Insurgentsia vs. The Swallowing(c)
The lights in the arena darken, bringing the crowd to an immediate hush.
"Fuck the Pain Away" by Peaches begins to echo throughout the arena, and the lighting returns with a HUGE explosion of purple and pink pyros, and spotlights strobing from above. The fans the front rows are sprayed with a glow in the dark spray that gives the impression that they've received a facial.
As the lyrics of the song kick into the gear, the arena lights begin to strobe before proving a single light focus on the stage, while the rest of the arena remains bathed in darkness.
Lissie Hope is first to walk out onto the landing, with the Action Wrestling Tag Team Title belt hanging over her right shoulder. Adelaide Ainsworth skips out behind her, with the Action Wrestling Tag Team hanging low around her waist. The two girls tap the face plates of their titles and point to the sky, before they start making their way to the ring. Addy skipping to the ring like a slutty school girl, while Lissie Hope trails behind. The spotlight splits in two as it follows the girls to the ring. Lissie trails behind Addy and enters the ring, while Ainsworth skips around the ring.
Adeline Floyd: Ladies and gentlemen, your Action Wrestling World Tag Team Champions... LISSSSSSIEEEE HOOOOOOPE AND ADELAAAAAAIDE AIIIINSWOOOORTH... THE SWAAAALOOOOWING!!The lights focus on the ring as Addy does the splits and slides herself into under the bottom rope before house lights raise. Both girls tap their biceps which are taped up in strapping tape with "Robbie" written in sharpie, and raise the titles to the air.
Chris Avery: The fans are on their feet, their excitement cannot be contained… this is one massive tag-team championship match coming up next!Billy: But you don’t typically see the champions arrive first, Chris! But as we know, nothing about this match, and their encounters leading up to them, haven’t defied expectations!Chris Avery: This has been a movie script, Billy! How all four of these superstars have been entangled in a web of deceit, of betrayal, or heartbreak, or vengeance. And it all comes to a head tonight!Billy: These fans are waiting, and we are waiting –Chris Avery: And THEY are waiting for this! They’ve been waiting for this for a long time!Billy: And they’re done waiting!Lissie Hope and Addy A are standing in the center of the ring, listening to all of the cheers from the Detroit crowd. Though there are pockets of Insurgentsia fans interspersed among the crowd that the camera catches, before zooming out - but Lissie and Addy are handed microphones from Adeline as the music comes to a close.
Lissie Hope: It’s amazing to be here tonight in Detroit! What a great show this has been so far – are you all hyped!The fans explode with cheers!
Lissie Hope: So are we!Lissie absorbs all of the raucous energy from the crowd, pausing to take it all in. She looks over at Addy, and the two share a knowing glance. Lissie starts to get emotional, her cheeks flushing red. Addy punches her on the shoulder, and Lissie starts to address the crowd once more.
Lissie Hope: This night means a lot to us, too. It means a lot for you all to be here, sharing this with us. Two years ago, we won the tag team championships for the first time at AW Chaos.Addy A: Spency an’ Crow couldn’t stop us. Oldin and Kemp couldn’t stop us. Ain’t no one was stoppin’ us that night.Lissie Hope: But it wasn’t all great - because it came at a great expense, the greatest loss I’ve - we’ve - ever endured. You don’t get inspired very often. Especially when the times are darkest, it’s hard to admit there’s a light at the end. But you’ve got to reach for it. You can’t stop yourself from reaching for it.Addy A: An’ we did. We won the belts that night, and here - two years later -She pauses as the cheers in the crowd begin to grow.
