DISCLAIMER: All characters (fiction, nonfiction, and other OCs) and lyrics used and/or mentioned here are properties of their respective owners. Ricardo Alvarez, Jr., Jesse Alvarez, Joshua Garza, Alpha & Omega, The Wolves, Kurt Hudson, Alyssa Parker, Lisa Weston, Kenji Matsuo, Zack Carver, Clarissa Rivera, Mike Martin, Maria Lopez, and all referees (sans Marshal Eriksen) are created and owned by me.
Enjoy.
Welcome to the APEX Era.
Saturday Night RAMPAGE – Dec. 3, 2022
[TV-14]
In tonight's episode, RAMPAGE opens up with purple, green, and golden pyro shooting up from the stage inside the newly dubbed "APEX Coliseum" with yet again 8,000 fans cheering on in support of the promotion. Among purple and green lighting in the excited arena, RAMPAGE's stage has also been completely revamped as it takes much inspiration from SmackDown's 2019 design. Meanwhile, at the center of the hexagon shaped MiniTron would be is left only an empty gap between the Gorilla position and ramp leading to the ring. On top of that, the LED banners are shaped to appear as shards of glass and set pieces as shattered debris on each side of the stage. Everything else is as the same as Ignition's stage, sans the colors; the ring ropes are laced in striking violet and LED lighting accents are secondary in lime green surrounding the hexagon's ring posts.
Ted Mosby, Ned Bigby, and Logan Reese make themselves known to the viewers at home with the new edition of Saturday Night RAMPAGE at ringside, unlike Ignition's commentators from their own position the night before. As excited as they are for the continuation of APEX's revival, there's not much time to speak as "Misery Loves My Company" by Three Days Grace plays out for the arrival of APEX Hardcore Champion Sasuke Uchiha, greeted by many boos from San Antonio. Since the champion usually appears last as per tradition, the opponent waiting in the ring…is Elliot "Mirage" Witt, who requested this match after the very quick loss from the night before. However, this time, he's not alone, as he brought along a robotic companion known as a Mobile Robotic Versatile eNtity—or M.R.V.N. for short. But this M.R.V.N. has a particular name: Pathfinder, the Forward Scout of the Apex Games, and he's here to give moral support for Mirage.
Hardcore Match – Sasuke Uchiha [c] vs. Mirage (with Pathfinder) for the APEX Hardcore Championship
Unlike the first time, Mirage does not go down from a Sharingan Impact at the very start of the match. Instead, he came much prepared with a trashcan lid in tossed to him by Pathfinder after shoving Sasuke's Sharingan Impact away and then smashes the foreign object over Sasuke's skull! The Hardcore Champion goes down and Mirage quickly covers, but he doesn't earn that three-count yet. Mirage calls out Pathfinder to bring out more weapons and the robot happily complies by throwing in a couple trashcans with assorted items inside such as kendo sticks, shovels, and steel chairs in each can. Mirage dumps the weapons out to hurl the trashcan at Sasuke, who ducks under and kicks straight into Mirage's abdomen. Following that up with a Snap DDT, Sasuke grabs a steel chair and wedges it between the turnbuckles. The Hardcore Champion picks up the challenger to ram his skull into the chair, but Mirage is just barely able to avoid it by grabbing the ropes and stopping themselves in their track. Mirage strikes a good elbow to Sasuke's gut, pulls the chair out and hits his stomach again with the weapon, then slams it over his spine.
Sasuke didn't make it easy for the Holographic Trickster, but Elliot is making it known he won't repeat the same mistakes as before and seeking to rectify his loss. After smashing the chair all over Sasuke's body and leading him to the barricade outside, he opens up the chair and sets it down. Once far enough, he gets a running start and steps on the chair to hit a Solo Poetry in Motion that sends both men over and into the joyous crowd, becoming more so when Mirage stands to let out a defiant cry to pump them up and even high fives Pathfinder. With the robotic companion, Pathfinder brings assistance by setting up a table upon Elliot's request. By the time Elliot gets Sasuke back over the barricade and on the table, he's already standing on the short wall to play to the crowd…and pays dearly with that as his attempted Moonsault fails as Sasuke moved out of the way and Mirage goes right through the table! Sasuke makes for the cover, but Mirage is just able to kick out around two.
The Hardcore Champion, back in the driver's seat, ensures unforgiving punishment further throughout, beating and bashing Mirage's body with the very weapons his opponent brought in from kendo sticks to chairs to shovels he literally breaks over his spine. But no matter how much abuse Mirage takes, he shows his fighting spirit from the amount of stubborn kick-outs. In spite of that, each kick-out may put Sasuke in favor as Mirage is exerting more energy to stay in the match than he is fighting the champion. Eventually, said titleholder pulls out the tallest weapon, a fifteen-foot ladder that he lays flat on the floor. He drags an essentially lifeless Mirage to the top of his shoulders in a Fireman's Carry and gets a running start for the Chidori Current, but Mirage counters in time to drill Sasuke's head via DDT! "Holy shit!" chants echo in the APEX Coliseum as the Holographic Trickster turns the concussed Uchiha for the leg-hook…but that earns him only a near-fall!
Mirage feels the tides are turning in his favor, slapping the mat rhythmically with the fans following along. As the support speeds up, Mirage bounces off the ropes in front of him to the opposite end to gain enough velocity for a Suicide Dive…and eats a smash mouth steel chair in the face, crumbling completely on the floor! Boos rain down on Sasuke, who responds "kindly" with a bras d'honneur gesture. Later, Sasuke uses the same chair to wrap around Mirage's neck and hurls him into the nearest turnbuckle post! As Elliot writhes in pain, Sasuke stalks him with killing intent. He paces backwards a good few yards away on the ramp, watching his prey gradually stir to his hands and knees. The moment Mirage lifts his head, Sasuke dashes for a Punt Kick…and Mirage grabs the chair used on him to smash mouth Sasuke square in the face!
