February 13, Thursday Night Uprising
Jay Turner: Welcome, everyone, to Thursday Night Uprising! Last week, "The Empress" Aki Kanagawa made an unforgettable debut, setting a record in the Regal Shuffle and immediately putting the IWF Women's Champion, Stef Surton, on notice! Tonight! Aki faces challengers in a Women's Gauntlet match to become the #1 Contender for the IWF Women's Championship.
Will Barlow: Indeed, Jay. A Gauntlet match is a true test of stamina, skill, and sheer grit. Aki Kanagawa has already proven her endurance, but can she overcome whoever Alvin Andrews has put in front of her tonight to earn that championship opportunity at Hell's Chamber?
Charlene Fire's music hits, and "The Queen of Pain" makes her way to the ring, microphone in hand. She's met with a familiar mix of cheers and boos, leaning into both.
Charlene Fire: Last week, I stood in the center of the ring, the last woman standing in the Regal Shuffle. I earned my spot. I earned the right to go to Wrestling Eternal. And unlike some people around here...
Charlene pauses, glaring at the backstage area, a clear jab at the Tuesday Inferno side of things and possibly Stef Surton's earlier comments.
Charlene Fire: ...I know exactly who I want to face. Stef Surton! You may be the "Talk of the Town", but your little championship reign is about to come to an end. Because at Wrestling Eternal, it will be "The Queen of Pain" challenging for the IWF Women's Championship!
Charlene holds up her hand, indicating her multiple championship reigns. The crowd's reaction is mixed, as expected. Stef Surton's music hits, and the champion quickly walks onto the stage, a smug look on her face, with the championship over her shoulder.
Stef Surton: Ugh, like, don't you have an Inferno contract, Charlene? And also, did you forget that I'm the most fabulous champion ever? And that I successfully defended my title at the Shuffle? I'm literally the best, so you can wait in line like everyone else. Just like some other "Empress" who thinks she can just show up and get whatever she wants.
Stef gestures dismissively towards the entrance ramp where Aki had entered last week.
Charlene Fire: Honey, when you're "The Queen of Pain", you don't wait in line. You are the line. And you'll see how fabulous you are when my boot is in your face at Wrestling Eternal!
The tension between Charlene and Stef is high, a clear verbal showdown building for their potential Wrestling Eternal clash.
Jay Turner: A Wrestling Eternal challenge is being laid down right here on Uprising! Charlene is making her intentions clear!
Will Barlow: Stef, never one to back down, fires right back at "The Queen of Pain". This is the kind of star power we expect here on Thursday Nights!
Just as Stef prepares to retort and Charlene takes another step forward, the arena lights dip, and the powerful, regal orchestral strains of music begin to play once more. The crowd's pop is instant and massive, a clear message of who they're here to see.
Jay Turner: OH MY GOD! It's Aki Kanagawa! And the time for her Gauntlet match is now!
Will Barlow: Stef and Cherlene just got a rude awakening! "The Empress" is here, and she's not waiting for anyone!
Aki emerges from the entrance tunnel, wearing her regal kimono, looking focused. She walks regally, ignoring Charlene and Stef, her eyes fixed forward.
Jay Turner: And Alvin Andrews confirmed it last week! If Aki wins this Gauntlet match, she gets a title shot at Hell's Chamber! That's why she's coming out here with such purpose!
Will Barlow: This isn't about a win, Jay. This is about making a statement. She wants that championship opportunity, and she's ready to go through anyone to get it.
Aki reaches the ring. She doesn't even glance at Charlene or Stef, who are both looking flustered and annoyed. Aki entered the ring, and the referee was already there, ready to signal for the bell. Aki removes her kimono.
Her first opponent came out, and it was Sheila Rigor. She is known for her brutal strikes and brutal submission moves.
Jay Turner: And her opponent is Sheila Rigor! This is going to be a brutal contest!
Will Barlow: A submission specialist, a former MMA fighter, against one of the world's best strikers and technicians. This isn't just a Gauntlet match, Jay, this is going to be an absolute dissection!
The bell has just rung, and Aki faces Sheila in the center of the ring. Charlene and Stef are watching from the ringside, their expressions a mix of anger and curiosity.
Jay Turner: The bell sounded! This is the start of the challenge! Aki versus Sheila! The first fall is underway!
