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Post by Planktung on Nov 19, 2019 17:17:00 GMT -5
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Post by Planktung on Nov 21, 2019 12:43:35 GMT -5
"Blackout" by AViVA
Sneaking out and creeping round
There's nothing you haven't seen now
Say I'm lost but I feel found
Think you're gonna turn me
But you don't see behind the shutters
But you don't want to see behind the shutters
A perfect house, a perfect smile
There's nothing you haven't seen now
Think I'm crazy, stay a while
I know you say you want to
But you don't see behind the shutters
But you don't want to see behind the shutters
There's something dark inside
So don't let in the light
Just don't let in the light
Black out, black out
I hear them calling
Black out, black out
They're calling for your blood
They'll never get enough
Not until you
Black out, black out
Hear them calling
Keeping back until it's found
There's nothing you haven't seen now
Want to change me but I'm fine
Think your gonna brave me
But when you see you start to shudder
Cause you don't want to see behind the shutters
There's something dark inside
So don't let in the light
Just don't let in the light
Black out, black out
I hear them calling
Black out, black out
They're calling for your blood
They'll never get enough
Not until you
Black out, black out
Hear them calling
(Ooh...)
Hear them calling
(Ooh...)
There's something dark inside
So don't let in the light
Just don't let in the light
Black out, black out
I hear them calling
Black out, black out
They're calling for your blood
They'll never get enough
Not until you
Black out, black out
Hear them calling
(Ooh...)
Hear them calling
(Ooh...)
(See behind the shutters)
(Ooh...)
Hear them calling
(See behind the shutters)
(Ooh...)
Tuesday October 28th,, 2014
Orlando, Florida
For the first time since stepping into Hell in a Cell two night ago, Paige finally had time to rest after flying back home to Orlando for just a small break before she was needed at SmackDown Live in Fort Wayne on Thursday. She knew that this time, appearing on the blue brand would be much different than it’s ever been before. Her entire secret about not renewing her contract is a public matter now. The world knows that she won’t be a WWE superstar after WrestleMania 31, but that’s not going to stop Vince McMahon from continuing to put pressure on her to re-sign.
Paige will admit that Vince’s most recent contract offer that included incentives for her family members was more than persuasive. She gave the offer legitimate thought before being interrupted by Becky Lynch on Monday. It was a turning point in the friendship between Paige and Becky since the two women are now in a position where it’s metaphorically kill or be killed at Survivor Series. The pieces have just happened to fall into place to put them into the main event of a “Big 4” Pay-Per-View event in front of a sold out baseball stadium for the WWE Championship. Paige was embarrassed by Becky on RAW and the next time the two see each other, there will be another exchange of words. Paige isn’t going to back down from Becky just because she’s declared herself ‘The Man’ all of a sudden.
But in the midst of a newfound rivalry with Becky, Paige still had the weight of the world targeting her from all directions, both professionally and personally. She’s going to face AJ Styles at Giants Among Commonwealth in her home country. She has a match Thursday against Elias. Cody Rhodes is throwing shade at her on Twitter. And maybe the most detrimental to her mental health is the fact that Peyton Royce is now back in the picture, making it all the more difficult for Paige to spend any time around Billie Kay, or at least the amount of time she’d like. The WWE Champion was playing a dangerous game by going after someone who is already in a relationship, especially when she herself is walking on such thin ice in the company standing. But still, the only thing Paige wanted more than to leave WWE with its championship after WrestleMania was to be in Billie’s arms. She wanted Billie’s warmth. She wanted to be with the woman who she believes is her “person.” Don’t we all? Isn’t that what we’re all after, even if subconsciously?
All Paige could do for the time being was think back on the moments she had Billie to herself sexually over the last number of weeks. She still had the explicit photos that Billie sent her, and whenever she could find the time, she’d pleasure herself to them. It wasn’t just about being sexually aroused. It was also a power play on the part of Paige, who gained satisfaction from knowing that Billie has cheated on Peyton before to be with her. She felt like a king. Not a queen. A king. But in this instance today, she just felt too fatigued from depression to even put in the effort to masturbate. Paige simply lied on her living room floor, leaving on After 83 Weeks as background noise on her laptop. She wouldn’t normally listen to the aftershow for Eric Bischoff’s podcast, but she saw on Twitter that her name would be a topic brought up on air, and just out of curiosity, she wanted to know what someone who has butted heads with the McMahons before would have to say about her behavior.
Christy Olson: “Aside from John Cena’s sudden retirement, the other big piece of news coming out of Monday is that Paige will indeed be leaving WWE when her contract expires after WrestleMania in just a few months. This is yet another huge blow to WWE if they’re not able to re-sign her, especially if she does end up walking away as the WWE Champion. What do you make of all this, Eric?”
Eric Bischoff: “Here’s the thing about Paige; She’s an incredible talent. A once-in-a-lifetime superstar. There’s never been anyone like her in our world, and there will never be again… but she’s still just a 22-year-old girl who doesn’t know how to navigate the waters of life just yet. I’m not going to say that she’s unintelligent because that wouldn’t be fair. What she is, though, is irrational. She would naturally learn how to present herself as she gets older, but since she’s leaving after WrestleMania, we’ll never know her true potential. It’s hard for me to say if she’s just burnt out because, like I said, we’re never seen anyone like her before. Nobody has been so young, and female at that, and gotten caught up in the main event scene the way Paige has. Paige is their main event scene. She’s the biggest star since John Cena, who she just retired. She has all of the power in the world, but has decided that she just doesn’t want it.”
