Heart & Soul Wrestling Chapter 15: Grit Episode 2, a X-overs + Wrestling Crossover fanfic

Heart & Soul: Grit

Episode 2

January 14th, Year 2

CourageDome

Kingwood, WV

Alex Minazuki vs. Bolin – Gold Rush Qualifier

Immediately after a repeat of the "Rock Or Bust" intro, Grit cuts to a CourageDome roaring with a crowd chanting along to Pantera's "Walk". You can feel the energy in the building and instantly want to be a part of whatever is happening. What's transpiring is the arrival of the goofy, loveably & arguably most popular fixture of the Heart & Soul roster; Bolin. Its his first time getting to fight in the CourageDome and is eager to make a drive toward the Heart of Wrestling Championship. On the opposite side of the six-sided ring is the young lion that is Alex Minazuki. He had a few appearances in the ring in Year 1 and while making some waves hadn't truly stuck. There's a chance he can slingshot himself into the main event picture in a hurry, but to do so will meaning having to overcome The Whole Damn Deal.

There's a show of respect at the opening of the bell. Both men acknowledge that whatever happens next isn't personal, they just have a common goal. Some nice chain wrestling starts things off, Bolin is quick to show he has the strength advantage. Alex tried early for one of his European uppercuts, but Bolin blocks it before it decimates his jaw. A emboldened smirk grows on Bolin as Alex sheepishly grins, realizing….he's in danger. Throws Alex aside, spinning heel kick drops him! After some more sparing, Alex is out on the ground. Bolin is in firm control, pumping his thumbs down at himself. The Cure Phenomenal gazes up, knowing he's got quite the peak to scale.

Bolin made no chase for Alex. It was up to the youngblood to decide if he was going to get counted out or return to the fray. Alex makes his way in, attempting to slingshot over Bolin as he bolts toward him on the edge of the ring. Though he slingshots, he's unable to do much more as he's swept off his legs. But something began to develop throughout the match. Bolin would put Alex down with variants of kicks and throws. But he also embraced long pauses to embrace the crowd. Alex caught on, and began to try on multiple attempts to roll up Bolin. The Whole Damn Deal continually managed to kick out, but Alex's sudden bursts of energy after impactful falls was starting to disorganize Bolin's gameplan.

Bolin tries later into the match with a running bulldog, but Alex lurches forward and clings to his opponent's waist. Bolin manages to keep himself from being pressed into the ropes, but Alex GERMAN SUPLEXES Bolin back into the center of the canvas. The crowd is wowed, not expecting Bolin to be yanked off his feet in such a manner. He hits a standing moonsault to compress Bolin for a pin attempt that is thwarted with a kick out. Bolin & Alex batter one another, on even footing, til Bolin fakes a spinning heel kick. Alex braced for the impact, Bolin drops his foot down and instead pulls in Alex's face for the single knee facebuster! He whips Alex into the corner and goes up top, preparing to go Coast-To-Coast…

…

But ALEX rolled out of harms way, Bolin's boots hit the turnbuckle. He visibly lands funky on his right knee and staggers to his feet. He's swinging desperately to hit Alex first chance he gets. He knows he's hurt and needs to finish this quick to win. Alex ducks the punches, and again goes for a simple roll-up for a attempted pin. Bolin kicks out, getting back to his feet and pushing Alex down to the canvas with one foot. Bolin quickly climbs up on top of the buckle, immediately shoots down for the Five Star Frog Splash that hits NOTHING but canvas as Alex jumps to the safety of the ring corner. He pulls Bolin up by the wrist, knocking him down violently with his variant of a Rainmaker. Bolin lapses, just too slow to get back up and avoid what comes next. Alex HITS The Shiniest Shooting Star Press (Corkscrew Shooting Star Press), Pins Bolin Dead Center Of The Ring And WINS! Alex pops up instantly after the three count, down on his knees and pumping fists in the air. Its a big shocker that Alex will use to launch himself into the Gold Rush Ladder Match in a couple of weeks!

Leslie Haines vs. Dazzling Rose

Leslie walks into the Courage Dome being showed with boos. Its jealousy, she assumes, and won't entertain their envy of her privileged lifestyle. Her thick fur coat that conceals her sleek ring gear contrasts against the grimy walls of metal around her. She tries blocking the view that sickens her with her fancy shades, not wanting to make eye contact with the lower class. Her body guard, Bruce Hogan, stands close by as Leslie's anthem fades into the boos from Kingwood. Dazzling Rose gets just the opposite. She's warmly welcomed into the CourageDome, swift & elegantly dashing into the six-sided ring. Without a word she's able to win the support of the crowd. Her silence speaks volumes, allowing the crowd's to stare in awe and wonder at the masked beauty whose mere presence sends Leslie bailing from the ring.

Dazzling Rose begins the match on a high note, keeping one step ahead and rebounding off the ropes. Leslie's head moves back and forth, continually trying to judge what Rose is up to but isn't able to decipher in the early going. Down she goes from springboard kicks & crossbodies. Rose even plays up her enigmatic status by hushing the crowd momentarily to deliver a DEVASATING chop. Its all fun in the early going in the CourageDome for the Dazzling Rose, but the threat of Bruce Hogan looms large on the outside.

