only to be outsmarted by Beowulf, who delivered a vicious Clothesline that turned him inside out.

From that critical moment, Beowulf went on overpower the former NCW Heavyweight Champion, displaying the dominance through a Powerbomb performed twice in a row as it got him a near-fall. Despite his best efforts to fight back, this match reached a point where Drew found it hard to breathe with how overwhelming Beowulf's offense was. Beowulf has Drew on the ropes—quite literally, in fact with no intentional pun, as the former Irish Whipped the latter away…and that Mountain Bomb attempt resulted Drew flipping onto his feet and running for the ropes with a rebound…ducking a Clothesline and a back elbow…aiming a Springboard Corkscrew Crossbody…CAUGHT by Beowulf in his arms. He went for the Swinging Side Slam…which Drew countered into an Arm Drag…and then immediately nailed the running forearm. Quickly, he distanced himself a bit and ran toward Beowulf to only get back body dropped…and Drew had actually planned that to happen when he grabbed Beowulf's head midair and snapped it over the ropes via Inverted Hotshot. As Drew hung on and stood on the apron, Beowulf staggered forward while nursing his neck…and this gave Drew the chance for a Damnation Forearm (Springboard Forearm Smash)! Drew Cage made the cover…but Beowulf POWERED OUT at 2.83!

Much later, after lifting Beowulf up on the top turnbuckle, he prepped him for the upcoming Muscle Buster coined as Eternal Vengeance…but the epic hero proved much too heavy for him, resulting Beowulf to slide down behind him. Drew was quicker to hit a Back Kick to the midsection…but it was clear that his back almost gave out from Beowulf's large stature as he hesitated the Corner Springboard Sunset Flip with Beowulf catching him midway. From the pre-Alabama Slam setup, Beowulf struggled to adjust while Drew struggled to escape…and the former wins it out after a Fireman's Carry Slam. Then Beowulf picked him back up for a Dangan Bomb…until Drew shot a straight knee and elbow to the face to free himself. With Beowulf in pain, Drew hooked up his leg around his…

…and rolled forward all the way to apply Pandora's Box (Calf Killer)! All it took was one opportunity and Drew seized it well to pull back that leg as much as possible and add pressure to it for the APEX World Champion to scream in agony. It was also impressive how Cage sunk his shin against the back of Beowulf's leg, the longer it went on for Beowulf to be on the edge of submission. However, Cage torqued the leg a bit too far enough to help Beowulf reverse Pandora's Box into a Cross Armbreaker, forcing the former to earn a rope break with a foot on the bottom rope. So the two are on their vertical bases, albeit Beowulf nursing the leg…Drew, seeing it, was smart to attack it via Chop Block—until Beowulf caught him in his arms…and planted him with an Underhook Suplex! Cover and Drew kicked out, Beowulf picking him up again…before Drew slapped the arms away, landed two punches, a knee to the gut, a Spinning Backfist and a Step-up Enzuigiri—that combo known as Fury of Hades…

…and finished things off with a Shadow Kick (Spinning Dropkick)! Another pinfall attempt…and Beowulf was JUST able to kick out! And now, Drew was appearing frustrated; no matter how hard Drew knocked Beowulf down, he kept coming back up and it ate him up. Still, he knew to keep his head straight. He can't afford any mistakes. Seeing Beowulf beginning to stand, Drew rushed to the apron, already on his feet and holding onto the rope while measuring his opponent. Beowulf to a vertical base…Drew springs off the top…Damnation Forearm aborted as Beowulf moved…and missed the Discus Elbow. Drew caught him in a Full Nelson, but Beowulf broke out to nail a brutal Back Elbow…then Drew stunned Beowulf with a Pelé Kick…and Beowulf won it out with a Spear! Just like that, Beowulf sprung to his feet with a monstrous roar, dragged Drew to his weak feet to set the Suplex up…and slammed the Wulfhammer on him! One pinfall counted by referee Nikolas Alba later and Beowulf secures another victory at 12-0.

