NFW Collision #98 - Chicago, Il! 06/01/2021!

Jim Reynolds: I'm really looking forward to that, and I bet Sylvia Lopez is too... crazy bitch.

Nick Hanson: Elsewhere, we've got TRIOCS/Kingdom to start! Team TRIOCS: Ray Davine, Angel Griffin, and Isidora Jansen take on The Queen's Guard: Lluvia Cane and the Austin sisters, Jamie and Jonna! We've also got Cayla Phoenix taking on someone who made one hell of a statement last Collision, Yukiko Kusanagi!

Jim Reynolds: Cayla, if you're listening? I love you, but hide. For all our sakes.

Nick Hanson: I doubt Cayla's just gonna back down from facing the de-facto number one contender, Jimmy! We've also got Psycho vs. Serenity: Saoirse Maguire takes on Abigail Lindsay in singles action! We've got Juliana Mendoza taking on Maki, as well!

Jim Reynolds: We'll see if Luthor likes what he sees out of Juliana after that!

Nick Hanson: He... he doesn't in any case... anyway, last but not least, we've got Wild Card holder Cass Baumer taking on Pet's Etsuko Mitsuzaka prior to our main ev--! Wait, huh? Folks I'm... just getting word that there's something going on backstage.

The speakers pick up this commotion backstage. The action's already begun, clearly. The view cuts to a camera sprinting to the scene, which finds Katelin Descarrilado attacking Katie Anderson. Katelin rains punches down on Katie before locking her in a crossface cobra clutch. Katie struggles and struggles to get Descarrilado off of her, before fading and passing out. Katelin unhooks her arms from Anderson's neck before turning her over and covering her for a pin. Descarrilado slowly slaps the floor three times before throwing Katie's leg down and looking to the camera.

Katelin Descarrilado: Leviticus 18:19. The golden rule, as it were. Do unto others as has been done unto you. This will be the general sight come Reckoning Day for you... and this will be you and your opponent soon, Cassandra.

The Ice Queen rises to her feet and leaves the shot as medical personnel tend to the unconscious Katie Anderson.

Nick Hanson: Now, what did Katie do to Katelin, except pin her to claim the number one contendership for Dona Rotten's Genesis title at Reckoning Day?

Jim Reynolds: I don't think it matters, Nick.

Nick Hanson: It does to me, because Katie's never said a word to Katelin. The only time those two ever met was in the ring! Katie won that exchange because she's a decorated wrestler elsewhere, and...

Jim Reynolds: And what? Katelin's just a manager playing wrestler? Well, that "manager playing wrestler" just choked out the number one contender to the Genesis Title, Nick. Katelin's a threat no matter the situation, and no matter the time! I think her losing last Collision was simply a matter of poor circumstance.

Nick Hanson: Katie's not even scheduled for action tonight, but I understand we were going to hear from her later on. Just... I don't understand it. If you want to make a statement, make it in the ring like TRIOCS and The Queen's Guard are going to do soon.
The scene comes up backstage with the women of TRIOCS, Angel Griffin, Isidora Jansen and Rayola Davine all backstage and all dressed in… bear suits? Rayola as a panda, Angel as a polar and Isidora in the middle as a brown bear.

Rayola Davine: We're here for just one reason tonight: to have fun. See, we've been thinking it over and we've been so focused and serious about our matches that we stopped remembering to have fun as well. So that's why...

Ray points to their attire, clearly over their ring gear.

Rayola Davine: ... because in addition to making sure TRIOCS makes the needed impact, we are here to show we can be just as wild. And thanks to some inspiration from Angel here, we think we've got at least the way to kick start that. So yes we'll look adorable going to the ring, but you can bet we'll be completely vicious as we go after The Queen's Guard.

Isidora had wondered to herself silently as she was looking at herself in a bear suit laughing a bit. She then turns to the camera as she looks at both of her partners. She then looks at the camera as her eyes light up a bit.

Isidora Jansen: C'è un tempo per divertirsi e un tempo per giocare. Rayola ha ragione, però, dovremmo comunque divertirci anche se non abbiamo il leader senza paura. La Guardia della Regina non se lo aspetterà. E poi siamo Emphyreal, e che proprio lì c'è Rayola Davine. Siamo team TrioCS, siamo pronti per te Lluvia e anche per i tuoi piccoli serpenti a sonagli del Texas.
((Translation: There's a time for fun and a time to play games. Rayola is right though, we should still be having fun even if we don't have the fearless leader. The Queen's Guard won't be expecting this. Besides we are Emphyreal, and that right there is Rayola Davine. We are Team TrioCS, we are ready for you Lluvia, and your little Texas Rattlesnakes as well.))

Isidora spits on the ground next to the cameraman’s foot as she looks over at Rayola nodding to herself. She had thought about what she was going to say, then she just put it into perdition. She then turned waiting for one of the other girls.

Isidora Jansen: È meglio che si guardino da soli, chissà cosa sta per succedere?
(Translation: They better watch themselves, who knows what's coming?)

Angel stands quietly as her friends and family speak their mind. That is how she had come to view them. It had been a tough few weeks and she hadn’t really talked it through but she was here now for them and she would always answer the call.

Angel Griffin: You know, being here with you two. With family is what TRioCs is all about really. We have each other's backs. Tonight we face a tough challenge but I know in my heart and soul that we will come out victorious. I have faith in each of you to watch my back as I yours.

Angel pauses as she flips the polar bear hoodie up over her shoulders.

Angel Griffin: Plus no one said a little silliness can’t look good. Now let's go and show the NFW that we are nothing to laugh at even when we find ourselves being silly for our own entertainment.

She laughs as she zips up the outfit. Ray and Isidora follow suit and walk off as the scene fades out.
Backstage, just outside of The Kingdom’s locker room, The Queen’s Guard stood talking a little strategy before they were approached by a single camera guy followed by Josh Davidson who had a microphone in hand. The 3 women shook their heads for a second before moving to where they could all be easily seen and spoken to.

Lluvia Cane: Hurry up and ask your questions, Josh...we’ve got a match to get to.

Josh Davidson: Of course, Ms. Cane...I would hate to take up a lot of your time right at the start of the show. First, I would like to welcome Ms. Austin, well, the other Ms. Austin to NFW! Jamie, I know you had decided to sign with NFW to avoid being in your sister’s shadow, so what are your thoughts on Jonna being here now?

Jamie Austin: Okay, I’d like to clear that up a little first...I felt like I would have more opportunity to grow by being here. Did I want to be in my sister’s shadow on top of our uncle’s shadow? No, of course not, but I’m excited that Jonna is here and teaming with us.

Josh nodded as he listened to what Jamie had to say before he turned his gaze to the significantly taller of the 3 women, speaking to her next.

Josh Davidson: Jonna, how are you feeling about being here? And what are your thoughts on your debut match being a trios team match with you sister and friend as opposed to a singles match?

Jonna Austin: A debut is a debut, no matter the style of match or how many people are involved in it. I would have been happy with a singles match, but I’m thrilled to be teaming with Lluvia and Jamie in our 1st match as the updated Queen’s Guard. As far as being here in general, I’m just happy to have somewhere to get into the ring again. Other places, I’ve proven my skill, proven just how devastating I can be when truly given the chance to do so, and tonight starts that path for me here.

Josh found himself nodding once more as he listened to the other Austin sister before turning to Lluvia next.

Josh Davidson: Lluvia, what are your thoughts on the match tonight?

Lluvia Cane: Well...TRIOCS has been a thorn in the side of The Kingdom essentially since they signed their contracts. Tonight, we get to show them why we are the best. We’re going to remind them that we have the best in the ring. And tonight, we’re going to show them exactly why they should….

The Queen’s Guard: Behold the Kingdom!

Lluvia Cane: Now then, if you’ll excuse us, we have a match to get to.

The trio shove past Josh and begin making their way down the hall and towards the gorilla position to await the start of their match.

Match #1/Trios Match

The Queen's Guard v. TRIOCS (Rayola Davine & Empyreal)

~Ding Ding Ding~

Rayola steps out to meet Lluvia with the other four competitors stepping out to their respective corners. Rayola and Lluvia lock-up in a traditional collar and elbow tie-up. The two jockey for position before Lluvia manages to get an arm drag. Rayola pops right back up and clotheslines Lluvia down. Rayola goes for a cover but Lluvia catches her arms and starts to go for a triangle choke. Rayola is able to pull out and move into the mounted position. Lluvia rolls forward into a cradle.

Rayola kicks out.

Lluvia looks to hook Rayola up but Rayola backdrops her and then drops an elbow. Rayola covers.

Lluvia kicks out.

Rayola tags in Angel. Angel comes in and suplexes lluvia all over hell’s half acre, ending with a bridging German for a cover.

Lluvia kicks out.

Angel drags Lluvia up and throws her into the ropes, clotheslining her back down on the rebound. Angel tags in isidora and they get Lluvia up for Beauty Struck. Angel heads out and Isidora covers.

Jamie makes the save.

Jamie heads back to the corner and this distracts Isidora long enough to allow Lluvia to roll her up.

Isidora kicks out.