The match predictably spills to the outside, Rose's attempt at diving crossbody has to be put on pause as Hogan yanks Haines away from the impact zone. Rose tries instead for a moonsault from the top of the buckle to the outside, but is grabbed around the waist before shoving her HEAD FIRST into the squared ring post! Leslie quickly follows up by smashing Rose's skull against the side of one of the metal balconies, finishing up with a BULLDOG on the floor! The match returns to the ring, where Leslie eventually attempts to put Rose away with a Sitout Facebuster. Rose gets her shoulders up at two.

Leslie tries at one point to launch Rose back with a german suplex, but the Flying Flower skillfully unlocks her opponent's digits. She takes off toward the corner with Leslie's arm locked in, launching off the buckle and dragging Leslie to the canvas. Rose is back on her feet near instantaneously. She hurries to the top, hitting a frog splash and go at a pin of her own. Leslie kicks out. Rose pursues more moves to soften Leslie up further for one of sensational finishers. But she's taken to the mat by Leslie, who manages to tie up Rose's legs into a Figure Four! Rose fights desperately to get to the ropes, the longer she's in the hold the more she can feel her leg being separated from the knee. Rose is very near the ropes….but they seem to keep getting further and further, ever so slightly? Bruce Hogan Is Shouting At Rose To Give Up, While Nonchalantly Tugging The Bottom Rope Ever So Slightly Away From Rose's Finger Tips! The referee doesn't notice it, caught between the shouting of both Leslie & Bruce demanding Rose tap. Rose manages to fight the uphill battle she's been placed in and gets to the ropes, though much later then she'd wish to.

Leslie tries ending the match with the Curb Stomp but Rose grabs Leslie's foot, standing back up and looking through her mask into the eyes of a frightful girl. Leslie GRABS for Rose's mask, gripping onto to it with both hands. Rose tries fighting her off, not wanting her identity revealed. They both tumble to the canvas. Leslie keeps her grip on the mask applied, transitioning to Rose's back and locking in the Interrotwist (Camel Clutch). A groggy Dazzling Rose gives in, tapping out.

Zack's Carnage Championship Open Challenge

The hooded and gauze up Zack makes his first entrance into the CourageDome to a disparate reaction. Here is one of the most criminal members of the roster, a cold-blooded serial killer, the worst of humanity…but this IS a wrestling promotion and there are parts of the ground that always want to see the violence one-upped. With Chris House seemingly out of the picture, Zack has stolen and seeks to continue his mantle. He doesn't come to the ring ready for a competitive wrestling match. He's armed with his huge scythe, matching is large crazed grin, he's eager to bust someone open. The question is…who? Who will answer the challenge and try to pry the Carnage Championship from Zack's clutches?

The crowd rejoices as the opening riff of "H.T." echoes throughout the venue. Vash The Stampede, The Humanoid Typhoon and ECW Blood & Ink Icon, is answering the challenge. He's looking to rebound from his loss at Innuendo and what better way then going back to his in-ring roots. He certainly has the height & build advantage as opposed to the very skinny Serial Killer. But Zack is not a sane individual, the physical disadvantage only entices him to up his game in his first defense.

Zack opens the match SWINGING the scythe at Vash. The Humanoid Typhoon dodges in a hurry. Rebounds from the ropes and begins battering Zack with fists. Zack uses the butt of this weapon to break free, but Vash dodges ANOTHER lunge of the scythe. This time Zack ends up making contact with one of the buckle pads. He struggles to free the scythe and gets suplex'd away into the center of the ring. Vash goes to try to neutralize this danger to the CourageDome with a dragon sleeper, trying to lock the legs around the waist, but Zack is moving just too much to keep a hold fully applied. Elbows of the jaw get him free, he dives under the bottom rope and so appears to the floor.

Vash wants to remove the scythe from the equation, struggles to pull it out of the ruins of the buckle pad. Zack sneaks up behind, wrapping a CHAIN around Vash's neck that he'd unearthed from under the ring. This gives the scrawny Zack the edge needed to begin dragging Vash to the other side of the ring. The two ends of the chain are slung over his shoulder as he steps out and DROPS to the floor, Vash Is Lifted Off His Feet And Hangs Precariously Against The Ropes! The Chain Tears Into His Throat! Vash instinctively reaches his right foot out, catching his toe under the top middle rope and manages to partially right himself. Zack deviates back to scavenging for more weapons stuffed under the ring.

When Zack tries rentering with a trash can, he is clotheslined not by Vash's arm…But Rather Vash's Swinging The Two Halves Of The Chain Through The Air! Zack is thrown down to the canvas, Vash stares at the chain for a moment before discarding it. He doesn't want to become as demented as this Zack is. He wants to pin him and get the belt off of him as quick as possible...or else.

The violent opener quiets down in the short middle, as Vash goes about softening up Zack with various throws. A Fisherman Suplex to Zack upon the trash can is of particular highlight. But Zack perseveres through everything Vash can through at him. A few bruises won't scare Zack off from trying to tear apart the Humanoid Typhoon. He manages to keep avoiding the set up for the Angel Arm, constantly forcing Vash to step down from the ropes and reposition him. Vash Gets Snatched Up And Buckle Bombed! Followed up by a body avalanche into the corner. Zack eyes over his shoulder his scythe, still stuck into the opposite corner.

