Sunday Night Heat 7-7-2024

Upon rejoining the action, Hyan is just finishing her entrance. She flexes for the crowd, who are only partially pleased with the display. Then out of nowhere a voice thought silenced a couple months ago calls out to the WWE Universe.

MAKI ITOH: "LET'S F.. Shit."

There's a sudden pause as Maki’s entrance music abruptly stops before it can really start. In the ring, Hyan and the referee exchange confused looks and shrugs.

MAKI ITOH: "LET'S DUCKING GO! WHO IS THE CUTEST IN THE WORLD?"

WWE UNIVERSE: "Itoh-chan!!"

BETH PHOENIX: "Now this is a surprise! I wasn't sure if Maki Itoh was still employed by WWE."

MAURO RANALLO: "I think we just emphatically found out that she is still here, partner. It seems like she's having to get creative with her vocabulary after her first run in with Stephanie McMahon in May."

Having found her way around the prohibition on one of her favorite words, the Cutest in the World emerges with her beribboned mic. With a surprisingly cheerful smile she starts singing ‘Brooklyn The Hole’ as the crowd claps in time with her music. Just as they begin singing the chorus, Maki's performance ends as Hyan charges her and starts bailing her with forearms and punches. Maki does her best to cover up as her music cuts, but Hyan is relentless.

Hyan continues the assault by seizing one of Maki's twintails in an iron grip and pretty much dragging her to the ring. Maki stumbles along, desperately grabbing at Hyan’s hand. Just as Hyan’s about to slam her head into the ring steps, Maki manages to slip out of her grasp. Realizing her prey has escape Hyan turns around to pursue, charging at Maki with a clothesline. But Maki sucks under it and CLOCKS Hyan with the end of her mic to a surprised pop from the crowd. Hyan staggers and Maki seizes her by the hair, rolling her into the ring. As soon as Maki enters the ring the befuddled ref calls for the bell to make it official.



Maki kicks at Hyan repeatedly, shouting obscenities about how no one interrupts her performances. She quickly gets Hyan back to her feet and chops her across the chest to the sound of ‘Woo!’ from the crowd. The Fired Idol looks pretty pleased with herself but regrets it as Hyan fires back with an even stiffer chop. It's so nasty that Maki spins around, clutching her chest and loudly groaning in pain. With an evil grin Hyan unloads another chop to Maki the moment she turns around!

The pain is so intense that Maki drops to her knees.. and begins crying. Not just crying but UGLY crying. Boos cascade down on Hyan as she stands there absolutely confounded by her opponent’s behavior. She shrugs helplessly to the camera as Maki continues to cry, clearly debating if it's worth continuing the match.

MAURO RANALLO: "Oh my, it seems Maki Itoh may be.. hurt?"

BETH PHOENIX: "Those chops from Hyan are no joke but this seems like it's a bit much. Did she not expect her opponent to come at her at full power?"

MAURO RANALLO: "Hyan's definitely eager to make her mark tonight against the Cutest in the World, but she still has enough empathy to check on her first-"

Eventually Hyan goes up to Maki as the Fired Idol stands back up and checks if she's okay.
In the space of a split second Maki goes from sobbing to grinning cunningly. She immediately stomps on Hyan’s foot and grinds it into the mat. As Hyan shouts in pain Maki flips her off to a pop from the crowd. To cap it off Maki headbutts Hyan and staggers the larger woman. Trying to capitalize on her momentum Maki runs the ropes and gets knocked to the mat by a clothesline from Hyan!

Sensing this is her big chance, Hyan pulls Maki up into a gutwrench position. With a shout she goes for a gutwrench suplex but Maki counters with Itoh Royale. The ref counts the pin but it's only two! Maki gets to her feet a split second before Hyan and stalks the woman feverishly. The moment Hyan is up Maki whips her to the corner and then rushes in after her. With a big cute grin Maki climbs up and asks the WWE Universe a question.

MAKI ITOH: “Who is the cutest in the wor-whoaaaa!”

She doesn't get to finish as Hyan shoves her off with a ton of force. Just as Hyan steps out of the corner, though, Maki bull rushes her head first! The battering ram headbutt nails Hyan in the midsection and sends her back into the corner hard. Now that Hyan is dazed Maki climbs right on back up.