As the end draws near for this Hardcore Title bout, Mirage and Sasuke are now at the stage after the latter was trying to keep his distance from the chair shot. Mirage runs up and dropkicks him from behind, shoving him further up on the stage. By then, Elliot has Sasuke bent over and the arms hooked tight, struggling to lift him off his feet. Then Sasuke spins out of it for the Sharingan Impact, but Mirage pushes him away. Mirage goes for a Superkick, but fakes him out, calling "Bamboozle!" and kicks his left knee to bring him down before nailing a true Superkick to the face! Now Mirage has Sasuke's arms hooked and flips him for a Tigerbomb…but Sasuke drills Mirage's skull with a Hurricanrana on the stage! The Trickster's body convulses, but Sasuke couldn't care less for his condition as he forces him back on his feet and plants him with a sickening Sharingan Impact! Sasuke hooks Mirage's leg for the victorious pinfall, retaining his belt.
As Sasuke relishes in his victory, he notices Pathfinder tending to Mirage…and adds insult to injury by kicking him in the ribs, sending him rolling down the ramp. The concerned Pathfinder rushes over to check on him while a chorus of boos fill the Coliseum towards the APEX Hardcore Champion, who smirks with his belt raised high to cement his status. But then, interestingly, the fans react with intrigue and hollers to Sasuke's confusion…
…because a new Apex Legend has arrived behind him in the form of "The Shielded Fortress" Makoa Gibraltar. Sasuke turns around to meet Gibraltar with a heavy glare, unamused for how Sasuke treated Mirage. Gibraltar makes it known he's the next challenger for his belt, seeking to take it away from Sasuke and avenge his fellow Legend. The Lone Uchiha nods in understanding, looking at his belt…and tries to bash Gibraltar's skull, but the Shielded Fortress blocks it with his arm and headbutts Sasuke in retaliation! Sasuke scurries away to with a dazed headache while Gibraltar picks up the belt to indicate he's the next Hardcore Champion to the crowd's favor before tossing the belt back to Sasuke so he can aid Pathfinder and Mirage.
In another post-match segment after returning from the break, where Sasuke vents in front of the cameraman from feeling humiliated by the likes of Gibraltar, he makes it official himself to not only allow the match to happen by next week's Ignition, but he'll ensure Gibraltar's suffering worse than what he put Mirage through tonight. But then, he hears cawing from behind, looking over his shoulder to find a strange white raven poached on a ladder. The white raven stares daggers at Sasuke before flying off. The Uchiha can only react in bemusement, unaware of the likely omen that awaits him soon.
PewDiePie has his goals set for his time in APEX
A new era means new faces, and such an occasion continues doing so tonight with the appearance of Seán McLoughlin, better known as Jacksepticeye of YouTube fame, who bring a massive pop from many who are familiar with him and his work as he slaps the air.
"Top of the morning to ya, laddies! My name is Jacksepticeye, and welcome to my very first Apex Caliber Wrestling backstage interview! Oh, what, are ya shocked we're not at a WCW area? Ah, but worry not, I'm still with those good boys over in Dub-Cee-Dub while I'm signed over here by Papa Alvarez," Jacksepticeye grins. "For real though, I can't hide the excitement I have right now being here with my first day on the job being getting interview one of my closet friends. Lads, give a welcome to 'The Bro They Call'…PewwwwDiePiiiie~"
The camera pans out…to find no one next to him, Jack looking around for any signs of Felix.
"Uh…where the hell is he?"
"FLOOR GANG!" shouted a certain Swedish man from below off-screen, making Jack look down and the camera follows to reveal PewDiePie sitting down with bongo drums and a tambourine on his lap. "OUGH!"
"…Really, bro? You're bringing this meme back?" Seán deadpans.
"Floor Gang, ough," Pewds confirms casually.
Jack stares blankly for only a few seconds before shrugging and basically saying, "All right, f—k it," as he sits down. The camera lowers itself enough to get a good shot at the duo sitting on the floor together as the interview commences.
"All right, Felix, last time you were seen, it was last week at Homecoming, and you competed in the Intercontinental Rumble. That didn't go well as planned, got eliminated by Voorhees—holy shit—and…well, here we are," Jack recaps. "Now, let's take a look at your career for a sec, in and outside the ring, eh? You are the most successful and controversial YouTuber on the platform; you have over 100 million subscribers; you're a multi-time world champion over in YouTube Wrestling; you're a happily married man; and—I'mma spoil it here; we're months behind, anyway—you're on your way to be a dad. There's so much more I can list off, dude, but I gotta ask…what's the plan here? If you've done everything on YouTube, what's there to do for you in Fiction Wrestling?"
PewDiePie sucks his breath between his teeth, tapping on both instruments as he ponders.
"I wish I could tell ya, Seán. I wish I could. I planned to be the first International, Evolve, who-gives-a-shit Champion; didn't work out. I thought I'd get a second chance in the Rumble and redeem myself; didn't work out. I had a shot at being the next FWE World Heavyweight Champion; didn't work out. I was hoping, pleading that YouTube Viral Wrestling would thrive and survive in the FWM…didn't work out (for the most part)," Felix lets out a sigh, almost in defeat. "But, even after all that…I keep going. I thought I'd retire for good from YouTube, but I'm still uploading videos like it's no one's business 'cause now that I've been at the top there, I could just chill. So, now that you asked that, man, I figured…why not chill over here on this side of the industry, too? I can't stress too much over what matches I'll win or lose, what title opportunities come my way, and all that. So yeah…I think I'll just let life do its thing, and I'll do mine by going with the flow, bro. 2023 is gonna be a good year, I can tell."
"I sense truth in your tranquility, Kjellberg," speaks a third voice, both men looking over.
Jack's eyes and mouth widen in shock while Pewds blinks in surprise, the two standing up from the floor and meeting "The Icon of MK" Scorpion with an enormous pop heard from the crowd. What in the hell would Scorpion of all characters could have business with Felix Kjellberg?
"I suppose I can relate to your troubles, losing a chance at title opportunities and such. Nothing else, I can respect your…decision. Now don't mistake my words as doubting you, but if you're truly what you speak of…perhaps you wouldn't mind a match next week on Ignition? See where your…'going with the flow' attitude might lead you," Scorpion suggests.
PewDiePie cups his chin in thought, his eyes surveying Hasashi…and shrugs, "Yeah, I don't see why not."
"Dude!" Jack cries.
