Aired - September 19, 2026
A black screen.
The sound of winter wind rises.
Ice begins spreading across the darkness before a heavy drumbeat hits.
Rapid flashes cut across the screen.
Polly Mason raises the Queen of the North Championship above her head.
Grondar the Revenant drives an opponent violently into the canvas before standing motionless beneath the cold arena lights.
Rudolph, now wearing his hardened black half-face mask and shortened metal-tipped antlers, charges forward with explosive force.
Valka plants her feet and levels an opponent with raw power.
Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend stalks across the ring before exploding into a sudden attack.
Big Bad Wolf snaps around toward the camera, eyes fixed forward as the image cuts away.
The music builds.
Quick flashes follow.
Van Helsing loading for a strike.
Yeti roaring beneath falling snow.
Peter Cottontail launching from the ropes.
Ursa Titania driving an opponent backward.
Northern Freight standing side by side.
The North Pole Arena appears beneath brilliant blue-white lighting as the crowd rises.
Voice-over:
“No myths.”
“No shortcuts.”
“No mercy from the cold.”
The POLAR POWER logo slams onto the screen as ice fractures outward.
Voice-over:
“Only the fight…”
“Only the North…”
“Only POLAR POWER.”
The logo holds for one final beat.
The broadcast cuts live to the North Pole Arena.
The broadcast sweeps across the packed North Pole Arena before settling at ringside with Johnny Michaels and Eddie Ellington at the commentary desk.
Johnny Michaels: Welcome live to the North Pole Arena! This is Polar Power, and after everything that unfolded one week ago, the temperature around this division somehow continues to rise.
Eddie Ellington: That is because half this roster has completely lost its mind, Johnny. Everybody wants a championship, everybody wants revenge, and apparently everybody thinks screaming at Elias Coldmere is a legitimate career strategy.
Johnny Michaels: Last week certainly gave him plenty to deal with. The new Queen of the North, Polly Mason, arrived with that championship around her waist and immediately found herself surrounded by challengers.
Eddie Ellington: Surrounded by women who understand that Polly Mason is walking around with something they want. Crimson Vane, Moonshadow, Dr. Violetta Voss, even Lilith herself. That belt might as well have a target painted across the front of it.
Johnny Michaels: We also witnessed the House of Night make its intentions very clear. Master of the Night wants Santa Claus, Dr. Violetta Voss wants the Queen of the North Championship, and the Crimson Maulers have set their sights on the Universal Tag Team Titles.
Eddie Ellington: Finally, a group with ambition. No friendship speeches. No hugs. No inspirational nonsense. Just people identifying what they want and taking steps to get it.
Johnny Michaels: But perhaps the biggest development concerned the North Pole Championship. Rudolph confronted Magnus Blackwell and champion Grondar the Revenant, and Elias Coldmere made it official. On September 26, Grondar will defend the North Pole Championship against Rudolph.
Eddie Ellington: Which gives Rudolph exactly one more week to reconsider one of the worst decisions of his career.
Johnny Michaels: Judging by Rudolph’s reaction last week, reconsideration is the last thing on his mind.
Eddie Ellington: It should be the first thing on his mind. Preferably before Grondar rearranges whatever is left underneath that new mask.
Johnny Michaels: And those two do not have to wait until September 26 to get their hands on one another. Tonight, Grondar the Revenant joins the Frost Giants against Rudolph, Blitzen, and Donner.
Eddie Ellington: Three reindeer against Grondar and two Frost Giants. Somebody backstage has a very strange definition of workplace safety.
Johnny Michaels: That is only one part of a huge night. The Aurora Championship will be defended as Valka puts the title on the line against Ursa Titania.
Eddie Ellington: Now that is a fight. Valka likes overpowering people. Good luck doing that to Ursa Titania.
Johnny Michaels: Valka has welcomed every challenge placed in front of her.
Eddie Ellington: And eventually welcoming everybody through the front door gets your furniture stolen.
Johnny Michaels: We also have six-man tag team action. Yeti joins the Universal Tag Team Champions, the Ultimate Beasts, against Bigfoot, Jack Mason, and Negropolis.
Eddie Ellington: There is enough bad blood in that match to stock a hospital. Bigfoot and Yeti want to tear one another apart, and now we are throwing five other people into the blast radius.
Johnny Michaels: The rivalry between Bigfoot and Yeti continues to escalate, and tonight neither man will be standing alone.
Eddie Ellington: Unfortunately for Bigfoot, having Jack Mason around usually means the situation gets louder before it gets better.
Johnny Michaels: Earlier tonight we will also see Van Helsing go one-on-one with Big Bad Wolf.
Eddie Ellington: I hope Van Helsing brought more than confidence. Big Bad Wolf is not one of his bedtime stories.
Johnny Michaels: And after an impressive arrival on Northern Belles, Northern Freight comes to Polar Power tonight as Hilda Stormhoof and Brynja Northbell face the dangerous combination of Wicked Witch and Morrigan.
Eddie Ellington: There is the mistake right there. Everybody sees two powerhouse newcomers and assumes they are unstoppable. Wicked Witch has put people in hospitals, Johnny. Morrigan is not exactly known for exchanging Christmas cards either.
Johnny Michaels: And we have not even mentioned tonight’s main event. The Northern Lights Championship will be on the line as Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend defends against Peter Cottontail.
Eddie Ellington: Now that is what I call a main event. Wilber Townsend has been tearing through people since winning that championship, and tonight Peter Cottontail gets to find out what happens when all that speed runs straight into a predator.
Johnny Michaels: Do not underestimate Peter Cottontail. He has made a career out of frustrating larger opponents, changing direction in an instant, and creating openings where none seem to exist.
Eddie Ellington: Wonderful. He can hop, skip, and change direction all he likes. Eventually Wilber gets his hands on him, and then the running stops.
Johnny Michaels: Peter Cottontail knows exactly what is at stake. One victory tonight and he leaves the North Pole Arena as Northern Lights Champion.
Eddie Ellington: And if Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend has anything to say about it, he leaves as something else entirely.
Johnny Michaels: Six matches tonight, two championships on the line, and the Northern Lights Championship will headline Episode 073 when Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend faces Peter Cottontail in our main event.
Eddie Ellington: Assuming they make it all the way to that match before trying to kill each other.
Johnny Michaels: Episode 073 is live, the North Pole Arena is ready, and so are we.
The camera cuts away from the commentary desk as the crowd rises for the opening match.
The lights inside the North Pole Arena dim as an eerie green glow begins to crawl across the entrance stage.
A low, distorted chant rolls through the building.
Smoke spills across the floor before Wicked Willow steps through the curtain first, moving slowly onto the stage with a crooked smile.
Behind her comes Morrigan, dressed for battle and staring coldly toward the ring.
Then Wicked Witch emerges.
The reaction immediately turns hostile.
Wicked Witch pauses beneath the green lighting and looks across the crowd with open contempt before joining Morrigan and Wicked Willow at the top of the ramp.
Johnny Michaels: There is something deeply unsettling about these three whenever they appear together. Wicked Willow accompanying Wicked Witch and Morrigan tonight, and we have already seen how dangerous this collection can be.
Eddie Ellington: Dangerous? That is called effective, Johnny. Look at them. Nobody is joking. Nobody is waving at children. They came here to hurt somebody and win a wrestling match. I appreciate professionalism.
The trio makes its way toward ringside.
Wicked Willow climbs onto the apron and holds the ropes open as Morrigan enters first.
Wicked Witch follows, climbing through the ropes and slowly turning toward the hard camera.
At ringside, Wicked Willow takes her position near their corner.
Celeste Orion: The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Wicked Willow... Morrigan and Wicked Witch!
The boos rise again.
Eddie Ellington: Listen to these people. They recognize greatness and react with jealousy.
Johnny Michaels: I am not sure jealousy is the word I would use.
The arena lighting suddenly shifts.
Heavy percussion hits as the entrance screen fills with images of snow-covered mountains and charging freight engines.
The crowd responds immediately as Hilda Stormhoof and Brynja Northbell walk onto the stage.
Northern Freight stands shoulder-to-shoulder for several seconds before starting toward the ring.
Neither woman appears intimidated.
Johnny Michaels: Here come Northern Freight! Hilda Stormhoof and Brynja Northbell made an immediate impression during their Northern Belles debut, and tonight they make their first appearance here on Polar Power.
Eddie Ellington: Wonderful. They beat one team and suddenly everybody thinks they are the next unstoppable force. Tonight they are standing across from Wicked Witch and Morrigan. This is a very different assignment.
Johnny Michaels: There is no denying the challenge, but these two bring tremendous size, strength, and coordination.
Eddie Ellington: So does a runaway sleigh. You still move out of the way when you see one coming.
Northern Freight reaches ringside.
Hilda Stormhoof climbs onto the apron while Brynja Northbell steps onto the opposite side.
They enter together and move to the center of the ring.
Wicked Witch smirks.
Morrigan does not move at all.
Celeste Orion: And their opponents... Hilda Stormhoof and Brynja Northbell... Northern Freight!
The crowd cheers as Hilda Stormhoof raises one fist.
Referee 'Honest' Abe steps between the teams and directs both sides toward their respective corners.
Morrigan elects to begin for her team.
Hilda Stormhoof steps through the ropes for Northern Freight.
The bell sounds.
Minute 1
Hilda Stormhoof moves immediately toward the center, looking to impose her strength.
Morrigan gives ground for only an instant before suddenly pivoting and firing a sharp spin kick into the upper body of Hilda Stormhoof.
The strike catches Hilda Stormhoof flush and knocks her backward toward the ropes.
Johnny Michaels: Tremendous speed from Morrigan! Hilda Stormhoof wanted to establish the power advantage immediately, but Morrigan never gave her the opportunity.
Eddie Ellington: That is because Morrigan has a functioning brain. Why stand there and let Hilda Stormhoof grab you when you can kick her in the face first?
Hilda Stormhoof tries to recover, but Morrigan stays on her.
A forearm drives Hilda Stormhoof toward the neutral corner.
Morrigan follows with another kick to the midsection before pulling her away from the turnbuckles.
Johnny Michaels: Morrigan is keeping this match at her pace. Quick strikes, constant movement, and she is making sure Hilda Stormhoof cannot plant those feet.
Eddie Ellington: Exactly. Everybody talks about how powerful Northern Freight is. Power means nothing when you are swinging at air.
Hilda Stormhoof finally creates separation with a heavy shove.
Rather than continue the exchange, she turns and reaches her corner.
Brynja Northbell tags in.
Minute 2
Brynja Northbell steps through the ropes and immediately advances on Morrigan.
Morrigan ducks beneath an attempted clothesline and rebounds from the ropes.
As Brynja Northbell turns, Morrigan leaps and catches her with a double knee facebreaker.
Brynja Northbell crashes onto her back.
Johnny Michaels: Double knee facebreaker! Morrigan caught Brynja Northbell before she could ever establish herself in this match.
Eddie Ellington: And now both members of Northern Freight have discovered the same thing. Being bigger does not make you faster, and it certainly does not make you smarter.
Morrigan rolls back to her feet and circles Brynja Northbell.
She pulls her opponent upright and drives a knee into the body before steering her toward the corner occupied by Wicked Witch.
Johnny Michaels: Very smart teamwork from this side of the ring. Morrigan has controlled both members of Northern Freight, and now she is bringing Wicked Witch into the match.
Eddie Ellington: That is why I like this team. No wasted motion. No need to show off for these people. Hurt somebody and tag out.
Morrigan reaches the corner.
Wicked Witch tags in.
Minute 3
Wicked Witch enters slowly.
Brynja Northbell tries to push herself away from the corner, but Wicked Witch grabs her and drives a knee into the abdomen.
She hooks Brynja Northbell, lifts her, and drives her across the knee with a vicious Black Magic Backbreaker.
Brynja Northbell drops to the canvas clutching her lower back.
Johnny Michaels: Black Magic Backbreaker from Wicked Witch! That landed perfectly across the spine.
Eddie Ellington: Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Brynja Northbell came in here expecting to throw people around. Instead, Wicked Witch is folding her in half.
Wicked Witch stands over Brynja Northbell and delivers a deliberate stomp to the back.
Referee 'Honest' Abe warns her to back away.
Wicked Witch raises both hands innocently before turning back toward her opponent.
Johnny Michaels: Wicked Witch is enjoying this far too much.
Eddie Ellington: She is enjoying being good at her job. There is nothing wrong with workplace satisfaction.
Brynja Northbell manages to crawl toward her corner.
Wicked Witch grabs at her ankle, but Brynja Northbell kicks free.
She lunges forward.
Hilda Stormhoof gets the tag.
Minute 4
Hilda Stormhoof storms through the ropes and charges directly toward Wicked Witch.
A shoulder block sends Wicked Witch stumbling backward.
Hilda Stormhoof follows with another heavy collision and backs Wicked Witch toward the ropes.
The crowd comes alive.
Johnny Michaels: Here comes Hilda Stormhoof! This is exactly what Northern Freight needed. Fresh power into the match and Wicked Witch is suddenly retreating!
Eddie Ellington: Retreating? She is repositioning. There is a difference.
Hilda Stormhoof grabs Wicked Witch around the waist.
At ringside, Wicked Willow suddenly climbs onto the apron.
Referee 'Honest' Abe immediately turns toward her and orders her down.
Johnny Michaels: What is Wicked Willow doing on the apron?
Eddie Ellington: She is offering constructive advice. Apparently that is illegal now.
As Hilda Stormhoof releases Wicked Witch and looks toward the disturbance, Wicked Willow produces a burst of green mist directly into the face of Hilda Stormhoof.
Hilda Stormhoof recoils instantly, clutching at her eyes.
The crowd explodes in anger.
Johnny Michaels: GREEN MIST! Wicked Willow just sprayed Hilda Stormhoof directly in the eyes!
Eddie Ellington: I saw absolutely nothing.
Referee 'Honest' Abe saw everything.
He immediately calls for the bell.
Wicked Witch spins toward the referee in disbelief.
Morrigan enters the ring and begins arguing with him as Brynja Northbell rushes through the ropes to check on Hilda Stormhoof.
Johnny Michaels: That is it! 'Honest' Abe has thrown this match out! Wicked Willow interfered right in front of the referee!
Eddie Ellington: This is an outrageous abuse of authority. How does he know that came from Wicked Willow? Maybe Hilda Stormhoof has seasonal allergies.
Johnny Michaels: Seasonal allergies do not spray green mist across somebody's face, Eddie!
Eddie Ellington: You are not a doctor.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, referee 'Honest' Abe has disqualified Wicked Witch and Morrigan as a result of outside interference. Therefore, your winners... Hilda Stormhoof and Brynja Northbell... Northern Freight!
The crowd cheers as Brynja Northbell keeps one arm around Hilda Stormhoof, helping her toward the ropes while she continues wiping the mist from her eyes.
Across the ring, Wicked Witch is furious.
Morrigan continues shouting toward 'Honest' Abe.
At ringside, Wicked Willow looks completely unapologetic.
Johnny Michaels: Northern Freight gets the victory, but certainly not in the way they wanted it.
Eddie Ellington: Victory? They got rescued by a referee. Wicked Witch and Morrigan controlled almost that entire match.
Johnny Michaels: And then Wicked Willow blatantly interfered.
Eddie Ellington: Allegedly.
Johnny Michaels: We watched it happen!
Eddie Ellington: You watched what you wanted to see.
Northern Freight exits the ring together as Wicked Witch, Morrigan, and Wicked Willow remain inside and at ringside, glaring after them.
The broadcast cuts backstage to the Polar Power interview area.
Smooth Samantha stands beneath the blue-white lighting in a long emerald-green gown with an elegant high neckline and full coverage through the bodice. She holds a microphone at chest level as the camera widens.
Standing beside her is Santa Claus.
The crowd inside the North Pole Arena can be heard reacting loudly from beyond the backstage walls.
Smooth Samantha: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time is a man who was specifically called out last week by the Master of the Night. Santa Claus, the House of Night has made its intentions clear. Master of the Night says he wants you. What is your answer?
Santa Claus takes a moment before responding.
His expression is calm.
Serious.
But there is no hesitation.
Santa Claus: My answer is the same one I have given to every monster, every tyrant, every creature that has ever believed fear gives them power.
Santa Claus looks directly into the camera.