Addy A: We gon’ leave with ‘em!As soon as the words leave her lips, the lights in the arena cut out as the opening notes of “The Death of Peace of Mind” begin to play over the P.A. On the Actiontron, a series of images and letters flash:
the letter I, a match lighting a prayer candle,
the letter N, a set of onyx rosary beads,
the letter S, an illustration from John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” of Lucifer cast from Heaven,
the letter U, a black balaclava being pulled over a face,
the letter R, a sigil drawn on a concrete floor,
the letter G, an illustration of Icarus plummeting to Earth,
the letter E, bullets falling from the cylinder of a revolver,
the letter N, a coat being pulled over shoulders,
the letter T, a set of hands pulling on a single black leather glove,
the letter S, a woman’s eyes,
the letter I, the gloved hand wrapping around the handle of a baseball bat
the letter A, two silhouetted figures
As Noah Sebastian’s vocals begin, a spotlight hits the top of the stairs on a far end of the arena. Beneath it stands Ash Blake, dressed in an all-black suit and turtleneck, a black half mask concealing her face.
“I made another mistake, thought I could change – thought I could make it out.
At the other side of the arena, a second spotlight illuminates Johnny Bacchus, dressed in matching attire with a balaclava reading “HATED” across the forehead and a black baseball bat draped over his shoulder. He wears a peacoat buttoned up tightly, with the collar flared up around his neck.
“Promise break, need to hear you say: you’re gonna keep them now.
The lights explode in a strobe burst before the spotlights turn an icy blue as the song kicks into its groove. The two stalk down their opposing stairways, both faces still covered.
“I miss the way you say my name – the way you bend, the way you break,
The make-up running down your face, the way you touch, the way you taste…
When the curtains call the time, will we both go home alive?
It wasn’t hard to realize love’s the death of peace of mind…”
Chris Avery: A dramatic and chilling entrance from the challengers here tonight. Insurgentsia descending on the Swallowing like two birds of prey.Billy: And this one has been ugly, Chris. All out war between these two in the past weeks.In the ring, Addy and Lissie stand practically back-to-back, as though ready to face an attack at any moment. Addy’s face is a mask of grim determination, while Lissie looks on with concern and uncertainty.
“You’re in the walls that I made with crosses and frames hanging upside down,
For granted, in vain I took everything I ever cared about…”
Insurgentsia reach the end of the stairs and begin to work their way through the crowd on the floor. Fans reach out to slap them as they pass by, neither seeming to pay any attention.
“I miss the way you say my name – the way you bend, the way you break,
The make-up running down your face – the way you fuck, the way you taste…”
Chris Avery: And we’ve seen both sides continue to up the ante on one another. Two weeks ago, Ash Blake defeated Addy A by count-out after Insurgentsia hurled the Swallowing into the crowd. Last week, we saw Johnny Bacchus and Lissie Hope engage in an absolute slobberknocker before interference by Addy A saved Lissie from the Czolgosz Driver.“When the curtains call the time, will we both go home alive?
It wasn’t hard to realize love’s the death of peace of mind.
When the curtains call the time, will we both be satisfied?
It wasn’t hard to realize love’s the death of peace of mind.”
They each place a hand on the barricade and vault over it, coming to the floor. Johnny leans the bat against the ring steps before sliding in one side, and Ash follows in kind on the opposite side. The two circle the champions, who still stand and face them in the middle of the ring. Finally, Johnny finds himself in front of Lissie and Ash in front of Addy.
“You come and go in waves, leaving me in your wake…”
Ash removes the half-mask, revealing the bruising and damage from the fractured orbital. In spite of the black eye, she stares Addy down with quiet, simmering hatred.
“You come and go in waves…”
Johnny reaches up to pull off the ski mask and look Lissie in the face, his own expression cold and intense. He unbuttons the peacoat and pulls it off to reveal what he’s wearing underneath – a vintage Swallowing t-shirt. Lissie’s signature across her face is largely faded, and Addy’s signature seems to have been slashed through exposing his bare chest beneath.
Chris Avery: And maybe there’s no better image for how Johnny Bacchus feels heading into this match tonight. He has so much history with these two women – friendship that has corroded and decayed over these past months since his affiliation with Ash Blake.“...Swallowing everything.”
The lights raise as he pulls the shirt off and throws it outside and the song goes into its breakdown. Lissie stares on, seemingly shaken by the display. The two go to their corner, and Johnny pulls himself onto the top turnbuckle, slapping his chest and yelling out at the crowd.
