WELCOME TO THE RETURN OF SUNDAY NIGHT HOSTEL WHICH WILL BE QUICK RESULTS EACH SUNDAY NIGHT UNLESS SAID OTHERWISE.

JAYLA CRUZ SHW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION; THE START OF A NEW ERA OF SLAUGHTERHOUSE WRESTLING

<<<< >>>>

Backstage the camera opens up on the slender form of one Jayla Cruz as she finishes getting ready for her upcoming appearance. It's her first true public viewing since she won her championship beyond a few pictures here and there, so there's a sense of excitement and gravitas to it that might not otherwise be. Standing next to her is the lean and tall form of an elegantly dressed dark haired man. His voice carries the hint of some sort of exotic accent and she attends to his words with her full attention when he speaks. As he helps her put on her ring jacket, a sparkling affair with silver studs and blue and red crystals sewn everywhere she flicks her gaze to the mirror to look at the pair of them and her smile comes up. Brilliant and bright, unforced. The same smile she had after winning her title, minus the glass shards and blood of course. 

JAYLA CRUZ: "Sometimes I wondered if I'd ever get here. You being back, winning the title, all of the challenges ahead. Oh the ideas that are already being floated for my title defenses are exactly what I want. It's weird isn't it? Now that I've gotten everything that I fought so hard for and finally proven that I'm just as good as I said that I was, part of me is like what now? I fought so hard to get the chance to prove myself that now that I have…I don't know, I guess I feel a little untethered? Any wisdom for me about that oh Eternal one? "

There was a slight bit of teasing in her tone and she reached forward to gather up a little bundle of baby's breath, her favorite flowers in the world and she brought them up to tease towards his nose before bringing them to her own with a happy little sigh. For one moment everything was aligned for her and it was very clear. 

ETHAN BOSTWICK: "I had no doubts, from the start. You’ve always been kissed by kismet, cradled by fate, marked for greatness. The stars surrounding your birth, your innate tenacity and outright ferocity. The fact that you’ve stood when many men and women would’ve fallen. The fact that you have fallen, only to get back up. I am.. In complete awe of you. I knew you could do it and yet to see you at this point has been.. Utterly incredible, like the moment beefore a crescendo. It’s the closest thing to a religious experience that I’ve ever actually experienced. I don’t know if I could believe in God, but you? That, that I could believe in."

Jayla reaches for his hand and gives it a squeeze before releasing it and squaring her shoulders.

JAYLA CRUZ:"Then let's go, there's a whole audience waiting to celebrate with us."

At first there is murmuring from the fans that's picked up by a microphone somewhere. People shuffling in their seats, getting ready to hold up signs, and vaguely unsettling music is heard, low and unclear as a backdrop. The music slowly begins to change, getting a little more urgent and lights flicker before they lower in dramatic fashion. There is the sound then of an old fashioned reel-to-reel projector, and the screen over the stage suddenly flickers to light and then projected upon it is this:

-----

Slowly, The Final Girl begins crawling toward the corner, dragging herself across the canvas as she desperately searches for enough strength to finish what she started. She reaches the turnbuckles and begins climbing, one rung at a time, until she finally stands on the top rope. Below her, Yukiko slowly starts to move. The Osaka Devil pulls herself upright, barely aware of where she is, and Jayla watches her carefully from above. The moment Yukiko reaches her feet, Jayla launches herself into the air with THE JUICEBOX EXPRESS! The corkscrew shooting star press connects perfectly, Jayla crashing chest-first across the champion as the impact sends both women bouncing across the canvas. 

Jayla somehow manages to roll through the landing and immediately hooks both legs, pressing her entire weight across Yukiko's shoulders.  The referee begins to count as well as the SHW crowd! 

ONEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOO! 

THREEEEEEEE!

**DING! DING! DING!**

-----

From the ceiling then rains down streamers in silver blue and red, thin ribbons gleaming. Joined by that is matching confetti, and through the crowd goes a group of people handing out swag bags with bits of memorabilia, kandi bracelets, rubber rings, keychains and the like, all with tiny jaguars and stylized juice boxes on them. One lucky fan gets a gold charm bracelet and can be heard squealing over the music. 