Santa Claus: I do not run.
The crowd can be heard cheering.
Santa Claus: Master of the Night, you can surround yourself with shadows. You can fill the halls with threats. You can send messages through other people and convince yourself that darkness has already won.
Santa Claus slowly shakes his head.
Santa Claus: But darkness has always made one mistake.
Santa Claus points toward the camera.
Santa Claus: It believes that because people are afraid, they have stopped believing.
A louder reaction rises from the arena.
Santa Claus: Hope is not the absence of fear.
Santa Claus: Hope is looking into the darkness, knowing exactly what may be waiting inside it, and still taking the next step forward.
Smooth Samantha watches quietly.
Santa Claus: I have been knocked down before.
Santa Claus: I have lost before.
Santa Claus: I have walked through nights when victory felt very far away.
Santa Claus: But I have never allowed someone else to decide when I should stop standing.
He turns slightly toward Smooth Samantha.
Santa Claus: So if Master of the Night wants an answer...
Santa Claus faces the camera again.
Santa Claus: He has it.
Santa Claus: I do not back down from him.
Santa Claus: I do not back down from the House of Night.
Santa Claus: And I do not surrender the light simply because somebody has decided to call themselves the darkness.
The crowd roars.
Smooth Samantha: Then you are accepting—
A violent impact cuts her off.
Brakk Bloodmaw crashes into Santa Claus from the side.
Smooth Samantha recoils in shock and quickly moves away as Vereyk Nightclaw charges into frame.
The Crimson Maulers swarm Santa Claus.
Brakk Bloodmaw drives a forearm into his back.
Vereyk Nightclaw hammers him against the interview backdrop.
Smooth Samantha: Somebody get security!
The camera jerks as the attack spills away from the set.
Standing several feet down the corridor is Count Daculescu.
He does not move.
He does not shout instructions.
He simply watches.
A thin smile crosses his face.
Brakk Bloodmaw grabs Santa Claus and drives him shoulder-first into a production case.
Vereyk Nightclaw follows with a heavy shot across the ribs.
Santa Claus drops to one knee.
Count Daculescu remains motionless.
Vereyk Nightclaw reaches down to pull Santa Claus upright.
That proves to be a mistake.
Santa Claus explodes upward with a hard right hand.
Vereyk Nightclaw staggers backward.
Santa Claus turns and drives another right hand into Brakk Bloodmaw.
The crowd watching on the arena screens erupts.
Santa Claus grabs Brakk Bloodmaw by the front of the gear and slams him against the wall.
Vereyk Nightclaw charges.
Santa Claus turns and catches him with a heavy forearm.
Now all three men are fighting.
Santa Claus is still outnumbered, but he refuses to stay down.
Smooth Samantha has retreated safely behind the production crew as officials begin flooding the corridor.
Count Daculescu finally takes one slow step backward.
He continues watching.
Santa Claus lands another punch on Brakk Bloodmaw before Vereyk Nightclaw tackles him into a stack of equipment crates.
Security arrives from both directions.
Several guards pull Brakk Bloodmaw away.
Two more grab Vereyk Nightclaw.
Additional officials get between them and Santa Claus.
Santa Claus tries to push forward despite being restrained.
Santa Claus: Tell him!
The entire corridor briefly freezes.
Santa Claus points past the security line toward Count Daculescu.
Santa Claus: Tell Master of the Night that if this was supposed to frighten me...
Santa Claus breathes heavily.
Santa Claus: He failed.
The crowd erupts again.
Count Daculescu stares back at him.
Then smiles.
He slowly turns and disappears down the corridor.
Brakk Bloodmaw and Vereyk Nightclaw continue struggling against security as they are dragged in the opposite direction.
Santa Claus remains standing.
Bruised.
Angry.
But standing.
Smooth Samantha cautiously returns toward him.
Smooth Samantha: Santa—
Santa Claus looks toward the corridor where Count Daculescu vanished.
Santa Claus: Hope does not hide from the night.
The camera holds on Santa Claus before the broadcast cuts away.
The arena lights darken.
A low metallic pulse begins beneath the sound of distant church bells.
The entrance screen fills with flickering images of old stone corridors, silver weapons, and a black cross silhouetted against a blood-red moon.
A burst of white light hits the stage.
Van Helsing steps through the curtain.
The crowd rises as he pauses at the top of the entranceway, long coat hanging from his shoulders and his eyes fixed entirely on the ring.
Johnny Michaels: This rivalry may not have the history of some battles we have seen on Polar Power, but there is something almost instinctive about it. Van Helsing hunts monsters. Tonight, he has one of the most dangerous predators on the roster standing across from him.
Eddie Ellington: Hunts monsters? Listen to you. Big Bad Wolf is not some creature hiding under a bed. He is an elite competitor, and Van Helsing has made the terrible mistake of treating him like another trophy for the wall.
Van Helsing walks steadily down the aisle, acknowledging several fans but never breaking stride.
He reaches ringside, climbs the steel steps, and steps through the ropes.
His coat comes off.
He rolls his shoulders and moves toward his corner.
Celeste Orion: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a thirty-minute time limit! Introducing first, from the ancient order of hunters... Van Helsing!
The crowd responds loudly.
Then the arena plunges into darkness.
A deep howl echoes throughout the North Pole Arena.
Another follows.
Then several more.
Red light spreads across the entrance stage as the Wolf Pack emerges from behind the curtain.
They fan out across the stage.
Then Big Bad Wolf appears in the center.
He slowly lifts his head.
The crowd rains boos down upon him.
Eddie Ellington: Now there is a real competitor, Johnny. Look at the confidence. Look at the presence. Big Bad Wolf does not need silver bullets and dramatic lighting. He needs two hands and somebody foolish enough to stand in front of him.
Johnny Michaels: He also has the entire Wolf Pack accompanying him tonight, which immediately creates another concern for Van Helsing.
Eddie Ellington: Concern? They are moral support.
Johnny Michaels: I have never seen moral support circle a wrestling ring like hungry animals.
Big Bad Wolf starts down the aisle with the Wolf Pack following behind him.
He stops just short of the ring and looks directly up at Van Helsing.
Neither man looks away.
Big Bad Wolf climbs onto the apron and steps through the ropes.
The Wolf Pack spreads out around ringside.
Celeste Orion: And his opponent, accompanied by the Wolf Pack... Big Bad Wolf!
Big Bad Wolf throws his arms wide as the boos intensify.
Referee 'Honest' Abe steps between both competitors.
He points toward the Wolf Pack, warning them before the bell has even sounded.
Eddie Ellington: There he goes already. 'Honest' Abe has decided the Wolf Pack is guilty before anybody has done anything.
Johnny Michaels: I think he is simply making the rules clear.
Eddie Ellington: That is what people say right before selective enforcement begins.
Van Helsing and Big Bad Wolf move toward the center.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Neither man wastes time.
Van Helsing shoots forward and tries to trap an arm, but Big Bad Wolf drives through him with raw power.
Van Helsing rolls through the collision, catches the arm on the way down, and suddenly twists into the Holy Crossface.
The crowd erupts.
Johnny Michaels: Holy Crossface immediately! Van Helsing has it locked in during the opening minute!
Eddie Ellington: Calm down. We have been wrestling for about thirty seconds. Big Bad Wolf is not submitting to anybody this early.
Big Bad Wolf claws forward across the canvas, refusing to tap.
He creates just enough space to roll his shoulder through and break the angle.
The moment Van Helsing releases to reposition, Big Bad Wolf explodes upright.
He rebounds off the ropes and drives straight through Van Helsing with a brutal Savage Spear.
Both men hit hard.
Johnny Michaels: And what a response! Big Bad Wolf just drove Van Helsing nearly in half!
Eddie Ellington: Exactly. Van Helsing brought technique. Big Bad Wolf brought impact.
Minute 2
Big Bad Wolf stalks Van Helsing toward the ropes.
Outside the ring, one member of the Wolf Pack moves along the apron side with something concealed in one hand.
Johnny Michaels: Watch the Wolf Pack here.
Eddie Ellington: Watch what? Somebody adjusting their wrist tape?
The object is slid toward the apron.
Van Helsing sees the movement.
He kicks the object away before Big Bad Wolf can reach it.
Referee 'Honest' Abe immediately steps toward ringside and points furiously at the Wolf Pack.
Johnny Michaels: Van Helsing saw it coming! Somebody from the Wolf Pack tried to slip something into this match!
Eddie Ellington: Allegedly. For all you know, somebody dropped a souvenir.
Van Helsing takes advantage of the distraction and snaps Big Bad Wolf backward with a hard forearm.
He follows with another and forces him toward the center.
Johnny Michaels: That failed interference may have actually given Van Helsing an opening.
Eddie Ellington: Only because 'Honest' Abe decided to turn this into a courtroom.
Minute 3
Both men reset.
They circle.
Van Helsing shoots forward first and catches Big Bad Wolf with a running DDT.
The Wolf hits the canvas hard but immediately rolls to one knee.
Van Helsing moves in again.
Big Bad Wolf reaches around from behind and violently rakes his hands across Van Helsing’s back.
Van Helsing arches away in pain.
Johnny Michaels: Running DDT from Van Helsing, but Big Bad Wolf answers with those claws across the back.
Eddie Ellington: Legal hands, Johnny. Five fingers. Nature gave them to him. Take your complaint up with nature.
Van Helsing turns angrily.
Big Bad Wolf grins.
They collide again with forearms in the center.
Johnny Michaels: Neither man is giving ground now.
Eddie Ellington: And that favors Big Bad Wolf. The longer this becomes a fight instead of a wrestling clinic, the happier he gets.
Minute 4
Van Helsing ducks underneath a wild swing.
He catches Big Bad Wolf around the body.
With tremendous effort, he hoists him upright.
The crowd rises.
Van Helsing drops Big Bad Wolf directly onto his head and shoulders with Back to the Grave.
The ring shakes.
Johnny Michaels: Back to the Grave! Tombstone piledriver! Van Helsing planted him!
Eddie Ellington: That should be illegal against somebody with a neck that valuable.
Van Helsing rolls away and sits up, breathing hard.
Big Bad Wolf remains down for several seconds before slowly turning onto his side.
Johnny Michaels: That may be the first moment tonight where Big Bad Wolf has truly been stopped in his tracks.
Eddie Ellington: Stopped temporarily. There is a very important difference.
Minute 5
Van Helsing pulls Big Bad Wolf upright and fires a hard roundhouse right.
Big Bad Wolf absorbs it and answers by slipping behind him.
He hooks an arm around Van Helsing’s head and neck.
The Lycan Lock is applied.
Van Helsing immediately reaches for the ropes.
Johnny Michaels: Lycan Lock! Big Bad Wolf has that dragon sleeper cinched in!
Eddie Ellington: Now this is where the hunter learns what happens when the prey bites back.
Van Helsing refuses to fade.
He walks his legs underneath himself and drives backward into the turnbuckles.
Once.
Twice.
The grip loosens.
Van Helsing finally breaks free.
Johnny Michaels: Tremendous determination from Van Helsing.
Eddie Ellington: Tremendous luck. Big Bad Wolf was seconds away from putting him to sleep.
Minute 6
Van Helsing charges again.
He catches Big Bad Wolf with another running DDT.
This time the Wolf rolls toward the ropes.
Van Helsing approaches.
Big Bad Wolf suddenly grabs him and drapes his throat across the middle rope.
He presses down with his forearm.
Referee 'Honest' Abe begins the count.
Johnny Michaels: Come on! Big Bad Wolf is choking him across the rope!
Eddie Ellington: He has until five.
Johnny Michaels: That does not make it admirable.
Eddie Ellington: Nobody asked for admirable. We are trying to win.
Big Bad Wolf releases at four and raises his hands innocently.
Van Helsing drops to the canvas coughing.
Minute 7
Big Bad Wolf moves in confidently.
That confidence costs him.
Van Helsing suddenly explodes forward with the Silver Bullet Spear.
Big Bad Wolf is driven backward.
As both men hit the canvas, Big Bad Wolf lashes out and claws viciously across Van Helsing’s back once again.
They separate in opposite directions.
Johnny Michaels: Silver Bullet Spear from Van Helsing, but even on the way down Big Bad Wolf finds a way to punish him.
Eddie Ellington: Survival instinct. That is what separates predators from everybody else.
Johnny Michaels: It may also be desperation.
Eddie Ellington: Only when somebody you like does it.
Minute 8
Van Helsing tries to set up another Back to the Grave.
Big Bad Wolf fights the lift.
He twists free and grabs Van Helsing for a sit-out facebuster.
Van Helsing shoves him away.
Big Bad Wolf turns.
Van Helsing reaches again.
Neither man can complete the move.
They separate.
Johnny Michaels: Both men went searching for something decisive and neither could get it.
Eddie Ellington: Because they have been studying each other. Big Bad Wolf knew exactly what Van Helsing wanted.
Johnny Michaels: And Van Helsing recognized the facebuster attempt.
Eddie Ellington: Fine. One point for the hunter.
Minute 9
The pace slows only briefly.
Van Helsing steps forward and drives a crushing heart punch into the chest of Big Bad Wolf.
Big Bad Wolf staggers.
Johnny Michaels: Stake to Heart!
Eddie Ellington: Cute name. Still just a punch.
As Van Helsing advances, Big Bad Wolf suddenly spins behind him and clamps on the Lycan Lock again.
This time they are near the center.
Van Helsing drops to one knee.
Johnny Michaels: And the Lycan Lock again! Much worse position for Van Helsing this time!
Eddie Ellington: There we go. No ropes nearby. No easy escape.
Van Helsing fights upward with the crowd behind him.
He manages to turn inside the hold and drive an elbow into the ribs.
The grip finally breaks.
Minute 10
Van Helsing catches Big Bad Wolf with another roundhouse right.
The Wolf stumbles but immediately grabs him around the waist and twists him into an abdominal stretch.
Van Helsing grimaces.
Johnny Michaels: Big Bad Wolf changing strategy here. Grinding on the body.
Eddie Ellington: That is intelligence. You do not have to bite somebody’s head off every minute. Sometimes you make them suffer slowly.
Big Bad Wolf leans harder into the stretch.
Van Helsing tries to hip toss him over.
The Wolf keeps his balance.
Finally Van Helsing reaches the ropes and 'Honest' Abe forces the break.
Johnny Michaels: Another submission predicament survived by Van Helsing.
Eddie Ellington: Survived. That word keeps coming up around him tonight.
Minute 11
Big Bad Wolf moves behind Van Helsing and tries to lock his hands for the Pack Leader Suplex.
Van Helsing drops his weight.
He stomps down on Big Bad Wolf’s foot and fires an elbow backward.
The grip breaks.
Johnny Michaels: Van Helsing had that scouted.
Eddie Ellington: He escaped one suplex. Somebody alert the newspapers.
Big Bad Wolf comes forward again.
Van Helsing catches him with a short clothesline.
The Wolf rolls through and rises quickly.
Johnny Michaels: Both men still moving well eleven minutes into this.
Eddie Ellington: Especially Big Bad Wolf. He looks like he could do this all night.
Minute 12
Big Bad Wolf goes right back to the same attack.
This time he gets both arms locked.
He launches Van Helsing backward with the Pack Leader Suplex.
Van Helsing lands hard across his shoulders.
Johnny Michaels: This time he got it! Pack Leader Suplex!
Eddie Ellington: Persistence, Johnny. The first one fails, you do not cry about it. You do it again.
Big Bad Wolf rolls to his feet.
He stalks Van Helsing and shouts for him to stand.
Van Helsing uses the ropes to pull himself upright.
Johnny Michaels: Big Bad Wolf beginning to dictate the pace.
Eddie Ellington: Beginning? He has been doing it since the bell rang.
Minute 13
Big Bad Wolf once again goes behind.
Another Pack Leader Suplex is coming.
This time Van Helsing hooks a leg and twists sharply.
He reverses the position.
Big Bad Wolf turns directly into a powerslam.
Johnny Michaels: Reversal! Van Helsing saw the third attempt coming and turned it into a powerslam!
Eddie Ellington: All right, that was clever. I hate when he does clever things.
Van Helsing presses down across Big Bad Wolf momentarily before releasing and getting back to his feet.
Johnny Michaels: This match keeps swinging back and forth.