"Hm. Then it's official. I look forward to…meeting you in the hexagon by Friday, Kjellberg. […] I suggest you don't be late," Scorpion walks off on that warning.
As Jack was certainly concerned in the background, Pewds looks on where Scorpion left and smirks, interest piqued to see what his journey may lead into.
Kurt Hudson receives an unfortunate phone call…
"No, no. No, no, nonono—you can't be serious," dreads Kurt Hudson.
Hudson is currently occupied with a significant conversation over the phone for some time, apparently. He's been pacing back and forth in the backstage area as he's trying to convince the person on the other line to reconsider his decision. That being? Let's say it relates to his recent loss from the night before over his "kind donation"…
"Come on, please, you can't just— […] It was one loss! I can easily earn back that half billion!" Kurt begs. "No, no, NO, DON'T HANG UP!"
Too late. The phone's dial tone rings out from Kurt's end as he appears like his entire world is crumbling apart. He drops his phone with a face of horror and drops down to the wall with his hands clutching his head. Alyssa Parker soon appears thereafter out of concern, crouching next to her boyfriend.
"Kurt? Babe, what's the matter?" Alyssa asks.
"…I… I just talked to my father… He knows about my loss…!" Kurt explains.
"Oh, oh… What did he do?"
"He froze my account. I have no access to my bank, my money," Kurt answers. "Alyssa, I'm basically broke."
"Oh, God… No, no, he can't just do that to his own son!" Alyssa frowns.
"…He called me a loser, Alyssa. He was sick and tired of the failures I suffered in my past matches since I came to this company," Hudson says. "This last loss was the straw that broke the camel's back to conclude his decision on freezing my account… I'm done… The Billion Dollar King is dead."
[…]
"So this means I won't be receiving any further pay from you, huh?"
The couple look up, Niko Bellic revealed to be the one with the query.
"That's a shame. If there's no money to be made here, I see no reason to continue our 'partnership', Hudson," Niko scoffs.
"No, you can't be doing this to me either, Bellic!" Hudson says. "I'll find a way to pay you for your services."
"With what, by paying me half your checks from Alvarez?" Niko folds his arms with doubt.
"As a matter of fact, no," Alyssa steps in, glaring at Niko. "Kurt's bank account may be frozen, but mine isn't."
"Alyssa, baby—" Kurt asserts, but Parker gestures him to let her handle this as she continues.
"Don't think I'm called the 'Billion Dollar Queen' for nothing, yokel. From now on, your services remain with us for as long as I'm paying you to do your job and that job is being our personal bodyguard," Alyssa states. "So you're not going anywhere for a while. Understood?"
Niko couldn't care less, rolling his eyes to Alyssa suggesting herself as the boss, but since the pay is going to keep rolling his way, he may as well go along with it. The GTA IV protagonist says nothing else but a scoff as he walks away. Alyssa lets out a small sigh of relief, content how their partnership remains intact.
"Alyssa, why the hell did you do that? You didn't have to—"
"Kurt, let your pride go for one moment…and realize the situation," Alyssa interrupts. "You have no other way to pay Bellic for his bodyguard services and Alvarez's paychecks aren't enough to provide for that, let alone everything else. And I have to step in for you. I want to help—and don't even think of this as charity, God forbid. This is…but a setback. That bug ruined your life without as much as a care for the consequences like the menace he is. Regardless, I know of a way to earn your father's trust and your account back."
"How?"
"Simple: win a match. As many as you can to show your father you are not a loser and convince him to restore your account!" Alyssa suggests. "Just have to find the next few suckers that's willing to face your wrath."
"…God, I love you," Kurt smiles.
"I know," she winks, then looks around the backstage area. "Now, who shall be our first prey?~"
[…]
"Perfect," Alyssa grins deviously.
The search for an opponent for Kurt was brief, but once Alyssa set her eyes on them, she walked up to the person standing over a table filled with a buffet and taps their shoulder. They turn around to be revealed as Rin Okumura, last seen at Homecoming in the Intercontinental Rumble, with mouth and cheeks filled with food as the crowd pops in reaction. Confused, Rin raises a brow and swallows his food to speak.
"What do you want?" he asks.
"Little boy, it's your 'lucky night', because my King Hudson is in search for a worthy opponent and rebuild his status to the very top where he rightfully belongs," Alyssa grins, now tracing her fingers up on his chest. "Perhaps…you wouldn't mind being a steppingstone for his path to glory for me?~"
"…Lady, even if you flashed your boobs, I wouldn't lie down on the mat for the three-count," Rin deadpans, Alyssa huffing to that. "Besides, I'm basically spoken for. And she's a hell of a lot hotter than you."
Kurt steps in to glare down Okumura, "Listen you little shit, I'm already having a bad weekend as is. From losing half a billion to that goddamn bug to having my bank account frozen, the last thing I need is you insulting my girl."
Not backing down, Rin smirks, "Then maybe you should've picked your own battles instead of letting your girl pick them for you. What? Are your balls now stuffed away in her purse for you to receive whenever she needs you to defend her? God, you're even sadder than yesterday."
The crowd react to that burn with winces and laughs, Kurt fuming with sheer resentment and steam practically coming off him as Alyssa tries to calm him down.
"You. Me. In the ring. Right. Now," Kurt growls.
Rin's response? A shrug…but he agrees.
"All right. See ya in a bit, 'Your Majesty'~" Rin mocks with a bow.
Alyssa is just able to get Kurt to walk it off while Rin has his debut singles match to look forward to with a smirk.
Kurt Hudson (with Alyssa Parker) vs. Rin Okumura
Needing to earn his billions back and prove to his father that he is not a constant loser, Kurt (with Alyssa's help) has chosen debuting rookie Rin Okumura as his first choice of prey. Unfortunately for him, Rin is showing to be far more lethal than Hudson had anticipated. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. After getting a quick pep talk from Alyssa, Kurt circles the ring with Okumura and the two lock up with a collar-and-elbow. Both men hold a test of strength to push each other back, Rin winning it out to get Kurt against the ropes, but Kurt wrenches in a headlock. Regardless, referee John Benoit orders them to separate just as they were there, making Kurt and Rin loosen their grip on each other…and Rin decides to goad his opponent by resting his head against his chest with carefree, swinging arms and a smirk. Though the fans were quite amused, the former billionaire felt the opposite as he pushes him off and screams at him to take this match seriously before suddenly slapping him across the face, having enough of the frustration he's experienced this weekend.
