NFW Trauma #48 - 08/21/2021!

We go backstage to find Marco Valintine standing there listening to music through some headphones, air guitaring and singing.

Marco Valintine: WOAH HEY HEY HEY HEY! FUCK ALL NIGHT AND PARTY ALL DAY!

The cameraman's arm is seen coming onto screen and nudging Marco on the shoulder, making him jump a little before taking off the headphones and turning to the camera.

Marco Valintine: Woah dude how long have you been there for? Ya know what it doesn't matter, I'm glad that you are here. Man I am so hyped for this match tonight, you know the one I'm talking about right?

The camera goes up and down indicating the cameraman has nodded.

Marco Valintine: Damn right bro! I am in my first ever title match and it can not get much better, I am going to be facing off against Trixie Decker, dude goth chicks are hot and ya know she is up for a good time which is why I know she is gonna bring her all too this match and it's gonna be hella fun for all.

Marco takes a moment to grab a bottle of water next to him and opens it up, taking a swig of water before putting it back down.

Marco Valintine: And of course there is my bro from another mo, my hard rocking amigo and current reigning… defending… NFW Perseverance Champion himself, Griffin Hawkins. Man this is one of the guys that made me want to come to NFW in the first place, and well we both knew our paths would cross at some point and I can't think of a better place or time than the Main Event of Trauma! Because we are going to rock this place so hard they are gonna have to rebuild the foundations of this place bro!

Marco grabs the water and drinks the rest of its contents before throwing it over his shoulder and getting it in the trash can behind him.

Marco Valintine: Man, I'm not gonna lie, this is the most motivated I have been for years. I can't wait to get into that ring tonight and if things go the way I have in my head? Then I will be walking out of my first ever Main Event as your new Perseverance Champion! Either way though, we are gonna be partying tonight, because it's Saturday night baby and the possibilities are endless. It's gonna be one Hell of a thrill ride!

Marco then gives the camera a wink before disappearing off camera as we cut elsewhere.
Pink and green lights begin to rapidly flash along to the sounds of BABYMETAL's Megitsune. As the first lyrics begin, Mayumi Tanahashi bursts through the curtain and spins around, showing off her ring jacket with the large wings. As the music kicks up, Mayumi runs forward, her arms outstretched to high-five anyone who can reach her. She runs and slides into the ring, going almost all the way across. She looks at the camera with a wide smile and blows a kiss before she hops to her feet, goes to the corner, and gives a wave to the crowd. She leaps off the second rope with a moonsault and lands back in the middle of the ring, stretching her arms out as the lights dim and her wings light up bright white. Mayumi smiles as the lights return to normal, she removes her wings and takes a microphone as she gives the crowd a big peace sign/wave before she does her signature pose and lets some people get pictures.

Mayumi Tanahashi: Minasan, kon'nichiwa. That means, hello friends. I hope many of you are brushing up on your Japanese and will be joining NFW for Wrestlewar live from the Tokyo Dome. Oru said something about trying to get an international travel thing going for all the great fans here in Chicago and all over the US. I am very excited about Wrestlewar and the entire Wrestlewar tour in JAPAN!

Mayumi’s smile somehow grows wider as she claps and jumps around a bit.

Mayumi Tanahashi: I have never wrestled in my home country as The Sky Child. I was always simply Mayumi Tanahashi. Black shorts, top, and boots. I earned the right to wear knee pads after eight months, kickpads were a special privilege for my sendoff match. That is why I wore my gear out here tonight even though I am not wrestling, which I am honestly a bit grateful for after the incredible match I had against Keira Hubbard on Zion wrestling’s Fallout in the Superstar Showcase. If you haven’t seen the show yet, watch the rest of this show because it’s gonna be awesome, there’s a triple threat main event for the Perseverance title, my Sky Liger Squadron GOOO teammate FM Young has a match with Cherry Addams, who is not a robot, just had a suit like Iron Man. Plus everybody’s second favorite Tanahashi Twin is facing New Zealand’s favorite wrestling reporter, Cass Baumer. Why am I out here though? I don’t need to hype up the show or the Wrestlerwar tour or the awesome fourth annual Vlad Blackheart Memorial tournament coming up in September. I’m as excited about all of that as you are, but I am most excited about NFW, the only company I currently work for, going to Japan after the tournament.

Mayumi stops, takes a breath, and smiles as she looks around at all the fans, she points when she sees a young girl wearing her shirt and her own pair of light-up wings.

Mayumi Tanahashi: The Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament is an exclusive field. Twenty wrestlers battling for an amazing prize and one that I hope my big brother Oru wins. I know how much it would mean to him to wrestle for the title inside The Dome. With only twenty wrestlers involved and that being the focus, as it should be, I find myself with free time. I could just come to every show and cheerlead for my brother, but he has people to cheer for him as well as all of you. I miss my home and I am going to take the opportunity to go to Japan early, return to my first trainer and prepare for when NFW arrives because I want to show my home country what I have been able to show all of you wonderful fans, and I hope they and you will all come and... FLY WITH MEEE!!!.

Mayumi again poses as a bright white light shines down around her before rainbow lights flash around for a bit before the lights go out, then suddenly the rainbow lights begin to flash inside the ring, on brand new wings. The white light shines back down as Mayumi now has rainbow fairy wings. Mayumi smiles as rainbow streamers fly out of every corner as she poses and the video wall lights up with

Sky Child Rainbow wings, free for every fan in attendance tonight. Available on NFWShop for $19.99

Mayumi laughs a little, waves to the fans, and then hops out of the ring, helping clean up some of the streamers for her goodbye and a little bit of shameless self-promotion.

Ana Evans vs Trina Tanaka

Trina was waiting in the ring for Ana at the start of the show, and she watched her opponent carefully as the other woman entered the ring. After checking both wrestlers over, the referee signaled for the match to start. As soon as it did, the women locked up in a battle for power, but it wasn’t long before Ana overpowered Trina and squeezed on the woman’s neck in a side headlock. She quickly adjusted then hit Trina with a snap suplex, harshly slamming the other woman to the ring mat. Ana didn’t give Trina a chance to get up before she quickly executed a standing moonsault, slamming down on the other woman with a fiery force. Ana was quick to get back to her feet and climbed the turnbuckle, leaping off and hitting a shooting star press on the downed woman. It took her a tiny bit longer to get to her feet versus being able to get to them immediately like before, but once Ana was back to her feet, she glanced at Trina before deciding to nail her with a standing shooting star press, driving herself against the woman with a ferocious veracity. When Ana got back to her feet again, she looked down at Trina then looked around the audience for a moment. She leaned down and pulled Trina up to her feet before getting her on her shoulders, holding her for a moment before dropping her and hitting Heartbroken! Ana dropped to the ring mat and covered Trina, causing the referee to slide down as well to begin the pin count.

2....

3….!!!

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner by pinfall....Ana Evans!!

Cass Baumer: Kia ora! I’m Collision’s Cass frickin’ Baumer guest appearing on Trauma, and this right here beside me is the girl you might know as the One Woman Army, Effy, or Volta’s Mum. These days, though? She’s to be addressed as the new NFW Undisputed Champion! Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between… I introduce you to none other than “The Demon King Slayer” FM Young!!

In the private rented out locker room with the three-point light setup, Cass shows off her slightly yellowed smile as she adjusts her open dark blue blazer over her new soccer-style attire complete with a sports bra, shorts, socks, and running sneakers. FM is in her ring gear with the exception of an open zip hoody over her top. The top is still visible, being her usual purple and gray FM Young sports top, with some Trauma blue stripes that wrap down and around her torso.

FM Young: It’s nice to be here, I’ve been waiting for you to get back into the Baumer Report. I don’t get to do enough of these interview style things despite really enjoying them. Thank you.

Cass Baumer: Let’s get right into the questions, shall we? No holding back! And to be transparent, none of these questions were given in advance, either.

Cass clears her throat and takes a deep breath, then looks back at FM. FM is sitting casually on the bench, leaning back against the wall, long compression shorts covered legs folded in front of her. The usually jovial woman trying for a more serious air than she’d had in recent months.

Cass Baumer: It seems like you’ve done it all in wrestling, aye? You’ve got world championships, spots in Hall of Fames, and enough money to buy an entire compound. What do you have to say to those who think you’ve done enough, and you might be taking away spots from the fresher, hungrier talent in this business?

FM leans forward and steeples her fingers, rocking in thought.

FM Young: I’d like to think that I’ve been doing my part training and helping the next generation as they need it, sponsoring and showcasing folks. I do my best to spread that around with things like helping Sierra, Ian, MayMay and others who aren’t in NFW. You and Mino, Morgan and Risa might not exactly be *the next generation.* But personally, some part of my legacy lives with you guys and them and I love that.

Cass smiles as if wordlessly thanking FM for all she’s done for her, but continues the interview professionally. FM grins and nods, obviously resisting a wink to the camera.

Cass Baumer: So retirement’s not in the near future?

