I don't doubt every competitor in this match is tough and rough enough to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title. In Remington Ivory Prescott's case, he's good enough to retain the title. 

And despite in my honest opinion, my reasoning is the most reasonable and natural one at least they get something to prove in this match. They want to prove something to prove at Final Destination 5.

But that's the key sentence "they want to prove something". They need to prove they can win the Immortal Heavyweight Title. Prescott included because the way he uh…dethroned Elijah Hampton wasn't what we would call a true wrestler. He
needs to prove he isn't a paper champion and that's why he got so heated at the last Olympus.

Not sounding too arrogant, but I already proved that I can win the Immortal Heavyweight Title. I did that at Clash of Titans that I'm capable of winning the Immortal Heavyweight Title. That's just a fact that everyone knows and remembers. That's something people are aware of.

But that's just their respective way of saying and mindset why they need to prove they can win the Immortal Heavyweight Title. Prescott needs to prove why he's a real Champion. 

What I need to prove is to survive in this match. Wrath of the Gods ThunderDome. This isn't a joke stipulation. I've survived countless dangerous matches but did I ever win the Wrath of the Gods ThunderDome? Nope. As I said, I was the first one that got eliminated 2 years ago. That was 2 years ago, I'd like to think I have a better chance right now. It was actually a blessing in disguise. I'm thankful for the experience because now I know what I should and shouldn't do in this match. I need to be more careful and when to pull the trigger in this Wrath of the Gods ThunderDome. I survived but now I need to win this match using the experience I got. I believe that's one of my advantages to win this match. As I said, I'm 100% fine, both physically and mentally. That's another one of my advantages to rise against the odds. My will and reasoning are 100% set to motivate me why I need to win this match. Not just winning this match but also walking out as the Immortal Heavyweight Champion.

And maybe just maybe, the biggest advantage I have in this match is that I'm undefeated at Final Destination. 3-0. Can anybody else in this match say they are 3-0 at FD? Reginald Dampshaw III? He already lost at Final Destination once at FD 2. Mark Michaels and Ryo Sakazaki? They both already lost twice at FD 3 and 4 respectively. To tell the truth, something that Dampshaw, Michaels, and Ryo have in common is that they lost titles at FD. Dampshaw lost his title to Arata Asakura at FD 2. Mark Michaels lost his Prestige Title to me at FD 3 in the Six Man Tag match and Mark lost once again his Prestige Title to Presscott at FD 4. I retained my OWA Tag Titles once at FD 2, I won the Prestige Title, at that time known as the Hybrid Title at FD 3, and I pinned one of my opponents at FD 4 to extend my FD winning streaks to 3-0. Brandon Hendrix? This is his first FD appearance. Remington Ivory Prescott? Well, 1-0 is a good start but 3-0 is still better than 1-0 and if Prescott wants to extend his FD winning streaks on top of retaining the Immortal Heavyweight Title, he better be very wise and careful because everyone else in this match wants to kick his ass. Dampshaw too despite he only said this is business. 

Not so much an advantage but there's another thing that fuels me to beat the Wrath of the Gods ThunderDome structure. This is another thing that drives me to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title. This is something that motivates me to another level. People already refer to me as a legend and a potential to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. This isn't coming from me. Fans labeled me like that. I heard Benito Molina called me as a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer. Even an enemy in Kevin Devastation called me a legend on the last Olympus. Those are something that make me think I know I'm capable of surviving and beating the Wrath of the Gods ThunderDome structure. Those are something that make me think I know I can be…mind you, once again win the Immortal Heavyweight Champion, record or not. Not trying to be cocky, but I never heard Ryo, Michaels, Dampshaw, Brandon, and even Presscott being referred to as a legend or a potential first-ballot Hall of Famer. Whether they like it or not, whether they acknowledge it or not, I'm the only one that has been addressed as such. I know I'm capable of beating the ThunderDome structure, to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title, and to extend my FD winning streaks to 4-0.

Which makes me realize, that's not something you want to talk about, isn't that right, Mark Michaels? Yes, I heard you said you're not talking about my win streaks. That's fine. I would say something to those effects too if I have 0 wins and 2 loses at FD too, Mark, but that's not what happened to me. Anyway, yes, I did say you wanted a spotlight under my name at Clash of Titans but also gave my thanks to you for counting the pin for me too while also acknowledging you wanted to send a message to Presscott. I did say all of those. But you also wanted to bring up Dampshaw, Carlos, and Ryo Sakazaki, and so on. Ironically, you said let's stop talking about what if scenarios, what could have been scenarios, and sort of those stuff. Well, you're just opening a rabbit hole for yourself. Let me say it first, you counted my supposed win. You knocked Presscott ass out but I think I get it why you don't want to talk about a what if scenario. The truth is, I was capable enough to beat Presscott. Sure, Dampshaw III pulled me out and that is a credit to Dampshaw for being fast enough to do so, but if he wasn't fast enough, I would already beat Presscott. Let's talk about the point where it was almost near the end of the match when you were wearing a mask. You wanted to be credited as the guy that knocked Presscott out and counted the pin for me, otherwise you wouldn't have said that night could have been different. Yes, this is why I said you wanted to get a spotlight under my name. You said that night could have been different if you didn't hit Prescott? Nah, I knew I already beat him. I tossed out Brandon Hendrix right in front of your eyes and Presscott's by myself, I knew I could beat Presscott at that moment too if you weren't there. He was already panicking to see my eyes. I was more than ready to tear him apart. So to answer your question, yes, Tree Commas Club would be able to find a way to not count my winning, but you could choose not to be involved in that situation. Ok, you wanted to send a message, I said that before, why not doing so by joining the brawl? Why not send the message at the next Olympus? Why after my match? There were many chances to do so, Mark, but you chose to do so after my match because you had a second motive: getting a spotlight under my name. Now Mark, after trading wins and loses with you, I thought I would know you better too. I thought after my first video, you would want to go full measure but no, you're still going for a half measure. You wanted to send a message to Prescott because that was all you wanted. You wanted Darkane and Lazarus Arjen in the first place. You probably hated to credit the third owner as the one that changed your mind but you chose not to argue with me on that topic because I know I'm right about that. Your decision is still not strong enough. You want to battle like there is no tomorrow? That's all you're aiming for? For me, I want to see tomorrow where the whole world sees me as the Immortal Heavyweight Champion. That's going to be hard but I'm doing all I can to not see tomorrow, but also the day after, the week after, a month, 3 months, and maybe even a year where everyone sees me standing as the Immortal Heavyweight Champion. That's what I'm going to do, Mark. You can be credited as one of the guys that I beat to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title at FD 4. That's how I am going to send a message to not just the competitors in this match, but also the whole OWA and the rest of this business.

So I hope you hear that too, Dampshaw. Yes I'm going to be around as long as I possibly can but you said I am never too far away from you at all times? Dude, you're the last guy that entered this match and you certainly could have decided to defend your Icarus Title instead of cashing it at Final Destination 5. I already decided I wanted this match the moment Tree Commas Club not only took away the Immortal Heavyweight Title but also removed it from the record. Not the history to make it clear, the record. There were so many witnesses, audiences, and footage to prove it that I beat Prescott and won the Immortal Heavyweight Title. Of course you would say I don't fit as a World Champion because you and I always meet one another countless times and I proved it I won the Immortal Heavyweight Title before you could do it. Hell, I did it before when I won the SSW Puroresu World Heavyweight Title and that's also one title you couldn't win too. Just face it, Dampshaw, I know your numbers to be always in front of you and I know I can do it again by not only being in front of you but also beating you and the rest of the competitors in this match as the new Immortal Heavyweight Champion at Final Destination 5. Now that's something interesting you mentioned. You know me for so long but do you think you throw me into a pane of broken glass and let me bleed out to get rid of me or you set me on fire and watch me burn to a crisp are enough to stop me? I have experienced those and guess what? I'm here, still breathing, still talking to you and the other competitors right now. Your best friend, Prescott tried to say something like that to me before at Clash of Titans and guess what? He's still quiet right now because he knows saying those kinds of things would not be useful to me at all. He's still talking about what kind of words and sentences to use against me. But here you are, Dampshaw, still talking about trying to get rid of me because you're just a stupid guy. I'm flattered about it actually. That's just proof that you acknowledged me as a potential winner of this match. Let me say it though that I do intend to beat you, Presscott, and everybody else in this match at Final Destination 5, Dampshaw. Yes, that's going to be a tough one but what Tree Commas Club did to me and the rest of The World's Finest was so troublesomes. So that's why as one out of two original World's Finest members ever since Wrestleworld days, I want to take away the Immortal Heavyweight Title from Presscott. But since you're also in the way, I don't mind kicking your ass…again, Dampshaw. I know I can do it. I'm never bored of kicking your stupid ass after all. 

Speaking of stupid….well, there is another stupid guy. I'm talking about Ryo Sakazaki. Well, yes, you and everybody else know that the moment Tree Commas Club took away the Immortal Heavyweight Title, that was also the moment where I know I'm going to chase it again. You called me selfish, Ryo, but if the Tree Commas Club didn't pull off this agenda, you would see me standing right in front of you as the Immortal Heavyweight Champion. But now it is not even being acknowledged, so why would I back off just to feed off your ego, Ryo? You wanted to talk about Wrestleworld, Reno Dumont and The Professional. What does it have to do with you? You're trying to paint me as a so-called villain, but I'll tell you what. Reno himself too wanted The Professional. Not just him, Reno wanted to get even with Claudia Michaels. He had his own things. And what did I do after I finally got my revenge on The Professional? Well, me and Reno Dumont kept being a tag team. We even beat April Song and Hana Nakajima in Japan, on their own turf. Me and Reno were and still are on a good term. Reno Dumont did retire eventually and that was where I was brainwashed by Babayka and Dr. Erik Vance afterward. They turned me into a monster but I was able to escape from them and beat them without Reno's help. Did I blame Reno for not being there for me? Nope. We're still good friends. We were doing something together in SSW some time after he stopped wrestling for Wrestleworld. So no, I don't get where your hatred and foolish reason come from. As a matter of fact, you only have yourself to be blamed. You chose yourself to get involved in this. You wanted to defend Cloud Matsuda because she's your partner but she didn't ask you to help her. You wanted to help her because she's your trainer but then again, you could have chosen to not be involved in this situation to begin with. This was your own choice and you regretted it makes me think you're a coward and a pussy. If I had to make you tapped-out again, I'll do it again because I know a John Blade cosplayer, according to you, is able to make Ryo Sakazaki tapped-out. You talked about screwing over. Well, you did screw over Mark Michaels and Tatsuo Sakaguchi. You were facing Darkane and Lazarus Arjen and you had 2 chances to beat them. One with Michaels as your partner and the other with Sakaguchi. You know how you screwed them over? You got pinned in both matches. You robbed not only yourself but also two different partners. And in Tatsuo Sakaguchi's case, you screwed him a chance to win the OWA Tag Team Titles because you got yourself pinned. Who knows if that was intentional on your part? You said you are always hated no matter what you do. Well, I just realized how stupid and annoying you are. You want to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title, right, Ryo? Then you need to stay away from me as much as possible before I make you tapped-out once again.

Now, let me talk to you again, Brandon Hendrix. Yes, once again I'll tell you this. In a way, my career changes because of you. I'm not afraid to give you as much credit as the one that woke me up. When I wanted to give up when I faced you for the Icarus Title, I thought that was it. You did beat me of course but the loss was what made me realize how pathetic I was. Maybe still am. I don't know. But even if I'm still pathetic, I showed it to you that I managed to overcome my fear. Not only that, at Clash of Titans when you and the others tried to screw me, I managed to knock you out, Hendrix, and I don't think it's something you could forget. As a matter of fact, that might be one of the reasons why you're being silent right now. Because you know I can win this match to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title. 