Zack readies Vash, HE GOES TO BUCKLE BOMB HIM AGAIN, THIS TIME TOWARD THE EDGE OF THE SCYTHE!...Thank Heavens Vash Begins Punching The Daylights Out Of Zack's Head! He veers off course before crashing into a funky accidental powerbomb on the canvas. Vash tries locking his legs, he realizes he can go for a Gogoplata. But it's poorly applied, it's not a hold the Humanoid Typhoon knows much of. It's desperation, hoping to spare Heart & Soul of this psycho. Zack can be heard LAUGHING while caught in the hold. He breaks free, amused at the failure of the gogoplata. Vash decks him, rolls on top and tries to pin him. Zack rolls his own shoulder up, both go rolling and rolling before spilling back to the floor.

Both wrestlers ram the other at least once against one of the mental makeshift balconies, the side of these shipping containers rattle in sync with the crowds ovations. Zack manages to get a hold on Vash's right arm and SMASHES it repeatedly against the side of one of the balconies. Vash tries to separate himself with his boot to the midsection, but favors the arm badly. Zack jumps upon Vash's back, attempting a sleeper. Vash charges backwards toward the ringpost, sandwiching Zack and getting free. Vash rolls in, needing a moment to re-evaluate the situation. He goriggly scales the corner, bending over and pulling Zack up by the hoodie. He's looking to hit the Long Colt from the top of the turnbuckle! It would surely end this nightmare for everyone….but Zack had gotten hold of another weapon. A small hammer he DRILLS Vash in the head with. The Humanoid Typhoon plummets back first to the canvas. Zack jumps down, grabbing the arms and underhooking them into what looks like a electric chair…

…

But turns into the likes of a vicious German Suplex, the combo known as Rest in Pieces! Zack dives over Vash's corpse for the cover, retaining his Carnage Championship.

Backstage Shenanigans #1

Coming right off the heels of this brutal encounter, Podcast approaches Vash as he has hobbled into part of the backstage area.

"Mr Vash, it's a honor to meet you finally. I've heard so much about you, though….man, that guys a cold blooded serial killer. And you couldn't stop him. What's up?" Podcast asks.

"I wish….I wish I could give you more kid but…I lost. That simple. It happens." Vash replies, still gasping for air after his match. "Will this be the last time I face Zack? Far from it…..I just witnessed first hand what type of danger has been unleashed into Heart & Soul. You bet wherever he stirs up trouble, I will be standing to stop it."

"oh…cool. Imagine what type of deathmatches we can get out of you vs Zack down the line. We could have exploding bared wire, sharks on a pole spectaculars!" Podcast geeks out.

"Heh-heh, easy kid…Its not fun getting into these situations. I try to de-escalate, not escalate." Vash kindly replies. But quickly his eyes looking beyond Podcast, toward something else.

"Oh, is this…is this the Vash The Stampede autograph line?" a clean cut black haired young man asks, dressed in a black denim jacket that has the sleeves cut out. Its very clear his question is sarcastic, as he has a bit of a devilish grin looking into the eyes of the Humanoid Typhoon.

"I suppose its become something like that….may I help you?" Vash asks, straightening himself up. Only Podcast's shot mic remains in focus between the two men.

"Yes, you may. You see, me and my brothers are big fans of yours. We watched Blood & Ink back in the day, too young though to be taken into a crowd like South Philly. Always wanted to see you in person….and here I am….but you don't look like a world champion, you don't look like a man with 60 Billion Double Dollars on his head…you don't even look like a human. No, you like….like a trampoline." This person claims, really elongating 'trampoline' to the point of almost being zany.

"…your right, I'm not human….but trampoline?" Vash questions, dumbfounded.

"Well it seems like everyone's been kicking you're a** lately, and everyone that does goes on to super stardom. Adam's the Heart of Wrestling Champion. Renton is getting a chance to qualify for that big ladder match…..what happens when The Boones kick you're a**?" The man asks.

"….which one are you?" Vash asks.

"I'm Cole…And I Wanna Be A Rockstar Of The Wrestling World." The taunting youngster declares.

"….you think beating me will make you famous?...there's more too it then that, kid…..lets go now." Vash challenges, taking Cole back a moment as Vash wipes blood from a cut above his brow.

"Whoa-Whoa-Whoa, I'm not heartless. I'm not kicking you while your down. I don't want to break anything back here. We'll do it in the ring like men, next week." Cole announces.

"Your on." Vash accepts.

Korra Introduces Her Posse

When Grit returned from commercial break, we found the crowd booing at the top of their lungs. For standing in the six-sided ring were the perpetrators of last weeks assault that disintegrated the prestige of crowning the first Soul Of Wrestling Tag Team Champions. The inaugural champions were indeed standing in the ring, being the file closer of a short but formidable line of wrestlers, all dressed in variants of pink & black ring attire. Only the Judas Avatar is armed with a microphone, only she will be heard over the crowd that'd love to see her jump into the nearest dumpster then be standing in the ring.

"Last Week, The 5 Of Us Made Grit Must Watch Television. Nobody Would Have Been Tuning In Tonight If She-Lite & Her Pet Had Won The Championship." Korra declared, spiking out another wave of bellows from the crowd.

