The screen behind Melissa shifts to a montage of arena footage, match highlights, and roaring fans from the past four weeks inside the Pearl Theater. Golden overlays label each week’s Jackpot episode as upbeat instrumental music plays briefly underneath.
Melissa Cartwright: The United Toughness Alliance kicked off its return on June 6th with a message from COO Rich Wingate — and a promise: four weeks in Las Vegas, a new champion crowned, and the dawning of a new era.
Melissa Cartwright: That night, Jackpot set the tone early. We saw Brick Bronson bulldoze through Carter Durant. Gideon Graves dismantled El Fantasma Oscuro with brutal efficiency. And Jaxson Ryder brought the crowd to its feet with a highlight-reel Phoenix Splash over Graham Keel to advance in the tournament.
Melissa Cartwright: But it was the main event that had people talking. Athena Storm vs. Valentina Blaze — two rising stars delivering a modern classic… until Valkyrie Knox stormed the ring and wrecked both women, leaving carnage behind and a message loud and clear: the Women’s Division just became war.
Clips play behind her: Knox’s ambush, Ryder’s victory celebration, and Brick’s cold stare toward the UTA Championship banner.
Melissa Cartwright: Week two saw momentum shift — and returns begin. Jet Lawson lit up the skies but couldn’t outmaneuver the cold-blooded Magnus Wolfe. Maxx Mayhem took Titan Rex to the edge before getting himself disqualified in a chair-swinging meltdown. And in one of the most anticipated returns of the year, B.R Ellis made his in-ring comeback against Tyler Cruz.
Melissa Cartwright: Cruz gave it everything, but Ellis reminded the world what elite technical wrestling looks like. Cold, focused, and relentless — B.R Ellis punched his ticket to the second round.
Footage plays of Cruz’s Sky Twister Press, Ellis’s suplex barrage, and the post-match handshake that brought the Pearl Theater crowd to its feet.
Melissa Cartwright: Also announced that night — the road to the UTA Championship ends at One Last Stop on July 11th before WrestleUTA: 25 on August 3rd. Every match from June forward builds to that single destination… and every superstar wants their name in that final bracket.
Melissa Cartwright: As June rolls on, storylines deepen, rivalries ignite, and the pressure mounts. Who will survive the path to the finals? And who will be left wondering what could have been?
Melissa Cartwright: Week three of Jackpot saw the tournament field tighten. Brick Bronson powered past Gideon Graves in a collision of tanks. Jaxson Ryder edged out Jet Lawson in a high-octane aerial clash. Malachi Cross and Titan Rex tore the ring apart in a heavy-hitting war — with Rex pulling out the win. And in one of the most technical showdowns of the month, Jarvis Valentine narrowly defeated B.R. Ellis in a match that had purists buzzing for days.
Melissa Cartwright: Then came week four — the final Jackpot before One Last Stop. The UTA Championship Tournament field is now locked in: Brick Bronson, Jaxson Ryder, Titan Rex, and Jarvis Valentine. Four men. Two matches. One championship destiny awaits on July 11.
Melissa Cartwright: But that episode also gave us something else — answers. After weeks of attacks and silence, Valkyrie Knox finally stepped forward and told the world why she dismantled the Women’s Division.
Clips roll of Valkyrie in the ring, cold and commanding.
Melissa Cartwright: Her reason? She’s not here for a division. She’s not here for validation. She’s here to destroy the illusion of hierarchy in women’s wrestling. She doesn’t want a title — she wants to burn down the foundation. Athena Storm and Valentina Blaze were simply the first bricks to fall.
Melissa pauses for a moment.
Melissa Cartwright: Joining me now to discuss her history with the UTA and her appearance on last week's Jackpot -
Melissa begins to walk, the camera following her.
Melissa Cartwright: Marie Van Claudio.
Marie Van Claudio awaits her, wearing a pink dress. She shakes Marie's hand and they both take a seat in chairs set up.
Melissa Cartright: Marie, I want to thank you for taking the time out to sit with me and talk about what’s been going on within the UTA.