Lluvia makes the tag to Jonna. Jonna comes in and bounces isidora all over the ring, slamming her into the ropes, the turnbuckles and then finally giving her a running power slam for a cover.

Angel breaks it up.

Lluvia and Jamie come in, Lluvia hitting a dropkick that sends Rayola to the floor in the TRIOCS corner. Jonna and Jamie throw Angel back to the turnbuckles and then catch her coming off for the G2 Rose. Jamie heads back to the corner while Lluvia slides out to slug it out some with Rayola on the floor. Jonna goes to drag Isidora up and gets pulled into an inside cradle.

Jonna kicks out.

Jonna grabs Isidora and gives her Returns Fate before tagging in Jamie. Jamie goes up to the top and comes off with the Uptown Move and covers Isidora, looking directly out at Rayola as Lluvia holds her in place.

One!

Two!

Three!

~Ding Ding Ding~

Roger Arden: Here are your winners!! Lluvia Cane...Jonna Austin...Jamie Austin...THE QUEEN’S GUARD!!!!

Nick Hanson: How about that look from Jamie to Rayola Davine, huh?!

Jim Reynolds: How about you Behold the fucking Kingdom, Nicky!!!!

Nick Hanson: Well, I doubt this is over between these two sides. All I can say.

Jim Reynolds: As if! Rayola and Empyreal may wanna back off, finally.

Result: Pinfall

The World Heavyweight Champion, Damon Cross, is in front of the mirror as Collision returns, adjusting his collar and making sure he’s presentable… all that good stuff. The title is folded upon the counter before him, gleaming brightly in the fluorescent light. Clearly, the champion does not intend to be idle tonight; Yukiko Kusanagi’s match with Cayla Phoenix is starting soon and the Redeemer means to have an up-close look at the new number-one contender.

Of course, before this happens… a petite young lady approaches him from behind with magenta hair and black locks entwined. Danielle Anderson wraps her arms around him, interlocking her fingers together, and rests her head against his back. Even with her fashionable and cute presence, she looks a little worn out. However, she doesn’t worry about herself. She works on comforting her fiancé with her love and warmth. Damon sets his hands on hers, not needing to ask who it is or even how they feel.

Damon Cross: How are you feeling?

It’s a silly question, but this past weekend was a rough one for Danielle and Leina; for Damon, too, but for a different reason and on a different level. One that he does not care to revisit. His queen is more important. She blinks, noticing his primary concern for her, and she squeaks. With a little bit of strength, she squeezes him and nuzzles him from behind.

Danni Anderson (◠‿◠✿) I’m alright -- thanks to you. Li and I wouldn’t have recovered as quickly if it wasn’t for you and your love.

She can express without words how much Damon means to them. Deep down, he has to know that. And he does, of course.

Damon Cross: It isn’t something I’ve had experience with. Doubt I would personally handle it as well as you do.

Turning in her arms, Damon puts his arms around Danielle now.

Damon Cross: Are you certain you want to be out there tonight? I doubt Yukiko will be any trouble.

There’s something about being in his arms! She finds warmth and comfort there, listening to his steady heartbeat with her head against his chest. When he presents her with the question, she looks up to him and nods cutely, vigorously.

Danni Anderson (-◠_◠-✿) Wherever you go, I wanna go too! Unless it’s the men’s bathroom or something like that, you know? Because I wouldn’t be allowed.

He can’t help but laugh at that one.

Damon Cross: Everywhere, huh? So be it. You’re coming with me to do all my errands tomorrow. Even the boring ones. And you’re going to be a good girl, too. Or else.

As if he could punish her… or would if he could! But clearly, the statement was made for amusement. Oh, but the little Sweetheart Esper doesn’t seem to take it that way. She’s blushing! It seems her mind has gone the complete opposite direction. She’s quick to try and shake it off, looking up into his eyes.

Danni Anderson (◠﹏◠✿) Sooo are you ready to scout???

The champ is doing his best to hold in his laughter and look serious. He’s failing.

Damon Cross: Of course.

Finally getting himself under proper control, he drapes the title over his shoulder and offers his free arm to Danni. She takes it happily, locking their arms together with a giggle. The young lady even starts to sing a familiar song as they make their way out of his locker room.

Danni Anderson (◠△◠✿) “Oh, ye of so little faith! Don’t doubt it, don’t doubt it. Victory is in my veins…”
We have a closeup shot of Cayla Phoenix's nails being filed with a manicure, as she is in the Movement's personal salon whilst Grace comes on the scene as she sported a form fitting dress while speaking to her client.

Grace Moretti: "So, Yukiko Kusanagi has been causing quite a stir of things as of late. And apparently, our "wonderful" general manager decided that you're facing that animal tonight."

She said with a spiteful tone, as Cayla would pout a bit as the plan Juliana had not only backfired, but, is trickling down to her as well.

Cayla Phoenix: "That is a very accurate word for her, Grace. Yukiko is an animal, one with equal parts calculation and a wild, feral ferocity to her as well… she may have too much of that side to her, as well."

Grace Moretti: "She did go after the champion, perhaps you can use her tunnel vision to your advantage."

Grace said, as Cayla would look away briefly, as if she heard something. She would then nod briefly.

Grace Moretti: "Oh, it is about time for your medication, isn't it? Here, let me get that for you."

Grace said, as ever since the plane crash that made her get cosmetic surgery, Cayla had been on some pills that treat some of the mental issues she had been having, including the multiple personality disorder. Cayla looked at it briefly, before denying it.

Cayla Phoenix: "No… a rabid dog like Yukiko can't be tamed or broken by logic… she needs to be beaten at her own level."

Grace looked confused as to what Cayla meant, before she stood up and began to walk out.

Grace Moretti: "Where are you going?"

Cayla turned back to her mentor, who was growing a bit concerned over her client.

Cayla Phoenix: "To visit an old friend…"

She said, before turning back to the camera and showing off an evil grin, as Cayla makes her way to the ring with a devious look on her face, as she walked off camera.
While Cayla Phoenix is finishing up her entrance inside the ring, the cameras jump backstage to the Gorilla position. Josh Davidson stands by with Yukiko Kusanagi who stands with her head down, shrouded under her hood.

Josh Davidson: Ladies and gentlemen, we’re just moments away from our next contest. I just wanna get a quick word from the Number One Contender to the World Heavyweight Title. Now, Yukiko, you and the champion, Damon Cross, have had a bit of back and forth over social media lately. It seems as though you feel he doesn’t think you’re...well…worthy of challenging for his title. Do you feel underestimated by Damon Cross?

Yukiko lifts her head and scowls up at Josh from beneath her hood and mask. Her words come out as a harsh, almost hissing whisper.

Yukiko Kusanagi: Karera wa...jibun no iken o mizu no...yō ni meikaku ni shimashita.

Her eyes shift to the camera. There’s a twinkle of something else behind the utter rage always seen in them.

Yukiko Kusanagi: Damon Cross...Danni-chan...you fucking watch….

She cracks her neck to the side and slaps the mic out of Josh’s hand as BABYMETAL’s “BxMxC” starts playing and turns, walking through the tunnel that leads out to the stage.

Cayla Phoenix v. Yukiko Kusanagi

Before the match begins, “Rise” by State of Mine plays from the PA system. The fans are excited to see the NFW World Heavyweight Champion Damon Cross and his fiancée, Danielle Anderson, make their way down to the ring together. Meanwhile, inside of the ring, Yukiko Kusanagi narrows her eyes at the man with the gold… that is until Cayla Phoenix attacks her from behind!

Referee Heather Young signals for the bell. The match is officially underway with Cayla taking advantage of the sneak attack. However, Yukiko retaliates, and the two of them are throwing lefts and rights like mad! The referee tries to break them up to no avail as Cayla fights Yukiko into one of the corners of the ring and lashes out with knife-edge chops. On the outside, Damon and Danni stand by to do what they said they were going to do -- scout the match. Cayla sends Yukiko to the opposite corner with an Irish whip and runs through with a roaring elbow. Despite the blow, Yukiko unleashes a series of kicks against Cayla, to which Cayla counters with a dropkick that sends Yukiko against the ropes. She’s quick to go for a cradle pin, but Yukiko kicks out right before two.

Cross narrows his eyes, watching Kusanagi very carefully. Even though she’s the challenger to her fiancé’s championship, Anderson still thinks of Kusanagi as her friend, booing when Phoenix drags her by her hair. Once they’re on their feet, the Siren of Violence takes Kusanagi down with “Madjack” (Legtrap Overhead Capture Suplex) -- bridging the maneuver! Still, Kusanagi kicks out at two. Anderson claps for her friend’s resilience, which garners a look from Cross. Phoenix continues to wrestle with the advantage and wear her opponent down. However, Kusanagi’s aggression continues to build and she unleashes a flurry of dropkicks. Once Phoenix is in a corner, Kusanagi blasts her with a hesitating dropkick. She then grabs ahold of Phoenix, drapes her over the middle rope, and then she steps out onto the ring apron. Kusanagi dashes forward and nails Phoenix with a big boot to complete the signature move!