Thanks to the slap, Rin took Kurt's advice. Because Rin went ahead to put the hurt on Hudson with repeated knees to the sternum, a stiff forearm that sends him to the ropes and lands a brutal Lariat to cap the combo off! Pinfall, and a kick-out at two. Young Okumura gets Kurt up for an Irish Whip, but Kurt manages to recover and reverse it. Rin ducks under a Clothesline attempt, then a Back Elbow, and backslides through his legs and under the ropes to sling his arm around Alyssa, who was arguing with a fan prior. Parker, unknowingly, hugs Rin before realizing it and screams in horror, causing Rin to yelp from the scare. Granted, the crowd had another laugh from Rin's antics. And of course, Kurt's sense of humor was lacking as he appeared furious at Rin for putting his hands on Alyssa and the returning Rin responds kindly with a knife edge chop after ducking his right hand. Then, Rin knees Hudson in the gut, mat slams him down hard, stomps the canvas as Kurt rolled away and feigns the deadly knee strike to the head with Kurt dodging to escape the ring. Rin could only smirk in response to how a shocked Kurt is barely reacting to his quick speed.
Eventually, Kurt does get the tide turning to his side when Alyssa distracted Rin long enough to snatch him in a Billion Dollar Dream (Cobra Clutch). Knowing Rin will get out if he goes for a Hudson $treet, Kurt instead tries wearing him down with the submission. Rin attempts an escape with the use of the turnbuckles by backflipping over, but Kurt outwits him with a midair Cobra Clutch Backbreaker and remains said hold. Rin struggles to get free, but Kurt decides to keep him trapped between the ropes, knee pressed behind his back to choke him until referee John Benoit almost counted up to five and scolded Kurt for his tactics. During so, Alyssa slaps the taste out of Rin's mouth as payback and slightly further Kurt's chances of winning, much to the disapproval of the fans. Later, Kurt grabs Rin's neck in a Cravate to crank on and brings him down to a knee. Rin is battling to break free as the crowd continues cheering for their favorite in him, slowly but surely motivating him to power through before suddenly hoisting Kurt high for a High-angle Back Suplex.
With the momentum changing, Kurt tries shutting it down by setting up a Superplex to at least continue the damage, yet Rin refuses to let it be with a vicious headbutt! Kurt recoils and nearly goes down, but Rin grabs his wrist to hold him up on his shoulders. He stands high on the middle rope and…Alyssa interferes by pulling Kurt down to save him from a likely finisher as the audience fills the Coliseum with jeers. Though Benoit's scolding gets ignored, he goes ahead with the ten-count…but Rin has no patience for any of this whatsoever. The young upstart bounces from the ropes across the ring and hits an Elbow Suicida (Suicide Dive transitioned into an Elbow Smash) to Kurt, who pushed Alyssa out of harm's way! Rin hurls Kurt back in the hexagon and Kurt strikes him with a vicious Big Boot on his way in. Okumura staggers into the ropes…and tilts between them for a vicious Rebound Clothesline that turns Kurt inside out! With Kurt laid out, the time comes for Rin to finish the match. He waits in the corner, right leg enthusiastically vibrating for the kill…and by the time Kurt lifts his head, Rin blasts his skull with The Exorcism (Bomaye)! Rin drops down and pins Kurt for the win, much to Alyssa's chagrin.
NateWantsToBattle's cover of "Core Pride" by UVERworld plays out for Rin's victory while a cataleptic Kurt is tended to by Alyssa, the former celebrating with the fans. By the time reaches up the stage, he gets taken to the side for a post-match interview by Zack Carver.
"Rin, first of all, I have to say, welcome to Apex Caliber Wrestling! You gotta feel good after this win, so where do you go from here?" Zack asks, getting straight to the point.
"I can't lie, I do feel good, Zack. As a matter of fact, this match was certainly easy money~" Rin grins, jabbing at Kurt. "Honestly, I was expecting more from a guy with nothing else to lose. Regardless, I'm just getting started on this roster, man. A new era is here for APEX, and I'm one of the new faces to come out of the underground! […] You know, there's actually something lingering on my mind since…last night on Ignition. I heard someone basically telling—nah, daring Old Man Alvarez to send whoever he's got after him. And I heard that he'll kick their asses all the same. So I don't think he has to stress about finding an opponent for him…because I'm standing right here." The crowd's reaction rises in further curiosity for what Rin says next as he stares daggers into the camera. "Jason Krueger…if it's a fight you're looking for…if you're looking for anybody that's capable of being the same animal as you…I'm right here. Until then, don't keep me waiting for your answer."
The Titanium Ranger adds fuel to the fire on his feud with Tommy Oliver
Somewhere at an interview setup backstage, a grinning Ryan Mitchell is alone, yet confident to speak on his attack against Tommy. During this segment, clips of the event from the night before can be shown in between in the manner of a promo package.
"Aw shucks, Tommy, sorry you're not here tonight, but I'll be happy to let you know how I am," Ryan sneers. "See, when you issued the challenge to settle our score…I felt insulted. Insulted over the fact you think I'm going to agree to a match with you on your time. That ain't happening because our clash will go down when I say it goes down."
From various special angles, Ryan is found running from the Gorilla Position to bash his forearm across Tommy's neck, then cuts to the two barraging each other's faces with closed fists. "Let them fight!" chants echo in the flashback while Ryan and Tommy are being separated.
"Don't worry, you're still definitely the primary target in the name of not only my personal mission to remove the cluster in this overblown roster, but to ensure The Bullet Club's reign through this one-man army~ So when I decide to put you out of your misery on my time…I'll try my best to make it quick and painless out of the minimal respect I have left for you."
Mitchell, in Titanium Ranger form, attacks Tommy at Homecoming with the One-handed Electric Chair Driver and fades out to have Ryan unmorphed producing a roguish grin, ending the segment here.