FM Young: I’ve only got *one* hall of fame spot, not that it bothers me or anything. Hah. I’ve considered it, definitely. Hell, I’ve flatout tried to retire once already. I couldn’t do it, so there’s a big part of me sort of resigned to being on this rollercoaster till it crashes. It’s better to flame out than fade away, right? So, I think I’m here. For a while, until it becomes unsafe or I just can’t. I know really this sounds a little depressive, but it’s more...I’m secure that my legacy will last. So at this point, I’m just having fun and pursuing the things *I want* to do, rather than anything I feel will gain me huge notoriety.

Baumer nods.

Cass Baumer: At the start of the month at Trauma #46, you gave an impassioned speech about your immediate complex opinions about the title win itself in that intense Guardians of the Pyramid match at Sudden Death 2. Has your stance changed at all since that night, or nah?

FM seems more relaxed in this environment than she would pacing around the ring. Sitting still for once, the last question not seeming too difficult.

FM Young: I’m not a fan of being called a thief if that’s what you mean. Naw, for real though, we all knew Anton was going to be a sore loser. Hell, I called it beforehand, I gave the dude his due credit last week. So enough of that, I worked out my thoughts and said what I had to say. I’m content with what went down now and all I can really do is continue to look forward and focus on solidifying my reign.

Cass Baumer: Has it been a relief or an annoyance that you’ve not been booked for a Trauma show ‘til tonight? I know you work elsewhere, so you’ve still been fighting, but I’m curious to hear your opinion.

FM sits up brightly, with a ready answer.

FM Young: Actually, NFW is more or less my main gig right now. I had a tag team match in OATH last week, and I’ve been making sporadic appearances on Empire. That’s it. Cass, I love to fight, no two ways around it, I’d work myself to death if allowed. But I’ve also got a fiance, and I am the Undisputed Champion of NFW. I have to represent, and I can’t go back to my old ways of overworking. Still been a bitch and a half not to have a fight.

Cass Baumer: We know Anaquin is a potential upcoming opponent for you to defend that NFW Undisputed Championship against, but what do you really think about her? Be brutally honest!

FM Young: I think Issy should hurry up and make it official. The fans want to see this match, I want to have this match. Obviously Anna is all on board, so this waiting is just building on everybody. As for what I think about her? Anaquin Adams is one of those rare smaller but terrifying competitors. In the way that the woman is just utterly unshakeable. She’s got this presence that’s all experience and this rookie risk taker mentality. It led to her being almost undefeated in NFW thus far. That’s a hell of a thing, she’s taken one loss. I’d say even with losing the US title, she *needs* to be in contention for the Undisputed Title. I know I’m damn tough, and damn good, but that there, that is *someone* win or lose that I *have* to test myself against. If anyone can stop me? Anaquin’s on the shortlist. She more than deserves the chance and I won’t be disappointed to lose.

FM is leaning forward now, all sharp tooth grin and sheer excitement.

Cass Baumer: And what about tonight’s opponent, Cherry Addams? Take us home. Let her hear it!

FM Young: I missed the whole Cherry’s a robot thing, so I can’t really give an opinion on that. The only thing we have in common is a love of mischief and an ex-girlfriend. Not at the same time mind you. I don’t think there’s any hard feelings over that? Still, what I do know about Cherry Adams is that she’s the deathmatch type of crazy and as tough as they come. Another on a short list of people I want to fight. If her present feelings about Title belts weren't immediately clear, I’d gladly put the Undisputed Title on the line. She says there’s no distractions, and I’ll take it. I’m sad it’s not a deathmatch though. Especially after watching what she did against Lash Donohue at 1WM Epic #5 with that pinecone on the line last week. She’s not 100%, but neither am I. Either way, I’m looking to start this reign off right with a win tonight!

FM is all fired up for the match! Springing to her feet, she winks at Cass. She holds a fist out for a fist bump, and pulls Cass into a hug picking her up before setting the flustered reporter back on the ground. FM has to take a moment for her laughter to die down at Cass’s little squak.

FM Young: I’m going to go, MayMay wanted a word as well. I’ve gotta make sure Volta is cozy in his backstage digs, and find a spot to watch your match. You know I’m rooting for both of you. Matches like this, you kids sure know how to make it hard on me. I just want to see you both perform well. Break a leg, but not actually. Don’t do that, Fidget.

Cass fights off Effy’s attempts to ruffle her hair as the large woman gives a last smile to the camera and picks up her Undisputed belt, leaving the locker room. After a moment to breathe, Cass swivels the camera to the side and crosses her arms.

Cass Baumer: While I got extra TV time, I wanna address my match tonight against former Silver Mountain Champ Minoru Tanahashi - the man who beat me three times in a row. The Black Lion thrived through his brand switch, then almost stood atop the pinnacle of Trauma come Manifest Destiny II. He didn’t have to compromise himself to do it, either. And yeah, he might be a jerk sometimes, but he’s always been a good friend of mine when it mattered. He’s a mainstay on this brand, a constant top contender for whatever he wants to achieve, and he ain’t winnin’ tonight.

With a confident smile, she’s animated in her gestures as she punctuates her points with sweeps, nods, and leans towards the screen.

Cass Baumer: Allow me to introduce myself, aye? I’m the Kiwi who trekked eleven-thousand kilometers over the Pacific Ocean just so I could hurt for a living! I trained in New York, Canada, Ireland, and deathmatched in Japan! I’ve been plying my trade across the globe while people called me garbage! Did I let that stop me? Yeah, nah! It’ll take a lot more than thrown soda cans and fast food wrappers to take me out for good! Minoru’s gonna see that toughness out there, ‘cause I ain’t the same woman I was when he fought me in 2020. I sure as hell ain’t gonna dip out so easily this time around, either.

Baumer laughs, a swagger in the way she swiveled her shoulders while she talks.

Cass Baumer: You’re looking at a refocused Cass Baumer who’s ‘bout to take this promotion by storm, ya hear me, whānau?! I’m here to repay the faith the anonymous sources out there had in me since day one, and tonight, I put all that Krav Maga to use against that flashy asshole we all love, Minoru!

With intensity in her eyes, she shouts the words with passion to anyone who will listen.

Cass Baumer: So repeat after me. Call and response, I’ll ask the question and the true fans are gonna echo it back as loud as you can with as many explanation points as you want - whether it be on social media or from the crowd.

Cass stirs the microphone around in her hand like its a glass of wine, then raises it to her lips with a big gradiose sweep.


Cass Baumer: It won’t be easy, but after I knock Minoru flat that Fact Check in front of the Trauma crowd, I’mma climb that ladder of rubbish I built from everything that’s been thrown my way! Then, when I’ve earned the right to reach the top, y’all are gonna call me an empress on a scrapheap throne made of blood, sweat, tears, and hard work. Anonymous sources… Can you confirm?!

Crowd: CONFIRMED!!!
The NFW logo flashes across the screen as we’re taken backstage outside of the building. The first thing we see is a woman standing in a thin hoodie with the SBS logo on the back, hands folded on the back of her head. In the foreground, between her and the camera is an old steel barrel. It doesn't take long to realize the woman is SBS member, Yuka Hirata, as she turns side to side at her hips. Restlessly.

Yuka Hirata: You know, people ask me “Yuka-chan, what do you want? What do you want out of life?” I tell them I already got it. I got what I want.

She turns around, face half hidden under a black medical mask but her eyes burn with a fire that says she is anything but happy.

Yuka Hirata: But you know what? I lied! I’m lying! I got a lot, yes. I got friends. Real friends. Not fake as motherfuckers that see me on a phone app and say “oi Yuka-chan! How are you today!” I got real bitches that have my back since I was this high!

She holds her hand out to just above her waist level.

Yuka Hirata: I got a family. Family that will and have broken the law for me and others in that family. I got a wife that runs her own shit now and she still supports me here. But you know what I don't have?

Yuka slaps her hands down on her thighs in defeat and scoffs.

Yuka Hirata: A fight. I want to fucking fight! This place starts to feel like a bad relationship. It treats you bad. It ignores you. You still come back cuz you love it. I love wrestling. I love this country. I love wrestling in this country. What I not like is me and my girls, we sit around on our fucking asses waiting for a fight to pop up. When a fight comes up? Who is it?

Yuka makes a loud “pfft” and motions her hands past the camera towards the building.

Yuka Hirata: Azzy Fucking Vebbins! She’s supposed to be this bad bitch but I ain’t seen shit yet. She wants to talk about knocking out my teeth with her “Pearly Gatekeeper” but that’s all I hear from her. After that, it’s all….

Yuka shoves her hand into the pocket of her hoodie and pulls out her smartphone, hastily tapping the screen and swiping with her finger. When she starts to read, she makes a face and wags her head around dramatically; mockingly. In between quotes, she snaps at the camera.

Yuka Hirata: ”It’s National Rum Day folk!” Bitch, I need a bottle of sochu after seeing you on the timeline.

Angrily, she drags her finger over the screen, scrolling.

Yuka Hirata: “Happy National Nonprofit Day folk!” I bet you’re used to that. Is NFW even paying you salary anymore? You can’t promote worth a shit.

She swipes again.