To the surprise of many, the Demolition Angel doesn’t go for the pin attempt. Instead, she lays into Cayla with mounted punches. The referee notes the closed fists and she starts a five-count against Yukiko -- who stops at four. Yukiko glares at Heather, who simply makes the calls. She then turns her attention to Damon, who’s simply watching from the outside, and she leans over the top rope towards him. She has a few (Japanese) words for him -- all the while Cayla is recovering. Damon folds his arms and keeps his eyes on Yukiko. “You need to focus on your opponent,” he tries to warn her. She sneers, turns around, and Cayla catches her with “Comet Drop” (Diving Bulldog)! Going for the pin immediately, Cayla hooks the leg, but Yukiko kicks out before three.

As the fans enjoy the back and forth action, Anderson softly bites her lower lip. She watches Phoenix resume wearing Kusanagi down, but her friend refuses to give up. Phoenix is looking for her signature Straightjacket Mat-Slam, but Kusanagi blocks the attempt and counters Phoenix with a cradle DDT. She doesn’t stop there, however, as she climbs to the top turnbuckle and lands her signature Top-Rope Double Footstomp on Phoenix! Kusanagi covers Phoenix and hooks the leg, but she only gets a two-count. There’s no sign of frustration as she rises up and drags Phoenix to her feet -- only to get raked in the eyes! While Kusanagi staggers back, Phoenix ensnares her in a precarious position. Cross sets his eyes on this moment, watching Phoenix as she goes for her “Phoenix Down” (Bridging Tiger Suplex), but Kusanagi escapes -- and counters with “The Steel Feather” (Spin Kick to the jaw)! She goes for the cover and the Phoenix burns out for the three!



Roger Arden: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner of the match by pinfall… “The Demolition Angel” YUKIKO KUSANAGI!

Jim Reynolds: Awww, my poor Cayla! Daddy will take care of you--

Nick Hanson: Oh please, let’s not even go there, Jim! Yukiko’s a force to be reckoned with and she’s proven it tonight.

Jim Reynolds: Heh, reckoned. Reckoning Day. Fits, doesn’t it?

Nick Hanson: Reckoning Day on Tuesday, June 29th. It’s going to be a wild ride, folks.


After a brief moment of celebration, Yukiko’s focus immediately turns to Damon. While the referee checks on Cayla, Yukiko rolls out of the ring and beelines for the World Heavyweight Champion -- who doesn’t step back. The two of them glower face-to-face, though Danni tries to gently pull Damon away. This doesn’t keep Yukiko from advancing on the two of them.

Nick Hanson: Uh oh. I don’t think Kusanagi wants to wait until Reckoning Day.

Jim Reynolds: The little fairy queen better get out of the way before she gets hurt!

Nick Hanson: Hold on a second. Is that--?

Indeed, the fans react a little differently when Maki makes her presence known. She’s quick to try and calm her wife down. As she is friendly with Damon, she doesn’t want there to be a fight. While Danni and Maki try to keep their respective lovers apart, Damon and Yukiko are glaring into each other’s souls. “LET THEM FIGHT!” the fans chant aloud.

Jim Reynolds: Yeah, let ‘em kill each other!

Nick Hanson: You’re a bad influence, Jim. Now look!

Another fan reaction erupts when Ronnie Lester makes his way down to the ring. He doesn’t seem to like where this is going and he stands by Damon’s side, keeping Danni behind them. Some words are exchanged between the four -- before Yukiko strikes Ronnie! This, in turn, forces Damon to lash out towards Yukiko, attacking Maki in the process! Danni staggers back as the four of them break out into a ringside brawl, the fans rallying them with cheers. They start taking the fight towards the commentary table, where Nick and Jim get the hell out of dodge. The poor Semper Fairy is trying to yell at them to stop, but she’s just one person. It isn’t until security interjects to separate the four, forming a wall with Damon, Ronnie, and Danni on one side, Yukiko and Maki on the other side. Ronnie’s hollering, Maki’s growling, Yukiko is glaring, and Damon is standing his ground. All of this before a commercial break kicks in!
The scene comes up to some area with a circle of candles and in the middle sits Abigail Lindsey in an almost meditative state.

Sela-Rica Lark: I wouldn't disturb her if I were you.

The camera pans a little to see Sela slowly pacing the outside of the circle, her movement causing the flames to flicker ever so slightly.

Sela-Rica Lark: My voice is one thing. If you get involved, well, you'll get no sympathy from me, but you'll also be yet another problem. You see, we do have a problem. It is called asking for so little where others see so much more. I suppose it is true what they say: the garbage of one is the treasure of another. All we asked for was to be left to play as we wished. We could have stayed little church mice, mostly quiet, coming out only for our own needs, never taking anything more. Instead, for acting on our very nature, we were condemned. Punished unjustly. It wreaked a cost that needed to be paid. But that was when… revelation struck.

Sela smirks, continuing to pace quietly.

Sela-Rica Lark: A door had been opened, unexpected, unplanned for by anyone in this little menagerie we have going. Luthor was smart enough to notice it and tried to close it on us. When we didn't comply, he got mercenaries to help him deal with it. Setting the snake loose in the garden to deal with another. Oh yes Luthor, make no mistake, your faith is currently misplaced. You think Gallus Mag would deal with us out of the kindness of their hearts or, unlike us, for the thrill of more playtime? They have a cost as well Luthor. One you may well wish you'd never come across. One that will make you wish you'd paid ours instead.

Sela kneels behind Abigail, who continues to sit unflinchingly still, statuesque to the point that it's difficult to notice her slight breathing.

Sela-Rica Lark: And now, our next price will be extracted. Luthor put his hopes into a false idol, and we tore that down. Now we're playing the soldier game. Not for flags and territory and power, but for respect. Our continued thorny presence versus Luthor's implicit overreach. And it starts with "Psycho" versus "Serenity". The dog on the leash versus the puma in the trees. You're out of your depth, Maguire. Oh sure, you've fought other psychopaths, brawlers, fighters, mutilators, technicians and everything under the sun. What we are doesn't come from the sun though. It's a colder place, one where pain is strength and mercy is lost. What Abigail and myself represent, isn't just another match.

Sela leans over and covers Abigail's eyes without touching her.

Sela-Rica Lark: It's still just Playtime.

Sela removes her hands and Abigail's eyes are open. Her hand shoots into the air and her fingers snap. All at once the candles go out and a lingering whisper echoes to a fade.

Abigail Lindsey: Serenity now…

Match #3/Singles Match

Saoirse Maguire v. Abigail Lindsey

The bell sounds and immediately, Saoirse and Abigail lock up and Saorise immediately goes into a waist lock that is reversed by Abigail and then Saoirse counters into a side headlock before Abigail backs into the ropes and sends her opponent off of her. Saorise hits the ropes and rebounds and takes Abigail down with a shoulder block. Saorise hits the ropes again and Abigail goes for a trip, but Saorise leaps over and hits the ropes again, only for Abigail to leapfrog over her before Saorise rebounds off the ropes once again and this time, she gets dropped by a dropkick by Abigail. Abigail takes over the match at this point as she keeps the pressure on Saorise and delivers a discus clothesline before going for a cover and only getting a two count. She picks Saorise up and sends her into the corner before charging in and delivering a shoulder tackle before kicking the legs out from under Saorise before just raking the heel of her boot across the face of Saorise and then pulling her out from the corner and locking in an Indian Deathlock. Saorise struggles and eventually finds her way to the ropes and forces a break. Abigail breaks at four and gets up, taunting Saorise and the crowd to a chorus of boos.

Abigail picks Saorise up and she goes for a springboard roundhouse, but Saorise is able to duck under it and when Abigail turns around, she runs right into a right forearm by Saorise and staggers back. Saorise then delivers a series of elbow strikes, followed up by a discus clothesline that drives Abigail down to the mat. Saorise picks Abigail up and delivers a Dublin Kiss and she calls for the end of the match and calls for Gealtachta.

While Saoirse prepares to finish off Abigail, Becca is so focused on the impending victory that she never noticed Sela sneak carefully around the ring. The camera is still focused on the action in-ring until Sela brazenly ambushes Becca. Becca has trouble covering up from the shock of the sneak attack and Sela gets in several early shots at Becca's face. Becca finally throws Sela off and they are both back to a vertical base. Saoirse is livid in the ring, but the ref says to keep her focus on the match. Becca tackles Sela into the barricade, but Sela manages to roll and stays standing although she stumbles and hits a knee after. Becca hops back up with little ill effect. Sela stands as well and shouts into the ring. Saoirse shakes her head, but when she turns around Abigail is gone.

Saoirse is furious and the ref is absolutely confused. Outside the ring, Becca and Sela brawl with Sela taking only enough advantage to start driving Becca into the audience slowly. Becca's hands and feet land square on Sela, but it just seems to egg Sela on. Saoirse meanwhile rolls out of the ring and starts screaming for Abigail. She checks under one ring apron and keeps circling the ring. Finally Abigail emerges from under the ring, opposite where Saoirse had checked. Abigail brandishes a chair and when Saoirse turns around WHAP!

DING-DING-DING

Nick Hanson: And the ref doing the right thing and calling for the bell.

Jim Reynolds: But Abigail wants to do some very wrong things right now.