“Are you satisfied? Love’s the death of peace of mind.”
Chris Avery: Billy, what are you expecting from this bout?Billy: The same thing Commies always bring in tow: misery and destruction.As the song transitions into its final chorus, it fades out. Ash takes to the apron, as Johnny stays sitting atop the turnbuckle.
Adilene Floyd: The following contest is for the Action Wrestling Tag Team Championships. Introducing first, they are the Action Wrestling Tag Team Champions… the team of Lissie Hope and Addy A: THE SWALLOWING!The roof of the arena practically BURSTS with noise! The overwhelming reception is positive, but just enough jeering is audible to be noticeable. Addy doesn’t react – she stares across the ring at Johnny.
Adilene Floyd: And their opponents, the team of Johnny Bacchus and Ash Blake: INSURGENTSIA!The crowd EXPLODES once more, this reception DECIDEDLY mixed down the middle. Johnny doesn’t react – he keeps a Kubrick stare on Addy, his hair hanging down in his face.
Chris Avery: And the Action Wrestling Universe seems divided on this match. Going into it, you’d expect Swallowing to be the overwhelming favorites.Billy: Bolshevik trickery.Chris Avery: But whether or not you feel Insurgentsia have manipulated this situation, the fact remains that they’ve largely responded in kind to Swallowing’s posture and antics towards them. Swallowing refused their challenge in the beginning, refused it a second time, and had to be literally threatened into accepting this match. Addy A and Lissie’s taunting may have provoked Insurgentsia’s ruthless tactics two weeks ago, and last week it wasn’t Ash but Addy A who interfered and caused a disqualification loss for her partner!Billy: These girls are hot-blooded and impulsive. They look at these two and see red – and I don’t blame ‘em, I see Reds, too.DING DING DING
Addy charges, not hesitating to throw a right hand – it’s scouted by Johnny from a mile away, who blocks it and casts it aside like nothing.
Johnny Bacchus: Oh come on, like THAT wasn’t obvious.Addy SPITS in his face. The crowd lets out a gasp as Johnny raises a hand to touch the spit.
Chris Avery: Oh my god!Billy: Well that’s a way to tell ‘em how ya feel!Johnny wipes the spit off with his gloved hand and casts it aside, a sinister smirk on his face.
Johnny Bacchus: Aight, go on – do that again.Addy hesitates, her rage and disgust barely disguised. Nonetheless, she throws a second fist, and Bacchus catches this one to flip her with a Judo Takedown! He goes to apply a keylock, but Addy rolls forward and out of it. She catches him with an arm drag, but he rolls through the landing and is back on his feet. He charges her, but she leapfrogs him! As he hits the turnbuckle, Ash Blake makes a silent tag to his arm.
Ash Blake: Behind you.Addy charges to throw a shoulder into Johnny’s spine, but Bacchus kips himself up and over her with the ropes, and Ash springs up to nail Addy with an Enziguri as she hits the corner.
Chris Avery: Big display of communication and teamwork from the challengers off the bat!As Addy stumbles back, Johnny catches her arms and pins them behind her back. Ash cocks back and BLASTS Addy with a chop to the chest that echoes through the arena! Johnny maintains his hold as Addy cries in pain, trying to wriggle out, but Ash delivers a second chop! At this point, the ref begins to yell at Johnny to get out of the ring, and he releases Addy in obligation.
Chris Avery: Addy A getting picked apart by these two in the first couple minutes of the bout. Ash Blake down the legal woman after a blind tag, and she isn’t relenting.Now free of Johnny's grasp, Addy stumbles forward into a drop toe hold from Ash. Ash takes a few steps back, sizing her downed opponent up before lunging forward and leaping, looking for a double foot stomp across Addy's spine… but Addy rolls away! Ash lands unsteadily on the mat, and Addy, seizing the opportunity, sweeps Ash's legs out from under her.