MAKI ITOH: "AHEM! Who is the cutest in the world?!"

WWE UNIVERSE: "ITOH-CHAAN!"

Refilled to the brim with happiness Maki smiles brightly and hammers away at Hyan with ten stiff closed fist punches. Though Hyan slumps back against the turnbuckles, Maki doesn't relent - she follows the mounted punches with a DDT that absolutely spikes Hyan's head into the mat. She rolls over onto her side and Maki gets that wild look in her eyes. The Cutest in the World pats her head emphatically and then runs the ropes - she goes stiff and starts to fall for the Kokeshi, but Hyan rolls just enough to be out of range. Undaunted Maki spins back into range and drops down onto Hyan, her expensive big head smacking right into Hyan's.

MAURO RANALLO: "KOKESHI!!"

BETH PHOENIX: "Hyan is out!"

Maki goes for the pin, hooking the leg and counting along with the WWE Universe and the referee.

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!



MIKE ROME: "Here is your winner, the Cutest in the World.. MAKI ITOH!"

Though 'Brooklyn the Hole' begins playing, Maki's eyes keep glancing over at the ringside area. Even as the ref raises her hand to a pop from the crowd Maki's attention is clearly split in two directions. One her adoring public who shower her with money and accolades. The other her adorable mic that's still at ringside. Unable to resist, she rolls out of the ring and grabs the mic in hand. She raises it up as if she's just won the WWWE Women's Championship and then rolls back into the ring. Now properly equipped for whatever idea's on her mind, Maki steps to the center of the ring.

MAKI ITOH: "Cut the music!"

Almost on cue her theme fades out. Simultaneously an impish grin crosses Maki's lips.

MAKI ITOH: "Hello shitheads! How are you?"

Surprisingly the WWE Universe pops for this greeting, which just makes Maki's grin widen.

MAKI ITOH: "Good. Good. You're happy and you brought your wallets! When the show is over go spend all of your money on my merch to show the boss that you love Maki Itoh!"

This gets another cheer, as well as a "MA-KI I-TOH" chant for a brief few moments. The Cutest in the World seems surprised at the support but quickly waves her hands to invite the fans to get louder. When they actually do she laughs a bit, obviously amused at the control she has over the crowd. After letting it go on for a few moments she encourages the fans to quiet down a bit.

MAKI ITOH: "Hey, Stephanie McMahon, did you hear that? Do you see this? Maki Itoh is a such a STAR that your WWE Universe loves her best! It was that way when I debuted on Sunday night in May. How do you like that you mother... you know what I mean!"

Clearly the WWE Universe does, and Maki all but says the forbidden word on camera. Yet the pressure to not be fined another $15,000 is real so instead she moves on.

MAKI ITOH: "Steph, did you really think I'd just go away? Did you really think that suspending me for 30 days for 'unprofessional behavior' would make me take my ball and go home? Do you really think that fining THE MOST must-see wrestler in that locker room every time she says one specific word will make her less appealing to her simp... the WWE Universe?! Well I'm afraid I've got some bad news!"

She lets uncertainty blanket the arena as the entire WWE Universe tries to guess what the hell she's got planned. Finally she takes a step forward towards the camera and waggles her finger chidingly.

MAKI ITOH: "This isn't over, Steph. Not by a long shot. I'm still signed to a WWE contract, so I've got every right to be here performing for my uncountable Simp Army whenever I want. Even if it's just Heat, I'll be here collecting my paycheck and kicking ass until you get the guts to put me on Raw where I belong! And as for that word? You made this personal. I might not be able to say it.. but I'll find a way to freaking get around it. Like I said, this isn't over - it's just beginning. Other girls are here to chase their dreams or win gold and glory on the biggest stage. But Maki Itoh is different. Right now, the only goal I have-"

Maki pauses for dramatic effect as the fans begin buzzing with anticipation.




MAKI ITOH: "Is to get the 'F' in."

With that she turns off her mic and flips off the camera - and by extension her own boss. Having just seen one rebellious hero fall, the crowd seems to fully embrace Maki Itoh's new crusade against the management. As 'Brooklyn the Hole' hits they alternatingly sing along, chant her name or just cheer. All while the Cutest in the World dances up the entrance ramp and plays to her adoring public once more.