PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Laying Down The Law

The fourth episode of the Madhouse is over. The ring is being dismantled. The crowd is being sent home. Some of the wrestlers are signing autographs outside or leaving for the hotel with security escorts led by Chief Brendan Steele. But now, we must look inward, as inside the football complex, specifically in the trainer's room.

Queen Cobra (flailing about on a stretcher): GET IT OUT! GET IT OOUUUUT! 

Dr Anya Sharma: We can try if you just-

Cobra: THAT WITCH! I'LL GET HER FOR THISSS!! I'LL MAKE HER PAY! I'LL MAKE HER-

Sharma grabs Cobra's arm and jabs a needle into it. Cobra goes limp. 

Dr Shama (throwing her thumb over her shoulder at a bed): Set her down over there. I'll deal with her shortly.

The medics obey, carrying her over to bed in the same cluster as Tom, Dick & Harry, who are taped up, plastered and braced.

Ngozi: Thank you, Doctor.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Queen Cobra vs Empress Ngozi (c)

A.B. (gripping his headset): Hello? Is anyone listening back there? Miller? I need to know what Queen Cobra was talking to the GM about. 

Briar Lane: The following contest is a submission match, and it is for the Psycho Style Wrestling Jewells Championship!

The lights dim and sombre violin music is heard as Queen Cobra crawls out onto the grass.

Dominga: Alf, main event. Get a grip.

A.B.: Dammit. (composes himself) Three weeks ago, at Ascension, Queen Cobra, the inaugural Jewell's Champion, was defeated in a submission match for that very title, and she has been relentless in her pursuit to get it back.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Final Confirmations

An O.R.D.R.L.I. feed shows Kalavina Leota somewhere in the football complex, standing in front of a TV monitor watching the Madness's destruction of Tom, Dick & Harry. The crowd pops yet again at the hometown heroine. 

Sarah Esposito: WHAT THE HELL IS EVERYBODY DOING?!

Empress Ngozi: Calm down, Esposito!

Esposito: Calm down, my ass! Zadie got kidnapped. 

Ngozi: We don't know that. 

Esposito: Sure as hell looked like it! If no one's going to do anything, I'm-

Ngozi: Just hang on a moment. Just wait!

Esposito: Wait for WHAT?!

Ngozi: JUST WAIT!

The Empress comes into view, Jewell's title around her waist, to another pop. Esposito flanks her, fists clenched.

Ngozi: Leota.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Chaos

The crowd watches with bated breath as the Outlaw and the Owl continue to size each other up.

Shamoon: Somebody do something!

Eventually, Athiambo breaks eye contact to look down at Chen, who is just now beginning to stir. She then grabs both Chen's hands and starts pulling her to the edge of the ring.

Dominga: What is she doing?

Athiambo shoots Moore one last glare before climbing out of the ring to drag Chen out and onto her shoulders.

A.B.: Athiambo... Athiambo is leaving- she's leaving with Chen!

Shamoon: HEY!

A.B.: Athiambo is leaving with Zadie Chen on her shoulders!

Shamoon: She's kidnapping her!

Dominga: Hey, can we get some security out here!

Athiambo carries Chen to the edge of the field where a car is parked. She opens the back door and throws Chen in. Moore watches with a raised eyebrow.

Atoye Bonds (waving at the tunnel): SECURITY! WE NEED HELP!

Shamoon: Seriously, someone get out here!

A growling female voice yells “Faavalevale!” and the crowd comes completely unglued. 

A.B.: Oh no! NO!

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Zadie Chen vs Jessie Moore

The pieces of the table that Roger Evans destroyed are being wheeled out, while a new one is quickly being set up in front of the commentators.

A.B.: You two can hear me?

Dominga: Yep.

Shamoon: All good.

A.B.: Excellent. Just in time for our next match!

A chorus of chanting voices plays over the speakers. Chen walks out of the tunnel to the rhythm of a drum and a loud pop. 

Briar Lane: On the way to the ring, from Singapore, standing 5 feet 5 and weighing in at 130 pounds, Zadie Chen!