Chris Avery: And now a shift in momentum!Both competitors scramble to their feet, staring each other down in the center of the ring. The pair circle one another, Ash careful to keep Addy on her right side.
Chris Avery: We've seen Ash try to keep opponents on the side opposite her damaged ear in the past, but with her left eye in the condition it's in, she's between a rock and a hard place!Charging forward, Addy lifts a knee into Ash's gut, doubling her over before planting the challenge on the mat with a snapmare takeover! Addy hits the ropes and rebounds in, aiming for a dropkick between Ash's shoulder-blades but Ash times her up and rolls out of the way! Addy hits the mat hard and bounces back up in time to meet a forearm across the bridge of the nose, courtesy of Ash.
Stumbling back from the blow, Addy returns with a shot of her own — a punch that catches Ash in the cheek. Ash winces as she's knocked off-kilter from the blow, but a sly grin forms in the corners of her mouth as she charges forward with another forearm.
Another punch. Another forearm. And another. And another!
Addy stumbles back and back, seemingly off-balance, before taking advantage of the space created by exploding forward and launching herself into Ash with a huge lariat! Ash goes down hard!
Chris Avery: And the Champs are on the offense!Addy saunters back to the corner and tags Lissie in! They stand side-by-side, run, and deliver a double running high knee to Ash!
Billy: THAT’S A MOUTHFUL!Lissie rolls her over for the cover!
1!
2!
Ash kicks out! Lissie looks up, an annoyed look on her face, and brushes her hair away. She lifts Ash to her feet and nails a hard chop to Ash’s chest! Then a second! The challenger recoils back. Lissie irish whips Ash across the ring, and when she rebounds, Lissie catches her with a belly-to-belly suplex! The Champion takes a moment to pause, positioned over Ash like a lioness ready for the kill, before she backs off her with a smile on her face.
Chris Avery: Little bit of taunting here by Lissie Hope!Ash, battered and tired, begins to crawl towards her corner. Lissie eggs her on.
Lissie Hope: Go run away! Go back to hiding and let someone else do the work for you.Just before the corner, with Johnny’s hand outstretched, Ash hesitates. Instead, she uses the ropes to pull herself up to shaky knees once more and faces Lissie.
Billy: May’ve been a shot to your own foot there.Lissie charges, but Ash drops to the mat! Lissie jumps over her and rebounds, and Ash leapfrogs over her! On her second rebound, Ash catches Lissie with a bicycle pump knee to the chin, causing her to stagger back! And it’s then that Ash tags in Johnny. With the Insurgent in the ring, facing off with Lissie Hope, the crowd erupts!
Chris Avery: And here these two go! The history! The emotion! The tension between these two finally at a head with the belts on the line!Lissie begins talking shit, throwing her arms out and egging him to fight her. As the two get face-to-face, Lissie gives him a shove – he doesn’t react.
Lissie Hope: You gonna be a bitch now, Jay? Cat’s got your tongue, suddenly?She gives him a second shove, and Johnny uses it to whip himself around for a Discus Lariat! Lissie ducks running at the ropes and springboarding off for a crossbody… but he catches her! He attempts to maneuver her into position for a spinebuster, but Lissie throws a hard elbow down at his neck! A second one breaks his hold, and she twists his arm around for a hammerlock before transitioning into a Sleeper! She leaps up onto his back, wrapping her legs around his waist.
Chris Avery: Lissie has that choke locked in!Johnny steps back, fighting against the hold until he can push Lissie back against the ropes! The ref calls for a break, but she holds on – yet the rebound is enough for Johnny to push himself forward into a somersault, landing his full weight on Lissie!
Billy: SHITFIRE!Chris Avery: One of those innovative counters by Johnny Bacchus we’ve seen through his career! Love him or hate him, the kid’s got a natural savvy in the ring.She releases the hold, and Johnny rolls off her. As she gets to her base, Johnny immediately applies a side headlock and flips her over for a takedown. Her legs twist up to apply a triangle choke, and Bacchus releases the headlock to avoid being caught. Lissie and Johnny kip up to their feet simultaneously, staring each other down.
