Post by Action Reel on Apr 10, 2023 21:32:18 GMT -5
The pyros explode from the stage, timed perfectly with the pulsing strobelights. The fans are illuminated by the prism of lights, their eager screams are deafening as we begin another installment of Action Wrestling’s CruiserClash!
Jimmy Garcia: What was once a warm-up show for the flagship show, Clash, CruiserClash has forged an identity of it’s own lately! The rivalries are heating up, the roster has already reached it’s boiling point!
Lexi Stone: We’ve never seen CruiserClash be so star-studded. So competitive.
Jimmy Garcia: And tonight, we are here for the coronation of the latest Pure Cup Winner, Serenity Holmes!
The camera pans to the center of the ring, where what is assumed is the Pure Cup trophy underneath a golden veil has taken center stage. Ethan Miller stands next to it with a look of pride in his eyes.
Lexi Stone: Just a few moments ago, and just across the street from where we are now, four worthy superstars competed for the Pure Cup VI trophy! And now, we get to see her crowned!
Jimmy Garcia: Serenity Holmes has been itching to get her hands on gold again, and though this might not be the one she had in mind, it’s still one that she’s proud to put on her mantle!
The sound of Megan thee Stallion’s “HER” erupts over the speakers.
Lexi Stone: Oh for crying out loud.
There’s a smattering of boos emanating from the crowd as Lissie Hope’s titantron video plays over the big screen. The majority of the crowd is in favor, but it’s still evident that there’s a bit of backlash brewing in the faithful fanbase. Lissie Hope emerges from the curtain wearing her two Action Wrestling Championships.
Ethan Miller: Ladies and gentlemen, she is the Action Wrestling Cruiserweight Champion – and the Action Wrestling Women’s Champion –
She appears with a wide grin on her face as the Women’s title is strapped to her waist, and the Cruiserweight title is raised in her right hand.
Ethan Miller: – and she’s the winner of the Pure Cup V championship!
She is smiling all the way down the ramp, playing up her recent success by encouraging the fans to cheer. She arrives at the bottom of the stage and circles halfway around the ring.
Ethan Miller: She is The Dreamer. She is HER!
She jumps up on the apron on a knee before pulling herself up with the ropes. She unstraps her belt, and raises both belts in the air as the fireworks shoot off from the corners of the turnbuckles.
Ethan Miller: She is LISSIE HOPE!
Lexi Stone: I have no idea what she’s doing out here.
Jimmy Garcia: What are you talking about?? She’s the reigning Pure Cup Champion! She just wants to pass the crown to Serenity Holmes?
Lexi Stone: …are you kidding? You know damn well she’s only here to claim the spotlight for herself.
Jimmy Garcia: Whatever, Lexi! You’re so cynical about anything Lissie does.
Lexi Stone: Because it’s all so obvious. And it seems like the only person who is willing to call her out on it is Serenity Holmes herself.
Lissie enters the ring and shakes Ethan’s hand, before taking a long look at the trophy in the middle of the ring. She nods her head in appreciation before asking Ethan for the microphone. She waits for the chants of her name to die down before beginning to address the crowd.
Lissie Hope: Everyone needs a little bit of an advantage before Havoc. Everyone wants to have that little bit of motivation. That momentum. To walk into Havoc with a prize like the Pure Cup definitely sets the tone for what people can expect of you. For what you can expect of yourself.
Lissie continues to admire the trophy hiding under the sheet. She tries to take a peak but Ethan tells her to hang tight.
Lissie Hope: Serenity Holmes continues to impress everyone, right? I told her that one of the things that prepares you for the stress and the fatigue of a Havoc – or in our case, a double title night – is having that experience of going and going until you physically can’t anymore. I’m pretty sure I still have the longest match in Action Wrestling history with Dandy DiVito back in Turmoil 2019. I’ve gotten to the end of Havoc, all the way to the damn end. I’ve won two championships in two different matches on one night. I’ve become one of the ironwomen of this company. I have the kind of endurance you need to enter this period of the year where endurance is everything. And winning the Pure Cup was the final missing piece of my puzzle that shows me that I can actually do it.