Nick Hanson: That is a very evil look in Abigail's eyes.

Abigail glares at Saoirse who is completely flattened after the exhausting match and the solid strike. The glare becomes a smile as she brings the chair down on Saoirse's midsection hard. Abigail takes a pause as officials swarm around and tell Abigail to back off. Abigail smiles and looks into the camera, blowing a kiss into it.

Abigail Lindsey: It's all you, Lu-Lu!

Abigail carries the chair as she steps over Saoirse and through the officials. A couple follow her to make sure she continues backstage while the rest check on the pained Saoirse.

Nick Hanson: There is just no reasoning with either of those two.

Jim Reynolds: Nicky, they got plenty of reasons: they're hot, they're psychotic and they like to play. What more reasons do they need?

Nick Hanson: How about something with a little more ethical sensibility to it?

Jim Reynolds: Your problem is you don't know how to have fun.

Result: Disqualification

At the Collision Center in Chicago, the camera fades in on Ian Dream in a blue shirt with a silver lightning bolt and jeans with hair that has been dyed the color silver sitting in a chair with an empty blue duffle bag by his feet next to a catering table. On the table is a large stack of small chocolate cakes. Sierra Silver, dressed in a white “Sierra HECK’N Silver” t-shirt and green plaid skirt, stands by a whiteboard. Sierra writes on the upper left-hand corner of the whiteboard in a green marker as she talks to Ian.

Sierra Silver: Okie! So this is the first step. We do a bunch of evil things before the match so the champs are super distracted! Like BAM! SMASH! THUD! Other onomatopoeias! That way, they will be off their game when the bell rings!

A ‘woosh’ sound is heard. Sierra turns around and sees Ian sitting in his chair, hands on his lap. The catering table missing two chocolate cakes is simply coincidence. Sierra turns back to the whiteboard, picks up the green marker, and writes again.

Sierra Silver: Then! And then! While they’re distracted by the devious stunts we pulled at the beginning of the match, we swoop in and do the wicked cool wrestles on them. We overwhelm them with our super cool moves and our can-do attitude! We defeat them by being our classic evil selves, doing the evil things, and evil evil evil! It’s simple, it's effective, and! And it smells like green apple! Gosh I love scented markers!

A ‘woosh’ sound is heard again. Sierra turns back to Ian but still sees him just sitting in his chair. The catering table is missing four chocolate cakes.

IIan Dream: Go on!

Sierra turns around again and writes in the lower left-hand corner ‘’ as the ‘woosh’ is heard. Sierra spins around, pointing at Ian.

Sierra Silver: Ah ha!

Sierra catches Ian doing nothing but sitting in his chair, the catering table is missing six chocolate cakes though. Sierra turns around again and writes ‘We lose the NFW Tag Team Championship match’ in the lower right-hand corner of the whiteboard as another ‘woosh’ sound is heard.

Sierra Silver: We lose the NFW Tag Team Championship match! ...Wait what?

Sierra, so confused by Ian’s super-speed cake-stealing antics, notices what she wrote as another ‘woosh’ is heard. Sierra grabs her marker and draws an X over “lose” and scribbles “WIN!!!” above it as the two celebrate. Sierra now notices ten cakes have gone missing from the catering table.

Sierra Silver: Hey... what happened to all the dessert?

IIan Dream: Hm?

Ian shrugs and picks up his now full blue duffle bag. Sierra opens her mouth to speak but stops herself, deciding against it. Content, the two walk out.
Backstage, four people sit in steel chairs around a round table backstage. Three of them are stagehands, dressed in traditional NFW backstage crew garb. The fourth chair sits Cass Baumer with the Wild Card briefcase right beside her foot underneath the table. Once the playing cards fanned in their grips start to become visible as the camera slowly pans around them, it’s clear these aren’t traditional cards at all. No, it’s Uno! Red, yellow, blue, and green cards fit together with a couple of black cards to go along with them while the view turns to show Baumer’s smirk as she turns to the camera.

Cass Baumer: Now that I have your attention, I wanna go back. No, not to Collision #96. That’s when I sidelined the number one contender for the NFW World Heavyweight Championship, Tren Descarrilado, with what’s been diagnosed as a subdural hematoma. I’m not happy about that. Nor do I mean Invasion: Civil War in December 2020 when I ‘lead’ Team Collision to a victory in WarGames to win this Wild Card briefcase that earns me a shot at this brand’s top title whenever I so choose.

She gestures to the briefcase under the table. Then, she decides to reach down and sling it onto her corner of the furniture instead. Mindlessly, Baumer puts her red number seven card on top of the center pile when she realizes it’s her turn.

Cass Baumer: This isn’t a callback to the night I came to NFW at Invasion: Tokyo ten months earlier, and it certainly ain’t another speech about the times when I ran #BaumerReport. I want to talk about something that happened before all of that — before the name Baumer even entered the wrestling community’s public consciousness.

Blue four. Blue two. Now she needs to draw a card since none of hers can be played right now.

Cass Baumer: On January 21st, 2016, I lost a brother. I don’t mention that to gain sympathy but bear with me. I have a point to make.

One of the run crew members pulls out a wild card. He gruffly announces he’s changing the playing field to the color red.

Cass Baumer: If he hadn’t died when he did, right before a now-defunct wrestling company not worth name dropping went on their New Zealand tour, I wouldn’t have done any of the things I mentioned. If the tickets sold out on TicketMaster by the time I made it to my laptop, I’d still be in my home country right now. If my skin pigmentation was darker like the rest of my family’s, or if my genes paired together to make me somehow less attractive, I might not have gotten that interviewer job. And that wouldn’t have lead to me becoming a wrestler.

Baumer continues to draw each turn until she finally plays the red card she’s collected from the deck.

Cass Baumer: You see what I mean? Out of uncountable possibilities, every choice we made lead us to where we are today. That’s interesting to me. It helps me remember that I’m not special. It helps me remember that I’m no different than the hundred-thousand others who wanted to become wrestlers but couldn’t for whatever reason, or even the seven million-plus people across the globe! I’m a statistical anomaly— a girl who’s lucky enough to have a job that enables her dopamine addiction and her weekly dose of sadism when jobs are scarce as it is. I was in the right place at the right time.

More and more cards of hers get played until she slowly reaches just five in her hand.

Cass Baumer: I’m not sad about it. I’m happy. Sure, there was heartache, and I wanna hear John’s voice again, but we deal with the cards we’ve been dealt with the best of our abilities. We live with the statistics we’ve been handed, and then we make the best of it!

More cards exit her hand until she’s finally able to say…

Cass Baumer: Uno!

The game tediously continues while Cass continues her promo.

Cass Baumer: Take my opponent tonight for example — Etsuko Mitsuzaka. She went pro the year before I did as a part of the Deviant Monster Gods (or DMG for short). That’s 2015. Here’s the thing, though. Despite her far surpassing me in technical athleticism, it all lead her down a road far less notable than her potential showed she could have been. She’s still the same Deviant Monster God when she started, even after she didn’t have the chops to stay in the group. She hasn’t innovated. She hasn’t evolved. She stayed proud she was one of the lucky few, carrying the Red Oni name without remembering where it came from and created her own two-woman spiritual successor to DMG alongside Pet. Isn’t that classic?

Cass chuckles, but then looks at her cards again. She squints. She’s drawn three cards since, and she’s far from an Uno once again. She grumbles to herself softly as the game continues.

Cass Baumer: All Etsuko needed to do to find immediate success in NFW was to get signed a few months earlier and utter the same string of words that inspired the Invasion: Civil War that I did. Or even an approximation, the slightest insult to Trauma would have done just fine. Then Luthor would have made her the captain of Team Collision at WarGames. She would have won and captured this Wild Card briefcase. She would have had the chance to become the top champion of this entire brand, but she didn’t. That’s her lot in life. Now Etsuko has to find another way into superstardom, and I’m in her path tonight.

The game continues with nothing of note happening while all four competitively struggled to win the family game.

Cass Baumer: Is she gonna fight for what she wants like a mediocre Deviant Monster God, or is she finally gonna make the most of her minutes in the first time of her career?! I hope it’s the latter, ‘cause frankly, this brand NEEDS fresh talent on the upper echelon!

Now Cass has three cards left. She sets down a green eight.

Cass Baumer: Am I gonna make it easy for her, though? Yeah nah!

With two cards left, Cass plays her wild card with a cheeky, confident grin as the four starts to near the end of the game.

Cass Baumer: Uno!

Tediously, the game continues for a little bit longer until finally, one of the crew members is out of cards.

Cass Baumer: Goddamn it!!
We cut to the interview area, but instead, the camera is filled with a large opulent gleaming diamond bracelet on a caramel-colored wrist. The hand is slowly pulled back and we see flawless pink nails, then the smiling face of Juliana Mendoza. She stands there in a silk black robe, a bit of her red ring gear just barely visible.

Juliana Mendoza: Isn’t that just absolutely stunning. It’s almost as beautiful as moi. I bought it for myself after the absolute tragedies that befell me two weeks ago. Honestly, I can’t even believe the atrocities that were brought upon myself two weeks ago. To not only have a sure-fire money-making offer just completely ignored, that was one thing, but then I had to deal with a completely biased official, and… OH MY GOD, where is the dumb interviewer guy?