Now the screen changes to show many highlights of Jayla Cruz’s career thus far - an ever changing highlight reel of her time here in Slaughterhouse Wrestling. From her first win to her first championship win, and many other brutal moments where she proved that she was able to do the most heinous things with a big smile on her face and blood pouring everywhere, all of these are shown. Some of the most brutal and creative matches on record, and the implication is she's ready for far more. 

C'mon!

I'm in love with the mess we're in

The game we're playing is a game I'll win

You're a lovesick addict, can't get enough

Got a real bad habit of messing it up

The camera sweeps over the crowd and then to the backstage area just behind the curtains. There stands the newly-crowned Slaughterhouse Wrestling World Champion herself as “Blow” featuring Spencer Charnas of INK) by Eva Under Fire plays loud and clear. She lifts the microphone to her lips, giving a sidelong glance to the dark haired handsome man at her side, Ethan Bostwick. At his nod she grins.

JAYLA CRUZ: "Five, four, three, two, one!"

Baby, I'm about to blow

Ticking like a time bomb

Ready to explode

Hit you with my best shot

Got you in my sights

Running for your life

Love is a liar

R-R-Ready, aim, fire

Baby, I'm about to blow

I'm about to blow

I'm about to

They burst through the curtains, Jayla doing a set of cartwheels with all of the skill of someone who was a cheerleader in the past, she nails the landing at the top of the ramp and poses, the lights gleaming off the title belt around her waist. Then she points at the fans, both hands out like she was going to embrace them.

I'm a sinner, sold my soul to play

Russian roulette is my favorite game

I'm a chaos addict, can't get enough

Got a real dark secret, I'll never give up

Five, four, three, two, onе.

As the countdown ends, Jayla charges down the ramp towards the ring, doing a couple more cartwheels and flips along the way! She then takes a run around the ring as Ethan strolls down the ramp at a much more sedate pace, his focus solely on her and not the spectacle happening around them.

Baby, I'm about to blow

Ticking like a time bomb

Ready to еxplode

Hit you with my best shot

Got you in my sights

Running for your life

Love is a liar

R-R-Ready, aim, fire

Baby, I'm about to blow

I'm about to blow (Baby, I'm about to blow)

I'm about to

JAYLA CRUZ: "Blow!"

She gestures and the music fades out as Ethan joins her in the ring. She removes her title belt and turns it to look at it, her expression softening and becoming almost fond before she turns it in her hand and lifts it high over her head. 

JAYLA CRUZ: "Finally." 

Before she could continue however, Ethan steps up to the side and then picks her up by the hips. She gives a sound of startlement as he settles her on his shoulder like an old fashioned circus strong man even though he was lean with a swimmers build he was definitely strong. Far stronger than his appearance would suggest. Jayla gives a laugh and shakes her head before lifting the microphone to speak again. 

JAYLA CRUZ: "When they say get a man that'll lift you up, well, sometimes it's literal. But I have a few things that I want to say. This? Has been a long time coming. I've always been better than some of the chances that I've had. There's nothing quite like watching people that you care about succeed, and for a long time that's what I did. I watched as the people I cared about got chances that were out of my reach for whatever reason, and they made the most of it. I will never say that they didn't earn it, but you know what? I earned it too. And now? No one can deny me. This is everything. I'm at that position where everything paid off. All of the hours of work. All of that sweat equity? Here we are. And now that I have it I intend to hang on to it for as long as I can. But the thing is I'm not going to be lazy. You've seen me fight in some of the most fucked up bloody and freakishly difficult matches possible. I haven't shied away from any of it. I haven't backed down and I never will. So expect more of the same! Bloody, brilliant and vicious. The best that Slaughterhouse can offer and that's the promise I make to you all. La Jaguarita... long may she reign!"

With a gesture then her music starts again, and Ethan takes her to the near corner where she climbs the turnbuckles from his shoulder and holds up the title again, the camera focusing on the intensity of her expression.