"But Since We Left Here 10'O Clock Thursday Night Til Now, Our Phones Have Been Piling Up With Every Question You Could Imagine. 'Hey Korra, Are You Really Here To Stay In Heart & Soul?", 'Are You Really Aligned With The Champions?', 'Are You Going To Be Working With That Smark Killer & An Emerald Amazon'. And The Answer Is Yes…..Yes…..Yes." Korra announces as, although the crowd is hostile, they do cheer for confirmation that this is a full-time faction manifesting before them.

"When I Was Growing Up, There Was A Group Of Individuals That Watched My Every Move. They Were Called The White Lotus. At One Point, I Thought That They Were The Guards Of My Prison, I Despised Them For Keeping Me Locked Up In The World….But I've Since Come To Understand Why They Had To Keep Me Penned Up. And I Realize, Y'know…What Would Have Happened If I Was Surrounded By A Damn Opera Company Or A Group Of Princesses? Would I Have Developed The Same Powerful Bending Skills That I Now Possess? I Learned From The Most Skilled Benders IN The World That Doubled As My Protection And While I Was Sitting In San Antonio One Day I Wondered…Could It Not Be Possible To Create The Same Environment, But In A Wrestling Ring? Be Alongside The Best Wrestlers This Industry Has To Offer And Learn From Them? Expand My Physical Vocabulary As Well As There's?...The Answer Stands Before, But Its Not A Single Response. It Comes In Fifths."

Korra's head turns coolly to her left, a brown haired girl whose face is all concealed in the shadows of her hoodie. Save for her pale white chin which pokes out like a knife.

"Ashley Blade. She's Known On The Indy Circuit As The Smark Killer, For She Will Silence All You Haters With One Swift Broken Blade To Your Favorite Tin Soldier. She's Lived Many Lives, Some On The Streets, Some In The Tallest Buildings, And Yet Has Just Reached Her 20s. In Her Brief Time, She's Won Championships, She's Created A New Level On The Muta Scale & Even Has Had A Hand In Politics. She Was The First Woman On My List."

Korra eyes leave a now smiling Ashley, focusing now on her right. Its not often that someone dwarfs Korra in both height & build but today we have that rare example.

"Take A Look At Her, This Is Millicent Breathnach. You've Seen Her A Few Times Last Year But You Never Supported Her. Perhaps That Is Because You Are All Intimidated By Her? And How Can I Blame You? She's Over Six Feet, Weights Nearly 200 Lbs, The Emerald Amazon Isn't A Cheap Gimmick. Her Heart Is As Big & Strong As Her Muscles, She Welcomed Us As Her Family In A Heart Beat And Will Stop At Nothing In Protecting This Family."

"And Let Us Not Forget The Two That Brought Us All Together. The Soul Of Wrestling Tag Team Champions!" Korra announces, as the Bordeaux sisters step forward from the rest of the line. Korra wraps her arms around their necks, feeling she's already like a third sister to them.

"They Are The Best Thing To Come Out Of Montreal Since 1993, Have Spent A Decade Of Their Lives Honing Their Craft. Unfortunately, Everyone Whose Tried Giving Them Advice Has Led Them Astray. They Were With That Gamer Champ For Three Years And It Got Them Nowhere. They're With Me One Night And They Win Their First Championships In The FWM. You're Going To See A New More Calculating Side Of Remi & Maxine, They Got A Target On Their Backs And They Know It. That's Why They Have Us To Ensure The Championship Remains Around The Right Waists."

Korra eases her arms, taking a step in front of the rest of her newfound family. Her composition goes from the joy a mother would have seeing their child succeed to one much more serious.

"And For Those Of You That Want To Try And Blow These Women Off. Keep In Mind They Are Endorsed By A 3-Time Women's Champion, A Champion Who Brought The Barbed Wire Massacre To This Multiverse, Who Gifted Ladder War To The Women Of This Multiverse, And Am One Of Only A Handful Who Could Get The Job Done Against The Corrupt 10 Year Old Who Is A So Called-God. And If Anyone Doubts That I Can't Back Up My Words, I'm Always Open To A Fight." Korra declares with a smirk.

"CHALLENGE EXCEPTED!" A angered voice of a woman is heard belting over the sound system of the arena. The Lotus-members in the ring are confused. But it only takes a few moments before Glimmer comes storming out of the tunnel. She's poised to get in the ring, get her hands on Korra, get payback to what happened to her friends last week. She immediately marches up onto the ring apron, but hesistates knowing the numbers game inside.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa…What The Hell Is That!?" Korra exclaims in disgust. "Milicent, You Didn't Tell Me The Sparkling Mudhole You Marched Through Could Talk!"

Glimmer remained on the ring skirt. Vocal as all hell, motioning toward Korra for a fight. But she remained in her place.

"You Know…you're a pretty weird looking girl. But you're not as dumb as you look. You know there are 5 of us in here and only one of you. Now, keep that moniker of weird but smart on the apron while we head to higher ground." Korra states, as the Lotus seem to begin shuffling their way toward the ends of the six-sided ring.

"Not A Minute In And Your A Liar!" Glimmer shouts, now brandishing her own microphone. "Scared of karma?"

"I'm not scared of a walking, talking fluff of cotton candy." Korra declares, with laughter echoing mildly throughout the CourageDome as she pauses. "I'm not scared of your supposed 'Princess of Power' friend and her brat-cat either. In fact, I'm so not afraid that none of you ever desire to be in the ring with me."

"Alright, but when you get back home. Do us all a favor here and rename yourself the Yellow Lotus. Don't forget to put your symbol streaking down your back." Glimmer shoots back, pausing Korra in her tracks.

