NFW Trauma #41 - Chicago, Illinois! 06/26/2021!

The show opens somewhere dark inside the Collision Center. The sound of a young child humming is heard and then she begins to sing, we see the camera focus on the child’s bare feet as she walks.

“On the good ship lollipop, It’s a sweet trip to the candy shop, Where bon-bon's play, on the sunny beach of peppermint bay.”

The camera draws up and the girl is wearing a dirty white gown. Her long green hair is a jumbled mess and her face has smudges of dirt. The oddest thing of all is the dirty, white blindfold she wears over her eyes. She suddenly stops singing and her head tilts up towards the camera.

“You probably shouldn’t have done that. No one is unbreakable”

She says and the already dim lights of the center’s bowels flicker and when the lights come back on, the little girl is gone.

As the show opens up, we see the office of Isabella Santiago. She’s sitting behind her desk as she smiles at the camera.

Isabella Santiago: Hello, everyone and welcome to another exciting edition of NFW Trauma. Now, I know you all are here for my amazing roster and the action they bring each and every week, but I have a couple of announcements to get out of the way first.

Isabella stands up and walks around to the front of her desk and leans against it.

Isabella Santiago: First off, regarding our main event tonight for the Perseverance Championship. I made a promise to a talent on my roster a few weeks ago, and I plan on keeping it for her. So, as of right now, Faye Brown has officially been added to the Perseverance Championship match. And for next week, we will see Anaquin Adams taking on Risa Jackson in our main event for the United States Championship. And we will also see FM Young taking on Adrianna Salvatore for the final spot in the Guardians of the Pyramid match. Now, enjoy the show.

Isabella smiles and blows a kiss at the camera as it fades out.
We cut to the outside of the Collision Center as a Pagani Zonda Cinque is seen pulling up and Marco Valintine along with his puppy Ash gets out of the car and walks towards the camera.

Marco Valintine: Well hello ladies and gentlest of men, I am the one and only Marco Valintine! And tonight I hope you are as hyped as I am as I make my NFW in ring debut against Steele Matthews.

He motions to the camera man to follow him as he walks into the arena.

Marco Valintine: Steele and I go way back, let's just say it was another life for him but I wish I could say he wasn't always a user. Man, a bro can only do so much to help another but I am man enough to say it didn't work out. Now all I gotta do is say to you Steele, why not leave Tweedledum in the back and we do this one on one properly? One on one so we can give these great fans the masterclass of a match they deserve?

After saying this, Valintine looks over and gets a big smile on his face.

Marco Valintine: HEY?! STACY GIRL?!

The camera pans around to where Valintine is looking to find Stacy Jones who has just gotten herself a drink from the soda machine. She smiles and walks over to her old friend and gives him a hug.

Stacy Jones: Hey, Marco! It’s good to see you!

Marco Valintine: It is good to be back Stacy, thanks again for hooking a bro up with big Brody which landed me this primo gig.

Jones takes a gulp of her soda and nods with a smile.

Stacy Jones: Of course! You know me… I’m always looking out for my friends and you’ve always been good to me. And what a match you’ve got in your debut! A chance to compete for the Perseverance Championship? That’s awesome!

Marco Valintine: Oh Hell yeah! I am so hyped for this match, ironic it's against Steele, man that's a blast from the past, also it's hard to believe I have never been a champ before and I am going to take this chance with all I got. Not that I would do anything less than one hundred percent, aye Stacy?

The Unbreakable One frowns as she nods in agreement.

Stacy Jones: Yeah. Quite frankly I hope you kick that arrogant scumbag’s ass. He cost me a few weeks of work after attacking me backstage to try and get to Griff and I’m still fucking mad about it!

Marco puts his hand on Jones' shoulder and gives her a smile.

Marco Valintine: Yeah I heard about that, don't worry babe, I will make him pay by taking away his chance at gold tonight, you know how good I was right? Well I don’t think it's bragging to say I have gotten better. He thinks he knows what to expect tonight, but I'll let you in on a little secret. I was in the land in the East and saw a master half-bro of yours who taught me some skills.

Jones’ eyes go wide and her jaw drops.

Stacy Jones: You got some training from Seifer?!

Marco Valintine: Hell yeah babe! Was hella tough but he taught me some sweet Japanese wrestling to mix with my aerial arsenal that I already got, and with those skills? You gotta know just like you... don't bet against the Ace of Hearts.

Out of nowhere he produces an Ace of Hearts card.

Marco Valintine: You don’t bet against Marco Valintine.

Marco holds the card out for Stacy who looks at it and smirks before looking back up to Valintine.

Stacy Jones: Unless of course the Ace of Hearts found himself going one on one with the Unbreakable One.

Stacy winks and chuckles.

Marco Valintine: I look forward to that one day my friend, we would rock the house and leave everyone breathless. Well can you take Ash off my hands for a little while I hit the gym and warm up for my match later on?

Stacy Jones: I’d love to!

Marco picks up Ash in his arms and hands him off to a smiling Stacy who takes the puppy in her arms and gives him a cuddle.

Marco Valintine: And don't worry about it my girl, I’ll give the blowhard an extra hard kick to the face for ya tonight.

The two say their goodbyes as we cut elsewhere.

Diamond Steele vs Trina Tanaka

~DING DING DING~

A quick bit of circling then in for the lock up and Diamond Steele puts a thumb right into the eye of Trina. Diamond follows with a knee to the midsection, a quick snap suplex, a float over, and a 1 count. Trina is up fairly quickly, but another eye poke from Diamond and a spinning heel kick puts her right back down. Diamond starts unloading with some hard kicks to the chest of Trina as the Japanese upstart attempts to get to her feet. Diamond looks like she wants to kick Trina’s head off, but Tanaka ducks it, shoves Diamond into the ropes, and hits a big roundhouse that rocks Diamond. Trina hits a big dragon suplex, but is still a bit dazed and doesn’t bridge for the pin. Both women take a few seconds to shake the cobwebs, but it’s Trina who attacks first with a quick palm strike and step up enziguri. Trina sends Diamond across the ring with an Irish whip, looks for another roundhouse kick, but it’s ducked. Diamond keeps straight ahead to the other side, hits ropes, comes back, and spiked Trina Tanaka with a float over DDT. Diamond makes the cover and Desiree drops into the splits to make the count

ONE…

TWO…

THRE - KICK OUT!

Diamond gets right in Desiree’s face after the near fall and starts yelling at her. “Really? This ain’t your other job. Nobodies stuffing dollar bills nowhere, just count like normal and next time make sure it’s a three.” Desiree backs away and Diamond turns right around into a stiff chop that lights her up. Trina hits another and another, laying into Diamond as she backs her into the ropes. Trina goes to whip Diamond off, but it’s stopped thanks to an eye rake. Diamond hits another knee to the midsection, maintains that all important wrist control, and pulls Trina right into the Diamond Cutter. Diamond covers and hooks the leg as Desiree slides in for the pin.

ONE…

TWO…

THREE!

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Your winner as a result of a pin fall… DIAMOND STEELE!