And that goes to our World Champion too. Yes, "our world champion". That's enough to feed up your ego right, Prescott? Just like Brandon Hendrix, I know you're being silent right now because you know I'm capable of taking that belt from you. You could have chosen not to take it from me and moved on but of course you can't do that. You managed to take it from me and removed my record but that's all you can do to beat me. Now with such a stipulation where there is a guaranteed Tree Commas Club can't find a way to save you at Final Destination 5, you're getting scared that you have to step up to face me once again. It is not Wrath of Gods that you need to be scared of, it is my Wrath. I'm ready to kick your ass….and kicking you more at Final Destination 5.

With everything I've said, everybody knows that I have made up my decision to take on Wrath of the ThunderDome structure, to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title, and to extend my FD winning streak. I'm not stopping myself. Each day, I'm eager to show why I'm more than ready for Final Destination 5 to accomplish all my goals, with the Immortal Heavyweight Title on my shoulders of course.

There comes a point where one reaches a crossroad in their career. 

Here, the decision you make places you firmly in one of two groups: Those who sink and those who swim. The losers and the winners.

I’m not talking about the result of a single match here. It would be far too easy to categorize people if that was the case. No, I’m talking about something that preludes the match itself: I’m talking about perception. How they perceive themselves, how others perceive them and how the company perceives them. 

Those who swim are the winners. They have weathered the storm and the world rewards them for their tenacity. Their careers and impact are etched into the annals of history and even when they exit the ring for the final time, their presence still can be felt in every corner—no matter how it's been. The ones who stand on the top of the company, the ones who hold championship after championship, the ones who can look at their careers with an earnest feeling of accomplishment. Those are the winners. 

But then, there are those who sink. The losers. The waters proved to be too tough for them to withstand and suddenly, they’re drowning—sinking further and further until no one remembers them, until their career is nothing more but a pile of irrelevancy, broken dreams, and regret. They are granted nothing because ultimately, in the eyes of this world, that is what they are: NOTHING. 

This is the world of pro-wrestling. A constant cycle of trials where you either sink or swim. You’re either the winner or you’re nothing, end of story. 

It is cruel but...some of the best wrestlers in the world were birthed from that cruelty. By culling those who didn’t have the instinct to stay, those who did are able to reach the sky. Their ceiling doesn’t exist because they are simply one thing: A winner. The Icarus Championship match is just another trial of many. Whoever has that title by the end of it is the new champion, end of story. The one who managed to swim while the others sink to the bottom of the totem pole. 

I’ll get right to my point and tell my opponents the honest truth. I’m benevolent. 


The idea that ANY OF YOU could beat me is more than delusional. It’s outright absurd. It approaches a level of delirium that pisses me off more than anything else.

I could stand here and continue an endless tirade of cheap insults but isn’t there anything more insulting than the current state of your careers?

Two men who brought into the delusion that the Tres Comas Club was their key to ascension and paid dearly for it, a former lapdog who finally decided to walk out of an open cage, and a luchador who probably doesn’t know who he’s facing...but that's enough of that. What matters now is that we’re all striving for this belt. The Icarus Championship.

You can scowl, curl your lips, and insult all you want but deep down, you know that I’m right. 

The current state of your careers feels insulting to you. Perhaps you didn’t make the biggest splash you could’ve on your debut, perhaps it is marred by loss after constant loss, or perhaps you were so leashed to another that you were passed up on opportunities that a veteran should have received. 

Regardless of the reason, your current position burns you up inside. In a world where you’re told to sink or swim at a near constant, your heads are barely above water. All it takes is one major loss to send you spiraling down a career freefall you’ll never recover from. But, in the reverse, all it takes is one major win to set things right for the future. 

It may not be the Prestige or the Immortal Heavyweight Championship but the Icarus Championship is a title and titles are really good at putting people on map. They’re symbols of accomplishment—that’s why we fight for them! 

The dream that you desire to accomplish in OWA, what better way to achieve than through a match on the biggest stage this company has to offer? Final Destination! However, as much as your strife is acknowledged...there’s one detail of this match that all four of you have overlooked: I’M in this match and I’M aiming for that belt. Nothing else. They say that losing is paramount to death and with that in mind, I plan on not losing to any of you. 

Actually, no. 
It isn’t that I “plan” to not lose. 
I WON’T LOSE TO YOU.

My instinct eclipses yours. 
Any desires of victory you all have, my own desire devour them whole.
With our dreams on the line, I’ll show no hesitation in crushing yours to keep mine afloat. 

The title of Honored One is more than a demand of honor or a flashy title. It is more than just simply saying that you are the best. Anyone can say that they’re the best—even you all—but being the Honored One? That isn’t just saying you’re the best. That is Enlightenment. 

In heaven above, and on earth below, I am the Honored One and I shall dispel the suffering that fills this world. There is one person who holds that title and it is ME. I am the one who will dispel the suffering that is within Olympus and that begins with winning the Icarus title. 

A Hate-Bred War Machine. A Servant to Death. A Golden Gauntlet. A Bit-Luchador. 

Do you honestly believe that you can stand against an enlightened bodhisattva? Allow me to pull you back into reality. I might be the newcomer but this Championship Scramble match is my domain and I’m sending your fantasies to the Sixth Heaven where they belong. 

The former champion might have ran away to escape his punishment from me but don’t think you can do the same! I’m doing more than making a statement as a newcomer when I win that title. I’ll make sure that stupid lizard’s soul no longer taints it by using the blood of my opponents—you four. So don’t hold anything back in that Thunderdome match, Ryo because we'll crush any traces of him together! 

I don’t care how many times I have to kill you four in this match. I only care about one thing and that’s winning! In this trial of sink and swim, I’ll have the honor of pushing all of your heads underneath the water as I claim the title as my own! 

Nothing brings me more joy than completing my own goals. 

I will defeat you. I will devour you. I will destroy you. 

Say whatever you want about me, I’ll shove them back in your face with my victory at Final Destination. My dream is to give innovation to Olympus but I’m not simply satisfied with chasing my dream like others are with theirs, like how you four are with your own. 

I will make my dream a reality. I’m not going to be devoured by people who aren’t nearly as hungry for title and innovation as I am. People who don’t have a drive as strong as mine. People who don’t love fighting as much as I do! 

There are two groups of people in the world of pro-wrestling: Those who swim and those who sink and I plan on joining the group who swims, the winners. Final Destination is the domain where I choose the path of my own story. 

So then...Gauntlet, Rambeaux, Barrera, Landerson. I have only one question to ask.




CLANG! 

The soda fell into the vending machine’s pick up box, the clattering sound echoing through the empty street. 

Tatsuo rarely walked during the night. 

Between traveling, training, and recuperating, exhaustion took hold of his body by the time he crashed into bed. However, recent nights were different compared to the past. Ever since he arrived back in Kyoto after the last Olympus show, he was plagued by an inability to sleep. It didn’t matter what method he tried to combat it, it always ended with him staring up at the ceiling until his body forced him to close his eyes shut. 

Big matches hardly made him flinch in the past. It was hard to falter when every match was treated the same way: A chance to either crush someone’s dream or have your own dream crushed. Kill or be killed. 

Yet, despite this, there was something about Final Destination that managed to get underneath his skin, reach to the very depths of his soul, and cause such a discord within his soul that it proved to be unbearable to manage as the days ticked down in the metaphorical hourglass. 

Anxiety is probably what Hiyori would’ve pinned it as.

He remembered the aftermath of the All or Nothing match. His injuries forced him to stay in America longer than usual—doctor’s orders, much to his chagrin—and his last interaction with her was a phone call. A phone call that was a mix of her screaming about the match (“That was a real gun! A real gun, Tatsuo! Is this company deranged?!”), worrying about his injuries (“Nothing permanent right? Yo-You can still walk, right??”), and expressing mild relief over the fact that it was over (“Well, I’m glad that you’re alive. And that you won.”). 

As they were discussing about what he wanted to ask the Third Owner, it was almost certain in his mind that challenging Dampshaw to a rematch was his path. However, he made a half-hearted remark about feeling uncertain about the result and proving herself to be as much of a empath seer as others saw her, Hiyori immediately called him out on it. 


Tch. 

Tatsuo clicked his tongue in annoyance as he reached down to grab the soda, the vending machine’s neon blue glow making him squint. He didn’t feel anxiety towards losing against Dampshaw; in his mind, he had outwrestled the other. He had to resort to underhanded tricks to defeat him. The man known as the Time Lizard was beneath him and there was nothing that could change his mind. 

But, in the Icarus Scramble, Dampshaw wasn’t a factor here. The chance of losing despite everything was. Losing on a random episode of Olympus didn’t necessarily cut deep but losing at Final Destination would. It would do more than cut deep. 

Championship opportunities were rare, not commonplace. While one or two losses could be quietly overlooked, three losses in a row absolutely could not. If he lost the Icarus Scramble match at Final Destination, it would be the third. Three championship attempts ending in his loss with such short spans in-between both. Even the thought of shouldering triple losses was outright mortifying to him. Which made it more critical that he didn’t lose. 

CLANG! 

Another soda fell into the pick-up box. A set of hands that weren’t his was reaching out to grab it. 

“Not feeling very honorable right now, are you?” 

The lines of the business suit’s fabric could be seen underneath the glow of the vending machine. Their voice, their features, and the way his lips twisted into a smirk whenever he found himself pleasantly amused with someone. It was all the same as it was ages before. 

“I saw the promo you did.” The suit-wearing individual said. “It was the words of a true egoist, someone who wants to bring change. You’re finally deciding to actually bring some worth to the title that you stole from me, Tats.”

“...Naoya.” Tatsuo said, frowning as he opened the soda can. “Why are you here?” 

“Kyoto is my hometown, obviously. I have a life outside of you, my friend.” He said as he stuck his tongue at the other. Tatsuo only grimaced at the answer—friend wouldn't be the term he would use towards Naoya. “Though, more importantly, do you have time? I want to talk. After all...” 

Naoya then smiled or one could call it smiling. It was more akin to an apex predator baring its teeth than any warm smile or bright grin. 

“I can hear your thoughts and I prefer a Tatsuo who will stop at nothing to complete his goals than the one who is playing a little too nice. So, you and me, let’s talk so you can be the true Honored One come Final Destination.”