"...alright, you just went from being a entertaining jokes to being a cringy one." Korra claims. "Let us do you a favor, Cotton Candy. Well make everyone here forget you mad that cringe-worthy jab by Ashley cutting you down with a Broken Blade."

"More than happy to disappoint!" Glimmer exclaims, weaving through and into the ring, the Pink Lotus pestering to the outside and leaving the Smark Killer & the Queen of Brightmoon alone.

Ashley Blade vs. Glimmer

Its Ashley Blade's in-ring debut inside the CourageDome and its Glimmer's first singles contest. Glimmer aims to use her weight to her advantage, continually trying to ram into Ashley and batter her into a corner. But Ashley is constantly one step ahead, catching Glimmer in mid-attack and driving her down with DDTs and hurricanrana's. Glimmer doesn't appear like a high-flyer, but does catch Ashley off guard with a Diving Neckbreaker from the middle rope! The sight of Glimmer, standing alone in the six-sided ring with the supposed 'Smark Killer', surrounded by the Pink Lotus, raising her arms up and down to get the crowd behind her. Its easy to jump in and cheer the Queen of Brightmoon on. But the odds are just stacked too much against her. The official is struggling with ever threatening presence of Korra and her entourage. Though they never directly enter the match, the mere thought of them is enough to keep Glimmer's head on a swivel. She can't focus on Ashley whose able to continually recover from Glimmer's cannonball senton's and neckbreakers. She whips Glimmer around from a loud-mouth Korra and executes the Broken Blade (Package Piledriver) for the short & deceive win.

If Glimmer thought it was over, she was in for a rude awakening. The Pink Lotus were not going to waste a prone body. If anyone messed with them, it was not going to end with a simple match. Ashley quickly applied her more monstrous finish, her variant of the Anaconda Vise, while her 4 accomplices entered the ring. All were taking turns stomping down on every part of Glimmer. Korra began motioning for them to prop Glimmer up, most likely she means to hit her with the Water Whip…

…

But she calls an audible. Time to bug out as quick as possible because karma for last week is sweeping toward the ring. Adora & Catra both race out from the back and Both Are Armed! Adora With A Tall Metal Staff, Catra Got Her Trademark Stun Baton! Nobody in the Pink Lotus wants to be clubbed or electrocuted, and wisely evacuate back through the breach between the balconies. Just Like Last Week! But this time, there's a completely different aura. Korra pauses in the breach, staring back toward Catra & Adora. Especially Adora. Catra cackles and fidgets with the baton to trigger a few sparks for intimidation. But Adora stands in silence on top of the ring post, training the staff toward the Judas Avatar. Korra seems INSULTED as she goes wide-eyed. Then, she disappears with the remainder of her faction into the shadows.

Backstage Shenanigans #2

There's more from Podcast, whose seeking out additional voices to provide another perspective on the formation of the Pink Lotus in Heart & Soul Wrestling. He's found it in the form of a team who'd failed to defeat the eventual tag champions.

"Alright folks, I'm standing by with Shayne Daniels & Ivory Atkinson, the Fallen Angels. Now I got a quick question…..do either of you fly!?" Podcast asks. Shayne's face goes wide-eyed with a bit of confusion. Ivory facepalms with a smirk.

"Oh…sorry to disappoint but…its just a name." Ivory replies as kind as she can.

"Oh…oh, well I guess that's a good thing because that'd make you both the devil or something." Podcast sheepishly replies. "Just asking because seeking guests out for the next episode of my podcast."

"But you're paid to get us to talk trash on these Pink Lotus twats, that right?" Shayne asks.

"Well…one way to look at it. You two fought the Bordeaux's last week. Did you notice anything different? Anything strange?" Podcast asked.

"What's strange is there was nothing strange. They beat us, as frustrating as it is…especially NOW, they beat us 2 v 2. And then within an hour they are needing 3 others to help them win the championships. It does make me wonder….did we rattle their cages? Maybe we stretched them a bit too far that they knew they needed crutches to carry the belts out on." Shayne claims.

"Its clear they have targets set on the Best Friends Squad. We're willing to pitch in to fight too. What's been happening is crap." Ivory adds.

"It's Bulls***!" Shayne exclaims.

"Well….I was trying to appease the censors." Ivory timidly replied.

"F*** The Censors. This is all bulls***! I know we could have done better Ivory. We're going to be working twice as hard to get those belts off of Maxine & Remi. Cowards don't deserve gold." Shayne proclaims. But as she was hyping her & Ivory up, to go after the tag belts…something else creeps up behind to distract from that goal. Its Selena Richardson, dressed in her best evening attire, alongside Sakura & Elena decked out in matching Berserk Gym running jackets.

"Where was all this confidence last week, then?" Selena asked. "Surely if you two were this determined then we wouldn't be in this mess."

"…hi Selena." Shayne grumbles.

"Hmm….just as I thought. Hot air. Evaporated in a heartbeat when your in the presence of real champions." Selena heralds, motioning to her Soul of Wrestling Championship slung over her shoulder. "Now, take a look Podcast. Between the two teams, which one looks ready to go in the ring, right now? Which one is full gear ready?"