Eddie Ellington: Because Big Bad Wolf is generous enough to keep giving him opportunities.
Minute 14
They meet in the center again.
Van Helsing grabs Big Bad Wolf by the throat.
The crowd rises as he lifts him.
Chokeslam.
Big Bad Wolf crashes down.
But when Van Helsing bends to follow, the Wolf suddenly surges back to his feet.
He catches Van Helsing and drives him down with a powerful powerslam of his own.
Johnny Michaels: Chokeslam from Van Helsing and a powerslam right back from Big Bad Wolf!
Eddie Ellington: Anything the hunter can do, the Wolf can do harder.
Both men remain down briefly.
Johnny Michaels: Fourteen minutes of heavy impact beginning to show on both competitors.
Eddie Ellington: Maybe on Van Helsing. Big Bad Wolf is just warming up.
Minute 15
Both competitors rise slowly.
Van Helsing strikes first.
Another Stake to Heart connects.
Big Bad Wolf stumbles into the ropes.
He rebounds.
Van Helsing turns.
Savage Spear.
The collision nearly folds Van Helsing in half.
Johnny Michaels: Savage Spear! What an impact!
Eddie Ellington: There it is! Put a ribbon on him and send him back to the hunting lodge.
Big Bad Wolf drops across Van Helsing but does not immediately hook the leg.
He instead sits up and looks toward the crowd.
Johnny Michaels: He may have lost valuable time there.
Eddie Ellington: He is letting everybody appreciate what they just witnessed.
Minute 16
Van Helsing reaches his feet.
Again he catches Big Bad Wolf by the throat.
Another chokeslam drives the Wolf into the mat.
Van Helsing takes one step backward.
Big Bad Wolf somehow rises again.
He catches Van Helsing coming forward and powerslams him hard.
Johnny Michaels: Again! These two are trading power moves now!
Eddie Ellington: And once again Big Bad Wolf gets the better landing.
Johnny Michaels: Neither man is keeping the other down.
Eddie Ellington: That is because you are looking at two stubborn men, but only one of them is built like Big Bad Wolf.
Minute 17
Van Helsing reaches for another chokeslam.
Big Bad Wolf immediately clamps both hands around the wrist.
He forces the arm down.
Then drives his shoulder into Van Helsing’s chest.
Johnny Michaels: Big Bad Wolf shuts down the chokeslam completely.
Eddie Ellington: You try the same trick three times against a predator, eventually he learns where your hand is going.
Van Helsing fires an elbow.
Big Bad Wolf answers with one of his own.
They trade strikes at close range.
Neither gives ground.
Johnny Michaels: Seventeen minutes and this has become a war of attrition.
Eddie Ellington: Advantage Wolf.
Minute 18
Van Helsing catches Big Bad Wolf charging and turns him over with another powerslam.
He rises slowly.
The Wolf rolls toward the ropes again.
As Van Helsing approaches, Big Bad Wolf pulls him throat-first across the middle rope.
He presses down again.
Johnny Michaels: Another choke across the rope!
Eddie Ellington: Efficient. He knows it worked earlier.
'Honest' Abe counts loudly.
Big Bad Wolf releases at four.
Van Helsing staggers backward coughing.
Johnny Michaels: Referee 'Honest' Abe giving Big Bad Wolf very little tolerance now.
Eddie Ellington: That sounds like bias to me.
Minute 19
Van Helsing fires a roundhouse right.
Big Bad Wolf staggers toward the ropes.
Suddenly the Wolf Pack erupts at ringside.
One member leaps onto the apron.
Another starts shouting at Van Helsing from the floor.
Van Helsing turns for only a moment.
That is enough.
Big Bad Wolf crashes into him from behind and folds him toward the canvas.
He covers.
'Honest' Abe drops down.
One.
Two.
Van Helsing kicks out.
Johnny Michaels: Van Helsing survives at two, but the Wolf Pack created that opening!
Eddie Ellington: Nobody touched him.
Johnny Michaels: They deliberately distracted him!
Eddie Ellington: Then perhaps the legendary hunter should develop object permanence.
Big Bad Wolf looks at 'Honest' Abe and holds up three fingers.
The referee firmly signals two.
Minute 20
Van Helsing fights upright.
He grabs Big Bad Wolf by the throat and tries another chokeslam.
The Wolf twists free.
He hooks Van Helsing around the body and drives him down with a powerslam.
He immediately covers.
One.
Van Helsing kicks out almost instantly.
Johnny Michaels: Only one this time!
Eddie Ellington: That was strategy. Make him spend energy kicking out.
Johnny Michaels: I think Big Bad Wolf expected more than one.
Eddie Ellington: I think you expect too much from facial expressions.
Big Bad Wolf pulls Van Helsing upright by the head.
The pace has clearly taken something out of both men.
Minute 21
They collide again near the center.
Van Helsing traps the arm.
He drops down and twists into the Holy Crossface for the second time.
Big Bad Wolf snarls and reaches forward.
Johnny Michaels: Holy Crossface again! Twenty-one minutes in and Van Helsing has it locked deep!
Eddie Ellington: And once again Big Bad Wolf is not tapping.
Big Bad Wolf drags himself forward.
Van Helsing cranks harder.
The Wolf refuses to submit.
He finally twists his hips, rolls through, and immediately catches Van Helsing in another abdominal stretch as both men regain their footing.
Johnny Michaels: Incredible transition! Big Bad Wolf survives the Crossface and turns directly into another submission of his own!
Eddie Ellington: That is why he is the smarter wrestler tonight.
Van Helsing grits his teeth until he reaches the ropes.
Minute 22
Van Helsing grabs Big Bad Wolf and drives him down with a vertical suplex.
The Wolf rolls toward the apron.
Van Helsing follows.
Again Big Bad Wolf catches him near the ropes and drives his throat into the cable.
Johnny Michaels: For the third time tonight Big Bad Wolf is attacking the throat across that rope.
Eddie Ellington: Because Van Helsing keeps putting his throat there. Personal responsibility, Johnny.
'Honest' Abe forces another break.
Big Bad Wolf backs away with a grin.
Van Helsing remains against the ropes, breathing heavily.
Johnny Michaels: That repeated damage could become very important in these final minutes.
Eddie Ellington: It already is.
Minute 23
Van Helsing summons another burst.
He grabs Big Bad Wolf and sends him overhead with a vertical suplex.
This one lands clean.
Big Bad Wolf stays down.
Johnny Michaels: Another vertical suplex, and this time Big Bad Wolf could not prevent it!
Eddie Ellington: He is conserving energy.
Johnny Michaels: He is flat on his back.
Eddie Ellington: Exactly. Very restful position.
Van Helsing stays on him.
He drives a forearm across the chest and pulls him back toward the middle.
Johnny Michaels: Van Helsing knows the clock is becoming a factor.
Eddie Ellington: Then he should have wrestled faster twenty minutes ago.
Minute 24
The Wolf Pack becomes active again.
Two members move toward opposite sides of the ring.
One reaches through the ropes.
Another climbs onto the apron.
Johnny Michaels: Here we go again!
Van Helsing sees both coming.
He knocks one hand away, turns, and kicks the second member off the apron.
'Honest' Abe charges toward the ropes and begins ejecting them from immediate ringside position.
Johnny Michaels: Van Helsing neutralized both members of the Wolf Pack before they could attack!
Eddie Ellington: Attack? They were checking the ring ropes.
Johnny Michaels: From opposite sides at the exact same time?
Eddie Ellington: Thorough inspection.
Big Bad Wolf tries to capitalize from behind, but Van Helsing turns in time and blocks the strike.
The crowd surges behind him.
Minute 25
Van Helsing catches Big Bad Wolf and tries another vertical suplex.
This time the Wolf hooks his leg around Van Helsing’s.
He refuses to leave the canvas.
Van Helsing tries again.
Still nothing.
Big Bad Wolf shoves him away.
Johnny Michaels: Big Bad Wolf blocks the vertical suplex.
Eddie Ellington: There is only so many times you can throw a Wolf before the Wolf decides he is done flying.
Van Helsing circles back.
Big Bad Wolf stays planted.
Both men are breathing much harder now.
Johnny Michaels: Twenty-five minutes gone.
Eddie Ellington: And Big Bad Wolf still looks dangerous.
Minute 26
Van Helsing steps forward and catches Big Bad Wolf beneath the jaw with a knee lift.
The Wolf drops backward onto the canvas.
Johnny Michaels: Knee lift catches him clean!
Eddie Ellington: Cheap shot with the knee.
Johnny Michaels: It is completely legal.
Eddie Ellington: That never stops you from complaining when Big Bad Wolf does something legal.
Van Helsing motions for the Wolf to rise.
Big Bad Wolf pulls himself up using the ropes.
The crowd begins sensing the approaching time limit.
Johnny Michaels: We are getting very close to thirty minutes.
Eddie Ellington: Which means Van Helsing is running out of time to save himself.
Minute 27
Van Helsing catches Big Bad Wolf and powerslams him.
He immediately gets back to his feet.
The Wolf rises from sheer instinct.
Van Helsing charges.
Big Bad Wolf beats him to the impact.
Savage Spear.
Both men collapse.
Johnny Michaels: Another Savage Spear! Van Helsing had momentum and Big Bad Wolf cut him in half!
Eddie Ellington: That is the difference between momentum and mass.
Johnny Michaels: Neither man is moving!
Eddie Ellington: Give Big Bad Wolf a second.
Referee 'Honest' Abe begins checking both competitors.
Minute 28
They rise almost together.
Van Helsing grabs the throat.
Chokeslam.
Big Bad Wolf bounces from the canvas.
Somehow he pushes upright again.
Van Helsing steps toward him.
Big Bad Wolf charges.
Another Savage Spear crashes into Van Helsing.
Both men go down again.
Johnny Michaels: Chokeslam! Spear! They are emptying everything they have left!
Eddie Ellington: And Big Bad Wolf keeps answering every single thing the hunter throws at him.
Johnny Michaels: We are inside the final two minutes!
Eddie Ellington: Then somebody better make a mistake.
Minute 29
Van Helsing drags Big Bad Wolf up.
He hooks him for Back to the Grave.
Big Bad Wolf fights desperately.
He twists halfway free and reaches for the Lycan Lock.
Van Helsing drops his weight.
Neither man can complete the hold.
They stumble apart.
Johnny Michaels: Back to the Grave blocked! Lycan Lock blocked! Both men knew exactly what was coming!
Eddie Ellington: This is what happens after twenty-nine minutes. There are no secrets left.
Van Helsing throws a tired forearm.
Big Bad Wolf answers.
Another from Van Helsing.
Another from the Wolf.
The crowd begins counting along as the final minute approaches.
Johnny Michaels: One minute remaining!
Eddie Ellington: Come on, Wolf! Finish him!
Minute 30
Big Bad Wolf grabs Van Helsing by the back of the head and drives him face-first toward the mat.
Van Helsing plants his hands.
He stops himself inches above the canvas.
He twists free.
Johnny Michaels: Van Helsing blocked it!
Eddie Ellington: No! Turn around!
Van Helsing fires a forearm.
Big Bad Wolf answers.
They meet in the middle again.
Ten seconds remain.
The crowd counts.
Ten.
Nine.
Van Helsing swings.
Big Bad Wolf ducks.
Eight.
Seven.
The Wolf tries to grab him.
Van Helsing shoves him away.
Six.
Five.
They charge one another.
Four.
Three.
Both men collide with simultaneous forearms.
Two.
One.
The bell rings.
Neither competitor initially understands why.
Van Helsing turns toward 'Honest' Abe.
Big Bad Wolf immediately demands an explanation.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, the thirty-minute time limit has expired. Therefore, this match has been declared a draw!
The crowd reacts with a mixture of applause and frustration.
Johnny Michaels: Thirty minutes! Neither man could put the other away!
Eddie Ellington: I object.
Johnny Michaels: Of course you do.
Eddie Ellington: Big Bad Wolf had him exactly where he wanted him.
Johnny Michaels: For thirty minutes?
Eddie Ellington: It was a very elaborate plan.
Van Helsing leans against the ropes, breathing heavily.
Across the ring, Big Bad Wolf paces furiously and argues with 'Honest' Abe.
The remaining members of the Wolf Pack gather outside the ring.
Johnny Michaels: Twice Van Helsing trapped Big Bad Wolf in the Holy Crossface. Twice the Wolf refused to submit. Big Bad Wolf came within a heartbeat of ending this match with the Savage Spear, the Lycan Lock, and multiple pinning opportunities. Neither man found the finish.
Eddie Ellington: What I saw was Big Bad Wolf survive everything the famous monster hunter had and remain standing when time ran out. That does not sound like much of a victory for Van Helsing to me.
Johnny Michaels: It was not a victory for either man. The record will show a draw.
Eddie Ellington: Records lack nuance.
Van Helsing steps toward the center.
Big Bad Wolf stops pacing.
For several seconds, the two exhausted competitors stare at one another.
There is no handshake.
No gesture of respect.
Just recognition that thirty minutes settled nothing.
Johnny Michaels: Something tells me this issue between Van Helsing and Big Bad Wolf is far from finished.
Eddie Ellington: Good. Give the Wolf five more minutes.
The Wolf Pack gathers around Big Bad Wolf as he exits the ring.
Van Helsing remains inside, watching him retreat up the aisle.
The camera holds on the stare between them before the broadcast cuts away.
A deep animal roar rolls through the North Pole Arena.
The entrance lights shift into cold white and deep blue as Marcus the Beastmaster steps through the curtain first.
A heavy chain is wrapped around one gloved hand.
Behind him come the reigning Universal Tag Team Champions, Karnyx and Varak, the Ultimate Beasts.
Then the massive form of Yeti emerges between them.
The reaction from the crowd turns immediately hostile.
Marcus the Beastmaster looks from one monster to the next with unmistakable satisfaction before leading the trio toward the ring.
Johnny Michaels: There is an extraordinary amount of power coming down that aisle. Yeti joining the Universal Tag Team Champions Karnyx and Varak, and with Marcus the Beastmaster directing traffic, this may be one of the most physically imposing combinations we have seen on Polar Power.
Eddie Ellington: May be? Look at them, Johnny. This is the Primal Horde. Three monsters and the smartest man in the building holding the leash. The Misfits of Mayhem should have used their common sense and stayed backstage.
Johnny Michaels: We know the issue between Bigfoot and Yeti has become increasingly personal.
Eddie Ellington: Personal for Bigfoot, maybe. Yeti just sees another obstacle that needs to be flattened.
Karnyx and Varak climb onto opposite sides of the apron.
Yeti steps over the top rope.
Marcus the Beastmaster remains on the floor, staring toward the entrance.
Celeste Orion: The following six-man tag team contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, accompanied by Marcus the Beastmaster... Yeti and the Universal Tag Team Champions Karnyx and Varak, the Ultimate Beasts... the Primal Horde!
The three monsters stand together in the center of the ring.
The music changes.
The crowd erupts.
Coach Cal Mercer appears first, clapping his hands and pointing back toward the curtain.
Flippers the Penguin waddles onto the stage beside him, immediately throwing both flippers into the air.
Then Negropolis emerges.
Beside him comes Bigfoot.
The biggest reaction is reserved for the final man.
Mr. Mason steps through the curtain.
There is no comedy in his expression.
No exaggerated gestures.
No trace of the old Jack Mason theatrics.
He wears the stern, composed demeanor that has defined the Mr. Mason persona, dressed sharply beneath his entrance coat and staring directly toward Marcus the Beastmaster and the three monsters in the ring.
Johnny Michaels: And here come the Misfits of Mayhem. Bigfoot, Negropolis, and Mr. Mason, accompanied tonight by Coach Cal Mercer and Flippers the Penguin.
Eddie Ellington: I will give Mr. Mason credit for one thing. At least he looks serious now. Unfortunately, looking serious does not make Yeti, Karnyx, and Varak any smaller.
Johnny Michaels: After everything the Masons have endured over the past several months, Mr. Mason has become a very different man.
Eddie Ellington: Wonderful. He discovered adulthood. Tonight he can discover what a hospital ceiling looks like.
Bigfoot never takes his eyes off Yeti as the group walks down the aisle.
Coach Cal Mercer speaks rapidly to all three competitors, emphasizing instructions as they approach ringside.
Flippers the Penguin points directly at Marcus the Beastmaster.