Yuka Hirata: ”Happy Drift...Thrift Dri…” Fuck. “Happy THRIFT Shop Day folk!” What the fuck is it with people typing out their own bad pronunciation? That’d be like me at 15 years old, typing out “Herro!” Stupid bitch.

Yuka shakes her head and scrolls again.

Yuka Hirata: Oi! Here’s a good one! “Happy I Love My Feet Day folk!” Hey, you’re gonna love my feet when I stick them down your fucking throat here in about ten minutes, bubble brain.

She starts swiping again, watching her screen.

Yuka Hirata: What else? Let’s see….Black Cat sucks. Fajitas taste like ass. I can’t even pronounce that shit in the can. Probably sucks just like you. Cream pies are okay. Mail Order Catalog Day? Do you pay postage in Phlorophornia or wherever the fuck you’re from?

Yuka speed swipes through the rest of the page before locking her phone. She stuffs it in her pocket again and claps her hands together in a prayer position, motioning them towards the camera.

Yuka Hirata: I am done fucking around. The Super Bitch Squad is done fucking around. I don’t wanna dance around pink tutus and sugar faeries, Azzy. I came here to fight and if you don’t wanna fight? If you wanna dance? Then don’t come to the ring tonight because I’m not coming to play. I’m not coming to shake your hand. I’m coming to fucking hurt you. I am coming to beat your ass and everyone else’s ass until I achieve what every wrestler worth their salt wants. I wanna be a champion again - whether that’s tag, trios or singles. I wanna be a champion again. Oh… Right…

Yuka bends down and picks up what looks like a black laundry bag from the ground and starts opening it by the draw string. She reaches in and pulls out...the Luchacore Championship.

Yuka Hirata: You gonna ask me about this, I bet. “Yuka, you’re already a champion! You’ve been a champion for over a year!” Yeah, you know what? I have. I have been the champion of a dead brand, of a dead legacy for over a fucking year and you know how many times I’ve defended this belt? Guess.

Yuka pauses for a minute, letting any viewers actually take a shot in the dark at her defenses.

Yuka Hirata: Three. I have defended this belt three...fucking...times...in over a year and believe me, it ain’t for a lack of trying! I called out to the masses. I put an open challenge on the table. I drew a line in the sand and said I would defend this belt against anybody. Nobody stepped up. Sure, someone on Collision did but then what happened? Or rather what didn’t happen? Nobody booked the fucking match and the times I did defend the belt, it felt like pulling teeth to get it made official!

The crowd watching from the arena gasp as Yuka angrily throws the blood stained, rusty Luchacore Title into the steel barrel then points at the camera with that hand’s index finger.

Yuka Hirata: That is not a champion! That is not the kind of champion I wanna be and the piss poor reputation that this fucking belt has is not one I want tied to my name so as the current, undefeated, longest reigning, undefending Luchacore Champion, I hereby vacate this title and pronounce it dead! Dead with a capital fucking D.

Yuka reaches into the laundry bag and pulls out something else before dropping the empty bag itself into the barrel. In her hand is a bottle of lighter fluid. She doesn’t pop open the nozzle. No. She twists the cap off completely and pours the liquid into the barrel until the bottle itself is empty, then drops the bottle inside as well. She reaches into her hoodie pouch then pulls out a book of matches. Yuka strikes one match then uses it to light the entire book on fire, holding it up for the camera to see.

Yuka Hirata: And that which is dead...must surely...burn….

She lets go of the burning match book, letting it fall into the barrel where the fuel soaked bag and belt go up in flames. The glow of the flame casts an eerie, orange hue to her face as any and everything else inside the barrel catches fire. Yuka finally steps around the barrel and walks past the camera, towards the Collision Center. The camera pans down and the shot focuses on the Luchacore Championship as it is consumed by the flames….

Yuka Hirata vs Azurine Vebbins

Yuka and Azurine circled around the mat, looking for a lockup but as Vebbins lunged in for it, Hirata slipped behind and caught her in a waistlock. Azurine writhed to get free but Yuka lifted her up and slammed her down onto the mat with a Mat Return. Yuka took control over Azurine’s back here, floating around to try and administer a Guillotine Choke but Da Damsel In Dat Dress slipped free and up to her feet, backing off as the Red Wolf slowly rose with her, grinning maliciously. The two stepped in again with Yuka feigning more lunges to keep Azurine on her toes. After a moment, it was Vebbins who shot in for a rear waistlock and seemed to be going for a German Suplex but Yuka widened her stance and flipped Vebbins over with an Uchi Mata. Vebbins hit the mat, sat up and Yuka was ready and waiting to deliver a sharp Penalty Kick to the back. Azurine reeled in pain and Yuka delivered another one. The Red Wolf charged up her feet, hitting the ropes and came back in with a nasty, single leg basement dropkick. She went for the cover and…

TWO!

NO!

Azurine kicked out and Yuka shook her head, ignoring the ref’s warning as she pulled up Da Vivacious Variable by her hair. It only took a second for her to turn and trash talk the official for Azurine to seize the opportunity and bat her hands away and start rocking her with some knife edge chops and right hands. Every time Yuka tried to counter and step back in, Azurine hit a forearm shiver to keep her back. Finally, she rocked Hirata with an elbow smash, hit the ropes and capitalized with a Running DDT, before flipping Yuka over and hooking the leg for her own cover.

TWO!

KICKOUT!

Yuka started getting up to her feet but Azurine stayed on the offensive, hooking the arm and delivering a Snap Suplex onto the mat. Vebbins held onto Hirata, standing up with the girl in a headlock and hit a Running Bulldog. Yuka’s head bounced off of the mat and she stumbled up to her feet, right into a Scoop Slam from Azurine. Da Adorkable Angel started setting Yuka up for a Boston Crab but Yuka managed to use her leg power to force her way out of it. Azurine was thrown to the side but countered out of it with a Cartwheel and, as Yuka got back to her feet and charged in, Vebbins hit a Standing Dropkick, landing right down on top of the fallen Joshi for another cover, getting an impressed pop out of the crowd!

TWO!

NO!

Hirata got her foot on the ropes, much to the dismay of the crowd. From there, she held onto the ropes with one hand on her jaw as she sat on the mat. Azurine went to pull her up but Yuka held onto the bottom rope, refusing to get up until the referee made Azurine back up so she could see if something was wrong with Yuka. As this happened, Kaede Tanabe came around to the side the referee was standing with Vebbins and made sure Referee Desiree saw her slide the brass knuckles across the mat to Yuka. Two things happened here as Yuka snatched the knuckle dusters up: the referee rushed over to her to demand she drop them, while Azurine turned to berate Kaede Tanabe just as the Gyaru Diva hit her in the face with the pepper spray. As Vebbins rubbed at her eyes, Hirata threw the knucks out of the ring as the ref was demanding she do. She then rushed past Desiree to grab Vebbins and lifted her up to deliver Kirisute Gomen. Yuka hit the slam and locked in the combination chokehold on Azurine, squeezing tight and forcing a tapout within seconds.


Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, by pinfall, YUKA...HIRATA!!!!

Andrew Payne: I should say I can’t believe that crap, but I can!

Miranda Augustino: SBS steals another one. Ya gotta wonder what it means for Yuka.

As K DUB SHINE’s “I’m Me” played throughout the arena, Yuka rolled out of the ring, as Kaede Tanabe came over to congratulate her. The two bumped fists and hugged before Yuka looked at the ring and shook her head in disappointment. Shoving the camera out of her way, she stormed towards the stage. Kaede gave the camera a shrug before moving to catch up with her.

The scene comes up in the main arena with the audience buzzing about the next thing about to happen. THey are both aptly surprised and moderately angered when the lights go down and they see and hear it:


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


The screen flashes


The main tune hits and the lights come back up showing Kate on the stage in a hooded jacket posing under the 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.

Miranda Augustino: Hahaha, look who’s back Andy!

Andrew Payne: We haven’t seen Cali-Kate since Sudden Death, but it seems she’s ready to be back

Lips lined, beautiful

She's fine, itsumo

matou BE-RU

furimuku Everyone"

Kate looks around as she walks down the ramp. 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.

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 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 with a smirk. As her music fades, she calls for a mic and is handed one. Kate is annoyed by the continued jeers of the crowd.

Miranda Augustino: And she’s got something to say, if these people would just stop.

Cali-Kate: It’s okay to boo me. Go ahead, keep it fucking coming. I’m the one standing here which means you asswipes still have to pay attention to me no matter what. And all of you are going to hear and fucking listen even through your boos so the only thing you’re doing is hurting your own damn lungs and throats. Me, I can just speak normally into this mic because it will always be louder than you.

Miranda Augustino: Well that works too Mami.

Kate’s taunting is not received well. The audience is almost in a frenzy about it. Kate just shakes her head at them.

Cali-Kate: Listen, up this year has been one big shitshow, with only one bright spot: the fact that I won the Perseverance title. But every other moment has been a fucking blight on my existence, my career in NFW to date. I’ve dealt with the bitches and the psychos that all get thrown at me, but there’s one who continues to persist, continues to try to take matters into her own hands when she has proven not to be fucking worthy of those matters each and every time.