Andrew Payne: Diamond Steele claims victory, though it’s done with some unsavory tactics and a completely uncalled for beratement of one of our officials.

Miranda Augustino: Did she win or not? That’s all that matters out there. You don’t get points for sportsmanship. You don’t get trophies for fair play. You just win or lose

Diamond doesn’t even let Desiree raise her hand in victory, she just steps away and tells her “I don’t know where your hands have been.” before she goes to the corner and celebrates, completely ignoring the fans booing her.

Result: Via Pinfall

Amy Connors is backstage with Griffin Hawkins.

Amy Connors: Griffin, you have defeated Legion to qualify for the Perseverance Title Match at Sudden Death II. Many have also qualified and there are other qualifying matches here tonight. It seems your road to the title may be getting harder.

Griffin Hawkins: Yeah..it is harder now. But the thing is Amy, I never got anything in life the easy way. I worked for it. It doesn't matter how many people I gotta go through, I'm going into Sudden Death II to bring some metal to the Perseverance Title match..and walk out with the gold. Some of these guys I've shared a ring with..some I've yet to...

He's then cut off as someone seems to be behind him, Steele Matthews. He has a intense glare on his face as he looks straight at Griffin. Griffin just smirks as he takes off his Green Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses.

Griffin Hawkins: How's the arm old buddy?...

Steele Matthews: Oh that's cute..you have jokes. Well get all the yucks out now while you can laughing boy....because I have not forgotten what you did to me at Manifest Destiny II. And if you think it's over between us, you're wrong. So I suggest you sit back and watch my match tonight and pray to whatever God you worship that I don't win against your little buddy Marco..because when I do, not only will I be one step closer to getting the Perseverance Title..but on the way there, I'm gonna end your miserable career once and for all. Seeya at Sudden Death II..

With that, he walks off as Griffin doesn't take his eyes off of him.
The scene opens with a distant shot of a dense forest. All is calm aside from a light breeze pushing the weaker branches on the trees. The voice of Derrick Vayden can be heard speaking over the footage.

Derrick Vayden: Wrestling is calm. As wrong and as strange as that sounds, it is a fact. Many of us find solace, comfort in the ring. Some may even find the ones they love within those ropes… But at the same time...

For just a split second, the entire forest is ablaze, the calm green landscape replaced with the orange and black of a raging fire. The crackling of the flames and crashing of falling trees is deafening as the forest falls to ruin. And then, all of a sudden, all is still. The forest remains unharmed as if nothing had happened.

Derrick Vayden: And then, at the exact same time, it’s a chaotic hellscape that can rip the weak apart. The men are absolutely separated from the boys. The weak are culled. Only the strong survive.

Suddenly the scene changes again. The bright blue sky is replaced by a thick curtain of fog. All the trees in the forest are void of their leaves. The air is thick and hazy with smoke. It is impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.

Derrick Vayden: I am not weak. I am not a man amongst boys but a god amongst mortals. I’m right at home in the fire.

Out from the smoke steps a masked, cloaked figure. As it gets closer, the details emerge.



Derrick Vayden: I’m not afraid to fight my wife. Hell, we met in the ring. We went at each other for months before getting together. And I’m most certainly not afraid to kick Ana Evans’ teeth down her throat. And least of all am I worried about running through the Guardians of the Pyramid match to win the championship.

The masked man stands as still as a statue, staring at the viewer through the tinted eyes of his mask.

Derrick Vayden: So Geri, just like old times, we will face off. Ana, I look forward to driving your head through the mat. And everyone in the Guardians of the Pyramid match, I hope you’re ready… to accept your life and give up… this Journey to Nowhere…

As the word “nowhere” is spoken, The Wanderer vanishes and the scene returns to the beautiful, sunny day and the perfect, lush forest.
The cameras switch backstage to the catering area where some recognized faces are seen enjoying the selections offered by Soul Garden. As they finish making their plates, they find a seat at one of the tables and proceed to mingle with one another. The camera focuses on none other than Faust of House Crowley as he appears to be making a light plate for himself.

Miranda Augustino: Whoooo!! Mister Faust in the hizzooouuuuuuse!!!!

Andrew Payne: And you know where there’s Faust, House Crowley can’t be far.

Miranda Augustino: Wonder what Papi and Katie Baby are up to!

Andrew Payne: We know SuperNova is back as well. Wonder if we’ll see her here tonight or---

Andrew cuts himself off short as the door leading from catering out to the employee parking lot to the Collision Center opens and the crowd watching on the screen erupts as Adrianna Salvatore steps in through the doorway. No gear bag. No gear even on. Just ripped black jeans, boots and a cut off DESTROY EVERYTHING t-shirt. The most noticeable trait right now, however, is her face. She’s sporting a white band aid over the bridge of her nose and another on the left of her forehead. The beating to her face from last week at the hands of SuperNova has left her with dark shadows around her eyes and, truth be told, it only seems to add to the terrifying visage that is one angry bitch! Faust doesn’t even seem to notice her as he’s selecting food from the catering table with a set of tongs when Adrianna suddenly beelines for him, spins him around to face her and just drops him with a fight hand to the face!!

Andrew Payne: Whoa!!!! Hey now!!!!

Miranda Augustino: That’s 10% of your monthly rate right there, chica!!! Que pasa?!

Everyone else in the catering room’s attention immediately goes to the scene of the attack as Adrianna kneels down over Faust and starts raining shots down across his head. Angry grunts of exertion as she keeps punching and punching until red visibly forms on his forehead.

Miranda Augustino: Someone get this loca bitch off of him!!

Some of the talent in catering try to move in and pull her off. Notably, it’s Jimmy Bones, Trina Tanaka. Adrianna stands up with the two holding her arms but she spins around and headbutts Jimmy, sending him down. She grabs Trina next and puts her down with a forearm to the jaw. She turns back and grabs Faust again, pulling him up to his feet where she lifts him up onto her shoulders, powerbomb style and SLAMS him through one of the catering tables!!!! Catering items go EVERYWHERE as Faust smashed through the table and Adrianna just stands over him, fuming with rage.

Andrew Payne: My GOD!!!! You know what they say!! Hell hath no fury!!

Miranda Augustino: What did Mr. Faust even do?!

Andrew Payne: Mir? Do you really think it even matters to her?

Adrianna steps over Faust’s feet and storms through the double set of doors, venturing further into the building.

Andrew Payne: Think it’s safe to say, ladies and gentlemen, Armageddon is nigh!!

Match #2/Guardians Of The Pyramid Qualifier

Derrick Vayden vs Geri Vayden vs Ana Evans

~DING DING DING~

As expected, when the bell rings, the Vayden’s immediately go for Evans and beat her down mercilessly forcing the woman to the mat and she rolls out of the ring, leaving Geri and Derrick. The two circle one another before locking up and the much larger Vayden takes the early advantage with a headlock. Geri pushes herself free, sending Derrick off the ropes and when he comes back, he attempts a clothesline on Geri which is ducked and as he hits the other ropes, Evans jumps up and pulls the rope down forcing Derrick to topple over to the outside. Ana quickly drives Derrick back first into the guardrail and then climbs up onto the apron as Geri charges towards her but she’s met with a shoulder to the gut. Evans then springboards off the top rope and nails Geri with a European uppercut and then goes for a pin.