Christy: “Do you think she’s right to leave?”
Bischoff: “… It’s tough to say. I don’t know Paige. I’ve never met her before, so I don’t know her entire situation. I think it’s a blow to the fans that have supported her if she does indeed leave, but at the same time, none of us have ever spent a day in Paige’s shoes. We can’t say whether or not this is definitively the right decision for her. That’s something only she knows, and if she does leave, then all we can do as fans and spectators is support her decision and help build the person who’s going to take her place. Maybe it’s Becky Lynch. Maybe it’s Alexa Bliss. Maybe it’s one of the Iconic Duo members. But no matter who’s next in line, it is something that the WWE should start thinking about.”
Christy: “On the opposite end, we’ve seen before the power that Vince holds. He always gets his man. Is this going to be just another story about Vince naming Paige’s price and she gives in?”
Bischoff: “It’s possible. I didn’t think I’d ever sign with WWE, but Vince worked his magic and made Hell freeze over. There is more than enough time between now and WrestleMania for Vince to somehow lure Paige into signing… but if I’m being honest, I think there’s a part of me that wants to see her stick to her guns. Just to see how Vince reacts to the realization that he can’t buy out everyone he wants to.”
Christy: “What would be the best move for Paige going forward? Keep her head down?”
Bischoff: “That would work, but it’s not possible when you consider that she’s the champion of the biggest wrestling organization on the planet. She can’t just stay in the shadows. What’s best for Paige, at this point at least, is to do as little talking as she possibly can. Maybe hire a publicist who can deal with all of her obligations. Whether it be in WWE or with media, just someone with experience in PR who can represent her in public better than she can.”
Christy: “… This wouldn’t by chance be you putting your resume out there for Paige, would it?”
Bischoff: “God, no. I’m staying as far away from this situation as I can. I’m just saying that it might do Paige a world of good to consider her options between now and WrestleMania because if she’s been able to damage her own reputation in just a matter of weeks, imagine what she can do with a few more months left on her contract.”
Paige knew that Bischoff was right. The more she speaks on her own behalf, the more harm than good she accomplishes. A publicist probably isn’t the worst idea in the world, but that would mean bringing another person that she can just f*** up into her life
And in that moment of thinking, Paige received a phone call from Poppy.
Paige: “Hello?”
Poppy: “Paige.”
Paige: “… Hi, Poppy.”
Poppy: “… … …”
Paige: “… … ….”
Poppy: “… … …”
Paige: “… … The f*** do you want?”
Poppy: “What’s an intern?”
Paige: “What?”
Poppy: “An intern. What does that mean?”
Paige: “Um, an intern is somebody who learns under a professional in the field they want to go into. Usually for no pay, but, like, college credit or s*** like that.”
Poppy: “Oh, okay. That makes sense, then.”
Paige: “Why?”
Poppy: “Poppy received an e-mail from someone who wants to become her intern.”
Paige: “Okay… cool, I guess?”
Poppy: “Hmm… his name is kind of strange, so if Poppy forgets it, could you remember it for her?”
Paige: “… Can… can I remember the intern’s name?”
Poppy: “Yes. For Poppy.”
Paige didn’t know what Poppy was getting at, but then thought that maybe this has something to do with the fact that she suddenly forgot about saving her life over the weekend. Maybe Poppy isn’t dumb, or a robot, or whatever other theories are floating around regarding her demeanor. Maybe she suffers from some extreme case of short-term memory loss. She did just admit that she might forget the name of the possible intern. So, the more Paige does to help Poppy retain her memories, the closer she can get to finding out the truth about how the SmackDown General Manager had a foreseeable vision of her close call with death.
Paige: “… Okay, sure… what’s his name…?”
Poppy: “Maxwell Jacob Friedman.”
Paige uttered the name while writing it down.
Paige: “Maxwell… Jacob… Friedman… You’re right. That is a strange name.” |
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Post by Planktung on Nov 23, 2019 15:20:48 GMT -5
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Post by Planktung on Nov 28, 2019 15:37:27 GMT -5
"Concrete" by Poppy
Bury me six feet deep
Bury me six feet deep
Bury me six feet deep
Bury me six feet deep
Bury me six feet deep
Cover me in concrete
Turn me into a street
Bury me six feet deep
Cover me in concrete
Turn me into a street
Chewy chewy, yummy yummy yummy
Sharp and pointy, yummy yummy yummy
Break me off a piece of that tasty treat
Sugar in my teeth, demons in my dreams
Watch me while I sleep for eternity
Bury me six feet deep
Cover me in concrete
Turn me into a street
Whoa, whoa
Some people like candy
Some people like coffee
But these lifeless flavors
Don't satisfy me
I tried to eat ice cream
I tried to drink tea
But I need the taste
Of young blood in my teeth
Chewy chewy, yummy yummy yummy
Sharp and pointy, yummy yummy yummy
Break me off a piece of that tasty treat
Sugar in my teeth, demons in my dreams
Watch me while I sleep for eternity
Sugar in my teeth, demons in my dreams
Watch me while I sleep for eternity
Wednesday, October 29th,, 2014
Los Angeles, CA
Despite having left her life as a touring musician behind to embark on a career as the SmackDown Live General Manager, Poppy still allowed herself to become immersed in her music from time to time. With a day off before having to head to Fort Wayne for SmackDown Live tomorrow, Poppy gave herself the chance to record new music at a studio in Los Angeles. Specifically, a song called "Concrete" that she intends to be used as one of the theme songs for her upcoming Pay-Per-View on December 13th, Poppy's Bloodsport.