Kate sneers and almost grunts out the name.

Cali-Kate: Adrianna Salvatore.

The crowd is absolutely furious at Kate who just deadpns them with a look of absolute contempt.

Andrew Payne: What is she talking about?

Cali-Kate: Oh sure, Adrianna is one of the most physically impressive members of the roster. She’s got the accolades to support her name,...

Kate shakes her head a bit as her voice begins to fill with nothing but venom.

Cali-Kate: ... but look at her time since she was handed silver platter opportunity after golden platter opportunity. And let’s be fucking clear so I’m not misrepresented, opportunity, not reward. And never once did she manage to actually follow through. Every fucking time the cards went down on the table she had a losing hand. And still she managed to be given even more, by your sycophantic support, by Santiago’s own mind-numbingly deluded decisions. It’s all been handed over to her only for her to drop the ball every fucking time!

The audience is whipped into an absolute massacre of scorn directed at Kate.

Cali-Kate: Hey, don’t blame me for the bad news that your hero isn’t actually that heroic. You want proof, her lackey is the one that, after my Dark Heart ran through a gauntlet of five competitors in five straining matches, in succession, defeated Anton and claimed the Undisputed title. Adrianna couldn’t even pull the trigger and take a place in the Pyramid. She had to go after Risa, because she didn’t finish that job either. But to hear her tell the tale, the House is a big part of the reason, if not the reason she’s in her position.

Kate purses her lips together and paces the ring a little bit. Her lips almost smile but she’s clearly in too much of a mood to manage a full smile.

Cali-Kate: That’s how we are treated. All of us in the House. No adulation to Anton for surviving for nearly a year with the title and going through five grueling matches. No applause to Risa for surviving Tartarus. No praise to me for making the Perseverance title one of the most sought after titles now, even with Griffin holding it now. All because your “heroes” are who we clash with. But I guess that’s the equity to fucking gratitude for you these days.

Kate plants herself in the middle of the ring.

Cali-Kate: You all remember this as we go into the tournament next month. We aren’t the villains here, you just make us that because you can’t stand what we do: we make everything we touch better. That’s what you can’t stand about us. So I’m gonna go into that fucking tournament, knowing full well everything I am potentially facing, and I am gonna stop your heroes again. And reclaim the Undisputed title for House Crowley. Watch me.

“W Face” starts on the speakers again as KAte drops the mic and heads out of the ring.

Andrew Payne: Kate certainly seems focused on avenging the championship losses from Sudden Death, but more than that she seems laser focused on Adrianna Salvatore for… for Adrianna’s own losses, I guess.

Miranda Augustino: You would be too if someone kept coming after you and your family for their failings. I just hope Mami knows what she’s doing. That’s a tall order to get through this tournament for anyone, but now she may have gotten Adrianna’s attention as well.

Andrew Payne: That may be more than even a fighter like Cali-Kate can handle.

Kate has not stopped on her way back up and behind the curtains as the scene fades out.
We get a brief snippet of the Cable 10 logo, as a disembodied voice announces the next segment.


There's a bit of a pop from the crowd watching the recording in the Collision Center, as we go in for a shot on Brea's basement, as she played a Stratocaster on her couch, delivering a very piddly guitar solo as she would introduce the show.

Brea Lombardi "Brea's World! Brea's World! Rule some ass! Every Day!"

She finished her solo, before addressing the people of Trauma as she began her show.

Brea Lombardi "So, people of Trauma, Collision's Cruel Summer Pay-Per-View is coming up, but, tonight we have a crossover match involving Collision's Cass Baumer, and my guest tonight! The Black Lion, Minoru Tanahashi!"

She said, gesturing up the stairs, before playing him in. Minoru struts into the studio in style, rocking his black and silver tights and boots and a classic Metallica “Ride The Lightning” shirt.

Minoru Tanahashi: That's actually Minoru Motherfucking Tanahashi. I checked and we're allowed to say fuck on this channel or network or streaming service or, shit fuck damn, you're public access. That's like ninety grand in FCC fines at least, maybe a suspension. Oh god, damn it all to hell shit fuck piss damn. I am sorry.

Minoru looks at the camera, then over to Brea, and just shrugs.

Brea Lombardi "Well, I probably just lost my Enid Strict Church of Christ sponsorship… pretty sure I was going to lose that one whenever I shown belly button, anyway…"

She said with a bit of an exhale, as Brea would go over some notes about the upcoming match against Cass Baumer, and asked him.

Brea Lombardi "So, you and Cass have had a bit of a rivalry with each other. This is your fourth match together, correct?"

Minoru Tanahashi: It is. Once on Collision in a match that I think showed a lot of people what both of us could do, at a time I know I for sure needed it. The second time was in the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament. I kind of played the spoiler for her there, but for me, it was a big win. Third time at the tournament finals for the Silver Mountain Title Cass held. That was win number three for little ole me. Each match, Cass Baumer pushed me to raise my game. I joke with her about being three and zero against her, but I know it could have gone the other way. Well actually I would have had to win the tournament one for the title match to happen, but the point is, this match is going to be freaking awesome.

Minoru throws up the horns and sticks out his tongue, getting into the sport of the show. Jokingly, and to stir the pot a bit, Brea added to his comment.

Brea Lombardi "So, it's a bit of a Bears-Lions rivalry, you could say. The old saying goes three times is a charm, but, do you think this fourth match Cass could break the streak against you, and dampen your momentum into the Vlad Blackheart Tournament?"

She asked flatly, putting a boot onto the table in front of them and reclining back into the armrest of the couch. Minoru gives a little smirk and nods slightly as he sits back on the couch and pulls out two double peach Strong Zeroes from somewhere

Minoru Tanahashi: Ya know I was gonna share with you, but after that question I’m a little bit hurt.

Minoru shakes his head, leans down, gives a little sniffle, and then starts laughing, he pops his head back up, smiles, and hands her one of the cans.

Minoru Tanahashi: This is one of my favorite drinks from back home. It’s inexpensive and tastes decent enough, so you can get fucked up cheap and it tastes decent.

He cracks the can open, and waits for her to do the same, and then raises his drink.

Minoru Tanahashi: Nomihosu.

They both take a quick drink and Brea makes a slight grimace, as she wasn't a heavy drinker.

Brea Lombardi "Ooh… that's got a little kick. Reminds me of the Peach NeHi and Rolling Rock mixer that one of my friends used to do."

She said, taking another sip, as it was finally time to answer the question.

Minoru Tanahashi: I appreciate that question a lot actually. Not only do I have to prepare for top-notch competition during the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament, but I also have to prepare for some possible tough questions from the press. I didn’t ask for this match against Cass because I’m certain I can beat her and build momentum leading into the tournament. The fact is, my singles record isn’t that great. I won a triple threat to earn my first title shot, my second was partly because management felt I deserved a rematch and I think a little bit because of a pin in a six-man tag. This match is to get right. To get my head straight, back in the game. There are no grudges, there are no groups, there are no tricks or schemes or distractions. Just two wrestlers who respect each other, battling to see who will be the better wrestler tonight. Maybe I’m Cass’ white whale, that one opponent she just can’t seem to take down. Or maybe it’s the fourth time that’s the charm. That might sound a bit boring, but come on folks, when have you ever known me to be boring?

Brea nodded along, listening to his statement, as she went on with the interview.

Brea Lombardi "Given how the homegirl Isis probably womanhandles you in the bedroom, I should hope not."

She said with a bit of a laugh, as there was bound to be a pop from the crowd at that jab.

Brea Lombardi "So, at the Vlad Blackheart Memorial, we have ten peeps from Collision and ten from Trauma. Who would you feel are the sharks on each side… and… who are the minnows?"

Minoru thinks for a second, takes a sip of his drink, then smiles and chuckles a little bit.

Minoru Tanahashi: Two things, she only does that when I ask her to, and I would respect you not to kink shame. The other, that’s a tough question. There’s a lot of people in this that I haven’t tangled with before. One interesting thing is you’ve got the Perseverance and United States champions in this thing. You also have the former Undisputed champion, the survivor of the Tartarus prison, the first perseverance champion, and shit that’s just from Trauma. I don’t know if there’s anyone in the field you can call a minnow. Maybe Logan Bailey because of the whole inexperience thing, but the kid could surprise some people. Cayla Phoenix maybe as well. Can she win matches on her own? You could maybe ask the same about Abigail Lindsay. I guess push comes to shove, those three would probably be the biggest longshots.

Minoru sits back and takes a sip of his drink, finishing it off and bringing out another from maybe the couch or something. He just seems to have them.

Brea Lombardi "Not gonna lie, I wouldn't mind beating up Cayla Phoenix, she's super annoying to me. But, there are a lot of threats out there and it could be anyone's game. Especially the surprise return of Jessica Matthews turned a lot of heads. How do you feel about her?"