Right as she asks the question, Josh Davidson comes jogging up, He takes a few breaths, smiles, nods, then looks up at the camera. His eyes go wide as he sees the red light.

Josh Davidson: Wait, are we already on? Why are we already on? I’m two minutes...

He looks down at his watch, rolls his eyes, and then does the facepalm.

Josh Davidson: I am late aren’t I? I thought it had been awhile since I charged up the old smart watch.

Juliana rolls her eyes and huffs.

Juliana Mendoza: Well you’re here now, so ask your first question. It had better not be something stupid though.

Josh Davidson: Right right, uhm let’s go very simple then. How are you feeling ahead of your match with Maki.

Another eye roll and a huff from Juliana.

Juliana Mendoza: Oh my god what a boring question. How am I feeling? I am feeling like it is completely unfair. I am feeling like I’m getting punished for being a beautiful, brilliant businesswoman. Was two weeks not enough of a lesson or whatever for Mister Callaway? Now he has me facing some demented painted-up freak who doesn’t even know her own name half the time. This is absolutely ridiculous, and for what? What was my crime, Josh?

Josh Davidson: Well you tried to seduce him in order to get favorable matches and undeserved title shots for you and your friends.

Juliana sighs closes her eyes and looks ready to smack Josh, but she stops herself, takes a deep breath, and calms.

Juliana Mendoza: Three things. One, that was a hypothetical question. Two, THE Beautification Movement is more than just friends. Third, why is that such a bad thing? What man on this planet would object to being seduced by me? I’m gorgeous, adventurous, and even willing to share with the other girls. Mister Callaway made an absolutely massive mistake. Not only did he inexplicably reject the most beautiful woman he will ever have the chance to be with, but he disrespected THE Beautification Movement. That disrespect, along with the disrespect from tonight by putting me against a rabid animal like Maki, will not stand. So now I’m done with you because you’re late, rude, and ask shitty questions, plus I have psycho bitch I have to go smack around, beat and show all the little people just why I am THE Lady of Lucha Libre.

Juliana spins, flips her hair back right into the face of Josh Davidson, and then struts off like she’s walking a runway.

Match #4/Singles Match

Juliana Mendoza v. Maki

Juliana sneers at her larger opponent and waves Maki off dismissively. She makes few disparaging remarks about Maki’s well being that obviously do not sit well with the woman. Still, Maki waits patiently until the bell sounds. At that moment, she barrels at Juliana, who immediately ducks out of the ring. Fans boo the move. Maki stops in her tracks the second Juliana’s feet touch the arena floor, watching her intently. The referee begins a count, to which Juliana protests the match was started before she thought it should be. She slowly begins to climb the side of the ring and, at the count of six, she is on the side of the ring and beginning to slide a foot between the ropes. Maki takes a single step and Juliana hops off the apron to the floor again, accusing Maki of coming at her while she was on the ropes. The referee turns to the taller fighter and scolds her for not letting Juliana enter the ring. As Maki attempts to defend herself, Juliana skulks alongside the ring, rolls in, and plants a boot in the small of Maki’s back.

And with that, the tone of the match is set.

As Maki stumbles forward, rubbing her back, Juliana throws herself backwards against the ropes and rebounds, clotheslining the demoness’s host from behind. Maki stumbles forward and falls, catching herself on her hands before she eats canvas. Juliana keeps running forward, bounding off the opposite ropes and running back towards Maki. Miss Majestuosa jumps and lands with both feed onto Maki’s shoulder blades, flattening her to the mat. For a little extra insult, she rubs her feet on Maki’s back like a welcome mat before stepping off her and dropping an elbow onto the back of Maki’s neck. Juliana rules Maki onto her back and hooks a leg for a pin.

ONE…

TW--

KICKOUT!

Juliana looks honestly stunned Maki wasn’t put away so easily and argues with the official to count faster. Already exhausted with her, he assures her it was only a one count. Juliana mouths an angry, “FINE!” She stands and grabs for Maki’s hair, but the larger woman throughs a forearm, knocking Mendoza’s legs from under her and spilling her to the mat. The demon’s host rises, obviously insulted Mendoza thought she’d get such a fast win over her, and grabs Juliana by the left ankle. A series of kicks slam into Juliana’s leg before slamming the limb back to the mat. Mendoza rolls around, swearing in English and Spanish at the pain. Maybe flirting with Luthor wasn’t worth this. Just maybe.

Maki rolls Juliana over onto her stomach and lifts her in a muscular bomb, hoping to put this match - and Mendoza- to an end as soon as possible. The crowd cheers as Juliana flies down towards the canvas but, at the last second, she break her arms free and slams them on the mat to prevent her face from giving it a kiss. Maki stares in shock at this turn of events, giving Juliana a chance to yank her legs free. She mule kicks Maki in the stomach, sending her backwards into a heap. Juliana runs to the ropes and hops onto the third rope, launching into a springboard dropkick just as Maki gets to her feet. The demon’s host takes the impact and sails back to the ropes before slumping down. Juliana gets to her feet and blows a kiss to the jeering spectators.

Juliana walks over to Maki and grabs onto her black tresses to rip her up to her feet. For her effort, Mendoza takes a palm strike to the gut. Another follows and Juliana yelps before driving an elbow into Maki’s crown. She pulls Maki into a side headlock, immediately taking advantage of the woman’s long hair covering her face to begin clawing her in the eyes. Maki cries out but the referee can’t get a clear look at what Juliana is doing. Mendoza runs across the ring with Maki and attempts to bulldog her but, instead, the larger fighter lifts Juliana up and drops her tailbone onto an outstretched knee. Juliana screeches as she’s lifted again and thrown to the mat. Her protests are cut off by a brutal kick to the side of the jaw that spills her over.

Maki glares, a full head of steam built up. Red scratch marks around her eyes only accentuate the rage. She throws herself backwards into the ropes and whips herself at Juliana. Feeling the vibrations of the mat, Mendoza knows she has to act immediately. Instead of dodging, she rolls herself backwards and kicks up, her boot’s toe meeting with Maki’s throat. The taller woman stumbles backwards, gasping. Making the mistake of turning her back to Juliana briefly, Maki suddenly finds herself with a smaller woman on her back, ripping at her hair and punching her in the side of the head over and over and over. But Maki manages to use this to her advantage, pulling Juliana partly over her shoulder and sending her to the mat in an Emerald Flowsion. Maki covers Juliana for a pin.

ONE…

TWO…

Juliana manages to drive a thumb in Maki’s eye, causing her to break the pin. As Maki cries, Juliana flips her over and lands on top of her for a pin.

ONE...

TWO…

THR--

The count stops as the referee sees Juliana’s feet on the ringpost for leverage. Annoyed, he points to Mendoza’s feet. Juliana starts to protest but instead she is thrown from Maki’s body. Bellowing with rage, Maki rises to her feet, obviously overcome with disgust at how her opponent’s treated her this match. Juliana shoves past the official and races towards Maki, hoping to take advantage of the turned back. Instead, Maki spins around, intercepts Juliana and shoves her at a ringpost. Juliana grunts as she collides with it. Infuriated, Mendoza turns around to confront her foe, but only to be met with Maki’s Superkick Party. Three superkicks - one to each side and one to the forehead - throw Juliana to the ropes.

Dazed and stumbling, Juliana walks perfectly into Maki’s finisher, the Makihouse Kick. She lands flat on her back and Maki drops on top of her for a cover.

ONE…

TWO…

THREE!

Roger Arden: Your winner by pinfall… MAKI!

Maki rolls off of Juliana. Whether it’s her or Daniela glaring down at the beaten woman is anyone’s guess, but her eyes do not leave Mendoza’s dazed, battered form the entire time the referee raises her arm. She eventually wrenches her arm free and continues to glare at Mendoza before turning and slowly starting to leave the ring while Juliana collects herself and, eventually, stumbles from the ring to the back herself.

As Maki starts reaching for the ropes to exit the ring, the lights in the arena go out and “Netherworld Circus” can be heard playing through the speakers as the tron shows the ragged and rundown circus and home of Ringmaster. There is buzzing and and people muttering and laughing as an image flashes. The image flashes again and again, each time, becoming a little more clear as eventually, the circus tent fades out and an image of Maki shows up on the screen with the familiar laughter of Ringmistress filling the arena.

Ringmistress: Maki, you’re next next! Master chooses you!

Nick Hanson: What does that mean?!

Jim Reynolds: How the hell should I know?! Freaks attract freaks!!!

Nick Hanson: The Ringmaster has chosen Maki? For what?! Guess we’ll have to wait and see!!

Jim Reynolds: Could we fucking not? The less weirdos I have to look at, the better.

Result: Pinfall

Pet: Undefeated!

The call runs through...this part of the Collision Center as a sequin gown wearing redhead known by many as Pet makes her way through the rabble swaying an empty champagne flute clasped between her middle and ring finger. Following close behind is Etsuko and some unnamed woman with the open bottle of champagne spilling all over in her efforts to try and fill up Pet's glass.