Hinata Hyuga vs. Ellie Langford
As Naruto Uzumaki remains hospitalized since Homecoming, Hinata seeks retribution with the first step to make Ellie Langford take responsibility for Isaac's actions. Interesting to note is that this is essentially Ellie's debut match, taking on Hinata, who is an experience veteran. Their styles would mesh well throughout as both women are skilled in mat-based technical wrestling and submission holds.
At the start of the match, Hinata and Ellie perform a rather fast-paced chain sequence that involved brief roll-ups, armbar attempts, headlock takedowns, hammerlocks, and a headscissors before it all ends in a stalemate with a round of applause. Ellie smirks to her opponent after showing off what she has in her arsenal while Hinata nods quietly in some respect, acknowledging her work being cut out for her. Yet again the two tie-up, Ellie twisting the left arm back and tripping up Hinata on her back, but the latter sits up while the former making her arm bend in ways that shouldn't be bent. By the time she has her bent hand on the mat, she goes for a stomp on the elbow, but Hinata avoids it and sweeps her opponent's leg for only a one-count pin attempt. Now Hinata takes Ellie's arm for the wrist control, feigning an Irish Whip just to flip her over on her back and lands a Somersault Leg Drop while simultaneously keeping the wrist control to an impressed crowd reaction. But Ellie wraps the legs around Hinata's head firmly to stand on her knees and take the arm she previously worked on, viciously disjointing her wrist and elbow before snapping her fingers to a disgusting crack!
Despite the possibly broken fingers, Hinata fights through the wrist control to jump off the turnbuckles and Ellie pushes the Tornado DDT attempt. The momentum sends Hinata towards the ring ropes, bounces back to dodge a Clothesline, snatch that arm, kicks behind Ellie's near leg to bring her down on her back, cartwheels over her with the wrist in hand, goes for the Axe Kick, but Ellie blocks with her good arm and traps the ankle in her grip. Hinata reacts with a Victory Roll and Ellie reverses that into own, but opts for a Double Foot Stomp, which Hinata moves out of the way. Hinata sidesteps and shoves Ellie to the ropes, runs to the neighboring ones to throw Ellie off with an incoming Gentle Palm (Palm Strike to the opponent's face), but Ellie leaps through the attack to trap her opponent in a Rolling Armbar! But she doesn't keep that hold for long as Ellie takes both hands and take a page out of Isaac's book by aggressively stomping Hinata's face in, Daniel Bryan style. And to add insult to injury, she stands up to twists Hinata's neck between her ankles and prods to the camera that, notwithstanding her debut, she's already the best technical wrestler in this entire company.
Ellie has commanded this contest through and through, being able to outwit the veteran at near every turn. Her main targets, evidently, have been Hinata's own arms as her striking prowess is also one of her many strengths with that deadly Gentle Palm. If she keeps it going, she'll cement herself for a certain victory. At one point, when Hinata tried coming back for an early finish with her Hyuga's Way (Attitude Adjustment), Langford forces her grip to weaken with a Kimura Lock and land a few headbutts in-between to further the damage. However, Hinata powers through and plants the Hyuga's Way, then Superkicks her face in, hoping to end it…until Ellie kicks out at a near-fall! Desperate times call for desperate measures, Hinata climbing the top turnbuckle for a Moonsault…until Ellie springs up to join her there and pull her down HARD with a brutal Half Nelson Choke Superplex! Hinata is practically out of commission as Ellie gestures a cutthroat and ensnares her opponent in a tight knit Half Nelson Choke that she dubbed Asphyxiation (Tazmission), quickly resulting Hinata to reluctantly tap out to the fans' anguish.
Though she won, Ellie refused to let go with a face filled with malice, eventually doing so begrudgingly when referee Faith Hathaway threatened to reverse her decision. As her hand is raised, Ellie sneers towards the unconscious Hinata, "At least now you'll join Naruto on the shelf, love."
The Trinity sets the date for The Wolves
A familiar setting is established with an unlicensed camera filming the area at a leaned angle while on the floor until a pair of legs walk in to pick up the camera. This time, Mason Stone, Marcus King, and Nolan Gates are the ones in charge of the segment.
"So, chaos and mayhem aren't your cup of tea, Mr. Rollins?" Mason questions. "While you're on your high horse speaking of 'justice' with hypocrisy, I'm here with my foundation ahead of the curve with the realization that nothing matters here as long as we do what we want, when we want."
"We know exactly who you are, boys," Marcus snarls. "You're the same trio that were too chickenshit to win fair and square against us for the Trio Championships ten years ago at Spring Breakdown. Guess who helped you?"
"The very same chickenshit referee who shares the same ideals as the rest of you and believes he's on the same level as you," Nolan sneers.
"There's history between us being rekindled, but this time, we're looking to rectify that chip that's been digging and digging and DIGGING DEEP in our shoulders for so long…and it starts by exterminating The Wolves," Mason states. "Here's the date for your challenge: The Nightmare Before Christmas…but we have a better deal to ramp up the build towards that event. To prove we are the better stable against you…Six-Man. Wolves versus Trinity. BEST OF FIVE SERIES."
"Pray to your useless goddess to survive the series, boys," King laughs. "We'll do our best to make the matches quick and painless, much as you don't deserve it."
"The series is set. Your turn to respond, pups," scorns Nolan.
"May the foundation of hardcore reign through blood and carnage," Mason caps off the promo, letting the camera fall to shatter the lens as the Trinity walk away.
Domino City Machine Guns vs. Alpha & Omega
Bluntly put, this match was demanded by Joey Wheeler and Tristan Taylor after how Yugi and Atem were blindsided by Carter Young and Stan Terra at Night of Champions. Ricardo Alvarez, Jr. granted it since he knows he can't stop the duo from seeking payback for their friends. Alpha & Omega go along with the match in effort to do away with Joey and Tristan so they can return their focus on regaining the APEX World Tag Team Championships. But the Guns will not make it easy for former champions as they tackle them down in the hexagon ring and take the fight all over the area before the bell is allowed to ring.