Marcus the Beastmaster responds with an amused smile.
Johnny Michaels: And there is certainly no love lost between Flippers and Marcus either.
Eddie Ellington: I am sure Marcus is terrified of a penguin.
The Misfits of Mayhem enter the ring.
Immediately, Bigfoot steps toward Yeti.
Referee 'Honest' Abe moves between them before anything can erupt.
Celeste Orion: And their opponents, accompanied by Coach Cal Mercer and Flippers the Penguin... Negropolis, Bigfoot, and Mr. Mason... the Misfits of Mayhem!
The crowd cheers.
Mr. Mason steps through the ropes into his corner.
Negropolis joins him.
Bigfoot remains inside.
Across from him, Karnyx starts for the Primal Horde.
'Honest' Abe signals for the bell.
Minute 1
Bigfoot and Karnyx collide in the center.
Neither gives ground immediately.
Karnyx suddenly grabs Bigfoot with one arm and launches him across the ring with a one-hand toss.
The crowd reacts to the display of strength.
Before Bigfoot can fully regain his footing, Varak enters behind 'Honest' Abe’s line of sight.
Karnyx drives Bigfoot toward him.
Varak launches from the ropes and crashes into Bigfoot with the Apex Descent, a top-rope shoulder clothesline.
Johnny Michaels: Karnyx and Varak swarming Bigfoot immediately! The Ultimate Beasts are already using those championship-level combinations.
Eddie Ellington: That is why they are champions. Do not wait politely while the other team gets comfortable. Hurt the biggest man first.
Bigfoot absorbs the collision and surges back upright.
He grabs Karnyx by the throat.
Chokeslam.
Karnyx hits the canvas hard.
Johnny Michaels: But Bigfoot answers! That is an enormous chokeslam!
Eddie Ellington: One move does not erase what just happened to him.
Varak slips back through the ropes before 'Honest' Abe can intervene.
Bigfoot turns toward the Primal Horde corner and points directly at Yeti.
Minute 2
Bigfoot grabs Karnyx and tries to lift him for a bodyslam.
Karnyx shifts his weight.
He slips behind.
Before Bigfoot can turn, Karnyx pulls him down and clamps on a tight chinlock.
Johnny Michaels: Nice reversal by Karnyx. Bigfoot wanted another power move, and Karnyx immediately took away his vertical base.
Eddie Ellington: Exactly. People assume these men are only muscle. Karnyx can wrestle. That is what makes him dangerous.
Bigfoot gets one knee underneath himself.
Then both.
He begins forcing his way upright.
Karnyx keeps the pressure on as long as possible before releasing and driving a forearm into the back.
Rather than continue, Karnyx turns toward his corner.
He tags Yeti.
The arena volume spikes.
Johnny Michaels: Here we go.
Eddie Ellington: This is what I wanted.
Bigfoot immediately rises and turns.
Across the ring, Yeti steps through the ropes.
The two giants stare at one another.
Minute 3
Bigfoot charges.
Yeti meets him in the center.
The collision shakes the ropes.
They exchange heavy forearms.
Bigfoot catches Yeti with a lariat.
Yeti rocks backward but stays upright.
Before Bigfoot can follow, Karnyx and Varak storm into the ring.
Johnny Michaels: Wait a minute! Both tag champions are back in!
Eddie Ellington: Good! Why make Yeti do everything himself?
Yeti drives Bigfoot to the canvas.
He comes down with the Icy Hammer Drop, smashing an elbow across the chest.
Karnyx follows with a wild haymaker as Bigfoot tries to rise.
Varak grabs him around the waist and drives him down with a powerslam.
Johnny Michaels: Three-on-one assault on Bigfoot!
Eddie Ellington: Six-man tag strategy. Perhaps the Misfits should try it sometime.
Mr. Mason starts through the ropes.
So does Negropolis.
Referee 'Honest' Abe immediately turns and stops them.
Johnny Michaels: And now 'Honest' Abe is occupied with the Misfits' corner while the Primal Horde keeps attacking!
Eddie Ellington: That sounds like poor timing by Mr. Mason to me.
Bigfoot swings wildly from the canvas, forcing Karnyx back.
But the three-on-one attack continues.
Minute 4
Yeti steps slightly away as Karnyx and Varak continue working over Bigfoot.
Karnyx grabs him and muscles him upright.
One-hand toss.
Bigfoot crashes toward the center.
Varak climbs quickly.
He launches.
Apex Descent.
The shoulder clothesline drives Bigfoot back to the canvas.
Johnny Michaels: Another Apex Descent from Varak! Bigfoot is getting overwhelmed!
Eddie Ellington: This is beautiful teamwork. Yeti has barely had to lift a finger because the Universal Tag Team Champions are dismantling the man for him.
Johnny Michaels: You call three-on-one beautiful?
Eddie Ellington: When it is this efficient, absolutely.
'Honest' Abe finally turns.
Karnyx and Varak immediately retreat through the ropes.
Yeti remains legal.
Bigfoot lies near the bottom rope.
Coach Cal Mercer pounds the apron and calls for him to move toward the Misfits' corner.
Mr. Mason reaches as far over the ropes as he can.
Mr. Mason: Come on, Bigfoot! Get here!
Yeti cuts him off.
Minute 5
Yeti drags Bigfoot toward the ropes nearest Marcus the Beastmaster.
'Honest' Abe turns briefly to warn Mr. Mason and Negropolis about entering illegally.
Marcus the Beastmaster reaches underneath the ring.
He produces a steel chair.
Johnny Michaels: No! Look at Marcus!
Eddie Ellington: I see a manager providing equipment.
Marcus the Beastmaster swings.
The chair smashes across Bigfoot’s back.
Bigfoot collapses against the apron.
The crowd erupts in outrage.
Johnny Michaels: Steel chair to the back of Bigfoot!
Eddie Ellington: I heard something. I cannot confirm what caused it.
Johnny Michaels: We have a camera directly on him!
Eddie Ellington: Cameras can be misleading.
Yeti steps through the ropes and rolls Bigfoot toward the floor.
'Honest' Abe turns back moments too late.
Marcus the Beastmaster has already dropped the chair and stepped away.
Coach Cal Mercer is furious on the opposite side of the ring.
Flippers the Penguin points accusingly at Marcus.
Marcus the Beastmaster smiles.
Minute 6
Bigfoot pulls himself upright on the floor.
Yeti draws 'Honest' Abe’s attention inside the ring.
Marcus the Beastmaster moves again.
He charges Bigfoot, hooks him around the body, and drives him down with a sidewalk slam directly onto the exposed floor.
The impact echoes through ringside.
Johnny Michaels: Sidewalk slam on the floor! Marcus the Beastmaster just drove Bigfoot into the concrete!
Eddie Ellington: I think Bigfoot tripped.
Johnny Michaels: He was physically lifted off the ground!
Eddie Ellington: Very dramatic trip.
Coach Cal Mercer races around the corner.
Marcus the Beastmaster immediately backs away with both hands raised.
By the time 'Honest' Abe looks outside, Marcus is several feet away.
Coach Cal Mercer: He attacked him! Ask anybody!
Eddie Ellington: Coach Cal is becoming hysterical.
Johnny Michaels: Because his wrestler has been attacked twice behind the referee's back!
Bigfoot drags himself toward the apron.
Yeti reaches down over the top rope, grabs him, and pulls him back inside.
Minute 7
Bigfoot barely reaches his knees before Yeti drives him down again.
Yeti moves toward the ropes.
He comes down with another Icy Hammer Drop across the chest.
Bigfoot goes flat.
Yeti hooks the leg.
'Honest' Abe drops down.
One.
Two.
Bigfoot kicks out.
The crowd erupts.
Johnny Michaels: Bigfoot survives!
Eddie Ellington: Barely. Look at him. Yeti has taken him apart.
Johnny Michaels: With considerable assistance from Karnyx, Varak, and especially Marcus the Beastmaster.
Eddie Ellington: Details.
Yeti rises and looks toward the Misfits' corner.
Mr. Mason is shouting for Bigfoot to reach him.
Yeti smirks.
Rather than continue, he turns and tags Varak.
Johnny Michaels: Yeti giving the Universal Tag Team Champion the opportunity to finish this.
Eddie Ellington: That is leadership.
Varak enters.
Bigfoot is still trapped far from his partners.
Minute 8
Varak grabs Bigfoot and pulls him upright.
He drives forward with the Wrecking Crane.
Bigfoot absorbs the impact but stays alive.
He counters by scooping Varak off his feet and planting him with a bodyslam.
Johnny Michaels: Somehow Bigfoot still has something left!
Eddie Ellington: He is running entirely on stubbornness now.
Varak rolls through and grabs Bigfoot.
He forces him down into a pinning position.
'Honest' Abe drops.
Before a count can develop, Bigfoot shifts his weight and reverses the pin.
Now Varak’s shoulders are down.
One.
Two.
Varak kicks out.
Johnny Michaels: Bigfoot nearly stole it! What a reversal!
Eddie Ellington: Stole is exactly the right word. After being dominated for eight minutes, he almost escaped with a fluke.
Bigfoot crawls toward his corner.
Mr. Mason stretches his hand through the ropes.
Negropolis does the same.
Coach Cal Mercer: Reach! Reach!
Varak grabs Bigfoot’s ankle.
The fingertips of Bigfoot and Mr. Mason come within inches.
Eddie Ellington: Not today.
Varak drags Bigfoot back to the center.
Minute 9
Bigfoot tries to rise.
Varak catches him first.
He hoists the exhausted giant and drives him into the canvas with a crushing powerslam.
Johnny Michaels: Powerslam by Varak!
Eddie Ellington: That is it. Good night.
Varak hooks both legs.
'Honest' Abe drops into position.
One.
Two.
Three.
The bell rings.
Johnny Michaels: Varak pins Bigfoot! The Primal Horde wins it!
Eddie Ellington: Of course they win it! What did you think was going to happen? Yeti, the Universal Tag Team Champions, and Marcus the Beastmaster against this collection of misfits? This was inevitable!
Celeste Orion: Here are your winners... Yeti, Karnyx, and Varak... the Primal Horde!
Marcus the Beastmaster immediately enters the ring.
He raises Varak’s arm.
Karnyx joins him.
Yeti stands near the ropes, but his attention is not on the victory.
It is still fixed on Bigfoot.
Mr. Mason and Negropolis enter immediately to protect their partner.
Coach Cal Mercer slides in behind them and kneels beside Bigfoot.
Flippers the Penguin climbs onto the apron.
Mr. Mason rises slowly.
His expression is hard.
He looks first at Varak.
Then Karnyx.
Then Yeti.
Finally, his eyes settle on Marcus the Beastmaster.
Mr. Mason: You needed all of that to put him down.
Marcus the Beastmaster smiles from across the ring.
He says nothing.
Eddie Ellington: Oh, spare me. Mr. Mason did nothing for nine minutes except stand on the apron and complain.
Johnny Michaels: Because Bigfoot was isolated almost from the opening bell! Every time he threatened to escape, somebody from the Primal Horde or Marcus the Beastmaster stopped him.
Eddie Ellington: That is called controlling the ring. Champions understand it. Winners understand it.
Johnny Michaels: And twice Marcus physically attacked Bigfoot while the referee was looking elsewhere!
Eddie Ellington: You keep bringing up allegations after the result is already official.
Johnny Michaels: Allegations? We watched both of them happen!
Yeti steps toward Bigfoot.
Mr. Mason immediately moves between them.
So does Negropolis.
The crowd grows louder.
Karnyx and Varak move alongside Yeti.
For several tense seconds, all six men stare across the ring at one another.
Coach Cal Mercer remains beside Bigfoot, urging him not to rise too quickly.
At ringside, Flippers the Penguin points angrily toward Marcus the Beastmaster.
Marcus the Beastmaster simply gestures toward the three monsters standing behind him.
Johnny Michaels: Bigfoot took everything the Primal Horde could throw at him tonight, but the numbers and the interference were finally too much.
Eddie Ellington: Or we could simply say the better team won.
Johnny Michaels: I suspect Bigfoot and Yeti are nowhere close to finished.
Eddie Ellington: After tonight, Bigfoot should be finished with the idea altogether.
Marcus the Beastmaster orders his men out.
Karnyx and Varak step through the ropes.
Yeti remains behind for one extra moment, staring directly over Mr. Mason’s shoulder at the battered Bigfoot.
Then Yeti slowly backs through the ropes.
The Primal Horde raises its arms at the top of the aisle while Mr. Mason, Negropolis, Coach Cal Mercer, and Flippers the Penguin remain around Bigfoot in the ring.
The broadcast cuts away.
The broadcast cuts backstage to the Polar Power interview area.
Smooth Samantha stands beneath the blue-white lighting in one of her familiar short, fitted interview dresses, stylish and deliberately revealing, microphone in hand.
Beside her stands Van Helsing.
He is still visibly feeling the effects of his thirty-minute battle with Big Bad Wolf.
There is redness across his shoulders.
His breathing has settled, but there is still tension in his posture.
Smooth Samantha: Van Helsing, earlier tonight you went thirty minutes with Big Bad Wolf, and neither of you was able to secure the victory before the time limit expired. After a match like that, where does that leave you?
Van Helsing looks toward the floor for a moment.
Then back toward Smooth Samantha.
Van Helsing: It leaves me exactly where I was before.
Smooth Samantha: Meaning?
Van Helsing: Hunting.
He turns slightly toward the camera.
Van Helsing: Big Bad Wolf survived tonight.
Van Helsing: So did I.
Van Helsing: Thirty minutes did not settle anything between us.
Van Helsing: But tonight reminded me of something.
Smooth Samantha: What is that?
Van Helsing gives a small, humorless smile.
Van Helsing: There are an awful lot of monsters running around the North these days.
Smooth Samantha tilts the microphone toward him.
Van Helsing: Everywhere I look, something is crawling out of the darkness and trying to convince everyone else that it belongs at the top of the food chain.
He begins counting them off.
Van Helsing: We have a supposed Ghost of Christmas Past walking around with the Universal Championship.
Van Helsing pauses.
Van Helsing: But I have known Hansel a long time.
Van Helsing: And my friend has his own business with that particular ghost in Camelot.
A slight nod.
Van Helsing: I trust him to handle it.
He continues.
Van Helsing: Then we have the Master of the Night trying to convince everyone that hope can be swallowed by darkness.
Van Helsing glances briefly down the corridor.
Van Helsing: Judging by what I saw earlier tonight, Santa Claus has something to say about that.
Smooth Samantha: Even after what the Crimson Maulers did to him?
Van Helsing: Especially after what they did to him.
Van Helsing: Men like Master of the Night make one mistake over and over again.
Van Helsing: They mistake pain for surrender.
His expression hardens.
Van Helsing: They are not the same thing.
Smooth Samantha: And the threats do not stop there.
Van Helsing: No.
Van Helsing: There is a demon king named Infernus Rex walking around trying to snuff out every hero he can find.
Van Helsing: He wants the North to believe that fire burns brighter than courage.
He shakes his head.
Van Helsing: But Rudolph has unfinished business with him.
Van Helsing: And something tells me Rudolph has not forgotten a single second of it.
Smooth Samantha: You mentioned monsters wearing championships.
Van Helsing: There is another one.
He looks directly into the camera.
Van Helsing: Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend.
Van Helsing: Walking around with the Northern Lights Championship like it was made for a creature like him.
A pause.
Van Helsing: And I hate saying this...
Smooth Samantha raises an eyebrow.
Van Helsing: But right now, Krampus is standing up against the Infernal Legion.
Van Helsing: That does not make him a saint.
Van Helsing: It does not erase what he is.
Van Helsing: But when darkness starts fighting darkness, sometimes you let them tear pieces out of each other before deciding which one needs to be put down next.
Smooth Samantha: That sounds almost like professional respect.
Van Helsing: Do not push it.
A faint smile briefly crosses Smooth Samantha’s face.
Van Helsing: Then there is the Primal Horde.
His tone turns colder.
Van Helsing: Yeti.
Van Helsing: The Ultimate Beasts.
Van Helsing: Marcus the Beastmaster standing behind all of them, pointing them toward whoever he wants crushed next.
Van Helsing: They continue terrorizing this division because they believe size, numbers, and fear are enough to control the North.
