Grit Episode 5
February 4, Year 2
Courage Dome
Kingwood, WV
Grit kicks off its second month with words from the number one contender for the Heart Of Wrestling Championship. Minazuki's heart is warmed with a chance to win gold in the Fiction Wrestling Multiverse. He alludes that he thought his dreams were not meant to be lived when the last promotion he signed to suddenly collapsed, when nobody was returning his calls. He's unsure still if he's proven any doubters wrong, too which many in the crowd reassure his confidence.
There's a flurry of shouts over the audio system of the CourageDome. Renton Thurston comes storming out in a huff, furious over not getting the spot. His tirade sways all of the place, bad mouthing the founders of Heart & Soul as only being able to tarnish the security of the company. Especially shots taken at Ashitaka & San, the former he'd beaten to get into the ladder match only for the latter to cost it for him. While it would be one thing to take his gripes up with those backstage, he's taking it out on the wrong person. He deems Minazuki unworthy of any championship. To Thurston, Minazuki is wolf in sheep's clothing. Masquerading with a Japanese last name to pump up his credibility. Minazuki challenges Thurston to a match without a pause in his speech. Thurston stutters that he means right now, getting a adamant shake of the head.
Alex Minazuki (2-0) vs. Renton Thurston (1-1)
With Adam Price on commentary, his challenger and the Self-Proclaimed Beat Mecha Pilot duke it out in the six sided ring. Thurston's attacks are wild and uncoordinated, giving Minazuki a multitude of chances to counter and tie him up into near-submissions. But when one of Thurston's crazy shots hit, they hit hard. One will note Minazuki's chest is bright red by the end of the match from chops and dropkicks. But running off of pure rage does not allow Thurston to concentrate his barrages. Minazuki is able to outmaneuver and put down Thurston, ending the match with One For Kris (Double Underhook Piledriver)!
Throughout the match, commentary tried getting a answer out of the Top Bill. When Ai alluded to Minazuki having a similar rough start in the FWM like Price, The champion admitted they have that in common. But Price differentiated his style of wrestling from Minazuki. Minazuki pandered weekly for the ovations where Price studied daily for the main event. When Minazuki won the match, Critic asked what Price's plans were to keep Minazuki off his feet. He wasn't anticipating a response when Price took off his headset, appearing to be heading the back. But All Were Stunned When Adam Price Raced Into The Ring And DECKED Minazuki In The Back Of The Head With The Main Plate Of The Belt! As Sudden As The Attack Was, Price Was Coolly Returned Backstage As If Nothing Had Happened.
Backstage Shenanigans #1
One of the biggest stories last week was the COO of Heart & Soul losing to the leader of the Pink Lotus. While there were not direct ramifications from the result, there was a definite morale shift in favor of the Pink Lotus. All five were standing by, with Korra speaking on their behalf. She does the expectant gushing over defeating Nausicaa and asks if she got everyone's attention now? She hopes defeating Nausicaa will open more eyes and ears to the Avatar and her objectives in Heart & Soul Wrestling. She will bring more balance than a girl whose daisy-chained to backing everyone feel good. To prove she's and the Lotus are fair people, she mentions that Ashley suggested the Kyoshi Warriors should get a match. Miss Blade had in fact scouted them out to be part of the Pink Lotus but..well….they're as blind as Nausicaa. At least, in Korra's eyes. But she's willing to give them a chance to prove themselves worthy of being the first challengers for Maxine & Remi's Soul Tag Team Champions. Millicent promises that she and Ashley will 'go gentle'.
Leslie Haines (2-0) vs. Pyrrha Nikos (1-0)
With the clock ticking down until Back In Black, the women of Heart & Soul are all starting to try to get themselves in the best position to challenge for the Soul of Wrestling Champion. Leslie Haines failed to capture the title at Innuendo, but had started amassing wins to go after it a second time. Pyrrha Nikos, however, was a fan favorite to challenge for the championship. Pyrrha comes from a world far different from the grungy reality of the CourageDome, a setting similar to which the Haines Family amassed their fortune surrounded by. Miss Haines is hoping to upset the crowd, a lesson that the Haines before her had far more grit then anyone watching a product from a dilapidated engine house.