A.B.: The former Blind Archer on her way to getting some payback. This is the second match in Ngozi's gauntlet.

Shamoon:  Earlier, Sarah Esposito beat the brakes off Shay Maharaj. I'm not so sure this one will go the same way.

Dominga: Of course, it is! Moore is going to swat this punk!

Shamoon: Did you just call a woman a punk? 

Dominga: It's a gender-neutral term.

Shamoon: It's weird. 

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Cold, Cold Heart

Roger Evans is being helped to the tunnel, while Luisa Festa is carried out on a stretcher, still showered with applause and praise from the Apians.

A.B.: I expected to call some wars tonight, but not like this. Truly hats off to both combatants.

Shamoon: I still don't get why he did that. He could have won that any number of ways.

Dominga: He kicked a chair in her face, and she kicked out. They're both crazy and stupid, but... they belong here. 

A.B.: That they do. Now-

The floodlights in the stadium go.

Shamoon: The heck is this?

Dominga: Damn Samoan power outages. Doesn't this place have generators?

The Jumbotron shows the dark, frost-covered room. He Who Wields Thunder, El Demonio de la Heladas, is standing, the Thunderweight Championship on his shoulder. A monitor next to him is playing a clip from last week's Fight Pit, Danys Vités' heartfelt promo.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Luisa Festa vs Roger Evans (c)

Briar Lane: The following is a Hardcore Match scheduled for ONE FALL, and it is for the Psycho Style Wrestling Bloodbath Championship!

The crowd cheers. Evans stands in one corner, no longer wearing his hat or his shirt, cracking his taped-up knuckles with the title on his shoulder. Festa does her tubeman dance in the opposite corner.

Briar Lane: Introducing first, the challenger, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, standing 5 feet 6 and weighing in at 129 pounds, LUISA FESTA!

The crowd cheers again as the camera focuses on Festa, who continues her tubeman dance without a care in the world.

Dominga: There's still time for the test.

Shamoon: Drop it already.

Dominga: Never!

Briar Lane: Next, the champion, from Long Beach, California in the USA, standing 6 feet 2 and weighing in at 206 pounds, he is the Crimson King, ROGER EVANS!

Evans sticks out his middle and index fingers, as well as his thumbs on both hands and then crosses his forearms. The crowd boos.

A.B.: Roger Evans, the reigning Bloodbath Champion, about to face potentially his toughest test yet.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Keep It Hardcore

Shamoon: That was a little hard to watch. Really thought the Jabbars were better than that.

Dominga: Ha! Based on what?

Shamoon: I don't know. I just always thought they were cool.

Dominga: First red flag.

Pop/Rap fusion song plays, and out walks Roger Evans, clad as always in his Hawaiian shirt, fedora, Whiteout sunglasses and of course, the Bloodbath Championship over his shoulder. The crowd reaction is mixed.

A.B.: And here comes Crimson Flag, sorry, I meant King.

Dominga: Ugh, just when I thought the night was about to get better. 

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Snapping The Olive Branch

We cut to a dedicated interview area within the football complex. 

Chloe Davis: An incredible comeback victory from the Madhouse's No. 1 draft pick, the Rose of Ferocity, Sarah Esposito, who is still trying to find her place in the pecking order. And while we're on that topic, I'm here with 4 people who have been consistently fighting to climb the tag team pecking order. Please welcome Chakir and Chelem Jabbar, JabbarTV and Elsa Filipsson, Eeva Mustonen, the Track Queens!

The camera pans out to show the aforementioned persons of entrance who get loud pops from the crowd. The Queens stand on Davis' left, both wearing their helmets. Elsa has her hands on her hips, looking down at the floor with a frown and tapping her wheeled feet. Eeva has her arms folded, looking away. The Jabbars stand on Davis' right, wearing streetwear. Chelem has his hands behind his head, while Chakir looks off at something while rubbing his hands together.

Davis: Now, gentlemen, it's my understanding that you asked for this interview time to clear the air with the Queens.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Sarah Esposito vs Shay Maharaj

A loud siren is heard, followed by an aggressive rock track. The titantron goes black, with a strange red and blue aura. A bright red rose fades into view. Sarah Esposito marches out, her eyes burning with a cold, focused fury.