Billy: Evenly matched here!They tie up again, and Johnny immediately leverages his superior height and weight to back her up into the corner. The ref calls for the break, and Johnny lets go, backing up. Lissie throws a cheap shot in response, and Bacchus eats it across the chin. He stumbles away, and she nails a chopblock to bring him to his knees. Rebounding off the ropes, she charges and jumps for a curb stomp, but Johnny rolls over onto his back, catching her ankle and picking her to the ground. He takes the opportunity to leap for his corner and tag Ash as Lissie does for Addy in kind!
Chris Avery: And we’re back to this rematch!Addy charges for a clothesline, but Ash ducks it and hits the ropes, springboarding off to nail a twisting high knee! Addy hits the ground hard, and Ash grabs her by a handful of hair. She delivers a BRUTAL clubbing blow across the face, knocking her back to the mat before pulling her up once again to her knees.
Ash Blake: Ladies and gentlemen, the “Baddest Bitch in Action Wrestling!”The crowd boos!
Chris Avery: Disgusting display here from the Challenger.Billy: They called these Struggle Sessions under Mao.Chris Avery: And speaking of challengers, don’t forgot to tune into The Challenge on CBS every Wednesday night this summer!But Ash takes a second too long, and Addy drives a closed fist into her ribcage! A second one loosens the grip of her hair, but Ash delivers a kick straight to her head which crumbles her to the mat. Ash falls to her knees and grabs Addy by the head, and starts driving right hands into her face! Over and over – but this draws Lissie in who stomps Ash on the back! Ash glares back at Lissie, and Lissie yells at her, and then at the referee, telling him to put a stop to that. The minor distraction diverts Ash’s attention just enough for Addy to deliver a chinbreaker! Ash braces herself in the corner as Addy runs at her and leaps in the air, landing a crossbody splash in the corner!
Chris Avery: Looks like the momentum is shifting towards the Champions now!Billy: Uh oh! Tree of Woe!Addy hooks Ash’s legs upside down on the top rope, leaving her hanging and defenseless! She paces to the middle of the ring and takes a running start, looking for a baseball slide dropkick! But Ash evades it by doing a sit-up in the corner – but she’s still trapped! Addy back to her feet quickly, holds her head in an inverted DDT position! And drops her backwards! She makes the cover!
1…
2…
Kickout! Addy smacks the ground in frustration, but quickly pounces back on her adversary. She picks Ash up by the hair and whips her to the ropes. She’s going for a sidewalk slam… but Ash counters it into a hurricanrana, that plants Addy hard on the canvas!
Chris Avery: Big time counter there!Billy: Wait, what’s Lissie doing?Out of vision from the referee, she starts tearing away at the strings on the corner turnbuckle. But Ash senses the panic, and she’s not being all that discrete, so Ash smirks at Lissie’s desperation and uncharacteristic antics in her corner. Ash stalks Addy as she slowly pushes herself up. When Addy sees her waiting to strike, Addy lunges at her with a clothesline… but Ash knows exactly what’s coming! And she ducks underneath and locks Addy into the Icarus Wing crossface! Dead set in the center of the ring, facing Lissie in her corner! Lissie’s eyes widen as she stares at her partner getting her neck cranked!
Chris Avery: She might tap here, and it seems like Lissie is frozen in place!Billy: I don’t think she can move, Chris! If something doesn’t happen soon, we’re going to have new champions!Lissie finally shakes out her indecision, and begins screaming for her to do something, to get out of it, anything! And as Ash cranks back even further, Addy feels like she has no other choice: she SLAMS her fist right into Ash’s injured eye to finally break the submission! The referee reprimands Addy but she doesn’t give a damn as she gets to her feet, shaking out her neck and shoulder. She looks absolutely pissed off now and drives a knee into Ash, before slamming her head into the turnbuckle! And the impact knocks the padding off, which Lissie had untied just moments before! Addy extends a hand and tags in Lissie, and the two drop Ash with a double suplex! Addy kicks the padding out of the ring.