Pet: That's right. You heard it here first. Undefeated and from my understanding, and level of curiosity, the only one still worth being booked. Tough luck, Katie and...the other one, looks like you'll need to accomplish those under the desk favors now after all.

She stops to laugh and it's just enough time for the woman to get a splash of champagne into Pet's glass before she hurries over to Josh Davidson held busy with a phone call.

Josh: I'm doing what you say! Just take that package out of my car before-

Pet: Car trouble, darling?

Pet smirks as she downs the small amount of liquor before reaching for the phone finally giving the woman time to pour in a little more.

Josh: What-hey!

The redhead snatches the phone turning away from him with such vigorous speed that it startles the champagne holder to spill a little on his suit.

Pet: Yes, I'm here now. No need to stall the gentleman any further. Thank you.

She slips the phone back to Josh who looks at her astonished.

Josh: You-

Pet: Not me, dear, THIS is the star of the future.

Pet steps aside to usher in Etsuko as Josh pockets his phone contemplating reporting this.

Pet: The star that will shine the brightest in the sky.

She assures while waving her hand out through the air.

Pet: Of course, an unnoticed shining star is just burning its light away into nothing. So as the watcher I do feel a sense of claim to some credit.

Josh: Some?

Pet: What did I tell you about asking ME the question? You think the viewers are going to care about who brought in their future champion? The one who rescued their children from mediocrity?

Josh: Of...the fans?

Pet: Yes. It's too late for THESE fans, you see. Too burnt out on these self absorbed little tramps shaking their asses for any bill that's a double digit. But their children...they'll grow up in a brighter future. One that they can proudly say was started by their Goddess Anya.

Josh: Why are you dressed like Jessica Rabbit?

Pet: I'm certain some people out there will try to claim our start as a bit...rocky. But the Earth had to go through the dinosaurs to get to where we are.

Josh: That's...never mind. Can I ask Etsuko a few things?

Pet: Why?

She asks, snapping her attention toward him sizing Josh up and down.

Pet: Do you think I'm hiding something? Do you think that she and I fail to share the same vision?

Josh: Just earlier you said-

Pet: I said she was the star of the future. The present already has its Sun. How could you look beyond it to something that hasn't even arrived yet?

Josh presses a couple fingers to his temples leaning more on the “don't tell” side of his potential report. Not if it means going through more of this.

Josh: Let's just stick to Earth. Cass Baumer, is there anything you have to say to her?

Pet: I believe she came up somewhere in my speech.

Josh: So she's a tramp looking for a few dollars or something?

Pet: Precisely. Though why aren't you off talking with her? She's the one who should have more to say being in the position of “worried future loser”.

Josh: You know she IS a former champion here.

Pet: Pfft. Former. It's a permanent record of a loss. She can sweep all the others under her rug but this company, and I, will remind her that she's nothing.

Josh: I think you're misjudging the use of histories and-

Pet: It'll be a shame for her really. I'm sure she saw this match and thought “here's where my redemption arc begins” and yet here we are. She's a nail stuck in the ground and we're the hammer ready to smack her down.

Josh: Hammers also have-no. Forget it. Just don't have anyone go near my car again.

Five minutes, longer than expected before Josh walks off leaving Pet to her champagne.

Pet: Some people just can't stand a little brightness in their lives.
Matt Shields: LET’S LIGHT THIS FUCKING CANDLE!

Those words come bellowing from the mouth of Matt Shields as the camera kicks on and we find him sitting on an equipment crate in the back clad in orange and black tiger-striped jeans, an army of darkness t-shirt, and some red lensed Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses.

Matt Shields: I gotta say, I was almost impressed last week. Ollie fucking Maverick stepped up and showed that he’s not the shrimp dicked balless wonder I thought he was. Of course, he didn’t get the job done and Blondie is still definitely fantasizing about my big thick stick, but at least you showed some fight. Now, stop it. Go back to being the funny guy that has entertaining matches against Jimmy Bones and those Silver Age kids. Do not push this issue Olliver. You stood up for your woman and that’s admirable, but I am begging you not to try and make this your big moment. Be happy that you were able to get in a few good shots and cause a no-contest. Next time you’re giving Blonde all four inches and she screams out my name, just let it go.

Shields stops for a second, slips off his sunglasses as his mouth curls up in that disgusting sadistic little smirk, knowing exactly what he was doing. He shakes his head and points with the glasses in his hand as he starts to chuckle.

Matt Shields: You’re not gonna do that though, are you kid? Nope, you’re just not smart enough to realize that this is a battle you can’t win. You think you’re still the valiant hero fighting a rampaging dragon, but you’re just a tiny insignificant little moth flying right into the flame. I don’t want you to stop because I don’t want to fight you, Oliver. It’s because I don’t know what I might do to you if this fight continues. So let it go and let me return to finding another monster, another warrior, another blood-soaked barbarian hungry for the next fucking battle. You got guts kid, but you ain’t one of us. So for yourself, for your fans, for Blondie, think things through and let this one go.

Shields slips his sunglasses onto his shirt, stands up, and grabs the kendo stick that had been sitting right beside him.

Matt Shields: You do not want to go down this path buddy. It doesn’t end with you standing tall as the conquering hero. It ends with you bloody, battered, and probably with a few broken bones. I still think people believe that’s some fun little nickname I gave myself, but I promise you, Oliver, it was earned and continues to be earned. I am giving you an out kid, you better fucking take it. Two weeks ago, you showed a little toughness, a bit of heart, and some balls. You gave me a fun little tussle, but now you need to step aside and let me get back to the business of blood. You stood up, Blondie probably even gave you a good job blowie, and didn’t even think of me while she was doing it. Take pride in that, tell your grandkids about the time you had a wrestling match with the best god damned wrestler this business has ever known. The master of the neckbreaker, the breaker of bones, the maniacal motherfucker himself, The true king of professional wrestling, The Knightmare motherfucking King, Matt Tiberius Shields. I’m even giving you permission to leave out the fact that you could not beat me. All you have to do Oliver is let it fucking go. Just like that bitch Elsa...

Shields stops and starts up some singing exercises, even a little Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do.

Matt Shields: Let it go, Let it go, LET IT THE FUCK GO!

Shields just screams that last part before he shoves the camera aside and storms off.
The pre-recorded scene opens up on an empty beach in the early morning, Katie Anderson can be seen stretching, she's wearing an Atlanta Braves T-shirt and black shorts she is barefoot. After stretching she puts her ear buds in and begins jogging. She is lost in her thoughts as she begins running faster. After several minutes a form comes into view, Katie slows down as she gets closer, she almost runs by the person but suddenly stops when she recognizes them, she smiles softly.

Katie Anderson: Oh! I didn't expect to see you out here, how did you know I would be here?

She says with a chuckle. The person is standing with their hands clasped behind them, wearing a simple white dress, likewise barefoot, with a curtain of black hair tossed by the wind. The woman turns toward Katie, her wind-tossed hair masking her appearance a moment more as she taps her temple with an index finger.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: Magic.

Laughing, Zoey turns fully to Katie, tucking some unruly dark locks behind her ear.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: I just found myself wanting to watch the sunrise is all. How are you?

Katie smiles

Katie Anderson: Nothing wrong with that, I like coming out here and going for a run, it helps me think. And the sunrise is beautiful, did you know I would be here? You look like you're thinking about something.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: Well...

The dark-haired woman becomes quiet, her smile melting away as she turns back to the waves, which lap at the sand mere inches from where the two women stand. Zoey is silent for several moments before responding fully.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: ...sort of had a premonition. Like something was gonna happen but I’m not sure what.

Katie laughs softly and nudges Zoey.

Katie Anderson: Like you knew I would be here? Like I am most mornings? I am a creature of habit. You know, I've been thinking about that match with Dona. It's a big deal for me.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: No, nothing like that.

But she trails off before explaining further for some reason.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: You’re right, though. And considering who she went through to win it, it’s fair to say that she’s gonna be your biggest challenge yet.

Despite not really being dressed for it, Zoey nods to Katie and the two start jogging together down the beach, though the pace is markedly slower than it was when Katie was running solo.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: We’ve already discussed strategy. Physically, I’ll make sure you’re tip-top before the bell. But if there’s anything else on your mind, I should know about it now.

Katie Anderson: I don't know, just nerves, I haven't had a title match in two years, and Dona is tougher than most men.

She comes to a stop slowly, she looks into Zoey's eyes.

Katie Anderson: Can I beat her? Until recently I haven't been in a ring, she has, am I good enough to take her down?

Zoey Anne-Madigan: Yes, I think you are good enough to take her down. But being good enough to and finding a way to are different things. People thought I was good enough to beat Constance Chapin back in VoW, but she whipped me twice in a row. It’s the difference between potential and actual, and you can’t answer that question until the bell rings and the match starts.

The light pace kept conversation possible, though the two gradually picked up speed.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: You’re capable of beating her, Katie. The key is that, if she does retain, that you don’t let it become a detriment to you. Don’t let negativity weigh you down if it comes to that… same as you wouldn’t want to get too bold or put too much undue pressure on yourself if you became champion. Does that make sense?