The roar is still rolling through the arena when Jayla’s music begins to fade, her championship held high from Ethan’s shoulders. Then, without warning, the lights suddenly flicker. The reaction from the crowd changes almost instantly as the opening, distorted notes of “Fear of Dying” by Jack Off Jill crawl through the speakers. Jayla slowly lowers the championship, her expression shifting from celebration to suspicion. Ethan slowly helped Jayla off his shoulders as a low, unsettling laugh echoes through the arena before LISA SELDON steps onto the stage, microphone already in hand. The eldritch horror looks almost eerily calm, her eyes locked directly on Jayla as she begins making her way toward the ring. She pauses halfway down the ramp, tilting her head unnaturally before raising the microphone.

LISA SELDON: "Congratulations, Jayla."

Lisa gives a slow, almost mocking clap as she continues toward the ring. 

LISA SELDON: "Really. You did it. You survived everything they threw at you. You clawed, scratched, bled and screamed your way to that championship, and for tonight, at least, you get to stand there and call yourself the Final Girl." 

She steps through the ropes, never taking her eyes off Jayla. 

LISA SELDON: "But you see, Jayla... Final Girls have a problem. They always think the story belongs to them. They always think surviving the monster means the monster is gone." Lisa's smile slowly widens. "It doesn't." 

The crowd begins to boo as Lisa gestures toward the championship. 

LISA SELDON: "Because while you were standing there celebrating your happily ever after, I was having a conversation with The Warden."

Jayla's expression immediately hardens as Lisa takes another step forward. 

LISA SELDON: "And The Warden and I? We had a little sit-down. We talked about your championship. We talked about your victory. We talked about the Chamber. And most importantly... we talked about me... Because everybody remembers what happened in that Chamber last Book. Everybody remembers how close I came to beating you. I wasn't eliminated because you were better than me, Jayla. I was eliminated because the universe decided that I hadn't finished crawling out of that hell yet... But The Warden remembers. She remembers exactly how close I was. And she has decided that I deserve another opportunity."

Lisa raises the microphone higher, her voice becoming louder.

LISA SELDON: "So congratulations, La Jaguarita... Because at NIGHT OF VENGEANCE III: THE LONG HALLOWEEN, your first defense of that beautiful championship is going to be against me."

The crowd erupts as Jayla stares down at Lisa from the corner, championship resting against her shoulder. Lisa simply laughs.

LISA SELDON: "You wanted bloody, brilliant and vicious? You promised Slaughterhouse that you would give them the best this place has to offer?" 

She points toward herself. 

LISA SELDON: "Then congratulations, Final Girl. I'm your first monster."

Lisa's expression becomes completely serious.

LISA SELDON: "And this time, Jayla, there won't be a Chamber door between us. There won't be another inmate. There won't be another excuse. There will just be you..." 

She pauses, staring directly into Jayla's eyes. 

LISA SELDON: "...and me... And when it's over, I'm going to take your championship, tear the title from your hands, and finally finish what I started." 

She smiles again, almost inhumanly. 

LISA SELDON:  "Because every Final Girl eventually meets something she can't survive."

Lisa points toward Jayla's championship.

LISA SELDON:  "And I'm going to be yours."

The arena fills with a mixture of cheers and vicious boos as Lisa drops the microphone. Jayla slowly steps down from Ethan's shoulder, handing him the championship before raising her own microphone. She never breaks eye contact with Lisa, the celebration that had filled her face moments earlier completely gone now. Night of Vengeance III has its first championship defense... and the Final Girl has just been introduced to the monster waiting at the end of her story.

... DEBUT SEGMENT ...

<<<< >>>>

A delivery truck door opens. Two post workers are lowering a glass case onto a trolley. Not too far in the distance, just up the road, is where else but the Arena that is holding Slaughterhouse Wrestling tonight. As one of the workers starts to push the trolley, it’s made clear they are still headed over there. 

RYAN: “I tell yah, Lewis, weirdest job I have been assigned so far, and I’m not exactly new to this shit.” 

The worker pushing the trolley speaks, looking backward speaks. It was a grizzled and bearded gentleman. 

His colleague, “Lewis” is still closing up the truck door. She’s clearly the fresher and fitter of the pair. 

"LEWIS": “You know we were supposed to drop this one off inside, right Eastman?”

RYAN: “Oh come on, what’s the real harm in showing em a view as we walk em to…over there? She’ll be awake any minute now! Besides it’s only a block away!”

Lewis rolls her eyes, having caught up to her partner. 