"Well, I mean I wouldn't want to tussle in the ring with any four of you. Ivory's a former champion out of Peach Creek, and Shayne's-" Podcast began answering, wanting to pay respects to the Fallen Angels backgrounds.

"Which One Looks Ready?" Selena repeats more firmly.

Podcast glances between the two tag teams, begrudgingly relenting his answer.

"…Sweet Diva."

"Good. And just to remind marvel simp & skin and bones over here….which one is dressed to impress like a true champion?" Selena asks.

"…oh, well I personally dig the Iron-man shi-" Podcast was about to compliment Shayne with.

"Whose Dressed To Impress?" Selena pressed Podcast.

"….y-you." Podcast quivers out a answer, hoping it satisfies the imposing champion.

"Very Good. Go get yourself a cookie at catering." Selena says with a smirk, about ready to walk off with her friends.

"At least we didn't drop the ball in 8 seconds." Shayne quips, folding her arms with a smirk.

All three of Sophisticated Beauty froze for a moment in a their tracks. Elena was even wincing at the reminder of how quick Montreal's Finest had bulldozed over them.

"It Was On The Damn Pre-Show, Nobody Saw!" Selena shouts back at the Fallen Angels.

"Wait, Pre-Show? That's not becoming of champions, is it now?" Shayne mockingly scoffs.

"….UGH! Thank god you're in the tag league and not my own!" Selena shouts back before she and Sweet Diva storm off.

Renton Thurston w/ Eureka vs. Ashitaka – Gold Rush Qualifier

The Last Emishi Prince had spent much of the company's first year behind the scenes, a coach for the morale of the roster. But that didn't deter him from throwing his name in for a chance to be crowned number 1 contender. His opponent is coming off the cusp of his biggest victory thus far in his career. Renton Thurston had defeated the legend that is Vash The Stampede at Innuendo, and was looking to use this newly won momentum to barnstorm through Ashitaka and toward a possible world title match. Both have the same ambition, but are a clash of personalities. Ashitaka is regal in the best of ways; calm, kind, methodical. Renton demands respect, starves for acceptance by the crowd. Its understandably to have a lack of confidence under the bright lights, but the tactics Renton's used to boost his ego are insufferable.

At first things are going smooth. Though Ashitaka has a build advantage in both height and strength, Renton is more than capable of keeping the Last Emishi Prince from overpowering him. That being said, Ashitaka is far more calculated in what parts of Renton he targets. Soften the arm with hiptoss and drags to the canvas, then work on the neck with sleepers and goes for armlocks. Renton staves them off, but his counters grow more erratic, not always hitting the mark. He tries to whip Ashitaka away into the ropes, only to be the one down on the mat after a springboard Roundhouse Kick. A convincing DDT puts Renton down for two thirds of the pin.

Cue Renton's leverage. Eureka starts making her presence known at this rate. At first its just her trying to get her hand in to trip up Ashitaka while the referee isn't looking, but develops into full on distractions to allow Renton some additional time on the outside, trying to tear apart Ashitaka's skull against the ring post. A Snap Dragon Suplex On The Floor before the referee finally begins the outside count. Although Ashitaka is battered, he's not out just yet. Too long of a time to be rolled back in allows for some recovery on Ashitaka's end, kicking out of a pin attempt at 2.

Renton really begins going at Ashitaka's head & neck. Powerful running knee strikes, V-Triggers, clobber the Emishi's skull. Then there are moment of straight up trying to bash Ashitaka's skull repeatedly into the turnbuckle. Renton has until 5, but make that 10 or 15 seconds when Eureka feints going to stand on the ring apron for 'encouragement'. Ref distracted, Ashitaka's has to endure. Renton was still not satisfied. He'd done a number on Ashitaka, but the crowd kept telling Renton to "F Off" in a sense. Renton scaled the turnbuckle, he looked to send the Prince home with a spot the crowd would remember. But a 450 Splash backfires spectacularly when Ashitaka rolls out of the way. Crowd senses hope and run with it, cheering Ashitaka back to his feet. Renton is crawling frantically, knowing his desire to be a world champion could be snuffed out by his slip up. He begins clawing at the shoes of the referee, using them as leverage. The ref is visibly frustrated, hollering for Renton to let go. Ashitaka has propped himself back up in a corner, thinking how to capitalize…but Eureka is up on the ring apron and starts YANKIGN as Ashitaka's hair! Trying anything to keep Ashtiaka from decimating her lover's face.

Crowd pops with excitement as Princess Mononoke, San, races into the CourageDome to make the rescue. She pries Eureka from Ashitaka and latches the Urufu Rokku upon the coralian! Eureka's arms flail through the air, but she can do nothing. She's paying for her constant interferences, fading before blacking out of the equation. Renton is back to his feet, wide eye'd for a multitude of reasons. His wife is down, his ace is gone, and he's in perfect position for the EMISHI KNEE! Ashitaka's running high knee cuts down the Self-Proclaimed Best Mecha Pilot. That's part 1, Ashitaka sets up for the Demon Destroyer…but his eyes wonder to a scene developing on the outside.