Katie nods as they run, she glances over at Zoey and smiles softly

Katie Anderson: It does, and don't worry I won't let it go to my head when I win, I will just go on a shopping trip. But seriously, Dona and I are going to tear each other to shreds. I love her but her reign will be a short one. Whatever happens Zoey, just let it play out, if I get hurt or whatever let me go out on my shield, don't stop it.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: You know I won’t step in unless someone else tries to. Especially not in a situation like this.

Katie’s manager gives her a nod and a smile, then nods to the path ahead.

Zoey Anne-Madigan: Now, then. Time to pick up the pace! Let’s see if you can keep up with me!

Dress or not, Zoey starts kicking up sand as she tears off down the beach, playfully taunting Katie to keep up with her.

Katie Anderson: Hey! Cheater! Ohhhh… I'm gonna-!

Katie laughs before picking up the pace, the camera fades with Katie hot on Zoey's heels.
The scene comes up backstage with Rayola Davine freshly showered and heading out with her bag rolling behind her. She says goodbye to a few officials and backstage personnel until she passes the Kingdom's locker room. Jamie Austin is there on her phone, the two lock eyes as Ray pauses a moment. Jamie glares and Rayola sneers back, but keeps moving. A scoff is heard from Jamie and Ray stops again. Suddenly she drops her stuff, whirls around and nails Match #Jamie with a forearm to the head.

Nick Hanson: Whoa!

Jim Reynolds: Whoops!

Jamie goes down from the smaller woman's vicious strike as he phone clatters to the ground. Rayola doesn't let up as she immediately falls on Jamie and starts throwing haymakers. Jamie throws a couple punches that mostly land on Rayola's shoulders, but Rayola has Jamie down. Rayola sits all the way up and delivers one, two, three, four, five straight shots to Jamie's jaw and neck before officials pile on and pull Ray off. Ray adds insult to injury by spitting on Jamie before pulling away from the officials and walking away. As she turns around though, there's a satisfied smile on her face as she picks up her gear bag and walks off.

Nick Hanson: The Devil's Angel has a vicious bone after all.

Jim Reynolds: It was terrifying and hot all at once! I honestly don't know what to feel!

Officials tend to Jamie when Jonna opens the door and sees the after effects. Jamie can be heard growling as she sits up and looks down the hall as the scene fades out.

Match #5/Singles Match

Etsuko Mitsuzaka v. Cass Baumer

Pet insults Cass from ringside, temporarily distracting her while Etsuko looks to end this match immediately. Grabbing Baumer’s wrist with Mitzusaka Special intentions, Cass turns the tide with a toe kick to the gut! The Red Oni doubles over, readying Cass to attempt to hit her Fact Check finisher, but that too is reversed with brute strength when Etsuko catches the somersault reverse DDT into a modified piledriver right onto Cass’ already injured neck after her recent match with Tren! The former journalist cries out in pain, clutching the back of her neck with bulging eyes when Etsuka grabs both wrists to set up the Mitzusaka Bunny Hop. In one fluid motion, she jumps to hit the double stomp, but before her boots can connect, Baumer rolls her opponent with a desperate monkey flip aimed right for the turnbuckle! Etsuko slams into the unforgiving ring post and rests her against the pads while Cass slowly recovers. Pet says words of encouragement on the outside, standing right beside the corner on the outside.

Breathing heavily, Cass gathers herself before she finally gains enough air in her lungs to run at Etsuko for a modified springboard Bleeding Edge instep kick, jumping as high as she can to hit the NFW newbie in the jaw before collapsing to the ground! Mitzusaka falls too, rolling underneath the ropes to the outside to be by Pet’s side. As the both of them climb to their feet, Cass bounces off the ropes and runs in the direction of her opponent at ringside, but before she could jump through the ropes to hit Fly By Night, the lights to the arena go out! There are sounds of a struggle in the ring between more than the three folks we saw. Once the struggles die down, the lights come back up to reveal the scene: Baumer, Mitsuzaka, and Pet all down on the floor passed out, and Katelin Descarrilado reclining in a chair in the middle of the ring. The Ice Queen slowly turns her head left, spotting Cass' briefcase.

Nick Hanson: Well, forgive me for not being too surprised, folks... Katelin did say she would be here at about this time. Two weeks ago, she got pinned by Katie Anderson in a triple threat match to determine the next #1 contender to the Genesis Title. Etsuko was also one of the competitors in that match... and Pet was one of the two managers at ringside.

Jim Reynolds: Holy shit, that was fast! Look at all the wreckage that sexy bitch left!

Nick Hanson: Yeah, and look at her eyeing up Cass' Wild Card. Remember that she said she wouldn't challenge Damon Cross for his World Heavyweight Championship out of respect for her husband.

Jim Reynolds: The number one contender, Tren Descarrilado.

Nick Hanson: Upon his return, yes. My question is why, exactly, would Katelin want the case when she said she wouldn't challenge Damon Cross for his title?

Katelin rises to her feet and exits the ring, en route to the Wild Card briefcase. Descarrilado lifts it up by the handle before opening it and taking out the contract. She also grabs a microphone and begins reading some of the contract's text.

Katelin Descarrilado: The holder of this contract is entitled to one match for any championship of their choosing. This contract is communicable from one performer to another via a wrestling match of the original holder's choosing.

The Devil In The Details re-enters the ring, briefcase and all, before sitting back in the chair in the middle of the ring.

Katelin Descarrilado: At Reckoning Day... this will be mine. I had to start from scratch after what happened to Tren. Given you are one of the catalysts for my being in here at all, I find that it's only fair that the same happens to you, Cassandra. I find it fair that I shall do unto you what was done to me.

Descarrilado places the contract back inside the briefcase, before sitting it and the microphone next to Cass' head. Katelin makes sure to walk on Cass' back before exiting the ring to HEALTH's "TEARS."

Nick Hanson: Well... if Cass agrees to that for Reckoning Day.

Jim Reynolds: If Cass were smart, she wouldn't. She knows Katelin would beat the shit out of her just like Tren did, and that she would take away Cass' proverbial golden ticket.

Nick Hanson: I hate to agree, but judging from their brawl at the end of last Collision... you might be right. We'll see if this gets followed up on, because this would be some big news, and a big coup d'état by Mrs. Descarrilado.

Result: No Contest

Main Event/Silver Mountain Championship

Keiji Sugiwara v. Morgan Payne ©

After both competitors made their entrances, two things happened: First, Morgan Payne took the microphone and announced that her Champion’s Choice for this contest was going to be a Submission Match. The crowd booed as Morgan handed the mic off with a cocky grin. Keiji Sugiwara shook his head and frowned as it was no secret he wasn’t a fan of Submission wrestling. Then, just as the bell was about to ring, “Committed” by One Eyed Doll came on over the speaker system and everyone’s attention went to the stage as Sylvia Lopez came stalking out of the tunnel. She looked down at the ring and clapped excitedly before coming down the walkway. She kept her eyes on Morgan and Keiji the whole time, grinning and pointing back and forth. Who was it gonna be? Which one was she going to be facing? She did this all the way around the ring to the commentary table. She sat down at the table, right beside Jim Reynolds who immediately became uncomfortable. Fearful almost.

Nick Hanson: Well, hello Sylvia! This is a pleasant surprise. Come to join us on commentary?

Sylvia looked at the third headset and excitedly put it on.

Nick Hanson: Don’t be rude, Jim. Say hello!

Jim Reynolds: Umm...h-hello, Sylvia.

Sylvia Lopez: Hiiiiiiiii!!!

Nick Hanson: Well, we thank you for joining us. This oughta be interesting.

Sylvia Lopez: Shiny…. Shiny!! I want the shiny!! The Silver shiny!!!

Sylvia clapped her hands again and began curiously looking at the papers on the table, beginning to grab at them, messing up what looked to be a neat order.

Jim Reynolds: Hey, c’mon, don’t touch those!!!

As Jim reached for them, Sylvia lunged at his hands, snarling like an animal, causing him to retract his hands back.

Jim Reynolds: Fuck me, fine! Knock yourself out!

Nick Hanson: Well now, looks like we’re about to get this underway, folks!

Jim Reynolds: I hope I live to call this one.

Sylvia Lopez: SHINY!!!!!

The bell finally rang and the Main Event was finally underway. Morgan Payne and Keiji Sugiwara came out of their corners and circled the ring. Keiji was looking for a collar & elbow but Morgan was trying to go in low for a leg. Neither of them were getting anywhere until the two stepped in and locked up, collar & elbow. They held this position as they circled around the center of the mat. As they did, however, Morgan isolated a wrist of Keiji’s then shot down and was finally able to pick an ankle for a takedown. Morgan took Keiji to the mat and went right for a front ankle lock but Keiji managed to scramble back enough to reach the ropes and call for the break. Morgan broke and rolled back, taunting Keiji on one knee to come at her. Both competitors got back up to their feet and circled around again. Morgan began to taunt Keiji now, seeming to offer up her leg for him to latch onto and go for something. That or her wrist. Keiji just continued to circle with her, looking for an opening but when she stuck out her wrist, he finally shot in for her legs. However, Morgan sprawled out and went to catch him in a grounded Guillotine Choke. Keiji slipped out and back from Morgan, putting a distance between himself and her. Morgan taunted him again with her fingers as if to say “that close.” They circled once more and this time, Keiji slipped around Morgan and went for a schoolboy rollup. Commentary began to point out that he couldn’t go for a pin but realized he was simply having Morgan roll through it and when she popped up onto her knees again, Keiji blasted her in the jaw with a stiff kick before rolling away and hopping to his feet.