Minoru Tanahashi: Her being in the tournament is definitely interesting. She’s accomplished a lot for sure, in the past. She’s still got a bit of time before the tournament starts, but she’s got a bit of ring rust to shake off for sure. Part of me thinks if she is in my block it might be better to catch her early, first or second match so she can’t shake off that rust as well, then I think, this is a grueling tournament and she hasn’t wrestled in a bit, she could come out guns blazing and by match eight or nine just have nothing left. Her addition definitely shakes things up a little bit, and she’s got a really nice ass.

Minoru smirks and chuckles before he raises his drink, presumably toasting to Jessica Matthews’ backside. She would shake her head a bit, as Brea would then ask him.

Brea Lombardi "Right. Well, this show also likes to know a bit about the person outside of the ring. You were born in Japan, so, we're curious about some of the groups you listened to over there, and if you have any influences… I've heard you know how to play."

Minoru Tanahashi: I know how to play guitar and bass. I like Metallica, Megadeth, UVERworld, X-Japan, Zeppelin, Chuck Better. I like a lot of classic rock, some pop stuff. I really like Queen and I know it might be a little cliche, Michael Jackson. Toto, I freaking love Toto. Rosanna, Rosanna. I would say my musical tastes are as eclectic and eccentric as I am. I know you are a metalhead and I think you might know and appreciate this one.

Minoru smirks as he gets up, walks around behind the couch, and brings out a beautiful ash and maple guitar.

Minoru Tanahashi: You like this one? It’s the Richie Kotzen Telecaster. There’s also a seventy-fifth anniversary Stratocaster over here if you wanna try that out. Should be good and tuned up.

Minoru laughed as he got his Tele plugged in, plucked a few strings, and teased her with the opening to “Mr. Sandman” of all things, then went into Megadeth’s “Tornado of Souls.”

Brea Lombardi "I've got a strat, and I don't think I can bring myself to take that out of the case… gotta take care of the baby, you know? Anyway, that's our show tonight… And I suppose we're playing ourselves out tonight."

She said, before going into the rhythm section and playing Dave's part of the song while Minoru would play the lead riff, as the two would play until the fadeout, as we returned to our regularly scheduled program.

Minoru Tanahashi vs Cass Baumer

Cass Baumer is definitely pumped for this match, rocking her new soccer kit style gear. Cass gives the shoes and pads one last quick check as Minoru does the same before they circle around and lock up in the middle of the ring. Tanahashi uses his size advantage to back Cass into the corner, then breaks clean before patting his friend on the head and smirking, which leads to him eating a hard knife edge chop. Minoru fires back with one of his own and Cass follows back as the two start a little bit of a chop battle, both of their chests quickly reddening from the stinging shots. Cass hits a blistering chop and quickly goes for a second, but Tanahashi manages to catch that one, shove her back, spin her around and deliver a big palm strike as she comes back around. Tanahashi hits another chop, then a quick forearm, blistering chop, European uppercut and an enziguri that has the Headliner a little loopy and unable to counter the big Falcon Arrow. Minoru doesn’t cover, instead, he runs to the corner, quickly climbs up, raises his hand, and yells out “Nomi nasai, fakkā” which gets a nice cheer before he dives off and hits the Osake Bomb, looking to end it early.

TWO…

THR - KICK OUT!

Minoru doesn’t seem very surprised by the kick-out, almost smiling as he nods okay towards the official. Tanahashi brings Cass up, hits a quick snap suplex, floats over, and instead of pinning he brings the New Zealand native up to her feet and transitions into a Northern Lights suplex for a 2 count. Tanahashi brings Cass up once more and gets caught with a quick forearm, then another hard chop and an enziguri. Minoru is a bit rocked but has enough to block the brainbuster attempt and shoves Cass off into the ropes. Cass comes back, ducks a clothesline, and then goes right into the schoolgirl pin, no it’s the Tangled Web. Cass Baumer has that grapevine leglock applied and they are near the center of the ring. Tanahashi tries to get a kick into the face of Cass, but she leans back and applies more pressure on the submission. Cass has the hold applied perfectly and Tanahashi has to get the ropes. The Black Lion begins slowly crawling, having to pull Cass with him as she cranks back on the submission. There’s a momentary respite as Cass has to sit up to avoid accidentally pinning herself. That little bit is enough for Minoru to surge forward and grab the bottom rope. Cass leaves the hold applied for a few extra seconds before letting go. Tanahashi holds on to the ropes and slowly pulls himself up as Cass rolls back. Cass charges in with a spear, but Minoru sidesteps and she flies out. Cass is able to catch herself on the apron, grabs Minoru, and delivers a quick hotshot, then hops back on the apron and hits a modified Fly By Night, hitting the slingshot version of that big spear she has adapted so well. Cass covers

TWO…

THRE - KICK OUT!

Cass gives a little nod and takes Minoru’s wrist bringing him up and wrenching the arm. Cass moves into the hammerlock and cranks on the arm a bit before she slides into a headlock, that’s countered and leads to Minoru catching her in an arm wrench. Minoru wrenches the arm one more, then slides into the hammerlock. Minoru cranks on the arm then slips his foot between Cass’ tripping her up as he slides into a kneeling headlock. Cass is quick to hit a short elbow to the midsection to get him back into a standing position. Cass is able to slip her hand between his wrist and takes control, she wrenches the arm, and trips Minoru up, sliding right into a headlock. Minoru seems impressed, but he stomps on Cass’ foot and slips behind her for a German suplex, Cass returns the favor, slips behind and as he plants himself, she brings her foot up, as he goes for it she pulls back, hits him with a leapfrog double sledge, hits the ropes and looks for a running DDT. Minoru manages to shove her off and hits a gamengiri. Both are a bit stunned as Minoru hits a slingblade, then takes a few seconds to get his breath. Minoru seemed genuinely impressed as he went to apply the Keimusho Saifu. Before he could lace that last leg, Cass catches him with a kick right under the chin that has him seeing stars. Cass rolls back, hits the ropes, and has Minoru in position for the Fact Check. Minoru manages to block it, hits a quick palm strike to the chest, and quickly hits the Lion’s Claw. Tanahashi makes the cover

TWO…

THRE - KICK OUT!

Minoru looked up at Ashley Campbell a little bit surprised, but he smiled and nodded again as he brought his friendly rival back to their feet and Tanahashi sent Cass flying across the ropes, catching her with a quick arm drag as she came back. Cass popped up, hit the ropes, and hits a headscissors to Minoru. Minoru cartwheels through and hits one of his own, but Cass mimics perfectly and hits a monkey flip. Minoru lands on his fewer jumps up to the middle turnbuckle and hits a crossbody. Minoru rolls off, hits the ropes, and delivers a big dropkick to Cass as she gets up, Cass rolls to the outside as Minoru looks out at her, then over to FM Young who is in the crowd, He starts laughing, drops down to his knees and starts hitting the mat


The crowd picks it up, Minoru yells “TERMINATOR TWO IS THE BEST ONE!” as he looks for a Tope Con Hilo, and eats one of Cass’ fancy new wrestling shoes as she hits a rope-assisted enziguri. Cass hits the top rope and delivers a springboard hurricanrana. Minoru goes flying into the corner and as he comes out wobbly, Cass sees her opening and goes for the Fact Check once more. Tanahashi has that move scouted and blocks it once more. He looks for Kabukicho Nights which lead him to victory before. This time Cass has it scouted blocks it and drops Tanahashi with Miramira. Cass crawls into the cover and hooks the leg

TWO…

THRE - KICK OUT!

Cass looks up at Ashley Campbell with some surprise, but then nods, laughs it off and Cass brings Minoru up to his feet. There’s a quick whip into the corner followed by a running European uppercut, a beautiful snapmare, and a picture-perfect dropkick right to the small of Minoru’s back. Cass covers, but that only gets a 2 count. Cass quickly hits an inverted atomic drop and slips behind for a dragon suplex. Minoru is able to break her grip and she goes for a German, but he pushes back, using a bit of a hip check. He again grabs her wrist, but this time he uses it to pull her into a Japanese arm drag before he hits a standard arm drag and a big hip toss, followed up by a handspring into a dropkick as he seems intent on showing her up a little bit. Minoru doesn’t cover, instead, he wants to hit a big move so he whips her into the ropes and gets slide tackled. Minoru faceplants, but pops up and now it’s a Japanese arm drag, a standard arm drag, an Irish whip, a leapfrog, and a little nod the champ as Cass hoists Minoru up and delivers the Heart of the Phoenix. FM Young can't help but to cheer the impressive move and the shoutout. Cass crawls into the cover and hooks the leg.

TWO…

THRE - KICK OUT!