San had tried to exit as quickly as she entered. This was Ashitaka's moment, she'd just made a cameo to even the playing field. But just as she disappeared into one of the tunnels, she stumbles back out. Isla Woods had cut her off, being shadowed by the King Of Vinyl. These two have been frequent accomplices of Renton & Eureka (though don't bother asking, they'll emphatically deny). If San had made this a fair fight, then Atticus & Isla would restore the atmosphere for a tinged Renton win. Isla was the only one to put hands of San, though Atticus was clearly enjoying watching his girlfriend show her stuff at the expense of one of Heart & Soul's co-founders. Ashitaka wanted to go out and rescue San, but Atticus swiftly moved to the edge of the ring and stood with arms folded; a cocky smirked challenged the Last Emishi Prince. The last thing Ashitaka saw was Isla Killswitching San on the floor…

…

As RENTON whipped Ashitaka around and whacked his head with a wrist lock lariat! Ashitaka tumbles into Renton's clutches, a crazed look in his eyes as he lock, loads and EXECUTES the Amita Drive! (One-Winged Angel). He keeps the legs folded after impact, right into the 3 count for the win! Renton lurches forward, holding himself up by ropes while smirking with joy having qualified for the Golden Rush Ladder Match. Eureka sluggishly snakes into the ring, patting Renton on the shoulder of a job well done. Atticus yanks out the dazed Ashitaka, unceremoniously throwing him into the corner of the arena San had been disposed of by Isla earlier. Alex, Booker & Dr Nason, be aware. Renton's coming in with a heavily-insured rocket strapped to his back.

Will Jesse Get A Heart Championship Shot?

The crowd was anticipating the main event to begin shortly. To their surprise, "Real Rock N Rolla" began to spontaneously explode through the sound system of the CourageDome. He initially all smiles, enjoying the warm welcoming just as much as last week. He's sporting a all red variant of the "Beat Latino Heat" shirt he was sporting last week, sans the ball cap this time. Commentary is initially perplexed until Ai begins rattling off what had gone down last week when she'd tried to question the Heart of Wrestling Champion.

"Its Good To See You Again, Episode 2 Here We Are!" Jesse greets the fans. "That means we've all been waiting one week. One Whole Week! I Can't Stand It Any Longer, Can You?!"

He gets the response he was hoping for.

"Well I'm not going to tease you all any longer….Adam, what's your answer? What's It Going To Be? Will You Be A Fighting Champion! Will You Give These People What They Want? Will You Give Us Price vs. Alvarez For The Gold!?" Jesse asks, purposefully shouting to pump up the crowd…

…

There's no "Glitter And Gold", just the Heart of Wrestling Champion emerging on top of the Communications Platform. Adam looks in no mood to go and wrestle, dressed tightly in a dark blue suit with a gold tie. The championship belt is slung over his shoulder, a microphone in his other hand. He seems in no mood to be out here, we can expect his words to be short.

"Get the hell out of MY ring." Adam replies. Not even a direct answer. Those are his only words he intends to give to Jesse. Adam seems ready to step off the platform and head to the back.

"Wait, not even a 'no'?" Jesse asks. "I was expecting to be turned down but I wasn't expecting you to pop in and bolt out like a coward."

Adam paused, before pivoting back to face Jesse. He remains on top of the platform, standing just to the side of the hard camera.

"Jesse, I would have no qualms defending this championship right here, right now, against a worthy challenger. But its clear you don't look in the mirror once and a while." Adam claims. "You stormed into MY company…UNINVITED, Mind You…And you go right for the top bill? That's not how it works and you know it."

"Hey, last week someone had to end your pity party. You were gonna put us all to sleep out here." Jesse shoots. "You seemed pretty willing to drop that belt last week, what changed?"

"What changed is I'm getting pissed off." Adam states. "I must admit, last week when I went home…I had a bit of a chuckle over what had all happened. Your desire to be world champion. Nice dream….but now the jokes wilted up and near dead…kind of like the Alvarez name, huh?"

Jesse didn't have a comeback, was just listening now.

"Your suppose to be from some big legendary family. The name Alvarez is suppose to pull respect from me? Now, I've already wrestled one Alvarez in a main event. I won't deny, Johnny gave me a hell of a fight….but he only Paid The Price once. One Time. That was suppose to be the Prize Fighter of the family, wasn't it?…..if I have to come down there and get in the ring with you….you'll be lucky if you could stand one of my sleeper holds." Adam declares.

"Johnny has the toughest fists of the family, not doubt, and he may just be the strongest….but I have the biggest heart." Jesse claims. "And if my heart is bigger than Johnny's then you damn well know its bigger than yours. There is nobody better suited to be the Heart of Wrestling Champion then yours truly."

"Ladies and gentlemen….this is a fine example of what is wrong with my generation." Adam coolly claims. "Everyone feels that they are special, everyone thinks they are gifted, everyone thinks they DESERVE accolades for meeting a checkmark. Jesse has made up this grander vision of his family because without the name, he would have to mow the lawn of every San Antonian. And considering you don't got the strength to hold a world championship, I don't even think you could push the mower."

Jesse had a cocked grin, he had taken to leaning back in one of the corners. He let Adam talk and talk until there was enough of a pause to shoot back.

"Wow, going right for the stereotypes, I'm soooo scared." Jesse nonchalantly states. "You don't know what scares me, Adam…but I know what scares you. You're scared of the day you have to defend that championship again. Because you know you never DESERVED to be a champion. You are scared that little old me will shatter your smoke and mirrors with one Impersoniate Finale."