Chris Avery: That turnbuckle is exposed now, Billy! And I don’t think the referee even notices it!Lissie enters the ring and pushes the back of Ash’s head as she favors her eye. Ash stumbles a step and Lissie pushes her again, almost toying with her, but it’s obvious there’s genuine hatred between them. Ash grows tired of the mockery and throws a back elbow that connects with Lissie’s jaw, dropping her to a knee! Ash then bounces off the ropes but is caught immediately on the return with a Samoan drop! Ash rolls out of the ring seeking reprieve as Lissie tries to land a departing kick, but her foot ricochets off the bottom rope. As Ash braces herself on the barricade outside, Lissie runs and bounces off the opposite rope, obviously looking to fly over the ropes from inside the ring – but she doesn’t see Johnny pull down the top rope, and Lissie flips backwards out onto the mat outside instead!
Chris Avery: Whoa! Lissie didn’t see that coming!Billy: And now she’s glaring at Johnny!As Lissie and Johnny exchange a death stare and some words that aren’t picked up by ringside cameras, Addy jumps off the apron and drops Ash with a flying clothesline! As Addy pops up and roars in triumph, Johnny cross and dives outside, bringing her down with a suicide dive! Addy slams into the barricade, and Bacchus pops up and helps Ash to her feet, sliding her back into the ring. He returns to their corner, and she makes the tag! Lissie gets back into the ring, and Johnny greets her with a thrust kick to the chest, sending her reeling. He keeps the pressure on, following up with a swinging neckbreaker to take her to the mat! Then he stalks to the corner and runs his thumb across his throat before beating his chest.
Chris Avery: Johnny Bacchus calling for the Queen’s Dead!Lissie pushes herself to her base, and Bacchus charges!
Billy: SHITFIRE!Chris Avery: Addy A out of nowhere diving in front of that kick! She just took a vicious spinning kick straight to the teeth on behalf of her sister!Now on the ground himself, Johnny surveys the out-cold Addy A. It’s enough time for Lissie to recover – she gets to her feet and grabs the prone Johnny by the back of his pants and head, throwing him head first towards the exposed turnbuckle!
Chris Avery: And he catches himself just in time, bullet – NO!Lissie flies up behind him, driving her knee into his back and slamming him DIRECTLY! Into the turnbuckle! Bacchus crumples to the mat, clutching his face.
Chris Avery: And we’re seeing some color from the Challenger! Johnny Bacchus has been busted open on that turnbuckle!Billy: Red. How coincidental.Lissie goes back to Addy, helping her partner up. Addy assures Lissie she’s okay, and when they return to the corner, they make a tag.
Chris Avery: Addy A back in this match, and the Champions have Johnny Bacchus at their mercy!They pull the bleeding, disoriented Bacchus to his feet. Bringing him over to the ropes, Addy drapes Johnny neck first over the top rope! Lissie climbs the turnbuckle.
Chris Avery: And here the Champs are, looking to end this with one of their signature moves!But as Lissie dives for the leg drop, Ash Blake runs the apron to intercept her! With Ash in the way, Lissie falls short of Bacchus but instead lands on Ash, driving the Challenger spine first into the apron before they both tumble outside.
Chris Avery: And Ash Blake now taking one to protect her partner! This match isn’t over yet!Bacchus locks his legs around Addy’s neck and pushes himself off the ropes, twisting his body and sending her flying with a modified hurricanrana! Addy hits the ground but gets up, only to eat a rising knee to the stomach from Johnny. He applies the gutwrench and hoists her up!
Chris Avery: CZOLGOSZ DRIVER! THIS IS IT!Johnny reaches over and hooks the leg.
1!....
2!....