A.B.: Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to the Madhouse. Earlier tonight, we saw the reigning Jewell's Champion Empress Ngozi lay down the law, which led to this match being made. Sarah Esposito is looking for payback.

Shamoon: Payback for being outsmarted and overwhelmed by the numbers game last week, which resulted in a loss that should NOT be on her record.

Briar Lane: On the way to the ring, from Nueva Italia, Michoacán, Mexico, standing 6 feet 1 and weighing 230 pounds, "The Rose of Ferocity", Sarah Esposito!

Sarah punches the ground, triggering her pyro, and marches directly to the ring, never taking her eyes off the entrance ramp.

Shamoon: If I ever find myself on this woman’s bad side, just shoot me. It’ll probably be quicker and less painful.

Alvarez: I don’t know. Maybe Maharaj had a point last week. Maybe Esposito just isn’t as advertised.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - The Angel & the Owl

The Albino Angel in her red crop-top jacket and sunglasses of the same shade poses with the microphone held above her head and her hand pointing at the sky. She brings that pointed finger down, directing it at the Dark Talon, who just stares. Firyali then walks sideways while still pointing. The crowd watches in silence, partly confused, partly curious.

Dominga: What is she doing? Seriously, who is this clown?

A.B.: I really don't know.

Athiambo's eyes narrow as Firyali gets closer and closer.

Firyali (stops and puts some bass in her voice): Habari, dada.

Shamoon: What'd she say?

Dominga: Did she just call her Dadda? What are we watching?

Firyali: Now, Firyali has been watching you. She watched you back in November at the Saturday Night Super Fight, that 5-Woman Scramble to crown the first Jewell's Champion. You didn't win, but you never ate a pin. 

Shamoon: Hey, that rhymes!

Firyali: Not one time. Then I saw you catch Lei D lacking. I saw you try to murder Maya Lethbridge. I saw you almost kill Kalavina. And just now, I saw you chop down and drill down Chica Dorada.

Dominga: Does she think she's cool with all these alliterations?

Firyali: And Firyali's here to tell you that I like what I see.

Crowd: Booooo!

A.B.: What?

Firyali: And I want... you!

Shamoon: Huh?

Crowd: Huh?!

Dominga: I don't think this is that kind of "wrestling" show.

Athiambo's narrowed eyes slowly open back up, and then she does something surprising. She leans back, just a little.

Firyali (quickly takes off sunglasses, frantically looking in every direction): No, not like that! (Looks at Athiambo) In a match. I want to face you in a wrestling match.

A.B., Dominga & Shamoon: Oh...

Crowd: Oh...

Firyali (clicks her tongue): Kwa umakini! (puts glasses back on) So, what do you, dada mkubwa? 

Shamoon: There's that word again.

Firyali: Let's tear. Down. This. House!... Madhouse.

Firyali then holds the microphone to Athiambo's face.

Dominga: She's out of her mind. Who the hell does she think she is?

Athiambo looks down at the 3-inch-shorter woman and raises her hand as if to reach for the mic. Then she shoves Firyali aside and continues on her way. Firyali is left stunned.

Crowd: Oh!

Dominga: Haha!

A.B.: That's as loud and clear a statement as I've ever heard.

Shamoon: It's probably for the best. She's not ready for-

Firyali: HEY! (quickly runs to block the Dark Talon's path) What the heck?! I just challenged you to a match, and you just shoved me aside. Not cool!

Athiambo looks down at her again, then takes a step, then turns and walks a perfect semi-circle around the Tanzanian.

Dominga: HAHAHAHAHA!!!

Athiambo is about to enter the tunnel when Firyali blocks her again.

Firyali (voice crack): STOP THAT! You know you could have just said no. Actually, you can't, because I already asked Shabani before I came out here, so you don't have a choice!

Dominga: Wow. Could she get any more lame?

Firyali: Next week, Honiara in the Solomon Islands, you and me, one-on-one. Be there...