As Poppy was recording her vocals, she glanced at the soundproof window in the studio once a beam of light emerged, signaling that someone had opened to the door to the building. SmackDown Women's Champion Billie Kay walked in, Poppy forgetting that she had asked to speak with Billie in person. To Poppy's surprise, Billie was alone. No Peyton Royce. No Paige. It was just Billie by herself.
Poppy opened the door to the actual recording room and allowed Billie in, the SmackDown Women's Champion asking why she wanted to see her.
Poppy: "First, Poppy wanted to actually take the time to congratulate you on becoming the new SmackDown Women's Champion."
Billie: "... Oh... thanks, Poppy. That actually means quite a bit to me."
Poppy: "You're welcome. Secondly, Poppy would like to apologize for startling you with the video game cover. She had no idea about all of that complicated stuff."
Poppy was referring to the fact that when she handed Billie a copy of WWE 2K15 that featured AJ Lee on the cover, she snapped.
Billie: "... Complicated isn't a bad way to put it."
Poppy: "And lastly, Poppy's original plan was for you to defend the SmackDown Women's Championship tomorrow night against Allie since she complained to me about never getting a one-on-one rematch for the title."
Billie: "What do you mean it was the original plan? What happened?"
Poppy: "Allie's still hurt from the Hell in a Cell Match. She won't be cleared in time for tomorrow. And I would offer the match to Becky Lynch instead, but she's also not cleared because Paige tried to break her face on RAW."
Billie: "So, then, who's my opponent?"
Poppy: "That's your choice, silly."
Billie: "Huh?"
Poppy: "Since Poppy's plans fell through, you get to decide who you defend your title against tomorrow."
It didn't take very long for Billie to decide who she wants to face tomorrow night on SmackDown Live. While she would've loved the chance to put Allie away just days after doing the same to Nikki Bella, there are some "minions" who follow Allie around that will suffice.
Billie: "... I want to face The Assassins."
Poppy: "Poppy can make that happen. Which one of them?"
Billie: "All three."
Poppy: "... All... three?"
Billie: "That's what I said, mate."
Poppy: "You want to face Rosemary, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville?"
Billie: "Yes."
Poppy: "But, how do you defend a title that way?"
Billie: "It's called a Gauntlet Match."
Poppy: "Ooh, that sounds dangerous. What's a Gauntlet Match?"
Billie: "The match starts with just me against one of them. After I beat whoever starts the match, the second Assassin comes in. And then after I beat her, the third one is up. The match ends after I've beaten all three Assassins."
Poppy: "... And what if you lose to one of them?"
Billie: "Then the match would be over and whoever beat me is the SmackDown Women's Champion."
Poppy: "So, just to make sure Poppy understands this, you have to win three matches to keep your title, but all it takes is one of The Assassins to beat you and that person is the new champion?"
Billie: "Yeah, that's right."
Poppy: "... Poppy only recently learned that this is a bad word, so forgive her language, but that sounds f***ing stupid."
Billie: "It is f***ing stupid, but I wouldn't be suggesting this match if I didn't think I can win. Allie tried to pin the Paige attack on Peyton and me. The Assassins enabled her behavior. They're just as responsible for all this as anyone else. Cena, Nikki and Allie got what they deserved at Hell in a Cell, but Rosemary, Mandy and Sonya are still walking. That's where I need to come in and make them pay."
Poppy: "... Well, if that's the match you want, then Poppy will grant it for you."
Bury me six feet deep and just Cover me in concrete please Turn me into a street Turn me into a street I don't wanna wait forever and ever, please Turn me into a street Turn me into a street Turn me into a street Turn me into a street Turn me into a street Turn me into a street
Poppy didn't say this to Billie, but she was having another vision of the future. And very soon, maybe as early as tomorrow night on SmackDown Live, The Iconic Duo's relationship will hit its next roadblock. |
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Post by Planktung on Dec 31, 2019 20:19:06 GMT -5
Hi, everyone.
A year ago, I posted a graphic in this thread that thanked everyone for a great 2018 in the Heretics realm while adding that the story would conclude in 2019. Obviously, that's not going to happen. I really thought I'd be able to push myself to make it to WrestleMania 31 this year, but I didn't anticipate my 2019 taking the course that it did. All that anybody really needs to know is that this was one of the hardest years of my life. I've dealt with depression for the better part of my time living, but there were genuinely moments in 2019 where I didn't think I'd make it to the end of the year. I don't mean to get dark or anything like that. I'm just being transparent as to the reason why this diary has progressed slowly.
A lot of things -- if not everything -- are about to change for me going forward in my life. It's very scary, but at the same time, this might be what I've needed all along. I could be on track to having the life that I've dreamt of. I cannot definitively say that Heretics will end in 2020, but I promise that no matter what, as long as I'm alive, it will end someday. This diary will make it to WrestleMania 31. You guys will get to see how the story ends. I've made it too far in this realm to not make sure that happens.
Thank you.
Stay iconic.