“The man in the mirror — is slowly becoming unrecognizable. Change is inevitable in this life. I get that. I even accept it. But the change that’s slowly creeping in and attacking my core, it isn’t for the better. And it fucking terrifies me. I haven’t felt like myself for quite some time now. I’m usually light-hearted — professional too. Cool, calm, and collected. But I haven’t been calm. Still cool, though. Cool as it gets. Cool as in like oh wow, that dude’s dope, that kind of cool. Not temperature-wise. Because if anything, I’ve been a little heated. Short-tempered. A little bitter. A little tense. And perhaps worst of all, a little spoiled. I look at my current situation and I feel — a bit irritated, with myself and with the hand I’ve been dealt, given what I’ve accomplished. And robbed. I feel robbed. Robbed of the opportunity of defending the Immortal Heavyweight Championship at the grandest stage of them all, Final Destination. Something I worked so hard for this season to achieve. I sketched out many goals in my head this year. And I checked them off, one by one. But that one remains. And now everything feels incomplete. Kinda bums me out, not gonna lie. Especially because it was out of my hands. All because I was running through the lukewarm Olympus roster like a hot knife through butter. They kept raising the hurdle until I could no longer clear it and trip up. And this isn’t some conspiracy theory trying to convince you the world I once conquered is out to get me. We’ve seen with our own two eyes the measures they’ve gone to ensure I would no longer swim and thrive above the surface. They had to nerf me somehow because I was too overpowered. Tres Comas Club is ‘they.’ They forced that title off of me. Because in their eyes, I didn’t fit the bill when it came to representing this brand as the guy. More like, because the three owners knew they couldn’t control and manipulate me into believing in their ideologies. They needed someone a little more spineless. Someone who would fall in line, no questions asked. Someone who reeked of desperation to finally break through and win something meaningful in their life because they were never going to cut it on their own. And no, I’m not talking about Lazarus, even though he fits the description. No — RIP was the perfect choice. He took ‘my place’ and erased my hard work in the process. A championship I gave my blood, sweat, and tears to. Washed away by his spit. A championship I elevated. Is now a second thought, fought between second-rate competitors such as Ryo, Dampshaw, and of course, the ‘champ’ himself. Everything I worked for. Gone. Just like that. That obviously doesn’t sit well with me. A lot doesn’t sit well with me when I look at the current Olympus landscape. And maybe this goes back to me being bitter, I don’t know. It’s just that, I’m far too young to be the old man yelling at clouds but here I am, shaking my fist at the sky.”

“Speaking of clouds, there’s this dark cloud hovering above the rest of us that just needs to move the fuck on already. Or as other people refer to him as, Jacob. Move on. From me. From our history — which you just love to dig up and mention every chance you get, especially my own personal history — as if you just read off my wiki page time and time again and summarize my entire career. The fuck you bringing up the Blacklist and Ashes for? What relevance does it serve? Am I supposed to do a deep dive on what you’ve done before The Dynasty? Talk about The Phantom Troupe? Talk about your time in the land of the elite? Don’t give a fuck. Shit’s getting old. Move on. And move on from the good ol’ days of The Dynasty, too. But you can’t, as you sulk away over your mistakes. ‘Your’ being the keyword. As we all know, it was your own doing. You pulled the trigger when you pulled the rug out from under us. At the time, I’m sure it felt like the right thing to do. But now? Not so much. Because you live with guilt, with those sad puppy dog eyes. It’s a good act. I mean, not really, but cool. You feel guilt and remorse, not because you went through with it, but because you no longer have that Immortal Heavyweight Championship in your possession. And to go along with it, you have no real friendship or ally, therefore, you don’t have a Lazarus or a Michelangelo to do your bidding. You’re feeling lonely. You’re feeling low. And you’re trying to chase this high again. By thrusting yourself into people’s lives that never once asked for it. Going after Darkane. Going after Elijah Hampton. Two marquee names. You attach yourself to them, of course. Because to you, you think you have unfinished business. To you, you want to right some wrongs. But to damn near everyone else, we know you’re a sucker for the spotlight. Hence why you waited to make your return only when Final Destination was right around the corner. And while I was getting ambushed damn near every week, to soften me up when our paths would cross once more. It’s the Jacob Senn way. Because of your name value, you don’t think you have to roll up your sleeves and climb your way back up the totem pole. You think you’re just at the top regardless. As if that spot is reserved for you. When nah son, look again, as my name is on it, in bold and bright letters."

"But I get it. You’re feeling yourself. Smirking on Olympus — you didn’t think I saw that — thinking the plan you’ve been concocting this entire time is ready to be served at Final Destination. When it spoiled long ago. You’re also feeling good after you won The Respect is Earned strap match after you, to your credit, took advantage of my emotions — which were high that night — I need to correct that, I know. You’re a savvy veteran, I’ll give you that. In return, what you’re going to give me, is that soul stone. It’s in your possession, right? Or at least, you know where it is. Of course, you do. You probably do have it. But what I don’t understand is why should I believe that you will just willingly hand it over to the winner, if it isn’t you, at Final Destination? You said it yourself on the last Olympus when Laz and Darkane were cornering you, that they, as well as TCC, would have to kill you before you hand it over, which would be pointless since their chances of finding that stone without you alive becomes that much harder. So again, I ask myself, why would you hand it over to another person if you would rather die than for it to fall into the wrong hands — which is rich coming from you, by the way? I don’t get the logic. I don’t get why I should believe a conman such as yourself. What, because of your word? Means nothing. Always has. Always will. And that’s why there’s a part of me that just wants to sit back and watch the 7th Ward dig into you. Rip you apart with that shovel and lead pipe. Paint the canvas and the arena red with your blood. But the competitor in me won’t let me just stand on the sidelines. I need in on the action. Plus, as I’ve already pointed out, I don’t like any single one of y’all. And I want to inflict as much pain as possible, equally, to all three parties because I’m all about equality. So consider yourself lucky that you don’t have my full undivided attention this week.”

“Jacob has made a lot of unforgivable blunders in his career, especially in the past year and change. One of them being, bringing Lazarus into the fold and helping him snag an OWA contract. At the time, I think the only reason why he brought you in is because of shock value. To clarify, it wasn’t shocking to the vast majority of fans watching when you made your debut, because let’s be honest, nobody knew you lil bro, even with the vignettes, but for Darkane? Your mentor, that’s a different story. Truth is, he took you under his wing to ruffle Darkane’s feathers. But I’m sure Jacob sold it differently, by making it seem as though he wanted to help jumpstart your career. Something that you thought was long overdue. He hyped you up. Talking all about how you’ve been held down. That the system isn’t fair. That OWA has signed many guys before you that weren’t as deserving. And I can agree with that. Because since you’ve been here, you’ve made a name for yourself — kinda. And you’ve been a thorn in my side ever since. Making sure I feel your anger every chance I get. Using your go-to tool of violence, your lead pipe, and smashing it into my skull, my ribs, the back of my knees — you name it. Pretty much every dent on that thing is because of my bones. There used to be an element of surprise when it came to these attacks. Now I just accept that it’s going to happen after a match. Doesn’t make it hurt any less, but I know it’s coming. Weapons — you hide behind them. You can try to convince me and the rest of the world it’s because your sadistic and you like the sound of bones cracking and it just makes you feel allllliiiiive — when we both know, that on your own, with just your fists, it’s not enough. Don’t get me wrong, you’re good. One of the best Olympus has to offer. But by now, I thought you would be great. I thought you would have more accolades, which I know, they aren’t your main reason for being here — which is good, because you still wouldn’t have many even if it were. You’re this breakout star that hasn’t really broken out. You’ve become stagnant. Actually, if anything, I think you’ve regressed. Darkane took the words right out of my mouth — I don’t see you as a rat, but more as a pony. A one-trick pony. The crazy guy with the lead pipe. That’s what he’s known for. That’s it."

"But we could also go with another variation of a horse — a unicorn. Because much like their existence, your status of being a legitimate threat — isn’t real. And I’ll tell you why. I listened to snippets of your message when you were facing Brandon Hendrix one week. And you were clowning him. Raking him over the coals because he wasn’t able to defeat me for the Immortal Heavyweight Championship, the night after I went to war in The Thunderbastard. Yes, let’s all point and laugh at ‘The Don’ — and while we are done doing that, let’s giggle at you next, Lazarus. Let’s talk about The Thunderbastard. Let’s talk about how I entered that match at like what? The fourth spot? And you entered — hmm, dead fucking last. A spot you earned, yes, but a spot you let slip away. It was you who had the biggest advantage of them all heading into that match. While I, the reigning and defending champion, had every disadvantage, minus my unrivaled talent part. You came in when everyone else was already exhausted and beaten and bruised and battered. You had your weapons, shocker, at your disposal to give you that home-field advantage type of feel. You even had a nail gun. Good thing your shooting is just as good as Ben Simmons, as I don’t recall feeling a single one as I managed to block them with a piece of table or some shit. That night, Laz was meant to be your crowning moment. Only for me to swoop in, take that shit from your ever-so-loose grip, and high step my way into the end zone and spike your head, which is somehow still too big for your flabby body, into the ground to celebrate. So mock Hendrix all you want for failing to dethrone me, while your bitch ass didn’t fair any better that weekend, but I digress. What I will say is, you are a fierce competitor, Laz, that much is true — buuut ever since that night, I would be lying to you if I said I don’t look at you differently. As I feel lied to. And I now realize that I gave you far too much credit for thinking we were equals. There’s a gap between us, Laz, and you’ll never be able to close it. You weren’t ready back then. And you still aren’t, and that’s okay. Because I don’t view you as some joke. Just a choke artist.”

“You’re right, I do appear mentally exhausted, Darkane. Probably because I am mentally exhausted. Everything comes at a cost in this profession. Especially the more you win — you of all people know this. Whether it be winning matches, feuds, or championships. People on the outside looking in, think once you get your nameplate drilled into a world title, that the tough part is over and you can finally kick up your feet and relax. But in reality, it’s only the beginning. The target on your back only gets bigger and wider. The enemies multiply as they crawl out of their holes and the woodwork, or when it comes to your ‘friend’, the sewer to challenge me. They don’t all just patiently wait their turn either. They jump you simultaneously. It’s not just that though. Then there are the people who congratulate you on your big career moment to your face and act as though they are legitimately proud of you, even shedding tears of joy on command — are the same ones that will be plotting to take something from you the second you turn your back. Ain’t that right, Darkane? And because of those few holes in my back from the stabbings, I’ve become — a little more alert. Or without the sugarcoating, paranoid. Because of those few bad apples, I can no longer trust a single soul in this world or any world because I know there’s an ulterior motive somewhere. And it’s not just the people in the locker room either. It’s the people I’ve known since I can remember. The ones that I drifted away from, only for them to hit me up years later out of the blue to check in on me. Acting as though they care about me. When it’s only because they want something from the guy they see on television. The pressure of saying no, I don’t like it, unless it’s Senn, then it’s quite easy and fun. Regardless, it must be done. But pressure is something I know a thing or two about. I’ve had pressure on me since the day I joined The Dynasty. I just never really showed it. Because I didn’t buckle under such conditions, I thrived. I had pressure on me when I faced Senn for the IHC. I had pressure to win it back. And the pressure to win it for a third time someday. And at Final Destination, I have pressure to make sure the soul stone doesn’t end up in your hands. Same of course goes for Laz and Senn. See, I don’t NEED to win this match just for myself. I have to win it for this brand. For this company. To destroy Belial for good since nobody else will. Leaving me with no other choice but to make a dash to the phone booth and try to save the day again. Like I said, tired. I’m tired. And I wish I could just take a moment to take a deep breath and rest, but some other bullshit on this brand will pop off during those ten seconds. As you know, I’ve been known to wear my emotions on my sleeve. These days, I’ve been wearing them on every article of clothing I have. Because somebody decided to open the can of worms. Just as my old wounds were closing, fresh blood pours from them once more. I wish I could give you a politically correct statement and tell you that at Final Destination, I will be able to keep those emotions in check. But with Senn, Darkane, and Laz standing before me — that’s a task even I won’t be able to complete. Because during different stages of my career, they have their fingerprints all over the group project of ‘Fuck Over Elijah Hampton’. Usually, there’s always a slacker in the group, but nah, when it came to this — my life — they all pulled their weight. So, therefore, I’m probably gonna do some fucked up things at Final Destination. Some stuff I might regret. Some stuff that might turn my fans against me. But I need to do what must be done and I’m not going to enjoy any of it —okay maybe just a little bit.”