Dominga: No. Please, no.

Firyali: Or be square! 

A.B.: Ugh.

She raises the microphone and drops it before flicking her jacket and backing up into the tunnel. Athiambo watches her leave with dropped eyelids before entering the tunnel herself.

Shamoon: I mean, at least she's trying.

A.B.: Her promo skills definitely need work, but as we saw last week, she can go in that ring. 

Shamoon: Yeah, but Athiambo? In her second match? I'm not looking forward to that.

Dominga: I am.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Athiambo vs Chica Dorada

A series of numbers flashes on the titantron. 4. 13. 23. 30. 4. 13. 23. 30. 4. 13. 23. 30. Over and over this sequence repeats as a big, black owl creature flies closer and closer, reaching out with its talons and SCREECHING. 

Fireworks explode-

Shamoon: AAAAHHH!!!!

- and an intense guitar solo plays, equal parts fast tempo, night-riding and haunting. Athiambo, clad in all black but without her feathered coat and sunglasses, makes her way down to the ring, her uncannily owl-like face and large eyes visible for all to see.

Briar Lane: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a 10-minute time limit. Introducing first, from Mombasa Island off the coast of Kenya, standing 5 feet 10 and weighing in at 165 pounds, The Dark Talon, ATHIAMBO!

A.B.: In the past 3 weeks, this woman, Athiambo, has been quietly proving to be one of the most dangerous inmates in the Madhouse.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Courtesy Curtain Call

An O.R.D.R.L.I. camera captures a heated conversation in the gorilla position, which is literally a side entrance of the football complex with dark curtains and dimmed lights. The participants are the General Manager, Nalah Shabani, and the Mother Hen of Holds, and Apia native, Kalavina Leota, sporting a neck brace from her match with Athiambo last week and getting very loud "LEOTA!" chants from the crowd. Producer Mike Miller is also present. 

Shabani (taking off her glasses and pinching her nose): ...f all the reckless, egotistical-

Miller: She just threw our whole show outta whack.

Leota: It had to be done.

Shabani: No, it didn't.

Leota: Cobra's crew were out of control.

Miller: We had a plan for that. 

Leota: Then ya shoulda been fasta. Now we adapt.

Sarah Esposito briskly walks through the curtain. 

Leota (stands in front of her, looking up despite her brace): You goin' on next. Get changed and give her hell.

Esposito nods and keeps walking.

Leota: See? Just like that.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Laying Down The Gauntlet

Empress Ngozi's bombastic regal music plays, and the Apia faithful rise to their feet and scream. She walks briskly out of a tunnel connecting the soccer field to the football complex, no longer wearing her robe, still with the Jewells Championship around her waist and now with a mic in her hand. Sarah Esposito and Zadie Chen walk behind her.

Briar Lane: Please welcome, Zadie Chen, Sarah Esposito and the Bearer of the Jewell, Ngozi - Empress of the Squared Circle!

The crowd cheers, some even bow, but she is too annoyed to do her usual wave. 

A.B.: Listen to this ovation for the incomparable Empress, though she is lacking her usual regal swagger.

The trio enters the ring with Ngozi in the centre, Chen to her right and Esposito on her left, arms folded.

Shamoon: Esposito still looks pissed.

Dominga: Please, she looks like a scolded child.

Ngozi: Apia!

The crowd pops at their city's name being mentioned.

Ngozi (pauses to look at them):... Your Empress... has arrived.

PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Accountability

- 20 January 2031

An outdoor soccer stadium, draped with PSW and Madhouse branding. The atmosphere is hot, not just from the tropical humidity, but from the grandstands filled with fiery fans, mostly from the local Polynesian population. 

A.B.: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Psycho Style Wrestling's Monday Night Madhouse! I'm Alf Balducci, the livewire, Dominga Alvarez to my right, the ever-analytical Aazif Shamoon to my left. We are coming to you LIVE from the Outdoor Park Stadium in Apia, the capital city of Samoa-

Shamoon: The Independent State of Samoa, not American Samoa. There's a dif-

Dominga: Shut up, Shamoon!