The Queen and the Empress circle each other, the latter occasionally giving side-eyes to the stage. Jessie Moore remains in her seat, craning her neck a little to see past the guards.
Shamoon: Queen Cobra has the clear psychological advantage going into this match, courtesy of Shay Maharaj. I hate it, but-
Dominga: But it's brilliant! They trapped her. Trapped her with her own pride, with respect.
A.B.: Trapped her, how? Ngozi has already beaten this... creature.
Dominga: Barely. She BARELY beat her, and that arm is proof.
Being of the same mind, Ngozi shoots for a quick takedown. Cobra bends like a plastic ruler to dodge. Ngozi tries again, and Cobra dodges again. Again and again, the Queen keeps toying with her, staying out of the veteran’s reach.
Dominga: See this? This is not going to work. It's not Ngozi's style to go hard like this. She's a counter wrestler.
A.B.: The sooner she finishes this, the sooner she can deal with Moore, if she ends up needing to.
Dominga: Moore is the least of her problems right now.
Cobra starts using her long limbs to throw out feint jabs and kicks, keeping Ngozi at an even greater distance, but never actually putting power into them.
Shamoon: I just hope Maharaj doesn't come back.
A.B.: She was caught by security, heavily fined and is being escorted out of the building. Sarah Esposito is slowly regaining consciousness as well from the lead pipe assault.
Shamoon: What about Zadie Chen? She's been partnering with Sarah, and I heard she and the Empress are actually pretty close. I haven't seen her all night.
A.B.: No one has. The Empress is absolutely alone here tonight.
Frustrated, Ngozi blocks a weak overhead kick and attempts a clothesline. Cobra dodges, leading to Referee Marcia Lima getting taken out.
Dominga: And there goes the ref.
A.B.: Oh no. No!
Getting behind Ngozi, Cobra lands a bite on her right arm, right above her taped-up elbow. The Empress fights her off.
A.B.: Dammit!
Shamoon: What’s the big deal? I mean it’s an awful thing to do, but-
A.B.: Queen Cobra’s fangs are actually venomous! Once bitten, there is absolutely no chance of beating her. (Shamoon is alarmed) Don’t worry, it isn’t fatal or permanently damaging, but it causes a range of symptoms. Vertigo and dizziness being two of them.
Dominga: Dio mio...
Shamoon: "Nothing to worry about", "She's all talk". Why did you say that if you knew this could happen?
A.B.: I... I have no idea.
Ngozi clutches her arm and stumbles around the ring. She tries to throw a few punches, but they are weak and uncoordinated.
Dominga: You can't have a striking batle with Queen Cobra at the best of times. This the worst.
Cobra (while): What was it you sssaid before? Your heart... (dodges punch) isss pumping blood to your brain.... (dodges Knife Edge Chop) and the RESSST of your BODY?!
After one last punch the Empress begins to fall forward. Cobra is there to catch her.
Shamoon: What... What is this? What is she doing?
Dominga: Are they dancing?
A.B.: A sadistic, humiliating waltz. Ngozi can't even escape it. Damn you, Cobra!
Cobra dips Ngozi, then swings her around and down on the mat, face first with a Reverse STO.
A.B.: Hamadryad!
Cobra goes for the pin just as the Lima recovers and starts the count, which goes all the way to three.
A.B: Not like this. Not like this, dammit!
Briar Lane: Here is your winner, Queen Cobra!
Cobra stands and raises her arms in celebration, then throws her head back in laughter. The audience boos loudly.
A.B.: What a disgusting display. From start to finish.
Dominga: Ngozi should have been better prepared. Queen Cobra won before the bell sounded, probably before the show even started.
Moore stands up from her chair. The guards are immediately ready to tackle her, but she simply turns around walks to the back.
Shamoon: It was three-pronged assault. Maharaj, I get. She was probably desperate for a career boost, but Moore? How did Cobra talk her into this?