Van Helsing: But the Misfits of Mayhem are standing in their way.
Van Helsing: And after what I watched tonight, I do not think Mr. Mason, Bigfoot, or the rest of that group are going anywhere.
Smooth Samantha: You said there are a lot of monsters.
Van Helsing: I have saved the biggest one for last.
The tone around the interview changes.
Van Helsing looks directly into the lens.
Van Helsing: Grondar the Revenant.
A beat.
Van Helsing: The so-called apocalyptic monster holding the North Pole Championship.
Van Helsing: Next week, Rudolph gets his opportunity.
Van Helsing: And I know exactly what that means to him.
Van Helsing: That fight belongs to Rudolph first.
He steps slightly closer to the camera.
Van Helsing: But after that...
Van Helsing lowers his voice.
Van Helsing: Grondar...
Van Helsing: I am marking you.
The words hang in the air.
Van Helsing: Championship or no championship.
Van Helsing: Magnus Blackwell at ringside or standing ten miles away.
Van Helsing: Apocalypse or legend.
Van Helsing: It does not matter.
He taps two fingers against his own chest.
Then points toward the camera.
Van Helsing: Hunters learn their prey.
Van Helsing: We study the tracks.
Van Helsing: We learn the habits.
Van Helsing: We wait until the monster believes nothing in the world is capable of stopping it.
A final pause.
Van Helsing: Then we hunt.
Smooth Samantha: So despite tonight ending in a draw, your list is getting longer.
Van Helsing: No.
He glances toward her.
Van Helsing: My list is getting clearer.
Smooth Samantha lowers the microphone slightly.
Smooth Samantha: Van Helsing, thank you.
Van Helsing gives her a brief nod before walking out of frame.
The camera remains on Smooth Samantha for a moment before she looks toward the direction he left.
The broadcast cuts away.
The arena lights dim.
A deep, primal drumbeat rolls through the North Pole Arena.
Heavy footsteps echo through the sound system.
Marcus the Beastmaster steps onto the stage first.
He turns toward the entrance and extends one arm.
Ursa Titania emerges behind him.
The challenger stops at the top of the ramp, massive and composed, staring directly toward the ring.
Johnny Michaels: Here comes one of the most physically imposing challengers Valka has faced since becoming Aurora Champion.
Eddie Ellington: Imposing? Ursa Titania looks like she came here to carry the championship out under one arm and the champion under the other.
Johnny Michaels: And once again, Marcus the Beastmaster is at ringside.
Eddie Ellington: Management, Johnny. Successful athletes have management.
Ursa Titania starts down the aisle.
Marcus the Beastmaster walks several paces behind her.
The challenger reaches ringside, climbs onto the apron, and steps over the middle rope.
She moves directly toward the center.
Celeste Orion: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the Aurora Championship! Introducing first, accompanied by Marcus the Beastmaster... the challenger... Ursa Titania!
The crowd boos.
Ursa Titania remains motionless.
Then the lights change.
A sharp burst of white and violet light sweeps across the arena.
The reaction turns immediately.
Valka steps through the curtain with the Aurora Championship secured around her waist.
She stops beneath the entrance lights and looks down toward Ursa Titania.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Johnny Michaels: And here comes the champion. Valka has never been interested in avoiding difficult challengers.
Eddie Ellington: That attitude is admirable right up until it gets you flattened.
Johnny Michaels: She has faced power before.
Eddie Ellington: Not this power.
Valka walks toward the ring with the championship still around her waist.
She climbs the steps, enters through the ropes, and immediately steps toward Ursa Titania.
Referee 'Honest' Abe moves between them.
Valka removes the Aurora Championship and hands it over.
'Honest' Abe raises the belt above his head.
Celeste Orion: And her opponent... she is the reigning and defending Aurora Champion... Valka!
The crowd cheers loudly.
Valka never looks away from her challenger.
'Honest' Abe passes the championship to ringside.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Valka moves immediately behind Ursa Titania and tries to secure the Dragon Sleeper.
Ursa Titania reacts instantly.
She grabs the arm, powers forward, and forces Valka to release before the hold can be established.
Johnny Michaels: Valka looking for the Dragon Sleeper immediately, but Ursa Titania shuts it down.
Eddie Ellington: That is what happens when you try wrapping yourself around somebody built like a fortress.
Ursa Titania turns and drives a shoulder into Valka’s chest.
The champion backs toward the ropes.
Valka circles away rather than remain in front of her.
Johnny Michaels: Interesting opening. Valka tested the submission game and immediately learned how difficult controlling Ursa Titania is going to be.
Eddie Ellington: First lesson of the evening.
Minute 2
Both women circle cautiously.
Valka suddenly spins and catches Ursa Titania with a 180 corkscrew enzuigiri.
The kick snaps the challenger's head to the side.
Ursa Titania barely moves.
She steps forward and drives a knee lift into Valka’s midsection.
Johnny Michaels: Enzuigiri from the champion, answered immediately by that knee lift!
Eddie Ellington: Valka threw something flashy. Ursa Titania threw something painful.
Valka backs away, holding her ribs.
Ursa Titania closes the distance.
The champion catches her with another kick to the thigh and circles again.
Johnny Michaels: Valka understands she cannot stand directly in front of this challenger for long.
Eddie Ellington: She is already running.
Minute 3
Valka tries the Dragon Sleeper again.
This time she gets the arm around the head.
Ursa Titania immediately begins fighting the grip.
She breaks enough space to turn.
Then unleashes a barrage of headbutts.
One.
Two.
Three.
Valka releases and staggers backward.
Johnny Michaels: Brutal headbutts from Ursa Titania!
Eddie Ellington: There is your answer to the submission hold. Hit the champion in the face until she lets go.
Valka fires back with a forearm.
Ursa Titania answers with another.
The crowd reacts as both women begin trading strikes.
Johnny Michaels: Neither woman backing down.
Eddie Ellington: That favors the challenger.
Minute 4
Valka ducks underneath a heavy swing.
She hooks Ursa Titania and drives her down with Twilight Judgment.
The sit-out facebuster slam shakes the ring.
Johnny Michaels: Twilight Judgment! Tremendous execution from Valka!
Eddie Ellington: She caught her. I will give her that.
Valka rises.
But Ursa Titania is already moving.
The challenger catches Valka as she approaches and throws her over with a side suplex.
Valka lands hard.
Johnny Michaels: And again Ursa Titania answers almost immediately.
Eddie Ellington: That is the problem for Valka. She is landing big moves and still cannot keep this woman down.
Minute 5
Valka grabs Ursa Titania around the body.
The crowd rises as the champion powers the challenger off the mat.
Valka presses her overhead.
Johnny Michaels: Look at the strength of Valka!
Eddie Ellington: I admit that is impressive.
Valka drives Ursa Titania down with a military press slam.
The challenger rolls through and forces herself back upright.
She grabs Valka by the throat.
Chokeslam.
Valka crashes onto the mat.
Johnny Michaels: Military press slam from the champion, chokeslam from the challenger!
Eddie Ellington: Every time Valka thinks she has accomplished something, Ursa Titania answers harder.
Both women stay down momentarily.
Minute 6
Ursa Titania reaches her feet first.
She grabs Valka and throws her across the ring with another side suplex.
The champion lands near the corner.
Johnny Michaels: Another side suplex, and Ursa Titania is beginning to impose her strength.
Eddie Ellington: Beginning? She has been doing that since the bell rang.
Valka tries to rise.
Ursa Titania drives a boot into the ribs.
Referee 'Honest' Abe warns her to back away.
Marcus the Beastmaster applauds from ringside.
Johnny Michaels: Marcus certainly likes what he sees.
Eddie Ellington: Why would he not? His athlete is dominating a champion.
Minute 7
Valka explodes out of the corner.
She catches Ursa Titania and once again lifts her overhead.
Another military press slam.
The arena erupts.
Johnny Michaels: Valka doing it again! Tremendous strength from the Aurora Champion!
Eddie Ellington: She is burning a lot of energy doing that.
As Valka turns toward the ropes, Marcus the Beastmaster climbs onto the apron.
Johnny Michaels: Here we go.
'Honest' Abe immediately moves toward Marcus and orders him down.
Behind the referee, Ursa Titania rises.
Marcus suddenly steps through the ropes.
He catches Valka from behind.
Sidewalk slam.
Valka crashes onto the canvas.
Johnny Michaels: Marcus the Beastmaster just entered the ring!
Eddie Ellington: I must have blinked.
Johnny Michaels: You saw it!
Eddie Ellington: I saw confusion.
Marcus the Beastmaster rolls immediately back outside.
'Honest' Abe turns around.
Ursa Titania is standing.
Valka is down.
Johnny Michaels: The referee missed the entire thing!
Eddie Ellington: Then apparently nothing happened.
Minute 8
Ursa Titania charges with a big boot.
Valka moves.
The challenger misses.
Valka grabs the leg and shoves her backward.
Johnny Michaels: Big boot avoided! Valka still has life!
Eddie Ellington: Temporary inconvenience.
Valka fires a forearm.
Then another.
Ursa Titania backs toward the ropes.
Valka charges.
The challenger catches her coming in, but Valka slips free.
Johnny Michaels: Excellent recovery from the champion after that illegal attack.
Eddie Ellington: Still complaining about things the referee did not see.
Minute 9
Ursa Titania hooks Valka for Cursebreak.
She tries to lift the champion into the sit-out powerbomb.
Valka blocks.
She drops her weight.
Ursa Titania tries again.
Still no movement.
Valka drives a forearm down across the back.
Johnny Michaels: Valka refusing to be lifted for Cursebreak!
Eddie Ellington: Smart survival. She knows what happens if that lands.
Valka breaks free.
She delivers a sharp kick to the ribs.
Ursa Titania remains standing.
Johnny Michaels: The challenger continues absorbing punishment.
Eddie Ellington: That is why this title is in danger.
Minute 10
Valka grabs Ursa Titania and bends her across the knee with a pendulum backbreaker.
The challenger rolls off.
Johnny Michaels: Pendulum backbreaker!
Eddie Ellington: Effective move. Wrong opponent.
Ursa Titania rises and grabs Valka by the head.
Another headbutt barrage.
Valka stumbles after the third strike.
Johnny Michaels: Those headbutts are landing with frightening force.
Eddie Ellington: Ursa Titania does not need finesse. She just needs contact.
Valka backs into the ropes.
The crowd begins rallying behind her.
Minute 11
Both women charge.
Valka catches Ursa Titania and drives her down with Ragnarok, the Death Valley Driver.
The arena erupts.
Johnny Michaels: Ragnarok! This could be it!
Valka hooks the leg.
But Ursa Titania twists suddenly.
She reverses the pinning position.
Now Valka’s shoulders are down.
One.
Two.
Valka kicks out.
Both women separate.
Johnny Michaels: Incredible reversal! Ursa Titania nearly stole the championship!
Eddie Ellington: Stole? She outwrestled her.
Johnny Michaels: Valka hit Ragnarok!
Eddie Ellington: And still almost lost.
Ursa Titania grabs the champion as they rise and throws her down with a bodyslam.
Johnny Michaels: This challenger will not stay down.
Eddie Ellington: That is what champions are made of.
Johnny Michaels: She is not champion yet.
Eddie Ellington: Give it a few minutes.
Minute 12
Valka goes back to the Dragon Sleeper.
She gets it locked.
Ursa Titania struggles.
The crowd gets louder.
Johnny Michaels: Dragon Sleeper! This may be the best position Valka has had all night!
Eddie Ellington: Get up, Ursa!
Ursa Titania plants her feet.
She powers upright with Valka still attached.
Then drops backward and throws the champion off with a side suplex.
Johnny Michaels: What power!
Eddie Ellington: Exactly! You cannot submit someone who can simply pick you up and throw you.
Both women lie on the canvas.
'Honest' Abe checks them.
They begin rising.
Minute 13
Valka strikes first.
She spins and lands another 180 corkscrew enzuigiri.
Ursa Titania staggers.
Valka charges.
Ursa Titania lifts her boot.
Big boot.
Valka crashes backward.
Johnny Michaels: Big boot catches the champion flush!
Eddie Ellington: There it is. All that spinning and flipping right into a boot.
Valka rolls toward the ropes.
Ursa Titania follows slowly.
Marcus the Beastmaster pounds the apron.
Johnny Michaels: Valka may be running out of answers.
Eddie Ellington: She ran out several minutes ago.
Minute 14
Valka pushes herself upright.
She lunges for Ursa Titania.
The champion tries to hook the Dragon Sleeper one more time.
Ursa Titania powers free.
She grabs Valka by the throat.
The crowd rises.
Johnny Michaels: No!
Ursa Titania lifts her high.
Chokeslam.
Valka crashes into the canvas.
Eddie Ellington: Cover her!
Ursa Titania drops across the champion and hooks the leg.
'Honest' Abe slides into position.
One.
Two.
Three.
The bell rings.
For a moment, the arena is stunned.
Johnny Michaels: We have a new champion!
Eddie Ellington: I told you! I told you from the beginning!
Marcus the Beastmaster throws both arms into the air at ringside.
Ursa Titania pushes herself upright.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner... and the NEW Aurora Champion... Ursa Titania!
The boos rain down.
Referee 'Honest' Abe receives the Aurora Championship from ringside.
He hands it to Ursa Titania.
She stares at the belt for several seconds.
Then raises it high.
Marcus the Beastmaster climbs through the ropes.
He takes Ursa Titania’s wrist and lifts her arm.
The new champion raises the title with her other hand.
Johnny Michaels: Valka’s reign is over. Ursa Titania has captured the Aurora Championship.
Eddie Ellington: And look who was right.
Johnny Michaels: You are going to completely ignore Marcus the Beastmaster entering the ring and sidewalk-slamming Valka behind the referee's back?
Eddie Ellington: I am going to celebrate the new champion.
Johnny Michaels: That interference changed the entire course of the match.
Eddie Ellington: Did Marcus hit the final chokeslam?
Johnny Michaels: No.
Eddie Ellington: Did Marcus make the cover?
Johnny Michaels: No.
Eddie Ellington: Then congratulations to Ursa Titania.
Valka sits against the bottom turnbuckle.
She looks toward the championship.
Then toward Marcus the Beastmaster.
Her expression changes.
She knows exactly what happened.
Johnny Michaels: Valka knows she was robbed of a fair fight.
Eddie Ellington: What Valka knows is that she is no longer Aurora Champion.
Ursa Titania steps onto the middle rope and raises the Aurora Championship overhead.
Behind her, Marcus the Beastmaster applauds.
Johnny Michaels: First the Primal Horde earlier tonight, and now Ursa Titania has added championship gold to Marcus the Beastmaster’s growing collection of power.
Eddie Ellington: Successful night for successful people.
Johnny Michaels: A new Aurora Champion has been crowned tonight on Polar Power.
Ursa Titania drops from the ropes and places the championship over her shoulder.
She and Marcus the Beastmaster leave the ring together.
Valka remains seated against the turnbuckles, staring after them.
The camera follows the new champion up the aisle before the broadcast cuts away.
The lights inside the North Pole Arena dim.
A low mechanical rumble rolls through the building.
The entrance screen turns black.
Then a single white image appears.
The North Pole Championship.
The image fractures.
A massive impact of sound hits as Magnus Blackwell steps through the curtain.
He wears a long dark coat over his tailored suit, his expression as composed as ever.
Behind him emerge the Frost Giants.
One takes position to Magnus Blackwell’s left.
The other stands to his right.
Then the music drops into a deeper, heavier rhythm.
Grondar the Revenant appears.
The North Pole Championship is strapped around his waist.
The crowd erupts in boos.
Grondar does not acknowledge them.
He simply stands beneath the entrance lights, enormous and unmoving.
Johnny Michaels: One week from tonight, Grondar the Revenant will defend that North Pole Championship against Rudolph. But tonight, the champion has two enormous allies standing beside him.
Eddie Ellington: Which is why this is going to be wonderful. Rudolph wants to prove he belongs in the ring with Grondar? Fine. Tonight he can try doing it while two Frost Giants are trying to flatten his friends.
Johnny Michaels: Rudolph earned that championship opportunity, and you know that.
Eddie Ellington: Earning an opportunity and surviving the opportunity are very different things.
Magnus Blackwell starts down the aisle.
The Frost Giants follow.