Vengeance and anger are seeded deep in Joey and Tristan's minds while Stan and Carter are fighting back to basically survive their wrath as the brawl nearly takes place in the crowd. After a couple minutes of unrelenting scuffling, Alpha & Omega turn the tide as Carter throws Tristan back in the ring, referee Shawn Yeager calls for the match to finally start, and Carter goes for God's Kiss, but Tristan barely avoids the deadly kick with a ducking evasion! Tristan runs through the ropes onto the apron and slingshots himself over for a DD-Taylor (Slingshot DDT), but Carter catches him to instead ram him spine first into the farthest corner of the ring, where Terra stands at for a tag-in. Alpha & Omega have Tristan set up for a Double Suplex pose, but Tristan lands on his feet instead to hit a Hangman's Neckbreaker on the duo! Young and Terra leave the ring to recoup, but by the time Joey had made it back to the action with Tristan, the Machine Guns hit the ropes to perform a Stereo Suicide Dive on Alpha & Omega, igniting a round of high cheers from the favorable fans.
Alas, this momentum doesn't last long for the Guns when Carter Young stopped Tristan dead in his tracks from a high-rent district maneuver by tossing him over with a Super Belly-to-belly, both men crashing hard on the canvas. From there, he has controlled the match in his team's favor with Stan's assistance as the two made quick tags to make Tristan endure the pain that they're giving him from a more successful Double Brainbuster to a Fireman's Carry Gutbuster (Young) / Jumping Knee Drop (Terra) combination. Every chance Tristan gets to make a tag, Alpha & Omega ensure that he never makes it, cutting the ring in half while also knocking Joey off the apron in a cheap-shot method that angers him enough to want payback, but the official keeps him at bay to make it easy for Young and Terra to double team Tristan behind his back. The Machine Guns come close to a loss when Stan joins Carter to blast Tristan with the Beginning of the End (Running Big Boot (Young) / Running Legsweep (Terra) combination), but Tristan kicks out at a super-close near-fall! During this, Stan tried knocking Joey off the apron, but Joey doesn't fall for it and pulls the ropes down to let him tumble over. Carter rushes at Joey and eats a right forearm for his troubles, Tristan back on his feet to catch Carter with a Spinning Headlock Elbow Drop. This gives Tristan the opening he desperately needed to finally tag in Joey, and the self-proclaimed Godfather of Wrestling comes in like a house of fire!
Joey Wheeler takes down Carter with a series of cathartic right-handed punches, the crowd going ham for Joey being able to get his licks in on the people responsible for sidelining his friends. Joey is stomping away at Carter in the corner and Stan arrives back to help his ally, but Joey ducks under his punch and catches him in the Cha-Ching (Suplex into an Inverted Stunner)! Taking a gamble and relying on luck like he always does, Joey jumps on the corner and dives over to land a Somersault Senton on Terra! Joey returns to the ring and gets shut down by a picture-perfect Standing Dropkick from Carter. The Alpha runs up the corner for a beautiful handstand on the top turnbuckle and goes for an Arabian Press called Inception, but Joey raises his knees for Carter's gut to land on. As Carter rolls to his feet holding his abdomen, Tristan makes a sudden appearance with a Superkick into a Full Nelson by Joey, hitting In Your Face (Full Nelson Facebuster)! The cover is made, but Stan Terra interferes in time to Spear Tristan into Joey and breaks up the pin!
The match has broken down with all four men in the ring, Shawn Yaeger having lost his authority with the two teams battering each other. Near the end of the match, Tristan has Stan in a Fireman's Carry with legs crossed, but the Omega counters the Samoan Driver attempt with a Stunner followed by a Jumping Delayed DDT. Then he goes for Joey with Back Suplex setup, back-flipping Joey, and Joey lands on his feet before planting Terra with the In Your Face! His sights back on the rising Carter Young, he goes for another In Your Face!, but Carter powers through to toss Joey over the shoulder and brutally strikes him down with God's Kiss to secure the victory!
Despite earning this hard-fought victory, Alpha & Omega were not satisfied enough as they began setting up a table pulled from under the ring and a Con-chair-to, one for each to punish with. Carter gets ready to Powerbomb Joey through the table while Stan has the Con-chair-to for Tristan…until the lights go out completely, shrouding the area in pitch black darkness. Not soon thereafter, the first eight seconds of the Yu-Gi-Oh! theme song play out to a massive pop, fading and transitioning into "Dark Passenger" by Motionless in White. The Eye of Wdjat glows bright from the IgnitionTron, almost immediately bringing the lights back on with Alpha & Omega's eye on the stage…
…but in actuality, the ring is cleared out for Yugi Mutou and Atem stand right behind the duo with chairs in their possessions and retribution seared deep in their eyes, especially for the pharaoh. As the fans further pop for the inaugural World Tag Team Champions, Carter and Stan realizing they're behind them and get taken down by simultaneous chair shots to their guts and spines! Atem and Yugi go for their respective Endgames, but Carter and Stan push them away and exit the ring to disappointed boos. Alpha & Omega scurry to the stage to fight another day while Altered Egos stand in the ring are goading them to get back in and take their beatings like the men they should be. Joey and Tristan return to back their friends up as Carter and Stan glare back, Stan himself shouting vulgar threats to end Altered Egos. For now, the war continues between these two teams on the path to The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Dante responds to Luke Smith's challenge…
For the first shot, a pair of legs worn with fishnet leggings are seen to wolf whistles before the camera rises up to reveal a whole new "Violet" Clarissa Rivera, transformed from meek interviewer to a woman proud of her sexuality and unafraid to flaunt with her signature glasses, purple collared midriff blouse, black short shorts, the prementioned leggings, sneakers, and tattoos found from a trail of roses on her left arm and a butterfly on her right wrist.
After the reintroduction, Clarissa makes her own with Dante as the interviewee of the night. The Stylish Showstopper is asked what he has to say about Luke Smith's challenge.
"Yeah, I can see why Luke's upset. I mean…I did screw him over out of being the Intercontinental Champion. On the other hand…it was better for Nero. Besides, turnabout's fair play here when he's got his own pack backing him up," Dante shrugs. "Whether it's Smith alone or all The Wolves…I'd say bring it. A fight every now and then does make life a little more interesting, don't you think?"