Cass is in genuine shock now as she looks up at Ashley Campbell. Cass shakes her head, shrugs slightly, and brings Minoru up, then delivers an absolutely vicious chop across his chest. That seems to wake him up and take the air out of him at the same time as he sucks in a big breath and fires back with a jaw crunching forearm. Both took a second, Minoru to get his wind, Cass to shake the cobwebs and then they started trading forearms. Baumer and Tanahashi were just throwing, that warrior spirit pushing them, neither backing down until Cass surprises Minoru with a nasty headbutt. Minoru is completely rocked as Cass hits a leg sweep DDT. Minoru is smack in the middle of the ring as Cass gets him into a seating position. Cass hits the ropes behind him, charges forward, and comes flying in with that Bleeding Edge kick. Minoru manages to lay back at the last second, rolls over, pops up, and catches Cass with a quick snap dragon suplex. Cass rolls through and pops up, right into a palm strike. Minoru follows with a European uppercut, then a step-up enziguri before he drops The Headliner with a tornado DDT. Minoru sees they’re close to the corner and doesn’t cover, instead he pulls Cass up, hits a big knee to the midsection, and sets her up. “LIGER BOMB!” Minoru powers Cass up runs to the middle of the ring and hits that jumping powerbomb, landing right in the pin

TWO…

THREE - KICK OUT!

Ashley Campbell shows him her hand is just barely above the mat as she stopped when Cass’ shoulder arched up. Minoru was in absolute shock as he rolled off and just took a few seconds. Cass moved towards the corner, pulling herself up as Minoru did the same in the opposite corner. Before Cass could collect herself, there was a two hundred and thirty-five pounds hunk of premium Japanese wagyu flying at her with a corner splash. Tanahashi followed that up with a running European uppercut and a slingshot suplex. Floatover into the cover and it’s a 2 count. Tanahashi brings Cass up and hooks her for a vertical suplex. As Cass is brought up, she throws her weight forward and is able to reverse into a falling neckbreaker. Cass hits a big running boot that sends him into the corner. Big running shoulder block from Cass to Tanahashi which doubles him over and sets him for a diving bulldog. Minoru rolls to the apron to stop Cass from getting the count, but Cass is okay, stepping back and waiting for him to get up. Minoru slowly pulls himself up on the apron and Cass comes charging with Fly By Night, only for Minoru to sidestep heer and deliver a big knee to the side of her head. Minoru shoves Cass back inside the ring and follows with a springboard missile dropkick. Cass goes flying back into the corner and Tanahashi starts getting the crowd to clap and cheer before he brings Cass up and hits a quick discus elbow. Cass is turned around and raised up onto the top rope. Minoru pulls Cass up for the Black Lion Bomb, takes a few steps away from the corner, hoists her up, and gets caught with a hurricanrana right into the roll-up for a close 2 count. Cass rolls off and connects with a step-up enziguri that stuns Minoru. Cass doesn’t waste time as she hits a sheer drop brainbuster to get The Black Lion punch drunk. Cass quickly follows with The Fact Check, hitting it and driving Tanahashi down. Cass quickly covers and hooks the leg

TWO…

THREE!

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Your winner as a result of a pinfall, The Headliner…CASS BAUMER!

Andrew Payne: Cass Baumer with the big counter out of that new and improved Black Lion Bomb, and she has finally beaten Minoru Tanahashi in another excellent contest.

Miranda Augustino: I don’t really like Cass Baumer and I damn sure don’t like Tanahashi, but that was a good match, and you know how much I love seeing the bitch lion lose.

Andrew Payne: Yes we know your feelings about Minoru Tanahashi. He looked great out there, almost had it, but tonight belonged to Cass Baumer and now here we go, respect.

FM Young cheers for Cass as her hand is raised, and Cass gives a little nod. Minoru is slow to his feet and FM gives him a thumbs up. Minoru waits for Cass to turn around and offers a hand which she accepts as the camera moves in on them.

Minoru Tanahashi: You’re a lot fucking better. You went to my Lucha guy didn’t you? Damn you El bombardero británico.

Cass Baumer: I found my own guy, ya egg. Thanks though.

Minoru chuckles and gives Cass a quick friendly hug before he raises her hand in victory. Minoru gives her a nod and ducks out to allow Cass some time to enjoy her hard-fought and well-earned victory.

Result: Via Pinfall

We head to the back where Griffin is sitting against the wall, dressed in black leather pants and a Marilyn Monroe T-Shirt. In his lap is his custom Perseverance Title. He sits back, his head against the wall as he begins to talk.

Griffin Hawkins: Fate is indeed a curious beast. I won the Perseverance Title in a Fatal Five Way...not knowing who'd I'd be facing next. Then I see two hungry contenders in the main event of Trauma. Marco Valantine, and Trixie Decker. Two athletes that I respect..and two people who could take my title. I realize I am at a disadvantage here...I don't have to be pinned or submitted to lose my gold. I asked for competition..and I got it. And now...I have to see if I can handle it.

He looks at the camera.

Griffin Hawkins: Marco Valantine. A man I consider a friend and an ally. This is his first ever chance at a major title here in NFW. Some say it should have been him in the 5 Way match for this gold..but Steele Matthews cheated him out of it. Now that I've gotten rid of him...as fate would have it, he gets his shot at the title. I got no problem with that. But the only thing I got a problem with is him trying to take what I've worked hard to get. He thinks he's gonna leave champion, I think I'm gonna leave champion. Looks like we're at a standstill. Only one of us is leaving with the gold.

He picks up the title.

Griffin Hawkins: I really got no problem with you Marco. I respect you. Hell, when Stacy introduced us to one another I thought I met a kindred spirit. But somehow in the back of my head, I knew we were going to face off. You and me, we both are a lot alike. We take risks, we go out and live the wild lifestyle of a wrestler, and we both make sure to send the fans home happy. We both want to be the best, that's why you're here in NFW, and it's why you're in this match. We both know what's at stake here. This title is the most important thing in this match, and you're gonna have to give me everything you've got if you want to win it.

He drapes the title around his shoulder.

Griffin Hawkins: Not gonna lie to you Marco, I'm excited to step in the ring with you for the first time ever. You and me share a similar style. We both like to fly and take risks whether they pay off or not. The both of us are gonna be taking a LOT of risks if it means leaving with the title. I respect you as an athlete and a friend, but business is business dude. I gotta look out for me in this match, and I'll take any advantage that I can if it means winning the match and retaining the title...and I don't expect any less from you. I'll do everything to leave as Champion, will you?

He slowly gets up.

Griffin Hawkins: And then we have Trixie Decker..our third member of this match. She feels strange seeing as she didn't earn her way in this match. I feel differently. She's not someone you just put in a title match randomly, they don't just randomly pick these names out of a hat. Management believes that she deserves a chance. And with someone like her in this match, I'm really going to have to keep on my toes. Trixie is looking to prove to everyone that she deserves to be Champion, but the problem is...it's my belt that she wants.

He readjusts the belt on his shoulder.

Griffin Hawkins: I know that wrestling is in your blood Trixie. Your family has been wrestling long before both of us got into this sport. They fought in Carnivals, Air Bases, anywhere as long as there is a crowd that will give them a standing ovation. I don't have family members who wrestled before me, but I know what it's like to wrestle in high school gyms and flea markets. I know how it feels to start from the bottom and work my way up to the top. You've done the same I'm sure, and you didn't allow it to change you. All of it could pay off if you become Perseverance Champion.

He brushes a strand of hair out of his face.

Griffin Hawkins: Your style...hardcore. That's interesting. I can work that style myself. Some call it garbage wrestling, I call it resourcefulness. My first ever title was a Hardcore title, so I am familiar with that. But will you use this to your advantage, Trixie? Because you're gonna have to throw everything but the Kitchen sink at me if you're gonna walk out with this belt. Many would say you're the odd one out, I don't see it that way. I see you as a viable threat. It doesn't matter who you are, on any given night, you could get the win. But I gotta make sure that doesn't happen. It doesn't matter if it's you..it doesn't matter if it's Marco. Somebody's gonna get rocked.

He walks off as we head back to the ring.

La Siervientas de Yum Kimil vs The Cornbread Mafia

Las Siervientas run across the ring and drill Cameron with double flying knees from behind to send him to the floor. Lady Death and Santa Muerte the spend the next two minutes taking turns working over Shawn as he futilely tries to fight back. They cut him off every time he looks like he might get an opening and then hit him with a double elbow drop. Lady Death covers him.

TWO!

SHAWN KICKS OUT!

Las Siervientas continue to press their advantage until Cameron grabs an ankle from the floor. Shawn is able to hit Lady Death with the Blowout. They hit hard and Shawn starts to crawl to his corner. Santa Muerte runs in to cut him off and the referee moves in to stop her. Shawn makes it to the corner to make the tag. Cameron comes in and goes to town on both Siervientas while the referee desperately tries to regain control. Cameron hits a big ddt on Santa Muerte to send her to the floor and then another on Lady Death. He jumps up and tries to call to Shawn when the referee tells him that he never saw Shawn tag Cameron and Cameron is therefore in the ring illegally. Cameron continues to argue with Jackson about it but the official is unmoved. Cameron appeals to the crowd but Jackson reminds him he can’t call anything based on their say so. While Cameron and Jackson continue to argue, Santa Muerte motions at Lady Death to get Shawn. She does and she and Shawn start fighting, exchanging punches to the crowd’s delight.

Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn, Death, Shawn!