Grondar walks behind them with the championship around his waist.
There is no interaction between the champion and the crowd.
No gestures.
No theatrics.
Just a slow march toward the ring.
Johnny Michaels: And there is Magnus Blackwell, the architect behind so much of what we are seeing from Grondar.
Eddie Ellington: Architect? I like that. He took raw destruction and gave it direction.
Johnny Michaels: He has also made it very clear that he believes Rudolph is damaged goods.
Eddie Ellington: Have you seen the mask? He is literally wearing evidence.
The quartet reaches ringside.
The Frost Giants climb onto the apron first.
Grondar steps onto the apron and over the top rope.
Magnus Blackwell remains on the floor.
Celeste Orion: The following six-man tag team contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, accompanied by Magnus Blackwell... the Frost Giants and the reigning North Pole Champion... Grondar the Revenant!
The boos intensify.
Grondar removes the North Pole Championship and hands it through the ropes to Magnus Blackwell.
Magnus holds it in both hands for a moment, making sure the hard camera sees it.
Then the arena lights shift.
The roar of a winter storm fills the building.
A bright white spotlight hits the stage.
Blitzen emerges first.
The crowd cheers.
Donner steps out beside him.
Then the music hits another level.
Rudolph walks through the curtain.
The reaction explodes.
His injuries are healed.
His antlers have been cut shorter and even, each tip capped in metal.
The hardened black half-face mask covers one side of his face completely, shielding the injured eye beneath it.
Johnny Michaels: Look at Rudolph.
Eddie Ellington: I am looking. He has turned himself into a hardware project.
Johnny Michaels: Those injuries have healed, but Rudolph has not forgotten what happened to him.
Eddie Ellington: Good. Memory is important. Maybe next week he will remember that challenging Grondar was a terrible idea.
Rudolph stands between Blitzen and Donner.
His attention is locked exclusively on the ring.
More specifically, on Grondar.
Grondar looks back.
Neither moves.
Johnny Michaels: Seven days before they meet for the North Pole Championship, Rudolph and Grondar are staring each other down.
Eddie Ellington: And Rudolph should enjoy the view while he is upright.
The three reindeer begin walking toward the ring.
Blitzen slaps hands with fans along one side.
Donner gestures for the crowd to get louder.
Rudolph does neither.
He never takes his eye off Grondar.
They reach ringside.
Rudolph climbs onto the apron.
Grondar immediately steps forward.
Referee 'Honest' Abe gets between them.
Celeste Orion: And their opponents... Blitzen, Donner, and the number-one contender to the North Pole Championship... Rudolph!
The crowd roars.
Magnus Blackwell stands outside with the North Pole Championship over one shoulder.
Rudolph looks down at it.
Then back at Grondar.
Eddie Ellington: See that look? He is already staring at something that does not belong to him.
Johnny Michaels: It could belong to him seven days from now.
Eddie Ellington: It could snow indoors too.
'Honest' Abe directs both teams toward their corners.
Frost Giant One remains inside.
Blitzen starts for the other side.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Frost Giant One charges immediately.
Blitzen ducks under an elbow smash coming off the ropes.
The Giant turns.
Blitzen catches the arm and redirects him toward the corner.
Johnny Michaels: Good start from Blitzen. He avoids the first heavy shot and uses the Giant’s momentum against him.
Eddie Ellington: Enjoy it while it lasts. Eventually Blitzen is going to run out of places to duck.
Frost Giant One tries to corner him.
Blitzen slips underneath another attempt and fires a kick to the thigh.
The Giant barely reacts.
Johnny Michaels: Blitzen has to keep moving. He cannot allow this to become a stationary power battle.
Eddie Ellington: Exactly, because if they stop moving, the Frost Giants turn them into Christmas decorations.
Frost Giant One looks toward his corner.
He tags Frost Giant Two.
Minute 2
Frost Giant Two steps inside and immediately grabs Blitzen in a side headlock.
Blitzen tries to push free.
The Giant clamps down harder.
Johnny Michaels: Frost Giant Two slowing the pace immediately.
Eddie Ellington: Good wrestling. Everybody thinks these giants only smash people. Sometimes they squeeze them first.
Blitzen backs toward the ropes.
He pushes Frost Giant Two away.
The Giant rebounds.
Blitzen drops underneath and catches him in a sunset flip.
The crowd rises.
'Honest' Abe drops toward the canvas.
But Frost Giant Two powers out before a full count can develop.
Johnny Michaels: Blitzen nearly surprised him!
Eddie Ellington: Nearly is a wonderful word for losers.
Blitzen rolls toward his corner.
He reaches up.
Rudolph tags in.
The crowd erupts.
Minute 3
Rudolph steps into the ring.
Frost Giant Two advances.
A knee lift catches Rudolph in the body.
Rudolph bends forward.
The Giant grabs him.
Rudolph suddenly surges upward and drives his metal-tipped antlers safely clear as he lands a brutal headbutt to the upper chest and jaw.
Johnny Michaels: Headbutt from Rudolph!
Eddie Ellington: I am still not convinced those metal tips should be anywhere near a wrestling ring.
Johnny Michaels: He did not use the metal tips.
Eddie Ellington: Yet.
Rudolph backs Frost Giant Two toward the ropes.
The Giant fires another knee.
Rudolph absorbs it.
He looks toward the opposite corner.
At Grondar.
Frost Giant Two turns.
He tags the North Pole Champion.
The crowd erupts again.
Grondar steps through the ropes.
Rudolph immediately leans forward.
But after one long stare, Rudolph turns and tags Blitzen.
Johnny Michaels: Interesting decision from Rudolph. He could have gone after Grondar, but he is not allowing emotion to dictate the match.
Eddie Ellington: Or he suddenly remembered next week is the one that matters and got out of there.
Minute 4
Blitzen enters quickly.
Grondar meets him immediately.
The champion grabs him around the body and launches him overhead with a vertical suplex.
Blitzen crashes onto his back.
Johnny Michaels: Tremendous vertical suplex from Grondar.
Eddie Ellington: That is your North Pole Champion. No wasted movement. No unnecessary theatrics. Pick them up, throw them down.
Blitzen rolls toward his corner.
He reaches.
Donner tags in.
Johnny Michaels: Donner entering for the first time tonight.
Eddie Ellington: Another volunteer.
Donner steps through the ropes.
Grondar waits in the center.
Minute 5
Grondar strikes first with a European uppercut.
Donner staggers backward.
He rebounds from the ropes and charges.
Reindeer Gorge.
The running headbutt catches Grondar squarely.
The champion takes a step backward.
Only one.
Johnny Michaels: Donner threw everything into that running headbutt!
Eddie Ellington: And Grondar moved about six inches.
Donner fires another forearm.
Grondar answers with another uppercut.
Johnny Michaels: Donner is standing his ground.
Eddie Ellington: That is brave in the same way standing on train tracks is brave.
Grondar grabs him.
Donner fights the grip.
The champion drives a knee into the abdomen.
Minute 6
Grondar lifts Donner high overhead.
The crowd reacts as he holds him suspended.
Then drives him down into a spinebuster from the gorilla press position.
The ring shakes.
Johnny Michaels: What power from Grondar!
Eddie Ellington: That is why he is champion.
Grondar covers.
'Honest' Abe counts.
One.
Two.
Donner kicks out.
The crowd cheers.
Johnny Michaels: Donner stays alive!
Eddie Ellington: Temporary administrative delay.
Grondar sits upright.
There is no frustration.
He simply looks toward Rudolph.
Rudolph stares back from the apron.
Johnny Michaels: The champion is making sure Rudolph sees everything.
Eddie Ellington: He should take notes.
Minute 7
Grondar pulls Donner toward the Blackwell corner.
Both Frost Giants enter.
The three massive men surround him.
Johnny Michaels: This is about to become dangerous.
Eddie Ellington: Become?
Grondar reaches for another gorilla press.
Frost Giant One lines up for a leg drop.
Frost Giant Two positions for a bodyslam.
But Donner fights free.
He twists away from Grondar.
The two Frost Giants collide awkwardly as Donner ducks underneath them.
He turns and blasts backward with a Reindeer Kick.
The mule kick catches Frost Giant Two and sends him stumbling into Grondar.
The crowd erupts.
Johnny Michaels: Donner escaped all three!
Eddie Ellington: Lucky chaos.
Donner scrambles toward his corner.
Rudolph and Blitzen reach for the tag.
But Grondar catches Donner by the ankle before he can reach them.
Johnny Michaels: So close!
Eddie Ellington: Not close enough.
Minute 8
Grondar drags Donner back to the center.
He pulls him upright.
Clothesline.
Donner flips to the canvas.
Johnny Michaels: Massive clothesline from Grondar!
Eddie Ellington: There is your correction to last minute’s mistake.
Grondar stands over Donner.
He looks toward Rudolph again.
Rudolph grips the top rope.
Johnny Michaels: Grondar is not simply trying to win this match. He is sending a message.
Eddie Ellington: He is giving Rudolph a free preview. Very generous champion.
Donner begins rising.
Grondar pulls him up the rest of the way.
Minute 9
Another European uppercut rocks Donner.
Donner fires back.
He rebounds from the ropes.
Another Reindeer Gorge connects.
This time Grondar takes two steps backward.
The crowd gets louder.
Johnny Michaels: Donner moved him that time!
Eddie Ellington: Congratulations. Perhaps they can put that on the Christmas card.
Donner charges again.
Grondar stops him with a hard forearm.
The champion looks toward his corner.
He tags Frost Giant Two.
Johnny Michaels: Smart tag by the champion. He has done considerable damage and now brings in a fresh giant.
Eddie Ellington: That is what great champions do. They manage the battlefield.
Minute 10
Frost Giant Two storms into the ring.
Donner tries to strike first.
The Giant absorbs it.
Frost Giant One enters from the opposite side.
Then Grondar steps back through the ropes.
All three surround Donner again.
Johnny Michaels: Not again.
Eddie Ellington: Absolutely again.
Frost Giant Two lifts Donner for a powerbomb.
He drives him down.
Before Donner can recover, Frost Giant One drags him upright and plants him with a bulldog.
Then Grondar takes over.
He hooks Donner.
Lifts.
The Aftermath.
The Jackhammer crashes Donner into the canvas.
Johnny Michaels: The Aftermath! Three-man assault on Donner!
Eddie Ellington: Beautiful sequence. Absolutely beautiful.
Donner somehow throws a pair of punches from the mat as he tries to fight out.
Rudolph and Blitzen charge through the ropes.
Referee 'Honest' Abe rushes to stop them.
Johnny Michaels: Donner is being dismantled!
Eddie Ellington: Then perhaps his teammates should have tagged in sooner.
Minute 11
The punishment continues.
Frost Giant Two presses Donner overhead and drives him down with a military press slam.
Frost Giant One follows with another bulldog.
Grondar pulls Donner up once more.
Vertical suplex.
Donner hits hard.
Johnny Michaels: This is becoming a prolonged three-on-one assault!
Eddie Ellington: I prefer coordinated team offense.
Donner throws desperate punches from his knees.
One catches Frost Giant One.
Another catches Frost Giant Two.
But Grondar remains behind him.
Johnny Michaels: Donner refuses to quit.
Eddie Ellington: Admirable. Unwise, but admirable.
Rudolph is shouting from the apron.
Rudolph: Get here!
Donner tries to crawl.
Minute 12
Frost Giant One and Frost Giant Two step away as 'Honest' Abe finally restores some order.
Grondar remains legal long enough to grab Donner.
He hoists him across the body.
Pumphandle slam.
Donner crashes down.
Johnny Michaels: Pumphandle slam from Grondar!
Eddie Ellington: Donner has spent half this match being introduced to the canvas.
Grondar does not cover.
Instead, he steps backward and points toward Rudolph.
Johnny Michaels: He could have gone for the pin.
Eddie Ellington: He is making a point.
Rudolph steps one foot through the ropes.
'Honest' Abe immediately warns him back.
Magnus Blackwell smiles from ringside.
Johnny Michaels: Magnus Blackwell enjoying every second of this.
Eddie Ellington: Why would he not?
Minute 13
Frost Giant Two returns legally.
He grabs Donner and bends him over the knee with a backbreaker.
Donner rolls away.
The Giant advances.
Donner suddenly explodes forward with another Reindeer Gorge.
The running headbutt rocks Frost Giant Two backward.
Johnny Michaels: Donner still fighting!
Eddie Ellington: He is making this much harder on himself.
Donner crawls toward his corner.
This time he reaches.
Blitzen tags in.
The crowd comes alive.
Blitzen vaults through the ropes.
Johnny Michaels: Fresh man!
Eddie Ellington: Fresh for now.
Minute 14
Blitzen charges.
Frost Giant Two swings with a forearm.
Blitzen ducks.
Another forearm.
Another escape.
The Giant tries to trap him in the corner.
Blitzen slides beneath the bottom rope, back inside, and forces the Giant to turn.
Johnny Michaels: Blitzen using his speed perfectly.
Eddie Ellington: He is avoiding the inevitable.
Frost Giant Two fires a series of forearms.
Blitzen blocks the first.
Deflects the second.
Moves away from the third.
Johnny Michaels: Blitzen neutralizing that attack.
Eddie Ellington: Give the Giant five seconds and he will find him.
Blitzen sees Donner recovering on the apron.
He makes the tag back.
Donner enters again.
Johnny Michaels: Donner wants back in despite everything he has absorbed.
Eddie Ellington: Somebody needs to protect people from their own decisions.
Minute 15
Donner enters with a stomp to Frost Giant Two.
At ringside, Magnus Blackwell suddenly climbs onto the apron.
Referee 'Honest' Abe turns.
Johnny Michaels: Magnus Blackwell inserting himself now.
Eddie Ellington: He is asking a question.
Johnny Michaels: During the match?
Eddie Ellington: Timing is subjective.
Magnus speaks calmly to the referee.
Nothing dramatic.
Just enough to delay him.
Donner lands another Reindeer Clomp stomp inside the ring.
Frost Giant Two rolls away.
Johnny Michaels: Magnus has slowed the referee’s attention at exactly the right time for his side.
Eddie Ellington: That is why he gets paid.
Donner turns toward Magnus Blackwell.
Magnus steps back to the floor and adjusts his cuffs.
Minute 16
Frost Giant Two catches Donner from behind.
He hoists him up.
Powerbomb.
Donner crashes down.
Grondar steps through the ropes.
A hard side kick catches Donner as he tries to rise.
Johnny Michaels: Another two-on-one attack!
Eddie Ellington: This is six-man tag team wrestling. Keep up.
Donner throws another desperate stomp into Frost Giant Two’s knee.
The Giant stumbles.
Grondar backs toward the ropes.
Donner reaches for his corner.
Rudolph is demanding the tag.
Blitzen reaches too.
Johnny Michaels: Donner needs out of this match.
Eddie Ellington: He needed out ten minutes ago.
Minute 17
Donner finally reaches his corner.
But instead of a normal tag, all three reindeer surge into the ring together.
Blitzen fires a Reindeer One Two, hammering Frost Giant Two with a double punch.
Rudolph follows with his own double punch.
Donner lands another Reindeer Clomp.
The crowd erupts.
Johnny Michaels: Now the reindeer are turning the numbers game around!
Eddie Ellington: Disqualify them!
Johnny Michaels: You spent the last fifteen minutes praising the exact same thing from the other side!
Eddie Ellington: That was different.
Frost Giant Two somehow muscles through the assault.
He grabs Donner and drives him down with a bodyslam.
Rudolph and Blitzen are forced back toward their corner by 'Honest' Abe.
Johnny Michaels: What strength from Frost Giant Two, surviving all three and still planting Donner.
Eddie Ellington: That is why I am not worried.
Minute 18
Donner recovers first.
He climbs the turnbuckles.
The crowd rises.
Frost Giant Two begins to stand.
Donner launches.
Comet’s Crash style top-rope diving headbutt connects squarely.
The Giant collapses.
Johnny Michaels: Diving headbutt! Donner got all of it!
Eddie Ellington: Stay down long enough to recover, big man.
Donner covers.
'Honest' Abe counts.
One.
Two.
Frost Giant Two kicks out.
The crowd groans.
Johnny Michaels: Two and a half!
Eddie Ellington: Never in doubt.