THREE-
Chris Avery: NO! LISSIE HOPE WITH THE BREAK-UP! THIS MATCH IS STILL GOING!Addy rolls to the outside as Lissie begins LAYING punches into the back of Johnny’s head and neck! The ref yells at her to leave the ring, and nobody notices Ash Blake climb onto the apron. She pulls herself up and springboards from the top rope, throwing herself into Lissie with a spear!
Billy: SHITFIRE! THE REF JUST WENT DOWN WITH THEM!Chris Avery: I have the feeling this is about to go from bad to worse!Ash is the first one up, and she immediately exits the ring to search for Addy. She finds her – and eats a cupped baseball bat to the stomach for her troubles.
Chris Avery: AND ADDY A WITH THAT BASEBALL BAT OF JOHNNY BACCHUS’S!Ash doubles over, and Addy raises the bat above her head, swinging down! Ash is able to sidestep, and she delivers a headbutt directly into the eye of Addy A!
Billy: AN EYE FOR AN EYE!Addy drops the bat, clutching her wounded face. And now Ash Blake picks it up.
Chris Avery: I don’t like where this is going.Ash smiles a bit too serenely as she twirls the bat in her hand. Addy turns around, looking at her with one eye and a look of impending horror on her face as Ash cocks the bat back to swing directly at her head!
But–
A hand catches the end of the bat and holds it firm. The crowd EXPLODES!
Chris Avery: I DON’T BELIEVE THIS!Ash turns to see Johnny is the one restraining her swing. He stares intensely at her, her own face a mask of confusion and anger. Inside the ring, Lissie begins to stir.
Johnny Bacchus: You don’t want to be this animal anymore.And after a moment, the rage and confusion dissipates from Ash’s face, replaced by recognition. She releases the baseball bat, which Johnny throws over by the announcer’s table.
Billy: HEY! Watch it!Chris Avery: Maybe a moment of compassion for his old friends – maybe a moment of restraint on Ash Blake! But Johnny Bacchus demonstrates that moral core he was known for still exists, and Ash Blake is following his example.Addy takes the moment to shove Johnny into Ash, the two toppling to the ground.
Chris Avery: Looks like that moment of restraint by Johnny Bacchus isn’t reciprocated by Addy A! And the fans are showing their feelings!Suddenly, boos begin to rain down on Addy, who looks around in both confusion and anger. She pulls up Bacchus first and turns him around.
Chris Avery: TINDERIZER! Good night Johnny!As Lissie watches on in the ring as Addy begins to clear the announcer’s desk! She looks back at Lissie.
Addy A: Let’s put this cunt away!Lissie looks down at the bat, then to Johnny, then out to the crowd who are continuing to boo. She looks conflicted.
Addy A: C’mon, gal!Lissie closes her eyes and steeles herself. Then she climbs the turnbuckle. Addy picks Ash up and rolls her onto the announcer’s desk.
Chris Avery: This is one way to take someone out of the equation. But my god, is this perhaps excessive!On the top rope, Lissie looks out at Ash. Her lip curls down into a snarl. Then, as if through sheer will, Johnny forces himself up and throws himself over Ash. Lissie hesitates.
Chris Avery: My god!Billy: He’s got enough in the tank to keep his partner protected!Chris Avery: Lissie could choose to take BOTH of them out!Yet Lissie does not. Addy looks up at her impatiently, yelling for her to do it. But instead, Lissie drops back to the mat. She turns to the referee and goes over to check on them. Addy looks up in disbelief.
Chris Avery: Wow, Billy. Addy may spare no quarter for Insurgentsia, but Lissie Hope is choosing to take the higher road here.Billy: Well you seen how her and Johnny Red have been eyin’ each other all week. And we’ve all heard the rumors. But that could just cost ‘em this match, Chris.Lissie helps the referee up, then turns and encourages Addy to get back in the ring. With the referee up, he begins to count.
1!
2!
3!
4!
Addy slides into the ring as Lissie takes to the apron. On the table, Ash stirs first and pushes Johnny off of her.
5!
6!