Dominga: I said it last week. They both want to bring the Empress down. Sometimes that really is all it takes, and now Cobra has a pinfall victory over the Champ. She's one step closer to reclaiming what's hers.
Cobra exits the ring and approaches the timekeeper's area.
A.B.: If it was hers, she never would have lost it. (Stands up) Do you hear me, Cobra? That belt isn't yours! Put it down! You lost it fair and square. You couldn't beat the Empress one-on-one at Ascension. You had to use black magic and summon all your friends to beat her tonight! Get your filthy hands off that title, you witch!
Cobra, cradling the Jewell in both arms, laughs at him. Balducci almost jumps over the table. Alvarez and Shamoon jump up and grab him.
Crowd: Balducci! Balducci! Balducci!
Dominga: Alf, calm down!
Shamoon: For your own safety, please chill out!
Cobra re-enters the ring as Dr Sharma and the medics rush down the ramp. She stands over the Empress bears her fangs, giving them all pause. She then bends over to set the title down. Ngozi is too weak to move.
Cobra: Tonight... I own you...
Security starts rushing down. Lima tries to intervene, but nearly gets her hand bitten off.
A.B.: Get away from her. Get away!
Dominga: Alf, please, sit down.
Cobra: Soon... I will own thisss... onssse again.
Cobra then grabs Ngozi's face and licks it with a long slimy tongue.
Shamoon: Oh my...
The sound of a headset hitting the floor is heard.
Shamoon: Alf? Alf, no!
Dominga: Stop-
The sound of loud cheers follows. Balducci climbs into the ring, with a chair he just pulled from under it and swings it like a madman. Cobra already slithered away and laughs at him on the outside.
Crowd: BALDUCCI! BALDUCCI! BALDUCCI!
Security shops the sname away, Lima asks Balducci for the chair. He drops it and kneels down next to his wife. The medics finally enter the ring.
Dr. Sharma: Alf, I need you to move. Please...
A.B.: I am not-
Ngozi: Al...fredo...
A.B.: Yes? What is it?
Dr. Sharma: Alf, seriously, you need to -
A.B.: Just give me a moment! (leans in close) What is it?
Ngozi: I...
She then proceeds to vomit right in his face.
Crowd: OOH!
Dominga: Okay, cameras over here. OVER HERE, NOW!
Alvarez and Shamoon, the latter of whom looks ready to empty his own stomach, are in frame.
Dominga: Hey, everyone. We're out of time. Thanks for tuning in. We'll see you next week on another edition of the Monday Night Madhouse!
Backstage (30 minutes later)
The following is caught by an O.R.D.R.L.I. drone after the show goes of the air.
Sarah Esposito is in the corridor, sitting an equipment box near the trainer's room, holding an icepack to her head. Ngozi is brought by on stretcher.
Esposito (Drops pack and runs over to her): Oh my God! Dammit, I’m sorry. I should've-
Ngozi (Raises hand and slowly sits up): This is … on me. I … underestimated Cobra and that …. Maharaj girl.
Esposito: Maharaj is the one who hit me, right? Well, now she has my attention.
Dr Sharma puts Ngozi back down and has her carried into the room. Balducci, his shirt still stained and his face red as a tomato, follows, as does GM Nalah Shabani, keeping a very noticeable distance from the old Italian.
Esposito dents the equipment with her foot: ****!
She suddenly hears thudding up above, in the vents. The grate above her is kicked several times before falling off. Zadie Chen jumps down.
Esposito: Zadie? What the hell are you doing in there? Where were you?
Chen (keeping her head and voice low): Moore... locked me in a closet.
Esposito: She what?!
Chen: I heard Ngozi's voice. What happened?
Esposito (clenching her fists and gritting her teeth): Cobra... got her...
She continues her assault on the equipment box, all destroying it with her bare hands. Chen, her own anger barely contained, makes no attempt to stop her.
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