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Beyond the Horizon #22


 

September 25
New York City


Hello Dear Readers, and welcome to Apocalypse! SCW comes to you live tonight from Madison Square Garden in New York City. I personally have something of a past with this building, walking through its doors and down its halls used to give me anxiety. It was in one of these locker room showers where I was attacked, 14 years ago. I don't react that way to the building anymore, I've come to terms with it and let all the nastiness go. Now? It's just a feeling of nostalgia, like those events were in another lifetime. Theses days, I really enjoy attending shows at MSG. It has a rich history, especially with the wrestling business. I can't think of a better place for Apocalypse this year, SCW's first Pay Per View of the new season.

With that new season, comes new stars to the SCW ranks. There are several new faces who will be putting their talents on display, such as Sarah Wolf, The One, Ace Sky, Jenni Anderson, and Savannah Sunshine, to name a few. We also have some returning stars, ready to get right back into the thick of things, such as James Evans, Aaron Rupp, and Bree Lancaster. And I might have a surprise or two up my sleeve coming out of BlackOut Academy. You'll just have to wait and see.

That said, let's get to this stacked card, shall we?


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Savannah Sunshine, Ace Sky & Calvan Greene vs. Jenni Anderson, Crystal Zdunich & Polly Playtime

This six-person tag looks like a newcomers showcase. Greene isn't exactly new to SCW, but he's making another comeback so we'll count him there. On the other side is Crystal Zdunich, who isn't a newcomer either, but a star always on the precipice of breaking through in SCW. Both teams have a veteran to lead them, but who will come out ahead? I'll give the nod to Zdunich's team, those women seem to have common aspirations, while Greene's team are going in different directions.


Ricky James vs. Aaron Rupp

Full disclosure here, I've known Aaron Rupp a long time. We were both part of the VWA locker room years ago, and had a battle or two. That said, I do consider him a friend. That's why I am beyond excited to see him back in the ring, for a real match and not just an appearance in a battle royal. Rupp took some offense to an incident at Rise to Greatness during that battle royal concerning a returning Ricky James, and they are here to settle it. Rupp is a veteran, while James isn't but he also isn't a rookie. Both men are coming back into the ring after a long time away. Objectively, its hard to say who will be in better shape and come out ahead here. Subjectively and with full bias? I'm siding with my friend Aaron.


Owen Cruze vs. The Holly Adams Brand Should Be Featured Every Show (Clamidiya)

Here we have the battle of the name changes. Clamidya having her name changed on the regular as of late by Holly Adams, who is using Clamidya as her own personal billboard of petty. Owen on the other hand, has come back around to accepting who he is and took back the Cruze name – his name. Looking at this on paper, it seems pretty one sided, with Owen being a former World Champion, and Clamidya only recently finding “success” thanks to Adams' and Giovanni Aries' antics. But those antics aside, don't sleep on Clamidya. She's been around a long time, teaming with Sammy Thomas Davies, and she knows her way around a ring better than she wants people to think. I do believe in the end Owen Cruze will be victorious, but Clamidya will give him a better fight than most expect.


Konrad Raab vs. Christy Matthews

This right here? Is going to be a blood bath. Whether its Underground Rules or not (and I'm pretty sure it's not) Raab has a way of turning any match he's in into something violent. Christy is no stranger to violence or even blood. She does have great technical ability too, and that's where I think the difference will be. Raab is a hammer... Christy is a scalpel. I believe Christy will find a way to outwrestle Raab rather than just beat him down, as he is sure to try to do to her.


SCW World Tag Team Championship
Polly’s Playgirls vs. Happy Farmstead Friends

I can't be the only one tired of men dressed as farm animals holding SCW championship belts, right? It seems that Polly's Playgirls are with me in that opinion. The two women, under the wing of Polly Playtime, have their chance to dethrone the Happy Farmstead Friends. I can't say I'm a fan of Polly's girls tactics, but seeing them pull off an upset and walk out with the titles would be a welcome change.


SCW Underground Championship
Kimberly Williams vs. Sarah Wolf vs. Autumn Valentine vs. The One vs. Deanna Frost

Kimberly Williams has been demanding a rematch for this championship ever since she lost it. She's been given opportunities for other titles in the meantime, but she isn't interested in those. For Kim, the Underground is all that matters. The same can be said for the current champion, Deanna Frost. In her rookie year, she's now held two championships, and she is very proud to carry this one by succeeding in a division renowned for violence, without actually resorting to violence. This clearly upsets Kim. Sara Wolf has made her presence known and felt, getting involved in various matches. And Autumn Valentine is a woman always looking to put gold around her waist. These multiple person matches always put the champion at a disadvantage, and in this case I think it will cost Deanna. Kim is the most motivated I can remember seeing her, even more so than when she was United States Champion for a cup of coffee. Kim wants violence. Kim wants her championship back. I think she will do anything and everything it takes to do so.