ONE!

KICKOUT!

Evans is quick to her feet and grabs Geri’s head, lifting her up to her feet and Vayden responds with a hard right hand that begins a slugfest between the two trading right hands. Evans. Vayden. Evans. Vayden. Evans. Vayden manages to gain the upper hand with a flurry of right hands that send Evans into the ropes before she takes a few steps back and then charges at Ana, only for Evans to duck and flip Geri over the top rope to the outside. Before Ana has the chance to do anything else, Derrick is back in the ring and delivers a clubbing blow to the back of her head and then nails her with a snap suplex. Derrick then picks Evans up and lifts her up in a suplex position before dropping her with a Ushigoroshi and then goes for a pin.

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

Derrick gets to his feet and as soon as he does, Geri drops him with a springboard forearm to the face which sends him staggering back so Geri follows up with a superkick and goes for her own pin.

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

Geri gets to her feet and then Evans, who is now back to her feet, jumps up and nails Vayden with a Poison Rana. Ana then surveys her surroundings and makes her way over to the turnbuckle and climbs it. Once she’s up at the top, she perches there awaiting Geri to get to her feet and when she does so, Evans jumps off with a shooting star press but instead of finding Geri on her way down to complete her Ready 2 Fly finishing move, she’s met with a vicious bicycle kick from Derrick that catches her right in the face. The Wanderer then turns to face Geri who attempts a superkick, however Derrick ducks the shot and then rolls her up into a tight small package.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, by way of pinfall and advancing to the Guardian of the Pyramid match… DERRICK VAYDEN!!!

Andrew Payne: Well that was a fast paced back and forth Triple Threat match that could have gone either way!

Miranda Augustino: That kick from Derrick to Ana must have messed her shit up! A good win for Derrick regardless!

The referee raises Derrick’s arm in victory as “Save Me” by Skillet blasts out of the PA system as the Vengeful One smirks.

Result: Pinfall

“...are you sure this is a good idea?”

A nearby camera picks up a couple of familiar people: Ami Fitzsimmons and Nathaniel Dixon. They’re both formally dressed for the evening as the latter is not booked to compete tonight. They wander down the hall of locker rooms within the Collision Center and converse with one another. A smile crosses Nathaniel’s face.

Nathaniel Dixon: Fear not, my dear niece. I know what I’m doing.

Ami Fitzsimmons: A-alright.

Still, the NFW Interviewer is a little nervous. She continues along until Nathaniel pauses before a couple of Huesos Rojos guarding a door. As expected, the nameplate reads LA SILENCIA. Nathaniel looks to the security and politely clears his throat.

Nathaniel Dixon: Excuse me, good sirs.

Bangers though they may have been, they stood like soldiers. When they saw Dixon coming, both took their hands out of their pockets; unarmed, but prepared to get physical. The first says something in a harsh voice, speaking Spanish. But when that does not register, the other speaks in English.

Huesos Rojos: Got a reason to be here, whtie boy?

Loyal as they are to their leaders, this was about as pleasant of a greeting as Dixon could have hoped for. From within the locker room are repeated impacts, the cadence shifting from moment to moment, and some very feminine grunts and shouts. It sounded like a fight. Chances are, that guess would not be far off. Ami’s a little uneasy when the Huesos Rojos take an aggressive approach to her oldest uncle’s presence. However, Nathaniel just smiles.

Nathaniel Dixon: Now, now, let’s not use color labels. My niece would like to offer her interviewing services...

He kindly gestures to his oldest niece, who slightly fidgets with her hands in front of her. Then he places his right hand over his chest.

Nathaniel Dixon: ...and I would like to offer my personal services to La Silencia. She seems to be in some kind of distress.

Perhaps in her nervousness, Ami places her hands together in prayer -- a gesture that may also beg for mercy.

Ami Fitzsimmons: Si’vous plait, monsieurs, we mean no harm.

Huesos Rojos: Services, huh? Look, ese, boss lady’s got a match tonight. Maybe you oughta make an appoint-

In the midst of the conversation, the noises from within the locker room had stopped. The gang member did not finish his thought before the door opened and out walked the well-dressed powerhouse that was Mano Derecha. Both red-and-black bangers stepped aside as she exited, looking Dixon up and down for a moment before passing Ami a glance. A sharp woman, Derecha puts her attention where it belongs: back on Dixon.

Mano Derecha: Nathaniel Dixon, is it? You choose a dangerous time to come knocking, señor. Noting your guest, I can only assume that you feel it is important. So...

She extends a hand as the Huesos Rojos look on, curious but silent.

Mano Derecha: ...what can I do for you?

Ah, someone else is speaking on La Silencia’s behalf. Nathaniel slightly tilts his head, a gentle smile on his face as he politely bows before Mano Derecha. Even though she doesn’t have to, Ami respectfully bows her head.

Nathaniel Dixon: I couldn’t help but notice your Lady is searching for something of the utmost importance. I would like to offer my services. Help me help you.

Mano Derecha: Just like that?

Retracting her hand when he decided to greet her differently, Derecha folds her arms and gazes upon Nathaniel in a curious but guarded fashion.

Mano Derecha: What’s in it for you? Our Queen is not a trusting person; that is how she has survived. It is a trait those who follow her share. Nothing… NOTHING… is free. So what’s your price?

Nathaniel Dixon: My price? Why, a simple alliance will suffice, but in fact… I’m searching for something as well.

Ami blinks. It seems this is the first time she’s hearing of this. She looks up to her oldest uncle in curiosity and wonder. He, in turn, offers her a soft smile before he faces Derecha once more.

Nathaniel Dixon: It is a personal matter, of course. Much like I imagine your Queen’s is. We can always discuss this here in Chicago or the privacy of my office in San Diego.

Regarding him quietly for a few more moments, Derecha exhales quietly.

Mano Derecha: San Diego, then. Our Queen has a match tonight and-

At that moment, the woman in question steps out of the locker room. From the looks of her, the warm-ups are done. Small, yet fierce, La Silencia is almost always the smallest person in the room. And the meanest. She looks at Nathaniel as well, eyes narrowed above her mask, then turns and walks away. Derecha looks after her with a chuckle.

Mano Derecha: ...well, she doesn’t hate you. Yet. That’s farther than most men get.

All at once, she’s serious again. She takes a card from her pocket and offers it to Dixon who kindly accepts it.

Mano Derecha: Get in touch when you have a time and place ready. We will be there.

She nods sharply to the Huesos Rojos, who move off after Silencia, Derecha soon to follow. While Nathaniel takes a moment to study the business card, Ami scratches the back of her head.

Ami Fitzsimmons: Um… I guess we’ll reschedule the interview for another time?

Nathaniel Dixon: Certainly. There will be other opportunities.

It’s clear the Queen of the Streets has her own business to attend to. The Intellectual Evolution chuckles softly and places the card in one of his pockets. He stretches his right arm out to the Dancing Violinist and smiles.