Location: Devione Industries, New York Branch, Manhattan New York, USA
Time: 8:00 A.M.
Date: 8/31/2023



Location: Glendale Arizona, USA
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Date: 9/1/2023

The library was huge, and it was clear that it had not only been built recently but had been done so off the back of some rather large donations.  The shelves were all solid oak – not plastic or some sort of steel that you might see in a regular high school – and the books that sat upon them all looked new.  These weren’t the type of books from the 1980s that were musty, old, and had not been borrowed for the last 20 years.  No, these would still have that new book ‘smell’ on them, and none of the non-fiction books about the human body would be dog-eared to the pages the students wanted to giggle over.  All told, this was a majestic library and one that served its students well.

Sitting in the middle of the library, at a large, brown table with light green seats, was Poet.  He was dressed in a dark blue suit with a white shirt and pastel-coloured tie.  The blond hair was neatly tied back, and the smile was as large and as bright as it always is.  In front of Poet sat his notebook and a fountain pen, and to his left was the Prestige Championship.  To his right was a bottle of water, which reflected the fact he was in a space that probably wouldn’t accommodate the whiskey that he usually drank.  Poet took a sip from the water bottle and then addressed the camera.

“To my fellow wrestlers and fans of Omega Wrestling Federation, let me welcome you to The Preuss School in San Diego, California.  Yes, I’ve made the trek down from Denver to this… part… of the country, and even I must admit that it’s nice to be here.  I’m sitting in the library that was completed only a few years ago and you can tell that plenty of thought and consideration was put into developing this place of learning.  The only way forward in life is through education, and this school is at the forefront of providing it.”

“Many of you might be asking why I’m here.  Well, Final Destination is just around the corner, and I have the opportunity, as the OWA Prestige Champion, to defend my title against my good friend Brody.  It’s been a while since we had the chance to lock horns, and while our paths have crossed here and there, I haven’t had the opportunity to step into the ring, one-on-one, since we first arrived here in OWA.  As many of you here would know, I like to make sure that I do some research into my opponent.  Any wrestler with an ounce of intelligence knows it is prudent to make sure you know exactly who you are stepping into the ring with.  You know their strengths, their considerable weaknesses, and what makes them tick.  This is even more important this time around, as not only will I be defending my title, but I will be defending it in a 30-minute iron man match.”

“But it got me thinking.  Having faced Brody once already, I’ve researched the sort of wrestler he is, while also making some assumptions as to the sort of person he is.  But do we really know who Brody is?  Outside of being a daddy’s boy, a surfer, and a man of low intelligence, we don’t know a whole lot more than that.  So, I’ve taken the chance to dig a little deeper into the background of Brody to give the fans of OWA an insight into who he really is.”

Poet then leans forward to open the notebook in front of him.  He takes a further sip from the water bottle before continuing.

“That research has led me here, to The Preuss School.  This school is voted as one of the best in the state and offers the opportunity for low-income earning families to send their children to a good school so they can get the best education possible.  Now, as part of my digging, I found out that Brody came from a low-income household, and this could have been due to a variety of ‘habits’ that his father entertained, but it feels unfair to reveal those here.  Regardless, Brody’s father felt that this would be the best place for him moving forward, especially as his elementary school results left something to be desired.  I’m sure his father was also taken in by the fact that this school has 95% of its students graduate and move on to higher education.  That is mighty impressive, and something I can relate to.”

“However, here is where our first problem begins.  I found out that Brody was, unfortunately, one of the 5% who did not graduate from his class.  For some reason, he was unable to achieve what most of the students in his year level were able to do.  I’ve got that list of students here in my notebook; amongst the many graduates, there were 5 doctors, 4 accountants, 3 lawyers, 2 pediatricians… and I guess, a partridge in a pear tree.  So many going on to bigger and better things, all thanks to this school and the support it provides.  But Brody?  Our chain-smoking surfer?  He isn’t on this list.  In fact, it appears his father has worked extremely hard to have his son’s time here at The Preuss School erased from the records.  What Brody’s father didn’t count on was me, and my abilities to find the truth.  What I’ve been able to find, and share with the OWA universe, is that you are cheering for a man who lacks intelligence, lacks commitment, and has a brain that is the size of a pea.  I’m going to reveal to everyone that who he was here, at this school, is still the same man who plays at being a wrestler in OWA, and he had no right to be in a title match at Final Destination.”

“So, without any further delay, may I welcome to the interview Mrs. Stephanie Garcia, English Teacher here at The Preuss School.”
As Poet stands up, straightens his suit, and smiles, a woman in her late forties walks into the camera shot.  She smiles, shakes Poet’s hand, and sits down in a seat next to him.  Her long, dark hair is tied up in a bun, and she wears a red business suit, complete with high heels of the same colour.

“Stephanie, it is great to have you here.”

“It is my pleasure and thank you for your generous donation to The Preuss Library.”

“Think nothing of it, Stephanie.  I’m always happy to contribute towards the education of young people.  Now, you had the… pleasure… of teaching Brody during his time here at the school?”

“Yes, I did.  I taught him English during his first two years here, and then English during his last two years as well.  I was also his year level co-ordinator during his second year at the school.”

“Right, right… and can you shed some light on why you are happy to discuss Brody’s time at the school?  There will be those out there who would find it unprofessional for a member of staff to speak so openly about a former student.”

Stephanie audibly sighs for a moment.  “Brody’s father has spent many years trying to tarnish the reputation of this school as we refused to erase his son’s record when he left.  He has been to the press, to the union, and even tried to leave poorly spelt Google Reviews that make some rather personal remarks about the teachers here.  For us, we see this as a way to set some of the record straight.  Yes, this can be seen as an unconventional way to do so, but why not take the chance?”

Poet just nods along with Stephanie, a grimace coming over his face at the mention of the Google Reviews.
“So, what was Brody like as a student?”

“What was Brody like as a student….” Stephanie says, trailing off as she does so.  “I probably need to choose my words carefully here, but he came to us as if he had received no formal education prior to joining us.  If we hadn’t spoken to his elementary school, who confirmed he went there, we would have assumed that he had never been to school before.”

“Are we talking academics here or….?”

“No, I’m talking about the whole package.  Let me give you an example; Brody consistently forgot where his classroom was.  On more occasions than I care to discuss, I had to go and retrieve him from other classrooms.  One time I found him in a senior science class, and he couldn’t believe that it wasn’t English.  He argued with me as we made our way across the yard to his actual classroom.”

Poet chuckled to himself as he listened to the story.  “It doesn’t sound as though it ended there, Stephanie.”

“No, no it didn’t.  There was one time during an English class that he actually turned up for, where he decided to eat a whole box of crayons, which then had him vomiting all over his desk.  I have no idea where he got the crayons from, nor do I understand why or how he did it all again a week later.”

“That is quite astonishing, although to be fair, rather unsurprising when you’ve spent any time with the man.”

“The other aspect of his time here” Stephanie continued as she adjusted the seat and Poet took a sip from his water bottle, “was that his father consistently wanted to come to the classes with him.  Brody didn’t seem to mind, so in the beginning we allowed it.  We want these students to succeed, and being from a low-income background, we knew that Brody wasn’t going to get there on his own.  But his father began to do things that were… strange.”

“Please, go on” Poet replied as he sat a little further forward in his seat.

“Well, his father liked to be involved in the lessons.  So, he would put his hand up, disagree with the learning, and generally try to do Brody’s work for him.  He made many of the female staff uncomfortable as he tried to flirt with them, and once he almost got into a fistfight with a 13-year-old boy who asked to borrow one of Brody’s pens.  It was a nightmare.  We had to have several meetings where we basically told his father that, if he kept trying to come to classes, his son would have to be expelled.  He eventually listened to that advice, but that didn’t stop him sitting in his car outside the school or trying to wander around the schoolyard to find his son.”

“So, we are to assume that Brody was able to stay within the school’s programs?”

“Yes, he was.  It would have been easier to expel him – it was clear from the moment he walked in the doors that he wasn’t going to achieve like the rest of the students – but we saw this as a challenge.  Could we get this young man up to speed and, in a position, to properly function as a normal member of society?”

“The records seem to suggest that he wasn’t able to do that, Stephanie.”

“No, and it wasn’t through a lack of effort on our end.  We did everything we could.  We worked one-on-one with him, had him in small groups, worked through individual learning plans… yet we were stonewalled at every turn by Brody and his father.  They just didn’t want to put the work in.  There was no commitment, no desire to get better.  Brody just relied on his father to get by and was under the impression that just going to school was enough.  He had no drive, no understanding of the hard work that it takes to succeed.  He was content to ride the coattails of others while listening to his father telling him how great he was and how he was destined to achieve wonderful things in life.  It was ludicrous and it was frustrating.  Both Brody and his father only have themselves to blame that they became one of the 5% who don’t go on to higher education, and his father's attempts to blame us will get him nowhere.”

Poet nods his head through all of this as if he shouldn’t be surprised by the information Stephanie is sharing.  He turns his notebook over to the next page, takes a quick sip of water, and continues.

“So, it sounds like Brody approached his schooling as he has with his wrestling career – little respect for the profession and an unwillingness to do his best or improve in any way, shape, or form.  And, if I may ask, some of my information points to indiscretions against other staff…”

Stephanie pinches her nose before responding as if the thought of discussing the topic is giving her a headache.

“Yes, we had several student complaints about Brody that we tried to follow up on.  Many of these involved him going into the boys’ toilets during class or lunch time and… how should I put this… propositioning other students.”

“You don’t mean…?”

“Yes, I do mean that, but it wasn’t just limited to that.  He would ask students for illegal drugs like marijuana, he would ask them to do his homework.  One time he even begged a student to buy him some food from the canteen as he claimed he had no lunch, even though he was standing there with a salad roll in his hand.  But the main complaints came from the boys and how Brody would ask them to do things with him and, when caught, he would quickly say that he thought he was in the girls’ toilets before running off.”

“And his father did nothing about this?”

“Initially, yes.  He just ignored it, blamed it on other students, said they were lying, and so forth.  However, the one incident he couldn’t deny as it was caught on our cameras, was when Brody decided to spit on a girl and say, ‘How about you take off those wet clothes?’  The girl slapped him and he quickly ran away, hiding in one of the cubicles in the boy's toilets.  The girl was mortified but decided against going any further with it.  However, we told his father that one more issue would see him expelled and, instead of denying it, he took his son out of school and we never saw him again.”

Poet shakes his head solemnly as he closes the notebook in front of him.

“Stephanie, this has been most enlightening and, dare I say it, cathartic for you today.”

“Before I finish, I have to say that I don’t do this lightly.  I never thought I’d speak about a student as I have done today, but his story needed to be told.  Not just for us, but for the wider public to hear, and I’m thankful we’ve had the chance to do that.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get to my next class in 10 minutes.”

Stephanie then smiles and stands.  Poet does the same and they both shake hands, with Stephanie walking off to the left.  Poet sits down again and opens his notebook to a new page.

“Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it.  Say one thing for Poet, say that he is thorough.  I knew that I needed to cover every base for my match with Brody at Final Destination, and today I have exposed him as the lazy, dumb, selfish, and uncommitted person that he is.  He isn’t fit to wear any gold in OWA, and I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen at Final Destination.  He didn’t succeed here, and he won’t succeed in OWA.”

“Now, please welcome Reggie Evans to the desk.  He won a quick competition for the right to share his poem about Brody with the world so, come on in Reggie.”

Reggie, a tall student with a bright smile, walks into the camera shot and shakes hands with Poet.  He then turns to the camera and begins.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Reggie gently bows to the camera, smiles, and walks off to the left, out of the camera shot.

Poet laughs to himself before closing his notebook and standing.

“I couldn’t have said that better myself.  I’m now off to lunch with the principal.  I’ll see you soon, Brody.”