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Post by Planktung on Jan 1, 2020 16:07:05 GMT -5
October 29th, 2014 | Episode 029 | "Chamber-Ready"
KENNY OMEGA VOWS TO WIN THE NXT CHAMPIONSHIP: All throughout the evening, interviews conducted at the WWE Performance Center last week with all of the Elimination Chamber participants at TakeOver: Dallas would be airing. The first one up was Kenny Omega, who qualified for the main event match by defeating Kota Ibushi at Unison last month. "People think I'm upset because I won the match at Unison, yet Ibushi was the one who got moved up to Monday Night RAW for Manifest Destiny. Good for him. No, really. Good for him. I don't hate Ibushi. I never could, and it bothers me that people could honestly think that. This was never a personal matter with Ibushi. He's a man who changed my life and I will always be thankful for that, but right now, I don't need someone who can change my life. I need to be someone who can change the world. The NXT Championship is what I came here for, and at TakeOver: Dallas, that's what I finally seize when I best five of this brand's top stars. I might be 'The Best Bout Machine.' I might churn out five star match after five star match, but that doesn't mean I don't have a violent side. That doesn't mean I'll be out of my element once inside the Elimination Chamber. No. I'll be right at home because that ring is my home. Doesn't matter the circumstances. Nobody touches me once I'm in there. And once Survivor Series weekend is over, nobody will be talking about Manifest Destiny, or Paige vs. Becky Lynch. They're going to be talking about the fact that I, Kenny Omega, am finally the NXT Champion. So, I'd love to sit here and chat with you all more about how I'm going to change NXT forever in a few weeks, but for now, I bid you all adieu. Goodbye and goodnight."
... BUT SO DOES THE DEFENDING CHAMPION: "That's what Kenny Omega thinks? That he's going to 'change the world' by winning the Elimination Chamber Match? When's the last time Omega even won a match at a TakeOver? New Orleans? Look at what he's done since then. He lost the Cruiserweight Classic. He couldn't win the NXT Tag Team Titles in Chicago. He lost the Five Pack Challenge in Madison Square Garden. He got one win over Kota Ibushi, a man who was always distracted by his emotions. I'd really, really like to see Omega try any of his 'Best Bout Machine' crap on a proven success like myself. I came to the WWE almost a year ago, back when Omega was scratching and clawing his way onto New Japan cards as a junior heavyweight. He doesn't belong in the same conversation as me. What you look at when you see Bobby Roode is a true, world class professional wrestler. Not some video game character like Omega, or a walking shock factor like The Velveteen Dream, or a stuntman like Fenix, or... whatever the hell Tommaso Ciampa and Darby Allin are. NXT is Bobby Roode's. The NXT Championship is Bobby Roode's. And at TakeOver: Dallas, the Elimination Chamber will also be Bobby Roode's. Nothing nor nobody can stop me, and once I have my hand raised high in Dallas, everyone in the NXT Universe will finally understand that there can only be one phrase to describe my contributions to this industry: absolutely glorious."
1) LIV MORGAN DEF. MIA YIM via with an X-Factor while diving from the second rope. The number one contender for the NXT Women's Championship was able to rack up more momentum with a win over Mia Yim, still preparing to take the gold from Ember Moon at TakeOver: Dallas.
TOMMASO CIAMPA DECLARES THAT NO ONE WILL SURVIVE: "... Even though I've been in NXT ever since WrestleMania weekend, it still feels like everyone doesn't have an answer as to who Tommaso Ciampa is. Yeah, surprise, everyone. I'm not a mute. Just because Eric Young is the one doing the talking for SAnitY doesn't mean I'm incapable of speaking for myself. NXT is synonymous with the next generation of WWE superstars, but for me, it's a last ditch effort. January will mark my 10th year as a professional wrestler, and in those 10 years, only a few months have been visible to the masses. You don't think being overlooked for so long is what's fueling me? SAnitY has been the platform that I needed to get my name out there, but it's just that. A platform. The goal the entire time has been the NXT Championship, and I'm now one match away from accomplishing that. I don't care if the match happens to be the Elimination Chamber. You've all seen what I'm capable of doing to other human beings, so imagine how high I can raise the bar when I have a structure like the Elimination Chamber at my disposal. For one night, I'm not a member of SAnitY. I'm a member of the journey to get Tommaso Ciampa to the NXT Championship. Nearly a decade of hard work, agony, punishment and humiliation will be channeled into one match. The biggest match of my life because there is no way, no freaking way that I'm not leaving TakeOver: Dallas with the NXT Championship."
.. AND SO DOES HIS SAnitY STABLEMATE: "Who is Darby Allin? Who is Darby Allin? Who the hell is Darby Allin? Honestly, you tell me. The majority of my life has been spent questioning who I am or what my purpose on this planet even is. And it's all because of one occurrence. When I was a kid, I got into a car with my uncle, and it was a car ride that changed my life forever. The fact that my uncle couldn't have the decency to clean himself up and be sober when behind the wheel with a child next to him... it broke me. Every ounce of a spirit that I had inside of me turned to dust. My uncle died that day, but I lived for whatever reason. And ever since then, I've felt like half of me is dead. My style as a wrestler represents that idea that there's a complete part of me missing. Many people here are fighting for their dreams, for their families, for the money, and when you have purpose like that, it makes you dangerous. But when you don't even know what you're fighting for, that makes you deadly. At TakeOver: Dallas, I've gotten myself into the Elimination Chamber Match. I'll tell everyone now that there isn't anything about that structure that can hurt me more than I've hurt myself. Throw my body against the grates. Carve my face up with the chains. Puncture my body with the glass pods. Do everything you need to do because I've been through the worst of it already. Everyone is fighting with a purpose in this match. I'm fighting just to make sure that no one gets what they want. The NXT Championship will not fill the void in whatever I have left of a heart, but me having it creates a void in everyone else, and that's what really matters to me."
2) NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS RICOCHET & UHAA NATION DEF. BIFF BUSICK & DREW GULAK via 630 Senton to Busick. Two standout independent wrestlers in Busick and Gulak had the opportunity to make an impact in their NXT debuts, but Ricochet and Uhaa were too much to overcome while being fueled by the idea of redemption against The Authors of Pain at TakeOver: Dallas when the NXT Tag Team Championships are on the line.
FENIX ALLOWS FAMOUS B TO SPEAK ON HIS BEHALF: "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Famous B, and the man that you see beside me here is the one to change it all. The man who's been kept in the shadows of NXT for far too long. You know who helped bring him into the limelight? Me, because I've said it time and time again, y'all. I can make you famous, but with a talent like Fenix, I only did a part of the work. The rest of it was done by Fenix's natural abilities as one of the greatest... no, never mind. Forget I said 'one of.' Fenix is THE greatest high-flying competitor in the world today. I saw that before anyone else in NXT, and shame on all of you for thinking that Fenix isn't capable of greatness. Throwing him into The Lucha Dragons with Kalisto. Who the  is Kalisto?! But y'all want to know who Fenix is? Let me tell y'all who Fenix is. Fenix is the man who is going to walk right into TakeOver: Dallas and emphatically take the NXT Championship. Watch this man scale the chains, climb up the pods and take everyone's breath away! And by take their breath away, I mean jump on their asses and break their ribs. Because that's what Fenix does! Fenix is a killer! Fenix is a winner! And at TakeOver, Fenix will be the NXT Champion.
... BUT THE DREAM SPEAKS FOR HIMSELF: "Famous B... The Dream is thankful that you thought enough of him to grant him inclusion in 423-GET-FAME, but believe me when I say that Fenix needs you a whole lot more than The Velveteen Dream ever did. Dream didn't need a platform like 423-GET-FAME or SAnitY to become a superstar. The Dream was just born as one. The Dream doesn't need the critics to sing his praises and throw five stars at him the way Kenny Omega and his inferiority complex do. The only person in the Elimination Chamber Match who has something that The Dream wants for himself is Bobby Roode. Bobby, The Dream had you defeated at Unison, but by the skin of your glorious teeth, you lived to fight another day as champion. But in Dallas, The Dream takes his rightful spot at the top of NXT. For every single person entering the Elimination Chamber structure to oppose, you're walking toward your own demise. The Velveteen Dream experience rolls through Texas with two goals in mind. To become the NXT Champion, and to assure the competition that everything they ever do in their sad, pathetic lives can be summed up in just two words: dream over."
3) ZACK SABRE JR. VS. TONI STORM ENDED IN A NO CONTEST after the official was inadvertently taken out by a leaping Clothesline from Toni. The two stars who previously vied for the WWE United Kingdom Championship at Unison continued their rivalry here on NXT, the contest breaking out into chaos. Toni and Sabre brawled to the stage, where Toni attempted to take out the technician specialist with Storm Zero. Sabre was able to shove Toni into the LED board before applying a Dragon Sleeper that he refused to release. Toni and Sabre's war can't be confined to just a normal wrestling match, so sooner than later, Commissioner William Regal and General Manager Portia Perez will have to step in and find a way for the two superstars to settle their score.
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Post by Planktung on Jan 1, 2020 16:07:48 GMT -5
October 30th, 2014 | Episode 029 | "Assassin's Promise"
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN... ELIAS: "Hello, I am Elias. Last week, I made my return to SmackDown Live after spending weeks sidelined with an injury, and I intended on putting on the performance of a lifetime. Hell, I was even thinking that I might hold an encore, just because that's how good of a mood I was in. But when I asked Poppy for an opponent, she threw Paige my way. What an opportunity, right? The chance to face the WWE Champion, except fighting Paige doesn't hold a lot of merit when she's single-handedly destroyed SmackDown Live! I'm here to be the savior of this brand, especially since that spot is opening now that we know Paige is going to take her ball and go home in a few months. You people need me now more than ever, so you better get used to hearing the sound of my voice and the beautiful melodies that I cast upon this guitar. So, I ask that you all-"
1) WWE CHAMPION PAIGE DEF. ELIAS IN A NON-TITLE MATCH via Antithesis. Paige was in no mood to listen to Elias' concert prior to the match, storming the ring to go after 'The Drifter.' The WWE Champion was still showing the effects of her Hell in a Cell Match against the now-retired John Cena, moving slower than normal and giving Elias openings to overpower her. Paige was able to evade Elias' knee strike and caught him with one of her own, the Antithesis, right onto his chin. Paige covered Elias to get the victory, but demanded a microphone since she had a lot to say regarding a particular superstar.