Nathaniel Dixon: Shall we?

Ami Fitzsimmons: Oh! Yes, of course.

From the look in her eyes, she wanted to ask him about what he’s searching for. However, even though she’s family, she doesn’t want to intrude. She wraps her left arm around his right arm and the two of them make their way in the direction of the viewing boxes.
To the interview area where Amy Connors is, nowhere to be seen. Instead, Mayumi Tanahashi is standing there in a very nice blue dress, some silver heels, and of course her bright smile.

Mayumi Tanahashi: Konbanwa. I asked Amy-Chan if I could try being an interview and figured big brother Oru would probably be the safest person to start with.

That’s when Minoru Tanahashi strolls into the scene wearing some new gear, it’s fairly simple, red rights with a Black Lion skull on the right leg and a wide rainbow-colored stripe down the left leg, He pulls on a red sleeveless vest gives it a little spin to show TANAHASHI TWINS on the back in gold glitter. On his finger, he spins a black lion mask with bright red fangs and eyes and a rainbow mane.

Minoru Tanahashi: That’s Minoru Tanahashi or The Black Lion, Minoru Tanahashi. Come on there MayMay, gotta be a professional here.

Mayumi Tanahashi: From the man who got thrown out of three dojos for sneaking in girls, two more for sneaking out to go play poker and drink, and what was the sixth one for? Something about Sugiyaka's wife or sister or which was it?

Minoru Tanahashi: It was his… nineteen year old daughter, okay Mayumi? Yea yea I screwed up a lot when I was younger, but damn it tonight is about the creepy clown chicks. I have gotta say this to them right now. I am very happy you chose me, first ladies.

Mayumi Tanahashi: Hey, this is still my interview and I got questions for you? One, shoulda let me go first, but fine you’ve been off for a little. Two, why do you think they chose how they did?

Minoru Tanahashi: That, the second part is actually a good question. Something a professional might ask. The best guess is strength against strength, speed against speed. Between the two of us, I’m the larger, stronger one, you’re the quick speedy one. That’s why I get to go toe to toe with Lady Death as opposed to… I believe Holy Death? Spanish is a little rusty, but I’m sure it’s at least close. That would be the logical reason, but for all, I know it could be because she needs a lock of my hair to complete some kind of weird ritual.

Mayumi Tanahashi: Okay, don’t joke about that. I saw some of the creepy stuff they did to the wacky guy and his girlfriend. I was tired of their creepiness two weeks ago. Why can’t they just walk out to the ring and make a challenge like normal folks? No no, let’s turn out the lights and attack someone from behind after she had her title hopes dashed by a jealous scared little blonde bitch. I WANNA KICK THEIR BUTTS!

Minoru raises his hand, places them on her shoulders, and has her take some deep breaths.

Minoru Tanahashi: WHOA! Whoa MayMay, whoa, calm down. You get your chance next week with Santa Muerte. I already told you, this crap with them likely isn’t gonna end simply or easily. Even if I plant Lady Death in the middle of that ring with a Black Lion Bomb and get a definitive three and next week you fly all over and land that crazy splash of yours and Santa Muerte and get the three, Tanahashi’s Two, Creepy Clown Chicks zero, they’ll pull some shit. I’m glad they chose me. This way if they do pull some creepy shit, maybe I’ll find some kind of way to stop it before it can happen again. Or maybe you will. I’ve dealt with these types before. They like to get in your head, distract you, sometimes cheap tricks and lighting stuff, some psychological stuff. But if we can get ahead of them, figure out what they’re doing, we might be able to beat the creepy clown chicks back. Tonight starts by kicking the pain off of Lady Death’s face and then giving her, I’m thinking, a dozen Black Lion Bombs. Seems like a fitting thing for putting your hands on one of the Tanahashi Twins.

Mayumi has calmed down and now she just looks at her brother with a bit of confusion.

Mayumi Tanahashi: So you want to do that and have them cheat because you think just straight up beating them wouldn’t be enough? Why would they keep coming after us if we soundly beat them?

Minoru Tanahashi: MayMay, we’re dealing with two women who call themselves servants to some strange god, have the names Lady Death and Santa Muerte, and now that I think about it, I’m not sure if it’s facepaint or like a permanent thing. Us beating them over these next two weeks is a bit of revenge for us, but they likely have something much worse in store for us. I hope this goes how you want it to little sister, I truly do. It would be much easier. I know you don’t really wanna do the team thing and well I… However it goes, I know you got my back and you know I will always have yours. I think this interview has completely gone off the rails, but if anyone says you didn’t do good, I’ll smack em around.

Mayumi laughs a little bit, hugs her brother, then they turn to head to the ring with Mayumi pulling on a blue vest that matches her brothers and says TANAHASHI TWINS in silver glitter.

Match #3/Singles Match

Minoru Tanahashi vs Lady Death

~DING DING DING~

There’s a little bit of circling as the two both seem to be waiting for the other. Minoru decides to go in and Lady Death surprisingly locks up with him. He quickly takes control with an arm wrench, then floats right into the hammerlock. He doesn’t leave that on long as he switches into the side headlock. Minoru uses the fact he’s considerably larger to take control as he cranks on the headlock for a bit before he hits a quick snap suplex and floats over for a 1 count. Minoru pulls Lady Death up, and there’s an eye rake. Lady Death follows with an absolutely malicious headbutt. Minoru is rocked after that one and gets taken down with a swinging neckbreaker. First cover for Lady Death and she gets a 2. Minoru is brought up, whipped across the ropes, and then goes down face first into the mat courtesy of a Lady Death drop toe hold. Lady Death follows with a quick knee drop, then a leg drop. Another cover and 2 count. Minoru rolls to the ropes and pulls himself into the corner, but all that does is give Lady Death an opening to hit the face wash, another cover, and another 2 count. Minoru is brought to his feet and Lady Death goes to whip him across the ropes again, but he counters and pulls her into a knife edge chop. Minoru hits a few more hard chops before connecting with a European uppercut. Lady Death is rocked and spun around which sets Tanahashi up to hit a picture perfect German suplex. Lady Death pops right back up though and catches Tanahashi with a lung blower. Lady Death showing some of that almost supernatural resiliency before she climbs to the top rope and connects with the big Diving Headbutt

ONE…

TWO…

THR - KICK OUT!

Lady Death glares at the referee for a few seconds before she slides out of the ring, snatches a chair from the timekeeper, and slides back in, but Antonio Leone is quick to tell her no. As he gets the chair out of the ring, Minoru practices a bit of Amateur Optometry with a gouge to the eyes, and then it’s the Greco Roman Throat Hold. Antonio is back in and quickly tells Minoru to stop the choke. Minoru pulls up and quickly says “Gomen'nasai” before explaining the science of the throat hold, for a second. He then runs to the ropes and comes flying back at Lady Death with a running basement dropkick to the side of her head. Minoru doesn’t cover, instead, he hits a rope assisted tornado DDT, then hauls Lady Death back up and plants her with a falcon arrow. Minoru goes to the outside and climbs the ropes. As he stands up top her yells out “NOMI NASIA, FAKKA!” before he dives off the top rope and delivers a beautiful Osake Bomb. Tanahashi slides right into the pin and hooks a leg

ONE…

TWO…

THRE - KICK OUT!