LEWIS: “Fine, but the rules are the rules, Ryan.” 

She would hand off one of two batons. Ryan would take the baton with all the seriousness of a clown on mushrooms. 

RYAN: “You’ll learn one day, kid. The rules and instructions, you ain’t gotta follow those. She’s good, she’s polite even. Look at her, she’s behaved the whole trip!“

LEWIS: “Never said she was a problem or anything. Honestky? Maybe she’s just lonely. Anyways, we’ve been prepped for this move for days now. I pay attention unlike you. There’s ought to be a reason—“ 

Lewis stops, having seen a man approach, bleeding from the arm. Lewis squares up, standing in the way, allowing the case to get farther away and closer to the dropsite. 

LEWIS: “Scram!”

Her eyes would dart to the glass case. 

LEWIS: "Good. Still asleep.”

As they near the Slaughterhouse, a pair of individuals would approach. One was a gentleman bleeding from the leg. The other was a lady with a glass vial of blood. Both Lewis and Eastman would square up with one as they speed up toward the Slaughterhouse. 

The gentleman would rush forward, Lewis striking him on the face. His lip is bleeding. He is not deterred, he’s almost pleased. His gaze is still on the glass case as he attempts to outmuscle Lewis. Eastman would use the numbers advantage to punch out the man. With his attention occupied, the woman has found herself next to the case. She is about to knock but Lewis instead tackles her to the ground. The vial breaks, the glass shatters and the blood spills out. Seeing this, the woman doesn’t fight back, sadly just retreating.  Eastman helps to assist Lewis back to her feet and regain her bearings. 

RYAN: “All good, kid?”

Lewis doesn’t respond, looking frightened. Eastman turns around to try to see what she was so scared of. A crowd of people had lined the rest of the path, almost like a procession. Some of them just held containers of blood, but others actively bleed out.  Lewis and Eastman get the case to just outside the Slaughterhouse before absolutely bolting. 

The crowd would surround the glass case. Some in the crowd would fight amongst themselves as they close in. People in the front would tap on the glass while those in the back did not want to be. The case would begin to tip and shake as the tapping grows in intensity and volume.

The cries of pain and yells of violence mixed with the equally violent tapping would wake just about anyone. Inside the case, a beautiful blonde is startled awake. Though initially she’s frantic and overwhelmed, she is quickly very touched, hand over her heart. She now punches the reinforced glass a few times, so that she draws her own blood. 

With it, and her finger, she smears a a bloody heart on the glass. Within it, she writes her initials.

K. S. 

LAURA STARK SITS DOWN WITH THE SHUDDER TV CHAMPION, BIANCA REED ABOUT HER UPCOMING MATCH AT NIGHT OF VENGEANCE 3: THE LONG HALLOWEEN AGAINST BROOKE MAYFIELD.

<<<< >>>>

The camera cuts backstage to a deliberately simple interview setup: two chairs, a small table between them, and the SHUDDER TV Championship resting prominently beside Bianca Reed. Bianca sits with her legs crossed, championship draped over her shoulder, while Laura Stark sits opposite her with a microphone in hand. Laura gives the camera a knowing look before turning toward Bianca. 

LAURA STARK: “Bianca Reed. SHUDDER TV Champion. You won that championship from Kasey Kash last Book, and now you've got Brooke Mayfield, the woman everybody around here knows as the Mad Kitten, waiting for you at Night of Vengeance III: The Long Halloween. So let's just start with the obvious question: after everything you've been through over the last decade, what does finally holding this championship actually mean to you?” 

Bianca doesn't even hesitate. 

BIANCA REED: “It means I was right.” 

Laura raises an eyebrow. Bianca continues, leaning forward. 

BIANCA REED: “For OVER ten years, I've been hearing the same shit. Bianca's good, but... Bianca's talented, but... Bianca's experienced, but... There's always been some excuse. Some reason why I wasn't supposed to be at the top. Some reason why somebody else deserved the opportunity more. I watched people come into Slaughterhouse Wrestling, get one big opportunity, and suddenly they're treated like the second coming of wrestling itself. Meanwhile, I've been here grinding my ass off. I've been taking the matches nobody wanted. I've been fighting people bigger than me, stronger than me, crazier than me, and I've kept showing up. So when I took that championship from Kasey Kash, it wasn't some lucky night. It wasn't a fluke. It was ten years of Bianca Reed finally telling everybody to shut the fuck up and watch.” 