The problem with Miss Haines thought process is she is reaping the fruits of previous Haines' labor. Pyrrha Nikos has trained tirelessly on a daily basis to be able to effortlessly outpower an opponent. There's good reason the fans cheer her. They respect the hours she's put in to becoming one of the most athletic people on the Heart & Soul roster. Leslie was hoping to keep Pyrrha from getting on her feet. If she got any leverage, Haines knew she'd be in for a bad day. But while she got several opportunities to almost put Pyrrha away, the Invincible Girl persevered. A Belly-To-Back suplex began the comeback, with Pyrrha garnering more and more momentum each time Leslie was thrown to the canvas. Leslie tried to slant things back to her side by distracting the ref. Her heavy, Bruce Hogan, punched Pyrrha in the achilles of her ankle. Leslie exploited the ankle, trying to for Pyrrha to tap out in front of the CourageDome crowd. Pyrrha, however, manages to drag her way slowly to the ropes and gain a rope break to end the figure four.
Pyrrha gains enough momentum to have Leslie close to a breaking point, but can't run for a Milo Javelin (Spear). Bruce pulls Leslie from the ring, out of harms way. Pyrrha can't go after her because of the bad ankle, and is forced to let Leslie use the most of a ring count. Leslie has a smug smirk on her face, believing she's 100% after the rest while Pyrrha is crippled for the rest of a night. But after some sparring, Pyrrha manages to get ahold of Leslie's head. Very quickly she drops, spiking her head with Cross Polarity and picks up the win!
After the match, Podcast enters the ring to get a quick interview. On his mind, and most people's mind in the CourageDome, is Pyrrha going after the Soul of Wrestling Championship? She states it's the goal of every woman at Heart & Soul. Podcast changes the question. Does Pyrrha believe Selena is a good Soul of Wrestling Champion. Pyrrha responds with she would like to give a comment but can't until Selena puts up and shuts up, gaining a cheer from the crowd. Pyrrha tells Podcast she wants to be first in line to answer if Selena truly is worthy of the championship.
Kassmith vs. Team FCKU- Heart Tag Team #1 Contender Quarter Finals
A challenger for the Heart Tag Team Champions need to be established for Back in Black. What better way than a tournament? But with a twist! Three Quarter Final matches plus a battle royale. More on the latter in our main event. The first quarter round pits a up and coming team against a team who are approaching their peak. The contrast in personalities that make up Kassmith make get recognition. 'Mellow Yellow' Brian Smith's lackadaisical approach to Fabio Auero initially offputs his opponent. Leonidas Kasparaitis tries his best to back up Smith's mindgames with his fortitude. But the half brothers of Kassmith just have not the years of in-ring bond that Fabio Auero & Christopher Auburn have established. Team FCKU put Smith away with a Shining Atlas Dart (Powerbomb With A Discus Elbow To The Back Of The Falling Opponent) for the win.
Backstage Shenanigans #2
Podcast is back on the air with a interview, this time backstage. Shayne Daniels had called for him and a camera as she had something to say to everyone in the CourageDome and at home. She states her intentions to be going after the Soul of Wrestling Champion. While Pyrrha may have gotten the pin last week when Shayne & Ivory had teamed with her; Shayne has been poke & prodded by Selena and her posse every Thursday. She tells Podcast that early in her career, she was once vain like Selena. She pauses…and admits maybe she still is as she wants the satisfaction of knocking the Auburn Beauty off the pedestal. But this time, being a bit vain is okay its not only Shayne who'll benefit, but all the fans. No longer will they have to deal with Selena prancing around in her gawking attires. She wants the right to face Selena at Back In Black!
Zack (2-0) © vs. Naofumi Iwatani- Carnage Championship
The Carnage Championship was back on the line (against the wishes of Nausicaa) this week on Grit. The Cold Blooded Serial Killer known simply as Zack made his way out, scythe slung over shoulders; the tattered championship hung from its edge. He's all giddy to fight tonight, he doesn't care who answers the challenge though. He is certain he will etch his initials into the canvas with their blood before the fight is over.