Before that can be answered, Dante's eyes dart toward someone appearing…and who else but "The Cunning Wolf" Luke Smith with a heavy scowl? They have a staredown…then Dante notices the arriving Erik Rollins next to Luke…followed swiftly by Hannibal Ambrose and Damian Reigns behind Dante, here on RAMPAGE to surround the Legendary Devil Hunter. Clarissa knew to get out of dodge as soon as the Wolves showed up. Dante turns his head right to left, recognizing he's outnumbered.
"Okay…"
Despite this, Dante cracks his neck and takes the first strike to Luke, but the Wolves quickly hammer him with clubbing blows and striking kicks! Dante is overwhelmed by the numbers game, this pack demolishing him to the point of stomping him to the ground. As Smith unloads Dante with rage-filled fists to the skull, his fellow Wolves are already setting up a table beside them. Erik, Hannibal, and Damian drag Dante for the Triple Powerbomb set up…
…but then The Hardcore Trinity suddenly emerge with steel chairs slamming into their spines! Though unintentionally saving Dante, they don't leave him out as the Trinity are attacking anyone that basically walk in their line of sight! The Wolves ultimately fight back as they brawl to seemingly no end on their way out of backstage with officials running in to break it up. Luke is left out to try and finish the job with Dante, but Nero bashes him from behind with a clubbing forearm to save his uncle. This confrontation proved short as more officials arrive to separate them, especially since Nero has a match to get to by tonight's main event.
"TRY THAT SHIT AGAIN, LUKE! F—KING TRY ME WITH YOUR WOLF PACK BITCHES!" Nero curses while being held back, Dante being tended to as he comes awake.
Jeweled Felines make their statement known to iGeneration
In this pre-taped sit-down interview taking place before the start of the show, Jeweled Felines' Lisa Weston and Jessica Wilson were being interrogated by Zack Carver in an undisclosed location backstage to examine recent events the past couple of weeks from Night of Champions to last night's Ignition.
"Thank for taking your time of day to have this sit-down with me, ladies; I assure you this won't take long," Zack said.
"Worry not. We have all day, love," Lisa assured.
"Let me start off by bringing this up, despite the heinous attack by iGeneration, you two carry on to basically take the fight to them as payback," Zack stated. "Needless to say, you gals are not backing down."
"Hon, that is an understatement," Jessica smirked. "The real reason iGeneration attack us is simply put, they are cowards. Runaways. Anybody that even challenges their reign, they want to dispose of the problem as quickly as possible. With that in mind, I'd dare say they're afraid of losing their belts after what happened to The Horsewomen at Homecoming."
"The night we were supposed to wrestle them for their belts, they took the easy way out," The Lioness huffed. "The cracks are showing, no matter how much they declare the Queendom is 'unstoppable' in APEX. Jess and I have been friends—best friends ever since we met in ACW's humble beginnings, back when I was but a kitten. We were champions once down in developmental together, and now we want to make it official here on the main roster, no matter what the bloody iGeneration have to say or do to prevent the inevitable. In fact, they're half-right about 'The Change'. It's going to happen…just not with them involved."
"Couldn't said it better myself, Lise," Jessica chuckled. "We have a goal to accomplish, Zacky Baby. Two, actually: to send iGeneration packing and become the true APEX Women's Tag Team Champions, not just for our sake, but for the sake of the APEX Women's Division. We are tired of the badmouthing, the insults toward the division we are rebuilding towards the new era."
"Oi, iGen!" Lisa called out towards the camera recording the interview. "Here's some sound advice: if you're going to attack us, why don't you try confronting us like real women should—AHH!"
BAM, Carly Shay and Sam Puckett have blindsided the Jeweled Felines once again! But Weston and Wilson were not taking this beating lying down as they were ready to even the odds. Zack shouted for security as Lisa lifted Sam up and sent her through the curtain of their interview setup. Carly has Jessica's head bashed on the floor before security eventually showed to separate the rivaled teams away. No doubt profanity was shared between the champions and challengers, the former declaring that the latter will never be able to touch their gold. Lisa checked on Jessica who was nursing her head, but there didn't seem to be too much damage done as both pairs glare at each other from a distance.
Main Event – Nero [c] vs. Yokozuna Ed with Mr. Eddy McGee for the APEX Intercontinental Championship
Yes, this title is being read right for the eyes of the viewer. To explain, Mr. Eddy McGee first arrived in a black tuxedo and bowler hat to hype up the introduction of the rebranded, redesigned, revitalized Ed. "Sumo" by Jim Johnston plays for Mr. Eddy to reveal his client to the world as Yokozuna Ed, dressed the same outfit he did for the "One Size Fits Ed" episode. The Sumo Ed is here with the intent to destroy Nero and take his Intercontinental Championship, as per instructed by Mr. Eddy. Once Nero made his entrance, he was quite perplexed at the sight of Yokozuna Ed and Mr. Eddy, but went along with it if just to humor the Eds, especially Eddy.
Yokozuna Ed starts off strong with a massive shove to Nero against the turnbuckles, displaying that unfathomable force he wields as he stomps the mat sumo style. Nero tries again for another lock-up with Ed, but he gets pushed towards the ropes and Ed bashes him with an unforgiving Lariat! Yokozuna Ed lets out a roar of triumph as Nero is forced to recover and nurse his jaw, understanding he has his work cut out for him. As soon as Nero returned inside the hexagon, he fakes out the lock-up and opts for a series of right hooks, leading Ed to the ropes. He performs an Irish Whip, Ed reverses it to his own, Nero slides through the legs and wraps the arms around the waist for a German Suplex, but Ed elbows Nero's head repeatedly and headbutts him off. Nero sits in the corner to reel from the attack and Mr. Eddy directs his client to keep up the damage, which Ed does with a brutal Hip Attack. He pulls him close to the center for a pin, but Nero is able to kick out at two.
The Intercontinental Champion eventually gets an opening to fight back, countering Ed's Samoan Drop attempt for a Blue Rose Forearm Smash on the way down. Ed staggers to the ring ropes and Nero hits a Dropkick on the way back. Ed remains on his feet, reeling to the ropes once more to bounce from the ropes and nails the running Nero with a Burhead Bump in retaliation! Now Nero is the one who stumbles to the ropes…and recoils back to duck under Yokozuna Ed's Clothesline to hit a Mega Buster!