Poet smiles at the camera as it fades to black…

Can you feel it in the air, everyone? Can you sense the anticipation hung thick in the air like a storm ready to unleash its tempest upon the world? Do you get the sense of this mysterious Third Owner being a ringmaster to allow you to see the circus of madness that we are about to enter within at Final Destination? We are about to endure a war that could possibly set the entire tone for the next season of this company—the Falls Count Anywhere match, a symphony of brutality and redemption that transcends the boundaries of the squared circle. As the canvas prepares to bear witness to our struggles, we're not just vying for an opportunity to claim championship gold and add to our personal resumés. This is about the essence of this company, the state of this business of ours, this is about the future. This is not only about who will be challenging for the OWA Immortal Heavyweight Championship after Final Destination 5, but it is for the possession of the soulstone of Belial, a relic that encapsulates the darkness I once embraced, the darkness I once allowed to consume me. Across from me stands not just opponents, but characters woven into the tapestry of Olympus' narrative for the past couple years. There's Elijah Hampton, a star on a meteoric rise, his journey a reflection of the relentless pursuit of self-discovery in a realm dictated by alliances and rivalries, a hero that has been born from the shadows of this industry. There's Lazarus Arjen, a looming presence whose alliance with Darkane adds an enigmatic layer to this already intricate tapestry, a dastardly and violent young imp of a man who hopes to claim his own personal glory and gain power beyond comparison. And then, there's Darkane himself. A man who has been born into the violence of the world, the dregs of society where evil and darkness are mere background accoutrement to him, and one of the most feared wrestlers in our business for the carnage he is able to manifest. These are the central figures in this saga that we have collectively created, their destinies converging in a collision that will redefine legacies and set in motion a sequence of events that will shape the course of Olympus itself. So gather 'round for the story of how we reached this point, for this is not merely a wrestling match; it's a chapter of our lives, a chapter that dares us to reach for redemption, to grapple with our demons, and to inscribe our names in the annals of greatness.

Amidst the echoes of the past and the promises of the future, we are drawn to the enigmatic arrival of Elijah Hampton—an emergence onto the Olympus stage alongside Ryo Sakazaki that sent ripples of intrigue through the hearts of the fans of the world. From the very beginning, it was clear that he was no ordinary contender, that he carried with him an aura of potential waiting to be unleashed. But the journey from obscurity to prominence was not a linear path; it was a labyrinthine odyssey through alliances and allegiances. From the enigmatic Blacklist in alignment with CM Nas to joining sides with the malevolent force of Havoc, his story was a novel with a litany of pages devoted to collaboration and competition. Yet, beneath the surface of these alliances lay a constant struggle—a struggle to find his own identity, to break free from the shackles of being defined solely by his alliances, and to carve a name for himself in a world that often sought to confine him within predetermined roles. Elijah's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a journey that reflects the universal pursuit of authenticity and the desire to forge a legacy that is uniquely one's own.

Yet, as fate would have it, the path of Elijah Hampton would intersect with mine in a moment that would change the course of Olympus history—a pivotal encounter that would set in motion the birth of The Dynasty. A single encounter between Elijah Hampton and myself marked the turning point, a moment of destiny that saw the fusion of our ambitions and aspirations. From that point forward, an invitation was extended—an invitation to join alongside Darkane, the violent figure who would become an integral piece of the puzzle in forming our brotherhood known as The Dynasty. The melding of our talents, ambitions, and shared drive culminated in an era of unparalleled domination. It was a chapter marked by championship triumphs that painted The Dynasty in the golden hues of victory—a reign that saw us clutch every title that Olympus had to offer, a reign that saw us not merely as comrades, but as brothers bound by a shared purpose. The era of The Dynasty was a manifestation of unity's power, an affirmation that when talents converge and aspirations align, greatness is inevitable.

As Elijah Hampton's journey continued within the embrace of The Dynasty, his growth transformed him into a rising star, a beacon of promise within our dominion. His ascent mirrored the collective rise of The Dynasty, as our unity solidified into an empire that seemed invincible. Every championship, every accolade, they all found their home within our grasp, a testament to the unyielding dominance we held over Olympus. It was a time of triumph and celebration, a peak of our reign that shone like the brightest star in the night sky. But even as we basked in the glow of our accomplishments, subtle tremors whispered of internal cracks, the inevitable fragility that awaited beneath the surface. The seeds of dissent were sown, alliances strained, and the very unity that defined us began to waver. The empire's ascension was undeniably glorious, yet the fragility that lingered beneath was a reminder that even the mightiest of dominions could be undone by the weight of internal conflicts.

As the tides of Olympus shifted, the arrival of Eon Blue's faction brought with it the taint of darkness—a darkness that emanated from the fragments of Belial, an ancient entity that sought to corrupt and consume. It was amidst this turmoil that I was faced with a fateful choice, a choice that would define not only my destiny but also the fate of The Dynasty. In my thirst for power and victory, I chose to embrace the darkness, to become its vessel and betray the very comrades and brothers who had stood by my side. This betrayal marked the cataclysmic turning point, the implosion that shattered The Dynasty's foundation and heralded the disintegration of our unity. The bonds of brotherhood, once unbreakable, were severed by my own hands, and the empire that had risen so spectacularly began to crumble under the weight of treachery and malevolence. The collapse of unity was a painful lesson, a stark reminder that even the strongest bonds could be corroded by the corrosive touch of darkness and the choices made in its shadow.

Elijah Hampton's odyssey took an unexpected turn as he evolved from a rising star to a hero, becoming the very figure prophesied to topple the reign of terror that I had unleashed upon Olympus. His journey was a reflection of resilience and transformation, as he emerged from the shadows to challenge the darkness that had consumed me. In a climactic confrontation, the prophecy was fulfilled, and the once-unassailable empire I had constructed crumbled beneath the weight of Elijah's triumph. His victory symbolized the triumph of light over darkness, a poignant reminder that redemption and courage could indeed conquer even the most malevolent of forces. With his victory, the chapter that had witnessed my fall from grace came to a close, offering closure to a saga marked by betrayal, corruption, and ultimately, the redemption that Elijah's heroism had brought forth.

Yet as one chapter ended, another emerged with Lazarus Arjen's troubling development—a new threat aligned with Darkane that cast a looming shadow over the Olympus horizon, after I had been defeated and exiled from the world of OWA. The Seventh Ward, a faction driven by motives shrouded in chaos and darkness made its presence felt, standing as a harbinger of turmoil. Their pursuit of power and chaos mirrors the very forces that once led me astray, a reminder that the cycle of struggle is unyielding and that darkness will forever seek to test the resolve of the righteous. As past demons resurface and renewed threats materialize, the inevitability of confrontation looms large, a reminder that the battles waged in the arena are but reflections of the broader struggles that define the human experience. In the face of these challenges Elijah Hampton and I, once bitter rivals, find ourselves united by a shared destiny, forced to confront our own pasts while navigating the intricacies of an ever-shifting Olympus landscape.

And now, as the tides of destiny weave their intricate tapestry once again, I stand before you a changed man, driven not by the allure of power, but by the relentless pursuit of redemption. My return to Olympus signifies more than a mere resurgence; it is a declaration that the darkness that once consumed me has been cast aside, replaced by a fervent determination to rewrite the narrative of my legacy. The Respect is Earned strap match served as a pivotal test, a crucible through which my transformation was laid bare. In that battle, I faced my former ally and rival, Elijah Hampton, not as a vessel of darkness, but as a man seeking to reclaim his honor and rekindle the flames of respect that had been extinguished. The match marked a step forward in the journey towards redemption, a journey that I am acutely aware is far from its conclusion. Just as darkness lurks on the periphery, redemption remains an ongoing pursuit, a relentless commitment to face one's past, confront one's demons, and strive towards a brighter tomorrow.

Yet, as we stand on the precipice of destiny once more, a new specter looms—the dark soulstone containing the essence of Belial, an ancient and malevolent force that once wielded its power through me. This soulstone embodies a perilous potency, a concentrated darkness that threatens to cast its suffocating shadow over Olympus once again. The significance of its imprisonment cannot be overstated; it is a battle not only against the external forces that seek to harness its power but also against the darkness that resides within. The importance of sealing this soulstone is paramount, for its existence poses a constant threat, a specter that could unravel the very fabric of our world. It is a battle that must be waged not only for personal redemption but also to safeguard the future of Olympus itself. And so, with unwavering determination, I am resolute in my commitment to prevent the darkness from resurfacing, to ensure that the sins of the past remain buried and that a brighter future can be forged from the ashes of our collective struggles.

Amidst the crescendo of fate's symphony, we stand on the brink of an extraordinary encounter—a colossal Falls Count Anywhere match that defies the confines of tradition and reaches deep into the recesses of our souls. The air crackles with an electric anticipation, igniting the arena and the hearts of all who bear witness to this impending spectacle. This is more than a mere contest; it's an epic collision that will etch its mark upon the annals of Olympus' history. As the spotlight shines upon Elijah Hampton, Darkane, Lazarus Arjen, and myself, we find ourselves at the crossroads of destiny, converging for a battle that transcends physicality—a battle for the very soul of Olympus itself.

The stakes are colossal, twofold in their significance. The OWA Immortal Heavyweight Championship gleams as a symbol of supremacy, igniting ambition and determination within us. Conversely, the ominous soulstone containing the malevolent essence of Belial looms as a reminder of past darkness and latent threats. This is no ordinary battle; it's a fight against the shadows that threaten to plunge our realm into eternal chaos. The soulstone's imprisonment is paramount to safeguarding our world's future.

Our presence on this grand stage mirrors more than athletic prowess; it embodies the clash of ideals, a battle between redemption and temptation that resonates on a profound level. Beyond wrestling, this is an exploration of the human condition—a narrative of struggles, transformation, and the intricate dance of destiny. The clash represents a microcosm of the eternal struggle between light and shadow, unity and discord—a battle that shapes Olympus' essence.

As the countdown to our confrontation ticks away, we step into the arena as vessels of destiny, embodying a narrative that transcends wrestling. The Falls Count Anywhere match is not just a spectacle; it's a tale of redemption, a testament to the unyielding human spirit. In this moment, we transcend roles and become symbols of the ongoing battle between light and darkness. As the crescendo approaches, we're swept up in the currents of destiny—a destiny that resonates with humanity's struggle and echoes through the ages.

In the heart of the storm, as the tempest of battle approaches, I stand not as a mere contender but as a vessel of transformation—a beacon of light amidst the encroaching shadows. From the ashes of my own past, I have emerged with a resolute aspiration: to be a force of unwavering positivity, a counterbalance to the darkness that has too often plagued the wrestling realm, and to be The Punisher to those who dare attempt the darkness and evils of this world. As I step into the crucible of the Falls Count Anywhere match, I bear a solemn pledge—to champion honor, integrity, and the indomitable spirit of competition.

Olympus has witnessed the ebb and flow of honor, the rise and fall of integrity, often marred by the self-serving machinations that have tainted this sacred sport. But I stand as a sentinel of change, determined to rekindle the flame of virtue and justice. This is not merely about winning titles; it's about reinstating a code of conduct, a moral compass that guides our actions and decisions. In a realm where darkness has sought to devour, I am the voice that calls for clarity, the force that champion’s fairness, and the spirit that will not be swayed by the allure of power.

As the Falls Count Anywhere match looms, I pledge to transcend the confines of competition and embrace the mantle of the heroic archetype. I embody the timeless struggle between right and wrong, an embodiment of the values that should define our sport. This battle is not just for a championship or the destruction of the soulstone—it's a declaration that the forces of good can triumph over the allure of wickedness. This is my quest: to be a living embodiment of justice, an agent of positive change, and a symbol of the indomitable human spirit that refuses to yield to darkness.