The fans are cheering for Lissie’s words.
Lissie Hope: And that might have been MY missing piece, but that was only the FIRST piece for little sister Serenity Holmes.
The cheers begin to fade as murmurs of boos begin to course through the crowd.
Lissie Hope: We all know she has a long way to go. Even she should be able to admit that. We all know that once you’ve found every single missing link that could propel you to the top of this industry, that it’s no longer a matter of “if”... but “when”.
A pause.
Lissie Hope: And I’m in my “when” stage… but Serenity Holmes is still in her “if.”
The boos begin to grow louder.
Lissie Hope: But that’s why I want to give her the platform! She wanted to force her way into it, but I told her I wanted her to earn it. Why is that so bad? Why is that so offensive? We all have to earn things, right? Nothing is given to us – not in life, and not in this business. And Serenity? Congratulations.
She begins clapping her hands awkwardly. The tapping on the microphone is unsettling.
Lissie Hope: You’re not just talk anymore. You’ve earned it.
She starts to remove the sheet again but Ethan Miller stops her once more. The camera catches him saying “don’t reveal it without her.”
Lissie Hope: I know how much you hate waiting… so don’t make us wait, Serenity! Come on out here and get your trophy. I’m honored to hand it over.
The buzz in the crowd begins to grow as Lissie stands in the center of the ring, awaiting her arrival.. “Synthetic Sympathy” by Trash Boat plays from the venue’s interior surround systems sparking a mixed reaction leaning more to the positive angle. Serenity Holmes walks out from the backstage area in a march of anger and contempt when seeing Lissie Hope hosting the Pure Cup VI celebration segment that she has been fighting for.
Jimmy Garcia: There is our sixth annual winner of the Pure Cup, Serenity Holmes who is no in good faith right now. Lissie Hope has taken control of our introduction and Serenity Holmes sees nothing but someone who has stolen her moment once again.
Lexi Stone: And she’s right to assume that! Serenity Holmes fought through hell and back on her own to achieve this award! Lissie Hope has no bearings at all and she’s inserting herself into Serenity’s moment because she can’t stop being a patronizing bum to her!
Serenity climbs up the steels steps then moves through the ropes watching Lissie Hope with fire burning in her eyes. Ethan Miller comes in between the two, warning Serenity to calm down for the segment to continue but she shoves him aside and receives a microphone from a ringside crew member. Her music has faded away and Serenity paces back and forth still in her wrestling attire.
Serenity Holmes: You annoying bony ass bitch!
Lexi Stone: Woah!
Jimmy Garcia: God damn!
The audience’s reaction is warranted but justified in their unanimous shock of Serenity’s outburst. The young athlete continues to pace back and forth, her emotions getting the better of her as usual.
Serenity Holmes: You just can’t stop being a pain in my ass, can’t you?! I won the sixth Pure Cup and this has nothing to do with you but you had to insert yourself into my business again! I’m not here for you, I’m here for my trophy so leave my ring and let the actual person who won the Pure Cup better than you did get their shine!
Lexi Stone: That’s how you tell her Serenity!
Lissie looks at Serenity with an arrogant smirk on her face. She allows the tension to hang in the air, giving Serenity a little room to breathe before raising the microphone up to her mouth.
Lissie Hope: We don’t need to bait a reaction out of each other, Serenity. Dogs bark at each other when there’s a fence between them, but when the fence opens, they back off. They back down. There’s no fence between us right now. Not everything needs to come to blows. Truly, I’m out here to congratulate you. To pass this trophy off to the person who won tonight.
Every word drips with a sense of calculation.
Lissie Hope: I’m not here to take your shine. I’m here to share it with you. To be the bigger person. And next week, unleash everything that you’ve been repressing. Everything that you’ve taken out on innocent bystanders. Bring everything you’ve got and bring it to me — because you know damn well I know how to take a punch.
Lissie watches Serenity’s hands clench into a fist. Her smirk fades into a scowl.
Lissie Hope: And I know how to throw one, too.
