When the broadcast came back from the commercial break, everything had changed.
Randal Savage was now firmly in control, and he made sure the audience was well aware of it.
Victor Cross found himself on one knee near the ropes, trying to catch his breath while Savage circled him with a newfound swagger. His vibrant outfit sparkled under the arena lights as he played to the crowd, dramatically spreading his arms before bending down to grab Victor by the hair.
With a sharp tug, he yanked Victor's head up and slapped him across the face.
The crowd reacted instantly—some chuckled at the blatant disrespect, while others let out loud boos.
Savage couldn't help but smile.
"Where's all that confidence now?" he taunted.
Victor shot him a fierce glare through the strands of hair that fell over his face, but before he could say a word, Savage slapped him again, prompting an even louder chorus of boos from the crowd.
Tony leaned in, concerned. "That's way too much."
Justin shook his head in disbelief. "He's really pushing it."
Luke couldn't help but smirk. "Victor's definitely going to remember this moment."
Savage yanked Victor to his feet and sent him flying across the ring with an Irish whip. Victor bounced off the ropes and charged back, only for Savage to nearly take his head off with a brutal clothesline.
Victor hit the mat hard.
Savage strutted around him with an air of arrogance, raising both arms to the crowd. The reaction was mixed, but he clearly didn't care one bit.
Noah shouted, "Randal Savage is feeling himself right now!"
Irvin scoffed, "He better wrap this up instead of just talking."
Savage glanced down at Victor, then shifted his gaze to the top rope. A grin broke out on his face as he pointed up.
The crowd instantly caught on and jumped to their feet.
Tony's eyes went wide. "He's really going for it."
Savage carefully climbed the turnbuckle, finding his balance on the top rope. He stood tall, raised his elbow high, and shouted to the audience.
Victor stayed still below him.
Then, Savage leaped.
He came crashing down with a diving elbow drop—
But Victor rolled out of the way just in time.
The entire arena gasped in unison.
Savage hit the mat hard, his elbow slamming down, and he immediately clutched his shoulder and arm in pain. He rolled around for a moment before slowly trying to get back on his feet.
Justin stood up, exclaiming, "That had to hurt!"
Luke shook his head, "He took too long."
Savage finally staggered to his feet, still nursing his shoulder, and turned around—
Only to find Victor right behind him.
The crowd erupted.
Victor stepped forward and effortlessly hoisted Savage onto his shoulders.
Noah nearly yelled into the microphone, "CROSSBREAKER!"
Victor charged ahead and slammed Savage into the mat with incredible force.
The impact reverberated through the ring.
Savage bounced slightly before going completely limp.
Victor collapsed over him for the pin as the referee slid into position.
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
The bell rang, and the crowd went wild.
Victor Cross had claimed victory.
Tony threw a fist in the air. "That's what you get for showboating!"
Justin chuckled. "That finisher was brutal."
Luke nodded in approval. "Victor really earned that one."
Victor slowly got to his feet as the referee raised his arm. He was worn out, panting heavily, but a look of satisfaction spread across his face.
Then everything took a turn.
Savage blindsided him from behind.
The cheers quickly morphed into a chorus of furious boos.
Savage slammed Victor to the mat, unleashing a flurry of wild punches while screaming nonsensically as officials rushed in from backstage.
Noah shouted in disbelief, "What is wrong with this guy?!"
Irvin groaned, "He just can't handle losing."
Savage yanked Victor back to his feet and violently hurled him toward the corner.
Victor crashed shoulder-first.
But it wasn't the padded turnbuckle that took the hit.
His shoulder slammed directly into the exposed middle post between the turnbuckles.
Victor screamed and crumpled to the outside, clutching his shoulder in agony.
The crowd unleashed a torrent of boos at Savage as officials hurried to check on Victor outside the ring.
Tony looked appalled. "That was totally uncalled for."
Justin shook his head. "I used to like him."
Luke crossed his arms. "He just made a lot of enemies."
Savage stood in the ring, breathing heavily as officials shouted at him. He just smirked and exited the ring amidst a storm of boos.
After a few moments, the arena lights dimmed once more.
The familiar violin theme began to play.
Eddie Prince stepped out, the men's championship resting on his shoulder.
The reaction caught him off guard.
There were still some boos.
But tonight?
The cheers far outnumbered them.
Eddie slowed down near the stage, taking in the packed arena, visibly moved as he absorbed the crowd's reaction.
Noah smiled. "Listen to this crowd."
Irvin nodded. "They might not love him, but after that war with Hogan? They definitely respect him."
Eddie stepped into the ring, lifting the championship high above his head. The cheers from the crowd grew louder.
He called for a microphone, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before he spoke.
"You know…" he started, his voice softer than usual, "I've spent years being overlooked."
The crowd hushed.
"I worked harder than anyone else. I fought harder than anyone else. And still… people told me I'd never be champion."
He glanced down at the title resting on his shoulder.
"But I proved every single one of them wrong."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Eddie's eyes shimmered with emotion.
"This championship means everything to me. I've sacrificed too much to let it slip away."
Just as he was about to continue—
A familiar theme song cut through the air.
The crowd went wild.
Eddie froze in place.
His face drained of color.
Noah stood up. "That can't be—"
Mason Brooks strode onto the stage.
The arena exploded with excitement.
The former champion looked different. His arm, which Eddie had broken just two months ago, was now fully healed. Dressed in simple black gear, he wore a calm expression as he made his way to the ring.
Eddie stared in utter disbelief.
The crowd chanted Mason's name as he entered the ring and took a microphone.
He surveyed the roaring audience and smiled.
"Did you miss me?"
The crowd's response was deafening.
Mason chuckled softly.
"I missed this ring."
But then his expression shifted as he turned to face Eddie.
"And Eddie…"
Eddie tightened his grip on the championship.
Mason raised a hand in a gesture of peace.
"I don't blame you for what happened."
That caught everyone off guard.
Even Eddie looked puzzled.
Mason shrugged. "Injuries happen."
He glanced at the title.
"You did a good job."
Eddie blinked in surprise.
Mason offered a faint smile.
"You kept my championship safe for me."
The crowd erupted once more.
Eddie finally shook off his shock.
Mason stepped closer.
"Now that the real champion is back…"
He pointed directly at the belt.
"It's time you give it back."
------
AN: How should I introduce Vince's gimmick? I have two names in mind-
Sting
The Fiend