Laura nods, clearly enjoying the bluntness of the Champion. 

LAURA STARK: “And now you've got Brooke Mayfield.” 

Bianca immediately rolls her eyes as she laughs. 

BIANCA REED:  “The Mad Kitten... Look, Brooke is dangerous. I'm not stupid. She's unpredictable, she's sneaky, and she'll cheat the second the referee isn't looking. She's exactly the kind of person who can turn a wrestling match into a nightmare. But here's what Brooke doesn't understand. I'm not some clueless little girl walking into her trap. I've been doing this for a decade. I know every trick in the book. I've seen people smile at me while they're reaching for a weapon. I've seen people cry crocodile tears before kicking me in the fucking head. I've been screwed over more times than Brooke has had cute little outfits. So if she thinks being adorable and acting like everybody's favorite little psychopath is going to scare me, she's got another thing coming.” 

Laura smiles towards Bianca before she starts to speak once again. 

LAURA STARK: “You mentioned unpredictability, but Brooke has another advantage that has been a major part of her success... JUDITH. Or, at least, she used to. JUDITH has disappeared. Do you think that changes Brooke's chances?” 

Bianca's expression immediately becomes smug. 

BIANCA REED: “Oh, absolutely. And everybody knows it.” 

She taps the SHUDDER TV Championship with her fingertips as she continues.

BIANCA REED: “Let's not pretend Brooke has been doing all of this by herself. The entire roster knows Brooke is at her most dangerous when JUDITH is standing somewhere nearby, ready to stick her nose into things. JUDITH has been Brooke's safety net. Her insurance policy. Her little guardian angel... But now? JUDITH's gone. Nobody knows where she is, nobody knows when she's coming back, and more importantly, Brooke doesn't get to walk into my championship match expecting someone else to save her when she gets herself into trouble. There isn't going to be anybody hiding behind the curtain. There isn't going to be anybody distracting the referee. There isn't going to be anybody pulling my ankle when Brooke gets desperate. It's just Brooke and me. And that's a problem for her.”

Laura smiles.

LAURA STARK:“So you're saying Brooke can't win without JUDITH?” 

Slowly, Bianca leans back in her seat as she speaks. 

BIANCA REED: “I'm saying the entire roster has watched what happens when Brooke gets backed into a corner. She cheats. She scratches. She bites. She throws a tantrum. And then Judith usually appears to clean up the mess. Well, Judith isn't here. So when Brooke gets those cute little claws caught in something she can't escape from, who's going to save her? Nobody.” 

Laura leans forward. 

LAURA STARK: “And what happens when the Mad Kitten realizes she's trapped?” 

Bianca's smile disappears. 

BIANCA REED: “That's when she becomes dangerous. And that's why I'm not underestimating her.” 

The Champion points toward the camera, talking more to Brooke than Laura now.. 

BIANCA REED: “Brooke, I know exactly what you're capable of. I know you'll cheat. I know you'll lie. I know you'll pretend you're scared if it gets you sympathy. I know you'll cry if you think it'll make somebody lower their guard. I know you'll smile right before you do something disgusting. But here's the difference between you and me. You need all of that shit to win. I don't. I can beat you straight down the middle of this ring. I can beat you with a wrestling hold. I can beat you with a steel chair. Hell, if this place lets me, I'll beat you with the damn championship itself. Because I've spent ten years becoming the wrestler I am today. You spent your time becoming a problem. There's a difference.”

Laura opens her mouth to ask another question when a sudden voice comes from off-camera. 

???: “Awwww... Bianca.” 

Bianca's eyes immediately narrow. Laura turns toward the sound as Brooke Mayfield slowly steps into frame, dressed as sweet and innocently as ever, wearing that deceptively adorable smile. 

BROOKE MAYFIELD:“Did you really think I wasn't going to hear that?” 

Brooke asks, almost giggling. Bianca stands immediately. 

BIANCA REED: “Come on, Brooke. You want to talk, get in here and talk.” 

Brooke walks closer, her smile widening. 