In a world where allegiances shift and motivations waver, I stand firm—unbowed and unbroken. This battle is not merely about personal glory or vengeance; it's about preserving the sanctity of what we love, reclaiming the essence of competition from those who would sully it with greed and malice. My adversaries may be formidable, each bearing their own motivations and desires, but I am driven by something far more profound—a commitment to the very essence of wrestling as a force for good.

In this chaotic landscape, I am resolved to be a guiding light, illuminating the path towards honor, redemption, and unity. The Falls Count Anywhere match is not just a battleground; it's a crucible where the spirit of heroism, of selflessness, is tested. I vow to emerge from this encounter not just as a victor, but as a catalyst for transformation, a beacon of positivity that will pierce through the shroud of darkness that has lingered for far too long. As the final bell tolls and the echoes of battle fade, I will stand tall, not as a conqueror, but as a harbinger of the triumphant human spirit—a spirit that refuses to be extinguished, a spirit that will always rise above, and a spirit that will forever be a force for good and justice.

In the symphony of time, every note, every crescendo, every moment of triumph and tribulation has woven a tapestry that now unfolds before us in this monumental Falls Count Anywhere match. It's not just a clash of bodies; it's a collision of stories, fates, and destinies that have intertwined over the past couple of years, forming a narrative that is as rich and complex as the human experience itself.

In the tapestry of time, every thread from the past couple of years converges in this monumental Falls Count Anywhere match—a collision of stories, destinies, and fates that has led to this defining moment. As we stand on the precipice of battle, I embody the culmination of these threads, a testament to triumph over tribulation.

Why will I emerge victorious? It's not mere assertion; it's rooted in who I've become. The path to redemption forged me into a force to be reckoned with. The darkness that once consumed me has been purged, and the soulstone that held Belial is now a weapon against darkness.

To Elijah Hampton, Lazarus Arjen, and Darkane, prepare to face a transformed Jacob Senn. No longer driven by darkness, I stand as a warrior fueled by redemption, ready to leave an indelible mark on Olympus.

Elijah, once partner and rival, Lazarus, bearer of darkness, and Darkane, a scourge upon humanity, face a Jacob Senn who's transcended his history. The tapestry that brought us here is a testament to growth, change, and renewal.

In this battlefield without bounds, know this: I'm more than a competitor. I'm a living embodiment of the journey that's led us here. As the bell tolls, remember this Falls Count Anywhere match is a testament to the transformative power of redemption and the resilience of the human spirit.

It's not that surprising a lot of people want to be the Immortal Heavyweight Champion because why not? We become wrestlers to be at the top. To be a World Champion. That's what all wrestlers want. That is one of…pardon the pun, Final Destinations as a wrestler. Being at the top of the world is what people want. 

The question is, how much do you want it? How badly do you want it? How are you going to do it?

I looked and listened to every other challenger at the final Olympus before Final Destination 5. They have their reasons. They know what they want, but they only decided this after the third owner came to them. They decided this at the last minute. I think everyone knows I was deciding this first longer than all of them combined did.

Let me start with Ryo Sakazaki first. He himself said that he's the least deserving to get a shot at the Immortal Heavyweight Title on paper. I wouldn't go that far but while he might have bought Game Over 202, he only decided to challenge for the Immortal Heavyweight Title as far as Total Elimination Match. 

I heard what Reginald Dampshaw III said and while it is on the rules to vacant the Icarus Title after 3 successful title defense, one of the reasons why he decided to challenge for the Immortal Heavyweight Title is because while he wants to win it too, he also wants to help Remington Ivory Prescott. Dampshaw doesn't mind playing second fiddle even in a World Title match apparently.

It took some words and convincing from the third owner for Brandon Hendrix to decide to challenge for the Immortal Heavyweight Title, so without what the third owner said, would this even cross Hendrix's mind?

Same goes for Mark Michaels and despite his family and his heritage suffering, he thought about challenging Darkane and Lazarus Arjen first. He said so himself.

What about Remington Ivory Prescott himself? Well, he is obligated to defend the Immortal Heavyweight Title since he is carrying that belt and you said you're the King of The World? Then I'm going to dethrone you…once again.

Out of everyone in this match, I have the strongest, fairest, and logical reason to be in this match. The Immortal Heavyweight Title was taken from me but what's more than that, anyone and especially Remington Ivory Prescott never beat me for that belt. I'm the real and rightful Immortal Heavyweight Champion and there's no way I would forget what RIP and Three Commas Club did but what's done is done, I can't change the past. I can't live in it. I'm in the present and I'm going to step forward to change something for a bright future and that is to be the Immortal Heavyweight Champion.

I understand this is going to be a tough and brutal fight to be the Immortal Heavyweight Champion. Not only are they all great in-ring performers, but also the stipulation of the match itself is going to be hell of a ride. 

Wrath of the Gods ThunderDome.

We have so much footage to prove how gruesome this match can be and I was in one myself, being the guy that was first eliminated. 

And I don't think I would ever forget that, that's something that would always be on your mind, to be embarrassed like that. But I have so many more embarrassing moments in my life and career, that one was actually pretty light compared to some of the worst moments I've ever experienced. 

That goes without saying, I'm very much willing to face the worst and once again enter Wrath of the Gods ThunderDome to take what's rightfully mine. I have to face the worst to get what I want, what I need, and what I desire. I'm not turning my back from this opportunity, especially in Final Destination where I'm undefeated.

That's also what motivated me to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title. My Final Destination record is 3-0 and to make it 4-0, I have to beat 4 other contenders and 1 World Champion. 5 guys in total actually, but this is Final Destination 5. I think this is quite fitting for me and this is also one of the reasons that drives me to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title. That would be very nice to be the Immortal Heavyweight Champion while also extending my Final Destination winning streaks.

And to be more realistic and to be more logical, I'm among the healthiest and most prepared competitors going on to this match. Both physically and mentally. As I stated before, I know I want the Immortal Heavyweight Title after what Prescott and Tree Commas Club did to me and my mind and my soul are focused on the Immortal Heavyweight Title but other than that, I'm not injured physically at all. No serious injury at all.

That means I have an advantage to win this match. There's nothing I can do to hold myself back. All I have to do is to apply for myself. To preach what I'm preaching. To prove what I'm talking about. 

But despite calling out the other competitors' motives and reasons, I do acknowledge they at least have their reasons respectively why they are in this match. 

I have faced them all. Sometimes I beat them. Sometimes they beat me. That's just a circle of this business and I'm trying all I can to be the one that moves this circle in the Wrath of the Gods ThunderDome structure because I'm trying to win this match to finally become the Immortal Heavyweight Champion. 

I'm going to start with Brandon Hendrix because out of everybody else, you're the only one that decided to jump to another group. At the risk of sounding too egotistical, I caused you to be back on track after everything you did to me ended in failures. I know you want to prove you can win the Immortal Heavyweight Title too after Civil War. So let me say that you're in this match From Tree Commas Club to be a World's Finest after walking out of Prescott and Tree Commas Club by yourself. Why did you walk out on them? Because they didn't trust you, you couldn't get the job done. Why didn't they trust you that you could get the job done? It's because you failed to stop me from beating Prescott at Clash of Titans. It's all because of me you have a grudge on Prescott and wanting the Immortal Heavyweight Title. Whether you want to admit it or not, I'm the reason why you're in this match and that's not a bad thing, isn't it Hendrix? Now you're having a chance to be the Immortal Heavyweight Champion. I don't doubt you can do that. You're always fighting like a Don of a Mafia like you really are. Hell, you broke my spirit at one point when I failed to beat you for the Icarus Title. So thanks to you, Brandon, I said I caused you to be on track but I think in a way, you also helped me. You kept me in check indirectly. You reminded me of why I don't want to give up. You reminded me why I have to keep always fighting and that's why I was able to outsmart you and Tree Commas Club at Clash of Titans. That's why I refused to give up and surrender. I wanted to prove it to the world and obviously to you too, you really did wake me up so you have my thanks for that but don't think you're going to break me apart in the Wrath of the God ThunderDome match. My motivation is too high. My ego is pushing me up. My desire is going so fast. I can lose this match just like you can but I don't want to give up that easily, especially because I know what I want since the day I came here, especially after Clash of Titans. I caused you to be back on track while you caused me to remind me not to give up things easily. Now, the difference between you and me is that you failed to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title while I did it at Clash of Titans. Maybe it doesn't count officially, but because of that, there's no footage of me losing the Immortal Heavyweight Title. You want to prove me wrong? Then I'm sure you're motivated to win this match too, I just want you to know, I'm not going to back down. Especially knowing you needed the third owner out of all people, to take this decision. I caused you to get this chance, but out of all people the third owner was the one that caused you to take this decision. I already made the decision to go after the Immortal Heavyweight Title long before this and on my own term.

And Brandon Hendrix isn't the only one that apparently was convinced to take this opportunity after some words from the third owner. I pointed it out it happened with Mark Michaels too. Now Mark, I get it everything Presscott did to you was unforgivable, hell, you were the one that counted the pin that caused Presscott to be pinned 1-2-3 right in the middle of the ring by me at Clash of Titans. You have my thanks for that but don't get too cocky for that. If not because of Reginald Dampshaw III pulling me out of the ring, I would already beat Presscott earlier than that. As a matter of fact, we know Prescott and Tree Commas Club are scumbags and they found a way to not count my win, but if not because of you pulling off your mask, this wouldn't happen. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't blame you personally for that Mark, but what's funny to me, you felt the need to remove your mask in front of the world right after I won the Immortal Heavyweight Title. I get it you wanted to send a message to Presscott that Mark Michaels was and is around. Mark Michaels was and is wanting revenge on Prescott. But you sent the message right away after I won the Immortal Heavyweight Title. Why? You wanted to get the spotlight under my name? There must be a part of you that thought that way. But as I said before, your desire for revenge on Prescott isn't enough. You said it with your own mouth, you wanted Darkane and Lazarus Arjen, Mark, you're not focused. Your mind is divided. You have a lot going on in your head. I don't have that problem. I know what I want to do and that is by becoming the Immortal Heavyweight Champion. Thanks to the third owner, now you have a chance to win it too, but let me say that, it isn't or at least wasn't your priority. You wanted The Seventh Ward at first. Your tribe and your home would see you as someone who only takes half measures. I know your head isn't fine as your head was still bandaged. That might have caused you some confusion. My head is 100% and this is what I want. I want Prescott's head too to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title and I'm going to do it at Final Destination 5 in this match. I'll get through everyone in my way and that's including you, Mark.

I mentioned Reginald Dampshaw III earlier, so why not bring his name now? As an ally to my enemy, it was natural you did what you were told to do by pulling me out from the ring but it wasn't the first time at all. Everywhere I go, you always want to follow me around and yet, for the most part, I always managed to get the upper hand. Countless times at this point. You've been around long enough to see me walking in front of you and that's something you can't stand, Dampshaw. You did mention that you want to try to win the Immortal Heavyweight Title and that's a good thing. But another reason why you cashed-in your Icarus Title to be able to enter this match is because you want to help Presscott as much as possible. I suppose you are not 100% wanting to be Presscott's best man, but you want to help him out. Well, you did manage to pull me out and save Presscott from an earlier defeat from me and that's not surprising knowing how skillful you are. But look at the bigger picture, I still managed to beat him at Clash of Titans and that was after you managed to make me bleed after you hit me with the Icarus Title so in a way, you failed to protect Presscott from me. And you're going to be a Presscott's bodyguard once again? Do you think you and Presscott can be standing at the final two before you try to beat him? Or he tries to beat you? I'm sure that's what you and Presscott want, but I'm so eager to win this match. And as I said, I have beaten you a couple of times before everywhere we end up being in the same promotions, so you know I can win this match too, Dampshaw. Of course you can win this match too. You have a chance to become the Immortal Heavyweight Champion just like I do but you know how capable I am to stop your goals. You could have decided to defend the Icarus Title instead but you didn't do it because Tatsuo Sakaguchi and Rafael Barrera want your head too. Well, it doesn't make a difference now because I believe everyone in this match wants your head too and that's including Presscott the moment he gets the chance to do so.