Bree Lancaster & Alexis Quinne vs. Holly Adams & Datura

This is another match I'm excited to see, for personal reasons. Bree Lancaster making her return to the ring, after taking over a year off to bring her son into the world. She's worked hard to get herself back into shape as soon as possible, and not just because she wanted to get back to work, but because she saw a situation she felt needed her attention. Datura, one of Bree's best friends, sucked into the world of The Brand and the Haus of Nirvana. It started with Datura listening to Cid Turner, a man Bree has history with, as she tried her best to take the World Championship away from him shortly before she went on maternity leave. She was unable to do so, and that upset her. Seeing Datura be led by him into Holly Adams and Giovanni Aries' scheme? Well, she had to do something. Enter Alexis Quinne, another friend of Datura and someone who also didn't like what she saw going on. Bree and Alexis have had run-ins in the past but tonight they work together to take down Holly... and hopefully bring Datura around to what they believe is the right side. If that means beating and/or pinning Datura in the process, so be it. Datura has seemed unsure of following The Brand, and this has Holly nervous. This will be interesting to see how it plays out. Will this be a straight tag match? Will Datura decide Bree and Alexis are right? I can't predict this one, there are too many motivations and moving parts.


Selena Frost vs. Ravyn Taylor vs. Nicole Kinneck

Ravyn Taylor has been tormenting Nicole Kinneck for months. She wanted Ducky, then she wanted Pro, then.... she wanted Luna. When she got Luna? She regretted what she wished for, and backed down, claiming to be done with the whole thing. Nicole is the woman booked into this match but there is no way to know which iteration of Nicole will show up to fight. Selena Frost, former World Champion, now SCW's longest reigning World Champion in history, had enough of seeing what Ravyn was doing to Nicole. Ravyn then attacked Selena in her match against Christy Matthews, revealing Infamous to be back together. Selena was then set up to think Ravyn wanted to confront her, except it was Nicole, or Luna, all along. Ravyn wanted to be done with Nicole et al, but Luna at least isn't done. The three of them will clash and this has potential to steal the show. My thoughts? Ravyn will be caught up trying to handle Nicole (or whoever is in the driver's seat) which will leave them open for Selena to take advantage and pick up the win.


SCW United States Championship
Glory Braddock vs. Josh Hudson

Glory Braddock earned the chance to challenge Josh Hudson by winning a four way match at Rise to Greatness, where Hudson successfully defended the championship against Owen Cruze in a Submissions match. Owen might not be someone wel-versed in submissions as compared to Hudson, but Braddock is. She prides herself on her technical skill, and her Shekinah Glory hold has put away at least half the roster at least once. Josh Hudson can make the same claims with his Hudson Stretch and Sever(in)Mission. We can't forget the many, many, holds both of them know and are well skilled in applying. Glory feels she can succeed where Owen Cruze did not, and make Hudson bend and tap to her will. Hudson only seems to care about inflicting as much pain as he can on anyone who gets in his way and tries to take his championship. Both are long-time ring veterans, both run wrestling schools. On paper, the two seem as evenly matched as any two competitors could be. But the match won't be fought on paper, it'll be decided in the ring, where many factors come into play. Emotions, anger, reaction time, ring awareness. Glory is a woman who can let her emotion get the best of her at times. Hudson is able to turn that off and focus on the task at hand. The task here? Pain, and victory. I'll tip the scale here in Hudson's favor, BUT – if Glory can keep herself focused and not take any unnecessary risks or make any misguided decisions, it's possible for her to become US Champion tonight.


Gavin Taylor vs. Adam Allocco

Here we have our most recent former World Champion Adam Allocco, facing off against the man with a title shot in his pocket thanks to a Trios contract, Gavin Taylor. Gavin seemed on the verge of using that contract to face current World Champion Xander Valentine – Gavin's Trios team member. But after some heated discussion he agreed to step back and let Syren get her shot first. (Which I will talk about next.), despite the fact that he defeated her at Rise to Greatness. Enter Adam Allocco. It appears he won't be getting a rematch any time soon, if at all. So who better to test himself against than the man with the guaranteed shot? Both men are going into this with something to prove. Adam, that he hasn't lost a step despite losing the championship to Xander. And Gavin, to prove that he belongs in the position to challenge for the World Championship, contract or not. He's become a bit more of a serious competitor over this year, and this is his highest-stakes match to date. My prediction? Gavin will indeed shock everyone and prove he belongs at the top of cards and in the main event.... although he will fall just short, with Adam pulling out the win in the end. He's got pride to make up for, and I can't see him letting himself fall further.


SCW World Championship
Syren vs. Xander Valentine

This bout has been a long time coming. The two were meant to face off last year, but a series of events prevented that match from happening. Interruptions, injuries. Syren and Xander have butted heads long enough and the long-awaited bout is finally happening. The fact that Xander is now World Champion makes it all the better for Syren. She's killing two birds with one stone – finally facing Xander, and finally getting the chance at the title she has felt she's earned and deserved for a long time. Syren is as motivated as a person could be going into a championship opportunity. Xander just wants to maim, and remain in the top position he's found himself in after using his Trios contract to face Allocco, and then defeating him. Xander also feels this is a position he has deserved for a long time, and he won't give it up easily. Syren would break a record if she wins, becoming the person with the most SCW World Championship reigns. Xander doesn't care about any of that, he just doesn't want anyone to take his prize. Who do I think will walk out as champion? In short, Xander Valentine. I can't put my finger on why, Syren certainly has the skills to do it. Maybe its his attitude that gives out an aura of confidence. Just call it a hunch.



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And that, Dear Readers, is my Apocalypse rundown and predictions. I'll be in attendance tonight watching everything up close from the VIP section. If you don't have plans to watch tonight, I highly suggest you change your plans. I hope everyone watching enjoys the show!



Be Brave
~ Amy Chastaine