BROOKE MAYFIELD: “Oh, I don't want to talk.” 

Bianca barely has time to react before Brooke lunges forward, driving her shoulder into Bianca and sending the champion crashing backward into the chair. Laura jumps out of the way as Brooke starts hammering Bianca with frantic punches. Bianca manages to shove Brooke away and fires back with a forearm, then another, forcing Brooke against the wall. 

BIANCA REED: “YOU WANT THE TITLE?! “COME TAKE IT!” 

Bianca screams as she grabs Brooke by the hair. Bianca drives a knee into Brooke's stomach, but Brooke suddenly rakes her eyes and Bianca staggers backward, covering her face. The Mad Kitten's demeanor changes instantly. The playful smile becomes something much darker. Brooke grabs Bianca from behind and slams her face-first into the table, sending the SHUDDER TV Championship crashing to the floor. Bianca falls to her knees, trying to recover, but Brooke snatches the championship before she can get back up. She looks down at the title, then at Bianca. 

BROOKE MAYFIELD: “You know what? I think this looks better on me.” 

Bianca tries to rise, but Brooke brings the championship crashing down across her back. Bianca screams and collapses asBrooke laughs. 

BROOKE MAYFIELD: “Oh, don't worry, Bianca! You're right! Judith isn't here!” 

She raises the title again and smashes it down onto Bianca's back. 

BROOKE MAYFIELD: “Nobody's coming!” 

Another strike. 

BROOKE MAYFIELD: “Nobody's holding me back from hurting you!” 

Brooke starts laughing hysterically as Bianca desperately crawls away, only for Brooke to grab her by the ankle and drag her back. 

BROOKE MAYFIELD: “Where are you going, Champ??” 

Brooke taunts her loudly as she speaks.

BROOKE MAYFIELD: “You said I couldn't do anything without JUDITH!” 

Finally, Brooke raises the championship above her head. 

BROOKE MAYFIELD: “Let's see how much you can do without your dignity!” 

She brings the belt down again, then stands over Bianca, holding the SHUDDER TV Championship against her chest while laughing directly into the camera.

BROOKE MAYFIELD: “Night of Vengeance, Bianca! Bring your championship. Bring your attitude. Bring that big mouth. Because when we're finished, everybody is going to know exactly what happens when you let the Mad Kitten get her claws into you!”

With that, Brooke drops the championship across Bianca's back and walks away laughing, leaving the champion sprawled on the floor as Laura rushes back into frame to check on her. The camera lingers on Bianca, breathing heavily and clutching her back, while the SHUDDER TV Championship lies beside her. The camera fades to black.

POST MATCH

El Búho remains beside Bam Miller after the bell, watching him slowly recover before extending a hand and helping the exhausted Miller back to his feet. The two men stand across from each other, battered but respectful, and Bam accepts the gesture, shaking Búho's hand firmly. El Búho releases him and begins to walk away, but Bam suddenly turns him back around, drives a boot into his stomach and immediately plants him with MILLER TIME, the Stunner snapping Búho's head backward and dropping him hard onto the canvas. Bam stands over him for a moment before backing away, leaving El Búho stunned and the crowd reacting to the sudden betrayal. 

BRIGHTBURN CHAMPION KASEY VEX CALLS OUT IZZY VAN DOREN AND NIXIE CAINE AFTER THE BLINDSIDE ATTACK AT HELLFEST 4.

<<<< >>>>

The arena drops into darkness before the opening riff of “PREDATOR” by YONAKA suddenly tears through the speakers. The crowd erupts as KASEY VEX steps onto the stage, the BRIGHTBURN CHAMPIONSHIP strapped firmly around her waist. But this isn't the same carefree, almost playful Kasey Vex the audience has become accustomed to. There's still that familiar swagger in her step and that trademark little smirk on her face, but tonight there's something sharper behind her eyes. Kasey marches toward the ring, microphone already in hand, climbs through the ropes and immediately demands that her music be cut. The crowd settles as Kasey paces back and forth, staring directly into the hard camera. 

KASEY VEX: “Izzy Van Doren. Nixie Caine.” 

The reaction is immediate. Kasey stops in the center of the ring. 