Marie Van Claudio: I thank you for your time, and if you must, you can ask me anything and I will be happy to answer them.
Melissa Cartright: Well, let’s get the first question out of the way. You are no stranger to the UTA. You were a part of the company from 2014 up till the end of 2016. Do you have any good experiences being here along with bad experiences?
Marie looks at her and begins to talk.
Marie Van Claudio: Of course. In every company, you are going to have good times and bad times. When I look back at my UTA career, I look at both of them. The good times where I won the Women’s Championship for the first time AND where I took La Flama Blanca to the limit and nearly won the UTA World Championship for the first time. OH! And I should mention that I defeated Kathryn Velmont Thomas to become the NEW First Lady of the UTA!
She smirks at that statement.
Marie Van Claudio: And there are also the bad times. Some days I didn’t even feel like I didn’t belong because of some of the stuff that was said about me, some days I didn’t want to be heard because of it and not to mention the drama that happened with Amy Harrison.
She pauses as Melissa looks at her.
Melissa Cartright: Speaking of which, do you ever think we will see Amy Harrison come here again?
Marie Van Claudio: I don’t have a say in that - the only thing I know is she still has that bitter taste of losing the Prodigy Championship. Whether she shows up or not, it’s her decision, not mine.
Melissa Cartright: I respect honesty.
Marie nods at that statement.
Melissa Cartright: Now let’s talk about last week at Jackpot. You showed up and wanted to take a look at the action. It was also said by commentary that you could be a future hall of famer! What are your thoughts on that statement?
Marie pauses;
Marie Van Claudio: You never know what to expect. I do appreciate the comments and hopefully one that will happen! I don’t know when, but if it does happen soon, say at the anniversary show, then I know my time in UTA meant something.
Melissa Cartright: Also, another thing I want to touch up on. The comments that were made towards you from Valkyrie. I’m positive that they made you very upset.
Marie’s eyes come across with anger.
Marie Van Claudio: Anger is not the word to describe how I am feeling! As much talent Valkyrie has in that ring, her attitude towards veterans, like me, that fought for a women’s division to happen, especially now, are very and I mean very hurtful and tasteless! I busted my ass for many years to earn respect in this place to begin with!
She keeps her eyes on Melissa.
Marie Van Claudio: And if I was still active on the roster, I would smack her around, beat her down and show her why she should respect the ones who made this possible! I’m not going to let my legacy go to waste at -
Just then Valkyrie comes in and Marie stands up, kicking her chair back. Melissa quickly gets up and rushes out of the area, leaving Valkyrie and Marie face to face as the height difference is showing. Valkyrie looks up and down.
Valkyrie Knox: For someone that talks a lot, you sure talk about a big game. Talking trash like that got your ass handed to you by the likes of Mikey Unlikey, Amy Harrison and others that basically mopped the floor with you.
Valkyrie smirks at what she said, but Marie is not happy at all.
Valkyrie Knox: Future hall fo famer? With your bad record? I needed that laugh.
Marie Van Claudio: Oh really? You think I’m some weak link that had a bad record in the past. Well maybe you should ask ANYONE I’ve faced off with in this place what I am capable of doing! Don’t believe it, then maybe you should find out!
Valkyrie rolls her eyes.
Valkyrie Knox: Stop with that tough girl act, I’m not buying it at all. I have better things to worry about instead of a hack like Marie Van Claudio trying to get back her glory days when she knows it’s up! You know what I plan on doing, Marie?
She circles around her as Marie is looking uncomfortable.
Valkyrie Knox: Going into One Last stop and winning the Women’s Championship. The championship that you once held before it was taken away due to the lack of talent and the lack of a leader in you!
Marie becomes irritated as Valkyrie still circles around her like a shark.
Valkyrie Knox: And besides, if you ever step into the ring again, I will make sure the “future hall of famer” NEVER, and I mean NEVER, gets to hold the Women’s Championship as long as I am champion... again.
Valkyrie stops circling around her as she begins to walk away. Valkyrie turns behind her as Marie still has a pissed off look on her face. Valkyrie turns and mouths off “pathetic” with Marie watching her go.