The Shield Hero answers the challenge! First time we have got to see him on Grit! Naofumi proves to be Zack's most formidable challenger yet. Zack gets extensively manhandled in the early moments of the brawl. The shield of Naofumi's is used to deck Zack in the skull. Zack quickly breaks out and starts swinging, his shots being deflected by the shield. It quickly becomes barely a wrestling match but a battle between weapons. The problem for Naofumi, however, is he can only be on the defense for so long. Zack eventually breaks his way through Naofumi's armor and slashes him up. Zack wins with not one, but TWO Death Drivers to Naofumi! The first outside on the floor, the second in the ring!
As the dust settles, Zack stands stall in the ring. He begins to manically ramble into the microphone about Adam Price's cheap shot on Alex Minazuki earlier in the night. But while brutal, it doesn't hold a candle to what Zack is capable of. There's nobody who create as much carnage as Zack. He craves to find someone able to match him, he….gets off….on the thought someone can cross light tubes with him. He asks if anyone would be willing to make his day?
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But this week's boasting gets answered. With the sound of a scathing guitar solo that gets the crowd rocking. Its "Death Rider" by FUSIONROCKER which could mean only one person. The Franchise Of Carnage is in the CourageDome! Christopher House is bathed in the spotlight, standing on top on of the stacks of shipping containers-turned-balconies. The standing ovation is deafening, nobody has gotten such a loud positive reaction thus far in the CourageDome. He has not come alone, as a long black gym bag is slung across his back that some in the crowd know the contents of. Zack is laughing, playfully beckoning the former Carnage Champion to face him. Zack thought Chris wouldn't dare, considering the Serial Killer was armed with a ridiculously large scythe. But Chris pulls open a hatch in the roof of the balcony and drops in. He's Making Is Way To The Ring, Down The Narrow Stairwell And To Ringside! As soon as Chris is standing on the ring apron, however, Zack has bolted to the back. He even left the microphone in his haste. Chris delivers a simple statement.
"I WANT MY BELT BACK!"
Kyoshi Warriors (2-0) vs. Pink Lotus (Millicent Breathnach & Ashley Blade)
The Kyoshi Warriors was now clearly gunning for the Soul Tag Team Championship. Pink Lotus are seemingly accepting of them being challengers if they prove themselves. It won't be the champions they are facing but rather the Emerald Amazon & THE Ashley Blade. Ashley had tried to get the Kyoshi Warriors to join in private a number of months ago, they declined. Ashley recognized them as a worthy threat to the Soul Tag Team Champions. Both sides had skin in the game tonight.
Things started out simple enough, but the chemistry of Suki & Ty-Lee began to outpace Breathnach & Blade. The Pink Lotus representatives were a hodgepodge of a tag team, disproportionally in size. The Warriors were both lightweight and lighting quick in the ring. Doesn't mean they were having it easy, as Breathnach tossed Ty-Lee viciously to the mat with a Sidewinder Suplex. Ashley showed her prowless to pick and dismantle and opponent when she squeezed Suki's head in a vice, turning the head awkwardly with jaw splayed. But Ty-Lee saved her partner, coming in hot after brawling with Breathnach on the outside with a hurricanarana.
But just as it began to appear that the Warriors were going to go over the Lotus, Korra and the champions started circling ringside. They weren't in a rush for they were confident, and good reason. The truth as to why they offered this match to Suki & Ty-Lee was to eliminate them but not necessarily by a victory. It was to put them on the shelf for months with a brutal beatdown. Korra, Remi & Maxine took to a different side, collectively covering have the perimeter….