KASEY VEX: “I don't need to explain what happened at Hellfest 4. Everybody saw it. Nixie and I went to war. We beat the hell out of each other, and when that match was over, she beat me fair and square. I didn't like losing, but I respected it. I shook her hand because that's what you do when somebody earns your respect.” 

Kasey pauses, jaw tightening. 

KASEY VEX: “Then Izzy Van Doren came back.”

The crowd erupts into boos at the name. Kasey slowly nods.

KASEY VEX: “And suddenly, my night wasn't about a wrestling match anymore. It was about two people deciding they wanted to make a statement. Izzy attacked me from behind. Nixie joined in. And the two of you left me lying in my own blood.” 

Kasey looks down at the championship around her waist before looking back up. 

KASEY VEX: “You didn't beat me for this. You didn't earn this. You didn't even give me the chance to fight back. You just jumped me when my guard was down because you knew that was the only way you were getting your hands on me.” 

Kasey lets out a short laugh. 

KASEY VEX: “Well, congratulations. You got my attention.”

The lights suddenly flicker.

The opening notes of “Take Back the Power” by The Interrupters hit the arena, followed by a massive chorus of boos as IZZY VAN DOREN walks onto the stage. She isn't alone. NIXIE CAINE skips alongside her, practically bouncing with manic energy, glittering gear catching the lights as she laughs and waves at the hostile crowd. The two women stand side-by-side at the top of the ramp, proudly displaying their newly united attitude as the POWAH PUNK GURLS. Izzy takes the microphone first, grinning as she looks toward the ring. 

IZZY VAN DOREN: “Awwww, Kasey. You really thought that was a callout?” 

Izzy laughs into the mic.

IZZY VAN DOREN: “You sound hurt.” 

Nixie leans toward Izzy's microphone and giggles. 

NIXIE CAINE: “She was hurt! There was blood everywhere! It was so pretty!” 

Izzy laughs before continuing. 

IZZY VAN DOREN: “Let's get something straight. I didn't come back to Slaughterhouse Wrestling to make friends. I didn't come back to reminisce about the good old days. And I sure as hell didn't come back to stand in the back of the line.” Izzy points directly at Kasey's championship. 

IZZY VAN DOREN: “I came back for that.”

Kasey looks down at the Brightburn Championship, then back at Izzy. 

KASEY VEX: “You want this?” 

IZZY VAN DOREN: “I will have it.” 

She starts walking down the ramp with Nixie following closely behind. 

IZZY VAN DOREN: “I've already been a champion here. I've already made history here. I'm the first Triple Crown Champion in this company's history. I've wrestled all over the world. I've been in deathmatches, tournaments, title fights, and wars that would have sent half this roster running for the hills. And now I'm coming back for the one of the things missing from my collection.”

Izzy points toward Kasey. 

IZZY VAN DOREN: “The Brightburn Championship.” 

Nixie suddenly snatches the microphone from Izzy and adds

NIXIE CAINE: “And if she doesn't get it, maybe I'll take it!” 

She throws her head back and laughs before handing the microphone back. Izzy simply smirks.

IZZY VAN DOREN: "No."

NIXIE CAINE: "Hehe. Mmkay. All yours, Izzy."

Nixie laughs more as Kasey shakes her head, a grin slowly appearing on her face. 

KASEY VEX: “You know what? Fine.” 

She unhooks the Brightburn Championship from around her waist and raises it above her head. 

KASEY VEX: “You want your title shot, Izzy? You've got it.” 

The crowd cheers, but Kasey immediately raises one finger. 

KASEY VEX: “...But not yet.” 

Izzy's expression changes slightly. Kasey points toward both women. 

KASEY VEX:  “Because after what happened at Hellfest, I don't trust either one of you as far as I can throw you. So if you're both so confident, let's find out exactly how tough you are. So next week. Main Event. You two...” 

She points toward Izzy, then Nixie. 

KASEY VEX:  “...against me and a partner of my choosing.”

The SHW arena explodes as Nixie looks at Izzy with wide eyes before breaking into an enormous grin. 

NIXIE CAINE:  “OH! I LIKE THIS!” 

Izzy looks toward Kasey and slowly smiles. 

IZZY VAN DOREN: “You really want to do that?” 