PAIGE FACES HER AMERICAN NIGHTMARE: The WWE Champion chose to use this time to speak out against Cody Rhodes, who threw shade at her earlier in the week with a subtweet. "Anything you can say on the internet, Cody, you can say to my face." Paige waited a bit before Cody's entrance music sounded, 'The American Nightmare' walking down to the ring. Cody stood across from Paige, keeping his silence for the time being so that the WWE Champion could say whatever it is that she wanted to. "What a difference a year makes, right? Last year, you were the one walking around with this WWE Championship while I didn't know where my career was going. But now, I'm the one on top. I'm the one who's got all the promotional material while you're choking in Manifest Destiny. You even demanded that Poppy trade you to RAW if you don't win the tournament, which tells me a lot about what you think of your chances at winning. And you've seen the writing on the wall, right? The very first episode of SmackDown Live, you and I were in the main event. Who won that match, Cody? Huh? Huh? Who won? Because I think it was me who beat your ass in the middle of this ring and began my rise to the WWE Championship while you began your descent into irrelevancy! And what happened at The Bash? You couldn't beat CM Punk and Sami Zayn, and while you were in Gorilla crying to yourself about failing yet again, you just let me run through that curtain and cash-in my Money in the Bank briefcase on the championship that you dedicated your life to! You had chance after chance to stop me from becoming the biggest star in this company, and you blew every single one of them! So don't you dare bitch and moan about me getting new contract offers while you're not because you told these fans a long time ago that you're not worthy to be in my spot anymore!" After Paige poured her heart out, Cody retaliated and told the WWE Champion she is right to some extent. "I've not been myself this year. Maybe you have something to do with that, or maybe it's all on me being a failure. This is a 'what have you done for me lately?' industry, and I understand that. But my issue is with the fact that people seem to forget everything I've ever done for WWE! That's not just limited to the higher-ups. That includes all of these people who threw me to the side so they could sing your praises, and now, they have no idea what to do because you're quitting on them! You've made it clear that you're leaving, so maybe I should be the one they put their time and focus on! But I still don't have a new contract offer! I still don't have Poppy personally flying herself to my house to throw money at me! I still don't have Vince McMahon of all people calling me out to the ring to give me the biggest contract offer in pro wrestling history! After everything I've done for them! After the fact that unlike you, I didn't give up during a WWE Championship reign because life was hard or my body was broken! I went through the same garbage you have, but I showed up to work every week to bust my ass for the company that took a chance on me when they didn't have to!"
Paige didn't want to hear a story about hard Cody's career has been. "That's bull and you know it, Cody! This company didn't take a chance on you! Whether you want to admit or not, you were born with one foot already in the door! Your family's name gave you a job when you weren't even ready for it! You wouldn't have gotten anywhere without Dusty's help because you sure as hell weren't going to get here based on talent or charisma!" Cody lashed out at Paige and told her to play a different hand because he's heard that same line over and over again since the day he signed with WWE. "Dusty this, Dusty that. Dusty got him a job. Dusty is the reason for everything. Man, screw Dusty! I made the Rhodes name mean something to the current generation! You don't become Tag Team Champion, Intercontinental Champion, or World Heavyweight Champion or WWE Champion if you're not good enough, and Paige, I am better than good! I've proven that time and time again, and I don't need to hear otherwise from someone like you who only got where you are now because of shock factor Deathmatches! Put in the freaking work or get the hell out of professional wrestling, you classless, irritating, waste of space!" Paige told Cody that at this point, his argument seems to be coming from jealousy more than logic. "You're mad that all of the offers are going to me and not you, so why not just leave, then? Go start your own company if you really want to see a change in the course of your career but you're not going to do a damn thing again in WWE now that I've raised the bar to a level that you will never be good enough to reach!" Cody took a few seconds to really let Paige's words settle in. "... Paige, there's a reason I want WWE to extend my contract. I'm not a quitter like you. I won't walk away from this if I don't need to. Quitting would be the coward's way out, which is what you're doing. Whether I'm on RAW or SmackDown Live, I will stay in this company after you've left so I can repair everything about professional wrestling that you tarnished. This isn't the same industry that my father used to put food on our table. And you're the one to blame..."
"... You know... Dusty would say nice things about you and your development in NXT. 'Listen, Cody. That Paige girl, she's one to watch. She's gonna be a star someday. Lot of money in her.' And I absolutely, 100% hate the fact that he was right." Cody turned his back and began leaving the ring, Paige continuing to call out to him. Paige wanted nothing more than to fight Cody right there and then, but 'The American Nightmare' just didn't believe it was worth going after Paige physically tonight.
2) SAMI ZAYN (5-1) DEF. MATT RIDDLE (1-5) via Helluva Kick. While Riddle continues to slump in the standings of Manifest Destiny, Zayn momentarily takes first place all for himself, provided that Johnny Gargano does not defeat Kurt Angle tonight in what is an elimination bout for the latter.
BILLIE KAY VOWS TO KEEP SMACKDOWN LIVE 'ICONIC': Backstage, Renee Young was standing by with The Iconic Duo, asking Billie Kay why she would issue a challenge to The Assassins just days into her reign as the SmackDown Women's Champion. Billie stated that Rosemary, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville are all that remains from the Hell that was the situation regarding Paige's attack. "John Cena, Nikki Bella and Allie rightfully paid, but The Assassins still haven't. Tonight, I finish them off one-by-one-by-one and finally moved forward as the SmackDown Women's Champion. I already lost the Tag Team Titles four days into the reign. I'm not about to let the same thing happen to this one." Renee then asked Peyton Royce if she's feeling herself once again after being on the shelf for a number of weeks. Peyton admitted that she made her return sooner than what doctors suggested, but she'll be back in the ring soon enough. "But tonight isn't about me. It's about Billie Kay beating down The Assassins to retain the SmackDown Women's Championship!" Billie then added one last bit to the interview. "And that will be... ICONIC!"