Tenacity and strength have been the impetus pushing directly against each other as the tides shift between Nero and Yokozuna Ed at every few moments in this contest, hardly one of them backing down from this fight. When Ed had Nero in a Full Nelson, it wouldn't be long until Nero slipped from his grip and rolls up Ed in a pinning predicament before kick-out at two. When Nero went for an Air Hike Moonsault (BME—Best Moonsault Ever), Yokozuna Ed catches him, rams his spine into the turnbuckles and runs back to complete the Oklahoma Stampede to earn a two-count. Later, Ed hurls Nero into the turnbuckles with an Irish Whip and chases after him, aiming for a Stinger Splash whilst yelling, "WHOA, NELLY!" but Nero avoids it with Yokozuna Ed bashing his skull on the ring post. The Intercontinental Champion takes advantage to pull off a swift combination with a Bicycle High Knee followed by a Spinning Back Fist, then by a Spinning Back Kick, and concludes with a Running Knee Strike to the head—nailing the Hot Streak to a near-fall! Next, Nero fervently urges Yokozuna Ed to stand up so he can make him eat a Red Rose (Springboard Forearm Smash), taking flight from the ropes…
…but Ed catches him with the Mono Buster (Thrust Spinebuster)! Though Yokozuna Ed is the current gimmick, The People's Ed couldn't resist the cheers of the crowd as he stands above Nero in a familiar position and raises his right eyebrow. Mr. Eddy shrugs and goes along with it while Ed pulls off the imaginary elbow pad, throws it to the fans, and swings his arms about to go for The Most "Eledrifying" Move in Sports Entertainment. Ed goes all around the hexagon ring, crossing over Nero four times before finally sliding on his feet to the champion…and lands The People's Edbow (The People's Elbow)!
"Finish it, Lumpy!" Mr. Eddy urges. "BANZAIII!"
And Ed echoes that statement with the San Antonio crowd behind him as Ed drags Nero to the nearest corner. He stands on the middle rope and savors the moment with the cheering audience, shouting "BANZAI!" once more. Ed sets it up and lands the Banzai Drop on top of Nero! He confidently crosses arms while sitting on Nero's chest and the referee counts…up to two when Nero's hand is found grabbing the bottom rope! In complete disbelief, Ed lets out the frustration with a couple stomps to Nero and decides to go for another Banzai Drop, this time from the top rope. But when Ed went for a Super Banzai Drop…
…
…Nero moves out of the way! Ed lands HARD on his backside and cries in deep agony until Nero cuts through him in the corner with a brutal Rainbow Bullet! Ed falls flat at the center of the ring as Nero jumps over to stand on the apron. The moment Yokozuna Ed rises to his feet, Nero slingshots himself over and wallops him with the Devil Breaker (Adam Page's Buckshot Lariat)! But despite getting turned inside out, Ed is instantly on his feet with a BELLOW and beats his chest to the roar of the crowd, as if that Lariat powered him up instead finishing him off! Nero is flabbergasted, but he carries on as he and Ed bash each other with furious fists to an ecstatic crowd that just started clapping and chanting, "FIGHT FOREVER!" Yokozuna Ed knees Nero in the gut and Gorilla Press Lifts him high. He then drops Nero behind him, confident he's let Nero fall on his stomach when Nero actually landed on his feet. Ed bounces from the ropes and Nero knocks him out with the Punchline! Ed is teetering on his vertical base, lightly springing from the ropes into Nero's clutches. Nero hooks the inside leg, lifts Ed high and drives him down for the Devil Buster, securing the title retention at the count of three!
The Lone Devil Hunter stands victorious with his APEX Intercontinental Championship returned to him and raised high as "Devil Trigger" blasts from the speakers for the cheering fans. Though Yokozuna Ed may have not won tonight, Mr. Eddy had to know what he was feeling…and Ed simply replied with a goofy tone, "I'm hungry!" Seems the annoyed Mr. Eddy has a lot of work to do, seemingly unfinished with Nero and his belt as he shoots a glare towards him with greedy eyes. For now, Nero walks off with his first successful title defense made and remains the reigning APEX Intercontinental Champion as APEX's closing copyright notice logo appears for the fade to black.
Results for RAMPAGE X:
Hardcore Match – Sasuke Uchiha [c] def. Mirage (with Pathfinder) via pinfall for the APEX Hardcore Championship
Rin Okumura def. Kurt Hudson (with Alyssa Parker) via pinfall
Ellie Langford def. Hinata Hyuga via submission
Alpha & Omega def. Domino City Machine Guns via pinfall
Main Event – Nero [c] def. Yokozuna Ed (with Mr. Eddy McGee) via pinfall to retain the APEX Intercontinental Championship
Predetermined Card for The Nightmare Before Christmas:
Open Challenge – Jack Skellington vs. TBD
The Gods of Darkness (Yami Bakura and Marik Ishtar) [c] (with PaniK) vs. Blake Bros 2.0 (Tony and Adrian Blake) for the APEX World Tag Team Championships
Satsuki Kiryūin [c] vs. Winner of the Six Sides of Steel Match for the APEX World Women's Championship
Best of 5 Series, Final Round (if necessary) – The Wolves (Hannibal Ambrose, Erik Rollins, and Damian Reigns) vs. The Hardcore Trinity (Mason Stone, Nolan Gates, and Marcus King)
Main Event – King Beowulf [c] vs. Spider-Man for the APEX World Championship
Hey, how ya doing? Hope y'all are doing well.
This took longer than expected to get an update out, but I'm glad we got it done! Once I got the ball rolling, this episode got more and more fun to write.
Sadly, this will likely be the final recap I will do for each episode leading to pay-per-view/live special events. As time passed, it's become evident that with each episode I write out, even as a recap, it's become a snail's pace to reach every PPV event. By the time I reach The Nightmare Before Christmas, it'll have already been a year.
This will not be the end of APEX, as I take notes from my friends to write out each chapter as monthcaps leading up to certain events at a time with Ignition and RAMPAGE happening in-between. Worry not, as great detail will be put in as much as possible while also trying my best to condense the information. Hope y'all are excited for the new format as I am.
I appreciate you all.
Until next time, adios~