Kasey nods her head slowly. 

KASEY VEX: “Absolutely.” 

Izzy laughs hearing this before she speaks again. 

IZZY VAN DOREN: “Then pick whoever you want, Kasey. Pick your best friend. Pick your biggest monster. Pick the most dangerous person in the building. It won't matter.” 

KASEY VEX: “Good. Because I wasn't planning on picking someone easy.” 

Nixie begins bouncing from foot to foot, practically vibrating with excitement. 

NIXIE CAINE:  “Who is it?! Who is it?! Who is it?!” 

Kasey simply smiles and raises the Brightburn Championship again. 

KASEY VEX: “You'll find out next week.”

Izzy raises her own microphone one final time. 

IZZY VAN DOREN:  “Enjoy that championship while you can, Kasey. Because eventually, I'm taking it.” 

Kasey stares her down. 

KASEY VEX: “Then you'd better survive next week first.” 

With that, Izzy and Nixie begin laughing as the POWAH PUNK GURLS back up the ramp, but Kasey remains in the ring, championship held firmly against her shoulder. The camera closes in on her determined expression as the commentary team begins speculating wildly about who Kasey could possibly choose as her partner for next week's main event.

DASHA THANE POST MATCH SEGMENT

But we're not done yet, friends! No, because as soon as the bell rings - unfortunately for some of you - Dasha Thane has grabbed a microphone. She's barely even sweating.

DASHA THANE: "I wish I could say that was hard work, but my mother taught me never to lie. I'm used to better. To greater challenges. Anyone can shoot fish in a barrel, anyone - even you - could've beaten Gabbie Grant, on her absolute best day. And don't feel sorry for her. Without a scumbag like Logan Fowler, or a veteran like Max Thunder, this absolute turncoat can't fight any of her own battles to save her life. You know it. I know it."

Cut to Gabbie Grant, dead on the floor.

DASHA THANE: "It's nice to come and flex, it's nice to come here and show how good I am, advertise my prowess, but only every now and then. But I can't do this every week. I'm Dasha Thane, Your Top Genre of Woman and it is, frankly, a waste of me. I want to be challenged. I want someone who pushes me. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, the victory is only as sweet as the person you beat. For that very reason--"

She turns right to us, looking down what we'd call 'hard cam'.

DASHA THANE: "--ERZA LAZARUS. Matches like the one you've just seen fulfill me in absolutely NO way. I'm not here to collect a wageslip, I'm here to be The Best. You may have beaten me once, but you pushed me further than anyone has in a very long time, and I know I can beat you. I know I how to, now. Anything you can do, I can do better. So for my next match, don't let me do this to another Gabbie. I want my next match to happen at THE LONG HALLOWEEN, and I want a rematch with you. So if you accept? Then accept."

Dasha puts the mic down on the ground and she's about to leave, but then, she sees Gabbie. Still down. Stirring. She gets an idea. Anything you can do, I can do better, she said. Before Gabbie can even move, Dasha grabs her BY THE HAIR and drags her into the middle of the ring. She traps her arms, she traps her body! She's got her in a...modified Rings of Saturn? 

Wait. NO! It's UNLIMITED VOID! 

Erza Lazarus' own move, locked in on Gabbie Grant, and tight, as Dasha looks down the barrel of a nearby camera! Gabbie's screaming and tapping, but Dasha's not letting go! Refs and ringside crew are in the ring, trying to pull Dasha off but she's not releasing it until, finally, mercifully, she does. Gabbie is checked over by officials as Your Top Genre Of Woman flips her hair and swaggers off. Like it was NOTHING to her. We fade out.

POST MATCH SEGMENT

Colbie Nikolaidi celebrates her first successful defense by climbing onto the ropes and raising the American Horror Championship high above her head, battered, bloodied and grinning as the significance of the victory finally sinks in. The celebration suddenly changes when JESSI OZBORNE appears from the back for the first time since her spinal injury forced her retirement. The returning babyface slowly makes her way onto the stage, locks eyes with Colbie and points directly at the championship in the champion's hands. Colbie looks toward Jessi, pauses, then breaks into a knowing smirk and slowly nods her head, raising the title even higher as the two stare each other down from opposite sides of the arena.