3) AMERICAN ALPHA DEF. SMACKDOWN TG TEAM CHAMPIONS CM PUNK & TJ PERKINS IN A NON-TITLE MATCH via Grand Amplitude to TJP. American Alpha competed in the biggest match of their careers to date as they went up against the two men who are trying to take credit for their success as former members of Catch Point. After Jason Jordan threw CM Punk onto the floor with a Belly-to-Belly Suplex, TJP had a Detonation Kick attempt to Chad Gable countered into a Chaos Theory. The dazed TJP was set up for Grand Amplitude, Gable covering him for the victory! "Chad Gable and Jason Jordan have just beaten the SmackDown Tag Team Champions!" Mauro Ranallo exclaimed as American Alpha themselves were taken aback by the result that has just put them at the front of the line for a future Tag Team Title opportunity against Catch Point.
4) JOHNNY GARGANO (5-1) DEF. KURT ANGLE (0-6) via Gargano Escape. The most important match in Manifest Destiny yet for Angle as he was on the brink of elimination after Sami Zayn's victory earlier tonight. When the Angle Slam was countered into the Gargano Escape, Angle had no strength left to attempt to reach the ropes, forcing him to submit in the center of the ring. A sense of shock came over the fans in Fort Wayne as Angle's journey in Manifest Destiny ironically ended with a submission loss. Gargano himself was seemingly stunned, offering Angle a hand afterward to help him up. Gargano tried apologizing to Angle, who insisted that 'Johnny Wrestling' had nothing to be sorry for. "You earned this. Go win the whole thing," Angle said to Gargano before raising his arm. Angle is the first superstar eliminated from Manifest Destiny, and Gargano now ties Zayn for first place.
5) ADRIAN NEVILLE DEF. CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION JOHN MORRISON IN A NON-TITLE MATCH via Red Arrow. With the announcement of WWE's first ever Ultimate-X Match taking place at Survivor Series, Morrison will spend the next few weeks competing in singles bouts against his four challengers. Tonight, Neville was the one to step up to 'The Mayor of Slam Town,' putting him away with the Red Arrow.
6) INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION SAMOA JOE (4-2) DEF. REY MYSTERIO (2-4) via Coquina Clutch. In the third and final Manifest Destiny match of the evening, Joe was able to put Mysterio to sleep and further deteriorate the latter's tournament run thus far. Joe still sits behind Sami Zayn, Johnny Gargano, CM Punk and TJ Perkins in the standings, making it difficult for him to control his own destiny. But the second that any of those four slip up, 'The Samoan Submission Machine' will be right there to take their places.
'THE MAN' MAKES HER VOICE BE HEARD: At this time, a pre-recorded promo from Becky Lynch aired, the number one contender for the WWE Championship speaking to her cell phone while driving around Orlando. "If you're wondering why I'm not at SmackDown Live tonight, it's because I've been put in what is essentially doctor jail. You know why I'm in doctor jail? Because Paige decided to try breaking my face on RAW. Hey, Paige. Good job, honestly. It wasn't a bad shot, but you should've known that you screwed up when 'The Man' got right back on her feet and nearly broke your arm off. And if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to keep yourself distracted and not think about me, or the beatdown from RAW, or our title match at Survivor Series. I mean, you're out here accepting challenges from AJ Styles while trying to pick fights with Cody Rhodes. They're not the ones challenging you at Survivor Series, are they? No, because 'The Man' is! The last time I was in Texas for a Pay-Per-View weekend, I made my TakeOver debut and everyone there said that someday, I'll be good enough. I've worked too hard and waited too freakin' long to be told that my time will come 'someday.' And you know that better than anyone, Paige, because you saw me when I was retired. You saw the agony that it put on my health to think that I would never be in a wrestling ring again. Survivor Series isn't just about winning the WWE Championship. It's about looking that little girl from Dublin in the eyes and telling her, 'Hey, pick your head up! You're 'The Man' now!' Don't waste your time with people who aren't threats to you, Paige. Take me seriously because if you don't, you're gonna lose the WWE Title to me. Hell, even if you do take me seriously, you're still losing! Everyone's tough until 'The Man' comes around, and in your case, the legend of Paige falls at Survivor Series."
7) BILLIE KAY DEF. ROSEMARY TO RETAIN THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP via Shades of Kay. The Gauntlet Match for the SmackDown Women's Championship had a surprising start as Rosemary, who many expected to be positioned as the final entrant, was the first one up. Dodging a green mist blast to her eyes, Billie ran the ropes and connected with Shades of Kay to Rosemary, digging the sole of her boot into her face to secure the win in the first phase.
8) BILLIE KAY DEF. SONYA DEVILLE TO RETAIN THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP via Antithesis. Billie wasn't given any time to catch her breath as Sonya was the next one up, trying to keep Billie grounded with submission holds and heavy strikes. At one point in the match, Peyton Royce grabbed Sonya's feet from ringside before being kicked away. Billie quickly took advantage and planted Sonya with a rope-hung DDT before delivering an Antithesis, the finishing knee strike of Paige. Billie was able to defeat Sonya, leaving one possible option left for the Gauntlet.