She pulls his arm over her shoulder and bears his weight, smacking him on the cheek to stir him. Lissie tags in, and Addy climbs to the outside apron, watching Ash help Johnny to the ring. She flies off the top with a crossbody!
Billy: SHITFIRE! ASH JUST PUSHED JOHNNY TO THE APRON AND ATE THAT ALONE!Chris Avery: It looks like Addy A sought vengeance for two weeks ago when Johnny prevented Lissie from helping her! But Ash Blake has gotten Johnny to the ring at the expense of herself!7!
8!
And Johnny rolls himself into the ring! Lissie, resting in her corner, stares at him. She allows him to recover, laying on his back breathing deeply and looking up at the ceiling of the arena. Then, he rolls onto his stomach and pushes himself up to his feet.
Chris Avery: It may just come down to these two! And the Little Caesar’s Arena are on their feet!Lissie throws a right that cuts Johnny across the face! He stumbles, but he remains up. He responds with a left, this one staggering Lissie! A RIGHT! A LEFT! A RIGHT! A LEFT!
Chris Avery: These two are giving it everything they’ve got left! So much emotion – so much history!Finally, a left drops Lissie to one knee. Johnny does not relent – he hits her again, his face a mask of grit and intensity! Then again. And again. And again. Lissie continues to slump as Bacchus continues raining punches on her with machine-like determination until she collapses to the mat.
Billy: And now Lissie appears busted open!Johnny looks down at his fist and sees her blood cover it. He stops. Her determination and intensity is replaced by horror and anguish as he rips the black glove off his left hand and throws it away… only to see in the process he got blood on the fingers of his right.
Billy: Shitfire…Johnny drops down to his knees, now cupping Lissie’s face.
Johnny Bacchus: I’m sorry, Tiger. I’m so fucking sorry.Lissie reaches up weakly. She cups his face too… then brings him in to gently press her lips to his. As they part, she looks up at him weakly.
Lissie Hope: It’s okay, Jay. You can do this. Finish me.Johnny nods, his eyes misting. He pulls Lissie up in a gutwrench, then hesitates… It’s only a moment, even if one that feels like forever, before he drives her down.
Chris Avery: CZOLGOSZ DRIVER!Johnny hooks her leg for the pin.
1!
2!
3!!!
DING DING DING!
“The Death of Peace of Mind” hits the P.A.
Chris Avery: That’s it! After an emotional and bloody battle, Insurgentsia are victorious!Adilene Floyd: Here are your winners and NEW Action Wrestling Tag Team Champions… INSURGENTSIA!The crowd is on their feet, giving a standing ovation. Even as the referee brings Johnny the belts, he sits cradling Lissie’s head. He takes his new belt, then rises, pulling her up with him. He holds her up with one arm and places the belt over his other shoulder. Outside the ring, Ash gets up.
Chris Avery: A big gesture of respect from Johnny Bacchus – the question is whether or not Ash Blake will follow along.Johnny and Ash make eye-contact. Ash looks down at Addy A, then back to Johnny. Johnny gives a firm nod, and Ash turns to pull Addy to her feet.
Billy: WOW!Chris Avery: And the fans are appreciating this!The two members of the Insurgentsia, belts in tow, help the Swallowing walk up the ramp to the stage. The crowd is screaming with cheers!
Chris Avery: This has been one for the books, Billy.Billy: No kidding, Chris. And this is an oddly classy move from these two.Chris Avery: Perhaps that’s the beauty of this sport, Billy – maybe in that ring, four people can work out their differences with one another and come out the end better or worse for it. But in spite of how charged and ugly this feud has become, Insurgentsia at least showed they’re noble demons, and the Swallowing have accepted it. Perhaps it’s not the start of a beautiful friendship, but at the least, it’s the first step towards understanding between these two.At the stage, Johnny and Lissie embrace as Ash releases Addy – the two women make eye-contact and exchange a nod of understanding. The Swallowing leave by their own power. Insurgentsia take their belts off their shoulders and look at one another… then they raise the belts in the air to the roar of the crowd. The camera fades to black.