Minoru is a bit surprised but nods as he pulls Lady Death to her feet and sends her into the corner. He runs towards the other corner, uses the middle turnbuckle to step and pivot then charges with an Akihabara Dreams. Lady Death ducks it, his leg goes over the top rope and Lady Death quickly kicks the rope up into his knee. She follows with a German suplex, then again slides to the outside, this time going under the ring for a wrench. She slides in ready to use it and again Antonio is there, doing his job. Minoru gets up, pokes Lady Death in the eye, and then hits the Inner Thigh Kick, though the placement is questionable. This allows Minoru to look for the Five Finger Discount as he rolls her up and grabs the tights

ONE…

TWO…

THRE - KICK OUT!

Lady Death is furious as she kicks out and gets up, she hits a cross chop to his throat, then shows off some impressive power with a Death Valley Driver. She makes the cover and gets a close 2 count. Lady Death pulls Minoru up and delivers another cross chop, then a kick right to the breadbasket. She sets Minoru for the Inevitable End, but he drops down to a knee, gets an arm free, and shoves her off. Tanahashi gets off Kabukicho Nights, leveling Lady Death and bringing it back to even. Minoru slowly gets up, shakes the cobwebs, and pulls Lady Death in for the Black Lion Bomb, but the lights suddenly go out, then red and green spotlights begin flashing all around the arena. When the lights return, Minoru Tanahashi is staggered, just completely out of it. Lady Death kicks him, sets him for the Inevitable End, and hits it. She quickly covers

ONE…

TWO…

THREE!

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Your winner as a result of a pin fall… LADY DEATH!

Andrew Payne: Okay what just happened?

Miranda Augustino: That idiot Minoru lost. Got beat right in the middle of the ring. HAHAHA, what a loser!

Andrew Payne: But how? He looked poised to end it with The Black Lion Bomb, lights go out, those red and green lights that are normally focused on La Sirvientas de Yum Kimil during their entrance were flashing all around, and then he's out of it when the lights come back on? What happened?

Mayumi hops over the barricade to go check on her brothers when the lights go out once more. After about ten seconds, they come right back on and now Minoru and Mayumi Tanahashi are alone in the ring. Minoru holds his neck as he stares up the ramp for a few seconds, before shaking his head and getting to his feet. They make their exit with the fans giving Minoru some applause for a hard fought match.

Result: Via Pinfall

Cutting to the backstage area again, House Crowley’s Tia Santos is walking through the halls, dressed in some of her more casual attire. That is to say leggings, sneakers and a House Crowley t-shirt. She’s passing by the production room when all of a sudden BOOM!!! She’s run into the wall out of nowhere by Adrianna Salvatore!! Tia’s got her own wrestling background, so she starts trading shots back and forth. Before long, however, Tia is overpowered and Adrianna starts driving knees into her ribs. Adrianna pulls Tia away from the wall, and slams her back against it, bouncing her head off of the surface.

Andrew Payne: We need someone to pull these two apart!!

Miranda Augustino: Adrianna Salvatore’s outta control!!

Adrianna whips Tia away from the wall and sends her slamming through the see-through glass that gives a view into the production room. The glass SHATTERS as Tia is thrown into it and hits the floor, starting the production crew. Adrianna comes walking through the hole in the glass and pulls Tia up to her feet by the throat. She lifts her up for a chokeslam but delivers more of a one handed choke toss, throwing Tia into the large production screen that’s used for Aftershock Exclusive recaps. Tia goes smashing against it and lands hard as it tips over, lying motionlessly on the busted glass and plastic.

Andrew Payne: MY...GOD!!!! SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!!!!

Miranda Augustino: AT THIS POINT, CALL THE DAMN POLICE!!!!

Once again, just as she did after her earlier attack, Adrianna backs off once her target is down and disappears out of the room, down the hallway.
To the back where we find Minoru Tanahashi with an ice pack and towel wrapped around his neck as he finishes one of Soul Garden’s delicious desserts before cracking open a water. He clutches his back after a fairly short walk to the trash can to throw away the small paper dessert plate. He tries some simple stretches to help loosen him up a bit, but just groans and shakes his head.

Minoru Tanahashi: Oh fuck, yea I’m gonna need drugs to sleep tonight.

He reaches up to his neck, then stands as straight as possible and pushes his chest out, just trying anything to help with the pain. He takes a deep breath and starts back towards the locker room. There’s some friendly waves and head nods, and a few people mention the tough loss. He just gives a little shrug and takes a sip from his water. He moves into a much less crowded area, just wanting a little breathing room. He slumps down, pours a bit of water over his head, then stands up tall and stretches out again.

Minoru Tanahashi: What the hell is could happen tonight?

He turns a corner and his answer is staring him straight in the face as all three members of The Hive seem to be waiting there for him.

Legion: You should have not provoked the one they called Mister J, well you are just as he said the casualty, see we did not take kindly to her coming for us a couple weeks ago to get to our beast, and now we are just returning the favor.

Minoru Tanahashi: Fuck.

Tanahashi didn’t run or try to talk his way out of things, he knew with three of them, one of him and no one else super close by, all he could do was hope it was going to be a quick assault. A double superkick dropped the black Lion and The Hive swarmed. Tanahashi was hauled back up to his feet and pulled into a bearhug by the powerhouse Danae. As Danae squeezed the air out of Minoru, Kassandra took some steps back, charged ahead, used Danae almost like a springboard putting her hands on her shoulder to help her leap up and hit a leg lariat as they drove Minoru down to the ground with a modified Titan End. Legion steps forward and stands over Minoru. She leans down and places a strange creepy mask on his face. She looked down at the mostly white mask, black surrounds the eyes with little black cracks peeking out under the white mouth less mask as two gold coins are placed over his eyes. Legion stands and The Hive make their exit, leaving Minoru down and out on the cold concrete floor.
The scene opens backstage. Donovan Cunningham, minus Isis, is standing right next to a blue door which we can assume is the door leading into the locker room. He has his hands tucked into his pants. With a firm expression on his face, he wastes no time getting into what he wishes to say.

Donovan Cunningham: Five, ten years from now, one question will be asked, where were YOU on June 26th, 2021 when the ultimate clash of the titans broke out between Mister J and Isis. How we got here didn’t need to happen the way it did. The members of The Hive might be under the impression that this is all Isis's fault. Laying out all three women in a matter of weeks, one would ask, was my client's methods warranted? Of course, the only language that The Hive seems to understand is violence. Undisputed, unforgiven, unimaginable violence. So that is what Isis decided to communicate to The Wolves of Legion and the Hive mother herself, Legion.

Donovan Cunningham smirks.