Johnny Michaels: You stopped talking during the count.
Eddie Ellington: Strategic silence.
Frost Giant Two rolls toward his corner.
He reaches.
Grondar tags in.
At the same time, Donner reaches his own corner.
Blitzen tags in.
Johnny Michaels: North Pole Champion against Blitzen now.
Minute 19
Blitzen enters at full speed.
He turns his back at the last moment.
Reindeer Kick.
The mule kick catches Grondar in the chest.
The champion takes a step backward.
Johnny Michaels: Blitzen caught him clean!
Eddie Ellington: And look at Grondar. Still standing.
Blitzen fires another kick.
Then another.
Grondar absorbs them.
Blitzen rebounds from the ropes.
Grondar reaches for him.
Blitzen ducks underneath.
Johnny Michaels: Blitzen using every bit of speed he has.
Eddie Ellington: Because stopping would be catastrophic.
Minute 20
Grondar finally catches Blitzen with a side kick.
Blitzen staggers backward.
He rebounds.
Then launches into a shooting star press.
The crowd rises as Blitzen crashes across Grondar.
Johnny Michaels: Shooting star press!
Eddie Ellington: Flashy nonsense.
Johnny Michaels: It put the North Pole Champion on the mat!
Eddie Ellington: Briefly.
Blitzen looks toward his corner.
He tags Donner back in.
Donner steps through the ropes, still clearly battered from the punishment he absorbed earlier.
Johnny Michaels: I am surprised Donner is coming back in.
Eddie Ellington: I am delighted.
Minute 21
Donner charges immediately.
Grondar waits.
Donner lowers his head.
The champion steps forward.
Spear.
Grondar cuts Donner in half.
The arena reacts with a collective groan.
Johnny Michaels: Spear! Grondar just drove through Donner!
Eddie Ellington: That is it.
Grondar covers.
'Honest' Abe drops down.
One.
Two.
Three.
The bell rings.
Johnny Michaels: Grondar gets the pin!
Eddie Ellington: Exactly as expected.
Celeste Orion: Here are your winners... the Frost Giants and the North Pole Champion... Grondar the Revenant!
Magnus Blackwell immediately retrieves the North Pole Championship.
He enters the ring.
Grondar rises.
Magnus hands him the title.
The champion takes it.
But he does not raise it.
He turns.
Across the ring, Rudolph has already stepped through the ropes.
Blitzen kneels beside Donner.
Rudolph does not look toward either man.
His attention is entirely on Grondar.
Johnny Michaels: And here we go.
Eddie Ellington: Do not do it, Rudolph. Save yourself the embarrassment until next week.
Rudolph walks slowly toward the center.
Grondar does the same.
The Frost Giants begin moving toward Rudolph.
Magnus Blackwell raises one hand.
They stop.
The crowd grows louder.
Grondar stands face-to-face with his next challenger.
The North Pole Championship hangs from one hand.
Rudolph looks down at it.
Then back up.
Johnny Michaels: Seven days.
Eddie Ellington: Seven days until reality arrives.
Johnny Michaels: Rudolph has survived injury, survived everything placed in front of him, and next week he gets the championship match he demanded.
Eddie Ellington: And tonight he watched Grondar pin one of his partners after twenty-one minutes of destruction. That should tell him everything he needs to know.
Rudolph raises one hand and taps the center plate of the North Pole Championship.
The crowd erupts.
Magnus Blackwell steps forward immediately.
Magnus Blackwell: Careful.
Rudolph turns his masked face toward him.
Then back toward Grondar.
Rudolph: Next week.
Grondar says nothing.
He lifts the North Pole Championship slowly between them.
Rudolph does not move.
Johnny Michaels: Neither man is backing down.
Eddie Ellington: One of them does not need to. He is already champion.
Johnny Michaels: Next week, Grondar the Revenant versus Rudolph for the North Pole Championship.
Eddie Ellington: And that mask is not going to save him.
Blitzen and the recovering Donner move behind Rudolph.
The Frost Giants move behind Grondar.
For several tense seconds, both sides remain poised for another explosion.
'Honest' Abe calls for additional officials from ringside.
Magnus Blackwell finally places a hand against Grondar’s shoulder.
The champion takes one deliberate step backward.
Then another.
His eyes never leave Rudolph.
Rudolph remains in the center of the ring.
Grondar steps through the ropes.
At ringside, Magnus Blackwell joins him.
The North Pole Champion begins walking backward up the aisle.
Still staring at the challenger.
Inside the ring, Rudolph climbs onto the middle rope.
He points directly at the North Pole Championship.
Johnny Michaels: Next week, there will be nowhere left to retreat and nothing left to say.
Eddie Ellington: And when it is over, Rudolph will finally understand why Magnus Blackwell warned him.
Johnny Michaels: North Pole Championship. Grondar the Revenant. Rudolph. Seven days from tonight.
The camera alternates between the hardened masked face of Rudolph and the emotionless stare of Grondar the Revenant holding the North Pole Championship at the top of the aisle.
The broadcast cuts away.
The broadcast cuts backstage.
Smooth Samantha stands in the Polar Power interview area, but tonight the space around her feels unusually crowded.
Towering beside her is Yeti, the self-proclaimed Alpha Beast and unquestioned leader of the Primal Horde.
At his side stands Marcus the Beastmaster, wearing the satisfied expression of a man whose plans have unfolded exactly as intended.
The newly crowned Aurora Champion, Ursa Titania, stands beside him with the championship resting heavily over one shoulder.
Completing the group are the Universal Tag Team Champions, Karnyx and Varak, the Ultimate Beasts, each carrying championship gold.
Between the Aurora Championship and both Universal Tag Team Titles, the entire interview area gleams with gold.
Smooth Samantha looks from one member of the group to the next.
Smooth Samantha: Earlier tonight, the Primal Horde defeated the Misfits of Mayhem in six-man competition. Then, later in the evening, Ursa Titania defeated Valka to become the new Aurora Champion. It has been quite a night for all of you.
Marcus the Beastmaster smiles.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Quite a night?
He gestures toward the championship belts.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Samantha, this is not quite a night.
Marcus the Beastmaster: This is confirmation.
He places one hand lightly against the Aurora Championship.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Look at what stands before you.
Marcus the Beastmaster: The Universal Tag Team Champions.
He gestures toward Karnyx and Varak.
Marcus the Beastmaster: The new Aurora Champion.
He turns toward Ursa Titania.
Marcus the Beastmaster: And the most dominant force in the entire Polar Division standing at the center of it all.
Yeti looks directly into the camera.
Marcus the Beastmaster: People keep calling us dangerous.
Marcus the Beastmaster: They keep calling us monsters.
A satisfied smile.
Marcus the Beastmaster: I prefer successful.
Smooth Samantha: Ursa, tonight was Valka’s first defense of the Aurora Championship, and you ended her reign immediately. What does this championship mean to you?
Ursa Titania slowly lifts the Aurora Championship from her shoulder.
She looks down at the center plate.
Then toward the camera.
Ursa Titania: It means Valka was never the strongest woman in the North.
The crowd can be heard reacting from inside the arena.
Ursa Titania: She carried this championship.
Ursa Titania: She defended this championship.
Ursa Titania: And on the very first night someone put me in front of her...
Ursa Titania raises the title.
Ursa Titania: I took it.
Smooth Samantha: There will certainly be questions about Marcus the Beastmaster’s involvement in that match.
Marcus the Beastmaster lets out a quiet laugh.
Ursa Titania does not.
Ursa Titania: Let them ask.
Ursa Titania: Let Valka ask.
Ursa Titania: Let every woman in Northern Belles ask.
She steps slightly closer.
Ursa Titania: The answer stays the same.
Ursa Titania: I am the Aurora Champion.
Ursa Titania: If Valka believes she deserves another opportunity, she knows where to find me.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Exactly.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Champions do not explain themselves.
Marcus the Beastmaster: They stand at the top while everybody underneath them searches for excuses.
Smooth Samantha turns toward the Universal Tag Team Champions.
Smooth Samantha: Karnyx, Varak, the next major challenge for the Universal Tag Team Championships comes at Age of Ruin on September 27 in Camelot. You will defend against the Virtuous Blades.
Karnyx looks toward Varak.
Neither appears concerned.
Before either champion answers, Yeti steps forward.
Yeti: The Virtuous Blades.
A low laugh.
Yeti: Camelot’s warriors.
Yeti: Honorable.
Yeti: Noble.
Yeti: Virtuous.
He practically spits the final word.
Yeti: They believe titles are won by courage.
Yeti: They believe honor makes them strong.
Yeti: They believe standing together beneath Camelot’s banners will protect them.
Yeti looks toward Karnyx and Varak.
Yeti: At Age of Ruin, they stand across from the Ultimate Beasts.
Karnyx raises his championship slightly.
Varak does the same.
Yeti: And they will learn what everyone else has learned.
Yeti: Virtue does not stop teeth.
Yeti: Honor does not stop claws.
Yeti: And Camelot does not protect anyone from the Primal Horde.
Marcus the Beastmaster: The Virtuous Blades should enjoy the ceremony.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Enjoy walking into Camelot.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Enjoy hearing their people cheer.
He glances toward the two champions.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Because when Karnyx and Varak leave, they will leave exactly as they arrived.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Champions.
Smooth Samantha: And what about tonight’s six-man match? Bigfoot spent most of that contest isolated by your team before Varak eventually pinned him.
The expression on Yeti’s face changes.
The amusement disappears.
Yeti: Bigfoot.
He steps closer to Smooth Samantha, though his eyes remain fixed on the camera.
Yeti: For weeks, Bigfoot has acted as though there is some question between us.
Yeti: As though the North needs to decide which beast stands above the other.
Yeti slowly shakes his head.
Yeti: Tonight, he was shown the truth.
Yeti: He was thrown.
Yeti: He was crushed.
Yeti: He was beaten.
Yeti: And while Mr. Mason, Negropolis, Coach Cal Mercer, and that ridiculous little penguin screamed from the outside...
A snarl.
Yeti: Bigfoot learned that he is not the Alpha.
Smooth Samantha: But you did not pin him.
Yeti turns his head toward her.
Silence.
Marcus the Beastmaster glances at Smooth Samantha with interest.
Yeti: No.
He looks back toward the camera.
Yeti: Varak pinned him.
Yeti: Because tonight was about the Primal Horde.
Yeti: But the challenge between Bigfoot and me...
He cracks his neck.
Yeti: That belongs to me.
Yeti: No partners.
Yeti: No excuses.
Yeti: No one standing between us.
Yeti: Bigfoot wants to know which of us is the Alpha?
Yeti pounds one fist against his own chest.
Yeti: I am ready to finish the challenge.
Yeti: I am ready to finish him.
Marcus the Beastmaster smiles approvingly.
Smooth Samantha: And assuming you do?
Yeti slowly looks toward the championship gold surrounding him.
First the Aurora Championship.
Then the Universal Tag Team Championships.
His eyes narrow.
Yeti: Then I stop looking sideways.
A pause.
Yeti: And I look up.
Smooth Samantha: At what?
Yeti: The North Pole Championship.
Another pause.
Yeti: Or the Universal Championship.
The crowd reaction can be heard even backstage.
Yeti: Grondar the Revenant carries the North Pole Championship like he is some walking apocalypse.
Yeti: Fine.
Yeti: Let him keep carrying it.
Yeti: Whether it is Grondar...
Yeti: Rudolph...
Yeti: Or whoever survives what comes next...
Yeti: Eventually the Alpha comes hunting.
He shifts his attention.
Yeti: And the Universal Championship?
A slow grin.
Yeti: A ghost carries that.
Yeti: Ghosts do not frighten beasts.
Marcus the Beastmaster: First Bigfoot.
Marcus the Beastmaster: Then championships.
He looks around at the gold already surrounding them.
Marcus the Beastmaster: More championships.
Ursa Titania raises the Aurora Championship.
Karnyx and Varak lift the Universal Tag Team Titles beside her.
Marcus the Beastmaster steps slightly behind Yeti.
The image is deliberate.
Three championships.
Four monsters.
One Beastmaster.
Yeti stands in the center.
Yeti: This is not a pack anymore.
Yeti: This is dominion.
He stares into the camera.
Yeti: The Primal Horde is ascending.
Yeti: And the North belongs to the Alpha.
The camera pulls back, capturing Yeti, Marcus the Beastmaster, Ursa Titania, Karnyx, and Varak together beneath the Polar Power lights.
Smooth Samantha lowers the microphone as the Horde continues displaying its championship gold.
The broadcast cuts away.
The arena lights drop.
A low, ominous hum rolls through the North Pole Arena.
The entrance screen fills with drifting mist and flashes of moonlight across frozen forest branches.
Then Count Vlad steps through the curtain.
He pauses beneath the entrance lights, dressed in dark formal attire, one hand resting against the head of his cane.
Behind him comes the Northern Lights Champion.
Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend emerges slowly with the Northern Lights Championship secured around his waist.
The crowd boos heavily.
Wilber bares his teeth in a cold grin and looks toward the ring.
Johnny Michaels: Here comes the Northern Lights Champion, and Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend has developed into one of the most dangerous champions anywhere in NPCW.
Eddie Ellington: Dangerous, yes. But do not confuse dangerous with unbeatable, Johnny. Peter Cottontail has exactly the kind of speed that can turn a monster like Wilber inside out.
Johnny Michaels: That sounds suspiciously like confidence in Peter Cottontail.
Eddie Ellington: I appreciate talent. Do not make this emotional.
Count Vlad starts down the aisle.
Wilber follows several steps behind him, never taking his eyes off the ring.
They reach ringside.
Count Vlad steps aside.
Wilber climbs onto the apron and enters through the ropes.
He removes the Northern Lights Championship and raises it above his head.
Celeste Orion: The following contest is your MAIN EVENT and is scheduled for one fall! It is for the Northern Lights Championship! Introducing first, accompanied by Count Vlad... he is the reigning and defending Northern Lights Champion... Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend!
The boos grow louder.
Wilber hands the championship to referee 'Honest' Abe.
Then the music changes.
A quick, upbeat burst hits the arena.
The crowd immediately rises.
Peter Cottontail races through the curtain.
He stops at the top of the stage and looks toward the ring.
Then at the Northern Lights Championship.
Eddie Ellington: There he is. Speed, timing, balance, unpredictability. This is the kind of challenger who can drive Wilber insane.
Johnny Michaels: Peter Cottontail certainly does not possess the raw power of the champion, but he has never needed it.
Eddie Ellington: Exactly. You do not wrestle a bear by trying to out-bear the bear.
Johnny Michaels: I am not sure that is a wrestling expression.
Eddie Ellington: It is now.
Peter Cottontail starts quickly down the aisle, slapping hands with fans as he goes.
He reaches ringside and leaps onto the apron.
One clean motion takes him over the ropes.
Celeste Orion: And the challenger... Peter Cottontail!
The crowd cheers loudly.
Peter moves toward the center.
Wilber steps forward.
'Honest' Abe immediately positions himself between them.
He raises the Northern Lights Championship high.
Johnny Michaels: Nineteen minutes or ninety minutes, however long this takes, only one of these men leaves with that championship.
Eddie Ellington: And I like Peter’s chances more than you think.
'Honest' Abe passes the title to ringside.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Peter Cottontail immediately circles.
Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend reaches for him.
Peter slips underneath.
He catches the arm.
Deep armdrag.
Wilber rolls through and rises.
Peter catches him again.
Another deep armdrag.
The crowd reacts.
Johnny Michaels: Fast start from Peter Cottontail! He is not letting Wilber establish any kind of power advantage.
Eddie Ellington: That is exactly how you beat him. Make the big man turn. Make him reset. Make him chase.
Wilber rises more slowly this time.
Peter keeps moving.
The champion looks annoyed already.
Johnny Michaels: Peter may be trying to frustrate him.
Eddie Ellington: And it is working beautifully.
Minute 2
Wilber finally catches Peter near the ropes.
He clubs him across the back with a heavy forearm.
Then another.
Peter drops to one knee.
Johnny Michaels: There is the power of Wilber.
Eddie Ellington: That is why Peter cannot stand still.
Wilber reaches down.
Peter suddenly catches the arm again.
Deep armdrag.
Wilber rolls all the way across the ring.
Peter springs back upright.