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The Best Friends Squad Rush To The Rescue! Adora, Catra, Bow & Glimmer! Typically they've been at a numbers disadvantage but with two fifths of their adversaries preoccupied with a match, its mute. Korra and Montreal's Finest don't escape clean. Adora yanks the Judas Avatar from the apron, the two getting into a flurry of fists. Glimmer hurls Maxine shoulder first into the side of one of the balconies, Catra tears across Remi's face with her claws. Korra sounds a retreat, but the women of the BFS continue the chase into the bowels of the arena. Bow hangs around ringside, turning to cheering on The Kyoshi Warriors. Ashley was shouting "WHERE THE HELL'S KORRA!?" before turning into a bicycle kick from Ty-Lee. Suki is made the legal person, coming in with a full head of steam to kick Breathnach off the apron for safe measure. Then turns and both put Ashley away with two bicycle kicks, smashing Ashley's head in (figuratively). Kyoshi Warriors earn a shot at the Soul Of Wrestling Tag Team Championship!
Backstage Shenanigans #3
Podcast was in the midst of pursuing Adam Price. He wanted to get a word in from the Heart of Wrestling Champion as the purpose of swift and sudden attack that laid out his challenger. Adam simply responded with "actions speak louder then words" before kicking open the door to leave the building.
But Podcast wasn't going to go empty handed. As in came the Boones, all swooping in around Podcast. All three, but especially Cole, had s*** heating grins. They were still in celebration mode for beating up Vash The Stampede last week. Cole bragged to Podcast how they had outsmarted a legend and used his body as a trampoline to stardom. In response, Podcast questioned if they were stars why weren't they wrestling this week on Grit. "That's….thats…..thats a very good question, by short eraser head friend." Cole replied with. "Might have not had a match this week, but that's okay. We enjoyed our week off…NEXT WEEK, we'll be in action!" When Podcast asked against who, Cole stuttered out a name along the lines of "jimtipintop". Before Podcast could inquire further, the Boones stormed off.
Ad-Hoc Battle Royale- Heart Tag Team #1 Contender Quarter Final
Capping off Grit tonight was the second Quarter Final in the tournament to find the Armed Vanguards opponents at Back in Black. This one has a twist being a battle royale. All teams participating are 'ad-hoc', first time or unofficial tag teams. All sorts of combinations fill up the ring: Connor McLeod & Max Rockantasky, Bolin & Ashitaka, the debuting Captain Tylor & Lieutenant Yamamoto, etc. It's a match of sheer chaos as bodies are tossed out of the ring left & right. The match starts with 10 teams, 20 men in the ring. A team is only eliminated when both partners are thrown over the top rope. Danger doesn't come from those in the match, but outside interference as well. Bolin & Ashitaka looked to be coming through as the favorites in the later stages of the match until Renton Thurston & Atticus Brown hit the ring. Renton, still boiling with rage had got whose appearing to be his only friend in Heart & Soul to help him yet again. Bolin is thrown out of the ring first, before Atticus & Renton tear apart Ashitaka with a stereo V-Triggers to the front and back of the Last Emishi Prince. He is then unceremoniously tossed out to the ring before security removes Renton & Atticus from the building. Ultimately, the Irresponsible Captain Tylor manages to psyche Max into trying to deck him. It brings in precariously close to the ropes, with Yamamoto clotheslining Max without any warning. Tylor & Yamamoto celebrate with the rest of the crew of the Soyokaze, many of whom will be debuting the near future for Heart & Soul.
Results:
Alex Minazuki (3-0) def. Renton Thurston (1-2)
Pyrrha Nikos (2-0) def. Leslie Haines (2-1)
Team FCKU (1-0) def. Kassmith (0-1)- #1 Contender Heart Tag Team Championship First Round
Zack (3-0) (c) def. Naofumi Iwatani (0-1)- Carnage Championship
Kyoshi Warriors (3-0) def. Pink Lotus (Ashley Blade & Milicent Breathnach) (0-1) - Soul Tag Team Championship Qualifer
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor & Lieutenant Yamamoto Win Ad-Hoc Battle Royale- #1 Contender Header Tag Team Championship First Round
These next few episodes leading to Back In Black are going to be far briefer recaps. I wish to get to the Pay-Per-View before Autumn settles here in 2022. I hope this does not deter anyone from following, as Back In Black will be a whopper of a show! Stay Tuned!