Will Barlow: Stef and Charlene just got schooled on what it means to be a top contender. This is the Empress's domain now, and she's ready to prove it against the Rigorous Master!
Aki and Sheila immediately engage in a furious exchange of strikes. Rigor, with her MMA background, throws hard kicks and punches, but Aki matches her, delivering precision strikes with incredible speed and force. The sound of their impacts echoes throughout the arena.
Jay Turner: What a rapid-fire exchange! This is a different pace than we usually see from Aki, but she's bringing the fight right to Sheila!
Will Barlow: This is what a Gauntlet is all about, Jay! No feeling-out process, just raw, unadulterated combat! Aki is showing no fear against Sheila!
Sheila tries to take the match to the ground, attempting a single-leg takedown, but Aki sprawls perfectly, using her strength to resist.
She then transitions into a series of sharp knee strikes to Sheila's ribs before breaking the hold.
Will Barlow: This is why she's The Empress. She's got an answer for everything.
Aki then catches Sheila with a high kick, grazing her temple, momentarily stunning her. Aki capitalizes and hooks Sheila for a Snap Suplex, driving her down with brutal force.
Without missing a beat, Aki swiftly transitions, wrenching Sheila's arms behind her shoulders, she applies intense pressure to the head and neck of Sheila, pulling her back in a crossface-style grip, bending Sheila's spine, shoulders, and neck in a wrenching arc. She arches her own back and leans backward to increase the pressure. This is one of Aki's finishers, "The Imperial Decree".
Sheila screams in pain.
Jay Turner: Incredible defense from Aki! Sheila couldn't get her to the mat!
Will Barlow: This is a submission master against a submission specialist! Sheila knows she's in trouble!
Sheila struggles, trying to reach the ropes, but Aki pulls further into the center of the ring, tightening the hold. After a valiant effort, with no other option. Sheila taps out! The referee calls for the bell.
Jay Turner: SHE TAPPED! AKI KANAGAWA WINS THE FIRST FALL VIA SUBMISSION! WHAT A STATEMENT!
Will Barlow: First blood to The Empress! That's how you put the division on notice, Jay! Stef and Charlene better pay attention.
Aki immediately releases the hold, standing tall as Sheila rolls out of the ring, clutching her arm. The crowd cheers loudly. Aki simply stares down the ramp, ready for her next opponent. A new challenger's music hits.
Jay Turner: It's Ivanna Landers! She's a powerful striker, a brawler, and she's fresh! This is where Aki's endurance is truly tested!
Ivanna marches to the ring, trying to take advantage of Aki's recent effort. She immediately charges Aki with a series of hard rights and lefts, trying to overwhelm her. Aki defends, but the onslaught is relentless.
Will Barlow: Smart strategy! Get in, hit hard, and try to score a quick fall against a tired opponent!
Aki drags Ivanna out of the corner, hooks her head, and lifts her vertically, like a suplex or brainbuster motion. She twists and spins slightly during the drop and drives Ivanna down on the back of her head, neck, and shoulders. It's similar to a brainbuster. It is another finisher of Aki, "The Empress Call".
Aki hooks Ivanna's leg, and the referee counts 1... 2... 3! Ivanna is defeated!
Jay Turner: ANOTHER FALL FOR AKI! She's putting her in a clinic!
Will Barlow: That's The Empress Call! Two down, Jay! Two down! And look at her! She barely broke a sweat!
Aki defeated four more formidable opponents... She successfully overcame them... She's down to her last opponent in that Gauntlet match... She's tired and weakened... Her last opponent that night was a former champion... A powerhouse...
Jay Turner: Oh no! It's Rana Romero! This is an entirely different kind of challenge for Aki! She is pure power!
Will Barlow: This is the ultimate test, Jay! A former two-time IWF Women's Global Champion! Aki faced submissions, speed, and striking. Now, she faces brute force. Can she overcome the sheer power of Rana Romero after everything she's already been through?!
Rana charges into the ring, immediately overpowering Aki with her strength. She shoves Aki into the corner, delivering powerful shoulder tackles. Aki tries to use her agility, but Rana is too big, too strong, cutting off the ring and relentlessly battering Aki.
Aki never had the chance to fight back, she's completely overpowered by Rana... until...
Rana lifts Aki for a potential powerbomb, but Aki, with a burst of desperate energy, manages to slip off Rana's shoulders. She quickly drops down, hits a low dropkick to Rana's knee, and then follows up with a series of quick, sharp kicks to Rana's legs, trying to bring the powerhouse down.