Donovan Cunningham: The reason why my client decided to test her mettle against Mister J is simple. Isis is an amazonian woman straight from Greek mythology that was kind enough to grace the real world. There have been tall, strong, verbose women in the past, none like my client. She is the pinnacle of what the Utopian woman is all about. A mindset that is forged in the inspiration of battle bred warriors from yesteryear. War is what drives my client. That is what brings her to Mister J. He is an impressive specimen, no doubt. He has the potential to be one of Trauma’s biggest problems. That, in and of itself, inspires my client.

Tonight what you are going to see is a battle like none other between two beasts! Two animals. Two agents of war. And I am going to have the best seat in the house, oh, and Legion... since you're going to be at ringside anyway. I invite you to sit on my lap and we can watch our respective agents of war have their fun. Maybe after the show, we can have ours.

The scene concludes with Donovan chuckling.

Isis vs Mr. J

Mr. J and Isis squared up in the middle of the ring with Isis doing much of the trash talk and Donovan Cunningham serving as a backup mouthpiece at ringside. Legion simply stood by in silence as she watched the two. They locked up and joched for position with Mr. J having the power to push Isis back into the ropes but she still had power of her own, as well as speed. The two traded offense with Mr. J laying in with the chops and forearms while Isis ran off the ropes and threw all of her body weight into him for a shoulder tackle that actually caused him to stagger. Isis motioned for him to try his own hand at a charge and when he did, she caught him with a discus clothesline that sent him stagger back into the ropes. As he came back, she caught him in her arms and hit a surprising and impressive Exploder Suplex onto the man who had an easy 100+ pound advantage on her. She got him up and over though and went for the cover.

ONE

TWO

But Mr. J kicked out, shoving her off of him. Mr. J sat up and Isis hit a stiff kick to the chest, laying him flat again and went for a Standing Moonsault. Graceful as it was, Mr. J got his feet up. Not his knees. His feet. Isis landed hard with her back across his boots, not even getting her flip out of the attempt and hit the mat. Mr. J got to his feet, grabbed Isis and jacked her up for a Gutwrench Suplex and held on, following it up with a Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb for a cover.

ONE

TWO

Mr. J grabbed Isis by the legs and started delivering the Giant Swing. Legion clapped at ringside while Donovan Cunningham yelled for the ref to do something. Not much could be done really and Isis just had to ride it out until Mr. J let her go and sent her rolling across the mat into a corner. Mr. J stumbled around a bit, trying to shake his own dizziness while Donovan climbed onto the apron and began berating Mr. J. As the referee tried to keep those two from getting into it, Legion came over and grabbed Isis, choking her out on the bottom rope and throwing wild forearms at her. Once Donovan looked over and saw what was going on, he tried to draw the ref’s attention to it. Legion let go of Isis just in time as the referee turned and came over to make sure nothing was going on. This gave Mr. J the opportunity to clock Donovan with a forearm, sending him off the apron. While the referee checked on Isis and chided Legion, the fans booed as Danae and Kassandra from The Hive appeared from down the walkway and started throwing a beating on Donovan!!

Mr. J stood by the ropes, encouraging the attack when suddenly Isis, having caught wind of what was going on, rolled out of the ring and ran around to start throwing hands with Danae and Kassandra to get them off of her manager. Kassandra was grabbed and thrown like a rag doll into the barricade while Danae caught a big boot from the Utopian Female. Mr. J, however, climbed out of the ring and the two actual competitors of the match began brawling on the outside of the ring while the referee began calling for them to get back inside the ring. The referee began to count them out. Neither of the two seemed keen on heeding the warning, however, and before long, Referee Desiree reached 20, calling a double countout to end the match. Mr. J and Isis continued brawling outside the ring, heading up the walkway until the rest of the referee crew came out to pull them apart.

Andrew Payne: They better get control of these two fast!

Miranda Augustino: Perfectly good match thrown out on account of this shit!!

Result: Double Countout

After a Hell of a match between Isis and Mister J, the scene faded into the backstage area where Tahti Kuu was sitting in the styling chair of Teresa Jacobson. The two women were chatting, Tahti already in her ring gear for her pre-main event match against Cherry Addams. Of course Teresa was working on the woman’s hair while they were talking, but a very light shade of red could be seen on the beautician’s face as their conversation began coming over the speakers.

Tahti Kuu: Girl, I’ve seen you on Twitter. It looks like you’ve been having some fun with that Kai Morgan guy from Collision. And I have to say, I’m glad it’s him, or anyone for that matter, or Demoni’s brother.

Teresa Jacobson: Surprisingly, what’s his face has left me alone the last few weeks, something I’m thankful for. And yeah...Kai’s a real sweetheart; I don’t think I’ve enjoyed myself on any dates like this in a long time. Enjoying myself, having fun...I can’t really ask for much more, although him being so good looking is an added bonus.

The two women laughed a little at the last bit, the slight tint of red still resting on Teresa’s cheeks. The younger of the women finished up with Tahti’s hair, the two of them still chatting absentmindedly. Tahti’s eyes closed as Teresa began working on the Finnish woman’s eyeshadow, carefully adding and blending the colors together. She worked in silence until another backstage worker came over, interrupting them.

Backstage Hand: Sorry to interrupt you, ladies, but a tall guy with blonde hair gave this to me at the arena entrance. He gave me something for both of you.

Tahti Kuu: A tall guy with blonde hair, you said?

Both women watched as the stage hand nodded before handing them each a piece of paper, their names on their respective papers before he walked off, having done what he had been tasked to do. They grimaced a little at each other before opening the papers, revealing different things, one being a drawing. Teresa’s paper had the drawing, a broken heart with a knife through it, while Tahti’s paper showed an old picture of herself and Demoni with her eyes scratched out. The Finnish woman groaned as she cumbled the paper given to her, tossing it into the trash can that Teresa had set up.

Tahti Kuu: This is getting ridiculous...I’ve never hid my fault over Demoni’s death. I told the judge I was at fault, explained what I had been dealing with...I took care of his burial expenses, everything. I don’t know what more Artturi wants from me over it!

Teresa Jacobson: I don’t know what he wants from me period...it’s not like I ever showed him a bit of kindness at all. He can go burn in Hell for all I give a damn! Girl, don’t pay him no mind...he’ll get bored and go away eventually. Besides, you need to focus on Cherry Addams tonight. Bitch wants to call you a damn leprechaun because you want to hold some gold soon? I’ll show her a damn leprechaun.

Tahti couldn’t help but laugh as she listened to the younger woman and thought back to the Twitter exchange. She understood where Cherry had been coming from with the whole leprechaun comment, but the red headed beauty also had to admit that it pissed her off some. So what if she wanted to be a champion eventually? Most wrestlers did at one point in their careers or another, and she was at that point in her career. Teresa went back to working on Tahti’s make-up as the foreign woman began speaking.

Tahti Kuu: I know where she was coming from with the comment, but damn I wanted to go through that screen and smack the shit out of her for it. I love and look forward to the fight aspect of this job...I wouldn’t be in it if I didn’t, but so sue me for wanting some gold as well. She wants my focus on the fight, though? Well she’s going to get it.