Now I think out of everyone in this match, excluding myself, I'd say Ryo Sakazaki has the strongest reason for wanting the Immortal Heavyweight Title. But then again, he said Tree Commas Club is not in his head and not the reason why he is taking this opportunity. It is his own decision. Well, as I said before to him on Olympus, he needs to get through to me first to become the Immortal Heavyweight Champion. I said it with a strong reason, Ryo. You were angry at the world and you're angry at everything now. Look what happened at the OWA 5th Anniversary show, I made you tap-out to get my hands on Presscott at Clash of Titans, Ryo. And don't you forget it, I made you tap-out when you were acting like this. and I don't mind trying to repeat the history by making you tap-out once again if I happen to be the one that eliminated you from this match. You didn't learn your lesson, so I don't mind giving you one again. But more than that, I also need to show you that I'm not the same guy that you eliminated at Boiling Point 2021. That was 2 years ago and you know how much I have been working on my performances ever since then, especially after making you tap-out at the OWA 5th Anniversary show. So not only do I need to give you a lesson once again, I also need to be the Immortal Heavyweight Champion in this match and that's including beating you, Ryo. You and the rest of World's Finest helped me out to battle Tree Commas Club's shenanigans at Clash of Titans and you have my thanks for that, so now let me help you to see that you're not acting straight. 

And last but not least, Remington Ivory Prescott. There's no way I'd leave you out. Let me give you credit that you have the talent. You were able to kick out from my 3 Attitude Adjustments. But in the end, I was still able to beat you at Clash of Titans. Twice technically. Once when Dampshaw was able to pull me out from the ring and second, when you were actually knocked out. Now as you mentioned on Olympus, this is your story. All eyes are on you, everyone in this match wants to kick your ass. Dampshaw would do it too when he gets the chance. You're the main character in this match and I hope this story isn't a tragic one for you. I'm personally hoping it is going to be one where I take what's rightfully mine…again from your dirty hands. You keep saying I'm a career midcarder but this career midcarder has already beat you. Is it because I've improved drastically or is it because you're decreasing heavily? You managed to kick out from my 3 AAs, I gave you that, but I managed to kick out from your Blood Money, Curb Stomp, and everything else you used on me. And we didn't really have a lot of history before Clash of Titans and I was really that driven to beat you, imagine how driven I am right now to knock your head off to become the Immortal Heavyweight Champion? You want to prove you can stay as the Immortal Heavyweight Champion after this match when everybody else wants to beat you to a pulp in your story. Except, I do need a score to settle and I'll pin you once again by beating you and the other 4 guys at Wrath of the God ThunderDome. Except, you're not going to deal with God's Wrath, you're going to deal with mine.

At Final Destination 5, I'm going to make sure I extend my Final Destination winning streaks to 4-0 by becoming the Immortal Heavyweight Champion.

Congratulations, Tres Comas Club. 

It’s been awhile since I’ve faced opponents who have forced a change in my mindset. Even those seen as honored prodigies have their moments of darkness. Originally, I extended benevolence towards you—for I believed that even gutless cowards like you deserved to die with some honor intact. I only spoke my honest opinions and I even gave you an option to go out with your heads held up high, rather than crushed beneath Vaiśravaṇa’s feet.

I’ve come to realize even that was far too generous for you all. It is more clear than now that the only kind thing I can do is put you all out of your misery this weekend with the other members of World’s Finest. 

There are many words to describe the Tres Comas Club and their version of Olympus but only one comes to mind. 


Quit trying to deceive everyone. 

None of you are gods. No matter how much you try to mask your shortcomings with grandeur and smug haughtiness, you and I both know the truth. You haven’t even touched the surface of heaven. Your existence is equivalent to false prophets and I’ll enjoy razing to the ground that little hill you’ve claimed to be Mount Olympus.

Traitorous afterthoughts? Shut up. 

There’s nothing traitorous about what we’re doing. Never once have I bowed my head to you, nor have the others. We’ve been enemies since the beginning. This isn’t a storybook where kingdoms last for eternity. This is reality and in our reality, there is war. 

In war, kingdoms rise and fall all the time. Those who survive are the ones who are strong. The fact that you hide behind excuses is laughable. Aren't you the ones who claimed themselves to be a force so domineering that we were nothing before them? You should’ve been prepared for this. 

If you were so afraid of your glass cattle shattering, you should’ve never woken up a sleeping giant. Call us whatever synonym of peasant you want, every single person in the World’s Finest has the same goal: Destroying you. Boast about your "superior" talent, it means nothing if it isn't put to its full potential. 

And seriously? Are you going to threaten us with death? You idiots! That’s the greatest thrill!

True warriors are prepared to die just as much as they are prepared to inflict it. To kill and to be killed is pleasure, not pain! The fact that you think that something like dying is going to make us lose sight of our true goal is laughable! Do you think we'll be scared of you because of THAT?!

It shows how little you understand why we’re the ones destined to defeat and how weak your resolve to dominate really is. You’re weak!

You’re not immortal, you’re not untouchable, and you’re not getting from me. From us. Buy my weapons, strip me of my armor, but you will never strip me of my ability to fight. And until you rid us of every last breath, we’ll keep fighting, even if we have nothing. Maybe, we’ll even keep fighting in the afterlife. Some ghosts are just too angry to die, you know. 

But do you understand what I’m saying? In an attempt to make yourselves appear bigger than what you actually are, you’ve forgotten what real power is, Tres Comas Club. You’ve exposed yourselves as the biggest frauds to exist and we’ll smash your mirrors, your illusions, and your treachery when we clash. 

This is our duel of fate. Try and belittle us all you want, Tres Comas Club. Even if it means dragging you down to the deepest parts of the Sixth Heaven, each and every one of you will fall. Your deaths are the symbol of change in Olympus! Too many of you are rotting corpses of promotions dead and gone. I would rather have my entrails be picked at by vultures, then let your rule defile this place. 

You want the past to be the past. Sure. Then allow me to burn you away with the fires of a new future. 

But, well, I’m done talking. Unlike you lot, I don’t like hearing the sound of my own voice when it's unnecessary. I no longer hold the desire to speak benevolently nor do I have the urge to insult you. The tea ceremony ended ages ago. We’ve passed a point where talking provided a solution to our problems. 


The World’s Finest will not buckle to you. There's too much on the line for us to do that. Our strength is more united than ever before and like a raging current, it will wash you away until you no longer exist.

In the closing moments of the match when your loss is sealed, you’ll truly know what it is to be one with the universe. The ability to even feel a glimmer of enlightenment in your shattered bodies...that is my final act of benevolence to you.

The time is near for World's Finest vs Tres Comas Club and this is going to be a war. From a business standpoint, this is a money maker match, definitely will OWA to get their pocket much richer but from a personal standpoint?

It's not a secret this is as personal as it can get. Some are only doing this for money, fame, and fortune, and that's fine. Who wouldn't want those things? So they can certainly be riding The Tree Commas's cocktails right? Yes, I'm talking about the likes of Reginal Dampshaw III, Rafael Barrera, Marce Rambeaux, and Golden Gauntlet. Even Remington Ivory Prescott. Well, let me break it down to you.

You called me a loser, Reginald Dampshaw III, heard that before and is that really what you can do? This loser has beaten you all over the place before. OWA, Wrestleworld, SSW, everywhere I see you, I always kicked your ass. I mean always admit it that you're a good in-ring performer, and that's something I always wonder about. This loser has pinned your Remington Ivory Prescott before. This loser is the rightful Immortal Heavyweight Champion. See, you mentioned Wrestleworld, and SSW but I don't know, I never saw you winning a big one in these 3 promotions. In the meantime, I'm a rightful Immortal Heavyweight Champion, a former SSW Puroresu World Heavyweight Champion, and still the current Wrestleworld European Champion. Have you ever won a world title in both OWA and SSW? Nah. Did you win a title in Wrestleworld? Nope, don't think so. So what's the moral of this story, Dampshaw? Do you know? That's right, this loser is certainly always a step or two above you, Dampshaw. Now, you're in The Tree Commas Club because you certainly want something. Money, power, fame, recognition, I can name it all but it always comes back to one thing: You want your career to be better. You have tried different methods before, so it isn't surprising to see you in The Tree Commas Club but once again, from where I'm sitting from, you're just one of their henchmen. You might be the Icarus Champion but in The Tree Commas Club hierarchy, you're just a soldier. You're not the first priority, Remington Ivory Prescott is. Then there are Allessandro Devastation, Wraith, and now add in Poet to the mix. Well, maybe you don't mind being on the lowest rank, so if I have to go through The Tree Commas Club as much as possible, you'll be one of the first to go, Dampshaw and that is going to be my way to show you, that once again, I'm always a step ahead above you.

Now, I'm going to say, I don't know much about Rafael Barrera on a personal level. I have seen him on some promotions, but this is the first time ever I'm actually in the same promotion as him. He called me a noble fool. Haha, not much difference like what Reginald Dampshaw III called me. I called you the most random member in Tree Commas Club and it does feel that way. You just happened to join them and I guess here you are, being branded as a Tree Commas Club. I'm still going to say if we ever exchange punches which I want to do, I'd still call our encounter a sort of dream match and that's not a bad thing at all, Barrera. The OWA fans know exactly who I am, so not only can you ride the cocktail of Tree Commas Club, but you can also ride mine as well. Hell, ask Poet, he just pinned me prior to this match and now he's the Prestige Champion. So are you interested in eliminating me? Well, I dare you to try, Barrera because I'm targeting Tree Commas Club and that's including you.

Then there are guys like Marce Rambeaux and Golden Gauntlet. They're doing the same thing like Reginald Dampshaw III and Rafael Barrera but I can understand Rambeaux and Golden Gauntlet a little better. They want recognition. They want to be acknowledged. Maybe Rambeaux wants an acknowledgement from me personally as I have pinned him before. He might want a sort of revenge against me. Well, I'm always welcoming any opportunity. Some successfully kicked my ass. Some do not but a few could turn the wheels. Do you want to turn the wheel yourself, Rambeaux? I pinned you fair and square before and here I am, once again in the same fight as you. So do give me your best shot against me. Just don't blame me though if that's still not enough to take me down, Rambeaux.

You're the same type as Rambeaux, Golden Gauntlet. Only difference is, we never shared the same ring before, so this is going to be the first time ever. I wonder, what is a patriotic man doing in Tree Commas Club? You got invited, I don't blame you, I think I mentioned you that before, but what are you doing with them exactly? Allessandro Devastation is the only one that is sharing the same patriotism towards the United States of America as much as you. Why not challenge him for the Wrestleworld American Dream Title instead? But here you are, a Tree Commas Club, being their henchman and all, and that's not what I see from a patriotic man at all. I mean, maybe you want to work from the bottom before you go to the top, that is assuming you can do it, maybe this is your way of showing an American Dream. Well, whether I'm right or not would be one story, but you're trying to tell your story, and I'm sorry to be the heart breaker, but your story is going to be a sad one when World's Finest beat Tree Commas Club on Olympus. 