Jay Turner: Aki is trying to create an opening! She knows she can't match Rana's power head-on!
Aki continues to assault Rana until she drops to one knee. Aki then backs up, charges, and unleashes her Empress Chant! It connects perfectly, snapping Rana's head back! Rana stumbles, momentarily stunned, then falls forward onto her hands and knees.
Jay Turner: THE EMPRESS CHANT! SHE CONNECTED!
Will Barlow: She's trying to end it right here!
The crowd is cheering so loudly. Aki doesn't hesitate. As Rana struggles to get up, Aki quickly hooks her for an Empress Call, hoisting the much larger Rana up with an incredible show of strength and driving her head-first into the canvas! Aki collapses onto Rana for the cover!
Jay Turner: SHE DID IT! EMPRESS CALL ON RANA!
Referee counts, 1.! 2.! 3.!
Jay Turner: AND SHE WINS! AKI KANAGAWA HAS DEFEATED RANA! SHE HAS WON THE GAUNTLET CHALLENGE!
Will Barlow: UNBELIEVABLE! ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE, JAY! THE EMPRESS HAS JUST GONE THROUGH SEVEN COMPETITORS! SHE HAS EARNED HER SHOT! SHE IS THE #1 CONTENDER!
Aki, completely exhausted, slowly pushes herself up, her arms raised in victory as the crowd roars. She glances at Stef and Charlene at the ringside, both looking shocked and utterly furious at this turn of events. Alvin Andrews' music hits again, and he steps onto the ramp, applauding Aki's incredible performance.
Alvin Andrews: (Microphone in hand, his voice booming) And now, the official announcement! Due to her incredible, dominant performance in the Gauntlet match, where she defeated formidable competitors. Aki! You are officially the #1 Contender for the IWF Women's Championship! And you will face Stef Surton at Hell's Chamber!
The crowd goes wild as Aki stands tall, her focus now entirely on Stef. The camera shows Stef, wide-eyed and fuming, as she realizes the challenge she now faces.
The next Thursday Night Uprising...
Charlene makes her way to the ring, microphone in hand, looking confident and assertive.
Charlene Fire: Last week, I came out here to make my intentions clear. I earned my right to Wrestling Eternal at the Regal Shuffle. And my sights are set firmly on the IWF Women's Championship. Now, I know Stef is currently holding the gold...
Charlene pauses, a knowing smirk on her face, glancing towards the back.
Charlene Fire: ...and I know she's got a big test this Sunday at Hell's Chamber against Aki Kanagawa. And honestly, it doesn't matter to me who walks out of that Hell's Chamber as champion. Whether it's Stef or Aki, they'll just be holding my championship. Because at Wrestling Eternal, The Queen of Pain will reclaim her throne!
Charlene holds up her hand sign pose, then points to the Wrestling Eternal sign. The crowd reacts with a mixed chorus of cheers and boos, some groaning at the perceived inevitability.
Jay Turner: Charlene is making it very clear. Her focus is squarely on Wrestling Eternal, regardless of who wins the championship this Sunday.
Will Barlow: She is the Regal Shuffle winner, Jay. She has that leverage. And the champion, whoever it may be, will have to face "The Queen of Pain" on the most prestigious stage of all.
Suddenly, Stef's music hits, and the champion storms out onto the stage, microphone in hand, looking furious.
Stef Surton: Ugh, like, seriously, Charlene?! Are you really going to keep talking about my championship before I've even had my match?! You are literally so basic. And newsflash: you are not invited to my main event at Hell's Chamber. And when I beat that, like Empress girl, I'm going to be your problem at Wrestling Eternal! So don't even try to like, overshadow me, okay?!
Stef stomps her foot, clearly agitated. Charlene simply smiles condescendingly.
Charlene Fire: Darling, whether you like it or not, I am the main event. And after Sunday, no matter who has that title, they'll know exactly who's coming for them.
As Charlene finishes speaking, Aki's music hits, cutting off Stef's retort and Charlene's smirk. Aki emerges at the entrance ramp. She just stands there and looks in the ring. Staring at Stef and Charlene like an Empress, reminding them, I'm here now.
The silence allows the subtle tension to build between a Champion, a Queen, and an Empress...