Johnny Michaels: Another armdrag! Every time the champion gets control, Peter finds a way out.
Eddie Ellington: That is championship-level awareness.
Johnny Michaels: He is not champion yet.
Eddie Ellington: Details.
Minute 3
Wilber closes the distance.
He hooks Peter for a lifting sideslam.
Peter twists in midair.
He lands behind him.
Wilber turns.
Peter shoves him away and resets.
Johnny Michaels: Tremendous escape from Peter Cottontail!
Eddie Ellington: Exactly what I am talking about. Wilber cannot hit what he cannot hold.
Wilber swings.
Peter ducks.
He darts toward the opposite ropes.
Wilber gives chase.
Peter slides underneath the bottom rope, circles the ring post, and slides back inside.
The crowd cheers.
Johnny Michaels: Peter forcing Wilber to keep moving.
Eddie Ellington: And every extra step matters.
Minute 4
Wilber catches Peter on the return.
A hard forearm smashes across the back.
Another follows.
Peter drops toward the ropes.
Johnny Michaels: Wilber finally gets him trapped.
Eddie Ellington: Do not stay there, Peter.
Peter turns.
Knife-edge chop.
The sound echoes.
Another chop.
Wilber fires another forearm.
Peter answers with another chop.
The crowd gets louder with every exchange.
Johnny Michaels: They are trading now!
Eddie Ellington: I would prefer Peter not do that.
Johnny Michaels: For once, we agree.
Peter lands one final chop and escapes sideways.
Minute 5
Peter steps forward again.
Knife-edge chop.
Wilber tries to cover up.
Another chop lands across the chest.
Johnny Michaels: Peter Cottontail is taking the fight directly to the champion.
Eddie Ellington: Smart in bursts. Hit him and get away.
Peter lands a third chop.
Wilber staggers backward.
Peter follows.
Count Vlad watches from ringside without expression.
Johnny Michaels: Count Vlad has barely moved.
Eddie Ellington: He does not need to. He knows Wilber is dangerous. I just hope Wilber realizes how dangerous Peter is tonight.
Minute 6
Wilber catches Peter near the corner.
He grabs him by the head and drives him toward the ring post.
Peter hits hard.
The crowd groans.
Johnny Michaels: Shoulder and head into the post!
Eddie Ellington: That is exactly what Peter had to avoid.
Wilber reaches down.
Peter reacts suddenly.
He gets behind the champion and tries to secure the Sugar Cane Sleeper.
But the impact into the post has taken too much out of him.
Wilber powers forward and breaks free.
Johnny Michaels: Peter tried the sleeper, but he could not maintain control.
Eddie Ellington: That ring post changed everything for a moment.
Wilber turns.
Peter backs away quickly.
Minute 7
Peter attacks again.
Knife-edge chop.
Wilber absorbs it.
Another chop.
Peter keeps the pace high.
Johnny Michaels: Peter refusing to slow down.
Eddie Ellington: Good. Do not let Wilber decide the rhythm.
Wilber tries to grab him.
Peter slips outside the reach.
He lands another chop.
Wilber backs into the ropes.
Johnny Michaels: The champion is being forced backward.
Eddie Ellington: Exactly where I want him.
Johnny Michaels: You are really committed to Peter tonight.
Eddie Ellington: I recognize opportunity when I see it.
Minute 8
Wilber finally traps Peter again.
He raises both arms for another series of hammering blows.
Peter catches the first forearm.
He spins underneath.
Wilber tries again.
Peter blocks that too.
Then fires a sharp kick into the ribs.
Johnny Michaels: Peter neutralizes the attack!
Eddie Ellington: Beautiful defense.
Peter rebounds from the ropes.
Wilber swings.
Peter ducks and keeps moving.
Johnny Michaels: Peter Cottontail is making the champion work for absolutely everything.
Eddie Ellington: And the longer this goes, the better that becomes for the challenger.
Minute 9
They collide near the center.
Wilber catches Peter from behind and clamps on a rear chinlock.
Peter immediately starts trying to turn his body.
Johnny Michaels: Wilber finally slows him down.
Eddie Ellington: That is exactly what Peter cannot allow.
Peter fights upward.
He rotates through the grip.
Then catches Wilber’s arm.
Deep armdrag.
The champion rolls free again.
Johnny Michaels: Another escape from Peter!
Eddie Ellington: He is wrestling an outstanding match.
Peter stays on his feet.
Wilber rises more slowly.
Peter smiles.
Minute 10
Wilber catches him suddenly.
He hoists Peter across his shoulders.
Johnny Michaels: Trouble!
Wilber drives the knee upward.
Go to Sleep.
Peter collapses.
Eddie Ellington: Get up, Peter!
Johnny Michaels: Huge strike from the champion!
Wilber bends down to pull him up.
Peter reacts from instinct.
He hooks the arm and throws Wilber with another deep armdrag.
Both men remain down.
Johnny Michaels: Even after the Go to Sleep, Peter found a counter!
Eddie Ellington: That is heart. That is awareness.
Johnny Michaels: Or pure survival.
Minute 11
Peter reaches his feet first.
He moves behind Wilber.
He hooks the arm around the neck.
Sugar Cane Sleeper.
The crowd erupts.
Johnny Michaels: Sugar Cane Sleeper! Peter Cottontail has it locked in!
Eddie Ellington: Yes! Squeeze!
Wilber drops to one knee.
'Honest' Abe checks him.
Wilber refuses to submit.
Peter tightens the hold.
Johnny Michaels: Wilber is fading!
Eddie Ellington: This could be it!
Wilber claws forward.
He reaches for the ropes.
He cannot quite get there.
The crowd rises.
Wilber gathers himself.
He powers upward.
Then backs hard into the turnbuckles.
Peter refuses to release.
Wilber does it again.
The hold finally breaks.
Johnny Michaels: The champion survives!
Eddie Ellington: Barely.
Minute 12
Peter stays aggressive.
He catches Wilber around the body.
With surprising strength, he lifts.
Scoopslam.
The champion hits hard.
Johnny Michaels: Scoopslam by Peter Cottontail!
Eddie Ellington: Do not underestimate him. Everybody sees the speed and forgets he can wrestle with power too.
Peter gets back up quickly.
Wilber rolls toward the ropes.
Count Vlad watches intently.
Peter pulls the champion away from the ropes.
Johnny Michaels: Smart move. Keep Wilber away from Count Vlad and away from easy escapes.
Eddie Ellington: Exactly.
Minute 13
Wilber rises.
Peter spins.
Turnaround sidekick.
The kick lands flush against the champion.
Wilber drops backward.
Johnny Michaels: What a kick!
Eddie Ellington: Cover him!
Peter considers it.
Then decides against it.
He pulls Wilber toward the center again.
Johnny Michaels: Peter believes he needs more.
Eddie Ellington: I disagree. Take the cover when you have it.
Peter looks toward the crowd.
They are fully behind him now.
Wilber struggles toward one knee.
Minute 14
Peter grabs the arm.
Deep armdrag.
Wilber rolls through badly and lands on his back.
Peter dives over him.
Cover.
'Honest' Abe counts.
One.
Two.
Wilber kicks out.
The crowd groans.
Eddie Ellington: That was close!
Johnny Michaels: Peter Cottontail came within a heartbeat of becoming Northern Lights Champion!
Peter sits upright.
He looks toward 'Honest' Abe.
The referee holds up two fingers.
Peter nods.
No argument.
He goes right back to work.
Eddie Ellington: Good. Do not waste time complaining.
Johnny Michaels: Peter knows he has the champion in trouble.
Minute 15
Wilber suddenly explodes forward.
Lifting forearm smash.
Peter goes down hard.
Johnny Michaels: That came from nowhere!
Eddie Ellington: Shake it off!
Wilber stands over Peter.
For the first time in several minutes, the champion looks fully in control.
Wilber pulls Peter upright.
He drives another forearm into the upper chest.
Johnny Michaels: Wilber is changing the match with raw impact now.
Eddie Ellington: Peter needs separation.
Wilber grabs him by the wrist and drags him back toward center.
Minute 16
Wilber lifts Peter onto his shoulders.
The crowd reacts immediately.
Eddie Ellington: No, no, no!
Wilber drives the knee upward.
Go to Sleep.
Peter collapses.
Johnny Michaels: Second Go to Sleep!
Eddie Ellington: Move, Peter!
Wilber looks down at him.
Instead of covering, he reaches down and drags the challenger upright again.
Johnny Michaels: That may be arrogance from the champion.
Eddie Ellington: Good. Be arrogant. Waste time.
Wilber stares toward the crowd.
Count Vlad gives a slight nod from ringside.
Minute 17
Wilber begins hammering Peter across the back.
One forearm.
Then another.
Then another.
Peter drops to his knees.
Johnny Michaels: The champion is punishing him now.
Eddie Ellington: Peter has to stop taking these shots.
Wilber grabs him by the head.
He forces him upright.
Peter fires a desperate chop.
Wilber answers with another forearm.
Peter nearly falls.
Johnny Michaels: This may be the most dangerous stretch of the match for Peter Cottontail.
Eddie Ellington: But he is still fighting.
Minute 18
Wilber moves behind Peter.
Rear chinlock.
Peter struggles immediately.
Johnny Michaels: Wilber slowing this back down.
Eddie Ellington: He wants to drain whatever Peter has left.
Peter gets one foot underneath himself.
Then the other.
He turns.
He catches the arm.
Another deep armdrag.
Wilber rolls away.
Peter stays down for a moment.
Then pushes himself upright.
Johnny Michaels: Peter still has something left!
Eddie Ellington: More than something. He has one opening left. He just has to find it.
Wilber rises near the corner.
Peter steadies himself against the opposite ropes.
The crowd rises.
Minute 19
Wilber charges first.
He grabs Peter and tries to drive him toward the ring post.
Peter turns at the last possible instant.
He reverses it.
Wilber crashes shoulder-first into the post.
The crowd explodes.
Eddie Ellington: Yes!
Johnny Michaels: Peter Cottontail reversed it!
Wilber stumbles backward out of the corner.
Peter spins.
Turnaround sidekick.
It lands.
Wilber drops.
Johnny Michaels: This could be it!
Peter dives into the cover.
'Honest' Abe drops down.
Before the referee can begin the count, Wilber shifts his hips.
He rolls through.
Peter’s shoulders are suddenly down.
Johnny Michaels: Reversal!
Eddie Ellington: No!
Wilber traps the legs.
One.
Two.
Three.
The bell rings.
The crowd erupts in disbelief.
Peter Cottontail immediately sits up.
Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend rolls away.
Johnny Michaels: Wilber escaped!
Eddie Ellington: Escaped is exactly the word!
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner... and STILL Northern Lights Champion... Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend!
Count Vlad enters the ring with the Northern Lights Championship.
He hands it to Wilber.
The champion clutches the belt against his chest.
Peter Cottontail remains seated several feet away, staring at the canvas.
Johnny Michaels: Peter Cottontail had him! He reversed the ring-post attack, landed the turnaround sidekick, and was moments away from potentially becoming champion!
Eddie Ellington: Peter wrestled a phenomenal match. He had Wilber scrambling for nineteen minutes, and the champion had to steal a reversal at the very end.
Johnny Michaels: It was legal.
Eddie Ellington: I did not say it was illegal. I said he escaped.
Wilber rises.
Count Vlad raises the champion’s arm.
The boos rain down.
Peter finally gets to his feet.
He looks toward the title.
Then toward Wilber.
Johnny Michaels: That may be the closest Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend has come to losing the Northern Lights Championship.
Eddie Ellington: And if I am Peter Cottontail, I remember every second of this. He proved tonight he belongs in championship matches.
Johnny Michaels: Two separate Sugar Cane Sleeper opportunities, multiple counters, two near-falls—
Eddie Ellington: And nineteen minutes of making the champion miserable.
Wilber steps toward Peter.
For a moment, the crowd anticipates another attack.
Instead, Wilber raises the Northern Lights Championship directly in front of him.
Peter stares at it.
Then looks directly into the champion’s eyes.
No handshake.
No congratulations.
Peter simply nods once.
Not to Wilber.
To the championship.
Johnny Michaels: I do not think Peter Cottontail is finished chasing that title.
Eddie Ellington: He should not be.
Count Vlad says something quietly to Wilber.
The champion backs toward the ropes.
He steps through.
At ringside, he raises the Northern Lights Championship again.
Peter remains in the center of the ring.
The crowd gives him a loud ovation.
Johnny Michaels: Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend remains Northern Lights Champion, but tonight Peter Cottontail made one thing very clear.
Eddie Ellington: He can beat him.
Johnny Michaels: On another night, that result could have been very different.
Eddie Ellington: Give me the rematch.
The camera alternates between Peter Cottontail standing in the ring and Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend backing up the aisle with the Northern Lights Championship raised beside Count Vlad.
The final image is the championship held high above Wilber’s head as Polar Power goes off the air.
The broadcast returns to ringside.
Johnny Michaels and Eddie Ellington sit behind the commentary desk as the North Pole Arena remains buzzing after the main event.
Johnny Michaels: What a night it has been on Polar Power. Wilber “Terrorfang” Townsend survives Peter Cottontail and remains Northern Lights Champion after one of the closest defenses of his reign.
Eddie Ellington: Peter Cottontail had him, Johnny. I do not say that often about anybody standing across from Wilber, but tonight he proved he belongs in that championship picture.
Johnny Michaels: Earlier tonight, Ursa Titania ended Valka’s reign on her very first title defense and became the new Aurora Champion.
Eddie Ellington: And suddenly the Primal Horde has even more gold. Ursa Titania is champion, Karnyx and Varak still hold the Universal Tag Team Titles, and Yeti has already made it clear he wants bigger prizes once he finishes with Bigfoot.
Johnny Michaels: The Primal Horde also defeated the Misfits of Mayhem tonight after isolating Bigfoot for almost the entire contest.
Eddie Ellington: The Alpha made his point.
Johnny Michaels: We also watched Van Helsing and Big Bad Wolf battle for the full thirty-minute time limit without a winner.
Eddie Ellington: Which settled absolutely nothing.
Johnny Michaels: Northern Freight picked up a victory over Wicked Witch and Morrigan, though only after Wicked Willow sprayed Hilda Stormhoof with green mist and caused the disqualification.
Eddie Ellington: A terrible interpretation of managerial assistance by 'Honest' Abe.
Johnny Michaels: And perhaps most disturbing of all, Santa Claus answered the challenge of the Master of the Night only to be ambushed by Brakk Bloodmaw and Vereyk Nightclaw, the Crimson Maulers.
Eddie Ellington: Disturbing for Santa, maybe.
Johnny Michaels: He fought them both off long enough for security to arrive, and that brings us to some major breaking news for next week.
A graphic appears on screen.
Johnny Michaels: We have just received word that Elias Coldmere has signed it at Santa Claus’s request.
Johnny Michaels: Next week on Polar Power...
Santa Claus versus the Master of the Night.
The crowd erupts.
Eddie Ellington: Santa asked for that?
Johnny Michaels: He did.
Eddie Ellington: Then whatever happens to him next week, he volunteered.
Johnny Michaels: Also next week, tag team action as the Mirror Saints face the Polar Bears.
The graphic changes.
Johnny Michaels: And then the championship match we have been building toward.
The North Pole Championship appears on screen between images of Grondar the Revenant and Rudolph.
Johnny Michaels: Grondar the Revenant defends the North Pole Championship against Rudolph.
Eddie Ellington: Tonight Rudolph watched Grondar pin one of his partners. Next week he gets to find out what happens when there is nobody else standing between them.
Johnny Michaels: Rudolph has fought through injury, fought his way back, and demanded this opportunity.
Eddie Ellington: And now he gets exactly what he asked for.
Johnny Michaels: Mirror Saints versus Polar Bears. Santa Claus versus the Master of the Night. And Grondar the Revenant versus Rudolph for the North Pole Championship.
Johnny Michaels: All of it, next week, live from the North Pole Arena.
Eddie Ellington: Assuming the arena survives.
Johnny Michaels: For Eddie Ellington, I am Johnny Michaels. Thank you for joining us tonight.
The camera pulls away from the commentary desk and sweeps across the North Pole Arena.
The POLAR POWER logo appears over the final shot.
Johnny Michaels: Only the fight.
Johnny Michaels: Only the North.
The broadcast fades to black.
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