Morgan staggered up to her feet and back into the corner, holding her jaw, seeing stars. Keiji ran in and jumped, digging his feet into her midsection and grabbing her head where he Monkey Flipped her out of the corner. As she landed on the mat, Keiji hopped up onto the top turnbuckle in a single leap and flipped off, coming down onto Morgan with a beautiful moonsault! He started to hook the leg for a pin but rolled her right onto her stomach and kept hold of that leg where he locked on a Single Leg Crab. Morgan reached for the ropes, beginning to crawl towards them at first but changed tactics and turned her body over, using her other leg to kick Keiji in the side of the head and flip him onto his back as well. Morgan had her leg free but she also had Keiji’s leg too and she finally put on that Front Ankle Lock she’d been looking for in the beginning. Keiji struggled to get free or to the ropes but settled on kicking at her with his other foot until he was able to get loose enough and slip free. Morgan got to her feet but Keiji was up first, beginning to go to town and unload with his famous kicks. Kicks to the legs and midsection and even a high kick to the head put Morgan on wobbly legs before the Last Emperor sprung off the ropes and hit a Tornado DDT. As Morgan’s momentum put her in a sitting position, Keiji went for a Sleeper Hold. Morgan’s face began to turn red as she reached for the ropes but to no avail. Finally, she turned over, risking Keiji taking her back in an effort to get to her feet. She seemed just able to do so, though and got her feet on the ground, twisting her body and suddenly rolled forward, grabbing a leg. Keiji’s grip on her head slipped off and Morgan transitioned it into a Rolling Kneebar. Any submission maneuver Keiji tried, the defending champion seemed to have an answer for it!

Keiji couldn’t kick his way out of this one as part of the hold involved one of Morgan’s feet pushing his other leg away from her as she wrenched on one knee. Keiji was nowhere near the ropes to get a break and he didn’t seem to know how else to get free until he managed to drag himself around in an arc across the mat until he was able to reach the bottom rope. Morgan held the hold until the count of 4 this time before letting go, then got up and started putting the boots to the Green Mosquito. Morgan pulled him to his feet and went for an arm wringer but Keiji used his agility to roll the tension out of his arm and sent Morgan across the mat with a Japanese arm drag then sprung off the ropes and took her down with a big dropkick. Morgan rolled back across the mat, putting her closer to the ropes. He pushed off the opposite side and ran in for a basement dropkick, kicking Morgan right through the bottom and middle ropes, onto the floor. Keiji took a brief moment to shake his leg out that Morgan had been working on before stepping out onto the apron. This had given Morgan time to get back to her feet and she grabbed at one of his feet to try and yank him off the apron but Keiji pulled his foot free and booted her in the face, sending her back before he came running and diving off of the apron with a modified, flying Yakuza Kick. Keiji shook his leg out some more and started bouncing Morgan’s head off of the barricade and the apron. He even hit a snap suplex onto the thinly padded floor. The Green Mosquito pulled the McKeesport Brawler to her feet and went for an Irish Whip but Morgan was able to step in and get a knee into Keiji’s midsection before reversing the Irish Whip and sending him into the steel steps. Morgan slid into the ring to break the count then rolled out on the adjacent side where Keiji had fallen after being run into the steps. She picked him up and pushed him back into the ring. Keiji clutched his ribs but started getting back to his feet while Morgan was climbing onto the apron. Keiji was ready for her and grabbed the top rope, slingshotting himself over for a DDT ONTO THE APRON TO MORGAN!!!! Both competitors went tumbling down to the floor again and the referee started the count once more.

Keiji got back up to his feet, pulling up on the apron and pulled Morgan who was almost completely out of it, onto her feet so he could roll her back inside the ring. Only then, did she start to show more life as if being pushed around had woken her up and Keiji started pulling her to her feet, calling for a Cobra Clutch but as he started trying to turn Morgan around, she started coming back to life and hit a European Uppercut, just enough to back him off from her. It wasn’t even really full force but as Keiji lunged back in, trying to capitalize still, Morgan did manage to duck under his arms, weave away from his grasp and come in with Death Punch Therapy right to the midsection where Keiji’s liver would be located. Keiji audibly yelled in pain as he dropped to his knees, wincing in agony. Morgan shook the stars out of her head before pulling Keiji back up to his feet and hit a Russian Leg Sweep, then transitioned right into Three Rivers Crossing!!!!!! Keiji struggled and resisted; tried to fight against it as long as he could, but before too long, he had no other option -- between the pain from that precise punch and the stretching of his shoulders and abdomen, to slap the mat in a tap out, prompting the ref to call for the bell.

Roger Arden: Here is your winner aaaand STILL NFW Silver Mountain Champion...MORGAN...PAYNE!!!!

Nick Hanson: And the defending champion continues to reign!

Jim Reynolds: Behold The Kingdom again!!!!

Sylvia Lopez: Behold The Shiny!!!!! I want it!!! I want it!!!! I want Morgan Payne!! I want her to feel pain!!!! Pain!!!! PAIN!!!!

Jim Reynolds: Dear god…

Nick Hanson: We have our Silver Mountain Title match for Reckoning Day III set, it seems!

Jim Reynolds: Hold up, what’s champ doing?

Inside the ring, as Morgan took the title belt from the referee, she looked right at Sylvia and called for Roger Arden’s microphone. Her music cut out as she rested the belt on her shoulder and stared at her next challenger who was already decided. Meanwhile, Keiji got clear of the ring, heading towards the back. Morgan just looked at Sylvia, catching her breath and raised the mic to her lips.

Morgan Payne: Yo, Syl. Whassup?

Morgan leaned into the top rope, never taking her eyes off the wild eyed woman on commentary who she could tell was staring right at her championship.

Morgan Payne: You pay attention to what just happened or was you starin’ at dis belt da whole time? Yanno ya gotta put my ass dahn to get it.

She held the belt up over the top rope, slowly grinning.

Morgan Payne: Ya see, if ya ain’t noticed...best part abaht holdin’ dis title? Champion gets to decide how dis fight goes dahn. See, I knew you was gonna be out here tonight so I wanted you to see dat. S’why I made dis match a Submission Match, because Keiji don’t fucks wif dat shit like I do. I can tip dis title shot of yours in my favor and make it fucking impossible for you to beat me.

The crowd boo’ed while Morgan chuckled and shook her head. She then noticed Nick Hanson about to say something and pointed at him.

Morgan Payne: Shut your fuckin’ mouth, Nick. I ain’t done. See Sylvia, I could do dat, but I ain’t. Dat ain’t da kinda champion I am. I made an example o’Keiji. He’ll forgive me. But’chu? See, you an’ me, we got somethin’ in common. Let’s put aside da fact dat we wrestle for a livin’. I love to wrestle. You love bein’ in a wrestlin’ company. But when it all comes dahn to brass tacks? You like to fight. I like to fight. You want dis title so bad? You can try an’ take it from me in a lil somethin’ I’mma call da Gauntlet Tower! We’ll see how bad you really think ya are, ya crazy bitch!

With that, Morgan threw the microphone right at Sylvia Lopez, causing it to bounce off the commentary table and narrowly miss her before backing away from the ropes and telling Sylvia she’d see her ass at Reckoning Day before turning to cross the ring to leave. It must have slipped her mind about that dreaded word that Sylvia detested, however, because Sylvia’s wild smile was now replaced with seething anger as she watched Morgan go. She didn’t wait too long, however, before she rushed from around the table and slid into the ring, taking charge at Morgan!

Nick Hanson: Hey watch out now!!! There goes Lopez right after Payne!!!

Jim Reynolds: Look out champ!!!

Nick Hanson: You do not call Sylvia Lopez crazy!!

Sylvia hit Morgan in the back with a double axe handle, dropping her to the mat. The title fell out to the floor and Sylvia just started throwing wild shots from both fists, alternating her hits. Morgan did her best to cover up as she pulled herself out of the ring and free of Sylvia’s attempted back mount. Once Morgan was vertical, she planted her feet and called for Sylvia to come on out and for them to throw down. In the time it took Sylvia to climb out of the ring, more referees came down to keep the two apart, mostly pulling Sylvia back to keep the rabid woman away from the champion who was calling for her to come at her before finally scooping her title up off of the floor and holding it in the air. Morgan directed a middle finger at the Number One Contender as the show started going off the air.

Nick Hanson: Well I can tell you, folks, that this match is gonna have a lot of bad blood behind it!

Jim Reynolds: What the hell is a Gauntlet Tower, Nicky?

Nick Hanson: No clue, partner! I guess time will tell! Something the champion, Morgan Payne, has obviously put a lot of thought in. Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you for joining us this evening! We’ll see you next Tuesday! For Jim Reynolds, I’m Nick Hanson! So long, everyone!

Result: Submission