Teresa chuckled lightly as she made Tahti be quiet in order to get her lipstick and the glossy cover taken care of. She had the red head close her eyes again as she sprayed a setting spray all over the other woman’s face, making sure that the make-up wouldn’t get absolutely destroyed before, or hopefully, during the match though she did expect some damage done to it during. When she set the can down on her vanity, Tahti looked in the mirror and smiled, looking at herself carefully.

Tahti Kuu: Damn girl…you do some amazing work, you know that?

Teresa Jacobson: Oh I know I’m good...now go out there and show Cherry just how bad and focused you can be on a fight. She won’t know what’s hit her by the end of the match!
We cut backstage as we see the door to Steele Matthews’ locker room open and outsteps The Priceless One with Mr. Hughes, who closes the door behind him and the two begin to make their way down the corridor.

Steele Matthews: Ladies and gentlemen, yours truly is back in action and he’s about to go out there and whoop Marco Valintine’s!

The two continue walking.

Steele Matthews: You see, Marco is a joke! An embarrassment to this industry! So the question is… do you honestly want to see a joke like him fighting for a prestigious championship?!

Matthews shakes his head.

Steele Matthews: Actually don’t answer that, because you idiots don’t know what you want! But the answer is no! You don’t want a joke like him fighting for the Perseverance Championship!

The Priceless One chuckles.

Steele Matthews: What you all need is an injection of class! Because I look at the challengers that have already qualified for this Perseverance Championship match and much like Marco, they’re all jokes too! So whether you like it or not! Whether you want to admit it or not! Yours truly, “Priceless” Steele Matthews is going to have his hand raised tonight…

He finally reaches the gorilla position and turns around to face the camera one final time.

Steele Matthews: And my victory will be absolutely… priceless!

The faint sound of “Money” by Pink Floyd blasting out of the PA system can be heard as Matthews turns back around and heads through the curtain as we cut to ringside.

Match #5/Perseverance Championship Qualifier

Steele Matthews vs Marco Valintine

The bell sounds and almost immediately, Marco goes right for Steele who quickly backs into the ropes and yells for Marco to back off. Marco backs away and allows Steele to come out of the ropes before trying to go after him again, but once again, Steele goes into the ropes and yells for Marco to back up. Instead of backing up this time though, Marco drills Steele with a right hand across the jaw. He brings Steele back into the middle of the ring where he picks the guy up and delivers a Tiger suplex and goes for a quick cover, but Steele manages to kick out at one. Marco then sends Steele into the corner and he charges in, delivering a corner splash before mounting up on the middle turnbuckle where the fans count along with the ten punches. Marco leaps down and plays to the fans a little bit as Steele groggily walks out of the corner and right into a roundhouse kick that drops him. Immediately, Steele starts to roll out of the ring and Mr. Hughes reaches out and pulls him the rest of the way out of the ring. Hughes tries to get Steele back into the match as Marco hits the ropes and comes diving over the top rope with a Fosbury Flop right onto Steele. Marco gets up, much to the delight of the fans as he rolls Steele back into the ring who immediately grabs the attention of the ref.

As the ref is distracted, Hughes grabs Marco and slams him face first into the ring post before sliding him back into the ring. Steele gets to his feet and a sinister grin comes across his face as he delivers a few stomps to the downed Marco before picking him up and delivers a neckbreaker before putting a foot right across the throat of Marco, yelling at the ref to count the pin, but the ref starts the five count for the illegal choke. Steele brushes past the ref, showboating a little bit as the crowd showers him with boos. Steele turns around to pick Marco up, but is met with a punch to the midsection before Marco hits the ropes and delivers a spinning headscissors takedown. Marco then delivers a twisting, standing shooting star press on Steele before climbing to the top rope. Steele once again grabs the attention of the ref as Marco climbs up and Hughes hops up to the apron and pulls the leg out from under Marco, crotching him on the top turnbuckle. Steele gets to his feet and delivers a German suplex from the top rope before he picks Marco up and delivers The Money Shot and hooks the leg to pick up the win.

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, Steele Matthews!

Andrew Payne: Steele cheated his way to the win here tonight. The guy is a scumbag through and through.

Miranda Augustino: Come on, Andy, Steele should be praised for making good on his promise of being in the match!

Result: Pinfall

Match #6/Guardians Of The Pyramid Qualifier

Cherry "Glitch" Addams vs Tahti Kuu

The bell rang and Adams met Kuu in the center of the ring. Adams accepted a handshake from Kuu and used it to pull her right into a side headlock where she began wrenching on the neck. Kuu tried to pull free but Adams took her down with a headlock hip toss and locked in tighter with the hold, switching it into a Sleeper Hold. Kuu struggled to get free anyway she could until she managed to maneuver around and get her foot on the ropes. Cherry broke the Sleeper but pulled Tahti to her feet and whipped her into the ropes. Tahti came back with a dropkick that knocked Cherry into the ropes. Tahti kipped up and ran in but Cherry hit a back body drop, sending Tahti up into the air and down to the outside floor that she barely softened with her feet before going down. Cherry followed her out and a brawl ensued on the outside. They brawled around the perimeter of the ring, over to the commentary table where Cherry bounced Tahti’s head off of the surface then went for the timekeeper’s chair but referee Ashley Campbell called out a warning to her. Cherry started to bicker with Campbell which gave Tahti a window of opportunity to shove her into the ringpost and throw her back into the ring before Campbell reached the 20 count. Tahti climbed up onto the top turnbuckle and hit a 450 Splash, hooking the leg for a cover but Cherry kicked out right before 3.

Tahti picked Cherry up and ran her into the corner, following up with a big corner splash. She crossed the ring again but Cherry exploded out of the corner, going for a clothesline. Tahti ducked that arm, however and popped up onto the top turnbuckle again, coming off for a big hurricanrana to Cherry. This put Cherry sitting up in a corner and Tahti charged in with a big Running Facewash. She ran back in again for a hesitating dropkick then pulled Cherry out of the corner to administer an Ankle Lock. Cherry looked unable to reach the ropes but she managed to push up onto her hands and roll forward, pulling Tahti until the High Flying Finn crashed into the turnbuckle. Cherry got up to her feet and caught Tahti by the waist, rolling backwards into an O’Connor German Suplex for another 2 count on the mat but Tahti looked like the crash into the corner really did some damage. As she stumbled up, holding her head, Cherry picked Tahti up over her shoulders into a Firemen’s Carry, drilling her with the Circuit Breaker and another cover, this time for 3 count and the victory.

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, by pinfall, Cherry…”Glitch”...Addams!!!

Andrew Payne: Cherry Addams coming in to pick up a win with some fire tonight, Mir!!!!

Miranda Augustino: Yeah but not without getting one hell of a fight from Tahti Kuu, baby!!!

Result: Pinfall

The audience is abuzz to find out what's gonna happen next. The chatter is dull for a second when

Player 1 Ready…

comes up on the screen. There's a fade in voice as Koda Kumi's "W Face" fades in.

"Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch, slay."

The screen flashes

Game Start!