So I mentioned Poet before so I'm going to talk about him. Well, maybe I am too nice and maybe I didn't show much anger when Tree Commas Club took the Immortal Heavyweight Title away from me and not to mention, not even counting it on the record, and that you did pin me as you became the new Prestige Champion. Well, thank you for the motivation, Poet, you actually just motivated why I have to win this match for The World's Finest. I mean, this is a team-work fight, but that makes me want to contribute to them a lot more now. And maybe that's what you want to do for Tree Commas Club being their newest member and all. Hell, you might be even more motivated as you are the Prestige Champion now, but do you know who you were…even before you became the Prestige Champion? You didn't always win. That's right, you lost to Brody and let me say it that I'm not Brody at all, but winning and losing is part of our wrestling career and even generally in life so why did you lose before you win the Prestige Champion? Because that happens. So, what I'm trying to say is, even under World's Finest name, I want to sort of avenge my loss to you in this fight, Poet, and I'll show it that I might not be as nice as you think. There are times when I get meaner and I think this fight is a right opportunity to show it again.

Here comes, Allesandro Devastation. For almost 2 years, you didn't make a move in the Wrestling world, and here you are in OWA, as the Wrestleworld American Dream Champion after you beat Stephanie Matsuda for the Wrestleworld American Dream Title, after you successfully played a mind game against Stephanie Matsuda and it is still working. But that's why I think you're in danger, Stephanie is going to be much more ruthless than usual to you in this fight. But what kinda makes me think, why did you never go after me? You can use the American Dream Title as an excuse that I'm not the guy you're looking for nor the Wrestleworld European Title is what you want, but you know you can't beat me if you try. Hell, your Father, a multiple world champion was asking me to join Tree Commas Club. I think Kevin Devastation did that to try to prevent me going after you and all that, but I said my reason why to turn down Tree Commas Club, and now you're in this fight and I'm going to bring one to you. Stephanie will bring it with her to use them against you, as well as other World's Finest, but I'm also not forgetting you in this fight, Allesandro Devastation.

Now obviously I don't forget about you either, Remington Ivory Prescott. We already said you're not the real World Champion, you're a paper champion, words to those effects, you know why? Because you're the thief. You called me that, didn't you? All I did was pinning you 1-2-3 right in the middle of the ring. That's not a thief. That's a winner. Even if you don't want to call yourself a thief, you're still a fake champion. Of course I want to take that belt personally from you one day ....and let me say "again" but for now, I'm just going to try to come at you and hit your ugly face as much as possible. This is a group fight but obviously you're my biggest target and I'm going to try to take Tree Commas Club down with you in it. You can't run away, Presscott, you can hide behind Tree Commas Club, but you're in this fight and I'm going to try to kick your ass as much as possible and as hard as I can.

Now, The World's Finest began in Wrestleworld. Stephanie Matsuda and I are the only original ones that are always in every formation but of course everybody else is great too. Ryo Sakazaki is a former OWA Icarus Champion and that's a great thing. Both Tatsuo Sakaguchi and Brody, despite being newcomers, are as great as any multiple former world champions. Speaking of a multiple former world champion, there is Graham Baker. And Emmanuelle always wins titles after titles everywhere she goes and now she is the SWWS World Champion there and still undefeated in a single match.

The Worlds Finest is 100% fine tune-in, well oiled, and well prepared to stop Tree Commas Club' corruptions.

Saturday, January 19th, 2019.
Coral Coast, Fiji
The Wedding of Stephanie & Monica Matsuda



“Stephanie, do you take Monica to be your lawfully wedded wife? do promise to love and cherish her, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?”


“I do.”

When Stephanie stared into her eyes, nothing else existed. It was a decent turnout for a destination wedding comprising a little over 100 guests. Personal family and work colleagues alike gathered together in the Fiji Islands to celebrate the wedding of Stephanie Matsuda and Monica Vaughan. Aria Jaxon and Azumi Goto stood on Monica’s side as her maids of honor, while surprisingly Jacob Senn was chosen as Cloud’s best man. Cloud’s hand moved the ring onto Monica’s finger as the bride’s parents watched closely with tears in their eyes.    

“Monica, do you take Stephanie to be your lawfully wedded wife? do promise to love and cherish her, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?”

Time seemed to slow down as Cloud watched Monica’s lips utter the phrase “I do.” Their fingers intertwined with each other after Monica slipped Cloud’s ring on her finger.

“By the power invested in me, you may kiss the bride.”



Stephanie felt like she was in another world, a much happier one than the one she’s experienced the past couple of years. It was hard for her and Monica in the beginning. But no matter how tough things got, they made it through to see this day. Each battle brought them closer, and now their bond was spiritually and legally sealed. As they pulled apart, friend and musician Lotte Kestner starts playing “Halo” on her acoustic guitar with a keyboardist providing background sound. 



Everyone clapped and got up from their seats. Eventually, they were well in the post-ceremony where everyone congratulated the couple and took pictures. After greeting several people, Stephanie kept her distance and instead opt for watching her wife take pictures with her mother. A soft smile appeared on Matsuda’s face as she watched the woman she loved stand next to her mother during the happiest day of her life.


Female Voice: She’s something, isn’t she?

Stephanie turned around and saw Aria walking up to her with two wine glasses in her hand. Aria passed one to her friend and the two took a sip. 

Stephanie Matsuda: She’s everything to me, Aria. I’d be lost without her this past year.

Aria Jaxon: Funny enough, she said the same about you. 

Stephanie Matsuda: (blushes) Can’t believe I’m married, ‘Ria.

Aria Jaxon: Welcome to the club, sweets. 

The two best friends clinked their glasses together.

Aria Jaxon: Now you just need to protect her from all the weird shit in this world.

Stephanie nodded as she already considered this.

Stephanie Matsuda: I’ll fight everyone if I have to. If I lose her…I wouldn’t know what to do. All of this…would be meaningless.

Aria Jaxon: Well said, Cloudy. Now you just have to back that up.

Stephanie Matsuda: Yeah…


Present Day.
Late Night.
Brooklyn, NY.


The Uber slowed to a stop as Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda got out of the car with a single carry-on luggage. Before Cloud was The War Room Dojo, a wrestling school she once owned, now operated by Serenity Scorpio, daughter of the legendary Black Scorpio. The school was closed as it was past operating hours. Taking a glance at her old Bushwick neighborhood, she saw that nothing changed much. She was happy about that as her biggest worry was gentrifiers forcing the local folk to move out, but she out certain protocols in place to slow the process, such as owning a couple of buildings and storefronts in the area. Sighing to herself, Stephanie opened the side door leading to the upstairs apartments and made her way inside.

While she and Monica moved to Japan with a residence in LA, Serenity refused to move into their apartment and instead stayed in the one she had. Jocelyn moved out after she got married, so Serenity and her boyfriend Jacon Striker had enough space for themselves. As Cloud opened the door, she saw everything was mostly the way it was. She had Monica pay for a cleaning service to tidy up every so often, but whenever the couple was in New York, they’d stay here. Dropping her bag, Cloud sat on the couch and closed her eyes. She was tired, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Cousin Nobi texted her earlier, wondering if she had anything else to say. Cloud was simply out of words for her opponents. Tres Comas illegally kidnapped her wife. There was no forgiving that. Ever.

As Stephanie’s thoughts trailed to her wife, she wondered how she was doing. She could only hope they were hurting her. Until this match was over, Stephanie had to keep her focus. She couldn’t allow them to distract her. She had a simple mission: save Monica. 

“Monica…”

That’s it. Matsuda was going to send a message after all, but it wasn’t going to be to her opponents, but to the only person that truly mattered.

Stephanie held the picture in her hand as a small tear escaped her eye.


“No pun, but I’ve been feeling devastated lately. Not because Tres Comas Club has been stressing me, but rather from beating up myself. You see when you get married, you’re making a promise, a serious commitment. One of those commitments is to honor your partner and to protect and provide for them. I have failed in my role as a spouse, a partner, and a provider. For that my dear Monica I offer my serious apologies.”

Stephanie’s eyes seem distant as she paused for a second. Her voice was on the verge of cracking, yet she continued to speak.
‘
“I’ve been blessed with a wonderful wife who usually supports me in everything I do. But, when I decided to come back from retirement, this wasn’t a discussion I had with you. I selfishly thought about only myself and the crusade I decided to wage on For the Minorites and Tres Comas Club. And honestly? I’d be lying if I said it was from the good of my heart. While I want wrestling to be a fair and just place, there was a part of me that missed the action, the excitement, and the challenge. I’m not asking you to forgive me nor even understand how I feel. I’m merely just stating how we got from spending our days in Minato, Tokyo to me leading an army to fight for your freedom. I…felt left out. Sure I was commentating for Odyssey while gushing over Thotyssey, and at first it was nice. But, you didn’t see the way they looked at me. By ‘they’ I mean everyone not just in OWA, but the business as a whole. The respect was there, but their eyes viewed me as some kind of wounded animal, like everything that made me a dangerous competitor was lost in their eyes. Every time I locked eyes with a colleague I quickly turned away. What made me the War Queen, the Queen of Fighters no longer existed. The Hall of Fame honor? Some thought it was a pity play for someone ‘who barely fought in OWA.’ What made things worse was that ‘greatest of all time’ list Scott Oasis made. An honorable mention!? Really!? And that EWC list where I didn’t even crack the top 50 despite beating some of the best their company has to offer!?” 

Stephanie closed her eyes for a moment before opening them, as if she was fighting back tears.

“I… became fixated on this, sweets. All I could think about was the years of blood, sweat, and tears I’ve sacrificed in this business and this was all I was going to get out of it!? You remember how I used to toss and turn at night, waking you up? This was the thing renting space in my head. So when Edward offered to heal my heart condition, I lept at the offer. And as much as you said I lied to you…I remember the look on your face during my 2020 run when I’d win match after match, and bring home title of title. I was at the top of my game, holding as many as 6-7 titles at the same damn time. You were so proud of me, baby. You were my biggest fan, cheering me on to live up to my potential. Mon, I couldn’t do this without you. Everything from winning the Iconic Cup, to unifying the Freeweight Championship with the EAW Women’s World Championship, to becoming America’s Dream, to becoming OWA Women’s World Champion. You were there by my side and took all of that for granted when I went back on my word and didn’t even think about the ramifications At first, I was wondering if my actions would guide me in the right direction. But, I should’ve thought about how it’d affect you. Monio, you've put up with so much of my bullshit, and the sad thing is I’m barely going to learn from this experience. Why? Because  I’m addicted to the glory it brings. Yes, Kevin Devastation was right, along with every rival I’ve ever had. I’m admitting this to you about Monica because I need someone to be open about my deeper feelings with. I’m sorry for being such a shitty wife, but if I didn’t come back then I’d be walking around consumed by ‘what ifs’. I can't let these people dictate our future, baby.” 

“I refused to be bullied and bossed around by the Devione family. Baby as much as I want to apologize and go back to my previous routine, I realized that I can’t. I declared war on Tres Comas and I have to see this ‘till the end. Even after I save you, I have to finish this war baby. I understand if you don’t want to talk to me, or even want anything to do with me. But, this unfinished business. If I don’t address this, then I’ll be left unfulfilled and wondering about my glory days. I can’t live in the past, sweets. I have to move forward and you’ll be seeing me very soon. No matter how our relationship will change after you come home, just know and understand this, sweets:

I love you. Always have, always will, until the end of everything.  Monica Vaughan-Matsuda, we were destined to be together. And once this is over, I’ll show you why. Just hang on baby, Cloudy’s coming.”

Stephanie sighed one more time before ending the live stream.