"Back to the Alvarez Well we go. You think that name will save you. You Think Too Highly Of What Your Grandfather Established. The Alvarez Stink And You're The Worst Of Them All. Your Mother Got One Look At You And Bailed, Correct?" Adam asked.

"DON'T…..talk anymore about mi familia." Jesse ordered the Heart Champion. The tone of his voice had drastically changed.

"You can't make me. You don't got the heart to stop me. Johnny didn't have the heart. And its clear to me your mother never had a heart." Adam proclaimed.

But by now, it was too late. Jesse had bolted out of the ring and was racing for the Communications Platform. Adam realized he'd stepped into it now and hurried for the short rung of stairs off screen. Jesse had scaled up and flashes past the hard camera. Adam was just stepping through the curtain when Jesse POUNCED on him! Part of the black curtain TEARS from the roof, exposing a chunk of the gorilla position to the crowd. A few wrestlers were on standby, primarily the tag teams, who jump back stunned to see two grown men tumbling through the curtain. Nausicaa, who we haven't seen all night as she was taking charge of operations, sat bewildered at a small desk when the brawl exploded in front of her. Quickly she and the tag teams were all jumping in to try and pull the two apart.

A commercial break covers up the mess going down on Grit. When things come back to the CourageDome, backstage crew members can be seen in the background stringing back up the felled curtain. Things are getting ready for the main event of tonight. But Ai & Critic inform the home audience that the previous scuffle has planted the seed for next's week main event. We will be getting Jesse Alvarez vs Adam Price on Episode 3 of Grit but with a few twists. First and foremost, its as non-title match. If Adam wins, then Jesse forfeits future opportunities of challenging Adam for the world title. But if Jesse wins, he will earn himself a championship match at a later date.

Hanson Brothers vs. NexGen vs. X-Dynamics vs. Nuts & Cuts- Fatal Four Way #1 Contender For Heart Tag Team Championship

The main event is a showcase of what the future may hold for the men's tag team division in Heart & Soul. Nuts & Cuts are the first ones in the ring and they are experiencing a whiplash. They've gone from being on the pre-show battle royale to being part of the main event. But they won't be awe-struck, its clear Nutty & Slash are fully focused on cutting through the competition. X-Dynamics are out next, all energy and ready to quickly rise up the totem pole of this new promotion. NexGen definitely have the most professional aura. Izzy is in toe of his larger brothers, Yaseen & Fazal. All the way down to the ring, they Yaseen is feeding information privately to Fazal's ear. Tactics for the upcoming contest. It wouldn't be a NexGen match without Yaseen verbally tearing into his opponents, hyping himself up and unintentionally the crowd also. But just before he could speak, "A Little Bit South Of Saskatoon" blasted through the speakers. Out come the Hanson Brothers who are given a standing ovation. The trio of thick brim glasses are all smiles, and are seemingly oblivious to interrupting a visibly irritated Yaseen.

The match…..is a car wreck. But be assured in all the best ways. So much goes down as bodies race back and forth in the six-sided ring & at times soar to the outside. Its really difficult for any team to gain a distinct advantage over another. Even NexGen, who are known notoriously for having a third man on the outside, is neutralized when Izzy & Steve Hanson get into a brawl that ultimately is snuffed out by Nutty & Slash dropping on top of them with twin planchas. Nutty Robinson decimates Corey with a Death Valley Driver upon the edge of the ring. There's a Tower of Doom spot as Fazal & Yaseen seat the Hanson Brothers up for dual powerbombs. All the while grappling with Van Culmer & Slash, who'd been fighting on top of the turnbuckle. Its sheer chaos that's given a soundtrack of constant counts of attempted pinfalls.

The match noticeably starts splintering into two theaters of combat in the latter stages. NexGen & Hanson Brothers grow more focused on one upping each other rather then actually winning the match. A three vs three fist fight breaks out in the center of the ring. But while the Hansons are able to bruise and bloody the face of the Khans, they cannot match the strength of Fazal & Yaseen. Steve is thrown to the outside and delt with by Izzy. Jack & Jeff become pinned back to back trying to fight off the Khans. Ultimately they are put down with dual Falcon Arrows. But in a sense, these two trios loose focus on the match at hand. Nuts & Cuts are at one point the only team standing and look ready to win. They got Van in their clutches, Slash hits a superkick that feeds him into what would be the Nut Destroyer…

…

Corey Jumps Over The Top Rope, Coming Back In To Make The Save With A Flying Forearm Smash To The BACK Of Nutty's Head! Nutty & Van both fall into separate heaps while Corey begins unloading with punches on Slash. Slash manages to block another Flying Forearm, locking Corey into his Hold of Darkness (Modified Octupus Hold)…

…

But Van Puts A Spin On His Partner's Earlier Save, Takes Slash Out With A Flying Spinning Heel Kick To The Side Of Slash's Skull! The X-Dynamics Are Now The One's Standing. They Get Their Wits Together, Van Hits The Fade To Black (Kneeling Belly-To-Back Piledriver) As Corey Gives A Added Kick To The Spine Of Nutty! Corey Pins Nutty! The X-Dynamics Have Fought Hard And Secured A Shot At The Heart Of Wrestling Tag Team Titles!

HSW Grit Episode 3 CARD THUS FAR

Pyrrha Nikos In Action

Vash The Stampede vs. Cole Boone

Adam Price vs. Jesse Alvarez – Heart Of Wrestling Championship ELIMINATOR