Jackson and Cameron start to move back towards the Cornbread corner and Santa Muerta takes this opportunity to pull a ceremonial Macuahuitl Mayan war club from under the ring. She dives in and blasts Shawn in the back with it. She hits him a second time and hurries back to the corner to hide the weapon.

Lady Death hooks Shawn up in an inside cradle with an extra little tights pull for good measure while Santa Muerta runs over and grabs Cameron’s ankles to keep him from making the save. Jackson turns around, sees the cover and counts.

TWO!

THREE!

~Ding Ding Ding ~

Thea Crawford: Here are your winners, by pinfall, Lady Death and Santa Muerte...La Sirvientas de Yum Kimil!

Las Siervientas got away from the ring and retreated up the ramp laughing as Cameron and Shawn sit in the ring looking both bewildered and angry at what just happened.

Andrew Payne: Well, you hate to see it! A great tag match ruined by Siervientas bullshit!

Miranda Augustino: I still wanna know where they’re keeping, Amy, putas!

Andrew Payne: Wait, a minute, what’s La Profita doing, now?

As the match ends, La Profita rolls into the ring with a microphone in hand as Lady Death and Santa Muerta kick their opponents out of the ring and to the floor. La Profita gets into the middle of the ring as her clients stand behind her and the crowd is booing them.

La Profita: Lassindra, we know you want to try and play the hero in this story, that you want to “save” Amy Connors from us. But it’s okay, Amy is doing fine, her transformation is almost complete anyway. So please, Lassindra, try and stop us, try and play the hero in this story because you will fail and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be the next person we help to try and see the darkness and the greatness of Yum Kimil.

Lady Death takes the microphone from La Profita and steps right to the camera.

Lady Death: Lassindra, find a partner or come at us alone, it doesn’t matter. Death is coming for you one way or another. You want to come after us, The Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament Finals Event, bring it.

Lady Death drops the microphone and the lights go out for a moment and when they come back on, all three ladies are gone.
We cut backstage to find Captain Cosmo wandering the corridors of the Collision Center, occasionally checking behind production crates and under tables, presumably looking for the Cosmic Pug. Soon enough, he looks over to the camera.

Captain Cosmo: Ah yes, hello, fans of the Wrestling of the New Frontier! Captain Cosmo here! You have joined Captain Cosmo during his search for the Cosmic Pug here at the Collision Center!

He continues along and suddenly his eyes go wide as he looks into the camera and points.

Captain Cosmo: Look, Jeff! It’s the Mafia of Cornbread!

Jeff moves the camera to show the Cornbread Mafia a few feet away from them chatting amongst one another.

Captain Cosmo: We have Cameron Worley… Shawn Worley… and Big Bubba Thompson!

Cosmo looks back into the camera, still pointing at Thompson.

Captain Cosmo: Look at the size of this human! He is huge! Captain Cosmo shall introduce himself to this wonderful trio!

Cosmo ushers Jeff to follow him as he makes his way over to the three men.

Captain Cosmo: Greetings and salutations, friends Cameron, Shawn and Big Bubba! Captain Cosmo here!

Bubba starts to smile broadly only for Cameron to grab his arm.

Cameron Worley: Now, Bubba, remember, he’s like Rocky… we don’t treat him like Tedman or other big animals…

Bubba nods, suddenly nervous.

Big Bubba Thompson: Okay… sorry…

Shawn pats his large cousin on the back.

Shawn Worley: It’s alright, Bubba, you ain’t been bad or nothing’...

Cameron nods to Cosmo.

Cameron Worley: He gets excited is all. How y’all doin’?

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo is doing well thank you, friend Cameron! Captain Cosmo is just as excited to meet you all as Big Bubba is to meet Captain Cosmo!

Cosmo looks up at the big man.

Captain Cosmo: Jesus Christ! You are much bigger than Captain Cosmo thought!

Cosmo looks over at Shawn while pointing to Bubba.

Captain Cosmo: How is it possible for a human to be this huge?!

Shawn nods knowingly.

Shawn Worley: He’s a big ol’ boy, ain’t he?

Cameron snickers.

Cameron Worley: Wonder what Captain Cosmo’d make of Ricky Ray and how tall he is?

Bubba starts clapping, jumping up and down excitedly. Cameron just shakes his head.

Cameron Worley: It’s his first night back after what them “Mafia” ladies done did to him over us usin’ that word and him bein’... him…

Cosmo nods as she clasps his hands together.

Captain Cosmo: Ah yes! Captain Cosmo remembers seeing that! It was quite the despicable act!

Cosmo then looks back to Big Bubba.

Captain Cosmo: Well Captain Cosmo is very excited to meet you, Big Bubba! Captain Cosmo is a huge fan of yours!

Unable to contain himself, Bubba moves over, picks Captain Cosmo up and starts jumping around excitedly with him.

Big Bubba Thompson: COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!! COSMO!!!

Cameron Worley: Bubba, please put the celestial bein’ down!

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo… is starting to… find it hard to breathe…

Bubba quickly puts Cosmo down and the Captain stumbles around a little, blinking a few times as he shakes the cobwebs free.

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo thanks you for your kind hug, Big Bubba!

Bubba smiles, albeit slightly apologetically.

Big Bubba Thompson: I’m sorry I squeezed too much.

Cosmo waves it off and shakes his head.

Captain Cosmo: No need to apologise, Captain Cosmo is perfectly okay!

Cosmo glances over at both the Worley’s and then to Bubba again.

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo must ask before he takes his leave! Have either of you three seen the Cosmic Pug?!

Shawn shakes his head.

Shawn Worley: Brought an offering of Pringles to a talking raccoon once, but ain’t seen no pugs.

Cameron Worley: Whole building’d know if Bubba seen one…

He laughs and pats the big man on the back.

Cameron Worley: Bubba loves him some small furry animals to hug!

Captain Cosmo: Very interesting! Well, friends Cameron, Shawn and Big Bubba! If either of you see the Cosmic Pug, please let Captain Cosmo know! Until then! Good luck in your adventures and Captain Cosmo shall see you another time!

Cosmo waves goodbye to the trio before walking off, continuing on his search for the Cosmic Pug.

Cameron Worley: Y’all take care now!

Shawn Worley: We really friends with an alien?

Cameron Worley: After you seen Rocky, is it really that crazy?

Shawn Worley: No, I spose not.

The Worley’s then shrug as we cut elsewhere.

FM Young vs Cherry Addams

Before the match begins, FM Young extends her right hand out to Cherry Addams. Glitch stares at her hand for a moment before she actually accepts the handshake. The two of them seem to have a strange respect towards one another. Finally, referee Nigel Porter signals for the bell.


Right out of the gate, the Undisputed Champion FM Young rushes her opponent from the corner only to be caught in a fireman’s carry by the tenacious Cherry Addams to the crowd’s loud disapproval. Addams tries for her “Circuit Breaker” (Fireman’s Carry Codebreaker) finisher to end this one quickly, but Young has too much life left. She slips out of the hold, bounces off the ropes behind her, and hits her “Man-Machine Interface'' (Discus Clothesline) signature to the back of Cherry’s head. The woman formerly known as Glitch tumbles over the ropes and catches herself upright on the apron. Then, Cherry shouts at Effy to try to hit her again. Young shrugs and then follows the request. Running, she spins to hit the Man-Machine Interface clothesline again only for Cherry to dodge and pull down the rope to let FM fall to ringside. It’s ugly! The Undisputed Champion seems to have hit the back of her neck hard against the apron. As she slowly climbs to her feet, Addams jumps off her perch outside the ropes to hit a diving axe kick to Effy’s neck with a ruthless precision that makes the crowd gasp!

Once the two make it back to their feet, the would-be contender whips FM into the barricade shoulder-first by the hair, then Irish whips her back into the ring. Cherry climbs the apron and hops the ropes, stomping on Effy’s throat repeatedly to the crowd’s boos! Young struggles to escape, pulling herself back into a corner seated position. Addams runs at the corner, only for Effy to rise to her feet, catch Cherry under the leg, and nail a brutal “Human Error Processor '' (Pop-Up Powerbomb)!! Tucked into a powerbomb pin, she has the cover. One, two, thre-- kickout! So close!

With the crowd behind her, FM rests against the ropes with her eyes squarely on Cherry Addams. She takes deep breaths. The match slows down. Then, as soon as Cherry wobbles to her feet, Effy goes for a second Human Error Processor only for it to be countered with a punch to the throat by a groggy Addams! Punch, punch, punch! The Undisputed Champion falls to her knees but the onslaught of fists continues. Effy’s on her back now, the ground pound continuing until the referee has to break them up! The titleholder’s neck looks beat red. After a moment’s breather, Cherry hooks in her Romero special, then transitions it into a wicked dragon sleeper she calls “Dying of the Light”. FM starts to fade, the pressure on that damaged neck compressing the carotid arteries. Young fades further, legs trapped. The referee comes closer to check if he should call the match.