The main tune hits and the lights come back up showing Kate on the stage in a hooded jacket posing with the Perseverance championship under the pink lights as the music continues. Kate flips the hood down and starts to strut down the ramp to the disapproval of the crowd. She sways with every step, an inspiration of lust as she moves.

"Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch
Lips lined, beautiful
She's fine, itsumo
matou BE-RU
furimuku Everyone"

Kate looks around as she walks down the ramp discarding her jacket as she approaches ringside in a sensuous manner, looking over the audience with a seductive look. She goes to one side of the ring and climbs on the apron giving her ass a shake at the audience.

"hontou no sugata No way toko mo
futatsu kasanari watashi ni nareru
mite hoshii watashi to
minna ga shiranai watashi
Inside & outside, which do you like?
Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch, slay
Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch, slay
Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch"

Kate looks over her shoulder and gives a wink out to the camera before hopping into the ring. She gives one more slow and seductive dance in the ring with the belt over her shoulder but as the beat takes back again, she slaps her ass and yells out aggressively to the audience. She goes to one corner and poses once more, holding the title belt high, with a smirk. As her music fades, she calls for a mic and is handed one. The audience wastes no time making their displeasure known to her. Kate is not amused by their jeers and shakes her head.

Kate: Listen well, all of you, everyone who hears my voice right now, are going to give me your complete, unequivocal and undivided attention. What you have fucking witnessed tonight with Adrianna's attacks is the very definition of cowardice. But I can't actually get mad at Adrianna. She's on another damn level. You see, she understands and accepts why Anton chooses to utilize every fucking bit of resource and manpower he can to his advantage. Everyone else, those in the back and especially all of you shitheads here tonight...

Kate sneers at the audience.

Kate: ... call Adrianna's attacks almost brave, near heroic. The final fucking bastion that stands against House Crowley.

Kate takes a pause. The audience uses the opportunity to get in more boos, as many as they can before she boils over.

Kate: Hypocrites! Bandwagoners! Sycophants! All of you! You should be fucking ashamed to call yourselves people, much less call yourselves anyone with a conscience to support atrocities like that shit!

Kate raises her opposite hand in a very Janeway fashion and takes a moment to calm down, adjusting the Perseverance belt on her shoulder a bit.

Kate: To support the actions and have the gall, the balls, to condemn us for same or similar actions. This isn't fucking Congress! There is no election! This is a benign tyranny. You accept Anton as your champion or you fucking get put down! Just as I am once again about to demonstrate...

Kate smiles and slides the Perseverance belt down to her hand. She holds up the belt level with her head.

Kate: ... as I defend this once again. But per the rules, I don't just defend this against one damn competitor. No, this time there are three more who are coming after me. A four way match with only one victor. Now I'm sure I could bring out some chalkboard and write a bunch of bullshit numbers to prop up my chances. I think I'll just continue to let history speak for itself.

Kate lets the audience have their moment to decide how they want to react, knowing her upcoming opponents. There's a few cheers, but mostly boos once again directed at Kate.

Kate: I mean, look at who's been drawn to fight me tonight. Disco fever. Graham cracker. The Silence? I thought all the Doctor Who references were on Collision. But this is who is sent against me. It makes me long for the days when people presented threats to me. I look over the roster now, wasted potential. Threats that could've been but won't be now. It makes for an absolute tragedy that the more I defend this Perseverance title, the more it depends on me and only me to make it anything.

Kate looks back over the audience one more time.

Kate: So anyone who's got a problem with me fucking stepping on their dreams and aspirations can just walk away right now, because that's exactly what I'm gonna fucking do! All you have to do is watch me and you'll find out for yourselves soon enough. I make promises and I intend to keep them. So, Game Start bitches!

Kate drops the mic as her theme once again overtakes the speakers. She moves to her corner and awaits her opponents, a smug look of arrogance on her face.

Main Event/Perseverance Championship Match

Debby Haze vs Solomon Graham vs Faye Brown vs La Silencia vs Cali Kate ©

The bell sounds and right away, Faye looks at Cali-Kate and goes right after her. The two of them brawl a little bit as Debby and Soloman pair off, leaving Silencia to watch on for the moment. As the four brawl, Silencia waits for an opening and when one opens up, after Debby delivers a spinning heel kick that drops Soloman, Silencia takes Debby down with a spear and then just starts to rain down forearms onto her. Solomon gets up and grabs Silencia, pulling her off of Debby, but is met with a jumping knee strike that stuns him. Silencia then delivers a swinging neckbreaker on him and scrambles in for a cover, only to have it broken up by Debby at two. On the outside, Faye is in control of Cali-Kate who is resting against the guardrail. Faye charges in, but Cali-Kate lowers her shoulder and sends Faye over the guardrail and into the fans. Cali-Kate turns around, but as she does, she’s met with a forearm by Faye that staggers her back. Faye climbs up onto the guardrail, and goes for a leaping forearm on Cali-Kate, but she manages to move away and as Faye turns around, she’s met with a spinning heel kick by the champion.

Inside the ring, Silencia is in control of Solomon as she has him by the hand and she looks around at the crowd before delivering No Toque. Solomon grabs at his hand and fingers, a look of pain etched on his face. Silencia pulls him to his feet and delivers a back cracker to Solomon before going for a cover, only to get a two count. Cali-Kate rolls into the ring and as Silencia gets to her feet, she’s met with a thumb to the eye by Cali-Kate before being hit with a running bulldog by the champion. Cali-Kate picks Silencia up and looks to deliver Starstruck, but as she’s setting up the move, Debby leaps off the top rope and delivers a flying knee strike to the side of Cali-Kate’s head. Debby looks to pick Cali-Kate up, but Solomon is there, delivering a spinning backfist on Debby before locking in a dragon sleeper. Debby fights and fights, trying to find a way out of the move, but it looks like she’s starting to fade.

Just as it looks like she’s about to fade, Faye comes in with a headbutt to Solomon that breaks the submission. Faye grabs Solomon and goes for a roundhouse kick, but Solomon avoids it and delivers an open handed slap to Faye that staggers her. Cali-Kate though is now up to her feet and she delivers a Geek Chic Kick to Solomon that drops him and he rolls out of the ring. Cali-Kate looks around and sees Faye. She grabs Faye and goes for a DDT, but Faye counters out of it and delivers a headbutt to Cali-Kate. Faye stumbles back and as she does, a person with a hood is on the apron and lowers the top rope, causing Faye to spill to the outside. As the hooded figure stands up, they remove the hood and it’s Emevlas. She grabs Faye and delivers Sheer Drop to Faye on the floor. Emevlas just laughs as she talks some smack to Faye on the outside before hopping the barricade. Inside the ring, Cali-Kate and Debby are up with Cali-Kate in control as she delivers a Geek Chic Kick to Debby before delivering Starstruck and hooking the leg and picking up the win.

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, and STILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NFW Perseverance Champion, Cali-Kate!

Andrew Payne: Faye was screwed out of her opportunity by Emevlas tonight and it’s a shame to see that.

Mirand Augustino: But Mami won! I knew she would! She’s the greatest Perseverance Champion ever!

Result: Pinfall