This challenge has come and gone for the APEX World Champion, but it was not without its clear mutual respect between him and the elder Cage. After Beowulf finished the quick celebration of his victory, he helped Drew to his feet and gave him handshake for his efforts out of sportsmanship. As the top guy of this promotion, Beowulf has welcomed Drew Cage to Apex Caliber Wrestling by showing him off to the cheering crowd. Drew left for Beowulf to continue his celebration…

…and at backstage, Cage was approached by Clarissa Rivera for a quick interview. Clarissa stated that despite the loss, Drew left a great impression on the fans and the WORLD CHAMPION himself as she asks what he plans to do now that he's in APEX. Before he could answer, his expression changes to glare…for Zeke Aries to appear and confront his cousin. Apparently, Zeke wanted to "answer" for his "dear cousin" by saying that like most of the recent signings to APEX, he's nothing more than just a special attraction for idiot fans to buy tickets to see until they eventually get sick of him and APEX realizes that enough to willingly release him from his contract and "wish him best of luck on all his future endeavors". But still, Zeke warned his cousin that if they ever come across each other in the ring, he'll make him regret signing to his company. Drew's response: "Well, you certainly know how to make enemies left and right, Zeke…especially when you have a 7-foot-tall monster (literally) coming after you. That's fine, I'll wait for you…and when the day comes, I'll make you regret for EVER renouncing the Cage family name." Both Cage and the former Cage hold a stare down before Zeke slowly backs away off camera as Drew glares on…

…and we cut back to Beowulf holding the APEX World Championship triumphantly at the center of the ring. This would be the final shot taken for the APEX fans to see as the ninth chapter of RAMPAGE came to a close and faded to black for the night.


Results for RAMPAGE IX:

Joan Rivera def. Trish via pinfall [13:38]

The A-List Open Challenge #1 – Zeke Aries def. "Deadpool" via pinfall [0:14]

The A-List Open Challenge #2 – Zeke Aries def. "Rick Grimes" via pinfall [0:25]

The A-List Open Challenge #3 – Zeke Aries def. "John Cena" via submission [0:13]

PewDiePie vs. Kenshin Himura ended in a no contest due to RC Bane's interference [14:50]

Main Event: Open Challenge – Beowulf def. Drew Cage via pinfall [16:25]


Official Card for Ignition X:

10-Man Battle Royale for an APEX Evolve Championship match at Unforgiven – Dante, Spider-Man, Scorpion, Kurt Hudson, Spin the Hedgehog, the Naughty Dogs, and three APEX Underground cameos

iGeneration (Carly Shay and Sam Puckett) (with Freddie Benson) [c] vs. Hart of Hyuga (Hinata Hyuga and Samantha Hart) for the APEX Women's Tag Team Championship

Fatal 4-Way Ladder Match – Luke Smith [c] vs. James Griffin vs. Nero vs. Daniel Kent for the APEX Evolve Championship

Best of 4 Series, Round 1 – Alpha & Omega [c] vs. Altered Egos vs. The Symbiotes for the APEX World Tag Team Championship

Main Event: 2-out-of-3 Falls Match – Téa Gardner vs. Mai Valentine; if Mai wins, she'll be added to the World Women's Title bout at Unforgiven as a Triple Threat


Predetermined Card for Unforgiven (subject to change):

Handicap Match – Takashi Komuro and Kohta Hirano vs. The Wolves (Erik Rollins, Hannibal Ambrose and Damian Reigns)

Severe 6-Way – Beowulf [c] vs. Naruto Uzumaki vs. Ash Ketchum vs. Seto Kaiba vs. Vergil vs. Isaac Clarke for the APEX World Championship


And that's another chapter in the books for this one. Just like before, I was very burned out and took about two-and-a-half months to finish. To me, it most likely shows by my main event as the match just not as fun as I thought it would be and it's just all over the place. But hey, you guys be the judge and tell me what's wrong. Maybe I didn't screw up. Who knows?

Anyway, just glad I managed to finish this chapter, because I'm very excited to write the tenth episodes of both Ignition and RAMPAGE. Seriously, there's a LOT to look forward to these two cards and I hope you guys look forward what I have to write. By the way, if you want to see what happens in the RAMPAGE Tag League Hour, you can check the matches and quick results here: topic/116082/171218406/1/Apex-Caliber-Wrestling-Ignition-RAMPAGE-PPVs-etc-Results-Highlights-and-More#171218406

Remember to leave a review behind when you're done reading. If not, at least let me know you've enjoyed my work. I appreciate all readers.

So until then…thank you, goodbye and good night.

BANG.