Just when it looks like she’s done, Nigel Porter slaps the ring! Cherry’s two shoulders touched the match! Addams adjusts herself, assuring this wasn’t a pin, but the sound of the referee’s hand against the mat reawakens FM! She breaks out of the hold with strength of will, then briefly celebrates her feat with the crowd. Cherry gets to her feet behind the Undisputed Champion and the moment Effy turns, she gets hit with an axe kick from Addam’s other leg! FM Young steps back in a daze, bounces off the ropes, and then hits a Heart of the Phoenix (Lumbar Check) with authority! Disoriented, she crawls on top of Cherry Addams for the pin.


Thea Crawford: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner of the match via pinfall… the NFW Undisputed Champion, FM YOUNG!

Andrew Payne: Cherry Addams brought one hell of a fight but the Undisputed Champion, FM Young, showcases what she’s known for and picks up the win!

Miranda Augustino: Stole it like she did Papi’s belt!

Andrew Payne: Oh, knock it off. She did not steal either. She fought hard and earned both victories.

Miranda Augustino: Humph!

The scene opens inside a dark, damp cavern. The only light inside is created by torches mounted along the carved walls, and there’s a sound of a small stream running down into the cavern. The camera follows a familiar green-haired lass, and as she turns around to face the camera, the flame providing the light that shows her face, she begins to speak.

Anaquin Adams: This place is where the souls of those I’ve defeated over the years have come to rest.

As she walks backward through the long carved tunnel, the lights show skulls embedded into the wall. Anaquin begins to point them out.

Anaquin Adams: Gray Zee was never worthy. I set him up for his biggest success, only for him to disappoint me by being an absolute nothing. For him, I surrendered myself to the monster that was unleashed in me, and Gray Zee failed to step up to the challenge, and I had to put him out of wrestling for good. I put him down and no one ever heard from him again.

She plucks this skull from the wall and drops it onto the cavern floor, allowing it to smash into pieces.

Anaquin Adams: Kieran Overton. Bullet Carbajal. Griffin Hawkins. Kairi Higurashi. Adrianna Salvatore. Logan Bailey. These were all worthy of my challenge. I didn’t defeat everyone, but there is one spot where there should be a soul, but that soul is not there. Stacy Jones, when you defeated me for the United States Championship, you denied me. But you also showed me that I need to improve. Grow. Surpass. This spot is no longer reserved for you, Jones.

Anaquin reaches over and gently runs her hands over the open space.

Anaquin Adams: This spot is reserved for the new Undisputed Champion. FM Young issued the challenge, and “The Universal Superstar” stepped up to take the challenge. I am ready. I am ready to ascend to the throne of NFW and sit perched with a crown and scepter. I am ready to take the Undisputed Championship and make it a galactic championship. All we need is for GM Santiago to sign the paperwork. To put pen to paper and make it official. Would you deny this epic encounter between the scrapper Young and the daredevil Adams? The pennies will flow into your coffers if you sign this match. The Collision Center would overflow with occupants at the mere mention of this match. Do not deny us, nor the empire that witnesses NFW every week, the opportunity to see this clash of immortals. The ball is in your court, Santiago. What will it be? Bring me the soul of FM Young so I can add it to my collection.

As the camera focuses on the face of Anaquin Adams, it flickers between her face and the face of someone else. Between the familiar long green hair and long red hair. From a clean face to a face painted into a scary Halloween face. Back and forth, the image changes as the light of the torches flicker on her as the scene fades to black.
Andrew Payne: Well folks, what a show it’s been so far!

Miranda Augustino: And now it’s Main Event time, bitches!

Suddenly the opening bass line to "I Will Not Break" by A Sound Of Thunder blares out of the PA system and the camera pans around the arena as the fans rise to their feet and cheer wildly.

"Oh no, we can't ask her! She's a creep!"

"Who are they talking about?"

As the song kicks in, the camera cuts to the stage where we see the United States Champion, "Unbreakable" Stacy Jones standing there with a large grin on her face with her title draped over her shoulder as she then begins to make her way down the ramp, slapping the fans hands on the way.

Andrew Payne: Well it looks like we’re going to have a few words from our US Champ first, Mir!

Miranda Augustino: She wasn’t even booked tonight.

Once she reaches the bottom of the ramp, she turns to her super fan, Elsie and removes her plain black wool hat and hands it to her before she makes her way over to the ring before hopping up onto the apron. Placing her title onto the apron, she then puts her back to the ropes and taking hold of the top rope with both hands, she proceeds to backflip over the ropes and into the ring and then picks her title back up.

Andrew Payne: Well she may not have been booked tonight but she’s our US Champion, she has to represent.

Miranda Augustino: Oh joy...

Walking to the centre of the ring, she raises her title high up into the air and the fans cheer before she calls for a microphone and is handed one as "I Will Not Break" fades out.

Stacy Jones: So last week… River Chance and Tahti Kuu battled one another in the Main Event with the winner set to challenge me for my United States Championship!

She paces the ring a little.

Stacy Jones: I loved watching them go at it… and both of them truly proved that they deserve to be in the championship picture. Ultimately though… it was River who scored the victory.

The Unbreakable One adjusts the title over her shoulder.

Stacy Jones: Now River, like I said to you on Twitter… I am very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with you with this on the line. I have a lot of respect for you as a person… and how you carry yourself between these ropes… and I have always been a fighting champion.

The fans cheer and Jones nods.

Stacy Jones: And I know you’re going to give me one Hell of a fight… and that’s exactly what I want! I came here to New Frontier to test myself against the best of the best! And that was why I stepped up to the undefeated United States Champion, Anaquin Adams! And I proved to each and every person in the back how good I am by being the first person to defeat Anaquin and in doing so, I became the new United States Champion!

Again the fans cheer, forcing a smile from the champion.

Stacy Jones: I’m not going to tell you to bring your best because I know you will! But what I will say is that you better be prepared for the biggest fight of your career because I refuse to lose this championship in my first defense!

“I Will Not Break” then blasts out of the PA system as Jones raises her title high above her head again before handing the microphone to Thea Crawford and then leaving the ring to make her way up the ramp.

Andrew Payne: Well it certainly sounds like Stacy is ready for her first title defense against River, Mir.

Miranda Augustino: It’s going to be a tough defense for sure, Andy. River is a beast.

Reaching the stage, the champion turns to face the fans and raises her title up one last time before she disappears through the curtain.

Trixie Decker vs Marco Valintine vs Griffin Hawkins ©

The bell sounds and the three competitors circle the ring and look at one another. Marco and Trixie look at each other and nod as they go right after Griffin and begin to beat him down before they toss him out of the ring and out to the floor. Once they take care of that, the two of them decide to focus on each other and they locked up with Marco forcing Trixie into the corner and as he breaks, he delivers a chop to the chest. He pulls Trixie out of the corner and he delivers a series to kicks to the legs of Trixie before going for a roundhouse kick to the side of the head that Trixie is able to duck and avoid, but Marco comes around with another and this one connects. Marco immediately goes for a cover, but Trixie gets a shoulder up at two. Marco sees Griffin getting up on the outside and hits the ropes and delivers a Fosbury Flop on Griffin on the outside before picking him up and rolling him inside Marco leaps onto the apron and delivers a springboard crossbody to Griffin as he gets to his feet.

As Marco gets to his feet though, Trixie is there to deliver a stunner to him and Marco rolls out of the ring. Trixie turns around and ducks a clothesline from Griffin before delivering a headbutt followed up with a spinning backfist to the champion and knocks him down. Trixie immediately goes for the cover, but Marco dives in and makes the save. Marco picks Trixie up and delivers a snap dragon suplex and then turns his attention to Griffin and picks him up. Marco goes for another snap dragon suplex, but Griffin counters out of it and delivers an enziguri to Marco before following it up by hitting the ropes and delivering a spear to him. Marco rolls out of the ring as Griffin focuses on Trixie now.

Griffin grabs Trixie and delivers a swinging neckbreaker before hitting a breakdancing leg drop and going for a cover, but Trixie manages to kick out at two. Griffin picks Trixie up and delivers a Glam Slam before getting to his feet and hitting the ropes and delivering a suicide dive onto Marco. Griffin then climbs to the top rope and delivers Holy Diver on Trixi and hooks the leg and gets the three count.

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, by pinfall, and STILL the NFW Perseverance Champion...The Juke Box Hero...GRIFFIN HAWKINS!!

Andrew Payne: Griffin Hawkins with his first successful defense of the Perseverance Title!

Miranda Augustino: And well earned! I still think Katie Baby was the better champ but I can give the Toronto Rocker a close second!

Andrew Payne: Well, she may not be the Perseverance Champion anymore, but we know she’ll be in this year’s Vlad Blackheart Memorial, along with that man, the current champion, Griffin Hawkins!

Miranda Augustino: Si mon, carnal! Between her, Nova and Papi, someone’s gonna bring that Undisputed Title back to House Crowley, baby!

Andrew Payne: So many big names this year, Mir. It’ll be exciting to see how this year plays out! For Miranda Augustino, I’m Andrew Payne. We’ll see you on September 6th, but don’t any of you dare miss Collision’s Cruel Summer II coming this Tuesday! It’s gonna be huge!