9) MANDY ROSE DEF. BILLIE KAY TO WIN THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP after Billie was attacked. Mandy was the third and final Assassin to enter the Gauntlet, trying to use Billie's fatigue to her gain. Toward the end of the bout, Mandy's knee strike attempt was countered into a Powerbomb, Billie throwing Mandy forward and not realizing that she did so into the official on accident. Billie tried to get the official back up before Rosemary and Sonya Deville ran down to ringside, going after Peyton Royce and throwing her into the steel steps. The two of them then looked into the ring at Billie, telling her that she had nowhere to run. However, Billie didn't need to run as WWE Champion Paige ran into the ring through audience, taking out Rosemary and Sonya with a Suicide Dive! Paige was seemingly returning the favor to Billie, who played a huge role in her defeating John Cena at Hell in a Cell. Billie had a clear path to victory... until Tye Dillinger, who debuted as a RAW roster and Let There Be Light member this past Saturday at Hell of War, headed into the ring. "What the hell is happening?!?" Mauro Ranallo yelled out. Dillinger took the SmackDown Women's Title and struck Billie in the face with it! 'The Perfect Ten' dropped the belt and ran out of the arena once Paige started chasing after him. Back in the ring, Billie was left laid out while Mandy draped her arm over her, the official coming to and making the three count!
Four days. That's how quickly it took Billie Kay to lose the SmackDown Tag Team Championships last month, and now, she just lost the SmackDown Women's Championship in the same duration of time. Mandy Rose got to her feet, looking around at the sea of fans that were irate over her victory. Mandy was handed the SmackDown Women's Title, pulling off the unthinkable after being just a Tough Enough competitor this time last year. "Billie Kay has no one to blame but herself. She's the one who issued the challenge to The Assassins. Had she just stuck with one opponent, she wouldn't have been in this situation at all!" Nigel McGuinness said.
Outside of the arena, the chase was still on for Paige, who followed Tye Dillinger all the way out to the parking lot. Dillinger stopped and turned to face Paige, pleading with her that she's got it all wrong. "Listen to me! We can help each other!" Dillinger yelled out to Paige, who only saw Dillinger as the enemy after he just cost Billie the SmackDown Women's Title. Paige took a few steps toward Dillinger before nearly being struck by a car. Paige jumped out of the way as Dillinger hurried into the vehicle, the camera able to show that it was Universal Champion AJ Styles in the driver's seat. Styles, who faces Paige at Giants Among Commonwealth, took Dillinger away from the scene.
Finally, the focus was put back on the squared circle in the midst of absolute anarchy as Mandy's celebration continued, both Rosemary and Sonya putting her onto their shoulders. Peyton Royce sat against the steel steps, watching the replay of Tye Dillinger attacking Billie Kay. Peyton had a different reaction to the footage than everyone else did. She didn't look confused or angry at what Dillinger did. She looked scared, as if she knew something about Dillinger's motive to attack Billie that no one else knew. And while that will remain a mystery for the time being, Mandy takes her place at the top of the women's division. 'The Golden Goddess' lives up to her name by capturing her first bit of gold in WWE, the SmackDown Women's Championship!
CURRENT STANDINGS
1. Sami Zayn (5-1) ; 10 Points
1. Johnny Gargano (5-1) ; 10 Points
3. TJ Perkins (4-1) ; 8 Points
3. CM Punk (4-1) ; 8 Points
5. Samoa Joe (4-2) ; 8 Points
6. Dean Ambrose (3-2) ; 6 Points
7. Cody Rhodes (2-3) ; 4 Points
7. Andrade 'Cien' Almas (2-3) ; 4 Points
9. Rey Mysterio (2-4) ; 4 Points
10. Jeff Hardy (1-4) ; 2 Points
11. Matt Riddle (1-5) ; 2 Points
12. Kurt Angle (0-6) ; 0 Points *ELIMINATED*
Remaining SmackDown Live Schedule
November 1st - Live Event in Syracuse, New York
- Cody Rhodes vs. TJ Perkins
- Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas vs. Jeff Hardy
- CM Punk vs. Dean Ambrose
November 4th - Live Event in Uniondale, New York
- CM Punk vs. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
- Cody Rhodes vs. Johnny Gargano
- TJ Perkins vs. Matt Riddle
November 6th - SmackDown Live in Albany, New York
- Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Hardy
- Sami Zayn vs. Rey Mysterio
- Kurt Angle vs. Dean Ambrose
November 8th - Giants Among Commonwealth Night 1 in Wembley, London
- CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe
- Cody Rhodes vs. Kurt Angle
- Dean Ambrose vs. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
- Jeff Hardy vs. Rey Mysterio
- Johnny Gargano vs. Matt Riddle
- Sami Zayn vs. TJ Perkins
November 9th - Giants Among Commonwealth Night 2 in Wembley, London
- Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Hardy
- CM Punk vs. Matt Riddle
- Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio
- Samoa Joe vs. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
- Dean Ambrose vs. TJ Perkins
- Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Gargano
November 13th - SmackDown Live in Liverpool, England
- CM Punk vs. Sami Zayn
- Cody Rhodes vs. Samoa Joe
- Dean Ambrose vs. Rey Mysterio
November 15th - Live Event in Milan, Italy
- Kurt Angle vs. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
- Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Riddle
- Johnny Gargano vs. TJ Perkins
November 18th - Live Event in Waco, Texas
- Cody Rhodes vs. Jeff Hardy
- Rey Mysterio vs. Matt Riddle
- Sami Zayn vs. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
November 20th - SmackDown Live in Houston, Texas
- CM Punk vs. TJ Perkins
- Dean Ambrose vs. Johnny Gargano
- Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe |
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