As the tension builds again, Ethan Miller once again steps in between the two. With Serenity foaming at the mouth, Lissie takes a step back and with a grin, seems to be enjoying toying with her.
Lissie Hope: Besides, the student doesn’t become the teacher that easy. It takes work, Serenity. And I’m not clocked in. You can act tough all you want, and have security hold you back, but I’m not clocking in until next week. That’s when you’ll get your lesson from me.
Proud of herself, she turns to the crowd, and the grin on her face is displaced with a rush of emotional burden as she stares directly at the seat just beyond the barricade on the left side of the ring.
Serenity Holmes: Did you clock in last week, Lissie? Because you didn’t seem to learn anything from what you say Carter showed you. Or was it Robbie?
Jimmy Garcia: Oh man.
The collective gasp in the crowd manifests from the knife Lissie felt being jabbed into her heart, and her momentary breathlessness fades into anger.
Lissie Hope: You don’t get to talk about him. You can try to rip Johnny away from me with your little FaceTimes and coffee dates — but he is off limits.
With the ladies at a contentious stalemate, Ethan backs up as Serenity and Lissie come nose to nose. They’re not saying a word – and finally, after Lissie gets her bearings again, she backs up towards the trophy.
Lissie Hope: This is what we’re here for. To give you this trophy. Congratulations, Serenity. Welcome tot the Pure Cup winners circle. We can rebuild this bridge –
Lissie begins to clap slowly – it’s clearly dripping with insincerity and sarcasm. With a flick of the wrist, Ethan pulls off the veil and reveals the Pure Cup VI trophy to Serenity. She comes up to the podium, and glares back at Lissie.
Serenity Holmes: The only thing you burn besides your hair are bridges.
Lexi Stone: Oh my god –
The roar of laughter erupts in the crowd as Lissie’s anger comes to the surface once again.
Serenity Holmes: You push EVERYONE away because of your need to be this self-righteous idol! You love to talk about everyone’s relationships but can’t take the heat when your own dirty laundry is aired out!
Shaking her head in disbelief, Lissie is left speechless.
Serenity Holmes: But don’t worry, Lissie – this time, I won’t interfere with you and Johnny – not like Cypher did to you and Emma!
Jimmy Garcia: Serenity is hitting below the belt tonight! She wants this fight, and she wants it now, and she’s going to say anything she can to get it!
Lexi Stone: I think we’ve reached that breaking point!
Lissie’s fists are balled up and ready to engage! Once more, Ethan stands in between the two. Lissie backs up a step and starts to walk towards the ropes to exit the ring.
Lissie Hope: I know what you’re trying to do. And I’m not going to give you the satisfaction. Take your damn trophy, Serenity.
As Lissie is about to exit the ring, Serenity grabs the trophy and throws it at Lissie’s back! The fans explode with cheers as Lissie turns and darts towards Serenity! The two break through the barrier that was Ethan Miller and start exchanging right hands! Fighting and clawing at each other, neither one is showing any signs of stopping! The entire security rushes the ring, and it takes damn near every single one of them to separate the two!
Jimmy Garcia: This is an all-out war now! After so many weeks building up to this moment, they’ve finally got their hands on each other!
The security crew has both of them in their arms, and they’re still swinging wildly! Strands of hair are hanging from each of their fingernails!
Jimmy Garcia: Next week, Lissie Hope and Serenity Holmes will go one on one, twice in one night, with both championships on the line!
Lexi Stone: This is just a sneak preview! What the hell is going to happen next week??
Just then Maylis and Green show up!
Jimmy Garcia: THATS THE CRUISERWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!
THEY MOVE AROUND SERENITY AND JUST TACKLE LISSIE OUT OF SECURITY's GRASP!
Jimmy Garcia: OH MY GOD!
Green stomps on Lissie as Maylis is kneeling down punching at Lissie in the head!!
Lexi Stone: What the hell!? Serenity thinks its funny!
Lissie is laid out as the Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions just celebrate with their belts in the air!
Jimmy Garcia: What the hell was that about?! Did Serenity ask them to do that!?
Lexi Stone: I have no idea!!
We fade to a commercial.